Relentless Pursuit (33 page)

http://www.amazon.com/Kathy-Ivan/e/B004BPAA1O/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1424707746&sr=8-1

"Kathy Ivan's books give you everything you're looking for and so much more". –Geri Foster, USA Today and NYT Bestselling Author of the Falcon Securities Series

“This is the first I have read from Kathy Ivan and it won't be the last. Desperate Choices had it all…” Night Owl Reviews

"I highly recommend Desperate Choices. Readers can’t go wrong here!” Melissa, Joyfully Reviewed

“I oved how the author wove a very intricate storyline with plenty of intriguing details that led to the final reveal…” Night Owl Reviews on Second Chances

Desperate Choices

Winner 2012 International Digital Award—Suspense

Best of Romance 2011 –Joyfully Reviewed

Acknowledgements

My boundless thanks go out to so many people who helped while I struggled writing this book. As always, to the Plotting Princesses for their invaluable help when I'd find myself stuck in a scene. Being able to talk the story helps me make it through each day.

To Dalla Area Romance Authors, one of the finest groups I've ever had the privilege of meeting. Without this kind, gracious and informative group, my writing journey would never have gotten off the ground.

To my beta readers, Tanya Newbern and Karla Eakin, who read through the book, finding all those little details that I missed, and lending me their support and encouragement all through my writing. Special thanks, my friends.

Finally, and as always, to my sister Mary Sullivan. Her unwavering and unflagging support is the bedrock I rest upon when the writing sometimes overwhelms me. Her steadfast confidence and belief in me means EVERYTHING!

Author Bio

Kathy Ivan

Kathy Ivan spent most of her life with her nose between the pages of a book. From best-selling authors to just-getting-started writers, as long as it was a good story, she devoured it and happily searched for the next romance novel. It didn't matter if the book was a paranormal romance, romantic suspense, or action and adventure thrillers, sweet & spicy or sexy novella. As long as there was an alpha hero and a feisty heroine who got their happily ever after, she'd gladly spend her time with a psychic in New Orleans, or a mysterious stranger manipulating the fates of lovers. You might find her deep in the woods with her werewolf lover, or being wined and dined by the sexy vampire who loves her, or talking to ghosts.

Kathy turned her obsession with reading into the next logical step, writing. Her books transport you from a paranormal lodge in the Colorado Mountains in her Destiny's Desire Series, to the sultry splendor of the French Quarter in New Orleans in her award winning romantic suspense and mysteries. Kathy tells stories people can’t get enough of; reuniting old loves, betrayal of trust, finding kidnapped children, psychics and even a ghost or two. But one thing they all have in common - love (and some pretty steamy sex scenes too).

A Florida native, Kathy has island hopped from one set of islands to another, having spent several years in Key West and Hawaii. Happily living in North Texas, she's always on the lookout for a cowboy of her very own. (And if he's a billionaire cowboy, well, she won't say no to that.)

You can find more on Kathy and her books at
www.kathyivan.com
or visit her facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/kathy.ivan.5
and follow her on twitter at
@kathyivan
.

Ultimate Betrayal (New Orleans Connection Series Book #3)

With his cover blown to hell after a media frenzy in New Orleans, all DEA agent Carlo Marucci wants is a week of rest and relaxation. Add in a Bed and Breakfast in Key West and a beautiful woman, and he thinks he's hit the perfect trifecta. Macie Branson has come to Key West to reconnect with her family after her sister's messy divorce. Cavorting with a tall, dark and sexy stranger isn't part of her plans. Until she meets Carlo.

The chemistry burns fast and furious between them, but when Macie's nephews vanish, evidence connects the boys' disappearance back to New Orleans and the newest party drug flooding its streets. It's a race against the clock as Carlo and Macie search for the missing boys. Will they find her nephews before time runs out?

Ultimate Betrayal Excerpt:

Sprawled on his back, Carlo Marucci felt the warm sunshine ooze into every pore of his skin. Dark glasses covered his eyes, which were closed at the moment, and the soft Texas drawl of George Strait playing through the earbuds obliterated the outside world. Oh, yeah this was exactly what he'd needed.

Rest and relaxation. Those had been his chief's orders when the case he'd been working exploded all over the front pages of every newspaper in the country. After all, its big news with the head of the New Orleans Russian mafia is taken down in a major sting operation, netting not only said big fish, but also a candidate running in the special election for Lieutenant Governor of the state of Louisiana. Ah, yes, corruption at its finest.

