Thursday, 10 September 2015

Best Laid Plans (The Mercenaries #1) by Stylo Fantome


Buy Links



AMAZON-US / UK / CA / AUS


Synopsis

THE PLAN:


* Smuggle diamonds from Liberia to Morocco
* Make the trip in three days
* Don't get caught
* Don't kill each other
* Don't have sex with each other
* Don't fall for each other
* Stick to the plan

This is the story of what happens when an unlikely bond is formed between enemies, causing tensions to rise, and igniting a chemistry that threatens to burn them both. Together, they'll learn that sometimes even the best laid plans can fail.

If this NOVEL were a MOVIE, it would have an R rating from the MPAA. Contains: Violence, Grisly Images, Strong Language, Nudity, and Graphic Sexual Content 




Excerpts 
She came back around to his front and watched him as he loaded up the rest of his gear. Thigh holsters, shoulder holster, ankle holster; pretty much anywhere he could hang a gun, there was a holster. When he glanced at her, she had her eyebrows raised in surprise.
“What?” he looked himself over, looking to see if he'd missed anything.
“That's a lot of gear,” she commented.
“Can never be too careful. I don't feel like dying tonight.”
“Why are you getting ready here, anyway? Don't you have a home?” she pointed out. He snorted.
“Sweetheart, the job starts here and ends here. I don't want anyone following me back to my place – not even these fuckers. I don't let anyone see where I sleep,” Marc stressed. She pouted her lips.
“Pity.”
“Why?”
She stepped up close to him, standing on her tiptoes so her mouth was near his ear.
“Because I'd love
to see where you sleep.”



Character Inspirations 
Marc is very heavily based on Tom Hardy from "Mad Max: Fury Road" and Lily is Jessica Chastain. Kingsley Law's look is entirely based on Jude Law.
Who do you picture the characters like? Would love to see your dream cast!





Author Interview

1.       This is very different from your previous work – what was your inspiration behind BLP and what kind of research went into writing this book?

I love love LOVE action movies. I wanted something kind of gritty and raw, but I didn't want it to be something that's been done, I didn't want drugs or hitmen. So I went with diamond heist and mercenaries. I wanted Marc to sort of have that John McClane "Die Hard" feel, very "IDGAF and I'll say whatever I want, no matter how un-PC", and I wanted Lily to be beyond badass, almost an anti-hero in her own right.
SO MUCH research went into the book, I had no idea what I was getting into - I just started writing, and then I got to the scene where Marc was in the shower, towards the beginning, and after I wrote it I sort of had a "wait a minute ..." moment and realized there was a distinct possibility they wouldn't have running water. So I started researching Liberia. My mind was blown. So many things in the story changed after that point. I constantly had Google open in one window and Google Maps opened in another window. Virtually every place they go in the book is a real place. For example: when a hotel is described, it is based on a real hotel I found on Trip Advisor and then cross referenced on Google Earth. EVERYTHING was like that. Half of my brain lived in Africa for two months.

2.       A list of 5 reasons why fans/new readers should pick up this book

1. It's different and it pushes boundaries, which I think everyone could do with a bit of, now and then

2. They might learn something they never knew about a different country, and learning is good

3. It's a departure from my other works, but still has the erotica base that is my preferred genre (a.k.a. lots of steaminess haha)

4. It literally takes you on a journey

5. The summer is almost over - can't end it without one last blockbuster big action flick!

3.       What are you working on next? Can you give us a teaser/hint to book 2 in this series?
Book two is already written, it just needs to go through rewrites and edits and then it's beta time! Next, I'm caught between two stories that I really want to work on - one dark, kind of going back to my Kane Trilogy roots. Weird love and crazy sex and uncomfortable emotions. The other is more romantic. Still angsty, more of the love-hate, will-they-won't-they vibe. I don't want to give anything away - it'll be in a popular subgenre, but with a distinct twist, as I like to try to do with all my stories. Which will come next, I'm not sure, depends on which will speak to me the most. I hope to have something publish ready by March 2016.

