Monday, May 30, 2016
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Book Review - Moorigad, By Debra Kristi
Book Title: Moorigad
Author: Debra Kristi
Publishing Date: May 16, 2016
Page/Word Count: 492 pages
Author: Debra Kristi
Publishing Date: May 16, 2016
Page/Word Count: 492 pages
BLURB:
When Kyra, the Moorigad
dragon-shifter, unwittingly finds herself at Mystic’s Carnival, a
supernatural world between realms, she believes her runaway days are
finished. Amidst the carnies and never-ending magic, she finds a home of
the heart – friends and belonging among a gathering of paranormal
beings. However, living an uncomplicated life was never one of Kyra’s
strengths.
She’s falling for her all-too-secretive best friend, Sebastian. And as she delves deeper into his mysteries, her goodwill sabotages their future and her very existence.
What did Kyra do?
Can Kyra and Sebastian find their happily-ever-after?
She’s falling for her all-too-secretive best friend, Sebastian. And as she delves deeper into his mysteries, her goodwill sabotages their future and her very existence.
What did Kyra do?
Can Kyra and Sebastian find their happily-ever-after?
Pros: Great characters, great story
Cons: Some areas were slow for me
Overall rating: Great story, recommended
Review:
This was a great read and I am glad that I was given the chance to read the entire series in one go. I always hate when I read the first book of a series and fall in love with things and can't just move right into the next books in the series. I appreciate when authors combine them down for is so that we can read the whole series at one time. This means that I can binge read, and then be sad when I am done and don't have any more to read.
Kyra is a great lead character. She is flawed but in the good way, where you can relate to her in some ways. Now I can't relate to her dragon side, but I do wish I could. She is not perfect, and that makes her more real for me. And that means she is someone that can grow and change, which she does through out the series. She is great!
One could fall head over heals for Sebastian. He is a great character as well. He gives that part of Kyra that she is lacking as you read the story. He grows as well, which so helps him take on that lead male role.
I would recommend this book and really I think that it's going to be something that a teenager would like to read as well as an adult. There is nothing too massively bad in it and I think that it would be something that would draw any reader in.
Excerpt:
Tension tightened Sebastian’s back and shoulders. It wasn’t the request that got to him. It was the sound of her voice, the anxious need. “Better yet, why don’t you ditch work? Come with me now. I can take you somewhere that might just be exactly what you need—” Without warning, Sebastian’s jaw locked up, his every muscle froze, and he couldn’t move. What the f---in’ hell is going on? his inner voice yelled, and his eyes darted left and right.
“Sebastian?” Kyra inquired. “You were saying?”
He couldn’t respond. Couldn’t will his mouth to work or voice to answer. But his gaze narrowed in on the culprit, standing not-so-inconspicuously by the creamer station. Tall, gray suit with hat pulled down to shield his facial features, and a cheesy name tag tacked to his chest, probably his father’s lame idea. All part of the everyone-get-to-know-Sebastian movement. Except, all the names were fake. So what was the point? The Reaper across the room was no more named Mr. Johnson than his father was Mr. Smith.
Damn Reapers. Now Sebastian had a tail because his father didn’t trust him on his own. His gaze shifted to Kyra.
“Sebastian?” Kyra’s eyes bored into him, large and wide.
Excerpt:
Tension tightened Sebastian’s back and shoulders. It wasn’t the request that got to him. It was the sound of her voice, the anxious need. “Better yet, why don’t you ditch work? Come with me now. I can take you somewhere that might just be exactly what you need—” Without warning, Sebastian’s jaw locked up, his every muscle froze, and he couldn’t move. What the f---in’ hell is going on? his inner voice yelled, and his eyes darted left and right.
“Sebastian?” Kyra inquired. “You were saying?”
He couldn’t respond. Couldn’t will his mouth to work or voice to answer. But his gaze narrowed in on the culprit, standing not-so-inconspicuously by the creamer station. Tall, gray suit with hat pulled down to shield his facial features, and a cheesy name tag tacked to his chest, probably his father’s lame idea. All part of the everyone-get-to-know-Sebastian movement. Except, all the names were fake. So what was the point? The Reaper across the room was no more named Mr. Johnson than his father was Mr. Smith.
