A
Shot in the Dark
Romantic
Thriller
Date
Published: 7/11/2013
Synopsis:
Most of the patients that are brought to the
trauma bay in the ER remain nameless, and for the most part, faceless.
For Laney Pearson and the rest of the staff, this makes it easier to move
past the senseless death and destruction that they see on an almost daily
basis. But all of that changes for Laney when she finds herself trying to
pump the life back into a young motorcycle rider who arrives by helicopter more
dead than alive.
Skyler Smith has all the makings of the next
great motocross rider, right up until he crashes while trying to perform the
trick that will secure his future. From the time his motionless body is
lifted off the track, the question becomes not when his next race takes place,
but whether he will live to see another day. And now there is mounting
evidence that the tragedy was no accident
Laney can never envision this boy’s crash and
the ensuing investigation will have such an impact on her own life, but in the
days that follow, she discovers a life within her she never knew existed.
While the police sort through the mounting evidence from the crash, Laney
has to sort through her own feelings for the handsome trauma surgeon that she
previously never gave a second thought. Is he really as charming as he
seems, or is there another reality hiding beneath the surface? And just
how long has he been watching her?
Excerpt:
Laney stared at the television
on the wall noting the ESPN announcers talking about the day's football games
highlights. She barely noticed the man that slipped in the barstool beside her.
She probably would have ignored him all together except the wonderful smell of
his cologne made her tune in to the fact that there was someone sitting next to
her. It was the same smell that permeates the Abercrombie and Fitch stores.
Oh God I love that smell. She felt a warming sensation between her legs and
was startled out of her thoughts when he turned towards her.
"You should probably eat
something if you are going to drink like that."
"Excuse..."
Laney turned her head towards
the voice of the wonderfully smelling man and was shocked to see Dr. Stone
sitting next to her. She instantly turned bright red, embarrassed by the
thoughts that had crossed her mind just a few seconds before.
"What. are.?"
"Laney, it's never
good to drink on an empty stomach."
Annoyed, Laney responded.
"I didn't realize that I asked for your professional opinion".
Dr. Stone looked a bit taken
back by her sharp tongue. Laney instantly regretted what she said and the
inclination of her voice.
"I'm sorry; I didn't mean
it like that. It's just.it was a really rough day."
The bartender appeared with
the Grey Goose and soda. Taylor looked at Dr. Stone admiring him as though she
could have him for dinner. Laney looked at Taylor checking out Dr. Stone and
then looked at his reaction. He didn't even seem to notice that she had been
checking him out. I can see why everyone is hot for this guy. He is pretty
hot.... in an asshole sort of way.
"And what can I get for
you?" Taylor nearly crawled over the bar as she was getting Dr. Stone's
order.
"I'll have what
she is having".
"Do you have a name?"
Now looking a little caught
off guard, he turned his attention away from Laney and replied, "Josh. My
name is Josh."
Taylor redirected her
attention towards Laney. "Laney, is the good looking man your date for the
evening?"
Laney looked at Dr. Stone and
then back at Taylor and retorted. "Absolutely not."
"What a shame. A good
looking guy like this will be snatched up quickly. So Josh, one Greygoose and
soda coming up. Will there be anything else? Maybe a menu or maybe my
number?"
Laney looked up stunned by the
directness of the Taylor. She had never actually seen Taylor act this way
towards any of the patrons. How rude! What if he were mine? Okay Laney, cool
down. You did say that emphatically that he was not yours. She took a look
at Josh who seemed to not even have noticed how easily the waitress asked for
his number. As the shock wore off, Laney noticed how handsome he really was and
felt a pang of jealousy begin to develop. His deep blue eyes were the color of
the Caribbean and utterly electrifying. His dark brown hair was short and
perfectly manicured. His olive colored face had perfectly chiseled features and
his lips... so darn kissable. He was out of his scrubs and dressed in jeans and
a tight fitting black silk t-shirt that accentuated his large biceps and
unbelievable pecs. How have I missed this for so long?
"Ah, I'm good for right
now," he stated without even batting an eye. It's as if getting asked
for his number was part of an everyday conversation for him. Maybe it is. Laney
thought to herself.
"Let me get you
some dinner" he offered.
"No, thank you. I am not
hungry. And no offense, but I prefer to be alone after a rough day at
work."
She took a large sip of her
drink and looked up at Josh. His big blue eyes piercing right through her made
her catch her breath. What am I thinking? I have this gorgeous guy next to
me, and all I can think about is being alone and drowning my sorrows into this
glass. What is my problem? Laney, you know he's a jerk. Well maybe that is just
the way he is at work.
Laney discontinued the
conversation she was having with herself in her head and decided to get back to
the conversation she washaving with Dr. Stone.
