Life Imitates Art: Sink or Swim #eggcerptexchange @stacyjuba

Life imitates art when a murderer targets competitors in a reality TV show in Stacy Juba's Sink or Swim, today's excerpt exchange.

Sink or Swim 
by Stacy Juba
Mystery/Romantic Suspense

Blurb: 

How do you change the channel when reality TV turns to murder?

Personal trainer Cassidy Novak has gained fame for starring on a hit reality show. Not only does she lose and have to walk the plank, but upon returning home, Cassidy discovers she is being stalked.

As her former competitors get killed off, Cassidy refuses to play by the stalker’s bizarre rules. She’s also being shadowed by photographer Zach Gallagher, who has been assigned to capture her personal moments for the local newspaper. She wants to trust Zach, but fears he may not be as nice as he seems.

When the stalker forces a showdown, Cassidy must walk the plank again – this time for her life.

Sink or Swim was a Nook Top 20 Bestseller and was a Nook Mystery Bestseller, and was also a #1 Amazon Kindle Bestseller in the Women Sleuths and Romantic Suspense categories.

Excerpt:

Cassidy sat poised in her chair as former contestants filed onto the soundstage at WBC in New York. Together, the studio audience and television viewers had watched the recorded footage of her walking the plank. Gabriel would now interview the competitors from the inaugural season one final time. More importantly, he would announce her prize. If it erased most of her debts, then it would at least make this whole embarrassing experience worthwhile.

Cassidy’s heart kicked in her chest and sweat moistened her brow. As one of her old teammates entered, her heart rate skyrocketed for a different reason. Josh Sanchioni slid into a bucket seat, carrying himself stiffer than normal in his sharp gray suit. Studio lights caught his sunbleached strawberry blonde waves, brightening the reddish gold tints.

Cassidy slipped her gaze to his leather shoes. If Josh hadn’t been engaged, they could have been an item. Instead, they’d been good friends until that one evening when the cameras were off and they almost kissed. They’d both realized their mistake and backed away. Things were strained until Josh walked the plank a week later. Tonight, not only did Cassidy have to face Josh, she would probably meet his fiancée.

Her cheeks heating, Cassidy focused on the competitor beside Josh as a distraction. Adam Horton sat erect, hands folded in the lap of his olive green khakis. He wasn’t military, but he dressed like an Army wannabe. His reptilian eyes drilled into Cassidy, his angular face revealing the shape of bones underneath. A blond goatee darkened his pointy chin. Cassidy shuddered involuntarily. Adam never said much, but he made her uncomfortable just the same. She’d sense someone watching her on the ship and Adam would be lurking in the hatches. Luckily, he only lasted on the show two weeks.

“Before we catch up with our former contestants, I’d like to congratulate Cassidy on a job well done,” Gabriel said in the middle of the circle.

Applause thundered from the audience and a wave of excitement crested over her. Cassidy offered a smile for the cameras as Gabriel finished, “I’m proud to present you with your prize – a luxury vacation for two to the Bahamas on a real cruise ship with $3,000 spending money!”

Dumbfounded, Cassidy watched as a video depicted a majestic ocean liner on the large TV screen. “Set sail with us to the Bahamas, where you can swim with dolphins in turquoise waters, relax on sugar white beaches and explore the island’s history as a haven for pirates,” said the female announcer in a voice-over. “On your voyage, you can enjoy our ten lounges, two outdoor pools, luxury spa, casino, cinema, dynamite shows, and glass walls and elevators that get you up close to the ocean views.”

Another boat? More ocean views? Were they friggin’ serious? A frozen smile hovered on Cassidy’s lips. Too bad she’d already seen the counselor that afternoon and he’d attested that all her screws were still in place. This travesty might be enough to unhinge her.

Available at:
Amazon Kindle
Barnes and Noble (Nook)
Smashwords
iBookstore
Kobo
Audible

Author Links:
Website: http://stacyjuba.com/blog/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stacy-Juba/100155471301
Twitter: https://twitter.com/stacyjuba
 
Eggcerpt exchanges will continue through April 17. Check back next week.

Linda

Read Tuesday

We have Black Friday and Cyber Monday, plus there's Read Tuesday, the day for buying and gifting books at amazing sale prices. Thousands of books will be on sale on Read Tuesday.

