Thursday Teaser & Giveaway

This week’s snippet is from Sabotage.  For a chance to win a $5 GC from Amazon, just leave your contact info.  Drawing will take place on Sept 5^th. Good luck!

Blurb: District Judge Katie McKinley takes her career very seriously. No one knows that better than her old childhood friend and first love, Graham Bishop. Her ruling cost him his family’s ranch. So it’s no surprise when an attempt is made on her life that the sheriff turns his suspicions to Graham. As the two rekindle their love for one another, Katie refuses to believe Graham is guilty. But what if she’s wrong?  Available in eBook at Desert Breeze Publishing, Christianbook.com, Amazon.com,Barnes and Noble, and most online bookstores.

Set up: After a visit with the sheriff, Graham pays Katie a visit in her chambers to find out why she thinks he sent her some threatening notes.

Graham's smile faded. "I got a phone call this morning asking me to come to the sheriff's office to answer some questions about several nasty notes you received."

Katie was unnerved by the fact that the sheriff had moved on with the investigation in spite of her wish to drop it. But what bothered her more was that he'd shown the notes to Graham. The more she thought about it, the more it seemed unlikely that Graham Bishop had anything to do with them. Her suspicions lay more with Scott Tillman, or someone in his family. The sheriff was correct in his assumption of their hatred for her family.

"I'm sorry for any inconvenience the sheriff may have caused you. I was under the impression when I left his office this morning the matter was going to be forgotten."

"So you don't think I sent the notes?"

"Look, Mr. Bishop, I've already apologized to you, and I can assure you the sheriff won't bother you again. Now if that's all, I'm late for a luncheon appointment." She stood, grabbed her purse, and started around her desk.

"You didn't answer my question, Katie." He stepped forward so that they stood only inches apart.

She gasped in alarm, his glare prompting her to step back behind her desk. The beating of her heart echoed in her ears. "You called me an egotistical little snob in my courtroom," she reminded him. Over a year later, his words still stuck in her like a thorn.

He gave a low chuckle, and the lines beside his eyes multiplied. "You are a snob, or at least you were in high school. That doesn't mean I wish you any harm."

Leaning against her desk, he folded his arms across his chest, his brown eyes leveled on her. "Look, I was mad. Yes. And I admit that if I'd been able to reach your bench that day without getting a bullet in my back, I may have been tempted to ring that pretty little neck of yours. But I don't hold grudges, Katie. Life's too short for that. Besides, if I did hold a grudge, it'd be for you pretending not to like me in high school when I knew good and well that you did."

Her heart skipped a beat. "We're not in high school anymore."

"I'm well aware of that, Katie."

"This conversation is over, Mr. Bishop. Either leave my chambers, or I'll be forced to call security." The voice of authority she used in the courtroom sounded weak and shaky now. She knew deep down the man who stood before her would never intentionally hurt her, but since she'd received the third note yesterday, her nerves were a tattered mess.

"First you throw me out of your courtroom, and now you're throwing me out of your chambers."

His smirk prompted her anger to deepen. She wasn't sure which bothered her more, his pompous attitude or the fact that he could still draw a reaction from her after all these years.

"Listen, Katie..." He moved toward her again.

Not understanding why he wouldn't go, she backed up, almost tripping over the leg of her chair. "Please -- please leave."

"Fine, I'll go. But be careful, Katie. You may not want to admit it, but I think we both know who's responsible for those notes."

Awards and Recognitions: 5 Heart review from The Romance Studio; #2 Bestseller in Suspense ebooks and Romance ebooks at Christianbook.com.

Thursday Teaser & Giveaway

This week’s snippet is from Fire and Ash.  For a chance to win a $5 GC from Amazon, just leave your contact info.  Drawing will take place on the 29^th. Good luck!

Blurb: Fire Investigator Sadie McGregor is called to her hometown of Emerald Point, Missouri to investigate a suspicious fire which claimed the life of a local college student. By appearance the fire looks accidental. What Sadie and the handsome new police chief discover will not only affect those close to them, but will rock the entire community and may cost one of them their life.  Available in eBook at Desert Breeze Publishing, Christianbook.com, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, or most online bookstores.

Set up: Quinn has just returned to the scene of a fatality fire and finds female fire investigator Sadie McGregor.

"I believe the point of origin is her bedroom, upstairs, first door on your right," Quinn volunteered.

"I've already been there," she said before exiting the room.

He followed her down the hall, into the kitchen. "How long have you been here?"

"Since dawn."

Just about the time he'd gone home to get a couple hours of much needed sleep.

Sadie pried opened the door of the soot-covered refrigerator and surveyed the contents. "Looks like our girl had herself a party."

"What makes you think that?"

"The refrigerator is almost empty and there are two barrels on the back porch with enough beer cans to pay for both our lunches."

"Preliminary findings of the coroner suggest she died from smoke inhalation."

"She also had a skull fracture."

"You've seen the body?" he asked.

"Yup."

"Well she could have received the head injury when she woke up disoriented. She was found next to the bed. She could have tripped and struck her head on the corner post."

"That's one possibility."

