In the Garden with Praneet Menon #InTheGarden

Grow Your Own Vegetables with Praneet Menon

A Journey Toward Food Self-Sufficiency

My family and I moved to Vermont for many reasons. The peace and quiet, the scenic beauty, and the amazing people are among the low-hanging fruits. A more intentional reason was our desire to grow our own food. We want to be mindful of the hard work it takes to feed and sustain oneself, let alone a family or a community.

Vermont’s short growing season demands careful timing to ensure a bountiful harvest. Land preparation begins in the fall of the previous year when we spread natural fertilizer sourced from our very own laying hens (their eggs are marvelous). With the winter snow and spring melt, the fertilizer works itself into the soil, enriching it with nutrients.

Depending on the warmth, the seeding/planting begins in late May or early June. The vegetables we grow include peas, carrots, bush beans, onions, potatoes, and tomatoes. I direct-sow everything but the tomatoes, which I’ve found to be quite temperamental when starting from seeds. 

To direct sow, I usually dig a narrow trench at the recommended seed depth, add some supplemental fertilizer, and cover it up with the soil. I do not till my land, as I find that it kicks up a lot of weed seeds from below, and the rest of the season gets very unmanageable very quickly. The tomatoes are first hardened for a couple of weeks before planting so as not to shock them with an environment quite a bit harsher than the nursery. This is accomplished by slowly increasing the time the plants spend outside till they can handle the colder nights.

If the rains don’t wash the seeds out, we start to see the sprout in a few weeks. During this time, and for the rest of the growing season, the area is watered (depending on rain) and cleared of weeds almost daily. The plants also need to be defended against Japanese beetles and deer. A 6-ft tall temporary fence usually does the trick with the deer, but the Japanese beetles are another matter. We place several beetle traps downwind of our garden, and this usually pulls most of them away. Some insect netting and hand-picking take care of the ones that make it to the plants.

Harvest season starts around mid-to-late July, depending on the maturation of the vegetables. Potatoes are usually the last to be harvested. The peas, carrots, and beans are blanched and frozen, while the tomatoes are “canned” in mason jars. The onions and potatoes are cured for a few weeks before storing them in a cool, dark place (our root cellar).

My current setup isn’t as large as it needs to be to feed my family only with the food we grow, as I’ve been slowly learning how nature works here. Lessons learned this season can only be applied several months later, assuming conditions remain the same. For now, an annual harvest can last us anywhere between 6-8 months. What’s encouraging is that our yield has increased year-over-year.

While there is still much to learn, each season is a new chapter, with every harvest adding to our understanding of the land and the gifts it provides.

 

The Staff of Beckoning

A Symphony of Spheres 

Book One 

Praneet Menon

Genre: Epic Fantasy

Publisher: Kaaran Publishing

Date of Publication: September 18, 2024

ASIN: B0DDVVN76P

Number of pages: 437

Word Count: 115,000

Tagline: Adir Nathar’s search for safety ignites a battle against ancient forces, where survival means confronting the shadows of fate—and his own destiny.

Book Description: 

In the meticulously-crafted world of Leakarha, where epic fantasy, mythos, and ancient prophecies intertwine, the existence of its inhabitants is shaped by forces beyond their control. 

Adir Nathar's tough childhood and prescriptive, quiet life in the village of Marafel made him yearn for more. He got what he wished for, but not in the way he expected. His proximity to an inexplicable death made him the target of revenge, forcing him to flee from his family and home, seeking only safety and a fresh start. But existence had other plans. The Khasmia Shadow, a secret society with a divine purpose, is hunting Adir, unbeknownst to him. Their purpose: rid the world of a destructive creature called a venna, using the sacred Staff of Beckoning. Leakarha itself is undergoing a seismic shift. Rakhor, terrible demonspawn, are being seen in increasing numbers! 

As the Khasmia Shadow closes in on him, Adir is thrust into an existence-altering journey across Leakarha with companions new and old. As he is pushed deeper into his own shadows, Adir realizes that he may not merely be a piece to be moved but rather the key to the game itself.

Amazon     Books2Read

Excerpt:

“Where are you going?” Tia’s eyes were wide with anxiety.

“Out.”

