Book Feature of Defense of the Heart by Jamie Dell White

Indie Book Promo is happy to welcome Jamie Dell White to the blog today! She is the author of Defense of the Heart and is here to share some information about her book. If this sound like the type of book that you are interested in reading, please find buy links at the bottom of the post and pick up a copy or two.

Blurb

Written in a style that is both humorous and dramatic, “Defense of the Heart” lawyer Julie Ross confronts a lifetime of lost love, missed opportunities, friendship, murder and betrayal amidst murder case in contemporary romance thriller. For Julie, love didn’t just walk in, it knocked her over. And left her with more than just a bruised knee and a broken heart… Now, years later, Julie has fought hard to achieve her successful law career and the good life for herself and her eight-year-old son, Cody. When Jenny, her childhood best friend, is accused of an unspeakable crime in Alabama, Julie is determined to assist in the defense. Sparks fly when she discovers her co-counsel is the irresistible Jake Reynolds, the man she banished from her life years ago. As disturbing facts surrounding the alleged crime unfold, Julie tries to mask her conflicting emotions from her family and friends as she continues to hide the truth about Cody from Jake. But the defense is getting hot, and with a child in the mix, the stakes are raised. As the former lovers join forces to uncover Jenny’s past, they must face their own and decide if old betrayals are unforgivable. And, even after so many years, is there any defense to her own heart…

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Excerpt

CHAPTER FIVE

Julie approached the courtroom doors, paused and took a deep breath.  She readied herself, trying to appear calm and composed.

“Shit!”  As she opened the door, she dropped her papers and they scattered wildly across the floor. She let the door close and kneeled down, careful not to mess up her suit.  She collected the papers into a pile and placed the motion on top.

“Shit!”  The doors to the courtroom flung open, hit her backside and sent her sprawling with her papers.

“I’m so sorry ma’am,” said a male voice with a slight southern accent.  “Are you all right?  Let me help you.”

She was spread eagled flat on the floor; face down with her skirt scrunched above her knees.  It was pitiful.

“I’m all right,” she said angrily, and pushed herself up onto her hands and knees.  Great, you’re fucking doggie-style now, she cursed to herself under her breath.  She turned around to see a small crowd looking on, and then she looked up and her world stood still.

~~

They say lightening never strikes the same place twice.  That was not true. In fact, it had just happened. She stared in disbelief at the man offering her his hand.  It wasn’t a dream; it was a nightmare on all accounts.  Déjà vu, only worse.  It was him, the one-night stand; the man who had knocked her over at the beach, the man she had thought was her soul mate, the man she had tried so hard to banish from her life and her thoughts.  It was Cody’s father.  And, to her disbelief and disgust, he had knocked her over again.

“Julie?”  He was equally stunned.  “My God, it’s you.”  She turned away, and tried to get to her feet with dignity.

“You should work on your pickup routine,” she said with a sneer. He didn’t mean to, but he smiled.  He too remembered how they had met that day on the beach.  He had knocked her over that day as well.  But this time she refused his hand.  She collected her papers and stood up by herself.

Unfortunately for Julie, he was still as handsome as ever.  His light brown hair brushed against his shoulders and his dreamy hazel eyes sparkled with pure devil.  The beard was gone, which only made his perfect oval face more visible.  He was perfect in her eyes, with his bad-boy-in-a-suit look, and once again he was undeniably irresistible.  She was mortified, but tried to keep her composure and stay professional.

“What are you doing here?” he asked her.

“I’m helping out a friend.  In fact, I need to get inside to speak with her attorney.  What are you doing here?”

“I’m here for an arraignment at 1:00 p.m.  I’m representing that Clark woman, you know, the one accused of killing her son.”

The blood rushed to Julie’s temples.  Shit, not him!  It can’t be.  She took a deep breath.

“You’re representing Jenny Clark?”

“That’s right.”

“Well… she’s my fr…  I’m here to . . . this motion is…” Spit it out already, Julie.

“Oh damn it,” she said, trying to stop the stuttering that made her sound completely flabbergasted.  She handed him the motion.  “Sign it, Jake.”  She stormed inside.

Her heart was beating a mile a minute.  Still visibly shaken she sat down next to Claire and her sister and nervously fiddled with her briefcase.

“Thanks for coming back, Jessie scoffed, then noticed  that Julie seemed shaken. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Nothing. I just hope that attorney signs the motion, that’s all,” she responded, hoping Jessie would buy it.  She was trying to compose herself.  Clearly, she needed to try harder.

A few minutes later Jake startled her again when he leaned over her shoulder, moved his head close to hers, and placed the signed motion on top of her lap.  She felt his breath against her as he whispered into her ear. “Congratulations on passing the Bar co-counsel.”  He walked away.

“All rise,” the bailiff ordered as the judge entered the courtroom.  Court was in session. Julie looked at Jessie and kidded, “Here goes nothing.”

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