April 2014 – RAT Informant

Body of Evidence – Excerpt

Posted on April 29, 2014 by Rachel Grant

“An exhilarating read that could easily be a blockbuster on the screen.” – Kirkus Reviews

Body of Evidence

~ * Excerpt * ~

Curt pulled off at a roadside shrimp shack to pick up dinner. As they waited for their food, Mara leaned against him, clearly at the limit of her strength. He draped an arm around her in the sultry darkness, struck by a need to protect her that was almost primal. A seventh-degree black belt, he knew how to send out serious she’s-mine-don’t-mess-with-her vibes. Wearing the skintight T-shirt, a day’s worth of stubble, and standing in his most intimidating stance, there was no way in hell even his closest colleagues would recognize him right now.

“What day is it?” she suddenly asked.

“Here?” Leaning against him as she was, the top of her head rested against his chest, and he enjoyed the way she fit against his side.

“No, in Iceland.”

He chuckled. “It’s a reasonable question. It’s Tuesday in North Korea.” He glanced at his watch. “And Tuesday in DC, but here in Hawai’i, it’s still Monday.”

“Meaning it was Monday when I woke up in North Korea, and it’s still Monday. I’m starting to wonder if this day will ever end, or if I’m trapped forever on the day of my execution.”

He pressed her closer to his side. “You get maudlin when you’re tired.”

She huffed and looked up at him. “I get maudlin when things start blowing up, I get shot at, and my only ally is the man who wants to send my uncle to prison.”

“What, you’re not milking the firing squad anymore?”

Those soft, tempting lips widened in a weary smile. “I’m saving it for the next time you revert to your unpleasant jerky self. Why play my trump card when you’re being civil?”

“I’m sure you won’t have to wait long.”

“So am I,” she said dryly.

~ * ~

When an archaeologist who retrieves the remains of GIs lost in combat travels to North Korea, she never imagines she’ll be arrested, convicted, and sentenced to death by firing squad. Her only hope is the powerful US attorney who must risk the biggest prosecution of his career to save her. With betrayal around every corner, their loyalties—and hearts—are tested as they race across the Pacific and uncover a conspiracy that threatens not only their lives, but US national security.

Amazon | Nook | iBooks | Kobo

First Indie Anniversary – Excerpt and Giveaways

Posted on April 16, 2014 by Rachel Grant

One year ago today, I announced the release of my debut novel, CONCRETE EVIDENCE, making today my Indie Anniversary! To celebrate, for the next week or so I will be posting giveaways on my Facebook page for print, ebook, and audio versions of great books by authors who have supported me over the past year.

Today’s giveaway is for fabulous books by my amazing and wonderful and supportive KissandThrill.com sisters. To enter the drawing, comment or like the Facebook post. And be sure to check back this week and next for more giveaways.

In addition to the giveaways, I thought I’d share an excerpt from the book that launched my writing career.

“Full of secrets, deadly intrigue and steamy romance. A MUST read.” – Elisabeth Naughton, New York Times Bestselling Author

~ * Excerpt * ~

“If you’re not going to work out, let me use the bag,” Erica said.

Lee shook himself, realizing he’d been staring. “Want to spar?”

She set down the hand weight and studied him.

“I’ll be gentle with you.” He tightened the Velcro straps on his foam gloves.

She smirked and pulled her gloves from her workout bag. “I make no such promises.”

She circled him on the mat, clearly not wanting to waste time with trivial things like rules. Of course, he’d been doing his best to piss her off since they met, so he had it coming.

She feinted left, then kicked high to the right. He blocked the kick and punched, checking his swing so his glove merely kissed her shoulder.

She punched again, and he caught her in a clinch hold to halt a blow and felt the burn of her vibrant energy. She kicked high, and his block knocked them both off-balance. They hit the mat with arms and legs entangled, her body pinned beneath his. She laughed, full, loud, exuberant.

He propped himself on an elbow and gazed down at her. His breath caught. She was so damn beautiful…but it was more than that. It was her brains, her drive, the way she’d faced down a man who obviously scared her. His reaction to her was a problem.

She pushed against his chest. “Let me up.”

Remember your role. “What are you afraid of?”

“I’m not afraid.”

“Liar. Let me take you out. Dinner, tonight.”

“You aren’t my type. I like men who can earn a degree in less than seven years.”

He held back a grin. She didn’t like his character. He could live with that. He didn’t like the intern either. “And I like a challenge.”

This time when she pushed, he rolled back and she got to her feet. “Challenge yourself with the weights, Romeo. We’re done sparring.”

~ * ~

A disgraced underwater archaeologist struggles to salvage her career by recovering stolen artifacts. Yet more than her profession is threatened when she becomes a suspect in a smuggling ring that could destroy a presidential campaign. To survive, she puts her trust—and heart—in the hands of a charismatic security specialist who has a deceptive agenda of his own.

Amazon | Kobo | iTunes | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

Tantor Audio | Audible

Lena Diaz presents: THE BODYGUARD

Posted on April 15, 2014June 30, 2014 by Rachel Grant

Release Day for Concrete Evidence in Audiobook

Posted on April 8, 2014April 9, 2014 by Rachel Grant

The unabridged audiobook version of Concrete Evidence produced by Tantor Audio is available today! I’m so excited for the release of my debut book in a new format. You can listen to a sample and purchase the book directly from Tantor, or you can order it online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or at Audible. The CDs may also be available at your local bookstore, but you may need to call ahead and see if they have it in stock or request they order it. Be sure to compare prices because they can vary widely.If you’ve already purchased the Kindle version of Concrete Evidence, you can download the Audible version (with Whispersync for Voice) for only $3.47!

Also, all of my books are enrolled in Kindle’s Matchbook program, which means if you’ve purchased a print copy of any of my titles from Amazon, you can download the Kindle version for only $0.99. For more information you can visit my author page at Amazon. While you are there, you can check out the Working Girls boxed set, which includes Concrete Evidence along with five other amazing thrillers with strong female protagonists. The box is scheduled to be removed from sale in the next week or two, so grab it while you can!

“Full of secrets, deadly intrigue and steamy romance. A MUST read.” – Elisabeth Naughton, New York Times Bestselling AuthorA year ago she lost everything. Now she wants revenge…

Accused of stealing artifacts from a five-hundred-year-old shipwreck, underwater archaeologist Erica Kesling is determined to clear her name. She’s concealed her past and taken a job certain to give her access to the buyer of the missing antiquities. She’s finally closing in on her goal when she’s distracted by a sexy, charismatic intern who makes her want something other than revenge.

But Lee Scott is no intern. He’s looking for the lead conspirator in an international artifact smuggling scheme, and Erica is his prime suspect. He’ll do whatever it takes to win her trust and get her to reveal her secrets, even seduce her.

As Erica and Lee struggle to conceal their real agendas, the one thing they can’t hide is the attraction that burns hot between them. When Erica’s quest puts her life in jeopardy, Lee must choose between old loyalties and a woman he never expected to fall for.