Skye Maddox is a contract assassin driven by both personal demons and professional discipline. Hired by grieving father Milo Williams to hunt down the chain of men responsible for his son’s death, Skye takes on a mission that escalates into a war with Washington, D.C.’s most dangerous underworld figures led by a man known only as Hetman. As she climbs Milo’s ladder of revenge, Skye uncovers a web of corruption that links drug dealers, judges, mobsters, and even international crime syndicates.
The story escalates through brutal shootouts, betrayals, and psychological games, as Skye pushes deeper into Hetman’s empire. Each success makes her a bigger target. In the end, she must weigh the cost of finishing Milo’s revenge against the danger of becoming just another expendable weapon in someone else’s war.
~Excerpt:
When Jayla stood, Skye raised a palm to stop her. “Yes. Yes, all right. I just finished an assignment, but it was part of a larger contract so I’m feeling like both the situations you mentioned. I’m on the job, and I just took a player off the board.”
Jayla jotted in her notebook. She always collected the euphemisms Skye used for her profession. “So, tell me about this latest assignment. How do you feel about this player you’ve taken off the board? Was it, in your mind, a just action?”
“You always want to go there,” Skye said, shaking her head. “What did I tell you? The first rule of the assassin’s doctrine. The target has got to deserve it.”
“Oh, yes,” Jayla said with a half-smile. “Your job, while criminal, does have rules.”
“I misspoke earlier,” Skye said, sliding a slim dagger out of her boot. “It’s not a job. It’s a profession. All professions have their rules. For doctors, rule number one is ‘do no harm’, right? For an assassin, it’s that the target has got to deserve it.” Skye began to absently flip the dagger in the air, catching it by its tip each time. “In this case, this bastard kidnapped my client’s son. I don’t know how they got him. My client kept his family totally under the radar. But once he got the ransom demand, the client agreed to pay, and the ransom money was in transit but not fast enough to suit the kidnappers. They killed the boy, I think just to make a point. Just to be snotty. The action took place overseas and no way the police would ever have gotten close to the killer.”
Jayla nodded. “I think I understand. So, you were hired to…”
“Correct the balance,” Skye said, standing.
About The Author:
Austin S. Camacho is the author of eight novels about Washington DC-based private eye Hannibal Jones, five in the Stark and O’Brien international adventure-thriller series, and the detective novel Beyond Blue.
His short stories have been featured in several anthologies and he is featured in the Edgar nominated African American Mystery Writers: A Historical and Thematic Study by Frankie Y. Bailey.
He is a past president of the Maryland Writers Association, past Vice President of the Virginia Writers Club, and one of the creators of the Creatures, Crimes & Creativity literary conference.
TAMANRASSET is historical fiction set on the edge of the Sahara as the ancient world begins to fade and great empires collide.
Four strangers—a mature Foreign Legionnaire, a Sharif’s wrathful son, an ambitious American archaeologist, and an abandoned Swedish widow—become adrift and isolated, but when their paths intersect, the fragile connections between them tell a story of survival and fate on the edge of the abyss.
Blending the sweep of classic adventure with the horror of a great historical calamities, Edward Parr’s TAMANRASSET is a saga about the crossroads where nomads meet.
Excerpt:
The Sun had not yet risen above the ruins of the Mechouar Palace, but at the mosque nearby many Muslim people of the city of Tlemcen were already at their morning prayer.
It was a great privilege to be admitted to one of the oldest mosques in Algeria, over eight hundred years old, and an even greater privilege to be allowed to pray before the mihrab there among the great white columns that lined the enormous hall.
As the prayers ended, there was a gentle rustling of movement as the faithful rose and exited to the open and airy marble-tiled courtyard of the mosque, still quiet in the twilight of dawn.
Isabel retrieved her leather boots and exited a side door beneath the shadow of the towering brick minaret. Covered by her tightly drawn dark brown burnouse, khaki pants, white shirt, and a black hijab, Isabel walked along the great stone wall to the main gate of the palace.
The few buildings in the complex that were still usable had been made into offices for the French army, but the pool and gardens of the central courtyard were peaceful and shadowy.
She passed an alcove that featured Islamic calligraphy carved into the stucco, and Isabel stopped to read it: “Allah is God, there is no god but He: the King.”
