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To my family and friends Amy, Barbara, Anne and Carrie... for your support and assistance with this project. Thank you all.
I may not have completed this novel without the support and encouragement of my new friend and Romance Writers of America RITA nominee, Sarah Andre. Thank you for picking me up when I was down and for your guiding hand.
Anya Kagan, Touchstone Editing – thank you for your patience and tutoring. This work is far from perfect but it’s better because of your guidance.
Thank you, Shannon Sykes of SilverGirl Designs for the awesome cover, marketing materials, editorial assistance but, most of all, for your support.
Mario & Kim, real heroes who are always happy to answer my questions about anything Special Forces. If something is off, it is my mistake alone. Thank you for your service to our country. It is an honor to know you. (And no, Mario, you can’t kill off a hero to make things more interesting – it’s a romance novel.)
And, finally, a tip of the hat to Ed Sheeran for his beautiful love song “Thinking Out Loud” which is featured in one love scene and inspired them all.
C. F. Francis is a native Floridian who loves mystery, suspense and romance. Her favorite pastimes are reading (of course) and traveling. Her diverse background includes working in law, insurance, tourism and a stint with the Florida Legislature's Organized Crime Committee. She is honored to have friends who have served in the Special Forces and Military Intelligence, who have generously shared their expertise when asked. Ms. Francis lives in Southwest Florida near the areas where her novels take place.
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You can follow C. F. Francis at:
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EXCERPT SANCTUARY ISLAND...
Colt jolted awake, instinctively reaching for the Glock he’d placed on the nightstand before crawling into bed with Cat. Thunder rattled the windows and he relaxed his grip on the gun. It was just a storm. A nasty one from the sound of the rain beating against the glass. The power had gone out, making the room black as pitch. He checked the display on his cell phone—just after four in the morning. Surprisingly, he’d slept for several hours.
Lightning flashed, illuminating the small body curled up next to him. Without air conditioning the room had rapidly warmed. In an unconscious effort to keep cool, Cat had kicked the sheet away. As he’d imagined the night before, her t-shirt had worked its way above her hips. This time the vision revealed a pair of sexy black lace panties. With each flash of lightning he imagined sliding the delicate fabric lower until she was free of the dainty lace, then staring into those dark eyes as he filled her.
Instead of giving in to the carnal urge he slipped from the bed and went to the window, forcing his thoughts to the storm raging outside. This room, as with all the rooms on his side of the building, overlooked the drive that led to the private parking area in the rear. Just past the drive was his neighbor’s extensive garden. As lightning danced across the sky it cast an eerie glow over their tropical wonderland. The rain was coming down in sheets. The fronds of the palm trees were being blown horizontally by the strong wind. The locals would call this a “palmetto pounder.” Colt had yet to decide whether the term referred to the plant or the large, flying cockroach—both abundant in the area.
His eyes had adjusted quickly to the darkness and, as he glanced back at the bed, he could see Cat trembling in her sleep. He wasn’t surprised she was having a nightmare—not after the past two days.
Leaving his post, he settled on the bed next to her and began to gently stroke her hair, shushing her softly as he did. If he had to wake her he would but she seemed to instantly calm at his touch, giving him an unusual sense of satisfaction. When, at last, her breathing steadied he reluctantly removed his hand and left the bed. Stepping into a pair of jeans, he returned to his position by the window. There would be no more sleep for him tonight and if he stayed in bed with Cat, her hair wouldn’t be the only thing he’d be stroking.
He wanted to explore every inch of that sensuous, petite body. His desire for her bordered on primal but he also acknowledged that there was more to it than a sexual pull. She intrigued him. She was strong, smart, and independent as hell. She had worked her way into his heart at a speed that was both frightening and exhilarating—not unlike a roller coaster ride. If he wanted to ride this car to the end he would need to keep Cat safe. Then, as if on cue, the heavens lit up and Colt caught a glimpse of a man sliding around the corner to the back of the building.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A3KSJZ4