She slumped against the rock and hugged her arm close to her body. "Do I have a clan? I bear the marks of my clan, my history from the day I left childhood behind to the moment I was accepted as a fully initiated member, right here, written for all to see, yet I ran away from my clan before they could finish killing me."

Lured to the mysterious rock by prophetic dreams, Nulo the dwarf discovers what he always knew he would find: a sign that his South Pacific tribe is not alone in the new land.

But not everyone welcomes the news. Some, including Nulo's wife, want to ignore the strangers, but Nulo knows they must meet the people who left the message carved on the stone. He doesn't know that others also roam the wild country, men pushed out of their villages and left to survive any way they can.

The third entry in the Misfits and Heroes series, A Meeting of Clans follows a group from the north coast and one from the south coast as they push across the wild interior of what is now southern Mexico, 14,000 years ago.

About the Author

Kathleen Flanagan Rollins worked as a composition and literature professor at Mott College in Flint, Michigan. While there, she developed an interest in early explorers in the Americas.

This interest only grew when she traveled to ancient sites in Guatemala and Mexico. Inspired by her adventures, Rollins began her popular Misfits and Heroes series. This includes Misfits and Heroes: West from Africa, which was listed as one of Kirkus Reviews' Best of 2011, and Past the Last Island. Both books received five-star reviews from Foreword Clarion Reviews.

The latest addition to the Misfits and Heroes series, A Meeting of Clans, is now available.

In a dying land, the armies of the dead hold sway. And those who rule them are more god than human.
James Culdaine, the last heir of the Northern Throne, was just a young man when the armies of the South murdered his parents and subjugated his lands. He has never forgotten those responsible, nor has he forgiven. He has spent the last ten years living in isolation with The Feldarra; a sacred Northern clan of fierce warriors, led by the fearless Wulfee who, still reeling from the loss of her own children, finds new meaning in protecting what only family she has left.
Now, an ancient order of warlocks has returned to the North, singing dark songs composed of blood magic that null the elements and threaten all that is living.
With nature depleted and the Southern armies returning to the North, James struggles to embrace the unique power he has long tried to repress; the ability to commune with the spirits of the dead. In the bitter heart of a growing war, with the world dying around them, James and Wulfee desperately seek answers, vengeance, and a way to save the ones they love... No matter the cost.
Fires refuse to burn. The skies are thirsty and breathless. The earth won't eat its rot...Welcome to Ardura.

About the Author
Palmer, Scott: - Scott Palmer was born in London, Ontario, Canada, where he lives with his wife, daughter, and two cats, and they conjure up magic (love and happiness) daily. His whole life has been a journey of collecting stories and stowing them like a library of experiences. Growing up in Middle Earth, Kanto, and Hyrule, before moving to darker worlds like Westeros, The Circle of The World, and The Randlands provided a sturdy foundation for Scott's imagination to grow upon. He travelled to those other worlds and walked, and fought, and bled with the people that lived there. It was somewhere in those pages that he fell in love with the art of storytelling. Since taking those first steps out of reality, Scott has immersed himself in creating his own world. A place that could transport readers somewhere they could only dream of. A place of magic, and love, forgotten lore, and long history.Scott started writing seriously in 2020 and now he cannot stop.

Christmas 1923. It's the first Christmas without Aunt Agatha and Violet is having a hard time finding the will to be bright or young. Her brother, Victor, is determined to cheer her up, so he arranges a party between friends to brighten their holidays. When a body is discovered, Detective Inspector Jack Wakefield is on hand. Their romance may be a off-kilter, but he knows them well enough to be sure neither twin killed the victim. So just who killed this person and why? In finding the killer, will Jack and Violet also discover just what the future holds for them?The Violet Carlyle Mysteries 1- Murder & The Heir2- Kennington House Murder3- Murder at the Folly 4- A Merry Little Murder*5- Murder Among the Roses6- Murder in the Shallows 7- Gin & Murder 8- Obsidian Murder 9- Murder at the Ladies Club 10- Wedding Vows & Murder11- A Jazzy Little Murder12- Murder by Chocolate *There are two short stories that fall between A Merry Little Murder and Murder Among the Roses. They are: New Year's Madness and Valentine's Madness.

