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A Fiery Secret is available!

A Fiery Secret
By Diane Craver
Chick-Lit Mystery
Available in ebook now
and Print Release Date: February 20, 2007
link

Blurb:

An old boyfriend wants reporter Catherine Steel’s love and someone else wants her dead when she learns the explosive truth behind a murder.

Catherine Steel is an investigative reporter for a newspaper in Ohio. To supplement her income so that she can buy clothes and gifts for her small godchild, she writes fluff pieces for women’s magazines.

When Jake Michaels fills a sports editor’s spot on the paper, Catherine wonders if he is man enough to fulfill her fantasy. And does she want him to be the one? After all, he broke her heart ten years ago in high school when he failed to show up for their prom date. And now that he’s back in town, he wants to date her. Catherine refuses to go out with him but he keeps asking. Should she give Jake another chance?

When it appears the high school janitor, Max, was murdered, Catherine is determined to learn the truth about his death. Her list of suspects for Max’s death include: the school secretary with her intense dislike of Max, the charismatic mayor, the mayor’s unbalanced girlfriend, the angry school principal, and a strange math teacher.

Excerpt:

While Miranda brought the cheesecake and Dana’s cup of coffee, my cell phone rang and I saw it was Jake’s number. I answered with a “hey”.

“I’m at your apartment,” Jake said, “and since you aren’t here, I’ve been stood up.”

“We didn’t have a date.”

“Sure we did.”

I decided to get away from listening ears. I walked over to stand by the window. Looking out into the street, I said, “You’re just trying to act like we’re even now and it’s not going to work.”

“Okay, you got me. But I promise if we go out, we’ll have a great time.”

“Remember Ricardo.”

“Who’s Ricardo?”

That’s right. I’d never given him the name of my boyfriend. Two slip-ups in one day with my memory. “Sorry, I forgot I didn’t tell you my boyfriend’s name.”

“That’s right, the one I won’t know. I’d like to meet Ricardo. Is he coming to the Halloween Party?”

“He wants to, but it might be hard.”

“Why’s that?”

I paced in front of the window. “He lives in Costa Rica.”

Jake laughed. “You have to be kidding me. I guess he’s flying in on Friday for your date.”

In a huffy voice, I said, “I don’t see why that’s funny. He has his pilot’s license and a small plane. I met Ricardo when I was vacationing in his country, and of course he flies here to see me.” This convversaton needed to end. Ricardo had flown to United States twice to see me, but I hated giving the impression he still did and in a plane he didn’t have when we actually were dating.

“I have to go,” I said in a firm voice.

“Did you tell Ricardo about our kiss?”

“Our kiss? You kissed me.”

“Catherine, you kissed me back.”

“I don’t remember that part.” Another lie, but I didn’t want to give Jake the satisfaction of knowing I liked his kiss.

“Ricardo or no Ricardo, I’m not giving up on you. I blew it in high school, but things are different now.”

“Yes, it’s different now. Have a good evening.”

“It’ll be hard, but I’ll try.”

“You do that. Bye, Jake.”

“Wait.”

I sighed. “What is it?”

“Wear the famous belt skirt tomorrow to work.”

“Who told you about it?”

“Tim mentioned how great you look in it.”

I swallowed hard and felt relieved it wasn’t Brian making a comment about me. But Brian had never shown any interest in me sexually, so I always felt comfortable around him and enjoyed his and Angie’s friendship. I didn’t like it that Keith hit on me when Hilary wasn’t present. Tim did, too, and his wife Susanne could be in the same room. It was depressing and enough to make a girl not want to get married.

“It’s not something I wear to work.” I paused for a moment. “I’m surprised Tim even mentioned it to you. You and Tim must’ve been talking about me.”

Jake sighed. “Okay, you’re right. I told some guys I like watching you get drinks at the water fountain.”

I was flattered, but didn’t want to tell Jake. “Thanks for calling, but I need to go. Talk to you later. Bye.”

I closed my cell phone and dropped it in my bag. What if Brian or someone else mentioned to Jake how Ricardo and I were no longer an item? I could say we broke up but got back together. And since Ricardo and I did call each other every couple of months, it wasn’t such a big lie.

As I walked back to join Adam and Tracy, I smiled, thinking how my plan to get to Jake was working. He noticed me in a big way.

Read another excerpt and buy the book: link

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