No April Fooling - The Entire Series for $5.99

 

All 6 eBooks for only $5.99

Amazon.com only .99 cents each

For the Entire Month of APRIL!

&

Are you ready for a 

NEW WEP CHALLENGE?

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!

 

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!

Novel Ideas

Mason Canyon just published a review for 

A Passion for Murder.

Just follow the link to read.

 https://masoncanyon.blogspot.com/2021/09/a-passion-for-murder.html 

A Passion for Murder

 

Excerpt:

 

PTSD

 

Several times in the two weeks after he'd reported for work, Steven was discovered asleep in Tiama’s room. A baby monitor and camera kept everyone informed of Tiama's needs, but for the third time this week, Steven ended up sleeping there too. No matter what time he came in from work, the nursery was the first place Steven would visit. It held a comfortable chair where he'd relax, often with his son in his arms. Since starting work, it's where he found respite. Without disturbing Steven, Sarah fed, then changed Tiama and rocked him back to sleep.

After she had her son taken care of, she tried to wake her husband. Sarah shook him gently. "Steven. Come to bed with me. You'll be more comfortable. I promise."

Startled, Steven jerked awake, grabbed her by the throat, his chair slamming shut with a loud thud as he stood. Forcing Sarah backward, he banged her head against the wall. The harsh growl from his throat sounded animalistic. His face contorted with the resolve to destroy his enemy.

Frightened and caught off guard, Sarah tried to scream. Instead, she could barely croak his name. "Steven." Failing, she made a fist and struck him. "Get off me." She tried to yell.

Her wallop caught his attention. He loosened his grip as it took him a second to realize what he was doing. The newly hired Nanny rushed into the room. She stopped cold, unsure of what was happening.

"Oh, God. Sarah, I’m so sorry." He held her close. "I’m so sorry. Are you okay?" He held her away from him to check the damage. She was clutching her neck and trying to get her breath. He moved her hand and saw the bruises already forming. "Oh my God, what have I done?"

"Nila, it's all right," Sarah told the frightened girl. "Tiama is sleeping," she rasped. "Go back to bed."

*****

Post-traumatic stress disorder is an anxiety disorder that develops following frightening, stressful, or distressing life events.

 

The symptoms may include:

·        Reliving–flashbacks, hallucinations, nightmares of the incident

·        Excessive arousal–increased alertness, anger, fits of rage, irritability, or hatred, difficulty sleeping or concentrating·         

Data from Focus Medica. Reviewed by a panel of doctors.Learn more

Consult a medical professional for advice

Steven and Sarah went through a horrendous year after The Snowman escaped prison. Steven knows Sarah suffers from PTSD, but he isn't willing to label his own stress the same. 

Denial is typical, but help is key to fighting your way through it. Something many of us have a tough time asking for and accepting.

What Would You Do?

 

How would you feel if you walked in to find your roommate murdered by a serial killer? In this excerpt, it's the day after Halloween…

A Passion for Murder

Excerpt:

The night after tricks and treats, an endless party, and way too much sugar in the form of alcohol, Cora French stumbled home at an embarrassing eight in the morning. It's called the walk of shame, but it had become a habit for this twenty-five-year-old. Cora preferred that to the more cautious nature of her roommate Susan.

Who would choose a night handing out candy to the little monsters? To a night of food, drink, and relentless dancing at the best masquerade party in town? Dressed as cat-woman, Cora tried to get her roommate Susan to attend. Suggesting she go as her favorite author, J K Rowling. Susan had said she might, but only after all the trick or treaters were appeased. She loved handing out the goodies.

That's why the sign on the front porch telling the goblins and ghosts to help themselves was so shocking to Cora. The bowl of candy was empty. She was surprised because her friend had listened to her suggestion, but it didn't explain why she hadn't seen Susan at the party. She unlocked the door, ready to hear her friend's lame excuse for skipping the party. Instead, the overpowering odor of blood and bleach greeted her. Gagging, she stepped backward and quickly dialed 911. Hysteria building…

~*~

After viewing the crime scene, Steven sat down on the stoop by Alice. "You don't need to see this one."

"That bad?"

"Worse," he told her. "Unspeakably worse. What is it with serial killers and Halloween?"

"An opportunity to fulfill their deepest fantasy," Alice said with disgust. "To be the monster they really are."

Just a Tidbit of Information

 A Mystery Series Set in Alaska

"You Are My Sunshine!" 

and how it became part of my books.

The editor of my first book, Murder, Madness & Love, suggested I give my heroine, Sarah, a peculiar habit. Something that would stand out and make her memorable as she navigated the emotions and stress of being stalked by a murderer.

I chose the song "You Are My Sunshine." A song I recalled from a tearjerker of a movie that made an impression on me when I was a child. The relationship of the father and daughter is what hit home for me. Anyway, it was one of those tugs on your heartstring movies. So, I chose the song for my character to use as something she would recall and absent-mindedly sing when highly stressed. Sometimes not even aware that she was. I thought it was a good choice. I thought it was an interesting reaction for Sarah to have when troubled.

Then later, she'd share that her father taught it to her to sing to her mother before they'd both leave for the long work separations that took them away from her. Meant to keep Sarah and her mother from crying. As an adult, it becomes her calming tool too.

I thought it was obscure and unique.

But it wasn't. Did you know it's one of the state songs of Louisiana? It's also the most commercially programmed number in American popular music. And it's been recorded by dozens, and I mean, dozens of artists. Google it, you'll see. No obscure little song this!

Just a little tidbit I thought you might find interesting. I hope you have! Thanks for visiting.

***

Get your copy of the Series

HERE!

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 

~~***~~

     

A Passion for Murder

 

The Alaskan Series 

book #6

"Her golden hair, career choice, and availability hit all tens on his list of go points.

A perfect thirty meant she had to die today!"

A PASSION FOR MURDER

Another heinous crime occurs in Alaska, and with no time to heal from the last brutal case of The Snowman, and Stowy Jenkins, Detective Quaid returns to his job. PTSD, a former lover, and an odious villain test his mettle and his sanity.

Excerpt:

After she had her son taken care of, she tried to wake her husband. Sarah shook him gently. "Steven. Come to bed with me. You'll be more comfortable. I promise."

Startled, Steven jerked awake, grabbed her by the throat, his chair slamming shut with a loud thud as he stood. Forcing Sarah backward, he banged her head against the wall. The harsh growl from his throat sounded animalistic. His face contorted with the resolve to destroy his enemy.

Frightened and caught off guard Sarah tried to scream. Instead, she could barely croak his name. "Steven." Failing, she made a fist and struck him. "Get off me." She tried to yell.

Her wallop caught his attention. He loosened his grip as it took him a second to realize what he was doing. The newly hired Nanny rushed into the room. She stopped cold, unsure of what was happening.

*****

 AVAILABLE 

IN PAPERBACK TOO!

CONTEST!

The first person to comment with the answer to all 5 questions correctly, will win an Ebook copy of A Passion for Murder! All answers can be found in the first 5 books of the series.

1.     What name was given to Sarah's Washington State home?

2.     Steven proposed to Sarah three times, name one location.

3.     Who killed the sniper that was determined to take Sarah out?

4.     What was Stowy Jenkins 'normal' profession?

5.     What name was given to the Quaid's son?

Goodluck!

And Don't Forget 

Murder, Madness & Love

Memories of Murder

Murder & Obsession

The Snowman

Murder, Just Because

A Passion for Murder

COMING SOON

Murder on Mount Fairweather