A Man Like Him
Rachel Brimble
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Harlequin Superromance
Date of Publication: August 1, 2013
Number of pages: 299
Excerpt:Changing her life...again
After two years in hiding, Angela Taylor knows her independence is worth it. As long as she can escape her past, she has everything under control. Until a flash flood hits the park where she works, and hot Chris Forrester shows up the exact moment she needs a hero.
Chris proves he can save lives-and weaken a girl's knees. But how can she make him understand that she's off-limits, that getting close to her will endanger his life? Her happiness or his safety: it shouldn't even be a choice.
Because when you love someone, you protect them, no matter the cost. At least, that's what Angela keeps telling herself....
Their eyes locked and Chris’ gaze dropped to her mouth. It fell ajar and her tongue poked out to wet her bottom lip. He snatched his gaze back to the sky. They were in the middle of a disaster situation. They were reaching out to each other for support. Nothing more. Nothing less. So why the hell was his heart beating like a damn jackhammer?
He shielded his eyes against the sun and prayed to God she hadn’t seen his need to kiss her. He focused on the helicopters. “Damn it.”
She shifted beside him and he felt her gaze on him once more. “What is it?”
“They’re not going to be any help to the people stranded in the trees.”
“Of course--”
“Those vultures aren’t going to do a damn bit of good. Where are the rescue teams?”
“What are you talking about? What vultures?”
“Can’t you see?” He shot his arm toward the sky as frustration hummed along his nerve endings. “They’re TV helicopters. A fat lot of bloody help--”
“TV cameras? Oh, my God.”
Chris turned. Her face grew ashen and she swayed back on her heels, her eyes wide with terror. She gripped his forearm. “Help me. Don’t let them see me. You have to do something.”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“Chris, please. Help me.”
Without thinking, he pulled her into his arms and she buried her face into his chest. He brought one hand to the back of her head, the other to the small of her back and pulled her close. She fit the contours of his body like she was meant to be there.
He held her tight. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
She shook her head against his chest. “It’s over. It’s all over.”
The helicopters circled one more time and then flew away, disappearing over the horizon once more. “They’ve gone. Angela? Look at me. What is it?”
She pulled back and tears slipped over her lower lids and down her cheeks. “I’m dead. He’s coming. He’s coming and this time he’ll kill me.”
He gripped her forearms, adrenaline filling his blood on a protective wave. “Who will? What are you talking about?”
She closed her eyes. “My husband.”
Interview:
Today, we welcome Rachel Brimble to Musings and Ramblings. Let's all give her a big Geeky welcome!
I have some questions for you that are writer specific as well as some fun stuff so that we can really get to know the real you. *grin* Plus we will finish things off with round of Think Fast. Ready to begin?
Writing Specific
1. Tell us something about yourself that's not in your bio.
I am a complete US drama nut despite being British – I watch more US tv shows than I do UK. I love the mix of action, suspense and humor. My favorite right now is Scandal. LOVE that show ☺2. What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I love to read, knit and walk – I live in one of the prettiest parts of the UK and the choice of gorgeous dogs walks is endless.3. How did you choose the genres you write in?
It was more a case of they chose me! I write romance because I love…love. There is so much doom and gloom in the world that writing romance gives me somewhere to escape every day. If I had the laptop camera on, you would see me grinning or blushing like an idiot sometimes. I really get into my characters’ heads and hearts.4. Is there any particular author or book that has influenced you or your writing?
I’d say Nora Roberts, Robyn Carr and Jill Shalvis are my biggest inspirations – I love their books and especially their small town settings. As with my TV viewing, my reading choice is more often US than UK. Sometimes I wonder if I was born in the wrong country, lol!5. What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?
Toughest was when a judge in a contest told me, “Give up writing, you’ll never succeed”. Oh, my goodness, I’d love to speak to that judge today. Worse possible advice to give any aspiring writer – writing is a craft that anyone can learn if they want to succeed badly enough.
Best compliment – a recent reviewer for my debut with Harlequin said, “sure to appeal to readers of Karen Rose and Nora Roberts”. Yes, I cried!Fun Stuff
6. If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, fictional or real, who would it be and why?
Margaret Mitchell – LOVE Gone With The Wind and I would love to know why she choose to end the book the way she did and why she never wrote another novel. So interesting!7. You are going to be stranded on a deserted island and bring 3 luxury items. What would they be?
My laptop, sun screen and a copy of Gone With The Wind…8. Pick two celebrities to be your parents. Who are they and why?
Oprah – for her wisdom and inspirationPeter Kaye (British comedian) – for his amazing sense of humor9. What would we find in your refrigerator right now?
Hmm… not much, I need to shop! Bacon, milk, butter, diet coke, white wine and pate10. If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?
The Woman Tied To Her LaptopThink Fast
Summer or Winter? Summer
Coffee or Tea? Coffee
Cake or Pie? Pie
Car or Truck? Car
Print or Electronic? Print
Thanks for coming by and spending some time with us. Any final words of wisdom to pass along?
