Fractured Paradise

Buy Fractured Paradise HERE

By Alexa Bourne

I’ve heard writers say that choosing a favorite of their own books is like choosing a favorite child: impossible. I admit it’s very difficult to pick one when so much of ourselves goes into every single story. I’ve found that I love each of my 3 published stories (and my 2 contracted Tease stories!!) for a different reason. But if I really, really had to choose just one as my absolute favorite, I’d have to choose my second story, Fractured Paradise.

Fractured Paradise became my 2^nd published story and it was released last November. Yes, I had an online party for its release and Decadent Publishing sent me on a blog tour, but I don’t feel I gave Fractured Paradise all the attention it deserved. Like a middle child, this story was pushed aside because I was prepping for my December release, the “baby of the family”, if you will.

But Fractured Paradise has so much to offer readers. It was my chance to bring to life my mother’s hometown of Sunderland, England. I honored my heritage by describing my views of the picturesque town and giving my own thoughts about the place to my American heroine, Rachel. It has a great community and a comfortable, growing romance from the first page.

Fractured Paradise is also my favorite story for another reason. I think, in my heart, that the hero, Aidan, is the one hero most like the man I’d want in real life. He’s a sweetheart, he’s honest even when Rachel doesn’t want to hear it, and he’s got a good soul. (And of course he’s hot!) In all my stories, I have to “cast” my characters before I can truly get into the scenes and the real-life guy who helped shape Aidan is actually my favorite football (or soccer to Americans) player. He’s a good player, a smart player, and a solid team player. He’s not the most handsome (except to me and his wife, probably!) or the youngest or the most outspoken. However, he leads by example and has earned the respect of many players, coaches and reporters as well. That’s the kind of man I wanted Aidan to be.

I haven’t reread Fractured Paradise since I was working on its edits, and now that my new babies (my Decadent Tease books) will be released in the next few months, I have a lot of work to do for them. But Rachel and Aidan deserve their story to be read. Maybe I’ll take the virtual trip back this weekend to my extended family’s village and fall in love with my favorite characters again. (But don’t tell the couples from my other stories! They might get jealous.)

Book Blurb:

Technical analyst Rachel Grant arrives in Sunderland intent on tidying up her grandmother’s cottage, but the disaster she discovers requires more than a gentle sweep of a dust rag. Determined to please the most important person in her life, she trades her computer keyboard for a hammer and nails to make the repairs. She doesn’t count on the chilly reception from the locals who want to claim Nan’s home as their own.

Tour guide Aidan Camden wants to buy the cottage. He’s determined to acquire the property no matter how attractive he finds the current occupant. However, when tragedy strikes, throwing them both into a tailspin, he discovers he wants more than the house. He longs for the sexy American as well. Can Aidan put his own ghosts to rest in time to save the woman who’s claimed his heart?

Excerpt:

   “A bit of a disappointment, I expect.” A rich, deep voice with a twinge of an English accent drifted from behind her.

   She whirled around. Her hair whipped against her cheeks and made her wish for the hundredth time today she hadn’t packed all her hair clips.

   “Sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

   The stranger paused beside the edge of the clearing, and her heart stuttered. Although no one would mistake him for a Hollywood leading man, this guy could command attention by stepping into a room. Or onto an island.

   “That’s okay. You didn’t.” She permitted her gaze to wander over him.

He kept his hands stuffed into the front pockets of faded jeans. The wind tore at his gray long-sleeved shirt, outlining the contours of a well-defined chest. Unruly light brown hair touched his collar. High cheekbones accented his deep-set eyes. Not friendly eyes, but no threat lay behind them either, at least none she could uncover.

   He pulled a hand from his pocket and held it out. “Aidan Camden of Dawson Tours, your neighbor from across the water.” He tipped his head toward the way he’d come.

   Camden. His name sounded familiar, but why? She shook his hand with a hint of hesitation. “Rachel Grant.”

   His fingers warmed her skin, his grip strong and confident. Awareness trailed along her arm. Then again, it could be the accent that made her skin tingle. British accents never failed to stir her emotions.

   A trace of a smile danced on his lips. “Aye, the American.”

   Huh. “You know of me?”

   A low rumble of laughter slipped from his mouth, the sound relaxing her from deep within. “Word travels fast here. I saw you paddling your way out.”

   Paddling? No, he’d seen her fighting with the oars. Until today, she’d never set foot on a boat, much less held an oar. But she would consider swimming across the Atlantic Ocean if it would make Nan happy.

