A dream wedding in Las Vegas turns into a nightmare when contest winner Erika Sherwood realizes she's married an alien in this action-packed fantasy romance. Pottery sculptor Erika Sherwood accepts a challenge from a stranger at a Las Vegas casino. The man named Magnor proposes they pretend to be engaged to win a contest with a rich reward. It seems like a sweet deal, except for one point. The winners will be married in a televised segment right after the competition. In a moment of recklessness, Erika accepts Magnor's proposal. Much to their surprise, they win and are pushed into a whirlwind wedding on live TV. Once they're alone, Magnor proclaims he's a space warrior sent to Earth to stop an alien invasion. He's searching for a powerful weapon, and he needs Erika's legendary powers to help locate it. When they're attacked by alien soldiers, Erika realizes he's telling the truth. They're sucked into a maelstrom of danger as they evade the enemy. But even more alarming are the growing feelings Erika has for her new husband. Once his mission succeeds, he'll return to the stars. Can she convince him to stay and turn their marriage into a reality?
Cultural specialist Mara Hendricks and Commander Deke Sage meet on a mission that takes them across the stars and into each other's arms in this suspenseful science fiction romance. Psychic Mara Hendricks joins the rescue team after aliens from Yanura kidnap her best friend's infant daughter. Not only will her special ability aid in tracking the baby's location, but she's also familiar with the Yanurans through her work for the government. She runs into a snag when the arrogant mission leader accuses her of being too trusting, but she believes the Yanurans might have been set up to take the blame.Commander Deke Sage knows the aliens are hiding more than the missing child. There's something fishy regarding their claims about an age-preserving drug made from seaweed, and he's been ordered to investigate. Mara is too naïve to see the truth but too captivating for him to ignore. As their mission progresses, they realize there's a bigger conspiracy than either of them suspected. They'll both have to open their hearts and their minds to save the missing child."Nancy captures you from the start, takes you on a fantastic ride, and doesn't release you until she finishes the story. Captivating and wonderful!" Bestselling Author Janelle Taylor
A diplomat captured as a spy and a sultry songstress flee their enemies on an outlawed planet in this action-packed science fiction romance. Disguised as a trader, Lord Rolf Cam'brii travels to the slave planet Souk on a secret mission to establish contact with the resistance. But when his ship crashes during an ion storm, he's captured and thrown into a forced labor camp. Here he catches the eye of the beautiful female overseer, Ilyssa. Ilyssa possesses the gift of siren song with the power to drive men mad, but no one realizes she's a prisoner, too. Her parents are being held hostage by an overlord who uses her to control his enemies. Until Rolf's arrival, she's had no hope of escape. But now with his help, she could rescue her parents and leave the planet, if she can convince him to trust her. Although Rolf doubts Ilyssa's story, he accepts her proposal. They flee the labor camp and embark on a dangerous cross-country journey to freedom. Along the way, their attraction to each other grows. However, Ilyssa's gift comes with a price, and to succumb to passion means losing her gift of song. Dare she risk everything for love?
Attorney Sarina Bretton is kidnapped from Earth to become the legendary Great Healer and save the galaxy in this award-winning science fiction romance. Attorney Sarina Bretton believes in facts, not fantasies of faraway planets. Then Captain Teir Reylock of the Coalition Defense League kidnaps her from Earth and whisks her to worlds she couldn't have imagined. While she's stunned at first, Sarina is even more astonished when Teir says he's taking her to marry a member of the High Council. Through this union, she is destined to become the legendary Great Healer and save the galaxy from a devastating plague.At the capital city of Bimordus Two, Sarina discovers the wonders of an advanced civilization. She also awakens to her passion for Teir, who is assigned as her personal bodyguard. He returns her regard, but he's sworn to duty. He must protect Sarina from the Coalition's enemies and from his own desire. If Sarina fails to fulfill the legend, the law decrees she'll be executed. The only way they can be together is to unlock the legend's secrets and expose the hidden truth.Winner of the HOLT Medallion Award"Nancy Cohen sparks your imagination and melts your heart with her wonderful tale of galactic adventure and star-crossed lovers." Marilyn Campbell, award-winning author of The Innerworld Affairs series"This story dazzled me. In fact, I blew through all three books of the trilogy in one short week-they were that good!" Muddy Rose Reviews
An archaeologist and her mysterious protector search for a stolen sacred artifact to ward off impending planetary disaster. Archaeologist Leena Worthington-Jax is hired to locate a stolen sacred horn that controls her planet's weather cycles. Accompanying her is Taurin Rey Niris, a mysterious stranger engaged as her protector. She believes him to be a simple farmer until he exhibits skills worthy of a warrior. Curious about his background and increasingly tempted by his tantalizing touch, Leena trusts him to keep her safe during their perilous journey. Taurin hides his alien origins from Leena as he aids in the search for the missing relic. He's aware that if he shares his knowledge about her world's history, it'll destroy her faith and cause a rift between them. Yet revealing the truth might be the only way to save her planet from global ruin. Can he keep Leena from discovering his secrets while guarding her from their enemies and from his own heart? A PRISM Awards Finalist "Nancy Cohen combines the elements of science fiction and fantasy into a marvelous love story. Her books capture the imagination with their originality." The Literary Times "Keeper is a lot like Indiana Jones and Romancing the Stone. A good mystery, action/adventure, sci¿fi, and romance all rolled into one." Mary Saums, Author of the Thistle & Twigg Mysteries "The spellbinding action gets more terrifying and enthralling as the uniquely different plot thickens. The conclusion is stunning!" Rendezvous "Prepare yourself for exotic locales, evildoers galore, and two splendid romances!" The Paperback Forum "Intense and fast, Keeper of the Rings has an absorbing and complex plot. Like ripples in a pond, the reverberations are felt throughout the book to the very explosive climax." Affaire de Coeur
Hairstylist Marla Vail and her husband get tangled up in murder when their Fourth of July visit to a living history village ends with a bang-and a body. Salon owner Marla Vail and her detective husband Dalton are having a blast visiting a Florida living history village over Fourth of July weekend. But when a Seminole battle reenactment turns up a real dead body, it sets off fireworks among the villagers. One of the cast members has gone off script to murder the town marshal with a tomahawk in his head.As Dalton gets involved in the investigation, Marla determines to help him solve the case. Her flare for uncovering secrets reveals that everyone in the village is a suspect. Instead of celebrating the holiday with red, white, and barbecues, she discovers secrets, lies, and false avenues. Did the marshal's murder have anything to do with a lost Confederate payroll, or did his plans to renovate the park light a fuse that he couldn't snuff out?In a place where history comes alive, the dead bodies are piling up. Marla would rather be chilling and grilling, but somebody's mind is on killing. If she's not careful, her sleuthing might blow up in her face like a faulty firecracker and she'll become the next victim. Recipes Included!
A novice assassin and a hot shot space pilot join forces to catch a terrorist and prevent a war in this action-packed science fiction romance.Space pilot Jace Vernon flees his home world after being framed for murder. He seeks justice, but a lovely S.I.N. agent gets in his way. Not only does she distract him with her silvery hair and violet eyes, but she counters his every move in the quest to clear his name. As he attempts to sway her to his cause, he doesn't count on falling for her charms.Rookie assassin Silver Malloy refuses to abort her deadly mission even if it means killing the man Jace needs alive to prove his innocence. Ever since Tyrone Bluth, the leader of Tyrone's Marauders, murdered her parents, she's dedicated her life to getting revenge. Now that she finally has it within her grasp, she won't let Jace stop her. But as his sincerity melts the barriers around her heart, she realizes they'll have to work together to expose Bluth and prevent a galactic war.Best Book in Romantic SciFi/Fantasy at The Romance Reviews "Nancy J. Cohen has written a thrilling fantasy with compelling characters. You won't want to put the book down!" Traci Hall, USA Today Bestselling Author of the Scottish Shire Mysteries
The church left her scarred. His faith saved his life. Can a woman angry at God find love in the arms of a pastor?As a former foster-child-turned-advocate, Alli Johnson has built her identity around helping foster kids navigate the system she grew up in. But when one of her clients is placed at a religious group home, she''s forced to face the trauma that robbed her of her sense of self. And a too-hot pastor who sees past her defenses.Delivered from years of pent-up rage, youth pastor David Porter wants to help others find the sense of peace God''s given him-especially the hurting seven-year-old and his spirited social worker. But he''s out of his depth with one, and dangerously attracted to the other.As Alli and David''s mutual concern for the boy draws them together, their differences-in background, perspective, and faith-tear them apart. Each has a past full of horror. Both will learn that when pain devours a soul, it takes a limitless love to heal the hollow places left behind.
