Please welcome Donnell Ann Bell to my blog. Below are a few words about her fantastic book and an excerpt. There’s a raffle copter to go with it. So post those comments and share the news.
I know Donnell from the Romance Writers of America Romance Suspense/Mystery Chapter aka Kiss of Death. Donnell is well known in our chapter for her books and helpfulness. Enter to win a copy of her book Buried Agendas or one of her great Dammit Dolls. Read on to find out how you can win. You can also scoop up a copy at your favorite places to buy books. The links are listed below.
Title: Buried Agendas
Release: November 7, 2014
Genre: Suspense with Romantic Elements
Blog Tour: December 8, 2014 – December 12, 2014
Buy Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo
Book Summary:
A devastating secret drove her from the man she loved. Will a secret equally as deadly lead her back to him?
Diana Reid is an investigative reporter skilled at uncovering other people’s secrets. It’s her own she works to keep buried. Eight years earlier, she promised to leave her fiancé and hometown of Diamond, Texas forever. That pledge vanishes when she receives a letter stating people are going to die, implicating her hometown’s largest employer, and making a veiled threat against her mother. With no other choice, Diana will return to Diamond, albeit in disguise, to discover the anonymous author.
Brad Jordan moved on with his life after Diana walked out on him. Just as he rebuilt his life, as the newly elected mayor of Diamond, and newly engaged to be married, he plans to rebuild his struggling hometown. Those plans are threatened when an El Paso physician notifies Brad that she believes his family’s company, Jordan Industries, is conducting illegal practices and sacrificing the public’s health.
When the doctor suggests bringing in Diana to uncover the wrongdoing, Brad strongly opposes the idea. Still, when she appears despite his wishes, he’s forced to accept that a woman he vowed to forget may be his only option to get to the truth. Together Diana Reid and Brad Jordan face a dangerous adversary—one whose only intent is keeping a deadly agenda buried.
About the Author
Donnell Ann Bell grew up in New Mexico and today lives in Colorado. A homebody at heart, she concentrates on suspense that might happen in her neck of the woods – writing SUSPENSE TOO CLOSE TO HOME. She is the author of The Past Came Hunting, Deadly Recall and Betrayed, all of which have been e-book best sellers. Buried Agendas is her newest release. Along with veteran police officer Wally Lind, Donnell co-owns Crimescenewriters, a Yahoo group putting law enforcement experts together with writers. Donnell loves to hear from readers.
Author Links: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads
Giveaway Details
As part of the blog tour, Donnell will be giving away 5 copies of Buried Agendas (US/Canada only) and
5 Dammit Dolls (US/Canada only). Fill out the Rafflecopter form to enter!
Not sure what a Dammit Doll is? Well, here is the little saying that each doll comes with:
Whenever things don’t go so well and you want to hit the wall and yell, here’s a little dammit doll that you can’t do without. Just grasp it firmly by the legs and find a place to slam it. And as you whack the Stuffing out yell, “Dammit, Dammit! Dammit!
Rafflecopter Code: a Rafflecopter giveaway
Rafflecopter Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1c9cd1c911/
Excerpt
Diana curbed a jealous retort and moved to the nightstand. She yanked open a top drawer and withdrew the want ads she’d skimmed early that morning after she’d checked in. In bright red, she’d circled, Help wanted, mailroom clerk, Jordan Industries. High school diploma, drug test required.
“If your fiancée recognized me, I’d be behind bars. I deliberately failed my typing test and listed no experience on the application.”
For the first time, he smiled. The old Brad, the Brad she thought she knew. “What name did you use?”
“Candace Armstrong.”
“Okay.” He motioned to the letter. “So how can a mailroom employee find out what the author meant by ‘people are going to die’?”
“The same way I do every story, by asking questions.”
“Who’s Ronnie?”
“Who?”
Brad pointed to the tattoo on her ankle.
“Oh,” Diana smiled. “He’s no one.”
Brad’s gaze shot to her face, and for a second, she thought she saw pain. Don’t be absurd. The man’s engaged. Irrationally, Diana felt betrayed.
“Seriously, he’s no one. Ronnie doesn’t exist. And neither does this tattoo. It’s henna, and part of my disguise.”
