In case you're not sure what an ARC is, it's an Advanced Reader Copy. It's a tool that authors use to help garner reviews for their books prior to release so that they have some testimonials ready for the Big Day.
Author Stacy Green, is looking for some honest reviews of her debut romantic suspense
INTO THE DARK. I've already read the book and my honest rating is 5 Stars! Today you get a sneak peak into the book and if you'd like to continue reading, Stacy is looking for some people who'd like an ARC copy in exchange for a review when the book officially releases on Nov. 30th.
INTO THE DARK
(digital and print November 30)
It's the moments from our past that bind us.
Branch Manager Emilie Davis is having a day like any other–until two masked men storm into WestOne Bank demanding cash. Her hopes of a quick end to her terror are dashed when she realizes one of the men has no interest in the bank’s money. Emilie is his prize, and he’s come to claim her.
When hostage negotiator Nathan Madigan and Las Vegas SWAT enter the bank on a rescue mission, Emilie’s captor makes a shocking escape into the abyss that lies beneath the city: the Las Vegas storm drains, a refuge for the downtrodden and the desperate.
HOW WILL IT END?
Who is the man the media has dubbed the “Taker?” Why is he after Emilie, and what is the connection he’s convinced they share?
Emilie can’t run from the Taker, and she can’t escape her own past. As her life closes in on her, she has nowhere to turn but to Nathan. The lines of professionalism blur as Nathan becomes determined to save Emilie. Together they venture into the depths beneath Las Vegas and discover a shocking piece of the puzzle.
But the Taker remains one step ahead. Desperate for the threat to emerge from the shadows, Emilie makes a bold move to reclaim her life, and it may cost her everything.
EXCERPT:
Nathan sat alone on the bumper of the SWAT truck, an unopened bottle of water dangling from his hand. The heavy Kevlar vest clung to his body with a slimy layer of perspiration.
To his left, a reporter spoke into a news camera.
“The standoff at WestOne Bank on Fremont Street has entered its third hour.” Doing her best to fit in with the gravity of the situation, she’d pulled her styled blond hair into a sensible ponytail and shed her tailored coat. Her bright red top stood out like a beacon against the police cars and black, steel walls of the bank. “One hostage has been released, but nine remain inside. Police are working fervently to bring a peaceful end to the crisis.”
A peaceful end. That was primarily Nathan’s responsibility as hostage negotiator. But success hinged on talking to the individual in control, and Nathan was beginning to think he’d yet to do so today. Joe didn’t have brains or self-control to pull off a job like this. The partner knew where all the security cameras were. He’d shot them out immediately. He’d managed to stay almost completely out of sight of SWAT’s surveillance cameras, which meant he was damned familiar with WestOne’s infrastructure.
“Madigan.” Johnson and the released hostage stood in front of him. “This is Tim Landry.”
Nathan got to his feet and shook Landry’s hand. “Tell us what happened in there.”
Landry pulled out a pack of Marlboros. His hand trembled as he stuck a cigarette in his mouth and dug for a lighter. Johnson lit the smoke.
“Thanks.” Landry recounted the men’s entrance into WestOne, verifying what SWAT already knew. “Joe’s crazy. I thought he was going to start shooting.”
“What about his partner?” Nathan asked.
“All he cares about is the branch manager,” Landry said. “She tried to sit with the rest of us after she talked to you, but he wouldn’t let her.”
“Thank you, Mr. Landry.” Johnson waved an officer over. “Get checked out by paramedics.”
He turned to Nathan. “Warrant came through. Detective Avery’s going through her records but nothing sticks out so far. Looks like the partner’s obsessed with Davis.”
“Avery’s working the case? God help us,” Nathan said as Landry and the officer walked toward the ambulance. He pushed his issues with Detective Avery aside. “So partner’s all over the one woman guaranteed to be at the bank today. That’s no coincidence–he’s after Emilie.”
Johnson lit his own cigarette. “Maybe not. Maybe it’s a ploy. Could be the men think acting separately will make our jobs tougher.”
“Not in Joe’s mind. He thinks he’s running the show.”
The crackling static of the radio filled Nathan’s ears. “Davis is standing up, talking to Joe,” Chris said. “Partner jumped right up like he was glued to her ass.”
