Blog Tour & Giveaway ~ Caught Inside, A Boys On The Brink Novel, by Jamie Deacon

Caught Inside

Series: A Boys on the Brink Novel

Author: Jamie Deacon

Publisher: Beaten Track Publishing

Cover Artist: Natasha Snow

Release Date: September 29, 2016

Romance Genre(s): Contemporary, Young Adult, LGBT

Words: 83,000

View on Goodreads

About the Book

Luke believes he has his life figured out…and then he meets Theo.

It should have been simple—a summer spent with his girlfriend Zara at her family’s holiday cottage in Cornwall. Seventeen-year-old Luke Savage jumps at the chance, envisioning endless hours of sunbathing on the private beach and riding the waves on his beloved surfboard. He isn’t interested in love. Though his rugged good looks and lazy charm mean he can have his pick of girls, he has no intention of falling for anyone.

Nothing prepares Luke for his reaction to Theo, the sensitive Oxford undergraduate who is Zara’s cousin and closest friend. All at once, he is plunged along a path of desire and discovery that has him questioning everything he thought he knew about himself. No one, especially Zara, must find out; what he and Theo have is too new, too fragile. But as the deceit spirals beyond their control, people are bound to get hurt, Luke most of all.

Caught Inside was named a finalist in the 29th Annual Lambda Literary Awards for Best Gay Romance, the 5th Annual Bisexual Book Awards for Best Young Adult Novel, and the 2017 Next Generation Indie Book Awards for Best LGBT Fiction.

Amazon UK | Amazon US | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

An Interview with Luke Savage: the Hero of Caught Inside

A massive thank you to Liz for hosting me today as part of the anniversary blog tour for my debut YA LGBT release, Caught Inside.

I’m on a private beach on the Cornish coast, catching up with Luke, the novel’s seventeen-year-old hero, to find out how his holiday’s going so far. He’s huddled on the sand, knees drawn up to his chest, head in his hands. I drop down to sit beside him.

Liz: You don’t look much like someone’s who’s supposed to be having the perfect summer.

Luke: (lifting his shoulder in a shrug)>

Liz: Cornwall…a private beach…all the surfing you could want. It’s everything a wave junkie like you could ask for. Plus you get to spend some quality time with your gorgeous girlfriend. You should be having the time of your life.

Luke: (bitterly) Right, yeah.

Liz: (waiting for him to elaborate)

Luke: I mean, everything was great. The surfing was amazing, Zara’s been totally cool, and me and Theo—that’s Zara’s cousin—we just sort of…clicked. It was weird. He’s this rich kid who grew up on some grand estate, while I live in a poky flat on the wrong side of town, but we had something: a spark, a connection, whatever. A couple of nights ago, the two of us stayed up after Zara went to bed, just talking. I told Theo about being brought up without a dad, and he confided in me about how his own dad’s refusing to accept him for being gay. At one point, our eyes kind of locked, and I was sure Theo was going to… I dunno. (fiddling with a hole in his shorts) Doesn’t matter.

Liz: You’re talking in the past tense. What happened?

Luke: Theo’s poncy uni friends turned up, that’s what. One day Theo and me are inseparable, and the next, he completely blanks me, obviously doesn’t want his arsehole of a best mate to see him hanging out with riff-raff. Now he has Giles, he doesn’t need me anymore. Theo just follows him around like the pathetic lapdog he is and pretends our friendship never existed. Accept…

Liz: (rasing an eyebrow)

Luke: Forget it.

Liz: No, go on.

Luke: We were arguing just now. I accused him of being a two-faced prick, and I grabbed him by the shoulders, forcing him to look me in the eyes. Then—I can’t believe I’m saying this—he kissed me.

Liz: Wow. What did you do?

Luke: (burying his face in his hands) I kissed him back. I couldn’t help it. I… It was… I’ve never felt anything like it before, never wanted anyone the way I wanted him. It was incredible, and then it was over. Theo backed off, apologised, closed himself off again, shutting me out. He turned and went inside, and I escaped down here.

Liz: So what happens now?