"I'm sorry, Dr. Stone. I
am being selfish. Your day wasn't any better." He flashed a million dollar
smile at her that would have swept any woman off her feet. She however was not
willing to give in that easily. She was not ready to let go of her already
formed opinion of him.
"No problem Laney. If you
want to be alone I completely understand. I hope that you will decide
otherwise. And please, call me Josh. We aren't at work."
Just then, Taylor walked up
with Josh's Greygoose and soda. Laney took a sip of her drink and began
stirring it with the little cocktail straw in the glass. She squeezed the lime
to produce a couple more drops in her drink in an effort to distract her from
the fact that Dr. Stone just told her to call him Josh. It didn't feel quite
right. She had always known him as Dr. Stone.
"For what it's
worth, Laney, you did a great job in there today."
"Thanks. You, too.
You saved his life!"
"I would say that we both
saved his life. He wouldn't be here without you pounding on his chest keeping
his heart going. And I really like that move where you had straddled Skyler on
the gurney doing CPR while rolling into the OR. If the situation weren't so
horrible, it might have been slightly comical."
Laney's cheeks flushed. She
wasn't used to taking complements especially not from someone she found so
attractive. Laney downed the rest of her drink, threw down some money on the
bar and stepped out of her chair. Laney knew that she shouldn't drive after
having a couple of drinks. But, her judgment had become slightly clouded and,
she knew that if she stayed there much longer, she might get herself into some
trouble.
"Thanks for the company.
I have to go. I have to work tomorrow."
Josh stood up from his chair
and grabbed Laney's arm just as she turned to walk away.
"Laney. You just had two
very strong drinks in the course of just a few minutes. And, you didn't have
anything to eat. You shouldn't be driving. You of all people should know
better."
"Excuse me, Dr.
Stone, but I think I am very aware of my limits,and I don't need you to act
like my dad!" Laney pulled her arm away and started to turn back around.
"Laney, at least let me
get you some dinner or an appetizer. It won't take that long and you'll be back
home and in your bed before you know it."
"I appreciate your
concern. But, I am ok. I'll hit a drive thru and grab something to eat."
She continued to head out the door. She looked back over shoulder to find him
with a shocked expression on his face. She continued out the door and unlocked
her BMW with the controller, got in and started her car. Just as she was
starting to pull away from the curb, Josh knocked on the window. Laney pressed
the button to roll it down.
"What?"
"Laney, how about
I drive you?"
"I told you, I have to
work tomorrow. I don't have any way of getting my car to get to work."
"I could pick you
up in the morning to get your car."
"Don't be
absurd!"
"Laney,
really."
"Good night, Dr.
Stone."
"Laney, please
drive carefully."
BUY LINKS
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-shot-in-the-dark-jennifer-burrows/1116108601?ean=9781612962160
Guest Post:
Inspiration To Your Writing
I can’t pinpoint one thing that inspires me to write. So many factors play into it. I typically get an idea that pops in my
head. For example, I was sitting on a
train traveling through the Italian countryside when an idea hit me. From there, I began to develop a story in my
head and then I put it to paper in an outline form. I get so excited I want to get the entire
story down on paper. I have to refrain
myself so I can stay focused on the current project and then pick up the new
idea at a later date. By the way, the
Italian countryside story will be the next book I write.
Many times, my writing has to do with what social or
emotional things are going on in my life at the time. With my next book, Into the Light, I was dealing with some family issues. So, there are family issues Laney has to deal
with throughout her story. And while
these aren’t the same family issues I was having, it was a good outlet in which
to release some bottled up energy. I
guess you could say I project my issues onto my characters.
Another inspiration is the love for my characters. When I fall in love with them, I want to
write about them and not stop until their story is finished. I get in a mode where I can feel their
emotions. I get totally wrapped up in
them and their lives. It sometimes feels as though I’m a part of the story. My husband thinks I’m just being moody. But no, I’m actually living out a fake
characters life.
Finally, I just love to write. I can write about anything. You give me a topic and I can make up and
grandiose story about it. It’s really
fun and a way to escape my boring life.
And when my friends read my story and their faces light up telling me
how much they loved a certain part, it makes it all worth while.
About Jennifer Burrows:
Jennifer is a
Registered Nurse, and she holds a Master’s degree in Nursing Administration.
She has 15 years of experience working in the Emergency Room and the
Intensive Care Unit of a major trauma center. While she is equally adept
at all facets of patient care, Emergency room nursing is her passion, and is
the inspiration for this story. Currently, she resides in Southern
California with her husband and their three amazing boys. This is her
first published novel, with the sequel expected soon.
Twitter:
@jenburrows234
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