Widow Sarah Johnson
struggled to pick up the pieces after her life was ripped apart. After
two years of grieving, she’s found contentment in her thriving business
as photographer to Hollywood’s A-list and in raising her angel-faced
daughter, Kylee…until bodyguard and long-time friend Ethan Cooke changes
everything with a searing moonlight kiss.
Sarah’s world turns
upside down as she struggles with her unexpected attraction to Ethan and
the guilt of betraying her husband’s memory. But when blue roses and
disturbing notes start appearing on her doorstep, she has no choice but
to lean on Ethan as he fights to save her from a stalker that won’t stop
until he has what he prizes most.
Excerpt:
Sarah lay Kylee in her crib, covered her with a light blanket. Her daughter slept soundly in the center of the mattress, unaware that their lives were forever changed. She stared at the photograph of Jake hanging on the wall above the crib. She had taken the picture the day before he left to finish his deployment, before they were aware they’d made Kylee. His big, cheesy grin and smiling brown eyes filled the frame. Oh God, Jake. You’re gone. How can you be gone? I need you. I can’t do this by myself.
The dredges of shocked disbelief were melting away. Panic and dread quickly took their place. How was she going to live without him? Sarah glanced down at Kylee again as a thought circled through her mind. It brought such crushing pain she could hardly breathe. They would never meet. Jake would never touch the daughter he had helped create. Kylee would be robbed of ever knowing her father’s love.
Jake’s deep, infectious laugh echoed in her head and Sarah buckled. She would never hear it again. He would never kiss her or hold her again. Her breath shuddered in and out.
Ethan’s hands rested on her shoulders and she flinched. He turned her toward him. She stared into his eyes, saw the grief settled there, and a tear rolled down her cheek. “Tell me this isn’t real, Ethan. Please tell me this isn’t real,” she said on a sob.
He pulled her into his arms, holding her tight. “Come here.” He picked her up, sat with her in the rocking chair. Her long legs hung over the side, just skimming the floor as the chair swayed back and forth. Ethan cradled her close to his chest.
Finding comfort in the arms of her friend, Sarah wept as Ethan’s hand ran through her damp hair. “He’s really gone. I can’t believe he’s really gone.”
He lifted her chin as he spoke, choking on his own sorrow. “I’m making a promise to you right now, Sarah. You’ll never be alone through this. I’ll be here for you every step of the way, for as long as you need me.”
“I’ll always need you.”
“Then I’ll always be here.” He rested her head against his chest again as their tears fell, mixing together on the hands they held clutched together.
About the author:
I currently live in Tennessee with my husband, two boys, and our St. Bernard, Bear. I recently resigned from my day job to concentrate on this thing I refer to as ‘My Dream Come True’ career!
I’m a pretty lucky girl; one day I woke up and my entire life changed. I saw the light, so to speak, and decided I was going to be a writer. Now, two years later, I’m working on the fifth novel in my best selling romantic suspense series, The Bodyguards Of L.A. County.
What a poignant scene. Sounds like an enthralling read, I enjoy romantic suspense. Thanks for the giveaway.
I want to read this one badly!! It has been on my wishlist for awhile now. Thanks for the chance.
What a sad scene. I would really like to read more about Sarah, to know how she goes through all this. Thanks for the giveaway!