Release
Week Blast: Crossing the Line by Alison Packard
December 12 was the release of CROSSING THE LINE, the stand-alone
contemporary romance from Alison Packard.
Sloane Westbrook is passionate about the
law, and when she signs on to fight crime as the new Assistant District
Attorney in Piedmont, Pennsylvania, she fearlessly takes on the prosecution of
an evil, serial rapist. But her continued encounters with powerful, sexy Jared
Hunter bring a different kind of danger. Jared is the known associate of a
local crime boss, which makes her attraction to him tantamount to career
suicide…so why can't she stop thinking about him?
Jared Hunter owes his life to the crime
boss who took him in when tragedy struck, and his family turned their backs.
Jared's loyalty led him to the role of trusted confidant and security expert,
which means he's in way too deep to back out now. Even for a beautiful,
intelligent, bundle of curves like the new ADA. But every encounter with Sloane
makes him want her more—and when they're snowbound together by a freak storm,
his resistance shatters. How will he walk away?
Locked in a secret, fiery affair, both
Sloane and Jared long for the life they could have together in the light. But
to get there, can Jared break free of the darkness surrounding him? And can
Sloane find the courage to make a decision that will either free them both, or
shatter their lives forever?
Purchase Crossing the Line:
About Alison Packard:
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Alison now lives
in Southern Nevada where she’s finally acclimated to the blistering summers,
but still finds the slot machines in grocery stores and gas stations rather odd.
When not working at the day job that pays the bills, keeps a
roof over her head, and supports her book and chocolate habits, Alison spends
most of her free time writing. But when she takes a break, she enjoys reading,
watching movies, and spending time with her family and friends.
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/alleyfics
Excerpt:
Sloane Westbrook tamped down
her nerves and stared at the county’s official seal affixed to the wall behind
her new boss’s desk. First day jitters were to be expected, but she was
confident that by the end of the day, after she’d met the staff and settled
into her new office, she’d be fine. More than fine, actually. She couldn’t wait
to get started.
“Welcome to the madhouse,” Peter Evans said with a boyish grin as he closed the file on his desk. Behind the round wire-rimmed glasses perched on the bridge of his nose, his brown eyes glinted with amusement. “I hope by the end of the week you won’t regret your decision to join my team.”
“There’s no chance of that,” Sloane said with a smile.
“Before we get started, would you like some coffee?” he asked as he pushed back from his desk and stood.
“Normally, yes. But I’ve already had two cups.”
“Only two?” Peter picked up a mug proclaiming him the ‘World’s Best Dad,’ moved to the low credenza to the right of his desk, and poured himself a cup of coffee from the half-empty pot sitting on a burner. “This is my fourth cup this morning.”
Sloane took the opportunity to survey the room. Unlike her former boss’s office in Pittsburgh, there was nothing over-the-top or ostentatious about Peter’s space. Framed college and law degrees hung on the wall behind his desk, along with a few pictures of Peter posing with individuals whom she presumed were prominent officials and leaders of the community.
Returning to his desk, Peter sat, then leaned back in his chair and sipped his coffee. “To start with, I’d like to give you some case files to research and determine if we have enough evidence to go forward with charges. Due to budget constraints, we’ve been understaffed for some time, and as you can imagine, the amount of backlog is incredible. You’ll have your work cut out for you.”
Sloane schooled her expression as she nodded. Although disappointed, she was fully aware she wouldn’t get a shot at a big case just yet. As the newest hire in the District Attorney’s office, she would have to earn the respect of Peter and her peers before being assigned anything high profile. To that end, she wasn’t about to ruffle the feathers of the other ADAs by acting like a demanding diva.
“I’m ready to dig right in,” Sloane said just as the intercom on Peter’s desk phone buzzed.
He leaned forward and pressed a button. “Yes, Jennie?”
“The PPD called. They have Jared Hunter in for questioning. You said you wanted to be notified.”
“Thanks. Please let them know I’m coming over.” He hit the com line again and shot her an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, but I’ll have to cut this short. I need to get over to the police department.”
“No problem,” she said. “I can wait, or if you’d prefer I can get started on those case files you mentioned.”
He regarded her thoughtfully for a few seconds, then set his mug on the desk and rose from his chair. “I have a better idea. Why don’t you come with me? You need to know the players in this town, both good and bad.”
Sloane’s pulse accelerated sharply. Anyone familiar with the Masters crime organization knew the name Jared Hunter. It was rumored that Hunter was Anthony Masters’ second-in-command and wielded a great deal of power. Suppressing her excitement, she stood and buttoned the jacket of her favorite pale pink suit. “I’d like that. Thank you,” she said, and then together they left his office.
“I’m familiar with Anthony Masters,” she said a few minutes later as they waited for the elevator. “I understand Jared Hunter is one of his high-level associates.”
