Padme's Library: Monday's Montage Mantlepiece: Weapon of Choice Volumes 1 & 2

Monday, October 3, 2016

Monday's Montage Mantlepiece: Weapon of Choice Volumes 1 & 2

Title: Weapon of Choice

Authors: Samantha Jacobey, Jami Brumfield, Ella Medler

Amelia Price, Traci Hayden, Julie Elizabeth Powell

CA Newsome, Joanie Chevalier, Martin Molsted, Kendra Hale

Cherime MacFarlane, Teri Riggs, Sean P Gallatin, Maria DeSouza

Genre: Crime, Mystery

Release Date: October 1, 2016

Summary:

WEAPON OF CHOICE is an astounding collection of crime and mystery stories, suspenseful, ingenious and captivating, with original features that will lead your imagination on a wild adventure. 15 new worlds to explore, 15 mysteries to investigate, 15 new sets of characters to root for — who can ask for more? The perfect companion for a leisurely weekend away is at your fingertips. Add it to your kindle with one click now.

Due to mature content, situations and language, this collection is recommended for audiences 18+. All works in this box set have been professionally proofed by Paper Gold Publishing and RE Hargrave, unless this service was expressly refused by the author. Some stories are written in American, some in Canadian, and some in British English. The authors have chosen to stay true to their heritage.

Includes a mix of already released and never-before seen stories, all complete works. Those books which are part of a series can be enjoyed fully without the need to read the complete series (though there is a chance you might develop story-addiction issues—for that, we apologize).

Stories Included:

Chasing the Storm by Martin Molsted

A gripping, high-octane, Assassination Thriller from debut author Martin Molsted!

What do you get when you take one dose of high-level gangsters, one dose of corrupted politicians, add to the cocktail a missing ship and then blend it with an unstoppable Russian journalist, an awesome hacker and a former elite soldier who’s become an alcoholic, fed-up, office rat?

You get Chasing the Storm!

Great characters, Exotic locations, a dash of Mystery, a tad of Romance and a lot of Thrilling high-octane action!

While in Hamburg, lawyer and former elite soldier, Torgrim Rygg, witnesses the assassination attempt on Marko Marin, a Russian journalist investigating the disappearance of a ship ostensibly carrying timber bound for Algiers. He gets drawn into a world of conspiracies, cover-ups and the relentless search for a missing ship. Disenchanted with his mundane office-life he agrees to help Mr. Marin, and together with Marin’s girlfriend, Lena, and their hacker, Sasha, he sets out on a journey to discover the truth about the missing ship.

Their truth seeking kicks off a series of life-threatening events and a relentless race against time to foil whoever is behind the disappearance of the ship, The Alpensturm. Their revelation puts not only their own lives at risk but the safety of the whole world …

Wired For Sound by Cherime MacFarlane

It is 1988, and the band Bushmaster is on its 4th album and 2nd US tour. A bagpipe lament at sound check invades MacGrough’s head. He doesn’t know his second sight is trying to warn him. Hamish and Vincent started the band, Bushmaster, in college. Vince's nastiness causes someone to exact the ultimate revenge, death.

Lori has already been burned by one man. Can she trust her Scottish keyboard playing husband to respect her career? Will their marriage survive Hamish’s suspicions and this last gig?

Hamish knows he coerced Lori into marrying him and isn’t sure how long she will stick around. His focus has been on keeping his wife happy and getting out of the band. When Vince is murdered, MacGrough must find answers. Lori’s secrets terrify him. Was Vince the man who broke her heart? Hamish must find the killer. But when he finds the murderer will he be forced to protect that person? In a race to discover the answer before the police, MacGrough has to use every resource he can, including the wife he fears may be a prime suspect.

A Murderer's Heart by Julie Elizabeth Powell

Anne Blake, psychiatrist, is good at her job and believes that even the most sick-at-heart can be cured...or at least saved enough that they can lead a better life.

But maybe she's wrong?

Maybe within a murderer's heart, evil lurks, and nothing can be done except to save yourself?

This murder mystery will sharpen your senses, puzzle your brain and thrill your heart.

