SECRETS FROM THE PAST—Release Day Monday, November 27, 2023

SECRETS FROM THE PAST, a sensual mystery/romantic suspense, is scheduled for release by The Wild Rose Press on Monday, November 27, 2023.

Veiled threats endanger secrets from Cameron Pierce's past and soon escalate to attempts on his life. Shelby Haywood has her own secrets that could destroy her future with Cameron…or get them both killed. Is their shared heated desire increasing the danger surrounding them?

Cameron Pierce is a self-made billionaire, a man known world-wide for his business acumen, power, and extreme wealth. A man also known for his patronage of the arts and many charitable deeds. And a man with a past clouded in mystery and dark rumors.

Four years ago, Shelby Haywood's husband of ten years died in a fall down a flight of stairs. Even though his death was officially ruled an accident, she's been subjected to the harassment and accusations of her former in-laws who continually accuse her of being somehow responsible for their son's death. The Haywoods are a powerful and very wealthy family whose roots go back several generations in San Francisco. They've never made a secret of the fact that they believe their son married far below his status.

Shelby finally makes the decision to leave her lifetime home town of San Francisco. She signs a contract for a one year project with Pierce Industries in Seattle where she'll be working directly with the dynamic Cameron Pierce.

G-Excerpt #2) 

Cameron Pierce read the anonymous letter again, being very careful to handle only the corners of the paper so he wouldn’t disturb any existing fingerprint evidence. I know everything, and I’m going to make you pay.

The fourth threat he had received in as many weeks, this one just as ambiguous as the previous three letters had been. The anonymous threat didn’t contain anything specific. Did it refer to something he, personally, had been accused of doing? Or a problem in one of his companies? And the reference to making him pay…an attempt to extort money or a threat on his life?

He dropped the letter and its envelope into a plastic sleeve, sealed it, and handed it to Tom Jenkins, head of security for Pierce Industries. “Put this one with the others.”

“The last three letters arrived on consecutive Mondays. This is the Friday after the fourth consecutive Monday. When did you receive it?”

Cam glanced around his office, not happy with the sensation of being grilled by his own employee but knowing he had purposely withheld the information. “It came last Monday.”

He directed a stern look at his security chief, putting a stop to what he knew Tom wanted to say. Tom’s expression said he got Cam’s unspoken message.

“Okay, Cam. Where was this one mailed?”

“It has an Edmonds postmark. That makes four letters postmarked from four different locations in the greater Seattle metropolitan area in the last four weeks.”

“I still think they should be turned over to the police. I can call Lt. Crandall and put it on an unofficial personal basis.”

“No…there’s no reason to bother George with this. Men in my position are always receiving meaningless threats. The police have enough real crime to worry about without concerning themselves with crank notes. Besides, the letters are so vague that it’s impossible to determine what they mean, and the writer has never made any specific demands.”

“The threats are coming through the mail. That makes it a federal offense, which would put it in the lap of the FBI. They’re also being mailed from four different law enforcement jurisdictions, possibly an attempt to confuse an investigation.”

“Local or federal, there still isn’t anything specific in the letters that says what the person wants or what I’m supposed to have done. Or, for that matter, if they’re unhappy with me personally or if the vague threat is aimed at one of my companies.”

Cam maintained a casual attitude until Tom left the office. One thing about this mess bothered him more than anything else—the possibility that someone had been able to unravel his past and discover his true identity. For over twenty years there had been unsubstantiated rumors about where he came from before he started his meteoric rise to the top, but no one had ever been able to track down anything before he legally changed his name to Cameron Pierce—not even the fact that it had been the second time he legally changed his name. It was the main reason he refused to involve the police.

Then there was the other thing he didn’t want to acknowledge—the threatening letters started two weeks after Shelby Haywood came to work for him. Could there be a connection? She had worked for Jerry Decker, a point not in her favor. Thirty-four made her too young to have any connection to his deep past. But what about her family? Had either his father or uncle crossed paths with some member of her family, resulting in disaster for her hapless relative? Could that have caused her to seek revenge?

Blurb:

After the death of her husband, Shelby Haywood needs to escape the constant harassment from her former in-laws who blame her for his death. When offered a job with Pierce Industries in Seattle, she eagerly accepts but is unprepared for her instant attraction to the company's very desirable owner.

The moment billionaire Cameron Pierce meets Shelby, he knows she's what's been missing from his life. Veiled threats endanger secrets from his past and soon escalate to attempts on his life. When one attempt injures Shelby, he vows to protect her.

