Category Archives: #FridayReads

PJ and the Paranormal Pursuers by Jacqui Dempster

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When PJ and his team of Paranormal Pursuers unearth the sinister secrets of the Scottish village of Pittenweem’s witch-hunting past, they must confront the malevolent spirit of a young boy to save the villagers from chaos and terror.

The Phantoms of Pittenweem
PJ and the Paranormal Pursuers Book 2
by Jacqui Dempster
Genre: YA, Teen Paranormal Adventure

After moving from New York to Edinburgh to live with his aunt, PJ very quickly discovered the parallel worlds of the living and the dead when he was forced to battle the evil Mackenzie Poltergeist at Greyfriars Kirkyard.

Now, PJ and his fellow ghost-hunting friends are invited to stay in the picturesque fishing village of Pittenweem in Fife, a place which, unbeknown to them, has haunting echoes of its witch-hunting past.

However, their holiday promises to be anything but peaceful, as witchcraft and superstition threatens to bring terror and chaos to the villagers and the Paranormal Pursuers must face off with the malevolent spirit of a young boy, Patrick Morton. Can they find a way to prevent him from reviving the dark and sinister past of Pittenweem before it’s too late?

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The Mackenzie Poltergeist
PJ and the Paranormal Pursuers Book 1

After his mom dies, PJ reluctantly leaves his New York home and everyone he loves, to live with his Aunt Katie in Edinburgh. A series of strange events begin when his aunt’s elderly neighbour and her cat Azrael convince him that his mom, weirdly, is still very much with him.
At a bereavement counselling group, PJ makes a new group of friends, all of whom have lost loved ones. Drawn together by their shared experiences, they soon discover they have something else in common; an interest in the supernatural. Freya is the daughter of a white witch, Sunny has a scientific and enquiring mind and Shuggie, a superfan of ghost hunting programmes. Led by PJ, they try to prove that there is life after death and that their loved ones are still with them. The team receives strange messages leading them to investigate Greyfriars Kirkyard where they experience terrifying paranormal activity and PJ is drawn into the clutches of the evil Mackenzie Poltergeist after reciting a famous rhyme that invites the restless spirit to draw back the bolt of his scary mausoleum to allow him entry. There, he finds himself in a fight of good against evil with the ghost of Sir George Mackenzie.

“If you are, or know someone who is a teenager with a newfound interest in the supernatural and paranormal, this is the book for you.” The Courier and Advertiser (Fife Edition)

“PJ and his friends make a great group of characters, and there’s lots of laughter to be had as well as scares, while ‘auld reekie’ provides the perfect backdrop for these ghostly goings-on.” LoveReading4Kids & LoveReading4Schools

“This is a terrific story for teen readers to devour on a spooky autumn evening.” The School Librarian (TSL)

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Jacqui Dempster qualified as a solicitor in 1999 but now works as a malpractice investigator for an education and qualifications organisation. She lives in Dunfermline, Fife, with partner, Andrew, and various ‘borrowed’ doggies who visit regularly. Jacqui loves dogs, especially Jack Russell Terriers and thinks if they ruled the world, it would be a better place! The doggy motifs on the cover of her books represent Dug and Buddy who belong to the characters, Shuggie and PJ. Dug is based on Jacqui’s own beloved Jack Russell Terrier, Smudge, and her grandpup, Gus, both of whom have sadly passed over the Rainbow Bridge.
Jacqui loves theatre and ran performing arts schools for young people in Fife. She produced and directed various shows at the Edinburgh Fringe. When not either working or writing, she loves to paint and crochet, and of course, read books.
Her first children’s book in this series, PJ and the Paranormal Pursuers– The Mackenzie Poltergeist, was published by The Book Guild in 2021.
Jacqui explains: “The supernatural has featured in my life since I was young, with a grandfather who saw ghosts regularly and other members of the family, on my Welsh side, having strange experiences and even dabbling in magic! I studied on the Edinburgh University Koestler Parapsychology course to learn about the science of the Paranormal. I have also been on a few ghost investigations with mixed results.
I live in Fife nowadays and often visit the beautiful towns and villages within the county. Fife was one of the famous areas where ‘witches’ were persecuted, and the story of the Pitteweem Witches is particularly well known. In my book, the story is told for a younger reader involving a contemporary allegory about one of the young characters, Freya, who is a Wiccan. The subject of Scotland’s witches came up in 2022, when an apology was issued by the then First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon to those persecuted, tortured and executed, and MSPs were invited to consider legislation to pardon them.
I enjoy writing about various places we’ve visited, and especially about any with spooky stories attached on my Medium Daily Digest blog.”
Jacqui loves history and enjoys embracing fact with fiction in her books which she hopes encourages not only a love of reading in young people but also the desire to learn about events of the past which often influence the present and the future.

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Who are the Dogs on the Cover of PJ and The Paranormal Pursuers – The Phantoms of Pittenweem?

Well, the small white dog, who appeared on the cover of my first PJ book, The Mackenzie Poltergeist, was designed from a photograph of my beloved Jack Russell Terrier, Smudge. Sadly, at the time the first book went to print, Smudge, who was almost 17 had been terribly ill for a while. The book has a dedication to him but he went to the Rainbow Bridge before publication and I wanted his memory to live on. He does so as ‘Dug,’ Shuggie’s JRT in the book and as the motif on the covers. The other dog, added for the Phantoms of Pittenweem is modelled on Gus, another family dog. He was a Schnauzer who was also a lovely soul. When he wasn’t freshly groomed, he was a shaggy dog on whom I modelled Buddy, PJ’s dog. Gus had also travelled the Rainbow Bridge by the time the new book was published and he joins Smudge on the cover of my second book.

As many people will understand, the grief of losing a pet, who is very much a family member, friend and companion is hard – often just as hard as losing a human. I was devastated at the loss of Smudge and resolved never to have another dog of my own because the pain and trauma was too great. I know that many people say that you should offer another dog a happy home and believe me, I have been tempted – until that wave of grief crashes over me and reminds me of what we went through. I have written about Smudge extensively on my blog; one part (For the Love of Smudge) telling his story and the second part (I’m only talking to my dog today) which explains the strange events after his death which convinced me he was still around and sending messages to say he was OK. These can be found here: Jacqueline Dempster – Medium. I hope that the articles help those of you who find themselves grief stricken after the loss of a beloved pet.

