NHL player Maverick Blades could fall in love with anyone...

But he had to fall for a woman who falls under the Bro Code as untouchable—his best friend’s beautiful ex, Daisy-Mae Ray.

Anyway, he’s pretty sure she’d steer clear of a guy like him since the papers have made a mess of his reputation. Good guy, wrong place, wrong time...

Daisy-Mae knows Maverick isn’t the man everyone believes he is. But how can she, a small town nobody, fix his image and help his team?

She can’t. Except she just told off his team’s publicists, demanding they fix Maverick’s image.

And now she's been hired to deal with him.

No problem. Other than the fact that she's got a giant crush on him and kind of just set things up so he's to date her as a publicity stunt. Yeah, no problem for someone who wants something real.

Laugh, cry and fall in love along with these two meant-to-be characters as they stumble their way toward true love. This feel-good romance is set in the same charming small town world as Jean Oram's The Cowboys of Sweetheart Creek, Texas series. Enjoy! (These are slow burn, closed door hockey romances.)

An unimaginable alliance...
A sneak attack...
And a world oblivious to the danger it now faces.

The Arbiter balances the competing forces of Fate, Chaos, Random Chance, Free Will, Order, and Cause & Effect. Much more than abstracts – these six realms are conjoined with ours. Each wants to impose its singular impetus upon humanity to the exclusion of all else.

The only problem is that the unthinkable has occurred – the Arbiter is dead.

And without a trained successor, the Balance is at risk.

Rowan Aspen thought his 21st birthday would be no different than the previous ones – doing morning chores, going to classes, a birthday dinner and opening presents afterward.

Instead, Rowan’s day started with him almost crashing to avoid three cats that bounded out in front of his truck. No ordinary pets, these cats heralded the beginning of a grand journey that Rowan – along with his two best friends, Asher and Holly – would undertake, one that would test their mettle and demand great courage in the months ahead.
This journey will uncover mysteries and decide the fate of every living being on Earth—

Because Rowan was the Last Arbiter.

Army veteran Michael Collins is looking for a new start after a personal tragedy.

Now a recruit officer fresh out of the police academy, Michael has taken his first step in becoming a Milwaukee Police Officer.

His next hurdle is passing twelve weeks of field training in the most dangerous part of town.

Welcome to the Brew City Blues. Grab this four-book boxed set to dive into this series today!

---

Gangsters, sex workers, murderers, and thieves are just the external elements he will have to deal with to make it through field training. Michael is thrown into the fast-moving pace of a rookie’s life that takes him inside the lives of cops, criminals, victims, and their families.

Twenty-hour workdays and the department’s internal affairs unit making him feel like he has a bullseye on his back adds to the pressure.

Can this army vet with a troubled past survive the toughest part of his training in the Milwaukee Police Department and come to terms with the heartbreak from his past?

Note: This book contains profanities and situations not for the faint of heart. There is also dark, or what some call ‘gallows humor’ that police officers, and most other first responders use to deal with the ugliness that is thrown their way on a regular basis. This book is as realistic as it gets. Unless you are riding around in a squad car, now that’s real.

Included in this boxed set:

1. Field Training
2. Probation
3. Choir Practice
4. Honor and Valor

Get your copy of this gritty, action-packed real-life police drama to get your fill of blood, heartache, and cop humor!

Full of court intrigue, queer romance, and terrifying monsters—this “deliciously fun” (Sangu Mandanna, author of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches) epic fantasy appeals to fans of Samantha Shannon’s The Priory of the Orange Tree and the adult animated series Castlevania.

Remy Pendergast is many things: the only son of the Duke of Valenbonne (though his father might wish otherwise), an elite bounty hunter of rogue vampires, and an outcast among his fellow Reapers. His mother was the subject of gossip even before she eloped with a vampire, giving rise to the rumors that Remy is half-vampire himself. Though the kingdom of Aluria barely tolerates him, Remy’s father has been shaping him into a weapon to fight for the kingdom at any cost.

When a terrifying new breed of vampire is sighted outside of the city, Remy prepares to investigate alone. But then he encounters the shockingly warmhearted vampire heiress Xiaodan Song and her infuriatingly arrogant fiancé, vampire lord Zidan Malekh, who may hold the key to defeating the creatures—though he knows associating with them won’t do his reputation any favors. When he’s offered a spot alongside them to find the truth about the mutating virus Rot that’s plaguing the kingdom, Remy faces a choice.

