Grace Under Fire is out!

 

Grace Under Fire

Jerri Drennen

Crimson Rosebud

Release Date: 11-18-2009  

 

Since her husband’s death, Grace Diaglo has been sleepwalking through life. That is, until her husband’s ex-partner shows up just in time to become her impromptu bodyguard when a peeping Tom is spotted outside her bathroom window. Grace isn’t sure who she’s more afraid of, the man trying to see her naked or the one she’s started picturing that way.

 

Ex-Chicago cop, Cord Rawlings, intends to find his partner’s killer. What he doesn’t count on is an intense attraction to the dead man’s wife or the corruption a probe into his friend’s death uncovers-an investigation that has the pair dodging bullets to stay alive. Will he be able to keep Grace safe or have they become the targets of the last person either of them suspected?

 

Excerpt

 Cord Rawlings lifted the bottle of whiskey to his lips and drained the last drops. He wouldn’t say he was drunk, just numb. He’d spent all evening in Rockford, Illinois, holed up in a room at a roadside motel, drinking, and still felt no better than he had before he’d opened the bottle.

Would the painful memories ever fade—as the face of his partner, Vincent Diaglo, had?

He forced himself to swallow past the burning in his throat as he slammed his fist into the lumpy mattress.

Contempt for himself consumed him.

Vince had died because of him. He should have been in the car that exploded, not his partner. Now all Cord saw when he thought about his friend was his charred remains—not the strong, dedicated cop he’d been.

Inside, Cord was dead too. Probably wouldn’t fear dying because he’d been lifeless inside for a long time.

Maybe he should just end it all. Right here, right now.

He shook his head. That would be taking the coward’s way out. No way could he do that.

He sent the empty bottle into the air. It landed with a dull thud onto the carpet.

Vincent would have been disgusted with what he’d become, and that bothered Cord more than anything. Vince and his wife had been like family to him.

God, he could still see Grace’s pale, tear-streaked face at the funeral as the graveside attendants lowered the shiny silver casket into the ground, her hands white-knuckling the American flag that had draped it only moments before.

He hadn’t been able to face her that day. Guilt had eaten at him with a vengeance. So he’d watched from a distance, afraid she’d blame him for not being there to save her husband—to save the only friend he’d ever had.

The morning of the funeral, he’d pictured Grace’s misty green eyes filled with loathing, eyes that had haunted him from the moment he’d met her, and known facing her would be impossible. Burying his partner and losing her respect, all in the same day. No way could he have dealt with that. He’d chosen not to confront her.

Instead, he’d run away and buried himself in a bottle.

Shaking off his alcohol-induced buzz, Cord forced the images from his mind. He refused to think about Grace any longer. Every time he did, his stomach knotted. What he needed was another bottle of whiskey. Maybe then he’d pass out.

The Wild Rose Press e-book link.

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Struggling to get my hero right.

It’s weird but usually I have trouble with my female characters but with this book, Sloan is coming along nicely. Greer is giving me trouble. I guess because he’s not your typical hero, having just been released from prison. He’s having a tough time staying on the staight-and-narrow since he can’t find a job and is running out of money. I think I’ve got a plan for him, but I don’t want him to come across as completely irredeemable. Though, I do want to see how far I can go without that happening.  Hopefully I can get through this first chapter and get to their first meeting, which will be fun since Sloan is going to break-up his first chance at getting nookie after 6 years in prison. Needless to say he isn’t happy about the interruption, especially when she accuses him of stealing a precious stone. I know if I can get past this first chapter I’ll be okay. Wish me luck.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Jerri

 

A new book in the works!

So, I had no motivation to write and then I got an e-mail about an anthology at The Wild Rose Press. They wanted a romantic suspense centered around a blue Diamond. I got to thinking about this and it really snowballed into a storyline that I now have an outline for. Tentitive title Diamond in the Rough.

Hero:  Greer Beranger–diamond expert and ex-Jewel thief.

This is my image of him. 

Heroine: Sloan McKendrics–precious stones investigator for the Jax Insurance Company.

Question? What do you think about heroes who are really considered anti-heroes? Can you overlook a criminal past if the story is compelling enough? I’d love to hear what you think about this as a writer or a reader.

