From #1 New York Times bestselling
author Ilona Andrew comes an enthralling new trilogy set in the
Hidden Legacy world, where magic means power, and family bloodlines
are the new currency of society…
In a world where magic is the key to power and wealth, Catalina Baylor
is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, and the Head of her
House. Catalina has always been afraid to use her unique powers, but
when her friend’s mother and sister are murdered, Catalina
risks her reputation and safety to unravel the mystery.
But behind the scenes powerful forces are at work, and one of them
is Alessandro Sagredo, the Italian Prime who was once Catalina’s
teenage crush. Dangerous and unpredictable, Alessandro’s true
motives are unclear, but he’s drawn to Catalina like a moth to a flame.
To help her friend, Catalina must test the limits of her extraordinary
powers, but doing so may cost her both her House–and her heart.
“Ilona Andrews” is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team.
Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications
sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was
never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was
never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in
college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade.
(Gordon is still sore about that.)
Gordon and Ilona currently reside in Texas with their two
children and many dogs and cats.
They have co-authored several NYT and USAT bestselling series. They are
currently working on urban fantasy of Kate Daniels, the paranormal
romance of Hidden Legacy, and thjeir independently published series,
Innkeeper Chronicles.
Kingdom Cold: The Complete Series by Brittni Chenelle
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Fantasy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB
Kingdom
Cold
The Complete Collection
——-
Book I: Kingdom Cold
Book II: Kingdom Soul
Book III: Kingdom Untold
——-
Beware: a binge awaits.
Deliciously dark, romantic and gripping, the Kingdom Cold trilogy now can be
yours in a dazzling collection.
Kingdom Cold follows the impulsive, teenage princess, Charlotte, as she
attempts to murder her betrothed. But an arranged marriage is only the
beginning of her problems, for the world as she knows it is falling apart. Her
kingdom faces total destruction at the hands of Merlin and Lancelot, leaders of
power-crazed Camelot.
Will wicked King Arthur prove, once and for all, that ruthless deeds create the
legend? Can Princess Charlotte sacrifice love to save her home?
Only one can reign.
EXCERPT
Come on, Charlotte,” I said, kneeling. I tilted her
head up to look her in the eyes. “We’re almost th—” I froze. A heavy
stream of tears flowed down her cheeks, dripping from the bottom of her chin.
She sobbed. “I don’t want to marry you.”
It wasn’t news, but I’d never seen a woman cry before. She
seemed so fragile it made something ache at the bottom of my stomach. This was
not the girl who shot the arrow or the girl who showed her disappointment upon
our first meeting. This was someone new.
I sighed. “I know.” I felt fear seep into my
skin before my next question manifested. “Do you want to marry my
brother?”
She shook her head. “I don’t want to
marry anyone.”
I nodded as her breakdown worsened. It was a terrible
reality, but somehow it made me feel better. I hadn’t exactly been a
disappointment, she just didn’t want any of this. I had a lingering urge to
reach out to her, to wipe her tears, or hold her in my arms, but I didn’t. I
let her cry.
“I don’t want to be a princess,” she sobbed. “I just want to
be free.”
Afraid to touch her, I inched back and settled into a more
comfortable position on the floor.
“I’m sorry this happened to you,” I said.
“Stop the wedding then!” she cried.
My body stiffened. “I too am bound to honor my father’s
agreement.”
She wiped her face and looked me straight in the eyes, her
swollen cheeks red and brimming with emotion. “What do you want?” she
asked.
I shook my head.
“My kingdom? You can have it,” she breathed. “Let
me go.”
Frozen, I begged my body to tear my gaze from hers.
Her lips parted and she breathed in like it hurt, before she
spoke. “Aren’t you afraid of what you’ll be giving up?”
My brow furrowed as I contemplated what she meant. I bit the
inside of my bottom lip.
“Do you honestly think you could ever love me?”
The word “love” struck me, like an arrow masked by dusk.
She studied my face, my silence burning away her last seeds
of hope. Her tears began to fall again, this time slow and sorrowful.
AUTHOR Bio and Links
BRITTNI CHENELLE currently lives in Seoul, Korea which inspires her multicultural fantasy books. Her favorite genres to read and write are Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult Romance, Fairytale Retellings, and Young Adult Dystopian novels. She’s very passionate about equal representation and makes a point to include characters from different backgrounds and cultures in her Fantasy stories.
Don’t
bother with the raid. Stay home and learn all about it in the comfort of your
own home.
BLURB
What’s in Area 51? Is the government hiding aliens? Elvis? Maybe the set of the Apollo moon landing? Do you know?
We do.
Join this multi-genre group as they explore the hidden recesses
of Area 51, which up until now have only been whispered conspiracies. Don’t
bother with the raid. Stay home, read these awesome stories and learn all you
need to know.
Interview with Authors from We Know the Truth, Do You?
An
Anthology to Celebrate the Raid
1. I love a good
conspiracy. What is your theory on government cover-ups?
