Set in an undiscovered San Francisco, Kelly Allegretti’s mystery book is an intriguing well written thriller featuring an unconventional pair of father-daughter detectives.
The San Francisco Connection
The Titoo Family Detective Series Book 1
by Kelly Allegretti
Genre: Mystery
Kelsey is launching her new career as a detective at her father’s agency in their hometown of San Francisco. Her first case? Find a missing family friend. It sounds simple until it isn’t. As Kelsey digs deeper, she’s pulled into a tangled investigation laced with romance, danger, and corruption. Suddenly, the line between personal and professional begins to blur.
Is she truly ready for this life? This case won’t just test Kelsey’s resolve. It’ll push her father’s limits too.
M G da Mota is Margarida Mota-Bull’s pen name for fiction. She is a Portuguese-British novelist with a love for classical music, ballet and opera.
Under her real name she also writes reviews of live concerts, CDs, DVDs and books for two classical music magazines on the web: MusicWeb International and Seen and Heard International.
She is a member of the UK Society of Authors, speaks four languages and lives in Sussex with her husband. Her website, called flowingprose.com, contains photos and information.
What is the sweetest thing someone has done for you?
Waiting for me at the airport with a lovely, cuddly teddy bear to greet me.
How would you spend ten thousand bucks?
Probably on a trip somewhere I haven’t yet been like Namibia, Cambodia or Japan.
Where do you get your best ideas?
It depends. It can be a holiday somewhere, something I see, a piece of music, a ballet, a person, something I read. It depends on what touches or inspires me at a particular moment and there are many, many different things.
What comes first, the plot or characters?
Usually, the plot but there have been instances when the characters come first.
What does your main character do that makes him/her special.
Assuming we’re talking about the novel ARABESQUE here. So, the main character is special because of his loving, kind, warm, caring, attentive, honest, liberal, open-minded personality.
His intelligence and loyalty, his love for family and his passion for and dedication to his art, which is also his profession, as he is a classic ballet dancer. All these are qualities and attributes I admire and that in my opinion make a person special.
For information about M.G.’s featured book and giveaway, click the link.
A woman living alone in a coastal Sussex town in 1998 plants a copper beech sapling at 3 a.m. on a dark, cold night. Why?
A ballet dancer in 1960s East Germany is oppressed, longs for escaping with his little daughter but not his wife. Why? Will he make it?
In 2022 Karsten von Stein, widower and principal of the Royal Ballet, with two young children, meets Ivone Benjamim, a Portuguese, newly-arrived principal dancer. They discover a magical chemistry when dancing and soon it transfers to their private lives.
Against the background of ballet and its dancers, a woman called Grace tells her story from a rehab centre. Obsessive, delusional she begins believing Ivone robbed her of the man of her dreams—Karsten. And then a skeleton is found in a garden…What connects all these people and their stories?
You’ll be the audience facing the stage of this balletic novel.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt:
Prologue
Southeast England, late November 1998
She looks out of the window. Dark night. Black but clear. Twinkling dots punctuate the raven velvet of the sky. Stars shimmer cold and icy. Their light slightly wavering. She knows it is the Earth’s atmosphere. But that’s neither here nor there. It doesn’t matter a jot. Not at this moment anyway.
Darkness is the important thing. No moon. New moon. Why do people refer to a new moon when there is no moon or when one cannot see the moon from our revolving, ever turning blue dot? The moon is still up there in the sky. It’s just that at some point during its orbit its farther side from us is facing the sun. So the side facing us is dark and we can’t see it. As simple as that.
Tonight is new moon. An ideal night. She opens the window quietly and glances at the houses to her right first, then to her left. Like hers they are all immersed in silent darkness. People sleep.
She looks at the luminous hands of her alarm clock on the side table. The shorter hand points at the number three, or close to it, and the long hand at somewhere between ten and fifteen.
Probably around 3:12 in the morning. Her house stands almost but not quite alone on top of the hill. To her right, looking from her bedroom window that faces the back garden, there are two houses. The one closest to hers is empty.
About The Author:
M G da Mota is Margarida Mota-Bull’s pen name for fiction. She is a Portuguese-British novelist with a love for classical music, ballet and opera. Under her real name she also writes reviews of live concerts, CDs, DVDs and books for two classical music magazines on the web: MusicWeb International and Seen and Heard International. She is a member of the UK Society of Authors, speaks four languages and lives in Sussex with her husband. Her website, called flowingprose.com, contains photos and information.
Step beyond the threshold of safety and discover what lies beyond . . . the Cursed Edge.
Six gripping tales of courage, sacrifice & redemption await on the precipice between salvation and damnation.
Tales From the Cursed Edge
Dark Stories of Swords and Sorcery
An Edge Weaver Anthology created by Marie Ito
with stories by
Michael Magistro, James Andrews, W.E. Wertenbeger,
Rob D. Smith, Jack Finn, JP Wilder, Chris Mason
Where light fails, heroes are forged in darkness.
Six gripping tales of courage, sacrifice, and redemption await on the precipice between salvation and damnation. Each story draws you deeper into a world where magic flows like blood and monsters prowl the shadows.
Journey with unlikely heroes thrust into extraordinary circumstances—a mundane worker transported to a realm of danger and destiny, a mighty king confronting the terrible price of power, a battle-hardened mercenary facing the ghosts of his past, a loyal emissary venturing into enemy territory with nothing but faith, two companions racing against time to prevent an ancient evil’s return, and a lone holy warrior seeking divine aid against a darkness that threatens all creation.
These tales explore the moments that define us: when fear must yield to courage, when ordinary souls rise to extraordinary challenges, and when the darkness seems insurmountable, but the flame of hope refuses to die.
From master storytellers Michael Magistro, James Andrews, W.E. Wertenberger, Rob D. Smith, Jack Finn, JP Wilder, and Chris Mason comes an anthology that will transport you to lands where magic and monsters reign, and where heroes are forged in the fires of adversity.
Step beyond the threshold of safety, and discover what lies beyond . . . the Cursed Edge.
The Savage Rat Lord by Michael Magistro: A young fast-food worker falls into another world and finds his true calling in a desperate village.
Denmýr by James Andrew: A powerful warrior king faces dark truths about his family’s bloody legacy and his ancestral sword.
The Many Mouths of the Endless Night by W.E. Wertenberger & Rob D. Smith: A mercenary confronts childhood guilt in a city where rat-controlling street urchins stalk the night.
The Last Emissary by Jack Finn: A desperate kingdom sends its final messenger to a usurper’s court in a last attempt to end a brutal war.
The Black Altar by JP Wilder: Two companions discover a dark artifact tied to an ancient cult seeking to open a forbidden gateway.
Heroes Never Die by Chris Mason: A lone paladin, survivor of a sacred order, embarks on a quest to reclaim divine power against cosmic horror.
Michael Magistro is a Clovis, California-based author with deep roots in the vibrant Bay Area. When not managing regional operations for a Fortune 150 company, Michael channels his passion into crafting compelling narratives that explore themes of redemption, legacy, rebirth, and the enduring search for hope in the darkest of times. Outside of his professional and creative pursuits, he enjoys powerlifting, devouring a wide range of media, and cherishing moments with his family.
James Andrews is a full time artist and designer living in the Northeastern United States. This is the first step in his journey as an author and he has many more stories to tell. When he’s not sculpting dragons, drawing comics, or writing, he spends all the rest of his time with his golden retriever and his cat.
W.E. Wertenberger is a writer of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Crime fiction. He grew up in Northern Ohio and currently lives and works in Kentucky. His most recent work has appeared in Savage Realms Monthly and Cirsova Magazine.
Rob D. Smith wanted to weave tales as soon as he plucked his first Fantastic Four comic book off the grocery store spinner rack. He honed his imagination with scribbled drawings in notebooks creating intricate stories where he learned that his imagination was far greater than his art skills. Words became his way of exploring the weird worlds in his mind. Since then, he has had wide success in the crime, horror, fantasy, and weird fiction genres.
Jack Finn is a folk horror author and member of the Horror Writers Association. He lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and two clever dogs. His debut novel, The Seven Deaths of Prince Vlad (Anuci Press, 2024), explores dark and thrilling themes. In 2025, Jack’s werewolf duology—Prey Upon the Lambs (April) and The Desolation of Hunters (September)—will be released by Anuci Press, along with They Come When You Are Asleep, an anthology of his short stories (Velox Books). His work has appeared in notable horror collections, including Doors of Darkness, Horroscope 4, Twelve Months of Horror, and more.
JP Wilder also known as JP Vile, is a versatile author and academic specializing in fantasy, science fiction, and pulp genres. Best known for his Crusader series and Hunter Caine Pulp Stories, Wilder delves into themes of war, honor, betrayal, and redemption through action-packed storytelling. He has contributed essays and introductions to the Edge Weaver Classics series, covering iconic works like A Princess of Mars and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Wilder also explores historical mysteries and survival strategies in his academic works. Holding an MBA and an MFA in Creative Writing, he enriches his narratives with profound historical depth.
Chris Mason is a fantasy and sci fi writer hailing from Jackson, Mississippi. He is the author of The Stars Fell (Science Fiction), as well as The Dark Rider (Dark Fantasy). A fan of epic storytelling centered around good versus evil, he can usually be found gaming on his couch with his cats, Quincy and Rocky, or traveling in search of new inspiration.
Join Tom and his colleagues in the feel-good Detective Tom Robertson series, which combines police procedural crime fiction and murder mystery with compelling characters and a thread of humour.
Wrath of Revenge
Detective Tom Robertson Book 1
by A.G. Winkworth
Genre: Crime Thriller, Murder Mystery
Detective Sergeant Tom Robertson has left the comfort of rural Scotland for the Met.
He doesn’t need to be here. His business career earned him enough money to retire at thirty and spend his days playing golf. But he has chosen to challenge himself in a big city a long way from home. He thinks he might be able to make a difference. Not through arrogance, but perhaps a naïve belief that one police officer can change the lives of those in danger or trouble. He needs to test his own resolve, and prove he isn’t too gentle a soul for this sort of work.
Tom hasn’t found where he belongs yet. He knows his mission isn’t as a teacher, a doctor or a priest. Could it be here, in London, at Merran Road Police Station?
When a blast from the past rocks the present
The discovery of human bones in a wooded area by a golf course gives DS Tom Robertson his first case since moving to the Met. Who is the victim? Why was he buried there? And how much can Tom and his new DCI, John Walters, find out from their initial enquiries before they are off the case and the Murder Investigation Team take over?
Two further murders narrow down the search for the killer. MIT has a suspect with motive, means and opportunity. But Tom thinks they should be looking in a different direction. Can he close the case while staying out of danger?
Join Tom and his colleagues for Wrath of Revenge, the first full-length instalment in the feel-good Detective Tom Robertson series, combining police procedural crime fiction and murder mystery with compelling characters and a thread of humour.
A punishment is not the end, merely the beginning.
When a young boy opens the boot of an abandoned car, he hasn’t just found one body, but lifted the lid on the chilling operation of a serial killer. And now his own family is in danger. DS Tom Robertson is drafted into the Murder Investigation Team and the evidence points one way, but is it the right way? For while the team follows the trail backwards to find previous victims, the killer is looking forwards. Can Tom hunt him down before he strikes again?
Detective Sergeant Tom Robertson has joined the Met, to challenge himself in a new environment and try to make a difference.
But someone else wants to make a difference too, and he’s playing from his own rulebook. One where the law and sanctity of life mean nothing.
Join Tom and his colleagues for Deadly Justice, the second full-length instalment in the feel-good Detective Tom Robertson series, combining police procedural crime fiction and murder mystery with compelling characters and a thread of humour.
When a drug dealer is stabbed to death at the wheel of his car, a series of reprisals light the tinderbox of tensions on the Hessop Estate.
Will innocent victims get caught in the crossfire? Can MIT hunt down the killers and restore calm, or will gang warfare take over?
DS Tom Robertson’s career in the Met has started with a bang. Now he returns to the Hessop for the second time in a week. Can his knowledge of the local youngsters give him a crucial advantage in keeping them safe and bringing an end to the killing spree? But he has to be ready to adapt. For against this volatile backdrop, events take a different turn and the investigation uncovers other crimes linked to the serial killer who is already in custody.
Join Tom and his colleagues for Dangerous Reprisals, the third full-length instalment in the feel-good Detective Tom Robertson series, combining police procedural crime fiction and murder mystery with compelling characters and a thread of humour.
I have always loved reading crime fiction, from the novels of Agatha Christie and PD James, to Ian Rankin and Peter Lovesey, among many others. This genre has so many talented authors, a topic which I will explore more in my newsletters.
I started writing the Tom Robertson series in 2020, but quickly realised I had so much to learn about writing, crime, and then actually producing the book. I am indebted to all those who have helped me along the way.
The first book I wrote, Darkness to Light, has been reworked, and will probably be re-titled too, to become book 4 in this series. I also wrote books 5 and 6 as I honed my craft. I felt readers would benefit from Tom’s backstory, so I wrote Deadly Justice, now book 2, Murder at the Museum, and book 3, Dangerous Reprisals. Then I decided the series needed a new start, so I wrote the first book, Wrath of Revenge.
As a new independent author, I really feedback and support from you, the reader. I hope you enjoy the adventures of Tom and his colleagues and I continue to read as the series develops. Please contact me with your thoughts so far, and leave a review on Amazon.
When her fiancé’s infidelity prompts Bethany Hendren to map out a new path forward, her plans are disrupted by an unexpected encounter with Nick Dorsey, who convinces her to help search for the remains of a troubled eighteenth-century ghost. Nick is the handsome summer boyfriend who ghosted her years ago, and now he wants to rekindle their relationship.
Despite her reluctance to trust him, Bethany discovers he’s still the funny, caring person who captured her heart as a teen, but giving him a second chance is risky—it could lead to love and happiness or result in another devastating heartache.
Although Bethany wants a happily ever after with Nick, does she have the courage to trust him with her future?
Excerpt:
He walked toward her as though they were long-lost friends, and she half expected him to pull her into an embrace. Then she recognized the dark chocolate eyes behind the black-framed glasses and her stomach lurched.
Nick Dorsey. He’s Mrs. Snowden’s nephew?
“Aunt Margaret told me you were checking in today.”
Stunned, Bethany stepped backward, bumping into the edge of the desk as her heart thudded. A white-hot flush scorched every inch of her skin as she stared at Nick. Of all the people she could run into, it had to be the first guy to break her heart? And why did he have to be so handsome, with that bit of hair curling over his forehead and late-day stubble?
She inhaled deeply to rein in her composure, hating her can’t-catch-your-breath reaction to him, then dipped her chin in a neutral acknowledgment.
“Hello, Nick.”
His smile morphed into a full-on, lopsided grin. “It’s been ages since I’ve seen you. Ten years, I bet. Not since the summer Zach and I got our drivers’ licenses.”
Mrs. Snowden laid her hand on Nick’s shoulder. “Bethany is staying in the Howard Room. Can you help her with her bag?” Then, turning to Bethany, she said, “Come back down when you’re ready and I’ll give you a tour of the house.”
As Bethany followed Nick to the second floor, the pain, questions, and self-doubts she’d buried years ago reemerged, seeping into her belly like liquid concrete. The last thing she needed was Nick Dorsey invading her healing zone. It had taken her months to get over the summer romance they’d shared—and he’d abruptly ended—when they were teens. And even longer before she could bring herself to date again.
And now he was in her safe space.
About The Author:
Author Lori Matsourani is a romance addict. Give her stories with a touch of heartbreak and a spark of joy, and she’s happy. Throw in characters with a huge helping of heart and soul, and she’s up reading all night in romance heaven!
While currently a Texas resident, Lori grew up near Baltimore and often draws on the historical flavor of Annapolis and Maryland’s Eastern Shore to inspire her story settings.
She authored her first fiction story at twelve and has been hooked on writing ever since. Early on, her writing career focused on articles for magazines and newspapers before shifting to her first writing love—fiction.
For Lori, connecting words to tell a story is like assembling a jigsaw puzzle, and she loves the challenge of creating every piece.
Fallen angels seeking parole for their betrayal . . .
Someone is watching Rachel . . . but who? And why?
Child psychologist Rachel Kelly has her Christmas stocking full of troubles this holiday season, both personal and professional. Recently separated from her boyfriend, Rachel still loves him but has no idea how to win him back. If that’s not enough to cause her sleepless nights, she’s uncertain how to handle her newest therapy client—a six-year-old boy who claims he talks to Watchers. And a Watcher is coming to help Rachel.
Lt. Jake Dillon has his heart broken when his fiancée Rachel, without warning, suddenly calls it quits. Yet when a stalker crashes Rachel’s Christmas party and takes her young clients hostage, Jake is the first person Rachel calls. Now he has a choice to make—stand back and wait for the cavalry to save her, or step in and try to save her himself. Time is running out, and Jake may be their only chance for rescue.
Unless Rachel’s young Watcher spy is telling the truth . . .
This romantic suspense tale with paranormal elements is Book 2 in The Watchers series . . . A captivating tale of small-town Christmas romance that will leave you looking over your shoulder and wondering, Is someone watching me?
Excerpt:
“I figured as much.”
“Jake, I came by to see you because of the Buckhead crisis.”
Rachel could’ve sworn he looked disappointed for a fleeting moment. That gave her the courage to go on. “To offer my shoulder—”
“To cry on?” he sneered.
“No! To lean on. Please don’t be ugly.”
“I can’t help it. You broke us up.”
Incredulous, she gaped at him. “Me! Must I keep reminding you? You left me.”
He closed the distance between them, so close she could feel his body heat.
“You let me leave,” he said gruffly.
“I didn’t—”
“You let me leave,” he repeated, his face but inches away.
His unique Jake scent wafted over her. She wanted to smother in it. She wanted . . .
“I didn’t want you to go,” she whispered.
He caught her to him in a fierce embrace. No gentle kiss this. It screamed of need and anger and desperation. His. Hers. She didn’t know for sure. Didn’t care. She wanted to cry from the relief of having his arms around her again.
Knuckling her fists into his warm tee shirt, she tried to yank him closer, but the shirt was old and stretched unmercifully. His lips smiled against hers as he grabbed a breath and then kissed her again, his tongue sweeping in to tangle with hers.
She could die from his wonderful familiar taste. She savored, remembered, and stored for later. Giving up on the shirt, she wound her arms around his neck to tug him closer, to pull him into her if she could.
Suddenly, his hands at her hips pressed her back, and she shamelessly hung on tighter. He reached up and worked her hands free, then kissed each one.
His eyes had gone black. This close, she could clearly see. No doubt a reflection of hers.
“Like coming home, isn’t it?” he rasped, his voice so hoarse it came out as a whisper.
About The Author:
Petie spent a large part of her career working at Walt Disney World—”The Most Magical Place on Earth”—where she enjoyed working in the land of fairy tales by day and creating her own romantic fairy tales by night, including her new series, The Cinderella Romances. She eventually said good-bye to her “day” job to write her stories full-time.
These days Petie spends her time writing new Cinderella series tales, her new The Watchers series, sequels to her regency time-travel series, Lords in Time, and more contemporary romance standalones to go along with her two previous releases—Any Fin For Love and Ambush in the Everglades.
Petie shares her home on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee with her horticulturist husband and an opinionated Nanday conure named Sassy who made a cameo appearance in Book 2 of The Watchers, Christmas Watch.
Visit Petie’s web site online at http://www.petiemccarty.com or her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/petie.mccarty.
