Mortimer Security Series by Josephine Barly

Iola Pope is a Mortimer Security agent on a personal mission. A personal mission that leads her straight into handsome Dean Frost's arms. While at first he's a brief and welcome distraction, he ends up being a necessary part of her mission, and mesmerized by everything about her, he can't deny her, no matter what she asks of him... moreIola Pope is a Mortimer Security agent on a personal mission. A personal mission that leads her straight into handsome Dean Frost's arms. While at first he's a brief and welcome distraction, he ends up being a necessary part of her mission, and mesmerized by everything about her, he can't deny her, no matter what she asks of him. Yet the case they work on together turns out to be a bit more complicated than anticipated, and when Iola's kidnapped, it's up to Dean to figure out how far he's willing to go to help her. Warning: There are explicit romantic scenes. For mature audiences (+18). -------------- Excerpt Iola Pope was having a good time at the exclusive party as she tracked down Jethro Lowry. The financier had apparently done wrong by some people she knew, among them her cousin. She would have requested a meeting at Jethro’s office, but he had been away on holidays and had returned that very day. Besides, her savings account was nowhere near what Jethro usually sought in his clients, and she knew it was unlikely he could take her on based just on her numbers. She had to impress him. So, instead of wasting even more time, Iola had decided to take another approach at the situation, which was how she had ended up at the very exclusive party, casually looking at the man she hoped would make a move on her. How the tables had turned. But even if she had gotten plenty of men’s attention that evening—and her whole life—Jethro appeared to be ignorant of her existence. Iola would have to bump into him or something dumb to make him see her like a frail, ditzy thing. A very far situation from her thirty-seven-year-old life, personality and accomplishments. But men were supposed to like that, she guessed? Ugh. She started walking towards Jethro as couples danced in the middle of the hall of the museum, people were drinking champagne and wine all around, and she got ready for her acting moment. A man stepped in front of her, smiling. Something about his hazel eyes and lopsided grin made her stop. It was as if he could see into her soul. Terrible, dreadful timing. less

Raven Morton has had a rough year. Good news is, just as she's managing to leave behind the disappointment and pain, she runs into Tim Unwin—a cute guy she met when she was working at a wedding. Things finally seem to be taking a turn for the better, but Raven is attacked, and what she initially thinks is a random petty thief is actually something much, much worse—although she isn't exactly sure of what's going on... moreRaven Morton has had a rough year. Good news is, just as she's managing to leave behind the disappointment and pain, she runs into Tim Unwin—a cute guy she met when she was working at a wedding. Things finally seem to be taking a turn for the better, but Raven is attacked, and what she initially thinks is a random petty thief is actually something much, much worse—although she isn't exactly sure of what's going on. Then someone is kidnapped and nothing makes sense—and with the clock ticking, she has a limited time to try to make things better before they get much, much worse. Warning: There are explicit romantic scenes. For mature audiences (+18). -------------- Excerpt Raven Morton was finally somewhat considerably maybe just a little bit okay. Sure, there was a part of her life that was missing, and it would always be that way. But after being borderline depressed and having spent almost six months in a numb—if driven and automated—mourning, she was finally able to go to a bar and hang out with her friends on a cool February night, without feeling guilty or bummed. Her smile wasn’t quite strong yet, but at least she was there, she wasn’t crying, and she wasn’t running back to her apartment in Brooklyn. She excused herself and went to the bar, as the place was crowded—it was a Friday night, after all—and she tried to get the barman’s attention to no avail. Just as a lump was starting to form at the back of her throat because she found the situation upsetting and all of a sudden she couldn’t stand the crowd, she looked over to the other end of the counter and smiled. The young man she had met at the wedding where she’d worked as part of the catering team in September, right before her sister had been killed, was smiling at her. less

Paige Winston likes working behind her desk. She's great with a computer and can help solve any case at Mortimer Security. However, she is less than pleased when her boss, Evelyn Mortimer, sends her to work on the field. Paige is also less than pleased when she learns that the case sets her in the same path as Owen Farrell, her (best) one-night-stand from college... morePaige Winston likes working behind her desk. She's great with a computer and can help solve any case at Mortimer Security. However, she is less than pleased when her boss, Evelyn Mortimer, sends her to work on the field. Paige is also less than pleased when she learns that the case sets her in the same path as Owen Farrell, her (best) one-night-stand from college. Over a decade later, sparks fly between them as they try to solve a complex case, and Owen has to show her exactly how good he can be for her - if she's willing to take the risk. Warning: There are explicit romantic scenes. For mature audiences (+18). -------------- Excerpt Paige Winston, thirty-four years old, surveillance specialist at Mortimer Security, preferred certain types of jobs. In fact, she pretty much only liked the jobs where she didn’t need to leave her desk. She wasn’t big on dealing with fussy clients who usually made ridiculous requests; she much preferred the simplicity of dealing with various types of footage, comparing images, trying to figure out who were the ones committing crimes based on the psychological profiles she was meant to keep tabs on, and the likes. So, when Paige’s boss, Evelyn Mortimer, had told her she would have to actually go to Guido Emil’s house and deal with him in person, she had been, to say the least, bummed. She made an effort because she understood it was part of her job sometimes—and she hoped the next case would keep her in her office. As she reached the brownstone in Tribeca, Paige took a deep breath in to help her gather patience to deal with the client. Paige had no idea what she was in for. less

