Beyond Earth A Limited Edition Collection of Sci-Fiction Romance Book Tour! @SilverDaggerBookTours #BeyondEarthAnthology @CeliaBreslinAuthor @celiabreslin

Discover passion among the stars…

Blast off to the future with this limited-edition collection of sizzling, science fiction romance stories!

Beyond Earth

Romance Collections Limited Editions book 14

A Limited Edition Collection of Sci-Fiction Romance

with stories by

Celia Breslin, Stephanie Morris, Candice Gilmer, Leslie Chase,

 Alina Riley, Robin O’Connor, Sky Robert, Lola Blix

Discover passion among the stars…

Blast off to the future with this limited edition collection of sizzling, science fiction romance stories!

Otherworldly seduction and intergalactic adventures await you in these high-heat, open-door tales from a diverse group of authors. Meet alien gladiators, cyborgs, AI lifeforms, psychic aliens, interstellar royalty, psy-changelings, fearless humans, and more. Visit alien worlds, travel on high-tech vessels, and immerse yourself in red-hot seduction blazing brighter than any quasar.

The Beyond Earth anthology is a pulse-pounding, toe-curling journey into the cosmos. If you enjoy out-of-this-world romance with guaranteed happily ever afters, lovers from different worlds, fated mates, enemies to lovers, grumpy-sunshine, rescue romance, and more, then you’ll love this treasure trove of spicy, steamy, futuristic stories.

Order your copy of Beyond Earth to begin your passion-filled voyage into the galaxy today!

Including stories by:

Candice Gilmer - NY Times and USA Today bestselling author

Stephanie Morris - USA Today bestselling author

Leslie Chase - USA Today bestselling author

Alina Riley

Robin O’Connor

Celia Breslin

Sky Robert

Lola Blix

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* BookFunnel* Bookbub * Goodreads

Claiming Kaden 

by Celia Breslin

Sparks fly when a battle-hardened cyborg rescues a sassy human lost in the cosmos…

Earth-girl Calie is out of hope. Kidnapped, enslaved, then abandoned by aliens, she’s sure to suffer a slow death on their stupid space station. Then new trouble arrives, claiming her as their property, but hot on their heels is a grumpy guy with a big hot bod and blazing eyes… The thrill setting her skin afire has less to do with potential rescue or New Guy’s battle prowess, and everything to do with the way he looks at her.

 Cyborg soldier Kaden is unamused by his enemy’s unhealthy interest in the vulnerable lone female with a sharp tongue and wild braids. Her terrible aim is complicating his rescue attempts, but her bravery, stubbornness, and velvet voice send electric need through both his human and cybernetic systems. He’ll do anything to save her.

 Kaden wants to explore his attraction to Calie and claim her as his, but his sworn enemy’s relentless pursuit and Calie’s own skittishness challenge his goal. Calie appreciates all the cyborg has done for her, but she’s homesick and unsure about diving into a relationship, even if the hunky cyborg is the nicest man and best kisser in the universe.

 While the enemy horde stalks them across the galaxy, can they learn to trust each other with both their lives and their hearts?

 CLAIMING KADEN is a spicy, open-door, Fated Mates Rescue Romance, and the first installment in Celia Breslin’s CYBORG GUARDIANS OF THE AURORA science fiction romance series. If you like take-no-prisoners cyborgs and sassy heroines, sizzling seduction and intergalactic adventure, check out CLAIMING KADEN today!

Excerpt from “Claiming Kaden” by Celia Breslin

The station’s vid screen flared to life, blocking her view. A handsome and angry male face filled the space. The brightest amber eyes she’d ever seen glared at her.

“Stop shooting,” the man growled.

The face disappeared.

“Who the hell was that, Athena?” A Zyphorran? She ignored the gorgeous stranger and kept firing at the battleship.

The face reappeared. Dark brows furrowed over his blazing whiskey eyes. “Desist, woman!”

