Friday, December 30, 2011

Spotlight: SHADES OF GREY by J.C. PHELPS

Blurb:

New job. New name. New assignment.

When Alexis Stanton, a.k.a. Ms. Grey, is assigned to uncover the true identity of the infamous sniper Penumbra, she's also expected to protect the business mogul next on the assassin's hit list.

The one person who holds the key to the sniper's true identity warns Alex not to dig any deeper. Penumbra has never missed his mark and will take out anyone who gets in the way.
                 
Buy links--$2.99:

Bonus book:
The first book in the series, COLOR OF GREY, is currently FREE at all outlets.


Book Blurb:

...exciting, highly paid position for person with specialized training...

Recently unemployed after quitting a boring office job, Alexis Stanton finds a mysterious ad in the help wanted section that might prove to be the answer to her desire for excitement and adventure.

After an intense application process, including actually fighting with her competition, she gets the job of her dreams.

But is it going to kill her?

Download links:
Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Color-Alexis-Stanton-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B003L202M0
B&N:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/color-me-grey-jc-phelps/1102449139?ean=2940011063657&format=nook-book
Smashwords:  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/18272   
  

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Spotlight: OUT OF TIME OMNIBUS by Monique Martin



Buy Links:
Amazon Exclusive: http://www.amazon.com/Out-Time-Omnibus-Paranormal-ebook/dp/B006G385Y8
Individual books are available on Amazon, BN and iTunes.

Book Blurb:
This omnibus edition contains the first two novels in the Out of Time Series: Out of Time & When the Walls Fell.



BOOK 1: OUT OF TIME
Professor Simon Cross has spent his life searching for evidence of vampires and avoiding emotional entanglements. When a mysterious accident transports Simon and his new assistant, Elizabeth West, back in time, Simon finally finds both the proof that he's been looking for, and the romance that he hasn't.

In 1920s Manhattan, they find that are more than mobsters vying for power in the city's speakeasies. Will Simon and Elizabeth's developing relationship survive the vampires' teeth? Will they survive to make it back? Or will they be forever out of time?

BOOK 2: WHEN THE WALLS FELL
Professor Simon Cross and his assistant Elizabeth West have returned from their accidental journey into the past and are adjusting to their new life together as a couple. But an unwanted visit from the Council for Temporal Studies could change everything.



A murder in the past is changing the future, and if the killing isn't stopped, Simon Cross might never be born.



When they arrive in 1906 San Francisco, Elizabeth and Simon have no idea who wants Victor Graham dead or how it will happen. With the earthquake that leveled most of the city just days away, the race to save Graham thrusts them into a complex mystery of jealousy and revenge where murder might be the least of their worries.


Out of Time and When the Walls Fell are time travel adventures filled with suspense, mystery, romance and a dash of the paranormal.



Look for more books in the Out of Time Series coming in 2012!

Author bio: 
Monique was born in Houston, Texas, but her family soon moved to Southern California. She grew up on both coasts, living in Connecticut and California. She currently resides in Southern California with her naughty Siamese cat, Monkey.

Monique attended the University of Southern California's Film School where she earned a BFA from the Filmic Writing department.  Monique worked in television for several years before joining the family business. She now works full-time as a freelance writer and novelist. Her novels Out of Time and When the Walls Fell are the first two books in the Out of Time series.


Wednesday, December 28, 2011

World of Symbols: Zodiac


The World of Symbols
Michelle Snyder: The Symbologist

The Grand Zodiac

The mythologies of the Zodiac are the oldest stories ever told. They were laid into the tapestry of stars before recorded history, and the symbolism of these great tales is found worldwide. Our ancestors watched the magnificent skies, they knew the power of natural cycles and understood the need to predict them. The Grand Stories were told to children, passing on this knowledge, and the constellations were the pictures that accompanied them. The ever-present stars provided a fixed reference for timing natural cycles as well as for cultural history, rituals, and knowledge. This “language of the stars” carries records of astronomical observation and its application to survival. The stories were immortalized by oral tradition and symbols.

There is great wisdom in studying the heavenly cycles. The Bible pronounces "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years…that night unto night showeth knowledge,” (Genesis 1:14-17). Leading thinkers in Greek philosophy, science, and religion accepted that planetary alignments affected events on earth, including those of the individual. According to Duncan-Enzmann, this thinking has its beginning about 12,500 BC.

