Dangerous Embrace

By: Dana Mason

Congratulations to "Jane", the winner of Dana's giveaway.  Thank you to all who participated!

Writing Dangerous Embrace, with two completely opposite characters, was an interesting challenge.  Most writers will agree when I say, once you craft a character, they take on a life of their own. That was certainly true with these two.

To my surprise, the character with the personality most like mine was the hardest to write. Sarah’s head was a difficult space to get into. It sounds crazy, but she was so well guarded even in the stage of creation that I couldn’t get her right without an intense amount of work. The same held true in the editing stage, and it was at that time that I realized I had to let my own guard down to really see her and what she needed.

While many of Sarah’s personality quirks (ahem, read flaws) came from me, that’s where the similarities end. In my wildest dreams, I couldn’t imagine enduring what she’s overcome, which just created another challenge for me. I needed to make her strong, yet vulnerable enough to need Mark’s help and love. She was worth the challenge and I hope you all like her.

Mark on the other hand, the family man and all around nice guy, was easier to understand. I’m sure that has to do with my own imagination and the way I’d want my hero to be. All of us can draw a picture of the perfect hero. We all know what we want when we’re being scooped-up and taken care of, even when we’ve convinced ourselves the LAST thing we need is to be cared for.

Unlike Sarah, Mark has lived in the same town his entire life. His parents are still married. He’s had a very ‘normal’ upbringing, and he has a pretty positive outlook on life. Something Sarah has trouble relating too. When Mark discovers Sarah, in need of help, yet so unwilling to accept it, he’s not sure how to handle her. But he’s sure he wants too, and he knows he needs to.

Dangerous Embrace is the first in a series of books based in Northern California. All three books address second chances and learning to not take life for granted. In the next two stories, Precious Embrace and Anew Embrace, you’ll get glimpses of Mark and Sarah as secondary characters.

Synopsis:

Sarah Jennings wants nothing more than a quiet life—alone.
Raised by an eccentric mother, their life on the road only taught her how to run away from hard times. But when she finds herself in an abusive relationship, this lesson serves her well. 

Now, back in her hometown, she's found a place she loves. She’s a first grade teacher, and with few friends and less family around, she has what she wants, a quiet life under the radar where she can be free of her past and live quietly. Finally comfortable in her own skin, she’s settled, and less fearful than she’s ever been in her life.

But it only takes one night and one act of violence for everything to change. Injured and afraid, Sarah wants to run again, but Mark Summors refuses to let her go.

Just when Sarah thinks she can have Mark and the life he promises, her past comes back to haunt her.

Mark Summors was born and raised in Santa Rosa. He married his high school sweetheart and never questioned his life, until he found his wife with another man.

Now divorced, he wants something more. He’s passionate about his job, he wants to protect people, and he devotes his life to it.

This time he’s protecting more than just another client, he’s protecting his future; at least, Sarah Jennings will be his future, once he convinces her she loves him.

Excerpt:

When she exited the freeway in Santa Rosa, she drove through town toward her house instead of his. “I have to pick something up at my house.” She felt calmer now. The few moments of silence gave her a chance to plan. “This won’t take long. You can wait here if you want.” She jumped out of the car and ran into the house.

Sarah rushed to her closet, but then turned and paced, her agitation growing with every turn of the room. She had to leave. Kevin would kill her when he found her; it was there in his eyes. She wasn’t in any doubt about this fact. She stopped pacing and stared down at her engagement ring, and at the same time, tears dropped from her eyes.

One way or another, she was going to lose everything. 

“What are you doing?”

Sarah jumped at the tone in Mark’s voice. Without turning to look at him, she went back to her closet to grab a shoulder bag. “He’s going to kill us both if I don’t leave.”

“Sarah, what are you doing? You promised you wouldn’t do this to me again.” He grabbed her left hand and spun her as he held it up. “You agreed to marry me.”

She stared at the floor, unable to respond. What else could she do? It wasn’t just her life to lose this time. Mark, Jamie, they were both in danger now too. He’d kill them just like he killed Charlie. If she left, Kevin would come after her and Mark would be safe. She could hide again. She’d managed to hide from him until now, and she could do it again.

Giveaway:

Dana is giving away a paperback signed copy of Dangerous Embrace to one lucky commenter. You can find the e-book version of Dangerous Embrace on Amazon now with the special publisher’s price of $0.99 until January 1^st. Regular price is $3.99.

Buy Link

Dana Mason Bio:

Dana Mason started writing to prove to her computer geek husband and her math & science geek kids that she actually has a brain; it’s just a right functioning brain instead of a left. She’s lived all over the country and uses that experience in her writing and character studies. Her debut novel, Dangerous Embrace, is the first in a contemporary romance series about a group of friends from Northern California who learn just how short life can be when you don’t hold on to what’s important. Second chances don’t come easy…but sometimes love is worth the risk.

When not writing, Dana specializes in professional development and training. She’s also a board member on the local Art's Council and does what she can to support the art community.  

As an avid reader and movie watcher, she always requires a happily ever after ending.

Dana Mason links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danamasonromance

Twitter: https://twitter.com/danamason06 or @danamason06

Website: http://danamasonromance.com/

Blog: http://danamasonromance.com/blog/

Sapphire Star Publishing Author page: http://www.sapphirestarpublishing.com/danamason/

Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6440793.Dana_Mason

Giveaway ends 11:59pm EST Dec. 28th. Please supply your email in the post. You may use spaces or full text for security. (ex. jsmith at gmail dot com) If you do not wish to supply your email, or have trouble posting, please email maureen@justromanticsuspense.com with a subject title of JRS GIVEAWAY to be entered in the current giveaway.