Inspiration Behind the Series
In
each of the three books of the Deadly Trilogy, I was inspired by women who had
experienced great difficulties in their lives, yet survived.
In Deadly Offerings, Anne Mason thinks she’ll be safe living in
the Midwest living on a wind farm left to her
by her ex's mother. She may be dead wrong. Someone is dumping bodies in her
corn field and telling Anne they are gifts—for her! And how can she be falling
in love with the hot attorney who represented her ex-husband in their divorce
proceedings? Note: Deadly Offerings is currently free for your ereader.
Deadly Deception involves readers in the disturbing world of illegal
adoptions, baby trafficking and murder with new detective Lane Hansen and
private investigator Frankie Douglas.
Going undercover as husband and wife, Lane and Frankie struggle to keep
their relationship strictly professional as their sizzling passion threatens to
burn out of control. Can they keep
passion in control long enough to take down two murderers?
In Deadly Relations, Detective Jennifer Brennan, still haunted by her abduction
five years before, devotes her life to serve and protect others. Love is the
last thing on her mind, but will it find her after three young women go missing
and are found murdered on her watch and she vows to find the killer — or die
trying.
~ * ~
Title: Deadly Offerings
Author: Alexa Grace
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing
Platform
Length: 314 pgs
Sub-Genres: Romantic Suspense, Mystery, Thriller
BLURB:
December 2012
Anne Mason thinks she’ll be safe living in the Midwest building a wind farm.
She may be dead wrong. Someone is dumping bodies in her corn field and telling
Anne they are gifts—for her! As the body count rises, Anne realizes a
cold-blooded serial killer is patiently waiting and watching her every move. And
he won’t stop until he ends her life. It is clear there are no limits to this
killer’s thirst for revenge or how far he will go to get it. Michael Brandt,
the ruggedly handsome new County Prosecutor is the last person Anne can trust,
but may offer her only chance at survival from a psychopathic killer. But will
she survive the passion that rages between them?
~
* ~
EXCERPT:
Anne peered into her refrigerator. Not a piece of junk food in sight. She opened
the freezer. How could she be out of ice
cream at a time like this?
She had to get out of the house. Tonight bad memories hung over her like a
thundercloud. She relived the
humiliating divorce hearing over and over, becoming angrier each time.
She tried to sleep.
No success. She got out of bed
and pulled on a pair of jean shorts, a black glittery Lady Gaga tank top and
her Reeboks. She’d go for a drive to
clear her head. It was close to midnight
but with any luck, she’d find someplace open to stock up on junk food.
She backed her SUV out of the garage, shoved the
gear to drive and moved down the street, windows down, the breeze whipping her
ponytail about her face. She drove down
Route 40 until she reached a section of fast food restaurants, bars and a
mini-mart. The mini-mart didn’t look
busy so she parked in front.
She grabbed a shopping basket and strode down an
aisle of the store picking up Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Butterfinger candy
bars, tortilla chips, a jar of salsa, and a quart of soda as she went. She moved to the refrigerator case and eyed
the selection of ice cream. She pulled
out a couple of cartons of Ben & Jerry’s Red Velvet Cake then headed to the
teenaged cashier whose eyes were plastered on her long legs.
She paid for the items, whirled around and slammed
into the hard chest of a tall man entering the store. Her items tumbled from the bag. The salsa jar rolled across the store as did
the bottle of soda. The man uttered
“sorry” as he bent to help her pick up the items. He picked up the salsa and put it in her
bag. He moved down the aisle to get the
soda that had rolled under a freezer then turned toward her. In a black leather
jacket and snug faded jeans, he was one of those men that radiated
testosterone. And wasn't it just her
luck, or lack of, that Michael Brandt, her jerk ex-husband's attorney was
heading toward her holding her soda, sending her a dazzling smile that sent her
stupid heart racing. She yanked the soda
bottle out of his hand, thanked him and resisted the childish urge to kick him
in the shin. Instead, she rushed out of the store.
