Luke
Dark Water Security Series Book 1
by Madison Quinn
Genre: Contemporary Romance
What happens when your worst nightmare becomes your new reality?
More than ten years have passed since Luke was kidnapped and held captive by a crazed mad man. He still struggles to leave that period of his life behind. However, when he meets the new computer security expert his partner wants to hire, the memories of the young girl who stole his heart during the worst time of his life suddenly come rushing back. Why is it this woman reminds him so much of the girl he needs to forget? The girl he shouldn’t be dreaming of. The girl who suffered because of him.
When a new case forces them to spend time together, Luke has no choice but to face his undeniable attraction to her. Can he stop seeing her as the constant reminder of his past mistakes and start seeing her for the beautiful, talented woman that she is?
** Contains adult themes; content might not be suitable for all readers. **
Goodreads * Amazon
More than ten years have passed since Luke was kidnapped and held captive by a crazed mad man. He still struggles to leave that period of his life behind. However, when he meets the new computer security expert his partner wants to hire, the memories of the young girl who stole his heart during the worst time of his life suddenly come rushing back. Why is it this woman reminds him so much of the girl he needs to forget? The girl he shouldn’t be dreaming of. The girl who suffered because of him.
When a new case forces them to spend time together, Luke has no choice but to face his undeniable attraction to her. Can he stop seeing her as the constant reminder of his past mistakes and start seeing her for the beautiful, talented woman that she is?
** Contains adult themes; content might not be suitable for all readers. **
Goodreads * Amazon
Have I mentioned the fucking pull I feel every time she walks into the room? Every. fucking. time! It’s always there! I don’t know if she feels it; sometimes I catch her watching me when she thinks I’m not looking, but it seems like it’s more out of curiosity than anything else. I doubt she feels the same pull that I do, because what I feel makes no fucking sense for someone I just met. I have to fight the urge to touch her, especially when she leans next to me to read something or hands me a file to review. It’s a constant struggle to remind myself that she’s my employee which means I shouldn’t be thinking about touching her, no matter how badly I want to.
“You’re killing me,” I whisper when we step out of the room.
“What?”
“The dress. You’re killing me. Do you have any idea how sexy you look in it?” I know I shouldn’t say things like this to her, but here it’s so easy to forget that she’s technically working for me. Over the last couple of days, I’ve been slowly giving into the urge to touch her. I find myself reaching for her whenever she’s near, almost as if I need to touch her.
“Oh… I…”
“As your boss, well, one of them, it’s entirely inappropriate for me to say that, but…you need to know, you look sexy as hell right now.”
“Um…thanks?”
“You’re killing me,” I whisper when we step out of the room.
“What?”
“The dress. You’re killing me. Do you have any idea how sexy you look in it?” I know I shouldn’t say things like this to her, but here it’s so easy to forget that she’s technically working for me. Over the last couple of days, I’ve been slowly giving into the urge to touch her. I find myself reaching for her whenever she’s near, almost as if I need to touch her.
“Oh… I…”
“As your boss, well, one of them, it’s entirely inappropriate for me to say that, but…you need to know, you look sexy as hell right now.”
“Um…thanks?”
Madison Quinn is a mom to three energetic boys who constantly keep her on the go. She's also a wife to an amazing husband.
She works full time in the human services industry and in her spare time she enjoys reading and writing.
Website * Facebook * Instagram * Pinterest * Amazon * Goodreads
She works full time in the human services industry and in her spare time she enjoys reading and writing.
Website * Facebook * Instagram * Pinterest * Amazon * Goodreads
What are some of your pet peeves?
When people are late. It drives me crazy… and my husband is the biggest offender of this! If it was up to him we would be late to everything!
Where were you born/grew up at?
Born in New Jersey, I’ve moved about 27 times before I bought my first house. Mostly between NJ and PA.
If you knew you'd die tomorrow, how would you spend your last day?
With my family.
What do you do to unwind and relax?
With a good book and a glass of wine.
How to find time to write as a parent?
