Friday, August 31, 2018

Stolen Enchantress by Amber Argyle

Stolen Enchantress (Forbidden Forest, #1)Book Description:
Any girl who goes into the Forbidden Forest never comes out again. Except the one who did. 

Larkin should have been watching her little sister, should have paid more attention to the trees looming over her family’s fields. Now Sela is gone. Knowing full well the danger of the forest and its beast, Larkin goes after her anyway. With her sister clutched in her arms, she manages to escape, but not before discovering the truth lurking beneath the wicked boughs. 

She may have evaded the beast once, but with the full force of his magic now fixated on her, she isn’t sure how much longer she can resist.




My Thoughts:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  Larkin is a character you love half the time and would love to strangle the other half.  She does some amazing things and some amazingly stupid things.  The author did a great job writing her character.  I really liked that this story wasn't a 'cookie cutter' story but was original.
The forest is creepy and the whole village is afraid of it.  Except it seems, Larkin's little sister. Her sister is the only reason she braves the woods and the terrors within them. I loved seeing the bond between these two, it was so sweet and caring. There is a roller coaster of emotions through the book--love, betrayal, danger, friendship and more--and  as it unfolds, the beast makes more sense. I cannot wait to see where the author takes this story next and I know which side I'm cheering for!
It was a 5/5 for me.
Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book (via Voracious Readers Only).  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.

Thursday, August 30, 2018

Chasing Embers by Rachel Skatvold


About the Book

Chasing EmbersBook Title: Chasing Embers (Heart Ranch, Book 2)
Author: Rachel Skatvold
Genre: Christian Romance / Contemporary Western
Release date: August 20, 2018
ANNABELLE HART thought owning the family ranch would be everything she ever dreamed of and more. The Montana wilderness has always flowed like blood through her veins, but she can’t understand why her heart feels so empty inside.
Three years after leaving Montana to become a wild land firefighter, COLTON BROOKS still dreams about the girl he left behind at Hart Ranch. He prays for her happiness, believing she deserves someone better than him, but doubts he will ever love again.
When their paths intersect again, will the embers of their past romance be rekindled, or will an unexpected disaster change life as they know it forever?
My Thoughts:
I just loved this book.  Belle has always planned to run the family's ranch. She absolutely loves the ranch and everything about it. She hadn't expected it to hurt so much though. Still years later, she hasn't gotten over the man who walked out of her life and broke her heart.  I absolutely love how close Belle's family is. They are always there for each other.
Colton went after his dreams and left Belle behind. He thought she could do better than him, but he never stopped loving her. His family is super close too and I really liked his mom. She is a hard worker who puts her family's needs first. Colton may say he wants Belle to move on, but isn't prepared for her to really do it. There are ups and downs. I loved that it isn't an easy  choice for either of them but God's hand guides them.
This was a 5/5.  I truly enjoyed it!

Thank you to the author for the review copy of this book (via Celebrate lit). I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

Rachel Skatvold Author Bio Pic (1)Rachel Skatvold is a Christian author and stay-at-home mom from the Midwest. She enjoys writing inspirational romance and encouraging blogs. Rachel completed her first series, the Riley Family Legacy Novellas in 2014 and is now working on the second book in her new Hart Ranch Series. She is also a contributing author in the Whispers in Wyoming Series. Other than writing, some of her hobbies include singing, reading and camping in the great outdoors with her husband and two young sons.

Guest Post from Rachel

Chasing Embers is a sequel I have been excited to write since the release of Escaping Reality over two years ago. To be honest, while writing book one, I thought it would just be a standalone story and not part of a series. However, Logan’s strong-willed little sister, Belle, was determined to have her own story and I’m thrilled that she is finally getting one!
One of the theme verses from Chasing Embers is Ephesians 3:20, which says, “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” In the story, the characters go through some trials that seem impossible to overcome. In order to keep their loved ones and the ranch safe, the Hart family must cling tightly to their faith and trust that God always keeps his promises. The events of the story also serve as a reminder that God can do mighty things through us if we allow him to.
Chasing Embers is a heartwarming tale of lost love, second chances and choosing to love even when it is difficult. Be prepared to laugh, cry and rejoice with Belle and Colton as you read their love story. To find out more about Chasing Embers by Rachel Skatvold, read the summary above.

