Haunted
by regret and stalled by guilt, Alex Chambers arrives at Silver Springs Health
and Rehabilitation Centre searching for redemption. What he finds instead is
Mae Seasons—a sharp-tongued, fiercely independent resident with no interest in
being anyone’s project.
Alex came hoping to
make amends for the mistakes of his youth, especially to the woman he once
hurt. But when that hope slips away, he’s drawn into an unexpected role:
caregiver and reluctant confidant to Mae, whose irreverence hides a lifetime of
buried truths.
As days at Silver
Springs unfold in their strange, often absurd rhythm, Alex is forced to
confront the tangled grief of his past. Through awkward silences, reluctant
confessions, and moments of startling vulnerability, he and Mae forge an
unlikely friendship—one stitched together by shared loneliness, reluctant
compassion, and the possibility of healing.
At once poignant and
quietly humorous, Between Two Seasons is a story about the lives we try to
outrun, the people who challenge us to face ourselves, and the surprising ways
connection takes root.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt:
I spent the rest of the night in my room. I zoned out. I
read a book—well, part of one anyway. I watched TV—if you classify mindlessly
channel surfing as watching.
Mostly, I stared out the window, gazing upon the trees and
seeing an ominous curtain before me. My emotions were tempestuous and
indistinguishable. I was looking forward to having the night to process
whatever this cornucopia of anxiety, unease, guilt, and excitement was all
about.
It had been sixteen years. Sixteen years.
I know life is as full of regrets as it is anything else,
and sometimes the regrets stand a little taller, push back a little stronger,
and thrust their way into memories, overtaking what once was good and turning
it into a heaping pile of shame.
Just as my dinnertime zone out had been interrupted, so too
was my Zen moment of deeply inhaling the fresh forest air and summoning the
memories of someone I used to love. Still loved. Will forever love.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Marc MacDonald
is an author who believes every great story starts with a spark—whether it’s a
single sentence, an unforgettable character, or an idea that won’t let go. As
the writer behind Between Two Seasons, a novel that celebrates the beauty of
human connection, Marc weaves heartfelt narratives that linger long after the
last page is turned.
When he’s not
crafting compelling fiction, Marc applies his storytelling skills as a seasoned
communications professional, proving that every message—whether in a book or a
press release—deserves to be engaging. He’s also a fierce defender of the
Oxford comma, an unapologetic pun enthusiast, and someone who firmly believes
that coffee is the most essential writing tool.
Find him deep
in his next manuscript, chasing inspiration, or justifying “research” as an
excuse to buy more books. Catch up with Marc on his personal website:
https://marcmacdonald.ca/ or @MarcMacWrites on Instagram.
What is the most memorable book you have read?
The
most memorable book I have read is the Five Times I Met Myself by James L
Rubart.
If you could travel through time but could only go one way,
would you choose the past or the future and Why?
The
future. I’ve spent too much time living in the past and dwelling on things that
cannot be changed.
If won a trip to a fantasy destination, where would you go?
I don’t
think I have a place in mind, but I can tell you what it would need: mountains,
tall, stately trees, a lake, and a whole lot of silence outside of that sounds
of nature. It’s not very glamorous, but it’s what would bring my soul the most
peace.
What did you want to be when you grew up, if you wanted to
be a writer what inspired that desire?
I
wanted to be a professional baseball player. I loved baseball more than
anything growing up and had a decent trajectory but injuries put an end to
that. Writing, however, was always in my DNA, it just showed up later in the
game.
What do you do to relax especially when writing is giving
you a bit of trouble?
I like
to get outside, especially in the cooler weather. The fresh air, quiet, and
nature allow me to reset, especially when writer’s block hits.
If a Djinn granted you one wish free and clear, what would
you wish for?
If more
wishes were off the table, I think I would go with being able to heal people of
any and all ailments.
What do you find is the most challenging part of writing?
Finding
time to write. When I sit down to write, I usually have a pretty clear vision
of where I’m going in the moment. I often write in spurts, so getting a chunk
out here and there is relatively simple (from an
out-of-the-brain-and-onto-the-page perspective). Getting it polished up and
ready to go, that’s another issue altogether.
If you could invite any famous person over for dinner, who
would that be and why?
Aaron
Sorkin. I love his shows and its due to the writing. I would love to pick his
brain on his process, his style, what drives him, and much more.
If you could invite any fictional character over for dinner,
who would it be and why?
Volya
Rinpoche, a fictional Tibetan Buddhist teacher and monk. This character is in
Roland Merullo’s Breakfast with Buddha. I think the wisdom and clarity he would
bring to the conversation would be exceptional. And, if you’ve read his
stories, you know he brings a good time too.
And last but not least a couple of favorite questions –
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Kathy Forbes will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
This book has everything you need to know to plan your perfect unique wedding.
This is not your typical wedding planning book. Chapter titles alone will tell you what needs to be done, and the subtitles break it down further. The book includes tips, advice, stories, templates, and notebook to keep track of everything.
