The Jake Bernstein FBI series
by Donna Del Oro
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GENRE: romantic suspense
Donna
Del Oro will be awarding winner's choice of ebook or print copy of A
BODYGUARD OF LIES (print - US only) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter
during the tour.
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BLURB:
A riveting blend of romantic thriller, mystery and WWII espionage that spans sixty years of lies. England’s secret service agency MI5 recruits Jewish-American FBI analyst Jake Bernstein to go undercover and investigate an elderly, naturalized American grandmother, suspected of being a notorious Nazi spy wanted for war crimes during WWII. Jake runs into a series of complications: This spy knows a secret that could endanger the British royal family; Jake’s attraction to the old woman’s beautiful granddaughter; a ruthless and violent Irish neo-Nazi group is tracking him; and a clever, cagey old lady stands in the way of justice. His priority shifts from finding the evidence to staying alive!
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| Available Now! |
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| Available January 4, 2017! |
Excerpt:
Breakfast in the hotel dining room was to be served at 7 a.m.. Next stop: Cardiff, the capital of Wales, then their ferry ride to Ireland. He’d finally looked over the itinerary. The motor coach would be leaving that afternoon, after a tour and lunch in Bath. A quick perusal of the day’s agenda showed him they had the afternoon free to wander around Bath and do some shopping. Maybe he could invite Meg and her grandmother to spend some time with him.
Still drowsy with sleep, he looked over at the pillow next to his. Visualizing Meg lying there, her lush hair with all its variegated blonde hues fanned out, stirred him. The erection he’d awakened with grew harder; not surprising, he thought, considering his celibacy of late. Strictly his choice, despite the offers tossed his way.
The opportunities had been there and he’d ignored them, stubborn man that he was. Even late last night, when the two New Jersey sisters had called and invited him to a private party in Hank’s room. He’d declined tactfully.
At thirty-two years old, he found himself holding out for more.
Stupid fool, he scolded himself. Or as the Brits would say, sodding wanker! Or something to that effect. He should learn to take it when it was offered to him on a platter, free of charge. All he had to do was be nice to a girl for a few hours, promise to call her, and then…
Ah, but as Grandpa Nate would say, “nussing is free in dis vorld”.
Dreams of Meg had plagued him—rather entertained him—all night. Even now, recalling how her small, plump breasts bounced up and down while she ran alongside him, how her long ponytail swung back and forth, filled him with unbridled lust. The one time they’d stopped at the Roman ruins, they’d let their arms brush together. Neither had pulled away. Just that light touch had flooded his insides with longing. She appeared to feel the same. She’d flushed to the roots of her hair and after that, had touched him in some small way every chance she got. Each touch was electric, sizzling!
What he liked about her was her total lack of coyness or flirtatiousness. Meg was straightforward, without guile; she wasn’t playing games. He could read the honesty in her face when she told him about her breakup with the ex-fiancé and her distrust of men and their empty promises and vows. All lies, she’d mused with just a hint of bitterness. She’d finally come to accept the reality of men.
Or some men, she’d amended, adding quickly that she’d apologize if she was offending him. No, he’d said; I agree with you. Most men lie through their teeth. It’s a guy thing.
That admission had elicited a small, rueful laugh from both of them. And she’d let her arm brush his again, as if to reassure him. He was different, she was saying.
No, I’m not, he’d wanted to say. I’m a liar, an impostor. And you’re going to hate me when this is all over.
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| Author Donna Del Oro |
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Donna is a retired high school English teacher and is finally able to fulfill her dream of writing fiction. She lives in Northern California with her husband and three cats. When she’s not writing novels, she’s singing with the Sacramento Valley Chorus or traveling with her husband. Life is good and she feels very blessed.
This tour is featuring the Jake Bernstein FBI Series LIES IN WAIT, Book Two of the FBI series will be out January 4, 2017, and the 3rd book will be attached a few months after.
Amazon buy link:
Barnes and Noble buy link:
We’re fortunate that Donna Del Oro has been gracious enough to give an interview about her life and work.
Tell readers about your personal life.
I’m married (50 years next year!) and have two grown children, a teacher and a biotech engineer. Growing up, I was definitely a bookworm! You couldn’t pry a book out of my hands if I was engaged. I guess I was a typical nerd. Most of my childhood was spent in the country, either on my grandfather’s ranch or my other grandmother’s farm.
Who are your favorite authors and favorite genres?
Who are your favorite authors and favorite genres?
My favorite authors are all men, like Daniel Silva, Michael Connolly, Brad Thor, James Patterson, James Rollins, Dan Brown. That’s why I have no trouble writing from a man’s POV in my FBI romantic suspense series. My favorite genre is the spy novel, of which Daniel Silva is a master!
What’s your favorite way to relax and recharge? Hobbies?
What’s your favorite way to relax and recharge? Hobbies?
I sing soprano with a large, award-winning barbershop chorus. It’s challenging, relaxing and the singing sisterhood is very gratifying! That’s my main hobby besides reading, of course, and spending time with my two grandsons.
Do you have a favorite quote that sums up how you feel about life?
Do you have a favorite quote that sums up how you feel about life?
Yes, absolutely! By Shakespeare: “To thine own self be true/And as surely as the night follows the day/ Thou canst be false with any man.”
How long have you been writing?
How long have you been writing?
All my life, off and on. I wrote as a child little, illustrated books; as a teen, I wrote my first romantic novel, SEVENTEENTH SUMMER; as an adult, I began to write with the intent to get published.
Where do you prefer to write? Do you need quiet, music, solitude? PC or laptop?
