Showing posts with label Forever Alexa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Forever Alexa. Show all posts

Friday, March 28, 2014

Author Cate Beauman’s Justice For Abby (+Giveaways)



I’m delighted today to welcome author Cate Beauman back to 03 Justice For Abby_3DThoughts in Progress to tell us about JUSTICE FOR ABBY, the sixth installment in her bestselling romantic suspense series, The Bodyguards of L.A. County.

JUSTICE FOR ABBY is available for Amazon pre-order and will be on sale through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iTunes beginning April 10. Cate is excited to share the rest of Abby's story after being rescued by her sister in the fourth book, FOREVER ALEXA.

To celebrate this release, Cate is hosting a pre-order party on her website complete with giveaways. Winners will be selected on April 10 so be sure to stop by www.catebeauman.com before then for your chance to win such items as jewelry, beaded book thongs, a handmade bouquet, and cool handmade baskets.

In addition, Cate is offering a giveaway to Thoughts in Progress visitors. Be sure to see the end of the post for details.

Now here’s a brief synopsis of JUSTICE FOR ABBY:

Nowhere to hide
        Fashion designer Abigail Harris has been rescued, but her nightmare is far f02 Justice For Abby_ebook_1600rom over. Determined to put her harrowing ordeal behind her and move on, she struggles to pick up the pieces of her life while eluding the men who want her dead.
        The Mid-Atlantic Sex Ring is in ruins after Abby’s interviews with the police. The organization is eager to exact their revenge before her testimony dismantles the multi-million dollar operation for good.
        Abby’s safety rests in the hands of former US Marshal, Jerrod Quinn. Serious-minded and obsessed with protocol, Ethan Cooke Security’s newest agent finds himself dealing with more than he bargains for when he agrees to take on his beautiful, free-spirited client.
        As the trial date nears, Abby’s case takes a dangerous turn. Abby and Jerrod soon discover themselves in a situation neither of them expect while Jerrod fights to stop the ring from silencing Abby once and for all.

Read an excerpt from JUSTICE FOR ABBY:

     The black bag was ripped from her head, along with several strands of her hair. Abby blinked against the bold light of the naked bulbs hanging from the low ceiling. She glanced around the dingy space in shock as her gaze traveled from girl to girl—six young teens, dirty, bruised, and malnourished, staring up at her through bland eyes while they sat or lay on filthy mattresses on the dirt floor. “What—”
     “In.” Victor shoved Abby into a small, windowless room, slamming the door, locking her in with a rusty scrape of something sliding against the heavy metal barrier.
     She walked on shaky legs to the wooden chair in the corner and collapsed to the uncomfortable seat, clutching her arms around her waist, shivering as she bit hard on her bottom lip while tears rained down her cheeks. Where was she? What was this place? She shuddered, remembering six sets of listless eyes holding hers. Nothing good was happening here.
     She covered her face with trembling hands and gave into her sobs, relieving the worst of her dread, wishing for nothing more than to be home with Lex and Livy. Thinking of her sister and niece, she forced away her tears, taking several deep breaths of stale air. If she wanted to see her family again she needed to pull herself together. She couldn’t get herself out of this—whatever this was—if she didn’t think. There had to be a way out. Her eyes darted around the barely lit space, searching for a weapon, another exit, anything.
     The door opened, and she rushed to her feet as a tall, well-built man stood haloed in the beam of light from the room beyond. Abby blinked as he stepped forward. “Renzo?” She bolted from the corner and fell against her friend’s firm chest as a wave or relief flooded her. “Oh, thank god.”
     His strong arms wrapped around her.
     “I’m so glad you’re here. I don’t know what’s going on. I need help. Can you help me?”
     “What happened?” He eased her back some, but she refused to release him from her grip.
     “My family—we were on our way home from Virginia Beach. We stopped at a rest area, and two men grabbed me and brought me here.”
     “You were with your sister and niece?”
     “Yes, Alexa and Olivia. I think they’re okay, but I need to call and make sure. Will you get me out of here?”
     “Of course.”
     She could hardly believe she was leaving. “Thank you. Thank you.” She hugged Renzo again as tears of gratitude flowed free. “I knew this had to be some sort of mistake.”
     “Come on, let’s get you home.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and walked with her to the door. “Oh, wait.” He stopped.
     “What?”
     “I can’t let you go.”

Did you enjoy the excerpt? Would you like to read more? You can read the first chapter on Cate’s website, www.catebeauman.com, or you can finish the whole book here!

Join me in welcoming, Cate as she tells us about the inspiration behind JUSTICE FOR ABBY.

JUSTICE FOR ABBY is one of my favorite stories in The Bodyguards of L.A. County series (Okay, they all are, but I really love Abby and Jerrod!). I truly enjoyed writing their adventure. Oftentimes I found myself caught up in Abby’s rollercoaster ride as she heals from her experiences as a survivor of the Mid-Atlantic Sex Ring. At times I cried with her, and at others, I laughed. She’s so strong and sweet, but she’s vulnerable and struggling. Enter Jerrod Quinn, the perfect man to provide her protection and help her overcome her ordeal in his own quiet way.

Although Abby’s story is one of fiction, sex trafficking is a very real crisis for millions of young women, men, and children all over the globe. My idea for this novel came after a night in front of the television watching crime television. A segment showcasing the mysterious disappearance of a young woman named Amy Bradley bothered me greatly. She vanished from a cruise ship in March of 1998 while vacationing with her family. Unfortunately, Amy has yet to be found, but she is believed to be alive, stuck in the horrific world of human sex trafficking. I immediately began my research into this very troubling epidemic and shortly after wrote Forever Alexa, the story of Abby’s sister dealing with the aftermath of Abby’s disappearance. My readers have requested Abby’s story, and I felt the need to share her experience. 

I hope you enjoy getting to know Abby and Jerrod as much as I enjoyed writing these two fantastic characters.

Cate, thanks for sharing the inspiration behind JUSTICE FOR ABBY. Knowing the backstory adds intrigue to the story for me.

Now Cate shares more about writing this latest installment with the Unofficial JUSTICE FOR ABBY soundtrack.

Music always plays a huge part in my writing process. With two boys and two dogs in the house, music helps me “get lost” in my story. I typically listen to Pandora or YouTube and put together a playlist of songs that I feel represent the characters or the situations they face as the novel unfolds. Here are a few of the songs that I had on “repeat” while I created Jerrod and Abby’s story! You can listen to them on my website www.catebeauman.com.

