Showing posts with label Murder Madness & Love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Murder Madness & Love. Show all posts

Saturday, April 1, 2023

No April Fooling - The Entire Series for $5.99

 

Amazon.com only .99 cents each
For the Entire Month of APRIL!


&
Are you ready for a 
It's HERE!


Prepare now
Post April 19th thru the 21st

&





I took part in a Writing Challenge sponsored by Nicole Breit called 
The 555 Story Challenge.
All about CNF (Creative Non-Fiction)
The exercises were filled with tips and exercises.
Each one was thoughtful, useful, and fun.
After the lesson, she tasked us to write 100-word paragraphs 
based on the lesson.
It was fun and definitely challenging.
Here are my entries:

MONSTER

"The Monster Mash" played on the radio the night I wore my best blue dress with lace and black patent leather Mary Janes. Gary, the boy next door, told me I was special, a princess. We danced. I was four and balanced perfectly on his black leather loafers. The lights were dim, and the house was empty. We were alone, but I wasn't afraid.

He made me laugh.

But mom yelled at me for peeing my pants. A good girl would never let a boy tickle them.

The truth surfaced in nightmares, and every time I hear "The Monster Mash."

~~*~~

Thrown Away

Every item I owned, books, typewriter, and clothes, sat on the back porch. "I'm done. You're gone." Tears fell nonstop as she deliberately shredded my heart. "Forgive me. Please. I'll do anything." Mortally scarred, I leaned against the refrigerator for support and clearly recall how cool the metal felt against my fire-hot skin.

Mom washed the breakfast dishes. Soapsuds rinsed off before she placed them on the drainboard. So calm and indifferent. Memories include the smell of dish soap, bubbles, and spiraling steam. But her words are forever etched on my soul. "It's just a shame you were ever born."

~~*~~

UTOPIA

Anticipation grew with each mile vanquished on the flight to Fairbanks, Alaska. In an open jeep, we drove through miles and miles of emerald conifers and stately white birch. The Tanana Valley, a kaleidoscope of earthly browns and jades, was framed by snowcaps. Mount Denali, the sovereign.

A rusting gold dredge scarred the pristine landscape. But crisp, clean air, fresher than a stick of Wintergreen gum, clears my soul of discontent. Poe's aristocratic black ravens cawed a welcome, or was it a warning?

No matter. I'm energized, even though I have no idea what's ahead. Truly free, I've found utopia.

~~*~~

CASUAL


Don't look at the clock. The wait will lengthen. Don't admit your love. He'll disappear. Four hours later.

Breathe. Stay cool. It's just a little landslide. The train will arrive soon. He'll be glad you're here.

I pace. Distract myself with magazines, scenery, and even eavesdropping, yet time seems to stand still. Unsettled, I consider driving to him, but what if he's not on the train? Did he change his mind?

Miss Independent waits for no man, yet she's wasting time for—him.

After all, no strings—no emotional ties means no regrets. It was our vow.

We were wrong.

~~*~~

PRECOGNITION

I'm flying through the windshield and shards of glass sparkle like stars as they move with me. Blood trails in gelatinous drops. There is no pain as my mangled body reposes face down in a ditch. Cars speed by. Has no one noticed?

I gasped.

"Are you all right?" my boyfriend asks. He's driving."

"Yes," I whisper.

The day passes.

The next morning, as I round the bumper, I'm stopped cold. An invisible wall of dread, an intense heart-stopping fear restrains me.

Is death stalking me?

My hands shake. Keys clatter on cement.

For ten days, I'm unable to drive.

~~*~~

HAPPY APRIL!

 

Thursday, November 25, 2021

Black Friday - The Snowman - Free

 


Starting Black Friday, 

November 26th @ midnight

to November 30th @ midnight 

THE SNOWMAN

FREE!

