Book Releases

Holding On (Colorado High Country #6) —
The Colorado High Country series returns with Conrad and Kenzie's story.

A hero barely holding on…

Harrison Conrad returned to Scarlet Springs from Nepal, the sole survivor of a freak accident on Mt. Everest. Shattered and grieving for his friends, he vows never to climb again and retreats into a bottle of whiskey—until Kenzie Morgan shows up at his door with a tiny puppy asking for his help. He’s the last person in the world she should ask to foster this little furball. He’s barely capable of managing his own life right now, let alone caring for a helpless, adorable, fluffy puppy. But Conrad has always had a thing for Kenzie with her bright smile and sweet curves. One look into her pleading blue eyes, and he can’t say no.

The woman who won’t let him fall…

Kenzie Morgan’s life went to the dogs years ago. A successful search dog trainer and kennel owner, she gets her fill of adventure volunteering for the Rocky Mountain Search & Rescue Team. The only thing missing from her busy life is love. It’s not easy finding Mr. Right in a small mountain town, especially when she’s unwilling to date climbers. She long ago swore never again to fall for a guy who might one day leave her for a rock. When Conrad returns from a climbing trip haunted by the catastrophe that killed his best friend, Kenzie can see he’s hurting and wants to help. She just might have the perfect way to bring him back to the world of the living. But friendship quickly turns into something more—and now she’s risking her heart to heal his.

In ebook and soon in print!


About Me

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I grew up in Colorado at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, then lived in Denmark and traveled throughout Europe before coming back to Colorado. I have two adult sons, whom I cherish. I started my writing career as a columnist and investigative reporter and eventually became the first woman editor of two different papers. Along the way, my team and I won numerous state and several national awards, including the National Journalism Award for Public Service. In 2011, I was awarded the Keeper of the Flame Lifetime Achievement Award for Journalism. Now I write historical romance and contemporary romantic suspense.

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Seductive Musings

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

One week till BREAKING POINT is out! Plus, EXCERPT



Only six days and 12 hours to go until May 3 — and Breaking Point’s official release. I’m so excited to share this book with you!

I want to take a moment here to thank those of you who sneaked around behind my back to gather donations for International Midwife Assistance: Ronlyn, Mary G, Hope, Kris, Alyson, Kara, Jackie, Anne, Alison, Crystal, Christy Reece and Marie Force. I got the card yesterday with the check inside. And there on the check it said “in honor of Pamela Clare.” (Sorry, Ronlyn and Mary G! Not sure how your names got left off except that I did this either really late or really early and screwed up! My bad!)

I burst into tears! It’s the best release day surprise ever. The check is on its way already to IMA, where it will be used to save the lives of women and babies.

Back to Breaking Point: Some of you have already gotten your hands on Zach and read his story, either because you got the book as a prize or ordered it from Barnes & Noble, which has already released it. It’s been a lot of fun following along with you as you read through the story, sharing your reactions with me.


Here’s a photo I got today from Kristin, who is waiting till her lunch hour to finish the book. Want to know the really cool thing about this photo? The book — a story about the I-Team, a bunch of journalists — is sitting on top of Kristin’s AP Stylebook. The stylebook is every journalist’s bible. In fact, I’ve owned more copies of the stylebook than I’ve owned Bibles. (Someone stole mine. I suspect it was an intern.) At any rate, this just seemed so incredibly fitting, and I had a good laugh about it and pointed this out to Kristin, who happens to be a journalist, as well. She didn’t do this on purpose. She just wanted to show me she had the book with her at work.

Speaking of work...

I’m doing something I’ve never done before. I’m taking Release Day off so I can be at home, chatting with you all about it online. Are any of you taking the day off, perhaps calling in sick to stay home and hang out with Zach? If so, we should make something fun out of that in a chatroom or on Facebook (wherever your boss won’t read about it).

Watch Twitter and Facebook for interviews and book giveaways around the blogosphere in the coming few weeks.

Interviews and give-aways are already posted at Happily Ever After and Shameless Reviews. I’ll be at SOS Aloha on Thursday. I’ll post a list of events for May soon.

There will be several chances to win the book here or on other blogs during the month of May, but you might not want to wait, as I am holding another After the Epilogue chat on May 20 for people who’ve already read the story. The last time I held one of these chats, it was a crazy free-for-all of comment and discussion and turned out to be a lot of fun.

In honor of being down to only one week — and in gratitude for all you’re doing to help me get the word out about this book — I’m going to share another excerpt with you. It’s the final excerpt you’re going to see until the book is out. It’s short and sweet, but it tells you so much about Zach, my most heroic hero.

From Chapter of Breaking Point:


Zach hung limply from the manacles, unable even to hold up his head. His shoulders ached from supporting his dead weight, manacles biting into his bloody wrists. But none of that could compare to the residual pain of that last electro-shock. His muscles seized in sharp spasms, his heart slamming erratically in his chest, his body shaking, his mouth filled with the coppery taste of his own blood.

Don’t give in to the pain. Adjust for it.


He willed himself to relax, slowed his breathing.

Cold water splashed over his chest, making him jerk. It wasn’t to revive him, he knew, but to make his skin more conductive to electricity. He waited for the next blast of agony, but instead felt a glass bottle against his lips. A hand fisted in his hair, tilting his head back, and he swallowed, warm cola sliding down his raw, parched throat.

Electrolytes. Caffeine. Calories.


All would help him stay alive.

