CIA agent Booth Tanner was the best of the best and now he's as good as dead. The only person who can save him now is the woman who'd written him out of her life three years earlier as a lost cause. Then Rachel Weiss receives a text message that is brief, chilling, and enough to send her back into the shadowy world she thought she'd left behind for good.
"SHADOW GAMES is an edge-of-your-seat, thrilling romantic suspense novel, which will keep readers turning the pages to find out what happens next. Rachel had grown tired of the life in the CIA, so she left it behind. Though she was pregnant at the time, she never let Booth know. Now she feels she owes it to her daughter and Booth to let him know about his daughter. This timely story brings to life all the danger and suspense that goes on in the shadowy world of the CIA and other such agencies. Author Mary Eason has the ability to keep her readers immersed in the story as the plot unfolds. With fast-paced, non-stop action, betrayal, heart-pounding suspense, diverse characters and a compelling plot, SHADOW GAMES is a thrill ride from beginning to end." - Dottie, Romance Junkies
Mary Eason grew up in a small Texas town famous for, well not much of anything really. Being the baby of the family and quite a bit younger than her brothers and sister, Mary had plenty of time to entertain herself. Making up stories seem to come natural to her.
As a pre-teen, Mary discovered romance novels and knew instinctively that was what she wanted to do with her over-active imagination.
She wrote her first novel as a teen, (it's tucked away somewhere never to see the light of day), but never really pursued her writing career seriously until a few years later, when she wrote her first romantic comedy and was hooked.
Today, Mary still lives in Texas, and still writes about romance. In fact, she can't think of anything else she'd rather do.
Published with Whiskey Creek Press:
The Hope Anthology: The Sound Of Angels Wings (November 2006)
Somewhere Between Love And Hate (February 2008)
Your Every Desire (September 17th 2008)
A Night To Remember (September 2009)
The Rebel Rancher (December 2009)
Published Through Cerridwen Press:
Silent Witness (e-book May 2008, pending print date.)
Root of all Evil – (e-book October 2009, pending print date.)
Published Through Samhain Publishing:
Thirty Lessons (e-book April 2007, print February 2008)
The Things You Think You Want (e-book November 2007, print September 2008)
Survivor (e-book February 2008, print December 2008)
Wild Rose Press:
FreeFalling (e-book February 2008, print August 2008)
Longboat Key (release date pending)
Champagne Books:
Shadow Games (e-book February 2010, print pending)
An Interview with Mary Eason
By Holly Hewson for The Romance Studio
HH: Mary, thank you for talking with us at TRS! Please tell us about your featured book, Shadow Games.
ME: Thank you for allowing me to drop by and chat for a bit.
Shadow Games is a gritty espionage love story dealing with former CIA Agent, Rachel Weiss who thought she'd walked away from the murky world of intelligence for good until it finds her again. Unexpectedly, Rachel who now is the Assistant US Ambassador to Israel, receives a text message from an unidentified number asking if she knows where Booth Tanner, her former lover, is? In an instant, Rachel is immersed in a shadow war that will pit her against an unexpected enemy as she struggles to bring Booth home, dead or alive.
HH: Rachel needs to face a dark world she thought she was done with to save a man she thought she was also done with. Where did you get the idea for this suspense filled story?
ME: I've always loved a good spy story. If I weren't a writer, I'd want to be a spy. There's just something about someone risking death for their country and the person they love. I'm particularly fond of the old World War II spy stories. I loved Shining Through. The idea of the hero risking his life to go behind enemy lines and bring home the woman he loved really struck a cord with me. I also read extensively on the current war and the intelligence efforts going on in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as other parts of the world. In short, I love reading and writing stories with an edge.
HH: What do you like best about Rachel and how do you relate to her?
ME: Rachel is a strong woman, even though at times she doesn't realize how strong. In a reversal of roles, Rachel takes on the usual hero's role and goes after the man she loves. I love that Rachel is fiercely protective of her daughter as well. She'd do anything to keep Ava safe. In a way, I'm like Rachel in that I don't consider myself a forceful person, but I'd risk my life to protect my family in a heartbeat.
HH: What do you like best about Booth and why should she reconsider him?
ME: Booth is cocky and self-assured, which has served him well in the spy world. If you didn't know better, you might say he seems almost causal with his feelings for Rachel, but that's not the case. Look below that laidback attitude and you'll see a man who is willing to do anything for Rachel and their daughter as well as his country. In my opinion, Booth is a true hero and hero's are hard to come by these days.
HH: What else do you have in store for lucky readers?
ME: I have several upcoming releases this year, starting with a contemporary romance, The Prodigal's Redemption, coming to Champagne Books, July 5th. Also, Pieces Of A Family and The Book Of Love, both contemporary romances, coming to Whiskey Creek Press at the end of the year. And, I've signed two new contracts with The Wild Rose Press for sometime next year. One is for a romantic suspense novel entitled Longboat Key, (a working title), and another is for an inspirational romance through White Rose Publishing, entitled Standing On The Edge Of Goodbye.
HH: What do you think today's readers are looking for and how do you fill that demand in your writing?
ME: I believe readers are looking for a great romance that will leave them satisfied in the end. Regardless of the genre, an emotionally satisfying love story with a great ending, (in my opinion this is where the hero and heroine overcome all odds to end up in each other's arms) is what most romance readers desire. As a reader, that's what I want. I have favorite romance novels that are all but worn out from reading them over and over again.
As an author, I love to write romances that leave you wanting more and asking, "I wonder what they're up to now?" As I like to call it, it's like a rollercoaster ride of emotion. It sweeps you away and leaves you breathless.
HH: What are you most proud of in your writing career?
ME: That I'm still writing, still publishing, and still loving what I'm doing. In the end, I think I have the best job ever. I can fall in love over and over again and it's okay. My husband loves it.
HH: What makes it all worth it to you as an author?
ME: It's all about the story. There's something to be said for creating a satisfying love story that touches someone's heart and makes them want to read more of what you write.
HH: Do you read print books, ebooks, or both?
ME: I read both print and ebooks. Ebooks are so easy to download. It takes only a matter of minutes and you're immersed in a great love story. But I'll always be a fan of holding a paperback in my hands and reading it. As a writer, there's nothing like it.
HH: Any big plans for the summer?
ME: My husband and I have just bought a motor home, (I know, I know), and we plan on doing some traveling over the summer. Mostly back and forth to our cabin in Colorado, but we'll also take some side trips as well, see the country a little. For the writer in me, I can't wait. All those great locations for new stories! Stay tuned. I'm sure you'll see some of my soon to be adventures in upcoming books.
