Showing posts with label mystery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mystery. Show all posts

Monday, July 29, 2024

Murder At Mistlethwaite Manor by A.J. Skelly

 

 


There is a murderer among them. And no one with secrets is safe. 


Murder at Mistlethwaite Manor

by AJ Skelly

Genre: Historical Romantic Suspense, Mystery



Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None meets The Gilded Age in this delicious, suspenseful murder mystery.

When Lady Emma Grace Hastings receives a much-coveted invitation to the most auspicious Christmas party of the season—one that comes with a 10,000 pound prize for the winner of a mysterious game—she cannot believe her good fortune.

But as the guests are assembled at Mistlewaithe Manor, the chilling intent of the game is revealed. Each guest has cause for alarm, because all of them have secrets, and to win the prize money, those secrets must be exposed.

Things take a sinister turn when Emma Grace finds herself caught between her old love and her soon-to-be betrothed. Suspicions abound, and old wounds are opened. The dead body in the study does not help. Nor does the raging winter storm that prevents escape from the manor. Emma Grace must battle her heart, use her wits, and put her sleuthing skills to the test to survive the weekend alive.

Because there is a murderer among them.

And no one with secrets is safe.


Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads





AJ Skelly is an author, reader, and lover of all things fantasy, history, and fairy-tale-romance. And werewolves. She has a serious soft spot for them. As an avid life-long reader and a former high school English teacher, she’s always been fascinated with the written word. She lives with her husband, children, and many imaginary friends who often find their way into her stories. They all drink copious amounts of tea together and stay up reading far later than they should.

You can read more of her short stories at www.ajskelly.com.


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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!


 Quill & Flame Publishing House Murder at Mistlethwaite Manor Book Box,

$10 Amazon giftcard

- 1 winner each!  




Saturday, July 27, 2024

Award Winning GRANT ME THE MOON

 By Caroline Clemmons

Several years ago, GRANT ME THE MOON won 1st place in short romance for the International Digital Awards presented by Oklahoma RWA. Writing this book was a pleasure. As do many of my books, this one contains mystery as well as romance.

How did I choose the setting? I’m so glad you asked.

Hero and I grew up in Lubbock, Texas. After we married, we drove from where we lived in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex to Lubbock to visit family a million, gazillion times. Maybe not that many, but that’s what it seemed. We went so often we knew when ranchers or farmers painted the barn or got a new tractor.

On the way via Highway 84, we passed through Post, founded by the cereal magnate Charles William Post, at the foot of the Caprock Escarpment in Garza County. C. W. Post bought 250,000 acres in Lynn and Garza Counties to start an experimental colony. He bought a number of ranches, fenced off the land in 160-acre tracts, laid out a townsite, built houses, and in other ways worked to attract settlers. In 1907 Garza Count was formed and the town of Post City designated as its county seat.

Evidence of early man found in Garza County includes hundreds of artifacts. In 1934 archeologists also discovered the 16-foot tusk of a prehistoric imperial mammoth. Evidence of early man found in Garza County includes hundreds of artifacts from prehistoric man which were  uncovered in the county in the 1960's and named the Garza point. The archeological site is called—what else, the Garza Site. We definitely would have visited the site if we had the opportunity. That’s on private land, though, so we couldn’t have a tour. The same is true for the Lott Site which is less than a mile away.

Nevertheless, Hero and I always wished we could visit the Garza Site. We’ve enjoyed hiking through places like Chaco Canyon, Hovenweep, Mesa Verde (to which tourists can view across a ravine but can no longer walk through it as we did), and various others whenever we had the opportunity. We grew up very near Yellowhouse Canyon and the Lubbock Lake Site. Since we couldn’t visit the Garza Site, I invented one on a nearby ranch.

Writing fiction is so great!

