Adella’s Enemy

ADELLA’S ENEMY

The Katy Railroad, Kansas  – 1870

The War Between the States ended five years ago, but she still pursues her enemy…

Rebel spy turned government rabble-rouser Adella Willows receives her mission straight from a Washington senator—play havoc with the Katy Railroad and derail its bid to win the race. The senator craves wealth. Adella craves revenge against the man responsible for her brother’s death. But her plans crumble into chaos when she enters a battle of wits with the railroad’s foreman.

An ocean separates him from his failures in Ireland, but he’s still haunted by those who died…

Seasoned railroad foreman Cormac McGrady’s sole desire is keeping his workmen safe and employed, which means keeping the Katy ahead of its rivals. But the beautiful spy bedeviling his railroad needs protecting as well. Cormac must choose between winning the race and winning Adella’s heart, while Adella must choose whether she lives for revenge or dies for love.

Can the pursuit of an old enemy lead to a new love?

STEAM LEVEL: Spicy

STORY LENGTH: A novella (196 pages)

REVIEWS

“Sexy Celtic hero in the wild west – can’t get much better than that.” ~ Dee
“Nelson easily lures readers along on a romantic, suspenseful ride in the post-Civil War American frontier. It’s a story with high stakes, a realistic setting, and larger-than-life characters.” ~ Vanessa Kelly, USA Today Bestselling Author (on B&N’s Love Rocks column)
“Pulled me into the American West faster than a shot of whiskey could be downed on a hot day… Adella is feisty, funny, and truly kick-ass.” ~ Gael M.
“Adella is a kick a$$ and leap-then-look kinda girl, and I fell in love with her on the second page.” ~ Patty M.K.H.
“The heroine is the girl I’d want to be & the hero is the one I’d want to be with!” ~ Rain City Girl
“A great tale with subterfuge, saboteurs and sweet romance.” ~ N. Love
“If you like Hell on Wheels, you’ll love Adella’s Enemy. It has enough to tempt and interest all readers with great characters and attention to historical detail to make you feel as if you’re there during the building of the railroad…a story of revenge, forgiveness, mistakes made and lessons learned.” ~ Must Love Books

EXCERPT

Kansas – 1870

Adella’s fingers brushed the piece of paper hidden in her cleavage and she went as still as Cormac. Blast! She’d forgotten about the telegram! She needed Cormac to stay in her hotel room, but she couldn’t let him see the telegram.

“How do you know what I want?” she whispered, stalling for time.

“I don’t. But this is what I want.” In two strides, he devoured the gap between them. Then his mouth claimed hers in a hot, heady possession.

Pressed against the door, all she could do was kiss him back. She did so with abandon. Her skin tingled, and her blood raced as if her body had woken from years of sleepwalking. She didn’t want the feeling to stop. She wrapped her arms around Cormac’s neck and pulled him closer.

He suddenly lifted his head. “I want more than one kiss,” he murmured against her lips. “And I don’t mean merely claiming everything that’s under this dress.” His hand slid up her ribcage to cup her breast.

The telegram! With a gasp, she covered her chest with both hands. The corner of the paper poked her palm. Thank Dixie. It was still there. But had he seen it? She drew back against the door.

Cormac retreated as well, lifting his hand to rake it through hair that was already disheveled. Had she done that? He reached for the doorknob and she jumped aside.

“Stay away from the worksite, Adella.” He opened the door without his customary restraint. It banged against the wall. “And, for God’s sake, stay out of trouble. Don’t provoke a man beyond his patience.”