Lion on Fire: A casino-heist thriller


Ted Galdi - 2017
    Nothing goes as planned, and soon Brian is forced to team up with a charismatic co-worker to rob the mobsters who run the casino. Lion on Fire is the third book by Ted Galdi, the Amazon #1 bestselling author of Elixir and An American Cage. He’s been featured by Kirkus magazine, ABC, FOX, iHeartRadio, and many other media outlets. Main character Brian is shocked to learn that his younger brother not only has been dealing cocaine, but foolishly lost a whole package of it, and now owes his boss $30,000. If Brian’s brother doesn’t come up with the money in a few weeks, he’s dead. Brian decides to help. However, he realizes scrapping together that sort of cash in such a short timeframe is nearly impossible legally. So he approaches Dusty, another driver at the limousine company where he works, and asks him about the whispers of lucrative, yet illegal, side jobs he’s heard among the staff. After proving himself trustworthy with an initiation test, Brian is invited to participate in an underground driving network that shuttles wealthy individuals to extravagant, though illicit, gambling events set up in multi-million-dollar Manhattan penthouses. At first things go smoothly, and Brian pockets a lot of much-needed extra income. However, they turn jarring once he finds out a high-profile Russian gangster is behind the gambling events, and becomes mixed up with him not only professionally, but personally. With tensions rising, and the fate of Brian’s relationships with his parents and girlfriend now entangled with the underground casino, not to mention the life of his brother, he winds up in a position where pulling off a mafia robbery may be his only chance to get himself and his loved ones out of this mess alive and intact. Lion on Fire is a fun, fast-paced, action-packed gambling thriller, and also an emotionally charged buddy story, which pairs do-gooder Brian with the charmingly wild and alluringly mysterious Dusty, who not only guides Brian through the dangerous world of the mafia casino, but ushers him toward a new and profound view of the world as a whole. The book is perfect for fans of crime fiction that’s edgy while having a soul. A Russian mafia thriller featuring a revenge plan and heist, it’s loaded with adrenaline. However, it is just as touching as it is exciting. At the core of a plot about organized crime and pursuing police officers is the budding friendship of two young men who initially seem very different.   Set in New York City, Lion on Fire takes readers on a ride through a colorful cross section of neighborhoods and the lives that populate them. It’s written in the tradition of the Manhattan thriller, showcasing both the glamour and the grit of the city.  With this unique story, you’ll find yourself quickly turning pages as your pulse rises, while cheering for characters who make their way into your heart.

Tin God


Stacy Green - 2013
    Trapped by poverty and without many allies, Jaymee nearly gives up hope of getting her daughter back after her best friend is murdered. Now, four years later, a wealthy woman with legal connections hires her as a housekeeper, and Jaymee gathers the courage to seek her help. But Jaymee’s last chance ends up in a puddle of blood in one of the historic antebellum mansions in Roselea, Mississippi.I just murdered your wife...again.An unsigned letter consisting of six horrifying words turns Nick Samuels stagnant life upside down. Stuck in emotional purgatory since his wife’s unsolved murder four years ago, Nick is about to self-destruct. The arrival of the letter claiming credit for his wife’s murder and boasting of a new kill sends Nick to Roselea, where he and Jaymee’s worlds collide.Jaymee and Nick realize exposing the truth about her daughter’s adoption is the only way to solve the murders. Up against years of deception, they rush to identify the killer before the evidence–and Jaymee’s daughter–are lost.But the truth doesn’t always set the guilt-ridden free. Sometimes, it destroys them.

The Omega Strain


Steve P. Vincent - 2017
     
Herron’s business is death and business is good. Though he’s an assassin without equal, his latest job is no walk in the park. Fanatics hell-bent on cleansing the planet ambush Herron and turn him into a walking bioweapon. 
With only days before he’s used to spread the most lethal contagion in human history, Herron can surrender himself to quarantine or hunt down the fanatics, knowing he might be the only person who can. 
The clock is ticking…