Annie Walls (Author of Lavish
Lure) –
I think a lot of stuff gets covered up, but I also believe the government
covers things, so we don’t have a mass panic situation.
Beverly Ovalle (Author
of The Road to Eden) – I believe that many of the conspiracies carry a
grain of truth.
Chrys Fey (Author of Detective
Heavenborn) – The
government doesn’t want us to know a lot of things because people would either
panic or be appalled and demand them to stop.
C.L. Roman (Author of Not
Your Father’s Area 51) – My theory is that it isn’t our government that runs
Area 51. It’s aliens disguised as humans, studying our technology and culture
while trying to protect us from the rest of the universe and vice-versa.
Debra
Parmley (Author
of The Road to Groom Lake) – I believe big money is behind much of what our government
does today and most politicians are corrupt. Cover-ups are to cover their
butts. It’s CYA on a much larger scale than most peoples.
Harley Easton (Author
of In the Air Tonight) – The X-files was dead on when they said:
Apology is Policy. I think the government would rather hide things and
apologize when they are discovered than let the public in on potentially
dangerous information.
Jennie
L. Morris (Author
of Galaxy Genetics Inc.)– I believe the
government, all governments, cover things up. Maybe not necessarily
extraterrestrial in nature, but they definitely hide things from the general
public. Do I want to know what these are? Maybe some of them, but I probably
don’t want to realize how close we’ve come to self-destruction and how many times.
Sherry
Rentschler (Author of Mermurings) – I think the government does believe in “something out
there” but I don’t believe we have any proof on earth. Do I think we have
been visited? Likely, because how can we be the only beings in the vast space called
the universe? I don’t believe in little green men. Not even sure that we might
recognize strange visitors. We are a very arrogant species who believes we are
the best of the food chain. Nature has shown us that we are petty and small. In
the universe, I’m pretty sure if anyone has visited us, they’ll waiting for us
to “mature” a bit more before revealing themselves.
Valerie
Puri (Author
of Burner Phone) – It’s interesting to read about false flag events. There
are so many of them with varying theories, some more disturbing than others.
2. I have read of more
than one military pilot claiming to have seen…something. I can only imagine
their fear coming forward and I commend them for sticking to their beliefs. Do
you believe it could be a UFO from another planet, or another government with
covert military technology?
Annie Walls: I don’t know. I’m a
concrete fact kind of person.
Beverly
Ovalle: In many cases, both.
I’m sure, like us, military technology is advancing more than the average
person knows around the world. I also believe we are NOT alone. The universe is
too large to have only one race of sentient beings. It is very egotistical to
believe we are the only intelligent life in the universe.
Chrys Fey: Honestly, it could be
either of those theories: alien spaceships or covert military ships.
C.L. Roman: There’s a lot more
reason to believe there are other life forms out there than not. With as many
planets as the universe is thought to hold, life on only ours is a bit unreasonable.
Debra
Parmley: I believe they are UFOs
from other planets and perhaps they also prevent the information from coming
out. I believe they watch and study us.
Jennie
L. Morris: I think it could be
either. The universe is vast, there is no way we are the only sentient beings.
Also, we test military planes all the time. I think UFO sightings are a mixture
of both.
Sherry
Rentschler: I’m a retired Air Force
officer and non-combat veteran. I know pilots who said they did see strange
things. I do believe in the possibility of visits from outer space but so far,
I think other countries may be experimenting over our country and we’ve caught
sight of them. I do think our own country is also experimenting and not telling
the everyday pilot. Have I proof? No, but then the pilots don’t either.
Anything is possible!
Valerie
Puri: I’m not sure if the
UFO(s) they witnessed were extra-terrestrial or not. I do believe they saw
something. It could be an experimental aircraft or spacecraft from another country.
But it could also be from another planet. We may never know….
3. Have you ever seen a
UFO? Do you want to?
Annie Walls: No. And yes. I usually
believe more when I see it first-hand.
Beverly Ovalle: No, but I would love
to.
Chrys Fey: Actually…I think my mom
and I did once when I was a kid. We were coming home from a Renaissance Fair at
my siblings’ high school when we both got a creepy, “something is following us”
feeling. I looked out my window and saw a bright, circular light in the night
sky. It was far away, but it was plan that it was following us. And we were the
only car on the road. Then, another light appeared behind it, and both followed
us for a while before they disappeared.
C.L. Roman: I have not. But as
long as they’re friendly/benevolent, then sure, I’d love to meet some. No
probing though. Does not sound fun to me.
Debra Parmley: No, I haven’t. But I am
not averse to the idea, if one wants to show itself.
Harley Easton: Nope. I see more
ghosts than aliens. Not sure how I’d feel being confronted with something
extra-terrestrial.
Jennie L. Morris: Honestly, I’ve seen
lights in the sky I can’t explain. Were they UFOs? To me, yes, but that doesn’t
mean they were alien. I just couldn’t identify them.
Sherry Rentschler: I have seen strange lights. I don’t know what it was. I do hope I see a
real UFO. But I’ve seen a real ghost, so why not a guest from outer space?