Blog Stops

Among the Reads, August 23
Remembrancy, August 29
Texas Book-aholic, September 1
Carpe Diem, September 2
Jeanette’s Thoughts, September 4
Bigreadersite, September 4

Giveaway

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To celebrate her tour, Rachel is giving away a grand prize of a $30 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d1f3/chasing-emberscelebration-tour-giveaway

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Dagger's Edge by Lora Leigh

Book Description

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

The Hope Jar by Wanda Brunstetter

The Hope Jar FB Banner copy

About the Book

Hope JarBook Title: The Hope Jar (The Prayer Jars, Book 1)
Author: Wanda E. Brunstetter
Genre: Amish Fiction
Release date: August 7, 2018
A Brand-New Series from New York Times Best Selling Author Wanda E. Brunstetter.
What happens when making an elderly Amish couple very happy means going along with a lie that gets bigger by the day?
Michelle Taylor is not who her new family in Lancaster County believes her to be. The Lapps were looking for their long-lost granddaughter when they met Michelle and she assumed the identity of Sara Murray. Once homeless and hopeless, Michelle has come to love her new Amish friends and even considers the idea of romance among them.
Finding an old blue jar in the barn that is filled with slips of paper containing thoughts, quotes, and prayers by an unknown author becomes a boost to Michelle’s budding faith— but also convicting. How can she tell the truth without hurting the ones she has truly come to love?
My Thoughts:
This is an emotional roller coaster! Michelle is in a bad situation when there is a case of mistaken identity. I like how she tried to correct the assumption at first but then just went along with it because she wanted out of her current situation. Was she right? No, but I understood why she did what she did.
The fact that she grows to love these people and is feeling guilt for her deception made me sad and happy. I felt bad for her decieving them but she is loved by them, which is something new for her and it helps her tremendiously. The love interests show a different layer to it and I just really enjoyed watching Michelle/Sara grow as a character.
It was a 4/5 for me.

Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book (via celebrate lit). I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
Click here to purchase your copy!

About the Author

Wanda BrunstetterNew York Times bestselling and award-winning author Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She has written close to 90 books translated in four languages. With over 10 million copies sold, Wanda’s stories consistently earn spots on the nations most prestigious bestseller lists and have received numerous awards.
Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.
When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Make your own Prayer Jar!

Want to make your own prayer jar to pass along to future generations? CLICK HERE to download a printable template you can use to write your sentiments on. Simply cut out each strip of paper when you’re finished and put them in the jar of your choice.

Blog Stops

Among the Reads, August 14
The Avid Reader, August 14
Just Commonly, August 15
Genesis 5020, August 16
Mary Hake, August 16
Bigreadersite, August 16
Lighthouse Academy, August 17
Splashes of Joy, August 20
SusanLovesBooks, August 20
Cafinated Reads, August 23
Quiet quilter, August 23
Carpe Diem, August 24
Texas Book-aholic, August 26

Giveaway

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To celebrate her tour, Wanda is giving away a grand prize that includes a $25 Amazon Gift Card, jar-shaped notepad, and a copy of The Hope Jar (with an autographed book plate inside).
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d19e/the-hope-jar-celebration-tour-giveaway

