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A Simple Lie


Mary Bush - 2019
    With foreclosure looming she acts in desperation, lying to get a position as an assistant to the county medical examiner. Val’s relieved. She won’t be homeless. But Val didn’t count on the lie trapping her in a dangerous game with a killer. Val quickly becomes involved in the case of Francine Donohue, who disappeared from her neighbourhood and is discovered dead six months later. The bizarre circumstances surrounding the murder are not the first of their kind. With the evidence pointing to a serial killer, and a calling card Val understands, she quickly gets sucked into the case.   As Val is pulled in further, the situation takes a darker turn. Someone is aware of the lie she told. Someone who is prepared to kill…

Dollhouse


Anya Allyn - 2012
    A dollhouse, filled with life-sized toys. A doorway into other realms. And girls who keep disappearing...When Cassie’s best friend, Aisha, vanishes during a school hike, Cassie sets off with Aisha's boyfriend and their friend Lacey, determined to find her. Instead, the three teens fall into a carefully-laid trap—deep into the surreal nightmare and dark secrets of the Dollhouse.Now, Cassie must uncover the mysteries of the Dollhouse and her own connection to it-- before it's too late.With the horror and otherworldliness of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children and the gothic romance of A Great and Terrible Beauty, Dollhouse is a tantalizing start to The Dark Carousel series.

30 Days


K. Larsen - 2013
    Dealing with the loss of her only sister. A suicide attempt that doesn’t end in death and a husband who wants her inheritance. Elle’s life is a catastrophe. But she has a list and thirty things she’s determined to accomplish. Love isn't on that list but it comes crashing unexpectedly into her life. Boxing coach and personal trainer at the gym he co-owns, Colin’s content with his life. Until a chance meeting with a woman eating alone at a restaurant sets his heart in motion. As secrets unveil themselves his only goal becomes holding on to what he’s found.

The Predator Hunter


Phil M. Williams - 2018
    His goal: confrontation and humiliation IRL. Kyle Summers mows lawns by day and hunts child predators by night. Troy, his friend and cameraman, is a mall security guard by day and watches Kyle’s back by night. Together the wannabe heroes hope to be someone more than they are. But being a hero comes with a price. Do they have what it takes? This novel portrays adult language, sexual content, and child abuse.

With Wanton Disregard


Gwen Banta - 2018
     Tim is at a crossroads in his life when he meets Lauren: the beautiful wife of a prominent Long Beach physician who has been brutally murdered. In spite of the mounting evidence against Lauren, Tim fights to prove that she is not involved. But when Lauren suddenly goes into hiding, more savage murders occur in the exclusive Long Beach enclave of Belmont Shore. As Mulrooney pieces together the evidence proving that the murders are connected to the Connolly case, he makes a startling discovery about the next intended victim, and must risk his reputation, his shield, and his life to solve the case - and stay alive.

True Gentlemen: 3 Novellas


Jennifer Blake - 2017
    Continue the romantic adventures of the Benedict clan with LANCELOT OF THE PINES, on Countdown now: amazon.com/dp/B01BO8423MFrom small-town charmers to the elite of New Orleans, these three novellas capture all the grit, passion and allure of the Deep South, as well as its buried lies and secrets.Meet Adam, Rip and Hunter: Three true gentlemen--fiercely protective, devoted and capable of the deepest love, with the integrity to do the right thing no matter the consequences. Three Southern men true to themselves and true to the women they desperately want to love and to be loved by.RIPRip was a dirt-poor kid from the wrong side of town when he first saw Anna in the shining costume of a Christmas fairy and fell head over heels in love.Although he always knew she was above his touch, he became her self-appointed protector. Until he was falsely accused of robbing a service station and railroaded into prison.Now he's back, and determined to redeem himself. But the same enemy that sent him to prison in the first place will stop at nothing to keep him away from Anna--and away from past secrets too painful to be revealed.HUNTERAdrienne is only at the Mardi Gras masked ball to help her father succeed with his first case as a PI--an adultery investigation of their society hostess--and to distract the woman's too handsome possible lover.Hunter is there for his own purposes, but doesn't mind the distraction. Because the closer he gets to Adrienne, the more determined he becomes to discover her secrets.As the evening advances, the two of them whirl closer and closer in their intricate game of cat-and-mouse. But who is seducing whom, and what will happen at midnight when their masks come off?ADAMAdam Benedict is certain Lara Bancroft is hiding her aunt, a woman wanted for murder, in the old mansion she's inherited in the small town of Turn-Coupe. Lara's Aunt Kim shot her abusive husband, yes, but in self defense. And given the dead man's crime family connections, Lara fears her aunt won't make it to a trial.When mafia goons show up, it's a fight for survival, one in which only trust in the unique psychic connection Lara shares with Adam can keep them alive. But reading Adam's mind could be even more dangerous to her heart.

