Trouble in Paradise? #Miami #UrbanCrime #InterracialRomance

By Tim Smith (Guest Blogger)

He’s as cool as a Pina Colada on a Key West beach, he’s the kind of guy your mother wouldn’t let you play with, and he’s every bad guy’s worst nightmare. Nick Seven is back in The Neon Jungle (Nick Seven Book 6), a gritty tale of crime and revenge on the mean streets of Miami.

In the laidback Florida Keys, former spies Nick Seven and Felicia Hagens found a paradise far removed from the covert world of the CIA.

Nick, content to run a bar on the Gulf and maintain a low profile, breaks his self-imposed exile when a friend asks for help in getting a local mob boss off his back. Popular singer Jimmie Rae wants to get free from the notorious Turk Morgan, a crooked music mogul who controls the Miami entertainment scene. Jimmie reveals that his girlfriend has gotten caught in Turk’s web, and he wants to get her out before it’s too late.

As Nick and Felicia explore the neon jungle of South Beach, they encounter the dark underside of the music business. Drugs, prostitution, street thugs, and political payoffs are Turk’s stock in trade, and he isn’t one to relinquish control over his empire.

Nick goes undercover as an international criminal to challenge him, but will he succeed in breaking Turk’s hold over Jimmie and his girl? Can Nick use the sting operation to solve a cold case murder he discovers by accident? What other secrets will he uncover?”

 

This story is a bit different from the other entries in the Nick and Felicia spy thriller series. If you’re familiar with TV shows like “Burn Notice” or “Leverage,” you’ve seen the trope of people pulling a scam on someone to bring them down. In this case, the target is a vicious Miami crook masquerading as a music mogul. He’s sort of a black Godfather, using a network of street thugs and paid-for cops to maintain his illegal empire.

It was fun to write because I got to send Nick undercover using an old alias from his days as a CIA spook, a Greek arms smuggler named Nick Stavros. Along with Felicia and his former partner, the somewhat trustworthy Bones McCoy, Nick concocts a plan to make Turk Morgan think his empire is crumbling around him. There are colorful locations, quirky characters, snappy dialogue, action, romance and hot sex. I made full use of South Beach as a backdrop, with its art deco buildings, bright neon lights, and endless parade of street hustlers to add atmosphere. These elements added to the ongoing sexual attraction between Nick and Felicia.

Here’s an exclusive excerpt:

Nick swam through the incoming current to catch up with Felicia, who had bested him after they dived into the ocean. When he reached her, he treaded water, shook his head, and spat out the mouthful of the Atlantic he had sucked in. Felicia bobbed neck high, treading water while giving him a teasing smile. Nick sidled up next to her and brushed his wet hair back from his face.

“Looks like I win, tough guy,” she proclaimed. “Five bucks. Pay up.”

“I left my wallet in my other pants.”

They floated with the gentle tides and looked around. Several sailboats coasted in the distance, along with some jet skis out for a day of exploring. The white sandy beach was dotted with bikinied sun worshipers and a group playing volleyball. The smell of saltwater and sunscreen permeated the air, punctuated by excited cheers and chatter from the volleyball crowd.

“Sure is pretty out here,” she said.

“That’s the second time you’ve said that. Are you sure you’re not trying to tell me something?”

She splashed water in his face. “No, I’m not tryin’ to tell you anythin’. Can’t a person make an observation without you readin’ somethin’ into it?”

“Old habit.”

She pulled him in for a kiss. “Get over it.”

Her long, wet hair dangled carelessly around her face. He peered into her eyes while caressing her cheek. “Felicia, I’d be happy anywhere we lived as long as you were there. I just can’t envision life without you being a part of it.”

She gave him a dreamy smile. “Now who’s bein’ selfish?”

“Come on. I’ll race you back to shore.”

“Double or nothin’?”

“You’re on.”

They swam toward the beach, coasting part way on the waves and reached the sandbar at the same time. They walked onto the beach and caught their breath.

“Tie,” Nick declared.

“You still owe me five bucks.”

They walked to where they had laid out their towels, and Nick took two bottles of water from the beach bag. He handed one to Felicia, then took a long drink.

Nick let his eyes wander over Felicia’s toned body, her bronze skin offset by a white mesh bikini that clung to her body. Rivulets of water dripped from her hair when she fluffed it with her fingers. In spite of the heat, her nipples pressed against her bikini top.

