Title: Prime Catch
Author: Ilona Fridl
Genre: Historical Romance
Book Blurb:
Someone is killing executives in a string of Alaskan canneries. Is it natives because their food supply is being cut short? Or is there another reason, another culprit? With racial tension running high, Juneau 's Sheriff Amos Darcy, a man of few words, is going to find out who it is, come hell or high water.
Deputy Sarah Lakat, a Tlingit woman, knows her job, but she wants to prove her people aren't responsible for these vicious crimes. Her family and childhood friends give her access to clues the white sheriff would never have discovered, though, and she has to realize justice must be served no matter who the murderers are. Amos is married to his work and Sarah was badly hurt by a man in her past, yet as they work together in the investigation they grow close, facing danger and discrimination together. Can they solve the case even as they fight their attraction to each other?
Excerpt:
Amos neared the entrance to the meetinghouse. Sarah silently came out the door of the outbuilding to watch. At the doorway, he paused, then blew eagle feather fluff into the air to bring peace to those assembled.
By now, Sarah had moved next to Will, near the door. Amos started a respectable eagle dance, swooping and weaving to the sound of the ceremonial drum. She turned and grinned at Will. “You taught him well,” she whispered close to his ear.
Will had an impish smile. “Pretty good for an American. Ready to get up in the chair?” He gave her a hand onto the platform. “Hang on. We'll be as careful as we can.”
She clasped the seat and steadied herself as Will and his friends lifted the chair. An audible “Ohh” reached her ears as she sailed into the room on her flying carpet―or so it seemed. Amos looked thunderstruck, unable to take his gaze off her. Her complement of carriers set her gently down in front of the Tlingit Chief of Juneau, Ray Johns, and their pastor. She rose regally, and Will helped her down, then escorted her to Amos and joined their hands. The couple faced the pastor while Sarah's family draped her with a bear robe. Sam put an eagle robe on Amos. Sarah knew it was reasoned that the eagle was the American totem.
The pastor proceeded with the official Christian wedding ceremony, until it was time for the vows. Everything paused as Sarah's family laid a large wool blanket over both Amos and Sarah. Then the vows and rings were exchanged.
Sarah saw great love and tenderness that she hadn't realized existed in Amos' soul, but it shone brightly as he repeated the vows. She choked a little on hers, because of a massive lump in her throat that threatened to give way to sobs.
When the pastor had pronounced them husband and wife, the chief stood. “I, too, give this union my blessing. This shows that our people are civilized and worthy to become citizens in their own right. May this couple be blessed with wealth and prosperity and children who will honor them.”
After Sarah's family removed the wool blanket and the totem robes. The pastor announced, “Where two came in, one in the spirit of a new family will leave. I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Amos Darcy.”
Sarah gazed deep into Amos’ gray eyes, finding nothing but love there. He tenderly embraced and kissed her as if for the first time. Her eyes streamed with tears at the intensity of the moment. And then the drumbeat began again, accompanied by applause from the many friends and family assembled.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18746576-prime-catch?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=51qOwbDXpD&rank=1
What makes your featured book a must-read?
It's the continuing saga of Sheriff Amos Darcy and Deputy Sarah Lakat which started in the Dangerous Times series.
Giveaway –
Enter to win a $30 Amazon (US) gift card:
Open Internationally.
Runs June 8 – June 12, 2021.
Winner will be drawn on June 16, 2021.
Author Biography:
Ilona Fridl was born in the Los Angeles area of Southern California, where she lived the first twenty-one years of her life. In high school and college, she took Journalism and Creative Writing. She moved with her family to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where she met her husband, Mark. They started a locksmithing business and raised a daughter to adulthood. All the while, she dreamed about being a writer, but she hated typewriters. In the nineties, they purchased their first computer, and she never looked back. With some articles and short stories under her belt, she started her first novel. The eighth book was released by The Wild Rose Press. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, and a student of AllWriters in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Social Media Links:
Website http://www.ilonafridl.com
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/IFridl