Fire rains from above as they fight to discover the truth and stay alive.
In the shadow of a threatening volcano, long-haul trucker Kit Garrido wakes up in her crashed big rig, unable to recall what happened or why she’s suddenly in possession of someone’s baby. Fiercely independent, she has to admit that perhaps this time she could use a little help. As the threat of eruption grows, former cop Cullen Landry refuses to leave his cabin in the evacuation area, which is why he’s the only one left who can help Kit escape the crumpled cab of her truck. He doesn’t want to get tangled up in the mystery of the beautiful woman with an abandoned infant, but when he sees the bullet hole in the windshield and the bloody handprint on the interior, he realizes that he’s in this thing, like it or not. When two armed men with ill intent approach, the race is on to stay alive, discover the truth, and find the baby’s missing mother–all while a deadly mountain rains fire from above.
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Praise for Fire Mountain:
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“Fire Mountain comes in hot! An eruption of taut suspense and a crackling romance that Mentink’s fans will devour. A real stay-up-all-night read!” ~ Jessica R. Patch, bestselling author of the FBI: Strange Crimes Unit series “A masterful blend of high-octane suspense and heart-pounding mystery. Mentink delivers an explosive thriller where danger lurks on every page, with a volcanic backdrop that mirrors the simmering tension of this unforgettable story. Clear your schedule—you won’t be able to put this one down.” ~ Lynette Eason, bestselling, award-winning author of the Lake City Heroes series “Dana Mentink is at the top of her game in this heart-pounding thrill ride. Danger explodes onto the page as Kit and Cullen fight to survive a volcanic eruption while relentless killers pursue them. An action-packed, gripping suspense, Fire Mountain will keep readers riveted until the end!” ~ Elizabeth Goddard, award-winning author of Storm Warning
Book Details:
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense
Published by: Revell Publication Date: July 1, 2025 Number of Pages: 320 ISBN: 9780800746520 (ISBN10: 080074652X) Series: Elements of Danger, Book 1 || Amazon | Goodreads
I love stories where nature plays a part in the struggle to survive. Never read one with a volcano though. Things were hot right from the get go.
Long haul truck driver Kit Garrido comes to after crashing her rig with no idea how it happened or why she has someone’s infant. Where is the child’s mother? Did the volcano’s impending eruption cause the crash? Why is there a bullet hole in her windshield? And who left the bloody hand print in her cab? She needs answers ASAP.
Cullen Landry, a former police office, is holed up in his cabin. No volcano is going to force him out. But, Kit and the baby, fondly tagged as Tot, will. How can he not help them. His instincts scream danger.
I loved all three of these characters. Kit was gutsy and capable of handling most things on her own, but she’s smart enough to know when she needs help. Cullen stands tall, a fierce protector who’s gruff exterior hides a soft heart. And Tot brings this out in both of them.
Yes, the threat of an erupting volcano made this an intense read. Not knowing what caused the wreck and if the bullet hole meant someone was after them did too. But what got me most of all was how powerful the characters were. How their emotions affected me. I don’t think I relaxed once. Not until the last page.
5 STARS
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Read an excerpt:
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About Author Dana Mentink:
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Dana Mentink is a USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author. She’s written more than 50 mystery and suspense novels for Love Inspired Suspense, Harvest House, and Poisoned Pen Press. Winner of two ACFW Carol Awards, a Holt Medallion Award, and a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award, Dana lives in Northern California with her husband.
Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway! Click here to view the Tour Schedule
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Enter Now for Your Chance to Win!
This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Dana Mentink, Revell, & Baker Book House. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.
As her police department’s newest hire, police psychologist Dot Meyerhoff has much to prove. No one on the force sees any reason to have a shrink on staff. When a rookie cop commits suicide, everyone blames Dot—even Dot herself. How had she missed the signs that he was at the end of his rope? With her reputation on the line, Dot searches for answers. What she discovers is the dark underbelly of a police force that has no patience for a woman who asks too many questions. Determined to get to the truth behind the young officer’s tragic death, Dot risks losing both her job and her life. . .
“A deftly crafted novel of compelling complexity,” this first book in the mystery series featuring cop therapist Dr. Dot Meyerhoff is “absorbing”. ~ Midwest Book Review
“Riveting, compelling and authentic! Ellen Kirschman’s been-there done-that experience makes this a real standout.” ~ Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today-bestselling author of The House Guest
“Psychological thriller writing at its finest.” ~ D.P. Lyle, award-winning author of the Jake Longly series
“Highly satisfying . . . Perceptively treats complex racial, feminist, personal, and political issues while providing intimate knowledge of cops’ shop procedure.” ~ Publishers Weekly
“Gutsy and emotionally anchored in real life.” ~ Hallie Ephron, New York Times–bestselling author of Careful What You Wish For
“Ellen Kirschman is one to watch.” ~ Bookreporter.com
It is a day of firsts. My first day on the job and my first dead body. Chief Baxter wants me to see it. His whole face is concentrated with the effort to make his point, as though he were explaining blood spatter analysis or the biomechanics of tasers. He is wearing gold cufflinks shaped like barbells. Short and barrel chested, he looks like a well-dressed fireplug. I can imagine him as a street cop, pugnacious and badge heavy.
“Don’t sit around your office and wait for cops to come to you. That’s why I’m giving you a car and a scanner. Get out in the field.”
