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One For Sorrow is free from 18th November – 22nd November. Download a copy, even if you don’t have time to read it now. It’ll be waiting on your e-reader for the cold winter days after Christmas.  She thinks he’s her sexy new partner.
He thinks she’s a thief and he’s been sent to investigate her. Georgina Scott has spent her whole police career as a community officer trying to protect the citizens of Magpie from her drug-dealing father, Hank Scott. But when she suffers a head injury apprehending one of Hank’s customers, she realizes that her days as a cop are over. Drugs have been stolen from the Magpie Police Service evidence locker and have found their way into Hank Scott’s hands. Liam Mason is sent to investigate. Working undercover, he focuses on his prime suspect, Georgina Scott. But his investigation hits a bump when Georgina is injured and placed on sick leave When she witnesses a daring armored car robbery. Liam suggests they investigate the crime together. He wasn’t expecting to be physically attracted to her or like her. Is she a cunning woman who’s hiding her agenda? Or is she exactly who she appears to be, a strong woman who’s fighting to protect the people of Magpie from her father? I started writing the Magpie Romantic Suspense Mysteries at the beginning of covid. Creating Georgina Scott and Liam Mason gave me an escape from reality and provided me with a few moments where I didn’t have to think about everything that was happening. Each book in the series features a new mystery to solve and a new stage in the romance between Georgina and Liam.  The Magpie Romantic Suspense Mysteries are on sale for 99¢ eachEditorial reviews for One For Sorrow are already in 😊
“The storyline was straightforward and quick-paced, keeping the reader interested and on their toes until the end. Marlow Kelly has done a fantastic job with this novel, and I can’t wait to read more of the Magpie Romantic Suspense Mysteries.” 5 star review by Tiffany Ferrell for Readers' Favorite “Both characters are portrayed emphatically by the author, and their obvious attraction is teased out playfully as their investigation into each other goes on. One For Sorrow manages to take the cat and mouse dynamic of classic cops and robbers stories and add a sexy twist to proceedings by layering complex feelings of attraction and suspicion. I’d recommend this book to all fans of romance novels.” 5 star review by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite “Author Marlow Kelly keeps the story interesting with unforeseen events, along with plot twists and turns. She also does a good job of developing her characters and their personalities. I recommend One For Sorrow to anybody who enjoys a good mystery and romance combination. They won’t be disappointed.” 5 star review by Joe Wisinski for Readers' Favorite The release date for Magpie Romantic Suspense Mysteries is 25th August. They are available for pre-order. I’ve set a special-pre-order price of 99¢ per book. That means you can get the whole set for a bargain of $2.97. You have until 31stAugust to take advantage of this offer. I started writing these stories at the beginning of the pandemic when I needed an escape from the harsh realities of the world. In 2017 I blacked out while driving and had to give up my license for a year. I have fully recovered, but it made me wonder what it would be like for a police officer not to able to drive. And so, Georgina Scott was born.  Georgina Scott has spent her whole police career as a community officer trying to protect the citizens of Magpie from her drug-dealing father, Hank Scott. But when she suffers a head injury apprehending one of Hank’s customers, she realizes that her days as a cop are over. Drugs have been stolen from the Magpie Police Service evidence locker and have found their way into Hank Scott’s hands. Liam Mason is sent to investigate. Working undercover, he focuses on his prime suspect, Georgina Scott. But the case hits a bump when Georgina is injured and placed on sick leave. When she witnesses a daring armored car robbery, Liam suggests they look into the crime together. But he wasn’t expecting to be physically attracted to her or like her. Is she a cunning woman who’s hiding her agenda? Or is she exactly who she appears to be, a strong woman who’s fighting to protect the people of Magpie from her father? I hope you enjoy reading the Magpie Mysteries as much as I enjoyed writing them.
