Blurb
Only
he stands between her and a hired killer.
When
Kenzie discovered a toxic truth that harms military personnel, the
international corporation where she worked put a hit on her.
Desperate to survive, she escapes to the Crazy Mountains to hide out
at a deserted cabin she recalls from childhood.
Lucas
owns the property now. As a former Ranger and sniper, he’s never
met a more terrified young woman. Yet despite her fear, she’s
determined to bring her former employer to justice.
Not
without his help.
Fearless,
honorable, and sexy as sin, he’s the hero she’s always needed.
There’s
no turning back as they surrender to their mounting passion for each
other and meet danger head on to bring a criminal enterprise to
justice, saving those service members most at risk.
Excerpt
She
couldn’t chance him knowing who she was if his buddies were looking
for her. It didn’t seem likely, given his easy-going personality
and what he’d already revealed about himself. However, risking
anything at this point wasn’t wise. “Why is my name important?”
“Are
you a movie star or some kind of internet sensation?” He worked his
mouth to stop his smile. “Afraid I’ll recognize you from your
name rather than how you look at this point?”
A
drowned dog probably had her beat in the beauty department. Hardly
caring, she rubbed the blanket over her lenses to dry them but left
thick smears instead.
“This
might work better.” He pulled a rag from his back pocket. “It’s
clean.”
After
taking it, she worked on her glasses, uncertain whether to feel bad
for treating him like a criminal or to maintain her caution as to
what he might do next. Vigilance won out. “Anything else you can
tell me about yourself?” She pushed the rag in her jacket pocket.
“Like why you’re up here alone— You are alone, right?”
He
scratched his stubbled cheek. “If you’re asking if I have a wife
and kids, it’s a firm no on both counts. There’s no long-term
girlfriend in my cabin either. How about you? You running from an
ex-husband, ex-lover, or a current one in those two categories?”
“Why
are you in the middle of nowhere?”
New
muttering beneath his breath. “Because I like it?”
She
swore.
“Easy.”
He used the same voice on her that he had with Caesar.
For
some reason, it didn’t piss her off but made her tired instead. “I
can’t tell you how much it’d help if you gave me some details as
to who you are.”
Understanding
and kindness rose in his eyes. “Fair enough. I’m former military,
Army.” He lifted his slicker. Beneath it, he wore a Ranger
sweatshirt. “When I left the service, I came home to Montana. Had a
chance to get this property and took it.”
That
didn’t make sense. “You’re so rich you bought this place and
don’t have to work any longer?”
He
grinned, his smile wide and inviting. “Don’t I wish, but no. Even
if I had the funds, I’d still want to keep busy and offer my
assistance to anyone who needs it. I’m in security, so to speak. I
work on assignment. When each ends, I return here to wait for my next
call.”
Sincerity
rang in his voice and showed on his luscious face. More importantly,
he wanted to help people. Still… She’d been cautious for so long,
her misgiving lingered. “What did you mean by ‘so to speak’.
It’s either security or it’s not. Which is it?”
“Do
you always ask so many questions?”
She
bounced in place. “I don’t know you.”
“Hey,
I gave you my blanket, I’ve offered to call for help to get your
car out, and I don’t know you either. Not even your name. Is it a
secret?”
She
looked to the side. “Kenzie Caltrane.”
“Was
that so hard?”
His
softened tone and big body called to her as few things had. She was
fucking weary and scared, and simply wanted to melt into his arms and
beg him to make things better. Which he couldn’t. One man who
worked security didn’t have that power. Damn, getting involved in
her problems might get him killed, too. “You shouldn’t have
stopped to help.”
“Why
not?”
“Because
you can’t.” The tears she’d held back for weeks poured
out, turning into hitching sobs. “You’ll get hurt.”
“Hey,
hey.” He gathered her to him in a protective caress. “Nothing’s
that bad. No one’s that powerful. If your current or ex, or
whatever, is after you, I can get you to a safe place and—”
“You
can’t stop the entire government.” She pushed away. “You
can’t stop an assassin.”
His
features slackened. “What?”
She
put out her hand, warning him to keep his distance. “Go back to
your cabin. Pretend you never saw me. Forget my damn name.” A new
sob caught in her throat. “You can’t help.”
“Calm
down, please.” He lifted his hands but didn’t touch her. “I’m
not going anywhere. I sure as hell don’t intend to leave you out
here alone to face whatever—”
“You.
Have. To.” She edged back. “There’s no choice. If you think you
can call 9-1-1 and fix this, it isn’t possible. The federal
government is involved. They’ll bury you.”
Alarm
sparked in his eyes then faded, resolve replacing it. “Involved in
what? What are you talking about? Who are you?”
For
once, she got in his face. “I’m a toxic truth to the feds and
others. They don’t want me around. That’s why they’ve put a hit
out on me.”
About
Tina
Tina
is an Amazon and international bestselling novelist who writes
romance for every taste – ‘heat with heart’ – for traditional
publishers and indie. Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, Romantic
Times and numerous online sites have praised her work. Three
of her erotic novels were
Readers' Choice Award winners. Another three were named finalists in
the EPIC competition. One of her erotic contemporary romances was
chosen Book of the Year at the French review site Blue Moon reviews.
The Golden Nib Award at Miz Love Loves Books was created specifically
for one of her erotic romances. Two of her titles received an Award
of Merit in the RWA Holt Medallion competition. Another
two won second place in the NEC RWA contest (different years). Tina
is featured in the Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market. Before
penning romances, she worked at a major Hollywood production company
in Story Direction.
Email:
tinadonahuebooks
[at] gmail [dot] com
2 comments:
This looks good.
Congratulations on the new release, Tina!
And welcome, as always, to my blog.
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