Title: Relatively Risky: The Big Uneasy 1
Author: Pauline Baird Jones
Genre: Romantic Suspense/Mystery
Book Blurb:
When children's book author Nell Whitby inadvertently upsets dangerous criminals, it's up to quiet-loving Homicide Detective Alex Baker to keep her safe. Amid the thrilling chase and suspense, will they find a way to forever together?
Nell Whitby is more than just an author; she's an adventurer at heart. Her curiosity takes a dangerous turn when she crosses paths with a would-be carjacker, and accidentally saves off-duty police officer, Alex Baker. But when an unexpected enemy starts shooting, the danger to her life escalates.
Alex Baker, a seasoned homicide detective from a bustling family, prefers the sound of silence and a case well closed. Yet when an attractive cyclist, Nell, tumbles into his life amidst chaos, he realizes he's her best shot at survival.
Their lives entwine in more ways than one when Nell unwittingly uncovers her tie to a crime family. She's shocked to learn she's too close for comfort to a dead crime boss. Sworn to protect her, Alex must find a way to keep the captivating Nell out of the crosshairs of ruthless hitmen.
In this whirlwind of bullet storms and untangling secrets, will their budding romance survive the risks they face?
Relatively Risky is the heart-pounding, and hilarious, first entry in The Big Uneasy humorous romantic suspense series by Pauline Baird Jones. If you're a fan of endearing characters, sharp humor, and a taste of noir, you'll be captivated by this thrilling tale.
Secure your copy of Relatively Risky today and dive headfirst into a love story wrapped in suspense and danger!
Excerpt:
When Alex Baker felt the cold gun barrel press against the back of his neck he knew a bad night had just gotten worse. New Orleans at night was always a walk on the wild side, but when the moon was full, wild got super sized. The crazies came out, the bullets flew, and the emergency rooms filled up with the bloodied and the bowed.
When he already had the best view of the city’s worst, working Homicide for the New Orleans Police Department, it wasn’t a good idea to piss off a mayoral aide, cuz the view was worse at night. Thank goodness it was his last night shift, at least until he pissed off someone else. It had felt like everyone was taking potshots at everyone else the whole damn night. The homicide rate had never been great, but it had gotten worse since Katrina. If something didn’t change, the City Council really would move to reclassify bullet holes as a natural cause of death, just to improve the stats for tourists. Starting to feel like it didn’t matter how many people lived in New Orleans, just how many died.
Nights like this, he wondered why he didn’t find some quiet little town where only wildlife got shot at. But the Big Easy had moved into his head and his heart and worse, it set a good table. His stomach rumbled a reminder that it had been a long time since its last feeding. No question the food wooed the taste buds, wined, dined, and entertained them. Lured a body like those sirens in the legends. Even when he hated the city, he loved it. If the devil had a home here and in hell, he’d live here, no question about it. Except in August, when hell was cooler.
In the quiet semi-dark, with morning just starting to lighten the horizon, he’d turned onto the narrow street where home, breakfast and bed waited. As usual, cars haphazardly crowded both sides of the street, fitting in where they could and where they shouldn’t. Parking in New Orleans required patience, ingenuity and a huge pile of luck. Sometimes he’d be driving along, spot a great parking place, and feel this overwhelming urge to grab it because it was there. Alex had known he was running out of patience, was probably out of luck. This time of the morning no one was likely to clear as space just because he needed it. They were all sleeping something off in their beds. He should have taken the front fence down a long time ago so he could park on the lawn, but Zach insisted a white picket fence was a chick magnet. A guy really didn’t want his dad saying chick magnet, let alone having one in the yard.
He’d passed his house, wondering if he was going to be doomed to drive around until one of the college students across the street had to go to class, but as he passed a cross street, he’d spotted half a space just around the corner. It was by a hydrant, but the parking Nazis weren’t out this early, and he could get his dad to move his truck later. He pulled in, got most of his truck off the street, if he didn’t mind blocking the sidewalk. He didn’t. The dividing line between street and sidewalk was more imagined than real anyway. He’d shut off the engine and thrust open the door, anxious to get unconscious as soon as possible. Should have known better. Should have kept an eye on his surroundings. Which was why the stinking little piece of crap got the drop on him, down shifting his night from bad to worse.
“Get out real slow with your hands where I can see ‘em, mother—” The pressure of the gun against his neck eased some, as if the perp couldn’t point and talk at the same time.
Alex rolled his eyes at the spate of unoriginal swearing. The education system was so screwed up, it was depressing. Kids couldn’t even swear good and had nothing better to do than try to jack a detective who’d spent the night knee deep in bodies.
“Keep your cool,” Alex said, more for himself than the kid, as his temper tried to slip tired’s leash. Making sure both hands were visible, he slid out and turned around. The kid was as small as he sounded and looked like he was on the downside of a high. Probably looking to trade Alex’s wheels for a trip back up. Man, the guys’d really roast him if he got jacked by a kid too young to shave.
“Shut up and give me your wallet and keys!” The kid practically foamed at the mouth as another round of filth poured out.
At his age, Alex hadn’t known half that many cuss words. And when he got caught saying the ones he knew, his head had been down in the sink eating soap. If he shoved a bar down the kid’s throat? Probably be called police brutality and get him a sit down with IAD.
“Life’s not fair,” his dad would say about now. “But it’s always interesting, bubba.”
And about to get more so, Alex realized. The swearing, while tiresome, had drowned out the unlikely figure on a bicycle bearing down on them both. She was hunched over the handles, an intent scowl on a face that was ordinary, but not in a bad way. Her feet pumped hard on the pedals, as she steered around the numerous potholes and bumps that pockmarked the street. Her eyes were narrow slits and her hair stuck out around her head like a ragged, brown halo.
Alex sure hoped she didn’t plan to ram the little crap while he had a gun pointed at him—oh yeah, she meant to.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
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Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1198405
What makes your featured book a must-read?
Relatively Risky by Pauline Baird Jones is a must-read because it delivers a wildly entertaining blend of cozy mystery, romantic suspense, and laugh-out-loud humor that hooks you from the first page and refuses to let go. The story’s quirky heroine, Nell, charms with her wry, slightly crazy perspective—turning people into vegetables with faces in her mind—while unraveling dangerous family secrets in the vibrant, noir-soaked setting of New Orleans. Reviewers rave about the fast-paced plot packed with twists, action, and just the right amount of romance to keep you invested in Nell and Alex’s sizzling chemistry. Jones’ unique writing style, brimming with witty dialogue and vivid details, brings the Big Easy to life, making you feel like you’re right there amidst the intrigue. The characters are lovable, well-developed, and delightfully weird, ensuring you’ll be grinning through every page-turning moment. A perfect storm of humor, heart, and suspense, this book leaves readers eagerly awaiting the next installment in The Big Uneasy series—it’s a ridiculously great ride you won’t want to miss!
Giveaway –
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Author Biography:
Award-winning author Pauline Baird Jones writes perilously fun fiction—romantic suspense, space opera, time travel, and more. With 40+ books, a flair for humor, and a love of adventure, she creates heroines braver than they realize and heroes brave enough to love them. If you crave thrilling plots, smart laughs, and sigh-worthy endings, you’re in the right place! 🚀❤️📚
Social Media Links:
Website: https://paulinebjones.com
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