Title: The Executioner
Author: Shauna Allen
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 11, 2017
Blurb
~ Five brothers, one family tragedy, untold heartache. ~
A stray bullet ended my Army career, forcing me to follow in
my father’s prison guard footsteps.
My sister’s disappearance ten years ago annihilated my family,
forcing each of us to find a way to cope.
But I’ve survived. Adapted.
At least until Genevieve Stone showed up, digging into the
truth in the name of journalism and finding her way deep under my skin. I’m
determined to do whatever it takes to find my sister, but when the case is
blown wide open by the sexy reporter, I’m left with the ultimate question . . .
can I trust her?
I’m a soldier, heart and soul.
I don’t do love.
War and death and pain are my church.
My name is Asher Creed.
I am the Executioner.
***Reader note: This is the first of a 6-part emotional
family saga series. Each story is 100% male first-person point-of-view, and
while each full-length novel is guaranteed to have a complete HEA romance,
their family mystery remains unsolved until the end of the series.
***Due to profanity, mild violence and very strong sexual
content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18. Also,
please note the title. The hero is, in fact, an executioner on death row. While
there is no intent to make any social or political statements, please do not
read if this will be offensive to you.
Purchase Links
Excerpt
“Are you part of the execution team?”
I swallowed, the thought of lying to her heavy in my throat.
There was a reason we never divulged who was on the team. The stigma and
attacks on our humanity would come from all angles, and in the end, it would
change nothing. I am an executioner. It’s a job. Someone has to step up and do
it. I was simply one of the few who were willing to swallow the emotional
baggage that comes with putting another human being to death. I’m willing
because maybe, just maybe, I’ll finally be able to bury the beast in me that
snarls and snaps, thrashes and rages, thirsty for vengeance against the unknown
monster that took my sister away.
“You know I can’t
talk about that, Genevieve. I’m sorry.”
Her gold-green eyes sparked. “I thought so.”
I frowned, not answering.
“Okay. Let’s try this . . . hypothetically speaking, if
someone were a part of the execution team at the prison, would they take part
in every execution?”
“Theoretically, barring some certain circumstances, yes.
Most likely. The warden has assembled a team he trusts and that rarely
changes.”
She nodded and forked up a bite of meat. “How do you think
those people feel? About killing another human being?” Her gaze was direct and
unwavering.
I set my fork down and thought carefully about my reply. “I
think they don’t think about it like that.”
“Does it make you sad?”
A beat passed heavily between us. Two. “No.”
She said nothing, returning to her meal, and I followed
suit. Eventually, the cloud that filled the room seemed to dissipate as she
digested my answers. “Tell me about your brothers. I’m dying to know about
them.”
“Why?”
She shrugged one shoulder and sipped her wine. “I just am.
Are they like you? Big and sexy and moody?”
“I’m not moody.”
She laughed. “Not denying the big and sexy, huh?”
I fought the grin that wanted to bust loose and forked my
salad. “We’re all big and sexy, I won’t lie.”
“I’m sure. What else?”
I thought of my brothers and our time together yesterday.
Even as distant and strained as we’d become, I knew we all still loved each
other fiercely. “Well, I’m the oldest. Levi is next. He’s a businessman in
Austin, divorced, no kids. Jamison is a SWAT sniper in Dallas, goofy and
single. Joshua works as a criminal profiler for the FBI in Virginia. He’s
brainy and quiet and single, as far as I know anyway. And the baby is Silas.
He’s an up and coming MMA fighter and he lives in Houston.”
“So none of you have girlfriends or wives? Really?”
I shrugged. It sounded weird when you put it that way.
“Other than Levi, we’ve all managed to avoid it.”
One brow lifted in challenge. “Avoid it?”
“Yeah.” I scooped up the last of my food.
“Are any of you gay?”
I nearly choked. “No.” I grabbed my water and sipped. “Why
would you ask that?”
“Well, no women. Maybe there are men.”
“No. Only careers.” And grief, but I didn’t admit that out
loud.
Her foot suddenly found my leg under the table. “I’m glad to
hear it.”
I ran a hand under her jeans and up her calf. “Interested in
my brothers?”
“No.”
“Glad to hear it.” I caressed down her leg and massaged her
instep.
Her eyes fluttered closed as I continued rubbing her foot.
Suddenly, I was overwhelmed by the need to taste her again. “Are we done here?”
My voice was gruff, even to my own ears.
Her eyes slid open and met mine. “I’m not sure.”
“I am.” Keeping our gazes locked, I stood and rounded the
table to stand beside her. “Get up.”
Her eyes flared, but she did as she was told. I felt her
heated focus on me as I shoved our dinner dishes to the side of the table,
making room in front of us. “Sit.” I indicated the spot where her plate had
just been.
She only hesitated a moment, the air becoming thick between
us. The blood was rushing through my veins like fire and I desperately needed
to quench it. My erection strained behind my jeans and it was all I could do to
control myself when she looked at me like she was getting off on my dominance.
I wasn’t a kinky man, but I definitely liked to be in charge, in the bedroom
and out. Call it the Ranger mentality.
Author Bio
Shauna grew up an only child with two open and loving
parents in Central Texas. She’s married to her high school sweetheart and is
the mother to three awesome kids, including one in the United States Air Force.
She is the award-winning author of the Jack ‘Em Up series and the upcoming
Family Creed series. Shauna also writes emotional Contemporary YA novels as SC
Montgomery and works as a freelance editor. She loves all things sexy, sassy, and
Gerard Butler.
Author Links
Giveaway
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HeadTripping Books Review:
4 out of 5 Stars
This book caught my eye right away. I was intrigued by story and I still am. This book had to setup not only the story of Genevieve and Asher but also the secondary story of Asher's missing sister Claire. Claire has been missing since she was a teenager. Its been 10 years since she's been seen. The author did a great job balancing the story of Claire vs the romantic story of Genevieve and Asher. Genevieve writes true crime articles as a freelance journalist. Asher is the prison guard, while also being on the execution team of death row inmates. They meet after an execution when Genevieve asks him for his thoughts about the prisoner just put to death. Asher at first doesn't want anything to do with the article but finds out she's called his parents for his fathers thoughts (who is the ex warden for the prison). Asher decides to met with her with the stipulation she does not contact his parents. He doesn't want her asking them questions to bring any bad memories of Claire back into their minds. Asher has issues of the big brother that didn't protect his sister (he was overseas serving in the Army at the time of her disappearance) and Genevieve has issues that I'll let you find out if you read the book. The romance is sweet and hot and at times hot tempered. The family coming together during what happens with Claire's case was seriously emotional. The author did a great job of weaving the story in and out while making it a priority but not a priority. Neither the romance nor the missing case story overshadowed each other. If you like romance suspense this is totally the book for you. Personally I cannot wait for the next one and the next one because I know I wont rest until I know what happened to Claire. Reviewed for HeadTripping Books by Amy
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