Month: July 2025

Book Tour/Feature Post and Book Review: Shadowed Witness by Angela Carlisle

SHADOWED WITNESS

by Angela Carlisle


July 7 – August 1, 2025

Virtual Book Tour

Hi, everyone!

Today I am sharing my Feature Post and Book Review for SHADOWED WITNESS (The Secrets of Kincaid Book #2) by Angela Carlisle on this Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tour.

Below you will find a book description, my book review, and excerpt from the book, and the author’s bio and social media links. Enjoy!

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Book Description

A haunting attack. A killer in the shadows. A protective love.

Murder–that’s what photographer Allye Jessup knows she witnessed as she departed her studio one evening. Waking with bruises on her neck and a foggy memory, she believes she survived an attack, but everyone seems to think she simply sustained a head injury from falling down the stairs outside her studio. Plagued by an undiagnosed health condition, she is torn between the haunting reality of what she may have seen and the possibility that her mind is playing tricks on her.

Without proof the other victim ever existed, Detective Eric Thornton can hardly declare the area a murder scene. Still, he adds Allye’s report to his already full caseload. But when new evidence surfaces to support her claims, Eric must stay one step ahead of a ruthless killer and uncover the truth before the suspect closes in on Allye again.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220543462-shadowed-witness?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=7Y252PJeOz&rank=1

Shadowed Witness

Genre:  Romantic Suspense
Published by:  Bethany House Publishers
Publication Date:  July 1, 2025
Number of Pages:  336
ISBN:  9780764242519 (ISBN10: 0764242512)
Series:  The Secrets of Kincaid, Book 2  (Amazon | Goodreads)

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My Book Review

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

SHADOWED WITNESS (The Secrets of Kincaid Book #2) by Angela Carlisle is a fast-paced Christian romantic suspense featuring a female protagonist who does not know if she can believe what she remembers about a murder she witnessed, or did she? This is the second book in the Secrets of Kincaid series, and it can easily be read as a standalone book.

Photographer Allye Jessup has always been a little clumsy, but lately she has had mysterious symptoms that are severely affecting her daily life. As she waits for further testing, she is leaving her office one night and believes she hears something behind her building. She gets off a scream before she is choked into unconsciousness, but when she wakes up, the mayor who finds her believes she just fell down her office stairs and knocked herself out. When she is attacked in her home, the story is so strange that even her friend, one of the town’s detectives, is having trouble believing her.

Detective Eric Thornton wants to believe Allye, but there is no proof at either scene and he is consumed with other cases. When a body surfaces in a shallow grave in the park, it appears to have evidence that proves Allye’s story. Could Allye have seen more than she knows and really be in danger?

This is a page turner full of suspense and unknowns. Allye is dealing with mysterious health issues and does not want her family to worry, so she is bearing the burden alone until she is diagnosed, but it also puts her in even more danger. Eric has his own problems not only with his workload, but with family trauma while growing up. Even with all their personal problems, they feel an attraction and the threats to Allye make Eric more protective. This is a Christian romantic suspense and with Allye’s health issues there are no sex scenes. The suspense is constant and kept me turning the pages. I only guessed part of the crime plot conclusion and the solution to Allye’s health problems was a surprise until it was suggested as a cause.

I recommend this second Christian romantic suspense in this series and look forward to more.

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Excerpt

1 

LIGHTS? CHECK. 

Camera? Check.

Three bags and a purse? Check.

Allye Jessup looped all four sets of straps over her left shoulder and stepped out of her small second- story photography studio into a warm autumn evening. The sun had just set, but it was still light enough that the dusk- to- dawn light above the landing hadn’t kicked on yet. That wouldn’t last long, especially with the fog already beginning to move in. 

Tightly gripping the rail, she started down the metal stairs. She didn’t need another fall, and the way her equilibrium had been off lately, she wasn’t taking any chances. When she was nearly at the bottom, a dull thud sounded from behind the building. Someone stifled a cry. Another thud. 

What in the world? Allye hurried down the last few stairs and toward the noise. She slowed before she reached the corner. Fished in her pocket for her phone. She groaned silently. Not there. No telling which bag she’d stuffed it into. Or if she’d left it in her studio. Wouldn’t be the first time. 

As she edged toward the back of the building, she heard a louder ka- thump as if something heavy had fallen. The sounds changed to a muted, almost rhythmic thumping. She reached the corner and peered around. 

Two men. One standing back in the shadows, watching. The second man delivered another savage kick to something— no, someone— unmoving on the ground. The blow left the fallen man’s head tilted at an unnatural angle. Allye sucked in a breath. 

The attacker swung around, chest heaving. Looked her straight in the eyes. 

No. Allye pushed off the building and ran, bags flopping against her back and side. Pursuing footfalls pounded the gravel behind her. She didn’t dare look back. She had to get out into the open. Had to— 

A heavy weight plowed into her back. She screamed. Tried to catch herself as she went down in a tangle of bags. Pain shot through her knees and wrists, but she pushed herself up. Turned to fight. 

Her attacker shoved her against the side of the building. The back of her head bounced against the wall. 

She screamed again. A rough hand closed around her throat, cutting off her cry and pinning her against the rough brick. Her hands flew to his, but his grip was like steel. Too tight for another scream. Just loose enough to allow her the slightest bit of oxygen. 

“What do we have here?” He studied her, ignoring her strug- gles. He touched her hair, letting a curl wind around his finger, then slide off. His lips curved in a predatory grin. “Pretty little thing, aren’t you?” 

A new wave of fear skittered up her spine. She kicked, and the tip of her shoe connected solidly with his shin. He slapped her, then shifted his hold on her throat, lifting so her toes barely touched the ground. Rage glittered in his eyes. 

And he started to squeeze. 

She clawed at his fingers, his arm. He snatched both her hands in his free one with a grip that threatened to snap her wrists. Her vision darkened, punctuated by pinpricks of light. She tried to kick again, but he was too close and her strength was fading. 

Someone shouted— the words garbled by the rushing in her ears. Hope flared. 

Her attacker looked to the side, but the force of his grip didn’t diminish. 

Lungs feeling ready to burst, she jerked one last time against his hold. He didn’t budge. The glimmer of hope faded. 

Allye succumbed to the darkness. 

“ALLYE. ALLYE!” A voice penetrated the smothering black hole of unconsciousness. Someone gripped her shoulders and gently shook her. “Are you okay?” 

Allye groaned, and her throat rebelled against the sound. Pain. The attack. Panic flooded in. 

She clawed her way to the light, ready to fight for her life. But rather than cooperating with her brain, her eyelids fluttered, and her body declined to move at all. 

“Allye?” The voice came again, and this time she recognized it. Mayor Jennings. Not the attacker. 

The edge of her panic eased. She concentrated her efforts on opening her eyes, and this time, they obeyed. Mayor Jennings leaned over her, his face a picture of concern. 

“Oh, thank God, you’re awake! Are you in pain?” “Where . . . is he?” She forced the words out, her throat pro- testing every word. 

Confusion etched new lines onto the mayor’s forehead. “Who?” “That man.” Allye planted her elbows in the gravel and gathered her strength to rise. Her first attempt was pitiful, and she let her head fall back against the ground. Ouch. She waited a moment and tried again. She was partially successful, and Mayor Jennings assisted her into a full sitting position. She bit back another groan and straightened her glasses as she focused on regulating her breathing. Everything hurt. Especially her throat. She raised a shaky hand to her neck. “The man . . . choking me.” She could hear the hoarseness in her voice, and every syllable scraped pain- fully across her damaged windpipe. 

Mayor Jennings sat back on his heels. “There wasn’t anyone else out here.” 

“A man came after me. Choked me because I saw—” The man on the ground. Could he still be alive? 

She pushed to her feet. Dizziness washed over her, and her purse swung against her body. She clutched at the staircase rail- ing. Instantly, she felt the mayor’s strong hand cupping her elbow. 

“Easy, Allye. You had a hard fall.” She shook her head, making the dizziness worse. She squeezed her eyes shut for a count of ten. “I didn’t fall.” 

“You didn’t?” His gaze dropped to her knees, and she glanced down. Despite the harsh shadows cast by the light above the landing, she could make out the shredded mess of her leggings. She blinked and thought back. 

“Well, I did fall when he was chasing me,” she corrected. “When who was chasing you?” “The man.” And she needed to see if the other person being beaten had survived— though she wasn’t sure how he could have. She shook off the mayor’s hold and stumbled toward the back of the building. He followed, hovering as if he expected her to collapse at any second. 

“There was a man— men— back here,” she explained. “One of them was beating another, and the one on the ground wasn’t moving. I’m not sure he was even still alive.” She rounded the corner and stopped short, nearly losing her balance. Mayor Jennings again  reached out to steady her. No one was here now. No attacker. No victim. 

She spun in a slow circle, even that motion increasing her dizziness. Had she confused the buildings? She crossed the space between structures and peered into the dimly lit area behind the newspaper office. Only an industrial- size dumpster and empty parking spaces met her gaze. That didn’t match. Again she turned. What she’d seen had definitely been behind her building. 

“I need to call 911. Maybe they’ll be able to find trace evidence.” “Allye, you need to go home and rest.” The mayor’s voice was gentle, fatherly. “Or get a doctor to check you out. You fell down the steps.” 

“I don’t need a doctor, and I didn’t fall—” “I heard your scream from my office.” He took her arm and led her back the way they’d come. “I came outside immediately and found you at the bottom of the stairs. No one else was around.” “But—” They passed by the stairs, and her other bags lay as if she’d dropped them there. She slowed. “I need to get those.” “Let me get you to my car, then I’ll collect them for you.” “My car’s parked out front. I can drive.” “No.” His tone brooked no debate. “You hit your head and passed out. I am not letting you on the road. It wouldn’t be safe. Besides”— he winked at her—“your mother would never forgive me if something happened to you.” 

She tried to muster a smile, but the attempt fell flat. Mayor Jennings and her mom had been dating for the past three months, and Allye still hadn’t quite gotten used to it. She had nothing against the man, who’d been Kincaid’s mayor for well over a de- cade and a member of their church for much longer, or against her mom for exploring the possibility of finding love again. It was just new territory. 

When they’d lost Allye’s dad during what would have been his last active- duty tour in Afghanistan eighteen years ago, Julie Jessup had stepped into life as a single mom. In all these years, she’d shown little interest in dating— even after she abruptly entered the empty- nest stage when Allye’s younger brother, Derryck, was killed in a car accident at fifteen. No, she’d just thrown herself more fully into her thriving realty career and spent her free time in volunteer work. Or hovering over her remaining two children as much as they let her. 

As they reached the sidewalk, the mayor decisively steered them toward the parking lot on the other side of city hall— and away from her Jetta. Allye glanced over her shoulder. She didn’t want to leave her car here and be stranded at home, but . . . the mayor was probably right about her driving. Regardless of how it came about, she had lost consciousness, and her brain still felt fuzzy. And truth be told, she didn’t have the energy to argue any further. She bit back a sigh and allowed him to lead her to his shiny black Mercedes. He insisted on helping her inside before heading back for her bags. 

After hitting the locks, she slumped in the leather passenger seat and watched until he disappeared around the corner of the newspaper office. Could he be right? She replayed the moments before everything went dark. Though her memories weren’t as crisp as normal— or what had been normal until the last couple of months— they were solid. Real. 

She frowned. No matter what the mayor thought, she hadn’t fallen down the steps. She’d seen someone getting attacked, and the attacker had chased her— choked her. 

So where had everyone gone? And why was she still alive? None of it made any sense. But she knew what she’d seen. Felt. There was another victim out there, and the more she thought about it, the less she believed he’d be found alive. And if that was the case . . . she’d witnessed a murder tonight. 

Her stomach flipped as the realization sank in. She needed to call the police, and the sooner the better. She dug in her purse for her phone but again failed to find it. She’d have to search her other bags once Mayor Jennings returned. Or just ask to borrow his phone. 

When he rejoined her a moment later, she cleared her throat and grimaced at the pain. “I can’t leave until I call the police. I’m almost positive that was a murder in progress, and at the very least, the man attempted to kill me.” She saw the protest on Mayor Jennings’s face, but before he could voice it, she plowed ahead. “I know you think I just fell, but what will it hurt to have them look?” He sighed and rubbed the skin between his eyes. “How about this? I’ll call the police and have them take a look around. But first let me take care of you. The last thing you need is to be stuck out here while we wait for an available officer to arrive and investigate.” 

“But they’ll need my statement.” “If they find anything, yes. And they can follow up with you with any questions they have.” 

A wave of fatigue washed over her, making it hard to think. Would an extra ten or twenty minutes make a difference at this point? The men were gone, and she doubted they’d return any- time soon. And though she had no intention of admitting it, she needed to lie down. Holding herself upright was taking nearly all the energy she had left. 

“Okay.” Satisfied with her one- word acquiescence, the mayor started the engine. “Am I taking you home or to the ER?” 

“Home.” The ER wouldn’t do anything for bruises that she couldn’t do just as well herself, and she had enough medical bills and doctor appointments as it was. She wasn’t going to add one she didn’t need. 

They pulled onto the road, and the mayor aimed his car toward her house. 

“Now, tell me what you think you saw, so I can give the police an accurate description.” 

Allye resisted the urge to correct his use of the word think. “I was coming down from my studio and heard what sounded like someone getting hit behind the building. I went to the corner and looked around and saw three men. One was on the ground like he’d fallen, and another was kicking him.” She swallowed. “I think I made a noise because the attacker looked up and saw me. I tried to run, but . . .” 

The mayor stopped at a light and turned to look at her. “And?” “He pushed me down.” She blinked. “Or I fell. I don’t remem- ber now. But when I got up, he grabbed me. Held me against the wall and started choking me. I blacked out. Then you were there.” The light changed, and the mayor returned his attention to the road. “You said you think you saw the attack behind the building. Right or left from the alley?” “Right. And I did see it.” He didn’t respond. Tired as she was, Allye couldn’t let the silence ride for long. “How did you find me?” 

“I heard you scream and came looking.” “No, I mean how was I positioned? What did you see?” His fingers tightened on the steering wheel. “When I came around the corner, I saw you face down at the base of the stairs. I turned you over and checked your pulse. Made sure you were breathing.” He wiped his forehead. “You scared me, Allye.” 

His concern was comforting, but his statement didn’t make sense. She’d been a couple of yards past the steps when the at- tacker caught up to her. He’d pinned her against the wall, choked her, and . . . what? She had no idea what had happened afterward, but much time couldn’t have passed if the mayor had come look- ing for her when she screamed. 

She realized she was holding her throat again. It still hurt, and her voice was becoming weaker the more she talked. Wasn’t that proof of her being attacked? 

“I didn’t fall down the steps,” she said quietly. “I passed out because he choked me.”  

“Allye”—the mayor sounded weary—“there wasn’t anyone out there with you.” 

“Then why is my throat so sore?” Her raspy challenge was pitiful. 

“You screamed pretty loud.” He met her eyes for a brief sec- ond before returning his attention to the road. “And that purse you’re carrying looks heavy. When you fell, it could have yanked against your neck.” 

She glanced down. She normally carried the bag slung over one shoulder, but the mayor was right. It hung cross- body. She couldn’t remember doing that before leaving her studio. But with the brain fog she’d been fighting the last couple of months, that didn’t mean much. She sighed and lapsed into silence, this time for the rest of the short drive to her duplex. 

When they arrived, the mayor insisted on guiding her to the door. She reluctantly agreed, but only because she felt so awful. She unlocked her duplex and allowed him to set her bags just inside. 

“Are you feeling up to staying by yourself? I could call your mother for you.” 

“No.” Allye forced her aching body straighter. “I’m fine— just sore. Please don’t tell my mom about tonight. I don’t want her to worry.” 

The mayor frowned. “If your mom finds out you fell down the steps and I didn’t let her know—” 

“She won’t.” Allye forced a grin. “I’m sure not going to tell her, and if we were the only ones there . . .” 

His expression didn’t clear. “Okay.” He took her hand. “But only if you promise me you’ll go straight to bed and you’ll be careful on those steps from now on.” 

“Deal.” She hadn’t fallen down the stairs, but she would con- tinue to be careful when navigating them. 

He patted her hand, then released it and headed for his car. “And, Mayor Jennings?” He turned back to her. “Thank you.” He flashed the smile that had earned him nine- tenths of the vote last election cycle. “I’m always here when you need me.” 

Allye closed and locked her door, then limped to a nearby recliner. She hadn’t lied to him exactly. But between the sore- ness and a renewed weight of fatigue, she didn’t have it in her to make it to her bed tonight.

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Author Bio

Angela Carlisle resides in the hills of northern Kentucky and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and The Christian PEN. Angela’s debut novel, Secondary Target, was a Parable Weekly top seller and was included in the Library Journal Stars So Far listing. Angela is an editor by day and prefers to spend her free time reading, baking, and drinking ridiculous quantities of hot tea.

Social Media Links

AngelaCarlisle.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub – @AngelaCarlisle
Instagram – @angelacarlislewriter
Facebook – @AngelaCarlisle.Writer

Purchase Links

Amazon – https://pictbooks.tours/bOSZ5v7y

BN – https://pictbooks.tours/U9Ovs1XN

BookShop.org – https://pictbooks.tours/NlxtFGDD

Goodreads – https://pictbooks.tours/uS0HNVUg

Baker Book House – https://pictbooks.tours/9JfB7L3e

Baker Publishing – https://pictbooks.tours/NcWEXh2G

Feature Post and Book Review: Memories of Heather House by Rebecca Alexander

Book Description

Ruby blinks back tears and gazes across the violet-studded moors from the doorstep of Heather House before she turns and lifts the key. What heart-wrenching secret will she discover in her childhood home?

When Ruby inherits her family’s crumbling old house in the wild English countryside, she is devastated to think it might be sold. Heather House was once an artists’ haven filled with Ruby’s family and their colorful friends. Ruby has always been captivated by the glamorous Clara, a famous pilot whose love story came to a tragic end. Now black-and-white photographs transport her back to World War Two…

With the future of Heather House uncertain, Ruby loses herself in history. But it seems romance is not only a thing of the past when Jake, a jumper-clad American author with silver-flecked hair turns up at her door. Jake is investigating a wartime mystery about Clara, and he soon falls in love with the historic home. But when Clara shows him a view of the moors ablaze under the setting sun, his dark green eyes cause another flame to spark …

Together Ruby and Jake begin to unravel the secret hidden in the past. But can they find a way to save Heather House, or will Ruby be forced to sell it before the truth about Clara is at last unearthed and her new love has a chance to bloom?

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223871670-memories-of-heather-house?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=Vct1mr4C5g&rank=1

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My Book Review

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

MEMORIES OF HEATHER HOUSE (Wildflower Secrets Book #2) by Rebecca Alexander is an emotional dual timeline women’s fiction story featuring generations of strong, independent woman. While this is the second book in this series, the books are connected by their small village location on the moors in the English countryside with minimal character crossover so they each easily stand alone.

Ruby is a genealogist and historian who has inherited the run-down countryside mansion of her childhood when her mother dies of cancer. For many years she just wanted to get away, but now it is her only connection to her matriarchal line of artistically talented women. Once an artists’ haven filled with bohemian characters, now only two of the elderly occupants remain.

With the future of the mansion uncertain, Ruby is also dealing with a handsome American who is researching her family’s famous WWII female ATA (Air Transport Auxiliary) pilot for an American who believes she is also related to the mysterious Clara. As the two work together to dig up Clara’s secrets and try to come up with a solution to save Ruby’s home, they discover not only secrets from the past, but possibly a new love in the present.

This is a wonderful dual timeline story featuring Ruby in the present and Clara during WWII. While Ruby’s story is interesting with its search for Clara and her growing interest in Jake at times, I was frustrated with her always fluctuating in her beliefs that Jake had ulterior motives. It got to be a bit too often and should not have lasted as long as it did in the plotline because it felt repetitive. I was really pulled into the story when it switched to Clara’s WWII story. The WWII research is skillfully slipped into the story without feeling like a data dump. Clara is an amazing and compelling character that lived life to the fullest even in the middle of a terrible war and the tragic ending of her life, which is not a spoiler, was still so sad.

I highly recommend this dual timeline second book in the Wildflower Secrets series and I am anxiously looking forward to the next.

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About the Author

Rebecca Alexander was born in Malta and grew up on the south coast of England, becoming a psychologist. She escaped parenting six children to study writing in 2011, and the Secrets series of novels was published in 2013. A Baby’s Bones and sequel followed. Rebecca lives in a haunted 300-year-old cottage in Devon where she grows fruit, paints, and bakes. She reads and writes all sorts of genres, from women’s fiction to fantasy to crime. She is married with four chickens, two grandchildren and a cat.

Social Media Links

Website: http://www.rebecca-alexander.co.uk/

Bookouture Page: https://bookouture.com/authors/rebecca-alexander-366/

Email sign up: https://www.bookouture.com/rebecca-alexander/

Friday Feature Author Interview with Elise Cooper: False Flag by Brian Andrews & Jeffrey Wilson

Book Description

A murder in the Royal House of Saud, a secret alliance between two powerful rivals, and a race to upend the balance of power in the Middle East …

Lieutenant Keith “Chunk” Redman is no stranger to uncertainty. It’s what they train for in the Tier One. But when President Kelso Jarvis tells Gold Squadron the shocking news—that the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia has been murdered, the King is missing, and the House of Saud has framed two Mossad agents—it’s clear the Middle East has become a powder keg just waiting to explode.

To get to the bottom of it, Gold Squadron must split up: Chunk leading a team of Israeli operatives; sniper Saw taking the helm of Gold; while intel analyst Whitney Watts heads into the belly of the beast itself, the Royal Palace in Saudi Arabia, where she must risk her life to uncover the truth about the Crown Prince’s murder.

Meanwhile, unseen by any of them, new alliances are forming orchestrated by a VEVAK operative who spent decades working in deep cover to unsettle the balance of power. Soon it’s a race against time to find the truth, and stop a false flag operation that threatens the very existence of Israel itself.

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Elise’s Thoughts

False Flag, Sons of Valor Book IV by Brian Andrews and Jeff Wilson deliver another riveting thriller. This one is ripped from the headlines. They use their professional experience to write modern military thrillers that portray modern warfare in realistic scenarios. Andrews is a US Navy veteran, nuclear engineer, and former submarine officer, while Wilson served numerous tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Navy combat surgeon, deploying with an east coast-based SEAL Team.

As with many of their books, readers see how high-stake missions use both military operatives and intelligence analysts to achieve successful missions. But the novels also show the loyalty, sacrifice, and bond that each Special Forces operators have for each other.

This plot takes off from page one when the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia is brutally murdered by his power-hungry brother, Faisal, with the Israeli government becoming the prime suspect. The three sub-plots show how all the pieces are in play when, to get to the bottom of it, Gold Squadron must split up. Lieutenant Keith “Chunk” Redman leads a team of Israeli operatives, sniper Nick “Saw” Sawyer is enlisted to stop the Iranian missiles and intel analyst Whitney Watts, heads into the belly of the beast itself, the Royal Palace in Saudi Arabia, where she must risk her life to uncover the truth about the Crown Prince’s murder. The team must quickly uncover the truth before Iran achieves its goal of eliminating Israel and plunging the world into WWIII.

This is another powerful installment where it appears that Andrews and Wilson can predict the future. Readers will hold their breath as they turn each page.

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Author Interview

Elise Cooper: Idea for the story?

Brian Andrews & Jeff Wilson: This is the fourth book in the series. We tend to write in a 3-book arc to open and close the plot. It was driven by what we set up in book 3 with the character evolution. We want the characters to have to make critical decisions. For the number of books in this arc we will let the characters push us to where it needs to be. There is room to grow with the current antagonists.

EC: You had to have a crystal ball considering the plot of this book. Do you agree?

BA/JW: We work very hard to follow geo-politics, especially as military veterans we tend to keep up with what is happening. We have been fascinated by decades of Iran’s seemingly unchecked ability to have “false flag” operations. We wanted to play it out. It is terrifying that

Iran has the money and connections to possibly make the scenarios we put in the book happen. It is not uncommon for us to push the world to the brink of war in our books.

EC: For me, there were three major similarities to real-world events and what happened in your story: the Abraham Accords that blew up because of Iran and its proxies, the Gazan tunnels, and the Iranian nukes. Do you agree?

BA/JW: Yes, the plot mirrors the real world. I do believe people would have to bury their head in the sand on purpose to not see all the overt fingerprints showing the connection between what is happening in Gaza, what is happening with Hamas, what is happening with Hezbollah, and the role of Iran in all of that. Someone would have to be willfully ignorant to not see the players are funded by Iran. We did not know when we started to write this book what would happen on October 7th, but it should not be a shock. These are terrorist states that have as their mantra wiping out Israel. The primary antagonist in this story is Iran. I think Hamas and Hezbollah would basically not exist without Iran. They do not have other partners with the weight, might, and money that Iran has. Our writing procedure is ‘what if’ and in this story the ‘what if’ pertains to the regime change in Saudi Arabia manipulated by Iran.

EC: Were there three subplots in the book: Whitney and the Saudis, the missiles, and the nukes to eliminate Israel?

BA/JW: Yes, I agree these were the three subplots. Each of the subplots is linked to a character evolution. Whitney in the last couple of books was left in a fragile state because she has been through a lot. She is trying to get back in the groove to be the brilliant analyst that she is. We wanted readers to appreciate the inherent danger of that job. In Special Operations these types of professionals are in harm’s way, and we wanted readers to appreciate that through Whitney, including the sacrifices and emotional injuries. Yet, we also want readers to see her rally and get back up like a good Navy SEAL would and continue. The DEA guy who was in multiple previous books was brought back to partner with her because Chunk is not there. Readers can see this dark side versus the more direct-action side that Chunk must deal with the missiles and the nuke threat.

EC: How would you describe the Saudi, Khalid?

BA/JW: He uses wealth, influence, and privilege. He is considered a moderate who works with the West. He is pragmatic and forward thinking. He probably does not love the West but is smart enough to know what is best for his people: to have global relationships that serve his nation and help to grow it economically. He possibly would have put his ideological views aside to do what is best for this country.

EC: How would you describe his brother, Faisal?

BA/JW: He is smug, wants to be thought of as powerful, controlling, arrogant, a liar, has contempt for women, and evil. He is manipulated by someone from his college days. He is agnostic politically until the right demon started to whisper in his ear, ‘what if.’ He only cares what is best for him, to seek power and prestige. He has a puppet master behind the scenes, and he is a weak person. This is played out in the real-world history.

EC: What about the Iranian, Reza?

BA/JW: He is confident, cautious, deliberate, wants to be a power player, and manipulative. He underestimates the American will that they will not have the stomach to play the long game and make the sacrifices necessary for the world peace. They underestimate Israel’s ability to do whatever is necessary to protect their country. In this story we combined a joint special operation task force between Israel and America that was an unstoppable force that the Iranians cannot compete with.

EC: How would you describe the Saudi Ambassador to the US, Princess Ramia?

BA/JW: Idealist, moderate, realist, thoughtful, and helpful. She is pragmatic and what drives her is how she cares for her country. Her decisions are based on what she truly believes is best for her country. She is a fun character. She has a lot of goodness and soul.

EC: What do you want readers to get out of the book?

BA/JW: The problem with Iran is that there is leadership there that is not interested in growing the wealth of their nation or their people. They are interested in an ideology they serve. In general, the Iranians are a patriotic, loving people. Those here in the US now refer to the country as Persia, not Iran, because they remember how it could have been. In most countries most of the people are not what is seen on the news. They love their country and want what’s best for it.

EC: Where are you going with the relationship between Whitney and Chunk?

BA/JW: They both have regrets. He has built a wall. She feels he has gone overboard with his ‘professionalism.’ It is dangerous for them to have a personal relationship, something they both want. Since we have worked in those communities, we want people to understand what that step would have for the unit, the team, and the national security. There probably could be some paths in which a relationship could be maneuvered where readers can possibly see it in future books or maybe not.

EC: You have a Ben Franklin quote that made me think of President Reagan’s doctrine, ‘Trust but Verify,’ and President Trump’s, ‘Peace through Strength.’ Do you agree he seems to be the first to use this philosophy?

BA/JW: You are referring to, “Believe none of what you hear, and half of what you see.” This is easy to discern. He has one click bumper sticker quotes. This was not an endorsement of Ben Franklin but having this quote as a header into the storyline, don’t always believe your eyes. This book had a false flag operation, so the quote fit perfectly.

EC: There is another Ben Franklin quote that I assume was because one of the team members dies?

BA/JW: That quote was, “Fear not death for the sooner we die, the longer we shall be immortal.” All our books are about honoring the sacrifice made by our service members and their families. This is reminiscent of some who we served with. This was put in to give a shout out to the personal and family sacrifices made by our warriors.

EC: Will there be a TV series/movie?

BA/JW: “Tier One” will be optioned by Legendary Television. We have the producers, a show runner, and a writer. This one is just about done. “Shepherds” is still in development for TV. Four Minutes is in development for a feature film. We have multiple projects under development for film and television with major motion picture studios and producers including Legendary Entertainment, PictureStart, Walden Media, Imagine Television, Sony, Fifth Season/Endeavor Content, Hutch Parker Entertainment, and Marc Evans Productions.

EC: Next books?

BA/JW: This year four books will or have come out. The fourth book in the “Shepherds series” came out in April, titled Dark Rising. The plot has the leader of the Dark Forces finally taken out, but the power vacuum is filled by a dark nefarious force who is kidnapping children in Haiti.

The “Tier One” book will be out in late fall, titled Adversary. It will continue the arc including the relationship between John Dempsey and his son Jake. The plot continues where the last book, Ember, left off. A Chinese agent was helping the terrorist organization al Qaeda that was responsible for the bombing that killed President Warner and the Indian Prime Minister. Richard Wang of the task force is kidnapped so it’s about trying to figure who took him and how to thwart the Chinese and the terrorists.

In December the third installment of the “Tom Clancy series” will be out titled Executive Power. Katie Ryan’s brother Kyle will be featured. Katie is an intelligence officer, Jack Ryan Jr is an operative, and Kyle is a Naval Academy graduate that does something technology driven. The plot setting is the West Coast of Africa where there is a coup and forces the President to make a choice between putting country first or family first. In this book the Marines are brought to front.

THANK YOU!!

***

BIO: Elise Cooper has written book reviews and interviewed best-selling authors since 2009. Her reviews have covered several different genres, including thrillers, mysteries, women’s fiction, romance and cozy mysteries. An avid reader, she engages authors to discuss their works, and to focus on the descriptions of their characters and the plot. While not writing reviews, Elise loves to watch baseball and visit the ocean in Southern California, with her dog and husband.

Feature Post and Book Review: Private I by Ashlei E. Watson, Jill Lehman and Paul Pangaro

Book Description

A story of intrigue, romance, murder, and artificial intelligence…

She was almost out, her life of enforced seclusion nearly over. She’d go to college at MITI, make a name for herself in Machine Intelligence (MI), and develop personal MIs to solve the world’s problems by building on the technology her grandfather had secretly invented.

But the house was on fire when Paloma arrived home. Her grandfather, beaten and tortured, lay dead on the floor. Someone knew about Marlowe, Paloma’s MI, and would clearly kill to acquire it. They’d come for her next. They’d come for Marlowe.

Paloma has no choice but to run, at least until she can figure out who is after them. A tech corporation? The government? Anti-tech terrorists? As she encounters each, her grandfather’s arguments about the dangers of a Marlowe-like MI in the wrong hands begin to make sense. But after 15 years together, Marlowe has become both her best friend and, for better or worse, part of who she is.

A new take on classic noir themes, Private I is a mystery thriller rooted in today’s headlines and driven by characters with distinct answers to the questions those articles ask: what do we mean by machine consciousness? Would we recognize it if we saw it? Would we want it if we could have it? It is the story of a dead body, a society in decay, and the internal monologue of a voice that is still young enough to care and naive enough to stumble. Of course, in our case, that internal monologue has two voices.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/122882572-private-i?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=WHCM0lfS0B&rank=1

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My Book Review

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

PRIVATE I by Ashlei E. Watson, Jill Fain Lehman & Paul Pangaro is a futuristic sci-fi thriller and murder mystery with a bit of romance featuring a young woman on the run after the murder of her grandfather, but that is the simplistic overview. It also involves many philosophical questions tied to an advanced Machine Intelligence (MI) named Marlowe that her grandfather invented and gave to her as a friend and guide at a young age when she came to live with him.

Ready to leave the rules and strictures of her grandfather’s home, Paloma has graduated and is hoping to attend MIT in the next session. When she comes home after visiting the college, she finds her grandfather murdered and their home on fire. Paloma’s MI, Marlowe, has instructions for an occurrence like this, but Paloma would rather be on the run with Marlowe than destroy her friend of fifteen years. As she tries to figure out who wants the technology enough to kill, Paloma seeks help from some of her grandfather’s friends, but even they seem to have ulterior motives. She does not know who to trust.

Paloma is an interesting protagonist. She is young and seems to have led a sheltered life with Marlowe, but she is also tough and intelligent enough to weave her way through the treachery and lies of the people supposedly trying to help. The dialogue between Paloma and Marlowe was at times entertaining, but it also did a great job of demonstrating Paloma’s complex relationship with a machine that sometimes left her feeling as if she was losing her individual human self. There is some technological discussion and a lot of acronyms that at times I did not understand, but you can skip or not understand the jargon and the main plotline will still pull you in and keep you turning the pages. There is a good mix of action and amateur investigation along with philosophical discussions of humans relying on personal machine intelligence that kept me pondering even after the resolution of the book. The ending was not what I was expecting, but it still satisfied.

I recommend this mash-up sci-fi thriller. It was different for me, and I enjoyed it.

***

About the Author

Ashlei E. Watson (born July 7, 1975) is an American novelist. Her books include the cyber noir series Private I, co-written with Jill Fain Lehman, PhD and Paul Pangaro, PhD.

About the Author

Career in academic and industrial research in Artificial Intelligence, predominantly natural language processing (NLP), machine learning (ML) and cognitive architecture. Full info at https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~jef/.

About the Author

Career as entrepreneur, teacher, researcher, and performer. Introduced to Cybernetics at MIT with Jerry Lettvin then Gordon Pask, with whom Paul did a PhD and worked with for more than a decade. Involved in a series of startups, often as founder and CTO, culminating with General Cybernetics, Inc., in New York City. Entered academia from 2015, currently at Carnegie Mellon University. Videos on Cybernetics at https://vimeo.com/showcase/9172955. Personal website and blog at http://pangaro.com/

Feature Post and Book Review: It Takes a Psychic by Jayne Castle

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DG1GK7Y5

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley

Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 3, 2025

Language ‏ : ‎ English

Print length ‏ : ‎ 316 pages 

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593639962

Book Description

Leona Griffin is at the height of her career as a para-archeologist thanks to a recent Underworld discovery. Her high profile attracts the attention of an organization of elite, secretive collectors. They want her to authenticate the artifacts that aspiring members submit as evidence to join their group. The ceremony takes place at a glittering reception where Leona is shocked to discover that one of the relics is a powerful Old-World object known as Pandora’s Box. But she’s not the only one interested in that artifact.

Oliver Rancourt, a man with a unique talent—they say you never see him coming—is also there. Leona knows she must not underestimate him. Attempting to make a discreet exit, she stumbles over the body of a waiter wearing the emblem of a dangerous cult. Before she can alert authorities, a police raid sends the reception into chaos. To avoid being arrested, Leona slips away with Oliver—a risky decision that gets her fired.

Now forced to work together, Leona and Oliver pursue an investigation that leads them to the town of Lost Creek where the locals are obsessed with a chilling legend involving a long-dead cult leader and illicit paranormal experiments. But Leona knows the real danger may be the irresistible attraction between herself and Oliver.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/218460334-it-takes-a-psychic?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=yMPRWjBSnQ&rank=1

***

My Book Review

RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars

IT TAKES A PSYCHIC (Ghost Hunter Book #17) by Jayne Castle is another exciting and fun addition to the Ghost Hunter series. All these books can be read as standalone paranormal romances, but this one does tie back to People in Glass Houses, Book #16 with the heroines of both stories being sisters.

Para-archeologist Leona Griffin is still riding the wave of her celebrity from her recent discoveries in the Underworld when she is asked to authenticate items at a meeting for membership in a secretive organization. From the moment she arrives, she has a bad feeling about this group, especially when the final object for her to authenticate is the infamous Old World object Pandora’s Box.

Oliver Rancourt is also at the meeting and has an interest in Pandora’s Box. While the other attendees all seem to ignore him, Leona not only sees him, but feels he is watching her. And she is right. Oliver has a unique ability to blend in and seem to disappear, which is perfect for retrieving his stolen property, but Leona’s ability to see him has intrigued him.

When Leona tries to make a discrete exit, she discovers a dead server wearing the symbol of a dangerous cult around her neck. Before she can alert anyone, a police raid occurs. Oliver shows up at her side and rather than be arrested, they slip away. Oliver has Pandora’s Box, which he tells Leona was stolen from him and when they open it, it has, in addition to its original contents, a strange golden pyramid inside.

Leona and Oliver work together to uncover secrets about the long dead cult leader and the illegal paranormal experiments. The attraction grows between the two, but they are both hiding secrets about their psychic profiles. The answer to questions about Leona and her sister’s past may be within reach, but can Oliver and Leona stay alive to find them.

I wait anxiously for each new installment in this long running series. Not only for a fun, intriguing new pair of romantic protagonists, but also for the new dustbunny. Roxy and her blue fascinator did not disappoint. There was a good amount of heat and chemistry between Leona and Oliver that grew believably over the course of the story, and even though there is sexual intercourse, it is a smaller part of this story than in other books in this series. These books are always a great mash-up of paranormal romance, mystery, and adventure in Harmony.

I highly recommend this addition to the series and would recommend the entire series to anyone. Long live dustbunnies!

***

About the Author

Jayne Castle, the author of Guild Boss, Illusion Town, Siren’s Call, The Hot Zone, Deception Cove, The Lost Night, Canyons of Night, Midnight Crystal, Obsidian Prey, Dark Light, Silver Master, Ghost Hunter, After Glow, and After Dark, is a pseudonym for Jayne Ann Krentz, the author of more than fifty New York Times bestsellers. She writes contemporary romantic suspense novels under the Krentz name, as well as historical novels under the pseudonym Amanda Quick.

Social Media Links

Website: https://www.jayneannkrentz.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JayneAnnKrentz

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/it-takes-a-psychic-by-jayne-castle-and-jayne-ann-krentz

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0593639944/?bestFormat=true&k=it%20takes%20a%20psychic%20jayne%20castle&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-pd

Friday Feature Author Interview with Elise Cooper: Only the Dead Within, The Cowboy’s Baby Surprise & Personal Security by Lisa Childs

Only The Dead Within, The Cowboy’s Baby Surprise, and Personal Security by Lisa Childs shows her ability to write in multiple genres. These three recent books show how diverse Childs is with her writing style because she writes thrillers, mysteries, and family-oriented stories. Only the Dead Within is the thriller, The Cowboy’s Baby Surprise is the family story, and Personal Security is the mystery.

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Only The Dead Within

Grave Diggers Book 2

Kensington Pub

Book Description

Between mysterious missing persons cases, unsolved murders, and the menacing specter of an eternally blood-thirsty grave digger’s ghost, the town of Gold Creek, Michigan, has a grim reputation, and so does the wealthy, ruthless Gold family, who run the local funeral home and cemetery—and may be behind it all . . .

Yet another teen has gone missing from the Gold Memorial Gardens, and Child Protective Services Investigator Claire Underwood isn’t giving up until she finds him. For Claire, solving the case is more than business. Years ago, she lost a friend in that cemetery.

Over time, the authorities deemed all the disappeared teens runaways, while local legend blamed the ghost of the murderous grave digger—much to the satisfaction of the Golds, also known as the “Ghouls.” Claire has always suspected the Golds were involved, including in some recent murders among their own. She went to high school with Noah Gold. He was very quiet, and very intense. Like someone with something to hide.

Noah is sick of being cast in the same light as his conniving, money-hungry family. He’s still a bit anti-social, but he’s just as determined as Clare to unearth the truth—and finally bury the legend of the grave digger. With a common goal, he and Claire join forces, but it’s a quest that puts them in mortal danger. Only with the help of the local sheriff—whose own brother vanished years ago—do they have a chance of surviving. Yet, the truth that awaits them is more terrifying than any ghost . . .

