Skip to content
Search here...
0
TOP
Reader News

More Cloak and Dagger After Midnight

264 Views

I thought I would get in one more blog post today. Tomorrow I will be blogging about the art of spycraft. I hope you can join me then. I promise it will be intriguing. In the meantime, here is an excerpt from the novel I’m currently working on. The title may change, but for now, it is SPIDERS. It’s a crime thriller with strong romantic elements. This excerpt is for the romantics.

EXCERPT FROM

SPIDERS

The whistle of an approaching train broke through the music and chatter and clinking silver. A black locomotive rumbled past the windows, its lights blurred by rain that streaked the glass. Hayden picked up his whiskey and turned back to his deputy. “You look beautiful tonight, Megan.”

“Thank you. You’re pretty snazzy yourself.” She reached out and adjusted his tie, letting her hands linger on his neck and the top of his chest a little longer than necessary. She cleared her throat and stepped back. “But I’d swear you’ve been trying to hang yourself with this. Every time I’ve looked at you, you’ve been tugging at this thing like a noose. Now it’s halfway to your back.”

So she’d been watching his table too. That thought pleased him… almost as much as the feel of her hands against his chest.

She dropped her gaze and turned away. “So, who are all these people? I barely recognize anyone.”

Hayden followed her stare, looking past the wooden boundaries of the cozy bar.

“Most of them are from Chapel’s police department, but there are some officers here from Julian as well. Plus the odd politician “” their number, not their personality “” and family members. If it were just the Talipatche Sheriff’s Department, we’d be a pretty straggly group.”

Hayden studied the people he saw only a few times a year. They had separated into clusters. Cops stood with other cops. Civilians gathered around other civilians. The politicians moved among everybody. Most of the LEOs were huddled in corners, no doubt talking shop, telling either their most humorous or their most hair-raising tales from the street””either that or they were discussing their latest firearm purchases or the stupidity of politics and their superiors.

“Do you mind if I ask you a personal question, Hayden?”

“Depends on the question.”

She hesitated. “Maybe I’d better not ask then.”

“Can’t stop now, Megan. You’ve made me curious.” He almost said you’ve aroused my curiosity but stopped himself. He was trying not to think about how much she aroused him.

“What’s going on with Emma? She’s been crying all night.”

He turned back to the bartender and ordered another whiskey. He hadn’t expected that.

“Her dog died,” he answered.

She was silent, obviously not believing his answer and not finding it funny enough to laugh at.

He sighed. “I’ve been trying to break things off with her for a year. She finally realized I was serious. She’ll be fine. She’ll lambast me in the newspaper and skewer me at board meetings, but she’s a big girl. She’ll get over it.”

“I thought it was something like that.”

“Yeah, it’s exactly like that.” He drank his third whiskey and stared at the empty glass. “I haven’t seen you dancing tonight. Don’t you dance?”

She looked relieved at the change of subject. “I love to dance, but I usually dance Cumbia or Merengue.”

“If you can dance Cumbia and Merengue, a waltz will be a cinch. Care to try your feet at one?”

She glanced at the dance floor uncertainly. “Is that what this is?”

“Yes. It’s Ashokan Farewell. One of my favorites.”

She turned back to him. “Well, if you’re willing to risk it, I am too.”

He was willing to risk a lot more than that, and her words gave him the impression she was too. He trusted his skills of observation, and the body language behind her comment told him she was talking about more than a dance. He set down his glass and took her hand, finding it even softer than he’d expected, and led her to the dance floor””ignoring the shocked stares of everyone present.

“This is just a basic waltz, Megan. Your left hand goes here.” He lifted her hand and placed it on his right shoulder. “I want you close to me, so you can feel my movements, but not too close.” He wrapped his left hand around her right, slowly closing his fingers one by one, and lifted her arm straight to the side. He glanced down.

Had her breathing stopped?

