Bøger udgivet af Kensington Publishing

It’s time for SAC Gaines, also known as Hot Shot, to turn up the heat on the Inglewood 13s and get the vengeance he seeks for his family. Will he be able to maintain his professionalism without letting his emotions override the task at hand?Turned Up is the third installment of the Hot Shot series. Hot Shot is back home in California. Operation Clean Up is his mission, but not his primary concern. He has been tasked with bringing down the Inglewood 13s gang, since they’ve been targeted by the F.B.I. This suits Hot Shot just fine, because the Inglewood 13s are also responsible for the murders of his parents and his brother. This mission gives Hot Shot the opportunity to do his job and get the revenge he seeks. Hot Shot has become increasingly more violent, almost to the point where he has no control, and that bothers him greatly. Yet, he’s dead set on murdering every man or woman that had anything to do with the murders of his family. 

What happens when a woman who's realized her dreams wakes up to a shocking truth? Shobhan Bantwal's poignant new novel weaves a captivating tale of one woman's return to India: the place where she lost everything-and now has everything to gain...It is a morning like any other in suburban New Jersey when Vinita Patil opens the battered envelope postmarked "Mumbai." But the letter inside turns her comfortable world upside down. It tells Vinita an impossible story: she has a grown son in India whose life may depend on her...Once upon a time, a naïve young college girl fell for a wealthy boy whose primary interests were cricket and womanizing. Vinita knew, even then, that a secret affair with a man whose language and values were different from her own was a mistake. He finished with her soon enough-leaving her to birth a baby that was stillborn. Or so Vinita was told...Now, that child is a grown man in desperate need. To help her son, to know him, Vinita must revisit her darkest hours by returning to her battle-scarred homeland-and pray for the faith of the family she leaves behind...Praise for Shobhan Bantwal and her novels..."Dazzles you with a taste of Desi culture in America." -Caridad Piñeiro, New York Times bestselling author on The Sari Shop Widow"Compelling and memorable." -Mary Jo Putney, New York Times bestselling author on The Forbidden Daughter"Vivid, rich...expertly portrays a young woman caught between love and duty, hope and despair." -Anjali Banerjee on The Dowry Bride

Every family has a hidden story-even the perfect ones. Dig just a little, beyond the smiling holiday photographs and the oft-repeated anecdotes, and other memories come flooding back-the kind that can compel a family to stick together through catastrophe, or drive a chasm between them forever.On the morning James McCloud, a Seattle district attorney, gets a call from his sister, Celeste, he senses his own long-buried family history is about to be dragged into the light. James's father, Daniel, a police officer, disappeared eight years ago. Now his body has finally been found. James always believed that his father committed suicide after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. But the evidence leaves no doubt: Daniel was murdered.James immediately returns to Cold Falls, New York, to be with the rest of his family. His mother, Ada, seems worn out and blank with disbelief. James's brother, Billy, is twenty-one, gay, and even more troubled than James remembers. His brother-in-law, Nate Derry, is the town sheriff charged with investigating the case, and the mistrust that has hovered between them-ever since James dated Nate's stepsister Nancy years ago-still exists. When James's high school ring is discovered with Daniel's body, making him the prime suspect, the McCloud and Derry families are both thrust into controversy and chaos. And as the truth emerges, piece by piece, so do the shadows and secrets in each relationship-secrets powerful enough to threaten another life and destroy the bonds that still remain.Both suspenseful and deeply moving, What We Remember paints a compelling, thought-provoking portrait of a family as ordinary, as unique, as comforting and strange as our own. With unerring insight and candor, Michael Thomas Ford explores the complex ties-between fathers and sons, brothers and sisters, mother and child-that we may strive to leave behind but are compelled to carry with us, and reveals how little we can ever know with certainty, especially about those closest to us.Praise For The Novels Of Michael Thomas FordChanging Tides"A deft sense of place and a handle on romance that's neither sappy nor shallow will help set this one apart." --Publishers WeeklyFull Circle"Ford knows how to draw in a reader."-Entertainment Weekly"A beautiful exploration of what it means to be lifelong friends."--H/X MagazineLooking For It"An insightful and entertaining read about what we seek, and what answers we find within and without."-Booklist"Ford handles his broad, diverse cast with aplomb, and his knowing sense of humor and emphasis on the positive make this novel as warm and inviting as a group hug."--Publishers WeeklyLast Summer"He effectively draws his readers into the wild world of Provincetown...plenty of page-turning drama...a winner." -Entertainment Weekly

