Harbinger of Evil by Meb Bryant

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Author's websites:
www.mebbryant.com


In 1963, New Orleans’ French Quarter is rocked by the gruesome murder of a wealthy businessman, and Detective Richard Mobey finds himself intertwined in the lives of a family about to unravel from generational secrets. The widowed detective faces the choice of following his instincts or his heart as he investigates Hattie Lee, the primary suspect found lying next to the corpse. The protection of Alaskan oil, shady politics and CIA operatives converge to muddy the investigation, leading him down a treacherous path. As Mobey struggles to rebuild his personal life, he unwittingly becomes an integral part of the most infamous assassination of all time. The ultimate whodunit. Don’t miss the final erotic twist as the killer strives to explain not only the necessity, but the ultimate justice for committing murder.

Bio:

Being a voracious reader and coupled with a compulsion to write, Meb Bryant felt challenged to write a provoking mystery where the reader becomes involved in a game of whodunit. Born in Houston, Texas, Meb attended fifteen schools throughout the United States by the age of ten. Her nomadic childhood was especially enriched with experiences and memories living in the Louisiana region.

In addition to being a longtime business owner with her husband, she enjoys tennis, fishing and cruising . The couple reside in Texas with a Yorkshire terrier; a white, house rabbit; and unruly chickens, including Teensy, the novel's delinquent rooster.

Excerpt

Fresh blood dripped from her wounded lips as he handed her a single tissue. Although sympathetic, he couldn't let her run the interview. The city bureaucrats would guarantee the case became a top priority. High-profile cases brought out power-hungry politicians hoping for the chance of a photo op.

A man had probably been murdered, but not simply any man. This man happened to be rich and politically connected. Allowing his death to go unnoticed would not be seemly. Hattie Lee had inadvertently made the poor choice of being discovered beside his cold dead body.

Interview with Meb Bryant

What will readers like about your book?

The story is a complex weave of different characters brought together by the investigation of a prominent New Orleans' murder victim. The characters are fleshed out, multi-dimensional people who most of us have met somewhere in our lifetime.

Why did you self publish?

While making a concerted effort to be traditionally published, I came to the realization the opportunities I sought were no longer available to me. However, e-books opened a world of avenues allowing me the opportunity to connect with readers. I am extremely thankful for the new business model in publishing.

What is your writing process?

I mentally outline a loose version of my story, then make a physical outline with colored PostIt notes. I'm grateful to Cherry Adair, NYT best-selling author, for this instruction. I write in the late afternoon (after my regular job) until the wee hours of the morning. I set a goal of a predetermined amount of words per week. Different weeks have different goals. Living a personal life is my main priority. That life feeds my muse.

How long does it take you to write your first draft?

I spent thirteen months writing the first draft of Harbinger of Evil. Learning computer skills to write in a correct format was a steep learning curve. I worked on the manuscript for another three months before beginning the daunting query process for nine months. Coincidentally, the same amount of time it took me to give birth to human babies, who are now adults. After my indie lightbulb came on, I reformatted the manuscript and uploaded to Amazon, B&N, Smashwords and CreateSpace within three months.

What inspired you to write this particular story?

I love the ambiance of the French Quarter, the street sounds, smells of the Mississippi, and of course, the fabulous food. Since my father was born in Louisiana, my DNA roots yearn for home. I vividly remember the racial turbulence of the 60s and where I was the day John F. Kennedy was assassinated. As I researched the novel, I discovered many interesting facts I wanted to share with the reader. Also, I wanted to create a game of whodunit to stimulate the reader. Hopefully, the reader will come away with an enjoyable, unpredictable read and food for thought. I loved writing the novel and hope readers enjoy the ride.Thank you for the opportunity to be on Indie eBooks.



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A Rose Before Dying (A Second Sons Mystery) by Amy Corwin

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Authors Website: 

http://www.amycorwin.com

Only Sir Edward had the motive, the opportunity, and a garden full of the identical roses sent to each victim before their death.

The first victim was Sir Edward's ex-mistress, a woman who threw him over for a younger man. After receiving a mysterious rose, she dies while alone with Sir Edward. Then a second rose is delivered and a deadly game commences, where roses are the only clues to save the next victim.

However, Charles Vance, Earl of Castlemoor, refuses to believe his uncle, Sir Edward, could commit the murders, even when the renowned head of the Second Sons Inquiry Agency warns him there may be some truth behind the rumors. "The roses are Sir Edward's attempt to cast suspicion elsewhere." "Misdirection." Or so the whispers say.

Convinced he can prove his uncle's innocence, Vance enlists the aide of notable rosarian, Ariadne Wellfleet, little realizing his actions will involve the Wellfleet household in the killer's game.

Before the week is out, another rose is delivered.

And someone else is missing.

A Rose Before Dying is a witty, fast-paced historical whodunit in the tradition of Bruce Alexander's Blind Justice and Victoria Holt's The Mistress of Mellyn. This addition to the Second Sons mystery series includes
an unwilling detective who refuses to let his earldom stand in the way of catching an elusive killer. It will keep you guessing until the unexpected end.

