Blurb for Her Last Resort
She’s ex-CIA, a hunted woman used to relying only on herself. He’s ex-KGB. with connections to those who can help her. Will she let him? Can glasnost (openness) lead to rapprochement (a bringing together), and maybe even to love as west meets east? And what about her daughter? Can she salvage any kind of relationship with the adult her child has become?
EXCERPT:
Set-up: Stella and her daughter Kelly have spent the day visiting with Kelly’s co-star Raul and his family. When they get back to the resort they’re staying at, owned by Kelly’s friend Ivan, they sit on the deck over-looking the lake. so Stella and Ivan can smoke. They fill Ivan in on their visit, then he offers to walk them back to their cabin.
They ended up enjoying three drunken coffees each, sitting and talking about their visit with Raul and Veronica until the dining room had emptied and even the bar crowd was getting sparse.
Ivan insisted on walking them to their cabin again.
“But we won’t need a flashlight tonight because the moon is so full.”
He stood and watched as Stella opened their door, then Kelly shot her a quick sideways glance before she pushed past her mother.
“Good-night Ivan. Thanks for everything, as usual. I’m going to hit the shower then get into bed.”
Once Kelly had pushed past them she slammed the bathroom door loudly.
Stella’s lips twitched as she turned to Ivan, “She’s giving us privacy on purpose.”
“Oh? Why?”
Stella’s body was tingling from how close he was standing, as well as the effects of the multiple alcohols in the coffees. She shrugged extravagantly.
“I don’t know. Maybe she thinks you’ll try to kiss me good-night or something.”
He reached a hand forward and used his finger to tip her face up to look into her eyes in the moonlight.
“Would you allow me to do that?” His voice was husky and gentle.
“Have you been flirting with me, or have I been imagining things?” Stella asked, meeting his eyes tentatively.
“Am I so out-of-practice that you have to ask?”
Stella smiled shyly at him, “I’m out-of-practice too. It’s been a long time since anyone made me feel the way being around you does.”
“Then may I take that as a ‘yes’?”
She nodded slowly and Ivan bent his head down to cover her lips with his. It was a gentle pressure, but Stella leaned into it, wanting more.
Ivan pulled back, shaking his head.
“Moja dorogaya. Not here, not now. But soon.”
Stella had closed her eyes for the kiss and opened them now to see Ivan’s eyes had turned into twin blue flames of fire, reflecting his passion. She nodded.
“Da, moja dorogoy. Soon.”
The bathroom door was thrown open and Kelly did an exaggerated yawn.
“Boy, am I tired! I think I’ll get into bed right now! Just ignore me, you crazy kids.”
Stella and Ivan smiled at each other, with a promise implicit in their eyes.
“Good-night, Ivan.”
“Will I see you on the hill in the morning?”
“Yes.”
“Good-night to you also, Stella.”
She turned and walked through the door and locked it behind her. Ivan watched until the door was locked then he walked back to his own cabin.
Welcome Fiona McGier!
Please start off by telling us a little about yourself.
I’m a hard-working mother of four young adults. I work multiple jobs and squeeze in writing when I should be sleeping…or talking to my adorable husband of many years. As often as possible, we go camping to view the night stars around a campfire. Stories present themselves to me at work, while driving, while shopping, and especially while camping.
I write romances that involve strong, independent women who don’t mind casual flings, but who are not looking to fall in love. Enter the man who decides this is the woman for him. I think that how he ultimately convinces the heroine that he’s the one for her is the most interesting part of a romance.
Is Her Last Resort a single title, or part of a series?
This is the third book in my Minnesota Romances series. I set the first and third books up in Grand Marais, on the north-eastern tip of the state, right on Lake Superior. We love to camp up there, and I wanted to express my love for the area while I tell my stories. The second book includes some of the characters, but it’s set in Minneapolis.
What were your inspirations for the story?
Some of the chat loops I’m on have had readers talking about wanting to read romances with characters who aren’t teenagers or in their early twenties. Love can happen at any age. So I wrote this romance with both the heroine and hero in their 50s. He has an extensive group of relatives he’s involved with, and she has two children from a failed marriage. Her son doesn’t talk to her at all, but her daughter is making the effort to form a relationship. So this book tells two love stories: the one between the heroine and the hero, as well as the one between the heroine and her daughter, because the love between a mother and child can be the most powerful love in the world.
Please share your setting for Her Last Resort. Have you ever lived or visited there? If so, what did you like most?
I love Grand Marais, MN! It’s a quaint little tourist town known for the artists who spend their time expressing how the scenery inspires them. It’s set on the edge of Lake Superior, with a view of the Sawtooth Mountains in the background. There’s a peninsula with a lighthouse on the end of it, and beaches on both sides. The beach has no sand–instead there are tiny pebbles, worn smooth by the violent waves of Lake Superior. Even when it’s 90-plus degrees out, it’s a daunting proposition to hurl yourself into the lake. It reminds me of the feeling you get in your hand and arm when you dig around in the bottom of the cooler for that one, last cold can of beer.
But when you drive up the Gunflint Trail into the mountains, you have gorgeous scenery on a drive with resorts appearing occasionally along both sides of the road. The road ends, literally, after an hour, at a federal park called Trails End. And if you paddle your canoe too far into the lake there, you’d better have your passport, because you’ll have crossed into Canadian water. The smaller lakes have much warmer water, and the camping is peaceful. We’ve glimpsed a black bear cub, many loons and other water fowl, and deer. And son and daughter saw a moose crash through the underbrush in the Trails End campground on its way to the water for a drink.