“Set it up the way you want it to be” – Iyanla Vanzant
Giveaway:
Rachel will be awarding a $25 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.
So follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.
Book Tour Info:
Don't forget to check out the other stops on the Book Tour:
August 12:
Musings From An Addicted Reader
August 13:
Gin's Book Notes
August 14:
Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
Literal Hotties Naughty Books Reviews
August 15:
Reviews by Crystal
August 16:
Musings and Ramblings
August 19:
Books and Other Spells
August 20:
Book 'Em North Carolina
August 21:
Andi's Book Reviews
Straight from the Library
August 22:
Harlie's Books
Triad Literary Works
August 23:
You Gotta Read
Author Bio:
Rachel lives with her husband and two young daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK. After having several novels published by small US presses, she secured agent representation in 2011. In 2012, she sold two books to Harlequin Superromance. She also writes Victorian romance for Kensington--her debut was released in April 2013. 16 Marsden Place with Omnific Publishing is her first romantic comedy since 2010.
She has just signed a further three-book contract with Harlequin Superromance.
Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family and beloved black Lab, Max. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England…although she hopes a dream visit to Canada might just change her mind!
She likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her readers and fellow romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!
To connect with the author online:
Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
Hi Rachel, are the cover models as you visualised?
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Yup, the cover is great- love it! Love the sound of the book too.
ReplyDeleteblackcapballistics(at)gmail(dot)com
Love the cover and the Q&A! kbinmich@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThe book looks amazing i can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteLove the cover, it just captures such a sweet, tender moment
ReplyDeletefencingromein at hotmail dot com
Well, it’s Friday. Had fun following you around this week and looking forward to more good stuff next week. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteBTW, I have to mention Rachel is a lady after my own heart. My favorite book (and film) is Gone with the Wind. Lots of people say it is historical fiction rather than historical romance. I believe it is both. There is a strong (if not explosive) and touching romance story in the depth of those pages.
kareninnc at gmail dot com
Hi Karen,
ReplyDeleteGlad you've enjoyed following me around this week and I haven't put you off catching up with me next week - always a relief!
GWTW is just fantastic and you've inspired me to hunt down my DVD and watch the film again. Although, it may take me a while because there's little chance of me being able to watch the whole thing in one sitting...my family would disown me :(
Rachel x
Hi Shannon!
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you - I was absolutely thrilled with the cover when it dropped into my in box :)
Rachel x
Hi joseph!
ReplyDeleteYou are too kind, thank you - make sure you let me know how you get on with A Man Like HIm. If you enjoy it, book 1, Finding Justice is also available with no need to read them in order :)
Rachel x
Hi Kimberly,
ReplyDeleteSo glad you joined me again - hope you pop along next week. Good luck with the contest!
Rachel x
Hi, blackcapfanatic!
ReplyDeleteI was amazed how Harlequin made a flood situation seem so romantic, lol! The cover is one of my favorites so far :)
Rachel x
Hi Mary!
ReplyDeleteYou are such a sweetheart following me, as you do :) To answer your question, yes, totally! As I said to blackcapfanatic, I had no idea what HQ would come up with as a cover for this story as it opens in a very traumatic way - they have done an amazing job :)
Rachel x
Fun interview, thank you.
ReplyDeleteKit3247(at)aol(dot)com
I like to watch T.V. dramas, too, both U.S. and U.K. and even some Canadian ones (my favorite is Murdoch Mysteries). We actually get a Canadian channel (C.B.C.) here in Toledo, Ohio, since Windsor, Ontario, is only about an hour away. When I went to Canada I went to Toronto and Niagara Falls. I don't know if they're part of your dream visit to Canada.
ReplyDeleteSince I live in the U.S. and like some British books and dramas (especially mysteries like Agatha Christie) that makes me an Anglophile. Nice to meet you and learn about you.
catbooks72(at)gmail(dot)com
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR BOOK AND TOUR! THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY! calicolady60@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI can't believe any person in a literary business would just say that you should give up! I feel like that judge probably hasn't written anything in his life and just uses some washed up credentials to inflict his opinion on the world. I'm glad you kept fighting!
ReplyDeleteandralynn7 AT gmail DOT com
Awesome question for Rachel. Thanks for being a loyal follower. :)
ReplyDeleteI liked the cover too. The colors and image are nicely done. Thanks for coming by.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. :)
ReplyDeleteThis does look a like a good book. Hope you enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteTender is the exact right word. You just don't see guys putting their jacket over their lady much anymore. Thanks for coming by.
ReplyDeleteGWTW was one of my favorite movies, until I read the book. That was my very first introduction of how film can change a book. To this day, I can't watch the movie. Glad you are having a good time. :)
ReplyDeleteRita, thanks for stopping by. Glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Michelle. I love learning about the authors as well. I know it sounds a little crazy, but I enjoy the books better when I know more about the author as a person. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm right there with you. How can anyone tell someone to give up on their dream. That judge must have been a real Mr. Grumpy Pants! Thanks for coming by!
ReplyDeletesounds like a good read
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by and taking a look.
ReplyDelete