On Tour with Prism Book Tours.
A Priceless Find
(Camden Falls #2)
by Kate James
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 365 pagesby Kate James
Contemporary Romance
October 1st 2017 by Harlequin Heartwarming
Can opposites really attract?
A robbery followed by the discovery of a forgery at a respected art gallery thrusts Chelsea Owens into the center of an investigation headed by Detective Sam Eldridge. The instant chemistry between the high-spirited aspiring curator and the tall, dark, brooding cop is a classic case of opposites attract.
Complications arise when Chelsea uncovers a connection to an unsolved art heist. Teaming up with Sam to find the stolen paintings ignites feelings that could lead to lasting love. But Sam isn't ready to move beyond the tragedy in his past, no matter how promising his future with Chelsea could be…
EXCERPT:
It was too early for any of her colleagues to be at work. Whatever was going on, at least none of them would be hurt…or worse.
That was her overactive imagination again, she chastised herself. It was probably something as mundane as a malfunction in the gallery’s security system.
No. That would explain the police cars but not the barricade tape.
But what else could it be?
Then she thought of the gallery’s curator, her friend and mentor, Mr. Hadley, the only person who was occasionally at work before she was.
Chelsea’s heartrate kicked up another notch, and she had trouble breathing.
All she could think of was Mr. Hadley.
Pressing down on the accelerator, she sped toward the gallery. As she got closer, she realized the tape wasn’t in front of the gallery, after all. Her relief was short-lived, since whatever was going on involved the jewelry store next door. She was very fond of Mr. and Mrs. Rochester, the elderly couple who owned All That Glitters and Shines. She didn’t want any harm to befall them, either.
She slowed her ancient Honda Civic to a crawl near the storefront. Judging by the shards of glass strewn across the sidewalk, it had to be a break-in.
How many times had she urged Mr. Rochester to install an enclosed display cabinet on the outside wall or—at a minimum, security bars—so something like this wouldn’t happen? Mr. Rochester always dismissed the idea good-naturedly, saying it wasn’t necessary in a friendly place like Camden Falls.
Craning her neck to see inside, she could make out shattered cases and toppled shelving before her view was obstructed by a tall man wearing a Camden Falls Police Department jacket. He was assisting someone across the room. As they turned toward a seating area, she glimpsed the other person.
“Oh, no!” Chelsea quickly pulled over to the curb behind a police cruiser. She slammed her vehicle into Park and jumped out. Ducking under the police tape, she rushed toward the entrance.
“Ma’am!” a police officer who’d been standing by the door called after her. “Ma’am, that’s a crime scene. You can’t go in there!”
He reached for her, but she evaded his grasp. Her only thought was of Mr. Rochester. “I most certainly can! I’m a friend of the owner’s,” she stated and pushed her way in through the door.
She couldn’t hold back a gasp when she saw Mr. Rochester. He was sitting on a settee, slumped over, his normally ruddy complexion parchment white. A paramedic crouched in front of him and was working to staunch the flow of blood from a wound on his temple.
Ignoring the officer who’d followed her in and dodging another who’d moved to intercept her, she ran over to Mr. Rochester. Dropping to her knees next to where the paramedic was, she touched his knee. “Mr. Roch—”
Before she could finish, a hand clamped around her upper arm and tugged her back up on her feet.
“Hey!” she started to protest, but the words died in her throat as her eyes met the steely blue ones of the cop she’d seen through the window. He was wearing plain clothes under his CFPD jacket and exuded an air of authority.
“Miller!” he called, apparently to the cop who’d been outside. “Who is this and how did she get in here?”
Miller shot Chelsea an exasperated look. “I have no idea who she is, other than that she says she’s a friend of his.” He pointed at Mr. Rochester. “She ignored the tape and ran past me. I tried to stop her…” He glanced down, but not quickly enough for Chelsea to miss the flush spreading from his neck to his cheeks. “She got by me, Detective,” he mumbled.
“Sorry.”
“You’ve got to be kidding,” the detective retorted. “Well, get her out of here.”
“No. Wait!” Chelsea interjected. The detective and Miller both turned to her, but she barely noticed Miller. There was something commanding in the detective’s eyes, in his bearing. She supposed he was good-looking, in that tough-and-rugged way, but the frown and obvious exasperation in his eyes didn’t do much for his appeal. “It’s not the officer's fault," she said. "So there’s no point scolding him.”
The detective raised a brow, and she thought she saw the corner of his mouth twitch.
“I’m Chelsea Owens,” she continued and stuck out her hand with such resolve she didn’t give him much choice but to shake it. “I’m a sales associate at the Sinclair Gallery next door. Please, let me stay with Mr. Rochester. He’s hurt and…” She motioned around them. “And all this. This store means everything to him and Mrs. Rochester. He could use a friend right now," she said, as the paramedic finished applying a bandage and joined his colleague at a nearby gurney.
