by Cara Marsi
“What is it?” Niko spewed the words in a bevy of frustration.
“Ade re Malaka.” Stephan snubbed him by calling him a jerk.
Niko dropped onto the bed and sprawled out against the headboard. “You have nothing better to do than call me up and insult me?” he said in a lackluster tone. No wonder he hadn’t been answering his phone.
“Father would like to know when you’re coming home.” Stephan relayed the inquiry in a tone familiar to Niko. Little brother enjoyed being the messenger, relished in it, and often encouraged it.
He’d return to Greece when he was damn good and ready. “Trust me. Nobody wants me home right now.” Niko’s mouth skewed into a taut scowl as he moved the phone away from his ear and bit back spontaneous words of profanity. Answering the call was a bad idea.
“Thad is family,” Stephan said, and Niko mouthed the words along with him.
“Luckily for him,” Niko said, laughter prattling with each word. “That’s the only reason I haven’t killed him.”
“Look at it like this. At least you found out before you married Angelique.”
“I guess you’re going to tell me that Thad was doing me a favor?” It was almost laughable, but somewhere deep inside his morbid wit, Niko knew Stephan had a point. “I’ve got a project in mind for Thaddeus.” Brisk hatred chilled his uneven tone.
“Doesn’t involve cement and the ocean, does it?” Stephen’s voice cracked, his naiveté creeping through.
Niko shook his head. Did he want to kill his cousin? Sure. Was he going to? No. “It’s worse.” He laughed cleverly. “I’m sending him to America.” Secretly though, Niko envied Thad. Someday, he’d like to go there, for more than a week or two. And maybe he would now that Leandros Shipping was branching out into the United States.
“So, when are you coming home?” Subtlety was not Stephan’s strong suit.
“Soon.” Niko let his mind wander off to Nice and the possibilities the city held now that he was going there with Veronica. “I got a little something I have to take care of first.”
“Don’t hesitate too long, big brother. Another week and I’ll steal your place as father’s heir apparent.” Stephan’s latest attempt at humor lingered on Niko’s mind. He might have taken it seriously if it hadn’t been so damn funny.
“You go ahead and take over, little brother.” Even as Niko said it, they both knew he didn’t mean it. “I’ll just remain here in—” Niko stopped abruptly. Damn. He’d almost let his location slip.
“I almost had you.” Stephan’s bragging reached across the connection and attempted to crush Niko. It almost worked.
“In your dreams.” Cynicism inflamed Niko’s voice. Wasn’t that what she’d said? He was sampling Veronica’s comebacks. Pathetic.
“Do you need company?” Stephan asked. “Mother thinks you need a traveling companion to keep up your spirits.”
Niko sealed his lips as the laughter charged up his throat but had nowhere else to go except out his nose.
“I told her you probably already have a traveling companion.” Stephan chuckled, sounding devious.
If they only knew. “I’m hanging up now,” Niko said, in a wisecracking tone.
Niko heard Stephan say, “very well,” as he flipped his phone shut and tossed it onto the bed. He sat motionless for a moment and pushed the worries of home to the back of his mind. He decided it was time for a quick shower. He’d wasted too much time talking to his brother. Veronica would be back soon.
He finished the shower in record time, dressed in a dark suit with a deep blue silk shirt that almost matched the color of his eyes, and waited for Veronica’s return.
Niko passed the time pacing the length of the windows. When he tired of that, he took turns languishing on the bed and in the different chairs in the room. Time marched on. Not nearly fast enough at first, but soon he insisted it slow down.
After three hours, he started to consider the notion that he’d been—how would the Americans say it?
Ditched.
**I hope you enjoyed this preview of California Girl by Sandra Edwards. If you’d like to read the book in its entirety, please check Sandra’s website at SandraWrites.com for purchase info.**
PRAISE FOR CARA MARSI’S BOOKS
“LOGAN’S REDEMPTION has all the elements that keep the pages turning: passion, romance, thrills and suspense…This storyline is so fantastic the intensity of the players practically leaps out at the reader. This is my first book by Ms. Marsi and most assuredly won’t be my last.” ~Fallen Angel Reviews.
