Deep In Death
(A Shelby Nichols Adventure #6)
By Colleen Helme
Blurb:
Running “errands” for her mob-boss employer, Joey “The Knife” Manetto, often ends with Shelby in trouble, making her cautious about continuing her association with him. Instead, she focuses on a new client who hires Shelby to find her missing mother. What seems like a routine case turns into something more sinister and deadly than she ever imagined. In the meantime, Uncle Joey has summoned Shelby to his office, where she runs into her former nemesis. Shelby inadvertently hears something that makes her fear for the lives of Uncle Joey and his hit-man, Ramos. This time, Uncle Joey is not sure he wants to involve Shelby in something he knows could get her killed. Keeping Shelby’s involvement to a minimum has disastrous results, sending Shelby on a dangerous path. As her investigation unfolds, Shelby finds death at every turn, and soon realizes she is in over her head. Can she escape from danger in time? Or will she find herself deep in death?
Available for purchase at
BOOK TRAILER
Excerpt
A twinge of
pain burned through my arm, and I gently rubbed the spot where I’d been shot
nearly three weeks ago. Getting a shot in the arm may sound like a simple thing
for most people, but when it’s done by a bullet, it’s a whole different story.
At least it was healing nicely, and the scar wasn't too big, but every once in
a while my arm ached like it had happened yesterday, probably because I was
overdoing it again. After a few seconds the pain subsided, and I finished
pulling on my shirt and got dressed.
pain burned through my arm, and I gently rubbed the spot where I’d been shot
nearly three weeks ago. Getting a shot in the arm may sound like a simple thing
for most people, but when it’s done by a bullet, it’s a whole different story.
At least it was healing nicely, and the scar wasn't too big, but every once in
a while my arm ached like it had happened yesterday, probably because I was
overdoing it again. After a few seconds the pain subsided, and I finished
pulling on my shirt and got dressed.
Today was my
first day back at work since the shooting, and I was ready to take on a new
project. This time the job was a client from my consulting agency, which suited
me just fine. My last job for Uncle Joey, the local mob-boss, had gotten me
both arrested for murder and shot by a bullet in the arm, so I was a little
nervous about doing anything for him again.
first day back at work since the shooting, and I was ready to take on a new
project. This time the job was a client from my consulting agency, which suited
me just fine. My last job for Uncle Joey, the local mob-boss, had gotten me
both arrested for murder and shot by a bullet in the arm, so I was a little
nervous about doing anything for him again.
A few months
ago I had to tell Uncle Joey my secret that I could read minds so he wouldn't
kill me. We’d worked out a compromise, and over the course of our association,
we’d even become close. Crazy as it sounded, I’d started to think of him as my
real uncle, even though he wasn't. Since most of his errands seemed to get me
into trouble, he’d also saved my life a few times. Well, to be honest, it was
his hit-man, Ramos, doing most of the saving. But it was Uncle Joey who’d told
him to watch out for me.
ago I had to tell Uncle Joey my secret that I could read minds so he wouldn't
kill me. We’d worked out a compromise, and over the course of our association,
we’d even become close. Crazy as it sounded, I’d started to think of him as my
real uncle, even though he wasn't. Since most of his errands seemed to get me
into trouble, he’d also saved my life a few times. Well, to be honest, it was
his hit-man, Ramos, doing most of the saving. But it was Uncle Joey who’d told
him to watch out for me.
I sighed every
time I thought of Ramos. He had a troubled past which only I knew about, and
I’d helped him come to terms with it. Besides saving my life several times,
there was also a physical attraction that I only dared admit out loud to my
best friend, Holly. Of course after seeing him, she had a crush on him too, and
since we were both happily married, I had to think it was all right. But with
all of that going on, I had to wonder about myself. I mean, Uncle Joey was a
big, bad mob-boss who had threatened to do me bodily harm, and Ramos was his
hit-man. They were the bad guys and I had a soft spot in my heart for them. Was
something wrong with me?
time I thought of Ramos. He had a troubled past which only I knew about, and
I’d helped him come to terms with it. Besides saving my life several times,
there was also a physical attraction that I only dared admit out loud to my
best friend, Holly. Of course after seeing him, she had a crush on him too, and
since we were both happily married, I had to think it was all right. But with
all of that going on, I had to wonder about myself. I mean, Uncle Joey was a
big, bad mob-boss who had threatened to do me bodily harm, and Ramos was his
hit-man. They were the bad guys and I had a soft spot in my heart for them. Was
something wrong with me?