Luke: Christ knows. My head’s all over the place. I’ve never kissed a guy before, never knew it could be like that. Does that make me gay? Bi? I dunno. All I know is that I want to kiss Theo again more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life. The trouble is, the way he’s been acting these past few days, he clearly wants nothing to do with me.

Thanks to Luke for spending some time with me today. I know things will work out for you! xoxo

About Jamie Deacon

Jamie lives in a tranquil spot close to the River Thames in Berkshire, England, and has always been just a little out of place—the only redhead in a family of brunettes; an introvert far more at ease with dogs than with people; a connoisseur of simple pleasures in a society intent on the quest for wealth and fame. Despite an outward cynicism, Jamie is a romantic at heart, and, when not immersed in a book, can mostly be found writing emotional stories where young men from all walks of life are thrust headlong into the breathless, euphoric, often painful whirlwind called love.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Giveaway

To celebrate the first anniversary of the release of Caught Inside, Jamie is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card to one lucky winner. For your chance to win, simply enter via the Rafflecopter below. The contest closes at midnight EST on October 13, 2017, and is open to entrants worldwide.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Stops

September 25

Guest Post at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

September 26

Author Interview with A.M. Leibowitz

September 27

Exclusive Excerpt at Shh, I Am Reading

September 28

Exclusive Excerpt at Outrageous Heroes of Romance

September 29

Author Interview with Drops of Ink

September 30

Guest Post at Stories that Make You Smile

October 1

Exclusive Excerpt at Abibliophobia Anonymous

October 2

Character Interview with Liz's Reading Life

October 3

Exclusive Excerpt at Loves Great Reads

October 4

Character Interview with My Fiction Nook

October 5

Exclusive Excerpt at The Bookworm Lodge

October 6

Exclusive Excerpt at Books, Dreams, Life

October 7

Author Interview with Love Bytes Reviews

October 8

Guest Post at Boys on the Brink

Tour Hosted by LoveBound Promotions

Guest Post & Review ~ Captured by the Cyborg, Cy-Ops Sci Fi Romance, by Cara Bristol

Sometimes the biggest risk is to one’s heart….

A science fiction romance by USA Today Bestselling Author Cara Bristol

An ex-Cyber Operations field agent, Dale Homme has kissed danger and betrayal more times than he cares to count. Now he runs a clandestine factory beneath the surface of the moon Deceptio, where confidentiality and security matter more than anything. When a beautiful young woman arrives seeking a job, Dale knows within minutes she’s lying. Everything about her is false: her past, the people she claims to know, her reason for being on Deceptio. Illumina Smith? Even her name is an alias.

Logic says send her packing. His gut says she’s in trouble. She needs him. So he’ll do anything to keep her safe….even if it means keeping her captive.

Captured by the Cyborg is third in the Cy-Ops Sci-fi Romance series but is written to be read as a stand-alone novella.

Captured by the Cyborg is available in ebook and paperback.

Amazon US | UK | CA | AU

B&N | All Romance

An interview with Illumina Smith of Captured by the Cyborg

by Cara Bristol

Cara Bristol: I hear you accepted a new job. A computer troubleshooting position with the Moonbeam spacecraft remanufacturing factory. Congratulations.

Illumina Smith: Thank you. It surprised me when I received an offer. I got the impression Dale Homme, the boss, didn’t think I was right for position.

Cara: Why would you think that?

Illumina: The way he kept squinting at me like he suspected everything I told him was a lie. But I can’t blame him. Everything I told him was a lie.

Cara: You falsified your credentials?

Illumina: Everything on my CV was false except for my age. Even my name is an alias.

Cara: Why would you do that?

Illumina: I needed a safe place to hide. Moonbeam is located a kilometer underground on the moon Deceptio.

Cara: So you’re not qualified to work on spacecraft?

Illumina: I didn’t say that. My qualifications are that I don’t need qualifications. I’m a computer sensate. A computer system doesn’t exist that I can’t hack.

Cara: But what if Dale Homme finds out you falsified your resume?

Illumina: He won’t. I plan to avoid him as much as possible, anyway. When I shook his hand at the interview, I discovered he’s a cyborg, a scientifically enhanced human. He has a microprocessor in his brain. Cyborgs and computer sensates do not mix. For his safety, I need to keep my distance.