A USA Today Bestseller

"For fans of sweeping romances with exotic vistas and traditional values…. A very excellent and entertaining read." —Readers’ Favorite

He Needed Peace...

Solicitor Tom Finchley has spent his life using his devious intellect to solve the problems of others. As for his own problems, they're nothing that a bit of calculated vengeance can't remedy. But that's all over now. He's finally ready to put the past behind him and settle down to a quiet, uncomplicated life. If only he could find an equally uncomplicated woman.

She Wanted Adventure...

Former lady's companion Jenny Holloway has just been given a modest independence. Now, all she wants is a bit of adventure. A chance to see the world and experience life far outside the restrictive limits of Victorian England. If she can discover the fate of the missing Earl of Castleton while she's at it, so much the better.

From the gaslit streets of London to the lush tea gardens of colonial India, Jenny and Tom embark on an epic quest—and an equally epic romance. But even at the farthest edges of the British Empire, the past has a way of catching up with you...

More Reviews:

"Strong, smart characters and a daring quest result in a Victorian love story with a charmingly modern sensibility." —Kirkus

"Fans of the series will enjoy exploring secondary characters' lives and the truly heroic compromises Tom makes to be with the woman he loves." —Library Journal

"Perceptive social insights enrich this Victorian romance: into law practices, class and racial prejudice, pressures on women to conform to social conventions, snobbery and the casual assumption of privilege by wealthy and aristocratic elites.... The behavior of the characters is justified by past experience. Jenny and Tom are admirable and their willingness to make sacrifices for each other's happiness wins our sympathy. Strongly recommended." —Historical Novel Society

"Author Mimi Matthews has produced her best writing to date with A Modest Independence, as it is beautifully written, vivid, emotional, honest, and totally captivating from beginning to the awesome conclusion." —The Romance Reviews

"A Modest Independence is not only adventurous, but it is also astounding.... Matthews is a bright, shining star in historical romance and I look forward to the next installment in the series." —Austenprose

Author Bio:

USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews writes both historical non-fiction and traditional historical romances set in Victorian England. Her articles on nineteenth century history have been published on various academic and history sites, including the Victorian Web and the Journal of Victorian Culture, and are also syndicated weekly at BUST Magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes an Andalusian dressage horse, two Shelties, and two Siamese cats.

Shop the Parish Orphans of Devon series

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June 1926

Violet and Jack are the matron of honor and best man at Rita and Ham's wedding. Rita's father is so excited, he's bought the couple a country house near Vi's and arranged a several day long celebration culminating in a wedding, wedding breakfast, and wedding ball.

On the first day, there is a large picnic in the ruins near the house. On the second day, there is a snipe hunt and the winner receives a shocking prize. On the third day, the bright young winner falls dead in his soup. Who would kill the lively young man? And why?

Book TWENTY-ONE in the Violet Carlyle Mysteries. Are you ready for the roaring twenties? You'll love Vi, her patient husband Jack, her indulgent twin Vic, and their friends. For fans of Carola Dunn, Jacqueline Winspear, Georgette Heyer, and Lee Strauss. A light, cozy mystery with a fun peek into life in the life of a bright young thing. No swearing, graphic scenes, or cliffhangers.

Sixteen-year-old Jasmine Barrington hates everything about living in Kenya and longs to return to the island of Penang in British colonial Malaya where she was born. Expulsion from her Nairobi convent school offers a welcome escape - the chance to stay with her parents' friends, Mary and Reggie Hyde-Underwood on their Penang rubber estate.

But this is 1948 and communist insurgents are embarking on a reign of terror in what becomes the Malayan Emergency. Jasmine unearths a shocking secret as her own life is put in danger. Throughout the turmoil, her one constant is her passion for painting.

