What if reality is only the edge of possibility? There isn't much that can throw Charlie Hazard off balance. But the mystery woman with the striking eyes and the intense request to follow her--now--is about to shake his world. Knowing little more than her name, Charlie leaves his post as a guard at the Satellite Beach community center for what he thinks is just another risk-containment job. But Gabriella, an experimental psychologist, has far more in store for him than protection duty--if the two of them survive the test.
Reese Clawson relishes her work at the Combine and all the perks and power that come with it--including the ability to manipulate perceptions. But the Combine never anticipated this mind-shifting technology. If Gabriella's experiments succeed, the Combine would be destroyed. And Reese will never allow that to happen.
Praise for Trial Run "A true psychological thriller that cannot be put down . . . an awesome jaunt into a world that may just be closer to reality than we think."--Suspense Magazine "This is artful writing, full of suspense."--Jay Parini, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Station"A thrilling cocktail of science, technology, and danger elegantly served at breakneck speed."--Tosca Lee, New York Times bestselling author of Forbidden "Somewhere between spectacular and astonishingly compelling. After I finished, I could not let it go."--Phyllis Tickle, former senior editor, Publishers Weekly "A fast-paced, constantly unfolding mystery with well-developed characters, Trial Run promises to begin a strong new series that manages to transcend the bounds of science fiction writing."--Manhattan Book Review
The Author
Thomas Locke
Thomas Locke is a pseudonym for Davis Bunn, an award-winning novelist with worldwide sales of seven million copies in twenty languages. Davis divides his time between Oxford and Florida and holds a lifelong passion for speculative stories. He is the...
Praise for Trial Run "Trial Run is a fast-paced, mind-bending thriller that has readers questioning everything and anxiously awaiting the next twist."--RT Book Reviews "Davis Bunn fans will love his writing as Thomas Locke, delivering this psychological page-turning thriller that you won't be able to put down."--CBA Retailers + Resources "This book is a true psychological thriller that cannot be put down once the story begins to unfold."--Suspense Magazine "A fast-paced, constantly unfolding mystery with well-developed characters, Trial Run promises to begin a strong new series that manages to transcend the bounds of science fiction writing."--Manhattan Book Review "Trial Run is wonderfully told: a swift, engaging story that shows a large understanding of the human condition, our essential frailty, our drivenness, our need for connection. This is artful writing, full of suspense."--Jay Parini, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Station "A thrilling cocktail of science, technology, and danger elegantly served at breakneck speed. Intoxicating and seriously addictive as only Thomas Locke can deliver."--Tosca Lee, New York Times bestselling author of Forbidden
My review;
"Fault Lines" by Thomas Locke is the kind of book that keeps you interested and grabbed from the very first page. Charles Hazard has left the Satellite Beach Community where he is a guard. He is now trying to protect Gabriella who is a very mysterious woman. The problem is that this job is more dangerous than he really knows. Will he be able to keep himself safe? I have read other books by this author and I have enjoyed them. Anyone who loves books that are full of suspense will love this one. I give this book a 5/5. I was given this book by Revell Publishing Company and all opinions are mine.
About the author: Stephen Zimmer is an award-winning author and filmmaker based out of Lexington Kentucky. His works include the Rayden Valkyrie novels (Sword and Sorcery), the Rising Dawn Saga (Cross Genre), the Fires in Eden Series (Epic Fantasy), the Hellscapes short story collections (Horror), the Chronicles of Ave short story collections (Fantasy), and the Harvey and Solomon Tales (Steampunk).Stephen’s visual work includes the feature film Shadows Light, shorts films such as The Sirens and Swordbearer, and the forthcoming Rayden Valkyrie: Saga of a Lionheart TV Pilot.Stephen is a proud Kentucky Colonel who also enjoys the realms of music, martial arts, good bourbons, and spending time with family. Book Synopsis for Thunder Horizon: A deadly menace stalks the shadows of the lands to the north, stirring the winds of war. Farther south, the power of the Teveren Empire spreads with every passing day, empowered by dark sorcery. Formidable legions bent on conquest are on the march, slavery and subjugation following in their wake.Within the rising maelstrom, Rayden Valkyrie has returned to the Gessa, to stand with the tribe that once took her into their care as a child. No amount of jewels or coin can sway her, nor can the great power of her adversaries intimidate her.With a sword blade in her right hand and axe in her left, Rayden confronts foes both supernatural and of flesh and blood. Horrific revelations and tremendous risks loom; some that will see Rayden's survival in the gravest of peril.Even if Rayden and the Gessa survive the trials plaguing their lands, the thunder of an even darker storm booms across the far horizon.Thunder Horizon is the second book in the Dark Sun Dawn Trilogy.Book Synopsis for Heart of a Lion: Rayden Valkyrie. She walks alone, serving no king, emperor, or master. Forged in the fires of tragedy, she has no place she truly calls home.A deadly warrior wielding both blade and axe, Rayden is the bane of the wicked and corrupt. To many others, she is the most loyal and dedicated of friends, an ally who is unyielding in the most dangerous of circumstances.The people of the far southern lands she has just aided claim that she has the heart of a lion. For Rayden, a long journey to the lands of the far northern tribes who adopted her as a child beckons, with an ocean lying in between.Her path will lead her once more into the center of a maelstrom, one involving a rising empire that is said to be making use of the darkest kinds of sorcery to grow its power. Making new friends and discoveries amid tremendous peril, Rayden makes her way to the north.Monstrous beasts, supernatural powers, and the bloody specter of war have been a part of her world for a long time and this journey will be no different. Rayden chooses the battles that she will fight, whether she takes up the cause of one individual or an entire people.Both friends and enemies alike will swiftly learn that the people of the far southern lands spoke truly. Rayden Valkyrie has the heart of a lion.Heart of a Lion is Book One of the Dark Sun Dawn Trilogy.Teaser Trailer Link for Rayden Valkyrie: Saga of a Lionheart TV Pilot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7w_UI_RCg4&t=34sTeaser Trailer for Rayden Valkyrie: Saga of a Lionheart: TV Pilot
Guest Post:
The Biggest Stars of An
Indie Film or TV Production
Small budget productions are very
difficult challenges. They do not involve the small armies and deep
resources of major independent. Hollywood, and network-supported
projects. During the course of a small budgetg project, many of the
individuals involved will come to wear a large number of hats, and
this is the area where the true stars of a production shine through.
The Rayden Valkyrie: Saga of a
Lionheart TV Pilot project had several such stars. Today I am going
to highlight two of them as examples; Eric (known affectionately to
all who know him as The Colonel) and Kylie Jude of Frozen Creek
Studios, who have been steadfast in their encouragement, support,
involvement, and positive energy all throughout the process from the
inception to the current post-production phase.
An indie production is anything but
glamorous, and a look at the hats worn by each of them during our
June production period illustrates this clearly. Though the weather
was hot on several of the days, they both soldiered through upbeat,
and with smiles, while tackling a number of laborious areas.
Both of them came in a couple of days
early and stayed a couple of days after the production wrapped, to
assist with the myriad of tasks involved in the setup and tear
down/cleanup of elements for the production. This involved props,
all manner of supplies, readying a core base camp we worked off of,
and much more. These kinds of days alone are exhausting, and we
haven't even gotten to the main body of the production schedule in
this discussion yet.
During the production itself, Eric and
Kylie, like myself, had one goal in mind. Do whatever had to be done
to see to the needs of the production so that it had the best chance
of finishing on schedule.
Though a producer on the project, Eric
pushed carts down Wal-Mart aisles on more than one occasion to load
up on bottled water and snacks for the craft services area for the
cast and crew. This involved carloads, as hundreds upon hundreds of
bottles of water were required to deal with the summer heat in our
exterior locations.
When an extra boom operator was needed
early in the schedule, Eric stepped forward to do it. When a driver
was needed for several days involving our primary transport ATV
vehicle, Eric stepped forward to do it. When an extra was having
difficulty with the needs for a fight scene with one of our ensemble
cast members, Eric stepped forward to do it, enduring a very
physically demanding scene! When some modifications had to be done
to some terrain on a shooting site, Eric helped. When we needed
assistance accompanying cast members back to the airport, Eric was
there to help.
Quite simply, he helped wherever he
could help, and the fact that he was a producer did not get in the
way of diving in where there was a need.
Kylie exhibited a similar spirit. When
our costume designer Timothy Shackleford needed a solid assistant to
help ready cast members each day, Kylie was there. When we needed a
smaller stature Dweller (a humanoid race seen in the Pilot episode)
to be in a fight scene involving the character Hallad (played by John
Wells), Kylie enthusiastically took on the part. When a prop piece
needed to be constructed for one of the pivotal scenes in the pilot
episode, Kylie burned the midnight oil to help construct it.
All the while, Kylie kept her eyes on
the production and making notes for her post-production work as the
editor and music supervisor.
In my eyes, it is the individuals like
Eric and Kylie Jude who are the superstars of an indie project.
Without people like them, the chances of getting through each day
successfully shrink. They demonstrated a “can-do” spirit day in
and day out and helped pull off many small miracles, which helped to
the production overcome bumps and obstacles and keep moving on
course.
We finished our production on schedule
back in June, in no small part to the participation of individuals
such as Kylie and Eric Jude of Frozen Creek Studios. There are
certainly several others to spotlight in this manner with our
production, but I wanted to use these two exceptionally talented
individuals as prime examples of what is necessary to make things
happen!
Eric and Kylie are, without a doubt,
Rayden Strong, and I raise a glass of bourbon to toast both of them!
Series InformationRomance. Humor. Murder. Are you looking for a murder mystery without all the graphic violence and foul language? Something that you can enjoy in an afternoon and walk away feeling good about afterward? How about a dash of humor and romance? If so, meet former detectives Sean and Sara McKinley. When a billionaire leaves them all his money, they no longer have to work, but they find themselves sticking to what they’re good at—solving murders. Undercover, off the books, and around the world, they’ll get to the bottom of things…and romance it up along the way.
This is the perfect book series for fans of Hart to Hart, Castle, Colombo, Monk, Rockford Files, Psych, and Magnum PI.
Halloween is Murder (2017) - the cover will be available by the end of May/June, with some retailer links coming through in July, the rest in August.
The Day Job is Murder
The bad guys aren’t the only ones on his radar…
For Albany PD homicide detective Sean McKinley, catching killers is the easy part of his job. Working next to his beautiful partner, Sara Cain, is what’s difficult. It might have something to do with the fact that he’s fallen in love with her, though. Fortunately, she feels the same way about him. But she’s convinced they should just be friends.
There’s only so much relaxation two former detectives can handle—even if they’re on their honeymoon. With their recent fall into money, Sean and Sara McKinley should be living it up, enjoying the sun and beaches of Cancun. But heading into their third week they’ve had just about enough lying around.
When the husband of a couple they’ve befriended is kidnapped and held for ransom, it has the McKinleys putting their experience to use. As they set out in the unfamiliar landscape of paradise, the investigation will have them risking their lives to stop a killer.
Old Man Quinn left Sean more than his billions–he left him a murder to solve.
Inside the chest given to him from the executor of Quinn’s Will, Sean finds a key and implicit instruction that the contents are for his eyes only. After Sean discovers where the key fits, he finds another letter–Quinn wants a closed case reopened, and Sean is shocked to learn who the victim was.
As Sean and his wife, Sara, uncover clues, it leads them from the back rooms of Quinn’s corporation to the streets of New York City, but they will stop at nothing to get to the truth.
Sean and Sara’s popularity as a murder-solving duo has gained momentum. But it’s not until it comes time for a local television interview that they meet Reanne Mable and end up finding themselves involved with a high-profile investigation.
Reanne is the sister-in-law of Albany’s Mayor Davenport and his daughter, Halie, has gone missing from her university campus. With a desire to keep the matter out of the media spotlight, Davenport turns to Sean and Sara to find her. But with the police already investigating the matter, taking this case would pit them against their friends from the police department, including their former sergeant Jimmy Voigt.