“Desist this, you jerk!” She shot at the enemy. Continued to miss. “Ugh!”

She didn’t care how handsome he seemed, with his pale, silvery blue skin and spiky dark hair, and those glowing eyes which looked like they could melt a girl’s panties.

No one told her what to do, and no one would force her into servitude.

Never again.

The green vessel took out two enemy ships before it planted itself in front of Calie’s station.

Angry Guy’s face filled her screen. “I’m trying to help you. Stop firing!”

Oh… Cranky Guy was the pilot of the green ship. Possibly a good guy? Calie lifted her hands away from the controls.

As she watched, he took out every single destroyer then turned his attention to the warship.

“Shield at eight point seven percent,” Athena announced. “Hm…”

“What do you mean, hm? Should we head for an escape pod?”

“This is most intriguing. And disconcerting,” Athena murmured, not answering her escape question.

“What, that guy’s amazing battle prowess?”

“No. He infiltrated and took over my communication system to speak with you.”

Okay, now Calie was doubly impressed with good-looking Mister Frowny, because Athena was a powerful genius. No one bested her.

Calie plastered her palms on the controls. “Let’s help him kick that warship’s ass.”

“Don’t you dare,” their unknown ally barked, audio only.

“Are you eavesdropping on us? Rude!”

“The unknown male is attempting to take control of all station systems, Calie.”

“Cut it out, whoever you are,” Calie warned him. She aimed one of the station laser cannons at his ship.

“Who I am? I’m the male who’s going to disable and commandeer the warship, then eliminate everyone on board it while you sit on your pretty ass and stay out of my way.”

He thinks I’m pretty? She shook off the frisson skating down her spine. “Screw you. I’m blowing up that warship. Athena, take it out.”

 

 

Celia Breslin lives in San Francisco, California, USA, with her family, which includes three feisty felines who like to stalk across her keyboard while she’s hard at work crafting urban fantasy, sci-fi and paranormal romances. Her current creature obsessions are cyborgs, the Fae, vampires, wolf shifters, and warrior-class angels, and her action-packed stories include some of her favorite tropes: fated mates, second chances, rescue romance, opposites attract, friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, and more.

 When not glued to her laptop, Celia likes to work out, read books (of course!), hang with her family, and binge-watch sci-fi and fantasy TV shows and movies. Matcha lattes keep her fueled for All The Life Stuff!

Website * Facebook * Instagram * Bluesky * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

#scifiromance #sciencefiction #scifilovers #romancelovers #cyborgromance #alienromance #anthology #books #readers #reading #booklovers #BookTour #Giveaway #bookbuzz #bookboost #bookrecommendations #BookBlogger #Bookstagram #bookish #bookclub #MustRead #Writersofinstagram #AmReading #BookPromo #AuthorPromo #writingcommunity #readerscommunity  

 

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Lalji’s Nairobi by Nitin Nanji @cathiedunn @thecoffeepotbookclub Book Tour!

Book Title

Lalji’s Nairobi

Series

n/a 

Author

Nitin Nanji

Publication Date

30th August 2023

Publisher

self-published

Pages:

282

Genre

Historical Fiction

British Gujarat, 1905.

Despairing of the social injustices and crippling taxes under the British Raj, Lalji, 19, flees to British East Africa hoping to build a better life using his natural business skills and acumen.

But he soon finds unexpected dangers in his new home- turbulent politics and war with German East Africa- as well as some surprising opportunities. A combination of luck, coincidence, and his flair for commerce lead to early success. 

Then, just as he is at his most vulnerable, a new threat emerges from where he least expects: from within his own family. 

Can Lalji beat overwhelming odds to fulfill his hopes and ambitions?

A story about survival, faith, ability, humanity, and a deep desire to succeed.

Book Trailer (© The Historical Fiction Company):

*The ebook will be free to download on Kindle from February 4th – 8th, 2025*

Universal Buy Link

https://books2read.com/u/mgoPW6 

This title is available to read on #Kindle Unlimited.

