I am grateful for so many things in life! My friends and family. Good Health. Being able to continue my passion for writing. Of course, I am also very grateful for all of you! Last, but never least, I am so so grateful to be able to live in the United States. God Bless America and have a very very Happy Thanksgiving!
Shop for Autographed Copies
I’m so so excited to let you know that I’ve opened a new shop where you can order autographed copies of my books! Every book ordered will come with swag and if you order at least $50 worth of books, you will get free shipping and a free novella with your order. If you know someone who loves to read, why not get them an autographed romance novel? If you would rather order a book from an online retailer, please e-mail me and I’ll send you some swag and a bookplate you can place in your book.
Winner Winner and a Tempting Read
So excited that so many people shared their hometowns during the giveaway! It was so nice to learn about where you all live and see some of the lovely photos. Thank you! The winner of the giveaway is Capri Gay! Congrats!
And now I’m sharing a teaser and excerpt from Trapping a Terrorist, my 25th release for Harlequin. It’s a story with adventure, suspense, romance and tortured heroes. I hope you’ll enjoy this little look at it!
Teaser
An FBI agent puts everything on the line…
To keep a deadly threat at bay.
When FBI agent Miguel Peters and his father land squarely in the crosshairs of a bomber terrorizing Seattle, the last thing Miguel wants is to also entangle a lovely stranger in a terrorist’s web. Yet while Maisy Oliver might look innocent, her father’s one of the most notorious men in Washington State. Miguel knows Maisy will do anything to help him and his team catch a killer. But does that include confronting a past she’s worked far too long to forget?
From Harlequin Intrigue: Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.
Discover more action-packed stories in the Behavioral Analysis Unit series. All books are stand-alone with uplifting endings but were published in the following order:
Book 1: Profiling a Killer by Nichole Severn
Book 2: Decoding a Criminal by Barb Han
Book 3: Tracing a Kidnapper by Juno Rushdan
Book 4: Trapping a Terrorist by Caridad Piñeiro
Excerpt
As soon as they were through the door, he released her hand and they stepped apart, gazing at each other, obviously uncomfortable. He broke the tension with a flip of his hand in the direction of the Murphy bed.
“I’m going to be working and you’re probably sore. Maybe you should take the bed tonight so you’re more comfortable.”
She opened her mouth, as if to object, but then just nodded. Clasping her hands before her, she said, “Thanks. But there’s room for you as well.”
And there was the eight-hundred-pound gorilla in the room again, and he might as well address it. Walking up to her, he cradled her cheek and stroked his thumb across her creamy skin. So smooth. So soft. His gut tightened at the thought of all that skin against his and she was more than he could resist.
Bending closer, he brought his lips to hers until only the space of a breath was between them. “This,” he said, whispered his lips across hers and shifted back barely an inch. “This is why that’s not a good idea.”
In answer, Maisy reached up and cupped the back of his head, keeping him close. “This,” she said, repeating his earlier action, her lips a butterfly kiss against his. “This is why we have to share that bed. Whatever happens, I don’t want to say that I ran from this. From us.”
A low groan escaped him, and he couldn’t fight it anymore. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her close, her softness crushed to his hardness. Every inch of her fitting to him as if they were two pieces of a puzzle.
Over and over they kissed, until their breaths became one and almost ceased to exist as they strained toward each other.
But then something registered. Sound. Vibration.
“Damn,” he said and fumbled with the phone in his jacket pocket, dropping it with a thud.
That sound killed the desire as effectively as a cold bucket of water.
“SSA Peters,” he said, and mouthed an apology to her.
“We’ve broken through one of the shell companies and like you thought, it’s part of Rothwell Industries,” Dashiell advised.
“That’s great, Dash. We’re one step closer to Rothwell. I’m sure he’s the mastermind behind this,” Miguel said.
“I agree, Miguel. We’ll keep on working to break past the other shell. Hopefully it’ll lead to Rothwell also.”
“I don’t doubt that it will and if we can get Adams into custody, maybe he will flip on Rothwell. As for the licensed blaster, I think there’s one on our list that’s at Rothwell’s current construction site. If you can get an address for him, I’ll go with Madeline to interview him.”
“We’ll try to get it ASAP,” Dashiell said and ended the call.
