I’m excited to announce that my entire eBook collection, Swan Song, Runaway, Veteran, and Gutter Punk, are available as part of a promotion on Smashwords for the month of July as part of their Annual Summer/Winter Sale! This is a chance to get my books, along with books from many other great authors, at a discount so you can get right to reading.
The excerpt below will introduce you to a favorite side character, lab geek Alan Gibson, from Runaway. By the way, Runaway, the first in the series is only 99c on Smashwords.com with coupon code QC8LE. PLUS you can download the other two books in the series, Veteran and Gutter Punk, for the same price with the same coupon code. Happy reading!
Excerpt from Runaway: Walking into the forensics unit was like walking into a cloister that housed experimental scientists. Liz thought their workspace looked weird, sounded weird and often, even smelled weird. Crime Scene Specialists tended to be a trendy lot, young and hip, whereas the forensic folks were usually older. They were best described as super-intelligent, middle-aged science nerds.
Alan Gibson was no exception. Mid-to-late fifties, slight with a wiry build and a government-issue buzz cut, Gibson wasn’t bad looking, just rather ordinary. He had worked in law enforcement forensics since leaving the Army as a young man. Gibson wore trifocal glasses, perpetually chewed gum that smelled of cloves, and even had a pen protector in the pocket of the lab coat he wore.
Regardless of appearance, Liz knew that Gibson was the best in the lab for recovering weird, off-the-wall detail from crime scenes that the department would use as evidence. She had observed Gibson testifying in court and watched cases crumble as he explained away theories. When his evidence was attacked on cross examination, he was unflappable.
Finding Gibson in his usual workspace, Liz greeted him and explained that Connors was assisting her. Then she asked, “So, what have you got for us?”
Gibson began to explain, “I’m sure you remember the paperback novel that was taken into evidence. It did look like it had seen better days—well worn, well loved. But it seemed peculiar to me that it would have been mended with cheap packing tape. Librarians or sellers of books, even used books, wouldn’t use that kind of tape. And the inside of the back cover looked odd to me. Oddly thick. So, I took a closer look. Of course, I documented each step, Sergeant Jordan.”
Liz didn’t doubt Gibson for a second as she and Connors listened and watched. Gibson described using a variety of methods to discover an envelope concealed under the packing tape. “The envelope is just your garden-variety, white, moisten-to-seal item. And yes, it was sealed, with saliva from our victim. Also, her prints were found on the flap of the envelope where one would hold it as it was licked to seal.” At this, Gibson pantomimed holding such an envelope, and licking the pre-treated edge.
“I couldn’t remove the packing tape from the front of the envelope. The adhesive on that product is too caustic. I didn’t even try that route. So, the tape covering the envelope front is intact, as you found it. Visually, from the inside of the back cover of the book, it appears white or blank. However, I was able to do the reverse from the other side and remove the paperback cover from the back of the envelope where, of course, there was no tape. Once the back cover was removed, it was easy to open the envelope.”
Gibson had a look on his face that told them how much he enjoyed his work. He could have been explaining to them how he recovered the Holy Grail. But Gibson knew that to Liz and Connors, working to find Leah Bishop’s killer, this discovery could be important.
NEW SMASHWORDS Coupons: Swan Song $1.99 & the City Streets series 99c each 😁 Valid through July 31.
Haven’t read Swan Song? Download the ebook today at smashwords.com for only $1.99
COUPON CODE: HDMP9
“Swan Song” — Mara Cordovan’s life had been rough even before she learned she was dying. Her death sentence was caused by chemical exposure in the workplace. Corporate greed was to blame —and her demise could have been prevented. With nothing left to lose, she decides against seeking restitution in the time she has left. Instead, Mara wants revenge.
Keep reading for a review of Swan Song posted on Smashwords.
And if you missed the City Streets series of mysteries — Runaway, Veteran and Gutter Punk — download them today at smashwords.com for ONLY 99c each 😊 Use COUPON CODE: QC8LE
~Runaway, Book 1: A runaway is found dead in an alley. Who is she? Why is she on the streets? Investigators Jordan and Connors pursue a killer and uncover deceit, lies and exploitation.
~Veteran, Book 2: A Gulf War Veteran haunted by his past is accused of a vicious crime. Why does he not come to his own defense? Jordan and Connors believe in his innocence—but will they be able to prove it?
~Gutter Punk, Book 3: A suspect from Lieutenant Jordan’s past threatens to expose a devastating secret. When she’s thrown into the dicey world of street kids, will they trust her to find a killer in their midst?
Big THANK YOU to UK author Ian Hornett for his support in posting this great review of “Swan Song”. Ian is the author of the “Maggie Matheson: Senior Spy” series. Check them out — hilarous!
Last year, “Reading Between the Wines” book club read my novel “Runaway” and I was thrilled to be invited to join them for the discussion. On April 3rd I had the opportunity to connect once again with members of the club to discuss my fourth novel, “Swan Song”. I was touched by how much they appreciated the story and felt for Mara, the unfortunate main character. Special thanks to Debbie Olguin for choosing “Swan Song” as the club’s March read, for hosting the event, and for inviting me to join them again. Thanks also to Linda Gayer for the above article that appeared in The Views. So grateful!
Haven’t read Swan Song? Download the ebook today at smashwords.com for only 99c with COUPON CODE L5H53
“Swan Song” — Mara Cordovan’s life had been rough even before she learned she was dying. Her death sentence was caused by chemical exposure in the workplace. Corporate greed was to blame —and her demise could have been prevented. With nothing left to lose, she decides against seeking restitution in the time she has left. Instead, Mara wants revenge.
And if you missed the City Streets series of mysteries — Runaway, Veteran and Gutter Punk — download them today at smashwords.com for half the regular price! ONLY $1.50 each 😊 Use COUPON CODE RX4KR
The City Streets Mysteries~
~Runaway, Book 1: A runaway is found dead in an alley. Who is she? Why is she on the streets? Investigators Jordan and Connors pursue a killer and uncover deceit, lies and exploitation.
~Veteran, Book 2: A Gulf War Veteran haunted by his past is accused of a vicious crime. Why does he not come to his own defense? Jordan and Connors believe in his innocence—but will they be able to prove it?
~Gutter Punk, Book 3: A suspect from Lieutenant Jordan’s past threatens to expose a devastating secret. When she’s thrown into the dicey world of street kids, will they trust her to find a killer in their midst?
If you would like to purchase a copy of one of my published books directly from me, please note that I will have copies of each in stock within the next two weeks. Message me in the comments section to reserve your copy and complete your purchase on the “purchase from author” page. Thank you so much for your support. Committed readership is essential to success for Indie authors.
Click on the link below to read the full review by author Jeff Bailey. Thank you, Jeff!
Susanne Perry Publishing 