Dream Noir and Other Tales by Sean P. Gallatin

An adult only trio of short fictional crimes stories of the dark underbelly of Alaska as only the locals ever get to see. Alaska - Land of high mountains, high prices, and high drama. The age old questions prevail regardless of location. How far would you go for those you care about? Do you like a good game - or even a bad one? Can you really do what you have to do?

The Eyes Die Last by Teri Riggs

What happens in Vegas—

Could be Murder…

The Las Vegas Mayoral race is heating up, and the incumbent doesn’t have a prayer. Wealthy real estate speculator, Nick Campenelli, who wants to legalize prostitution in Clark County, and former pastor Louis St. Louis, running on a ‘clean-up-Vegas-by-getting-rid-of-the-whores’ platform, are the front runners.

They’re also front runners on the suspect list for a string of murders. Kennedy O’Brien, a homicide detective with cop blood running in her veins, and her partner Wilder “Wild Thing” James, a veteran, are determined to find the man who’s murdering prostitutes who work the wrong side of the street, and they don’t care how important or politically active he is.

The killer is a man with a mission. He stalks the women before he kills them, leaving a “BEFORE” photo on their bodies, and sending an “AFTER” shot to the local news hound. Ed Hershey, an aging newscaster is determined to turn this story into a network gig, and his interference, along with the LVTVS legal team, are making Kennedy and Wilder look bad. Campenelli’s good looks and charm, and St. Louis’ vitriolic hatred of prostitutes are muddying the waters too, and now the killer seems to have taken a liking to Kennedy.

Can Kennedy stop the killer before he stops her?

A Shot in the Bark by C. A. Newsome

Would you recognize a serial killer if you talked to one every single day?

Starving artist Lia Anderson doesn't. Neither do her friends at the Mount Airy Dog Park. But a violent death brings Detective Peter Dourson into the tight-knit group and he's convinced someone is not who they seem. As his investigation uncovers secrets, a grieving Lia fights her growing attraction to the laid-back detective. Meanwhile, a killer lurks, desperate to stay ahead of the investigation-no matter who has to die.

If you like believable characters, a multi-layered plot, and a compelling sense of humor with your intrigue, pick up this can't-put-down whodunit for a romp through the dog park with Lia and the gang.

Teach Me To Prey by Samantha Jacobey

Rebecca Stewart had never let things get personal with her students; a mistake that could cost her far more than a broken heart. . Jason and his friends enjoyed tormenting teachers. When they set their sights on Miss Stewart, nothing would prevent them from bringing her down. . Avoiding Jason’s advances and navigating an epic clash of wills, the young woman felt relieved to see graduation day finally arrive. Little did she know, it wouldn’t end there. Pregnant and alone, she could only keep her secrets for so long. . After one of the boys is found murdered, the police haul her in, but she denies having done anything wrong. Can she convince them of the truth before all three of the young men fall victim to a killer, forcing her to raise her child alone? . Find out in the action packed thriller...TEACH ME TO PREY.

Lost Plane by Jami Brumfield

ADULT PARANORMAL MYSTERY ROMANTIC SUSPENSE

Vampires, Bear Shifter, Alien, God and Goddesses, Time Travel, Banshee, Science Fiction, Cyborg

The PBI (Paranormal Bureau of Investigation) agents are called in to investigate the mystery surrounding the disappearance of a commercial airplane. Their partnership with ABI (Alien Bureau of Investigation) division is designed to prove this tragedy was not done by supernatural or alien means. As they delve into the lives of the 214 missing passengers and crew members they will meet an ancient relative of the missing that will shed some light onto the case, just enough is uncovered to make another agency to get involved, one which will do anything to keep the secret behind the random disappearances hidden.

The very existence of the human race is on the line, and the team must make difficult decisions. They are forced to choose sides that could impact the present and the future.

Fang and Francesca, and Devon and Sarah continue to play their dangerous romantic dance, and a new player enters the equation. The team also uncovers a new break in the Hollister cold case.

Stories Included:

Blood is Heavier by Ella Medler

They kidnapped his son.

They killed his wife in front of his eyes.

Now they want him to carry out the ultimate evil. Will he do it? If it meant saving his son, is there anything a father wouldn't do?

A fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat read that will keep you turning the pages to the very end.

Binding Contracts by Holly Barbo

What do you do when you no longer want something? You discard it, right? Which is exactly what happens when Keith gets tired of his wife. But there are signed contracts and someone hasn’t read the fine print.

The Perfect Spirit by Traci Hayden

28 year old writer, Vanessa Fortney, has travelled the world, living life to the fullest. When she comes home due to the unexpected death of her only blood relatives, she only has one regret; never finding a love that triumphs all others.

In a beautiful valley in the Rocky Mountains, Nessa finds herself wondering about a mysterious stranger who saved her after a nearly disastrous car accident. The mystery that surrounds Daniel is quickly replaced by the increasing attraction Nessa feels for him.

Will she find that love that transcends all love or will an unforeseen tragedy keep them apart?

The Hundred Year Wait by Amelia Price

It's been one-hundred years since Watson died and Mycroft still doesn't understand what Sherlock saw in having such a companion, but after so long alone and somehow still as young, he is starting to wonder what it might be like to have a disciple of his own.

Life for Amelia Jones is dull, she's spent all her years writing about the adventures other people have, and then she meets the Holmes brothers. Can she persuade the most intelligent person in the world to trust her? And if she does, can she survive the danger that surrounds them?

Vengeful Legal Deal by Kendra Hale

When psychic antiques dealer Michael Sheridan buys a Victorian photo album in auction, he doesn't expect to unearth a Pandora's Box of lies, deceit, and revenge. As fate would have it, the villain looking to settle the 130-year-old vengeful score through murder is closer than he thinks.

With his father and best friends becoming involved, Michael has to stay a step ahead to keep them safe, a task more difficult now that the beauty in the Victorian photo is calling for help.

Love Lost by Maria DeSouza

Love can come into your life in an instant, and leave just as quickly....

Jason Straiz is a New York detective working on a case to bring down a major crime lord. He keeps his life simple. Work. Family. Friends. Until he meets Selene.

Selene is a lawyer on a mission. Her goal is to bring down the monster that has been terrorizing her for years. When she meets Jason, the attraction is intense. When Jason comes to her aide after tragedy strikes, he becomes a target.

When her case and their relationship collide, will her secrets destroy a future they could have together? Can he handle the truth about her?

Can love truly conquer all or is there a limit?

Deadly Dating Games by Joanie Chevalier

MURDER. BLACKMAIL. ROMANCE.

Four women. Four personalities.

Alyssa: Cougar~complete with short skirts, stiletto heels and an insatiable appetite

Bess: Desperate~looking for love in all the wrong places

Julianna: Girl-Next-Door~low self-confidence and bad judgment leads her astray

Traci: Cunning~determined to get what she wants, no matter who gets in the way

Aaron: Is he part of the crime circle or will he save the woman he loves?

After being divorced for several years, Julianna joins a book club she finds online to make new friends and to read a good book or two. Soon after, the leader of the book club convinces the women of the group into filming their dates so that the group can “critique” them with the pretense that it will improve their dating skills. Innocent “critiquing” soon turns into blackmail - and murder - and a few of the women are unwilling participants, unable to get out from under the leader's web of deceit and sinister plans. They are now too deep into the crime spree to go to the police. Soon, a few of the women are fleeing for their lives.

Dirty Business by Julie Elizabeth Powell

Gavin Bloom and Alex Moore run an online magazine for an adult market; although each insists it has to be within the limits of not only the law but to their sense of decency. Gavin is on the edge of developing a revolutionary turn for that very magazine, a programme that will no doubt secure the business, maybe forever.

Amidst the excitement and enjoyment of its success, however, is the mysterious and heinous murder of one of their own.

Who can have done it? And why?

And who is the woman fastened by a chain to a wall?

Follow the twists and turns and perhaps you can solve the puzzle before they do.

Warning: some strong language, violence and moderate scenes of a sexual nature.

Author Bios:
Samantha Jacobey
Anyone who knows me could tell you, I am a friendly kind of person, never met a stranger and take up conversations any where at any time. I work hard, and my mind never seems to shut down, as I wake up often in the middle of the night with ideas pouring out and demanding to be dealt with. Of course that means much of my books were written in the middle of the night.