Where do you prefer to write? Do you need quiet, music, solitude? PC or laptop?
I compose on my MacBook Pro on my kitchen counter. I tend to need quiet but I’ll play music to create some mood music for a particular scene. Soft, romantic music if I’m going to write a romantic/sexy scene.
Are you a plotter or a panzer?
Are you a plotter or a panzer?
I’m a combination of both. I plot in my head, use a Vann diagram to keep straight all the characters’ details, and usually a loose outline of scenes. I have a firm beginning and end for my novel but everything in between is fluid and subject to change, if I feel a scene isn’t going to work or another one is needed. The IN-BETWEEN STUFF IS ALL CREATIVE. That’s what is the most fun to write. I know where I’m going but I’m not quite sure how I’ll get there.
Do you use real events or persons in your stories or as an inspiration for stories?
Do you use real events or persons in your stories or as an inspiration for stories?
A BODYGUARD OF LIES, LIES IN WAIT and WHERE DANGER LIES are all based on or inspired by actual events or people.
Do you set daily writing goals? Word count? Number of chapters? Do you get a chance to write every day?
Do you set daily writing goals? Word count? Number of chapters? Do you get a chance to write every day?
No, that’s too confining, too anal for me. If the flow stops, I stop.
What do you hope your writing brings to readers?
What do you hope your writing brings to readers?
I’d like readers to learn about the dangers that are really and truly OUT THERE, and that our security rests on a dedicated team of people in the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
What long-term plans do you have for your career?
What long-term plans do you have for your career?
None. I take each day as it comes. I don’t intend to set the world on fire.
What advice would you give to unpublished authors?
What advice would you give to unpublished authors?
You know what they say, AUTHORS ARE WRITERS WHO NEVER GAVE UP!
Share a fun fact readers wouldn’t know about you.
Share a fun fact readers wouldn’t know about you.
My favorite TV series is DOWNTON ABBEY! I cried when they shut down the series.
Share something about you that would surprise or shock readers.
Share something about you that would surprise or shock readers.
I’m a heterosexual female but I love to write from the male’s POV.
Since you’re sharing a series with readers, tell us a bit about the series.
Since you’re sharing a series with readers, tell us a bit about the series.
My FBI Romantic Suspense Series features Special Agent Jake Bernstein, as he navigates his way through one dangerous, undercover assignment after another. See the ad for all three books.
Is there anything else you’d like readers to know about you?
Is there anything else you’d like readers to know about you?
Read my books and let me know what you think!
Dust Jacket/Promo blurb for promo print copies of LIES IN WAIT;
The exciting sequel to A BODYGUARD OF LIES!
For love of country or love of a woman?
These are two of the choices FBI analyst/undercover specialist Jake Bernstein faces when he goes undercover for the Joint Counter Terrorism Center. His mission in Silicon Valley: Identify the masterminds behind what the JCTC chief believes is a coordinated terrorist plot that may involve five American cities. Posing as a disaffected biotech scientist, Jake is recruited and tested in a harsh, brutal way. But slowly, the pieces of a terrorist plot begin to emerge. To prove his loyalty to radical Islam, he must first pass the ultimate test of total obedience. It is a test so despicable and shocking, Jake doubts he can follow through with it. But if he cannot do this, the undercover operation will fail. Thousands of lives are at stake!
As the cell lies in wait for the final call to carry out mass murder, Jake must make a fateful choice. Do his duty and stop the terrorist plot? Or save the woman he loves? Is Jake clever enough to do both?
REVIEWS INCLUDE:
“Lies in Wait is a page turner that'll raise the hairs on your neck. A damn fine read.”-Dee Brice, author of IT TAKES A THIEF.
NYTimes bestselling author Brenda Novak says of A BODYGUARD OF LIES, Book One in the Jake Bernstein FBI mystery thriller series, “The past and the present collide in this intriguing romantic thriller that captures the angst and pain a lifetime of lies can cause… combines politics, romance and history. This story positively captivates!”
Celtic Lady’s Reviews has this to say about A BODYGUARD OF LIES: “Exploring the the intricacies of human emotion and passion for a cause, A Bodyguard of Lies is a must read…that tells the horrifying story of how much devastation and loss there is in a war and how love perseveres... There is just the right amount of steamy sex that does not overtake the story... I highly recommend this book…and the entire series with unforgettable hero, FBI agent Jake Bernstein.”
Short Excerpt from LIES IN WAIT
“I’ll be down to San Diego every weekend,” he said, “or as many weekends as I can manage.” He gazed at her face, devoid of makeup. Her sleepy-eyed expression was sexy as hell. “If you’re free…”
“Down? You mean, you’ll be up in northern California? On an undercover assignment?”
“Yeah, but the very devil couldn’t keep me away.” Which was a lie, he thought. His assignment came first and always would. It had to be that way. There was too much at stake. (p. 33)
Another short excerpt from LIES IN WAIT
How could an old woman’s torment at the very end of her life have satisfied anyone’s sense of justice?
Mustn’t think about that now. It wasn’t Jake’s fault. He was just doing his job. Like now…
She sipped more coffee and gazed out to sea. Ten yards beyond the water line, a huge boulder rose from the sand. That’s where Jake would take and dump her.
What if something went wrong? What if…
Playing her part, she leaned against Jake’s wide shoulder. Her head went slack and she shut her eyes. She couldn’t bear to see the look of extreme pain on his face. The two men…those Islamic terrorists…on the bluff behind them were watching.
Her voice took on a hard edge.
“Jake, after this is over, don’t ever call me again. I never want to see you, talk to you, have anything to do with you. Ever again.”
