I’m not a twin so I can’t say based on real-life experience, but there are lots of stories about twins having a very special connection. It was that concept that inspired the story in Cold Case Reopened. The heroine, Rhea Reilly, is a twin whose sister has been declared dead only Rhea still feels her sister and wants the police to reopen her case. The hero, Jackson Whitaker, is a detective who has been assigned to convince Rhea to drop the case, but when he meets her and sees the evidence she gathered, he realizes that he has to reopen the case and find out what really happened to Rhea’s sister Selene. Today I’ve got a little teaser for you from the beginning of Cold Case Reopened.

Teaser

It was hard to believe that such beauty possibly held unspeakable evil.

Rhea Reilly stood on the shore of the mountain lake where six months earlier her twin sister, Selene, had disappeared on a cold fall night.
Her artist’s eye took in the scene before her. The waters of the lake sparkled like diamonds beneath a sunny cerulean sky. At the farthest end of the lake, the waters tumbled over a spillway for the dam that held back a rush of water during a spring thaw or heavy rain. In the distance, ragged mountains leaped into the sky, still frosted with the remnants of winter snow at the highest elevations.

Normally she would have savored painting such a lovely sight, but not today, when it might be her sister’s watery tomb.
Rhea hugged her arms tight around herself, closed her eyes and listened to the soft lap of the water against the rocky shores of the lake. Imagined Selene standing there that fateful night, tapping out the message she’d sent to Rhea.

I can’t take it anymore. I can’t. I’m finally going to do something about it.

The police had taken that text to mean that Selene had decided to end her life that night, right there on the shores of those stunningly beautiful mountain waters. But Rhea wasn’t convinced.

Cuteness overload, am I right? This is my grand fur baby Lily who is the star of Deadly Chase, a free read at Harlequin.com. Deadly Chase is a teaser for the K-9s on Patrol Series that I’m doing with some of my friends at Harlequin Intrigue. I loved including my daughter’s fur baby in this story about a DEA Agent who is going home and has to face his past and the woman whose heart he broke when he left.

Today’s Teaser Tuesday is a sexy excerpt from The Family She Never Met which is a blend of romance and a family saga. Thank you to everyone who has read the book and taken the time to leave a review. It’s one of the best ways you can help out your favorite authors!

In this teaser, Jessica and Luis have been spending a lot of time together and after a boat ride to Luis’s stunning Indian Creek home, they are relaxing in his pool when the attraction that has been growing between them finally flares into more.

Excerpt

The sun beat down, warming her against the chill of the breeze as they moved along the calmer waters of the bay until Luis pulled eastward once again and toward a southward facing point on an island off Miami Beach. He powered down substantially and navigated beside a dock where he cut the engines and hopped onto it to secure the boat.

She unbuckled and got to her feet, slightly shaky from the thrill of the ride and the roll and rock of the deck, thanks to the wake from a passing boat. Luis leaned down, offered a helping hand, and boosted her up onto the dock.

“No sea legs,” she said, still feeling the movement beneath her feet, but then she caught sight of the home in front of her.

A wide stone walkway surrounded by lush, manicured lawns led up to a patio with a pool and an outdoor sitting area off to the side. Beyond that, a large, two-story, contemporary home boasted windows along every wall and balconies to enjoy the million-dollar views of Biscayne Bay and the carefully tended gardens all around.

“Wow, this is beautiful,” she said, appreciating the thoughtful lines and layout of the structure and landscaping.

“Gracias. I’m quite happy with it,” he said, but she sensed some hesitation there and wondered at the reason for it.

“We can take a dip to wash off the salt before lunch,” he said and grabbed the picnic basket from the powerboat.

He took hold of her hand and drew her toward a covered patio, and at her questioning look, he tapped the end of her nose. “You’re getting burned.”

She covered her face with her hands and heat greeted her despite the suntan lotion she’d put on earlier. “I do feel baked,” she admitted.

“Dip. Dry off. Lunch before we head back,” he said and laid the picnic basket on a table on the covered patio.

“So demanding,” she teased but was eager to get the salt off her skin. She quickly pulled off her T-shirt and board shorts and rushed to the edge of the pool. She dipped in a toe, testing the waters, which turned out to be a waste as he cannonballed into the pool and sent a shock of chill water up to drench her.