The soundtrack, of sorts, for Justice For Abby:
· Applause by Lady Gaga
· Safe and Sound by Capital Cities
· She Is by Ben Rector
· I Should Go by Levi Kreis
· The Other Side by Jason Derulo
· Why Don’t You Love Me? by Hot Chelle Rae ft. Demi Lovato
· We Owned The Night by Lady Antebellum
· Stars Go Blue by Tim McGraw
· Open Your Eyes by Snow Patrol
· Come Back by Pearl Jam
· By Your Side by Tenth Avenue North
· Everything Has Changed by Taylor Swift ft. Ed Sheeran
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

clip_image006Cate currently lives in Tennessee with her husband, their two boys, and St. Bernards, Bear and Jack. She is the author of the bestselling romantic suspense series, The Bodyguards of L.A. County. Before her career as an author, Cate worked in special education for 12 years.

“I’m a pretty lucky girl; one day I woke up and my entire life changed. I saw the light, so to speak, and decided I was going to be a writer. Now, three years later, I’m working on my seventh novel, Saving Sophie, and I’m an Amazon bestselling author. I’m very grateful for the support and success I have had,” explained Cate.

For more on Cate and her writing, visit her website and connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads and her Amazon Author Page.

The Bodyguards of L.A. County

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Cate's Previous Best Sellers:

You can also check out Cate’s previous books which were all featured as Amazon Best Sellers in 2013:
Morgan's Hunter 4.1 Stars!
Falling For Sarah 4.6 Stars!
Hailey's Truth 4.5 Stars!
Forever Alexa 4.5 Stars!
Waiting For Wren 4.7 Stars!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

This giveaway is for 3 eBook copies of JUSTICE FOR ABBY. The giveaway is open international. To enter, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The giveaway will end on April 11. 

Thanks so much for stopping by today and visiting with Cate. Do you like learning about the inspiration behind books you read? Does knowing what the inspiration was, make a difference in whether you read the book or not? a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, August 5, 2013

Bodyguards of L.A. County And An Awesome Giveaway


I’m always delighted to welcome bestselling author Cate Beauman back to Thoughts in Progress. She joins us today to talk about her series, The Bodyguards of L.A. County, and she has a special surprise.

Hi Cate, welcome.

Hi Mason! Thanks so much for having me back to "Thoughts in Progress!" Your followers have helped put each of my books on Amazon's Best Seller list. I would love to celebrate this success by offering my biggest book giveaway yet - the entire four book series! Please select one winner to receive all four of my eBooks for their Kindle or Nook. Good luck!

Stop by my website, www.catebeauman.com, to read the first few chapters of each book and then come and hang out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CateBeauman.

Cate, thanks for this awesome giveaway (please see the end of the post for the details). Now let’s find out a little more about each book in the terrific series.

Book One: MORGAN'S HUNTER, the story of Morgan and Hunter.
 
 Morgan's Hunter   Morgan Taylor, D.C. socialite and wildlife biologist, leads a charmed life until everything changes with a phone call. Her research team has been found dead—slaughtered—in backcountry Montana.

    As the case grows cold, Morgan is determined to unravel the mystery behind her friends’ gruesome deaths. Despite the dangers of a murderer still free, nothing will stand in her way, not even the bodyguard her father hires, L.A.’s top close protection agent, Hunter Phillips.

    Sparks fly from the start when no-nonsense Hunter clashes with Morgan’s strong-willed independence. Their endless search for answers proves hopeless—until Hunter discovers the truth.

    On the run and at the mercy of a madman, Morgan and Hunter must outsmart a killer to save their own lives.   

"-one thing I noticed right away was Hunter is smoking hot. This author captured his attractiveness well. Many romance authors have said their main character was good looking, but this was one of the very few times where I thought, "Wow. He's hot!" And let me tell you blonde-haired blue eyed guys are not my type. The author deserves some serious props here." Raven Reviewer

Book Two: FALLING FOR SARAH, the story of Sarah anFalling-For-Sarah-2240-for-Amazon-and-Smashwordsd Ethan.
 
    Widow Sarah Johnson struggled to pick up the pieces after her life was ripped apart. After two years of grieving, she’s found contentment in her thriving business as photographer to Hollywood’s A-list and in raising her angel-faced daughter, Kylee…until bodyguard and long-time friend Ethan Cooke changes everything with a searing moonlight kiss. 

    Sarah’s world turns upside down as she struggles with her unexpected attraction to Ethan and the guilt of betraying her husband’s memory. But when blue roses and disturbing notes start appearing on her doorstep, she has no choice but to lean on Ethan as he fights to save her from a stalker that won’t stop until he has what he prizes most. 

"This story, although starting sad with Jake's death, goes zero to sixty from there. A creepy, insane , psycho thrown in with HOT manly men always make for an awesome ride." Inside BJ's Head

Book Three: HAILEY'S TRUTH, the story of Hailey and Austin.
 
  Hailey's Truth  Hailey Roberts has never had it easy. Despite the scars of a tragic childhood, she’s made a life for herself. As a part-time student and loving nanny, she yearns for a family of her own and reluctant Austin Casey, Ethan Cooke Security’s best close protection agent.

    Hailey’s past comes back to haunt her when her long lost brother tracks her down, bringing his dangerous secrets with him. At an emotional crossroads, Hailey accepts a humanitarian opportunity that throws her together with Austin, taking her hundreds of miles from her troubles, or so she thinks.

    What starts out as a dream come true quickly becomes a nightmare as violence erupts on the island of Cozumel. Young women are disappearing, community members are dying—and the carnage links back to her brother.  

    As Austin struggles to keep Hailey’s past from destroying her future, he’s forced to make a decision that could turn her against him, or worse cost them both their lives. 

"WOW. My head is in a whirl from this one. From the high intensity of Suspense, down to the oh-so yummy Romance, by far, Hailey and Austin have the hottest freaking scenes of the three books! ~ It's so good... or I'm so bad because--I hate to admit it--I reread the hotter than Hades scenes! I could read the entire novel again, and that's rare for me."  Hammy

Book Four: FOREVER ALEXA, the story of Alexa and Jackson.
 
    First grade teacher and single mother Alexa Harris is no stranger Forever Alexa 800 Cover reveal and Promotionalto struggle, but for once, things are looking up. The school year is over and the lazy days of summer are here. Mini-vacations and relaxing twilight barbeques are on the horizon until Alexa’s free-spirited younger sister vanishes. 

    Ransom calls and death threats force Alexa and her young daughter to flee their quiet home in Maryland. With nowhere else to turn, Alexa seeks the help of Jackson Matthews, Ethan Cooke Security’s Risk Assessment Specialist and the man who broke her heart. 

    With few leads to follow and Abby’s case going cold, Alexa must confess a shocking secret if she and Jackson have any hope of saving her sister from a hell neither could have imagined.

