The Stranger
Waitress Lena senses danger when a handsome stranger enters her saloon, but it's only when a patron gets handsy, that her mystery man unleashes a lethal skill, starting a violent shootout.
Available on Amazon
The Stranger Details
This 52 page Kindle Edition novelette is a fast-paced thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
About The Stranger
When a handsome, mysterious stranger walks into the Gun & Tumble Saloon, he sets off a series of events that turns a young waitress’ once run-of-the-mill regular work day into a deadly nightmare.
Lena Belgrave, the waitress is enthralled by the Stranger the moment he walks through the doors, his mysterious and dangerous aura piquing her interest as he confidently moves to the dark corner of the bar, sits down, and seems to merge with the shadows.
Lured by his aura and her own curiosity, against her better judgement, Lena suddenly finds herself in the midst of a terrifying brawl between the Stranger and a notorious gang.
With all hell breaking loose, Lena must use all her courage and skills to not only survive this escalating showdown with guns blazing everywhere, but also protect her co-workers and patrons.
Will Lena make it out of this alive and what is The Stranger’s true agenda?
Your Next Romantic Thrill Starts With a Slap and a Shot.
He is the dark silhouette in the corner who has been watching her with an intensity that feels like a physical touch.
“The moment I saw his silhouetted frame block the doorway of The Gun & Tumble Saloon, the late evening sun bathing him in its waning orange glow … his footfalls clicked mutely on the hardwood floor as he casually, yet deliberately strolled past the patrons lounging and drinking at the polished bar, not sparing them or myself a glance… I just knew he was trouble.” — Excerpt from The Stranger.
He is a predator in a room full of prey.
A lone wolf with a gaze that strips Lena bare.
He exudes an aura that screams "DANGER," yet Lena feels an undeniable, magnetic pull toward him.
She surrenders almost immediately to it.
The tension you can practically taste ignites when a rowdy, handsy patron makes the mistake of grabbing Lena.
And just like that Lena is caught between a dangerous patron and the mysterious man watching her.
Lena doesn’t shrink away.
She ignites.
“Rage shot through me like a lightning strike... I swung my hand back and connected it with a resounding thwack right across his cheek, the impact stinging my palm and stalling the entire Saloon... Everyone collectively held their breaths.” — Excerpt from The Stranger.
It was a moment of pure defiance.
A slap that echoed like a gunshot.
The air is thick with an impending storm.
Retaliation is imminent, as the man turns murderous eyes onto her and ominously raises his hand.
Intent crystal clear …
Lena braces for the blow that will surely come.
But it never lands.
Instead, she hears a low, unfamiliar growl: "I believe the lady said 'let go'!"
The Stranger steps out of the shadows.
He doesn't negotiate.
He moves with lethal grace.
One punch drops the man.
But it doesn't stop there.
Suddenly, the world explodes.
Gunshots shatter the glass.
Patrons dive for cover.
The saloon turns into a war zone of flying bullets and broken timber.
And in the center of the storm stands The Stranger.
Cool. Lethal. Unbothered.
He is dodging bullets and dismantling men while chaos reigns around him.
And now, Lena has to make a choice.
As all hell breaks loose and what started as a volatile bar dispute quickly spirals into screams, a terrifying brawl with a notorious gang, and enough gunshots to turn a neighborhood saloon into a Western movie set, Lena is forced to seek refuge behind the one man who could either save her life or get her killed.
He is the eye of the storm.
He is devastatingly handsome, brutally dangerous, and an absolute enigma.
Is he her savior or is he the most dangerous thing in the room?
Lena is torn between fear and a hunger she can’t explain.
Just who is this enigmatic "Stranger" who can take out five men, stand tall in a hailstorm of bullets, and is now locked in a deadly, final standoff?
From Ashlee
"What began as a thousand-word mystery grew into this realistically chaotic story."
I’ve always loved the mystique of The Stranger, but in this revised edition, I was determined to place Lena at the center of the action.
It was important to me that she be more than just a footnote in her own tale.
I hope you enjoy the dangerous intrigue, the sassy side characters, and the journey of the woman who gets caught up with a man who walks out of the shadows.
Why We Love It
- A Heroic Intervention: After Lena is targeted by a group of unruly patrons, the mysterious Stranger steps in, showcasing terrifying speed and skill that proves he is far more than just a man stopping for a drink.
- Explosive Action: What starts as a tense encounter quickly escalates into a brutal, chaotic bar brawl and shootout. Watch as the Stranger single-handedly takes down armed men in a fluid, jaw-dropping sequence of violence.
- The Shocking Reveal: The danger and mystique build until the final chapters when the Stranger’s true identity—and his real reason for being in the saloon—is revealed, changing everything Lena thought she knew about the man who saved her life.
- Feel the rush of fear, fascination, and the burning question: Who is he, and what is he determined to find in this dangerous hole-in-the-wall?