Friday, August 17, 2018

Blackened Magic Cover Reveal

Title: Blackened Magic
Author: Emily Cyr & JoJo Bartlett
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Cover Designer: Lori Gundy
Blurb:
Sawyer's in big trouble. Lord knows, she's never been a great student, but she never expected to be an inch away from flunking her economics class this close to graduation. Failing is definitely not an option and she's running out of hope. That’s when her roommate suggests contacting a warlock who will sell her an oh-so-illegal spell to help her pass the final.
Kane is almost a free man...er warlock. He has one last job to do for the magical cartel, and then he's out of here. He's tired of them taking all his money when he knows he can make more cash out on his own. But before he delivers the cartel's spell to them, he takes a call for a side job-- to deliver an outlawed spell to a desperate college student. Only, he screws up. Big time.
Both Kane and Sawyer must dodge the magical police, the cartel, and enemies neither of them knew they had. If they don’t fix Kane’s mistake, it will cost them more than Sawyer’s life; it will cost them everything.
Emily Cyr is a stay-at-home mom turned writer. She holds a degree in middle grades education with certification in English and social science. She has always had a love of all things paranormal and fantasy, but it wasn’t until Emily’s husband said the words, “Why not?” that she considered putting her thoughts and ideas into the book, The Lightning Prophecy. This trilogy was just the start for Emily. It seemed to open a creative door that had been locked.
Emily has always been an avid reader. Through reading came her love of writing. The more she read, the more she knew she wanted to create her own world. Many of her first works were fan fiction.
Emily and her family currently reside in San Antonio, Texas. She has an incredibly supportive husband, who is also an officer in the United States Air Force. They have three sons, ages 6, 5, and 2. Somehow, even with the demands of being a parent to three little boys, she finds time to escape to her fantasies and write them down.
Currently, Emily has two urban fantasy series out, but stay tuned via her web-site, www.EmilyCyr.com, for more!
Author Links:
Instagram: emilycyrauthor
JoJo Bartlett loves soft blankets, the color blue, and laughing so hard she snorts. She's never met a chocolate chip cookie she didn't like. If you ask her husband or two kids, they will tell you she considers being called "weird" a compliment. Should the opportunity to participate in shenanigans with JoJo ever be presented to you... seize it, with both hands (or however many you have).
Author Links:

Thursday, August 16, 2018

Chaos in the Blink of an Eye by Patrick Higgins

Chaos FB Banner copy

chaosAbout the Book


Book Title: Chaos: In the Blink of an Eye
Author: Patrick Higgins
Genre: Christian Mystery/Suspense
Release date: September, 2015
It was the weekend before Thanksgiving. More than 100,000 fans were jammed inside Michigan Stadium, on their feet, to witness a heated football rivalry that had spanned more than 100 years. As the football was kicked into the snow-filled sky, they were about to get the shock of their lives, as long-foretold Bible prophecy came to pass before their very eyes, causing many to vanish into thin air without a trace.
But what they soon realized was that it reached far beyond Michigan Stadium. Chaos of unimaginable proportions ensued worldwide. Shock, fear and panic filled each heart and mind. It was just the beginning of things to come, as life as humanity had known it was forever changed in the blink of an eye…
My Thoughts:
This novella was a quick read but it is packed full.  The author does a great job of building the scene for future book and making sure you want to read.  It is the first that I've read from  him, but it won't be the last. I liked the way he set everything up and made it enjoyable while you are actually learning.
It is a fictional account of the rapture but it is so realistic! The author definitely knows his football and uses it well to craft the story. I read the left behind series and this has a similar feel. I cannot wait to read the next one.
It was a 4/5 for me.

Thank you to the publisher/author for the review copy of this book.  I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
Click here to purchase your copy.

About the Author

Patrick higginsPatrick Higgins is the author of The Pelican TreesCoffee In Manila, the award-winning The Unannounced Christmas Visitor, and the award-winning prophetic end-times series, Chaos In The Blink Of An Eye. While the stories he writes all have different themes and take place in different settings, the one thread that links them all together is his heart for Jesus and his yearning for the lost.
With that in mind, it is his wish that the message his stories convey will greatly impact each reader, by challenging you not only to contemplate life on this side of the grave, but on the other side as well. After all, each of us will spend eternity at one of two places, based solely upon a single decision which must be made this side of the grave. That decision will be made crystal clear to each reader of his books.
Higgins is currently writing many other books, both fiction and non-fiction, including a sequel to Coffee In Manila, which will shine a bright, sobering light on the diabolical human trafficking industry.

