Today I’m pleased to feature the release of Nancy Weeks’ In the Shadow of Vengeance, a romantic suspense by a fellow Maryland Romance Writers author!
Detective Noah McNeil has his cases under control, but the same can’t be said for his personal life in Fells Point, Maryland. Elizabeth Merlot, the mother of a troubled teen Noah is mentoring, is freezing him out of the family’s lives – especially criminal given how hot this single mom is.
Elizabeth Merlot can’t afford to let the handsome detective close to her son lest he discover she’s in the witness protection program. Until the day, that is, when the teen tries to fend off a gang attack and her entire world of secrets begins to crumble – and Noah may be the only one who can save their lives. Don’t miss this exciting conclusion to the McNeil family saga!
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And here’s my interview with author Nancy C. Weeks about this determined hero and reluctant heroine in her exciting new release. Welcome, Nancy!
Nancy: Hi Laurel. Thank you so much for inviting me on your blog today. I’m thrilled to be here to tell your readers about my new release, In the Shadow of Vengeance.
Laurel: Great to have you here. So, In the Shadow of Vengeance is the last book in the series. That story must have been bittersweet to write.
Nancy: I have spent the last four years working on my ‘In the Shadow’ series. With each book, I fell deeper in love with my five McNeil brothers and the women who turned their world upside down. It was a tearful moment when I typed THE END to In the Shadow of Vengeance. Of course, now that it’s out so the world can read, I can’t remove the silly grin from my face. I loved writing Noah McNeil and Elizabeth Merlot’s story. And since this was the last book in the series, I brought back the amazing characters from the first four books. Today, I invited Jennie McKenzie McNeil along with me so we can hear her impression of her brother-in-law, Noah.
Laurel: Wow, it’s a pleasure to have you with us, Jennie. You’re now happily married to Noah’s twin brother, Jared. If I remember correctly, you and Noah didn’t always get along?
Jennie: Thanks, Laurel. And no, my brother-in-law didn’t like me very much in the beginning. Who could blame the guy? Noah is very protective of his family and I was a serious threat to Jared. Thankfully, that’s all in the past. He’s now one of my best friends and a great brother.
Laurel: Tell me about your relationship with Elizabeth Merlot. You knew her before Elizabeth and Noah ever met, right?
Jennie: I had both her children, Erin and Danny in my class and we formed a friendship—before the unthinkable happened. The man obsessed with me used Danny as leverage against me. I’ll never forgive myself for placing Danny in the path of Elías Mendoza. And Noah… he was almost killed. After Danny was returned home, he and Noah seemed to bond for a few months.
Laurel: Did Noah and Elizabeth start a relationship because of his connection to Danny?
Jennie: Sadly no! My BIL can be a real idiot sometimes.
Laurel: Well, if he wasn’t interested…
Jennie: Oh, he was interested. Noah use to date a different woman every week. After meeting Elizabeth, the spinning door of one-night-stands stopped completely. No, he cared about Elizabeth Merlot, but he was just too pigheaded for his own good.
Laurel: Pigheaded? LOL. How so?
Jennie: Noah has this thing about secrets and he hates lies. He can be the most stubborn, opinionated—he sees everything in black and white. Elizabeth is reserved and doesn’t share much about her past for good reason. If he would have given her a chance to get to know him, then maybe she would have opened up to him sooner. Noah is definitely attracted to Elizabeth but he doesn’t trust her.
Laurel: Then what does Elizabeth think about Noah?
Nancy: I can answer this one with the excerpt I’ve sent along. Elizabeth doesn’t want Noah in Danny’s life and she has good reason to keep Noah at arm’s length. But sorry, can’t say more about that without spilling the plot.
Jennie: Noah and Elizabeth’s journey toward each other ends up changing how they view the world and their beliefs. I felt so helpless watching it unfold from the sidelines. They really went through some difficult situations. But I’m saying too much…
Laurel: No, you’ve left us hanging. J There is going to be a happy ending, right?