Bio:
Amy Corwin is a charter member of the Romance Writers of America and recently joined Mystery Writers of America. She has been writing for the last ten years and managing a career as an enterprise systems administrator in the computer industry. She writes Regencies/historicals, mysteries, and
contemporary paranormals. To be truthful, most of her books include a bit of murder and mayhem since she discovered that killing off at least one character is a highly effective way to make the remaining ones toe the plot line.
Amy's books include three Regency romantic mysteries, I BID ONE AMERICAN, THE BRICKLAYER'S HELPER, and THE NECKLACE; the historical mysteries, THE VITAL PRINCIPLE and A ROSE BEFORE DYING; and her first paranormal, VAMPIRE PROTECTOR.

Join her and discover that every good mystery has a touch of romance.

Excerpt 

Miss Wellfleet's fingers pushed the petals into a line on the table and hovered over them. Thirteen petals, thin and wilting, spread in a tattered line. The slender spray was dying. The small, tight buds had already
blackened and hung limply. His chest tightened with frustration. Then with a theatrical gesture that suggested more defiance than scientific inquiry, she ripped apart the remaining flowers. She arranged the petals in three parallel lines, one for each flower. The roses didn't all have the same number of petals. The first had thirteen petals. The next had eleven. The final rose had seventeen.  After examining what remained of the stalk, the yellow stamens, and leaves, she looked at him. Although she didn't precisely shrug, there was a quality in her
expression that spoke of disdain when she said, "Rosa Collina fastigiata." 

"That's it?" His tired disappointment reminded him of the lateness of the hour. Useless. He needn't have come here at all. Lee had it right thefirst time.

"Well, yes. What were you expecting?"

"Something.more. A name."

"That is a name." Irritation sharpened her voice. "Or Flat-Flowered

Hill Rose, if you prefer an English one."

"You're sure?"'

Her eyes hardened. "As sure as I can be from this small spray."

A life could be saved if he interpreted Rosa Collina fastigiata properly.

How many people named Collins lived in London? Unless the clue rested with the English name, Flat-Flowered Hill Rose. Did this blossom point to a location instead of a person?

Time was slipping away.

Interview with Amy Corwin

What will readers like about your book?
Readers who remember the classic mysteries from authors like Mary Stewart or historical mysteries from Victoria Holt and missed them, will enjoy the Second Sons line of mysteries. They combine the intrigue of a mystery with a fascinating glimpse into our past. Rest assured, each mystery stands alone and it is unnecessary to read them in any particular order. For those who like a touch of romance with their mystery, the Second Sons mysteries dovetail with the Archer family series. There is crossover between the characters and a wider view of Society during the first half of the 19th century, although again, each book stands alone.

Why did you self-publish?
I've worked with agents and have some books that are traditionally published, but since it takes me about 2 years to produce a book, it might be up to six years before that book hit the shelf. In addition, it was
difficult to find an audience. By moving into self-publishing, I could cut down on the time from the completion of a book until it "hit the shelf" and I had more control over key elements like the covers and classification.
This has proved to be a successful strategy for me as not only have my indie books done well, but they've expanded the audience for my traditional books, as well.

What is your writing process?
Once I get a story idea, I do some basic research to frame it and create a bare-bones outline. The "outline" is really just a blank file with chapter headings. Under each chapter heading are about three things that I feel I
must accomplish that chapter, written as bulleted items. It can be a clue that must be found or a conflict that must arise or be resolved. After that, I start writing. The outline often has to change as the story develops so
I'll move around the bulleted items or revise them as I go. Since I work a day job, I write in the evenings after dinner, and on weekends. I try to write about 5 pages a day.

Once the first draft is done, I put it away and work on another book. I won't touch the first one for at least 3 months since I need to "forget it" to come into the editing stage with fresh eyes. When I pick it up again, I'll go through it once for structure, once for characterization/descriptions, and then at least one more time for
nit-picking. I also send chapters to other writers and critique groups to get their input during the editing stage.

It generally takes about two years from start to finish.

How long does it take you to write your first draft?
It take me approximately six months to write the first draft of a novel.

What inspired you to write this particular story?
I've been growing Old Garden Roses for close to fifteen years now and at meetings of our rose society, we often get asked to identify older roses that folks have found abandoned by old home sites. It's more of a challenge than folks realize as there are literally thousands of roses and each rose can have many, many names. One day when I was looking at several specimens of medium pink roses a story idea came to me. If a murderer sent a rose that indicated the next victim, could a detective really identify it in time to save the victim? That idea inspired "A Rose Before Dying" where the amateur detective faces that very challenge.

The Kult by Shaun Jeffrey

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$2.99
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Authors Website: 

http://www.shaunjeffrey.com/

People are predictable. That’s what makes them easy to kill.

Detective Chief Inspector Prosper Snow is in charge of an investigation into a serial killer called The Oracle who turns his victims into macabre works of art. But Prosper harbours a dark secret of his own. He and his old school friends were members of a group called The Kult who made a pact to dish out their own form of vengeance on bullies. Now a member of the group puts their friendship to the test when he makes a far darker request: that they murder someone that raped his wife.