Guest Post from Patrick Harris

What started the Chaos in the Blink of an Eye series for me stems from my deep love of sports, which, I admit has diminished considerably over the years. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy watching and attending sporting events whenever I have the time. But these days I view them from an entirely different perspective than when I wore a younger man’s face and displayed a weaker man’s faith in God.
This slow but gradual shrinking away started soon after the Lord impressed upon my heart that the fastest growing religion in America, and the world for that matter, wasn’t Christianity or Islam, but “sports”. Every day of the week—including Sundays—millions of fans fill stadiums and arenas (or shall I say cathedrals?) worldwide to worship their heroes.
Whatever the sport, fans show up in droves to cheer on mere mortals as if they were gods. When their teams win life is good. When they lose life is miserable.
As a once-guilty participant for many years, I should know.
The passion most fans have for their favorite players and sports teams is the same passion they should have in pursuing the One who saw their unformed bodies from the foundations of the world, the very One who knit them together inside their mothers’ wombs.
Tragically, this is not the case. Hence, the reason for the CHAOS series. The sporting event chosen for this story was the famed Michigan-Ohio State college football rivalry.
Prior to writing the prequel, I traveled to Ann Arbor, Michigan to attend the game. I admit I was just as caught up in the mass hysteria as everyone else. It was impossible not to be swept up into the vortex that had completely engulfed the vibrant college town.
The energy was quite palpable. So much so that I had to remind myself more than once that I was there to research and observe everything connected to the game, then put it all into words for my readers. The sporting event itself was secondary.
Though the prequel initially centers on the football game, in no way is this a sports series. This will become quite clear to you when Bible prophecy comes to pass inside Michigan Stadium, and many vanish into thin air, leaving everyone still inside the stadium utterly panic-stricken.
It was just the beginning of things to come, as life as humanity had known it was forever changed in the blink of an eye…
Enjoy reading…

Blog Stops

Carpe Diem, August 9
Reading is my Super Power, August 9 (Interview)
Multifarious, August 10
Henry Happens, August 10
amandainpa, August 11
Mary Hake, August 12
Cherylbbookblog, August 17
Bigreadersite, August 17
margaret kazmierczak, August 20 (Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, August 21
Godly Book Reviews, August 22

Giveaway

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To celebrate his tour, Patrick is giving away a grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Cradled by Christina Bauer


Cradled
Christina Bauer
(Beholder #4.5)
Publication date: July 31st 2018
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult
An Epilogue Novella
At last, Elea and Rowan are settling in to their new lives. Trouble is, Rowan is spending a lot of time cleaning up messes from his childhood. And considering the nightmare that was his mother, those are some ugly messes indeed. In fact, the experience is enough to make Rowan vow that he never wants children of his own.
Oops.
BEHOLDER
• Cursed
• Concealed
• Cherished
• Crowned
• Cradled







My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this novella. If you haven't read the previous books in this series, you really need to so you understand what is going on in this story. Elea and Rowan are together and theoretically everything should be smooth.  Except, this is a Christina Bauer book and that doesn't happen! 
It wasn't what I was expecting and I was happy about that. This book has all my favorite characters in it and I loved how the author mixed in some surprises. I liked that it wasn't smooth and easy for everyone but that they had to work. For not being a long book, the author put a lot in there and did it quite wonderfully.
It was a 5/5 for me. Love this author and her books!

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.