The detective held her gaze for several heartbeats. The strong jaw and sharp features seemed to soften—definitely adding to his attractiveness—and he nodded. “All right. But stay with him. Don’t move around and don’t touch anything. Miller,” he called to the other officer. “Don’t let her contaminate the scene. If she causes any problems, I’m holding you responsible.” Lowering his voice, he murmured something to Miller that Chelsea couldn’t hear.
“Understood, Detective Eldridge,” Miller responded.
“Just a minute,” Chelsea interrupted, drawing Detective Eldridge’s attention again. The look in his eyes, not altogether unfriendly but…daunting, made her think better of arguing.
She remained silent and watched him move away. He was tall. At least a couple of inches over six feet. Broad-shouldered, with a confident, efficient gait. Admonishing herself for getting distracted at a time like this, she turned back to Mr. Rochester.
Other Books in the Series
A Child's Christmas
(Camden Falls #1)
by Kate James
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 376 pages
November 1st 2014 by Harlequin Heartwarming
There's a stranger at the door on Christmas Day…
Single mother Paige Summerville wants to give her seven-year-old son the Christmas of his dreams. Jason needs surgery to beat the illness that's plagued his young life, leaving Paige desperate to make ends meet. So she turns to a charity that grants the wishes of sick children…
Then a stranger arrives bearing gifts for Jason—and for her. He's Daniel Kinsley, a lawyer who's grown cynical about family. But his kindness in making Jason's wishes come true offers him more than he ever imagined. Is there room in Paige's heart for a man who could fulfill all their dreams? And not just at Christmas!
About the Author
Kate spent much of her childhood abroad before attending university in Canada. She built a successful business career, but her passion has always been literature. As a result, Kate turned her energy to her love of the written word.
Kate's goal is to entertain her readers with engaging stories featuring strong, likable characters. Kate has been honored with numerous awards for her writing. She and her husband, Ken, enjoy traveling and the outdoors, with their beloved Labrador Retrievers, Harley and Logan.
Kate would love to hear from you! You can connect with her by email, through her website, her Facebook page, Twitter, or mail at PO Box 446, Schomberg, ON, L0G 1T0, Canada.
Tour Schedule
October 2nd:
Launch
Hearts & Scribbles
It's All About the Romance
Thoughts of a Blonde
Reviews by Crystal
October 3rd:
Getting Your Read On
Janices Book Reviews
Zerina Blossom's Books
Deal Sharing Aunt
October 4th:
Katie's Clean Book Collection
Rockin' Book Reviews
Brooke Blogs
Slice of Life
October 5th:
Harlie's Books
Jorie Loves A Story
Heidi Reads...
Mello & June, It's a Book Thang!
October 6th:
Teatime and Books
underneath the covers
Reading Is My SuperPower
Inside the Mind of an Avid Reader
October 7th: Grand Finale
Launch
Hearts & Scribbles
It's All About the Romance
Thoughts of a Blonde
Reviews by Crystal
October 3rd:
Getting Your Read On
Janices Book Reviews
Zerina Blossom's Books
Deal Sharing Aunt
October 4th:
Katie's Clean Book Collection
Rockin' Book Reviews
Brooke Blogs
Slice of Life
October 5th:
Harlie's Books
Jorie Loves A Story
Heidi Reads...
Mello & June, It's a Book Thang!
October 6th:
Teatime and Books
underneath the covers
Reading Is My SuperPower
Inside the Mind of an Avid Reader
October 7th: Grand Finale
Tour Giveaway
Prize Pack:
- The prize pack includes:
Prize Pack:
- The prize pack includes:
· Aqua over-the shoulder tasseled bag
· San Diego K-9 Unit mouse pad
· Signed copy of Sanctuary Cove
· Signed copy of The Truth About Hope
· Singed copy of When the Right One Comes Along, first book in the San Diego K-9 Unit series
· A pack of three metallic page markers with an inspirational quote on each
· Pair of heart-shaped earrings embellished with ruby-colored stones
· Assortment of signed bookplates
· $20 Amazon gift card
- Prize pack available for Canadian and US residents. Should the winner be international, e-books will be substituted.
· San Diego K-9 Unit mouse pad
· Signed copy of Sanctuary Cove
· Signed copy of The Truth About Hope
· Singed copy of When the Right One Comes Along, first book in the San Diego K-9 Unit series
· A pack of three metallic page markers with an inspirational quote on each
· Pair of heart-shaped earrings embellished with ruby-colored stones
· Assortment of signed bookplates
· $20 Amazon gift card
- Prize pack available for Canadian and US residents. Should the winner be international, e-books will be substituted.
- Ends October 11th
