Secrets and Lies by Natashiah Jansen & Ethan McKenzie @myreaderspress

CHAPTER 5

The next morning, Sharona woke up with a spring in her step and a slight headache. Felicia had stayed the night, because she had been too lazy to move from the couch after she sat down.

"Good morning, my friend," Sharona said.

"Morning… You sure are in a good mood; must be the good old doc's magic."

"You know what they say about those Latino men."

"Spare me, please. So… Did he give you his number, email… anything?" asked Felicia.

"No."

"No? Did you give him yours?"

"No," said Sharona.

"What?" Felicia was shocked because she had expected something after watching the two of them dancing the night away.

"We met, danced, laughed, and that was enough for me. What more would I want?"

"Mmmm… okay... So I take it you're not ready," said Felicia.

"I'm not ready for anything," Sharona said.

Shortly afterwards, J.J. woke up. He was in a playful mood and was very happy to see his mom. Breakfast was another story. He didn't seem to be in the mood for porridge, and ended up tipping the bowl on his head. Usually, Sharona would get upset, but this morning it was different. She laughed, and even J.J. was surprised. Felicia was glad to see her friend starting to enjoy life again.

"Well, it's time for me to leave," said Felicia. "What are you going to do the rest of the day?"

"I think I will surprise Edward with a picnic in the park. I'm sure he would love to spend some time with J.J. Why don't you join us?"

"I'll pass... I'd rather catch up on some sleep. Tomorrow will be a hectic day for me."

"Oh, I see. But what could possibly be so hectic? You're living on your trust fund, Paris Hilton."

"Shush… I don't want everyone to know I come from money. As for the hectic day, I have a full package booked at the spa. Will take about the entire day before I get out of there."

Felicia was an only child, and after her parents, who were real estate brokers, had died when she was 15, her inheritance was placed in a trust fund. After completing college, she jumped from one temporary job to another until she decided to live off her trust fund on a permanent basis. She didn't need to worry about earning a living. She had enough money to last her several lifetimes. Although she was filthy rich, she tried to live an ordinary life just like Sharona, but now and then she would splurge for fun.

"Yes, and that is very hard work. Tell Bruno I send my regards," Sharona said.

"Yes… Bruno… I wish I could have him on standby at home," she said, sighing.

"Why would you need a masseur on standby?"

"You never know when I might have a neck spasm or stiff calf that needs to be massaged," said Felicia.

They both sniggered as Felicia rubbed her calf playfully. She grabbed her purse and tied her hair back with a scrunchie, grabbed her pumps and walked barefoot to her car. Sharona and J.J. waved goodbye as she pulled out of the driveway.

"I hope one day you will have a friend like your Auntie Felicia; she really is a gem," Sharona said to J.J., who was still waving goodbye long after Felicia was out of sight.

She quickly dressed J.J. and herself and they were off to Edward's house. Before they got there, they stopped at the deli to pick up the picnic basket that she had ordered the day before. When they arrived at Edward's home, he was busy watering potted plants on his porch. A wide smile spread across his face when J.J. came running to his open arms.

"This is a nice surprise. I was thinking of visiting you this afternoon," he said, ruffling J.J.'s hair.

"Well, I thought I'd surprise you with a picnic," she said, smiling.

"Now that sounds like a plan. Come inside while I quickly throw on something."

While waiting for Edward, Sharona sat on the couch in the living room. From the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Jason's graduation picture on the shelf above the fireplace. She got up from the chair and stood in front of the fireplace and looked at Jason's smiling face. She smiled, and somehow it didn't hurt so much anymore to think of Jason.

"It's getting a little better every day," she heard Edward say as he walked towards her.

"Yes, it is," said Sharona.

J.J. looked at the two of them and started to giggle, as if someone had done something extremely funny. They couldn't help but join in. Edward carried J.J. to the car while Sharona locked the front door, and they left to go to the park for their picnic.

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Genre – Medical Suspense Thriller

Rating – PG

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#AmReading - I Take Thee to Deceive by Tamra Lassiter @TamraLassiter

I Take Thee to Deceive by Tamra Lassiter

Amazon

“Till death do us part” is not an exit strategy.
Sophie Taylor thinks she's hit rock bottom. Her husband of three months passed away unexpectedly and her best friend Eliza disappeared without a trace. Things are bad enough until she finds out the truth—her “husband” is actually a CIA agent who married her only to further his own career and Eliza isn’t missing at all. She’s in prison for charges of distributing a new “gourmet” drug with deadly side effects.
Motivated to get her friend released, Sophie joins forces with CIA Agent Nate MacAllister, her “husband’s” best friend to find who’s really behind the drug ring. Is Nate who he says he is and can Sophie trust him to help her find the truth?