Jerri

 

 

I’ve been a bad, bad Girl!

I haven’t blogged in forever. I’m sorry but I’ve been finishing a book and having fun with my granddaughter. I have been participating in a group blog Shades of Suspense. I guess that’s something, right?

Update # 1: I sent a submission off to Harlequin Intrigue for Hook, Line, Murder. If they don’t ask for the full, they’ll miss a great story. Did that sound conceited? Well, so be it. I love Steve and Whitney. They are great characters and deserve to be recognized as such. I want to thank two people for helping me get through this book and shining it up. Betty Womack, my dear friend and critique partner, and Trish Albright, my mentor. Without them, I would have never finished the book this quickly.

Update # 2: Grace Under Fire is up for pre-order at The Wild Rose Press.

Grace Under Fire

Jerri Drennen

Crimson Rosebud

Release Date: 11-18-2009  

Since her husband’s death, Grace Diaglo has been sleepwalking through life. That is, until her husband’s ex-partner shows up just in time to become her impromptu bodyguard when a peeping Tom is spotted outside her bathroom window. Grace isn’t sure who she’s more afraid of, the man trying to see her naked or the one she’s started picturing that way.

Ex-Chicago cop, Cord Rawlings, intends to find his partner’s killer. What he doesn’t count on is an intense attraction to the dead man’s wife or the corruption a probe into his friend’s death uncovers-an investigation that has the pair dodging bullets to stay alive. Will he be able to keep Grace safe or have they become the targets of the last person either of them suspected?

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/grace-under-fire-paperback-p-3726.html

Update #3: I haven’t made it to any MORWA meetings lately because my husband had to work and I couldn’t go. I’m sure I missed a lot of great information. I plan to make the next meeting if I have to drive up there myself. I try never to drive in the big city. Makes me too nervous.

Update #4: Emma. Well, she couldn’t be any sweeter. The happiest baby I’ve ever been around. She lights up everything around her. She now has her first tooth–as of 2 days ago. She is over 17 pounds and 26 inches. Simply adorable.

This picture was taken yesterday at The Pumpkin Patch. According to Mom, she had a great time.

Anyway, plan to be a little better at posting. At least once a week and you can come by Shades of Suspense and meet all the wonderful suspense writers.

Jerri

It’s raining, it’s pouring, I wish I were snoring.

Okay, I wish I were sleeping because I only snore when I’m really tired. Woke to the pouring rain and thought, yeah, this bites. It’s Saturday. My husband is off and what can you do in gully-washer weather. Nothing? It really is quite fitting since me mood has been dark and dismal the past few days. I won’t bore you with why. It really doesn’t matter.

On a more positive note. I’ve been writing 2 hours a day all week, which has earned my almost 8,000 words in Hook, Line, Murder. May I just say that my hero, Steve Morgan rocks. He is a fantastic hero and perfect for Whitney McAllister, my heroine. Both are working-class people trying to survive.  I’m about to hit the 30,000 word mark in the story and that means I’m on the otherside of halfway now. This book is the one. I know it and I’m not going to let anything negative stop me from proving that.

Emma is growing like a weed. I think she’s nearing 14 pounds now with her puggy cheeks and all. She simply lights up my life whenever I see her.

Anyway, you all have a great day. Like I said, it’s raining here, so I won’t.

Jerri

I’ve been writing!

Sorry I haven’t blogged lately but I’ve been working on my new book and I’m totally wrapped up in my characters. I’ve half finished with chapter 5 of Hook, Line, Murder.

Over at Once Upon a Crime they’re have a one year anniversary party. Jump over and maybe win some prizes.

Emma is getting bigger. She was here yesterday and she is simply adorable.

Anyway, I’ll keep you abreast of anything new. Have a great weekend.

Christmas in July contest

For a chance to win a print copy of Aztec Security name all the couples in the book, then post them and your e-mail address here and I’ll choose a winner by next weekend.

Here is a link to the blurb that will give you the answer.

 http://samhainpublishing.com/print/aztec-security-print

Jerri

THE WINNER IS BETTY! I’LL GET THE BOOK OFF TO YOU AS SOON AS I CAN. THANK YOU ALL FOR ENTERING.