I grew up and still live in the great state of Texas where everything is bigger, where we have warm weather and a central location. I love my state, my town, and my family, which includes my four sons, my significant other, and many friends as well.

I have thoroughly enjoyed writing the books that are currently available and hope you will enjoy reading them just as much. And of course, there will be many more stories to come.

Jami Brumfield

Jami Brumfield has a passion for the paranormal, supernatural, and mythological worlds for most of her life. She believes there is a kernel of truth in every story and loves playing detective to discover what that hidden truth is. She has written most of her life. She started with poems and short stories, then graduated to journalism working for online websites. It was only a natural progression that her love of writing and her passion for the unknown would combine. Her books are a product of that union. She lives in Arizona with her amazing husband and two fur-babies, Maximus and Zeus.

Ella Medler

Ella Medler is a U.K. author and editor. She writes fiction in many genres in a seemingly vain attempt to slow down her overactive brain enough to write non-fiction on subjects she knows a thing or two about. She also does not believe in the starchy use of English and ignores the type of rule that doesn’t allow for a sentence to be finished in a preposition. Her books are action-driven, and well-developed characters are her forte. Loves: freedom. Hates: her inner censor.

Amelia Price
Jess was born in the quaint village of Woodbridge in the UK, has spent some of her childhood in the States and now resides in the beautiful Roman city of Bath. She lives with her husband Phil and her very dapsy cat, Pleaides. Jess can often be found either in a cafe, grinning behind a large mug of hot chocolate, at her desk, getting annoyed with her cat for sitting on her keyboard, or on her comfy corner sofa with friends, enjoying a vast array of films.

You can read about all the different things Jess does with her work time by checking out all the other pages here. Seperated by type of artistic endeavour they explain all the many different things she enjoys dabbling in.

Traci Hayden

My love for books began at a very small age. I lived inside the many worlds the local library could provide. The characters within those pages were my companions and my support when I needed someone most.

My imagination began to soar as I grew. I began writing small poems as a teenager, but never thought much about publishing or expanding beyond put my words to paper.

After my children were born our love for a certain TV show fueled my love for writing. Using my children as inspiration, I began to write fanfiction, my children being the characters within the stories.

My passion for putting words to paper (or screen as is the norm now) has turned from passion to obsession. I've made some incredible friends through this journey and in turn, have become not only an author but a promoter and supporter for those whose imagination dreams character and worlds that I can lose myself in.

I thank my precious children, my beautiful soul-mate and my forever sister and best friend for being my constant rock and support as I continue to walk this road called life.

Julie Elizabeth Powell
I cannot ignore my dreams, so many of them, with names and places and ideas that spark my imagination and compel me to write; to create stories, whether fantasy or horror, or mystery or psychological thriller or murder or even humour and adventure. So, my garden is sown, flourishing, with all manner of growth, and still the dreams come.

Julie Elizabeth Powell, my soul lingering within my imagination; maybe you’ll join me?

C. A. Newsome
C. A. (Carol Ann) Newsome writes the Lia Anderson Dog Park Mysteries, a series of fun, romantic suspense/mystery novels which are inspired by and centered around her mornings at the Mount Airy Dog Park with her trio of rescues (rowdy hooligans).

A life-long lover of fiction, Carol turned to books and audiobooks during her decade-long recovery from a head injury that occurred when she and her bike were struck by a car. Years of immersing herself in popular fiction lead to imagining the book she wanted to read, and wondering if she could actually write it.

She is also an artist with an M.F.A. from the University of Cincinnati. You'll see portraits of some of her favorite four-footed friends on the covers of her books. She enjoys creating community-based public artworks. As an artist, she is best known for her New Leaf Global Good-Will Guerrilla Art Project.

Her other interests include astrology, raw food and all forms of psychic phenomena. She likes to sing to her dogs. The dogs are the only ones who like to listen.

