Something strange is happening in the mountains of Sanctuary
Veterinarian Ember Burns makes a grisly discovery and it leads authorities to the body of a man in the woods above her home. Although the circumstances are suspicious, the only witness is her dog and the death's ruled a suicide.
But things aren't that simple. When Ember looks into the man's local connections, it creates more questions than answers. Including the source of an unusual rock, and what he was really doing in the mountains.
As a mysterious illness sickens the local animals, Ember's battle to save them leads to a startling discovery. She races to prove both the cause of the animals' symptoms and how the man died, but will it be too late?
How does a $25 Amazon gift card & 16 eBooks sound?
At nineteen, I was recruited into a secret government program, where my memory was erased .. wait -- that's the outline for a potential book. Sorry, my real biography isn't quite as interesting, but I'll give it a shot!
I live in the Pacific Northwest, and when I'm not writing, I'm out beach combing with my dogs for sea glass, or hiking in the rugged Cascade Mountains. It's the perfect backdrop to fuel my creative genius. *rubs hands together evilly*
You'll find all my adult romantic suspense and cozy mysteries here, and on my OTHER profile (secret identity ;)) Tara Ellis, I keep my middle grade and young adult books. Check them out, You might like those, too!
I know I haven't posted anything for a while, but I've been busy working on my new series! You Can Lead a Horse to Murder is now up for pre-order, with an official release date of March 12, 2018!
To help share it, I've created this fun book trailer
I'm still giving out ARC's (Advance Review Copies), if anyone is interested in reading/reviewing/sharing it for me!
There’s a killer in Sanctuary, and the prime suspect is a horse.
When spirited Ember Burns is led back home to open her own
veterinary practice, her first client lands her in the middle of a mystery. It
starts as a desire for Ember to clear her name, and turns into a personal
entanglement in a rapidly unfolding story of lies and deceit.
The small mountain town of Sanctuary has always had its secrets.
Who can be trusted? It’s been ten years since Ember lived there but roots run
deep. Discerning friend from foe isn’t an easy task. Relying on her
intelligence and instinct, Ember tries to piece the clues together as the town
gears up for its centennial celebration.
From the quaint historic shops, to the rugged mountains
surrounding them, Ember works to unveil the true culprit before they get away
with murder.
Take a look at this exciting new young adult action and adventure novel, The Student and the Slave, now available for purchase! This is the third book in the Krillonian Chronicles, after The Collar and the Cavvarach and The Gladiator and the Guard.
The series is set in an alternate world that is very much like our own, with just a few major differences. One is that slavery is legal there. Slaves must wear metal collars that lock around their neck, making their enslaved status obvious to everyone. Another difference is the popularity of a martial art called cavvara shil. It is fought with a cavvarach (rhymes with "have a rack"), a weapon similar to a sword but with a steel hook protruding from partway down its top edge. Competitors can strike at each other with their feet as well as with the blades. You win in one of two ways: disarming your opponent (hooking or knocking their cavvarach out of their hands) or pinning their shoulders to the mat for five seconds. First, a Little Information about Books 1 and 2:
Bensin, a teenage slave and martial artist, is desperate to see his little sister freed. But only victory in the Krillonian Empire's most prestigious tournament will allow him to secretly arrange for Ellie's escape. Dangerous people are closing in on her, however, and Bensin is running out of time. With his one hope fading quickly away, how can Bensin save Ellie from a life of slavery and abuse? Click here to read chapter 1 of The Collar and the Cavvarach. Click here to read about life in the Krillonian Empire, where the series is set.
Bensin, a teenage slave and martial artist, is just one victory away from freedom. But after he is accused of a crime he didn’t commit, he is condemned to the violent life and early death of a gladiator. While his loved ones seek desperately for a way to rescue him, Bensin struggles to stay alive and forge an identity in an environment designed to strip it from him. When he infuriates the authorities with his choices, he knows he is running out of time. Can he stand against the cruelty of the arena system and seize his freedom before that system crushes him? Click here to read about life in the arena where Bensin and other gladiators are forced to live and train.
And now, The Student and the Slave, with another awesome cover by the talented Jack Lin!
