Title: OFF CHANCE
By: Sawyer Bennett
Release Date: October 21, 2013
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18279150-off-chance?from_search=true
By: Sawyer Bennett
Release Date: October 21, 2013
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18279150-off-chance?from_search=true
Amazon| Barnes and Noble | Goodreads
He is seeking absolution.
Flynn Caldwell has a hero complex and it’s one of the reasons he joined the New York City Fire Department. He has spent his entire professional career trying to atone for that one person he failed to save. Because, if he can do that, then perhaps he can be worthy of love again.
She is seeking escape.Rowan Page’s life is nothing short of a disaster. Always immersed in trouble, she has only herself to depend on. She’s determined to pull herself out of this mess and make something of her life, despite the hard years she has lived on the streets of New York.Flynn Caldwell has a hero complex and it’s one of the reasons he joined the New York City Fire Department. He has spent his entire professional career trying to atone for that one person he failed to save. Because, if he can do that, then perhaps he can be worthy of love again.
Together, they have the chance to become complete.
Flynn and Rowan’s worlds exist miles apart, but when a chance meeting brings them together, neither of them can deny the instant pull that connects them to each other. What starts as a tiny spark eventually flares into a fire so hot, it refuses to be extinguished.
Both are willing to jump feet first into the flames to see where it takes them, despite the risk of being burned.
Each book in the Off Series can be read as a standalone.
EXCERPT FROM OFF CHANCE
As I near the windows at the back of the house, I hear the frantic barking of a dog. A big dog by the sound of it and it sounds panicked. I can tell immediately it’s coming from inside the house and I easily locate the window where the barking is the loudest. The window ledge sits pretty high, just at my chest as I put my face up against the glass to look in. I can’t see shit because the cheap, plastic blinds are partially closed but the dog is definitely in there. I have no clue if a human is inside, so I may only be going in to save a dog, but yup... I’m going in.
And nope... doesn’t matter that my Cap hasn’t given the okay. Taking my ax, I break the window and breathe a sigh of relief that no smoke pours out. Making sure that all the shards of glass are clear of the window frame, I reach in and get a good grip on the blinds, hard so they rip from the wall. “Fuck, Flynn... can’t you wait two seconds?”
I knew Tim wouldn’t be too far behind but he’s not mad at me for entering so quickly. It’s pretty clear that this side of the house isn’t burning yet. I hear Tim speaking into his radio, letting the Captain know we’re making entry. “Cap... we hear a dog and possible subjects inside. Entering window to make a rescue.”
I think I hear the Cap curse but then he gives the go ahead. Putting my hands on the ledge, I give myself a mental pat on the back that I’m able to pull myself up and haul myself inside. Working out at the gym five days a week pays off. I make a less-than-graceful fall onto the floor and immediately jump up to take note of my surroundings.
I’m in a bedroom and the door is closed. Smoke is seeping in under the bottom and the air already has a hazy quality to it. Lying on the bed is a huge dog... probably at least a hundred pounds. Although I only look at him briefly, it’s enough to know that he’s no ordinary mutt. His coat is jet black, long and glossy. His chest and paws are snowy white with a blaze of the same color down the middle of his face. Russet-colored fur adorns his legs along with two brown stripes right where his eyebrows sit. It makes his face very expressive, and he’s looking at me now as if to say, It’s about damn time.
I say it’s a “he” because his head is boxy and his chest is huge, so I’m guessing he’s sporting a pair of big, furry balls underneath all that hair. The dog looks at me expectantly and lets out another series of panicked barks, which are still
deep and booming.
It’s then that I notice the dog seems to be lying on top of something, and based on the size and curves, it’s painfully obvious it’s a person under a blanket. Taking a step toward the bed, holding my hand out, palm down, I speak in a calm voice, “Hey boy... you gonna let me help whoever that is you’re lying on? Huh? Gonna let me take a peek?”
