I am pleased to introduce Coyote by Gigi Meier. Gigi loves to meet new people and writing. She finds inspiration for her writing from everywhere – people watching to nightmares and everything in between. Join me as we get to know a little about Gigi and her journey as an author.
Background on Coyote
Sammie Smith is desperate to escape the clutches of sex traffickers with the six teenage girls she rescued. When her mission goes awry, she’s forced to seek help from the most unlikely source, Maximiliano Maldonado, the drug lord she left five years ago. She’s going to need his power and protection to avoid being captured. But what happens when he turns the tables and seeks revenge on the only woman he has ever loved? Sammie can’t trust him, but can she trust the new guard, Carlos, to help her escape the man who stole her heart all those years ago?
Carlos Mendez, former Marine Raider turned private protection, lives in the shadows of his grief. Once career military, now medically discharged from Afghanistan, Carlos no longer values his life and accepts the riskiest assignments. Hired to guard the drug lord’s newest captive, he sees the same grief and guilt tearing her apart as it does him. Keeping track of her means diving into her inner thoughts and watching her nurturing ways. Her do-gooder actions stir something in him he thought was dead long ago. Can he steal her heart away as she has stolen his while helping her escape?
As Sammie and Carlos’ friendship grows into something more, the stakes become life and death. Maximiliano will stop at nothing to rekindle what he lost, even if it means hiding her deep in the confines of cartel life. Can Carlos rescue her without getting them both killed
Coyote is a single POV, action-packed standalone cartel, kidnapped, romantic suspense novel containing dark theme. Content warnings are available on the author’s website.
Buy Now: https://books2read.com/u/bpya2k
An Interview with GiGi Meier, author of Coyote
What inspired your last novel?
I’m often asked where I came up with the idea for this book. To be honest, the first half of the opening scene was a dream. It was me blazing across the desert trying to rescue the girls. From there, I asked myself a series of questions. What if she sees a building in the distance? What kind of building is it? What if it’s abandoned? What if it’s not? Who would be there? Who is more powerful than the people chasing her? Will the person occupying the building help her? And from there, the story begins.
Why do you write romance and why your genre of romance?
I write romance because I’ve always been drawn to the genre growing up and reading it throughout my life. After going through a heartbreaking divorce and some other unexpected life events, I think we all want to be loved and cherished. It’s something everyone deserves to feel. I write strong female characters that have encountered setbacks of their own and fall in love with men that have a similar struggle emotionally or a traumatizing past.
What are you working on next and when can we expect to see it?
My next novel is called Tomlin. It releases on March 23, 2023. It’s about a feisty and foul-mouthed car preservationist who’s hardened by life working in a male-dominated industry. When an arrogant three-time Olympic champion who broke her best friend’s heart wants his car restored by her and wants to jump her year-long waitlist to be next, sparks fly. It’s a single POV, enemies to lovers, slight age gap, duet books love story with a HEA. Tomlin is Book 1 and Takahashi is Book 2, due out on April 24, 2023.
What would you do if you couldn’t write?
Well, I already had a long career in Corporate America where I climbed the ladder from entry-level to a C-suite senior executive of a $4B public company. Therefore, writing is my second act. I’m doing this until I’m old and gray, living in retirement somewhere.
How do you spend your free time?
I mention this in my bio already, but socializing. Writing can be a solitary activity, so when I’m not alone hovering over my laptop, I like to catch up with friends and family to nurture my soul. These experiences make my writing richer by watching others’ mannerisms, how they speak and interact, and their idiosyncrasies. All things that can be incorporated into future stories.
Do you listen to music when you write? What is your go-to playlist and why?
I listen to music most of the time and even have a playlist curated for each book on my website. Music sets the mood for different scenes and tones. However, I don’t listen to music when I edit. That takes a different set of tools, usually harsh and brutal ones, and I’ll sing along to the music instead of being a super harsh critic of my work.
How do you, your friends, and your fans encourage you when you need a pick-me-up?
The absolute best thing in the world is when readers love my characters as much as I do. When they celebrate the characters’ successes, cry alongside them and rally in anger with them. It’s the best compliment as a writer and is a true pick-me-up. The journey to becoming a published author can be daunting, full of doubt and worry. When a reader leaves a glowing review, it puts me on cloud nine for days and is the right motivation to keep going. I know I’m not doing justice in describing how it feels, but it’s like winning the lottery over and over again.
