New Release | Key of Silence by Judy Kentrus #romanticsuspense #newrelease #bookboost
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  • N. N. Light
    • Oct 17, 2023
    • 4 min read

New Release | Key of Silence by Judy Kentrus #romanticsuspense #newrelease #bookboost



Title Key of Silence


Author Judy Kentrus


Genre Romantic Suspense


Publisher Lady Kay Publishing


Book Blurb


Irene Hennypenny’s world has been silent since she was ten years old. She can speak and is proficient at lip reading. Bell, her hearing dog, is her constant companion. She’s been anxious to receive her birthday “key” and riddle. Knowing her sister’s difficult challenges, she’s anticipating a troublesome task. Her apprehension spikes when part of her riddle tells her to listen…but she’s deaf. It had all come down to her key quest. Would they really find a treasure? Christian McBride is a fire marshal in Beacon Point and a widower, raising Evie, his six-year-old daughter. The small fires an arsonist started has escalated to businesses in the old part of town. When a body is discovered in the basement of an antique shop, he’s further challenged when he learns the building had once been owned by a distant relative. When he’s asked to be a groomsman at his best friend’s wedding, he’s partnered with Irene Hennypenny, one of the most fascinating women he’s ever met. Little did either of them realize their “future” was decided by generations from past lives.


Excerpt


Luck was with Irene, and she was able to find a parking space in the front of the Victorian home that had been converted to office space. She thought about the first meeting they’d had at the beginning of April to talk about the birthday legacy their grandmother had left Matilda. Clever Margie had thrown them into a twister of unknowns, with the supposed end a treasure beyond their dreams.


“Come on, Bell, let’s get the party started.”. She walked up the steps that led to their lawyers’ office. The phrase the gang’s all here filled her thoughts when she saw her sisters and their lawyers sitting at the conference table. She read their lips as they both said, “Happy birthday!”


Put on a happy face. She sat and folded her hands atop the table. Matilda sat directly to Irene’s right and settled her warm hand atop Irene’s tightly clenched fingers.


“You’re thinking this isn’t fun anymore, and you’re afraid of the unknowns that come with these quests.”


She looked at each of her sisters, recognizing the love they shared. She could also be honest with them. “I’m the Pollyanna in our family, but I feel defeated before I’ve even read Grandma Margie’s message.” She nodded at Ginger. “When you completed your quest, she gave me that message ‘to listen.’ I can’t hear!”


Irene’s eyes were drawn to the symbol of love that each of her sisters wore on the ring finger of their left hand. Matilda had married Hudson, and Irene’s nieces adored their new father. In a week, Virginia would marry the man she loved. Stuart was the slow hand in her prophecy. Neil had shaken Ginny’s world when he’d taken out a full-page ad in the Beacon Pointe Gazette to ask Ginger to marry him. Their wedding date was set for December 1st.


Sean picked up the chest and set it on the table in front of his wife. “I know this is the last box, but I want to thank you, ladies, for letting me be part of your birthday quests. After tonight, this chest belongs to you. I believe it deserves a spot in your museum.”


Nancy raised the lid on the ornate box and removed a smaller one tied with a faded gold ribbon. “I guess she chose a fall color since your birthday is in October.”


The war of uncertainty was back with a vengeance, fed by the knowledge of what Irene’s sisters had gone through, unveiling tragedies that had affected family members in years past. Margie hinted they’d find a treasure at the end of their quests. Would it all be worth it? As far as she was concerned, her sisters had found the greatest treasures of all—love and family. Was there someone out there to fill the emptiness in her heart?


Irene, just do it!


She drew in a deep breath and pulled on one of the ends to open the bow. She lifted the lid, and right on top was the dreaded note from her grandmother.


My dear sweet Irene,


Happy birthday! Even when you were a little girl, you loved to bake and made madeleine cookies for me. You’re self-sacrificing and have great artistic gifts. Be proud of yourself. You survived difficulties and obstacles in your younger years, but they’ve made you stronger. You’re sweet and try extra hard to make people happy, hoping they accept you despite your hearing loss. Beware of those who’ll test your feelings and play with your heart. They’re out for their own gain. Listen. Love and loyalty are demonstrated by actions, not words. Past lives from yesteryears must be revealed. Questions will be answered.


Signs are there but can hide in plain sight. The gnomes have protected the pirate’s secrets for many years. Listen, and they’ll guide you to the treasure you’ve all been seeking. Whatever you do, don’t break the key, or all will be lost. Sounds of silence can be loud, but remember to listen and feel with your heart.


Love, Grandma Margie.


The looks on her sisters’ faces were all the same—blank, questioning stares. “Out of all the riddles, this one is the most confusing.”


“Let’s see your key,” Matilda pressed.


The weight was exceptionally heavy. She opened the drawstring of a white velvet bag and tipped the open end into her hand. She gasped at the skeleton key made of green glass.


Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub)






Author Biography


Judy Kentrus, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Later-in-Life

Historical Romance, Sweet Romance, Rom-Com

I’ve always been a romantic at heart, and I married my high school sweetheart. I make my home in the Poconos of Pennsylvania. I’m a mom with two grown children who have given me six grandchildren.


We love to travel. Many of the places we’ve visited have inspired me to use them as a storyline. I never know what will give me inspiration, but my mind is always working.


When I’m not giving couples their happily-ever-after, you can find me in the kitchen, baking, especially cookies. I’ve been dubbed the cookie queen by my family and friends. You’ll find a new recipe every month on my website.


Want to find out more about my books and what’s coming? Be sure to sign up for my newsletter via my website. My stories are fun romances that will make you laugh, cry, and fall in love.


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