Let’s Talk Sexy Suspense–Book spotlight with Author Joan Swan Back to Blog
Update: The winner of Joan Swan’s giveaway is…Tina B!
I don’t think it is any secret that I love romantic suspense, so I’m very happy to share the next book spotlight with you. This time, I’m focusing on Joan Swan’s INTIMATE ENEMIES.
INTIMATE ENEMIES Blurb:
She is on a quest for answers; answers that could just get her killed.
Six months after the mysterious yacht explosion that killed Cassie Christo’s mother and stepbrother, authorities still have no answers to the cause. Searching for closure, Cassie returns to her childhood home on the Pacific Coast of Baja, Mexico, where she launches her own investigation into the accident. She never expected to find an adversary in the man who had once touched her heart with kindness in her darkest moment.
Rio’s been fantasizing about reconnecting with Cassie for months. But not here and sure as hell not now. As an undercover agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he’s working the biggest sting operation in all of northern Mexico, and he definitely doesn’t have time for the wild attraction he feels for Cassie.
Not only is his cover on the line, so is his heart. Because as the end of a yearlong operation draws closer, Rio knows if he tells Cassie the truth about who and what he is, it won’t only jeopardize his mission, it may result in him losing her forever. And if he doesn’t, his lies and deception could get them both killed.
Excerpt:
Cassie jumped and whirled toward the voice. Her chest burned with a quick jab of fear, but something real sliced the back of her arm. Pain lanced her triceps. Her phone flew out of her hand.
“Whoa, whoa.” His voice was soft, but his hands were firm. “Hey, hey, it’s okay. It’s just me. Rio.”
Cassie let out a whoosh of breath, but didn’t completely drop her guard. The Rio she’d met inside was very different from the man she’d known at the cemetery. Just one more huge heartache to add to her life.
“You’re hurting my arms,” she said.
“Shit, I’m sorry.”
He released her and leaned away. That’s when she got her first good look at him. And, yeah, it was really good. He wore nothing but swim trunks, his body wet, light from the moon falling across his torso and defining muscle in variation of shadows.
“What the hell are you doing out here?” She hugged her elbows and purposely slowed her breathing, struggling with the rush of emotions that didn’t make any intellectual sense.
“Just taking a swim.”
“At this time of night. In the dark. You…” —Her tone said idiot—“…are crazy.”
“You aren’t the first to say so.”
He ruffled the wet, black waves of his hair in a careless, absentminded way. Cool seawater sprayed Cassie. A laugh popped out of her mouth, surprising her.
“Hey.” She her hands up as if that would help keep her dry. “Stop it.”
He lowered his hand, grinning. A sheepish, slightly mischievous, tiny bit guilty, lopsided smile. “Are you going to melt?”
Cassie’s stomach squeezed and twirled the way it did when she’d thought about seeing him again.
Then he dropped his head and shook it. That wet-dog-just-out-of-the-bath shake. Water sprayed in every direction. Little arcs splashed Cassie and she squeaked at the cold against her skin. Then laughed with the sheer pleasure of his playfulness.
And when he stopped and looked at her again, the smile cutting across his face tightened her chest. Wide and warm and happy, around beautiful white teeth and making his pretty eyes sparkle. A mirror image of how she felt inside. But it was the dimples that inflated her lungs until they popped and the air finally leaked out.
God, dimples? Really? Like he wasn’t gorgeous enough without them?
Her joy must have risen too high, reached some internal warning level, because as quickly as it had filled her, that happiness took on an edge. Something that nagged at her like anxiety.
She broke his gaze and lifted both hands to her face to wipe at the water. The back of her arm pulled and burned. Cassie hissed in a breath and twisted her arm to look at the back.
“Let me see.” His voice was close and she looked up to find him there, already reaching for her arm, leaning in to inspect the scratch.
He eased her arm across her chest and turned her into the moonlight, giving him a better view.
“It’s nothing.” Her voice came out breathy. She didn’t like sounding—or feeling—nervous. “I’m fine.”
“Mmm-hmm,” he dusted dirt off the wide scrape. “You said that about your knee, too. At least this one isn’t dripping blood everywhere.”
His body heat seemed to reach out and fill the space between them. Caressed Cassie’s bare arms and legs. He smelled like fresh seawater and something very unique, very Rio. Something male and alluring. Parts of her that she’d begun to worry were permanently broken started to function again.
“It’s not too bad, but it’s dirty.” His voice was near her ear and either the sound of it or the heat of it raised gooseflesh along her neck. “Sorry I scared you.”