""Kiki captures the heat of the streets."" --Wahida ClarkEssence® bestselling author Kiki Swinson keeps it coming with a gritty drama about one cunning sistah playing a very dangerous game with the law.Playing dirty is a skill that Yoshi Lomax has perfected. By bribing cops and officials, sleeping with her boss, and convincing her friend in the DEA to make evidence disappear, Yoshi has become a top criminal defense attorney. And she has the multimillion-dollar Miami pad and Aston Martin to prove it. But when she takes the case of badass Haitian mob boss Sheldon Chisholm, her usual way of doing business--by any means necessary--doesn't work. Someone has gotten to the people on her payroll and an unknown enemy is sabotaging her every move. With the list of people she can depend on dwindling, Yoshi's got to toughen up if she's going to survive. . .More praise for Kiki Swinson""Kiki Swinson is unstoppable. Whether she's writing about life in the 'hood or living the fabulous life, one thing is for sure--Kiki always delivers a sizzling read."" --Crystal Lacey Winslow, Essence® bestselling author

From the acclaimed author of "Trouble Loves Company" comes a smart, sexy, heartfelt new novel about friendship, love, lust--and a whole lot of trouble in between.

Divine pens the fourth novel in an exciting new teen series that's gaining rave reviews and capturing the voice of young black America.

One sultry night, a young bride overhears an extraordinary conversation. The voices speak of a plot to murder a wife who has failed to produce a child and whose family has failed to produce the promised dowry... Megha is sick with horror when she realizes she is the intended victim. Her husband-the very man who tied the sacred necklace of marriage around her neck-and his mother are plotting to kill her! In the moment of panic, she runs for her life. Frantically racing through Palgaum's deserted streets, her way lit only by the lights strung up for the Diwali festival, her single goal is to escape death by fire. But fleeing from her would-be killers seems impossible-unless she can find someone to help her...To approach her best friend would bring scandal to an innocent woman's doorstep, and turning to her own strict, conservative family is out of the question. Instead, with nothing but the sari she wears and a memory of kindness, Megha finds her way to Kiran, the one man who has shown her friendship and respect. Hiding her in his apartment, Kiran becomes her protector. But the forbidden attraction that grows between them can only bring more danger...Caught between tradition and the truths buried in her heart, a dowry bride will discover the real cost of the only things worth having in life..."Packed with detail...splendidly depicts passion, brutality, and cultures in conflict."--Dorothy Garlock

Carl Weber, the New York Times bestselling author of Up to No Good, will keep you on edge with this tale of three lifelong friends. . .James Robinson and his wife have had their rough patches. But seven years into their marriage, things are better than ever...until James's past comes back to haunt him-with a baby in tow.James's best friend, Brent Williams, has always had women throwing themselves at him, but it's taken Brent a while to find someone who wants him for the man he is on the inside. His plus-sized fiancée isn't his usual type, but they seem like a match made in heaven-until a sexy third party comes along...When Sonny Harrison's wife sends him packing, he's lonely until he reunites with his high school sweetheart. But as his feelings for her get a little too intense, Brent and James may be the only ones who can intervene. But will that mean losing their friend forever?"Captivating and heartfelt...a satisfying read." -The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers"Major revelations and an eye-raising twist will make even seen-it-all fans gasp." -Publishers Weekly Includes an excerpt from Carl Weber's new novel.Chapter One James Call me kinky, but there is nothing in the world that turns me on more than hearing a woman scream pleasurable obscenities as I make love to her. And that's exactly what my lovely wife, Cathy, was doing as I held onto her hips and plunged into her from behind. Our two boys, James Jr. and Michael, were with my mother for the weekend, and Cathy and I were taking advantage of their absence by spending some quality time together. We'd gone out to dinner with my buddy Brent and his fiancée, Alison, taken in a movie, then came home and finished off a bottle of wine before making love on the living room sofa. We were now on our second round in our bedroom, going at it like two lusty college students in heat. "I love you, James," my wife moaned affectionately, clutching the sheets as one climax took over for another. "I love you too," I growled back as my body stiffened and my own pleasure erupted. Totally spent, Cathy lay flat on her stomach while I gently collapsed onto her back, gasping for air. After a brief recovery, I slid my sweat-soaked body off hers. She snuggled up next to me and I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her in close, her back to my front. I was so exhausted, I wanted to just close my eyes and let the sedative of sex take me to dreamland. But I couldn't do that because it was against the rules-rules we'd created almost two years ago to keep our marriage together. Rules that had made this the happiest two years of my life. Somehow, I was going to have to force myself to stay awake at least ten more minutes and talk to her before allowing myself the enjoyment of sleep. I kissed her neck, whisperin