He speaks in short staccato bursts as though he is transmitting over the radio, dropping any unessential words. A slight spray of saliva leaves shiny droplets on his desktop. He walks around the desk and stands close to me. I smell his pine-scented aftershave and mouthwash. “This is why I have credibility. I make it my business to suit up and get out on the street once a month. I stay in shape. And I always carry.” He opens his jacket and shows me his shoulder holster. He is wearing “a custom fitted dress shirt that shows off the inverted triangle made by his broad shoulders and narrow waist. “Street cops are the lifeblood of this organization. The street is where I started. I’ve never forgotten that and I don’t want anyone else to.” He leans against the edge of his desk, his arms folded over his chest. “I have a rookie on scene at a suicide. Ben Gomez. He’s been having trouble. Talk to his field training officer. See what you can do to help him. I’ve met the kid. Not my best hire, but I think he’s salvageable.” He lifts his index finger. “I’m putting a lot of faith in you, Dot. I’ve had a lot of trouble in my organization since I took over as chief. Some days I feel like Typhoid Mary. I’ve got four officers on stress leave and three on admin leave under investigation. No telling when any of them will come back to work. I have a small organization—seventy-five officers. I can’t afford to lose this rookie, too. It’s bad for morale plus my overtime budget is off the charts.” He extends his hand to me. “It’s one thing to study us and write books about us. It’s another thing to hit the streets with us. You come highly recommended by Mark Edison. That says a lot. Most men don’t have much good to say about their former wives.” He laughs a little too loudly. I wonder if he has an ex and, if he does, what she was like. “So, welcome aboard. I know this is a tall order, but Dr. Edison said you’re the one for the job. Don’t disappoint me or him. Now, get in your car and get out in the field.” He opens the door to his office and shows me out. As the new department psychologist, I am in no position to protest or to tell him that I’m scared to death because I’ve never seen a dead body before. Not even my father’s. What if I embarrass myself, faint or, God forbid, get sick to my stomach? I wonder how he expects me to suit up. Maybe I should put wheels on my “couch and tow it behind my car? The radio traffic on my scanner crackles briskly, drowning out my thumping heart. Listening to it is a guilty pleasure, like eavesdropping. This is the best of two possible worlds, close to the action but at a safe remove– the unobserved observer listening to the breathlessness of the chase, the escalating octaves that betray fear, the barked commands, the unnatural calm of the dispatcher, and the final “Code 4” signaling that the short reign of terror has given way to hours of report writing and investigation. I drive under a cool green canopy of old oaks. Light filters through the leaves dappling the street. Fifty years ago this old northern California neighborhood was considered the ultimate in affordable, architect-designed family houses. Now the current selling prices are beyond my reach and the reach of any Kenilworth cop, firefighter or schoolteacher. Neighbors are congregating in small worried clusters on the sidewalk in front of a uniquely shabby one story home. They watch as I park my car. I take ten slow deep breaths and step to the sidewalk. Spindly trees flank the walk that leads to the front door. The grass on either side of the cracked concrete path is brown and freckled with splotches of hard, dry dirt. The front door is open. I grit my teeth and walk in. *** Excerpt from Burying Ben by Ellen Kirschman. Copyright 2013 & 2024 by Ellen Kirschman. Reproduced with permission from Ellen Kirschman. All rights reserved.
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About Author Ellen Kirschman:
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Ellen Kirschman, Ph.D. is a police psychologist. and clinician at the First Responders Support Network. She is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, The American Psychological Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and the Public Safety Writers Association. She is the recipient of the California Psychological Association’s award for distinguished contribution to psychology as well as the American Psychological Association’s award for outstanding contribution to the practice of police and public safety psychology. Ellen brings her expertise and decades-long experience to both fiction and non-fiction. She is the author of three non-fiction books and a five-book mystery series featuring police psychologist Dot Meyerhoff.
Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for Perfect Vengeance organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.
Author Tee O’Fallon will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner. Don’t forget to enter!
And you can click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
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Perfect Vengeance
by Tee O’Fallon
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Synopsis
Trusting him could save her…or destroy her.
Robin Hood meets the Sopranos…an insanely dangerous scheme Gina Perot and her friends hatched to steal from the mob and donate the loot to a worthy cause. Successful Wall Street investment banker by day, cat burglar by night, Gina leads a double life. But she’s never forgotten how the mob and the FBI destroyed her family and ripped her life apart. Now it’s time for payback. Charity and revenge all rolled into one. Perfect. Until Gina’s scheme sends her crashing headfirst into a major FBI investigation and facing heavy-duty federal obstruction charges. And, the hottest, most frustrating man she’s ever met.
Stop stealing from the mob or else…is the order FBI Strike Force Special Agent Jack Gates gives Gina. But Jack quickly learns he can no sooner control a force of nature like Gina than he can control where a tornado sets down. Facing a court-ordered deadline, Jack needs Gina’s cat burglar skills to help him bring down a powerful Mafioso. He makes her an offer she can’t refuse: go to jail or work for him as an FBI cooperator. When the mob learns Gina’s been ripping them off, Jack is determined to keep her safe at all costs. Even if that means confessing his terrible secret and losing her forever.
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Enjoy this peek inside:
Gina pulled open the man’s jacket, looking for an inside pocket. A wicked-looking gun stuck out from a black leather holster on his belt. Odd that he carried his gun in a holster and not stuffed in his pocket or waistband the way criminals did.
She shook it off and continued her search. “Don’t just stand there, help me. But be careful. I don’t want to hurt him.”
“Little late to worry about that, dontcha think?” Kinsey began patting down his chest. “He’s got great pecs.” Her roving hands had hiked up his knit shirt, and she let out a low whistle. “Whoa, nice abs.”
“This is no time for groping.” Gina lifted the back of his jacket. “Check his pants.”
Kinsey ran her hands over his rear jeans pockets and let out another whistle. “And what a great ass.”
“Kinsey!” Margo threw her an impatient look. “We’re not at a strip club. Hurry up!”
“Okay, okay.” Kinsey tugged a black wallet from one of his pockets. She flipped it open and held it in front of the Charger’s headlights, illuminating the laminated ID.
Gina’s heart skipped a beat. Then another.
Margo gasped.
“Holy shit,” Kinsey whispered.
For several seconds longer, none of them said another word.
Gina continued gaping at the man’s wallet as everything fell into place.
His words: You have no idea what you’ve walked into here.
Why he didn’t want to get caught in Rocco’s apartment.
Why he didn’t shoot her on the spot, and why he was chasing her down as if she were a common thief. To him, she was.
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About Author Tee O’Fallon:
Tee O’Fallon is the bestselling, award-winning author of the K-9 Special Ops, Federal K-9, NYPD Blue & Gold Series, and FBI Strike Force Series. Tee spent twenty-three years as a federal agent conducting complex, long- and short-term criminal investigations, including undercover operations, across many agencies at the federal level, and four years conducting multi-state investigations as a police investigator. It felt only natural to combine her hands-on experience in the field with her love of romantic suspense. Tee has lived in New York State most of her life with a five-year stop in Colorado. When not writing, Tee enjoys cooking, gardening, chocolate, lychee martinis, and all creatures canine.
A missing woman. Two hit men. When every second counts, who will survive?
In the stark but beautiful wilds of northern New Mexico, a couples’ retreat at a luxury resort turns into a chilling nightmare when a woman vanishes. Skip tracer Riley MacLeod and private investigator Greyson Chadwick pose as a couple to hunt for clues that might reveal the missing woman’s location. Those leads uncover a harrowing truth: They’re not the only ones looking for her. What begins as a normal tracking case turns into a deadly chase when they, too, become the hunted. As Riley and Greyson work together, their partnership ignites a tumultuous attraction, but Greyson’s secrets prevent him from acting on his feelings for her, and Riley can’t bring herself to fully trust him. Delving deeper into the case, they find themselves fighting not only for justice and the chance at a loving relationship . . . but also for their very survival. Dani Pettrey Hooks Readers With . . .“A fast-paced, thrilling ride. Readers of Lynette Eason and Colleen Coble will enjoy.” —Library Journal starred review on One Wrong Move“Romance that’s as thrilling as the action, and faithful characters integrated seamlessly into a complex web of crime.”– Booklist on The Killing TideThis action-packed romantic suspense novel is the second in Dani Pettrey’s Jeopardy Falls series. Filled with crime and spy investigations, this clean Christian thriller will appeal to fans of Mission: Impossible, Lynette Eason, and Irene Hannon.
