Special excerpt from contemporary romance Luc by J.M. Stewart

Today’s feature is a special excerpt from the contemporary romance novel, Luc, by J.M. Stewart.

During her virtual book tour, J.M. will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!

A little bit about Luc:

After her husband’s death two years ago, erotic romance author Liz Anderson moved home to small-town Angel Bay to heal her broken heart. So when her best friend fixes her up with a single father ten years her junior, she doesn’t expect much. But this hot young chef is igniting her long-dormant passion.

With a three-year-old daughter to raise and a restaurant to run, the last thing Luc Rossi’s life has room for is love. After his fiancée’s betrayal, he isn’t sure he believes in it anyway. His colleague’s matchmaking attempt is awkward at best, but what can he do except play the gentleman? Liz ends up being smart, charming, and sexy, and he can’t resist her.

An offer to teach her to cook leads to a steamy fling, but this gorgeous older woman makes Luc wonder if it’s time to open his heart again. Can he convince Liz that giving their relationship a chance beyond the bedroom wouldn’t be a betrayal of the past she holds dear?

Excerpt from Luc:

Halfway down the alley, he pivoted and stalked back in her direction. He glared at her, as if somehow all this was her fault.

“I was dying to let every single one of those guys know you’re mine.”

Liz could only stare, stunned. So she was right. He was jealous. What was worse, the intensity in his gaze sent a fierce yearning rolling through her belly in hot little waves. Daniel had looked at her like that once. Right before he decked some guy for making a pass at her.

Every limb shaking, she squared her shoulders, trying her damnedest to get her equilibrium back. It didn’t matter why he was behaving like a Neanderthal or how sexy he looked doing it. He had no right. “You do realize it’s going to be all over town by tomorrow?”

Something flashed across the recesses of his eyes that she didn’t catch before his jaw tightened and his expression blanked. He stalked to the end of the alley, where the blacktop met the sidewalk, and stared out at the street beyond. “It was all I could think of. The way he looked at you, I knew exactly what he was thinking, and you were standing there, frozen in fear.”

Liz folded her arms. It was a meager defense, but it was all she had left. “I wasn’t afraid of him. I could have handled him if I’d had to. My father was a police officer. He taught me how to take care of myself. So did my husband. I know self-defense, and I’m a damn good shot. I—”

Luc pivoted around, eyes wide with surprise. “You know how to shoot a gun?”

“Daniel insisted I learn. I have a nine millimeter, and I have a permit to carry concealed, though I’ve never had the guts to actually carry it on me.” She frowned, unsure who she was more irritated with: him for getting to her or herself for responding. “The point being, I could have dropped him if I’d needed to. But I didn’t.”

Luc cocked a brow, clearly challenging her assertion. “Then why did you look so panicked? Who the hell was that guy?”

She heaved a sigh. He had her there. Damn it. “An overzealous fan. He kept going on and on about my writing, and people were starting to stare.”

But that was neither here or there. It was past time to end this insanity.

“Look, I have no idea what to expect after a one-night stand. That’s essentially what we shared, isn’t it? So, I expected we’d said our goodbyes and we wouldn’t see each other again. When I didn’t hear from you, I figured we were going our separate ways. I get it. But I’m fairly certain that means you forfeit your right to be jealous. I appreciate the concern, but I’m a big girl. I can handle myself.”

Without waiting for a reply, she pivoted on her heel and stalked from the alleyway, heading for the safety of the booth as fast as her legs could carry her. Whatever the hell this was, she was backing out now, because alarms bells were sounding in her head.

A little bit about the author:

J.M. Stewart is a coffee and chocolate addict who lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, two sons and two very spoiled dogs. She’s a hopeless romantic who believes everybody should have their happily ever after and has been devouring romance novels for as long as she can remember. Writing them has become her obsession.

           

Links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Newsletter | Amazon Author page | Barnes and Noble Author page 

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Interview with romantic suspense author Lynn Crandall

Today I have romantic suspense author Lynn Crandall in the hot seat. She’s doing a virtual book tour for her novel Dancing with Detective Danger, available from Crimson Romance.

Lynn will be giving away a $20 Amazon gift card to a lucky commentor during her tour. To be entered to win, leave a comment below. To increase your odds of winning, visit other tour stops and comment there.

Bio:

Lynn Crandall lives in the Midwest and writes in the company of her two cats. She has been making up stuff all her life, beginning young when she created stories for her sister that kept them up at night when they were supposed to be sleeping. Her writing background is in journalism, but whether writing a magazine or newspaper story or creating a romance, she loves the power of words. When not writing or reading, Lynn likes to bike, hike, and spend time with family, as well sit down for a good movie on TV.

Welcome, Lynn.

Thank you for having me on your lovely blog today.

My pleasure! Please tell us about your current release.

Dancing with Detective Danger is about two people who have suffered overwhelmingly painful experiences in their pasts. In the present, these people find themselves slammed up against their wounds and facing choices that may or may not bring them love.

