Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 88673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
But that’s not even the crazy part. The crazy part is that she’s falling for her kidnapper. A handsome man, if a little morally challenged, who is probably very dangerous and has threatened to kill her half a dozen times over the span of just one day, but what can one do? The attraction is there.
Riggs is just trying his best to stay out of prison. Which seems at odds with his current actions, but need-to-know nuances make all these nonsensical pieces fit. And even though Clover isn’t a model captive—she’s a complainer of the princess variety—he finds himself getting attached. If he hadn’t been forced to kidnap her to save his own hide, he could see a future where the two of them end up together.
So he figures… why not save her life by endangering her some more?
And she figures… well, it’s better than being left to rot in her own basement.
And that’s, of course, when things get interesting.
The Comfort in the Brave is an ironic twist of fate inbred to a really bad decision. It’s a captive romance turned ride-or-die in a crazy escape from Blackberry Hill—but this time Collin Creed isn’t coming to save anyone, he’s looking for revenge.
TROPES
Falling for the Enemy
Ride or Die
Haughty Princess
Redemptive Anti-Hero
Morally Grey
Found Family
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
CHAPTER 1 - CLOVER
Ienter the Dixie Yonder bright and early Monday morning, ready for what’s next after an exhilarating weekend of perfectly-planned wedding events. Nearly the moment I enter the hotel my boss, Clarissa, is calling out my name from across the expansive lobby as she strides towards me. “Great job, Clover! That wedding yesterday—fan. Tastic! Went off without a hitch.” She’s reached me now and Clarissa is a toucher, so her hand claps down on my shoulder and gives it a squeeze and her big brown eyes sparkle with excitement. “Wedding season is just about over and I know how much you love summers because they’re so busy, but don’t worry, girl, we’ve got parties booked every weekend through December.”
“Wonderful!” I tell her, flashing back a smile as big as her own. Because I can find the joy in any season, really. Even ones that don’t typically come with weddings. “You’re right,” I tell her, “wedding season is my favorite, but party season is like a Christmas star, shining in the sky!”
“And with you planning the parties, they’ll sparkle in the darkness like fireflies in the night.” Then she leans in to me, lowering her voice. “Mr. Sutter has asked to see you in private as soon as you have time. And if you ask me”—she pauses here to flash a huge, all-teeth smile—“I think you’re getting a promotion.” She practically sings out that last word.
“What?” I say, feigning surprise. “Really?” I’ve been working at the Dixie Yonder Hotel for nearly seven years now. I didn’t start in weddings—I was Clarissa’s Girl Friday for three and a half of those years making a pretty meager salary. But she and I clicked immediately and she’s been pushing me up the ladder of high-society event planning ever since. So, I’ve kinda been expecting this.
“Well”—Clarissa removes her hand from my shoulder—“I don’t know for sure, but why else would Sutter call you in? And yesterday’s wedding—oh, my God.” She puts a hand over her heart. “It’s being featured in Vanity Fair, you know that, right?”
“I do.” And boy, was I nervous about that. My name will be mentioned for sure. And while it’s an honor, it’s also a lot of pressure. These elite people we cater to can be a bit obnoxious at times, but I aim to please and when my Dixie Yonder clients come to me with a request, I get the job done.
I hold up my hand and cross my fingers. “Here’s to my promotion. But… what about you? I mean, your job is the only one I’m qualified to do.”
“Oh, sweetie, I got my promotion this morning.”
“What!” I jump up and down a little. “Holy crap! You finally got promoted to general manager?”
“Yep!” She shrugs up her shoulders real big. “Finally. But not here.”
“Whaaaaaat?” This word comes out as a whine. “Not here? You can’t leave me!”
“I’ve been promoted to general manager of the Wicked Scrod in Boston.”
“Boston?” My smile falls. “Boston?” I’m so shocked, I say it again. Like maybe I just heard her wrong. “You can’t go to Boston.”
“Ooooooh, you’re so sweet, Clover. I know we’ve been a great team, and I seriously owe you everything. Without your support I would never have gotten this far. But you’re gonna be just fine, I know it. You’re gonna nail this.”