Category Archives: BOOKS

The Academy Saga Blitz

 

The Academy Saga cover

The Academy Saga, Book One

YA Romance

 

Publisher: BrandlyLight Ink

My mother always taught me to trust my instinct.

And now it’s telling me those two hot guys, sitting nonchalantly in that diner booth, have a hidden agenda. What are they even doing in this town that doesn’t make a dot on the map? And why are they giving me such a hard time?

I already know that pretty and poor is a bad combination; it just seems to unleash the monster in some people. But I grew up strong, resourceful, and with a fierce pride that makes me fight back. Even when I’m outclassed.

From the moment Ranger stared right through me, I know I’ve seen those icy eyes before. And the moment I peer into Pete’s deep brown eyes I know I’m done for. But he just happens to be a cadet from that “elite” academy that’s after my gifted little brother. Coincidence? Mama said there’s no such thing, and to never let Daddy sign us up for special schools. The Academy will stop at nothing to get what they want. And for some inexplicable reason they want us. But these elite cadets have finally met their match.

Because when all you have in the world is your family, you’ll do whatever it takes to save them.

Other Books in The Academy Saga:

The Academy Saga series banner

 

The Academy Saga, II: Cadet-in-Training

 

The Academy Saga, III: CAP & Gown

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The Academy Saga paperback

 

Excerpt

 

Ranger Danger”

My panicked eyes looked up to see the man grinning victoriously down at me. I was trapped, and we both knew it.

“Come on, sweetheart, let’s go,” he directed with a sharp nod.

I was just about to dive down the blank alley when my situation turned from bad to worse—one of the dogs finally managed to hook his front legs over the top of the fence. Crap! I closed my eyes, preparing to leap into the back of the man’s truck, when a sharp whistle pierced the darkness. Momentarily startled, the dog stopped his struggle to heave himself over the fence, lost his momentum, and fell back down. Almost faint with relief, I looked around for the source of the sound. Headlights from the street penetrated the darkness, haloing another large vehicle that had just pulled up beside the man in the truck.

Oh, thank God! Someone needed to get through the alley. This was my break! Words were being exchanged between open windows, but it was hard to hear because the dogs started up another furious round of barking, their attention now evenly divided between me and the two trucks parked side-by-side in the street.

Something about that voice sent a vibration down my spine. That can’t be right. Unfortunately, nobody knows where I am.

The stalker in the truck stuttered, turned red, took one last accessing look at me plastered against the fence before slamming the door shut. “Good luck with that one!” he spat before roaring off into the night.

Shaking, I ducked down to take a couple of deep breaths while I waited for the big black Jeep to pull through the alley so I could run. But it didn’t move. Holy cow! I just realized I’d seen this Jeep before. Only it wasn’t a Jeep; it was a Hummer. A black Hummer, and I’d only seen one of those once before . . . My eyes traveled up the large, knobby tires and into the open window, where a pair of glacier eyes was looking down on me crouched in the weeds. Disbelief momentarily stunned me stupid. No Way! I blinked. Sure enough . . .

“Good evenin’, Glasses!” A familiar mocking voice greeted me.

It just couldn’t be. Could it?

I stumbled upright to get a closer look. What I saw made my face blanch and my feet scrabble backwards like I’d seen a ghost.

What’s he doing here? Nothing good.

“Get her in the truck,” someone directed from the driver’s seat. I thought that voice sounded familiar, too, but couldn’t be sure because my ears were ringing, and I was faint with fear and near exhaustion.

I must’ve been taking too long to process what was going on, because the door sprang open. A very large, very muscular guy stalked my way, with a determined look upon his face. Somewhere in the recesses of my mind I registered the fact that he was also very good looking.

Oh man . . . not again! It suddenly occurred to me that I’d just jumped from the frying pan into the fire!

About the Author

CJ Daly

CJ Daly grew up on the scrabbly plains of eastern New Mexico. When she was supposed to be helping her six siblings with chores on the family ranch, she was really sneaking behind dusty haystacks to read. And dreaming about adventures with mysterious, handsome strangers.

