She's the treasure he never thought he'd find… Book Tour + #Giveaway - A Wolf's Treasure - by L.E. Wilson @LEWilsonAuthor #Shifter #ParanormalRomance

A Wolf's Treasure
The Kincaid Werewolves Book 5
by
L.E. Wilson

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance

She's the treasure he never thought he'd find…

Shifter Duncan Kincaid enjoys dancing. Country dancing to be precise. After all, the lasses love nothing more than a man who can swing them around a dance floor. And that's the other thing Duncan loves- the lasses. A wink and a smile is all it takes to have a partner for the night, until a Faerie with dark curls and brazen curves throws him off his game and shakes him to his core.

He's a danger to her life, and a risk she's willing to take.

With his I-know-what-you-look-like-naked green eyes, sexy brogue, and cocky grin, Duncan is the type of wolf Ryanne wouldn't normally waste her time with for more than a night. But underneath the playful exterior, she senses a haunting sadness, one that calls to her own dark soul and distracts her from her purpose.

The murder will just have to wait.

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L.E. Wilson writes Paranormal Romance starring intense alpha males and the women who are fearless enough to tame them—for the most part anyway. ;) In her novels you'll find smoking hot scenes, a touch of suspense, a bit of gore, and multifaceted characters, all working together to combine her lifelong obsession with the paranormal and her love of romance.

Her writing career came about the usual way: on a dare from her loving husband. Little did they know just one casual suggestion would open a box of worms (or words as the case may be) that would forever change their lives.

Lattes and music are a necessary part of her writing process, and sometimes you'll find her typing away at her favorite Starbucks. She walks two miles to get there, to make up for all of those coffees.

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His only duty is to keep her safe, but he can't save her... #FlashbackFriday A Snippet from #ReadersFavorite Book 1 in the Always Cambridge Saga - On #Sale for Only #99cents

Romantic Suspense, Mafia Romance, Saga  

Caught up in a bitter blood feud with a rival crime family and unable to bear the violence that claimed her mother, Holly Cambridge sets out to right her father's wrongs, but instead she embarks on an epic journey of love, loss, and life-altering choices, only to discover a truth she's feared all along... Mob life is forever

The book that started it all, book 1 in the Always Cambridge Series is only .99¢ for a limited time. 

This story is a true saga, following Holly from the age of nine, through her violent teen years, and eventually into her forties. Each installment starts where the last leaves off. The violence and sexual content amps up in later installments, reflecting Holly's age as she matures and circumstances change.
Our lucky heroine also has a trio of formidable men who weave their way in and out of her tumultuous life. Randy Phillips, her beloved body guard. Special Agent, Alex Orton, from the FBI, and surprisingly of all, Victor Mayhue, the son from a rival crime family. 

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Awesome Reviews like this one...

I would not have enjoyed reading Running if I hadn't taken the time to get to know the main character in Always Cambridge. I would not appreciate how much she has evolved as a young adult if the author had not so meticulously laid out the events that made up her formative years, childhood through teen years. It was really amazing to see her character develop from a scared, unsure and wounded teen-ager in Always Cambridge to the strong and courageous young woman in Running. And she is a true heroine. She has so many character traits that are lacking in this genre. A very real, very endearing combination of insecurities and bravado, sensuality and naivety, duplicity and at the same time more integrity than any of her male counterparts... To read the entire review click HERE

Or check out one of my all-time favorite reviews from Pages2BigScreens
https://www.pages2bigscreens.com/blog/always-forever-a-family

"I could see this on Lifetime as a 3-part series movie. The dynamic of the story is realistic and heart-wrenching, I cried, I laughed, & I loved throughout this entire saga—"

The Always Cambridge Series chronicles the life of Holly Cambridge through her tumultuous childhood and violent teen years and the consequences that stem from being the daughter of mob boss, Bill Cambridge.  

* * * * 

      Always Cambridge, book 1

Holly Cambridge is just a typical kid, or so she thinks, until one day, she takes a good look around and realizes her friends don’t have bodyguards dogging their every step.

At the age of sixteen, Holly is assigned a new bodyguard, Randy Phillips. He is a tall, muscular, God-like force in the young, impressionable and lonely girl’s life. He is her friend, her confident, her conscience, and the older man she adores beyond reason.

