Today, we have the privilege of chatting with the awesome Elle James, and she's going to share a peek at her new release: SECRET SERVICE RESCUE!
Has writing been something you always did, or was it a discovered talent that came to you at a later point?
As a child, teenager and young adult, I dabbled. I wrote short stories in grade school, maudlin poetry in high school and spoof plays in the work force. The one constant in all this was that I was an avid reader. It wasn't until I turned 40 that my sister and I challenged each other to write a romance novel. One thing led to another and here we are today, both multi-published authors!
Do you remember how it felt when you were offered that first contract? What emotions stand out in your memory?
I was at work as an IT professional, just got back from a heavy Mexican food lunch with a full tummy. I was pulling into the parking lot and got the call from the editor that she wanted to buy my book. I think it was toss-up between hyperventilating and throwing up. Needless to say, I was worthless at work for the rest of the afternoon!
Is this a first book, part of a series, or the latest in a long line of many?
SECRET SERVICE RESCUE is the 4th book in the Adair Legacy series. These are the books in the series:
Her Secret, His Duty by Carla Cassidy
Executive Protection by Jennifer Morey
Special Ops Rendezvous by Karen Anders
Secret Service Rescue by Elle James
What is the oddest thing that’s happened to you since you chose to become a professional writer? Will it ever make it into a book, or is that a secret?
Receiving a rejection letter from an editor 3 years after submitting the proposal and with it was a copy of someone else's work attached. I might have to write it into a book about a down-and-out author.
Do you have your next book underway, or other titles in the planning stages?
Do I? Oy! I'm working on SEAL'S OBSESSION a novella that will be part of my TAKE NO PRISONERS Series. Then I'm on to write the next in my COVERT COWBOYS series. I have at least 8 more Harlequin books to write between now and the end of next year and I have more SEALs to write and I also write as Myla Jackson so I'll be writing some more books in my HEARTS AND HEROES series. I can barely keep up with all the work I have lined up!
Do you have a favourite genre and why? Is it one you write in, read in, or both?
Wow, not really. I love all of them. I've written suspense, mystery, contemporary, paranormal, really sexy and a time travel historical. I'd like to write more historical and some Young Adult and New Adult genres.
What, to you, is the most exciting part of the writing process? Does it change from book to book or remain the same?
Brainstorming with my sister is the best part of writing. The ideas are fresh, evolving and fun! I always love the brainstorming part.
If you could co-author a book with anyone, who would you choose and why? What kind of book do you think would come from the collaboration?
I already have! My sister Delilah Devlin and I have coauthored several books, some of which we have yet to release. We started our writing together and learned the process by co-authoring. We have such a synergistic vibe when we get together. It's fun! (Comment: I've had the pleasure of reading some of Delilah's work, too - and she is wonderful!)
Where can readers find you on the web?
Thanks so much for being my guest.
The Adair Legacy Book#4
Secret Service Rescue
Harlequin Romantic Suspense
July 2014
Blurb:
The Adair legacy concludes with a shocking revelation…
Kidnapped and held captive for weeks, Shelby O'Hara is grateful to be rescued by handsome secret service agent Daniel Henderson. But the rebellious beauty balks at his 24/7 protection until she learns the shocking secret of why she was abducted: she's the granddaughter of the former U.S. vice president, a woman with lethal opponents in a deadly political game.
To elude those enemies, Daniel and Shelby go on the run, although they are constantly at each other's throats…until the fighting stops with a torrid kiss. Suddenly, Shelby doesn't feel so safe. From the bad guys, maybe, but from Daniel? He's a clear and present danger to her heart!
Excerpt:
Copyright 2014 by Harlequin Enterprises Limited
Chapter 1
Daniel Henderson stood with his hand on the butt of the HK40 pistol resting in the shoulder holster beneath his suit jacket, his gaze locked on the man standing in the middle of the room.
“I repeat, your granddaughter has been missing for two weeks,” Patrick O’Hara insisted, worry lines etched deep into his weathered face. “I’ve pursued all other options. I’ve filed a missing persons report, but the police have no leads. I’m at my wit’s end. That’s why I came to you.”
“What do you mean, I have a granddaughter?” Former Vice President Kate Winston stood straight, her shoulders squared, her lips tight. The only indication that the man in front of her had disturbed her normal calm was how pale her face had become. She glanced around the room at her three sons, Trey, Thaddeus and Samuel. “Is there something you three haven’t told me?”
The three men shook their heads as one.
