Category Archives for General Fiction

If someone asks single mother Frankie Castor to clear a room, she’ll smile and find a vacuum cleaner. Ryan Harper, on the other hand, uses a gun. Is it possible they can work together when their lives depend on it?

Frankie’s returned to her childhood home in Montana to help care for her mother. Her biggest worries are balancing the budget and the upkeep of an aging home. When she offers a man a ride home from the hospital, she never imagines she’ll end up having to choose between her daughter’s life and matters of national security that could cost the lives of millions.

Ryan returns to his family home to find a way to prove he didn’t leak vital information on a covert ops mission gone south. As he searches for the meaning of a file he’s kept hidden from the mission, he has no idea that international mercenaries have been searching for it—and him. When the mercenaries come after Ryan, he’s torn. Fighting for his country wars with fighting to rescue people he loves.

Set against a Montana mountain backdrop, When Danger Calls is a story filled with action, adventure, and romance, where the stakes keep getting higher and higher.

Excerpt:

Frankie took his elbow. “You’re still shaky. I think you should stick around here, where someone can keep an eye on you.”

His mouth narrowed. “No, I need to get away. It’s complicated, but I don’t want anyone to know I’m here.” He stared over her shoulder for a moment, as if it took a long time for the words to line up before he spoke. “Can I impose on you for a lift to a motel? I’d like to be nearby.”

He lifted his arms shoulder height, palms upward, then did a slow pivot. “I’m not armed. And I don’t bite. Promise. In a few minutes I’ll be out of your hair.”

Logic said to give him cab fare. She checked her wallet, and didn’t think three dollars would get him anywhere. She remembered his gentle touch on the dance floor. At the moment, he was in no condition to do anything to hurt her. She’d have him at a motel in a few minutes. Instinct trumped logic. “My car’s outside. Can you walk?”

The Buzz for WHEN DANGER CALLS

“…an action-packed adventure tale with agreeable results.” Jay Boyar, Orlando Magazine

“Odell has written a story with nonstop action. There are plenty of surprises, especially when the line that separates the good guys from the bad guys becomes blurred … Odell’s writing will keep readers on their toes.” – Barb Anderson, Romantic Times BOOKreviews.

“Terry Odell creates adventures that will keep you turning the pages. A perfect, getaway read from a very talented author.” – USA Today best-selling author Rhonda Pollero

Terry Odell puts a fresh spin on romantic suspense with WHEN DANGER CALLS. The story teems with passion, action and characters as real as your best friend. The book intrigued me from beginning to end. I’ll definitely be looking for her next installment! … Linda Castillo, bestselling author of OVERKILL

Formerly published by Five Star Expressions, WHEN DANGER CALLS is now available in digital format.

‘Heart-wrenching and captivating… as good as anything Jodi Picoult and Diane Chamberlain have ever written… gripping, engrossing and compelling’ Bookish Jottings

‘My arms ache with the need to reach and hold my precious child, and then to never let go. But I can’t. I know I can’t.’

Heather is devastated. There’s no way she can keep her baby. She can barely pay the bills as it is. But when she meets Grace, a wealthy, single career woman, who wants a baby more than anything, Heather believes she has found the perfect adoptive mother.

As Grace and Heather’s lives become entwined, they are tested to breaking point, though neither can deny the other’s love for the child. But just when they think they are learning how to live with each other, they receive devastating news that turns their fragile world upside down.

Will either mother know what is the right thing to do for the child they both love?

An absolutely gripping, emotional drama with a tear-jerking twist. If you love Jodi Picoult, Kelly Rimmer or Diane Chamberlain, this will warm your heart, make you cry, and stay with you forever.

What readers are saying about A Mother’s Goodbye

‘Wow oh wow… A powerful and emotional read that touched my heart… mesmerising… powerful and gut-wrenching.’ Dash Fan Book Reviews, 5 stars

‘I absolutely loved every minute … such a heart-breaking read… I highly recommend it.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

‘Oh. My Gosh. This story tugs at so many heartstrings, it makes you cry, it makes you FEEL.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

‘I cannot recommend this book enough to you all! … This story 100% got me in the feels….it was an emotional rollercoaster and a superb riveting read.’ Writing from the Heart, 5 stars

‘If there’s one book that I’m glad I’ve read so far this year then it’s this one.’ Sarah Louise Writes

‘Oh my gosh! This book is sad, thrilling, gripping and completely pulls on your heart strings… Full of heartache, tough decisions, dilemmas, drama and struggles of everyday life…. In two words, simply amazing!’ Books on the Bookshelf, 5 stars

‘This book was a heart wrenchingly aching tale of motherly love, loss and loyalty. It’s like no other!… So so sad. But so beautiful!’ Two Girls and a Book Obsession, 5 stars

