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Book Title: VINNY Author: Andy Siege Publisher: UpLit Press Release Date: July 2, 2024 Pairing: MM, MF, MT Tense/POV: A mix of tenses: first/third/present/past/single Genres: Sci-Fi/Futuristic/Dystopian Tropes: Forbidden love, friends to lovers Themes: Coming out, bisexual awakening, trans awakening Heat Rating: 3 flames Length: 40 000 words/180 pages It is a standalone book in the DIVERGENCY SERIES and does not end on a cliffhanger. Buy Links - Available in Kindle Unlimited 
A sci-fi novella about Vincent van Gogh’s queer clone. Blurb 1888: A young prostitute opens a gift from a painter and discovers van Gogh’s bloody ear. Excerpt The painting van Gogh was working on depicted a group of prisoners walking in a circle around an oppressive prison yard. In the center of the painting was a convict that resembled van Gogh himself, and Peyron figured that the artist was expressing his own feelings of claustrophobia inside the asylum. The work was dominated by depressing tones of blue and green with splashes of red on some of the bricks that enclosed the prisoners. Peyron cleared his throat. “Monsieur van Gogh.” The artist jumped a little at the noise, but then kept painting. “You almost made me misplace a line, Doc.” “I apologize. Were you not able to sleep?” Van Gogh shook his head. “Not before finishing.” “Does painting help you?” Van Gogh turned around slowly and smiled. “It does.” “How does it help?” The artist scratched his red beard with a paint-speckled hand. “When I don’t paint, I worry about delusional things. But when I paint, I worry about the next drop of color. In this way my mind is occupied with logic when I paint.” Peyron nodded. “Thank you for putting it so well.” “Why are you awake, Doc?” “I dreamed something that upset me.” Van Gogh took a sip of water from a metal cup, spilling some of it onto his chest. He was wearing an open shirt and the droplets ran down across his belly, dampening the top of his pants. The painter had put on a little weight since coming to the asylum. A sign of increased health. Peyron also noticed himself getting aroused. Not a good sign under these circumstances. “I, um… I should go back upstairs,” the doc stammered. “No. Stay.” Van Gogh scratched himself just above his left nipple. “I’m a bit lonely.” The doc’s eyes lit up. He had been waiting for a sign from the painter and here was a sign. Peyron swallowed hard and then took a step forward. Van Gogh mirrored him and also stepped closer. The doc lifted his right hand and placed it on the painter’s chest. Van Gogh took the hand in his and their fingers entwined. Then the painter pulled Peyron towards him and the men kissed. Peyron could feel van Gogh’s stubble against his own clean-shaven face. Suddenly the painter pulled away. “No. I… I can’t do this.” “But… why?” “I’m not a pervert.” “Neither am I.” “Other people, all of them, they don’t understand.” Peyron remembered the crowd at the dock in Marseille. “I know.” He turned and walked away. About the Author Andy Siege born as Andreas Madjid Siege in Kenya in 1985 is an award-winning film director and writer. His debut feature film “Beti and Amare” which he wrote and directed was nominated for multiple high-profile international film awards. He has a BA in Creative Writing and an MA in Political Science. Andy Siege is also neurologically divergent and a member of the LGBTQ community. Author Link 
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 This week's snippet is from Endosymbiont, book 3 of The Vampire Guard.  Madison picked up the camera, switched it on and aimed it at Jonas who stood placidly looking at the lens. “Well, what do you see?” Jonas asked. “There’s a heat signature, it’s a low one. But….” Madison lowered the camera far enough to look over the top. “What are you? Both of you?” He glanced at Declan then turned back to Jonas. Jonas took the camera and set it down. “Vampire. My normal body temperature is about ninety-two to ninety-three degrees Fahrenheit, so I—most vampires—will register in a thermal image. Except for under certain circumstances you can’t see one of us on camera or in a mirror. And even then, it’s limited.” “That’s why some of the limbs didn’t show up?” Madison asked. Jonas nodded. “And you were in World War Two?” There are more snippets in the Rainbow Snippets Facebook group.  Endosymbiont is available in eBook and through Kindle Unlimited.
Sheryl R. Hayes has a new MMF paranormal book out (bi, poly), Jordan Abbey book 3: Chaos Kin. In the town of Rancho Robles, can one werewolf protect the Children of the Wolf and the Bat? Chaos Wolf Jordan Abbey has made friends among the Black Oak Pack even though she refuses to join it. The same can’t be said of the vampires, but her life has taken a turn for the better. That is until Enya Blevins, sister to the werewolf who turned Jordan, arrives in Rancho Robles. She wants to know who killed her baby brother and is less than impressed by the Chaos Wolf. Enya wants revenge, starting with Jordan and ending with the vampires infesting the area. Jordan is prepared to flee, but a technicality makes her an Alpha Werewolf. Now she must stand her ground to protect her nascent Pack and those she loves. The past has come back to bite her. Does she have the fangs to bite back? About the Series: In the Northern California town of Rancho Robles where the Children of the Wolf and the Bat share an uneasy coexistence. One werewolf woman threatens to upset that balance. Universal Buy Link | Liminal Fiction | GoodreadsGiveaway: Sheryl is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card with this tour: Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47323/ Excerpt:
"You ready for this?" Jordan nodded. She and Montgomery had pulled over three blocks from the entrance to the Black Oak Pack's compound for one last quick discussion. "Got the Uber request programmed in to meet me here. If things go wrong, we run." Montgomery shook his head, hand tightening on the steering wheel. "No, you run." Jordan's expression tightened. "I'm not leaving you." "Jordan, you have to run without me." Montgomery stared at her until she looked away. "I know you're afraid of what will happen to me. But they won't harm me. To do so is to risk open conflict with Elder Marcus." Jordan bit back her response. Alpha Shane may have a vested interest in living in peace with the Elder of the Conclave of Rancho Robles. That didn't mean that these strangers who came from far away would have the same desires. Add to the fact things were personal between Montgomery and Enya, and the odds were that they wouldn't be thinking about insulting the vampires in the area. She sighed and recited the plans they had come up with the night before. "If things go south, I run back to the Cataluña and wait for you or Thorn. If after twenty-four hours, neither of you show up, I ask Elder Marcus for help getting someplace safe. You and Thorn will join me once you're able to." Montgomery smiled and nodded. She noticed a tear in the corner of his eye. "Hopefully, it won't come to that." She didn't bother to say that he didn't sound like he believed it any more than she did. Jordan closed her eyes but lifted her head as she and Montgomery drove up to the gate of the Black Oak Pack's home territory. As if by mutual consent, neither of them spoke as Sentry Rodriguez waved them through. There was no point hashing out their plans further. In the next ten minutes, they would know if she would have to run and hide with her tail between her legs. The silence continued as they walked to the front door. Angela opened the door before she had a chance to knock on it, focusing on Jordan instead of Montgomery. The blonde blond werewolf arched her eyebrows in a question. Jordan shook her head ever so slightly. Angela's lips pressed together as she narrowed her eyes. Jordan could hear her thoughts. Why am I not surprised? Instead, she gestured them inside. "This way please." The entire pack was gathered, clumping together in little knots around the room. Pamela met her eyes and then turned her attention back to her conversation with Tran. Alpha Shane, Envoy Blevins, and Talespeakers stood by the cold, dark fireplace. Angela took her place with the rest of the younger people in the room. The tension in the room ramped up as the four highest-ranking werewolves focused on her and Montgomery. Alpha Shane dipped his head in greeting. "Chaos Wolf Abbey, Mr. Cooper." Enya was far less formal, not giving Montgomery and Jordan a chance to greet them. She assessed Jordan, head lifted so she stared down her nose. "Were you able to retrieve the fangs?" Jordan drew herself up to stand straight and as tall as she could. "No." Everyone around her tensed, which she expected. "This isn't her fault," Montgomery said. "She didn't know—" "Silence, vampire!" Enya snapped. Her focus was on Jordan as she paced forward. "It's not completely your fault. I blame you as much as I blame him." She nodded towards Alpha Shane. "And him." Her gaze turned towards Montgomery. Alpha Shane's shoulders hunched. He shifted his weight but said nothing. She felt her ears flatten, an impressive trick as she was in her human form. Jordan opened her mouth, trying to force her words through her snarl. To her surprise, Billy, Juan, Tran, and Maria surrounded her and Montgomery with Angela taking the point in front of Jordan. Jordan couldn't see her expression, but the young woman stood stiffly, legs apart, and fists braced on her waist. Confused, Jordan looked at Billy on her right, eyes wide. "What's going on?" she whispered as Montgomery put a hand on her shoulder. "We're saving your skin," he said. "Now, shush." Angela looked at Enya. "Jordan shouldn't be treated as a chaos wolf. She is—" “Angela!” Alpha Shane barked, glaring at her. His daughter didn't stop speaking. “—An alpha wolf in her own right." Author Bio Sheryl R. Hayes can be found untangling plot threads or the yarn her three cats have been playing with. She is equally likely to be shooing one of them off the keyboard as she is working on her novels and short stories. In addition to writing, she is a cosplayer focusing on knit and crochet costumes. Author Website: https://www.sherylrhayes.com Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/sherylreneehayes Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/sherylrhayes Author Mastodon: https://mastodon.online/@sherylrhayes Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherylrhayes/ Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16468770.Sheryl_R_Hayes Author Liminal Fiction (LimFic.com): https://www.limfic.com/mbm-book-author/sheryl-r-hayes/ Author Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/sherylrhayes 
 Did you know that following your favorite authors on Bookbub is a great way to keep up to date on new releases and deals? And it doesn’t cost a penny?
We’re celebrating the new year with a new giveaway, where the more you follow, the better your chances! 🎉 Get started at https://tinyurl.com/PeachyNewYear, but act fast - the giveaway closes on January 19. Good luck, book lovers, and Happy New Year! 🎉  Mason Arquette would always be the one who got away. Not that Riece Burrell ever gave Mason, or the fact he’d gotten away, any thought. He definitely wasn’t giving it any consideration as he disembarked the airplane and made his way to the baggage area. After grabbing his first suitcase to roll out on the conveyor belt, he set it between his feet and waited on the second one. His camera bag and a laptop case were slung over his shoulders, which made juggling the larger suitcases awkward. He absolutely never gave a moment’s consideration to Mason’s broad smile, cocky attitude, and self-assuredness. The term mountain man was something Riece often associated with Mason, though when he’d last seen Mason, he’d had no beard. Mason, with his agile body, muscular arms, and quick wit, had alternately amazed and frustrated Riece during their few years together. Riece could have done with some of Mason’s muscles right now. These bags were damn heavy and hauling them around was difficult. After stumbling more than walking to the area where there would—hopefully—be cabs or shuttles waiting, Riece stopped and looked around. He’d been focused first on getting the correct flight, ensuring that it was an acceptable time of day—for departing as well as arriving. Then he’d had to complete the task of seat assignment, something that required care. All those choices conspired against Riece, and he’d completely forgotten about transportation from the airport to his destination. The irony of the situation was, Riece was supposed to be good with details. He’d landed his current position as a photographer for the U.S. National Park Service because of his attention to detail. A point he didn’t miss was that little bit about Mason Arquette being his guide and escort in the wilderness of the Black Hills. Apparently the universe wanted to be damn sure Riece never forgot Mason. Gone Away is available in eBook, paperback and through Kindle Unlimited.     AUDIOBOOK and eBOOK TOUR 
Book Title: Didn’t See You Coming (The Haunting of Pinedale High) Author: Gabbi Grey Publisher: The Wild Rose Press Narrator: Michael Ferraiuolo Release Date: January 6, 2025 Pairing: MM, FF, Ghost/Ghost (MM) Tense/POV: First person, past tense, alternating POV (6 POVs) Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary Paranormal Romance Tropes: Small town romance, former Black Civil War Soldier, sweet with swearing, lesbian coupling, gay coupling, paranormal ghost story Themes: redemption, acceptance, coming out Heat Rating: 1 flame Length: 5 hours and 22 minutes It is a standalone story and does not end on a cliffhanger. Buy Links Universal Link | Audible US | Audible UK Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | Apple Books 
Pinedale High—where every shade of love stands a ghost of a chance. Blurb Holden and Peyton don't expect much from senior year. He probably won't manage to date any guys. She'll still pine over Juliette, the beautiful and unattainable cheerleader. But when they step between class bullies and Oliver, a super-hot transfer student, their year starts to go off the rails. As a star football player, Oliver hadn't anticipated trouble. Turns out Pinedale High not only comes with bullies, but with new friends, plus the ghost of a Civil War soldier, and a shy naked guy in the library. Between the living and the dead, senior year is about to get interesting. 
About the Author 
USA Today Bestselling author Gabbi Grey lives in beautiful British Columbia where her fur baby chin-poo keeps her safe from the nasty neighborhood squirrels. Working for the government by day, she spends her early mornings writing contemporary, gay, sweet, and dark erotic BDSM romances. While she firmly believes in happy endings, she also believes in making her characters suffer before finding their true love. She also writes m/f romances as Gabbi Black and Gabbi Powell. Social Media Links Audible Profile | Blog/Website | Facebook Twitter | Newsletter Sign-up | Instagram | Bookbub 
My snippet this week is from Scintilla, book one of El Corazon.  “You do realize that under no circumstances will payment be rendered until I personally speak with Brandon.” William Lynch predictably announced. There were no questions about Brandon’s exact state of health, why he went missing or even referring to him as ‘my son’. You, senor Lynch are a grade A, high caliber asshole. There are more amazing snippets in the Rainbow Snippets Facebook Group. Scintilla is available in eBook, paperback and through Kindle Unlimited.
 When they were finished and packing up, Mal asked Audrey, “Do you mind catching a ride back with the magazine crew?” Audrey nodded and gave Mal’s forearm a squeeze. “Good luck.” “Uh-huh.” Mal got closer to Colt, and when the others’ attention was elsewhere, he put one arm around Colt’s shoulders. “I brought a picnic dinner. Stay with me for a while?” “Sure.” Colt’s face lit up, and Mal pushed away his guilt. Colt was probably expecting a nice romantic evening, and Mal seriously doubted that would happen. They walked back with the others toward the vehicles. After everyone drove away, Mal pulled a cooler from the back of the truck, and they carried it to the shack. During the entire photo shoot, no one had gone inside, so Mal was surprised to see the remnants of a moonshine still there, scattered across the floor. “Damn kids. I’ll have to make sure to send someone out here to do checkups more often,” he said, shaking his head. “They’re lucky they didn’t blow themselves up. See how this connects?” “Yeah,” Colt said and leaned down to look closer. “Too much heat, and boom.” Mal spread his fingers out. “They must not be from around here since no one sets up a still indoors. Every kid that grew up in this county knows that.” Colt snorted. “Hell, even I knew that before I came here. How about you set up dinner, and I’ll clear this out?” “Okay.” Mal picked a spot beside the shack and spread out a blanket. Then he laid out sandwiches, fruit, Colt’s favorite iced fruit tea, cheeses, and hummus. Colt finished piling up remains of the still beside the shack as the sun was setting. Mal patted the spot beside him. When Colt settled close to him, Mal handed over a glass of tea. “You know, I had a thought about what to call your line of moonshine.” “Yeah?” Colt bit into a sandwich. “What do you think of Kensington’s Wild Colt?” Colt beamed. “I like it.” They were silent for a few moments, watching the final minutes of sunset. “Wow. I didn’t think the view could get better, but wow. One of the things that drew me here was a brochure I found at the bus stop for the distillery. There were photos of the Smokies in the background. I fell asleep on the bus, and when I woke up, we were crossing a bridge, the sun was coming up, and the ‘smoke’ was rising off the mountains. It took my breath away.” “I’m glad you stopped here,” Mal said. “You’ve been here for months, and I still keep learning new things about you.” “It goes both ways,” Colt admitted. Mal leaned over and kissed Colt lightly before saying, “Wait until it gets completely dark.” He waved at the food. “Dig in.” By the time they finished dinner, the first stars were beginning to pop out. Colt lay back and folded his arms under his head. “You know that song at the beginning of Firefly that says you can’t take the sky from me?” “Yes.” Mal drew a deep, shaky breath and reached into his coat for the papers. “I bet whoever wrote that was looking at something like this.” “You may be right,” Mal said. Colt pushed onto his elbows. “Are you okay? You’ve been acting funny all day.” “Yes. No. Colt, there’s something I have to talk to you about, some paperwork.” Mal pulled the papers out and held them against his knees to still the shaking of his hands. “Geez, I thought for a minute you were breaking up with me.” “No. That didn’t even cross my mind,” Mal said softly. Colt sat up and tugged on the rolled-up papers. “Well, are you going to let me see them?” “I…. Colt, we should talk—” “Did ya bring a pen? Or do I have to jab my finger and sign in blood?” It was too late. Colt had pulled the document from Mal’s hand, taken out his phone, and was using the flashlight to illuminate the pages while he read. Mal tried to take the document. “Colt, I need to—” Colt yanked the papers out of Mal’s reach. He was no longer smiling, and he wasn’t teasing. “What the fuck? You hire me to do public appearances, and now you think I want to steal your company!” “No, Colt, of course not. But I mentioned before there is a board of directors and stockholders, and that means we have to—” “Shut up,” Colt shouted and scrambled to his feet, still holding the sheaf of papers. He stormed toward the path, then turned long enough to shout, “You kept telling me you’d take care of the board. This is taking care of it?” “Where’re you going?” “Home.” Colt stopped and whirled to face Mal. “Or a hotel since I might try to swipe your house too.” He turned on his heels and started to run.  Whiskey and Moonshine is available in eBook, audiobook, paperback and through Kindle Unlimited.     
Timoteo Tong has a new MM paranormal fantasy romance out, Magicals Alliance book two: Resurrecting My Magic. Book one, “Magic, Monsters and Me” is available for just 99¢ January 6th-12th!In the thrilling sequel to “Magic, Monsters and Me,” Elijah Delomary forges new abilities with new mentors, seeks to reunify with Austin, and faces the terrible truth behind losing his powers. As war rages between Devlina and Zid’dra, Elijah and his family are drawn into the conflict. Zid’dra grows stronger and brings Elijah to the precipice of destruction. Faced with a terrifying revelation, Elijah is pushed to protect his family, Austin, and the very fabric of existence. The weight of these challenges tests Elijah's strength, forcing him to confront the darkest forces while proving the unwavering strength of his love to Austin. As the evil plan comes to light, Elijah forges new abilities with new mentors, seeks to reunify with Austin, and faces the terrible truth behind losing his powers. As war rages between Devlina and Zid’dra, Elijah and his family are drawn into the conflict. Zid’dra grows stronger and brings Elijah to the precipice of destruction. Will he survive? Can he trust himself to do the right thing? Will he believe that love can conquer darkness and save the world? Warnings: homophobia, racism, bullying, fat phobia, LGBT slurs, fade to black sex About the Series: The Magicals' Alliance series revolves around the influential Delomary family, known for their massive corporation, philanthropy, and charity work. But unbeknownst to the public, they're also the secret defenders against dark forces, facing off against monsters like Vampires and Werewolves in an age-old battle between good and evil. "Magic, Monsters and Me" is the thrilling first installment in this epic saga. Join them in their mission to protect humanity from perilous extinction. Universal Buy LinkGet Book One Now For Just 99¢Giveaway Timoteo is giving away a $20 Amazon gift card with this tour: Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47322/ Excerpt
“One night, I sat in the window seat in my room, watching the rain falling outside my window, when I heard a cry for help. “Someone help me!” I glanced at the clock: 3:00 AM. I padded to the door, peering outside to the long hallway stretching from Aunt Christine’s suite on one end to Mom’s on the other. The darkness was punctuated every few feet from the dim chandeliers overhead. Silence. The house and everyone in it were asleep except me. I returned to the window. “Help!” a voice shouted, weaker this time. “Shit,” I complained. I returned to my room, walked over to the closet, then jammed my feet in my running shoes and headed downstairs. I grabbed my raincoat from the front hall closet and stepped outside. Where was security? They usually patrolled the grounds at night. Maybe there was a shift change. Rain thundered down on the roof of the veranda and on the brick walkway winding down the front lawn to the main gates. I stepped onto the stairs and into the rain. I hurried to the wrought iron fence separating our property from the street. I paused, noticing a strange pink light illuminating the jacaranda trees lining the street. I turned to see where it was coming from. I gasped. The house glowed with a fluorescent pink light from the runes Mom had recently cast over the house in the Jotomoarlo Sangrancto. The ancient characters appeared as if projected on the house moving up along the façade and disappearing on the mansard roof. “Please, help little old me!” a voice called. I looked back at the house. The house was actively fighting some evil force itself. I turned and made my way to the empty street. A half block away, I spotted a figure, shrouded in shadows between the streetlights, waving to me. “Help! Monsters!” “I can help you!” I called, patting my pajama pockets for my PlasmX. Puxhàredo! I left it on the dresser in my closet. I stretched out my arm and raised my hand on the off chance my PlasmX would levitate out of my room and into my hands. Nothing happened. Crap. Máurso had drilled it in my head to never be without my PlasmX. And I had forgotten that rule already. I grumbled. Okay, I would just use my fists and body to battle any monster. My Xem Sen Ou improved every week. I was a walking weapon, I told myself. I closed in on the figure. “Come and help me.” The stench of ashes and sulfur wafted into my nose. I gagged. Okay, a chain smoker needed my help. Mom had drilled it into my head to never smoke. “You want yellow teeth? Wrinkles when you’re eighteen? Smell like cigarettes?” “No?” “Good, don’t smoke, ever!” I could do this. I paused in front of a shadowy figure. “Elijah Delomary, Bane of the Gloom, here to help..uh..ma’am, sir, they?” The figure reached up to their hood with their hands, only the skin was blistered and black and oozing. My eyes widened, seeing rotting flesh on their arms. I stopped in my tracks. I began to back away. “What’s wrong? Don’t you remember me?” A raspy voice called as the hood fell off the head of the figure. The face of an old woman with wrinkled skin and washed-out blue eyes peered at me. Fungus crusted half the woman’s face. “Come here, honey. It’s me, your great-great aunt Mady!” I turned and began to run. That couldn’t be Aunt Mady. She had died when I was eight years old at the ripe old age of 102. My foot hit a rut in the sidewalk, sending me tumbling forward. I crashed onto the lawn of my friend Letitia’s house. I sprawled on my back, rain beating down on my face. My heart lodged in my throat. I wanted to cry out for help. I wanted to run, but for some reason, every muscle in my body was paralyzed. I heard the sound of Aunt Mady’s walker clacking on the sidewalk. “Come and give me a hug, honey!” I closed my eyes. I should have woken Barn, called Sunny. Security. No, I— Stop, Elijah. You didn’t know any better. You meant well. The path to hell is lined with good intentions. No, stop. Stop. Stop beating yourself up. The clacking stopped. Aunt Mady, or whoever she was, stood over me. I was helpless. Thunder rumbled. Our twelfth atmospheric river of the rainy season. The vernal equinox passed weeks ago. Springtime. It never rained this much in Southern California. Something was wrong, someone was trying to drown the land of milk and honey. Drown La La Land and wash California into the sea. Wheezing filled the air. I pressed my eyes closed as a hand reached for me. A vision bloomed in my head. Two pinpoints of red light that grew and grew and grew filled my mind. “You proved yourself quite capable,” the voice said. “I was hoping you’d run yourself ragged, trying to prove to yourself you’re not some piece of crap like your father. I hoped to watch you collapse and die. You didn’t. Then I was sure you would give up. You surprised me. So now I am here to destroy you, so Devlina is weakened, and I can grow stronger!” Author Bio
Timoteo Tong's imagination has always run wild, growing up in Burbank, CA, dreaming of battling vampires, werewolves, and witches in a Victorian mansion. Inspired by literary giants like L. Frank Baum, CS Lewis, and JRR Tolkien, he wrote his first book at eight, featuring his stuffed cocker spaniel marrying a playful duck. Now living in San Francisco with his husband, Timoteo surrounds himself with plants and books, enjoying cheese pizza, donuts, and long naps. He balances his creative pursuits with a healthy lifestyle, working out regularly. Timoteo dreams of flying one day and aims to enchant readers with his storytelling, just as his favorite authors did for him. Author Website: https://www.magicalsalliance.com Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/timoteo.tong Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timoteoktong/ Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/34837913.Timoteo_Tong Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Timoteo-Tong/author/B0C7JVD1H7
 Forge sat on the back steps of Boggs’s Castle, watching Moose in the backyard. Lucas walked down the steps and sat beside him. Moose chased a leaf, pounced on it, stumbled, and rolled over. He stood up and barked at the leaf. They both chuckled. Simon’s car pulled in the drive, and he looked at Moose as he walked up the path to join Forge and Lucas. “I think he’s already bigger.” When Forge looked up and nodded, Simon asked, “Any word from Robert?” Both Lucas and Forge shook their heads. Simon sighed and sank down onto the steps with them. Moose pawed at a stone, backed up, and barked at it, making all of them laugh. “It is good to have a dog here again, though I’ve forgotten what puppyhood was like. Thank you, both of you,” Forge said. Simon snorted. “You’ve said the same thing about puppies every time there was a new one.” Lucas put one arm around Forge’s shoulder and hugged him. “You’re welcome, but it wasn’t an entirely selfless act.” The computer in the basement chimed. At once they were off the steps and moving. Forge darted across the yard and scooped up his puppy before sprinting after Simon and Lucas into the house and down the basement steps. Lucas hit the button activating the microphone and connecting the call. “Robert? What’s going on? We’ve been trying to reach you.” “I’ve been waiting for the email with those details you were going to send,” Forge added. They heard a sniff and what sounded like someone wiping their nose with their wrist. “Rob… my dad…. Agent Turner is…. He couldn’t respond to your calls. I’m sorry. He passed away not long ago. Who is this?” Forge had to take a moment to steady himself and focus. “My name is Jonas Forge, I’m a detective. Robert, your father, and I worked together a few times along with two associates of mine.” He bit his lip and squeezed his eyes shut for a few seconds. Lucas and Simon each said hello in turn, and all of them offered their condolences. It was Lucas who asked, “Who is this? Blair, his son?” “Yeah. You can call me Alucard.” Present Day “I remember being there, at the school, when the robbery happened,” Blair said. “I wanted so badly to help my dad with his investigation and to be like him. It was the night of the robbery we started talking seriously about me joining the FBI. They were recruiting more and more students studying computer sciences. I applied to the college I was attending because the FBI recruited heavily from it, and my dad really loved the idea I wanted to follow in his footsteps.” Forge put one arm around him and squeezed before rubbing his back a few times. “You are like him, and you do more than you’d ever have done in the FBI, I’m sure.” “It’s possible you saw our suspect. Do you think that’s what your dad meant about learning things about him?” Declan asked. “I should have told him the truth about us the minute he mentioned that painting. I should’ve been on the next flight to New Mexico and backed him up,” Forge said. “I’m so sorry, Blair.” “It wasn’t your fault. It wasn’t anyone’s fault as far as I know. He died from injuries and complications caused by a car accident.” Blair understood, now, the feelings he knew originated from Forge. “Don’t blame yourself.” “But if I’d told him, made him understand what we were really dealing with, beforehand, he might not have died. I always thought it was too much of a coincidence he died when he did,” Forge said. “He never let on he knew about vampires and werewolves, but by that time I suspected he did. I convinced myself it was my imagination running wild, and I was seeing things that weren’t there. It made sense, though. He helped us research the paranormal. Why wouldn’t he accept that he had a friend who was a vampire?” “Except Simon and I thought the same thing. We’re all to blame,” Lucas said softly. “You thought our thief was responsible somehow for Robert Turner’s death?” Declan asked. Blair looked from Forge to Declan, then at Lucas. This was the first he was learning of that theory. Forge shook his head and sighed. “I don’t know. I didn’t know then, and Robert was FBI. Getting information from them wasn’t going to happen. It was their case by that time, and to them I was nothing but a small-town buttinksy cop who’d bungled it the first time around. I had nothing but official channels to go through, and they were all closed. Robert and I shared information on a variety of things, but it was never official. He was my FBI contact, and once he was gone, so was my ability to get inside information.” Declan shifted so he faced Blair completely. “Tell us everything about this car accident. What about the other driver? Were there any passengers?” “There was no other driver. My dad lost control of his car and crashed into a cement wall,” Blair said. “Wait a minute. Are you telling me your father, an experienced FBI field agent, with, I’m presuming, defensive driving training smashed into a wall during an investigation and nobody at the FBI thought it was even a tiny bit suspicious?” Forge’s temper started to rise and Blair didn’t need his empathic bond to feel the effects. “Oh, hell, no. A lot of people at the FBI thought those events were very suspicious. My dad’s car was only a few weeks old. He’d just bought one of the new models to come out that year. He either jumped or was thrown from the car, no way to tell, but the doctors said he shouldn’t have lived, and it was miracle he did survive. The car was so badly burned there was almost no evidence recovered, and what they could find didn’t show any tampering.” Blair stopped and glanced around at the other men. “He survived the crash and died a few days later from a blood clot, but he never woke up. The people he worked with did what they could with what they had, but it wasn’t enough. It’s not a closed case, but it’s a cold case now. Whatever he knew that could have shed light on what happened died with him.” Quarry is available in eBook, paperback and through Kindle Unlimited.    |
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