From the international best-selling and award-winning author of The Pearl of Penang, this is a dramatic coming of age story, set against the backdrop of a tropical paradise torn apart by civil war.

About the Author
Flynn, Clare: - Clare Flynn is the author of twelve historical novels. Her book The Pearl of Penang was the 2020 winner of the BookBrunch Selfies Adult Fiction Prize. She lives on the south coast of England.

'Til death do us part...

They say every action you take has a series of consequences. And that death is an inevitable end.
There is truth to all of that, but for a price.
The precious thing you lost, might just find its way back to you...

Fourteen years ago, Blake Wilder's life turned into one of tragedy.
In an instant she lost her family... Her parents murdered, and her sister taken.
At the age of 22, Blake joined the FBI in hopes of discovering the truth behind the mysteries of her past.
Now, she is called to a homicide scene involving a brutal murder of a male victim.
But, what started out as a simple case turns into one that involves a sadistic killer that preys on young women.
And the further Blake dives into the case the more she realizes that the killer has a dark and twisted fantasy life of romance and courtship.

And with his eighth victim already in his grasp, it's up to her to get into the man's head and figure him out before the clock runs out on this girl and he moves onto his ninth victim.

Roses are red.
Violets are blue.
What ever you do, don't let him catch you.

“A story full of family secrets, twisted plots, and a striking English setting, A Promise Given is the perfect novel for fans of Sherlock Holmes.” ―Brit + Co.

This third book in the Henrietta and Inspector Howard series provides a delightful romp through the English countryside and back.

Anxious to be married, Henrietta and Clive push forward with their wedding plans despite their family differences, made worse now by Oldrich Exley’s attempts to control the Von Harmons. When the long-awaited wedding day arrives, there is more unfolding than just Clive and Henrietta’s vows of love. Stanley and Elsie’s relationship is sorely tested by the presence of the dashing Lieutenant Harrison Barnes-Smith and by Henrietta’s friend Rose―a situation that grows increasingly dark and confused as time goes on.

As Clive and Henrietta begin their honeymoon at Castle Linley, the Howards’ ancestral estate in England, they encounter a whole new host of characters, including the eccentric Lord and Lady Linley and Clive’s mysterious cousin, Wallace. When a man is murdered in the village on the night of a house party at the Castle, Wallace comes under suspicion―and Clive and Henrietta are reluctantly drawn into the case, despite Clive’s anxiety at involving his new bride and Henrietta’s distracting news from home.

Delicately attempting to work together for the first time, Clive and Henrietta set out to prove Wallace’s innocence, uncovering as they do so some rather shocking truths that will shake the Linley name and estate forever.

More Reviews:

2021 IPPY Awards Gold Winner in Fiction Book Series
2018 Chanticleer Awards Grand Prize Winner in Mystery and Mayhem, First Place Winner in Romance (Chatelaine), and Finalist in Historical Fiction (Goethe)
2019 IBPA Ben Franklin Award Silver Winner in Romance 
2019 Indie Excellence Awards Winner in Cross Genre 
2019 Independent Press Award Winner in Romantic Suspense
2019 International Book Awards Finalist in Cross Genre
2019 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist in Best Series and Romance
2018 Best Book Awards Finalist in Romance and Cross-Genre
2019 Pulpwood Queens Bonus Book Selection

“Series fans will cheer the beginning of Clive and Henrietta’s private investigation business in an entry with welcome echoes of Pride and Prejudice.” ―Publishers Weekly

“The mix of sleuthing and aristocratic life pairs well with Rhys Bowen’s Royal Spyness series.” ―Booklist

“Cox’s eye for historical detail remains sharp… A pleasant, escapist diversion.” ―Kirkus

“A well-paced romantic mystery that sizzles with love and suspense. This third novel in the Inspector & Henrietta series will have readers begging for more! Highly recommended.” ―Chanticleer Reviews

“The writing is gorgeous and reflects the cultural and historical setting. Cox’s novel is filled with deeply moving passages and emotionally charged scenes. The characters are as sophisticated as they are relatable and the plot is designed to make for the perfect page-turner.” ―Readers Favorite