Connected


Simon Denman - 2012
    Across the country, a university student, enjoying the unexpected attentions of an enigmatic seductress, is disturbed when his best friend falls to his death from the thirteenth floor of a neighbouring campus tower block.As each tries to unravel the mystery behind the apparent suicides, they are drawn into an obsessive search for a computer-generated fractal video sequence, with startling effects on human consciousness, and which might just pave the way for discovery of the ultimate Theory of Everything. However, they are not the only ones to have seen the potential of this mind-altering video, and soon find themselves in a desperate race against time with gangsters from the shadowy worlds of sex, drugs, cyber-crime, and massively multi-player on-line gaming.Science ContentAlthough, as the reviews testify, CONNECTED has been enjoyed by many with no background in computer science, Mandelbrot Fractal geometry, string theory, quantum physics or brain science, those with some interest or knowledge in these areas seem to have particularly enjoyed the book. One reason for this appears to be that most of these references are actually based on fact. Of course, some readers have preferred to skim these sections, and claim that this did not detract from the story. Others have appreciated the scientific detail and fidelity, and some have even thanked the author for explaining such things in a way that enabled them to learn something new.Philosophy, Science and ReligionAlthough CONNECTED is mostly enjoyed as a fast-paced mystery thriller, it is also, to a limited extent, about the inevitable conflict between science and religion. The two main male protagonists happen to be atheist, and some of the dialogue explores the different thoughts and attitudes concerning some of life’s deeper questions. These include the origins of the universe, the nature of consciousness, and whether there could be life after death. Again these philosophical references to faith and atheism are few, and mostly quite short, but all are crucial to the story.Setting and slangCONNECTED is a contemporary novel, set entirely in England. As the story unfolds through two converging plot threads, the action switches between a fictitious village in the Lake District, the University of Essex in Colchester (an old Roman town about 60 miles north-east of London), Bracknell (a newer suburban town some 40 miles west of London), and North London.Consequently, there is some British slang and occasional use of bad language (e.g. a few instances of the F-word etc.) in keeping with the age and background of the characters.Why Connected?Years ago, while the author was at university, a fellow student had a breakdown and was admitted to the local psychiatric hospital. A few, who knew him well, went to visit and reported that he’d subsequently lost the plot and was gabbling incomprehensibly of having found the answer to life, the universe and everything. While most people seemed consumed with sadness and pity at this, the author’s first thought was, “What if he really had discovered some universal truth?” Although never seriously believing that he had, it was on that day that the seed of an idea lodged in his young brain – a seed that years later would

Blindsided


Erica Hilary - 2020
    A man was the last thing she needed. But that was before Richard Lynch literally crashed into her life.After Reilly and the charismatic Brit are involved in a fender-bender, she's unable to resist the exhilarating romantic freefall. The enigmatic Rick is not who she thinks he is, however, and Reilly finds herself in a twisted maze of sordid secrets and devious manipulations. Navigating this terrifying new reality, can she rally and find a way out before her soulmate-turned-stranger destroys everything she treasures.

The Bialy Pimps


Johnny B. Truant - 2012
    The loathed customers are dealt the poor treatment they seem to deserve, bad rap music is played loudly, and The Rat is killed often enough to stem his immortality. And the insane homeless regulars -- like drunken Little Johnny Redbeard -- keep life interesting.But when a rival tricks the crew into thinking that the deli's closure is imminent, they do the only logical thing: instead of giving up, they decide to go out in a blaze of glory, handing their customers the humiliation and abuse that the pesky social contract had previously forbidden. But as insults turn to assaults and snide remarks turn to harassment and pro wrestling moves, a strange thing happens. Business goes up -- way up -- as people come back in droves, begging for more.But the flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long, and as pop-culture welcomes the parody musical group "The Bialy Pimps" and its frivolous merchandising machine -- and as the crew pushes to see how much bad behavior society will accept -- the violent road to fame begins to feel like a runaway train, out of control and headed for destruction…The Bialy Pimps is a tale that could only be spun by the twisted, vaguely profane mind of outspoken blogger Johnny B. Truant. Combining hilarity with questions about conformity and whether the tail or the dog is the one doing the wagging, this story can't help but raise a question for the reader: If the rest of your friends decided to submit to the Face-Kicking Machine, would you do it too?