I don’t know why Post captured my imagination, but it did. The thought of C. W. Post’s Utopian community in dusty West Texas both tickles and puzzles me. Post is a nice town with the benefits of a small town, but only forty miles from the larger city of Lubbock. Primarily ranch land, the area has a particular desert beauty. The Double Fork branch of the Brazos River passes through the county. The area also has wind farms to export electricity.

Our parents are no longer living and we don’t have occasion to drive through there now but my fascination with Garza County hasn’t diminished. Perhaps that’s why Post seemed the perfect setting for GRANT ME THE MOON. This is book two of the Texas Caprock Tales Series. Book one is BE MY GUEST and book three, will be CAPTURE A STAR.



Allow me to share some of GRANT ME THE MOON. Here’s the blurb:

All Tory Fraser intended was to show her high school history club students a local archeology dig. How could she know the excursion would involve a murder? Or that one of her students would be suspected as the killer? And she had no idea she would meet the man of her dreams.

Grant Grayson has taken over management of Grayson Ranch near Post, Texas to give his grandfather a less arduous schedule. A flash flood washed away an old talus slope on the ranch to reveal a prehistoric cave that is a Clovis site. Being a good citizen, he invited the nearest large university archaeology department to excavate the cave. When a gorgeous blonde high school teacher asks his permission to take her students to the site, how can he deny her? Especially when he is instantly attracted to her as he’s never been to anyone.

Tory and Grant are drawn into the investigation to clear her student but unintentionally make themselves a target.

 

Now I’ll share an excerpt from GRANT ME THE MOON:

He guided her inside [the restaurant] and they were shown to a table.

After they’d placed their orders, he asked, “Your grandmother, is she all right?”

“Grandpa died last spring. She’s not ill, just frail and deeply in mourning. I was lucky there was an opening in the school.”

“Where did you teach before?”

She offered a wry smile, almost as if embarrassed. “Assistant professor at Texas A&M.” She shrugged and tilted her head. “I realize it appears I took a backwards step, but I was the one who could rearrange my life to move here. Fortunately, I genuinely enjoy teaching high school history and living here.”

“So your grandmother is sad rather than ill. Does she get around well?”

She raised her eyebrows and nodded. “In fact, she can keep up with me. After Grandpa passed away, she was so heartbroken that we were afraid her health was deteriorating. Actually, it was. She wasn’t eating properly and not sleeping well. Or, she was staying up most of the night and sleeping most of the day. With me here, she keeps regular hours and we have breakfast and supper together.”

He reached across the table and laced his fingers with hers. “But not tonight.”

She met his gaze and smiled before she slid her hand to her lap. Disappointment claimed him at the loss of her touch.

“I stopped by the store on my way home and bought her a chicken pot pie in a brand that’s healthy. I only hope she’s doing as I asked and having that and a salad for dinner.”

After they’d eaten, he drove under the speed limit on the way back to Post. Her company fascinated him and he wished he could prolong the evening. When they reached the edge of the Caprock above Post, he pulled over at a wide space on the shoulder and opened the sunroof.

“I love this spot. You can see the lights of our little town below and the stars above.”

She relaxed against the seat and head rest. “The almost full moon tonight obscures many of the stars. This is a beautiful vantage point, though. As if we’re divine and are hanging above the world. I could almost reach out and touch the moon.”

He reached for her hand and entwined their fingers “Should I grab it for you?”

She offered a whimsical smile. “Let’s leave it there so everyone can enjoy the moonlight.”

 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Grant-Moon-Texas-Caprock-Tales-ebook/dp/B06XZZCRYM

Thanks for stopping by. Stay safe and keep reading!

Wednesday, May 08, 2024

Murder at Mistlethwaite Manor by AJ Skelly

 

 


**Check out the gorgeous cover!**


There is a murderer among them. 

And no one with secrets is safe.


Murder at Mistlethwaite Manor

by AJ Skelly

Genre: Historical Romantic Suspense, Mystery

Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None meets The Gilded Age in this delicious, suspenseful murder mystery.

