Promises to Keep

           Sometimes a leap of faith can cost you everything…

        An empath who feels only the negative emotions of others, Ava Tiernan has lived a life of self-imposed isolation. Circumstances force her to put her trust in Vincent Everett, the leader of Echo Company, a special ops unit consisting of soldiers with unusual abilities. But when she needs his help the most, he doesn’t believe her and leaves her alone and defenseless against a man determined to exploit her.

After a mission goes sideways, leaving one of his men seriously injured, Captain Vincent Everett has one goal: find out who set up his team and why. When he discovers Ava is the reason his team was ambushed and has been kidnapped by a rogue government agent, he risks everything to save her.

Now he has one chance to make things right for his team, one chance to keep Ava safe, and one last chance to prove he’ll never let her down.

 Wild Women Authors welcomes back indie author Katherine Grey who is celebrating the release of the latest book in her Echo Company series, Promises to Keep. Along with Katherine is medical researcher Dr. Ava Tiernan who will go first.  

Good morning, Dr. Tiernan. Let’s start with where you’re from. I was born and spent my early childhood in San Francisco. After that we moved around a lot depending on where my father could find work.

Tell us a bit about Promises to Keep.  I am an empath who feels the negative emotions of others. I was being held in Colombia by a rebel leader and was rescued by members of Echo Company, an elite special-ops military unit and brought back to the United States. Unfortunately high level government operatives sought to exploit my ability by kidnapping me. Captain Vince Everett from Echo Company kept me safe while searching for the person responsible for my abduction.

What did you think the first time you saw Vince Everett? The very first time I saw him, I thought he’d come to kill me.

Given what you’d been through already, that seems logical. What was your second thought? That he was much more than the hardened military operator he  wanted everyone to believe.

Was it love at first sight? Not at all. I thought he viewed me as just one more mission objective to achieve.

What do you like most about him? He’s willing to put everything on the line for those he cares about.

How would you describe him? Trustworthy, loyal, honorable and kind are the first things that come to mind, but he’s so much more than that. And there’s the fact that’s also drool worthy. Don’t tell him I said that though.

How would he describe you? I’m sure the first thing he would say is that I’m stubborn. I hope he’d also say I was brave.

What made you choose the medical research as a career? I hate my ability to absorb the negative emotions of others so I went into the medical research field in hopes I could find a way to rid myself of it. 

 How do you relax? I don’t do much relaxing. I’d rather spend any free time I have in the lab conducting experiments.

Who is your favorite fictional character? I guess you could say Rapunzel. After you read Promises to Keep, you’d understand why.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? I’m not sure this is advice I received, just what I learned throughout my life – Expect the worst and you’ll never be disappointed.

Thanks for spending time with us, Ava. Now we’d like to chat with Katherine.

What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? I love any movie or book that tugs at my emotions. I aspire to be able to do that with my own stories.

Tell us a bit about your publisher: I’m a self-published author. This is my second indie published book.

What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? At the top is Jackson by Emily March, right below that is Ten Things I Hate About The Duke by Loretta Chase and below that is Chilled To The Cone by Ellie Alexander – this is the 12^th book in Ms. Alexander’s Bakeshop mystery series.

Lastly, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves? Next up is Until You (this is a tentative title and may change), the third book in the Echo Company series. It is scheduled to be released in November 2021.

 Katherine brought an excerpt from Promises to Keep: 

It was understood every mission Echo Company undertook was off the books and if caught, they’d be disavowed by Uncle Sam. Everyone involved knew it, accepted it, but there was something about this OP, something that with the clarity of hindsight seemed just a little bit hinky. The intel regarding where they could find the good doctor was wrong, not to mention the little fact they were told she was a man. They’d been told there hadn’t been any rebel sightings for months within a fifty mile radius and ended up walking right into an ambush.

        Vince clamped down on the anger that threatened to resurface. He needed to get to the rendezvous point. And he needed to get there fast. He adjusted the weight of the unconscious woman he carried over his shoulder. There was no telling how long their escape would go unnoticed and until he met up with the rest of the team, he had no way of knowing if they made it out of the compound.

        He moved down the side of the building, doing his best to keep to the shadows though it was damn hard with sodium vapor lights at regular intervals lighting up the night like a god damn carnival. He eyed the hard packed earth between his present position and the next building. It was a good twenty feet of open space.

        The woman began to stir, using his back to try and lever herself upward. He placed a hand on her ass and she froze--just as he intended. He’d never threaten an innocent woman or intentionally frighten one, but if it kept her from fighting him right now, he was willing to do it.

