Spotlight & Giveaway: Red on the River by Christine Feehan

Today, HJ is pleased to share with you Christine Feehan’s new release: Red on the River

#1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan goes all in with this sexy romantic thriller set among the dangers—both man-made and natural—of Nevada’s breathtaking landscape.

 
Vienna Mortenson isn’t your typical gambler. She prefers to stay under the radar, using her poker winnings to support her family and her community, including the local search and rescue team, which she heads up. Out in the backcountry there’s no time for hesitation when lives are on the line. Vienna prides herself on being tough and decisive. She’s not the sort to make a fool of herself over a guy, especially one who left her high and dry without a backward glance.

Zale Vizzini’s job constantly puts him in harm’s way. Working undercover and disappearing for months at a time isn’t exactly a recipe for a stable relationship. Despite the challenges and the risks, Zale wants something real with Vienna. He just needed time to figure out how to be in her life without putting her in danger. Now, he’s determined to win her back, and he’s ready to lay all his cards on the table.

As their friends’ wedding approaches, Zale takes advantage of the festivities to make a play for Vienna’s heart. But there are more deadly forces waiting to strike in the rugged terrain of Nevada and the western Sierras. Soon both of their lives are threatened, and the odds are stacked against them….

Enjoy an exclusive excerpt from Red on the River 

That same malevolent feeling that first assailed her when she’d joined the final table crept over her like a shadowy apparition, stealing into her mind to spread fear.
She stepped into the elevator, turned and surveyed the crowd on the casino floor as the doors began to close. She caught sight of Benny watching her, but there were several others she didn’t know, some turning away so she couldn’t register their features to take out and examine later. She just kept the impression of them as she slumped against the wall for the ride to her floor. She was extremely grateful that the elevators were fast.
Vienna fumbled for the key to her room, her fingers numb, nearly unable to hold onto it. She staggered to the door and shoved it into the keyhole, thankful the golden key made it into the lock first time. Still, it took effort to get the door open enough for her to slip inside. Once in, the door closing automatically behind her, she went to the floor.
There was an overwhelming sense of danger that just wouldn’t leave her alone. Her suite didn’t feel nearly as safe as it had before. Ordinarily, she would have taken precautions to add to the security of the room, but her body was fast falling into the paralysis that followed using her “gift”. She needed to find something she could defend herself with it if came to that, and she needed a place to hide. She had only minutes before it would be too late to do either.
Her phone vibrated, but she ignored it. If it was Zale, he would know she was in trouble and wouldn’t be able to answer him. Her mother would know as well. She crawled to the bedroom where her pack was. She had knives and other tools needed on the trail. By the time she opened the pack, managed to get the weapons she needed and concealed them on her person, she could barely lift her arms, let alone crawl.
Vienna still had the feeling of impending danger. She couldn’t be caught out in the middle of the bedroom floor, especially if she couldn’t move. She did her best to shove the open pack under the bed as she dragged her body toward the gigantic walk-in closet. The only ones who could get into her room would be the security guards, although Zale had managed. If they actually came to her room, they might expect her to hide there, but she had discovered a little space they might not be aware of. How often did security inspect the rooms?
Vienna pushed aside all thought and forced her mind to concentrate on her goal—just to make it to the closet. It seemed such a long way away, but she was determined to get there before she crashed altogether. She was positive someone was going to enter her room in an attempt to kill her. She wanted to be in that little space, in a position to at least try to defend herself if she was discovered, and she wanted to be able to identify who it was so she could tell Zale and Rainier.
The closet was built out of cedar and smelled wonderful. There was a sitting bench across from the shoe rack. On either side of it were full-length mirrors. The mirrors appeared to be built flat against the wall. Vienna had discovered that the wooden wall was a false one on the left side and that there was a space behind it supposedly to be used for storage. There was nothing back there, and she could see no one had been cleaning or dusting the space for some time.
Vienna dragged herself to the bench and lay in front of it, studying the mirror and sliver of an opening. She had to fit herself in just right, so that if she were discovered, she would have her arm free with a knife in her hand and enough room to strike out at an attacker. It was a puzzle, and she had to figure it out so she got it right before she wedged herself inside.
Weak, barely able to move her legs, she turned her body and backed into the space under the bench, going in at an angle. Her heart began to pound. She didn’t have claustrophobia. She went into very tight places as a rule. Small caves. Whatever was necessary to get where she wanted—or needed—to go. Her heart reacted because an enemy was close.

Excerpted from Red on the River by Christine Feehan Copyright © 2022 by Christine Feehan. Excerpted by permission of Berkley. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

Excerpt. ©Christine Feehan. Posted by arrangement with the publisher. All rights reserved.
 
 

Giveaway: 1 Finished copy of RED ON THE RIVER by Christine Feehan (U.S. only, 18+)

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…

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
 

Meet the Author:

Christine Feehan is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of many novels, including the Carpathian series, the GhostWalker series, the Leopard series, the Torpedo Ink series, and the Shadow Riders series.

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/696621/red-on-the-river-by-christine-feehan/