Nestled amongst the comforting shelves of her beloved Bay Books, Lily Appleton finds the peace and quiet she needs. But with Christmas just around the corner, Lily has to find an extra pair of hands to help her share the bookish magic.
After selling his business, Lars Jóhannsson is feeling lost. A job at Bay Books would give him the space he needs to contemplate his next move, but returning would mean confronting a painful past he’s been avoiding. He’s also fairly sure he’s the one person Lily would never want to see again.
Lily is torn. Lars could be the perfect fit for Bay Books, but he once rejected her friendship and the hurt still lingers. But working together, Lily discovers a vulnerability that Lars has kept hidden away, along with a few surprising secrets. And as the Christmas season sprinkles its magic, Lily discovers the warmth of renewed friendship and the joy of heartwarming traditions from Lars’s Icelandic roots.
WINTER NIGHTS AT THE BAY BOOKSHOP by Jessica Redland is a wonderful Christmas holiday cozy romance which I highly recommend especially for all the booklovers out there. While this is a part of the author’s Whitsborough Bay series, it is easily read as a standalone book.
Lily Appleton loves books and runs the family bookshop, Bay Books, with her father. who is finally scheduled for knee replacement surgery. With the holiday fast approaching, Lily must find the perfect short-term replacement for the upcoming busy season.
Lars Johannsson feels lost. He sold his successful on-line education business. His grandmother decides to move in with her friends at the new retirement home while also selling her home which she shares with Lars. While out to lunch with a friend, they notice the sign for help wanted at the bookshop, and Lars’ friend encourages him to apply. But Lars and Lily have an unpleasant past and even though he would love the job, he is afraid Lily will reject him out of hand.
Lily knows Lars is perfect for the job and is willing to give him a try. As they work together, both discover hidden emotional hurts and vulnerabilities in the other. With their shared love of books and the magic of the season, can these two find the love they have been waiting for?
I loved Lily and Lars so much! The story perfectly paces the discovery of past misunderstandings and emotional heartaches from immediate family or past relationships and intertwines the difficult emotions with uplifting quotes from favorite books. I felt the difficulties and emotions both the H/h dealt with are believable and well written. Lily’s family and friends are great support for both. I found the Icelandic traditions for Book Flood on Christmas Eve and all the mythical characters introduced the twelve days before fascinating. This is a cozy romance so everything other than kissing is behind closed doors. I needed tissues for the last two chapters, but they were happy tears from a satisfied romantic heart.
I highly recommend this heartwarming and enchanting cozy holiday romance. You will want to curl up on a comfortable couch with a blanket and your favorite hot beverage as you disappear into this bookish holiday romance.
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About the Author
I live in Scarborough on the stunning North Yorkshire Coast in the UK. My home inspired the creation of the fictional seaside town of Whitsborough Bay where I set many of my books. The Hedgehog Hollow series and Bumblebee Barn Collection take readers to a gorgeous countryside setting on the Yorkshire Wolds. In July 2023, I added the lakes and mountains to my settings with the start of my ‘Escape to the Lakes’ series. I absolutely love this part of the country and am loving writing a series in my happy place.
I live with my husband, our teenage daughter and sprocker spaniel, Ella. I’m a stationery addict with a notepad obsession who loves chocolate (although it doesn’t love me), hedgehogs, 80s music, collectible teddy bears and lighthouses.
My career has mainly been in HR as a trainer and recruiter. I had a brief detour into retail to set up and manage my own specialist teddy bear shop and started writing my debut novel on quiet days in the shop.
In June 2020, I became a full-time author. I’m so very grateful to anyone who has bought or borrowed my books in whatever format, helping me fulfil a long-held dream of writing full-time. I still can’t believe I get to spend every day chatting to my fictional friends and making stuff up.
Bah humbug. Bounty hunter Jake Hale hates Christmas. He doesn’t do twinkling lights, festive packages, and you definitely won’t ever catch him singing Christmas carols. What he will do? Track down the worst of the scum out there. The former special ops soldier makes merry by tossing the naughty into prison cells and getting a grand pay day. Ho, ho, ho.
Then a ghost from Christmas past walks through his door.