She opened the back of the car to place the
groceries inside. She pulled a
Butterfinger bar out of one of the bags and got into the front seat. As she opened the candy bar, she glanced at
Michael Brandt, still inside the store, who was now staring at her with an odd
expression on his face, hands on his hips.
She heard movement in the back seat then felt
something hard slam against her face.
The candy bar flew out of her hand and landed on the floorboard.
“Drive.”
She looked in the rearview mirror and gasped; a
sliver of panic cut through her. A man
in a black ski mask was slammed against her seat thrusting a gun in her
face.
BUY LINKS:
Amazon U.S: http://amzn.com/B006QD261G
Amazon U.K: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006QD261G
Amazon CA: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B006QD261G
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/117552
Diesel: http://tinyurl.com/8rfwzgh
~ * ~
Title: Deadly Deception
Author: Alexa Grace
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing
Platform
Length: 410 pgs
Sub-Genres: Romantic Suspense, Mystery, Thriller
BLURB:
In Deadly
Deception, the second book of the Deadly Trilogy, enter the disturbing
world of illegal adoptions, baby trafficking and murder with new detective Lane
Hansen and private investigator Frankie Douglas.
Lane Hansen has a problem. He needs a
woman to portray his wife in an undercover operation and the only females on
his team are either very pregnant or built like linebackers. Then he remembers
gorgeous P.I. Frankie Douglas -- a woman who could take his breath away by her
beauty and take him down in 2.5 seconds. Unfortunately, she's the same woman he
treated like a one night stand six months before.
Frankie Douglas has a problem. She wants
to rid the world of one baby trafficking killer. The only way to do that is to
partner with Lane Hanson, the man who hurt her by disappearing from her life
after a night of mind-blowing sex.
They've been warned! Getting personally
involved with a partner can put cases and lives at risk. Going undercover as
husband and wife, Lane and Frankie struggle to keep their relationship strictly
professional as their sizzling passion threatens to burn out of control.
~ * ~
EXCERPT:
“Lane, I know
you’re ready to do undercover work, but with this case I need two cops who can
pose as a married couple. Unfortunately,
we’ve got three women on the team. One is built like a linebacker and the other
two are pregnant."
“Sir, for this case, why don’t we go outside the
department? I know a Private
Investigator who can handle herself on a job like this."
Newly appointed Sheriff Tim Brennan’s brows drew
together in a suspicious expression.
“What’s the PI’s name?”
“Frankie Douglas.
I worked with her last year on the Charles Beatty serial killer
case. She’s a former sharpshooter for
the Army.”
“Is this the same Frankie Douglas you shot?”
Lane’s face flushed with the guilt he still felt
about the shooting. “Yes, sir. It was an accident. We were heading down the stairs of Beatty’s
cellar to apprehend him when one of the steps gave way and when I fell my gun
went off and hit Frankie.”
“Has Frankie Douglas done police work before?”
“I heard she’s a former detective.”
“I think I’ve heard about her. Isn’t she a pretty tall blonde woman?”
“Oh, she’s smokin’ hot. Think Victoria Secret hot.”
“Is that right?
Do you have a personal thing going with Ms. Douglas?”
“No sir.
Strictly professional.” Of
course, if he’d had a chance, he’d have made in personal in 2.5 seconds.
Brennan glared at Lane then picked up his phone and
dialed a number. “Hello, Frankie, this
is Uncle Tim. I may have a job for you. Would you please
drop by my office?”
