Happy New Year

2023 is looking to be a big year! My debut novel, In the Midst of the Storm, releases at the end of this month (Jan. 24th) and I have several more books that I am hoping and praying to be able to release this year!

I wanted to share a little something with you all to get you excited about Olivia's story. So if you scroll down just a bit, you'll get exclusive access to the first chapter of the book! This chapter introduces you to Olivia James and her brother, FBI Agent Malcolm James.

Be sure to stick around for all the bookish news, giveaways, and more!

*Scroll all the way down for book updates!

And now...

Chapter 1

DRAWING IN A SHAKY breath, Olivia James reached for the driver’s license with trembling hands.

“Katie Smith,” she murmured, staring at the image of the stranger. Her face appeared thinner, and the picture did nothing to hide the dullness of her hollowed eyes. Olivia’s reddish-brown hair was styled in an above-shoulder bob with fringe bangs. It wasn’t the most flattering style and made her appear younger than her twenty-five years.

Malcolm watched her with probing eyes from his seat across the desk. “What do you think?”

She met his gaze, her voice no more than a whisper. “Does it really matter what I think?”

His lips pinched together as he straightened his broad shoulders. “Don’t do this, Liv,” he said enunciating each word, as his finger tapped the desk. “Don’t make this harder than it already is.”

Holding back a sigh, she rubbed her temple with her fingers. Doubts swirled in her mind. “Be honest with me, Mac. Is this even legal?” She arched a brow at him, waiting for his answer.

Mac’s expression remained blank, but not before she saw a hint of concern creep into his eyes. “Let me worry about that,” he replied as he reclined back in his chair and clasped his hands together. “For now, it’s the best we’ve got. It’s off the books, and none of this can be traced back to me or you. It will help me keep you safe until this is over.” Leaning forward, he reached across his mahogany desk to grab her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Everything’s ready for your new life.”

His attempt to brush over the subject couldn’t hide what he wasn’t telling her. If he got caught, he could lose everything. She couldn’t let him give up his dreams for her. And she definitely wasn’t going to see him end up in prison for her sake.

“Mac, I don’t want you losing your job . . . or worse. Maybe I should go stay with Mom and Dad for a while.”

“Absolutely not. You’ll be safer close to me.” Though his voice was firm, she picked up on the note of tension he was trying to hide.

Instead of soothing her, his response made her more uneasy. True, she would probably be safer if she stayed in Colorado. But could she really allow her brother to break the law for her?

The constant tick-tock of the clock only magnified her nervousness. Inadvertently, she bounced her leg up and down as she glanced around the small FBI office. The lack of color in the room only increased the gloomy atmosphere surrounding her. The light gray walls and darker gray carpet were crisp and pristine, just like Malcolm. Nothing was out of place, and the only picture in the entire room was a small family snapshot on the desk beside the computer.

She longed to close her eyes and pretend she was at home. Rising on unsteady legs, she walked to the window and crossed her arms over her chest. Soft snow danced and twirled, gleaming like tiny diamonds in the early morning light. Yet it did nothing to lift her spirits.

The darkness had been threatening to consume her for the past three months. She could feel the icy fingers coiling themselves tighter around her with each breath she took. It seemed as if every last ounce of happiness was being squeezed out of her. Drop by drop.

Outside, the city buzzed with activity. Harsh sirens blared as they passed before fading into the distance. The shouts of construction workers and sharp grinding of power tools filtered through the almost soundproof windows of the Denver FBI Headquarters.

Yes, life continued humming along as usual for everyone.

Everyone except for Olivia.

For a while now, hers had been winding down. Three weeks ago, it had come to a screeching halt. The last nail hammered into its coffin with a thundering finality. The night of the attack had ripped everything she loved away, leaving nothing but a vacant hole in its place.

Malcolm’s phone rang, jolting Olivia to the present. He shot her an apologetic look before answering. She listened to the one-sided conversation with little interest. In fact, not much interested her these days. Too many broken plans.

