Call In For Murder: A Neon Desert Novelby Tammy Barker
About Call In For Murder
Call In For Murder: A Neon Desert Novel Cozy Mystery 1st in Series Setting - Nevada Independently Published Publication date: October 19, 2025 Print length: 238 pages PaperbackISBN-13: 979-8999862600 DigitalISBN-13: 979-8999862617 ASIN: B0FVMJMQ3R
Call-in radio host Ashley Compton is Las Vegas’s best friend when it comes to giving relationship tips to strangers. But when a repeat caller is found murdered after exposing her woes on the air and accepting the challenge to put up or shut up, Ashley questions if her homespun advice was the catalyst for the murder.
Afraid of losing her job and destroying her reputation, Ashley heads to the seedy side of Las Vegas to snoop around. There she encounters shady dealings: lies, gambling, adultery, and potential criminal activities. When her two-timing and felonious suspects spout glib excuses to justify their behaviors, she digs deeper and is threatened, injured, and gets what she dishes out: advice she doesn’t always like.
Can Ashley’s sleuthing skills catch the killer, or will she end up just another crime statistic? Can she save her career, or will she be put on the Do-Not-Call list?
Tammy Barker is a serious, by-the-book Washington DC government accountant by day and a wildly imaginative fiction writer by night. She writes contemporary traditional amateur sleuth mystery novels and historical pulp fiction short stories. Her other loves include reading anything, restoring or refurbishing vintage items, small home repairs, cooking and baking, classical piano, and wishing she lived during the 1940s and 1950s.
Fun start to this Las Vegas-set cozy mystery series.
Call In For Murder is the first book in Tammy Barker’s
new Neon Desert cozy mystery series featuring radio talk show host
Ashley Compton, Miss LARE (love and relationship expert) to her listeners, who
offers blunt, straightforward opinions on their relationship and personal communication
matters. When one of her listeners is murdered soon after calling in for advice
about her cheating spouse, Ashley is overcome with worry and guilt that her advice
to the woman may have gotten her killed. She ignores her usually practical
inclinations and decides to investigate on her own.
Main character Ashley Compton, while a strong and
opinionated voice of reason on the air, is an emotionally fragile but healing
soul in real life. The advice she offers call-in listeners dealing with an
unfaithful partner is based on personal experience. She relocated from LA to
Las Vegas to leave the source of her own betrayal behind and met her new best
friend, Nathan Reader, an older gay man whose connections at the local radio station
helped land her the new job and alias as Ms. LARE. Nathan is a fun sidekick but
a steadfast voice of reason as he tries to be supportive and keep Ashley out of
major trouble.
The plot moves quickly, with the death occurring early in
the book and Ashley’s cheating former fiancé unexpectedly tracking her down,
with reconciliation in mind. The adversarial detective in charge of the murder
investigation is as stubborn and relentless as she is, but hunky and perfect
for a future love interest. I enjoyed the Las Vegas setting, with all of the mentions
of landmarks and history. While the dialogue leaned on cliches at times, there
were some good misdirection and red herrings to keep readers guessing all the
way to the final reveal, which established the foundation for a long-term
conflict that can continue into future books in the series.
I recommend CALL IN FOR MURDER to cozy mystery fans,
especially those who enjoy a Las Vegas setting.
Tammy Barker will be giving away a copy of her book Call In For Murder: A Neon Desert Novel, a copy of her literary twists booklet she made during Covid, a pen, and a $10 gift card, either Amazon, Starbucks, or Barnes and Noble (Winner's Choice).
The murder of the local jack-of-all-trades reveals that deeper and more tragic secrets are lurking in the Park.
A Grave Denied, the thirteenth book in Dana Stabenow’s iconic Alaska-set mystery series featuring Private Investigator Kate Shugak, is a bit of a change agent for this strong female protagonist. With Jack Morgan’s son part of her life, Kate dragged herself out of the pit of grief she’s been in since Jack’s death. She’s started to live again, needing to provide Johnny with a good home, a safe and secure environment, and a dependable and consistent role model in his life, or watch him get returned to his manipulative, emotionally abusive mother.
