Saturday, September 27, 2014

"Operation Owl" by Tara Quan

EXCERPT and GIVEAWAY
Operation Owl
(Beyond Fairytales Book 1)
by Tara Quan


Operation Owl is currently on tour with Masquerade Book Tours. The tour stops here today for an excerpt and a giveaway. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.


Description
Five years ago, Maya Jain kissed her best friend only to have him run out of her dorm room and leave the state. When he shows up in Washington, D.C., a wanted fugitive sought after by every branch of the US government, she can’t bring herself to ignore his plight. As their physical relationship picks up where it left off, she decides it’s time to make him see her as more than the bespectacled, bookish girl he once called "Owl".
After being accused of espionage and treason, Zack Strong needs a forensic accountant to help clear his name. Not knowing who he can trust, this white-hat hacker has no choice but to ask his former best friend and math tutor for help. Together they unravel a cyber conspiracy at the Barn, an NSA facility tasked to intercept electronic communications. But as they traverse the nation’s capital to avoid capture, Maya insists on letting their simmering sexual tension take its natural course. Even though he’s never been able to shake the memory of their one kiss, he refuses to let her give up her life for a man with no future.

Book Video
Author Tara Quan talks about a scene from her multicultural romantic comedy, Operation Owl.



Excerpt
“This better be important,” Maya grumbled as she fished the iPhone Zack had gifted her out of her purse, which she had left in the closet, all the way by the kitchen. She could never seem to remember simple daily tasks such as charging her phone, putting it in memorable and easily accessible places, or installing software updates. It was a miracle she had bothered to look for the darn thing at all. After spending the night and the better half of the morning slaving away at his behest, she didn’t have the patience for more demands. At least not until she’d gotten some sleep. “What do you want?”
“You need to get out of there.” Zack’s panicked voice rooted her to the spot. “And not through the front door. They’re already on their way up. Why did you take so damn long to answer?”
This wasn’t the right time to be scolding her, but they’d talk about it later. “Who’s on their way up?”
“Men with guns who won’t bother flashing badges. Put on shoes you can run in and come out to the balcony. Now, Maya.”
Too confused to think straight, she followed his direction and strapped on a pair of hiking sandals. Barely remembering to take her purse, she bolted across the living room with the phone still pressed to her ear. “What am I supposed to do there?”
“Leave your stuff. Jump to the apartment next to you and keep going until you find an unlocked door. Get out through there and take the fire-exit stairs down to the loading dock. I’ll be waiting.”
She turned the doorknob. “Who do you think I am? The Princess of Persia? I’m not the jumping over rooftops type of girl.”



Praise for the Book
"I'd highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance, particularly romantic suspense stories." ~ Random Book Musings
"I would look forward to reading more from this Author [...]. Definitely recommending!" ~ Yeah Books!
"This book is perfect for a lazy afternoon." ~ Maureen's books
"This novel will appeal to book lovers of white-collar crime, espionage, drama, and romance genres presented in a light tone." ~ The Masquerade Crew
"The sexual tension between Zack and Maya reminds me of the sexual chemistry between me and one of my guy friends [...]." ~ Writing My Life Away
"[The Author] does an excellent job with the sexual tension of both characters and by a certain point in the book you’re just ready to scream at them to go and have sex already." ~ The Mad Reviewer

About the Author
Globetrotter, lover of languages, and romance author, Tara Quan has an addiction for crafting tales with a pinch of spice and a smidgen of kink. Inspired by her travels, Tara enjoys tossing her kick-ass heroines and alpha males into exotic contemporary locales, fantasy worlds, and post-apocalyptic futures. Armed with magical powers or conventional weapons, her characters are guaranteed a suspenseful and sensual ride, as well as their own happily ever after.

Giveaway
Enter the tour-wide giveaway for a chance to win a $25 gift card.

Links