Excerpt

(This an excerpt of Illumina’s job interview from the Dale Homme’s POV)

“Do you understand how isolated you’ll be if I hire you for this position? You won’t be able to leave the facility until your furlough. You’ll work here—and live in the employee barracks. For months at a time, you won’t see sunlight, hear a bird chirp or an insect sing, or feel the wind on your face. You’ll be stuck with the same people day in and day out—and, by the way, there will be no natural rotation to mark the time. Day and night are controlled by artificial lighting and work schedules. The only visitors to Deceptio are pre-approved buyers or sellers. For security reasons, you won’t be permitted contact with any outsiders, including your family.”

Her lips twitched with a slight smile. “You make it sound so appealing.”

“Many people can’t handle the isolation. We lose a lot of good employees to moon fever.” He opened up a hailing frequency in his cyberbrain and fired off a couple of messages.

“That won’t happen with me, Mr. Homme.”

“They all say that,” he said.

She leaned forward. “I mean it.”

Why would a young woman leave a prestigious, lucrative job to live in an artificial environment beneath the surface of a barren moon? Moonbeam paid as much if not more than Infinity, and offered generous leave, but that was the extent of the perks. For a programmer starting out in her career, Infinity was the better choice. Which led him to believe she was running from something, rather than to something. “Tell me about your educational background.”

She eased back, but her spine didn’t touch the frame of the chair. “I graduated with honors from TCI.”

“I got that from your CV. What was your favorite class?”

“I was on the computer security track, but I also mastered all the computer languages.” A response, but not the answer to his question.

Ping! Ping! Both his messages came back with replies. He read them while continuing the interview. Multitasking was a cinch for a cyborg. “You must have taken Professor Annabel Harriot’s class. She’s a friend of mine.”

Illumina nodded, her face flashing that luminescence that caused her to glow like a pearl. “I learned so much from her. She’s….tough, but respected.”

“So you think you can handle this job?”

“I’m confident I can.”

“And the isolation?”

“Won’t be a problem.”

“If I were to offer you the position, when could you start?”

“Immediately. I, um, brought my suitcase. I don’t even need to return home.”

Interplanetary hiring laws dictated what an employer could or couldn’t ask a prospective job seeker. Dale knew the rules, but he hadn’t gotten where he was by following them. Cyberoperatives worked outside the law, as did spacecraft chop shop owners, so he had no qualms about asking whatever he needed to gather the necessary info to facilitate his decision. “What species are you exactly?”

“Ter—” She dropped her gaze to her lap, where her hands locked together. She raised her eyes and bit her lip. “Faria,” she admitted in a low voice.

It was one of the few truths she’d uttered during the entire interview.

Annabel Harriot did not exist; he had made her up. The professor was as fictitious as the qualifications on Illumina’s CV. His contacts at TCI and Infinity had reported they’d never heard of Illumina Smith. To their recollection, she’d never attended the institute or been employed by the AI corporation.

Review

Dale Homme made a life skirting the law with Cyber Operations, but now that he is retired, he runs a chop shop on the moon Deceptio. He still skirts the law but life is a lot less dangerous and a bit more mundane. Sure life still has it's treacherous encounters, however something is missing and he can't pinpoint what it is exactly.

Illumina Smith is running from her past and her running had led her to Deceptio. She hopes to hide out for awhile until it is time to move on. Life on the run isn't what she dreamed of, but circumstances have led her down this path.

Dale can tell by looking at Illumina that she's lying, but there is something about her that he can't let go of. Maybe by keeping her around, he'll be able to find out what she is hiding and possibly help her.

But his body's reaction is beginning to cloud his judgement when it comes to her. He's never been like this with anyone, what it is about her that calls to him? However, he's not the only one having issues, Dale has awaken something in Illumina and she can't seem to shut it down.

As time goes on and the more time they spend together, Illumina starts to trust Dale and confide in him her problems. Dale vows to protect her at all costs, but he's going to be away for a few days so he call in reinforcements. With all the security measures in place, what could go wrong?

Everything since the person they least expected to deceive them just put them all in jeopardy. So can Dale make is back in time to save Illumina before it's too late?

