By day I'm a divorce lawyer specializing in unhappy endings. One day, during a particularly difficult string of cases, a former co-worker handed me a romance novel with the promise of a much-needed escape and a happy ending. I've been reading - and now writing - romance ever since.
My first release, the novella HARDHATS AND SILK STOCKINGS in the Kensington Brava anthology WHEN GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO BAD BOYS with Lori Foster and Erin McCarthy, was an Amazon, B&N and Borders bestseller. My first single author anthology, VIVA LAS BAD BOYS!, earned rave reviews and was a bestseller on Amazon and at B&N. Both books are available on Amazon and at other bookselling outlets.
My first single title, YOUR MOUTH DRIVES ME CRAZY, is a July 2007 Kensington Brava release. Check back here for more details. You also can visit me at www.helenkaydimon.com for updated information and some chit chat on my blog.
Copy That (Harlequin Intrigue Series)
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About the Author
Award-winning author HelenKay Dimon spent twelve years in the most unromantic career ever - divorce lawyer. After dedicating all of that effort to helping people terminate relationships, she is thrilled to deal in happy endings and write romance novels for a living. Her books have been featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine and E! Online. HelenKay loves hearing from readers, so stop by her website at www.helenkaydimon.com and say hello.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Meredith Samms heard the front door slam. Not hers. This one belonged to the bottom-floor apartment.
She rented the small one-bedroom tucked into the eaves of the blue craftsman-style house. Her place stretched all of 550 square feet from one end to the other. Still, she paid more per month for the tiny space than her parents paid for a mortgage on a two-story Colonial on an acre in upstate New York. That's what happened when you wanted a piece of what many considered paradise—a home three blocks from the ocean in Coronado, the peninsula of prime real estate across the harbor from downtown San Diego.
Garrett Hill lived in the more spacious apartment downstairs. Not that he stayed there often enough to enjoy it. He traveled most days of the month and had been out of town for three solid weeks. Half the time she knew he was home only when she heard the echo of his heavy footsteps.
This trip struck her as odd, the usual blanket of secrecy lifted. A man she'd never seen before had come to the door two days ago looking for Garrett. A courier had left a package for him, saying Garrett gave her name as someone who could sign for it.
Looked as if he'd broken the whole lone-wolf thing he had going on and she had no idea why. She could ask, even though the chance of getting an answer was slim. Heck, he'd never even told her what he did for a living, and she'd sure poked around that topic several times. Good thing she believed in a healthy dose of persistence.
Slipping off the window seat, she grabbed her key and stuffed it into the back pocket of her cut-off denim shorts. The window air conditioner had lost the race against the unusual scorching July afternoon heat. So much for the theory about San Diego always having perfect seventy-something-degree weather.
Thinking maybe heading downstairs for a visit would keep her T-shirt from sticking to her back, she jogged down the steps, letting her running shoes fall heavily to warn of her impending visit. By the time she hit the small entryway at the bottom of the stairs, she expected Garrett to have his door open. Instead it stayed closed.
She knocked twice. On the second rap, the door slipped open as if the wind had pushed it. Since the air stood deadly still today and Garrett was a bit of a security freak, a ball of anxiety started spinning in her chest. With her past, she didn't scare easily but this scene had Bad Horror Film written all over it.
If she'd lived anywhere other than low-crime, military-presence-everywhere Coronado, she might have bolted. Instead, she eased the door open. "Garrett?"
Only silence bounced back at her.
Her foot crossed the threshold and she heard a small crack. Looking down, she didn't see anything other than sturdy wood painted a bright, shiny white.
When she looked up again, there he was. Not Gar-rett. Garrett was tall and muscular, but this guy, the non-Garrett, was enormous. Like, size-of-a-truck enormous. He had blond hair and wore all black to match his dark frown.
Alarm bells chimed in her head. She couldn't breathe over the clanking and dinging.
She turned to run, and that fast he was on her. A strong arm wrapped around her waist, trapping her arms against her sides as a hand clamped over her mouth. The oversize dial on his watch dug into her stomach as he spun her around to face the family room again and her feet went airborne. Kicking out as she went, her heel hit the door and slammed it hard against the outside wall.
Despite her defensive efforts, before she could blink she was inside and out of sight of anyone who might walk by. But no way was she giving in without a fight.
She thrashed and shook her head from side to side, hoping for a second where she could ease out of his grip and scream for help. Not that his hand across her mouth stopped her from trying. She yelled until all the air left her lungs, but the sound was muffled against his palm.
Her eyes focused on the room. Her heart rate, which had already kicked to near heart-attack range, tripled its beat. The sofa cushions had long, jagged rips in them. The few photos in the apartment lay on the floor, the glass smashed and scattered among the papers and furniture stuffing.
Seeing the destruction fueled her survival instinct. She kicked, this time hitting bone near his calf and earning a grunt from her attacker. Instead of letting go as planned, his hold over her stomach tightened. Much more of this and he'd strangle her.
