WITNESS PURSUIT

One witness…one bodyguard…one life.

Twenty-one-year-old New Zealander Lydia Sands witnessed the hit-and-run of a powerful man’s son. Her bodyguard is shot when the killer returns to dispose of her and The Program puts her in hiding. A year later, the case remains unsolved and her handler needs to get her further from the killer’s reach. Lydia detests the thought of being close enough to endanger the man who nearly died protecting her, even if it’s aboard a super-yacht traveling the South Pacific.

Tyler Whitehall’s shooting stole weeks from his memory. Physically recovered, he oversees security for Whitehall Shipping. While on a family holiday, Tyler is suspicious of the woman accompanying them without notice or security clearance, as his nephew’s caregiver. Stronger than suspicion is his incomprehensible attraction to her, and his instinct to protect her.

Once sensitive information is leaked, Lydia undergoes re-identification to evade a killer and protect the man who’d die to save her. Her bodyguard has just begun his pursuit, and she may have underestimated his abilities.

CONTENT WARNING: Sexual content

A Lyrical Press Contemporary Romance

–ooOoo–

Hi, and thank you so much for having me on your blog today, Jenna.

WITNESS PURSUIT is book one in my Bodyguards series, a heart-pounding line in which each story will bring you a bodyguard and the woman he protects. I’m sitting here with my hero, Tyler Whitehall, from WITNESS PURSUIT.

Joanne: Hey, Tyler. Thanks so much for taking the time to come and sit with me over here at Jenna’s.

Tyler: I’ll always come and talk to you. You sent Lydia to me and I’ll be forever grateful. Except– *frowns while drumming his fingers on his knees* –we do need to have words about why weeks were stolen from my memory from the time of my shooting. When I met Lydia on board my family’s super-yacht a year later, I couldn’t figure out why I had such strong feelings for her. You should have given me some kind of up on that.

Joanne: Um, well sorry. Your memory loss was a crucial element. Anyway you’re a bodyguard. You handled that little bit of memory loss like a champ. It barely even put you off your stride.

Tyler: Yeah, but every fiber of my being said she was mine, and it was agonising watching her and knowing she was keeping things from me.

Joanne: Lydia was just trying to protect you. You can’t fault her for that.

Tyler: I can when it’s my job to look after her. I couldn’t even keep my hands off her when I should have. She was a client.

Joanne: Yes, and a bodyguard never crosses that line. That must have been tough. Tell me more about Lydia. What draws you to her?

Tyler: She’s incredibly strong. She’s smart, funny, caring, sexy as hell. The one issue I have though, is she cares more for my wellbeing than her own. That’s something I’m going to have to train out of her.

Joanne: *grins* Yeah, good luck with that.

Tyler: *leans in* Okay, what do you know that I don’t?

Joanne: *chuckling* Moving right along. How about a fun question? A deserted beach or a fabulous resort?

Tyler: A deserted beach. Any chance I get to have Lydia all to myself is the one I’m going to pursue. It’s all about how many ways one can— Hmm, nope, best I keep that bit of information to myself.

Joanne: You tease. Still, thanks so much for joining me, Tyler. I really enjoyed writing your story, and I can’t wait to share it with readers.

–ooo–

Here’s an excerpt to tempt you:

Down the super-yacht’s hallway, Lydia walked toward Tyler then slowed as her gaze dropped to her case in his hands. “What am I going to do with you?” She shook her head, tut-tutting under her breath.

“You’d already packed.” He slid a hand around her waist and led her to his room. “I’m simply moving your belongings from one room to another, and I’ll show you exactly what you can do with me.” He closed his bedroom door and flicked the lock.

She set her hands on her hips. “Ah, is that to keep me in, or others out?”

“Both.” He dumped her bag beside his drawers and unzipped it. “What did Saria say?”

“We had a long talk, and she said yes. She’ll let me go through re-identification first, and follow as soon as she sits her finals. They’re in just a few weeks.” She stepped up to him. “Ben will place my application tomorrow, although he said it might take a few days for all the arrangements to be made. He told me to hold tight and wait.”

Gritting his teeth, he opened his bottom drawer and piled her clothing in. “He approved of it all, this fast?” He’d have words with Ben. She should be with him.

“Of course. It was his idea to start with.” She gripped his arm. “I never said I’d move in with you, and now you’re unpacking for me?”

“Lee.” He dragged her into his arms. “I want you here, no matter the length of time.” He lifted her and laid her on his bed. Stealthily, he moved in to lie over top.

“I know you do. Oh, do you feel that? The ship’s moving.” Cranking her head to the side, she peered out the windows where the lights of the resort flickered.

“We’re sailing to the far side of the island. There’s a quiet cove, and it’ll be the safest place for you.”

“I hadn’t forgotten.” She slid her hand down his chest and played her fingers over the ridges of his abs under his shirt. “As long as we’re all safe, I can deal with it, for a short while.”

He lowered his forehead to hers. “Since you insist on going through re-identification, I need to be able to track you once you go under. I’m giving you fair warning now.”

“Ah, excuse me. That sounds highly illegal. The whole point of re-identification is so no one can find me.”

“Yes, but I’m not a threat to you, and only you and I will know what I’ve done.”

“And what will that be? Ex-act-ly?”

“By track, I mean I’ll place under your skin a very small tagged chip. It’s like a GPS system, but it’ll have a direct signal to me.”

“And…” Her gaze narrowed.

He rubbed his cheek against hers. “I’ll be able to check in with you, no matter where you are in the world. We can hardly have an exclusive relationship without there being some form of relationship.”

“Sooo, you’re asking me to go against the rules of re-identification?” She gave him a look that said she wasn’t going to agree.

“You’re very stubborn, but I happen to be twice as bad. Whether you agree or not, I’m going ahead with it.”

No one would take her from him. Not ever again.

He’d make certain of it.

–ooo–

Buy WITNESS PURSUIT at:

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Look for JOANNE WADSWORTH at:

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BIO:

JOANNE WADSWORTH

Where Romance Meets Fantasy and Adventure…

Reading romance books captivated Joanne Wadsworth as a teenager, particularly when she tucked herself into bed at night and continued to dream those stories as she slept. She’d visualize the direction, taking the hero and heroine on an adventure unparalleled to what she’d read. Today she is devoted to writing romance, bringing her imagination to life within the lines of young adult, contemporary, and historical Highlander.

Born in New Zealand, Joanne works both as a writer and a financial controller, all while keeping up with her four energetic children and dreamy husband.

Visit Joanne Wadsworth at http://www.joannewadsworth.com