Book picks similar to
Rings of Smoke by Diane O'Toole


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Elite


Joseph C. Anthony - 2014
    He had experienced a complete physical transformation in a remarkably short period of time. Just three weeks ago no one would have looked twice at someone like Daniel, but a revolutionary procedure had helped to transform him into something spectacular. He was now beyond human, he was better.He had once believed that the day Jordan moved to Chicago would be the greatest of his life, but it had proven otherwise. Daniel could not compete with Gordon Demers, one of Chicago’s wealthiest and most powerful up-and-comers. Demers had been the true reason for Jordan’s relocation, and all of his money and influence brought with it a physical attraction that Jordan could not resist – even if it meant breaking Daniel’s heart.Daniel had soon after lost his job, and with it his ability to remain in Chicago. He knew then that he had no choice but to accept the offer given to him by an ex-CIA agent and his eccentric partner. The experimental brain surgery he had to undergo held incredible risk – yes, but it had been his only option.The operation had been a success. Daniel was now capable of controlling every single function in his entire body, even those previously out of reach from his conscious mind. It was time for him to put Jordan aside. He was now working for the most elite personal security force on the planet, and would soon be hired to protect high profile individuals from the world’s deadliest assassins.First he would need to establish himself. He needed to train to become the top ranked agent at Elite Personal Security Force and prove himself to be the superior being the revolutionary procedure had turned him into. Anything less would be considered failure.

Marrying to The Boss: Falling Love for a Billionaire #1


Elannah James - 2014
    She had the radio on as she danced around the kitchen waiting for Karl to get back from his business trip in New Orleans. They were married almost 2 months and she had missed him. That is when it happened. There was a knock at the door; she almost didn’t hear it as she sang along to the latest catchy tune that was sure to get annoying in the next few days. She ran from the kitchen thinking Karl was going to be his usual sweet self and try to surprise her with a grand entrance – or maybe he had left his keys. She opened the door with excitement only to see two police officers with solemn faces. Her world came crashing down around her as she invited them in and continued cooking. She couldn’t believe it, Karl was going to come through that door any minute and tell them it was all a mistake. He would want dinner when he got back. She needed to keep cooking so he wouldn’t go hungry. Jessica came around and talked her down, told her that she needed to go with the police officers to identify the body. She would be with her every step of the way. What followed was the realization that her husband was dead and their future was no more. All the things they were going to do; getting a chateaux in France, having a family, getting a cat when they moved to the suburbs and bought their own place. The future was full of life and in a split second it became a blank canvas; all because of a stupid accident.

Touchstone: The Sins of the Fathers (Touchstone, #1)


Andy Conway - 2011
    and you're who knows when? A brilliant paranormal mystery that Kicks off this series of books for kindle with an Edwardian thriller that blends science fiction with historical adventure and just a hint of the romance that grows over the series... In a small corner of Birmingham, England, Rachel and Danny are a pair of mismatched History students from opposite sides of the tracks. But they find their lives thrown together when an old gravestone catapults them back into their neighbourhood’s dark Edwardian past, where they have just three days to prevent the murder of a teenage girl. There they find that every action has an unforeseen consequence that can ripple through generations. Touchstone builds into a moving coming of age fantasy series that has won plaudits from young and old readers alike with its intelligent blend of time travel adventure, science fiction, historical romance and urban fantasy. *** LENGTH: 20,000-words (100 pages) *** This first part of the Touchstone saga is a self-contained novella set in 1912. Parts 1 and 2 of Touchstone are also available in a special double paperback edition. Join Andy Conway's mailing list for news of all future Touchstone releases, giveaways and offers, and to get another free exclusive book in the Touchstone series. www.andyconway.net Keywords: free time travel, free science fiction time travel, free teen & young adult time travel, free urban fantasy, free historical adventure, free time travel romance, Birmingham, Brummie, Peakie Blinders, Edwardian murder mystery, thriller.

Cat & Mouse


Jack Arbor - 2016
    When not plying his trade, he passes his time managing a jazz club in the City of Light. To make ends meet, he freelances by offering his services to help rid the earth of the world's worst criminals. Max is enjoying his ritual post-job vodka when he meets a stunning woman; a haunting visage of his former fiancé. Suddenly, he finds himself the target of an assassination plot in his beloved city of Paris. Fighting for his life, Max must overcome his own demons to stay alive.