        He felt her chest expand and knew trouble was brewing. He flipped her off his shoulder into the dirt. Covering her mouth with one hand, he planted his knee beside her hip. He pointed the gun at her, high enough to be sure she saw it. “Don’t make a sound,” he said in a low tone.

        Music and raucous laughter spilled into the silence from the cantina at the far end of the compound. If she screamed all hell would break lose and his odds of getting out of Colombia outside a body bag would plummet to zero.

        She nodded and he lifted his hand a scant few inches from her mouth.

        “Why are you doing this? Who are you?” she whispered.

        “Believe it or not, I’m trying to get us both out of here in one piece.”

        She opened her mouth to say something more and he held up his hand. “Save the questions for later.” He lifted her to her feet. “You make even a peep, I’ll shoot you without a second thought. Got it?”

        Ava nodded. She had no doubt that he’d do just that.

To pre-order Promises To Keep, go to: - Promises To Keep

To learn more about Katherine Grey go to:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorKatherineGrey

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/katherine_grey

Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/Katherine-Grey/e/B005PMMHUO

You can also contact her at Katherineg425@yahoo.com

 

 

 

 

Under the Apple Blossoms

           Under The Apple Blossoms, a Redford Falls Story, Book 3

 A tragic accident tore them apart. She left him behind and broke his heart. Is he strong enough to risk it again?

Police officer, Tyler Kringle, keeps his heart locked behind bars. His first and only love, Maripier Nadeau, left Redford Falls many years ago after a family tragedy. She moved on, leaving him to pick up the shattered pieces of his heart.

But now Maripier is home to care for her father and to attend a dedication ceremony in her mother’s honour. Her return rattles Tyler’s cage, causing old emotions to resurface. Once he discovers the truth from the past, can he reclaim the love of his life and lock-down their future before she leaves again?

 Excerpt:

Glancing in the rearview mirror, she lifted her foot to let the vehicle slow. Stupid. Fleeing the accident and speeding away from the police was a rash judgment call. The kind officer seemed quite taken with her car, and the pony warranted the enthusiasm. The policeman, whose tall, fit body filled out his uniform, had short dark brown hair with layers blending into the top.

She sensed a strange pull toward him, and when he removed his sunglasses and she looked into his eyes, she understood the attraction. It took only a second to make the connection. The hot police officer was none other than the ex she left behind so many years ago.

The revelation soured their casual banter. Seeing Tyler stole her breath, and the clear blue sky turned dark and stormy. Thankfully, he hadn’t recognized her. Maripier expected to see him at some point, but not within minutes of arriving. Taken aback, she ran. Just like before.

 About Darlene Fredette

Darlene resides on the Atlantic Coast of Canada where the summers are too short and the winters are too long. An avid reader since childhood, Darlene loved to develop the many stories coming to life in her head. She writes contemporary romances with a focus on plot-driven page-turners. When not working on her next book, she can be found with her husband, her daughter, and her yellow Labrador. Darlene’s favourite pastime is taking summer day-trips to the Valley to soak in the small-town feel.

To learn more about Darlene and the stories she creates, go to:

Author Web Site: http://darlenefredette.blogspot.com/

    Blog: http://findingthewritewords.blogspot.com

    Purchase Links: http://darlenefredette.blogspot.com/2021/04/my-books-purchase-links.html

    Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Darlene-Fredette/e/B005NAF660/

 Other Books by Darlene Fredette:

*Law of Attraction,

*Twist of Faith,

*Hershey’s Choice,

*His Candy Christmas,

*Kissed By Winter,

*A Recipe For Forever.

Sundae My Love by Debby Grahl

 Wild Women Authors welcomes author Debby Grahl as she celebrates Sundae My Love, a current release out of the Wild Rose Press for their One Scoop or Two series. First up is Samantha Murray, manager of her family’s ice cream shop.  

Good morning, Samantha. Let’s start with you telling us where you’re from. I grew up on Sand Lake, which is in the Irish Hills of Michigan.

Tell us a bit about Sundae My Love. The story is about me and Zack Hunter, the man I love and who broke my heart. He’s back in town and plans on building a fancy ice cream shop which would put me out of business.

First, he breaks your heart, now he wants to do it all over again? Whoa, baby. Let’s go back in time and tell us what you thought the first time you saw Zack. I was a teenager when I realized I loved him. He was sitting on the beach with some other lake kids, and when he smiled at me, I lost my heart.

Was it love at first sight? Even though as kids we all grew up on the lake, there was always something about Zack that attracted me to him.

What do you like most about him? Besides that he’s the most handsome man I’ve ever met, he’s kind, fun to be with, oh, and a great kisser among other talents I won’t reveal.

How would you describe him? Zack has sexy cornflower blue eyes, light brown hair streaked with blond. He stands around six foot and his body is lean and fit. He looks great in a t-shirt and cut off jean shorts.

How would he describe you? He’d say I’m petite with long strawberry blond hair and green eyes.

What made you choose managing an ice cream store for a career? The Dairy Delight has been in the Murray family since my grandparents built it in the fifties. After they retired, I happily took it over. I love seeing the summer people come back to the lake each year and how happy they are to get their first Neapolitan Nectar.

What is your biggest fear? That Zack Hunter will build his blasted ice cream shop and put me out of business.

How do you relax? I have a fun little sailboat I love to take out on the lake.

Who is your favorite fictional character? Miss Marple. I enjoy classic murder mysteries.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? Be truthful and kind to others. And when life gets you down, pick yourself up and look to the future.

Thanks for spending time with us, Sam. Now we’d like to chat with Debby.

What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer?

Like my character Samantha, I love classic murder mysteries such as Agatha Christie and Ngaio Marsh. I also enjoy reading romance, so I try and include both these elements in my stories. And I’ll throw in a ghost or two.

What event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? This was such a fun story for me to write. The lake, the house, the ice cream shop, frontier town, and ghosts are all real. My family members have lived on Sand Lake since the fifties, and I spent many happy summers there. I’ve changed the names, but most of the people in the story really exist. Although Zack is only a fictional fantasy from my teenage years.

Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them?  After having three contracts with small presses, I pitched His Magic Touch to Rhonda Penders at a conference. She told me to submit it for consideration, and to my delight, Wild Rose Press liked my story.

What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile?  I’ve recently discovered Ryse Bowen. I’m so hooked!! She writes historicals which take place from the turn of the twentieth century to the twenties and thirties, all time periods I love reading about.

Lastly, what's up next, and when can we expect to see it on the shelves?My contemporary romance, Mountain Blaze, was released last November. I’m working on the sequel, Island Heat, which I’m hoping I’ll receive a contract for.

Debby brought along an excerpt from Sundae My Love

In the living room, a female shape materialized. Her     long dress swirled around her ankles, and the heels of  her high button shoes tapped across the hardwood floor. “Good grief, Angus, I wanted you to make them meet on  the lake, not have Zack run Samantha down,” Patricia Murray said with exasperation.

In a Queen Anne style chair, a male form appeared. “Patricia, it wasn’t my fault.

Thaddeus was sitting next  to Zack and took control of the wheel.” He removed his pipe from his shirt pocket. Puffs of translucent smoke soon filled the room. “But it worked out.”

Hands on her hips, Patricia glowered. “Worked out! Are you kidding? What should have been a romantic reunion has made Samantha even more upset.” Patricia shook her head. “Samantha and Zack are perfect for  each other. It’s beyond me why that boy broke her heart and now is making matters worse by threatening the  Dairy Delight.” She narrowed her eyes. “You don’t seem too surprised over Zack’s plans. Did you already know about this?”

Angus squirmed in his seat. “Ah, well.”

“You did. Angus Murray, I can see it in your eyes. You’ve known all about this and didn’t tell me. This is why you’ve been gone so much lately. I’ll bet you and Thaddeus have been over there watching every move he’s made.”

“The boy is doing a top-rate job restoring the buildings. I can’t tell you how pleased Thaddeus is. You  know how much that place meant to him.”

“What about Zack’s disregard for Samantha and the  Dairy Delight?”

“Patricia, we’ve watched over our family for three generations. And no matter what problem occurs, they manage to work it out.”

Patricia threw up her arms in exasperation. “Sometimes situations need to be helped along. Samantha is on her way to confront Zack. Go over there and see what happens.”

“You want me to spy on my great-great-granddaughter?”

“Yes. It’s for her own good.”

 “Why don’t you go?”

“Because Thaddeus is your friend, not mine.      Besides, I promised Virginia Bradly I’d visit this afternoon. You know how lonely she gets when her  family is gone.”

Angus sighed, then stood. He placed his pipe in his pocket, adjusted his suspenders, straightened his bow tie, kissed his wife’s cheek, and vanished.

 

To purchase Sundae My Love, go to:

https://www.amazon.com/Debby-Grahl/e/B00B34HM26/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

To learn more about Debby Grahl and the stories she creates, go to:

https://www.facebook.com/debbygrahlauthor?ref=br_rs