“But I don’t know this town at all.”

“Don’t leave the inn then!”

As soon as he stepped out into the night, all of his warmth left him. However, the wheat ales—much stronger than he was used to—had begun to take effect. That, combined with the fact that his last meal had been hours before, made the cold a distant sensation. Strapping his staff to his back, he picked a direction and wandered off—his mind getting mushier and more vulnerable to his increasingly foul mood.

Tia had always been a very supportive girl. What had changed? Or had she always been like this and her support was just an act? Did she really think that he would abandon her? I would never do such a thing, he thought indignantly. He wasn’t his father. Sure, yea, he could be a little flirtatious, he admitted. But that was harmless. Why couldn’t Tia see that? After all, he’d asked her to run away with him. Didn’t that imply he wanted to start a life with her? Didn’t that mean anything to her? His mind was plagued with too many questions and not enough answers.

Abruptly, he found himself in a dark, dimly lit alley, with buildings rising up around him.

Everything seemed ... slightly off. Hesitantly, he walked down the alley and made a few turns. A few moments of wandering later, he admitted that he was lost and decided to retrace his steps, but it all looked unfamiliar. With no other option he kept walking, hoping to find his way back, when he came upon three men in a dark corner.

“Give it up, you unworthy bastard!” said one of the men, who had a lilting accent. He was clutching another man’s collar in one hand while wielding a knife in the other. A third man stood and watched.

“I did not steal it! He gave it to me!” cried the captive man.

“Do not lie, you swinespawn!”

“I swear by the names of the Miakos. He gave it to me!”

The third man still just stood and watched.

Adir wasn’t sure what came over him. Maybe it was his anger and he just needed to let it out. Or maybe he understood how the captive man felt; after all, he had been ambushed a couple of times himself. Whatever the reasoning of his drink-addled mind, he unstrapped his staff and charged.

The man who’d been watching noticed Adir and whirled around, pulling out a knife of his own. However, knives were a poor defense against the long reach of a staff. Adir whipped his staff sideways, cracking the man in the skull, who dropped to the ground, motionless.

The man who held the captive by his collar was startled by the sudden attack and shoved his captive to the ground. The captive lay on his stomach, face cupped in his hands as if trying to shut out his current plight.

Adir felt a surge of energy course through him as he pulled his staff back, preparing for a thrust.

He lunged, briefly catching a look of horror on the man’s face, and thrust his staff square into the man’s chest. The impact sent the man flying a few paces before he slammed into a wall and slumped to the ground.

For a moment that lasted one flap of a bee’s wing, Adir saw a rain- bow-colored haze on his hand, creeping up his arm. Fearfully, he jerked his hand to his face for a closer examination, but the haze was no longer there.

The once-captive, now-free man looked up from his prone position and surveyed the scene, then stood. “Thank you, master,” he said, bowing and scraping. “I am forever in your debt.”

The man’s words seemed to tumble out of his mouth in a clatter, or maybe Adir couldn’t understand him on account of being severely drunk. “What did you steal from them?” Adir asked, eyeing the man suspiciously, his inebriation fueling his paranoia. Sure, he’d saved the bearded man, but that didn’t mean the man was harmless.

“I did not steal anything, master,” the man said, still pronouncing every word oddly.

Adir looked at him, trying to force his eyes to focus. “All right,” he said, realizing that he’d do nothing even if the man admitted to stealing something. All he really wanted to do was get back to the inn and sleep. “Do you know the way to The Soft Pillow?” he asked, trying and failing miserably to strap his staff onto his back.

“Ya, master,” the man replied with enthusiasm. “I will take you there.”

About the Author: 

Born and raised in India, Praneet’s life began immersed in a medley of cultural, linguistic, and spiritual traditions that sparked his passion for storytelling. Then, he moved to the United States and has now spent more than half his life there. The two cultural backgrounds have led him to embrace a fusion of Eastern and Western philosophies that deeply influence his writing. 

Praneet also spent the better part of two decades working as an engineer and flight instructor, which instilled in him a precision that he brings to his existence-building, pursuing that perfect blend of reality and fantasy. His exploration of philosophy and psychology at an early age allows him to imbue his stories with age-old themes of identity, purpose, and destiny. These themes play a central role in his debut novel, The Staff of Beckoning, Book 1 of the series A Symphony of Spheres. 