“Cox is a talented wordsmith who knows how to flawlessly write crime and mystery. She knows to capture her reader’s attention and entertain them from beginning to end.” ―Red Headed Book Lover

“Many of the book’s scenes could easily read like a Jane Austin novel, as Cox possesses that distinct ability to plant a reader directly into a specific room or landscape. The two partners, Henrietta and Clive, make a perfect sleuthing team that left me wanting more.” ―Reader Views

“What Cox captures so perfectly in Henrietta’s character is what a marriage would have been like at this time for an independent woman. We ride this rollercoaster of nerve and doubt up to the anticipated wedding night and fall even more deeply in love with Clive right along with Henrietta. The passion that is plastered all over the pages of A Promise Given is truly remarkable and a testament to the world that Cox has been able to create.” ―Paperback Paris

“A Promise Given is a well-told story which…had me immersed and wanting more. Well done!” ―Windy City Reviews

“Romantic and atmospheric, A Promise Given offers an intriguing glimpse into 1930s Chicago by weaving in authentic period details and exploring the social tensions of the day. The unlikely pairing of the Howards―two characters from very different worlds―provides a tender love story.” ―Susanna Calkins, award-winning author of the Lucy Campion Historical

Author Bio:

Michelle Cox is the author of the multiple award-winning Henrietta and Inspector Howard series as well as "Novel Notes of Local Lore," a weekly blog dedicated to Chicago's forgotten residents. She suspects she may have once lived in the 1930s and, having yet to discover a handy time machine lying around, has resorted to writing about the era as a way of getting herself back there. Coincidentally, her books have been praised by Kirkus, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and many others, so she might be on to something. Unbeknownst to most, Michelle hoards board games she doesn't have time to play and is, not surprisingly, addicted to period dramas and big band music. Also marmalade.

Shop the Henrietta and Inspector Howard series

Self-published with She Writes Press

Ironclad allegations. Airtight alibi.
With the truth debatable and the real players a mystery, can justice prevail? And at what cost?

A Best Thriller Book Awards Winner!

When the FBI arrested Professor Eldridge for the murder of his archrival, they relied primarily on eyewitnesses' accounts and a security camera. The professor had been on the other side of the country when the crime took place, where he gave a lecture to hundreds of students. Or was he?
Did he use the laws of nature to commit an impossible homicide?

"A Quantum Alibi delivers a torrent of surprises as the narrative ventures into unexpected territory. But thanks to Fialkov's uncommon gift for plot and just enough information about quantum theory, readers won't require a leap of faith to enjoy the stunning conclusion." - Best Thrillers

Delving deeply into the clues, Michael, an investigative journalism teacher, is stumped by the paradoxical footage of the accused man at the scene of the homicide.
Can Michael discover the truth before more people die?

"Superbly written, well-rounded characters and a riveting storyline filled with twists and turns."
- Readers' Favorite(R)

A revered Native American healer and shaman trains his only grandson to follow in his footsteps. The curious boy is on a quest for his life's purpose. After high school, the young man goes to the university, where he experiences the promises, depths, and risks of love.

"An intelligent crime drama, thoughtful and complex."
- Kirkus Reviews

"A captivating tale that blends murder, mystery, and legal thriller into one explosive piece of entertainment."
- Readers' Favorite(R)

Carefully crafted and deeply absorbing, Liam Falkov's genre-bending novel blends the taut, page-turning nature of a legal thriller with a moving coming-of-age story. As two seemingly unconnected narratives surge closer and closer together, their inevitable intertwining leads to a searing conclusion you won't expect.

"Fialkov has created an exciting new entry that will broadly appeal to fans of murder mysteries, science fiction and legal thrillers."
- Best Thrillers.

"Filled with mysteries that any reader would be eager to uncover. This crime fiction deserves a perfect rating because it is educative, intriguing and engaging."
- Online Book Club, Official Review.