The Strangler's Daughter


Amy Cross - 2019
    Ten years ago, he strangled several women, but he was never caught by the police. He eventually promised his daughter that it would never happen again, and their lives seemed to go back to normal. But now there's another body... Timid and shy, Lisa struggles to make sense of the world. Everyone tells her that she's different, that she's a little slow in the head. Last time her father killed, she was an impressionable young girl who believed all his excuses. Having just lost her mother, she was terrified of being left all alone. Now, however, Lisa's a young woman, and ignoring the truth isn't so easy. Can she still stand by while her father commits terrible crimes? Or will she take a stand and try to stop him? Is he even telling the truth about why he kills? And if she finally disobeys his instructions, how far will he go in order to keep his deadly secrets? Could Lisa be his next victim?

Secrets


J.S. Donovan - 2018
    She never comes home... The Vanishing of The Georgia Rose A girl goes missing. Only one woman can find her. After a scholarly fourteen-year-old girl vanishes on Halloween night, uncompromising yet isolated private investigator Arden Briar dives deep into the Georgia underground to find the victim. Faced with overwhelming odds, Arden enlists the help of the victim’s damaged father, a veteran with a short fuse. Will Arden’s temporary alliance be the solution to her problem or her downfall? Kidnapped Renowned Miami detective Anna Dedrick returns to her rural birthplace with hopes of leaving behind the vices of the big city. That dream shatters when the town’s pride--an African-American child prodigy--goes missing. As the only woman equipped for the job, Anna takes the case but soon discovers the town suspecting her estranged brother… and herself.

Violence in the Blood (The Crime Syndicate #1)


Mark Newman - 2016
    He's got everything he ever wanted, except his health. The knives are out. His rivals sense blood. Their time is now. But Thompson's not going down without a fight. Violence in the Blood documents Thompson's rise to power from the backstreets of Glasgow to the industrial heartland of the Midlands. Join the rampage as Malkie and his crew blaze a trail of mayhem and destruction north and south of the border.

Oathkeeper


Troy Grice - 2015
    Beleaguered Sheriff Bear Ellison finds himself outnumbered, over-matched, and increasingly isolated as he is forced to decide between risking his life protecting a local hero, or reneging on his oath and handing him over to federal prosecutors.

Black and Gold Box Set


Solomon Carter - 2015
    The gang are brutal and unchallenged. They rule through absolute fear. But tonight they take a step too far... Tonight a stranger is watching. A man who has had enough.But the gang is not alone... and though he does not know it, neither is the he...Meet Simon, the Man in the Mask, the dark star of thrilling new short read series... BLACK & GOLD. This boxed set edition comprises the first three ripping yarns of the Black and Gold vigilante justice adventures...BLACK AND GOLD 1In a ghetto occupied by a ruthlessly violent youth gang, one man is ready to stand up for the silent majority, ready to do whatever it takes to claim back the night. One man... One mask... with enough righteous anger to bring the world crashing down upon their heads.RELENTLESS, BLACK AND GOLD 2The looming tower blocks of the Kingsmere Estate  are home to every kind of menace. It's a place many fear to tread. Early one morning a man on a mission comes knocking. And he isn't going away until he gets what he wants.Dark forces stand in his way. Organized crime and deadly criminals are intent on his demise. And must get out of the area quickly before daylight or risk capture by the police.But when Simon sees another incident unfolding he can’t help but get involved. But Simon soon wonders whether if it’s a case of one job too many... IN THE CROSSFIRE, BLACK & GOLD 3As rumours circulate of a dangerous protection racket blackmailing the small businesses of the town, the ever impetuous Jess takes bold risks to play amateur sleuth and starts combat training in a bid to become Simon’s equal.There is a ruthlessly violent new team in town.  Is Jess playing with fire at the worst possible time?  Life for the vigilante is getting complicated and more dangerous by the day. From hunter to hunted, from cold blooded animal to discovering unwelcome emotions is the Man in the Mask losing his way when he needs to be at his clinical best?And when the streets are filled with blood and broken glass, the vigilante and his persistent companion may face their greatest tests yet.  In the heat of battle anything can happen...BLACK & GOLD - an epic Vigilante Justice Action and Crime Thriller Adventure. It’s fast paced and action packed to the very end!The Black and Gold series is categorised as:vigilante justicevigilante justice seriesvigilante justice action thrillervigilante justice thrillervigilanceorganized crime action thrillercrime fighterThrillers and mysteries new Essex thriller series Essex fiction