Praneet lives in Vermont, embracing a homesteading lifestyle, community involvement, and writing while pursuing a master’s in counseling.

Website: https://praneetmenon.com/ 

FB: https://www.facebook.com/PraneetPMenon/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/praneetpmenon/ 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/51601614.Praneet_Menon

In the Garden with Lee K. Rogers

I am lucky to live far enough south that many of my herbs can winter over on my back porch—and I have a wonderful screened back porch large enough for dining, visiting, reading, and growing a lot of plants! 

Some of my favorite herbs are lavender, basil, rosemary, bay leaf, parsley, and any kind of mint. I’ve tried eucalyptus this year for the first time. It smells wonderful but I have to keep it away from my cats who seem more fascinated with it than with their very own stash of fresh catmint.

The plants winter over best in larger pots, which insulate them more from the cold. My lavender is now huge, and my rosemary is doing quite well in its second year. My mint only lasts in a large pot. 

The smaller pots freeze easily. 

I’ll be harvesting my herbs soon so that I have a good supply over the winter. They are easy to harvest. Just strip the leaves, and leave them on cheesecloth to dry. 

The Hunter’s Moon

Unleashed

Book One

Lee K. Rogers

Genre: Urban Fantasy Romance

Publisher: Open Door Publications

Date of Publication: Oct. 15, 2024

ISBN:979-8-9871697-3-5

ASIN: B0DHLN7QW1

Number of pages:152

Word Count: 50,100

Cover Artist: Eric Labacz

Tagline: Two passionate men but she can only choose one. Will Ana surrender to the beast or the hunter?

Book Description:

Two men, one moonlit choice—will she surrender to the beast or the hunter?

Ana once found peace in her late-night walks through Rivelou, a sleepy Kentucky town where on the surface, nothing much happens. But beneath the quiet streets and old Southern charm, a mystery is lurking. 

When Ana is attacked by a vicious beast one night, she’s saved by a mysterious stranger. But as more people fall victim to the beast, she’s torn between the two men who have entered her life—one a fierce protector, the other a dangerous enigma. Both seem to know more about the dark forces at play than they’re letting on.

Caught between a deadly predator and a town full of secrets, Ana must decide: can she trust the hunter or the wolf?

The Hunter’s Moon, an enemies to lovers shifter romance, is Book One in the Unleashed Series.

Amazon

Excerpt:

The animal stayed in the bushes, following along slowly and silently as it tracked its prey. He could smell it. Taste it. And it attracted him like nothing ever had before.

Do wolves think in the same way that humans do? Or do they rely only on instinct, hunting mindlessly?

Whether intellectual reasoning or animal instinct, the wolf knew it had to watch this woman. It wanted her. It needed her.

Ana breathed in the early autumn air as she headed away from the university and onto the darker streets of the neighboring suburb. It was an older neighborhood, built in the 1920s when the town of Rivelou had begun to spread from its central location on the river, south across the railroad tracks. This particular section of town had been built for the railroad workers: tiny shotgun houses lined up on even tinier lawns.

As Ana crossed Roosevelt Avenue, the streetlights ended,  and the sidewalk was illuminated only by occasional porch or walk lights. She loved sauntering home from her evening classes this time of the year. The air, while it could not yet be called crisp, had lost its summer sultriness, a welcome change from the blistering heat of a Kentucky summer.

As she strolled down Harlan Street, farther from the more heavily trafficked avenue, the road became even darker. It was too soon for most of the leaves to have fallen; they were just beginning to turn red on this last week in September and were so thick on the trees that they hid the full moon. Part of the charm of the old neighborhood was the beautiful, large, old maples and oaks, but their roots also tore up the sidewalks. Ana tripped on one of those cracks. Papers, a lipstick, her wallet, and a few other necessary items spilled out of her purse, and she shook her head in disgust. How could she always trip in the same spot, night after night? It wasn’t as if she hadn’t memorized the uneven areas in the sidewalk after years of walking this way.

