Dark & Stormy
J. Mercer
Publication date: May 17th 2017
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense
J. Mercer
Publication date: May 17th 2017
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense
Faryn Miller wants to build a new life in a small town. It’s her last chance to figure out, of all the roles she’s played in her thirty-some years, which one truly fits. Her aim at simplicity sounds like the perfect medicine until she meets Kai Allen, who’s spent his life doing everything the hard way and never bending for anyone. Lucky for Kai, Faryn has no preconceived notions about what he’s done and who he is, unlike the rest of town.
When cryptic messages start sneaking their way into Faryn’s apartment, then blatant threats, the two of them compile a long list of who could be stalking her. Unable to keep his frustration and rage hidden any longer, Kai explodes on everyone in his path, and Faryn can’t help but wonder if the storm is closer than she thinks.
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What readers are saying:
“Complex characters give way to a brilliantly written story… Incredible writing from a first time author.”
“Great small town setting with an awesome cast of characters. J Mercer masterfully takes you on a journey full of twists and reveals that are woven so skillfully into the story you’ll want to read it again and again.”
“J Mercer combines her gift for poignantly haunting characters with a plot that is intriguingly complicated.”
“I couldn’t put this book down! When I reached the last page, I sat, breathless, stunned.”
“This book had me hanging on page by page. With thought provoking character development and surprises at every turn.”
AN EXCERPT: Kai and Faryn first meet
I was very familiar with the cheap beers by ten o’clock and
felt pretty good about the pace of things—just busy enough to keep my mind at a
low hum.
Lewis sat at his stool, and I got the impression he was
careful not to abandon it. So far, I’d learned he was retired, had lost his
hand in a farming accident way back, and drove a new boat of a car, versus an
old one. Those were his words. The car was a source of pride for him, and Chuck
wasted no time bragging about his in turn.
“I’ll take you out back to see it,” Chuck said, waggling his
eyebrows, “whenever you want.” It was, supposedly, a shiny apple red Camaro.
I would take him up on that eyebrow waggle about never, not
that I was even sure he could peel himself out of those tight jeans to actually
make it happen. But overall, as a boss, he wasn’t so bad.
Chuck got preoccupied with a couple at the other end of the
bar, so I leaned over to Lewis and his sparse, wispy hair. “I’d take your new
boat of a car over a loud Camaro any day.”
He perked up at this, his watery blue eyes twinkling in the
dim light. “It’s a solid car, hasn’t done me wrong yet. And it’ll last longer
than I will, that’s for sure.”
A group of women caught my eye from one of the tables, so I
gathered them more drinks. When I came back, Lewis was staring into his
half-filled glass.
I settled back into what I was coming to think of as my
place at the bar, and he looked up to commend me on my work. “You sure do make
a good Dark and Stormy, Faryn.”
“At least I’m doing something right,” I responded with a
wink. This embarrassed him, and he hid his gaze back in his glass.
As I pondered his life, and who might be waiting for him at
home, I drummed my fingertips against my thigh. The music was louder now than
it had been earlier, and the din a harsher rumble with more patrons filling the
space, but still I noticed every time the door opened and shut.
It created a vacuum, a momentary pause in which everyone
stopped to glance over and see who it was. Because they all knew each other, of
course. With every new entry came at least one wave, a handful of head nods,
and an occasional shout of welcome that did its best to carry itself across the
room, pushing through both the conversations and the beating notes tumbling
relentlessly out of the speakers.
No one sat at the bar aside from Lewis, they only approached
to order, and I wondered if it was me, the new girl, who kept them congregated
on the other side of the room. Chuck and Lewis didn’t act like it was anything
out of the ordinary though, so I pushed aside the paranoia to chat with Lewis
and watch the crowd.
Until the moment the door would open and we would all turn
in its direction. Then back to what we were doing. Then who was leaving. Then
back to what we were doing. Then pouring beers, pulling cans from the fridge,
uncapping bottles, whatever their poison. And back to the door, whenever it
chose to grab our attention.
This meant that I, along with everyone else, saw him the
moment he walked in.
A good few inches taller than me, and muscular, he might as
well have had misfit written all over him. His jeans fit him perfectly, unlike
most of the other men in here who’d gone too tight, too baggy, or too short.
Exposed beneath his black leather jacket was a green tee, and a heavy cross
hung on a thick chain from his neck. Dark uncomplicated hair and strong, shaded
facial features bespoke of an exotic lineage on at least one side. That stood
out here, against the solid cream-colored background, which was perhaps why
everyone else's eyes lingered on him a moment longer than normal, too.
He was beautiful. Not that it should matter. The last thing
I needed was a lover.
Author Bio:
J. Mercer grew up in Wisconsin where she walked home from school with her head in a book, filled notebooks with stories in junior high, then went to college for accounting and psychology only to open a dog daycare. She wishes she were an expert linguist, is pretty much a professional with regards to competitive dance hair (bunhawk, anyone?), and enjoys exploring with her husband—though as much as she loves to travel, she’s also an accomplished hermit. Perfect days include cancelled plans, rain, and endless hours to do with what she pleases. Find her on Facebook @jmercerbooks or online at www.jmercerbooks.wordpress.com.
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