Of course, no one in the media mentioned the kidnapped daughter of one of the biggest Russian syndicate leaders, who'd been smuggled into of the country and landed literally in Carlo's lap. Those details were kept on a strictly need-to-know basis and the vultures of the press definitely didn't need to know. The explosive situation was diffused before retribution

rained down from the heavens. Anatole Sokolov was satisfied everyone connected to his beloved daughters abduction had been dealt with by the United States government and currently resided in the Louisiana State Penitentiary, having made plea bargains or awaiting trial. Keeping a lid on that potentially explosive international incident—yep, total media blackout.

A splash sounded from the pool at his feet, but he didn't bother opening his eyes. Probably the teenage boys he'd met the day before. Vacationing in the Florida Keys had been a stroke of genius on his sister's part. She'd suggested it, arranged every detail, right down to the bed and breakfast reservations, plane tickets. Carlo was halfway convinced she'd been instrumental in his boss's unyielding demand he take an extended leave, at least a week. His sister, Jinx, was a walking, talking miracle and he'd never forget how close he'd come to losing—and it would have all been his fault.

No yells from the boys followed the splash. No tidal waves of water soaked his chair from their horseplay like they had the previous day. Opening his eyes, he took in the sight of long golden limbs gliding seamlessly across the surface of the water, toward the far end of the pool. The deep ruby red of a one-piece bathing suit encased what appeared at first gland to be a voluptuous woman's curves.

He slid the sunglasses further down on his nose, peering over the top to get a better look. Oh, yeah, long dark hair flowed over her shoulders with each stroke. He watched her flip beneath the surface and kick off the far wall, pushing forward with a strength and speed he envied. He could swim well enough to get from point A to point B, but nothing like this. This woman's movements were poetry in motion.

When she reached the pool's edge where his chaise was, without even a curious glance his way, she turned again, headed for the opposite side. Not that it was a problem, he wouldn't mind watching her for hours. Folding his arms behind his head, he leaned back with a grin. Oh, yeah, this was his kind of vacation. Sunshine, an ice cold beer, and a nearly naked beautiful woman.

End of Excerpt

Coming Soon

Keeping Secrets (New Orleans Connection Series Book #4)

Keeping Secrets Excerpt:

Theresa unlocked the door to her New Age shop, and spun the closed sign to open.  Tourists lined the streets of the French Quarter on this beautiful fall morning, milling through the various shops, and she was ready to begin a brand new day.

The wooden floors shone with an aged patina that gave a warm character to the space.  The walls were painted a buttery yellow, a neutral and calming color which had the added benefit of highlighting her brightly colored stock.

Trinkets and Mardi Gras beads lay scattered across the display tables along with fancier crystals and charms.  One-of-a-kind handcrafted jewelry hung from miniature tree stands of weathered wood, white with age.  The more expensive pieces were locked behind the glass-fronted cabinet.  This shop was her livelihood and she loved bringing a little something extraordinary into people's otherwise ordinary day. 

The bell above her front door tinkled, announcing customers and Theresa looked up with a welcoming smile.  Alyssa Scott and Jinx Marucci stood inside the doorway, the sunlight behind them shining brightly and seemed to outline them like an invisible aura.  With her friends showing up bright and early, it was definitely going to be another beautiful day. 

She'd recently met both women and they were fast becoming good friends.  Alyssa had been married to Max's cousin, Connor Scott, a New Orleans firefighter.  They'd had a rocky relationship, separating and eventually divorcing.  She'd moved to Florida to start over, but fate and a couple of elderly matchmakers threw them back together—straight into the dangerous path of revenge and betrayal which nearly cost them everything including their lives.   Fortunately, they'd survived, although Alyssa was still reluctant to talk about everything she'd endured at the hands of a maniac.  Theresa knew if it hadn't been for Connor's love, Alyssa wouldn't have survived.  Now they were happily remarried.

Jinx was a different story entirely.  She and Remy were in the early stages of their relationship, so in love and filled with the joys of learning new things about each other.  Theresa couldn't be happier her best friend had found a woman so perfect for him.  Beautiful and curvy, she'd finally managed to rid her hair of all the artificial red color and it was back to its original golden blonde.  She'd been forced to alter her appearance when she'd been on the run from the Russian mob, and had died it a dark auburn, vastly different for her natural honey blonde curls. 

Funny, how fate could bring people into your life who quickly became important, became closer than sisters, in such a short time. 

"Good morning, Theresa."  Alyssa smiled, picking up a green crystal from the countertop and turning it over.  She watched the play of light, the prisms of color sparkling from its depths and reflecting on the scarves draped nearby. 

"Hi."  Jinx grinned at Theresa and gave a little wave. 

"Want some coffee?" 

"Yes."  Both women responded in unison then laughed.  Theresa was renowned for her coffee-making skills in the Lamoreaux family.  They swore she had the
magic touch
.  She'd tried teaching Max, but gave up after he burned two coffee makers beyond redemption.