There was no movement in her chest. He felt his pulse quicken and draped his right arm over her shoulder, resting his hand against the bare skin of her shoulder blade. “Your right foot goes between my feet. Now turn your head left.”

She stared at him and didn’t respond.

She still wasn’t breathing.

Hayden smiled. “Turn your head left,” he repeated, his voice low.

She slowly looked away, turning her face away from his. Her chest rose and fell with a slight catch, and her breathing resumed.

“Now I’ll step forward with my right leg and bring it between your legs. When I do, you step back on your left.” He moved toward her and she moved away. “Now you step right.” She did as he instructed. “Now forward, opposite leg. Now left.” She followed him effortlessly, gliding smoothly. “Now we just continue this same basic pattern. It’s a very strict rhythm. Don’t push it. Not too fast. Not too slow. Just follow the rhythm. Follow me.” He controlled the movements of her body easily, leading her gracefully across the floor. Forward, left, back, right. Each moving to the haunting strains of the violins and guitar. “You’ve done this before, haven’t you?”

She smiled and looked back at him. “No, this is my first time. I’m just following your lead.”

“Keep your head left,” he said. “Well, you’re a natural. By the way, you smell good.”

“Thanks Hayden, so do you.”

A sudden flash startled him, when he turned toward it, he came face-to-face with Emma. She shoved her camera at him and snapped another picture. Then she lunged at Megan and tackled her to the dance floor with a Banshee-like wail.

http://www.doralynn.net

Easter Egg Blog Event - Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy Easter Egg Blog Event - Tory Richards
Easter Egg Hunt - C.H. Admirand

«

»

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Follow Me on Instagram

Award-winning author David A. Anderson took some time this week to answer a few questions about his debut novel, The Drowners.

Tell us a little about your YA Watty award. What year did you receive it and what was your Wattpad experience like?

2021. The crazy thing is I almost didn't enter that book. I had another story, Bright Midnight, that was getting attention from Wattpad's editorial staff.
#@davidaanderson ##author ##interview ##thedrowners ##yawattyaward

https://coffeetimeromance.com/interview-with-david-a-anderson/

Award-winning author David A. Anderson took some time this week to answer a few questions about his debut novel, The Drowners.

Tell us a little about your YA Watty award. What year did you receive it and what was your Wattpad experience like?

2021. The crazy thing is I almost didn`t enter that book. I had another story, Bright Midnight, that was getting attention from Wattpad`s editorial staff.
#@davidaanderson ##author ##interview ##thedrowners ##yawattyaward

https://coffeetimeromance.com/interview-with-david-a-anderson/
...

0 0
Buy on Amazon
 
 	Wild Rose Press

 	March 2025

 	Timeless by Kathryn Amurra

 	Wild Rose Press

Hearts True Desire:

Amulet

Timeless

 	Rating: 5 Cups

 

 	Blurb

 	Erin Dovetree cannot forgive her father for cheating on her mother years ago and has sworn off men altogether. That is until destiny leads her to her grandmother's incredibly attractive and mysterious landlord.
#@kathrynamura #@wildrosepress ##booklovers ##bookreviews ##booktok ##fantasy ##readers ##Romance

https://coffeetimeromance.com/timeless-by-kathryn-amura/

Buy on Amazon

Wild Rose Press

March 2025

Timeless by Kathryn Amurra

Wild Rose Press

Hearts True Desire:

Amulet

Timeless

Rating: 5 Cups



Blurb

Erin Dovetree cannot forgive her father for cheating on her mother years ago and has sworn off men altogether. That is until destiny leads her to her grandmother`s incredibly attractive and mysterious landlord.
#@kathrynamura #@wildrosepress ##booklovers ##bookreviews ##booktok ##fantasy ##readers ##Romance

https://coffeetimeromance.com/timeless-by-kathryn-amura/
...

