Blind-sided ~ Team Red Series ~ Book #5
by T. Hammond
Teresa is buffeted by a whirlwind of activity.
Marcia and Wes have moved to Spokane, and the cancer vigil begins; her final wish is to see her son celebrate his 10th birthday. Compassionate friends, Janey, Ken, Tara, and Jason, take over Marcia’s care in an effort to relieve stress as Teresa wages her relentless struggle against PTSD nightmares and paranoia.
Bastian is at an undisclosed East Coast location doing PreClan military software upgrades. At home, David is exerting subtle, yet unrelenting, pressure to give him a second chance, proving how little he understands the woman he professed to love. Will David’s obsession and persistence completely destroy his tenuous relationship with her and Bas?
Teresa takes comfort in Red’s constant and supportive presence. His antics and doggy wisdom keep her smiling as she waits not-so-patiently for Bastian to return. Tank bonds with Wes as the sad little boy watches his mom slip away.
The house is full of Mustangs, and the Wild Horse Compound, now affectionately referred to as Mustang Ranch, is only a few weeks away from completion. There is a feeling of security, yet not—Teresa’s anxiety attacks seem to disregard logic. Thankfully, the Team Red detail understands and supports her as she battles unseen demons.
Marcia and Wes have moved to Spokane, and the cancer vigil begins; her final wish is to see her son celebrate his 10th birthday. Compassionate friends, Janey, Ken, Tara, and Jason, take over Marcia’s care in an effort to relieve stress as Teresa wages her relentless struggle against PTSD nightmares and paranoia.
Bastian is at an undisclosed East Coast location doing PreClan military software upgrades. At home, David is exerting subtle, yet unrelenting, pressure to give him a second chance, proving how little he understands the woman he professed to love. Will David’s obsession and persistence completely destroy his tenuous relationship with her and Bas?
Teresa takes comfort in Red’s constant and supportive presence. His antics and doggy wisdom keep her smiling as she waits not-so-patiently for Bastian to return. Tank bonds with Wes as the sad little boy watches his mom slip away.
The house is full of Mustangs, and the Wild Horse Compound, now affectionately referred to as Mustang Ranch, is only a few weeks away from completion. There is a feeling of security, yet not—Teresa’s anxiety attacks seem to disregard logic. Thankfully, the Team Red detail understands and supports her as she battles unseen demons.
WARNING: This book is a Laugh-Out-Loud paranormal extra spicy romance (A bold mesh of military tech, humor, and sex). The Team Red series contains a feisty blind woman; a snarky German shepherd who stalks low flying objects (and the occasional cat); two sexy retired Navy men with a talent for tactical planning; a man-cave with secret tunnels and classified military toys; Marilyn Monroe and other celebrity voices; and a herd of Mustangs. This book is INTENDED FOR MATURE ADULTS OVER 18. Contains sexual situations. Adult language was used, which is unfortunate, as the dog repeats everything.
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There is top-of-the-line
security around our property twenty-four hours a day; a daunting combination of
cameras, mini drones, perimeter-checking German shepherds (granted, Tank at
twelve weeks old, is hardly a threat, unless one can truly die of terminal
cuteness), and ex-Navy Mustangs—both, on patrol, and monitoring the security
consoles. But still, I have urgent compulsions to check locks over and over
again. Everyone is understanding and patient, which ironically, makes me angry,
but the men graciously ignore my growly, self-consciousness. As ex-military
men, the Mustangs are used to dealing with comrades who suffer from combat
stress, and they have taken me under their collective wing as a fellow warrior.
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“Seriously, David, you want to start this argument here? Now? Once again, you show a lack of good timing.”
“I just want you to give us a chance. I can make things right again.”
“We are not having this discussion, and certainly not here, before a meeting.” My voice was low, but the words were flung like sharp little daggers.
Through Red, I noticed Frost snap his head up from the paperwork he was reviewing with Russ. The ex-soldier and I shared an uncanny awareness of each other which seemed to grow stronger each day. Instinctively knowing there was something going on, his eyes narrowing first with concern, then anger. He was a master of deciphering body language, and I’m sure my stiff posture was giving out all kinds of negative signals. He looked to Red, noting the dog’s lazy, sweeping view of the room. They must have made eye contact, as Frost flicked a glance sharply at me, redirecting Red’s attention.