Book 3: The Student and the Slave Is this what freedom is supposed to be like? Desperate to provide for himself and his sister Ellie, Bensin searches fruitlessly for work like all the other former slaves in Tarnestra. He needs the money for an even more important purpose, though: to rescue Coach Steene, who sacrificed himself for Bensin’s freedom. When members of two rival street gangs express interest in Bensin’s martial arts skills, he realizes he may have a chance to save his father figure after all … at a cost.
Meanwhile, Steene struggles with his new life of slavery in far-away Neliria. Raymond, his young owner, seizes any opportunity to make his life miserable. But while Steene longs to escape and rejoin Bensin and Ellie, he starts to realize that Raymond needs him too. His choices will affect not only his own future, but that of everyone he cares about. Can he make the right ones … and live with the consequences?
Click here to order The Student and the Slave from Amazonfor $2.99a discounted price of just 99 cents through November 31st!
About the Author:
Annie Douglass Lima spent most of her childhood in Kenya and
later graduated from Biola University in Southern California. She and her
husband Floyd currently live in Taiwan, where she teaches fifth grade at
Morrison Academy. She has been writing poetry, short stories, and novels since
her childhood, and to date has published fifteen books (three YA action and
adventure novels, four fantasies, a puppet script, six anthologies of her
students’ poetry, and a Bible verse coloring and activity book). Besides
writing, her hobbies include reading (especially fantasy and science fiction),
scrapbooking, and international travel.
What could be better than hiking, swimming, and horseback riding? Having a mystery to solve, of course!
When Sam and Ally go off to summer camp together, they discover the secrets of Camp Whispering Pines. Set in the beautiful, rugged mountains of the Pacific Northwest, the clues are slowly revealed and it's up to the two girls to figure it out.
New friendships are formed, while at the same time enemies lurk nearby. The closer they get to uncovering the truth behind the camp, the further they are pushed into danger and deceit. Can Sam and Alley put all of the pieces together before it's too late? Follow them on another thrilling tale filled with excitement and adventure, along misty, high mountain trails and deep ravines, where the answers wait to be found!
Pick up Book #2 in the Samantha Wolf Mystery Series for FREE!
I've made one of my favorites free for the next five days! Even if you haven't read any of the other books in the series, you can easily read this one without getting lost. Go with Sam & Ally to summer camp, nestled deep in the Cascade Mountains. There, they encounter all sorts of mystery and mishaps. And it wouldn't be a Washington camp story without a possible Bigfoot sighting!
This summer has been all about closing out chapters and starting a new one. Or, maybe I should say finishing one book and starting the next! After a lot of soul-searching, our home was put on the market and my husband moved back to his home state while I stayed here in Washington. My son was already away at college, and my daughter, after turning 18, has ventured out to be her own adult/person. So. Here I am.
Where, exactly is that? Well, at the moment, I'm sitting in my beach cottage on the shores of the Pacific Northwest, facing the glorious San Juan Islands. After owning my own home since I was 19, I am renting this gem for the next ten months. Finding myself? Maybe. Although, I think at my age I am already quite confident in who I am. It's more of a slow metamorphosis into singleness. ;) My goal is to eventually write full time, and I think this beach house is the perfect setting!
This is literally my backyard (don't hate me)
This is why I've been lacking the past few months in both posts and publications. However, I plan on changing that! Starting with a free run for book #7 in the Samantha Wolf Mysteries!
The next best thing to owning your own dog is having a job where you get to take care of them. That's what Sam figures when she, Ally, and Cassy all volunteer at a local animal shelter. But they don't expect the trouble that comes along with the work.
When dogs start showing up at the shelter with odd symptoms, the director doesn't seem concerned. However, strange coincidences start to happen and Sam doesn't believe that they're random.
Confronted with the hard decision of following either her heart or her nose for a good mystery, Sam faces an emotional dilemma. Sometimes, the right path is the most difficult and this is one challenge that's going to take all of her friends to help solve.
Now, while this is book #7 in the series, it can absolutely be read as a stand-alone. If you would like to start with book #1, The Mystery of Hollow Inn, take a peek at my author page where you have a couple of options. (individual ebook @ 2.99 free w/Kindle Unlimited OR a box set)
I'm happy to introduce this new, clean romance by my friend, and author, Krysten Lindsay Hager!