When Johnny and his classmates discover the body of the Park’s odd-jobs man hidden in a melting glacier, State Trooper Sergeant Jim Chopin hires Kate to investigate his murder. However, the more digging she does, the more she puts herself and Johnny in a killer’s crosshairs.
After her long suffering the emotional devastation of Jack Morgan’s death, I’m glad to see Kate is finally starting to heal, even if it is Johnny’s troubles that jumpstart her recovery. I feel like she’s come back stronger, sharper, and better than before as she unravels this truly baffling case.
The story begins quietly enough: Johnny is settling in, and he and Kate are contemplating ways to improve her cabin to accommodate his move-in. But with the discovery of the body, there’s one twist after another until the absolutely shocking revelation of who was responsible and their motive for what they did. Meanwhile, Johnny’s mother and her jealous machinations must be handled, Bobby Clark’s past shows up in Niniltna in the form of an older brother, and the long-avoided feelings between Jim Chopin and Kate must finally be addressed. The unique personality and heartwarming community spirit of Kate’s hometown are on full display throughout the book, especially when neighbors need help.
I recommend A GRAVE DENIED to fans of the previous books in the series.
In the heart of two cities divided by rivalries, it unveils
a compelling narrative of passion, ambition, and transformation.
James, a steadfast
leader striving for progress, faces the complex dynamics of a changing world as
he partners with Evelleyne, a boss from a rival gang. Against an ongoing feud
between the Northside Ryders and the River Syndicates, a symbol of new
possibilities, the characters embark on a journey of self-discovery, secrets,
adoration, and resilience. The flames of change burn brightly, forging
alliances, shattering expectations, and ultimately illuminating the path to
redemption.
Prepare for a tale of love, loyalty, and redemption set
against conflict and transformation. As the characters navigate the
complexities of their choices, the story explores the resilience of the human
spirit and the indomitable power of love to endure even in the darkest times.
“The perfect enemies-to-lovers novel with Romeo and
Juliet vibes. Gritty, emotional and utterly unputdownable!”
“Evellyne and James’ love story was beautifully made. I
was torn apart by the tragic ending.”
Where are you, baby? You know I hate
waiting,” says Evelleyne, her breath briefly fogging the reflected outline of
her bare shoulder on her phone's screen."
“I just got out of the shower. Give me about fifteen minutes,
and I’ll be there,” said James.
“You could have waited on the shower, baby. You’ll be hot and
sweaty as soon as I let you in the door.”
“Is that so? Well, let me hurry up then. Sounds like I’m
going to have my work cut out for me tonight.”
“You have no idea.”
“Let me finish here. I’ll see you in a bit.”
“Okay, baby. Be careful. No speeding tickets this time.”
“I can’t make any promises. You know I can’t wait to get to
you, girl.”
“I know, baby, but I’m not going anywhere, so there’s no need
to rush. Just know your girl is waiting on you—with nothing on.”
“See, that’s what makes me break the law getting to your
house.”
Evelleyne laughs. “You’re so cute when you’re possessive.”
“Yeah, and I’m the luckiest man alive to have you in my life.
I’m gone; see you in a few.”
“Okay, baby.”
Evelleyne sits on the window ledge, gazing out into the
night. The moon is high, and its white light glistens on her voluptuous, tanned
body. Her heart beats faster, and she can barely catch her breath as she
tightens the grip on her cell phone.
James is rushing down the steps, ready to see his beloved. He
hears a soft, shaky voice as he’s about to hit the “end call” button on his
cell phone.
“I love you, James,” says Evelleyne.
“I’ll see you soon,” he shyly responds.
Evelleyne gazed at the night sky, and a tear rolled down her
cheek. She knows James loves her, but he won't say it—he’s proved that. Still,
she wants to hear it from his lips.
James hopped in his Chrysler 300. Though excited to see
Evelleyne, he’s nervous before starting the car. His mind drifted through the
chapters of his life, a journey marked by unexpected turns and profound
transformations.
He thought back to the days when he rose through the ranks,
becoming an underboss for the Northside Ryders. The choices, alliances forged,
and conflicts navigated shaped him into a formidable figure in the city's
underworld.
