He lunged forward. Hooked an arm around her waist and dove to the side. The crack of splintering wood accompanied their bone-jarring impact with the ground. Justin lay dazed for a moment, until Marley’s soft curves registered beneath him. No blinding pain—and he was still breathing. So was she.
Or at least she tried to. His weight on the landing had knocked the wind out of her. Voices surrounded them and hands grabbed his arms. He shook them off, concentrating on shifting his weight from Marley. She stared up at him with wide eyes as she sucked oxygen into her lungs.
“You okay?” His gruff voice barely rose above a whisper.
She nodded, but her lashes drifted shut.
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
Her arms and legs moved. “I’m okay.” The unsteady words preceded another deep breath. She blinked a few times and looked at the men surrounding them. Dismay flooded her expression. “I need to get up.”
A slight tremor shook her body. Knowing she’d need a moment to compose herself, he cautioned, “Easy. Take your time.”
Furious fire sparked in her green eyes. “Let me up,” she demanded.
Okay, then, screw composure. He took hold of her hand and elbow and hauled her to her feet. She swayed a bit with his release, and her hand reached to steady herself, making contact with his bare arm. A second later, she snatched it away and stiffened her spine.
Nate pushed through the others and grabbed her close. “Thank God, Mar.”
“I’m fine, Nate.”
“You didn’t see what I saw.” He held her at arm’s length. “If he’d been a split second slower…”
The care and concern in Nate’s expression amazed Justin. So far he’d seen the guy give his sister nothing but grief.
Chuck clapped Justin on the shoulder. “You okay, man? I can’t believe how fast you moved.”
That drew some of the attention off Marley, but Justin didn’t want the recognition of what he’d done.
Either one of them could’ve been killed. Just the thought of it turned his stomach. Memory of another accident threatened to surface, but he forced it away and focused on the present.
“Someone want to tell me what the hell happened?”
~*~
***What reviewers are saying:
Miraculous Blog Review ~ “Stacey Joy Netzel’s way of composing honest, amiable characters, but not consummating their love for each other until the final pages, keeps my heart, as a reader, skipping beats. The electrifying action is a whole nother story in its entirety. Packed with climactic anticipation, and heartfelt, head-over-heels emotions, Shattered Trust is my kind of story. One that I think too much about, even after finishing, and one I look forward to reading all over again.” ~ Stephanie
Single Title Reviews ~ 5 Stars ~ “Book two in the Colorado Series. Shattered Trust has everything a fantastic book should have, romance, suspense, betrayal, and humor in all the right places. I absolutely adored this book, I sat down planning to read a couple of chapters and did not move until I finished, Stacey Joy Netzel continues to work written magic in this new book. A must read.” ~ Emily
Shadowed Trust (Book 3)
Colorado Trust series available at : Amazon
Ad-Man Jordan Blake believed image was everything—until his parents were convicted of murder, the family company went bankrupt, and his excessive drinking and arrest fueled the tabloids. When lawyer David Barnes offers representation in exchange for assistance in reopening his Colorado mountain resort, Jordan has no choice. It’s help or jail.
Hollywood wild child Lexie Sinclair disappeared by changing her name, joining the army, and marrying a soldier. One night, her husband wrapped their car around a tree, killed himself, and left her permanently injured. For the past few years she’s been content to live in peaceful obscurity as caretaker of David’s defunct resort.
Jordan’s arrival exposes Lexie’s true identity and brings her dead husband’s ‘friends’ calling. Jordan offers to help, but the shadow of his drinking leaves Lexie reluctant to trust. Can they conquer their fears and find the courage to face the criminals—and the world—together?
EXCERPT (end of Chapter 6):
“There’s a heated pool in the rec hall, if you want to use it, and a hot tub.”
“Really?” Jordan pictured her slim body slicing through the water and had to work to swallow his food.
“I’ve been too busy to look around much, I figured it was for reunions or something.”
“I can show it to you after dinner, if you’d like.”
He’d definitely like. “Sure, that’d be great.”
After dinner, half-past six, she fit a key into the lock and opened the rec hall door. Jordan stepped through after her, and reached back to shut the door as his gaze swept over a number of dining tables near the large windows that faced the lake.
To the left he noticed a kitchen, and to the right, beyond the tables, couches and chairs were arranged around a large screen TV. One wall held three plastic-covered computer stations, a couple phones and a copy machine. Further to the right of all that, in front of a glass wall that revealed workout equipment in the next room, various game tables were set up.
“Wow. This is quite the facility.”
“The pool and hot tub are beyond the workout room,” Lexie informed him. “I check the chemical levels every day, so you don’t have to worry about that.”