   “Tell me, Mr. Camden, are you in the habit of following foreigners?”

   “No, lass, but you’re all the talk of the Roker area. The mighty Grant descendant, come to see about selling the family cottage.”

   Selling?

Prepare to be TEASED

By Alexa Bourne

Pssst. Hey you. Over there. Have you heard the AWESOME Decadent news? No? Then come a little closer and I'll fill you in. But don't tell my editor!

Pretty soon Decadent Publishing will launch a brand new line of FANTABULOUS stories. I know! How can they keep getting better, right? But they are! These stories will knock your socks off. The line is called Tease and what kind of stories are they, you ask? They're novellas meant to tease you with a little romance. There will be historical, contemporary, and paranormal stories for you to choose from.

I'm honored to be a part of this new series. I've been part of the Decadent family, writing Honor Guard romantic suspense stories, for over a year. When one of the editors emailed me and asked me to be one of their Tease authors, I was as giddy as a kid on Christmas morning. To be part of a new project, to bring sexy, short stories to readers everywhere, is so very exciting. Indeed, we’re having a lot of fun getting ready for the launch of these exciting new lines. And yes, the editors are teasing us a bit along the way.

Decadent's editors and the Tease authors are making great plans for our launch. So stay close and keep your eyes open for us. We'll be celebrating the launch sooner than you think! But, you can be “in the know” and celebrate with us right from the start. Get the deets here: www.decadenttease.com and join us on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/#!/DecadentTEASE.

Okay, since you can’t get any Tease books yet, I’ll give you something to tide you over. One commenter here or on my own blog (http://alexabourne.blogspot.com) will win a signed copy of my print book, Through the Eyes of Darkness! Good luck!

Check out Through the Eyes of Darkness!

If My Characters Were Sick...

by Alexa Bourne

Like so many other people throughout the country, I’ve been fighting some kind of cold or stomach virus for almost a week. I’ve had fever, aches, stomach issues and I haven’t wanted to eat. I’ve slept more than I have since college (which was a looooooooong time ago!) and I’ve put off some of my author duties. (Don’t tell my editor!) In short, I’ve felt just crappy enough to be miserable, but not crappy enough to stay home from work.

So I got to thinking…how would each of my couples from my Honor Guard romantic suspense novellas handle being sick?

Her Highland Champion

Heather-It would depend on how severe her cold was. If she had a fever, she’d stay in her room and away from the kitchen since she and Malcolm run a bed and breakfast. She wouldn’t want to get her guests sick! But once her fever broke, she’d think nothing of shuffling down to the kitchen or to the office in her pajamas to check on the staff and lend a hand.

Malcolm- He hasn’t gotten sick in years. Heather’s not sure how he’d react, but his mother told her as a child he just suffered and didn’t complain. He slept a lot and accepted his mom’s comfort when she offered, but he never asked for anything. Heather’s pretty sure he’d be the same type of sick person as an adult.

Fractured Paradise

Rachel- Only a doctor’s note would keep her away from work. She would take medicine, rest when she could and then go to work to soldier on. Too many people depend on her computer expertise for her to be out of work. Besides, she can hole up in her office and keep everyone else out.

Aidan- He may be a happy man when he’s traveling through northern England with tourists, but you’d want to stay far away if he was sick. Aidan is grumpy, short-tempered, and likes to be left alone unless he needs something. In short, he’s the complete opposite of the Aidan we all know and love. He also indulges in LOTS of comfort food.

Simple Treasures

Joanna- Since Joanna was in the US military, she learned to “suck it up and deal with it” when she was sick. Now that she’s out of the military, she’s okay with pampering herself a bit when she’s got a cold. She’ll spend the day under the covers and drink lots of liquid when she’s awake. She doesn’t ask for anything from Colin. If she wants or needs something, she takes care of it herself.

Colin- Colin may be a kick-arse bodyguard with a sharp mind, but when he gets sick, he’s like a little kid. He whines and milks it for all it’s worth. He lays on the couch or bed, acting like he’s dying, and begs Joanna to cater to his needs. (I don’t know about you, but this sounds horrible! Luckily, Joanna is smart enough to leave him alone quite a bit when he’s like this.)

I guess I’m most like Rachel. I didn’t call in sick all week and I tried to space out my author duties so I wasn’t overwhelmed any night. I made sure to get enough sleep and to take medicine on a regular basis. What about you? How do you handle being sick? How does your significant other handle it? Which one of my characters are you most like?