“Thanks,” she said with a roll of her eyes, brushing back wet strands of hair from her face.

He grinned devilishly and slicked back his hair, the movement displaying his toned arms and chest.

To avoid the too-irresistible sight of him, she dove into the water.

Cool slipped all across her body before she rose up to the surface. Luis was just a few feet away, drops of water glistening on his tanned skin. He was still grinning happily, drawing her like a moth to a flame.

She laid a hand on his shoulder, using his greater height and strength to keep her afloat.

He placed a hand at her waist to steady her, but in those seconds, the moment changed. Became charged with the tension that had sprung up between them and she couldn’t resist.

When he applied gentle pressure to draw her close, she went, bringing her body full against him. Skin against skin as he shifted them until he was sitting on the bottom steps of the pool and she was lying along him.

“Luis,” she began, but stopped abruptly, not sure of what to say. Only sure of what she wanted to do.

She shifted upward to kiss the hollow just beneath his ear and the edge of his jaw. She followed the straight line of it to the dimple by his lips, deep now thanks to the smile on his face. Moved to that smile, so happy and relaxed. Welcoming, she thought as she covered his smile with hers.

“This is crazy,” she said, but didn’t stop kissing him.

“Sí, es loco,” he said, but didn’t pull away. Didn’t stop touching her, running his hands to her sides. Shifting one to the small of her back while he moved the other up to caress her.

“Dios, mi amor. This is so hard,” he said, his voice rough. His body tense beneath her. “I’m not sure I can hold back.”

“Do you want me?” she asked, although she had no doubt about it.

“I do, but not just for now, mi amor. I want so much more.”

Order

Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.to/3tPQ7Xx
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/3bonSZN
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-family-she-never-met/id1568775092
BN Nook: http://bit.ly/BarnesandNobleFamily
BN Paperback: http://bit.ly/BarnesandNovelPaperback
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-family-she-never-met
Additional Retailers: https://books2read.com/FamilySheNeverMet

Today’s Teaser Tuesday is a sexy excerpt from The Family She Never Met which is a blend of romance and a family saga. Thank you to everyone who has read the book and taken the time to leave a review. It’s one of the best ways you can help out your favorite authors!

In this teaser, Jessica and Luis have been spending a lot of time together and after a boat ride to Luis’s stunning Indian Creek home, they are relaxing in his pool when the attraction that has been growing between them finally flares into more.

Excerpt

The sun beat down, warming her against the chill of the breeze as they moved along the calmer waters of the bay until Luis pulled eastward once again and toward a southward facing point on an island off Miami Beach. He powered down substantially and navigated beside a dock where he cut the engines and hopped onto it to secure the boat.

She unbuckled and got to her feet, slightly shaky from the thrill of the ride and the roll and rock of the deck, thanks to the wake from a passing boat. Luis leaned down, offered a helping hand, and boosted her up onto the dock.

“No sea legs,” she said, still feeling the movement beneath her feet, but then she caught sight of the home in front of her.

A wide stone walkway surrounded by lush, manicured lawns led up to a patio with a pool and an outdoor sitting area off to the side. Beyond that, a large, two-story, contemporary home boasted windows along every wall and balconies to enjoy the million-dollar views of Biscayne Bay and the carefully tended gardens all around.

“Wow, this is beautiful,” she said, appreciating the thoughtful lines and layout of the structure and landscaping.

“Gracias. I’m quite happy with it,” he said, but she sensed some hesitation there and wondered at the reason for it.

“We can take a dip to wash off the salt before lunch,” he said and grabbed the picnic basket from the powerboat.

He took hold of her hand and drew her toward a covered patio, and at her questioning look, he tapped the end of her nose. “You’re getting burned.”

She covered her face with her hands and heat greeted her despite the suntan lotion she’d put on earlier. “I do feel baked,” she admitted.

“Dip. Dry off. Lunch before we head back,” he said and laid the picnic basket on a table on the covered patio.

“So demanding,” she teased but was eager to get the salt off her skin. She quickly pulled off her T-shirt and board shorts and rushed to the edge of the pool. She dipped in a toe, testing the waters, which turned out to be a waste as he cannonballed into the pool and sent a shock of chill water up to drench her.