Valerie Puri:
When I was
younger, I did see something strange once in the night sky. I don’t know what
it was, but I’ve never seen anything like it since.
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. January Bain will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Book two in the Manitoba Tea and Tarot Mysteries series
Charm McCall can solve a small-town murder, but can she figure out how to stop a man-stealing interloper?
A movie production company has come to town…and so has an old family friend of the town’s sexy new Mountie, Ace Collins. His “old pal” turns out to be a scheming long-legged blonde who throws Charm right off her game. Even Auntie T.J. playing the bagpipes down Main Street to drive the trespasser away doesn’t work.
Between catering for the world’s hungriest film crew, trying to solve the murder of the unit accountant who hired her and dealing with her new magical gifts, Charm’s a tad busy. But too bad, because she’s soon facing off against a bigger threat when more people become ill with suspected poisoning—and her own sister’s in the crosshairs. Charm’s left wondering if even Agatha Christie could have seen this one coming.
But with so much working against them—including the whole town being dead set against them consummating their relationship—do Charm and Ace stand a chance?
Read an Excerpt:
He stuck out his hand for a shake and I was blessed with the dampest paw on the planet, accompanied by a zinger of an image. Howard cared about every penny because he was embezzling company funds, meaning there would be less to steal if I made a decent profit. Sometimes I wished Granny Toogood hadn’t banned swearing—I had a few apt descriptors for this weaselly dealer. I also hoped she was feeling better. The doctor had advised a few days of rest and that had me worried.
Instead, I narrowed my eyes at him and he slid his hand from mine. Yuck. I dried my palm by rubbing it discreetly down the side of my jeans, half hidden by my Tea & Tarot apron.
“Can you start tomorrow?” he asked, his desperation leaking through, making his face shiny with sweat. Probably because the only other quote he most likely got today far exceeded ours. Guaranteed. The Husky Service on the highway did some catering, but they didn’t come cheap. And their bakery goods came out of pre-frozen tubs and boxes. We prided ourselves on everything fresh baked, from scratch—my fingernails were reduced to rubble from constant work. Proof positive.
“Tomorrow! So soon?” All the nerves in my body slammed into high gear. There was so much to do to prepare for such a large undertaking. Could it even be done that quickly?
“We’d really appreciate it. Might even find you a bit part in the movie.” It wasn’t the incentive he expected—I just shook my head, giving his start date some thought. Sometimes it was best to jump into things, otherwise I’d never do it. I just prayed I could pull it off and do my family and our town proud.
“Okay, but minus the movie walk-on.”
The relief on his face made me smile, despite his weaselly-ness.
The café door opened abruptly and in strode a young man dressed in expensive dark-wash jeans and a tight black T-shirt clothing a wiry, thin body, his face a study in annoyance. “Howard, I need to speak with you right now. Don’t think you can just get up and walk out on me, mister.” His hand on his hip pressed his case.
Howard’s face darkened to a dull red. “Chace, this is not the time or the place. Go. I’ll catch up with you later.”
The man looked as though he was going to object before he about-faced and left. His one-finger salute, reflected in the front window before he pranced away, was not in the best taste. Hmm. Good thing Granny wasn’t around to cut him down to size. In the nicest, politest way of course—she could make the worst villain tippy-toe around her. Probably ask him if he needs the finger for anything other than being rude.
“Please excuse my friend. He’s not himself today.”
“Oh, who is he then?”
Howard gave me a blank stare.
Baby Ling Ling sauntered in, grabbing my attention as she always announced her arrival with a loud greeting, or warning, depending on how her day was going. Our spectacular white Himalayan with her adorable squished-in face and apricot-colored ears, fluffy tail raised high, proceeded to choose her steps with the utmost care across the tiled floor of the café. I’d guess it was in case we’d had the bad manners to add a trap door since yesterday’s saunter. She deigned to notice the new visitor, striding over and giving him a quick sniff. She jumped a couple of feet in the air with a loud howl, her fluffy white fur standing straight on end as though she’d placed her paw on an electrical charge.
“Hiss.” She made herself as big as a tiny eight-pound cat could make herself, arched her back and continued the hissing.
“Nice cat,” Howard deadpanned.
“Careful what you say to her. Ling Ling’s officially multi-lingual since our librarian, Miriam, added Portuguese to her weekly slate of free language lessons.” I just couldn’t resist, not liking his look of disdain. Or his cheapness that was certain to affect our bottom line.
His look of confusion was quite satisfying. He gave Ling Ling a wide berth and headed for the door.
“Okay, then, we’ll expect you tomorrow? You’ll get paid once a week, just come by my office and I’ll cut you a check. Oh, and the camp’s out by Spirit Springs.” He paused, his hand on the doorknob, obviously needing confirmation.
“Yes, I know where the camp is, and the food will be there. You can count on the McCall family. We never go back on our word.” I gave him a level look that he declined to return. A nervous twitch of his nose and he hopped out of the café.
