Express Pursuit by Caroline Beauregard
Publication date: April 3rd, 2020
Synopsis (according to Goodreads):
Follow Mara Ellington's trip across Europe riding the Orient-Express where she suddenly gets entangled in a complicated terrorist attack threat.
As she rushed down London's Victoria Station, feisty Air Traffic Controller Mara Ellington fought her apprehensions about this journey. It was no longer the trip of a lifetime she had dreamed about with her best friend. Instead, fate had turned this exciting adventure into a lonely voyage to honour her deathbed's wish. After arriving at the train's platform, a strange incident will leave her baffled but not as much as her unexpected confrontation with Counter-Terrorist Agent Drake Steinfield who has also boarded the legendary Orient-Express, on a mission to thwart a terrorist threat.
The sexy and tenacious agent is on the tail of an elusive Al-Qaeda Extremist leader who has planned a string of massive explosions along the train's route. Additionally, he may be using the tourist as a pawn in his schemes and according to the CT agent, this makes her his best lead to stop him. Mara and Steinfield will need to join their forces and race against the terrorist's deadline to prevent these massive tragedies, if they can put aside their clashing personalities and growing attraction. What destiny awaits them down the line of this Express Pursuit?
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Trailer
Excerpt
"So Miss Ellington, I gather you are on this train for leisure? Did anyone approach you since you left New York to carry anything for them, no matter how insignificant?
"How do you know I live in New York?" My heart sped up, and tension straightened my spine as his question ignited my full attention.
Leaning over, he whispered with a conspiratorial tone and a fake smile, "It's part of my job to gather as much information as possible while working on missions, especially if there's a risk of a security breach or possible terrorist attack. Just a little while ago I received basic information concerning every passenger on this train."
"Okay, but what does this all have to do with me? I received no illicit package to take along my journey."
"I'm afraid I have bad news and proof to the contrary, Miss Ellington," he stated matter-of-factly, as if it should be obvious. "You are under scrutiny for involvement as an accessory with terrorists, whether or not you are a willing participant. In simple words, you were at the right time and the right place in all appearances."
His words acted as a blow and I pushed back in my seat, instantly putting additional distance between us. The tension at the back of my neck and the goosebumps on my arms alerted me that as much as I would have liked to, I couldn't dismiss what he told me, no matter how unreal it sounded. But past the initial sting of surprise, his insinuation outraged me and I was about to protest, but he lifted his hand as a peace offering.
"You need not worry; nobody is accusing you of anything yet."
I expected a more subtle approach before he threw that kind of allegation at me. On the other hand, I'll admit that I was intrigued to see where he was going with this approach. Readjusting my position on my seat, I donned my invisible armor and prepared for whatever was coming next.
"I have received the footage from the Victoria Station security cameras this morning, and willing or not, there is a chance someone planted a piece of equipment used for bombing on you or your luggage."
He took out his cell phone and turned it on. This is not how I expected this cocktail hour to play out. Of course, the man was sexy as hell, but to be put on the spot like this was more than disconcerting. He leaned a couple of inches closer and held his muted iPhone to show me the security footage. Frozen in my seat, I remained speechless since he had piqued my curiosity to Defcon 1.
"How do you know I live in New York?" My heart sped up, and tension straightened my spine as his question ignited my full attention.
Leaning over, he whispered with a conspiratorial tone and a fake smile, "It's part of my job to gather as much information as possible while working on missions, especially if there's a risk of a security breach or possible terrorist attack. Just a little while ago I received basic information concerning every passenger on this train."
"Okay, but what does this all have to do with me? I received no illicit package to take along my journey."
"I'm afraid I have bad news and proof to the contrary, Miss Ellington," he stated matter-of-factly, as if it should be obvious. "You are under scrutiny for involvement as an accessory with terrorists, whether or not you are a willing participant. In simple words, you were at the right time and the right place in all appearances."
His words acted as a blow and I pushed back in my seat, instantly putting additional distance between us. The tension at the back of my neck and the goosebumps on my arms alerted me that as much as I would have liked to, I couldn't dismiss what he told me, no matter how unreal it sounded. But past the initial sting of surprise, his insinuation outraged me and I was about to protest, but he lifted his hand as a peace offering.
"You need not worry; nobody is accusing you of anything yet."
I expected a more subtle approach before he threw that kind of allegation at me. On the other hand, I'll admit that I was intrigued to see where he was going with this approach. Readjusting my position on my seat, I donned my invisible armor and prepared for whatever was coming next.
"I have received the footage from the Victoria Station security cameras this morning, and willing or not, there is a chance someone planted a piece of equipment used for bombing on you or your luggage."
He took out his cell phone and turned it on. This is not how I expected this cocktail hour to play out. Of course, the man was sexy as hell, but to be put on the spot like this was more than disconcerting. He leaned a couple of inches closer and held his muted iPhone to show me the security footage. Frozen in my seat, I remained speechless since he had piqued my curiosity to Defcon 1.
About the Author:
Caroline Beauregard (1964-) was born in Montreal, Quebec. After her nursing degree, she obtained a Bachelor in Anthropology, an MA in Medieval studies, another MA in History of Arts before continuing on to do PhD level courses in History and Comparative literature. She has over 35 years of experience as has a Health Care Professional in geriatrics and works as Health and Wellness Manager in a Senior Residence. A seasoned travel, she loves to write about her trips in her travel journals. Express Pursuit, a romantic thriller, is her debut novel. She lives in Montreal with her husband and two Siamese cats.
