This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a $10 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commnter during the tour. Click on the banner to see the other stops on the tour.
The last time Detective Genie Green let a man humiliate her was her college sweetheart—never again. Yet, when former high school lothario Rafael Santiago returns to town as the consulting detective on her case, Genie’s rule of never allowing another man to best her is challenged. Can she trust him long enough to solve this case and get the glory?
Rafa can’t seem to outrun his delinquent past. When The Snakes, a criminal organization he used to belong to, begin murdering people from his hometown, he has a chance to right some of his past wrongs. Will arresting the murderers be enough to redeem him, or will a certain beautiful detective pay the ultimate price instead?
A Christian interracial romantic suspense.
Read an excerpt from the book:
“Wow. You know, you have a real talent with women.”
Rafa gave her a sideways glance but didn’t answer. She saw the corners of his mouth fight an upward pull.
“I bet they have you working all the female subject interviews.” Genie tugged hard on the door handle.
“You don’t have to be jealous Genie,” came his smooth reply.
“Jealous? Ha! Why would I be jealous of her? Over you?” She got in and slammed the door closed.
Rafa slid effortlessly into the seat, calmly closed the door, and jerked his seatbelt on when the car surged forward. Genie nearly forgot to brief the surveillance team, and she whipped the vehicle around and pulled alongside the other car. She rolled down her window. “Let’s give it another day fellas. I’ll let the Lieutenant know and if there is any change to the plan, then we’ll give you a call. Until then, your relief will come as scheduled.” They nodded in affirmation, and Genie drove away.
“Watch your speed,” Rafa teased.
“My speed? What about your speed?”
“My speed?” His voice feigned innocence to her insinuation.
“In another minute Ms. Flores Cera would have forgone the call and invited you in. I’m sure she could whip up some fajitas and rice in no time.”
Rafa roared with laughter. “Do you hear yourself? Fajitas and rice? Who knew Ms. Church could toss around stereotypes.”
Genie blinked. Did she truly say that? Shame swept through her. “I’m sorry,” she murmured. “That was unkind. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“I do.”
Genie heard the smile in his voice. She wasn’t jealous.
She. Wasn’t. Jealous.
Jealousy was an emotion for the weak...for a girl who couldn’t keep her man interested in her. Sure, plenty of women fell all over Jeff. He was classically handsome, a jock, and destined to follow in his parent’s footsteps and be a doctor or a high-powered attorney. Genie’s parents were middle-class, not poor, but not rich. She was considered pretty but not the stunner that should have been on Jeff’s arm. But Jeff chose her. She had no reason to be jealous, but she was. Those women who fell all over Jeff? He fell all over them, too. Wherever smoke rose, fire always followed. Always.
“Wait a minute. Ms. Church? What is that?” Her anger suddenly rekindled.
“Oh, just what we used to call you in school.”
“Who used to call me?”
“Me and some of the other boys,” he said casually, as if it were a time long past.
He had noticed her! I must have looked cute. Plaid skirts and flowered blouses came to mind. And her hair...always in a braid. I did not look cute.“That’s not very original,” she muttered. But it was news to her, and it stung.
“Well, weren’t you president of the Chastity Club?”
“Chess Club!” Genie flushed hot. “And the Bible Club.”
His triumphant laugh enveloped her. “Close enough.”
Genie resisted the urge to stare at him, knowing if she did she wouldn’t be able to stop glaring and then they would run off the road. Instead, she silently counted to ten. Then she counted to ten again. She heard Rafa chuckle softly. Genie gripped the steering wheel. I can’t believe I even considered him a changed man. I even felt guilty! Her prejudgments were correct.
From childhood, bestselling author K. Victoria Chase enjoyed writing stories and plays and reading Christian romance. She received degrees in Criminal Justice and Diplomacy and worked as a federal law enforcement officer for several years before deciding to try her hand at writing a complete novel. Serial Games (Virginia Justice Book One) is the third completed work and the first published by Desert Breeze Publishing. Book two of the series, Marked by the Mob, will be released in November 2012. She has recently signed with Astraea Press for the first in her Santiago Brothers series, the Amazon bestselling Rafael. Until she can make writing a full-time venture, K. Victoria Chase continues to work in the field of counterterrorism, identifying potential terrorists that threaten the United States and the world. She currently resides in Leesburg, VA and writes both clean and Christian interracial romance.
Website: http://www.kvictoriachase.com
Blog: http://www.kvictoriachase.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KVictoriaChase
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/K-Victoria-Chase-Author/221185567951125
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5762404.K_Victoria_Chase
I do like the sound of The Snakes - the name does bring up all sorts of images. Loving the cover.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Hi again, Marybelle! I love the cover too. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you for having me! Will check in after work.
Thank you for hosting today.
ReplyDeleteI have really enjoyed following your tour. This story seems really relevant for todays readers. I am looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the excerpt, thank you.
ReplyDeleteKit3247(at)aol(dot)com
I like the repartee in the excerpt!
ReplyDeletevitajex(at)aol(dot)com
Sounds good. I'm looking forward to it!
ReplyDeletejustforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
I have read only one or two interracial romances so far--I'm pretty new to romance (less than a year). Which are some that you would recommend?
ReplyDeletecatherinelee100 at gmail dot com
Thank you, everyone, for the wonderful comments, and for following the tour!
ReplyDeleteCatherine, I'd recommend 'Worth Waiting For' by Delaney Diamond (clean not Christian), 'Firethorn' by Ronie Kendig (Christian), and 'Sixty Acres and a Bride' (Christian). I've read the first of the three but the other two are on my list--they've received good reviews.
You could also read my first book 'Serial Games.' You can find it on Amazon.
If you want smut, haha, 'To Desire a Wilde' and 'To Love a Wilde' by Kimberly Kay Terry.