“Thanks,” she said with a roll of her eyes, brushing back wet strands of hair from her face.

He grinned devilishly and slicked back his hair, the movement displaying his toned arms and chest.

To avoid the too-irresistible sight of him, she dove into the water.

Cool slipped all across her body before she rose up to the surface. Luis was just a few feet away, drops of water glistening on his tanned skin. He was still grinning happily, drawing her like a moth to a flame.

She laid a hand on his shoulder, using his greater height and strength to keep her afloat.

He placed a hand at her waist to steady her, but in those seconds, the moment changed. Became charged with the tension that had sprung up between them and she couldn’t resist.

When he applied gentle pressure to draw her close, she went, bringing her body full against him. Skin against skin as he shifted them until he was sitting on the bottom steps of the pool and she was lying along him.

“Luis,” she began, but stopped abruptly, not sure of what to say. Only sure of what she wanted to do.

She shifted upward to kiss the hollow just beneath his ear and the edge of his jaw. She followed the straight line of it to the dimple by his lips, deep now thanks to the smile on his face. Moved to that smile, so happy and relaxed. Welcoming, she thought as she covered his smile with hers.

“This is crazy,” she said, but didn’t stop kissing him.

“Sí, es loco,” he said, but didn’t pull away. Didn’t stop touching her, running his hands to her sides. Shifting one to the small of her back while he moved the other up to caress her.

“Dios, mi amor. This is so hard,” he said, his voice rough. His body tense beneath her. “I’m not sure I can hold back.”

“Do you want me?” she asked, although she had no doubt about it.

“I do, but not just for now, mi amor. I want so much more.”

Order

Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.to/3tPQ7Xx
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/3bonSZN
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-family-she-never-met/id1568775092
BN Nook: http://bit.ly/BarnesandNobleFamily
BN Paperback: http://bit.ly/BarnesandNovelPaperback
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-family-she-never-met
Additional Retailers: https://books2read.com/FamilySheNeverMet

This is how I pictured Luis at his luxurious home in Miami!

I’m going to my first ever doubleheader today and it’s also the first stop on our dream of visiting every Major League Baseball stadium! We’re starting with our Mets and Citi Field and will be going to the various other ballparks over the course of the next year or so. But first I have to decide which jersey to wear! Will it be Piazza, Wright, or Tebow? The Mets have brought back the black uniforms this year and I’m feeling like their lucky so Piazza it will be for the game. If you’re a baseball fan like me and also love romance novels, why not try out Rookie of the Year or read the first three chapters of Winning Season for free on Kindle Vella at https://amzn.to/3v5nVEl!

I had posted an earlier sexy scene in DECOY TRAINING. In that scene, Shane isn’t quite ready to commit. A few days later, the tension between them is building. Piper is ready to commit because she sees the amazing man that Shane is and he’s downright handsome. This is how I pictured Shane! Piper is ready to commit because she sees the amazing man that Shane is and he’s downright handsome. This is how I pictured Shane!

WARNING: Only for mature audiences!

Excerpt

Side by side, they walked through the living room to the hallway leading to the bedrooms. Piper took the lead down the hall, pausing by the door to her room, where she faced him.

“Good night, Shane,” she said, but her tone was hesitant. Bordering on inviting, but it brought back memories of the other night and his hesitation at taking this relationship further. But he didn’t want to keep on denying that he wished there could be more with her.

He took an uncertain step closer and when she didn’t back away, he bent and kissed her. Not like their fleeting first kiss or the more heated one from the other night. This was a kiss of invitation and promise. Tender at first, but growing deeper as they stood there, kissing over and over until he finally closed the distance and laid a hand at her waist to urge her closer.

Her breasts were soft against his chest. Her hips mobile when she shifted them against his erection, but as much as he wanted to take this to the next level, he couldn’t until he was sure of himself and what he could offer her.

Because of that, he tempered his kiss and stepped away the tiniest bit, but it was enough.

The kiss ended as tentatively as it began, with a lingering brush of their lips and a sigh that was loud in the quiet of the night.

He moved back another step, enough to see her face. The slight flush on her cheeks. Her eyes, slightly dazed and dark. Her lips, still moist from their kiss.

