Excerpt Thursday ~ Hook Me!

So tell me, were you hooked? Leave a comment and double your chances of winning 5 books from Thursday’s selection of The Season One Year Anniversary Giveaway.

.

Ace pilot Jace Vernon is forced to flee his home world after being framed for murder. He seeks justice, but S.I.N. agent Silver Malloy gets in his way. The platinum-haired beauty counters his every move in the quest to clear his name. As he makes it his mission to break down her defenses, he doesn’t count on the personal consequences of success.

Silver refuses to abort her deadly mission even if it means killing the one man Jace needs alive to prove his innocence. Her resolve wavers when Jace’s charms melt the barriers around her heart. Can she help him win his case, even if it means betraying her family and ruining her career?

~*~*~

SILVER SERENADE ~ Nancy Cohen
Release Date: July 16 2010 – Wild Rose Press

Despite the coolness of the woods, sweat dribbled down the back of Silver Malloy’s neck. Her muscles ached from hours spent in a crouched position, but stealth mattered more than comfort. She’d waited for this opportunity for months—no, make that years—and wasn’t about to lose it due to a lapse in technique.

This first kill might be her last, but at least she’d complete her revenge.

Using her rifle scope, she scanned the dusty street that stretched below her hillside vantage point. The few scruffy inhabitants who trudged between the ramshackle buildings didn’t interest her.

A lucky tip had brought her to Al’ron, a watering hole for space travelers. Those who visited here were not often welcome elsewhere. They came to buy arms, men, and equipment to carry out lawless raids against innocent victims, and Tyrone Bluth had earned the reputation as the cruelest bandit of all.

Silver couldn’t wait to end his reign of terror.

Raucous bird cries and the drone of insects rang in her ears, augmented by the auditory sensors in her gold drop earrings. She ignored them─her concentration centered on the only saloon in town.

Squinting, she watched the set of double swinging doors, eager for the slightest hint of movement. The spicy scent of tangleberries tickled her nose. She stifled a sneeze, unwilling to lose focus, even for a moment.

Someone staggered from the saloon. Her pulse accelerated as she recognized Bluth, the leader of Tyrone’s Marauders. He sported a wide-brimmed black hat, militia-style clothes, and a weapons belt bristling with armaments. A hostile scowl creased his ugly face, a face that had haunted her dreams forever.

Shutting one eye, she took careful aim through the targeting sight of her TechVix LD-6 Sharpshooter Special.

Her gut clenched, and she steeled herself to fire. Just as her finger twitched on the trigger, a shadowy figure dove into her. The impact knocked her to the ground. She dropped the rifle, but not before it discharged a wild shot.

A heavy weight toppled across her body, forcing her spine down against the packed earth. Tiny pebbles dug into the small of her back. Brittle pine needles pierced her skin. So much for the protective jumpsuit she’d worn.

“Let me up.” She shoved at the bulk immobilizing her. Unable to break free, she aimed a string of expletives toward the man whose furious green eyes glared down at her.

“Who the devil are you?” he demanded, his thick dark brows inched together in an angry scowl.

“I could ask you the same.” Silver’s hand scrabbled in the dirt, searching for her fallen weapon. “Are you one of Bluth’s men?”

“No.” His thighs pressed her firmly to the ground.

“Then get off me so I can finish what I started.”

“Only after you tell me why you’re here.”

Panic seized her as she faced the possibility of failure.  “All I need is one clear shot, then we’ll talk.” She thrust at his broad chest, but he wouldn’t budge.

“If you’re worried about Bluth getting away, it’s too late.”

“What?” Silver lifted her head to peer over the crest of the hill. Sure enough, Tyrone Bluth was nowhere in sight.

The villain had torn apart everything meaningful in her life, and now she’d lost her chance to even the score.

Rage clouded her vision. “I don’t know who you are, but you’ve no right to interfere.”

His lip curled. “Is that so?” His attention shifted to a spot beyond the ridge, then he lowered his face close enough for her to see the brown flecks in his irises. “Be quiet. Bluth’s patrol is searching the area.”

Gritting her teeth, she gave him an appraising glance. Taut angles highlighted his bone structure, emphasizing a patrician nose and a jaw set at an arrogant pitch. Jet black hair swept in tousled waves to his nape. Slicked back from a wide forehead, its style proclaimed he was a man who couldn’t be swayed from his purpose.

With her smaller frame, she doubted the defensive tactics she’d learned during training would be effective. He looked like a guy who could counter her every move.

Minutes ticked by while he pressed against her in a manner that made unwanted awareness flood through her.

Tags:

57 Responses to “Excerpt Thursday ~ Hook Me!”

  1. Claudine T. says:

    Seems interesting, worth more investigating than the excerpt posted : )

  2. Samantha says:

    Looks good enough…I would give it a try.

  3. Stephanie McCarthy says:

    This looks interesting. I love power and personal struggles between the main characters.

  4. Mel K. says:

    I’m hooked! I met Nancy at the RT Conference in Daytona. She’s a very nice lady even though she ran over my toes with her suitcase. *BG* Hugs, Nancy!

