Chasing Gold By Alexa Bourne ~ A Beyond Fairytales Adventure

Chasing Gold 

A Beyond Fairytales Adventure

By Alexa Bourne

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Guest Post by Alexa Bourne:
Where My Heart Is
There’s something magical about Scotland. I can’t really explain why I love it so much. I just know that when I think about visiting the pubs and the shops in Edinburgh or relaxing through the villages in the Highlands I always feel calmer. When I’m there, I sigh as though all my troubles have floated away. I see the beautiful scenery, learn about the fascinating history, eat the interesting food, enjoy much beer and scotch and…those accents from hot Scotsmen. What’s not to love? Plus, the kindness I receive there always makes me feel welcome. If I had some way to support myself I’d drop everything and move to Scotland tomorrow. Is there any wonder why my earlier books are set in Scotland? 
But then I switched to USA set books for a while. I had 3 different books I needed to share with readers and I worked hard on each of them. Once several months went by I wondered if I would get back to stories set in Scotland. Yes, I was successful with my current three, but in my heart I wanted to go back to my “home”.

Then came the opportunity to write Chasing Gold for Decadent Publishing’s Beyond Fairytales series. I asked if I could set the story in the Highlands and I got the okay. Once I started the rough draft of the book, it felt like my heart sighed. I looked forward to my writing time each day. Yes, I had some difficult scenes and many questions about how the story would work, but I can honestly say I can’t remember having so much fun writing a book. I’m convinced it’s all because I set the story in Scotland. As Grace and Simon traveled through the country and experienced all things Scottish, I traveled back (in my mind) to the country I love. I tried to create mental pictures for the readers so they could appreciate the beauty of the Highlands. With each word I typed, the Scottish accent floated through my brain. Chasing Gold was a wonderful chance to share more of what I love about Scotland with readers. I hope you like it!   

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

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.
 Suspense, Contemporary Scottish Romance
24,656 words, heat level 3 
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Buy Links: 

Amazon | Decadent Publishing | B&N | ARe | Smashwords | Kobo Books


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
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.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Bio:

Alexa Bourne is a teacher by day and a romance writer by nights, weekends, and all school holidays. She also teaches online classes for writers throughout the year. She writes romantic suspense and contemporary romance and is thrilled to have the chance to share her stories with readers everywhere.
When she’s not concocting sinister plots and steamy love scenes or traveling and exploring new cultures, Alexa spends her time reading, watching brainless TV, and thinking about exercising. Okay, she also spends way too much time interacting with readers and writers on social media sites. But don’t tell her editors! Find out more about her and her books on her website, www.alexabourne.com.

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5818611.Alexa_Bourne
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAlexaBourne
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlexaBourne 
Website: www.alexabourne.com
Blog: http://alexabourne.com/cuan-macdougall-pub/
Email: alexa@alexabourne.com