| Object of Desire - by Calista Fox |
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OBJECT OF DESIRE
By Calista Fox
Trade Paperback
Copyright © Calista Fox , 2009
All Rights Reserved, RED SAGE PUBLISHING, INC.
OBJECT OF DESIRE EXCERPT
Chapter 1
She knew she was being followed.
What Laurel Blackwood had just done would be considered inexcusable by some. But as with everything Laurel did, she had good cause for raiding Victoria Peak. Unfortunately, whoever hunted her wouldn’t give a damn about her personal convictions or her good intentions. They’d want the prize she’d just claimed, no matter what the cost.
Including her life.
She couldn’t say for sure who was hot on her heels. Could be a rival raider, a local who didn’t want her to abscond with a national treasure, or a member of the Belizean terrorist cell, the Val-ha. It was no secret the gem she’d just risked life and limb to recover was worth a sizable fortune, and the Val-ha could use the money to fund their most elaborate missions.
Regardless of the nature of her pursuer’s interest in the treasure she now possessed, Laurel feared her chances of escaping with the prized jewel were slim.
Bloody hell.
Too bad her most daring and profitable treasure hunting adventure had to take place in the jungle, one of the most loathsome locales in her mind. The heat and humidity were nasty enough. But mostly, Laurel found that navigating the dense, tropical forest was a huge pain in the ass, with its overgrown vines and low-hanging branches. Dried palm fronds crunched beneath her booted feet and the underbrush hid fallen tree limbs from her, causing her to stumble if she didn’t keep an eye out for them.
The exotic wildlife created its own peril. Boa constrictors and iguanas were native to this region. So, too, were vibrantly colored quetzals, which continually swooped toward her head in search of their prey. She hoped they didn’t mistake the long, dark auburn curls that had worked free of her ponytail for worms. If that’s what they ate. She wasn’t sure. She was a treasure hunter and a spy, not an aficionado of tropical fauna.
Luckily, there was an upside to being pursued in the jungle--the potential to use nature and geography to her advantage. As she approached the narrow canyon she’d spied two days earlier on her aerial survey of the jungle, a small measure of relief washed over her. She had planned to use this particular area as an escape route, if needed.
Her contingency plan was a potentially perilous one, but it was the best she could come up with, given her location. Ahead would be a forty-foot drop into a flat clearing that was shrouded by tall trees and full yucca plants--a great hiding place where she could take a moment to catch her breath and regroup. The clearing was poised atop a cliff that rose above a deep pool of water, which flowed into a meandering river winding its way through the canyon and emptying into, miracles of miracles, the ocean.
Braving the water was a dangerous alternative to simply being picked up on land by helicopter. But finding a place for a successful pickup in this dense forest wasn’t likely, particularly given how closely she was being followed. She didn’t need to be in anyone’s range of fire if they were packing serious heat--a possibility if her pursuer was a member of the Val-ha.
Laurel had had her fair share of close calls lately. She could do without one today.
RED SAGE PUBLISHING, INC. © 2009 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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Category: Trade Paperback, Adventure, Paranormal, Suspense |
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Length: Novel |
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| MSRP/List Price: $12.99 |
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| Our Cover Price: $10.99 |
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| Available Format: Trade Paperback |
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| Description: When treasure hunter and spy Laurel Blackwood raids Victoria Peak in Belize to recover a rare Mexican fire opal rumored to evoke dark desires and passions, she unwittingly sets off a sequence of dangerous events--and finds herself in the midst of a battle between good and evil… and lust and love. Being chased through the Yucatan jungle is perilous enough, but Laurel must also keep the opal from falling into the hands of a deadly terrorist cell, a greedy Belizean dignitary, and one particularly hot and scandalous treasure hunter named Devon Mallory. For ten years, Devon has had his eye on the thirty-million-dollar prized opal and his heart set on winning Laurel for keeps. But her web of secrecy and now her betrayal over recovering the legendary stone without him has Devon hell-bent on stealing the opal from her and collecting on the massive pay-out. Unfortunately for Devon, there is much more to Laurel Blackwood than she lets on. And soon, he’s caught in the eye of the storm—falling under her sensuous spell, willing to put his own life on the line to help her protect the mystical jewel. But Devon will eventually have to decide which gem is his true object of desire… To My Readers: Where do I begin? I was a huge fan of the Secrets anthologies before I tried my hand at writing a novella for the collection. My first story was published in 2005 and I have enjoyed every single day thereafter as a Red Sage author. Object of Desire is my first single title for Red Sage, and I am so thrilled to have this book published! I love gutsy women who can take care of themselves, but who have soft sides only a special hero knows about. Laurel is such a woman. And Devon… Well, to me, he’s a modern-day Han Solo (the ultimate hero in my opinion!). He’s a scoundrel, to be sure. A reluctant hero. A man who’s willing to step up to the plate—as long as there’s a reward involved. But when he finally meets the right woman… Even lost treasures can’t compare to fiery passion and bone-deep love. Thanks, as always, to Alexandria Kendall, my publisher. And to Felecia, my editor. You’ve both made a dream come true for me. Finally, I’d like to dedicate this book to the most important people in my life. To the readers I have accumulated over the years: Without you… well, my parents would have to buy a lot of books to keep me in the business! Thanks for your continued support and the kind words so many of you send me. To my family: Thanks for your never-ending encouragement and belief in everything I do! To Julie Townsend, Willie Inazu, Joanne Frederick and Joan Cihak (and in loving memory of Mary J. Leader): No words can express how grateful I am for your support, friendship and mentoring. I am so lucky to have such incredibly smart and wonderful people in my life! To my critique partners, Sherri Knauss, Erin Grady, Wendy Hood and Rachelle Chase: You always tell it like it is, and that has saved me from traveling some less-than-stellar paths! Thanks for all the encouragement and support you have offered, and for lending an ear during moments of panic! You are more than critique partners—you’re dear friends and sisters in crime! And to AJM: For listening to me all the damned time and never complaining about it (or my endless hours of writing). OBJECT OF DESIRE'S COVER IS UP FOR AN AWARD! |
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| ISBN: 9781603100038 |
Publication Date: 07/01/2009 |
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"With enough glitz for Jackie Collins and intrigue for Ian Fleming fans, Fox blazes a new brand of the sexy spy."
