David R. Leng is here to tell us about his mystery thriller Echoes of Fortune, Shadows Over Cozumel.
Read on for details...
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Mystery, Thriller
Date Published: November 11, 2025
What would you risk to uncover a secret buried for over 150 years?
From bestselling and multi–award-winning author David R. Leng comes the
next pulse-pounding installment in the Echoes of Fortune series.
His debut, Echoes of Fortune: The Search for Braddock’s Lost Gold,
captivated readers and earned a 4.5-star rating on Goodreads. Now the
adventure continues with a brand-new novella that plunges deeper into
history’s deadliest secrets.
When historian Jack Sullivan, Smithsonian curator Emma Wilson, and fellow
former Navy SEAL Steve Johnson set out for a Thanksgiving dive off Cozumel,
they expect nothing more than warm waters and forgotten wrecks. Instead, they
uncover a Confederate ghost ship that vanished in 1865—along with a
sealed brass tube containing secrets powerful enough to change history.
But they’re not alone. Shadowy mercenaries and a black-hulled yacht
stalk their every move, determined to silence them before the truth surfaces.
From dazzling reefs to the back alleys of Veracruz, Jack and his team are
forced into a deadly game where history isn’t past—it’s a
weapon.
Some secrets don’t want to be found. And some will kill to stay buried.
Perfect for fans of Steve Berry, Clive Cussler, Dan Brown, and James Rollins,
Shadows Over Cozumel delivers nonstop action, historical intrigue, and a
mystery that spans centuries.
About the Author
David R. Leng, known for his expertise in risk management and insurance, now
ventures into the world of fiction with his latest historical thriller, Echoes
of Fortune. With a distinguished career spanning over 30 years, David is the
author of International #1 Best Sellers including "Insured to Fail" and "The
10 Laws of Insurance Attraction," and has saved clients over $42 million in
premiums and overcharges. As Executive Vice President and Partner of the
Duncan Financial Group, David is celebrated for his innovative Risk Profile
Improvement Process and has earned numerous accolades, including Advisor of
the Year by the Institute of WorkComp Professionals. An avid contributor to
industry publications, David’s passion extends beyond his professional
achievements to include boating, skiing, woodworking, and supporting his local
high school’s musical productions. His foray into historical thrillers
reflects his deep storytelling skills and a lifelong commitment to engaging
and captivating audiences.
Laury A. Egan is here to tell us about Jenny Kidd, thriller - romantic suspense.
There's also a great giveaway.
__________________
Enter a world of glittering facades that cloak sexual
perversion, art forgery & murder
Jenny Kidd
by Laury A. Egan
Genre: Thriller, Romantic Suspense
“A twisted and sinister affaire macabre.”—R.D. Hartwell
While spending autumn in Venice, a young American artist, Jenny Kidd, hopes to
create a portfolio of paintings to launch her career and establish her
independence from her tyrannical father. At the Guggenheim Collection, she
encounters Randi, a colorful British woman, who invites her to a masked ball at
the Palazzo Barbon. There, she meets the seductive Caterina Barbon and her
brother, Sebastiano, who entice Jenny into a world of glittering façades that
cloak sexual perversion, art forgery, and murder. As Jenny struggles between
her attraction to Caterina and her growing awareness that she is in danger,
Jenny discovers an inner strength and spirit worthy of her infamous pirate
ancestor.
“A little gem...a top-notch thriller…Jenny Kidd spins its web as languidly as
an afternoon by the canals. Egan’s descriptions of the food, the art, and the
general atmosphere are as purposeful as they are evocative. Her prose is
full-bodied and elegant, and she makes prosecco and prosciutto as sumptuous as
the work of Titian and Tintoretto. As delicious as Egan’s writing is when it
comes to describing masked balls, four-course lunches, and miniatures painted
in pastels, she also knows how to propel a mean action scene. The last twenty
pages or so are a breathless rush of dark passageways, tense interrogations,
and perfectly executed gore that leave you gasping and satisfied.”
