Ever wondered what it feels like to plunge into the unknown, surrounded by darkness and the rush of icy water? That’s exactly what my husband and I experienced during our 29th wedding anniversary trip to New Zealand. As an author, I’m always on the lookout for that perfect adrenaline rush to fuel my action-packed stories, and more often than not, my poor hubby finds himself dragged along for the ride!
One of the highlights of our trip was our adventure at the Waitomo Caves, where I signed us up for black water rafting. After donning our wet suits and helmets, we lugged our gear up a steep, rugged path that felt like a mini-mountain trek. Every step upward had my heart pounding with excitement and a touch of ‘what the hell have I got us into this time’.
But the real thrill began when we crawled into a narrow cave. As we squeezed through the tight opening, a mix of fear and excitement surged through me. Then came the moment of truth: taking a deep breath, we gripping onto our rubber tubes and jumped into the icy waters below.
The current swept us away, and in an instant, we were hurtling through the dark, winding caves—surrounded by sheer blackness that felt like the heart of the night. The only sounds were the rush of water, and our own laughter mixed and nervous shrieks. It was an exhilarating, scary, wild ride that was both thrilling and a tad dangerous.
For me, it checked all the boxes: adventure, excitement, and a hint of danger. But for my hubby? Let’s just say he was more focused on the “danger” part than the thrill!
As the ride began to calm, we drifted into a silent, black cave, where the atmosphere shifted and the darkness around us transformed into a breathtaking spectacle. The cave roof and walls sparkled with the soft, ethereal glow of countless glowworms, twinkling like stars in a night sky. It was an awe-inspiring moment of tranquility, a stark contrast to the earlier chaos, and I felt a profound sense of wonder as we floated in that magical, luminous world.
This experience not only pushed my limits but also sparked ideas for my nail-biting romantic thriller, Escape Mission. The blend of adrenaline, fear, and the bond between us during such intense moments became the perfect backdrop for my story.
I love caving, but for my heroine in Escape Mission, it’s a different story entirely. Zena, a feisty rollerblading champion, finds herself in a terrifying predicament when she falls into an abandoned diamond mine while trying to rescue baby turtles. Drawing on my own experiences in the pitch-black caves of New Zealand, I aimed to convey the raw fear Zena feels as she navigates the oppressive darkness.
To make matters worse, the hero who comes to her rescue is the last man she expected—her sister’s ex-boyfriend. And let’s just say, Zena has a lot more than just gratitude for this smoking-hot military hero, especially when he goes above and beyond to crush the enemy and save her. With the clock ticking, she needs to escape this underground hellhole before their undeniable chemistry turns into a steamy mess. Plus, they have a mission to stop the bastards poisoning the turtle breeding ground. Will they make it out alive, or will their attraction complicate everything?
Sparks fly when a feisty parolee and a grouchy Aussie hero are forced to work together to escape a deadly corporate conspiracy.
During her court-ordered volunteer work, Zena stumbles upon a horrific discovery at a turtle breeding ground. Now she’s running for her life, and the only person who can help is her sister’s ex-boyfriend.
Blade’s failed army mission cost him his best friend and his military career. Desperate for redemption, he charges in to rescue Zena. But saving her means confronting his unwanted attraction to the fiery, roller-blading champion - and escaping a merciless corporation willing to kill to keep its secrets hidden.
Can Blade complete his mission and rescue Zena? Or will they both die trying to save each other from the ruthless enemy?
Escape Mission is a steamy, enemies to lovers, trapped together romantic thriller book, set in a small Aussie coastal town with lots of dark secrets. Featuring a protective alpha hero and a kick-ass heroine who can’t control a thing she says, this action-packed adventure romance is full of forbidden steamy moments and a grumpy army hero who will crush the enemy to rescue his woman.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Action. Heat and turtles! I always enjoy an action packed story with a broken hero and a heroine who helps put him back together!” 5 stars Indiana