My days of doggy love are not over, however. Although we don’t have any of our own, we did join an organisation called ‘Borrow my Doggy,’ which offers just what it says on the tin! For a small annual fee, you can offer to borrow other people’s doggies when they need company during the week or a place to stay when their people want to go on holiday. It’s worked out brilliantly for us and we’ve had the joy of looking after Winnie, a Jack Russell Terrier (who looks remarkably like Smudge) and Arlo who is a very cheeky little JRT/Shih Tzu cross. We also look after our grandpups, Willow (guess what – a JRT whose arrival as a pup was accurately predicted by one of the animal psychics I consulted after we lost Smudge) and Pepper, a Poodle/Bichon Frise cross. We have a new boy, Joe, (JRT) coming to visit and stay for holidays very soon! I am certain that Smudge knows that we’ll never replace him but has a hand in bringing all these perfect friends into our lives. It is very strange how all of the borrowed doggies who’ve arrived on our doorstep have been JRTs and I am certain our boy has a hand in it. To be honest, I love each one of them dearly and while they are not our dogs, the grief of losing any of them will be hard. I can console myself, however, knowing that we’ve been able to give them a welcome and the comfort of a loving home from home whenever their mums and dads need a holiday, or just to stop them getting lonely while their people are working. They return the love in spades and I wouldn’t be without them. They’ve also been very willing to read my books as you might gather from the photographs!

Imaginary Heroes by Michael Seidelman

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His friends may be IMAGINARY… but the danger is REAL!

Imaginary Heroes
by Michael Seidelman
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy Adventure

His friends may be IMAGINARY… but the danger is REAL!

Twelve-year-old Matthew’s life has been incredibly challenging because of his Tourette Syndrome, a disorder which causes uncontrollable movements and sounds. Isolated and tormented by bullies at school, Matthew finds solace in the company of his lifelong imaginary friends, a lovable green monster and a tough-as-nails little girl.

On his way home from school one day, as Matthew is pursued by his relentless tormentors, they all crash into a mysterious underground lair. At first, it seems that being trapped with the bullies who make his life miserable is his biggest problem. That is, until he and the others discover that they are not alone.

Hunted by a menacing presence lurking in the depths, Matthew and the bullies must confront a threat to their very existence. Their desperate mission becomes clear: put their differences aside and work together to find a way to safety before they are all consumed by the darkness.

Although fictional, the book is inspired by the author’s own childhood experiences with bullying, loneliness, and Tourette Syndrome. He set out to craft an engaging story while exploring issues many kids can relate to—told from the perspective of someone who has lived them firsthand.

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When Michael Seidelman was growing up, his passions were reading, watching movies, enjoying nature and creative writing. Not much has changed since then.

Working in Online Marketing for over ten years, Michael felt it was time to pursue his passion and began writing The Garden of Syn trilogy.

His latest Middle Grade book, Imaginary Heroes, is personal for Michael. While fiction, the book is inspired by his own childhood experiences with bullying, loneliness, and Tourette’s Syndrome. He set out to tell an entertaining story while delving into issues many kids can relate to, told by someone who has experienced them firsthand.

Michael was born in Vancouver, BC Canada where he continues to reside.

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Can you tell us what your book is about?
Imaginary Heroes follows twelve-year-old Matthew, who struggles with Tourette Syndrome and relentless bullies. He finds comfort in his imaginary friends—a tough girl named Nabie and a lovable green monster named Garby. But when Matthew and his tormentors become trapped in a mysterious underground lair, they must work together to escape before the darkness consumes them all.

What inspired you to write this story?
I wanted to dedicate my next book to my nephew, who’s an avid reader, so I decided to write something for his age group. I was working on the final book in my young adult Garden of Syn trilogy when I heard a radio segment about the host’s imaginary friends—and that sparked something in me. I began thinking about my own imaginary friends from childhood and the challenges I faced, like bullying and Tourette Syndrome. From there, the story came together naturally.

Are any parts of the story based on your real-life experiences?
Very much so. While the book is fictional with elements of fantasy and adventure, Matthew—the protagonist—is similar to me when I was his age. Like me, he has Tourette Syndrome and is bullied at school. Because of his isolation, he still talks to the same imaginary friends I once had: Nabie & Garby. Although I left my imaginary friends behind in kindergarten, I brought them back for this story. The bullies, especially Declan, are inspired by the real ones I encountered growing up.

What was your favorite scene to write?
While the fantastical parts were a lot of fun, my favorite scene to write was when Matthew finally snaps and tells his main bully, Declan, how the constant bullying has impacted his life. It’s everything I wish I could have said to my bullies but never did. Writing that moment was incredibly cathartic.

Did any other books or authors influence your writing?
Absolutely. Growing up, I loved Roald Dahl and Enid Blyton. Their creativity and heart have definitely influenced my own writing style. I also drew inspiration from a few other authors I’ve read over the years who know how to mix humor, suspense and imagination.

Are there any hidden details or easter eggs in the book that readers should look for?
So many! While most might go unnoticed, I’ve included the names of businesses my great-grandparents owned, a former teacher’s name, and references to historic Vancouver companies—even though the story is set in Washington State. It’s a little way for me to honor my roots.

What was the most challenging part of writing the book?
Writing kids wasn’t too difficult—I was one, after all! But writing kids in a different era than the one I grew up in was definitely a challenge. I had to do quite a bit of research to make sure it felt authentic. My nephew and my sister, who’s a teacher, were incredibly helpful in that process.

Do you plot out your stories in advance or make them up as you go?
I’m definitely a “Plotter.” While some authors are “Pantsers” who write by the seat of their pants, I outline everything in advance. I map out the details for each chapter before I even start writing. Sure, some things change along the way, but the major plot points are always planned out from the beginning.