Awards and Recognitions: 4 star review from Romantic Times; ‘Best Book’ and 5 star review from LASR; ‘Top Pick’ and a 5 star review from Night Owl Reviews; #1 Bestselling suspense eBook and #1 Bestselling contemporary romance eBook for over ten months at Christianbook.com. LASR 'Best Book of 2010' Nominee; Winner TRR's 'Best Inspirational 2010'.

Thursday Teaser & Giveaway

This week’s snippet is from Journey to Redemption.  For a chance to win a $5 GC from Amazon, just leave your contact info.  Drawing will take place on the 22^nd. Good luck!

Blurb: Detective Morgan Reynolds thought her nightmare was over when serial killer Gerald ‘The Slasher’ Tate was sent to prison for her husband’s murder. But she was wrong. The Slasher has escaped and he’s making it even more personal this time. Tate has kidnapped her son and is giving her 72 hours to find the answers he wants or Jared dies.  Available in print or eBook at Whimsical Publications, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, or at most online bookstores. 

Set up: Morgan’s son has just been kidnapped by the serial killer who murdered her husband.

Chase stopped the car. Morgan leaped from the passenger side and ran up the small slope to her front door.

“Jared,” she called out as she entered the foyer. After dropping her purse on the bottom step, she ran up the stairs to his room. 

He wasn’t there.

She crossed the room to the unmade bed and searched for any sign that he’d been there since that morning, but his backpack was nowhere in sight.  Glancing out the window, she spotted Cosmo lounging next to his doghouse. 

Please, God…please let him be at one of his friends’.  Please let him be safe!

Morgan fought off the threatening tears as she searched her bedroom, the guest bedroom, and the bathrooms before heading back downstairs.

“Afternoon, Sergeant.” Morgan froze at the familiar voice coming from her answering machine. She stepped into the living room and stared at the black box next to the phone.  “Not to worry, you’re little boy is safe and sound. He’ll stay that way as long as you don’t contact your buddies down at the police station. I’ll be in touch soon.” She looked at Chase. 

 “Sorry.  I thought maybe he’d left you a message,” he said.

“Oh no.” Her worst fear confirmed, Morgan sank onto the couch and wrapped her arms around her midsection. She struggled to fight off the nausea that threatened to consume her.

“Get me the captain.”

Morgan looked up and saw Chase on the phone.  She rushed to his side, grabbed the receiver from his hand, and slammed it down on its cradle then glared at him. “What are doing?”

“Following procedure. The faster we act, the better the chances…”

“You heard what he said, no cops.”

“Come on, Morgan, be realistic. We have to follow protocol.”

“Forget protocol. We’re talking about my son here. I’m not going to do anything that will endanger his life.”

Thursday Teaser & Giveaway

This week’s snippet is from my short story Christmas with Hope. It’s a companion piece to my Wounded Heroes Series – beginning with Kill Shot – and can be downloaded for free from my publisher or at Books on Board.  For a chance to win a $5 GC from Amazon, just leave your contact info.  Drawing will take place on the 15^th. Good luck!

Blurb: Penned down under heavy fire, the sound of the Blackhawk chopper is one of the sweetest sounds a ranger will ever hear. Then to discover an attractive female at the stick has the sparks flying. Hope Erickson, a Blackhawk pilot, and Nick Cunningham, an army ranger, renew their acquaintance on the battlefields of Iraq. Will they risk their hearts to one another or does fate have other plans in store for them?

Set up: Nick and his team have been ambushed. Blackhawk choppers have arrived and are attempting to take out the insurgents.

A bullet ricocheted off the concrete wall, narrowly missing Nick Cunningham's head. Kneeling next to the door, he returned several rounds from his M4. Mortars and small-arms fire exploded throughout the neighborhood. It sounded like the Fourth of July. He searched the rooftop of the building across the road, where the insurgents lay well hidden, but saw nothing.

The mission was simple. Locate and eliminate a cell of insurgents embedded in the small village in western Iraq. But nothing was ever that simple in this unconventional war. As it turned out, the reliable tip that put this mission in motion appeared to be just a ruse to ambush Nick's unit.

Thankfully, only one of his men was injured in the initial firefight.

He glanced over at Doc. The young medic was changing the bandage on their fallen comrade. Lucas' gunshot wound wasn't serious, but if they didn't get him to a hospital soon they could lose him.

Another mortar exploded just outside the door, showering Nick with plaster and dirt. The abandoned school had offered the perfect refuge, but after four hours of continuous hits the roof and part of the front wall were close to collapsing on top of them.

"Hey, Gunner," Nick yelled into his head mike. "You got that radio fixed yet?" He'd been at it over an hour and Nick was losing patience.

Several seconds passed before the soldier answered, "I'm working on it."

Nick glanced down the dirt road to their bombed Humvee, where Gunner and Mac were attempting to fix the radio. They were still receiving fire. Nick had to give them some reinforcement, if they had any chance of radioing for help. "Crocket, come in here and keep the doc company. I'm gonna go see if I can't speed things up a bit."

"Hey, Lieutenant. You may want to hang back," his radio crackled. "Sounds like we have company."