Harper Lewis, Mortimer Security agent, and Paxton Tate, younger environmental lawyer, get off to a rocky start while Harper's on an assignment. But when Paxton's brother Stan goes missing, Harper is called for her skills.An international flight leads Harper and Paxton to an unexpected location as Stan's whereabouts and activities are disentangled, and as Harper and Paxton get to know each other, they have to figure out if, in spite of their differences, there is potential for more... moreHarper Lewis, Mortimer Security agent, and Paxton Tate, younger environmental lawyer, get off to a rocky start while Harper's on an assignment. But when Paxton's brother Stan goes missing, Harper is called for her skills.An international flight leads Harper and Paxton to an unexpected location as Stan's whereabouts and activities are disentangled, and as Harper and Paxton get to know each other, they have to figure out if, in spite of their differences, there is potential for more.Warning: There are explicit romantic scenes. For mature audiences (+18). --------------ExcerptHarper Lewis, thirty-nine year old Mortimer Security agent, was enjoying her time at the party on the coolish early October Saturday night. Sure, she missed her twelve-year-old daughter Dixie, but it was nice to have a night out, dress in a cute outfit that wasn’t necessarily comfortable but that made her feel herself a goddess and sexy. And yes, she was on an assignment and her looks would go by wasted because her target was a twenty-three year old socialite named Serenity. But at least she knew heads were turning and her self-esteem, which wasn’t bad, was a bit higher. Harper knew her value and worth, and she had enjoyed the casual dalliances following her divorce five years earlier, but it did add a bit of a spark to her night to know that, on the cusp of her fortieth birthday, she still had it. Harper had already laid eyes on Serenity, but she was keeping her distance because it was evident that the young socialite was enjoying the company and attention of the young men who kept buying her drinks and telling her things over the loud music. Harper knew she needed to wait because there was no way Serenity would be just taking off with her. She casually glanced around at the sparkly dancing lights and lounge area, where Serenity sat at one of the tables. Harper turned around and, getting the barman’s attention through the crowd, she ordered a gin and tonic. She was handed the tall glass with two slim black straws and she gave him a bill, motioning for him to keep the change. She was treating herself, and when she tried the drink, she smiled. Yes, in spite of it being work, Harper knew how to enjoy herself. less

Dylan Dearing, journalist, is used to certain aspects of his job. While he hasn't encountered that many threatening situations, he knows that they come with the turf. But one of them goes a step too far, and his friend Heath Lerner suggests hiring Mortimer Security, seeing as how he won't let go of the investigation. Harley Manning thinks that being a journalist and investigating corruption tips can lead to threats. She doesn't think it's a big deal... moreDylan Dearing, journalist, is used to certain aspects of his job. While he hasn't encountered that many threatening situations, he knows that they come with the turf. But one of them goes a step too far, and his friend Heath Lerner suggests hiring Mortimer Security, seeing as how he won't let go of the investigation. Harley Manning thinks that being a journalist and investigating corruption tips can lead to threats. She doesn't think it's a big deal. Then she meets Dylan Dearing, she learns more about his work, and she knows she has to keep an eye over him while he gets to the bottom of things. It's also not a bad thing that his looks almost make her giggle and that he's as nice as he is good-looking. But when a body falls out of a building and the threats suddenly carry more violence that either anticipated, the clock is running, both on the investigation and on Dylan’s life. Warning: There are explicit romantic scenes. For mature audiences (+18). --------------ExcerptDylan Dearing, thirty-two year old journalist, relied on his instincts more often than not when working on a story. He was usually good at figuring out who was lying and who was telling the truth, and when a source showed up with a scoop, he had an almost perfect track of figuring out if there was an actual story behind it or if it was a simple rumor. On an early March cold Friday night, Dylan was working on a political story that included bribes and money laundering through public construction contracts. He had received an anonymous email telling him to look into specific contracts, although it wasn’t easy to tell who had been the only—if there was only one—politician involved in the actual crimes. While he had been quick to assess the scoop and deem it investigation-worthy, what had put the final nail on the coffin had been another anonymous email telling him to forget the story. He had scoffed and decided then and there that he would get to the bottom of things. As he returned to his apartment in Brooklyn, his instincts told him someone was following him. Dylan downplayed his instincts, thinking he was being paranoid. Dylan should have paid more attention, not only to his instincts, but also to what was going on around him. less