Jordan strode forward to look through the glass. Even from across the exercise room, the glimpse of water on the other side beckoned his sore body. And a soak in the hot tub sounded like pure heaven. He rolled his shoulders, imagined the jets kneading his aching muscles, and bit back a groan.
“Why’d David stop renting this place out?” He hooked his thumbs in his jeans pockets as he ambled over toward the computers. A flat screen monitor, printer, digital camera and docking station graced each desk. David Barnes had provided deluxe amenities for the guests that used to fill this place, but now it all sat idle.
He realized Lexie had yet to answer his question and turned. She stood by the bank of windows overlooking the lake, her back to him, but he knew she was aware of his scrutiny by the way she shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
“You’ll have to ask David that,” she said.
Well, that answered part of his question. It had something to do with her, but her clipped tone conveyed her unwillingness to talk about it. Yeah, he’d have to ask David, then. He was suddenly very curious, because though a lot of her life story had been in the paper, the last twelve years remained a mystery. How did someone as well known as she’d been just disappear?
She turned abruptly and limped toward the door. “I’ve got work to do up at the house so you can lock up when you’re done. I’ll see you at breakfast.”
He didn’t want her to leave, but could hardly ask her to stay and talk, no matter how much he’d enjoyed the last couple hours. Shoving his hands in his pockets and biting his tongue, he turned to face the workout room and the pool beyond when she reached for the door. The water beckoned once more.
Lexie’s sudden gasp spun him back around. She stood with a hand on her chest and the door open. Jordan found himself staring into the piercing blue gaze of the sheriff.
“Lawson, you scared me,” Lexie exclaimed.
The lawman’s gaze delivered a steady accusation at Jordan. “Sorry, Lex. I’m here on official police business.”
Chapter 7
Lexie’s pulse lurched. She glanced back at Jordan, anxiety churning in her stomach from Lawson’s grave statement. Jordan didn’t back down from Lawson’s stare, but his gaze did flick to hers for a split second. Then he stepped forward, lips twisted in a sarcastic sneer.
“Harry called you, didn’t he?”
Harry? Lexie thought.
Lawson voiced the question out loud. “Who’s Harry?”
Jordan shrugged, hands still in his pockets. “That guy who owns Oleson’s. All I did was park on the street and get a couple hours sleep. Tha
t against the law?”
“You mean Tom Oleson?”
“Tom, Dick, Harry…pick one, any one will do,” Jordan muttered.
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about,” Lawson said, “but no one called me.”
“Then what the hell do you want?”
Lexie shifted her weight from her right leg. It was going to rain again tonight, and the increasing dampness in the air, along with her tension, made the damaged muscles ache like the devil. Her anxiety raised another notch with the realization the two men were now squared off, her in between. Jordan had pulled his hands from his pockets to clench his fists at his sides.
Lawson cast Lexie a glance. “I think it may be best if we all sit down and talk.”
His right hand rested on his hip, near his gun, and his clipped tone raised goose bumps on her arms. Something was seriously wrong.
“Let’s go up to the house,” she suggested, hoping to diffuse the situation. “I’ll make some coffee.”
Lawson stood aside with a nod at Jordan. “You first.”
Lexie saw the muscles in Jordan’s jaw bunch tight. Sensing he was close to an explosion, she quickly stepped past Lawson to lead the way.
“Damn it, Lex—”
She kept walking despite Lawson’s angry protest. She heard them following and, too late, thought about Jordan walking behind her, watching her. He’d commented on her uneven stride yesterday…would he notice it was worse again today?
She tried not to think about it, but felt her body grow warm with the thought of his brown gaze lingering on her backside. A silent groan of self-annoyance rumbled through her head. The man hadn’t shown an inkling of interest beyond his fumbled words at dinner, yet she constantly found her thoughts and gaze wandering to him throughout the day. It had to stop.
She misjudged her stride at the steps to the house and ended up with her right leg stepping first, straining to bear her weight. To relieve some of the pressure from the burning, weakened muscles, she made a desperate grab for the railing. A firm, warm grip on her left forearm steadied and assisted her up the stairs.
Jordan met her gaze briefly, but said not a word as they took the next step together. Heat engulfed her, a combination of embarrassment for her weak leg and awareness of his touch.
“Let her go.” Lawson’s command whipped at their backs. Jordan’s hold tightened and Lexie halted.
“It’s—” she began.
“Back off,” Jordan snapped over his shoulder.
The unmistakable sound the sheriff drawing his gun froze Lexie and Jordan in their tracks.
“I said, don’t touch her,” Lawson snarled. “Let her go and step away.”
Lexie gripped the rail and nodded up at Jordan. He released her arm, but when he started to turn around, Lawson barked an order to remain facing forward, keep his hands where he could see them, and move forward.