What do you hope kids take away from your book?
First and foremost, I hope they have fun reading it. Above all, I aim to entertain. But I also hope the story encourages empathy—that kids will come away understanding that people who are different from them deserve kindness and compassion just like anyone else.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I just want to thank everyone for checking out my books—whether it’s Imaginary Heroes or The Garden of Syn trilogy. If you read the book and want to share your thoughts or ask me anything, feel free to reach out on social media or through my website. I’d love to hear from you!

Revary by Abigail Linhardt

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What if we could be the heroes we pretend to be?
Revary
by Abigail Linhardt

Genre: YA Epic Fantasy Adventure

In a small Midwestern town, Celeste and her friends find escape from the pressures of senior year through their tabletop roleplaying games. But when Celeste stumbles upon a way to actually enter their imagined realm, fantasy becomes a reality.
Suddenly, the friends find themselves living out their greatest adventure. In Revary, they can be anyone they want: brave warriors, powerful mages, or cunning rogues. But as they explore this magical world of their own creation, they discover it is threatened by a mysterious force that is causing the fantastic world to vanish into darkness.
With Revary in peril and tensions rising in their world, Celeste and her friends must navigate the blurring lines between imagination and reality. As they fight to save their creation, they’ll confront fantastical dangers and the real-life issues they’ve been avoiding.
“Revary is a spellbinding journey that explores the power of friendship, the courage to face reality, and the magic of storytelling.” –ARC Review

NEW RELEASE!!
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Abi works part-time as a freelance ghostwriter, editor, audiobook narrator, and is one half of the partnership that owns Altered Reality Magazine. She hopes to one day make these passions her full-time job while she hunts for the next bohemian adventure.
She has published works of fiction, poetry, academia, and even won awards for her short stories in science fiction and horror. Her novel, The Trial of Two, was named an Honorable Mention in the Writer’s Digest 2021 self-publishing awards and won first place in the dark fantasy category in The BookFest Awards. Abi is also a proud mom of ferrets. She currently resides in Kansas.
She is one of nine children–all of whom share the creative spark.

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Downeyoshun by Art Young

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A not-always-sentimental vacation to the ’50s, ’60s, ‘and ’70s. Bring your swimsuit.

Downeyoshun
by Art Young
Genre: Recent Historical Family Fiction

Sally Osterhoff is a genius. When she grows up, she wants to be a mathematician, a teacher, and a carpenter; and she plans to swim in the 1968 and 1972 Olympics.

Her mother has other ideas, and will emotionally and physically abuse Sally to fit them. After all, she only wants what is best for her child. But between her father trying his best, the family next door who practically adopts her, and her Aunt & Uncle down in Ocean City where she spends her summers, Sally just might have the support and love she needs to make all of her dreams come true.

Set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights struggles, the Vietnam War, and the early Feminist movement, the story explores the power of found family, and how unconditional love can come from the least expected places. Downeyoshun is a not-always-sentimental vacation to the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s. Bring your swimsuit.

Praise about the book:
“Arthur Young will introduce you to a special world, East Baltimore, and its vacation spot, Ocean City, with his warm Downeyoshun. Not that life is perfect – not all mothers are kind, and the VietNam war casts a shadow. But you’ll feel as if you’ve met new friends as you follow his characters through the challenges of growing up. In his skillful telling, the fabric of a family and a neighborhood comes to life. You may even find yourself becoming a Baltimore Hon!”
–Pamela Zerba, Contributor Atheists in America, Writer, Creative York Contest Winner

“Be prepared to fall in love with one of the most endearing literary characters of the century thus far. Ultimately, this is a book about family, the one you’re stuck with and the one you make. By the end, Sally will feel like part of yours. You will thoroughly enjoy your trip Downeyoshun.”
-Robert Akridge, Writer

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Art Young is a Baltimore-born U.S. Navy / Vietnam / Agent Orange veteran and cancer survivor. He was once a carny in a traveling gadget show, and has worked as a fire-extinguishing-system installer and serviceman, a brewery’s route delivery salesman, flexographic press operator, licensed boiler-plant engineer, and a storyteller. He much prefers the last.

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Vengeful Conspiracies by Nicole Leiren

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Sadie encounters a nemesis from her past. Is it coincidence or is it something more sinister? Book 2 reveals the truth!

Vengeful CONspiracies
A Sadie Sabatini Mystery Book 2
by Nicole Leiren
Genre: Cozy Mystery

Sadie is settling into her new life in Wilson, Texas. She’s making friends and her business, Tesoro, is starting to thrive. But the past is never far behind. When two former team members come for a visit, they bring trouble in the form of a mutual enemy set on revenge threatening to disrupt Sadie’s fresh start.

She can’t turn her back on her team, though. They’ve been through too much together. The more Sadie tries to help, the more she suspects she might be the target of the con this time. With forces conspiring against her, the outcome of her decisions, both past and present, weigh heavily and make her question the choices she made leading to this point.

When their mutual enemy is found dead, alliances are tested, and wits are matched as the race to the truth reveals who can be trusted and who is running their final con.

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Murderous CONsequences
A Sadie Sabatini Mystery Book 1

Sadie Sabatini thinks of herself as a modern-day Robin Hood who uses her gift as a skilled con artist to help those who have nowhere else to turn. Leading this life is rewarding, but the number of enemies are piling up. Sadie decides to lay low and start over with a new (and legitimate business) in the small town of Wilson, Texas, situated on a small peninsula in beautiful Lake Amore.

Trouble is never far behind though and her past catches up to her in a big way when a friend of a former mark threatens blackmail for his silence. When he turns up dead and Sadie is the prime suspect, she realizes this time she must protect herself. Her skills prove helpful as she digs deeper into the web of revenge, blackmail, and secrets to discover she’s not the only one with a past to hide.

As the threats mount, Sadie knows she’s closing in on the truth. She now worries that the few new friends she’s made in town are in danger because of her. With time running out, can she protect those around her and find the real killer before this new chapter in her life is conned out of a happy ending?