Simple Treasures

By Alexa Bourne

Are you ready for Christmas? I’m not! I’ve still got shopping to do, gifts to wrap, and that necessary trip to the post office. With only a week and one day left, I’m determined to enjoy every moment I can. One thing I KNOW I’m going to enjoy is the release of my next Honor Guard novella, Simple Treasures. It will be available on December 25^th! Merry Christmas to me!

Simple Treasures is a modern-day New Year’s story set in the beautiful city of Edinburgh, Scotland. I chose to write about Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, or New Year’s, event because it meant the world to me when I participated two years ago. From the Ferris wheel ride next to the Scott Monument to the burning of the Viking ship at the end of the Torchlight Procession, every moment made me giddy like a little kid waiting for Santa. My heroine, Joanna, reacts in much the same way as me, but, unlike me, she has trouble to deal with while wandering the streets of Edinburgh.

Joanna is an American exchange student studying in Scotland. After spending Christmas with her friends in the Highlands of Scotland (Heather and Malcolm from HerHighland Champion), she returns to Edinburgh ready to enjoy every aspect of the Hogmanay experience. A former US soldier injured on the job, she has learned to appreciate all the wonderful, simple treasures in the world around her.

Unfortunately, Joanna witnesses a crime on the train ride back home and her Hogmanay plans get put on hold. Luckily, my plans in Edinburgh weren’t interrupted, although I wouldn’t have minded meeting a man like Joanna’s hero, Colin.

He’s a man on a mission, hoping to land the perfect job with the International Protective Network, or IPN. He’s tall, dark and sexy, but he’s definitely not ready for Joanna and her passion for life. She throws him off guard because he’s always very driven, very focused on one thing at a time, and he has no time to smell the roses. But Joanna forces him to slow down, to take a good look at the world around him and appreciate all that he has. And soon, she becomes the one thing he’s focused on. Which, in itself causes more problems for the both of them. What kind of problems? Well, for that you’ll have to read the book! I hope you have a wonderful holiday and a Happy Hogmanay!

Book Blurb

Take-charge bodyguard Colin Munro believes working for the International Protective Network will be the perfect occupation for him. Unfortunately, his trial assignment is protecting a woman who has no intention of blindly following orders. Aye, he’ll bring the bonnie lass in line because there’s no way he’ll allow her to ruin his chance of securing his dream job.

Physically and emotionally scarred during her stint as a U.S. soldier, Joanna Grainger wants nothing more than to enjoy life. New Year's Eve in Edinburgh marks the beginning of her transformation. But when she witnesses a crime no one believes occurred, her plans come to a screeching halt. To make matters worse, her sexy but headstrong bodyguard has no compassion for her or the victim.

As danger hunts them during one of the busiest time of the year, Joanna must convince Colin she's a worthy partner. But first, can she convince herself?

Fractured Paradise

Buy Fractured Paradise HERE!

by Alexa Bourne

Hello there. Aidan Camden here. I live in Sunderland, England and I’m a tour guide with Dawson Tours. Alexa Bourne is off partying on her blog for the release of our Honor Guard book, Fractured Paradise. So she asked me to come and fill in for her today.

I know American’s celebrate Thanksgiving later this month and part of that is eating a big meal with family and friends and watching your version of football (in which the foot isn’t really used- daft Americans!) We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, but in the spirit of your holiday, here’s a list of some of the things I’m most thankful for:

1.   Sarsparilla Tablets, a hard, red sweet (or candy, to you Americans)

2.   Proper football, where the players actually use their feet to play. (Haway the lads!)

3.   My health and the health of those I care about. I learned the hard way what it’s like to lose someone you love.

4.   Craig Barnes, my mate from school who is now my boss. He gave me a job when I needed to return to Sunderland.

5.   The Roker Pier Lighthouse. Many afternoons when the world closed in ‘round me, I walked out there to listen to the waves and save meself.

6.    For Rachel’s grandmother. If she hadn’t wanted to return to Sunderland, I never would have met Rachel, me lass in the book.

7.   Rachel, for showing me life can go on and be grand after suffering a tragedy.

8.   Rachel again, for taking a chance on me and helping me to forgive myself.

I could go on talking about me lass, but some of the things I’m thankful for aren’t suited for the Internet. So, I’ll be off. I’ve a tour to guide to Penshaw Monument. If you have time, stop in to see Alexa (http://alexabourne.blogspot.com) anytime this week and you’ll learn more about me, Rachel, and Sunderland. Plus, you’ll have a chance to win a FREE copy of my story!

