Shannon here: Cindy Bonds shares she met her husband, plus how her characters meet in her latest Romantic Suspense, Protector. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for a copy. Deadline: August 6th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Cindy:
Welcome everyone!
So glad to be on Shannon’s blog today! I hope you enjoy my post as well as the book excerpt from my new novel, Protector.
When doing posts for Shannon, I always have to travel back in time to when my husband and I met. It gets further each time I visit! Today, we’re discussing first meets; me and Garrett and the hero and heroine in Protector.
My husband and I met at the University of the Ozarks in small town Clarksville, AR. I’m a few years older than him, so I was already attending when he came and visited the campus. I remember a friend very much enthralled with the soon-to-be freshman after helping with the guided tour, but didn’t meet him until school started in full swing.
Young and handsome, I didn’t give him much thought. After all, a freshman? I was just starting my senior year and had three part-time jobs, too busy to be concerned about dating.
He would say I blew him off completely during an intramural game. One of my jobs was being an intramural referee. I was assisting with flag football when a young group of freshmen boys were competing with an older group. I guess I was much too focused on my job than in the comments that came with being a female umpiring a group of males.
But it didn’t take long for us to find ourselves together throughout the day and hanging out in the evenings with friends, watching movies and playing card games. And the rest is what you call history!
In Protector, Danica Freeman is a founding member of the Dallas Tactical Rescue Team. With a background in the ATF, she has the experience to back up her partners as well as lead a rescue.
Haiden Blake comes in slightly later than Danica, but his quiet demeanor and handsome features are hard for Danica to ignore. They work shoulder to shoulder, oftentimes as a duo team on the outside of the chaos.
Here is an excerpt of one of their many interactions in Protector:
Danica walked past Haiden and headed for the garage.
“Dani?”
“I want to talk to Buck, see what’s going on.”
Haiden pushed in front, making her pause. “Dani, go rest. You’re exhausted.”
“I am. I’m completely exhausted and sick of everything that keeps happening. I want to know who’s behind this, and that starts with the faces we have on the cameras.”
“Buck is fast, but he can’t do miracles. We have to go through proper channels if we want to prosecute.”
She crossed her arms and did her best to keep from falling into him. That was happening a lot lately.
“Hey, I know you want answers. We all do. Buck won’t keep th-things from you. Neither will I.” “I know that. But I need to be in this. I can’t sit around and wait for someone to come after us.” Haiden stepped forward, gently holding her elbow. “They lured our team out of the office, knowing you would be here. They’re after you, not us.”
“How could they know?”
He shrugged. “No idea. You need to be careful, be safe. Two-man teams. You’re stuck with me.”
His smirk pulled a smile out of her. Right now, in this moment, she didn’t have a reason to smile. But she stood in front of him, unable to stop.
Question for Readers: When you read romance or romantic suspense novel, would you rather read about a newfound, budding relationship or one that resurfaces from the past?
About Cindy: Cindy Bonds lives in rural Arkansas where she works for an aviation insurance agency and spends her free time with her husband and children. In between ball games and gymnastics, she loves to read and work on her crafting skills.
Writing has become an outlet for her creativity and she is excited about her new novel Protector, the second book in the three-book series. Learn more, keep up with the latest releases, & sign up for her newsletter:
Cindy’s Website Cindy’s Facebook Cindy’s Instagram
About the book – Protector (Book Two of the Tactical Response Team series):
Danica Freeman has put her past firmly behind her. She’s found happiness and a place to belong within the TRT. But as her new family comes under attack, the chain of events makes her wonder if this is less about the team and something more personal.
Haiden Blake overcame his tragic childhood and found himself in the Army. Now a retired sniper, he uses his skills to protect and defend on American soil. He’s found a family in the TRT, but something more with Danica. She’s his close friend, as close as he can allow her to become.
Danica and Haiden leave sparks to burn, unwilling to risk it all to move forward to something more. But another attack puts Danica in danger and Haiden is unable to protect her. At the risk of losing Danica forever, Haiden takes a leap of faith, praying God will catch them both.
The past haunts. But will it become her reality again?
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Interested in Cindy’s other titles?
Get your copy/copies now! Cindy’s books – Scrivenings Press
Protector – Amazon Protector – Booksamillion
Come back July 29th for Joi Copeland!
I enjoy romantic suspense, so I’ll take either path to romance, but I like the newfound, budding relationship just a bit better. Good job for holding your own while keeping all those college guys in line!
Thanks Hope! I tend to lean toward new romance too!
I’m the same as Hope above. I think we’ve been done in with too many resurfacing romances. They don’t happen that often, so something closer to real life is better. First time romance is better.
I completely agree! Thanks for commenting!
I have read and enjoyed both but I would have to say I lean more toward newfound.
I have tried my hand at the old flame to new romance and although I know a few authors that do it well, perhaps I’ve just not got the knack of it! Thanks for posting, Cherie!
I have a winner! Cherie Japp won the drawing. I appreciate Cindy for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.