A quiet voice behind her asked: “Madame Pedersen?”
She turned to find a short, elegantly dressed French officer approaching her. His flat-topped white hair was soldierly, but his crisp, tailored uniform, polished boots, and wide waxed mustache displayed a carefully composed appearance.
“Peace be with you,” she said, casting her eyes downward and crossing her arm over her chest as she nodded.
“Peace be with you, Madame. I apologize if I disturbed you; will you come inside?”
“As you wish.”
She followed the French colonel to a charming wood-paneled room overlooking an orchard of citrus trees bearing large green fruit. The colonel sat on a bare wood chair beside a wide wooden table, crossed his legs, and twirled the end of his wide mustache. Isabel stood silently before him in a respectful posture.
“I have the greatest respect for your beliefs, my dear, but it would be helpful to me if you would sit and speak to me informally. Would you be so kind?”
“Of course,” she said and she sat on the chair beside his. Her demeanor now expressed more of her experience and self-assurance, her hijab more a symbol of her confidence than of her humility. The colonel raised an eyebrow in appreciation of her serene face and brilliant blue eyes.
Edward (“Ted”) Parr studied playwriting at New York University in the 1980’s, worked with artists Robert Wilson, Anne Bogart, and the Bread and Puppet Theater, and staged his own plays Off-Off-Broadway, including Trask, Mythographia, Jason and Medea, Rising and an original translation of Oedipus Rex before pursuing a lengthy career in the law and public service.
He published his Kingdoms Fall trilogy of World War One espionage adventure novels which were collectively awarded Best First Novel and Best Historical Fiction Novel by Literary Classics in 2016.
He has always had a strong interest in expanding narrative forms, and in his novel writing, he explores older genres of fiction (like the pulp fiction French Foreign Legion adventures or early espionage fiction) as inspiration to examine historical periods of transformation.
His main writing inspirations are Charles Dickens, George Eliot, Bernard Cornwell, Georges Surdez, and Patrick O’Brien.
Storm, born of an esteemed lineage, avoids the violent politics of his species until the power struggle comes to him. After being attacked while traveling home, he overcame his assailant. Wounded and vulnerable, Storm retreats into a cave to heal, only to be woken from a healing sleep by a band of cutthroats intent on taking his hide.
Selah has been kidnapped. The thugs wanted an elven mindhealer, but she is only an apprentice. Now her captors are insisting she slay a dragon for them by addling its mind. To refuse means death for her, but to comply would be death of a different kind.
Captive Dragon is a noblebright fantasy romance novel about a relationship between a dragon shifter and a warrior elf. It features an alpha/cinnamon roll of a reluctant hero and his feisty heroine being forced into close proximity on a road trip to figure out both their pasts and futures.
A reader of fairytales and folklore, Elisa Rae loves a happy ending. Noblebright characters, dastardly villains, and chemistry between characters delight her. When she isn’t writing, she loves to watch superhero movies and literary dramas.
Everyone wants to hear those three little words during the holidays…
Where’s the casserole?!
Winnie Kerr wants to utter another three-word phrase to her girlfriend, but Thanksgiving has other plans. After spending far too much time on work, this legal eagle decides an impromptu road trip to visit her sister is the perfect time to tell her girlfriend she loves her. What could go wrong during a few days away from work, right?
Mari Balogh has a problem, she’s madly in love with her girlfriend and cannot get those three little words off her tongue. After being burned before from her unsupportive family and a string of bad breakups, this paralegal is guarded. She happily agrees on a road trip to Pinegrove, eager for the space to profess her affections. How hard can it be, right?
From a little trespassing and a kitchen nightmare to a surly cat and a series of misunderstandings, the road to I love you is rife with hiccups. Can these two find their way to happily ever after? Or will their relationship go up in a puff of sweet potato casserole scented smoke?
But Pinegrove has proven that love is never overruled!
Return to small-town Pinegrove, Georgia, the romantic setting of Libby Kay’s endearing novels, When Sparks Fly and Old Flames, as well as the 2026 novel about another of the hunky firemen in town. Don’t miss any of the action or romance!