Meeting Evelleyne was a turning point. Her strength,
resilience, and unwavering spirit drew him in. Love blossomed amidst the chaos,
a beacon of light in the shadows of their tumultuous world. Together, they
dared to dream of a different future.
Alicia Rice is a multi-genre author, leadership development
strategist, and speaker whose work explores power, choice, resilience, and the
human condition. She is the author of several compelling titles, including
Historian of the Wasteland, a gripping dystopian series that challenges readers
to examine what survives when systems collapse — and what should.
By day, Alicia serves as a Learning & Development
leader, designing leadership programs that empower emerging and senior leaders
to lead with courage, justice, and accountability. By night, she writes stories
that explore generational trauma, moral conflict, and the quiet strength of that history often overlooks. Her work is deeply influenced by her
grandmother’s encouragement, who nurtured her love of storytelling from a young
age and instilled in her the belief that her voice mattered.
When she’s not writing or mentoring, Alicia is either gaming
or building platforms that connect authors, leaders, and lifelong learners
through purpose-driven dialogue.
Julie Walker thought she knew her life: three teenagers, a husband, and her job at the Ottawa library. But when a stranger confronts her with a shocking claim about her late father, everything she believed about her family is thrown into question.
At first she struggles to know what to believe. But once the truth is revealed, a series of unsettling incidents escalate into real danger: her family has become the target of someone with resources she cannot match and few limits to what they might do. Drawn into a web of menace and betrayal, and uncertain who to trust, Julie must find the strength to confront an enemy she doesn’t fully understand.
Layered with dread and emotion, THAT OTHER FAMILY is a domestic thriller about fractured loyalties and one mother’s fight to keep her family safe.
Praise for That Other Family:
"Lis Angus has written a nail-biting cat-and-mouse crime thriller that has you suspecting everyone, trusting no one, and rooting for a woman desperately trying to protect her family from the sinister consequences of long-buried secrets. You won’t put it down until you’ve made it through the heart-pounding finale." ~ Katie Tallo, international bestselling author of Dark August (Gus Monet mystery trilogy)
"Lis Angus provides a tale of secrets, betrayal, and sharply drawn characters that had me gasping at the final twist. A great, fast-paced mystery." ~ Amy Tector, author of the Dominion Archives Mysteries
"Taut and riveting from the first page, this is a domestic thriller with real emotional stakes. What begins as a shocking family revelation becomes a harrowing fight for survival. With its layered characters and relentless tension, That Other Family will hold you in its grip to the very end. This is a great second novel from author Lis Angus. Those who liked her first book, Not Your Child, will love That Other Family." ~ Mike Martin, award-winning author of the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series
"From Lis Angus, author of the gripping and fast-paced debut, Not Your Child, comes her eagerly anticipated second novel. That Other Family is another page turner, a story of betrayal and buried secrets — and a mother who will risk everything to protect her family." ~ J. Woollcott, Daphne du Maurier award-winning author of A Nice Place to Die and Blood Relations
"Lis Angus weaves another thrilling tale of family deception that crosses borders, wrecks lives, and calls to mind the question of what it truly means to be a family. That Other Family is tightly paced and intriguing until it's exciting end!" ~ Michelle Hillen Klump, author of A Dash of Death and Murder Served Neat
The woman slid three photos to me across the table, her manicured nails immaculate. “I know you don’t want to believe me. But you need to look at these.”
I was already on my feet, having told her—Frances Boyle, she said her name was—that we had nothing further to discuss. She had no business coming to me with this preposterous story, and certainly not here at the library where I worked. Her manner suggested she wasn’t used to people saying “no” to her, but I wanted her gone.
Yet I couldn’t help glancing at the faded snapshots she’d spread in front of me. All showed the same grouping: a couple, seemingly in their forties, and two teenagers, a boy and a girl.
“That’s my family,” she said, a rasp deepening her voice. “My parents with my brother and me. That was the year before Papa died.”
Against my will, my eyes were drawn to the man in the photos. “Papa,” she’d called him. He sure looked like Dad. My memories of him were vivid, though I was only eight when he died. That dark hair, cut short, with a white streak just off-center. Neat ears, firm chin, and warm smile. And those pointed eyebrows: unmistakable.
But I’d never seen the other people in those photos before.
