Yay!!! COVER REVEAL FOR IN THE SHADOW OF EVIL

Hi Everyone,
Another incredible day in my journey as an author. I've been working almost non-stop on edits for my next book in the Shadow Series, In the Shadow of Evil. But today it all finally became very real. I just received the new cover and just had to share it. 

I hear stories how authors never like their covers. Well, that's not the case with this author. The art department at Crimson Romance out did themselves. So without further adieu, here it is: 

Drum Roll please...

The backdrop is the beautiful Inner Harbor of Baltimore, Maryland, the setting for the story. In the Shadow of Evil features the oldest brother of the McNeil clan, Jared and his heroine, Jennie McKenzie. I just love their story and am bouncing in my seat to share this amazing couple with you. I wish I could give it over to you now, but we all have to wait for the release date: 26 AUGUST 2013. For just a little glimpse into what is come, I've posted the blurb and and a short excerpt below just to wet the whistle.

If you haven't had a chance to read the first book in the series, In the Shadow of Greed[ Jason McNeil and Sarah Tu's story] well now is your chance. It's only $1.99 on Amazon--just hit the Amazon icon on the sidebar. Nook lovers, never fear, you can also find it on Barnes and Noble and iTunes--links below. Enjoy the blurb and excerpt but please let me know what you think of the cover.

((HUGS))

Nancy C. Weeks

Blurb for In the Shadow of Evil:

Elías Mendoza’s personal vendetta against the McKenzie family rests on Jennie’s shoulders. As she cradles the bullet ridden body of her ten-year old student, she knows Mendoza is responsible. Quinton’s death is a message. Jennie’s life belongs to only Mendoza. But she has her own message. No one else dies. Her life means nothing as long as Mendoza is free.

Jared McNeil has spent ten years with Maryland’s Special Crime Unit and very little rattles him. When the haunted teenager he once tried to protect walks into his precinct now a beautiful woman, he wants nothing more than to wrap her in his arms and never let her go. But he soon realizes she is there only to settle her debts before she goes after his nemesis, Mendoza. Jared’s vow to stay away from Jennie until the task force destroys Mendoza now means nothing.

What Jared and Jennie don't understand is there are forces at play greater than the evil shadowing them, but time is running out. United, they can do anything. Alone, they will fail.

First ever excerpt of In the Shadow of Evil. Enjoy!

Jared rested his head against the column and listened to the hauntingly sad music coming from the piano. As Jennie’s fingers waltzed across the keyboard, a tear slid down her cheek. Whatever gut-wrenching pain she was trying to rid herself of through the music, it wasn’t working. Every note echoed what only could be a deep hurt—the kind of hurt that dug itself into the darkest crevasses of the heart. Just listening to her pain ate away at him. What the hell had he missed that would cause this kind of grief?

Jared stepped out of the shadow and waited for her to notice him. It didn’t take long before her fingers froze and she sought him out. “Jared,” she whispered.

He took another step closer. “Hey, Jennie.”

“What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing.” He strolled up the side aisle, keeping as much in the shadows as he could. The one question he wanted to ask all day came stumbling out of his mouth. “How could you just run off like that, Jennie? You know Noah. He’s all bark. He never would have . . .”

“You shouldn’t be here.” Her expressive, deep hazel eyes widened as she searched the sanctuary. When Jennie turned and faced him, her features were clouded with fear.

Jared straightened his stance and his hand went to his weapon. “Who else is here?”

“No one, except Father Anthony.”

“Why are you so spooked? Hell, Jennie, you look like you are about to jump out of your skin.”

Jennie stood and lowered the piano lid over the keys. “It’s just late. I didn’t expect anyone to be here. You just startled me . . .”

Damn. What the hell is going on?

“I think that is the first lie you ever told me.” Jared took several steps, closing the space between them. Even in the dim light he could tell his words affected her. He reached for her hands clutched in front of her. His fingers rubbed against several layers of gauze wrapped around her left palm. He lifted it so he could get a better look. He couldn’t see what was under the bandage, but the skin was red, and blisters formed on each joint. “What the hell? You didn’t have this earlier.”

She yanked her hand free. “Nothing. It’s nothing.”

“That’s two lies.” Jared shook his head. “And this,” he said, holding up her hand, “is definitely something. How did it happen?”

In all the years they have known each other, Jennie never tried to close herself off from him. In fact, he teased often that her eyes gave away exactly what she was thinking. But not tonight. She was definitely hiding something.

Where was the smile that lightened his mood, or the hug that stayed with him for hours? Their friendship was solid. She was one of the few people with whom he felt completely comfortable. He didn’t think there was anything he didn’t know about her.

So what had he missed? Could the distance he placed between them have finally led her to stop believing in him? The thought was crushing.

“Why did you come to the station today?”

“I left you a note.”

Jared edged in close enough that her citrus and jasmine scent surrounded him. She didn’t back away but she kept her gaze on the floor. “Since when do you need to leave a note? Why didn’t you just let me know you were coming? I’m would have been there to meet you.”

Jennie brushed a hand through her auburn shoulder length hair while her eyes darted everywhere but at him. So many emotions passed across her features—desperation, guilt, sadness.

With the tip of his finger, he lifted her face. “Jennie, what’s wrong?”

“Read the note, Jared. It’s all in there,” she replied in a hushed whisper.

It took everything in him to keep from blaring out where she could stuff the damn note. “You could always talk to me before. What’s changed?” He cupped her face with both of his hands. His thumb caressed the tender skin along her jaw. “I’m here, Jennie. Please don’t shut me out.”

“You’re not here, Jared. I can’t . . . won’t—”

“Won’t what, Jennie? Count on me, trust me?”

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