Published by: Bethany House Publishers Publication Date: April 29, 2025 Number of Pages: 320 ISBN: 9780764238499 (ISBN10: 0764238493) Series: Jeopardy Falls, Book 2 of 2 || Amazon | Goodreads
A spa retreat for couples. A missing friend. Mysterious clues. Makes you curious, doesn’t it?
Skip tracker Riley MacLeod is hired to find out what happened to a woman who vanished from a luxurious spa. Knowing two heads are better than one, she teams up with Grayson Chadwick to sort things out.
This was a good mystery. And when Riley and Grayson had to dodge bullets and arrows, yes, arrows, the danger and suspense really cranked up. They were in someone’s crosshairs and time was running out. This kept me turning the pages. Something else that kept those pages turning was the romance building between the two. Both of them had baggage and I thought they were perfect for each other.
As the end drew near my anticipation ramped up. Just what was the reason behind the woman’s disappearance? Who was targeting them? And would the end place them safely in each others arms? I got my answers and a very satisfying ending.
4 STARS
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About Author Dani Pettrey:
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Dani Pettrey is the bestselling author of the Coastal Guardians, Chesapeake Valor, and Alaskan Courage series. A two-time Christy Award finalist, Dani has won the National Readers’ Choice Award, Daphne du Maurier Award, HOLT Medallion, and Christian Retailing’s Best Award for suspense. She plots murder and mayhem from her home in Florida.
Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway! Click here to view the Tour Schedule
Enter Now for Your Chance to Win!
This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Bethany House Publishers, Baker Book House, and Dani Pettrey. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.
A murder was captured on satellite and multiple law enforcement agencies are trying to solve it. One of the detectives on the case, Jake Gonzalez, is led right to the front door of a local author, Francesca Conti. Sparks fly as Jake realizes he’s insanely attracted to his primary suspect, and her father is one of the most ruthless mafia bosses in the city, and someone he’s been investigating for years.
Francesca wants to escape this life her father has set for her and has been putting money away, looking for her opportunity to disappear. And much to her dismay, lately her father has been pushing her toward marrying his right-hand man, someone no woman has ever been able to say no to.
Just when she thinks she’s getting closer to escaping, Detective Gonzalez lands on her doorstep asking alarming questions, and making her heart race unlike ever before.
There’s only so many times one could say they’d been shot by the woman they loved.
Jake stared at Francesca’s shaking hands wrapped around the butt
of a SIG .229. She held the gun with as much confidence as one would
expect with someone who had little to no experience with such a
weapon. Like a toddler taking their first wobbling, unsteady steps. Or
a young child holding a chicken’s egg for the first time and being told
they could break it if they weren’t careful.
Under the full moon, silver tears trickled down her face. A moderate
wind teased at hair that had escaped the messy bun held low at the back
of her head. Russet tendrils brushed along her neck and cheeks like
phantom fingers. She ignored those things. But he saw it all, as if the
world moved in slow motion, tracking the shifting of her eyes and
hands from one person to another. Saw the way her finger tightened
ever so slightly over the trigger.
The safety was off, so if she applied a touch of pressure to that metal
hook, approximately ten pounds for the first shot to go off, the gun
would fire the bullet waiting within.
“Frankie,” he called in a soothing yet firm voice, using the
nickname he’d started saying a few nights ago. One he’d discovered
she liked when he whispered it in her ear as he sank slowly inside the
heat between her legs. Her attention shifted to him for only a fraction of a second before
she refocused on Dante, her father’s right-hand man. A man many did
not want to fuck with. One who’d killed his fair share of folks both in
and out of the city. A man who was known to be one of the most ruthless
enforcers around. Dante did things in the most violent way to set
examples or make a point. It was the only way he communicated. And
it was the way he got into the position he did, leading one of the most
ruthless organizations in New York City.
And lucky, lucky Jake was currently in a three-way face-off, like
something from the Wild Wild West, with a woman he loved and a man
he’d been hunting for years.
And as if his luck couldn’t get any worse, the two had a serious
history he hadn’t been able to wrap his mind completely around.
He quickly glanced around, wishing for that backup he’d called for
about ten minutes ago to show up. But with how deep they were in
Central Park, that wish would never come to fruition in time. The dull
light coming off the yellow haze of a streetlamp reflected dark shadows
of trees in the standing puddles leftover from the rainstorm earlier. The
only sound outside the passing cars on the streets lining the park and
Frankie’s harsh breathing was that of leaves hitting the ground, the
season of fall in full swing.
“Frankie, listen to me,” he tried again, his chest growing tight with
unease. “Put the gun down. Let’s talk about this.”
“I don’t want to be a woman you love,” she said, lips trembling.
Her arms shook with either fear or adrenaline, both equally dangerous
when holding a weapon.
Jake Gonzalez’s heart clenched at the words, but he pushed them
away. He had to stay focused, had to sort through this mess and prevent
any additional loss of life. As it was, there’d already been too much.
And if she pulled that trigger, there was nothing he could do. He
wouldn’t be able to protect her. As frustrating as it was, he had an oath
to uphold. Even against a woman he loved.
Francesca Conti looked broken, disheveled, and cornered. The first
two had him angry and concerned. The last…frightened.
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About Author D.C. Stone:
D.C. “Desi” Stone is a best-selling romance author and full-time fraud investigator. She lives in the northeast with her incredibly supporting husband, two kids, a cat, and the ever-growing family of dogs.
After serving eight years of service with the United States Air Force, she went on to transition into the world of financial crimes and became a lead investigator for many years.
Reading has always been a passion of hers, getting lost in a good, steamy romance is one of her favorite past times. She soon after discovered her own love for writing and recreating stories and characters in her head. Her writing concentrates on romantic with specifics in paranormal, suspense, and erotica.
Now, when she isn’t trying to solve a new puzzle in the world of fraud, she is engulfed with coffee, her laptop, and all those crazy characters in her head. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Hudson Valley Romance Writers, New Jersey Romance Writers, RomVets, RWA Kiss of Death, and the Liberty State Fiction Writers. She served as the 2014 NJRW Vice President and Conference Chair. Come stop by on Facebook, Twitter, or her website and say hello!
