Excerpt: Crave Me by Cecy Robson

About the Book

RT Book Reviews proclaims that the O’Brien Family series from award-winning author Cecy Robson “has the hottest brothers ever!” And in Crave Me, it’s time for the sole sister in the family to discover love.

Wren O’Brien isn’t your typical female. As the only girl from a loud Irish family with seven siblings, she prefers fast cars to lip gloss and bad boys to good men. It’s the reason she’s nursing a wounded soul and keeping her distance from a dangerous ex.

Evan Jonah is running an empire and just moved from the lavish thoroughfares of London to the gritty streets of Philadelphia. When he walks into the nearest dealership, he’s expecting to find a reliable vehicle to handle the brutal winters, not a sexy female car rep with killer legs.

Wren doesn’t know why “Hotness in a Suit” asked her out. She doesn’t expect a great time or a night of passion that knocks her on her ass. But that’s exactly what Evan shows her.

She also never counted on how hard and fast she’d fall. But men like Evan—good men with even better hearts—don’t desire tough-talking Philly girls for long.

Evan has never met a woman like Wren. But he’s up for the challenge and ready to prove her wrong.

Excerpt

I open the door to the dark blue Explorer for Wren. She pauses before slipping inside. “Look at this,” she says. “Chivalry isn’t dead after all.”

I chuckle because I have nothing better to say. Even if witty comebacks were my forte, this woman would still have me at a loss for words. It didn’t take her long take to check my credentials or for her to acquire an impressive vehicle for me to test drive, her command and efficiency, making the process smooth.

I slide inside, taking a quick look at the interior before adjusting the seat to accommodate my long legs.

“Why an Explorer?” I ask, concentrating on the features so I don’t openly gape at Wren.  

She tilts her head. “You’re a suit, a businessman, right?”

“That’s right,” I agree.

“So you don’t need a truck to haul wood or tools or any equipment.” She laughs a little. “You also need something you’re actually going to be comfortable in, big guy. And seeing how you’re taking the Blue Route to work, you also want to stay safe. The maniacs on the highway will bowl over a smaller ride. But in this, even the crazies will think twice before messing with you.”

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About the Author

Cecy Robson is an award-winning author of magical realms and to-die-for Alpha heroes. A double RITA® 2016 finalist for Once Pure and Once Kissed, and published author of more than sixteen titles, you can typically find her on her laptop or stumbling blindly in search of caffeine.

Connect:  WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS

Spotlight: Kissing Her Enemy by Coleen Kwan

Synopsis

Amber Miller has worked hard to get her small business thriving. Now the Wright family wants to tear down her store to put up a mega center. What’s even worse, the guy who broke her heart in high school is the new CEO of Wright Inc. He’s just as infuriating now—and just as tempting—as he was back then, but she isn’t giving up without a fight.

Logan Wright is back in Pine Falls for one reason: to turn his dad’s failing company around. His plans should put them on the upswing. But he didn’t count on Amber Miller standing in his way, as fiery and stubborn as she was years ago. And the more time he spends with her, the harder it is to resist falling for her again. The only problem is he’s everything she doesn’t want.

Excerpt

She groaned. “Surely we can do better than a soulless, seen-everywhere kit?” She canted her head at the toddlers nearby. “Don’t they deserve better?”

Was she really that concerned, or was this a ploy to distract him? Amber was smart, and she was not his ally; he had to remember that.

“You’re determined to object, are you?”

“It must be a novelty for you, working with someone who stands up to you.”

“Have you ever heard of compromise?”

“What’s that?” she shot back. “A two-bit town in Texas?”

Despite his annoyance, he suppressed a smile. “How about we do this first playhouse my way? You can take charge on the next one.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “And what happens with the third one?”

“Maybe by then we’ll have reached Compromise, East Texas, population: two.”

Her luscious lips quirked. “Okay, I admit you have a sense of humor.”