Libby Kay lives in the city in the heart of the Midwest with her husband. When she’s not writing, Libby loves reading romance novels of any kind. Stories of people falling in love nourish her soul. Contemporary or Regency, sweet or hot, as long as there is a happily ever after—she’s in love!
When not surrounded by books, Libby can be found baking in her kitchen, binging true crime shows, or on the road with her husband, traveling as far as their bank account will allow.
Libby cohosts the Romance Roundup podcast with Liz Donatelli where they recommend romance books and interview authors, influencers, and publishers. Check it out for your weekly dose of romance!
The Empire Falls. A Witch Rises. Humanity’s Last Hope.
What if the world’s salvation depended on the rebirth of its most feared woman?
Award-winning author Michaela Riley delivers a groundbreaking saga with The Witch’s Rebirth Series, beginning with the electrifying Labyrinth of Shadows: The Witch’s Rebirth Part I.
Born on Samhain, under the ominous shroud of an eclipse, Merona’s destiny is a spell woven through centuries. As the mighty Western Roman Empire crumbles into dust and a new king rises amidst the ashes, an ancient prophecy demands her awakening. This is no mere historical reimagining; it is a cosmic tension, an eerie beauty where history and myth conspire to ignite a forgotten power.
Forget the villains of myth. In this epic tale, the world’s salvation rests on the shoulders of its most feared woman. Merona’s rebirth isn’t just a beginning; it’s the genesis of humanity’s last hope. Journey with her through a labyrinth of shadows, where destiny, reclamation, and the profound cost of becoming who you were always meant to be collide.
Labyrinth of Shadows: The Witch’s Rebirth Part I doesn’t just sound epic—it feels like a spell cast across time. Prepare for a story that flips archetypes, raises the stakes to unimaginable heights, and will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about fate and fear.
The Witch’s Rebirth Series by Award-Winning Author Michaela Riley. Her rebirth begins. The world will never be the same.
This Samhain, the veil thins, and a legend awakens.
Michaela Riley, the award-winning storyteller whose words have captivated readers, invites you on a journey back to a time when magic thrummed in the very soil and darkness lurked at the edges of the known world. Step into The Witch’s Rebirth Series, a saga that begins not with a whisper, but with a shattering revelation on the most sacred night of the year.
The year is 540 A.D. The air in Gaul is thick with an unspoken dread, a chilling premonition spreading like wildfire from the East. For nearly three decades, a name whispered with fear, a figure known only as The Witch, has remained a phantom, a recluse safeguarding truths too powerful to be spoken. Merona, the woman behind the myth, has lived a life of quiet vigilance, her existence a shield against a nameless terror.
But the shadows are lengthening. An ancient, lurking darkness, a force older than empires and more insidious than plague, has begun to stir. This is not a foe that wields steel; it is a corruption that feasts on despair, a creeping night threatening to extinguish the last embers of humanity. And Merona, the reclusive witch, is no longer hidden. She is drawn from her sanctuary, her slumbering power ignited by an imperative she cannot ignore.
Her mission is immense, her burden profound. Merona is the solitary guardian of the Cauldron of Dagda, an artifact of immense power, a beacon of hope in a world teetering on the precipice of eternal night. Humanity’s fate rests not on armies, but on the whispered incantations and fierce determination of one woman.
Beside her, though the odds are stacked against them, stand those who have pledged their unwavering loyalty. Murdach, Morrigan, and Mairead. Their faces, etched with the weariness of countless battles against the encroaching darkness, mirror the grim resolve in Merona’s own eyes. Her voice, though carrying the weight of prophecy and the echo of a fragile world, is not one of despair, but of a fierce, unwavering commitment.
The Witch’s Rebirth Series is more than a story; it is an immersion into a visceral world where pagan lore collides with cataclysmic threats. It is a testament to the power of resilience, the strength of chosen family, and the indomitable spirit of those who dare to stand against the tide of oblivion.
Prepare to be spellbound. Prepare to witness the impossible. Prepare for The Witch’s Rebirth Series by Michaela Riley.
She was reborn on Samhain. And that was only the beginning.
From the award-winning imagination of Michaela Riley comes a sweeping saga where ancient myth bleeds into brutal history, and humanity’s fate rests on the shoulders of one formidable woman. Welcome to THE WITCH’S REBIRTH SERIES.
