Monday, November 19, 2012

Recommend Monday and a CHANCES ARE Excerpt!

Good Monday All!

Hope you had a fabulous weekend and have some wonderful recommendations for us today. I'm zooming toward the deadline for MIDNIGHT LIES, so I'm making this short and sweet: Tell us what fabulous books we should be reading!

As you know, Thanksgiving is this week and though I'm grateful everyday for all the gifts in my life, I always get a little sentimental this time of year when I think about how truly blessed I am. And I include you in those blessings. Thank you for buying my books, for telling others about them, for your emails, messages, and kind comments. Thank you for coming to this blog once a week and sharing your love of books with others. Without you, I would just be a pajama clad woman sitting in her chair, stuffing her face with chocolate, and talking to imaginary characters. Not a pretty picture!

So, as a thank you, I'm sharing an excerpt from CHANCES ARE. Totally unedited, this excerpt might change a bit before it's finished, but it should give you an idea of Jake and Angela and will hopefully get you even more excited about their story.

Have a fabulous week and a safe and delightful Thanksgiving. Hope you enjoy the sneak peek at CHANCES ARE!

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“Come on, sweetheart, you know you want it. Take it. I won’t hurt you.”
It had been said that Jake Mallory’s soft, gentle whisper could charm the birds from a tree, the snarl off a grizzly, and the panties from the most virtuous woman. He’d never seen it happen himself, but the rumors had always made him laugh. Today he was trying to do nothing more than charm a mouse from behind his fridge. Didn’t seem fair to kill the poor thing but dammed if he wanted to share an apartment with it. The cheese, an excellent gyurere, had been a small sacrifice to make. Now if only the creature would cooperate.
He needed to move to a nicer place. The flat had been temporary diggs to hang his clothes when he’d come to Paris. Working for Last Chance Rescue had seemed like a perfect job but he counted on nothing anymore. Everything in his life was on probation, especially the things that seemed perfect.
Being an LCR operative had worked out so far. He’d been an operative for about four months now, had been on a half dozen rescues, saved lives and helped put bad people away. Nice to know that some things actually were what they seemed.
The LCR people he’d met were what they seemed, too. Odd, since much of their work dealt with lying. Half a year ago he hadn’t trusted a soul. Now, he trusted an entire organization. Working for LCR had restored his faith in people. Not all of them. Hell, he’d seen too much evil shit for that to happen. Even now, he stayed wary, just in case. Jake didn’t trust easy. Never again.
His attention moved to the present as a tiny, whiskered face peeked from behind his fridge. Jake stood statue still. A fishnet might seem like an odd device to trap a mouse but it was his best bet for a live capture and release.
The creature scurried to the cheese chunk lying in the floor. Jake waited till the twitching nose touched the cheese. Quick as a cat, he threw the net over the small heap, scooped up the now squiggling mouse and dropped it into a waiting shoebox.
 Grabbing his keys and jacket, Jake picked up the box and headed out the door. The abandoned building two blocks down seemed the perfect relocation. Should be plenty of company for his little friend.
The cellphone in his pocket played a familiar tune, telling him that his boss, Noah McCall was calling. The shoebox under his arm, he pulled out the phone and held it to his ear. “Mallory.”
“Can you come in?”
“Yeah. Half an hour okay?”
“Yes.”
The line went dead before Jake could answer. Phone etiquette wasn’t high on McCall’s ‘must do’ list. Most of the phone conversations they’d had consisted of one or two words but the tone in his boss’s voice sounded ominous and grim, more so than usual.
His head low to battle the icy, brutal wind, Jake strode to his car. Opening the door, he deposited the box on the front passenger seat and cranked the engine. As he pulled out onto rue de Morgan, he reflected on his boss. Before coming to Paris, Jake had thought Noah McCall was an urban legend. As a cop, he’d heard stories about LCR’s successes but had dismissed most of them as someone’s wishful thinking. It wasn’t until he’d gotten caught up in the middle of an LCR rescue that he realized everything he’d heard was true.
Jake had been a typical tourist the day he’d met McCall. He’d been in Paris for two weeks, staying at hostels, roaming the streets, soaking up the atmosphere. He’d stopped in for a cold drink and a cheap meal at a not so high-class establishment. What he had gotten was a busted mouth, a black eye and a job offer from McCall.
LCR had been running a sting. He hadn’t known that. All he knew was two drunks were attempting to pull a young woman out of the bar and no one was stopping them. He’d intervened and ruined the op. Thankfully another sting had been set up a few days later that had brought down a human trafficking operation.
Even though Jake had blown the op, McCall had been impressed with his intervention. Days later, the LCR leader had called and offered him a job. After listening intently, Jake’s world had shifted once more. For two years, he’d been mired in grief, with no purpose. McCall’s offer had shown him a new path. Now he couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
Making a quick stop at the abandoned warehouse, he unboxed his uninvited houseguest and watched it scamper away. Not his usual kind of rescue but what the hell. Killing something just because he could wasn’t his way.
He parked two blocks from the LCR office. It was a cold one today but the frigid air kept his mind from wandering where he couldn’t let it go. The moment he walked into the office, he’d be greeted with what he told himself he shouldn’t want and couldn’t have. Maybe this new assignment would get him out of the country for a while. Lately that had been the only way to keep his hands off of Angela Delvecchio.
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The instant he opened the door and saw her beautiful face, he called himself a fool once again. Her attraction to him had been obvious from the beginning. What had also been obvious was her innocence. Beneath that tough girl persona, the multiple tattoos and piercings, he’d seen the gentle, caring heart of Angela Delvecchio. A heart that could be crushed by some cruel bastard’s uncaring selfishness. Dammed if he would be that man.