Elise’s Thoughts

Only The Dead Within tells the story of Child Protective Services Investigator Claire Underwood looking for a missing teen last seen in the cemetery. Over time, the authorities deemed that there were multiple teenage disappearances there, but it was determined that the teens were runaways since no bodies were found. But this time it is different because Tyler Hicks’ body was found by the grave digger Noah Gold who becomes a person of interest. Now he wants to join forces with Claire to find out who is behind the murder and the missing teens.

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The Cowboy’s Baby Surprise

Bachelor Cowboy’s Romance Book 1

Harlequin Pub

Book Description

A baby found in the barn means…

An instant cowboy dad!

When a baby is abandoned on the Four Corners Ranch, CPS investigator Elise Shaw drops everything to find the parents. She can’t understand why Liam Lemmon, the bachelor cowboy who found the child, first denies being her father, then claims her as his own! Elise visits the Wyoming ranch regularly to check up on them and soon starts to feel like part of the family. But her heart is getting too involved with the case…and with Liam. And when she learns the cowboy’s secret, will she be forced to take away the child they’ve both come to love?

Elise’s Thoughts

The Cowboy’s Baby Surprise opens with rancher Liam Lemmon finding an abandoned baby in his barn. Child Protective Services investigator Elise Shaw is called in to help find the parents. Elise visits the Wyoming ranch regularly to check up on Liam and baby Lucy. Elise grows closer to both, yet knows her duty is to find the missing parents.

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Personal Security

Bachelor Bodyguard Book 15

Harlequin Pub

Book Description

He’ll risk anything to protect her…

Even his heart.

Watching over Blair Etheridge as she reopens her family’s art gallery is Ivan Chekov’s first chance to prove himself as a bodyguard. He hopes it’s also a chance to start over. But this job brings up bad memories, and Blair doesn’t want him anywhere near her. Ivan overcomes her stubborn streak after an attack on her life proves she’s in danger. The undeniable attraction sizzling between them makes posing as her boyfriend easy, while the thought of losing her frightens him more than he’s willing to admit.

Elise’s Thoughts

Personal Security has Ivan Chekov hired as a bodyguard for Blair Etheridge as she reopens her family’s art gallery. At first reluctant to have a bodyguard, Blair overcomes her stubborn streak and relents after multiple attempts on her life. The undeniable attraction sizzles between them since he poses as her boyfriend.

###

All three books will keep readers furiously turning the pages to find out what happens.

***

Author Interview

Elise Cooper: Idea for story?

Lisa Childs: Only The Dead Within is a thriller based on my daughter’s profession, a child protective service investigator, which is a difficult job. I wanted to use her field because I

like writing more than law enforcement professionals. I was able to speak with her to make sure I got everything correct because the heroine in two of my books works as a child protective services investigator.

The Cowboy’s Baby Surprise is a more lighthearted book after writing Only the Dead Within. It is part of my Bachelor Cowboy series. The main character, Elise Shaw, is very near and dear to my heart because of my daughter.

Personal Security is a series that has been going on for many years. This is a redemption storyline where the hero was forced to do things in his past that he is not proud of but was able to turn his life around.

EC: How would you describe your heroines?

LC: Claire is the heroine in Only the Dead Within. She is a survivor, skeptic, felt numb and sometimes dead inside, was abused, and is untrusting. Yet she is also independent, caring, strong, and can connect the dots.

Elise is the heroine in The Cowboy’s Baby Surprise. She is mistrusting, direct, kind, strong, capable, and determined.

Blair is the heroine of Personal Security. She is naïve, strong, stubborn, independent, determined, intense, and a loner.

EC: How would you describe your heroes?

LC: Noah is the hero in Only the Dead Within. He is rich and influential but has the job as the grave digger. He can be a loner, resilient, protective, antisocial, and determined.

Liam is the hero in The Cowboy’s Baby Surprise. He is caring, has integrity, tender, sociable, gentle, responsible, and lonely. He assumes responsibility for a baby left in his barn. He steps up.

Ivan is the hero in Personal Security. He has become a protector while being someone’s bodyguard. He is cautious, charming, and a survivor.

EC: How about each relationship?

LC: At first in Only the Dead Within Claire suspects Noah of murder. Yet they have in common a loved one who is missing. He sees her as vulnerable with a hardened heart and a sharp tongue and worries about her safety. After they get over their first impressions they realize the attraction.

Elise wants love and stability. She is vulnerable and I had her forward in this story. They are both avoiding their attractiveness. The baby left in Liam’s barn brings them together and shows Elise a different side of him.

Both Blaire and Ivan are attracted to each other. They have in common that because of their last name people frown upon them. Ivan teases her a lot. Blaire is very vulnerable and has built walls where she is trying to avoid a relationship.

EC: Next books?

LC: The Unknown Colton is written with multiple authors and a setting of Alaska. It will be released in October. It features Lakin and Troy. She is pursuing her dream of creating a boutique hotel without Troy until it is discovered someone is stalking her. Troy sets aside his own personal problems to help her find out who is after her.

Christmas Security is the story of Blade and comes out in November. The plot has biophysicist Dr. Priscilla Pell fearing for her life, and the life of her unborn child. Living in the mansion where she’s still unwelcome among her late husband’s family, she doesn’t know whether the threats are coming from inside or outside. That’s why she hires professional security. She’s grateful for Blade Sparks’s around-the-clock protection.

The Cowboy’s Claim comes out in December. It is Blake’s story. The story features lawyer Maci Bluff who is under a lot of pressure to win a lawsuit for the Lemmon brothers so they can stay on their beloved ranch. Yet, as the legal battle escalates, so do her feelings for cowboy Blake Lemmon.

THANK YOU!!

***

BIO: Elise Cooper has written book reviews and interviewed best-selling authors since 2009. Her reviews have covered several different genres, including thrillers, mysteries, women’s fiction, romance and cozy mysteries. An avid reader, she engages authors to discuss their works, and to focus on the descriptions of their characters and the plot. While not writing reviews, Elise loves to watch baseball and visit the ocean in Southern California, with her dog and husband.