“That guy has a blackish aura with streaks of gray,” Tulip said, pursing her lips.
“Yeah, no surprise—he’s working under a brain cloud.” I didn’t want to say the words embezzling cocaine addict out loud and sink the project before it started. “And since when did you start seeing auras?” And what was I going to do with the unwanted knowledge that the guy was stealing company funds? A moral dilemma. I shouldn’t think that was business as normal, even for the movie industry.
About the Author:
January Bain has wished on every falling star, every blown-out birthday candle, and every coin thrown in a fountain to be a storyteller. To share the tales of high adventure, mysteries, and full blown thrillers she has dreamed of all her life. The story you now have in your hands is the compilation of a lot of things manifesting itself for this special series. Hundreds of hours spent researching the unusual and the mundane have come together to create books that features strong women who live life to the fullest, wild adventures full of twists and unforeseen turns, and hot complicated men who aren’t afraid to take risks. She can only hope her stories will capture your imagination.
If you are looking for January Bain, you can find her hard at work every morning without fail in her office with her furry baby, Ling Ling. And, of course, she’s married to the most romantic man! Who once famously remarked to her inquiry about buying fresh flowers for their home every week, “Give me one good reason why not?” Leaving her speechless and knocking her head against the proverbial wall for being so darn foolish. She loves flowers.
If you wish to connect in the virtual world she is easily found on Facebook. Oh, and she loves to talk books…
Even though I have only read Book III, Killer in the Band, in the
Lovers in Crime Mystery Series, I had no trouble reading Book IV, The
Root of Murder. Lauren Carr’s books read as stand alones that have
recurring characters.
The title and cover were aptly chosen, as the bases of the murder
goes back to the beginning, or the root of the secret and all that comes
after.
Of course, Lauren Carr has some fabulous characters, people, villains and fur babies, that crack me up with their antics.
Poppy. I am so happy to read her story. She’s a good person, dealt a
bad hand, but nothing stops her from moving on. She will be a great
addition to the Thornton family.
Poppy’s faith and belief in things working out the way they are meant to be makes for a heartwarming, uplifting romance.
Gulliver, Ollie & Charley are unique characters with big
personalities, bringing plenty of smiles and chuckles to the story. Once
you meet them, I don’t think you’ll forget them.
Irving and Admiral are great manipulators and good for some chuckles at their antics.
Two murders with a spin that increases the suspect pool. And, of
course, all the things that need to be dealt with in the normal world.
Animals and people alike are great and I love visiting them all as their lives grow fuller, richer.
Well, another happy ever after filled with romance, murder and
intrigue, friendship and family, suspense and mystery, and characterless
that will filled my heart with uplifting moments and humor.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copyof The Root of Murder by Lauren Carr.
4 Stars
BOOK DETAILS
Book Title: The Root of Murder (A Lovers in Crime Mystery #4) by Lauren Carr Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 332 pages Genre: Mystery Publisher: Acorn Book Services Release date: March 20, 2019 Format available for review: print, Audible download, mobi, epub, PDF Will send print books out: USA & Canada Tour dates: September 9 to October 25, 2019 Content Rating: PG-13 (Lauren Carr’s books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Homicide Detective Cameron Gates learned long ago that there is no such thing as a typical murder case. Each mystery is special in its own right—especially for the family of the victim.The homicide of a successful executive, husband, and father seems open and shut when the murder weapon is found in his estranged son-in-law’s possession. The circumstantial evidence is so damning that when her step-son, J.J. Thornton, agrees to act as the defendant’s public defender, he assumes his first murder case will be a loss. Only the report of a missing husband proves that this case is not as open and shut as it seems. Strap on your seat belts for a wild ride in this mystery rooted in decades of deception that sprouts into murder. Fall in Love with These Other Lovers in Crime Mysteries:
Dead on Ice is the
first installment of Lauren Carr’s new series (Lovers in Crime)
featuring Hancock County Prosecuting Attorney Joshua Thornton and
Pennsylvania State Police homicide detective Cameron Gates.
Spunky
Cameron Gates is tasked with solving the murder of Cherry Pickens, a
legendary star of pornographic films, whose body turns up in an
abandoned freezer. The case has a personal connection to her lover,
Joshua Thornton, because the freezer was located in his cousin’s
basement. It doesn’t take long for their investigation to reveal that
the risqué star’s roots were buried in their rural Ohio Valley
community, something that Cherry had kept off her show business bio. She
should have kept her hometown off her road map, too—because when this
starlet came running home from the mob, it proved to be a fatal
homecoming.
When Homicide Detective
Cameron Gates befriends Dolly, the little old lady who lives across the
street, she is warned not to get lured into helping the elderly woman
by investigating the unsolved murder of one of her girls. “She’s
senile,” Cameron is warned. “It’s not a real murder.” Such is not
the case. After Dolly is brutally murdered, Cameron discovers that the
sweet blue-haired lady’s “girl” was a call girl, who had been killed in a
mysterious double homicide.