When Lady Emma Grace Hastings receives a much-coveted invitation to the most auspicious Christmas party of the season—one that comes with a 10,000 pound prize for the winner of a mysterious game—she cannot believe her good fortune.

But as the guests are assembled at Mistlewaithe Manor, the chilling intent of the game is revealed. Each guest has cause for alarm, because all of them have secrets, and to win the prize money, those secrets must be exposed.

Things take a sinister turn when Emma Grace finds herself caught between her old love and her soon-to-be betrothed. Suspicions abound, and old wounds are opened. The dead body in the study does not help. Nor does the raging winter storm that prevents escape from the manor. Emma Grace must battle her heart, use her wits, and put her sleuthing skills to the test to survive the weekend alive.

Because there is a murderer among them.

And no one with secrets is safe.


**Releases June 4th – Preorder now!**

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads


AJ Skelly is an author, reader, and lover of all things fantasy, history, and fairy-tale-romance. And werewolves. She has a serious soft spot for them. As an avid life-long reader and a former high school English teacher, she’s always been fascinated with the written word. She lives with her husband, children, and many imaginary friends who often find their way into her stories. They all drink copious amounts of tea together and stay up reading far later than they should.

You can read more of her short stories at www.ajskelly.com.


Website * Facebook * Facebook *Instagram * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads


Follow the reveal HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$10 Amazon


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Friday, December 01, 2023

WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT COLD WEATHER?

 

By Caroline Clemmons


Brrrr. I've brought out the sweaters and sweatshirts, because winter is definitely here. I was thinking how grateful I am for our furnace and the thermostat to control it. That reminded me that in the time period I write most often, people were not so lucky. I suppose those who used coal were more fortunate than those who had to chop wood. But coal wasn’t always available. When I wrote O’NEILL’S TEXAS BRIDE, I learned facts about coal mining’s history in Texas and elsewhere.

Finn O’Neill is an honorable man who has spent his life trapped by circumstances beyond his control. Through his sister’s marriage to Dallas McClintock in THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE, Finn and his family finally experience good fortune.  Finn dreams of a life in partnership with Dallas raising horses. To achieve the dream, he must purchase land. Problem is, he has no money other than the generous salary paid him by his brother-in-law.

Stella Grace Clayton is a loving daughter and school teacher also trapped in a life she hates. No, she doesn’t hate teaching, just that her family lives in a coal town. Knowing her father won’t live a full life as a coal miner, she dreams of a better life for her and for her family. What’s more, she’s determined her younger brother will not be forced into that life. Nor does she want her sister or herself faced with only miners from which to choose a husband—but so far mine workers are the only men they meet.

How do two people from two diverse backgrounds meet? Thank you for asking. ☺



Here’s the blurb for this romantic mystery:

Finn O’Neill longs for his own ranch, his own horses, his own home and family but thought the lofty dream beyond him. Now the opportunity has arisen but to achieve his dream, he bargains with Grandpa McClintock and his nephew to pose as a miner and seek out the person or persons causing disasters at the Farland Coal Mine.

Stella Clayton has witnessed the heartbreak and tragedy of a coal miner’s life. Her family came from England to the promise of a better life only to find the same hardships. She is determined that her young brother will never follow in their father’s footsteps. And she vows she will never marry a man who engaged in that work. She fights to resist charms of the handsome Irishman who’s recently come to work in Lignite, Texas.

When Finn arrives in Lignite, he immediately falls for the beautiful schoolteacher, Stella Clayton. But her father is one of the men suspected of causing destruction. What Finn discovers soon puts him and members of the Clayton family in peril. Can he salvage his dream, fulfill his promise, and protect the woman he loves and her family?

 

O’NEILL’S TEXAS BRIDE is available in e-book and print at https://www.amazon.com/ONeills-Texas-Bride-McClintocks-Book-ebook/dp/B00XM684LQ/ It’s free at Kindle Unlimited.