After graduation CJ moved to Big D, where she quickly put herself through college while trying to rid herself of her country accent. She had better luck with college, graduating magna cum laude with a degree in English literature. After a humorous stint teaching seventh-graders how to appreciate poetry that doesn’t rhyme, and pausing to have back-to-back boys, she began writing during those sleepless, slap-happy nights.

A few months later, The Academy Saga was born. Upon its debut, it became an instant Amazon Bestseller and earned a Readers’ Favorite seal of approval. When she isn’t writing, you can usually find CJ running from one athletic field to another to cheer on her boys or feeding the wild animals that show up at her back door. When she isn’t writing, she likes to kick back with her gal pals and sip Texas-sized cocktails while gabbing about favorite books and TV series. But CJ’s greatest pleasure is sharing The Academy Saga journey with you.

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Boardwalk Virtual Book Tour

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Boardwalk cover

Providence Island Book 5

Mystery Romance

Date Published: 02 November 2021

Publisher: RedBird Books

 

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A man denies his emotions to save the lives of other. A woman closes her
heart to hide the pain. A child yearns for someone to trust.

 Former hitman Ben Hampshire gave up everything to keep his honorary mother
Dana Canfield safe. Settled into a peaceful life on Providence Island,
he’s found the woman of his dreams but can’t make himself say “I
love you”.

 Stacy Andrews shunned long-term relationships until she met a man with a
brain as sexy as his body. She’s head over stiletto heels in love with him,
but those words aren’t in her vocabulary either. The secret she’s
hiding might make Ben change his mind about their life together. If
that’s not enough, her troubled eight-year old nephew coming to live
with them could be the tipping point.

 Ben finds himself in the spotlight after two murders occur. The first to
find both bodies, he’s holding back evidence that points toward
Dana’s husband as the perpetrator. If he can’t stop the killer, Ben’s
future may turn into a happy never after.

 

 Boardwalk tablet

EXCERPT

 

Car keys jingling in his hand, Ben stopped in the doorway to the dining room. His landlady, Maisie Porter, sat at the table, waiting for him to drive her to her friend Yolanda’s house. The early evening sunlight cast the elderly woman in a golden glow. With her white hair and cornflower-blue eyes, she looked like a modern-day Mrs. Claus.

Chauffeur duties weren’t the usual arrangement for a tenant, but the two of them had moved into a more personal relationship during the year he’d lived at Porter’s bed-and-breakfast. The privacy of the third-floor suite and the incredible meals Maisie cooked were two of the reasons he’d remained in residence.

Maisie had opened both her home and her heart to him. She was the grandmother he’d never had and his strongest supporter when suspicion fell on him for the murders that had occurred on Providence Island last year.

He was guilty of shooting those four individuals, but in his defense, each one of them deserved it. Law enforcement would disagree, but Ben’s oath to protect Dana Canfield and her family took higher priority.

He tapped on the doorframe. “Ready for your girls’ night, Maisie?”

The Fab Five—Maisie and four other women from her church—planned an overnight baking and crafting party. Based on the two bottles of wine protruding from the tote bag next to her chair, the meeting appeared to be leaning more toward the party side.

Maisie gestured toward the chair next to her. “We need to talk.”

Her smile lacked its usual warmth, and the sparkle in her blue eyes was missing. A quiver ran through his stomach.

“What’s wrong? Are you sick?”

Maisie lowered her brows. “Ben Hampshire, do I look like I’m sick?”

That flash of spirit spurred Ben to sit down. “No, ma’am.”

“I’ve put off having this talk with you, and it’s long past due.” She pushed a rectangular piece of paper in front of him.

His confusion cleared when he realized it was his payment for next month’s rent. No reason for Maisie to be nervous about asking for an increase. “I’m fine with whatever you charge. Give me the amount, and I’ll write a new check.”

