The HBS Author's Spotlight SHOWCASES Valerie J. Clarizio's New Book: A Brush With Death.
Valerie is the author of the Nick Spinelli Mystery series. She writes romantic suspense and contemporary romance novels.
A Brush With Death
The Crime and Passion Stalk City Hall Series Book 2
Author: Valerie J. Clarizio
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To prove his undying love and loyalty, he'll risk sacrificing her trust.
Ben Deprez has been secretly in love with Cori for years and knowing of her wounded heart has him waiting impatiently for the right time to make his move. Now is the time, and Cori seems receptive, but Ben's past still haunts him. He's never been that guy who can say or do the right thing when it comes to women. His divorce is proof.
Cori Pierre-Simon has had about all she can take working two jobs to support her family since her ex left without a trace ten years earlier. The last thing she needs is to get involved with another man who would surely disappoint her.
Just when Cori decides to open her heart to Ben, women he holds key information about turn up dead. Then, when she uncovers an unusual connection between Ben and another woman, she realizes she should have never trusted him and his womanizing ways.
When Cori's son finds himself in an illegal predicament, he turns to Ben for help. Ben answers the call for aid full-well knowing that in helping the teenager he will risk losing Cori's trust, the very thing he's worked hard to earn. Ben is left hoping she loves him enough to forgive him for the decisions he's made to right the wrongs of her son and himself.
Excerpt from A Brush With Death
Ben's arms encircled her. His soothing body heat seeped into her. His hold felt comforting, yet awkward. Her heart panged, reminding her that the last man who'd embraced her couldn't have disappointed her more. That remembrance had her considering breaking free and running like hell to shield her heart before things went any further, but a part of her wanted to grip tighter, not let go, and let this kind man help wipe her worries away even if only for a moment. But this was Ben, her flirtatious neighbor…and the man who always seemed to know what to say and do for her. That scared her even more. How long before he'd disappoint her like all the other men in her life. Starting with her dad, then her ex, and now her oldest son.
"Everything will be fine, sweetheart."
The endearment made the walls of defense she'd built around her heart crumble, and a full-blown sob ensued.
He held her tighter.
Cori was uncertain how long she sobbed into his chest, but it felt like forever. When her tears and quick breaths finally subsided, he still stood there simply holding her, being there for her. She inched her face back from his chest but kept her arms wrapped around his waist. His mocha gaze locked onto hers. It wasn't pity emitting from his eyes. It was empathy. Thank God. She hated it when people pitied her. Those that knew her pathetic story, and now the shit-job she was doing raising her boys, substantiated by the trouble Eli had been getting into lately, looked at her with such pity it made her sick to her stomach.
What a turn of events today. When she'd accepted Ben's dinner invitation, she did it for him. As it turned out, she was the one in dire need of a friend.
His hold loosened, and he slid his large, warm hands up, cupping her cheeks. He swiped away her tears with his thumbs as those intense eyes of his darkened. He was going to kiss her. Caution flags rose in her head, but her heart begged her brain to ignore them. Just once, it would be nice to allow herself to indulge in the comfort and security of a man's arms, even nicer if she could count on him for continued support.
She knew she should turn and run, but her feet wouldn’t move. Instead, she stared into his dark eyes and tried to pull him in with her gaze. His head dipped, and he pressed his lips lightly to hers. Adrenaline rushed her veins. That was the exact reaction she feared, yet she kept moving her lips with his—soft and slow. It was beautiful, too beautiful.
His hands skimmed down from her cheeks to her neck, over her shoulders, down her sides, and then he hooked them at the small of her back and pulled her tighter to him. His clean, fresh, soapy scent drove her insane with need to stay near him. When he ran his tongue over the seam of her lips, heat surged through her, and she parted hers to let him in. Her knees weakened. He tightened his grip. He took her mouth more thoroughly, moving expertly.
Good God he could kiss.
Author Genre: Romance
Website: Valerie J. Clarizio
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Twitter: @Vclarizio
E-Mail: valclarizio@yahoo.com
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Author Description: Valerie Clarizio lives in romantic Door County Wisconsin with her husband and two extremely spoiled cats. She loves to read, write, and spend time at her cabin in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
She's lived her life surrounded by men, three brothers, a husband, and a male Siamese cat who required his own instruction manual. Keeping up with all the men in her life has turned her into an outdoors enthusiast, of which her favorite activity is hiking in national parks. While out on the trails, she has plenty of time to conjure up irresistible characters and unique storylines for her next romantic suspense or sweet contemporary romance novel.
Author's Book List
Time WARped - A Preserver & Protector Novel Book 1
Romancing destiny one moment at a time.
When Veteran Blake Cornelis visits his great grandfather’s Civil War grave, he is whisked back in time to Gettysburg, where his ancestor was a hero. His mission—to preserve his family's decorated military record, because his cousin, Evan, is determined to steal the Cornelis heroism for his own family’s ancestry. Fighting Evan is demanding and requires unremitting vigilance. Fortunately, the gods have sent Blake an exquisite guardian angel to help him.