Author

Historical novelist of Indian parentage, born and raised in Kenya, educated in England, writing about India and East Africa under the British Empire.

Nitin has come to writing his debut novel after retiring as a doctor. Born in Kenya before its independence he came to England at the age of fifteen. His parentage is Indian, his grandfather having moved during the British Raj from Gujarat in India to Colonial East Africa as an economic migrant.

'Lalji's Nairobi' is set in the early part of the last century, inspired by the stories of Indian migrants who settled in East Africa. A 'rags to riches' story of the experiences of Lalji as a determined young businessman who grapples with the challenges of living in the new colony.

Within the backdrop of a racist administration, Nitin immerses the reader into the times and norms of colonial society and shows how Lalji achieves rapid success despite difficult odds, leading a team of four compatriots from his village.

The novel is well-researched and retains the undertones of the era. Nitin's intimate knowledge of the three cultures of the colony (British, Indian, and African) succeeds in making this an enjoyable and authentic read.

'Lalji's Nairobi' is now an award-winning novel that recently won acclaim from the prestigious New Generation Indie Book Awards as a 'Finalist'. It also earned Five Stars and the 'Highly Recommended' award of excellence from The Historical Fiction Company, which has recently also awarded the book with a silver medal in the Blixen Africa Category.

Website

www.nitinnanji.com

 

Book Bub

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/nitin-nanji 

Amazon Author Page

https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Nitin-Nanji/author/B0CBHJCKXB 

Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/187785812-lalji-s-nairobi

Tour Schedule Page

Stone of Hope Stones of Iona Book 4 by Margaret Izard Book Tour! @SilverDaggerBookTours #StoneOfHope #StonedOfIona @mizardauthor

He’d fight mystic forces to be with her. She sees her future in his love.

Stone of Hope

Stones of Iona Book 4

by Margaret Izard

Genre: Time Travel, Paranormal Romance 

In a twist of fate, Dominic DeVolt is shown archeologist Moira Joanna White’s beauty through the Eye of Ra. Trying to save his niece and nephew from evil Fae powers, he’s sucked into the past and dumped in the middle of her Egyptian archaeology dig.

Moira fears the attractive man who appears at her dig is partnering with her archnemesis. That is until the bold fighter distracts her with a kiss. His duty as uncle tugs her heart, but is he only after her precious artifacts?

He’d fight mystic forces to be with her. She sees her future in his love.

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google 

* Kobo * Bookbub * Goodreads

**Don’t miss the other books in the series!**

Stone of Love, book 1, Brielle and Colin’s 18^th century Scottish story. 

Stone of Fear, Book 2, Marie and John’s 13^th century Scottish story. 

Stone of Lust, Book 3, Ainslie and Rannick’s Viking tale. 

Thistle in the Mistletoe featuring a couple in the past from Stone of Love.

Next in the series:  

Stone of Doubt, book 5 coming 2025, 

Holly and Ivy, a Christmas companion book. 

Stone of Faith, book 6. 

Stone of Destiny, book 7. 

Evergreen Evermore, a Christmas companion book.

This series leads into another connected series, Dragons of Tantallon, a dragon-shapeshifter series revolving around the magic Iona Stones.

Find them on Amazon! 

 “Pierre Lenoir accused Moira of stealing his notes and discovering the tombs using his research, which put her discovery in a long legal battle. He demanded the Egyptian courts turn over the discovery to his team, saying that a lone woman with a meager team of village riffraff could not have discovered such riches.” He took a deep breath. “Tossing the situation into further turmoil, Miss White mysteriously disappeared shortly after the filing. The case remains unsolved, but they credited this finding to her alone.”

“Moira Joanna White. She sure is pretty. Too bad she’s dead.” 

Dominic turned toward the exit as Evie spoke. “Wanna see her in real life?” 

He stopped and turned to Evie. “What?”

Evie looked at Dominic, then at the Eye of Ra. Ewan stepped toward his sister as Dominic shot his hand out to stop him. 