Damn Reapers. Now Sebastian had a tail because his father didn’t trust him on his own. His gaze shifted to Kyra.
“Sebastian?” Kyra’s eyes bored into him, large and wide.
Stars:
Live in reality. Play on the other side.
Debra Kristi is a paranormal and fantasy writer. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two children and and three schizophrenic cats. She’s a full-time kid chaser, video game maker's wife, and muse prompted writer. Unlike the characters she often writes, she is not immortal and her only super power is letting the dishes and laundry pile up. When not writing, Debra is hanging out creating priceless memories with her family, geeking out to science fiction and fantasy television, and tossing around movie quotes.
“She writes because the dead girl told her to.”
Author
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Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Book Review - Ghost Walking, By Ally Shields
Book Title: Ghost Walking
Author: Ally Shields
Publishing Date: April 20, 2016
Page/Word Count: 254 pages
Pros: Great characters, amazing interactions
Cons: Some areas seemed a little off to me
Overall rating: Highly recommended!!
Book Description:
Not believing won't make the ghosts go away.
New Orleans' homicide cop Maggie York is at the top of her game until a sniper's bullet changes everything. She flatlines, comes back. But not quite the same. She sees and hears things...ghostly things. And she blurts out enough to her doctors to end up on medical leave with a diagnosis of PTSD. If only.
Six months later, the voices have faded and the ghostly sightings are less frequent. The department still won't let Maggie return to the job. Oh, she's quit talking about ghosts, except to a few friends and the loony relatives who believe she's a witch, but Maggie doubts herself. Since inactivity is making it worse, she sets out to track down her shooter, only things get complicated...a ghostly witness wants his own murder solved, and sexy homicide cop, Josh Brandt—who just happens to be her replacement—wants her to butt out of his case.
After Josh catches her at the murder scene of a key witness, he wonders how the attractive redhead is staying one step ahead of him and how deeply her involvement goes. She doesn't appear as unstable as he's been told, but she's hiding something. He recognizes the signs...because he has secrets of his own. Unraveling her case soon draws them down twisted but intersecting paths.
And failure may cost Maggie her life.
New Orleans' homicide cop Maggie York is at the top of her game until a sniper's bullet changes everything. She flatlines, comes back. But not quite the same. She sees and hears things...ghostly things. And she blurts out enough to her doctors to end up on medical leave with a diagnosis of PTSD. If only.
Six months later, the voices have faded and the ghostly sightings are less frequent. The department still won't let Maggie return to the job. Oh, she's quit talking about ghosts, except to a few friends and the loony relatives who believe she's a witch, but Maggie doubts herself. Since inactivity is making it worse, she sets out to track down her shooter, only things get complicated...a ghostly witness wants his own murder solved, and sexy homicide cop, Josh Brandt—who just happens to be her replacement—wants her to butt out of his case.
After Josh catches her at the murder scene of a key witness, he wonders how the attractive redhead is staying one step ahead of him and how deeply her involvement goes. She doesn't appear as unstable as he's been told, but she's hiding something. He recognizes the signs...because he has secrets of his own. Unraveling her case soon draws them down twisted but intersecting paths.
And failure may cost Maggie her life.
Review:
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have read some of Ally's other books and let me say she always brings great characters and a gret story! This book was no exception to the rule. She has done a great job with this book.
I love Maggie. She is strong and as a lead character she is able to draw you in. She has been through so much already and now she has to get used to a whole new world. Her whole world is changed once she is almost killed and that brings on a whole new way of doing things for her. I am slightly biased though, I love red heads and any time they are the main character I am always going to want to read more, hehe.
This book is one that I would recommended to any one who loves action and a bit of romance. If you are one of those book lovers that loves paranormal and fantasy, but don't want heavy romance, then this one is for you. You have the attraction between Josh and Maggie, but you are not getting the in your face romance that you get from some of the paranormal romance that is out there. This a a great thing, I can assure you. You get a little bit of everything in this book.