I am so excited that SOMEONE IS OUT
THERE by Kaye George is available now and that I get to share the news!
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If you haven’t yet heard about this
wonderful book, be sure to check out all the details below.
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This blitz also includes a giveaway
for a $10 Amazon Gift Card courtesy of Rockstar Book Tours. So if
you’d like a chance to win, check out the giveaway info below.
Four-Time Agatha Award Nominee Kaye
George brings a new edge-of-your-seat suspense!
Someone is stalking Darla.
She has a lot on her plate already.
Dealing with a breakup. Her best friend shutting Darla out of her life. A
handicapped mother. Her career as a hospital nurse. She doesn’t need slashed
tires, threatening notes, or, least of all, a brick through her window.
She suspects her tormentor could
either be her ex or her own father, who attacked and crippled her mother years
ago. But she’s just not sure, and there’s no one but her dog to turn to.
Soon, she’s forced to rely on own
wits to protect her and her mother as the frightening threats become more and
more frequent.
And are progressively more dangerous.
Fans of Mia Sheridan, Freida
McFadden, Yasmin Angoe, Jeneva Rose, John Marrs, and Minka Kent will enjoy Kaye
George.
Book Trailer:
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About About Kaye George:
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Kaye
George has had a
prolific career spanning many years in the mystery genre, and also writes under
the name Janet Cantrell. She’s accrued four Agatha Award nominations, won
a Silver Falchion, a Derringer short story nomination, as well as achieving
national bestseller status. She reviews for Suspense Magazine and writes a
column for Mysterical-E. She’s also a violinist, arranger, and composer. She is
a member of Sisters in Crime, the online Guppies chapter (where she was
president), as well as the Smoking Guns Knoxville TN chapter, which she helped
organize. www.kayegeorge.com
To celebrate A Dilemma for the Duke‘s release, I’m thrilled to join the A Marriage to the Marquess book tour. USA Bestselling author Ruth A. Casie combines regency romance with suspense, swoon-worthy heros and smart heroines. Check out an excerpt below and be sure to take advantage of pre-release pricing for book two.
In a world of secrets, love, and ticking clocks, their alliance of convenience may just become a marriage of the heart.
Ewan, the Marquess of Glenraven, finds himself returning to his home in Belgrave Square, summoned back to London by his former commanding officer, Lord Barrington. Ewan’s been entrusted with the task of unraveling a deceitful gambling scheme and uncovering the truth behind the mysterious deaths tied to it. He is also faced with a pressing personal ultimatum: either secure his trust by marrying by his 30th birthday, five weeks hence, or risk losing it all.
In Cavendish Square, a mile north of Belgravia, Lady Juliet Hayward carries the heavy burden of her late brother, Bradley’s gambling debts. Her own future teeters on the brink of destitution. Determined to confront the man who has her brother’s vowels and control of her survival, she’s determined to find him and negotiate a solution.
As Ewan and Juliet are drawn together, they conceal their true intentions, not knowing they both seek the one person who holds the cards. However, time is not on their side. In a bold move, they confess to each other and devise a plan—a marriage of convenience, a calculated business arrangement—to simultaneously fulfill Ewan’s inheritance requirement, settle Juliet’s brother’s debts, and expose the scheming ringleader As they dig deeper, they uncover a far-reaching conspiracy, orchestrated by a clandestine organization manipulating events from behind the scenes. Yet, a single kiss on their wedding day unleashes a deluge of conflicting emotions within each of them, shattering their carefully constructed façade.
This is a breathtaking Regency tale of love, sacrifice, and the resilience of the human spirit.
“Oh, sir, could you help us, please?” A neatly dressed man called out to him from the puppet stage.
The crowd, which he realized had gathered waiting for the puppet show, turned their attention toward him.
Glenraven scanned the area, unsure if the gentleman was calling out to him. He glanced back at the man.
“Yes, sir, you. You look like a man who would help a lady in distress.” A soft chuckle rippled through the onlookers. “It is a simple script that needs to be read.”
“Forgive me. I would gladly help a lady in distress.” Glenraven glanced at the crowd. “I see some lovely ladies.” He nodded to several ladies not too far from him. “But I do not see any ladies in distress.”
The man operating the puppet stage peeked under the curtain. “My lady. Are you in distress?” he called out.
“Yes, my lord,” came a voice from behind the curtain. As the puppet master opened the curtain, a female puppet was revealed. “I have no Punch.”
Glenraven checked his watch. It was ten minutes past one. “Ne’er let it be said that I didn’t come to a lady’s aid.”
Glenraven made his way to the stage to the crowd’s chuckling and applauding.
“Thank you, my lord. Thank you.” the puppet master whispered to him before turning to address the audience.
“Kind people. I am the puppet master, Percival Thimbleby. You’ve already met Miss Juliet Hayward, who will be our Judy. She has taken her place. This is,” the puppet master turned to Glenraven and waited. He coughed and waited a bit more. “And this is?” He raised his eyebrows at his Punch.
With a good natured smile, he slightly bowed to the audience. “Lord Glenraven at your service.”
“My lord.” The puppet master doffed his cap and bowed to him. “Ladies and Gents, we have a real hero,” he added with a playful eye roll, making everyone laugh. “Lord Glenraven will be playing our Punch. We are fortunate to have found two willing people to help us today. They do not know what has happened in the story so far. It will be very telling how they portray this scene. Be gentle with my actors, my friends. I dare say they are new to this trade. We want to encourage them. Who knows, you may witness the beginning of a most enchanting partnership.”
The puppet master turned to Glenraven. “This way, my lord. While you and your Judy say your lines, I will manage the puppets.”
He guided Glenraven to his spot, handed him his script, and then returned to address the audience.
Glenraven glanced at the paper and burst into laughter, the sound echoing for all to hear.
“Are you all right, my lord?” the puppet master called out.
“Quite. I see you are also a magician. For us mortals, the script is blank.”
The audience laughed along with him, clearly in on the jest.
“Well, my lord. I am a poor puppet master. I only had one script and, as a gallant puppet master, gave it to your Judy as I know you would want me to. After all, you are a gallant hero.”
“Yes, I am.” Glenraven chuckled. “I accept the challenge. You, my friend, may have to suffer the consequences.”
“Very well, my lord. I am certain your quick wit and heroism will come to the fore.” Again, the audience chuckled.
The puppet master turned to the audience.
“I will set the stage. Punch has brought back a treasure and must convince his Judy to let him keep it.” The puppet master paused. “Punch. You can begin whenever you are ready.”