To get away with murder, the friends decide to blame it on The Oracle, but events take a chilling turn when the instigator turns up dead, his body fashioned into a disturbing work of art. Now, one by one, the members of The Kult are being hunted down.

Just when Prosper thinks things can’t get any worse, his wife is kidnapped and he knows that if he goes to his colleagues for help, he risks his dark deeds being unearthed. If he doesn't, he risks losing all that he holds dear.

Bio:

Shaun Jeffrey was brought up in a house in a cemetery, so it was only natural for his prose to stray towards the dark side when he started writing. He has had three novels published, 'The Kult', 'Deadfall' and 'Evilution', and one collection of short stories, 'Voyeurs of Death'. Among his other writing credits are short stories published in Cemetery Dance, Surreal Magazine, Dark Discoveries and Shadowed Realms. The Kult was optioned for film by Gharial Productions and filming has now finished.

Excerpt 

People are predictable. That’s what makes them easy to kill.

At least that’s what the Oracle hoped. He had studied and plotted Jane Numan’s routine over the weeks. Watched without her seeing, making note of every nuance, every step of her schedule until he had a complete diary of her movements, probably knowing more about her than she did about herself.

He crouched in the recessed doorway of the kebab shop opposite where she lived and gripped the handle of the knife in the sheath inside his jacket. His weapon of choice, he hoped the mere sight of the blade would instil terror in his prey, making it more personal, and putting him close enough that he could smell his quarry and see the fear in her eyes.

He looked at his watch; 6:29 a.m. and counting.

Any second now…

Like clockwork, the front door of what to anyone else would be a nondescript house opened and Jane walked out. The Oracle sank back into the shadows as he stared at the facial disfigurement that made it appear half her face was melting. Although only 23 years of age, she probably hadn’t had the easiest of lives, which made her all the more desirable as a victim as the more public sympathy his kill received, the more publicity he would generate, and as people were fond of saying, there’s no such thing as bad publicity, especially not for what he had planned.

The Oracle watched her check that the door was locked, pushing once, twice, then a third time, as she always did when she left the house. His pulse increased, a volcano waiting to erupt within his chest. He rubbed the sweat coated fingers of his free hand down his trousers. Everything was going according to schedule.

He knew that if he had broken into her flat to stage the attack, there was the potential to leave too much evidence that might be used to track him down, and he couldn’t have that. His motto was ‘leave no trace,’ which is why he planned to snatch her off the street.

Like many neighbourhoods clinging to the hub of British cities, the area Jane lived in was rundown, with discarded trash bags spewing their contents across the pavement – fodder for the rats and feral cats that prowled the streets once the sun went down. McDonald’s packaging and the remains of half eaten kebabs discarded by late night drunks littered the gutters, and the tang of rotten produce and sour piss permeated the air. Dirt and grime coated the walls of the buildings, many of which were boarded up and covered with graffiti, the culprits marking their territory like dogs.

Interview with Shaun Jeffrey

What will readers like about your book?
The book is a mix of horror, crime, mystery and thriller, so if anyone likes one of those genres, they should find something about it that they like. It’s also fast moving, which will keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

Why did you self publish?
The book was previously published, but the publisher went bankrupt. As the book was optioned for film (shooting has finished, and the trailer is online here) I wanted to get it back out there for people to be able to buy, so I self published it.

What is your writing process?
My writing process is very erratic. I write when I get the time and the inclination. I guess it’s just lucky that it’s not my fulltime job! For a novel, I write a very basic outline, but I only use it as a guideline as I like to be surprised by where the story leads, and if I’d plotted it all out, it would spoil the journey.

How long does it take you to write your first draft?
It usually takes me about six months to write an initial draft. It then takes me another six months or so to make it better.

What inspired you to write this particular story?
I wrote something that I would like to read myself. I wouldn’t like to spend ages writing about something that didn’t appeal to me personally.

  

Win or Go Home (Dr. Rick Parker, Bounty hunter) by Daniel Clarke Smith

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$3.99 

Available from: 

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Amazon UK

Amazon DE

Author's websites: 

danielclarkesmith.blogspot.com
on Twitter: danclarkesmith
Check out my Smashwords Author page

Dr. Rick Parker became a bounty hunter when his personal and professional lives imploded and now it seems that his new position is in jeopardy. He has one chance to redeem himself: find Michael Norton, a bail fugitive who stole the plans for a revolutionary new pharmaceutical. Besides the money there is the allure of Norton’s attractive wife Samantha, who seems to have her eyes on Parker, regardless of whether he finds her husband. In order to claim the prize, Parker has to negotiate a passage teeming with obstacles: a hard boiled ex-cop, an influenza outbreak and the mysterious mind of Norton’s autistic savant daughter. Beset by betrayal and double crosses, he needs to search within himself for the resources to prevail.

Bio: I wanted to write since childhood, but there were some obstacles: career, family, other hobbies. As I approached the end of my fifth decade I managed to make space for a writing career while continuing to work full time as a physician. I’ve been blessed with a supportive family and a work ethic that doesn’t let me give up on anything I start. I live in Minnesota, which is a nice place in spite of the harsh climate.

