Irish Winters's Blog, page 38
January 19, 2015
More on Monday
Another sneak peek....
“Get us out of here, Dennison,” Ember demanded, clutching the girl to her chest.
Rory pulled them both off the ground under his arm. For one brief moment, Ember wanted to stay there, tucked into the wall of muscle and heart that stood ready to die for Nima and her.
He had them inside the stone temple in no time, pressing her to the floor with his hand on her shoulder and a terse, “Sit. Stay.”
She did, huddled to the floor with Nima on her lap, still examining the child for signs of injury. Other than a scraped knee and torn tights, which she most likely received when she fell, Nima appeared to be fine. Ember expected hysterical crying, kicking, and tears. A runny nose. Anything but the deadly calm the girl exuded. She didn’t have time to worry about it.
David had joined Rory at the temple’s door, their weapons drawn. Ember tried to control her own shaking. The fear of losing the precious toddler to what sounded like a thirty-five millimeter rattled her to the core. Dying in the line of duty was part of the job. She’d been trained. It could happen.
Hell, she’d seen it happen to the man she loved. But a baby? A sweet little girl with pudgy cheeks and stubby legs? Shot down in cold blood like her daddy? The oddest sensation swept up from the soles of Ember’s feet to the top of her skull. No little girl was going to die on her watch.
“Get us out of here, Dennison,” Ember demanded, clutching the girl to her chest.
Rory pulled them both off the ground under his arm. For one brief moment, Ember wanted to stay there, tucked into the wall of muscle and heart that stood ready to die for Nima and her.
He had them inside the stone temple in no time, pressing her to the floor with his hand on her shoulder and a terse, “Sit. Stay.”
She did, huddled to the floor with Nima on her lap, still examining the child for signs of injury. Other than a scraped knee and torn tights, which she most likely received when she fell, Nima appeared to be fine. Ember expected hysterical crying, kicking, and tears. A runny nose. Anything but the deadly calm the girl exuded. She didn’t have time to worry about it.
David had joined Rory at the temple’s door, their weapons drawn. Ember tried to control her own shaking. The fear of losing the precious toddler to what sounded like a thirty-five millimeter rattled her to the core. Dying in the line of duty was part of the job. She’d been trained. It could happen.
Hell, she’d seen it happen to the man she loved. But a baby? A sweet little girl with pudgy cheeks and stubby legs? Shot down in cold blood like her daddy? The oddest sensation swept up from the soles of Ember’s feet to the top of her skull. No little girl was going to die on her watch.
January 18, 2015
Sneak peak Sunday
Get ready!Rory, In the Company of Snipers, Book 6is coming in February 2015
A tear?
Junior Agent Rory Dennison’s sixth sense jolted to life as the tear fell in slow motion, an iridescent crystal drop he couldn’t stop watching—or keep from falling. It tracked over Nima Dawa’s pudgy cheek, reddened from the chill of late October. The liquid pearl bounced when it hit the black velvet gathers on the four-year-old’s dress, then twice more until it cleared the tucks and folds and dropped to the concrete at her feet.
Even then, he watched its impact, a soundless splash of saline that should not have caught his eye the way it did and meant absolutely nothing. Or did it?
Nima offered one short little sniff and a nod to her father, Mr. Sonam Lobsang, a Tibetan dignitary with no particular political clout or power. All he wanted was to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown in Arlington National Cemetery.
In an unusual request, he’d asked the FBI to provide protection for himself on this visit to the States. But for Nima, he’d gone straight to his friend, Alex Stewart, owner of the elite covert surveillance company, The TEAM, and Rory’s boss. It seemed the Tibetan dignitary did not trust the Bureau with his most dear treasure. Only with him.
Nima’s lower lip puckered. Quivered. Sadness shifted over her face. For an incredible instant, all innocence was gone. She was not just a little girl dressed up for her father’s special day. She appeared older. Infinitely wiser. Frighteningly un-child-like. She was—something else.
Rory’s heart jumped to his throat, choking him. He shook his head, blinking hard to chase the apparition away. In that short half-second it took to do that, she transformed again. The person or entity—or whatever he’d seen, was gone. The somber child was back.
Like heck. His heart wasn’t thundering for no reason at all. He’d seen something. But what?The proper answer failed to materialize, but hyper-vigilance sure did. Fear constricted the calm right out of him. It hadn’t been that long since he’d come home from the Middle East battle theater, less since he’d nearly died during a horrendously tough operation in Sonora, Mexico. His fingers turned to ice. The sickening sensation of impending doom crept up his throat, suffocating him.
Suddenly the world was not a safe place to be any longer. Danger was too near. Death, too imminent. But from where? A quick scan of the docile crowd gathered around the Arlington Amphitheater revealed no reason for the spike of adrenaline pouring into his gut. No abnormally nervous twitch amongst the onlookers disguised a hidden agenda. No darting eyes. No hands in pockets holding concealed weapons, either. No suspicious predator lurked in the midst of that flock of sheep. He would know. He’d hunted predators before.
The National Cemetery had never looked so—normal.
Or felt so—not.
A tear?
Junior Agent Rory Dennison’s sixth sense jolted to life as the tear fell in slow motion, an iridescent crystal drop he couldn’t stop watching—or keep from falling. It tracked over Nima Dawa’s pudgy cheek, reddened from the chill of late October. The liquid pearl bounced when it hit the black velvet gathers on the four-year-old’s dress, then twice more until it cleared the tucks and folds and dropped to the concrete at her feet.
Even then, he watched its impact, a soundless splash of saline that should not have caught his eye the way it did and meant absolutely nothing. Or did it?
Nima offered one short little sniff and a nod to her father, Mr. Sonam Lobsang, a Tibetan dignitary with no particular political clout or power. All he wanted was to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown in Arlington National Cemetery.
In an unusual request, he’d asked the FBI to provide protection for himself on this visit to the States. But for Nima, he’d gone straight to his friend, Alex Stewart, owner of the elite covert surveillance company, The TEAM, and Rory’s boss. It seemed the Tibetan dignitary did not trust the Bureau with his most dear treasure. Only with him.
Nima’s lower lip puckered. Quivered. Sadness shifted over her face. For an incredible instant, all innocence was gone. She was not just a little girl dressed up for her father’s special day. She appeared older. Infinitely wiser. Frighteningly un-child-like. She was—something else.
Rory’s heart jumped to his throat, choking him. He shook his head, blinking hard to chase the apparition away. In that short half-second it took to do that, she transformed again. The person or entity—or whatever he’d seen, was gone. The somber child was back.
Like heck. His heart wasn’t thundering for no reason at all. He’d seen something. But what?The proper answer failed to materialize, but hyper-vigilance sure did. Fear constricted the calm right out of him. It hadn’t been that long since he’d come home from the Middle East battle theater, less since he’d nearly died during a horrendously tough operation in Sonora, Mexico. His fingers turned to ice. The sickening sensation of impending doom crept up his throat, suffocating him.
Suddenly the world was not a safe place to be any longer. Danger was too near. Death, too imminent. But from where? A quick scan of the docile crowd gathered around the Arlington Amphitheater revealed no reason for the spike of adrenaline pouring into his gut. No abnormally nervous twitch amongst the onlookers disguised a hidden agenda. No darting eyes. No hands in pockets holding concealed weapons, either. No suspicious predator lurked in the midst of that flock of sheep. He would know. He’d hunted predators before.
The National Cemetery had never looked so—normal.
Or felt so—not.
American Sniper
This is a blatant commercial.The movie is now released and a must see.Don't miss it.
My books are in Weller Book Store!
Come join me!I'll be reading from ZACK at 2:15pm
December 21, 2014
My day at Arlington in pictures
December 13th, 2014At the corner of Wilson and Roosevelt AvenueIn Section 37Down the hill from the Tomb of the UnknownsAcross the way from Arlington HouseDirectly in the heart of God bless America....
You know, sometimes words fail. Brains too. The last headstone got to me. I did place a wreath there, but because I turned into a total sap when I saw how young he was when he died. I forgot to snap a picture. I would've like to have known Sgt. Paul Hamilton. I've met a few Vietnam vets in my life. I get to live with one. They are hands down some of America's best. And they are not forgotten. Merry Christmas, Paul.
You know, sometimes words fail. Brains too. The last headstone got to me. I did place a wreath there, but because I turned into a total sap when I saw how young he was when he died. I forgot to snap a picture. I would've like to have known Sgt. Paul Hamilton. I've met a few Vietnam vets in my life. I get to live with one. They are hands down some of America's best. And they are not forgotten. Merry Christmas, Paul.
December 9, 2014
Never forget
My trek begins tomorrow.My flight takes off at 9:40am.By sunset I will be in Crystal City, Virginia.Bright and early this Saturday morning, December 13, 2014,I will be in a crowd of thousands who will have come to Arlington National Cemeteryto honor our nation's fallen heroes.
Wreaths Across America makes it possible.
We will be there as volunteers to lay a wreath at every single grave.We'll greet the convoy of semi-trucks bringing the wreaths from Maine.We'll stand in line to get our wreaths.We'll stay all day.I may not be lucky enough to get a wreath. That's okay.There may be more volunteers than wreaths.How awesome would that be?I'm taking extra Kleenex with me.Arlington always makes me cry.Oh, heck, I need one now.I love my country.
Wreaths Across America makes it possible.
We will be there as volunteers to lay a wreath at every single grave.We'll greet the convoy of semi-trucks bringing the wreaths from Maine.We'll stand in line to get our wreaths.We'll stay all day.I may not be lucky enough to get a wreath. That's okay.There may be more volunteers than wreaths.How awesome would that be?I'm taking extra Kleenex with me.Arlington always makes me cry.Oh, heck, I need one now.I love my country.
November 27, 2014
On Thanksgiving....
Let us pause to remember who it is who stands at the readywhile we celebrate in the warmth of too much food and loving family,while we watch football games and fall into carbohydrate comas on our comfy couches,while we shop online for Black Friday deals,while we take our freedom for granted.It sure isn't Congress.
God bless our service men and women wherever they are on this Thanksgiving Day, 2014.Keep them safe.Bring them home.
God bless our service men and women wherever they are on this Thanksgiving Day, 2014.Keep them safe.Bring them home.
November 20, 2014
Free kindle eBook
Heads up!Free kindle eBook!Zack, In the Company of Snipers, Book 3, will be freeon Black Friday and Saturday - Nov 28-29Get him while he's hot! (I've always wanted to say that.)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JZZSRHY
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JZZSRHY
November 16, 2014
My December journey....
Will take me to the hallowed grounds ofArlington National Cemetery in Virginia,Where I will be one of the many volunteers gathered To lay wreaths at the headstones of our nation's fallen warriors.
Just thought you'd like to know.http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org
Just thought you'd like to know.http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org
November 13, 2014
An out of sight review for Connor
A review by Malissa @ http://readsallthebooks.blogspot.com
Can two heats torn apart by tragedy and grief reunite and find solace and love? Not if Isabella (Izza) Ramos' words are any indication.
"I. Hate. You." -Izza
Does Izza even truly hate Conner or does she hate herself for the grief she carries and for keeping a secret that could change Conner's life forever? How many times can a man say he is sorry, and does he even understand all that he should be sorry for?
Conner, Conner, Conner. Dear sweet heart broken boy....I wanted to kick your butt through a good portion of this, but don't worry I wanted to kick Izza's a time or two as well. *wink*
I have been anxious to read Conner's story since he was introduced to the series. Here is this sweet Irish guy with a bit of a bossy side and a bunch of heart ache that he keeps locked away...I mean who doesn't want to snatch him up, drink a Guinness, rock out to some Drop Kick Murphy's then take him home to cuddle with him and mend his broken heart? Izza, that's who or at least that is what she thinks. An ex-Marine Sniper (same as Conner), who is a spitfire of a woman who isn't going to take any crap and is determined to prove she is as good if not better than the next guy.
"The irony did not escape her that she, the only female agent present, was hands-down tougher than any of the guys she was traveling with. Meaner too." -Izza
I had a tough time dealing with Conner in the beginning and have to admit he was really disappointing me in his interactions with Cassidy. Everything between them, at least on Conner's side, seemed forced (Come on playboy, you know you don't really want her) to me and I just couldn't help but dislike her...she was like Laoghaire MacKenzie from Outlander, a girl I am just determined to hate. Sorry Cassidy....Uhm, maybe your time will come, lol. Thank goodness we had Izza to put a damper on that whole situation.
Izza, wow...the anger radiates from the page straight to your heart with this girl. I don't know how she held it together as well as she did. Just another sign of how strong this woman truly is. Her heartache was like a punch in the gut, I even wanted to say I am sorry a few times, it is painful even now to think about how much she was hurting and how even though Conner knew some of why how it seemed he truly couldn't see past the anger to the hurt and understand.
This is what Irish Winter's does so beautifully though...she never fails to pull readers right into her stories, to place you in her character's hearts so you feel everything. I am always guaranteed to fall for her characters. They have unusual jobs and go through heart breaking, tear jerking, difficult, heroic situations but they are never made out to be more than what they are...regular people in unique situations. She doesn't gloss over their faults, or make them into super heroes. They cry and laugh just like the rest of us. It's so easy for me to be drawn into their world, to tune everything else around me out, and page by page become a part of The TEAM.
Once again Irish put it all out there, she doesn't shy away from the pain of war or from it's effects. While this book was not as emotionally difficult for me to read as Harley was, it is still a book that doesn't romanticize war or the life of being a Soldier. The majority of the character's from her series In the Company of Snipers are prior service and all show us the good and the bad, they allow us to see a small glimpse of military life and how it affects both the service members and those who love them. These are gripping stories that you won't want to put down once you start.
I loved this story of Conner and Izza, it is a romance full of second chances, of learning to forgive, to grieve, and to love. If you are a fan of Military or Contemporary Romances this is a fantastic read for you. While this book can be read as a stand alone like usual I suggest starting at the beginning of the series so you fully understand all the underlying pieces of the story. I am also quite excited to get Rory's story after the little teaser she left us with at the end of the book.
Can two heats torn apart by tragedy and grief reunite and find solace and love? Not if Isabella (Izza) Ramos' words are any indication.
"I. Hate. You." -Izza
Does Izza even truly hate Conner or does she hate herself for the grief she carries and for keeping a secret that could change Conner's life forever? How many times can a man say he is sorry, and does he even understand all that he should be sorry for?
Conner, Conner, Conner. Dear sweet heart broken boy....I wanted to kick your butt through a good portion of this, but don't worry I wanted to kick Izza's a time or two as well. *wink*
I have been anxious to read Conner's story since he was introduced to the series. Here is this sweet Irish guy with a bit of a bossy side and a bunch of heart ache that he keeps locked away...I mean who doesn't want to snatch him up, drink a Guinness, rock out to some Drop Kick Murphy's then take him home to cuddle with him and mend his broken heart? Izza, that's who or at least that is what she thinks. An ex-Marine Sniper (same as Conner), who is a spitfire of a woman who isn't going to take any crap and is determined to prove she is as good if not better than the next guy.
"The irony did not escape her that she, the only female agent present, was hands-down tougher than any of the guys she was traveling with. Meaner too." -Izza
I had a tough time dealing with Conner in the beginning and have to admit he was really disappointing me in his interactions with Cassidy. Everything between them, at least on Conner's side, seemed forced (Come on playboy, you know you don't really want her) to me and I just couldn't help but dislike her...she was like Laoghaire MacKenzie from Outlander, a girl I am just determined to hate. Sorry Cassidy....Uhm, maybe your time will come, lol. Thank goodness we had Izza to put a damper on that whole situation.
Izza, wow...the anger radiates from the page straight to your heart with this girl. I don't know how she held it together as well as she did. Just another sign of how strong this woman truly is. Her heartache was like a punch in the gut, I even wanted to say I am sorry a few times, it is painful even now to think about how much she was hurting and how even though Conner knew some of why how it seemed he truly couldn't see past the anger to the hurt and understand.
This is what Irish Winter's does so beautifully though...she never fails to pull readers right into her stories, to place you in her character's hearts so you feel everything. I am always guaranteed to fall for her characters. They have unusual jobs and go through heart breaking, tear jerking, difficult, heroic situations but they are never made out to be more than what they are...regular people in unique situations. She doesn't gloss over their faults, or make them into super heroes. They cry and laugh just like the rest of us. It's so easy for me to be drawn into their world, to tune everything else around me out, and page by page become a part of The TEAM.
Once again Irish put it all out there, she doesn't shy away from the pain of war or from it's effects. While this book was not as emotionally difficult for me to read as Harley was, it is still a book that doesn't romanticize war or the life of being a Soldier. The majority of the character's from her series In the Company of Snipers are prior service and all show us the good and the bad, they allow us to see a small glimpse of military life and how it affects both the service members and those who love them. These are gripping stories that you won't want to put down once you start.
I loved this story of Conner and Izza, it is a romance full of second chances, of learning to forgive, to grieve, and to love. If you are a fan of Military or Contemporary Romances this is a fantastic read for you. While this book can be read as a stand alone like usual I suggest starting at the beginning of the series so you fully understand all the underlying pieces of the story. I am also quite excited to get Rory's story after the little teaser she left us with at the end of the book.
