I have a special treat for my readers today. I’m featuring debut author Joan Swan. Joan writes sexy romantic suspense, and the first book in her Phoenix Rising series will be released by Kensington Brava on Feb. 28. It’s called Fever, and one look at the cover will tell you exactly why.
Whew! I can already feel my temperature rising! Here’s the blurb for Fever:
When Dr. Alyssa Foster is taken hostage by a prison inmate, she knows she’s in deep trouble. Not just because Teague Creek is desperate for freedom, but because the moment his fingers brush against her skin, Alyssa feels a razor-sharp pang of need…
A man with a life sentence has nothing to lose. At least Teague doesn’t, until his escape plan develops a fatal flaw: Alyssa. On the run from both the law and deadly undercover operatives, he can only give her lies, but every heated kiss tells him the fire between them could be just as devastating as the flames that changed him forever…
Sounds great, doesn’t it? And now for the treat–an exclusive excerpt from Fever. It’s the first kiss between Teague and Alyssa.
Before he stepped from the room, he turned and met Alyssa’s eyes, trying to ignore their soft almond shape and the long fringe of lashes. “Let me make one thing very clear: I am not going back to prison. Ever. I’ll die first. You may not believe I’m dangerous, but I’m also not backed into a corner at the moment. And you have a lot more to lose now. I can either explain that five grand away after this is over and clear your name or throw your life to the sharks. You choose.”
She held his gaze without responding, and he pulled her alongside him as he stepped out.
The motel was made up of two buildings, configured like an L. Their room was on the short end of the bottom leg. The office, closer to where the truck was parked, lay at the end of the longer section.
Despite the gray light of dawn, Teague kept to the shadows of the building, dragging Alyssa behind him. As he traversed the corner where the two sections met, a door closed near the motel office. Teague pushed Alyssa into the cover of an opening between the buildings, home to an icemaker and vending machine, and peered around the siding. A woman shuffled to the edge of the parking lot, a bathrobe wrapped around her chubby figure, a cigarette between her fingers. The office manager he’d managed to avoid when he’d picked up the coffee and newspaper earlier.
“Great,” he muttered. “Right between us and the truck.”
Alyssa leaned into him to see around the corner. “What is it?”
Her warm breath bathed his ear, slid down his neck. He nudged her back to put more distance between them and shushed her. Something wasn’t right. He could feel it in the way his scalp tingled and his shoulders tightened. That was a sixth sense he’d developed in prison, unlike his lame, struggling pyrokinetics that had been chemically burned into him in one terror-filled night.
He couldn’t chance walking right by the woman, so he waited and watched and listened. And it seemed like forever as the manager continued to stare out at the parking lot, shifting her weight from one foot to the other, the cigarette taking quick trips to her lips. In the distance, tires hummed on the asphalt, growing louder. The hair on Teague’s neck prickled.
He scanned the length of the motel for another exit. If they went around the back of the motel, maybe accessed the truck from the opposite direction…
The drone of a car engine brought his gaze back around to the parking lot. A police cruiser pulled in and coasted toward the manager, who waved it down.
Teague gripped Alyssa’s hand and pulled her with him as he crossed the breezeway between buildings and peered out the other side. The neighborhood beyond was barren, the only inhabited building within sight another shack-like hotel half a mile down the road.
Before he’d strategized a plan, another police car passed the hotel—this one with lights flashing, but no sirens.
“Fuck.” Teague jumped back into the shadows and collided with Alyssa. A cry of surprise and pain rumbled from her mouth. Teague pressed her face into his shirt with a hand on the back of her head.
The click of another door drew Teague’s attention. A man wandered out of his motel room with an ice bucket in one hand, the other rubbing at his eyes as if he’d just woken. The man stopped and looked toward the parking lot, squinting at the red and blue flashing lights.
While he was distracted, Teague walked Alyssa back into the shadows alongside the vending machine. Her face was still pressed into his chest. Her breath, hot and fast against his tee shirt, filtered through the cotton and slid along his skin, making his mind blur around the edges, making him tighten his arms around her.
“Oh…my God….” she rasped. “My side…hit that stupid…gun.”