Oh boy… Let’s see. I multi-task. So when the kids are sporting events I’ll type notes on my phone, but mostly I write when they’re in bed for the night. My kids are getting a little older (12, 10 and 5) so when they’re gone for a weekend with the scouts I get the most of my writing done.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I started writing stories in high school, but I think I first considered myself a writer when my first book was released.
Which of your novels can you imagine made into a movie?
I’ve been told The Arrangement Duet would make a good movie.
What can we expect from you in the future?
Currently I’m working on a new series: Dark Water Security. Each book will be able to be read as a standalone, but the stories will be interconnected. I have plotted four maybe five books so far in this series. All the main characters will be retired military men and women.
Do you have any “side stories” about the characters?
Hmmmm… In the Arrangement Duet, I’m considering a side story with a couple of the characters. In Dark Water Security, Alec’s story has been calling my name for the last six months now, begging to be written.
Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in Luke?
Luke’s story is about as different from my previous books as you can probably get. While it’s not a dark romance at all, the beginning of the book is rather dark. At fifteen, his life is changed forever when a masked man drugs and kidnaps him, forcing him into a life of fighting. After months of living in a basement prison, he has given up and would rather die than continue to fight and earn the crazed man money. He life once again changes when the crazed man realizes Luke needs something to motivate him to keep fighting. Emily is his solution.
Thrown together in the worst possible circumstances, Luke and Emily form a bond out of necessity. It’s a bond that can’t be broken, even once they finally escape. Their memories continue to haunt them as they try to move past their ordeal.
Luke grew up in the foster care system and quickly became used to people failing him. He had no one to help him, no one he could trust until he found the military.
How did you come up with the concept and characters for the book?
Oh that’s an interesting one… For Luke, the idea came to me after hearing a news story about a young child who was kidnapped. I remember talking to my husband and wondering how on earth people not only survives something like that but then return to society. How do you learn to trust again?
Where did you come up with the names in the story?
Google… LOL I typed in name generator and slowly grew a list of names. Since I already had an idea of my characters in my head, it was a matter of finding a name that fit them.
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
Telling their story.
Tell us about your main characters- what makes them tick?
Luke—His determination to help others, to not fail even though everyone has failed.
Emily—to survive.
How did you come up with the title of your first novel?
Haha… actually I didn’t. I was stuck when it came time to On His Terms. I knew the book would be a duet, so I needed a title that not only worked for the first book but also for the second. I was brainstorming with another author and we came up with On His Terms and then On Her Terms.
Who designed your book covers?
For Luke, I hired Undercover Designs to come up with the perfect cover because I had no idea what I wanted. I knew I wanted the woods to be on the cover because they played such an important role in the book. Lee blew my expectations out of the water with the cover.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
I don’t think so.
Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?
I’m always learning, especially since I’m a new author.
What is your favorite part of this book and why?
In Luke, that’s a tough one. I don’t want to say the beginning is my favorite because it was by far the hardest to write. But, it made each of them who they are today. Beyond that, it’s probably when Emily shows up on Luke’s doorstep.
Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
They all exist only in my head LOL
Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story? Sometimes they hijack it and I need to pull the reigns in some.
Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.
If you’ve ever asked yourself what if, this book is for you. Have you ever wondered how someone survived something so horrific that they still suffer nightmares every day could still be a functioning member of society? This story seeks to answer those questions and many more, while showing you that people can learn to trust again, even after trust has been brutally broken.
Have you written any other books that are not published?
Yes, I have several that have been written but not yet published.
What did you edit out of this book?
Luke: There is a scene in one of the early chapters that I struggled to write. I ended up editing it out and leaving the abuse as implied which I think was the better way to go.
How long have you been writing?
Since high school, so roughly… okay can we just say too many years? LOL Actually I took a long break after high school when I went to college and only recently got back into it.
Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?
Usually they come as the story develops. The main characters will often come to me at once, but it’s all the side characters that come a little more slowly.
What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?
It depends on the book and what’s happening in the story.
Do you see writing as a career?
No, I don’t see it replacing my day job. I think it’s between a hobby and a part time job.
What do you think about the current publishing market?