"FOREVER ALEXA is a book that is impossible to put down. I loved the first three books in this series, Morgan's Hunter, Falling for Sarah and Hailey's Truth, but FOREVER ALEXA is far and above my favorite in the series. That being said, I not only recommend but encourage readers of romantic suspense to give Ms. Beauman's books a try.....you will not be disappointed!!!" NicoleMD

Book Five: Waiting For Wren, the story of Wren Cooke and Tucker Campbell.
    This book is scheduled for release in November.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Cate Beauman lives in Tennessee with her husband, two boys, and their St. Bernard, Bear. She recently resigned from her day job to concentrate on the thing she refers to as ‘My Dream Come True’ career! 


Cate said, “I’m a pretty lucky girl; one day I woke up and my entire life changed. I saw the light, so to speak, and decided I was going to be a writer. Now, two years later, I’m working on the fifth novel in my best selling romantic suspense series, The Bodyguards Of L.A. County.”

For more on Cate and this tantalizing series, you can visit her website, check out her Amazon Author Page, and find her on Facebook and Goodreads.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS: This giveaway is for eBook copies only. One winner will receive all 4 books in The Bodyguards of L.A. County series.

To enter, just send me an e-mail (mcbookshelf@gmail.com) with the subject line, “Win Bodyguards of L.A. County.” Your message should include your name and the email address you’d like the eBooks sent to. And, just so you know, I don’t share any of this information with anyone other than the publisher/tour promoter nor use it for any other purpose. The deadline to enter this giveaway for a copy of all 4 books in The Bodyguards of L.A. County series is 8 p.m. (EDT) on Wednesday, Aug. 14.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Are you drawn to have all the books in a series or can you just be happy with one or two?

Monday, June 3, 2013

Forever Alexa And A Giveaway


It is with great delight that I welcome author Cate Beauman back to Thoughts in Progress today to talk about her newest release, FOREVER ALEXA, from her bestselling series The Bodyguards of L.A. County.

Death threats and a broken heart…                                  First grade teacher and single mother Alexa Harris is no stranger to struggle, but for once, things are looking up. The school year is over and the lazy days of summer are here. Mini-vacations and relaxing twilight barbeques are on the horizon until Alexa’s free-spirited younger sister vanishes.
    Ransom calls and death threats force Alexa and her young daughter to flee their quiet home in Maryland. With nowhere else to turn, Alexa seeks the help of Jackson Matthews, Ethan Cooke Security’s Risk Assessment Specialist and the man who broke her heart.
    With few leads to follow and Abby’s case going cold, Alexa must confess a shocking secret if she and Jackson have any hope of saving her sister from a hell neither could have imagined.

Forever Alexa 800 Cover reveal and Promotional Cate’s books are making their way to the top of the charts currently. Last week she was at #3 on Amazon’s Top 100 Hot New Releases in romantic suspense and all four of her books were in the top 100 bestsellers for the same category.

Thanks to Cate, I have three digital copies of FOREVER ALEXA to give away. Please see the end of the post for the details.

The Unofficial FOREVER ALEXA Soundtrack

Cate:
Music is a huge part of my writing process. I typically listen to Pandora or YouTube and compile a collection of songs that I feel represent my characters or the situations they face as the novel unfolds. It’s a rare occasion that my creativity demands quiet (And that’s a good thing. I’m a mother of two boys. Quiet doesn’t happen in my house.). Here are a few of the songs that ‘spoke’ to me while I created Jackson and Alexa’s story! 
 


The soundtrack, of sorts, for FOREVER ALEXA:
All I Ever Wanted by Brian Melo
Beautiful Words by The Afters
By Your Side by Lifehouse
Chances Are by Five For Fighting
I Still by Backstreet Boys
Let Me Love You by Ne-Yo
Inconsolable by Backstreet Boys
Breathe Me by Sia
The Mess I Made by Parachute
All This Time by One Republic 


Read an excerpt from FOREVER ALEXA:

     Alexa stared out the living room window, watching the sun hover closer to the mountains in the distance. The deep country dark would soon surround her house. The dread of another long, sleepless night tightened the muscles of her shoulders and jaw until they ached. She eyed the Louisville Slugger, now leaning against the side table, as she listened to Olivia’s happy chatter filling the small space. Livy and her dolls were enjoying the tiny glass teapot Alexa had filled with milk, the apple she had quartered, and the graham crackers she set out for an impromptu after-dinner tea party. 
     “Mommy, come play with us. You can sit by Lucy.” 
     Alexa turned and gave Livy what smile she could. “Maybe in a little while, sweetie.” 
     “The graham cracker is very yummy.” Livy held up the golden half of cookie, dangling it like a token bribe, before she took a big bite. 
     “It looks wonderful, but I have more work to do on the computer.” 
     Livy turned back to her life-sized baby doll and bit Lucy’s cracker too as the party began again. 
     Alexa desperately wanted to join in on the fun but couldn’t. There wasn’t time. She had just over twenty-four hours to collect an unattainable amount of money. Sighing, she twisted the blind closed and turned away from the window, wishing the media vans were still parked along the dirt road out front. At least someone would’ve been close by while she waited for daylight again. The fifteen-car pile up on I-81 North sent the reporters and their news crews scattering several hours before. The knocks at the door had ceased. Abby’s disappearance had already been forgotten, and she had no choice but to keep it that way. 
     Alexa glanced at Livy before she sat down to the laptop she’d left on the coffee table. She’d spent the last two hours researching ransom and hostage situations while dodging non-stop phone calls from concerned friends, co-workers, and of course the press. She’d let the answering machine pick them up until the message box was full. She couldn’t deal with the questions. 
     She stared at the article she’d read before she had to put the computer down and walk away. The information had been so troubling, so depressing, she’d had to stop. The odds of Abby coming home were dwindling with every minute passing. Mr. Macabee had been correct; if she could get the money and pay the ransom, the kidnappers were likely to demand more and kill her sister anyway. 
     Alexa closed her eyes and rubbed her fingers against the throb in the center of her forehead. What was she going to do? The media wasn’t an option. The police weren’t either. So where did that leave her? She glanced at Livy again, wiggled her mouse, and typed Evan Cooke Security, LA into her search engine. 
     Hits for Ethan Cooke Security popped up instead. She followed the link to the website and studied the company’s bold red and black insignia. World renowned security firm, offering the best in close protection. Alexa clicked the mouse again and her heart stuttered. 
     Jack. 
     There he was among several other well-muscled men in the professional group photo. She moved her finger to his handsome face and traced it as she clutched the charm dangling from her necklace. 