The young woman bent down to gather her various belongings and froze. Was that something growling? Somewhat spooked, Ana shoved everything back in her bag and hurried down the street. After a moment she slowed, listening carefully to the night noises around her.

Nothing unusual.

She shook her head. It must have been her imagination. She had slowed her pace and continued on when she heard the sound again. A low growl nearby. A dog? No one on this block had an animal big enough to make that sort of sound. That growl had definitely come from something larger than Mrs. Ahearn’s yappy little Pomeranian. She picked up her pace again.

Only a half block until she turned onto Sycamore, then another half block until she arrived at her own home.

The growl came again. She settled her purse more securely on her left shoulder, her computer bag on her right, and doubled her pace. There were no lights on any of the houses on this part of the block, and of course, the moon took that moment to hide behind a cloud. She took a deep breath and tried to walk at a steady pace. She wouldn’t run even though she could now hear the animal behind her as she rounded the corner. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw her own porch light on as well as that of her neighbors, Joe and Linsdey. Only a few more steps to safety.

She was almost in front of her own door when she heard the rush of paws with nails clicking behind her on her sidewalk. With a howl, the animal knocked her down. Holding her computer case in front of her face, she yelled and pushed it at the animal’s huge, dark head. “Take a bite of that, you nasty beast!” It was all teeth and glowing eyes as it loomed over her, growling.

“What do you want?” she shouted. Though it had her on the ground, it didn’t make a move, just stood gazing at her. If she did move, it would strike. She had to do something. She drew a deep breath and prepared to scream when someone came running up behind her.

“Hey, you, get back! Get back!”

She turned her head and saw a man running toward her and the slobbering animal. The man grabbed a stick from the ground as he rushed forward, waving it at the animal.

“Back! Get back, you ugly beast!” he shouted again, striking the creature who turned, snarling at him. They stared intently at each other for a moment before the canine finally dodged the stick and lunged to take a bite out of the man.

The man got in a couple of good blows before the dog suddenly grabbed the stick, tugged at it, and knocked him to the ground. Fumbling in her purse, Ana took action just as the dog leaned back on its haunches preparing to strike. Just before he lunged on the fallen man, Ana found her can of mace and hit the dog in the face with the noxious spray. With a howl of pain, it ran into the darkness.

Several more porch lights suddenly popped on to light the night, and the street was filled with neighbors coming to check on the unusual commotion.

“Are you alright?” her rescuer, still gasping and out of breath, asked. “It didn’t bite you, did it?

 

About the Author:

Lee K. Rogers has been reading fantasy since she discovered the Brothers Grimm, and her love of the genre has only grown from there. From classics such as the Narnia series and The Lord of the Rings (before the movies came out of course!) to Charlaine Harris’ series and Pamela Clare—she reads it all. When she discovered urban fantasy romance she found her new passion. She particularly loves adding a little spicy sex to her own fantasy adventures.

Lee once lived in the Kentucky/Indiana border town on which she has modeled Rivelou. While she never met a werewolf there, she was convinced there was an entrance to the land of Fae just down the street from her house.

The Hunter’s Moon is the first in her paranormal romance series, Unleashed. The next two books, coming in 2025, are titled The Artificial Witch and The Vampire’s Heart.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565797506885

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/219390260-the-hunter-s-moon

Kiss of Blood and Sin by M Guida - Haunted Halloween Spooktacular

Dark Cherry Blood Pastries

These Dark Cherry Blood Pastries are perfect for Halloween, combining the tart sweetness of dark cherries with a buttery, flaky pastry. The rich red color of the cherry filling gives a fun and eerie twist, making them a delightful treat for humans at your Halloween gathering. Enjoy the hauntingly delicious flavors as you celebrate the spooky season!

Ingredients:

• Pastry Dough:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup ice-cold water

• Filling:

 2 cups fresh or frozen dark cherries, pitted

 1/4 cup granulated sugar

 2 tablespoons cornstarch

 1 tablespoon lemon juice

 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

• Topping:

1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

1 tablespoon granulated sugar (for sprinkling)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pastry Dough:

-In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt.

-Add the chilled butter cubes and use a pastry cutter or your hands to mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

-Gradually add the ice-cold water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together.

-Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

2. Prepare the Cherry Filling:

-In a medium saucepan, combine the cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and almond extract.

-Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens and the cherries release their juices (about 5-7 minutes).

-Remove from heat and let the filling cool completely.

3. Assemble the Pastries:

-Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

-On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8-inch thickness.

-Use a round cookie cutter or a glass to cut out circles from the dough.

-Place a small spoonful of the cherry filling in the center of each dough circle.

-Fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape and press the edges together with a fork to seal.

4. Bake the Pastries:

-Place the pastries on the prepared baking sheet.

-Brush the tops with the beaten egg and sprinkle with a little granulated sugar.

-Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastries are golden brown.

5. Serve and Enjoy:

-Allow the pastries to cool slightly before serving.

-For an extra spooky touch, drizzle with a bit of red icing or syrup to resemble dripping blood.

Kiss of Blood and Sin

M Guida

Genre: Dark Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Buffalo Mountain Press 

Date of Publication: September 25, 2024

Number of pages: 300

Word Count: 80,776

Cover Artist: Jacqueline Sweet

Book Description: 

I never wanted to be a mafia princess. But I wasn't given that choice when my brother turned me. 

Now he's the mafia king and his enemies want me dead. His magical mirrors shows my impending murder without revealing the assassin. It could be anyone, and I trust no one. Until I meet Dimitri Dragan. 

My brother would never agree for me to claim a born vampire with a sketchy past. But I'll fight to make him mine. I didn't have a choice in becoming a vampire, but I have a choice in who I love.

Kindle Vella     Amazon 

About the Author:

M Guida has always loved fantasy and romance, especially dragons. Growing up, she devoured fantasy books and all kinds of young adult books. And then she found romance and a whole new world opened up to her.

Now as an adult, she fell in love with academy romance and has blended all of her past loves into one compelling series. Dragons, vampires, elves, demons, and wolves all live in her world.

When she's not writing, she lives in the colorful Rocky Mountains with her fur baby, Raven, and enjoys taking her for walks.

Would you like to become a Legacy? Sign up for her mailing list and enter a world of the supernatural at her website https://authormguida.com/

You can also join her private Facebook page–M Guida's Legacy Academy. You'll become a Legacy and find out about your special power and maybe even find some romance!

Website: https://authormguida.com/about/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mguida/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mguidaauthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MLGuidaauthor

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/m-guida

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20378775.M_Guida

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B08BW74WCM/about

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Black Hills Wolves by Celia Breslin - Haunted Halloween Spooktacular

Halloween Treat: Grandma Eddie’s Caramels

From Celia Breslin

If you like to make things from scratch for Halloween, try my grandmother’s recipe for the best caramels on the planet!

RECIPE:

1 can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk

2 cups white sugar

2 cups white Karo Syrup

1 stick of butter (1/4 lb.)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix together the first three ingredients (milk, sugar, syrup) in a large bowl.

Melt the butter in a large heavy kettle, pour in the mixture and bring to a boil.

Stir continuously while mixture boils until it reaches the temperature of 245 degrees Fahrenheit on a candy thermometer (can take up to 25 minutes).

Note: If mixture overcooks, candy gets too hard.

Once the 245-degree temperature is reached, remove kettle from stove.

Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, then pour mixture onto a large, buttered cookie sheet or flat pan.

Cut to your preferred size.

Wrap with your preferred wrapper. (My grandmother used wax or parchment paper)

Happy Halloween!

Diamond Moon

Black Hills Wolves 

Celia Breslin

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Decadent Publishing

Date of Publication:  March 27, 2015

ISBN: 978-1-61333-803-2

ASIN: B00T2E7ZEY

Number of pages: 85

Word Count: 29,737

Cover Artist: Fiona Jayde

Book Description:

Human-wolf hybrid Darci Diamond spends every full moon locked in auntie’s basement in Southern Oregon. Her excruciating shifts terrify her, the last one causing her heart to stop beating. Seeking a cure, she journeys to Los Lobos. 

Ross Luparell returns to the struggling Tao pack, using his millions made in the tech industry to build homes for pack families in need. He never imagined he would also find his one true mate. But when a hybrid with the biggest green eyes he’s ever seen lands on his doorstep in the middle of a wicked summer storm, there’s no denying it. She’s the one.