Nick listened. He could barely hear the sound of chopper blades over the gunfire. "Miller, shoot a flare on top of that roof so they'll know our location."

Within seconds of the flare's landing, four blasts demolished the building across the road. The percussion knocked Nick off his feet. Smoke billowed into the school. An eerie silence surrounded them.

Six Sentence Sunday

Today, I’m sharing a snippet from OUT OF THE DARKNESS. It's a published contemporary romantic suspense.


Set-up: The serial killer is watching a taped interview of Alex. He's determined to add her to his list of victims.

*****

He paused the video and fixed his eyes on the still picture. Such a beautiful face. Her posture and expression were full of confidence.

She wasn’t so arrogant the night he’d attacked her though, and neither was her sister.

Until she’d come along, he’d been in complete control. Not to worry though, no matter where she ran, he’d find her.

*****

Blub:

FBI profiler Alex Michaels’ life was shattered when a sadistic serial killer murdered her twin sister and left Alex with a career ending injury. Hoping to put the past behind her, she sets off across country with a truck driver she barely knows. Royce McIntire knows Alex is on the run from something or someone, but he doesn’t care. He’s fallen in love with her and is finally getting his life back on track. The killer is hot on Alex’s trail though, determined to find the one victim who got away. As more bodies turn up dead Alex has no choice but to tell Royce who she really is. Will the love that has blossomed between them be strong enough to sustain them, or will the killer get to Alex before they even have a chance to find out?

OUT OF THE DARKNESS is available at the following locations:

http://www.amazon.com/Out-Of-The-Darkness-ebook/dp/B004GKML3E/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_7

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/out-of-the-darkness-anne-patrick/1029826917?ean=2940043324672&itm=5&usri=anne%2bpatrick

Six Sentence Sunday

This is my first Six Sentence Sunday. The ones I've chosen are from my latest release, Fire Creek. In this scene Jimmy has just caught Kasey exiting the office of the attorney her late cousin had worked for.

What were you doing in Woodward's office?" he demanded.


She avoided his glare, as her mind raced to come up with a logical explanation. Lying was out of the question, not that it'd do any good anyway. He had no doubt seen her through the window, explaining the noise she heard.

"Do you realize how much trouble you could get into if anyone was to find out you broke into his office?"

"No one's going to find out... unless you rat on me.

Blurb:
Kasey Montgomery has returned to her hometown of Fire Creek Montana after the apparent suicide of her cousin. Within days of Beth's funeral, Kasey begins to find inconsistencies in her death. The local sheriff is quick to dismiss the allegations as figments of a writer's imagination. Kasey is determined to prove otherwise. Does the bronzed skinned stranger from Beth's funeral hold the answers?


Local park ranger, Jimmy Little Raven suspects foul play too. Beth was engaged to his best friend who died months earlier from a mysterious accident. Risking his heart and his job, he teams up with the famous mystery writer to find the answers to both deaths.

Available at:
http://www.amazon.com/K-T-Randall-Book-One-ebook/dp/B008GI62KA/ref=la_B002C793SE_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1341130949&sr=1-17 You can also purchase at Barnes & Noble and most online bookstores. Learn about Anne’s other books at: http://www.annepatrick.weebly.com/

Interview with Princess Tara from Dark Alliance

Tara, the Crown Princess of Gautier, a small European island country west of France, has gone to the finest schools in the world, was raised in the luxury of a beautiful palace in a country that was fast becoming one of Europe’s hot spots. In the eyes of the public she lives in a fairy tale world, is admired and adored by her people. But in the shadows lurks an evil far greater than even the king can imagine.


Babysitting a beautiful princess sounds like an easy job for former CIA agent Alex Girard, but when it becomes clear that the assassin trying to kill Tara is the same man responsible for killing his father he knows keeping her alive may be the toughest assignment of his life. Just as disturbing is the growing attraction he has for the future queen. Determined to find the answers that will save the monarchy and finally bring the murderer to justice, Alex and Tara team up with friends on an international quest that will change all their lives.

Interview with Princess Tara:
Princess Tara is the daughter of King Edward of Gautier, and is heir presumptive to the crown. The small country of Gautier is located on the Atlantic Ocean, between North America and France. The princess is here in the states trying to find answers from her past with the help of her good friend, Scott Humphreys and her new bodyguard Alex Girard. Welcome, Princess!


*Princess Tara removes her baseball cap and sunglasses she’s been wearing to conceal her identity and takes a seat on the sofa* Thank you, Anne. It’s my pleasure to be here.

[Anne] Forgive me for my informality. I’ve never interviewed royalty before.

[Tara] Don’t be silly. I detest formality. Just ask my father. *Tara tosses Anne a mischievous grin*

[Anne] Would you care for a brownie, Tara? Ummm it is okay if I call you by your first name…I mean since we’re being informal.

[Tara] Of course. And I would love a brownie. Thank you.” *Tara carefully removes one from the plate and takes a bite* Delicious!

[Anne] *Big grin* Thanks! I appreciate the compliment. I’m not really known for my cooking skills.

[Tara] Neither am I.

[Anne] I’m surprised you even cook. If I had servants, I sure wouldn’t.

