Whet Wednesday - Diamonds And Deceit

I hope everyone is enjoying warm spring weather like we are here in TN. I have the windows open, letting in some fresh air. But tomorrow it's going to turn cold again, I'll have the heat on. Gotto love Tennessee and it's manic ways. 

Today we're looking at the middle of Chapter 10 in Diamonds and Deceit. 
Here are a few links to previous posts to get you caught up. 

wewriwa3-22
wewriwa3-15
whetwednesday3-11

Go back and check older posts. 

In this excerpt, the gang's all here. So let me give you the cast: Enrique aka Diamond Malloy, Amalia Gilbrad Malloy, Arabella Gilbrad, Peyton Gilbrad Boudreaux, and her husbands Sebastian and Thierry Boudreaux. 
Of course Shelbie and Dagan/Hunter are here, and Dagan's friend and low and behold, Arabella's ex Ian. 
I had so much trouble finding just the right excerpt. There's so much going on in this chapter that it was difficult to choose. 
Happy Wednesday all. 

Diamonds And Deceit
Excerpt

“Please don’t make me whistle again. It’s murder on the hearing.” She laughed. “Your support and acceptance mean the world to me.” Shelbie brushed back a lock off Peyton’s forehead and squeezed Amalia’s hand.

She took a deep breath, turning to Diamond, showing him just how much his care of and for them meant to her. “I have to do this alone.”

“No.”

“We’ll get…”

“Shelbie won’t be alone. I’ll be by her side the entire time.”

Shelbie watched in horror as two meaty hands gripped Dagan’s arms, hauling him back, a fist slamming into his stomach. “No.” She lunged, only to be trapped within the circle of her family.

She craned her neck around Diamond’s shoulder trying to get a good look at the scene across the room. Ian grappled with Thierry trying to stop another blow while Dagan struggled in Sebastian’s Iron grip. Peyton’s husbands spouted off, ‘take that, and this is for,’ between blows.  

“Stop. Stop it this instant.” Shelbie pushed against the arms enveloping her. She wasn’t sure if it was the tone of her voice or her struggle to get to Dagan or the tears running down her face that caught everyone’s attention.

Pushing through lax arms, she hurried toward the men. She tried to ignore Dagan, but it was a losing battle. Laying her hands on her brothers-in-law, she swallowed around the lump in her throat. How was she to make them understand? “Guys. I get it. Well, I don’t because I don’t know what happened…” she cut accusing eyes over at Diamond, “And I know you’re protecting Peyton, but,” She disengaged their hands from Dagan, pulling him to her side, “Hunter isn’t here to take us down.” She squeezed him hard, hoping he got the message.

“Shelbie.”

“You’re out of your mind.” Sebastian lunged. “I told you what I would do if I ever saw you again.” Dagan futilely fought to push Shelbie behind him.

“That’s enough.” Ian and Diamond’s word cut through the arguments, pulling them apart in the process.  

“Let me…” 

Diamonds And Deceit

Book Blurb:

Necessity made Shelbie Gilbrad a prostitute and thief, the thrill kept her in the business. But now she’s in trouble and doesn’t see it coming, which is odd because Shelbie’s been plagued by visions her entire life.

As a self-made billionaire bent on revenge, Dagan Hunter Caulfield has resigned himself of never recovering the rare green, teardrop diamond necklace. He’s moved on. His plan to surprise the woman he’s falling for, gets him the shock of his life. 

Shelbie and Dagan’s worlds collide and neither will ever be the same. Yet outside forces pit them against one another, putting their lives in danger. Can he forgive her past? Can she save the man she loves? 

Weekend Writing Warriors - #8Snippet Sunday

Welcome to #8Snippet Sunday. WEWRIWA is a blog hop of talented authors promoting one another's works. Stop by and see your favorites and check out those new to circuit.
Always thanks for stopping by, leaving a comment, liking, and sharing.

I'm continuing with Diamonds and Deceit. It's book 2 in the Diamond Series. Here are a few links to previous posts to get you cauth up. 