All the other books, magazine articles, Instagram and Pinterest timeline posts state on the "day of" to have a good breakfast. They don't mention the people that take care of all the duties and tasks throughout the day so you can be VIP guests at your own wedding.
The five easy steps and how they relate to each other is the foundation of this book, which will make sure you have an educational, memorable, stressless, wonderful experience throughout the whole process:
1) Timeline
2) Budget
3) "Day of" schedule
4) Duties and tasks
5) Lists and assignments
The secret is having a planned schedule that catches everything, and a specific person in charge on the "day of" that pulls it off while you enjoy with the guests. Let me show you how to perfect your wedding planning experience.
Waiting to your wedding day is just too late to realize the importance of this thought process and having a specific/special go-to-person working the "day of" on your behalf.
You will enjoy the days up to the wedding as much as the day itself, as this book helps make it all come true.
Read an Excerpt
Wedding Planning 101
This book has everything you need to know to plan your perfect unique wedding.
This is not your typical wedding planning book. Chapter titles alone will tell you what needs to be done, and the subtitles break it down further. The book includes tips, advice, stories, templates, and a notebook to keep track of everything.
All the other books, magazine articles, Instagram and Pinterest timeline posts state on the “day of” to have a good breakfast. They don’t mention the people that take care of all the duties and tasks throughout the day so you can be VIP guests at your own wedding.
There is more to planning a perfect “day of” than you think – believe me.
So, you can enjoy the days up to as much as the “day of”, this book will help.
The Reality is: 3 things are kept – your spouse, the ring, and your photographs. All the rest is but a fading memory over time. You most likely have read the saying “don’t sweat the small stuff” or as I suggest, we rewrite it for wedding planning to state “plan for the small stuff details and you won’t sweat”.
I have been married since 1973 – the oops, challenges and happenings - they all happened at our wedding and at least one of them happens at every wedding. Some things never change. This book will help you Plan for them, Minimize them and Smile through them.
This wedding planning book will help you to succeed in putting on a memorable, unique, and stress free wedding. Forge onward through these pages to discover the secret to learning how to pull it all together by just following the easy 5 steps.
Included is the industry insider stuff such as what the vendors and suppliers would like you to do, ask them and the reason why it is important. Through this direction you will acquire the knowledge of what questions to ask your vendors and suppliers. All you must do is fill in the blanks on the easy to complete templates supplied for all the steps.
As I said earlier, this is not your typical wedding planning book filled with wedding dress styles, centerpiece designs and how to walk down the aisle at the ceremony. Everyone has access to that in books, internet, and visuals on Pinterest. This book has the real stuff you need to know. It is a gift you give yourself to be happy and successful in the whole exciting process of your wedding planning.
This book shares real stories (to make a point, relate to real people and tips to make it easy) and of course professional advice.
About the Author: I knew that our youngest daughter was going to be engaged soon, so I enrolled at BCIT and got my wedding and event planning credentials in 2005. I changed careers from corporate sales analyst to something that puts meaning and joy into my life every day. In no time I put it to good use: one daughter married in 2006 and the other in 2007. I retired in 2020 but continued to expand my world. I paint and am a miniature hobbyist—both produce a connection with a memory that I want to preserve and share. I wrote this book as a memory for me, and as an educational reference book to educate you all. My goal is to make planning a wedding a wonderful experience.
My life's motto is: be interested and interesting.
Bitter Pill is a gang romance with bullying themes
Bitter Pill
by Rowan St. George
Genre: Dark Bully Romance
Strands of sandy blonde and storm blue eyes cast me in
shadow
The bully stalks my heart, each word meaner than the last
Tell my soul to run to higher ground; I’m rooted in place
The Dragon boss hunts for vengeance and I’m an instrument in the game
Twisted desires and a touch that burns me to the core
The monster is awake and I want him anyway
--a poem by Alyssa Stanton
Liam Masters
I’ve always been torn between two worlds: the real one that’s gritty and full
of potential danger and the one with beauty and grace that I don’t deserve.
Pushing the pretty things away wasn’t so hard. Keeping away from them proved to
be far more difficult. When I’m the boss, I realize it’s time to call in a
favor from the one female I swore I’d leave alone. But temptation comes
knocking and once I have the taste in my mouth, I want more until it’s all
mine. The problem with monsters is they’re not supposed to bask in the sun.
Alyssa Stanton
I fell in love with my childhood friend, but the older we got the more that
feeling got twisted up in his mean words and deeds. Leaving it all behind to
explore my personal interests seemed like the best way forward until an
unimaginable loss brings me back home and into a calculated web. The danger
isn’t just from the very real bullets, but also from the boy turned monster who
makes me feel everything I’ve always wanted. The problem with princesses is
they’re not supposed to love the dark.
Bitter Pill is a gang romance. It is both a second chance and an
enemies-to-lovers story. Bitter Pill has bullying themes and may not be
suitable for all readers. A list of possible triggers is listed in the book.