     “Excuse me. Can you help me?” 
     Alexa glanced up from the books she was checking back in to the college library computer system and lost her breath as she stared into fantastic blue eyes. “What can I do for you?” 
     “I have a ten-page paper due for one of my criminal justice classes in—” he glanced at his watch, “less than twelve hours.” 
     She measured his charming smile and ball t-shirt stretched over broad shoulders and mounds of biceps. Her smile dimmed—another dumb jock. Why were the cute ones always a disappointment? She knew her eyes chilled as she answered. “Sounds like a personal problem. The Criminal Justice section is along that wall.” She pointed across the room. 
     At ease and clearly unaffected by her scolding tone, he edged himself along the enormous desk. “So, do you practice that disapproving librarian look in the mirror?” 
     She refused to give in to her smile. “I might.” 
     “You’re too young to have that mastered. What are you, a freshman? I’ve never seen you before.” 
     “I’m a sophomore, and I imagine you haven’t. I spend a lot of time in the library.” But she’d seen him—Jackson Matthews, junior, football star, frat boy, Mr. Popular with the ladies. Definitely not her type. Not that she actually had a type, because she’d never been on a date. Her grades were too important. Her scholarships were vital. 
     He grinned. “I believe I was just insulted.” 
     She smiled this time and shrugged. “Maybe.” 
     “You’ve gone and hurt my feelings, and I don’t even know your name.” 
     “Alexa.” 
     “Alex,” he held out his hand. “Jackson Matthews.” 
     Her brow shot up as she stared at him. “I know who you are. And it’s Alexa.” 
     He stood and glanced at his watch again. “I guess I should get to work. Maybe I’ll see you around some time, Alex.” He flashed her another heart-stopping grin and walked toward the stacks she’d pointed out. 
     She let out a long, shuddering sigh and looked down quickly when he glimpsed over his shoulder and smiled. 

     The flip-top phone rang, startling Alexa out of her memories. She jumped and caught the laptop just before it crashed to the floor. Licking her lips, she set the computer on the coffee table and picked up the phone. “Hello? Abby?” 
     “Wrong again, Sister Alexa,” the familiar mechanical voice said. 
     Her stomach clenched with dread. “What—” 
     “I said no press.” 
     “I didn’t talk to them. I swear I didn’t. They followed me. Please don’t hurt her. Please don’t hurt Abby.” 
     “I saw you on the news, Sister Alexa. Grocery shopping. You look just like her. I had no idea we could’ve gotten two for the price of one.” 
     She rushed to her feet, grabbed the heavy wooden baseball bat with a trembling hand, and hurried to the entryway to check the lock as her heart rate soared. 
     “You broke our deal. I’m docking you six hours. You’re down to twenty. Tick tock.” 
     “No, I didn’t—” 
     “Twenty hours or we take Olivia next.” The line went dead. 
     Alexa gasped for breath as a terror like she’d never known constricted her chest. Not Livy. Not her Livy. She collapsed on the bottom stair in the landing, listening to her daughter’s sweet voice as she continued to play in the next room, oblivious to the danger and turmoil destroying their lives. 
     Alexa struggled to her feet as her body racked with uncontrollable shudders and tears rushed down her cheeks. They had to go; they had to get out of here. She shoved the heavy bench in front of the door as she had last night and dashed up the steps, yanking a suitcase from the small walk-in storage space. She rushed into Livy’s room and pulled clothes from drawers and the closet at random, then hurried into her own room and did the same. She headed for the bathroom next, scooping toothbrushes and toothpaste into the travel bag she had yet to fully unpack from their trip to Virginia Beach. 
     Alexa started back downstairs but stopped when Gordon, the mournful-looking stuffed frog Livy had slept with every day since her birth, caught her eye. She snatched the melancholy creature off the bed and bolted down the stairs with the cumbersome luggage, setting it by the door. “Livy, we have to go somewhere, sweetie,” she struggled to say, still fighting for each breath as adrenaline coursed through her veins. 
     Livy looked up from her spot at her small pink table. She was dressed in the princess costume Abby had made her for Christmas. “I’m having a party, Mommy.” 
     “I know, honey. I’m sorry, but we really have to go right now.” She flipped her laptop closed, dropped it into its case, and grabbed her purse. Next she took several of Livy’s books and shoved them into a small canvas bag. “Come on. Let’s go.” 
     Livy’s bottom lip turned down and her eyes filled with tears. “Lucy wants to eat her apples. I want to play tea party.” 
     “Later, honey.” Alexa glanced out at the darkening sky through the edge of the blind. She wanted them long gone from their isolated home. “You can bring your princess dress with you.” 
     Livy’s eyes brightened. “Okay.” 
     She held out her hand. “Let’s go.” 
     Two hours later, Alexa clutched Olivia’s hand as they walked through Baltimore-Washington International, rolling the suitcase and booster seat behind them. She glanced around as they made their way to the ticket counter, fearful Abby’s kidnappers were somewhere close, watching for the perfect opportunity to snatch her daughter away. 
     “Can I help you, ma’am?” The pretty blonde smiled from behind her computer. 
     Alexa peered behind her, spotting the two men dressed in black pants and short-sleeved tops standing by the enormous panes of glass, staring in her direction. She picked up Olivia and clutched her tight. Were they here for Livy? “Yes. I need to buy two tickets.” 
     “And your destination, ma’am?” 
     What was her destination? She hadn’t thought that far. Her only instinct had been to flee. There was nowhere to go and no one to pick her up on the other end. She and Abby had always had each other, but now she was on her own. She moved her free hand to her necklace and rested her palm against the triangular charm. “LA,” she said in a rush. “Two tickets to Los Angeles, please.” 
     “We have a couple of open seats on a redeye leaving in an hour.” 
     She glanced over her shoulder. The men were gone, but that didn’t mean Livy was safe. “Okay, we’ll take them.” 
     The agent told her her total, and she tried not to wince. This was going to eat into her already strained budget, but what choice did she have? Money meant nothing with Livy’s life in danger. She pulled her credit card free and her heart ripped in two. To save her daughter, she was leaving Maryland and her sister behind.


Cate:
Did you enjoy the excerpt?  You can read the first three chapters on my website,
www.catebeauman.com, or you can finish the whole book here!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Cate currently lives in Tennessee with her husband, their two boys, and St. Bernard, Bear. She is the author of the best selling romantic
suspense series, The Bodyguards of L.A. County. Before her career as an author, Cate worked in special education for 12 years.

“I’m a pretty lucky girl; one day I woke up and my entire life changed. I saw the light, so to speak, and decided I was going to be a writer. Now, two years later, I’m working on my fifth novel and I’m an Amazon best selling author.  I’m very grateful for the support and success I have had.  - Cate”

For more on Cate and her writing, visit her website and her Amazon Author Page or find her on Facebook and Goodreads.

E-Book Giveaway Contest
To enter, just send me an e-mail (mcbookshelf@gmail.com) with the subject line, “Win Forever Alexa.” Your message should include your name and the email address you’d like the eBook sent to. And, just so you know, I don’t share any of this information with anyone other than the publisher or promoter nor use it for any other purpose. The deadline to enter this giveaway for a chance to win one of three digital copies of FOREVER ALEXA is 8 p.m. (EDT) on Friday, June 14. Remember, this giveaway is for digital copies, not print so it’s open international!