Excerpt:

Angel wanted him to have two guns. Redundancy. Backup. He picked the smaller of the two, a five shot, hammerless Smith & Wesson .38 that weighed only 15 ounces. The quintessential snub-nosed private eye weapon. Only he wasn’t a private eye. He had no idea what he was doing. The sun had dropped below the mountains on the other side ofPuget Sound and in the twilight he felt less secure than ever. He walked up a slight grade, checking the buildings for the pair matching Samantha’s description. Two large apartment buildings almost, but not quite, opposite. Both had parking lots behind gates underneath the superstructure, which fit. The one the right. Avalon. A name associated with the legend of King Arthur, not a seedy romance.

He checked for names on the mailboxes. Miles wasn’t listed. There was only one name: “Curtis-Caretaker” next to Apartment 3. He pushed on the bell and waited. In a minute, the speaker gave a squawk and a rough voice barked, “Who is it?”

“My name is Parker. I work for Rainier Bail Recovery. I’m looking for someone who used to live here. Jonathan Miles.”

“Bounty hunter, huh?” Static crackled and the next few words were garbled. “…people here all the time. I have no idea what he’s done, but he ain’t here.”

“Not good enough.” Parker got out the warrant for Norton’s arrest. He tried a bluff. “I don’t need your permission if I have reasonable cause to believe he’s on the premises. I just wanted to save you the trouble of having to fix this door after I kick it in.”

“The cops know you’re here?” said the voice.

“They not only know I’m here, there’s a squad car parked in the street,” said Parker.

The lock buzzed in answer and Parker entered. The interior had poor lighting so he proceeded slowly. The odor of rancid garbage permeated the air and worsened as he advanced. Parker imagined Samantha crossing her personal Rubicon to infidelity. Did the funky smell add to the burden of guilt or make it all the more of a temptation?

Up ahead, the caretaker waited in the doorway of his apartment, holding a can of soda and smoking. “Help ya with something?” He was reed thin with a shaved head and so many tattoos on his arms he looked like a smurf. “You don’t look like no bounty hunter.” Parker had stuck the .38 in his waistband. He unbuttoned his jacket and made sure it opened far enough to show the pistol grip. The caretaker stood still. “Appearances are deceiving,” said Parker. “They call you the caretaker? What for? This place smells like a rat’s ass.”

Interview with Daniel Clarke Smith

What will readers like about your book? 

I think they will appreciate Parker’s struggles as he tries to solve a mystery with inadequate information and skills he must learn as he works. Everybody has been presented with a challenge that seems insurmountable. Character comes from daring to achieve in spite of the obstacles.

Why did you self-publish? 

Like a lot of other writers, I realized that landing a traditional contract in the current economic climate takes an inordinate amount of luck and is painfully slow. I’d rather have control over my destiny, even if I lack the legacy publishers’ seal of approval. I want readers to judge my creation, not a small group of people in Manhattan.

What is your writing process? 

I’m more of a seat of the pants type than a plotter. I have a general idea about the plot direction but it’s the characters who direct the flow of the story. From time to time I have to re-write segments but I accept that as a necessary evil. Overall, my writing benefits.

How long does it take you to write a first draft? 

I can get it done in around two months if I put my mind to it. I’ve never had to deal with writer’s block. Something always pops into my mind and I put it into words as soon as possible.

What inspired you to write this particular story? 

Bounty hunting is a uniquely American profession. They are independent contractors who work on the side of the law, doing what the police can’t always accomplish. I wanted to create a bounty hunter from the most unlikely source material: a medical professional. What is similar between bail recovery and medical diagnostic work is problem solving and a single minded determination to get there first.

Dead Game (Emily Stone Series #2) by Jennifer Chase

Kindle Price:
$0.99
Available from:
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Amazon US Paperback
Author's websites:
authorjenniferchase.com

2010 Thriller Bronze Award Winner from Reader’s Favorite!

Dead Game is a deftly crafted piece of writing. All I can say is that Jennifer Chase has an evil mind!” - Simon Barrett, Blogger News Network

“The tension, twists and turns in Dead Game are perfect! This thriller was truly a read through in one sitting” - G.A. Bixler, IP Book Reviewer

In her independent efforts to catch child killers, Emily Stone discovers the evidence that the cops can’t—or won’t—uncover. Now, this covert investigator is back on the hunt for the world’s most sick and twisted murderers. But even with help from ex-police detective Rick Lopez, this time she’s facing her most dangerous opponent yet.

The headlines in the San Jose Mercury News blare updates on a serial killer who seems able to slaughter with impunity. Men, women—it doesn’t matter; the victims serve only to satisfy a perverted need to kill. The killer watches the moment of death on multiple computer screens, over and over again. The only connection is that they’re all devotees of the latest video-game craze—a sophisticated brain-puzzler called EagleEye.

When the killer goes after Lopez’s law-enforcement mentor, Lopez and Stone decide to give the cops a little extra, unsolicited help. What follows takes them deep inside a shocking high-tech world, a kind of social-networking community for serial killers. But when they start getting too close to the truth, all hell’s going to break loose.

