Anna Raymond focuses only on her work at a little custom printing company in LA. She’s become a recluse after a traumatic experience that tore her life apart. Then Eric happens, barging into her life one morning at a Starbucks. By the time night falls, she has witnessed a murder, fought for her life, and revealed secrets she meant to keep buried forever.
Eric Reed is a hired killer, well aware of his effect on women and how to use it to his advantage. He’s in LA for one thing only: Finish the contract he’s been assigned. Anna was nothing but a means to an end, but he finds himself reluctantly drawn to the enigmatic woman, a mistake that can cost him everything.
That long, cold night trapped together, changes something fundamental between them. Anna must make a choice, will it be her path to happiness, or will the fervent Eric burn her to ashes?
This is book two in the Russo Saga but can be enjoyed as a standalone.
Publisher’s Note: This dark romance is intended for adults only and may contain triggers. This wild ride contains elements of danger, suspense, action, adventure, sensual scenes, adult language, power exchange and a guaranteed HEA.
When did you know you wanted to be an author?
I was getting some attention for school essays and the likes when I was a kid, and I used to read a LOT, but I didn’t really find my way into writing until I stumbled into fanfiction almost 15 years ago. That was a great learning process with the tight interaction with readers and I got to know some lovely people whom I’m still friends with. That was when I started to get the feel for writing, that I could actually craft a story that other people like. I haven’t written constantly since then, but the last year and a half is when it really took off and I started writing to publish.
What is your writing process like?
A story almost ache in me, characters starts talking, settings come to life, and finally I sit down and start from the beginning. I just start with the first word and then keep writing. Later on, if I get stuck, there may be some plotting, but initially I just write as if I’m watching a movie. Things just happen, and I have to hurry to put it ‘on paper’.
Do you like to listen to music while you write? If so, what kind?
On and off. Mostly rather aggressive music. Like trash metal, angry music. I write suspense, lots of emotions, enemies to lovers. It gives me energy.
What genres do you write in?
Dark and erotic romance/suspense. Often enemies to lovers. It’s my favorite trope!
Where do you find inspiration?
Movies, music, my own other stories, things that fly by, like an article, a meme, other books, just anything.
What was the hardest part about writing RUIN?
Ruin was an older story that I rewrote. I loved it so much and wanted it to meet the world. I removed great chunks from an already short novel, replaced that with new material, realized the character building and background story was too meager, added more. Then I hesitated about tense and third or first person, so I rewrote several chapters and went back and forth. In the end it benefited greatly from that exercise since the text got richer with each rewrite. I got stuck a bunch of times, pushed through, found the flow again. Finally I invented the Russos, and rewrote again, to make this story part of that world, and that was when it REALLY found its heart and its voice.
How much research do you typically do on a novel?
I research places through google maps, through images online, youtube clips. I read up on terms for specific things, measure distances to travel, check out airlines, restaurants, street views. And long terribly to actually go there myself. I pour my heart into making a location as authentic as possible, and I’ve had local residents saying that I must know the place, and that is an amazing feeling!
I was getting some attention for school essays and the likes when I was a kid, and I used to read a LOT, but I didn’t really find my way into writing until I stumbled into fanfiction almost 15 years ago. That was a great learning process with the tight interaction with readers and I got to know some lovely people whom I’m still friends with. That was when I started to get the feel for writing, that I could actually craft a story that other people like. I haven’t written constantly since then, but the last year and a half is when it really took off and I started writing to publish.
What is your writing process like?
A story almost ache in me, characters starts talking, settings come to life, and finally I sit down and start from the beginning. I just start with the first word and then keep writing. Later on, if I get stuck, there may be some plotting, but initially I just write as if I’m watching a movie. Things just happen, and I have to hurry to put it ‘on paper’.
Do you like to listen to music while you write? If so, what kind?
On and off. Mostly rather aggressive music. Like trash metal, angry music. I write suspense, lots of emotions, enemies to lovers. It gives me energy.
What genres do you write in?
Dark and erotic romance/suspense. Often enemies to lovers. It’s my favorite trope!
Where do you find inspiration?
Movies, music, my own other stories, things that fly by, like an article, a meme, other books, just anything.
What was the hardest part about writing RUIN?
Ruin was an older story that I rewrote. I loved it so much and wanted it to meet the world. I removed great chunks from an already short novel, replaced that with new material, realized the character building and background story was too meager, added more. Then I hesitated about tense and third or first person, so I rewrote several chapters and went back and forth. In the end it benefited greatly from that exercise since the text got richer with each rewrite. I got stuck a bunch of times, pushed through, found the flow again. Finally I invented the Russos, and rewrote again, to make this story part of that world, and that was when it REALLY found its heart and its voice.
How much research do you typically do on a novel?
I research places through google maps, through images online, youtube clips. I read up on terms for specific things, measure distances to travel, check out airlines, restaurants, street views. And long terribly to actually go there myself. I pour my heart into making a location as authentic as possible, and I’ve had local residents saying that I must know the place, and that is an amazing feeling!