Blurb:

Technical analyst Rachel Grant arrives in Sunderland intent on tidying up her grandmother’s cottage, but the disaster she discovers requires more than a gentle sweep of a dust rag. Determined to please the most important person in her life, she trades her computer keyboard for a hammer and nails to make the repairs. She doesn’t count on the chilly reception from the locals who want to claim Nan’s home as their own.

Tour guide Aidan Camden wants to buy the cottage. He’s determined to acquire the property no matter how attractive he finds the current occupant. However, when tragedy strikes, throwing them both into a tailspin, he discovers he wants more than the house. He longs for the sexy American as well. Can Aidan put his own ghosts to rest in time to save the woman who’s claimed his heart?

www.alexabourne.com

Fractured Paradise - Coming Soon!

Fractured Paradise - Coming November 6, 2012

By Alexa Bourne

This morning I'm returning to my home state, Rhode Island, for the first time in three years. That’s the longest I've been away, and I'm very excited to go back. I love hanging out with the relatives that still live there, visiting old friends, and returning to all my old stomping grounds. I wouldn't want to move back there, though. It’s a lot colder in fall and winter than where I live now, and too many things have changed. I've changed. For the first time, I’ll be returning as a published author.

Much like me, the heroine of my next Honor Guard book, Fractured Paradise, is visiting a place she hasn't seen in years, a city she spent time in with her grandmother. Rachel has arrived in Sunderland, England to take care of her grandmother's house. But, while we both may be a bit apprehensive about our trips, Rachel doesn't want to be in Sunderland at all. Through the story, though, she begins to remember the good times she had there with her grandparents, and by the end….well, I won’t spoil the ending for you.

But Rachel’s feelings aren’t the only ones to which I can relate. The hero of this book, Aidan, lives in Sunderland, but he doesn't want to be there. Like Aidan, I was restless in my hometown. I loved my time there, but once I finished college, I knew there was so much more to experience in the world, and I knew I’d have to leave RI if I ever truly wanted to be happy. Aidan thinks he's happy and has lived in Sunderland for a while, but it takes Rachel's visit to stir up his life and for him to realize he's not content. She shows him there is more to life than just getting up, going to work, and returning home each day.

As I board the plane in a few hours, I know my stomach will be jittery with both nervousness and excitement. I hope to have Rachel and Aidan’s courage with me as I step back into my hometown, the place that helped make me the writer I am today.

Blurb:

Technical analyst for the International Protective Network, Rachel Grant arrives in Sunderland intent on tidying up her grandmother’s cottage, but the disaster she discovers requires more than a gentle sweep of a dust rag. Determined to please the most important person in her life, she trades her computer keyboard for a hammer and nails to make the repairs. She doesn’t count on the chilly reception from the locals who want to claim Nan’s home as their own.

Tour guide Aidan Camden wants to buy the cottage. He’s determined to acquire the property no matter how attractive he finds the current occupant. However, when tragedy strikes, throwing them both into a tailspin, he discovers he wants more than the house. He longs for the sexy American as well. Can Aidan put his own ghosts to rest in time to save the woman who’s claimed his heart? 

Life is Hard

by Alexa Bourne

Life is hard. I’ve been on the go doing everything I can to promote my 1^st Decadent book, Her Highland Champion, for the last couple of months. Plus, for the last 2 weeks I’ve been working on various activities dealing with my 2^nd Decadent book, Fractured Paradise, which will be available sometime later this year. As any author knows, our job is SOOOO much more than just crafting spectacular stories.

Well, this weekend I decided to take a break. I’m not writing, and the only promoting I’m doing is commenting on blog posts. Instead, I’ve decided to give my muse, Caitlin, a treat. Yes, I’ve named my muse because she’s so very important to my writing. I figured she deserved some inspiration so she’ll be ready for the next round of writing responsibilities.

So what am I doing? Of course I’m reading. Nothing helps Caitlin’s creativity like reading. But I also made some other plans, for Caitlin AND me.

Friday, I spent the evening discussing writing for an epublisher with some local writer friends. Because writing for an epublisher is different than writing for a traditional print publisher, we decided to compare notes. We’ve dubbed ourselves the Digital Darlings. It was, of course, a GREAT time!

