Title Monster Saint
Author Rhonda Lee Carver
Genre Military Romance and Romantic Suspense
Book Blurb
Monster Saint Enforcers are more than their badges or the law. They are a team of ex-military, country boys who work undercover to bring the worst of the worst criminals to justice…or to their graves. The only thing that might stand in their way is the last thing they need. A woman.
When a respected member of Monsters is killed while undercover, Crayson “Crayce” Noble goes rogue and is out for revenge. He’ll stop at nothing short of sending Salvatore, the leader of the notorious cartel, Los Reapers, to hell. His plan is thwarted by a mysterious woman wearing a wedding gown.
Runaway bride, Charmaine Meadows, sees her way out of Salvatore’s grip through the tall, scarred, brooding man who shows up right when she needed a distraction the most. He might be a walking four-letter-word, but she’ll take anything, anyone, over Salvatore. She’s become an expert at handling crude men, but this stranger isn’t like any man she’s ever met. He’s a challenge and sparks something within in her that is far more dangerous than the criminals she’s faced before.
The lady has caused Crayce nothing but trouble. Now they’re Salvatore’s prey and Crayce has always been a hunter. He realizes he should take the woman back to the villa and say good riddance because she’s going to get them both killed. And yet he can’t keep his eyes, and his hands, off her.
Excerpt
She tilted her chin to study the stranger, and her jeweled tiara pulled her hair, making her scalp tingle. She tried resituating it, but the combs on each side dug into her skin. She gave up and pulled the piece free, giving it a toss onto the floor. “If you were in my position, what would you suggest I do if walking isn’t an option? Murder him with my bare hands?” The crude question made his brows come up, but only to come back down like he’d heard that question a few times before. His chuckle echoed off the stone wall.
“Hard for me to answer because I’ve never been in this situation, but yeah, I’d go for the murdering him with your bare hands.” His gaze fell to her hands, and she tucked them into the folds of the skirt. “Yet again, those tiny hands would have a hard time strangling an ant.”
“Wow. Thanks for the vote of confidence.” She smiled.
“Any time.”
“How long are you going to be here? You’re interrupting my quiet time before the wedding. After all, it’s going to be a very eventful ceremony.”
“You should run along,” he said.
“I think you’re right. I’ve had about enough of this conversation.” She picked up her skirt so she didn’t step on the delicate hem and marched toward her exit, but his words paused her.
“Better get used to it. This will be your life soon. Salvatore doesn’t strike me as the cuddly and warm type. In fact, I’d go out on a limb and say he’ll be very icy.”
Before she turned to face him, she sucked in a breath. A smile had carved its way through those lips that she’d bet made him a good kisser. She gave her head a little shake to dislodge her wandering thoughts, but the only thing dislocated were more tendrils of her hair. “You seem to have an opinion about everything,” she said smartly.
“Let’s see. You’re not marrying him for love. So, is it the money?”
“I don’t think that’s any of your business.”
“I’d say that’s how he gets most of his women.”
“How dare you!”
“How dare I what? Is it his shiny attitude?”
Steeling her spine, she didn’t like how he pretended to know anything about her or her situation. “I don’t know you. You don’t know me. Let’s keep it that way.” She wanted to run but her feet were frozen.
“How did you lose your guard? Did you murder him with your bare hands?”
“No.”
“You just lost him? With a mind like that you should be able to come up with a way to get as far away from Salvatore as possible.”
She even saw doubt in the stranger’s eyes. So, he knew Salvatore enough to understand the reach the man had. He had enough thugs on his payroll that Salvatore never had to get his hands dirty.
She felt a connection with the stranger, a bond in an understanding of Salvatore.
For that moment, she allowed her guard down. Needing to connect with someone, anyone, before she took a death plunge into the shark infested waters. Once she became Salvatore’s, by name and by marriage, she would no longer be free to be herself. She would be his puppet.
“I climbed out of my bedroom window to escape the guard,” she admitted, feeling a sense of relief.
Did she see a spark of admiration in his eyes? Or did she imagine it?
“That desperate, huh?”
“I don’t want to marry him.”
The corners of his mouth dipped. “Is he forcing you?”
“Yes.” Maybe she was divulging too much. This stranger could easily go tell Salvatore everything she said. But did she care? At this point, she was doomed no matter which way she went.
Anger flashed over his features. “Give it an hour.”
She had no idea what he meant and started to ask, but movement outside of the window caught her attention. It was her guard, Kincaid, moving in the direction of the church. “Damn.”
“Looks like you’ve been found,” the stranger said in a lowered voice.
She stepped away from the window, knowing she had little time left. “At least tell me…” she spun around but the mysterious man was gone. “your name,” her words fell on deaf ears. She searched the shadows, but the church was empty, like he’d been merely a figment of her imagination.
Heavy footsteps echoed through the foyer a second before Kincaid burst into the room, his chest lifting with each breath.
“Are you ready, Miss Meadows?” he asked in annoyance.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” She lifted her chin and her heels clicked confidently as she stepped ahead of the guard, leading the way outside. She wanted to give running one last try but it would be a waste of energy.
Her fate was sealed.
Or maybe it wasn’t.
She might have one last trick up her sleeve.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub)
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/monster-saint-monster-saint-enforcers-book-1-by-rhonda-lee-carver
Author Biography
Rhonda Lee Carver is a bestselling author of contemporary western and romantic suspense, but she loves to write other genres too. She's known for writing stories that keep readers laughing, crying, gripping the edge of their seats, and screaming all in one book...like riding a virtual roller coaster. Whether she's creating sexy cowboys or tough guys, or sassy, independent heroines, readers are sure to find strong, powerful, memorable characters that are relatable.
By day, she taps into her creative, fictional world but at some point she transitions back into reality where she's a volleyball-stands cheerleader, homework virtuoso (at least she thinks so), amateur nurse to skinned knees, mediocre chef with some awesome microwave skills, pet-guru (all the strays show up at her house), and a Jackie of all trades for her kids who are the loves of her life. Yoga and chocolate keep her sane. Hallmark movies require cuddling up with tissues because she can be emotional. She adds a sprinkle of her own real-life adventures in each story she spins because a little truth never hurt anyone. She wouldn't give up one thing in her crazy, chaotic, ever-amusing life, except, she might do magic tricks for the bungalow on the beach she's had her eye on (GOALS).
Writing for Rhonda is like falling in love and finding a new best friend over and over again. Her characters will find a place inside your heart too.
Social Media Links
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rhondaleecarver.author/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/RLCarver
Instagram: www.instagram.com/rhondaleecarver/
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/rhondaleecarverauthor/
Street Team: www.facebook.com/groups/471259293018665/
Newsletter: https://www.rhondaleecarver.com/