Excerpted from MARKED Copyright Elisabeth Naughton (May 2010) Dorchester Love Spell ISBN: 0-505-52822-3
Some nights, a woman just wanted to bash her brain against a wall to keep from screaming. For Casey Simopolous, this was one of those nights.
“Yo, sistah. My tongue’s not getting any wetter over here by itself.” The blond frat-wannabe at the other end of her section threw his arms out wide with a could-you-be-more-stupid? look on his face. “We gonna get those drinks or what?” The two idiots seated next to him at the small circular table laughed and slapped him on the shoulder in a you-da-man move that made Casey grind her teeth together.
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Now check out these other fabulous Saturday Snippets!
Excerpted from STOLEN HEAT Copyright Elisabeth Naughton (August 2009) Dorchester Love Spell ISBN: 978-0-505-52794-3
A shadow in her rearview mirror caught her attention. Thoughts of Pete slipped to the back of Kat’s mind as her instincts jumped to alert. Slinking down in her seat, she reached up slowly and tipped the mirror so she had a better view behind her.
It was a man. Broad shoulders, long legs. Tall. Wearing a full-length dark coat. He glanced around the empty street several times before crossing the road and heading for the piranha’s building.
He stepped under a streetlight for a brief moment, then eased back into the shadows. But not before Kat saw his arm lift toward the sky. Metal glimmered in his hand. Seconds later, the light went out with a near silent pop.
But one second was all it took. In that moment he’d been in the light, Kat had a clear view of his face. Of his close-cropped hair. Of his beady eyes.
Busir.
The hair stood up on her arms, but she didn’t avert her eyes. Not even when he slinked into the shadows along the building and then stopped. Slowly, she reached for the backpack she’d set on the passenger seat, flipped it open and pawed around until she found her 9 mm. Her fingers closed over the cold metal with stunning force. Though she was expertly trained in how to use the firearm, a rush of adrenaline swept through her. Would she be able to take a life after all?
She wasn’t sure. If she did, it would put her on the same level as the men who had killed Sawil and Shannon.
She knew only one thing for certain: Busir and his goons had come for Pete just like she’d predicted. Her conscience wouldn’t let her sit back and do nothing.
After slipping the Beretta into the pocket of her jacket, she searched the backpack again for the small stun gun her self defense instructor had suggested she buy. She’d much rather use that if she could. Gripping it and an extra cartridge in her hand, she climbed out of the car, careful to stay low and silent.
A quick glance back confirmed Busir wasn’t alone. He’d brought a friend, though not the same one she’d seen at the auction. This one looked American. Kat inched her way around parked cars, well out of both their view, until she got to the alley. Once there, she kicked up her feet and ran down the wet pavement, made a trip around the block until she came up from the south behind their car.
She was breathing heavy as she ducked out of sight and moved close to the vehicle. Busir was still waiting in the shadows. His counterpart sat in the driver’s seat, awaiting his signal.
Long seconds passed while she waited. Her breathing slowed, but the adrenaline rush sent the blood pounding in her ears in time with her heart. She let instinct and years of training finally sink in, tried to block the self doubt on the fringes of her subconscious. Logic told her she couldn’t take out both men on her own, but she had surprise on her side. And she’d make the most of it.
Pete suddenly emerged from the lobby, head down and arms crossed over his chest. A frown cut across his face when he looked up to where the limo had been. One quick glance around, and then he turned toward the car. Tucking his chin against his chest, he headed up the street, oblivious to what was about to go down around him.
Perspiration dampened Kat’s skin. It nearly killed her, but she waited until she saw Busir make his move.
Then she made hers.
As Busir slinked out of the shadows and followed Pete up the sidewalk, Kat gripped the driver’s door and pulled. The man in the front seat jolted around to face her.
She was sure she’d never seen him before, but that didn’t stop her. She gripped the stun gun and hit him hard, right in the neck to avoid his coat. He jerked and yelped, but she held her ground and counted to four.
The man seized, then fell over on the front seat. He wasn’t unconscious, but he was incapacitated. At least for the time being.
And for a moment, Kat’s eyes widened at what she’d just done. Images flickered through her mind like a silent movie. The tomb. The sounds. The struggle. And running.
She closed her eyes tight and took large breaths to calm her nerves. But two was all she could afford. She opened her eyes, ready to find Pete. And that’s when she noticed the empty vial on the console. She reached around the man’s body and lifted the small glass container.
Eek! It’s Wednesday already? I swear the weeks are flying by.