And here’s an excerpt as Finn and the men on his team are leaving the mine:

Aleski clapped Finn on the back. “You still unwilling to play cards with me?”

“Right you are. Mining is the only stupid thing I do.”

Aleski laughed, as did the other three.

Jose Garza said, “You’re a smart man, O’Neill. The Pole, he will take your money if you let him.”

Aleski said, “Aw, it’s only the scrip. Worthless anyway.”

Ulys Young nudged Aleski. “Not as much as you have. Most of us have lost a part of our pay to you at one time or another.”

Aleski frowned. “You saying I cheat?”

Ulys held out a hand to signal protest. “As good a player as you has no need.”

The Pole’s frown disappeared. “This is what I always say. Everyone is good at something. I’m good at cards. They speak to me.”

“Talking cards? What do they say?” Finn asked with a smile.

“You know that is not what I meant, but they do say ‘there is the ace’ or ‘that man has the king.’ Then I know how to manage my cards.”

“Sure and I’ve known others with that ability, but I don’t have it meself.” Finn wasn’t convinced Aleski didn’t cheat. He won too often for the odds. Still, he might really be smart enough to keep track of the cards played and figure out who had what left in his hand. Was he also clever enough to stage “accidents” without detection?  

Council, Ivan, and Ulys [the married men] split off and walked toward the houses while Jose, Aleski, and Finn [single men] headed for the longhouse.

“I play the Solitaire,” Jose said. “Then even when I lose, I keep my pay.”

“Smart.” Finn said. “By now I’m so tired my brain is mush. Think I’ll take a walk after supper and then turn in.”

They reached the metal tubs and pump for washing up before they went inside to dine.

“Sí, tonight I am especially tired. I tried to keep up with you and Señor Clayton. You two will kill me, but we are sure to win the bonus this month.”

“More scrip to waste at the store.” Finn filled his plate with watery stew and took a chunk of thick bread.

Jose stayed beside him. “No, didn’t you know the bonus is real money? If we win, I will give a part of my salary to the boy who fell and broke his leg. He will be far behind by the time he can work again.”

Finn couldn’t hide his surprise. “Surely Farland will pay for all his care since he works and lives here.”

Aleski laughed as they found seats at the long table. “Are you crazy? Farland will charge him for his stay at the hospital, the doctor’s fees, nursing fee, and every meal he eats. He’ll never get it all repaid.”

Anger shot through Finn. “That’s downright underhanded and makes me plenty mad. I’ll donate some o’ my pay also. And we will win the bonus.”

The Pole nodded and forked up a bite of potato. “I believe so. I’ll keep any cash but I’ll donate my other winnings. After all, some belonged to the boy before he fell.”

“That’s good o’ you both. Mayhap I’ll take up a collection among the single men. Those who are married need every piece o’ worthless pay they can get.”

 

Stay safe and keep reading!

 

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

She Calls Her Mom by Kana Wu

 

 


She Calls Her Mom

by Kana Wu

Genre: Women's Fiction, Romance, Mystery 

A journey of shattered dreams, unexpected love, and a quest for self-discovery.

If you enjoy stories that delve into family dynamics, grief, love, loss, self-discovery, and navigating challenging circumstances, this novella is perfect for you.

Zoey Matthew is excited to celebrate her upcoming 21st birthday and begin building the life she’s always wanted. However, 
her dreams are shattered when her sister and brother-in-law die in a hit-and-run accident, leaving their baby, Ella, in her care. Suddenly she has to learn how to take care of an infant and juggle her new career while grieving the loss of her sister, who had been like a mom to her after their own mother abandoned them. And losing her dad at a young age right before her mom left without a word has Zoey feeling lost and less than adequate for the job of becoming a mother to Ella.

