“No doubt Thomas could take home anyone he wanted–could and probably had.”
from Every Breath You Take
Nights at Mata Hari, book 1!
For Zachary, a one-night stand with Thomas may have deadly consequences but he can’t help hoping for more from the enigmatic man whose previous lovers turn up as corpses. A chilling novel of gay romantic suspense.
Amazon US Amazon Universal Amazon AU
Buy the paperback and receive the Kindle version for just $0.99 more!
Someone is murdering young gay men in Washington, DC.
When Zachary Hall leaves Utah for a job in Washington, it’s finally his chance to live as a gay man and maybe find someone special. In a bar he meets Thomas Scarborough, a man who seems perfect in and out of the bedroom. But Thomas never dates. He never even sleeps with the same man twice. Despite their instant connection, he can offer Zachary only his friendship, and Zachary is looking for more.
Thomas is tempted to break his own rules, but years before, he became the victim of a stalker who nearly destroyed his life. Even though his stalker died, Thomas obsessively keeps others at a distance. Despite his fascination with Zachary, he is unable to lower his barriers. Frustrated, Zachary accepts he will never have what he wants with Thomas and soon finds it with another man.
But the dead gay men all have a connection to Thomas. Once again someone is watching Thomas’s every move. Can it be a coincidence? When the depraved killer turns his attention toward Zachary, Thomas must face the demons of his past–or lose his chance to open his heart to Zachary forever.
Every Breath You Take just won Best Gay Suspense Novel in the 2017 Rainbow Awards, and also came in second in Best Gay Book!
Here’s what the judges had to say–
1) Thrilling from the first page. The story develops at a swift pace, from the first blush of attraction, and more than a hint of danger, through the deepening of emotion as the stakes rise. I loved all the characters. The secondaries were more than stand-ins. They all had something interesting going on and a reason to be on the page. The heroes take center stage, though. Realistic and sympathetic, in all their moods. I really wanted a happy ever after for these guys–and for both of them to live to see the end of the book.
2) A beautifully written story with so much to recommend it. The setting of Washington, DC is realistic, and the plot has some wonderful surprises and interesting secondary threads. While the romantic leads follow familiar arcs they are well-drawn and always believably in character. The psychological portrait of the stalker is deep, complex and truly frightening. The writing is intelligent, clear, and elegantly paced — so well-suited to the story.
3) This was a very solid, satisfying mystery. Excellent character development with a believable attraction between the MCs, and genuine suspense as the peril built and Zachary is threatened by Thomas’ past. Well done.
4) Totally absorbing, from the first page to the last. The beginning sets the tone – this isn’t going to be a sweet love story. Rather, it’s a tale of obsession and denial. There is sweetness here, though, in both heroes as they examine what they truly want. How they are with each other, especially in their private moments.
Check out the other Gay Suspense Novel winners here, and the Best Gay Book winners here
The reviews are in and people love
Every Breath You Take!
“[T]he tension that Winter creates and builds combines perfectly with the other areas of the story, always leaving the reader with an apprehension about the next move of the perpetrator. For me, Every Breath You Take and Robert Winter deserve a full five-star rating!” Kirsty at Joyfully Jay
“This book was a fantastic read and just made me love Robert Winter even more…especially after reading his other novel, September. Both are fabulous and should be read ASAP!” Reviewer at Amazon.com
“This story starts out on a murderous note, with the prologue leaving me absolutely needing to know how its dark events were going to figure in the lives of the main characters.” Dianne at It’s About the Book
“Loved this book! This is the story of Zachary and Thomas. Its about friendship, love and a very creepy stalker!” Lulu at Alpha Book Club
“Five solid stars for this incredible novel, and many, many recommendations that you pick it up to find yourself an author you’ll love!” Cat Clontz at Divine Magazine
“I absolutely loved this book. It was edge-of-your-seat intrigue and suspense, with some epic sex scenes that will leave you a little hot and bothered *winks*.” Fiona at Optimumm
“The murder/mystery/stalker/craziness was brilliant, and kind of makes me question the mind of the author :)” Heather at Bayou Book Junkie
“The juxtaposition of the killer’s stalking and escalating madness with the growing friendship and attraction between Thomas and Zachary was really skillfully written, and kept me biting my nails right up until the end. ” Caryn at Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words
Follow my Blog Tour here.
EXCERPT:
Across the street the man with the silver-framed glasses stood back in the shadows and stared at the front window of the garden apartment. He could see the back of his quarry’s head as he watched a small flat-screen TV.
Time passed.
Eventually the head nodded forward and then jerked up. When it happened a second time, the creature turned off the TV and then the lamp and headed to bed.
The man waited for another half hour with his back pressed against an alcove formed where two brownstones met. The street was quiet. Almost no one walked by, and the lone person who came down the street failed to notice him in the shadows.
The man felt his breath grow hoarse, and blood rushed in his ears as his heart began to pound. He cultivated that sensation as he reached into his coat pocket for the screwdriver that rested there and made himself imagine the creature’s hands touching the Beloved’s face. Stroking his body. He curled his fingers around the screwdriver and then clenched and unclenched rhythmically. Its thick handle felt rough against his palm because of the grooves and sharp edges he had chiseled into it. He had ideas for other implements that would serve his purpose, but for now, this would do just fine. This would make his point.
His throat was dry, and his eyes burned from focusing on the darkened window, but he felt invincible. The tension in his body climbed exquisitely, and when he could take no more, he slipped across the street and stepped down to the locked gate. It opened easily with his small set of picks. The gate made no noise when the creature went through it earlier, so he was confident and quick and didn’t bother to lock it behind him. Child’s play, he thought as he worked the lock on the apartment door.
The tumblers clicked into place.
He stored his lockpicks, slipped inside the darkened apartment, and then closed the door behind him as silently as he could. Streetlight came through the slatted blinds the boy had failed to close completely. He waited quietly until he heard a faint snore from the back and then removed his glasses and tucked them in an inside pocket of his jacket. The scarf his quarry had been wearing caught his eye, and the man bared his teeth as he lifted it off the coat tree and tugged it tightly between his hands. It was well made. It would hold. He smiled.
He slid through the gloom toward the room where the creature lay sleeping. He was hard, and the blood in his erection pulsed in time to the pounding of his heart. That boy had dared to touch his Beloved. He had probably even been fucked by him. But that wasn’t enough—oh no. He came back for more.
It had taken the man so long to find his Beloved and interpret his subtle clues. He finally understood what was required of him. The undeserving gnat must be chastised, and he would be the Beloved’s angel of retribution. He was conscious of the weight of the screwdriver in his pocket, the scratch of the wool scarf in his hands, and the power in his arms.
He reached for the boy on the bed.