Now, Stone and Lopez become the killer’s next target as Stone must make a difficult decision to leave the ones she loves in an all-or-nothing effort for survival. Can they stay alive long enough to blow the whistle on this unlikely perpetrator?

Excerpt

Emily noticed Jordan hobbled as he took each odd stair. Even though he had one shoe, she knew that he was in pain, but he forged ahead without any complaints. The fourth floor stopped and they had to open the door to the hallway.

Jordan was the first to pass over the threshold and moved down the hall to find the closest exit. It was déjà vu all over again. The assassin couple barely rounded the corner of the hallway.

“How did they find us so quickly?” Jordan complained.

Emily looked up along the hallway. “The cameras. Someone must be watching us and calling the shots.”

Jordan grabbed Emily’s arm and steered her into a large conference room just as the glass exploded next to their heads. Emily took cover and steadied herself once again to fire back; she managed to squeeze off three rounds. They inched their way toward the large conference table and then behind a solid credenza to help protect them from any stray bullets.

Emily reported to Jordan. “I don’t have enough ammo to keep them off of us for very long.”

Jordan shimmied toward the window and looked out. He quickly ducked back down next to Emily as she fired another shot. A spray of bullets then pummeled back at them. Glass frames of inspirational quotes from artwork flew off the walls, pieces of furniture cracked and chipped leaving fragments flying into the air, and finally the large window that Jordan peeked out from shattered into a million pieces. It was deafening.

Emily yelled, “Jordan, any ideas?” She knew that it was probably over for her. A flood of images filtered through her mind of her life with Rick, and everything that led up to this standoff.

Jordan had a thought, his face lit up. “I have an idea.”

Emily fired another round. “Now would be a great time to tell me.”

Jordan pointed to the window. “There.”

Emily didn’t understand. She eased her way to the window and looked out. The wind blew through the room. She realized what Jordan thought they should do. “No way.”

“Why not? You afraid?”

“You’re nuts, you know that?”

“Yeah, but I do have a plan.” He forced his usual smile.

There was the elaborate water sculpture just outside the window that was four stories high and it was positioned perfectly to lead them out. The sculpture looked exactly like an amusement park water slide from their angle. It was possible that they could ride it down four stories.

About Jennifer Chase

Jennifer Chase holds a bachelor degree in police forensics and a master's degree in criminology. In addition, she holds certifications in serial crime and criminal profiling. She is also an affiliate member of the International Association of Criminologists. She has authored three thriller novels (Compulsion, Dead Game, Silent Partner) and a screenwriting workbook (How to Write a Screenplay).

Interview with Jennifer Chase

What will readers like about your book?

I’ve always enjoyed reading the thriller genre, so when I decided to write my own novels I couldn’t think of a better type of story to write. I hope that readers who enjoy thriller and suspense novels will enjoy Dead Game. I’ve incorporated computer technology that we all use every day into a cat and mouse game with a serial killer. I strived to create a book that will keep readers on their toes, move at a fast pace, and of course has a few surprises along with way.

Why did you self publish?

I’m a type of person who thinks about things for a while, weighing my options, before I make a commitment. I decided to self publish because I created a crime fiction series and I wanted it to be available right away. I knew that promoting and marketing would be a challenge. By self-publishing, I’ve learned so much about the publishing world. I’m not saying that I would never go the traditional publishing route, but self-publishing seemed like the right option for me at this point.

What is your writing process?

I outline my book projects. I try to write 10 double spaced pages every day during the week. I spend a fair amount of time working on characters, plot and pacing, and research. I find that it helps me to see the entire story in a quick snapshot or roadmap that I can make changes if necessary. My completed outline resembles a choppy first draft. The wonderful aspect of outlining is that you don’t always have to stick to it perfectly, you can deviate or go down that winding dirt road to see where it brings you.

How long does it take you to write your first draft?

Generally, it takes about two months to complete a first draft. It also depends upon how much research, other work related duties, and what’s going on in my private life. I budget and plan my book projects ahead of time. I tend to keep a time buffer just in case something comes up in the mean time.

What inspired you to write this particular story?

Crime fiction, thrillers, and mysteries have been my favorite types of books since I was a young girl. I began developing my heroine character after I had a personal experience with a person who stalked and harassed me with death threats for more than two years. Everything turned out fine. It made me more aware of crime and I became interested in forensics and criminology. I went back to school to achieve my masters in criminology and then created my crime fiction series. Good things really do come out of bad situations.

 

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Toward Night's End by M.H. Sargent

Kindle Price:
$3.99
Available from: 

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This WWII novel of Japanese-American honor and patriotism begins on March 30, 1942 when more than 250 Japanese-Americans living on Bainbridge Island, in Puget Sound, Washington, are being evacuated. The process goes quite smoothly until the Army discovers that a 21-year old Japanese-American fisherman, Matthew Kobata, is missing. During their search for Matthew, two Caucasian men are found murdered on the island.

