Beneath the Surface by B.K. Stubblefield Book Tour and Giveaway :)
Beneath
the Surface
Secrets
In Oak Creek Book 2
by
B.K. Stubblefield
Genre:
Mystery, Romance
“He
clutched his head in his hands. His shoulders shook, but no sound
came. Minutes stretched, interrupted only by the pop of burning
wood.”
Ryan
Collins had it all – financial freedom, an exciting career, and
attractive women. A favorite photographer in the glamorous world of
fashion, his lifestyle is the envy of many. Only a few know of the
demons that haunt him.
When
Ryan and Emily Carmichael discover Oak Creek’s dirty secret, they
become witnesses to a drug crime. With Ryan’s plans for a career
change temporarily on hold, the physical and emotional attraction to
Emily grows strong. But a twisted truth taught so many years ago
spirals to the surface and strangles his heart. A romantic
relationship just isn’t meant to be.
While
assisting a friend with a documentary in the African wild, Ryan is
forced to confront his terrors. As the battle within rages will he be
able to permanently silence the voices this time? Will he find a way
back to Emily, and the happiness he so desperately craves? Or is
it too late?
**Only
.99 cents!!**
The idea excited him. “We can make
arrangements – call the airline, book the hotel. Right now. Let’s
do it,” he urged, recalling she’d envied him for the many
locations he’d been too. “Wow!” As she leaned back, her eyes
shone with delight. “I’d love to, but I can’t.”
Disappointment extinguished the excitement. “Why not?” He tensed. Was she
rejecting him? “Firstly, you’ll be working.” “There’s that.” His sigh traveled
across her cheek on a warm breath. “But you can relax, chill, hang
out at the beach, by the pool – do whatever you want,” he
injected before she could say any more. “And when I’m finished for the
day…” Thumbs traced along chiseled cheekbones, as he cradled her
head. “Close your eyes… picture it!” A whispered instruction. “We’ll soak up the sun while it’s
crappy weather here at home.” A murmur in a low voice. “Hmm. Tempting.” “We will have time to play. You and
me. Keep your eyes closed, Emmy.” A reminder issued when lashes
fluttered. “Imagine wading together into the
bright turquoise of the Caribbean waters. Can you sense the warm,
gentle waves rolling against you, lifting you, gliding all around
you?” Words, spoken on breath light as feathers. “Hmm.” Molten lava sped through his veins when
his arms circled her waist, pressed her frame against his. Trailing
kisses along her slender neck, he grazed her lobe, whispered into her
ear. “Think of me holding you, like this,
in the warm cocoon of the sea. Not moving, just staying, the gentle
water stroking, rocking your body against mine.” The touch of his
hand against the small of her back increased, drawing her closer.
“Can you feel it?” His voice was a raspy whisper as their hips
join in a tantalizing slow and lazy rhythm of imaginary waves. “Hmm, such a dirty mind!”
Secrets
in Oak Creek
Secrets
In Oak Creek Book 1
A small town with a dark secret. A new arrival in grave danger. Can she solve the mystery before she ends up the next victim?
The
best part of Emily's childhood may have been the time she spent with
her quirky aunt. So when her favorite relative passes away, she drops
everything to attend the funeral in the small town of Oak Creek. But
she never expected to inherit her aunt's entire estate, including her
massive black dog Bentley. Just as she starts to get the hang of
small-town life, an unknown driver runs her off the road and sends
her to the hospital.
As
doctors tend to her and she makes a connection with a charming Oak
Creek resident named Ryan, Emily racks her brain to figure out who
would want her dead. When sparks start to fly between her and the
Good Samaritan that sat by her bedside, they team up to solve the
mystery. Digging into the crime starts to reveal a dark side to Oak
Creek and long-held secrets nobody wants revealed. Emily and Ryan
must uncover the truth before her assailant comes back to finish the
job.
