Mardi Gras Event * Behind the Mask

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BEHIND THE MASK

                                               by Linda Joyce

  • Print Length: 196 pages
  • Page Numbers Source ISBN:
  • ISBN-10: 0996581146
  • ISBN-13: 978-0996581141
  • Publisher: Word Works Press (May 17, 2016)
  • Publication Date: May 17, 2016
  • ASIN: B01EKCKXCI

Key Words: Romance, Women’s Fiction, Contemporary, Literature, New Adult  

 

Amazon: http://amzn.com/B01EKCKXCI  

Amazon UK: http://amzn.eu/5C8COj2

Smashwords:  https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/634033

Barnes & Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/behind-the-mask-linda-joyce/1123762025?ean=2940153004969

Kobo:  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/behind-the-mask-45

Blurb:

 

Former model Chalise Boudreau returns to Louisiana after ten years and faces an uncertain future. Watching her budget, she’s living with her mother and plans to open a luxury salon, but she fears the community sees her homecoming as a failing, and she knows any malicious gossip will jeopardize her success.

Once bad-boy, now entrepreneur Chaz Riboucheaux is home and trying to rebuild his old reputation. He believes one of his companies, the Magnolia May, a pirate ship, can make Ascension a tourist destination, but the mayor refuses to grant him a lease at the city’s dock.

Chalise and Chaz come face to face at a Twelfth Night party. Years ago, he stood her up and left her brokenhearted. Now her brain is at war with her heart, but her body has a mind of its own. As Chaz leads her across the dance floor, he knows when the music stops it won’t be the end of their waltz. He has questions only she can answer, and he won’t stop until he gets what he wants.

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About the Author:

Amazon Best Selling author and 4-time RONE Award Finalist, Linda Joyce writes about assertive females and the men who can’t resist them. She has penned the Fleur de Lis series, Fleur de Lis Brides series, and the first book in her Sunflower series. Her other books include Behind the Mask and Christmas Bells.

A big fan of jazz and blues, Linda attributes her love of music to her southern roots, which run deep in Louisiana. Courtesy of her father’s Air Force career, she has lived coast to coast in the U.S. and wrote her first manuscript when she was twelve while living in Japan. In addition to being a book addict, Linda’s a foodie, an RVer, loves to kayak, and binge watch movies. Now she lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and General Beauregard, their four-legged boy who thinks Linda is his pet.

Thank you for reading!

Website: http://www.linda-joyce.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LindaJoyceAuthor

Twitter: @LJWriter  https://twitter.com/LJWriter

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6950241.Linda_Joyce  

Amazon author page:  http://www.amazon.com/Linda-Joyce/e/B00BODDROS/

Amazon UK author page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Linda-Joyce/e/B00BODDROS/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_5?qid=1477665604&sr=8-5

Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/LindaJoyceWorld/boards/

Instagram: http://instagram.com/lindajoycewrites

Google+:   https://plus.google.com/+LindaJoyce/posts  

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrjZh-TMFbeN1k7BlWAAxeA

TWRP:  http://catalog.thewildrosepress.com/1087_linda-joyce

Newsletter:  http://eepurl.com/4y5Yj

Smashwords:  https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/LJWriter

Blog:  http://linda-joyce.com/blog/linda-joyce-contemplates-blog/  

Linda Joyce captures the ambience, attitude, and allure of the South like no other. Behind the Mask brings us grand mansions, sexy characters, intriguing situations, and a Southern mama. Grab a glass of sweet tea and visit Ascension, LA. You might not want to leave. ~ Claire Croxton, author of Ex-Ray

 Linda  talk about her inspiration for the book: 

The abandoned gas station was the first inspiration for Behind The Mask. It came to me when I stayed at Bittersweet Plantation in Donaldsonville, LA, I snapped this picture. I imagined it as many things: A bakery, a flower shop and café, and a beauty salon. That’s when Chalise spoke to me.

Then, I met Alvin Batiste (https://alvinbatiste.com/). His paintings are folksy and down to earth. I knew I wanted a story set in that part of Louisiana.

Next, I saw photos of the sunken pirate ship the city of Donaldsonville purchased to make into a tourist attraction. (https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC4XFZG_the-strange-tale-of-le-pelican?guid=69177b64-1698-461b-90b2-59a691f68c2f ) That’s when Chaz spoke to me.

Here’s an excerpt:

Excerpts

A hand grabbed hers and lifted the champagne glass away. A pirate pulled her to the dance floor. She started to protest, but nearby Doucetta, Mary, Pratt, and Gator, all old schoolmates, tapped their feet to the music and looked on, grins spread across their faces. If she spoke in protest, they would recognize her voice, so she allowed her captor the last dance. After all, who said no to a rakish pirate? Black knee-high boots, dark gray breeches, and a white shirt with billowing sleeves. An ostrich feather in his black hat waved as he moved. An eye patch hid one eye. In the dimness and the flashes of mirrored light, she couldn’t quite decide if they’d met before.

She draped her arms around his neck. As she reached her fingers to run through his thick hair, her captor twirled her way, and then pulled her close. The attention from the mystery man wasn’t without allure. He moved well. Oozed charm. Tingling sensations left her breathless.

Her hand was warmed by his. Each time her gaze lingered on his face, he twirled her away. It was as though he somehow sensed her intention to determine his identity.

Halfway through the song, he danced with her cheek to cheek. Broad shoulders. Well-developed muscled arms. Narrow waist. Strong thighs. They swayed together. All thoughts took flight as she found comfort in his arms. When the song neared its end, the pirate’s hand slipped from the small of her back to her butt. He gave a light squeeze. She sucked in a breath and stopped.

“How dare you,” she hissed.

The pirate’s hands moved up to her neck. He cupped her jaw, and then he brought his lips to hers. Though a thin veil separated skin-on-skin contact, the heat of his lips seared. The electric zip dazed her.

“I’ve waited years to do this, Princess,” the pirate whispered.

Her hands flew to her cheeks, and she touched her lips with her fingers. Fear struck. Would he reveal her identity? How did he know?

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