It’s one he’s certain he’ll regret.

But as the three face dangerous hardships during their journey, Remy develops fond and complicated feelings for the couple. He begins to question what he holds true about vampires, as well as the story behind his own family legacy. As the Rot continues to spread across the kingdom, Remy must decide where his loyalties lie: with his father and the kingdom he’s been trained all his life to defend or the vampires who might just be the death of him.

We’ve all heard the story of the Four Horsemen. Harbingers of the apocalypse. Destruction given form. Four of the sexiest—wait no—forget that. You get my point.

So imagine my surprise when I find out everything I’ve ever been told, is a lie.
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves here.

Let’s start from the beginning. My name is Ruby Morningstar. I run a tattoo parlor in Portland with my banshee bestfriend, have a pet raccoon, a crazy ex that stalks me, not to mention this one little thing… I’m a demon. Half-succubus, to be exact.

For the last twenty-three years of my life, that’s the story I believed, but on the day a handsome stranger bails me out of jail my world is turned upside down, and suddenly I don’t know who I am anymore.

Because the Four Horsemen aren’t the bringers of the apocalypse.
I am.

Talk about never catching a break.

Author's Note: This is a COMPLETED adult paranormal romance series with multiple love interests and some dark elements. If you don't like strong but flawed women and alphahole heroes that need to learn a thing or two about boundaries--this book is not for you. If you love works by Eva Chase, Caroline Peckham, Raven Kennedy, Susanne Valenti, and Kristy Cunning, then jump right in. One click to start reading now!

"Fast pacing, clever plot twists, and intercontinental flavor make A Long Time Dead difficult not to finish in one sitting. 5/5 Stars." -Chanticleer Book Reviews

A decade ago, it had been unthinkable when Joe Turner's life-long friend, Owen Prescott, was charged with a grisly murder. Then Owen disappeared, leaving behind a brilliant career and budding romance to live as a fugitive from justice.

Now, haunted by the memory and clinging to a belief in Owen's innocence, Joe dives in to solve the cold case as the FBI closes in on his friend.

The award-winning Joe Turner Mystery series returns with a haunting, serpentine tale that pushes the snarky defense attorney to the brink.

Bequette has penned another riveting thriller that rewards the reader with a signature twist at the finale. Unlock the mystery to the latest Joe Turner thriller today.

Maxy Award Winner - Romance & Women's Fiction

Three men. Two timelines. One wish.

Haunted by her choices, including marrying an abusive con man, thirty-five-year-old Elizabeth has been unable to speak for two years. She is further devastated when she learns an old boyfriend has died. Nothing in her life is right.

That night, Elizabeth wishes for a mulligan. When she wakes, to her surprise, it is no longer 2022, but 2017. Though thrilled to have a chance to fix mistakes, the past is not perfect. She has a stalker and is still voiceless. Just like before, her boyfriend slips into a mysterious coma, so she enlists his brother Christopher's aid to determine the cause. In their investigation, he becomes her staunchest ally and her unexpected soulmate.

Elizabeth's stalker threatens her happiness, as do those who wish secrets to remain buried. If she can't reclaim her voice, her former boyfriend will fade away in a coma and her stalker may claim her life.

Don't miss The Wish, which mixes the mundane with a hint of magic-a romantic and thrilling ride for anyone who imagines they could transform regret into their best decision.

In the vein of Jurassic Park, this high-concept thriller follows a group of graduate students lured to Hawaii to work for a mysterious biotech company—only to find themselves cast out into the rain forest, with nothing but their scientific expertise and wits to protect them.

In the lush forests of Oahu, groundbreaking technology has ushered in a revolutionary era of biological prospecting, feeding a search for priceless drugs and applications on a scale beyond anything previously imagined. In Cambridge, Massachusetts, seven graduate students at the forefront of their fields are recruited by a pioneering microbiology start-up, Nanigen MicroTechnologies, which dispatches the group to a mysterious lab in Hawaii. But once in the rainforest, the scientists are thrust into a hostile wilderness that reveals surprising dangers at every turn. Armed only with their knowledge of the natural world, they find themselves prey to a technology of radical and unbridled power

An instant classic, Micro pits nature against technology in vintage Michael Crichton fashion. Completed by visionary science writer Richard Preston, this boundary-pushing thriller melds scientific fact with pulse-pounding fiction to create yet another masterpiece of sophisticated, cutting-edge entertainment.

One mistake doesn’t usually define a person, unless your name is Conner Payne.

Searching for a way to get his life back on track, Conner finds refuge at Steele Cage, a local gym, where he soon uncovers his potential for supremacy inside the brutal world of cage fighting. A natural talent for landing precise punches and powerful knee strikes could be Conner’s ticket out of the hellscape of a life he’s been living in for the past decade. All he has to do is train hard and avoid distractions. Should be simple enough, but Conner knows better than anyone that even when you’re not looking for trouble, trouble can still find you. And this time, the devil is disguised as a feisty reporter, full of temptation and wrapped in sin.

After a devastating betrayal, local columnist Willow Stevens devotes herself to her profession, searching for the security and stability she’s always craved. Everything is going as planned until she’s forced to cover a cage fighting match, where an altercation with a crazed fan brings her face-to-bruised-face with the winner of the cage match and possible destroyer of her heart. With her life finally moving in the right direction, Willow can’t afford any wrong turns, but Conner Payne may be a detour too tempting to ignore.

As their lives become increasingly intertwined, Willow and Conner’s pasts continue to sucker punch them from behind. They soon find out that what doesn’t kill you may make you stronger, but you still have to learn to live with the scars.

Are you going through a period of struggle or searching for a more profound sense of purpose in life?

You Are The Issue follows a remarkable one-on-one journey as you explore the facets of a human being. Within the pages of this book, you will uncover the obstacles, barriers, and untapped factors that may have shaped your life and a refreshing perspective so unique you will change the view of yourself forever.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” Take charge of your destiny and let this powerful tool help you in personal growth and development! Speak to the inner strength and choose the response.

In this book, you will learn:

• Forming the habit to Speak to your Strengths.
• Speak to the Strengths of others.
• Choose your Responses.
• Take the following steps in your journey with Boldness.
• Your Life is of Great Value.

Get ready for a transformational journey unlike any other. Discover the immense power within you and embrace the path of self-discovery. Become the person you have always wanted to be. Get a copy now!

"A fast-moving, character-driven tale of spiritual reincarnation." –Dan C. Gunderman, author of Synod, former journalist

A terrible accident. Two deaths. A soul who refuses to move on.

In her past life, after causing the death of a little boy, Nikki was so devastated that her soul mate promised to murder her in their next life, to make her pay for what she had done. With no knowledge of this, Nikki lives for years as an addict, down on her luck, until she is rescued by Ken, who helps her with all aspects of her recovery. With the help of a few new friends and a cat named Destiny, Nikki turns her life around. What she doesn't know is that someone out there is destined to kill her, and he is watching, his passion for killing her growing stronger each day.

The question is: Can an agreement made between two souls be broken, and how far will one soul go to keep a promise made in a desperate attempt to save the other?

In 1843, amidst the squalor of a small shtetl in Russian-occupied Poland, a baby cries his first breath while his mother draws her last. Thus begins the extraordinary tale of Leizar Domansky, whose life and lineage span a century, witnessing seismic shifts in history and humanity.

From the pogrom-shadowed villages of Eastern Europe in the 19th century to post-WW2 suburban London, Leizar's journey is one of tenacity and resilience. An advocate for democracy, this writer confronts the darkest forms of persecution—pogroms, prison, and rampant antisemitism—alongside the harrowing challenges of two world wars. Facing Cossack cruelty, a violated wedding in Poland, rigged trials, and punishing captivity, Leizar's story is emblematic of the struggles of an entire people.

But amid the chaos and devastation, his heart beats with love and hope. Alongside his steadfast wife, Chaya, Leizar carves moments of tenderness and connection, building a family legacy that withstands the test of time and turmoil.

Dive into this evocative five-generation saga that captures the essence of survival, love, and the indomitable spirit of a family.