The other motel guest grumbled something unintelligible as his attention shifted from the cops back to the ice machine. The sound of his feet dragging on the cement brought Alyssa’s focus around, her eyes wide with surprise. And in the fraction of a second that followed, Teague realized that if he didn’t act fast, Alyssa would act faster.
Before she could speak, Teague put one hand under her chin, turned her face and covered her mouth with his. She stiffened and squeaked, pushing at his chest. The hand cuffed to Teague’s pulled hard against the restriction. He tightened his grip on her face and pulled back just enough to murmur against her lips, “Kiss me back, Alyssa. Please. Don’t push me into a corner.”
He couldn’t read her expression in the shadows, but her mouth softened under his, her hand stopped tugging, her muscles released a level of tension.
“Oh, hey man.” The other man directed his comment their direction. “Sorry. Don’t mean to…uh, er…I’m just gettin’ some ice.”
Teague broke contact only long enough to mutter, “You ain’t botherin’ us. Is he, baby?”
Before she had a chance to answer, Teague kissed her again, and not solely for the purpose of keeping her quiet. He kissed her because he had to. After feeling those lips against his, he had to feel them again. And again. Her mouth was warm and soft and supple. And with each press of his mouth, hers relaxed. Within seconds, she’d leaned into him, abandoning resistance.
Teague tightened the arm at her waist and pulled her closer until they were chest to chest, hips to hips. He shifted, allowing her body to rub against his, allowing him to get a better feel of all her soft swells and lean muscle.
And that’s the moment she responded. Her hips met his pressure. Her mouth moved under his. The hand at his chest gripped the fabric of his shirt, as if to keep him close.
The clatter of ice hitting a plastic bucket echoed in the small space. “Did you see the cops out there, man?” the guy asked. “Do you know what happened?”
Teague didn’t answer. There was nothing that could make him pull away from Alyssa short of a cop holding a gun to his head, which he fully understood could happen at any moment.
The man’s voice seemed to nudge Alyssa from a trance. She broke their kiss and looked up at Teague. Her eyes glimmered in the dim light, heavy-lidded, filled with surprise and confusion and heat.
“Can’t you see I’m busy here?” Teague didn’t have to fake the irritation in his voice.
The other man harrumphed and continued to fill the bucket. Teague ran his thumb over Alyssa’s bottom lip and slid his palm to her jaw, his fingers into her hair. He let his other hand drop to the low curve of her spine and pulled her hips against his again. Fully erect, he indented the soft swell at the center of her pelvis. She sucked in a breath, met his pressure, closed her eyes.
Teague’s mind hazed over. Almost slid right out from under him. His groin pulsed with heat. His hands ached to roam. He couldn’t stop himself when his mouth fell back to hers. And she didn’t resist. Her hand pressed against his face in the most endearing way as she tipped her head and opened to him.
The leash on his restraint snapped. He kissed her back with a hunger that reflected all those dark, desperate years alone. Years he thought he’d never feel a woman’s lips again.
Her hand slid over the back of his neck as she tilted her head a little more. Up and over his scalp as she teased her tongue into his mouth. After an instant of shock, he accepted her invitation with a groan that felt as if it rumbled all the way from his feet. Lost himself in the texture of her, the heat of her. The sexy play she elicited with her lips, teeth, tongue was like unlocking a private playroom door, giving him a glimpse into the secrets she kept for a classified few.
And he liked the private disclosure of those secrets. Really liked it.
Teague’s veins were filled with high octane, his body ready for a long, hot, steady burn followed by an intense, shattering explosion by the time the racket from the ice machine ceased and the man started back down the walkway.
“Might want to head back to your room,” he muttered. “Cops’ll find any excuse to bust you.”
Alyssa pulled away in one sharp movement, leaving Teague dizzy with lust. His heart beat double-time, his chest rocked with quick breaths, his muscles strained for action. And his brain was definitely focused on one thing, and one thing only.
Whoa. He shook off the haze and peered around the side of the building toward the parking lot. Only minutes had passed, but it felt as if he’d been floating in an alternate universe.
