Welcome to my next ebook spotlight! Throughout the year, once a month, I will be highlighting one of my books, talking a little bit about my inspiration behind it, my research, etc. giving you a glimpse into my writing process and also sharing one chapter to read for
FREE.
So let’s get started! This month I turn the spotlight on…Memory’s Prisoner!
Who doesn’t love a good trope? One of my favorites is amnesia. To me, there’s nothing more angsty than having someone you love forget that love and agonize that you may have lost them, hoping they’ll remember what you once meant to each other. And what would you do if they never did?
I also wanted to show the very realistic outcome of severe injuries sustained by both my characters. Not everyone magically recovers completely by the end of a book. There are long-lasting effects that end up changing their lives, but that doesn’t mean a happily-ever-after isn’t on their horizon.
BLURB: Detectives Mitchell Reid and Joseph Valentino of the Chicago Police Department have finally moved from friends to lovers, partners on the job and off. Their new-found happiness is short-lived, however, when an escaped felon with a thirst for revenge shatters their world. The police tactical raid to recapture the convict goes horribly wrong, leaving Mitch severely wounded and Joey with a devastating head injury that plunges him into a long-term coma.
Two years later, Joey awakens with partial amnesia, which has erased a year of his life, including the knowledge that he and Mitch are lovers. Unwilling to force Joey back into a relationship if his feelings for him were no longer there, Mitch can only suffer in silence as he supports Joey on his long road to recovery, hoping he will remember the love they once shared.
Intrigued? Then get to know Mitch and Joey in a FREE CHAPTER READ from Memory’s Prisoner…
“Son-of-a-bitch!”
Mitch’s sharp curse broke through the noise in the Major Crimes bullpen and Joey raised his head, glancing at Mitch from his desk. “What is it?” he asked, getting up and crossing over to Mitch’s desk.
Mitch pushed his chair back almost violently, his hand indicating his computer. Joey moved closer to read the screen, then straightened back up with his own curse.
Joey’s outburst so close to Mitch’s now drew the attention of Rick who rose from his desk to investigate, but Mitch held up a hand. “Get the captain,” he told the other detective.
Joey looked at Mitch as they waited for Tim. “Should we be happy we were right?”
Before Mitch could answer, Captain Donnelly and Rick were standing at his desk. Joey moved aside so the two men could read the email Mitch had just received.
How disappointing, Detective Reid. Here I thought you a worthy opponent. I enjoyed our cat-and-mouse game a year ago, but it appears you don’t want to play anymore. What else could explain your pitiful efforts to find me? Shall I declare myself the victor then? Or shall I give you one more chance?
Tim straightened back up. “That arrogant son-of-a-bitch. Rick, get Tech Ops on this. See if they can trace where the email came from.”
Rick nodded as he moved away. “Got it, Cap.”
Mitch shook his head. “Don’t bother. It’ll be like all the others, untraceable.”
“Sounds like he’s planning another job,” Joey broke in. “One last opportunity for us before he really is gone for good.”
“No way in hell is this murdering psychopath leaving this city,” Tim vowed.
Mitch stood, his voice like ice. “Unless it’s in a body bag.”
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Two days later, Mitch slammed down his phone and threw his pen across his desk with disgust. Another dead end they couldn’t afford. He could feel the clock ticking down toward whatever the hell Doyle had planned. They were running out of time to find him. With a sigh, he turned to look over at his partner’s desk, watching as Joey closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, a telltale sign a headache was forming. Knowing Joey could use some caffeine, Mitch went to stand to get them both coffee, when Kei came striding urgently up to his desk.
“Mitch,” Kei nodded toward him, then turned his head. “Joe, you’ll want to hear this, too.”
“What’ve you got, Kei?” Joey asked, walking over.
“Anonymous tip,” Kei replied. “Came in via a…sketchy informant of mine.”
“Not his own intel?” Mitch questioned.
Kei shook his head. “More of a ‘word on the street’ kind of thing.”
Mitch blew out a breath. “Well it’s more than we’ve gotten so far. What did he have for you?”
Kei handed him a piece of paper with an address. “Abandoned building on the lakefront. Some kind of warehouse. Doyle himself is supposedly holed up there.”
Mitch raised an eyebrow. “Just him?”
Joey started shaking his head. “I don’t like it. We have zero leads on Doyle for a week, then suddenly an email from him and right after that, anonymous intel on his hideout? No. This is a setup. He’s done with this game and is drawing us out.”
Kei looked at Mitch. “The kid’s right, you know.”
Mitch gave a frustrated sigh. “I know he is. But it doesn’t change the fact that we have to look into this. We can’t take the chance that it turns out to be good intel and we blow the only chance we have to nail Doyle once and for all.” He pushed back his chair and stood. “Kei, get Dean and Rick and bring them to the captain’s office. We need to put together a plan.”
Kei nodded. “Got it,” he answered, then left to gather the other detectives.
Mitch turned and caught Joey’s concerned gaze. “This isn’t going to end well, Mitch,” Joey said quietly, then turned and walked toward Tim’s office.
Mitch watched the retreating form of his partner and hoped to God he was wrong, but he couldn’t deny the feeling of unease that began to grow inside him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Jamie Lynn Miller 