A tingling sensation danced through his stomach. For a moment he didn’t recognize it, and then he realized it was lust—pure, hot, animal lust for this complicated, frustrating woman. He found himself leaning toward her, wanting to inhale her subtle fragrance. In tight, frayed jeans, Timberland boots, and a black Nirvana T-shirt, she was strong, sexy, and fascinating.

Her eyes widened, as if she sensed his intent, and they both stilled. The sun blazed down on them, a gentle breeze carrying the scent of grass and flowers, the air soft and summery. Did she feel it, too, this heightened awareness? He was conscious of every detail about her—the wisps of hair clinging to her temples, the flutter of her pulse at the base of her throat, the warmth of her breath. He felt an overwhelming urge to touch her, his skin itching to contact hers. He lifted a hand, determined to cup her cheek.

Then, from behind the fence, a child began to cry, a teacher rushed forward, and the moment burst like a bubble. Amber stepped back, looking flustered, her eyelashes sweeping down in an effort to hide her expression. But he had seen it, that fascination burning in her sherry-colored eyes. The attraction he felt was definitely not one-sided.

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About the Author

Coleen Kwan writes contemporary and steampunk romance for Carina Press and Entangled Publishing.

Coleen has been a bookworm all her life. At school English was her favorite subject, but for some reason she decided on a career in IT. After many years of programming, she wondered what else there was in life — and discovered writing. She loves writing contemporary romance and steampunk romance.

Coleen lives in Sydney, Australia with her partner and two children. When she isn’t writing she enjoys avoiding housework, eating chocolate, and watching The Office.

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Spotlight: Fires of Love and Hate by Sky Alexander

About the Book

FORCED TO LOVE: The Fires of Love & Hate Book 1

“Inspiration can come from anywhere, but nothing is more uplifting and irresistible to me as a new Sky Alexander novel. This is one of my new favorites, (with FORCED TO LOVE) Sky Alexander shows his unique writing style that reminds us of how great historical romance and western romance can be written that reminds you of classics but with new addictive twists that are uplifting and intriguing in The Fires of Love & Hate (Historical Romance Collection). Hattie really shows that through thick and then love for your family is one of the most important things.” ~Heather Goodreads 

“FORCED TO LOVE is spell-bounding and one of my new favorite historical romance stories that is sure to be around for a long time. You must read this!” ~ Juanita Goodreads 

Hattie Morran is a poor dirt farmers daughter in Missouri. Suddenly Hattie finds that her life is changed in the blink of an eye and she is forced to love Abner Garland. Now her Western Romance which is purely a façade for show and to save her family will soon come to an end. 

From the moment that you are brought into the book you will be immediately part of the western romance in the middle of the south. The Fires of Love & Hate Series will keep you right in the middle of a tale that is based on some true and historical events. This Historical Romance series is sure to be you’re new favorite.

Falling Into Love: The Fires of Love & Hate Book 2

About the Book

FALLING INTO LOVE is the newest book in Sky Alexander’s series The Fires of Love & Hate (Historical Romance Collection).

“Inspiration can come from anywhere, but nothing is more uplifting and irresistible to me as a new Sky Alexander novel. This is one of my new favorites, (with FALLING INTO LOVE) Sky Alexander shows his unique writing style that reminds us of how great historical romance and western romance can be written that reminds you of classics but with new addictive twists that are uplifting and intriguing in The Fires of Love & Hate (Historical Romance Collection). Hattie really shows that through thick and then love for your family is one of the most important things.” ~Heather Goodreads 

“FALLING INTO LOVE is spell-bounding and one of my new favorite historical romance stories that is sure to be around for a long time. You must read this!” ~ Juanita Goodreads 

Hattie and Lou decide to take the world by storm in this historical romance. Hattie is finally reunited with her first love Ira Saxon. Now her Western Romance which has been something she has been dreaming of looks like it is finally coming true. Still there are many challenges from her Ex-Husband who is determined to get his hands on his inheritance and bound and determined to see Hattie’s life ruined. And now with Nicholas Star in the mix Hattie has much more to deal with.

Hate To Love: The Fires of Love & Hate Book 3

About the Book

Uplifting jaw dropping Western Romance! This book really shows you what kind of Historical Romance author Sky Alexander is. ~ Tiffany Goodreads 

“HATE TO LOVE” Reminds me of that song “You Lied Straight Faced; While I Cried” This Historical Romance is perfectly set in a Western Romance theme. I literally could not believe that Ira was doing what he was! I can’t wait for the next book. ~ Stephanie Goodreads 

Hattie’s whirlwind Western Romance is quickly changing even before the honeymoon to the man she has loved for so long comes to an end. It seems forever is not much more than a fantasy in this Historical Romance. Hattie takes an adult view deciding to try and fix the situation that seems impossible.

Death of Love: The Fires of Love & Hate Book 4

About the Book

Ira’s infraction with the law has caused a change in their relationship. Hattie must now see things through to the end. Her long desires for Matthew tear heavily on her heart in this western romance. Still, she has no idea how to pull herself out of this devotion she has had for a man that she has loved as long as she can remember. Will this historical romance leave her wanting? Will she ever find peace? 

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About the Author

Sky Alexander is one of the most knowledgeable and experienced IT professionals in the industry today. He holds degrees in Software Engineering, Network Engineering and Database

Engineering. He has worked for companies such as Hewlett Packard, Citicorp Bank and Wells
Fargo, as well as many different top United States Government Agencies in the intelligence arena. 

Sky has built software that is in use in multiple businesses utilizing both structural design patterns and behavioral design patterns. He is an expert in .Net, Java and OSI platforms. He has used many different technologies to create very sophisticated applications for both mobile devices as well as stand-alone software applications.

Sky has over 15 years experience in the industry, managing teams in the United States as well as managing teams remotely in Bangalore, India and Shanghai, China. He has designed and implemented website infrastructures for many multi-national companies.

Sky is also the author of 16 novels. He is currently working on three different series: The Fires of Love and Hate, Aspen Falls, and World of Darkness. Sky has also written several stage plays and two full-length feature films: Out of Darkness and A Forbidden Love. 

Sky also does ghostwriting and is currently mentoring several other authors on how to
write books. Sky is founder and CEO of two different companies: Rising Phoenix Publishing
is designed to help people of all ages who want to write and publish a book. We take submissions from aspiring authors and determine if their work is ready for publication. Rising Phoenix will work with authors who may need additional coaching to reach publication level. 

We currently have books from 21 authors being prepared for production. We will engage the best in the business to produce, market, and sell the books, both online and to bookstores across the United States and eventually the world.

Rising Phoenix Studios is designed with the intent of breaking all the rules of Hollywood by bringing fresh new stories to the platform with up-and-coming talented actors. Our goal will always be to bring original untold stories to production that are entertaining, compelling and positive films for the enjoyment of the entire family.

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Spotlight: The Ashes by Vincent Zandri

About the Book

HORROR IN THE DARK WOODS

It’s been eight years since artist and single mom, Rebecca Underhill, was abducted and left to die in an old broken down house located in the middle of the dark woods. But even if her abductor, Joseph William Whalen, has since been killed, another, more insidious evil is once more out to get her in the form of the Skinner. The son of an abusive butcher, Skinner intends on finishing the job Whalen started but failed at.

How is he going to get to Rebecca?

He’s going to do it through her children, by luring them into the cornfield behind the old farmhouse they live in.

HORROR IN THE DEPTHS

Now, armed with the knowledge that the Skinner has escaped incarceration at a downstate facility for the criminally insane, Rebecca must face the most horrifying challenge of her adult life: Rescuing the children not from a house in the woods, but from the abandoned tunnels that run underneath her property.

But the Skinner is watching Rebecca’s every move.
Horrifying question is, will she live long enough to save the children?

