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.
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.”
“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:
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
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!
Wow, fantastic news, Marissa! I read the book and loved it so am not surprised the judges agree! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Leah! Music to my ears. I so hope you'll leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads. Be sure to enter the giveaways too.
DeleteCongrats on being a finalist!!!! That's amazing. And your snippet broke my heart. Poor sweethearts! So much heartache in just a few lines. It was great.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kara! I'm still in shock at being a finalist, especially when I think of all the wonderful romantic suspense authors who frequent this blog. Tough, tough competition in the RS genre, as you know. Okay, now I'm hyperventilating. LOL
DeleteThat excerpt was perfect to pique my interest. The dialogue just stole my breath as I got the emotions that was running through Dillon so clearly. Congratulations on your nomination!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joan, for your very kind words. I hope you'll give Wanted a try.
DeleteCongrats! Very well deserved fabulous news!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Maureen! I'm thrilled.
DeleteCongratulations! I'll have to check out all 3 books. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Natalija! Hope you like the FBI Heat series.
DeleteGREAT excerpts and wonderful that you're doing this double giveaway!
ReplyDeleteGood luck and God's blessings
PamT
Thanks, Pamela. Good luck in the giveaways!
DeleteYAY!!! That's awesome! I LOVE Kiss of Death and the Daphne and Death by Chocolate, and Rebecca. LOL. What an awesome contest to final in. And a well-deserved honor. Keeping my fingers crossed for you!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alicia! I still can't quite believe it, but that's not keeping me from celebrating. :)
DeleteEven as short as the snippet is, it is a good hook. I will be looking for this series.
ReplyDeleteThanks, librarypat! The books in my FBI Heat series are all stand-alones, so you can start with any one of them. Hope you enjoy!
DeleteCongrats on being a finalist in the Daphne. Wow. A prestigious award. Got my fingers crossed for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diane Burton! Whether WANTED wins or not, just being a finalist is an honor to me.
DeleteCongratulations to you! The excerpt snagged me--and I'm not easy to snag :) Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sorchia DuBois! Glad you liked the excerpt.
DeleteCongrats on being a finalist! Impressive, lady. :) Love, love the excerpt!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Darcy! I'm really honored.
DeleteWhat a great honor to be a finalist in that contest. Good luck. Loved the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Theresa! Glad you loved the excerpt.
DeleteCongratulations, Marissa. From the blurb and excerpt, it reads like you totally deserve it. This one is now on my TBR list! Best, Anni xx
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anni! Hope you enjoy WANTED.
Delete