Title: A Rush of Light
Author: Penelope Marzec
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense
Book Blurb:
Callie, a cop on disability leave, plans a new career at the inn where her father was murdered years ago. Nick, a Christian, curious to learn who is opening the old inn, stops in to find out and someone takes aim. His uncle, who is with him, is shot but survives. Callie demands justice, but thinks the shooting appears to be a planned hit. Thinking she can solve the crime, she instead finds herself protecting Nick from danger. Worse than that, she finds herself fighting to protect her heart from Nick. While attracted to Callie, Nick has promised himself that he will never be more than a friend to someone who is not a believer.
Excerpt:
A sudden knock startled Callie. Grumbling to herself, she dragged herself to the door. Opening it, she found herself staring at Nick who held a casserole in his hands.
“Hi. Aunt Frannie cooked enough food for an army.”
Callie stood there with her mouth open. She knew she looked scruffy, but Nick looked great—even better than he had at Edgar’s. He had scrubbed himself right down to the fingernails and a hint of woodsy cologne clung to him. Nevertheless, a tight curl defied his comb and lay right in the middle of his forehead—that rebellious lock he couldn’t seem to tame.
Underneath his open topcoat, she glimpsed a three-piece suit. He could be a male model stepping out of the pages of the men’s fashion section of the New York Times. The sheer confidence of the man sent up warning signals. Her heart pounded as if she was about to be ambushed.
“I take it the service station is closed on Sundays.”
“It’s the Lord’s day.” He breezed right in and walked into the kitchen where he placed the casserole on the table. “It’s still hot. I’ll eat with you, if you don’t mind. My stomach is growling. I had to endure the wonderful aroma of soup all the way over here in the car.”
He went to the cabinets and searched until he found bowls. Then he rummaged around for spoons.
“Aunt Frannie filled up our freezer. There’s not an ounce of space left. So, I thought you’d be willing to help me out. Besides, I feel I’m doing the general public a favor by keeping you from getting hungry.”
He winked at her and she shot him a black glare. Still, the soup did smell heavenly and she was starving.
Callie slid into a chair at the table. “Nice topcoat. Burberry?”
He nodded. “Lately, I only wear it on Sunday. It’s never going to get worn out.”
He slid out of the coat and tossed it on a chair. He removed his jacket and loosened his tie. He filled the room with vitality and Callie got dizzy just watching him.
“Aunt Frannie used Aunt Bella’s noodles—they’re made from scratch—guaranteed to stick to your ribs.”
He searched around the kitchen and found the spoons in one drawer and a ladle in another.
Callie rubbed her eyes. “How did you find this place?”
“Butch gave me directions. He went to church with me this morning.”
She nearly choked on the coffee.
“He’s going to join our discussion group.” Nick doled out a portion of soup into each bowl. “He’s thinking of becoming a member of the church.”
Momentarily speechless, Callie stared at him. In a way, she felt betrayed. Worse, she thought Butch might get himself into trouble relying on a nebulous God. From the moment she and Butch started working together, they vowed to watch each other’s backs and except for that one terrible day last year, they kept each other safe.
“By the way, Butch gave me a message for you. He insisted you take the day off. Oh, and he said he would start stripping the wallpaper.”
Callie’s heart sunk. “He doesn’t know a thing about stripping wallpaper.”
“I gave him detailed instructions.”
“You’re a mechanic, not an interior decorator.”
Nick laughed and she found herself suddenly wrapped in warmth, a little lighter, and a lot less weary. She decided that the world might not end tomorrow if she lifted her lips to curve upward in response.
“I have other skills besides using a torque wrench.” Then he folded his hands, closed his eyes, and proceeded to pray over the soup.
A flicker of annoyance had her pressing her lips firmly together, but she soon relaxed, admitting to herself that she enjoyed being able to study him while he was occupied. The sight of his broad shoulders, black hair, and strong neck set her pulse beating faster.
He finished his prayer. “I almost forgot the crackers.” He reached over into the pocket of his topcoat. “Plain old saltines, though. I hope you don’t mind.”
“You didn’t have to—”
“I wanted to—as a friend.”
Callie twisted her mouth in irritation. Oh yes—only as a friend. With her mangled arm, all men now considered her a “friend” and nothing more.
“I wanted to see how you were doing today.” His look melted something inside her.
She believed she could be logical and cool in dealing with Nick, but right now she didn’t feel so confident about that.
He picked up his spoon and stirred the soup. “Now come on and eat up. How are you going to twist my arm behind my back again if you don’t keep your strength up?”
She smiled for the second time that morning before she lifted her spoon.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
What’s your favorite part about being a romance author?
I love writing uplifting stories and giving my characters their happy ending.
Here’s my tip to add romance to your love life:
Make time for each other everyday, just to chat, share good memories, and laugh.
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $75 Amazon gift card.
Open internationally.
Runs February 1 – 29, 2024
Drawing will be held on March 1, 2024.
Author Biography:
Penelope Marzec grew up along the Jersey shore, heard stories about Captain Kidd, and dug for his buried treasure. Her adventure resulted in a bad case of poison ivy. Deciding books were better than buried treasure, she discovered romance novels and was soon hooked on happy endings. She became an early childhood educator and found her own hero in an electrical engineer who grew up in Brooklyn, played the accordion, and was immune to poison ivy. Together they raised three daughters. Now retired, Penelope either writes her stories or paints seascapes in oils. Sometimes she sings while her husband plays the accordion.
Social Media Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/penelopemarzec
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marzecpenelope/
Tiktok: @penelopemarzec
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/penelopemarzec