"If you know the enemy and you know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt."-Sun-TzuThe Art of War, the classic book on warfare by Chinese general Sun-Tzu, has served as an inspiration to kings and warriors for more than two thousand years. In modern times, business executives and athletes have used its wisdom to gain the upper hand over competitors. Now, author and avid poker player David Apostolico reveals The Art of War's uncanny application to the game of poker and, particularly, to poker tournaments. He extracts key passages and principles that will show you how to play like a fearless general-attacking your opponents' weaknesses, hiding your own strengths, and knowing when and how to move in for the kill.Winning poker tournaments requires far more than mastery of basic poker strategy. Tournament players must balance two goals-chip accumulation and survival. In no-limit tournaments, players can attack with their entire stack at any time. The rewards can be huge, but one mistake may mean elimination. As in warfare, organization and discipline are the most important attributes in successful tournament play. Apostolico shows you how to hone those skills and apply the other key principles that lie at the heart of Sun-Tzu's philosophy. You'll learn how to:Weaken your opponent before engaging himForce your opponent to do things he does not wish to doAchieve your aims by indirect and unexpected means Evaluate the pros and cons of every course of actionTake advantage of changing circumstancesStrike with maximum strength against your opponent's weakest pointsAnd much more.Whether you're a casual player eager to enter your first tournament, or a seasoned pro looking to enhance your game, Tournament Poker and The Art of War is a pivotal step on your road to victory.David Apostolico plays in dozens of poker tournaments each year. He has won tournaments both online and in Atlantic City. His next book is Machiavellian Poker Strategy.

"I give this book top grades for humanness and honesty. Some parents will find that its humorousness helps them over the embarrassment."-Dr. Spock Over A Million Copies Sold! An international and beloved bestselling children's classic, Where Did I Come From? helps parents and their curious children get up close and personal with the intimate world of human sexuality in the form of a picture book. Told in an age-appropriate voice respectful of young people's natural intelligence and warmly and relatably illustrated throughout, Where Did I Come From? creates a safe space where families can learn about the traditional facts of life-from the different parts of the body to orgasm to birth. If you've been wondering how to have this talk with your children, look no further for a trusted resource that will give you the tools you need to share this critical information sensitively and factually. "The best description of sexual intercourse that is out there for children."-Sexedrescue.com "You can't deny Mayle's talent for translating adult experience into child-level concepts." -Kirkus Reviews

These two lost souls find everything they wanted once they step outside of their comfort zones and into each other’s arms. However, some people are meant to fall in love but not meant to be together. Can two people with a painful past build a better future? Does love really conquer all?Bostyn “Easy” Reel has always felt like he didn’t belong. He is stuck between two worlds: in one world, he is being who he really wants to be, and in the other world, he is being only what his family allows him to be. He feels like he is drowning in darkness, haunted by his past. After finding out that he was adopted, Bostyn finds himself on a search to discover who he really is. When Meelah Summers meets Bostyn, it is as if the broken pieces of her heart fit together perfectly with the broken pieces of his. Meelah felt empty growing up without her mother, being raised by a father who was never there. Meeting Bostyn couldn’t have come at a better time. The only problem is Meelah’s father is a well-known drug distributor, and Bostyn’s adoptive father is the head of the Anne Arundel County Police Department—the same police department responsible for killing her mother.