Thanks so much for stopping by today. Do you find an excerpt draws you in faster than just a brief synopsis?

All-Book-Covers-Side-by-Side

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Author Cate Beauman: Bodyguards of L.A. County On Tour & Giveaway

 
It’s my pleasure to welcome author Cate Beauman here today to talk about FALLING FOR SARAH and FOREVER ALEXA, two installments in her best-selling series The Bodyguards of L.A. County.

Here’s the back cover blurb for the romantic suspense novel, FALLING FOR SARAH:

    Widow Sarah Johnson struggles to pick up the pieces after her life was ripped apart.  After two years of grieving, she's found contentment in her thriving business as photographer to Hollywood's A-list and in raising her angel-faced daughter, Kylee... until bodyguard and long-time friend Ethan Cooke changes everything with a searing moonlight kiss. 
    Sarah's world turns upside down as she struggles with her unexpected attraction to Ethan and the guilt of betraying her husband's memory. But when blue roses and disturbing notes start appearing on her doorstep, she has no choice but to lean on Ethan as he fights to save her from a stalker that won't stop until he has what he prizes most.


Here’s a brief blurb for the soon-to-be released FOREVER ALEXA:

    First grade teacher and single mother Alexa Harris is no stranger to struggle, but for once, things are looking up. The school year is over and the lazy days of summer are here. Mini-vacations and relaxing twilight barbeques are on the horizon until Alexa’s free-spirited younger sister vanishes.
    Ransom calls and death threats force Alexa and her daughter to flee their quiet home in Maryland. With nowhere else to turn, Alexa seeks the help of Jackson Matthews, Ethan Cooke Security’s Risk Assessment Specialist and the man who broke her heart.
    With few leads to follow and Abby’s case going cold, Alexa must confess shocking secrets if she and Jackson have any hope of saving her sister from a hell neither could have imagined.


The Bodyguards Of L.A. County is scheduled to be a six part series. Books one (MORGAN’S HUNTER), two (FALLING FOR SARAH), and three (HAILEY’S TRUTH) have been released with book four (FOREVER ALEXA) coming in May and book five (WAITING FOR WREN) releasing this fall. The name and release date of book six is unavailable. Readers love the fact that the characters from each book continue through the series even though each book can be read as a stand alone and in any order the reader chooses.

Thanks to Cate, I have three eBook copies of FALLING FOR SARAH to giveaway to three lucky visitors. Please see the end of the post for the giveaway guidelines. Now Cate has graciously answered some questions for me.

Mason - What was the very first book you remember reading that you really enjoyed and why?
 
Cate:
I used to hate to read until a co-worker handed me a copy ofFalling-For-Sarah-2240-for-Amazon-and-Smashwords Homeport by Nora Roberts. I reluctantly promised my friend I would give the novel a try, and I’m so glad I did. From the first page I was hooked and have loved reading ever since. I have a veracious appetite for anything Nora but I’ll try any novel with a romantic suspense plotline.
  


Mason - Of your books, do you have a favorite or do you have a favorite character from each?

Cate:
This is a hard question to answer. All of my novels and characters hold a special place in my heart. The men of Ethan Cooke Security have a few things in common. They’re all muscular hotties with a dangerous job, but that’s where the similarities stop. Hunter is tough and wounded where Ethan’s intense and smart. Austin is incredibly sweet with just a touch of bad boy thrown in, and Jackson is laid back, funny, and dedicated to his job. The women they pair up with compliment them well, even if they don’t know it at first.
  


Mason - How did you come to write a series about the Bodyguards Of L.A. County?
 
Cate:
When I first started writing Morgan’s Hunter (Book One), I had no intention of creating a series, but then Ethan and Sarah, Hunter’s friends, wanted their own story. As ideas for Ethan and Sarah began to surface, so did a plot for Sarah’s daughter’s nanny, Hailey. After I completed the Morgan’s Hunter manuscript, the idea of sharing the lives of more of Ethan Cooke Security’s close protection agents became the goal. The Bodyguards Of L.A. County took off from there.


Mason - With FALLING FOR SARAH’s release, as you look back what was the biggest surprise that occurred in writing the story?
 
Cate:
Without a doubt it was the ease with which FALLING FOR SARAH came together. Writing is a very hard and painful process. Often times I struggle to get my ideas from my brain to the laptop, but not with this story. The ideas, dialog, and character development came together beautifully.

 
Mason - How have things gone with the writing of FOREVER ALEXA?
 
Cate:
Jackson and Alexa’s story certainly wasn’t as easy to write as Forever Alexa 2240 For Amazon Kobo Apple and SmashwordsEthan and Sarah’s. Although all four novels are part of a series, I try really hard to give each book a different feel. When I read for pleasure, I like for authors to mix it up a little, so I try to do the same. My novels will always have a happy ending, but I want my readers to wonder how the characters will work through the dangers and conflicts they face to get to where they want to go.
  


Mason - What can readers look forward to next from you?
 
Cate:
I’ve just begun my research for the fifth novel in The Bodyguards Of L.A. County series, WAITING FOR WREN. I’m not exactly sure where I’m taking Wren Cooke, Ethan’s interior designer sister, and Tucker Campbell, former detective and current bodyguard, but I like that the possibilities are endless. We’ll have to see what my imagination comes up with!
  


Cate, thanks so much for joining us and sharing how this delightful series came to be. I like how the characters have to be heard for their own stories.

For those not familiar with Cate, she currently live in Tennessee with her husband, two boys, and their St. Bernard, Bear. She recently resigned from her day job to concentrate on the thing she refers to as ‘My Dream Come True’ career!
Cate sees herself as a pretty lucky girl - “One day I woke up and my entire life changed. I saw the light, so to speak, and decided I was going to be a writer. Now, two years later, I’m working on the fourth novel in my best selling romantic suspense series, The Bodyguards of L.A. County.”

For more on Cate and her writing, visit her website or find her on Facebook, Amazon and Goodreads.

To tempt your reading taste buds, Cate is sharing a first chapter excerpt from FALLING FOR SARAH.

