Hello! My name is Jennifer Pierce and I currently live in Arkansas with my husband and two children. I'm fluent in sarcasm and Princess Bride quotes.
Tell us about your book—title and back cover blurb.
Deadly Connection
Private Investigator, Reid Lucas, and his mentor, Joe Lockhart, haven’t spoken in years, but when Joe wants to meet in a small-town diner, Reid’s interest is piqued. Without explanation, Joe calls and tells Reid he has five minutes to get waitress, Quinn Matthews, and her son out of the diner before they’re kidnapped by the group of men about to walk through the diner’s front door.
Quinn Matthews’ life is simple and safe, exactly how she likes it—until Reid Lucas walks into the diner. Now, she and her son are running for their lives, and she has no idea why. But when the father of her son shows up and dies saving them, she realizes they all have one deadly connection: Joe Lockhart. Now, she'll have to trust the mysterious private investigator to not only save their lives but connect her past to her present so they can figure out who is after them. And why.
As the danger escalates, unexpected feelings arise. Reid doesn't believe he's worthy of Quinn's love--or God's. And Quinn is too worried about having her heart broken again and the effect of having a new man in her son's life. Can they let go of their preconceived notions of love and relationships, or are they doomed to just let go of each other?
Share one thing that you found difficult or challenging or different about writing this book.
This is the first book I wrote with a child, JJ, as one of the main characters. It was different in trying to write scenes where Quinn and Reid could investigate but not put JJ in unnecessary danger. Whereas if it was just the two of them, they could take more chances.
Share an excerpt...
Reid’s phone vibrated on the tabletop. He didn’t recognize the number. He contemplated ignoring it but decided against it. He swiped the screen and put it to his ear. “Reid.”
“Are you at the meet?” Joe’s voice boomed from the other side.
“Where are you? I’ve been waiting over an hour.” Reid let his annoyance be evident in his voice.
“I’m not coming.” The answer was clipped.
“You had me sit in this hole-in-the-wall for an hour and didn’t even bother to call and tell me you weren’t going to make it?” Annoyance turned to anger as he clenched his fist.
“Do you see the waitress behind the counter and the little red-haired boy that just ran in? Quinn Matthews and her son, JJ.”
Joe must be close by and watching if he knew the boy had just shown up.
“Yes, I see them. Along with the druggie busboy, thieving cashier, and ogling cook. What about them?”
“You have five minutes to get them out of there before men come in and try to kidnap them.”
“Five minutes! What is this? What’s going on, Joe?” His pulse pounded as adrenaline coursed through his veins. Joe couldn’t have called to have him get her out sooner. Now, the window of time was dwindling.
“There’s no time to explain. They’re here now. I’ll stall them as long as I can. Get those two out now!” The line went dead.
Great. Just great. He had mere minutes to convince that woman to grab her son and leave with him—a complete stranger. He wasn’t sure his rusty powers of persuasion would work this time, but he’d give it a shot. Joe had saved him several times, and he’d returned the favor on occasion. This was serious business, and Joe trusted him. Reid wouldn’t let him down.
Ask the blog reader a quirky question or two. Please comment, readers!
If you had a pet unicorn, what color would it be and what would you name it?
I’d want a purple unicorn with a mane of glittery purple, cerulean, pink, and white. I’d name her Buttercup.
What’s a movie you’ve seen many times but never get tired of? The Princess Bride.
Share your social media and buy links!
https://www.amazon.com/Jennifer-Pierce/e/B0794R6C1J?ref_=dbs_p_ebk_r00_abau_000000
Thank you, Jennifer, for visiting with us this week! PS My answers to the above are below. :)
Christina