[Tara] On this adventure, I do a lot of things I don’t normally do.

[Anne] Hmmm…Intriguing comment. Though I’m tempted, I won’t go there just yet. Instead, please tell us what a day in the life of a princess is like.

[Tara] Normally I would be kept to a tight schedule of meetings, fund raisers…whatever my father’s advisors request of me. They’re all part of my royal duties. They’re grooming me to be queen some day.

[Anne] You said normally. What have you been up to lately?

[Tara] For the past several months I’ve been away from court on a holiday.

[Anne] Holiday huh?

[Tara] *Tara grins* At least that is what my father thinks. In reality, I’ve been working with Scott, a former New York policeman, to find the answers behind my brother’s abduction fifteen years ago.

[Anne] I’m so sorry about your brother. Have you been able to come up with any answers to his disappearance?

[Tara] Going on the original reports from my own government’s investigation, we came up with the name Diablo Lazario, who at one time had been a suspect. With some research and a couple of inside tips through government channels, we were able to learn Lazario has a son living in the state of Virginia.

[Anne] I hear Scott has brought in some help in the form of a bodyguard. I happened to catch sight of him out in the hallway. He’s very good looking.

[Tara] *Tara makes a huffing sound as she sets her empty plate aside* His looks are all he has going for him. He’s a beast of a man! I would have demanded his dismissal if he hadn’t recently saved my life.

[Anne] Oh my! What happened?

[Tara] I’d rather not say. It was all very disturbing. I don’t like to talk about it. Besides, if my father were to find out my true whereabouts, he would demand I return to Gautier and I would have to give up my search.

[Anne] I understand.

*The door opened and the man Anne had seen in the hallway stepped in. Gorgeous locks of brown hair curled along the collar of his dress shirt. He stands well over six feet tall and has the muscled physic of a football player. A pair of stunning emerald eyes looks at Anne.* “Sorry for the interruption,” he said before turning to Tara. “Marcus just called. The plane is fueled and ready for takeoff.”

[Tara] Fine. I’ll be out in a minute. Please close the door on your way out.

[Alex] *Instead of leaving, he offers his hand to Anne* Alex Girard. Are those brownies I see there?

[Anne] *Anne reluctantly withdraws her hand from his and picks up the plate* Take as many as you like.

[Tara] *Tara gasped* I don’t believe this. You have the manners of a baboon. *She rises from the sofa and walks over to Anne.* I should probably be going. We have a lot of work to do.

[Anne] *Shakes Tara’s hand* It was a pleasure meeting you. You’re as lovely as your photographs in the tabloids.

[Tara] *smiles* Thank you. *She then turns to Alex* I’ll be waiting in the limo.

[Alex] She’s a royal pain in the you-know-what if you ask me. I’ve been in war zones that were more pleasant than this assignment.

[Tara] I heard that *Tara shouts over her shoulder.*

[Alex] *rolls his eyes* I better get going before she leaves without me. Thanks for the brownies.

[Anne] You’re welcome. I hope Tara is able to find the answers she’s searching for.

[Alex] She will, if I can keep her alive long enough.

If you'd like to find out what happens, you can purchase the book at the following locations for only $3.99.  Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Smashwords. 

Autographed copy of Fire and Ash Giveaway!

This month on my website I'll be giving away an autographed copy of my award-winning/bestselling book, Fire and Ash.  To enter the drawing, just click on this link and leave me a comment telling me you'd like to enter.

Fire Investigator Sadie McGregor is called to her hometown of Emerald Point, Missouri to investigate a suspicious fire which claimed the life of a local college student. By appearance the fire looks accidental. What Sadie and the handsome new police chief discover will not only affect those close to them, but will rock the entire community and may cost one of them their life.  

5 Hearts Review for Trespasses

“This book was an excellent read that progressed with such fluency that I could not put it down for a second. The plot was dynamic and drew me in as a reader because of its intensity and its attention to detail when it came to the investigation… Ms. Patrick has penned a superb tale in this one with two strong characters that have to face their pasts -- as both of them have lost loved ones -- if they're to have any hope at a future together. Well done to this author, of which I can't wait to read the first installment of this series and the ones to come in the future.” ~ Reviewed by Bec

 http://www.theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/trespassespatrick.htm

I’ve also uploaded my latest newsletter onto my website.  Check it out here!  Inside you’ll find an exclusive excerpt from my July release, Fire Creek.  If you're not on my mailing list and would like to be please drop me a line via the contact form on my website, or email annepatrick07[at]yahoo[dot]com.

Thank you for all your support!

Anne

Trespasses, Wounded Heroes Series: Book Two

Releases tomorrow!  Leave a comment with your contact info for a chance to win a PDF copy of the ebook.  And drop by http://apenforyourthoughts.blogspot.com/ for a chance to win another copy. Two chances are better than one, right?

BLURB:

When the skeletal remains of three young women are discovered on the vacation estate of a U.S. Senator, the local sheriff enlists the help of Special Agent Gabe Sullivan and a local forensic sketch artist, to help him solve the murders. A profiler for fourteen years, Gabe knows his skills are useless until they discover the identity of the victims. That’s where the beautiful and talented Mackayla Kensington comes in.