During the ice age babies born at winter solstice had more attention, as outside activities were limited. The world was frozen – there was no pollen, worms, or viruses to make the baby sick. Nurtured well, these babies were healthy, and functioned better during their lives than those born when parents were busy with critical activities, and natural predators were more abundant. Differences in the long term health and functional quality of people were noticed. As a result, babies were planned for winter solstice birth – a time marked by certain patterns in the sky. Here we have the beginning of astrology; the awareness of the position of the stars when a child is born, and their “affect” on that person’s life.

This practice evolved with time; since ancient times people have believed that, by divine power, stars shape the destiny of human affairs. We see confirmation of this in an ancient symbol for deity, the Cuneiform sign for god: a star. Astrologer-astronomers advised nobility when the heavens were in favorable position for everything from marriage to war. This is a logical development from knowing the astronomical, and therefore, climatological patterns which affected the path and outcome of human activity.

Astrology is the oldest of occult sciences, the origin of science itself. Astronomy, calculation of time, mathematics, botany - all derive from astrology. Words like conjunction, opposition, forecast, lunatic, aspect, and influence are astrological terms common our language, along with phrases like “thank our lucky stars” and “star-crossed lovers.” The zodiac, like folklore, fairy tales, and mythology, carries lore from Once Upon a Time, long, long before recorded history, when we gazed at the heavens, divided time by the movement of the sun, moon, and stars, and learned to predict the cycles of Mother Nature. These stories have survived the erosion of passing time, the destruction of records, and the layers added by new generations. They are examples of how symbolism carries folklore forward over time. That these stories are found all over the world speaks to their endurance and relevance to human life. 

Article and artwork © 2011 Michelle Snyder, author of Symbology: Decoding Classic Images, available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble online, and at The Book Rack Bookstore in Arlington. Find more information about symbolism, and post your questions or comments on her blog: www.whiteknightstudio.blogspot.com.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Interview with Earl Staggs


Briefly describe your journey in writing your book. 
When my wife and I left the snow and ice of Maryland behind and moved south, I retired from the insurance business and decided to do something I’d wanted to do all my life – become a mystery writer.  My first step was to join a writing class at the local community college. The instructor said that by the end of the class, we each would have written a short story.  It seemed like a good way to start so I came up with a short story. I was so proud of it, I submitted it to several magazines. When they all rejected it, I was crushed, but continued writing.  Eventually, some of my stories were published.

A couple years later, I decided to pull out that first story and take a look at it.  Good grief! I saw why it was rejected.  I’d learned a lot about writing by then, and decided to rewrite the story. This time, it was accepted by not one, but two magazines – one a webzine and one a print magazine. It was published by both, and the response was so positive and encouraging, I decided to take the protagonist and his special talent into a full length novel.

That’s when I learned how little I knew about writing a book.  I read every how-to-write book I could get my hands on, read a stack of mystery novels, and found a wonderful group of critique partners to expose my shortcomings. It took three years of hard work, but I finished it.  When MEMORY OF A MURDER was eventually published, it picked up thirteen Five Star reviews and has done quite well.

What genre are your books?  Do you write in more than one genre?
I consider myself a mystery writer, but I wander around within the genre.  Sometimes I write hardboiled, sometimes light and humorous, and sometimes in between.   I’ve always enjoyed a mixture when I read and discovered the same applies to when I write.  Occasionally, I’ll step out of the mystery genre entirely and write something purely humorous.  An example is a story called “The Day I Almost Became a Great Writer.”  There’s no crime or mystery in it, but many people have said it’s the funniest thing I’ve ever written.  It’s available for a free read for anyone interested on my site at:  http://earlwstaggs.wordpress.com

If you write in more than one genre, do you use a pen name?
I know writers who use pen names and that’s fine for them if they want to. I’ve never seen a need or had the urge to, and I’m sure I never will.  I entered this world with one name and plan to leave it the same way.

Did you query agents and traditional publishers?  Did you receive an offer of representation or a book contract?
I’ve gone that route in the past.  Getting signed by a traditional publisher used to be difficult. With all the changes in publishing in the last few years, it’s become nearly impossible.  I signed with one agent, but nothing ever came of it.  This was during the time when major publishers were cutting back on new authors and dropping many they had on board. For now, I’m happy with independent presses and the way they operate and expect to stay with them.

What factors influenced your decision to sign with Untreed Reads?
I was impressed with Jay Hartman and the way he presented what Untreed Reads does.  I think Untreed Reads is the ground floor of the future publishing industry and was thrilled to be accepted by them. 