“I guess that water was cooler than it looks,” he said.

“What do you mean?”

He indicated her breasts. “You’re standing at attention.”

She moved a step closer to run her fingers along his arm. “If we were back home on Barbados, I wouldn’t be wearin’ this.”

“We should plan a trip there.”

About Tim Smith

Tim Smith is an award-winning, bestselling author of romantic mystery/thrillers and contemporary erotic romance. He is also a photographer, freelance writer, editor, and blogger. His novels featuring former CIA agent Nick Seven have garnered several awards and international critical praise. When he isn’t writing, he can often be found in The Florida Keys, doing research between parasailing and seeking out the perfect Mojito.

You’ll find more information about Tim and his books at www.timsmithauthor.com, AllAuthor.com, ManicReaders.com, and Goodreads.

Available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback

 

A Fine Pair of Spies (#romance #suspense #espionage)

By Tim Smith (Guest Blogger)

I’m pleased to announce the release of my newest romantic thriller, Catch and Release (Nick Seven: Book 5). All of the standard elements are here—exotic location with sun, sand and surf, action, witty interplay between the characters, a villain and plot straight out of Ian Fleming, and plenty of steamy sexual encounters.

Former CIA spies Nick Seven and Felicia Hagens decided to take a break from the Florida Keys to enjoy the white sands and cool waters of Virginia Beach. Their relaxation comes to an abrupt halt when Felicia recognizes the notorious Russian criminal named Festov. But Felicia killed Festov six years earlier in Amsterdam—or so she thought. This unexpected appearance reveals a terrifying conspiracy with global implications. Is it really Festov or someone made up to look like him? Can Felicia and Nick stop Festov and his partners before they hatch their deadly plan?”

I did something different with this one, which I hope readers will like. In the previous adventures, the catalyst was something from Nick’s shady past. Felicia has always been a part of it, helping him deal with whatever the trouble was, and each installment showed their relationship getting stronger. I decided that it was time for Felicia to have her own adventure. That’s right—this is her caper, and Nick provides back-up. It turns out that Felicia has a skeleton of her own rattling in her closet, one she’s never bothered to discuss before.

For those who haven’t followed the series, a little history. Felicia worked with Nick when they were both with the CIA. She’s originally from Barbados, a former Marine, and as kick-ass as any action hero. That was by design when I created the character. Nick needed a romantic interest, one to share his civilian adventures with, but I didn’t want someone who couldn’t match him in the tough department. Each story has given her some action to get involved in, but I felt that the time was right for her to take the lead. This being a romantic thriller, I needed to keep their relationship alive and well. 

Here’s an excerpt:

Felicia sat on the beach with Nick, her knees pulled near her torso and her arms resting on them while she stared at the night sky over the ocean. A few birds did a call-and-response with each other in the distance, countering the sounds of others occupying the beach. Sure is peaceful out here. She glanced over at Nick, who had stretched out on the blanket and crossed his feet at the ankles.

“What made you think of doin’ this?” she asked.

“You did, when you told me how much fun you used to have on the beach back home.”

She leaned over and kissed him. “You’re sweet.”

He sat up, retrieved two Piña Colada wine coolers from the ice bucket then handed one to her. She took a swallow and resumed looking at the horizon. The evening breeze had cooled the sultry temps of daytime, making it tolerable. She pointed at a small flashing light high in the sky.

“What do you think?” she asked. “Star or satellite?”

“The romantic in me wants to say star.” He placed his hand on her cheek to turn her face toward his. “Our very own star, just looking over us.”

Felicia pushed him onto his back and kissed him. She peered into his eyes and ran her fingers along his brow and cheek. “You aren’t really such a hard-ass as you like people to think. Did you know that?”

Nick played with a strand of her hair. “Don’t let it get around.”

“Afraid someone might find out what a pushover you really are?”

“Yeah, that’s me. Carbon steel on the outside, cotton candy inside.”

Felicia glanced at three young women who had staked their claim a dozen yards away, trying to be articulate between sips of wine and puffs on the joint they passed around. The rancid-sweet smell of Colombian gold drifted through the air. The longer the women toked, the more heated their discussion became. From what Felicia could hear, it was a spirited debate on the pros and cons of anal sex. The pros argued that it was great as long as you used enough lube, while the one con held firm that afterwards she couldn’t sit comfortably for a week. This was followed by more toking and uncontrolled giggling.