EXCERPT:

Crowds had gathered for the annual Halloween party at The Office Bar on Sixth Avenue. The Channel 6 News anchors and their admirers swigged cocktail after cocktail, except Denise Cochran, who still nursed her first drink. A business-like motif of steel, wood and modern furniture inspired sterility, not party fun, but tonight, the place pulsated with life. Denise sipped her Cosmo as her foot tapped to the latest pop music tunes from the live band Heart Stop.

She checked her watch. "Dammit, Steven, where are you?" she muttered.

"What happened? He finally figure out you were only dating him for that juicy murder story?" Kylie asked, slurring her words.

"Nice friend you are. Isn’t that your fifth drink? You’re drunk—start ordering coffee before you embarrass yourself. Steven will be here. You’ll see."

"How long you gonna string this one along? And I’m not drunk, just pleasantly buzzed." She craned her neck and winked. Denise’s gaze followed.

"Sorry I’m late," Steven said and gave Denise a peck on the cheek. "What’d I miss?"

"Nothing." Denise glared at Kylie and quickly led Steven away from her loose-mouthed friend. "What took you so long?"

"Work. It’s been maddening trying to figure out this guy. Was that the friend you’ve been telling me about? Why didn’t you introduce us?"

"Come dance with me. I’ll introduce you later."

She rested her head on his shoulder as the music changed to a slow number. "It’s not snowing yet." She locked eyes with him. "I want your full attention. Later, the Snowman can have it. Much later." She touched his cheek and moved in closer. 

Steven stopped moving. "The Snowman? Please don’t tell me you’ve named him publicly."

"Sorry. It’s going to hit the airwaves tonight. First, the report on the snowstorm, and then speculation on whether another girl will disappear," Denise said.

"Shit! The press is turning this into a three-ring circus. You're giving the bastard just what he wants. The Snowman, really!"

*****

The other books in the series are:

Murder, Madness & Love

 Memories Of Murder

 Murder & Obsession

 Murder, Just Because

A Passion for Murder

         And not they are all selling for 

$1.99 

discounted just for Black Friday!


Own the entire series!

          Light is a fleeting moment in the frozen north that is Alaska. Although the sun shines brightly during the Summer Solstice, Detective Steven Quaid struggles to hold on to what he holds dear during life's darkest moments, his love for family, and professional achievement. Will a murderous stalker, a self-proclaimed Lucifer resurrected, or insidious obsession prove more powerful than this dedicated detective? Six separate life-threatening situations. One determined man.



enjoy!


Saturday, June 26, 2021

A Reader's Favorite - A Five Star Series!

A Passion for Murder

Book 6 of the Detective Quaid Mystery Series

By Yolanda Stout

 


BOOK REVIEW


Reviewed by Deborah Lloyd for Readers' Favorite

 Steven Quaid and his colleagues in the Anchorage Police Department’s investigative unit are dealing with another serial killer. The media has called him Killer Clean, due to his routine of vicious rapes and murders, followed by using bleach to erase all traces of himself. A new FBI director has been assigned to the area, and he asked a psychologist/author named Alice Foxx to be a consultant on the case. At the same time, Steven was dealing with PTSD, as a result of a previous case. Frightening nightmares and assaults were negatively affecting his marriage to Sarah who also needed to care for their baby Tiama. A Passion for Murder: A Detective Quaid Mystery Book 6, penned by Yolanda Renee, is a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat read.

One of the most unique aspects of this story is the information about the effects on rape victims, as well as specific facts about the incidence of rape in Alaska. Likewise, the psychological effects of earlier traumas on present traumatic events are portrayed well; how these affect love relationships is also interesting. How these facts are interwoven into the plot is inventive and flows smoothly. Like all good mysteries, vague clues are interspersed throughout the chapters; a mystery lover may have to speculate who the serial killer could be. Character development is well-formed, and every reader will be able to easily imagine the personality of each character. Author Yolanda Renee has ended this series of mystery books with a well-crafted story in A Passion for Murder. A captivating read from the first page to the last!

https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/a-passion-for-murder

Review Rating:

5 Stars 

~~***~~

Murder, Just Because

Book 5 of the Detective Quaid Mystery Series

By Yolanda Renee


BOOK REVIEW

Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite

Murder, Just Because is a work of mystery fiction in the detective/sleuth subgenre and was penned by author Yolanda Renée. The work is written for adult readers due to the usage of explicit language and some graphic scenes of violence and sexual situations. Subtitled ‘A Detective Quaid Mystery: The Return of The Snowman,” in this story we find ourselves once again with Steven Quaid after his successful capture of Stowy Jenkins, AKA the Snowman. Ten years later, Jenkins has escaped from prison and is hell-bent on punishing Quaid by picking off the people he cares about, one by one. As time ticks on and Jenkins gets closer to Quaid’s wife, Sarah, the detective must risk everything to put the Snowman to rest once and for all.

After several daring adventures in the world of serial killers and psychopaths, author Yolanda Renée manages to ramp up the stakes even higher in this non-stop thrill ride of terrifying situations and masterful deductions. Steven Quaid makes for a superb central figure with his sharp wits and well-honed instincts, but it was actually Sarah that impressed me most in terms of character development and her role in the plot. It’s wonderful to see an inclusive detective tale where other characters get to be resourceful and useful in their own right, and the effect gives an even more realistic and thrilling tone to the plot. Overall, I would highly recommend Murder, Just Because to readers seeking a thrilling cat and mouse action novel that bears all the hallmarks of a suspenseful and well-penned mystery too.

https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/murder-just-because

Review Rating:

5 Stars 

~~***~~

The Snowman

Prequel to the Detective Quaid Mystery Series Book 4


By Yolanda Renee

BOOK REVIEW

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

 The Snowman by Yolanda Renee is a prequel to the Detective Quaid Mysteries. Stowy Jenkins goes by another name. The Alaskans call him the Snowman and he is an artist. His medium of choice? Blood. A medium he is obsessed with, an obsession that leads to multiple murders. Detective Steven Quaid is a rookie and he draws the short straw to go after the Snowman. The two are drawn together is some twisted way, a relationship that proves deadly, and it is anyone’s guess who will come out of it intact. What starts out as a murder investigation turns into a deadly game of cat and mouse and Detective Quaid works to stop any more bloody and gruesome murders. The Snowman doesn’t want to stop and taunts Quaid into a deadly finale.

The Snowman: The Prequel to the Detective Quaid Mysteries by Yolanda Renee answered many questions. I have read all of the Quaid mystery stories and this one filled in a lot of the gaps about his early years. However, it can be read on its own, although I would highly recommend reading it as part of the series. Excellent story, really well-written and truly gripping. Ms. Renee certainly knows how to describe a scene to the extent that you believe it to be real. Compared to the rest of the series, this is a very dark book, somewhat gruesome, but a fantastic read. The development of the plot and the characters were second to none, and I would recommend this to anyone who likes a macabre, bloody thriller – this one meets all the criteria!

https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/the-snowman

~~***~~

Murder & Obsession

Book 3 of the Detective Quaid Mystery Series

By Yolanda Renee


BOOK REVIEW

Reviewed By Deborah Lloyd for Readers’ Favorite

The wilderness of Alaska is the setting for the third mystery novel in the Detective Quaid Mysteries, Murder & Obsession by Yolanda Renée. An Anchorage detective, Steven Quaid, renovates his wilderness cabin into a honeymoon retreat, preparing to bring his new bride, Sarah, there for a quiet honeymoon. After his work was complete, he set off on a hunting expedition. Upon his return, it appeared a murder had occurred in the cabin, and Sarah was missing. Being the primary suspect, Steven flees and the adventure begins. Not only does Steven have to fight the weather, wild bears, injuries, hunger and thirst, he is on a quest to find his beloved. Steven finds aid through the support of his uncle, and eventually his friends on the police force.

