A Shamus Award Finalist and Named Best Mystery in the 2015 Next Generation Indie Book Awards

Still suffering nightmares from a case that ended tragically, brilliant freelance crime consultant Scott Drayco considers retiring from crime solving altogether. When a former client bequeaths Drayco a rundown Opera House in a Virginia seaside town, he figures he'll arrange for a quick sale of the place while nursing his battered soul in a peaceful setting near the shore.

What he doesn't count on is finding a dead body on the Opera House stage with a mysterious "G" carved into the man's chest. With hopes for a quick sale dashed and himself a suspect in the murder, Drayco digs into very old and very dangerous secrets to solve the crime and clear his name. Along the way, Drayco must dodge a wary sheriff, hostility over coastal development, and the seductive wife of a town councilman - before the tensions explode into more violence and he becomes the next victim.

Want to read a Scott Drayco novella for FREE? Sign up for BV’s Mysteries in Crimetime newsletter at bvlawson.com and receive a FREE copy of "The Maltese Moon Rock"!

Scott Drayco Thrillers in order:

PLAYED TO DEATH (A Shamus Award Finalist and Best Mystery, Next Generation Book Awards)
REQUIEM FOR INNOCENCE
DIES IRAE
ELEGY IN SCARLET

Praise for BV's Mysteries in Crimetime:

"Lawson uses the gothic features of the abandoned Opera House to great effect, creating an atmospheric background for the crimes and the solving of them, all of it accompanied with music that's almost like another character. The pace never sagged and it kept me enthralled." - Long and Short Reviews

"Lawson's book was so good, I read it twice from beginning to end...The citizens of Cape Unity are as diverse and multi-layered as any person living in the large cities, and Lawson portrayed them splendidly." - Reader's Favorite Reviews

"The storyline here is nicely structured, and creatively ties together two murder mysteries, which occurred decades apart. The small town setting is ideal, the lead character engaging, and the supporting cast interesting and diverse. Overall, a solid start to this series." - Omnimystery News

"A nice tight mystery in a realistic setting. Totally enjoyable." - Terrie Farley Moran, national bestselling author of the Read 'Em and Eat Mystery Series

"Now this story was close to brilliance...The plot was fast, dark and thrilling." - IHeartReading.net

All in all, an excellent read for lovers of quality mystery fiction." - Jacqueline Seewald, author of The Inferno Collection

Have you ever had a dream so vivid it felt real? Maybe it was real. Maybe you are a dreamshifter.

Jessica Kayne is an ordinary girl who works in an ordinary London cafe. But when she sleeps, extraordinary things happen. Because Jessica has an incredible power, not that she knows it…yet.

When Jessica dreams up a perfect man, who turns out to be real – and recently murdered – her life takes a very unexpected turn. Her dreams become more vibrant and more deadly, and she starts to discover her very special power: the ability to cross into parallel worlds. It’s a power that puts her life in grave danger.

Can Jessica realise her true potential and solve the mysterious murder? Or will the trail of death catch up with her before she can even begin?

Parallel One is the first book in the Dreamshifters trilogy. It’s a fast-paced, pan-dimensional Young Adult mystery.

In Nell Lillington's small Midwestern town of the 1870s, marriage is the obvious fate of a young woman of some social standing. Yet Nell is determined to elude the duties and restrictions of matrimony. So when she finds herself pregnant at the age of 17, she refuses to divulge the name of the father and even her childhood friend Martin is kept in the dark.

Nell's stepfather Hiram sends Nell to live at the Poor Farm of which he is a governor, to await the day when her baby can be discreetly adopted. Nell is ready to go along with Hiram's plans until an unused padded cell is opened and two small bodies fall out.

Nell is the only resident of the Poor Farm who is convinced that the unwed mother and her baby were murdered, and the incident prompts her to rethink her decision to abandon her own child to her fate. But the revelations to which her questions lead make her realize that even if she manages to escape the Poor Farm with her baby, she may have no safe place to run to.

World renowned motorcycle racing champion Sue Zay is no stranger to risk. Armed with a quick wit and a foul mouth, she's ridden her ancient superbike to the ends of the globe in an eternal quest for speed. But even after countless race victories and a flawless performance at her elite university, Sue Zay hasn't earned what she truly craves: the elusive praise of her tech magnate mother.

A chance encounter with a gorgeous stranger turns into a blood bath, and a deadly terrorist group intends to kill millions of innocents. Now half of Silicon Valley wants to put a bullet in Sue Zay's pretty head, and the other half wants to put their... in her... well- you get the idea.

Sue Zay, her trusty motorcycle, and her irritatingly responsible AI buddy will have to race faster than ever to uncover the truth about the deadly organization that threatens, not just Silicon Valley, but the entire world.

