VeriSEAL

a short story

by Marliss Melton

Self Published

Contemporary Romance: Romantic Suspense

December 1, 2010

ISBN-13: B004ELAPZ6

Available in: e-Book (reprint)

Read an Excerpt

VeriSEAL
by Marliss Melton

Dr. Libby Granger, professor of British Lit, is flattered by the attentions of the new graduate assistant, Bruce Kimball. Not only is Bruce young and virile, he’s a decorated veteran, a former Navy SEAL. However, four months into their relationship, the inconistencies in Bruce’s war stories prompt Libby to consult with the authentication service VeriSEAL, where she is stunned to discover that Bruce Kimball of SEAL Class 232 perished in a helicopter crash three years ago. Who, then, is the man claiming to be Bruce Kimball? Libby must entrusts her fate to the appealing VeriSEAL director, Lt. Cmdr. Todd Lawson. As Todd deepens his investigation, he discovers Bruce’s true name; he is Mark Earnest, a BUDs/SEAL drop-out, also from Class 232. Earnest has devised an elaborate charade to exact vengeance on the man he believes responsible for his failure, Libby’s brother, Commander Daren Granger. Todd tries to warn Libby via cellphone, but it’s too late. Mark Earnest has her in his clutches at the top of the Cape Hatteras lighthouse, and he has no intention of letting her go.



Marliss Melton's Bio

My greatest blessing was to grow up overseas without any television time. Sure, I missed out on The Waltons and Saturday morning cartoons, but how many kids get to ride on the back of an elephant, eat candied ants, visit every museum and chateaux in Paris, or track tigers in northern Thailand? As the youngest of four daughters, I had the example of my brilliant sisters, who read voraciously, and I bypassed Nancy Drew to read every book in the Hardy Boys series. (That was the first indication of my fascination for male heroes). By the sixth grade, I'd discovered Victoria Holt and moved back to the United States . I wrote my first book—a wretched historical novel—when I was thirteen. Two teenage years in Houston, Texas, saw me reading Harlequin® romances and writing several more books.

I've always been an over-achiever, with so many interests it was frustrating to have to choose just one career. I could have been an opera singer—but no. I excelled in language and for many years taught high school English, Spanish, and then Linguistics at the College of William and Mary, my alma mater.

But my first love, writing romance, remained a dream for decades. I wrote throughout my twenties and early thirties, completing more manuscripts, getting really serious with agents and publishers, etc. Danger's Promise (writing as Marliss Moon), a medieval romance, was finally published in 2002, becoming a RITA finalist for Best First Book. Since then, I've written ten books (some waiting to be released) and I've branched into romantic suspense featuring Navy SEALs. (My husband is a Navy veteran, making military romance a natural fit.)

My personal life is frankly hectic. We have children ranging from college students to a first-grader. I think that says it all. But I always find time for my loyal readers, so feel free to introduce yourself to me, as I have to you.