Mackayla knows all too well the heartache of not knowing the fate of a loved one. The brutal murder of her own daughter is the driving force behind her determination to bring closure to families missing loved ones.

Using her artistry skills, Mackayla works frantically to put faces to the skulls so that their identities can be revealed and the killer can be caught. When the killer realizes how good she is it appears she may be the next to die.
 
EXCERPT:
 
Gabe scanned the departing passengers, wishing he'd thought to bring a sign or something with her name scribbled on it. The only description he had was she's around five-eight, slender, very pretty, with long brown hair.

"Agent Landry," a woman's voice called out.

He turned to his left and saw a woman, or at least what he thought was a woman, approach him. She wore hiking boots, blue jeans, gray sweatshirt, and a backwards baseball cap. On her back, she toted a backpack almost as big as she was. She looked like she'd been trekking across the Himalayas. "They switched gates on us at the last minute." She offered her hand, along with a beautiful smile. "Mackayla Kensington. It's nice to meet you."

"How'd you know who I was?"

"I phoned Adam from the plane. He told me a federal agent would be meeting me, and you G-men all look alike."

"Do you have luggage?"

"I'm wearing it. I figured you wouldn't be leaving without me so I saved you a trip to baggage."

"Thanks. Appreciate it."

The trip from the airport to the parking lot was filled with polite conversation, mostly consisting of how much cooler it was compared to El Salvador. Arriving at his rental car, a gray Crown Victoria, he helped her off with her backpack. As heavy as it was, he wondered if she had taken along her whole wardrobe. "Do you want to pick up something to eat on the way to the lab, or do you need to get some sleep first?" he asked, slipping the pack into the trunk.

"I slept on the plane, and I'm not hungry."

Relieved of the pack, she was a lot smaller in appearance. A few inches shorter than him, he guessed she couldn't weigh much more than one-thirty. She was still wearing the backwards baseball cap, her brown hair neatly braided, draped loosely over her left shoulder. She looked to be in her mid to late thirties, somewhat older than he'd expected.

"You've only been a forensic sketch artist for six years?" he asked as he maneuvered his way onto the interstate.

"Yes. I was an art teacher previous. Seventh and eighth graders. I like this job better, the skulls don't talk back."

Gabe smiled at her. He liked her sense of humor. "So how long before you can get started?"

"I can get started tonight if you have the forensic data and Forrester left me his notes."

He liked her enthusiasm too. "Are you sure you're up to it?"

"The sooner we get started the sooner we can get these women home to their families."

"And the murderer behind bars," he added.

Trespasses will be available at most online bookstores or through my publisher. http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-293/Wounded-Heroes-Book-Two-cln-/Detail.bok

Kill Shot is a Finalist in the 2011 Grace Awards!

I'm thrilled to announce my novel KILL SHOT has been nominated by readers as a finalist in the Grace Awards 2011 in the Suspense/Mystery/Thriller/Romantic Suspense: category.  Yaay!   Winners will be will be announced on May 10, 2012. *Crossing my fingers:)* Thank you, readers, for your nominations!!!

Blurb:
Former combat medic Kory Wagner has been in four war zones, served three tours in Iraq, survived countless firefights, RPG’s, IED’s and even a helicopter crash. Now she’s home and out of the Army for good and someone is trying to kill her in her own backyard. Just as disturbing is the handsome sheriff who’s on the case.

Sheriff Sean Harding doesn’t quite know what to think of the decorated veteran that managed to outsmart an entire search party. What bothers him more is the body of a PI, whom she hired to find her sister's killer, was found dead in a building Kory owns. And Kory isn’t being very cooperative with helping him find the answers as to why someone would kill her sister and want her dead. Will he be able to keep her alive along enough to discover the truth?


Excerpt:

The steel door creaked as she pushed it open, the sound echoing throughout the metal building. "Mr. Urlik?" She waited for her eyes to adjust to the change in lighting before stepping all the way inside. A wide stream of light from the door spread out in front of her. "Mr. Urlik. Are you in here?"

Kory heard a sound a few yards in front of her. She quickly scanned the area. Three rows of huge metal shelves lined the interior. She inched forward, peering around the corner of the second row. Mr. Urlik lay on his side, facing her, clutching his chest. His eyes were opened and his mouth moved, but no sound came out. A heart attack? She ran to him, knelt down on the cement floor, and took his hand. It was wet, slimy. She looked down and saw his hand covered in blood. Her eyes shifted to his chest. A large crimson stain spread across the width of his white shirt from a small hole near the center. He was breathing erratically. Experience told her a bullet had pierced at least one lung and he didn't have much time. She immediately pressed the heel of her right hand against the wound.

"I'm sorry," he murmured.

"Where's your cell phone?" Hers was in her backpack but she didn't want to waste valuable time digging it out.

"No time. Get out."

"Who did this, Mr. Urlik?"

He grabbed her right hand and squeezed it tightly. "You were right -- no accident."

His hand went limp.