**Only
.99 cents!!**
On impulse, she turns the car around
and follows the now familiar lane, curious to take another look. As she slows down, Emily surveys the
farmlands on either side of the small country road. She deeply
inhales the smell of corn bouncing weightlessly on the warm breeze. A
childhood memory floats into awareness, taking her back to when she
loved running through endless rows of corn. She remembers when she
would stop running and then stand quietly between the rows—not
moving, just listening. On some days, the warm wind would whisper her
name, beckoning her mind to float to enchanted places in far-away,
mystical lands. She recalls the tingling of her spine
when the wind rustles the stalks around her, telling a different
story. With her heart hammering fast, she can barely catch her
breath. Her feet are rooted to the ground, imagining the rows parting
for a faceless shadow that is coming for her. When the spell finally
breaks, and fear releases its icy grip, she runs, pumping her legs
until she emerges unscathed from the field of corn, feeling safe once
again. Emily smiles at the memory of her
childish games as her gaze sweeps the seemingly endless stretching
cornfield that is adjoining the property she sees. She slowly pulls her car to the
shoulder and stops where she can view the home between the massive
trees in front. Turning off the engine, she sits and watches the home
for a few minutes. You would have been a beauty once, she
thinks along with a twinge of nostalgia. Today, she can clearly see how it may
have looked before, her gloomy feelings from just a few days ago
replaced with visions of happier times. Windows now boarded up would
have gleamed in the early afternoon sun, white wicker furniture on
the front porch inviting visitors to sit a while. Lush green Boston
ferns in ornate urns would flank the solid oak front door while
children played a game of chase with a cute black and white dog. Yes,
definitely a dog, she decides. As if pulled by unseen strings, Emily
opens her door and steps out onto the road. Just a quick look, a
little bit closer. She hesitantly walks toward the overgrown gravel
drive. She tentatively steps on the drive, and
the house comes into view from its side angle. A couple of steps lead
up to what appears to be a service entrance. She heads to the front
yard where the front porch is badly sagging, barely held up by the
once stately Doric columns. A whiff of musty, stale air assaults her
nostrils. Disgusted, she turns away from the
crumbling facade. Abandoned, apparently a long time ago—what a
pity! As she turns away, Emily is keenly
aware of the eerie stillness around her. Just as the wind in the
cornfield softly sighed such a long time ago, the old house seems to
reach out, whispering an invitation to explore its long-forgotten
interior. Emily hesitantly steps up two concrete
steps, halting on the small landing of the side entrance. “Hello!” she calls out as she
knocks on the door, cocking her head, listening closely. She doesn’t
expect anyone to answer, but still. “Hello? Is anyone here?” she
repeats. Ignoring her gut’s warnings that she has no business being
here, she knocks a second time—and almost jumps as the door opens a
small way, rusty hinges shrieking loudly, interrupting the quiet. Her pulse races as she pushes her hand
lightly against the door. She leans forward, glancing around the
interior and is immediately assaulted by the same musty smell she had
noticed earlier, only stronger.
B.K. Stubblefield is
a new writer with a passion for animal rescue. After adopting her new
dog Harper, she was quickly overwhelmed with the challenges of
raising a "puppy on steroids". Together with her close
friend, Debra Wagner, she published 'Rescued: A Tale of Two Dogs',
two nonfiction tales of love, patience and commitment.
In an
effort to help bring awareness to animal neglect and abuse in our own
neighborhoods, B.K. Stubblefield shares several short stories of
animals brought out of the shadows and into the light of love in her
second book "Rescued: Out of The Shadows."
Fictional
short stories and memory books/journals continue to carry the theme
of dog rescue.
B.K. Stubblefield is also a contributing author
to "Be Their Voice: An Anthology for Rescue, Volume I & II
Her debut novel,
'Secrets in Oak Creek', a mystery/romance, was published in November
2017.
Born and raised
in Germany, the author has spent many years supporting her husband's
military career. Moving between Europe and the United States, she now
makes her home in the small rural town of Elizabethtown, Kentucky
where she enjoys the slower pace of small town living. Early morning
weekend walks with her dog Harper are among her favorite activities.
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