Meanwhile, Prosecuting Attorney
Joshua Thornton is looking for answers to the murder of a childhood
friend, a sheriff deputy whose cruiser is found at the bottom of a lake.
The deputy had disappeared almost twenty years ago while privately
investigating the murder of a local prostitute.
It doesn’t take
long for the Lovers in Crime to put their cases together to reveal a
long-kept secret that some believe is worth killing to keep undercover.
Summer has arrived! The Thorntons expect it to be a summer of change and change it does, but not in the way Joshua had expected.
Joshua’s
eldest son, Joshua Thornton Jr. (J.J.) has graduated at the top of his
class from law school and is returning home to spend the summer studying
for the bar exam. However, to Joshua’s and Cameron’s shock and dismay,
J.J. decides to move into the main house at Russell Ridge Farm, the
largest dairy farm in the Ohio Valley, in order to rekindle a romance
with Suellen Russell, the lovely widow twice his age.
The
May/December romance, bonded by a love for music, between the symphony
conductor and young musical prodigy had bloomed many years earlier.
The
move brings long buried tensions between the father and son to the
surface–not the least of which being J.J.’s inexplicable dislike for
his stepmother Cameron. But when a brutal killer strikes, the Lovers in
Crime must set all differences with Joshua’s son aside to solve the
crime before J.J. ends up in the cross-hairs of a murderer.
Meet the author:
With over forty years of writing and publishing experience,
international best-selling author Lauren Carr has played an active role
in the revolution of independent authors.
While studying for her
college degree in English and journalism, Lauren worked as an editor and
layout design artist with the federal government in Washington, DC. It
was there that Lauren learned the foundations necessary for book
publishing.
Lauren’s debut mystery, A Small Case of Murder was
a finalist for the Independent Publisher Book Awards. On the heels of
that success, she accepted an offer from a traditional publisher for A Reunion to Die For.
When
it came time to publish her third book, Lauren rejected offers from two
traditional publishers, choosing instead to independently publish It’s Murder, My Son,
which made it to #1 in sales on Amazon in cozy mysteries. She has never
regretted her decision to become an independent author.
Realizing
that she could use her experiences to help other writers achieve their
dreams to become published authors, Lauren established Acorn Book Services, offering professional services to independent authors.
The
international best-selling author of over twenty-five murder mysteries,
Lauren has gone on dozens of virtual blog tours (most with iRead Book
Tours!) and has seen first-hand that how an author publishes is
irrelevant to success. The key is exposure to potential readers. Virtual
blog tours are an excellent avenue for book promotion. Book spotlights,
reviews, author guest posts and interviews are forever, unlike
in-person book events, which become a memory as soon as they have
finished.
With her vast experience, it seemed only natural for
Lauren Carr to jump at the opportunity to join the iReads Book Tours
team. She lives with her husband, and two spoiled rotten German
shepherds on a mountain in West Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley.
Book Title: Protecting Yourself from Emotional Predators: Neutralize the Users, Abusers and Manipulators Hidden Among Us Category: Adult Non-Fiction Genre: psychology, self-help, relationships, divorce Publisher: Amare Press Release date: January, 2019 Tour dates: Sept 9 to Sept 27, 2019 Content Rating: G
Book Description:
Steven Wolhandler, JD, MA, LPC knows how abusive and manipulative people prey on the emotions of good people – and how good people can protect themselves. He offers a radically different view of these Emotional Predators and provides practical effective solutions. For Emotional Predators, life is a strategy game to dominate and control, and you are either a player to be defeated or a game piece to be used. Without empathy or remorse, they’ll ruin your life, and traditional approaches will make things worse. You’ll learn 5 essential steps for protecting yourself, valuable guidance for safe relationships and over 30 specific defensive tactics for:
Distinguishing romance from intimacy
Restoring your self-esteem
Removing your emotional triggers
Using gratitude and humor
Playing their games better than they do – without becoming like them
Screening professionals to be sure they can help
Regaining control in family court
Breaking an addiction to an Emotional Predator
Re-balancing power in your favor
Adjusting beliefs that keep you trapped
Responding strategically, instead of reacting emotionally
Steven Wolhandler, JD, MA, LPC is a psychotherapist, mediator, arbitrator, custody evaluator, national consultant and retired attorney. He has decades of experience dealing with, and learning from, difficult and manipulative people, and helping their victims with penetrating insight, effective solutions, warmth and humor. He lives in Colorado, consults
with people internationally through www.creativeresolutions.org.
Connect with the author: WebsiteFacebook
Genre: Romantic Supsense Published by: Thomas Nelson Publication Date: September 10th 2019 Number of Pages: 336 ISBN: 0718085906 (ISBN13: 9780718085902) Purchase Links:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
Read an excerpt:
Prologue
January 1990
St. Petersburg, Florida
Lisa ran to her Datsun Bluebird and jerked open the yellow door. Her pulse strummed in her neck, and she glanced behind her to make sure she wasn’t being followed. She’d tried not to show fear during the confrontation, but it was all she could do not to cry. She couldn’t face life without him.