As time moves on, though, the fate of the girl is not up for a vote, and the McKinleys set out to find out what really happened. With the mayor taking the heat for a recently passed zoning bylaw, is an enraged small business owner behind Halie’s disappearance? Or did she simply grow tired of living in her father’s limelight and run away?
To get the answers, Sean and Sara will need to use all the resources at their disposal and may have to call upon their good friend Jimmy for help, after all.
Sean and Sara McKinley put out an ad for a maid, but they never expected Sara’s birth mother to apply—or at least that’s who the woman is claiming she is. While Sean is suspicious of her true identity and motive, Sara opens her heart to the woman. But when a dead body turns up soon after Sara’s supposed mother takes off without so much as a good-bye, they both start to question the truth.
Could they have welcomed a killer into their home and not even known it?
Black Friday should be all about shopping and discounts, but when Sean and Sara only have a few more items left to buy, screams fill the mall—and for good reason. A man has fallen to his death from the second level.
But what exactly happened isn’t that straightforward, and normally, Sean and Sara would leave this matter to the police, but the widow was a childhood friend of Sara’s. While the police are leaning toward the belief the man intentionally took the leap, the widow is adamant her husband would never jump and asks Sara for her help.
Despite the fact there is an unresolved past between the friends—in which Sara feels she let her down—Sara can’t turn her back on her now. Fueled by guilt and the need to find answers, Sara convinces Sean they should look into the man’s death.
But the answers aren’t all coming quickly. Mall security has dropped the ball and there’s no seeming motive for murder. To find out the truth will take unconventional means, a little undercover work, and the help of their friend Jimmy. And if it all comes together, they just might have this case wrapped up in time for the holidays. Maybe even with a pretty little bow.
Albany’s the perfect image of a winter wonderland, and Sean and Sara’s friend Jimmy is going to be Santa Claus for the upcoming Christmas parade. The trees and decorations have been selected and the gifts have been purchased. The season has truly cast its magical spell–until Sean and Sara’s neighbors die in a horrible house fire.
While the fire department ruled holiday-related hazards as the cause, Sara suspects there’s more to it. Her determination to find the truth has her and Sean toeing the line between what’s legal and what’s not.
As they sort out fact from fiction, the McKinleys make the final decision about whether or not they should open a private investigation firm.
Jimmy finally takes a vacation–and a chance on love–only to be abducted. His female companion originally thinks he had cold feet about their relationship, but Sean and Sara know there’s more to it. Jimmy isn’t the type to just up and disappear, let alone leave a lady stranded.
Setting out on their private jet, Sean and Sara reach the tropical paradise of Ocho Rios, Jamaica with sightseeing as the last thing on their minds.
With a gold coin being their initial tie to Jimmy’s kidnapper, Sean and Sara even speculate about the involvement of pirates. Yet as the hours pass, and there’s no word from Jimmy’s captors, Sean and Sara will need to figure out the real motive before it’s too late.
With help from their friend, Adam, back in Albany, the pieces come together and not a moment too soon.
Their first case as private investigators have Sean, Sara, and Jimmy neck-deep in coffee beans trying to find a killer. With their client certain that her mother was poisoned through her coffee of the month club, it has them setting out to Williamsburg, Virginia. But instead of approaching matters from the traditional standpoint, Sean and Sara brew a robust plot and stir Jimmy into the blend, all to get close to their top suspect and grind out the truth.
Going undercover at Tasty Beans, the coffee company, the three of them work to expose the culprit before anyone else dies.
They’re ready to hit the slopes when things go downhill…
Sean and Sara are supposed to have a relaxing vacation in Vail, but it all goes up in a puff of powder when there’s a suspicious death on the mountain. And the deceased is not just anyone; it’s Adrian Blackwell, a two-time Olympic skiing gold medalist.
Rumor has it Adrian died in a skiing accident, but he was too skilled for Sara to accept that as fact. But she doesn’t want to disappoint Sean by ruining his ski trip, even though she’s convinced Adrian was murdered and she’s itching to find the killer.
