Tag Archives: Mystery / Romance

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Providence Island Book 5

Mystery Romance

Date Published: 02 November 2021

Publisher: RedBird Books

 

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A man denies his emotions to save the lives of other. A woman closes her
heart to hide the pain. A child yearns for someone to trust.

 Former hitman Ben Hampshire gave up everything to keep his honorary mother
Dana Canfield safe. Settled into a peaceful life on Providence Island,
he’s found the woman of his dreams but can’t make himself say “I
love you”.

 Stacy Andrews shunned long-term relationships until she met a man with a
brain as sexy as his body. She’s head over stiletto heels in love with him,
but those words aren’t in her vocabulary either. The secret she’s
hiding might make Ben change his mind about their life together. If
that’s not enough, her troubled eight-year old nephew coming to live
with them could be the tipping point.

 Ben finds himself in the spotlight after two murders occur. The first to
find both bodies, he’s holding back evidence that points toward
Dana’s husband as the perpetrator. If he can’t stop the killer, Ben’s
future may turn into a happy never after.

 

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EXCERPT

 

Car keys jingling in his hand, Ben stopped in the doorway to the dining room. His landlady, Maisie Porter, sat at the table, waiting for him to drive her to her friend Yolanda’s house. The early evening sunlight cast the elderly woman in a golden glow. With her white hair and cornflower-blue eyes, she looked like a modern-day Mrs. Claus.

Chauffeur duties weren’t the usual arrangement for a tenant, but the two of them had moved into a more personal relationship during the year he’d lived at Porter’s bed-and-breakfast. The privacy of the third-floor suite and the incredible meals Maisie cooked were two of the reasons he’d remained in residence.

Maisie had opened both her home and her heart to him. She was the grandmother he’d never had and his strongest supporter when suspicion fell on him for the murders that had occurred on Providence Island last year.

He was guilty of shooting those four individuals, but in his defense, each one of them deserved it. Law enforcement would disagree, but Ben’s oath to protect Dana Canfield and her family took higher priority.

He tapped on the doorframe. “Ready for your girls’ night, Maisie?”

The Fab Five—Maisie and four other women from her church—planned an overnight baking and crafting party. Based on the two bottles of wine protruding from the tote bag next to her chair, the meeting appeared to be leaning more toward the party side.

Maisie gestured toward the chair next to her. “We need to talk.”

Her smile lacked its usual warmth, and the sparkle in her blue eyes was missing. A quiver ran through his stomach.

“What’s wrong? Are you sick?”

Maisie lowered her brows. “Ben Hampshire, do I look like I’m sick?”

That flash of spirit spurred Ben to sit down. “No, ma’am.”

“I’ve put off having this talk with you, and it’s long past due.” She pushed a rectangular piece of paper in front of him.

His confusion cleared when he realized it was his payment for next month’s rent. No reason for Maisie to be nervous about asking for an increase. “I’m fine with whatever you charge. Give me the amount, and I’ll write a new check.”

She placed her palm over his hand. “Ben, it’s time for you to move out.”

For one of the few times in his life, Ben was speechless. When she pulled her hand away, she took a piece of his security with her.

Maisie’s gaze traveled to a point somewhere over his shoulder, and she sighed. “I’d planned on shutting this place down last year. Then you came.” Her gaze shifted back to him. “With all the murders occurring, I felt safer with you living here.”

He edged the check back in front of her. “If it’s money—”

She shook her head. “When Clyde and I moved into this house, we added a back porch with a swing. We wanted a place where our children could play. After they’d grown and gone their ways, we’d sit there and watch the sun rise in the morning and set in the evening. But we never had children, and Clyde passed away a few days before our thirtieth anniversary. I’ve lived alone all these years since, except for guests who came and went. I never thought you’d stay as long as you have, but I’m happy you did.”

His throat swelled with the unexpected U-turn in the conversation. He didn’t do emotions, and Maisie was bringing out feelings he’d locked away ages ago. He managed a small nod. 

She tore the check in quarters. “I’m not going to let you waste your life like I’ve done with mine.”

His mind reeled as he recalled Maisie had never denied being sick. If that was the reason for this change, he’d make sure she had the best doctors and care available. “You have a great life. Friends, church, your garden—”

“And I have you, a blessing I never expected.” Her thumb toyed with a scrap of the torn check. “Before you came here, each one of my days was the same as the next, and the weeks rolled by faster every year. As much as I love this old house and my garden, I need excitement and purpose in my life. The girls and I talked, and we decided to shake things up.”