Marlow 😘 I’ve been working on my Magpie Romantic Suspense Mysteries Series. The first three books in the series are going to be published at the same time. I hoped they would be released by now, but the process is taking longer than expected. Who knew publishing three books would be so much work. 😉 One For Sorrow and Two For Joy are complete, and Three For a Girl will be off to the proofreader in a few days. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the first chapter from Two For Joy.  Chapter One
The cat burglar scrambled up the rain-soaked drainpipe and then reached for the open window on the second floor. It was nine at night, half an hour before dusk, which meant he was more exposed than usual. But he’d agreed to follow his contact’s instructions to the letter. Luckily, the rear of the house on Sycamore Street faced the Bow River and was hidden by trees, which meant he couldn’t be seen by passersby. He’d caught a break with the weather, too. The low-hanging clouds and light drizzle also helped obscure him. He paused with one hand on the windowsill when the guests attending the dinner party downstairs fell silent. When they burst into laughter, he smiled. Everything was going according to plan. He eased himself into a sitting position on the ledge and then pulled his legs up to his chest. He spun so he faced the interior of a large bedroom. It contained a king-sized bed, two nightstands, and a dresser. Unfortunately, the walls were white, and the floors were a light-colored hardwood. He was dressed in black from head to toe, even down to his latex gloves. This normally allowed him to blend into the dusky shadows. Not this time. The mansion was situated in the heart of Banff, a tourist town in the Canadian Rockies. The multimillion-dollar residence was rare in this town since the expansion of the town limits was strictly prohibited due to the fact that it was smack dab in the middle of Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He crept across the floor, ignoring the diamond ring that sat on the nightstand beside the bed. He didn’t want to be obvious. There was a good chance the owner would notice immediately if the piece was missing. It was better if they didn’t realize they’d been robbed until tomorrow. He opened the door to the linen cupboard, cringing when the hinges creaked, and then rummaged through the folded satin sheets. Finally, at the bottom of the pile, he touched something hard. He carefully untangled a small plain wooden box. Hidden inside was an emerald and diamond necklace with matching earrings. He stuffed the jewels into his backpack and returned the box and the sheet to their hiding place. He glanced down the hallway to the left. The door to the master bedroom was shut. That room held a safe behind a Monet reproduction, but that could wait until later. First, he had to keep his appointment. Justin Cross had contacted him using one of his message boards, and had provided him with a layout of the house along with important details that were necessary for his work. He edged along the darkened hallway, moving silently until he reached the third door on the right. Holding his breath, he listened as the people downstairs continued their conversation. Once he was convinced they were occupied, he turned the handle and stepped inside, inching the door closed behind him. An earthy, fetid stench stung his nostrils. He covered his nose and breathed through his mouth in an attempt to block out the foul odor. He dismissed the smell, concentrating on the job instead. Even mansions must have plumbing problems. Despite the opulence of the house, the office was small. An oversize wooden desk with a matching chair was positioned at the far end in front of a tiny high-set window. Two weird pink armchairs sat in front of the desk, and a long side table was against the wall on his left. A small lamp illuminated the desk, casting long shadows on the pale walls. He’d expected his contact, Justin Cross, assistant to the CFO of Starling Stores, to be here. Perhaps he’d been delayed. He took another step forward, then stopped cold and listened. He heard a low wheezing above the electrical buzz of the lamp. Huge splashes of blood stained the large rug that covered the floor. His stomach heaved at the sight. Every fiber in his body told him to run, but his macabre curiosity made him stay. He followed the grizzly trail that led behind the desk. Justin lay in a heap on the floor. A wet, gooey mass dribbled down his neck from a gash to the back of his head. “No.” The sound had been a reflex. He clamped a hand over his mouth to stop making more noise as