Ewan grabbed her shoulder. “Evie, don’t.” Evie raised her hands. His ears buzzed, and the room filled with an electrified energy. He’d felt something like this on another assignment where he flew a unique craft. The “out of this world” one he couldn’t tell anyone about. The overcharged sensation overwhelmed Dominic in the same way. Evie shifted her hands, and the pupil of the Eye of Ra turned a little then rotated. It spun faster and faster, swirling into a gray mass. As the gray of the center faded, a picture appeared as he stared and the image moved. 

Dominic stood transfixed. Before him was a movie of Moira White bent over a sarcophagus, cleaning it with a large brush. Her thick auburn hair caught the torchlight as dust particles flickered around her head. So, it was red. She turned as if someone had called her, making Dominic’s breath escape in a whoosh. Before him was a full-color live version of the photo. The stunning beauty from the past, alive before his eyes. 

As she gave him a full smile, he moved forward, tilting his head. He returned the grin, completing the connection. The picture rotated off-center, and the air traveled around him. The ringing came back to his ears, louder.

A kid’s gasp came from behind as Ewan screamed, “Evie, what’s wrong? What’s happening?” 

Dominic turned. Ewan held Evie's shoulders as she gasped for air and held her hands out to the eye. The wind picked up and swirled around them as the picture inside the eye’s pupil rotated faster. 

Evie yelled over the wind, “I can’t control it, Ewan! It’s got a hold of me! I can’t stop it!” The churning wind dragged Evie toward the eye as Ewan grasped her shoulders, trying to push her away. A gust of wind pressed the twins, and they slid fast toward Dominic. When they slammed into him, his reflexes took over, and he grabbed them. He held both teenagers in his arms, trying to push them away from the eye. 

Dominic searched for Doug and Kat and found they’d taken cover behind the chariot. Thank God he’s got only two to worry over. 

He yelled over the wind, “Doug, keep Kat safe. Stay there.” 

Ewan cried out, “Evie, ye have to stop it! Close yer eyes! Shut it off!”

Tears streamed down Evie’s face. “I can’t. I’m frozen!” This can’t be! The eye dragged them toward it. The energized force pulled as Dominic tried to push away. Whatever this was, Dominic feared it was not good.

Dominic yelled over the wind, “Hold on, kids. I've got you!” He gathered them both in his arms as he fought to keep them from the eye. The wind hit them with a forceful blow, and all three flew into the Eye of Ra. 

 

 

Margaret Izard is an award-winning author of historical fantasy and paranormal romance novels. She spent her early years through college to adulthood dedicated to dance, theater, and performing. Over the years, she developed a love for great storytelling in different mediums. She does not waste a good story, be it movement, the spoken, or the written word. She discovered historical romance novels in middle school, which combined her passion for romance, drama, and fantasy. She writes exciting plot lines, steamy love scenes and always falls for a strong male with a soft heart. She lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and adult triplets and loves to hear from readers.

  

Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

 #timetravel #portals #paranormalromance #romancebooks #romantasy #fantasyromance #romancelovers #pnromancebooks #books #readers #reading #booklovers #BookTour #Giveaway #bookbuzz #bookboost #bookrecommendations #BookBlogger #Bookstagram #bookish #bookclub #MustRead#Writersofinstagram #AmReading #BookPromo #AuthorPromo #writingcommunity #readerscommunity  

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Stone of Hope Swag Pack (US only),

$30 Amazon giftcard (WW)

- 1 winner each!

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The Distractions by Liza Monroy (Regalo Press; Jan 14, 2025) Book Spotlight!

 

THE DISTRACTIONS

By Liza Monroy

Regalo Press; January 14, 2025

With the purchase of each book, a charitable donation will be made to the Center for Humane Technology. 

 About The Book

The novel follows solitary tech worker Mischa Osborn, who is mourning the shelving of their passion project—an artificial intelligence algorithm capable of love—when a chance encounter with a social media celebrity leads them spiraling into an all-consuming obsession. 