Another Birthday rolls by, and Christmas in July!

So I had another birthday yesterday and it was wonderful. All my children, plus Emma were here and that’s a blessing in itself. What got me was the cake my hubby brought home. Done at Sam’s Club on Lemay Ferry Rd in St. Louis where my hubby works. DH came up with the idea. I totally loved it!

So, a number of romance suspense authors will be chatting on the Samhain Loop Sunday from 4 to 5. Come on over. I’ll be giving away a copy of one of my books.

Working on revisions right now, but I did finish chapter 2 of Hook, Line, Murder.

Have a great Thursday!

Jerri

I have a release date!

Yep, Grace Under Fire has a release date. Digital release is 11-18-09. Print date, tentatively 11-18-09. It could change. But I’m very excited because I thought it wouldn’t be released until next year. I’m really going to work hard to get the word out with this book. Cord is a great tortured hero and deserves that much.

I finally worked up the nerve to send my submission to Harlequin. Now the waiting begins. I pray they’ll ask for the full of Going Once, Going Twice, Dead.

Hook, Line, Murder is moving along nicely. I have about a scene left to finish chapter 2. I really like it so far and that’s not easy for me to say since I’m so critical of my work, but I think it’s my best work yet.

Emma. What can I say. I simply adore her. She weighs 10 pounds, 3 ounces now. She is growing so fast.

Anyway, I’ll talk to you all later. Have a great weekend!

Jerri

Story nothing like I’d planned!

So I was three pages into the second book in my Denver Homicide series and something didn’t feel right. I knew that, but I didn’t know what until the next morning when my furbabies woke me up at 2 0′clock in the a.m. That is when I realized that Steve doesn’t belong to Laurie. Laurie’s husband does, but we’ll talk about that next book.  I deleted everything I wrote and started over. The first scene in the book gave me my title. Yes, that’s how I roll. LOL. Anyway. I’m half done with the first chapter. Introduced my hero and heroine to the story, with just a hint of their backstories–hopefully just enough to keep the reader wanting to know more.

Hero–Steve Morgan of course. My image for him in my head is Simon Baker.

Heroine–Whitney McAllister. I don’t have an image for her yet but she has a three-year-old girl named Kylie. She worked in housekeeping at the lodge where Steve was sent on a forced vacation.

“Hook, Line, Murder”

Chapter One

Steve Morgan heaved a sigh of frustration and again cast his line into the water. His goal that day had been to relax and enjoy an afternoon of fishing at Beaver Lake, even though he’d been forced into this little impromptu vacation to Marble, Colorado by his commanding officer. His blood still boiled about that and would until he was allowed to return to work.
He plopped onto a deteriorating fallen tree on the bank and watched his bobber move listlessly through the current. It reminded him of his emotions–up and down since the accident.
Shaking the thought, he reeled the line in a few feet. He hadn’t caught one damned trout since he’d arrived at Beaver lodge. Maybe he’d bought the wrong bait. The Salmon eggs the guy at the fish and tackle shop suggested might have worked better.
Then again, maybe his heart wasn’t in this particular leisurely activity. But then, what else did one do in a po dunk town, population less than a thousand–at a resort touted the best for rest and relaxation with its hiking trails and small, scenic cabins featuring all the amenities. Too bad he barely knew how to boil water.
Nope. This was not for him.  He was like Ava on Green Acres. He loved city life—preferably the hustle and bustle of Denver.
Steve cranked the spindle on the reel, thinking it was a waste of time trying to catch a fish that he couldn’t cook anyway. As his line neared the bank, it snagged on something in the water.
Great. If he broke the nylon string, he’d have to pay for the rented equipment.
He rose and waded into the water. If this was relaxing, he’d have a coronary by the time he left.
A foot or two into the muddy backwash his boot bumped into something on the bottom.
He looked down. What the hell was it?
He worked his boot alongside the thing. It didn’t feel all that solid.
Steve reeled the line in further and leaned toward the surface, literally feeling all blood drain from his face. Under the water, caught on his twelve-pound test line, was a hand and he guessed the rest of the body nested against his foot.

Copyrights©jerridrennenJuly2009

Do you want to keep reading?

Jerri