Rowan St. George writes romance and poetry, finishing her
first book, The Princess Pawn, in July 2020. She is ride or die about reading
and wants to explore as many subgenres in her writing as her TBR does. Rowan is
an INFP, loves period pieces, just as much as sci-fi shows, and wishes
daydreaming was a full-time job. She grew up in Northern Virginia and now lives
in North Carolina with her family.
In the aftermath of a devastating terrorist attack on a U.S. Border Patrol station in McAllen, Texas, Major Jake Baylor faces his most personal mission yet. When a VBIED explosion and mortar attack kills dozens, including his best friend Clint McNamara, Baylor and his elite Task Force Raven spring into action.
What appears to be a brutal cartel assault is actually something far more sinister—a coordinated diversion allowing ISIS operative Abu Waleed Hassan, known as "The Reaper," and his team of jihadists to slip across the border undetected. As Baylor and his team of Texas Rangers with special operations backgrounds race to track down the terrorists, they find themselves operating in the shadows of bureaucracy, caught between political agendas and the urgent need to prevent another attack.
From interrogating a high-level cartel operative in a remote Texas ranch to conducting off-the-books operations in Mexico, Task Force Raven follows the trail of breadcrumbs leading to Hassan's deadly plot. When suicide bombers strike San Antonio's Riverwalk, killing hundreds, the clock starts ticking on an even more catastrophic attack aimed at Houston's petrochemical infrastructure.
In this high-stakes thriller that blends military action with law enforcement tactics, Baylor must confront not only the external threat but also his own grief and rage. As federal agencies squabble over jurisdictional authority and media narratives, Task Force Raven operates with a simple directive from Texas Governor Robert Williamson: "Find them, and make sure they can never hit us again."
With time running out and lives on the line, Baylor will need every skill he's honed from years with both the Texas Rangers and Special Forces to bring the terrorists to justice—or stop them permanently.
Book Details:
Genre: Political Thriller Published by: Indie Publication Date: June 1, 2025 Number of Pages: 644 PBK ISBN: 979-8316987726 PBK Series: A Task Force Raven Thriller, Book1 Book Links:Amazon | Kindle Unlimited | Goodreads | BookBub
Read an excerpt:
Author Bio:
When the action starts, you know it’s real. A fifth-generation Texan with a cowboy spirit, Sam Stone spent over 30 years as a Texas Police Officer, retiring as the Commander of Special Operations, leading in high-stakes situations where failure wasn’t an option. Coming from a proud, patriotic military family, he writes with an authenticity that can only come from lived experience. Now, he calls the Texas Hill Country home, where he lives with his wife—his love in this life and all others—and their two loyal dogs. Get ready for a pulse-pounding ride—check out his latest book today!
Faking the Pass Tru Taylor Publication date: September 5th 2025 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Fake marry the smokin’ hot NFL quarterback who dumped me in high school? Hard pass.
…Or it would be, if my Hollywood disaster of an ex-fiancé wasn’t trying to destroy my career—and bankrupt me in the process.
Cue Presley Lowe.
Big-time quarterback. Bigger ego. Even bigger… contract.
The boy who broke my heart, then dared to somehow get even hotter with age.
He says a fake marriage will solve both our problems.
I say he’s lost his mind.
But I’m broke, blacklisted, and backed into a corner.
So now I’m wearing Presley’s ring, taking couple-selfies, and sleeping one wall away from the man who gave me my first heartbreak—and my last good kiss.
I pretend not to notice when he walks around shirtless.
He pretends he doesn’t remember exactly how I like to be kissed.
We’re both lying.
But it’s all temporary. Totally fake.
Right?
So why does every look he gives me scream mine?
And why am I starting to feel like there’s nothing I wouldn’t give to keep hearing him say, my wife?
What happens when your fake husband is also the boy you never got over?
Faking the Pass is a fun and flirty steamy small town romantic comedy ideal for fans of Pippa Grant, Lucy Score, Megan Quinn, Melanie Harlow, Lauren Blakely, and Abby Jiminez.
It’s the perfect next read for readers who love these tropes:
Fake Marriage NFL Quarterback Hero/ high school ex First love, second chance Runaway Bride One Bed / Forced Proximity Tight-knit family of football-playing brothers Swoon-worthy, heartfelt, slow burn romance
My sleep had been plagued by them thanks to one of the worst days of my life being closely followed by a full bottle of wine and way too many pre-packaged snack cakes.
But then I came to full alertness and realized that no, there actually was an enormous man staring down at me.
And holding a bat.
Heart rocketing around my chest and hands shaking with adrenaline, I flung the covers back and scrambled to the other side of the bed, sliding off it and attempting to flee for my life from my would-be murderer.
Unfortunately, my left foot was still caught up in the blanket.
When I tried to run toward the attached bathroom, it tripped me.
As I fell forward, my forehead hit the door frame with a loud thwak, and I ricocheted back, landing hard on my butt.