Concrete Chaos is a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat Sci-fi, action-adventure with a twist of Cyberpunk. Read it now!

***SPECIAL PRE_ORDER PRICE OF ONLY $0.99! PRICE WILL RISE TO $3.99 AFTER PUBLICATION***

The most powerful mobster in New York wants me dead—trouble is, he’s also my father.

I'm a woman on the run from the most feared mobster in the country. Worse, he's my own father. I have my sister to keep safe, and a hot, deadly hit man on my trail. Only one thing to do … see who gets the first shot. But don't worry about me, I'm no sweet young thing. In fact, I may just be as deadly as the guy who's out to end me.

My name is Verity Guerra. I'm on the run from the most ruthless mafia Don in New York—my father. For the past few months, my sister and I have been in Witness Protection, and I’m determined to live long enough to testify against him. I knew he'd send someone after me. But I didn't bank on a hit man known only as X, with cheekbones sharp enough to grate Italian cheese, and muscles that won't quit. But what he doesn't know just may kill him. Behind my pretty façade, I’m a cold-blooded killer. Too bad X is determined to end me, or I might just fall for those piercing blue eyes.

Call me X. I’m a contract killer, hired to make sure Verity Guerra turns up dead. A beautiful face won’t stop me from doing my job. Killing isn’t just my work—it’s in my blood. But her dark eyes, silky hair, and tattoos mask a lethal killer. Finally, someone worthy to be called my mark. When her little sister goes missing, we have only one question—do we stop trying to kill each other long enough to get her back?

Turns out love and hate aren't so far apart. Can we fight our desire for each other … or will we both end up dead?

Don't miss this sexy thrill-ride through the Mafia underworld—get your copy of Skewed today!

II EDITION!

When paranormal expert Robyn Wise is offered an outrageous sum of money to cure a boy who is turning into a dead tree, she's very sceptical. A politician ready to pay that much to make his son stop growing branches instead of hair? Come on! She's more likely to be abducted by aliens. This is a trap. Or much worse. And, of course, it's much worse.

The child is turning into a dark portal, created by a powerful entity determined to absorb Fairyland's power. This means that not only queen Titania and her court are in danger, but the very balance of the magic fluxes.

She'd rather stick a pencil in her own eye, but to learn how to destroy the portal, she has to sneak into the Wizardry Council, a place full of wizards who are hiding something—though it’s certainly not their dislike of Robyn.

There, she discovers a secret that could help to overthrow Fairyland's enemies for good, a secret that puts her in the midst of an ancient and deadly war, and not as a bystander, but as the main target.

An action-packed yet romantic urban fantasy where Harry Potter meets Nancy Drew meets The Dresden Files, meets Darkest Powers meets Buffy The Vampire Slayer!

A boxed set unlike any other before it, filled with the perfect blend of Dystopian, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, and SciFi Romance.

Every selection in this rare, limited edition collection is a full-length novel or novella, including some BRAND NEW material from today's New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors!

With over one million words of romantic fiction from all of your favorite genres, this limited edition omnibus will provide over 100 hours of reading!

That means you’re paying just a penny per sixty minutes of enjoyment!

If you're looking for a boxed set overflowing with variety, this collection will satisfy your cravings with sorcery, genies, necromancers, space pirates, shifters, and more! Travel to new worlds or discover ones hidden right beneath your nose when you order your copy of WICKED LEGENDS today!

When purchased separately, these books cost over $50! But they are yours today for less than $1. Grab this collection today before it’s gone for good!

The Crush Saga Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/LbfIsKTsPhw

I was born to die... But to defy fate is to control your own destiny.

Moving to Big Bear Lake was supposed to be a fresh start, but when Taylor Sparks is thrown into a supernatural world, her reality comes crashing down around her when she finds out she’s a KEY player in a dangerous game created 1,000 years ago that will give the witches and werewolves the upper hand against the vampires. Blood will be spilled and secrets will be revealed in this action-packed thrill ride and paranormal romance.

Will Taylor dive into a paranormal world she knows nothing about to be with the one her heart can’t live without?

Or will her life spiral out of control when she learns her blood is needed, just the serum necessary to lift an ancient curse from a group of supernatural beings and give the witches back their magic?

Werewolves will serve as her guardians and protect her until the first full moon of the new year, the night of her sacrifice…

Will she accept her destiny?

Or will she refuse to let evil swallow her up?