She turned her head and found her mouth just an inch from his ear. A perfectly shaped ear. One with a curl of wet black hair arcing over the upper lobe. She should pull away. Go inside where she was safe. Instead, she reached up and pushed the curl behind his ear with one finger. Let her touch slide down the side of his face before her hand drifted away.
He froze. His eyes darted toward her, then back to her arm. “And, I’m sorry about…earlier, too. I wasn’t expecting anyone and—”
“I’ve thought of you…since the funerals.” The words just came out. “I would have…you know…called, but I realized later that I didn’t know who you were.”
Rio’s jaw muscle tightened beneath tanned skin and dark stubble. She wanted to lay her lips there so badly. Almost did. Then his eyes slid closed and Cassie found herself staring at the length of his lashes, the beautiful curve of them against his cheekbone, the way the sight of them heated and softened her heart at the same time.
“Me too,” he said, voice low, rough. His eyes opened, but instead of looking at her, he kept his eyes toward the sand. “Thought of you, I mean. But I didn’t think it was…I don’t know…appropriate, I guess, to call.”
The center of Cassie’s body was glowing now. Before she could think of what to say next, Rio cleared his throat. “I’ll get something to clean this.”
He lifted his head. Met her eyes for a brief second, their mouths just inches apart. Two very conflicting emotions coiled beneath her ribs—fear and desire. One should smother the other, but both feelings were so strong they continued to battle.
Cassie couldn’t help but think kiss me. Please. Kiss me.
His eyes lowered to her mouth.
Yes.
Then slid away.
Damn.
“I’ll…um…” His voice rasped. “Just go get—“
Screw it. A spark of determination burned a millisecond before she put her free hand against his jaw and pressed her lips to his.
Warmer than Cassie had imagined, softer than she’d expected, his lips felt wonderful on hers. Absolutely wonderful. And right. So right. He didn’t pull away, so she let her lips linger there. Let them slide. Let them taste.
A sound drifted from his throat. A sigh or a moan. Soft and pleased. He lowered her arm, but didn’t let go. The move broke their kiss and brought them face-to-face. There, reality trickled in. Damn. She shouldn’t have done that. Shouldn’t have kissed him like that.
Her sexy haze drifted into embarrassment. She took a step back, but Rio leaned in and slid an arm around her waist. A quick move. A deliberate, strong move that made her draw a breath. Made her body tingle. Made her mind go cloudy again. He eased her close, his arm tightening low on her back until they were pressed together, hips to chest.
And, holy hell, wow. Wow. She couldn’t think much beyond… Just wow. His body was hard. Cool on the surface, sending a shiver across her skin. Warm beneath, urging her to burrow closer. Her nipples tightened and her breasts swelled in response. Her breathing quickened.
She rested her hands on his chest, an awkward location, but she wasn’t sure what else to do with them. Her body urged her to do crazy things, urgent things she hadn’t done in a long time. Her mind struggled to understand her powerful response to him. And not a damn thing was meshing.
“I’ve been wanting to thank you,” she stared at his throat, rambling to fill the silence, but her voice gave away her nerves with a soft, uneven tone, “for your kindness…you know…at the cemeter—“
He bent his head and kissed her. She sucked in a silent gasp of surprise. Every muscle tensed. But then his lips moved on hers. Gentle pressure, firm, slow kisses. She softened against him, and he welcomed her with the strength of his body. The same way he’d taken her in at the cemetery, with warmth, acceptance, affection.
Oh, he had nice lips. Full, warm, supple. And he knew what to do with them. How to entice, to seduce. Not at all like the hurried, greedy men she’d been with in the past. Rio gave. He gave with the slow suckle of her upper lip, kisses to the corner of her mouth, the slid of his tongue over her bottom lip.
A soft moan slipped from her throat. His arm slid lower on her back, pulled her hips tight against a generous erection that had the potential to unsettled her all over again. But his other hand sweetly caressed the nape of her neck, and his palm settled there.
With his fingers deep in her hair, body aligned with hers, he tilted his head and opened his mouth. Cassie followed with a sigh. Without thought, without question. Met his tongue impatiently. Recklessly. Completely lost herself in a heady rush of lust, the heat of his mouth, the texture and talent of his tongue.
He tasted of tangy sea salt and male heat. And for the first time in years, she hungered for more than just this, just kissing. So much more.
His mouth abruptly pulled from hers, leaving her dizzy and frustrated. She tightened her hands on the skin of his back. When she’d wrapped her arms around him, she didn’t remember. And didn’t care. She just wanted that mouth back on hers.
“I have been thinking about this,” he whispered, his breath quick and shallow, his voice rough, “for months.”