A Quantum Alibi is an original and timely novel. Defying classification in a particular genre, Fialkov blurs the line of science and reality throughout this fast-paced tale. There are bursts of snappy dialogue, thought-provoking themes, and unexpected plot twists, making this an enjoyable read."
- Self-Publishing Review

"An engrossing scientific thriller that challenges metaphysical orthodoxy. Fialkov offers a tantalizing interpretation of scientific possibility, one that stretches the ordinary categories of understanding."
- Kirkus Reviews

A timely mystery novel, weaving a legal thriller, an inspiring coming-of-age story, and environmental themes.
If you like captivating characters, sensational surprises, and exciting storylines, then you'll love Liam Fialkov's imaginative enigma.

"There are enough twists and turns in the story to keep a reader hooked."
- BookLife

- American Book Festival Award Winner!
- Readers' Favorite(R) Award Winner!

You are cordially invited to visit the new Black Hills Manor Writing Retreat.

That's how it all begins-with a simple invitation.

For five authors, it's meant to be the start of a restful week, filled with free food, drinks, and likeminded company.

But shortly after their arrival, things take an unsettling turn.

Broken property, missing items, and strange noises are just some of the odd occurrences that have each member questioning their companions. As suspicions mount, the authors are pitted against each other.

Whom can they trust in a house full of strangers?

With tensions rising, the writers find themselves in the middle of their own mystery. Death, terror, and despair are common elements in their books, but at Black Hills Manor, the murders being plotted are their own.

Cecelia McCreary's life is not what she thinks. Arriving in the 18th century to be at last reunited with her sister, Cecelia struggles to find purpose in the life she's to be restored to.

Traveling alongside her sister and new friends across the isthmus, Cecelia searches for a way to write her own story while seeking answers that might keep them all alive in the process.

Drawn to the single outsider in the group and the familiarness of him, Cecelia will stop at nothing to ensure her destiny is her own to write. The future suddenly within her grasp is not worth sacrificing.

“This addicting historical fiction novel will have you wishing you could have experienced 1930s Chicago.” ―Buzzfeed

In this second book of the series, Henrietta and Clive delightfully rewrite Pride and Prejudice—with a hint of mystery!

Newly engaged, Clive and Henrietta now begin the difficult task of meeting each other’s family. “Difficult” because Clive has neglected to tell Henrietta that he is in fact the heir to the Howard estate and fortune, and Henrietta has just discovered that her mother has been hiding secrets about her past as well. When Clive brings Henrietta to the family estate to meet his parents, they are less than enthused about his impoverished intended. Left alone in this extravagant new world when Clive returns to the city, Henrietta finds herself more at home with the servants than his family, much to the disapproval of Mrs. Howard—and soon gets caught up in the disappearance of an elderly servant’s ring, not realizing that in doing so she has become part of a bigger, darker plot.

As Clive and Henrietta attempt to discover the truth in the two very different worlds unraveling around them, they both begin to wonder: Are they meant for each other after all?

More Reviews:

“Henrietta and Inspector Howard make a charming odd couple in A Ring of Truth, mixing mystery and romance in a fizzy 1930s cocktail.” ―Hallie Ephron, New York Times bestselling author

“The crème de la crème of historical fiction.” ―Brit+Co

“Brimming with dark plot on every page, this unpredictable literary thrill ride will transport you to the heart of 1930s Chicago and the love story of a lifetime.” ―POPSUGAR

“Light romance with witty writing, while still maintaining a somber and serious story, this book is a delight.” ―Independent Book Publishers Association

“The characters are well-drawn, with depth. Cox builds anticipation by foreshadowing issues that will come up in future volumes of the series. Hen and Clive’s romance is real and touching.” ―Historical Novel Society

“Once that glass slipper fits, how hard is it for Cinderella to adapt to life as the princess after so long as the scullery maid? And how many people are just itching for her to fail? A Ring of Truth features the same well-developed characters, adding depth and complexity to the story, while also giving readers that same “you are there” feeling of a walk back in time.” ―Chanticleer Reviews