Ariel, a time travel Protector, is tasked on this journey with safeguarding Blake, and she vows to do that—at any cost. But the attractive hero from Wisconsin is unlike others she’s been assigned to protect. The intense attraction between them casts them into deadly peril on the battlefield.
Blake and Ariel are sent into other wartimes, and as secrets unfold they realize they must sacrifice all to conquer his evil cousin, for the Cornelis honor is not all that is at stake. The fate of the American people lies in their hands. But Evan is a formidable foe, determined to achieve his mission, and since he has nothing to lose, he'll do whatever it takes to succeed—no matter the cost.
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The Code Enforcer - Crime and Passion Stalk City Hall Book 1
Having been made the laughing stock of her hometown by her cheating ex-fiancé, Investigator Markie Pearson has sworn off overly-confident, good-looking men. When Bryce Hawk strolls into town, Markie quickly realizes he's the classic example of a man she needs to keep at a distance.
Ex-Marine Bryce Hawk moves to small-town Wisconsin after his military career-ending injury. All he wants to do is hide in his mundane job as the city's code enforcer while he sorts out his life. What Bryce doesn't account for is Markie, that emerald eyed beauty, walking through his office door on day one. Too bad it's too, late. Women are not in his plans, nor will they ever be…especially Markie, the one who gets his dormant juices flowing while irritating him at the same time.
When the municipal code violators that Bryce is investigating are murdered, Bryce becomes Markie's number one suspect. Or, is he another target? Is she?
Will this damaged cop and wounded vet overcome their inner demons in order to work together to escape the claws of death and perhaps find love in the process?
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Missing Out on Life - Chandler County Book 2
Jaded by the past. Closed to a future. Shocked by unveiled secrets. They were meant to be together.
Meredith Wellington receives a call that her sister has been murdered. Her two young nieces land on her doorstep. An instant family is the last thing she needs as she reaches for the top rung of the corporate ladder.
Jeremiah Crown, aka Coach, lives a simple life managing his family’s Kentucky horse ranch. When a damsel in distress decked out in a suit and spiked heels needs assistance, he’s more than happy to help out. Happier still to realize this corporate powerhouse doesn’t recognize him as the man she'd deemed an enemy in high school twenty years earlier.
Once she realizes Coach’s identity, any chance of a romantic relationship disappears. When Meredith places her nieces low on her priority list, Jeremiah reconsiders his attraction to her. When danger comes calling, Meredith realizes this kindhearted veteran has the skill set to help her, if only she could set aside her pride to ask.
Can two people overcome past misunderstandings in time to thwart approaching danger?
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Missing the Crown Jewels - Chandler County Novel Book 1
After a devastating divorce, Peyton Crown is finally surfacing from a dark hole of despair. She finds herself hoping for a new life with Mason ‘Storm’ Starr, her brother’s best friend.
Storm’s intent is simple: hide in the quiet confines of his best friend’s family horse ranch in Kentucky. The perfect place to sort out his life after walking away from the Army, and fight his internal demons. His solitude is interrupted by his buddy’s little sister. The chemistry between them is off the charts, and he willing surrenders the battle.
The Crown family begins receiving threats, just weeks before the Kentucky Derby. The overprotective men in Peyton’s life vow to keep 24/7 tabs on her and the family’s prize horse—Prince Bourbonville—a hopeful for the next Triple Crown. Circumstances arise that threaten to keep Peyton and Prince away from the derby, but Storm and her brother Coach are determined they’ll attend, no matter the sacrifice.
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Jess & Sam's Story - Love on the Door County Peninsula Book 2
After twenty years, Jess returns home to care for her ailing mother. Close proximity to the man she once loved—who'd dumped her on the very day she expected a marriage proposal—reawakens her broken heart and strengthens her vow to never put faith in a man.
By his own choice, Sam’s the most elusive bachelor in town, his walls of defense firmly in place. But when the feisty little brunette he dated in high school and college moves back, Sam needs to step up his game, stiffening those walls to concrete. True love? A forever union? What kind of idiot believes in that?
No matter which way Sam and Jess turn in their little home town, they run into each other. And stumbling under the mistletoe isn’t what either one needs.
Or is it?
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Talia & Ryan's Story - Love on the Door County Peninsula Book 1
Talia Johnson is living her dream in Door County, WI. But, being a Park Ranger comes with sacrifices.
Deputy Ryan Larson loves his job but worries about the attraction he feels for the surly Talia Johnson.
When pandemonium breaks out, Talia's life becomes endangered. Ryan races to help her. Will her stubbornness prevent Ryan from saving her?
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Love Thaws a Frozen Heart
Casey is hell bent on getting Noah to sign divorce papers. Hiding out at his camp, Noah is hell bent on not signing. Procuring a snowmobile, Casey sets out in a blinding snow storm to find him. After crashing, she is near death when Noah finds her. Will a few cabin-bound days cause either of them to change their mind?
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Family Forever
The death of Dylan’s parents leave his five younger brothers and the family dairy farm in his care.