How involved are you during the creative process for your book’s cover design?
I think all authors are like me and want to have something to say about their covers. We have a firm picture in our minds of what our story is about and care deeply whether or not the cover conveys what we feel it should.  When Untreed Reads published “Where Billy Died,” Jay asked for my thoughts and opinions on the cover.  I responded and crossed my fingers.  I was amazed when I received the artist’s rendition and did a Happy Dance.  The cover was terrific. That’s the kind of cooperation and consideration we never experienced in traditional publishing

Do you plan to self-publish any other books or will you stay with Untreed Reads?
That decision will vary with each situation for many reasons, but I hope to remain associated with Untreed Reads in any way I can.

What kinds of social media [twitter, facebook, webpage, blog, writing forums] are you involved with trying to garner attention for your book(s)?
So far, I haven’t done much on Facebook and Twitter and know I should.  For now, I’m active on my own website, a couple of blog cooperatives, guest blog appearances wherever I can, and a few writing forums.  I’ve also presented workshops for two online conferences and love to do live presentations to writer’s and reader’s groups.  There’s still a lot to learn about using the social media available, and I’m working on that.

How do you feel about the world of digital publishing?  Do you think it will replace traditional publishing one day?
I don’t think digital publishing will ever completely replace traditional. There will always be people who want the feel and smell of a printed book.  Digital is certainly forcing traditional to restructure itself, however, and no one knows for sure what will happen.  The next few years will be interesting, and it’s going to be a bumpy road for a while. The best we can do is wait it out and hope they eventually reach a coexistence which will be to the benefit of authors and readers.

What is the biggest thing you’ve learned during your journey as an author?
When we first start writing, without realizing, we’re influenced by other writers we admire and our work is an attempt to write as they do.  Over time, word by word and line by line, our own style and voice appears.  It can take a long time, but not until then can we call ourselves writers. Until we reach that point, we’re only copying others and falling short of the unique and individual writer we need to become.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, I do and this is it:  Always make sure the next thing you write is better than the last thing you wrote.  Being good is not good enough.  There are too many good writers ahead of you. To rise above the crowd, you have to continuously work to get better.

What’s next for you?
More books.  I have a Mystery/Thriller almost ready to shop for a publisher and I’ve started a sequel to MEMORY OF A MURDER.  I also have ideas for half a dozen more books.  So much to be written, so little time.  If you know of a way to add another eight hours to a day, please pass it along. 



Monday, December 26, 2011

Interview with Wade McMahan


Briefly describe your journey in writing your book. 
My latest work, “The Lincoln Park Horror,” is a little novelette released by Untreed Reads Publishing this past summer.  It’s the fourth entry in my worldwide bestselling Richard Dick mysteries series, and it’s gaining market traction at e-bookstores everywhere.  My journey with Untreed Reads began when they agreed to publish my first Richard Dick mystery, “Bite This!”  They gave me a great hand with editing that one, and by golly, it absolutely flew up the charts at e-booksellers around the globe.  In fact, it’s still doing quite well.  Later, they published “Witches Witch” and “Naughty or Nice” in the Richard Dick series, and a separate little humorous fantasy, “Flying Solo” which has also moved right along.  I’ve truly been lucky; my journey has been more like a walk in the park.

What genre are your books?  Do you write in more than one genre?
I’ll write anything that captures my interest.  Typically, though, my work includes humorous, and/or speculative elements. 

If you write in more than one genre, do you use a pen name?
Are you kidding?  My name is finally “out there” as a writer, and like Popeye, “I y’am what I y’am.”  Establishing myself as a writer all over again under a pen name sounds like too much work and a real pain in the…um…neck.

Did you query agents and traditional publishers?  Did you receive an offer of representation or a book contract?
I haven’t queried agencies or print publishers recently.  That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t in the future.  For the past couple of years, I’ve been working directly with e-publishers, although I did have one work accepted and in print by a traditional publisher. 

What factors influenced your decision to sign with Untreed Reads?
Fortunately, I found Untreed Reads Publishing through Duotrope and was among the first writers to sign with them.  That gave me the opportunity to get to know the publishers, Jay Hartman and K.D. Sullivan very well.  I immediately liked and respected them both at a personal level, but more importantly, I saw their innovative vision and bought into their aggressive business model.  I’m certainly glad I did.

How involved are you during the creative process for your book’s cover design?
I have the artistic talent of a nematode.  So, I’m very comfortable with leaving the creativity to Untreed Reads.  However, they generously asked me to review cover options for “The Lincoln Park Horror,” and we mutually agreed upon a fantastic selection that speaks to the subject.