Pegasus by Marilyn Holdsworth @m_holdsworth

Prologue

* * *

Gravel sprayed from beneath the tires as the truck pulled onto the open highway. Buddy Winters jerked the wheel to the right and headed toward Southern California’s I-5. He pushed his cowboy hat back and cursed as the pounding hooves in the horse van behind jolted the cab. He swore as he accelerated, “Goddamn Hammer Head.” He’d had trouble loading him in the first place. It took a blindfold and a rope around his rump to haul him on board.

“Jesus, what a pain in the ass this trip is gonna be with him stompin’ and yellin’ all the way,” he muttered. ’Course the pay was good, mighty good for only hauling three, but that Hammer Head made a dozen all by himself. But Vince Rossi was in a hurry to move him, so he’d come through with the cash, half up front and the rest when Buddy delivered. Buddy patted the wad of cash in his jeans pocket. Old Man Rossi would turn over in his grave if he saw how hard his son was pushing those animals. Buddy scowled at the memory of the senior Rossi. Never let me transport any of his horses, not after that bay cut her leg and came in lame, Buddy thought bitterly. Hell, not my fault she pitched the whole way.

“Enough to drive a man crazy, and now this nag today is every bit as bad,” he grumbled as he stomped on the gas. ’Course if he tossed him about a little to shut him up, the nag couldn’t talk. Even if he could, where he was going nobody would be listening. So what if he played with him a bit? Shouldn’t be shrieking like a banshee back there, stirring up the others. A crescendo of whinnying drowned out the twangy country song on the radio. Again Buddy cursed, and this time he hit the brakes hard, accelerated, and then hit them again. He repeated this three or four times. He heard the horse slam against the side of the van. “Shut up back there.” He turned up the radio. Yes, siree, he’d make good time and collect from Rossi, maybe get a little extra if he was ahead of schedule. Never could’ve worked with the old man. Hell, he expected you to go slow with them, treat them like royalty. Seemed like he wanted you to stop every couple of hours, shovel out the shit, and feed them sugar lumps laced with champagne. But not Vince. He was a gambling man and knew how to make money out of these hay burners. Just like he’d do if he owned them, Buddy acknowledged approvingly. Make the money and head for a tropical island with girls in the sun. Buddy smiled at the thought of girls. His expression soured again when he remembered he’d asked Millie to make this run with him, only to have her turn him down. Damn lonely out on the road. She should have come.

The truck picked up speed as it moved into the flat country. Buddy watched the rearview mirror carefully; no need to get pulled over. After all, he was after a bonus for early delivery. The miles fell away as the day wore on, interrupted only by the stomping of the horse in the van and Buddy’s violent stop-and-go driving. He’d known that horse was going to be trouble as soon as he’d looked at him. The sleek chestnut coat had shone in the sunlight, glistening like it had been sprinkled with gold. Never before had he seen a horse that color at the track. Most were bays or dark sorrels with an occasional gray, but this one had a different look and a different temperament to go with it. Defiant and proud, he dared anyone to try to beat him. Guess that was what Vince Rossi saw in him, too. The way he ran him, most horses would have broken down. How many races had he put him in one right after the other? Jeez, the guy was sure out to make the money, use them up, and get rid of them.

The van lurched again, this time smashing Buddy against the steering wheel, and he swore again. He checked the time and his location. Hell, just over the next ridge was the Quick Stop Café. Maybe he’d do just that, make a quick stop. And if he was lucky, that Tammy would be there serving the food and drinks. Tammy - what a dumb name for a kid stuck out in the sticks with no future and an old man about as dumb as her name sounded. With a name like that you’d think she was in the movies or on TV or something. But hell, she sure seemed friendly last time he came through. Maybe he’d get lucky, real lucky, this time. Like maybe her old man was out of town—that kind of lucky. Buddy smirked to himself. He prided himself on knowing women, and this little piece looked like she could use some action. Jeez, that tight little T-shirt was stuck down in her jeans so far that her tits poked out like buttons. He squirmed at the thought of Tammy and her T-shirts. Yeah, he’d make a stop. And if he got real lucky, like in-the-sack lucky, he’d make up the time by taking a shortcut he knew. Not a very good road, but it sure would cut off the miles, and a few bumps and grinds would do that old Hammer Head in the back some good. Yeah, he’d look in on Tammy.

Buddy guided the van into the parking area, where a few semi-trailer trucks were already scattered across the dirt lot. He climbed out of the cab and headed for the café. The restless pawing in the van made him hesitate for a moment. Maybe if he pitched them a little hay they’d settle down. But hell, he didn’t want to stop for that, and besides, no way did he want to give old Hammer Head more energy.