Seattle detective Elroy Johnstone has come to the island to investigate the murders, and evidence is leading him to suspect Matthew may be involved. But he is one step behind as Matthew escapes on his fishing boat. With Matthew now emerging as the prime suspect in the murders, the detective’s investigation then takes him to Seattle where another murder has occurred. This time a Japanese-American.

Complicating matters, the coroner finds that both the Japanese-American and one of the Caucasian men have identical tattoos, both on the left ankle. But what do these tattoos mean? And who has killed these three men? Matthew? And if so, why? And most important, where is Matthew?

Johnstone’s investigation will take him from Seattle’s Naval Air Station to the Manzanar Relocation Center in Owens Valley, California, and back to Bainbridge Island. And, although he doesn’t know it, the clock is ticking and a countdown is in place for an event that could result in the unthinkable taking place Toward Night’s End.

Excerpt 

Busy now chopping onions that would go into a meager stew for that evening’s meal, Kumiko literally jumped when another woman, came running through the mess hall’s back door, full of excitement. 

“Rice! Rice! We have rice!”

Kumiko couldn’t believe it and like the others, she quickly went outside. An Army Jeep was parked at the back door. Sacks and sacks of rice were being unloaded by two privates.
There was much discussion among them as to how much rice they should prepare, but it was finally decided, they would make as much rice as they could with the pots and pans they had available and serve it with the staple luncheon meat of the day – hotdogs. And that evening, there would be rice to go with the stew. Not potatoes.

And for the first time in what felt like forever, the entire Japanese-American mess hall staff praised Kumiko for getting the rice. She glowed at the warm reception, so at odds with the usual chill she received each and every day.

When the detainees filed in to lunch that afternoon, they were thrilled beyond belief to finally taste white rice again, and word quickly spread that it was due to Kumiko’s lobbying efforts. However, her enjoyment of the people’s goodwill was extremely short lived as it simply embittered others who insisted that she had only been able to get the rice because she was working in cahoots with the Army. So in one afternoon, she went from being praised for obtaining the rice, to being scorned – for obtaining the rice.
And so it went.

About M.H. Sargent

I have written for newspapers, magazines and even written some screenplays. Writing novels is my love, though. I now have 5 published titles: Seven Days From Sunday, The Shot To Die For, Operation Spider Web, The Yemen Connection and Toward Night’s End.

Interview with M.H. Sargent

N.L. Earnshaw: What will readers like about your book? 

M.H. Sargent: Anyone that likes a good mystery, will enjoy this book. I also think it gives a fair glimpse into what life was like for the thousands of Japanese-Americans put in camps during WWII.


N.L. Earnshaw: Why did you self publish? 

M.H. Sargent: I tried the traditional publishing route for years, had an agent for a while, but my stories were too controversial – my books dealing with present day Iraq, or this book which takes a slightly different view of the Japanese-American situation during WWII, opening the door to the idea that maybe not all the Japanese-Americans were pro-U.S.

N.L. Earnshaw: What is your writing process? 

M.H. Sargent: I usually write about 5 hours a day, starting early in the morning.

N.L. Earnshaw: How long does it take you to write your first draft? 

M.H. Sargent: Six to eight months.

N.L. Earnshaw: What inspired you to write this particular story? 

M.H. Sargent: My grandfather had a dairy farm in Norwalk, California for many years. He was an attorney and like many farmers in that region, he had Japanese tenant farmers handle the day-to-day operations of the farm. When the war started and the Japanese-Americans were put in camps, it was left to the land owners, their kids, etc., to help keep the farms going. A neighbor’s teenager, then doing the chores the Japanese-Americans usually did, uncovered an anti-aircraft gun hidden under a huge haystack in the barn. The Army was called and they picked up the massive weapon.

When I first heard this story, my imagination went into overdrive. How did they even get an anti-aircraft gun? When was it going to be used? Was there some sort of plan? A date of an attack and they were going to use it against our own planes? Of course, hearing the story also went against everything I had believed – that the Japanese-Americans should not have been sent to camps, they were pro-America, etc. But then I realized that you can’t put tens of thousands of people all in one category. What happened on that farm in Norwalk, California, did in fact happen. Of course, if the same event took place today, the teenager that found the anti-aircraft gun would put it on his Facebook page, send out text photos and messages to all his friends, etc. But in those days, it was kept very quiet. And for whatever reason, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. So, I ended up basing a fictional story on it.

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The Missionary By Eric Mayes

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After several tours in Vietnam, Lieutenant Jason Harper returns to San Francisco to face the hardest case of his career-chasing the infamous, “Hatchet Killer”. It is not a day that goes by that Detective Harper does not feel guilty about the untimely death of his wife. As he fills the position of his successor Chris Holmes, Jason Harper struggles to clean up the police department’s internal issues. Harper discovers that the blood trail runs much deeper then he thought. An old buddy, (David Heart also known as Tank) from the Marine Corps appears on the scene, just as the Hatchet Killer starts his clever killing spree. At the same time, he struggles to train a hot headed know it all rookie by the name of Dan Burger. There’s one question that still remains, can Detective Jason Harper catch his killer before he enjoys the sweet life of retirement.

