All Things Romantic Suspense: Melanie Atkins

Marked for Murder: Keller County Cops Book One by Melanie Atkins


April 2011, Desert Breeze Publishing

Buy link:



http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-149/melanie-atkins-keller-county/Detail.bok



Excerpt:



He found the crime scene with no problem and pulled off the side of the narrow two-lane

highway behind a single cruiser with flashing blue lights and Mitch's steel gray departmental sedan. Muggy summer air swept over him as he climbed from his matching vehicle and slammed the door. Dusk would soon fall, bringing with it a thick purple haze, and unless they hurried they would need lights.



"What have we got?" he called to Mitch, who was standing with a uniformed deputy at

the edge of a wide, grassy ditch.



The detective turned. "Another body wrapped like a burrito. The same sick bastard's hit

again."



Jonah fisted his hands. Three dead women had been found rolled in tarps in Keller

County during the last two months.This made four.



He skirted Mitch's pristine ride, halted at the edge of the ditch, and studied the long

bundle. A kernel of foreboding settled in the pit of his stomach. "Who found this one?"



"A guy on a bicycle who stopped to take a leak," the deputy said. "He had to get to a

meeting in town, so I let him go. I got his information for you, though."



"Good," Jonah said.



Mitch blew out a sigh. "I haven't examined it yet. I saved that job for you, since you're on

tonight and I'm about to head to the house."



"Thanks a lot, my friend." Jonah snaked his way through the tall grass lining the ditch

and crouched beside the rolled tarp. The metallic scent of blood met his nose. He paused to gather his courage, and then carefully peeled back the tarp's frayed edge.



A hand flopped out. His blood curdled. The hand was small, pale, and bruised. Definitely female.



Blood was caked beneath two of the victim's fingernails. Bile surged up his throat. He turned to Mitch. "Are the coroner and CSU on their way?"



"Yeah." He glanced at his watch. "Shouldn't be long now."



With a brisk nod, Jonah lifted the canvas and examined the body more closely. The

bruises on the woman's arm looked suspiciously like fingerprints, telling him she'd been

manhandled before she was murdered -- just like the other three.



Wanting a peek at her palm, he gingerly touched her thumb. Shock streaked through him. The digit was warm.



"Oh, God." He jerked back. "Call an ambulance. She's alive."

ExcerpTuesday: Melanie Atkins

Today welcome Melanie Atkins.

BIO:


Melanie Atkins a multi-published author of romantic suspense, a fan of crime dramas, and an avid reader. Writing is more than an escape for her -- it's a way of life. She grew up in the Deep South listening to tall tales and penning stories about her cats. Now she writes gripping stories of love, suspense, and mystery with the help of her furry little feline muses.


BLURB:

Detective Kevin Jacobs believes integrity is the most important trait a cop can possess, until a beautiful doctor accuses him of murder and he's forced to take her hostage in order to clear his name. Rebecca Daniels cooperates with Kevin, and soon finds herself in a fight for her very life -- and also for her heart



BUY LINK: http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-105/Melanie-Atkins-New Orleans/Detail.bok

WEBSITE: http://www.melanieatkins.com

BLOG: http://melanieatkins.wordpress.com



EXCERPT:



He gritted his teeth. "We're going to get up together and you won't make a sound. Got that?"

She didn't answer. Didn't move, didn't breathe. Silence filled the space around them so completely Kevin forgot to breathe, too. When he did, he drew in the bitter tang of blood. The coppery scent caught in his throat.

He gripped the back of her neck and squeezed, careful to keep his fingernails from digging into her tender skin. "You hear me?"

She nodded slowly, and a lone tear dripped down her cheek. Her pulse skittered wildly beneath his hand.

He tamped down the urge to be gentle with her slender, quivering body. He needed her to fear him so she wouldn't cause a commotion as they left the courthouse. How he'd get away without leaving a trail of blood, he didn't know. But he had to try, and she was his best hope.

"Get up." He rose and pulled her with him.

She held herself rigid. He grabbed her arm and propelled her toward the window. The light hit her face and he reeled from the animosity written there. Her eyes were the color of a clear summer sky. They snapped with rage.

"You killed Judge Boykin." Her sharp words made him blanch.

He tightened his grip on her arm. "It wasn't me."

"Oh, no? I saw you." Her accusing gaze slid down his black-clad body and he suddenly realized he and Fowler could be mistaken for twins -- except for the blood now soaking his shirt and jeans.

She tried to wriggle free, but he held her fast.

"I can't let you go. I need your help."

"Are you crazy?" she demanded, gaping at him.

A wave of dizziness washed over him, and he swallowed, hard. "I have to get out of here. I'm losing blood fast."

She looked at his side and her eyes widened. "Oh, my God."

"He stabbed me."

"Who did?" Her gaze jerked to his. "The judge?"

"No." There wasn't time to explain further. He eyed the window.

"There's no way out," she said, "except the door."

"We'll see about that." He lifted the Glock to her head. "Walk over to the window. Now."

"Surely you're not planning to--"

He glared at her.

The blood drained from her face. "You are."