Books included in this box set:

Crush - Book 1
Crash - Book 2
Chosen - Book 3
Chaos - Book 4
Deep Web - Book 5

Shot in the head and recovering from brain surgery, Delta Force soldier Thomas Nelson wakes up in a military hospital unable to remember who he is. Faced with going through recovery alone, with no family that he's aware of, he is recruited by a top secret government agency. Project Specter is tasked with eliminating targets they deem to be a threat to the United States. Their goal is to turn Nelson into a super assassin named Matthew Cain.

Cain's first mission is supposed to be a piece of cake. Just take out an escaped fugitive in Honduras who's on the run for the rape and murder of a little girl in New York. There's only one problem...somebody beat him to it. Everything is not what it seems as Cain gets mixed up with an international arms dealer and an ex government agent who's gone rogue and supposed to be dead.

A stroke of paint above the door means you've been marked. So whatever happens, don't peek out the windows after sundown. If you hear wind chimes on a clear night and the street light above your stoop crackles, run for the hills. The One Who Lurks in the Shadows has found you, and you are not safe.

Levi, a former celebrity in search of a simple life, finds himself at the center of an ancient conflict with no allies other than an underground comic book with clues hidden in its pages. He soon runs into Violet, a nineteen-year-old pickpocket with a mean streak. Together, they unravel a dark mystery that threatens their city... and time is running out.

THE SHADOW CHRONICLES (formerly The Lamp Series) contains adult language and moments of high tension. If you are averse to either, please do not proceed.

I don’t date rockers. Don’t sleep with them. Don’t even swap spit. I’ve been working as a band booker at Trouble -- the coolest indie rock club in town -- long enough to know what a bunch of screwed up, egotistical jerks they are. Some of them might seem okay at first but that’s just because they’ve learnt to hide it better than others.

That would be fine if Razer didn’t keep popping into my office, making himself so annoyingly attractive. And he only gets more insistent when the leather-clad Alex hits town.

While they compete for both rock glory and my affection, I get stuck in the middle but all I really want to do is save my job and the club.

That’s the trouble with my life: too many rock stars.

Gritty. Fast-paced. Compelling.

As the newest murder squad recruit for Mildenheath CID, DS Wendy Knight knows that she will face the unthinkable, but what she does not anticipate is that a sadistic killer may be too close for comfort.

When a known prostitute is found dead, Wendy is assigned to the case. Solving it means that she will have to outwit and outsmart an elusive serial killer. As her investigation unfolds, so too does a sinister plot that will turn her world upside down and make it increasingly difficult to distinguish friend from foe in her tightknit world.

Could the murderer be hiding in plain sight?

Will the answers she seeks be more than she can bear?

Too Close for Comfort is a gripping, exhilarating crime thriller for fans of Peter James, Mark Billingham and Iain Rankin.

Jennifer Jane Watson has spent the past ten Christmases in a maximum security prison. The last thing she expects is to get early parole along with a job on a secluded Canadian cattle ranch serving Christmas holiday dinners to three of the sexiest cowboys she's ever met!

Rafe, Brady and Dan thought they were getting a male ex-con to help out around their secluded ranch. The last thing they expect is an attractive and very appealing woman fresh out of prison. In the snowbound wilds of Northern Ontario, female companionship is rare. It's a good thing the three men like to share...

They're dominating, sexy-as-sin and they fill JJ with the hottest ménage fantasies she's ever had. Suddenly she's craving Cowboys for Christmas and wishing for something she knows she can never have...a happily ever after.

Buffy meets Supernatural!  Werewolves and ghosts and magic, oh my!

When travel writer and werewolf Ashlee Scott returns to her hometown to recuperate from a shooting, she must confront a place full of painful and pleasant memories while dealing with her identical twin sister Amber and the complications of family. Throw in the full moon, old boyfriends, old ghosts and new enemies, and Knightsbridge Canyon will never be the same for her again.

MoonRise is a New Adult Urban Fantasy story of werewolves, witches, ghosts and vampires, family, pack and kin.

A WARRIOR TOO ELUSIVE TO CAPTURE
He is a Scottish Laird who lives in a world of Druid magic and ancient customs, hand fasted to the sister of his rival clan, MacDougall. Alasdair thought he was doing the right thing trying to bring peace to the region. But he is murdered on the eve of his wedding. Not willing to accept his death, his mother, a Druid priestess, performs a geas to keep him alive. But something went awry because, as the last word of the geas was spoken, Alasdair is trapped in time where he wanders the earth for centuries. The only one who can bring him back home is his betrothed. He has given up on ever finding her until she walks into his office in twentieth century Manhattan.