his mind scrambled to cope with what he was seeing. He kneeled at Justin’s side and felt his neck for a pulse. There was a faint rhythm. Justin’s eyes fluttered as he groaned. “What happened?” He heard the tremble in his own voice. “Take it,” Justin rasped. “Take what?” He looked into Justin’s gaze but wished he hadn’t. The dying man’s dark eyes conveyed fear, desperation, and sadness. Justin took two more labored breaths and whispered, “Hand.” “Never mind that. We need to get you help.” “Hand.” Justin wheezed again and then fell silent. His eyes went blank, and every bone, every muscle in his body, seemed to slump. He checked Justin’s neck, feeling for a pulse again, but there was nothing. If only he’d arrived a few minutes earlier, he might have been able to save him. He wasn’t a religious man, but he said a small prayer, hoping that if heaven existed, Justin would end up there. Then he pried Justin’s fingers open and retrieved a red and gold memory stick from the dead man’s hand. He stood and rubbed his beard as he glanced around the room. The desktop was empty. There were no papers, nothing. He shone his flashlight over the edge of the desk. It was clear. Then he examined the small side table. Bingo. Somehow Justin’s head had hit the corner, which now shone red with blood. Once hurt, instead of calling for help, he had crawled behind the desk, probably to retrieve the USB drive. The people downstairs laughed again. The sound forced him to think about the reality of the situation. No one would believe he hadn’t killed Justin. He needed to leave. He checked the room, making sure he hadn’t left any evidence behind. Then he opened the door with the same care he’d used when he entered and backtracked through the house. As he reached for the ledge in the spare room, he noticed his hands were shaking. Hold it together. He shimmied down the drainpipe and disappeared into the trees. I’d like to introduce you to my Magpie Romanic Suspense Mystery Series. The first three books in this collection will be released in May and June 2021. Here’s a sneak peek from One For Sorrow She believes he’s just another cop, working to keep the citizens of Magpie safe. He believes she’s a clever thief who’s stealing drugs from the police evidence locker. Things aren’t going well for Magpie police officer Georgina Scott. The new police chief hates her, she suffered a concussion while chasing a suspect, and then she has a seizure that forces her to take leave. The only bright spot in her life is Liam, the new cop in town. It’s impossible to ignore his obvious interest and rugged good looks. Undercover cop, Liam Mason, has a problem. How can he catch Magpie police officer, Georgina Scott, in the act of stealing drugs from the evidence locker when she’s on leave? An armored car heist presents him with the perfect opportunity to get close to her. But he’s not prepared to deal with his physical attraction and the fact that she might be one of the good guys.  Chapter One
The naked guy at the wheel of the stolen compact car made a sharp left turn, heading toward the bridge. Officer Georgina Scott stomped on the gas. Her new partner, Liam Mackie, had a white-knuckled grip on the seatbelt strapped across his chest. She was pretty sure his right foot was pressed to the floor as he slammed on an imaginary break. “Officer Scott—Georgina—could you please—” “Call me George. You don’t have to worry. I’ve completed several advanced driving courses including pursuit, advanced emergency response, winter skills, and skid control,” she explained as she cranked the steering wheel, following the suspect. He stared straight ahead, ignoring her. They’d received a call to apprehend a nude man who had stolen a red Mazda. He’d already crashed into a fence and sideswiped a truck. This was not a normal occurrence in the town of Magpie, Alberta, but it wasn’t the strangest thing that had ever happened either. Forty years ago, the town fathers had decided to develop the area into a holiday destination. They’d cleaned up the streets and lined them with Victorian fixtures, like lamp posts, and added floral arrangements, which gave the place an old-world appeal. Then they’d trucked in enough sand to make a beach on the shore of Charm Lake. Magpie was just a two-hour drive west of Edmonton, and winter in Northern Alberta could last from October until April. That meant the town was packed with tourists in the warm summer months. The long, hot days of June, when the sun didn’t set until after eleven, meant more fun, but that fun sometimes led to inappropriate behavior, like stealing a car. “Where does he think he’s going? That