Lights swept over the parking lot as another vehicle pulled in. But not a cop. Teague forced his mind to clear. Sharpened his attention on the man who emerged from the idling SUV and made his way to where the two cops stood talking to the woman. An eerie trickle of familiarity cut at Teague’s belly. Something about the way the man carried himself, the slant of his shoulders, the arrogant tilt of his head, but most of all, the stagger of his gait. Not quite a limp, but definitely not right.
Teague had only met one man who’d walked that way and that man had no business showing up here. Now. Ever in Teague’s life, for that matter. Not again. Even the possibility threw Teague’s screwed-up world way the hell off kilter. If it was him—Vasser, Teague would never forget that bastard’s name—then nothing was as it seemed, and Teague was fucked beyond imagination.
Vanessa, here. *fanning herself* I can’t wait to read this book! And one of my lucky readers today will get that chance. Joan is giving away a copy of Fever, in either print or digital (reader’s choice), to be delivered on Feb. 28. Just tell me what kind of hero you’d like to be on the run with–sexy copy, dangerous bad boy–to have a chance to win the book. And be sure to stop by Joan’s website for more info and pre-order links.
Joan Swan is a triple RWA® Golden Heart finalist and writes sexy romantic suspense with a paranormal twist. Her debut novel with Kensington Brava, FEVER, releases February 28, 2012. Her second novel, BLAZE, follows in October, 2012.
Ah, that cover…..
Would that be on the run in a city or in the country? I’m okay in a city but I don’t know much about surviving in the wilderness, not ever having been a boy scout. Maybe someone with tracking skills then?
Hey Sheree,
If it’s your fantasy…it’s your choice 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and the tweet!!
XOXO
Joan already knows my thoughts, feelings, etc on that cover. One word describes it nicely. “Lickable”
Now if I was on the run… it would have to be a bad boy. The type that is use to the rep, knows a thing or two about making a fast escape. Can he have a Harley?
He’s also got to have that air of danger. But he has to have a bit of a soft side too. Let’s not forget a wise-ass attitude. Snark wins it for me
Niiiiiiice! Sounds pretty damn yummy, Rachel!
If I had to be on the run I need someone level headed & resourceful. If my life is at stake I don’t need sexy or handsome, just intelligent & savvy.
You’ll be the one coming out alive, Mary! And there’s a lot of sexiness in all those smarts and savvy!
Whoa! After reading that, I can’t wait to read this one either! Convict or not, that Teague is sexy!! Since I just got done reading THAT, at this moment in time, I’d have to say that I’d want to be on the run with him!
If Teague isn’t available, well, I’ve always been a sucker for the bad boys. Always. There’s nothing sexier than that bad boy, rough exterior (preferably with a five o’clock shadow and some blue jeans that mold just right to the body) and the soft, smushy, squishy inside just waiting to be found by the right girl. 😉
Sorry Laura, you’ll have to get in line behind me…and I’m behind Alyssa.
And Teague doesn’t know it yet, but Alyssa’s got him wrapped around his baby finger!
But, not to worry, Teague is only the first in a TEAM of sexy bad boys with squishy hearts.
Many more to come!!
🙂
Hmm.. I like both options.. Maybe a sexy cop who’s also a dangerous bad boy? 😎 LOL
Thanks for the excerpt can’t wait for this book. Love it already, Good Luck Joan!:*
Can’t get enough of that cover.. Just WOW!!!:P
Hi Monkia!
Thanks! Yeah, that cover is nice. I have it in an ad in RWR’s March issue alongside Elisabeth’s Enslaved and WHOOO…ice water please!!
i don’t lnow, but i alwasy bad boy hero, they just have a place in my heart 😉
Me too, Eli, me too!
The bad boy sounds like he’d be a lot more fun on the run, wouldn’t he? 😉 But a sexy cop would be a lot more fun to distract…
It’s a hard choice. D:
LOL, that got good chuckle out of me, Julie!
OMG I so love that cover!!
I would definitely be on the run with the Bad Boy…I’m a real “sucker” when it comes to bad boys in any book, I don’t know what it is, but for some reason they dangerous past and present lure me to them.
