Security Force of Two by Tena Stetler

Security Force of Two

by Tena Stetler

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Blurb:

Miacoh Zane, a Special Forces veteran, returns to Aspen Ridge, Colorado a small town nestled in the Rocky Mountains, to settle his beloved grandmother’s estate. But the town holds painful memories and family secrets he wants to leave behind for good. 

 

Candle Bearclaw, a gifted computer analyst/programmer with talents she’s buried when recruited out of college by the CIA. After fifteen years, she abruptly resigns her position with the agency. She returns to her sleepy hometown only to discover her childhood crush has also returned and a violent crime has been committed. 

 

Due to their covert operations experience, Candle and Miacoh are thrown together to assist Homeland Security, FBI, and her father, former chief of police, with a murder investigation. As they search for the perpetrators, will their secrets be revealed as the investigation takes an unusual twist that could blow the case wide open. 

 

Excerpt: 

When she drove up the circle driveway, a chill shot up her spine, then a strange feeling came over her, almost like someone was watching. Reaching under the seat of her SUV, she pulled out her handgun, checked the weapon to make sure it was loaded, chambered a round, and tucked it in the back waistband of her jeans, covering it with her shirt and jacket. She backed out then drove the entire driveway more slowly, checking the perimeter. Nothing. The cell phone hadn't chirped to alert her of a breach, but she checked her outside surveillance cameras, then the ones inside her home anyway. Again nothing. She shrugged off the feeling and stepped out of her SUV. Gun drawn, she flicked off the safety and turned on the laser. It didn't hurt to be safe rather than sorry.  

Peeking in the window, she saw the alarm keypad was still set and secure. Then she walked around the house, entered through the back door, closed and relocked it, deactivated the alarm. Nothing was out of place. Part of her wished she'd brought Terrabyte along. Though still young, the pups tracking ability was well-developed. Terra would know if someone were in or around the cabin since they left. Back to the wall, she moved carefully through each room, nothing. When she was sure the house was clear, she sat down at the computer, laying the gun next to it. Warning windows were popped up everywhere on the screen. Someone had tried to hack into her system but hadn't gotten very far. Closing out the windows one at a time until she found a message planted just under the first layer of security. That is what must have set off the warnings. Her throat went dry as she read the message. “Poking around where you don't belong is dangerous business. Carl's death was unfortunate but an accident. Leave it be or pay the consequences.” 

Fingers posed over the keyboard. She started to X out of the message but stopped. If this was a disintegrating message, she would have no proof it ever existed. Taking out her cell phone, she took a picture of the screen. The handle on the front door jiggled. She grabbed her gun and jumped up, making her way to the front bay window. 

 

 

Author Bio

Tena Stetler is an international best-selling author of award-winning paranormal tales. Some call her crazy, others creative. She deals with the voices in her head by writing them down and creating a fantasy world and characters you won’t soon forget.  Her books tell tales of magical kick-ass women and mystical alpha males that dare to love them. Travel, adventure, magic, and a bit of mystery flourish in her books along with a few companion animals to round out the tales. 

Colorado is home; shared with her husband of many moons, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot, and a fifty- two-year-old box turtle. When she’s not writing, her time is spent kayaking, camping, hiking, biking or just relaxing in the great Colorado outdoors.  

 

COME JOIN ME!

 By Caroline Clemmons

Occasionally, I send a newsletter to my subscribers. The news also includes a contest, sometimes a recipe, and often information on books by my friends. 

If you aren't already a subscriber, why not sign up? You'll receive a FREE copy of the novella, HAPPY IS THE BRIDE. Isn't that a sweet cover? My husband, Hero, created it for me.

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/B1RnRgs 

The title comes from that old saying, "Happy is the bride the sun shines on." Hero and I were married in the evening, and there was a full moon. It was a magical night!

If you're married, was the sun shining on your wedding day?

Thanks for stopping by.

Morgan's Landing by Linda Griffin

Morgan's Landing

by Linda Griffin

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Blurb:

In the small Maryland town of Morgan’s Landing, fourteen-year-old Julie Morgan is living in comfort with her wealthy family. She disappears on her way to school after a spat with her twin sister. Detective Jim Brady, married and the father of two, has been on the Morgan’s Landing police force for twelve years. He identifies a few suspects in the girl’s disappearance—Is it the fired school janitor, a paroled sex offender, Julie’s computer teacher…or his own teenage son? Jim can’t believe his son could be involved, but his wife is convinced the boy is hiding something. He needs to find Julie before the worst happens—and keep the peace at home.

