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In traditional romance stories, it seems like the
men are the ones who have the glamorous, exciting careers. They get to be the
rock stars, the cowboys, the vampires (is that considered a full-time job?),
while the women ogle from the sidelines and swoon when said rock star cowboy
vampires throw a little attention their way.
Well, where’s the fun in that?
Okay, okay, there’s still plenty of fun to be had
in those scenarios. (I’ve been known to have myself a good ogle every now and
then.) But in my preferred stories, the heroine has other things to do besides
sit and wait around for her vampire cowboy rock star. Why can’t she be the one
to be jet setting around the world, living an exhilarating life while she looks
for love?
Luckily for me, creating the character of Anna and
having her be a top CIA agent wasn’t entirely outside the realm of plausibility
and accepted tropes. Sure, we’ve been watching James Bond strut around with
scantily-clad female sidekicks in movies since 1962, but other precedents have
been set. From real-life spies Mata Hari and Valerie Plame to characters like
Sydney Bristow (Alias) and Sarah
Walker (Chuck), the women can hold
their own in this dangerous field.
Finding a way to balance international espionage
and romantic relationships can be a challenge. Will Anna
find a way to make it work in Second Skin?
Anna’s career as a high-level CIA operative is put on
involuntary hiatus. When a trusted colleague passes along the information for
the 1Night Stand service, Anna decides to take the plunge against her better
judgment and seek some intimate company. But her CIA instincts can’t be
ignored, and when she contacts Madame Eve, she uses an alias.
Brendan owns a lucrative manufacturing company, but he’s yet
to achieve the goal of finding a woman with whom he can share his successes and
joys. But beneath his polished, capable exterior hides the painfully shy
teenager he’s never been able to escape. When his own efforts in the dating
scene fall short, he turns to 1Night Stand.
It would be so easy to fall in love with Brendan, and Anna’s
protective mask slides away, piece-by-piece, revealing more of herself than she
should dare. Before she can slip away with the sunrise, Brendan shows their
encounter in a new light. Will Anna take a chance on their future, or will she
choose to return to her undercover, but lonely life?
@decadentpub #decadentpub
#1NS @thealanden