Jesus, Buddha, Lao-Tzu! Cara has another thrilling hit on her hands! Dale Homme is the hero worth swooning over and over again. He's tall, dark, handsome, protective, and oh so sexy. And when he's committed, he's all in heart and soul. Making sure his lady love is happy and protected is paramount to him. He'll melt your heart right along with your panties.

Illumina is stronger than she gives herself credit, it takes fortitude to run and fight for her life. And when she sees an issue with security, I love her sense to protect those around her even without their knowledge. And when she's taken hostage, I love her resilience to fight for herself even if it means never seeing the one man she loves again.

This book is exhilarating and holds you captive until the end. The chemistry between Dale and Illumina is intoxicating on so many levels, you can't help but be drawn to them and want them to achieve their happily ever after. This quick read will leave you craving more for this sultry couple.

About Cara

USA Today bestselling author Cara Bristol has published more than twenty-five erotic romance titles, including contemporary and science fiction romance.  No matter what the subgenre, one thing remains constant: her emphasis on character-driven seriously hot erotic stories with sizzling chemistry between the hero and heroine. Cara has lived many places in the United States, but currently lives in Missouri with her husband. She has two grown stepkids. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading and traveling.

Website | New Release Newsletter | Amazon | Facebook  | Twitter

Release Blitz ~ R.O.S.E. Riders of Sins Eternal by Lisa Ann

Riders of Sins Eternal have only one law:

Always pay your debts.

Title: R.O.S.E Riders of Sins Eternal

Release Date: March 11 (re-release)

Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance (18+ due to language, sexual content)

Author: Lisa Ann

Riders of Sins Eternal have only one law: Always pay your debts.

Alexandra Scott was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Striving to become a reporter in the fast paced world of journalism, she can’t believe it when she becomes the ‘breaking news’ after a night out with her best friend.

Garrick Donovan had come to terms with the deal he had made over a century ago, he had been able to get his revenge and nothing would make him regret that. While out cruising, he comes across a bunch of hoods attacking a young woman, something he can’t ignore.

Alexandra finds herself immersed in a world of dark secrets that could destroy both her and Garrick. It is now up to her to decide if what she and Garrick may have is worth the consequences or to get out while she still has time.

 He hadn’t noticed that the woman was now out of the car, hunched down by her door, memorizing everything that was happening. Unfortunately, Happy had.

“Guess we’re going to get messy,” Happy answered, his voice high-pitched with nerves. Pulling her by the hair, he held her in front of him like a shield. Garrick wanted to double over laughing but kept his focus on rescuing the woman, clearing his throat instead.

Happy smiled when he mistook Garrick’s cough as nervousness. Alexandra struggled against his grip but Happy just laughed and held her tighter by both arms. “Oh, a fighter, I like that in the bedroom,” Happy whispered into her ear as he licked the side of her face.

Alexandra’s stomach rolled with disgust. She raised her knees into her chest and pushed her feet back as hard as she could; her three inch heels made contact and the howl that escaped his mouth was beyond satisfying to Garrick. Losing his grip, Alexandra spun around and punched him square in the nose.

Garrick wanted to stop and applaud but it would have to wait; he was engaged in his own battle. Taking on the two remaining men, he had decided to put away his gun. One of the men laughed at the move and pulled out a switchblade before lunging at Garrick.

With one swift move, Garrick side-swiped the man, grabbing his arm and twisting it behind his back, making him drop the knife. Raising his leg, he delivered a kick directly to the last man’s chest, knocking all the air out of him before turning around and delivering a head butt to the man he was holding that should have knocked them both out cold.

Free from her predicament, Alexandra rushed back to her car and frantically searched for her cell phone.

I’m in the biggest story of the night and I can’t reach my cell phone because I have hands the damn size of Sasquatch! Damn you, Dad!

She continued to curse her father’s name until she finally fished the phone from between the console and seat.

Garrick had subdued the other men and now had Happy, blood pouring from his nose, pinned against the back of her sedan when he heard the distinctive click.

You’ve got to be kidding me. He sighed. I stop to do one good thing, he thought as he gave Happy a left hook to the temple, watching as the man crumpled at his feet.

Another click sounded, then another and another. Alexandra didn’t want to miss one shot. Leaning over to get a close up of one of the men’s faces, she jumped when Garrick grabbed her hand.