A dead body in her mother's bathroom during a home remodel leads hairstylist Marla Vail to flush out the clues and nail the killer in this stylish cozy mystery. Hairstylist Marla Vail flushes out a killer when murder disrupts her mother's home renovation plans in this stylish cozy mystery.When hairstylist and savvy sleuth, Marla Vail, gets a frantic call from her mother that there's a dead body in her shower, Marla realizes this wasn't part of the home renovation plans. The victim turns out to be the project manager, who had an untrustworthy reputation in town. Disgruntled customers, unpaid suppliers, and the design company's staff are among the suspects. Which one of them wanted the foreman to pipe down about their shady dealings?Meanwhile, the lead investigator sets his sights on Marla's stepfather, Reed, who's keeping secrets from his family. Reed has a past connection to the victim and won't come clean about what he knows. As Marla drills deeper, she's showered with suspicions, but nobody's willing to leak any information. She needs to hammer down the prospects, or time will drain away and the murderer will strike again.To flush out the culprit, Marla taps into her pipeline of resources. Can she assemble the clues and demolish the alibis to nail a killer? Or has someone designed the perfect murder? Recipes Included!"Best of 2021" Cozy Mystery by Suspense Magazine Bronze Award Winner in the 2022 Readers' Favorite International Book Awards Finalist in the 2022 American Fiction Awards Finalist in the Royal Palm Literary Awards "A charmingly funny whodunit!" Woman's World
Getting married can be murder...especially when the matron of honor is found dead under the cake table in this humorous cozy mystery.Weddings always make hairstylist Marla Shore shed a tear of joy, especially when she attends her friend Jill's reception as a member of the bridal party. Marla's own nuptials are weeks away, and she's been busy juggling bickering relatives, building a new house with her fiancé, and expanding her hair salon.She's following her to-do list just fine until she discovers Jill's sister Torrie-the matron of honor-dead under the cake table at her friend's wedding reception. Lots of folks aren't sorry to see Torrie go, especially since the bride's sister knew their deepest secrets. But when suspicion falls upon Jill, Marla wonders if her dear friend is truly innocent. She'd better untangle the snarl of suspects and iron out the clues before the killer highlights her as the next victim.Bonus Content Includes: Reader Discussion QuestionsExplanation of Wedding CustomsAuthor InterviewExcerpt from Hanging by a HairMurder on the Beach Mystery Bookstore Bestseller List "Shear Murder is another stellar outing in Nancy J. Cohen's Bad Hair Day mystery series. Marla is a bridesmaid in her friend Jill's wedding, but when Jill's matron of honor--and sister--ends up dead with the cake knife embedded in her chest--hold the video! It's a wedding to forget--not remember."-Lorna Barrett, NY Times Bestselling AuthorShear Murder was originally published by Five Star Publishing (Gale/Cengage). This Author's Edition has been updated with added bonus materials.
Hairstylist Marla Shore untangles a snarl of secrets when she's suspected of poisoning her client's coffee creamer in this debut cozy mystery. Hairstylist Marla Shore is already having a bad hair day when one of her clients dies in the shampoo chair at her salon. Then Detective Dalton Vail accuses her of putting poison in the woman's coffee creamer. Grumpy Bertha Kravitz might not have been Marla's favorite customer, but she wouldn't have murdered the lady. With her reputation at stake, Marla decides it's up to her to unmask the killer. Combing the woman's privileged world for clues, Marla discovers the town is crawling with potential suspects. Bertha's son is resentful about being written out of her will. Her shady business partner has secrets to hide, and then there's the niece, who inherits Bertha's fortune. But Marla might have to look closer to home for the culprit. Her janitor has vanished without a trace, and one of her stylists leads an upscale lifestyle that doesn't match her income. As the case grows more snarled, Marla determines to unravel the clues. She'd better hurry before the smart detective discovers her scandalous secret, or he'll pin her with a motive and lock her away in a place where a bad hair day will become permanent. "Marla the beautician is a delight!"-Tamar Myers, author of the Pennsylvania Dutch Mysteries
Salon owner Marla Shore discovers a whirlpool of secrets when she joins a sports club and solves a nail-biting murder in this humorous cozy mystery. Hairstylist Marla Shore joins a fitness club to get in shape but discovers a dead body instead of an exercise routine. Jolene Myers-a client at Marla's salon-has drowned beneath the frothing waters of the whirlpool. When Homicide Detective Dalton Vail determines Jolene's death was no accident, Marla decides to give her deductive skills a workout and help solve the case. Jolene had few friends at the fancy athletic club. As Marla gets to know everyone, she wonders who might have targeted Jolene for a lethal soak in the hot tub. The shady pharmacist? The smarmy city councilman? Or maybe the vocal animal rights activist? The fitness club staff had no fondness for Jolene, either. How far would they go to keep their secrets? When another member turns up dead, Marla intensifies her efforts to nail the killer and wrap the case. If she fails, the next buff body on its way to the morgue might be hers. "Marla Shore is a beguiling, very clever sleuth who teases out every clue. Absolutely delightful!" Jill Churchill, author of the Jane Jeffry & Grace and Favor mystery series.