She placed her palm over his hand. “Ben, it’s time for you to move out.”

For one of the few times in his life, Ben was speechless. When she pulled her hand away, she took a piece of his security with her.

Maisie’s gaze traveled to a point somewhere over his shoulder, and she sighed. “I’d planned on shutting this place down last year. Then you came.” Her gaze shifted back to him. “With all the murders occurring, I felt safer with you living here.”

He edged the check back in front of her. “If it’s money—”

She shook her head. “When Clyde and I moved into this house, we added a back porch with a swing. We wanted a place where our children could play. After they’d grown and gone their ways, we’d sit there and watch the sun rise in the morning and set in the evening. But we never had children, and Clyde passed away a few days before our thirtieth anniversary. I’ve lived alone all these years since, except for guests who came and went. I never thought you’d stay as long as you have, but I’m happy you did.”

His throat swelled with the unexpected U-turn in the conversation. He didn’t do emotions, and Maisie was bringing out feelings he’d locked away ages ago. He managed a small nod. 

She tore the check in quarters. “I’m not going to let you waste your life like I’ve done with mine.”

His mind reeled as he recalled Maisie had never denied being sick. If that was the reason for this change, he’d make sure she had the best doctors and care available. “You have a great life. Friends, church, your garden—”

“And I have you, a blessing I never expected.” Her thumb toyed with a scrap of the torn check. “Before you came here, each one of my days was the same as the next, and the weeks rolled by faster every year. As much as I love this old house and my garden, I need excitement and purpose in my life. The girls and I talked, and we decided to shake things up.”

Half of him wanted to laugh at the idea of the Fab Five going rogue; the other half cringed at the thought. “Change up how?”

“Travel. Road trips. Cruises. Maybe start a business on Main Street.” A hint of pink bloomed in her cheeks, and the sparkle reignited in her eyes.

Ben mulled over those options. They sounded good on the surface, but plenty of room existed for trouble.

Before he could inject a dose of logic, Maisie raced ahead with her explanation. “I’ve decided to list the house for sale with Elliott Realty. Yolanda has a ranch house on Cypress. Sandra Lynn and I are going to move in with her. Tina’s selling her house and moving in with Deloris. After we get the traveling bug out of our system, we’ll decide what to do next.”

“Selling the house is a drastic move. Why not wait to see if these living arrangements work out?”

“We discussed it from one end to the other, then went with our gut. This isn’t some snap decision.” She fixed a stern look on him. “Before you suggest buying this house, I’m telling you it’s a flat no. You need to take the next step with the young woman you’ve been seeing.”

Ben’s head spun from the deft switch in topics. It was one thing for Maisie to redesign her life. He could manage his own just fine. “We’re not—”

“No excuses. You spend more nights away than you do here.” An affectionate smile touched the corners of her lips. “I’ve seen how your face lights up when she calls or messages you. That smile you get doesn’t lie. You’re in love with Stacy Andrews.”

A line of sweat broke out across his brow. “I’m not—”

“You’re in love whether you want to admit it or not. I have no doubt she’s in love with you. You both need to move ahead while you have the chance. Life takes things away when we least expect it.”

Something he knew too well. The last time he’d said “I love you” was to his fiancée before she died in his arms. Maisie had had thirty years with Clyde. He’d promised Betsy twice that many.

“A woman has her pride to consider.” Maisie winked. “I can’t go on forever being your culinary side-piece.”

Ben jerked, knocking his keys from the table to the floor. “Jeez, Maisie!”

“Would you carry my bag to the car? Don’t forget I’m getting a ride with one of the girls tomorrow morning.” She patted his shoulder as she passed. “I’ll bring brownies home for you.”

Ben stood in stunned silence as Maisie headed toward the front door. In a matter of minutes, he’d lost his home, been ordered to move in with Stacy, and watched his kindly landlady morph into a wanna-be Golden Girl.

