Victory Cove - Romantic Suspense

[MaMiller]

If someone jumps around this thread of mine...they could possibly read all of Victory Cove if they piece all the little snippets together!

VICTORY COVE - http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/7274 for $1.99 and on KOBO for $1.89

Megan gaped at the nightstand. The blaring device might as well have been an amplifier from Hell, a portal through which to communicate to the Devil. She started to shake, anxiety stabbing her heart with each strident peal. Jake moved to pick up the receiver, but her sudden cry froze him.

“No!”

If it was Gordon, the last thing Megan wanted was for him to realize that she was not alone. This was her battle to wage. She would not allow anything to happen to Jake.

Maybe Jake Grogan was a stranger. Maybe it was too fast—too strong, but there was no denying the effect he had on her. There was no denying the feelings she had for him. They were undeveloped, yet still wonderful feelings, which her cruel existence would have to nip before they ever developed.

All these thoughts raged in her mind before the third shrill ring of the phone. Uncooperative fingers launched for the receiver and hefted it to her ear. Megan did not offer a salutation, she just listened.

Silence.

Not the stagnant silence of a severed connection, or the monotonous vacuum of being placed on hold. This was a heavy stillness that spoke to her in evil whispers, wicked hints that someone was on the other end—listening.

Both hands gripped the receiver and Megan shook so much now that her legs failed her and she sank to the edge of the bed. There was no heavy breathing or anything so sinister and obvious, but she knew he was there. Also was gone the electrical hum she had distinguished on the past call. Did this mean he had altered his location? Was he closer? Was he outside?

[MaMiller]

It's been awhile since I've posted any excerpts from VICTORY COVE. I know that has you all terribly dismayed!

Megan glanced at the burgundy runner worn to a dark shade of gray at the center of each step. On the landing she could barely distinguish the fine thread of wire pulled taught across the surface. From its strategic position it was likely someone would either step on it, or walk into it.

Would she have enough time if this alarm ever went off? The Glock was at her side and it would be dark, which gave her the advantage.

“If it goes off, I’ll get to it first.” Jake read her mind. “You stay up there, you hear me?” He wasn’t satisfied with her lack of response. “You stay up there till I say it’s safe.”

And if he hurts you? The rogue notion rang loud in her head.

“I mean it, Meg.” Jake’s brow descended. “If that alarm goes off, you call the police. Lock yourself in the bathroom. Do whatever you have to.”

“I can’t call the police.” She pointed out dismally.

“Yes you can. By that point it will be self-defense. Self-preservation.” Jake looked at her with a rare blend of tenderness and determination. “By that time, Gordon will have already found you.”

Basically, what Jake was telling her is that by that time it will already be too late for him. Megan held her hands up over her face. She couldn’t jeopardize his safety like this.

“Jake—”

“Megan.” He volleyed.

Megan was on the verge of verbalizing her crusade, but she mildly pointed out, “You call me Megan.”

Jake rubbed at his jaw, looked away and then looked back at her again. There was turmoil in the dark layers of his eyes. “I don’t know Margaret. I only know you. Give me some time and I’ll get to learn her better.”

VICTORY COVE.

[MaMiller]

For the month of July VICTORY COVE is only $.99 at Smashwords with coupon code SWS50

If there's anyone out there who remembers "Crazy Eddy"....these prices are insane!

[MaMiller]

Only a few more days left in July to take advantage of the .99 sale on VICTORY COVE

Here is a little sample...

For a moment he sat there, assessing her with the fixed gaze of a jaguar. Megan trembled under that appraisal and sank down onto the redwood chair.

He crossed his arms. “Okay,” he began, “let’s try this approach. Who do you think I am?”

You were sent to kill me.

“I don’t know.” She wrenched in anguish.

Some of the tension slipped from Jake’s shoulders. She thought he was going to reach for her and nearly leaned forward in anticipation of that sweet shelter. Instead, he shifted so that his head could be even with hers—so that he could look her in the eye.

“It’s none of my business, Megan. But to me, it’s obvious you’re hiding from something out here.”

“You’re right.” Panic gripped her voice. “It’s none of your business.”

Jake nodded in submission, and then reached out and turned on the bedside lantern. She flinched against the bright assault and blinked until he came back into view.

Oh God. Why did he have to look like that? Dark and lean, with eyes that mirrored the glow of the antique lamp. He leaned even closer and she discovered that the gold was just an eclipse around large black pupils.

“Okay,” he whispered. “One last question. And for this one I need to see your eyes.”

Megan’s breath hitched. In that second, she heard every throbbing beat of Wakefield House. The cadence of the rain. The tempo of the wind. The pounding of her heart.

“Yes?”

“Tell me,” He paused, “In all honesty, do you think I would hurt you?”

[MaMiller]

I now have a little writing 'hobby'. I am the Charlotte Romance Examiner (please don't laugh )

This is what you get when a romantic suspense author makes an attempt at journalism. I was supposed to write about romantic spots in Charlotte and boring stuff like that, but the fictional writer in me reared its ugly head and I've put my spin on the subject. After about the third or fourth "Eat at Joes, it is romantic", you're going to start to lose your audience. So, I reconsidered the parameters, which were to focus on romance, and inject some local flare.

I created something I titled, "Chance Encounters", where instead of a documentary about a restaurant, you will find a three or four paragraph snippet of fiction taking place in that eatery. I thought, why not make the reader feel what it's like to be here? Make the reader think that it is possible that they can find romance if they eat in this restaurant.

Who's to say if they're going to like it, but I'm having fun! If you get a chance, stop by and take a peek.

Charlotte Romance Examiner

Maureen