~ Erin Quinn, author of Haunting Beauty (Berkeley)
“Object of Desire delivers sizzling sensuality, emotional complexity, and an intriguing story—everything I've come to expect from Calista Fox!"
~ Rachelle Chase, Author of The Sin Club and The Sex Lounge (Kensington Books)
"A roller coaster of action and romance—you'll barely have time to breathe!"
~ Leigh Court, author of the award-winning novella, The Disciplinarian (Secrets Volume 15)
ROMANCE JUNKIES RATING 5!!!!!
In the depths of the Belizean jungle, one woman finds a fabulous artifact that can either save her soul, or destroy it.
Laurel Blackwood was a modern day Indiana Jones. The artifact that she had just found was going to make her a lot of money, and allow her to live her life as she wanted for quite some time. Unfortunately, she was not the only one who wanted that particular artifact, and the other interested parties were going to make her life very dangerous.
Devon Mallory and Laurel went back a long way. As a former lover, he knew how she worked. As a fellow treasure hunter, he also wanted to find the fire opal, but Laurel got their first. No problem, he could take it away from her. Little did he know that he was getting in over his head, and the danger following Laurel would be transferred to him. Only by working together would they be able to get out of this mess alive.
A race through the jungle, thrilling chases, smoldering seductions, and one very special gem lie in Devon and Laurel's path as they try to make it home with their treasure. Will Devon and Laurel be able to keep the gem? Will they be able to rekindle the trust and love in their relationship? Will Laurel's secret job get in the way of everything they have tried to build?
OBJECT OF DESIRE was a very good book! The plot was fast paced, the adventure was thrilling, and the espionage angle added a whole new edge to the book. The developing relationship between Devon and Laurel was fun to watch, and the romance between them was intense! I especially liked Laurel's character, because she was an independent female who didn't need any man to take care of her. She could do it on her own, so get out of her way. Devon made a very good foil for her, because he was there if she needed him, but he was man enough to step back and let her take care of her business. I loved it!
"James Bond move over! Calista Fox is romancing the stone with a sexy new spy and a sizzling hot story."
~~ROMANCE JUNKIES
Whipped Cream Reviews – 4 Cherries!
Like a little erotica with your action? Then please allow me to present Object Of Desire for your consideration. This is a story that starts and then goes, and goes, and goes. It’s an erotic Romancing the Stone slash Tomb Raider that takes readers on an exotic thrill ride. Think adventure, but with a dash of heat added in for a nice potent kick.
Laurel is memorable as the heroine that can bring a man to his knees... and not entirely in a manner he would approve of. I loved watching her evolve from this force that stands alone to a woman that discovers she needs more than she’s allowed herself. Of course, Devon is exactly the kind of man a woman would need. Dangerous in his own right, he’s witty, charming, and oh so sexy. Though action consumes a large portion of the story, when Laurel and Dev are the only two people on the page, you’ll forget all about the danger that looms over them. Hot doesn’t even begin to describe the chemistry between these two. It’s more like throwing a can of gasoline on a roaring fire pit.
There is more story, but in an effort to remain “spoiler free”, I’ll refrain from offering anything more. Suffice it to say, this is an action/adventure/intrigue kind of tale. I loved Object Of Desire and recommend it to anyone that loves a story with plenty of twists and turns along the way. ~ ~~Fern~~Whipped Cream Reviews
OBJECT OF DESIRE
by Calista Fox
RT Rating: 4
Category: EROTICA
Type: Erotic Romance
Bombings, kidnappings and hot, hot sex fill the pages of this engaging story. Not only are the alpha hero and heroine strong, they have intriguing flaws too.
Summary: Devon and Laurel are treasure hunters, and Laurel is also a spy. They're both after a priceless fire opal with mystical powers that the terrorist group Val-ha also wants. Devon's reasons for wanting the opal are far from altruistic; he'd like to buy a famous yacht. But Laurel needs to stop the terrorists and return the jewel to its rightful owner. Although Devon has Laurel's back, he doesn't know she's a spy and in danger. (RED SAGE, Jul., 352 pp., $12.99)
—Donna M. Brown~~ Romantic Times
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