In the shadowed year of 544 AD, the ancient Gaul town of Septimania lies scarred, but not broken. A devastating plague had gripped its very soul, until the Witch, through powerful, arcane deeds, began to loosen its deadly hold. Now, as the sacred eve of Samhain approaches, the air hums with the promise of roaring bonfires, desperate festivity, and a fragile new dawn.
But beneath the surface of celebration, an unsettling truth stirs: an ancient darkness, long thought defeated, is awakening once more. This menacing, primeval force threatens to extinguish the fragile light of renewal, to plunge Septimania, and indeed all humanity, into an eternal night.
With the raven’s call echoing through the labyrinth’s core, the Witch emerges, reborn and wielding the legendary Cauldron of Dagda and the mighty Spear of Lugh. She is poised for one final, desperate battle. To preserve humanity, she must summon the enigmatic, divine strength of the Gods – the awe-inspiring might of the Tuatha De Danann. For in this coming conflict, so cataclysmic are the stakes, there will be no victor left standing unless the ancient powers heed her plea.
Will the Witch’s rebirth be humanity’s salvation, or its final, desperate gasp?
Dive into THE WITCH’S REBIRTH SERIES by Award-Winning Author Michaela Riley and witness the epic struggle for survival where myth is made, and legends are forged in fire and blood.
Your journey into ancient magic and desperate heroism begins on Samhain.
Michaela Riley: Where Virginia Trails Meet Ancestral Magic
From the front lines of critical care to the enchanting worlds of fiction, Michaela Riley, a retired Army Critical Care Nurse with a Masters in Nursing Education, is the award-winning author behind “The Witch’s Rebirth” series.
Nestled in Virginia, Michaela shares her life with her husband and a distinctive duo of canine muses: Morrigan, a majestic red German Shepherd, and Carlos, a spirited Chihuahua-terrier. Her inspiration roots deep in the local mountains and forests, where each hike is a pilgrimage that connects her to ancestral whispers. These profound journeys directly fuel her captivating stories, weaving together magic, history, and the transformative power of self-discovery.
Through evocative prose, Michaela invites readers to explore their own heritage and embrace the extraordinary magic found in uncovering one’s deepest truths.
A sheltered noblewoman is thrust into danger and unexpectedly rescued by a ruthless pirate captain. Together, they must survive betrayal, uncover long-buried secrets, and face a tyrant whose power could destroy everything Rosalie loves.
The Silence of Deceit
The Deceit Trilogy Book 1
by Jillian Eagan
Genre: YA High Fantasy
The nation of Seity. Four ruling families. One merciless tyrant.
When Eldon Durane executes a noble family and extinguishes all magic, he ignites a war that spans generations.
Two decades later, Lady Rosalie Yorke and her best friend, Silence, are uprooted from their comfortable lives to escape the spreading war. But Rosalie’s world shatters when ruthless raiders kidnap her—only for her fate to collide with Crowe, the notorious pirate captain of the Deceit.
Crowe wants nothing to do with Seity’s political turmoil, but the thirst for revenge leads him to Rosalie. Hoping to change his luck, he decides to extort Rosalie’s father for a ransom.
Rosalie refuses to be anyone’s pawn, and Crowe has no patience for nobility. As the two bicker and dodge danger, Seity’s long-buried secrets begin to emerge from the shadows.
With Eldon’s deadly plan looming, Rosalie and Crowe must set aside their differences. Should they fail, Rosalie may lose everything.
Perfect for fans of Adrienne Young’s Fable and Amie Kaufman’s The Isles of the Gods, The Silence of Deceit is a seafaring tale of betrayal, friendship, and survival. A must-read for fans of pirate fantasy, enemies-to-lovers tension, and sweeping adventures filled with magic and rebellion.
What readers are saying:
“War is a noble’s game; pirating is for rule breakers.” This line perfectly sums up The Silence of Deceit. We have political intrigue. We have swashbuckling pirates. We have action. We have family secrets. And MORE!….Bring in Crowe, our dashing, cocky MMC and book boyfriend for all you readers who need a charming pirate to fall in love with.”
