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International bestselling military romance: Get the complete, darkly seductive love story of Derek & Melissa. Three Full-Length, Red-Hot Military Romantic Suspense Novels in one set.
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Blurb
Cover design by Perfect Pear Creative
Cover image by Perrywinkle Photography
WARNING: Due to strong language and intense sexual situations, these books are not intended for readers under the age of 18.
Book #1 - ONE TO HOLD: When Derek Alexander, retired Marine and top private investigator, encounters small-town girl Melissa Jones at a spa resort in the desert, the two embark on a weeklong, white-hot affair. He’s determined to hold her, but she’s running from a past that could tear them apart.
Book #2 - ONE TO PROTECT: Derek and Melissa are planning a life together, with a baby on the way… Until a face from the past turns up dead. Derek knows Melissa is still in danger, and seeing no other option, he launches a dark chain of events to protect his little family.
Book #3 - ONE TO SAVE: A secret is never safe when more than one person knows it. Refusing to let anyone pay for his crimes, Derek takes matters into his own hands. He's exposed, he's defenseless, but his friends are determined to save him.
Exclusive Sneak Peek – ONE IMMORTAL (Ch. 1-5): Melissa is a vampire; Derek is a vampire hunter. When the two cross paths in a bar off Bourbon Street, sparks fly. But Melissa is hiding a secret that could cost Derek his life.
Readers say….
"FIVE STARS for the entire ONE TO HOLD series!!!" -Aleatha Romig, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Consequences series
"Great writing, steamy romance, humor, and a lot of heart." -Mia Sheridan, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Archer's Voice
**PLEASE CHOOSE ONLY ONE EXCERPT***
★★★ EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT #1 ★★★
One to Save
By Tia Louise
© TLM Productions LLC, 2015
“Secrets”
Melissa
In the cool darkness of the semi-crowded bar, I study the glass in front of me and consider my journey, how many steps I’ve taken in the last two years, how far I’ve come. Memories of my old life fade like smoke in a glass. The shame that held me so tightly now dances at the edges of my mind like the whisper of a bad dream, a flicker of shadows that no longer make sense in my world.
Young women in shiny slip-dresses twist and laugh on the dance floor, but instead of resentment, my lips curl into a smile. My old self—cynical, bitter, defeated—is a memory I have to work hard to recall. These days I could dance all night with them, but I’d rather spend my energy on other things.
The slim glass holds a pale amber liquid, and I can’t resist taking a sip. An involuntary wince pinches my eyes as I put it down. Seven and seven. Refreshing citrus dragged down by the heavy undertone of whiskey. So gross.
Sliding my palms over my thighs, I realize my outfit isn’t much different from the girls’ on the dance floor. The deep red silk is fitted at my waist, and drapes loosely over my torso. My long, dark hair is swept over one shoulder revealing a thin spaghetti strap. I lightly touch the delicate gold chain around my neck leading to the floating heart pendant that sits between my collarbones, and light glances off the thick gold cuff on my wrist.
Unlike that night almost two years ago, I’m alone. My best friend Elaine is miles away with her new husband, most likely indulging in that blissful honeymoon period of early marriage. Make that, most certainly indulging. I know those two well.
No, I came by myself to this bar in Princeton after finishing my business with a client in town. My infant son is in Wilmington, spending the weekend with his grandmother. Studying my hands, I admire the deep blue sapphire ring on my finger, but I have no wedding band.
At thirty-two, I’m an unmarried mother of a beautiful little boy, and I wouldn’t change a thing… Yet. The tiny silver scar at my hairline reminds me of what a bad marriage looks like, and with my successful marketing business and the gorgeous cottage at the beach I own, I’m satisfied with my life. Calm, not desperate. I’ll take my next steps deliberately, with certainty.
All these thoughts preoccupy my mind when I blink up and catch him watching me from across the square-shaped bar. Blue eyes, strikingly blue because of the way they stand out beneath his dark brow, coupled with collar-length thick dark hair.