In a smooth move which felt orchestrated, Red’s head swung toward me and I saw my profile with David glaring at me from my right. Through the empathic link we’d developed, I felt Red’s anxiety as he noted my distress and the probable cause of it. My world tilted wildly as Red hopped down from his seat, coming to my right, wedging his body between David and me. He sat, resting his large head on my armrest, leaning against my chair.
David made a sound of exasperation, mumbling under his breath about nosy dogs.
Red nudged my arm so it was draped over his neck. He shifted his glance, showing Frost pull out Red's unoccupied chair, leaning forward to top off my coffee from a carafe on the table.
“Thank you, Frost.” I’d let him draw his conclusion as to which action I referenced.
“Live to serve, ma’am.”
I snorted at his teasing formality. Yeah, he knew I was thanking him for redirecting Red.
“I just want you to give us a chance. I can make things right again.”
“We are not having this discussion, and certainly not here, before a meeting.” My voice was low, but the words were flung like sharp little daggers.
Through Red, I noticed Frost snap his head up from the paperwork he was reviewing with Russ. The ex-soldier and I shared an uncanny awareness of each other which seemed to grow stronger each day. Instinctively knowing there was something going on, his eyes narrowing first with concern, then anger. He was a master of deciphering body language, and I’m sure my stiff posture was giving out all kinds of negative signals. He looked to Red, noting the dog’s lazy, sweeping view of the room. They must have made eye contact, as Frost flicked a glance sharply at me, redirecting Red’s attention.
In a smooth move which felt orchestrated, Red’s head swung toward me and I saw my profile with David glaring at me from my right. Through the empathic link we’d developed, I felt Red’s anxiety as he noted my distress and the probable cause of it. My world tilted wildly as Red hopped down from his seat, coming to my right, wedging his body between David and me. He sat, resting his large head on my armrest, leaning against my chair.
David made a sound of exasperation, mumbling under his breath about nosy dogs.
Red nudged my arm so it was draped over his neck. He shifted his glance, showing Frost pull out Red's unoccupied chair, leaning forward to top off my coffee from a carafe on the table.
“Thank you, Frost.” I’d let him draw his conclusion as to which action I referenced.
“Live to serve, ma’am.”
I snorted at his teasing formality. Yeah, he knew I was thanking him for redirecting Red.
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~ T. Hammond ~
lives in Spokane, WA with her
goofy, neurotic, long-coat German shepherd, Dexter; he's noble and
brave, until someone turns on the microwave, then she has 100lbs of
quivering dog trying to hide behind her chair or bury his head under a
pillow (Little known fact: a 100lb German Shepherd CAN fit under a
coffee table).T feels that writing is not a calling so much as it is a compulsion. No one is more surprised than she is when characters take over the plot and dialog, and (re)direct stories in directions she had not (consciously) intended. She is fully convinced that the writer is the tool a story uses to tell its tale. Some tools, of course, are more appropriate for the job than others. Here's hoping, you feel she did her stories proud.
T. has a Bachelor's Degree in Organizational Management from Whitworth University, and a Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University and before becoming a writer she was a bookkeeper, technical/manual writer, Call Center Manager and the owner of a freshwater aquarium store, Guppy Tales.
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As
a result of recent book corrections, now I have two sets of proof paperbacks
and a stack of Omnibii with minor errors—not enough to detract from the reading
experience. I'll even sign the books and make hand corrections, cuz I'm weird
that way. Contest runs thru Oct 31st. Open to US only as I'm mailing
books.
2 Proof Sets of Team Red Paperbacks: Blind
Seduction, Color Blind, Blind Faith, and Blind Rage (signed, with hand-written
corrections at winners’ request)
4 Proof copies of Team Red Omnibus (Blind
Seduction, Color Blind, Blind Faith, and novella: In Love with Teresa March)
10 Swag packs, guaranteed to contain at least 3
Team Red items (and maybe some extras I pick up at the Emerald City Writer’s
Conference)
Jeni-- Thank you so much for spotlighting the Blind-sided Cover Reveal. -- T
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome, my friend! <3
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