Turning into his father--a manipulating, deceitful man, Ken Ferguson, whose philosophy is no commitment, no attachments, meets his match in a girl who makes him want to stop his promiscuous ways until she breaks his heart, sending him spiraling out of control.

"Fed up with feeling powerless, Lihanny takes the drug world by storm when she meets Malaki. But what happens when the love for the game trumps everything else? As a woman, Lihanny must work double time to prove herself to be respected as the Trap Queen. Headstrong just like her father, Lihanny will knock down anything that stands in her way"--

It’s all one big, messy pot of gumbo! By the end of this love story, can Terrence and Tiffany finally prove that love, in fact, does exist for them? Find out in I Didn’t Think You Existed 2: A Fool in Love.Fate brought Terrence Montgomery and Tiffany Tate into each other’s lives. They seem like the perfect match. However, they couldn’t have met at a more inopportune time. Terrence is considering divorce from his wife, Patricia, who he’s never truly been in love with, while also struggling with the recent and sudden death of his father. Tiffany just got wind that her ex-fiancé, David, is battling cancer—supposedly. His dying wish is that she’ll give him another chance at love. Her heart wants to be there for him, but will this cost her newfound love with Terrence? Their mates, Patricia and David, have now teamed up to keep the two lovers apart as well as get their hands on a portion of the one million dollars from Terrence’s father’s estate. Little does Tiffany know that their underhanded schemes will not be her only obstacle. Malaysia and Roslyn, two very single women who cross paths with Terrence in his time of despair, both believe that he is also their blessing from God. They have their own tricks up their sleeves to keep him all to themselves.

From the notorious Lizzie Borden to the innumerable, haunted rooms of Sarah Winchester's mysterious mansion, this offbeat, insightful, first-ever book of its kind explores the history behind America's female ghosts, the stereotypes, myths, and paranormal tales that swirl around them, what their stories reveal about us-and why they haunt us…Sorrowful widows, vengeful jezebels, innocent maidens, wronged lovers, former slaves, even the occasional axe-murderess-America's female ghosts differ widely in background, class, and circumstance. Yet one thing unites them: their ability to instill fascination and fear, long after their deaths. Here are the full stories behind some of the best-known among them, as well as the lesser-known-though no less powerful. Tales whispered in darkness often divulge more about the teller than the subject. America's most famous female ghosts, from from 'Mrs. Spencer' who haunted Joan Rivers' New York apartment to Bridget Bishop, the first person executed during the Salem witchcraft trials, mirror each era's fears and prejudices. Yet through urban legends and campfire stories, even ghosts like the nameless hard-working women lost in the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire -achieve a measure of power and agency in death, in ways unavailable to them as living women. Riveting for skeptics and believers alike, with humor, curiosity, and expertise, A Haunted History of Invisible Women offers a unique lens on the significant role these ghostly legends play both within the spook-seeking corners of our minds and in the consciousness of a nation. "A Haunted History of Invisible Women looks beyond the legends of maligned female ghosts and gives us their real histories. It is both a meditation on the misogyny of a ghost-hunting culture that capitalizes on false narratives of sex and death, and a fascinating look at the flesh-and-blood women behind the ghost stories. This book is a long-overdue search for historic truth, yet it recognizes that "When it comes to ghosts, truth is as elusive as the spirits themselves." -Chris Woodyard, Author of The Victorian Book of the Dead.Afterword by Bram Stoker Award-winning author Linda D. Addison