Joanie Chevalier
Hi! I was born in the L.A. area and our family moved up and down the West Coast for most of my childhood, finally settling in Washington State when I was about 12. After living many years in Washington State, where it is gray for 350 days of the year (might be an exaggeration but it's close!), I finally decided I needed more vitamin D and made the decision to move to the San Francisco Bay area. I pay more taxes in California but I call it the "Sun Tax," so it's okay! Since I didn't know anyone when I moved, I decided that I could write in (all) my spare time (besides working full-time). In addition to writing, I love being out in my yard, planting rose bushes, and creating color in my flower beds. I also love camping in my teardrop trailer in and around California, as well as all the surrounding states where I have found beautiful camping sites and National Parks. I'm lucky that I have one fantastic boyfriend who loves traveling with me and I live with my son, an awkward teenage boy/man who does laundry when he can't find anything clean to wear from his floor.

Martin Molsted
Chasing the Storm is Martin Molsted's debut novel, although he has been actively engaged in writing shorter fiction, as well as screenplays since 2009. When he is not working as an Archivist in a Fortune 500 engineering company, he writes fiction and non-fiction.

He enjoys playing music, singing, travelling, nice food, great wine, tasty beer and awesome custom built motorcycles.

Martin Molsted lives in Asker, a small town between the greater cities Oslo and Drammen, in eastern Norway. He lives together with his French wife and their two daughters. No animals.

He is currently working on the storylines for a trio of further Rygg & Marin thrillers, so stay tuned for more compelling and intriguing action.

Kendra Hale
For Kendra, who has lived in Canada, the USA and on the European Continent, Great Britain, or the UK, will always be home. Her love for the UK is apparent in The Snow Crystals, and her other/future books, which are all set here. Kendra’s knowledge and life-long interest in the world of antiques, collectibles and such, finds its way into her writing. She writes fiction in different genres.

Cherime MacFarlane

A prolific multi-genre author, she has a broad range of interests that reflect her, been there-done that, life. Romance, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Paranormal, all sorts of characters and plots evolve from a vivid imagination.

I came to Alaska kicking and screaming in 1976, and I never want to leave. I cut firewood on shares for money to get through the winter. I swore I would not live above the Alaska Range because it was too cold there and wound up in the Copper River Basin where it got just a cold as Fairbanks.

My second husband, a Scot from Glasgow, was the love of my life. When I write Scots dialect, I experienced hearing it from my in-laws. When my husband got on the phone to Scotland after five seconds, I could hardly understand a word. I was my second husband's chief mechanic's helper and roadie.

I live in a cabin which is slowly being surrounded by the city and wish I was further out. My two cats and Husky-Collie mix dog are happy in our little slice of heaven called Alaska. In the silence of winter dreams of people and places provide a rich pool of ideas to delve into.

Teri Riggs

As a child, USA Today Bestselling Author, Teri Riggs, made up her own bedtime stories. When her children came along, Teri always tweaked the fairy tales she told her daughters, giving them a bit more punch and better endings when needed.

Now she spends her days turning her ideas into books. She lives in Marietta, GA with her husband.

She writes romantic suspense.

Maria DeSouza
Maria DeSouza is a New Jersey native with a love for writing. She has two children, who are her life, and family that makes her want to scream at times, but still loves them. She started her affair with reading and writing at a very young age. She loves where books take her, and always wished for the day when she would meet her very own dream boat. She grew up on Stephen King, Nora Roberts, and anything her library would let her borrow. She would always grab a notebook and start writing about the books she read about because she wanted the story to continue. She never took it seriously until a friend a few years ago told her that she needed to publish her work after she wrote down a short story. The words stuck with her and she was constantly asked, “Did you write more? Are you done?” A back injury put her writing on hold for almost 2 yrs and last year, she found the short story and started reading. Then, she started writing and adding to it. That little dream turned story turned into her debut novel, Love Lost.

Holly Barbo

Holly's world is shaped by her love of family, the beauty of the natural world and an irrepressible creative drive. She has always been curious and sees life through questions. These four characteristics color her writing voice. Holly's stories are mostly in non-urban settings and usually have some focus on nature, building discordant themes inside a seemingly peaceful refrain.

My motto: Weaving Alternative Worlds with Threads From Today.