Heat flared at the back of my neck, and the walls of the small meeting room felt like they were closing in on me. I shook my head, trying to clear it. I wished I’d thought to bring a bottle of water in with me.
Frances leaned forward, the gold chain around her neck glinting as she moved. “From your reaction, Julie, I’d say you recognize him.” Her gaze intensified. “Now do you believe me? Our father had two wives, two families. Yours and mine.”
This couldn’t be true. I gripped the edge of the table and took a deep breath, fighting to get my emotions under control. Who was this woman and what was her game? Inspecting her more closely, I guessed she was in her late forties, a little older than me. Well-groomed. Stocky but not fat. Wearing cropped pants and a short-sleeved silk blouse, a good choice for the hot weather we were having. Her clothes looked expensive, more Nieman Marcus than Walmart.
“Can you show me some ID?” I demanded. Maybe I should have asked for that earlier.
She smiled coolly and reached into her leather bag, pulling out a passport. The photo was definitely her, but with shorter hair. Her name: Frances Louisa Boyle. Date of birth: 1975.
“Wait a minute. Boyle?”
“That was Papa’s name—James Boyle.”
The tightness in my shoulders loosened. “So. That’s not my dad.”
“When he married your mom, he used the name James MacMillan.”
That was Dad’s name—but this was ridiculous. She was claiming not just that he’d had two families, but two names.
She sat back abruptly. “I can see you’re having trouble accepting it,” she said. “I understand. It’s hard to take in.” Her expression hardened. “I only found out after Mama died in February and I was going through her papers. I found some old letters tucked away, referring to his other family.” She raised her eyes to mine again. “Your family.” After a moment, she added, “I have a couple of the letters with me, if you want to see them. They’re in my safe at the hotel.”
My mouth tasted of something bitter, metallic. “What are you after?”
She clasped her hands together. “I had a private investigator locate your mother, your family. I came here to find out more.” Her gaze swept over me. “I thought it was best to come to you first, to see if you knew about it. Before I approach your mother.”
“You can’t be thinking of disturbing my mother with this!”
“I’m sorry, but that’s why I’m here. To find out what she knew, or knows, about what happened.”
If Frances confronted Mom with this story, it would devastate her. “Give me some time to think about this first.” There must be some way to check this woman’s claim. “Can I have copies of those photos?”
She pushed them toward me. “Those are for you.” She rose and pulled a card from her purse. “I realize you may need a bit of time to get used to the idea. Here’s my cell number. When you’re ready, give me a call.” She dropped the card on the table. “But don’t take too long. I can play tourist here in Ottawa for a couple of days, but then I’ll need to talk to your mother.” She straightened her shoulders and left.
I watched her cross the library’s open lobby, passing Tony at the info desk, heading toward the main entrance. I paced back and forth in the hallway, fuming. What she was claiming couldn’t be true.
But a coldness was rising in my stomach. Could Dad really have done this to Mom? To us?
#
Returning to my office, I closed the door and collapsed into my chair, my stomach churning. I dropped my head back against the headrest and stared blankly at the ceiling. Frances’s story kept echoing through my mind. It had to be nonsense…except for those photos. That guy did look like Dad.
When she asked for me by name at the front desk, I had hoped the interruption would be short. I hadn’t anticipated how shaken our conversation would leave me.
I needed to get back to work; I had to post next month's staff schedule soon. But after staring at my computer screen for a few minutes, I picked up my phone to call Caroline.
She and I had been friends since our university days in Toronto. I was studying library science and she was a psychology grad student. We met when we both moved into a shared student house near campus and clicked from the beginning. We’d stayed close friends ever since.
I came back to Ottawa after graduating. When she moved to Ottawa as well, joining the psychology staff at the Royal, our friendship grew. She had become my rock, the person I turned to first for advice.
“Do you have a few minutes?” I asked.
“I do. What’s up?”
I quickly recapped my meeting with Frances and the story she’d told.
“That’s quite the tale.” Caroline’s voice deepened. “But you don’t think it’s true?”
“I’m not sure.” I wanted to say no. But those photos had left me with doubts.
“Have you told Matt?”
My husband. “No. I haven’t had a chance.” I wasn’t even sure I wanted to tell him.