Those bad boys always have a heart of gold when it comes to their women.
Wow, those bad boys are winning out around here!!
Sexy cop for me. I know a cop knows how to handle a gun and we’ll need that type of protection.
I enjoyed both the interview and the excerpt; they were great reads. I’ve added Fever to my wish list.
Whoops, spoke too soon! We have a sexy cop lover! YAY!!
Thanks Tracey!
Awesome cover and excerpt. Fever sounds amazing. 🙂 I would love to be on the run with a strong, sexy bad boy. 🙂
Thanks Crystal!! 🙂
wow…. what a cover… 🙂 Sounds like a terrific book… 🙂 Alone and on the run with a bad and sexy boy? can’t think of anything better. 🙂
Me either, May. In fact, I’m thinking that sounds really GOOD right now!!
Now…to find me a bad boy. Or do I want a sexy cop?
Choices, choices…
um wow that cover! after reading that, I would so go for the bad boy! normally would go for the intellectual type guy like in Miranda Neville’s Dangerous Viscount. wowza love that Sebastian. but yikes Teague is sizzling!
oops darn i forgot my email…again! tsimon7275@gmail.com
at home today since my son is sick the only way i can view your blog Vanessa! for some reason I can’t view your blog correctly or post in it from work 🙁
Tina, my webmistress and I are still working on some issue with the new website. Hopefully they’ll be fixed soon!
Oh, I LOVE that description so much I have to just WRITE it!!
Teague is sizzling!
YUM!!
Thanks Tina!
Sorry in advance for duplicate posts…many aren’t showing up when I type them, so I retype them…again…and again…LOLOLOL…
Sorry about that, Joan! We’re having problems with spam – hopefully we’ll get that straightened out!
I would have to say that I would hope to never have to be on the run *grins* but if I WERE, then I would prefer someone on the proper side of the law! I did have a penchant for bad boys in my youth but learned all too quickly that bad boys most often think only of themselves and think nothing of throwing you to the sharks should it preserve them. Not to mention that there is something so much sexier about being on the run FROM the criminal element than being on the run because you ARE the criminal element! Righteousness and truth prevail and all that… Misunderstood characters who SEEM criminal but are innocent of whatever they are accused of and on a mission to absolve themselves of said accusations are sexy too!
“Misunderstood characters who SEEM criminal but are innocent of whatever they are accused of and on a mission to absolve themselves of said accusations are sexy too!”
Oooo…I just have to bite my tongue here :). Let me just say, I believe you’ll love FEVER.
Lora, I like the way you think!
I would love to be on the run with a former Special Ops hero. He might be a little tortured. A true dark hero. I love Special Ops guys. I like their honor code and loyalty. The muscles don’t hurt either.
All right, Stacie. Now I have to interrupt my writing (or rather surfing) schedule for a cool shower.
Thanks a lot!!
Gracious, that cover is stunning! I’ve got to go w/ dangerous bad boy. I’ve never known or seen a cop that could be considered sexy. There was an FBI agent I met though…:) Fever is definitely on my list!
True, in real life the sexy cops aren’t as plentiful as those off-limits bad boys. Buuuuuut in MY world…. :^)
It would be a sexy, smart and dangerous bad boy.
I am very impatiently waiting for ‘Fever’ to come out =)
That would be a bad boy with a big T for trouble!!
Thanks!!
I can’t wait for this book. I sounds so good. And the cover is hot!!!!
Thanks Ann! Looking forward to the release!
Wow! Great cover! Great excerpt! Can’t wait to read it. (Also saw that Fever is on the Book Vixen’s wishlist!) Congrats!
Oh Dee! You just made me night! Squee! Thanks!!
Congrats on your upcoming debut release, Joan. I would probably choose to be on the run with a sexy cop or soldier. They would know how to make shelter and scrounge for food anywhere.
janie1215 AT excite DOT com
Oh, yes, those soldiers are soooo sexy, aren’t they? I miss them with the demise of straight RS. But never fear, they will return, as RS will return. Everything in this industry is cyclic.
Thanks for coming by Janie!
