Dark Rules by Susan Vaughan

 Which is more dangerous, their undercover op or the tropical heat smoldering between them?

About the Book:

Danger, secrets and lies…

Maverick government officer Simon Byrne, undercover on a Caribbean island, must stop an international arms dealer’s sale of uranium that could trigger world conflict. Simon’s mission goes sideways when the woman he once failed to protect is assigned as his tech officer. He vows to keep her safe, but she’s in his head…and in his heart.

By-the-book tech expert Janna Harris is determined to prove herself in the field and uncover whether her late husband, who sold to the arms dealer, also betrayed his government. A treason investigation could expose Janna’s own secrets. Her attraction to Simon wars with her pledge not to let another man into her life. But can she walk away from the only man who could heal her battered soul?

Emotions and danger collide as the powder-keg deadline ticks down on their mission—and their survival.

 

Excerpt:

Janna let her gaze lift to Simon as she listened to his explanation.

His diamond earring winked at her, teased her like he used to. Never under control, his brown hair had been styled with something like a garden trimmer. His perpetual two-day beard looked soft and touchable.

Ever the rebel, he wore snug, faded jeans and a T-shirt emblazoned with the words Spies Do It Undercover. Not that every man in DARK wore a tie, but at headquarters, most wore dress shirts and pants. Higher-ups tolerated Simon’s in-your-face attitude because of his sharp intellect and street savvy.

She and Simon were such opposites. How had they ever managed to be friends?

Once upon a time. No more.

When she received her first field assignment, anticipation had tingled through her. But why did her partner have to be Simon? Why not someone dull? Married? Safe?

I’ll need you to translate for the two goons. I’ll want you to record it,” he said. A beat passed. “Standard procedure.”

Why did he say that almost apologetically? Her heart did an anxious flip. How could she work so closely with this man? The analytical part of her said her stung feelings weren’t rational. The emotional part of her regretted the loss of their friendship.

There was a part of her that she could never reveal to him. Or to anyone. She would keep her private pain just that—private.

 

To Purchase Dark Rules, go to:

The Wild Rose Press: https://wildrosepress.com/product/dark-rules/

Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Rules-DARK-Files-Book-ebook/dp/B0CKXXCSP3/

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/dark-rules/id6469137898

Kobo:  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/dark-rules-4

BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-rules-susan-vaughan/1125896676?ean=2940185984840

 

About our Focus Author: 

Susan Vaughan loves throwing her hero and heroine together under extraordinary circumstances and pitting them against a clever villain. Her books have won the Golden Leaf, More Than Magic, and Write Touch Readers’ Award and been a finalist for the Booksellers’ Best and Daphne du Maurier awards. A former teacher, she’s a West Virginia native, but she and her husband have lived in the Mid-Coast area of Maine for many years.

A Note From Susan: As soon as Simon Byrne appeared as a secondary character in Dark Mission, I knew he’d have his own book. Irreverent, a rule breaker, and devastatingly sexy, he intrigued me. But I needed the right heroine to challenge him and open his heart.

 

Susan can be found at:

Website: www.susanvaughan.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SusanVaughanBooks

Z (Twitter): @shvaughan or https://twitter.com/SHVaughan

 Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/susan-vaughan

 

 

Dark Dark Cover by Susan Vaughan

 A traitor’s brother, an undercover fiancée—and a terrorist’s deadline…

Wild Women Authors continues its focus on The DARK Series, a set of contemporary romantic suspense novels written by Susan Vaughan and released by the Wild Rose Press. Today’s title is Dark Cover.

A bit about the book:  

Nick Markos has inherited the burden and shame of his brother’s dealings with terrorists. Hoping to uncover a plotted attack, the Feds send in undercover DARK [Domestic Anti-terrorism Rick Corps] agent Vanessa Wade to pose undercover as Nick’s glamorous fiancée.