Author Bio:
Christina Bauer thinks that fantasy books are like bacon: they just make life better. All of which is why she writes romance novels that feature demons, dragons, wizards, witches, elves, elementals, and a bunch of random stuff that she brainstorms while riding the Boston T. Oh, and she includes lots of humor and kick-ass chicks, too.
Christina graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School with BA’s in English along with Television, Radio, and Film Production. She lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby.
Be the first to know about new releases from Christina by signing up for her newsletter: http://tinyurl.com/CBupdates

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Monday, August 13, 2018

Scene of the Crime Spotlight


SCENE OF THE CRIME by Jennifer Chase, Mystery, 300 pp., $.99 (Kindle)



Title: SCENE OF THE CRIME
Author: Jennifer Chase
Publisher: JEC Press
Pages: 300
Genre: Mystery Suspense

A calculating cold-blooded predator closes in…

When a community has barely recovered from a ruthless serial killer six months earlier; now two more horrifying murders hit the radar again. It leaves police burdened with two of the most shockingly contaminated crime scenes ever documented in California’s law enforcement history. The Slayer works behind the scenes as a sinister puppet master, precisely pulling the strings, taunting the police without leaving any viable evidence, and orchestrating his killer hit squads.

The sheriff and district attorney bring in the best investigators. Reunited again, Dr. Chip Palmer, a reclusive forensic expert, joins DA Inspector Kate Rawlins to sort through the crime scene aftermath in search of the truth—all without a probable suspect or a solid motive. Complicating the investigation—sparks reignite between the two.

Ratcheting up the suspense, Chip suffers a nasty fall hitting his head, impairing his perception and giving him a mind-blowing ability for specific detailed recall. Palmer and Rawlins assemble an unusual team including a rookie detective, a forensic supervisor, and an ex-military operative turned bodyguard. After one of their own is kidnapped and the investigation is taken over by the FBI, the now rogue team must pull together their own resources—alone—with a killer waiting to take each one of them out. Scene of the Crime takes no prisoners and leaves everyone fighting to stay alive.

ORDER YOUR COPY:

Amazon

 

