Yes, I do that sometimes...genre jump. In this case I jumped into suspense because I wanted to spend time in a completely different genre for awhile. 


That's why I downloaded, Deadly Aim, an Angel Delaney Mystery, Book 1. This story is by Patricia H. Rushford. The original copyright for the print edition is 2004 and the ebook was published in 2011.


If you want to find out more about Patricia H. Rushford, you can Google her. She's a traditionally published author that has made the decision to self-publish some of her titles.


I admit I discovered this story by clickity-clicking through a series of blog posts, a short pass through The Literary Cafe and then on to Amazon for the sample read. Sadly the sample has a lot of wasted space on kudos and a log TOC. 


A pretty beginning is good in the front matter of an ebook, but the many author kudos are IMO, unnecessary. All that gobble-dee-gook can be displayed on the Amazon page for folk interested. Two ebook pages of chapter lists...blagh. Especially, when it's just a list of numbers... Yes, I know there are links, but honestly, as a Reader I have no desire to remember what is behind Chapter 33.


Enough of that because the tone of this blog post should remain positive. I'm enjoying the twists and turns in the plot line in Deadly Aim. 


Yup. You read that right. ;) 






Have a I mentioned another good thing? Oh...I must have forgotten. ;) 


Currently, as I write this post, Deadly Aim is FREE. 


Story Description:


Patricia Rushford kicks off a thrilling new crime series set in the cozy coastal hamlet of Sunset Cove, Oregon. Featuring determined police officer Angel Delaney, the first episode is sure to have armchair sleuths turning the pages as fast as they can to discover whodunit?When a police shootout results in the death of a 12-year-old boy, Officer Angel Delaney is blamed, convicted, and condemned by the media and the Sunset Cove community before the case even goes to trial. Angel will have her day in court, but before she has the chance to defend herself, the situation spirals out of control. Key evidence is missing, evidence that could have verified her claim of firing only one shot in self-defense. In short order, the body count rises, and suddenly Angel is a suspect in more than one murder investigation. Heartsick about the young boy's death, and questioning her judgment as a police officer, Angel joins forces with Detective Callen Riley to fight the mounting charges against her.




So if you're looking to explore another genre, or already a fan of suspense then hop on over and click that FREE download button because I don't know how long this special offer will last. (I've made it super easy for you by splashing links all over this page. ;)


Enjoy!





Thank you for stopping by. Enjoy your day & happy reading!

I like sharing this little piece of flash fiction with readers every once in a while. It doesn't take long to read because it's a whopping 750 words.  


The story initially was a flash fiction challenge presented to local writers. Winners were published in  the periodical The Florida Palm. 


One of the memories I love about being chosen...


The periodical placed a really cool lightning flash image as the background for the whole section of pages in the article. 


Hope you enjoy. 


Lancashire England: 1600



“Ow!”


Arsi stared as blood seeped through a cut created by the shattered mirror. She raised her fingers, turning them to see better in the candlelight. Black in darkness becomes red within light. The last image in the mirror was lightning flashing outside her window, giving her black hair a blue tinge.


A strange sensation spiraled within, building trepidation. Broken mirrors were a portent. She frowned at the araneous cracks. They gave the impression of a thousand facetted pieces. Mesmerized by her fragmented reflection, she began to notice a strange mist.


It seeped from the fissures, increasing in thickness, surrounding her like a shroud. An unseen band tightened around her lungs, stealing her breath. Loss of air culminated in shaky knees. “What?”
She stepped away. Her breathing, now rapid and shallow, filled the chamber, in accompaniment of her fast heartbeat. She shuddered.


Someone with a strange accent spoke. “Don’t be afraid.”


The band around her released. She inhaled sharply and threw herself away from the person who appeared.


“Ah, the blood of a phoenix, a lightning strike, and of course—my mirror.”


Her heel caught on the fringe of the hand-woven rug. She landed hard on oak planks. “Omph!” Still frightened, Arsi moved backward. She stared at him, heart thudding. “Who are ye?”


He grinned, showing very white teeth, and then pushed his hand through short black hair. “I’m Raven O’dara. I’m from the future. Don’t fear me.”


The hairs on her neck stood. He was dressed in dark, unfamiliar clothing. She frowned at black boots. Their sheen reflected the candle glow. She had never seen such in her lifetime. Disbelief welled. “The future?”


He shrugged and nodded. Spinning, he studied the room. “Humph. Let me fix this.” He swept a hand over the mirror. It became whole.


She gasped. His reflection, unbroken and highlighted by flickering flames, smiled. “Ye are a witch?” Her querulous voice echoed.