Not surprisingly, the dog lays his ears back flat and issues a deep growl. My voice just issued through the amp of my mask and I completely sounded like Darth Vader. I know I’m probably going to catch shit for this, but I take my helmet
off and toss it near the window. I see Tim standing there, his face peering in. I hold my hand up to him to just wait and I quickly loosen the straps on my face piece to pull it off.
With the mask gone, at least the dog can hear my real voice and hopefully won’t be as freaked. I, on the other hand, immediately notice the smoke is thicker and it’s hard to breathe. I’m guessing the fire has breached into this unit.
Inching forward carefully, I keep talking to the dog in a soft, reassuring voice. Now that the dog understands that I’m not Darth Vader and I’m here to save, not destroy, his ears perk forward and he just watches my progress with his head cocked to the side.
As I reach the edge of the bed, I take one last look at the dog, which I can now see is lying across the legs of whoever is under the blanket. He just stares back at me... expectantly. “Do you mind if I pull these covers back?” I ask, feeling ridiculous as I do so. His gaze at me never wavers, but he cocks his head in the opposite direction as if he’s saying, Well, what the hell are you waiting for?
Reaching out, I peel the covers back, revealing the face of a woman underneath. Her dark hair is lanky and her eyes are closed, with dark blue circles underneath. She’s on her side and it stands out to me that she has several piercings in her exposed ear, traveling all the way around the entire shell. Giving a quick glance at the dog, who still lies across the woman’s legs, I peel the blanket back further. When it reaches her shoulders, I realize that she’s naked underneath so I halt my progress.
Grabbing onto her shoulder, I shake her slightly. “Ma’am... I need you to wake up now. I need to get you out of here.”
She doesn’t move or respond in anyway. Just great... she’s probably high as a kite right so now I’m rescuing a dog and a
bombed-out druggie. I look at the dog again and he just stares back at me, as if to say, It’s still your job to save her.
“Yeah, I know... I got it,” I answer his silent plea. I try one more time to rouse her, tapping her on the cheek lightly. “Come on, lady. Wake up. ”She still makes no move so, with a sigh of frustration, I reach down to lift her up, sticking my arms under the blanket so it comes with her to keep her covered for modesty.
I give a pointed look to the dog. “Get up, you big lug, so I can lift her. ”Much to my surprise, the dog immediately bounds off the bed and walks over to the window, not caring in the slightest that there are glass shards littering the floor. His paws are probably going to get cut but I can’t worry about that now Bending my knees, I scoop the woman up and lift her from the bed. Except my momentum is stopped as something pulls against us.What the fuck?
Lowering her back down to the bed, I flip the blanket back and curse over the sight that greets me. Her right leg has a manacle cuffed around it and it’s chained to the metal bed frame at the bottom.
And nope... doesn’t matter that my Cap hasn’t given the okay. Taking my ax, I break the window and breathe a sigh of relief that no smoke pours out. Making sure that all the shards of glass are clear of the window frame, I reach in and get a good grip on the blinds, hard so they rip from the wall. “Fuck, Flynn... can’t you wait two seconds?”
I knew Tim wouldn’t be too far behind but he’s not mad at me for entering so quickly. It’s pretty clear that this side of the house isn’t burning yet. I hear Tim speaking into his radio, letting the Captain know we’re making entry. “Cap... we hear a dog and possible subjects inside. Entering window to make a rescue.”
I think I hear the Cap curse but then he gives the go ahead. Putting my hands on the ledge, I give myself a mental pat on the back that I’m able to pull myself up and haul myself inside. Working out at the gym five days a week pays off. I make a less-than-graceful fall onto the floor and immediately jump up to take note of my surroundings.
I’m in a bedroom and the door is closed. Smoke is seeping in under the bottom and the air already has a hazy quality to it. Lying on the bed is a huge dog... probably at least a hundred pounds. Although I only look at him briefly, it’s enough to know that he’s no ordinary mutt. His coat is jet black, long and glossy. His chest and paws are snowy white with a blaze of the same color down the middle of his face. Russet-colored fur adorns his legs along with two brown stripes right where his eyebrows sit. It makes his face very expressive, and he’s looking at me now as if to say, It’s about damn time.