22 comments:

krisgils33 said...

Happy Thanksgiving! And I'm laughing my butt off at the image you project of a pajama-clad, chocolate eating, loony woman!! I'm not reading the excerpt because it will just make me want the whole thing right this very second and I would never pressure you that way. :)

I had a good reading week! Leave Me Breathless by Cherrie Lynn, Fatal Deception by Marie Force, and All He Ever Desired by Shannon Stacey. All very good and totally adored Leave Me Breathless was sooo awesome!

I'm so grateful for all my book buddies and the authors who are always available for fangirl moments. Without all y'all, I'd have to listen to my husband say "oh, another book about heaving bosoms". *sigh* :)

Jackie P said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jackie P said...

I love it!

Be back with my recommends!

Linda said...

Thanks for sneak peek Christy!

I have to tell you about my aunt this week. She is going on a cruise the first week in Dec. She asked me if I had any books she could borrow.. which is a laugh since I only have a few hundred books. But there were requirements for the books, 1) no sci/fi paranormal stuff 2) NO Blatant sex- of course I had to ask her what her definition of blatant sex was and 3)no hack 'em slash 'em books (which I am proud to say I have none!)
So after careful consideration I brought out 10 different authors and their books. Yours were among these books, unfortunately she did not choose yours but asked if she could read them later.
As for my own recommends- Sandra Brown's Low Pressure and Allison Brennan Stalked.
Hope you have a great Turkey day!

Alison said...

I should know better by now that to read excerpts...they only make me want the whole story even more!

I read the rest of Kaylea Cross's Suspense series last week...Cover of Darkness, No Turning Back, Relentless, and Absolution. I loved them all, but I think Relentless is my favorite. Loved Rhys!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Elizabeth said...

I can recommend Fatal Deception by Marie Force and Midnight Exposure by Melinda Leight. Enjoyed them both.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

oklanannie said...

Thank you so much for the sneak peek, Christy!! It left me hungry for more and I can't wait for Jake and Angela's complete story!! In the meantime, I'll be thankful for the many blessings this past year has brought and enjoy turkey, dressing and sweet potatoes, etc. etc. on Thursday! Hope everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving!

This week I read Raine Miller's "All In" and enjoyed it. Of course, I loved Marie Force's "Fatal Deception" and recommend it to all romantic suspense readers.

"Pajama-clad, loony woman" pretty much describes me these days. I wish chocolate was allowed -- but it's not!! It might take the sting off daily physical thereapy!!

jbiggar said...

Oh that sounds so good! Glad Angela's getting her story. In Canada we had our Thanksgiving awhile ago so I've recovered from the turkey, :). Enjoy, great to have family around you, a blessing.
This week I read All He Ever Desired by Shannon Stacey, really good. Currently I'm reading Fury of Seduction by Coreene Callahan, if you love J.R. ward your going to love this series.

Elke said...

Hi Christy and Everyone!
Love the sneak peak Christy - the scene with the mouse shows Jake is a softy at heart. ( Although I must confess mice freak me out- I just run or jump on a table and leave it to my family to rescue me from the mouse and vice versa; but I am good with spiders).

