Welcome back, DiAnn. Let’s do some fun questions first.
What song most closely resembles your life?
“Oceans” (Where Feet May Fail) by
Hillsong
The words touch me as though the song were written for and
about me.
Do you have a
favorite Bible verse? And why is it a favorite?
Jeremiah 20:9. I like the NIV version the best: But if I
say, “I
will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word
is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding
it in; indeed, I cannot.
The words of Jeremiah inspire me to live and breathe every
aspect of God living in me.
What is the one thing
you wish you could go back and change in your life?
To understand the value of my relationship to God. Hold fast
and never let go. Like all of us,
I made mistakes because I took my focus off Him.
What is the most
important characteristic for a good friend to have?
Integrity. I didn’t even have to think about
this question!
What extracurricular
activities did you participate in when you were in school?
Can I remember that far back? :)
1. Latin club (I know boring but I loved it.)
2. Choir
3. Band - I was a majorette.
I could see you as a
majorette. What is your favorite movie of all times?
Gone with the Wind
- The characterization moves me each time I view it. All the characters were
uniquely motivated.
I’ve read the book several times
over the year, and I own the DVD of the movie. It’s
been a favorite of mine, too. Tell us about why you wrote this book.
I wanted to show how strong characters reacted to a scam
against the elderly who suffered from Alzheimer's. My heroine is an FBI agent,
and my hero is a police officer. Both were motivated to end the scam and bring
the ones responsible to justice.
As a side note: those who deal with the struggles of
Alzheimer’s, the caregiver and the victim, are caught up in a
downward spiral. I wanted their voices heard.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Prologue
Special Agent Laurel Evertson had done everything required
of her and more to gain Morton Wilmington’s affections. The gaudy
diamond on her left hand proved it. She was prepared to end her undercover work
tonight and walk away from this despicable role. All she had to do was find the
flash drive that would send her fiancé to prison for life.
Morton reached into his closet and pulled out designer
pants, shirt, and a sports jacket. “Babe, I’m taking a
shower. Thought we’d grab dinner downtown before the play.”
“Perfect. I’m ready. So looking forward to
tonight.”
She despised the lies and the counterfeit love.
“What are you going to do, read here?”
“I am. A new romance novel.” She
pointed to a window seat that offered a scenic view of his condo’s
pool, bathed in late summer afternoon sun.
He chuckled, his deep-blue eyes smoldering. “As
long as I’m your main man.”
“None other.” She kissed him lightly. “I’m
turning on a little Andrea Bocelli to put me in the mood.”
“For what?”
“The book, the play, dinner, and us.”
“Another reason why I love you. Even if you did beat
me last night in Monopoly.” He disappeared into the
shower.
The moment the sound of water met her ears, she confirmed
his location. Four times she’d found herself alone in his
condo and attempted to access his safe, but each time she’d
failed to hack into his computer, where he stored the safe combination that
changed daily. Today she knew his password, and she quickly located the code on
his laptop.
She placed the novel on the bed and removed a framed picture
of a tank at Fort
Knox from the wall to
reveal the safe. Odd for a bedroom, but Morton had served four years in the
Army.
Probably the only thing he could be proud of. She rested the
picture against the nightstand while the digital combination bannered across
her mind. Gripping her right fingers into her palm to steady herself, she pressed
in the code, hoping Andrea Bocelli’s tenor voice drowned out the
low click. If she was wrong, the alarm would blare throughout the condo,
bringing Morton out of the shower along with his bodyguard from the kitchen.
Big business had made him one of the most powerful men in
the country and certainly in Texas .
Murder, money laundering, and organized crime were his best friends—legitimacy
his enemy. But he’d made one mistake, exposing it all on a flash
drive. He’d bragged where it was hidden one night after
drinking too much. It had taken her months to locate the safe and figure out
how to gain access.
Was she any better than he, using another person for her own
agenda? She shook off the thought with her commitment to stop Wilmington from breaking the law.
She secured the flash drive and replaced the picture.
Stealing her way to the bathroom door, she confirmed Morton was still
showering. His laptop sat on his desk as though beckoning her to prove the FBI’s
suspicions. She inserted the drive. Her heart pounded, ached.
“Babe, had an idea for our honeymoon,”
he called from the bathroom.
“Great.” She breathed deeply to calm
her scattered nerves. “Are you going to tell me?”
“Maybe.”
“You know I love surprises.” The
details on the computer rose like rich cream . . . names, places, bank
accounts. She ejected the device and slipped it into her shoe.
“I sent a check to MD Anderson this morning,”
he said.
“For the kids or in general?”
“The kids. The fund-raiser we attended hit me hard.”
But you’d killed men who got in your
way. “They
stole my heart too.” She texted the FBI and Jesse, her partner,
providing the code to the condo’s alarm system and telling
them where the armed bodyguard was located. “Do you need anything?”
“That’s a loaded offer but I’m
good.”
He wouldn’t be so good once the FBI
arrived for the takedown. “What time are we leaving?”
She moved back to the window seat and opened her novel.
He stepped from the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his
waist. “Is
six okay?”
She smiled. “Sure.” Finally
this charade would be over.
While discussing what Wilmington
wanted to do for the children at MD Anderson, he dressed and she touched up her
makeup. Her hands trembled.
“Are you okay?” he said. “You’re
shaking.”
“Just hungry.” She hated this game, made her
feel as dirty as Morton.
“Want a glass of orange juice?”
“You’re so sweet. Thanks, I’d
love it.”
He left the room and went down the hall to the kitchen. She
checked her phone.
W r n place. Now
With a confident breath, she pulled her Glock from her purse
and trailed after Wilmington .
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Thank you, DiAnn, for sharing this new book with us.
Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Double Cross - Christianbook.comDouble Cross (FBI: Houston) - Amazon
Double Cross (FBI: Houston Book 2) - Kindle
Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)
Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.
The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.
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20 comments:
Great first page! Captured my attention and want to read the book. Thanks for the chance to win!
Beth in Montana
Thanks Beth!
I have heard great things about DiAnn's books but haven't had a chance to pick one up. Thanks for the giveaway!
Sierra
Indiana
Thanks, Sierra! I appreciate readers.
This sounds like an interesting story that I would enjoy reading.
California
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Great interview with DiAnn. I also can see her as a majorette. I would love to read DOUBLE CROSS. Thanks for the giveaway.
Caryl in Texas
Many thanks for your responses!
DiAnn is a dandy! Would love to read this one!
Melanie Backus, TX
Hello Lena. Would love to win DiAnn's book. Thanks for the giveaway. I live in Texas.
Maxie > mac262(at)me(dot)com <
I loved this fun interview and would love to win a copy of Double Cross!
Britney Adams, TX
A lovely interview thank you. This looks like a great read.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
I live in NJ and would love a chance to win this book!
Judy
So glad you enjoyed the post! I now have new friends!
Ok, now I'm hooked! This one is going on my TBR list. Thanks for the interview and giveaway!
Loraine in TX
That first page grabbed me. Thank you for the giveaway!
Anna from FL
writer_weaverATyahooDOTcom
Enter me I love your books and can't wait to read this one!!
Conway, SC.
Diana's book are always great! Shelia from Mississippi
Sounds like a great suspense!
Please enter me :)
Samantha in Qc, Canada
I had a grandmother who had Alzheimer's, and I like suspense novels, so this looks like something I'd like.
-Melissa M. in TN
Hi DiAnn & Lena! Holy cow! That was intense! I can't wait to read if she got him!!
Kristen in OK
kam110476 at gmail dot com
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