G'Day L.A. by Tony McFadden

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$2.99
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Aussie Ellie Bourke came to LA a year ago to advance her acting career. She had no idea she’d have to solve a murder to find that success. When Ellie finds her room mate dead of an apparent suicide she’s ready to pack it in and head back to Australia. Until she hears something that leads her to believe he was killed. Can Ellie convince the police that her best friend’s death wasn’t suicide? Or accidental? Can she stay alive herself, now that the killer knows what Ellie knows? And can she find a career in a city that cares more for what’s on the outside than on the inside?

Noble by David K. Hulegaard

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www.davidhulegaard.com 

In the fall of 1947, Jane Emmett went missing from the small Northeastern town of Ashley Falls. Jane was a rebellious youth who was no stranger to trouble, and her diminished presence around town was not considered by the locals to be anything more than a punishment. When disturbing entries from a hidden journal are discovered by Jane’s best friend, reluctant private investigator Miller Brinkman can no longer ignore the situation and enters the fray, officially declaring Jane Emmett a missing person.

However, what starts out as a missing persons case soon evolves into a sinister puzzle that reaches far beyond the town limits of Ashley Falls. Miller’s investigation will take him down a path of unexpected twists and turns as he attempts to find Jane Emmett and bring her back home. Standing in his way are corruption, a government cover-up, and a global conspiracy that will shake the very fabric of life as he knows it.

How far will Miller go to uncover the truth behind the abduction of Jane Emmett… and will he be prepared for the answers that he seeks?

Offerings by Stewart Felkel

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Retired, and recently widowed, FBI agent Tommy McCain moves to a small town in Louisiana in search of a missing friend. What he finds is a community of characters who are sometimes quirky and sometimes sinister. Every small town has its secrets, but this town harbors a much darker secret that confounds Tommy and might have already consumed his friend.

Offerings is a 12,000 word mystery novella with a supernatural twist. It's in turns suspenseful and poignant. Fans of both Twin Peaks and H.P. Lovecraft will enjoy this story.

the DOME by Nova Sparks

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What if you knew the exact date and time the world will end, what would you do? 

Sam Tucker was faced with that dilema when he began getting visions of the Earth's demise. Luckily for him, he was able to save his family and as many people as he could before the tragic event occured, and he did so with the help of unknown visitors. With Earth now destroyed, Sam, his family and thousands of other lucky survivors must live the rest of their lives on a faraway planet in a Dome that simulates life on Earth. But Sam's mind can't seem to rest as a few questions arise. Why did the aliens save them? How did they know about Earth's sure fate? And exactly what are they hiding?

Emma Tucker begged for an escape from her boring life but never in a million years did she think it would come at the destruction of Earth. Living on a new planet and finding it difficult to get rid of her rebel habits, Emma finds herself making friends with a member of the alien race and it soon develops into an unexplainable love; a love that is more dangerous than she could ever imagine. While her father is searching for his own truths, she has no idea that she is stumbling on a truth of her own.

FOR EVERY ACTION There Are Consequences by GAIL M BAUGNIET

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Pepper Bibeau's insurance investigations for a Wisconsin-based company sometimes involve a murder, but she never thought she would cause one.
Days before the 1968 Democratic Convention, Pepper arrives in Chicago to settle questionable medical claims from an elusive doctor. Her assignment also includes a background check on a life insurance beneficiary who admits to stabbing his wife.
When a close friend is killed, and Pepper is hospitalized after an unprovoked attack, a homicide detective decides someone wants to put a stop to her investigations. For her safety, he suggests she return to Wisconsin, but Pepper is determined to learn why her insurance investigation has stirred up a tragic chain of events. What she discovers are the devastating consequences of one person's greed that she must expose before someone stops her, permanently.

Shadows of Destiny by Gale Minchew

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On the banks of a sleepy bayou, a lost soul is nestled in the piney woods of East Texas, waiting and watching in the darkness of the shadows. He is feverishly seeking the past but is inevitably snared in the present and will stop at nothing to find his destiny.

Alarmed by this lost soul that stalks her while she sleeps, Analise Michaels struggles to find meaning within her dreams. Instead, she finds danger down the street, across the ocean, and through the realms of time without ever leaving town.

Analise is not like other teenagers. She can see and hear what others refuse to acknowledge.

Convergence (The Ordinals) by Joseph Gellene

Murder mystery with a time travel element.
John Smith greatly enjoys his unusual life. He's wealthy, long-lived, and very well traveled. He jumps to the 21st century expecting to be reunited with his daughter but finds she has been brutally murdered. Under normal circumstances it was a simple matter to undo an untimely death but, in this case, the killer remembers multiple fact patterns and easily thwarts John's attempts. To save his daughter, John must overcome shifting fact patterns, a determined detective, and three versions of the killer. His research shows that he fails, but facts can be fluid.

LIQUID FEAR by Scott Nicholson

When Roland Doyle wakes up with a dead woman in his motel room, the only clue is a mysterious vial of pills bearing the label “Take one every 4 hrs or else.”