I can't wait to see what is next for Maggie and Josh!!
Stars:
Excerpt:
Maggie’s
gaze sharpened as the old crime scene routine fell into place. Discarded
clothing near an old washing machine, empty beer cans. Hurst and his girlfriend
hadn’t been especially tidy, but she’d seen worse. The kitchen was clutter-free
except for an empty pizza box on the counter. Large. Smelled like pepperoni.
The fridge contained three takeout cartons of leftovers—gumbo, red beans,
something indefinable—a quart of milk, half used, and three beer cans in the
plastic holder from a six-pack. Apparently no one cooked.
She
entered the hallway. A check of the guest bedroom and a glance in the living
room yielded nothing unusual, only the expected drawer or cushion out of place
due to the police search.
She’d left
the main bedroom for last.
The
bodies were gone and the bed stripped. She knelt to look under the bed, but
anything on the floor and nightstand had been bagged and removed to the lab.
Otherwise, it was much as she remembered. Ten by ten, holding a full-size bed
and one dresser. She moved across the room to check the closet…and heard a
floorboard creak in the hallway.
Maggie
froze, her heart hammering. Someone was in the house. She hadn’t been
particularly silent, so they must know she was there. Why so quiet? She glided
back to the door, the SIG Sauer already in her hand. When the hardwood floor
emitted a second small sound, she whipped around the corner, pointing her gun
at the intruder.
And faced
the deadly end of a Beretta, held by a tall man with compelling, steel-blue
eyes. The air vibrated with energy…and for one long moment, they stared at one
another.
“Who are
you?” she demanded.
“Police.
And you?” The voice was cool, richly masculine.
She took
in the dark blue jacket over a white shirt open at the collar, a loose tie
slightly askew, and his black hair just long enough that an unruly strand
curled over his forehead.
“Show me
your badge.” She was stalling for time. Maggie didn’t doubt the confident,
intense man on the other end of the gun was a cop. A very good-looking cop who
wasn’t the least bit happy to find her there. How could she explain her
presence?
He flipped
open his jacket with one hand, revealing the badge clipped to his belt.
“Detective Brandt. Now put down your gun and back away from it.”
He hadn’t
raised his voice, but the or else was loud and clear. She nodded,
slipped the safety on, and set the weapon on the floor, keeping her hands where
he could see them.
“What are
you doing in here?” he asked.
She
figured he’d soon find out anyway, so she told him the truth—albeit a limited
version. “Assessing the murder scene. The male victim was involved in my own
shooting.”
The cop’s
eyes narrowed, but the gun didn’t waver. “Should I know you?”
She
shrugged. “I’m Maggie York.”
Bio:
Ally Shields is a Midwestern writer with a love
for mystery and the paranormal. Following a career in law and juvenile justice,
she took up full-time writing in 2009. In 2012 her first paranormal was
published, and she has two completed urban fantasy series. Ally loves to travel
and includes many of those settings in her novels. Readers are welcome—and
encouraged—to contact her through her website or track her down on Twitter.
(@ShieldsAlly).
Author Links
Buy Links
Saturday, May 21, 2016
Book Review - Micah (The Sword of Malachi), By Lee DuCote
Book Title: Micah (The Sword of Malachi)
Author: Lee Ducote
Publishing Date: May 3, 2016
Page/Word Count: 344 pages
Blurb:
When lacrosse star
Micah Spearman moved to the quiet little town of Seven Springs, he never
expected to become such a significant part of his lacrosse team, his
group of friends, or of the battle raging just beyond human reach. With a
gift to see into the spiritual dimension, Micah learns he is part of a
prophecy and must lead an army of guardians against legions of demons,
all while trying to live a normal teenage life.
Navigating through high school can be a daunting task. When Micah finds himself falling in love with his friend Stephanie, he must be careful not to disrupt their group of friends—or attract attention from the demons that watch his every move. But high school will not be the biggest survival challenge he faces. Micah and friends soon find their world expanding far beyond, as Micah discovers his true purpose.