True Blakely is always at the top of the nice list. Beautiful, sweet, with an innocence that—yep, he might have been tempted to destroy once or twice—she’s there to hire him. There have been a string of dangerous accidents in her life, and True fears that someone is trying to kill her. Not at all the sort of case that Jake would usually take—he hunts down the criminals after they jump bail, not before they’ve even been arrested. But one look into True’s bedroom eyes, and he can’t refuse. Maybe he still is a bit too tempted by the girl who got away…and surely one nice act won’t kill him? For her, he can play the hero.
He’ll close the case and be home in time for Christmas dinner.
Except, on the first morning of his investigation, he finds a dead body. One waiting underneath True’s glittering Christmas tree. The attacks are real, and it’s clear that someone is gunning for True. But Jake is on the job now, and no one is going to hurt her. His protective instincts are in overdrive…and so is the desperate desire that he’s always felt for True. This time, he’s done fighting that desire. He’ll finally show True just how fantastic it can be when you aren’t nice. Welcome to his naughty list.
HOLDING OUT FOR A HOLIDAY HERO by Cynthia Eden is a hot and steamy holiday romantic suspense that kept me laughing out loud, turning the pages to figure out the villain in the suspense plot, and cheering for Jake as he turns from Scrooge into the hero True needs. This is a fast-paced standalone holiday romantic suspense with a great H/h duo and interesting secondary characters.
True Blakeley was the sweet, good girl in high school. Jake Hale was the bad boy who secretly wanted her. Now the former special ops soldier is a bounty hunter who hates Christmas, and beautiful True, the object of all his dreams, comes to him for help. Jake is determined to protect her as well as bed her. What he doesn’t realize is True has no problem with any of that.
Believable characters, fun dialogue, a well-paced suspense plot, and smokin’ hot sex scenes make this the perfect for me holiday read.
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About the Author
Cynthia Eden is a New York Times, USA Today, Digital Book World, and IndieReader best-seller.
Never miss a release from Cynthia Eden! Sign up for her newsletter at cynthiaeden.com/newsletter. You can also visit her Facebook page for her latest updates: facebook.com/cynthiaedenfanpage.
Cynthia writes sexy tales of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance. Since she began writing full-time in 2005, Cynthia has written over one hundred novels and novellas.
Cynthia lives along the Alabama Gulf Coast. She loves romance novels, horror movies, and chocolate.
It’s Christmastime in Mistletoe, Maine, and the Historical Society has launched a widespread campaign to celebrate the town’s 150th anniversary. Descendants of the founding family, the Snows, have returned for the first time, and Holly is determined to make the family’s visit magical. In an attempt to put Mistletoe on the map, Holly’s mother, a respected local baker, attempts to break a record by baking the world’s largest gingerbread man, but her plans are whisked away when Mr. Snow’s body ends up in the batter.
When Mr. Moore, the local mistletoe farmer, is accused of the crime, Holly reprises her role as amateur sleuth to protect the sweet older man. Between hosting the inconsolable Mrs. Snow and other guests at the inn, receiving threatening messages telling her to stop her investigation, and preparing for her first wedding anniversary with Sheriff Evan Gray, she might need a Christmas miracle to survive.
When someone breaks into Holly’s office and scratches a warning into her desk, she knows she has little time left. Can Holly uncover the killer before someone else gets burned, or is her involvement a recipe for trouble?
I’LL BE HOME FOR MISCHIEF (Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries Book #5) by Jacqueline Frost takes us once again to quirky Mistletoe, Maine for the Christmas holiday season and as much as our main characters hope against it, another holiday murder. Each of the Christmas Tree Farm Mysteries books can be read as a standalone with a completed crime plot, but the main characters continue to develop, and I feel the stories can be enjoyed more by reading them in order of publication.
Reindeer games and the Hearth are going to be extra busy this year with Holly Gray’s mother attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the largest baked gingerbread man. Holly and Sheriff Evan Gray are also excited for their one-year wedding anniversary Christmas Eve, and the town is celebrating its 150th anniversary with a Victorian Christmas theme. Everyone is very busy hoping for no murders this year.
As Holly’s mother gets ready to have the giant gingerbread man moved to the outdoor cooking area, they take off the cover and discover a man dead in the batter. Holly cannot help herself and once again asks too many questions which leads to threats and danger. Can Holly discover the killer and survive to celebrate her anniversary?