A bolt of electricity passed between them as he held her hand, wrestling the phone away. Their eyes met for a brief second before he took it from her grasp.

Lisa Arrington works as an Information Security Associate by day and Writer by night. Lisa attended a local technical college and received an associate degree in Computer Networking which she put right to use. Lisa lives in Southern Arizona with her two sons and when not writing she can be found curled up on her favorite chair with Kindle in hand, reviewing books for her blog. Or chauffeuring the boys around town for basketball games or playing candy crush soda on her phone. She loves the color blue, can’t get enough cherry cheesecake ice cream or junior mints and will forever be in a power-struggle over the big screen TV with her youngest child.

Character Interview

Garrick Donovan

Interviewer: Belonging to a motorcycle club (MC), I take it that you have a nickname the guys like to call you?

GD: {Grumbles} I got one, but they know better than to use it.

Interviewer: Oh, well, okay. What do you do for a living?

GD: I’m a soul collector

Interviewer: Not a man of many words are you?

GD: {just stares}

Interviewer: Ok. What’s your birthday?

GD: {Shrugs} Not exactly sure, they didn’t keep great records back then. If I had to guess, September 1849.

Interviewer shuffles question cards: Do you have a fear or nightmare that plagues you?

GD: {Sits up straight} As a matter of fact, I do. Recycling scares the shit out of me.

Interviewer: {puzzled} Why does recycling scare you? It’s good for the planet!

GD: {shaking his head} No, this recycling is when I die.

Interviewer wanting to get the heck of there: So is not getting recycled your most important goal?

GD: Not anymore. Protecting the woman I love is.

Hosted By:

New Release & Character Interview ~ Awakenings, In The Arms of the Law #2, by Kacey Hammell

New Release ~ Awakenings by Kacey Hammell 
#Kindle #Romance #Suspense #IntheArmsoftheLaw #99cents

 

Awakenings

By Kacey Hammell

Book 2: In the Arms of the Law

(also includes bonus short story, Wild Thunder)

Genres: Contemporary, Suspense, Paranormal (Seer), Erotic, Romance

ISBN: 978-0-9877993-4-0

Word Count: 58,000

Release Date: February 24^th, 2016

Author’s Note: Awakenings was previously released with another publisher. It has received minor revisions for reissue.

Also includes a bonus short story, Wild Thunder.

Protection. Adventure. Love.

It's all found within The Arms of the Law...

Detective Alicia Knowles once believed good existed in everyone. But a traumatic experience changed her entire world. Now dangerous and cynical, she moves through the darkness of her once sunny world, unsure how to handle her pent up feelings of fear and anger.

Even her new boss, Cole Douglass, spins her out of control. One night, years ago, he made her feel things she'd never felt with any other man. Business comes first, however, a child is missing and a murderer is on the run.

But old flames never die out as Alicia quickly discovers when temperatures and passion flare. On the trail of a killer, she is forced to deal with her past as she tries to make decisions about her future.

Amazon | ARe | Smashwords | iBooks 

More buy links on the Awakenings Book Page

We are excited to have Police Captain Cole Douglass with us today to talk abit about his position, his daily life, and of course the lovely woman that captured his heart.

Cole, thank you for being here with us today. What’s a day in the life of a Police Captain like?

Cole: Well, it’s mixed bag of tricks most of the time. A lot depends on the criminals out there and what politics I have to shuffle at the office. But most days it’s get up in the morning, awaken the lovely woman by my side with sweet nothings whispered in her ear, slow touches and memorable moments. I pretty much end my day the same way if possible. *grins*  A hearty breakfast is key after that, and a patience to complete each day – alive and without too much upheaval. Crime doesn’t sleep.

You mention your lovely lady who begins – and *coughs* ends the day – what is it about her that conquers you every day?

Cole: Great way to put it. She does conquer me – mind, body and soul. I’m empty without her. Even the day job pales in comparison and does little to put me at peace the way my Ali-cat does. A tender soul herself, a steel mind who takes very little from anyone, she is hell on wheels and putty in my hands too. And the like-wise occurs as well, she weakens me. In a very good way though.