March 15 Excerpt
March 8 Excerpt
March 1 Excerpt
February 22 Excerpt

This week we're beginning chapter 10. The opening scene is of Shelbie after she's back in Atlanta after being unable to do more than lust after one Hunter.

   Shelbie hummed off key and tapped her toes to Journey’s, Greatest Hits, CD as she plucked tequila and triple sec out of the liquor cabinet. Margaritas were in order. Not only were they the perfect drink for chips and salsa, fajitas and the trimmings, she’d picked up from Bella’s Bistro, but also for getting snockered.

   Popping a warm chip in her mouth, she grabbed a knife and cutting board, slicing and juicing limes. She wasn’t going to think about Hunter. A Margarita was just the thing to get him off her mind.  

   She had opted to stay at her condo in Atlanta instead of going home to McDonough. Well away from her prying family. So, not to be near Hunter.

Diamonds and Deceit 
Blurb

Necessity made Shelbie Gilbrad a prostitute and thief, the thrill kept her in the business. But now she’s in trouble and doesn’t see it coming, which is odd because Shelbie’s been plagued by visions her entire life.

As a self-made billionaire bent on revenge, Dagan Hunter Caulfield has resigned himself of never recovering the rare green, teardrop diamond necklace. He’s moved on. His plan to surprise the woman he’s falling for, gets him the shock of his life. 

Shelbie and Dagan’s worlds collide and neither will ever be the same. Yet outside forces pit them against one another, putting their lives in danger. Can he forgive her past? Can she save the man she loves? 

A Day with the Authors Reader Ticket Sale

Sandi Lee Sullivan
Randi Alexander
Sharon Hamilton
Deanndra Hall
J.M. Madden
Simon
Cooper McKenzie
Yours Truly and many more. 
What do we all have in common
A Day with the Author's Luncheon

Tuesday March 17 get your Reader ticket for half price. 

EventBrite

Weekend Writing Warriors 8Snippet Sunday

Welcome to #8Snippet Sunday. WEWRIWA is a blog hop of talented authors promoting one another's works. Stop by and see your favorites and check out those new to circuit.
Always thanks for stopping by, leaving a comment, liking, and sharing.

I'm continuing with Diamonds and Deceit. It's book 2 in the Diamond Series. We're moving right along to chapter 9. Go back and see previous posts for more excerpts. 

This week Shelbie's regretting promisng Hunter she'd help find his late wife's necklace. That means she has to tell all her secrets to the man who betrayed her.  

Frozen. Inside and out. That was what Shelbie wanted to be. To numbly go through the next few weeks, working with Hunter without feeling a thing. What could she possibly have been thinking to agree to help him retrieve his property?

Oh, yeah. A little restitution. A lot in love.  

Diamonds and Deceit Blurb

Necessity made Shelbie Gilbrad a prostitute and thief, the thrill kept her in the business. But now she’s in trouble and doesn’t see it coming, which is odd because Shelbie’s been plagued by visions her entire life.

As a self-made billionaire bent on revenge, Dagan Hunter Caulfield has resigned himself of never recovering the rare green, teardrop diamond necklace. He’s moved on. His plan to surprise the woman he’s falling for, gets him the shock of his life. 

Shelbie and Dagan’s worlds collide and neither will ever be the same. Yet outside forces pit them against one another, putting their lives in danger. Can he forgive her past? Can she save the man she loves? 

Whet Wednesday

Happy Wednesday. It's nice and warm here after spending a month holed up inside with ice and snow and below zero temperatures here in Tennessee. Still no sun, but I can walk around barefoot again. So that's a plus. Hope you're all doing well. 

I'm continuing with Diamonds and Deceit. It's book 2 in the Diamond Series.  Sunday I introduced you to chapter 8. We learned Shelbie found out Hunter/Dagan's identity and he'd known hers all along, well at least since Aprit. And as of Sunday they still hadn't realized it. But today. Well. Read on and find out.

Dagan’s mind splintered. She knew. He tightened his hold, reveling in the fact he didn’t have to hide any longer. “Baby,” he wanted to explain, but mostly he was glad he didn’t have to hide any longer.

It took several moments for Shelbie’s struggling to get free to reach his brain. His arms dropped to his side, stepping back. “How did you find out?” His eyes searched her face.