Randy Phillips is fully aware of his young charge’s adolescent crush on him. Although he is flattered by the adulation, he maintains a safe distance and professional demeanor until Holly is wounded in a rival family blood feud, and the course of both their lives is changed forever.

I hope you enjoy the following extract. A little set-up — after the Cambridge family is threatened by the Mayhue's, a rival crime family, Bill Cambridge is on high alert, and sends Holly to school with bodyguard, Randy Phillips in tow. 

His only duty is to keep her safe... but he can't save her

I rambled on. “…and Mrs. Johnson, the cafeteria lady, said that fifty cents from every sale would be too much, that they already spend more than they make off it. So I haggled with her. So now a quarter from every sandwich sold today will be donated to the food bank. I will just match it. She doesn’t have to know that, though, and the school will get the credit. I think I might try to get the same deal going next Christmas for either the toy drive or the hospital.” Randy nodded as if he were really listening to me but I knew his focus was more so on the people around us.

"Always trying to save the world, aren't ya, Hol." His cell phone vibrated in his pocket. “I’ve gotta get this.” 

“‘Kay. I’ll get you a sandwich. Roast beef?” A pitfall from spending so much time together lately, we knew each other’s preferences, likes and dislikes. Embarrassingly enough, he even seemed to know my cycle.  

“Yeah, whatever. Stay where I can see you. Phillips,” he answered. 

I stood in line and paid for our sandwiches. When I turned back around Randy was not alone. Two other suits had appeared. They weren’t dressed in Armanis, though. They were in t-shirts and jeans, donning denim jackets like Randy. Blending, I assumed. I sighed and rolled my eyes waiting for whatever was going to happen next. I didn’t approach them. I knew they would stop talking as soon as I drew near.  

“Somethin’ goin’ on?” Reed Cranston, from fourth period math, appeared at my side. 

“Looks like," I said.

“Wanna sit with me till they’re done?” 

“Sure. Thanks.” 

We sat down at an empty table. I started to eat my sandwich. Both Reed and I watched the men at the back of the caf, like they were on TV. 

“You gonna eat all that?” Reed asked, inspecting the tray full of food.  

“No, it’s for Randy,” I said, not paying attention to anything but Randy. 

“You got the Jones for him, don’t ya?”  

I frowned. What I had for Randy, I did not like being referred to as the Jones. What I felt for him was deep, lasting. Yes, I lusted after him too, I was sixteen-years-old, for crying out loud, and he was an older man and gorgeous and dangerous to boot, but it wasn’t what Reed had just made it sound like. I wanted his love, his soul, his always.  

“I like him, yes. He’s good to me. But he’s way older than us. And he’s only here to look after me, protect me. Nothing more. He’s just doing his job.” 

“Well, duh. I know he’s older than us. Isn’t that what you girls dig? Older, dangerous guys.” '

“I’d settle for the least dangerous guy in the room, if you could find me one. But then again, as soon as he hooked up with me, he’d either be in danger himself because he was with me, or he would have to join my family just to keep himself alive.” 

“Some guys would make that sacrifice for you, Hol.” 

I looked at him, surprised by his answer. “And drag someone else into this? Someone I cared about? No. It’s not worth it. I’m not worth it.” 

“Don’t say that, Holly. You are worth it…” Reed started to say. 

Randy interrupted us. “Hol, I need to speak to you.” He placed his hand on my shoulder. “Reed,” Randy nodded cordially to my schoolmate.

“Mr...?” Reed began to greet him.

“It’s just Randy.”

“Randy,” Reed repeated and imitated Randy’s grown-up nod.

I said good-bye to Reed as Randy led me outside. The other suits gathered around.  

“I have to leave,” Randy began. 

I didn’t want him to go, I was instantly scared. “Where are you going? Has something happened?” I slipped my hand into his. I knew the other guys watched, but I didn’t care. 

“It’s nothing dangerous, Hol.” He squeezed my hand to comfort me. And it didn’t seem to bother him to hold my hand in front of them either. “Just a computer glitch at home, they want me to fix it. But I need you to let these guys tail you this afternoon.”  

I wasn’t comfortable with the look in his eyes. It felt almost like he didn’t trust them with me. It was like he didn’t want to leave me either, that he wanted to be in two places at once. 

“Can’t I just come with you? You know I can fix the computer faster than you can anyway.” I didn’t mean it as an insult. It was the truth. We both knew it.  

“Smart mouth,” he laughed. “No, your dad wants you to stay in school today since you missed so much time last week. You just promise me that you’ll keep near the guys all afternoon. Don’t go anywhere without them. Same rules apply as if I was here.” 

“I won’t.” 

“Be a good girl, Holly and I’ll see you at home after school.” He gave my hand another little squeeze and then he released it. “Behave, ‘Kay?” he repeated.

“‘Kay. But I need to go see Mrs. Small at the food bank after school today, don’t forget.” 

“Ah, shit.” He raked his hair making it spike. “I’ll try to be back before that.” 

“Alright, but if you’re not I’ll just see you later. I won’t ditch them. I promise.” I wanted to reassure him, he seemed so uneasy. And I felt strange. Like I didn’t want to be away from him. Not that I was afraid for myself. I wasn’t. I was worried about him. I almost wanted to tell him I loved him before he pulled away.  

Randy turned to Jeffy and Dale. “Don’t let her out of your sight. She goes to the can, you go too. Got it.” 

I wanted to die. 

They both smirked at Randy. “Yes, Sir, Mr. Cambridge.” Jeffy laughed and sent Randy an insolent salute.

“Piss off,” Randy said, as he got in the car. He gave me one last look and he waved as the car pulled away.  
 * * *
Just before the bell rang at three o’clock, I received a text from Randy. He wouldn’t be back in time to go to the food bank with me. 

So Jeffy, Dale and I piled into the car.

"Did you pick up our bounty, Trenton?" I asked as I buckled in.

"You bet, Holly-girl." Trent sent me a wink through the rear-view mirror.

"Thank you. You're the best."

“Trent tells me you do this every week,” Dale said as we drove from the grocery store towards Mrs. Small’s.  

“Mmmhmm. Every little bit helps, especially this time of year. Everyone loves to give around Christmas and the holidays, but as soon as those are over, people seem to forget the need is still there. The food bank is always in dire need of help.” 

“It never occurred to me to give stuff to the food bank. Ya taught me somethin’.” 

I smiled. “There are so many charities that do good things. I’m hoping to get into a program they have at the hospital where you can read to sick children or feed patients in palliative care. Now that I’ve turned sixteen, they’ll have to consider my application.” I had applied once before, but there was an age restriction. 

The two men exchanged a look. I didn’t really care what they thought. It sounded like a great thing to me.  

“You really aren’t like your sister at all,” Jeffy said. 

I didn’t know what to say to that so I didn’t say anything. It was not the first time I’d heard that comment recently. 

When we got to the food bank I started to get out of the car, then I hesitated waiting for Jeff and Dale to do a sweep of the area, like Randy always did before he let me get out. But they were already at the back of the car. I heard the click when Trent hit the trunk release. So I got out to join them and help take the boxes and bags of food inside. 

The men milled around by the car and waited for me as I helped put the cans away. 

“Where’s your young man this week?” Mrs. Small asked as we worked companionably, side by side. 

“Randy’s not my young man.” I blushed furiously.

“But you wish he was.” Her eyes twinkled as she teased.

There was no use denying it. “Well, who wouldn’t,” I said. “He’s beautiful.” 

“Yes, he is, dear,” she agreed. “He looks like he cares for you, too.” 

“He’s paid very well to care for me.” I really wanted to change the subject. “Wow, it looks like your stock is as depleted as it was last week when I was here.” 

“Yours was the only donation we received last week. And luckily you brought extras. Things ran short quickly. People always want to give at the holidays, they never worry about after.”

“Oh, Mrs. Small, why didn’t you call me? Don’t let that happen. I hate to know that people came in for help and got turned away.” 

“It’s not an easy thing to turn people away. But I can’t ask you to give more than you can. More than you already do,” she explained. 

“I’ll call the store, Mrs. Small, and have them send some things over. Do you have a list of the things you need most?” 

“Oh, you’re and angel, Holly, I’ll get it.” 

I continued to stock cans when I heard a car back fire. 

Then it sounded like fire crackers going off in rapid succession. 

Out on the street someone screamed.

I heard Trenton yell my name from outside the door. “Holly! Get down!” he roared. 

