Sam and Nick: The Next Chapter
By: Marie Force
Hello to Christy and all the Reece’s Pieces! Thanks for having me over to talk about Fatal Justice, book 2 in my Fatal Series. The series began last June with Fatal Affair, which introduced readers to Sam Holland and Nick Cappuano (Christy’s lovely quote about Fatal Affair adorns the cover of Fatal Justice—thank you again for that!) Six years after a memorable one-night stand, Sam, a cop, and Nick, chief of staff to a U.S. senator, reconnect to figure out who murdered his boss—and best friend. Fatal Justice opens with each of them being promoted—Sam becomes a lieutenant and Nick takes the oath of office to finish the last year of his friend’s term in the Senate.
The biggest challenge of writing this book about a newly in love couple was keeping their relationship challenged and conflicted. Conflict is, of course, where all the fun begins, and for some twisted reason, I love torturing these two people I love so much! Just when things are going really well for Sam and Nick, enter Lt. Stahl, Sam’s long-time nemesis in the police department. Here’s a little piece of what Stahl has in store for Sam in Fatal Justice:
Sam’s good mood once again dissipated when she found Lieutenant Stahl waiting for her in the office that used to be his.
“I need to call maintenance.” She flipped on the lights and hung her coat on a hook behind the door. “The rat traps they set in here clearly aren’t working.”
“You think you’re so funny, don’t you?”
The revolting wiggle of his double chin made her want to puke.
“Things not working out for you in the rat squad?” she asked, referring to his new post in the department’s Internal Affairs Bureau.
“Actually, I’m settling right in.” He bit a chunk of skin off his cuticle and spit it onto the floor.
Sam made a mental note to stay away from that corner of the office until it was fumigated.
“And you’re my first order of business.”
“I’m flattered.”
His beady eyes narrowed. “You won’t be so mouthy when your sordid affair with a witness gets you busted down to patrol.”
She leaned on her desk to look him in the eye. “Three words, Lieutenant: Bring. It. On.”
Fuming, he hauled his portly ass out of the chair. “Your wish is my command.” He slapped a piece of paper on her desk. “Administrative hearing next week. Be there, and be ready to explain yourself.”
“I’ll look forward to it,” she said, taking a shallow breath to short-circuit the pain grinding in her belly.
“Don’t think your precious daddy can get you out of this one, Lieutenant.” He stopped at the door and turned to leave her with a greasy smile. “And you’d better enjoy that title while you can. By the time I’m through with you, you’ll be thankful for a night security job at a parking garage.”
Sam let him have the last word because she couldn’t have spoken if she had to. The moment she was alone she lowered herself into her chair and fought to breathe through the pain. This was not how she wanted to start her first day.
I’m really excited to get Fatal Justice out to readers this week! You can find it athttp://ebooks.carinapress.comunder the Romantic Suspense tab. This is the start of a big year for Sam and Nick. Coming up in February, we’ll be asking readers to help us plan their wedding. Watch my website (www.mariesullivanforce.com) and blog (http://mariesullivanforce.blogspot.com) for more information about how you can participate in the wedding planning and qualify to win some great prizes. Then in July, watch for book 3, Fatal Consequences. In September, we’ll release the Fatal wedding novella, Fatal Destiny, and then comes Fatal Flaw in February 2012.
I’d be happy to take any questions today about the Fatal Series or any of my other books (including my Feb. 1 release, Everyone Loves a Hero). Sam and Nick are available to answer any questions you may have for them as well. We can talk about writing, parenting teenagers, dealing with a wild-child puppy or why it is that I can’t stop watching the Kardashians. Sky’s the limit! I’ll give away a copy of Fatal Justice to one of you so fire away. Looking forward to chatting with you all!
Marie Force is the author of FATAL AFFAIR (June 2010) and FATAL JUSTICE (Jan. 2011), Books 1 and 2 in her new Fatal Series from Harlequin’s Carina Press. Book 3, FATAL CONSEQUENCES, is coming in July 2011, FATAL DESTINY in September 2011 and FATAL FLAW in February 2012. “This novel is ‘The O.C. does D.C.,’ and you just can’t get enough.” (RT Book Reviews, 4.5 stars for FATAL AFFAIR). In its July 2010 issue, RT Book Reviews named Marie a “Future Star of Romantic Suspense.”
Marie is the author EVERYONE LOVES A HERO (Feb. 2011), LINE OF SCRIMMAGE (Sept. 2008) andLOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT (July 2009). Of LINE OF SCRIMMAGE, Booklist said, “With its humor and endearing characters, Force’s charming novel will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers, reaching far beyond sports fans.” Wild on Books said, “LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT by Marie Force is most definitely a keeper. It is an astounding book. I loved every single word!” Marie is also the author of TRUE NORTH and THE FALL, available as ebooks via Amazon.com and Smashwords.
Since 1996, Marie has been the communications director for a national organization similar to RWA. She is a member of RWA’s New England, From the Heart and Published Author Special Interest Chapters.
While her husband was in the Navy, Marie lived in Spain, Maryland and Florida, and she is now settled in her home state of Rhode Island. She is the mother of Emily, 15, Jake, 12, and a feisty dog named Brandy.
Find her atwww.mariesullivanforce.com, on her blog athttp://mariesullivanforce.blogspot.com, where she runs the popular weekly Romance & Oreos Book Club, on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/pages/Marie-Force/248130827909, and on Twitter at twitter.com/MarieForce. Marie loves to hear from readers. Contact her atmarie@marieforce.com.