* * *

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Genre - Adventure / Romance

Rating - Adult

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The Jonas Trust Deception by A.F.N. Clarke @AFNClarke

The Jonas Trust Deception, another Thomas Gunn thriller by bestselling author AFN Clarke, follows The Orange Moon Affair, a “hard to put down”, “5-star novel by a 5-star author”. Thomas (ex-Special Forces) goes on high alert after a desperate message from his journalist friend, Morgan. She’s in danger. But where? And why? Rushing to her ranch he finds it being torn apart by a highly-trained female assassin of East European descent, with a mysterious butterfly tattoo on her neck. An image that sends his mind reeling. Dread seeping into his soul.

In her ongoing investigations, Morgan may have uncovered something even more explosive and far-reaching than the Orange Moon conspiracy.  If so, her enemies will want both her and her information destroyed. Racing to follow tangled leads, Thomas and his girlfriend Julie are thrust into the deadly path of Mexican drug cartels, corrupt politicians, unscrupulous financial brokers like Jonas T Purdue, the FBI, the UK intelligence services and their arch nemesis Marika Keskküla. What deception binds these unlikely “players” together? What’s their power struggle really about? And even more personally disturbing, why the constant links back to a secret mission in Afghanistan, that Thomas has tried so hard to forget?

Outraged by the feeling of constantly being “played”, Thomas decides to turn the tables on the faceless “puppeteers” by taking an action so bold, so dangerous, and so unexpected, that even his team fear he’s lost his mind. Has he? Or can he expose the “vermin” at the top and finally eliminate them forever?

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Genre – Thriller

Rating – PG-13

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Website http://www.afnclarke.com/

Accountability Leadership by Di Worrall @DiWorrall

CHAPTER 1

ACCOUNTABILITY FOR LEADERS

As a leader, how can you influence more of your people to step up to the plate, see opportunities, and take ownership, rather than get by with minimal effort?

When you observe your superstars, you see how effectively they engage in their work. How can you get more of your people to be like them?

Increasing staff engagement may seem simple in concept, but it’s not so simple in its practical application. This chapter reveals what you can do as a leader to help your staff work better and feel more engaged and satisfied with work. You do this by creating conditions of accountability. In the long run, they’ll thank you for it.

I believe that the vast majority of working people crave opportunities to find renewed enthusiasm and energy in their jobs. Most employees – those who are neither stars nor problem hires – respond well to challenges and stretch goals with the right leadership.

Which begs the question: How do you reach the hearts and minds of the people working for you and ignite their enthusiasm and energy so they bring their best to work each day?

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Genre - Business, Leadership, Workplace Behaviour, Human Resources, Executive Coaching

Rating – PG

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Website http://www.diworrall.com.au/

#AmReading - Name & Number by John Hoskison @hoskison51

Name & Number by John Hoskison

Amazon

Art student Nick Wood risks selling a few Ecstasy tablets at a party to impress friends and ends up with a two year prison sentence.
Nick hopes to spend his sentence in an open prison, the type he's read about in the papers. The ones often referred to as 'holiday camps'. Instead, his worst nightmare comes true.
Locked up in HMP Blackthorpe, a prison known for its medieval-like squalor and brutal violence, Nick lives at the mercy of the drug barons and in fear of the lifers. Constantly stalked by danger he has to find a way to survive in the prison rife with heroin.
To earn protection money he turns to the one thing he's good at - art. But can selling pictures to visitors be enough to keep the mob at bay? Or will he be made an example of by the hard men and suffer the worst type of prison punishment?

Sunspots by Karen S. Bell @KarenSueBell

Sunspots follows the healing journey of a young woman thrown into the horror of losing a spouse. It is a love story of loss and redemption and the ghosts that haunt our lives and our houses. Skirting the genres of magical realism and romance, Sunspots, explores the existence of the afterlife and the paranormal. The story takes the reader on a path of high emotion as the narrator, Aurora, uncovers her husband Jake’s secret life and her own internal conflicts as she matures to self-awareness. The novel’s tone vacillates from irreverent humor to solemnity as Aurora relates her previous life with Jake and her present challenges. The title refers to the solar maximum which became the backdrop for Aurora’s conception when her hippy parents went to Canada to observe the Aurora Borealis. In name and in spirit, Aurora is connected to the observable and unobservable energy around us. With the help of friends, family, and the ghost of Viola Parker (her home’s original owner), Aurora accepts her fate and the secrets revealed about Jake’s true character. She realizes that in this life she will finally break the cycle of pain caused by her love for this man, Jake Stein, through the centuries.

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Genre – Contemporary romance, Magical Realism

Rating – PG-13

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