She’d been on edge ever since yesterday.
Twilight backlit the treetops and highlighted the hanging moss. Instead of finding it beautiful, she saw frightening shadows and shuddered. She slid under the wheel and started the engine, then pulled out of her driveway onto the road.
She turned toward the Gulf. The water always calmed her when she was upset—and she had crossed upset moments ago and swerved into the scared zone.
Her belly barely fit under the wheel, but this baby would be born soon, then she’d have her figure back. She accelerated away from her home, a dilapidated one-story house with peeling white paint, and switched on her headlights.
The radio blared full of the news about the Berlin Wall coming down, but Lisa didn’t care about that, not now. She switched channels until she found Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’ ”playing, but even her favorite tune failed to sooth her shattered nerves. Could she seriously be murdered over this? She’d glimpsed madness in those eyes.
She pressed the brakes as she came to a four-way stop, but the brake pedal went clear to the floor. She gasped and pumped the pedal again. No response. The car shot through the intersection, barely missing the tail end of another vehicle that had entered it before her.
Hands gripping the steering wheel, she struggled to keep the car on the road as she frantically thought of a way to bring it to a stop that didn’t involve hitting another car or a tree. The baby in her belly kicked as if he or she knew their lives hung suspended in time.
“We’re going to make it, little one. We have to. I can’t leave you alone.” No one would love her baby if she died. Her mother couldn’t care for her child. She cared more about her drugs than anything else.
Lisa tried to tamp down her rising emotions, but she’d never been so frightened. The car fishtailed on the sandy road as she forced it back from the shoulder. Huge trees lined the pavement in a dense formation. Where could she drive off into relative safety? A field sprawled over on the right, just past the four-way stop ahead. If she made it through, it seemed the only place where they might survive.
Had the brakes been cut? What else could it be? She’d just had the car serviced.
Lisa approached the stop sign much too fast. The slight downhill slope had only accelerated the speed that hovered at nearly seventy. Her mouth went bone dry.
Colleen Coble is a USA TODAY bestselling author and RITA finalist best known for her coastal romantic suspense novels, including The Inn at Ocean’s Edge, Twilight at Blueberry Barrens, and the Lavender Tides, Sunset Cove, Hope Beach, and Rock Harbor series.
There’s a killer on the loose in Galveston, targeting law enforcement officials and using a fatal injection of snake venom to take them down. Authorities have reasons to believe the Veneno gang is behind the hits, and FBI Agents Leah Riesel and Jon Colbert team up to track down those responsible. Their best lead is an eyewitness who identifies a young man dumping the third body on a church doorstep. But their suspect has gone into hiding, and those closest to him are reluctant to reveal anything that might help investigators find him.
As Leah and Jon check connections among the victims and dig deeper into motives, they discover appearances may be deceiving. Someone is desperate to keep their secrets hidden, and Leah and Jon must face their greatest fears in order to stop the next fatal strike.
Book Details:
Genre: Romantic Suspense Published by: Tyndale House Publishers Publication Date: September 3rd 2019 Number of Pages: 400 ISBN: 1496427106 (ISBN13: 9781496427106) Purchase Links:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Goodreads
Read an excerpt:
SPECIAL AGENT LEAH RIESEL scanned the headlines on her phone. A prosecutor from Galveston had been found murdered behind a construction site, the second apparent victim of gang violence in two days. Both deaths were caused by rattlesnake venom injections to the heart. Before she could pull up additional reports on the woman’s untimely death, Leah’s phone
rang.
“Riesel, hostage situation in Galveston,” the SWAT commander said. “Grab your gear. The chopper takes off in five.”
“On it.” She took a last lingering look at the half-eaten blueberry donut and coffee on her cubicle’s desk.
Could this have anything to do with the two murders in Galveston?
Before most of the city began the workday, Leah boarded a Little Bird helicopter beneath whirling blades and the pressure of a critical operation. Dressed in full camo and shouldering her sniper gear, she inhaled the rising temps. Feverish Houston. With the familiar air transport sounds ushering in memories of past missions, her adrenaline kicked in.
A pilot from the tactical helicopter unit lifted the chopper into the air for the twenty-minute ride to Galveston. She recognized him from previous assignments involving aircraft used to deliver SWAT and the elite hostage rescue teams to crisis incidents. This morning her focus eliminated any chitchat.
Leah grabbed sound-canceling headphones and contacted the SWAT commander already on the ground. “Riesel here. Special Agent in Charge Thomas briefed me on a home invasion that’s turned violent.”
The SAC would be watching the operation at the Crisis Management Operations Center.
“Negotiations have gotten us nowhere.” The SWAT commander’s voice rose above the chopper’s blade-snap. “Two unidentified men are holding two women and three children at gunpoint. Galveston PD estimates they’ve been inside the home for at least an hour. Demanding we leave the area after giving them five hundred grand and a gassed-up speedboat.
Clock is ticking with forty minutes max. We’ve backed off as far as they know.”
