Today, I’m hosting Laurie Wood as we talk about her new release, Northern Protector. Laurie is also giving us a sneak peek excerpt AND a chance to win a copy!!

Connect with Laurie!

Laurie Wood lives in Central Canada and writes inspirational romantic suspense with an edge of danger. She’s also a military wife who’s raised two wonderful special needs children to adulthood. They’ve lived all over Canada and are still on that journey. When she’s not writing she can be found at her spinning wheel, knitting, or hanging out with her dogs in the garden. She loves to hear from readers and always replies so feel free to get in touch with her.

Please visit her at https://www.lauriewoodauthor.com

Facebook:             https://www.facebook.com/lauriewoodauthor

Twitter:                 https://twitter.com/LaurieJeanWood

Friends, isn’t this cover fabulous?!

NORTHERN PROTECTOR Blurb:

Constable Ben Koper is still healing from the polar bear attack that almost killed him. Nine months after it happened, he returns to Churchill, Manitoba, a changed man—scarred more than just physically. PTSD is his new shadow, haunting his every step, and he can’t seem to kick the pain meds he shouldn’t need anymore. He’s determined to prove, to himself and his colleagues, that he’s still up to his job. Failure isn’t an option.

ER nurse Joy Gallagher spent the entire last winter texting with a healing Constable Koper. What started as friendly concern from this single mother has grown into full-fledged romantic feelings, and she’s eager to level up their friendship and introduce him to the idyllic comfort of small-town life. Until a teenager is murdered at a summer party. The crime is strikingly similar to the cold case murder of Joy’s foster sister, stirring old trauma Joy has never fully dealt with.

When another victim is snatched in town, Ben and Joy must confront their own demons, and join forces to track down an elusive killer. The race to rescue the next victim before it’s too late will test Ben and Joy to their limits. Can they survive their encounter with this heinous killer, or will the past destroy them?

And now without further ado….your sneak peek into Northern Protector:

Excerpt #7  – Chapter 2 

Ben held Connolly’s gaze. He’d had two plastic surgeries already and figured he’d eventually deal with the rest of the scarring, but cosmetic surgery didn’t come cheap in Canada. Anyway, up here, it would be a badge of honour. If he’d taken a southern posting, people would have stared relentlessly, and working in the field would be insufferable.

Connolly broke away first, much to Ben’s satisfaction. “I’ve got something I want you to look into, a cold case from Winnipeg they want us to go through again.” He passed a thick manila file folder over his desk to Ben. “She was from here and turned up dead in Winnipeg three years ago. I figured you could reinterview the relatives, see if they remember anything new. Get your feet wet again.”

Ben opened the file and looked at the photo attached to the left-hand side of the folder. A stunning teenage girl smiled into the camera. It was a selfie taken in a brightly lit bathroom—not one of the homes up here—maybe a motel down south? She wore a yellow tank top, jean shorts, and two gold necklaces holding a tiny gold cross and a bird charm. Her highlighted lustrous brown hair curled around her face and shoulders. She playfully held up a water bottle to her lips, smiling into the camera.

He started scanning the first page: Morag Raider—Caucasian; date of birth April 16, 1999; 5’2”; 105 lbs.; light brown curly hair, medium length; blue eyes; no tattoos; appendectomy scar; ears pierced; dental records on file in Churchill. Left Churchill June 22, 2016 on the train to Winnipeg to visit her older sister. Last known address showed she was living with her aunt Ruby Gallagher at 36 Tillman St.

“Ruby’s her aunt? She lived with her for how long?”

Connolly waved a dismissive hand. “I have no idea. There are interview reports in there from us and the guys in Winnipeg who spoke to her sister once they tracked her down. The girl turned up dead quick once she hit the big city. Do a recanvas and update the file.”

Ben nodded and rose to leave.

“Try and remember your shift starts at 0645 hours. Dismissed.”

Dismissed. Like he thinks this is the military. Which I would’ve been in, except for my stupid peanut allergy. Ben fought the urge to salute him and left the office, clutching the file folder.

Morag Raider was Ruby Gallagher’s niece. Well, that was a revelation. He’d never heard Ruby refer to her before. He thought he’d known all about Ruby’s family because she was open about her husband’s accidental boating death on the Churchill River seven years ago, and her son, Rory, owned the helicopter tour company in town. He’d better swing by the café to find out more about Morag.

He grabbed his cold coffee from Trudy’s desk and headed to the break room to nuke it in the microwave. Voices carried from the cell block as Adam set about releasing their two now sober individuals. Most of their drunken fights were harmless exchanges between transient workers up here doing construction on a government project. He heaved a sigh as the microwave beeped. It felt good to be back in familiar surroundings. He held out his right hand and stared at it. No tremors. Much better.

“Hey, new guy.” Zack stuck his head in the doorway. “You survived your first interview with Connolly. That’s good news.”

“I’m not the new guy. You’re the new guy,” Ben said before taking a scalding sip of coffee. “When did he post in, anyway?”

Zack came all the way into the room and closed the door. “He got sent here from D Division, Winnipeg two months ago. Got demoted from Sergeant for some reason. He’s bitter about it.”

“Gee, I couldn’t tell,” Ben quipped. The hot coffee was waking him up nicely.

“There’s someone at the counter. Can you take it?”

“You’re the new guy,” Ben said before taking another sip of coffee. “I’ve been up here nineteen months. Why don’t you take it?”

“Because she says she’ll only speak to you,” Zack said, leaning against the door frame. “Sorry, I’m Zack Lazar.” He stuck out his hand to shake Ben’s and gave it a solid grip. “Just got in from the academy. This is my first posting.”

Ben grinned. “Well, then, watch and learn, newbie.” He headed out the door, through the bullpen, and to the front counter where a woman paced, clutching her elbows.

Can’t wait for your copy? Here’s those buy links:

Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/3femV6Y

Amazon.ca:    https://amzn.to/2KfyoYq

Anaiah Press: https://bit.ly/3pGPrD6 (Print copies)

GIVEAWAY!! As promised, Laurie is offering the complete E-Book set of her “Heroes of the Tundra” series. Yep, the whole series to one lucky reader. (US and Canada only) a Rafflecopter giveaway

And for more opportunities to visit Laurie, follow her on her blog tour:

December   3:   Rhonda Starnes     https://rhondastarnes.com/

December   4:   Rosie Somers         http://www.rosiesomers.blogspot.com

December   7:   Sally Shupe            http://www.sallyshupe.blogspot.com

December   7:   Toni Shiloh            https://tonishiloh.com/

December   8:   Preslaysa Williams   https://www.preslaysa.com

December   8:   Melony Teague:       http://www.melonyteague.com/

December   8:   Jenn Pierce                http://www.jenniferpiercewrites.com

December   9:   Christina Sinisi          https://www.christinasinisi.com/

December 10:   Sherida Stewart       http://sheridastewart.com/

December 11:   Sharee Stover          https://shareestover.com/

December 14:   Patti Jo Moore         http://catmomscorner.blogspot.com

December 15:   Nola Lorraine          https://www.nolalorraine.com.au/

December 17:  Joy A Melville          http://www.joyaverymelville.com/