Do you plan to self-publish any other books or will you stay with Untreed Reads?
Um…yes, maybe.  I’ve never truly self-published, but instead have relied on established publishers to move my work into the market.  You see, I’ve written my share of garbage, and one thing I’ve learned is that if the entire publishing world thinks something stinks, it probably does.  I hope to stay with Untreed Reads on many levels, although I’m leaving my options open depending upon the individual nature of my future works.

What kinds of social media [twitter, facebook, webpage, blog, writing forums] are you involved with trying to garner attention for your book(s)?
I suppose you’ve noticed that most publishers (bless their little pea-pickin’ hearts) now demand that writers show up at several social media locations.  <sigh>  I was forcibly dragged (albeit with considerable yelling and screaming) into some of that, and though I admit it reluctantly, you can find me


You can read my blog at my writer’s website “The Incorrigible Liar” at http://wadejmcmahanbooks.weebly.com/index.html
Or simply email me at wjmbooks@hotmail.com

How do you feel about the world of digital publishing?  Do you think it will replace traditional publishing one day?
I love digital publishing.  It opens many new doors for writers and readers alike.  As for the future for traditional publishing, ah, that is the question these days, isn’t it?  Of course, we are witnessing the dramatic decline in traditional brick and mortar bookstores. Some school systems have moved over entirely to electronic textbooks.  Some small publishers I’ve spoken with have already shut down the print side of their businesses and became exclusively electronic.  Of course, at the end of the day, the future of traditional publishing will be about the money, but for now and for the foreseeable future, thankfully, printed books remain profitable, plentiful and readily available. 

What is the biggest thing you’ve learned during your journey as an author?
I’ve learned that at the outset of my journey, I was dumber than a post.  I knew nothing about writing at a professional level, nothing about agents, and nothing about the publishing industry. Then again, how hard could writing be, right?  Ahem.  Perhaps the biggest thing I’ve learned is that writing, becoming a published author if you will, must be approached with the same high intensity needed to succeed in any altogether new career.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write well—write for yourself, please yourself, believe in yourself, and challenge yourself to write to ever-higher levels as you move your career forward. Remember too, there are thousands of writers out there, so you will promote your finished product in an extraordinarily competitive publishing universe. You must delve into the details of the publishing business, know what publishers want, know what they demand and know exactly what you have to do to ensure that your work stands out above the competition. 

What’s next for you?
Quite a bit, actually.  My novelette, “Fanged!” the fifth work in my Richard Dick mysteries series, will be released by Untreed Reads sometime after the first of the year. Quite honestly, I think it’s one of my best, not to mention funniest, Richard Dick (please just call him Dick) yarns.  Following that, I’m planning one final story to wrap up the series.

“Waves in the Wind” is my current, ongoing project and passion, a full-length fantasy novel sited in ancient Ireland. Given such a rich setting, the storyline is already swarming on me, so watch for this one to evolve into yet another series.   


Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas


Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!


Did you have fun decorating the Christmas tree this year? Is it a tradition in your family? It is in mine and it was wonderful this year as always.


Are you going over the river and through the woods to Grandma's house for Christmas dinner? Or maybe it's Aunt Rose's place this year? Wherever you spend Christmas, I sincerely hope you'll cherish the time with family and friends.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

New Release: EXPERT WITNESS by Rebecca Forster




Book Blurb:




After Hermosa Beach attorney Josie Bates successfully defended sixteen-year-old Hannah Sheraton against murder charges, she took the girl into her own home. Now, just days before becoming Hannah’s legal guardian, Josie Bates has disappeared, and Hannah enlists the help of Josie’s lover, Archer, to find her. 

The only clue to her whereabouts leads them on a road of intrigue from the Hollywood Hills to the glitzy evangelical enclave of Orange County; the seedy side of Los Angeles to the pristine and remote California mountains. With Child Protective Services demanding Hannah be remanded to state custody,  they delve into Josie’s past only to find that the woman they both love was once a ruthless and hated defense attorney, that the system he believes in has released a double murderer, and that there is more than one person who would be happy if Josie Bates was never seen again


Buy Links: 



Author bio:
I marketed a world-class spa when it was still called a gym and did business in China before there were western toilettes at the Great Wall. Then I wrote a book on a crazy dare and found my passion.
Now, I am a USA Today best selling author with more than 20 books to my name - and if you ask me where all those words came from I'd be hard pressed to tell you. All I know is that I wake up with a story in my head and go to bed the same way.
My specialty is legal thrillers and The Witness Series, featuring my beach-rat, volleyball playing attorney Josie Bates and her teenage ward Hannah, have really captured readers' imaginations. But I also like to stretch the thirller genre a bit. Before Her Eyes, for instance, has a fantasy overlay on a murder mystery that I really found intriguing. Wilde's Gamble is a romantic suspense.

