Guest: ELIZABETH MEYETTE New Release EXPOSED #romsuspense #mystery

 You're in for a treat today. My friend and Mid-Michigan RWA chaptermate Elizabeth Meyette has a new release. Betty is such a delightful person. Because of her giving nature, this year she was awarded MMRWA's Angel Award. I'm happy to help Betty celebrate the release of Exposed.

 What a delight to visit with you and your readers today, Diane. I hope everyone is safe and well. Thanks for inviting me on to talk about my newest book, Exposed.

 When I set out to write Exposed, I fashioned my heroine, Layla, after Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada or Sandra Bullock in The Proposal. She would be wounded, and therefore, she would protect herself with a hard-shell exterior. I could see a character arc as high as Noah’s rainbow as she transformed from cold and aloof to a woman who finally yields to the transcendent effect of love. I loved this idea.

 Nobody else did.

 I had the pleasure of a one-on-one critique with author Cindy Dees who thought Layla was schizophrenic. There was a lot of red ink on my opening scene. At her suggestion, I switched the order of Layla’s interactions in the opening scene to make her more sympathetic. A “Save the Cat” moment. When my beta readers had a go at my manuscript, I got a hearty, “Meh.” They were not relating to Layla at all, though they loved my hero, Jack. (So do I, *swoon*)

 Layla and I struggled through many rewrites so she could emerge as wounded but with a kind heart. Still, that didn’t subtract from the toughness she needed to endure repeated threats from a mysterious stalker. Based on feedback, readers are connecting with her. They see her wound and her redemption, and they relate to her.

 Exposed blurb

 Fiercely independent lawyer Layla Forrester has been hurt, and she never wants to be hurt again. Because she protects her heart as vigilantly as she protects her ailing father, she has more enemies than friends. Now one of them has threatened her life.

 EMT Jack Trenton seeks redemption over his father’s death. When he responds to a hazmat emergency, Layla wants no part of his help. She thinks the letter containing powder is a prank gone wrong, but he suspects it’s deadly. Only the second, more sinister threat convinces her to take it seriously.

 When her father’s life is endangered, Layla desperately turns to Jack.  Is she willing to risk her heart to ask for his help? In helping Layla, Jack puts to rest his demons from years ago. But time is running out for Layla as the mysterious stalker attempts a final assault.

 

Exposed excerpt

 Her SUV leaned toward the middle of the street settling on two flat tires. A note fluttered, impaled on one tire with the ice pick that had been used to pierce both of them.

Her face and neck cooled as the blood drained from them. An ocean swished in her ears, drowning out the familiar sounds that had surrounded her minutes ago: traffic, conversations, music thrumming from low-riders, the natural rhythm of city life.

Jack tore a piece off his paper grocery bag and wrapped it around the pick, pulling it out of the flat tire. The note floated to the pavement, face up. He scanned the note and moved so she could read it.

I can see you right now.

Her head snapped up, and she scanned the street. She didn’t recognize anyone. Storefront windows loomed, but the angle of the sun glared off the glass, concealing anyone in the coffee shop, bakery, nail salon, or any other store along the street. She turned to study the windows behind her, so close. No one leered out at her from the grocery store, the physical therapy clinic, or the boutique. Did that curtain fall at the second story window?

“Layla.”

She jumped at the sound of her name.

“Layla, let me take you to the police station. You need to report this.”

She looked up at him, trying to comprehend his words, but the ocean swished louder. She scanned the street and store windows again. People are going about their business as if nothing unusual had occurred. As if no one were threatening me.

Jack placed his hands on her shoulders. She met his gaze. No longer did his eyes dance with humor or crinkle at the corners. Now the blue was dark with concern.

“Are you okay?”

He pulled her into his arms. She struggled against this refuge; someone was watching. She couldn’t look afraid. This embrace had to mean something besides fear. Think, Layla, think.

You think this will rattle me, you punk? Watch this.

Steeling herself, she placed her hands along Jack’s jawline, leaned in, and kissed him, long and full.

She risked a quick peek. Jack’s eyes were open in shock. Close your eyes. Close your eyes. She leaned against him. As if hearing her, he slowly closed his eyes and wrapped her in his arms. His lips were warm and welcoming, his arms tight, holding her secure. She didn’t want to pull away; she wanted more. And based on how Jack’s lips were moving over hers, so did he.

She pulled back, but she remained in his embrace. “Check the windows. Is anyone watching us?”

He stifled a chuckle. “Lots of people are watching us. Was that your intent?”

She rested her arms on his chest. “I’m showing him that he can’t get to me.”

“And I thought it was my animal magnetism and irresistible charm at work.”

She flicked her gaze to his face. “Wipe that damn smirk off your face, Jack.”

“There’s your favorite word again.”

He silenced her ready retort, covering her mouth with his. This time her eyes bulged. But slowly, languidly, they closed. Did I just moan? Oh God, no. I just moaned. She pulled away and fumbled with the knot of hair at the nape of her neck. She cleared her throat. Maybe he didn’t notice that I moaned.

“Well, that ought to do it. I don’t think I looked frightened at all.” She patted her hair again and tucked a strand behind her ear.

Jack’s enigmatic expression shook her. “I sure hope he really is still around to see how not shook up you are. I mean, all that kissing for nothing. What a waste.” Jack stroked his jawline as if pondering a deep mystery. “You’d better call a tow truck, and then I’ll take you to the police station. Do you have any tweezers in your bag?”

 “Tweezers? No.” He certainly was unpredictable.

“We need something to pick up this note.”

She opened the back door, leaned over the seat, and fished through the hatchback. “I have a hemostat on my fishing vest. That should work.” She handed him the scissor-like instrument that curved into a blunt end.

He looked at the hemostat, then at her, and grinned. “You’re quite resourceful.” He gingerly picked up the note by one corner. “Open your purse.”

She held her purse open, and he dropped the note in it.

“Let’s get those packages loaded into my truck.”

“What?” He had to be kidding.

“You can’t drive this—two flat tires.”

“I can call an Uber.”

He stared at her. “Yes, I guess you can, but won’t that look strange to your stalker who is watching us right now? I mean, that kiss you laid on me wasn’t an ‘I’ll take an Uber’ kiss.”

 

Exposed is available on Amazon.

  

Author bio

 Believer in dreams-come-true and self-confessed chocoholic, Elizabeth Meyette writes a little history … a little mystery … a little romance.

 Elizabeth is a member of Grand Rapids Region Writers Group (GRRWG), is an Amazon Best-selling author in her genre, a PAN (Published Authors Network) member of Romance Writers of America, a member of Sisters in Crime, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators

 Her Finger Lakes Mysteries series includes The Cavanaugh House, Buried Secrets, and The Last Crossing. Love’s Courage is a romantic historical adventure set during the American Revolution. Exposed is a contemporary romantic suspense.

 Elizabeth and her husband Richard live in west Michigan where they enjoy the beauty of the Great Lakes. They have an agreement that she cannot cook on writing days after he endured burnt broccoli and overcooked chicken.  Fortunately, Richard is an excellent cook.

 Visit Elizabeth at:

 Website www.elizabethmeyette.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/elizabethfmeyette/

Twitter https://twitter.com/efmeyette

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-meyette-1502a642/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/efmeyette/

  

Elizabeth’s books are available at:

Amazon (print & Kindle)

Barnes & Noble (print only)