As the battle rages to find the Sword of Malachi, the young freshman finds himself falling deeper into a world of unknowns. Can Micah find the sword before all is lost? Will Stephanie give into her feelings for Micah? In Micah, the Sword of Malachi, you too will fall under the charm and the mysteries of Seven Springs.
Navigating through high school can be a daunting task. When Micah finds himself falling in love with his friend Stephanie, he must be careful not to disrupt their group of friends—or attract attention from the demons that watch his every move. But high school will not be the biggest survival challenge he faces. Micah and friends soon find their world expanding far beyond, as Micah discovers his true purpose.
As the battle rages to find the Sword of Malachi, the young freshman finds himself falling deeper into a world of unknowns. Can Micah find the sword before all is lost? Will Stephanie give into her feelings for Micah? In Micah, the Sword of Malachi, you too will fall under the charm and the mysteries of Seven Springs.
Pros: Great characters, wonderful story
Cons: I want more!
Overall rating: Great book! Highly recommended!!
Review:
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a great book. It did start a little slow, but I think that was more me and less the book. One should never start reading something when things are chaotic in your household. Once I get into the book, it held me until I got done reading it. It is was a great read and one that I couldn't put down.
Micah is one of those characters you love. If I was a high school student he probably would have been the guy I had a crush on. He is strong, but had his moments. I love how he interacts with the other characters. And his friends are great too! The characters as a whole are great and I would love to know them all in the real world.
The story was action filled and easy to follow. Once you get into the book you don't want to put it down, wanting to know what will happen next. I was drawn in and want to know more, to read more. I am excited to see where this author is going to go with this story. I think there is a great deal of story left to be told, and we can expect to see some great books to follow this one!
Stars:
You can find Micah on Goodreads
You can buy Micah here:
- Amazon
- Kobo
- Smashwords
- Grave Distractions
About the Author:Well, I am a husband and father. We always have a house full of teens and college students, mostly Young Life kids. I love the outdoors, hiking, kayaking, stand up paddling, fishing, you know "man stuff" but I'm a sucker for chick flicks. I wrote Fields of Alicia, Waterproof, Across Borders, and the series Micah and have several other novels finished and in the making. And yes I am a raccoon lover, check out Tucker on my social media.
You can find and contact Lee here:
- Website
- Goodreads
- Amazon
- Grave Distractions Page
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Cover Reveal - Prom Queen Perfect, By Clarisse David
Today is the cover reveal for Prom Queen Perfect by Clarisse David. This cover reveal is organized by Lola's Blog Tours.
Prom Queen Perfect
By Clarisse David
Genre: Romance
Age category: Young Adult
Release Date: July 7, 2016
You can find Prom Queen Perfect on Goodreads
About the Author:
Clarisse David is a Young Adult and New Adult author from the land of epic heat waves a.k.a. the Philippines. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and cannot survive without Taylor Swift songs, red lipstick, and books. When not hanging out on Twitter, she can be found working on her latest writing project.
You can find and contact Clarisse here:
- Website
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Goodreads
- Instagram
- Pinterest
- Newsletter
Prom Queen PerfectBy Clarisse David
Genre: Romance
Age category: Young Adult
Release Date: July 7, 2016
Blurb:
Being perfect isn’t supposed to be this hard.
Alex dela Cruz has it all. Looks, money, and a killer sense of style.
When the annoyingly gorgeous Adam Cordero calls her selfish, she decides to prove him wrong by transforming Christy Marquez from an invisible misfit into a ruling princess of Asia Pacific Academy. Great hair? Check. Flawless red lipstick? Check. Instant popularity? A slightly too big check.
But now, Alex is on the brink of losing the plastic tiara she’s supposed to get as prom queen, her best friend, and her heart to the unlikeliest of candidates. Too bad she isn’t letting anything—or anyone—get between her and that tiara.