Leah swiped through pics taken with telephoto lenses and sent to her phone. Each ski-masked man held a child as a shield. Leah detested the savagery and the horrific emotions the hostages
must be feeling.
“We’re located on San Luis Pass Road on the western section of the island. Nearest house is five hundred yards away. Owners are in Europe. We’re in contact with the agency managing it.”
She didn’t need a key to access the home.
The SWAT commander continued. “One of the hostages is the owner of the home, Amanda Barton.”
“Is there a Mr. Barton in the picture?”
“Divorced. Lives in California.”
Unlikely the ex-husband was behind this.
“Agent Jon Colbert will be on scene shortly,” the commander said. “He had a deposition early this morning in Texas City and drove on to Galveston. Over the weekend, his SWAT partner had emergency knee surgery. Out for six weeks.”
And Leah’s partner had left the city yesterday on vacation.
The luck of the draw meant she and Jon would be working together. “I’ll contact you as soon as we land.”
Jon Colbert, a sniper who had excellent marksmanship and a stellar reputation, also worked organized crime. But she and Jon had never worked together. The idea of teaming up with an agent she barely knew made her uneasy. If a sniper mission required a partner, she preferred an established relationship where she would know how the person processed information.
Shoving aside her doubts, she narrowed her thoughts on what lay ahead. The precarious situation and local law enforcement’s inability to negotiate added up to why she and Jon had
been assigned to the case.
She grasped her backpack, lighter than usual with only a spotting scope, ammo, water, communication equipment, extra batteries, granola bar, and a handheld radio. Her Glock, as comfortable in her right hand as a toothbrush, found its spot in her back waistband. She touched her H-S Precision heavy tactical rifle.
The sooner she got to Galveston, the sooner she could provide intelligence and help neutralize the circumstances. Her priority was seeing the women and children freed from these ruthless men.
* * *
Jon received a text from Special Agent in Charge Thomas that Leah Riesel had left the Houston FBI office and was en route to Galveston. He’d met her a few times, and they’d qualified
together. Attractive woman—dark-brown hair, light-olive skin, New Yorker with the accent to prove it. Her professionalism in the violent crime division wavered between exceptional and extraordinary. A touch of toughness. Jon had heard not to make her mad—she had earned the nickname Panther for a reason. He remembered her stats—number three in the US for distance shots. Good thing he wasn’t easily intimidated.
Once the chopper landed, Leah would be transported in an unmarked car to a vacant house more than a quarter of a mile away from the Barton home. No point in making the two men more trigger-happy when they’d warned law enforcement to back off.
The SWAT commander spoke through Jon’s radio attached to his collar. “Thermal imaging confirms four adults and three children inside the Barton home. The men claim they’ll kill the
children first. We have fifteen minutes.”
In Galveston, Jon stopped at Broadway and Sixty-First Street. Tourists persisted in the middle of the thoroughfare, pushing strollers, riding surrey bikes, and enjoying the day. Some were dressed for the beach and others clutched what they needed for their excursion. All hindered his turn. Obstacles in his mission. If they knew the situation not far from them, they’d grab their loved ones and speed home. Each moment delayed his shot and shoved the hostages closer to death. A chilling composure took over his emotional, mental, and physical reactions. The busy street finally cleared. Jon turned west onto Seawall Boulevard and drove on to San Luis Pass. The hostage site was four and a half miles beyond there.
Were the two men inside the Barton home wannabes looking to make a name for themselves? Strung out on drugs? Was this a personal vendetta? No matter how this ended—either a surrender or he’d be instructed to take a shot— their moment in history would likely be the lead story on tonight’s news. His phone alerted him to an incoming call. He responded
before the first ring ended. “Colbert.” The chopper’s rhythmic whir reverberated through his phone.
“Riesel here. Landing in five at Galveston Island State Park. SWAT commander has given me a location on the west side of the Barton home.”
“I’ll be on foot by then. Taking a position on the east, beach side.”
“I’ll need seven minutes to get into place,” she said.
“Okay.” No need to remind her of the ticking clock.
He touched End and whipped his truck onto a beach-access road where police officers had instructed residents to shelter in place. He switched off the engine. Grabbing his gear, he bolted
down the beach. A Galveston police officer stopped him, and Jon handed him his ID. Seconds later, he moved toward his site.
A sultry breeze blew across the water, and he recalculated his shot.
Crouching low, he moved past police SWAT standing guard.
FBI SWAT held the position Riesel was headed for. They were racing against time, a commodity that stopped for nothing or no one. At any moment, one of the armed men could pull the
trigger on those inside the Barton home.
Restraint.
Control.
Tense muscles relaxed. His heartbeat slowed.
A clear head laid out the steps before the kill shot.
No mistakes.
Precision.
Accuracy.
A chance for the women and children to live another day.
Near a sand dune, he tuned out the occasional seagull and the waves rushing against the shore. After wiping the sweat from his hands on his pants, Jon set up his rifle and scope,
activated his radio, and spoke to the SWAT commander and Leah Riesel.