way only leads to the campground, a few private acreages, and the dump.” Liam seemed to have found his voice. The car thief slowed on the narrow bridge. “Thank God.” This was her chance. She gunned the engine, drawing alongside the rear of the vehicle. She waited until they had cleared the bridge deck and rammed her front bumper into the Mazda’s side. The driver lost control, and the stolen car spun across the road and came to a stop in a ditch. A young male jumped out and ran. “Shit.” Liam eyed the short man as though he were a four hundred-pound, machine gun-toting maniac. “Do you think he’ll put up a fight?” George put the SUV in park and scrambled out. “Yes, he will. We have to make sure he doesn’t go in the river.” She had no idea if the perpetrator could swim or not and didn’t want to find out. At this point, the Charm River flowed out of Charm Lake at a slow, steady rate, but within a few miles, it drained into the North Saskatchewan River. The larger waterway was known for its depth and fast current, especially in the summer. Naked Guy zigged as she zagged, avoiding her attempt to corral him. Finally, he pivoted on his heel and ran toward the town. She raced after him. He skidded to a halt in the middle of the bridge deck and stared at an old-time lamp post, which was integrated into the guardrail. She stopped dead six feet behind him, not winded by the short sprint. Liam came to a standstill on her left. He wasn’t gasping or out of breath. Maybe he was as fit as he looked. In her experience, people who had stripped out of their clothing and were behaving erratically were usually high on angel dust. Which meant they always fought like possessed demons. She could spot a PCP user in lockup because they were bare and wearing two pairs of handcuffs. It was hard to gain any information about the suspect from looking at him. He was on the small side with a slight build and short, messy dark hair. He reached out a hand to swat at the lamp but missed because the light was too tall. He tumbled sideways and then straightened. George crept closer to the suspect’s right side, being careful not to make any sudden moves. Liam pointed to Naked Guy’s left, signaling his intention to slip behind him. A young lady with expensive blond highlights ran toward them. “I don’t know what’s wrong with him!” Liam held up a hand. “Stay back.” “Is he a friend of yours?” George took in her pricey high heels and the pink designer purse slung over her shoulder. The woman obeyed Liam’s command and halted. “Yes. We’re staying in the campground with friends.” “And you are?” Liam asked the question but kept his gaze on Naked Guy. “Veronica.” She swallowed hard as she clamped her arms across her chest. “Veronica Sitwell.” “What’s his name?” George snapped on a pair of latex gloves and pointed to the perpetrator who reached for the lamp again—and missed again. “Nicholas Gagnon.” Veronica’s lower lip quivered. “Everyone calls him Nick.” George kept Nick in her peripheral vision as she questioned Veronica. “Has Nick taken any drugs, is he on any medication, or does he have any conditions we should know about?” “No, he had a few beers.” “Nothing else?” George made sure her demeanor was forceful and tough. Veronica looked at her feet and then at Nick. “He also had a joint.” “Don’t go anywhere. We’ll need you to give a statement.” George inched closer to Nick, who was now screaming disjointed words at the lamp. “This is not a normal reaction to marijuana.” Liam followed her lead, stuffing his hands into a pair of black latex gloves. “No, but the nearest cannabis store is over an hour’s drive away.” Although marijuana was legal in Alberta, it could only be legally purchased from a licensed supplier. “You think he brought his product from a drug dealer?” “Yes, there’s a dealer in town who laces his weed with fentanyl, or PCP, to get users hooked on his products.” Damn it. It had to be her father, Hank. To the general population, Hank Scott seemed like a charming man who owned a janitorial business, when in reality he was a man who traded in the misery and suffering of others, including his family. When she’d joined the Magpie Police Service five years ago, she’d dreamed of seeing Hank behind bars, but it hadn’t happened. No matter how close Chief Hunt got to an arrest, Hank was always one step ahead. Two months ago, Chief Hunt had suffered a heart attack and had been forced to retire for health reasons. George knew her mentor’s one regret was leaving the job without seeing Hank brought to justice. Liam winced when Nick kicked the bridge wall. “Shit.” Nick didn’t seem to notice the cuts on his