Title: The Gift
Author: Barbara Avon
Genre: Thriller
Book Blurb:
Brooding, sexy, restaurant owner, Michael Rossi is determined to unravel the mystery behind the lady in the red coat. One secret can speak a thousand truths.
Michael Rossi has an extraordinary talent. Every day, he sets out with his grandfather's camera to capture incredible images like the ones his Nonno used to take in Italy. His girlfriend recently left him with a broken heart and he's grateful for the distraction.
One day, he sees through his lens, a beautiful woman kneeling at a headstone. He quietly snaps her picture and retreats to his two-bedroom home in the city, developing the film in his dark room.
He returns to the cemetery daily and every day, the woman is also there. Finally, one day, Michael gathers the courage to approach her. It doesn't take them long to fall in love.
Nicole harbors a secret, however. A secret that she is ashamed of and that has changed her in ways she can't describe. If spoken, it would threaten the love she shares with Michael.
Ultimately, Michael becomes aware that something isn't right. The words unspoken between them, become the most powerful of all.
Excerpt:
The shadows that fell across the headstones produced blank visages that resembled all those who were laid to rest in Oak Park and could no longer see. The faceless
shadows grew larger as the clouds rolled over the moon. Michael was frozen in place, unwilling to disturb the woman as he had the other day. She seemed oblivious to the man who stood behind her, his camera by his side. He stared at her back, as straight as an arrow and at her long dark hair that covered most of it. His breath was released in little puffs, counted out with every beat of his heart. Slowly, he turned on one heel to walk the same path he took to arrive.
A voice stopped him. “Are you following me?”
Michael turned to see the kneeling woman staring at him, waiting for an answer. The roughness in her voice did not match her face which bewildered him with its perfect
symmetry. Her cheekbones were set high and her eyes were as large as her full lips. Her beauty would evade even his camera lens, he thought to himself.
“Are you following me?” she repeated, “or do you always take a midnight stroll through cemeteries?”
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Barnes and Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-gift-barbara-avon/1127424512
Why is your featured book a must-read?
“The Gift” is a must-read because of its characters. Set in the 80s, it will take you away from reality as you witness love blossom for our sexy protagonist, Michael Rossi. More than that, there’s a mystery behind Nicole’s actions, and an explosive ending that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
Giveaway –
Enter to win an e-book bundle of all 42 books featured in the Mystery and Suspense Bookish Event:
Open Internationally.
Runs August 11 – 17, 2020.
Winner will be drawn on August 24, 2020.
Author Biography:
Barbara Avon is a multi-genre author. She has written since she was young, pursuing her dreams and vowing to write for as long as she can. She has worked at several different media publications and will continue to publish novels until “her pen runs dry”. In 2018 she won FACES Magazine's "Best of Ottawa" award for female Author and Spillwords "Author of the Month". She believes in paying it forward and you can read about this belief as the theme is given voice in most of her books. Avon lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband, Danny, their tarantula, Betsy, and their houseplant, Romeo.
Social Media Links:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/barb_avon
AllAuthor - https://allauthor.com/author/barbaraavon/