Miguel tossed the phone onto a nearby tabletop and it clattered noisily, making Maisy jump and take a step away from him.
“You need to get to work,” she said and smoothed her hand across his chest.
“I do. Why don’t you—”
The phone rang and vibrated noisily on the tabletop.
“Again?” Miguel muttered in frustration, swept up the phone and answered, “SSA Peters.”
“We’ve got the address for the blaster from his license application and his photo from his driver’s license,” Madeline said.
“Great. Meet me in the lobby. We’ll speak to him and see what he has to say,” Miguel directed.
Facing Maisy, he said, “I have to go.”
“I understand. I’ll be waiting up for you.”
The last bit of emptiness inside him disappeared at the thought of Maisy waiting for him at home. A home and not just a place to lay his head between investigations.
“That’ll be nice. I’ll make sure an agent is at the door while I’m gone,” he stated and rushed to the door, Maisy following.
At the door he faced her, bent and kissed her, a long, slow kiss filled with promise.
Order Trapping a Terrorist
Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.to/3stMJSx
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/3dmWs6L
Amazon Box Set: https://amzn.to/3lWYdvf
Apple: https://apple.co/3fp4NcL
BN E-book: http://bit.ly/BNTrap
BN Box Set: http://bit.ly/BNBoxSetTTrap
Kobo: http://bit.ly/KoboTrap
Kobo Box Set: http://bit.ly/KobpBoxSetTrap
Additional Retailers: https://books2read.com/TrappingATerrorist
Video
My First Communion
I can remember my First Communion and how my mother and grandmother worked to make my communion dress. It had lots of lace as you can hopefully see from the photo. I don’t look too happy in this photo, probably because we had spent a lot of time taking photos already and I was eager to get home. When I was downsizing, I came across the bible and other things that we got as part of our First Communion package. Weird to see it all after so many years!
Improving Knee Pain Through Exercise
One of the things I’ve had problems with during my lifestyle change (besides sitting a lot more now that I’m writing full-time) is knee pain. I had surgery to fix one knee and working with a personal trainer really helped to improve my strength and end most of my knee pain. But a recent issue brought back the pain dramatically and I’ve been working through it. One of the ways that you can improve knee pain is by strengthening the muscles that support your knee! Here are some sites that have some good exercises for you to try, but always check with your doctor before trying any of them!
Knee Pain Exercises
Arthritis.org: https://bit.ly/3nnVKMA
Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/health/exercises-for-knee-pain
Ortho Info: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/staying-healthy/knee-exercises
University of Rochester: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/MediaLibraries/URMCMedia/hh/services-centers/evarts/documents/knee-exercises.pdf
WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/top-exercises-knee-pain#1
Igniting a New Transformation Journey
I haven’t shared all that much about my transformation since I posted about having lost 50 pounds. The first reason for that was that I was struggling to lose more weight and reach my goal. But then that reason changed since I gained back 30 pounds. Sigh. I can tell myself that it was the COVID pandemic. The Y shut down and I lost my trainer and ability to use the elliptical and assorted weights. I retired and found that I could no longer do the 20K plus steps that I did when was in an office. Or maybe it was that my husband discovered how to make the most amazing bread!
For months I’ve been in the doldrums about it, but I’ve dragged myself out of them by forgiving myself and looking at the positives. I didn’t gain all the weight back. I’m still relatively healthy. According to Fitbit, I’ve earned the Pole Badge which means I’ve walked 12,340 miles – the equivalent of walking from the North to South Poles. More importantly, I’ve refocused and have already lost three pounds this week. I’m eating better and eating more. I’m making sure to get in steps, even if it’s not 20K each day. So if you’re like me and have had your ups and downs, forgive yourself and ignite your transformation journey again. You can do it!
A Chilly Sunday Update & Giveaway
It’s a cold Sunday and I’ve spent the morning working on a daily read that’s part of the K-9s on Patrol series that’s coming out in late March from Harlequin Intrigue. It’s challenging me but I love a challenge! Also getting ready to head out and visit my wonderful MIL! But first, a short walk to pick up a pie for dessert. What are you doing this Sunday? (P.S. – don’t forget about the #giveaway! It’s the last day to enter at https://www.facebook.com/Caridad.Author/posts/10158298715370913.
