Two Truths and a Lie (PRG Investigations #1)by Ashley Stoyanoff
Release Date: February 28th 2015
Genres: New Adult, Romance
Synopsis:
One year ago, I became a missing person. I left everything behind—family, friends, school. It seemed like a good idea at the time. My only option, really, until I realized running from a police officer isn’t as easy as I thought it would be.
It’s been exactly three-hundred and sixty-five days since I left home, but I’m finally ready to take the step I should have taken a year ago. I’m done hiding. I’m done running. I’m going to take my life back.
It was supposed to be easy. A meeting with Jason Pierce, a private investigator, was set up for me. All I had to do was go to him, let him do his thing, and then I could go home, or so I thought.
That is, until I met Jason and things got … complicated.
“Stop,” he shouts, the sound of his shoes
hitting the pavement coming faster.
“Just stop for a minute.”
Quickening my stride, I keep my eyes on my
car, as I rifle through my purse for my keys and call out, “Stop following me.”
Where the hell are my keys? Pushing back a swell of anger-fueled anxiety,
I keep searching. My fingertips brush
against the metal ring. I clasp onto it,
pulling them out, just as a large hand wraps around my bicep and I’m jerked to
a halt. I yelp, and stumble, rocking on
my heels, and dropping the keys. Another
hand settles on my hip, steading me.
Then, I’m pulled around to face Jason. His eyes flicker over my face a few times,
doing what looks like a silent assessment, and whatever he sees makes him draw
his lips tight and his brow dip in a frown.
“Are you okay?”
Am I okay?
I laugh. I don’t even know how to
answer that question. I probably should
be. I know that. I’ve waited a year for this chance, to have
someone like him help me, but right now, after the exchange in the bar, with
his hand locked around my arm and another on my hip, I don’t feel okay. Not even a little.
“Yes, I’m good,” I stammer, taking a hasty
step back, yanking myself free of his grasp.
“Everything’s just fine.”
He doesn’t look reassured by my
answer. Actually, he looks a little
annoyed. He arches a questioning brow
and folds his arms over his chest.
I stand there, hesitating, contemplating
whether or not I should turn around and run.
My car isn’t far. Another twenty,
maybe thirty steps. Will he chase me
again if I do it?
“Can I go now?” I ask, not ready or wanting
to endure another chase.
He shakes his head slowly. “If you want to make a lie believable, you
gotta weave it with the truth.”
My brow furrows, confused by the
comment. “What?”
“Two truths and a lie, babe,” he says. “Makes the lie harder to pick up on.”
Is this guy for real? He looks it, serious, a little brooding. He’s watching me, waiting for … I don’t even
know.
“Okay, fine.” I throw up my hands, exasperated, and sigh, long
and loud. “I’m fine, just in a hurry to
find a hotel and grab a shower.” I bend
down and snag up my keys; then, I meet his eyes. “Better?”
He laughs under his breath, but there is
not a stitch of humor in the sound.
“Yeah, but I’d rather you didn’t bother with the lie.”
I scoff.
“Well, I’d rather you didn’t chase me through a parking lot.”
Ashley Stoyanoff is an author of paranormal romance books for young adults, including The Soul's Mark series and the Deadly Trilogy. She lives in Southern Ontario with her husband, Jordan, and two cats: Tanzy and Trinity.
In July 2012, Ashley published her first novel, The Soul's Mark: FOUND, and shortly thereafter, she was honored with The Royal Dragonfly Book Award for both young adult and newbie fiction categories.
An avid reader, Ashley enjoys anything with a bit of romance and a paranormal twist. When she's not writing or devouring her latest read, she can be found spending time with her family, watching cheesy chick flicks or buying far too many clothes.
Ashley loves hearing from her readers, so feel free to connect with her online.