Okay, so many things to talk about…
First of all, if you’re in the area, stop by the Join us in supporting local romance authors at our third annual Rose City Romance event! Meet these talented women, ask questions, and get books autographed in a casual setting. Featured authors include:
* Cathy Lamb (Almost Home) * Delilah Marvelle (Lord of Pleasure) * Minnette Meador (Edge of Honor) * Jenna Bayley-Burke (Her Cinderella Complex) * Meljean Brook (Demon Bound) * Jean Johnson (The Sons of Destiny Series) * Margaret Mallory (Knight of Desire) * Gina Robinson (Spy Candy) * Elisabeth Naughton (Stolen Heat) * Hanna Rhys-Barnes (Widow’s Peak) * Lisa Hendrix (Immortal Outlaw, Immortal Warrior)
Friday, September 18th @ 7pm Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd. (800) 878-7323
Secondly, my editor sent me the artwork for MARKED this morning, and though I can’t share it yet (it’s just artwork, no text) I CAN tease you and tell you that it is FABULOUS. I really, really love it. And can’t wait to share it!! As soon as I can, I’ll post it here. I did show it to my CP – who was instrumental in my writing the book in the first place, and she said, “Damn, girl. Who did you sleep with in the cover god pantheon?” I’m still chuckling over that one. Though I have to wonder myself. The cover gods have definitely blessed me.
And finally, last night after above CP and I were on IM brainstorming a scene in the WIP that had me tied up, I came across this video. I’ve seen it before – and you probably have too – but it’s so funny I thought I’d post it here. I laughed so hard I cried. And don’t we all need that once in a while? I hope you enjoy!
Today is the day! STOLEN HEAT officially hits store shelves TODAY!
His past tore them apart. Her lies thrust them back together. Now a killer’s out for revenge, but the biggest threat for both may just be the heat they thought they’d already lost….
Antiquities dealer Peter Kauffman walked a fine line between clean and corrupt for years. And then he met the woman who changed his life—Egyptologist Katherine Meyer. Their love affair burned white-hot in Egypt, until the day Pete’s lies and half-truths caught up with him. After that, their relationship imploded, Kat walked out, and before Pete could find her to make things right, he heard she’d died in a car bomb.
Six years later, the woman Pete thought he’d lost for good is suddenly back. The lies this time aren’t just his, though. The only way he and Kat will find the truth and evade a killer out for revenge is to work together—as long as they don’t find themselves burned by the heat each thought was stolen long ago…
“Exciting, action-packed and fast moving, this story seamlessly alternates from the present to the past. A first-rate mystery, it has well-developed characters and a suspenseful and satisfying climax. A fine romantic thread winds through it all.”–RT BOOKReviews
“This is a well-thought-out concept and wonderfully written books in the trilogy so far. The mysteries are complex but the love is simple, a balance achieved with characters you can’t help but like. The third book, Stolen Seduction, is due out next year and I am looking forward to it. You get to know both the hero and heroine of that book while reading the first two. I like them already, so I know their story is going to be just as good as these first two. After reading these two books, Ms. Naughton is now on my auto-buy list.”–The Good, The Bad & The Unread
“STOLEN HEAT is an awesome combination of deadly suspense, edgy action and a wonderful romance with characters that you’ll laugh, cry and yell with. I had a great time reading it and I’m definitely looking forward to more of Ms. Naughton’s books.”–Wendy, Night Owl Romance
In honor of release day, I’m giving away books! One lucky winner will get a copy of STOLEN FURY, the first book in the trilogy, and one will get a copy of STOLEN HEAT. All you have to do is leave me a comment here to be entered into the drawing.
And in case that’s not enough for you, I’m giving away goodies at these other blog locations today:
Worthington Fine Auction House Downtown New York City All things considered, she looked pretty good for a six-year old corpse.
Katherine Meyer checked her reflection in the bathroom mirror one last time and smoothed a few wild strands of hair back from her face. The black slacks and matching jacket were perfect, not one thing about them the slightest bit memorable. No one glancing her direction tonight would ever see anything other than the professional assistant she resembled, and that was precisely the way she wanted it. The less attention she drew, the safer everyone would be.
Her stomach rolled as she turned down the long hallway. Her sensible flats clicked along the cement floor. Muffled music from the party out front drifted to her ears. Ahead, a security guard looked up from his post at the end of the corridor and gave her the once-over.
She smiled what she hoped was a confident grin as she approached and flashed the I.D. badge she’d lifted from a Worthington’s employee days before. The picture had been digitally altered to match her current disguise—dark brown, bobstyle wig, blue color contacts, tortoiseshell glasses. As long as the man in front of her didn’t look too closely, she was home free.
“Hold up there.”
So much for easy.
The guard stepped from behind the counter, blocking her path, displaying at least six feet, three inches of hulking muscle.
He wore the standard blue uniform, had short-cropped dark hair, was big and brawny and the epitome of the straight-laced no-one gets-by-me-without-a-pass gate keeper.
Kat took a quick breath and glanced at the nametag on the man’s chest—James Johnson—then at his waist where a utility belt held a two-way radio.
No guns. Not that she could see anyway. And as far she was concerned, that was the best news she’d had so far tonight.
“Only authorized personnel past this point,” he said in a gruff voice. “I’ll need to verify your I.D.”