You can find Prom Queen Perfect on Goodreads
About the Author:Clarisse David is a Young Adult and New Adult author from the land of epic heat waves a.k.a. the Philippines. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and cannot survive without Taylor Swift songs, red lipstick, and books. When not hanging out on Twitter, she can be found working on her latest writing project.
You can find and contact Clarisse here:
- Website
- Goodreads
- Newsletter
Monday, May 16, 2016
Media Blitz - Kaitlin's Tale, By Christine Amsden
About the Book
Title: Kaitlin’s Tale
Author: Christine Amsden
Genre: Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy
Kaitlin Mayer is on the run from the father of her baby – a vampire who wants her to join him in deadly eternity. Terrified for her young son, she seeks sanctuary with the Hunters Guild. Yet they have their own plans for her son, and her hopes of safety are soon shattered.
When she runs into Matthew Blair, an old nemesis with an agenda of his own, she dares to hope for a new escape. But Matthew is a telepath, and Kaitlin’s past is full of dark secrets she never intended to reveal.
*Companion to the Cassie Scot Series
About the Author
Christine Amsden has been writing fantasy and science fiction for as long as she can remember. She loves to write and it is her dream that others will be inspired by this love and by her stories. Speculative fiction is fun, magical, and imaginative but great speculative fiction is about real people defining themselves through extraordinary situations. Christine writes primarily about people and relationships, and it is in this way that she strives to make science fiction and fantasy meaningful for everyone.
At the age of 16, Christine was diagnosed with Stargardt’s Disease, which scars the retina and causes a loss of central vision. She is now legally blind, but has not let this slow her down or get in the way of her dreams.
Christine currently lives in the Kansas City area with her husband, Austin, who has been her biggest fan and the key to her success. In addition to being a writer, she’s a freelance editor, mom, and foster mom.
Social Media Links:
Get the Cassie Scot Series
Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective (Cassie Scot #1)
Secrets and Lies (Cassie Scot #2)
Mind Games (Cassie Scot #3)
Stolen Dreams (Cassie Scot #4)
Madison’s Song (a Cassie Scot Companion)
Friday, May 13, 2016
Book Review - Falling Light, By Dayana Morency
I hope that you are all having a great May. The end of the month is going to bring on some great book reviews. I have been reading a lot more, trying to distract myself from the real world. Isn't that what books are for?
Review....
Review....
Book Title: Falling Light
Author: Dayana Morency
Publishing Date: March 8, 2016
Page/Word Count: 324 pages
BLURB:
When seventeen-year-old
Rosalynn Young pictured her summer vacation, she didn't think she would
be spending it working as a maid at the Millennium Hotel. She imagined
painting and gardening. But soon, in spite of her disappointment, she
meets Victor Gregoire. Wayward and enigmatic, he sends a chill up her
spine. Everything about him feels foreign--unearthly.
Dangerously drawn to Victor, Rosalynn willfully ignores his volatile mood swings. When she impulsively enters Victor's room, she finds a journal dating back to the 19th Century and a photograph of him from August 14, 1874.
He's hiding something sinister and she's desperate to find out what, even if it means risking everything. But Rosalynn fails to realize that her attraction to Victor comes at a price and she soon learns some secrets are better kept hidden.
She's in for the summer job of a lifetime.
Dangerously drawn to Victor, Rosalynn willfully ignores his volatile mood swings. When she impulsively enters Victor's room, she finds a journal dating back to the 19th Century and a photograph of him from August 14, 1874.
He's hiding something sinister and she's desperate to find out what, even if it means risking everything. But Rosalynn fails to realize that her attraction to Victor comes at a price and she soon learns some secrets are better kept hidden.
She's in for the summer job of a lifetime.
Pros: Great story idea, great characters
Cons: ran a bit fast, not always easy to follow
Overall rating: It was good, but it edges on something I might not recommend.
Review:
I was given this book on the condition that I would given an honest review.
I think this book has great potential. The story line is great and the characters are good. I just struggled at times with the book as a whole. I think that there were times that things got rushed. I also think that some parts moved too slow.