Book Excerpt

Albany Police Department

South Pearl Street Precinct

The old homicide detective sits behind his metal desk surrounded by the cold quiet of the early morning, staring forlornly into the radiant screen on his department-issued laptop. He’s been using the laptop, which is integrated with the department’s web server, for years and years now, but he still fondly recalls the days when his desktop supported only a telephone connected to an old fashioned landline and beside that, an IMB Selectric typewriter. And how could he ever forget the old two tiered Inbox/Outbox?

He glances at his inbox and the two dozen or so new emails that have come his way since he last checked it the previous evening. He scans the emails for their importance, relegating most of them to routine, until he comes to one marked, “URGENT: Serial Murderer Hanover Escapes Custody.”

The detective, whose name is Nick Miller, is a tall, wiry, white-haired man. He has been on the force for more years than a man should be. Or so he’s been told countless times by his peers inside the department. But he’s a widower who can’t seem to get over the fact that his wife is gone, even years after her untimely death on an operating table after suffering a burst aneurism. It also explains why he’s sitting behind his desk, suffering from the pangs of a whiskey hangover, on a quiet Sunday morning.

He opens the email.

“To Whom It May Concern,” reads the department wide message. “The former cellmate of New York State registered sex offender and convicted murderer, Joseph William Whalen, has escaped from the Mid-Hudson Psychiatric Center in New Hampton, New York while en route to a routine medical review at an upstate facility. Lawrence Frederick Hanover, 69, Caucasian, was convicted on several counts of murder in the first degree and is considered extremely dangerous. Both guards who were assisting with the transfer were killed during an apparent violent exchange with Hanover, aka Skinner, or The Skinner. His present whereabouts is unknown.”

Miller exhales, sits back in his swivel chair.

The email originates not from the FBI but from the state police, most notably, the Rensselaer County Division. He recalls Whalen as the maximum security inmate who, not long after his release, attempted to abduct and kill the same woman, Rebecca Underhill, whom he’d abducted back when she was a little girl in 1977. Her twin sister, Molly, was also the target of his attacks. Although Molly has since died, Rebecca, still lives in the area with her son.

The email comes with several pictures of Hanover, including his most recent mugshots and psychiatric facility photo records. The small, bald, scraggily faced little man doesn’t seem like he could hurt a fly much less another human being. But Miller wasn’t born yesterday and he knows that even a little man can kill as efficiently and quickly as a big, monster of a man. Perhaps even more quickly and efficiently.

Sitting back up, he scans the rest of the email.

“While state police have issued state-wide APBs and launched a task force to hunt for Hanover’s whereabouts, we are asking that police cooperate in every way possible to ensure the quick, efficient, and otherwise discreet apprehension of the serial murderer. All communications should be delivered directly to this office via the email/phone number listed.”

Once more Miller sits back.

“The quick, efficient, and otherwise discreet apprehension of the serial murderer,” he whispers. “Somebody fucked up and that somebody doesn’t want the press to get ahold of this story.”   

Sitting there, alone in the quiet office, Miller feels a distinct and very unpleasant chill run up and down his backbone.

“What would a schooled Statie or FBI pathologist have to say about this rather delicate situation?” he whispers quietly to himself. “That a killer as skilled and hungry as Hanover is gonna slip up and be found sleeping in some crappy hotel somewhere? That they can then slip him back inside his rubber room at Mid-Hudson Psychiatric, like he’s some two-bit bank robber?” The detective laughs aloud. “I’ll tell you something right now. If the Skinner doesn’t want to be found, then no way in hell he’s gonna be found. Simple as that. He didn’t escape to be free. He escaped to kill, to butcher, and that’s all.”

His bloodshot eyes once more focused on the laptop screen, the old detective shifts the curser so that it clicks on the Action Taken box beside the open email. He clicks on Saved Mail.

