Title: IRON COP
Author: Sally Booth
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Book Blurb:
How had a society girl from upstate New York ended up hiding out in a safe house waiting to testify against the murderer of her husband? Samantha Chadwick Thorne dreamed of the day when she would be free to run her own life. Spending weeks dodging bullets and being ordered around by a gorgeous, arrogant detective, who disliked her on sight, wasn’t part of the fantasy. She knew the secret weapon she carried with her would keep her alive. Then, why did she need a bodyguard?
An unwilling Detective Nick O’Reilly’s job is to keep the star witness alive to testify against the killer. The unwanted sparks she sets off in him are shot down by the suspicion that she might have aided in the death of her husband.
One major problem—The bad guys always know her location.
Excerpt:
Samantha’s head crashed against the wall.
“Oomph.” Stars exploded before her eyes. A wild thumping echoed in her ear, the one buried against a hard-muscular chest. Arms of steel wrapped her in a vise grip. She could feel every flex of his steely muscles, every heavy breath filling his lungs. A hint of citrus invaded her senses.
Detective O’Reilly had her pinned to the wall. Samantha felt safe for the first time in weeks, “You okay?” Nick whispered in her ear.
His warm breath against her face made those butterflies flutter again. “Just dazed a little.” She shook her head in a desperate effort to tear her thoughts away from how this man made her feel. “Did I hear a gunshot or was that my skull cracking?”
“Right the first time.”
A chill crawled up her spine. “No. N-Not again.”
“You’re safe now.” He moved his head back away from her and studied her face. “You sure you’re okay?”
“Yes, thanks to you.”
“That’s why I’m here,” he growled. “I need to check things out. Don’t move.”
Samantha nodded. That she could do.
Detective O’Reilly stepped back, taking his warmth with him. Samantha wanted to yank him back, to feel secure in his arms once again. Not wanting to be a wimp, she managed a strong, “Be careful.”
“Always.” Nick moved the curtain, checking the outside before heading for the door. “Be right back.
Stay put.”
“Yes, sir.” She had gotten the message the first time. The room began to spin and then darkened. Samantha leaned her head against the wall. She wrapped her arms around her waist and fought the blackness overpowering her. She raised her head. She stood, straight as she could. No way would she give into her fear. Fainting at this man’s feet would be unacceptable. Undignified.
At the door, Nick stopped to look back at her. “Remember. You’re mine for the next two weeks. I prefer you alive.” He winked at her.
She rubbed the wiggling feeling in her stomach away with a shaking hand. She didn’t belong to anyone, no less a cop. Someone rushed up the stairs.
“Everything okay, O’Reilly?” a woman asked.
“Just dandy. Did you see anyone?”
“They were gone by the time I got around to that side of the house. I did hear a vehicle move out at a high speed around the corner.”
“I’ll check it out.” He waved a hand in Samantha’s direction. “Meet Mrs. Chadwick-Thorne. This is Detective Amy Bauer. She’ll take good care of you.”
Samantha nodded and rubbed the back of her head.
Running down the stairs, O’Reilly yelled, “Keep her away from the window, Bauer.”
“He thinks I’m an idiot. Guess I am, standing in front of a window like that,” she mumbled.
“No. He’s just cautious.” Bauer smiled, moving farther into the room. O’Reilly is also good at giving orders.”
“I’ve noticed.”
Being controlled all her life by her parents was one thing. Now, she had a bodyguard stepping up to take his turn. All she ever wanted in life was the freedom to make her own choices. She would be free to do just that after the trial and her life got back to normal.
A delayed reaction to the last few minutes set in. The brave façade she put on moments ago slipped away—fast. The shakes hit big time. She slid down the wall, sat and rested her head on her knees. She would control this attack of nerves, too.
Chico Vargas would not rule her life. How she wished she’d never heard of the man. He and his henchman occupied a suite in the county jail, where he still managed to carry out his evil ways. She wasn’t so naïve as to believe Vargas just wanted to scare her. If Nick hadn’t been blessed with quick instincts…Samantha owed her life to a man she had known for less than an hour. A man she found herself angry with one minute and attracted to the next. She covered her face in her hands. “It’s got to be the stress,” she whispered to herself.
“You okay, Mrs. Thorne?”
“What? Oh, yes. Detective…ah…”
“Bauer, ma’am. If you need anything, let me know.”
“Thank you.” Samantha closed her eyes. At least she didn’t order her away from the window. “I just wish this would all come to an end.”
“You’re going to be okay. Detective O’Reilly is a rebel, but he’s the best.” Detective Bauer smiled, but maintained her position at the door.
A nod was all Samantha could manage. The attractive brunette, dressed in plain black slacks and matching waist-length jacket., looked no more like a policewoman than she did. But at least someone, besides the man himself, believed in Detective O’Reilly. She had one priority—staying alive to put Vargas behind bars permanently. Then no one would control her again.
She stared at the officer standing guard at the door. How could she stop these attempts on her life? Her mind reeled with possibilities.
Of course! Why hadn’t she thought of it before?
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/profile/sally-booth
Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/yb7ec34y
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/iron-cop-sally-booth/1128872597
November is a time to be thankful. What are you most thankful for this year?
I am most grateful for the health and welfare of my family and friends. Also, we were extremely blessed to welcome into the family three new grandsons to love and cherish (and spoil) this year.
Why is your featured book worth snuggling up to?
IRON COP is an easy read that you can snuggle up to anywhere you spend your time reading. It is humorous, suspenseful, enjoyable and romantic. The byplay between Nick and Samantha is sure to capture your heart.
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $100 Amazon gift card.
Open internationally.
Runs November 1 – 30, 2024
Drawing will be held on December 2, 2024.
Author Biography:
A country girl at heart and the second of four children, I grew up on a small farm in upstate New York.
Working my way through college, I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Education and a Master’s Degree in Advanced Classroom Teaching.
Married to the love of my life, we raised three beautiful children. One of my greatest joys is being with my grandchildren.
I enjoy reading (romances of course), crocheting, working with various crafts, and traveling to many different regions of the world.
Belonging to the Romance Writers of America, Saratoga Romance Writer of America, New Jersey Romance Writers of America, Sisters In Crime and Mystery/Suspense Romance Writers of America have been a guiding light in my writing career.
Social Media Links:
Facebook: sally booth author page
Twitter: twitter.com@BoothAuthor
Website: sallyboothauthor.wordpress.com
E-mail: authorsbooth2018@gmail.com