Change of plans

With: Marissa Garner

DOUBLE GIVEAWAY ALERT

When I signed up to be here today, I had an entirely different topic in mind. But then I had one of those days. No, not the kind with a fender bender, a plumbing leak, and a beehive in the chimney, but one of those great ones, the kind when you keep expecting to wake up from the wonderful dream.

On this great day, I received the awesome news that Wanted (FBI Heat) is a finalist in a writing contest. Let me give you a little background so you can understand why I’m so excited to receive this honor. The contest is officially called the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, but that’s a mouthful, so I’ll just call it the Daphne. It’s sponsored by the RWA Mystery/Romantic Suspense chapter or Kiss of Death as it’s fondly known. The Daphne is named in honor of the author of Rebecca, which is often considered the beginning of romantic suspense. And finally, the winners are announced at the Death by Chocolate party at the RWA National Conference each year. Can you think of a better way to celebrate? So to me, the Kiss of Death and the Daphne represent the best in the genre I love most, and that’s why I’m so humbled by this recognition.

It’s also nice to have confirmation that this third book in my FBI Heat series is great on its own without reading books one and two first. Of course, I’d love everybody to read all three, but sometimes you just don’t have time to start with the first book. I know some readers hesitate to begin a series other than at the beginning, so I hope this contest recognition reassures them that the books in the FBI Heat series can truly be read in any order.

Fingers crossed that this blurb tickles your interest:

For San Diego’s elite FBI agents, risking their lives is standard procedure when it comes to capturing the city’s most dangerous criminals—but falling in love is the greatest risk of all.

Kat MacKenzie knows something is terribly wrong at the Diablo Beach Nuclear Power Plant, but she can’t figure out if it’s computer error, equipment malfunction, or human sabotage. Unfortunately, the only person she can trust with the problem is the man she left at the altar two years ago. If Dillon doesn’t already hate her, he surely will once he discovers why she abandoned him.

The last person he expects to call him is the woman who broke his heart. But FBI Special Agent Dillon O’Malley can’t ignore Kat’s plea for help—not when national security may be at stake. As enemies become clear and catastrophe threatens, can Kat and Dillon put the past behind them to save the day and secure their future?

And here’s one of my favorite snippets:

Dillon’s iPhone rang again from where it lay on the end table. Irritation bubbled to the surface at the sight of the same unfamiliar number. He shook his head. The damn telemarketer should get a raise for perseverance alone. But enough was enough. He grabbed the phone.

“Whatever you’re selling, I’m not buying. Quit calling me.”

As he pulled the phone away from his ear, ready to slam it on the table, he heard a woman’s faint voice. “Dillon?”

Who knew two syllables could pack such a punch? But they did and knocked the wind right out of him.

“Dillon?” came the barely audible voice again. “Are you there?”

Although the words were a whisper, he identified the caller instantly. Slowly, he placed the phone back against his ear and said the only word his paralyzed brain could produce. “Yeah.”

She didn’t answer for several seconds, and before she did, he heard her gulp. Twice.

“It’s me. Kat. Katriona MacKenzie.”

What the hell? How many Kats did she think he knew? There had been and always would be only one Kat in his life.

When he didn’t respond, she spoke louder. “Dillon? Can you hear me?”

“Yeah,” he managed again around a boulder in his throat. Lame, lame, lame. After two years and what she’d done to him, he should have more to say to her. A lot more.

“Am I…interrupting…anything?” she asked hesitantly.

God, he wished he could say something like Yeah, I’m in the middle of screwing my wife’s brains out or I’m on the other line with the President or I’m busy saving the world. But he was just watching football. Alone. So what could he say? “No,” he muttered, the tightness in his chest threatening to choke off his single-syllable words entirely.

“Uh…how are you?”

Thank God, her words sounded strangled also.

“Um, I’m great. Awesome, in fact. Never been better.” He cringed and closed his eyes. Shit, that was over the top.

“Good. I…I’m really glad.”

“You?” Damn, back to single syllables. And he still couldn’t breathe right.

“I’m…okay.”

Then she stalled. He sensed Kat was losing her courage, but he’d be damned if he would make it easier for her.

She sighed heavily. “This was a mistake. Sorry to bother you, Dillon. Bye-o.”

And just like that, she was gone. But not without a last dagger to his heart by using their special good-bye.

Are you hooked? Awesome! You can buy Wanted and the rest of the FBI Heat series here:

WANTED (FBI Heat):  Amazon     B&N     iTunes

TARGETED (FBI Heat):  Amazon     B&N     iTunes

HUNTED (FBI Heat):  Amazon     B&N     iTunes

About Marissa: I’m a wife, writer, chocoholic, and animal lover, not necessarily in that order. As a little girl, I cut pictures of people out of my mother’s magazines and turned them into characters in my simple stories. Now I write edgy romantic thrillers, steamy contemporary romance, and sexy paranormal romantic suspense. My stories will titillate your mind as well as your libido. I live in sunny Southern California with my husband, but enjoy traveling from Athens to Anchorage to Acapulco and many locations in between.

Where to find Marissa:

Newsletter:  http://bit.ly/1NTfT19

Website:  http://www.marissagarner.com

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

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/M_Garner_Author

Amazon author page:  http://amazon.com/author/marissagarner

Giveaway 1: Enter to win a Kindle Fire tablet here!

Giveaway 2: Enter to win a $10 (US$) Amazon gift card on my website or Facebook page!