In My Sights - L.J. Garland and Debbie Gould

Oh, to be… 

In My Sights

DEBBIE: Hi, all. I’m Debbie Gould, and this is my writing partner, L.J. Garland. We’re very excited to be here at Delphina Reads Too Much.

LJ: Yes, we are! This place looks great!

DEBBIE: We’ve been invited to talk about the release of In My Sights — our next book in our 1Night Stand Pararescuemen series from Decadent Publishing.

LJ: Oh! Love those Pararescuemen. Soooo hot!

DEBBIE: LOL Yes they are.

LJ: Colin, Bobby, Zeke, Kyle, and Jason. The team in this series is awesome. The series started with Bobby in Second Chance.

DEBBIE: I just love that story. Colin and Emily’s story dealt with some deep emotional issues.

LJ: It did. I know I had my tissue box out with that one. This release is Bobby’s story with In My Sights.

DEBBIE: Bobby is sooo hot!

LJ: Oh yeah! And he and Siobhan change each other’s lives.

DEBBIE: And that leaves the other team members.

LJ: Zeke, Kyle and Jason. Yep…and we’re working on Zeke’s story right now.

DEBBIE: This one is definitely taking some interesting twists and turns.

LJ: Well, we can’t become predictable. Sheesh!

DEBBIE: LOL Right.

LJ: But what we can do is share a bit about our team and what it takes to become a Pararescueman.

DEBBIE: Yes, we can! J

"Pipeline" Training

After completion of six weeks of Basic Military Training, we spend the next 17 months training at the following schools:

•The PARARESCUE/Combat Control

Indoctrination Course

10 weeks, Lackland AFB, TX

•US Army Airborne Parachutist School

3 weeks, Fort Benning, GA

•US Army Combat Divers School

4 weeks, Key West, FL

•US Navy Underwater Egress Training

1 day, Pensacola NAS, FL

•US Air Force Basic Survival School

2 and a half weeks, Fairchild AFB, WA

•US Army Military Freefall Parachutist School

5 weeks, Yuma Proving Grounds, AZ

•Special Operations Combat Medic Course

22 weeks, Fort Bragg, NC

•PARARESCUE Recovery Specialist Course

20 weeks, Kirtland AFB, NM

Air Force Pararescuemen, also known as PJs, are the only DoD elite combat forces specifically organized, trained, equipped, and postured to conduct full spectrum Personnel Recovery (PR) to include both conventional and unconventional combat rescue operations. These Battlefield Airmen are the most highly trained and versatile Personnel Recovery specialists in the world. Pararescue is the nation's force of choice to execute the most perilous, demanding, and extreme rescue missions anytime, anywhere across the globe. The 500+ PJs are assigned to Guardian Angel and Special Tactics Squadrons throughout the Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve Air Force components. They operate most often as independent teams but routinely serve alongside with other US and Allied Special Operations Forces

Mission

To rescue, recover, and return American or Allied forces in times of danger or extreme duress. Whether shot down or isolated behind enemy lines; surrounded, engaged, wounded, or captured by the enemy; PJs will do whatever required to deny the enemy a victory and bring our warriors home to fight another day

Capabilites

To execute the PR mission, Pararescue teams assault, secure, and dominate the rescue objective area utilizing any available DoD or Allied, air, land, or sea asset. Their qualifications and capabilities are extensive. All PJs are qualified experts in Advanced Weapons and Small Unit Tactics, Airborne and Military Free Fall, both High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) and High Altitude High Opening (HAHO) parachute operations, Combat Divers, High Angle/Confined Space Rescue operations, Small Boat/Vehicle Craft utilization, Rescue Swimmers, and Battlefield Trauma/Paramedics. All can fast rope/rappel/hoist from any vertical lift aircraft to both land and open ocean rescue objectives. All PJs can perform both static line and HALO jump operations utilizing boats, vehicles, or other equipment from any fixed wing aircraft. In addition, 1 in 12 personnel are tandem jump qualified and can HALO/HAHO both equipment and non-jump personnel into the objective area. As required, all PJs can jump in with and utilize extrication devices to remove war fighters or civilians trapped in wreckage or collapse structures. PJs also utilize the latest subsurface technology to locate and recover submerged equipment or personnel.

Recent History

Since 9/11 alone, these elite warriors have executed over 12,000 life saving, combat rescue missions. They've also eliminated and captured numerous enemy combatants during the execution of these missions. Additionally, because of their unique capabilities, they have been called upon to rescue over 5000 civilians worldwide during catastrophic natural disasters and other responses.

Decorations

PJs are the most highly decorated Air Force enlisted force. They've been awarded one Medal of Honor, 12 Air Force Crosses, and 105 Silver Stars.

Their motto, "These Things We Do, That Others May Live," affirms Pararescue's dedication and commitment to saving lives and self-sacrifice. As of January 2012, 10 pararescueman have been killed in action and paid the ultimate sacrifice during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Pararescue Creed “It is my duty as a Pararescueman to save lives and to aid the injured. I will be prepared at all times to perform my assigned duties quickly and efficiently, placing these duties before personal desires and comforts. These things I do, that others may live.