“Interesting debate,” Nick commented.

“The things people argue about when they’re stoned.”

Nick sat up, opened a can of Sterno then lit it. He set it on the sand in front of them then handed Felicia a stick impaling two marshmallows. He held his over the flame and slowly rotated it.

Felicia giggled. “I can’t believe we’re doin’ this.”

“Didn’t you ever go camping?”

“Only when I was on active duty. Surprised you didn’t bring C-rations to eat.”

“Be careful what you wish for. Next time, I might.”

He took one toasted marshmallow from the stick and fed it to her.

“Mmm, good.”

Nick ate the marshmallow she fed him then took a drink. “What’s a Barbados beach party like?”

Felicia took a drink before answering. “Everybody brought somethin’ homemade and we’d have a big bonfire with a pot of crabs cookin’.” She grinned at the memory. “My uncle would get juiced and pour in a bottle of homemade rum for flavoring.”

“Did it help?”

“Not really, but the crabs enjoyed it.”

Nick laughed. “Guess that took the sting out of being boiled alive. What else happened?”

“After ev’ryone got their fill of crabs and fried plantains, and they passed around the jugs of wine, somebody would play music and people danced.” She leaned in close and lowered her voice. “Don’t tell anyone, but some of us would sneak off to go skinny dippin’.”

“So that’s where you learned not to wear clothes at the beach.”

She squeezed his knee. “Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.”

“What makes you think I haven’t?”

Her eyebrows arched. “When?”

He took a drink. “Jamaica, when I was on an assignment. I had to visit a clothing optional beach.”

“I can’t wait to hear this one. Why would you hit a nude beach while you were workin’ a case?”

“Because the person I was following went there.” He looked into her eyes. “I had to blend in, you know.”

Felicia laughed. “Did you take your gun with you?”

“No place to hide it.”

She had a thought and gave him an amused look. “Was the subject of your assignment a man or a woman?”

Nick looked at her for a moment. “A woman. She was the girlfriend of a smuggler we were after and I was assigned to follow her until she made contact. Didn’t know where it would take me.”

She raked her fingers along his cheek. “Did your tail job divulge anythin’ vital?”

“I found out that she was a natural redhead with a sunburst tat on her ass.”

“How did that help your investigation?”

“It didn’t, but I found it very interesting.”

“Really took your job seriously, didn’t you?”

“That’s why I got the big bucks.”

He set his bottle aside then pulled Felicia onto her back next to him. They gazed at the clear, starlit sky, blotting out everything else around them.

“Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight,” Felicia softly recited. “I wish I may, I wish I might…”

Her voice trailed off as prior thoughts flooded her head, the good memories fighting the unpleasant ones that had made a return visit after lying dormant.

“Why didn’t you finish?” Nick asked.

She peered into his eyes. “Don’t need to.”

* * * *

If you’re in the mood for a breezy fast-paced adventure that will satisfy without making you think too hard, check out “Catch and Release.” I think you’ll enjoy the trip.

Buy Links

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Catch-Release-Nick-Seven-Book-ebook/dp/B01LZ5ZBQ4/ref=la_B002HDEN4M_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1475354198&sr=1-1

Extasy Books

http://www.extasybooks.com/catch-and-release/

Barnes and Noble

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/catch-and-release-tim-smith/1124649976?ean=2940153736693

About Tim

Tim Smith is an award-winning, bestselling author whose books range from romantic mystery/thrillers to contemporary erotic romance. His website is www.timsmithauthor.com.

What's in a Name?

By Tim Smith (Guest Blogger)

Once upon a time I had an idea for a romantic adventure story. I had a ripped-from-the-headlines plot and the ideal hero, a former CIA spook that walked away from the spy biz to live in Key Largo, Florida. He would be cool, tough and sexy, (something most of us aren’t), and would get involved in cool, tough, sexy adventures (something most of us can’t do). There was only one little problem – what should I call him? I had his first name picked out but needed a surname that was unique and wouldn’t conjure up a preconceived image. That eliminated names like Callahan, Savalas, Columbo, Rambo and Bond. I christened him Nick Seven and his first couple of adventures became best sellers and critical hits.