Then his tormenter spoke to him, as always in Spanish. “You are dying, cuñado. And for what? You are alone now, forgotten, left without even a dog to bark at you. Tell us who has the cocaine and where we can find them. Then your torment will end. There will be no more pain, only sleep.”

Zach fought off a wave of despair. “¡Vete a la verga!” Fuck off!

The bastard chuckled, but Zach knew he wasn’t really amused. They’d tried to break him and had failed. There’d be a price to pay when Cárdenas got the news.

Creaking hinges. Footsteps.

And Zach knew she was there. He could feel her presence, hear her rapid breathing. Hell, he could even smell her, something sweet in a world of filth.

Natalie.

“Tráela aquí.” Bring her over here.

What the hell?

Zach’s head came up. Somehow, he drew himself to his feet, his hands clenched around the chains for support, his heart thudding hard in his chest. Why had they brought her in here? Were they going to torture her to get to him?

Over my dead body.

Only one week to go!

P.S. “¡Vete a la verga!” literally means “go to the dick.” A lot of people translate that as “Go to hell.” But the specific sexual aspect of it leaves that translation flat. I think mine is more accurate. Not that you were particularly worried about this... It’s just the language nerd in me that wanted to point that out.

18 comments:

j3nny said...

I can't can't can't can't wait till my book comes!! :)

Just the other day, I was telling my friend how I chose sleep over finishing my latest book because 1) the book was losing my attention and the heroine was starting to show TSTL syndrome and 2) I just got off a 12 hour shift and I wanted to pass out.

After that book, I said "I'm always going to choose sleep over reading!" I have a feeling that's going to change once I get my hands on Breaking Point :)

Kristin said...

Love the post Pamela! So awesome that you had a surprise donation made in your name, I saw that on your facebook last night. :)

I didn't get to finish the book on my break...but I guarantee I will tonight! I'm so hating the fact that I'm busy at work today :(

As for release day, I'll be right here at work...slacking off throughout the day while keeping up with the chats and comments!

Congrats on what is going to be another successful release!

Note to both of us: Order new AP Stylebooks...

Kristin

Hi, J3nny — It should be any day now, I would hope. :-)

You may, indeed, find that sleep takes a back seat. A major reviewer who shall remain nameless told my editor that she was up all night reading it — and had to work the next day. OUCH!

Either way, I hope it's there soon.

Hi, Kristin — Thanks so much! Bummer that you didn't get to finish over lunch, but maybe good, too. I think you're going to want to savor the ending.

As for stylebooks, yeah, what's with that? Yours is from 2002?!? Mine is... gone. I was informed by my staff that it's now "email" and no longer "e-mail." So there you go. That's kind of new-ish. And it's cellphone, not cell phone.

Journalism — one part adrenaline, one part absolute tedium. I know you can relate!

Alison said...

Its going to a long week waiting for release day!

I like that you're taking release day off...I've been seriously contemplating playing hookie and snuggling up with Zach next Tues.

tresa said...

It's not at my B&N....so i guess I will wait for May 3 ( very impatiently I might add). Can't wait !!!!

landin said...

One week seems so far away! I can't wait that long lol.So excited for the release,I'm gonna have to take the day off just so I can spend the day enjoying Zach and Natalie!

tresa said...

oh btw missed man-titty monday

Kristin said...

I was trying to finish the book last night, but knew I was too tired to REALLY give it my full attention. It NEEDS to be savored!

As for the Stylebooks, considering they add like 100 new words to Webster's Dictionary every year, they probably have added a ton of stuff to the Stylebook. How does one keep up!?!

Scorpio M. said...

I received the book this weekend but it was madness due to Easter so I haven't started yet. Tonight is the night I 'meet' Zach & Natalie!

Thank you so much!! :)

Ronlyn said...

YAY!!! Less than a week now!!! I can't wait for everyone to get their hands on Zach! :-)

And you are most welcome for the donation. It was fun to surprise you with it.

Mary G said...

Hi Pamela
I got BP in the mail today. It's gorgeous!! I love the dedication to the women in the beginning of the book. You already brought tears to my eyes & I haven't started the book yet!

Mary G said...

BTW I sent my check to Ronlyn for the IMA donation. If she got the Caramilk chocolates, she got my check too LOL. Just so you know I donated.

Ronlyn said...

I'm positive I listed you Mary G (I remember because I had to look how to spell your last name) ;-). But, see, I'm not on this list either, so....LOL

Mary G said...

Oh yeah. You're not listed either LOL. I didn't notice because I know you sent the envelope. No worries, you're not cut off Caramilk or anything LOL.

Ronlyn, Mary G — I am SO SORRY! Ronlyn, you were the driving force, I know, and Mary G, I know you contributed.

I have edited this post to make up for that error.

I just cannot stay on top of things these days.

Hugs to everyone who donated TWICE. Goodness!

I wrote my column about it this week in the newspaper. Yep, and I challenged Boulder to match or exceed you — and I bet they won't.

The basic idea is that romance readers rock. :-)

Ronlyn said...

No need to apologize PC. :-)
And how awesome would it be if Boulder blew you away!

I have been anxiously awaiting this release & am excited the wait is now less than a week..

I have it pre-ordered for my kindle which I am sure I'll be refreshing constantly until I have hold of it ;)

So excited!!

http://obsessionwithbooks.blogspot.com

Mary G said...

No need to apologize like RH said.
I can't believe you reposted & put us first LOL. You are too sweet!

I was just suffering free book guilt and wanted to make sure you knew, that's all.

I hope Boulder rises to your bet.

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