I say it’s a “he” because his head is boxy and his chest is huge, so I’m guessing he’s sporting a pair of big, furry balls underneath all that hair. The dog looks at me expectantly and lets out another series of panicked barks, which are still
deep and booming.
It’s then that I notice the dog seems to be lying on top of something, and based on the size and curves, it’s painfully obvious it’s a person under a blanket. Taking a step toward the bed, holding my hand out, palm down, I speak in a calm voice, “Hey boy... you gonna let me help whoever that is you’re lying on? Huh? Gonna let me take a peek?”
Not surprisingly, the dog lays his ears back flat and issues a deep growl. My voice just issued through the amp of my mask and I completely sounded like Darth Vader. I know I’m probably going to catch shit for this, but I take my helmet
off and toss it near the window. I see Tim standing there, his face peering in. I hold my hand up to him to just wait and I quickly loosen the straps on my face piece to pull it off.
With the mask gone, at least the dog can hear my real voice and hopefully won’t be as freaked. I, on the other hand, immediately notice the smoke is thicker and it’s hard to breathe. I’m guessing the fire has breached into this unit.
Inching forward carefully, I keep talking to the dog in a soft, reassuring voice. Now that the dog understands that I’m not Darth Vader and I’m here to save, not destroy, his ears perk forward and he just watches my progress with his head cocked to the side.
As I reach the edge of the bed, I take one last look at the dog, which I can now see is lying across the legs of whoever is under the blanket. He just stares back at me... expectantly. “Do you mind if I pull these covers back?” I ask, feeling ridiculous as I do so. His gaze at me never wavers, but he cocks his head in the opposite direction as if he’s saying, Well, what the hell are you waiting for?
Reaching out, I peel the covers back, revealing the face of a woman underneath. Her dark hair is lanky and her eyes are closed, with dark blue circles underneath. She’s on her side and it stands out to me that she has several piercings in her exposed ear, traveling all the way around the entire shell. Giving a quick glance at the dog, who still lies across the woman’s legs, I peel the blanket back further. When it reaches her shoulders, I realize that she’s naked underneath so I halt my progress.
Grabbing onto her shoulder, I shake her slightly. “Ma’am... I need you to wake up now. I need to get you out of here.”
She doesn’t move or respond in anyway. Just great... she’s probably high as a kite right so now I’m rescuing a dog and a
bombed-out druggie. I look at the dog again and he just stares back at me, as if to say, It’s still your job to save her.
“Yeah, I know... I got it,” I answer his silent plea. I try one more time to rouse her, tapping her on the cheek lightly. “Come on, lady. Wake up. ”She still makes no move so, with a sigh of frustration, I reach down to lift her up, sticking my arms under the blanket so it comes with her to keep her covered for modesty.
I give a pointed look to the dog. “Get up, you big lug, so I can lift her. ”Much to my surprise, the dog immediately bounds off the bed and walks over to the window, not caring in the slightest that there are glass shards littering the floor. His paws are probably going to get cut but I can’t worry about that now Bending my knees, I scoop the woman up and lift her from the bed. Except my momentum is stopped as something pulls against us.What the fuck?
Lowering her back down to the bed, I flip the blanket back and curse over the sight that greets me. Her right leg has a manacle cuffed around it and it’s chained to the metal bed frame at the bottom.
FACTS ABOUT OFF CHANCE
1.Most importantly, this was supposed to be the last book in the Off Series but I’ve had such an outpouring of requests to keep writing… I’m happy to report that this is NOT the last book. There will be others, but after I get a few other projects complete!
2·Not to give away a spoiler, but there is a huge scene in the book involving Emily and Nix from Off Limits and it’s based almost exactly off a very important moment in my personal life.
3·Fire fighters are hot! It’s a fact!