Closing the laptop lid, he finds that his hands are shaking. He opens the bottom desk drawer, pulls out the bottle of Jack Daniels stored inside it. Pouring a generous shot into his empty ceramic coffee cup, he drinks it down.

“Skinner,” he whispers. “Who will you flay next? Whose flesh will you feast on?”  

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Meet the Author

Winner of the 2015 PWA Shamus Award and the 2015 ITW Thriller Award for Best Original Paperback Novel, Vincent Zandri is the NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, and AMAZON KINDLE No.1 bestselling author of more than 25 novels including THE REMAINS, MOONLIGHT WEEPS, EVERYTHING BURNS, and ORCHARD GROVE. He is also the author of numerous Amazon bestselling digital shorts, PATHOLOGICAL, TRUE STORIES and MOONLIGHT MAFIA among them. Harlan Coben has described THE INNOCENT (formerly As Catch Can) as "...gritty, fast-paced, lyrical and haunting," while the New York Post called it "Sensational...Masterful...Brilliant!" Zandri's list of domestic publishers include Delacorte, Dell, Down & Out Books, Thomas & Mercer and Polis Books, while his foreign publisher is Meme Publishers of Milan and Paris. An MFA in Writing graduate of Vermont College, Zandri's work is translated in the Dutch, Russian, French, Italian, and Japanese. Recently, Zandri was the subject of a major feature by the New York Times. He has also made appearances on Bloomberg TV and FOX news. In December 2014, Suspense Magazine named Zandri's, THE SHROUD KEY, as one of the "Best Books of 2014." Recently, Suspense Magazine selected WHEN SHADOWS COME as one of the "Best Books of 2016". A freelance photo-journalist and the author of the popular "lit blog," The Vincent Zandri Vox, Zandri has written for Living Ready Magazine, RT, New York Newsday, Hudson Valley Magazine, The Times Union (Albany), Game & Fish Magazine, and many more. He lives in New York and Florence, Italy.

Connect: WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

Spotlight: Can't Fight This Feeling by Miranda Liasson

About the Book

SHE WANTS TO MOVE ON…WITH SOMEONE BLAND AND BORING…

Widowed psychologist Maggie McShae is ready to find someone who won’t make her heart beat fast, her knees grow weak, or make her feel hot and cold at the same time. No one she can really love, because love brings too much pain.

Drew Poulos, son of a billionaire, is hiding out in Mirror Lake, working at his brothers’ brandy company. He inspires those very feelings Maggie’s determined to avoid. The hunky businessman, who left his high society bride at the altar, is the last person she’d ever seriously date…but he might just be perfect for a fling…

HE NEEDS A DATE FOR HIS BROTHER’S WEDDING…WITH SOMEONE WHO CAN CALM HIS QUIRKY FAMILY…

Drew’s too heartbroken to ever trust any woman again, but the sexy psychologist is the perfect person to deflect his family’s attention as his brother marries the woman Drew once thought was his.

As sparks fly, two injured hearts might just find that true love can be even better the second time around….

Excerpt

He got in her face. And oh, those big brown intelligent eyes up close, those chiseled cheekbones, so much more defined than her own, which really were such a waste on a man. That thick, pitch-black hair, so thick a woman’s fingers could get lost in there.

She tried to back up a step, but he moved forward. “Maybe. Let’s start by being honest with each other. Do you want me, Maggie?”

“We’re not talking about—that. Back off already.” She pushed on his chest a little. A mistake. Because it was hard as boulders and made her knees go weak. “Besides, you just—flinched when I touched you.”

“I think we need to do what you said, talk about it. I flinched because I felt what I think you feel too. That there’s something going on between us. What are we going to do about it?”

She flipped her hand dismissively. “It’s all that touchy-feely stuff we’re doing in front of your family. That has to stop.”

“This has nothing to do with playacting,” he said quietly. “And I think you know that. “That kiss on the court… It was real.”