This is another entertaining, fun, and well plotted murder mystery featuring my favorite holiday cast of characters. Holly really does want to mind her own business this year, but with the murder at Reindeer Games and a kind old man accused of the murder, she just cannot let it be. Ms. Frost had me guessing who-dun-it to the end and I was surprised. This book also has a great cast of secondary characters with Christ0pher’s wife and best friend, Jackie, staying at the inn along with two true crime murder podcasters in town. Their podcast is called Dead and Berried as they serve up murder clues with complimentary recipes. All the regulars are back and I love them all.
I highly recommend this book in the holiday mystery series and always look forward to the next.
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About the Author
Jacqueline Frost is a mystery-loving pet enthusiast who hopes to make readers smile. She lives in rural Ohio with her husband and three spunky children. Jacqueline is a member of the International Thriller Writers (ITW) and Sisters in Crime (SinC).
As soon as Hannah bumps into her brother Rob’s best friend Nico in Stockholm, the two rekindle a fast friendship. But Hannah has a boyfriend – and Nico has two children to look after.
When Hannah loses her beloved shop in Stockholm, though, she is forced to move back to the little village of Middledip – only to find Nico has just moved in too. Under the same snowy sky, can the childhood friends make a romance work – or are there too many obstacles standing in their way?
CHRISTMAS WISHES by Sue Moorcroft is a cozy holiday romance set in Ms. Moorcroft’s familiar small-town setting of Middledip, England with the unique inclusion of Stockholm, Sweden and its holiday festivals. This is a book in a series that is mainly tied together by the town of Middledip and all the books are easily read as a standalone story.
Hannah is living in Stockholm running her own shop, when her relationship blows up, she loses everything and then moves back home to Middledip to help her grandmother after a fall that breaks her arm. Nico is a single divorced father dealing with a high-pressure job, childcare issues and then the added responsibility of caring for his daughter’s half-sister. Nico ends up moving to Middledip with the girls to slow down and decide on new career options. Nico is one of Hannah’s brother’s best friends and they are reunited at her brother’s wedding. Can these childhood friends have a romance with so many life changes and obstacles in their way?
This was a holiday themed romance that really dove into some serious topics. Nico was not only seriously stressed, but he had an eating disorder from his teens that is resurfacing. He also has the baby that broke up his marriage handed to him to care for while his ex is in rehab, or she will end up in care, and his daughter will be devastated. Even with all this, I truly loved Nico and his heart that wanted to do what was best for everyone. Hannah is the character I had problems with because she was immature and ran rather than communicate even though she was a successful entrepreneur? This was my only problem with this romance because I really do not like miscommunication or no communication at all as the only thing keeping a couple apart.
Both families of the main characters were fully developed and believable with everyday family problems. Hannah’s grandmother was wonderful, and Nico’s daughters were enchanting. I love the things I learned about a Stockholm holiday season and Ms. Moorcroft’s descriptions made me feel as though I was right there.
Nico and Hannah are a couple that must really work for their HEA, but the resolution makes this a heartwarming holiday read.
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About the Author
Sue Moorcroft is an award-winning Sunday Times and internationally published author of emotionally compelling, feel-good, page-turning fiction who has reached #1 on Amazon Kindle UK and Top 100 Amazon Kindle US, Canada and Italy. Her novels, short stories, serials, courses and columns have appeared around the world. An army child, Sue was born in Germany and then lived in Cyprus, Malta and the UK.
Today I am sharing my Feature Post and Book Review for SICKNESS ON THE ISLAND (DI Liam O’Reilly Mysteries Book #16) by Stewart Giles on this Books ‘n’ All Promotions Blog Tour.
Below you will find a book description, my book review, the author’s bio and social media links. Enjoy!
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Book Description
When over a dozen people succumb to a sudden sickness on the island, and most of them don’t pull through, Detective Inspector Liam O’Reilly is instantly suspicious.
It doesn’t take long to get to the source of the sudden deaths of so many unconnected victims.
But when the truth about why so many innocent islanders had to perish becomes apparent, O’Reilly finds himself in a predicament, the likes of which he could never have imagined.