Clutching the phone I found on the floor, I sprint down a corridor as if I have the devil himself behind me. In my little world he is. I’m falling into a dark abyss of raw fear, lightheaded, unaware of where I am. All I know is I’ve got to put as much distance as possible between us. I pray my legs won’t give out, because they feel like jelly. My heart beats so hard I can barely breathe. Eric could be right on my heels. I can’t stop looking over my shoulder, even though it slows me down. My back crawls from not knowing if he’ll grab me in the next instant, or the next, or the next. I still feel his hands on my skin, his touch burned into my soul forever.
I glance behind me. Still nothing. Where is he?
Images from today flicker by, pounding at my mind like a hammer. The intense gaze that had me spellbound from the moment our eyes met. The smooth laugh, and that slight rasp to his voice that made me shiver. A charming stranger I met at Starbucks. A charming stranger I should have stayed the hell away from.
I loathe him for fooling me, but I despise myself even more, because I fell for it. I’ve been in the dark for so long, so lonely and lost. Something in him woke something inside me. I felt like he saw me. I was wrong. Terribly, utterly wrong. He didn’t flirt with me because he thought I was interesting, or fun to talk to, all he did was use me to get into the building. A dark cloud of rage rises in me. Yet again I’ve been used. The anger pulsates through my veins in pace with my feet pounding the floor.
I have to get away. I have to make a call. I have to hide!
Realizing I can’t use the phone while running for my life, I dive into a handicap restroom, praying he’s far away. The phone, bless it, connects without a password.
911. My hand trembles as I tap the numbers on the screen.
“911, what’s your emergency?”
“I’m being followed,” I whisper. “They murdered a man and now he’s after me!”
I glance behind me. Still nothing. Where is he?
Images from today flicker by, pounding at my mind like a hammer. The intense gaze that had me spellbound from the moment our eyes met. The smooth laugh, and that slight rasp to his voice that made me shiver. A charming stranger I met at Starbucks. A charming stranger I should have stayed the hell away from.
I loathe him for fooling me, but I despise myself even more, because I fell for it. I’ve been in the dark for so long, so lonely and lost. Something in him woke something inside me. I felt like he saw me. I was wrong. Terribly, utterly wrong. He didn’t flirt with me because he thought I was interesting, or fun to talk to, all he did was use me to get into the building. A dark cloud of rage rises in me. Yet again I’ve been used. The anger pulsates through my veins in pace with my feet pounding the floor.
I have to get away. I have to make a call. I have to hide!
Realizing I can’t use the phone while running for my life, I dive into a handicap restroom, praying he’s far away. The phone, bless it, connects without a password.
911. My hand trembles as I tap the numbers on the screen.
“911, what’s your emergency?”
“I’m being followed,” I whisper. “They murdered a man and now he’s after me!”
   |
Anything can happen during the hot nights in the Dominican Republic.
Sydney I just wanted a tan and to sip drinks with little umbrellas in them. I didn’t know that vacation would mean sex with a hot stranger, being drugged, and nearly killed. My instincts tell me there’s more to the smooth facade of Nathan Russo, but my heart won’t listen. He’s my opposite, hot where I’m cool, experienced while I’ve never really lived. What starts out as a sexy fling can’t be more. Can it? Nathan I’m a dangerous man with a mission to complete and people to kill. Sydney Lewis might literally cost me my life. As the stakes increase, I have to decide whether to follow my head or my heart. My life is too dangerous, I’m too much of a monster. She’s a good girl. She can’t be a part of this. I have to be cruel. I have to cut her out. But she’s the only one who can save me. Heat will take you on a journey to paradise, through Hell, and back. Publisher’s Note: This dark romance is intended for adult readers only and may contain triggers for some readers. It contains elements of danger, adventure, steamy scenes, adult language and a guaranteed HEA. If any of these offend you, please do not purchase.
One button at a time, I undo his shirt and plant a kiss on every new patch of revealed skin. Tearing it off him, I add it to the pile on the floor.
“You’re playing with fire, girl.” I stick out my tongue at him, and he has me on my back in a flash, his body flush against mine. A hard bulge presses against the apex of my thighs, making my pussy clench with anticipation, but I push at him. “Hey, I wasn’t finished.” He regards me, then pushes up, his eyes almost black as he stares hungrily at me. “Get on with it,” he growls. Our gazes are locked, as I pull the belt out of its loops and drop it to the floor. Pulling down the zipper, I make sure to brush against his hard length. He bucks and lets out a grunt. I grin and push him onto his back, then I pull off his pants and socks in a few jerky moves. Sitting back, I admire my work and the positively beautiful creature before me. He nods at his underwear. I’m more than happy to oblige and pull the last piece of fabric off him, shivering as I take in the breathtaking man in my bed. |
She's a mother of three teenage girls, a medical doctor, a quirky loner, and a social human being. She has traveled the globe, has had more lovers than she can count, has loved and hated, succeeded and failed, has gone through marriage and divorce. She has seen darkness and despair, as well as light and happiness.
All these experiences, she pours into her tales, taking her readers for a wild ride while twisting their minds. She loves showing that stories can be different even if the trope is the same.
Nicolina believes that life is too short for regrets and in looking forward, no matter what. She wants to enjoy every moment, and cherish life.
To find out more about Nicolina Martin, visit her official website.
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interesting
ReplyDeleteI am a new fan of Nicolina Martin and I look forward to reading this.
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