“That kiss was…impulsive. Heat of the moment, fueled by our hard-won victory.” Joking now was not stopping the shivers that were running up and down her arms. Or the hot and cold coursing through her veins. Somehow, she sensed how it would be between them. Wild. No holds barred. And God help her, she wanted that.

She tried to pull some common sense out of her sex-addled brain. It would be a very bad idea on both their parts to forget their troubles with a sweaty round of sex, wouldn’t it?

Yet wasn’t that what she’d wanted? To get her life going again? To have an opportunity to meet someone she could maybe share her life with and make a family for Griffin, even if she wasn’t anywhere near expecting the soul-binding love she’d experienced with Corey.

“I—I’m not in the right place for a relationship,” she said.

“And yet you were ready to have a fling with Greg the Fireman.”

“That was different.” She sensed danger with Drew. The ability to drill down to a place deep inside her that she’d buried for a very long time. And she was terrified to let anyone in that far. “I don’t even really know you,” she said. For some reason, her voice came out in a whisper.

“You know enough.” His gaze was piercing right through her, hot and quick, and all her willpower started circling the drain like Griffin’s bathwater in their ancient claw-foot tub.

There were so many things about him she didn’t know. She had no idea what he’d ever seen in Sondra. Or many details about what had happened between him and Anika. But maybe she didn’t care.

“We could keep it casual.” He shrugged his elegant shoulders. “A little fling could be good for both of us. Release all that tension.”

“Absolutely not.” But his words were velvet, conjuring images of his body and hers, his lips roaming over her, his hands…

He was very close now, staring at her lips, moving in for the kill. And her head was humming and her knees were wobbly and her heart was fluttering crazily. He was so close, she could reach out and touch those big shoulders of his. Run her hands down his powerful arms. Circle his sweet neck with her arms. She didn’t even care that he was a little sweaty. And dear God, she was so, so sex crazed, she wasn’t sure she could control herself. But, like a magnet drawn to the fridge door, she could not turn away.

Finally, he snuffed out the space between them and lowered his mouth to hers.

Oh, his wonderful mouth. His lips were soft and seeking, tentative at first as he took his time learning the feel of hers. He tasted like cookies and tea and his own uniquely intoxicating taste. From the start, these kisses were completely different from the ones they’d done for show in front of his family. Needy, more aggressive, unleashed.

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About the Author

Miranda Liasson loves to write stories about courageous but flawed characters who find love despite themselves, because there’s nothing like a great love story. And if there are a few laughs along the way, even better! She’s a former Golden Heart winner who writes contemporary romance for Montlake Romance, Entangled, and soon for Grand Central. She lives in the Midwest with her husband, three kids, and Posey, a rescue cat with attitude.

Connect: Website | Facebook Author Page | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Spotlight: Flash of Fury by Lea Griffith

LETTER TO THE READERS

Hello, Readers! My name is Lea Griffith and I’m here to tell you a little bit about myself and my upcoming release, Flash of Fury, the first full-length story in my Endgame Ops series. Where should I start? How we start with some personal stuff? Everybody likes personal stuff, yeah?

Okay, here we go—you get five personal facts though to be honest I’m long-winded so I’ll say five but it will probably end up being lots more. Sharing is caring, lol.

  1. I’m married with three teenage daughters ages 16, 17, and just turned 19. I think I’m still sane. (Would I know if I wasn’t? ☺)

  2. I spend my days mimicking a Practice Administrator for two very busy internal medicine offices in Athens, Georgia. I’ve been in the medical field for a long, long time and again, I’m still sane. Same disclaimer from #1 applies.

  3. I graduated from Brenau University a long, long time ago in a land far, far away. I have a Bachelors of Science degree. I majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry. See disclaimer from #2.

  4. I LOVE reading. The only thing I love doing more is writing. I like to hunt, hate to fish, and I really, really enjoy spending time with my mom and kids. Hubs too when I can pull him away from Real Housewives episodes. The man has a serious heart-on for reality TV. *sigh* Again, I’m going to reference the disclaimer from #3.