Mischa Osborn spends their days as a ProWatcher—keeping distracted people on task and lonely ones accompanied—from their Brooklyn Megabuilding, while eating PetriMeat Steax and working out with their favorite personal trainer, a straight-talking algorithm named Tory.

Mischa’s carefully constructed, isolated existence is suddenly upended by a chance realspace encounter with a HighlightReel celebrity, Nicolás Adán Luchano. On their first date, hiking in Kuulsuits and watching DroneBeez pollinate flowers, Mischa experiences a brief but intense realspace connection.

Mischa takes to relentlessly watching Nic onReel. As Mischa’s ReelWatching spirals into an all-consuming obsession, and even realspace stalking, Mischa takes increasingly desperate measures to be seen and valued, sucking others into their vortex of obsession until they completely lose control.

Meanwhile, someone is equally obsessed with Mischa, tracking their every move and perhaps even influencing their choices.

Praise for Liza Monroy’s Works: 

“Liza Monroy has a magical voice, the kind that makes you want to read the next sentence and then the one after that to see what turn her writing will take next. She is observant, funny, and curiously wise about the culture we live and flounder in.” 

—Daphne Merkin, writer and critic for The New Yorker, essayist and novelist

“An all-around expert on romantic love, Liza Monroy delivers these lively, touching essays about love in the depersonalized time of tech. Spanning countries and dates – some more successful than others and all under the watchful eye of her mother, a profiler for the U.S. State Department – Monroy delivers an engaging chronicle for our times.”   

—San Jose Mercury News

“Liza Monroy is a great date — a masterful storyteller, witty, urbane, tender, and hilarious.”

—Dan White, author of  Under The Stars and The Cactus Eaters

“…it is interesting to watch Monroy learn her lessons, to stop romanticizing her partners or assigning them to neat boxes, to assert boundaries and rules, even if they get broken. When she finally gets her happy ending, it feels earned.”   

—Publishers Weekly

 

About Liza Monroy:

Liza Monroy is the author of The Distractions and three previous books. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, O (Oprah Magazine), Poets & Writers, Marie Claire, Longreads, Newsweek, Guernica, Catamaran, Jane, Self, Psychology Today, Jezebel, Publishers Weekly, Poets & Writers, 

Bust and many other publications and anthologies, including both editions of The New York Times’ Best of Modern Love, Best American Food Writing 2021, Goodbye To All That: Writers on Loving and Leaving New York, Oprah’s Little Book of Calm and Comfort, One Big Happy Family, and Wedding Cake For Breakfast. 

 Learn more here: 

https://www.lizamonroy.com/

P.O.O.F. Please Twilight Temptations Book 2 by D.G. Carothers Book Tour! @SilverDaggerBookTours #POOFPlease #TwilightTemptations @DGCarothersAuthor @d.g.carothers

Love is Magical. Let it POOF into your life.

P.O.O.F. Please

Twilight Temptations Book 2

by D.G. Carothers

Genre

 LGBTQ M/M Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy 

Love is magical. Let it POOF into your life.

Hey there, it’s your favorite lovable P.O.O.F agent, Nozzag! Buckle up because I’ve got a wild tale for you. Their meeting? Total “oops, my bad” moment, if you catch my drift. Let’s just say, I may have given fate a little nudge! But don’t fret, Tiki and Amalesh are in for a fabulously happy ending. *winks*

Thikoz aka Tiki – a Dragonkin, Sassy Dragon Esthetician, who is dominant and longs to find his mate.

Tiki has countless fantasies about what his ideal partner would be like. He can only hope that when he finally encounters his mate, they’ll be eager to delve into the numerous interests on his Must Try Before I Die list.

Amalesh – a Vampire, Rare Blood Procurer, reclusive introvert, who simply wishes to be left alone with his collection.