Your story, in Awakenings, is pretty powerful and intense. What if she hadn’t come around, hadn’t changed her mind about accepting the love around her?

Cole: Would have sucked ass I tell ya. But she did and we’re both happy. There are still some days when clouds shadow her eyes before I walk out the door, but all in all, things are good. Love is a blessing and a curse. It makes us feel amazing and truly have a purpose but if we lose it, we have an incredible journey to work through, and try to keep from losing ourselves. Love is scary as hell when we’re partnered with someone who faces danger and criminals every day. But then again, slipping and falling on ice or slipping in the bathtub can be killers too. I believe in living life to the fullest with those you love. And never take it for granted.

You’ve recently took over as Captain of the Fifteenth Precinct. How are things going there? Have you settled in nicely?

Cole: *nods* It’s going quite well. Things are running smoothly. I still have a few bumps to tangle with – cousin of a certain someone comes to mind. But pretty good. It’s a daily grind and can be tough when there’s politics and budgets, etc., but I love it. It is a rush to see the people we help come out on the other side of darkness and tragedies. I hope to stay put for a long time.

How is Roger Fuller doing these days? My heart broke for him while reading Awakenings. How is he doing?

Cole: He’s doing well. Settling in with friends of ours. He and Alicia stay in touch many times throughout the day. I think she’s become his anchor. Everyone needs someone like that. I don’t know if he’ll ever be whole again, the pain of the past will probably always haunt him but I think it will also strengthen him into an incredible man one day. Neither Ali nor I plan to lose touch with him. He’s special. His bond with Alicia is very special. She’ll make a wonderful mother someday.

How many children do you hope to have?

Cole: *grins* As many as we can. *chuckles* Probably two or three. Will be fun trying for more.

What’s next for you and Alicia?

Cole: It’s simple. Live every day like it’s our last. Love like crazy and keep saving the world from bad guys.

Thank you for being here, Cole. Give our best to Alicia and all those at the precinct.

Excerpt

Kacey Hammell, © 2016

“Detective James, what can I do for you?” Captain Coleman Douglass leaned back in his chair and looked the detective in the eye. Deep down, Cole suspected what Ethan James was about to tell him. He didn’t relish the fact his suspicions would be confirmed, but he’d known for weeks that this night was inevitable.

He only thanked God there were no fatalities.

“Sir, I need to talk to you about Detective Knowles. It’s urgent.” “Sit down, Detective. Let me get you a cup of coffee and—”

“Thank you sir, but no,” Ethan interrupted. “I didn’t come for coffee.”

Okay, obviously this isn’t a social call. He watched Ethan draw in a deep breath, and scan the room, as if unable to meet Cole’s eyes.

“Well, all right then. Say what you have to say. What about Detective Knowles?”

Just saying her name was like pouring syrup over flapjacks. Alicia Knowles was the sugar in his coffee, the up to his down, the left to his right.

They’d first met two years ago. Both had been on vacation in Miami. Sun, sand, and surf—it had all changed his life forever. Cole had never thought his first vacation in three years would lead to love.

On his last night in Miami, he’d sat by the sand at midnight, the light from his beach house behind him reflecting over the water. On one of the benches along the boardwalk, unwilling to believe he needed to return to work, he’d listened to the breeze, the sounds and movements of the waves crashing against one another.

He wasn’t sure how long he’d sat there, lost in his own thoughts, when he felt the bench beside him shift. He’d looked over to his left and had never glanced away again.

Not the time, Cole. Not the time. Think about her later.

“I think she came back too soon.” Ethan cleared his throat. “To the job, I mean.”

To suspect it and then hear the words spoken aloud didn’t settle within Cole. He’d seen it for weeks, in the shadows beneath her eyes, watched the far-off look that settled over her face more times than he liked. He thought she might be reliving the past and the ordeal she’d gone through. Dammit, he wanted to take Parker Feeney apart with his bare hands. Too bad the bastard was already dead.

Cole’s heart had ached at the pain, sadness, and even fear on Alicia’s face too many times to count. What he wouldn’t give to be able to erase the memories from her mind.

“Christ, Ethan, sit the fuck down. I’m getting a crick in my neck.” He got up from behind his desk, and moved to the small table in the corner where the coffeemaker sat.

