Romance Novel Giveaways - Freebies and Giveaways of All Things Romance Romance Novel Giveaways: The Coin by Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra ♥ 99¢ Sale & GIVEAWAY ♥ (Romantic Suspense)

Sunday, August 21, 2016

The Coin by Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra ♥ 99¢ Sale & GIVEAWAY ♥ (Romantic Suspense)



France, 1993.

WHO EVER THOUGHT A COIN COULD GET YOU KILLED?
A cunning killer trusted his secret was safe, an innocent woman holds the key to his destruction, and an intelligence officer must keep her alive before the madman can strike the fatal blow.

A DANGEROUS FIND
When Gabriela Martinez finds a mysterious coin in the French Riviera, she is thrust into a struggle between governments, terrorists, and madmen, all seeking knowledge she doesn't know she has.

TIME IS RUNNING OUT
Richard Harrison, the intelligence officer assigned to protect her, has all he can do to keep her safe. But when the psychological games to terrorize Gabriela escalate beyond his control, Richard must find a solution, if not, it may be too late for them both.

Set in the exotic French Riviera, The Coin is a story of hatred, betrayal, love and duty—of terrible and painful choices that, nonetheless, bring about personal triumph.






Have you always been a novelist?

I've always been a writer. I started at about age thirteen with a sophomoric science fiction short story, but the writing bug hit, and I have been writing, in one capacity or another, ever since.

The Coin is very realistic. Did you have to live in France to do research?

Does anyone ever "have to" live in France? I was there for about five years, but I've also lived in many other countries. I like to say I am Cuban by birth and American by choice. Right now, I live in North Carolina with my husband.

What are your hobbies?

I spend much of my time writing, and of course, I love to read. I also like gardening—and eating whatever I grow!

What are you working on now?

Now that Richard and Gabriela's story is finished, I am starting work on a new series about Detective Nick Larson, who shall, for the moment, remain a mystery.



Gabriela took it and averted her face, pretending to look at the passing view. Richard wasn’t fooled. He knew she wasn’t watching her surroundings. “Gabriela. We have to talk.”
“Like hell we do,” she answered, without turning her head.
“Yes, we do. You can’t go on like this all day, pretending I don’t exist, biting my head off every time you answer my questions.”
She shrugged in answer and kept staring out the window. They passed an ancient chimney stack from an abandoned perfume factory and rounded their way up past the old railway station. As they climbed higher, the traffic became thicker with tourist buses, cars with foreign plates, and impatient locals. They would be crawling along before they ever reached the road turnoff.
“Listen. What happened last night shouldn’t have—”
“You’re damn right it shouldn’t have happened,” she told him viciously. “And it won’t happen again.” She turned sparkling, angry eyes at him. “Last night, I was a fool to allow you to even touch me. And you, chivalrous person that you are, took full advantage of a weak moment.”
He ground the car gears as the car crawled even slower, inching its way around a traffic circle with an iron sculpture of a rose cradling a perfume bottle in its center. The fragile hold on his temper snapped. “Damn it to hell, Gabriela. Do you think this is easy on me? I’m a man who’s always taken what I’ve goddamn wanted, without asking permission. Look at me, for God’s sake. For the first time in my life, I’m considerate of a woman, careful not to wound your damn moral sensibilities. I’ve never given a shit about what the opposite sex has thought of me, or wanted, or whether my actions have pleased or hurt. I’ve never been in love, Gabriela. Do you think I enjoy feeling weak and vulnerable? Do you?”
“No,” she admitted, and looked down at her hands. She couldn’t fool herself. She was lashing out at him to better protect herself against her growing attachment, her irrational love. It was her only defense.
“I love you, Gabriela,” he said, and felt her wince at his words. “I’m sorry about last night, but I don’t regret it happening. I’d be a hypocrite if I told you otherwise.” He shifted to first and managed only an inch. “What’s done is done. That’s no reason for going at each other’s throats for the remainder of the day. Can we at least act civilized toward each other until I can have Maurice finish things off? That way, I’ll finally be out of your hair and you can go back to your life the way it was.”
Outside the car, life seemed to be pulsating. Inside, it was holding its breath. “My life can never be the same again,” she said low, with heartrending sadness.
Richard clenched his jaw, recognizing the truth in her statement. What comfort could he offer? The situation could never be repaired. He was in the same shoes.



♥ On sale through August 31 ♥
  
   





Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra is a full-time novelist based in North Carolina, where she lives with her husband. Cuban by birth, and American by choice, she has lived in many countries, including France, the setting for her first novel, The Coin, and has held at least as many professional occupations, including time as a dancer, singer, journalist, literature teacher, and now, novelist. A lover of all things medieval, she became a speaker of many tongues—literally—including Spanish, French, Italian, and German, as well as reading Latin, Middle English, and old French. She holds a Masters in English literature, specializing in medieval romances, and is currently an active member of the Romance Writers of America, Heart of Carolina and Kiss of Death Chapters, and Carolina Romance Writers. She loves to hear from her readers, and always hopes to open a dialogue with her fans.


      


Win this beautiful The Coin-inspired bracelet!  (Open internationally)



@MariaElenaWrite http://goo.gl/RneGwn

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