Linked
Linked Series Book One
Linked Series Book One
By Judy Serrano
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Date of Publication: July 18th, 2013
Number of pages: 263
Word Count: 81,403
Cover Artist: Danielle Barnard
Available Here:
Book Description:
Daphne Foster is a substitute teacher stuck in an
English class, waiting for that dreaded parent-teacher conference. With much
preparation and anxiety, she encounters the unforgettable Charlie Cross. His
charm and good looks, win her over but rumors of his involvement with organized
crime make his continued disappearances disturbing.
In walks Heathcliff Vanderpool, creating a love
triangle of unusual sorts. Unknown to Daphne, Heathcliff and Charlie are old
friends: Older than she could have imagined. With Charlie away on business,
Daphne and Heathcliff discover a passion between them lying beneath the
surface. As their souls link, pulling away from Charlie becomes next to
impossible. Will his involvement in organized crime consume them both before
she’s able to get free? When you become “linked,” the choice may not be your
own.
“Mr. Cross,” I started, leaning into
him so that no one else could hear me. “What are you doing here?”
“It’s nice to see you too, Miss
Foster.”
“I think we’re passed the formalities
now, don’t you?” I asked.
“Daphne, then.” My name played so
softly on his lips that I shuddered, and embarrassingly so. He smiled. “Then
you must call me Charlie.” He kissed the backs of my hands. “I see I already
have a positive effect on you.”
“Don’t read too much into it,” I told
him. “It’s just a chill.”
“Or maybe a warm sensation,” he
whispered, putting his finger on my face and tracing it down to my lips. I
swallowed hard and I know my face was yet again bright red.
I looked over at Janice who was
having a pleasant conversation with his brother. Then I looked back at him.
“Does your wife know you frequent schools to pick up teachers?” I asked.
“You mean substitute teachers,” he
answered. I stuck my tongue out at him. “I like when you do that.”
“Stop it,” I whispered harshly.
“Look. I’m sure I’m not the type of woman that you’re used to. Especially since
I know first hand that you’re married, and I think I already mentioned that I
don’t date married men.”
The waitress showed up with four
shots of tequila. I looked at him in amazement. “Really?” I asked.
“Come on, Daphne, let go a little,”
Janice added, shining like a brand new diamond.
We downed the shots and Charlie got a
little too close. “I find you irresistible, Daphne.” He leaned in so that he
was almost whispering in my ear. “I don’t know what it is about you, but I must
have you.” He took my hand and brought it to his cheek.
“What is it that you do, Mr. Cross?”
I asked.
“I thought we were past formalities.”
“Charlie,” I corrected. “Sorry. What
do you do for a living?”
“I’m a businessman,” he answered.
“Acquisitions are my specialty.”
“And what exactly do you acquire?” I
asked. “And please do not say women.”
“I do not buy and sell women,” he
answered, his voice getting suddenly harsh. “But when I see something I want, I
go after it until it yields to me.”
I pulled my hand away from his face
and looked at him. He was most unsettling. “You think I’m just going to fall
right into your arms, don’t you, Charlie.”
“Not into my arms, necessarily,” he answered. “but certainly into my
bed.”
An
interview between Daphne and the author, Judy Serrano.
Daphne, as
you know, you are the main character of my new paranormal romance, Linked. Were you happy in general about
the outcome?
Well,
I don’t want to give too much away, but you certainly did surround me with some
very handsome alpha males. I can’t complain about that.
So true. Did
you enjoy being a schoolteacher?
I
wasn’t really a schoolteacher. I was more of a substitute teacher for high
school, as Charlie was only too happy to continuously point out to me. It was a
hard job but very rewarding. Next time make me something really exciting like a
werewolf or a cheetah. I want to be something unusual and hard to catch.
I will keep
that in mind for the next book. Do you think you made the right choice with the
man in your life or do you wish I directed you somewhere else?
I
am very happy with the choices I made. I think you made the right decision.
Although the love triangle became very painful, in real life that’s how it is.
I suppose
so. Did you wish you ended up with Dante, Charlie’s brother?
There
is no doubt that Dante will always hold a special place in my heart. He was so
sexy and crazy, but certainly I had other places to be. I had other men who
needed me more.
One last
question, Daphne. What do you think life would have been like if you just
didn’t extend the invitation to Charlie Cross? Sometimes I think I should have
named this book, The Invitation.
Don’t
think it hasn’t occurred to me that I should have just said no. Nothing would
have changed and I’d be a teacher by now, teaching high school English. But,
that being said, I love my family and wouldn’t have changed a thing. Not many
girls can say they have done what I’ve done or been where I’ve been. I am a lucky
girl.
Thanks,
Daphne, for letting me ask you a few questions.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Yes.
Girls… if you meet a guy and you know in your head that this is going to be the
most thrilling ride of your life… get on board.
Judy
Serrano graduated from Texas A&M University, Commerce with a BA in English.
She is a member of Romance Writers of America and Dallas Area Romance Authors.
She is a substitute teacher at the local school district and writes for
various on-line publications. She is the author of Easter's Lilly, Brother
Number Three, Relatively Close
and Memoirs of a Mobster, which are
romantic thrillers and part of The
Easter’s Lilly Series.
Judy currently resides in Texas with her husband, four children (all
boys) and five dogs. She is also a singer/songwriter in her spare time.
Contact Judy Here:
Thanks so much for the posts today. I do post updates on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/JudySerranoAuthor?ref=ts. I would love for you to stop by and "like" the page so that you can receive daily updates. I also have a romanctic suspense series out called "The Easter's Lilly Series." It is a mobolicious love story. Thanks again for your support!
ReplyDelete