Hairstylist Marla Shore gets drawn into a culinary caper that involves murder, sabotage, and fowl play in this delectable cozy mystery. When hairstylist Marla Shore volunteers for Taste of the World, a fundraiser for her cousin's favorite charity, she quickly discovers that mixing scissors and sauté pans can be a recipe for disaster. First Chef Pierre's rum-soaked Bananas Foster erupts in his face. Then more chefs drop from the roster like overcooked soufflés and the nonprofit's attorney becomes the victim of fowl play. It's clear as a consommé that someone is stirring up trouble. With a cunning killer on the loose, Marla has a lot more to worry about than which canapés her chefs should serve. She teams up with Detective Dalton Vail to untangle the clues. He believes someone from the nonprofit's board of directors might be involved, but Marla has her own suspicions. As she digs deeper, she realizes their upcoming gala could be more perilous than a hot stove. She'd better sift through the suspects to stop the saboteur before the entire event goes up in flames. Nominated for a Reviewer's Choice Award by RT Book Reviews "Curl up with Nancy Cohen's stylishly witty and chillingly suspenseful tale of murder on the Florida coast-Hair Raiser is a cut above." Joanne Pence, author of the Angie Amalfi Mysteries "Hair Raiser kept me guessing until the very end. Hats off to Nancy Cohen and her engaging sleuth, Marla the hairdresser!" Laurien Berenson, author of the Melanie Travis mystery series
During the frenzy of the December holidays, salon owner Marla Vail has a bad hair day when a ritzy socialite dies during a fatal facial at her day spa. 'Tis the season for holiday cheer, but salon owner Marla Vail finds herself in deep trouble when a client dies at her day spa after a facial treatment gone wrong. The unfortunate victim, Valerie Weston, was a major benefactor for a historic preservation society. Marla's stylists are scheduled to work backstage at their upcoming fashion show, but Val's demise might put a crimp in their plans.Amidst the twinkling lights and festive cheer, Marla dives headfirst into the glittering world of high society. The stakes are higher than a well-stacked tower of towels as she vows to salvage her spa's reputation. With the body count rising and murder overshadowing hot stone massages, she gives her investigation the full spa treatment. She must comb through the tangled strands of Val's life to peel back the layers of lies and uncover secrets from the past. Soon Marla realizes someone would kill to keep those truths buried. Can she expose the culprit before her holiday season hits another deadly snag?Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner Royal Palm Literary Awards Finalist "Take a twisty mystery, add a cast of amiable characters, a dash of family drama, and a pinch of South Florida during the holiday season-they all add up to the recipe for a delightful cozy!" -Lucy Burdette, bestselling author of the Key West Food Critic Mysteries
Set sail for murder and mayhem when hairstylist Marla Shore and her fiancé cruise to the Caribbean with a killer on board in this cruise ship cozy mystery.Hairstylist Marla Shore is looking forward to a romantic interlude with her fiancé, Detective Dalton Vail, on their first Caribbean cruise. Her excitement hits a snag when she discovers his parents have come along for the ride. It isn't how she might have chosen to meet her future in-laws, but she hopes they'll have smooth sailing ahead.The first sign of trouble is a mysterious note addressed to Martha Shore on her cabin door. Marla assumes the sender spelled her name wrong but is disturbed by the message. When she meets her dinner companions and learns they've received similar notes, she suspects something isn't kosher, and it's not the lobster on the menu. Moreover, Dalton's parents have been seated at another table by mistake. Is it merely a mishap, or something more?Their tablemates all seem to know each other as colleagues from an art museum, where an artist died recently under dubious circumstances. When her dinner companions start disappearing one-by-one, Marla realizes they're headed for stormy waters. If she doesn't find the culprit fast, she might end up with a one-way ticket to Davy Jones's locker."Delightful...The Love Boat meets Sex and the City. A charming heroine and a hero to die for, pick this one up posthaste!" MaryJanice Davidson, NY Times Bestselling Author