When Amalesh is thrown into Tiki’s path, almost literally, he realizes that the world he has observed from a distance is far more enjoyable as an active participant. It only takes a few hundred years and an energetic, dominant dragonkin to uncover that little truth.

P.O.O.F. Please! is set in the world of Bloodlines of Fate. Twilight Temptations are instalove, high heat, low angst stories that feature various creatures and a guaranteed HEA.

Twilight Temptations is a continuous series and while each story can be read alone it is best to read them in order.

Amazon * Bookfunnel * Books2Read * Goodreads

**Don’t miss Book 1 of the series!**

P.O.O.F. Happens

Twilight Temptations Book 1

Amazon * Bookfunnel * Books2Read * Bookbub * Goodreads

Within the shimmering guise of a mortal walks D.G. Carothers, a dragon of cunning intellect. A weaver of LGBTQIA Romance and Urban Fantasy tales, this enigmatic being revels in crafting narratives that dance between realms.

D.G. stands resolute in their commitment to unfurling tales unfettered by constraints. For in their eyes, love transcends all boundaries, a truth woven into the very fabric of their creations.

Website * Facebook * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

#lgbtq #lgbtqbooks #romancebooks #paranormalromance #romantasy #urbanfantasybooks #fantasybooks #paranormalbooks #romancelovers #books #readers #reading #booklovers #BookTour #Giveaway #bookbuzz #bookboost #bookrecommendations #BookBlogger #Bookstagram #bookish #bookclub #MustRead #Writersofinstagram #AmReading #BookPromo #AuthorPromo #writingcommunity #readerscommunity  

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Rented Grave by Charles Philipp Martin February 3 - 28, 2025 Virtual Book Tour!

AN INSPECTOR LOK NOVEL

Horace Yang, a downtrodden office worker haunted by failure, betrayal, and brutal imprisonment during Mao's Cultural Revolution, has finally found a way to settle the score. Obsessed with revenge, he presses on to a confrontation that can only end in death.

​In Hong Kong's teeming Yau Ma Tei district, a body is found in a gangster's limousine. The murder case takes Inspector Lok and his team deep into the heart of the city's criminal life. Eventually Lok's investigation uncovers an evil spawned in the turmoil of 1960s China, where a vicious regime exploited fear and terrorized the masses.

Rented Grave is a crime story about Hong Kong, a modern city entangled in China's past. Some can't forget that past, for their wounds still bleed, and their voices still cry out for revenge.

Praise for Rented Grave:

"An atmospheric crime story savvily blending the sleek modernity of Hong Kong with China’s tumultuous past."
~ Kirkus Reviews

"In noir, nothing goes according to plan. Charles Philip Martin’s RENTED GRAVE we have a crime, done in a different culture, against an alien political backdrop. Everything is different to Western eyes, from corruption to police procedure, women, and justice. Told in a crisp, vivid and relentless style that keeps the story moving forward and the mindset and values of a foreign city and its people at the fingertips, yet out of reach, Martin delivers noir in the darkest of shades."
~ Gabriel Valjan, Agatha, Anthony, and Shamus-nominated author of the Shane Cleary series​

"...lean and masterfully written...This book pulls you in and won't let go."
~ Carl Vonderau, award-winning author of MURDERABILIA and SAVING MYLES​

"Rented Grave is a beautifully-crafted, relentlessly-paced crime story studded with edge-of-your-seat thrills. Never for a moment does it stop bubbling with tension and danger."
~ Ron McMillan, author of YIN YANG TATTOO and BANGKOK COWBOY

"An as-authentic-as-you're-likely-to-get insider's view of Hong Kong police work…Martin pulls the reader through a twisty international thriller that ultimately satisfies while leaving us ready for the next installment. Exactly what you want in a thriller."
~ Bobby Mathews, Anthony-nominated author of MAGIC CITY BLUES, LIVING THE GIMMICK, and NEGATIVE TILT

"The criminal back alleys of Charles Philipp Martin’s Hong Kong simmer with sumptuous corruption."
~ Gerald Elias, award-winning author of the Daniel Jacobus mysteries

Book Details:

Genre: Mystery
Published by: Level Best Books
Publication Date: August 13, 2024
Number of Pages: 270
ISBN: 9781685126780 (ISBN10: 1685126782)
Series: An Inspector Lok Novel, 1
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Level Best Books

Read an excerpt:

Chapter 1

Rented Grave

Yau Ma Tei District, Hong Kong, Friday, 7:31 p.m. It was not supposed to be like this.