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Described by those who know her best as perky, quirky and effervescent, USA Today Best-Selling author Nicole Leiren likes to have fun — in life, with her characters and, of course, her readers. She admits to being sassy (just ask her mother!) and inspiration for her characters are drawn from the real-world heroes and heroines she meets while traversing the country.
Nicole enjoys sharing the love, laughter, mystery, and occasionally a touch of the mayhem she forces her characters to endure—all for the reader’s pleasure! Her real-world heroes and heroines will keep you turning the pages until you reach the whodunit or happily ever after (usually both!)

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Fun facts about the Author (that you might not find anywhere else)

As I share in a lot of my blog posts, I was born in a small town. My parents both worked their entire careers in the medical field. My mom was a registered nurse who spent the majority of her career in geriatric care (nursing homes.) Her love for others and the way she cares for them served as a great inspiration for Sadie’s mom in the new series. Interestingly enough, she has teased me for years about writing female characters who don’t have good relationships with their mothers. She would narrow her gaze and say, “Are you trying to tell me something?” To which I always replied with a laugh, “No, mom. If they got along great with everyone, including their parents, there would be no drama. And what story doesn’t have some drama??!!” So for my mom (who I have a great relationship with, by the way), I decided Sadie’s family drama could be with another member of the family and she and her parents would have a strong, supportive relationship.

Let’s see, I started going to a private, Christian school when I was in 7th grade. After my mom witnessed a drug deal in the parking lot of the school I was attending, she decided my sister and I needed to be educated elsewhere. She and my dad worked hard and sacrificed to afford the tuition so I worked hard in return and graduated co-valedictorian of my class at age 16. Lest anyone get the wrong impression that I’m super smart, I’ll stop you right there. I’d say I was of average intelligence possessing a gift for knowing what teachers liked to read in essays and worked very hard. I also had a knack for picking classes that helped me earn the credits necessary to accumulate for graduation. I didn’t go on to Harvard or anything like that. Instead, I went to a local community college and got my associates degree in secretarial science, specializing in the legal field. I won’t regale you with any more tales of my education journey other than to tell you I went back to college after I got married (at age 19) and had a baby (at age 20) to get my Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management.

I’ve been married to my real world hero for 36 years now and we just have the one child, who is now married and has gifted me the sweetest little grandson ever. Both my daughter and her husband (and now their child) are only children so it makes for some interesting dynamics in their household.

For fun, I love to sing karaoke and perform every year in a variety show hosted by the neighborhood I live in. We do four shows in three nights and it is a way we build community. Perhaps if Sadie’s story continues, we’ll have a book that is centered around the show.
I also have my red-black belt in taekwondo and would love some day to get my black belt. However, as it’s been a very long time since I’ve studied the martial art, I fear the time it would take me to get back up to speed and learn all I needed to in order to achieve that might not be in the cards. Although, one never knows what the future holds!
With starting piano lessons when I was in elementary school, I loved playing and my initial dream was to be a concert pianist and play at Carnegie Hall. Being a realist, I knew the likelihood of that was slim to none and I enjoy eating to much to be a starving artist (hence why I still have a day job while pursuing my writing career 😉) Being a wife, mom, employee, and student left little time for such things, but I’m happy to report that my husband encouraged me to procure a keyboard in December of 2024 that has the “real feel” keys and I’ve set aside time a couple times a week to begin playing again. It does my soul good to hear the music again.

I think that’s enough fun facts/secrets for one sharing session – thanks for hanging out with me.

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High Couch of Silistra by Janet Morris

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Dystopian.
Biology shapes reality…
One woman’s mythic search for self-realization in a distant tomorrow…
Her sensuality was at the core of her world, her quest beyond the civilized stars.
Aristocrat. Outcast. Picara. Slave. Ruler.

High Couch of Silistra
The Silistra Quartet Book 1
By Janet Morris
Genre: Epic Dystopian SciFi Fantasy

“Engrossing characters in a marvelous adventure.” – Charles N. Brown, Locus Magazine

“The amazing and erotic adventures of the most beautiful courtesan in tomorrow’s universe” – Frederik Pohl

I was high-couch in the greatest house of pleasure in the civilized stars.

“We are all bound,” is the great truth of Silistra: Bound by biological necessity and genetics, the men and women of Silistra struggle to sort Nature from Nurture – where Nature always wins. Welcome to Silistra, a glimpse of a far distant future wherein a civilization proclaims the greatest feat an individual can perform is to produce one child, yet distrusts the sciences that brought them to verge of extinction.

Here women and men coexist uneasily in a society ravaged by war, technology, and infertility, each vying for power, each seeking dominion over one another. Be warned, if your tastes run to simplistic plots, throbbing organs, swooning damsels or kick-boxing women in men’s armor, Silistra may be too challenging. Feminists, misogynists, misanthropes, or fans of political diatribe, this is not the book for you.

High Couch of Silistra, first of the notorious Silistra Quartet, brings us to a realm where thought alters probability, where creativity is inextricably linked to the urge to own and dominate, and where the universe itself is amenable to a focused mind.

Rooted deeply in humanity’s mythic past yet unaware of the planet Earth, High Couch of Silistra begins one woman’s mythic quest for self-knowledge – with surprising results.

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Best selling author Janet Morris began writing in 1976 and published more than 30 novels, many co-authored with her husband Chris Morris or others. She contributed short fiction to the shared universe fantasy series Thieves World, in which she created the Sacred Band of Stepsons, a mythical unit of ancient fighters modeled on the Sacred Band of Thebes. She created, orchestrated, and edited the Bangsian fantasy series Heroes in Hell, writing stories for the series as well as co-writing the related novel, The Little Helliad, with Chris Morris. She wrote the bestselling Silistra Quartet in the 1970s, including High Couch of Silistra, The Golden Sword, Wind from the Abyss, and The Carnelian Throne. This quartet had more than four million copies in Bantam print alone, and was translated into German, French, Italian, Russian and other languages. In the 1980s, Baen Books released a second edition of this landmark series. The third edition is the Author’s Cut edition, newly revised by the author for Perseid Press. Most of her fiction work has been in the fantasy and science fiction genres, although she has also written historical and other novels. Morris has written, contributed to, or edited several book-length works of non-fiction, as well as papers and articles on nonlethal weapons, developmental military technology and other defense and national security topics.