September 24, 2010 

    Sarah Johnson turned the key and opened her front door. She crossed the threshold, breathing in the familiar scent of fresh-cut flowers and the hint of low-tide blowing in from the Pacific. “It’s so nice to be home. Welcome home, sweet baby girl.” She stared at her sleeping newborn, smiled, brushed her lips over the soft skin of the baby’s forehead. 
    “Look out, coming through,” Ethan Cooke said, loaded down with balloons and vases overflowing with cheerful blooms. “I had no idea bringing a baby home from the hospital required movers.” 
    Sarah stepped aside, chuckling. “I know. Kylee has quite a fan club already. Let me help you with some of this stuff.” 
    “I’ve got it. You gave birth yesterday, for God’s sake. The nurse told you to take it easy.” Ethan set the vase on the entryway table, released the balloons to the ceiling as he dropped the diaper bag from his shoulder to the floor. “Besides, Jake would kick my ass if he knew you were hauling things in.” 
    Sarah’s smile widened as she thought of her husband. “Yes, you’re probably right, but I also know he would be grateful you were able to help me out. My mother wasn’t expecting to run her shop today. Dana called in sick, so that was that.” 
    Ethan moved closer to her side, stared down at the baby. “I’m happy you called. I wanted to come visit you ladies again last night, but things got a little crazy while I was on duty.” He brushed a finger down Kylee’s tiny nose. “She really is beautiful, Sarah. She looks just like you.” 
    Sarah’s blue eyes twinkled. “Thank you, but I definitely see some of Jake in her too.” She wrapped her free arm around Ethan’s waist. He returned her embrace and she rested her head against his muscled shoulder. “I’m so happy right now, Ethan, so absolutely happy. Twenty-nine more days and my family will be whole again. I can’t wait to hug Jake and watch his face when he holds her for the first time. I could tell he wanted to crawl through the video conferencing equipment yesterday and touch her tiny fingers and toes.” She looked down at Kylee. “No more deployments for your daddy. He’ll be all ours.” 
    “He’ll be mine too.” Ethan grinned, wiggled his eyebrows. “I’ve been waiting just as eagerly for Jake’s return. It took me two years to convince him to join my firm. Now I need to get Hunter on board, and the crew will be together again.” 
    “Getting yourselves into as much trouble as ever, I’m sure. You’ll have to wait a little longer for your new security expert. He’s not leaving my side for at least a week.” 
    “I think I can live with that.” Ethan kissed her forehead before he started for the door. “Let me get the rest of the stuff from the truck. Then I’ll set up Jake’s surprise.” 
    “Oh, I can’t wait for him to see it. I’ve nixed the big screen TV idea for so long, I’m pretty sure he’s stopped hoping for one.” 
    “It’s a beauty, all right. He’ll love it. I’ll have everything hooked up in no time.” 
    “Great.” Brimming with joy, Sarah kissed her daughter again as Ethan opened the door and went outside. 
    Sarah took the baby to the nursery she had painstakingly painted on her own. The pale yellow stripes looked wonderful with the touches of pink scattered about the room. She put Kylee to her breast, listening to the door open and slam shut as Ethan brought their items in from his Range Rover. She smiled when she heard him rummage through the cupboards in the kitchen. If he was anything, it was always hungry. 
    Kylee’s mouth went slack as she fell back to sleep. Sarah fastened her nursing bra, fixed her shirt. She settled Kylee against her shoulder, walked out to the kitchen while she rubbed her daughter’s back, burping her. 
    Ethan stood in front of the open refrigerator, mumbling his excitement about her stocked shelves. He glanced up, grinned, and she itched for her camera. “Hey, I’m going to make myself a sandwich before I get started on the TV. Want one?” 
    “No thanks. Do you want me to make it for you?” 
    “Nah, you don’t have to do that.” 
    “Why don’t you let me? I have another favor to ask of you. ” She smiled. “The least I can do is make you something to eat.” 
    Ethan went to the pantry, grabbed a loaf of bread. “Why don’t you tell me what you need?” He pulled open a cupboard, took out a plate. 
    “A shower.” She smiled again and nibbled at her lip. 
    Ethan’s eyes zeroed in on Kylee, and he took a step back. “Geez, I don’t know, Sarah. I’ve never held a baby before. What if I drop her?” 
    A laugh bubbled in her throat at the sheer horror in Ethan’s eyes. Even after he’d helped her through hours of labor, watched her deliver Kylee, and cut the cord in Jake’s honor, he’d refused to hold her. Sarah walked to where he stood. “You’re not going to drop her. Fold your arm like this.” She held her arm out, bending at the elbow. 
    Ethan cleared his throat and followed her lead. Sarah placed Kylee in the crook of his rigid arm. He grabbed her hand when Kylee squirmed. “She’s moving, she’s moving. She’s going to fall. Shit, Sarah, I really think this is a bad idea.” 
    “I think it’s a great idea. Trust me on this one.” She adjusted the baby slightly, moved his arm closer to his body, making sure his hand held Kylee under her diapered bottom. She backed away from them, grinning at the discomfort and mild panic she read all over Ethan’s face. “You’re a natural. Look at you two. I need my camera.” 
    Ethan groaned as she moved to the pile of bags outside the kitchen door and grabbed her case, pulling her Nikon D3 from the bag. She held the camera up, looked through the lens. For a test shot, she focused on Ethan’s arresting face. Sharp cheekbones and straight black eyebrows accentuated long, thick eyelashes and bold gray eyes. She zoomed in on the clear gray pools surrounded by dark, smoky rings, pressed the shutter closed in rapid succession. His firm, full lips and muscular torso showcased a man perfectly comfortable with his masculinity. She tightened her focus on his big hand holding Kylee’s little body, clicked away again, moved in closer, snapped more, getting lost in her passion for pictures. 
    “Sarah, do you want that shower or not?” 
    She pulled the camera back, focused on Ethan’s raised brow and lips pressed firm in annoyance. “Sorry. I got a little carried away. You two make excellent subjects. The camera loves your face.” 
    “So you’ve told me more times than I can count.” 
    She placed the Nikon back in the bag, zipped it closed. “You’re doing a great job with her.” 
    He glanced down at Kylee. “I guess this is okay.” 
    “See? I’ll be quick. She just ate, so she should sleep. Here’s the burp cloth, just in case she spits up. “Sarah draped the cotton towel over Ethan’s shoulder. 
    As she backed out of the kitchen, Ethan took a step forward. “Wait. Um, what if she starts to cry?” 
    Amused by his distress, Sarah couldn’t help but smile. The man standing before her dealt with the scum of the earth every day, yet a seven pound infant brought him to his knees. “Just jiggle your arm a little bit. She’ll fall right back to sleep.” She turned and walked toward the bathroom, called over her shoulder, “Oh, and relax. Babies feel tension.” 
                               ************ 
    Alone and mildly terrified, Ethan stared down at the pretty little bundle snuggled against him. Her serene face, a miniature of Sarah’s, was so perfect. She smelled of baby powder and weighed next to nothing. 
