RABT: “Prey of Desire” by JC Gatlin Book Tour/Giveaway (ends 7/13) WW

By Ruth on July 2, 2014 in blog tour, book, giveaway, promo
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Mystery/Suspense
Date Published: February 17, 2014
   

They said the disappearance of two high school students over 25 years ago was mystery that couldn’t be solved. 

No one ever said it shouldn’t be. 

Following the abrupt end of a relationship, college student Kimberly Bradford finds comfort in the friendship with her over-the-top neighbor, Mallory. And, Mallory encourages her to get back out there. She would of course if it weren’t for the thrilling little love notes and gifts she’s been receiving . 

Kim thinks they’re from her ex-fiancee, not realizing he’s been murdered. Worse, whoever is sending her all the extra attention is not only in her inner-circle, but has a connection to that unsolved murder some 25 years ago. That connection puts her life in danger, and exposes secrets better left buried around her closest friends and family.

 EXCERPT

“That was close.” Mallory laughed, pushing Kim out the diner doors and onto the sidewalk. They crossed the intersection against the light and headed back to Mallory’s parked Miata. Making it clear that she was not pleased, Kim walked several steps ahead. She crossed her arms, swinging her purse. Mallory caught up to her, telling her to slow down.
Kim picked up her pace. “I can’t believe you tried to set me up with that old psychologist again. You just don’t know when to quit, do you?”
“He’s a psychiatrist, and…” Mallory grabbed her arm to slow her down. “Stop being so melodramatic.”
“Melodramatic?” Kim whipped around to confront her friend face to face. “Not only did you ambush me, but this is the second time he’s stood me up – second time in a row!”
“He just got detained with another crazy patient, that’s all.” Mallory punctuated that with a light, throaty chuckle. “The whole town is freaked out over the Congressman’s murder so it’s understandable.”
“You’re changing the subject.” Kim turned and stepped off the sidewalk into the street. She headed toward the car parallel parked in front of a meter. Mallory followed her into the oncoming traffic.
“Would you just wait?” She grabbed Kim’s arm again. Mallory stopped her in the middle of the street. A car honked and swerved around them. Oblivious, Kim pointed a finger at her and leaned forward.
“You sandbagged me with another blind date. You know I’m involved.”
“Ross went M.I.A. on you, what, six weeks ago? He’s gone.” Another car blared its horn. Malloy waved it away. “I just wanted to get your mind off it. Besides, Dr. Whitman has lined up a very exciting date.”
“You just don’t give up, do you?”
“Listen to me, Kim. He’s really been putting a lot of pressure on me lately. He’s talked about you for ages and he’s been asking me to set you two up for a long time. Ever since…”
Breaks squeaked on a truck as it swerved to miss them. Kim ignored it. “Ever since what, Mallory? Since Ross dumped me?”
“No – since Ross disappeared.” Mallory paused. Her eyes softened and a faint smile crossed her lips. “Kim, he’s not coming back.”
Kim was about to protest. It was a knee-jerk reaction to tell Mallory how wrong she was. For a moment, Kim considered explaining about the mysterious poems and the invitation for dinner on Friday night. She wanted to tell Mallory about the phone calls. All those cryptic messages and notes – it had to be from Ross. It just had to be. They were meant for each other.
Instead Kim looked down at her feet and sighed. “I’m just not in the mood to be sweet and sociable. You know what I mean? I’m angry. And I want to hit something. I want to rip something apart and stomp on it and crush it and…”
Another car honked and the driver screamed obscenities as he whizzed past. The girls were unfazed standing in the center of the road.
“Exactly my point.” Mallory snapped her fingers, seemingly very pleased with herself. “That’s why this handsome, debonair psychiatrist suggested a double date at a mock war camp.”
“A what?”
“A mock war camp,” Mallory repeated. “Instead of miniature golf or going to a movie, we’d play weekend warrior.”
Kim hesitated, watching her a moment, then followed. “What kind of date is that?”
“The kind that’ll get you over Ross!” Mallory headed toward her Miata parked at the curb. Unlocking the car door, she paused and leaned against the hood. She turned back toward Kim.
“It’s the kind of date where you can be tank girl and rip men apart and blow them away and stomp on them… only with paint pellets.” Mallory’s eyes enlarged and she took a breath, as if waiting for Kim to protest. When she didn’t, Mallory continued. “He’s a head shrink, Kim. He knows about these kind of things.”

