Fallout by Karlene Blakemore-Mowle

Risking their lives for others is second nature, but can they trust each other enough to risk their hearts?

Tully Chambers is no damsel in distress. An up and coming detective, she had her sights set on promotion until the day her partner was murdered and she ended up on the run from the mob.

Jake Holden has demons of his own. Having served his country for over twenty years, he’s found himself wounded, alone, and without a plan for his future. What starts as a simple diversion--trying to figure out the feisty little waitress next door—turns out to be his most dangerous mission yet.


From the tropics of Far North Queensland to the rugged isolation of the Northern Territory in Australia, two modern-day warriors discover their greatest fear isn’t that of a madman’s revenge–but of laying their hearts on the line for love.


excerpt:


“Who are you?” she demanded.


“What the hell?” The intruder struggled, to twist without success, beneath her.


Tully registered his deep voice before repeating her question. “Who. Are. You?”


“Jake Holden,” he growled back.


“Why are you breaking into my house?”


“Lady, I have no idea what you’re talking about. This is my house. I’m trying to open my door.”


Now that her eyes had adjusted to the light outside Tully could make out the profile of a strong face, grimacing in pain.


He had short dark hair and was nicely built. Under her knee she noticed his strong neck and broad shoulders. He didn’t have the physique of a body builder, all muscle and no neck, but he still appeared to be very fit. She also smelt alcohol. While she wouldn’t have said he was inebriated, his reaction time had been off a little.


“I just moved in today. You can check my licence and see for yourself,” he offered, grunting in pain.


“Where is it?”


“Well, if you let me up I’ll get it out for you”


She wasn’t about to let this guy up just yet, not until she got to the bottom of this. “Where’s your licence?”


“Front right hand side in my trousers.” His tone came out stiff and full of wounded indignation.


“You’ve gotta be kidding me. Who keeps their wallet in their front pocket?” she scoffed, thinking he had to be lying to create an opportunity to make a break for it.


“It’s not in my wallet, I just took my ID and cash to the pub,” he growled. “But if the thought of sticking your hand down my pants scares you—”



FALLOUT - Available Now at The Wild Rose Press

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Writing Cops

I'm a guest over at Writing Cops today. I talk a little about Not Without Risk and what's next for me.

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And the winner is...

Okay everyone, I put the names of everyone who commented on yesterday's 'question of the day' into a hat and had my son pick one.

The winner of a pdf copy of NOT WITHOUT RISK is...

Sandra Koehler.

Congratulations, Sandra! I hope you enjoy it.

~Sarah~

Want another chance to win?
Check out the Valentine's Day contest.

It runs through March 31st.

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Question of the Day

What draws you to a new author?

Is it:

A positive review?

The recommendation of a friend?

An eye-catching cover?

The book blurb?

Something else?

I'd love to know. And in celebration of 'Read an eBook' week,

I'll give away a pdf copy of

NOT WITHOUT RISK

to a random commenter.

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Fantastic Review

I'm so excited I can barely string the words together as I type this post. It's true! I've just discovered that Not Without Risk has been given the rating BEST BOOK at Long and Short Reviews.

Here's a look at what the reviewer had to say:

"Get ready for the ride of your life as Sarah Grimm takes us on an adventure, an adventure of danger an adventure of suspense, but be prepared, this adventure isn't for the faint of heart. If you, like me, enjoy fast paced, nail biting, page turning, edge of your seat suspense, then by all means get on board and try Not Without Risk."

Wow! Thank you Larkspur and Long and Short Reviews. I'm so very thrilled that you enjoyed Justin and Paige's story.

For those interested, the entire review can be seen here.

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Pets2Vets Adoption Program

Instead of writing this morning, as I am supposed to be doing, I have been surfing the web. Much to my delight, I ran across this:

http://blog.adoptapet.com/good-news-in-pet-adoption-1-21-2010/

It's called Pets2Vets and I think it's fantastic.

Especially since three of my dearest animal friends were adopted. Okay, so some days I just shake my head because nothing I do seems to keep the youngest dog from barking at shadows, but hey, it's not entirely her fault. After all, she is a puppy mill rescue, and has some issues because of her breeding and time in the mill.

But that's an entirely different story. Most days, my dogs bring me calm, companionship and laughter.


This is Sasha. She's a miniature schnauzer and my puppy mill rescue. She's also the best snuggler of the bunch.





Izzy is also a miniature schnauzer, although not an AKC recognized color. She was from an unwanted litter that was surrendered to rescue.


Izzy is my muse. Whenever I write, she insists on sharing the computer chair with me.


Tils was found at a local shelter. She was abused in her previous home and feared people. The shelter had her loose at the front desk when I entered. She walked straight to me for petting. The minute I heard she usually approached no one, I had to have her.


Tils had congenital hip problems and lost most of her sight to cataracts by age eight. She went to the rainbow bridge just before her ninth birthday. She was truly the best dog ever and I miss her deeply.


And just because I hate to leave her out, even though she came from a conformation breeder and not from adoption, here's Pearl:




Sercatep's Ebony Pearl: The original mini schnauzer in our house.

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Hump Day

I'm doing this:



I'd rather be doing this:



How's your hump day going?

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Valentine's Day Contest

WINNER: Teresa B. Congrats Teresa! I've sent you an email.

Want to win big this Valentine's Day?

Check out the Valentine's Day Contest atRomance Junkies
for your chance to win some exceptional prizes.

Interested in your very own pdf copy of
NOT WITHOUT RISK,
along with this beautiful puffed heart keychain?

Entering is easy.
Find out how.

Measuring 4.5" in length and the heart is 1.75" wide 1" puffed.
Finished on both sides.
Can be clipped used as a keychain, or clipped to your purse.

Front has rhinestones surrounding the center heart & back has a filigree pattern.

*The contest runs until March 31st

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Guest Feature & Giveaway

Today, the dynamite Sloane Taylor will be featuring me on her blog. Swing by, read an excerpt and leave me a comment for your chance to win a pdf copy of NOT WITHOUT RISK.

Sloane Taylor's Blog

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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

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I have a release date

January 29, 2010
The Wild Rose Press
ISBN: 1-60154-634-3
ISBN 13: 9781601546340

I'm thrilled to announce that I now have a release date for NOT WITHOUT RISK. It will be available to download at The Wild Rose Press as well as available in print on January 29, 2010.

Here's a sneak peak at the book:

Her hand reached out for him, settled lightly against his left side, just below his sidearm. "What about you, Justin? Do you know, too? Is that what happened to you?"

Her words splintered through him. He swore softly and stepped back, forcing her to drop her hand. "That doesn't matter now."

"I think it does," she persisted, her eyes dark and churning with emotion. "I think it matters a great deal."

What could he say to her that wouldn't add to the fear already churning through her? "Paige, please," he said, attempting to turn the conversation around. "We need to discuss getting you out of here."

"I'm not leaving. I won't be driven from my own home."

"You shouldn't be alone."

She lifted her chin, determined to show him strength even while her hands shook. "I'll be fine."

Frustration wound deeper. He rolled his shoulder where his muscles knotted painfully. "Listen to me-"

"You aren't going to tell me are you?"

Justin set his jaw.

"Why not?"

Because she mattered to him. Because the truth about what happened to him six months ago would hurt her, push her away and he didn't want that. Not when he ached to draw her back into his arms, ached to have the sweet, potent taste of her swimming through his system again.

Too late he realized his silence had the same effect on her. Already, her eyes were going cold and distant as she pulled her emotions tightly under control. Only this time, it wasn't fear she wanted to keep at bay, but him.

The knowledge stung. It didn't matter that by distancing herself from him - emotionally and physically - she was probably doing him a favor. He'd already spent enough time thinking of her when he should have been concentrating on his job. Recalling the scent of her, the feeling of rightness that filled him when he held her in his arms. When he was supposed to be reestablishing his place in the department.

He needed to remember that any further involvement with her would be a colossal mistake. That he couldn't afford the distraction Paige Conroy represented.

Still, the ache in his chest as she withdrew even further took him by surprise.

"Tempting as your offer is," she said quietly, as she eased across the room. "I won't go home with you. I can't sleep with you, Justin. You say it doesn't have to be that way, but you and I both know that's the way it would be." Her arms slid around her middle. Her gaze met his. "You're a risk I can't afford to take."

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Contest & Promotion

Because I believe it's a good thing to support and help promote my fellow authors-Okay, and because I would love to WIN (who wouldn't with those prizes)-I want to tell you about a wonderful contest by HelenKay Dimon, Jill Shalvis and Alison Kent. This contest goes until June 1, 2009 so you have plenty of time to enter. Check out the official rules here.

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What I'm Reading

I've been reading a lot lately. I mean a LOT. Spring has sprung in Michigan and with it came my allergies. It seems like every morning I wake up with a splitting headache that only subsides after much medication. Medication that makes me tired. So, after putting in my time at the office, I fall into a chair and open a book. The upside of all of this? I have read some wonderful books.

For a look at what I've been reading, check the sidebar. What's on today's read list? Finishing the final galley of NOT WITHOUT RISK. What have you read lately?

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NOT WITHOUT RISK Cover

Here it is, my new cover for NOT WITHOUT RISK. What do you think?




NOT WITHOUT RISK
Coming Soon
The Wild Rose Press

Blurb:

Six agonizing months after a slug collapsed his lung, Sergeant Justin Harrison manages to return to the one place where he shines—the San Diego homicide division. Nothing will stand in the way of proving he is fit for active duty. Especially not the long-legged brunette who just stumbled into his crime scene.

Photographer Paige Conroy spent years hiding from her past. Then a late night telephone call brings it crashing back. An old friend is in town and needs her help. When she arrives at his hotel room four hours later, he's dead. Suddenly, she's the target of a madman, and Paige must turn to Sergeant Harrison for protection.

But who is the bigger threat to her... the faceless assailant she fears will steal her life or the dark-eyed detective she knows could steal her heart?

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