Ten years before, six people were involved in a secret pharmaceutical trial that left one of them murdered and five unable to remember what happened. Now the experiment is continuing, as Dr. Sebastian Briggs wants to finish his research into fear response and post-traumatic stress disorder. He’s backed by a major drug company and an ambitious U.S. Senator, but he also has a personal stake in the outcome.

Only by taking the mysterious pills can the survivors stave off the creeping phobias and madness that threaten to consume them. But the pills have an unexpected side effect—the survivors start remembering the terrible acts they perpetrated a decade ago. They are lured back to the Monkey House, the remote facility where the original trials took place, and Briggs has made special preparations for their arrival.

Synopsis:

Film lover Barbara Marr is a typical suburban mom living the typical suburban life in her sleepy little town of Rustic Woods, Virginia. Typical, that is until she sets out to find the missing link between a bizarre monkey sighting in her yard and the bone chilling middle-of-the-night fright fest at the strangely vacant house next door. When Barb talks her two friends into some seemingly innocent Charlie’s Angels-like sleuthing, they stumble upon way more than they bargained for and uncover a piece of neighborhood history that certain people would kill to keep on the cutting room floor.

Enter sexy PI Colt Baron,
Barb’s ex-boyfriend who would love to be cast as new leading man, filling the role just vacated by her recently estranged husband, Howard. When Colt flies in from out of town to help Barb, events careen out of control and suddenly this mini-van driving mother of three becomes a major player in a treacherous and potentially deadly FBI undercover operation. It’s up to her now. With little time to spare, she and she alone, must summon the inner strength necessary to become a true action heroine and save the lives of those she loves. The question is can she get them out alive before the credits roll?

Synopsis:
Armed with cool sarcasm and uncontrollable hair, feisty insurance investigator Amber Fox is back in a new mystery combining murder and mayhem with romance and chicklit…

Three deaths.
A safety deposit box robbery.
The boxing heavyweight champion of the world.

Somehow, they’re all related, and Amber has to solve a four year old crime to find out why.

As she stumbles across a trail of dead bodies and a web of lies spanning both sides of the social divide, it’s starting to get personal. Someone thinks Amber’s poking her nose in where it’s not wanted, sparking off a game of fox and mouse – only this time, Amber’s the mouse.

Amber’s forced to take refuge in the home of her ex-fiancé, Brad Beckett, and now it’s not just the case that’s hotting up. So is the bedroom…

All Levi Carter wanted to be was the boxing heavyweight champion of the world, but at what cost?

All Carl Thomas wanted was to be rich, but would his greed be his downfall?

All Brad Beckett wants is to get Amber back, but there’s a reason for the ex word.

Be careful what you wish for…you might just get it.

Sara Bear - Paul Sharp

The story of “Sara Bear” takes you on an in depth and intriguing journey full of action, mystery, murder, and adventure. It is the story of a young woman raised by Indians in the American wilderness of the 1840's. She escapes her violent husband and tries making her way east.

Shortly after her journey begins, she comes across the remains of a hostile attack against a family's wagon. As the father lay dying, he asks Sara to help his four children make it to safety. Sara reluctantly agrees and the children soon learn that without her help, they would be lost for sure.

After another attack on their party, Sara begins to think there is something suspicious about the children's situation. Finally the travelers arrive at an outpost, but Sara learns that they are unable to help. They do, however, offer to escort her to the railhead where she can get passage to Philadelphia for her and her party. Once there, Sara is hoping to reunite the children with the relatives of the slain parents, thus fulfilling her promise.

Sara soon finds that her life becomes intertwined with her newly adopted family as she uncovers a string of events involving the children's parents, their relatives in Philadelphia, and a pair of foreign assassins. Sara and the children return to the western wilderness with new friends from Philadelphia where they establish a ranch and begin work on making a new life for themselves. However, the trouble does not end there as hired Comanchero's are still on the lookout for the children and other family members.

Among Women - J. M. Cornwell

Alone. 

Abandoned in New Orleans with no friends or family, surviving only on her wits, Pearl Caldwell has finally put herself back on the road back to the life she wants.

Then she's arrested on a false charge and thrown into jail.  Among women of all sorts, Pearl finds a strength she never knew she had and a voice to tell her own story -- and the stories of the other women on the quad in the Orleans Parish jail.

Ice Blue - Emma Jameson

Anthony Hetheridge, ninth Baron of Wellegrave, Chief Superintendent for New Scotland Yard, never married, no children, no pets, no hobbies, and not even an interesting vice, will turn sixty in three weeks. With the exception of his chosen career, too sordid for his blue-blooded family to condone, his life has been safe and predictable. But then he meets Detective Sergeant Kate Wakefield – beautiful, willful, and nearly half his age. When Hetheridge saves the outspoken, impetuous young detective from getting the sack, siding with her against Scotland Yard’s powerful male hierarchy, his cold, elegantly balanced world spins out of control. Summoned to London’s fashionable Belgravia to investigate the brutal murder of a financier, Hetheridge must catch the killer while coping with his growing attraction to Kate, the reappearance of an old flame, and the secret that emerges from his own past.