Friends,
if you are in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area June 1st, please come and join me for a signing of my award winning romantic suspense, Relocating Mia.
June, 1st 2008
2:00p.m. - 5:00p.m.
Borders Books
2709 N Mesquite Dr
Mesquite, TX 75150
972-279-5203
For a synopsis and more info about Relocating Mia and myself visit my website:
www.rebeccalerwill.com
See you there!
Rebecca~
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 9, 2008
The Acronym - Chapter 5
The following material is subject to copyright.
This is an un- edited and preliminary version of 'The Acronym'.
Chapter 5
Agent Ludvika Bogdan had to adjust her stance as she aimed.
The vision in her right eye still gave her still a little trouble focusing. She held her breath. Her weapon did not move as her right index finger added pressure and finally pulled the trigger.
Bulls eye, as usual.
Within nine seconds she emptied the remaining twelve rounds of her Browning Hi Power and the time it took her to re-load was close to her personal record.
Not too long ago she’d switched weapons and Ludvika liked how the Browning balanced better in her hand, compared to the Ruger she’d been using for years.
She exhaled and straightened her shoulders. By pushing the button to her right she activated the target receiver and it raced toward her. Only the solid black center of the paper target had holes in it. Satisfied she noticed that all thirteen rounds had hit within half an inch.
“Nice! Looks like you still got what it takes, Bogdan.” A deep, familiar voice praised her as she took off her ear protection.
Ludvika smiled but she didn’t turn around. Earlier, she’d sensed Brian Secona standing behind her but kept her attention on the target.
Indeed. She still had what it took and she couldn’t wait to put it to good use. She was ready to face the evil which had almost destroyed her.
“Thanks man.” She acknowledged him and turned around. The two agents greeted each other with a firm handshake. Brian studied her face and found the evidence of a bad assault. During a mission in Siberia a member of the Russian Mafia had caught her and almost beaten her to death. Tied up for hours, in the poisoning air of an underground Meth lab, Ludvika experienced brutal force and unimaginable pain as they’d pressed for answers. Withstanding the torture she had not broken the silence and protected the anonymity of her mission and the Acronym’s as well.
“How is your eye?” Brian asked and she touched the pink scar beneath her right eye where her cheekbone and eye socket had been crushed to pieces.
“It still gives me grief, but it’s getting better.” Ludvika stood six foot tall but she still needed to look up to Brian. “Did you and Farland come in together?”
“Yeah, we flew back from Mexico last night and decided to drive back here early this morning.” Brian smiled and added, “You know the procedure. I wanted to stay put in Denver for twenty - four hours, but you know Farland. There ain’t no way to keep him away from his woman longer than absolutely necessary.”
Ludvika returned a smiled back at the big man and joked in her hard, Eastern European accent, “Well, I guess you are going to be my date for the evening.” She let Brian take her by the arm. “My pleasure. Come on Bogdan; our briefing is about to begin.”
The team gathered around the large oak table in the great room. The rambling, two story log lodge was an architectural masterpiece and easily provided living space for fifteen people. The five bedroom suites upstairs were the sizes of small apartments. Three large bedrooms on the main floor with attached living quarters offered additional room and privacy. Next to the fully equipped gym, the shooting range was located in the basement.
The kitchen was big enough to comfortably feed an entire football team. Colorful native hand woven rugs and big game trophies, including a massive mount of a Rocky Mountain big horn sheep, accented the high walls. A wide, light colored pine staircase led to the upper floor. Its steps and hand carved railing was detailed with stunning two-tone wooden inlay work.
The brown L shaped leather couch reached from one end of the downstairs living room to the other and its many seats were littered with a dozen overstuffed cow hide pillows.
The lodge’s generous floor plan would have been a favorite subject for any interior design magazine.
But this place was top secret. None of the agents actually knew who it really belonged to. Rumor had it that it used to be a wealthy politician’s hunting retreat who provided it to the Acronym after the agency’s privatization. The ranch sat located in a narrow valley, deep in the heart of the Colorado Rockies. Shaped like a horse shoe the valley bordered the Rocky Mountain National Park and protected the ranch and it’s surroundings with rolling hills and thick forests of pine trees, white aspen, and fir.
One had to come in either by helicopter or on a rough dirt road from somewhere close by Estes Park. Several check points and a very sophisticated security system made sure that nobody would find it, not even by accident. Spying eyes and ears from orbiting surveillance high above was blocked by a private satellite.
“Okay everybody, take a seat.” Douglas stood on the head of the table. After uploading the latest intel, he arranged the high definition holographic projector for everyone to see. The Acronym’s symbol, an impossible triangle, hovered three dimensionally just above the table top as if it was suspended from invisible strings. Transparent it slowly spun around its own axis, to be replaced by the first image as soon as Douglas activated the remote.
Brian took a seat to his left and Mia opposite of him. Ludvika sat next to her. Bao joined in as well. He folded his hands on top of the table and looked expectantly at Douglas, who was in charge.
The slightly enlarged head shot of a man with short, blond hair appeared in front of everyone. His jaw was set and square and his cheekbones were pronounced and high. His blue eyes sat close together and looked intelligent. Overall, the man’s features sent the message of a very determined person.
Douglas began. “You all have been informed about a new agent. This gentleman you see here will join our happy, little family very soon. His name is Uwe Hirsch, a former member of special forces of the federal police in his native Germany. After moving to the United States he joined the force at SFPD and later became a member of their SWAT team. An introduction will take place here in a day or two. HQ in Maryland has included him in our next mission, which I will come to in a minute.”
Immediately Ludvika spoke up with a concerned voice. “He will join our team right away? Without being checked out first?”
Douglas understood why she was asking. Normally newly recruited agents had to prove themselves first in a less compromising position. Being part of her team, which would leave for Russia very soon, Hirsch could jeopardize the Acronym if he’d not turned out to be legitimate. They had to trust that their boss O’Neil knew what he was doing.
Douglas explained. “Yes. O’Neil ran several extensive checks on him, in California as well as overseas. He is one hundred percent motivated. Brian and I have met with him in Utah a few weeks ago.”
Douglas studied Ludvika’s face. She didn’t reply but her body language said it all. Crossing her arms in front of her chest, she leaned back in her chair and held Douglas’ gaze. She pursed her lips in disapproval. She was very protective of the agency since she had joined not too long ago. As a former Interpol agent, she’d assisted the Acronym in a few top priority cases until finally, she’d been recruited herself.
New agents, even though they successfully completed the intense screening process, still had to work hard to gain Ludvika’s trust. Douglas knew how much of a pain in the neck she could be, but she was outstanding in her field and so he allowed her attitude.
Then Douglas’ attention went to Mia.
He had hoped to be able to bring up the next issue in a private moment, but time was of the essence, and the sooner she got the news, the sooner she’d be able to deal with it.
“Here is the subject of our next mission,” Douglas continued as he removed Hirsch’s image. The ruthless face of Sergei Selkin appeared and immediately Mia’s stomach turned. The memory of her encounter with the Russian Mafia boss jolted through her mind like high voltage. Her heart rate doubled and small beads of perspiration appeared above her upper lip.
She stared at the latest photos someone had taken of him recently. She saw the same detached look in those cold eyes she’d seen when they’d met face to face.
The virtual imaging system instantly converted the photos into three dimensional images of Selkin and his weightless head hovered in front of Mia as if its sole purpose was to burn deeper and deeper into her already troubled mind.
Douglas went on once again, “As we all know, despite our intelligence in Russia and our own repeated attempts of his capture, Selkin is still at large…”
Ludvika’s face got hard. She narrowed her eyes and looked like she was going to attack the image in front of her.
“…which is not your fault, Bogdan, we all know that. So stay calm,” Douglas knew exactly what she felt. Still with Interpol she’d been after Selkin and clipped his heels several times, but never got close enough to take him into custody. Sergei Selkin was one of the high-ranking and menacing heads of the Russian Mafia and he’d always seemed to be just in front of her nose, yet unreachable.
“Now, we have an insider in St. Petersburg, "Douglas announced. "A big advantage I don’t need to explain. The feds have also promised full assistance and there will be a perfect opportunity to strike.”
Standing behind his chair Douglas placed his hands on top of it's back rest and slightly leaned forward. He looked intently to every one of his partners as he further explained, “Selkin will stay close to Lagunov during the trial. We are absolutely certain of that. Selkin won’t miss out on the action.”
Ludvika interrupted again, “And how can you be so sure? You don’t honestly believe that that sonofabitch will leave Russia to come here for Lagunov’s trial? That’s ridiculous!”
Douglas shook his head “No, Selkin certainly wouldn’t be stupid enough to enter the U.S.” He paused as his eyes found Mia’s. Her face paled as Douglas explained, “The Russian’s won’t extradite Lagunov. There won’t be an exchange. You guys are going to Russia. His trial is taking place in St. Petersburg.”
by Rebecca Lerwill - copyright -
www.rebeccalerwill.com
This is an un- edited and preliminary version of 'The Acronym'.
Chapter 5
Agent Ludvika Bogdan had to adjust her stance as she aimed.
The vision in her right eye still gave her still a little trouble focusing. She held her breath. Her weapon did not move as her right index finger added pressure and finally pulled the trigger.
Bulls eye, as usual.
Within nine seconds she emptied the remaining twelve rounds of her Browning Hi Power and the time it took her to re-load was close to her personal record.
Not too long ago she’d switched weapons and Ludvika liked how the Browning balanced better in her hand, compared to the Ruger she’d been using for years.
She exhaled and straightened her shoulders. By pushing the button to her right she activated the target receiver and it raced toward her. Only the solid black center of the paper target had holes in it. Satisfied she noticed that all thirteen rounds had hit within half an inch.
“Nice! Looks like you still got what it takes, Bogdan.” A deep, familiar voice praised her as she took off her ear protection.
Ludvika smiled but she didn’t turn around. Earlier, she’d sensed Brian Secona standing behind her but kept her attention on the target.
Indeed. She still had what it took and she couldn’t wait to put it to good use. She was ready to face the evil which had almost destroyed her.
“Thanks man.” She acknowledged him and turned around. The two agents greeted each other with a firm handshake. Brian studied her face and found the evidence of a bad assault. During a mission in Siberia a member of the Russian Mafia had caught her and almost beaten her to death. Tied up for hours, in the poisoning air of an underground Meth lab, Ludvika experienced brutal force and unimaginable pain as they’d pressed for answers. Withstanding the torture she had not broken the silence and protected the anonymity of her mission and the Acronym’s as well.
“How is your eye?” Brian asked and she touched the pink scar beneath her right eye where her cheekbone and eye socket had been crushed to pieces.
“It still gives me grief, but it’s getting better.” Ludvika stood six foot tall but she still needed to look up to Brian. “Did you and Farland come in together?”
“Yeah, we flew back from Mexico last night and decided to drive back here early this morning.” Brian smiled and added, “You know the procedure. I wanted to stay put in Denver for twenty - four hours, but you know Farland. There ain’t no way to keep him away from his woman longer than absolutely necessary.”
Ludvika returned a smiled back at the big man and joked in her hard, Eastern European accent, “Well, I guess you are going to be my date for the evening.” She let Brian take her by the arm. “My pleasure. Come on Bogdan; our briefing is about to begin.”
The team gathered around the large oak table in the great room. The rambling, two story log lodge was an architectural masterpiece and easily provided living space for fifteen people. The five bedroom suites upstairs were the sizes of small apartments. Three large bedrooms on the main floor with attached living quarters offered additional room and privacy. Next to the fully equipped gym, the shooting range was located in the basement.
The kitchen was big enough to comfortably feed an entire football team. Colorful native hand woven rugs and big game trophies, including a massive mount of a Rocky Mountain big horn sheep, accented the high walls. A wide, light colored pine staircase led to the upper floor. Its steps and hand carved railing was detailed with stunning two-tone wooden inlay work.
The brown L shaped leather couch reached from one end of the downstairs living room to the other and its many seats were littered with a dozen overstuffed cow hide pillows.
The lodge’s generous floor plan would have been a favorite subject for any interior design magazine.
But this place was top secret. None of the agents actually knew who it really belonged to. Rumor had it that it used to be a wealthy politician’s hunting retreat who provided it to the Acronym after the agency’s privatization. The ranch sat located in a narrow valley, deep in the heart of the Colorado Rockies. Shaped like a horse shoe the valley bordered the Rocky Mountain National Park and protected the ranch and it’s surroundings with rolling hills and thick forests of pine trees, white aspen, and fir.
One had to come in either by helicopter or on a rough dirt road from somewhere close by Estes Park. Several check points and a very sophisticated security system made sure that nobody would find it, not even by accident. Spying eyes and ears from orbiting surveillance high above was blocked by a private satellite.
“Okay everybody, take a seat.” Douglas stood on the head of the table. After uploading the latest intel, he arranged the high definition holographic projector for everyone to see. The Acronym’s symbol, an impossible triangle, hovered three dimensionally just above the table top as if it was suspended from invisible strings. Transparent it slowly spun around its own axis, to be replaced by the first image as soon as Douglas activated the remote.
Brian took a seat to his left and Mia opposite of him. Ludvika sat next to her. Bao joined in as well. He folded his hands on top of the table and looked expectantly at Douglas, who was in charge.
The slightly enlarged head shot of a man with short, blond hair appeared in front of everyone. His jaw was set and square and his cheekbones were pronounced and high. His blue eyes sat close together and looked intelligent. Overall, the man’s features sent the message of a very determined person.
Douglas began. “You all have been informed about a new agent. This gentleman you see here will join our happy, little family very soon. His name is Uwe Hirsch, a former member of special forces of the federal police in his native Germany. After moving to the United States he joined the force at SFPD and later became a member of their SWAT team. An introduction will take place here in a day or two. HQ in Maryland has included him in our next mission, which I will come to in a minute.”
Immediately Ludvika spoke up with a concerned voice. “He will join our team right away? Without being checked out first?”
Douglas understood why she was asking. Normally newly recruited agents had to prove themselves first in a less compromising position. Being part of her team, which would leave for Russia very soon, Hirsch could jeopardize the Acronym if he’d not turned out to be legitimate. They had to trust that their boss O’Neil knew what he was doing.
Douglas explained. “Yes. O’Neil ran several extensive checks on him, in California as well as overseas. He is one hundred percent motivated. Brian and I have met with him in Utah a few weeks ago.”
Douglas studied Ludvika’s face. She didn’t reply but her body language said it all. Crossing her arms in front of her chest, she leaned back in her chair and held Douglas’ gaze. She pursed her lips in disapproval. She was very protective of the agency since she had joined not too long ago. As a former Interpol agent, she’d assisted the Acronym in a few top priority cases until finally, she’d been recruited herself.
New agents, even though they successfully completed the intense screening process, still had to work hard to gain Ludvika’s trust. Douglas knew how much of a pain in the neck she could be, but she was outstanding in her field and so he allowed her attitude.
Then Douglas’ attention went to Mia.
He had hoped to be able to bring up the next issue in a private moment, but time was of the essence, and the sooner she got the news, the sooner she’d be able to deal with it.
“Here is the subject of our next mission,” Douglas continued as he removed Hirsch’s image. The ruthless face of Sergei Selkin appeared and immediately Mia’s stomach turned. The memory of her encounter with the Russian Mafia boss jolted through her mind like high voltage. Her heart rate doubled and small beads of perspiration appeared above her upper lip.
She stared at the latest photos someone had taken of him recently. She saw the same detached look in those cold eyes she’d seen when they’d met face to face.
The virtual imaging system instantly converted the photos into three dimensional images of Selkin and his weightless head hovered in front of Mia as if its sole purpose was to burn deeper and deeper into her already troubled mind.
Douglas went on once again, “As we all know, despite our intelligence in Russia and our own repeated attempts of his capture, Selkin is still at large…”
Ludvika’s face got hard. She narrowed her eyes and looked like she was going to attack the image in front of her.
“…which is not your fault, Bogdan, we all know that. So stay calm,” Douglas knew exactly what she felt. Still with Interpol she’d been after Selkin and clipped his heels several times, but never got close enough to take him into custody. Sergei Selkin was one of the high-ranking and menacing heads of the Russian Mafia and he’d always seemed to be just in front of her nose, yet unreachable.
“Now, we have an insider in St. Petersburg, "Douglas announced. "A big advantage I don’t need to explain. The feds have also promised full assistance and there will be a perfect opportunity to strike.”
Standing behind his chair Douglas placed his hands on top of it's back rest and slightly leaned forward. He looked intently to every one of his partners as he further explained, “Selkin will stay close to Lagunov during the trial. We are absolutely certain of that. Selkin won’t miss out on the action.”
Ludvika interrupted again, “And how can you be so sure? You don’t honestly believe that that sonofabitch will leave Russia to come here for Lagunov’s trial? That’s ridiculous!”
Douglas shook his head “No, Selkin certainly wouldn’t be stupid enough to enter the U.S.” He paused as his eyes found Mia’s. Her face paled as Douglas explained, “The Russian’s won’t extradite Lagunov. There won’t be an exchange. You guys are going to Russia. His trial is taking place in St. Petersburg.”
by Rebecca Lerwill - copyright -
www.rebeccalerwill.com
Friday, May 2, 2008
Unique Mother's Day Gift Idea
Hello friends,
Mother’s Day is only two short weeks away and if you are scrambling to find the right gift for mom, here is an idea:
An autographed copy of a wonderful, award winning romantic suspense.
Below you will find a quick description of my novel ‘Relocating Mia’ and a link to my website. Order a copy through PAYPAL for only $12 between now and May, 7th and shipping is free!!
Relocating Mia, Award - Winning Finalist of the National Best Books Awards in 2007 is a highly entertaining adventure, full of romance and suspense which is loved by readers who appreciate the drama of international crime, the gut - churning twists and turns of well woven intrigue, and the heart - warming effect of a great love story.
Order today!
http://www.rebeccalerwill.com/bookstore.html
Make your mom a happy mom and give the gift of a great read!
Best,
Rebecca~
Mother’s Day is only two short weeks away and if you are scrambling to find the right gift for mom, here is an idea:
An autographed copy of a wonderful, award winning romantic suspense.
Below you will find a quick description of my novel ‘Relocating Mia’ and a link to my website. Order a copy through PAYPAL for only $12 between now and May, 7th and shipping is free!!
Relocating Mia, Award - Winning Finalist of the National Best Books Awards in 2007 is a highly entertaining adventure, full of romance and suspense which is loved by readers who appreciate the drama of international crime, the gut - churning twists and turns of well woven intrigue, and the heart - warming effect of a great love story.
Order today!
http://www.rebeccalerwill.com/bookstore.html
Make your mom a happy mom and give the gift of a great read!
Best,
Rebecca~
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