Lamb to the Slaughter


Karen Ann Hopkins - 2014
    To solve the murder, she must investigate the nearby Amish community with the help of a man who was shunned years ago. Lamb to the Slaughter is a story about the intertwining lives of three unlikely people in an Indiana Amish Community and the devastating results when a rebellious teenage girl is found shot to death in a corn field during the harvest. Serenity Adams is the newly elected young sheriff in the country town of Blood Rock and besides dealing with the threatening behavior of her predecessor, she now has a dead Amish girl on her plate. At first glance, the case seems obvious. The poor girl was probably accidentally shot during hunting season, but when the elders of the Amish community and even the girl’s parents react with uncaring subdued behavior, Serenity becomes suspicious. As she delves deeper into the secretive community that she grew up beside, she discovers a gruesome crime from the past that may very well be related to the Amish girl’s shooting. Serenity enlists the help of the handsome bad-boy building contractor, Daniel Bachman, who left the Amish when he was nineteen and has his own dark reasons to help the spunky sheriff solve the crime that the family and friends who shunned him are trying desperately to cover up. Serenity’s persistence leads her to a stunning discovery that not only threatens to destroy her blossoming romance with Daniel, but may even take her life in the end.

Shadow Agenda


Sam Powers - 2015
    In Europe, two diplomats are slain. In America, a deadly game is unfolding that may yet engulf the world in flames... Enter Joe Brennan, a man fighting for the right reasons who may be on the wrong team. He's on the trail of a sniper, even as rumors surface of a much deadlier plot. With help from reporter Alex Malone, Brennan must stay on the run and under fire, as he tries to save countless lives and uncover the Shadow Agenda. NOTE: This novel was previously serialized in three-parts as "Betrayer of Kings", "Deadman Switch", and "Fallout Zone."

Before the Clock Strikes


E.G. Michaels - 2014
    An innocent teenage sleepover takes a tragic turn as a young girl is killed while she lay sleeping on a friend’s sofa. Philadelphia Detective Kyle Simmons races against the clock to quickly find the proof to nail the killer before neighborhood racial tensions boil over and a simple murder case turns into a violent turf war. *** This is a 35K length novella. It precedes "The Countdown". ***

Shallow Graves


Patrick Logan - 2016
     Robert Watts is having the worst day of his entire life: first he's laid off, then he finds out that his wife is having an affair... with his boss no less. And that's only the beginning. Before the month is out, Robert finds himself alone to raise his daughter with no money, no job, and a house that is minutes from being repossessed. Just when he hits rock bottom, a strange visitor arrives at the doorstep of his soon to be foreclosed house with a letter from an Aunt he didn't know existed. The offer is simple: look after Aunt Ruth during her dying days, and in return Robert will be bequeathed the Harlop Estate in which she currently resides. It's a no brainer and Robert jumps at the opportunity, equally motivated by the prospect of financial security as he is for a fresh start. Problem is, it only takes a few nights in the Harlop Estate before he begins to question Aunt Ruth's claims that they are the home's only inhabitants... It's the scratching he hears during the night, the voices that he can barely make out over the constant rain, and then there's the girl with the rat... With their house foreclosed and their bank accounts liquidated, Robert and his daughter Amy desperately need a place to live. But the question Robert soon finds himself struggling with is whether living in the Harlop Estate is worth it... and if he can survive until Aunt Ruth passes to collect his inheritance. Shallow Graves is the first book in the Haunted Series, chilling, gruesome, and truly haunting tales with a twist that you will never see coming.

Element 42


Seeley James - 2015
    Building a school seems simple enough until the locals give chase. She won’t say what she did to provoke them, but providing her protection just flipped from being a mini-vacation to a death sentence.Athlete Pia Sabel intended to put her fortune to use helping educate isolated children. When corrupt officials force her to flee, she remains haunted by the sight of dead and dying villagers. Without evidence of murder, international authorities dismiss her as simply rich and spoiled. Her obsession even grates on the Sabel Security team. Then one of their own contracts a highly contagious disease.Her friend is near death. A mole in her ranks tries to destroy her. Pia turns to Jacob and his questionable sanity to help bring the guilty to justice. When their primary suspects turn up dead, she must recalculate the evidence. Can Jacob and Pia expose the conspiracy before a tyrant unleashes an apocalyptic virus?

A Reason to Live


Matthew Iden - 2012
    Twelve years later, the victim's daughter begs for help: the killer is stalking her now. But Marty has retired to battle cancer. A second shot at the killer - and a first chance at redemption - Marty has A Reason to Live.