—Jerry L. Wheeler, Out in Print
“A very compelling suspense novel, rife with stunning imagery and shocking plot
beats. An eerie, glittering world.”
—Jennica Dotson, author of “A Reaper’s Folly”
“The plot becomes…dizzying in its twists and turns. Not only does this book
offer a riveting story, but her sentences have a cadence that will carry you
along. Once I had reached the half-way point in the book, I found it impossible
to put it down.”
—Martha Miller, G & L Review
Laury A. Egan is
the author of fifteen books of fiction: Jenny Kidd (revised
edition); Fair Haven; Jack & I; The Black
Leopard’s Kiss & The Writer Remembers; The Psychologist’s
Shadow; The Firefly; Once, Upon an Island; Wave
in D Minor; Doublecrossed; Turnabout; The
Swimmer; The Ungodly Hour; A Bittersweet Tale; Fabulous!
An Opera Buffa; and The Outcast Oracle. Two collections have
been published; Contrary: Stories and a Play and Fog
and Other Stories. Her short fiction and poems have appeared in 90
literary journals and in multiple anthologies. Two full-length poetry
volumes, Snow, Shadow, a Stranger and Beneath the
Lion's Paw, were issued in limited editions, as were two chapbooks, Presence
& Absence and The Sea & Beyond. Laury is also a
fine arts photographer, instructor, and former book designer. She lives on the
northern coast of New Jersey.
Kristen Illarmo is here to tell us about Against the Red Sky: Mission X, a YA science fiction thriller.
There's also a great giveaway.
__________________
Two missions, one conspiracy, zero room for mistakes- or
feelings.
Against the Red Sky:
Mission X
by Kristen Illarmo
Genre: YA Science Fiction Thriller
Enzo Cruz knows
sacrifice. After a failed
mission to assassinate the billionaire behind the Mars colony—and the loss of
his grandfather—he’s ready for redemption. His new target? The Mars Ascendance
Academy shuttle. His orders: infiltrate, sabotage, escape.
As the youngest
operative in Terra Primera, Enzo’s talent with explosives could tip the balance
in Earth’s fight for survival. But inside the Academy, nothing goes to
plan—especially when Maddie Westing enters the picture.
Maddie has dreamed
of joining her mother on Mars since she was ten. Now she has her shot: one of
thirty elite students in the Academy’s inaugural class. But being the niece of
the colony’s powerful founder comes with strings—and shadows.
When Enzo’s
mission collides with Maddie’s quest for truth, both teens are thrust into a
conspiracy that threatens Earth and Mars alike. Loyalties will be tested.
Secrets will be exposed. And the greatest danger may not come from the skies—it
may lie in their hearts.
In this
heart-pounding YA thriller, survival means risking everything—including the
people you thought you hated most. For fans of The Hunger Games, Red Rising, and Aurora
Rising—Against the Red Sky delivers explosive tension,
star-crossed loyalty, and a high-stakes rebellion that could destroy two
worlds.
What readers
are saying:
"This YA novel is one long dopamine hit, an insightful
saga with crush-worthy protagonists. Enzo, pulled between his ecoterrorism
world and a gnawing realization that there may be flaws to his organization's
methods, is a vibrant, well-executed character. Maddie's journey parallels his
in many ways, and her resolve, spirit, and appealing energy make her equally
entertaining. Their two paths collide, and Illarmo delivers a twisty
examination of greed, loyalty, and the dark motives that drive people when pushed
to their limits." Rated 10 out of
10.
-The BookLifePrize
“This is one of the best books I’ve read this year and I
have read over a hundred so far! This is a nail biting, page turning
masterpiece that will completely have you mesmerized and under its spell by the
first few chapters!” ARC reviewer
“Great, fast-paced fun story with lots of twists and turns
that kept me turning the pages. It has elements of academy, romance, scifi, and
thriller that kept me up late reading.” ARC reviewer
Kristen Illarmo is a New Orleans-based author of young adult
science fiction and fantasy. Her action packed, character-driven stories
explore the ripple effects of real-world choices, set in decaying societies and
with tangled family dynamics. Her debut duology, Kirasu Rising, was featured at
the 2023 Louisiana Book Festival.
Frances Paul is here to tell us about The Black Rose, a psychological thriller.
There's also a great giveaway.
_______________________
The Black Rose
Frances Paul
Publication date: October 14th 2025
Genres: Adult, Psychological Thriller
“Intense, a little bruising, and it doesn’t let you walk away untouched.”
— ★★★★★ Reader Review
Some weapons are born. Others are made.
She is the perfect operative.
A discarded orphan, remade by the very hands that broke her.
Trained to seduce. Conditioned to kill. Reborn as Elara Everhart.
They gave her new names. New faces. New identities, whichever the mission required.
Now, they call her Raina.
And they’ve sent her into the lion’s den.
Her target: Axel Voss. Billionaire. Powerbroker. Threat.
He’s everything she was trained to dismantle.
But he sees too much. Speaks too little.
And when he touches her, he wakes something she was never meant to feel.
She is the weapon they created.
But he’s the variable they never planned for.
What begins as a mission spirals into obsession.
And survival will cost more than her cover.
Because the most dangerous thing isn’t failing the mission,
It’s forgetting who the real enemy is.
If you love psychological thrillers with espionage, romantic suspense, and heart‑stopping twists, The Black Rose will keep you breathless until the very last page.
“To master the art of the strike, first let the target marinate in your charm and wit, until they are ripe for the taking.” – Elara Everhart
I stepped out of the cab and into the gallery, the air instantly changing around me. Heads turned. Eyes followed. The black Dolce & Gabbana dress I wore fit like it had been sewn onto my skin, elegant without trying, powerful without needing to speak. My hair, sleek and black, fell in glossy waves down my back, every strand precisely where it belonged. I walked with purpose, each step measured, as I took in the room.
It didn’t take long to find him.
Axel Voss stood in a more secluded wing of the gallery where the crowd had thinned. I spotted him across the space. His back was to me, dressed in a tailored dark gray suit that fit too perfectly to be anything but custom. His frame was lean and strong, his posture relaxed, hands tucked in his pockets as he studied a painting. He wasn’t just looking. He was dissecting it.
My attention moved to the guards. Two of them. Strategically placed in opposite corners of the room, trying not to look like security. They blended in well enough with the other patrons, but their eyes told the truth. Constantly scanning.
I inhaled and adjusted the strap of my dress. I ran my hands over my curves, making sure everything looked in place. My cue had come.
Each step felt burdened, as if what I was about to do had sunk deep into my limbs.
The rhythm of my heels against the marble echoed faintly. I moved closer, slipping into his orbit. I was near enough now for him to catch the light scent of my perfume, floral, soft, meant to linger without announcing itself.
I stopped beside him, eyes landing on the painting he was analyzing. It was abstract, wild with motion. Crimson slashed across the canvas, tangled with violent blues and fractured gold. The brushwork oscillated between jagged bursts and smooth sweeps, an unsettling mix of control and chaos.
I spoke, keeping my voice soft and level. Close enough to feel intimate, just loud enough to be heard.
“The intensity of the strokes is remarkable,” I said. “The way the colors collide feels almost violent, yet there’s a strange harmony in the chaos.”
He didn’t respond. Not verbally. But I felt it. His attention was on me now as much as the art. I let the silence stretch a second longer, then continued, my tone calm, analytical. “It’s as if the artist was fighting an inner battle. Conflict and catharsis, all bleeding onto the canvas. The jagged strokes speak of anger or defiance, but the way the hues blend reveals a deep vulnerability… like they couldn’t commit to full destruction.”
I leaned in just slightly, examining the layers of the painting, voice dropping.
“It’s the tension that makes it work. The pull between restraint and abandon. It feels… raw.”
The silence settled again, delicate but dense.
Then I allowed a smirk to touch my lips.
“Or maybe they just threw paint at the canvas after a bad day and decided to call it art.”
That broke it. He turned toward me, finally.
His eyes met mine.
Heat flashed between us. The force of his gaze hit harder than I expected.
My breath caught, not out of fear but from the pressure of it. He was already trying to read me.
I knew that look. He was hunting for the truth inside my performance.
I didn’t flinch.
Even when my pulse started to climb beneath my skin, I held my ground.
For a moment, neither of us said anything. The gallery around us faded. It was just him. Just me.
Then I stepped back, breaking the moment on my terms.
I turned without hesitation and walked away, slipping into the flow of bodies beyond the archway. My retreat was smooth.
Behind me, I felt his gaze linger, and so did the eyes of his guards.
I didn’t need to look back to know he was still watching the space I had just walked away from.
Back in the main gallery, I finally exhaled. The encounter had gone as planned. I had said what
I needed to. Played the part.
But the crackle between us wasn’t part of the plan.
And I felt it. Still pulsing through me.
This was only the beginning. One step into a game layered with risk, manipulation, and consequences I wasn’t sure I fully understood.
But I had just stepped onto the board.
And Axel Voss had noticed.
Author Bio:
Frances Paul is an author of emotionally charged, high-stakes fiction that captivates readers with its mix of psychological suspense, romance, and intricate plotting. Her work explores the fine line between love and survival, delving into themes of resilience, sacrifice, and the secrets we keep.
She is the author of Sea of Scars, a moving story of loss and redemption, and The Black Rose, a gripping psychological thriller that draws readers into a world where trust is dangerous and every choice carries lasting consequences.
With a distinctive voice and a cinematic style, Frances creates unforgettable characters and layered narratives that linger long after the final page. Her passion for storytelling comes from a lifelong fascination with the human heart and its capacity to endure even in the darkest of circumstances.
Patrick H. Moore is here to tell us about his thriller Giant Steps.
Read on for details...
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Thriller
Date Published: September 29, 2025
One last mission…
One final stand...
The fate of freedom hangs in the balance…
Get ready for a heart-pounding ride through the dark underbelly of America in
Patrick H. Moore’s latest Nick Crane thriller, Giant Steps.
As the third and final installment in Moore’s gripping Nick Crane versus
The Principals trilogy, Giant Steps finds veteran LA PI Nick Crane locked in a
life-or-death struggle with the ruthless Marguerite Ferguson and her cabal of
aristocratic “super patriots.”
Nine years after he and his team liquidated Frank Constantine, a murderous
military shrink and close personal friend of Marguerite Ferguson and The
Principals, Nick Crane is hiding out on the edge of the Mojave Desert. He has
been fighting for his life for a year now, barely escaping Marguerite’s
vendetta at every turn. Now, he and FBI Special Agent Carrie North decide the
time has come to turns the tables. They decide infiltrate to the very heart of
Marguerite’s evil empire. Crane summons his crew of crackerjack
operatives and together they devise a diabolically clever sting operation
designed to bring Marguerite to her knees once and for all.
Set largely in current-day Southern California, Crane and his team of freedom
fighters represent all common, decent Americans who truly believe in
“liberty and justice for all.” Blessed with dry wit and
unimpeachable courage, Crane and his crew embark on a relentless quest for
truth in the face of corruption and betrayal, even as they fight for their
life and freedom in a landscape where only the brave dare to challenge the
powers striving to destroy America.
Packed with engaging characters, relentless action, and razor-sharp dialogue,
Giant Steps is a scintillating sequel that builds on the momentum of its
predecessors, Rogues & Patriots and 27 Days.
Are you ready to join the fight? Get your copy today and step into the
shadows, face the danger, and take Giant Steps with Nick Crane.
Critical Acclaim for Giant Steps:
“In this third installment of the series, Nick Crane and his freedom
fighters continue their battle against a group of so-called ‘super
patriots’ known as The Principals. A story for our times, the book
resonates in today’s political climate. Moore entertains with his clever
prose, while giving us something to think about. A great addition to an
excellent set of thrillers.” —Joel W. Barrows, bestselling author
of the Deep Cover series
“L.A. PI Nick Crane is back, along with his partner, FBI Special Agent
Carrie North, in Giant Steps, the final installment of their three-volume
battle against the forces of evil, personified by the despicable Marguerite
Ferguson and her lethal band of ‘super patriots’. Patrick H.
Moore’s prose is electric, pulsing with rat-a-tat jack-hammer energy,
that spits out words like bullets. Warning: hang on tight for the ride of your
life!” —Charles Salzberg, Shamus Award nominated author of Canary
in the Coal Mine and Second Story Man
“Giant Steps is the finale of Patrick H. Moore’s
Nick-Crane-versus-The-Principals trilogy. Everything readers have anticipated
about the dramatic final battle between Nick and Marguerite
Ferguson—with long-suffering FBI SA Carrie North caught in the
middle—comes to a thrilling head. Moore delivers, serving up a landscape
where only Nick Crane dares challenge the powers intent on destroying
America.” —Ken Funsten, CFA; Director, Sisters-in-Crime, L.A. and
author of What’s Really Unforgettable
“Spilling over with investigative authority, in Giant Steps Patrick H.
Moore weaves a modern PI thriller where freedom fighters and fake patriots
wreak havoc across the dark landscape of a desolate yet familiar America.
Moore writes with the addictive panache of Lee Child and Vince Flynn.”
—John Nardizzi, Shamus award finalist and author of Telegraph Hill and
The Burden of Innocence
PATRICK H. MOORE writes thrillers and crime novels. He is a retired Los
Angeles based investigator and sentencing mitigation specialist. Between 2003
and 2024, Patrick worked on over five hundred drug trafficking, sex crime,
violent crime, and white-collar fraud cases.
Patrick studied English Literature and Creative Writing at San Francisco State
University.
Patrick was one of the founders of All Things Crime Blog, which, in its heyday
(2014 to 2017), was one of the most popular crime blogs in America.
In 2014, his first PI thriller, Cicero’s Dead, was indie published by US
iNdIe Books. In February of 2023, Down & Out Books published Patrick's PI
political thriller, 27 Days, and followed that up with the publication of
Rogues and Patriots in April of 2024. Both Rogues & Patriots and 27 Days
were finalists in the General Thriller category of the American Fiction
Awards, and Rogues & Patriots was recently named a Judges' Top Pick in the
Thriller category in this year's Killer Nashville Silver Falchion awards.
Down & Out will be publishing Giant Steps, the third book in the
three-volume series in which LA PI Nick Crane fights The Principals, a violent
cabal of right-wing extremists, in September of 2025. Down & Out also
published Patrick's recent novella Setting the Record Straight.
JP Wilder is here to tell us about The Amazing Adventures of Hunter Caine, Soldier of Fortune, volumes 1-3, supernatural scifi action thriller.
There's also a great giveaway.
_______________________
Join Hunter Caine,
a fearless treasure hunter.
Face zombies,
uncover ancient secrets, and battle sinister forces in thrilling adventures
across the galaxy!
The Amazing
Adventures of Hunter Caine, Soldier of Fortune
Volumes 1-3
by JP Wilder
Genre:
Supernatural Sci-Fi Action Thriller
Treasure Hunter.
Soldier of Fortune. Smuggler.
The Amazing
Adventures of Hunter Caine, Soldier of Fortune: Volumes 1–3 by JP Wilder is a high-octane sci-fi
pulp collection following Hunter Caine—a fearless, sharp-tongued mercenary who
takes on the dirtiest, deadliest jobs across the galaxy. Whether treasure
hunting, bodyguarding, or battling zombies, Hunter operates strictly freelance,
answering to no one but her own code. With fast-paced action, gritty humor, and
a dash of lust and laser fire, this trilogy delivers a wild ride through
corporate space and beyond.
“I’m Hunter Caine.
Treasure Hunter. Soldier of Fortune. Smuggler.
I’m kind of a bad bitch, you might say.
I do what the chicken-shit Corporation, or the Holier-than-thou Collective are
afraid to do.
What they don’t want to do.
And I do it anywhere.
When stuff gets ugly, and things need doin’, I get it done.
I don’t play favorites. Strictly Freelance.
But, I do it all.
And more.
You want something done? Something dirty? Something dangerous? Something
distasteful?
Call Hunter. You got the cash. I got the flash.”
What
readers are saying:
“a
monstrously entertaining short story that can be devoured in one sitting –
which, coincidentally – is what would happen to you if you were to fall prey of
one of the zombified shamblers spawned by the fiendish Dr. Z.
Hot chicks; alpha males; guns and gore aplenty; unstoppable ghouls; and witty –
gritty dialogue that makes you smile all the way through. What can I say, it’s
rip-roaring fun! And Hunter Caine is a whole different ball game to your usual
lead character; someone who doesn’t care how the job gets done as long as
there’s a pay check at the end of it!
If you like your action with graphic novel hotitude, then this adventure is for
you.”
– Goodreads Reviewer
“Wow -
I didn't quite know what to expect and I liked this so much more than I thought
I would. Never have I read zombie-sci-fi-pulp...a fun romp.” – Goodreads
Reviewer
JP Wilder, also
known as JP Vile, is a versatile author whose works span
fantasy, science fiction, and pulp genres. He’s recognized for the “Hunter
Caine Series,” contributions to “Realms of the Dragons II” for Wizards of the
Coast, and “The Crusader” series. His storytelling, marked by action and
adventure, reflects his diverse experiences as a soldier, wrangler, and
professor. Wilder’s narratives often explore chaos, with a writing style that
keeps readers engaged and entertained.
Jan D. Payne is here to tell us about Changing Woman's Hair, book 2 Marin Sinclair, a suspense thriller.
Read on for details...
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Marin Sinclair, Book 2
Suspense Thriller
Date Published: 09/15/2025
Publisher: RabbitHole LLC
When Marin Sinclair discovers teenager Garret Washburn in danger from a
deadly conspiracy involving bootlegged alcohol, wolf-witches, an election
campaign, murder, and an unknown bomber, she looks to Navajo Nation Police
Sergeant Justin Blue Eyes and Federal Agent Cullen MacPherson to help protect
Vangie Tso's son from the dark forces at play.
Excerpt
—“It’s likely the same guys,” Franklin
whispered. “You need to go for help. Get word to Sergeant Blue
Eyes.”
“I can’t go without you,” she said, and Franklin took her
hand and pressed it against his side. When she pulled her hand away, it was
wet and sticky.
“You’re bleeding!” she said, and Franklin’s nod was
dimly visible in the darkness lit only by the fires. “I’ll find
something to help,” Marin said, and crawled through the hogan’s
entrance, searching by feel until she found several pieces of soft clothing or
bedding.
“Hold this over the wound and press,” she said, making a thick
pad. She tied the pad around Franklin using a length of bale twine, and he
gasped, then sat taking deep breaths.
“Sorry, we need to get the bleeding stopped,” she whispered.
Franklin took another breath and gave a low whistle. A horse broke away from
the bunched group and came close to the rails, snorting softly.
“Here is your friend, Otekah,” Franklin said and ducked into the
corral. “You must take her and go.”
“Go where?”
Franklin didn’t answer. He took a rope from a corral post and ran the
rope behind Otekah’s ears, made a quick turn around the mare’s
muzzle, and looped a knot into the side of the make-shift halter. He pushed
the end of the rope into Marin’s hands.
“No,” she said. “I can’t leave you. You’re
hurt.”
“They’ll soon come looking,” Franklin said. “Trust
Otekah to find the way. She’ll be going home.”
“I can’t find my way in the dark!” Marin said.
“She knows the way. There is only one gate to open; our home is near the
canyon’s end. You will be able to climb out.”
“No … ” Marin said.
“Climb up to the rim road. Bring back help.”
“Franklin, I can’t climb the canyon wall!”
“There are handholds to guide you,” he said, and he pushed
something cold, round, and metallic into her hands … a flashlight.
“I shot one of those Indian kids,” said a man’s deep voice
and she and Franklin froze, sinking deeper into the hogan’s shadows.
“He ran over here.”
“Lay off. I’m not about to get trampled trying to find him,”
a second man answered.
“He’s in here, I know it.”
“He’s not going anywhere. He’s got nowhere to run with this
hut built up against the canyon wall.”
“You can either come out or you can bleed to death!” the first man
shouted, and there was a sudden blast of gunfire.
Marin yelped, and Otekah reared, yanking the rope from her hands and whirling
away. Yuma, his gray coat barely visible, whistled shrilly and kicked against
the corral poles until the saplings shuddered.
“I said lay off, you idiot! A pole fence won’t hold half-ton
horses! You’ll get us trampled! You don’t even know if the
kid’s in there.”
The first man raised his voice. “You hear that, Injun boy? We’re
gonna start shooting your horses if you don’t come out!”
“Stow it, Jack! You start shooting and these horses will go crazy. That
kid’s not going anywhere. We need to get back to the prisoners.”
“Prisoners,” Marin breathed when the men walked away. “We
have to stay and help them.”
“No. You must go, shadi,” Franklin said, making a soft clucking
noise until Otekah once more came close, tossing her head as the other horses
restlessly circled the corral, stamping and blowing. “My beauty,”
Franklin murmured, picking up the trailing rope and looping it around
Otekah’s neck.
“This is a bad idea,” Marin said, but she climbed between the
corral poles to lean against Otekah’s warmth. The horses were bunched
together, pressing hard against the gate poles, anxious to escape, eager to
run. Still …
“I’d never forgive myself if you and the others … ”
“You must bring help, tell the Sergeant what has happened.”
There was no one else to go.
When Franklin again pushed the flashlight into her hands, she took it and
shoved it into her waistband, then caught Otekah’s mane and rolled onto
the mare’s back, catching up the rope in one hand.
Franklin murmured something that sounded like a prayer and slid a pole from
the top of the gate. Carefully he lowered one end to the ground, then reached
for the next pole and did the same. Even with only two poles down, the horses
began to push into the gap, Otekah with them, and Marin clutched the halter
rope breathing in the familiar scent of horse—dust, dried grass, musky
sweat.
“I’m not sure I can guide her.”
“Just stay on,” Franklin returned.
Marin wrapped the rope tight around her hand and twisted both hands into
Otekah’s mane, aware of a familiar rush of excitement, that
stomach-clenching tension when Dandy’s muscles had bunched beneath her
the second before the rodeo arena gate flew open and they shot forward.
She’d done this a hundred times or more, and she bent low to
Otekah’s neck, gathering focus.
“Ready … ” Franklin whispered, and he eased the last pole
to the ground.
“Franklin, I … ” Marin began, but Franklin stepped back,
gave a shrill, yipping yell, and slapped Otekah across the rump, waving his
hat as the horses surged forward.—
About the Author
Drawing from her own life story in the Four Corners area of the Navajo
Nation, author Jan D. Payne offers readers a journey into the heart of the
American Southwest in a modern-day romantic suspense series. Writing
characters who navigate diverse cultural influences to explore the lines
between the seen and the unseen, the modern and the traditional, the present
and the past—she creates a world where the impossible becomes possible,
and mythical legends come to life.
Jan is a member of Western Writers of America and Women Writing the West. She
and her husband live in northern Minnesota with their three big
dogs—Kaibab, Rudi, and Orrin. Visit her website at: jandpayne.com