She wants a normal human life, free from pain-filled shifts. He won’t give up on her Wolf, and will do whatever it takes to help her accept her true nature. But can he convince her to trust him with her heart?

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Under a Mating Moon

Black Hills Wolves 

Celia Breslin

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Decadent Publishing

Date of Publication: September 18, 2015

ISBN: 9781613338940

ASIN: B0148W4RHW

Number of pages: 114

Word Count: 32,200

Cover Artist: Fiona Jayde

Book Description:

British Alpha wolf Jake Marsden spends his days among humans, pursuing a lucrative music career and avoiding his pack’s politics. When his current DJ tour takes him to the US, he stops in Los Lobos to visit family, and runs into the one Wolf he never wants to see again—the mate who rejected his claim.

While visiting her brother in Los Lobos, free-spirited Lexi Luparell is shocked to encounter the Wolf she’d denied when they were teens. Now she must face her guilt for the cruel way she spurned him all those years ago, make amends, and admit the truth. Jake was right all along—they’re meant to mate.

Lexi would love to explore the mate concept and her overwhelming attraction to virile, alpha Wolf Jake, but he wants nothing to do with her. How can she break down his defenses when she’s the reason he built them in the first place?

Jake dates only human women now. Lexi had her shot at being his mate, and she threw it away. But when her life is threatened, he may have to rethink his position and do whatever it takes to claim his one true mate.

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Read an Excerpt: https://wp.me/p2fl3L-1VX

Jasmine Moon

Black Hills Wolves 

Celia Breslin

Genre:  Paranormal Romance

Publisher:  Decadent Publishing

Date of Publication: June 3, 2016

ISBN:  9781683610458

ASIN:  B01GKB9WMO

Number of pages:  108

Word Count:  36,400

Cover Artist:  Fiona Jayde

Book Description:

Tech mogul and workaholic Wolf Evan Luparell has little time for distractions but takes a break for his brother’s wedding in South Dakota. When asked to escort another wedding attendee from the airport to Los Lobos, he agrees. Then he meets the curvy spitfire, and she ignores him.

Designer and Wolf Mina Carver didn’t mean to be rude to the handsome, glowering man claiming to be her ride, but she was busy working. Now she must endure a ride to the Black Hills with the cranky but sexy Dominant Wolf. Unexpected mating energy sparks between them, but still—should she dismiss, or kiss him?

Kisses win and they agree upon a no-strings fling. But with each wedding activity throwing them together, and their powerful chemistry and mate compatibility complicating matters, can two workaholics truly have their fun then walk away?

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Read an Excerpt: https://wp.me/p2fl3L-1VX

About the Author:

Celia Breslin lives in California with her husband, daughter, and three feisty cats. She writes urban fantasy, paranormal and sci-fi romance, and has a particular fondness for werewolves, vampires, the Fae, and cyborgs. When not writing, you’ll find Celia exercising, reading a good book, hanging with her family, or indulging her addiction to fantasy TV shows and movies.

Website: http://www.celiabreslin.com      

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celiabreslin/

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CeliaBreslinAuthor  

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Black In White

Quentin Black Mystery 

Book One

JC Andrijeski

Genre: Urban Fantasy Mystery Romance

Publisher: White Sun Press

Date of Publication: September 9, 2015

ISBN: ISBN-13: 978-1545436714  

ISBN-10: 1545436711

ASIN: B01554ZHH6

Number of pages: 268

Word Count: 76,755

Cover Artist: Damonza

Tagline: Meet Quentin Black: Private Investigator. Psychic. Possible murderer.

Book Description: 

Gifted with an uncanny sense about people, psychologist Miri Fox works as a profiler for the San Francisco police. When her best friend, homicide detective Nick Tanaka, thinks he's finally nailed the serial murderer known as the "Wedding Killer," she agrees to check him out, using her gift to discover the truth.

But the suspect, Quentin Black, isn't anything like Miri expects.

He claims to be hunting the killer too, and the longer Miri talks to him, the more determined she becomes to uncover his secrets.