Murder & Obsession by Yolanda Renée offers many thrilling and suspense-filled moments. The reader becomes part of the breathtaking adventure, never quite sure which characters are on the side of honesty and justice, and which ones are corrupt and vicious. Ms. Renée presents a cast of many characters, some with dubious motivations and others with unwavering integrity. But, it is not always clear in which category some of these characters belong – making for an intriguing story. The romance of Steven and Sarah has not been a smooth road, and there are references to earlier times. It seems that reading the books in this series in order may be advisable, so that the history of their relationship is known. The many twists and turns in this novel create an enjoyable and entertaining read.


https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/murder-obsession


Review Rating:

4 Stars 


~~***~~

Memories of Murder

Book 2 of the Detective Quaid Mystery Series

By Yolanda Renee


BOOK REVIEW

Reviewed By Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers’ Favorite

Memories of Murder by Yolanda Renée is book 2 of the Detective Quaid Mysteries. Sarah is still having nightmares, only this time they are more real. Steven needs it to stop before it takes Sarah down. Caught up on another case, this time trying to prove himself, he shuts Sarah out but doesn’t like it when she takes up an offer to go on an art tour. Sarah is receiving roses but thinks they come from Steven – he knows better. Lucifer is out there, looking for his Lilith, but she is safe for now so he turns his attention to Sarah. She paints her nightmares, foretelling what it is to come, but will anyone believe her or will they continue to treat her as a disturbed and fragile woman? While the bodies continue to mount up, Lucifer is closing in on his real target – who will stop him, Steven or Sarah?


Memories of Murder (Detective Quaid Mysteries Book 2) is another example of how fine a writer Yolanda Renée is. I thoroughly enjoyed book 1 and could only hope that the second was as good – I certainly wasn’t disappointed. The mystery from book 1 continued in a similar vein with plenty going on to keep a reader’s attention. The old characters were developed a lot more and new ones introduced which kept the storyline fresh. I must say this was a deep plot this time, a little terrifying if I am honest, and it must have taken some time to weave all the threads of the different stories together. I hope that there will be a book three in the series although I’m not sure where it could go this time – maybe a different story altogether.


https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/memories-of-murder

 

Review Rating:

5 Stars 


~~***~~


Murder, Madness & Love

Book 1 of the Detective Quaid Mystery Series

By Yolanda Renee


BOOK REVIEW

 

Reviewed By Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers’ Favorite

Murder, Madness & Love (Detective Quaid Mysteries #1) by Yolanda Renée is a tale of murder, mystery and suspense. There’s a killer on the loose. A clever one. Sarah Palmer has earned herself the name of 'the black widow' after her husband died in a car accident. She flees to Anchorage in the hopes of making a new life for herself, but people are dying. Women who look like Sarah. Each one dies on the 14th of the month, a date that is well known to Sarah. Detective Quaid is in charge of the investigation and he has already made up his mind that Sarah is guilty. But he has to do his job and, together with a security firm, he does his best to protect Sarah while trying to find the culprit. He can’t work out if Sarah is genuinely innocent or if she is a mastermind at manipulation, but the bodies are piling up and Sarah’s nightmares are getting worse. Steven Quaid can’t take the chance that he has the guilty party – in case he doesn’t.

 

Murder, Madness & Love (Detective Quaid Mysteries #1) by Yolanda Renée is pure genius. I fell into this story right from the very first page and I genuinely could not put the book down until it was done. Yolanda Renée has woven a tale of sheer suspense, a story that is wound tight and runs like clockwork. The characters are extremely well developed and the details of their lives and their backgrounds seep out throughout the story. By the end of the book, you know those characters as if they were people you met with on a daily basis. The plot is ingenious. I thought I'd guessed who it was but, no, the story went off in a completely different direction and I don’t believe anyone will be able to guess the ending of this one. Excellent story, I'm really looking forward to the next one.


https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/murder-madness-love 


Review Rating:

5 Stars 

~~***~~


     





Saturday, April 30, 2016

Z - ZAZZY

Z IS FOR ZAZZY



Zazzy means shiny or flashy - stylish... And only one character in Murder & Obsession fits that role. Alice Foxx, Sarah's nemesis and a woman who shows up during Sarah's memorial to make another claim on the unsuspecting Detective.