Encountering frequent challenges, Zoey gives up her career to care for her niece and throws in the towel on ever having a love life since she believes no man will be interested in her—a woman with a baby. Feeling alone and vulnerable, she finds hope and joy in the presence of new friends: a kind-hearted Claudia and 
a charming-baby whisperer, Derek.

Zoey realizes that her life can never truly be at peace until her sister’s murderer is brought to justice and she finds out who is behind the mysterious weekly grocery deliveries. Will she uncover the truth and find closure, or will the disclosures shatter her world even further?

#ComingOfAge #FamilyDynamics #GriefJourney #SelfDiscovery #NewBeginnings #MotherhoodChallenges #Resilience #LoveAndLoss


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Kana Wu is a bilingual author who writes her novels in English as her second language. She also enjoys traveling and incorporates the places she visits into her books.

Her debut novel, No Romance Allowed, won the Romance category for the 2020 TCK Publishing Readers’ Choice Awards Contest.

Her second novel, No Secrets Allowed, earned a 1st Place Blue Ribbon for the Chatelaine Book Awards for Romantic Fiction, a division of the 2021 Chanticleer International Book Awards.

Currently, she resides in beautiful Southern California with her husband, surrounded by her books and the occasional hummingbird or wild birds’ visitor.

Keep up with Kana's latest news and updates by visiting her website or following her on social media.


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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$10 Amazon



Wednesday, March 01, 2023

Song for Someone: Sherlock Holmes & Irene Adler Mysteries 1 by KD Sherrinford

 

 


Song For Someone

The Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler Mysteries Book 1

by KD Sherrinford

Genre: Historical Romantic Mystery

Love is the aria of the soul.

Charlotte Sapori has led a wonderful life, safely tucked in the bosom of her family. Her mother, Irene Adler, is a renowned opera singer, while her father, Lucca Sapori, does important government work that frequently takes him away from them. Charlotte is close to her older brother, Nicco, and they are both doted on by their parents. All is well until her mother receives an unexpected diagnosis which shakes the family to its core.

Knowing herself to be dying, Adler confesses to Charlotte things that have long been kept from her, telling her to find and read her diary. A distressed Lucca Sapori tells his daughter to read his as well. And by the way, Lucca Sapori is not his real name. In fact, she may have heard of him—he is actually the world-famous detective, Sherlock Holmes.

Charlotte finds both diaries and plunges into the hidden world of Irene Adler and Sherlock Holmes as she discovers what brought them together, and how they managed to stay together for thirty years despite having to battle the odds.


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Christmas at the Saporis

The Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler Mysteries Book 2

What will the Saporis find under the tree this year—Christmas presents, or family skeletons?

In the spirit of the holiday and a wish for familial harmony, Irene Adler persuades her detective husband to invite his brother Mycroft to Christmas luncheon. Holmes had cut ties with his brother when he discovered the machinations Mycroft employed that drove Sherlock and Adler apart for four years. He isn’t really sure this reunion is a great idea, but he can deny his wife nothing.

Of course, they can’t tell the children what Mycroft is to them, as that would entail learning that their father is the celebrated detective when they know him simply as Lucca Sapori. And just when they think things may be going better than expected, ghosts of the past crop up in unexpected ways and threaten to ruin the holidays for everyone.


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KD Sherrinford was born and raised in Preston, Lancashire, and now resides on The Fylde Coast with her husband John, and their four children.

An avid reader from an early age, KD was fascinated by the stories of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie, she read the entire Doyle Canon by the time she was 13.

A talented pianist, KD played piano from age six, the music of some of her favourite composers, Beethoven, Schubert, Stephen Foster, and Richard Wagner, all strongly feature in her novel.

KD had a varied early career, working with horses and racing greyhounds, she and her husband won the Blackpool Greyhound Derby in 1987 with Scottie.

Then to mix things up KD joined Countrywide, where she was employed for over 20 years and became a Fellow of The National Association of Estate Agents.

