Book Blitz + Giveaway: The Cave by Amanda McKinney

 

The Cave (A Berry Springs Novel)
Author: Amanda McKinney
Genre: Adult Romantic Suspense
Publication Date: August 1, 2019



Description:

After getting trapped in a remote cave, two strangers must work together to survive while being hunted by a ruthless killer…

Life is full of surprises, rescue swimmer Owen Grayson knows that better than anyone, especially when he’s forced to take an indefinite military leave and return home to pick up the pieces of his dad’s latest mistake. As Owen struggles to settle back into his roots, he is called to a remote cave where he discovers the mysterious death of his uncle wasn’t an accident at all. As the clues begin to unravel, it becomes apparent that the cave is hiding secrets worth killing for… and everyone on site has a target on their back.

Coming off a bad break up and an even worse few days, Forensic Anthropologist Dr. Sadie Hart is brought in to excavate human remains found deep in the treacherous mountains of Berry Springs, in a cave rumored to be haunted, nonetheless. When her team stumbles upon a dead body before they even reach the cave, Sadie quickly realizes this is going to be no ordinary job—especially when she meets a particularly bull-headed Adonis who claims to be related to the victim.

A storm hits, trapping Sadie and Owen inside the cave with nothing but a flashlight and a small backpack with provisions… and someone who wants them dead. As the odds stack up against them, Sadie begins to fear she and Owen will become the next pile of bones found deep in the catacombs of Crypts Cavern…

THE CAVE is a standalone romantic suspense novel.

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SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL. Alluring, magical. A commanding force who had a way of reminding you how little and vulnerable human life really was. How she could chew you up and spit you out without so much as a happy ending. She was powerful, relentless, unforgiving, and tonight, she was in one hell of a mood.

Owen knew her well. He loved her, respected her, and had found a home with her even though she’d take everything from him in a moment’s notice, then build him back up, only to destroy him again. She was addictive, an adrenaline rush second only to jumping out of a MH- 60 Jayhawk at a hundred feet, then getting pelted with a 120-knot rotor blast. He’d seen the bodies she’d devoured in her wake, watched the friends and families cry. But the truth was, he’d be nothing without her. She’d made him into the man he was today. For better or worse.

She was a bitch of a mistress, and Owen’s gut told him they were in for a helluva fight tonight.

Owen buckled the waist belt, giving it a quick tug before moving onto the chest straps. The helicopter dipped, dropped, then slowly lifted again causing him to glance up at the pilot, Lieutenant Potts, who was laser focused on the controls glowing through the dark night. A flash of lightning streaked the sky in the distance, sparkling off the rain-streaked windshield. Up ahead, the lights of a capsized sailboat—the only light in the black, swirling water—swaying back and forth on its side, at the mercy of her angry waves.

Yeah, she was in one hell of a mood tonight.

Amanda McKinney is the bestselling and multi-award-winning author of more than ten romantic suspense and mystery novels. She wrote her debut novel, LETHAL LEGACY, in 2017 after walking away from her career to become a writer and stay-at-home mom. Set in small, southern towns, Amanda's books are page-turning murder mysteries packed with steamy romance.

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The Fog Blog Tour: Excerpt + Giveaway

 

The Fog (A Berry Springs Novel)
Author: Amanda McKinney
Genre: Adult Mystery/Romance
Publication Date: December 4, 2018



Description:

Former Marine turned ballistics expert, Wesley Cross is known around town for two things, his rugged good-looks and cocky attitude—until he finds his ex-girlfriend lying in a puddle of blood in his basement. The scene screams setup, but the discovery of a rare gem and a puzzling autopsy suggests the murder goes much deeper than that. Wesley will do whatever it takes to clear his name, including calling in a notoriously headstrong—and sexy—scientist.

While most little girls were playing dress up, Gwyneth Reece was digging in the dirt collecting bugs. Now one of the top forensic entomologists in the country, Gwen reluctantly accepts a job from a pushy cowboy and travels to the small, Southern town of Berry Springs. Heavy storms are brewing, and when she’s forced to check into the creepiest hotel she’s ever seen, she instantly regrets her decision to help out the former Marine.

Following up on a tip, Wesley heads to the Half Moon Hotel but quickly realizes his visit was not by chance. The killer lured him there, and suddenly everyone from the uptight bellman to the wealthy couple just passing through town become suspect. Bodies begin to disappear, and Wesley knows the killer will do anything to get to him…. including hurting the woman who’s kept his head spinning since he first laid eyes on her.