While ninety-five percent of him agreed with her plan, the other five percent sulked over having his comfortable life disrupted. He eyed the vacant doorway and chuckled.

Culinary side-piece. Good one, Maisie.

He grabbed his keys and her tote. As he walked to the car, he practiced what to say to Stacy.

And what to do if she told him no.

About the Author

Dianna Wilkes

Dianna Wilkes is an award winning contemporary romance author.

Reading has always been an important part of her life. “I learned to
read when I was four years old. Writing my own stories seemed a natural
progression.”

Dianna holds a B.A.in Visual Communication and a M.Ed.in Instructional
Technology. She worked as an Education Consultant for a medical technology
company before leaving the corporate world. Despite all that nerdy stuff,
she loves creating stories of romance and mystery with touches of
humor.

When she isn’t writing, Dianna is deep in researching various
branches and twigs on her family tree or fulfilling entries on her travel
bucket list.

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Twitter: @dwilkesauthor

Instagram: dianna.wilkes

 

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One Winter’s Kiss Blitz

 

One Winter's Kiss cover

A Beautiful Nightmare Story

Paranormal Romance, Fantasy Romance

 

Date Published: December 10, 2021

One Winter’s Kiss is a standalone Beautiful Nightmare Story.

She Warmed His Heart. He Cooled Her Soul. All with one kiss.

 

This Christmas get lost in the grandeur of Elysian Manor. It’s Elysian Manor’s turn to host the Supernatural Regency for their annual cotillion. The one time of year where a faction of human nobles, vampires, wolves and more collide to share in one common goal, civility. But that goal of civility will be tested when the forbidden love of a dutiful daughter and a hybrid wolf reveals a new and dangerous threat.

 

Winter

Whatever life I have, is already planned for me. My future. My heart. Every detail has been meticulously sculpted on my behalf, without my input. Dutiful to a fault, I walked the path chosen for me without a question or whimper.

Until I saw him. His golden eyes. His perfect smile. Everything about this man changes my trajectory in ways I could never imagine. And although my wits tell me to stay my course, my sails are set high and my boughs are breaking, no longing for just one kiss!

 

Lux

Love. The one thing I’ve long avoided has finally gripped my heart.. Never have I given much thought to the notion of love or a mate I could call my own. Until now. This girl—no—this woman. She perplexes me. My every thought is of her and she is driving me insane. How a mere mortal can cause such deep yearning, I’ll never know. Her eyes. Her laugh. Her smile—and yes, her lips! Her kiss would ruin a wretched soul such as I—but I don’t care. I’d wreck the entirety of my world for just one kiss!

One Winter's Kiss tablet


About the Author

L. C Son

Wife of one. Mom of three plus a Beagle.

Well, at least that’s how I’m described in the confines of my everyday life.

Writing has always been second nature to me. I spent my childhood creating short stories and my collegiate years writing for the campus paper (Go TERPS!) Jump twenty years to the present–I’m still writing. At my day job I spend most of my time writing capability briefs, white papers, proposals–you name it.

Then one day it hit me! It was time to access my own creative power and bring to life the characters I’ve created in my mind.

In addition to enjoying life with my amazing family, I can usually be found with my head in a book, binging my favorite shows, and watching movies with jaw-dropping scores! (I love all things Danny Elfman!)

I hope you enjoy my first book, Beautiful Nightmare. It has everything you’d look to find in a paranormal romance-urban fantasy-new age novel. Vampires. Wolves. Love. And so much more!

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52 Weeks of Writing Virtual Book Tour

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52 Weeks of Writing cover

Author Journal and Planner, Vol. III

Non-Fiction / Self-Help Creativity

 

Date Published: 1 December 2021

Publisher: M.S. Wordsmith

A brilliant, supportive, challenging workbook, highly recommend.’ Jamie Sands

You, too, can become the writer you’ve always wanted to be!