The sickness on the Island has its roots in something much deeper, and when O’Reilly finally works out the real reason for the sudden deaths of so many islanders, it’s going to make him question his decision to move to the Island in the first place.
SICKNESS ON THE ISLAND (DI Liam O’Reilly Mysteries Book #16) by Stewart Giles is a twisted mystery/crime thriller/police procedural that was impossible to put down. I have loved this series since book one and even after fifteen more, the main characters still pull me effortlessly into their world and Mr. Giles has me continually guessing about the crime plot suspects and motives as he untangles everything through O’Reilly and his team. I have read all these books in order and while each crime is solved within each book and can standalone, all the characters’ lives have developed and grown over time and story.
DI Liam O’Reilly is having his birthday dinner with family at his favorite island restaurant when a man at the next table falls to the floor dead. The next morning, he discovers there were several other people with the sudden sickness and most died. O’Reilly and his team can find no connection between the dead. O’Reilly is called into CO Johnson’s office and finds himself entwined in a web of lies tied to an old case.
O’Reilly and his team are led in many directions with questions not only involving an old case, but also corruption within their own police department. Then there is a demand for a huge ransom or more islanders will end up dead. Can O’Reilly unravel all the secrets and discover the killer before more islanders die?
This was a nailbiter with so much on the line in a short period of time. Mr. Giles never makes it easy on O’Reilly or the reader. You can always count on O’Reilly to find the solution with help of his team by thinking outside of the box or finding that one elusive clue. He has no care for his own career, but a strong sense of moral justice that he always follows. I love all the characters, and the dialogue is realistic and brings them all to life.
I highly recommend this edge-of-your-seat mystery/crime thriller/police procedural. I also recommend all the other books in the series. They are all well worth the read.
***
Author Bio
After reading English at 3 Universities and graduating from none of them, I set off travelling around the world with my wife, Ann, finally settling in South Africa, where we still live.
In 2014 Ann dropped a rather large speaker on my head and I came up with the idea for a detective series. DS Jason Smith was born. Smith, the first in the series was finished a few months later.
3 years and 8 DS Smith books later, Joffe Books wondered if I would be interested in working with them. As a self-published author, I agreed. However, we decided on a new series – the DC Harriet Taylor: Cornwall series.
The Beekeeper was published and soon hit the number one spot in Australia. The second in the series, The Perfect Murder did just as well.
I continued to self-publish the Smith series and Unworthy hit the shelves in 2018 with amazing results. I therefore made the decision to self-publish The Backpacker which is book 3 in the Detective Harriet Taylor series which was published in July 2018.
After The Backpacker I had an idea for a totally new start to a series – a collaboration between the Smith and Harriet thrillers and The Enigma was born. It brought together the broody, enigmatic Jason Smith and the more level-headed Harriet Taylor.
The Miranda trilogy is something totally different. A psychological thriller trilogy. It is a real departure from anything else I’ve written before.
The Detective Jason Smith series continues to grow. I also have another series featuring an Irish detective who relocated to Guernsey, the Detective Liam O’Reilly series. There are also 3 stand alone novels.
Today I am sharing my Feature Post and Book Review of KILLER TRACKS by Mary Keliikoa on this Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tour.
Below you will find a book description, my book review, and excerpt from the book, the author’s bio and social media links, and a Promoamp giveaway. Enjoy!
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Book Description
A Misty Pines Mystery
A peaceful retreat. A maze of smoke and murder. Is their remote getaway about to become a death trap?
Sheriff Jax Turner is worried about going off-grid and leaving his young team of deputies behind. But while his getaway with his ex is meant to help them reconnect, Jax is distracted by signs of a break-in at their rented lookout.
After a string of unsettling events and an approaching wildfire turn their isolated retreat into a danger zone, he’s stunned to find a dead body with marks tying it to a killer he put away a decade ago.
Terrified that his attempt at reconciliation has led them both into a fatal setup, Jax rushes back to his estranged wife before she joins the list of victims. But his dedication to serving and protecting could become an Achilles heel as other players join them among the darkening trees.
Can he fight his way out of the woods before the flames of revenge consume everything?