She smiled, unclipped the badge from her jacket and handed it to him with hands she somehow managed to keep from shaking. “Big crowd out there tonight,” she said casually.
Breathe, Kat. Just breathe.
His eyes flicked from the badge up to her face. “What’s your business in the storage room, Ms. Anderson?”
“I’m working with Marsha Griffin, the liaison between Worthington’s and the Odyssey Gallery. Just doing one final walkthrough before Ms. Griffin arrives and the auction begins. You know how anal some of these independent gallery owners can be on their big night.” She rolled her eyes for effect.
“It’s Jim, right?” She reached for the badge before he could study it in-depth again. “We met about two months ago when I was doing work with the Met.”
His brow wrinkled in confusion, like he was having trouble remembering back.
Perfect. Just what she wanted.
She clipped the badge to her jacket again, gave a small smile and did her best to look nonchalant. “How’s your daughter?
Broken arm heal up okay?”
His eyes widened in surprise. It was obvious he was searching his memory for their last conversation. Too bad he wouldn’t find it.
“Uh, yeah.” He scratched the top of his head. “Sarah gets the cast off on Tuesday. How did you—”
“I bet she’s thrilled.” Kat took a step around him and headed for the steel door at his back. Distract, dismay, then detour.
That was her life motto. Or, at least, her new life motto. “Broke my arm when I was seven. Longest six weeks of my life.”
She paused at the door, looked over her shoulder and lifted her brow as she waited.
He stared at her a full second, then gave his head a small shake and turned. “Oh, right. Sorry. You’ll need to sign in first, Ms. Anderson. It’s standard procedure.” “Sure.” Kat took the clipboard, signed her alias, and waited while he unlocked the door from his station. “Thanks, Jim. I’ll only be a few minutes.”
She eased into the room and closed the door behind her.
Leaning back against the cool metal, she let out a long breath. Her performance had been near-Oscar worthy.
She reached up to wipe her brow. Top-notch acting, but sweating buckets. It was a wonder Jim-the-Sentry hadn’t noticed. One tiny mistake like that could send her to an early grave.
Or late, considering how you looked at it.
Since, legally, Katherine Meyer had died in a car bomb in Egypt, she couldn’t possibly be breaking into one of the most famous auction houses in the world. But here she was. The trick now was simply to stay off everyone’s radar. The trick always was to stay dead.
I finished the line edits for STOLEN SEDUCTION and got them sent off to my editor last night. Whew…felt good to get those done.
Now I’m moving into serious promo mode for the release of STOLEN HEAT at the end of the month. Check back STARTING WEDNESDAY, July 15th for my big BIG contest. For 30 days I’ll have daily author guests, daily prizes, and you can also enter my big contest with the chance to win a $100 VISA gift card! You don’t want to miss it.
STOLEN HEAT , which releases July 28, 2009, got a fabulous 4 star review from RTBOOKReviews!!!
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Exciting, action-packed and fast moving, this story seamlessly alternates from the present to the past. A first-rate mystery, it has well-developed characters and a suspenseful and satisfying climax. A fine romantic thread winds through it all.
Summary: Katherine Meyer supposedly died six years ago in a car bombing in Egypt. To stay alive, she must stay “dead” to all from her past. But she risks it all to break into an auction house and recover an old artifact that hides secrets some would kill for. She doesn’t get away clean, though — she is recognized by the bad guys and her former lover, the man who deceived her, Peter Kauffman. When the killers come after Peter, Kat saves him, and the two go on the run. Together, they try to figure out who wants to kill her and what truths they don’t want exposed. (LOVE SPELL, Aug., 352 pp., $7.99) HOT —Susan Mobley, RTBOOKReviews
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And if you happen to check out RTBOOKReviews, this month, don’t miss the Clubhouse article about me and the book!
It’s quite ironic I was talking about the backstory for STOLEN HEAT yesterday. This review of HEAT just went up today, and I couldn’t be more tickled at what the reviewer had to say not only about the book but about my characters and their “past relationship”. (And the fact she launched a whole new feature on her blog with my book!) I forwarded the review link to my CP who emailed me and said, “I love the way she describes it in her own words, but they end up being just how you were thinking when you wrote it. Amazing.” That’s exactly how I feel!!
And in other really exciting news…I’m in the process of putting together my big BIG launch contest for STOLEN HEAT! Lots and lots of free stuff…books, goodies, gift cards to some of your favorite places…you do NOT want to miss this! There will be some kind of prize EVERY DAY for a month! It all starts Wednesday, July 15th, so be sure to spread the word and check back often for updates!
…Stolen Heat is an awesome combination of deadly suspense, edgy action and a wonderful romance with characters that you’ll laugh, cry and yell with. I had a great time reading it and I’m definitely looking forward to more of Ms. Naughton’s books. –Wendy, NOR Reviewer
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I may not have had a sign, but I did have a kick-ass hat. Compliments of the lovely Lisa (again). (And yes, you can call me Dr. Jones for short.)