First Light


Tami Lund - 2015
    My mission in life is to track and kill the Lightbearers.Why do I want to seek out these unique people? Because if I kill them, I’ll inherit their magic. And who the hell doesn’t want more magic?But get this, when I finally find them, this hella badass female doesn’t try to run from me. She actually stands and fights. And she damn near wins.Now, my goal isn’t so much to track and kill, but to get to know this fascinating woman…Lightbearer series reading order:First LightBroken LightInto the LightDawning of LightLight Beyond the DarknessChange in the LightCupid's Light

Kill Switch


Steve N. Lee - 2015
    A kidnapped woman. An edge-of-your-seat rescue mission. ★★★★★ “Reacher fans should enjoy this … a thrill-packed adrenaline rush.” AJ NortonTess Williams has seen a lot of dead bodies. Not surprising – she’s responsible for most of them being in that state.However, Tess isn’t just a killer, but a rogue assassin with a passion for meting out justice to those who harm others – murderers, rapists, gangbangers, pimps – so when a young woman is abducted in Krakow, Poland, Tess dives into the city’s sleazy underworld to save her.And that’s when the bodies start piling up.Tess finds out the hard way that she’s taken on way more than just some local street thugs and plunges into a life-or-death struggle to rescue the woman. But she has only 24 hours to do it. And the clock is ticking…Outgunned, outnumbered, and out of options, Tess is about to discover that victory sometimes comes at a price too terrifying to pay.From Amazon #1 bestselling author Steve N. Lee comes a series that will see you turning pages quicker than you ever thought possible. A smart blend of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher and TV’s Nikita, Tess Williams is a hero you’ll love rooting for.Praise for Kill Switch: ★★★★★ “Fast-paced and action-packed, it takes you on a ride you don't want to stop!” J. Alexander ★★★★★ "Great Read… like a female Jack Reacher but with a twist. Highly recommended.” Brandon Williams ★★★★★ "Great non-stop action. Why does it always feel good when the bad guy gets what's coming to him?" C. A. Gisone ★★★★★ “An action packed thriller from beginning to end!” Dawn Raker ★★★★★ “A great intro to a great character. There's action a plenty as well as beautifully described scenes that really 'take you' to the places described.” Mr. Christopher A. Wells ★★★★★ “Fast paced thriller with suspense packed onto every page. Loved it.” Michael Miller ★★★★★ Over 1,000 5-star reviews across the series! ★★★★★Do you really want to miss this edge-of-your-seat thriller that so many other readers are raving about?If you love pulse-pounding action and a troubled hero with a dark past, you MUST READ this series.Amazon Bestselling ThrillerKill Switch has been: #1 Bestseller Crime Fiction (Apr 2016) #1 Bestseller Assassination Thrillers #1 Bestseller Vigilante Justice #1 Bestseller Noir #1 Bestseller Hard-boiled #1 Bestseller Mystery Series #1 Bestseller Pulp #1 Bestseller Serial KillersAbsolutely FREE!You get Black File 01 free with this book (see Contents).Dark Crime ThrillersThis series is gritty, action-packed crime fiction, not Miss Marple, so expect some violence, occasional strong language, and every so often, a scene of a sexual nature.The paperback edition is 220 pages long. ★★★★★ “Developing an emotional connection with the characters, and especially the protagonist is unavoidable. … prepare yourself for a wild ride, and while you're at it, take the day off, or have a good excuse for missing your deadlines.” Titia Matti

All the Shiny Things


Robin Mahle - 2013
    That is, until she discovers it was all a lie. Now, her desperate search for the truth begins.After learning of the terrible events that forever altered her childhood, Katie is compelled to dig into a past no one wants to relive. A past her parents kept hidden from her at all costs.A decades-old investigation is reluctantly unearthed when Katie discovers her role as the lone survivor. It is Detective Marshall Avery who lends her the resources needed to hunt down the person responsible. When that search breathes new life into an old monster—one who has left a trail of innocent blood in his wake—it is too late to turn back.Katie’s desire for retribution places her in great danger and costs her dearly. So when the tables are turned, and the hunted becomes the hunter, will Detective Avery be able to keep Katie from going too far?