Janet said: ‘People often ask what book to read first. I recommend “I, the Sun” if you like ancient history; “The Sacred Band,” a novel, if you like heroic fantasy; “Lawyers in Hell” if you like historical fantasy set in hell; “Outpassage” if you like hard science fiction; “High Couch of Silistra” if you like far-future dystopian or philosophical novels. I am most enthusiastic about the definitive Perseid Press Author’s Cut editions, which I revised and expanded.’

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Q&A WITH THE AUTHOR

What is something unique/quirky about you?

I breed Morgan horses. I consult with Morgan breeders to help them choose breeding combinations to achieve a desired result.
I am also a song writer; I play bass guitar with my husband Chris who sings and plays guitar. We have an album on MCA records. Look for Christopher Crosby Morris on Soundcloud or N1M.com

Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?

I wrote my first novel, High Couch of Silistra in 1975; a friend sent it to an agent who chose to represent me; I had already written the second book in the Silistra Quartet and my agent told me not to disclose that until they finalized the contract for the first one. When the publisher learned of the others, Bantam Books bought the succeeding three. When the fourth book was published, the series already had four million copies in print. Suddenly I was a novelist specializing in environmental, gender, historical and political subjects. In the process, Chris became my editor and ultimately a co-writer. Since then, we have co-authored many books.

Who is your hero and why?

Heraclitus of Ephesus, a pre-socratic philosopher, whose Cosmic Fragments foreshadow our knowledge of reality and how to perceive it. Among his precepts is the statement that change alone is unchanging. I’ve worked Heraclitus’ fragments in here and there throughout our books.

Which of your novels can you imagine being made into a movie?

All of them. I write cinematically, our books are vivid adventures I undertake without knowing the destination. I, the Sun, The Sacred Band, and Outpassage are particularly suited to film. The Threshold Series is a feast of opportunities for today’s special effects creators.

What inspired you, to write The Silistra Quartet?

The Silistra Quartet was a unique departure for me and it included issues of women’s rights in the 70’s before Handmaid’s Tale.

Convince us why you feel High Couch of Silistra is a must read.

The Silistra series in which High Couch of Silistra is book 1 blazed a new trail in science fiction and fantasy, many critics saying that I had created a new pantheon of warrior women giving rise to heroines like Xena. Today it is more important than ever for everyone to accept women in leadership roles and I would like to think we had something to do with gaining them more recognition.

Who designed your book covers?

Most of my covers, including High Couch of Silistra, are realized by Roy Mauritsen, a gifted graphic artist.

Advice to writers?

As for advice to writers, here is all I know: write the story you want to read. Start at the beginning, go to the end, and stop. Seriously. From start to finish you must inhabit the construct in a manner that makes the reader choose to continue; if I, as the writer, can’t feel what it’s like being there, my readers can’t either. So close your eyes, look at your feet where they are standing on the story’s ground; tell me what you see. Tell me what you hear. Ask at the end of each paragraph ‘what happens next?’. If you lose touch with it, wait until you’re back inside it. Tell the story that comes to you, and from you, to me.

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Dive into The Cities Below by Jen Colly

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Secrets, demons, lovers and murder…
Who can you trust?

In the Dark
The Cities Below Book 1
by Jen Colly
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Fate will not be denied.
Faith should be crowned “Queen of the Wrong Place and Wrong Time.” Her impulsive, solo trip to Paris seems like a genius idea – until she loses her way back to the hotel. In the rain. At night. When the two men she flags down for directions shove her into the nearest alley, she fears the worst.
Soren was irritable. Not surprising as he’d held off feeding as long as possible. The thought of feeding from someone he knew turned his stomach, and so he ventured above to become just another body in the chaos of Paris. But when the cries of a female in distress reach his ears, everything inside him demands he protect her, and he is unable to hide the true nature of his species.
Soren has no choice but to keep her and bring her to his underground city. It doesn’t take him long to realize why he’d been drawn to Paris, to that street, that alley…Faith. She is the other half of his soul. Admitting the truth to her could damage the fragile connection they built, but when an old enemy, lurking in the dark attacks, they are separated. Now, he may never have the chance.

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Bound
The Cities Below Book 2

His heart belongs to one woman, his life to another.
Keir didn’t exist. Not anymore. The Lady of Galbraith had saved him from death. Forever indebted to her alone, Keir had become her confidant, her spy, her assassin. He was her secret weapon against those trying to remove her from power. When Keir is ambushed by a pack of demons, he used the last of his strength to return home and warn the Lady of impending danger.
To say she was stunned when a dying man fell to her feet, was an understatement. For the first time in her life, Cleo acted on instinct and without hesitation – their lives now undeniably bound together. Her single act of benevolence left her reeling, confronted with the knowledge that a stranger had more care and consideration for her well-being than her own family.
Political upheaval is sweeping through the city of Galbraith, splitting alliances and stoking discord. When Cleo is abducted, taken in retaliation from the side she’s chosen, only Keir can get her back. And he will, even if he must start a war.

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Beneath the Night
The Cities Below Book 3

Demons are not the only enemy among them…
Waking from a seven year healing sleep should have been the biggest shock of Navarre’s night. It was not. The brave female standing before him was, without a doubt, his fated mate. That wasn’t the stunner either. She’d been sent here to feed him, to bring him back and restore his strength, risking her life to save his. Still, not yet the biggest surprise. What had Navarre reeling was her red hair. She was decidedly not his kind.
Cat had responsibilities. Five, to be exact. The children in her care were not hers, but she would do anything to protect them, and that meant staying in Balinese. The evidence of her mixed species was something she could not hide. As this city belonged to Navarre, only he has the authority to allow her to stay. Cat willingly faces her greatest fear, and with it, her past.
Beneath the night, a dark plot unfolds, and Navarre finds himself in danger of losing not only Cat, but his entire city.