Glenraven took a moment, cleared his throat, and began with a theatrical flair.
“Oh, Judy, my love.” Glenraven’s voice, a warm whiskey baritone, rang out. “I have fought hard and long. I’ve brought back a treasure. It must be protected at all costs.” He paused a heartbeat and continued, his voice a bit lower, “I won’t let anyone take it from us!”
“But Punch, dear, we must be careful.” His Judy’s voice was sweet and slightly breathless. “There are those who covet what we have.”
“Fear not, my sweet Judy.” Glenraven’s Punch declared with theatrical bravado. “I’ll stand against them all, even if it means facing the darkest of contenders.”
He imagined Judy gazing at Punch as she went on, her voice sweet and a touch unsteady, “Then let us be strong together, my Punch. Our love will guide us through.”
Glenraven stared at the curtain separating him from his Judy and put the papers down. He focused all his attention on his unseen partner.
“And when the storm clouds gather,” Punch continued, his tone filled with anticipation, “and the world around us seems uncertain…” A dramatic pause lingered. “We’ll find shelter in each other’s arms, and our hearts will be our fortress. But, Judy, my love,” Punch’s voice softened, “there’s one thing you must know. Our journey won’t always be easy.”
The puppet master skillfully moved Punch to Judy’s side, his puppet arm around her.
“I understand, Punch. I’m prepared to face whatever challenges lie ahead.”
“Then, my dear Judy, let us embark on this adventure together, hand in hand.” The puppet master had Punch take Judy’s hand.
“Together, we’ll find the strength to conquer all,” Judy declared.
“And as we travel through life’s mysterious twists and turns…” Punch turned his head and looked around. “We’ll uncover the secrets hidden in the shadows, and they shall not hold us back. Judy, my love,” Punch’s tone deepened with passion, “desire burns within me like an unquenchable fire.”
Judy delicately touched Punch’s face. “And what of commitment, Punch? Will your flames endure, or will they be snuffed out?”
“Fear not, dear Judy,” Even the audience could hear the smile in Punch’s voice, “for desire may kindle our passion, but it’s a commitment that fuels our eternal flame.”
“Then let our love burn brighter than the stars, Punch, for we are bound by both desire and commitment.”
This little game excited Glenraven in ways he hadn’t anticipated. The essence of sincerity he heard in ‘Judy’s’ voice warmed him. The more he spoke, the more the line between him and his Punch blurred.
Absurd. He gave himself a mental shake. This puppet performance is only a game. Judy isn’t the only one capable of playing a believable game.
“So, my love,” Punch said tenderly, “let us dance through the pages and write our own story, bound by fate and love.”
“Forever entwined, together we’ll craft our own destiny. It awaits, Punch, my dearest.” There was a pause. “Forever,” was Judy’s breathless reply.
RUTH A. CASIE is a USA Today bestselling author of historical swashbuckling action-adventures and contemporary romance with enough action to keep you turning pages. Her stories feature strong women and the men who deserve them, endearing flaws and all. She lives in New Jersey with her hero, three empty bedrooms and a growing number of incomplete counted cross-stitch projects. Before she found her voice, she was a speech therapist (pun intended), client liaison for a corrugated manufacturer, and vice president at an international bank where she was a product/marketing manager, but her favorite job is the one she’s doing now-writing romance. She hopes her stories become your favorite adventures.
Publication date: March 31st 2025
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense
Laurene King had it all: beauty, wealth, and a sexy secret affair with Reese Ashbourne— the brooding heir of her family’s sworn enemy.
But one reckless night shattered everything.
Tragedy struck. Laurene disappeared. And Reese was left with betrayal, unanswered questions, and scars he’ll never forget.
Now, Laurene is back, forced to return to the life she fled, but her homecoming comes with a cruel twist. Their families, teetering on the edge of ruin, have resurrected an old deal to save themselves: an Ashbourne and a King must marry—or lose everything.
Only this time, Reese is the groom. Not his brother.
Haunted by the past, Reese craves revenge as much as he still craves her. Trapped in a forced proximity neither can escape, their chemistry ignites—and so do their secrets.
But someone knows the truth about that night. The lies that tore them apart are unraveling, and the shadowy danger lurking in their luxurious world could destroy them both.
With their second chance at love and their families’ legacies hanging by a thread, Laurene and Reese must choose: bury the past or watch everything crumble to ashes.
The clock is ticking, and some truths are better left buried…
The laughter spilled from the main hall of the yacht club, bright and careless, tangled with the relentless thump of music. I should’ve been out there, smiling, toasting, pretending.
Instead, I’d been hiding in this bathroom for nearly twenty minutes, like it could stop the slow, sinking dread pooling in my chest.
Smile, Laurene! Smile!
Conrad’s great.
Really? my conscience said. He was great. Great for the family, great for appearances, great for everything except me.
The door opened and shut softly behind me.
“It’s over.”
I refused to look behind me. I couldn’t. If I did, I’d crack.
Instead, I focused on putting on my lipstick, the motion mechanical. I looked immaculate—perfect—the kind of woman my mother would smile at with pride. But I hated the color.
This fucking burgundy.
The same shade she shoved at me for every happy occasion, every moment she wanted to control. A color that screamed her. Everything she expected me to be. Everything I despised.
I met his gaze in the bathroom mirror.
He loomed there, his suit rumpled and tie slightly askew, his dark hair rebelliously unkempt. He looked the exact opposite of his brother—wild, unapologetic, dangerous. Everything I wasn’t supposed to want.
“Don’t look away.” Every word wrapped around me like a challenge, and that rebellious part of me strained beneath my skin. But he wasn’t asking. He was demanding.
And I obeyed.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
I wanted him here. I needed him. But I couldn’t have him.
“I could say the same to you.” In the dim light, his green eyes seemed almost black. “Shouldn’t you be outside? Smiling for the cameras? Pretending you don’t hate every second of this?”
“This”—I pointed between us—“ends now. Get out before somebody sees you.”
His eyes held mine, and the way he saw me, like he was stripping away every layer, every excuse, was almost too much.
I turned. “This isn’t a game, Reese. My mama would burn the entire town to the ground if she knew about us.”
“She doesn’t know.” He stepped closer. “I was careful. No one saw me. We still have the plan.”
“Please.” I had to get through this night without more tears. “Let’s…let’s just cut our losses. I—I don’t know if I can do it now.”
He was behind me before I knew it, his weight trapping me against the counter. I closed my eyes, my breath catching as his exhale grazed the sensitive skin of my neck, hot and tantalizing.
