Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Sailing into Suspense

While like so many readers I really enjoy romance, romantic suspense remains one of my all time favorite sub-genres.  I love to write it and I love to read it.  Today in my writing corner we are focusing on a new romantic suspense from multi-published author Kathleen Mix. 

She is a degreed Computer Engineer who has developed software ranging from submarine combat control systems to a database devoted to storks. But she is also an avid sailor and licensed charter boat captain, so eventually she sailed off into the sunset and began a second career writing non-fiction sailing and travel articles. Then one day, while anchored in the Virgin Island, she started writing fiction, and this time she really uncovered her true love. Now she is back in Virginia, along with her husband and what she calls a spoiled Sheltie, writing new books.

Her latest is titled Impossible Ransom, and it sounds like a winner if you're looking for a spring read with plenty of action, adventure and a steamy romance.

The one man she hates is the only one who can save her…

Working as part of a yacht crew sounded like the perfect escape for senator’s daughter Val Ferrell. Glorious Caribbean beaches, turquoise seas, and freedom from her overbearing father? Heaven. But when the ship is hijacked by violent men—who want to use Val to get to her father—Val’s fantasy turns into a nightmare. Now her only hope is the ship’s captain, who happens to be her ex-lover.

After disobeying an order, covert operative Nick O’Shea’s been assigned yacht captain duty. Working side-by-side with the tiny blonde who makes him crazy—and keeping his hands off her—was definitely punishment. But when Val’s life is endangered, Nick must choose between staying aboard and fighting to retake the boat or risking their lives by attempting an escape to an isolated Caribbean island. With the ransom deadline rapidly approaching, he’s running out of time...
 
Yes, definitely sounds interesting for a Spring Break read. Let's get an excerpt:
 

     Nick recognized Val’s slim silhouette as she walked toward him. He felt a wash of relief to see her unharmed, but couldn’t shake the leftover anger caused by her lies. She stopped near the wheel and handed him a paper plate holding a quartered sandwich. The scent of strawberry shampoo sweetened the air.
     He took the plate, and their fingers touched for half an instant. Awareness raced through every cell in his body, and he knew that despite the fact that she was unattainable and he wanted to think he didn’t care, she still affected him like no woman ever had before. If he let down his guard around her at all, his emotions could be in deep trouble.
     She motioned toward the sandwich. “Kanon said you could have this. Sorry it’s only one and only jelly.”
     He stopped himself from lingering in thoughts irrelevant to the moment. “Thanks. I appreciate your asking.” His stomach rumbled with the promise of food. “I haven’t had anything solid to eat since a stale bagel early yesterday.”
     “How’s your head?” she asked. “When you fell…I was worried.”
     He touched the back of his skull and smothered a wince. “I’ll be fine, it’s just a little bump. Are you okay?”
     She pulled in a shaky breath. He tilted his head to look closer. Was that a bruise forming on her cheek? His blood heated. “Did one of them hit you?”
     “I mouthed off, and Kanon didn’t like my comments.” She raised a hand and rubbed the side of her chin. “I guess it was stupid to needle him. I found out he gets mean when he’s mad.”
     Anger boiled in Nick’s bloodstream, and he fisted his free hand at his side. When he got hold of the man who’d hurt her, he’d teach him not to attack defenseless women, make it clear that he’d kill anyone who ever dared lay a hand on her again.
Buy links:

 
If you'd like to get in touch with Kathleen, here's how:
@KathleenMix
 
Thanks, Kathleen for being my guest today. Any questions or comments for Kathleen?

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