There was movement in my peripheral vision as the intruder ran around the end of the bed, reaching me before I even had time to react.
This was it. Not only was I going to die on my un-wedding night, I would look grotesque in my casket with a purple, misshapen forehead and chocolate in my teeth.
“Rosie.”
The deep male voice repeated my name, causing me to look up.
“Rosie, it’s me. Presley Lowe. It’s okay, I’m not going to hurt you.”
He knelt beside me, removing my palm from my forehead. “Are you okay? Let me see it.”
Was I already dead?
Maybe that blow to the head had been harder than I realized.
But no, angels probably didn’t welcome you to the pearly gates with a baseball bat in hand—at least I hoped not.
“Presley?” I blinked at him several times. “Are you real? Or wait… is this… Hell?”
Of all people to see me at what was perhaps the lowest moment of my entire life, did it really have to be Presley Lowe?
The guy I’d swooned over pretty much every day of high school, who’d finally noticed me in our senior year and had given me the most blissful three weeks of my young life.
The same guy who’d casually ended it and then crushed my soul by referring to me as a “flaky theater freak” in front of all his cool jock friends.
And now I’d gone and proved every word of that label.
Again.
He chuckled. “I’m real, but thanks for the flattering assumption. How’s your head? Any double vision or nausea?”
My hand went back to my face, probing my forehead, which hurt like hell, even though I was apparently not in the underworld.
What was he even doing here?
“Um… no. There’s only one of you,” I said.
I studied Presley’s handsome face, fighting a combination of hangover brain fog and sleep inertia—with a little head trauma thrown in for good measure.
“Why are you here?” I asked. “Did Wilder send you with my luggage?”
His head jerked back, and his mouth quirked in a perplexed expression.
“What? No, I’m here because this is my house, my bedroom. Why are you here?”
The fog cleared entirely as I realized what had happened.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry,” I sputtered. “When Wilder said the house was unoccupied right now and that it was a family property, I thought it was like a vacation place or something. He didn’t tell me you lived here.”
Presley nodded, his own expression clearing. “Wilder let you in.”
“I had surgery a few days ago, and I’ve been staying at my parents’ house,” he explained. “Wilder probably didn’t tell you it was my place because he didn’t want you to worry about anything, and knowing him, he had a good reason for sending you here. Want to tell me what’s going on?”
“Not… particularly.”
I didn’t want to be in his presence—and look at that ridiculously gorgeous face, which had somehow gotten even more attractive over the years—a minute longer than necessary.
Getting to my feet, I staggered for a moment, trying to get my balance, before I began searching the floor for my belongings.
Presley reached out to steady me, placing a big hand on my shoulder. The warmth of it raised goosebumps all over my body.
“Go slow,” he advised. “You hit your head pretty hard there. In fact, you should probably sit down.”
Mortification heated my skin to scalding when I looked down at his hand on my bare arm and realized all I had on was the fancy bra and panties set I’d worn under my discarded wedding gown.
No wonder Presley was watching me so closely.
Author Bio:
Award-winning romance author Tru Taylor writes small town romance that's hot and sunny (and a little bit funny.)
She runs on Coke Zero and dark chocolate, lives for lunches with her girlfriends, and drives to the town beach several times a week to watch the sun set over the water.
She loves LOVE and will attempt to turn any show or movie she’s watching into a romance whether it is one or not. Star Wars? A romance. Lord of the Rings? Clearly a romance. The Expendables? Okay, well not even Tru can redeem that one.
When she’s not writing, Tru enjoys watching movies and reading books with happy endings, spending time with her husband and two kids, and sneaking Hershey’s Kisses from the top shelf of the freezer throughout the day. (Top shelf because… two kids. Enough said.)
Tru is the author of the Eastport Bay small town romance series and loves living in a quaint New England town where she’s surrounded every day by the beautiful coastal setting you see brought to life in her books.
Visit her website at trutaylor.com where you can find a complete book list and get a free story! Join her VIP mailing list at https://bit.ly/TruTales for the latest book news, insider info, and fun freebies.
Tru loves to hear from her readers! Connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, and email her at trutaylor@trutaylor.com
A rescue team searches for a missing young girl and suspects all is not as it seems in this high-stakes romantic suspense novel from the author of Lethal Standoff and Facing the Enemy
When wilderness survival expert Therese Palmer receives a frantic phone call from former colleague Professor Rurik Ivanov, she is shocked by the news that his young daughter, Alina, is missing—and that Rurik wants Therese’s help finding her. She’s sure Rurik hasn’t given her the whole story . . . especially since he refuses to report the kidnapping to the police. Yet with a child’s life hanging in the balance, Therese can’t turn down this mission. She knows the clock is ticking and she can’t do this alone.
Therese reaches out to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, whom she met seven months ago during one of her training courses in wilderness survival skills. Blane’s specialized training and background with the Crisis Negotiation Unit make him uniquely prepared for this search-and-rescue mission. He agrees to help Therese and to accept Rurik’s terms to keep Alina’s disappearance quiet, and as the two begin working together, Therese is determined the spark growing between them won’t distract from their mission to save Alina.