BUY LINKS:
Amazon U.S: http://amzn.com/B0087WZBS4
Amazon U.K: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0087WZBS4
Amazon CA: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0087WZBS4
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/223734
Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Deadly-Deception/book-8rcR0sAeaUOrCBgSPqrV9w/page1.html?s=i15hRDeKaEWfzhfbzrSwpw&r=3
Diesel: http://tinyurl.com/8sbeo6a
Apple: http://tinyurl.com/9yr2uxx
~ * ~
Title: Deadly Relations
Author: Alexa Grace
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing
Platform
Length: 342 pgs
Sub-Genres: Romantic Suspense, Mystery, Thriller
BLURB:
In Deadly Relations, a serial killer of
young women hides in plain sight in a quiet county in the Midwest. He hides
behind a friendly face that inspires trust, a personality that is charming and
persuasive — and has a rage to kill he can't control. Detective Jennifer
Brennan, still haunted by her abduction five years before, devotes her life to
serve and protect others. So when three young women go missing and are found
murdered on her watch, she vows to find the killer — or die trying. A personal
relationship with her partner, Detective Blake Stone, would be violating the
strictest of the department's unspoken rules and career suicide, especially
since she is the sheriff's daughter. But the connection Jennifer has with her
partner, Blake Stone, is nothing short of electric. Working with him daily and
denying her attraction is hard. But when he moves in to protect her, it becomes
unbearable. As they fight temptation, two detectives race against time to find
the killer before he strikes again. It is the most important case of their
careers. It could be their last.
~ * ~
EXCERPT:
Catherine Thomas awoke from a
drugged sleep with every bone in her body aflame. Breathing in and out triggered a torturous
throbbing in her head.
She wanted her mom. Though in her early twenties, Catherine had
always needed her mother most when she felt ill. Though she rarely got sick, she knew
something was very wrong.
She shivered as the cold seeped
into her consciousness. Why was she
freezing? Where were her blankets? Catherine tried to move her legs but they
seemed frozen in place. She attempted to
stretch her arms, but couldn’t. Her
eyelids felt heavy and swollen and she feared the pain that would accompany
opening her eyes to the light. But she
had to find her mom. Catherine slowly
opened her eyes to inky blackness. Was
it night time? Her facial muscles flexed
involuntarily and she realized something was tied around her eyes. It was then she remembered.
She and Nicholas had had another
fight. This one was a doozy, and she’d
slapped him, leaving an ugly red mark across his jaw. Though he hadn’t admitted it, she knew he was seeing someone else. He’d been distant and his usual insatiable
desire for sex had diminished so much it was practically nonexistent. There was someone else, and he didn’t have
the balls to tell her.
Consumed with anger, Catherine
had rushed out of his house and drove home to change clothes to go for a
run. Running had become her
salvation. She ran when she needed to
think or to drive away her demons.
She’d changed into her running
clothes and was pocketing her keys and cell phone when her dad appeared in the
hallway. Catherine remembered smiling at
him. For a second, she’d been tempted to
throw herself into his arms for one of his special bear hugs. But, instead she’d hurried to her car so she
could make the most of the remaining light of day.
Catherine’s original plan was to
run at the high school track like she usually did, but once she got there and
saw the number of people running, she’d changed her mind. She’d needed some alone time, so she’d backed
her Honda Civic out of the lot and headed toward Deer Run State Park ten miles
away. If she hurried, she could get her exercise
done before the park closed at nightfall.
She’d feel better about her fight with Nicholas. Running made her feel better about
everything.
Once inside the park, Catherine
had studied a sign that listed each trail and the degree of ruggedness. She’d chosen trail number ten, which was
advertised as moderately rugged and would give her a good workout. Maneuvering between several groups of people
leaving the park, she’d reached her trail and started out in a jog on the
narrow, dirt path. Catherine noticed few
people on the trail, and that was fine with her. She valued her alone time and concentrated on
the exercise.
Catherine hadn’t gone far when
she reached a wooden platform built over a deep ravine. Peering over the railing, she saw the river
surging below and a deer drinking on its bank.
She continued down the trail, alternating between jogging and walking,
depending on the terrain. It was
unseasonably warm for March, and the scent of the tall pine trees and ferns
filled her senses. Catherine was
calming. With or without Nicholas, she
was going to be okay. She was stronger
than she gave herself credit for. Who
needed Nicholas? She’d go to the Police
Academy in eleven months and start the career of which she’d always dreamed.