He’s massive, at least six-two, and elegantly dressed with a thick stainless watch on his wrist. I can spot his type a mile away—rich, powerful, accustomed to getting what he wants. I can’t deny the hum his gaze sets off under my skin. I know what he wants.
Catching my lip in my teeth to stop my grin, I know what I want, too, and it’s no coincidence I happened to look up at that exact moment to meet his stare. Still, I’ll make him work for it.
He starts to move, his eyes never leaving mine. I don’t look away either. Thick cords of muscle ripple beneath the thin black sweater he wears as he glides past the oblivious patrons talking and laughing. Some are more animated than others, waving their arms and putting their drinks in peril.
Yellow lights hidden in the recesses above the bar illuminate rows of liquor bottles in all colors and shapes. Glasses hanging upside down above also catch the flickering light. It’s a raucous atmosphere, but this man and I are in our own secret place of longing and desire.
As he rounds the final corner, and I see him in full, my breath quickens. My eyes drift from his broad shoulders to his narrow waist, grey slacks and black shoes, then back up just as he reaches me. A close beard shadows his face, and the muscles low in my pelvis tighten at the thought of how it feels brushing the soft skin of my inner thighs.
★★★ EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT #2 ★★★
One to Protect
By Tia Louise
© TLM Productions LLC, 2014
“A Physical Reminder”
Derek
The cottage is dark when I arrive at 6 a.m. Elaine is the only one with an early wake-up call, so it’s possible I can get into Melissa’s room before they’re up and stirring. Driving all night might not have been the most restful approach, but with the energy surging through my chest, I knew I wouldn’t get any sleep anyway. I’ll nap a few hours this morning and be ready to go without losing a day.
Dropping my duffel by the stainless fridge inside, I ease off my boots and place them one at a time by the door doing my best to keep quiet. Grabbing a water bottle, I head to Melissa’s bedroom, but I nearly slam it against the skull of a half-dressed Patrick. He’s right around the corner, holding a wooden baseball bat high, like he’s about to use my head for the winning homer in the World Series.
“SHIT!” we both whisper-shout.
“What the fuck?” Patrick lowers the bat and breathes.
I recognize the energy surging through his muscles. It matches the rapid tweaking of my own, and I need a second to recover.
“You could’ve shot me a text,” he groans, dropping onto the couch. “Did you fucking drive all night?”
“Couldn’t sleep.” I clap his shoulder as I pass. “Glad to see you’re on your toes. You’re officially off guard duty.”
“Hey!” I pause, and he tosses me the bat. “Happy to help. I’m going back to bed.”
Catching his “weapon,” my brow lines. “Think you’ll be able to sleep?”
“Nope.” That grin spreads across his face. It’s the same one that used to tick me off because I knew it meant I’d be cleaning up his shit sooner rather than later.
“Just keep it down. I don’t need to hear you getting any.”
He points back at me as he heads down the hall. “Right back atcha.”
Shaking my head, I turn Melissa’s bedroom door handle as softly as possible. Unlike my younger partner, I don’t plan to wake her this early. I know the pregnancy makes her tired, and I’ll be content to be beside her. It’ll be the first good rest I’ve had in four days, knowing she’s with me and safe.
She’s curled in her familiar sleeping position, and I can’t help a smile as the warmth of love fills me. I will never get tired of watching this woman sleep.
Jeans off, I whip the thin, navy sweater I’m wearing over my head and slip into her king-sized bed. She doesn’t even stir, and I’m happy she feels so secure with Patrick in the house. He might have been a pain in my ass in the past, but he’s more than made up for it with this assignment.
Easing closer to her, I lift her long, dark waves off the pillow and replace them with my head. She makes a soft noise and stirs, but she doesn’t wake. My arm goes above her, and our bodies are so close, I can feel the warmth radiating from her ivory skin.
Wrapping a dark curl around my finger, the tension slowly drains from my body. Being with her is enough. She’s home and comfort and warmth and all the good things I thought I’d never have again. She’s my future and my desire and my love, and the notion that some dickwad might try to hurt this woman, might threaten what I cherish…
She sighs and scoots closer to me, still asleep. The idea that she knows I’m here is incredibly satisfying. My own eyes are heavy, and I lower my head.
