by Philip Eliot | Dec 17, 2025 | Contemporary Romance |
He’s the beast, and she’s the beauty of his past.
After twelve years in the league, all Zach Murphy wants is a Super Bowl ring. His focus has been on hard hits–not smooth manners; about breaking quarterbacks–not making small talk at cocktail parties. After dumping a tray of drinks on the team owner’s daughter and accidentally feeling up the governor’s wife, his tenure with his team looks perilously short.
Kelsie Carrington-Richmond knows what it’s like to fall from grace. A onetime beauty pageant star and former high-school mean girl, she’s now destitute and one step from living out of her car. With few real job skills, she focuses on starting her new business, Charm School for Real Men. She’s thrilled to land her first clients, the Seattle Steelheads, who have hired her to polish their roughest player.
Except…it’s Zach. The same guy whose broken heart she left in her wake when she was still a mean girl. He’s just the beast she remembers—but she’s nothing like the beauty queen she once was.
Can they get beyond their pasts? Or will they both find themselves offsides?
Previously published as Down by Contact in 2013. This version has been updated, re-written, and re-edited.
by Philip Eliot | Dec 17, 2025 | Contemporary Romance |
Her thermostat was set to frosty, until her Christmas cowboy cranks up the heat Ashley Hughes would love to cancel Christmas this year. Instead of holiday plans, she’s back in her Texas hometown planning her twin sister’s wedding — to her ex! Nothing like small town speculation to make her life cheery and bright. No one believes that she’s over the groom, until a certain cowboy secret crush steps in to be her plus one. Ashley’s tried to friend zone Jennings since high school, because she’s always known kissing the casual charmer would lead to a love she’d never forget. Jennings Hill would be the first to admit that his feelings for his ex-best friend are more likely to land him on the naughty list. When he sees Ashley again, he only wants to help but then a rumor links them romantically and that’s when their lives get complicated. The more time they spend together, the more Jennings worries she’s not over her ex, but Ashley starts wishing Jennings was her present wrapped under the Christmas tree. CLAIMING THE COWBOY FOR CHRISTMAS is a sweet and sexy standalone Texas romance in a series of standalones! Saving the Sheriff, Resisting the Rancher, Taming the Troublemaker and Claiming the Cowboy for Christmas can be read in any order.
by Philip Eliot | Dec 17, 2025 | Action & Adventure |
Prepare for an adrenaline-fueled journey through a world on the brink of extinction in this gripping action-thriller from the Master of Mayhem, USA TODAY Bestselling Author Jay J. Falconer.Cyber-attacks. EMPs. Invasion. War…When a devastating EMP attack plunges the nation into darkness, a small town becomes the epicenter of a full-scale invasion. Caught off-guard and with time running out, the desperate citizens turn to Jack Bunker, a mysterious drifter, for salvation.A former combat engineer, Jack possesses the skills to lead, but he can’t fight the overwhelming forces alone. His mission: transform ordinary townsfolk into hardened warriors ready to face the ultimate test. Yet, shadows from Jack’s enigmatic past raise doubts about his loyalty and leave some questioning which side he truly fights for.Get ready for a gripping fusion of Rambo and Red Dawn, packed with explosive action and heart-pounding intensity. As pulse-pounding battles collide with deep political intrigue, you’ll be on the edge of your seat every step of the way.If you crave non-stop adrenaline, resourceful heroes, and a web of enthralling political secrets, then this tale of true grit is tailor-made for you. Fans of Bobby Akart, Boyd Craven, Ryan Schow, Grace Hamilton, Harley Tate, Jack Hunt, Franklin Horton, M L Banner, AR Shaw, and Jack Hunt won’t be able to put this down.Don’t miss out on this explosive ride. Grab your copy of all 6 Bunker today and join the fight for survival. You won’t believe how it ends.This is the book 1 of 6 in the #1 bestselling Bunker series.What readers are saying about the BUNKER series:–“I’ve read many, many post apocalyptic books over the last few years and I can tell this series will be one of the best. Book one is just the beginning of the story and it really latched onto me and sucked me in. Great writing style and totally believable. Can’t wait to continue with book 2!” -Amazon Reviewer.–“Well written novel full of excitement and humanity in a real world situation. In this day and age of “metro males” It’s great to read about a man who acts like a man should. Great read!” -Amazon Reviewer.–“Wow what great read full of suspense leaving you wanting to know more with each turn of the page awesome!” -Amazon Reviewer.–“Outstandingly written, intriguing…..who is Bunker really?????? Seal team? Delta???? Tats gotta be war bonds and affiliates. Getting 2d book after writing this.” -Amazon Reviewer.–“Very good read! Highly recommended.” -Amazon Reviewer.–“Action from beginning to end. Love this book and plan to buy the series.” -Amazon Reviewer.–“I could not stop reading. The characters pulled me in.” -Amazon Reviewer.–“Loved the story line and the characters. It kept my interest throughout the whole book and I couldn’t wait to get started on book 2. I will definitely read the whole series and more from this Author.” -Amazon Reviewer.–“Give it a try! It’s a terrific beginning to a new series from a proven author. I think you’ll enjoy it as much as I did!” -Amazon Reviewer.–“Very well written book. Great character development. Unlike a lot of “self-published” books, well edited, with good flow. The plot is EMP-based, in a smallish Colorado mountain town. Book 1 is the start of the series, and I do intend to read the rest of the series. Kudos to the author!” -Amazon Reviewer.