The 52 Weeks of Writing Author Journal and Planner:

· makes you plan, track, reflect on, and improve your progress and goals for an entire year long;

· invites you to dig deep through thought-provoking prompts and exercises; and

· helps you unravel the truth about why you aren’t where you want to be.

Two years after publishing the first volume of 52 Weeks of Writing, writing coach and writer Mariëlle S. Smith brings you the updated third volume. Similar in style but reflecting the tweaks made to her coaching practice during the pandemic, 52 Weeks of Writing Vol. III is even better equipped to help you get out of your own way and on to the path towards success.

Ready to start living your writing dream? Order your copy now.

 

52 Weeks of Writing paperback

About the Author

Mariëlle S. Smith

Mariëlle S. Smith is a writer, writing coach, and editor. She lives in Cyprus, where she organises private writer’s retreats, is inspired 24/7, and feeds more stray cats than she can count.

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Cyber Count Blitz

 

Cyber Count cover

A Kat Munro Thriller Book 2

Financial Crime, Mystery, Crime thriller

 

Release Date: December 10, 2021

Publisher: Paperback Writer’s Publishing

Has cyber-crime escalated to murder?

Forensic accountant Kat Munro puts her traumatic past behind her and begins dating journalist Connor O’Malley, whose investigations into online crime attract the wrong kind of attention. When a colleague’s teenage son goes missing, and his friend’s body is discovered, Kat finds herself working with DS Adam Jackson again.

The murder enquiry leads Adam to an exclusive London school where allegations of drugs, gaming fraud and child pornography abound. As he gets deeper into the investigation, Adam is forced to face issues in his private life while suppressing his feelings for Kat.

The faceless hackers become desperate, and Connor is found drugged with his research missing. Can Kat and Adam put the past behind them to solve a series of seemingly unrelated incidents before someone else becomes the victim of an elusive cyber-crime network?

Other Books in the Kat Munro Thriller series:

Death Count cover

 

A Kat Munro Thriller, Book 1

 

Financial Crime Thriller

Published: December 2020

Publisher: Paperback Writer’s Publishing

 

Can a conspiracy be uncovered before the Death Count rises?

Forensic accountant Kat Munro fights corporate fraud during the day and kickboxes her demons at night while trying to ignore the nightmares that have plagued her since a car accident changed her life forever.

DS Adam Jackson is haunted by the mysterious disappearance of a friend two years ago.

When the partner of a successful London Investment fund dies in suspicious circumstances, Kat joins forces with Adam to investigate the firm. As they gather evidence of a crime with implications beyond the City, they find that events in their pasts are on a collision course; one which will ultimately put them both in serious danger.

Fast-paced and entertaining, Death Count takes a deadly dip into the world of financial crime.

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Cyber Count tablet

 

Excerpt

 

Chapter 1

Marshall Tyler stamped his feet to keep warm and tossed his blond curls out of his eyes. It was supposed to be spring in London, but there wasn’t much evidence of that yet. He couldn’t wait for summer when school would finally be done. He would decamp to his parents’ holiday home on the French Riviera for the holidays, where he’d spend each day working out at the gym, working on his tan, and chasing any number of beautiful girls who flocked to the region.

He took another look at his watch, a gift from his mother, an expensive Girard-Perregaux timepiece similar to the one footballer Cristiano Ronaldo favoured. They were late. He’d give them another five minutes, and then he’d return to school and apologise to his mate Harry. Maybe he shouldn’t have gone behind his back to arrange this meeting, but Marshall loved the thrill of what they’d done. Harry wanted to take it slow, but Marshall had seen the opportunity when it presented itself. Despite Harry’s objections, he’d gone ahead and submitted the proposal anyway. Perhaps he was going to be a shrewd businessman like his father after all.

There was a rustle in the weeds near the abandoned building where he’d been instructed to wait. He spun around and caught a glimpse of the mangy red tail of an urban fox disappearing into the undergrowth. The single-level brick structure and surrounding security fence were marked with ‘Keep Out’ signs, overlaid with meaningless graffiti. Plastic bags, food containers and all manner of rubbish had blown into a pile against the wire fence at one end of the site. The lights on the estate lining the streets leading to the old substation had flickered on during the time he’d been waiting, and dusk now blanketed the city.