‘Wow! This book pulled at my heartstrings from first page to last’ Audio Killed the Bookmark, 5 stars

‘I cannot believe how much this book touched me. It got to one point where I had to stop reading because my chest hurt so bad from emotion and the tears were flowing… I would give this more than 5 stars if I could’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

‘Oh wow…Such a beautiful, heartfelt and emotional story… This story has literally broken my heart into tiny little pieces at every emotional and heart breaking turn’ Welcome to Mixing Reality with Fiction, 5 stars

‘A heartbreaking story…that is beautifully and emotionally written… Absolutely heart wrenching and devastating.’ Sinfully Wicked Books, 5 stars

‘This is an absolutely stunning novel… incredibly moving …powerful, honest and an excellent, unmissable read.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘A powerful story of love and heartbreak. I read this book with tears streaming down my face… Real, visceral and so emotional… The gut-wrenching decisions that had to be made were so realistic and so poignant.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘A riveting story… [it] was already pulling at my heartstrings, but then there was a twist, one so tragic, that I read much of the story with a lump in my throat.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

‘One of the best books I’ve read.’ Goodreads reviewer

Reeling from the death of her husband, Angela Fleetwood isn’t ready for a fight. But when her neighbor turns up dead, Angela is forced to find the killer or watch an innocent young man go to jail for life.
The Sheriff says it’s not murder, but the deeper Angela digs, the closer she gets to the truth: A truth that extends 50 years back to WWII Germany and one night in a Wehrmacht hospital. What was the old lady hiding that someone would kill for? Can a woman who considers herself broken beyond repair, armed with an old Winchester, transform into a hero?
The Pendant is murder mystery novel set in North Florida with a strong female lead, and has historical and paranormal elements.

Millions of readers have fallen in love with Ava’s bestselling books…come join the family.

International Bestselling Author Ava Miles presents a sweet and emotional love story about two people who should be wrong for each other but turn out to be so right. Chosen as Best Book of the Year and connected to Ava’s bestselling small town Dare Valley series, this romance will warm your hearts and curl your toes.

When famous–and infamous–country singer rock star Rye Crenshaw saunters into the diner where she cooks, Tory Simmons is certain she’s got him pegged. He’s a bad boy Alpha male who indulges himself in all things, women included. But while she couldn’t care less about country music or arrogant men, Rye makes her an offer she can’t refuse when he asks her to be his private chef on his multi-city concert tour. The job is the answer to all her prayers: it will clear out her debt and finance the fresh start she desperately needs.

Rye is certain his sassy new cook is the last woman who’d ever tempt him, but spending time with the wholesome girl next door will do wonders for his damaged public image, whether she likes being forced into the spotlight or not. Her food also happens to be the best he’s ever eaten, both comforting and seductive. But spending time with Tory on the road shows him a new side to her–one that’s as impossible to resist as her food. And when an emergency in his family whisks him home, he does the one thing he’s never risked: he lets a woman into his heart…

Soon the emotions Rye faked for the tabloids become all too real, but will the country heaven he’s found in Tory’s arms survive in the real world?

PRAISE:
“Ava’s story is witty and charming.” Barbara Freethy #1 New York Times Bestselling Author on Nora Roberts Land

“On par with Nicholas Sparks’ love stories.” Jennifer’s Corner Blog

“The constant love, and the tasteful sexual interludes, bring a sensual, dynamic tension to this appealing story.” Publisher’s Weekly

“I am adding Ava Miles to my list of always reads like Susan Mallery, Jill Shalvis, Kristen Ashley, and NORA ROBERTS.” Marjay’s Reading Blog

“Miles’ story savvy, sense of humor, respect for her readers and empathy for her characters shine through…” USA Today on The Gate to Everything

He is lonely. So is she.
Can one summer change both their lives?

Unseen and unheard, Gabriel Scott retreats from his parents into a computer world of adventure and companionship. However,when he is forced to spend the summer with his grandparents, he finally realizes that the digital world could never compete with the real one.

As the neighbor kids invite him along,Gabriel steps out into the world for an adventure he never could have imagined.A treasure hunt guides them all over town as they do their best to solve riddle after riddle. On their way, they meet Hannah, a young girl forbidden from leaving her room.

Soon, Gabriel learns her secret, and before long, the treasure hunt is not the greatest challenge presented to him that year.

Will that summer change him? And what happens when summer ends? Will Gabriel return home to parents who barely notice him? Or will he fight for his right to happiness?

Davenport House is the first book in a family saga following the wealthy Davenports and their servants in 1915 America.

Mary Davenport is a 22-year-old idealist who worries that the world in the Progressive Era is leaving her behind. She lives isolated in the Pennsylvania countryside with her affluent and secretive family. When her father dies suddenly, Mary becomes pained with grief and increasingly suspicious of those around her.

A humble servant girl has the chance of a lifetime to become a lady’s companion. Costly dresses, exquisite rooms, and fine dinners are pleasant distractions from what is really happening in the house.

This is a full-length novel, can be read as a standalone, and is the fourth book in the ‘Knitting in the City’ series.

There are three things you need to know about Ashley Winston: 1) She has six brothers and they all have beards, 2) She is a reader, and 3) She knows how to knit.

Former beauty queen, Ashley Winston’s preferred coping strategy is escapism. She escaped her Tennessee small town, loathsome father, and six brothers eight years ago. Now she escapes life daily via her Amazon kindle one-click addiction. However, when a family tragedy forces her to return home, Ashley can’t escape the notice of Drew Runous— local Game Warden, bear wrestler, philosopher, and everyone’s favorite guy. Drew’s irksome philosophizing in particular makes Ashley want to run for the skyscrapers, especially since he can’t seem to keep his exasperating opinions— or his soulful poetry, steadfast support, and delightful hands— to himself. Pretty soon the girl who wanted nothing more than the escape of the big city finds she’s lost her heart in small town Tennessee.

OUTTA CRIME (#5 in the Kat Makris series) is out now!

There’s no offer for her to refuse …

Kat Makris was a little girl when her father spun wild and outrageous bedtime stories about Baboulas, the Greek boogeyman, a lawless creature with a penchant for stealing gold and clashing with the gods.

Now Kat is twenty-eight, single, a couch potato in a cube farm, when her father goes missing. Without him, she’s alone in the world. Before the police can work their mojo, she herself is abducted by a couple of hoods with crooked noses, and she quickly discovers her father’s old stories were true—true crime, that is. Baboulas is an infamous mob boss in Greece, and Baboulas is the one who has Kat holed up in a private plane bound for Greece.

Now, to find her father, Kat must face the boogeyman …

Somewhere between Stephanie Plum and Michael Corleone you’ll find Kat Makris. DISORGANIZED CRIME is a humorous look at family—and Family.

Sometimes we’re lucky enough to get that second chance – in life and in love. That Second Chance Series are stand-alone stories of strong women who battle heartache and loss with a courage and determination to find new paths and true love. What ties them together? A common theme: belief in the beauty of that second chance.

Pulling Home is Book One of That Second Chance Series. It is also the prequel to Mary’s bestselling family saga, A Family Affair: The Promise, Truth in Lies, Book Seven.

She’ll risk anything to save her child…even the truth.

It’s taken nine years and a cross-country move, but Audra Valentine Wheyton has kept her secrets safe. She’s created the perfect life: a husband who loves her, a daughter she adores, and a position as head writer for an award-winning daytime soap. When her husband dies suddenly, Audra returns to her hometown for the funeral and faces a community that has not forgotten her meager beginnings and the man who has never forgiven her for marrying his brother.

Jack Wheyton is a successful pediatric neurosurgeon who is about to become engaged when Audra walks back into his life with her daughter. He forgave his brother long ago for taking something that had been his, something he hadn’t even realized he wanted until it was gone. But forgiving Audra is another story…and forgetting her? Near impossible.

When a shattering illness strikes Audra’s daughter, she turns to Jack to save her child and risks exposing a secret that will change their lives forever.

That Second Chance Series:
Book One: Pulling Home (Also prequel to A Family Affair: The Promise)
Book Two: The Way They Were (Also prequel to A Family Affair: The Secret)
Book Three: Simple Riches (Also prequel to A Family Affair: Winter)
Book Four: Paradise Found
Book Five: Not Your Everyday Housewife
Book Six: The Butterfly Garden

BONUS MATERIAL: Included in this book is 2 Chapters from The Way They Were: That Second Chance, Book 2

Reynard Xavier has made it: CEO of an award-winning Real Estate investment fund in London; enormously wealthy; an enviable professional reputation. But he’s also a narcissist, a drug addict, and an alcoholic, with a sordid sex life.

Reynard is focused on securing his legacy – an ambitious new development in central London – but meanwhile his fund is losing money, real estate prices are plunging, investors are fleeing, and his closest allies are distancing themselves from him. The collapse of Reynard’s business would be catastrophic for him and his investors – and for the taxpayer. Opportunities to save the business – and for personal redemption – present themselves, but will he make the right choices?

A cautionary tale of self-deception and hubris that is both entertaining and insightful, The Greater Fool follows Reynard’s dramatic fall from grace. This is accessible, contemporary fiction which provides a fascinating insight into the mind of a delusional member of the financial elite.

WARNING: CONTAINS SCENES OF A SEXUAL NATURE, MISOGYNY, DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE, AND BLASPHEMY.