Her future had once been bright and full of color. Now it felt like a distant memory. A dream from long ago. Only darkness remained. One that would consume her if she allowed it to.

She couldn’t—wouldn’t—let the darkness win. She would focus on the present. Because the present was all she possessed. She’d put one foot in front of the other until she could somehow manage to climb her way out of this seemingly bottomless pit.

And today, she would take the first step. She glanced back down at the license with newfound determination.

“Olivia?”

Turning her gaze from the window, she met her brother’s concerned dark blue eyes. She wasn’t sure how many times he’d called her name. She hadn’t even been aware he’d ended his call.

Sighing, she took the four steps back to his desk. They’d already had this discussion a dozen times in the past two weeks. She knew the answer he’d give her, but hope wouldn’t let her go without asking one last time.

“Are you sure I can’t stay with you longer?” Her voice trembled over the lump in her throat.

Malcolm let out a deep sigh and his eyes filled with such sadness that her eyes teared up. “If I thought you’d be safe, you know I’d let you stay.” He ran his hand over his face in exasperation. “I’m worried the longer you stay with me, the easier it will be to track you down.”

Olivia turned her head away for a moment to hide the tears threatening to release. He was right, of course. After all, it was his job to protect others. She cleared her throat, forcing the tears down. She laid the license on the desk and slid it toward him.

He arched a brow. “What’s this?”

Steeling herself, she took a moment to sit before turning her focus on him. “I’m not using that.”

A muscle twitched in his face, the only indication of how irritated he truly was. “Yes. You are.” He slid the license back to her.

Olivia prayed for strength as she straightened her shoulders and sat taller. “No. I will not let you put your career on the line for me.”

“My career means nothing if I can’t keep my family safe.” His voice rose and he slammed his fist on the desk.

Attempting not to flinch, she pressed on. “I understand, and I appreciate everything you’re doing for me.” She grabbed his hand. “But this is illegal. I’m not comfortable with it.”

He opened his mouth to protest, but she cut him off. “I will go by Katie Smith. I won’t use the driver’s license. It’s bad enough that I will be lying about my name. I won’t do something illegal too.”

“What if you get a ticket? Or you’re involved in a wreck? What happens if you get sick and have to go to the doctor?”

Squeezing his hand, she sent him a soft smile. “Mac, we can’t live our lives on what ifs. We have to live in faith and trust God will work it all out.”

She could see the protest rising to his lips, but at the last second, he exhaled a deep breath and gave her a tender smile instead.

A tear slipped down her cheek. She squeezed his hand again, drawing strength from him. Though she believed the words she’d spoken to him, it still proved hard to live them. Especially when circumstances kept testing her at every turn.

Despair and fear used to be odd feelings for her. Yet they’d been ever-present these past few weeks. She found herself growing accustomed to them, along with the never-ending tears.

How quickly things changed, she thought grimly.

God, I don’t know where You are in the midst of all this. I could use Your guidance right now. Your Word says You are always with us and You will never leave us. God . . . I feel so alone. Please Lord, help me.

Mac’s deep, familiar voice interrupted her prayer. “Look, Liv, this isn’t permanent. This is not going to be your forever. Okay?” He ran his thumb gently over her knuckles. Soothing and comforting her as always.

Trying to put on a brave face, she extended her right pinkie to him, as they’d done so many times as children. “Pinkie promise?” she whispered.

A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he clasped his pinkie with hers. “Pinkie promise.” 

Want to find out what happens to Olivia?

EBook pre-orders are LIVE on Amazon! Click here to snag yours!

Paperback copies will be available to order on the release date, Jan. 24th.

Also, be sure to add ITMOTS to your TBR list on Goodreads, here.

And keep your eyes peeled for a title & cover reveal for book two! Yes, there is a book two coming your way...and SOON!

Thanks for reading! Hit reply to let me know what you think is going to happen next.

-Latisha