He looked around at the growing shadows, and a shiver ran down his spine. He couldn’t wait to leave this dodgy part of London behind him. He couldn’t believe, out of all the places where he could have completed his schooling, that his parents had sent him to a boarding school in the East End. It had been his father’s way of providing some counterbalance to the opulent lifestyle Marshall had been born into.

They weren’t coming. Marshall felt the emptiness of disappointment twist his stomach. He took one more look about him, turned his collar up and ducked back through a hole in the broken fence. When he straightened, two men were standing in front of him.

He jumped and took a step back, crashing into the fence. One of the men laughed, a harsh chesty sound. Marshall couldn’t make out much of their features in the gloom, except that they were both broad-shouldered, with knitted beanies pulled down over their ears.

Tyler?” the first one asked.

You’re just a kid.” The second man sounded surprised.

Marshall nodded and swallowed, feeling a sudden dryness in his throat.

Let’s talk around the back, where we won’t be overheard,” the first man said.

Marshall hesitated, unsure whether he wanted to be out of sight of the flats. Still, it didn’t seem to be a suggestion, so he ducked back through the hole in the fence and waited while the two men followed. He took a deep breath and reminded himself that he was the one in charge; he had the thing they wanted. Squaring his shoulders, he led them around the edge of the substation into an overgrown yard that led down to the railway siding.

Do you have it?”

The two men stood blocking his exit.

Has the money been transferred?” Marshall asked. He heard the slight tremor in his voice and hoped that the men didn’t.

Yeah.”

Marshall took out his phone and tapped on the app for the bank account. The balance was unchanged from when he’d looked earlier. “It’s not there,” he said. “I can’t give it to you until I’ve been paid.”

The second man stepped forward and knocked the phone from Marshall’s hand. The screen shattered as it landed at his feet.

You didn’t really think we’d pay your blackmail, did you?” the first man sneered. “Now give it here.”

Marshall felt a frisson of fear. He opened his mouth to call for help, but the men laughed.

No one will hear you, and if they do, no one will come to your aid, not around these parts.”

Marshall took a step backwards, but the first man grabbed him while the second man landed a solid punch to his abdomen, followed by one to his jaw. Marshall’s head dropped to one side, and he struggled to draw in a breath.

Stop, I don’t have it on me,” he rasped. “But I can get it for you.”

The man hit him once more, and Marshall felt pain radiate from the centre of his face. Blood gushed from his nose, spilling down the front of his jacket.

We’ll wait here, and you go and get it,” the first man said, releasing him and pushing him towards the building. “You have thirty minutes.”

And we’ll keep that fancy watch as collateral to make sure you come back.” The second man reached for his arm, releasing the clasp on the strap and slipping the watch from Marshall’s wrist. He held it up to his face for a closer look. “Very nice.”

No,” Marshall said, making a grab for the watch. The man pulled away as Marshall’s fingers grazed the back of his hand. “That was a present from my mother.”

You know what you need to do if you want it and your phone back.”

About the Author

SL Beaumont

SL Beaumont is the author of the award-winning novel Shadow of Doubt, the Kat Munro Thriller series and the Amazon best-selling series, The Carlswick Mysteries.

She lives in beautiful New Zealand, which is only problematic when the travel-bug bites (which it does fairly often)! Her passion for travel has seen her take many long haul flights to various parts of the world. Her love of history helps determine the destination and the places she visits are a constant source of inspiration for her.

Prior to becoming an author, SL Beaumont worked in banking in London and New York.

Shadow of Doubt won the 2020 Indie Reader Mystery/Suspense/Thriller Award and was long-listed for the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Novel. Death Count was a semi-finalist for both the 2021 Publisher’s Weekly BookLife Fiction Prize.

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