Traversing deep into the desert of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Alina’s last known location, Therese and Blane struggle to separate truth from lies within the mix of intel they’re receiving. As they close in on answers that suggest the involvement of Russian organized crime and a high-profile international assassination attempt, they must fight to rescue Alina before she becomes an innocent casualty of a much bigger plot—no matter the risk to their own lives
Praise for Canyon of Deceit:
"…Time was running out, and the chilling certainty settled in Alina’s life depended on them unraveling the truth before the ruthless men hunting them closed in. With danger at every turn, Therese and Blane had no choice but to trust each other, even as the secrets they carried threatened to pull them apart…" ~ Sue Garland, Christian Novel Review
"Set against the rugged, dangerous beauty of the Guadalupe Mountains, Canyon of Deceit is a riveting tale of high stakes, survival, and trust that I couldn't put down. DiAnn Mills has crafted a page-turning novel. This is romantic suspense at its finest!" ~ Elizabeth Goddard, award-winning author of Storm Warning
"A pulse-pounding blend of romance and suspense, Canyon of Deceit has a gripping plot and unforgettable characters with a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very last page." ~ Carrie Stuart Parks
"Buckle up, readers! Canyon of Deceit is a heart-pounding suspense packed with intrigue on every page. Danger, action, and adrenaline-fueled drama make this a must-read for fans who crave edge-of-your-seat adventure." ~ Natalie Walters, bestselling, award winning author of the SNAP Agency series
Canyon of Deceit Trailer:
Plus, Canyon of Deceit includes two original songs written by the heroine, Therese—one from her childhood and one that captures the depth of her love and transformation as an adult. These heartfelt lyrics come to life in custom-recorded tracks that reflect the emotion and spirit of the novel.
New Caney, Texas
October, Thursday, Current Day
Therese
The shrill ring of my mobile phone jolted me awake at 2:00 a.m., a haunting prompt that emergencies seldom emerged in daylight. Someone had ventured into the wilderness and needed me to lead a rescue mission. My skills of trekking over precarious terrain to find victims who suffered from physical injuries, dehydration, starvation, or all three, kept me on alert. At times I viewed my life like a Star Trek tagline, “Where no man has gone before.”
I grabbed the phone off my nightstand. Unidentified caller. “Hello?”
“Ms. Palmer, this is Professor Rurik Ivanov from Houston Leonard University. We met nearly a year ago. You taught a course in wilderness survival as an adjunct professor.”
I captured a mental image of the Russian man—gray-blue eyes, stone-gray hair, angular face. “Yes, sir. How can I help you?”
“I apologize for the hour, but I’m in a desperate situation.”
The angst in his voice zapped me into guarded mode, especially when I barely knew the man. I snapped on my bedside lamp. “Are you all right?”
“No, ma’am, which is why I’m calling you. Do you remember my wife and daughter?”
“I met them both at a faculty dinner last Christmas. A lovely family.”
“My wife was murdered today, and kidnappers have taken my daughter.”
I inhaled sharply, and alarm for the professor’s family fired hot from the soles of my feet. “Daria? Alina? What happened?”
“A man called me late this afternoon while I prepared to leave for home. He said he’d taken Alina. Then he sent a link to a video showing my wife’s execution—”
He stopped abruptly, his final words drumming into my senses. The seconds ticked by, and I waited.
“I watched Daria grab her chest and struggle . . . The blood rushed from her precious body—my dear Daria’s life gone forever.” He grappled again to control his tear-filled voice. “He said they would release Alina unharmed if I paid three million dollars. They’d call with instructions. When the man hung up, I hurried home thinking it had to be a terrible mistake or someone had used AI to generate the video. On the way, I phoned Daria and the call went to voice mail. I also redialed the man who’d contacted me. The phone rang repeatedly, but the number offered no way to leave a message. I contacted Alina’s school and learned Daria had picked her up before noon.
“At home, reality rooted. A lamp and a table in the living room lay in pieces. Daria would have fought hard, but there were no signs of blood. I didn’t recognize the place in the video where they killed her. I even checked for geotag information on the clip, but it had been stripped. I later clicked on the link . . . the video had disappeared.”
I ached for his loss. “What do the police say?”
Silence answered me, then Rurik finally said, “Contacting them is impossible. The man warned me against telling anyone who works in law enforcement, or I’d never see Alina again.” He sobbed into the phone. “Please, give me a moment.”
“Take all the time you need.”
The professor taught Russian language and literature at Leonard University and was highly respected and liked among faculty and students. I’d enjoyed our occasional chats, and he’d observed some of my classes. What had he done to upset the wrong people?
“Thank you. I can talk now,” he said. “I have no idea where the killers have taken Daria’s body or how to find Alina. Neither do I suspect anyone.”
