The interview with the professor was followed by a quick hit with a grumpy detective in a wrinkled suit tossing out the inevitable quote that the first forty-eight hours are the most vital in a case. He didn't mention the fact that twice that time had passed." One woman's disappearance unlocks dark secrets in Mark Allen's brisk new detective novel, Six Months of September. As the suspects pile up, it falls on one unemployed reporter to figure out what the police cannot. Duncan Walsh has recently been fired from his job at Channel 8 news after an intense altercation with a local news icon. While contemplating his next move, he spends his days at the Chicago Museum of Natural History where he quickly befriends a beautiful tour guide named Agnes. A local university student, Agnes reveals that she is soon heading off on a paleontology dig. But when Agnes never shows up for the assignment, her disappearance becomes headline news. Unable to sit back while Agnes's life may be in danger, Duncan launches his own investigation with the assistance of his best friend. Along the way, another volunteer joins up, the last person Duncan ever wants to meet: James, Agnes's boyfriend. The ragtag group of amateur detectives struggles to gain leads, a task made all the harder by James's father, the Chicago Police Commander who may just hold a secret of his own. The danger heats up and more secrets are revealed as their investigation brings them closer to the university where Agnes studied. When one of them is attacked by an unknown assailant, Duncan begins to suspect that they may have gotten themselves in over their heads. Readers will find Six Months of September a compulsively readable page turner, right down to the right down to the shocking final confrontation.

    In Sneeze for Danger, a killer is unmasked by unfortunate means, and in The Consolation Blonde, a misunderstanding turns a bestselling author to crime…‘Very smart and memorable . . . both stories are great reminders of a time when McDermid was sharpening her teeth on the crime fiction genre and the great writer she was to become . . . an excellent aperitif before the next McDermid novel’

    One look at her scarred flesh tells the tales of her time in captivity. But it's not only her skin that bears the marks of her failures, doubt and a healthy dose cynicism now clouds her vision. She's also mastered the fine art of deception. In her line of work it is a necessity. Former Navy SEAL Brooks Miller is living the good life working as a mercenary. Employed by the highly sought-after Z Corps, a private, special-ops company, there are no shortage of contracts sending him around the world. When the Gold Team's latest mission takes them to Bahrain, Brooks thinks it will be a quick in and out. That's until he walks into a shitstorm and comes face to face with the woman who's about to turn his world upside down. There was something working behind her intelligent eyes, and it looked a lot like pain. Not the physical kind, the emotional aftermath of heartache. It will take more than the Gold Team to bring down a Saudi Prince out for blood. Their only hope is the one and only, king of all things cyber, John "Tex" Keegan. Can Tex get a search and rescue team to them in time, or will it be a recovery mission? THADDEUS- There had been a time, I’d been happy—blissfully happy—then a single act of brutality tore Thaddeus Bench from my life. But not from my heart. I never thought I’d see him again. But I did. In a cantina in Mexico. And when he looked over at me with so much hatred in his stare, it pulverized what was left of my heart. Emerson Pierce was my own personal hell. The agony of her betrayal still as sharp as it was the day I’d come home and found her gone. I’d spent years doing whatever I could not to think about her. To stop myself from wondering where she was and why she’d left me. Now my team needs answers from her to stop a criminal mastermind and I can’t trust a damn thing that comes out of her pretty mouth. Emerson’s no longer the sweet girl I fell for, she’s the girlfriend of a notorious drug runner and dog fighter. Or at least that’s what I thought until her lies unravel and the truth explodes. Nothing about Emerson was what it seemed. Nothing about our latest mission was easy. But one thing is for sure...I will save Emerson Pierce, even from herself. KYLE- Anaya Baker knows pain—she got her first taste when she was orphaned and put into foster care. Then it was forever embedded into her soul when she was sold to a sex trafficking ring. Since being rescued, Anaya has dedicated her life to helping others, yet no amount of good she’s done has lessened her anguish. While on an assignment with the Peace Corps she learns of brothel posing as an orphanage and she cannot turn her back. Anaya has one mission: save the young girls for the horrors she herself had suffered. Kyle Smith couldn’t say no. Not when the beautiful woman with haunted eyes asked him and his teammate to escort her to a remote island to save a bunch of children. Her plan was crazy. The island was overrun with rebels and the unrest was at an all-time high. There was no stopping the woman, she was resolute and Kyle was just as determined to keep her safe. He had no business falling in love—but was helpless against her bravery and strength. But when the threat closes in and one of their lives hangs in the balance, Kyle has to make a choice. And the wrong one could mean death.