Despite her expertise, Vanessa has grown to dislike undercover work. Under orders to make sure the sexy and tortured tycoon is no traitor, she soon realizes that instead he’s determined to regain his family honor—and his own. She tells herself to stay detached, but this man’s kisses make her emotions spin out of control. As they work together amid gala social events and terror threats, Nick and Vanessa cannot deny their mutual attraction, but her deception makes Vanessa feel as false as the rock on her finger.

Is their relationship only a charade? One that could explode—along with a terrorist bomb?

 

Excerpt:

Nick winked at her. If she’d thought him sexy and rugged in a casual sweater or commanding in a business suit, in a tuxedo this man was devastating.

How could mush that used to be legs carry her the rest of the way downstairs?

The jet-black formal suit had surely been custom tailored. Nothing off the rack could fit those broad shoulders so perfectly, so… so. Against his olive complexion, the white shirt was blinding. An onyx stud pinned the formal crossed collar. Smaller studs ran down the shirt front and gleamed at the cuffs.

He gleamed.

His white smile and his blue, blue eyes held her in thrall—until she blinked. Somehow she’d arrived at the foot of the stairs.

“No tie,” she said inanely, focusing on anything but how gorgeous he was. And how tongue-tied she was. “I’ve never seen a tux without a tie.”

“I don’t wear ties. Don’t own one.” He took her hand and guided her to pirouette.

She felt the approval of his gaze deep inside her. She swallowed. “You don’t?”

“I didn’t want to forget the blue-collar start of what became N.D.M. International. I didn’t want to put myself above my employees. And now it’s become a point of pride.”

Nearly dizzy from his nearness and her slow turn, she stopped before him. “Commendable attitude. But even in sweats, no one would mistake you for the intern or the shipping clerk.”

 

To purchase Dark Cover go to:

The Wild Rose Press: https://wildrosepress.com/product/dark-cover/ 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CJG4VWKB

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/dark-cover/id6467132436

Kobo:  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/dark-cover-2

BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-cover-susan-vaughan/1125896674?ean=9781509252893

 

A bit about our focus author:

Susan Vaughan loves throwing her hero and heroine together under extraordinary circumstances and pitting them against a clever villain. Her books have won the Golden Leaf, More Than Magic, and Write Touch Readers’ Award and been a finalist for the Booksellers’ Best and Daphne du Maurier awards. A former teacher, she’s a West Virginia native, but she and her husband have lived in the Mid-Coast area of Maine for many years.

Something more from Susan: For a few years I lived in the Washington, D.C. area, even worked in Chevy Chase, where I put Nick's house in this book. It was fun revisiting the area to plot out my car chases and choose a mansion for him. I introduced Vanessa in Dark Mission, so pairing this woman insecure in her femininity (always the best friend, you know) with the sexy billionaire was great fun. I hope you enjoy Dark Cover.

 

To learn more about Susan Vaughan, go to:

Website: www.susanvaughan.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SusanVaughanBooks

Z (Twitter): @shvaughan or https://twitter.com/SHVaughan

 Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/susan-vaughan

 

 

Dark Mission, Bk 1 of the DARK Files

 Can they hold onto the heartbreak of the past when he’s protecting her from a killer 24/7?

 For the next two weeks, Wild Women Authors will focus on The DARK Files series, a set of five romantic suspense novels, written by Susan Vaughan and published by the Wild Rose Press. While each story is considered stand-alone, they are all connected by the OGA [other government agency] known as DARK (the Domestic Anti-terrorism Risk Corps). Up first is Dark Mission.

 A bit about the book:

After museum curator Laura Rossiter witnesses a murder, she runs for her life, finally landing in a Maine resort where she feels safe. Until bad-boy Cole Stratton rides his Harley back into her life…

Now a DARK officer, Cole has a mission—protect Laura, the golden girl he’s never forgotten, and flush out a killer. As the danger increases, so does the tension between the ex-lovers. Cole still believes she’s out of his league… and that she’s hiding secrets she intends never to reveal.

Together 24/7, they can’t deny the passion reigniting between them. But as the painful memories of their past assail them and a killer closes in, they must find a way to trust each other—before their future is extinguished forever.

 

Excerpt:

The bike roared up beside her. When it threatened to bump her, she pulled into the parking lot.