She moved her head and opened her mouth, letting him think she intended to scream again. When he adjusted his grip over her lips, she bit down into the meaty part of his palm and didn't stop until she tasted blood.
One second she was standing, nearly bent over from the pressure of his arm against her middle, the next she was spinning through the air. She smacked against the back of the couch with her full weight and felt it bobble and threaten to tip over. One leg folded under her on the cushion as she landed and a shock of pain ran down her spine to her knee.
The combination of dizziness and terror had her stomach heaving. Her vision split in two then refocused just in time to see her attacker looming over her. Blood smeared his cheek and ran down his hand.
"You'll pay for that" was all he said.
The terse phrase was enough to get her moving again, sore knee and all. She scrambled up the back of the couch, clawing her way over shredded cushions and slipping over the top toward the window. Just as one leg hit the floor, he grabbed the other. Two baseball glove-sized hands held her ankle in a viselike grip.
"You're not going anywhere, sweetheart," he said as he started twisting her foot.
She shifted her hips to keep him from breaking it. "What do you want?"
"Came here looking for one thing but looks like I'll be leaving with another." He leered at her as he spoke.
The sick gleam in his dark eyes touched off a frenzy of panic inside her. Her hands shook and the urge to throw up almost overtook her. It had been years since she'd experienced violence. She blocked it so that she could function every day, but the memories kicked to the surface now.
"Please let me go."
The man just laughed. The deep sound, so menacing in its promise of pain, cut across her nerves.
Keep fighting. The words flashed in her brain and ran through her, soaking into every pore.
When one of his palms slid up her calf to the back of her knee, she knew she had a chance. Waiting for just the right moment, when his sick need to control overcame his battle stance, she kicked out as hard as she could. Her heel crashed into his jaw, sending his head flying backward as he yelped in surprise.
She heard the crunch and then she was free. Momentum sent her flying back against the window. She reached for the curtains to steady her weight. With a roaring rip, the rod gave way and she fell on her butt. Wedged between the couch and the wall, she struggled to get her legs under her.
With a rage-filled cry, her attacker reached over the sofa and pulled her to her feet. The bright red cheeks and clenched teeth didn't scare her half as much as the gun in his hand. She had no idea where it had come from, but it was pointed at the center of her chest.
"You'll learn." He practically spit as he talked. His fingers dug into the bare skin of her forearm.
"I have money." She didn't, but she needed time.
The house sat off the main strip filled with tourists and shops, but people walked by all the time on their way to the water. If she could stall long enough, a witness might see her by the window, call the police to check it out.
His gaze crept down the front of her blouse. "You have everything I need right on you."
Disgust clogged her throat as she glanced around looking for something—anything—she could throw through the front window. She spied the overturned lamp on the floor and plotted the best way to drop to the floor and grab it with a man holding on to her arm hard enough to cause bruises.
She'd just resigned herself to a broken arm when she saw a blur of movement behind her attacker. Black hair and stone-cold blue eyes. Six feet of lethal male machine.
Her heart slowed to a jog as the tension rushing through her eased. Everything would be okay now. Garrett Hill had come home.
The usual military haircut and fatigues were gone, replaced by hair brushed down almost over his eyes and faded blue jeans. In the weeks away, his smile had disappeared but one thing looked the same—his strength. A tight black T-shirt stretched across his wide shoulders and chest, highlighting every muscle.
She'd never been so relieved to see anyone in her life. Her shoulders sagged and she had to fight off a smile when an openmouthed stare replaced the attacker's snarl as Garrett shoved a gun into the back of the other man's head.
"Let the lady go, nice and slow." Garrett reached around and grabbed the other man's gun. "This isn't over, Hill."
"Sure feels like it is." Garrett nodded his head at her. "Come over here."
She didn't even make it to the other side of the couch before the attacker lunged. He threw his body backward, aiming his head right for Garrett's chin. Garrett shifted in time to deflect the blow, but the attacker turned around. They were face-to-face with the gun trapped between them. Both of their hands held the weapon as Garrett elbowed the other man in the side of the head.
Already injured, the attacker pulled back. Garrett used the opening to wrestle the gun away. It made a short pffft sound as he shot the attacker in the knee.
The man went down with a whoosh, squealing and moaning as he dropped to the hardwood. Glass crunched under him where he rolled around.
She watched the blood stream onto the floor right before Garrett slammed his weapon against the attacker's head, sending him into a deadly quiet sprawl.
Then Garrett was there, right in front of her. "Are you okay?"
She tried to look past Garrett's ...
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Charley
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Filled with adventure. A true page turner. Jeremy Hill walks into a situation at his twin brother's home when he was expecting a relaxing time to recuperate from an injury on the job. Instead, he ends up saving Meredith Samms from a gunman. Shortly after the house blows up, they find themselves on the run trying to unravel this mystery. Jeremy trying to figure out just what his brother Garrett is involved in that would lead to getting him killed while protecting an innocent victim in all of this as well as fighting an attraction to her.