Catherine slipped as she made the
descent to what the park labeled as the “Ice Cave.” She slid a few feet on her bottom, but was
able to stop herself by grabbing a sapling.
Pulling herself up, she assessed her injuries to be just some scratches
and scrapes on the back of her legs.
Her senses went on alert. Catherine felt as if someone were watching
her, but when her eyes scanned the wooded area, she saw nothing. She continued on the path down the hill.
Once she’d reached the sandy
bottom, she stood before the Ice Cave. A
twig snapped. Spinning around, trying to
spot any danger, she heard the crackling of dry undergrowth with each step as
someone approached nearby. Was someone following her? Catherine launched herself into the next
section of the trail, cursing herself for being so angry with Nicholas that she
lost all thoughts of personal safety.
When she hiked, she always had her small stun gun and a pocket knife
with her. Sticking her hands in the pockets of her sweatpants, she felt only
her cell phone and keys. She turned her
cell phone on only to find there was no signal. Damn. She turned if off again and shoved it back in
her pocket.
Catherine pushed on as the path
wound around a steep hill. On one side
of her was a thick forest of trees and vegetation, on the other was a slope
that led to the rushing creek below. She
stopped frequently to look back, but saw nothing. Figuring she was at the half-way point of the
trail, she pushed forward and prayed she’d make good time getting to the end.
The sun was waning in the horizon
in hues of orange, pink and red.
Daylight was running out, and she quickened her pace as she brushed a
spider’s web from her face. The crunch
of brittle leaves and twigs behind her continued, but each time she searched
the thicket of woods, she saw dark shadows sheathing the trees as the light
diminished — but no humans in sight.
Turning a bend, Catherine lost
her footing again and tumbled down the descent of the dirt path. She crashed face-down to the bottom of the
slope, knocking the wind out of her. She
lay on her stomach for a short while as she sucked in air to fill her lungs.
Catherine felt him nearby, rather than saw him. She rolled over and looked up at him. She recognized him. Thank God.
She’d seen him at the cafe.
Catherine smiled at him as he offered his hand to help her up. Grasping his hand, she pulled herself up and
was about to thank him for his help when he swung her around, slamming her body
against his, gripping her in place with his left arm locked around her
neck. Catherine’s eyes widened in terror
as she noticed the hypodermic needle in his right hand. An explosion of pain rocked throughout her
body. Her world went to black as he
plunged it in her neck.
Her heart slammed against her
ribs with the memory. Where was
she? She tried to move her arms and legs
again, but it was impossible. The effort to move caused the structure she was
lying on to creak and rock. Catherine
moved her fingers to scratch at the surface and realized she was secured on a
long, wooden table. He had her strapped
to a wooden table, with a dark blindfold stretched across her eyes! She couldn’t move. She couldn’t see. What was he going to do to
her? A primal scream started in the depths of her chest and rushed through her
throat until she discovered her mouth had been sealed shut with tape, muffling
the scream into a moan.
BUY LINKS:
Amazon U.S:
http://amzn.com/B009EJ1BDS
Amazon U.K: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009EJ1BDS
Amazon CA: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B009EJ1BDS
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/237887
Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Deadly-Relations/book-VFQZqAN9bEGkcQUndGZF5g/page1.html?s=WB-Dcv53SEyPRVXeH0kmZg&r=1
Diesel: http://tinyurl.com/9eu4336
Apple: http://tinyurl.com/959qpl6
~ * ~
Title: Deadly Holiday
Author: Alexa Grace
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing
Platform
Length: 190 pgs
Sub-Genres: Romantic Suspense, Mystery, Thriller
BLURB:
It is four days before
Christmas and all is not quiet as the characters you grew to love in The Deadly
Trilogy books fight their inner demons, deception, and pray for miracles in
this action-packed novella.
Shawn Isaac is a bright
five-year-old who has experienced more than his share of domestic violence and
abuse. His disappearance, the day he testifies against his father, terrifies a
county who has already lost three young women to a vicious serial killer. What
secret drives him into hiding as a deadly winter snowstorm bears down upon the
area, putting those who love him most at risk?