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Sheltered
The Cities Below Book 4

When the enemy is your mind, there is no escape.
Bette feared the city, and for good reason. Valenna had become corrupt, targeting citizens with any substantial amount of wealth or power to their name. Her self-imposed solitary confinement caused her to lose track of time, and her sanity. She could no longer live this way. Only three solutions existed: allow Valenna to dictate her fate, die in the sun, or flee to the fabled city of peace. Bette ran.
Rollin was a Guardian. His job defined his life, the man he’d become, and his core beliefs. Everything he did was in service to the city of Balinese and the citizens within. When a terrified female crashed into his arms, begging for help, he did not hesitate. Everyone and everything seemed to frighten her, except Rollin. He took her home, and once safe under his protection, she began to flourish.
Problem was, in her plea for sanctuary, she claimed a demon chased her toward Balinese, but none had been found. His affection for her grows rapidly, as does his concern over her lie. Then, the arrival of a demon forces Rollin to question his beliefs, his place among the royal family, and the motives of the woman he so lovingly sheltered.

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The Guardian
The Cities Below Book 5

Prepared to die…fighting to live.

Savard was in a mood to die, but when a human insists on saving his life, death is no longer an immediate option. He knew of no species – human, vampire, or demon – that could see him while in his invisible Spirit form. Unique to this world, this woman’s singularity was a danger to the entire vampire race.

Waking behind bars in an underground vampire city was not how Sera envisioned her night drive ending. She has come to expect nothing from those who pass through her life, but this man, dying on the side of the road, proves to be different. Savard fights to free her from tyrannical vampire laws and to hide her unique abilities. What Sera doesn’t understand, is why he would fight his growing love for her.

Savard’s haunted past threatens to tear them apart. Soon, Sera discovers just how far her guardian is willing to go, and what he’s willing to do, to keep her safe.

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Night Stalker
The Cities Below Book 6

He had every intention of crossing a line.
In all honesty, Jake had to give his trip to Paris mixed reviews. Beaten and broken by seemingly invincible men with eerie red eyes marked the low point, but abduction by a sexy, knife-wielding vampire? Better than fireworks on the Fourth of July. She was the best medicine for a wounded man’s body and soul. A few busted ribs cost him precious time, but he had to keep moving. Call it vengeance or justice, either way, Jake had a man to kill.
Dulcina had witnessed the destruction left in the wake of demons for far too many years to be rattled by a bloody body. She brought him home and catered to his comfort. Big mistake. The smart-mouth, irritatingly likable man pulled through, and was determined to leave, but with knowledge of other species in his head, the human is a problem.
To stop Jake from escaping, Dulcina promised to help him finish his mission, but the price was steep, and neither were prepared for what they discovered. Secrets are uncovered, and as a Night Stalker charged with protecting all species, Dulcina is forced to make a difficult choice.

NEW RELEASE!!
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Jen Colly is the rare case of an author who rebelled against reading assignments throughout her school years. Now she prefers reading books in a series, which has led her to writing her first paranormal romance series: The Cities Below. She will write about anything that catches her fancy, though truth be told, her weaknesses are pirates and vampires.

She lives in Ohio with her supportive husband, two kids, and four rescued cats.

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Where did you come up with the names in the story?

I’m likely a different breed when it comes to name picking. I tend to start with a vivid scene in my mind’s eye. Once I write that scene down, whether it’s two paragraphs or two pages, I can’t keep going without names. Names are part of a personality, and if it doesn’t fit, I can’t ‘see’ the character. The name Dulcina literally means sweet. On the surface, she’s not at all sweet. She fights being feminine at every turn, and while she is not at all fluff and pastels, at her core Dulcina is caring, compassionate, and a very sultry female. Feminine and sweet are absolutely a part of her, and she guards herself, but has a way of bringing that side out in her.

Jake Martin. I had his last name before his first name, which is wild because it’s not used much. I could hear Officer Martin in my head. For his first name I needed something short, to the point, with a hint of a joking personality. Jake. Only a Jake would be able to roll with the punches and handle Dulcina because, well, she punches.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

The surprises! Every time I push forward and write the next book in this series, I’m surprised. Either by how the hero/heroine respond to pressure and each other, or the shock of something unexpected being thrown into the plot line. In Night Stalker I found a demon who, at least as far as I can tell, is a good guy. It feels weird. I like it.

Tell us about your main characters- what makes them tick?

When it comes down to it, both Dulcina and Jake were originally driven by seeking vengeance for the loss of someone they loved. Demons killed Dulcina’s family. She left her home and ventured above ground, feeling the need to kill demons before hey had a chance to kill others. As often happens when you leave the nest and take on life by yourself, you’re hit with reality, and your perspective is altered. Though we don’t see it first hand, Dulcina has already been through her crucible. Her views on demons have shifted. What we do see, are the changes in her compared to previous books.

Jake is hunting the man who killed his best friend on the SWAT unit. The pain of her loss is new and raw, and when he sees the possibility of justice slipping away, he takes matters into his own hands. He had nothing left to lose, and going after a killer who skipped the country seemed like the right decision at the time.

How did you come up with the title of your first novel?

My first… In the Dark is a beautiful piece of groundwork set for the rest of the series. Vampires, being the creatures they are, can only survive in the dark of night. Therefore, they live underground in vast cities they’ve built and expanded over the centuries far away from the sunlight. When a human enters their underground city, she realizes she’s been ‘in the dark’ about the existence of this species. Then the vampires discover they’ve been ‘in the dark’ about an enemy thought long defeated, living among them, waiting for the right moment to attack.

Who designed your book covers?

My Hubby! Now that I have the rights back to the first four books, I’m doing a huge series relaunch. That includes revamped (pun intended) covers! Hubby is also my beta-reader, so he knows these characters and the vibe you feel when immersed in these stories.

Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?

I learn something new with each book. Each drives the next to an extent, and sudden epiphanies about certain characters, cities, or events come to light the deeper I dive into this series. In Night Stalker I learned a demon Enforcer is hiding among vampires in Paris!