    He began to wiggle his arm, just in case. “I guess this isn’t so bad. Let’s make a deal. If you keep sleeping until your mom comes back, I’ll talk her and your dad into a really kickass swing set for the backyard. It’ll be my present to you.” 
    Kylee’s lips made a sucking motion as she continued to sleep. 
    “Okay, I guess that means we have a deal.” 
    Relaxing with more confidence, Ethan turned back to the counter, attempting to make his sandwich one-handed. He finagled the twist tie from the plastic as Kylee curled closer against him. Startled, he dropped the bread. He bent at the knees to pick up the loaf and Kylee grunted. Seconds later, a small, wet explosion sounded in her diaper. Ethan stopped dead, still crouched. Kylee nuzzled herself against his chest and slept on. 
    “That couldn’t be good.” He stood, walked toward the bathroom, desperately hoping Sarah was finished. The radio played beyond the closed door as water sprayed into the bathtub. 
    The baby began to stir and fuss. He jiggled his arm from side to side, but Kylee’s fussing turned into a lusty cry. Panicked, Ethan almost forgot the rules of friendship and rushed into the bathroom. With his hand on the knob, he stopped himself. Christ, pull it together, Cooke. You’ve got this. 
    He headed to the pale pink and yellow bedroom, glancing back at the bathroom door wistfully. “Come on, Sarah. Hurry up,” he muttered. 
    Kylee turned a deep pink as she cried harder. Ethan stared at her mouthful of smooth, toothless gums and tiny fists curled tight as they moved about. “Okay, kid. I guess we don’t have a choice here. Let’s get you changed.” He glanced around the cheerful room with stuffed animals piled next to a rocking chair, zeroed in on the pine changing table. Stacks of diapers and wipes lay tidy on the shelf above. 
    He awkwardly lay Kylee down on the soft white pad, found a package of unopened diapers, quickly scanned the directions. As Kylee continued to cry, he pulled a diaper off the shelf. “My God, look at these things. My hand’s bigger than this.” He located the sides with the tape, put it down next to her, just like the picture showed. He unbuttoned her sleeper and the white onesie buttoned at her crotch. “How many layers are you wearing?” He pulled the diaper tape next, blew out a breath. “Here goes nothing.” 
    Ethan eased the diaper away and swore. “Jesus, this isn’t right. It’s black and yellow. I think we need to take you back to the hospital.” He focused on the browning raisin protruding from her stomach. “And look at that thing on your belly button. It didn’t look like that yesterday.” Completely flustered now, he pulled a wad of wipes from the bin, knocked the diaper cream to the floor. 
    Kylee’s short gasping cries shrilled louder. 
    “Shh, shh, shh, it’s okay, kid. I’m trying my best here. You’re all right.” Ethan took the wipes, moved them over the baby’s bottom. “This stuff’s like cement. Man, I’d rather be in an alley with three UZIs pointed at my head.” 
    With Kylee’s tiny baby butt clean, Ethan clumsily placed the new diaper under her. He swore again when the tapes faced her stomach. Her legs moved about in her outrage, making it hard to flip the diaper around. “You’re not exactly helping me out, kiddo.” He adjusted the diaper and fastened the tapes. 
    “There.” Ethan buttoned the onesie, muttered a curse when he mismatched the snaps. “Screw the pink outfit. This will have to do. You’re worked up. I’m worked up.” He placed his hand under Kylee’s neck and head, scooped her bottom up with the other, like he saw Sarah do earlier. Kylee’s cheek rested against his heart and her cries turned to whimpers before they stopped. 
    “There you go, sweetheart. That was pretty awful, huh? I don’t know about you, but I think I’m going to have nightmares for weeks.” He walked to the rocking chair with Kylee and sat down. His big, callused palm played with the peach fuzz on her head as he moved the chair back and forth. “I think I was about to cry myself. Let’s keep that between us, okay?” 
    “Here you are.” Sarah peeked in the room with her mass of blonde hair twisted in a towel on top of her head. Her face was left unframed, showcasing big, exotic eyes, high cheekbones, and a lush Cupid’s bow mouth that smiled until she zeroed in on the mess on the changing table. “I see Kylee needed a change.” 
    “Don’t even ask. It was exhausting and traumatic for both of us.” 
    She chuckled. “Why don’t I take her?” 
    “Oh yeah, sure, now that the hard work’s done.” 
    Sarah reached down, took Kylee, leaving behind the floral scent of her soap. 
    “Sarah, I don’t know how to say this, but I think there’s something wrong with her.” 
    Frowning, she pulled the baby back from her shoulder, giving her the once-over. “What is it? What’s wrong with her?” 
    “Her umbilical cord is brown and her poop’s all gooey and yellow. Blackish stuff was stuck to her butt. I had a hell of a time getting it off.” 
    Sarah’s shoulders relaxed and her grin returned. “The umbilical cord is drying up and will fall off, the black stuff is meconium, and she’s breastfed. Everything’s perfectly normal.” 
    As if on cue, Kylee began to cry and root around. 
    “How do you know all this stuff? You’re so calm. I mean, you’re always calm, but my God, she’s so little and helpless.” 
    “When you grow up with an obstetrician in your house and your mother is obsessed with children in general, you learn. I’ve been around babies for as long as I can remember.” 
    Kylee whimpered and sucked on her fist. 
    “Do you mind if I borrow the rocker? I think she’s ready to eat again.” 
    “I thought she just did.” 
    “She’s establishing her milk supply.” 
    Ethan winced. “Jesus. Let me go take care of the TV for you.” 
    Sarah sat and began to unbutton her shirt. “Thanks.” 
    “No problem.” 
    “Ethan?”
    He stepped into the hallway, stopped. 
    “Your sandwich is on the counter.” 
    He smiled. “Thanks.” 
    Ethan brought the sandwich and bowl of fruit salad to the living room. He took a huge bite of turkey, avocado, and tomato before he put the plate on the sturdy oak coffee table. He pulled the tape from the side of the massive box and prepared to set up Jake’s new TV. 
    While he leafed through the instructions, Sarah’s soft voice cooed to her daughter through the baby monitor. He glanced up from the booklet and around the homey living room, listening to Sarah. A flash of envy for what Jake had snuck up, surprising him. Shaking his head, Ethan looked back at the directions. Marriage and family weren’t for him. 
    He was screwing the plasma screen on its base when a car pulled up to the curb. “Hey, Sarah, someone’s here.” 
    “Hailey, the college girl from down the road, was planning on stopping by. She’s desperate to babysit Kylee. You can let her in,” she said into the monitor. 
    Ethan tightened the last screw, stood. He walked by the large picture window, expecting to see the short, brown haired co-ed. Instead he watched four military men, dressed in dark green and khaki, step from a black sedan. His heart hammered against his ribs, his stomach sank. “Shit, no. Oh my God, no.” He whipped his head around, making sure Sarah wasn’t coming. He yanked the door open, stepped outside, closed it behind him. 
    As the men approached, Ethan stood in their path as if that would somehow change the news he knew they were here to bring. “What can I do for you?” 