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 EXCERPT

It had been six months since her last relationship ended.

I’m sick of having a relationship with your cell phone… Are you ever going to want to settle down… Don’t you want to have kids, Ryan had said during their last argument. The kids comment was like a knife in the gut.

She’d met Ryan Melbourne, esquire, during one of the cases she’d had to testify on in court. She despised going to court—the suits, formality, the pressure. She preferred to be in the shadows, in the dirt, not in a dress with a microphone in her face, all eyes on her. She didn’t even care for lawyers, really, and was surprised at herself when she accepted Ryan’s request for a date. But he was handsome, smart, and charismatic, true to the cliché of most lawyers, and she would've been crazy to say no. That first date had stretched into a two-year relationship.

But, no more.

It wasn’t just that he'd cheated on her, it wasn’t just that she’d invested two years of emotions and energy in something that failed; it was that she blamed herself. Maybe if she had made him a priority. Maybe if she’d taken on fewer cases. Maybe things would have been different.

What the hell was wrong with her?

Her mom told her she should work less… put more focus on her social life. Get married, is what she meant. Gwen refused to put that kind of pressure on herself. It would happen when it was supposed to.

Right?

She laid back on the bed, rested the beer on her navel and blew out a breath.

Beep, beep.

Dammit.

She glanced at her phone and frowned. She recognized the number. It had called at least four times since she’d left the mountain and she was sure some of her unchecked voicemails belonged to it, too.

She looked at the clock—midnight in Oregon, and even later across the country. Pretty damn late to be calling. Repeatedly.

Beep, beep.

She narrowed her eyes, fighting an internal battle.

Dammit, dammit, dammit.

“Gwyneth Reece.”

“So your phone does work.”

Her eyebrows tipped up.

The arrogant caller continued, “You must be a very busy woman, so I’ll talk fast.”

What the hell? Was that annoyance and… sarcasm in the man’s voice? Who the—

“My name is Wesley Cross, and I’d like to hire you.”

She caught a slight southern drawl in his deep voice and searched her memory. Wesley Cross. She’d never heard the name. No, she didn’t know a Wesley Cross and based on the last five seconds, she didn’t care to.

“I’m sorry Mr. Cross, I’m not taking any—

“I’ll pay double your fee.”

Who the hell was this guy? “As I was saying, Mr. Cross—

“Wes.”

“Wes. I’m not taking any new cases at this moment.”

“Triple. I’ll pay triple your fee. I hear you’re the best forensic entomologist around and that’s what I need.”

She sat up, slightly stunned at this odd phone call. “What exactly do you need Mr… Wes?”

“Mr. Wes, I like that. I’ll tell you everything when I see you tomorrow morning.”

She snorted a laugh. This cocky cowboy was hilarious.

He continued, “I’ve booked you the five-thirty flight out of PDX, direct flight to Northwest Arkansas and I’ve reserved a rental car. Full size. Only the best for you.”

She could actually hear him smirk on the other end of the phone.

“Wait a second. How do you know where I am?”

“You’re working the Caregiver case in the Cascades.”

“Stalking is illegal, you know.”

“If I were stalking you, you’d know it.”

“Four missed calls is stalking.”

“Six missed calls, and for someone who works homicides, I’d assume you’d have a better idea of what real stalking is.”

She narrowed her eyes. “What do you do, Wes?”

“Besides stalking?”

“Besides being a pushy, presumptuous…”

“I hire the best investigators to get me out of a jam. First class, triple your fee. What do you say, Miss Reece?”

“I say you need to get your head checked, Mr. Cross.”

“The travel details are in your email. I’ll see you tomorrow, Miss Reece. Get some sleep. Sounds like you need it.”

“Wait. How did you—

Click.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-winning author of romantic suspense and mystery, Amanda McKinney wrote her debut novel, LETHAL LEGACY, after walking away from her career to become a writer and stay-at-home mom. Set in small, Southern towns, Amanda’s books are page- turning murder mysteries peppered with steamy love scenes, and include the BERRY SPRINGS SERIES and the BLACK ROSE MYSTERY SERIES, with many more to come.

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Book Blitz + Giveaway: The Storm by Amanda McKinney

 

The Storm (Berry Springs Series)
Author: Amanda McKinney
Genre: Adult Romantic Suspense
Publication Date: December 5, 2017

Description:

The snow is dropping in Berry Springs… and so are the bodies...

On a pitch-black wintry night, Detective Dean Walker finds a man in the middle of an icy road, with a bullet between his eyes—a murder that is eerily similar to his father’s, which was never solved. Coincidence? No, Dean doesn’t believe in coincidences. He also doesn’t believe in love at first sight, until he meets the victim’s wife.

Psychologist Heidi Novak is hardly settling into her new mansion in the small, country town of Berry Springs, when she receives a late-night visit by the handsome Dean Walker. Seconds after learning that her husband has been murdered, gunshots explode around her and it becomes apparent that she is the next target.

With a massive winter storm looming, Dean races to find the killer and keep Heidi safe, while facing a long a list of suspects, including Heidi’s arrogant sister-in-law and a local, crusty cowboy. As the evidence mounts, Dean becomes more convinced than ever that his father’s murder is connected to the death of Heidi’s husband.

And he can’t help but think...will Heidi be the second love he loses to the ice-cold killer?

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Dean pulled Dusty from the pen, saddled him up and jumped on.

“Alright buddy, let’s go.” He guided the horse out of the barn and into the dark night. He inhaled the cool winter air as Dusty leisurely stepped into the field.

He loved riding horses—something about it made him feel free; free of worry, free of stress. He closed his eyes for a moment and listened to sounds of the woods around him—the wind whispering through the tall pine trees, the sound of Dusty’s hooves crunching on the icy grass beneath him and the night calls of the thousand different critters that call the Ozark Mountains home. The faint smell of a fire burning somewhere in the distance tickled his nose.

Despite the picturesque surroundings, he looked into the woods and tensed. Usually, being alone on his land cleared his head and gave him a calmness that only the outdoors could provide. But, not tonight. Tonight, the woods seemed ominous in the dark night, with long shadows stretching across the field like fingers reaching to grab a hold of him.

Like someone watching him from the darkness, waiting to grab hold.

He thought of his mother, and the look in her eyes when she asked about Clint Novak. Although it wasn’t said, there was no doubt that she had been thinking the same thing he had been since he looked down at Clint’s body. Could it be the same person? The same person who killed his father six, now seven, years ago?

The thought seemed inconceivable. What was the connection between his father and Clint, and why wait seven years?

It wasn’t just the location of the bullet hole, it was just something in his gut that made him on edge about it. A sixth sense. And, obviously, something in his mother’s gut felt the same way, too.

He pulled Dusty to a stop where just seven years ago—to the day—he and his father were burning brush, right before his father was shot and killed.

He sat still for a moment. His eyes scanned the tree line in the distance—as he had done a million times—trying to put a face to the murderer who killed his father. Was it someone who knew him? Or, was it just pesky trespassers who got a little too trigger happy?

He took a deep breath and slid off the horse.

Flashbacks of holding his dead father in his arms shot like lightning through his head. His fists clenched as he paced the area.

As if Dusty knew what was going on, he bowed his head in grief, and respect for the dead.

Dean tilted his head to the sky, letting the light of the moon wash over him.

He whispered, “I’ll get him, Dad. I’ll get him.”

As tears threatened to sting his eyes, he reached into his pocket, pulled out the bottle of whiskey and took a sip. And, poured a little out for his father, as he did every year on this day.

Anger washed over him, and a renewed determination to catch the bastard that killed his father had him seething. He inhaled deeply, took another swig and looked into the woods.

He’d get the son of a bitch.

As he turned to mount Dusty, something in his gut twisted. A foreboding of something to come.

Amanda McKinney, author of Sexy, Suspenseful Mysteries wrote her debut novel, LETHAL LEGACY, after walking away from her career to become a writer and stay-at-home mom. When Amanda isn’t tending to her two beautiful boys, she’s hidden behind her computer screen crafting page-turning murder mysteries, peppered with titillating love scenes. Having been born and raised in the south, Amanda’s books are set in small, country towns and reflect southern culture at its finest.

Amanda’s debut novel, LETHAL LEGACY, was released in January 2017, followed by the first two books in the BERRY SPRINGS SERIES, THE WOODS and THE LAKE. The third book in the series, THE STORM is scheduled to be released in the Winter of 2017.

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