Nancy: It’s a romantic suspense so…of course! I write novels filled with a balance of gripping excitement, intrigue and heartwarming romances that will take your emotions on an incredible roller coaster ride. Sometimes you may even find a hint of the paranormal, but you can always count on a happy-ever-after.
Laurel: Since In the Shadow of Vengeance is the last book in your series, should my readers read the 5 books in order?
Nancy: Each book in the series is a stand-alone novel and they don’t have to be read in order. With that said, I think readers will get a much richer understanding of Vengeance if they read In the Shadow of Evil first. That book is where the series began. And wonderful news!! In the Shadow of Evil has been placed on sale for only 99 cents from 12/22 to 12/29!! OH… and watch my WEBSITE for a free read of the beginning chapters of In the Shadow of Vengeance.
Laurel: And here’s the cover you should be looking for:
Laurel: Thank you, Nancy and Jennie. We also have that excerpt below…and it appears the nasty villains weren’t the only obstacle Nancy’s hero and heroine faced!
Buy In the Shadow of Vengeance here
AMAZON | B&N | ITUNES | GOOGLE PLAY
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Nancy C. Weeks lives in suburban Maryland with her husband of more than thirty years. With her two grown children out of the nest, she loves spending her days on her deck writing as the local bird population keeps her company.
Find Nancy at:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | PINTEREST
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Excerpt of In the Shadow of Vengeance
Elizabeth’s emotions of gratitude flip-flopped. She could almost feel the blood boiling in her veins. “No, I expect you to let the cops do their job.”
“I’m a cop, Elizabeth. Danny means something to me. I’m not going to sit on my fucking hands and wait until the BPD finds the manpower to look for this bastard.”
The fury she had been holding in all evening erupted. She dashed from behind the chair and rammed a finger into his chest. “I don’t know who you thought you were speaking to just now, Noah McNeil, but I don’t allow that language in this house.”
“Cops cuss.”
“Not in my face, they don’t. And definitely not that word.”
He slammed his hands to his hips. “What word?”
“You know what I’m talking about. It’s offensive and distasteful. Find another way to express yourself in my home or get out.”
A hint of laughter appeared in his eyes. The jerk was laughing at her. She never considered herself a violent person, but it took every ounce of control to keep from slapping that grin right off his stupid face.
The damn man was thick as a brick. If those men beat up a harmless kid like Danny, what would they do to a smartass cop?
“You think your badge makes you invincible? This guy is in a gang, you hardheaded buffoon. He has mean friends, and his friends have meaner friends.”
This time he let out a loud laugh. “Oh, that’s adorable.”
Before she could react, he curled his hand around the nape of her neck and lowered his head, his lips barely touching hers. The laughter was gone, and for some reason, she didn’t yank out of his hold but stood completely still. Her mind screamed to back off, but her curiosity got the best of her. His lips brushed over hers, sending an electric jolt to her toes. The hand at her waist tugged her against him while his lips went back for another taste and then a third. “Damn sweet. You’re worried about me.”
Elizabeth lost all common sense. She yanked him closer and they molded into each other. For such a big man, his lips were surprisingly soft and so gentle. The taste of mint combined with his spicy herbal scent overpowered her senses. A primal need she had forgotten existed took over, and she kissed him back as she clung to him, his shirt fisted in both hands. Her body came alive. He shifted then broke their connection. Reality returned and common sense slammed back into her, taking her breath away.
What was she doing kissing Noah McNeil? She wanted to kick herself all the way back to Nebraska.
“I’m so touched you care, Elizabeth.”
“You kissed me,” she choked out and shoved at his chest. “Why?”
“You kissed me back. It was real sweet, but way too short.” He shifted his weight and bit back a grin. “Is that not allowed in this house either? I think I’m going to need a list.”
“You don’t just go around kissing people, detective.”
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