As the Civil War rages between the states, a courageous pair of spies plunge fearlessly into a maelstrom of ignorance and danger, combining their unique skills to alter the course of history and break the chains of the past in New York Times bestselling Alyssa Cole’s first installment in The Loyal League...Named a Best Book of the Year by Entertainment Weekly * Bookpage * Kirkus * Vulture * Publishers Weekly * Booklist 1861. Elle Burns is a former slave with a passion for justice. She also possesses a photographic memory. She has the rare fortune—a human right—to live a free life. But to spy for the Union Army, she is willing to risk the brutal indignity of the slave system deeply entrenched in the South. Malcolm McCall is a seasoned detective for Pinkerton's Secret Service. His latest mission is his riskiest yet: to infiltrate and embed himself within a Rebel Virginia enclave. Together with Elle, these two brave spies stumble across a plot that could turn the tide of the war in the Confederacy's favor. Caught in a tightening web of wartime intrigue, Malcolm and Elle must make their boldest move to preserve the Union at any cost—even if it means losing each other . . . “Blending the high stakes of history with convincing emotional connections, every installment in Cole's Civil War-set trilogy are must-reads.” —Oprah Daily

Lily Roberts pores over the clues in a piping hot new case when a confrontational celebrity chef is murdered at her Cape Cod tearoom during the filming of a popular baking show in the latest Tea by the Sea mystery from national bestselling author Vicki Delany . . .The country's hottest TV cooking show is coming to Cape Cod. And against her better judgment, Lily Roberts is entering America Bakes! with her charming tearoom, Tea by the Sea! Filming is already proving disruptive, closing the tearoom during Lily's busiest season. But tensions really bubble over when infamous bad-boy chef and celebrity judge, Tommy Greene, loses his temper with Lily's staff, resulting in an on-camera blowout with Cheryl Wainwright. Just as Lily thinks the competition can't get more bitter, Tommy is found dead in Tea by the Sea's kitchen . . . murdered with Cheryl's rolling pin. Suspicion immediately falls on Cheryl, but the temperamental star has racked up plenty of culinary clashes in the past, both on- and off-screen. And nearly anyone associated with Tommy or the show could be the killer: be it one of Lily's fierce competitors, a member of the beleaguered film crew, or even one of Tommy's fellow judges-struggling cookbook maven, Claudia D'Angelo or beauty contest winner, Scarlet McIntosh. Now, while she's baking up a storm for the show, Lily must also whip up an impromptu investigation . . . before the murderer rolls someone else away.

A whimsical romcom from the acclaimed author of the Reese Witherspoon YA Book Club Pick Furia, perfect for fans of The Spanish Love Deception and Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating. An accomplished young woman decides to throw herself a quinceañera (times two) for her 30th birthday after calling off her wedding, but then discovers what it really means to come into her own. “An enchanting novel overflowing with self-love and second chances.”—Kirkus ReviewsA Cosmopolitan Summer Read You Need | A Goodreads Book to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month | A Scary Mommy Summer Book Pick | Bibliolifestyle Books to Read for Hispanic Heritage MonthOne month short of her wedding day—and her thirtieth birthday—Nadia Palacio finds herself standing up to her infuriating, cheating fiancé for the first time in . . . well, ever. But that same courage doesn’t translate to breaking the news to her Argentinian family. She’s hyperventilating before facing them when she glimpses a magazine piece about a Latina woman celebrating herself—with a second quinceañera, aka Sweet 15! And that gives Nadia a brilliant idea . . .With a wedding venue already paid for, and family from all over the world with plane tickets, Nadia is determined to create her own happily-ever-after. Since the math adds up perfectly, she’ll celebrate her treintañera, her double quinces. As the first professional in her family, raising a glass to her achievements is the best plan she’s had in years. Until she discovers that the man in charge of the venue is none other than her college fling that became far more than a fling. And he looks even more delicious than a three-tiered cake . . .Full of exuberant heart, Twice a Quinceañera is a pure delight for every woman who needs to be her own biggest fan—and who dreams of a second chance at first love.“Heartwarming…A fun, empowering romp.” —Publishers Weekly “A warm, romantic story.” –Booklist