He filled two mugs with steaming brew, added two sugars and milk to his, then turned to Ethan. Thankful the guy had taken a seat, Cole felt sorry for him. He waited with elbows parked on his knees, head between his hands, and forlorn, as if he’d lost his best friend. “You take your coffee straight or…?”

“Straight,” Ethan mumbled.

Cole carried both mugs back to his desk, placing one in front of Ethan. He sat with mug in hand and took a satisfying drink. Time to get things out in the open. “Why do you feel Detective Knowles returned to duty too soon? What happened tonight?”

Ethan sat up, dragged both hands through his hair, and leaned his head back to stare at the ceiling. “Sir, have you ever done something that would change your life forever? Even though it would be for someone’s own good and well-being, you still hesitated because in mere hours, they could end up despising you?”

Ethan lowered his chin and stared at Cole through confused and worried eyes.

Cole’s heart went out to the guy, but he suspected Alicia had to be taken off the street. He just needed confirmation of the fact.

“Yeah, I have, but I got over it. You have to do what is best for yourself and your partner, not to mention your fellow officers who could be called out to a scene with you two. And let’s not forget the citizens on the street. There is more than just one person’s life on the line if your partner can’t handle the job and something goes awry. You can’t let it get personal. Sounds cold, but it’s a harsh world in which we live. I don’t have to tell you that.” Cole set his mug on his desk, sat back in the chair, and crossed both arms over his chest. “Tell me what happened, Ethan.”

“Sir—” Ethan began.

“Call me Cole. You should know by now I don’t stand on ceremony.” Even though he had only been with Precinct Fifteen for about sixteen weeks, he had been welcomed well by all but one detective in the division. The only one who hadn’t been as welcoming was the woman Ethan obviously needed to discuss.

After he’d replaced her father when he’d retired, Alicia’s glares and icy façade whenever he was present let Cole know she disapproved of his status. He was sure she hated him for taking her dad’s place.

Of all the critics he’d been forced to deal with since he took the new job, her opinion of him was the only one that cut him to the quick. Alicia used their work relationship as a wall between them. He couldn’t really blame her. It was one of the reasons he didn’t act upon his feelings for her, or try to rekindle the spark.

Not yet anyway.

Ethan must not know about Alicia’s discomfort with me. If he did, he might not be so quick to speak up.

She would no doubt be livid about Ethan’s recommendation to take her off the street. She’d be even more irate that Cole would sign the order.

“Yeah.” Ethan cleared his throat. “It’s been nearly six months since the night Detective Knowles was kidnapped. The first thing we saw when we got to the scene tonight was Monica Fuller gagged, her body on the ground. It was like seeing Ali, uh, Detective Knowles, as she was that night when we found her in a similar condition. Tonight, she went pale, seemed to stagger, almost as if she was confused and off balance. It shook her up so bad, she never once asked about the suspect. It was very much unlike her. Usually in a case like this, if she sees the suspect, she’s the first on foot after him.”

Ethan stared Cole in the eye. His expression was pained and a little bit sad. “She even tried to lift the body from the cement where Fuller had dragged the victim. That it was against procedure didn’t bother her.”

“If you were aware it was against protocol, why did you allow her to get that close to the victim, Detective James?” Cole had a pretty good idea why, but he needed the full version of Ethan’s story before he could make the decision that was already ninety-nine percent final in his mind.

“I did it because Ali seemed so agitated. I know she was reliving what happened to her, and part of me remembered, too. What if the night we found Ali had gone differently? What if we were too late?”

A shiver ran through Cole at Ethan’s words. Just the thought of things playing out any differently chilled him to the bone.

A second chance. It’s what you have here. Remember that, Douglass.

Ethan took a deep breath and reached forward to retrieve his coffee. He took a swig of the warm liquid then continued. “I know I may have been a bit biased and in the wrong myself, Captain, to be that close, contaminating the scene. I’ll take the reprimand for it. But as soon as I got her in the car, Ali calmed down considerably. I’d hoped it would get her head back into the game, but it didn’t.”

Cole leaned back in his chair, hesitant to ask, but he had to. “What happened after you got her away from the victim?”