Once Garrett Hill entered into the story, I felt a little lost. I had a sense there was more to his story since he had a fiancee and didn't want her involved in his dangerous life. I think Garrett should have had a story of his own prior to this book.
The brothers were identical twins, yet had very different personalities at times. They worked well together as the adventure unfolded and the men responsible caught.
A good read.
Once Garrett Hill entered into the story, I felt a little lost. I had a sense there was more to his story since he had a fiancee and didn't want her involved in his dangerous life. I think Garrett should have had a story of his own prior to this book.
The brothers were identical twins, yet had very different personalities at times. They worked well together as the adventure unfolded and the men responsible caught.
A good read.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Judy
Format:Mass Market Paperback
HelenKay Dimon pens another riveting story in Copy That.
Kindergarten teacher Meredith Samms enjoyed her job and her lovely apartment near the ocean. Her landlord, Garrett Hill is away a lot so when a package is delivered to Meredith she doesn't think much about it. When she nears her landlord returning home she goes to deliver the package. But its not her landlord that is home its an attacker coming after Meredith. She is saved by a man who looks very similar to her landlord, its his twin Jeremy.
Jeremy Hill, a Border Patrol agent is on a much needed vacation and decides to visit his brother. He doesn't expect to be caught between an armed man and his brothers beautiful tenant. Jeremy realizes he must protect Meredith all while he searches for his twin.
Being on the run is something Meredith has no experience with but does know how to protect herself. Past experiences with men has taught her to depend on no one but herself. But Jeremy is different than any man she has ever known. He doesn't treat her like a fragile woman and realizes she has the brains to help them avoid the enemy.
Trying to stay alive is bringing Jeremy and Meredith closer together. The enemy may be closer then either of them realize and it will take their newfound trust and love to pull them through.
Copy That is a thrill a minute adventure. The tension is top notch as is the smoking hot romance. The secondary romance of Garrett Hill and Sara Paulson is another layer to a wonderful book. HelenKay Dimon is a must buy for me.
Kindergarten teacher Meredith Samms enjoyed her job and her lovely apartment near the ocean. Her landlord, Garrett Hill is away a lot so when a package is delivered to Meredith she doesn't think much about it. When she nears her landlord returning home she goes to deliver the package. But its not her landlord that is home its an attacker coming after Meredith. She is saved by a man who looks very similar to her landlord, its his twin Jeremy.
Jeremy Hill, a Border Patrol agent is on a much needed vacation and decides to visit his brother. He doesn't expect to be caught between an armed man and his brothers beautiful tenant. Jeremy realizes he must protect Meredith all while he searches for his twin.
Being on the run is something Meredith has no experience with but does know how to protect herself. Past experiences with men has taught her to depend on no one but herself. But Jeremy is different than any man she has ever known. He doesn't treat her like a fragile woman and realizes she has the brains to help them avoid the enemy.
Trying to stay alive is bringing Jeremy and Meredith closer together. The enemy may be closer then either of them realize and it will take their newfound trust and love to pull them through.
Copy That is a thrill a minute adventure. The tension is top notch as is the smoking hot romance. The secondary romance of Garrett Hill and Sara Paulson is another layer to a wonderful book. HelenKay Dimon is a must buy for me.
By Shirley fox
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I like the way the author wrote about twin brothers and their dangerous jobs and the women who loves them.
By Paula
Format:Kindle Edition
I loved this book. This is one that will keep you on the edge of your seat, or biting your nails.... It also has some heart wrenching twist that I didn't expect. The action is intense, and the romance kept me smiling. This is another book I just couldn't put down. I know I will re read this one.
By R. Pettijohn
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I haven't actually finished the book - it sounded cool but I put it down one day and just haven't picked it back up yet. - Considering how short the story is that's saying something. Normally I plow through this type of book in a couple of hours tops.
The story just dragged for me during the middle and I couldn't seem to remain engaged in the plot.
I'm going to chalk this poor rating up to the fact that I had found other, more interesting titles to read and this one just fall along the way side.
The story just dragged for me during the middle and I couldn't seem to remain engaged in the plot.
I'm going to chalk this poor rating up to the fact that I had found other, more interesting titles to read and this one just fall along the way side.
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I read this on a quiet Saturday (don't get many of those, let me tell you). I loved the twins, so alike yet so individual. The romance was satisfying and the suspense the right edge of couch. HelenKay Dimond did it again. I can't wait for the next one.
By CrazyRVLady
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I read romance and mystery! Fifteen more words required - what? - eight more words required - what? - one more!
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I started this book and after a few chapters, I decided it wasn't for me. I downloaded it because I thought it might be a thriller with some romance. As a man, I normally don't rear romance, except that I like good writers, fast paced stories and lots of action. It seemed to me that it was going to be more of a romance than I wanted so I lost interest. It's a good thing that Amazon has a lot of these low cost books so I can try many of them.