I really love in the indie world. I have met so many incredibly supportive authors that I don’t think I would have found in the traditional market.
Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?
Oh yes! I love to read. I probably read more than I write. My favorite genre is contemporary romance but I’ve also read dark romance, erotica, and paranormal romance.
Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?
Noise… only because I’m not sure what I would do with silence. Remember I have three kids LOL
Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time?
Usually one at a time but I’ll usually have notes jotted down for a second or third book.
Pen or type writer or computer?
Computer.
What made you want to become an author and do you feel it was the right decision?
I love that books allow you to escape what’s going on in your life. It’s a way to just get away for a little while. I wanted to be able to give that to someone. I hope that I’m accomplishing that with my stories.
A day in the life of the author?
Write… question what you write… write more… question more… write more… it’s a constant repeating circle. You always end up questioning what you write. Is it good enough? Will the reader understand what you’re trying to say? Are you clear enough? Are you giving enough details? Are you giving too many details?
Advice you would give new authors?
Find people to surround yourself with. Writing can be a very lonely business and you’re going to need someone by your side.
What is your writing process? For instance do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters first?
I don’t outline, I just open a word doc and start writing. It’s odd because I’m very much a planner in my real life, but I can’t plan a book.
What are common traps for aspiring writers?
Not getting an editor. No matter how good your friend/significant other/cousin is at editing, pay someone and get a professional.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Don’t give up. Keep writing and don’t throw away what you write.
What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
Wondering if I’m accurately reflecting how a guy thinks.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
Luke was written in just over a month (not including editing time). The Arrangement Duet probably four months because of the length. Editing takes another 2-3 weeks.
Do you believe in writer’s block?
Oh yes!!! That’s when I walk away and start another project or put it aside and get lost in a book.
When people are late. It drives me crazy… and my husband is the biggest offender of this! If it was up to him we would be late to everything!
Where were you born/grew up at?
Born in New Jersey, I’ve moved about 27 times before I bought my first house. Mostly between NJ and PA.
If you knew you'd die tomorrow, how would you spend your last day?
With my family.
What do you do to unwind and relax?
With a good book and a glass of wine.
How to find time to write as a parent?
Oh boy… Let’s see. I multi-task. So when the kids are sporting events I’ll type notes on my phone, but mostly I write when they’re in bed for the night. My kids are getting a little older (12, 10 and 5) so when they’re gone for a weekend with the scouts I get the most of my writing done.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I started writing stories in high school, but I think I first considered myself a writer when my first book was released.
Which of your novels can you imagine made into a movie?
I’ve been told The Arrangement Duet would make a good movie.
What can we expect from you in the future?
Currently I’m working on a new series: Dark Water Security. Each book will be able to be read as a standalone, but the stories will be interconnected. I have plotted four maybe five books so far in this series. All the main characters will be retired military men and women.
Do you have any “side stories” about the characters?
Hmmmm… In the Arrangement Duet, I’m considering a side story with a couple of the characters. In Dark Water Security, Alec’s story has been calling my name for the last six months now, begging to be written.
Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in Luke?
Luke’s story is about as different from my previous books as you can probably get. While it’s not a dark romance at all, the beginning of the book is rather dark. At fifteen, his life is changed forever when a masked man drugs and kidnaps him, forcing him into a life of fighting. After months of living in a basement prison, he has given up and would rather die than continue to fight and earn the crazed man money. He life once again changes when the crazed man realizes Luke needs something to motivate him to keep fighting. Emily is his solution.
Thrown together in the worst possible circumstances, Luke and Emily form a bond out of necessity. It’s a bond that can’t be broken, even once they finally escape. Their memories continue to haunt them as they try to move past their ordeal.
Luke grew up in the foster care system and quickly became used to people failing him. He had no one to help him, no one he could trust until he found the military.
How did you come up with the concept and characters for the book?
Oh that’s an interesting one… For Luke, the idea came to me after hearing a news story about a young child who was kidnapped. I remember talking to my husband and wondering how on earth people not only survives something like that but then return to society. How do you learn to trust again?
Where did you come up with the names in the story?