4·There is a really cute, fuzzy and rambunctious dog in this book named, Capone! He’s based off of my own puppy goodness… my Bernese Mountain Dog, Atticus.
5·I sobbed like a baby when I finished writing the prologue. Warning: It might make you cry, too.
6·You will get really good updates in this book on all of the past Off characters… Ryan, Danny, Emily, Nix, Linc, Ever, Renner and Cillian!
2·Not to give away a spoiler, but there is a huge scene in the book involving Emily and Nix from Off Limits and it’s based almost exactly off a very important moment in my personal life.
3·Fire fighters are hot! It’s a fact!
4·There is a really cute, fuzzy and rambunctious dog in this book named, Capone! He’s based off of my own puppy goodness… my Bernese Mountain Dog, Atticus.
5·I sobbed like a baby when I finished writing the prologue. Warning: It might make you cry, too.
6·You will get really good updates in this book on all of the past Off characters… Ryan, Danny, Emily, Nix, Linc, Ever, Renner and Cillian!
AUTHOR’S TAKE ON FLYNN CALDWELL
Flynn Caldwell is a real hero! He works for the NYFD, a career choice he made after suffering a very tragic loss when he was younger. His experiences drive him to always want to save things, and his eyes are now set on Rowan Page.
Flynn is about the most genuine leading man I have ever written. He has nothing but good intentions, he’s filled with loyalty and he is adored by everyone. When I set out to write Flynn’s character, I wanted to create a hero that every man could aspire to be. It doesn’t mean he is without flaws… because he has them. But he is also someone that learns quickly and is always striving to become a better person. He will make you swoon… repetitively.
TOP TEN GUEST POST BY FLYNN CALDWELL
1. Favorite movie/actor/actress? Milla Jovovich … she is freaky in really hot way in The 5th Element.
2. Favorite song/singer? I hate to admit this but my cousin, Renner’s boyfriend has a really great song I listen to all the time called Walking On Treetops. God, I hope he doesn’t read this and think that I actually like the dude.
3. Favorite place you would love to visit? I’ve always wanted to go to New Zealand. Maybe one day with my girl.
4. One item you can not live with out? Coffee… it is like oxygen to me.
5.Who would you like to meet?(dead or alive) Martin Brodeur
6. Favorite hobby? Xbox… especially playing with Tim’s son, Sam. But that little monster kicks my butt all the time.
7. Guilty pleasure? Rowan… but there’s no guilt about it.
8. Favorite author and/book? The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
9. Do you collect anything? Dog hair… since Capone moved in.
10. Favorite color? Gray. Read Off Chance and you’ll understand why.
2. Favorite song/singer? I hate to admit this but my cousin, Renner’s boyfriend has a really great song I listen to all the time called Walking On Treetops. God, I hope he doesn’t read this and think that I actually like the dude.
3. Favorite place you would love to visit? I’ve always wanted to go to New Zealand. Maybe one day with my girl.
4. One item you can not live with out? Coffee… it is like oxygen to me.
5.Who would you like to meet?(dead or alive) Martin Brodeur
6. Favorite hobby? Xbox… especially playing with Tim’s son, Sam. But that little monster kicks my butt all the time.
7. Guilty pleasure? Rowan… but there’s no guilt about it.
8. Favorite author and/book? The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
9. Do you collect anything? Dog hair… since Capone moved in.
10. Favorite color? Gray. Read Off Chance and you’ll understand why.
AUTHOR’S TAKE ON ROWAN PAGE
Rowan was a bit of a difficult character to write because she does have quite a screwed up past that tends to get in her way of finding her happily ever after.
There are probably going to be times you want to shake her, particularly when you see how fabulous Flynn is. But she has a process to work through in order to be able to trust her feelings.
The best thing about Rowan is that she wants more… I mean, really craves to have that something special she never thought she was good enough for, so she goes through a lot of internal conflict to get the strength to seek it. It’s quite a journey she takes and she makes a huge transformation on her path to self discovery.