When did the writing bug first bite?
I’ve always had stories swirling around in my head. I thought everyone walked around with characters telling them stories constantly. I discovered that when I write their stories, those characters are quiet…but soon others begin to talk, wanting me to write their lives, to allow for them to live in the minds of readers as well. That’s how I’ve written four series’ of books–some minor side characters began to demand their turn in the spotlight, and I was so fond of them I couldn’t refuse.
Who are you favorite authors, book/series?
I read a lot of non-fiction that deals with what makes us human, because I find human nature to be fascinating. I try to reflect that in my books, where the emotional resonance between the characters is as important as their very active sex lives.
Lately I’ve been reading books by authors I’ve met through chat loops. Lisabet Sarai writes exotic, erotic romance, and I read an erotic short by Spencer Dryden involving a very cold Minnesota Christmas Eve. And I’m excited that Mira Grant’s second book after Parasite, is out. That was one weird sci-fi story and I can’t wait to see where she takes it next.
Do you have any hobbies or special things you like to do in your spare time?
I love to bake muffins, pies and other treats for my family. There’s a Pies page on my website where I supply many of my favorite recipes, as well as my never-fail pie crust. On occasion I sew things like pajama pants as gifts, and I’m always working on crocheting an afghan for someone I love who doesn’t have one yet. But my favorite hobby of all is telling stories that I hope readers will enjoy. The perfect life for me would involve being able to write all day.
A few things to admit before I begin the review. I’m a HUGE fan of Fiona. I also consider her one of my confidants and friends. She can cut through my bull**it and makes me think. She also has the ability to make me laugh when I need to and often. Oh and I’ve tried her pie crust. Believe me and her, it never fails.
When I knew that she was going to write about Kelly’s mom, Stella and hook her up with Ivan, I was thrilled. An older couple with some sexual issues that many women face when they hit a certain age. Ms. McGier handled it very well and now I can’t get the smell of cinnamon out of my head. 😉 Ivan was a patient man but also a passionate lover. I loved how Ms. McGier tied in their past as agents to the present. Oh and the suspense element in the book was spot on. It’s not a romantic suspense book but considering that Stella is ex-CIA and Ivan’s ex-KGB, it plays well with their lives now.
There are many secondary characters in the book but they are not intrusive at all. Kelly is such a great character and its great to see Raul *heavy sigh* and Veronica again. Kelly and Stella have some important scenes in the book that are not to be missed. You understand the depth of Stella’s decision and ultimately, Kelly’s forgiveness for her not being around when she was growing up. Oh course, I would have liked a bit of closure about her son but that’s for another time. Maybe when Kelly’s books comes out. Oh yes, I’m in the KNOW. LOL!
I have another admission: I’ve read all three Minnesota romance books and this one is by far the best in terms of depth, voice and plot. Raul will also be my favorite hero of hers but there is something about Stella that just hits every button with me. She’s strong, vulnerable when it comes to her children and just all around a bad**s. Plus, admitting that you have some issues of the sexual kind are not an easy topic to share but she does and Ivan completely understands. The bedroom scenes are nicely done and provocative. Ms. McGier writes erotic scenes but they are not graphic in nature but sensual.
I don’t think I’ll ever look at Tai Chi the same way ever again. LOL! In this book, its just foreplay that is also done well. Its nice to see an older be playful and flirt with each other knowing they want each other. Patience is a virtual but with these two its a lesson that they learn.
If you are looking for a very well written, sexy story about an older couple than look no further. Its not a “cougar” or “sugar daddy” story. Just a story that starts 25 years ago that ends with two people that fall in love despite that fact that someone is trying to kill one of them.
Bravo!
Author Bio and links
Fiona has always had characters intruding into her thoughts, showing scenes from their lives. When she ignores them, they start to yell louder; if she writes their stories so they can live in readers’ heads as well, they usually leave her alone…until the next voices appear. She likes the noise.
Find out more, along with the link to a free novel (book 4 in a 6 book series) at: http://www.fionamcgier.com
http://www.amazon.com/Fiona-McGier/e/B003J8QJGE
BUY LINKS:
http://eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781629292366
A complete set of the series Minnesota Romances by Fiona McGier – ebook only (Open internationally)
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Order directly from my publisher–http://eternalpress.biz/book.php?isbn=9781629292366– and save 50% on your order using code:
61NF17DV2LEX
Surprisingly I haven’t come across many but it sounds great.
I think it is realistic.
OMG Harley, love you girl! I’m so glad you liked Stella. Since you’re such a devoted fan, I often ask myself, “What would Harley think of this scene?” Really, I do! And knowing that you “got” the scene with Stella and Kelly makes me so happy. I cried when I was writing part of it. I’m glad to know it resonated with you.
I know you love Raul best, but that big hunk of Russian bear, Ivan? Sigh…
Absolutely loved Stella. And no, I don’t believe you when you say “What would Harlie think of this scene?”. LOL! Of course I got that scene. It was touching and a bit heartbreaking.
Ivan is a big ole bear but my heart still with Raul. 😉
This sounds like a series I would really enjoy reading – I need to pick up the first book though because that’s how I roll so I will get the first and go from there. Congrats to Fiona on her new release!