As her dad said, the best defense was an offense. She rolled down the window. “Cowboy, you’re in my way.”

“If you’re out for a Sunday drive, it’s only Wednesday.” He looked too good in the worn jeans, snug on his muscular thighs, and a black T-shirt. “We never finished our talk. Imagine my shock when you pulled out in that excuse for a car.”

“I couldn’t sleep,” she said.

“Me, neither. The ground behind your cabin is harder than this pavement.” He rolled his shoulders.

She recoiled. “You slept behind my cabin?”

He sighed. “Keeping watch. That’s what I’m here for, 24/7.”

She felt unbalanced, as though her protective layers were peeling away. “I gave you my answer yesterday. What part of no don’t you understand?”

“Oldie lyrics don’t cut it. Neither does no. Markos may have already found you. If you won’t go to a safe house, come back and we’ll talk. DARK wants Markos. You want to be safe from him. We can work out…something.”

Safe, yes, dear God, she wanted to be safe, but with Cole? How could that be safer? His nearness was devastating to her pulse. His low voice sent heat eddying through her veins.

 

Dark Mission can be found at:

The Wild Rose Press: https://wildrosepress.com/product/dark-mission/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Mission-DARK-Files-Book-ebook/dp/B0CFS6XJLD/

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/dark-mission/id6461864959

Kobo:  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/dark-mission-5

BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-mission-susan-vaughan/1143928195?ean=2940185623756

 

A bit about our focus author: 

Susan Vaughan loves throwing her hero and heroine together under extraordinary circumstances and pitting them against a clever villain. Her books have won the Golden Leaf, More Than Magic, and Write Touch Readers’ Award and been a finalist for the Booksellers’ Best and Daphne du Maurier awards. A former teacher, she’s a West Virginia native, but she and her husband have lived in the Mid-Coast area of Maine for many years.

Also from Susan: I set the book in an area near where I live in Maine and used some of the scenery and summer activities in some old Maine resorts. I once dated a guy who rode a motorcycle, not a Harley as in this book, but the experience gave me the idea. I hope you enjoy Laura and Cole's story.

Susan can be found at:

Website: www.susanvaughan.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SusanVaughanBooks

Z (Twitter): @shvaughan or https://twitter.com/SHVaughan

 Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/susan-vaughan

 

 

Crushed Promises, Bk 3, the Rock Ledge Series

 Wild Women Authors winds up a week-long focus on the Rock Ledge series with Crushed Promises. This award-winning series is a three-book set of contemporary, romantic suspense stories, set in the lush Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, written by the talented Linda Trout and released by the Wild Rose Press.

 What it’s all about:  Rebecca Walker loves searching for lost treasure but puts her plans on hold to fulfill her sister’s dying wish of performing on Broadway. She returns home when her father has a severe stroke. While there, she’s determined to achieve her father's lifelong quest for hidden Confederate gold, rumored to be buried nearby.

Former army ranger Roy Maddox blames the accident that took his fiancée’s life on her sister, Rebecca. Now Rebecca is back, pretending to care about the father she left behind to pursue her dreams. Despite their differences, they’re drawn to each other. Will they locate and retrieve the gold, or will they be blind-sided by an outside force who is intent on taking the treasure, destroying them both?

 Excerpt:

“I asked what you’re doing on my father’s farm after dark?”

“Not that I owe you any explanation, but feeding the calves.”

“Don’t give me that! I haven’t been gone that long. You turn them out with their mothers.”

He gave her a dead-pan face that indicated she was an idiot. “They’re orphans.”

“What?” She drew back, then paused as his words sunk in. Good grief, she was an idiot. “Oh.”

“Yeah, oh. They have to be bottle fed.”

He started to turn away from her when the last fifteen minutes caught up with her and she began to shake violently. Shoot. Why couldn’t she get a grip on herself? The last thing she wanted to do was fall apart in front of Roy Maddox. But he saw.

“Hey. Sorry I scared you. I can announce my presence from now on if you want.” He didn’t sound sorry at all, but at least he apologized.