Google… LOL I typed in name generator and slowly grew a list of names. Since I already had an idea of my characters in my head, it was a matter of finding a name that fit them.
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
Telling their story.
Tell us about your main characters- what makes them tick?
Luke—His determination to help others, to not fail even though everyone has failed.
Emily—to survive.
How did you come up with the title of your first novel?
Haha… actually I didn’t. I was stuck when it came time to On His Terms. I knew the book would be a duet, so I needed a title that not only worked for the first book but also for the second. I was brainstorming with another author and we came up with On His Terms and then On Her Terms.
Who designed your book covers?
For Luke, I hired Undercover Designs to come up with the perfect cover because I had no idea what I wanted. I knew I wanted the woods to be on the cover because they played such an important role in the book. Lee blew my expectations out of the water with the cover.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
I don’t think so.
Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?
I’m always learning, especially since I’m a new author.
What is your favorite part of this book and why?
In Luke, that’s a tough one. I don’t want to say the beginning is my favorite because it was by far the hardest to write. But, it made each of them who they are today. Beyond that, it’s probably when Emily shows up on Luke’s doorstep.
Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
They all exist only in my head LOL
Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story? Sometimes they hijack it and I need to pull the reigns in some.
Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.
If you’ve ever asked yourself what if, this book is for you. Have you ever wondered how someone survived something so horrific that they still suffer nightmares every day could still be a functioning member of society? This story seeks to answer those questions and many more, while showing you that people can learn to trust again, even after trust has been brutally broken.
Have you written any other books that are not published?
Yes, I have several that have been written but not yet published.
What did you edit out of this book?
Luke: There is a scene in one of the early chapters that I struggled to write. I ended up editing it out and leaving the abuse as implied which I think was the better way to go.
How long have you been writing?
Since high school, so roughly… okay can we just say too many years? LOL Actually I took a long break after high school when I went to college and only recently got back into it.
Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?
Usually they come as the story develops. The main characters will often come to me at once, but it’s all the side characters that come a little more slowly.
What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?
It depends on the book and what’s happening in the story.
Do you see writing as a career?
No, I don’t see it replacing my day job. I think it’s between a hobby and a part time job.
What do you think about the current publishing market?
I really love in the indie world. I have met so many incredibly supportive authors that I don’t think I would have found in the traditional market.
Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?
Oh yes! I love to read. I probably read more than I write. My favorite genre is contemporary romance but I’ve also read dark romance, erotica, and paranormal romance.
Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?
Noise… only because I’m not sure what I would do with silence. Remember I have three kids LOL
Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time?
Usually one at a time but I’ll usually have notes jotted down for a second or third book.
Pen or type writer or computer?
Computer.
What made you want to become an author and do you feel it was the right decision?
I love that books allow you to escape what’s going on in your life. It’s a way to just get away for a little while. I wanted to be able to give that to someone. I hope that I’m accomplishing that with my stories.
A day in the life of the author?
Write… question what you write… write more… question more… write more… it’s a constant repeating circle. You always end up questioning what you write. Is it good enough? Will the reader understand what you’re trying to say? Are you clear enough? Are you giving enough details? Are you giving too many details?
Advice you would give new authors?
Find people to surround yourself with. Writing can be a very lonely business and you’re going to need someone by your side.
What is your writing process? For instance do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters first?
I don’t outline, I just open a word doc and start writing. It’s odd because I’m very much a planner in my real life, but I can’t plan a book.
What are common traps for aspiring writers?
Not getting an editor. No matter how good your friend/significant other/cousin is at editing, pay someone and get a professional.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Don’t give up. Keep writing and don’t throw away what you write.
What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
Wondering if I’m accurately reflecting how a guy thinks.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
Luke was written in just over a month (not including editing time). The Arrangement Duet probably four months because of the length. Editing takes another 2-3 weeks.
Do you believe in writer’s block?
Oh yes!!! That’s when I walk away and start another project or put it aside and get lost in a book.
Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!