0 0
Gunnie Rose, Book 5

Amazon

Available In Audible

Following the murderous events of the “gripping…thrill-ride” (Karin Slaughter) Serpent of Heaven, Lizbeth Rose is awaiting the arrival of her sister Felicia and her husband’s younger brother Eli in Texoma.
#@amazon #@audible #@charlaineharris ##fantasy ##GunnieRose ##historical ##thriller ##Witch ##wizards

https://coffeetimeromance.com/all-the-dead-shall-weep-by-charlaine-harris/

Gunnie Rose, Book 5

Amazon

Available In Audible

Following the murderous events of the “gripping…thrill-ride” (Karin Slaughter) Serpent of Heaven, Lizbeth Rose is awaiting the arrival of her sister Felicia and her husband’s younger brother Eli in Texoma.
#@amazon #@audible #@charlaineharris ##fantasy ##GunnieRose ##historical ##thriller ##Witch ##wizards

https://coffeetimeromance.com/all-the-dead-shall-weep-by-charlaine-harris/
...

1 0
7 Mysteries & Thrillers Set in the Mountains

  The remoteness of the mountainous terrains worldwide truly set the scene for a mysterious plot. From the Appalachians to Scandinavia, this list of crime novels spans all different ranges.
#@ashleywinstead #@cjbox #@erinprophet #@jesswalter #@meganlally #@novelsuspects #@timjohnston

https://coffeetimeromance.com/7-mountain-thrillers-thatll-make-you-rethink-the-great-outdoors/

7 Mysteries & Thrillers Set in the Mountains

The remoteness of the mountainous terrains worldwide truly set the scene for a mysterious plot. From the Appalachians to Scandinavia, this list of crime novels spans all different ranges.
#@ashleywinstead #@cjbox #@erinprophet #@jesswalter #@meganlally #@novelsuspects #@timjohnston

https://coffeetimeromance.com/7-mountain-thrillers-thatll-make-you-rethink-the-great-outdoors/
...

2 0
Raena isn’t sure she really wants to get back up on that horse that bucked her off …. Then she meets Temptation.

Married out of high school, Raena doesn’t have a clue about how to get back into circulation.  She decides to take a chance and arrange a meeting with a guy online.

Then she meets--TEMPTATION--and falls for his transparent efforts at seduction.
#@kimberlyzant #@newconceptspublishing ##booklover ##booktok ##erotic

https://coffeetimeromance.com/temptation-by-kimberly-zant/

Raena isn’t sure she really wants to get back up on that horse that bucked her off …. Then she meets Temptation.

Married out of high school, Raena doesn’t have a clue about how to get back into circulation. She decides to take a chance and arrange a meeting with a guy online.

Then she meets--TEMPTATION--and falls for his transparent efforts at seduction.
#@kimberlyzant #@newconceptspublishing ##booklover ##booktok ##erotic

https://coffeetimeromance.com/temptation-by-kimberly-zant/
...

2 0
Available In Audible

Amazon

She suspects everyone of everything. Sometimes she gets it right.Jane Ladling is the sole proprietor of her family’s landlocked cemetery, Garden of Memories. She’s responsible for the, er, guests, but there’s a slight problem. Well, besides her moody cat, Rolex, and her sixty-two-year-old best friend’s unrequited crush on the sheriff.
#@genashowalter ##audible ##Romance ##Suspense

https://coffeetimeromance.com/romancing-the-gravestone-a-jane-ladling-mystery-by-gena-showalter/

Available In Audible

Amazon

She suspects everyone of everything. Sometimes she gets it right.Jane Ladling is the sole proprietor of her family’s landlocked cemetery, Garden of Memories. She’s responsible for the, er, guests, but there’s a slight problem. Well, besides her moody cat, Rolex, and her sixty-two-year-old best friend’s unrequited crush on the sheriff.
#@genashowalter ##audible ##Romance ##Suspense

https://coffeetimeromance.com/romancing-the-gravestone-a-jane-ladling-mystery-by-gena-showalter/
...