“Yes. We’ve brought both of them in many times but we’ve never been able to get a conviction.”
“Why is that?”
“Well, for starters, Masters retains one of the best attorneys in the state.” The elevator chimed, then the doors slid open. “You’ve heard of Damon Howard?”
She grimaced. “Oh yes, I’ve heard of him.”
They stepped into the elevator and Peter hit the button for the first floor. “I detect a trace of contempt in your voice.”
“I have a hard time respecting attorneys who represent mobsters.” Sloane preferred working on the behalf of victims, not perpetrators. She’d seen too many guilty people get away with their crimes to summon up much sympathy for known criminals who managed to slip through the fingers of Lady Justice.
“Everyone is entitled to a defense.” The elevator doors slid open. “And everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” Peter added as they stepped into the lobby.
Sloane shot him a wry smile. “And someone has to defend the accused. Trust me. I get it. But it doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
Peter’s bark of laughter echoed off the lobby walls. “I think you’re going to fit right in at the DA’s office.”
“Welcome to the madhouse,” Peter Evans said with a boyish grin as he closed the file on his desk. Behind the round wire-rimmed glasses perched on the bridge of his nose, his brown eyes glinted with amusement. “I hope by the end of the week you won’t regret your decision to join my team.”
“There’s no chance of that,” Sloane said with a smile.
“Before we get started, would you like some coffee?” he asked as he pushed back from his desk and stood.
“Normally, yes. But I’ve already had two cups.”
“Only two?” Peter picked up a mug proclaiming him the ‘World’s Best Dad,’ moved to the low credenza to the right of his desk, and poured himself a cup of coffee from the half-empty pot sitting on a burner. “This is my fourth cup this morning.”
Sloane took the opportunity to survey the room. Unlike her former boss’s office in Pittsburgh, there was nothing over-the-top or ostentatious about Peter’s space. Framed college and law degrees hung on the wall behind his desk, along with a few pictures of Peter posing with individuals whom she presumed were prominent officials and leaders of the community.
Returning to his desk, Peter sat, then leaned back in his chair and sipped his coffee. “To start with, I’d like to give you some case files to research and determine if we have enough evidence to go forward with charges. Due to budget constraints, we’ve been understaffed for some time, and as you can imagine, the amount of backlog is incredible. You’ll have your work cut out for you.”
Sloane schooled her expression as she nodded. Although disappointed, she was fully aware she wouldn’t get a shot at a big case just yet. As the newest hire in the District Attorney’s office, she would have to earn the respect of Peter and her peers before being assigned anything high profile. To that end, she wasn’t about to ruffle the feathers of the other ADAs by acting like a demanding diva.
“I’m ready to dig right in,” Sloane said just as the intercom on Peter’s desk phone buzzed.
He leaned forward and pressed a button. “Yes, Jennie?”
“The PPD called. They have Jared Hunter in for questioning. You said you wanted to be notified.”
“Thanks. Please let them know I’m coming over.” He hit the com line again and shot her an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, but I’ll have to cut this short. I need to get over to the police department.”
“No problem,” she said. “I can wait, or if you’d prefer I can get started on those case files you mentioned.”
He regarded her thoughtfully for a few seconds, then set his mug on the desk and rose from his chair. “I have a better idea. Why don’t you come with me? You need to know the players in this town, both good and bad.”
Sloane’s pulse accelerated sharply. Anyone familiar with the Masters crime organization knew the name Jared Hunter. It was rumored that Hunter was Anthony Masters’ second-in-command and wielded a great deal of power. Suppressing her excitement, she stood and buttoned the jacket of her favorite pale pink suit. “I’d like that. Thank you,” she said, and then together they left his office.
“I’m familiar with Anthony Masters,” she said a few minutes later as they waited for the elevator. “I understand Jared Hunter is one of his high-level associates.”
“Yes. We’ve brought both of them in many times but we’ve never been able to get a conviction.”
“Why is that?”
“Well, for starters, Masters retains one of the best attorneys in the state.” The elevator chimed, then the doors slid open. “You’ve heard of Damon Howard?”
She grimaced. “Oh yes, I’ve heard of him.”
They stepped into the elevator and Peter hit the button for the first floor. “I detect a trace of contempt in your voice.”
“I have a hard time respecting attorneys who represent mobsters.” Sloane preferred working on the behalf of victims, not perpetrators. She’d seen too many guilty people get away with their crimes to summon up much sympathy for known criminals who managed to slip through the fingers of Lady Justice.
“Everyone is entitled to a defense.” The elevator doors slid open. “And everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” Peter added as they stepped into the lobby.
Sloane shot him a wry smile. “And someone has to defend the accused. Trust me. I get it. But it doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
Peter’s bark of laughter echoed off the lobby walls. “I think you’re going to fit right in at the DA’s office.”