 Excerpt:

Heather was taking a math test when Mr. Scarlett, the vice principal, called her out in the hall to ask if she knew where Julie was. He was unusually stern. 

“She has Phys Ed this period,” Heather said. Shouldn’t he know that? 

“She’s not in class,” Mr. Scarlett said. “She wasn’t in Computer Applications first period, either. Your mother says she didn’t stay home sick.” 

“No, she left before I did,” Heather said. She was mystified, and as the situation sank in, she experienced the first shudder of real fear. Julie liked school, and she would never cut classes. Their parents would kill them if they even thought of such a thing. They were not overly strict, but they were firm in their expectations that their daughters would always do the right thing. 

She dug her cell phone, silenced during class, out of her purse, and dialed her sister’s number. It rang four times and went to voicemail. “It’s me,” she said. “Where are you? Call when you get this.”   

Author Bio:

Linda Griffin knew she wanted to be a “book maker” as soon as she learned to read, and she wrote her first story at the age of six. Her passion for the printed word also led her to a career with the San Diego Public Library. She retired to spend more time on her writing and has had stories published in numerous literary journals  Morgan’s Landing is her tenth book from The Wild Rose Press. In addition to the three R’s—reading, writing, and research—she enjoys travel, movies, Scrabble, and visiting museums and art galleries. 

Death by Dreidel by Susie Black

Death by Dreidel

by Susie Black

Blurb:

Mermaid Swimwear President Holly Schlivnik attends an industry Hanukkah party to honor Rapido Swimwear CEO Leni Waxman as the Mount Cedars Hospital Woman of the Year. The guest of honor collapses and dies in the middle of the event. An autopsy confirms that Leni expired as a result of poisoning by coming in contact with a purposely contaminated dreidel. There is no shortage of suspects—Leni had no problem destroying anyone who threatened her top-dog swimwear industry position. When Holly’s business partner is wrongly arrested for Leni’s murder, the irreverent sales exec can’t mind her own beeswax. The wise-cracking snoop sticks her nose everywhere it doesn’t belong to flesh out the real killer. But the trail has more twists and turns than a rollercoaster and nothing turns out how Holly thinks it will as she takes on a ruthless killer hellbent on revenge.  

Excerpt:

A sheen of perspiration coated Leni’s forehead and dotted her upper lip as she ran her fingers through her hair. Leni drew in rapid, heavy breaths as though she couldn’t get enough air. She closed her eyes, massaged her temples, and staggered like a dizzy drunken sailor for a half-dozen steps.  

Then she tried to hand Buddy an envelope containing a one-hundred-dollar gift certificate to Bainbridge Department Stores. It didn’t go well. Her olive complexion took on a pale, translucent tone. She picked up the envelope with a shaky hand but dropped it on the dais. A deep red blush of embarrassment rose from her neck to her hairline. Her twitching fingers failed to pick the envelope back up. Leni gave him a grateful look and congratulated Buddy with a wan smile when he took pity on her and picked the envelope off the dais.  

I leaned over to Queenie and pointed to Leni. “Take a gander at Leni. Something’s wrong with her.”  

Queenie followed my index finger with her eyes. “Yeah, she’s white as a ghost and perspiring.”  

Mira waved around the room. “Because of the size of the crowd, the air conditioning has been on all night. It’s not the least bit stuffy in here.” 

Gary snapped, “Maybe the old broad is nervous.” 

Buddy took his seat and pointed to Leni. “No question about it. Something is wrong with that woman.”  

Mira shrugged. “Or perhaps the emotion of sharing the loss of her sister took its toll and she’s not feeling well.” 

Gary clucked his tongue. “Don’t let her fool you with her sad story about her sister. I wouldn’t be surprised if she made the whole thing up to add some dramatic context to her acceptance speech. Leni Waxman has a heart of stone and only ice water runs in her veins. She is incapable of loving anybody but herself.” Gary rolled his eyes. “She’s probably going through menopause and having one helluva hot flash.”  

Seeming to rally after taking several restorative gulps of water, Leni tottered on unsteady feet over to a large glass-topped table piled high with door prizes. She pointed to the stack and said in a remarkably normal voice, “Okay, folks the last thing on our party agenda is the auction of these wonderful door prizes donated by all you generous vendors. Dig down deep in your pockets and let’s see some high bids. The proceeds are going to buy a library of books for the daycare center in the new hospital wing.”  