“Can we think of something else?” A bitter laugh escaped my lips. “She always knows, Reese. You don’t understand—”
“What I understand,” he said, his voice sharp, “is that you’re miserable. You’re about to marry my brother, and you’re standing here trying to convince yourself it’s what you want. Believe in our plan or is that what you want, Laurene?”
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About Author Tinia Montford:
Tinia (TUH-NIA) Montford is a Pisces who’s a sap for romance, especially when there’s (tons of) kissing. Loves eighties sitcoms and will consume anything with chocolate. She graduated from the University of San Francisco with a degree in English and Graphic Design. She is currently pursuing her MFA in Fiction.
You can find Tinia at www.tiniamontford.com or on social media: @tiniawritesbooks
Chilling murders terrorize a town and bring together two detectives to face the hardest task of their lives. Jack Ludlum, who relies on his brawn to get things done, is now paired with Jill Jarred,a brilliant investigator with keen intuition. As they delve into the secret world of incels and white supremacists, and conflict between local authorities and the FBI rages, a media frenzy further complicates the mission. Is there a serial killer on the loose? Or something entirely different? Will their clashing personalities be their undoing, or can they unite to stop the killer before they kill each other? What Goes Around is a dynamic thriller that examines the intricacies of love, loss, and the unbreakable bonds that transcend time. With its pulse-pounding pace, captivating characters, and a revelatory twist that challenges the boundaries of life and death, this novel will keep you hooked from the first page to the last, and thinking long afterwards.
Praise for What Goes Around:
“Relentless and gritty, Wendroff expertly weaves a narrative that begs, ‘just one more page…'” ~ J.D. Barker, NY Times bestselling author “What Goes Around starts off at a breakneck pace and doesn’t let up until it reaches its unexpected conclusion.” ~ Lisa Black, NY Times bestselling author “An adrenaline-fueled novel, the action breathlessly driven by two detectives-Jill Jarred and Jack Ludlum–relentlessly pursuing the bloody trails left by a serial killer with a dark sense of justice, deadly groups of white supremacists, and one lonely, alienated boy caught up in the violence.” ~ Kathleen Kent, NY Times bestselling Author “What a twist! This book grabs you from the first chapter, and doesn’t ever let you go. A brilliant debut!” ~ L.M. Chilton, Author and Journalist “Gripping and chilling…relentless…includes very up to date issues…with an original revelatory twist.” ~ Crime Fiction Magazine
I’ll remember the day I died for the rest of my life.
Prologue
The sign at the gate read, “Trespassers will be shot. Survivors will be shot again.” It was before dawn, the night sky still dark and the compound silent as a cemetery. The cabin loomed in the distance: a den of crime, a place where the armed drug dealers spent much of their time. The police team approached as quietly as they could, the crunch of twigs beneath their boots the only sound to break the eerie silence. Fear tiptoed through their souls, its icy fingers tracing the contours of their restless thoughts. They took a collective inhalation of breath, not knowing if they were walking toward their death. They knew the property owner, the leader of the group, wasn’t kidding with his sign. What they didn’t know was that a baby was crawling on the floor of the cabin they were about to storm. *** Jon Eddie considered himself a champion. Now he understood he was in for the fight of his life. Forty-two years old, with bulging eyes, a bushy beard and Fu Manchu mustache, he’d covered himself in self-righteousness, the way his tattoos covered almost every inch of his bulky body. He was proud of the group he’d brought together. Eddie liked to believe he was simply an entrepreneur, as his annual white power music festival, Nordic Fest, attracted skinheads from across the country. Full of music from “hatecore” bands such as Angry Aryans and No Alibi, supported by shouting speakers spewing their idiotic ideology, it provided a nice source of income—in addition to the dues Eddie charged, and the contributions he asked for. His major source of cash, however, was a raging drug-dealing business, his biggest sellers being meth, molly, and of course opioids. His girlfriend, Krystal, was yelling at their baby to stop crying. Krystal, no mother of the year, picked the baby girl up and was about to shake her when Eddie noticed movement at the front of his property. ** * Outside, the thundering silence was deafening. Two police officers accompanying the core team were selected to check the dense tree line that surrounded the compound’s fence. They knew there were often guards stationed behind the evergreens—if so, they needed to take them out as quietly and quickly as possible before the main assault could begin. Everyone was on high alert. Though it was cool, sweat darkened their uniforms. Up ahead, closer to the cabin, they spied a truck with monster-size tires. Through binoculars, a sticker affixed to a large dent on the rear bumper was evident. It was a monstrosity, with a silhouette of crossed AR-15s next to the slogan, “Yours for White Victory.” One cop, Jack—built like a sequoia tree—towered over the policewoman beside him, even though she was above average in height. He pointed his head toward the tree line and looked down with a smug expression. “You ready for this, Jill?” he asked, his voice full of confidence. She rolled her eyes. Her uniform was pristine. “Shh. You know I can take care of myself,” she whispered. He laughed silently. “Sure you can, Jill.” Then, under his breath, said, “Just don’t get in my way.” Jill gritted her teeth and ignored his taunts. She’d always been competitive with him, ever since they were in the police academy together; they were like two racehorses heading neck and neck toward the finish line. Jill was determined to prove she was just as good as he was. No, better. They looked at the team leader, who nodded. The two of them slowly moved forward, their breathing becoming more rapid. As they approached the fence, they heard rustling in the trees. *** Krystal had never wanted to be a mother. She’d really had no ambition to be anything at all. Stuck in a rut of life, like a sailboat without wind, she’d been tending bar when she met Jon Eddie. It wasn’t much of a bar; as you pushed open its dilapidated door, you were immediately hit with the pungent smells of bitter beer, cigarette smoke, and salty sweat. A long, sticky bar dominated the dimly lit interior, lined with shaky stools and chipped coasters. The walls were covered in peeling, nicotine-stained wallpaper, and the floor was littered with discarded peanut shells and spilt spirits. Normally, the regulars, their lives littered as well, would sit hunched over their drinks, staring blankly into the distance. Unless Jon Eddie was around. Eddie often drew a crowd, a mix of people in awe of him and people in fear of him. His mannerless mouth and domineering demeanor attracted Krystal. He clearly thought he was the shit, and just as clearly was a mean son of a bitch. But Krystal thought he was someone who could protect her. At first, she would shrivel from his drivel. Later, not knowing any better, she began believing him, impressed by his purported big ideas that the men around him enthusiastically nodded their heads up and down to. When the bar closed one night, he was in the parking lot, hovering, waiting