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The McCullough Pack Series by Nola Li Barr

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When love walks into a family war: Headstrong siblings, fated mates, a grandmother’s love, and enemies thirsting for revenge.

Saved by the Wolf
The McCullough Pack Book 1
by Nola Li Barr
Genre: Sweet Paranormal Romance

A Sweet Paranormal Romance Complete Series

Fate brought us together, but the scars of our pasts threaten to tear us apart.

Jill

The moment I hear his voice, something inside me shifts. He seems to reach right into my soul, and suddenly, all I want is to be near him, to feel safe in his arms. But I’ve been down this road before. My last relationship left me broken, bruised, and wary. And the way his friends hang on his every word? It’s too familiar—too much like my past.

Still, there’s an undeniable connection between us. My heart whispers that he’s different, that he’s the one I’ve been waiting for. But how can I trust it when my head is screaming to run?

Luc

She’s shy, quiet . . . human. Not someone my wolf should be drawn to, but he is. When I’m near her, my wolf is calm, content, and all he wants is to claim her as mine. But I’ve sworn off love. I know too well the pain of a broken heart, and I promised myself I wouldn’t go through that again.

Yet, no matter how much I try to push her away, my wolf won’t let me. She’s the one, and every fiber of my being knows it.

Saved by the Wolf is the first book in the McCullough Pack series—a heart-tugging, sweet paranormal romance with all the love, none of the spice, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

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Loved by the Wolf
The McCullough Pack Book 2

*Originally published under Nola Li Gordon. The whole series is now under Nola Li Barr.

He loves me . . . He loves me not . . .
Becca
I’ve loved him for years and thought the feeling was mutual. But when I lean in to kiss him on our first date, he recoils, claiming he only loves me like a sister.
He breaks my heart that night.
Every bone in my body is telling me to leave—to start a new life in a new place. A place without him in it.
But I must be a masochist because no matter what I tell myself, I cannot stay away from him . . .
Brandon
She is my mate. My wolf knows it.
Ever since she kissed me, my wolf has been clawing at me to claim her. It is becoming harder and harder to control myself.
Because I can’t claim her.
My past haunts me with reminders of my failures. She’s better off without me. The best I can do is be her protector—if I can even do that . . . .
Set against a backdrop of a tight-knit family, this friends-to-lovers story is filled with all the love without the spice, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

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Adored by the Wolf
The McCullough Pack Book 3

A Sweet Paranormal Romance

*Originally published under Nola Li Gordon. The whole series is now under Nola Li Barr.

All is fair in love and war.

Millie

I’m the responsible sister. The one my family relies on. It’s the reason I’m standing in for my sister, instead of going on my well-deserved vacation.

My day brightens when he walks in. I try to act professional, but he stands close, and his eyes never leave me.

When he leaves, I tell myself he’ll soon forget about me. But on a visit to my friend, he’s there to greet me. This time, I’m the one who can’t look away.

I’m only enjoying his company. Nothing can go wrong.

Jacob

I’m the planner of my family, and with war coming to my pack, I must prepare for it. But my wolf is restless, wanting what my elder brothers have—a mate.

When I see her, my wolf screams she’s the one, and I feel the urge to claim her. I push him down and manage to leave, but thoughts of her continue to bombard me every day.

A day later, my brother pays her a visit, and on his return, he starts acting . . . odd. Once my partner in crime, now he’s looking at me as his enemy.

Suddenly, everything goes wrong.

Enter a world where the strength of a family lies not only with its pack but also with their soulmates. A world filled with all the love without the spice, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

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Don’t miss the rest of the series!!
Find them on Amazon!

Or get the box sets!
Get Set 1-3 or Set 4-6 and the NEW RELEASE on March 9th – Set 7-9

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Nola Li Barr writes sweet family saga romances. Both in contemporary and paranormal/fairy tale settings. She loves to explore family dynamics with her characters and see them fall in love, most of the time with someone they’d never deem possible. In the hopes of sharing her stories with her kids sooner than later, her romances are always sweet with a happily ever after. When she’s not writing she can be found reading, baking, and navigating the path of motherhood. Follow her on social media @nolalibarr or visit nolalibarr.com.

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What are you passionate about these days?
I’m super passionate about my books. It’s literally the best career I’ve ever had. The hardest I’ve ever had running my own business, but so rewarding. I wake up wanting to do the work. I’ve also been setting aside time to read books for enjoyment, something I haven’t done consistently in a long time.

What do you do to unwind and relax?
To unwind I usually go into my kindle reader or my bookshelf and pick a book that I don’t have to edit or concentrate too much on. I let myself just enjoy the story.
Also, just this year I finally learned how to crochet. It was something I’d been wanting to learn for a very long time, and it was great to see the tiger take shape. I’m hoping to move on to blankets soon.

How to find time to write as a parent?
For most of the time, I feel like I have no time to write because my brain can’t calm down enough to concentrate. I know lots of authors write in the early morning before everyone gets out of bed, but I’m not a morning person. I’ve found the best times for me are after the kids go to bed, and sometimes it’s on my phone while I’m standing in line or sitting in the car waiting for a sporting practice to end. Lately, I’ve been trying out 5-20 minute chunks. That way it doesn’t seem too overwhelming. Every little bit helps even if it’s a hundred words every day.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
When I finished the rough draft of my very first book.

As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
A wolf 😊

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Bound by Charley Black

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Blood binds them. Danger surrounds them. Love could destroy them.

Bound
The Elite Series Book 1
by Charley Black
Genre: Dystopian Vampire Paranormal Romance

Bound by blood, Marked by rebellion, Destined for a love that could save or destroy them.
A forbidden bond. A crumbling city. A choice that could change everything.

Serenity

Becoming an Elite—a blood donor for the Vampyr—was never part of the plan. But with my family’s lives on the line, I had no choice but to step out of hiding and into a world I barely understand. My rare blood has made me a target, and now, I’m bound to Kane—the ruthless, untouchable head of the Vampyr Council.

The rebels want to use me. My family depends on me. And Kane… he’s the only one who can keep me alive—but trusting him? That might be the most dangerous gamble of all.