Retirement finally gave KD the opportunity to follow her dreams and start work on her first novel. She gained inspiration to write” Song for Someone” from her daughter Katie, after a visit to the Sherlock Holmes museum on Baker Street in 2019. It had always been a passion to write about Irene Adler, she is such an iconic character, and KD wanted to give her a voice.

KD recently completed her second book in the Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler mystery series, “Christmas at The Saporis”, and is currently working on the third.


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Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Deaf Row by Ron Franscell

 


Deaf Row

by Ron Franscell

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Crime Fiction

Retired from a big-city homicide beat to a small Colorado mountain town, ex-detective Woodrow "Mountain" Bell yearns only to fade away. He's failed in so many ways as a father, a husband, friend, and cop that it might be too late for a meaningful life. When he stumbles across a long-forgotten, unsolved child murder, his first impulse is to let it lie ... but he can't. He's drawn into the macabre mystery when he realizes the killer might still be near. Without help from ambivalent local cops, Bell must overcome the obstacles of time, age, and a lack of police resources by calling upon the unique skills of the end-of-the-road codgers he meets for coffee every morning—a club of old guys who call themselves Deaf Row. Soon, this mottled crew finds itself on a collision course with a serial butcher.

|
DEAF ROW is more than a tense mystery novel, more than an unnerving psychological thriller drawn from Ron Franscell's career as a bestselling true-crime writer and journalist. It is also a novel of men pushing back against time and death, trying not to disappear entirely. DEAF ROW is a moving, occasionally humorous, portrait of flawed people caught in a web of pain and regret. And although you might think you know where this ghastly case is headed, the climax will blindside you.


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A veteran journalist, Ron Franscell is the New York Times bestselling author of 18 books, including international bestsellers “The Darkest Night” and Edgar-nominated true crime Morgue: A Life in Death.” His newest, “ShadowMan: An Elusive Psycho Killer and the Birth of FBI Profiling,” was released in March by Berkley/Penguin-Random House.

His atmospheric and muscular writing—hailed by Ann Rule, Vincent Bugliosi, William Least-Heat Moon, and others—has established him as one of the most provocative American voices in narrative nonfiction.

Ron’s first book, “Angel Fire,” was a USA Today bestselling literary novel listed by the San Francisco Chronicle among the 100 Best Novels of the 20th Century West. His later success grew from blending techniques of fiction-writing with his daily journalism. The result was dramatic, detailed, and utterly true storytelling.

Ron has established himself as a plucky reporter, too. As a senior writer at the Denver Post, he covered the evolution of the American West but shortly after 9/11, he was dispatched by the Post to cover the Middle East during the first months of the War on Terror. In 2004, he covered devastating Hurricane Rita from inside the storm.

His book reviews and essays have been widely published in many of America’s biggest and best newspapers, such as the Washington Post, Chicago Sun-Times, San Francisco Chronicle, San Jose Mercury-News, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and others. He has been a guest on CNN, Fox News, NPR, the Today Show, ABC News, and he appears regularly on crime documentaries at Investigation Discovery, Oxygen, History Channel, Reelz, and A&E.

He lives in northern New Mexico.


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Wednesday, January 12, 2022

THE JOE PICKETT SERIES BY C J BOX

By Caroline Clemmons 

Don’t you love finding a new-to-you author you love and discovering the book you enjoyed is part of a long series?

If you are part of my Facebook group, you know that my bout with Covid left me with eyesight problems. For several months, I couldn’t read normal print books. My Librarian daughter was kind enough to search the local library for large print books. She looked for westerns and discovered several books in the Joe Pickett series by C. J. Box.

I hadn’t read any of these books previously, but I devoured them. Problem was, those available in large print weren’t sequential. I overlooked the gaps mystifying me and kept reading. I really like Joe Pickett.