Then I conceived another series featuring a leading man who was light years removed from this character. I named him Vic Fallon and he’s a former police detective in northern Ohio who was discharged for using unnecessary force. He’s now a private investigator, but with a twist. He doesn’t really have to work and only takes jobs when he’s bored or something intrigues him. He’s also the only recurring character, leaving him free to romance a different woman in each story.

Now comes the hard part. How do I keep these two characters straight when I’m writing about them? There are some similarities but I want each to have their own personality. I recalled that when Mickey Spillane wrote about someone other than Mike Hammer, the names might have been different but they were basically the same person. I didn’t want to stumble over that rabbit hole.

Nick Seven is a rather dark character, due to some past experiences when he worked around the globe as a spy. He’s damaged goods and that usually comes into play in each adventure. He lives with a Barbadian beauty named Felicia, who is a former co-worker. All they want to do is live anonymously in The Keys but their former employer has different ideas and each story has a topical theme. Here’s an example from my newest release, Never Look Back:

* * * *

The last bit of moonlight over Key Largo slowly faded with the arrival of daybreak. The emerging sun was quickly overshadowed by dark clouds rolling in, accompanied by thunder that rumbled over the Gulf of Mexico. Soon the inevitable rain began, pelting the ground with an instant cloudburst, washing away the grime and guilt of the previous night.

Nick Seven watched from the kitchen of his condo that overlooked the Atlantic. He leisurely puffed a cigarette between sips of coffee while his mind wandered, dredging up things from the long ago past.

Pre-dawn has to be the loneliest time of night. It’s worse than midnight, when all the animals come out to play. That’s when you face the ghosts, the bad memories that won’t leave you alone, the ones you can’t exorcise from your soul. Those ghosts are always needy and desperate, like a lot of people. Things happen to average people when they’re desperate. It drives them to do things they’d never think of doing when they’re rational.

Those are the people you watch out for.

* * * *

Vic Fallon, on the other hand, is a throwback to the pulp fiction characters of Chandler, Hammett and Westlake, but in a contemporary setting. Vic is a tough wise-ass who always finds himself in unwanted situations, and his cases can take him anywhere. The women he meets are straight out of an old B movie where the hero takes one on the chin in the name of love. This is the opening from his latest adventure, Lido Key:

* * * * 

I had the craziest damn dream. I was standing on a cloud of white satin while angels strummed their golden harps all around me. I swear one of them looked like Taylor Swift. Then this guy showed up, dressed in a double-breasted blue pinstripe suit and a gray fedora. Looked like he stepped out of an old Bogart movie. No, wait, it wasn’t Bogart, it was Robert Mitchum. Yeah, that’s it. Mitchum handed Taylor a bottle of cheap whiskey and she poured a healthy slug into a tumbler. She smiled when she handed it to me, you know, one of those smiles that tells you everything’s okay even though your gut tells you it isn’t. I drank it down in one swallow then felt lightheaded so I curled up on that satin cloud and fell asleep. Probably shouldn’t have eaten sushi for dinner last night.

Vic Fallon slowly awoke from a deep slumber and looked through one drowsy eye at the clock radio. 8:30. I never sleep this late. Must’ve been more tired than I realized. He stretched his arms and yawned. I never sleep this well in a strange bed the first night away from home, either. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed, blinked a few times to wake up then looked around. His brow furrowed. This isn’t where I fell asleep last night.

* * * *

When I come up with a story idea I have to decide which series it would best fit. If it’s drawn from current events, it would probably work as a Nick Seven spy adventure. If it’s something quirkier I’ll develop it into a Vic Fallon crime caper. The online consequences of sexting inspired Lido Key, and the Wiki-leaks affair served as the jumping off point for Never Look Back.

Someone proposed a wild idea to me recently. They suggested that I put both characters in the same story. Hmm, Nick versus Vic. What a concept! I could also throw in some supporting characters named Rick, Mick and Dick to really confuse things. 

Never Look Back - Buy here!

Lido Key - Buy here!

Bio:

Tim Smith is an award-winning, bestselling author whose books range from romantic mystery/thrillers to contemporary erotic romance. His website is www.timsmithauthor.com.