Dangerous Pursuit
The Protectors
The Protectors
Book One
By Margaret Daley
Genre: romantic suspense
ISBN: 9781301248940
ASIN: B00E7HNG6M
BN ID: 2940148824664
Number of pages: 172
Word Count: 59,000 words
Cover Artist: Laura Marie Altom
Available Here:
Blurb:
Reading about danger never prepared Samantha Prince for the desperate phone call from her brother in Brazil that sent her from the safety of her New Orleans bookstore into the rugged, inhospitable Amazon in search of him and a hidden treasure. And reading about romance never prepared Samantha to resist the mysterious appeal of Brock Slader, a guide she hired to help her in her quest.
Alone with Brock in an alien world of orchids and anacondas, primitive headhunters and very up-to-date gunmen, she struggles to keep their relationship strictly business. Will Samantha survive the dangers in the jungle only to have her heart broken by a man who lives on the edge—no strings attached?
“Don’t worry. You won’t have an hysterical woman on your hands. I don’t go in for that.” Samantha’s voice held none of the confidence she wanted. She told herself that it was the humidity and strangeness of the jungle city. But in truth all her senses converged on the touch of Brock’s hand on her arm, his fingers a tantalizing combination of rough and gentle.
Brock released his hold on her but didn’t move away. He was only inches from her, his male scent mingling with the potent odors of the tropics carried on the moisture-laden breeze. The noise of Manaus surrounded them, but all Samantha could hear was the loud pounding of her heart that filled her ears.
“I knew a man who disappeared about six months back without a trace. There are a lot of stories like that, Miss Prince.”
“I’m sure there are, but I’ll find Mark. I would know if something had happened to him.”
The warm gleam in his eyes that made them appear almost silver was gone, replaced by a serious look that turned his gaze a dark gray like storm clouds. “It will be worse if you discover nothing.”
“Worse?”
“The jungle has a way of swallowing people up. You may never find out what’s happened to your brother. You may spend the rest of your life hoping for something that won’t happen.”
The thought sent a chill down her spine, in spite of the heat. “What has made you so cynical?”
“Reality,” he said in a clipped voice, his expression suddenly very closed. His stance forbade further discussion of the subject.
Samantha took a step back, trying to distance herself from his very masculine presence. “Are you saying I should hope to find my brother dead rather than not at all?”
Brock’s mouth thinned. His eyes narrowed. He didn’t need this. Why was he even standing here with her. His common sense told him it was dangerous to become involved with Samantha Prince and her quest. He needed to keep his distance. She reminded him of all the things he had left behind in the States: security, normalcy, order.
But looking at Samantha Prince at that moment stirred something in him he didn’t need or want—a protective instinct. Wisps of her fiery hair had escaped her bun and framed her face. Not a beautiful face by most people’s standards but definitely intriguing, he decided as his gaze took in the angry tilt of her head, the glint in her sherry-colored eyes, the frown on her full lips, the sprinkle of freckles on her upturned nose.
Can you please share with us a little about yourself?
I've been writing for over thirty years and sold 84 books. I love writing and teaching, and I've been fortunate to be able to do both in life. A few years ago I retired from teaching students with special needs in high school (27 years) to write full time.
I've been married this month 43 years to a wonderful man who has been very supportive of my writing. I have one son and four granddaughters (ages 4-12).
Have you always wanted to be an author?
No, I always wanted to be a teacher. I didn't realize it, but as a child I loved to make up stories (often while playing with my dolls). I think that is what started me on the road to writing.
Can you share with us your typical writing day. Is there anything you have to have while writing?
A typical day will start around 9 and I will write throughout the day with frequent breaks to get up and move around. I will do promotional activities in the evening while watching TV.
What would you say is the most challenging or rewarding part of writing?
Most rewarding is brainstorming and coming up with a story—most challenging is promoting myself.
Can you please tell us about your latest book?
Dangerous Pursuit is the first in The Protectors series (I just published the second one—Dangerous Interlude).
The blurb for Dangerous Pursuit: Reading about danger never prepared Samantha Prince for the desperate phone call from her brother in Brazil that sent her from the safety of her New Orleans bookstore into the rugged, inhospitable Amazon in search of him and a hidden treasure. And reading about romance never prepared Samantha to resist the mysterious appeal of Brock Slader, a guide she hired to help her in her quest.
Alone with Brock in an alien world of orchids and anacondas, primitive headhunters and very up-to-date gunmen, she struggles to keep their relationship strictly business. Will Samantha survive the dangers in the jungle only to have her heart broken by a man who lives on the edge—no strings attached?
How did you come with the idea for this story?
I love reading adventures with a suspense element, and I've been fascinated with the Amazon. Dangerous Pursuit is both—a sense of Romancing the Stone and African Queen.
Can you share with us your current work in progress?
I'm in the progress of wrapping up the second book in the series—Dangerous Interlude. It is the story of Samantha's brother, Mark, in Austria and a case of mistaken identity (like the TV show years ago: Scarecrow and Mrs. King). A teacher and single mother is pulled into a life and death situation when she is on a dream vacation.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
My favorite is James Rollins (suspense and adventure).
Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style?
Yes, I love James Rollins' fast pacing.
Open your book to a random page and please read us a few lines.
Brock turned the plane around and began to taxi down the short runway. The sound of the gunfire ricocheted through Samantha’s mind as more bullets hit the plane. They picked up speed, the dense jungle wall at the end of the runway coming closer and closer. Only a few yards away from the tree barrier the nose of the plane lifted, followed by the wheels, then the tail. They were airborne, passing several feet over the tops of the trees.
“We made it!” Samantha exclaimed, wanting to throw her arms around Brock and kiss him for pulling it off.
“And they shouldn’t be following. I removed the spark plugs from their plane before setting off the generator. We’ll be back in Manaus before they can go anywhere.”
“The first thing I want to do is celebrate. There for a while I didn’t think I’d ever see Manaus again.”
“One celebration coming up tonight.”
This time going over the sea of green Samantha didn’t feel so frightened. They had brushed death and survived. She knew from the two men that Mark was still alive. Somehow she would find her brother and everything would be fine.
Her smile was full of satisfaction—until she spied Brock’s scowl. Alarmed, Samantha sat up in her seat. “What’s wrong?”
Brock examined the instrument panel again. "The oil pressure is dropping–fast.”
She knew there was a reason she didn’t like to fly. "Can we make it back to Manaus all right?"
“No." Brock searched the terrain, deep lines grooving his forehead.
The engine stalled. The propeller froze. The plane began free falling toward the sea of green below.
What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
James Rollins—The Eye of God, it's his newest book
Have you ever used anyone from your real life encounters in any of your books?
Yes, all the time bits and pieces
What was the most surprising thing you learned about yourself while you were writing?
How much I am NOT a saleswoman. I hate promoting myself.
Margaret Daley, an award-winning author of eighty-four books, has been married for over forty years and is a firm believer in romance and love.
When she isn’t traveling, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense thread and corralling her three cats that think they rule her household.
To find out more about Margaret visit her website.
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