Kory felt something in the palm of her hand, looked down and saw it was a key. She shoved it into her jeans pocket. A whizzing sound buzzed past her, followed by the unmistakable clink of a bullet ricocheting off metal. She instinctively threw herself over his body as another bullet struck metal. Kory felt for a pulse. There was none. She lowered her hand to his chest and felt under both arms and along his waist. I thought all PIs carried guns. Just my luck this one didn't.

She scrambled to her feet, as more shots ricocheted around her, and dove through an opening on the first row of shelves. A piercing pain sliced through her upper arm as she took cover behind some boxes. They wouldn't shield her from the gunfire but they would conceal her presence while she figured out how she was going to get out of there. She paused long enough to grab her cell phone from her backpack, wishing she hadn't when another bullet tore through a box beside her. She ducked lower to the floor.

Kory ignored the throbbing in her arm and slithered along the floor toward the back of the building. As a child, she and her sister, Callie, had often accompanied her grandfather to the warehouse where he worked on boats as a hobby. She remembered a back exit that led to the side parking lot and nearby woods. If she could reach the door, she had a chance of getting out of this alive. She looked down at the tear in her shirt, drenched with blood.

This isn't good!

Available at Desert Breeze Publishing, Christianbook.com, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and most online bookstores.

A Gift for You!

To show my appreciation of all the support you've given me this year, I'm giving away two short stories.  Enjoy my friends!!!

Christmas with Hope - A Companion piece to my WOUNDED HEROES series:
Hope Erickson, a Blackhawk pilot, and Nick Cunningham, an army ranger, renew their acquaintance on the battlefields of Iraq. Will they risk their hearts to one another or does fate have other plans in store for them?

Download link: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-239/Wounded-Heroes-Christmas-with/Detail.bok
 

 
Dangerous Deception - Journalist Gwen Jacobs thrived on dangerous assignments. That is until her ambition led to the massacre of an entire African village. Now, a year later, she’s been offered a chance at redemption and the opportunity to expose the men behind the slaughter.

Unaware of the secrets she carries, or the danger they could bring if exposed, philanthropist Jack Peterson and his small group of humanitarians welcome Gwen on their journey of hope with the understanding she will tell the world of the atrocities taking place amidst a civil war.

But when Gwen’s deception is uncovered and a rebel commander learns who she is, not only is Gwen’s life on the line, the whole group may die.

Download links: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/109846
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dangerous-deception-anne-patrick/1107956203?ean=2940032895541

Christina Freeburn's Lost Then Found

Lost Then Found, is the first book in the New Beginnings Series, which features a skip-tracing business that specializes in relocating abused and stalked women.

Blurb:

Skip-tracer Renee Stratford-Knight's life is becoming stable again. Eighteen months prior, the murder of her sister and the soon-to-follow collapse of her marriage left her reeling. She made it through those dark days with the help of family, embracing faith and starting her own skip-tracing business, New Beginnings, which specializes in relocating abused women. Now, her ex-husband -- and former business partner -- Jonas Knight shows up asking about her most vulnerable client.

Jonas knows his ex-wife helped embezzler Gina Howard elude the authorities and plans to bring the young woman to justice. When Renee is threatened, Jonas grows suspicious of his client's reason for finding his niece. In order to uncover the secrets their clients hold, Jonas and Renee must struggle through distrust and the pain of their pasts to work together to save the life of a teenage girl -- and their own.


Excerpt:

Renee locked the apartment up tight and took the stairs. Gripping the rail, she plodded down the steps, each step draining energy. The eventual battle with Jonas weighed down her spirit. She didn't want to relive the painful moments of her life.

She stepped onto the ground floor, tugged open the door leading to the back parking lot and walked outside. A cold breeze played along her skin, drifting against her unprotected neck. The impulsive summer haircut she chose that winter over the hairdresser's recommendations no longer symbolized independence to her but teenage rebellion.

She tugged up the small collar of her leather coat. "Showed him, didn't I."

Hands clapped. Renee halted under the dim lights of the outside doors. Her heart rate accelerated as she looked around the darkening area. Parked in the lot were three cars and a van. She swallowed hard and stared at the windows of the van, trying to make out any figures. Placing her hand into her front pocket, she pressed her thumb onto the keypad of her cell phone. She sent out a heads-up message to her brother.

Jonas stepped into the light, a sarcastic smile stretching across his face. Better to face a known enemy than an unknown one. She typed another message to her brother. False read. Lord, let that work to keep Alex at home rather than charging to the rescue.

"Your skills at deception have gotten better." Jonas loomed over her.

"I learned from the best." Regret tugged at her conscience as the words left her mouth. She pushed it away. If she allowed Jonas to get the upper hand, then she offered an opportunity for his words to steal away her confidence.

She tilted her head back and locked onto his storm-cloud gray eyes, standing in place even though her neck muscles ached. She promised herself not to ever allow a man to make her feel powerless. The streetlights allowed her to see her reflection in his eyes. As he studied her face, his gaze softened. He reached out, fingers lingering by her cheek.

The air between them crackled. A shiver raced through Renee and she fought the instinct to lean those few inches toward his touch. They were divorced. They no longer meant anything to each other. She drew back but not before awareness crept into his gaze. He knew. He sensed it.