“No. I’m from two thousand-eleven.” He moved closer.


She tried to scamper away across the bed; its quilts hampered her progress. His laughter sent butterfly tingles over her skin. “Ye are a witch if ye claim to be from the future!”


He pounced upon her.


Fear and confusion consumed her. She attempted to hit him.


More laughter, and then he grabbed her wrists. His face lit with amusement. He tilted his head, eyeing her. “You’re young. Nineteen, maybe?”


She growled deep in her throat and shook her head. Warmth saturated her, thrumming through her heated blood.


Someone shouted outside. The sound of shattering glass assaulted her. A large stone landed on the floor, hostility and mayhem, its tail.


“Come out! Witch!”


Stilled by the rock’s intrusion, she tried to swallow. “I’m not a witch,” she whispered through a dry throat.


“I know.” Raven brushed his finger down her temple, moving it to her mouth. A feather light touch, across tender skin, tickled her. “You must face this in order to live. That’s why I’m here. I will take you from the ashes afterward. You will be fine.” He rose, pulling her up.


Humanity surged through the door. Frenzied, she tried to escape. There was nowhere to run. Death’s shadow appeared everywhere, grabbing and pulling her toward the abyss. Someone hit her on the head.


Blackness engulfed her, choking away her scream.


Water.


She gasped at the shock of cold wetness.


“Wake up witch!”


“I am not—”


Belligerent hatred silenced her. Rough hands clenched. The stake, powerful yet temporary, held her tightly to the place of death. Strange, its purpose should cross her mind in the midst of turmoil. She looked for Raven. There, standing at the back of the crowd. Sudden calmness blessed her.


Someone in the mob stepped through him as though he was not present. Eyes gazing upon her, he smiled.


“The end is truly the beginning.” He blew a kiss on his fingertips.


The action brought forth acceptance. She studied the wood below. Damp from the rain, it would smolder and start with painful slowness. A quick inhale and release, the fire blazed from her magic, surrounding her, tickling in its warmth.


This is who I am. In a flashpoint of phoenix fire, she sang, blissful in newfound freedom.




* * *


Thank you! 

CONCENTRIC CIRCLES is lucky enough to be included in the October 2009 issue of Realms of Fantasy Magazine.

This wonderful opportunity happens every two months due to the collective efforts of the lead authors in our scifi/fantasy/paranormal group -- IWOFA.

That's Infinite Worlds of Fantasy Authors. For more information on the group visit the website:


http://www.iwofa.net/


Our awesome leader Charlee spends countless hours maintaining the website, coordinating our ads (although she doesn't do them alone anymore) and she is also the moderator for our Yahoo Groups.


Did I mention that she has also authored and published 80 books. Yup. 80. (http://www.windlegends.org/)


ROF & Charlee have had a difficult year in 2009.


The magazine closed its doors because of business failure. Thank goodness for the fantasy world that the business was purchased and rescued.


Charlee had some deeply personal moments this year, but has bounced back from her loss and just recently signed her 80th contract.


Did I mention she is my heroine? I observed from afar and gain so much understanding about human resilience. Bless her.


That brief explanation brings me back around to CONCENTRIC CIRCLES (what can I say? I have a thing for circles ;o)


I am offering Realms of Fantasy fans who come to my site a bargain when purchasing CC. You will receive $1.50 off the list price, autographed copy and a FREE Read CD (pre-published excerpts from the sequel) included in your package.

Just use the buy button below or on the home page.

But first let me tell you a little bit about the book. (This is not the book blurb.)

Heroine Shayla Brinawell has always known that she is magical. In fact, her mother has strictly forbidden her from ever using magic. She grows up torn between love for her mother and deep secret of her soul.

Shayla has always waffled on the issue of magic. Sometimes she sneaks a spell she has made up. But when the spell works she still tells herself the experience wasn't real.

Little does she know her life is about to change dramatically and with the force and speed of high winds.

That's because a magical destiny is extremely potent.

Hero, Meekal Chilkwell has always used his magic with the purpose of safe guarding the Chalice Well and surrounding Glastonbury.

In fact, guardianship is his family's legacy.

Little does he know there's a missing link. He's about to discover it. Then he has the dual job of convincing Shayla that her magic has purpose and protecting the Well from it's latest villain.

Here's a link to a FREE chapter excerpt. Please note the chapter has an Adult rating.

CC excerpt: [7] Journey into Mayhem

Buy: CONCENTRIC CIRCLES ~ $13.50
Shipping (US only) ~ 3.00

Total ~ $16.50

~ Aithne
Would you like more info about IWOFA? Here's a link to some of our finest work.

IWOFA Listmania