feet. He must’ve trodden on something sharp because with every step he left a trail of blood. Liam was new to the Magpie Police Service. This was their first shift together, and she hadn’t had a chance to question him about his experience. He was tall, broad, and powerful. It would be easy for him to overpower a man as slight as Nick, but George saw the uncertainty in his gaze. It took practice to wrestle an individual who was unclothed. There was nothing to grasp except skin, and no one wanted to touch Nick’s junk. Liam nodded toward Nick, who grabbed the bridge wall. He looked like he might be preparing to hoist himself over. “We need to act soon before he goes into the water.” “Are you ready?” George checked that her security holster was fastened so Nick wouldn’t be able to grab her Sig Sauer. She edged nearer, being sure not to use any sudden moves. “Go,” Liam shouted. George lunged. Nick screamed and scrambled onto the bridge wall. She grabbed him by the waist and threw him onto the sidewalk. He landed face down. She pounced, pressing down on his back, and tried to grab his wriggling hands so she could cuff him. Nick shrieked again and tried to crawl away. George wrapped her legs around his knees, hoping to immobilize him. Nick tried to turn, but she used her weight to her advantage and held him in place. With a roar, Nick pushed to all fours and then to a standing position. It was an amazing feat of strength. She clung to Nick’s shoulders as he swung around. He roared again and then charged, heading for the bridge wall. “Do something,” George yelled. All she could do was hold on. Liam charged and tackled them, slamming into Nick from the front. Momentum drove them sideways, away from the guardrail. George’s arms were wrapped around Nick’s neck as he toppled to the left. Everything slowed. She had no control. Her muscles went limp. Her elbow crashed into the pavement. Liam landed on top of them with Nick squashed in the middle. The impact drove the air from her lungs. Her head hit the sidewalk. Pain flashed through her skull, and then nothing. **** “Officer down, officer down.” Liam Mason sat on the yelping Nick as he shouted into the radio attached to his shoulder. He snagged one of Nick’s arms as the druggie cried and tried to hoist himself up again, but Liam was too heavy to budge. He snapped on the handcuffs. Nick tugged at the restraints, trying to break free. Two officers, whose names he couldn’t remember, attached a second pair of cuffs to Nick’s wrists and led the howling man away. He rushed to Georgina’s side just as the ambulance arrived. Blood oozed onto the pavement from a wound at the back of her head. He checked her breathing and was grateful to see the slight rise and fall of her chest. Medics elbowed him out of the way. They were professional and efficient, checking her vitals and placing an oxygen mask over her face. She was prettier than her photo with long dark hair, luminous green eyes, and the smoothest complexion he’d ever seen. Her lean, fit body looked good, even in her ugly-ass uniform. Not that her attractiveness mattered to his investigation. According to her file, she was the daughter of a drug dealer, Hank Scott. Five years ago, she had managed to convince the former Magpie police chief, Aiden Hunt, to hire her. Now the new chief, Grayson Evans, had to deal with the fallout. A large number of drugs, mainly heroin, fentanyl, angel dust, and oxycodone had disappeared from the evidence locker of the Magpie Police Service, in what was believed to be a series of thefts. Most of it had ended up in the hands of her father. It didn’t take a genius to figure out who had stolen them. Chief Evans had asked the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, known as the RCMP, to investigate because it was protocol. The RCMP were a national police force and members had jurisdiction as a peace officer in all parts of Canada. The medics placed Georgina on a stretcher and wheeled her into the ambulance. Shit. He had knocked out his prime suspect on the first day working the case. Happy New Year Like many of you, I’m glad to see the back of 2020. Hopefully, 2021 will be brighter and better. January is always a tough month for me. I decided that giving Disturbance away free would cheer me up. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.  Disturbance has hit #1 on the Amazon Best Sellers list Blurb:
Held captive by violent bank robbers, they must put the betrayals of the past aside and learn to trust each other again. Sophie Reed is the top criminal defense attorney in Granite City. She champions the wrongly accused and ensures the justice system works for everyone. Detective Mateo Ramirez can’t believe he used to love Sophie. Everything she does is a betrayal of his work as a cop, but when she’s near his body reminds him of just how close they used to be. When they are held hostage in a bank robbery, they realize their attraction for each other has never diminished, but can they overcome their past and work together. Amazon Five Star Review "The chemistry between the main characters is out of this freaking world!" Given how stressful everything has been lately, I thought it would be fun to take part in a multi-author giveaway. By entering the Black Friday Giveaway one lucky reader will be awarded a $500 Amazon shopping spree just in time for Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year. Scroll through the book covers to find your next favorite author, and enter the Rafflecopter for your chance to win. You can enter every day to increase your chance of winning. There is no purchase necessary to enter or win.  I've published this story a few times, so forgive me if you've already read it. With everything going on in the world I thought it might be nice to have a little escape. Murder by bear Julia Hepburn crouched in the snow, peering over the barrel of a modified rifle. Where had she gone wrong? She was a nice, middle-class accountant from Toronto, not a hunter. Maybe, she hadn’t made the best choices lately, and those choices resulted with her kneeling in a snowdrift on the outskirts of Churchill, Manitoba, waiting for a polar bear. The move to Churchill was the latest in a long list of bad decisions. The people were great, but she was a city girl at heart. She enjoyed wearing her favorite black, patent, high-heel shoes on a daily basis, and reveled in starting each day with a skinny latte from a trendy coffee shop. Those things did not fit in with the remote lifestyle of Northern Canada. She’d only agreed to relocate to the North because of her husband, Mike’s persistence. He’d received a promotion with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, which was contingent on him moving to Churchill. He’d used every piece of ammunition at his disposal to persuade her to join him. First he pouted, and then he charmed. When that failed, he talked about the babies he knew she wanted. Eventually, he wore her down. So she packed her designer clothes into boxes, put them in storage, and then purchased a warm, practical, down-filled coat. Her ankles cramped. She stood, and stretched her legs. This polar bear hunt was another of Mike’s bright ideas. Every autumn, between August, and November the omnivores migrated to the Churchill area while they waited for the sea to freeze. Some of them scavenged for food too close to town and had to be sedated and relocated. When Mike asked her to help with the hunt she had refused. What did she know about tranquilizer darts, guns and hunting? But, once again, he’d worn her down. Jake, the hunt coordinator strode toward her. A conservation officer, he was tall with broad shoulders, and no hint of a middle-aged spread, which was a surprise given he was nearing fifty. “Are you ready for this?” His eyes narrowed, scrutinizing her. “I don’t know.” She bit her lip, and then patted her mouth, hoping the damp skin wouldn’t freeze. The nervous habit always irritated Mike. “You don’t have to take part. You can wait in my truck if you want.” She glanced at her husband a hundred yards away. His striking features animated as he talked to the other hunters. He was so eager for them to fit in, and helping to rid the community of a nuisance bear would go a long way toward their acceptance. “No, I’ll do it.” “It’s okay to be scared.” His grey hair lifted in the frigid breeze. She sucked in a breath and straightened her spine. “I’m not scared, really. I’ve just been a little accident-prone lately.” “I heard you almost burned the house down.” His brow wrinkled. “I don’t understand how it happened. I wasn’t using the space heater, and I never put it near the curtains.” “Was anything damaged?” “Everything. By the time I woke up the whole house was full of smoke. All our stuff reeks.” She turned her gaze to the snowy landscape, and winced, wishing she had sunglasses to guard against the glare. “Where was Mike when all this happened?” “He was at work.” “It was lucky you woke when you did.” “Yes, the neighbors were banging on the door. That’s what saved me.” She gave a little shiver as she remembered her close call. “But one incident doesn’t make you accident-prone.” “Yesterday, I nearly electrocuted myself.” “How?” His eyes widened. “When I plugged in my hairdryer I