Half of him wanted to laugh at the idea of the Fab Five going rogue; the other half cringed at the thought. “Change up how?”

“Travel. Road trips. Cruises. Maybe start a business on Main Street.” A hint of pink bloomed in her cheeks, and the sparkle reignited in her eyes.

Ben mulled over those options. They sounded good on the surface, but plenty of room existed for trouble.

Before he could inject a dose of logic, Maisie raced ahead with her explanation. “I’ve decided to list the house for sale with Elliott Realty. Yolanda has a ranch house on Cypress. Sandra Lynn and I are going to move in with her. Tina’s selling her house and moving in with Deloris. After we get the traveling bug out of our system, we’ll decide what to do next.”

“Selling the house is a drastic move. Why not wait to see if these living arrangements work out?”

“We discussed it from one end to the other, then went with our gut. This isn’t some snap decision.” She fixed a stern look on him. “Before you suggest buying this house, I’m telling you it’s a flat no. You need to take the next step with the young woman you’ve been seeing.”

Ben’s head spun from the deft switch in topics. It was one thing for Maisie to redesign her life. He could manage his own just fine. “We’re not—”

“No excuses. You spend more nights away than you do here.” An affectionate smile touched the corners of her lips. “I’ve seen how your face lights up when she calls or messages you. That smile you get doesn’t lie. You’re in love with Stacy Andrews.”

A line of sweat broke out across his brow. “I’m not—”

“You’re in love whether you want to admit it or not. I have no doubt she’s in love with you. You both need to move ahead while you have the chance. Life takes things away when we least expect it.”

Something he knew too well. The last time he’d said “I love you” was to his fiancée before she died in his arms. Maisie had had thirty years with Clyde. He’d promised Betsy twice that many.

“A woman has her pride to consider.” Maisie winked. “I can’t go on forever being your culinary side-piece.”

Ben jerked, knocking his keys from the table to the floor. “Jeez, Maisie!”

“Would you carry my bag to the car? Don’t forget I’m getting a ride with one of the girls tomorrow morning.” She patted his shoulder as she passed. “I’ll bring brownies home for you.”

Ben stood in stunned silence as Maisie headed toward the front door. In a matter of minutes, he’d lost his home, been ordered to move in with Stacy, and watched his kindly landlady morph into a wanna-be Golden Girl.

While ninety-five percent of him agreed with her plan, the other five percent sulked over having his comfortable life disrupted. He eyed the vacant doorway and chuckled.

Culinary side-piece. Good one, Maisie.

He grabbed his keys and her tote. As he walked to the car, he practiced what to say to Stacy.

And what to do if she told him no.

About the Author

Dianna Wilkes

Dianna Wilkes is an award winning contemporary romance author.

Reading has always been an important part of her life. “I learned to
read when I was four years old. Writing my own stories seemed a natural
progression.”

Dianna holds a B.A.in Visual Communication and a M.Ed.in Instructional
Technology. She worked as an Education Consultant for a medical technology
company before leaving the corporate world. Despite all that nerdy stuff,
she loves creating stories of romance and mystery with touches of
humor.

When she isn’t writing, Dianna is deep in researching various
branches and twigs on her family tree or fulfilling entries on her travel
bucket list.

Contact Links

Website

Facebook

Twitter: @dwilkesauthor

Instagram: dianna.wilkes

 

Purchase Links

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Boardwalk Blitz

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Providence Island Book 5

Mystery Romance

Date Published: 02 November 2021

Publisher: RedBird Books

 

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A man denies his emotions to save the lives of other. A woman closes her
heart to hide the pain. A child yearns for someone to trust.

 Former hitman Ben Hampshire gave up everything to keep his honorary mother
Dana Canfield safe. Settled into a peaceful life on Providence Island,
he’s found the woman of his dreams but can’t make himself say “I
love you”.

 Stacy Andrews shunned long-term relationships until she met a man with a
brain as sexy as his body. She’s head over stiletto heels in love with him,
but those words aren’t in her vocabulary either. The secret she’s
hiding might make Ben change his mind about their life together. If
that’s not enough, her troubled eight-year old nephew coming to live
with them could be the tipping point.

 Ben finds himself in the spotlight after two murders occur. The first to
find both bodies, he’s holding back evidence that points toward
Dana’s husband as the perpetrator. If he can’t stop the killer, Ben’s
future may turn into a happy never after.

 

About the Author

Dianna Wilkes

Dianna Wilkes is an award winning contemporary romance author.