O’Hara, who’d made the shocking statement, shook his head. “Not the child of one of your sons, the child of your daughter. Our daughter.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Trey, the oldest son, demanded.
Patrick O’Hara’s eyes narrowed. “Maybe you should ask your mother.”
Kate closed her eyes and pressed a hand to her chest.
“You’re upsetting her.” Thad slipped an arm around Kate’s shoulders. “Perhaps you should leave, before we have you escorted out.”
“No.” O’Hara stood firm, his gaze locked on Kate. “I need help finding my granddaughter and you are my last hope. Unless you’re going to throw her away like you did our daughter.”
Samuel lunged forward. “Get the hell out.”
Kate’s arm shot out. “No, wait. Let him speak.”
Patrick glanced from Trey to Samuel and back to Kate. “Shelby was at the university library Tuesday night two weeks ago, working on some research paper for her graduate program. She said she’d be home by midnight. At two in the morning, I closed the bar and went home. She wasn’t there. Her car wasn’t parked out front. I got worried and drove all the way into Beth City, to the university. I found her car in the library parking lot, but not Shelby.” He scrubbed a hand down his haggard face. “I don’t know what else to do.”
Daniel’s heartstrings were tugged by the desperation in the man’s tone and eyes. Two weeks might as well be forever. A woman missing for that long had little chance of being alive.
“How old is she?” Kate pressed her fingers to the bridge of her nose.
“Twenty-three. She’s never late for anything.” Patrick stepped forward.
Daniel walked between Patrick and Kate, holding his gun out. “That’s far enough.”
Patrick’s glance shifted to Daniel. “I just wanted to show her the picture of Shelby.” He looked back at Kate. “She looks just like her mother. And Carrie looked just like you. Brown hair, bright blue eyes.” He smiled, then the smile quickly faded. “We have to find her. She’s all I have.”
Daniel took the photo from the man’s hands and held it out to Kate.
Trey intercepted it. “The man is crazy. You’re not really going to help him, are you? He’s preying on your weakness—” Trey shot a glance at the picture, his eyes widening. “Damn.”
Kate held out her hand. “Give me the photo.”
Trey handed it across. “It has to be a forgery. You can do almost anything with computer graphics these days.”
Patrick’s lips turned up. “She’s her mother’s daughter.”
Kate stared at the picture for a long time, tears welling in her eyes. “This could be me as a young woman.” She stared across at him. “I don’t understand.”
“What’s to understand? You gave up your daughter. I raised Carrie, and she had a daughter, Shelby. Whom I also raised.” He jabbed a finger at the photo. “Shelby Raye O’Hara. A beautiful, smart young lady with a full life ahead of her. If I can find her before something awful happens to her.” He swallowed hard. “If it hasn’t already.”
If she had been missing for two weeks, Daniel predicted bad things had, indeed, happened to the girl. And nothing anyone could do would bring her back.
“I didn’t give up my daughter. She died,” Kate whispered, a single tear slipping down her cheek. She lifted her head, her chin trembling.
“Is that what you told yourself?” Patrick laughed, the sound completely without humor. He stepped closer. “I don’t care if lying to yourself helped you throw away your own flesh and blood. I can’t believe I ever loved you. You’re selfish, heartless and deserved the man you married.”
Daniel laid a hand on the man’s chest. “Back off.”
Patrick stared at Daniel as if it was the first time he’d seen him and his gun. “Kate, I don’t give a damn about you or your high-society family. What I do care about is getting my granddaughter back. Alive. If you have any sense of decency, you’ll help. She’s your family, too.”
“Mother,” Sam said. “Say the word and I’ll throw him out.”
Daniel braced himself for a fight with Patrick O’Hara. He didn’t want to use his gun, it would leave a big mess in the Winston’s house. And as far as he could tell, O’Hara wasn’t armed.
“No.” Kate shook her head. “If someone thinks Shelby O’Hara is related to me in any way, she’s in danger.”
The Adair Legacy Book#4
Secret Service Rescue
Harlequin Romantic Suspense
July 2014
Thank you, Denyse, for letting come by to interview and post and excerpt. The questions were fun!
ReplyDeleteReaders, I hope you enjoy learning a little more about me and SECRET SERVICE RESCUE. Stop by my webpage to see what other goodies I have on my shelf! Hugs and love coming your way!
Thanks so much for being my guest, Elle. And for allowing me the opportunity to read your newest books. Reviews are coming!! Hugs and love to you!! :)
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