“Oh, no, dear God, no!”

Just then, Mrs. Small reappeared, list in hand, looking confused. 

“Get down!” I yelled, and dove at her. 

A fiery pain sliced through my upper arm as I tackled Mrs. Small. In my haste and panic we knocked into pantry.

Above us, the shelf of cans began to sway.

The shelf toppled over, sending the heavy tins raining down on us.

Another sharp pain ripped through the back of my head.

My vision tunneled...

If you enjoyed this excerpt and want more, click HERE, for the dramatic continuation of this chapter, yet from Randy's perspective! (just remember the next excerpt is from an older flashback post and the deals over there have expired)

Here's a tease!

"Randy!"

Patrick appeared in the doorway of Cambridge’s office. I’d been sitting here all goddamn afternoon trying to figure out what was up with the computer system when all I wanted to do was get back to Holly. It was times like these that I realized I still had a lot to learn. Maybe I should have let her come with me. She would have diagnosed the problem and had it fixed by now. And she’d be with me and I wouldn’t be worried about her. I rubbed the back of my neck again trying to brush away the cold feeling.

“Randy! They’ve been hit.” 

“Shit! Which patrol?” I asked still distracted. When Paddy didn’t answer right away I looked to where he stood in the door. He was pale and I could see him trembling from where I sat. 

“Jeffy and Dale,” he answered gravely. 

A cold hole punched into my chest. “Holly?” 

He nodded once. “They’re all down.” 

click HERE, for the dramatic continuation

Always Cambridge Book 1 is on sale for .99¢ at eXtasy Books

The rest of the series is also on Sale HERE

30% savings

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Take care. Stay safe and well, my friends
Kymmie
  💜🌷

Book Tour + #Giveaway - Never Kiss a Stranger - by Logan Chance @LoganChance85 A Hot Romantic Comedy #RomCom

Never Kiss a Stranger 

by 
Logan Chance 

Genre: Romantic Comedy 

Kiki

Ellis Atwood is the devil. Ok, maybe that’s too harsh. Ellis Atwood is ruining my life.

First, he demolishes a perfectly good wedding trellis.

Second, he destroys a gorgeous doggie wedding that I spent ages planning. (I kid you not.)

Third, he makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, and that is not ok. I prefer the cold and harsh way my fiancé makes me feel so much better. (wait, that didn’t come out right.)

Fourth, and there is a fourth, he gets me all wound up and flustered.

And last, when he unexpectedly kissed me it made me forget my own name, or the fact that I’m getting married...in a month.

Please someone help me out. I’m a mess.

Worst part is, Ellis isn’t the bad guy I first thought he was.

And being forced to spend time with him is making me realize that he needs my help more than anything.

So what’s a girl like me to do?

Ellis

I’m only in town long enough to figure out a plan with my brother on how to save our brewery from the awfulness that is my father. Oh and be in a wedding.

Where I may or may not be crushing a little too hard on the bride-to-be. (spoiler alert, I'm crushing hard.)

She’s really cute. Like seriously.

And she has the cutest job, she’s a dog wedding planner. (I kid you not.)

I can see why Henry loves her.

I can see why everyone loves her.

I can see why I’m falling for her.

I’m usually not a relationship-type guy. Call it picky or whatnot, but usually I get bored easily. So, my plan is simple. Spend as much time with Kiki (soon to be Faniki, I know) and hopefully get bored with her adorkable smile and sexy legs that go on for miles.

Then, I can save the brewery, be the best man of the wedding, and get my butt back to Chicago and away from the happy couple. 

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Logan Chance is a USA Today and Top 20 Amazon Bestselling Author with a quick wit and penchant for the simple things in life: Star Wars, music, and smart girls who love to read. He was nominated best debut author for the Goodreads Choice Awards in 2016. His works can be classified as Dramedies (Drama+Comedies), featuring a ton of laughs and many swoon worthy, heartfelt moments. 

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Signed Paperback of Never Kiss A Stranger and $10 Amazon gc 

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New Release Book Tour + #Giveaway - Hostile Pursuit - by Juno Rushdan @JunoRushdan #RomanticThriller @HarlequinBooks

Hostile Pursuit 

A Hard Core Justice Thriller Book 1 

by 
Juno Rushdan 

Genre: Romantic Thriller 

When ruthless killers target them, even a safe house isn’t safe.

