Smoke
and Ashes
Montana
Heroes Series
Book
One
Danica
Winters
Genre:
Romantic Suspense
Publisher:
Harlequin Intrigue
Date
of Publication: May 1, 2016
ISBN:
Paperback: 9780373699070
eBook:
9781488005572
Large
Print: 9780373749614
ASIN:
B015MO3ZV4
Number
of pages: 224
Word
Count: 50-55k
Cover
Artist: Harlequin Intrigue
Book
Description:
Montana's
bravest…and hottest
With
a mysterious arsonist on the loose in Missoula, fire inspector Kevin
Jensen saves more than Heather Sampson's house. The sexy single
father rescues her from an abusive marriage—and discovers his own
past failures don't have to rule his life. Especially when sparks
between him and Heather ignite irresistible desire.
But
who's the arsonist? Why target Heather? What's his shocking motive?
When Heather faces off with him in a brutal attack, she needs her
"white knight" as much as he needs her. Both have looked
into their souls and risked their broken hearts for each other. Now
Kevin will have to risk his life and his heart.
Prologue
He
looked down at Heather Sampson as he pulled the matchbox from his
pocket. The box dropped from his hand, spilling matches on her
bedroom floor in a heap of deadly promise. Crouching down, he scooped
them back into the container, careful to move quietly, afraid that at
any second she would awaken and find him standing over her.
Her
eyes were closed and her lips slightly parted, as if she waited for a
kiss from her Prince Charming. She should have known better. There
was no such thing as Prince Charming. There were only toads and a
precious few men like him—men who worked to make everything just.
The
sad truth was that there was no justice in marriage—at least not in
any of the marriages he had witnessed. No. Marriage was one lie after
another. One hurt feeling masked with a fake smile, only to have
another lie strip it away. It was an endless cycle of pain.
What
was the point? What was it all for?
As
far as he could tell, it was for nothing more than ego and some
idealistic hope that if they acted happy, if they faked it well
enough, maybe they could finally believe it themselves.
He
was here to make her a martyr, not that she would understand, but
this was his chance to show her and the world what her marriage truly
was—nothing more than smoke and ashes. A fire that had yet to burn
itself out. But at last the time had come. The hour was here for him
to stoke the flames and let them consume every crumb of her failing
marriage.
The
inferno could have it all.
He
walked out of her bedroom and made his way downstairs, where the
glorious scent of gasoline filled the space. Unlike the others,
Heather’s house would go up in a flash. In one giant fireball the
whole charade would be over—the secrets, the lies, the fake smiles
and hurt feelings. It would all be gone, and all her pain could be
for a higher purpose.
The
night air blew into the house, diluting the gas’s perfume. He made
sure to leave the door open as he stepped out and walked toward the
garage. A puddle of gas sat on the sidewalk, just waiting for him.
He
struck the match.
It
was so much easier this way.
The
fire’s smoke curled skyward, creating a trail that led to the
heavens. If he had his way, life would be better and she would be
free.
About
the Author:
Danica
Winters is an Amazon bestselling author who has won multiple awards
for writing books that grip readers with their ability to drive
emotion through suspense and occasionally a touch of magic. Most
recently, Danica was the winner of the Paranormal Romance Guild’s
Paranormal Romantic Suspense Book of the Year Award and Chanticleer
Media’s Paranormal Book of the Year for her novel Montana Mustangs.
She is currently the finalist for the Chatelaine Award.
When
she’s not working, she can be found in the wilds of Montana testing
her patience while she tries to understand the allure of various
crafts (quilting, pottery, and painting are not her thing). She
always believes the cup is neither half full nor half empty, but it
better be filled with wine.
Danica
Winters is represented by Nicole Resciniti and Lane Heymont of the
Seymour Agency.
Interview
Where
are you from?
I’m from western Montana. Most of the year we have
at least a dusting of snow. Last year, we snowfall recorded in the higher
elevations eleven months out of the year. That being said… I’m a fan of summer
weather. J
Tell
us your latest news?
On April 19th, my newest novel Smoke and Ashes will be hitting store
shelves. This project has been a labor of love and years of work. I could not
be more proud of this book.
When
and why did you begin writing?