    

    To all outward appearances, North Bank is a quiet retirement and tourist community, but several murders soon reveal a darker side of crime and corruption. Margot must get involved to protect her friends and family and keep six killers from getting away. This collection of cozy mysteries includes books one through six in the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery series. If you like cozy mysteries with interesting characters and unexpected turns, the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery series is for you. Buy the Margot Durand Cozy Mystery Boxed Set and start solving your next mystery (or three) today! Always FREE on Kindle Unlimited Included Books Each book in the series is a stand-alone story, but your enjoyment of each story will be increased if you read them all. Be sure to check them all out. Croissants and Corruption - When Margot's troublesome niece comes for a summer visit, she knows she is going to have her hands full. After an unexpected murder, the girl is labeled as the prime suspect and Margot is forced to fight for her niece's freedom. Can she solve the mystery and clear her niece before the killer gets away…or strikes again? Desserts and Deception - When a man is murdered in the craft store run by her friend, Margot does everything she can to catch the killer and protect her friend. In the process, she uncovers a story of lies and deception. Can she solve the case, catch the killer, and keep out of harms way? Pastries and Pilfering - When Margot attempts to take a vacation on a cruise ship, mystery follows. What starts as a small time case of robbery, quickly turns into murder. Can Margot solve the mystery before someone else goes overboard? Muffins and Murder - After a conversation over breakfast muffins turns to an old treasure hunt, she gets pulled into a tale of deceptions and double-crosses. When a dead body turns up, Margot must unravel a plot that began decades ago. Can she solve the mystery and save her friend before he becomes the next victim? Vacations and Violence - Margot is excited about leaving her bakery behind for a weekend vacation at the Blue Ridge Mountain Resort. When she arrives, she learns of mysterious threats to her friend. After finding a dead body on a mountain trail, the mystery turns deadly. Determined to enjoy her vacation anyway, Margot lets the local police handle the investigation…until they declare it an accident. Sure there is more to the story than an accidental mishap, she sets her vacation aside and goes on the hunt for a killer. Margot must be at her sleuthing best if she is going to bring this killer to justice and protect her friend…and herself. Boating and Bodies - Life is going well for Margot and she takes time to go on a romantic boat ride with Adam. But when the son of a wealthy mogul washes up on shore to ruin the date, Margot is forced into another murder mystery. She soon learns that there might be political ramifications to this "accident" and refuses to let it get covered up. Can Margot uncover another one of the town's secrets and put the killer behind bars? Always FREE on Kindle Unlimited

    During a live cooking show at the Juno ranch, her father dies in front of millions of viewers, and suspicion falls on the celebrity diva when his autopsy reveals he was poisoned. Nick Juno, the boy Kate left behind, who is now mayor, is the only person who can prove her innocence.Did Kate kill her father on national TV? Nick must untangle the lies and past secrets to figure out if Kate has been framed or slipped her father a secret ingredient that finally put an end to their family dispute.

    The target is a powerful Washington senator who is a friend of her father’s and a member of the president’s inner circle. Then Amber is abducted too. Terrified that she’s going to die, she is shocked to be rescued by the seductive stranger who shared her bed a year ago. But Michael Adams hasn’t come to save her. Haunted by the explosion that killed his wife and daughter, Adam Tchartoff lives for the day he can carry out his retribution. To the world he’s a heartless assassin. As Michael Adams, he can infiltrate the most impenetrable terrorist cells. Now a covert government mission has thrust Amber into harm’s way. The only way to protect her is to keep up the pretense. But will his hunger for revenge cost him the woman whose passion has brought him back to life? This ebook features an illustrated biography of Heather Graham, including rare photos from the author’s personal collection.

    Now I've Been Given Chance To Save Her... Hopefully It's Not Too Late! DylanWe had the time of our lives and I finally stole her innocence. Then someone stole her. Now I’m stuck in the hot seat, being grilled under the bright lights. Sitting here, all I can think about is going out there and finding her. At this point, however, it’s going to take a miracle just to stay out of jail. Unfortunately, I’m not the type who attracts miracles or even luck for that matter.CarsonOlivia Bennett is the only woman I’ve ever loved, but I lost her after choosing the Marines instead of college. Now her daughter is missing and the blame has been pinned on my only nephew. With twenty years of military and DEA experience, I know I can hunt down the bastard who took her and bring her back alive. If I succeed, it will heal some old wounds with my family and give me another shot at winning back the woman of my dreams.SummerI return to consciousness being face down on a stinky piece of cheap, prickly carpet. My head is pounding. I can’t open my eyes. I try to move my arms, then my legs, but both are tightly bound. All I hear is the sound of tires humming against the pavement. I try to scream, but my lips are pressed so tightly together that I can barely muster a moan. My mind goes blank as I scramble to think of any way of improving my odds. I have no idea where I am, where I’m headed, who has taken me or why? My heart races out of control as tears soak the blindfold that relentlessly keeps me in the dark. I find myself spiraling into utter despair.**Lost Summer is a full-length (92,000 words) stand alone Romantic Suspense with No Rape Scenes, No Cheating and No Cliffhanger. If you like a fast-paced book that you can’t put down, you will love this one!