got a zap that threw me across the room.” “Are you okay?” “Yes, but I swear my heart stopped, then started again.” Her hand went to her chest, as she remembered the all-consuming pain of the electric shock. “I can see why you’re a little nervous.” “I’m probably being silly.” “Don’t worry. I’ll only be twenty-five yards from you. Have you loaded the tranquilizers into the rifle?” “I don’t know much about that kind of thing so Mike did it for me.” Jake’s radio crackled. He held it to his ear, and then said, “It’s time. Are you sure you’re ready?” She nodded, and he strode away. Once again, she crouched behind the snow bank, and stared out over the Arctic Tundra. At last, the bear appeared, a white, shifting outline. Her skin tingled with a mixture of fear and excitement as he came into view. He walked with a steady gait, his enormous paws spreading as he moved, giving the impression of a large, overgrown puppy, instead of the dangerous beast she knew him to be. He sniffed the air, and then as if catching a scent, changed direction, and headed straight for her. She steadied her firearm, preparing to shoot. The sound of helicopter blades cut through the frozen sky. The bear panicked, and charged. She took aim, and shot. The tranquilizer dart hit his neck. He did not stop, did not slow. Terror surged through her as she lifted the rifle to her shoulder and fired again. The second dart had less effect than the first. Her mind flashed to Mike loading her rifle, and in her heart she knew it was useless. He had used the bear to murder her. Her recent accidents were attempts on her life. It was too late to run. Too late to do anything but pray. In her peripheral vision she caught a glimpse of a figure aiming a gun, another dart struck the bear. The beast went limp midstride. His body smacked the ground, forcing the air out of his lungs with a hiss. She stood frozen to the spot, watching as the helicopter landed, and men surrounded the huge animal. They checked its vitals, and then rolled it onto a net. “Are you okay?” Jake stood beside her. She hadn’t heard him approach, hadn’t noticed anything but the bear. “Three darts, it took three darts.” “Yes, it did. You were great. You didn’t lose your nerve and start running.” “Three darts,” she repeated. “I’m really surprised the first two didn’t work. There must be something wrong with your tranquilizers.” Julia glared at Mike, who stood on the other side of the net watching her. Hate flickered in his dark brown eyes. Then he turned his back to her, and struck up a conversation with the man standing next to him. At that moment she knew beyond a doubt, he had tried to kill her. She put her nose to her jacket, and sniffed. Had he laced her clothes with scent to attract the bear? Probably. Meticulous by nature, he wouldn’t have left anything to chance. She had no idea why he wanted her dead, but she couldn’t go home with him. She raced to catch Jake as he boarded the helicopter. “What are you going to do with the bear now?” she shouted above the roar of the blades. “We’re going to airlift him to a bay that’s about twenty-five kilometers up the coast.” “Can I come, and watch? I won’t get in the way.” He shrugged. “Why not? You’ve earned it.” She climbed into the back seat not bothering to say goodbye to her husband. Once airborne, she looked down to see Mike standing below, watching her leave. Did he have another plot to end her life? Was he going home now to put his plan into action? She hoped so. Once home, he would open the front door, and before he had a chance to smell the gas, he would turn on the light. Hopefully, the explosion would kill him. The small wrench she had used to tamper with the gas line lay deep in her pocket. She would dispose of it while the others were busy dropping off the bear. When he had urged her to go on the bear hunt she’d suspected he was going to make another attempt on her life. If her suspicions had proved unfounded she would have gone home with him, and saved him. Marrying Mike was the worst decision she had ever made, but it was a bad decision she wouldn’t have to live with anymore.  I was unsure whether I should release Wind Storm because having a new release seems somewhat shallow when measure against a global pandemic. Then I realized that all I have to offer is escapism, and if ever there was a time to escape reality, it’s now. So, today I’m releasing Wind Storm at a special price 99¢. This price will remain in effect until Monday 27th April. You can also read Wind Storm Free through KindleUnlimited.  