Genre: Police Procedural; Detective and Mystery; Crime Fiction; Suspense Published by: Level Best Books Publication Date: September 30, 2025 Number of Pages: 319 ISBN: 979-8-89820-033-6 (pb)
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My Book Review
RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars
KILLER TRACKS (Misty Pines Mystery Book #3) by Mary Keliikoa is an intense genre mash-up of mystery/crime thriller/police procedural that kept me turning the pages. This is the third book in this series and like most books of this type, the mystery/crime plot is complete and resolved in each book, but the characters’ relationships continue to evolve, and I feel the series is best read in order.
Sheriff Jax Turner has agreed to spend a week away with his FBI agent ex-wife, Abby, to work on their relationship. When they arrive at the remote cabin, they notice things that has Jax’s cop radar on alert. They discover a lone female camper who is hiding something and deal with the sabotage of their vehicle. Jax discovers a dead park ranger and now is desperate to get Abby safely off the mountain as they are chased by not only a killer, but a wildfire.
Meanwhile in Misty Pines, Deputy Rachel Killian is in charge and dealing with an apartment explosion and a dead tenant found in another apartment. As she inspects the body with the new medical examiner, the body has an “X” carved into his chest and the medical examiner realizes this signature is reminiscent of an old serial killer case. Rachel is also dealing with her cold case detective father showing up in Misty Pines unannounced. The more they investigate, they begin to fear for Jax and Abby.
This is a very good story that weaves two crime plots together that come from two different directions and ends with an explosive resolution. There were plenty of twists and surprises and towards the end the suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. While Jax and Abby are both interesting, flawed characters, sometimes I find Abby not sympathetic, but a bit annoying, but not enough to stop reading the series. I find Misty Pines an interesting town and as I get to know more of the secondary characters, it gets even more interesting.
I really enjoyed this gripping crime thriller/mystery, and I am looking forward to more books in the Misty Pines series.
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Excerpt
PROLOGUE
Click. Slide. Clang.
If he never heard that sound again, it’d be far too soon. That, and the sleepless nights under a thread-bare wool blanket that chafed his exposed skin, the looming threat of death… in the yard, the shower, the halls to and from the cafeteria or his cell.
Death and desperation seeped from the pores of this godforsaken place. So thick he could almost taste it. No amount of soap, no amount of ritual, would rid him of the stench that clung to him—though he’d be willing to try.
It was over now. Dying among these second-class men would not be his fate. A man of his intellect, a man far superior to the minions around him, deserved better than what he’d endured these past years.
He’d eagerly reeducate those who believed otherwise. They’d all see it by the time he was through with them, just like those that came before.
Click. Slide. Clang.
A voice echoed off the concrete walls.
“Inmate 22-A-4242. Gather your crap. Time to go.”
He stood, hands to his sides.
“Ready to face the world?”
He remained silent. None would get the satisfaction of his acknowledgement.
The voice continued. “They gave you a goddamn Hail Mary. Bleeding heart liberals anyway. Don’t screw it up.”
He bowed his head to obscure his smirk.
“Right. I know your type. You’re innocent.” The guard continued rambling. “That’s what all you convicts say. ‘I didn’t do it.’ ‘I was framed.’ ‘It’s unconstitutional.’” The guard’s voice dropped to a growl, prickling his skin. “Tell that to the victims and their families. I’d reckon less than one percent of you bastards got a legit claim.”
The guard had forgotten betrayed, of which he surely had been. But he shrugged, not to agree, but to stave off the urge to wrap his hands around the guard’s throat. So close to freedom…
Whether he was innocent or not had no bearing; it had not been among the criteria for the help he’d received. Being wrongfully convicted qualified. According to the junior team that had embraced his cause when he’d written the letter, they agreed that’s what had happened in his case. Even if it took them ten years, he loved a system that allowed more loopholes than the cable-knit sweater Mother had dressed him in for school.
“Sell it to someone else, you psycho,” the guard snapped. “Bet you money. We’ll see you again real soon.”
A jagged smile crossed his face. The guard had part of it correct—but he’d never be back here. Next time, he’d be less gullible.
And he intended to snuff out anything that could hurt him, like the light of every other woman who hadn’t seen his worth.
Chapter One
Some days, it didn’t pay to get out of bed.