  5. Favorite authors you ask? Julie Garwood, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Linda Howard. Favorite books of all time? The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen Woodiwiss, Kiss Me While I Sleep by Linda Howard, The Prize by Julie Garwood, and one more—Wildcard by Lora Leigh. That’s my authors and books. You now know more about me than some of my family members, lol!

And now that I’ve given you deets on me, let me bend your ear (or would that be your eyes?) about my Endgame Ops series. If you like your heroes incredibly alpha and you like your heroines strong enough to take them on and give it right back, I think I’ve got a few stories cooking for you.

Suspense, heat, and overwhelming connections abound as you enter a world of shadows and intrigue. Each story of my Endgame Ops series brings you closer to a truth you may not be able handle. So watch your step because danger is around every corner and Endgame’s story is just beginning with my upcoming release, Flash of Fury. Let me introduce you to King and Allie. Prepare yourself.

Kingston McNally lost men when someone betrayed his team, and now he's out for retribution. His quest for the enemy's courier leads him to Cameroon and Allie Redding, a petite Peace Corps volunteer as stubborn as she is brave. Their attraction is immediate, but Allie has secrets of her own...and she's not giving them up easily.

Allie's life has been spent hiding in plain sight, but she's had enough of her cloak-and-dagger existence. On her way home, her plane is hijacked-and King saves her life. But that doesn't mean she owes him anything...even if he is the most damnably sexy man she's ever laid eyes on. He's got black ops and secrets written all over him, and trust is a two-way street.

Flash of Fury is a fast-paced, action-packed story of survival and how in the midst of the most harrowing circumstances, love can find a way to sneak in and knock you on your behind. With both of them hiding secrets, they’ll have to find a way to survive terrorists and each other.

I hope, with everything in me, that you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Now what are you waiting for? Go read ALL THE WORDS!

<3 you hard,

Lea

PS It’s your turn to tell me a little about you—fave authors? Fave reads? Are you still sane? Remember, sharing is caring.

About the Book

Their spark is immediate

Kingston McNally lost men when someone betrayed his team, and now he’s out for retribution. His quest for the enemy’s courier leads him to Cameroon and Allie Redding, a petite Peace Corps volunteer as stubborn as she is brave. Their attraction is immediate, but Allie has secrets of her own…and she’s not giving them up easily.

But their secrets could burn them both

Allie’s life has been spent hiding in plain sight, but she’s had enough of her cloak-and-dagger existence. On her way home, her plane is hijacked—and King saves her life. But that doesn’t mean she owes him anything…even if he is the most damnably sexy man she’s ever laid eyes on. He’s got black ops and secrets written all over him, and trust is a two-way street.

Excerpt

Allie feared she wasn’t going to make her flight, and damn but she really needed to be on that plane. She weaved through the throngs of people in the main terminal, dodging hysterically crying children and obstinate old folks, and trying not to knock down anyone else who refused to get the heck out of her way.

“Final call for Air France flight 1701 to Paris, France, boarding now,” the gate hostess said in a lilting, accented voice over the intercom.

Allie was flying to Paris and then catching a flight to DC. Home was eighteen hours away if everything connected properly. She pushed her heavy blond hair out of her face, breathed deeply, and smiled at the woman as she handed her the boarding pass. The woman shooed her through. So close to home. Exhilaration pumped through Allie’s body, a sweet, cooling relief. She pulled her carry-on behind her down the loading ramp. The tick, tick, splat of rain on the dock’s tin roof reminded her that it was monsoon season in Cameroon. She definitely wouldn’t miss the rain. The people were a different story. She’d miss them like crazy. But she’d be back.

She stepped into the plane and nodded at an attendant.

“Welcome aboard, mademoiselle,” the flight attendant said with a smile.

She would miss that too—the sound of French and all the beautiful dialectal diversity in this country. But home called and she couldn’t wait.

