Must Read Faster: Spotlight with Excerpt: Hemphill Towers

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Spotlight with Excerpt: Hemphill Towers

Romantic Suspense

Date Published: 10/25/2013

Riley Saunders has her dream job. As an art director at a leading advertising agency, she works every day with her two best friends, Stella and Birdie. All three have been assigned to ensure that the Grand Opening of the Peterson Art Museum is nothing short of a success.

When a girl’s night out at a hot new Italian restaurant ends with a spilled bottle of wine, it sets in motion a series of events that leaves Stella and Birdie caught up in whirlwind romances, and Riley fearing for her life at the hands of a deranged stalker. But, when the handsome museum curator, Trent Peterson, learns of her situation, he vows to keep her safe.

In a quick-paced tale of fine art, wine forgery, and the Russian Mafia, Riley and her friends soon discover their pursuit of love will require them to expose a crime, thwart a murder, and trust the one thing that has never failed them…their friendship.

Excerpt:

A little later, Stella put down her fork unable to eat another bite. She was

listening to JB tell Federico a story about his latest fishing trip. JB raised his arm in

a mock casting of a line, and in doing so, hit the wine bottle with his arm causing it

to strike Stella's full glass. The contents of both poured all over the front of her

clothes.

Stella gasped when the chilled liquid came in contact with her body, soaking

through her white blouse and bra. JB jumped up, grabbed a cloth napkin and began

dabbing at the rapidly spreading red stain. Then the inevitable happened. First one

button then another popped from her blouse and landed in the middle of the table.

JB stood dumbfounded, staring at the lacy exposed bra. Stella snatched the

napkin from his hand and covered herself. Her face was much redder than the

spilled wine. Riley could no longer contain her laughter and was soon joined by

Birdie. Stella looked at them and then at the stricken face of JB Edwards; she

began to laugh herself. Tears ran down their cheeks. JB sat back down, relieved

there would be no repercussions from his gaffe.

Leona Pence

Leona Pence started reading romance novels as a teen. She graduated from Nancy Drew stories to Harlequin Romance, and then to her favorite author, Barbara Cartland and her vast Regency romance collection. Happy endings were a must.
Leona began writing late in life after the death of her husband of forty-four years. They married on her 19th birthday after a three month courtship – and yes – love at first sight really did happen.
She enjoys reading, writing, online pool, and especially being a Mentor in F2K, a free online writing course.