by Philip Eliot | Dec 17, 2025 | Crime Fiction |
Acapulco’s acclaimed female police detective dives into an ocean of secrets, lies, and murder when she investigates her own lieutenant’s death.“Consistently exciting” – Kirkus ReviewsIn this explosive start to the award-winning mystery series set in Acapulco, Emilia Cruz beat the odds to become the city’s first woman police detective. Now she lives in a pressure cooker of danger and distrust.Famous for beaches, resorts and nightlife, Acapulco is ground zero for the war on drugs. Drug cartels fight over smuggling routes into the United States for fentanyl and cocaine. Human trafficking is on the rise. Missing persons are never found. Homicide rates are exploding and every murder is an unsolved mystery.Even worse, the police department is riddled with corruption.No one is more corrupt than Emilia’s own lieutenant.When he’s murdered, Emilia is assigned to lead the investigation and uncovers an ugly mess no one wants exposed. Both the mayor and the head of the police union pressure her to close the case. Their reasons have nothing to do with justice.Meanwhile, another detective is her prime suspect.Feeling like one of Acapulco’s famous cliff divers praying not to smash into the rocks below, Emilia must choose between truth and survival. Either way, she won’t be ready for the impact.Neither will you.Optioned for television, the Detective Emilia Cruz police drama books set in Acapulco are inspired by author Carmen Amato’s real-life counterdrug and espionage experiences during a 30-year career in national intelligence. Every Detective Emilia Cruz police procedural mystery brims with authenticity and intrigue.”A thrilling series” — National Public Radio”A wonderful crime mystery” — MysterySequels.comReaders who love international mystery series crime fighters including Armand Gamache, Harry Hole, Guido Brunetti, and the Department Q series will also love Detective Emilia Cruz’s complex plots, pulse-pounding suspense, and exotic location.Perfect for lovers of international detective and crime fiction by Ian Rankin, Jo Nesbo, and Peter May, as well as Don Winslow’s Mexican cartel and border thrillers.MEET DETECTIVE EMILIA CRUZEmilia Cruz is the first and only female police detective in Acapulco. She’s a good liar, a fast thinker, and a mean kickboxer in a department that didn’t want her and is still trying to break her. Even as she fights to keep what she’s earned, Emilia keeps a record of women who have gone missing–casualties of Mexico’s drug violence–and is always searching for them.The one thing Emilia doesn’t know how to handle is Kurt Rucker, the manager of a luxury hotel in Acapulco. A former US Marine, he has the confidence and leadership qualities she admires. A triathlete, he’s calm under pressure and knows what he wants. But does Emilia?
by Philip Eliot | Dec 17, 2025 | Crime Fiction |
Not all clutter is visible to the human eye… Professional organizer Crystal Ward’s latest client, her neighbor Roscoe Tremaine, is changing his will, an announcement that sets off an explosive reaction within his family. That same night, a gas leak ignites, destroying his house, killing him, and rocking the Ward family at its foundation.Her husband, Rick, is injured in the blast, so Crys hires Roscoe’s former caregiver, Wink Keller, to help him recover after surgery. But trouble is just beginning. Both Crys and Wink are beneficiaries in Roscoe’s will, and their alliance sends accusations flying from the Tremaines’ side of the fence.Crys has her hands full dealing with her client’s not-so-grieving relatives, a teenaged girl stalking Wink, and a suspicious fire inspector. But when threatening “gifts” left on the Wards’ doorstep escalate, Crys is forced to sort through a tangled web of relationships, including her own, to keep her family safe.Was Roscoe’s death just an accident, or is there a killer close to home?