Joe is a game warden in Wyoming—a perfect hero. He is an efficient, by-the-rules good guy forced to deal with corruption and murder. Every hero has to have a flaw. One of the things that amused me is that Joe Pickett is a lousy marksman. But, he’s also a devoted family man to his wife, Marybeth, and daughters, Sheridan and Lucy. Marybeth’s mom, who detests Joe because he doesn’t make much money, appears in many books.

Like many good guy protagonists, Joe has occasional help from his off-the-grid friends, My favorite is  Nate, a falconer. Until this series, I had no idea falconry was used to control pest birds from harming crops and harassing shopping mall patrons.

In fact, I learned something new in each book. The writing is not at all pedantic. The descriptions are injected into the story as part of the crime and solution. For instance, in one the murder occurred on one of the huge wind turbines used to generate power. In reaching the victim, Joe has to climb to the top of the machine.

If you like western heroes, mysteries, and small town series, then you’ll enjoy C. J. Box’s Joe Pickett books. The first in the series is OPEN SEASON. I found it on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Open-Season-Pickett-Novel-Book-ebook/dp/B00452V3VE It is also available in audio.



Here’s the description for book 1, OPEN SEASON:

Joe Pickett is the new game warden in Twelve Sleep, Wyoming, a town where nearly everyone hunts and the game warden--especially one like Joe who won't take bribes or look the other way--is far from popular. When he finds a local hunting outfitter dead, splayed out on the woodpile behind his state-owned home, he takes it personally. There had to be a reason that the outfitter, with whom he's had run-ins before, chose his backyard, his woodpile to die in. Even after the "outfitter murders," as they have been dubbed by the local press after the discovery of the two more bodies, are solved, Joe continues to investigate, uneasy with the easy explanation offered by local police.

As Joe digs deeper into the murders, he soon discovers that the outfitter brought more than death to his backdoor: he brought Joe an endangered species thought to be extinct, which is now living in his woodpile. But if word of the existence of this endangered species gets out, it will destroy any chance of InterWest, a multi-national natural gas company, building an oil pipeline that would bring the company billions of dollars across Wyoming, through the mountains and forests of Twelve Sleep. The closer Joe comes to the truth behind the outfitter murders, the endangered species and InterWest, the closer he comes to losing everything he holds dear.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I hope you enjoy this series as much as I do. Whatever you choose, keep reading and stay safe!

Friday, October 08, 2021

#99¢ SALE OCTOBER 9-14TH

 By Caroline Clemmons


Excitement is building… Fall is here! That means we’re gearing up for cooler weather and the holidays. I’m also excited because I have a book on sale. I love a bargain and hope you do, too.

Don’t you agree that being thrust through time would be spooky? If you went back in time, at least you’d have knowledge of history to get you through. Ah, but what if you were zapped ahead?

In that case, everything would be new and unfamiliar. Some buildings might remain from your time, but even those likely would be altered. Houses would have different residents.

That’s what happened to Penelope “Penny” Terry in the book TEXAS LIGHTNING, Texas Time Travel Series Book 1. The feisty redheaded rancher is running from rustlers when a lightning strike spooks her horse. Penny is thrown and rolls into a borrow ditch before she’s knocked unconscious. When she comes to, she’s soaking wet and must walk through the rain to her home.

As the headline indicates, TEXAS LIGHTNING is on sale for only 99¢ from Saturday, October 9 through Thursday, October 14th. Don't miss this chance to snap up this book at a bargain price. Of course, it's always free in Kindle Unlimited. You can also purchase it in print.



Here’s the description:

How can two people from different eras own the same ranch?

Penelope Jane Terry knows everything about ranching in spite of being a lone woman. She is determined to send to jail the rustlers who believe they can steal what is hers… until she is caught spying on their dirty works and must ride for her life. What Penny doesn’t count on is being hurtled almost 125 years into the future.

