New Release | Courage in Capital City by NG Avant #womensfiction #politicalthriller #politics #newrelease #nnlbh
- N. N. Light
- Jun 25
- 5 min read
Title Courage in Capital City
Author NG Avant
Genre Women’s Fiction, Political Thriller
Book Blurb
Calista Caldwell is back, and her mission is more urgent than ever. In Courage in Capital City, the final book of the three-part series, Cal steps into the political arena, determined to dismantle the corrupt powers that prey upon the vulnerable. With the stakes higher than ever, she faces ruthless adversaries and personal sacrifices, but she won’t stop until justice prevails.
Pre-order now at the special early-bird price and be among the first to experience Cal's powerful story of resilience, justice, and transformation.
But beneath the polished surface of power, darker secrets are lurking. When Cal stumbles upon a trail of suspicious activities linked to her boss, she faces an impossible dilemma. As she digs deeper into the web of deception, she uncovers unsettling truths and finds unexpected allies, including one friend who may mean more to her than she ever realized.
With her life on the line and everything she holds dear at risk, Cal must navigate a treacherous path where the line between right and wrong blurs into a murky gray. As an unlikely hero, will she have the courage to take on this powerful network?
Excerpt
Monday November 2, 2015
I knock rapidly on the door. Come on, Amy. Open up. I can’t text her—not now. I don’t want to leave any kind of digital footprint. Please, please open the door.
I knock again, glancing back at Avery, still standing there with my coat wrapped over her lingerie. I offer a small, closed-mouth smile. I can’t ring the doorbell. Not with baby Josie asleep upstairs. If I’m not already a dead woman walking, waking Josie would definitely seal it. Another round of knocking—louder this time, faster.
I glance around. Can anyone see us?
No. It’s just after seven a.m. People are probably still in the shower or halfway through their first cup of coffee. Calm down, Cal. I look down at the camera still hanging around my neck and wrap my fingers tightly around it. Avery meets my gaze. Fear flashes in her eyes. And I soften instantly. Stay strong. Don’t let her see you’re scared.
“Should we go somewhere else?” Her voice trembles.
“No no, you’ll be safe here. She’s just probably changing a diaper or something.” I assure. Then turn around and knock once before the townhouse door swings opens to reveal Amy in pink plaid pajama pants and a white hoodie, her hair piled into a messy bun, coffee mug in hand. Her eyes widen.
“Cal?” she says, not hiding her shock.
“I’m in trouble. I need your help.” I respond, urgently.
“Come in, come in!” She ushers us into her home.
“This is Avery.” I explain as she closes the door behind us. Amy looks Avery up and down. Amy’s eyes lock with mine. Her smile freezes. I hear her voice in my head: What the fuck, Cal?
“Hi Avery, I’m Amy. You must be freezing, let me get you some clothes.” She disappears upstairs. “Make yourself at home!” she calls back, gesturing vaguely toward the living room. There are still boxes everywhere, they only got the keys to the new house yesterday. We sit down on the couch across from a sleeping Josie in one of those fancy baby swings that are supposed to simulate a mother rocking her baby. I smile. Other than the methodical hum from the baby swing, the house is quiet.
“How old is she?” Avery asks quietly.
“She’s coming up on five months, I think?”
“What’s her name?”
“Josefina Calista Grant-Liu” I remark proudly.
“She’s named after you?”
“After me and our best friend Jo, we all grew up together. But everyone calls her Josie. Isn’t she precious?” I look towards the swing smiling.
“She’s perfect.” Avery responds. I look at her and nod then look back at Josie. Oh god. I hope I’m not putting her in danger by being here!? What have I done? My chest tightens and I can feel the colour creeping across my cheeks. The sound of footsteps heavily coming down the stairs fills the silence.
“Sorry, most of my stuff is still packed up but hopefully this will fit you. Might be a bit big.” Amy hands Avery some grey sweatpants and Backstreet Boys T-shirt.
“Who are those guys on the shirt?” She asks.
“I’m going to pretend you didn’t just say that.” Amy responds.
“Well, thank you for the clothes.” She looks around.
“Oh, you can change in the bathroom, it’s just off the dining room.” Amy points towards the kitchen. Avery nods then walks out of the living room.
“Where’s Travis?” I ask, getting up from the couch.
“He’s at the gym.” Her response oozing with resentment. “His morning routine hasn’t changed one bit since Josie arrived but for me? Everything has changed.”
“Have you talked to him?”
“Yeah but he doesn’t get it. Enough about me though. Um, so, what’s going on here? Who is Avery? Why is she in my new house and now wearing my clothes?” Her eyes narrow on me. An excruciating pain fills my body, starting from my chest, as I remember Seth’s lifeless body is probably still sitting in that penthouse suite at the condo tower on Lupin. I can’t catch my breath as tears uncontrollably tumble down my cheeks. My heart feels like it’s going to beat right out of my chest. Concern washes across Amy’s face and she places her hand on my arm. I can’t catch my breath. “It’s okay, Cal. Easy does it. Breathe. Okay? Breathe in.” She says, taking a deep breath. I follow her with a shallow one. She holds it for a second. “Then out.” She breathes out slowly and I do too. “Again, In.” She says and breathes in, I follow her, breathing a bit deeper this time. “And out.” She says breathing out through her mouth and I mimic her. I can feel my heartbeat slowdown. I sniffle and look down at the ground. I close my eyes. My life will never be the same again. I feel a pang of regret as the realization hits me.
“Seth’s been murdered and I witnessed it.” I say bluntly.
Buy Links
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/courage-in-capital-city-ng-avant/1147558098?ean=2940181785496
Author Biography
Raised in a quaint lakeside town in southern Ontario, N.G. Avant (she/her) moved to Ottawa, Ontario as a young adult to realize her childhood dream of living in Canada’s capital, which was built on the traditional un-ceded, un-surrendered territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin People. She has a post-secondary education in journalism and worked in municipal politics for more than five years, an experience that sparked the inspiration for her Capital City series.
Avant always felt like a misfit among misfits. Diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age, she didn’t realize she was neuro-divergent until her 30s. Now, she embraces the many gifts it brings, including her quirky personality.
Avant is a proud intersectional feminist who believes that we are all connected by our humanity and the human experience.
Avant, is a millennial single mother to three wonderful daughters, has a growth mindset, love of animals, a passion for trusting her intuition, and supporting the creation of a more equitable world where everyone has an opportunity to thrive. Avant seeks to highlight the experiences of marginalized communities through her writing. While some progress has been made, there is still more work to be done.
It’s time for change.
Social Media Links
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ngavantauthor/