Sean has never been able to say no to Sara, but this time he plans to. However, all it takes is a call from their PI firm back in Albany to change his mind. A job’s come in to investigate Adrian’s death, and his agent is the one footing the bill, leaving Sean with more questions than answers.
Yet one major problem remains: their New York State PI licenses hold no legal authority in Colorado. They still can’t help but look into Adrian’s death on the sly, though. This case will definitely involve some underhanded tactics, all while trying to dodge the local police over the course of the investigation.
Author Bio
CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has four continuing fiction series—Detective Madison Knight, Brandon Fisher FBI, McKinley Mysteries, and Matthew Connor Adventures—and has written nearly thirty books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy to hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures.
Both her female detective and FBI profiler series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining, leading her to adopt the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.
Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.
She currently lives just west of Toronto with her husband and beagle and is a member of Crime Writers of Canada.
August 28 – Laura's Interests – GUEST POST – Book 10 – Skiing Is Murder Tour ParticipantsAugust 14 – T's Stuff – INTERVIEW, REVIEW – The Day Job Is MurderAugust 14 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT – The Day Job Is Murder
In this fantastical and mysterious tale, seventeen-year-old lock pick Gracie Mason finds herself inadvertently caught up in a world involving witches, bizarre rituals, romance—and murder.
Book Description:
Witches must bond with humans in order to produce children—and once the bond is made, it cannot easily be unmade.
Imagine seventeen-year-old Gracie Mason’s surprise when she accidently bonds with a witch named Asher. Sure, he’s cute, but that’s beside the point. She’s not going to settle for a guy just because she’s magically bound to him.
To dissolve the bond, Gracie must seek out another witch to perform a magical rite. However, matters become considerably more complicated when witches begin turning up dead. Wanting nothing more than to get on with her life, Gracie must now team up with her enchanter and wade deeper into a complex world of enchantment and intrigue.
Pink Lock Picks and Sequined Witch Hats is an enthralling story of magic, mystery, and murder—and each new twist will draw you further under its spell.
Daddy told me
years ago that to succeed in life I need a strong plan, the right tools, and
the gumption to follow through. His words of wisdom helped me get elected
homecoming queen, become co-captain of the cheerleading squad, and voted on the
student council. Now I plan to use them to help me pull off my first burglary.
My plan is
solid. I’ve also never backed down from a challenge, not even last year when
Brittany Thomas became overly friendly with the entire football team in a sad
attempt to deprive me of my crown. People say I started the rumor about the
rash of STD cases spreading through the boys’ locker room faster than a brush
fire. I didn’t, of course. Why start gossip when the squad of doctors from the
local Health Department did it for me?
I take a deep
breath as I enter the Trinity Building. At almost four o’clock on a Friday
before a three-day weekend, the place is deader than a PTA meeting. It helps
that today is the hottest July first on record for Central Texas and the air
conditioning in this building is dismally subpar. The Trinity Corporation may
claim to have the most upscale rental space in town, but one look at the gold
leopard granite floor paired with peach-painted walls shows that’s a downright
fib.
The only guard
on duty leans back in his chair and sucks down a Sonic Route 44 Coke like his
life depends on it. I wave as I pass the security desk, wearing a megawatt
smile and fully confident in the strength of my lavender-scented Lavanila
deodorant—vegan, of course. Deputy Dawg gives me his usual perv stare before
returning to the comic book balanced on his knee.
Centex Therapy,
LPC occupies most of the first floor office space. A small bell tinkles when I
open the frosted glass door. What decorum the overall building lacks, the
waiting room has in spades. Brown leather chairs sit on a bamboo rug and pastel
paintings from local artists brighten the walls. A tall grandfather clock in
the corner softly chimes four times. This late on a Friday means the room is
empty of other patients. Perfect.
Jane, the
receptionist, fans herself with a copy of Country Living. “Cutting it awfully
close, Gracie. Go on in.”
Dr. McDozzle
gives me a pained smile as I enter the room.
“Good afternoon,
Miss Mason. Have a seat.” For a head shrinker, he’s incredibly formal. And a
non-Texan, who hates football and sweet tea. I haven’t learned much more about
him in the last month, but that’s enough to get him tarred and feathered if
word got out.