My husband,
Chris, had no qualms about severing all ties with Uncle Joey, and it put me in
a hard spot trying to please them both. But since the last job, things had
changed. After I got shot, Chris had a long talk with Uncle Joey, and I hadn't
heard from him in three weeks. In some ways it was a relief, but in others, I
kind of missed him…and Ramos…well…mostly Ramos. Still, I wasn't about to call
and offer my services. Not considering what had happened last time. Nope. I
wasn't ready to get shot again. In fact, I would be pretty happy if I never saw
another gun in my life.
Chris, had no qualms about severing all ties with Uncle Joey, and it put me in
a hard spot trying to please them both. But since the last job, things had
changed. After I got shot, Chris had a long talk with Uncle Joey, and I hadn't
heard from him in three weeks. In some ways it was a relief, but in others, I
kind of missed him…and Ramos…well…mostly Ramos. Still, I wasn't about to call
and offer my services. Not considering what had happened last time. Nope. I
wasn't ready to get shot again. In fact, I would be pretty happy if I never saw
another gun in my life.
I took a deep
cleansing breath and checked the time. I had an appointment with my client at
ten this morning, and it was time to go. Her name was Tiffany and this was her
senior year of college. Since I didn't have a real office, I’d told her we
could meet at the campus library in-between her classes, and with her busy
schedule, meeting on campus worked out great for both of us.
cleansing breath and checked the time. I had an appointment with my client at
ten this morning, and it was time to go. Her name was Tiffany and this was her
senior year of college. Since I didn't have a real office, I’d told her we
could meet at the campus library in-between her classes, and with her busy
schedule, meeting on campus worked out great for both of us.
I drove
through town with my windows down and breathed in the crisp fall air. It was
the first part of October and the sky was the perfect color of blue. The trees
were just beginning to change into brilliant autumn colors, and framed against
the blue sky, the pure beauty and serenity lifted my spirits. With everything
I’d gone through lately, I knew I was lucky to be alive.
through town with my windows down and breathed in the crisp fall air. It was
the first part of October and the sky was the perfect color of blue. The trees
were just beginning to change into brilliant autumn colors, and framed against
the blue sky, the pure beauty and serenity lifted my spirits. With everything
I’d gone through lately, I knew I was lucky to be alive.
I parked at
the visitor parking meters near the library and headed toward the front of the
building. It had been several years since I’d been there last, and a wave of
nostalgia washed over me. I’d only been to one year of college before I’d
talked Chris into marrying me. It was love at first sight for me, but it had
taken some gentle persuading on my part to help Chris see how perfect we were
together. Right after our marriage, we’d gone off to law school in another
state. Josh had been born exactly nine months later followed by Savannah two
years after that. There were times when I regretted not finishing college back
then, but I wouldn't trade the life I had now for anything.
the visitor parking meters near the library and headed toward the front of the
building. It had been several years since I’d been there last, and a wave of
nostalgia washed over me. I’d only been to one year of college before I’d
talked Chris into marrying me. It was love at first sight for me, but it had
taken some gentle persuading on my part to help Chris see how perfect we were
together. Right after our marriage, we’d gone off to law school in another
state. Josh had been born exactly nine months later followed by Savannah two
years after that. There were times when I regretted not finishing college back
then, but I wouldn't trade the life I had now for anything.
I loved my
family and, as it turned out, I had a pretty good career without a degree, and
I was proud of what I’d accomplished. Of course, if I hadn't gotten shot in the
head during a bank robbery, which left me with the ability to read minds, it
might be a different story.
family and, as it turned out, I had a pretty good career without a degree, and
I was proud of what I’d accomplished. Of course, if I hadn't gotten shot in the
head during a bank robbery, which left me with the ability to read minds, it
might be a different story.
It was still
hard for me to believe how my life had turned upside down simply because I’d
stopped at the grocery store for some carrots. Who would have thought? Now I
had my own consulting agency where I could get paid for helping people, and
most of the time, all I had to do was read their minds. Not that it was always
that easy, but after getting shot, I’d take some simple cases for a while.
hard for me to believe how my life had turned upside down simply because I’d
stopped at the grocery store for some carrots. Who would have thought? Now I
had my own consulting agency where I could get paid for helping people, and
most of the time, all I had to do was read their minds. Not that it was always
that easy, but after getting shot, I’d take some simple cases for a while.
A young woman
sat on a bench near the fountain where we’d planned to meet. Her gaze caught
mine and her eyes widened slightly before she recognized me. As I approached,
she smiled and gave me a quick wave. She had long blond hair and a sweet face,
but her somber eyes seemed out of place for someone her age, like she’d gone
through some hard times.
sat on a bench near the fountain where we’d planned to meet. Her gaze caught
mine and her eyes widened slightly before she recognized me. As I approached,
she smiled and gave me a quick wave. She had long blond hair and a sweet face,
but her somber eyes seemed out of place for someone her age, like she’d gone
through some hard times.
Since she was
a college student, I was a little nervous that she couldn't afford my
one-hundred-and-fifty-dollar-an-hour fee. But we’d talked about that before I
had agreed to meet her, and she’d seemed fine with it then. She stood to greet
me.
a college student, I was a little nervous that she couldn't afford my
one-hundred-and-fifty-dollar-an-hour fee. But we’d talked about that before I
had agreed to meet her, and she’d seemed fine with it then. She stood to greet
me.
Review
Shelby makes an entrance with a bullet in her arms from Helme's last novel of this series.She has returned with a new determination to keep on working as a Private Eye and keep out of trouble.
Keeping out of trouble for Shelby is next to impossible, especially when the old characters of Helme's book revisits. Uncle Joey wants her work for him while his niece, Kate, is back in the picture with her own set of troubles.
I can almost hear Taylor Swift's song, 'Trouble Trouble', humming in my head whenever I read about Shelby. This Gal just cannot stay inside the house.
How un-feminist of me, but - with the kind of trouble that seems to follow Shelby all around her, I would rather she sits at home - of course for her sake and not mine :)
Anyways, she is back in action. Joined the police department and... Dimples is back to dance at at attendence[yes, do detect a jealous note here] and most of all she has a new case.
When Tiffany contacts Shelby, she takes up the case of searching for Tiffany's mom, Darcy. Now Helme has notched up the paranormal part in this story. We have ...pssst.. Ghosts. Okay, not the salivating, tooth decaying and zombie kind but, the I-am-here-but-you can't see me kind. Actually, it is kinda cute and frankly speaking Helme has created a few hair raising moment.
I especially loved the scene when Shelby sees the no.4 in front of the parking lot. Hair raising moment.
No one can find a flaw with Helme's way of writing. The pace is what keeps me going, each scene woven to be a page turner. By the time you will finish this novel, you are spinning along with Shelby.It's very gripping.
Ramos... Tell me Ms.Helme.. you have upped the character just for me? :) Since, I did gush over him last time. But this time, the chemistry between them is SIZZLING. And I almost felt sorry for dear hubby, Chris. That is the problem here for the readers. Every damn bad guy is a good guy. How can I feel bad for Ramos, who is a supposed henchman of Uncle Joey.
Rating
Reasoning
As you all know if a few questions arise in my mind, I start twitching. [Childhood problem of mind :( )
Now I started twitching due to two questions that has been nudging me all along.
Does Shelby at all care about her kids? I see her cooking, hiding facts from her family and being a magnet for trouble. But how is she as a woman? She has given up her education for her family. Agreed. But every time putting their lives in danger does not look too Mommy kind moment for me.
Secondly, the actions are too much. If I want to follow the Darcy thread, Kate and Billie are being thrown in my path. I want to find out what the heck happened to Darcy, but every time I have to catch my breath and know what darling Kate is up to.
One thing about this book - YOU HAVE GOT TO READ IT ONCE to know how to keep your characters revolving around the story all the time.How to give each character importance and above all how to make your readers fall in love with each and every character of yours. Even the insignificant retired detective :)
About the Author
A long career as a wife and mother while juggling several part-time jobs gave Colleen the ambition to dream of being a published author, where she could put her imagination to good use. Now instead of making up stories to tell her children, she writes books they love to read. Hopefully you will too. She is the author of three romantic fantasy novels, Songbird, Flame of Destiny and The Relic. Her Shelby Nichols Adventures include Carrots, Fast Money, Lie or Die, Secrets That Kill, and Trapped By Revenge coming soon!
You can find Colleen here:
Giveaway
Presented By
Comments
Post a Comment