Deceptions: Jake & Natalie

by R.J. Van Cleave, Shannon Polion, Heather Carver

Deceptions is the third book in the MacLane Family series. It is the story of Jake and Natalie, and can be read as a standalone. Due to ‘adult content,’ this book is best suited for readers 18 years of age and older. Jacob “Jake” MacLane couldn’t give two shits about money, power, or prestige. His love for guns turned into a love of serving his country. His remarkable ability as a sniper gave him a purpose for living. His bad-boy looks and alpha-male attitude had the women vying for his attention. All of that ceased to matter the day his best friend was killed in action. What happened that day has haunted Jake ever since. No one - not his own brothers, or one mysterious woman - would ever know his deepest secret. Natalie Sherman had her future planned graduate high school, get accepted into Juilliard’s dance program, and take Broadway by storm. What she hadn’t anticipated was her mother’s cancer diagnosis or death from the wretched disease. Natalie’s bright future quickly faded, until a one-night stand with a dark and sexy stranger made her feel alive again. Too bad he didn’t stick around to see what he’d left behind. A chance encounter with him had Natalie keeping her own secret locked away - especially because he didn’t even remember her. When both of their secrets come crashing down around them at the same time, Natalie finally asks for Jake’s help. This time, he can’t refuse. It quickly becomes the most important mission of his life, and once the dust settles, nothing will ever be the same for them. Sometimes, only the right person will help you rebuild the ruins left by your deceptions...

378 pages, Paperback

Published August 29, 2015

About the author

R.J. Van Cleave was born and raised in a small town just east of San Diego, California, where she still resides today. From the time R.J. was a small child, she wanted to be a doctor or have babies. In the 6th grade, one very special teacher, and a nun to boot ignited a love for science in her that is still there today. Then in high school, one phenomenal English teacher introduced her to American and British literature, and her love for books and writing took off. High school was also when she met and fell in love with the young man who would later become her husband.

R.J. graduated from the University of San Diego in 1994, with her Bachelor of Arts in Biology, and a minor in English Literature. When she was told not to put off having children, she opted not to go onto medical school. Instead, she got a job in the biotech industry as a virologist working on feline vaccines and finally married her high school sweetheart. They welcomed their first daughter in 1998, and in 1999, R.J. decided to become a stay at home mom. The arrival of fraternal twin girls surprised them in 2006. Obviously, the doctors were wrong about the 'not putting off having kids' thing.

2011 was the turning point in R.J.’s life. Her mom and mentor died suddenly from undiagnosed lymphoma, and that rocked her world. She inherited her elderly father and her mother’s two dogs, and life changed dramatically. In June of 2013, R.J. decided to finally follow the advice her mother had given her years ago - to write down the stories of the characters that had taken up residence in her head. A three-part series and at least ten more books in the works was the result.

R.J. enjoys watching TV shows such as Castle, Big Bang Theory, CSI, Rizzoli & Isles, Mike & Molly, and pretty much and other police/crime/comedy that she can record on her DVR. Not one for coffee, she's addicted to English and Irish breakfast tea (which she drinks ‘British style’ just like her mom), and Tazo Chai tea lattes (homemade is good, but the Starbucks baristas make them SO much better). She would love to hear from her readers, so please, drop her a line, and introduce yourself.

R.J. can be contacted by e-mail at rjvancleave@gmail.com,
or find her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RJVanCleave