“Book boyfriends”—we all have fantasized about them at one time. Haven’t you thought about what it would be like to corner them for just a few minutes and have your wicked way with them? (Of course, I’m referring to all those questions you have burning inside to ask!!) Recently, I did exactly that with Inspector Randolph Mansfield, the dark, tall and handsome (did I say mysterious) member of Scotland yard’s elite criminal investigations unit.
Imagine if you will, a quiet English pub at the edge of town. The rich scent of leather and ale permeates the air, the small polished wood tables tucked discreetly in the shadowy interior, gleam under the glow of candles lit recently to diminish the dank, rainy day. The bartender smiles as I enter and nods towards a table in the back. There sits my interview, his tweed jacket flopped hastily over one of the chairs. His long legs, stretched out in front of him, ankles crossed as he studies a newspaper left behind, gives the impression that he is a man without a care in the world. He peers over the paper and pushes to his feet.
Inspector Randolph; thank you for meeting me here. It’s quite lovely, though a little difficult to find. Shall I call you Inspector Randolph, or Mr. Mansfield?
“Inspector Mansfield, will do.” He folds the paper and lays it aside, his dark brown eyes steady on me.
I clear my throat. “Inspector, I understand that you’re investigating a potential serial killer on the loose in London?”
He sighs and rakes a hand through his dark, wavy hair. “ I cannot confirm or deny that rumor and to date, it is no more than that.”
“But I just spoke to Miss Goodwin the other day and she said—“
“Miss Goodwin would do well to keep her thoughts on the matter to herself.” He responded glancing out the window before turning his attention back to me. “Please keep that betwixt us.”
“Indeed, can you tell me if Miss Goodwin is working with you on this case?”
He directs a tolerant look at me. “Scotland Yard and the CID are handling all cases pertaining to London, madam.”
“Well, perhaps we should speak on another less sensitive topic.”
He never blinked. Those mysterious, obsidian eyes held secrets I suspected far deeper than what I could gain from this interview. “How long have you been with the Yard, sir?”
He thought for a moment. “All of my life, it seems. I began as an errand boy of sorts. Worked my way up through the ranks.”
“You seem very dedicated to your work.”
“I am. And before you ask why that is, I will tell you it stems from a deep sense of justice for those who violate the law.”
“That is to say you have a strong belief in what is right and wrong, then?”
The corner of his mouth quirked. “What is legal is not to be confused with morality. The two may meet now and again, but morality is primarily based on judgment. My job is to uphold the law.”
“That’s a mysterious answer, Inspector. Almost as though you are alluding to some type of admission. Is there a secret part of you that the public is not aware of?”
He took a sip of what I garner was brandy in his glass. “I’m sorry, I didn’t ask if you’d like something to take the chill off.” He glanced at me.
Even my rudimentary reporting skills tell me that his side-step of my question affirms that there is much more to the Inspector than he leads on.
“You’re a very interesting man, sir. I suspicion there is much more to you than meets the eye.”
He chuckles. “Perhaps you are right. Don’t we all carry a little secret side of ourselves?”
“I suspect. Does Miss Goodwin know of this “secret side” of you, Inspector?”
He stood suddenly and shrugged into his jacket. “Miss Goodwin and I have an understanding. She aspires to delve into investigative reporting and I must say, she has the stubborn tenacity to do so. However, I intend to prove to her that she may be not be as well versed in her investigation skills as she might think.”
My curiosity grows, but I know I have little time left with the Inspector. Something I’ve said and I daresay it pertains to Miss Goodwin has clearly touched a nerve in the Inspector. “Can you tell me sir, how you plan to do this—prove something to Miss Goodwin, I mean.”
“Let’s just say that I will use whatever connections I have to protect the public, and that includes the beautiful, thought stubbornly willful Miss Goodwin. Now, I must excuse myself, there is work to do.”
“Like finding a serial killer?” I ask.
The comment stopped him in his tracks. “Amongst other things. I must ask, madam, are all American women as tenacious?”
“You’re comparing me to Miss Goodwin in that respect?” I smiled. “Only when we’re after something we truly want.”
That tempting mouth, enhanced by the shadowy scruff of a day old beard gifted me with an even smile though it did not reach his gorgeous eyes. “Strange, that is exactly what Miss Goodwin said when I asked her to leave this investigation to me.”
I quirked my brow.
“Which means I will need to be even more firm in my resolve.”
I thought a moment about the two of them going head to head against one another. “Inspector, if you pardon the observation. It would seem that the stubbornness is quite evenly matched between you two. That, coupled with driven tenacity, is an explosive combination. One that can either kill a man, or bring him to his knees.”
He returns to me, leaning down to look at me directly, the air around us stagnates. “I can be very persuasive, madam.”
And so the interview ended and I watched him cross the street and with a purposeful stride make haste around the corner. I didn’t know whether to feel sorry or be jealous of Miss Goodwin’s fate.
