by Philip Eliot | Mar 8, 2026 | Crime Fiction |
One good man, one very bad nightDr. James Chenda, a middle-aged (and perhaps middling) academic, had always played it safe. He has a house in the suburbs, a few papers that he’s trying to publish, and though his prospects at receiving tenure are 50/50, he’s trying at least.And that was his life, until—Until one night he goes to a party alone, and on the drive home he sees two girls in another car flirting with him—One moment can change everythingOne moment, one decision, one flick of the wheel, and everything starts to unravel.James will find himself enmeshed in forces beyond his comprehension, coming from every angle possible.And he can’t just go to the police with this, because he has his child to look after.He’ll have to go deeper to get himself out, to deal with the underworld directly and outwit those who play by different rules, or perhaps no rules at all.A note from the editor: When Jonathan Maas submitted Swerve to me, I was surprised. His oeuvre so far has been SciFi and Fantasy, and every tale has had some aspect of either. But this is a Domestic Thriller—no time travel, no references to cosmic powers, and the only ghosts are the metaphorical kind. In true Jonathan Maas style, this tale does have elements of Philosophy and Literary Fiction. But it’s a page turner all right, a Domestic Thriller Crime Noir showing a normal man who finds himself at the wrong place at the wrong time, and then must pull himself out of an underworld that wants to grab hold of him at every opportunity, bring him down and keep him there.- J. Shaw, Cynical Optimist PressFor fans of: Chester Himes, A Rage in Harlem, Jordan Harper, She Rides Shotgun, the movie Shot Caller, Noir fiction.Genres: Crime, Crime Noir, Domestic Thrillers, Page-turners, Mystery, Literary Fiction, PhilosophyEdition 1.1 – Resolved some small formatting issues for Kindle.
by Philip Eliot | Mar 8, 2026 | Cozy Mystery |
No one can hold a candle to amateur detectives Flora Steele and Jack Carrington as they ask the burning question… Who is the killer walking the cobbled streets of their historic little town?Sussex, November 1959. There’s a chill in the air at the Lewes bonfire celebration. Carnival floats fill the narrow streets, fireworks crackle overhead, and Flora and Jack feel the heat of the burning torches lining the streets. But when Trevor French, chief of the Grove Bonfire Society, tumbles from his parade float, they know something is afoot. Trevor didn’t just fall – and amidst the crowds, his killer slips away through the smoke-filled night.But who would want the respected Trevor dead? As Flora and Jack question the vying bonfire societies, they find a surprisingly competitive underbelly at play. Did Edwin Brooker, former chairman, stoke the flames of rivalry too far? Or are the tears of the victim’s friend, Leo Nelson, faked to keep himself safe?Just as the sleuths believe they’ve figured it out, the body of a key suspect in the case is found dead on their hearth rug, and Flora and Jack realise that no one is safe – including themselves. Together, can they smoke the murderer out? Or will their chances of survival go up in flames?A completely addictive and absolutely charming cozy mystery novel. Fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Joy Ellis will adore this unputdownable series!Readers love the Flora Steele Mysteries:‘Fantastic!!! Absolutely devoured in one sitting!!… Absolutely addictive!!!… My heart was in my throat… OMG!!!! THAT ENDING!!!! LOVE, LOVE, ABSOLUTELY LOVED!!!!… ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! DID I MENTION I LOVED IT???!!!!… Clear your schedules as you won’t be able to put this book down!… Kept me turning the pages late at night!!… I LOVED it.’ Bookworm86, ?????‘Wonderful! I absolutely adored this… Had me finishing in no time! I highly recommend!!!… I was drawn in instantly.’ NetGalley reviewer, ?????‘Fantastic… I really didn’t want to put this book down for even a second…Totally immersive… Bravo!!’ Goodreads reviewer, ?????‘I started this with my morning coffee and didn’t put it down until it was finished… I could not tear myself away.’ Goodreads reviewer, ????‘I loved this… Keeps you guessing to the very end. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, another twist… Wow… I completely loved this.’ Page Turners, ?????‘Enchanting and atmospheric… Completely absorbing and wholly immersive… Will sweep you up in all its secrets and mysteries… Truly a delight… Truly wonderful.’ The Staffymum’s Book Nook, ?????
by Philip Eliot | Mar 8, 2026 | Cozy Mystery |
A donut a day doesn’t keep disasters away.I’m Ellie Hart, and when a dog walking job falls in my lap, it looks like my luck has changed. Changed for the worst, that is, when the first thing I do is stumble upon a body.And the new detective in town happens to be the most eligible bachelor around. And my new boss’s grandson. I’ve signed on for way more than I’d ever wanted.With my job on the line, my black Lab at my side, and donuts in hand, my only choice is to follow the clues. But when footprints lead to evidence that doesn’t add up, I kick my natural nosiness into high gear.My life is a complete mess, but with my new passion for sniffing out clues, I might just solve this dirty whodunit before the wrong person is arrested.Grab yourself a huge helping of this clever new cozy mystery series. You’ll fall in love with Ellie Hart, her dog, and the cast of characters who keep her on her toes!
by Philip Eliot | Mar 8, 2026 | Romantic Comedy |
A steamy friends with benefits, surprise pregnancy standalone novel by romantic comedy author Gia Stevens…We went from fling to friend-zone. Now I have to tell him he’s going to be a dad.After my ex-husband left, I became a single mom and vowed never to date a guy in a suit again.Then Trey Wilson entered my life. The guy who lives in suits. He’s charismatic, good-looking, and charming AF.Everything that can make any woman swoon, including me. What started as a one-night fling turned into a mid-morning office quickie, followed by an afternoon rendezvous in my kitchen. Which ultimately led to the purchase of a new table.After I told him we can only be friends, he’s determined to be my best friend. The more time we spend together the boundary between friends and benefits blur.Deep down, I know he’s exactly like the others. Once they get what they want, they’re out the door, leaving me to pick up the pieces of my broken heart. Been there. Done that. And I have a daughter to prove it.So the moment emotions get involved, I quickly suppress them and do what I know is right.I end whatever this is.Except now I can’t do that when the white stick shows two pink lines.Love Is Ale You Need is a friends with benefits, surprise pregnancy romantic comedy. Be prepared to laugh-out-loud one minute and swoon the next in this steamy standalone romcom. The Brews and Flings series is a spin-off of the Harbor Highlands series. You’ll see a lot of familiar characters but also new ones. Each book in the Brews and Flings series is set in the same world, and delivers a guaranteed happily ever after.
by Philip Eliot | Mar 8, 2026 | Horror & Paranormal |
Action-packed and laugh-out-loud funny, the Sasha Urban series is your next binge read! For a limited time, get the first three books in a convenient, discounted bundle. Analyst. Illusionist. Psychic?
When Sasha Urban finally gets the chance to perform her magic tricks on live TV, the last thing she expects is to discover that she has very real, very scary powers.
Oh, and to be totally humiliated in the process.
But being made to look like a fraud is the least of Sasha’s problems now that she’s been thrust into the dangerous world of the Cognizant. With necromancers, orcs, and moody teenage werewolves out for blood, Sasha will have to rely on her super-strong best friend, surprisingly deadly pet chinchilla, and mysteriously powerful boss to help her survive her first few months as a Cognizant.
But will she be able to master her psychic powers in time to save herself when everything goes wrong?