Just one recommend this week:
"The Departed" by Shiloh Walker - a multi layered story with a very special atmosphere - I higly recommend it.

Anni, sorry to hear that you have to do daily physical therapy - I hope you will be better soon.

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

KayB said...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE,
I've missed you all, sorry no recommendations it's been a very crazy week and I haven't even looked at a book I BAD.
Christy, love the snippet of story can't wait to read them all!!!

Hugs to all,
Kay

Shelly said...

ohhhh!! I'm gonna LOVE Jack Mallory!!! I have been reading some older books in my TBR - by Nina Bruhns... on the third book of the trilogy ... liking them so far!

Shelly said...

Jake!! Not Jack!! and I can't blame that one on autocorrect -- haha

Na said...

I'm thankful for my family and books!

I recommend FOR YOU by Kristen Ashley.

Jane said...

I recommend Carolyn Jewel's "Not Proper Enough." Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Tara said...

Loved the sneak peak, Christy!

Last week I read Run the risk by Lori Foster, the first in her new series and I can't wait for the next one!

I also read Rev it up by Julie Ann Walker....I think she gets better every book!

Well, cooking dinner for some of the family and then decorating for Christmas so not sure how much time I'll have to read this week.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

KC said...

Can't wait to read it Christy!

So recommends for me:
Stolen by Shiloh Walker. Loved this book.
Rescue my Heart by Jill Shalvis Another great read, the third in the series. I have loved all three.
I know I'm missing something, but I can't think.

Happy Reading!!

Crystal said...

Hey gang! Happy Turkey Day to all who are in the US. I also think about how blessed I am often, but the holidays makes me think of it more often. I am so incredibly blessed that I have no idea where to begin. There are so many things, but for the most part. I am very thankful for meeting my real life true love. I couldn't ask for a better husband or father to my kids. I have three beautiful healthy kids that are a blessing with every smile, tear, and hug. They are my world.
I am still on my Donna Grant kick. My life has become absorbed into druids, warriors and evil. Love love love this series. Last week I read (I may be off one)
Shadow Highlander, Darkest Highlander, and Midnight's Master.

I'm looking forward to Caden's Vow this week though!! I've pre-ordered it and may have to take a break from Donna's books to indulge in The Hell's Eight.

Christy- LOVE the teaser!! Jake sounds like he will fit in perfectly with the hunky LCR men! We all already love Angela so it is sure to be a fantastic book. I can't wait to read it!!

Jennifer V. said...

Continuing with Karen Rose again this week! Read Scream for Me which was ok....I'm finding that none of the last few I've read come CLOSE to being as good as I'm Watching You and You Can't Hide. But I still have hope so I keep reading!

LOVED getting a sneak peek of Jake and Angela but just makes me long for the WHOLE story! Yes I'm greedy!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Tasty Book Tours said...

Great excerpt...I can't wait to see where this story is going!! I love me some tourtured heroes!

I am SO thankful for my NEW baby girl, Sofia, born on November 5th. She is amazing and makes everyday so much better.

While in the hospital, I caught up with some Fatal Affair and Fatal Justice by Marie Force...Fatal Deception was so good that I needed more of a Sam and Nick fix.

Now I am re-reading Kristan Higgins My One and Only, which is one of my favorites and a REAL TEARJERKER. So be prepared.

For Holiday treats, Idid my yearly re-read of High-Powered and Hot-Blooded from Susan Mallery. I LOVE THIS BOOK and I make sure to give it a re-read every year!

Happy Thanksgiving to you Christy and I wish you a very happy and healthy....oh and productive!! XOXO

bn100 said...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Gena Showalter's The Darkest Whisper

Christy Reece said...

Wonderful recommends everyone! Hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving. I love the little window into your world and the things you're thankful for. Even though we're all different, we have so much in common, too.

And Lisa (A Tasty Read) Congratulations on your precious new arrival, Sofia! (Love that name) I'm so happy for you! I hope you'll post some photos with us on my Facebook page.

So glad you guys enjoyed the CHANCES ARE excerpt. Hope to share the cover with you in the next couple of weeks!

Come on over when you can and share more recommends. See you soon!

Anonymous said...

I am thankful there will be another LCR book! Thought I had read that your publisher wanted yot to write a different series and said they wouldn't buy LCR. Wonderful teaser excerpt. Looking forward to the rest.