The Mermaid and the Eagle
[December 2006]
Clarissa McBride’s life falls apart when her husband and fellow artistic collaborator is killed in a sailing accident. It takes one long year to find her way back to work, back to living. But the appearance of the handsome and very dangerous stranger while she’s on the beach at night has her thinking second thoughts. At least in hiding, her heart was safe.
Mick Carruthers leads a double life. Or is that triple? Restauranteur and smuggler, is he now the protector of the young woman he’s found on the beach? Doesn’t she know any better than to roam at midnight? Doesn’t he know any better than to give his heart away?
Reviews
“She has a strong gutsy writing voice, an edge to her humor, characters somewhat damaged but fighting-tough, dialogue with punch, a romance that sparks, and a lean suspense with a well-paced sting — all of which add up to a portfolio of sophisticated skills and a darned good read.”
Bernadette Cronk, Under the Covers
Excerpt
She smiled warmly and bent to her swim bag, coming up with a hairbrush which she began applying to the tangles. Gritting her teeth, she tugged the brush through her hair. “I can’t believe I didn’t put this up!” She stopped the self-torture.
“May I?” He held out his hand.
“May you what?”
“Brush your hair?”
She was on her guard once again. “What experience do you have in this?”
“Are you the reluctant guest, or what?” He wiggled his fingers. “Now, be a sport. Hand it over and sit down.”
Still hesitant, Clarissa sat on her towel on the deck. Mick knelt behind her. “You have to close your eyes.” She did. “And you have to relax. If you thought I was going to hurt you, you should never have come along.”
“Now you sound like my mother.”
“What do I have to say to sound like your father?”
“I don’t believe you want to know how my father would see this.”
Mick grinned himself and continued pulling at the tangles. Clarissa relaxed and leaned her head back. How easy it would be to kiss you. Mick contemplated his thoughts, ever aware of the nearness of her warm wet body. But could I stop at one kiss? Better not to start what I’ll want to finish properly.
The rocking of the boat intensified, and Clarissa lost her balance, bumping into Mick’s abdomen with her shoulders. He dropped his hands to steady her and when she looked up at him with startled eyes, good intentions went overboard. Her lips welcomed his, parting slowly and allowing him in. Her hands inched up to his shoulders, and he finished moving her half-turned body so that it fit into his. They were on their knees, her hands woven into his shoulder-length hair and his hands nestled in the small of her back, when the wolf whistle jolted them back to reality.