The hair on the back of Lexie’s neck tingled as she faced Lawson and saw his furious expression. “What is going on?”
“We’ll talk inside.”
She folded her arms and leaned a hip against the railing, easing her weight off her right leg. “Tell me now.”
He glanced in her direction, then focused back on Jordan, who’d turned his head toward Lexie and eyed Lawson over his shoulder.
“That reporter, Craig Thompson, was murdered last night.”
~~~~
Mistletoe Rules ~ a Christmas anthology
Winner of Wisconsin Romance Writer’s 2010 Write Touch Readers’ Award
Available at Amazon Fall 2012
Christmas recipe for love—combine a matchmaking Santa, lots of mistletoe, one iron-clad rule, fated hearts; mix and stir. The Riley siblings don’t stand a chance.
Mistletoe Mischief: Christmas in July at the zoo is the last place single parents Eric Riley and Marissa Wilder expect to find love. Thanks to some mistletoe mischief in the form of their two young daughters and Santa, they discover Mistletoe Rules were not made to be broken.
Mistletoe Magic: Major Mark Riley plays Court Jester to Janelle Walsh's Snow Queen at the Christmas Parade and is instantly captivated by the cute redhead whose grandpa just happens to be Santa. When Mark learns she's the tenant he evicted from his newly purchased property, it's going to take a little bit of Santa's mistletoe magic to save their romance.
Mistletoe Match-up: When Lisa Riley comes home for Mark's Christmas Eve wedding, her high school rivalry with Janelle's cousin, Derek Walsh, picks up right where it left off, only this time Derek's got the upper hand. Santa bides his time as they battle it out because he's waited a whole year for this mistletoe match-up.
***What reviewers are saying:
Night Owl Reviewer Top Pick “This is the perfect anthology that mixes lots of mistletoe, plenty of passion and one jolly old man – Santa himself – and produces three fantastic stories to sink your teeth into!” ~ Diana Coyle
Long and Short Romance Reviews ~ Best Book “Each story has a clearly-defined nicely-developed plot and distinct, well-rounded characters. This is the best e-book I’ve read in a while and an absolutely delightful Christmas treat.” ~ Water Lily
Dragonfly Dreams ~ a Christmas novella
Jake Coburn’s antique shop is barely surviving, so the last thing he should do is buy costume jewelry at a price that won’t turn much profit. Then again, it’s Christmas, and he hasn’t been able to say no to Loral Evans since the first time she entered his shop almost a year ago.
Loral’s mother is a cancer survivor, and much as they don’t want to sell their family heirlooms, surgery and prescriptions aren’t cheap. Jake’s offer of one thousand dollars for a dragonfly brooch that Loral knows is fake stings her pride, especially since he knows she can’t afford to walk away.
Selling the brooch, which is more than it appears, turns out to be a blessing in disguise. During a season of giving, Loral learns there’s a big difference between pride and dignity, and Jake’s determination to do the right thing brings rewards beyond what either of them ever dreamed of.
***What reviewers are saying:
Got Romance Holiday Reviews~ 5 Stars ~ “I sincerely adored this story. Dragonfly Dreams smacks of Gift of the Magi while remaining original, heartwarming, and honestly lovely. Dragonfly Dreams sucked me in and held me from start to finish. Jake is sweet, kind, and noble – everything a true romantic hero should be. Loral, on the other hand, is tough yet vulnerable and adorable – the perfect heroine. I give this the highest rank because I would read it again and again.”~ Becca
Night Owl Reviewer Top Pick ~ “Ms. Netzel penned a remarkable ending that totally surprised me and she masterfully tied all the loose ends up for each one of her characters. This is a charming tale that blended strength, hope and love into one fantastic story.” ~ Diana Coyle
If Tombstones Could Talk ~ a paranormal novella
History aficionado Melanie Sparks takes a walking tour of the cemetery in her new Colorado town and learns more about one of the past residents than she ever could've imagined. The story behind Andrew Lindeman's tragic death during the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush in 1859 triggers dreams in which she relives his last moments. She’s drawn closer to the handsome ghost while she resolves to clear his tarnished name. A passionate kiss sets his spirit free, but will Melanie lose her heart for good?
***What reviewers are saying:
Romance Junkies: “IF TOMBSTONES COULD TALK is sweet, sensual and one of the most romantic stories I've ever read. This story had an incredible storyline that kept me intrigued until the very end. The ending brought tears to my eyes, which doesn't happen very often.” ~ Amanda
Fallen Angel Reviews ~ 5 Angels ~ “The plot was brilliant and well played out. I enjoyed every aspect of the story; I only wish it were longer. The ended left me smiling and happy.” ~ Becky
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