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While seeking safe haven at a friend’s home in Scotland, a troubled young computer programmer finds herself implicated in a fraud scheme she took no part in. She soon finds herself swept up in the case and falling for the detective assigned to investigate her.

Those We Trust

Those We Trust Book 1

by Marie Jones

Genre: Romantic Thriller, Suspense, Crime

Broken and humiliated by her husband of ten years leaving her unexpectedly, Sophia Meadows muddles through her daily routine—writing computer programs and rarely leaving the house. That is, until an old friend from university shows up on her door with an offer she can’t refuse: a chance to get away and heal in the Scottish Highlands of Inverness by flat-sitting. Yet once she arrives, she soon discovers the offer is not what she bargained for: A police surveillance team is watching her every move and a mysterious man is after the contents of a safe hidden in a wall.

After a break-in at the apartment, her path collides with DI Marcus Armstrong, the man in charge of the apartment surveillance. Sophia is swept into an investigation of fraud involving her university friend and into a sudden attraction with the handsome DI who finds himself drawn to her even though she’s a suspect in his case. With evidence piling up against her and her friend and the attraction between her and Marcus growing stronger, Sophia is forced to confront her broken heart and find a way to clear her name. In a tangled web of secrets and clues, can she and the DI work through their attraction and learn to trust each other in time to stop a criminal and possibly save a life?

***5 Star Recipient from Readers Favorite!!! ***

Those We Trust by Marie Jones is a romantic crime thriller that is both refreshing and riveting. The plot was quite unusual but realistic and unique. I loved the character development as it was perfect. Aneella was less the prey and more of a predator as far as I’m concerned. This book taught me that it’s not mandatory to hold on to some friendships. If people show us who they are, it’s in our best interests to believe them instead of giving them the benefit of the doubt. There is a hidden depth to humans that we can’t fathom.

We should learn to put our foot down because that may be our saving grace. Marie is a gifted storyteller who has written a captivating book. The writing was stylish, and the book was easy to follow. I eagerly await the sequel!

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In my defining moment, each of my senses became aware of the smallest, most infinite detail. The distant cry of a wild, eager fox. The soft, rippling sound of crystal water stirring within the loch. The sweet scent of a pine tree moving lazily in the wind. The freshly fallen leaves dancing around our feet. The acrid, metallic taste in my mouth as I forced away its dryness. His warm breath on my neck, stirring the tendrils of my hair and sending a tremor through my body.

I had let my eyes drift closed to savour it all for one sweet second. My hand moved carefully behind me, so he could reach for it. As I felt his calloused palm cover mine, I squeezed hard, knowing without any words he would understand what I needed. We spoke a silent language, our bodies moving of their own accord.

Then, knowing all too well what would confront them, my eyes reluctantly opened. Yet still, the shock of meeting those eyes staring hard and dangerously at me caused me to stiffen and bite down hard on the inside of my cheek.

Eyes that had once looked at me with affection were now that of a feverish stranger, hell-bent on getting what was so desperately sought, regardless of what happened to me. Had I ever really known the person behind them?

As we stood there, suspended, each waiting for the other to make the next crucial move, I knew it was my choice now as to how this tale would end. Would I go back to the woman I had once been, full of self-doubt, low, hollow, and giving in to the inevitable? Or would I rise up and fight back, show my new strength and courage to protect the man I loved fiercely?

Had it really only been five weeks since I’d made a different choice to take up a seemingly kind offer to stay at a friend’s flat? Had it been so short a time from when Aneella had smoothed her way back into my life after ten years of utter silence? When she became determined to have her way over my life, once again…

Those We Seek

Those We Trust Book 2

I thought the darkness could no longer touch me.
I was wrong.

Still carrying the physical and mental scars following the brutal stabbing from her ex-husband, Richard, Sophia is struggling to put the attack behind her. On top of that, Richard remains on the loose, with her now husband, Marcus, desperate to catch him and bring down the fraud ring, whilst her former best friend, Aneella, awaits trial. When Richard contacts her demanding to meet, and Aneella refuses to confess to anyone but her, can Sophia find the strength and courage within her to face her betrayers and protect the man she loves, no matter what the cost?

