Title: Frozen Crimes
Author: Chrys Fey
Genre: Romantic-Suspense
Book Blurb:
Beth and Donovan are expecting their first child. Life couldn’t get any better…until a stalker makes his presence known. This person sends disturbing messages and unsettling items, but it isn’t long before his menacing goes too far.
Hoping for a peaceful Christmas, Donovan takes Beth to Michigan. Days into their trip, a winter storm named Nemesis moves in with the goal of burying the state. Snowdrifts surround their house, and the temperature drops below freezing.
Except, the storm isn’t the only nemesis they must face. Everyone’s lives are at stake—especially that of their unborn child. Will they survive, or will they become a frozen crime?
Excerpt:
The next day, Donovan had a surprise for her. Beth couldn’t do most of the outdoor, snowy activities because they weren’t safe for her or their unborn child. She’d love to go sledding, but that was out of the question. So was snowboarding, something he’d love to see her attempt. No doubt, she’d rock at it, since she slayed surfing. Even making a snow angel would be too difficult, as she’d have a hard time hefting her weight up from the ground. But he had plans for something she’d enjoy.
“So, you’re not going to tell me what we’re doing?” she asked.
“You’ll see.” He glanced at her from the driver’s seat of their truck rental. “Patience.”
“What’s this ‘patience’ that you speak of?”
Donovan pulled up to a park, got out of the truck, and assisted Beth down. Hand in hand, they walked through the park. They were fortunate there was a light dusting of snow on the ground, so Beth was able to walk with ease. She didn’t have to fight with deep snow or risk slipping on ice. They strolled in the crisp air.
The day was beautiful, with a blue sky overhead and soft, white clouds the sun peeked out of to shine its rays down on them. Blue Jays and Red Cardinals flitted from tree to tree, shaking loose snow from branches. One Snow Bunting bird flew into a tree with a bit of earth in its beak. It landed onto a nest settled high up in the bare canopy and added the brown grass to its nest.
“I guess I’m not the only one nesting,” Beth said.
“Nope.” Donovan put his arm around her waist to hold her closer as they walked.
“It’s beautiful here in the winter. The earth seems so clean and fresh with the snow covering it. Is that why you brought me here?”
“Actually, I brought you here for that.” He pointed straight ahead.
She looked, and her eyes widened.
On the path in front of them waited a white, horse drawn carriage. The Morgan horses were brown with white legs. Red, velvet bows decorated their manes and tails and were tied to the leather straps that attached the horses to the carriage. Gold bells around their bellies jingled when they sidestepped in place. The seats of the carriage were red, plush, and empty.
“You brought me here for a carriage ride?”
“Mm-hm.” He paid the driver and assisted Beth up the step and into the carriage.
Sitting in the seat, he pulled the thick, fur blanket over their laps. She took the edge of the blanket, pulled it up to her chest, and cuddled into his side.
The driver made a clicking sound with his mouth, and the horses trotted forward at a relaxed gait. They lifted their hooves high in a sophisticated trot.
Donovan relaxed into the cushions. This was how he had always envisioned spending Christmas in Michigan with Beth—snow fun and romantic ventures out on the town. He took Beth’s chilly hands in his, rubbed them between his palms, and blew his warm breath onto them.
“This is nice,” Beth said. “I never imagined doing this.”
“I like to do things with you that you never imagined doing.” He kissed her cheek.
They were silent a moment, and then Beth let out a giggle.
“What’s that for?”
“I remembered something. When we were in San Francisco, after the quake, an elderly woman at the shelter told me about her late husband and told me to make sure I find a man who will take me on many adventures, even when I’m an old bitty. She said, ‘A man like that will make life interesting. He’ll make life worth living, because you’ll never be disappointed.’ She gave me a bit of advice, too. She said, ‘A man like that is worth finding. But if you have to wait, he’s worth the patience.’ And right at that moment was when I saw you come into the shelter.”
“You never told me that.”
She nodded. “I love the adventures we go on.”
Even our honeymoon? he wanted to ask but didn’t. Bringing up the tsunami now would kill the romance.
“You make my life interesting, and I have never regretted a moment of it.”
Donovan pressed his lips to hers. “I’ve never regretted a moment with you, either.”
Although, he wished some things hadn’t happened—the disasters, the crimes, the things that left physical scars on her body and haunted her memories.
“Thank you for crashing your car into a tree in front of my house.”
Donovan chuckled. “Thank you for braving a category five hurricane and rescuing me.”
“I’d do it again.”
“So would I.”
They kissed as the carriage rocked.
Something cold and wet landed on Donovan’s check. He leaned back. Snowflakes spiraled down from the clouds. They danced through the air around them, settling on their clothes and laps.
Beth tipped her head back to watch them descend. “I’ll just pretend you made it snow for our sleigh ride.”
“I’d like to take credit, but I’m not that good.”
She tucked herself into his side again. “Yes, you are.”
He didn’t want to argue with her, so he laid his head against hers and enjoyed the ride.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Barnes & Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/frozen-crimes-chrys-fey/1137427199?ean=2940162697701
Share a holiday family tradition:
Ever since I was a child, my family opened our gifts on Christmas Eve. It’s still something I do now. As a child, I delighted in the fact that I got to open the presents under the tree Christmas Eve night and then have my stockings from Santa on Christmas Day. This made Christmas Eve special.
We’d go to church all dressed up. I’d be wearing a red or green velvet dress with white frilly lace and uncomfortable shoes that pinched my toes. I loved the Christmas Eve services, which was really the only time we went to church; over time, because of my parents separating, we went to church less and less, but we all still went on Christmas Eve. The songs, the lit candles we’d get to hold while we sang, and the promise of opening up our gifts as soon as we got home made this night special and magical. Seeing the Christmasy lights and decorations outside houses and singing carols on the radio on the way home just made it that much more wonderful.
At home, I’d sit in a semi circle with my two brothers and sisters in front of the tree, jittering with excitement. My dad would pass out the gifts. Once all the gifts were opened, I’d always wish that it could’ve lasted longer. The excitement was gone. The magic was dwindling. But more cherished memories were created.
Why is your featured book perfect to get readers in the holiday mood:
Well, it’s different. Frozen Crimes (Disaster Crimes 5) is a romantic-suspense novel perfect for anyone looking for more action-adventure, something exciting and chilling. You will want to cuddle up in a candle-lit, safe spot with a blanket and cup of something warm. Aside from the suspense and tense that’ll have you shivering, there’s romance and fun.
Beth and Donovan have an early Christmas party that’ll make you want to listen to your favorite Christmas songs, maybe even one of the ones I mention in the story, and dance around your house in your pajamas. They travel to Michigan to have a white Christmas and do a few Christmasy activities and exchange gifts. These are the warm and happy moments in Frozen Crimes that’ll get readers in the holiday mood. I mean, my characters even bake cookies!
Giveaway: Enter to win a $50 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card Enter to win a $50 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card Enter to win a $25 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card Enter to win a $15 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card Enter to win a $10 Amazon (US) or Barnes and Noble Gift Card https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/92db775087 Open internationally Runs December 1 – 31 Drawing will be held on January 4.
Author Biography:
Chrys Fey is the author of the Disaster Crimes Series, a unique concept blending romance, crimes, and disasters. Fey also authored Write with Fey: 10 Sparks to Guide You from Idea to Publication. She runs the Insecure Writer’s Support Group Book Club on Goodreads and is also an editor for Dancing Lemur Press.
Fey realized she wanted to write by watching her mother pursue publication. At the age of twelve, she started her first novel, which flourished into a series she later rewrote at seventeen.
Fey lives in Florida and is always on the lookout for hurricanes.
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