In three breaths, I’m out.
★★★ EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT #3 ★★★
One to Hold
By Tia Louise
© TLM Productions LLC, 2013
“Special Forces”
Melissa
Elaine frowned up at me. “Mel? Are you okay?”
She started to rise, but I held out my hand. “Please stay. I just… I need to go. I’ll have dinner in the room.”
“But you don’t have a key!”
“I’ll get one from the front desk. Please… just stay.” I turned and hastened to the restaurant exit.
Elaine spoke again, and the low sound of male voices joined hers, but I didn’t stop. My heart was flying, and I was out the door, fast-walking through the convention center hall in less than a minute.
I’d intended to exit the way we’d come in, but somehow, I’d gotten turned around. Now I was headed in the direction of the small bar from our very first night. Between me and it were three signs for men, women, and the large “family” bathroom. I paused, trying to remember the quickest way back to the spa side of the resort. Just then, I felt a presence approaching quickly. I started to go, but Derek’s voice stopped me.
“Wait,” he said, touching my arm.
I turned so abruptly, he bumped into me, catching me in his strong embrace, his familiar woodsy scent all around me. “Oh,” I said, clutching his solid arms, looking up into his intense blue eyes. Energy rushed through me so hard, I was sure he could see it. I almost felt like I could see it reflected in his own eyes.
“Here,” he said glancing around quickly before pulling me into the family bathroom.
I only had a moment to observe how very clean it was before he had me against the wall, pinned by his huge physique.
“You never came.” His voice was a low, husky whisper. “I waited all night.”
My hands rested on his chest, and heat flamed through me with every heartbeat. My eyes traveled up, up, up to his. They were darkened now, and I was certain he was thinking the same thing as me. He remembered how fantastically our bodies came together two nights ago. I barely registered him reaching out to lock the door.
“I’m sorry,” was all I could say.
“When you walked in the restaurant tonight… god, you’re so beautiful.” He spoke against my skin as his lips pressed into my brow, his beard roughing my closed eyelids. “Are you feeling bad?”
“No,” I managed to say despite the heat surging through me as his lips moved to my temple. “I… didn’t think I could eat.”
“Good,” he said in a thick voice before covering my mouth with his. Mine opened quickly, drawing him in. Our tongues entwined before his lips moved to my jaw then down my neck. “I thought about you all day.” His breath whispered across my skin, and I couldn’t stop a surge of desire low in my stomach. “Will you let me have you here?”
“Yes,” I barely spoke, and he dropped to his knees.
He gathered the thin fabric of my dress, shoving it up to my waist as he caught the side of my thong with his thumb.
About the Author:
Tia Louise is the Amazon and International Bestselling author of the ONE TO HOLD series.
From “Readers’ Choice” nominations, to USA Today “Happily Ever After” nods, to winning the 2015 “Favorite Erotica Author” and the 2014 “Lady Boner Award” (LOL!), nothing makes her happier than communicating with fans and weaving new tales into the Alexander-Knight world of stories.
A former journalist, Louise lives in the center of the USA with her lovely family and one grumpy cat. There, she dreams up stories she hopes are engaging, hot, and sexy, and that cause readers rethink common public locations...
Books by Tia Louise:
One to Hold (Derek & Melissa), 2013
One to Keep (Patrick & Elaine), 2014
One to Protect (Derek & Melissa), 2014
One to Love (Kenny & Slayde), 2014
One to Leave (Stuart & Mariska), 2014
One to Save (Derek & Melissa), 2015
One to Chase (Amy & Marcus), 2015
One to Take (Stuart & Mariska), coming Jan/Feb 2016!
Paranormal Romances (all stand-alones):
One Immortal (Derek & Melissa, #SexyVampires), 2015
One Insatiable (Koa & Mercy, #AlphaShifters), 2015
SIGNED COPIES: http://smarturl.it/SignedPBs
Connect with Tia:
Instagram & Twitter: @AuthorTLouise
