Thief of Always

290 Pages·2016·1.59 MB·English

by  Baldwin Kim

bold strokes books
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T A
hief of lwAys
Praise for Lethal Affairs
the first book in the Elite Operative series
“Lethal Affairs is an exciting read, which definitely puts its
reader on the edge of their seat. We can only hope that it is the
first in a long series of books.” — Just About Write
What Reviewers Say About Kim Baldwin’s Books
“With each new book Kim Baldwin improves her craft and
her storytelling. Flight Risk…has heated action and vibrant
depictions that make the reader feel as though she was right
in the middle of the story…fast moving with crisp dialogue,
and effective use of the characters’ thoughts and emotions…
this reviewer could not put the book down. Baldwin outdid
herself with Flight Risk…her best storytelling to date. I highly
recommend this thrilling story.” — Independent Gay Writer
“A hallmark of great writing is consummate characterization,
and Whitewater Rendezvous does not disappoint…Captures
the reader from the very first page…totally immerses and
envelopes the reader in the Arctic experience. Superior chapter
endings, stylishly and tightly written sentences, precise pacing,
and exquisite narrative all coalesce to produce a novel of first-
rate quality, both in concept and expression.” — Midwest Book
Review
“Nature’s fury has nothing on the fire of desire and passion that
burns in Kim Baldwin’s Force of Nature! Filled with passion,
plenty of laughs, and ‘yeah, I know how that feels…’ moments,
Force of Nature is a book you simply can’t put down. All we
have to say is, where’s the sequel?!” — Outlookpress.com
“‘A riveting novel of suspense’ seems to be a very overworked
phrase. However, it is extremely apt when discussing…
Hunter’s Pursuit. Look for this excellent novel.” — Mega-
Scene Magazine
“A…fierce first novel, an action-packed thriller pitting deadly
professional killers against each other. Baldwin’s fast-paced
plot comes…leavened, as every intelligent adventure novel’s
excesses ought to be, with some lovin’.” — Richard Labonte,
Book Marks, Q Syndicate
“In a change of pace from her previous novels of suspense,
Kim Baldwin has given her fans an intelligent romance, filled
with delightful peeks at the lives of the rich and famous…
the reader journeys into some of the hot dance clubs in Paris
and Rome, and gets a front row seat to some very powerful
sex scenes. Baldwin definitely proves that lust has gotten a
bad rap. Focus of Desire is a great read, with humor, strong
dialogue and heat.” — Just About Write
Visit us at www.boldstrokesbooks.com
By the Authors
Lethal Affairs
By Kim Baldwin
Hunter’s Pursuit
Force of Nature
Whitewater Rendezvous
Flight Risk
Focus of Desire
T A
hief of lwAys
by
Kim Baldwin
Xenia Alexiou
and
2009
thief of always
© 2009 By Kim Baldwin and Xenia aleXiou. all Rights ReseRved.
isBn 10: 1-60282-049-Xe
isBn 13: 978-1-60282-049-4e
This ElEcTronic Book is PuBlishEd By
Bold sTrokEs Books, inc.,
P.o. Box 249
VallEy Falls, ny 12185
FirsT EdiTion: FEBruary 2009
This is a Work oF FicTion. naMEs, characTErs, PlacEs, and
incidEnTs arE ThE ProducT oF ThE auThor’s iMaGinaTion or
arE usEd FicTiTiously. any rEsEMBlancE To acTual PErsons,
liVinG or dEad, BusinEss EsTaBlishMEnTs, EVEnTs, or localEs
is EnTirEly coincidEnTal.
This Book, or ParTs ThErEoF, May noT BE rEProducEd in any
ForM WiThouT PErMission.
CRedits
EdiTors: JEnniFEr kniGhT and sTacia sEaMan
ProducTion dEsiGn: sTacia sEaMan
coVEr dEsiGn By shEri ([email protected])
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank all the talented women at Bold Strokes
Books for making this book possible. Radclyffe, for her vision, faith
in us, and example. Senior Consulting Editor Jennifer Knight, we are
happy to have found the treasure that is your talent. Your personal
attention this to book, and the Elite Operatives series, is deeply
appreciated. Editor Stacia Seaman, for making every word the best it
can be. Graphic artist Sheri, for another amazing cover. Connie Ward,
huggable BSB publicist and first-reader extraordinaire, and all of the
other support staff who work behind the scenes to make each BSB book
an exceptional read.
We’d also like to thank our dear friend and first-reader Jenny
Harmon, for your invaluable feedback and insights, and BSB author
JLee Meyer, for teaching us how to read. And finally, to the readers
who encourage us by buying our books, showing up for personal
appearances, and for taking the time to e-mail us. Thank you so much.
v
My cherished friend Xenia, I’ll never be able to thank you enough
for entrusting me with the joyous task of co-authoring your stories. I’m
honored and deeply touched by your faith in me, and hold you close to
my heart.
For Marty, for everything. Forty years of friendship and so much
more. Your encouragement started me on this path, and I’m forever
grateful.
For my father, your love knows no bounds. And my brother Tom,
for always saying yes when I need a ride to the airport.
I also have to thank a wonderful bunch of friends who provide
unwavering support for all my endeavors. Linda and Vicki, Kat and Ed,
Felicity, Marsha and Ellen, and Claudia and Esther. You are family, and
near or far, I hold you always close to my heart.
Kim Baldwin, February 2009
As always, a very big thank you to my wonderfully supportive
family and friends.
Dennis, I sincerely don’t know what I’d do without your constant
encouragement and eternal optimism. Esther, Nicki, Steven, Mirjam,
Zus and the Amsterdamse Posse, Georgia, Elia, Giorgo, Vaso, Dimitri
and Vasiliki. I am forever grateful for your support and enthusiasm. I
couldn’t ask for better friends.
Mom, Dad, and Sis. I don’t know what I’d do without you. You
are my biggest reward and comfort. Thank you for everything.
In a category of your own, Kim, you are a precious friend. Your
patience, trust, and belief in me have given me wings.
And last but not least, a big bow of appreciation to all the readers
out there who make writing one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever
done. YOU ALL ROCK.
Xenia Alexiou, February 2009