Reading has always been an important part of her life. “I learned to
read when I was four years old. Writing my own stories seemed a natural
progression.”

Dianna holds a B.A.in Visual Communication and a M.Ed.in Instructional
Technology. She worked as an Education Consultant for a medical technology
company before leaving the corporate world. Despite all that nerdy stuff,
she loves creating stories of romance and mystery with touches of
humor.

When she isn’t writing, Dianna is deep in researching various
branches and twigs on her family tree or fulfilling entries on her travel
bucket list.

Contact Links

Website

Facebook

Twitter: @dwilkesauthor

Instagram: dianna.wilkes

 

Purchase Links

Amazon 

Kindle Unlimited

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

RABT Book Tours & PR

Comments Off on Boardwalk Blitz

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Crossroads Tour

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Providence Island Book 4

Mystery Romance

Date Published: October 21, 2020

Publisher: RedBird Books

 

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He’s tired of running. She’s looking for an escape. Can they find a home
together?

Joshua Canfield spent the last year hiding from killers. He’s done
things he can never confess, especially not to the loved ones he was
protecting. All he wants now is to reunite with his family and live a
peaceful life.

Lila Grainger has one goal in life. To earn enough money to leave
Providence Island and a family with no regard for the law far behind. She
never expected to meet someone like Joshua. He’s the finest man
she’s ever known, and he sees her as a woman, not as a Grainger. But
she can’t expect him to leave his family to follow her.

Neither of them knows that a new threat lingers on Providence Island. One
that puts Lila in danger and could expose Joshua’s past.

 

 

Crossroads tablet, paperback

EXCERPT

A second buzz emitted, this time with a text from Ben.

Parked out back. Lets go.

Josh flipped out the lights, grabbed the bag of trash, and headed out the door. He tossed the bag into dumpster then entered the car.

“How did the questioning go?”

“Hunter seemed disappointed that our stories matched. He asked why I wasn’t driving the same car as I had that day. Told him both were rentals. When I travel, I turn in one and rent another when I return.” Ben chuckled. “He also tried to trip me by asking where we ordered the pizza.”

Josh frowned. “I told him it was leftover.”

“He was fact checking.”

Except their alibis consisted more of half-truths than solid facts.

“Good thing you remembered those security cameras along Federal.”

Ben shrugged. “We needed a cover story anyway. Did you get the impression they were considering if you and Stoddard were collaborating?”

“No, but Tom suggested I had reason to want to kill him.”

“Speaking of killing, did you dispose of that gun you had?”

“Yes, I broke it down the way you taught me. I took a trip upstate and dropped off pieces along the way.” Rest stop. Gas stations. Dumpsters. “What about the one you used?”

A side-eyed glance burned its way across the car. “Taken care of. Should be interesting to find out what Wallace does with Hunter’s suspicions.”

 “You’re getting a kick out of this, aren’t you?” Josh twisted in his seat, sending a glare of his own. “This isn’t a game. We could end up in prison.”

“Take it easy, Sundance. We’ve covered our tracks. Nothing links me to Stoddard. Hunter’s trying to make something out of a ten-second video of two buddies getting together.”

Josh glanced out the window. “Where are we going?”

“To dinner. Eddie’s work for you?”

Josh snorted. “Ben Hampshire is going to eat at Eddie’s Sea-Shack?”

“Don’t be a snob, Canfield.” A smile tugged at the corner of Ben’s mouth. “We’ll go over the reports I have on those systems. When Hunter spills his guts to Wallace who in turn asks Paige, she’ll confirm our story.”

Josh sank down in his seat with a grunt. “One of these days, you won’t be the smartest guy in the room.”

A laugh tumbled out of Ben’s mouth as he flipped on the blinker to turn south at the Crossroads. “Like that’s going to happen.”

A wisp of something cold washed through Josh’s soul, and the memory of odors from a greasy kitchen pushed into his throat.

“It did happen.” He turned his head to catch Hampshire’s scowl. “That night at the diner when Stoddard set you up.”

Ben’s eyes widened then he gave a slow nod. “I had my suspicions from the beginning about that meeting. I didn’t expect to him to send three people. Didn’t expect you to show up either.” He gave a short laugh. “Did I ever thank you for saving my ass?”

Josh snorted. “You said—and I quote—‘thanks for back there.’”

“Glad I didn’t forget. As far as that parody Hunter put on today, forget it. He’s on an ego trip and taking advantage of Wallace being out of town. We have nothing to worry about.”

