Mystery Romance Writer Melanie Atkins has a new release - Valentine Vendetta!

Feb. 5, 2013 - PRLog -- Mystery Romance writer Melanie Atkins has a new tale for you!

Originally a short story, Atkins thought it would be better as a novella:

Nikki Brooks never thought she’d ever see her childhood nemesis again after high school, when he played a heartless trick on her that got her kicked off the school paper staff and made her a laughing stock. Until now, twelve years later, when she’s forced to trust her life to Marc Trapani, the strong-willed detective assigned to guard her when a murderer threatens her life -- and he lays siege to her heart.

Excerpt care of Desert Breeze Publishing:

"Mr. Dawson." Nikki's plaintive tone dug its claws into Marc's skin.

He turned to find her stalking toward them across the lobby, and his jaw dropped. Damn. Gone was the lanky tomboy he'd known way back when, and in her place was a gorgeous, full-blooded, all American woman with kinky red hair, a furious expression, and flashing green eyes. A lioness after her prey.

Those eyes locked on his face, and she lifted her chin. "Well, I see my valiant protector has finally decided to grace us with his presence."

"Hi, Nikki." Marc offered her his hand. "Good to see you."

She ignored his gesture and focused on the AUSA. "How long until the Internet connection is restored in our room?"

"Not for some time, I'm afraid," he said. "The clerk said they're lucky to have electricity in the bridal suite. The cable in that section is out right now, and he can't do anything about it -- so don't ask."

"The bridal suite?" Marc and Nikki chorused together.

Marc narrowed his eyes. "You've got to be kidding."

"You can say that again," Nikki snapped. "We can't stay in there."

"Come on, Dawson," Marc said. "See if they can't give us another room. Please."

"I'm sorry, Marshal, but I've already tried. A group of workmen is staying at the hotel to get a jump on repairs, and with the entire east wing out of commission..."

Nikki gulped back another denial. Marc looked too handsome for words. The idea of spending the weekend locked away with him in any hotel room, much less the bridal suite of this upscale lodge, sent her pulse racing out of control, and desire blindsided her. She jerked her gaze back to the perplexed Mr. Dawson. "Is there no place else we can go? Another hotel with an Internet connection?"

"No. We chose this lodge for its remoteness. You and Marshal Trapani should be safe here. I'm sorry, but you'll just have to deal with the inconvenience."

Inconvenience? Being offline for a long period of time was more like a catastrophe. Nikki clenched her hands. She'd rather have been smothered in the avalanche that had destroyed the other half of the building.

"Fine. We'll endure each other somehow," Marc said. "Where do we go?"

Dawson nodded briskly. "Follow me."

About Melanie Atkins:
Melanie Atkins a multi-published author of romantic suspense, a fan of crime dramas, and an avid reader. Writing is more than an escape for her—it’s a way of life. She grew up in the Deep South listening to tall tales and penning stories about her cats. Now she writes gripping stories of love, suspense, and mystery with the help of her furry little feline muses.

Her books are mostly available at Desert Breeze, but if you would like a list of her books and read some of her musings, please visit her website at http://www.melanieatkins.com/