Monday, December 31, 2012

A SPECIAL LOOK INSIDE OF 

STALKING LOVE

OPENING SCENE

ENJOY




STALKING LOVE




After lifting Prince, her miniature toy poodle, from the floor and rubbing his head to keep him from barking, Rachel Contino used her intercom system to respond to a call coming from the ground floor of her condo. Okay, now who else is stopping by to see us this morning? She smiled at Prince, who obviously knew that he might have someone else to play with soon.

The response, however, shocked her. “This is Detective Lindstrom. I need to talk to you for a minute.” The sound of his voice made her skin tingle immediately.

“I see.” She swallowed hard. “I’ll buzz you through.” This investigation was supposed to be over. With her previous upbeat nature quickly disappearing, she lowered Prince to the floor. Her mind quickly flooded with questions he might have for her as she quickly reflected on her life. While she had always enjoyed spending money on her expensive clothes and jewelry designed by such names as Prada, Gucci, and Cartier to reflect her success, she knew they revealed the harsh reality of the sacrificed time and energy she had spent on acquiring them.

She was not nearly as vain as most people thought since she fully knew these cold, lifeless treasures did nothing to warm her bed at night. Her fabulous collection couldn’t come close to filling the empty hole in her life which was threatening to swallow her. Where has my youth and my very life gone? Where is love? Inches from giving in to self pity, the thought of buzzing Detective Lindstrom in from below moments ago brought her back from the brink of despair.

 Hurriedly, Rachel clicked on her e-mail account, looking for any last minute emergencies she needed to handle. As she was about to close out, an ad from yet another mortgage company opened. While feeling fully frustrated, her finger stretched for the delete key, but hovered as a photo of the mortgage originator, who was one very sexy man, materialized and filled the computer screen with his intoxicating smile.

“Oh . . . to be so young again.” After glancing at the name below the photo which introduced him as Carlos Martini, she could only hope he looked as good in person as he photographed.

She glanced at her watch again before closing her e-mail to protect it from the detective’s prying eyes. After she forced the brush through her hair one last time, she realized she had no time left to finish her makeup. With Prince yapping beside her, she hurried to answer the pounding on the door.

After picking Prince off the floor again and cradling him beside her, Rachel cracked the door and studied the city detective sweating outside in the latest of one of St. Petersburg’s famous heat waves. She offered a smile as she hoped that after today she would never see this man’s face again. Her stomach churned, and a chill traveled the length of her spine as she again realized that she would be forced to go over what she knew of the death of her friend and real estate client, developer Jonathan Harrell. What had transpired thus far had been one hell of a continuous nightmare, not to mention how it was slowly dragging her career to the brink of disaster with it.

“Detective–what is it?” She hesitated for a moment before she relented and opened the door wider.

“I’m sorry to bother you, but the case is being reopened. This morning we received some new evidence suggesting Jonathan’s death wasn’t a suicide.” With his short but stocky body firmly planted in the doorway, Lindstrom glanced around her. “Perhaps this conversation would be better handled if we continued it inside.”

Rachel’s muscles in her face tightened, erasing her desire to smile as she moved to one side to allow him to enter. “I thought you closed the investigation.” Her mind flashed back to the endless problems caused by Jonathan’s suicide, and how his death inside one of his condo units made her job of selling the remaining units next to impossible, especially during this current housing meltdown.

“Well . . . we thought so too, but as I said, we received some new information making us have some serious second thoughts.” He strolled toward a chair at her dining room table. The sound of him dragging the chair legs over her stone floor made her skin shiver as she forced herself to remain calm.

While pulling her fluffy white robe tighter, Rachel hoped to avoid his staring eyes. “What did you discover?” Rachel studied Lindstrom’s eyes, as he retrieved a pad from the inside of his basic blue suit which was probably purchased from a local discount department store–the cheap material certainly looked like he had anyway. With both the legs and arms of the suit several inches too long, he definitely needed a tailor. She knew her opinion was cruel and bit her lip, but from the first time she saw him, his clothes reminded her of seeing a scarecrow in a cornfield when she was ten.

 “I need to ask you some more questions.”