Only twenty-four hours remain until marshal Nick McKenna’s informant, Lori Carpenter, will testify against a powerful drug cartel. Nick has kept her safe for an entire year, but now all hell is breaking loose. With a team of cold-blooded assassins closing in, the by-the-book lawman decides to go rogue. He’ll risk his life for duty…and put it all on the line for his irresistible witness. 

“I'm going to warn you: you will not be able to put this book down.” 

-Anita, Goodreads reviewer, 5 Stars. 

“This edge of your seat romantic thriller had me hooked from the beginning and didn't let up until the sizzling conclusion.” -David, Goodreads reviewer, 5 Stars

“A suspenseful, jam-packed read!! I couldn’t put the book down because I wanted to know what would happen next-and it was a lot!”-Jewels Book Blog, Goodreads reviewer, 5 Stars

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Nick had kept Lori safe for three hundred and eighty-six days. What could possibly go wrong in the next twenty-seven hours?

They reached the women’s clothing store. As they walked inside, a chime dinged from a motion-activated PIR sensor he spotted.

An employee behind the register, wearing a blazer and sporting a curly bob, made eye contact and gave a perky smile. One female customer perusing a row of blouses didn’t glance their way.

“Hello,” the young sales associate said, her warm voice rich with enthusiasm. “Let me know if you need help finding anything.”

“Thank you,” Lori said.

“You’ve got twenty minutes.” Nick looked at his watch while Ted swept the rest of the store. “We’re in and out, okay?”

Lori went to a rack of suits. “You don’t give a gal much time.”

“One hour away from the property,” he said, reminding her of the US Marshal Service rules that kept witnesses alive. “Not a minute more.”

Nick’s attention flickered to the other customer.

The woman was in her early forties, petite, olive complexion, coal-black hair pulled in a tight bun. No jewelry, wore slacks and a blousy top and carried a leather purse. She reached up, taking a shirt from the upper rack, and the frilly bell sleeve of her blouse dropped an inch, revealing a tattoo of a black rose on the back of her hand. The ink fit her. Beautiful. Elegant. Dark.

Reflexively, Nick pressed his arm against the Glock 22 in his shoulder rig.

“This is a big deal.” Lori checked the size on a navy suit. “Forgive me for not wanting to rush.”

Tomorrow she was testifying in federal court against her in-laws’ financial firm for laundering millions. He could tell she was doing her best to hold it together and not let nerves derail her. If he could give her more time, he would.

The low chime at the front rang. Another woman entered the store. Bottled-bleach-blonde. Tall and thin. Jeans and a buttoned shirt. Sneakers that squelched lightly against the tile floor.

“I’m sorry. Eighteen minutes,” Nick said, telegraphing with his tone this was nonnegotiable.

Lori picked a navy two-piece from the rack. “This should work. I better go try it on. Tick-tock.”

Nick looked to Ted, where his partner stood at the entrance of the dressing rooms. Ted nodded, signaling the stalls were empty and he’d make sure no one followed Lori inside.

Blondie headed straight to some dresses hanging in the rear of the store, grabbed one almost mindlessly, or perhaps she’d been in before and knew what she was looking for, flicked a glance at a tag and made a beeline for the dressing rooms.

Ted lifted a palm, not letting the blonde in after Lori. The woman huffed and protested, raising a loud stink, but his partner held firm.

Show her your badge, Ted, and be done with it. Flashing the Eagle Top five-pointed star had a way of shutting down any complaints lickety-split.

“Who do you think you are?” Blondie asked with a fist on her hip.

“A US Deputy Marshal, ma’am,” Ted said. “Sorry for the inconvenience and the wait.”

“Listen, jerk. I need to get in there now.”

Ted laughed in his self-deprecating way. “Sorry. Not going to happen.”

The sales associate went over to the scene unfolding. “Hi,” she said brightly, her sunny disposition almost disarming. “Is there a problem?”

Nick maintained his position, monitoring the rest of the shop and the entrance.

Black Rose circled silent as a fox around to an ornate display of scarves and ran her fingers across the silk. Not once since they’d entered had she acknowledged their presence in the slightest. Until now.

Her gaze lifted, meeting his, her face an expressionless mask, but her sharp eyes were those of a merciless predator.