Historical Fiction readers are RAVING about this captivating Jewish Family Saga:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “The amazing and heart-rending story of a Jewish family through the generations from the 1800s to the end of WWII” –Netgalley Reviewer

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This is a tremendous, impossible to put down odyssey of the Domansky family, a poor Polish family living in the shtetl of Kawetchka…The story includes so many details about many of its characters, their voices are very clear and memorable…The historical accuracy of the story’s timeline and settings makes the book read as nonfiction. As Leizar moves from his tiny shtetl to Warsaw, then Berlin and finally the UK, the continual horrific threats to Jewish survival are profound. Galernter’s writing is as smooth as silk. Over 400 pages effortlessly melt into the reader’s heart and mind.” –Netgalley Reviewer

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“I enjoyed reading this book very much…This is truly an unforgettable story of all four generations of the Domansky family…” –Netgalley Reviewer

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This is such a powerful read about life for those who lived and died through the time Russia controlled Poland. He was born as his mother died and this book follows him as he grows up. An emotional roller coaster of a book but well worth it.” –Netgalley Reviewer

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“Following this family’s story from Russia to England, is incredible! Heartfelt and beautifully written, this is a MUST READ, especially in today’s times! It can happen again! As LEIZAR says, NEVER EVER GIVE UP!” –Netgalley Reviewer

What do you do when your entire life feels empty? When you feel as if you meant for more?

In "No One is Coming to Save You", it urges readers to embark on an introspective journey amid the backdrop of seemingly ordinary lives plagued by a sense of emptiness.

The book challenges the notion of an ordinary life, pointing out the dissatisfaction that often lurks beneath its surface. The narrative unfolds as a guide to personal development, rooted in levels of consciousness, starting with the "gift of choice" in self-awareness. It empowers readers to understand the choices shaping their lives and emphasizes the power to make different choices.

The journey progresses to self-acceptance, the "gift of love," offering tools to embrace imperfections and enhance self-worth. Finally, it culminates in self-awakening, the "gift of freedom," prompting individuals to break free from societal constructs and discover their passion and purpose.

The book challenges the status quo, emphasizing that the keys to an extraordinary life lie within, advocating for self-awareness, acceptance, and awakening to transcend the ordinary and celebrate life. Grab your copy today!

"Lena Gibson (the bestselling author of The Edge of Life) lays the tracks into an exciting new post-apocalyptic world where corporate greed controls the necessities of life, one ancient society's trash is today's salvation, and the heart of one heroine can save a country's soul." –D. Lambert, author of Son of No Man series

Life in SoCal in 2195 is controlled by a corporatocracy.

Elsa scavenges twenty-first-century trash, living on the edge of starvation in this ruthless world through her grit and instincts.

When she unearths a metal tube containing maps to six Doomsday seed bunkers and a silver key, she dreams of renewable sources of food and a life based on more than subsistence, but GreenCorps will stop at nothing to acquire her find. Accused of theft and beaten half to death, she escapes with a handsome train hopper. They seek the long-lost bunkers, hoping to break GreenCorps' monopoly on food.

Along the way, they receive help from a teenage pickpocket, a solitary widow, and a rebel leader. If this rag-tag group of lonely misfits cannot reclaim the tube and find a way to distribute the seeds, GreenCorps will continue to choke out any chance of a better life.

Hop aboard this thrilling dystopian train-hopping adventure with Switching Tracks.

It's 2004 in Minneapolis, and Hazel Ford is an English teacher at a diverse urban high school, where she loves discussing The Great Gatsby with her Advanced Placement students. Plus, she's crazy about her fiancé/fellow high school teacher, Vance. But when the two of them are involved in a horrific car accident, everything comes crashing down, leaving Hazel with a traumatic brain injury and no memory of the accident - or of her supposed breakup with Vance.

When Hazel's brilliant but troubled student Febe reveals dark secrets about Vance, Hazel must navigate through the twists and turns of self-discovery, risking everything - even her own safety - to protect those she loves most and uncover disturbing truths that were buried deep.

Beautiful Little Furies, Laurel Osterkamp's stunning new novel of redemption, reinvention, and female empowerment, reminds us that secrets can change lives forever and some chances must be taken, no matter the cost.

'Tis done.

The world is a most confused and unsteady place -- especially London, center of finance, innovation, and conspiracy -- in the year 1714, when Daniel Waterhouse makes his less-than-triumphant return to England's shores. Aging Puritan and Natural Philosopher, confidant of the high and mighty and contemporary of the most brilliant minds of the age, he has braved the merciless sea and an assault by the infamous pirate Blackbeard to help mend the rift between two adversarial geniuses at a princess's behest. But while much has changed outwardly, the duplicity and danger that once drove Daniel to the American Colonies is still coin of the British realm.

No sooner has Daniel set foot on his homeland when he is embroiled in a dark conflict that has been raging in the shadows for decades. It is a secret war between the brilliant, enigmatic Master of the Mint and closet alchemist Isaac Newton and his archnemesis, the insidious counterfeiter Jack the Coiner, a.k.a. Jack Shaftoe, King of the Vagabonds. Hostilities are suddenly moving to a new and more volatile level, as Half-Cocked Jack plots a daring assault on the Tower itself, aiming for nothing less than the total corruption of Britain's newborn monetary system.