2 0
8 New Mystery & Thriller Releases You Can’t Miss This Week

  This  week’s new releases are pulsing with gripping suspense, spine-tingling  thrills, and uncovering unsettling truths that’ll change lives. 
#@novelsuspects ##booklovers ##booktok ##mystery ##readernews ##thriller

https://coffeetimeromance.com/novel-suspects-news-03-25-2025/

8 New Mystery & Thriller Releases You Can’t Miss This Week

This week’s new releases are pulsing with gripping suspense, spine-tingling thrills, and uncovering unsettling truths that’ll change lives.
#@novelsuspects ##booklovers ##booktok ##mystery ##readernews ##thriller

https://coffeetimeromance.com/novel-suspects-news-03-25-2025/
...

3 0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUgSY_0ific&list=PLADB7AA53B8BC2FB8

Book trailer for Wolf of the Nordic Seas, book 2 of the Valiant Vikings series set in 10th century Normandy--a sizzling blend of historical fiction, paranormal fantasy, Norse mythology, and steamy Viking romance!Wolf
#@jenniferivywalker ##booklovers ##booktok ##historical ##vikings ##wolfofthenordicseas

https://coffeetimeromance.com/wolf-of-the-nordic-seas-by-jennifer-ivy-walker/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUgSY_0ific&list=PLADB7AA53B8BC2FB8

Book trailer for Wolf of the Nordic Seas, book 2 of the Valiant Vikings series set in 10th century Normandy--a sizzling blend of historical fiction, paranormal fantasy, Norse mythology, and steamy Viking romance!Wolf
#@jenniferivywalker ##booklovers ##booktok ##historical ##vikings ##wolfofthenordicseas

https://coffeetimeromance.com/wolf-of-the-nordic-seas-by-jennifer-ivy-walker/
...

1 0
https://kingsumo.com/g/19947p1/win-a-copy-of-the-serpent-series
#@SZEstavillo ##booklovers ##readers ##serpentseries ##winbooks

https://coffeetimeromance.com/win-a-copy-of-the-serpent-series-by-s-z-estavillo/

https://kingsumo.com/g/19947p1/win-a-copy-of-the-serpent-series
#@SZEstavillo ##booklovers ##readers ##serpentseries ##winbooks

https://coffeetimeromance.com/win-a-copy-of-the-serpent-series-by-s-z-estavillo/
...

2 0
#@erewhonbooks #@vanessavidakelley ##books ##booktok ##Giveaway ##goodreads

https://coffeetimeromance.com/book-giveaway-for-when-the-tides-held-the-moon/

#@erewhonbooks #@vanessavidakelley ##books ##booktok ##Giveaway ##goodreads

https://coffeetimeromance.com/book-giveaway-for-when-the-tides-held-the-moon/
...

3 1
Tempest by Harley Wylde - In the heart of the South lies the Dixie Reapers MC -- an unbreakable brotherhood bound by loyalty and secrets. But when a fierce storm brews both outside and within the club, all bets are off.

Kasen -- I’ve spent my life hiding in the shadow of my father, Tank, the previous Sergeant-at-Arms for the Dixie Reapers.
#@changelingpress #@harleywylde #@KiraStone #@marteekakarland ##contemporary ##erotic ##lbgtq ##MC ##Romance

https://coffeetimeromance.com/?p=278743

Tempest by Harley Wylde - In the heart of the South lies the Dixie Reapers MC -- an unbreakable brotherhood bound by loyalty and secrets. But when a fierce storm brews both outside and within the club, all bets are off.

Kasen -- I’ve spent my life hiding in the shadow of my father, Tank, the previous Sergeant-at-Arms for the Dixie Reapers.
#@changelingpress #@harleywylde #@KiraStone #@marteekakarland ##contemporary ##erotic ##lbgtq ##MC ##Romance

https://coffeetimeromance.com/?p=278743
...

4 0