Good morning and thanks for coming to our book club meeting about Fatal Justice, the second in the Fatal Series! I've been really delighted by the response to the second book. Readers seem to be connecting to Sam and Nick and their friends, colleagues and families. I'm having so much fun writing them, so thanks for coming along on their wild ride! Just like we do every week, here's a bit about the book:She looked into the dead face of the man she'd dined with the night before
Standing over the body of a Supreme Court nominee, Lieutenant Sam Holland is hip-deep in another high-profile murder case. The fact that she was one of the last people to see Julian Sinclair alive just complicates things even more. On the plus side, her relationship with Senator Nick Cappuano is heating up—but it's also attracting a lot of unwanted media attention and blinding flash bulbs.
The pressure is on for Sam to find Sinclair's killer, but a new lead in her father's unsolved shooting puts her in unexpected danger. When long-buried secrets threaten to derail her relationship with Nick, Sam realizes that while justice can be blind, mixing romance with politics has the potential to be fatal...
Today I'll be giving away copies of Fatal Affair and Fatal Justice! To be entered into the drawing, PLEASE help me find a last name for Nick's friend Dr. Harry, who has been so popular with Fatal Justice readers that I am bumping him up to series regular status. Which means he needs a last name! (Disclaimer: I'm not promising to choose one of today's suggested names, but I will give the books away no matter what!)
Because it's terribly embarrassing to be featuring my own book, I turned the blog over to the Whip-Cracking Book Club Wenches and here is what they had to say about Fatal Justice (and, in some cases, Fatal Affair, too!):
From Anne:
As far as FATAL JUSTICE, I loved the realistic style and personal details. It's as if I'm right in the middle of each conversation. I love the funny and witty remarks that come out of your characters mouths. I love that not everyone is perfect; that everyone has worries and concerns, problems to overcome. I love the development of the romantic relationship between Nick and Sam and I can't wait for the next book in the series. I also can't wait to attend the wedding!!
One of my favorite scenes is when Sam is changing into the suit for Nick's swearing-in. She's not sure it's just right for such a solemn and serious occasion, one that will certainly be attended by high-ranking political figures. She is worried that she's exposing too much of her generous cleavage and will embarrass Nick. Her sister makes the statement that "Nick is such a flaming liberal so Sam's suit and cleavage should not be a problem." Of course, Nick steps up at the right moment and assures everyone that Sam is just perfect and he is proud she's standing next to him.
I love all the moments between Nick and Sam -- he's stolen my heart. I love how he just doesn't care who sees his displays of affection and love for Sam.
Another of my favorite parts of this series is the relationship Sam has with her father. There's just so much care, respect and admiration going both ways between father and daughter. I like how Skip interacts with Nick, as well. I'm a sucker for daddy's girls!!
From Hope:
Fatal Affair:
** I really loved when she was messing with his desk (really cracked me up)
** When she had to cuff him to the bed so he would stay out of the investigation, he said..."You owe me twenty-six minutes in handcuffs, and I fully intend to collect." (that is one of my favorite quotes)
Fatal Justice:
** Freddie's first time was HOT HOT HOT, I honestly expected him to chicken out
** The Congress for Dummies book that she was caught reading made me chuckle, then how Sam twisted the words of Filibuster did me in, my chuckle turned into the giggles (I know, soooo 8th grade lol)
** The "villain" Stahl was someone you could easily hate, and you wished the worst from him even in the first book.
** Nick asking Terry to join his team and his conditions, made me tear up
It was really hard for me to only pick a few scenes. These are some of my favorite of all time books. The story is sweet between Nick and Sam, but there is so much meat to the investigations that the WHO-DON-IT is also very entertaining. The strength and vulnerability of both lead characters is humbling and believable. I truly love this series.
From Ronlyn:
The real thread of the Fatal series is how Sam & Nick are with each other. They are each other's everything: they understand each other on a level that is enviable. They make us believe they can do anything and overcome whatever obstical is thrown in their path, yet at the same time they are so personable with one another. Her teasing him about his obsessive need for everything to be in it's place; him teasing her with his "inappropriate" displays of PDA. Those are the moments that are most endearing and the moments that make the Fatal series as a whole, not just Fatal Justice, so wonderful.