Unbeknownst to all, it is love that set the Coiner on his traitorous course; the desperate need to protect the woman of his heart -- the remarkable Eliza, Duchess of Arcachon-Qwghlm -- from those who would destroy her should he fail. Meanwhile, Daniel Waterhouse and his Clubb of unlikely cronies comb city and country for clues to the identity of the blackguard who is attempting to blow up Natural Philosophers with Infernal Devices -- as political factions jockey for position while awaiting the impending death of the ailing queen; as the "holy grail" of alchemy, the key to life eternal, tantalizes and continues to elude Isaac Newton, yet is closer than he ever imagined; as the greatest technological innovation in history slowly takes shape in Waterhouse's manufactory.

Everything that was will be changed forever ...

The System of the World is the concluding volume in Neal Stephenson's Baroque Cycle, begun with Quicksilver and continued in The Confusion.

"Intriguing, ambitious, and pretty damn delightful. I thoroughly enjoyed 'Hugh' and it gave me a lot to think about. This is a unique and exhilarating journey." – Alexis Hall, author of Boyfriend Material

From an old family trunk comes a manuscript which never saw the light of day. Its pages tell of a young man awakening to himself, his sexuality, and his world in this love letter to the era of Tom Jones.

The slightly spoiled, slightly poetical, slightly absurd son of an ambitious baronet, Hugh Entwistle possesses the wealth and connections to make him a success in Georgian England. But before pursuing a sinecure in the military, he will spend the summer of 1768 at his country estate – far from the turmoil in London this politically volatile year.

Only to discover a deeper, more profound turmoil within himself when he encounters the rebellious, and beautiful, son of the parish parson.

So begins the hilarious and heart-breaking collapse of a well-ordered world. Hugh paints a sprawling canvas of 18th century England – a world of wig powder and heeled slippers, of connivers and blackmailers, in which the search for Liberty will require Hugh to redefine the rules of the game.

Readers are enchanted with Hugh: A Hero without a Novel:

“Sui generis, thoroughly interesting, fabulously vivid in place and time. It’s extremely and realistically Georgian. A queer bildungsroman with more than a nod to Tom Jones, Tristram Shandy and the like. I found it absolutely fascinating...”
– KJ Charles, author of The Secret Lives of Country Gentleman (The Doomsday Books)

"'Hugh' is a deliciously satirical comedy, written in an antiquated syntax appropriate to the 18th century setting. At first entranced by, and then denied beauty, passion, and ecstasy (and what passion! ...the Sorrows of Young Werther came to mind...), Hugh becomes indifferent to offered pleasure until, at last, and in deathly fear of exposure, he attains the (outrageously, hilariously warped) Sublime." – Maria Huttenrauch, NetGalley Reviews

“…a work of queer historical archiving that’s as admirable and remarkable as its hero.” – Kirkus Reviews

“As good as the story is, and it’s a grand, queer coming-of-age story filled with colorful characters, voice and writing made it a 10-star novel for me. The quality of the writing and the spot-on timbre of the voice fully immerses the reader into Hugh’s world without a misstep in this seamless historical narrative.” – Coffee and Ink

“This book was everything I look for in a book. Page turning, as in couldn't put it down, intelligent, believable, made me laugh, made me cry and inspired my first ever book review. I'm not a man or gay but David Lawrence's writing helped me see each character. His books should be required reading.” – Belinda Alexander, NetGalley Reviews

“To set something like this account in the eighteenth century is no mean achievement. It is a work of literature and a tour de force.” – Briefstalk, Amazon Reviewer

The Davidsons seem like a normal family. But they do have one little secret…

American student Alice Snyder was excited to be spending the summer in Scotland, working as an au pair for the Davidson family at their remote lodge. But one month after she arrived, Alice disappeared without trace.

Now the new au pair, Melanie, has arrived - and soon notices that the Davidsons are a bit odd. There’s the strange comings and goings at night, the creepy paying guests, and sinister uncle Gray who makes her flesh crawl.

And then there’s the worrying scratch marks on the floor of the au pair’s bedroom. Did Alice try to barricade herself in? What could she have been so afraid of? Are the Davidsons somehow linked to her disappearance? And is Melanie herself now in danger?