“A Ring of Truth is the second book in the delightful Henrietta and Inspector Howard series, but there's plenty to dive straight into even if you haven't read the last one.” ―Bustle

“There’s a lot to love about the bloodhound couple at the center of this cozy mystery.” ―Foreword Reviews

“The second book of this mystery series is laced with fiery romance so delicious every reader will struggle to put it down. If you devoured Pride and Prejudice, this love story will get your heart beating just as fast.” ―Redbook

“A 1930s Chicagoan love story with a heavy dose of thrilling mystery―we bet we have your attention. If you aren’t already addicted to Clive and Henrietta’s epic love story we recommend you indulge your imagination with the first book and then move on to A Ring of Truth―the absolutely unputdownable sequel that centers around Clive’s mysterious fortune and strange wrath of his affluent family.” ―Bookstr

“Set in the 1930s, this romantic mystery combines the teetering elegance of Downton Abbey and the staid traditions of Pride and Prejudice with a bit of spunk and determination that suggest Jacqueline Winspear’s Maisie Dobbs.” ―Booklist

“An engaging and effective romp rich with historical details.” ―Kirkus

“A sensational story with an exciting setting that readers will enjoy navigating.... Clive and Henrietta are well-developed, real, and memorable. They are an incredible pair of sleuths and the reader learns to care about them as they are eager to see what happens at the end. A Ring of Truth features great writing with exceptional dialogues and a plot that is swiftly paced, driven by a strong conflict.” ―Readers' Favorite

“Cox does an excellent job of bringing the 1930s to life with the Chicago setting and details true to the era. The couple’s chemistry is endearing, and the background stories, colorful characters, and vividly described scenes also add a lot to the authenticity of the drama.” ―Reader Views

Author Bio:

Michelle Cox is the author of the multiple award-winning Henrietta and Inspector Howard series as well as "Novel Notes of Local Lore," a weekly blog dedicated to Chicago's forgotten residents. She suspects she may have once lived in the 1930s and, having yet to discover a handy time machine lying around, has resorted to writing about the era as a way of getting herself back there. Coincidentally, her books have been praised by Kirkus, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and many others, so she might be on to something. Unbeknownst to most, Michelle hoards board games she doesn't have time to play and is, not surprisingly, addicted to period dramas and big band music. Also marmalade.
 
Shop the Henrietta and Inspector Howard series

Self-published with She Writes Press

Jule n "Jude" Tholet has survival in his DNA. His father, Cleon, lived through imprisonment and torture during Pinochet's military coup in Chile. His mother, Penny, risked everything to gain her husband's freedom and flee the country with their newborn son. But as a closeted gay teenager growing up in Vancouver, Jude is targeted by a neighborhood bully called El C ndor, culminating in a vicious hate crime that forces the Tholets to flee their country again.Jude cautiously rebuilds his life in Seattle, becoming an accomplished pianist, but his his wings have been clipped and he cannot seem to soar in his relationships. Only family remains a constant source of strength and joy, until a DNA test reveals something that shocks all the Tholets: Jude is not their child.

Stunned by the test results, the Tholets must dig into their painful past, re-examine their lives in 1973 Santiago and the events surrounding Jude's birth story. It's a tale rooted in South America's Operation Condor. It spreads through Pinochet's terrifying regime of detention camps, torture, disappeared civilians and stolen children. The journey forces Penny Tholet to confront the gaps in her memory while Cleon must re-live an ordeal he's long kept hidden away in a secret world. The tale ends with Jude digging through his genetic code in a quest to find his biological parents. Are they alive? Or are they among Los Desaparecidos--the Disappeared Ones?

Suanne Laqueur's third book in the Venery series explores the desperate acts of love made in times of war, and the many ways family can be defined.