    Everywhere Dr. Benjamin Bones turns, someone is spying from a window, listening through a wall, or gossiping over a garden fence. "The birds sing in Birdswing," says the vicar, Father Cotterill, and in February 1940 this is more true than ever. Waiting for Hitler to make his move and turn this "Phony War" into the real thing, Ben's fellow villagers are desperate for a distraction. But his blossoming affair with Lady Juliet must remain absolutely secret. So when a seemingly trifling "case" arises--a love letter misplaced for almost thirty years, still in search of its intended recipient--Ben and Juliet jump at the chance to investigate, simply to steal a bit of time together. But as they try to deliver the letter, they discover two lonely people who might get a second chance at love... through the magic of Cornwall. Author's Note: This novella takes place after Dr. Bones and the Christmas Wish. For optimal pleasure, please read in the following order: 1. Marriage Can Be Murder 2. Divorce Can Be Deadly 3. Dr. Bones and the Christmas Wish 4. Dr. Bones and the Lost Love Letter

    Their shared secrets drove them apart. But now they're together again in this riveting novella that begins where New York Times bestselling author Maggie Shayne's Sleep with the Lights On ended.She may have been blind for twenty years, but Rachel's always had an uncanny gift for seeing through people—and she distrusts her assistant's new boyfriend at first sight. Amy isn't interested in Rachel's misgivings, though. She's too eager to celebrate Thanksgiving by introducing her family to the new man in her life.Then Amy doesn't show up for the holiday….Desperate to find her missing friend, Rachel has no choice but to turn to Mason. Their investigation into Amy's disappearance takes them ever deeper into danger—and reignites the attraction that they've both sworn to resist. Now it's a race against time as these reluctant partners fight to stave off passion and save a life.

    Though she's undeniably attracted to him, Nikki's not sure he can be trusted. Even as her memory returns, he's the one piece of the puzzle that remains a mystery. But when Trent finally reveals the shattering truth, the bond between them only deepens. Because Nikki's part of an ongoing investigation that's placed both of them in danger, and she'll have to keep Trent close if she wants to live to see tomorrow…. NEW YEAR'S DADDY Veronica Walsh is haunted by the memory of her late husband, having lost him years ago in a ski accident. Now she focuses solely on her daughter, Amy, certain that no man could ever fill the void in her broken heart—until Travis Keegan comes along. Travis has been burned before—his ex-wife walked out on him, and his son Bryan is heading down a bad path. Desperate to make up for his own past mistakes, Travis moves them to an old mountain lodge right in Veronica's backyard. Sparks fly when the single parents meet, but can either of them ever truly leave their past behind?

    But his deductive abilities will be put to the test when he’s called on to detect philatelic forgeries at Thwaites, one of the city’s great auction houses. The recently knighted cat also finds time to coach a croquet team, oversee rehearsals of a sequel to Cats, and help deliver a baby. Not to be outdone by cheesy actors or blundering attorneys, he makes his film debut and testifies in a criminal trial at the Old Bailey. But he has a special place in his heart for St. James’s Palace, the address he longs to call home. This delightful sequel to James the Connoisseur will prove irresistible catnip for feline lovers.

    She sees a stranger in the mirror and seems to be living with another stranger, Ashruth. Ashruth, a doctor by profession and a clown by appearance, claims that he is her fiancé. They were engaged to be married and would have been married already if not for the accident. He keeps on emphasizing on how much she loved him and yet, he keeps her apart from her family for her 'mental state'. Armed with what seems to be her personal diary, Meera tries to grasp her identity and her reality. But no matter how hard she tries, she just seems to be unable to connect. Will Meera break through the hurdles in front of her and be able to connect to her friends and family again? Most importantly, will she ever regain her identity again?

    Years ago, they witnessed an unthinkable crime that would haunt them forever. Throughout their lives, they have longed for salvation. Now, they live in fear…For Amelia Sorenson, it is just a harmless game. A tantalizing peek inside her father's case files. Just to see what he knows about her secret lover. But for Crowe, the man she adores, it is something far more dangerous—something that could destroy them all…