Kane

I never wanted an Elite. I certainly didn’t need one—especially not Serenity. She’s everything I’ve avoided: human, stubborn, and a complication I can’t afford. But from the moment I met her, she turned my world upside down.

Her blood sustains me, but it’s her spirit that leaves me hungry for more. As rebellion threatens to tear the city apart, my focus should be on holding everything together—not on the one woman who’s become my greatest weakness.

She’s more than just a distraction. She’s a risk. One I shouldn’t take.

But I can’t let her go. And if I’m not careful, she might destroy me—or save us all.
In a world where blood is currency and love is forbidden, Bound is a spellbinding tale of passion, betrayal, and a bond that could shatter a city—or bring it to its knees.
Fans of dstopyian fantasy, forbidden romance, and slow-burn tension will devour Bound, the first book in The Elite Series.

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Charley Black is an up-and-coming writer and author who has been creating stories since she was twelve years old. Her early short stories dabbled in different genres, but her passion for romance novels — paranormal romance in particular — always shone through. Charley currently resides in Rhode Island, with her family and works at a local university.

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Barracuda Bay by Carmen Amato

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Barracuda Bay
Detective Emilia Cruz Book 9
by Carmen Amato
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Female Detective

Political corruption turns Acapulco’s first female police detective into a fugitive on the run . . . in Washington DC.
“A thrilling series” — National Public Radio

In a derelict building for sale, Acapulco police detective Emilia Cruz stumbles on the body of a woman brutally shot to death. Incredibly, the victim was the sister of Acapulco’s ambitious mayor, who is running for re-election against an opponent with deep pockets.

Emilia’s investigation is immediately under pressure for a fast result. The victim’s ex-boyfriend has a suspiciously weak alibi but is the crime scene the key to finding the murderer? The building was once used for a secret Mexican government operation targeting a ruthless drug lord.

Meanwhile, there’s a conspiracy within the police department to force Emilia out.

Before Emilia can save her job or arrest her prime suspect, she’s sent on an errand of mercy to Washington, DC.

There she becomes a fugitive hunted by killers masquerading as cops. Alone, desperate and on the run, Emilia turns for help to a man she once vowed to murder.

He’s her only chance to survive a deadly game of political intrigue on the wrong side of the border.

From Acapulco’s beaches to the streets of Washington, DC, the stakes couldn’t be higher in this electrifying, page-turning thriller.

2019 and 2020 Poison Cup award, Outstanding Series – CrimeMasters of America

“Emilia is a character who is close to my heart” – MysterySequels

“Amato brings her characters to life with her vivid writing style and sets them on the streets of a Mexico steeped in Catholicism and corruption” – OnlineBookClub.org

With unflinching authenticity from the author’s own espionage and counterdrug experience in Mexico and Central America, this is a female detective mystery series like no other.

The Emilia Cruz series is for fans of international mystery and crime by Ian Rankin, Jo Nesbo, Ann Cleeves, Donna Leon and Liza Marklund, plus the Department Q series by Jussi Adler-Olsen. Fans of Don Winslow’s cartel and border thrillers set in Mexico love the plots torn from the headlines of the Detective Emilia Cruz police series set in Acapulco.

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Don’t miss the rest of the Detective Emilia Cruz Series!
Find out more on the Author’s Website!

A 30-year veteran of the Central Intelligence Agency, Carmen Amato writes the contemporary Detective Emilia Cruz series pitting the first female police detective in Acapulco against Mexico’s cartels, corruption, and social inequality. Beginning with Cliff Diver, it’s a 2-time winner of the Outstanding Series award from CrimeMasters of America and a 4-time finalist for the Silver Falchion award, lauded by Kirkus Reviews as “Danger and betrayal never more than a few pages away.”

Carmen Amato is also the 2023 winner of the Silver Falchion Award for Best Historical for Murder at the Galliano Club, inspired by her grandfather’s experiences as a deputy sheriff during Prohibition. Her standalone thrillers include The Hidden Light of Mexico City, which was longlisted for the 2020 Millennium Book Award.

Carmen is a recipient of both the National Intelligence Award and the Career Intelligence Medal. She has been a judge for the BookLife Prize and Killer Nashville’s Claymore Award. Her work has appeared in Huffpost, Criminal Element, Publishers Weekly, and other national publications.

Originally from upstate New York, after years of globe-trotting she and her husband enjoy life in Tennessee.

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OR a $15 Amazon gift card (WW) – 1 winner each!
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What makes the Detective Emilia Cruz Series a Must-read?

BARRACUDA BAY is the 9th book in the Detective Emilia Cruz police series pitting the first female police detective in Acapulco against Mexico’s cartels, corruption and culture of machismo.

In the series, just like in the news coming out of Mexico, rival drug cartels fight for territory, politicians are bribed to look the other way, and ordinary people are caught in the middle.
The series takes readers behind the scenes of what’s happening in the war on drugs. Given that more than 100,000 Americans lost their lives to drug overdoses last year and there’s talk in Washington DC of designating drug cartels as terrorists, these are real issues that pack a real punch.

Emilia’s challenges are pulled from the headlines. There’s no need to make up bizarre serial killers when cartel violence and corrupt politicians provide more than enough inspiration. For example, Emilia’s perpetual hunt for women who have gone missing–referred to as Las Perdidas or the Lost Ones–was inspired by the hundreds of women missing from the Juarez area.

But BARRACUDA BAY and the other books in the 9-book series are also about a woman trying not to lose her soul in the wreckage. She wants a real relationship with hotel manager Kurt Rucker, but is afraid of being shackled by commitment. As a police detective, she threatens colleagues and even senior officers who see a woman in that role as a threat.
But she’s here to stay.

I’m deeply proud of the Emilia Cruz series and the way so many readers embrace the series. They’re the same readers who love international crime fiction and mystery by Jo Nesbo, Peter May, Louise Penny, Ann Cleeves, and Martin Cruz Smith, as well as Don Winslow’s cartel thrillers set in Mexico.

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