Blurb: A woman who fights to protect the vulnerable A genius white hat hacker A group of billionaires, intent on chaos And an FBI agent trying to make sense of it all When Sinclair Quinn is jumped in a back alley, her assailants only want to know one thing, the whereabouts of Native American, Michael Papin, the man she’s been in love with since they were street kids together. Nine months ago, Michael was hit by a car while trying to prevent a group of billionaires, known as the Syndicate, from framing Sinclair’s brother. Now they are back, and they want him dead. When the Syndicate attacks his family, Michael will do anything to ensure their safety, including hiding out with Sinclair. Sinclair has devoted her life to rescuing stolen children and saving the victims of human trafficking. She knows who she is and is comfortable with the woman she’s become, although she’s never forgotten the man who broke her heart when she was eighteen. Going underground with Michael and his family is not part of her plan. She trusts him with her life, but can she trust him with her heart? Excerpt:
Sinclair Quinn twisted her hips to the side, trying to absorb the punch with her pelvic bone instead of taking a blow to the stomach. She groaned, doubling over as pain ricocheted through her right hip and down her leg. It hurt, but it wasn’t debilitating. The initial hit to her face had stunned her and allowed the two men to drag her into a nearby alley. The smell of stale urine burned her nostrils. A chewing gum wrapper lay on the ground at her feet. Her heartbeat hard in her ears, and she gasped for breath. Blood dripped from her cut lip; big drops landed on the ground and splattered. She concentrated on them, using them to focus her thoughts and slow her mind. She had her collapsible baton in her jeans pocket. Don’t overthink. Create an opportunity to escape. “Tell us where the Indian is.” Her assailant grabbed her ponytail and yanked on it, pulling her up and forcing her head back so her throat was exposed. Michael? What did they want with him? The thugs had attacked her after she’d left the grocery store. Foolishly, she’d felt secure once she was home in Granite City in northwestern Montana. That was her first mistake. Her Glock 19 handgun was in the glove compartment of her car where it did her no good at all. Mistake number two. Her final error was not noticing she was being tailed. By the time she’d become aware of them following her, it was too late. The shorter of the two, a man who wore a cheap suit, stood behind her attacker. His hand rested on the pistol in his shoulder holster. “Tell her it’ll only get worse for her the longer this goes on. We need to know where she hid Papin.” “She’s got ears. She can hear,” the larger one snapped. He had the broken nose and muscle-bound physique of a fighter. He let go of her hair and turned to his partner. “You should do some of the work instead of standing back there, yapping. I hit bone with that last punch and hurt my hand.” Sinclair grabbed her telescopic baton and flicked it open. She whacked the big guy’s knee, throwing him off balance. Then she struck Cheap Suit’s hand so he couldn’t go for his weapon. Big Guy regained his equilibrium and pulled his arm back, ready to punch her. She took advantage of his wide stance and smashed his ribs. He doubled over. Cheap Suit backed up, holding his injured appendage to his chest, protecting it. She ran. Her groceries—eggs, flour, sugar, and milk—were scattered over the sidewalk at the entrance to the alley. She jumped over them. She’d just returned from a hellacious trip to Ukraine and had been looking forward to a couple of weeks downtime, starting with a day of baking. That wasn’t going to happen now.  Not many people know this but I like to draw pencil sketches. An actual artist might describe my pictures as amateurish…if they were being kind. Occasionally, I draw subjects from my books. Okay, ‘subjects’ is too strong a word. I mean a building, flower, tree or any other article I’m picturing. I can’t draw people because I’m not that good. This picture is from Wind Storm. My character, Sinclair Quinn, has a she-shed. I thought it would be fun to give this sketch to one of my newsletter subscribers. Everyone who opened and read my March newsletter was automatically entered to win. And the winner was... The amazing Debra, who lives near Atlanta and is waiting patiently with Sam and Momma Kitty (pictured below) Your sketch is in the mail and will get there eventually.
If you would like the opportunity to win one of my sketches or get a free copy of The Wily Witness and The Wedding Deception you can sign up for my newsletter here
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