#BlackFriday Contest: The Deepest Night by Kara Braden

Black Friday.2014What is a Black Friday without a few gifts and surprises? Kara wanted to be here, but due to deadlines (and we totally want more stories, right?), she was unable to participate. However, to celebrate the release of The Deepest Night, she’s sent along these fabulous beauties instead: 3 signed copies of The Longest Night and 10 free Audible.com codes for The Longest Night audiobook to give away and I know you want one. *grin*

KBraden-Deepest Night“Open your eyes, Michelle.”
She gasped at the sight of the infinite night sky stretching all around her, full of more stars than she’d ever imagined.
He’d thought of this. For her. It was so perfect, so romantic, it stole her breath. She smiled and curled her fingers around Ray’s.

When everything you love is on the line…
The Isles of Scilly off the coast of England are remote, windswept and wild. They’re the perfect place for Ray Powell to recuperate after the toughest Afghanistan mission the military contractor has ever run. Except instead of the peace and quiet he so desperately needs, he’s faced with a beautiful American woman who instantly challenges his iron control.

It’s best to proceed with caution…
Seeking her own safe haven, Michelle Cole is intrigued and flustered by the intensely compelling and irresistible man.

As their cautious friendship slowly builds into simmering attraction, their hearts and souls are about to be broken open…if they’ll allow it.

______________________

Exclusive Excerpt: The Deepest Night

“It’s a beautiful location. And the island is absolutely charming. You said you’re a frequent guest?”

“Every couple of years, yes.” He smiled again, though it was less bright, not quite touching his eyes. “If I don’t leave the country, Preston—-that’s my business partner—-he tends to find emergencies to call me back to the office. If I take a holiday here, I can ignore his calls and blame poor reception.”

“True,” she agreed, wondering how to bring that smile back. “Did you grow up here?”

“In a way.” His smile stayed fixed as he glanced at her, then turned his attention back to their surroundings. “My family came here for summer holidays. It’s where I learned to fish and sail. I even did a bit of gig racing before I went off with the Marines.”

“Gig racing?” she asked, thinking she’d misheard.

“Rowboats, used for competitive racing. The club should still be out on Wednesday and Friday nights. It’s the big sport here on the islands.”

“Rowing,” she said delightedly. “We had rowing teams at Brown University, I think. I was never really involved in sports.”

“Oh? What did you do, then?”

“Road trips. We’d hit the road on Friday after class and not come back till Sunday night—-sometimes Monday morning. I saw every roadside diner and tourist trap in the Northeast. And during breaks, we’d take longer trips. Including through DC, all the way down to Florida.”

“I can’t arrange much in the way of road trips here. There are more footpaths than roads on the islands, if you don’t mind rambling,” he said, giving her another sly, playful smile.

Michelle couldn’t hide the laugh that escaped. “Rambling?”

“Walking. I couldn’t help but notice you do yoga, so I’m certain you could manage a walk or two around the island, hmm?” he challenged.

She hesitated for only a second before she nodded. “All right. I suppose I can’t sit in the manager’s office all day.”

“That’s the spirit. We’ll give you a good holiday yet.” Eyes alight, he nodded ahead, saying, “But we’re done with that for now. Here’s the café.”

He opened the café door for her, and she paused in mid–step, hit with the delicious smell of a bakery in full swing. Her stomach let out an undignified growl. “Oh, that smells wonderful,” she said quickly, trying to cover the sound.

Ray touched her arm lightly, saying, “Here, let’s take a table by the window. Good thing we’re morning people. The tourists won’t descend in force for another hour.” He pulled a chair away from the table for her.

Charmed by the courtesy, she sat and asked, “I don’t qualify as a tourist, then?”

He sat down opposite her and leaned in close, lowering his voice to ask, “Would you rather see the tourist attractions or the secrets of the islands?”

Her gut gave a little flip at his sly smile. The bistro–style table was small enough that their knees touched. All she had to do was lean forward, and their lips would also touch. The thought made her heart race.

Karma, she thought, and laughter bubbled up inside her. She was always cautious, never taking risks. She was the sensible, practical one.

But she didn’t have to be that way. Not all the time. Did she?

Greatly daring, she leaned forward an inch or two, just enough to draw a feeling of intimacy and conspiracy around their table. “Show me the secrets,” she challenged softly.

His pleased smile sent tingles flooding through her body. “My pleasure.”

_____________________________________________

Meet Kara Braden!

Kara Braden makes her debut in modern romance with a story of love in isolation. She believes that engaging, romantic fantasy can be found everywhere in the world, even in the most unlikely places. With the support of her wonderful husband, cats, and dogs, she writes from her home office outside Phoenix, Arizona, where she spends her time hiding from the sunlight and heat.

Kara BradenContact Info: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | GoodReads | Amazon | Pinterest | Tumblr

Want to purchase Kara’s novels?
The Longest Night
The Deepest Night

Please help spread the word: Tweet: Celebrate the chaos of #BlackFriday with #holiday #stories & #contests by 26+ authors @LiteraryEscapis (Nov28-Dec24) http://wp.me/p3SIUp-bGF
_____________________________________________

Contest Details

Thank you Kara for taking part in Literary Escapism’s Black Friday!

Kara is giving away 3 signed copies of The Longest Night and 10 free Audible.com codes for The Longest Night audiobook. To enter, all you have to do is answer this one question: Would you rather see the tourist attractions or the secrets of the islands? Remember, you must answer the question in order to be entered.

Have you checked out the other Black Friday contests yet? Check out the Master List to see all the Black Friday giveaways. To enter the main contest, don’t forget to leave a comment below. All Black Friday contests will remain open until December 31st. All giveaways are subject to LE’s Giveaway Policy. Here’s the Rafflecopter widget for the $50 giftcard giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Jackie 3282 Articles
I am a 30-something SAHM with two adorable boys and a supportive husband who is very tolerant of my reading addiction. I love to read and easily go through about a dozen books a month – well I did before I had kids. Now, not so much. After my first son was born, I began to take my hobby of reviewing a little more serious and started Literary Escapism to help with my sanity. I love to discuss the fabulous novels I’ve read and meeting all the wonderful people in the book blogging community has been amazing.

5 Comments

  1. I would much rather explore the secrets of the island. Tourist attractions are all right but to explore your surroundings, discover those small tucked away shops and restraunts, talk and laugh with the locals; it doesn’t get much better than that.

Comments are closed.