“Damn,” Nathan cursed. “She’s going to get him all riled up.”
“She just pointed to the phone.”
“You get a better look at the partner?” Johnson gnawed on his cigarette.
“Not really. He’s tall. And agitated. Took a couple steps to follow her and then stopped. Joe’s pointing at Davis, yelling something I can’t make out. She just sat back down and covered her face. Partner sat next to her.”
“Why’d she try to use the phone?” Johnson asked. “She’s got to know Joe wouldn’t let her.”
“She wanted to tell us something,” Nathan said. “Something worth risking Joe’s anger. Chris, what’s happening now?”
“Looks like the partner’s running his mouth. She’s rocking back and forth.”
“G**damnit.” Nathan kicked the bumper of the SWAT truck. “What’s that bastard up to?”
* * * *
“Don’t let him get to you.” Creepy Guy patted her shoulder. “Although I don’t see why you needed to talk to that negotiator again.”
“Because I want out of here.” Emilie jerked away from the contact. “I’m tired of sitting in the dark, waiting for something to happen.”
“Josephine was always afraid of the dark.” Melancholy crept into his normally serene tone. “She said the dark held the powers of black magic, of witchcraft, and bad luck. Poor girl slept with a candle burning.”
Emilie risked another glance at him. Narrowed in either anger or grief, his eyes glistened with moisture. “She was wrong. All of those exist in the daylight as well. Poor Jo didn’t need to fear the dark. Her bad luck came on a hot, sunny afternoon.” His voice faltered.
“What happened to her?”
“That’s none of your business.” Her captor jumped as though jolted with electricity. “Josephine belongs to me and to me alone,” he snarled.
Emilie scooted as far away from the man as the small space would allow.
“I’m sorry.” His voice was contrite. “Forgive my rudeness. That was extremely ungentlemanly.”
Intimacy had crept back into his tone. Emilie cringed.
“Don’t be afraid, Miss Emilie,” Creepy Guy pleaded. “I would never hurt you.”
“You already have.”
He edged closer until his covered arm brushed her bare one. The material was soft and lightweight. Breathable. Expensive. Not cheap rags like Joe wore.
“Only because you’re scared. But I knew we were connected the first moment I saw you. Once you allow me to explain my actions, you will understand everything. You carry our connection with you every day.”
“We have no connection.”
“Oh but we do. I’ve watched you for so long, my dear Miss Emilie.” He spoke softly now, like a lover would. “So many times, I was close enough to reach out and touch you, to make you mine. But the time and place weren’t right. Waiting for you has been torture.”
I can tell you, the tension doesn't stop there! I just had to keep reading until I reached The End.
If you'd like an ARC copy of this book to read and review, please leave your name and email in the comments so Stacy can contact you directly.
You can also check out Stacy's short story that previews the horrible conditions of the Las Vegas storm drains.
Welcome To Las Vegas, a short story
Dark, dirty, and terrifying, the storm drains below Las Vegas stretch hundreds of miles and house the city's homeless and criminal element. Walking into the underground abyss is the last thing Tate wants to do, but his junkie sister has disappeared into the drains. Armed with only his flashlight, Tate wades into the gritty depths beneath Sin City to rescue his sister from her demons.
Every step into the smothering darkness challenges Tate’s resolve. With his sister’s life and his own sanity at stake, Tate must face his fears or risk becoming another victim of the Las Vegas tunnels.
Available NOW!
Amazon Smashwords
Contains an exclusive excerpt from INTO THE DARK.
Stacy Green is fascinated by the workings of the criminal
mind and explores true crime on her popular Thriller Thursday posts at her
blog, Turning the Page.
After earning her degree in journalism, Stacy
worked in advertising before becoming a stay-at-home mom to her miracle child.
She rediscovered her love of writing and wrote several articles for Women’s
Edition Magazine of Cedar Rapids, profiling local businesses, before penning
her first novel. Her debut
novel, INTO THE DARK, is set in Las Vegas and features a heroine on the edge of
disaster, a tormented villain, and the city’s infamous storm drains that house
hundreds of homeless. INTO THE DARK is available on all digital formats
and paperback November 30th.
Find her online at:
