Have you heard the great news? For a limited time NOT WITHOUT RISK is available for 99CENTS. Yup, less than your daily Caramel Frappuccino from Starbucks (and a lot fewer calories, too). *grin* I have to admit that Justin is one of my favorite heroes. Probably because he was my 'first'. Or perhaps because as I write, and my heroine slowly falls in love with the hero, so do I. Either way, my heroes always worm their way into my heart a little deeper than my heroines, and Justin has a special place there so I thought I would share him with you today. Hopefully after meeting him you'll be intrigued enough to check out his story, and perhaps, fall a little in love with him, too. What is Not Without Risk about? Murder. Proving to myself and my colleagues that I was fit to return to active duty after a .38 punctured my lung. And how a sexy brunette, with the longest legs I’ve ever had the pleasure of having wrapped around my hips, changed everything. What did you think the first time you saw the heroine, Paige? That she was stunning—and that it had been far too long since I’d been with a woman. What was your second thought? She could be a killer. Why did you become a cop? I have no stomach for people who take advantage of others weaknesses or misfortune for their own gain. I can’t stand violence against others, especially women. And when bad things happen, someone needs to help restore order, solve the puzzle and uncover the identity of the bad guy. I’m very good with puzzles. What do you like most about Paige? Her courage and strength. Even injured and bleeding, facing the knowledge that someone wanted her dead—would stop at nothing to see it happen—Paige didn’t break. If you could change one thing about her, what would it be? Why would I want to change her? What is your biggest fear? That I won’t be able to protect Paige. I pushed myself, my body, too hard in order to get back to the job—the thing that defines who I am. Then I met Paige, and discovered something more important than being a cop. Injured, exhausted and facing one of the toughest cases of my career…I don’t know if I can do it, if I can solve it before the killer gets his hands on her. But I have to. I can’t lose the woman who’s shown me I have worth other than the job—the woman I’ve come to need as much as my next lung full of air.
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20 quickie facts about Justin Harrison: Birthday? August 27 Favorite color? Red - like the highlights in Paige’s hair. Nickname? None that I’m aware of. Birthmark or scars? A round scar at my left shoulder from a .38 and another on my left side from the surgeon. Siblings? None City of residence? San Diego, California If you were a jelly bean flavor, what flavor would you be? Cinnamon Occupation? Homicide Detective with the San Diego Police Department Hobbies? Sex Favorite song? You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC Name one item in your refrigerator right now? Moldy Cheese Your greatest fear? That I won’t be able to protect Paige. Most treasured possession? 1969 Pontiac GTO ‘The Judge’ Special talent? When bad things happen, someone needs to help restore order, solve the puzzle and uncover the identity of the bad guy. I’m very good with puzzles. Cat or dog? Dog Pet peeve? I have no stomach for people who take advantage of others weaknesses or misfortune for their own gain. Unforgettable moment? The first time Paige told me she loved me. Although I could have done without the Beretta pressed against her ribs at the time. Spicy or not? Spicy Favorite guilty pleasure? A frosted mug of beer and a cigarette (which I was forced to give up). If you could ask your author one question, what would it be? Was the Beretta really necessary?
Dear Reader, Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Noah Clark, the lead singer/songwriter for the rock band Black Phoenix. Perhaps you’ve heard of us. About ten years ago we topped the Billboard charts—a multi-platinum band whose last album was the most successful of its century. But that was before everything went to shit. Back before the sex, alcohol, and rock and roll took away my best friend and drummer, Danny Treybourne. Afterwards, I gave up the lifestyle, the world tours, hell, I gave up the band. I headed back home to London and committed myself to leading a normal life, one without music as its driving force. For ten years, I was miserable. So I’m back to making music. I crossed the pond, settled in a place called Auburn, California and began the preparations to reunite Black Phoenix. We hired a new drummer, set up a meeting with the record company, and I went in search of a private, reputable studio to record a demo. I found one in Long Island City, just up the road from a pub named Izzy’s Bar. Where one night, after midnight, I wandered in and set eyes on its namesake. Damn…Isabeau Montgomery, child prodigy pianist, hiding behind a lie of her own making. She has the most pale, haunted eyes I’ve ever seen, and dark, golden skin. The first time she set those eyes on me and smiled, I was lost. I’m a songwriter, but the way she affected me, I haven’t words. A detail about me you should know, I was born with a one track mind. I want something; I go out and get it. From the moment I first laid eyes on Isa I wanted her. I wanted to show her what she was missing, ignoring her music the way she did. I wanted to share with her everything I spent all those years figuring out: Denying who you are is nothing but a waste of time, time a person can never get back. Problem is my one track mind got me in trouble. I became so focused on saving her from herself, I didn’t see the whole picture. I pushed her too hard. And in the end, I pushed her away. Hopefully, one day she’ll forgive me for being such an ass, because Isabeau…Isa completes me. In a way even my music never could.
I survived the accident that took my mother’s life. I recovered the use of my left hand, but never played the piano again. I grew up, inherited the bar after my biological father passed away, and settled into life as a business owner. A life without music was a struggle at first, but I was doing fine. I was happy…until one night, after midnight, Noah Clark walked through my door. He came to town to record a demo, secure a record contract that will help him reclaim his past and put Black Phoenix back on the charts. I recognized him the moment I saw him, not as the famous rock singer, but as the man who was going to change my life—whether I wanted him to or not. Noah has this way of looking at me, of seeing me, the real me, not the mask I wear. I feel connected to him, felt it the moment he entered my world. He calls to me, on a level much deeper than simple sexual attraction. When I’m with him I’m not as lost or alone. When I’m with Noah…I hear music where for years there was nothing but silence. Which is why I push him away. I can’t allow him to get too close to me or he’ll discover my secret, uncover the lie I’ve been hiding behind. Noah might understand me on a level no one before him ever has, but what he doesn’t understand—what he can’t possibly understand—is sometimes the past is better left alone. |
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