She leaned over to pick up the first item, but it slipped through her fingers. Leni bolted straight up and stumbled as she clutched her midsection and let out a blood-curdling scream. She gagged and vomited down the front of her dress. Leni fell forward and collapsed onto the table. The stunned crowd went as silent as a cemetery when the glass top shattered and the door prizes scattered across the ballroom floor.  

Hadassah Waxman jumped up and screamed, “Oh My God, No!” Morty and Barry rushed to Leni, but Doctor Levinson pushed them away.  Levinson yelled, “Somebody call nine-one-one!” Then he sprang into action. He carefully pulled Leni out of the glass shards and laid her stiff-as-a-board body on her back. He held his palm over her mouth. She wasn’t breathing. He pressed his thumb first on the inside of her wrist and then on the bottom of her throat, but detected no pulse. He put his ear to Leni’s chest but didn’t hear a heartbeat. He commenced CPR, but she failed to respond. 

Ten minutes later two paramedics, pushing a stretcher loaded with life-saving gear and accompanied by a pair of LAPD uniforms, rushed into the ballroom. The hushed crowd held their breath as the medical first responders reached Levinson still working desperately to revive Leni. The two pulled resuscitation equipment out and prepared to work on the supine guest of honor. The doctor’s shoulders slumped with defeat. Levinson’s eyes filled and his voice cracked as he waved the two off.  “It’s too late. She’s gone.”  

Hadassah let out an anguished cry of despair and collapsed to the floor. 

Naturally, I burst out laughing.  

Author Bio:

Named Best US Author of the Year by N. N. Lights Book Heaven, award-winning cozy mystery author Susie Black was born in the Big Apple but now calls sunny Southern California home. Like the protagonist in her Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series, Susie is a successful apparel sales executive. Susie began telling stories as soon as she learned to talk. Now she’s telling all the stories from her garment industry experiences in humorous mysteries.  

She reads, writes, and speaks Spanish, albeit with an accent that sounds like Mildred from Michigan went on a Mexican vacation and is trying to fit in with the locals. Since life without pizza and ice cream as her core food groups wouldn’t be worth living, she’s a dedicated walker to keep her girlish figure. A voracious reader, she’s also an avid stamp collector and sailor. Susie lives with a highly intelligent man and has one incredibly brainy but smart-aleck adult son who inexplicably blames his sarcasm on an inherited genetic defect.  

Looking for more? Contact Susie at: 

Website: www.authorsusieblack.com 

E-mail: mysteries_@authorsusieblack.com 

 

DEVON BY CARRA COPELIN

 

By Caroline Clemmons

Dear Friends, have you been keeping up with the releases of the popular Guns For Hire Series? Another book just released on the 15^th, DEVON, by Carra Copelin. I’ve known Carra for twenty years, maybe longer. We met at a Fort Worth, Texas writers group and became friends. But, let me tell you about DEVON.

 

Devon Black returns home after months on the trail. He finds his father dead and his mother barely alive. Before dying, she urges Devon to find “the thieving murderous devils” and make things right. Consumed by grief and anger, Devon vows to avenge his parents deaths, determined to track down the killer or killers.

Kerrie Appleton prepares for her father’s first sermon in the newly built church on Sunday morning, hoping it will be their best day in a long time. However, when her brother, Billy, returns, he reverts to his old ways. She sees a wanted poster for her brother which says he killed an older couple and stole their money.

Devon tracks Billy and his gang to the small town of Abilene, Texas, where he meets Kerrie Appleton. Together they work to plan the best way to capture Billy Appleton and his gang to keep Kerrie, ber father, and others safe.

Will Kerrie be able to soften Devon’s hardened heart and convince him that the future is their destiny?

https://www.amazon.com/Devon-Hire-Sweet-Western-Romance-ebook/dp/B0D2XKJ2SL

 

The excitement continues as the series unfolds. I’m eager for you to read my book, SHAD, when it’s released June 15^th. If you haven’t already done so, why not preorder it now?

https://www.amazon.com/Shad-Guns-Hire-Caroline-Clemmons-ebook/dp/B0F2GF9S35/

 

Thanks for stopping by.

 

To Desire The Stars by Venus Campbell

 

 

Exiled alien prince Jarren Graf has never encountered a scent like Lissa Reyes.

To Desire the Stars

by Venus Campbell

Genre: SciFi Romance

Exiled alien prince Jarren Graf has never encountered a scent like Lissa Reyes'.