    The group stopped in front of him. “Is this the home of Mrs. Sarah Johnson?” 
    “Yes, it is. Is he dead? Is Jake dead?” 
    “I’m sorry, sir. We need to speak with Mrs. Johnson.” 
    Ethan saw the apology in the man’s eyes. The sudden grief knocked him back like a heavy blow. Jake had been one of his two best friends for years. 
    The men tried to move past him. He blocked their way again. As much as he wanted a moment to catch his breath, he needed to protect Sarah more. “Don’t take another step. I get that you can’t tell me, but you’re going to give me a minute to talk to her first. She just gave birth yesterday morning. This is going to crush her.” 
    “We’re here to offer any support we can, sir.” 
    Ethan opened the door, let them in before him. “Please, sit down. I’ll go get Sarah.” He walked from the room, started down the hall to the nursery. 
    Stopping outside the room, Ethan fisted his hands at his side, took a deep breath. Memories flashed through his mind, one after the other, and he braced his hands on the wall. He took another deep breath, trying to steel himself for what had quickly become the hardest moment of his life. He was about to watch Sarah’s life fall apart. 
    He stepped into Kylee’s room, stopped. Sarah had taken her hair from the towel. Wet ropes of smooth gold rested on her shoulders. Her eyes were closed while Kylee suckled at her breast. If this were a picture, it would be titled ‘Beautiful Serenity’. He was about to destroy it. He took another breath, walked to Sarah’s side, knelt down, took her hand. 
    Sarah’s eyes flew open, stared into his. “You startled me.” A smile played across her lips before it faded. “What’s wrong?” She sat up straight, broke Kylee’s latch with her finger. 
    Ethan tightened his grip on her hand, willing her to take all the strength he could give. “Sarah, there are some men waiting for you in the living room. They’re Marines.” 
    Sarah’s fingers clutched his like a vise before they went lax. The bright, bold blue of her eyes dimmed. “Oh, okay,” she said dully. She stood, covered her breast, pulled Kylee close, automatically burping her. 
    Ethan draped his arm around her shoulders, walking with her and the baby to the living room. The men stood as they entered and the officer stepped forward. 
    “Mrs. Johnson, I’m Commander Michael Driggs. I’m here to regretfully inform you that your husband, Gunnery Sergeant Jake Johnson, was killed in action today at 6:34 p.m., Afghanistan time. The United States Marine Corps is truly sorry for your loss and is proud of the service your husband provided our country.” 
    Sarah stared at the commander for several seconds before she slowly sat down on the couch. 
    Ethan sat beside her. 
    She spoke, her voice barely a whisper. “Jake’s gone? He can’t be. He hasn’t held Kylee yet. He’s coming home in twenty-nine days to hold Kylee. He watched me give birth yesterday. He said he was coming home in four weeks.” 
    Sarah’s face paled with grief. Ethan swore he heard her heart shatter while the commander spoke. Her bubbly vibrancy had been replaced with fragility. He was afraid that if he touched her, she would break into a million pieces. 
    Ethan glanced at the man who now sat on the other side of Sarah. “Sir, Gunnery Sergeant Hunter Phillips is in Jake’s company. Is there any word on his welfare? He and Jake are—” he closed his eyes on a fresh wave of pain “—were my childhood friends. Hunter is also very close to Sarah.” 
    “Gunnery Sergeant Phillips was wounded in action. He was shot in the shoulder. He’s out of surgery and is resting comfortably.” Commander Driggs looked at Sarah again. “Sergeant Phillips tried desperately to save your husband, Mrs. Johnson. Is there anyone we can call for you at this time?” 
    She shook her head. “I don’t know. I can’t think.” She looked at Ethan, lost. “I can’t think right now .I don’t want to do this. I want to be alone.” 
    He couldn’t stand to see her like this. He put his arm around her, pulled her close, pressed his forehead to her hair. “Okay, you don’t have to. I’ll take care of everything. Go lay down.” 
    The men stood when she took the baby and walked from the room. 
    “I’m sorry, Commander, gentlemen, but I’m going to have to ask you to leave. Do you have a card or a number I can take from you? I’ll have Sarah’s father call you as soon as I get a hold of him.” “Of course, sir.” 
    Ethan took the card, walked them to the door, shut it behind them. He went to the small desk, found Sarah’s parents’ number programmed into the phone, and called.  
                             ************ 
    Sarah lay Kylee in her crib, covered her with a light blanket. Her daughter slept soundly in the center of the mattress, unaware that their lives were forever changed. She stared at the photograph of Jake hanging on the wall above the crib. She had taken the picture the day before he left to finish his deployment, before they were aware they’d made Kylee. His big, cheesy grin and smiling brown eyes filled the frame. Oh God, Jake. You’re gone. How can you be gone? I need you. I can’t do this by myself. 
    The dredges of shocked disbelief were melting away. Panic and dread quickly took their place. How was she going to live without him? Sarah glanced down at Kylee again as a thought circled through her mind. It brought such crushing pain she could hardly breathe. They would never meet. Jake would never touch the daughter he had helped create. Kylee would be robbed of ever knowing her father’s love. 
    Jake’s deep, infectious laugh echoed in her head and Sarah buckled. She would never hear it again. He would never kiss her or hold her again. Her breath shuddered in and out. 
    Ethan’s hands rested on her shoulders and she flinched. He turned her toward him. She stared into his eyes, saw the grief settled there, and a tear rolled down her cheek. “Tell me this isn’t real, Ethan. Please tell me this isn’t real,” she said on a sob. 
    He pulled her into his arms, holding her tight. “Come here.” He picked her up, sat with her in the rocking chair. Her long legs hung over the side, just skimming the floor as the chair swayed back and forth. Ethan cradled her close to his chest.   
    Finding comfort in the arms of her friend, Sarah wept as Ethan’s hand ran through her damp hair. “He’s really gone. I can’t believe he’s really gone.” 
    He lifted her chin as he spoke, choking on his own sorrow. “I’m making a promise to you right now, Sarah. You’ll never be alone through this. I’ll be here for you every step of the way, for as long as you need me.” 
    “I’ll always need you.” 
    “Then I’ll always be here.” He rested her head against his chest again as their tears fell, mixing together on the hands they held clutched together.

Now for the giveaway guidelines. To enter, just send me an e-mail (mcbookshelf@gmail.com) with the subject line, “Win Falling For Sarah.” Your message should include your name and the email address you’d like the eBook sent to. And, just so you know, I don’t share any of this information with anyone other than the publisher/tour promoter nor use it for any other purpose. The deadline to enter this giveaway for of three copies of FALLING FOR SARAH is 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Do you enjoy series or prefer stand alone books?
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