Kyle Quinn, a former elite operative turned black ops mercenary, is a
“Custodian” trained to execute the world’s most dangerous
missions. But when he’s assigned to dismantle a child abduction cult
buried deep in Louisiana’s Cajun underworld, the mission takes a
personal turn. The cult is tied to his dark past—and to the man he fears
most: his own father.
What begins as a straight-forward mission spirals into a relentless battle of
survival, forcing Quinn to face the sinister Tenet family, a web of deceit,
and an assassin whose skills mirror his own. As Quinn uncovers long-buried
secrets, his ultimate confrontation with his father tests the limits of his
strength, morality, and resolve.
Prepare for a high-octane thrill ride filled with relentless action, shocking
revelations, and a hero who redefines justice.
Ready to join Kyle Quinn on his mission? Grab your copy of Eradicate today and
experience a story that will leave you breathless.
Fans of Vince Flynn and Lee Child will devour this pulse-pounding start to a
gripping new series.
Forged in Fire. Bound by Creed. Relentless in Retribution.
After dismantling a child-abduction cult and confronting the horrors of his
past, black-ops mercenary Kyle Quinn, known as “The Custodian,”
emerges with a renewed purpose: to protect the vulnerable and eradicate the
worst of the worst. But leaving his past behind is easier said than done,
especially when his next mission forces him to face an enemy as cunning and
lethal as himself.
Tasked with taking down a revived Sinaloa Cartel in Austin, Texas, Quinn steps
into a shadowy world of human trafficking and terror. With a new leader, a
dangerous product flooding the streets, and untold power at their fingertips,
the cartel threatens the very fabric of Quinn’s country. But they
aren’t his only challenge.
A mysterious assassin emerges—one whose skills and strategies mirror
Quinn’s in chilling ways. As the deadly game unfolds, Quinn is forced
into a battle not just for survival, but for the truth about his own identity
and the purpose of his fight.
With everything he thought he knew crumbling around him, Quinn must decide how
far he’s willing to go—and what he’s willing to
sacrifice—to bring justice to the darkness.
Packed with explosive action, gripping suspense, and shocking twists,
Eviscerate will keep you hooked until the final page. Ready to stand with Kyle
Quinn against the forces of evil? Pick up your copy today and join the fight.
Own Your Past, Accept the Pain, Rise to Redemption.
Kyle Quinn, once the elite black-ops mercenary known as “The
Custodian,” has broken the unbreakable code of his guild. Betraying the
manipulative Priest has made him the target of the world’s deadliest
assassins—his former allies. But survival isn’t enough. To free
himself from Priest’s shadow, Quinn must face his greatest enemy, no
matter the cost.
Even as the onslaught intensifies, Quinn uncovers a sinister conspiracy
shaping his life since birth. To destroy Priest and escape the web of deceit,
he must confront his darkest fears, heal old wounds, and fight for the family
he’s vowed to protect.
When justice and vengeance blur, and the line between savior and sinner
disappears, how far will Quinn go to end the fight that began long ago?
The final chapter of Kyle Quinn’s journey is here. Will he find
freedom…or fall to the darkness? Pick up your copy today to find out.
Jarrett Mazza is a graduate of Goddard College’s MFA in Creative Writing
Program in Plainfield, Vermont as well as The Humber School For Writers.
Before completing his terminal degree, Jarrett studied writing at the
University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies and completed the Novel
Writing class at Sheridan College under award-winning writer, Melodie
Campbell. He has also taught in a Writer’s Craft classroom at his former
high school, and at Mohawk College in the Continuing Education department, has
had stories published online in the GNU Journal, Bewildering Stories,
Trembling With Fear, Aphelion, Silver Empire Publishing, The Scarlet Leaf
Review, and Toronto Prose Mill, Zimbell House Publishing. He will also be
featured in forthcoming anthologies entitled Mother’s Ghost Grim and The
Killer Collection Anthology, both published by NBH Publishers, as well as
another by MuseWrite, an anthology that features work by underrepresented
voices and another by Dragon Soul Press, both set to be released in 2020. He
has published two trilogies with Rough Edges Press, the Doormen trilogy and
the Kyle Quinn “Custodian” series.