DEBBIE: The dedication these men have toward everything they do just amazes me. I truly believe it has to be a calling and not just a job. They don’t do it for the glory or recognition. Sadly, one of the members of a special ops team from my daughter’s base was killed in a motorcycle accident this past month. It turns out he was also a good friend of my co-workers husband. Small world since the base is in Florida and we are from Vermont. He and my daughter never knew each other yet they both grew up with-in a thirty mile radius in Vermont and were both at the same base in Florida. Anyway, my whole point to this was that this man never told his parents or his brother, who is also in the military, about the three bronze medals he’d been awarded over the years.  That was a man who didn’t do the dangerous things he did for glory, but for love.

LJ: No wonder these guys seem like superheroes….it’s cause they are! Look at all that training!! How could they not hold superhero status after all THAT??

DEBBIE: So, anyway, I hope we’ve done justice to the hero’s of our series and that in some small way they reflect the real life, everyday hero’s that not only exist in the military, but all those people that are out there trying to make their small part of the world a better place to live.

In My Sights

A 1Night Stand Story

Pararescuemen Series – Book 2

BLURB

Six months ago, Siobhan Cantrell’s world was changed forever by a sniper’s bullet. The incident transformed her from a secure confident woman to a recluse, afraid to leave her own home. When her friends urge her to re-enter the world of the living, they suggest Madame Eve’s 1Night Stand dating service. Nervous, she signs up and learns the company is renown for in-depth background checks and safe encounters. So, how dangerous could it be?

Sergeant Bobby Martin has witnessed Madame Eve’s magic firsthand. His teammate found true love through her service. Still a skeptic but giving in to peer pressure, the Air Force Pararescueman signs himself up. When he meets Siobhan, his doubts fly out the window—unfortunately bullets start flying in them. Determined to protect her from a sniper that won’t give up, Bobby vows to keep her safe. As their chemistry ramps up, so does the sniper’s attempts.

Can Bobby keep Siobhan alive, or will the killer catch them in his sights?

Genre: Contemporary, military romance, erotic romance, suspense/thriller

Heat level: 4

Word count – 16k

Cover art by Fantasia Frog Designs

BUY

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EXCERPT

Siobhan entered the large suite and glanced around. She’d used every ounce of strength she possessed to walk through the front doors of the hotel and into the dining room. But with Bobby standing behind her, the fine hairs on the back of her neck that had irritated her all evening, eased.

She strode through the room, flipping on lights, checking the bathroom. When she slid the shower curtain back, she stopped herself. What the hell am I doing?

Turning, she caught her reflection in the mirror, the scar on her temple a permanent reminder of everything she’d lost. The sniper had taken so much from her. But did that mean she had to lose her future, too?

By talking her into contacting Madame Eve, her friends had given her a second chance at getting some semblance of control again. And what am I doing? Looking over my shoulder, watching the balcony for shooters, and checking the bathtub for the damn bogeyman while a hot-blooded, gorgeous man is waiting in the bedroom.

And damn it, she wanted to quit hiding in the shadows. If she could survive that day six months ago, then she was damn well done cowering in fear. Hadn’t the bastard taken enough from her? In the past, she’d never shied away from her sexual side. She’d embraced it.

The past six months had been damn lonely. Time to take control again. Starting with the sexy Bobby Martin.

She turned to leave the bathroom and came smack up against a hard male body. He reached out to steady her as she stumbled.

“You okay?”

She pressed her palms on his chest in an attempt to recover her equilibrium—and what a chest. All hard, sculpted muscle. “Uh, yeah, I was just––”

“Looking for the bad guy?” He chuckled.

Heat rushed up her neck and claimed her face. “That obvious, huh?”

Taking her hands in his, he led her into the bedroom. “It’s what I do. If I can’t recognize someone clearing a room, I have no business in Special Ops.”

He tugged her against him, and she had to stop herself from swooning. The men she used to date were nothing close to Bobby. Sure, they’d been fit, but not like this man. He radiated strength and unadulterated male. Something that couldn’t be bottled if you tried. Pure down-and-dirty sex—she tilted her head and eyed him—yet something more.

He gave the impression he actually cared. After listening to her story downstairs, he’d understood immediately how uncomfortable she’d been, sitting in the open dining room, and had gotten her the heck out of there.

She could get used to a man like him. Except tonight would be a one-night stand—something she intended to take full advantage of. Slipping her hands under his shirt, she let her fingers glide up the rock hard abs and sculpted chest until her fingers brushed over his nipples.

His grip tightened on her arms, and his gaze darkened with lust. “Damn.”

A thrill shot through her at the reaction she’d produced, and as she stared up at him, desire coiled low in her body.

“Look, I’m not gonna lie to you.” He loosened his hold on her while he perused her face, settling on her mouth. “I wasn’t sure about this one-night thing to start with, but after seeing you…well, I can definitely follow through. No problem.” He shifted his attention to her eyes, the naked heat swirling in his baby blues causing her breath to catch. “But after what all you told me, I want you to know I get it. We can play this thing any way you want. Fast. Slow. Or I can just hold you.” He trailed his fingers up and down her arms, sending delicious tingles along her skin. “Though I’ll admit, that’s not my first choice.”

She stared at him. God, he was such a gentleman. Without hesitating, she lifted onto her toes, wrapped her arms around his neck, crushed her mouth against his, and…holy crap, what a kiss! Her pulse jumped, her head spun. A fire sparked deep inside her, and her breath caught at the passion winding through her. She didn’t know what she’d been expecting exactly, but not anything like this.

Before she melted into a puddle at his feet, she broke the kiss and gazed up at him. “Does that answer your question?”

A sexy grin curved his lips. “Yes, ma’am.”