Prior experience as an army ranger in Afghanistan before becoming a marshal had taught him the hard way never to underestimate a woman with a slight build, or even a child for that matter, and the deep scar under his chin was a testament.

For a chilling instant they stared at one another, sizing the other up. Not from a physical perspective. It was an assessment of will. And what Nick saw in her was fathomless.

Blondie threw the dress at Ted, dividing Nick’s attention, and stormed out of the store.

The bell chimed. Black Rose’s steely eyes narrowed before she turned and strode unhurriedly toward the door—as if she had all the time in the world.

Then he saw it. Her low-heeled boots that didn’t make a sound.

His neck prickled the way it did when he was on a hunt for big game with his siblings. Nick followed. He had no reason to detain or question her, but something about that woman was wrong. From the tattoo, those rubber-soled shoes, to how she’d looked at him. As if she’d wanted to slice through him like a hot knife through butter.

None of it was evidence of anything and not cause for more than suspicion, but training and years of experience had taught him not to dismiss either.

The woman strolled away, lengthening the distance between them with each store she passed. One, two, three. But the tightening in his gut didn’t ease.

Black Rose glimpsed back at him over her shoulder, caught his fixed stare and stopped in her tracks. Pivoting, she turned and faced him, leveling her icy gaze his way. The look she sent him was full of loathing and in a blink it changed. Her lips hitched in an ominous half grin and she winked. Almost daring him to pursue.

Old ranger instincts urged him to take up the chase, confirm what his gut screamed about the woman, shake something that made sense out of her, but his training overruled recklessness.

He looked back in the quiet clothing store, checking on things.

Ted no longer stood stationed at the entrance of the dressing rooms.

Nick touched his Bluetooth earpiece. “Ted? What’s your position? Do you have eyes on Hummingbird?” he asked, using the codename for Lori.

Deafening silence.

Nick’s pulse spiked, but he remained calm—never one to succumb to panic. He stepped past displays and racks, his gaze scanning, his mind assessing.

No sign of Ted. Or the sales associate.

Drawing his gun, Nick hustled toward the dressing rooms.

Anticipation coiled in his chest, adrenaline roaring through him. The weight of his backup piece strapped to his ankle was a small comfort. Nick’s fingers tightened on his Glock. He reached the threshold, scanned left, then right.

Ted lay on the floor beyond the entrance in a corner. Blood soaked his white hair at the base of his skull.

Son of a— Ted was down.

There was no time to check if his partner was unconscious or dead. A commotion deeper in the dressing room drew him forward. Two people struggled inside the second stall.

The horror in Lori’s terrified whimper jolted his heart.

Juno is a veteran Air Force Intelligence Officer who writes romantic thrillers with sizzle, pulse-pounding suspense, and plenty of action. Her stories are about strong heroes and gutsy heroines fighting for their lives as well as their happily-ever-after. Expect an intense emotional journey and a thrill ride to keep you turning the pages.

A native New Yorker, she currently lives in the Washington, DC area with her patient husband, two vivacious kids, and a spoiled rescue dog. Juno loves hanging out with readers and anyone friendly over a great glass of wine. 

The Final Hour series features a covert, off-the-books unit sanctioned to operate beyond the black and white constraints of other intelligence agencies. They work in the shadows safeguarding national security. When a horrifying conspiracy hits too close to home, they're the last line of defense. They'll do anything to keep their country safe and sacrifice everything for the ones they love. 

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She carries a gun for a living…yet never expected to become a target. New Release + #Giveaway - Pivotal Decisions [Moonlight & Murder] by Reily Garrett @reily_garrett #RomanticThriller

Title: Pivotal Decisions

Series: Moonlight and Murder
Author: Reily Garrett

Genre: Romantic Thriller

Release Date: March 22, 2020  

She carries a gun for a living…
yet never expected to become a target.

Sabine’s early morning hike ends with discovering her friend sitting in a chair by the canal and gazing at the sunrise. Peace and serenity pervade.

Except, he’s dead.

To discover the how and why of his murder, she must first survive the shrewd killer intent on removing human collateral and obtaining unique technology that could change the course of mankind.

Coyote Waylin hasn’t set foot in the Everglades for six years, not since the night he broke his brother’s jaw and saved their sister’s life. After receiving a desperate call from his sibling, he rushes south to untangle a web of murder and intrigue.