Anne Mason-Brandt escaped
the wrath of a vicious serial killer five years before. But the fear she had
then is nothing compared to the terror instilled by a life-threatening disease
and a secret that could blow her and Michael's happy marriage apart. Is love
enough?
Nine months pregnant,
Jennifer Brennan-Stone has a secret that will change Blake's and her life
forever. She's already lost one baby and this pregnancy has her on bed-rest.
Can they find a small boy who doesn't want to be found before it's too late?
Frankie and Lane Hansen are
having an up-close-and-personal impact to their finances thanks to a lousy
economy. One of them has a secret that could make a bad situation even worse.
Tim Brennan and his wife,
Megan fell in love with their pink Victorian house the first year of their
marriage more than thirty years before. As Megan plans to turn their lovely
home into a bed and breakfast, Tim is unsure he can share his wife, home and
memories with strangers.
~ * ~
EXCERPT:
Prosecutor Michael Brandt looked at the frightened
boy in his office and wished he could avoid the discussion that would
ensue. The kid, sitting stock-still, was
thin with auburn hair and a sprinkle of freckles across his nose. His legs weren't long enough to reach the
floor, and he nervously kicked one back and forth.
That any little boy should have to testify against
his father was wrong on many levels.
That he should have to do it this close to Christmas was dreadful.
Michael cleared his throat as he moved around the
desk to sit next to Shawn Isaac. "I
want to start out by telling you how brave I think you are. I know testifying today isn't going to be
easy for you. Do you have any
questions?"
Shawn looked up at Michael, eyes wide with
fear. "Will my daddy be in the
room?"
"Yes, Shawn.
He will be sitting at a long table with his attorney."
"Will he be able to hurt me?"
"No, Shawn.
I won't let him hurt you. Neither
will the judge nor the policemen in the room."
Shawn sighed as he considered this. "What about my mommy? Will Daddy be able to hurt her?"
"No, Shawn," he said. The muscle at the
side of his jaw tightened, but Michael fought to control the anger that filled
him. His son, Michael Jr., was the same age. Shawn should have been able to
count on his father to protect him, just as Michael Jr. depended on him. In a perfect world, Shawn would not have
experienced beatings at the hands of his father. And he would not have
witnessed the abuse his mother suffered.
"Let's talk about when you testify."
"I'm scared." Shawn said, as he crossed
his arms across his chest.
"I know, Shawn.
But you're braver than you think.
I know you can do this."
Michael squeezed the little boy's hand and continued. "When you are in the witness chair, I
will be asking you some questions."
"I know.
Detective Blake said I must tell the truth."
"He's right.
Tell the truth," said Michael.
"When I'm asking you questions, it will help if you only look at
me. Don't look around the room, and
don't look at your dad."
Biting his lip, Shawn nodded. "Yes, sir."
"Speak loudly enough so that you can be
heard," Michael advised. "Don't worry. I'll be standing close to you. I'll be right there if you need me."
"Will the judge make my daddy stop hitting us
so that we can be a family like Billy Collins has? His mommy and daddy are nice to each
other. They kiss. Sometimes they pull Billy into a big
hug."
Michael's heart squeezed as he struggled for the
right words to comfort the boy.
"Shawn, the judge will do all he can to change your dad's
behavior. But when it comes right down
to it, your dad must decide to change."
A loud rap on the door let Michael know that Blake
Stone had arrived to take Shawn to the courthouse, and wait with him until the
boy testified. Michael affectionately
patted Shawn's back, and then headed for the door.
BUY LINKS:
Amazon US: http://amzn.com/B00A5EL8S
Amazon CA: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00A5EL8S4
BUY LINKS FOR BOX SET:
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B009MA3WN6
Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Alexa-Graces-Deadly-Trilogy-Boxed/book-kDL31KpTmUi7hwikqK8r-w/page1.html?s=Bd_xW5Pnx0yHRtUEkY40nA&r=4
~
* ~
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Alexa's
journey started in March 2011 when the Sr. Director of Training &
Development position she'd held for thirteen years was eliminated. A door
closed but another one opened. She finally had the time to pursue her childhood
dream of writing books. Her focus is now on writing riveting romantic suspense
novels.