The characters were good, but I think that there was something lacking between them as they interact. I just did not feel connected to Rosalynn at all. And her relationship with Victor seems rushed and doesn't feel right to me. I think that it needs to be draw out a bit, explain things better.
I think with the right changes this could be the start to a great new series. I don't know if the author wants to make it into one, but there is potential here with the right work. I think changing up the flow of things and rehashing the story would make it flow better, and not feel as rushed. It has a great base to work with but I think that the execution was just lacking. Nothing that can't be fixed.
Stars:
Amazon Link: Buy It Here
Goodreads Link: Clink Here
Webpage: Author's Website
Thursday, May 12, 2016
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COVER REVEAL - The Summer of Lost Wishes, By Jessa Gabrielle
Today is the cover reveal for The Summer of Lost Wishes by Jessa Gabrielle. This cover reveal is organized by Lola's Blog Tours.
The Summer of Lost Wishes
by Jessa Gabrielle
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age category: Young Adult
Release Date: June 13, 2016
You can find The Summer of Lost Wishes on Goodreads
About the Author:
Jessa Gabrielle is a young adult author who lives in the land of salt water, palm trees, and sandy shorelines. She believes that summer love is pure bliss and that she was a mermaid in a past life. Her debut, The Summer of Lost Wishes, will be out in June 2016.
You can find and contact Jessa here:
- Website
- Facebook
- Twitter
- Goodreads
- Instagram
Giveaway
There is a cover reveal wide giveaway for the cover reveal of The Summer of Lost Wishes. One winner will win a box of Young Adult beach books (US Only).
For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The Summer of Lost Wishes by Jessa Gabrielle
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age category: Young Adult
Release Date: June 13, 2016
Blurb:
When sixteen-year-old Piper Davenport's mom packs up their lives and heads to the coastal Florida town of Coral Sands, Piper doesn't care much for the view...until she catches a glimpse at Rooks Carter.
Her mom's "look but don't touch" policy regarding the boy next door is all but impossible to maintain, especially since he's helping his dad restore Piper's new home, the Calloway Cottage. A gorgeous, shirtless boy makes this boring little town a bit more exciting.
But after Piper and Rooks discover a secret in the walls of the cottage, they have a chance to unravel the biggest mystery in Coral Sands history - unless someone unravels them first.
You can find The Summer of Lost Wishes on Goodreads
About the Author:
Jessa Gabrielle is a young adult author who lives in the land of salt water, palm trees, and sandy shorelines. She believes that summer love is pure bliss and that she was a mermaid in a past life. Her debut, The Summer of Lost Wishes, will be out in June 2016.
You can find and contact Jessa here:
- Website
- Goodreads
Giveaway
There is a cover reveal wide giveaway for the cover reveal of The Summer of Lost Wishes. One winner will win a box of Young Adult beach books (US Only).
For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Monday, May 2, 2016
Book Release Blitz - Ghost Walking, By Ally Shields
Book Description:
Not believing won't make the ghosts go away.
New Orleans' homicide cop Maggie York is at the top of her game until a sniper's bullet changes everything. She flatlines, comes back. But not quite the same. She sees and hears things...ghostly things. And she blurts out enough to her doctors to end up on medical leave with a diagnosis of PTSD. If only.
Six months later, the voices have faded and the ghostly sightings are less frequent. The department still won't let Maggie return to the job. Oh, she's quit talking about ghosts, except to a few friends and the loony relatives who believe she's a witch, but Maggie doubts herself. Since inactivity is making it worse, she sets out to track down her shooter, only things get complicated...a ghostly witness wants his own murder solved, and sexy homicide cop, Josh Brandt—who just happens to be her replacement—wants her to butt out of his case.
After Josh catches her at the murder scene of a key witness, he wonders how the attractive redhead is staying one step ahead of him and how deeply her involvement goes. She doesn't appear as unstable as he's been told, but she's hiding something. He recognizes the signs...because he has secrets of his own. Unraveling her case soon draws them down twisted but intersecting paths.
And failure may cost Maggie her life.