Dating the It Guy
By Krysten Lindsay Hager
YA contemporary romance
Published by Clean Reads
Blurb:
Emme is a sophomore in high school who starts dating,
Brendon Agretti, the popular senior who happens to be a senator's son and
well-known for his good looks. Emme feels out of her comfort zone in Brendon's
world and it doesn't help that his picture perfect ex, Lauren seems determined
to get back into his life along with every other girl who wants to be the
future Mrs. Agretti. Emme is already conflicted due to the fact her last
boyfriend cheated on her and her whole world is off kilter with her family
issues. Life suddenly seems easier keeping Brendon away and relying on her
crystals and horoscopes to guide her. Emme soon starts to realize she needs to
focus less on the stars and more on her senses. Can Emme get over her
insecurities and make her relationship work? Life sure is complicated when
you're dating the it guy.
Excerpt:
He
put the magazine between us, and when I moved forward to see it, he put his arm
across the back of my chair. Now lots of guys did put their arms on chair
backs, even Kirk did that with Rory, and he definitely wasn’t interested in
her, but I couldn’t help but hope it meant something. I got this shivery
feeling, and he asked if I was cold. I shook my head. I always got a feeling
before something major was about to happen, and it has nothing to do with being
cold, but I didn’t know why I got the feeling. Grandma used to do the same
thing and always said, “Somebody just walked across my grave.” Somehow I didn’t
think Brendon would understand if I told him I needed to move my future burial
plot to a less high-traffic area.
“Are we still on for the art fair?” he asked.
I had only been circling it with hearts on my calendar since
he asked.
“Sure, I think I’m still free,” I said.
We finished up our work, and he walked me out to meet Kylie.
“Okay, I’ll pick you up at three tomorrow,” he said, walking
off.
“Can I ask a stupid question?” Kylie asked as soon as
Brendon was out of earshot. “What’s he like? Because he’s so well-known, and I
can’t imagine what it’d be like to grow up with your whole life under a
microscope. I mean, my mom remembers his first birthday party pictures being
shown on the news. And he’s hot, but he’s not like I-know-I’m-a-hottie hot, but
more like a confident, ‘Yes, I am hot. Any questions?’ I mean, he has to have
noticed there aren’t any guys who look like him walking around.”
“I should tell him what you said.”
“Don’t you dare,” Kylie said.
“I get what you mean—he’s grown up with everybody knowing
his dad and watching him, but he’s pretty down to earth.”
“So what’s up with you two? You guys didn’t do any work last
Saturday, and now you’re going to an art fair.”
“I dunno. He just asked me to go with him.”
“Asked you to go with him as his study buddy or asked you to
go with him because he’s desperately in love with you?” she asked.
I said we were just friends, but she wouldn’t let it go.
“Okay, duh, obviously I like him, but let’s be honest. He’s
out of my league. He’s out of most people’s league. It’s weird because normally
if I like a guy then one of two things happens—either he likes me and asks for
my number…or I find out he’s not into me and I cry in my pillow and listen to
man-hating music for at least three days,” I said. “But this time’s different
because he’s, I dunno, not just ‘some guy.’ I mean, I’m not putting up a shrine
to him in my room, and I haven’t rooted though his garbage can, but I have as
much chance of going out with him as Kirk does of getting an ‘A’ in this
class.”
“You listen to man-hating music?” she asked, and I narrowed
my eyes at her. “Whatever. Anyway, Em, he’s asked you out once already, and you
are seeing him tomorrow. Plus, he’s always staring at you.”
I said he was probably just bored in class today, but she
wouldn’t let it go.
“I’m not just talking about today. When we watched the movie
on Monday, he watched you instead, and whenever I see you guys, he acts like
there’s no one else in the room,” she said.
I couldn’t hold back the big, stupid smile spreading across
my face. “He does? For real?”
She nodded. “You know, it’s weird. Here you were all upset
you didn’t have a partner at the beginning of the semester, and then you ended
up with like, Mr. Perfection, as your partner.”
Bio: Besides
mining her teen years and humiliating moments for her novels, Krysten is a
also a book addict who has never met a bookstore she didn’t like. She’s worked
as a journalist and writes young adult, middle grade, new adult, and adult
fiction as well as humor essays. She is originally from Michigan and has lived
in Portugal, South Dakota, and currently resides in southwestern Ohio where you
can find her reading and writing when she’s not catching up on her favorite
shows (she's addicted to American Dad to the point where she quotes episodes on
a daily basis and also loves Girl Meets World). She's also a third generation Detroit
Lions fan.
