Too Good to be True by Livia Quinn is a Salute Military Bookish Event pick #militaryromance #romance #salutemilitary #giveaway
- N. N. Light
- 5 hours ago
- 5 min read
Title: Too Good to be True
Author: Livia Quinn
Genre: Contemporary Military Romance
Book Blurb:
Luc never expected to find the woman of his dreams on the other end of a service revolver.
The former Navy officer knew the tough lady cop with her boot pressing him to the grimy floor of the tiny grocery thought he was a criminal. But he'd been in the process of taking down the real thief with his "gun" when she and her partner barreled onto the scene ordering everyone to get down. He's intrigued by her command of the scene and mesmerized by her cornflower-blue eyes. But given his part-time job, he's afraid this no nonsense policewoman won't take him seriously.
Officer Delilah Burke has experienced the worst that people can dish out. She's trained never to assume, but when she finds a Ranger wannabe in over-the-top costume camo at her her crime scene, she takes him down. First impressions matter, but what should she focus on – questions about his sanity or his chiseled features and commanding presence?
When a stalker's obsession crosses the line, Luc discounts the danger. Can Del convince him before it's too late, or will their happily-ever-after end before it even begins?
"Great read. If you love your main characters smart and sassy then this story is for you."
"I absolutely loved reading Del & Luc's story, I was hooked from the very beginning and like the first book I couldn't put it down."
If you like Robyn Carr, Barbara Freethy and Susan Mallery, pick up a Livia Quinn book!
Excerpt:
The cashier whimpered again and Luc knew his time was running out. He’d hoped the cops would be here by now and a solution would present itself in the form of a sniper round through the front window. Since that hadn't happened, his options were limited so he stuck with his plan.
“Okay, be calm. I’m going to lay it down on the counter like you said. See?” He spun the gun around slowly in his hand and palmed it. Holding the barrel, he placed it on the corner of the counter.
“Back away over there. I mean it.”
It was obvious he did. Luc raised his hands in a gesture of peace and took a step back. One step only.
The man dropped the glass as he picked up the gun and placed it under the woman’s chin. His voice held new confidence as he nodded at the cash register and ordered, “Now, empty this drawer and put it in that bag.” He gestured with the point of the gun to his worn duffle bag.
“Man, watch where you point that thing okay?” Luc said, putting a crazy concern in his voice.
“Shut up." Jabbing the gun in Mrs. Phan's direction he said to Luc, "Fill it. And put some Marlboros and two bottles of Jack in there too.” Luc did as the man said, setting the small bag on the edge of the counter.
The junkie shoved the woman down on the floor in front of him and ordered her to “stay put” then he pointed the gun at Luc. “Move out of my way,” he ordered as he shouldered the duffle, suddenly in a hurry to leave.
Luc stepped back letting him think he’d relaxed his guard, but as Meth Head came around the counter, Luc moved. His opponent pointed the gun at him, “Get back,” but Luc stepped into his body and grabbed the gun, twisting it out of his grip with his left hand and clocking him on the side of the head with his right. Luc saw the whites of the thug’s eyes as he fell backwards into a display of beer and rolled over onto his face. Before relief could take hold, another little niggle of apprehension hit him.
“Put the gun down,” said an authoritative female voice. With his back to the voice, Luc raised his hands, again loosening his grip on the handle of the gun.
The clipped voice came again, “Be smart. Don’t think you’re going to try any Special Forces tricks on me. Lay the gun on the floor gently, kick it over here, and lie face down, hands clasped behind your head.”
Luc leaned forward placing the gun near his foot, then did as she ordered.
“Now, on the ground.”
“I’m not the criminal here. The robber—”
“On the ground now,” she barked. “Hands behind your head.”
Luc complied, knowing the cops would sort out the details after talking with the cashier. The sounds of sobbing came from behind the counter and Luc listened as the officer in charge directed someone to check on the woman. Meth Head’s foot jammed against Luc’s side as he prepared to sprint away. Luc reacted automatically, grabbing the thug’s ankle in an iron grip.
“What do you think you’re doing?” The female officer squatted next to him and bent over so he could see her face. It was an arresting face. No puns here. Hair like corn silk draped over her shoulder in a thick braid, and eyes like mad Texas bluebonnets glared at him. Eyes like that should never glare, he thought. They should be softened from a long night of…back to earth, Luc.
He tapped his forehead on the floor and wagged his head back and forth but only replaced one hand on his head, the other was still firmly clasped around the wriggling form of her perp. “Making sure my efforts didn’t go for naught,” he said.
The clerk’s nervous voice came from behind the counter, “Soldier help Mia.”
More whispered words.
“The clerk says the guy in camo is her hero,” said the policeman from behind the register.
“Is that right?” asked the blue-eyed woman standing over him. “Cuff the perp, Jed, so I can get a statement from our hero here.”
Oh, right, some kind of kinky sex game where he’d “be” the bad “Merc” and she’d “be” the one with the handcuffs.
He smiled, watching her thoughts move across her features as that scene presented itself. “Officer, you’ve got a dirty mind.”
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
All retailers: https://books2read.com/b/toogood
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/too-good-to-be-true-calloways-of-rainbow-bayou-2-by-livia-quinn
What makes your featured book a must-read?
The romance, suspense and connections between the Calloways, a big surprising family of veterans who know what's important: protecting and serving the ones they love and their community. As one of my readers put it, "Alpha hero, kick-ass heroine, what's not to like."
Giveaway –
Enter to win a $20 Amazon gift card:
Open Internationally.
Runs May 20 – May 28, 2025.
Winner will be drawn on May 29, 2025.
Author Biography:
DC native, Livia Quinn moved to Louisiana where the weather and culture inspired her books. Her jobs as mail carrier, plant manager and business owner provided fodder for her stories, she finished her first novel the summer of Katrina. Widowed, she moved to Virginia where she now enjoys the ancient beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. As an only child, she longed to be part of a large family so you'll find deeply emotional themes of love, honor and service in the communities she created.
Social Media Links:
Goodreads http://bit.ly/22VXuev
Amazon Author page http://amazon.com/author/liviaquinn
Books2Read author page: https://books2read.com/ap/x2gD7R/Livia-Quinn
Instagram http://instagram.com/liviaquinnwrites