Title: At a Stranger's Mercy
Author: Brittany Cournoyer
Series: Badge and Bullets #1
Genre: M/M Romance, Mystery
Release Date: March 22, 2019
Making eye contact with a killer wasn’t exactly how Bradley Danforth had planned to start his day. As an accountant, he craved structure and routine. What he hadn’t anticipated was being part of a real-life murder mystery with him cast in the starring role.
Death and sorrow were part of Max Donohue’s job description, leaving the detective hardened after years on the job. On his latest case, he’s the one stuck protecting the only witness in a sadistic homicide.
One death becomes two… then three. And soon Max and Bradley find themselves playing a deadly game of cat and mouse. Can Max save Bradley from the clutches of a serial killer? Or will the killer finish what he started?
At a Stranger’s Mercy is the first installment of a continuing series featuring the same two characters. It’s a suspenseful murder mystery that depicts detailed crimes, strong language, and adult situations. While this series will include a romance, it’s a slow burn that develops throughout the series.
I shut the door, making sure to lock it behind me, and started the engine after clicking my seatbelt into place. After checking my rearview and side mirrors, I slowly backed out of the driveway then pointed my car in the direction of the coffee shop—and work. Only then did I realize I’d have to drive by the man who was still digging around inside his car.
He must’ve heard my car approaching because I watched out of the windshield as he straightened to his full height and pulled his car door partly shut so I wouldn’t hit it when I drove by. While a nagging voice inside my head told me to keep my eyes on the road, I couldn’t stop myself from looking and locking eyes with the man standing by his vehicle.
I felt like time reduced and my car was moving in slow motion as I drove by. The anger I could see in his eyes had me gasping aloud, and I felt my blood run cold. The black, cold eyes burned into mine, and I couldn’t bring myself to turn away, no matter how much I knew I needed to. The unease I felt earlier intensified, and even though I wanted to press my foot down harder on my accelerator to get the hell out of there, my body felt nearly paralyzed with fear. It was only when I was past his car I could finally breathe easier.
I didn’t even bother to stop and get coffee; the mood for it had completely gone. Instead, I went straight to my office in hopes of getting lost in my work so I could shake the weird feeling that had settled over me. But it didn’t happen. The unease clung to me all day, and my mind was plagued with flashes of black, angry eyes. My hands shook as I punched numbers into the calculator. My handwriting was barely legible thanks to the tremors as I tried to make notations, and it was incredibly difficult to concentrate since I was so off-kilter.
He must’ve heard my car approaching because I watched out of the windshield as he straightened to his full height and pulled his car door partly shut so I wouldn’t hit it when I drove by. While a nagging voice inside my head told me to keep my eyes on the road, I couldn’t stop myself from looking and locking eyes with the man standing by his vehicle.
I didn’t even bother to stop and get coffee; the mood for it had completely gone. Instead, I went straight to my office in hopes of getting lost in my work so I could shake the weird feeling that had settled over me. But it didn’t happen. The unease clung to me all day, and my mind was plagued with flashes of black, angry eyes. My hands shook as I punched numbers into the calculator. My handwriting was barely legible thanks to the tremors as I tried to make notations, and it was incredibly difficult to concentrate since I was so off-kilter.
What is the biggest influence/interest that brought you to this genre?
I’ve always had a weird fascination with serial killer documentaries, scary movies, and books by Anne Rule and Stephen King. My television is always on the Investigation Discovery channel, and I fall asleep watching Forensic Files. Finally, after getting the encouragement from some friends, I decided to give it a shot with writing my own murder mystery.
When writing a book, what is your favorite part of the creative process(outline, plot, character names, editing, etc)?
Definitely learning the different characters and finding out what their story is. Each one is different and unique in their own way, and when they finally let me in to know what happened to them, I get excited.
When reading a book, what genre do you find most interesting/intriguing?
I love second chances. I am a firm believer that everyone deserves a second chance, especially at love, so when the characters are able to, I find it very heart-warming.
If you could co-author with any author, past or present, who would you choose?
This is a hard question since there are so many, but my top 3 are Aimee Nicole Walker, Jaclyn Osborne, and Michele Notaro
Have you always wanted to write or did it come to you "later in life"?
Oh, I’ve always wanted to write. Ever since I was old enough to learn how to read, I’ve always had a book in my head. So to be able to was always a dream of mine, I just never knew it’d finally come true.
I’ve always had a weird fascination with serial killer documentaries, scary movies, and books by Anne Rule and Stephen King. My television is always on the Investigation Discovery channel, and I fall asleep watching Forensic Files. Finally, after getting the encouragement from some friends, I decided to give it a shot with writing my own murder mystery.
When writing a book, what is your favorite part of the creative process(outline, plot, character names, editing, etc)?
Definitely learning the different characters and finding out what their story is. Each one is different and unique in their own way, and when they finally let me in to know what happened to them, I get excited.
When reading a book, what genre do you find most interesting/intriguing?
I love second chances. I am a firm believer that everyone deserves a second chance, especially at love, so when the characters are able to, I find it very heart-warming.
If you could co-author with any author, past or present, who would you choose?
This is a hard question since there are so many, but my top 3 are Aimee Nicole Walker, Jaclyn Osborne, and Michele Notaro
Have you always wanted to write or did it come to you "later in life"?
Oh, I’ve always wanted to write. Ever since I was old enough to learn how to read, I’ve always had a book in my head. So to be able to was always a dream of mine, I just never knew it’d finally come true.
Brittany was born in a small town in Alabama and moved to Indiana when she was thirteen years old. She currently resides there and works as an operator at a local hospital. When she isn't working, she loves to spend her free time writing stories, playing with her puppy, Delilah, watching television, and spending time with loved ones.
EMAIL: brittanycournoyerauthor@gmail.com
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