Jake Knight believes the attractive woman who stumbled into his home one rainy evening either has amnesia or is certifiably insane. Unless, that is, she is in league with whoever is trying to drive him out of business. Someone is trying to force him to sell his ranch by staging a string of damaging incidents. Jake’s been kept so busy making repairs that he can’t run his ranch. Even if he were stupid enough to wish to sell, the ranch is so firmly entailed that no one can break the conditions.

Jake gradually learns Penny is who she claims, no matter that time travel is supposed to be impossible. They’re locked into a clash that only one of them can win. If an outsider weren’t trying to kill Jake as well as bankrupt him, perhaps he and Penny might be able to reach an agreement. But, there is also that treasure….

Find TEXAS LIGHTNING for sale on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Texas-Lightning-Time-Travel-Book-ebook/dp/B07B6R1K44

 

Enjoy an excerpt:

She should have gone around to the back door, but she couldn’t walk another step. Weariness and sore muscles overwhelmed her and she wanted nothing more than to shuck out of her wet things and lie in her nice bed—if she could summon the energy to walk upstairs. She heard footsteps approaching and raised one foot. Eyes closed, she leaned back against the stairs.

“Had me a passel of trouble, Jake. Help me get these danged boots off, would you? Then I’ll tell you all about it.” A dog’s cold nose pressed against her cheek. She jumped and pushed her hair out of her eyes. A black and white dog stared at her. “Who are you?”

“His name’s Rascal.” An unfamiliar baritone said, “He’s mine.”

She looked up.

Whoa! The man who faced her wasn’t Jake. In spite of her wariness, her mouth dropped open in awe. Instead of her arthritic middle-aged cook, this man was young and tall and definitely fit. And handsome. Unbelievably, mesmerizingly handsome.

He might be as comely as a fairy tale prince, but the regal disapproval on his face appeared anything but friendly.

Energized by fear, she jumped to her feet and grabbed her rifle. “Who the heck are you?”

He crossed his arms and ignored the Winchester pointed at his middle. His dark hair glistened in light that seemed too bright. Dark blue eyes had tiny creases at the corners, as if he laughed a lot.

He sure wasn’t laughing now.

“I might ask you the same question. And what are you doing tracking in mud and dripping water all over my foyer?”

Your foyer? This is my house, and it’s been my house since my daddy and I built it six years ago. Don’t you think for one minute I’ll let you steal my home.”

 The dog growled, the fur of his ruff bristling.

The man snapped his fingers. “Quiet, Rascal.”

Who was this man? He didn’t look the type but maybe he was one of the men stealing her cattle. Could he and his dog have been waiting for her? She gripped the rifle with all her strength. Why hadn’t Jake shown up to help her?

Oh, no, had they killed Jake?

He glared at her. “Lady, I don’t know who you are, but this is my house, get it? I grew up here. My daddy grew up here. My granddaddy grew up here.”

Penny’s knees trembled, but she fought fear to appear strong. “Don’t try and trick me. The Double T ranch was started by my granddaddy in 1836. No con man is going to steal it from the Terry family, and you can take that to the bank.”

“The Terry family hasn’t owned this since Penelope Terry died in 1896. Knights have owned it since then.” He threw up his hands. “Hell, why am I arguing with a crazy woman?”

“Crazy?” She was about to light into him when the first part of his statement hit her. “Hey, what do you mean, I died? I’m as alive as you, whoever you are.”

“What the hell are you talking about? I see you’re alive. I said Penelope Terry died. Are you hard of hearing as well as nuts?”

Increasing fear spiraled inside Penny, knotting her stomach. How could this man think her dead? What kind of trick was he working? Had she been conked out long enough that Jake sent men out to look for her and they decided she’d died?

Forcing herself to appear calm when she shook inside, Penny stood erect. “I’m Penelope Jane Terry and you can see I’m very much alive…”



Poor Penny has a heap of trouble—but then, so does Jake Knight. If you haven’t already read this time travel, I hope you want to know how they work things out between them. Plus, discover who’s deviling Jake and why?

Stay safe and keep reading!