Krysten writes about friendship, self-esteem, fitting in,
frenemies, crushes, fame, first loves, and values. She is the author of True
Colors, Best Friends...Forever?, Next Door to a Star, Landry in Like, and Competing with the Star
(The Star Series: Book 2). Her debut novel, True Colors, won the Readers
Favorite award for best preteen book. Krysten's work has been featured in USA
Today, The Flint Journal, the Grand Haven Tribune, the Beavercreek Current, the
Bellbrook Times and on Living Dayton.
Praise for Dating the It Guy:
“A sweet, endearing story—you’ll fall in love with Emme just
like I did!” --Kimber Leigh Wheaton, YA/NA author
"Hager's authentic characters will resonate with
readers of all ages as they are immersed in the story - complete with teen drama and angst, but
also the relationships which make it all worthwhile." -- Leslie L. McKee, book reviewer, Edits and
Reviews by Leslie
What people are
saying about Krysten’s work:
From Teenage Book
Recommendations in the UK: "This is a fantastically relatable and real
book which I feel captures all of the insecurities and troubles which haunt the
modern teenage girl. It is about a young model who has to go through tough
times when she is torn between a life as a model and managing her friendships.
You learn which friends she can most trust and which will create the drama
typical of teenage life. Follow the life of Landry and try to see if you can
find out which are her true friends before their true colours are revealed.
This book is all about relationships, hopes and truth. I loved this book!"
From Books &
Authors Spot: “This book is such an inspiration for those who just care about
their looks and are tensed about them. This thing is looks aren't everything.
This book is related to every teen's problem. Hager has written a very
inspiring novel.”
“Krysten captures the teenage girl today. The struggles are
real, the issues are something children have been dealing with since before I
was a teen, and oddly-Krysten captures the readers! I was prepared for another
"Mean Girls" story. This is NOT that. This is the real story of
teenage girls! You watch Landry flower into a young woman who finds out trust
is an invaluable item to find, and friendships are hard to seek genuine realism
in. You will learn about relationships with not just friends, but peers, boys,
and others. The details put into the book will draw you, and make the story so much
more realistic. Krysten expresses emotions beautifully through her writing, and
the story flows flawlessly…” By Candice
J. Conway Simpson
“True Colors, is just a dazzling story of how middle school
kids show their true colors of jealousy, drama, loss and gains of friendship.
However, the way Krysten wrote her story; she wrote it with passion, creativity
and honesty that this story line could be placed in anyone's life at any age.” Review by Double Decker Books
“Krysten Lindsay
Hager understands what it means to be a teen today, and she writes with an
authentic voice. Landry, the main character, is funny, lively, and very real.
Readers will relate to her struggles with friends and family, self-esteem and
self-discovery, boys and school and life in general. It's fun to read about
Landry's blossoming modeling career and the changes it brings.” Review by Author Diana Jenkins
When Kimberly Smith woke up on March 2nd, 2017, she knew that something wasn’t right. Her chest hurt. It was hard to catch her breath, and her arms felt heavy. But she didn’t have time to be sick. She had just had a baby by C-section on February 6th, and as a single mother of three boys, she decided to just ‘shake it off’.
However, as the day wore on, her symptoms only got worse. By the time her nine year old son, Camdyn, got home from school, she was clasping at her chest. It felt like she was being stabbed each time she took a breath. Camdyn was concerned. Sitting next to his mom on the couch, he offered to take his baby brother. Kimberly reassured Camdyn that she just needed to rest. That she could put the baby down to sleep, and take a nap.
Camdyn with baby Dylan
Camdyn didn’t think that was a good idea. Now this is where the story turns into one of heroism. Because most nine year olds would have just shrugged, and figured their mom knew best. But instead, Camdyn gave her a very convincing argument.
“Mom,” he implored. “My health teacher said if someone grabs their chest like that, I should call 911. I’m going to get my shoes on. We need to get to a hospital.” With that, her middle child that normally fought getting ready to leave the house, actually went and put his shoes on.