A WOMAN TOO STRONG WILLED TO TAME
Coira Ainsley is a happy-go-lucky young woman living in twenty-first century Manhattan. Her job as a travel agent takes her all over. She loves the work she does and is excellent at it. That is until she follows her client into his office, and finds herself in the fourteenth century at Inveraray Keep, in the Highlands of Scotland. At first, Coira thinks a prank is being played on her until she sees the giant, wearing nothing but a kilt and a studded leather strap across his massive chest approach her. Not one given to swooning, Coira finds herself welcoming the darkness that come over her as she loses consciousness, without learning that the naked giant is her betrothed from another time... another place. Will she give in and accept what has been pre-destined or will she fight to get back to the life she knows and loves?

The soul of humanity can not be ignored.

Fenesia Thornbark lives a privileged life because she belongs to a group of people called Purestkind, considered by an autocratic society to be the purest and highest form of humanity. However, her life is shattered with one fetal mistake, but allows her to see her world for what it really is: truths become lies. Lies turns to hate. And hate to an uprising and death.
When the Purest, an autocratic government, embarks on subjecting groups of people to unspeakable horrors because they see them as lesser people, the unexpected happens: some of their own kind turns against them.
Fenesia and the rest of her family are marked as traitors. The Purest kills her parents. Destroy her home. Bound her in chains. But...in spite of it all, they fail to break her. And now she'll make them beg for death.

Legends say the magical Aos Si, the Fair Folk of Irish and Scottish folklore that once plagued humanity, have retreated Under the Hill, never to be seen again. The legends are wrong. Aos Si are still abroad in the world, powerful, dangerous, and living among us.

When Carla's mother drags her from their home in Denver to the-middle-of-nowhere Colorado, a mysterious neighbor embroils her in a battle between warring Aos Si factions. Then she meets Shade, a slave of a cruel and power-hungry Aos Si. Her attraction to Shade is as deep as the magical powers that surround him, but her attempt to free him from his evil master sinks them both deeper into the war, endangering her life and those of the people she cares about most.

Grab your flashlight and dive under the covers, because Aos Si will keep you turning pages well past your bedtime.
(Christina F York author of Girls Gone Magic)

DEATH IS THE PRIZE IN A TWISTED GAME

An ex-football player is murdered. A National Ballet dancer commits suicide. The only link between the two deaths is Dr. Roger Peterson, a famous psychiatrist and bestselling author.

Toronto PI Samantha McNamara can't accept that her childhood friend is capable of the vicious murder or that he manipulated the emotionally fragile dancer into committing suicide. But Sam questions his innocence after she discovers that the homicide victim's schizophrenic wife is Roger’s lover and patient. And the victim was about to go public with a complaint that would destroy the doctor’s life.

When Sam’s fiancé, ex-OPP Inspector Reece Hash, receives a troubling suicide letter from the ballerina, they realize that Roger’s unethical conduct could be the symptom of a deeply disturbed mind. Or the doctor is protecting someone and has unknowingly become a pawn in a deadly game. As Sam and Reece slowly piece together the horrific truth, a killer watches and plunges them into a terrifying nightmare. Stalked by a psychopath whose greatest pleasure is the game, they must outwit the ruthless killer before they lose everything, including their lives.
 

The rules are simple: trust no one, believe nothing, and stay alive.

MacKenna’s mother died when she was a baby, a casualty of the first Gulf War. Now seventeen, MacKenna has spent her life navigating the minefield of her dad’s moods, certain of one thing: she is destined to follow in her mother’s combat boots. But when she pursues an ROTC scholarship, she finds herself at war before even enlisting.

Her father forbids her from joining the military, inexplicable considering he’d raised her to be a “warrior princess.” MacKenna turns to her grandmother—who arms her with an ammo crate containing her mother’s personal effects from the war. Hidden in the crate’s false bottom is a journal, one her mom stashed there hours before her death.

While MacKenna untangles the secrets of her parents’ tragic love story, her own life unravels. Dad’s behavior becomes erratic, her best friend grows distant and even hostile, and a boy from her past returns—with a life-threatening secret of his own.

If ever a girl needed her mother, it’s now.

The pen might be mightier than the sword, but are a mother’s words strong enough to slice through years of hidden pain? Can those words reach through the battlefields of the past to change MacKenna’s future?

I'll do anything to stay hidden, even if that means working at the scariest club in town. Then he shows up, mysterious and yet strangely familiar. And so damn sexy.

When he looks at me, I forget why I can't have him. He's beautiful and scarred. His body fits mine, filling the places where I'm hollow, rough where I am soft.

He's the only man who wants to help, but he has secrets of his own.

He has questions I can't answer.

I’m running from my past, but his might catch me first.

****************

LOVE THE WAY YOU LIE is a full-length novel that does stand alone. Fair warning: contains scorching scenes in the VIP room.