Love and Murder - Together at Last by Lauren Carr

Today we are pleased to share with you a guest post from Lauren Carr, best-selling author of the Mac Faraday and Lovers in Crime mystery series.

Love and Murder - Together at Last

By Lauren Carr

I love great couples. By that, I don’t mean sexy couples who look like they were brought together by a modeling agency to sell perfume. Have you noticed that couples like that don’t usually last? I think it’s because they don’t make mirrors big enough for both partners and their egos.

I’m talking about couples who complement and play off each other. They are two halves that, when put together, make one fun whole.

Back when my husband and I were newlyweds, shortly after the extinction of the dinosaurs, we were befriended by the couple who lived next door. Jack and Judy had been married close to forty years at that point and had raised three children. I loved spending time with the two of them. Their personalities played off each other so well.

A retired Navy officer, Jack was distinguished and honorable. Judy was fun and sparkly. When they were together, she would give him that adoring look that told you how much she loved him, even after forty years together. On his part, she made him laugh.

They had been together so long, that they were beyond the adolescent phase of sex and had moved into intimacy of the mind and soul. They were so into each other that they could read each other’s thoughts and finish their partner’s sentences.

That’s the type of couples that I strive to match together in my mysteries—not just sexy glamour-pusses—but two fun people that readers would like to have for friends.

In Three Days to Forever, I finally introduce readers to Mac Faraday’s daughter, Jessica. In previous books in this series, Jessica and her brother Tristan would be mentioned in passing. Both of Mac’s children have been grown and attending college.

Don’t be fooled by Jessica’s gorgeous violet eyes (inherited from her famous grandmother Robin Spencer) and spoiled rich girl surroundings. Jessica Faraday is a recent graduate from William and Mary College with a master in behavioral and cognitive neuroscience.

Readers are also reintroduced to Murphy Thornton, Joshua Thornton’s (of Lovers in Crime) son, a graduate of the Naval Academy, who is up to his ears in top secret clandestine operations with the government.

When these two offspring from top-notch detectives meet, it is destined to be a match made in a mystery author’s imagination as you can see in this excerpt from Three Days to Forever.

In this excerpt, Murphy Thornton thwarts a kidnapping attempt at a truck stop off the interstate where he has stopped on his way to Deep Creek Lake. The victim of this attempted abduction is none other than Jessica Faraday, the daughter of the man with whom Murphy’s father has disappeared.

After the rescue, Jessica Faraday steps out of the truck stop to be introduced to Murphy Thornton, who is holding her nine month old puppy, Spencer, is a blue merle Shetland sheepdog.

Excerpt:

“Ma’am,” one of the state troopers stopped her (Jessica Faraday) when she stepped out of the manager’s office after dressing in fresh clothes from her suitcase. “I thought you might like to meet the gentleman who saved you.” He took the handle of her suitcase to wheel it out for her.

Having acquired friends who lived in a variety of places, Jessica had learned how to pack. With her clothes ruined by the blood, she made an easy change. Seemingly unaware of how the sweater and leather pants hugged every slender curve of her body, Jessica followed the trooper through the truck stop and out the front door into the snowy weather.

How she wished she hadn’t gotten evidence on her coat. Note to self—pack two winter coats next time.

Jessica stepped outside to see the most dashing smile she had ever seen. He held out his hand from where he was holding her dog. Jessica felt the blood rushing in her ears while he stared at her with blue eyes that sparkled like sapphire jewels.

The state trooper cleared his throat. “His name is Murphy Thornton. He’s an officer in the navy.”

Murphy continued to stare at her.

The senior trooper said, “And her name is Jessica Faraday.”

Blinking, Murphy stuck out his hand. “I’m Murphy Thornton.”

“I already told her that,” the trooper whispered.

Before Jessica could take Murphy’s hand, Spencer proceeded to lick his fingers and wag her whole body. He patted Spencer on the head.

“Th-thornton?” she stuttered out. She stopped to swallow. “I’m sorry, I’m still lightheaded from the chloroform.”

“I understand.” He reached around Spencer to take her hand. “Your father is Mac Faraday?”

“Y-yes,” she said through chattering teeth.

Murphy glanced around to the man with the knife who was being loaded into the back of a police car. “I don’t want to frighten you, but these guys were not your average kidnappers of opportunity. I know your father is missing. Mine is, too. My dad is Joshua Thornton.”

Jessica gazed up at him. “Our fathers are friends,” she said in barely a whisper.

He gazed into her deep violet eyes. He had to fight to keep from being pulled into the desire he felt as he gazed at her lovely face, framed by raven waves and her alabaster skin. He was dying to touch it.

He had to concentrate on the matter at hand. Here was Mac Faraday’s daughter, and whoever was chasing their fathers had gone after her.

Why?

“Why do you have my dog?” she asked him, interrupting his attempt to take his focus off her gorgeous violet eyes.

“Candi needed a bathroom break,” he replied.

“Her name is Spencer,” she said.

“I call her Candi.” He stroked the sheltie’s head while she continued to lick his jaw.

She took her dog back into her arms. “You renamed my dog?” To her surprise, Spencer struggled against her. 

“Because she reminds me of a girl I knew in high school,” he replied with a crooked grin. “She liked to kiss all the guys, too.”

With dimples in both cheeks, his smile is as sexy as his eyes. A shiver ran through her that made her feel weak in her knees.

“You must be freezing,” she heard him say. Before she knew it, his leather jacket was draped across her shoulders. She became lost in his blue eyes when he stood before her to pull the collar together in the front to block the cold wind.

“Feel better now?” He flashed that killer smile at her.

“Totally,” she murmured.

What will become of Murphy and Jessica? Will they find their fathers? Who is after Mac Faraday and Joshua Thornton? Which of these two detectives is the hit squad’s target? Why did they come after Jessica? If Murphy keeps calling Jessica’s dog Candi, will she ever learn that her name is really Spencer?

Find out the answer to these questions and more.  Get your copy of Three Days to Forever today.  

About the Author

Lauren & Gnarly

Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday and Lovers in Crime Mysteries. Her upcoming new series, The Thorny Rose Mysteries will be released Spring/Summer 2015.

The owner of Acorn Book Services, Lauren is also a publishing manager, consultant, editor, cover and layout designer, and marketing agent for independent authors. This year, several books, over a variety of genre, written by independent authors will be released through the management of Acorn Book Services, which is currently accepting submissions. Visit Acorn Book Services website for more information.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She also passes on what she has learned in her years of writing and publishing by conducting workshops and teaching in community education classes.

She lives with her husband, son, and three dogs on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.  


Contact Lauren or visit her website and blogs at:

• Email:  writerlaurencarr@gmail.net
• Acorn Books
• Lauren Carr Blog
• Literary Wealth Blog
• Facebook
• Gnarly on Facebook 
• Lovers in Crime on Facebook