I willed my pulse to slow. “Professor, the police are trained in handling confidential matters and how to find who is responsible. They have families and understand what you’re going through.”
“And endanger my daughter?” Panic throbbed in his ragged voice.
“I’m sorry.” My grief over losing Kate many years ago surfaced raw and bleeding. “Are you alone?”
“Yes. At home.”
“Are there family or friends who can stay with you?”
“My family is in Russia, and I do not trust anyone.”
“You could very well be in danger too.”
“My welfare is unimportant.”
“Who are these people, and why has your family been victimized?”
“I have no idea. The man refused to identify himself, but he did say ‘we.’ Maybe he thinks I have money or believes I have done something criminal to my country or to the US.”
What was he not telling me? I tossed off my blanket and stood in my bedroom, shivering, not from the cold but the horror of this unfolding story. “Professor Ivanov, I’m confused. Why call me? This is a job for the police or the FBI.”
“I cannot risk my daughter’s life. You are my only hope to find Alina. You have the skills to get her back.”
I ran my fingers through my hair. “I’m a wilderness-survival specialist, nothing more. I’m not equipped to carry out a hostage negotiation without backup, which is another reason you need to involve the authorities.” More questions bolted into my mental space like a landslide. “How would I find her?”
“That’s where I can help you. Alina has GPS trackers hidden in her shoes. Not even Daria knew about them.”
“Why would you track your young daughter?”
“Alina’s biological mother died when she was a baby, and I’ve been consumed with protecting my daughter ever since. I checked my phone app and learned at one thirty this afternoon, Alina was taken to a private landing strip west of Houston. I called there, and a woman who worked in the small office said no one had filed a flight plan. But she made a mistake. The tracker had stopped registering.” He coughed and asked me to wait while he got a glass of water.
A connection at Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management popped into my consciousness. They had the technology to confirm the date and time a plane took to the skies and where it landed.
“I’m better. I apologize for my lack of control,” the professor said. “My app showed tracking again near an abandoned airstrip in a remote area south of Hobbs, New Mexico. The tracking indicated ground-speed movement for two and a half hours to a section on the north side of Guadalupe Mountains National Park called Dog Canyon. That’s where the tracking ended, and I’ve detected nothing since. I assume the kidnappers parked the vehicle and proceeded on foot with Alina. Research shows the area is off-grid. Ms. Palmer, did they remove her shoes? How would they expect her to walk in bare feet?”
My thoughts trailed to the worst possible scenario. Why take Alina to a remote location unless they planned to dispose of her body there? Another argument lay with logic. Why go to the expense of transporting a kidnap victim there when they had the ability to dispose of her body in their backyard? A morbid idea, except true. Whatever the reason, they risked exposure from security cameras until they reached an off-grid area.
“I can’t stress enough how the authorities have technology and skills to find Alina. They can unravel valid threats and comprehend the danger of taking your story to the media.”
“The man who called me said they’d be watching my every move. I bought a burner phone tonight to call you.”
His anguish rippled through me, interfering with my ability to think clearly. “What about the ransom?”
“I can liquidate assets here and in Russia to meet their demands, but the statistics on kidnappers returning my Alina alive are not good. Perhaps they would accept what I can put together now. I’m sorry . . . I wish I had an answer. Why harm an eight-year-old little girl?”
“I have empathy for your grief.” Daria’s lovely face and the white-blonde-haired little girl refused to leave me alone. “Although I could lead you into Dog Canyon, I have no idea how to pull her out of the clutches of dangerous men. You’d need armed law enforcement and possibly a negotiator.”
“That would draw attention. I’ll pay you whatever you want.”
“Money is not the issue, Professor—”
“Alina means more to me than anything else in this world. What is love but to take ownership of a problem and do all I can to stop those men?”
“What if I fail?” The terror of not finding his daughter alive resurrected an echo from the past that had shaped my career.
“Can you live with yourself if you don’t try?”
Unaware, he’d pressed my weakest button. “I’ll hear you out. But I don’t believe you’ve given me the whole story, and I need the truth before I risk my life.”
“I’ve . . . I’ve given you all of it.”
“You’ve stated what you want me to know. What have you done or not done in this tragedy that Daria is dead, Alina is missing, and you can’t go to the police?
***
Excerpt from Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills. Copyright 2025 by DiAnn Mills. Reproduced with permission from DiAnn Mills. All rights reserved.
Author Bio:
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who invites her readers to step into stories where suspense meets adventure and romance warms the heart. Known for crafting unforgettable characters tangled in unpredictable plots, DiAnn believes every breath we take unfolds a story waiting to be told—so why not make it thrilling?
Her novels have consistently landed on bestseller lists including CBA, ECPA, and Publishers Weekly, and have won prestigious awards such as the Christy, Selah, Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol awards.
DiAnn is a founding board member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Conference Advisor for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers. She actively participates in Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and International Thriller Writers, DiAnn passionately invests in helping fellow authors succeed through mentoring, book coaching, and editing. She travels nationwide speaking and teaching engaging writing workshops.