This is a great opportunity for readers to stock up on books from their favorite participating authors and publishers. You'll find more information at the Read Tuesday website, or you can join the conversation at Facebook or @ReadTuesday on Twitter.

Share the gift of reading.

Discounted books also make great gifts for the holidays. It’s easy to gift e-books, returns are not a problem with most retailers, the gift is delivered instantly (but you can schedule when to have it delivered), and there are no shipping and handling charges.

This is my first year to participate in Read Tuesday, and I have two discounted books available for you to choose from.

Lady Elinor's Escape
by Linda McLaughlin
Sweet Regency Romance

When a runaway heiress masquerades as a seamstress, she complicates the life of a tortured barrister who specializes in rescuing females in distress. Can he save her from a disaster of her own making or will the past repeat itself?

Amazon and Nook price: $0.99
Smashwords price $0.99 (Use Coupon Code: DB46R)

Note: Lady Elinor's Escape will be on sale through the end of the year!

Worth The Risk
by Lyn O'Farrell
(the writing team of Anne Farrell and Linda McLaughlin)
Contemporary Romantic Comedy

Children's librarian Amanda Lloyd values privacy above all else. Three years ago her wedding ended in disaster when her groom was arrested at the altar and the story of the 'Embezzler's Bride' appeared in the supermarket tabloids. The experience has left her determined to avoid being caught in the public eye again. Until she meets a sexy single dad with a scandalous past.

Ex-racer Mitch Delaney is a public figure whose life has been plastered across the tabloids more than once. But he believes that anything worth doing is worth a risk, and he wants Amanda in his life. When they draw the attention of the tabloids, his custody of his son is threatened. Amanda has waited twenty-eight years for the right man. But will happiness come at too high a price?

Amazon and Nook price: $1.99
Smashwords price: $1.97 (use Coupon Code: EU36T)

And don't forget the Romance Super Bundle. Ten full-length romance novels for one low price! Available at Amazon, All Romance eBooks, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, iTunes and Smashwords.


Happy Reading!

Linda McLaughlin aka Lyn O'Farrell

Ten Books One Low Price

The gang from Romance Super Bundle is celebrating the release of our boxed set of TEN romances on sale now for 99 cents!

On Monday, October 7th, we'll be giving away free books, swag, gift baskets and gift cards at our Facebook Launch Party. Please stop by and join the fun. We'll be there all day. Fun and games last until the next morning!

In the meantime,  here's a peak into the ten books in the Romance Super Bundle:

Touched by Death

by Dale Mayer

Death had touched anthropologist Jade Hansen in Haiti once before, costing her an unborn child and perhaps her very sanity. A year later, determined to face her own issues, she returns to Haiti with a mortuary team to recover the bodies of an American family from a mass grave–only to find the grave holds more than expected–and Jade finds herself confronting death and terror once again. And the man who unexpectedly awakens her heart is right in the middle of it all.

There’s Only Been You

by Donna Marie Rogers

Two weeks after Mike Andrews disappeared from her life, Sara Jamison discovered she was something she never expected to be–an unwed pregnant teenager. With the love and support of her annoyingly alpha-male family, she's made a good life for herself and her young son. Sure, she works too hard and her social life is nonexistent, but for the most part, she's content–until the day Mike walks into her bakery and back into her life.

Stardust Miracle

by Edie Ramer

Becky Diedrich is the cheesemaker's daughter, the minister's wife, the good sister. What she's not is her own woman, what she can't be is a mother. And then she catches her husband with another woman, and she moves in with her sister, and she starts to see sparkles. And this is just the beginning...

Meant for Her

by Amy Gamet

A fiery homicide leaves Navy investigator Hank Jared with just two clues: an encrypted message and a name, Julie X. Trueblood. Shadows from the past surround Julie, and Hank finds the perfect place to hide her, right by his side at his sister’s wedding. Now he just needs to remember their relationship is all an act, while she works to decode the message that could save both their lives or tear them apart forever.

Rogue’s Hostage

by Linda McLaughlin

Mara Dupre is taken captive by a French and Indian War party that killed her husband and destroyed her cabin. She longs for her freedom, but her captor has other ideas. Lt. Jacques Corbeau's desire for his hostage threatens what little honor he has left. When Mara offers her body in exchange for her freedom, it may be his undoing. Will Mara find her way home, or realize she is already there?

