Chasing Gold is a book in the Beyond Fairytales series from Alexa Bourne and Decadent
Publishing. This exciting story is based on the Golden Goose
fairy tale and takes place in contemporary Scotland. Check it out!
Blurb:
Grace McKay spends most of her time alone trying to convince the
world she’s strong enough and smart enough to become one of the best treasure
hunters. According to the media, though, all she’s managed to prove is she’s a frigid, narrow-minded woman
who doesn’t have a chance to succeed in her current hunt.
Simon Andrews is tired of being a glorified secretary for his
family’s treasure hunting business. As the youngest brother, he’s never had the
chance to prove himself in the field, where his true interests lie.
When Grace’s uncle hires Simon on a whim to assist her with the
search for an ancient family heirloom, he comes up against a woman determined
to accomplish her goal without his—or anyone’s—help. But Simon, although
captivated by her passion for her quest and her beauty, will not relinquish his
chance to prove both to the client and his brothers that he has the family gift
for finding valuables where others have failed.
Grace, frigid? Simon is sure the media met the wrong woman. He’s
in danger of bursting into flames every time they are alone together. As they
get closer to finding the heirloom, though, their growing passion for one
another may distract them from the very real danger that threatens their lives
and their possible future together. Whatever that might mean.
Excerpt:
After sipping her tea, she picked up another piece of pastry.
Midway to her mouth, she stopped. A tall, thin man, glasses clinging to the end
of his nose, strode through the doorway and scanned the room. A loose-fitting,
faded T-shirt covered his chest, and khaki shorts hung on his hips. Kind of
thin and bony for her liking, although the soft shade of ginger hair with a
hint of blond in it grabbed her attention. It reminded her of her favorite
movie star. Both hands were inside his pockets.
With a crooked grin, he walked straight up to her table. “Grace
McKay?”
“Yes. Can I help you?”
He held out his long fingers. “I’m Simon Andrews.” He waited as
if his name was supposed to mean something.
She didn’t shake his hand. “What can I do for you, Mr. Andrews?”
He lowered his arm. “Your uncle said you’d be helping me on my
expedition here.” From his New England accent, he could only be American.
Uncle Thomas sent him? Of all the crappy things he’d done,
this had to be the worst. Did he not believe in her enough to allow her to
handle the job? She stood, gathering her papers. “My uncle was wrong. I don’t
need any help with my expedition. Good-bye.” She shifted around him and started
for the lobby. Studying her paperwork in her own room would suit her better.
“Ms. McKay, wait.” He grabbed her arm.
She froze. Every muscle tensed.
“I realize you want to help in the search, but your uncle hired
me to—”
She tugged herself free. “I know what he hired you for, but I’m
telling you, you’re fired.” As she stalked across the pub, many pairs of eyes
stared at her, some wide in question, some narrowed. Who cared? She hadn’t done
anything wrong.
“That’s not your call, sweetheart,” he said.
She jerked to a stop just inside the door and spun around,
gritting her teeth. Andrews stood waiting, as cocky as could be, with his hands
on his hips.
“First, I am not your sweetheart. Second, I don’t need a
partner.”
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