Sheriff Jax Turner had experienced more than his fair share of those mornings in the past six years. First, when his daughter Lulu died from leukemia. Then, when his marriage dissolved—more like shattered into a million pieces. Followed by a couple of cases that had tested his limits of trust. They’d destroyed some, too.
Today was different.
Abby Kanekoa, his ex-wife with whom he’d shared the gutting grief of those past years, had offered hope for reconciliation—the chance to glue a few of those pieces back together. It would never be the same without their little girl… but perhaps they could create something new.
Leaving for the mountains just after Labor Day was less than ideal. Though with the tourist season coming to an end in Misty Pines, and Abby due a vacation at the Bureau, it was the best time. Deputy Rachel Killian, his new hire and right hand, was turning out to be as capable as he’d hoped. Applicants for filling the gaps at their station had been sparse. Few, it seemed, wanted to work these days—or work at the often cool and foggy Oregon coast. He’d at least been able to get most of his young crew on full-time payroll, so Rachel had help.
Bottom line, getting away was Abby’s idea. He would not tell her no.
Now to get through the pep talk with the team. The two major events of the past year had allowed them to punch a few notches into their experience belt, but wisdom and reliance on gut instinct were born with time. Leaving them to run Misty Pines without his guidance had his muscles taut.
He entered the sheriff’s office with his duffle flung over his shoulder.
“Oh hon, don’t tell me that’s all you’re taking for the week?” Trudy said. Jax’s long-time secretary, and overall, Team Mother to him and his ragtag group of deputies, lifted the headset off her ears.
He suppressed a smile. “Glad to see your accident hasn’t made you any less opinionated.”
Eight months had passed since the event that had nearly stolen her from him and the team. A warm and fuzzy Trudy would be hard to get used to—he was grateful he didn’t have to learn.
Trudy rested the headset around her neck. “Looks like Abby hasn’t given you any clue about where you’re going.”
“Other than the mountains, not much. I’ve tossed a few essentials in my truck.”
“Like?”
“A good book and a board game.” He smiled. “A couple of bottles of wine.”
She arched her brow.
“What? I’m assuming she’s arranged for us to be at some luxury resort.”
“You think so?”
“Abby likes her massages, saunas, breakfast in bed.” Not to mention time basking on the deck with a steaming cup of coffee. For being a tough no-nonsense woman, and a hell of an FBI agent, she liked the finer things—and she’d earned every damn one of them.
“And what do you like?” Trudy asked.
He chuckled. Not much of what he’d just mentioned. “Roughing it.”
“Hmmm…and she arranged this for the two of you to reconnect?”
His smile faded; he dropped the bag at his feet. “Are we camping?”
Trudy laughed and shook her head. “When it comes to women, you do take a minute to catch up. Might I suggest a few more items?”
“Like a tent?” He’d have to dig it out of his garage, which wouldn’t take long.
“No. But a communication device might come in handy.”
“Abby said something about our phones being off for the week.” He shifted on his feet. “Are you saying we’re headed somewhere with no service?”
She returned to her desk in response.
Of course they were. Several interruptions to his and Abby’s conversations had come from the station over the past months. Too often, when they’d just settled into talk or were on the edge of a sensitive topic. Tourist season was like that every year with the random fender bender, a too-loud party on the beach, a drunken brawl at the pub. Some infraction demanding his attention.
Added to that, Brody had slid his motorcycle on wet pavement and nearly dislocated his shoulder in the spring. Garrett had a few interviews in Portland, one in Seattle. Matt was called in to stock shelves by his boss at the IGA grocery store when they were short staffed, which had become more consistent.
Time with Abby had been the price, although the last time they’d carved out a night together still brought a smile to his face. Maybe this trip signaled her intention of wanting more quality togetherness. That thought alone made having limited phone access worth it regardless of where they went, even as the uneasiness of being out of contact with his crew niggled at him.
He flung the bag back over his shoulder and headed to his office.
The click of claws on the linoleum sounded behind him.
“Boss.” Rachel and Koa, her black lab, came out of the kitchen. “You all set?”
“Almost. Picking Abby up soon for what appears might be a wilderness retreat.”
Rachel laughed. “Don’t look so concerned.”
“I’m not.”
