# A Book is Born – by Phyllis Middleton

Ten years in the making.  One story.  Many revisions.  Many more times it was shelved.  Yet still, I returned to a story that I wanted to see published. I wanted that story out there for others to enjoy and maybe some will hate, but it’s there for the reading. I wanted THIS story to be the first.

My baby.  My debut novel, NINE LIVES, TWO DOWN will be available to the public tomorrow – March 27^th and it’s been on pre-order since March 20^th.  Needless to say, I was over the moon when I saw the email from my editor announcing the pre-order. 

Double celebration!  March 27^th  also  happens to be my birthday! Who knew fate would wait until my senior years to answer a dream.  What a weekend this will be – Life, Love, Laugh, and the Pursuit of Happiness!

I give you TWO excerpts from NINE LIVES, TWO DOWN, a Romantic Suspense/Thriller. Enjoy!

Excerpt One

Perhaps the road to their love life recovery would be rocky, but certain memories were never forgotten. He didn’t need any more prompting as his lips slightly brushed hers, gentle and slow, leaving her wanting more. A whole lot more. The simple touch of his lips ignited a fire she’d thought was long gone. Knowing what he could do to her, she wanted him in the most carnal way.

She whispered his name against his mouth. It was a plea for more. She craved the full kiss she had once known and with her hand moving up around his neck, her fingers sank deep into a thickness of dark hair and she pulled him down to her.

Hunger for passions they’d not had for a while took over. She melted against him as his arms tightened around her. Pure ecstasy surged through her as he deepened the kiss. His hands grasped her back and lowered to her hips. Beth welcomed his strength. Her body reacted with familiar flutters and twinges readying her for more of his attentions. She yearned for his touch in places abandoned long ago. She wanted him to take total control, to take her, and leaned into him to relay that desire.

He stopped the kiss to bring his lips to her forehead and it felt like the breath left her. She cradled her head against his chest. She listened to his heart as it pounded with renewed anticipation. With every breath, his chest rocked her gently. His moan matched her hunger for him.

“Oh God, Bethany. I missed you and from your reaction, I’d say you missed me too. Promise me you’ll never take off like that again.”

“I had good reasons for leaving.”

“There will never be a good reason for you to leave me again. I won’t give you up or give up on you. Remember that.”

Beth felt a chunk of that fear break off and disappear into nothingness. She was home. She was content. This was the healing she needed. With a finger under her chin, he lifted her head and kissed her. Hard, then soft and wet. A stirring in her abdomen signaled her to move closer, letting him know what she wanted. A moan escaped from deep in her throat.

Sam stepped back. All the way back.

What the . . .? She could barely accomplish a whisper. “You won’t believe how bad I want you right now.”

“Oh yes I would.”

“But not now. Not safe.” His own words were short and breathless.

Why did he have to be strong now? “Oh damn.”

Beth knew this was as far as they would go, but that didn’t stop her from making one last try. “Are you sure you don’t want to make out on the sofa for a while?”

“If I get you on that sofa, we’ll do more than make out.”

“Promises, promises,” she said, turning to go to the kitchen.

He moved so quickly, it caught her by surprise. He snatched her up into his arms, kissing her eagerly, like a man killing his thirst with water. His tongue parted her lips as he drew her closer. She felt the heat rising between them, and just as suddenly, he released her, leaving her gasping for breath and composure.

“Don’t play with fire, sweetheart,” he said with that blaze in his eyes she’d seen before. The light brown of his eyes had light flickers of yellow she’d swear were flames when he’d made love to her in the past.

“I need some water,” Beth said, her mouth suddenly dry, she drew in a deep breath.

“I need more than that. But water will do.”

Excerpt Two

“The note?” She turned her head to get a better look at the words.

“We drugged you. We watched you. We touched you and took pictures and you didn’t know any of it. When it’s your turn to die, you WILL know it.” Beth backed away from the note as if shot by electricity. “Oh, shit.”

Beth shivered from the tingling down her spine. She grabbed at her night shirt when she got to the part where she mentioned touching her. She looked at the note again. It said ‘we’. Who the hell is we? Isn’t it bad enough that I have a she devil after me, but now she has friends? Did they molest her? Rape her? No, she decided, she was okay there. She’d know it, wouldn’t she? She nearly threw up and checked herself. How easily they could have killed her. Oh, God, I could be dead right now and never heard them, felt them!

“I could’ve been killed last night. It would’ve been easier than drawing a target on me,” Beth said, wondering how she kept her voice under control. She thought about how fast the bullet could have given her a quick death. Would she have even felt it? “Zach, this isn’t good. This is really not good.”

“Beth.”

She didn’t answer, her mind racing. Where? Where can I go without them finding me? Panic increased, making her heart race and her breathing faster. She needed to do something, anything.

“Beth! Listen to me.” Zach tried to get her attention.

“I’m here.”

“Are you listening?”

She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. “Yes.”

“It’s a scare tactic. That’s all.”

“And it’s working very well.”

“Get yourself together.”

“Yeah.” Like I can do that. She took some more breaths. “My head is getting clearer now.”

“Good. Is anyone with you?” Zach asked.

For the first time, Beth remembered Sam. Her heart jumped to her throat. Had they killed him to get to her? She got up too fast and dizziness forced her to her knees. Using the bed post to keep her stable, she was half afraid to open the door. What if he was dead? But what if he was still alive and needed her?

Beth managed to get to the bedroom door and opened it to reveal an empty sofa and she frowned. Sam wasn’t there.

“Sam?” Her steps were hesitant, easing around a corner. Was he dead? Hurt? Were the bad guys still around? Her heart raced, pumping dread through her and making her face bead up with sweat. As she searched the living room, a paper caught her attention.

 NINE LIVES, TWO DOWN is available at Amazon. Here is the link: 

 http://www.amazon.com/Nine-Lives-Down-Tregar-Investigations-ebook/dp/B00UZCRDAI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427334660&sr=8-1&keywords=Phyllis+Middleton