Together, Coyote and Sabine sort the snarled web of lies and deceit while struggling to maintain their personal space. Failure to thwart the ingenious killer could result in untraceable mass murders spanning the continents.

Prologue Death, like reality, comes in layers. He was a scientist. Confidence and conviction in facts with distinct slices of possibilities for future endeavors kept him focused and thinking forward.

To delve into the mind and alter the truth as one knew it, everything they touched, heard, saw, and perceived, was his bailiwick. The realm he’d perfected.

Yet at the moment, confusion submersed him in a world he didn’t recognize. Scenes flashed not just before his eyes, but encompassed his entire existence and touched every sense. How could he discern reality from illusion?

He remembered sitting at his desk in his home away from home. Then a noise. A flash of pain in his head. Someone laughed as they threatened him, demanding his precious work. They spoke with ruthless assurance as they penned a note and stuck it to his chest.

Yet he wasn’t dying, nor did he feel the impending doom of a gun to his head.

What he did feel was the briefest flicker of pain flashing through both lower legs before dissolving into thousands of pins-and-needles sensations. 

Warmth flooded his brain, followed by a tranquilizing calm soothing his anxiety. Wasn’t that his area of expertise?

Muddled and conflicting sensations diminished with the tingling heat spreading throughout his chest and permitted a deep breath. Phantom shadows of panic receded to the periphery of his thoughts, pushed out by increasing perceptions of rightness that shouldn’t exist in his world.

His mind struggled to remember what he’d intended to do. He’d intended to remove his VR goggles to make an adjustment, hadn’t he? Then why did the softness of his mattress beneath his thighs feel so right? He didn’t have a bedroom in his satellite office.

His feet weren’t chilled from the cool tile floor, nor did he recognize the setting from his bedroom window.

He lived in a modest contemporary rancher with his wife, newlyweds of less than a year. Their cozy structure was surrounded by two acres of St. Augustine Grass. The closest neighbor enjoyed a Spanish Revival house with a low-pitched tile roof, half-round arched doors, and windows with adobe brick.

He saw none of it.

Instead, miles of beautiful flowerbeds with blooms that shouldn’t appear in December sprawled over lush hills, another topographical feature absent from southern Florida. Despite conflicting perceptions, he couldn’t muster the energy to tear his gaze away. Inability to turn his head soon lost meaning in the wake of the bouquet of scents wafting through the open window.

He knew the soft, sweet taste of each blossom as if they rested on his tongue, sweet with a tinge of some exotic spice. Bird song encouraged him to linger and ignore unpleasant sensations of forced immobility. There existed no obvious reason to move or feel concern.

A slight breeze ruffled his hair, its warmth another source of soothing calm. He hadn’t been wearing his glasses, yet could see flowers glistening with morning dew in crystal clarity, the fine stamens stark against the velvety texture of each petal. The pad of each fingertip tingled with their softness despite the distance that lay between him and the outdoors.

Every cell of his body felt cocooned in a warm fuzzy blanket.

Nirvana was confirmed as his mind flashed to a different landscape, yet it didn’t appear to be a dream. Everything felt so vivid, so real.

Before him, the soft ocean surf lapped at his feet, the sand warm between his toes and the gentle susurration a colorful melody. Pungent scents of salt and copper filled his nostrils and he briefly held his breath until it passed. Calm, balmy breezes whispered through nearby feathery palms and whisked the unpleasant aromas away.

If he died and was lucky enough to see pearly gates, this was where he wanted to stay. Life’s concerns drifted on a sea of contented bliss.

He briefly closed his eyes in ecstasy. The sudden spray of salt water against his cheek snapped them open to look over the deck of a large ship. The rolling motion forced him to grab the railing to either side of him and clutch tight. Knowledge that there should only be one rail before him didn’t prevent his grasp for dear life.

Something tugged against his legs and belly. He thought to rub it then decided it unnecessary as his spirit drifted above the beauty of roiling seas below him.

A peculiar numbness infiltrated his lower legs, followed by a lightheadedness not overcome by the pleasant tingling at the base of his skull. He rarely felt the bite of cold under his skin in southern Florida.

Perhaps he’d take a nap and let the strange sensations pass.

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