~*~
*****
The Dark Seduction Of Miss Jane
Amanda McIntyre
A scandalous betrayal sets Miss Jane Goodwin on an unexpected journey to London to pursue her dream of being the first female investigative journalist, but she soon finds herself in a hotbed of murder and controversy. Seduced by the passions of a mysterious lover and stalked by a madman, tensions mount as Jane falls prey to her desires, only to discover a deadly secret that threatens more than just her trust in men.
Inspector Randolph Mansfield is one of Scotland Yard’s elite, battling the dark secrets of his past while trying to solve a rash of grisly murders threatening to mar Queen Victoria’s Jubilee. His respite is the anonymity he finds in the decadence of a private gentleman’s club, until a determined American journalist goes undercover in search of her stalker and he finds the lines between protection and passion blurred. But as tensions heat and her life is threatened, he must choose whether to reveal his true identity at the risk of losing her trust and his career.
capable. What is your thinking along those lines, Mr. Hampton?” she asked,
purposely goading him.
refreshing, Miss Goodwin. I have no qualms with a woman who wishes to be
independent and, moreover, isn’t afraid to speak her mind.”
correct. You are a charmer.”
things, but there are still times when a man’s involvement is necessary.”
shocked expression.
brow and set down his cup. “A conversation left to another day
Amanda McIntyre grew up the daughter of a father who was a distributor for a New York magazine publishing firm, and usually had her nose stuck in the latest issue of Vampirella magazine or a Hitchcock Mystery paperback. She has been called “a true artist in the writing realm’ and her zest for life inspires her “character-driven” stories. Her passion is to take ordinary people and place them in extraordinary situations. She is a best-selling, multi-genre hybrid author and has received numerous awards and nominations for her work. Amanda is published internationally, in audio, e-book and in print. She currently writes sizzling contemporary cowboy romance and is about to release her first historical erotic thriller.
Love this story!
love that cover!!! The premise has already hooked me as I saw this mentioned on another blog. Definitely top of my splurge list! Thanks for sharing!
Loved the excerpt! I can’t wait to read Amanda’s new erotic thriller!
Loved the interview! I suspect interviews such as this speak to the investigative skills of authors in their writing of mysteries and intrigues. I love independent, forthright and strong heroines. And I enjoy the heck out of heroes that are discomfited by these strong heroines. 🙂 Thanks for this post and for Amanda for her writing.
I am loven this book! I havent finished reading the full thing yet dang allergies so far so good Amanda’s work is awesome!
Anything to do with an independent and strong heroine will spike my interest. And set in Historical London is something I just cannot pass. I love Historicals!! =D
Thank you Books n Kisses for helping to celebrate the release of The Dark Seduction of Miss Jane!
I’ll let you in on a little secret! This book is available still at the low price of $1.99 at Amazon!
Limited time only though!! Snag it while you can at this great price!
Good luck to all with the rafflecopter! Happy reading!!
Yup will probably buy it. Looks good!!!
definitely looks very interesting mainly because of the heroine
I haven’t had a chance to read the book yet but it sounds like a great book. I have added it to my TBR list and I will be purchasing it soon. Thank you for the giveaway.
I haven’t read this author yet but I love this cover!
I enjoyed the interview and I am putting this on my wish list.
Never read it or heard of it until today.
I loved the interview! I have already read “The Dark Seduction of Miss Jane” by Amanda McIntyre and from page one couldn’t put it down! This was another peek at the Inspector that got me thinking. … book 2? Hmmm this book is Jane Austen meets Jack the Ripper meets Sherlock Holmes. … I recommend getting to know Jane.
Added to my TBR
I enjoyed the blurb and the excerpt. I’ll be putting it on my TBR list.
Thank you, Robin, about that cover! It was done by my good pal, Sahara Kelly at P & N Graphics.com
It was a true collaborative effort, though she has done a number of my covers now and seems to know instinctively what I’m looking for.
My only problem then is writing a story worthy of that cover! LOL
Hope you’ll give it a try and let me know what you think!
Amanda
It sounds like a winner!!!
I loved learning more about the Inspector…he sounds like quite a character!
This sounds really good and I want to read it!
I love the mystery and the erotic romance in this story.
Sounds good to me! I also love the cover. TBR
Awesome cover! It’s been on my Wish List since I read the blurb the first time! Hopefully it’ll be in my TBR pile soon!
Inspector Mansfield sound intriguing. and sexy.
London, murder, Scotland yard,what is not to like?
Thank you for the excerpt.
i havent read it yet but it sound good and i’ll be adding it to my to read list.i also like the cover.
nice cover.i havent read it yet but i’d like to.thanks for the chance
I am curious about what happens to Jane.
Definitely adding it to my TBR, it sounds very interesting!