Chapter 1

NOTHING CAPTURED HIS ATTENTION. IT wasn’t as if he wasn’t looking for anything specific or that he didn’t care about anything, but everything became like white noise. Looking down, he spotted a couple squashed beer cans, which had resulted from the constant compression of car tires repeatedly running over them. Now they lay in the gutter unnoticed—as discarded litter. Out of boredom, he kicked the aluminum pancakes with his worn out running shoes. The compressed disks clattered a ways before landing back in a different part of the same gutter, just as his life.
Roger Case was in one of those moods where everything seemed futile. It was a time when his temperament plummeted; he entertained the spirit of defeat, which was becoming more common these days. His concentration slipped farther into the dwindling mindset of drugs and crime to the point of mania. Rationalizing his motives, he preferred to enact self-medication.
He needed something strong to take away his thoughts of negativity. The repetitive movements of his hands and arms worsened. He wanted anything that would take away his fears, his depression, and his unrelenting obsession for the next quick fix. Roger knew that even when he felt the most empowering high that there was a high price to pay—and it was predictable and inevitable—the hard, downward crash.
Roger hadn’t always been teetering on that slippery slope, dangling over the life of crime; in fact, he still remembered when things were normal and even mundane. He grew up in a typical middle class family with his mom and dad, along with his older brother and sister. Reflecting on those memories now, he would trade just about anything to have those times back.
Now he waited with anticipation for his contact. It was going to make everything better—at least for a while. He convinced himself that just a little bit of crystal meth would help him get back on track—to see things clearly again. It wasn’t as if he was a full-blown addict, he just needed something to help motivate and push him in the right direction.
He heard a hollow scraping noise and stopped to listen. Standing quietly, still straining to hear, but that sound never repeated. He looked around. Curious. The sound seemed to resonate in his head instead of around the street. Upon further inspection, he realized it came from inside the cement structure.
The old water treatment plant had been decommissioned by the county some time ago, now outdated, and was nothing more than an eyesore gathering the grime and deteriorating aspects of time gone by. Something loomed in Roger’s vision and waited in darkness—he strained his eyes looking into the long structure that seemed to lead to nowhere.
Maybe his connection made a change of plans and the meeting place was at the cement sinew, and out of sight from any onlookers, or cops happening by on their route. It was possible. At this point in Roger’s life, anything was possible.
Roger contemplated his options for a moment and then decided to check it out. He turned toward the water treatment plant and headed inside. The first thing he noticed was the temperature difference—cold and damp compared to the warmer street areas.
He slowed his pace, unsure if he should call out or announce his presence. Fidgeting nonstop with his hands, pressing his fingers tighter and then releasing them, Roger moved farther into the tunnel.
A shuffling sound came from the other end.
“Hello?” he finally said, his voice weak and tinny which made him unconsciously twitch.
A muffled dragging sound was the responded answer. It resonated from the back-left area.
“Hey, I don’t have time for this… you either want the money or not.” He tried to sound tough but his nerves were frayed. It wasn’t something he was used to feeling. In fact, Roger couldn’t remember the last time he felt scared, frustrated, angry or anxious.
The damp cement tunnel seemed to pull him closer to the heart of it—into the bowels of no return. Instead of turning around and leaving, Roger slowly moved deeper into the cavern. It was as if someone or something else had control over his body. His insatiable curiosity had put him in troubling situations throughout his life. It contributed to him getting into deep trouble with a growing rap sheet to prove it.
Most memories had a calming effect on Roger, which had initiated his fidgeting to cease and his hesitation to subside. He didn’t understand many people’s fears and phobias, most things were just benign and didn’t amount to anything remotely scary or debilitating.
There it was again—a dragging sound followed by what he thought were hushed whispers.
Kids.
He would smack a kid if they jumped out at him or gave him any crap. Most likely, they were tagging gang symbols and looking to get into trouble.
There was the distinct sound of two people whispering to each other.
Roger tried to sharpen his vision but the darkness played tricks on him with weird shadow figure apparitions. He blinked his eyes quickly trying to concentrate on the area and where the kids were hiding; his eyes began to water from the extreme effort. Wiping away the aggravated tears, Roger felt his surroundings close in tightly around him as his perception changed. The darkness seemed to give a strange rippled effect.
The voices became louder. There was nothing sinister about the voices, but they were speaking faster with more of an urgent tone.
“Hey, you little maggots, I know you’re here,” stated Roger.
He stopped and stood still.                                                         
The darkness still loomed around him, but there was a quietness that overcame him.
A brief hundredth of a second, a peculiar whizzing noise filled Roger’s ears and then a brutal blow struck his head and knocked him off his feet. With a ringing in his head and a groggy consciousness, he tried to sit up but more savage blows pummeled his body. It sounded as if a tree splintered just before it fell in the forest. His breath caught in his lungs. Everything went dark.
The anonymous whispers stopped.
All buzzing in his ears stopped.
Roger Case’s heart stopped too.


Jennifer Chase is a multi award-winning and best-selling crime fiction author, as well as a consulting criminologist. Jennifer holds a bachelor degree in police forensics and a master’s degree in criminology & criminal justice. These academic pursuits developed out of her curiosity about the criminal mind as well as from her own experience with a violent sociopath, providing Jennifer with deep personal investment in every story she tells. In addition, she holds certifications in serial crime and criminal profiling.  She is an affiliate member of the International Association of Forensic Criminologists, and member of the International Thriller Writers.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

Other Books in the Series

Body of the Crime


 





Jennifer Chase is a multi award-winning and best-selling crime fiction author, as well as a consulting criminologist. Jennifer holds a bachelor degree in police forensics and a master’s degree in criminology & criminal justice. These academic pursuits developed out of her curiosity about the criminal mind as well as from her own experience with a violent sociopath, providing Jennifer with deep personal investment in every story she tells. In addition, she holds certifications in serial crime and criminal profiling.  She is an affiliate member of the International Association of Forensic Criminologists, and member of the International Thriller Writers.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:

WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK