Today we have a book blast for Shari Ryan’s
Tag!!! And to celebrate the sale she’s running, Shari is
sharing an exclusive excerpt and a fantastic giveaway.
What if your family had a big secret . . . a life changing
secret. My dad, the bigwig CIA agent, was always on the run, whether he was
being chased or doing the chasing. I missed him. Then my mom passed away, and
my sister was murdered. I turned my solitude to strength because the
alternative was too bleak.
But my luck seemed to turn: I met Tango. And while I want
him more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my twenty-two years, danger lurks
around every corner and I simply can’t take the chance of it finding me. But
his tattoos, his smell, his darkness, and his body— that marine has taken over
my every thought. But, what if he too isn’t what I think? A ticking time bomb
isn’t going to leave me much time to waver. Even the bravest person can be in
need of a miracle.
Before she was gone, my mom warned me to know everyone and
trust no one. But what was I supposed to do when I found out I am the one not
to be trusted? Turns out, I was always the bait in this conspiracy.
In author Shari J. Ryan’s gripping novel, TAG, the canyons
hold secrets, the waterfalls provide safety, and romance has a pesky way of
showing up when you are sweaty and dirty and least expect it.
I've been seated among the dozens of other passengers for
the past two hours, watching the gate times change a number of times before I
see the plane actually arrive. Just as I'm powering my phone down, preparing to
board, an awful stench burns my nose from a few inches away. A middle-aged man
with greasy black hair and a thick lip-covering mustache who smells exactly
like the inside of a port-a-potty has found a reason to sit directly beside me
in a row of empty seats. When my eyes unfortunately meet his, he takes the
opportunity to speak to me. "Heading to Boston?" he asks. I raise my
eyebrows and force a tightlipped smile. I simply follow that with a nod and
give him a no shit look. "I heard winter's coming early this year,"
he continues.
"Cool," I mumble with a sigh. I pull a magazine
out of my bag and open it in front of my face, hoping to block my vision of the
man's blackened-stained grin. But it's only seconds before I'm taken back when
his finger sweeps down the bare skin of my collarbone.
"What does that mean?" he asks, pointing to my
tattoo.
With a smooth motion, I lay my magazine down onto my lap and
place my hand over his, giving him the false notion that I'm a gentle person. I
take the opportunity to offer him a slight smile before I twist his forefinger
backwards as far as it will go before the expectant snap. "I'm
sorry," I say sweetly. "Did I tell you it was okay to touch me?"
I pull down a little harder, and he smiles in response to the pain. But as I
hold my hand there, I see the smile begin to fade.
"It's a free country, chicky," he sputters as his
tongue knocks around between his bare gums.
"Why would you think it's okay to touch me?" I ask
again, keeping my voice calm, yet stern. He licks his lips and looks me up and
down, responding with only a look. "Do you go around touching girls half
your age because you feel it's okay?"
He clears his throat and looks around to see who's watching
or listening, but I don't move my eyes from his. "Why not?" he says,
shrugging his bony shoulders. "Besides, you're definitely asking for
it."
He thinks I'm asking for it? I'm wearing a fucking scoop
neck, black long sleeve shirt, jeans, and combat boots. "The only reason
it's okay, is because no one has ever probably told you no. But it occurs to me
that after I snap your finger off your hand, you won't be able to touch people
inappropriately anymore, will you?"
He hoots with laughter, dragging in attention he probably
shouldn't want. "You think you could break my finger, little
chicklette?"
I pull his finger a little further, and his smile grows.
"Ow, stop. You're hurting me," he puckers his lips and winks at me.
"Oh, look, it's your right hand. You a righty?" I
turn his hand over and see deep callouses bubbling on his palm. "Yes, you
are. So, if I rip this thing off, you wouldn't miss it, right?" I turn his
hand back over and glare into his beady eyes. He's questioning my words. He's
unsure of my capabilities. And that's fine. "Sound okay to you? Or are you
going to leave and stop touching people?" His smile fades and his eyes
widen. I release his hand and offer him a smart-ass smile. "Oh, and the
tattoo means death. It's a Maori Warrior symbol. They used to eat their enemies
once they slaughtered them. Cool, huh?"
I see his Adam's apple struggle to move. He lifts his bag
from the ground and nearly trips over his own feet, darting away.
I reopen my magazine to the page I was reading and refocus
my attention on an article as I hear a soft chuckle coming from the other side
of me. I turn to see who was enjoying the free entertainment and I'm faced with
a man who looks to be either a wrestler or in the military--black shaven hair,
stiff jaw and bulging muscles on every inch of his arms. His eyes are currently
focused on a book, and I suppose he could have been laughing at that, rather
than me. But as I question it, his large shamrock green eyes lift and look
right at me. A slight grin tugs on the corner of his lips, and he winks so
quickly I'm questioning whether it was me who might have blinked. Before I can
react, he stands up and walks away.
I swallow hard and refocus my attention on the magazine once
more. Stupid attractive man causing a moment of feebleness. I didn't react,
though. He winked at me. I think. And I didn't make a snide comment or scowl.
Weakness.
I let out a few short breaths, regaining my composure. He's
gone. It's fine.
About Shari Ryan:
Bestselling author, Shari J. Ryan, hails from Central
Massachusetts where she lives with her hubby and two lively little boys. Ryan
has published the 3-book Schasm Series for Romantic Suspense/Thriller fans. TAG
is her first book written solely for the Romantic Suspense audience, and she is
hard at work on Red Nights, a standalone coming this spring. To learn more,
visit her at: www.sharijryan.com
Enter Shari’s giveaway today!!
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