I began writing early on, but I didn’t really start
thinking about it as a career until after the birth of my first child around
2006ish. Oh my gosh, I just realized I’ve been at this for ten years… Ten… It seems like only yesterday when I
submitted my first little piece for a magazine. That’s crazy!
When
did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’m a writer?! Just kidding. I think I’ve always
been a writer, but I didn’t consider myself a professional author until the
release of my first novel in… oh jeez… let me think, maybe 2011? It felt
surreal to hold my first novel in my hands. There is nothing quite like the
feeling of the weight of your book in your hands.
What
inspired you to write your first book?
I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives.
That hasn’t changed. I want every reader have a feeling of hope in their hearts
when the finish the last page.
Do
you have a specific writing style?
I write fast-paced, gritty, true to life fiction.
Characters are real. They are imperfect and they are forced to make hard
choices. Often the characters make choices I wouldn’t, but they make the choice
that is right for them in that moment in their journey. Bottom line, my
characters are real.
How
did you come up with the title?
The idea for Smoke
and Ashes came to me after a great deal of thought. I often write a long
list of possible titles and then narrow it down. It’s funny but most often the
title is a conglomeration of two or more ideas.
Is
there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
This is not your average romance as this book has a
central theme of rising above domestic violence. Heather Sampson’s husband is a
cruel, misogynist man and when she is rescued by her neighbor, Kevin Jensen,
she learns what it truly means to be loved.
I’m currently working with my local YWCA in raising
awareness and funds for their program. For the launch of Smoke and Ashes I am hosting a charity raffle, and so far, we have
had an outstanding response from the international community. The amount of
support we have received is truly astounding. I’m proud to do my part in
helping others.
Are
experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
This book is based loosely on the life events of
someone very close to me (due to the nature of the book they have asked to
remain anonymous).
What
books have most influenced your life most?
I love Jodi Picoult. I think she is the reason I
write situations in which there is often no right answer, or at least not an
easy one. Sometimes we are put in situations where we must simply do the best
we can and live in the moment.
If
you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
I’m lucky to say that I have been mentored by some
of the best writers in Montana (including B.J. Daniels). I now have started to
teach writing to a handful of students and professional adults. Last year, I
even volunteered my time with a local high school student who needed help with
their senior project.
What
book are you reading now?
I’m currently studying Irish history. It’s
fascinating!
Are
there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
I recently met Elicia Hyder. She is a new juggernaut
in paranormal romance. I look forward to cracking open one of her books!
What
are your current projects?
I have two more books that will be published in
2016!
Here is the “unofficial” book blurb for Dust
Up With the Detective
(Book 2 of the Montana Heroes Series, being published
September 18, 2016):
One bad
decision can cost you your life…
When she was young, Blake West had been in a rush to escape the a
mining town in Montana where she’d been born and raised; instead, a single
decision left her with a child and dreams that are now nothing more than a
distant memory.
To support her daughter, Blake has taken a job as a Sherriff’s
Deputy. Her days are filled with little more than automobile accidents and
drunken brawls until the day Detective Jeremy Lawrence’s brother goes missing.
Together Blake and Detective Lawrence must uncover the clues about
his brother’s possible demise, all while keeping a safe distance from the
feelings that surface between them. As the mystery unfolds, only one thing
becomes clear—not everything is as it seems and sometimes, even in rural
Montana, the bad guy wins.
Once a Gypsy
(Book 1 of the Irish Traveller Series, being
published November 2016):
Helena has never fit in with her Irish Traveller family. Aside from
her opposition to marriage and her determination to attend university, Helena
holds a secret that would make her even more of an outcast: She has the gift of
the Forshaw, the ability to see the future.
When she meets Graham, a handsome country man who promises to teach her to control her powers, Helena resists. She is afraid of the damage her abilities might do, and any involvement, especially romantic, with non-gypsies is forbidden. But fate has other plans for Helena’s clairvoyance―and her relationship with Graham.
When she meets Graham, a handsome country man who promises to teach her to control her powers, Helena resists. She is afraid of the damage her abilities might do, and any involvement, especially romantic, with non-gypsies is forbidden. But fate has other plans for Helena’s clairvoyance―and her relationship with Graham.
What
would you like my readers to know?
If you or someone you know needs help escaping
domestic violence there are many resources. For national support you can call
the DV hotline (1-800-799-7233) or check out their website: http://www.thehotline.org/blog/get-help-today/
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