Sleight of Hand

by Kate Kelly

Suddenly suspected of stealing half a million dollars of original paintings, Chance Spencer can't afford to have the FBI delve too closely into his covert past. When one agent in particular endeavors to put him behind bars, Chance coerces the real thief's daughter, Sarah O'Sullivan, into helping him flush her wily father out of hiding. But his plan quickly deteriorates when the stakes for his freedom soar. How can he ruthlessly use the woman with whom he's falling in love?

August Unknown

by Pamela Fryer

She doesn’t know what happened the night of the storm, why she was walking along the highway without ID, or why she has a fading tan line on her wedding ring finger, but a dark and terrifying presence haunts the edge of her memory. Before she can start a new life with the wonderful man who came to her rescue, she must remember what in her past might take her away from him.

Love, Lies and a Double Shot of Deception

by Lois Winston

Life has delivered one sucker punch after another to Emma Wadsworth. The poor little rich girl is the ultimate poster child for "Money Can't Buy Happiness"–even if she's no longer a child. So when Philadelphia’s most beloved citizen becomes the city’s most notorious criminal, she needs to do a lot more than clear her name if she wants to save her budding romance with the billionaire hunk someone is willing to kill for.

Hard Target

by Barbara Phinney

Military policewoman Sgt. Dawna Atkinson has worked hard for her embassy posting, even while taking the blame for a shared indiscretion with her instructor, Tay Hastings. But when her embassy is bombed and Tay arrives to assist, she refuses to trust him again. Still, as the investigation and their growing attraction heat up, Dawna has the choice to trust Tay or risk the lives of everyone around them.

Jesse’s Brother

by Wendy Ely

One woman, two men: a single summer to choose between them. Sacrificing a summer to fix her relationship with her mother and find out what’s troubling her father isn’t so bad...right? Wrong. Or so Samantha learns upon her return to Portland. As if family drama wasn’t bad enough, first comes Noah. Then comes Jesse. Will Samantha be able to choose between the men before their secret crushes her?

Now on sale at Amazon, All Romance eBooks, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, iTunes and Smashwords for 99 cents!

Linda

Book Review Club: Bewitching Season

BEWITCHING SEASON
by Marissa Doyle
Young Adult fantasy / romance 

Henry Holt Books for Young Readers

Bewitching Season is the first in the "Leland Sisters" series, though there are only two girls, so I don't know how many books are planned. The setting is England in 1837, right before Victoria came to the throne, and it revolves around the London social season. The twist here is that the sisters, Persephone and Penelope (Persy and Pen) are hereditary witches.

The first book is Persy's story. She is the more talented witch of the two twins, which comes in handy later. Persy is also more studious and shy than Pen, so the social season is a bit of a trial for her. To her surprise, she attracts the interest of several young men, including their neighbor, Lochinvar Seton, with whom she is secretly in love. After indulging in some champagne at a ball, she performs a love spell on Lochinvar, but then when he shows interest, she thinks it's because of the love spelll not because he really likes her, so she starts avoiding him which alienates her twin. (In so many ways, the twins are typical teenage girls and behave accordingly.)

The external plot revolves around the kidnapping of the twins' governess, Miss Allerdyce, a very talented witch. She has been spirited to Kensington Palace where Princess Victoria lives with her mother and the villainous Sir John Conroy, who wants Ally to help him bewitch Victoria so he can be the power behind the throne when the old king dies. Of course it is up to Persy and Pen to find Ally and free her (and Victoria) from Conroy's clutches. (Conroy was a real person and he did try to control the young Victoria though I would be surprised if he ever resorted to witchcraft.)

The characters are likable and book is well-written, fast-paced and amusing. Nothing serious here, but a nice diversion. Recommended for YA readers.


Linda 

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book review blogs @Barrie Summy

Visit to Sunshine Books

Yesterday I joined authors Barbara Clark and Janet Quinn for a signing at Sunshine Books, a new and used bookstore in Southern California. Sunshine Books in Cypress, Calif. has been a mainstay of local authors and readers for twenty-eight years. It's great to find an independent bookstore these days that is friendly to both romance and small press books. Nancy, the current owner, and her staff are great to work with and we all had a wonderful time.

Here's a photo of the three authors with two of our readers. From left to right: Aleane, Janet Quinn, Linda McLaughlin / Lyndi Lamont, Barbara Clark / April Reid, and Pam. My thanks to Nancy for taking the picture.

Linda