Life for Marissa Lou was great. She was a popular senior in high school with great friends and an even greater boyfriend. She was on top of the world. That was until she made the greatest sacrifice of her life.
.
Daniel and Katie both loved Marissa Lou but neither of them could deny the intensity of their growing affection for one another, no matter how hard they tried to fight it.
Being the selfless person she was, Marissa Lou gave Katie and Daniel her permission to date. Little did she know it would be the first day of a hellish nightmare. One where, in her depression, she falls from grace and gets mixed up in a life she never would have expected.
With a growing addiction she fights to right everything that went so wrong, but will it be too late?
Tressa Messenger grew up in a very small town in Eastern North Carolina called Reelsboro in a coastal county called Pamlico. Being as it was such a small area Tressa developed an immense imagination at a young age. That is where she harnessed her love for writing.
.
To date Tressa lives in New Orleans Louisiana with her husband, daughter and an assortment of critters.
As a young writer Tressa has overcome adversity of Dyslexia and continues to exceed expectations.
The author is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card in celebration of the new release! Giveaway ends April 12th at 11:59 EST. Open World Wide. a Rafflecopter giveaway
For fire talent, Jaden Zarie, life is far from a fairy tale. Blisters from any contact with water, check. Sleeping in a shed behind your greedy Uncle’s house, check. Ex-boyfriend scouting the bar where you work for one-night stands every night, double check.
When Jaden sets off to secure a new life with her two sisters, winning a contest with a huge pile of gold on the line seems like a quick fix. Getting hitched to Draven Winterbourne, King of the Dragon-changers, and finding true love, was beyond anything she could have hoped for.
But a friend turned enemy threatens to take it all away. Jaden is thrust into an alternate universe and separated from her new husband and her sisters, she must summon up the courage to start over, alone, knowing she may never see any of them again.
Purchase Links
Will be sent in a separate email as soon as they’re available
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I never set out to be an author. Only a story teller. Some days I succeed better than others.
This is a short, simple, to the point guide to writing that could become your best friend. The book is filled with helpful hints and ideas, with examples and exercises.
Cinta had writers block and decided to unblock it. She would write anything to jumpstart herself. She believes, and I agree with her, that anyone can be a writer, even if you only write lists or in your journal, writing is writing. I agree with her philosophy of just writing, don’t edit. I think that may one of the most important pieces of advice she shares.
Writing is a process, so, why not enjoy it instead of thinking you must suffer to be any good. Her writing has a humorous and lightness to it that makes this easy to get into and not seem like a school lesson. I liked her reminding me to use all my senses.
We are all creative in our own way and her exercises sparked my imagination and made me feel like I am a writer, too.
This is a book I will have by my side when I write my novel, but for now, I will apply it to my reviews.
Groovy Cool Writing Techniques is a collection of essays developing techniques for improving writing in a creative way. Every person is creative; they only need to light that spark inside, so the magic can begin. A picture, a walk in the streets, your own childhood memories… Everything can hold stories. You just need to find the way to tell those stories in a creative way. This book can help you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
WINNER: In 2014, the Funny Adventures of Little Nani was a gold medal winner in the Children’s category of the International Readers’ Favorite Book Awards.
WINNER: Indie Book of the Day Award (July 5th, 2013).
SEMI-FINALIST: 2013 Book Cover Contest at the website Authorsdb.com.
Cinta Garcia de la Rosa is an award-winning author who spends her time in the United States and Spain with her amazing husband. Along with writing, her career encompasses beta-reading, editing, proofreading, and translating Spanish/English. Cinta has loved the written word since she was five years old and reads at least one hundred books every year. She has a B.A. in English with minors in Literature, Art, and Creative Writing from Oxford. Cinta has published:
– A Foreigner in London (anthology Blessings from the Darkness)
– Never Again (anthology Satan’s Holiday under the penname Rosa Storm)
– The Funny Adventures of Little Nani (Children Book)
Read more at: http://cintascorner.com
The Friday 56 is hosted by Freda’s Voice.The only rules are to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and find any sentence or a few ( no spoilers) that grabs you and post it..
Please join Rose City Reader every Friday to share the first sentence or so of the book you are reading along with you initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires.
Please include the title of the book and the author’s name.
~~~~~~
LADY JUSTICE AND THE CRUISE SHIP MURDERS
by Robert Thornhill
I read this some time ago, but would like to share it with you.
Thankfully our flight from Dallas to Vancouver was uneventful.
The obnoxious kid and his family went in a different direction, which so far, was the highlight of my day..
(page 56 in paperback).
~~~~~~~~~~~
.
BOOK BEGINNINGS
Dear Mr Stewart,
By way of introduction, let it suffice to say for now, that I am a historian and amateur archeologist in Skagway Alaska.
My studies have led meto some documents that are linked to your great-great grandfather, John D Stewart, a prospector during the Alaskan Gold Rush.
.
~~~~~~~~~~~~.
SYNOPSIS.
.Ox and Judy are off to Alaska on a honeymoon cruise and invite Walt and Maggie to tag along.
Their vacation plans are soon shipwrecked by the murder of two fellow passengers.
The murders appear to be linked to a century-old legend involving a cache of gold stolen from a prospector and buried by two thieves.
Their seven day cruise is spent hunting for the gold and eluding the modern day thieves intent on possessing it at any cost.
Another nail-biting mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat one minute and laughing out loud the next.
Welcome to my stop for The Calm After the Storm by Mya O’Malley.
Living on the Gulf Coast, I am familiar with hurricanes. When I read hurricane, I wanted to check this out and share it with others who may be interested. A little romance in the aftermath is not a bad thing. 🙂
The storm of the century raged through the northeast, causing destruction and despair, millions were left without power and hope. Weeks later, countless people were still devastated by the destruction of Hurricane Sandy, Emma Riley among them.
Determined she didn’t need the help of a man, Emma was convinced that she could brave the aftermath of the storm on her own. That is, until Jake came into her life.
After having suffered heartbreak and embarrassment, Jake Mack, a utility foreman, volunteered to travel north from small town, Georgia to assist with the aftermath of the storm. Jake was decidedly done with women. But he didn’t count on meeting Emma or falling in love so quickly. Can he trust this woman or will his past get in the way and ruin the relationship with the one woman he truly loves?
Jake and his crew had now been in the suburbs of New York for a few days. His first thought upon entering this area was his surprise at the devastation. Sure, he had heard about the destruction on the news and had seen footage of the aftermath of Sandy, but it still hadn’t prepared him for the actual sight of Sandy’s rage. Telephone poles were down, trees were snapped in two, and houses were completed destroyed by the storm. Seeing all the destruction only strengthened Jake’s resolve that it had been the right thing to come. He felt proud to be able to help out and be a part of the solution to the horrible aftermath of this disaster.
As the day was wrapping up. Jake and Chris met up with some of their crew in the next town to finish one more area before calling it quits. The chill in the air was something that Jake had prepared for, but was not accustomed to. Clutching the new flannel he had purchased right before his trip, he put it on over his thermal shirt. Thankful for his thermos filled with hot coffee, Jake grabbed it but quickly tossed it aside.
“Come on, Chris! I asked you to stop drinking my coffee. Now there’s none left,” he said as he shook his head, irritated at his friend.
Chris looked up at his boss sheepishly. “Sorry, man. I didn’t sleep well last night. I needed some caffeine.”
“Well, that makes two of us.”
They rode until they approached the utility pole that needed attention. Jake and Chris were among the first to arrive and got busy setting up for the job. Within minutes, the rest of the assigned crew trickled in. The workers were now familiar with the details and routine of this job, so for the most part they worked in silence, focused on getting this last job done so that they could grab some dinner and hit the sheets. It was cold and dark, the night chill settling in upon them. Jake supervised and helped his crew perform their individual duties as quickly as possible. As they were just about wrapping things up, Jake headed over to Steve, one of the older guys directing traffic. He looked frail and tired.
“Hey, Steve. I got this. Why don’t you call it a night, huh? We’ll meet you at the hotel for some dinner.”
“Nah, Jake, we’re almost done here. I’m good,” Steve said as he looked up at Jake with glaring dark circles under his eyes.
“Steve, go. I’m serious. Get in a hot shower and we’ll meet up for dinner. Boss’ orders. Now go and take Andy with you,” Jake gestured toward another man on the crew who looked like he was ready for bed.
Shrugging his shoulders, Steve made his way to one of the smaller utility trucks, calling for his co-worker to join him. Jake took over the responsibility of directing traffic, slowing people down and stopping cars when necessary. Yawning, he waved a small SUV along, noticing that the approaching driver was slowing down, much more than necessary. Jake squinted his eyes to get a better look. The car came to a stop when Jake stepped up to it and its window rolled down. Looking back at Jake was a woman who appeared pretty, even in the diminished light. Wait, scratch that—she was stunning, with long, wavy hair and piercing eyes. His heart faltered just a bit.
“Hi. I wanted to thank you guys for all of the hard work that you’ve been doing. We really appreciate you guys coming up here. I think I speak for everyone,” she said as she smiled widely. Her smile hitched his breath ever so slightly. Jake smiled back. This was certainly a change. Since he had been in this area, some people waved, some people smiled, others remained with their eyes straight ahead, but nobody had yet offered any thanks verbally. So different from the Southern hospitality way of life where he grew up, Jake mused.
Here it was different, the pace of life was much faster. People always seemed to be in a rush, and they minded their own business for the most part. Sure, being so close to the big city must be nice and the landscape was quite beautiful at times, but he didn’t think this lifestyle was something he could ever get used to. It seemed too stressful, too impersonal. He would be glad to be back home when his job was finished.
The woman leaned over and offered Jake a box of donuts, disposable coffee cups, and a box of hot coffee. Jake was impressed.
“Thank you, that was very thoughtful!” Jake gushed, thrilled at the idea of hot coffee. He thought he felt warmth spread across his cheeks despite the chill in the air.
The woman stared back and smiled at Jake for a minute and then set her eyes on the road ahead. She waved as she pulled away.
“Wait!” Jake called out. “Wait, what was your name?” But the words were lost. The mysterious woman with the coffee and donuts was long gone.
“Guys!” he called out as his crew worked on cleaning up for the night. “Guys! Our guardian angel just appeared, and she brought coffee!”
The coffee and donuts were gladly received, but the idea that someone would go out of their way to show a random act of kindness truly touched Jake. He felt the warm liquid slide down his throat and knew that he would always remember the woman’s thoughtfulness. Who was he kidding? That woman’s beautiful face was what he would most remember. He just wished that he had gotten her name.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mya O’Malley was born and raised in the suburbs of New York City, where she currently lives with her husband, daughter and three step-daughters. The family also consists of two boxers, named Destiny and Dolce, and a ragdoll cat named Colby. Mya earned an undergraduate degree in special education and a graduate degree in reading and literacy. She works as a special education teacher and enjoys making a difference in the lives of her students.
Mya’s passion is writing; she has been creating stories and poetry since she was a child. She spends her free time reading just about anything she can get her hands on. She is a romantic at heart and loves to create stories with unforgettable characters. Mya likes to travel and has visited several Caribbean Islands, Mexico, and Costa Rica. She is currently working on her sixth novel.
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by readinglight.com. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
Victim Souls by Andrew Terech
Publication date: November 8th 2014
Genres: Horror, Young Adult
MY REVIEW
I love everything about the cover. It says so much in its simplicity, loaded full of what is to come.
A trio, a road trip and the devil nipping at their heels.
Their parents died in a car crash and there was no one left to raise them but a worthless uncle. Is Sam good? Is Johnny bad? Could one or both of them have been saved if given half a chance?
As kids, they had a good time sitting outside the store, watching people come and go. I wanted to mention this, because it reminds me of a time in Mobile, Alabama and a certain convenience store. I used to run in for things like milk and bread and there was always people of one age and type or another hanging around. By tagging my inner me, a book draws me in further and makes me immediately relate to the story.
Sam was ten when Johnny made his first kill, he had to do it to save Sam.
…foot to nuts mistake…hit in the twig and berries. I laughed out loud!!!
When Ash enters the picture, Sam becomes very suspicious. Secrets were being kept and he had no idea the impact they would have on their lives. As they set off on their adventure, evil forces surrounding them have an agenda of their own.
To put it bluntly, this is a fucked up story about three fucked up kids on a spree that I’m hoping will take them down and soon. At times, I have a small amount of empathy for Sam, but I’m still hoping he gets his. At other times, I find myself torn between wanting them all to die or wanting them all to get out of the evil mess they are in.
It is great writing when I want to root for the most heinous, despicable trio there is or so I thought. Is anybody who they really seem to be? If not who or what are they? If you aren’t all bad are you good?
The supernatural genre can be so off the wall, yet I knew the answers were coming and I let the story come to me instead of trying to make it fit into a preconceived notion.
Horror that goes on and on. What keeps someone from giving up? How much can someone take before they surrender? Possession. Undead. Its so hard to describe the rabbit hole Same goes down. I find it hard to believe he can survive. Manipulation. Hallucinations. Creatures that morph into even uglier creatures.
I had this as a B movie running through my head, yelling kill it again, kill it again, they never stay dead. LOL Cut their heads off and burn them to ashes, disperse the ashes into the wind.
Victim Souls by Andrew Terech was a horror story that had me anticipating what was coming next and wondering when it was going to end. I don’t know what else could happen to them and any of them survive. I don’t think there will be a happy every after for the trio, but I am eager to find out what their end will be. A great read that will have you looking over your shoulder and squinting into corners, wondering… is that movement in the shadows?
I received a copy of Victim Souls in return for an honest review.
4 Stars
SYNOPSIS
Sometimes, only bad guys can beat the Devil…
.
The plan is simple: get the money and deliver the car. What could possibly go wrong? What can’t?Things start to go south when Sam Drake realizes that his brother Johnny is hiding something, a secret about Sam’s troubled childhood that goes beyond his most feverish nightmares…Then Johnny’s girlfriend, Ash, starts sending Sam the kind of mixed signals that can only lead to big trouble…As the trio of small time crooks falls deeper into an abyss of betrayal and violence, they will discover that the greatest danger they face is not of this world.With everything he believes about himself and the world around him shattered, Sam will become the unlikely champion in a battle with true evil, a fight to save a soul that has already been forfeited to darkness.
His own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andrew’s a horror fiction writer who is also a massive fan of the genre. He’s been writing short stories and working on his novel for over 5 years. He has several short stories published, as well as some editing credits. He moderates a writing workshop in Phoenix, AZ where he’s been exposed to many different forms of fiction, which have broadened his influences. He aims to write stories that creep out his readers, while offering well-developed, rich characters they can sink their teeth into. He’s also a fan of experimenting with form and structure to create something uniquely my own.Andrew grew up on Long Island in New York, and has lived in Arizona for the past 7 years. His professional background is in psychology where he’s carved out a nice career for himself. However, writing has always been his passion.Currently, he’s hard at work, developing additional content to publish. He hopes to find an audience that loves the genre, and is up for a good scare.
The publisher offered me an opportunity to read and review this awesome looking novel and there is no way I would turn down that offer. Between the title, the cover and Chip Beck’s love of Jimmy Buffet, I knew I had met a kindred soul (as I rub my hands together in eager anticipation of reading the book).
A beautiful sunset, a ship, a relic, a prophecy….
We start out with Abraham Abulafia and his need to recover the relic in 1260 A D. The Rabbi strives to protect it during the time of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in 1492 A D. In 1702 A D, 13 year old Louis Estabar found the hiding place where the Rabbi had secreted it and vowed to keep it forever.
In 1715 A D, Estebar is now a Captain and sets sail from Havana, heading toward the Florida Straits, which at this time belongs to Spain. A monster storm and rogue wave would end their trip home. The Spanish, pirates and looters salvaged much of the treasure and the wreck was abandoned. Until…
U S Senator Daniel Simmons had read about the loss of the Spanish fleet, so when he retired, he bought a yacht, the Treasure Trove, and went hunting. He listed his findings online and asked for help in identifying a relic of a boy with a pretty stone on a leather thong. He did not anticipate what is to come.
Treasure, pirates, storms, sinkings, Florida…what more can I say for the dreamer? An adventure the likes of Indiana Jones, only underwater and off the Florida coast.
Jake Sullivan is the Chief Prosecuting Attorney in the Justice Department Miami Office. When the Senator and his wife are murdered, he’s called in to solve the crime. Told this would be a slam dunk, he knew it would be anything but an easy mystery to solve.
The repercussions if the relic falls into the wrong hands, could bring on WWIII.
Is it possible for a small group to rule the world? I believe in conspiracies and it would not surprise me at all if there was.
Worldwide economic collapse. International intrigue, political conspiracies.
Perfect for the upcoming beach reading season.
Some characters are good, some bad, with death on both sides. Even when things are obvious, it is that special investigator that has a gut feeling, or is it intuition, that there is more than meets the eye.
I’m wondering, does Lev, a Special Agent with Mossad, suspect, like I do, who the traitor is? Is it a setup? At first I am disappointed he doesn’t suspect who I feel is the culprit. But…WAIT…As I read along, I believe I was very wrong about the spy. The way the story was written, Chip fooled me. I was part right and part wrong. Way to go Chip. I love it. Not only did I not figure it out, I figured it out wrong. LOL
Parts of the novel read like current events. I do believe it is in their best interests for Israel, Palestine and all the rest of the countries in that neck of the woods to figure out a way to get along. Will it ever happen?
Chip Bell’s ability to blend the past and the present, treasure hunting, murder and political intrigue, myths and legends, kept me reading from cover to cover. He presented me with so many obstacles to overcome in my search for the answers that I could not quit reading.
I will eagerly be on another adventure with Jake Sullivan in One Particular Harbor.
4 Stars
SYNOPSIS
When a retired United States Senator’s passion for deep-sea treasure hunting off the coast of Palm Beach leads to murder, Jake Sullivan, Chief Prosecutor for the Justice Department in Miami, thinks he has an open and shut case: the DNA of the man pulled out of the warm waters near the ill-fated yacht, matches blood found on the deck. But life is never so simple for Jake.
In a rush of political maneuvering, Jake’s suspect is whisked away by the State Department under a claim of diplomatic immunity. The mystery man is no simple treasure thief; he is a covert operator for the Mossad, Israel’s elite intelligence agency.
But, Jake and his investigator, Mike Lang, are no less committed to solving the murders of Senator Daniel Simmons and his wife.Their instincts are piqued when information leads them to the writings of an ancient Hebrew mystic and the lore behind an iconic relic of Medieval Spain lost in 1715 when a hurricane wrecked a Spanish treasure fleet off the Florida coast.
But those findings are less bizarre than their uncovering of an Israeli army faction intent on realizing a dream of a “Greater Israel.” Discovering the identity of the mysterious leader of “The Group of 40” becomes more than a quest to solve a murder investigation. Jake and Mike hope to prevent South Florida from becoming a war zone, and the fuse that could light the powder keg that is the Middle East.
~~~
Since June of 2011, Jake Sullivan has taken readers on adventures from Miami to Key West, from Havana to the Middle East, and most recently, sailing through the Virgin Islands…
Dealing with corrupt politicians, criminal masterminds, assassins, the old and new Havana Mob, rogue military factions, and revenge-seeking tycoons, Jake and his best friend, Mike Lang, have encountered twists, turn, tricks and plots… always keeping their readers guessing and providing endings that surprise and satisfy.
His latest releases for the series, books four and five, are A Pirate Looks at 40 andOne Particular Harbor. A Son of a Son of a Sailor is coming in Spring 2015.
And to catch up on the series author Chip Bell has released an eBook titled The Trilogy, a chance for new readers to obtain the first three adventures in this series foronly $3.99, to meet Jake Sullivan, Mike Lang, and a great cast of ever-changing characters… and to become part of the legion of fans who find thrills, suspense, humor, and the tropics an unbeatable combination.
The Jake Sullivan Series is must-read for fans of political thrillers and quick and dirty action novels.
Charles L. “Chip” Bell, Jr., lives in the City of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Linda, is the father of two daughters, Jennifer and Jessica, and is a practicing attorney specializing in personal injury litigation, with his main office in Arnold, Pennsylvania.
Born on February 23, 1950, in Harrison Township, Pennsylvania, he grew up in Tarentum, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Tarentum High School in 1968, attended Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania, from 1968 to 1972, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Magna Cum Laude. He served in the United States Army from 1972 to 1974, attended Duquesne University School of Law from 1975 to 1979, and graduated Cum Laude. He practiced law as a personal injury trial attorney with the law firm of Rosenberg, Sewak, Pizzi and Bell from 1979 to 2002, and thereafter as a sole practitioner up to and including the present date.
He is a member of the American Association for Justice (formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America) and the Pennsylvania Association for Justice (formerly the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association) and has served on the Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association from 1988 to 1990. He is also a member of the Western Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association and served on the Board of Governors in 1988. He is a founder and past president of the Academy of Trial Lawyers of Southwestern Pennsylvania, a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and certified in Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
He is the author of the Jake Sullivan series of novels, the first of which, Come Monday, was published in June of 2011, and the second, Trying to Reason With Hurricane Season, in October 2011. His third novel, Havana Daydreamin’, was released in April 2012. His fourth novel, A Pirate Looks at Forty has just been published as of June 2, 2014.
I have 1 (one) ecopy of A Pirate Looks at Forty by Chip Bell for the giveaway. International. Entry is easy peasy. Simple leave your email and answer the question:
Do you have a favorite Jimmy Buffett song, or exotic island locale?
I am a huge fan of Sandra Browns, so I am very happy to be able to share her new novel, Breath of Scandal. Shall we see what she has in store for us today?
Don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the end of the post.
Breath of Scandal by Sandra Brown
Published by: Grand Central
Publication date: February 26th 2013
Genres: Adult, Suspense, Thriller
SYNOPSIS
On a rainy Southern night, Jade Sperry endured a young woman’s worst nightmare at the hands of three local hell-raisers. Robbed of her youthful ideals and at the center of scandal and tragedy, Jade ran as far and as fast as she could. But she never forgot the sleepy “company town” where every man, woman, and child was dependent on one wealthy family. And she never forgot their spoiled son, who with his two friends changed her life forever. Someday, somehow, she’d return . . . exacting a just revenge, freeing herself from her enemies’ grasp, and, perhaps, fulfilling a lost promise of love.
“Why do you flinch every time a man comes near you?”
“I don’t flinch.”
“The hell you don’t,” he said softly. “You nearly fainted a few seconds ago when your breasts came up against me. And the expression on your face when you discovered I’m hard defied description.
“I didn’t notice.”
“You’re lying. Is Hutch Jolly the man who made you frigid?”
“I’m not frigid.”
“No? Could have fooled me.”
“Maybe I just don’t find you attractive.”
He linked his fingers at the back of her neck beneath her hair where her skin was dewy from the heat. ”That’s another lie, Jade.” Ducking his head, be whisked his mustache across her lips. “You said yourself you liked my kiss.”
“I don’t.”
“Liar.”
He touched the comer of her lips with his tongue. It was thrilling, terrifying. His teasing caress made her hot and dizzy. She curled her hands into the front of his shirt, feeling the solid muscles beneath the cloth. His size and strength overwhelmed her; he could hurt her. He felt and smelled masculine. His maleness both seduced and repelled fought its appeal and her terror of it.
“Don’t do this, Dillon,” she begged against his seeking lips. “I can’t replace her. No woman can.”
His head snapped back. “What did you say?”
“I won’t be one of those women you ‘nail’ in grief for your wife.”
“Is that what you think you are, just another soft, wet route to forgetfulness?” ·
“It’s possible, isn’t it?”
He muttered an expletive. “Listen, if that’s all I wanted, I could have a naked woman in my bed by nightfall.
“But would she also have a teenage son?”
“Oh, I get it,” he said tightly. “Graham is supposed to be a replacement for the son I lost.”
“You’ve certainly made overtures to get close to him.”
His fury was as palpable as the heat. It shimmied through his body and into hers. He gave her a crude once-over, stopping at her breasts and at the tops of her thighs, before lifting his gaze back to her face. “You don’t give yourself enough credit, Jade. Whether or not you had Graham, I’d still want to fuck you.”
He turned and strode toward his parked pickup. Jade, now angry in her own right, charged after him. She caught up as he was climbing into the driver’s seat. “If you persist in saying things like that to me, I’ll have no choice except dismiss you.”
“Go ahead,” he said with a belligerent jerk of his chin.
He was probably only calling her bluff to scare her, but worked. The thought of his walking off the project now was sobering. Where would she find a contractor as good? What excuse would she give George Stein, who had nothing but glowing things to say about Dillon?
She tried another tack. “I’m still convinced that you’re best man for this job, Dillon.”
“Thanks.”
“Don’t you see that it wouldn’t be smart for us to become lovers even if . . . if I could.”
“I never claimed it was smart.”
“It would permanently alter our good working relationship. Neither of us wants that, do we?”
“No.”
“TexTile is too important to both of us. We can’t let personal conflicts interfere with our work.”
“If you say so.”
“Then, you see my point?”
“I see your point.”
“And I have your word that you won’t pursue this any further?”
“No way.”
Until then, he had avoided looking directly at her. When he fixed his eyes on her, she felt their impact like a soft blow to the abdomen. Then he slid on his opaque sunglasses, and she couldn’t see his eyes at all.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sandra Brown is the author of more than sixty New York Times bestsellers, including DEADLINE(2013), LOW PRESSURE (2012), LETHAL (2011), TOUGH CUSTOMER (2010), SMASH CUT (2009), SMOKE SCREEN (2008), PLAY DIRTY (2007), RICOCHET (2006), CHILL FACTOR (2005), WHITE HOT (2004), & HELLO, DARKNESS (2003).Brown began her writing career in 1981 and since then has published over seventy novels, bringing the number of copies of her books in print worldwide to upwards of eighty million. Her work has been translated into over thirty languages.
A lifelong Texan, Sandra Brown was born in Waco, grew up in Fort Worth and attended Texas Christian University, majoring in English. Before embarking on her writing career, she worked as a model at the Dallas Apparel Mart, and in television, including weathercasting for WFAA-TV in Dallas, and feature reporting on the nationally syndicated program “PM Magazine.”
In 2009 Brown detoured from her thrillers to write, Rainwater, a much acclaimed, powerfully moving story about honor and sacrifice during the Great Depression.
Brown recently was given an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Texas Christian University. She was named Thriller Master for 2008, the top award given by the International Thriller Writer’s Association. Other awards and commendations include the 2007 Texas Medal of Arts Award for Literature and the Romance Writers of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Life for Marissa Lou was great. She was a popular senior in high school with great friends and an even greater boyfriend. She was on top of the world. That was until she made the greatest sacrifice of her life.
Tressa Messenger grew up in a very small town in Eastern North Carolina called Reelsboro in a coastal county called Pamlico. Being as it was such a small area Tressa developed an immense imagination at a young age. That is where she harnessed her love for writing.
5 Stars
WINNER: In 2014, the Funny Adventures of Little Nani was a gold medal winner in the Children’s category of the International Readers’ Favorite Book Awards.
The Friday 56 is hosted by 
Welcome to my tour stop for Victim Souls by Andrew Terech. When I saw the cover, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to review and share.
Andrew’s a horror fiction writer who is also a massive fan of the genre. He’s been writing short stories and working on his novel for over 5 years. He has several short stories published, as well as some editing credits. He moderates a writing workshop in Phoenix, AZ where he’s been exposed to many different forms of fiction, which have broadened his influences. He aims to write stories that creep out his readers, while offering well-developed, rich characters they can sink their teeth into. He’s also a fan of experimenting with form and structure to create something uniquely my own.Andrew grew up on Long Island in New York, and has lived in Arizona for the past 7 years. His professional background is in psychology where he’s carved out a nice career for himself. However, writing has always been his passion.Currently, he’s hard at work, developing additional content to publish. He hopes to find an audience that loves the genre, and is up for a good scare.
Charles L. “Chip” Bell, Jr., lives in the City of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Linda, is the father of two daughters, Jennifer and Jessica, and is a practicing attorney specializing in personal injury litigation, with his main office in Arnold, Pennsylvania.