“I have to admit that the sexual tension between the two of them really kept me turning the pages. LOGAN’S REDEMPTION by Cara Marsi is a great read, plain and simple. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I definitely give it a Top Pick!” ~Romance Reader at Heart
“Marsi has a talent for handling a complicated plot. On top of the emotional story, she adds a strong dose of sexual tension that keeps the suspense and desire high with each turn of the page. LOGAN’S REDEMPTION should definitely be added to your must-read list.” ~My Romance Story Reviews
“LOGAN’S REDEMPTION is riveting. Ms. Marsi is an excellent author and I’ll definitely look for more of her books. I highly recommend this one!”- Romance Junkies
MURDER, MI AMORE is a 2012 EPPIE finalist for best romantic suspense.
(MURDER, MI AMORE) “Action, suspense, hot men and a sweet girl caught in the crossfire. Buckle up, this one gets wild…There were so many things to enjoy about this book. I’ve never been to Italy and I must say for the literary journey to a place the author clearly loves, it was worth every moment of my time. ..The characters were fun, sexy and bunches of mysterious. It was easy to envision their adventure in my mind’s eye, and this was one I could see playing out like a fast-paced movie…The pacing is fast. Definitely an edge of your seat read. They went from one major event to another, leaving me little time to catch my breath and steady myself for the next big scene…For those of you who love your romance with some mystery and adventure, and a romantic destination to boot, this is one to pick up and try. Enjoy!” The Romance Reviews
“MURDER, MI AMORE is an exciting adventure. Top notch romantic suspense! The whole plot of ‘they aren’t who the other thinks they are’ is always a blast to read about. With great pace, plenty of action, and sizzling tension, Cara Marsi creates an amazing suspense! And the setting, in Rome, I loved it! …If you like romantic suspense novels full of emotion, murder, intrigue and secrets, then MURDER, MI AMORE is a book to add to your list.” - Siren Book Reviews
(CURSED MATES)… “I couldn’t find anything needing improvement. The conflict keeping Kyla and Nick apart is valid, the resolution believable, but Ms. Marsi gives you plenty to worry about before getting to the end. If you enjoy werewolves, you must read this. If you don’t enjoy werewolves read CURSED MATES and you might just start.” - The Pagan & The Pen Reviews
“CURSED MATES has a lot within to appeal to romantic suspense readers who enjoy stories with paranormal flair. It entertains, astounds and even gives a few goose bumps along the way. I’m glad I had a chance to read this tale and am happy with the happily ever after. It’s wonderful to see a tortured hero find his happy and Nick certainly earned his. He was my favorite character.” - Long & Short Reviews
LOVING OR NOTHING IS A 2012 FINALIST IN THE NOVELLA CATEGORY IN THE GULF COAST ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA SILKEN SANDS STAR CONTEST
4 Cups from CBLS Reviews:
“Daniel and Tami are lovely characters and their plight with their pasts are believable and it is a nice pleasant journey they go on together to find love. Neither trust their new found feelings in the beginning and it’s only as time progresses do, they work through and accept the changes within themselves....
“Overall, LOVING OR NOTHING is a sweet and tender romance mixed with some intense love scenes.”
BOOKS BY CARA MARSI
A CATERED ROMANCE
A CAT’S TALE & OTHER LOVE STORIES
CURSE
D MATES
LOGAN’S REDEMPTION
LOVING OR NOTHING
MURDER, MI AMORE
Read excerpts at CaraMarsi.com
COMING SOON
REDEEMING FRANCO (A sequel to LOGAN’S REDEMPTION)
*All books available at Kindle and Nook and other online booksellers*
All About Award-Nominated Author Cara Marsi
I’m a former corporate drone and cubicle dweller with a romantic soul. I crave books with happy endings and I love to write about independent, feisty women and the sexy, strong guys who love them. I also love to put my characters in dangerous situations and situations that are merely dangerous to their hearts and watch them fight for the happy endings they deserve.
I credit my love of romance to the old Thirties and Forties romantic comedies I watched on late night TV growing up. I’m published in traditional romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, and I’ve also published numerous short romance stories in national magazines. My husband and I enjoy traveling and I love to write about the places we’ve visited. We share our house with a fat black diva of a cat named Killer.
I hope you enjoyed “Storm of Desire.” I really appreciate your purchase. Find out more about me and my other books at my website at CaraMarsi.com.
I’m on Goodreads and Facebook. I’m always interested in meeting new friends.