DELIVERANCE (The Territories Trilogy, #1)


COLE JACKSON - 2015
    However, that’s when the proverbial shit hits the fan. Hunted by an armed and dangerous people trafficking ring, it will take all of Marshall’s training and more to get out alive.Packed with fast-paced action, you will love this gripping suspense thriller!

The Icarus Effect


Nick Thacker - 2018
    To escape from it all... but fate has other plans. Harvey Bennett is no stranger to tragedy. He's searching for something. But he's not sure what. Life, unfortunately, keeps getting in the way. When tragedy strikes Harvey during a family camping trip, he does the only thing he knows how to do: he runs away. The Icarus Effect is a coming-of-age story set in the woods and backcountry of the US, following the saga of a young man who just wants to find his place in the world. He's alone, scared, and stubborn. The runaway bestseller The Enigma Strain and the follow-up series of Harvey Bennett Mysteries has fans asking the question: "who is Harvey Bennett?" How did Harvey Bennett go from reclusive park ranger to head of the Civilian Special Operations? Now, discover the answer: Introducing the newest in the Harvey Bennett universe: the Harvey Bennett Prequel series. If you like authors like Dan Brown, Clive Cussler, and Matt Reilly, you'll love Harvey Bennett. Start reading The Icarus Effect today!

One False Move


David Callinan - 2013
    Delaney has just four hours to locate and rescue them from the hands of a crazed escapee, a figure from his past, hell bent on turning the wheelchair into an electric chair and wreaking revenge on Mike Delaney. A short story exclusive.

Iron Triangle


Patrick Adams - 2013
    Navy's SEAL Team 6 in disgrace, he thought he'd left the violence of combat behind him forever. He was wrong. Haunted by memories of his past, Jackson is thrust into a nightmare scenario more horrific than anything he could have ever imagined. After witnessing a murder, Jackson is pursued by a multinational organization who will stop at nothing keep him silent. As the former Navy SEAL fights for truth, justice, and at times for his very life, he unravels the organization's deeply sinister plan. Now, in order to bring the guilty to justice and save thousands of innocent people, Jackson will need every shred of combat skill at his disposal as he rails against a multinational organization whose corruption extends to the highest levels of government and industry.

Going Viral


Dustin Stevens - 2015
    At twenty-eight years old he was content to still live in the bedroom he grew up in, working as a manager at the fast food chain he first joined in high school. Upon the death of his father, Charles realizes there might be something more for him out there and decides to try his hand at the potential of social media for introducing himself to the masses.Starting as a web series of self-exploration, Charles soon finds himself seduced by the allure of faceless followers. What began as a first cigar or shot of whiskey soon escalates much faster, an entire new persona developing.Told after the fact, Going Viral follows first-person insight into the mind of a man that in just six short months manages to go from an anonymous face in suburban America to internet novelty to ultimately death row inmate Chaz D.

Mistaken Trust: a crime suspense thriller


Shirley Spain - 2013
    Torture. Murder. Now that "the Commander" set his sights on Jewels, he will stop at nothing to possess the sexy, independent woman. His plan is foolproof. Cleverly elaborate. Insanely detailed. Criminally brilliant. Downright sadistically twisted. Jewels will be his, one way or another. Or will she? Violently captured and held prisoner in the remote mountains of Utah by a radical militia, Jewels’ defensive handgunning expertise, journalism experience, and strong-willed personality could either help or hinder her chances of survival. An ally would almost guarantee her escape. But whom should she trust? The FBI agent who had been hounding her for a date since the death of her husband? The rough-handed handsome he-man designated to keep her imprisoned? The militia’s kind-eyed doctor? Or...? Will she make the right choice in time to be spared the savage mutilation her captor ... the mysterious Commander ... has planned for her? Or will mistaken trust lead to her torturous demise?