Shannon here: Debbi Migit shares a romantic excerpt from her latest Mystery Suspense, November Knight (book 3 in her Justice Montana series) plus a yummy-sounding Pumpkin Muffin recipe. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for a signed copy of November Knight and Child of Promise. Deadline: Dec 2nd, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Debbi:
Excerpt from November Knight by Debbi Migit:
I’m not being fair, but there’s something about Deputy Levi Cooper that annoys me. A lot. I mean, sure, he’s attractive if you like hulking, blue-eyed, blond men. He’s not as tall as my cousins, but he makes up for it in the width of his shoulders. Even in his uniform, I can tell he is well muscled. His wheat-blond hair is close-cropped, but it’s curling a little on the top and sides. I’m sure he will put an end to that soon, though. I don’t have any proof, but I feel he’s recently left the military. Maybe that’s why he comes across as so serious.
“Seen all you need to?” His voice startles me, and then his words sink in. He caught me studying him. Well, fine.
I try to cover my embarrassment with a shrug. “Probably,” I say, then cringe. Probably? What does that mean? I shrug again like I mean it and turn to watch the countryside fly past the window of the sheriff ’s department’s SUV. I think of the quiz that asks if you’ve ever ridden in a squad car.
Check.
It’s quiet several minutes, and I feel Deputy Levi Cooper would be content to make the rest of the trip in silence.
Too bad.
In the past three days, I’ve been kidnapped, starved, frozen, threatened with a gun, and terrorized. The relief of safety is waning, and now every emotion is surfacing, including the not-so-pretty ones. Anger, grief, fear. And despite the egg biscuit, hunger.
“I’d like to stop at the Dairy Barn on the way to my aunt’s house.” I try to make it sound like a request, but it comes out as a demand. That’s not me at all, but right now I don’t feel like me. I feel like if I soften at all, I’ll melt into a puddle of tears. Fear for Sophie nags at me, disorienting my senses. It’s not
the deputy’s fault I’m an emotional mess. As I turn to apologize for my tone, Deputy Cooper smashes my good intentions with one word.
“No.”
“No?” I hate the high pitch of my voice, but I continue. “What do you mean, ‘No’? Let me remind you, I’m the victim here, not the perp.”
His lips give a tiny twitch at my use of the word perp. I ignore that and continue my tirade. “I have rights, you know.”
“Yep. Including the right to remain silent.” His lips twitch again, and I eye him suspiciously.
“Is that a joke?” If I were in a better mood, I’d appreciate his attempt at humor. Sadly for Deputy Cooper, my mood is plummeting as fast as my blood sugar.
“Well, since the point of a joke is to elicit at least a smile, I guess it’s not.” He signals a right turn and takes the road to the McBride home.
A moment later we pass the Dairy Barn and I open my mouth to say, “Stop,” but then I spot the dreaded Closed for the Season sign. “Oh,” I say, defeated.
“You missed it by a week.” I almost detect sympathy in Levi’s voice. “But if it helps any, I heard Nick talking to your aunt on the phone. She was telling him about all the food she and Sly have been making. Hold on for two more minutes, and I’m sure Mrs. McBride will have a feast waiting for you.”
“Thank you.” I glance away as tears sting my eyes.
“You’re welcome.”
Suddenly, I need to make this right. “I’m sorry about being such a … a …”
“Brat?” he offers with a grin, and I nod.
“Yes, that.”
His blue gaze turns serious. “Sierra, I understand trauma. Don’t worry about it. Give yourself time to process what happened to you and your friend. And trust that Nick and I will do everything we can to find Sophie and lock up Kemp for good.
Question for Readers: Have you ever met someone you disliked right away, then changed your opinion?
About Debbi: Award-winning author and speaker Debbi Migit lives in central Illinois, surrounded by pumpkin patches and cornfields. Her first book, Child of Promise is the story of audacious faith resulting in multiple miracles. It encourages readers to remember their own promises and believe again.
Debbi’s Justice, Montana series begins with September Shadows, released in February 2021, followed by October Outlaw in November of that year. After the mysterious death of their parents, Jess Thomas and her sisters are determined to stay together and make a new life for themselves, which includes faith-testing danger, adventure, and romance.
Book three, November Knight, will be released on November 28, 2023, followed by December Dreams, and January Justice in 2024-2025.
Debbi’s hobbies include reading, writing, and avoiding arithmetic. Her favorite color is turquoise, and she collects Trixie Belden books and typewriters. If playing Candy Crush was a paying gig, she would be rich. Learn more & connect:
Debbi’s Website Debbi’s Bookbub Debbi’s Facebook
Debbi’s Instagram Debbi’s E-mail: migit55@gmail.com
About the book – November Knight:
When her friend Sierra is kidnapped, Jess is determined to find her. But a simple clue reveals a threat Jess never saw coming, plunging her into a life-threatening confrontation.
Meanwhile, former Army Ranger, Levi Cooper is now a valuable task force member searching for the missing girls. But when he encounters Sierra, Levi discovers he has another mission.
Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you might not win? Interested in Debbi’s other titles?
Get your copy/copies now!
Preorder November Knight Debbi’s Books
Happy Thanksgiving!
Come back Nov 24th for Paula Peckham!
November Knight sounds like a great read!!!! Thanx for the giveaway!!!!
Well, it was certainly fun to write! LOL Happy Thanksgiving!
LOL yes – my husband (I didn’t like his name, until I got to know him).
Look at us now – we celebrated 20 years in February 🙂
LOL I can relate. I wrote a book (Child of Promise)about our lives. The first line of my husband’s chapter was, “Phil Migit sounds like a jerk!” That was before I met him and we’ve been together for 45 years. Definitely an enemies to lovers story for me 🙂
I don’t remember meeting anyone like that. It sounds like a really interesting book. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
I like how you developed that scene and the dialogue content and pace–good writing!
Yes, there have been people through the years, that have initially been unlikable, but with time and prayer I have grown to see the good in them.
I have a winner! Cherie J. won the drawing. I appreciate Debbi for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.