What Gigi’s Readers are Saying about Coyote…
This was my first book my GiGi and I am absolutely hooked… Her writing style is amazing… I honestly couldn’t put this book down… Sam the main character was a strong but broken lead but in the best of ways…Carlos was a surprise but a good one… And I kinda felt a bit bad for Maxie but I won’t give and spoilers.. You just have to read it you will not be disappointed.
– Shelly M.
I absolutely loved Sammie and was rooting for her from page one. And CARLOS!!!! My little cinnamon roll human. I love him. Ex-marine with a heart of gold. Chef’s kiss.
– Emily
This one was certainly a kick-ass book. It’s easy for me to give it 5 stars because I was impressed by everything. From start to finish I was so involved in what was happening. There were a couple of moments when I found myself actually gasping at what happened. And have you ever had a moment where you have to put the book down for a moment to absorb everything you just read?
– Sarah C.
I loved it! The plot was so interesting and different from what I have ever read. A strong female character with lots of sass and a big personality. A little bit of spice but not so much that it took away from the story. Reading the bonus scene is a must!
– Sally,
This is Gigi Meier’s debut novel and it did not disappoint. Literally, the very first chapter displays the tone of this story. Action packed, filed with suspense, drama, and intensity! The subject matter of this book is not to be taken lightly as it is very dark and disturbing. There is extreme violence against women, including sexual assault.
Sammie is a self-made celebrity, but she is not your typical ‘it’ girl. She thrives in rescuing women and children who are found to be within the confines of sex trafficking, while using her millions to help those in need. During one of her rescues, she finds herself to be the next victim, caught and held captive in the confines of the Mexican cartel, which is operated by her ex. The first half of the book provides the historical context and dives into her past with her ex, Maxie, ensuring the reader understands why she vows to escape. In walks Carlos…literally. I am a sucker for a military hero and Carlos embodies this character. The sparks between Sammie and Carlos smolders off the pages as I found myself turning each page, needing to find out what happens next.
I highly recommend this novel, even though it’s subject matter can be a bit much, I promise it will be worth it. I look forward to reading more from Gigi!
– Jane
An Excerpt from Gigi Meier’s Coyote
Footsteps echo off the stone floors. Fresh cologne surges into the musky space, and those familiar eyes fall on me.
“Well, well, well. How you say?” His face is sinister, full of contempt. “Ah, yes. Look what the cat dragged in.”
We lock eyes.
He’s bigger than I remember, darker, and more menacing. His dark suit clings to his muscular body, and power radiates off him.
That once beautiful face has a scar intersecting his eye, and I can’t help tilting my head to wonder what happened. A new tattoo snakes around the side of his neck and slithers into his black dress shirt.
A shadowy beard coats his clenched jaws, bringing out the pink of his lips. He never used to wear a beard. His eyes, which used to hold reflections of me, are hard and cold.
“Maximiliano.” His name falls from my lips like an unanswered prayer.
His mouth twists, pleased with his effect on me.
He saunters forward, shrinking the space and the girls’ sobbing heightens. I glance over my shoulder to hush their fears, knowing it will have little effect. Mom steps forward when he pulls my chin to meet his gaze, and two guns move to her.
“Don’t touch her,” Mom demands, standing beside me and moving to touch him. His men inch closer, the threat unspoken, and her hand drops to my shoulder.
“Mama, I presume?”
His voice is gravely low, unconcerned, and unwilling to call off his men to help us poor, defenseless women.
Anger stirs in me.
“Leave her alone. She doesn’t know.”
“Still a fierce gatita, I see.” His accent stumbles across the words. My heart aches at how much I once loved it. Now, the familiarity stings. “But you can’t make demands.”
Mom’s hand trails down my arm, catching my hand to hold and conveying our unity.
He lets go of my chin, and I raise it in defiance.
“True, but I didn’t expect our paths to cross again.”
It’s the truth.
The mission didn’t go as planned.
“Ah yes, this noise, shall we call disturbance, is because of you?”
He steps back, pointing to the ceiling, and the steady burr of the helicopter is getting louder by the minute. I look around the empty racks that once held unspeakable things in this room and release Mom’s hand.
“Yes.”
“You know I like the peace and the quiet, yes?”
I meet his stare.
“Yes.”
“And this, gatita, is not peace and quiet now, is it?”
“No.”
I shake my head. With a flick of his wrist, his men lower their guns and stand down. I inhale a shaky breath, feeling a small amount of relief.
“I need a few hours, and then we’ll be gone. You’ll never see me again. You can have your peace and quiet back.”
“Niña traviesa, what have you done? These cochina bambinas and the anciana? What are you up to?”
His tone is both accusatory and mocking. He already knows. I don’t know how, but I’m almost sure he does.
Cat and mouse was always his favorite game. He loves having an advantage over people. Thrives off control and indebtedness. He must relish me being the one to owe him now.
“They’re too young, Maxie.”
I hope using his old nickname would favor me, but seeing his sneer, I know I made a strategic mistake. He abruptly turns and walks toward the cellar entrance. I shoot Mom a weary look, which she meets with a concerned one.
“You want something from me now, and years ago, I wanted something too.”
His words carry the gravity of the situation. He won’t let us go. No, there will be a cost. There always was.
Nothing in his world has changed in the last five years. Mine is vastly different from the impressionable girl I used to be. Tiberia’s nose bumps my hand, and I raise it to pet her head. When he finally turns around, he’s disgusted at the sight.
“You even turned my dog against me.”
His dog? Is that how she is still alive?
He suddenly whips his gun out of the holster hidden beneath his suit coat and points it at Tiberia. The girls scream, and Mom jumps, but I fall to my knees in front of her. I shield her fluffy body with my petite frame, putting my head directly in front of the barrel.
“No . . . please. Don’t kill her,” I beg, throwing my arms out to hold Tiberia back and pray she doesn’t lunge at him. Her renewed growls rumble through her chest and vibrate my back. “Tiberia, down girl.”
His calculating eyes stare at me, and I whisper, “Please.”
His barrel hits my forehead, and I close my eyes. If this is how he wants it to end, then so be it. I don’t stand a chance against the dark, violent world he lives in. I am nothing but a mere desert flower in this dry wasteland he calls a life.
His harsh laugh rings out in the silent room. The cold steel is no longer pressed against my clammy skin.
“Always saving the world. I will let the dog live. Let the anciana and cochina bambinas leave.”
“Thank you.”
I breathe, shifting to wrap my arms around a growling Tiberia to calm her. I wipe my watering eyes in her dusty fur before using her body for balance to stand.
A pounding on the door sends a collective gasp into the air.
“Please, Maximiliano,” I beg, and he knows why.
Those calculating eyes stare into my light green eyes for several agonizing seconds before he raises a finger to one of his men. As the soldier retreats, I glance at the narrow passageway to the old stone staircase hidden from the fort’s grand hall.
The air is smothering, and the tension is thick. I don’t know what he meant when he said we could leave. Does that mean leave after the heat dies down? Or does he plan to turn us over to the coyotes? Or will he allow an old friend safe passage to the local authorities?
Nervousness swims in my stomach, causing me to feel nauseated, but I must ask. I step forward, reaching my hand out. I need to know. Do we make a run for it and risk getting shot? Or can I trust him to hide us somewhere in his compound?
“Maximiliano?”
He views my hand scornfully, and I tilt my head in a silent plea. I know I’m pushing my luck at this point, but it’s all I have left. No ideas, no escape route, no backup plan. Just hope and a prayer. Six women, a young girl, and God help me, Mom, depending on me for their survival.
“The old wing, gatita. Not a sound.”
His ominous warning rings to the danger I have placed him in. He hates precarious positions and asking him to hide us puts him directly in one.
“I’m indebted.”
I speak the words we both know are true. His dark eyes slowly scan my body, lingering on his once favorite parts before returning to my eyes.
“Yes, you are. Now go.”
Meet the Fascinating Gigi Meier
GIGI MEIER retired from a thirty-year career in
corporate America to write romance novels about
strong female characters and their complicated,
swoon-worthy men. She loves telling stories and
figuring out why her characters do what they do.
With heartbreaking angst, panty-dropping lust,
and enviable love, her stories linger long after you
close the book.
When GiGi is not eating over her laptop, she likes
to spend time in the pool with her children, walk
her furry babies, and film videos for Instagram
and TikTok. Whether working out with her
trainer, attending a book club, or hosting a game
night, she loves connecting with new people and
making friends.
https://www.gigimeier.com/coyote
https://books2read.com/u/bpya2k
www.GiGiMeier.com
www.instagram.com/gigimeiermedia/
www.tiktok.com/@gigimeiermedia1