New York Times bestselling author Lisa Black launches a pulse-pounding new series with a taut, compelling forensic thriller that introduces Dr. Ellie Carr and Dr. Rachael Davies, who must combine their expertise to solve deadly crimes . . .When D.C. crime scene analyst Dr. Ellie Carr is called to investigate the heartrending case of a missing baby, she's shocked to discover that the child's mother is her own cousin. Close during their impoverished childhoods, Ellie and Rebecca eventually drifted apart. Rebecca is now half of a Washington power couple, and she and her wealthy lobbyist husband, Hunter, have been living a charmed life in an opulent mansion-until their infant son is taken. "Every contact leaves a trace." That's the basic principle of forensic science followed by pathologist Dr. Rachael Davies. A reluctant Ellie is teamed with Rachael, employed by Hunter to help with the investigation. Rachael is assistant dean at the prestigious Locard Forensic Institute, named in honor of the French criminologist who inspired the profession. But in this case, discovering where those traces lead quickly becomes a dangerous journey through a web of greed and deadly ambition.At first antagonists, then allies, Ellie and Rachael race to find the baby alive and bring the kidnappers to justice. What seemed like a simple ransom grab reveals links to a lobbying effort to loosen regulations on a billion-dollar gaming empire. Unless they can piece together the evidence before the Senate hearing, Rebecca's son-and others like him-will face an unthinkable fate . . .

Beloved storyteller Fern Michaels, #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Sisterhood, Godmothers, and Men of the Sisterhood Series, masterfully blends adventure, redemption, and rich emotion in her unforgettable novel of healing and hope.Against all odds, Abby Mitchell has turned her life around. But in her crowning moment of celebration, dark clouds from the past threaten to undo everything she’s worked so hard for… For the first time ever, Abby Mitchell feels that the world is her oyster. Her first book has found a publisher, a daring new surgery is on the horizon, and there’s a new man in her life, a man who sees beyond any flaws…into her heart. Best of all, though, is that Abby has been reunited with her sister Mallory. Separated as girls after their parents died in a double tragedy, Abby always dreamed that, one day, they would be together again. But while the two loving sisters make up for lost time, danger hides in the shadows. Now, Abby and Mallory have planned a sumptuous party—unaware that their gathering will include an uninvited guest who will do anything to keep the past hidden…

Apparently, the mouthwatering new ice cream flavors on the menu in coastal Bar Harbor, Maine, are really just to die for . . .Food and cocktails columnist Hayley Powell doesn't know what to believe when Lydia Partridge, the put-together owner of gourmet Bar Harbor Ice Cream, suddenly reveals fears that her husband may be having an affair. There's no other way to explain why Jamie, a respected professor, was spotted in a remote part of town with a much younger woman. But instead of learning the truth about the secret meeting, Lydia opens her freezer truck to find another surprise-the dead body of a summer employee . . .The shock continues as photographic evidence proves Jamie was spending time off campus with the victim, one of his students. Now, Lydia desperately needs Hayley to discover if Jamie really is a cheater-and, worse, a ruthless killer. With her own complicated family issues to address, can Hayley make sense of a popular college girl's love life and out the true culprit before the case, or another person, goes cold?

It's not just a thousand miles that separates Hanna Majewski from her younger sister, Stefa. There is another gulf--between the traditional Jewish ways that Hanna chose to leave behind in Warsaw, and her new, independent life in London. But as autumn of 1940 draws near, Germany begins a savage aerial bombing campaign in England, killing and displacing tens of thousands. Hanna, who narrowly escapes death, is recruited as a spy in an undercover operation that sends her back to her war-torn homeland. In Hanna's absence, her parents, sister, and brother have been driven from their comfortable apartment into the Warsaw Ghetto. Sealed off from the rest of the city, the Ghetto becomes a prison for nearly half a million Jews, struggling to survive amid starvation, disease, and the constant threat of deportation to Treblinka. Once a pretty and level-headed teenager, Stefa is now committed to the Jewish resistance. Together, she, Hanna, and Janka, a family friend living on the Aryan side of the city, form a trio called The War Girls. Against overwhelming odds and through heartbreak they will fight to rescue their loved ones, finding courage through sisterhood to keep hope alive...

