Deadly Twist

When two complete strangers are lost in the jungle, a quest to find an ancient Mayan temple becomes a desperate fight to survive.

When her father suddenly dies, Lily uncovers a hidden journal that reveals his secret past. Determined to get answers for her grieving family, she heads to Mexico refusing to believe she’s out of her depth.

She reluctantly teams up with Carter, an older, grumpy photographer with secrets of his own.

Traipsing into the Yucaton jungle with their overweight guide and his prized pet rooster, Lily expects to encounter wild animals, brutal humidity and a grueling hike.

But she didn’t expect Carter to be a pain in the butt, and she certainly didn’t expect their guide to die. Lost and alone, they stumble across something they should never had seen.
With armed bandits hot on their heels, her quest for answers becomes a desperate race for their lives.

Lily expects to be gunned down, or lost in the jungle forever.
But she never anticipated falling in love.

As opposites in so many ways, she fights her unlikely attraction to him, and wonders if being trapped in the jungle together is heating up her emotions.

Deadly Twist is a gripping romantic thriller, featuring a feisty heroine who’s not afraid of anyone, a grumpy hero who doesn’t know he’s broken, and a plucky rooster that’s along for the ride. Find out why this book was a finalist in the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize.

“What’re you doing?” Lily lunged at her bag.

“We go in my car. I’m your guide."

“You are?” She released the strap and squinted against the blazing sunshine. “But the email said my guide’s name was Miguel.”

“Yes, it was. But he . . . had accident. I take you now.”

“Oh . . . so you know how to get to Agulinta Temple?”

“Of course. I go there three times now. I know good shortcut too.”

His lopsided grin didn’t instill any confidence, but she was far too invested to cancel. Her mother depended on her. Backing down was not an option.

Otomi opened the car door with a weird grin that wasn’t exactly welcoming.

Lily climbed into the back seat and jolted back. “Jesus, Carter! What’re you doing here?”

“This time it’s you following me.” He grinned.

“Pardon?” She plonked her satchel next to his pack on the seat between them.

“Otomi told me your guide was hurt last night. So, he asked if you could come with us instead.”
Lily’s mind flashed to her attacker. Was he my intended guide? But he looked so young. In an attempt to calm her swirling thoughts, she opened the side zipper of her satchel and fished out her sunglasses.

“Or you can wait until your guide is available.” Carter’s Australian accent seemed stronger this morning.

“No . . . I, um, I can’t.” She sighed and put her glasses on. “Thank you.”

He nodded. “You’re welcome.”

Otomi opened the driver’s-side door and tossed a large chicken onto the front passenger seat. The bird shook its plump body, casting rust-colored feathers about the taxi.

“What the hell?” Lily scowled.

“Sorry.” Otomi’s grin said he wasn’t sorry at all. “My wife make me take Pompa. But don’t worry, he be good.”

Carter’s huge smile confirmed he was enjoying her reaction.
She swallowed back her objection and returned his smile. “Of course, bring the chicken.”

Otomi slid into the driver’s seat and shut his door. “Not chicken. Rooster.”

The car kicked into gear and they sped through town as if mobsters were behind them. At each building along the way, the pairs of elderly men sitting on the balconies followed the car’s progress.

Where the main street ended, the dense vegetation began. Dark shadows and earthy jungle scents enveloped the car, and a kaleidoscope of green hues was displayed in every direction.

Sensing Carter’s eyes on her, she spun to him. If he was embarrassed to be caught staring, he didn’t show it.
“I guess we’re going to be travel companions for a couple of days.” She couldn’t decide if that was good or bad.

Carter picked at his fingernail. “Guess we are. Have you been to Agulinta yet?”

“No, first time. You?”

“First time too.” He huffed. “We’re both Agulinta virgins.”

She wrinkled her nose. “That’s one way to put it.
. .

Keep reading Deadly Twist if you like:

• Opposties attract
• Enemies to lovers
• Standed together
• Buried secrets
• Fiesty heroine
• Rugged mischievous hero
• Deadly quest for answers
• Race against time
• Age gap romance
• Survival romance