I teach at UCLA Writers Program and work with The Young Writers Conference, a program that helps motivate middle school children to explore the power of words. I think I am particularly drawn to kids and writing because both my sons have always had a passion for it. Eric is a playwright and Alex is in film.

When I'm not writing, I'm traveling, on a tennis court, working a sewing machine or reading.
Thank you so much for taking a look at my author page. You can find out more about me, my travels and my work-in-progress at www.rebeccaforster.com

Friday, December 23, 2011

New Release: MUSIC of the SPHERES (The Interstellar Age Book 2) by Valmore Daniels


Book blurb:
THE SECRET IN THE STARS

The technology for interstellar flight exists through the power of Kinemet, but the key to unlocking its code lies in a thousand-year-old scroll left on Earth by an alien species.

When the ancient manual is stolen before a full translation is completed, Alex, Michael and Justine scramble to recover it.

Along the way, they stumble on an interplanetary conspiracy and uncover a secret that shatters their view of life and shakes the very foundations of our existence.

Buy links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006NGHUEE
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006NGHUEE
BN: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/music-of-the-spheres-valmore-daniels/1037397783?ean=2940013851320
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/115475



Link for FORBIDDEN THE STARS (BOOK 1)
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Forbidden-Stars-Interstellar-Book-ebook/dp/B003XT5S4S


Author bio:


In true nomadic spirit, Valmore Daniels has lived on the coasts of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic Oceans, and dozens of points in between.

An insatiable thirst for new experiences has led him to work in several fields, including legal research, elderly care, oil & gas administration, web design, government service, human resources, and retail business management.

His enthusiasm for travel is only surpassed by his passion for telling tall tales. 

Thursday, December 22, 2011

New #Romance: 4.9/5 rating, SAVING KATYA by Sandra Edwards


Book Blurb:
Olympic Gold Medalists Kate Peterson (U.S.) and Alexei Petrova (Russia) haven't seen each other in eight years--not since their teenage affair ended after Alexei was forced back to Russia. But in the here and now, they're about to be reunited at the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, California. 

Kate's agreed to participate in the Torch Lighting Ceremony because she's on the verge of losing her eyesight to a mysterious illness, and she can't afford the experimental surgery that could restore her vision. With a little luck she just might land an endorsement deal at the Olympics--her only shot at funding the surgery.

Alexei's living in the States now, where he's made a fortune selling "himself". He's also made enemies with a U.S. senator who wants him deported. But his plight becomes secondary after he runs into Kate at the Olympics. Clearly, she's hiding something, and he's shocked when he finds out what. 

Once Alexei learns of Kate's illness, saving her becomes his top priority--but will he save her only to be forced, once again, from her life? 

Buy Links:
US Kindle -
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005P9FURY

UK Kindle - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005P9FURY


Author Bio:

Sandra is an award-winning author with eclectic tastes. She writes in a variety of genres such as paranormal (mostly time travel and reincarnation), contemporary, and suspense. Her books often push the envelope and step outside the boundaries of conventional romance. She lives in the U.S. (west coast) with her husband, two kids, four dogs and one very temperamental feline.