Lie Like a Woman (A Bree and Richard Matthews Mystery)


Campbell Jones - 2010
    A GREAT READ THAT WILL KEEP YOU GUESSING! Richard Matthews is a private eye in San Diego who's bitten off more than he can chew with a simple infidelity case that ends in murder. Bree Matthews is his lovely wife, a detective novelist with a PhD in forensics that manages to keep a step ahead of her feckless husband as the two of them try to solve a puzzle involving missing persons, a kidnapping of a couple of dangerously psychotic adolescent twins, a suicide, a walled up skeleton, a plethora of obnoxious dogs, and several instances of mistaken identity. Suspenseful, humorous, and full of twists, LIE LIKE A WOMAN is the first in the Bree and Richard Matthews Mystery Series, and will leave you begging for more! Soon to come, the next Bree and Richard Matthews Mystery, DIE LIKE A MAN.

Black Keys


Rose B. Mashal - 2015
    He returns with the contract and news of his engagement to a princess. With the surprise royal wedding only four days away, Marie’s Catholic upbringing makes her question the rush, but she swallows her misgivings and agrees to attend in order to make Joseph happy.Disoriented by the language barrier and bewildered by Muslim wedding traditions, Marie is further confused by her elevated role in the wedding party. She is paired with the bride’s brother, Crown Prince Mazen Alfaidy, a breathtakingly handsome man with mysterious eyes, whose silent attentions leave her disconcerted.Marie’s joy for her sibling is cut short by her brother's betrayal. Joseph forces her into an arranged marriage with Prince Mazen in a Sister Swap, to save his own bride from a horrible destiny.Confined in the palace with a husband she doesn’t know or trust, Marie’s life is riddled with lies and secrets. Royal intrigue, traditions, and rules have put her in danger. Now, the new princess has a lot to learn, and many black keys to find.Can she open her heart to a world so unlike her own, or will her prejudices prevent her from finding happiness?Because when it comes to love, rules blur and traditions fade.A Multicultural Romance filled with drama and suspense.

Seems Like Old Times


JoMarie Lodge - 2011
    Nor does she expect that her feelings for him are still so strong.Tony Santos had been a major league baseball player, but now finds his days of glory gone. He's gone back home to raise his young son as a single dad.Both Tony and Lee have changed a lot. Yet, being with him, she finds that in her heart, it seems like old times...

Dollhouse


Tim Miller - 2015
    Except his dolls are not actually dolls. They are living, breathing women. Using drugs to paralyze them, he brings new girls into his "Family" where he bathes, feeds, and uses them to decorate his Dollhouse. When Ernie sets his sights on Jodi, he realizes he must have her at all costs. Everything about her would be perfect for his Dollhouse. Problem is, Jodi comes with a heavy price. Will she end up as one of Ernie's dolls? Or will Ernie finally push things too far? Find out in one of Tim Miller's most terrifying tales to date.

Second Son (Hostile Takeover Thrillogy Book 2)


Derek Blount - 2016
    His name is Silas Kane.Dr. Grant Armstrong has returned home from his medical work in Africa. His grandfather is dead. His remaining family has gathered on Armstrong Island where a billion dollar inheritance is in play. And he’s just learned from his best friend, NYPD Detective Eric Johnson, that the old man may have been murdered.When Silas Kane—the ruthless second son of an infamous serial killer—escapes police custody, Eric embarks on a mission to recapture the monster. Following a bloody trail through the streets of New York, Eric races against time to stop Kane before he strikes again.Meanwhile, Grant is left alone to investigate his grandfather’s death with each clue leading him further down a path he doesn’t wish to follow.A violent storm envelopes the State of New York as Eric and Grant each pursue a killer. Will either succeed…or survive?Brimming with tantalizing mystery, pulse-pounding suspense and unexpected twists, Second Son is a complex, exhilarating thriller and an electrifying follow-up to the stellar Hostile Takeover.

The Widow's Husband


William Coleman - 2019
    The simple task of proving he isn’t the dead man turns into a challenge when the police decide to look at him as a suspect in the murder.Despite obstacles every step of the way, Allan sets out on an unintended journey of self discovery in the hopes to reclaim his identity and maintain his freedom.