When he confronts her about the nature of her peculiar "insight," Miri gets pulled into Black's bizarre world, and embroiled in a game of cat and mouse with a deadly killer--who might just be Black himself.

Worse, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to Black, a complication she doesn't need with a best friend who's a homicide cop and a boyfriend in intelligence.

Can Miriam see a way out or is her future covered in Black?

THE QUENTIN BLACK MYSTERY SERIES encompasses a number of dark, gritty paranormal mystery arcs with science fiction elements, starring brilliant and mysterious Quentin Black and forensic psychologist Miriam Fox. For fans of realistic paranormal mysteries with romantic elements, the series spans continents and dimensions as Black solves crimes, takes on other races and tries to keep his and Miri's true identities secret to keep them both alive.

Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/jcKdbAYADcY

Amazon

Excerpt:

I tilted my head, still smiling, but letting my puzzlement show.

“Why are you talking to me at all?” I asked finally.

“Why shouldn’t I talk to you?” he said. “I’ve already told you that you’re the first person to walk in here that I thought might be worth my attempting to communicate.”

“Because I’m female?” I said.

“Because you seem to be less of a fool than the rest of them,” he corrected me at once.

“But you said Nick had a mind?”

“I said he had a mind of sorts. Not the same thing at all. Although, given the nature of his intellect, he has undoubtedly chosen the right profession for himself.”

I smiled again. “I’m sure that will be quite a relief for him.”

I heard laughter in the earpiece that time, right before Nick spoke up.

“See if he’ll tell you his name,” he said to me.

“Certainly, if you really want to know,” the suspect said, before I could voice the question aloud.

“My name is Black. Quentin Black. Middle initial, R.”

I stared at him, still recovering from the fact that he’d seemingly heard Nick give me an instruction through the earpiece.

Clearly, he wanted me to know he’d heard it, too.

“You heard that?” I said to him.

“Good ear, yes?” he said. Smiling, he gave me a more cryptic, yet borderline predatory look.

“Less good with you, however. Significantly less good.”

He paused, studying my face with eyes full of meaning.

I almost got the sense he was waiting for me to reply—or maybe just to react.

When I didn’t, he leaned back in the chair, making another of those graceful, flowing gestures with his hand.

“I find that… fascinating, doc. Quite intriguing. Perhaps that is crossing a boundary with you again, however? To mention that?”

I paused on his words, then decided to dismiss them.

“Is that a real name?” I said. “Quentin Black. That doesn’t sound real. It sounds fake.”

“Real is all subjective, is it not?”

“So it’s not real, then?”

“Depends on what you mean.”

“Is it your legal name?”

“Again, depends on what you mean.”

“I mean, could you look it up in a database and actually get a hit somewhere?”

“How would I know that?” he said, making an innocent gesture with his hands, again within the limits of the metal cuffs.

Realizing I wasn’t going to get any more from him on that line of questioning, I changed direction. “What does the ‘R’ stand for?” I said.

“Rayne.”

“Quentin Rayne Black?” I repeated back to him, still not hiding my disbelief.

“Would you believe me if I said my parents had a sense of whimsy?” he asked me.

“No,” I said.

“Would you believe that I do, then?”

I snorted a laugh, in spite of myself. I heard it echoed through the earpiece, although I heard a few curses coming from that direction, too.

I shook my head at the suspect himself, but less in a “no” that time.

“Yes,” I conceded finally. “So it is a made-up name, then?”

The man calling himself Quentin Black only returned my smile. His eyes once again looked shrewd, less thoughtful and more openly calculating.

Even so, his weird comment about “listening” came back to me.

Truthfully, he was looking at me as if he were listening very hard.

The thought made me slightly nervous.

About the Author:

JC Andrijeski is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of gritty, character-driven, “real”-feeling paranormal mysteries and apocalyptic fiction. Her books have strong romance subplots, found families, and often a metaphysical bent. JC has a background in journalism, history and politics, and loves hiking, people watching, yoga, meditation, weird tourist destinations, the beach, coffee, birds, snails, and tacos. She grew up in the Bay Area of California, but travels extensively and has lived abroad in Europe, Australia, and Asia, and from coast to coast in the continental United States. She’s now living and writing full-time in Hollister, California.

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