The leather
recliner squeaks when I sit down. “Thanks for seeing me on a Friday, Doc.” I
twirl a strand of newly highlighted platinum hair around my finger. It goes
wonderful with my bubblegum pink manicure. “Mr. Anderson, Daddy’s new lawyer,
is now insisting I have two sessions a month with you. Of course, Mama’s lawyer
says once a month is just fine, seeing how I’m such a well-adjusted high school
senior and all. Almost a senior, I guess, since school’s not started.”
Dr. McDozzle
straightens his glasses. “Yes, well, your parents do seem to have quite the
barrage of attorneys involved in their divorce. Have you worked on the homework
I gave you during our last session?”
This is such a
waste of time. My parents have spent the last five years embroiled in a divorce
dirtier than a greased pig-wrestling contest. Both sides of the family have
more money than sense, much to the delight of every lawyer in the tri-county
area. Not that I want my parents to get back together. Anytime they’re within
spitting distance of each other, the tension between them gives me a migraine.
Besides, if they hadn’t split up, I never would’ve met Ben.
Ben’s the son of
Daddy’s ex-girlfriend. Until four months ago, they all lived together in
Daddy’s condo. Ben is a sophomore at the local college and is truly hot, in a
geeky, stud muffin, save-the-world, kinda way. Crushing on my almost
stepbrother might seem a bit sketchy, but it’s legal—I Googled it twice.
Which means it’s
time to start step one in my Get Ben Plan.
I toss my hair
over my shoulder before pulling out a pink glitter notebook from my Eiffel
Tower-shaped mini-purse.
“You wanted me
to write down my feelings about my parents’ shared custody thing. Honestly, I
don’t understand why the lawyers are so panty-twisted about me spending a week
with Mama and the next with Daddy. It means I get double the wardrobe. Hello?
What girl would say no to that? It’s way better than Heather’s situation. I
told you about her last time, I think. The girl with the hideous frizzed-out
curls but drives a cute BMW Z4 roadster? Anyway, her parents are insane.” I
continue a steady stream of babble until Dr. McDozzle’s eyes glaze over.
There’s no
clocks in the room, but Dr. McDozzle keeps checking his watch. I’m sure the
poor man created a nice therapy plan for me, but I’ve completely derailed it.
Mama always says a girl has many tools to choose from in her arsenal—perfectly
curled hair, well-placed boobs, and endless chatter are my faves. Besides,
Daddy’s been paying therapists a fortune for years to show the divorce court
how concerned he is about me. Dr. McDozzle’s earning his car payment today.
About the Author:
Although not a native Texan, Carla prides herself on having mastered the correct usage of “y’all” and “bless your heart.”
Carla is owned by a persnickety kitty, who rules the computer keyboard and only allows Carla to write when demands for cat treats are met.
Today is the cover reveal for Journey from Skioria by Kandi J Wyatt. This cover reveal is organized by Lola's Blog Tours. The cover is designed by Yosbe Design and Leo Illustrations.
Journey from Skioria By Kandi J Wyatt Genre: Fantasy Age category: Middle Grade Release Date: 5 September 2017
Blurb:
Tania is lost, shipwrecked on an unfamiliar shore. With no friends or family, the nine-year-old girl must make her way through the realm of the woodland people to a town she's never heard of. With unexpected allies from the forest, Tania departs on a wild adventure where storms rage and the forces of nature do their very best to end her journey before it has truly begun.
In a land full of magic and evil forces, can one young girl make it home alive?
Lord of the Rings meets Narnia in this standalone middle grade fantasy by author Kandi J Wyatt.
You can pre-order Journey From Skioria here:
- Amazon
- B&N
- iTunes
Check out these teaser images:
About the Author:
Kandi J Wyatt is a wife, mother of five, teacher, artist, and author. In her free time, she enjoys writing fantasy stories and Christmas programs, and drawing with graphite and colored pencils. Portraits are her specialty. Kandi also enjoys photography, thanks to her photographer husband who has let her join his journey as both his model and apprentice, and she occasionally serves as his assistant when he needs a “light stand with feet.�
