Title: Autumn Deception
Author: N. Jade Gray
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Book Blurb:
Money can’t buy you love…
Stressed and burned out, Sierra Scott is coerced by her grandmother into taking a vacation to Harts Valley, Oklahoma for the annual apple festival. Owning and running a multi-million dollar company is a piece of cake compared to deflecting the matchmaking efforts of a determined senior citizen and her sidekick. Before long, Sierra needs a vacation from her vacation.
Widowed Sheriff Cade Collins isn’t prepared for the naked female hiding by Dooley’s pond when he responds to a disturbance call. His days are filled with juggling his job and raising a teenage daughter. No matter how strong the pull of attraction, he simply can’t afford to fall for a woman who is out of his league.
Excerpt:
The siren was suddenly silenced as the sound of tires
crunching on gravel drifted to her ears. She peeked from
her hiding place. The patrol car stopped adjacent to the
pond and a figure emerged from the vehicle. Her heart
raced as the silhouette of a drawn gun reflected in the
beam of the car’s headlights. Scooting farther behind the
tree, she tried to make herself as small as possible. Her
heart skipped a beat as her breathing escalated.
The policeman’s voice reverberated in the stillness.
“Is anyone out here?”
She gasped as a flashlight popped on and she could
hear the shuffling of feet in the grass. What was she
going to do? “I’m behind the tree. Please don’t come any
closer.” She cringed at how squeaky her voice sounded
in the night’s stillness.
“I’m Sheriff Collins, ma’am. Are you okay?”
As the shaft of light swung in her direction, she
cringed. “All is fine.”
“We received a call about a disturbance. Are you
sure everything’s all right?”
Her brows dipped as she frowned. He must be
referring to her earlier scream when she jumped in the
water. “I assure you, I’m okay. I was getting ready to
head back up the hill to where I’m staying.” She cringed
and shifted farther behind the tree as the beam of the
flashlight swung in her direction. “Seriously, no
worries!” Her gaze snagged on the lone sock a short
distance away. The sliver of the moon above shone like
a spotlight on the item, mocking her. Would the sheriff
leave? She held her breath.
“It’s dark and getting late. I’ll escort you.”
Could he feel the eye roll she executed? Peachy, just
peachy. She cleared her throat. “I’m sure you have more
urgent matters to attend to. You can go back to fighting
crime.” A shuffling noise reached her ears. Was he
walking toward her? “Stop! Oh God, please stop. I can
find my way back without help.”
The approaching footfalls ceased. “Ma’am, I
wouldn’t feel right leaving you out here in the dark if you
are hurt. Or if something is wrong.”
A groan bubbled from her lips. Great. Dudley Doo
Right in the flesh. She was going to throttle Gram. The
police officer began to lumber closer again. The
flashlight beam was almost upon the sock. Too close.
She screamed in near panic, “I’m naked. Please. Don’t
come any closer.”
“Did someone hurt you?” A hardness she’d not
heard in his tone before crept into his voice. “I can call
an ambulance.”
She rested her chin on her chest. A sigh tumbled
from her lips. All of this drama because her grandmother
had thought she was a prude. “Officer?” What was his
name again?
“Sheriff Collins, ma’am.”
She inhaled and released a calming breath. “I’ve not
met with any harm.”
“Let me help you. I’ll wait until you are dressed and
escort you home.”
A few feet away the cows were back, and they’d
brought friends. All stared at her as if watching an action
flick. Out loud she answered, “I wish the situation was
that easy.”
“Pardon me?”
Her sigh carried on the night wind. “I said I wish I
could put my clothes on. I think my grandmother took
my clothes.”
The sheriff paused a moment before exclaiming,“On purpose?”
“Yes. I believe so.”
A deep male chuckle startled her. “Now I’m
beginning to see your dilemma.”
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What makes your featured book a must-read?
I was thrilled to learn Autumn Deception won First in the National Excellence in Story Telling (NEST) in the Contemporary Short category from the Central Region Oklahoma Writers contest. With my father passing last year this story was personal for me. In the story I included mom’s red hearts she crochets and a skunk for my dad. I had fun writing this story and hope you get a giggle or two. So for light entertainment and hopefully a few snort laughs, I hope you get a copy of Autumn Deception.
Giveaway –
Enter to win a $20 Amazon gift card:
Open Internationally.
Runs July 9 – July 17, 2024.
Winner will be drawn on July 18, 2024.
Author Biography:
N. Jade Gray grew up on a farm in Oklahoma with one sister and three brothers. She began reading romance novels in high school and was hooked. In an attempt to entertain her friends she began writing stories. The biggest hurdle she had to overcome with her writing was sharing her stories. Her former writing groups, the Wichita and Regional Authors and Low Country Romance Writer’s, helped with her confidence and shook the needed pom pom’s to get her motivated for publication. She is also a former member of the Romance Writers of America. She met her husband while attending college and has two grown sons and two granddaughters. Not really knowing what she wanted to do when she grew up, she’s held various jobs in the accounting and legal fields. She lives in Missouri with her husband, rescue cats and one spoiled dog-named Fabio. Yes, she helped named the dog. She loves to hear her husband calling for his four-legged companion.
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