Mona Risk - Rx In Russian Excerpt

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Mona Risk, Rx IN RUSSIAN

Readers have often asked me why I chose such a remote and little known place to set my story. During the mid-nineties, I often travelled to Russia and Belarus for business. I was quite impressed by the hospitality of the officers, directors, chemists and journalists I met. Imagine my delight when I was featured on Belarusian national TV. Some officers invited me to their homes to meet their families. Business led to solid friendship. Needleless to say, I enjoyed my trips to Belarus tremendously and kept pages of notes about this country and its culture.

Rx IN RUSSIAN is set in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. With my heroine, Dr. Jillian Burton, you will discover a different civilization, visit interesting places, marvel at the Russian architecture, taste the exotic food, toast with vodka, wear the warm chapka, experience many of the local customs, and fall in love with a gallant Belarusian, Dr. Fyodor Vassilov.

If you like to travel and love to read, come and enjoy my international romances. I will take you around the world through stories that simmer with emotion and sizzle with passion.

“Mona Risk writes heroes with heart, heroines with spunk in stories and settings that are simply unforgettable!” -- Roxanne St. Claire, Killer Curves, National Bestseller.

Blurb: Fyodor Vassilov is a Russian widower, surgeon and officer. Duty demands he provide a mother to his four little boys and marry a woman who loves children and a big family.

Jillian Burton is an American pediatrician on a mission to improve medical conditions in Belarus.

She blames herself and her ex-husband for their son’s death, and has lost her illusions about men and marriage.

When they work together for six months in his hospital, their fascination with one another shocks them both. Can attraction and love overcome guilt, duty, and a clash of cultures?

EXCERPT:

“I like this place. No one comes up on top of this rock. Now, look in front of you.” Fyodor extended his arm, gesturing at the breathtaking turquoise color of Lake Narach.

“We can’t see land at the horizon.”

“The horizon is in a different country. Lithuania. They call it Lake Naroch there. With an O. A famous battle took place here during World War One.”

Holding his hand, Jillian stepped closer to the edge of the cliff and bent to look at the tumultuous waves pounding against the rock.

He turned her to the right. “Now, look at this side.”

“Oh.”

That was precisely what he expected. A gasp of admiration at the contrasting scenery formed by the turbulent bay and the tranquil beach. “It is beautiful and peaceful, and yet—” He inched closer behind Jillian, wrapped his arms around her waist, and trapped her against his chest, his mouth flirting with her hair. “Not so calm. There is dangerous rip current underneath the surface. A façade, Jillian. Just a façade. Like—”

She twirled to face him. “You?” She mouthed, and he hardly heard the word.

“And like you. The lake is beautiful, though tempestuous, turbulent, passionate underneath the charming, serene façade. Like you. You hide the current well. Always in control.”

“And you?” she echoed the word.

“You and me, Jillian. We come from different backgrounds, but beneath the surface, we have a lot in common.” He played with a lock of her hair. She flinched, but he brought her closer. “A lot. Passion locked inside. A need to be happy we continually deny.” With the tip of his thumb, he gently rubbed her lower lip. Her jaw trembled, and he cradled her face between his hands. “How long are we going to hide our true feelings? How long are we going to hold our passion in check?”

“Fyodor,” she whispered.

“Don’t you want passion, Jillian?” He asked, his mouth so near to hers that he inhaled her sweet breath with delight.

“Yes.”

Her gaze invited him, but he wanted her to come to him. To make sure she wouldn’t back away when he kissed her.

“I am here, Jillian. Waiting for you.” Ninety percent at the gate of paradise, but she had to amble the last ten percent toward him.

“And I don’t want to wait forever.” She hooked her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his.

His chest swelled with joy as he covered her mouth, tasted, and relished what she offered. Finally, she’d come to him willingly, without reserve.

Forgetting to breathe, he kissed her again and again, as he backed up to the canopy formed by the trees, holding her molded to his body. Her eyes closed. She squirmed and squeezed tighter to him. Her nipples peaked on his chest; her heartbeat pounded against his ribs. He cupped one of her breasts, treasured its roundness. She didn’t withdraw. Instead she leaned into his palm. But he lowered his hand and fisted it. With a mental curse, he questioned the wisdom of unleashing their passion now.

Even in this private corner, they couldn’t linger long without being missed. When she eased back to suck in a breath of fresh air, he captured her gaze. Had their romantic interlude marked her in any way?

“Jillian, you are very special to me.”

She caressed his cheek. “You are to me too. But, Fyodor. I’m not a woman who can get involved past a certain point.”

Why? Why couldn’t she get involved?

He knew better than to voice his frustration. But he’d show her what involvement with him meant.

He’d brand her with his ardor and let her weigh her choices. Pulling her hard against him, he kissed her with fervor, kissed her as if he’d never let her go. Passion erupted between them as their tongues danced together, but he suddenly unhooked her hands from behind his nape and kept them in his own.

“Too tempting. We should go back now before we completely forget the time. From now on, you set the rules and limits, mylaya, my darling.”

Author page at Night Owl Romance: 
http://www.nightowlromance.com/nor/Authors/Mona-Risk.aspx

Readers’ comments:

"Prescription in Russian" is a lush, international contemporary romance you can't put down. The story is sophisticated for romance readers and the love scene is tasteful, evoking a rich, sensual chemistry that Jillian and Fyodor share.~ Stephanie Burkhart

Usually when I like a book it’s from the first sentence, and so far Mona, your books and some other author’s books hooked me like a fish on a hook. Your books are like drugs. Now I know what an addiction is. ;)~Ashley Eskidjian on Facebook

I just wanted to let you know I finished reading Prescription in Russian after I saw the review you posted from the woman who stayed up all night to read it. I can certainly see why she did! I, too, stayed up very late reading it. And I adored Fyodor's family. Such a poignant and intelligent romance with strong characters set against an incredible backdrop. I really enjoyed it!~Alyson Reuben

Rx IN RUSSIAN is available at:

At The Wild Rose Press: in print

http://thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=191&products_id=4464

At The Wild Rose Press: ebook

http://thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=4451

On amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Prescription-in-Russian-ebook/dp/B004VGU8CE/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1304683753&sr=8-4

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