As she desperately tries to find out what happened to Alice, Melanie begins to understand that this old house harbours a truly horrifying secret. Alice was its last victim, but she might be its next…

The Au Pair – the chilling psychological thriller from the best-selling author of The Stepson and The Child Who Never Was.

A widowed artist. An old crush. One summer to get her life back.

**A USA Today bestseller.**

"Jan Moran is a favorite author of mine. All in all a fun read that grabs you at the start." —Tina Sloan, Author and Award-Winning Actress

Ivy Marin’s life implodes after discovering that her late husband had spent their life savings on a beach house. Strapped for cash as an art teacher and with nowhere to go, Ivy and her recently jilted sister head to Summer Beach to recreate their lives. If only renovating a historical home didn’t unveil a host of hidden secrets in the beachside community—and the mayor wasn’t her former high school crush.

Bennett Dylan led a campaign against Ivy’s late husband to block the rezoning of the beach house land for a high-rise resort. Although it’s been ten years since his wife’s death, Bennett is avoiding the pain of loving—and possibly losing—another woman. And then the FBI shows up… Ivy’s demands for a zoning variance for a bed-and-breakfast couldn’t come at a worse time for him.

Despite distractions, Ivy has one summer to sway the town to salvage her livelihood and the new life in Summer Beach she’s come to love.

With spellbinding intrigue and poignant self-discovery, Seabreeze Inn is a sweet summer beach read. If you like sun-soaked beach sagas you can lose yourself in, Seabreeze Inn and Summer Beach’s fascinating characters are for you. Start your vacation in Summer Beach now with Seabreeze Inn and the Summer Beach series. After that, the Summer Beach fun continues with the new Coral Cottage. Find out why readers say, "Life is better in Summer Beach."

REVIEWS

More than 2500 5-star reviews on Goodreads and Amazon!

"SEABREEZE INN is truly an enjoyable, lovely read that will lift your spirits. If you enjoy a light, breezy read, old houses and characters with secrets, you will want to add this book to your TBR. Art lovers will also enjoy this book that slips in a little romance." - Silver's Reviews

"An entertaining beach read that offers multi-generational context and humor." - InD'Tale Magazine​

"A wonderful story that is a great at any time of the year. Will make you feel like the sea breeze is streaming through your hair." - Laura Bradbury, Bestselling Author, My Grape Year

"I love stories where the protagonist connects with an old love! Especially if the story is set at the beach. Wonderful characters and a sweet story. Doesn't get much better." - Kellie Coates Gilbert, Bestselling Author, The Pacific Bay Series

"Jan Moran is the new queen of the epic romance." - USA Today Bestselling Author Rebecca Forster

"Sweet romance with a mystery." - Romance in Her Prime

"Jan Moran is a favorite author of mine. All in all a fun read that grabs you at the start." - Tina Sloan, Author of Changing Shoes, Award-Winning Actress

"A novel that gives fans of romantic sagas a compelling voice to follow." Booklist 

"The perfect blend of mystery and romance...the women in Jan's stories are always intelligent and strong. At the core of all her books is a strong, close-knit family. The story evoked a wide range of emotions but most of all love. " - Betty's Reviews

A corrupt city ran by a political machine.
Racketeers and gangsters fight for control of the waterfront.
Mysterious, bloody murders occur throughout the city.
Black-robed figures are offering blood sacrifices to an unknown demon.

Ray Irish has found his home.

In the months following World War II, Ray Irish travels from town to town trying to drown the memories of pain and carnage with bottles of whiskey. He is a tramp, and his mode of transportation is the inside of railroad cattle cars. When Irish drifts into Oyster City, a struggling town nestled along the Chesapeake Bay, a chance encounter in a back alley gives him an unanticipated job and a couple of new suits. Working for the corrupt man he saves, Irish quickly discovers his new home has a polished veneer that barely conceals layers of deception and treachery.

Paired with a conniving woman photographer named Cat, Irish descends into a world of grifters, racketeers, and cops on the take. Something more ominous lies behind the tranquil image that is projected by the town elders. The grisly murders of a chauffeur and a policeman are only part of a web of odd occurrences involving strange people wearing the masks of tarot card characters. While Irish battles with thugs who have him in their sights, the ex-Seabee follows a chain of unusual events which might lead to a murderer or his death.

He will need the luck of the Irish to survive in a city that hates outsiders.