With feelings of anger boiling inside her, Rachel raised her voice so as to not waste any more time in getting to the point. “Am I being investigated?” She remembered the interrogations earlier–the accounting of her whereabouts–the frustrations of having to defend her answers. Thoughts of Jonathan being murdered scared her. She didn’t understand why her good friend and one of her best clients may have been killed. This investigation continued to frustrate her to no end, and especially if they thought she had anything to do with his death. Yes, Jonathan had threatened to give his listings to another agent, but she knew he had felt frustrated, much like many developers trying to survive in the market. She also knew that if Lindstrom had heard about his threat, he might consider her a suspect. While hoping that no one ever knew about this argument, the only disagreement they had ever had, she knew she had always worked hard for Jonathan and wanted to sell as much as she could for him.

Lindstrom smiled as he motioned toward another seat at the table. “If I was investigating you, this conversation would be at my office and not here. Please relax and have a seat. Please . . . I need your help.” His normally rigid face turned soft and plaintive. Perhaps in his late fifties, Rachel wondered if Lindstrom had been in law enforcement all of his life. He had never strayed from his persistent investigation.

Breathing easier, but knowing to maintain her guard against saying anything she would regret later, she slipped into the white leather chair at the end of the table while scratching Prince behind one ear. “What do you need from me? You know I’ll help anyway I can.” She lowered her eyes to study the beveled glass tabletop which rested on a large white coral base. Maybe she over worked the snow-white color scheme in her condo, but she loved the resulting style. She knew she was refocusing her attention, but anything outside his stares would soothe her mind.

He leaned forward as his voice remained smooth and soothing. “I need to keep this as quiet as I can for a while and I need you to respect my request.”

What is Lindstrom trying to hide? Jonathan had lots to live for and many friends. Who would want to kill him? Obviously she wasn’t going to hear what he discovered without agreeing. She studied his light-gray eyes, which contrasted with the gentleness of his face, and perhaps concealing an inner strength he controlled until when it was needed. His eyes reminded her of a wolf, ready to pounce on her at a moment’s notice. “What makes you think he was murdered?”

She watched him scratch a note on his pad before returning her stare. “You had the listings on the condos he had developed. How much did he confide in you concerning his finances?”

She looked away, unable to withstand the intensity of his eyes any longer. “Some. We maintained a good working relationship, as well as being good friends. He understood the problems we’re having in this market and knew I was doing my best to sell his condos for him. Of course I knew he was suffering with some financial problems. All developers are now.” She selected her words carefully since she didn’t want the detective to dig into their personal relationship to deeply. After crying many nights over his death, hiding their friendship behind this professional, but cold accounting would be best for everyone.

“We discussed the suicide note he left behind before –the one he supposedly typed on his computer for us to find.” Lindstrom’s slow diligent methods of operation irritated her the same way they had from the beginning of the investigation.  

“And . . . as I told you before, I’ve no way of knowing for sure if he wrote that letter or not.”

“That’s understandable. However . . . this is what I need to know. Did he mention anything else about his current finances to you?”

Rachel considered her words before she answered. “He remained anxious about the market, as he should have been, but I don’t think he felt suicidal at all. If he did, he hid his condition from me very well.” Memories of working with Jonathan resurfaced–the good times–the closings.

Lindstrom continued with his relentless questions. “Did he ever say anything about refinancing his loans with a bank out of Germany?”

No, now this is new. Why had Jonathan never said anything about this? “He never mentioned this to me, but I’m sure he was exploring all options.”

Rachel studied Lindstrom as he continued to make notes. With the smell of cigarette smoke venting from his clothes, and no wedding ring on his finger, she imagined his life at local sports bars after work, that is, until he started to explain further. “I just learned that he had received approval on a new loan the day before he died. The bank contacted me this morning with questions concerning his death. They thought that he must have made other arrangements, and that was the reason why he hadn’t followed through on the loan. The loan officer was surprised to hear he had committed suicide shortly after obtaining their loan approval.”

“Ohmigod! He didn’t say a word about the loan.” While she had maintained some doubts about the suicide until now, this definitely changed her opinion. She quickly started replaying the list of suspects in her mind. Jonathan had a business partner, Donnie Moore, but the two worked close together and needed each other. Jonathan, who had been a developer for a long time, was divorced, but the marriage had ended a long time ago. Naturally, some of the owners weren’t too happy about the falling real estate prices, but they had to understand that the collapse wasn’t his fault. Perhaps one of them had maintained a secret grudge.

“I’m going to talk to everyone again that he had dealings with. I know you provided me with a detailed list before, but I’d appreciate the help if you can add to the list anyone else you think might in anyway be connected to Jonathan Harrell.”

Rachel leaned back in her chair. The list she had prepared for him before was long, and she knew that he would investigate anyone else she added to it. This wasn’t going to win her any popularity awards. “I don’t think he made any enemies, and I’m sure most people would consider him to be a great guy.”

“So I’ve heard.” He placed the pad back in his suit pocket. “I hope you’ll consider one point that I need to make. If someone had a problem with him and his business, you might also have an enemy out there that you don’t know about.”

Was that possible? Could someone want me dead also? The tension escalated in Rachel’s neck, stretching outward toward her shoulders. “Are you trying to scare me?”

Rachel studied his smile, a vain attempt to lighten the impact. “I think it would be negligent on my part if I didn’t come here to warn you.”

Rachel’s heart fluttered as she realized how right he was, but forced her body not to reveal the fear overtaking her. “Thank you.” She continued to breathe deeply, attempting to stay in control. “What do you suggest I do?”

“There are two things I recommend. First, don’t take any unnecessary chances, and second . . . help me find out who is behind this murder. I promise to hold all information in confidence as best I can.” He raked the legs of the chair along the granite floor again as he stood, making her wince with pain.

As she stood, her robe parted slightly. Seeing him focus on her bare skin scared her, and she quickly grasped the lapels. “Okay, I’ll be in touch with any more names I can remember.” She pulled Prince closer to her to ensure that he remained quiet.

“Thank you.” He opened the door and closed it behind him as he left.

She breathed deeply before letting out a sigh of relief, only to have thoughts return of the new problems she faced in having Jonathan’s will probated by the courts. This would delay clearing title further now, making the sales of his remaining properties not only difficult, but in this environment almost impossible. While feeling selfish in her needs, she knew Jonathan would approve. Business was always the center of their relationship. She knew he would want her to complete the project. She owed him that.

Sunday, December 30, 2012


HAPPY

NEW

YEAR

    I WISH ALL OF MY FRIENDS THE BEST YEAR EVER. I HOPE EVERYONE ACCOMPLISHES THE GOALS THEY HAVE SET FOR THEMSELVES


Wednesday, December 26, 2012

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

AS A SPECIAL GIFT TO ALL OF MY FANS

 AND HOPEFULLY FANS TO BE

I HAVE REDUCED THE PRICE OF ALL OF MY NOVELS

 UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR

PLEASE CHECK THE NEW PRICES ON

 MY AMAZON SITE


Monday, December 17, 2012

HERE IS A COMPLETE LIST
 OF MY WORK
 ON AMAZON


I am happy to announce
 that my latest novel
 is live on amazon 

Sunday, December 16, 2012

ANNOUNCEMENT

THIS IS THE COVER TO MY NEXT NOVEL

TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK

IT SHOULD EB RELEASED SHORTLY


Thursday, December 13, 2012

THE SALSA CONNECTION

FREE DAY ON AMAZON 

STORY BACKGROUND 

I loved writing this story since I love to dance salsa, and telling the background  to such a fantastic dance.

When you never give up hope
love will find a way
Where ever you have to go
love will lead you
And all you have to do
is simply--DANCE!



THE SALSA CONNECTION--AN INTERNATIONAL ROMANTIC THRILLER is a 93,000 word romantic thriller that has already won the Royal Palm Literary Award for best thriller. The story moves from the salsa clubs of St. Petersburg, Russia to New York to Louisiana and, finally, to Italy. The red-hot thread of the dance runs through a novel that explores the Russian mob, slavery and prostitution rings, and the art world, as well as love, loss, revenge and the strength of family ties.

When Nickolay Panov left St Petersburg, Russia to go to New York City for an international ballet competition 25 years ago, he was considered one of the best ballet dancers in Russia. The Americans say he was murdered. The Russians say he defected. In any case, he never returned. Just before Nickolay disappeared, several priceless paintings and icons from a major museum were stolen. While he was accused of the theft, no solid proof has ever been offered to tie him to it. However, evidence shows that the stolen goods were shipped to America. The CIA and the Russian Government are still pursuing all leads connected to the heist, and so is the Russian mafia.

Sveta was three years old when her father disappeared, so it’s a shock when, in the mail, she receives an invitation to a salsa dance competition in New York. At the bottom of the invitation is a note: “Please come to the competition and enter, my little lady.” No one but her father has ever called her that. Why has her father surfaced after all these years? Sveta wants answers, even if it means entering the late-night, sultry world of salsa dancing in St Petersburg and New York City and coming into uncomfortably close contact with the Russian mob.


Sunday, November 25, 2012

Do you know the four steps to love?

 Have you ever thought you lived a life before, with your one and only true love?
Are you prepared to advance to the next level with your love, or miss the chance forever?
Want answers? 

 THE JOURNEY TO WHITESTONE 

 


Saturday, November 24, 2012

BLACK FRIDAY TO CYBER MONDAY SPECIAL

TO GET IN THE SPIRIT OF THIS OCCASION, MY NOVEL  

HER HONOR'S BODYGUARD

IS FREE ON KINDLE



Do first loves ever really die? While reunions can take many forms, there is always one question that has to be answered sooner or later—what happened?

Vance had always been extremely proud of Noella, and just because his life had been ruined, he saw no reason why she had to have the same faith. When his dad died, leaving him and his mother penniless, he dropped out of law school and ended his relationship with Noella, but in doing so, he stopped a scandal that could have ruined her family. These secrets he would never let her know. Ironically, years later, he would have never guessed she would be instrumental in ruining his career with the Tampa police force.

After Noella finished law school and started pursuing her goal of working up the ranks in judgeships, she never considered inviting another guy into her life. As such, when someone attempts to threaten her into vacating her seat on the bench, and by force if necessary, she knows of no one else she really trust as much as Vance, who now has a successful bodyguard and private detective business.

She knows that Vance might hate her for her part in having him dismissed from the police force, but what he will never know is that she actually saved him from going to prison. Additionally, she now thinks he was framed, and perhaps by the same people who are threatening her. She had to talk him into taking her on as a client . . . but would he agree to her request?

As the number of attacks on her life increases, Vance soon has no choice but to offer her his protection, and in spite of everything, when they see each other again their old attraction for each other returns. She wants the truth. He wants the truth. However, making the ultimate sacrifice is not always easy to understand, whether given or received. Ultimately . . . could they now trust each other with these secrets? While their lives depend on discovering the truth to their past, these truths are locked in deep secrets that could also destroy them.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Promotional time

I will be signing book covers tomorrow at 1pm at the Miami book fair. Anyone that would love to do a live interview with me there is more than welcome to. 

I am also giving away for free my novel MODELS AND LOVERS on kindle. I hope you take advantage of this. 

www.amazon.com/MODELS-LOVERS-MODERN-ROMANCE-ebook/dp/B008WU7E2C/ 

Thursday, November 01, 2012

 

THE JOURNEY TO WHITESTONE
A PARANORMAL ROMANCE
&
BOOK ONE
IN
THE DREAM MASTER SERIES
BY
Johnny Ray


If dreams present a way to live a fairytale life eternally, why wouldn’t you want to live in one forever?


THE JOURNEY TO WHITESTONE, an 82,000-word paranormal romance, and the first in this Dream Master series, is set in Atlanta, Georgia and the Great Smokey Mountains of Tennessee.

As Jacquelyn Parker struggles with her life spinning out of control, resulting in a bitter divorce, and her career ruined, she is sucked into a sinister world of late-night sleazy bars. It is her last minute prayer that fortunately finds its way to the Dream Master who controls the gates to Whitestone, a side door to heaven, and the next step in enlightenment. From her dreams she learns that she only has one chance to reunite with her one true love and advance to the next level of enlightenment.

In order for Jacquelyn to master the four steps of enlightenment and find her true love, the Dream Master summons the assistance of other enlightened ones who teach Jacquelyn various philosophies from the Tai chi to the Karma Sutra to guide her path.

After centuries of missing her true love in time and space, Jacquelyn has only one last chance to get it right, and live the ultimate happy ever after life. If she is unsuccessful, however, she will have to live with the tragic failure forever.

Monday, October 29, 2012

NEW NOVEL ANNOUNCEMENT

MY NEXT NOVEL WILL BE RELEASE ON

 OCTOBER 31, 2012

I THINK THIS IS THE PERFECT DATE FOR

A PARANORMAL ROMANCE

 

THE JOURNEY TO WHITESTONE 

IS THE FIRST BOOK  IN 

THE DREAM MASTER SERIES


AND NOW THE NEW COVER


Tuesday, October 23, 2012

ANNOUNCEMENT

THE SALSA CONNECTION 

IS NOW LIVE ON AMAZON

THE SALSA CONNECTION


When you never give up hope
love will find a way
Where ever you have to go
love will lead you
And all you have to do
is simply--DANCE!


THE SALSA CONNECTION--AN INTERNATIONAL ROMANTIC THRILLER is a 93,000 word romantic thriller that has already won the Royal Palm Literary Award for best thriller. The story moves from the salsa clubs of St. Petersburg, Russia to New York to Louisiana and, finally, to Italy. The red-hot thread of the dance runs through a novel that explores the Russian mob, slavery and prostitution rings, and the art world, as well as love, loss, revenge and the strength of family ties.

When Nickolay Panov left St Petersburg, Russia to go to New York City for an international ballet competition 25 years ago, he was considered one of the best ballet dancers in Russia. The Americans say he was murdered. The Russians say he defected. In any case, he never returned. Just before Nickolay disappeared, several priceless paintings and icons from a major museum were stolen. While he was accused of the theft, no solid proof has ever been offered to tie him to it. However, evidence shows that the stolen goods were shipped to America. The CIA and the Russian Government are still pursuing all leads connected to the heist, and so is the Russian mafia.

Sveta was three years old when her father disappeared, so it’s a shock when, in the mail, she receives an invitation to a salsa dance competition in New York. At the bottom of the invitation is a note: “Please come to the competition and enter, my little lady.” No one but her father has ever called her that. Why has her father surfaced after all these years? Sveta wants answers, even if it means entering the late-night, sultry world of salsa dancing in St Petersburg and New York City and coming into uncomfortably close contact with the Russian mob.


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

These are my current novels

HER HONOR'S BODYGUARD

MODELS AND LOVERS

THE REJECTION LETTER

THE HERITAGE

FOR LOVE AND VENGEANCE


Now for the big announcement

I have a new novel releasing next week

and here is the first look at the cover

so tell me what you think.


Thursday, October 11, 2012

HER HONOR'S BODYGUARD

 

 

THIS CONTINUES TO BE MY BEST SELLER

THEREFORE IN APPRECIATION

I HAVE LOWERED THE PRICE TO 99 CENTS

UNTIL SATURDAY


This is what others are saying about HER HONOR'S BODYGUARD

 

Adria stated that Her Honor's Bodyguard is like a well made cake that is welcome at any occasion. It has a healthy dose of suspense, mystery and action that will appeal to men, and a dash of romance that will attract women and keep the story from becoming stale and one dimensional.

 

Geneva added -- I love a story that captures the pure raw energy of a thriller and weaves it perfectly in balance with a touching romance. There are not many writers who understand how to do this, but Johnny Ray is a master at this. His novels always keep you guessing and teasing you with page after page of suspense.

 

Patti wrote --  A well written Thriller with a great plot. I loved the happy ending, which I knew might happen while reading. This book was an excellent read.

 

Rita wrote -- I started "Her Honor's Bodyguard" yesterday and I finished the book last night. Yep I finished it in a single day, not just because I am a fast reader but also because it was just too good to put down. I hated to see "the end" when it came.


Mary wrote -- I read it in one day. I really didn't want to stop. The characters were interesting and the story was interesting. Being a Florida resident I think I liked a lot of the "local references.

 

JT wrote -- Her Honor's Bodyguard is a fast paced romantic thriller that moves so fast you'll find the hours flying by while you race along with the tight plot.

 

YOU CAN SEE THESE AND OTHER REVIEWS ON THE AMAZON SITE. 

 

Do first loves ever really die? While reunions can take many forms, there is always one question that has to be answered sooner or later—what happened?


Vance had always been extremely proud of Noella, and just because his life had been ruined, he saw no reason why she had to have the same faith. When his dad died, leaving him and his mother penniless, he dropped out of law school and ended his relationship with Noella, but in doing so, he stopped a scandal that could have ruined her family. These secrets he would never let her know. Ironically, years later, he would have never guessed she would be instrumental in ruining his career with the Tampa police force.


After Noella finished law school and started pursuing her goal of working up the ranks in judgeships, she never considered inviting another guy into her life. As such, when someone attempts to threaten her into vacating her seat on the bench, and by force if necessary, she knows of no one else she really trust as much as Vance, who now has a successful bodyguard and private detective business.


She knows that Vance might hate her for her part in having him dismissed from the police force, but what he will never know is that she actually saved him from going to prison. Additionally, she now thinks he was framed, and perhaps by the same people who are threatening her. She had to talk him into taking her on as a client . . . but would he agree to her request?


As the number of attacks on her life increases, Vance soon has no choice but to offer her his protection, and in spite of everything, when they see each other again their old attraction for each other returns. She wants the truth. He wants the truth. However, making the ultimate sacrifice is not always easy to understand, whether given or received. Ultimately . . . could they now trust each other with these secrets? While their lives depend on discovering the truth to their past, these truths are locked in deep secrets that could also destroy them.

 


Wednesday, October 10, 2012

HER HONOR'S BODYGUARD 

has been such a popular novel

that I am discounting the price to 99 cents 

for the next two days

I will also be using one of my favorite promotional companies

so please check out

Author Marketing Club 

and the services they offer writers like me

 

As always I really love my fans

who make all of the work writing a novel worth it!


Monday, October 08, 2012

HER HONOR'S BODYGUARD 

is still setting records. This is the last two days that it will be offered for free. Grab yours while you can. 

 

THE SALSA CONNECTION

will be my next release. I hope to announce soon when that will be. It is an international mystery with a family saga that you will never forget. If you want to learn more about Russian culture, I hope you look for it. 

 

FOR LOVE AND VENGEANCE 

is getting fantastic reviews that you need to read. Many fans are saying this is my best work, but you decide yourself.

Friday, September 28, 2012


 HER HONOR’S BODYGUARD has quickly become a best seller and I owe it all to my fans who are so supportive. Here are some of the reviews that are coming in. 

Reviews
By Geneva
Wow, what a story! Powerful yet sensitive.
I love a story that captures the pure raw energy of a thriller and weaves it perfectly in balance with a touching romance. There are not many writers who understand how to do this, but Johnny Ray is a master at this. His novels always keep you guessing and teasing you with page after page of suspense.

By jt kalnay
Her Honor's Bodyguard is a fast paced romantic thriller that moves so fast you'll find the hours flying by while you race along with the tight plot. Noella is a judge who is being threatened. She turns to Vance, a former lover who is now a private investigator. He knew Noella in law school, but had to abandon the law after his father's suicide left him and his mother penniless and disgraced. After law school, Vance joined the police force, but not for long. He was forced out of the police after accusations of using excessive force. Before you can catch your breath there are two separate assassination attempts on Noella, and Vance's calm head and steady gun hand save the day. Twists and turns abound and Noella may hold the key to a secret that could have kept Vance on the force. That same secret may be why Noella is now the target of ruthless killers. And Noella has another secret, that she may still be in love with Vance. Johnny Ray keeps the plot very tight, with each scene building on the scene before, which creates a momentum that barrels ahead, consuming everything in its wake. If you like romance, and if you like thrillers, you are going to love this romantic thriller

By Anya
Her Honor's Bodyguard is a gripping cross between mystery and romance that had me hooked from the very beginning. You quickly come to care about Vance and Noella and as the story progresses you find out about both their secrets and why they each hurt the other.


Be sure to check out the other novels recently released 


MODELS AND LOVERS, A MODERN DAY ROMANCE


THE HERITAGE: A ROMANTIC SUSPENSE


THE REJECTION LETTER: A ROMANTIC THRILLER