Brad shook his head and he scowled. “You swear to me you didn’t talk to Liz this week.”
“I swear, I haven’t spoken to her . . .” But maybe I should.
“Give me one reason to go along with this?”
Diana lowered her head. She wanted to tell him because the Brad Jordan she’d once known stood for integrity and honesty. The Brad Jordan she’d loved, and unfortunately still did, had wanted to make a difference. She couldn’t believe he’d run for a mayoral position if that wasn’t still true.
Lifting her head, she met his gaze. “Because you know I had nothing to do with that letter, and you want to know what’s going on, too.”
As he traversed the dingy hotel room, Diana sensed he was wavering. He’d asked too many questions to turn her away now. If he said yes, she had a long list to accomplish before Monday. She’d take her physical, head for El Paso, and spend her weekend at the library researching Jordan Industries.
Brad stopped pacing. “I have no doubt that you’re worried about your mom. But when you said you weren’t out to hurt me or Jordan Industries, were you being truthful?”
“I meant every word.”
“All right. I’ll give you two weeks to investigate if you go along with the following conditions.”
She swallowed. “I’m listening.”
“If, after two weeks, you’ve found nothing, you’ll give up this charade and go home.”
She stared back at him. Diana could easily agree to Brad’s terms. She expelled a pent-up breath. “I accept that condition.”
“Second, you will never report a word of what you find or release a word to the media. If you do, I have more than enough witnesses to prove you entered Jordan Industries illegally, and I’ll file charges against you.”
Hurt morphed into anger. “Are you saying if something’s going on, you won’t report it?”
“Not at all. I’ll be the first one to call the police.”
“Then . . . I don’t understand.”
He unrolled his sleeves and grabbed his tie. “I’m saying no way in hell will I allow negative information against my family’s company to benefit your career. I don’t trust you, Diana, especially after what I saw today. We’ll see if you’re really concerned about your mother, or if you’re after a story.” Brad opened the door. “You don’t have to agree to the second part of my conditions right now. I’ll have my answer when you don’t show up on Monday.”
Blog Tour Stops
December 8, 2014
CK Crouch: https://ckcrouch.wordpress.com
Reading by the Book: http://www.readingbythebook.com/?zx=85dd92d8b0eb840f
Storeybook Reviews: http://storeybookreviews.com
December 9, 2014
The Book Review: http://www.cluereview.blogspot.com
Happiness Is A Book: http://happinessbook.wordpress.com/
Romance Reviews Today: http://www.romrevtoday.blogspot.com/
December 10, 2014
My Book Addiction and More: http://www.mybookaddictionandmore.com
Shattered Hearts Reviews: http://shatteredheartsreviews.com/
So Many Reads: http://www.somanyreads.com
December 11, 2014
Em & M Books: http://www.emandmbooks.com
Harlie’s Book Reviews: http://www.harliesbooks.com/
Lush Book Reviews: http://lushbookreviewss.blogspot.com/
Romance Junkies: http://www.romancejunkiesreviews.com
December 12, 2014
A Little Bit of R&R: http://alittlebitofrnr.com/
Amy Manemann’s Blog: http://www.amymanemann.blogspot.com
C. K. Crouch 
Hi, Donnell, I read the excerpt to your book, Buried Agendas, and found it interesting. May I ask where you get your inspiration? Books? Movies? News Reports? And how long does it take you to write a book? How many books do you write in a year?
Hi, Patti, thank you for asking! I get my inspiration all over. Country songs are the best thing ever to leave me inspired. I wrote The Past Came Hunting from the song Walk Away Joe by Tricia Yearwood and Don Henley. I wrote my first book from a breaking newscast when a man was gunned down on the New Mexico capitol steps. I couldn’t find out what happened, and I was so stunned, I had to finish the book because my muse would not let go. Deadly Recall is probably the closest book to my heart because it talks about my grade school days in Catholic school — of course I took great liberty and nothing in the book resembled what happened to me 🙂 I just love to write mysteries. And Buried Agendas, well, I’m married to a chemical engineer. There’s been a lot of topics discussed in our house over the years, and this idea took hold and would not let go until I wrote the book.