About the Author
Laqueur, Suanne: - A former professional dancer and teacher, Suanne Laqueur went from choreographing music to choreographing words. Becoming an avid reader, cook and gardener, she started her blog EatsReadsThinks in 2010 and published her debut novel, The Man I Love, in 2014. Her fourth novel An Exaltation of Larks was the grand prize winner in the 2017 Writer's Digest Book Awards and took first place in the 2019 North Street Book Prize. Laqueur graduated from Alfred University with a double major in dance and theater. She taught at the Carol Bierman School of Ballet Arts in Croton-on-Hudson for ten years, while working as a business analyst for Verizon. She now works in publishing and lives in Westchester County, New York with her husband and two children.

It's time for Christmas in Seagrove

Are you ready to catch up with your favorite characters on the tiny lowcountry island of Seagrove, SC?

When we last left off, there was a big wedding and an addition to the family. But, what happens when a new resident moves to town and shakes things up?And what will everyone do when a familiar face shows up and creates chaos during the holidays?

Click to start reading book 6 in this USA Bestselling series

The violent death of a friend plunges Helen Lightholder into another case of danger and deceit as she struggles to unravel the truth behind the grisly killing. With her own past continuing to haunt her, Helen works to uncover the ultimate answer behind the mystery that has plagued her since the beginning.

Return to the quaint - and deadly - village of Brookminster a final time for the dramatic conclusion to Helen's adventures.

Death returns to the country ...

A quite country life continues to elude Helen Lightholder, as she wrestles with her recent bereavement. When the grisly murder of a nameless vagabond shocks the local community, Helen sets out to unearth the truth behind the inexplicable killing.

But Bookminster hides secrets almost as old as it's 14th century market place, and the village's inhabitants will do anything to thwart a prying outsider. Helen's snooping at a convalescent home for wounded soldiers leads to an apparent dead end, even as other obstacles loom in her path. With Inspector Graves blocking her investigation at every turn and a mysterious, shadowy figure continuing to dog her steps, can Helen unmask the most dangerous killer she has ever faced?

Death, and Helen Lightholder, return to Brookminster with the murder of the village vicar. As Helen investigates the ghastly crime, she soon finds herself a suspect of the local police. To clear her name and protect her friends, Helen must discover the truth and outwit a devious killer. But Helen's personal life is not without its own mysteries and one of them continues to stalk her in the shadows...

Murder. Spies. Treason. Shadowy secrets lurk beneath the surface of an idyllic country village...

When Helen Lightholder's world is shattered by the death of her husband during the London Blitz, she escapes to the countryside, hoping to leave the war behind her. But managing an inherited property in a quaint Gloucestershire village turns out to be more perilous than she expects.

Cozy little Brookminster isn't the peaceful haven Helen dreamed of, and it isn't long before she discovers that, even here, dark threats and dangerous secrets await. As family duty compels her to meddle in a police investigation into the suspicious death of a relative, she finds herself at odds with the local inspector.

Can Helen bring justice to her little corner of the country, while war rages on in the greater world outside? Or will her investigation make her the next target of a fiendish killer who has everything to lose?

Death comes unexpectedly ...

With the suspicious death of a young woman in the village, Helen Lightholder finds herself once again delving into the menacing shadows that lurk beneath the pleasant surface of sunny Bookminster. Her search for suspects and motives leads her to a prisoner of war camp on the outskirts of the village, but could the real danger lie even closer to home?

Meanwhile, two very different men vie for Helen's heart, but neither can take the place of the husband she lost. As a series of break-ins leave her feeling unsafe in her home and shop, Helen has to decide whether or not to continue in the "quiet" life she has found in the country.

All the secrets Helen Lightholder has been working to uncover are about to be revealed, as Helen travels to London. Seeking out a colleague of her late husband's, she delves into a murky world of spies and treason, becoming entangled in a web of danger and intrigue.

Meanwhile, dark happenings back in Bookminster end with the murder of a local man. Once again, Helen is called upon to assist Inspector Graves in an investigation, but can she focus on the present when the mysteries of her past beckon?