— Goodreads
“This is the kind of book where you feel every single word that’s on the page. I was right there with Rosalie when her whole life took a major twist, and I was there when she found herself. I think that’s what I will take with me from this book, Rosalie’s strength and unwavering loyalty. It doesn’t matter what life throws at her she will endure, and she will move heaven on earth for the ones she loves.”
Jillian Eagan is an indie author from Massachusetts. She received her BA in Creative Writing from Emmanuel College. Currently, she lives in Cape Cod, where she reads and writes on the beach. Her new book, The Silence of Deceit, is the first of her Young Adult fantasy series.
As bodies pile up and bombs go off, Detective Ryan finds murder is the least of his problems—family secrets and a distracting romance threaten to blow his investigation apart.
All Or None
A Detective Ryan Mystery #2
by Clive Fleury
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Returning to Sydney, Detective Ramesh Ryan is promoted to the Homicide Squad. Zoe Yang joins him there. Now a detective herself, she is assigned as his junior partner. Straight up, the cops are off and running-investigating the discovery of a murdered company director. Following the clues, Detective Ryan finds that this and a second murder may be linked to past events.
As the pressure mounts for a quick solution to the case, the detective finds that he too, is in the killer’s crosshairs. But Ryan is distracted from the investigation by a romantic encounter with an old university friend. He also worries about his mother, Mumta, and her new obsessive desire for grandchildren from her only son. Could this be linked to her recent medical tests? And there’s another pressing problem-the plague of rats in his apartment block.
Detective Ryan navigates drug overdoses, a mysterious foot on the beach and a long-buried cold case.
Detective Ramesh Ryan’s career with Sydney’s prestigious Organized Crime Unit is on the up, until he loses a court case against the city’s most powerful drug dealer. In disgrace, the detective is relocated to the tiny Australian beach town of Barton.
It is off-season in Barton-when its few criminals usually take a well-earned rest. But not this year! With the detective’s arrival, the town suddenly becomes murder central. Two bodies are discovered in the space of days, both victims of drug overdoses. Then a mysterious foot is found washed up on the beach, and memories are awoken of an unsolved cold case of the teenager who disappeared fifteen years ago. Add to this a blossoming romance, along with a contract taken out on Ryan’s life, and it’s clear that the detective has jumped out of the Sydney frying pan into the Barton fire.
What follows is an action-packed adventure, thrilling at every turn-where truth and lies are almost impossible to separate, and unexpected twists are the order of the day.
Praise For OFF SEASON
“Off Season is a sensational and thrilling mystery that will take its reader on a journey of ups and downs and twists and turns galore while always entertaining and thrilling you!”
—Aimee – GOODREADS review
“Attention grabber. Moves quickly and smoothly. Informative. Enjoyable. Don’t miss.”
—Margaret – GOODREADS review
“Fleury masterfully crafts a narrative that is both fast-paced and intricately plotted. The story kicks off with a bang and maintains its momentum throughout, with each chapter ending on a tantalizing cliffhanger. The plot is peppered with unexpected twists and turns, keeping readers interested.”
—J. Komrie – GOODREADS review
“Great build-up of suspense, a layered plot, and an enticing protagonist. Takes a lot of turns, which I love. This is definitely a page turner for anyone who loves a good crime mystery.”
Clive Fleury is an award-winning writer of books and screenplays and has worked all over the world as a Film/TV director, writer and producer. He has written six books, most recently ‘All Or None’, the second novel in the Detective Ryan Murder Mystery series.
‘All Or None’ sees Detective Ryan back in the thick of things. His latest investigation into a mysterious death couldn’t come at a worse time. He discovers his mother is hiding a troubling secret and is further sidetracked by a new romance. Fans of who dunnit’s, crime thrillers, and cop and detective stories will love this novel.
Clive’s other books include ‘Off Season’ – book one in the Detective Ryan Murder Mystery series; ‘Kill Code’ – a dystopian science fiction novel set in a world facing climate change; ‘Scary Lizzy’ – a novel about an eight year old girl, who befriends an African child ghost – and the teen action adventure book; ‘The Boy Next Door ‘ – a story of what happens when a teenage girl has a crush on her next door neighbor, who isn’t all he seems. He also co-wrote ‘Art Pengriffin and The Curse of The Four’ – a young adult fantasy adventure about a teenage boy who discovers his father was Merlin the Magician.