Murder & Obsession
Excerpt:
Her perfume hit Steven’s senses a second before he saw Alice Foxx sashaying toward his table. He couldn’t even remember what he’d been saying as she drew closer and then planted herself between them. Her presence shocked Steven speechless. He had no idea Alice would come to Alaska for Sarah, a woman she hated. Her red dress and black fur coat were a bit pretentious for the event, but not for Alice’s personality.
“Well, if I haven’t located the two men who loved her most, acting civilly. Drowning your sorrows or comparing notes? May I join you? Sorry, Steven, I don’t mean to sound flippant.”
Alice had his complete attention, she smiled, and brushed a stray hair from his face, her touch made him cringe. He searched for the camera shooting the event hoping it missed the moment.
“You look incredible for a man who died in a bear attack.” She took his hand in hers. “I’m sorry about Sarah, and I mean that.”
Alice repositioned her chair closer to Steven and put her hand on his thigh. “From what I understand, you’ve located a few of those responsible. How many are there?”
Steven shrugged. “More than I’ve uncovered.”
Alice whispered in his ear, “I’m here as long as you need me.”



Read All the Amazon Reviews
of Murder & Obsession
HERE!

Thank you for supporting my Thunderclap!

Remember every comment during the A to Z will be an entry to win a 
paperback copy of the trilogy!
(signed if I can send by mail)

*********************************************************

This is it folks!

The last post of the
2016 A to Z Challenge

Whew! We did it!

Thank You!
Everyone one who posted
everyone who kept it short
everyone whose post was so interesting 
I had to know what happened next!

&

Thank You!

Especially to all  who commented
Reciprocated!

Everyone who stayed with the challenge
 despite the dirty laundry
the cold meals
and the un-swept floors!

You are my heroes!

See you for the IWSG on Wednesday!


Photo Copyright


Friday, April 29, 2016

Y - YOLANDA

y IS FOR YOLANDA


Okay, so I cheated for the letter Y and used my own name. Yolanda.

When it came down the 11th hour on Superbowl Sunday, it just made sense. Yes, I was working on my A to Z blogs, even then.

Denver was the team I was rooting for, but only because the Steelers nor the Seahawks made it. (Although, we all know they should have!)

Yolanda - meaning "violet flower" is of Greek and Spanish origin. Popular in the 1970's it's rank has fallen.

Renée - means rebirth. French. Every year the spring flowers bloom! Just like me. :)


What does your name mean? Check here.



Murder & Obsession

Excerpt:

They landed at Bishop Air Services at six in the morning and Steven’s attitude immediately changed, especially when Yurij’s red and white Piper Super Cub waited in front of a hangar. In the office at one end of the tarmac, they sought answers. A middle-aged woman, her hair styled in a crew cut, managed the place.
“May I see the flight logs for the plane flown by Yurij Markowski?” Steven asked.
“Why?” Her gaze went from his feet to the top of his head very slowly.
“Because I asked politely.” Steven smiled.
She returned his smile. “Trudy Bishop at your service, Detective.”
“Good to meet you, Ms. Bishop.”
“Have to admire a man who’d fight off two bears.” She put an arm around a young secretary who came out of a small office. “Right, Patty?”
“Right.” Patty cuddled close to Trudy.
“Yurij called an hour ago asking the mechanic to get his plane ready. What’s that crazy Russian done now?”

*****
What does Yurij mean?
(Old Greek) farmer, earthworker 


[ syll. yu-rij, yur-ij ] The name Yurij is pronounced as YUHRIYJH †. Yurij is used chiefly in the Russian language and it is derived from Old Greek origins. Yurij is a variant of the name George (English).




Read All the Amazon Reviews
of Murder & Obsession
HERE!


Thank you for supporting my Thunderclap!

Remember every comment during the A to Z will be an entry to win a 
paperback copy of the trilogy!
(signed if I can send by mail)