A Look at Not Without Risk

This month marks the release of my romantic suspense, NOT WITHOUT RISK. It’s the book of my heart, the one I wrote and re-wrote from chapter one to the end at least three times. No matter how I tried, I couldn’t seem to let it go until I told Justin’s story.

As a writer you’re told that you should be able to sum up your book in one sentence. I have to tell you, I find this extremely difficult to do. Extremely difficult. I’ve tried over and over, and the best I can come up with is this:

A homicide detective just off medical leave whose first case involves a dead cop, a beautiful witness who becomes the target of a killer and the realization that he is not yet fit for active duty.

That’s it. Not great, I have to admit, but it’s harder than you’d think. I could list the official back cover blurb for you, but I’ll skip that for now. If you’re interested, you can read it, along with what the reviewers are saying here. For now, here’s a look at the book.

Justin’s frown deepened. “I know what you’re thinking, you know. And you’re wrong.”

Paige swallowed past the lump in her throat. “What am I thinking?”

“Making choices that keep you alive does not make you weak. It would be much simpler to just give up and let this bastard win.”

“I could stay where I am, refuse to run and face him.”

“You could die in the process.”

The thought sent a ripple of alarm through Justin. What if she refused? He couldn’t hog-tie her, couldn’t make her come with him. He understood her ill-ease, for he felt the same stirrings of discomfort as she at the low hum of sensual awareness that circled about them like a hungry shark. Even right now, he had to fight against the urge to haul her into his arms. And not to ease the clawing panic clearly visible in her eyes. No, his motives were not that heroic.

Against his better judgment, he allowed his gaze to drop, to caress the shape of her body outlined by her suit. He knew just what that suit of hers covered for he’d had his hands all over her just the night before. A high, tight rear end, slim hips, endlessly long legs that would pull him deep into her warmth. Desire shot straight to his stomach, swirled there. The palms of his hands begin to itch.

Paige wore her clothing like armor, each piece carefully chosen to broadcast an image, a strength she alone believed she lacked. She’d have chosen this one to disguise the fear he knew filled her. To tell him, in no uncertain terms, that she could handle anything thrown her way.

Anything.

Even the need to turn to him for help.

God, she impressed him. Aroused him, challenged him as no other before her had done. Justin scrubbed a frustrated hand across his face. He focused on the cool green gaze of the woman before him, the woman his brain told him to stay away from. He’d yet to fully recover from his injury. The last thing he needed was to get involved with a woman who screamed commitment. He was a loner. He didn’t do commitment.

His body wasn’t listening. He wanted Paige. Above him, below him, it didn’t matter. He knew it was bad timing, but he wanted her just the same. And he would have her, sooner or later. If he had to keep his hands in his pockets, pants zipped until the threat that chased her was destroyed, he would. He could.

“Suppose I promised not to do anything you don’t ask me to do?”

Paige eased out a breath. “What if I said, it isn’t you I worry about?”

Shock and awareness filled him, stole his ability to reply. Heat surged through his limbs, tingled in his side. A groan slid past his clenched lips. Justin curled his fingers around her upper arm and urged her a step closer to him. He drew the scent of her greedily into his lungs, wanting more than ever before to cover her mouth with his.

“How do you expect me to ignore a comment like that?” he asked roughly, his palm drifting upward to cup the side of her throat.

Enough color flashed into her face to tell him she hadn’t meant to reveal that bit of information to him. The fingers of her left hand locked around his wrist. “I don’t.”


NOT WITHOUT RISK © 2009 Sarah Grimm
The Wild Rose Press
Official Release Date: January 29, 2010
Available in print at Amazon, The Wild Rose Press
Available as an eBook at The Wild Rose Press