Teaser Tuesday - Stupid Car (Working Title)

Teaser Tuesdays I share a little excerpt of what I am currently working on ~ This week is Stupid Car (working title) ~

When Reese Clifton becomes stranded in small-town Georgia she never expects the man, the mystery and the danger awaiting.

~

Eyes open Jess Winters mentally checked everything was still attached and where it was supposed to be. He moved, his body protested, but he did it anyway. He was on his side, rather the truck was on its side, sitting in three feet of water. "Shit."

Jess looked to his right. His passenger hung by her seat-belt above him. Her eyes closed he couldn't tell if she was hurt. Grabbing for the CB mike, it fell apart and into the water. With no way to exit the door, he shifted and thrust his boot into the already cracked glass of the windshield. The safety glass shattered, and another kick finished it off. Jess moved to his passenger, he hesitated about moving her without knowing the extent of her injuries. Should he try to wake her?

She stirred and he breathed a small sigh of relief. "Miss, can you hear me? Miss..." Damn it, what the hell is her name? I suck at remembering people’s names. He saw his clipboard behind him and grabbed it. Reese. Reese Clifton. "Reese, can you hear me?" She shifted slightly and opened her eyes. At first there was nothing, then came the disorientation and fear.

"What happened?" She struggled against the seat belt and he instinctively put his hands over hers.

"Stop. Calm down, one thing at a time. Are you hurt?" Her eyes rose to meet his, clear and shiny, his chest tightened at the mirror before him.

"I don't think so. My head-- my head just hurts." Her hands shook beneath his and he knew it was a reaction to the trauma. He grasped them tightly, keeping her focus on him.

"I’m going to loosen your seat-belt. I want you to wrap your arm around my shoulder." She nodded doing as he stated while he worked the belt. It was stuck.

"What's wrong?" the evident panic in her voice irritated him, one little hiccup and she was already freaking out. "Is there a problem?"

"The belt is stuck," he grunted, tugging on it repeatedly.

"My purse."

He grumbled, women, "We can worry about..."

"No, there is a hunting knife in my purse. Maybe you could cut me out?" Jess stopped, for once there was a pleasant helpful surprise.

"Uh, okay, let me see if I can find it." His eyes scanned the immediate cab, he reached down into the water feeling around. "What does your purse look like?"
"Brown, handle, leather... it's a purse." He didn't respond, in fact, he suppressed a chuckle as he was expecting this detailed description down to the inlet on the side or the look of the tag. He kept his thoughts to himself continuing to search for the bag. His hand caught on something in the water and he pulled. The purse appeared and he dug into it. "Where is it? How can you find anything in here?"

"Just give me the damn thing." She took the bag out of his hand and after a moment retrieved the hunting knife. Handing it to him, he noticed she didn't even look at the remnants of her belongings, just zipped it up and dropped it on the ground in front of her. "Will that work?"

"Should, depends the last time it was sharpened." The blade was magnificent, serrated and curved, it was a paper thin but strong. He knew it could take his hand off with one swipe no problem.

"Two months ago, I know it has been a little while, but it hasn't been used so it should be fine... well that is not true exactly, I used it a few weeks ago to cut a hose to gerry-rig my fuel pump."

Jess took note of the comment, seemingly innocent but in fact very telling of her character. He began work on the thick belt and she waited silently. As the belt held her weight to the seat, he gave her fair warning when the belt came to its final strands. She braced for the release and when it came, she barely needed his assistance. "What now?"

"After you." He gestured to the broken-out windshield. She seemed to ponder how she was going to navigate the exit with a pencil skirt and heels, and he honestly was curious as well. Would she ask for help?

"Aw hell." He heard the ripping of fabric just before she climbed out the window. Using her arms, she lifted her body up and onto the exposed tire above her. Jess followed behind, seeing her working her way over to the muddy side of the ditch. He realized she'd removed her shoes and thrown them across the embankment. Next thing he knew he saw her lithe form in midair to get to the other side. She hit and rolled, exactly what he would have told her to do. Something you learned watching every action movie known to man. She wasn't a wimp he'd give her that. Jess once again followed her lead, landing on the ground just beside her. "My car!"

She rose, and he shifted in the direction she was facing. Her once intact car was upside down and smashed like a pancake. Her hand went through her disheveled hair and a pang of guilt curled in his stomach. "Now what?"

"Both of our phones are underwater, and the CB was shattered."

"What does that mean exactly?"

"It means we walk."

"Awesome."

* * * *

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Friday Author Spotlight Interview - Curtis Cooper

https://www.extasybooks.com/curtis-a-cooper/
http://curtisacooper.com

Interview

If you had the opportunity to live anywhere in the world for a year while writing a book that took place in that same setting, where would you choose? Phuket Thailand. Loved the water, so clear I could see the bottom of the ship. Nothing like an island romance or

even suspense. . . with romance in it, of course.

How do you come up with names for your characters? I tried going back and forth from A, Z, B, Y, etc once. Normally I just pick one out of thin air, though I have been known to use past. . . way past, acquaintances names. My work in progress uses my son’s dentist’s last name. It determined my character’s nationality too

Give a shout-out to a fellow author. I’d say Hi to VJ Allison. She is always willing to help out other authors, by making people aware of their books

What would the logline be for your book? My current story, The Reluctant Private Eye would have – A widow searches for her husband’s killer and with the help of a young, handsome man uncovers a security conspiracy while running from the law, framed for another murder

What is your favorite word, and why? Never really thought about one I would like over another

Describe your writing space. My writing space is the driver’s seat of my SUV. I go to work about 45 minutes early and write before I go inside. I think I’m most creative at that time of day. Thank goodness for car heaters. Typing space is a dilapidated table with w computer monitor sitting on top of a thesaurus and a clipboard stand with a gooseneck light attached at the top. This is my spot after I get home from work. I do my chapter typing and editing in the evening.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite? I’ve written 10 novels, and about to submit my first novella. I also have three short stories under my belt. My favorite has to still be my break out novel “Straight from the Heart.” I poured my heart into it.

What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing your book(s)? The beginning and ending often are fixed, but everything in between is fluid and more often than not, my characters lead me, not the other way around

Do you have a favorite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them so special. Interestingly enough, I have a secondary character that appears in all three of my Heart series books. She is the owner of the Oxford coffee shop. Pam is wise, honest, helpful to a fault, and treats her employees as family, bizarre as some of them are.

Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers? I used a torture technique that I saw in an original Hawaii Five-O episode. I’ve never let this info be known before now.

Does one of your main characters hold a special place in your heart? If so, why? In my latest story, no. But Markie in Straight from the Heart is a very special person. I put her through some highs and one of the deepest downward spirals I’ve created, yet she came out on top. And she didn’t do it all on her own.

Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with your readers about? I’m working on a novella for the “Noted” folder of Extasy. On a Side Note is about a young woman who purchases an antique desk (the desk I based it on is one I own that was built by my great great great great grandfather) and finds a note inside it, causing her to want to find the previous owner and maybe the link to the one who built it. I chose the title for a reason.

How many plot ideas are just waiting to be written? Can you tell us about one? I am contemplating a fourth in the Heart series. As with the other three, there will be new main characters. This one will center around a divorced woman and a new owner of the coffee shop. Pam will still be in the story, though

What do you like to do when you are not writing? We have a cabin out of town that has a creek. It’s nice to get away to. I also like woodworking, and I do some baking

What is your favorite curse word? You won’t find any in my stories. I

believe that there are other ways to make a point. Of course, it didn’t help when I was a lot younger and my kids were barely speaking and my son might drop something and say “Shit, Goddamn!” It got a grin out of me, but it was an embarrassing smile. I knew exactly where he got it.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Musician. Loved the drums growing up, but had a neighbor who didn’t. The one biggest reason why I’ll never again live in a mobile home park.

What profession would you not like to do? Dairy farmer. Couldn’t get past the smell.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? Come in.

~~~

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Awesome Excerpt Thursday - The Prophet and the Snow Angel - Editor's Choice!

Blurb - Two Turtle Doves must save the throne of the most powerful church in the world before a terrorist act destroys it and all hope for Christmas.

When Navy Seal Team leader Charlie Stein is paired with Operations Analyst Aria Lockett, he is annoyed. Having the burden of an Analyst on a field mission is not a headache he wants to endure.

Operations Analyst Aria Lockett has been tracking The White Guard Terrorist cell for years. When they finally get a strong lead on an upcoming attack, she is ready to put an end to their terrorist reign once and for all.

With an imminent attack scheduled for Christmas Day in Rome, the pair must work together to thwart the threat. The unease between them quickly turns to trust and unexpected desire. When the terror cell is alerted to their plan, can they remain focused and save Christmas, or will their growing feelings cloud their judgment and destroy the path of hope?

~

She slept in his arms — something Stein hadn’t experienced in a long time. Having a wanted body against his, he found it unexpectantly soothing. Stein admitted only to himself he didn’t see the heated encounter coming. Yes, Aria Lockett is a beautiful, brilliant, dedicated, bad ass. However, she also seemed walled, guarded, and complicated. He avoided complicated. His life was complicated enough. He didn’t need any drama or distractions. He’d seen enough of his teammates try to hold on to relationships and crash and burn. It was ugly.

Shifting as not to wake her, Stein rolled out of bed and took a shower. He walked into the room, wrapped in a towel. He noticed Aria on her back, staring at the ceiling. Stein wasn’t sure what to do. Did he get back in bed? Did he get dressed? Did he offer to get coffee? What?

“That was doctor Angell, they are getting close.”

“That’s great news.”

“Yeah. But doesn’t solve our problem,” Aria rose from the bed walking past Stein to the bathroom. “I’m’ going to get cleaned up.”

He watched her close the door, and Stein processed the transition. The bathroom door opened, and she stepped out. “Can you do me a favor and start some coffee?”

“Sure.” He stated as he put a shirt on.

* * * *

Aria appeared from the bedroom dressed and ready. Her hair twisted into a ponytail. She immediately went to the couch and her computer.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”.

“Where did you find out about The White Guard? Before now, I’ve never heard of them.”

Her expression fell a little. She scratched the back of her head. She met his eyes and walked over to the coffee bar pouring herself a cup of coffee.  She took a sip and turned facing him leaning against the bar.

“A few years ago, I was in Pennsylvania visiting my family. It was my youngest niece’s confirmation. The whole family was there and I, of course, was late. I had just flown in from an assignment in Vienna, and well you know how it goes. When I finally arrived at the church, it was already gone. There were no survivors,” her focus on the carpet, he guessed reliving the memory in her mind. “Someone had wrapped the retaining columns with C4 to ensure there was no escape. Feds got a letter a day later claiming responsibility.”

“What did it say?”

“It had the address and name of the church, and then the words White Guard typed out. No prints, no demands. That was it,” an emotion in her voice he didn’t recognize.recognize “That church, my niece’s church was the eighth church in which The White Guard claimed responsibility. Since then, there have been three more. All different, all unique explosive methods, dates, locations. There is no discernible pattern. Nothing to link any of them except the letters. So, I took a leave and asked for reassignment to an analyst desk.”

“To find them.”

“To stop them.”

“Aria—”

“This is the closest we have ever gotten to any real proof they exist. Up until yesterday, all the information has been a rumor, theory, and stupid luck. Nothing I can prove or prosecute.”

“What do you have so far?” Stein asked.

“Nothing concrete.”

“No, I mean, what do you have? Fuck what you can prosecute, what do you know?”

Aria walked to the couch, pulling out a rolled piece of paper. She unrolled it as she spoke. “I have identified six separate cells.”

“Based on what?”

“Chatter, message boards, rumor, whispers, again nothing concrete. The only concrete facts I have are the locations and the victims—” her eyes focused, and Stein knew something was happening.

“Aria, what are you thinking?”

“I told you yesterday eight years ago, the focus of the Guard moved from religion in general to a focus on the Catholic Church. What if it isn’t random?”

“You just said—” Stein started not following her train of thought.

“What if it is about the victims? What if these are murders?”

“The bombings targeted certain people, and the other victims are just collateral damage.”

“We need the victim list for every church bombing in the past eight years.”

                                              * * * *


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