She crossed her arms over her chest to steady her racing heartbeat and shook her head. “No, it—it isn’t that. Someone tried to run me off the road a few minutes ago. Someone driving a truck a lot like yours hit me from behind a couple times before driving off.”

“Run you off the road?” He looked confused. “What are you talking about?”

“What I said. They almost succeeded, too.” Horrified to show weakness of any kind, she found her knees giving way, and she crumpled to the ground.

 Crushed Promises can be found at:

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/2s3kc4a6

Barnes&Noble: https://tinyurl.com/ycyrjsbw

BookBub: Crushed Promises by Linda Trout - BookBub

Goodreads: Crushed Promises (Rock Ledge) by Linda Trout | Goodreads

Google: Crushed Promises by Linda Trout - Books on Google Play

iBooks: Crushed Promises on Apple Books

Kobo: Crushed Promises eBook by Linda Trout - EPUB Book | Rakuten Kobo United States

 

Shattered Promises, Bk 2 in the Rock Ledge series

                      She stole his heart, then rejected him. Forgive or forget?

While investigating a plane crash in rural Arkansas, FBI Agent Wade Malone is stunned to learn the only woman he’s ever loved is living close by. As a hardened criminal closes in, putting Miranda in the crosshairs, Wade is conflicted about how to protect her while keeping his well-guarded emotions from resurfacing.

Miranda Johnson loves the life she’s carved out as an artist, but she never expected to see her former lover, Wade Malone, again. Can they reconnect and move past the hurts each inflicted on the other, or will the secret she has kept from him all these years cost them everything?

Wild Women Authors focus on Shattered Promises, a contemporary romantic suspense novel, written by award winning author Linda Trout and released by the Wild Rose Press.

Excerpt:

Randi fought for breath as all coherent thought evaporated into thin air. Black dots danced before her eyes and, for a moment, she thought she might pass out. Her eyes hadn’t deceived her earlier. Wade Malone was actually here.

But this wasn’t the skinny young man who had gone on that mission trip. Now, his body was fuller, broader. He was the same height, all six-foot-two of him, and his hair was the same sable color she remembered. Memories of his touch, his kisses, the love radiating from his deep blue eyes, assaulted her.

The Wade Malone she’d known had been kind, caring, loved life and always had a smile on his face. He loved people and would do anything to help them. That wasn’t the man who stood in her yard. This man looked at her with a surprised recognition, then just as quickly, disgust, if not outright hate.

A whimper welled up in her throat.

How could he be the same man who’d left her? The man she’d known had professed his undying love, yet had never returned. Had he found another woman and made his home in Columbia? Did he have children? Other children, her heart whispered.

The urge to run to him was tempered by his hard expression, the thin set of his lips. He had no idea of what she’d been forced to live through. Did he even care?

To find Shattered Promises, go to:

Amazon Digital: https://tinyurl.com/2btet9y6

Barnes & Nobel Digital: https://tinyurl.com/yc74atzd

BookBub: Shattered Promises by Linda Trout - BookBub

Goodreads: Shattered Promises by Linda Trout | Goodreads

Google: Shattered Promises by Linda Trout - Books on Google Play

iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/shattered-promises/id6443230676

Kobo: Shattered Promises eBook by Linda Trout - EPUB Book | Rakuten Kobo United States

 

Focus on Linda Trout and the Rock Ledge series

Survival depends on facing her darkest fear…

Widow Melody Rose has already lost one man whose job involved guns and violence; she’ll never put herself through that again. At first, Sheriff Jake Bennett wants nothing to do with this taciturn café owner, but Melody intrigues him. When a stalker targets her, he’s determined to protect the woman he has fallen for. In order to survive, Melody must overcome her greatest fear and save the man who has claimed her heart.

Wild Women Authors features author Linda Trout and Tangled Promises, Book 1 in her award winning Rock Ledge series, a set of contemporary romantic suspense novels, first released in 2020 by the Wild Rose Press.

Excerpt:

Jake stopped and wrapped his arms around her trembling body as she buried her face in his shirt. Her hands continued to flutter. A low keening sound from her broke his heart.