A private investigator who works with her sister, heroine Sterling Aegar has never put to rest the trauma of her father's unsolved murder. Though she and Ben enjoyed a passionate and thrilling love affair, two years ago Sterling ran away from it when the wounds of her past demanded she insulate herself from the vulnerability of love and bury herself in her work.

A police officer, Ben has spent the last two years trying to put Sterling out of his heart and mind. But he knows it hasn't worked, and when he runs into her at a crime scene, his desire for her at a physical level is triggered, but more profoundly at an emotional level.

As their mutual case unfolds, Sterling and Ben not only work to solve a murder and locate a missing husband, they confront secrets that set them each free from a painful past.

What inspired you to write this book?

I enjoy stories that illustrate the complexity of being human and the variety of life. Dancing with Detective Danger evolved as a story from a thought about challenging commonly held notions about family relationships. While we all seem to hold dreams of growing up in a happy and supportive family, the boundaries of what is family and what is happy often need to expand to fit reality. I wanted to explore the idea that the family relationship of the characters—two sisters—has suffered through problems and yet remains intact, vital, and growing. Both the heroine and the hero are put into situations that ask them to examine the definition of family and what it means to be happy. I also am fascinated by the workings of solving problems and teasing out information to crack mysteries. So, the story world evolved with two sisters who work together as private investigators, support each other through pain, and become free to find true love.

Excerpt:

It’s no use, Sterling fumed. Her brain refused to work. She sorted through the case files at her office, willing her emotions to stop tormenting her as she recuperated from a long, sleepless night. The benign sounds of Michelle keyboarding in the outer office did little to interrupt the mindless emotional turmoil of last night’s restlessness.

In the darkness, thoughts of Ben and how it used to be, what she’d done to him, replayed unrestricted by the distractions of daylight. And now, in the light of day, the thoughts, haughty and determined, challenged her sanity, coaxing her to give them room to do their work.

It troubled her that the warning flags were up again. What were they trying to say? Were they warning her of a big problem with the case? Or were they trying to tell her to beware of involvement with Ben? It could lead to more pain, and she knew it.

Two years ago she’d told him it was over. Loving him had been so easy, but then the fear welled too greatly inside of her. With Nicholas’s death, she’d realized more than ever that a heart open to love was also a heart vulnerable to excruciating pain and insurmountable loss.

Silly girl. You’d actually believed in a happily ever after. The breakup had been difficult, but she’d only done what she needed to survive. And even when Ben had finally accepted that they weren’t going to be together, endorsing her decision to quit police work was quite another matter, something he’d railed against with all his usual unrestrained gusto.

But Sterling knew in time she’d get over Ben. And fortunately she didn’t need his permission to make a life as a private investigator. He didn’t even have to like it.

To make sure no one would get close enough to leave her hurt and broken like her mother, she’d made a life for herself invested in independence. She’d dated a few times, but quickly questioned, what was the point? She had friends and companionship, and she didn’t want anything more. Lacey liked to point out that Sterling’s single-minded devotion to her profession was her own way of building walls against the world. Maybe so. Maybe no one would get in. Especially not Ben Kirby. It didn’t have to make sense to be right for her.

Sterling dropped her forehead into the heels of her hands. If only life hadn’t cruelly smashed them up against each other again. If only Ben would stop forcing her into a corner where she questioned her decisions.

What exciting story are you working on next?

I am presently working on the next book about the sisters, the "Lacey" book. Readers found in Dancing with Detective Danger that Lacey's husband Nicholas was killed while on his job as a police officer, but he is still very present in her life. In the second book, the story explores how this relationship can be sustained and whether Lacey will continue to want Nicholas in her life or move on without him.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Officially, I considered myself a writer at the time of publication of my first short story, about 15 years ago. Writing newspaper and magazine articles on regular deadlines also helped to define myself as a writer.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I write full time, but not fiction full time. I do a lot of juggling. But as a freelance writer I have a flexible schedule, so that helps, though making time for fiction is still challenging.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

It's not that interesting but I often write at my desk with my cat sleeping on my lap. She's my shadow.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

That's a fun question! Embarrassingly enough, I dreamed of being Miss America. I even learned a talent – ventriloquism, complete with a dummy named Dandy – and performed my "act" on stage for a local pageant when I was in high school. I think when I got fourth runner-up I realized it wasn't the career for me. I don't know what I was thinking!

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

How about a brief character interview?

Me: Sterling, what is your favorite thing about working with your sister?

Sterling: (chuckles) The sweets she likes to bring into the office. I especially enjoy watching her cut a cinnamon roll into bite-sized pieces. Just one of her many quirks. But really, it's just very comfortable to work with Lacey. She's got my back and she understands me. (looks down thoughtfully) We've been through a lot and she understands sometimes I'm not my best self, but she doesn't care.

Me: That does sound nice. What about Ben, how do you feel about finding him back in your life?

Sterling: (chews at her bottom lip and shifts her gaze) Ben is…a crazy man. I'm not sure I'd say he's back in my life, but I am running into him a lot lately. I'm not sure yet what I'm going to do about that. He understands I have concerns about his, umm… lifestyle.

Me: What do you mean, concerns about his lifestyle?