Moved by her son’s pleas, Kimberly didn’t take a nap. Instead, she called her doctor’s office to make an appointment, thinking she might have pneumonia. However, when they heard what her symptoms were, they decided to call an ambulance.
Camdyn went with his mom in the ambulance, charming the paramedics with both his interest in the apparatus, as well as the wise advice he gave his mom. Kimberly was thankful for the kind nature of the medics, and how they put her son at ease during a very scary time.
Once at Skagit Valley Hospital, it didn’t take long for a diagnosis: bilateral pulmonary embolisms. Kimberly’s lungs were full of blood clots. A blood test revealed that she had a genetic pre-disposition, and the recent C-section put her at an increased risk. The doctor was blunt; if she had taken that planned nap, there was a good chance she would have never awakened from it.
Kimberly with Dylan while recovering in the hospital
“I feel like he’s my son, but he’s also my hero,” Kimberly now says of her son, Camdyn. “I can’t even imagine if he hadn’t said what he did. What would have happened. I want to bring awareness about blood clots. I’m thirty-two, and I didn’t even know what a pulmonary embolism was.”
While spending seven days in the hospital, Kimberly had plenty of time to study up on blood clots, and discovered that March is Blood Clot Awareness month. According to the National Blood Clot Alliance, a blood clot is diagnosed once every minute, and someone dies from a blood clot every six minutes.
Some of the signs and symptoms of a blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism) are:
- Sudden shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Sharp, stabbing, worsens with breathing
- Rapid heart rate
- Unexplained cough; sometimes with bloody mucus
Camdyn doesn’t think he’s a hero, but sometimes, a hero is simply defined by being the one person to speak up. If he hadn’t, the story might not have such a happy ending. Kimberly has a long road to recovery, but she’s thankful to still be there for her kids. It will take three to six months for the blood clots to be completely resolved, and up to two years to heal. Meanwhile, Camdyn and her oldest son, Bryson, are going out of their way to help their mom. Skagit Breaking would like to recognize Camdyn’s heroic actions that day, and help Kimberly with her desire to spread awareness.
Big brothers, Camdyn and Bryson, helping to care for their little brother.
A GO FUND ME account has been set up for the family, if you would like to help. Tara Ellis is a staff writer for Skagit Breaking, as well as a local author. You can find all of her novels on her Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Tara-Ellis/e/B00IVF1JQK
What could be better than hiking, swimming, and horseback riding? Having a mystery to solve, of course!
When Sam and Ally go off to summer camp together, they discover the secrets of Camp Whispering Pines. Set in the beautiful, rugged mountains of the Pacific Northwest, the clues are slowly revealed and it's up to the two girls to figure it out.
New friendships are formed, while at the same time enemies lurk nearby. The closer they get to uncovering the truth behind the camp, the further they are pushed into danger and deceit. Can Sam and Alley put all of the pieces together before it's too late? Follow them on another thrilling tale filled with excitement and adventure, along misty, high mountain trails, and deep ravines, where the answers wait to be found!
This fun middle grade series is being called a modern-day Nancy Drew. It will take you back to your Trixie Beldon days, but are in current social settings with real issues relevant to today's teens and pre-teens. They're clean, wholesome stories that you and your kids will devour!
Tara Ellis, an Amazon best selling author, lives in a small, rural town in Washington State set in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. She enjoys the quiet lifestyle with her two kids and several dogs. Tara was a firefighter/EMT, and worked in the medical field for many years, before committing herself to writing young adult and middle grade novels full-time.
Zombies are cool in movies, but everyone knows they aren’t
real. Pranthi meets a woman who tells her there are zombies in nature. Soon
after Pranthi’s camera catches a man turning zombie. This isn’t the plague like
the movies. Life goes on, more or less normally, until it doesn’t and nothing
will ever be the same.
The Gods Above is the latest of Alex’s work to reboot
classical monsters, in Sparkles and Blood he tackles witches, vampires and
carnivorous frogs.
For the remainder of this year, anyone who purchases The
Gods Above from his website will receive a free ebook of Tales of Light and
Dark, which is a collection of somewhat twisted fantasy.
Alex McGilvery is an author who lives and writes in Flin
Flon, MB along with his wife, two dogs, and nice scotch collection.