There are probably going to be times you want to shake her, particularly when you see how fabulous Flynn is. But she has a process to work through in order to be able to trust her feelings.
The best thing about Rowan is that she wants more… I mean, really craves to have that something special she never thought she was good enough for, so she goes through a lot of internal conflict to get the strength to seek it. It’s quite a journey she takes and she makes a huge transformation on her path to self discovery.
TWITTER CONVERSATION WITH OFF CHANCE CHARACTERS
Nix: @HarleyDog
Flynn: @FlameDestroyer
Renner:@OTEGroupie
Flynn: @HarleyDog Just talked to Ren. Coming for Xmas.
Nix: @FlameDestroyer Is dbag coming?
Flynn: @HarleyDog Yup.
Nix: @FlameDestroyer Wanna kick his ass?
Flynn: @HarleyDog Yup.
Renner: @HarleyDog @FlameDestroyer I’m listening to you two. Not funny.
Flynn: @HarleyDog Call me. We’ll discuss. @OTEGroupie is too blinded by love.
Nix: @FlameDestroyer Will do. I have a great idea. No offense @OTEGroupie
Renner: @HarleyDog @FlameDestroyer You so much as lay a hand on Cillian I will make you regret the day you decided to cross …(1)
Renner: @HarleyDog @FlameDestroyer …(2) me and you will both be walking funny for the rest of your life and I’ll be sitting back and laughing…
Renner: @HarleyDog @FlameDestroyer …(3) and I’ll also tell Em and Rowan about that time you two almost got arrested for streaking at Times Square.
*Twitter Silence*
Renner: @HarleyDog @FlameDestroyer Am I making myself clear?
Nix: @OTEGroupie Loud and clear. Can’t wait to see my bud Cillian. @FlameDestroyer
Flynn: @OTEGroupie My ears are ringing with the loudness. Cillian is our dude. No worries. @HarleyDog
Nix: @FlameDestroyer Shit. I hate she follows us on Twitter. @OTEGroupie
Flynn: @HarleyDog. Word.
Flynn: @FlameDestroyer
Renner:@OTEGroupie
Flynn: @HarleyDog Just talked to Ren. Coming for Xmas.
Nix: @FlameDestroyer Is dbag coming?
Flynn: @HarleyDog Yup.
Nix: @FlameDestroyer Wanna kick his ass?
Flynn: @HarleyDog Yup.
Renner: @HarleyDog @FlameDestroyer I’m listening to you two. Not funny.
Flynn: @HarleyDog Call me. We’ll discuss. @OTEGroupie is too blinded by love.
Nix: @FlameDestroyer Will do. I have a great idea. No offense @OTEGroupie
Renner: @HarleyDog @FlameDestroyer You so much as lay a hand on Cillian I will make you regret the day you decided to cross …(1)
Renner: @HarleyDog @FlameDestroyer …(2) me and you will both be walking funny for the rest of your life and I’ll be sitting back and laughing…
Renner: @HarleyDog @FlameDestroyer …(3) and I’ll also tell Em and Rowan about that time you two almost got arrested for streaking at Times Square.
*Twitter Silence*
Renner: @HarleyDog @FlameDestroyer Am I making myself clear?
Nix: @OTEGroupie Loud and clear. Can’t wait to see my bud Cillian. @FlameDestroyer
Flynn: @OTEGroupie My ears are ringing with the loudness. Cillian is our dude. No worries. @HarleyDog
Nix: @FlameDestroyer Shit. I hate she follows us on Twitter. @OTEGroupie
Flynn: @HarleyDog. Word.
About the Author
USA Today Best-Selling author, Sawyer Bennett, is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn't have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate
Author social media links
www.sawyerbennett.com
www.facebook.com/bennettbooks.com
www.twitter.com/bennettbooks
Author social media links
www.sawyerbennett.com
www.facebook.com/bennettbooks.com
www.twitter.com/bennettbooks
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