Neighbor Marissa, raised by an alcoholic father, seeks a way out. Desperate for help, Dylan offers her a live-in nanny/housekeeper position. She jumps at the opportunity. The chaotic household, full of love, feeds her maternal instincts. She falls for Dylan and the boys.
When Dylan finds himself desiring Marissa, he pulls back. His heart has been broken in the past by women resistant to a large, ready-made family. But if she walks away, she’d not only break his heart but those of his brothers, too.
Will Dylan ever believe in Marissa’s devotion to his family, risk his heart, and those of his brothers, for the woman he loves?
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Unforeseen Obsessions
After Alex Polecheck's police officer husband, Sam, is stabbed in cold blood, she vows to see the murderer brought to justice. Peter, Sam’s best friend, and fellow police officer, seems to be the only member of the Police Department interested in catching the killer.
Peter sets out on a perilous hunt for the killer, while trying to protect Alex, who appears to be next on the murderer’s list.
The mystery begins to unravel when Peter finds a connection between the murder of Sam and two other law enforcement officers, who were all part of an internet crime taskforce. Peter and Alex find themselves alone in the battle for justice and truth when they discover members of the local police department cannot be trusted. Will Peter piece together the puzzle before Alex is silenced? While battling to protect Alex, will he be able to continue to conceal his love for her?
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Taken by Surprise
Everyone is shocked when Clare Ulster leaves her rich and handsome fiancé, chucks her well-to-do Milwaukee city life, and moves into her grandparents’ old homestead in the remote Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The quiet small town of Iron City is just what she needs to get her life in order and learn to stand on her own. No men needed!
Unfortunately, disaster follows her. Unable to let her go, her abusive, cheating ex- fiancé finds his way to the U.P. and sets out to make Clare’s life more of a living hell then he’d done in the past. Additionally, Clare’s alleged involvement with the Fire Chief, aka, town player, lands her in a world of trouble with his ring of female admirers, sending her on a dangerously chaotic adventure including murder and kidnapping. With Clare's life in danger, irresistible Police Chief Jack Ricco will do whatever it takes to keep their newest resident safe.
Will Clare and Jack be able to survive the deceptively peaceful Iron City?
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Plan Interrupted
Elizabeth Shaw’s professional life is going according to plan until she meets the handsome widower and his two young children next door. Having shelved her personal life to land her dream job, she disregards her romantic feelings for him. But the forces of nature have other ideas for her.
Joe Antonetti has made his children his main focus since the death of his wife. But his beautiful neighbor becomes an irresistible distraction and has him wondering if he can change her priorities.
Surrendering to their attraction for each other causes another player to step in with his own plan for Elizabeth. One that could not only end the budding romance but her life as well.
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Crazed Reckoning - A Nick Spinelli Mystery Book 3
After experiencing a murderous Christmas and Valentine's Day with love interest Shannon O'Hara, Detective Nick Spinelli assumed Saint Patrick's Day couldn't be any worse.
He was wrong.
While out on a geocaching adventure in Door County, Shannon and her friend Anna find more than a clue in the cache box. When Shannon disappears, Spinelli is sent racing to find her. Amidst the chaos of an unruly Irish celebration, and a decades-old Irish family feud, he must rescue her from the hands of a madman.
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Craving Vengeance - A Nick Spinelli Mystery Book 2
Nick Spinelli’s normal life as a homicide detective has been catapulted into a whirlwind of chaotic holiday adventures ever since he met the beautiful Shannon O’Hara.
Nick had hoped to spend his first Valentine’s Day with Shannon in a traditional manner, starting with a nice dinner out on the town and then perhaps a long warm adventurous night in her arms. His plans quickly change when cupid is found murdered in a back alley. The investigation becomes more and more inconceivable, as Spinelli discovers that Shannon is linked to the victim. When another cupid turns up dead, and it is discovered that Shannon knows him as well, Spinelli is motivated to go undercover as a singing valentine dressed as cupid, complete with wings and a quiver of arrows. How many other cupids are at risk? Is Spinelli on the killer’s list as well? The stress ignited by the day’s events causes sparks to fly between Spinelli and Shannon as he struggles to piece it all together and stop the string of slayings.
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Covert Exposure - A Nick Spinelli Mystery Book 1
Detective Spinelli’s life is tossed sideways when he is reassigned from the Homicide division to assist in the Child Services division of the Social Services Department for the holiday season. From the beginning, Spinelli and Caseworker Shannon O’Hara generate their own kind of fireworks, causing more than the normal workplace stress. They both have their own philosophies for dealing with the clientele. However, the forces of nature have their own plan for Spinelli and Shannon.
Shannon moonlights as Santa Claus’ little helper at the mall, and when Santa and an elf turn up dead Shannon appears to be next on the killer’s list. Spinelli is placed back on homicide and goes undercover as Santa to help capture the killer. He catches a great deal of grief along the way but will he capture the heart of his little Santa’s helper as well?
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Post Created by: James Moushon
Mystery Author, Industry blogger and Author Advocate
James is the author of the following blogs:
HBS Author’s Spotlight
Indie Author's Corner
Mystery Reader’s Circle
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