Except Tom Hunter’s determination to solve Nathan Stoddard’s murder put both Ben and Joshua in the spotlight. As brilliant as Ben was, Tom’s ambition could prove to be way more dangerous.

About the Author

Dianna Wilkes is an award winning mystery romance author, known for the
Providence Island mystery series.

Reading has always been an important part of her life. “I learned to
read when I was four years old. Writing my own stories seemed a natural
progression.”

Dianna holds a B.A.in Visual Communication and a M.Ed.in Instructional
Technology. She worked as an Education Consultant for a medical technology
company before leaving the corporate world. Despite all that nerdy stuff,
she loves creating stories of romance and mystery with touches of
humor.

When she isn’t writing, Dianna is deep in researching various branches and
twigs on her family tree or fulfilling entries on her travel bucket
list.

 

Contact Links

Website

Facebook

Twitter: @dwilkesauthor

Pinterest

 

Purchase Link

Amazon

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RABT Book Tours & PR

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The Empty Room – Promo Blitz

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Mystery / Romance
Date Published: July 23, 2016
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Rain soaked and dreary, it was a 1901 abandoned Victorian that Dean and Elizabeth hoped would fulfill their dreams, even if the town of Eastbrook, Maine was trapped under a blanket of fog. The first neighbor they meet in town dashes those dreams when he raises a bizarre question: what happened to the last person who lived in their house? Under mounting pressure from the residents of Eastbrook to stop questioning the past, Dean and Elizabeth are driven deeper into the history of the house, and the town. When they discover what happened in Eastbrook, keeping the secret could save their lives, but uncovering the truth might be worth the risk.
A gripping psychological mystery, The Empty Room takes readers on a cat-and-mouse game where some secrets are better off hidden.
Excerpt

 

A knock pounded loudly on the door for a second time and Elizabeth involuntarily let out a small shriek. She frantically put her hand over her mouth, but the sound had already escaped and there was little doubt that Mrs. Jacobs had heard.
“Well.” Dean sighed, as he stood up from the crouched position he’d been holding beside the window. “Now we answer the door because you apparently have Tourette’s.”
As Elizabeth slowly stood up beside him, a third round of loud pounding ensued. Elizabeth jumped at the sudden noise and hit her head against Dean’s lower lip. His head jolted back from the force and he winced.
“Oh my God.” She leapt forward toward him. “Are you OK?”
Dean reached up his hand and clenched his jaw, pulling it from left to right. He pointed toward the door. “Great, first I get physically abused, now I’m going to get emotionally abused. And I still have no underwear.”
He finally came to the door and put his hand on the doorknob. He looked back at Elizabeth. “Just for the record, you are the worst covert ops partner ever.” With a specific intent in mind, he quickly turned the doorknob and ripped open the door as fast as he could. A startled Mrs. Jacobs stumbled backwards.
“You almost scared me to death,” she asserted, quickly brushing her dress to remove the imaginary wrinkles that had not formed from the unexpected greeting.
He stepped outside and grabbed Elizabeth by the wrist to pull her out of the house with him. “Well, follow-through has always been my problem. Look, we were just headed out the door and into town so we’re going to have to finish this later.” He reached for the doorknob and slammed the door behind him.
But Mrs. Jacobs did not move. Other than the slight falter when he opened the door, she held her stance and stared at the closed door. Dean had a feeling it was not the first or the last time she had ever had a door closed in her face. With their backs to the old woman, the couple took several steps toward the edge of the porch.
“You live next door, right? We’ll stop by. Oh, the fun we’ll have.” Still holding on to Elizabeth’s wrist, he pulled her past Mrs. Jacobs and down the steps.
“Where are we going?” Elizabeth whispered.
Mrs. Jacobs turned to face them. Her hands clasped in a folded position in front of her.
“We’re going to see if we can find out what happened in that room, what happened in that house. Someone here knows. Everyone in this town can’t be as bad as Mrs. HaWiggins back there,” he whispered back.
 About the Author
Sarah J. Clemens is the author of the debut mystery novel, The Empty Room. She started writing The Empty Room in 2008 and formed her own imprint in 2016 called Off the Page Publishing. She started out her professional career working as a news assistant for her local newspaper before finding a passion for the law and pursued an education in criminal justice. In addition to writing fiction, she is also a legal assistant with an Associate of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Human Services. Sarah was born in California and now lives and works in Boise, Idaho. She has the same sarcastic sense of humor as the characters in her books, and she has an unparalleled love for animals.
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