From Mary G:
I loved Fatal Justice. It was my first experience reading a series with the same hero and heroine. You kept your great writing style AND kept it fresh. I loved watching Nick & Sam's relationship evolve and grow - still hot & romantic. Loved the secondary characters too - I adored Freddy, Gonzo & Harry. It was sexy hot, terrific suspenseful plot & you added some humor too. What more do we need?
From Aly (Favorite scenes/lines):
Nick knew he should comfort Sam but couldn’t seem to move his arms. All at once, fear became anger. “I can’t.” He shook her off.
“What?” she asked, startled.
“I can’t be here. I’m sorry.” Spinning around, he started back down the long corridor to the elevator.
She followed him. “Where’re you going?”
He walked faster, needing to get out of there. Immediately. “I don’t know. Home. I can’t do this, Sam. I thought I could, but I can’t.”
“What can’t you do?” She grabbed his arm, forcing him to look at her. “What’re you saying?”
“I thought it was you.” His heart breaking, he studied her one-in-a-million face. “I thought you’d been shot.”
“But I wasn’t, Nick.” She rested her hands on his chest, beseeching him with her eyes. “I’m right here. I’m fine.”
“This time.”
“You’re upset about Julian. Let’s talk about this later. When I get home.”
He shook his head. “I can’t spend my whole life waiting for it to be you. I’m sorry, Sam.”
AND
He reached for her, brought her in close to him, and kissed her forehead. “I don’t know. The only thing I know for sure is that I love you. I found out today just how much.”
AND
Sam looked closer and saw that Elin had driven him. “Still seeing the phone-shutter-offer, huh?”
AND
“He was a hell of a guy that Leviticus, wasn’t he Detective Cruz?” Sam said.
“In our time, he’d be considered a bigot,” Freddie said with a pointed look at Diandra.
“I’m not a bigot, Detective. My beliefs are grounded in scripture.”
“Your friend, Leviticus also recommends stoning for married couples who engage in intercourse during the woman’s period,” Freddie said. “I sure hope you’ve never done that.”
“It’s not the same thing,” Diandra snapped. “A woman’s period is a natural event.”
“How do you reconcile the unnatural ‘abomination’ with the commandment to love thy neighbor?” Freddie asked. “And Jesus himself said, ‘If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.’”
Diandra glared at him.
From Kara:
Ok, so seriously. There is too much GOOD stuff in this book. I just reread my highlights. It was like rereading the book. LOL You know I love Sam. So some of my favorite lines are about her. Take these for instance:
Nick - "The twists and turns of your mind are a constant source of fascination to me."
Nick - "God, you're such a pain in the ass."
Sam - "Thank you."
Nick - ..."You're the only woman I know who would take that as a compliment."
Sam ' "Christ. All these entanglements. When did I get so entangled?"
Sam - "I wouldn't want you to think I'm easy."
'Hooting with laughter, he said, "No worries there, babe."
Then of course, there's the whole messing with his desk thing.
LOVE her. Truly one of my all time favorite heroines ever. But, then I think you've heard that before. (Oh, and Nick's not half bad himself.)
From Crystal:
What I love the absolute most about Sam is her total devotion to her father. Being a daddy's girl myself I think she is the ideal daughter. Her love for her father is amazing. I really like how you have made her into a genuine woman. She is self-conscious and uncertain about all the normal women things. Yet she is strong, self assured, and very independent.
What I love about Nick... His single mindedness when it comes to his one and only woman. He loves Sam with such passion and devotion. I like that he didn't have the best childhood, but he has overcome it all. He is truly a good guy in POLITICS! lol
So far my favorite line in Fatal Justice is... After Sam tells Nick about something upsetting from her past... Nick says "And I love you even more than I did earlier, if that is possible." That is true love!
Thanks y'all. You know how badly I wanted to write a series featuring the same H/H in every book. I wasn't sure how it would be received by readers. Reading your thoughts and favorite things makes me smile from ear to ear. Looking forward to today's meeting!