New Orleans' homicide cop Maggie York is at the top of her game until a sniper's bullet changes everything. She flatlines, comes back. But not quite the same. She sees and hears things...ghostly things. And she blurts out enough to her doctors to end up on medical leave with a diagnosis of PTSD. If only.
Six months later, the voices have faded and the ghostly sightings are less frequent. The department still won't let Maggie return to the job. Oh, she's quit talking about ghosts, except to a few friends and the loony relatives who believe she's a witch, but Maggie doubts herself. Since inactivity is making it worse, she sets out to track down her shooter, only things get complicated...a ghostly witness wants his own murder solved, and sexy homicide cop, Josh Brandt—who just happens to be her replacement—wants her to butt out of his case.
After Josh catches her at the murder scene of a key witness, he wonders how the attractive redhead is staying one step ahead of him and how deeply her involvement goes. She doesn't appear as unstable as he's been told, but she's hiding something. He recognizes the signs...because he has secrets of his own. Unraveling her case soon draws them down twisted but intersecting paths.
And failure may cost Maggie her life.
Excerpt:
Maggie’s
gaze sharpened as the old crime scene routine fell into place. Discarded
clothing near an old washing machine, empty beer cans. Hurst and his girlfriend
hadn’t been especially tidy, but she’d seen worse. The kitchen was clutter-free
except for an empty pizza box on the counter. Large. Smelled like pepperoni.
The fridge contained three takeout cartons of leftovers—gumbo, red beans,
something indefinable—a quart of milk, half used, and three beer cans in the
plastic holder from a six-pack. Apparently no one cooked.
She
entered the hallway. A check of the guest bedroom and a glance in the living
room yielded nothing unusual, only the expected drawer or cushion out of place
due to the police search.
She’d left
the main bedroom for last.
The
bodies were gone and the bed stripped. She knelt to look under the bed, but
anything on the floor and nightstand had been bagged and removed to the lab.
Otherwise, it was much as she remembered. Ten by ten, holding a full-size bed
and one dresser. She moved across the room to check the closet…and heard a
floorboard creak in the hallway.
Maggie
froze, her heart hammering. Someone was in the house. She hadn’t been
particularly silent, so they must know she was there. Why so quiet? She glided
back to the door, the SIG Sauer already in her hand. When the hardwood floor
emitted a second small sound, she whipped around the corner, pointing her gun
at the intruder.
And faced
the deadly end of a Beretta, held by a tall man with compelling, steel-blue
eyes. The air vibrated with energy…and for one long moment, they stared at one
another.
“Who are
you?” she demanded.
“Police.
And you?” The voice was cool, richly masculine.
She took
in the dark blue jacket over a white shirt open at the collar, a loose tie
slightly askew, and his black hair just long enough that an unruly strand
curled over his forehead.
“Show me
your badge.” She was stalling for time. Maggie didn’t doubt the confident,
intense man on the other end of the gun was a cop. A very good-looking cop who
wasn’t the least bit happy to find her there. How could she explain her
presence?
He flipped
open his jacket with one hand, revealing the badge clipped to his belt.
“Detective Brandt. Now put down your gun and back away from it.”
He hadn’t
raised his voice, but the or else was loud and clear. She nodded,
slipped the safety on, and set the weapon on the floor, keeping her hands where
he could see them.
“What are
you doing in here?” he asked.
She
figured he’d soon find out anyway, so she told him the truth—albeit a limited
version. “Assessing the murder scene. The male victim was involved in my own
shooting.”
The cop’s
eyes narrowed, but the gun didn’t waver. “Should I know you?”
She
shrugged. “I’m Maggie York.”
Bio:
Ally Shields is a Midwestern writer with a love
for mystery and the paranormal. Following a career in law and juvenile justice,
she took up full-time writing in 2009. In 2012 her first paranormal was
published, and she has two completed urban fantasy series. Ally loves to travel
and includes many of those settings in her novels. Readers are welcome—and
encouraged—to contact her through her website or track her down on Twitter.
(@ShieldsAlly).
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