for her, wanting her. She went out the back door and saw him. With an almost imperceptible shrug, she got into his truck. She stayed the night with him, which then became a month of muddling. Once she was pregnant, she was there for good. Or so she thought. *** “Grab the guns!” Eddie yelled over the baby’s wails. Krystal looked at him, frozen, as she held the baby. “Leave the damn kid on the floor. Just grab the guns!” ** * They could see two guards ahead. The guards were behind a large oak tree, chatting quietly while looking at a cell phone. One laughed. Jack motioned to Jill to wait a moment as he silently made his way to the larger of the two guards. Before anything even registered on the guard’s face, Jack started in on him. Jack got him down, using a headlock and fireman’s carry maneuver that landed the guy on his head. He was knocked out and would have a concussion, but he’d live. Jack allowed himself a quick smile, then turned to the other man, who was backing away, suddenly preferring flight to fight. Jill had watched momentarily in admiration of Jack’s fighting skills but couldn’t admire for too long; the other guard was her job, and she had to be just as capable with him. He’d turned to run but had a gun in hand. Jill moved catlike toward her prey. A tree root tripped her. The guard stopped. His gun hand was shaking. Fast and agile, Jill quickly recovered, jumped, and landed a swift kick to his shaved head. Her steel-toed boot landed right in the center of his swastika tattoo; blood immediately gushed onto the soil. All those years of martial-arts training paid off. The gun fell out of the man’s hand, and Jill kicked it away before kicking him in the stomach to make sure he stayed down. The man’s eyes were wide, and it looked like he’d had enough, so she stopped, not wanting to overdo it. Jack watched her, ready to act, and looked similarly impressed, though he didn’t say a word to her after they’d cuffed and muzzled the guards. Other cops quickly came over and dragged them away. “Well, that was the easy part,” Jack said. Jill, panting, just stared at him, knowing those words to be true. For a second, she thought of her dad, a former cop, and hoped his fate wouldn’t befall her. The core team warily walked forward, heading into the unknown. Jack followed closely behind. Jill wiped the blood off her boot with some leaves and joined them. Her heart pounding, but with a lot of backbone, she put her best foot forward. ** * The team leader, Nic, was as determined as a bulldog with a bone. He knew he had to stop the drug dealing, and he hated the group’s ideology. But even more, he was given this mission because an informant had told of a plan this group had to blow up a government building. Tomorrow. As they came closer to the cabin, he scanned the area for any signs of activity. He saw movement within the cabin. He could feel the sweat dripping down his face, the adrenaline pumping through his veins. While his officers were highly trained, he could see the fear in their eyes. It wasn’t a surprise. It was too easy for things to go bad. He motioned for the team to spread out and be ready, with two officers heading around to the back. He knew they were dealing with very dangerous people but hoped to take them in without bloodshed. Especially their own. *** The smoke bomb exploded on the floor. Chaos. His vision clouded, an officer yelled, “Police, come out with your hands up!” There was more movement inside; Eddie was fuming. But no one emerged from the thick fog of smoke. The cops moved in, like a tidal wave crashing onto shore. One of the team members was hit immediately; he was dead before his body hit the floor. More gunshots rang out. As the men frantically searched the rooms, the team leader headed straight for the source of the gunfire, bullets whizzing by at a dizzying pace. Amidst the mist, Jill saw a woman on the floor, bloodied and unmoving. She then heard a cry, and looking down, saw a baby. Holy shit, she thought, and tried to yell to the others, but in the mayhem, she knew no one would hear or understand. A hail of bullets came their way, and Jill got down, covering the baby with her body, like an embryo in the womb. Another gunshot rang out, and Jill saw blood. *** Excerpt from What Goes Around by Michael Wendroff . Copyright 2024 by Michael Wendroff . Reproduced with permission from Michael Wendroff . All rights reserved.
About Author Michael Wendroff:
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Michael Wendroff has an MBA in marketing from NYU, and was inducted into their Hall of Fame. His MBA thesis was on “Marketing in the publishing industry,” and it was excerpted in the industry trade journal, “Publisher’s Weekly,” so he actually got paid to write his thesis. While interviewing publishing executives for the thesis, he met Truman Capote. He has spent many years since as a global marketing consultant. It was the Covid pandemic that finally got his to write his novel, as he was cooped up at home. The impetus for the novel was something his mother said the moment he was born: “Oh! So nice to see you, Again.” He grew up in a publishing/author milieu, as his mother was an editor at NYC publishing houses (watching his mother scribbling in red ink on manuscript pages at home on weekends prepared him for his own editor’s comments!). Plus she remarried a literary agent, Henry Morrison, so Michael was friendly with many authors (Dean Koontz, Lawrence Block, Joseph Finder, Eric Van Lustbader, etc), and even spent a vacation with Robert Ludlum. Watching Ludlum hand-write his 450 page novels on yellow legal pads didn’t dissuade Michael from trying to write a novel (though he’s thankful for his PC). Michael’s debut thriller novel, What Goes Around, was launched in the USA, UK, and Australia, and foreign language rights have thus far been sold in Italian, Japanese, and Hungarian. Fun fact: Michael’s great-grandfather was brought over by Thomas Edison from the University of Copenhagen (Denmark) to work with him in his New Jersey labs. He holds a number of patents, including for plastic buttons (he became known, and rich, around town as “The Button King”). Michael proudly wears button-down shirts whenever he can.
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When the police rule her dad’s death an accidental overdose, 16-year-old Chloe refuses to believe it and vows to find his killer. Alone against a potentially corrupt, small-town police force, a persistent social worker seeking proof that she has adult supervision, and precariously low funds, Chloe learns that her dad’s life as a cemetery caretaker masked a web of family secrets that quite possibly led to his death—and are now putting her in mortal danger. Needing freedom to investigate, Chloe pretends that her only surviving relative, a famous war correspondent, has returned from an overseas assignment to be her guardian. But living alone in the caretaker’s house in the middle of the cemetery, mere feet from the crime scene, puts Chloe’s nerves on edge even before she unearths clues about the shadowy side of her small town. Help comes from unlikely and surprising allies: the colorful owner of the local retro diner, the quiet new classmate with his near-perfect memory, and a spirit who visits in her moments of greatest need.
But as Chloe gets closer to the truth, someone else is getting closer to Chloe, watching her every move. And when her aunt turns up on international news reporting from a war zone, Chloe’s cover is blown. Now the race is on to reveal her dad’s killer—but perhaps—Chloe isn’t as alone as she thought.
