Gun Brooke: Course of Action

COURSE

OF

ACTION

What Reviewers Say About Bold Strokes’ Authors

Kim Baldwin

“Her…crisply written action scenes, juxtaposition of plotlines, and smart dialogue make this a story the reader will absolutely enjoy and long remember.” – Arlene Germain, book reviewer for the Lambda Book Report and the Midwest Book Review

Rose Beecham

“…a mystery writer with a delightful sense of humor, as well as an eye for an interesting array of characters…” – MegaScene

“…her characters seem fully capable of walking away from the particulars of whodunit and engaging the reader in other aspects of their lives.” –Lambda Book Report

“…creates believable characters in compelling situations, with enough humor to provide effective counterpoint to the work of detecting.” –Bay Area Reporter

Jane Fletcher

“…a natural gift for rich storytelling and world-building…one of the best fantasy writers at work today.” – Jean Stewart, author of the Isis series

Radclyffe

“Powerful characters, engrossing plot, and intelligent writing…” – Cameron Abbott,author of To the Edge and An Inexpressible State of Grace

“…well-honed storytelling skills…solid prose and sure-handedness of the narrative…” – Elizabeth Flynn, Lambda Book Report

“…well-plotted…lovely romance...I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough!” – Ann Bannon, author of The Beebo Brinker Chronicles.

“…a consummate artist in crafting classic romance Þ ction…her numerous best selling works exemplify the splendor and power of Sapphic passion…” – Yvette Murray, PhD, Reader’s Raves

COURSE

OF

ACTION

by

GUN BROOKE

2005

COURSE OF ACTION

© 2004 By Gun Brooke. All Rights Reserved. ISBN 1-933110-22-8

This Trade Paperback Original Is Published By Bold Strokes Books, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa, USA

First Edition: June 2005, Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION. NAMES, CHARACTERS, PLACES, AND INCIDENTS ARE THE PRODUCT OF THE AUTHOR’S IMAGINATION OR ARE USED FICTITIOUSLY. ANY RESEMBLANCE TO ACTUAL PERSONS, LIVING OR DEAD, BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS, EVENTS, OR LOCALES IS ENTIRELY COINCIDENTAL.

THIS BOOK, OR PARTS THEREOF, MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM WITHOUT PERMISSION.

Credits

Editors: Jennifer Knight and Shelley Thrasher

Executive Editor: Stacia Seaman

Production Design: Stacia Seaman

Cover Photos: Paula Tighe

Cover Design By Sheri (GRAPHICARTIST2020@HOTMAIL.COM)

Acknowledgments

I want to give credit to the wonderful people who took time out of their busy lives to help me complete this project. Their input, encouragement, and support made it possible for me to keep going.

I molded Kitty McNeill after Kat, student by day and chef by night, hailing from Hunter Valley, a few hours north of Sydney, Australia. She writes fan fiction and original fiction when her busy schedule allows, posting it to her Web site http://www.wolf-fic.com. She also will publish one of her short stories in Stolen Moments: Erotic Interludes 2 from Bold Strokes Books. Kat has an incredible sense of humor along with a refreshingly candid way of giving feedback.

Glynis is an Australian currently living in beautiful New Zealand. She posted a novel of her own, Melting Ice , last year and is now adding her latest, Counting the Cost , to her Web site, http://homepages. paradise.net.nz/glynisgriffinswriting/ This conscientious woman helps me with the hard bits that mean so much—advice about style, grammar, and spelling.

Wendy, an occupational therapist residing in Scotland, has served me several great ideas on a silver platter. Wendy writes when her muse suggests it, and her sense of humor is wickedly hilarious. Her stories can be found at http://www.gbrookefiction.com/fiction/wendys_fiction/

Jay, from Canada, and I frequently end up in discussions about what makes people tick. A lot of "what ifs" turned into plot ideas, which in turn developed into Course of Action . Jay's wacky sense of humor and energetic personality have many times helped me focus and keep writing.

At Bold Strokes Books:

Radclyffe, author and publisher—thank you, Rad, for believing in me.

Dr. Shelley Thrasher, editor, went over Course of Action with a fine-tooth comb, teaching me a lot in a friendly, professional manner. Her feedback and editing, delivered with heart and humor, enhanced this story. Shelley's skills and friendship mean so much to me.

Jennifer Knight, book doctor and editor, together with Shelley took me up a steep learning curve, teaching me invaluable lessons about building plot and characterization. Also, my thanks to Stacia Seaman, production editor, for proofreading and preparing my novel for print.

Dedication

Elon,

Without whom I would starve, literally and

metaphorically.

Malin & Henrik,

The greatest kids on the face of the earth.

My Warrior Princess,

Remember our deal; I keep you safe

and you save the world.

Lotta,

Your friendship and our sisterhood

mean everything to me.

I love you all.

Course of Action

Prologue

That role is mine! I am Diana Maddox!" Carolyn Black planted her hands on her agent's desk and stared at him like a chained panther defending a bloody meal. The meal in question was the hottest movie role on offer for an over-thirty actress since The Hours .

"I know you are, and so do all the fans," Grey Parker tried to reassure his best client. Carolyn had always been goal oriented and ambitious, but she seemed almost desperate over the new Supernova Productions feature. He could understand her agitation; at forty-five, she was staring down the barrels. Most actresses her age were already playing Mom in television movies of the week.

"You're my agent, and I pay you a lot of money," she hissed, abandoning his desk to pace the luxurious office. "I want this role. I have to have it."

"We don't have a script yet," Grey said in a soothing tone. "They're not casting until—"

"Oh, please. They're casting. Read the goddamned tabloids. Annelie Peterson is taking actresses to lunch. Sylvia Goodman was on E! News dropping hints." She stopped in her tracks and spun to face him, a signature move from her small-screen days as soap goddess Devon Harper. "I've earned this, Grey. I'm the one who should bring Diana Maddox to the big screen. Make it happen."

"Don't you worry about a thing, my dear." He masked an uncharacteristic lack of confidence. "Consider it done."

Chapter One

Annelie Peterson sipped her champagne and gazed down at the crowd thronging the ballroom below.

"I think we're a hit." She smiled at the boyish-looking man next to her.

Gregory Horton was the CEO of one of her companies and a trusted friend.

"Three hundred and fifty guests, a thousand dollars per plate." He rolled off the numbers with patent satisfaction. "And that's not counting the auction later. We should see half of that again with those first editions and the paintings. Of course it helps that you're the hostess—the woman everyone wants to meet."

Annelie shot her employee a mock glare. Gregory had worked for her for seven years, ever since she came to Florida, and they shared an easygoing camaraderie as well as a smooth work relationship. In his early thirties, like herself, he looked more like a surfer than a seasoned executive. His unruly blond hair attracted the attention of both men and woman, as did his green eyes and broad smile.