Hail Storme


W.L. Ripley - 1993
    He reports violent incident confidentially to the local Sheriff...who is murdered the next day. Storme believes there's a connection and starts asking questions, unraveling a deadly conspiracy of corruption, drug-trafficking and organized crime... and making himself someone that just about everybody wants dead.

Taken!


Donald Wells - 2012
    All twenty-three women shared the same look as Karen Ryan and now Karen Ryan is being stalked, hunted like prey by a man who will stop at nothing to possess her. Will Karen become victim number twenty-four? Or does the prey hide a secret that will bring her predator down?***************SPOILER ALERT*****SPOILER ALERT************Reading the descriptions of TAKEN! 2-6 may spoil the twist ending of TAKEN!TAKEN! 2 – Young BloodThere’s a killer at large in the Colorado community of Eagle’s Bluff, and the death toll is frightening. Three families have been brutally murdered, but what really sets the town on edge is the fact that the killer is one of their own. Gregory Michael Rouse, a seventeen-year-old loner, was on the outside looking in among the affluent residents. Gregory just never seemed to fit and was often the butt of cruel jokes. Now, no one’s laughing after Gregory surfaces as the prime suspect in the slayings. Criminal Profiler, Dr. Jessica White is called in to help capture Gregory, but she didn’t come alone. Her husband has also traveled to the town of Eagle’s Bluff to track down the killer. Dr. White knows that Gregory’s days of freedom are numbered, because the only thing more dangerous than the man they hunt, is her husband.TAKEN! 3 – RegretAfter Sandra Jenkins’ six-year-old daughter was taken, the young mother trusted the authorities to get her little girl back. But when the man who holds the only possible lead to her daughter’s whereabouts is set free, Sandra goes after him. Hours later, the man is dead and Sandra is following a trail that she hopes will lead to her daughter, Chrissie. As the young mother’s quest makes the news, it catches the attention of Dr. White and her husband. As the path to her daughter grows more dangerous, Sandra gains new allies and closes in on the men who have Chrissie. The odds against her are high, and when Sandra walks into a trap, her only hope of rescue is Dr. White and her husband. What comes next is a violent climax that forces husband and wife to break all the rules and, in the end, will leave them changed forever.TAKEN! 4 – Mirror ImageWhen Jeffrey Mitchell abducted eighteen-year-old Hanna Jones, he had every intention of killing her. But now, years later, as husband and wife they play games that have only losers. Dr. White and her husband share a similar past, but when these two couples collide, only one pair can come out on top.TAKEN! 5 – Young LoveCouples meet in many ways, but when beautiful, young, Jessica White awakened to find herself naked and tied to a bed, the last thing on her mind was romance. However, terror soon morphed into an intense fascination with her captor and her innate understanding of human nature allowed her to see past his actions and into his heart Meanwhile, Jessica’s father was being threatened by a serial killer with a personal grudge. But Dr. White is in luck, because his daughter’s made a new friend, and he may be the only thing deadlier than the man that stalks him.TAKEN! 6 – Red, White and BlueWhen Dr. Jessica White is taken captive by fugitive, Sebastian Rojo, her husband will stop at nothing to get her back. Aided by a sexy female bounty hunter named Blue Steele, and the ever-efficient Carly Zhang, he races against time as a winter storm threatens, and corrupt government officials plot his wife’s death.With time running out, and a dozen armed men against them, he’ll do anything to ensure his wife’s safe return, and in the end, Sebastian Rojo will learn the folly of abducting the wife of a man, who is quite possibly, the deadliest man alive.

Gray Justice


Alan McDermott - 2011
    But when the killer is let off with time served on remand, Gray knows there is something fundamentally wrong with the justice system. Engaging the help of his ex-SAS buddies, he kidnaps five repeat offenders and asks the public to vote on their fate: Should they be allowed to continue their criminal ways with inadequate punishment, or has Britain had enough?His website attracts a worldwide audience and, although the authorities know where he is, they are powerless to stop him.Can Gray carry out his audacious plan? Will Andrew Harvey and his fellow MI5 operatives find a way to stop him?Gray Justice is more than a simple tale of revenge: it’s a rollercoaster ride with an ending you’ll never forget.