Her knees gave way completely and she sagged against him. Jake scooped her into his arms and carried her far enough that the fog enveloped them, distancing them from the sights and sounds of the crime scene. She leaned against him, her soft body reminding him she was all woman.

He stopped at a pickup and sat on its tailgate, holding Melody on his lap. He’d witnessed a lot of traumatized people over the years, but to see the pain of this always in control, tough, take no guff from anyone business woman put a little crack in his cop-armor.

Melody turned into his chest, her shoulders shaking, as she silently cried. He didn’t speak, just gently rocked her until her tears were spent.

Finally, she took a deep breath and pulled away…her face puffy…her nose red. “I hate guns,” she whispered.

“I’m not too fond of them myself.”

Where to find Tangled Promises:

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/vgchtky

Barnes & Noble: https://tinyurl.com/rrfauzv

BookBub: Tangled Promises by Linda Trout - BookBub

Goodreads: Tangled Promises by Linda Trout | Goodreads

Google: Tangled Promises by Linda Trout - Books on Google Play

iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/tangled-promises/id1505094041

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/tangled-promises

  

Out of Body by Kimberly Baer

 Astral travel is amazing…if you survive the trip.

Those weird dreams Abby Kendrick has been having? Turns out they aren’t dreams after all. They’re out-of-body experiences, like the ones her cousin Logan is having. At first, Abby has fun with her new ability, using it to spy on her neighborhood crush and spook a mean girl. But when Logan gets in trouble on the astral plane, the game changes, and Abby must bend the rules of out-of-body travel as she journeys to a distant realm. Her mission is a perilous one, and success is not guaranteed. Can she save Logan and find her way home again? Or will the cousins be lost forever on the astral plane?

Wild Women Authors is pleased to feature Out of Body, a YA paranormal novel, written by Kimberly Baer and released by the Wild Rose Press. First up is high school student Abby Kendrick.

Good morning, Abby. Thanks for joining us today. Let’s begin with you telling us a bit about Out of Body. It is the story of my adventures (or, more accurately, misadventures!) as an astral traveler. I was stunned when I discovered I had the ability to leave my body in spirit form and go flitting around the world—and beyond!—and I have to admit, I went a little crazy at first. I abused my power and did some really awful things. I hurt people. In the end, though, I used my power for good, so I hope that redeemed me in the eyes of God.

Knowing what you know now, if you had it to do over again, would you do those awful things? It’s impossible to know for sure, but I don’t think I would. I’m not the same girl I was at the beginning of my story, so I can only hope my newfound morals would kick in and keep me on the straight and narrow.

What is your biggest fear? Being friendless and isolated. That’s something I lived through at the beginning of this story. I was an invisible girl with no real life of my own, and I never want to go through that again.

Who is your favorite fictional character and why? Citra from Neal Shusterman’s Arc of a Scythe series. She’s a kickass heroine who really grows throughout the story.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? “Don’t collide with dead people.” Cryptic, I know, but you’ll understand once you’ve read my story.

Thanks for this, Abby. Now we’d like to speak with Kim.

Which writer or character[s], from either books or movies, [or both] have had a major impact on your writing? Janet Fitch’s White Oleander and Tana French’s The Secret Place both feature teenage characters so real that you can practically smell their shampoo. The beautiful, lyrical writing in Maggie Stiefvater’s Shiver blows me away every time I read it. These authors are my role models; I aspire to their level of excellence.  

With regard to research, where did you start for this novel? Did that lead you down different paths, thereby changing the original concept? Before I started writing Out of Body, I’d never read a book about astral projection, either fiction or nonfiction. I did some research as I was writing, but the world-building comes primarily from my imagination. Assuming astral projection is a real thing, I probably stretched the limits of possibility—but, hey, that’s what fiction is all about, right?

Tell us a bit about your publisher. I heard about The Wild Rose Press from an acquaintance who’d published a book through them, so I took a chance and submitted my own manuscript, my first YA novel, The Haunted Purse. TWRP has an online forum where authors can share marketing tips, ask questions, etc. They also offer weekly online chats that provide guidance on a variety of topics—writing, marketing, upcoming events, and more. The submission process is a breeze, much quicker and easier now that I’m a returning author. From query to release, the process took thirteen months, longer than for my other three books. But that’s okay. I’m just happy the book is finally out there!

What are you reading right now? The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean. I’m a sucker for a unique premise combined with strong writing, and this book delivers. It’s about a group of people who literally eat books and absorb the knowledge within them.

What's next for you? I’m working on a sequel to Out of Body. Astral projection is a fascinating subject, one with infinite plot possibilities, so I feel compelled to keep going.

Kim brought an excerpt for us:

It had been a tiny, meaningless dream. Not much to offer plot-wise. Why was it thumping so insistently inside me?

You know why, said a firm, quiet voice in my mind.

But I don’t.

You do. It’s because—

I walked faster, trying to outrace the voice. Knowing I couldn’t.

—because there was something different about that dream.

No, there wasn’t!

Something strange.

“No,” I said, as if uttering the word aloud would give it more weight. “It was just a dream. A normal, stupid dream that didn’t mean a thing.”

Except it didn’t feel like a dream.

Yes, it did.

It felt like real life.

That’s crazy! That’s impossible! That’s—

Like. Real. Life.

The words slammed into me like three bullets. I stopped walking.

Like real life. That was how Logan had described his dreams before he’d realized they were out-of-body experiences.

Had the Roscoe dream been an OBE?

“No,” I moaned, sagging against a hefty oak tree in the Hoffmans’ front yard.

It wasn’t true. It couldn’t be. Out-of-body travel was Logan’s thing, not mine. I was letting my imagination run wild. My mother always said I was impressionable.

Then again, was it so crazy to think I might have the same weird ability Logan had? After all, we were cousins. Maybe it was a trait we shared, like our thin brown hair and knobby knees.

A violent shiver rippled through me, even though the sun was once more warming the air. The notion that I might have left my body like a dead person and flown off into the night was terrifying.

And also exhilarating.

To learn more about Kimberly Baer and the stories she creates go to: www.kimberlybaer.com.

Website: www.kimberlybaer.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlybaer_author/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KimberlyBaer14

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKimberlyBaer/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kimberlybaer_author1

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Kimberly-Baer/e/B08D3RVKCH/

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/kimberly_baer

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kimberly-baer

To Purchase Out of Body, go to:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Out-Body-Kimberly-Baer-ebook/dp/B0CQ34D8H5/

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1144460559?ean=9781509253074

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/203686468-out-of-body

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/out-of-body-by-kimberly-baer

Apple books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/out-of-body/id6474144928  

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/out-of-body-21

 

please include tweets if you have them

https://twitter.com/KimberlyBaer14/status/1759539575825862917

https://twitter.com/KimberlyBaer14/status/1754446101480866123

https://twitter.com/KimberlyBaer14/status/1746889722658791687

https://twitter.com/KimberlyBaer14/status/1749392715828076744

 

 

Stone of Love by Margaret Izard

 Against all odds, is true love strong enough to save a human soul?

Wild Women Authors focus on Stone of Love, a paranormal romance, written by Margaret Izard and recently released by the Wild Rose Press.

About the Book: After leaving her abusive ex, American scholar Brielle DeVolt embarks on a career-changing opportunity: the renovation of a chapel ruin owned by Laird Colin MacDougall. The attractive, broad-shouldered laird may leave her weak-kneed, but can she trust herself to love again?

The first time Colin MacDougall sees Brielle DeVolt, he recognizes her as his soul mate. But when he learns his hereditary duty is to safeguard magic Fae stones, all he wants is to protect her from the evil forces of the Fae. Traveling to the past to assume his forefather’s identity and find a missing magic stone is challenging enough. When Brielle appears in the past, he is faced with fighting an evil Fae to save the realm, then must choose between saving the stone or saving his love.

 Excerpt:

Colin took a minute to study her. She was fair, with petite features and light-brown hair pulled into a loose bun, leaving golden tendrils desperately escaping, caressing her face. He wanted nothing more than to free the bun and run his fingers through the soft brown curls. Her cheekbones were high, with a spot of dirt on one side and a pert nose to match her tart personality. When she was angry a second ago, her eyes had flashed almost green. Now they were a light golden-brown, like a fine whisky.

His gaze traveled over her body. She wore twill pants and hiking boots with a button-down shirt that might have been tan if not for the light layer of gray dust. Under that sat a white tank top with a smudge of dirt on the front near her abundant cleavage. His gaze lingered, then continued to her petite features, set perfectly in her heart-shaped face. She wasn’t what he expected, far from it. Wait, she said her mom was from Glasgow.

“Was?” Colin asked quietly.

Brielle blinked.

He stepped away from the window at her blank stare and approached her. “Was. You said your mother was from Glasgow.”

She blinked again and rubbed the back of her neck, then gave two quick nods and replied, “Yes, she was. She died last year of cancer. My father passed the year before. I have a brother, but we aren’t close.”

He held out his hand, then glanced at it. Brielle stared at his hand, then tentatively placed her hand in his and peered at his face. He smiled as his other hand closed over hers and held it between his own, the energy flowing through the connection. The earth took a breath and held it, waiting for them. He had never had this reaction to a woman upon first meeting her.

Brielle pulled her hand from his and squared her shoulders. “You called me for an update on the renovation. Shall we go over it?”

Colin traveled past her, sat in his desk chair, and waited as she stood there fidgeting. Ah, the wee builder was nervous. She was attractive in a way Colin found endearing. The businesslike builder covered her charm. He hmphed. Too bad she was an American who might ruin his ma’s special project. He’d hate to ask the Historic Environment Scotland to replace her. She started to grow on him.

Brielle cleared her throat as she crossed to the desk, sat upright in the chair, clasped her hands in her lap, and began her report. “We’ve cleared away the rubble and overgrowth so we can start on the demo of the broken stonework…”

Her gaze shifted back to him, then dropped to her hands. “As you know, your ancestors built the chapel around the thirteenth century as a private chapel for the family. We consider the stonework the most detailed from that era.” He used to sit like this with his da, talk about life with a whisky in hand. He was always on the other side of the desk, nervous—like her. A drink, that’s what she needs, a smooth whiskey.

He rose and turned to the table. He didn’t ask, just poured two glasses. The scent wafted to his nose, reminding him of his da. He walked to her. She still spoke, as she fidgeted with her hands. He stood directly in front of her and handed her a glass.

She put her hands up, and he wiggled the drink under her nose, knowing the scent would tease her and make her mouth water in anticipation of that first smooth sip with a nip in it. “It’s Scotland. We drink all the time, plus it’s my da’s best stock.” He handed her the glass again. As she took it, their hands brushed, and awareness shot up his arm. He tried to appear unaffected as he leaned back against the desk with his arms and legs crossed. “Slàinte,” he said, leaning toward her and clinking her drink, “which is a toast to health.”

“I know what Slàinte means, thank you.” She raised her glass and spoke. “Slàinte,” she replied. She sipped it and smiled. He half expected her to choke, even though his da’s whisky was the smoothest in Scotland. Still, she was an American unused to uisge beatha, or the “water of life.”

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Stone of Love by Margaret Izard | eBook | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Stone of Love by Margaret Izard, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Stone of Love (Stones of Iona Book 1) by Margaret Izard | Goodreads

 

A Bit About Our Focus Author: Margaret Izard is an award-winning author of historical fantasy and paranormal romance novels. She spent her early years through college to adulthood dedicated to dance, theater, and performing. Over the years, she developed a love for great storytelling in different mediums. She does not waste a good story, be it movement, the spoken, or the written word. She discovered historical romance novels in middle school, which combined her passion for romance, drama, and fantasy. She writes exciting plot lines, steamy love scenes and always falls for a strong male with a soft heart. She lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and adult triplets and loves to hear from readers.

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