I have a big weekend coming up. First, another Bookbub ad for one of my middle grade books, and at the same time, I'm putting the next one in the series up for pre-order. (It will be released on the 27th) Not to mention an out-of-town trip for my sons college conference track meet! (GO BRANDON!)
I've been going full-steam with a lot of things, and I need to stop and take a breath. I often do this by getting out into nature, so I went on a couple of solo hikes the past couple of weeks. Not only did I get some much needed exercise, but there is a renewal that takes place for me, deep in the woods. I'm blessed to live in a gorgeous area, where I can drive for an hour (or less) in any direction and have an incredible variety of settings. Ocean to the West, the Cascade Mountains (and volcanoes!) to the East. Seattle to the South (although I avoid it) and lakes and trails to the North.
I also like to call myself a photographer, but I haven't been keeping up on that hobby lately, and I think my blog reflects it. I can tell when I'm stressed, because I pull back from the things that relax me the most. Isn't that ironic?
So. My point, I guess, in sharing this is to remind you that while it's good to stay focused and moving forward with your goals, don't lose yourself in it. Remember to stop and decompress every once in a while!
To help encourage myself, I'm going to share some of my favorite serene settings. Places that I have either returned to multiple times due to their calming effect, or want to return to. I may or may not have shared these before!
This is by far my #1 spot. Flathead Lake, Montana in Blue Bay. It holds special meaning for me. I have come to this exact location since I was a child, for family reunions and camping trips. Hours spent in the sun with my grandma and grandpa(who is gone now). Mom, Dad, sister, cousins, and numerous aunts and uncles. This is Native American property, and it really does feel sacred. I know that might sound corny ... but I don't care! :)
Mount Baker National Park. This is one of the trails that runs along the shore of Baker Lake. Yes, this is really how it looks ... almost magical. There are a couple of spots, when you come around a bend and the silence hits you like a physical force. There were a few times when I just had to stop and literally sit down on the trail and just soak up all of that silence/stillness. It's SO good for the soul! The picture below is the view from one of the hike-in campgrounds, of Mount Baker at dusk. Can you picture yourself sitting there, just being still and amazed at the beauty surrounding you?
Mount Rainier National Park. The picture above is one I took at Reflection Lake (aptly named). You get there by taking The Road to Paradise. I'll admit, that while this is one my all-time favorite pictures, and the beauty and serenity of the place is undeniable, I don't know if I'll ever get back there again. The road absolutely terrified me. I don't do well with narrow, high, no guardrail roads! The image below, however, is of Silver Falls, also in the park. I have hiked the trail to it several times now, and it has turned into a summer tradition for my sister and I. We call it camp TarDuly (my sisters name is Dulcy). Corny? Yes, but there is nothing more relaxing than a family tradition filled with positive experiences and memories, in this magical setting!!
These last two picture are from my very own neighborhood. Yup! If I don't have time to go for a drive somewhere, all I have to do is step outside. I call the image above, 'silence'. It's at the end of my road (about a mile from my house), where the slough converges with the mighty skagit river. Just breathe that in. ;) The picture below is also down the street from my house. The fields often flood in the winter, and the snow geese and trumpeter swans love it. I waited for a couple of weeks to catch this image of the setting sun, with the geese/swans on calm water. (it was usually raining!)
This is it for now. I know that I need to get back to producing some new images. It's been a while, and that isn't healthy for my soul. I hope that perhaps this might inspire you to look into some new areas around where YOU live, to start building those memories!!!
My designer, Mel at Melchelle Designs, has done it again! Look at this stunning cover she made for Descent! I always liked the old cover, but this one is really a winner. My daughter, Megan, is once again the gorgeous model.
An ancient ruler returns to Earth, forcing those who remain
to choose sides. Alex, prophesized to lead the resistance, is a reluctant pawn
in a war without clear victors.
The Shiners are not only an enemy, but also an army of
emotionless killers who wear the faces of loved ones. In this twisted
landscape, it’s hard to know which side you should be fighting for.
Unsure
of what she's become, Alex battles her own tormented emotions to find the
truth. Can she rise above the darkness? Or will she ultimately descend into its
cold embrace?
Available now on Amazon!
**Update
Rather than make a new post, I'll just add the new cover for Heritage on here. I couldn't be any happier with how ALL of these new covers turned out. And did I mention that my beautiful daughter
is the model??!!
