Where’s Michelle?
by Chris Grover
ISBN: 1-59279-073-9 (Electronic)
ISBN: 1-59279-957-4 (Paperback)
Cover Art Trace Edward Zaber
http://www.amberquill.com/WheresMichelle.html
Other than the fact he was English, Julie Leighton knew nothing about her husband. Then he died and Julie received a call inviting her and her nine-year old daughter, Michelle, to visit his parents in England. Shortly after their plane landed at Heathrow, Michelle disappeared.
Posing as a fellow passenger to gain Julie’s confidence, Detective Inspector Simon Winter offers to help find Michelle. In actual fact, Simon works for a special undercover unit formed to protect members of the British government from harm, and he’s had Julie under surveillance from the moment her plane landed. According to information received by Scotland Yard, Julie’s late husband was blackmailing a prominent British politician and they believe Julie intends to pick up where her husband left off.
Genres: Romance / Romantic Suspense / Romantic Thriller
Length: 232 pages http://www.amberquill.com/WheresMichelle.html
Excerpt:
“If you want your daughter back, I suggest you find out,” the caller said in the same strangely muffled voice.
“Don’t be ridiculous, I have no—”
“As I said before, the papers are valuable, but I think you already know exactly how valuable. So, if you want to see your daughter again…”
A ripple of fear tied her stomach into knots, but then Simon put his arm around her, and she found the courage to ask, “Is Michelle okay?”
“Alive and well for now.” The caller paused. “The police believe she’s with her grandparents. Inspector Mackenzie was most understanding when he heard about your head injury and your refusal to heed medical advice. However, he may not be so understanding if you bother him again.”
“What do you—” Before she could finish, the caller hung up. She slammed down the receiver and glared at Simon. “Did you hear what he said? I just wish I could call Inspector Mackenzie and—”
“Wouldn’t do any good. Mackenzie will have checked the hospital records and discovered you discharged yourself against the doctor’s advice.”
“You mean the police think I’m crazy?”
Simon smiled sympathetically and kept his arm loosely around her shoulders. “We’re dealing with desperate, frightened people who use terrorist tactics and seem to have unlimited money, power and connections. They’ve taken your daughter, cut off any hope of help from the police, and scared you out of your wits, all in the belief you can provide what they want.” He shook his head. “I’d love to know what they’ve told the American Ambassador.”
Now she was really confused. “The American Ambassador? What’s he got to do with all this?”
“Tourists who run into serious problems in foreign countries usually go to their Embassies for help. If our kidnapper is half as smart as he seems to be, I’m sure he anticipated the possibility of you doing the same thing.”
“And made certain the people at US Embassy won’t listen if I decide to call on them for help. I wonder what he told them?”
“A variation of the story he told Inspector Mackenzie, I expect.”
Julie tried to laugh it off, but then a sob tore at her throat and the laughter changed to tears. The next thing she knew, she was wrapped tightly in Simon’s arms, her face pressed against his chest.
“It’s okay. Just let it out,” he murmured against her hair.
Slowly, she became aware of the musky masculine scent of his body and the reassuring beat of his heart. Then, as the tension dissipated, feelings she hadn’t had in a very long time gradually took over. Feelings of closeness. Feelings, which made her relax and breathe a soft sigh of contentment. Even with Vic, she couldn’t remember a moment like this when everything felt so perfect and so right. But with Vic, she hadn’t expected moonlight and roses. Their marriage had been based on mutual convenience, not romantic love.
Simon’s cheek brushed against her forehead and she experienced an unexpected surge of longing that had to be denied.
“Feeling better?”
“I’m okay.”
She looked up only to wish she hadn’t. Simon’s eyes weren’t black as she’d thought, but an incredible velvety navy blue. Hot, sexy eyes that held her prisoner as his head moved down to close the gap between them…
Cool mysteries and hot romance – http://www.chrisgrover.ca
Latest Release: RAINDROPS AND ROSES – http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure
Coming soon from Amber Allure: GETTING REAL
Great excerpt, sounds like a good book.
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