¿Can a stylish sleuth pull a rabbit out of her hat to solve an Easter murder in this to-dye-for cozy mystery?When hairstylist Marla Vail attends an Easter egg hunt at historic Tremayne Manor, she's only there to fix hair for a client, Bonnie "Blinky" Morris. But when she's asked to comb the grounds for leftover goodies, Marla discovers more than just a few dyed eggs. The dead man in the bunny suit is definitely not having a good hare day. And Blinky seems to have disappeared down a rabbit hole.While trying to solve a murder, everyone needs a friend who's all ears. For Marla, that's her husband, homicide detective Dalton Vail. They make an egg-cellent team. Dalton isn't the kind to leap to conclusions, but with his wife expecting their child and knowing Marla finds crime-solving to be irresistible, he worries about her running off on another hare-raising adventure.Marla's peeps are hoping for a happy ending, but she may have found a basketful of trouble this time. Can she crack the case before Blinky becomes the next victim? Recipes Included!Readers' Favorite Gold Medal WinnerRoyal Palm Literary Awards FinalistAmerican Fiction Awards Finalist "This story will fill your reading basket with entertainment, charming characters, plot twists, tasty recipes, and a cozy murder mystery to solve." Thoughts in Progress
Are you looking for some easy new recipes? Whip out your whisk, snatch up your spoon, and prepare your palate. Inside the pages of this cookbook are recipes that will bring you good cheer.Enjoy 160+ tasty recipes from Nancy J. Cohen's popular Bad Hair Day cozy mystery series. Included in this cookbook are excerpts, cooking tips, and anecdotes written by hairstylist and savvy sleuth Marla Vail. From appetizers to desserts, Marla offers cooking tips and tricks along with commentary about the dishes she prepares for her family. Whether you're a skilled cook or an eager novice, this cookbook will unravel the mystery of cooking. Put on your apron and plan to make some killer recipes!Gold Medal Winner in the FAPA President's Book Awards First Place Winner in the IAN Book of the Year Awards First Place Winner in the TopShelf Magazine Book Awards Finalist in the Chanticleer International Book Awards "Reading through this cookbook has revived my interest in getting back in the kitchen." Rhonda Gilliland, Author and Editor of the Cooked to Death Series"Designed for busy cooks who may not be out solving crimes, but whose time is equally challenged." Diane Donovan, Midwest Book Review"Mysteries and cookbooks belong side by side on readers' shelves. A Bad Hair Day Cookbook serves up both food and justice." Christine A. Jackson, Ph.D., Author of Myth and Ritual in Women's Detective Fiction
How to Write a Winning WhodunitDo you want to write a cozy mystery but don't have a clue where to start? Or are you in the middle of a story and stuck on the plot? Perhaps you're already writing a series, and you need tips on keeping your material fresh. Writing the Cozy Mystery: Expanded Second Edition is a concise reference guide that will help you develop your characters, establish the setting, plot the story, add suspense, plant clues and solve the crime.This award-winning Second Edition contains more examples; additional writing exercises; expanded sections; and seven new chapters including The Muddle in the Middle, Romance and Murder, Special Considerations for Cozy Writers, Keeping a Series Fresh, Writing the Smart Synopsis, Mystery Movies, and Marketing Tips. You'll find everything you need to know in an easy-to-read, clear manner to write your own mystery and maintain a long-running series. Recommended for cozy writers, mystery fans, and fiction writing classes.Gold Award Winner in the Royal Palm Literary AwardsGold Medal Winner in the President's Book AwardsFirst Place Winner in TopShelf Magazine Book AwardsAgatha Awards FinalistFinalist in the IAN Book of the Year AwardsMurder on the Beach Mystery Bookstore Bestseller List
Hairstylist Marla Vail determines to learn the truth when her best friend is hurt in a suspicious car accident in this suspenseful cozy mystery.Hairstylist Marla Vail's friends are hurt in a car accident on New Year's Eve. As per their instructions, Marla assumes guardianship of their infant son. But when her detective husband determines the crash may not have been an accident after all, she gets on the case. Who would want Tally and Ken out of the way? As Marla delves deeper into their lives, she realizes she didn't know them as well as she'd thought. Nonetheless, it's her duty to protect their child even if it means learning the ugly truth.Her sleuthing reveals that Ken's insurance agency was involved in a fraud investigation. Did someone mean to silence him to avoid exposure? Or could something in Tally's life have put her in jeopardy? She'd recently joined a tea ladies circle. Had she discovered secrets about the women that someone would kill to keep? Then again, maybe she'd been the target of a disgruntled employee from her dress shop. As the mystery unravels and Marla narrows the suspect list, she puts her own life at risk. Can she find the culprit before she ends up as roadkill?Chanticleer International Book Awards First Place Winner Royal Palm Literary Awards Finalist "I found myself swiping pages as fast as I could to find out what was going to happen next. And not only for the mystery but to see how Marla was going to handle being an instant mother... I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a well-crafted cozy mystery." Open Book Society"The action builds with a slew of twists, turns, and near nail-biting climactic tension." Chanticleer Book Reviews
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