Love the cover,and this is on my wish list too. I’d like to be on the run with someone with a combat medical background, because you know in these Romantic Suspense stories someone is bound to get hurt.
Gayle, this is both sexy and practical!
Gayle, may I just say….YUM!!
I definitely have this book on my wish list. If I was on the run, I would want the sexy, dangerous bad boy. They are usually bad on the inside, but good on the inside. Congratulations on your book.
Hi Shelley, they all have that goodness somewhere inside don’t they? And aren’t we the perfect woman to go in after it? Yes! Yes we are!
WHOA…yummy cover! I could look at him all day! Who would I want to go on the run with…I’m afraid I’d have to say the ‘bad boy’. I think I could trust him to keep me alive and happy! They don’t call ’em ‘bad boyz’ for nothin’ ya know! They know all the…ahem…’in and outs’!! 😉
barbbattaglia@yahoo.com
ROTFLMAO. Nice one, Barbara!
Well, the bad boys definitely have it, but I think I would go with the cool, hard-edged cop. Or a military man! Love those straight-arrow heroes who both keep you safe and fall hard for the heroine!
Gosh, you’ve posed a hard question, Vanessa!
I’m tending toward the sexy cop myself. Hell, I do love my bad boys, and all my heroes have some element of bad boy in them (some more than others), but there is something about a cop and that supreme confidence, the stealth skills, the tactical brains, the protective instincts that makes me all excited and gooey at the same time.
I’m so excited for Fever. Been following Joan all over the place to get every blurb I can.
I’d want to be on the run with a sexy bad boy.
Thank you.
Hi Viki!! You have been an awesome blurb seeker!!
I would have to say I’d rather be on the run with a bad boy! Love the cover 😉
brandon_savannah@yahoo.com
Thanks Savannah!
Dangerous bad boy, because if I am on the run I want someone who can get me out of whatever sticky situation I get myself into. =)
Hot post!
Thanks Lexi,
Those bad boys do know their way around the shadows, don’t they?
But you know what they say makes the best cop — being a sliver away from being a bad boy.
I think being on the run with a dangerous bad boy might be fun, as long as he has a good sense of humor.
Barbed1951 at aol dot com
Sense of humor in either absolutely required. Otherwise they would die a horrible death by very pissed off woman!!
I admit, I’d like me a bad boy if I’m on the run — mom always said not to do things half way, so if I’m gonna be bad might as well be real bad 😉 looking forward to catching this one as it sounds pretty good 🙂
ROTFLMAO…Um, Gamistress, I’m guessing your mom didn’t mean it quite in that way…
But, since I’m not your mom — go for it!!!!
I would love to be on the run with the sexy cop because they are strong, level-headed and can handle themselves in any situation.
Joan, I have been wanting to get my hands on this book for a while now and I am glad that it is getting close to February so I can finally read it. What are your plans for your next novel?
jcalvert719(at)yahoo(dot)com
Hi Jennifer!!
Hey, you have LOTS of chances to win it before it’s release because my FAB publisher is providing me with enough books to give one away at my insane blog tour Feb/March of 40+ stops!
AND, I’m so glad you asked about the next book. It’s LUKE’s book, and I’m so in love with this book I can’t even tell you!
In fact I just got the back cover copy which just makes me giddy and I’ll share here…
ANOTHER EXCLUSIVE FOR VANESSA’S BLOG!!!
The hotter they come, the harder they fall…
With a man like him, every mission becomes personal…
Ever since FBI agent Keira O’Shay started tracking a young boy named Mateo, she’s felt a connection even her empathic abilities can’t explain. She needs to save Mateo from the cult leader holding him hostage. Nothing can interfere with that—not even the reappearance of Luke Ransom, the hot-as-hell fire captain she’s regretted walking out on for three long years.
Losing Keira left Luke vulnerable—in every way. When they were together, the powers each possesses were mysteriously enhanced. But it’s the sexy, surprising woman beneath the tough exterior that Luke’s really missed. Even if she betrayed him utterly. And even if agreeing to help her uncover a government conspiracy means watching his life and his heart go up in flames again…
Thoughts??
Sexy cop sounds good to me!
I’m with you Robin!