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Tour Review
Chasing
the Dragon
(Deception Duet #1)
by
T.K. Leigh
~
Synopsis ~
He’s trying to protect his heart…
She’s a shell of the girl
she once was…
Can he chase away the
demons threatening to destroy her?
Mackenzie Delano craves control. After tragedy strikes during her
freshman year of college, she compensates for the helplessness she felt by
micro-managing every aspect of her life, from her business life to her social
life…to her love life. But she wasn’t expecting to cross paths with a
mysterious man who seems to invade her every thought. Tyler Burnham has been
living his life with one rule in mind…never fall in love. Focusing solely on
his career, he is able to remain a detached observer of life… Until a case is
dropped in his lap, forcing him to form an intimate relationship with a
sharp-tongued woman in order to obtain the location of a man deemed an enemy of
the State. When Tyler finds himself falling for Mackenzie, will he be able push
his feelings aside and recover the information he needs? Or will he put the
mission and their lives at risk to follow his heart? Chasing The Dragon is the
first installment of a two part series of deception and betrayal where nothing
is as it seems.
***
Note - Chasing The Dragon is the first book in a two-book duet and is a
spin-off of T.K. Leigh's USA Today Best Selling Beautiful Mess series. It is
not necessary to have read that series in order to read this duet, but it will
contain a mild spoiler from the third book in the Beautiful Mess series,
Gorgeous Chaos. ***
~ Excerpt ~
“Dance with me, Mackenzie,” he said, holding my hand in his, sensually placing
the other just below my hip bone. “What are you−” “Shhh…,” he admonished,
expertly leading me in our dance, the band playing Cole Porter’s Every Time We Say
Goodbye. “Just
enjoy it and don’t think.” I simply nodded, turning my head to scan the
restaurant. “Mackenzie, eyes on me. I need to know you’re with me.” I snapped
my eyes back to his, my mouth slightly agape as my heart pounded in my chest.
He was warm and spellbinding. The way he held me in his arms comforted me and
made me feel as if they were made to hold me. “Are you with me?” he asked,
raising his eyebrows. “Yes,” I said, my voice soft. He leaned toward me and the
bit of stubble on his chin brushed my skin. “Yes what?” he whispered. “I’m with
you.” The corners of his lips turned up slightly and there was a spark about
him that wasn’t present yesterday. “I like the sound of that, Miss Delano.” He
pulled me closer and I tilted my head to peer into his striking eyes, needing
the connection I felt at that moment. It was unlike anything I had ever
experienced, all because of a well-placed hand, a sinfully sexy voice, eyes
that made me want to melt, and arms that felt like home. “Who would have
thought that the Mackenzie whose lips I couldn’t stop seeing in my dreams last
night would turn out to be Mackenzie Delano, proprietor of South Padre’s
hottest new spot?” “How did−” “Shhh,” he said once more. “You think too much.
Just enjoy the moment because it’s over once the band plays the final
note to this melody.” I snapped my mouth shut, a strange awareness of loss
washing over me at the prospect of this complete stranger walking away from me
once the song came to an end, wondering if I would ever see him again. “You’re
a lovely dancer, Miss Delano,” he commented. “Thank you,” I answered, unsure of
whether to say anything further. He seemed to be in complete control of the
dance, of his words…and of mine. And, for the first time, I was okay with
someone else calling the shots. “You have a dancer’s body. I’m confident you’ve
bewitched quite a few men with the way you can seamlessly navigate the dance
floor.” He leaned toward me and whispered, “I must confess… You’ve bewitched
me.” His voice was sweet as it crooned in my ear, and I was left a silent,
blubbering mute, the sincerity in his declaration sparking a renewed sense of
longing I had ignored for years. My breathing grew ragged, and I was unable to
formulate any response. I simply lost myself in the moment of our dance,
wanting his sensual words to ring in the recesses of my mind for all eternity.
I wished I could have recorded his voice murmuring those endearing words to me
so I could replay them over and over again when I needed to feel something I
didn’t think I would ever feel again. He molded my frame to his, our bodies
swaying to the classic tune, and began to sing along with the band. I imagined
he was singing to me, and me alone. His voice was deep and guttural, but sweet
as he leaned toward my neck and crooned the last verse into my ear. I closed my
eyes, losing myself in his warmth, his voice, his everything. All too soon, the
final note rang out, silence encompassing the room, but we continued to sway to
the music in our heads, our rhythm perfectly in tune to each other. A loud drum
kick echoed, startling me, and I opened my eyes, almost expecting it all to be
a dream. But it wasn’t, and I was met with my mysterious stranger’s strong
face. Time stood still as we simply stared at each other, neither one of us
moving. I licked my dry lips, nerves causing my breathing to grow more intense
and labored. He grabbed my hand and brought it to his soft lips, placing a kiss
on it. The contact caused a rush of adrenaline to run through me. Before I
could ask his name, he was gone, leaving me stunned and alone once more.
~
Links to Buy ~
~ Review ~
A new
series from T.K. Leigh featuring a Burnham.....yes please. I knew going
in a little bit about Tyler from his appearance in the Beautiful Mess Series.
Being a Burnham he had a lot to live up to, but now worries he held
his own.
Tyler is a man on a mission.....Mackenzie Delano. She is the woman who he has been keeping tabs on to further an investigation for the CIA. After keeping his distance for a while he lets his presence be known. But Mackenzie doesn't swoon at his feet like other woman. Keep your personal life and your business life seperate. Sometimes even the strongest of wills can't help but blur the lines.
She is a woman who has learned to protect her heart and enjoys routine. Surprises and disruptions are not welcome. Having been hurt in the past, she keeps her focus on the dream of opening a "club" and spending time with her best friend.
But her "chance" encounters with Tyler leave a lasting imprint in her mind. She can't seem to shake him and the feelings that he makes her feel. She tries to convince herself that she can do without Tyler and his advances but her heart and body betray her. I mean, she honestly didn't stand a chance. Tyler was sooo smooth that I could feel the heat radiating off my kindle.
I knew that I was in for a great story filled with intrigue, deception and emotion right from the start. T.K. delivered that and more. The story has layers of detail which are slowly revealed throughout the story. Yes, you will get some answers and you will be left with more. Who will be standing on whos side when the truths are revealed? Is a chance at happiness worth sacrificing everything else for? Will the relationship be able to withstand the lies in which it was built on? Grab your copy today and see for yourself.
~ Rating ~
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About the Author ~
T.K.
Leigh, otherwise known as Tracy Leigh Kellam, is the USA Today Best Selling
author of the Beautiful Mess series. Originally from New England, she now
resides in sunny Southern California with her husband, dog and three cats, all
of which she has rescued (including the husband). She always had a knack for
writing, but mostly in the legal field. It wasn't until recently that she
decided to try her hand at creative writing and is now addicted to creating
different characters and new and unique story lines in the Contemporary
Romantic Suspense genre.
When she's not planted in
front of her computer, writing away, she can be found running and training for
her next marathon (of which she has run over fifteen fulls and far too many
halfs to recall). Unlike Olivia, the main character in her Beautiful Mess series,
she has yet to qualify for the Boston Marathon.
~
Connect with T.K. Leigh ~
