Spotlight & Giveaway: An Unexpected Distraction by Catherine Bybee

Posted December 1st, 2021 by in Blog, Spotlight / 52 comments

Today, HJ is pleased to share with you Catherine Bybee’s new release: An Unexpected Distraction

 

Spotlight&Giveaway

 

Family secrets and fresh romance collide in this heart-pounding Richter series installment by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee.

Jacqueline “Jax” Simon knows how to expose secrets: she’s a skilled operative with MacBain Security and Solutions. When Jax hears her parents are divorcing, she races to London to find out why. She’s determined to learn the truth, especially when her investigation uncovers why her parents sent her to Richter, the German military school that made her a fighter.

Andrew Craig collects Jax at Heathrow Airport as a favor. He’s heard she’s a handful, but he didn’t know she’s dangerously gorgeous too. His instant attraction could change his life…or end it.

Jax doesn’t want to fall for Andrew, but soon he’s worming his way into her life. Together, they infiltrate Richter to discover if it has returned to its covert purpose: training children to be spies and assassins and blackmailing parents to look the other way. As the attraction between the two intensifies, so do the secrets exploding all around them. How deadly are those secrets—and who will survive?

 

Enjoy an exclusive excerpt from An Unexpected Distraction 

Andrew stood aside, put his beverage down. “I’ll walk you out.”
Outside the bar, the cold, damp London air snapped her spine straight.
“Where is your car?”
Jax pointed across the street and up toward her brother’s place. “I’m capable of getting there on my own.”
“I would suspect anyone who jumps out of airplanes and plays on America’s military bases is capable of more than crossing the street.”
“Then why are you out here?”
The light turned green and they started walking.
“I want to help.”
“Help with what?”
“Your investigation. That’s why Harry asked you to come, isn’t it?”
“Is that what he told you?”
“He told me he needed family reinforcements to get his dad to move out of his flat.”
That sounded like the words her brother would use.
“I have a feeling my father is going to be just as helpful putting this to rest as my mother.”
“He didn’t seem excited to see you.”
“Thank you for pointing that out.”
Andrew paused his step. “I’m sorry. That was insensitive.”
She stopped, turned to look at him. “I’m pretty sure I remember telling you my family was cold. Back when I thought you were a driver who didn’t know them personally.”
“Right. I’m sorry about that, too.”
Jax started walking again. “I tipped you.”
He followed. “I’ll pay you back.”
They crossed another intersection, and she slowed her pace as the rental car came into view.
She wondered if there was a way for Andrew to help her. “Do you work with my dad?”
He shook his head. “No. I’m in finance, but with the private sector. Hedge funds have no appeal to me.”
“There’s more money in it.” Jax stopped at the car.
“And less quality of life. Look at your brother, he doesn’t have any hair left.”
“True.”
Andrew reached out his hand.
She looked at it.
He wiggled his fingers as if asking for something. “Your phone. In case you need backup.”
“There’s an entire team here in London.”
He pointed to his chest. “But only one of me.”
That sounded like a line. But she handed him her phone anyway.
He pressed a button to power it on, then turned it toward her so it would open.
A sly smile sat on his lips as he put in his phone number.
When his phone buzzed, he silenced it quickly, obviously pleased with himself.
“Was this about me getting ahold of you, or you getting ahold of me?”
“Yes.”
Jax narrowed her gaze, saw the same attraction she had the night they’d met. “I’m not here for that.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” His eyes twitched. His smile grew.
Instead of calling him out, she reached for her keys.
He opened the door and waited for her to get behind the wheel “Petrol,” he said.
Jax looked up at him, confused. “What?”
“My last credit card transaction was at the petrol station.”
It was hard not to smile. “You’re an interesting man, Andrew.”
He leaned down with a knowing smile. “You have beautiful legs, Jax.”
She was blushing . . . she could feel the heat in her cheeks.
He closed the door and stepped back.
Jax drove away without saying goodbye, knowing full well she’d see him again.

Excerpt. ©Catherine Bybee. Posted by arrangement with the publisher. All rights reserved.
 
 

Giveaway: $25.00 Amazon Gift Card

 

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and post a comment to this Q: What did you think of the excerpt spotlighted here? Leave a comment with your thoughts on the book…

 
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Meet the Author:

New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee has written thirty-five books that have collectively sold more than ten million copies and have been translated into more than twenty languages. Raised in Washington State, Bybee moved to Southern California in the hope of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full time and has penned the Not Quite series, the Weekday Brides series, the Most Likely To series, and the First Wives series.
 
 
 

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52 Responses to “Spotlight & Giveaway: An Unexpected Distraction by Catherine Bybee”

  1. Leeza+Stetson

    I loved the excerpt. It’s well-written and enticing, with promise of more.

  2. Diana Tidlund

    Loved the spotlight. And the wording descriptions used makes you actually feel the emotions. When he waits to answer when she asked where the lady transaction and he doesn’t answer immediately then she’s done and leaving and finally answers petrol
    Station I’m smiling as I read it. Loved it

  4. Diana Hardt

    I liked the blurb and excerpt. It sounds like a really interesting book.

  5. EC

    The couple definitely have a connection. 😉

    Thanks for this wonderful excerpt, HJ!

  8. Karina Angeles

    I love the heat between Jax and Andrew! Can’t wait to read the rest.

  12. Audrey Stewart

    I enjoyed this post. I am excited acout reading this. I am intrigued to see how Jax and Andrew romance plays out.

  13. Laurie Gommermann

    I like the intrigue, the connection, the attraction/chemistry, their past encounter , the whole premise captures my attention. I want to go along for the bumpy ride!

  29. Eva Millien

    Great excerpt, Catherine, it made me really want to read the rest of this book right now! I love the cover as well! Thanks for sharing it with me and have a spectacular holiday season!

  31. susan

    I can’t read to see what happens to Jax ~ she’s always been a character I’d like to learn more about!

  39. eawells

    I loved the blurb and excerpt. Sounds like a really interesting book. Can’t wait to see how the relationship progresses.

  40. rkcjmomma

    I think the couple has chemistry and cant wait to see where it goes! Its very enjoyable!

  42. Nina Lewis

    Loved it! I am huge fan of Catherine’s books & have been waiting for this one!!! 😀

  44. Jeanna Massman

    Jax and Andrew are an interesting couple! I’d love to read their story.

  45. Amanda Whitley

    i loved the except, looking forward to getting to know jax better.

  47. Dianne Casey

    Sounds fascinating! Can’t wait to discover the family secrets. Adding to my TBR list.

  52. Patricia B.

    The excerpt and the story description are good hooks for the book. The excerpt gives one an idea how their relationship is starting off and a bit about their personalities and who they are. Sounds like it will be a good, suspenseful read.