Shelby has her own secrets that could destroy her future with Cameron…or get them both killed.

Excerpts and other information available on my website  www.samanthagentry.com

Buy links:

https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Past-Samantha-Gentry-ebook/dp/B0CJG4CMYX

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1144089246?ean=2940186044321 

CANADIAN CRAVINGS release day 2023-04-12

Wednesday, April 12, 2023, was release day for CANADIAN CRAVINGS, part of the Passport To Pleasure series from The Wild Rose Press for their Scarlet Rose line of sensual romance.  Check out the story of Addie Burton and Knox Mallory, college friends who reunited after twelve years apart.

BLURB:

Addie Burton has a successful career as a photojournalist for an international travel magazine. When her new assignment in Canada brings her in contact with a friend from college she hasn't seen in twelve years, the attraction is instantaneous. She's ready to mix business with pleasure.

Knox Mallory is shocked to discover the photojournalist doing the magazine article on his company is a woman who had sparked his lust during his college days. Family circumstances had prevented him from acting on his desire, but he's hoping to resurrect what might have been.

Can two weeks satisfy their Canadian cravings or will it lead to more?

G-Excerpt #4:

“When you get back from the train excursion for your article, we’ll go someplace special for dinner. Won’t you still have a couple of days before you need to return to Seattle?”

“I might be able to work out a couple of days of wiggle room before I need to be in my office at the magazine. However, I can’t think of any place more special than that beautiful inn on Vancouver Island where we spent the weekend.”

They talked for a few more minutes before terminating the call. Addie had tried to avoid thinking of the end of her assignment, of the day she needed to return home and throw herself into writing the article and making the final selection of the appropriate photographs to illustrate it. The drive between Seattle and Vancouver was less than three hours. It would be easy to spend weekends together.

Then a dark cloud of doubt and concern settled over her. The time she had been in Vancouver, the time they had spent together, had it only been the convenience of them being in the same place at the same time? Twelve years since they last saw each other, and the moment he walked through the door of Greg’s office, it was as if they knew each other but were meeting for the first time.

Would he want to maintain a long-distance relationship? Granted, it wasn’t that far, but it precluded having lunch together or a last-minute decision to have dinner or go to a movie. They would be limited to weekends and nothing spontaneous. He headed a successful corporation in Vancouver and couldn’t relocate to Seattle. Her job could allow her to settle in Vancouver and still take assignments from the magazine, but it was a moot point. He hadn’t indicated anything permanent, hadn’t mentioned anything beyond the immediate future of a couple of days after she returned from the train tour.

Her ringing phone startled her out of her thoughts. Assuming it was Knox again, she answered it without checking the caller I.D.

“Hi, Addie. I hope I’m not calling too late.”

“Corey!” A quick surge of anger darted through her. “I told you not to call me again.”

“You didn’t tell me you were in Canada…specifically in Vancouver.”

“How did you know that?”

“Your magazine told me you were there on assignment.”

“Well, I’ll have to talk to them about that when I get back. They’re not supposed to give out personal information on me to strangers.”

“I’m not a stranger. I’m your fiancé.”

“Perhaps once, long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away. But not here, not now, and very definitely never again. I don’t know how much more succinct I can be. Am I going to have to take out a restraining order on you? Do not call me. Do not try to see me. Do not try to contact me in any way. Have I made myself clear? Do you understand?”

G-Excerpt #5:

The train whistle interrupted her thoughts signaling their departure. Then the train slowly started to move. A little flutter of excitement flitted around in her stomach. She watched out the window. The train gradually gained a little speed as it pulled away from the platform. Then movement and commotion on the platform caught her attention. Someone tossed a suitcase in the open door of the car behind hers then grabbed the handrail and swung up to the stairs, boarding the train literally at the last second before it had gained enough speed to prevent the action.

She couldn’t stop the amused chuckle that escaped her throat. Is that normal procedure? Last man on the train as it’s pulling out of the station? Or has a late arriving employee almost missed showing up for work?

She continued to watch until the train cleared the platform, left the station, and headed down the tracks. The clackety-clack of the train wheels on the rails told her the excursion had officially started.

She returned to her work as she checked the daily itinerary Jimmy had given to the guests. Before she could become absorbed in making notes for her article outline, the sound of someone knocking at the door of her cabin interrupted her.

One of the guests taking me up on my offer to answer any questions or to give their opinions about the trip even though we just left the station? Or maybe wanting to comment on a previous trip they had taken?