“Or your mom?”
My jaw clenched. “If Dad had another family, if he deceived Mom, I don’t see any need for her to know about it after all these years. She’d be heartsick.”
“But you say Frances wants to talk to your mom. How can you prevent that?”
“Maybe I can’t. But I wish I could find out first…”
“If it’s true?”
“Yeah.”
“There’s a foolproof way to check. A DNA comparison.”
Trust Caroline to have a scientific suggestion. “Yeah. But I don’t know if Frances would agree to be tested.”
“Why wouldn’t she? She’s the one who says you’re related.”
I sighed. “Testing takes time, and I don’t think Frances wants to wait.”
She paused. “Do you know about Ancestry.com?”
“…I’ve heard of it, but don’t really know—?”
“It’s a site where people upload their DNA, and check to see if they match with anyone. I keep hearing about people finding linkages there to relatives they didn’t know about.”
“So we could check that site to see if we’re related to Frances?”
A doubtful tone entered her voice. “Well, maybe not, if you’ve never sent in a sample. If you send one in now, it could take several weeks for results to show up. And you don’t even know whether anyone on Frances’ side has uploaded there. If not, there’d be nothing to match to.”
I grimaced, disappointed. “Doesn’t sound like DNA’s going to help us. In the short run, anyway.”
“Yeah, maybe not. So let’s look at this another way. Is Frances’ story plausible? Could that have happened?”
Frustrated tears were pressing behind my eyes. “I don’t think so. But I wish I remembered more about our family, how things were before Dad died. I was so young, and my memories are pretty thin.”
“How about your brother? Would he remember more?”
I sat up at the thought. “That’s a good idea.” Patrick was four years older than me, so his memories of our family life back then would be better than mine.
#
Calling Patrick was complicated by the fact that he lived in Canberra, where he moved when he married Melissa six years ago.
Checking my watch and doing a time conversion, I realized it was still the middle of the night in Australia. But if I called around 4 p.m. my time, it’d be 6 a.m. there. I didn’t know what shift he’d be working—he was a paramedic with the Capital Territory Ambulance Service. If he was on the day shift, he’d be up. I’d text to see if he was awake.
He replied with a yawning-face emoji, but I took that to mean I could call. He answered on the first ring, “Yeah.”
I cut our usual time-and-weather chitchat short. “Listen. A woman came to see me today with a weird story.” I blurted out Frances’ claim that Dad had had two families, ours and hers.
His reaction was immediate. “That’s ridiculous.”
Thank you. “I know, right? It’s just not possible.”
“Wait, let me put on some coffee.” A series of indistinct sounds came through the phone. Then he was back. “Tell me the whole thing. From the beginning.”
I ran through it all, starting with Frances showing up at the library, and ending with her dropping a card as she left.
“Ridiculous,” he repeated. He was silent for a moment. “You think it’s Dad in those photos?”
“I don’t know.” I breathed out. “It looks like him. But photos can be manipulated…”
“Can you send me copies?”
“Sure. Hold on. I’m sending them now.”
While he waited for the images to arrive, he asked, “Are you thinking it’s some kind of scam?”
“Well, what could she be after? It’s not like there’s any inheritance or anything…”
He gave a small cough. “What about Mom? Are you going to tell her?”
“No! Can you imagine her reaction?” I swallowed. “Even raising it…I don’t want to spoil her memories of Dad.”
“Hold on—the photos are coming through.”
***
Excerpt from That Other Family by Lis Angus. Copyright 2025 by Lis Angus. Reproduced with permission from Lis Angus. All rights reserved.
Review:
5 stars!
Happily stayed up late, needing to know what would happen
next!
From page one, That Other Family grabbed my attention
and ran! So many surprises, I stayed up way late, riveted to the pages and wondering
when the next shoe would drop and what it would be.
Librarian and mother Julie Walker is approached at her job
by a stranger, a woman who claims that Julie’s father, who died when she was
only eight, had also been her father and had kept two separate families: Julie’s
in Ottawa, Canada, and hers in New Jersey. It seems the woman, Frances Boyle, found
some letters from her father to her mother when she was clearing out her
recently deceased mother’s home, and they seemed to tell a very bizarre story.