Time to end the silent duel, and leave. Now. She held in a frustrated sigh as she asked the question Jonas silently demanded. "What do you want?"

"Gina Howard's location."



Find out more about Christina at her website: http://www.christinafreeburn.com/
Be sure to leave a comment on any of Christina's post's this month for the chance to win a copy of Lost Then Found!

Christina Freeburn Interview & Giveaway

Joining me this month is fellow Desert Breeze author Christina Freeburn. Be sure to comment throughout the month for a chance to win her new book, Lost Then Found, which releases today. In case you can't wait until the end of the month to see if you won, you can purchase it from our publisher, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and most online bookstores. Here is the blurb and cover.

Skip-tracer Renee Stratford-Knight's life is becoming stable again. Eighteen months prior, the murder of her sister and the soon-to-follow collapse of her marriage left her reeling. She made it through those dark days with the help of family, embracing faith and starting her own skip-tracing business, New Beginnings, which specializes in relocating abused women. Now, her ex-husband -- and former business partner -- Jonas Knight shows up asking about her most vulnerable client.

Jonas knows his ex-wife helped embezzler Gina Howard elude the authorities and plans to bring the young woman to justice. When Renee is threatened, Jonas grows suspicious of his client's reason for finding his niece. In order to uncover the secrets their clients hold, Jonas and Renee must struggle through distrust and the pain of their pasts to work together to save the life of a teenage girl -- and their own.

Doesn't it sound great? Okay, on with the interview.

[Anne]Name one of your favorite books as a child.

[Christina] Black Beauty

[Anne] Do you have a favorite author?

[Christina] I always get stuck on this question. So many of my friends are authors that I hate to pick one as my favorite. It would be like choosing a favorite child.

[Anne] Out of all the books you’ve read, which one comes immediately to your mind? If there is a favorite scene you remember, please share.

[Christina] What Happened at Midnight (Hardy Boys #10) by Franklin W. Dixon. There's a scene where Joe is kidnapped and Frank does everything he can to find his brother. I always loved how warm and caring the relationship of the brothers was portrayed.

[Anne] Your favorite vacation spot (whether you have been there or not)?

[Christina] Disney World

[Anne] Which would you rather have: A custom closet or a custom kitchen?

[Christina] Custom kitchen

[Anne] It’s Saturday afternoon and you’re home alone. What are you wearing? And yes, you must have clothes on.

[Christina] Yoga pants and a t-shirt

[Anne] What’s your favorite dish?

[Christina] Mozzarella and tomato salad, especially with balsamic dressing and a nice, warm roll on the side.

[Anne] Other than writing, what do you enjoy doing?

[Christina] Quilting

[Anne] You’ve just landed a multi-book contract with a major publisher! Which vehicle would we be more likely to see you driving after you’ve collected your huge advance: a Hummer, RV, truck, muscle car, or BMW?

[Christina] BMW

[Anne] What’s your favorite television show? Movie?

[Christina] American Idol, The Man From Snowy River

[Anne] You’ve won a talent show! What act did you perform?

[Christina] I'd have performed a reading of The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe. My singing and dancing abilities are best left in the privacy of my home, or to perform if I ever want to embarrass my teens.

[Anne] Would you rather have the power to be invisible or be able to fly, and why?

[Christina] Fly. Then I'd be able to travel more as my costs would be lowered. I could go to Disney World every month!

[Anne] What was one of the most surprising things you learned during your journey to publication?

[Christina] The path for everyone is different and there isn't a right way, just a right way for each writer. So many times, we close ourselves off to possibilities and ways to achieve our goal of publication by setting out on a very narrow path and never even pausing to take a look and see if there really is only way to get to where we want.

[Anne] What was the most interesting research you did for a book?

[Christina] Participating in a citizen's police academy.

[Anne] Where do you go when you need to get inspired to write?

[Christina] Hanging out with other writers. There's something about being around other authors and taking part in shop talk that inspires me and makes me excited about writing.

[Anne] Do you have any writing quirks?

[Christina] Sometimes I act out the fight scenes I write with Rescue Heroes figures. I want to make sure it looks right and is possible. When my son outgrew them, I kept some to have on hand for research purposes. Okay, I'll admit that I also kept some Matchbox cars. Those are great for chase scenes.

[Anne] What do you think makes a good story?

[Christina] Characters who feel and act like real people rather than characters in a novel.

[Anne] What are you working on now?

[Christina] Led Astray, the second in the New Beginnings series

[Anne] What's one of the more interesting experiences you've had with one of your readers?

[Christina] When I used to attend a critique group at a bookstore, there was one woman who'd always stand nearby when I was reading. I didn't think anything of it until the other members pointed out she always came near when it was my turn to read and left when I was done. I was amazed that she wanted to know what was going to happen in the new book so much, that she visited the critique group every week for months to find out what was going to happen.

[Anne] Complete this scene: It was raining. The man came out of nowhere, and before I knew it...

...his bicycle careened out of control, heading straight toward the barrier that kept pedestrians from venturing onto the private property owned by ... no one was sure and have ever dared to find out.