“It doesn’t matter. What does is I know. I want you out of here, Dagan.”

He flinched at Shelbie’s use of his first name. “No.” He had to defuse the situation.

She shot him a credulous look. “No?” She slapped a hand against his chest, but cool air hit her body as the towel slipped. She grabbed the edges. “Can you give me a minute, Dagan?”

“No.” Normally, he would work damage control right about now, but his mind went blank as he took in her hurt stare. He crossed his arms over his chest to keep from reaching for her. He should be explaining, making her see his side, but for once in his life; he was at a loss as to what to say.

He couldn’t help the smirk when Shelbie’s jaw dropped and her face heated under his singular stare. “I’ve seen everything you got. Tasted every delectable inch.” His heated gaze roamed over her exposed skin from her lilac painted toes to the top of her damp hair. “You’ll just have to dress in front of me.” 

Diamonds and Deceit Blurb

Necessity made Shelbie Gilbrad a prostitute and thief, the thrill kept her in the business. But now she’s in trouble and doesn’t see it coming, which is odd because Shelbie’s been plagued by visions her entire life.

As a self-made billionaire bent on revenge, Dagan Hunter Caulfield has resigned himself of never recovering the rare green, teardrop diamond necklace. He’s moved on. His plan to surprise the woman he’s falling for, gets him the shock of his life. 

Shelbie and Dagan’s worlds collide and neither will ever be the same. Yet outside forces pit them against one another, putting their lives in danger. Can he forgive her past? Can she save the man she loves?   

Weekend Writing Warriors - 8Snippet Sunday

Welcome to #8Snippet Sunday. WEWRIWA is a blog hop of talented authors promoting one another's works. Stop by and see your favorites and check out those new to circuit.
Always thanks for stopping by, leaving a comment, liking, and sharing.

I'm continuing with Diamonds and Deceit. It's book 2 in the Diamond Series.  Last week I introduced Arabella at the beginning of Chapter 7. 

We begin chapter 8. Here Shelbie knows who Hunter/Dagan is. And Dagan knows who Shelbie is, but Both are in the dark that they've discovered who each other is. 

Shelbie bolted upright out of a troubled sleep. Her heart pounded against her chest, trying to break free. Her eyes flitted to the bed, empty. Her body sagged, but then instantly went rigid; worrying Hunter might be in danger.

Hunter. She’d been dreaming of him, and… Taking deep breaths, she tried to calm her racing pulse that ratcheted up once more. Hunter was in danger.

Why should she care?

Diamonds and Deceit Blurb

Necessity made Shelbie Gilbrad a prostitute and thief, the thrill kept her in the business. But now she’s in trouble and doesn’t see it coming, which is odd because Shelbie’s been plagued by visions her entire life.

As a self-made billionaire bent on revenge, Dagan Hunter Caulfield has resigned himself of never recovering the rare green, teardrop diamond necklace. He’s moved on. His plan to surprise the woman he’s falling for, gets him the shock of his life. 

Shelbie and Dagan’s worlds collide and neither will ever be the same. Yet outside forces pit them against one another, putting their lives in danger. Can he forgive her past? Can she save the man she loves? 

Whet Wednesday

Dagan sealed his fate when he made love to Shelbie. Here is an excerpt of the actual thieves. Oh, and Shelbie's still in the dark. Find out the whole story in Diamonds and Deceit.

Chapter 7 Excerpt:

“Where have you been?” the woman shrieked. She didn’t give the other person a chance to explain. “I’ve been calling you for weeks. We have a problem. Dagan found out. He’s been seeing her, and now they’ve left Atlanta. I need you to find him, keep tabs on them both.”

Silence met her tirade.

“Did you hear me?”

After a long pause, the bored, deep voice responded. “I did. You, my dear are the one with the problem.”

“If they find out about me…”

“You’ll what. Tell on me.” He mocked. “I made sure nothing traces back to me. The only reason I took the job was because Malloy wouldn’t touch it. And,” triumph filled his voice, “I beat my rival. He may not know it, but it’s my own satisfaction.”