A private investigator had followed up on clues to the identity of the Canadian
family, and here Frances was in Ottawa to speak with Julie’s mother, Sharon,
the only parent still living who could answer the big question: “Why?”
What an amazing, compelling, unputdownable tale! Julie
Walker and her family are such nice, normal people, a nice family, with a daughter
ready for her first year at college and two rambunctious teenage twin sons.
Even Julie’s mother, Sharon, the woman with the answers, makes what happened
all those years ago sound normal. But nothing could be further from the truth,
especially where the Boyle family is concerned.
The plot is so well-paced, with scenes of normality interlaced
with moments of suspense and terror. The story unfolds from multiple points of
view, so readers are privy to several perspectives. From the shocking, initial
pronouncement to its twisty conclusion, I was glued to the book, needing to know
how this would all fall out.
I highly recommend THAT OTHER FAMILY to readers of thrillers
and suspense.
Author Bio:
Lis Angus is a Canadian suspense writer. Originally from Alberta, she has also lived in Germany and Toronto. Before turning to fiction, she worked with children and families in crisis, and later as a business writer, conference organizer, and policy advisor. Her debut novel, Not Your Child, was a finalist for the 2021 Daphne du Maurier Award and was published in 2022. That Other Family is her second novel. Lis is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, Crime Writers of Canada, and Capital Crime Writers. She lives in a small town south of Ottawa with her husband.
Viking history and modern-day treasure hunters clash on a small, isolated island.
Living at the Edge of the World – Spring is the second book in author S.J. Barratt's Papala Island Adventure series and, once again, excitement visits the tiny, remote island in the Scottish Shetlands. When tween twins Timothy and Tabitha Brown and their friends uncover what may be the most perfectly preserved Viking helmet ever found, their excitement draws unscrupulous thieves to their remote community, and they will stop at nothing to get their hands on the valuable ancient artifact!
Readers are returned to Papala Island, a small island on the far reaches of Scotland's Shetland Islands, where Tim and Tabitha are nearing the end of their stay with their Great-uncle Tamhas. With only a few weeks left before their departure and return to their London home, mother, and father, the twins are sad to leave their newfound friends and the close-knit community that made them so welcome. While Tim will miss all the opportunities still available to expand his knowledge of life and the island, Tabitha has really grown up during her sojourn, and the place and its people have become her new life. Her innocent announcement of their discovery of the Viking helmet on her social media accounts, though, has unexpected consequences.
The plot is exciting and full of local lore and nature. Readers who enjoy stories with a lot of interaction with animals will find themselves right at home among the pages. I was glad their leave-taking was gentle, with a proper plan for returning during their upcoming summer break from school. No tearful scenes or traumatic incidents to delay their departure.
Gill Mills narrates the audiobook, and her performance really brings the twins, their friends, and their family to life. While it took me a little while to connect with Mills's accent (so very different from the voices in my part of the world), once I did, I clearly imagined all the characters and the story's excitement and emotions.
I recommend LIVING AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD – SPRING to middle-grade readers and listeners, and for reading aloud at home, in the classroom, or at after-school programs.
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Memoir
Publisher: Tellwell Talent
Publication Date: January 6, 2026
Page count: 260 pages
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SYNOPSIS:
Diagnosed with epilepsy at 13, Jane's life took a wild turn full of seizures, specialists, and some seriously strange hospital adventures. But instead of letting it break her, she learned to laugh—at the chaos, the cringe, and even the curveballs. Laughing Through the Storm is a hilariously honest memoir about finding resilience, ridiculousness, and unexpected joy in the middle of life's messiest moments.
It was a frosty January morning in 1981 when I decided to make my dramatic debut in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. As the latest addition to the family line-up, I was a calm and easy-going baby, quietly lulling everyone into a false sense of security. Classic me— always setting up for a twist.
My dad worked for the Health of Animals, a branch of the Canadian federal government, as a veterinarian in Prince Edward Island. They were responsible for the control, prevention and eradication of certain animal diseases. As the district veterinarian for the entire province, he had responsibilities for the health and well-being of all livestock, from pigs and cows to chickens. His days were a mix of travelling to farms to test animals for serious diseases like tuberculosis and rabies; visiting auction houses to ensure only healthy animals were sold; attending meat-packing plants to collect samples; and making safety diagnoses to ensure that animals entering the food chain were safe for human consumption.
