Ultimate Kill (Book 1 Ultimate CORE)
by Kristine
Mason
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
When
the past collides with the present, the only way to ensure the future lies in
the ultimate kill…
Naomi
McCall is a woman of many secrets. Her family has been murdered and she’s been
forced into hiding. No one knows her past or her real name, not even the man
she loves.
Jake
Tyler, former Marine and the newest recruit to the private criminal
investigation agency, CORE, has been in love with a woman who never existed. When
he learns about the lies Naomi has weaved, he’s ready to leave her—until an
obsessed madman begins sending her explosive messages every hour on the hour.
Innocent
people are dying. With their deaths, Naomi’s secrets are revealed and the truth
is thrust into the open. All but one. Naomi’s not sure if Jake can handle a
truth that will change their lives. But she is certain of one thing—the only
way to stop the killer before he takes more lives is to make herself his next
victim.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT:
Heroine’s POV:
Naomi’s heart
raced. Her mouth went dry. An uncontrollable shiver ran through her body.
The past five
years suddenly disintegrated. As if she’d just woken from a disjointed nightmare,
the months of running, of searching for the perfect place to hide in plain
sight, the lonely days and even lonelier nights faded into a blur.
Jake.
Tears welled
in her eyes. For the lost years, the lost love, for the future they could never
have. She quickly blinked them away and opened the car door. Her legs weak, her
stomach somersaulting with embarrassment, excitement and regret, she placed a
shaky hand on the door for support. A small part of her wanted to climb back
into the car, drive off and pretend Jake had never come to Woodbine. But a
large part of her, the part that had never stopped loving him, that had never
allowed the memories of what they’d had together die, wanted to run to him.
Throw her arms around his neck and kiss him.
“Jake,” she
whispered, then cleared her throat. He looked so damned good. Tan, lean,
muscular, his big toned arms showing from beneath his short sleeve golf shirt,
his dark hair no longer in his trademark military crew cut.
Chin
trembling, hand still clinging to the opened car door, she took a small,
tentative step forward. “Jake,” she said louder, firmer.
He pushed off
the SUV and slowly approached, his gaze never wavering from hers. Lightheaded,
she stayed put, kept her hand on the door for fear she might crumble to the
asphalt. She’d dreamed of seeing him again, had imagined what she might say,
the excuses she could give him. But anything she’d ever come up with had
sounded terrible, selfish and ridiculous. Even if what she’d tell him was the
truth.
Now that he
was less than five feet away from her, she had no idea what to say or do. A
million questions buzzed through her mind. Was he married? Did he have
children? Fresh tears filled her eyes. God, she really was a selfish bitch. She
wanted him happy, had always prayed he’d find someone to love, but deep down
she’d hated the thought of him loving someone else. Making love to another
woman. Creating a child. A future that hadn’t included her.
“You look
beautiful,” he said, his voice rough, raw. He blinked, looked to the ground and
took a couple of more steps until he stood within arm’s reach. When he met her
gaze, she expected anger and resentment, instead she found anguish, longing and
heat in his dark eyes.
She pressed
her lips together to stop her chin from trembling and swiped at an errant tear.
She’d hurt him. Because she’d loved him so much, she had no choice but to run
from him.
Until the
bastard who’d murdered her family and forced her into this self-imposed exile
was rotting in Hell, she’d keep running. Otherwise, Jake would end up like
everyone else she’d loved.
Dead.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
I
didn’t pick up my first romance novel until I was in my late twenties.
Immediately hooked, I read a bazillion books before deciding to write one of my
own. After the birth of my first son I needed something to keep my mind from
turning to mush, and Sesame Street wasn’t cutting it. While that first book
will never see the light of day, something good came from writing it. I
realized my passion and found a career I love.
When
I’m not writing contemporary romances and dark, romantic suspense novels (or
reading them!) I’m chasing after my four kids and two neurotic dogs.
I'VE
BEEN RUNNING A "CONTEST" ON MY WEBSITE. JOIN MY NEWSLETTER AND HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY
TO WIN A $50 AMAZON GC.
LINKS:
Website:
www.kristinemason.net
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/KristineMason7
Books
available on:
Giveaway:
Kristine will be awarding a $5 Amazon gift
card to five randomly drawn commenters during the tour. The more you comment, the better your chances of winning.
Follow the tour HERE
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThe excerpt was nice
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
your book sounds good.
ReplyDelete