“Uh-huh. That’s why you have a crease between your eyebrows.”
He rubbed the spot. “Guess I’m not fond of surprises.”
“Never have been myself, but I have a feeling you’ll have fun.”
“According to Trudy, I will. Hope Abby does.” It was sweet she’d chosen a place that appealed to him—more imperative if she enjoyed herself. She’d never been one to sleep on the ground.
“Believe me, she did good.”
“Take it you know where we’re headed?”
“Not precisely.”
“How about a hint of what you do know, so I’m better prepared?” Having spent far too much time in the dark, he preferred to be ahead of things these days.
She did a zipping motion in front of her mouth. “I get that it’ll be difficult for you, but try not to worry. The men and I have everything covered.”
He nodded. Letting go of the wheel would never be easy, and in law enforcement things could change quickly. But Rachel was solid, and he trusted her… despite his former partner Jameson not agreeing with him hiring his only daughter. Jax had made the right call; he stood by it. There should be no hesitation about him and Abby taking a week for themselves.
“You’ll get a hold of me if there’s a problem?” he said.
“You won’t have any way…”
“I’m taking the satellite phone.”
Rachel folded her arms over her chest. “Suppose that’s smart after the last trek in the wilderness…”
“Exactly my thought.”
Rachel pursed her lips, likely recalling that day when radio silence had left her and the team wrought with worry as they waited for word on whether Jax and Abby were alive. But Abby should understand his decision, if it came up. Probably better it didn’t.
“Let’s do a briefing before I head out,” he said.
Rachel winked. “The men are waiting for you in the strategy room.”
He chuckled. That’s why there’d been no sign of them when he’d arrived.
In his office, he set his duffle bag on a chair, and retrieved the satellite phone, burying it near the bottom in a T-shirt. Once he checked his email for the tenth time and cleared his desk, he started toward the meeting room, until he heard voices in the reception area.
Trudy was holding open the station’s door. The men were grabbing their gear about to file out, Rachel and Koa behind them.
“What’d I miss?” Jax said.
Koa turned at the sound of his voice, trotting to his side. Jax squatted next to her, draping his arm gently over her back.
“Nothing to worry about, boss,” Rachel said.
“Just a routine traffic revision, chief,” Brody said. “We’ve got it.” He’d gelled down his wispy brown hair today, making him look young. Too young.
“I’ve got forty minutes before…”
“Oh no you don’t, Jax Turner,” Trudy said. “It’s a half-hour drive to Abby, and you will not be late.”
Rachel lifted a brow at her black lab, who promptly returned to her side.
Fine. Jax stood. He’d wanted a team he could rely on, and he had one. So why did he feel left out? “Who’s in need of traffic revision anyway?”
“Fire department,” Trudy said.
“There’s an apartment complex on fire at the edge of town,” Rachel said.
Battalion Chief Mike O’Brien rarely requested assistance. With the remaining tourists eking out the last of their holiday weekend there could be a traffic log, he supposed.
“I’ll go with you,” Jax said.
Rachel held up her hands in a stop gesture. “Please. Get out of here and have a good time.”
Before he could protest, Rachel was out the door and Trudy shut it behind them. Through the glass, Jax watched his team slide into two of the patrol cars.
“You heard your deputy, hon. Get your stuff and head to Abby’s. And don’t come back until you and that saint of a woman have worked everything out.”
Trudy was right. He needed to check his ego. Misty Pines could handle a week without him.
A call came through Trudy’s headset which she tapped to answer. She settled behind her desk as he grabbed his bag, her voice fading as he walked outside.
“Yes, Mrs. Harper. Just a small fire. Nothing to worry about.”
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Author Bio
Eighteen years in the legal field, and an over-active imagination, led Mary Keliikoa to plot murder—novels that is. She is the author of the domestic thriller DON’T ASK, DON’T FOLLOW, the newly released KILLER TRACKS, the third book in the Misty Pines mystery series which is an IPPY Silver and Bronze Award winner, Silver Falchion finalist, and a Foreword Indies award finalist, and the Shamus and CLUE Finalist, and Lefty, Agatha and Anthony nominated “PI Kelly Pruett” mystery series. Her short stories have appeared in Woman’s World and the anthology Peace, Love and Crime.