When I was two, my parents decided to move us to Riverview, New Brunswick, a town that became the stage for my happiest childhood memories. We lived on Hamilton Court, a little slice of suburban heaven with one particularly glorious feature: hills. Our backyard sloped gently, but our neighbours’ yards were even steeper, perfect for sledding. Every winter, kids from all over the neighbourhood would arrive armed with sleds, ready to turn those snowy slopes into the ultimate playground. We would shriek with laughter as we careened down the hill and tumbled into a snowbank. Gravity may have been our accomplice in the winter, but in the summer, it was the architect of our joy. My friends and I would roll down those same hills, giggling uncontrollably, dizzy from both the spinning and the laughter.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jane Rogers is an accidental expert in epilepsy, diagnosed at 13 and living with it ever since. She's spent over three decades navigating seizures, side effects, and hospital adventures with grit, sarcasm, and a solid sense of humor. Laughing Through the Storm is her first book—a tribute to resilience, ridiculous moments, and finding light in the darkest places.
She lives in Ottawa with her supportive husband, Pascal, and their two mischievous chihuahuas, Junior and Bailey.
Fun Fact: Jane once had a seizure during a comedy show— and still insists the comedian owes her one.
Audrey Adams knows the exact routine for all her regular customers. That’s what happens when you work at the same Brooklyn coffee shop for years. So it’s completely normal that she notices Theo Sullivan, a shy new patron who comes in at exactly 8:17 a.m., right? And that this incredibly tall (and cute) man never drinks his coffee, always leaves a generous tip, only stays long enough to scribble in a notebook, and wears the same KN95 mask. Call it barista instincts or a reasonable reaction to Theo’s undeniable sweetness, but Audrey is crushing hard.
Eagerly anticipating Theo's visits, Audrey relishes the precious few minutes they chat every time he orders his large, extra-hot Americano. When an incident reveals the horrific facial scar he's hiding beneath his mask, Theo flees the café in shame, dropping his sketchbook and leaving a part of his broken heart behind.
Audrey decides to find Theo, return his book, and confess her feelings. Before long, they’re inseparable, talking nonstop and meeting up for dates at the coffee shop.
But Theo is reluctant to fully let Audrey into his heart. He continues to hide his scar and refuses to talk about his past. Their feelings are bubbling under the surface, but will Theo—and the truth behind his accident—keep him from finding the love they've both been longing for?
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Paranormal Historical Romance
Publisher: Green Mermaid Publications
Publication Date: December 14, 2025
Page count: 461 pages
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SYNOPSIS:
Haldor Falk, fierce warrior and powerful vitki blessed by the Goddess Freyja with the extraordinary ability to transform into a falcon, has been charged with forging Skjöld, grandson of King Harald Bluetooth, into a rugged warlord in the wild north of Norway.
With his acolyte’s training now complete, Haldor intends to return to the Viking stronghold of Normandy. But when a vision reveals an imminent attack on a dwarf guarding a hidden treasure trove in a secret cave, Haldor and Skjöld gain Dwarven-forged weapons and an unexpected, invaluable ally.
Úlvhild, a völva of formidable seiðr magic and Haldor’s lover of nearly twenty winters, foresees that the Dökkálfar Dark Elves will strike to prevent the fulfillment of a prophecy. When the Norns unveil the terrible price of her fate, Úlvhild must confront a crimson-eyed witch to save her beloved falcon and ensure that the prophesied Son of the Dragon fulfills his destined path.
Falcon of the Faroe Islands is the sweeping, epic conclusion to the award-winning Valiant Vikings trilogy set in tenth century Normandy.
A sizzling blend of historical fiction, paranormal fantasy, Norse mythology, and steamy Viking romance!
Her soft whisper caressed his wandering mind. “Skjöld…”
A pulse of magic tugged at his spirit, drawing him inexorably to her.
Skjöld raised his head and glanced at Haldor, asleep in his furs. Unable to resist Skadi’s call, he rose from his bed and slipped silently across the hearth room.
At the end of the dark hall—where violet and green northern lights swirled through the narrow windows of the cave—Skadi stood in a sheer white gown which clung to her alluring curves. Luminous with inner Ljósálfar light, her long blonde hair flowing in waves to her narrow waist, she appeared like a water goddess, haloed in violet ice. Gossamer sleeves cascading to the cold cave floor, arms outstretched to welcome him, she invited Skjöld to share the starlit night.
Limbs shaking with longing, he staggered down the hall, his breath caught between need and disbelief, until she drew him into her arms like a prayer answered. And ushered him through the door, into her moonlit room.
Her graceful fingers stroked his bearded cheek, her sizzling touch sending sparks up his spine and a current coursing through his veins. On the tips of her toes, she rose like a flame, engulfing him with desire as she brushed her lips against his.
Although Skjöld had been with several women—the Blóðsmiðr had insisted on making him a man at various Viking ports whenever they stopped to trade—he had never experienced the overwhelming sensations that flooded him as he lost himself in Skadi’s enticing embrace. He savored her taste as he plundered her lips, sweeping his tongue to probe and explore. Her scent inundated his senses, her essence calling to his, her spirit entwining with his own. As if caught in a maelstrom, he spiraled into her, in complete surrender. Unanchored, unthinking, and undone.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jennifer Ivy Walker is an award-winning author of medieval Celtic, Nordic, and paranormal romance, as well as contemporary romance, historical fantasy, and WWII romantic suspense.
A former high school teacher and college professor of French with an MA in French literature, her novels encompass a love for French language, literature, history, and culture, including Celtic myths and legends, Norse mythology, Viking sagas, and Nordic lore.
Magic and suspense as the time for the fulfillment of a prophecy
approaches!
Falcon of the Faroe Islands is the third book in
author Jennifer Ivy Walker’s Valiant Vikings trilogy and takes the story
to an amazing pinnacle before coming to its absolutely stunning close. Warrior-vitki
Haldor Falk prepares to return to Normandy and his one true love, Úlvhild, as
soon as his young acolyte and the grandson of Harald Bluetooth, Skjöld,
completes his final challenge on his journey to become a noaidi.
However, the vision of the future the young man sees during the ritual warns of
an imminent attack against a Dwarven stronghold, and they are compelled to
respond, warning the Drarves and helping them in their defense; their future is
tied to that of Haldor and Skjöld. So begins the chain of events that can lead
to the fulfillment or failure of a prophecy foretold before Skjöld’s birth.
What a truly satisfying conclusion to this wonderful epic
fantasy! The characters are unforgettable by their deep and abiding love,
loyalty, and respect for one another. I could feel the powerful yearning Haldor
carries for Úlvhild as he dreams of their reunion after eight years apart. She
returns that affection in spades, and I ached for her as she saw what her love
would compel her to do in the near future. The trilogy is full of intense love
and deeply emotional connections between couples that last and last. As for
newer relationships, the immediate chemistry between Skjöld and Skadi was delicious
and palpable.
As the story comes full circle, the action moves from the
far northern Scandinavian islands near the Arctic Circle to Normandy and Paris,
France. The vivid descriptions of the settings make these ancient places come
alive, and I felt as if I were there alongside the characters, whether on a
remote island sitting around a campfire, in a mystical cave, on board a ship in
rough water, or in a majestic, magical fortress.
The plot is well-paced with exciting action and battle
sequences interspersed with more character-driven moments of tender romance,
quiet introspection, longing, and the contemplation of sacrifices to come. By
this third book, the magic foundation is well established and robust,
consistent and well explained, so I had no confusion about how things worked or
what to expect. I would have loved a glossary with a pronunciation guide for
all the foreign terms, just because I’m fairly new to the myths and lore.
The author does a lovely job of weaving the basics of the
previous two novels into this story so that it can be read and enjoyed as a
standalone. However, the earlier books were also 5-star reading experiences for
me, and I believe they shouldn’t be missed. I recommend FALCON OF THE FAROE
ISLANDS to readers of epic fantasies who enjoy paranormal elements and Norse
legends and lore.
GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
Jennifer Ivy Walker will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