Again the words come back to Horace Yang, persistent as the cat he kicks in the alley by his home, that wretched bag of fur that returns nightly to beg for what Horace doesn’t have.

The words come back, like the blotch on his toe, a mustard-colored rot that vanishes with a touch of rice vinegar, only to bloom again when it dries.

He banishes the words from his mind, but they return.

It was not supposed to be like this.

They return when he awakens in his flat, which seems to shrink by the year, and again when he takes the day’s work orders and prepares for the day’s disappointments.

It was not supposed to be like this. It was supposed to be different.

The words remain after other words are forgotten. They remain after he answers a question from his son, a boy without guile and without future. At night they keep him company in bed, while he counts the ways that life has thwarted him. And now they return in full voice as he clutches a knife bought in haste to kill a man.

There should have been time to plan, time to choose the weapon and the place, perhaps even a minute to tell Mo what he thought of him first. That would have felt good, might have eased the stress. That was how it was supposed to be.

But for Horace, things are never as they’re supposed to be.

It should be dark, but darkness, like silence, doesn’t happen in Mongkok. A faint glow washes in from lamps on Temple Street. Filthy and forgotten windows at the back of the restaurant shed their anemic light on crates full of rotting choi sum.

Horace approaches the dormant limousine, adding a few inches to his stride to speed things up.

Given more time, he could have taken control, and not had to sneak around. Why is it that people like him, who have the best minds and the keenest ambition, are the ones who can never get control?

One last look around. Except for Horace, the alley is empty. No one is passing on Temple Street behind him or on Woosung Street at the far end. If it’s to happen, it must happen now.

Horace grabs the handle and throws the door wide open to reveal a small figure in the glint of the dome light.

“Who…?” The man stares up in confusion.

He drives the knife into the man’s chest. They both gasp.

Up to this moment, Horace has thought only of himself: his own need for cover, for speed, for getting the thing done and getting away. And, of course, his resentment at how things have turned out.

Now, the deed done, he pauses to look at the man.

The wrong man. Not Mo Tun.

A stranger lies on the seat, eyes rigid in horror and pain. And then Horace sees what he hasn’t allowed himself to see till now.

Next to the dead man, another pair of eyes.

***

Excerpt from Rented Grave by Charles Martin. Copyright 2025 by Charles Martin. Reproduced with permission from Charles Martin. All rights reserved.

Charles Philipp Martin grew up in New York City's Greenwich Village. His father was an opera conductor and both his parents well-known opera translators and librettists who never uttered the word "parenting" but knew enough to steep their family in music and literature. After attending Columbia University and Manhattan School of Music, Martin took off for a six-year paid vacation in the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.

While in Hong Kong he hung up his bow and turned to writing, spending four years as a Sunday Magazine columnist for the South China Morning Post, and writing for magazines all over Southeast Asia. His weekly jazz radio show 3 O'Clock Jump was heard every Saturday on Hong Kong’s Radio 3 for some two decades.

Neon Panic, a suspense novel which introduced Hong Kong policeman Inspector Herman Lok, was published in 2011. His most recent novel is Rented Grave, the first in a new series featuring Inspector Herman Lok. Martin now lives in Seattle with his wife Catherine.

Catch Up With Charles Philipp Martin:
www.NeonPanic.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads - @cpmartin
Instagram - @writecharliewrite
Bluesky - @neonpanic.bsky.social
Facebook - @HongKongSuspense

 

 

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