Fangtastic Books: Spotlight and Giveaway Splintered Lies by Karen Lopp

Splintered Lies

Karen Lopp

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Publisher: SilverTree Publishing

Date of Publication: May 18, 2014

ISBN: 978-0-9903666-0-7

ASIN: BOOK1FSEW

Number of pages: 223

Word Count: 70k

Cover Artist: Karen Lopp

Available at Amazon

Book Description:

Detective Rissa Marten sacrificed her only chance for a normal life to put a drug lord behind bars. Now, her life in the shadows has to be brought to life to save the man she has secretly loved for years. With a price on her head can she risk letting him know?

Detective Jerah Qassem has built his career as an undercover agent in the dangerous world of drug cartels. But when a ghost from his past is resurrected can he overcome his bitterness in time to save her life?

Excerpt 2

Rissa peeled her eyes open and tossed the pillow off her head. Sun filtered in the room through the cracks of the curtain. A few blinks later, she let out a slow breath. Jerah slept by her side. Propped on her elbows she took a leisurely study of him. Hair mussed and shirtless, his dark toned skin made her mouth water. Two days’ worth of whiskers darkened his firm jaw that hung slightly open. The urge to run her fingers through that curly chest hair pulled at her heart. His abs were ripped and yummy. She grinned and reached out.

A cold fist of reality punched her in the gut and Rissa yanked her hand back. She could never jeopardize Jerah’s life like that, no matter how strong the temptation. Even a date was off limits. She jerked up and rubbed the base of her neck. The last two times she dated, both men ended up dead. Nothing but a deep rooted gut feeling suggested foul play, but she would never take that chance again. Besides, a life on the run didn’t make relationships an option. If Rissa were killed that was one thing, but anyone she ever got close to ended up six feet under. Even though Chief Wassom took her in, she had never gone to any family functions and rarely saw him outside of work.

Rissa tugged on her shoes and cast one last look at Jerah’s bare chest. Would he still be alive if he had taken her up on her offer of sex eight years ago? Somehow, even from prison, her mother managed to find and kill those she cared about. That was a worse punishment than being tortured to death.

A quick survey of the sparsely furnished room reminded her of her place. No family photos, no personal items, and probably frozen dinners in the freezer. She hated to think Jerah lived like this.

Still tired, Rissa padded to the kitchen and peeked inside the refrigerator and frowned. Didn’t Jerah ever have a meal at home? Hungry, she fetched her borrowed jacket and grinned when she spied some cash on the dresser. Jerah hadn’t moved and she flicked another longing glance over him. Look but don’t touch. She did have one thing in common with her mother. They both were in prison. Her mother’s was concrete and bars, hers was forced isolation.

Outside, she glanced up and down the street in search of food. Across the street a few tables sat along the sidewalk and she headed in that direction, grateful Jerah had a hefty stash of cash. She passed a phone store and slipped inside. It was past time to get a cell phone and check in with Montoya.

Phone in hand, Rissa stepped outside and punched in a quick text. Stomach rumbling, she hurried to the burger joint.

Her phone buzzed. “Hello.”

“I think Qassem may be the perp.” Montoya’s sharp tone startled her.

Ice trailed down her spine. “Why?”

“Meet me in one hour in front of the USS Midway Museum.”

Rissa frowned when Montoya hung up on her without any more explanation. Something had happened while she was gone. With a bag of burgers, fries, and two large cokes, she hustled back to Jerah’s apartment. Jerah couldn’t be a murderer. He just couldn’t. A lump formed in her throat. She would have never believed her mother could kill either. But she had, right in front of her.

About the Author:

Stories have always been a part of my life, from books to tales passed down from my ancestors that brought history to life. Danger, struggles and the will power to overcome are all found in the rich legacy of my family tree. Inspiration from their lives inspired me to write what I love. Branching out to contemporary suspense has been another dream come true. I hope my stories bring you entertainment and inspiration.

I love history of all times and places. And my second but equal love of suspense fills my books.

http://karenlopp.com

https://twitter.com/karen_lopp

https://www.facebook.com/authorkarenlopp

http://www.pinterest.com/karenlopp

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