Excerpt: 
Kate felt like a dismissed child. Overwhelmed by a sudden urge to escape, she stopped just outside the restaurant’s entrance. “Alexei...” She started to speak and her voice wavered. “I know you’ve got business to attend to,” she added, avoiding his cobalt-blue eyes. They were captivating and dangerous, capable of uprooting a girl from her good senses. “It’s not far to my hotel. I can walk.”   
“I’m sure you can.” A persuasive strength coated his vague words. 
“The call sounded urgent.” She stopped, and hesitated briefly before inspecting his tall, athletic physique. His blazer looked like it had been poured over his powerful shoulders. The mesmerizing teenage boy had grown into a striking, robust man—one who now wore cashmere overcoats and fancy European tailored suits.  
A black limo rolled up. She stepped back, too flustered to care about getting in someone else’s way.
Who was Alexei dissing over the phone? Was it her? It must be so, the conversation had started out about her. She didn’t deserve to be treated this way. Dinner was his idea. Not hers. He was right, though. She did know the score. He had ignored her letters because he wanted to. She was good enough to sleep with and that was it. Nothing more than a teenage tryst.     
Disillusion reeled inside Kate’s head and stole her breath away. She propped a steadying hand on the car. Alexei cradled his arm around her shoulder, opened the vehicle’s door and urged her inside.
“Wait...” She used the doorframe for leverage, but it had little influence over Alexei. He swept her into the car with capable skill. The door swung shut, trapping her inside a much too tight compartment with Alexei sitting way too close. Close enough to radiate sensual energy that was intense enough to drive her crazy.
“You look pale. Are you sure you’re all right?” His fingertips trailed over the edge of her face. Chills coursed through her in electrifying waves.
Kate laid her purse on the seat and inched some space between herself and Alexei.  
Be strong. One moment of pleasure with Alexei was not worth the pain it could bring their daughter. He’d already rejected Katya once—when he ignored Kate’s letters. She couldn’t risk that happening again. 
“I can’t do this.” She scooted toward the door and secured the handle in her hand. “Call me tomorrow, okay?” Her suggestion was half-hearted and it came on the heels of her flinging the door open and scrambling out of the other side of the car.
Instinct pushed her to run, but her legs dragged as if they had weights attached. The idiot in her wanted to look over her shoulder to see if he had gotten out of the car, but she didn’t dare. A single come-hither glance from Alexei could send her back into his arms. 
Kate hurried along the sidewalk, telling herself she could cover the distance—two blocks—and disappear inside the building before Alexei caught up to her.
“Katya...” His voice carried on the brisk night air, and she trudged on. Closing in on the US Residence, the quicksand-like tension bogging her legs eased.
Turning up the sidewalk entrance, her dignity started to return. As long as she couldn’t see him, she wasn’t in danger of his charms.
The car pulled up beside her, engine purring. It wasn’t him. Couldn’t be him. She heard no door closing, just Alexei calling after her with that name.
“Katya.”
Fear stiffened each muscle and every nerve, freezing her like a statue. Their daughter was tucked away inside the hotel before her, and Alexei was mere steps behind. Kate was the only thing standing between them. If she didn’t get rid of him pronto, things could get ugly.
Move. She commanded, but the icy sidewalk slicked her feet right out from under her. Kate fell to the ground in a blur of slow-motioned terror, landing on her butt. The pain rippled out in waves but it was quickly overshadowed by her head bouncing off the frozen walkway.
Ouch, flickered through her mind just before everything when blank.
Coming to, Kate’s first conscious insight was the scent of Alexei’s intoxicating aftershave crowding around her like a fog. After a few seconds she realized where she was—on the cold, hard ground with her head in his lap.
Sitting up, she clamped her hands on her head and muttered, “No...no...no.”
“Katya, are you all right?”
“Yes. I’m fine,” she said, wincing.
Alexei hopped up as quick as a Pop Tart jetting out of the toaster. “Here,” he said, extending his hand toward her. She scrutinized it with caution. “Come on. I’ll escort you to your suite.”
She slipped her hand in his and leveraged herself off the ground. “That’s not necessary.”
He clasped his fingers around hers, but she slid free. Alexei chuckled. “Come now, Katya. Let me be the gentleman that I am.”
She had to get rid of him, and she was done being cordial. She wouldn’t risk Katya suffering the same fate that she had as a child.
Kate knew a thing or two about being an unwanted child—and none of it was good. Ugly labels haunted her still. Like undeserving, unsuitable, unloved. She’d heard and felt them all as a child, having been abandoned by her own father at the age of three.  
Damned if she’d let the same fate befall Katya.
A pair of steps backward aided her in convening the courage to send him on his way. “Shouldn’t you be going?” She stopped at the main entrance, reaching for the door behind her. “Don’t you have some business to attend to?” Simplicity and the voice of reason sugarcoated her tone.
His mouth gaped open into a slow grin. She gave him a hard stare and hoped it said, don’t follow me. Seconds passed and Alexei stayed put. Bold courage moved Kate inside.
Quickening her pace, she hurried for the elevator. Alexei wasn’t following her. He couldn’t be. If he was, she was doomed.
The elevator doors opened. Kate’s heart thumped and thudded against her chest, squeezing the air from her lungs as she stepped inside. The doors closed, eclipsing a distant and silhouetted figure of Alexei vanishing inside the limo.