She couldn’t absorb the meaning behind that statement. Especially not when his hand moved from her neck and cupped her jaw, his long fingers pressed so gently across her cheek. With the smallest movement he made her feel precious and fragile.
But he didn’t kiss her like she was fragile. His mouth came back to hers with the kind of desire and need that set off a firestorm inside. She lifted to her toes and tried to keep up with him, to give back. But he was so damned good at it, he swept her away. From the erotic movement of his tongue to the smooth slide of his lips to the powerful moves of his body, he made the simple act of kissing both animalistic and artful.
Mind clouded, lungs burning, body aflame, Cassie broke away, whispering, “Air.”
She rested her head on his shoulder and Rio held tight, both arms around her again. His mouth slid over her jaw, teased her ear, traveled down her neck and rested on her shoulder, his end-of-the-day beard an exciting contrast to those soft lips. And God, she was smiling. Smiling so big her cheeks ached. Her chest hurt. How long had it been since she last smiled like this?
God she wanted him. But not only did she want him, she felt good about wanting him.
A little warning sounded in her head. Too fast, it whispered. Too happy, too fast. It won’t last.
A sting of fear urged her to jump right back in. “Okay.” She turned her head and nipped his ear. “Plenty of air. I’m good for at least another twenty minutes.”
His mouth curved in a smile against her shoulder just beyond the strap of her cover-up, but then faded. And that little voice snarled, told you.
***
INTIMATE ENEMIES will release in late July/early Aug. For her prize giveaway, Joan is going to let her winner choose…the winner can either receive a print copy of FEVER now, or when, INTIMATE ENEMIES release, Joan will send the lucky commenter a digital copy of that book then. To enter the giveaway, tell us…why do you enjoy romantic suspense novels?
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I love trying to figure out who done it– and of course, romance is the best– so it’s the best of both worlds!!
🙂
Probably because I started out reading mysteries when I was a kid because my mom did. I then got into “bodice rippers” in my teens (does that date me?!?), so romantic suspense is a nice blend of two favorite genres.
Hard to get my scatterbrained to make sense of what is going through my head. Suspense adds something a reader can get involved in. If it makes the reader bite their lip, silently yelling in their head for the characters to figure out this or that… Guess I like how it gets my brain involved
I enjoy romantic suspense for the hint of danger and the mysteries… love trying to solve who is behind all of the bad stuff happening.
I like romantic suspense novels because they keep me on the edge of my seat trying to guess who did it.
I enjoy them because there is an exciting edge that keeps the pages moving quickly and of course the romance just adds to that excitement.
yadkny@hotmail.com
Depends on the suspense. But I love all kinds.. A really sick serial killer, or running from the cartel, or preventing a hijacking, running through the jungles, jumping out of planes 🙂 All stuff I’d never nor in most cases want to do but love that I get to live it through a book.
I love the fact that the more I don’t know, the more that I want to read and find out what happens while getting a dose of romance. When I try to figure out the answer to my questions, I end up finding out totally different answers which is also what is so exciting and shocking for me.
I love trying to guess who did it. Sometimes, I even get it right!
I’m never very good at figuring out whodunit, but I sure enjoy reading them. When a writer is really good the story carries you away and even though they’re doing things I never would I can get inside their heads and be a part of the story. This sounds like a good one – will be looking for it in the future.
I love the action in romantic suspense. There’s always something going on. I love trying to figure out how the story is going to go.
I like danger with my romance. It makes it a real story where you grip the book as you read it, unable to stop, missing out on sleep and keeping all the lights on in the house. 😉
Hi Joan! What’s not to like about Rom Suspense! A little mayhem, a little murder, a good looking guy, makes my heart go boom! Thanks for the awesome giveaway.
I enjoy Romantic Suspense because of the suspense. There is something primal about the need to find out what happens next. Granted, all good stories have some degree of suspense in the telling, but Romantic Suspense adds that little something extra with the question of whether or not the characters will end up being drawn together or pushed apart from the problems inherent.
I like it because it is a change from my usual Paranormal books. I like that there is both romance and then the suspense will kill you! HA. I like trying to figure out what is going to happen next.
I love romantic suspense because it adds just that next level of excitement and character development to the story.
Romantic Suspense has everything! I love watching a hero and heronie try to make it while having to overcome more than their own personal issues. The suspense of whatever else is going on in the story just bumps up the overall emotions. I have Fever on my list of books to read of yours. This one sounds great, too. Thanks, Joan!
I enjoy romantic suspense because I really like to figure it all out. There is always the danger and how can it be avoided or overcome – just love it :).
Hi Joan! Loved Fever and am looking forward to next book! You write with an edge and fast that I love in romantic suspense!