Sterling: He lives life on the edge, putting his life in danger. That scares me. I've lost too many people I've loved. I don't want to go through that kind of thing again.

Me: Well, let's bring Ben in on this. Ben, what do you have to say to Sterling about your risk-taking?

Ben: (tightens his cheek muscles, then gazes softly at Sterling) I do take risks, but some risks are worth taking. I know it's a risk for Sterling to let me into her life again. But she's strong and I believe in us. I'd like to think being together is a risk worth taking.

Me: Well, I can see you have things to work out, but thank you for giving us a glimpse into your lives.

Thanks, Lynn. I think that’s the first interview within an interview I’ve had.

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Readers, don’t forget about the giveaway. Leave a comment to be entered for a chance to win!

Virtual book blast stop for Identity Crisis by Eliza Daly

Today is a virtual book blast tour stop for romantic suspense author Eliza Daly as she promotes her novel Identity Crisis.

Eliza will be awarding one $20 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour, and a $10 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card, winner's choice, to four (4) randomly drawn commenters during the tour.

Identity Crisis

by Eliza Daly

Blurb:

When Olivia Doyle’s father dies under suspicious circumstances, rather than inheriting a family fortune, she inherits a new identity. She learns they were placed in the Federal Witness Protection Program when she was five years old. Her father was involved in an art forgery ring and testified against the mob. Brought up not to trust anyone, Olivia has a difficult time relying on U.S. Marshal Ethan Ryder to protect her, and to keep her secret. She fears her father may have continued his life of crime through her art gallery. She has little choice but to depend on Ethan when she realizes someone is now after her. Olivia’s search for the truth leads her and Ethan across country to a family and past she doesn’t remember.

At the age of ten, Ethan witnessed a brutal murder. He vowed when he grew up, he’d protect people in danger. Protecting Olivia is difficult when she won’t trust him. He soon realizes his desire to protect her goes beyond doing his job, but if his judgment becomes clouded by emotions, her safety could be jeopardized.

Can Ethan and Olivia learn to trust each other when they uncover secrets that will change their lives forever?

Excerpt:

The footsteps drew closer. Her breathing quickened. The intruder paused outside the door and she held her breath, a death grip on the pepper spray. The barrel of a gun appeared through the doorway, followed by a man. In that split second, she blasted him with a steady stream. 

“Shit!” he yelled, snapping his head away from the line of fire.

Unsure if she’d made a direct hit, she flew past him, still spraying the air behind her. Although it wasn’t a blanket mist, she couldn’t help but inhale some of the toxic vapors in the air. Her eyes burned slightly and she coughed, racing down the hallway and across the open foyer.

She was almost to the door when the guy yelled out in a raspy voice, “Touch that door handle and I’ll shoot it off.”

She came to a screeching halt, unsure if he planned on aiming for the handle or her hand. The blood pulsating in her ears muffled the roar of the lawn mower as it passed by near a window. Nobody would hear her scream. She eyed the security alarm keypad on the wall by the door. Two quick steps and she could hit the panic button. Two quick steps and she might get shot. She slowly turned around, her gaze locking on the gun pointed at her from the opposite side of the foyer. Sheer panic pressed against her chest, and she sucked in a deep breath. 

The guy cleared his throat. “I’m not gonna hurt you.” He cautiously lowered the gun, but didn’t holster it. “Unless you spray that crap again.” He blinked rapidly and ran a hand up over the top of his head, sweeping back a clump of wet hair. Her aim had obviously been off. It was impossible to spray straight when her body was shaking uncontrollably.

The guy’s dark hair was just shy of touching his shoulders and he had a five o’clock shadow. A black T-shirt covered his broad chest and faded, relaxed fitting jeans contradicted his rigid stance. A scar across his cheekbone, and a thin one slashing his eyebrow, added to his don’t mess with me look.

“I’m Ethan Ryder with the U.S. Marshals.” The man flashed a badge, then slipped it back in his pants’ pocket.

If the mob had hunted down her dad, who was to say it hadn’t been through a U.S. Marshal snitch? He’d trusted Roy Howard, not Ethan Ryder. Maybe he wasn’t even with the U.S. Marshals. Rather coincidental that he showed up right after a robbery.

“I assume you’re Olivia Doyle?”

At the back of her mind she heard her dad’s voice. Don’t trust him, Livvy. Be leery of people you know and certainly don’t trust someone you don’t know.

Author Bio and Links:

Eliza Daly’s first attempt at creative writing was in fourth grade. She and her friends were huge Charlie’s Angels fans and she would sit in her bedroom at night writing scripts for them to act out at recess the following day. She was Kelly Garrett. Fast forward to the present, she’s still writing stories about beautiful women who always get their men. The journey from fourth grade script writer to published author wasn’t an easy one, but it was always an adventure and the final destination was well worth it.

When Eliza isn’t traveling for her job as an event planner, or tracing her ancestry roots through Ireland, she’s at home in Milwaukee working on her next novel, bouncing ideas off her husband Mark, and her cats Quigley, Frankie, and Sammy.

You can find Eliza on the Web at:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Identity Crisis is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, All Romance, eBooks.com, and Kobo