Book Title: VALENTINE’S DAY IS MURDER
Author: Carolyn Arnold
Series: McKinley Mysteries, Book 8
Published by: Hibbert & Stiles
Publishing Inc.
ISBN (e-book): 978-1-988064-60-4
ISBN
(paperback 4 x 6): 978-1-988064-93-2
ISBN (paperback 5 x 8): 978-1-988064-53-6
ASIN: B00OO729NQ
136 pages
Cupid's arrow may have missed its mark…
Jimmy
finally takes a vacation--and a chance on love--only to be abducted. His female
companion originally thinks he had cold feet about their relationship, but Sean
and Sara know there’s more to it. Jimmy isn’t the type to just up and disappear,
let alone leave a lady stranded.
Setting
out on their private jet, Sean and Sara reach the tropical paradise of Ocho
Rios, Jamaica with sightseeing as the last thing on their minds.
With
a gold coin being their initial tie to Jimmy’s kidnapper, Sean and Sara even
speculate about the involvement of pirates. Yet as the hours pass, and there’s
no word from Jimmy’s captors, Sean and Sara will need to figure out the real
motive before it’s too late.
With
help from their friend, Adam, back in Albany, the pieces come together and not
a moment too soon.
Links & Goodreads:
What to expect from the McKinley Mysteries:
Romance. Humor. Murder. Are you looking for a murder
mystery without all the graphic violence and foul language? Something that you
can enjoy in an afternoon and walk away feeling good about afterward? How about
a dash of humor and romance? If so, meet former detectives Sean and Sara
McKinley. When a billionaire leaves them all his money, they no longer have to
work, but they find themselves sticking to what they’re good at—solving
murders. Undercover, off the books, and around the world, they’ll get to the
bottom of things…and romance it up along the way.
This is
the perfect book series for fans of Hart to Hart, Castle, Colombo, Monk, Rockford
Files, Psych, and Magnum PI.
Read in
any order or follow the series from the beginning.
Excerpt from chapter 1 of Valentine’s
Day is Murder (McKinley Mysteries)
UNDER THE JAMAICAN
MOONLIGHT
FOR A MAN WHO HAD given up on love, dining under the Ocho Rios’ moon reaffirmed that all
things are possible. Jimmy Voigt sat across from Meredith, a woman who, just a
couple months back, had been a stranger. She carried the black evening dress
she wore elegantly, its straps loose and dangling over her shoulders. In the
candlelight and a beautiful setting such as this, it was hard to resist her. A
portion of him didn’t even want to try.
“Thank you for taking me with you, Jimmy.” She smiled
at him, wistfully, as she lifted her wine glass for a toast. “To us.”
His lips twitched, but he wasn’t
sure if the full expression showed—he was terrified of falling in love. He went
through with the expected response,
though. He clinked his glass to
hers and watched as softness blanketed her features.
It was the perfect end
to a perfect day.
They were both up with
the sun and had met by the pool. They had spent the early morning strolling
along the shore. With toes in the sand, they had shared whispered jokes and
silly stories while the sea air cleared out any stench of the city and melted
away stress. Tropical breezes also carried wafts of plant life and flowers.
“The Dunns River Falls was quite the experience.”
“You’re telling me.” He left out the fact that his
knees had barked most of the way up. He found himself caring what she thought
about him, which was a first since Clara.
While he had tried to
put Clara from his mind, his ex-wife had a way of entering his thoughts at
random intervals and at the most inappropriate times. He had loved her with his
soul, but that hadn’t been enough. Maybe it was why he held back now. He feared
that if loving someone with his entire being hadn’t been enough before, why
would it be now? Yet, he had to shake the self-flagellation.
“The best part,
though, I must say, was snorkeling. The colors of those fish. Absolutely
stunning.” Meredith took a sip of her wine.
Jimmy’s
eyes fell to her slim fingers. When they held hands, they intertwined perfectly
with his.
He needed to put the
past behind him and leave it there. Sara had told him to open his heart, but he
was starting to think it was secured behind reinforced steel doors. Still, he
appreciated how far he had come—and not simply in actual mileage, but also in the emotional distance he had traveled
to ask Meredith to accompany him to Jamaica. Really,
though, what fun was an island without a companion? Still, he wasn’t going to
rush things and had ensured they had separate rooms.
Taking a long draw on
his wine, he appreciated its flavor. He pursed his lips.
“You look mighty deep in thought.” Meredith laughed.
“Truth be told, I was.” If he allowed his mind to
swallow him whole, it would. Enough of the scrutiny and inward reflection. He
was determined to enjoy this moment in time—another wise piece of advice from Sara.
He reached across the table for Meredith’s hand. As hers molded to his, he had to admit that he felt better than he had in a long
time. On some level, he felt more complete. If he had listened to his initial excuses, he wouldn’t be here with her.
It was with that thought he realized she no longer wore the ring. He pinched
his fingers around where it used to be.
She withdrew her hand
and placed it on her lap. “You
just noticed? I haven’t worn it since just before Christmas, but it was time
for me to move on. I have a feeling it is for you too.”
Meredith’s
husband had cheated on her after twenty years of marriage. She couldn’t forgive
him. It was an offense Jimmy wasn’t sure he could have pardoned either.
Again, the internal talk would have him believe his
situation hadn’t been the same. That somehow he’d suffered less the way his
marriage had ended. All Clara wanted was more of him, yet it was a sacrifice he
wasn’t able to make. He had continued to put the job first, and in the end,
that’s all he had. Still, it had resulted in the same outcome as it had for
Meredith—two hearts that had once been bound were ripped apart.
“I know you’re probably right.” Jimmy tried to smile.
He hoped at least a glimmer of it came through. “I’ve been happy here with you.
It’s been nice having a friend.” He knew it came out all wrong by the way her face fell and her eyes
pinched.
“Yes, it is.” She cleared her throat as she took the
napkin from her lap and put it on the table. “If you’ll excuse me for a
moment.”
As she walked away, he
felt like a schmuck, with a capital S.
Why couldn’t he just put his reservations aside? What did he
have to lose? His pride? He was certain his heart hung back, despite periodic
suspicions to the contrary. All he had to do was breathe in, and breathe out.
His hand went to his
neck and he stretched it side to side. It was then he felt a pinch and
everything went black.
CAROLYN ARNOLD
is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker,
teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has four continuing fiction
series—Detective Madison Knight, Brandon Fisher FBI, McKinley Mysteries, and
Matthew Connor Adventures—and has written nearly thirty books. Her genre
diversity offers her readers everything from cozy to hard-boiled mysteries, and
thrillers to action adventures.
Both her female
detective and FBI profiler series have been praised by those in law enforcement
as being accurate and entertaining, leading her to adopt the trademark: POLICE
PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.
Carolyn was born
in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the
lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her
overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to
touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and
empower.
She currently
lives just west of Toronto with her husband and beagle and is a member of Crime
Writers of Canada and Sisters in Crime.
Connect with CAROLYN ARNOLD Online:
Website - http://carolynarnold.net/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/Carolyn_Arnold
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarolynArnold
And don’t forget to sign up for her
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