“A fun and spunky heroine, a plot involving an old castle in Strasbourg make this a fast-paced, delightful read.” —Rhys Bowen, New York Times bestselling author

“An exciting mystery with engaging characters. It kept me guessing to the end!” —Clare Broyles, co-author of Wild Irish Rose

In this sixth book of the series, Clive and Henrietta return to Europe in an attempt to resurrect their failed honeymoon. While in London, they are approached by their old friend, Inspector John Hartle, who convinces them to search for the missing panel of the Ghent Altarpiece, a famous Renaissance painting, of which Hitler’s top men are also in pursuit.

Meanwhile, back in Chicago, Oldrich Exley threatens to cut off financial support for the entire Von Harmon brood if Elsie continues with her plan to marry Gunther—a situation made worse by the sudden appearance of one Heinrich Meyer, who claims to be little Anna’s father and threatens to take her away. Desperate, Elsie seeks the help of Clive’s sister, Julia, who is herself the victim of domestic abuse and who has fallen under the spell of a handsome Texas millionaire bent on acquiring a rare painting from the Howard collection.

Clive and Henrietta’s search takes them to Chateau du Freudeneck in Strasbourg, France—the ancient seat of the Von Harmons and home to three eccentric distant relatives. What begins as a wild goose chase turns decidedly more deadly when several Nazi officers also arrive at the chateau in search of a “valuable item.” When Henrietta and Clive attempt to flee after Henrietta uncovers a shocking truth, they are forced to trust themselves to a suspicious French servant who seems all-too willing to help...

Author Bio:

Michelle Cox is the author of the multiple award-winning Henrietta and Inspector Howard series as well as "Novel Notes of Local Lore," a weekly blog dedicated to Chicago's forgotten residents. She suspects she may have once lived in the 1930s and, having yet to discover a handy time machine lying around, has resorted to writing about the era as a way of getting herself back there. Coincidentally, her books have been praised by Kirkus, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and many others, so she might be on to something. Unbeknownst to most, Michelle hoards board games she doesn't have time to play and is, not surprisingly, addicted to period dramas and big band music. Also marmalade.
 
Shop the Henrietta and Inspector Howard series

Self-published with She Writes Press

Murder and intrigue on the Arabian Sea...

When Rose Beckingham sets sail for England in the summer of 1926, she brings more than souvenirs from her years in India. She carries the memory of a family tragedy and a secret so terrible it could destroy the new life she hopes to build in London.

But Rose isn't the only passenger aboard the RMS Star of India with something to hide. Halfway across the Arabian Sea, death strikes and a murderer begins a deadly game only Rose can hope to end.

With a mysterious Frenchman haunting her steps, can Rose outrun her past? And can she stay alive long enough to decipher the clues left by a taunting killer? Or will murder call again before the first port?

A sinister plot unveiled...

Rose Beckingham's pursuit of an international assassin leads her to New York City, where she reunites with her cousins from London. But danger follows Rose across the Atlantic and it's not long before she must confront shadows from her past.

As she races against time to save a life, will the arrival of a familiar face hinder her investigation or offer a vital clue?

Will Imari fall like every sulaziér before her?

In a desperate attempt to save King Jeric's life, Imari drew upon the power from the Tree of Wisdom, hidden deep within the forsaken lands of Sol Velor. But Imari could not have known that by doing so, she would also free Zussa-the Great Deceiver-who had been bound between worlds since the beginning of time.

Thus freed, and now using Azir Mubarék as a vessel, Zussa will stop at nothing to exact her final revenge: to unravel the world as it is written.

With Trier destroyed and so many Sol Velorians and Liagé now under Zussa's employ, it seems the Five Provinces are doomed to Zussa's insatiable wrath. Jeric and Imari's only hope is to return to Corinth, to gather whatever fighting men will help, but Jeric hasn't been home in over two months. He can't possibly know what awaits him there, or if he still has a throne.

Regardless of what they find, Imari soon comes to realize that her particular gifting as a sulaziér is crucial in their inevitable fight against Zussa. The only problem is that her flute-her talla-is broken, and she can't channel Shah power properly without it. Jeric has miraculously discovered a new talla, but using it might come with a price that Imari is not willing to pay.