Out of Plans teaser

“You once said you would help me. Well, I need help,” Lily said.
“Of course, love. At your service,” Kingsley bowed his head.
“I want to learn everything. I want to be just as good as you. Just as good as him,” she added.
“Making you better than him will be easy, darling, but better than me? That's impossible,” he teased. She rolled her eyes.
“And no flirting. Flirting is what got me into trouble in Africa. No flirting. No relationship. No sex,” she stressed. “Deal?”
“What deal? Sounds like you're offering nothing in return,” he laughed, shaking her hand.
“Exactly. Sounds like a hell of a deal to me.”
“Dear god, you've already picked up on De Sant's awful sense of humor. We have so much un-training to do,” Kingsley sighed.
“Whatever it takes. You train me, and I'll help you in any way you want, with anything,” she offered.
“Mmmm, any way I want, huh,” his voice dropped low while his eyes wandered over her body.
“Look here, Law, I meant what I said – you touch me inappropriately even once, and I'll break your hand in ways it can't be fixed,” she warned him. He smiled and leaned close again.
“Ooohhh, I love it when you talk rough,” he hissed, sliding his bottom lip between his teeth.
“You won't love it so much when I back it up with action. Now let's get out of here.”


Playlist




About the Author

Crazy woman living in an undisclosed location in Alaska (where the need for a creative mind is a necessity!), I have been writing since ..., forever? Yeah, that sounds about right. I have been told that I remind people of Lucille Ball - I also see shades of Jennifer Saunders, and Denis Leary. So basically, I laugh a lot, I'm clumsy a lot, and I say the F-word A LOT.
I like dogs more than I like most people, and I don't trust anyone who doesn't drink. No, I do not live in an igloo, and no, the sun does not set for six months out of the year, there's your Alaska lesson for the day. I have mermaid hair - both a curse and a blessing - and most of the time I talk so fast, even I can't understand me.
Yeah. I think that about sums me up.




Giveaway
The author is giving away a $50 Amazon Gift Card and 2 ARC copies of Out of Plans (when the ARCs are available and ready)





 5 'Marcelle De Sant' Stars

An enticingly suspenseful tale which takes us on a dangerously 'scenic' road trip through Africa and into it's bordering countries. One mission, two paths, one ending.

When Marcelle De Sant a mercenary and hitman for hire, was employed by the Russian Bratva, to steal Liberian diamonds, worth millions of dollars. He never thought he would have encountered a gorgeous redhead, with hypnotizing green eyes. Liliana Brewster, has worked her way up the criminal hierarchy. Planning for five years, finally hired as the Transporter for the stolen diamonds. Lily bides her time, until it's time for her mission to start. Transporting the diamonds across Africa headed straight for the head of the Russian Bratva.

Five weeks of flirting and skating around each other, lusting from far. Marcelle has delivered his end of the deal. His mission is complete. Before he leaves and while Lily awaits the start of her contract. They have one night, no rules, only sex, releasing five weeks of pent up frustration. When it's over they both go their separate ways.

But not every mission goes as smoothly as their one night no barred sexcapade.

"Men were the worst. Men could do whatever they wanted. 
Men were not to be trusted."-Lily

Lily's part of the mission has started. While transporting the diamonds, she is accosted by non other than Marc. Marc was sold out. He was set up and the Liberians he stole the diamonds from, believes he sold the diamonds. Now, for his life, and for his reputation, he must get back those diamonds. And the only person that can help him, is the one woman, who set him up. Lily.

But sometimes nasty things can come in pretty packages. Lily herself was proof of that.

Now in a race to obtain the diamonds, and to make Lily's deadline for delivering to the Bratva, they must battle each other, the Liberians, and their building and slow burning desires for the other. They must learn to work together and trust each. Their missions have now changed, 

On their journey, Marc and Lily learn more about each other, their own reasons for taking this job. Revealing all, through the perilous terrain that is Africa. Their journey was a roller coaster of emotions, filled with witty and laugh out loud banter. Sexual innuendos, tension and some seriously kick ass moves from Lily. That woman can hold her own. And she has no qualms about kicking Marc's ass. Even if he did deserve it. 

They were like magnets, fighting against each other one minute, then stuck together the next.

A wonderful adventure created by Stylo Fantome. I seriously love this author and all her works. She creates masterful and superbly written novels that captures the reader, and keeps them engrossed. 

My most favourite quote from this book is

“I made promises to yesterday. I can't start giving away my tomorrows.” ~ Lily” 

*ARC provided on behalf of the author for an honest review* Thanks!

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