She
was recently named one of the top 100 indie authors by Kindle Review. A chapter is devoted to her in the book
Interviews with Indie Authors by C. Ridgway and T. Ridgway.
Her
book Deadly Offerings is Book One of her Deadly Trilogy. The second book of the
trilogy, Deadly Deception is available as is Deadly Relations, the final book
of the Deadly Trilogy.
Deadly
Holiday is her holiday-themed romantic suspense book. If you liked the books of The Deadly Trilogy:
Deadly Offerings, Deadly Deception and Deadly Relations, you'll LOVE this
nail-biting, holiday-themed novella where the characters return to search for a
lost boy, fight breast cancer, deal with the personal financial impact of a bad
economy, and seek a Christmas miracle.
Profile
of Evil, the first book of her Profile Trilogy will be available in spring
2013.
Alexa
earned two degrees from Indiana State University and currently lives in
Florida. She's a member of Romance Writers of America (national) as well as the
Florida Chapter. Her writing support team includes five Miniature Schnauzers,
three of which are rescues. As a writer, she is fueled by Starbucks lattes,
chocolate and emails from readers.
You can visit her at - http://www.alexa-grace.net/
Friend her on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAlexaGrace
Follow her on Twitter - @AlexaGrace2
Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/alexagrace
Genre: Romantic Suspense,
General Romantic Suspense
Sensuality: HOT
"With its stand-out
characters and a plot that transitions smoothly from one scene to another,
readers will not regret spending time with this second novel in Grace’s Deadly
trilogy." - Keitha Hart, RT
Book
Reviews
“DEADLY HOLIDAY by Alexa Grace is
an exciting romantic suspense. A delightful Christmas novella, such is part of
the "Deadly" trilogy, but can be read as a stand-alone. The
characters return from the "Deadly" Trilogy to help with this nail
biting suspense to hopes of finding a Christmas miracle. Ms. Grace has done it
again with this fast paced, quick read that is not only suspenseful, but heart
lifting at a time when we all need a little Christmas cheer. Amazing story.
More please....”
- AprilR, My Book Addiction and More/My
Book Addiction Reviews
~ * ~
Competition time!
Alexa is kindly giving away one copy - winners choice of any book in the Deadly Trilogy - to one lucky commenter. Interested in getting you hands on a copy of one of these fab books?
All you have to do is leave Alexa a comment - and your email address - and on May 18th at midnight - 6pm est time - a winner will be picked with the help of random.org. Good luck!
Tour-wide giveaway
Alexa is also holding a tour-wide giveaway. Place an entry on rafflecopter to be in with a chance of winning!
~ * ~
Tour Schedule:
April 18 : Dakota Trace Review (book 1) http://alittlebitofnaughty.blogspot.com/
April 22: My World Guest Post http://www.xxxxmyworldxxxx.blogspot.com/
April 25: DakotaTrace Review (book 2) http://alittlebitofnaughty.blogspot.com/
April 30: A Great Book is the Cheapest Vacation Interview http://www.bookmarkyourthoughts.com/
May 2: Dakota Trace Review (book 3) http://alittlebitofnaughty.blogspot.com/
May 4: The Bunny’s Review Interview http://www.blog.kybunnies.com/
May 6 : Sun Mountain Reviews Interview/Review (book 2 and 3) http://sunmountainreviews.wordpress.com/
May 8: Zee Monodee Guest Post/Giveaway http://zeemonodee.blogspot.com/p/welcome.html
May 10 : Grinelda Markowitz’s Erotic Writing Guest
Post/giveaway http://grineldamarkowitz.wordpress.com/
May 13: Deal Sharing Aunt Interview/Giveaway www.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com
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