Showing posts with label Murder & Obsession. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Murder & Obsession. 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 

~~***~~


     





Friday, June 18, 2021

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!"


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 










COMING SOON








Friday, June 9, 2017

THE INFLUENCE OF COLOR!



When the sky is pink
does it make you think?



When the sky is blue
are you?


When the sky is gray
does your mood fray?




When the sky is red
does your soul feel bled.



When the sky is white
are shivers your plight?


When the sky is black
do you wish the color back?



How does color influence your day?







Friday, October 14, 2016

MURDER IS FREE!







Also,

I'm proud to announce that all 3 books



Will soon be available in AUDIO!

October 31, 2016

Audiobook, MP3 Audio, Unabridged


Piper Goodeve (Narrator)


The trilogy is complete and book 4 is on the way!


For your enjoyment, an unedited excerpt from book 4:

MOTIVE for MURDER
A Detective Quaid Mystery

CHAPTER I
APRIL IN HAWAII

"Where do you think you're going?" Steven threw the blankets back.
"I'm meeting Elliot for a run on the beach, you know, that thing I do every morning while you continue to dream," Sarah said.
Steven shook his head and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "Damn, I miss our cabin in the woods."
"Really?" She finished fastening her hair into a ponytail and faced him, eyebrows furrowed. "Hawaii was your idea. Cabin fever, if I remember correctly. At least that's what you told Frank."
"I was wrong. At the cabin, we spent hours cuddling. Now you're up with the sun, and the bed is cold."
Sarah sat down beside him. "I miss that too."
He pulled her deeper into the bed, his naked body covering hers. Kissing passionately, she molded her body to his.
"Tell you what." She said after she caught her breath. "I'll make it a five-mile run, and after a quick shower, we'll continue." She smiled but pushed him away.
He fell back on the bed and sighed deeply. "Five miles? I'll bet you do fifteen, just to make me wait."
She nibbled his earlobe. "You’re the one determined to get me healthy. I'm doing all I can to fulfill your wish. I promise a quick run. You start the shower, and I'll be right back."
He sighed again but let her go and pulled on a pair of shorts. In the kitchen, he poured a cup of coffee, grabbed the paper from the front porch, and went to the patio to monitor her run. He never slept during her early morning excursions. While Elliott, her bodyguard and running partner, was always at her side, Steven kept his eye on the dunes and the rocks dotting the beach. He didn't expect trouble, but he was ready regardless of the serene setting that Hawaii offered.
They were on private land, with a private beach, but Steven never rested when Sarah was out of his sight. It had only been four months since the last threat, and he wasn't ready to trust there'd be no more. In December, he'd rescued her from a kidnapper, and a sniper determined to put a bullet in her head, but constant nightmares haunted his dreams.
Frank had convinced him to come to Hawaii and consult on a case while continuing the honeymoon. He'd promised Sarah a year of his time, and while he felt guilty for working, Sarah needed the sunshine. Their cabin in the Brooks Range was great, but she had continued to struggle with her health. The warmth of Hawaii changed all that. In less than a month, she was the picture of wellbeing and this new case was close to a solution.
Their suspect had made a huge mistake moving to Hawaii to continue his exploits. The killings had started in Los Angeles, in January, but moved to Hawaii in March. The killer made his victims eat their own body parts, sexually assaulted them, and eventually killed them. This creep's appetite knew only brutality and Frank wanted Steven's help to capture him. They were close and once the case wrapped up, Steven would take Sarah to Paris.
He sipped his coffee and caught sight of her and Elliott coming back up the beach. The phone rang and when he answered, Frank shouted at him. "Where's Sarah?"
"Running. Why?"
"Get her in the house. I'm on my way." Frank yelled.
Steven could hear the roar of a helicopter in the background. "What's happening, Frank?"
"Bardot. Rudy Bardot, Jarrod's brother, is alive. He's our serial killer, and he's after Sarah!"
Steven dropped the phone and grabbed his gun. Barefoot he took off for the beach.
Two seconds too late.
Rudy Bardot rested a sniper rifle on a dune. His targets were in view. Steven sighted the man just as Sarah and Elliott arrived at ground zero.
Before Steven could calm his breathing enough to shoot, a shot shredded the morning's tranquility!
Elliott always ran with his body blocking Sarah's in safety, but the shooter had prepared for that.
One shot and both Sarah and Elliott went down. The bullet had gone through Elliott's shoulder and hit Sarah.
Bardot dropped his gun, pulled a knife, and moved toward his victims. He wanted a souvenir. " Jolies oreilles," Bardot said. (Pretty ears.)
Steven fired . . .
The end!

Well, actually the beginning of book 4.
I hope I've enticed you to start with Murder, Madness & Love
Or if you've already read the trilogy,
I hope I've excited you about the next book
MOTIVE FOR MURDER!
FYI
I changed the title from Dark Motives to Motive for Murder.
I've always referred the first three books as my
 Murder Trilogy;
I thought it made sense to make it the
Murder Series
by keeping the word
Murder
in all the titles!
Do you agree?