    I hope I’m entering this anniversary contest correctly. Where are the book choices for Thursday?

  5. Mel K. says:

    OH, and I’m in your Facebook group. I keep forgetting to say that! *sigh*

  6. donna ann says:

    Sounds like an interesting start.

  7. Linda Banche says:

    Yup, you hooked me. Love to read this.

  8. Barbara R. says:

    Interesting book and new theme for me to read. Thank you

  9. Fedora says:

    Oh, I’m definitely hooked! I love sci-fi romance–this is a new-to-me author, and I’m in!

  10. Mrs. Hanson says:

    Interesting, though I’m not sure I’m officially hooked. Thanks!

  11. Cathy Phillips says:

    I’m not that interested in sci-fi, but Silver Serenade sounds interesting and worth reading.

    I’m also a member in facebook.

  12. Jeanne Miro says:

    Since I usually read historical romance I initially hesitated to even read the excerpt. That would have been a mistake. Nancy managed to get my attention right away with that first interaction between Silver and Jace. I must admit this intro took me back to my childhood and watching The Cisco Kid and The Lone Ranger on Saturday morning but with a lot more depth and tension.

  13. MinnChica says:

    Totally hooked, I love all kinds of romance, and some of the Sci-Fi stuff out there right now is AWESOME!!

  14. Kim says:

    Thanks for the excerpt.

  15. Melissa aka jedisakora says:

    Sounds interesting.

  16. Andrew Grigaliunas says:

    I am definitely hooked. I will read this novel as soon as I can.

  17. Jamie says:

    hmm, i dont know how i feel about this. i dont really do sci-fi but i am kind of interested.

  18. Some definite hot stuff going on here. Lots of potential for a hot read! Like it!

  19. cheryl c. says:

    This is not the sort of book that I usually read, but I will admit that the excerpt intrigues me.

  20. Valerie says:

    Yep, I’m hooked too!!!!

    Valerie
    valb0302@yahoo.com
    in Germany

  21. peggy says:

    I mainly read historical books but i would this book a try.a member on facebook

  22. Jane L says:

    Hooked! The sentance, This first kill might be her last. OOh why does she want revenge??? Good hook!

  23. Jennifer L says:

    It’s not the kind of book I usually read, but I’m hooked.

  24. Karen H in NC says:

    I’m not a fan of this genre, so no…it didn’t hook me. That said, if I liked reading this genre, then yes, the excerpt would certainly draw me in.

  25. Armenia says:

    That was a nice excerpt and I think worth looking into.

  26. Susan in AZ says:

    Ooooh, unwanted awareness! Since she didn’t knee his groin yet, I guess it’s really not “unwanted”. I must read more….

  27. kimmie lange says:

    I loved the excerpt and the book looks great.

  28. Marjana Kaly says:

    Sounds good!

  29. catslady says:

    It hooked me. I would like to know more!

  30. Eva M says:

    Great excerpt, thanks!

  31. Tracey D says:

    Oh, this sounds pretty good; I look forward in reading it!

  32. Pam S says:

    Yes I am wanting to read more now ;) , ty for sharing!

  33. Jenni Grubb says:

    I only read historicals and the occasional contemporary… I’m really not into Sci-fi at all. BUT I do have a friend who is and I passed along the review because this sounds like something she would enjoy. :)

  34. Julie says:

    Oooh, I haven’t had a good sci-fi romance in a while…I might have to look this one up! :D

  35. Interesting. Ihaven’t heard of this author before.

  36. Danielle Gorman says:

    Looks good. Will have to pick this one up.

  37. JOYE says:

    Yes, I was hooked after reading the excerpt for this book. It sounds really interesting and I would like to win it.

  38. Cathy M says:

    Great storyline and excerpt, will add it to my tbb list.

  39. Jane says:

    This book looks great. I read a couple of the author’s previous books, including “Killer Knots.”

  40. Estella says:

    I’m hooked! The book sounds great.

  41. Lori says:

    Well, it hooked me. I’ll give the author a try.

  42. Helena says:

    Had me hooked! I am not a sci fi/fantasy reader, but Nancy did an amazing job and I would like to check it out.

  43. sue brandes says:

    I don’t usually don’t read this type of book but; I liked the way the author is writing so I would give it a try.

  44. Dee Feagin says:

    I am a huge fan of Linnea Sinclair and her space romances so this one caught my interest right away. I will be looking for it.

  45. Maya M. says:

    not really my cup of tea – i’m not much drawn to ‘contemporary spy’ type stories

  46. Maureen says:

    I think it’s an interesting story.

  47. Nancy Cohen says:

    Wow, I just saw this on here! Thanks, everyone, for reading my excerpt. Silver and Jace haunted me until I told their story. I love the secondary characters too. It was such a fun adventure to write.

  48. Joder says:

    I love romance with a sci-fi/futuristic twist. It gives me all my favorites in one book.

  49. Rosie Nguy says:

    I like the sexual tension – good hooking.