 

Abducted from Earth by Jarren, high-achiever Lissa Reyes discovered something hunted her scent. Both their scents, that is. As the key to reclaiming his throne and ending generations of galactic subjugation, Lissa knew Jarren could not let her go. But as a prince from a world built on olfactory power, Jarren's passions flared with her close. Every whiff grew their desire. Every touch increased their hunger for each other. By fate or chance, their love would change his civilization.

 

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Bookbub * Goodreads

Venus Campbell is the Principal of the Book of Venus publishing and the Winner of the Kroger Award for Excellence in Creative Writing.  She has finaled in various writing contests such as the Central Ohio Ignite the Flame and the New England Chapter- RWA First Kiss.  Campbell is a member of the Romance Writers of America (RWA) and the Authors Guild.  Campbell has written professionally since 2006 and has completed five single title manuscripts.  To Desire the Stars is her second publication. Campbell focuses on interweaving paranormal elements into romance stories, creating unique worlds which challenge people’s perceptions of self and preconceived notions of human love and relationships. 

 

Website * Facebook * Instagram * Bluesky * Bookbub * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a $20 giveaway!

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Then the Earth Moved by Mary Georgina De Grey

Then the Earth Moved

by Mary Georgina De Grey

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The subject of today’s Spotlight is Then the Earth Moved, a novel set in the Abruzzo region of Italy. I’m a mountain person, so this was particularly pleasant to write. 

Book Blurb:

Talented designer Isla Bruni is keen to widen her experience before setting up her own interiors business, so she accepts an exchange with a top studio located in an Italian hilltop town. She doesn’t trust Italian men – after all, hasn’t she had a good reason? But irresistible, sexy entrepreneur Edmondo Benedetti turns her carefully ordered life upside down. How can she realize her ambitions without sacrificing love? Only when she’s thrust into danger does she begin to understand what is important. 

The past is the past. Yet if secrets buried there resurface, could they destroy her future? 

 Excerpt: 

Isla bristled. 

“No, I didn’t! Why would I do that? What are you implying?” 

“Anti-plastic garbage. You might be from one of these groups. Lot of skewed thinking from people like that.” 

She broke into a peal of laughter but looked angry, a dangerous spark in her eyes. 

“What? That’s ridiculous! So, you reckon you didn’t manage to convince me with your well-referenced arguments,” she said, layering on the sarcasm. “And now, I’m a convenient scapegoat. Maybe you shouldn’t have left me in here on my own! Maybe you’re the one who’s responsible.” 

Pietro flushed bright red, and his eyes bulged as if he were one of his own safety valves, about to blow. 

“Hold on, hold on, Pietro. It’s upsetting, but you can’t blame the signorina,” said Edmondo. It was reassuring that in spite of her injury, Isla was clearly not about to collapse and, in fact, was giving every bit as good as she got. 

“For a start, I suggested the tour. And she didn’t hit herself on the head.”  

“Yeah – and how well do you know this woman? What if she’s working with someone?”  

“That’s enough! I suggest you apologize now. You have nothing to base this argument on, and you insult Signorina Bruni. And me.” He stared hard at the older man. “And that is not a good thing, my friend.” 

Isla raised her head at the tone of his voice, glimpsing the tough, successful businessman behind the suave exterior. 

 Then the Earth Moved published by The Wild Rose Press. 

Author Bio:

After a children’s adventure story in my early 20s, which sank immediately, I wrote no fiction until about ten years ago. I was creating languages courses for schools and one editor asked me to produce a pack of French short stories and poems – and I was off on my writer’s journey: I enjoyed this dip into fiction so much, I had to write a novel. But life was busy, and it wasn’t until lockdown that I began to write seriously. As a linguist, I find it logical to use the setting of countries I’ve lived and worked in, and this forces me to try to understand the culture and how it affects anyone with a different background. Stuck at home, I wanted to travel, and Italy glowed in my mind as a desirable place to visit, and so my first published novel began. Then The Earth Moved was published in March 2023. The main character in my novels is always a strong young woman determined to make her way in the world and each novel has a love story at its centre. I live on the beautiful English Riviera in the UK with my artist husband where I indulge in my passions of writing, reading and creating things, especially in fabric. Website: https://marygeorginadegreyauthor.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086424198194 Email: marygeorginadg@gmail.com for newsletter and other enquiries. I have since written three further novels, two of which are romances: Then the Earth Moved https://amzn.eu/d/fNtaXHK (Italy) Let Love Find a Way https://amzn.eu/d/gHMpQkC (Wales and Colombia) Then Time Stands Still https://amzn.eu/d/1pGgH5Q (Spain) The Disappeared is romantic suspense and not yet published. (Colombia)