Renegade Hearts Release Party

Come help me celebrate the release of my first ‘sweet’ western romance, Renegade Hearts, Wednesday, September 14^th from 6-8pm (CST) at The Sweetest Romance Author's Blog (http://thesweetestromanceauthors.blogspot.com/).  During the two-hour party I'll be having half hour drawings.  Prizes includes: a PDF copy of Renegade Hearts, a hat, and tee shirt.  The final grand prize drawing will include a copy of Renegade Hearts, a $10 gift cert from Amazon, & a PDF copy of my award-winning/best-selling Fire and Ash (or choice of one of my other ebooks).  Hope you can join me.

Sweet Saturday Sample - Fire and Ash

Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Blurb:

Fire Investigator Sadie McGregor is called to her hometown of Emerald Point, Missouri to investigate a suspicious fire which claimed the life of a local college student. By appearance, the fire looks accidental. What Sadie and the handsome new police chief discover will not only affect those close to them, but will rock the entire community and may cost one of them their life.

Awards & Special Recognition for Fire and Ash -

'Best Book' & Five Star review from LASR; 'Top Pick' & Five Star review from Night Owl Reviews; LASR 'Best Book 2010' Nominee; TRR 'Best Inspirational 2010'; LRC 'Best Suspense/Thriller 2010'; #1 Bestselling Suspense eBook at Christianbook.com.

Excerpt:

"Excuse me, sir. Are you supposed to be in here?"

The fireman turned. Quinn's eyes widened. Even with soot covering a good portion of the face, he could tell it was a woman from the brilliant smile she tossed at him. "It's miss, and I reckon I am if you wanna know the cause of this fire."

"You're with the State Fire Marshal's Office?" he guessed. Emerald Point's Fire Chief had told Quinn earlier that he suspected arson.

She stuck her clipboard underneath her arm, reached for the badge pinned to her turnout coat and flipped it around for him to view. "Sadie McGregor, Fire Investigator."

Interesting. She shared the same last name as the Fire Chief. That couldn't be a coincidence. "I had an officer posted here. Do you know where he went?"

"I sent him on an errand. Hope you don't mind." She stepped forward. Underneath her helmet, short strands of caramel colored hair framed a pretty face with freckles marching across both her cheeks and the bridge of her nose. Haunting emerald eyes held his gaze as she offered her hand.

"Guess not." He shook the small latex covered hand, surprised by the strength of her grip. "Sorry for mistaking you for a guy."

She chuckled, turned, and walked into a room off to the right.

He followed. "I thought you were awfully small for a firefighter. I'm Police Chief Quinn Harrington by the way."

"I gathered that from your badge," she said with a smile. "Joe said you were on the scene during suppression, did anyone videotape it by chance? Or take pictures?"

"There were reporters on the scene so footage is probably available. Are you kin to Joe?"

"I'm his niece." She knelt along the baseboard. It was several seconds before she moved anything other than her head, which tilted from side to side as if in deep concentration. A few minutes later she balanced the clipboard on one knee, reached down and picked up what looked to be a framed photograph. "Must be her parents," she said, holding the frame up for his viewing.

"Mike and Donna Ingram. Larissa was their only child."

"Too bad. What do we know about her?"

"She was a senior over at the college, good kid, has never been in any trouble that I know of. The parents are away on vacation, so we think she was house sitting for them."

"Did you know her?"

"Not well. I've only been on the job a few months."

She laid the photograph on the buffet table, scribbled something on her clipboard and continued her examination of the room.

"I believe the point of origin is her bedroom, upstairs, first door on your right," Quinn volunteered.

"I've already been there," she said before exiting the room.

He followed her down the hall, into the kitchen. "How long have you been here?"

"Since dawn."

Just about the time he'd gone home to get a couple hours of much needed sleep.

Sadie pried opened the door of the soot-covered refrigerator and surveyed the contents. "Looks like our girl had herself a party."

"What makes you think that?"

"The refrigerator is almost empty and there are two barrels on the back porch with enough beer cans to pay for both our lunches."

"Preliminary findings of the coroner suggest she died from smoke inhalation."

"She also had a skull fracture."

"You've seen the body?" he asked.

"Yup."

"Well she could have received the head injury when she woke up disoriented. She was found next to the bed. She could have tripped and struck her head on the corner post."

"That's one possibility."


Buy links for Fire and Ash –

Desert Breeze Publishing
Christianbook.com
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble
 
 
I'll have a drawing for a PDF copy of Fire and Ash Sunday evening so be sure to leave your contact info if you'd like to be entered.

Fire and Ash Nominated Best Inspirational Romance

I received word last night that Fire and Ash has been nominated by TRR reviewers for Best in Inspirational Romance for 2010 at The Romance Reviews (“TRR”).  If you'd like to vote for it I sure would appreciate it!

http://www.theromancereviews.com/bookvote.php

It was a great ending to an awesome week.  Congratulations to all the winners at our Blog Party!  And a huge THANK YOU to Miss Mae for hosting the event. 

So what do you think of my new look?  It's quite different than usual, and I'm not sure I'm going to stick with it.  I do love the header though.  Be sure to check out My Books page, I revamped it too.  It's more suspenseful.