Ethan looked toward the window to Cole’s left, seeing what, he didn’t know. But the sorrow on his face told the whole story. Cole knew he wouldn’t like the next words.

“After the M.E. got to the scene, he was surprised to find the body had been moved slightly. He was really lit up about it and….” Ethan took a gulp of his coffee and set it back on the desk, almost sloshing the dark liquid over the rim. “I tried to explain it all to him, but he wouldn’t listen. He got loud. Before I could stop her, Detective Knowles was out of the car, angry at him for what she called callousness. Then Alicia just decked him. I have never seen her lose it like this while on the job.”

It was worse than he’d thought. Sighing, Cole picked up the yellow memo pad to his left and held it out toward Ethan. “Write it down. All of it. I’m sure the M.E. will bring this to my attention before the day is out. I’m surprised I haven’t heard about it already.”

Ethan quickly averted his eyes, without taking the pad.

Cole suspected there was more to come. He dropped the pad back on his desk. “What else happened out there, Detective? I can’t have omissions on this. I need to handle it,” Cole said, putting the weight of authority in his voice. “I need to know all of it.”

“Detective Isabella Knowles arrived on the scene. She took it over and settled the M.E. down. It was over and done with. I doubt he’ll make a complaint. Hell, he was probably just pissed off at being dragged out of bed. Or maybe being decked by a woman. I don’t know. I shouldn’t have mentioned it.”

Cole threw his pen on the desk. “Don’t make excuses, James. You know damn well these incidents have to be reported. You and Detective Knowles should not have moved the victim at all, and Knowles shouldn’t be on the job if she can’t handle it.”

“But Cole—”

“No, I’ve heard enough.” Cole tossed the memo pad toward him. Ethan caught it, but just barely. “All of it. You came to me and you can be certain I’ll take care of this matter. A citation will also be put in your folder about disturbing the victim. The only reason you aren’t suspended right now is because your record is squeaky clean. Don’t make me change my mind.”

Cole reached for the phone on his right. He’d order Alicia to his office within the next thirty minutes or he’d go get her. Rage boiled within him. It was as if a beast wanted to claw its way through him, manic to be released. He’d known she shouldn’t be back on the job. To risk her pensions, suspension, everything important to her because of her anger…. He was furious she couldn’t manage it.

It just showed how out of control she was. She couldn’t keep herself in check. But his feelings for her had shaded the truth. He was as much at fault as she was.

“Cole… damn it. I know you have to talk to her about all of this, but what consequences will she face?”

Cole’s fingers tightened on the telephone receiver. His jaw clenched. He understood Ethan’s loyalty to Alicia. Dammit, he’d walk to hell and back for her, too. She’d touched him in more ways than one the night they’d first met. He wanted more of the pleasure and the swell of emotions that consumed him when he was with her. She had made him feel ten feet tall, strong, and powerful. She’d made him feel like a man—her man.

“You know exactly what consequences your partner will face. You realized it before you came in here. While I should suspend your ass, too, I need one of you on this case that has insight into Fuller. It might take anyone new too much time to catch up. But you’re on desk duty only. Stay put in your office unless I direct you otherwise. Now, take the pad, head somewhere private, and write down everything that happened this morning. Have it on my desk in an hour.” Cole punched the numbers on the phone, angrier than he had ever been in his life. “You’re dismissed, Detective James. I’ll handle things from here.”

As the phone rang at the other end of the line, Cole watched Ethan leave his office and prayed he could keep himself from killing Alicia Knowles with his bare hands. He was in a tough spot as her boss and as someone who cared about her. But he had to stop the downhill slide her life was on before she got herself killed.

He’d see to it that she was protected.

Even from herself.

Until March 15th, Illusions (Book 1) is on sale for $0.99!!

Author Bio

Avid Reader. Romance Author. Redhead…

Canadian-born author Kacey Hammell is definitely a book-a-holic. A romance reader from a young age, she fell in love with happily ever afters.  These days, as a multi- published erotic romance author, she enjoys adding a lot of heat, sass, and emotion to the many genres she writes.

Mom of three, Kacey lives her own happily ever after with her perfect hero in Ontario, Canada.

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