A proud coffee snob who roasts her own beans, DiAnn also enjoys diving into good books, experimenting in the kitchen, and unabashedly spoiling her grandchildren—whom she insists are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband make their home under the sunny skies of Houston, Texas.
Connect with DiAnn online for behind-the-scenes glimpses, writing tips, and lively discussions:
Si te encantan “La princesa prometida” y “Maléfica”, no te
pierdas la serie El Legado de las Hadas de Patricia Bossano. Sumérgete en la
aventura, el amor y un inolvidable descubrimiento interdimensional.
If you love “The Princess Bride” and “Maleficent” you
don’t want to miss Patricia Bossano’s Faerie Legacy Series. Dive into
adventure, love, and an unforgettable interdimensional discovery.
Now Available In Spanish!
Herencia Encantada
(Faery
Sight)
Serie El Legado de Las Hadas 1
(Faerie Legacy Series Book
1)
by Patricia Bossano
Genre: Fantasía
(YA Fantasy)
A los diecisiete años, La Soberanía de las Hadas es el único
mundo que Celeste conoce. En su corazón, atesora el sueño de convertirse, algún
día, en una de ellas.
Pero los hechos revelados por su madre antes de morir desvían sus ilusiones.
Huérfana y ansiosa por tomar las riendas de su destino, Celeste vacila entre
sus certezas de antaño y las nuevas.
¿Es la princesa humana que su madre formó o es el hada-humana que anhela ser?
¿Va a vengar a sus padres y honrar el compromiso de matrimonio que la espera en
el mundo mortal o debe obedecer a su corazón y permanecer junto al extraño que
acaba de entrar en su vida?
Celeste elige vengar la muerte de sus padres, incluso si eso significa
reconocer el lugar que le corresponde en la dimensión humana.
Motivada por la princesa de las hadas, Nahia, y amparada por la Corte Luminosa
y por su verdadero amor, Celeste se propone desenmascarar a la insidiosa
hechicera Arantxa.
Confía en que nada impedirá su regreso triunfal a la Soberanía de las Hadas…
Nada hasta que la identidad de su prometido es revelada.
**Also available in English! **
Winner of the
Literary Titan Gold Award, Readers' Favorite 5-Star Award, and the Golden Quill
of Excellence Award.
"Powerful and gripping right from
the start." — Aimee Carol Dixon for Readers' Favorite
Faery Sight by award-winning California-based
indie author, Patricia Bossano, is the beginning of an epic YA fantasy saga
that spans 200 years and multiple dimensions.
It isn't easy being a teenager, especially when you're a human princess living in the faery realm.
Celeste yearns to truly belong there, and is ready to relinquish her human
identity, but startling revelations from
her dying mother expose shocking
truths and impede her plans.
Struggling to come to terms with her birthright, Celeste must find her place
between worlds while exacting revenge against the evil sorceress who wronged her parents.
Faery Sight is the unforgettable story of navigating the challenges of growing up, embracing your individuality
and choosing your own path, even if that means facing a daunting enemy.
El día en que nació Maité, su hada madrina le otorgó un don de cuna. Arma y herramienta a la
vez, el don de sueños lúcidos le
permite a Maité viajar a otros mundos mientras duerme.
A los diecisiete años, el entorno cotidiano de Maité se desgarra con la trágica
pérdida de sus padres. Desterrada del único hogar que conoce y aislada en el
extranjero, la joven lucha por encontrarle sentido a su nueva vida. Ajena al
conflicto en la Soberanía de las
Hadas, que se cierne inexorable sobre su realidad, Maité descubre que ella,
una humana, está en el centro de la gran batalla por el control absoluto de la
soberanía.
A través de su don de cuna, Maité empieza a vislumbrar la magnitud de la influencia feérica en su vida.
Dispuesta a retomar las riendas de su destino a partir del transcendental
descubrimiento, Maité se apoya en Emily, su mejor amiga, y en David, un joven
cuyo interés por la genética ilumina posibilidades que cambiarán la identidad
de Maité para siempre.
**Also available in English! **
On the day she was born, Maité received a cradle gift
from the faery Nahia—a gift that allows her to travel into other worlds while
in a dream state.
At seventeen, Maité’s mortal world is torn apart with the tragic loss of her
parents. Uprooted from the only home she’s ever known and isolated in a foreign
country, the young woman struggles to make sense of her new life. But the
conflict in the realm of Faerie is about to bleed over into Maité’s reality.
She finds herself in the middle of an ancient struggle between Nahia and the
Beautiful One as they furiously clash for control over the realm.
Through her Cradle Gift, Maité uncovers the extent of the Faerie Realm’s
involvement in her life, and in her quest to come to terms with it, Maité has
the help of best friend Emily, and David; a young man whose interest in
genetics illuminates possibilities that will change her identity forever.
“The characters popped out of the pages. Engaging scenes that carried many
themes like loss, friendship, and courage. Cradle Gift sends readers, like
myself, deep into the plot.”
