06 Fatal Mistake (36 page)

Acknowledgements

When I wrote
Fatal Affair
in 2009–2010, I never could’ve imagined how this series would take off with readers. I can’t believe we’re already at book six and going strong. Sam and Nick are such a joy to write—and so is their adorable Scotty. Hearing every day from readers who want more, more,
more
of them kept me going during the writing of
Fatal Mistake
. I’ve just signed on for two more books in the series and have much more in store for the Cappuanos, their friends and family, and I hope you’ll continue to come along on their wild ride. Watch for book seven, tentatively titled
Fatal Pursuit
, on March 24, 2014.

My thanks as always to the many people who support me, especially my assistants Julie Cupp, Chris Camara and Holly Sullivan, all of whom have been my friends for many years. They take very good care of me, and I so appreciate all they do to keep me sane. Julie also helps me with the Washington, D.C., details, which is a huge help. My agent, Kevan Lyon, is a wonderful supporter, partner and friend. Everyone at Carina Press and Harlequin, including my new editor, Alissa Davis, who have worked on this series—thank you for the wonderful covers and for your enthusiasm for the Fatal Series. A huge thanks to my faithful beta readers Ronlyn Howe, Kara Conrad and Anne Woodall—I couldn’t do it without you ladies and your awesome feedback!

Special thanks to my reader friend Stephanie Behill for her help with Spanish translation, and to financial advisor Joseph A. Medeiros, CFP®, CLU, ChFC, AIF®, who helped with information about buying and selling stock.

Every time I write a Fatal book, in the back of my mind I know I’ve got Newport, RI, Police Detective Captain Russ Hayes backing me up, which is a huge source of comfort. Thank you again, Russ, for keeping me honest and helping to ensure the police and investigatory aspects of the story are as close to real life as I can get them—while keeping them entertaining too!

Thanks so much to my family—Dan, Emily and Jake—who put up with me when I’m on deadline, and to my four-legged office mates, Brandy and Louie, who keep me company all day.

Finally, my most heartfelt thanks to my wonderful readers who make this magical life of mine possible. I’m thankful every day for each and every one of you. Want to chat with other fans who’ve read
Fatal Mistake?
Join the Fatal Mistake Reader Group at
facebook.com/groups/FatalMistake/
. Also, make sure you join my mailing list at
marieforce.com
to be notified when new books are available. Turn the page for some frequently asked questions—and answers—about the Fatal Series.

xoxo

Marie

Fatal Series Frequently Asked Questions

How
many
books
do
you
plan
to
write
in
this
series
?

I hope to write the series for as long as readers are enjoying it and for as long as it’s fun for me to write. So far so good on the reader front. I’m extremely challenged by these books—not always in a good way—but I continue to be satisfied by the final outcomes. That keeps me engaged and coming back for more of Sam and Nick, who I adore writing. So no end in sight for now. I just signed on for books seven and eight in the series, so watch for book seven, tentatively titled
Fatal Pursuit
, on March 24, 2014.

Will
Sam
and
Nick
from
the
Fatal
Series
ever
have
a
baby
of
their
own
?

I honestly don’t know. I’d love to give them what they want (as well as what readers want), but making Sam a mother to an infant would dramatically change the way she lives her life and would greatly alter the pace of the series. IF (
and
that’s
a
very
BIG
IF
at
this
point
), they have a baby, I expect it would happen much later in the series, closer to the end.

Will
Nick
run
for
president
,
and
if
he
does
will
Sam
have
to
give
up
her
job
?

I don’t know and I don’t know! :-) I guess we’ll have to see what life has in store for them. Look at it this way... We’re at book six, and we still haven’t lived a full year with them. The next election is four years away. That’s a LOT of books between now and then.

Will
we
ever
find
out
who
shot
Skip
?

That’s another question I get ALL THE TIME. Along with, “Do
you
know who shot Skip?” No, I don’t know. I figure I’ll find out when Sam does. I like that I don’t know. I like that the possibilities are so endless. I like that it’s frustrating to Sam that she’s failed to find closure to that question. That’s life, right? I do have some interesting stories coming up for Skip in future books that I’m looking forward to writing.

We’d
love
to
read
the
story
about
the
night
Sam
and
Nick
met
the
first
time
.
Will
you
ever
write
that
?

I’ve been thinking a lot about that lately. Stay tuned for more information about that and make sure you join the Fatal Series Reader Group at
facebook.com/groups/FatalSeries/
to be the first to hear Fatal Series news.

Do you have other questions that weren’t answered here? Send them to Marie at
[email protected]
.

Thanks for reading!

Mixing romance with politics can be fatal!

Go back to the beginning and discover all the books in the Fatal series!

Fatal Affair

`

Washington, D.C., Metro Police Detective Sergeant Sam Holland needs a big win to salvage her career—and her confidence—after a disastrous investigation. The perfect opportunity arises when Senator John O’Connor is found brutally murdered in his bed, and Sam is assigned to the case. Matters get complicated when Sam has to team up with Nick Cappuano, O’Connor’s friend and chief of staff...and the man Sam had a memorable one-night stand with years earlier. Their sexual chemistry still sizzles, and Sam has to fight to stay focused on the case. Sleeping with a material witness is another mistake she can’t afford—especially when the bodies keep piling up...

Fatal Justice

Standing over the body of a Supreme Court nominee, Lieutenant Sam Holland is hip-deep in another high-profile murder case. The fact that she was one of the last people to see Julian Sinclair alive just complicates things even more. On the plus side, her relationship with Senator Nick Cappuano is heating up—but it’s also attracting a lot of unwanted media attention and blinding flash bulbs.

The pressure is on for Sam to find Sinclair’s killer, but a new lead in her father’s unsolved shooting puts her in unexpected danger. When long-buried secrets threaten to derail her relationship with Nick, Sam realizes that while justice can be blind, mixing romance with politics has the potential to be fatal...

Fatal Consequences

Lieutenant Sam Holland has no sooner accepted Senator Nick Cappuano’s proposal than she’s back on the job. A woman has been found brutally murdered and evidence points to Henry Lightfeather, a senator and close friend of Nick’s. While Sam investigates, Nick stands by his friend—complicating his own bid for reelection, and causing tension between the couple.

As Sam’s investigation reveals a scandal that rocks the capital, Nick and Sam discover that the biggest threat to their future might be someone from her past...

Fatal Destiny

With the week of their wedding finally upon them, Washington, D.C., Police Lieutenant Sam Holland and her fiancé, Senator Nick Cappuano, are at odds. In the aftermath of a tragic loss, they struggle to reconnect as the big day draws near, but their work keeps pulling them apart. When a new clue into a cold case surfaces, Nick asks Sam not to take any foolish chances before the wedding and to leave it alone for the time being. With trouble at every turn, will Sam survive long enough to walk down the aisle?

Fatal Flaw

Already on edge, Sam and her team start investigating a series of baffling murders. The victims are well-liked with no known enemies, and the murders are carried out in a clean and efficient manner. Unable to find a clear motive for the deaths, she feels like she’s chasing her tail.

With no obvious connection between the victims, Sam soon suspects that she may be the ultimate prize in the killer’s clever game. When the danger starts to hit a little too close to home, she has two goals: find the elusive murderer and manage to live long enough to enjoy her happily-ever-after.

Fatal Deception

The wife of the White House deputy chief of staff has been beaten to death, and their one-year-old daughter is missing. D.C. Police Lieutenant Sam Holland is in charge of the murder investigation, but she’s forced to collaborate with Special Victims Unit detectives as well as thorn-in-her-side FBI Special Agent Avery Hill. Then, a cold case of her father’s resurrects old hurts—a distraction Sam cannot afford. As Sam’s investigation heats up, so does Nick’s political career—and the heat carries over to their bedroom. Will Sam put the pieces together in time to catch a killer and find the baby, or will ambition, greed and lies prove fatal?

Connect with us for info on our new releases, access to exclusive offers and much more!

Visit
CarinaPress.com

We like you—why not like us on Facebook:
Facebook.com/CarinaPress

Follow us on Twitter:
Twitter.com/CarinaPress