Thanks Suzie! Glad you enjoyed!
Hi Joan 🙂
Love romantic suspense because I’m always on edge not knowing what is going to happen when I turn the page. Also love how protective the hero always is with the heroine, *sigh* 🙂
I love romantic suspense for its action and drama as the characters race to save the world.
Hi Joan! I do have your FEVER to read so can’t wait to start! Will there be more in the FEVER series? Its been too long since I read a romance suspense so it was fab to read this excerpt! Gave me that great feel that will give me more excitement in reading it! I love Rio already 😀
Great, hope you Enjoy Fever. (I love Rio too :))
I love the mystery in romantic suspense novels, I also love reading how the couple grow closer while involved in said maystery.
I don’t know that I have read alot of romance suspense books. But I read the excerpt & would love to read this book.—Rachel
it keeps me on the edge of my seat and keeps me turning the pages just as fast as I can just to know that the characters are ok. I love the mystery and heart pumping suspense with a steamy romance thrown in
I cannot wait to read Intimate Enemies!
Great excerpt. I love the connection betwen the characters and the story always keps me on the edge of my seat.
mythic021@gmail.com
Roxanne St Claire’s Bullet Catcher series turned me of to Romantic suspense and since then it’s been one of my favorite genre’s. It’s the action the not knowing the mystery and even the damsel in distress sometime even when the damsel is still kickass while in distress lol Love my alpha guys.
This is a great little excerpt. Stirs the mind!
Lisa B
the romance makes it fun while the susnpense keeps the other part of my brain interested
I love to feel the danger in the stolen moments during a romatic thriller, when they just can’t hold back any longer for this moment even though they could die in the next!
Great exerpt & FEVER was a great book!
Thanks
Thanks Patti!
I like being kept on my toes and the fast-paced. It can feel good to run for my life with the characters, lol or to simply watch the bad guys go down. All around it’s thrilling. Plus add in some romance and it’s just about right.
because I need a break from all the paranormal books I read from time to time 🙂
i like romantic suspense because i like the whodunit aspect to it, it’s often twisty and unexpected, i like figuring out along with the characters who the bad guy/killer is, and i like that it can sometimes scare me enough that i sleep with the lights on.
I grew up reading mysteries and fantasy so romantic suspense is a good balance between what I used to read and what I read now.
I recently read and loved Fever. I hope there will be more books to follow. I love suspense because it keeps your heart pumping with anticipation.
Great! Glad you enjoyed FEVER!
I love the action and the tension and the heart pounding adrenaline rush that comes with danger. Makes for a great escape from my boring life 😉
I love Romantic Suspense books because the danger heightens the emotions of the story. There is usually a protective hero which is my favorite kind.
Romantic suspense is my favorite genre! Most books series on my bookshelf are romantic suspense 🙂 I love the action and the tension. And my heart always pumping with excitment 🙂
It’s got more than your average romance but still the complexities of a relationship.
I love romantic suspense because it makes the book so much more exciting. Romantic suspense is my favorite Genre ever. I love to keep guessing at the suspense with romance thrown in.
Oooh… I love Fever so looking forward to your new book!
I like suspense romance because it’s got mystery AND romance… 🙂
Glad you enjoyed FEVER May!
I love thrillers and their intensity that keeps me turning the pages to figure out the villain and whether the hero/heroine will prevail. I love romance for its focus on characters, their relationship, and the HEA we don’t always see in the ‘real world’. Romantic suspense is the best of both worlds! Definitely my favourite genre– most of the books on my (actual & virtual) shelf are RS.
P.S. Loved FEVER, so ridiculously stoked for INTIMATE ENEMIES and BLAZE in September!
LOLOL, thanks Cris!
My mother raised me on Hitchcock, so i love reading a mystery and trying to solve it before I finish it and being given a complex mystery that I have a chance to solve
I love all the quick pace action and sizzling romance in Romantic Suspense novels.
I like the mystery combined with a couple’s relationship.
I love them because they’re interesting! They balance enough murder and intrigue with hot sexual tension and emotion.
I love the puzzles but I need the romance. I truely enjoy who and why but I need the romance and the feelings you get from the romance. I think it ties you to the characters if you feel with them. But the mystery is what makes the story. You can not really have one without the other
RS gives me a balance–the journey and fun of the romantic HEA plus a little mystery and suspense from the suspense part of things! And well, I kind of like it all!
To start I want to say I loved Fever and can’t wait for Blaze and Intimate Enemies.
As for Romance Suspense, well I love romance who doesn’t. and the Suspense is an added bonus as I love mystery in a story, it keeps you on your toes 🙂
They keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what is going to happen next.