–Danielle Urban
“A magical tale written by Patricia Bossano with poetic flair … Women of all
ages will love this book, and might very well come away from this make believe
world, believing in Fairies.”
–Amazon customer
“… Once again the author is a wonderful story teller and you will find yourself
lost in the faery world, cheering for your favorite characters ...”
–AnnLovesBooks
La rebelde
princesa de las hadas se debate entre satisfacer sus propios deseos y lo que es
mejor para sus seres queridos y para el tropel.
Siguiendo su
corazón en busca del hombre que ama; Nahia oculta su identidad feérica para
integrarse a la dimensión humana.
Después de dar a
luz a una hija, el secreto de Nahia queda al descubierto, al igual que la
ineludible responsabilidad de haber alterado para siempre la huella genética de
su familia. Acorralada, Nahia vuelve a la Soberanía de las Hadas cuyo peso
latente recae en la joven princesa después de la muerte del mágico guardián del
bosque.
Para salvar su
hogar y renovar los lazos con su familia humana y feérica, Nahia debe procurar
un receptor mágico para el nuevo Guardián del Bosque, pues sin él no podrá
avivar la soberanía ni convertirse en la nueva Reina de las Hadas.
**Also available in English! **
A rebellious faery princess struggles with satisfying her
own desires over what’s best for her loved ones. Following her heart in pursuit
of the human she loves, Nahia hides her faery identity in order to enter the
human dimension.
After giving birth to a daughter, Nahia's secret is revealed, as is the
realization that she has forever altered the genetic human footprint. Faced
with death, Nahia returns to the faerie realm only to have its dormant weight
thrust upon her after the demise of its magical keeper.
To save her home and renew ties with both her human and faerie family, Nahia
must find a way to reawaken the realm, become the new Faery Queen, and provide
a royal descendant for the new Keeper of the Forest.
“Bossano’s writing is beautiful and rich with detail . . . A vivid and
intricate fantasy tale about the ties that bind and the conflicts between two
realms.”
–Kirkus Reviews
“A novel of truly epic scale . . . With its deep and detailed dive into the
fairy realm, as well as its vivid, high-level vocabulary, Nahia is a complex
fantasy novel that should not be missed.”
–Foreword Reviews
Patricia Bossano has done it again; this latest book in her amazing Faerie
series is absolutely brilliant and her best work yet, in my opinion. Nahia ties
all three books in the trilogy together nicely and once again puts the reader
right in the middle of the action with her deep and vivid style . . . These
stories have everything you could ask for and more . . . Simply magical, I
believe!”
–Amazon customer
“Powerfully written . . . an emotional journey that tugged at my heart.”
–Urban Book Reviews
Galardonada prosista de ficciones filosóficas y
merodeos sobrenaturales sin inteligencia artificial. Patricia reside en
California con su familia y allí compone sus obras.
“En cuanto entreví la historia original escrita
en mi corazón, comencé a repetírmela una y otra vez. Todos los días.
A medida que mi fe en esa historia crece, la
realidad que tanto anhelo empieza a cobrar vida. Ahora soy novelista a tiempo
completo y editora en jefe de WaterBearer Press, donde puedo abordar la
publicación de mis libros, un sueño a la vez”. — Patricia Bossano
* * *
Artisanal wordsmith and old-school scribbler of no A.I. philosophical
fictions and supernatural escapes, some of them en español.
“As soon as I caught a glimpse of the original story written in my
heart, I began telling it to myself over and over, every day.
As I surrender to believing it, my long wished-for reality is taking
shape. I am now a full-time novelist and managing editor of WaterBearer Press,
where I get to approach publishing one dream at a time.” — Patricia Bossano
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Jessica Coriat will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Sound Catchers is about Maddy, a twin girl who experiences hearing loss early in her childhood. Initially, she is fitted with bilateral hearing aids. As her loss progresses, she makes the transition to cochlear implants. The book captures the world in which Maddy lives in a lyrical and loving way. It creates an awareness of children with hearing loss as part of the world around them, enabling the reader a glimpse into that experience through Maddy's journey.
This book contributes to a greater understanding of those who live with hearing loss. It helps the reader to build empathy, and it creates an awareness of differences. As such, it holds a valuable place in the social/emotional curriculum, which is taught in schools nationwide.
About the Author:
Jessica Coriat completed her bachelor of science in Special Education/Elementary Education and went on to earn two master's degrees, one in Deaf Education and the other in Creative Writing for Children. With over twenty years of experience as a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing, Jessica continues to teach her students alongside their typical hearing peers.
As a full-time working mother of three teenagers, Jessica has plenty of free time on her hands. She enjoys spending it in her home in New Jersey, with her son, her twin girls and their cavapoo, Bailey. Jessica is also passionate about living a healthy lifestyle. She is thrilled to have written this book and continues to make time to write each day.
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/@soundcatcher
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/235174168-sound-catchers
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1779621175