“Sweet dreams, Piper,” he said and didn’t wait for her reply, thinking it best to go to his own room before he made a big mistake.
Her “good night” chased him down the hall as did the sound of her door closing.

Order

Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.to/2ZohoXx
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/3CNO4bl
Apple: https://apple.co/3o9usuh
BN E-book: http://bit.ly/BNDecoy
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/decoy-training
Additional Retailers: https://books2read.com/DecoyTraining

Starting on March 19, you can read Deadly Chase for free at Harlequin.com. In Deadly Chase, a K-9 officer and a DEA agent join forces to combat a deadly enemy and confront their own complicated past. You’ll get to meet Alex and Miriam, the two law enforcement heroes in this story, but also a number of the other heroes in the K-9s on Patrol Series which begins with my book — Decoy Training — in April 2022.

I loved the slow build of the romance in DECOY TRAINING, but that slow build leads to a big eruption of the need between Shane and Piper. In this scene, Shane has had a nightmare. It’s one that he’s had before only this time, something very important is different, confirming to him that the feelings that have been growing for Piper are both real and dangerous to what he wants for his life.

WARNING: Only for mature audiences!

Excerpt

PIPER BLOCKED HIS arm and took hold of his hand as he sat up in bed, bare-chested. His scars, both emotional and physical, revealed to her.

“You were having a nightmare,” she said and smoothed her hand across his chest. His skin was damp and chilled from the night air.

“I’m okay,” he said, but when his gaze focused and settled on her, he cupped her cheek, almost as if to confirm she was really there.

“You’re okay. Everything is okay,” she said, trying to reassure him.

Shane rubbed his head, as if trying to dispel the last remnants of the nightmare. He looked away for the briefest moment before settling his gaze on her once more.

“It was different this time,” he said and ran his thumb along her chin and the slight dimple there.

She squinted, trying to figure it out, but couldn’t. “How was it different?”

“You were in my nightmare,” he said, shocking her.

She laid a hand on her chest and squeaked out, “Me. I was in it?”

“You, Piper. You were there, trapped. I was trying to reach you, but I couldn’t,” he said.

“I’m here, Shane,” she said.

“You are,” he said and wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her close. As he lay down, he took her with him, and she ended up lying along his length.

His body was so hard beneath hers, calling to the woman who hadn’t experienced emotions like this since her husband’s death. But as she inched up to meet his lips with hers, she knew it was about more than physical longing. Shane had breached the walls of her heart and she could no longer deny what she was feeling.

She kissed him, moving her mouth along his. Taking in his breath as if she needed it to breathe. Dipping her tongue in to taste him because she wanted to know everything about this strong and caring man.

As he cupped her breast through the thin fabric of her nightshirt, her nipple beaded against his palm. Her breast heavy with need, she covered his hand and pressed it to her, moaned when he tweaked her hard nipple with his fingers.

*

HIS BREATH EXPLODED from his chest at the sound of her needy moan and the feel of her breast against his palm, beneath his fingers. The softness of her belly cradled his erection and he wanted nothing more than to strip off her thin cotton nightshirt and make love to her, but not like this.

Not when their emotions were running high from the danger threatening Piper’s life and his. He had no doubt that if the intruder needed to get to Piper, he’d kill Shane to do it.

“Shane?” Piper asked and leaned a hand on his chest to look at him in the dim light of the room.

“I… I care for you, Piper. I really do, but things are too unsettled now. We’re both not thinking straight.”
Her eyes widened at his words, and she scrambled off him, but stood by the bed for a halting second. “I care for you, too.”

Then she burst from the room, Chipper barking and hopping up and down as she chased after Piper.

Order

Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.to/2ZohoXx
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/3CNO4bl
Apple: https://apple.co/3o9usuh
BN E-book: http://bit.ly/BNDecoy
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/decoy-training
Additional Retailers: https://books2read.com/DecoyTraining

Starting on March 19, you can read Deadly Chase for free at Harlequin.com. In Deadly Chase, a K-9 officer and a DEA agent join forces to combat a deadly enemy and confront their own complicated past. You’ll get to meet Alex and Miriam, the two law enforcement heroes in this story, but also a number of the other heroes in the K-9s on Patrol Series which begins with my book — Decoy Training — in April 2022.