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?
Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, Mountainside Marketing Conference, and the Mountainside Novelist Retreat with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.
DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
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Enter To Win!:
This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for DiAnn Mills. There will be 2 winners each winning one (1) Gift Card (choice of Amazon or B&N). The giveaway begins on September 1, 2019 and runs through October 2, 2019. Void where prohibited.
Talion: ex talionis – the law of talion – punishment of an injury by inflicting a similar injury on the offender, an injury similar in kind and degree.
Love the cover for Eye for Eye by J K Franko. Sure does foreshadow what’s inside!
It started thirty years ago, with the death of Joan, an eleven year old girl that only wanted to have fun at summer camp.
Now…we come to a spoiled rotten kid The scenario is one that always ticks me off royally. Can do the crime, but will do anything not to do the time. And so would his father, the Senator. I think we all know where that’s going. But… a ‘chance’ meeting and a plan is born.
Someone has to pay!
Want to commit a murder? Let’s start with PH1, the guidebook.
As the characters play their roles, I think I see where we’re going. HAH! Was I in for an awakening. The suspense came early and I was eager ‘to turn every page’. But police procedurals and psychological thrillers usually don’t make me have an intense feeling of danger,and urgency like dark, action packed, suspense thrillers. Maybe I’ m more of an adrenaline junky, even though I prefer to get my thrills through osmosis.
Everyone has secrets and as they are revealed are marvel at J K Franko’s imagination. He too Stranger on a Train and blew it away.
A stupendous surprise ending and I loved every minute of it. It put a smile on my face and that may expose a piece of my personality. LOL
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Eye for Eye by J K Franko.
4 Stars
ABOUT THE BOOK
“NEW TWIST ON STRANGERS ON A TRAIN” ~ THE SUNDAY TIMES
Book Details:
Genre: Crime & Mystery Published by: Talion Publishing Publication Date: June 22nd 2019 Number of Pages: 400 ISBN: 1999318803 (ISBN13: 9781999318802) Series: Talion #1 Purchase Links:Amazon | Goodreads
Read an excerpt:
When I try to piece together how this whole mess began, a part of me thinks it may have started over thirty years ago. At least the seeds were planted that far back, in the early 1980s. What happened then, at that summer camp in Texas, set the stage for everything that was to come.
Odd, how something so remote in time and geography continues to impact me here, today.
Sometimes I try to imagine her, how she felt—that eleven year-old girl—as she ran, stumbling and tripping through the woods that night. I try to put myself in her shoes. When I do, I wonder if she was frightened.
Did she understand the consequences of what she’d gotten herself into? I imagine it felt otherworldly to her, like a dream. But not a good dream. No, one of the bad ones—the ones that make your heart machine-gun as you try to outrun some dark thing that’s chasing you. But the faster you try to run, the slower you go, your legs feeling leaden, clumsy, useless.
Panic sets in. Tears of frustration form. Fear takes hold and won’t let go. You open your mouth to scream but realize, to your horror, that you’re paralyzed. It’s not that you can’t scream; you can’t even breathe. Not a dream—a nightmare.
Then again, all that may simply be my imagination. It could just be me projecting what I might have felt onto Joan. Maybe she wasn’t scared at all.
True, it was dark out. The night smelled of rain, but there was no lightning, only the far-off rumble of thunder hinting at a distant storm. There were no trail lights, no visibility but for the moon peeking out intermittently from behind a patchwork of clouds. But, Joan had been down this trail before. She was running toward the main cabin.
She had been at Camp Willow for almost two full weeks. She had been up and down that trail at least ten times a day, every day. Of course, that was during the day, and always with her buddy, or a camp counselor (the children called them troop leaders). Joan had never been on the trail at night. And never alone.
Maybe I imagine Joan was scared because, as an adult, I believe that she should have been. I would have been terrified.
J.K. FRANKO was born and raised in Texas. His Cuban-American parents agreed there were only three acceptable options for a male child: doctor, lawyer, and architect. After a disastrous first year of college pre-Med, he ended up getting a BA in philosophy (not acceptable), then he went to law school (salvaging the family name) and spent many years climbing the big law firm ladder. After ten years, he decided that law and family life weren’t compatible. He went back to school where he got an MBA and pursued a Ph.D. He left law for corporate America, with long stints in Europe and Asia.
His passion was always to be a writer. After publishing a number of non-fiction works, thousands of hours writing, and seven or eight abandoned fictional works over the course of eighteen years, EYE FOR EYE became his first published novel.
J.K. Franko now lives with his wife and children in Florida.
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Enter The Giveaway!!!:
This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for JK Franko. There will be 6 winners. Two (2) winners will each win (1) Amazon.com Gift Card. Two (2) winners will each win a signed copy of EYE FOR EYE by JK Franko (Open to U.S. addresses only) and Two (2) winners will each win a Knife set (Open to U.S. addresses only). The giveaway begins on July 22, 2019 and runs through September 22, 2019. Void where prohibited.