Yesterday, I put on my T-shirt for the England National Soccer team and watched my 2 favorite teams play against each other in the FA Cup Final. It was gut-wrenching, of course, but I indulged in a pint or two to help calm my nerves.

And today, I’m going to the movies to see The Avengers because, well, I LOVE Chris Hemsworth as Thor.  

Yes, Caitlin will be ready to work on revisions for Fractured Paradise and revisions for Honor Guard book #3 that I hope to submit by the end of this month. I mean, come on. After a weekend of hanging with writers and watching all these hot men, how can she NOT be ready to get back to work? I know I am! 

Fractured Paradise Blurb: A Decadent Honor Guard story…. Heather Winchester leads a charming life. With good friends, a beautiful flat in one of the most amazing cities in the world, and a promising future once she finishes her Ph.D, she is finally pursuing her own dreams instead of catering to everyone else’s…except she doesn’t remember any of it. Malcolm Fraser has returned to his Highland village to forget his failings as a professional bodyguard. Believing he could just lose himself in the mundane activities of running his bed & breakfast, he finds a woman’s lifeless body by the loch instead…. Captivated by Heather as she regains her memory, Malcolm is thrown into the line of duty. As danger comes knocking on their door, will he be strong enough to love her and keep her safe?

Her Highland Champion

 by Alexa Bourne

Scotland is my absolute favorite place in the entire world. I live in the US, but if I could move to Edinburgh or to some remote village in the Highlands tomorrow I would. I’ve been fortunate enough to travel throughout Scotland, and I’m a huge fan of Scottish historical novels with sexy men wearing kilts, carrying claymores and protecting what is theirs.

 When I first started writing with the intention of getting published, so many people told me to write what I love. I’ve always been a fan of the bad guy getting what’s coming to him, but that wasn’t enough in my first manuscript. So, I thought about writing a Scottish historical… for about five seconds. (WAY too much research for me!)

But then I started thinking, “What about suspense stories with Scotsmen in modern times?” Certainly they were just as sexy, just as intriguing, weren’t they? I began searching and found a few authors who wrote current day stories set in Scotland, but only a few, and I definitely couldn’t find romantic suspense stories. So, I decided to write one of my own. I figured if I wanted to read about current day Scotsmen saving the lasses maybe other readers would too.

 Here’s a little excerpt from Her Highland Champion, my Honor Guard romantic suspense set in the Highlands of Scotland. I hope you like it! 

She turned to the bedside. A man stood there dressed in dark green sweats, with both hands clenched around the silver bedside bar. He was handsome, with light eyes, dark hair cropped close to his head, and a firm jaw. It was his hands, though. They drew her attention. Clean skin, defined knuckles, large fingers. Hands rough from a hard day’s physical labor, and yet, she imagined, gentle enough to caress the afternoon’s sufferings away.

“It’s good to see you awake.” He smiled. “You gave us all quite a fright.”

Okay, the Scottish accent drew her attention, too. At once, it both melted away some of her fears and sparked a whirlwind of questions.

“Where am I?” Her throat scratched like sandpaper.

“St. Catherine’s Hospital.”

She swallowed hard. “Where is that?”

“Fort William.” He reached for something on the table by her bed and brought back a plastic cup with a straw. “Here.”

“Thank you.” The warm water coated her sore vocal cords. She handed the cup back to him.

Wait a minute. Fort William? The only Fort William she knew was in Scotland. “I don’t understand. How did I get here?” Ignoring the aches in her body, she pressed both palms to the sheets on each side of her and pushed herself up. The blanket fell away from her chest and a new chill surrounded her. “What’s going on?”

Her arms shook, and she collapsed back to the bed.

“Relax.” The man set his palm on her shoulder, as if to keep her flat against the mattress. The heat of his fingers seeped through her hospital gown and into her skin. “I found you unconscious on the beach in Glenhalish. I called for an ambulance, and they brought you here.”

“I was in Glenhalish?”

“Aye, on a three day tour of the Highlands. Do you not remember being there?”

“No.” She squinted and studied him. No memories surfaced. “Do I know you?”

He shook his head. “Only from the beach. I’m Malcolm Fraser.”

She opened her mouth and then closed it again. Her gaze drifted to her lap as tears burned in the corners of her eyes. Panic swelled in her chest and into her throat.

“What is it, lass?” he asked with such tenderness.

     “Can you tell me my name?”