A Brush with Death by Valerie J Clarizio

To prove his undying love and loyalty, he’ll risk sacrificing her trust.

Blurb:

Ben Deprez has been secretly in love with Cori for years and knowing of her wounded heart has him waiting impatiently for the right time to make his move. Now is the time, and Cori seems receptive, but Ben’s past still haunts him. He’s never been that guy who can say or do the right thing when it comes to women. His divorce is proof.

Cori Pierre-Simon has had about all she can take working two jobs to support her family since her ex left without a trace ten years earlier. The last thing she needs is to get involved with another man who would surely disappoint her.

Just when Cori decides to open her heart to Ben, women he holds key information about turn up dead. Then, when she uncovers an unusual connection between Ben and another woman, she realizes she should have never trusted him and his womanizing ways.

When Cori’s son finds himself in an illegal predicament, he turns to Ben for help. Ben answers the call for aid full-well knowing that in helping the teenager he will risk losing Cori’s trust, the very thing he’s worked hard to earn. Ben is left hoping she loves him enough to forgive him for the decisions he’s made to right the wrongs of her son and himself.

Advance Praise:

Tracy B – This is an entertaining, steamy, well-written, fast paced romantic suspense novel with likable, engaging, mature characters. It has intrigue, small town and family drama, a captivating mystery, a heart-warming romance, and a happily ever after ending. 

Excerpt

Ben’s arms encircled her. His soothing body heat seeped into her. His hold felt comforting, yet awkward. Her heart panged, reminding her that the last man who’d embraced her couldn’t have disappointed her more. That remembrance had her considering breaking free and running like hell to shield her heart before things went any further, but a part of her wanted to grip tighter, not let go, and let this kind man help wipe her worries away even if only for a moment. But this was Ben, her flirtatious neighbor…and the man who always seemed to know what to say and do for her. That scared her even more. How long before he’d disappoint her like all the other men in her life. Starting with her dad, then her ex, and now her oldest son.

“Everything will be fine, sweetheart.”

The endearment made the walls of defense she’d built around her heart crumble, and a full-blown sob ensued.

He held her tighter.

Cori was uncertain how long she sobbed into his chest, but it felt like forever. When her tears and quick breaths finally subsided, he still stood there simply holding her, being there for her. She inched her face back from his chest but kept her arms wrapped around his waist. His mocha gaze locked onto hers. It wasn’t pity emitting from his eyes. It was empathy. Thank God. She hated it when people pitied her. Those that knew her pathetic story, and now the shit-job she was doing raising her boys, substantiated by the trouble Eli had been getting into lately, looked at her with such pity it made her sick to her stomach.

What a turn of events today. When she’d accepted Ben’s dinner invitation, she did it for him. As it turned out, she was the one in dire need of a friend.

His hold loosened, and he slid his large, warm hands up, cupping her cheeks. He swiped away her tears with his thumbs as those intense eyes of his darkened. He was going to kiss her. Caution flags rose in her head, but her heart begged her brain to ignore them. Just once, it would be nice to allow herself to indulge in the comfort and security of a man’s arms, even nicer if she could count on him for continued support.

She knew she should turn and run, but her feet wouldn’t move. Instead, she stared into his dark eyes and tried to pull him in with her gaze. His head dipped, and he pressed his lips lightly to hers. Adrenaline rushed her veins. That was the exact reaction she feared, yet she kept moving her lips with his—soft and slow. It was beautiful, too beautiful.

His hands skimmed down from her cheeks to her neck, over her shoulders, down her sides, and then he hooked them at the small of her back and pulled her tighter to him. His clean, fresh, soapy scent drove her insane with need to stay near him. When he ran his tongue over the seam of her lips, heat surged through her, and she parted hers to let him in. Her knees weakened. He tightened his grip. He took her mouth more thoroughly, moving expertly.

Good God he could kiss.

Buy Links:

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Brush-Death-Crime-Passion-Stalk-ebook/dp/B08B4XVTBH
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-brush-with-death-valerie-j-clarizio/1137175571
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1518406222
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/a-brush-with-death-12
Universal Link:  https://books2read.com/u/47Xz1q

About the Author:

Valerie Clarizio is a USA Today Bestselling author who lives in romantic Door County Wisconsin with her husband of nearly thirty years. She loves to read, write, and spend time at her cabin in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

She’s lived her life surrounded by men, three brothers, a husband, and a male Siamese cat who required his own instruction manual. Keeping up with all the men in her life has turned her into an outdoors enthusiast, of which her favorite activity is hiking in national parks. While out on the trails, she has plenty of time to conjure up irresistible characters and unique storylines for her next romantic suspense, time travel romance, or sweet contemporary romance novel.

Author’s Social Media links

Website/Blog: https://valeriejclarizio.com/
Newsletter: https://valeriejclarizio.com/newsletter-signup-page/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Valerie.Clarizio/
Facebook Street Team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/clarizioscronies/
Bookbub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/valerie-j-clarizio
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/VClarizio
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valerieclarizio/
Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/valerieclarizio/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Valerie-J.-Clarizio/e/B00A87RJVS/