JC Gatlin

JC Gatlin lives in Tampa, Florida. In addition to regular fishing trips, he wrote a monthly column for New Tampa Style Magazine, then began penning several mystery/suspense stories. He also maintains a blog about mystery writing.

 

Coming from a large family with five brothers, JC grew up in Grapevine — a small Texas town just outside of Dallas. He moved to Tampa in 1999, and most of his stories feature the rich landscapes of Texas and Florida as backdrop.

Website: http://jcgatlin.com/prey-of-desire/

Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/JC-Gatlin/e/B00ENPSDU2/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/jc.gatlin

WattPad at: http://www.wattpad.com/user/JcGatlin

GoodReads at: http://www.goodreads.com/JC_Gatlin

Author’s Den at: http://www.authorsden.com/visit/author.asp?authorid=181731

You Tube at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCApwVAnji9zk780DBA6SOYQ

 

 

BUY LINKS

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Prey-Desire-JC-Gatlin-ebook/dp/B00IIN6YWE/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1398633550&sr=1-1&keywords=prey+of+desire

I realize that my review is not up yet, but honestly, the book is extremely heavy (but good), so the review will be published soon.  For now, be sure to check out the giveaway:

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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About the Author

RuthView all posts by Ruth
“Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.” — Franz Kafka Ruth is an inspirational entertainment journalist who instinctively sees the best in all and seeks to share universal beauty, love and positivity. She is an artist who leads with her heart and gives readers a glimpse of the best of this world through the masterful use of the written word. Ruth was born in Tacoma, Washington but now calls Yelm, Washington her home. She lives on five acres with her parents, a dog, two miniature goats, cats and a teenage daughter who is a dynamic visual artist herself. Ruth interviews fellow artists both inside and outside of the film/television industry. At the core of all she does is the strength of her faith.

8 Comments

  1. JanD July 8, 2014 Reply

    I’m interested in the unsolved mystery and how it ties in with Kim.

  2. Mike Draper July 5, 2014 Reply

    Ruth,
    I enjoyed your blog today and particularly found the review of “Prey of Desire” it really perked my thoughts. I like the cover too.
    I bet this book is a winner.

    Mike Draper
    Mike Draper recently posted…This is a scary storyMy Profile

  3. Lori Hopkins July 4, 2014 Reply

    I love unsolved mysteries, always have…Amelia Earhart, Jimmy Hoffa, The Bermuda Triangle disappearances, ets…

  4. JC Gatlin July 2, 2014 Reply

    Thanks for the feedback.

    Linda — I read Encyclopedia Brown in grade school and have loved reading mysteries ever since.

    Melissa – I can’t wait for you to read it. Please let me know if you solve it before the heroine in the story.

    BookLasy – Thanks for pointing out the mystery ties back to a murder that occurred 25 years earlier. I thought it would make an interesting hook. I originally wrote the story back in college for a writing class. The orig. short story had an entirely different murderer. I read the story 10 years later and noticed an opportunity for a different character to have committed the murder. I wrote a whole back story for the new murderer, which then led to connecting the present day story with the murder that occurred in the past. LOL Sorry, that was a long winded way of saying I hope you enjoy it.
    JC Gatlin recently posted…A Conversation About ‘He Said, She Said’ (or Avoid Dialog Tags)My Profile

  5. BookLady July 2, 2014 Reply

    What a fascinating mystery! I am intrigued by the connection to a 25 year old unsolved murder. Thanks for sharing the great excerpt.

  6. melissa cushing July 2, 2014 Reply

    I am drawn in by the fact that it sounds like a fabulous suspense/mystery novel! Thanks for sharing and I hope to win and read and review! I have added it to my TBR regardless!
    melissa cushing recently posted…Zoey’s Attic Giveaway $35 eGC ~ Ends 7/15My Profile

  7. Linda Szymoniak July 2, 2014 Reply

    I’ve been a mystery fan for as long as I can remember, even reading children’s mysteries when I was in grade school. What I think intrigues me about this book is the connection between a current situation and a cold case.

  8. JC Gatlin July 2, 2014 Reply

    Thank you for posting the excerpt. I can’t wait to read your review.
    JC Gatlin recently posted…A Conversation About ‘He Said, She Said’ (or Avoid Dialog Tags)My Profile

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