Title: Sanctuary on Victoria Island (Victoria Island Series Book 1)
Author: Karen Andover
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Book Blurb:
Victoria Island is an idyllic place to live and work. Or so Emma Rutledge had always thought. Working for her family's property company, she enjoys professional success. But her personal life is more complicated. She struggles to move past her childhood infatuation with Donovan, her brother's best friend, and to cope with his callous rejection of her feelings.
But things are not always as they seem on the picturesque island. The sunny and peaceful haven conceals dangerous secrets. When Emma unexpectedly stumbles across the darker side of life, her life is threatened.Donovan Evans is leaving the military after fifteen years and returning home to Victoria Island. He is ready to start the next chapter of his life with a different job and the hope for a new relationship. But old hurts frustrate his plan. And unforeseen violence transforms his priorities. Suddenly Emma and Donovan have more at stake than getting past their troubled history. They must work together to say alive.
Excerpt:
With both hands wrapped around the glass, Emma slurped the last of her frozen margarita. She carefully set the massive wide-rimmed tumbler down. “You know something? You almost waited too damn long.” She accentuated her comment by pointing a tortilla chip at Donovan.
“You weren’t seriously involved with that banker.”
He took a swig of his beer. When he set it down, beer spilled over the top.
“I could have been. Stephen and I had a lot in common.”
“Yeah? Like what?”
“We both volunteered for the Save the Seas charity.” She ticked one item on her finger.
“Hmm…” His eyes narrowed. “What else?”
Emma screwed her face up. She was having trouble organizing her thoughts, and this interrogation was making her think too hard. She blinked. “He’s attractive. He’s my age.” She counted off two more fingers. She extended another finger, then hesitated. “Oh, yes! He has a good job. That’s four reasons.”
He shook his head. “Those are superficial rationales at best. They don’t establish long term compatibility. Anything else?”
“Uh, he was a good dancer.” She made a “voila” motion with her hands.
“Right.” He set his beer down precisely on the mat. “It’s clear to me that you could never have been deeply committed to him.” The muscles in his shoulders relaxed.
Her face heated and she spluttered. “And wh-what makes you such an expert on me and what I need?”
Donovan grinned at her. He reached across the table and took her margarita. “They heard you across the restaurant. You’re cut off from any more drinks. But to answer your question, you and I have a lot in common.”
She winced. Her hand wavered as she scooped up salsa onto her tortilla chip. “Such as?”
“We share the same core values.” Now he ticked items off on his fingers. “Respect, trust, loyalty, and commitment are important to us both. You care about people and animals equally. You stop your car to help a tortoise cross the road. All those care packages Jack’s housekeeper sent me through the years? No matter where I was stationed? I know that it was really you who put them together. That’s kindness. We have shared interests, such as working out. Whenever we’re together, we have fun. Oh, and our chemistry is off the charts. Can you say any of that about Stephen?”
She wiped up the salsa that had fallen off her chip and onto the tablecloth. Finally she looked up.
“No, I can’t say that.” Her shoulders hunched.
“Was anything I said incorrect?”
“No.” Her chin dropped.
“Are you done playing with your food?”
She sighed. “Yes.”
He signaled to the waiter. “Can we have the check please?”
“Of course, sir. I’ll be right back.”
The waiter returned promptly with the bill, and Donovan took care of payment. “Have a good evening, folks.
“You, too.”
Donovan pulled out Emma’s chair. She wobbled on her high-heeled sandals, and he held her steady. “Easy now.”
“I think that margarita hit me a bit harder than I thought.” She laughed self-consciously.
He wrapped his arm around her waist and held her steady as she walked. “You think? Did you eat any lunch?”
She scrunched her face as she thought. “No, not much. There wasn’t much for a vegetarian on the catered lunch the course provided.”
“See? Just an example of you caring for animals and for your health.”
She giggled. “You’re determined to make your case.”
“Yes, I am. Is it working?” Donovan inhaled her jasmine scent.
She gave him a coy look. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
He shook his head and stabilized her as they walked to his truck. He opened the passenger door and
lifted her onto the seat. She couldn’t repress a giggle.
“My he-man,” she said, squeezing his bicep.
“Whatever,” he mumbled.
“Did you say something?”
“No.”
He got into the driver seat. She fumbled with the clasp on her seat belt, so he leaned over and fastened it for her. Then he started the engine, put the truck in drive, and headed south on Victoria Parkway. The dashboard lights glowed as the automatic headlights turned on. Several minutes passed without seeing another vehicle. He glanced in the rearview mirror as a car came up behind them with its high beams on. “Damn it.”
Emma caught some of the reflection in the mirror.
“Those lights are bright.”
“Hang on tight. We have trouble.” He accelerated, and Emma braced a hand on the dashboard. He cursed as the sedan closed the gap. The truck juddered forward when the car hit the back of his bumper. Their heads flew back and hit the headrests.
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This book is an instant vacation with a splash of intrigue! A perfect way to escape for a few hours to an island paradise!
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Open Internationally.
Runs January 6 – January 14, 2025.
Winner will be drawn on January 15, 2025.
Author Biography:
Karen Andover is an author of romantic suspense, contemporary romance, and science fiction. Karen loves the idyllic island life and her goal is to share her happy place with readers one book at a time. She lives in Florida and enjoys reading all genres and spoiling her rescue pup.
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