As soon as she opened the door, she felt as if all the oxygen had been sucked out of the room, that she couldn’t breathe. Then overwhelming joy quickly replaced the shock. Tears of happiness welled in her eyes. On the other side of the door, looking more desirable than anyone had the right to, stood Knox Mallory.

“What are you doing here?” She blurted out.

A teasing grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. “That’s not a very friendly greeting, especially after I risked life and limb leaping onto a moving train.” He reached out and lightly touched her cheek. “May I come in?”

CANADIAN CRAVINGS is part of the Passport To Pleasure series from The Wild Rose Press www.thewildrosepress.com for their Scarlet Rose line of erotic romance. 

Buy link for Amazon and Barnes and Noble  Also available at other online vendors

Excerpts and other information on my website:  www.samanthagentry.com

On my blog next week, Sunday April 23, 2023, I'll be doing an interview with Addie Burton and Knox Mallory—the two main characters from CANADIAN CRAVINGS.

FATED ENCOUNTER—A Character Interview with Shaina and Brody

FATED ENCOUNTER by Samantha Gentry is an adult romance novella from The Wild Rose Press scheduled for release Monday, April 20, 2020.

A chance encounter a year ago set fate on a course for the future

Let me introduce you to Shaina Thomas and Brody Danvers. Their story is one of fate stepping in to help two people find true love and happiness. How a one time chance meeting from a year ago set the stage for a lifetime.

Good morning Shaina and Brody. I know you have busy schedules. I appreciate you taking the time to be here today and share your story with my readers.

Shaina:  It's our pleasure, thanks for inviting us.

Brody:  (loving glance toward Shaina as he squeezes her hand). I'm always happy to talk about this lovely lady.

My first question is where and when did the two of you meet? Which one of you would like to go first? Brody…Shaina…

Brody: I'll take that. It was a little over a year ago. I was in Phoenix on business checking out a radio station for sale. The attorney negotiating for the station owner invited me to a party at his house that evening—a party attended by Shaina…and her fiancé. The moment I laid eyes on her, I was instantly captivated. I had the opportunity of chatting with her for a little bit and found her intelligent and very personable. (slight frown wrinkles his brow) Her fiancé, however, was a different story. I simply didn't understand how this intelligent, lovely lady could be engaged to such a disagreeable and unlikable man.

Shaina: (laughs) I think I'd better jump in here. In my defense, I did call off the engagement about three months later. As soon as Jerry and I became engaged, he instantly changed. It was like flipping a switch that changed the man I thought I knew into someone I didn't recognize—a controlling personality, an objectionable person. He started making my decisions for me, telling me where I could and couldn't go, determining who my friends should be—things I found totally unacceptable. After three months of trying to figure out what happened and telling him I objected to his behavior, I broke off the engagement. Unfortunately, his attempts at controlling me continued. He refused to accept that I didn't want to see him. I didn't feel physically threatened and didn't see any reason for a restraining order. I finally decided I had no choice but to move away from Phoenix. I picked Seattle because it was about fifteen hundred miles away from Phoenix and totally different from the desert where I had lived all my life.

So, from the night of the party in Phoenix, we fast forward one year to an evening in Seattle.

Brody:  A night that truly changed my life for all time. It started out as a typical Friday evening at my restaurant, with the social get together for the participants in the radio station's monthly game weekend.

Game weekend?

Brody:  Once a month my radio station hosts a game weekend. Participation is limited to the first 100 people who sign up via the website. The weekend activity can be board games such as Clue® or Monopoly® with several game tables set up. It could be a scavenger hunt. Or sometimes we do a movie marathon with a theme, either a genre of movie or a specific star. Friday evening is the happy hour social gathering of the participants where everyone has an opportunity to meet and greet. Saturday is the actual game event and then Sunday evening is an informal awards ceremony for the winner.

Actually, that sounds like it would be a fun weekend. How long has your radio station been doing this?

Brody:  I've been conducting the monthly weekend game for about two years.

You do this personally?

Brody:  Yep…it's something I enjoy. I'm currently considering expanding it to twice a month. The game weekend has become more and more popular, lots of people trying to register to play after the limit has been reached. Twice a month will allow more people to participate. I'll probably work some of the radio station's on-air personalities into a rotation of hosting.

Shaina:  It was the game weekend that grabbed my attention as soon as I moved to Seattle. I hadn't even finished unpacking my belongings in my new apartment yet. I immediately signed up. I thought it would be a great way to meet people with whom I would instantly have something in common.

And that's where the two of you ran into each other a year later?