Jan 19
kickoff at Silver Dagger Book Tours
JB's Bookworms with Brandy Mulder
Jan 20
Mythical Books
Ashi Responding To Life
Jan 21
Secret Cravings
Readeropolis – GUEST POST
Jan 22
Romance Novel Giveaways
Always Love Me Some Books Blog
Jan 23
2 chicks and a book
A Pinch of Bookdust
Jan 24
3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too!
A Modern Day Fairy Tale
Jan 25
A Mama's Corner of the World
Bookish Reviews
Jan 26
Books all things paranormal and romance
books are love
Jan 27
Bedazzled By Books
Books a Plenty Book Reviews
Jan 28
Book Review Virginia Lee
Scrupulous Dreams
Jan 29
Lisa Book Blog
Midnight Book Reader
Jan 30
From Head To Tale
Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin'
Jan 31
Books, Authors, Blogs
Country gals book blog
Feb 1
Dragon's Den
Lisa-Queen of Random
Feb 2
All the Ups and Downs
Luv Saving Money
Feb 3
Girl with Pen
Kerrific Online
Feb 4
Inside the Insanity – GUEST POST
NytOwl's Horrors
Feb 5
Maiden of the Pages– GUEST POST
Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read
Feb 6
Lady Amber’s Reviews & PR
Sylv.net
Feb 7
Breanna Hayse Romance
Paranormal Palace of Pleasures
Feb 8
Casey's Corner
eBook Addicts
Feb 9
Valerie Ullmer | Romance Author
Feb 10
Sizzling Romance
Feb 11
T's Stuff
Tome Tender
Feb 12
Rabid Readers Book Blog
Teatime and Books
Feb 13
Book Crazy – GUEST POST
Book-Lover
Feb 14
Yearwood La Novela
SJ's book blog
Feb 15
The Book Dragon
My Chaotic Ramblings
Feb 16
Jazzy Book Reviews
Feb 17
Twisted Book Ramblings
Feb 18
Stormy Vixen's Book Reviews – REVIEW
Chapters through life
Feb 19
Tracie's World of Books – REVIEW
Jan 19
kickoff at Silver Dagger Book Tours
JB's Bookworms with Brandy Mulder
Jan 20
Mythical Books
Ashi Responding To Life
Jan 21
Secret Cravings
Readeropolis – GUEST POST
Jan 22
Romance Novel Giveaways
Always Love Me Some Books Blog
Jan 23
2 chicks and a book
A Pinch of Bookdust
Jan 24
3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too!
A Modern Day Fairy Tale
Jan 25
A Mama's Corner of the World
Bookish Reviews
Jan 26
Books all things paranormal and romance
books are love
Jan 27
Bedazzled By Books
Books a Plenty Book Reviews
Jan 28
Book Review Virginia Lee
Scrupulous Dreams
Jan 29
Lisa Book Blog
Midnight Book Reader
Jan 30
From Head To Tale
Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin'
Jan 31
Books, Authors, Blogs
Country gals book blog
Feb 1
Dragon's Den
Lisa-Queen of Random
Feb 2
All the Ups and Downs
Luv Saving Money
Feb 3
Girl with Pen
Kerrific Online
Feb 4
Inside the Insanity – GUEST POST
NytOwl's Horrors
Feb 5
Maiden of the Pages– GUEST POST
Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read
Feb 6
Lady Amber’s Reviews & PR
Sylv.net
Feb 7
Breanna Hayse Romance
Paranormal Palace of Pleasures
Feb 8
Casey's Corner
eBook Addicts
Feb 9
Valerie Ullmer | Romance Author
Feb 10
Sizzling Romance
Feb 11
T's Stuff
Tome Tender
Feb 12
Rabid Readers Book Blog
Teatime and Books
Feb 13
Book Crazy – GUEST POST
Book-Lover
Feb 14
Yearwood La Novela
SJ's book blog
Feb 15
The Book Dragon
My Chaotic Ramblings
Feb 16
Jazzy Book Reviews
Feb 17
Twisted Book Ramblings
Feb 18
Stormy Vixen's Book Reviews – REVIEW
Chapters through life
Feb 19
Tracie's World of Books – REVIEW