Visions of manicures, pedicures, and McDonald’s french fries danced in her head as she practically skipped down the aisle of the 747.

Allie found her seat, lowered the handle of her carry-on, and was beginning to lift it to the overhead compartment when a large, tanned hand covered hers and took the bag.

Shock—that was the word that came to her mind. The man had shocked her, a current running from his hand to hers. Allie shivered.

“Let me help,” a deep voice rumbled. The man had been seated in her row next to the window. She’d noticed him at a distance as she walked down the plane’s center aisle.

Now, she sighed in relief, grateful for his presence as she allowed her gaze to drift up the man’s arm, to his neck, to his…sweet little baby Jesus in a manger…his face.

He was quite possibly the hottest man she’d ever seen. She stood there in awe as she took in his mink-brown, wavy hair. Her palms itched to brush it from his eyes. High cheekbones balanced a square jaw darkened by a five-o’clock shadow.

Her gaze lowered, once again noticing the strong column of his neck and the breadth of his chest, the width of his shoulders. She had the irrational urge to raise her hand and request permission to continue staring at him.

Then she slammed right into his gaze, and Allie almost swallowed her tongue. His eyes were the green of an Irish hillside and his lips, curving at her perusal, begged sin. All kinds of hot, sweaty, lick-me-all-over, then-dive-back-in sin. The thought had her stepping back.

His eyes smoldered before he blinked. That single instant of reprieve allowed her to get her shit together—okay, almost together.

“Thanks,” she murmured as she quickly sat her behind in the aisle seat of her row. She tried to concentrate on breathing evenly. The sexy bastard had stolen the oxygen from her lungs. Allie wasn’t a believer in insta-love, but insta-lust? She’d just become very familiar with that concept.

“We’ll be leaving shortly. Please make sure your seat belt is securely fastened and all carry-on luggage is stowed underneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead bins,” a flight attendant said over the speaker.

To distract herself from thoughts of Mr. Lick-Me-All-Over, who continued to stand in the aisle beside her, Allie focused on her go-to fantasy—McDonald’s french fries. She closed her eyes, imagining the crisp, salty goodness. She took a deep breath, and all thought of french fries disappeared. She smelled evergreens and mint. Her body tightened and she looked up.

“Excuse me,” Mr. LMAO said. The acronym had her snorting, to which he raised an eyebrow.

“Um,” she stammered. “Yeah?”

“Are you okay here?” he asked in a deep baritone that seriously rearranged pieces inside Allie’s abdomen. “If you are, I need to get past you to my seat.”

His hand rested on the seat behind her head, and as she moved so as not to crane her neck, her cheek brushed his hand.

The zing she felt in the pit of her stomach was ferocious. More like a lightning bolt. Similar to the jolt she’d experienced earlier, only way more intense. She really didn’t need intense right now. Fries. She needed fries.

“Uh, well, okay?” She was a mess in the face of all that hotness.

He smiled, which the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen on any man—ever.

“I think what I’m asking,” he began and sighed as if he had the patience of Job, “is do you want the aisle or the window?”

She stared up at him, and his brows lowered. Then it hit her. “Oh! Aisle is fine, thanks,” she murmured as she started to stand so he could sit down.

His face tightened as if he’d argue, but then he brushed by her to his seat and there it was—the holy grail of backside views. She thought she heard angels singing and somebody yelling, “Hallelujah.” Allie shook her head. Her palms itched again, and she rubbed them on her jeans.

She couldn’t sit beside him. Not Mr. LMAO, with his minty, evergreen smell and his Irish eyes a-smilin’. No, no, no…

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About the Author

Lea Griffith has been reading romance novels since a young age. She cut her teeth on the greats: McNaught, Woodiwiss, and Garwood. She still consumes every romance book she can put her hands on, and now she writes her own compelling romantic suspense. Lea lives with her husband and three teenage daughters in rural Georgia.

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