Shaina:  Exactly. The moment I saw him at the restaurant, I knew I had met him before but couldn't figure out where it was, especially considering Seattle was new to me.

Brody:  I knew exactly who she was the moment I saw her. Ever since that evening in Phoenix, she was never very far from my thoughts. I also knew I wanted a true relationship with her. (a soft chuckle escapes his throat) It was a totally off the wall thought. I wasn't even sure exactly where it came from, but I knew it was real. It was just a matter of convincing her.

Shaina:  And to that end, he almost destroyed any possibility before it got started.

What do you mean by that?

Shaina:  (shoots quick sideway glance toward Brody including a tender smile) I have to admit that it was probably my fault…at least more my fault than his. On the surface, he seems to be the perfect guy—intelligent, charming, successful, well established, attentive…I mean, he actually listened to what I was saying rather than simply waiting for his turn to talk. He had all the qualities of that elusive Mr. Right. Except…

Brody:  Except I didn't understand what I said or did that occasionally elicited a flash of anger from her. It didn't last long, but the dynamic kept repeating, and I couldn’t figure out why. The only thing I knew for sure—she was absolutely worth the effort to figure out what was going on, what was causing her confusing behavior.

Shaina, would you care to share with us what was behind this…uh…unusual behavior?

Shaina:  Well, let's just say that not all of the baggage I brought from Phoenix to Seattle was tangible belongings. It included what was apparently some emotional baggage as well.

Brody:  Compounded by the evening her ex-fiancé showed up at her door—

Shaina:  Not to be confused with the afternoon his restaurant hostess—

Ah Ha—now we're getting into the heart of the matter. So, what happened?

Brody:  I can't give away all the secrets or reveal all the obstacles we encountered. I'm afraid you'll need to read the book.

How about you, Shaina. Do you have anything you'd like to contribute?

Shaina:  Only what Brody said—you'll need to read the book.

That's it? If I want to know anything else, I need to read the book?

Brody:  Yep.

Shaina:  (laughs) You'll have to read the book.

Well…apparently I have a book to buy. Thank you, Shaina and Brody, for spending some time with us.

BLURB:

Seattle restaurant owner and entrepreneur Brody Danvers met the woman of his dreams a year ago at a party in Phoenix…her and her fiancé. When a chance encounter brings her—minus a ring on her finger—back into his life, he'll do whatever it takes to keep her there.

Graphic artist Shaina Thomas has moved from Phoenix to Seattle to get away from a controlling ex-fiancé who refuses to accept the end of their relationship. Seeing the man she'd nicknamed Mr. Incredibly Sexy and Desirable and not forgotten is an unexpected but complicated surprise. She's seriously attracted to him, but he seems to possess the same controlling traits as her ex. And then there's the beautiful restaurant hostess who has her sights set on him…

PG-Excerpt #3:

“Do you need to rush away? I thought we could have a drink or get something to eat and catch up.”

She glanced at her watch, then out the window at the rain. “Well…”

“Good.” He immediately took control as he steered her toward the door. “We’ll find a quiet corner downstairs and grab something to eat. This, however, does not count as that dinner we’re going to share”—he lowered his voice to a sexy whisper—“although it could involve that totally indecent proposition I mentioned.”

Shaina instantly bristled. She stopped walking and stood her ground. How dare he make her decisions for her, tell her where she’s going and what she should be doing. He didn’t even do her the courtesy of asking if she’d like to have something to eat.

“You, uh, seem a little pushy. Did it ever occur to you that I might not be hungry?” She tried to keep the level of irritation out of her voice but without much success. Her break-up with Jerry happened nine months ago, long enough that it shouldn’t continue to be an issue with her, but that logical thought didn’t stop the intrusion of the emotional baggage attached to her ill-fated engagement.

A hint of confusion darted across his face. “Excuse me?” He shot her a curious look. “It certainly wasn’t my intention to offend you. Perhaps we could have dinner some other time.”

An instant hint of guilt jolted her thoughts.

His brow lifted as he tilted his head to one side, a look bordering on something akin to a challenge. “When do you think you might be hungry?”

She stood in stunned silence for a moment, not sure what to say or do.

FATED ENCOUNTER, an adult romance novella by Samantha Gentry from The Wild Rose Press.  www.thewildrosepress.com  

Available in ebook at:

Amazon   www.amazon.com/Fated-Encounter-Samantha-Gentry-ebook/dp/B0867J9YJJ

And other online vendors.

Excerpts and other information available on my website:  www.samanthagentry.com