Honor Thy Neighbor: Snippets!

As promised, I’m posting various snippets from my new release, Honor Thy Neighbor. Honor Thy Neighbor is a mystery/crime novel that also falls into the romance genre due to the fantastic relationship between the two main characters: Ashlynn and Sean Myerson. Enjoy the snippets, and leave me a comment or two telling me which were your favorites! Thanks! … ~Valerie Mystery Snippet #1: Walking down the sidewalk and into the alley, she spied Eliza’s car in its usual spot. As she made her way around the car to the back door, a startled scream parted her lips. She found Eliza prostrate on the ground between the car and the shop’s rear door—the petal pink dress she wore saturated with her own blood. Romance Snippet #1: Ashlynn sat up, the sheet falling from her shoulders to reveal her naked torso, healthy and toned. “We haven’t made love yet.” Sean turned, his eyes drinking in the view she willingly gave him. His body reacted. Her auburn tresses—unkempt by sleep’s beautician—poured over her shoulder, barely covering the firm swell of flesh. Her passion always turned her sultry blue eyes a subtle shade of navy. Mystery Snippet #2: “Alex spotted someone in the yard at the front of Leo’s house,” Nancy said to Sean. “He lost sight when the figure went around the side of the house.” “Call the station. Get a car up there now,” Sean ordered. “They’re supposed to be patrolling the neighborhood, so it won’t take long to get a response. Dispatch will log your calls as anonymous tips. There won’t be any trails leading back to this house.” Romance Snippet #2: Sean searched her eyes, seeing nothing but love and desire there. His mouth met hers. He needed more from her, had to have more from her. Releasing the front clasp, he parted the soft silkiness of her bra, her breasts poured out and into his waiting hands. He tasted her, every bare inch of her breasts. The cool rainwater blended with her natural taste, inciting him to seek more from her. His mouth moved along her neck, over her shoulders and again on her breasts before returning to her mouth. Mystery Snippet #3: Sean lowered his voice. “Is there a safe place behind the bar for my weapon?” Leo showed his first sign of uneasiness. “There’s an old cash drawer beneath the bar. We stopped using it when we got the computerized registers. No one even remembers it’s there. Will that do?” “As long as it’s accessible.” Sean glanced around. “Anyone besides you know what I’m really doing here?” The older man paused, searching Sean’s eyes. “No one suspects a thing. Frank put out the word he wanted to hire a new bartender. Everyone knew.” “What happened to the last bartender?” “Someone murdered him.” Romance Snippet #3: “Nancy and Alex will be here in an hour. Are you getting up, or shall I conduct the strategy session in our bedroom?” Tossing the sheet away from her, she stood and stretched. As she moved past him she whispered, “You may have won the round, but your eyes tell me you lost the bout.” Catching her around the waist, he brought her naked body flush against him “I’d say you’re lethal.” Mystery Snippet #4: Nancy handed Cain the plastic bag containing the letter. “Sean wants it taken to Forensics.” “When did he get this?” “Sometime this morning. Leo found it when he opened the restaurant. Sean said it refers to a boy who’s been seeing Leo’s daughter. Apparently, he’s not in high school. He has his own agenda.” “Where’s the girl now?” Romance Snippet #4: “Where are we?” she finally asked. “I don’t know. I think we’re in a basement or under a porch. I don’t know.” “How long have we been here?” “I don’t know that, either. They drugged me after I put you in the car. I can’t be sure of the day, either.” A small laugh parted her lips. “You are a well of information. What time is it?” “Nighttime.” “Looks like you got one right,” she mused. “I do my best.”

[Via http://valeriejpatterson.wordpress.com]

• Natalie Portman at Vogue
• Demi Moore