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Praise for Beyond the Cemetery Gate: The Secret Keeper’s Daughter:
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Recently voted Notable 100 Best Indie Book of 2024 (from Shelf Unbound) and a Semi-Finalist for the CIBA YA Fiction Book Award (Chanticleer International Book Awards)
“This taut, suspenseful mystery goes beyond the cemetery gate and settles, creaking, into our very bones.” ~ Silvia Acevedo, author of the award-winning God Awful series
“A gripping mystery that succeeds due to a headstrong protagonist who’s unwilling to fail.” ~ Kirkus Reviews
“… a must-read and recommended for fans of mysteries looking for a gripping and compelling story.” ~ 5-Stars – Reader Views Kids
“A haunting YA mystery. Touching on everything from police ineptitude and community solidarity to the endless frustration of being patronized as a young person, this paranormal thriller confidently combines timely and relatable themes within a page-turning storyline.” ~ Self-Publishing Review
“Not all secrets are buried in the grave. Beyond the Cemetery Gate is a nonstop read through a dark, twisting plot and the dangerous world of shadows and sinister people that 16-year-old Chloe must outrun and outsmart.” ~ Patricia Skalka, Author of the Dave Cubiak Door County Mysteries
Book Details:
Genre: Young Adult Mystery Suspense
Published by: Lost Lake Press Publication Date: October 31, 2024 Number of Pages: 342 ISBN: 9780998173641 (ISBN10: 0998173649)
In the space between sleep and wakefulness, a sound seeped into my consciousness. The sense that something wasn’t quite right pulled me fully awake. I listened beyond my own breathing for it to come again.
A wail pierced the silence. An animal in pain? Only it wasn’t. I knew it was human. I slipped from bed to stare out into the cemetery. The tombstones always made for fascinating or eerie shadows, depending on how you felt about graveyards. I never minded, which was a good thing, considering my house was smack dab in the middle of one.
The sound came again, more of a moan this time, followed by a murmur of voices. I couldn’t tell what they were saying, but people were definitely in the cemetery. One of them was scared or maybe hurt. Dad wasn’t going to like this. He locked the gate tight every night. The only way in was to scale the tall, spiked iron fence or pick the lock. Either one was going to piss him off.
In the distance, a pinpoint of light moved away from where I perched. It was too small to be a flashlight . . . maybe a cell phone? I padded down the hall to Dad’s bedroom, calling for him. His door was ajar, and the hall light was enough to show his empty bed, the covers rumpled and thrown back as though he’d gotten up quickly. He must have heard the same thing. His boots weren’t in their usual spot by the back door, so I knew for sure he’d gone to investigate. I had to help because Dad and I were a team, small and mighty, he said. We always made it through everything together. In my hurry I forgot to stop the screen door from slamming behind me when I stepped out onto the porch, cringing when the sound echoed through the night. I waited a moment and then whispered, “Dad,” as loudly as I dared. No answer. I angled toward the part of the cemetery where the small light had been, thinking I’d find him corralling some kids from high school pulling a prank. It happened once in a while but usually in a few weeks—closer to Halloween. I knew more than a handful of idiots my age who would think this was funny. I hadn’t heard the wailing or voices since I left the house. Maybe whoever it was had left? That hopeful thought disappeared as a weird combination of worry and fear crawled up the base of my spine. Just in case it was something more menacing than kids, I hid my approach behind the cemetery’s largest and oldest tombstones. Maxwell, Bell, Ludington . . . I touched their cold granite and the mossy green lichen growing up their sides as I slid between them. I expected to find Dad by now. Where was he? A terrible thought pushed me into full fear mode. What if the person making that horrible scream was Dad? It hadn’t sounded like him, but … what if he was out here somewhere and hurt? I had to find him! My breath quickened and a damp sheen of sweat prickled my skin. I sped up, more concerned with finding him than being seen. The cemetery was big, but I had to be close to where I’d spotted the light. I calmed myself long enough to pivot in a slow circle, my bare feet sliding on the dewy grass. The main gate was open, obviously where the trespassers came in—and hopefully where they’d gone out. It was quiet and dark. The cemetery had no lights of its own, and the glow of streetlights reached only to the second row of graves. Here and there, solar decorations shimmered for dead loved ones as cheerfully as possible but didn’t shine far enough to be helpful. The darkness didn’t hinder me. The cemetery had been my playground since preschool, so even in the dark I was able to avoid every tree root, odd stone, or divot that might trip me up. I decided to be systematic and jogged a grid pattern, snaking through the rows. I stopped short and gasped at the next turn. A body was slumped against the base of my favorite statue, a white marble angel holding a sword and shield. “Dad!” He didn’t move. In two quick strides, I was at his side. “Dad!” I gave his shoulder a gentle shake, and his head tipped sideways. “Oh my god! Wake up!” I needed a better look and found the light on my phone. What I saw scared me even more. Dad’s face was pale, his eyes unfocused. I needed help—fast! Dialing 911 seemed impossibly slow for three simple numbers. “911. What’s your emergency?” “It’s – it’s my dad. He won’t wake up.” “What’s your location?” “I’m in the city cemetery. My dad is the caretaker here.” “What’s your name?” “C-Chloe Cowyn.” “Okay, Chloe, can you check whether your dad’s breathing?” I bent low and placed my face close to Dad’s mouth. “I don’t think so. Please hurry!” This didn’t make sense. Had someone hit him? I didn’t see any blood. I swept my eyes over his legs and arms—stopping abruptly at what I saw. “Nooooo.” At first, I thought the wailing had returned, until I realized that I was the one making the sound eerily like what woke me. “Chloe, are you okay? I have help on the way. Stay on the line with me until they arrive.” “No. No. No.” My cell phone dropped from my hand as I backed away. Tears blurred my view until I could no longer see the needle stuck in my dad’s arm. *** Excerpt from BEYOND THE CEMETERY GATE: The Secret Keeper’s Daughter by Valerie Biel. Copyright 2024 by Valerie Biel. Reproduced with permission from Valerie Biel. All rights reserved.
About Author Valerie Biel:
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Valerie Biel writes books for middle grade to adult audiences–stories inspired by her travels and her insatiable curiosity. Her award-winning, young adult fantasy series, Circle of Nine, was inspired by the myth and magic of Ireland’s ancient stone circles. She’s also the author of Haven, a contemporary middle grade novel, and Beyond the Cemetery Gate, a YA mystery suspense story. She helps other authors with their book promotion and marketing and frequently teaches writing workshops to students of all ages. When Valerie’s away from the computer, you might find her wrangling her overgrown garden, traveling the world, and reading everything she can get her hands on. Once upon a time, she graduated from the University of Wisconsin with degrees in journalism and political science. She lives with her husband on a (tiny) portion of her family’s century-old farm in rural Wisconsin, but regularly dreams of finding a cozy cottage on the Irish coast where she can write and write.
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