I’m a slow writer. I can write one to two books a year, and each time I finish I have separation anxiety; I’m so attached to the characters! Thanks for posting!
Thank you for answering my questions. I appreciate it. 🙂
Hi, Patti, thank you for asking! I get my inspiration all over. Country songs are the best thing ever to leave me inspired. I wrote The Past Came Hunting from the song Walk Away Joe by Tricia Yearwood and Don Henley. I wrote my first book from a breaking newscast when a man was gunned down on the New Mexico capitol steps. I couldn’t find out what happened, and I was so stunned, I had to finish the book because my muse would not let go. Deadly Recall is probably the closest book to my heart because it talks about my grade school days in Catholic school — of course I took great liberty and nothing in the book resembled what happened to me 🙂 I just love to write mysteries. And Buried Agendas, well, I’m married to a chemical engineer. There’s been a lot of topics discussed in our house over the years, and this idea took hold and would not let go until I wrote the book.
I’m a slow writer. I can write one to two books a year, and each time I finish I have separation anxiety; I’m so attached to the characters! Thanks for posting! ~ Donnell
I’m having technical difficulties so forgive me if this comes through twice! Patti, thanks for stopping by. I get inspired from so many things — music, I wrote The Past Came Hunting after listening to Tricia Yearwood and Don Henley sing Walk Away Joe. That was the book’s original name. My first book I wrote after I heard a breaking news story about a man in Santa Fe gunned down on the capitol steps. I could never find out why or what happened and my muse complained endlessly so I had to finish the story. Betrayed I wrote because I always wanted to write a mother and daughter reunion story, and Buried Agendas, well, I’m married to a chemical engineer, so you can imagine the topics that I’ve either participated in or overheard over the course of my 30 year marriage.
write one or two books a year. I get very attached to the characters and am loathed to let them go after I type “The End.” Great question and I appreciate you stopping by… ~ Donnell
Donnell, congratulations on another successful book! Keep them coming!
Thank you Jerrie Alexander! Back at you girlfriend. I just bought your newest release yesterday!
Great excerpt. Very engaging. I wish you great good luck with this project.
*hugs*
Thank you, JD. I appreciate your very nice comment. Happy holidays to you and yours!
Awesome post Kathy, Ms. Bell, Donnell. Where did you come up with the “Dammit Doll” idea? I love it! Now I can’t decide which I would like to win. Your book or your doll lol. Other than soical media sites do you have a home webpage?
Hi, Darlene, I love the Dammit Doll and the little poem that comes with it. Everybody needs either a dammit doll or a punching bag; would you agree! Happy holidays. my website is http://www.donnellannbell.com You can also find me on Facebook and Twitter!
Oh, I”m entering for the DD. I have Buried Agendas on my shelf. Another great read, Donnell. 🙂
Jean, you’re having the same problem is. Thanks for all your effort. I hope you win the Dammit Doll! It’s a major stress reliever!
Another great read, Donnell. I’m entering for the DD as I’m sure I need it to get through the rest of this year. 🙂
Well, third time should work. I’ve switched to IE. Great read, Donnell. I’m entering for the DD because I’m sure I will need it to finish this year.:)
Read it, loved it! But then, I loved the other three, also. Wishing you continued success!
Thank you so much, lilli530. Happy holidays!
Hey Donnell I appreciate you stopping by today and I wish you the number one spot on the NYT list for Christmas. Great book and I’m proud to know you.
Kathy, I’m honored that you helped share news about my newest release. Thank you and happy holidays to you and yours!
I love helping my friends. You write fantastic books and work hard for our chapter.
Thanks, for having me, Kathy! It’s my pleasure to belong to KOD.
Our KOD chapter is so fantastic and you work hard for it. I’m happy to have you as a virtual friend. We might meet one in person. You weren’t in San Antonio were you?
i am absolutely loving Buried Agendas. Love your writing voice and style. You’ve got me hooked. Just waiting to see what happens with Jordan Industries, not to mention Brad and Diana.
I am absolutely loving Buried Agendas. Love your writing voice and style. You’ve got me hooked. It is going to be interesting to see what happens with Jordan Industries, and not to mention Brad and Diana.