Embark on an enlightening journey with Jeffrey C. McGregor's Little
Curiosities series, where he delves into a myriad of captivating topics to
satisfy your inquisitive mind. With keen insight and a flair for explaining
complex subjects in an accessible way, McGregor takes readers on an
educational adventure that spans across ten volumes.
From unraveling the mysteries of microorganisms that exist beyond our sight
to exploring the intriguing realm of renewable energy sources, McGregor's
writing is both engaging and informative. His dedication to making complex
subjects understandable is evident throughout the series. Whether you're
curious about the inner workings of our planet, environmental challenges, or
the hidden world of tiny creatures, Little Curiosities offers a collection
of books that enlighten and inspire readers of all ages. Delve into these
pages and satisfy your curiosity for knowledge, guided by the expertise and
passion of Jeffrey C. McGregor.
Books include:
Little Curiosities(Part 1): Nature's Glow
Little Curiosities: Nature's Glow is a delightful and educational
children's book that unlocks the mysteries of bioluminescence, taking young
readers on a fascinating journey through the captivating world of creatures
that glow. From fireflies lighting up forest nights to glowing mushrooms and
deep-sea wonders, this book unravels the science and beauty behind these
luminous displays. Children will be enchanted by the stories of fireflies,
glowworms, and the magical Waitomo Glowworm Caves in New Zealand, and
they'll gain insight into why these creatures shine to attract partners and
ward off predators.
Little Curiosities(Part 2): Travelling Seeds
Little Curiosities: Travelling Seeds is a captivating and educational
children's book that unveils the remarkable world of seed dispersal in
plants. As young readers explore the pages of this book, they'll be
transported into the clever and often ingenious methods plants employ to
ensure their seeds find new places to grow. From wind-borne dandelion seeds
to fruits obeying gravity, plants have developed various strategies to
overcome their rooted existence and allow their offspring to flourish far
from home.
Little Curiosities(Part 3): The Solar System
Little Curiosities: The Solar System is an awe-inspiring journey through
the vast expanse of our celestial neighborhood. In this enchanting
children's book, young readers will embark on an adventure to discover the
wonders of the solar system, where the sun takes center stage as a brilliant
star. They'll uncover the intriguing secrets of our cosmic family, from the
sun to the eight fascinating planets and beyond.
Little Curiosities(Part 4): Photosynthesis
Little Curiosities: Photosynthesis is an illuminating journey into the
world of photosynthesis, a vital process that keeps our planet vibrant and
full of life. In this engaging children's book, young readers will unravel
the fascinating science behind how plants make their own energy using the
power of light, carbon dioxide, and water. Through clear explanations and
vibrant illustrations, the book introduces the concept of photosynthesis,
from the role of sunlight to the essential role of chlorophyll in plants'
green leaves.
Little Curiosities(Part 5): Biomes
Little Curiosities: Biomes is a captivating exploration of the diverse
ecosystems that shape our planet's landscape. Through this engaging
children's book, young readers embark on an educational adventure,
discovering the five main types of biomes that define different regions of
the world: Forests, Deserts, Grasslands, Tundra, and Aquatic Biomes. With
clear explanations and vibrant illustrations, the book brings these unique
environments to life, allowing children to understand the fascinating
characteristics and the variety of life that thrives in each biome.
Little Curiosities(Part 6): Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles
Little Curiosities: Carbon and Nitrogen Cycles takes young readers on a
fascinating journey through the intricate biogeochemical cycles that govern
our planet's natural systems. In this educational and engaging children's
book, kids will explore the remarkable processes of how carbon and nitrogen,
two essential elements, circulate through our environment. With clear
explanations and vivid illustrations, the book offers an accessible
introduction to these critical cycles, making complex scientific concepts
understandable for young minds.
Little Curiosities(Part 7): Global Warming
Little Curiosities: Global Warming is an essential addition to any young
reader's bookshelf, offering a thought-provoking exploration of one of the
most critical issues facing our planet today. This enlightening book
introduces children to the concept of global warming, making complex
environmental concerns accessible and engaging. With a clear and
kid-friendly approach, it explains the science behind global warming, its
causes, and its far-reaching impacts on our planet, including melting ice
caps, displaced wildlife, and extreme weather events.
Little Curiosities(Part 8): Renewable Energy
Little Curiosities: Renewable Energy is an enlightening and engaging
exploration of the future of sustainable energy. This informative book
introduces young readers to the concept of renewable energy sources,
highlighting the importance of transitioning away from non-renewable fossil
fuels. With a clear and approachable narrative, it explains the five main
sources of renewable energy: wind, solar, hydro, biomass, and geothermal,
making complex energy concepts understandable for children.
Little Curiosities(Part 9): Natural Disasters
Little Curiosities: Natural Disasters is an informative and engaging
journey into the wild and unpredictable side of nature. In this book, young
readers will explore the fascinating world of natural disasters, gaining a
deeper understanding of these powerful and often devastating events. The
book categorizes natural disasters into geological, hydrological, and
meteorological disasters, providing a comprehensive overview of the
different types, from earthquakes and volcanic eruptions to tsunamis,
floods, hurricanes, and more.
Little Curiosities(Part 10): Microorganisms
Little Curiosities: Microorganisms is a captivating exploration into the
unseen and often mysterious world of microorganisms. In this educational
book, young readers will embark on an exciting journey through the
microscope to discover these tiny life forms that are all around us, even
though they're invisible to the naked eye. The book introduces the main
types of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and algae, each
with its unique characteristics and roles in the natural world.
About the Author
Jeffrey C. McGregor, a trilingual professional fluent in English, French,
and Igbo, brings a diverse background and a wealth of life experiences to
his writing. With degrees in Economics and Engineering Science, Jeffrey's
educational journey has equipped him with a unique perspective on the
world.
As a passionate author, Jeffrey's work reflects his curiosity about the
world and its intricacies. His "Little Curiosities" series delves
into various educational topics, making complex subjects accessible and
engaging for readers of all ages. By breaking down intricate ideas into
digestible pieces, Jeffrey's books serve as a valuable resource for learners
looking to explore the wonders of science, nature, and more.
Can she rise to power, or will the forces against her prevail?
"Every legend begins with the small footsteps of ordinary
Innatraeans." -Tavid the Traveler
Rosalie Sharone, one of the strongest magic wielders ever born, has been
waiting and training for this moment all her life. Orphaned as a baby, the
child prodigy was raised in the small farm town of Aliselle Falls, away from
suspecting eyes. Now she is a young woman ready to fulfill her destiny by
traveling across Innatraea to become an initiate of The Weavers, an ancient
and powerful order on the island kingdom of Sceotan. In doing so, she must
leave her adoptive mother, her first love, and her friends behind. Yet
emotional trials are not the only challenge awaiting Rosalie and those
closest to her. Weavers especially attract danger, and Rosalie will face her
share as she makes her way to her destiny. This is only the beginning of her
story however. Once on Sceotan, her magic and intellect along with The
Weavers’ influence across all of Innatraea will either make her the
most powerful woman in history or completely destroy her.
Power, sacrifice, and destiny collide—get your copy today and dare to
walk the path with Rosalie as she begins the journey to her ultimate
fate.
__________________
Innatraea Novella Two: Am'ayim
Coming July 26, 2025
"Ele o aiga uma e toto. O nisi e fananau mai i Di Asin.
Not all families a blood. Som a dem born inna Di Saalt.
Not all families are blood. Some of them are born in the Salt."
-Am'ayim Saying
Rosalie has finally left the dangers of Aedonia behind in her quest to
reach Sceotan and the Weavers. She now embarks upon another leg of that long
journey aboard an Am'ayim vessel known as Di Ariela. Here, she will meet new
friends amongst the ship's crew and face new threats and challenges, all
while still grappling with the loss of her mother and parting ways with her
childhood friends. Rosalie must now find the strength to go on alone and
become the woman she's meant to be. But the twisting tides of destiny and
fate are tricky and may yet claim them all or unite them as her journey
across Innatraea continues. Destiny is no easy thing, though; fate may have
more in store for her than she ever imagined.
E.R. Zaugg has published several articles on being the parent of a
vulnerable child, won poetry contests, and been an avid reader and world
traveler for decades. His work is inspired by seeing the world and
encountering different religions, spiritual beliefs, and cultures in both
literature and actual journeys. These experiences have led to a body of
deeply poetic work that explores what it means to be human. The Innatraea
novella series highlights the value of vulnerable cultures, children, and
strong women, with the goal of imparting to its readers a greater
understanding and love of humanity.
What do a trunk full of vintage
clothes, a handsome land developer, and a fifty-year-old diamond
heist have in common?
Laken Miller receives a trunk full
of expensive vintage clothing and a stack of newspaper clippings
about a fifty-year old diamond heist. Now all she has to do is figure
out who murdered Tilly San Vicente before the killer silences her as
well.
“What happens at Grandma’s
house, stays at Grandma’s house.”
The problem is A. J.
(Alison Jane) Cadell can’t remember Grandma or her house.
Dreaming
of becoming a best-selling romance novelist, Alison is invited to
Beech Grove, British Columbia to be a Writer-in-Residence and reside
at Thistlewood Manor for a month. When a resident of the manor is
found dead, Alison is drawn into a mystery involving a grandmother
she doesn’t remember, a father she thought was long dead, and a
handsome firefighter who could be the link to solving the
mystery.
Will someone be after her
next?
Reviews:
"Written in Stone
is author Diane Bator’s first novel in her latest mystery series.
The book is fast paced and engaging, revealing layer after layer of
mystery." - Angela Van Breeman
"With
pulse-pounding peril, sharply-plotted mystery, and a delicious touch
of romance, Written in Stone is a deeply satisfying read."
-- Kathleen Marple Kalb (Nikki Knight) Author of the Old Stuff, Ella
Shane, Grace the Hit Mom and Vermont Radio Mysteries
The scroll of the Four
Possessions of the Samurai holds the key to a deadly mystery…
Gilda
Wright thinks she’s landed a dream job as the receptionist at a
karate school. Her boss, Sensei Mick Williams, is almost as demanding
as he is sexy, but Gilda is inspired by the strength and courage of
the people around her. When Gilda finds the body of one of the
instructors in the dojo with a sword through his chest, she must find
her own inner strength and fast! The police regard everyone in the
school as suspects, including her boss, and it’s up to Gilda to
find out what really happened. She follows the clues of the missing
scroll of the Four Possessions of the Samurai down a deadly path
filled with lies, deceit, and poisoned ninja stars.
If
she doesn’t watch her back, she just may become the killer’s next
target.
Diane Bator is a Canadian mystery
writer, book coach, editor, and mom of three young adults. She is the
host of the Escape With a Writer blog, a member of
Sisters in Crime, Crime Writers of Canada, the Writers’ Union of
Canada, and the International Thriller Writers. She is
represented by Creative Edge Publicity and is available for
interviews.
Scott Fitzgerald is looking for love. Both his flatmates have met their forever someones—when will his turn come?
Then things at work get hectic after a consignment of Pleasure Seekers’ finest toys goes missing. There’s a thief in their midst and Scott has to find out who it is.
Enter Prin Lau, the handsome IT technician who’s escaped Scott’s notice until now. When they’re thrown together, it’s not just the hunt for the villain that makes Scott’s heartrate rocket.
But Prin has fled to Brighton to escape family problems. When he decides it’s time to face them head-on once and for all, where will that leave a barely begun relationship?
With so much distraction, Scott must keep his eye on the prize—and come to understand what he’s really willing to fight for…
Excerpt
Prin had taken the table at the rear of the coffee shop. As it was early for a Friday, there weren’t many other customers other than a group of schoolkids and a couple of people on their own. The kids were more interested in being the loudest in the group than anything Prin was up to. As for the others, they were focused solely on their laptops.
Nervously, Prin sipped his hot chocolate.
The door opened and Scott walked in. Butterflies swarmed inside Prin. The whole thing had him on edge. Scott’s model looks didn’t help either.
Scott noticed him and came over. “Prin?”
“That’s right.”
Scott dropped his bag and sat down. Prin barely met his gaze.
Maybe this was a bad idea. It’s too bloody late now.
He shifted in his seat.
“Can I get you anything?”
“No thanks,” Scott replied. “I’ve got to go home and log on after this. How did you get out early without raising suspicion?”
“I often work from home so it wasn’t a big deal,” Prin replied.
Scott looked at him expectantly. For some reason, Prin had no idea how to begin.
“It’s probably nothing—”
“I hope not,” Scott interjected. “I’ve had a shit day. I’m banking on you making it a better one.”
Prin had been right. Scott was a self-absorbed queen. He should never have listened to bloody Colin.
“I…”
Scott held up his hands. “I’m sorry,” he said. “My stupid mouth. I didn’t mean to sound like an arsehole. The truth is, I have a humdinger of a hangover. But I have no right to take it out on you. Can we start over?”
Prin’s nanny always used to say to him that he shouldn’t judge other people’s actions until he had an idea of what they were going through. Perhaps Prin had Scott wrong after all.
“I’d like that. Are you sure I can’t order you a drink?”
“Go on then,” Scott said. “I’ll have a flat white. It’ll give me the final hit of caffeine to get me home.”
Prin caught the eye of the barista. “Flat white, please.”
“Sure thing.”
Prin turned to Scott.
Fuck he’s too handsome to concentrate.
“Okay,” Scott said. “Let’s have it straight. I promise you it won’t go any further unless you want it to. I think I signed something when I joined that says you can sue me if I tell a soul other than a priest or a dog.”
Scott giggled to himself. Prin took a deep breath. This time he properly regarded the man across from him. His eyes were the most vivid blue Prin had ever experienced. Something radiated from him that gave Prin the trust he’d needed to attack this head on.
“My boss is Richard Brammin.”
“You have my sympathy.”
Prin smiled. “His son, Elliott, works in my team. You probably already know that.”
“Yeah. I’ve had the pleasure of dealing with him. Thick and arrogant. The worst combination going.”
“Agreed,” Prin said, relaxing a little. “Well yesterday he was booking a holiday. I know there’s nothing wrong in that. I guess his manner caught my attention. I overheard his conversation. I wasn’t eavesdropping or anything.”
The barista placed a cup down in front of Scott and left them to it. Prin waited until he was out of earshot.
“He asked his friend to pay and he would give them the cash. He told them they had to do it now. I don’t know. Saying it out loud it sounds ridiculous, but he was definitely on edge. Oh yes and he did say that there’s plenty more where that came from.”
Scott sipped his drink and frowned. “Go on.”
“I happened to mention it to Richard and he got really stressed. He stormed off to speak to Elliott about this holiday.”
Prin worried Scott would lay into him for wasting his time.
“It’s not just that,” Prin continued. “Even before that, I mentioned to Richard about the theft and he told me, in no uncertain terms, that it hadn’t happened in IT. I wasn’t to bring trouble to his door.”
Scott frowned. “Richard Brammin is on more money than you and I combined. Why would he want to rob a load of dildos? It doesn’t make sense.”
Prin stared down at his cup. “I shouldn’t have bothered you. I’m sorry.”
“No,” Scott said. “That’s not what I’m saying. This is suspicious as fuck. Problem is, we need a damned sight more before I can take on Richard Brammin.”
“You believe me then?”
“Of course I do.”
Prin beamed. He had been so sure he was sticking his neck out only to get it chopped off. Now he’d unburdened himself, he felt so much lighter.
“What’s next?”
“Let me sleep on it,” Scott replied. “Don’t mention it to anyone. Have no fear, Prin. I will come up with a plan. I always do.”
Scott followed this up with a wink that went straight to Prin’s groin. Being thrown together with this gorgeous man could be very interesting indeed.
Pleasure Seekers is the online store for the nation’s naughty needs. It caters to all tastes from edible underwear to lube to things that are a little more niche.
Based in Brighton on the South Coast, Pleasure Seekers’ mission is to revolutionise Britain’s sex life.
But what kind of person works in a company like this?
Meet Tyler, Eddie and Scott. Three men who are about to have the summer of their lives.
Who says taking your work home with you is a bad thing?
Free use image from Open Clipart Vectors
Ornery Owl's Series Review
Rating: Four out of Five Stars
I'm sorry to see this series end. These books about the romantic adventures of Eddie, Scott, and Tyler, three flatmates who work for the high-end erotic products company Pleasure Seekers, are a delight.
The platonic friendship between the trio provides a safe and solid base for both readers and characters to return to. Even when things are not working well in the romantic department, the guys can still rely on each other for support. There wouldn't be as much depth to the stories if the trio were friends with benefits.The author made the right choice in providing brotherly stability.
The three books are best read in order.
In Thrill, Tyler is hired as Head of Procurement at Pleasure Seekers. His work life is going well, but his personal life isn't. It's no fun living with his weird flatmates, and his homophobic family is pressuring him to conform to their wishes at his sister's wedding.
The Universe throws Tyler a bone when his co-workers Eddie and Scott offer him a place to live. Plus, Danny, who works in the warehouse, wants to be Tyler's sex coach.The friendship-with-benefits relationship turns into a beautiful, steamy romance. However, Tyler's and Danny's happiness is threatened by class differences and past traumatic experiences.
In Kicks, outgoing Eddie's freewheeling life takes an unexpected turn when he finds his job on the line. He meets a struggling shopkeeper who's considering selling Pleasure Seekers merchandise to stay afloat. Although there is an immediate spark between Billy and Eddie, their first meeting does not end optimally.
Despite their differences, Billy and Eddie start to get along on both business and personal levels.A foolish mistake Eddie made before the relationship began threatens to upset everything.
In Glow, Scott finds his special someone. He's been on so many disastrous dates he doesn't even consider the possibility that the right guy may be closer than he thinks. Kind-hearted, service-minded Prin manages the IT department at Pleasure Seekers and volunteers to teach seniors about computers on weekends. Plus, he has to put up with entitled Elliott, the IT director's annoying son.
Prin suspects Elliott and perhaps even his father are involved in the theft of a shipment of dildos. The only one he can turn to is Scott, whom he finds intimidating. Overcoming his tendency to avoid confrontation, he arranges a meeting with Scott.
Things get off to a bumpy start, but as Prin and Scott investigate the mystery together, they grow closer in ever steamier ways. However, when Scott inadvertently reveals Prin to be involved in implicating Elliott as the thief, his error may destroy their relationship.
This feel-good series is the perfect way to wind down and escape to a happy place after a stressful day. There is only one reason I don't give it a five-star rating. While these events are rare, and there is no overt body shaming, food policing occurs. For example, when Doris offers Eddie, Scott, and Tyler brownies, Eddie wants Scott to decline, but Doris says it's okay because Scott isn't fat.
It has been a long struggle for me to maintain a healthy relationship with food, exercise, and my body. This is because of trauma related to diet culture and orthorexia. I believe in Health At Every Size, not body shaming or food moralizing. Because of the struggles of myself and others in these areas, I always subtract a star from any story containing these elements, no matter how much I like the story otherwise.
Overall, I recommend this series for lovers of joyful, steamy M/M romance with a touch of angst. Because of heavy sexual content and adult themes, these books are suitable for mature readers only.
About the Author
I have written for as long as I could write. In fact, before, when I would dictate to my auntie. I love to read, and I love to create worlds and characters.
I live in the English countryside. When I’m not writing, I like to get out there and think through the next scenario I’m going to throw my characters into.
Inspiration can be found anywhere, on a train, in a restaurant or in an office. I am always in search of the next character to find love in one of my stories. In a world of apps and online dating, it is important to remember love can be found when you least expect it.
The
Fallenwood Chronicles is the ongoing story of Ash Kensington, a young
woman who finds herself transported into a fantasy world, where she
must take up arms in a battle of Good vs. Evil, against the Dark Lord
Malegaunt. Tragedy strikes her life in the real world, but she finds
friends in Fallenwood, like her mentor Will Everett, a talking cat
named Greymalkin, and a court jester named Terces. Working together,
they battle against the odds as Ash faces attacks from the world and
from within. Eventually Ash finds the strength within herself, to
attempt the fight against Malegaunt, against overwhelming odds, come
what may.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt
Her
heart raced and she breathed slowly, trying to calm her frazzled
nerves. Glancing around, she wondered how far off the road she’d
wandered. She knew it had been midday when she’d started running,
and now looking up into the star-filled sky, it had to be late into
the night. A rush of air greeted her the moment she reached this
strange part of the forest, before her eyes had temporarily forsaken
her. The wind whipped around her from all sides. She backed away from
where she stood, and the wind felt like it was whooshing up from a
precipice. Ashley paused to allow her eyes to adjust to the dark.
When her sight returned, she realized that she was standing nowhere
near a cliff—it was just an unfamiliar area of forest. Suddenly, a
ball of fire hurtled overhead in an arc toward her. Her mind screamed
at her to run, but she found that her legs wouldn’t move. The
flaming orb continued its descent, burrowing itself into the soft
ground only inches away from Ashley’s boots. Two men rushed toward
her, arguing all the while as Ashley stood immobilized. Her bones
were in revolt. Her brain scrambled for an alias to give out to the
men if they asked, but she could only come up with Ash, because she
was looking at the little pile of soot at her boots. “Deflected,”
the man in the lead announced.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR
Bio and Links:
Leslie
D. Soule received her M.A. in English from National University. She
is a scholar, artist, citizen journalist, and martial artist. She has
been an established writer for a decade, and has novels published by
Melange Books, Terror House Press, Gypsy Shadow Publishing, and Nat 1
Publishing. The Fallenwood Chronicles is her 4-book fantasy series
and features the novels Fallenwood, Forgetting Fallenwood, Betrayer,
and Retribution.
Ryan is stubborn, he always has been. Patience has never been Thomas’s best trait. It’s been nine lonely years. Ryan thought Thomas was dead. Some secrets can’t be told. There are rules and laws that can’t be broken and often unreasonable Gods enforcing them. It’s going to be an uphill climb to fight for Ryan’s forgiveness. All Thomas wants is to spend the rest of his life with his soulmate (even if he is a fugitive), for them to have the picture-perfect life they always dreamed of together. They’ve finally got their chance to have it all, but…
The Bellum Pack is coming, and that can only mean one thing.
Thomas doesn’t have time to plan a war, win back his soulmate, and worry about his best friend, Penn, and whatever he’s got going on with the worst Pillar of all. How does the sweetest guy fall for their most feared God?
Thomas has to figure out how to keep Ryan safe and protect his entire pack from the encroaching war-hungry Wolves. As if that weren’t enough, having Tristan Steele, a human, as his Alpha might be what pushes Thomas over the edge, not to mention keeping Penn’s heart from getting broken. And somehow, he has to manage it all without burning down their world.
His eyes were fixed on the classic red and gleaming chrome Peterbilt emblem in the center of the hood. That oval was all he could see as 80,000 pounds of semitruck and trailer barreled out of control across the median towards them. An unharnessed scream ripped from Thomas as he yanked furiously on the steel handcuffs and chains bolting him to the van floor.
Seconds—he only had seconds.
Time stalled as Death lifted its fist to pound on the front door.
“Oh my God,” the driver yelled and jerked the wheel of the transport van hard to the right. The collective fear was as abrupt as the jolt of the vehicle. Men screamed for their lives.
The unavoidable impact was a bomb exploding, in slow motion, frame-by-frame—a force as powerful as the fist of Muhammad Ali. The collision knocked all the air out of the world around Thomas, out of him. Oxygen ripped from him in a terrifying vacuum, creating a breathless panicking void, where all he heard was the internal lack of gasping in the eighth round. Sucking desperately for denied air, Thomas was Foreman when he finally went down. Glass flew through the interior, suspended, as bodies hurled into the side of the van.
The guard in the front passenger seat was instantly ejected. There and then gone. Blood from the dying driver, who sat at the point of impact, rained, blowing back through the cargo area as the passenger van careened to the right as if propelled by a hurricane. They left the roadway, momentarily airborne, and crashed hard before flipping through the woods, tires over hood. Once, twice, and again in a blur, with the impacts breaking out the remaining windows and slamming the unbelted but chained passengers against the walls, then the ceiling, and finally the floor.
And oh, God—the screaming.
It broke the unbreathing silence—that deafened ringing in his ears as Thomas’s head struck the left side metal window frame. The inmate behind him, unnaturally twisted and flipped over, landed between Thomas and the window. His seatmate, a big guy, tatted with a heavy hand, lay over him on his right side. He had to be at least 250 on the hoof. Hot blood spat rhythmically from an artery onto Thomas’s body. For a moment, the air smelled like old patina-greened plumbing pipes. Or the smell of sweaty palms after clutching pennies to throw at your buddy’s bike wheel. Copper and mechanical mixed.
Somehow, in the chaos of the accident, Thomas had been sandwiched between a back passenger and his seatmate, now dead after bleeding out in only hot, pumping seconds. Even the big guy bled out fast in what seemed like gallons. Neither had their seatbelts on. Thomas opened one eye, and it was a meaty crimson bath inside the Econoline.
Thomas sucked in a second, at last, ragged full breath. It burned and now tasted and smelled like machine smoke and hot metal. If a nightmare could have a scent, this was it. Thomas’s heart pounded; his nose stung as more fumes mixed together. It was hard to breathe—toxic, heavy, and overwhelming. Bits of glass tinkled and clinked around him as they dropped from the now open window frames, releasing from their rubber seals just as the tumble cycle ended.
With tremoring hands, he lifted his chains against their attachment. The floor bolts and hasp jingled and clanked—his manacled hands now freed from their installation. A broken tree branch had pierced the van’s steel floor. Thomas traced the path of the limb where it kabobbed through tatt-man and the back of their shared bench seat. His head pounded with pain, and blood covered his left eye as he tried to blink it away. Gore soaked Thomas, and he wasn’t sure if it was even his own. And something was on fire, searing in his left arm.
“Is anyone okay?” Thomas cried out.
The real panic set in when there was no response. Nothing. No one screamed anymore. For a moment, he heard a gurgle behind him, a wet exhale, and then nothing. Just that heavy dripping and another steady sound. The smoke thickened, and the engine ticked even louder. Like a timed device warning Thomas with its steady tick, tick…before the boom. The message was clear.
Thomas twisted, worked his hands back beneath the behemoth slumped over him, and frantically felt for the seatbelt latch at his right side. He’d been the only one they belted. The first one picked up and the only transport from juvie. A juvenile transport liability rule had just saved his life. Jesus Christ, he had to get out of here right now.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” Thomas yelled over his wet, fumbling fingers. His fine motor skills were forgotten until finally, the clasp released its deadly hold on the buckle.
Frantic, he worked to maneuver the belt off and then wiggled and slid his way out from under the impaled passenger. Thomas turned back to him to check for a pulse, but he was dead. Thomas didn’t have time to feel bad for him, but he still did. No one deserved to go out like that. He looked to the guy pretzeled half in and half out of the side window. His leg was gone from the knee down, his skin already ghostly white. His eyes were wide open, mouth frozen in a dying scream. The other three inmates were a fresh Jackson Pollock on white metal.
Thomas swallowed hard, trying to thrust down the emotions that wanted to well, and assessed himself, wiping his eye with his shoulder. He couldn’t see out of one but looked around wildly with the other. Everyone was dead, and Thomas screamed. He scared-shitless screamed. Thomas dumbly shook his seatmate with his cuffed hands, unwilling to be in this nightmare alone.
Something popped towards the front of the van, and there was a crack. A splitting of wood, and the van jerked forward in a hard punch. Thomas looked through the opening, where the windshield should have been, to where the van clung precariously at the edge of a drop-off. He was the front car fool approaching the high pause of a rollercoaster, only hearing the clicking countdown before the shit-your-pants plummet.
“Help!” Thomas tried to yell through the smoke.
Get out now, then run…from one of the voices inside his head. Thomas had heard this voice so many times before and didn’t question it now. He scrambled over the passenger hanging from the window, clinging to his body like a ladder, then slid over him and dropped to the ground. He looked around—frantic for his bag of personal property—his letters.
GiGi DeGraham lives, plays, and learns in New Orleans. She is a proud southerner and enjoys fixing up old houses and writing. Most of her story and character ideas develop while sanding and painting. She loves to roller skate and has a favorite author-named cat called Irving, after Washington Irving. You’ll always find her with an audiobook in her ear and listening to everything narrated by Kirt Graves.
GiGi prefers the outdoors when the weather permits, going on rock and fossil hunts or visiting local rock shops. Otherwise, she’s clacking away at her keyboard until the wee hours. GiGi firmly believes downtime should be spent on a porch swing. GiGi is a life-long supporter of the LGBTQ+ community.