Be swept up once more in the beautiful, haunting Scottish Highlands as the story of Marcus and Sophia continues in this powerful follow on story...

***Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers’ Favorite***

Those We Seek is the second book of Marie Jones' thrilling romance series, Those We Trust. Months after her ex-husband's brutal knife attack, Sophia Armstrong struggles with PTSD from her harrowing experience. Meanwhile, her detective inspector husband Marcus is determined to locate Richard and the other members of his fraud ring. In prison, Sophia's former friend-turned-foe, Aneella, refuses to talk to anyone other than Sophia. After much coaxing, Sophia convinces Aneella to attend her father's funeral to draw out her criminal associates. But things don't go according to plan, and soon Sophia finds herself entangled in the clutches of Richard's schemes again. However, a dogmatic Marcus is determined to bring Richard to justice, only to find himself in a precarious situation. Will Sophia and Marcus be able to get out of Richard's trap?

With a swirling mix of romance, suspense, and nail-biting thrills, Marie Jones weaves a gripping story you don't want to end. Those We Seek is a stellar addition to the series, and it continues Sophia and Marcus' story as they try to navigate the circumstances Sophia's ruthless ex-husband, Richard, put them in. The characters are well-fleshed-out, which makes them easy to relate to. Sophia and Marcus' relationship underlines the sleuth mystery narrative throughout the book. Jones makes you feel for even the secondary characters and gives them minor plot threads, such as Tom. The plot moves at a brisk pace, with a number of unexpected twists and turns. This is a treat for romance and thriller lovers.

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Prologue

The cold, sharp wind whipped against my numb cheeks, stinging my eyes, and causing me to inhale rapidly. The uneven rocks beneath my feet made me stumble and curse. My legs, aching from the frantic steep climb, moaned as I forced them on. My heart beat too fast, like fluttering wings of an insect desperate to escape its trap.

Yet I had to keep going. I must. His life, the only one I cared desperately about, rested solely on me. So, I would keep climbing, until there was nowhere further to go, and the light lost its battle against the gathering darkness.

All I could see in my mind was him, the last look he'd given me. Long now I'd realised I only felt strong with him by my side. But he wouldn't believe that now. I'd done my job too well, too effectively. The memory of my parting words had me choking back a suffocating cry. No, this time I was truly alone. Alone, except for an enemy waiting for me — surrounding me from all sides. And this enemy wanted my blood. Nothing else would satisfy.

As if I'd conjured up the voice from my darkest terrors, seeping coldly into my skin, the wind taunted, “You better keep climbing if you want to reach him in time.”

I spun around, trying to peer through the descending clouds, as if to see how close on my heels they were. I could just make out the dim shadow of a moving person. Fear ripped through me.

I had no choice but to keep climbing. We both knew that. Something more powerful than me had me scrambling up once more on my hands and knees, barely feeling the stones cutting into my skin.

I should have known this wasn't over. What a stupid fool I was to believe our love would shelter us from danger. That it would act as a shield against the enemies lurking in the shadows, turning us from predators into prey.

The darkness was coming for us.

It was coming for me

Readers Favorite Gold Award Winner 2022

NYC Big Book Award Winner 2022 - Romantic Thriller

Finalist American Fiction Awards 2022

Chatelaine Romance Fiction First Place Winner 2023

Amor Book Award Finalist 2022

Author of multi award winning romantic suspense/thriller Those We Trust series

Published with GenZ Publishing

Semi finalist Australasian Screenwriting Competition

Double recommendation from Stage 32

Marie Jones’ passion for writing and creating stories began from a young age, where she loved nothing more than writing stories into her special A4 lined book. Later on in life, Marie went on to study creative writing at night college. Her favourite place to write is in her lounge when the house is quiet (though have learnt to write around noise!). Wherever she is, everyday men and women with all their amazing complexities always fascinate and inspire her

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