Special Guest: Sharon Donovan, author of MASK OF THE BETRAYER

We have a special guest today! Sharon Donovan is here with us to talk about her latest book, Mask of the Betrayer! Enjoy!

Special Note: Sharon, unfortunately, won't be here with us today because she had a heart attack and is being hospitalized until she can go home. If everyone would please keep her in your prayers, we would greatly appreciate it. We at The Writer's Life wish her a speedy recovery!

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What would you do if you realized you had just married a serial killer? Margot Montgomery faces this dilemma in Mask of the Betrayer, book one in the sequel series.

When the whispers in the night, the whispers of her lover, are the whispers of a killer, will Margot escape before she becomes the next victim?

Deep in the foothills of Red Rock Canyon, a serial killer stalks. He leaves his signature—a skull mask on the corpse. But when the homicide cop realizes the crimes are the reenactment of a case never solved ten years ago--all fingers point to Michael DeVeccio. And when Margot realizes she is married to the killer, her life becomes a living nightmare.

MASK OF THE BETRAYER opens with MICHAEL DEVECCIO (The Hunter) killing his uncle when he learns he is guilty of committing the ultimate crime. As sole beneficiary to the billion dollar empire, Michael fancies himself king of the world. Determined the dynasty will thrive for generations, he sets out to find the perfect woman to produce the heir to his kingdom. Fiercely determined to rule the world with absolute power, he will demolish anyone who gets in his way, beginning with his fiance. And when Michael meets his dream woman, he decides she is the perfect woman worthy enough to produce his heir.

Chicago art curator MARGOT MONTGOMERY is a business savvy woman with strawberry-blonde hair, bewitching green eyes and high moral standards. She has no time for a serious relationship. But when she meets Michael DeVeccio, 180 pounds of raw, sexual energy, brilliant blue eyes that could melt an iceberg and the face of a fallen angel, she becomes totally enraptured and totally his. But when she learns Michael is the prime suspect in his fiancé’s murder, a woman she knew nothing about, she fears she is his alibi. And when she learns Michael was also the prime suspect in his uncle’s death ten years ago, her trust in Michael wavers. Throwing herself into her upcoming exhibit, she ignores Michael’s attempts to win back her trust. But when police find nothing incriminating, Margot tosses caution to the wind and accepts his marriage proposal. But when his ex-wife is murdered at a masquerade, Margot is inclined to believe the hot looking detective with the “Don’t mess with me attitude.”

ENTER DETECTIVE DIEGO SANTIAGO

Part Spanish and part Navajo Indian, Santiago has long mahogany hair that he wears in a ponytail, brooding brown eyes that sear straight to the soul, and a sixth sense that makes him see things other cops miss. With the slick moves of a night predator, he vows to prove DeVeccio is the killer. Frustrated that Margot married Michael, he tells himself his concern for her safety isn’t personal, but when he admits his attraction, he berates himself and draws a hard line between duty and desire.

While in Tuscany on their honeymoon, Michael’s home until the age of twelve when his parents’ car went off a cliff, he shares bitter-sweet memories with his bride. Margot discovers inner demons haunt her new husband.

Back from their honeymoon, Margot’s happiness is short-lived when her husband demands she produce a son immediately or face the consequences. Shocked at his chauvinistic attitude, she is enraged and wants out of the marriage. Obsessed with his new bride, Michael refuses to grant her a divorce and places threats on her and family members unless she does as she is told.

Meanwhile, Michael methodically plans further executions of those who have betrayed him. When more bodies are discovered, corpses shrouded with the death mask, Margot is convinced beyond the shadow of a doubt she is married to the serial killer and turns to Santiago. And while working in close contact to trap a killer, Margot and Santiago fall in love and realize they are soulmates, destined to meet. Michael gives her an ultimatum -- produce his son in one month or die.

Will Margot meet her bizarre deadline? Will Santiago prove that Michael DeVeccio is the demented psychopath stalking the foothills of Red Rock Canyon? And most of all, will Santiago rescue his sweet Margarita from the manipulative hands of a madman?

I hope you have enjoyed this little teaser of Mask of the Betrayer. I truly enjoyed writing it and am hard at work on the sequel. Thanks for reading, and I’d love to hear your comments!

Sharon Donovan lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her family. Prior to the loss of her vision, she was a legal secretary for the Court of Common Pleas where she prepared cases for judges in Domestic Relations. Painting was her passion. When she could no longer paint, she began attending creative writing classes and memoir workshops. After a long and winding road, a new dream arose. Today, instead of painting her pictures on canvas, Sharon paints her pictures with words. Sharon writes stories of inspiration and suspense. She has certificates in business and medical transcription. She is a published author with The Wild Rose Press, White Rose Publishing, Whimsical Publications and Chicken Soup for the Soul. Echo of a Raven received a CTRR award for outstanding writing, and The Claddagh Ring is a 2009 CAPA nominee. To read excerpts and reviews of Sharon’s books and to sign up for her newsletter, visit her website at www.sharonadonovan.com.