Living in a lighthouse with her dog, Lindsey Bakewell is lulled to sleep at night by the sound of Lake Michigan's waves-and gets up at the crack of dawn to start the day at her bakery café. But someone in Beacon Harbor is about to rock the boat with murder . . .After a career on Wall Street, Lindsey is making a different kind of dough in a pretty lakeside village, and the upcoming blueberry festival-including the pie-eating contest her bakery is hosting-is the highlight of the summer. But soon Beacon Harbor runs into a patch of trouble.A local real estate agent gets pranked. A parade float gets pelted with water balloons. It's all laughed off until the stunts start escalating-and looking more like sabotage. As the event turns into a debacle complete with rampaging goats, Lindsey's sweetheart, a former SEAL, starts investigating. But the juicy mystery takes a bitter turn when a man-dressed up as a Viking-is found dead in a boat, and it's no longer mischief but murder . . .

"Since returning home from mainland California and finding her groove with the family tourism business, Whitney Dagner's daily routine has become a wonderfully chaotic adventure. She and her nimble kitty, Whiskers, often find themselves at the center of the action on Catalina, from staged treasure hunts to gossipy birdwatchers. But before Whit can get too comfortable in the place where she grew up, a gift shop order leads to a stunning discovery--someone's dead body ... One of Whit's best boat tour clients, Leo Franklin was young and newly engaged when he unceremoniously took his own life. Only it doesn't seem like that's what really happened--not after the suspicious activity displayed by his family's old rivals at the scene of his death. As a bitter, generations-long feud between Leo's kin and the local Ahern clan comes to a head, Whit and her police diver not-so-ex-boyfriend must lead a dangerous investigation into years of scandal and bad blood to figure out who's innocent ... and who's covering a killer's tracks"--

For a tiny town, picturesque Wilfred, Oregon, has everything, including an impressive library housed in a Victorian mansion, a touch of magic in new librarian and fledgling witch, Josie Way, a visiting movie star-and a curious tendency toward murder . . . Josie and all of Wilfred are buzzing with excitement. A-list movie star Daphne Morris has chosen to interview Roz, assistant librarian and novelist, for her book club. But when the glamorous actress quickly charms both Roz's long-time love and sheriff Sam, the object of Josie's unrequited affection, Josie turns to the whispers from her beloved books for ideas on revising the plot. Yet soon there's another twist . . . At a party to celebrate the interview, Daphne's personal chef is found dead in a scene that all too closely echoes one in Roz's novel. It's clear to Josie that someone's idea of a happy ending means framing her friend. She'll have to read between the lines with the help of the library's enchanted stacks, guidance from her magical grandmother's letters, and her cat familiar, Rodney, to solve this murder before someone decides to stage a deadly sequel . . .

In eastern Kentucky, Miranda Trent runs a unique tour company called Paint & Shine, but sometimes the peaceful mountains play host to murder . . .Miranda's business-combining Appalachian adventure tours with art and a bit of moonshine-is the perfect place for an outdoor sporting goods company to hold an employee retreat. It'll be a challenge, but the money they're paying will definitely help with building her new distillery. Miranda has lots of teamwork-fostering activities planned, from sketching classes to Southern cooking, but the executive running things prefers a more competitive spirit. In fact, after the workers are split into teams, they're told that only the winners will keep their jobs, and tensions begin to spike. Even after a participant is found dead, the contest continues-while Miranda starts drawing her own conclusions about the ambitious attendees. Now she just has to find the proof . . .

A rash of poison pen letters has enveloped the sleepy English village of Walmsley Parva in cloud of suspicion and paranoia. But when rampant aspersions culminate in murder, enquiry agents Beryl Helliwell and Edwina Davenport must stamp out the evil-minded epistles . . . What began for two dear if very different friends-an American adventuress and a prim and proper Brit-as a creative response to the lean times following the Great War has evolved into a respectable private enquiry business. So much so that Constable Gibbs calls upon Beryl and Edwina to solve a curious campaign of character assassination. A series of anonymous accusations sent via post have set friend against friend and neighbor against neighbor. In her new position as magistrate, Edwina has already had to settle one dispute that led to fisticuffs. Even Beryl has received a poison pen letter, and while she finds its message preposterous and laughable, others are taking the missives to heart. Their headstrong housekeeper Beddoes is ready to resign and one villager has attempted to take her own life. The disruption of the peace goes far beyond malicious mischief when another villager is murdered. Now it's up to the intrepid sleuths to read between the lines and narrow down the suspects to identify the lethal letter writer and ensure that justice is delivered . . .