After transmigrating into a historical novel, Wen Mian expected at least a decent role. Instead, she became a low-ranking palace maid. Other maids read their masters' expressions and survive through clever schemes. Wen Mian, however, only stares back blankly. [Why are you looking at me? I didn't do anything.] Fine. If she couldn't play palace politics, she would simply endure her years of service and leave the palace at twenty-five. That was the plan. Until the emperor suddenly chose her to be his personal maid. Serving the emperor is like serving a tiger. On her very first day, Wen Mian had already begun composing the epitaph on her future grave. *** Emperor Zhaoyan has a secret. Since ascending the throne, he has been able to hear the thoughts of everyone around him. Ministers plotting rebellion. Consorts smiling while hiding daggers. Endless schemes echo through his mind every day, making the Forbidden City colder than ever. During a harem interrogation, he prepares to expose the guilty- Until a different voice suddenly appears in his mind. [Why are you still looking at me? Never mind... I'm hungry.] [I want red bean milk rolls... roast duck... roast goose...] Emperor Zhaoyan: ... In the cold palace, this one girl's chaotic thoughts become the only warmth he hears. And this time, he refuses to let her go. *** (Mini Theater) Wen Mian expressionlessly pulls her hand out from beneath the apricot-yellow silk quilt. Her hand is... wet. Emperor Zhaoyan's voice turns hoarse. "Since things have come this far, you belong to me now. You cannot leave the palace. My beloved, stay here with me. I will never mistreat you." Wen Mian glares at him. "Your Majesty... are you trying to steal someone's future wife?"

In the picturesque town of Oak Point, where gossip spreads faster than wildfire and secrets are currency, high school senior Riley Moore has spent years obsessing over true crime. She listens to murder podcasts, watches every documentary, and keeps a notebook filled with unsolved cases. But when a real murder lands right in her backyard, she finally gets the chance to put her knowledge to the test. The town's star athlete and all around jerk, Jace Hunter, is found dead in a way that is so bizarre, so brutal, that it stuns everyone. The police call it a tragic accident, but Riley knows better. There are too many inconsistencies. The way the body was found, the odd alibis, the eerie social media posts before the murder-it all screams foul play. Determined to uncover the truth, she dives headfirst into the case, convinced she can solve it before the cops do. But the deeper she digs, the darker the town's secrets become. Every suspect has a motive. Every clue leads to a new twist. And just when she thinks she's getting close-someone else turns up dead. The real killer is watching. They know she's getting too close. And if she doesn't stop... she might be next.

A marriage of convenience. A heart never meant to be involved. When Clara Evans loses her sister, she'll do anything to protect her niece-even marry a man who doesn't believe in love. Alexander Graves is cold, powerful, and emotionally unreachable. To him, marriage is a contract, not a promise. Their union is meant to be simple: shared custody, shared space, no feelings involved. But living with a man who touches her without tenderness and walks away without regret slowly breaks Clara in ways she never expected. And when she stops hoping, stops asking, and starts choosing herself, Alexander realizes the truth too late- The woman he never meant to love is the one he's about to lose. A slow-burn, emotionally intense romance about sacrifice, silence, and learning the cost of taking love for granted.

They swore they would never speak of what happened that night. Ten years later, six friends return to the cabin where their darkest secret lies buried. But someone has been waiting. And one by one, they will learn that some promises can't be kept-and some nights never end.

Lady Eliza Winter has one friend in the world and she happens to go missing. And when Eliza goes to report the disappearance to the police they won't hear a word from Crazy Eliza Winters. Determined to find her friend Penelope, Eliza reaches out to the new detective in town, Lord Colin Bradshaw, but in order to find Penelope, he needs to know everything that led up to her going missing. Unfortunately, there are some things Eliza isn't willing to tell. Will Eliza be able to find Penelope without giving away all her secrets? Or will Lord Bradshaw be a match Eliza wasn't ready for. HIGHEST-RANKED: #1 HISTORICAL FICTION #1 EDWARDIAN #1 MURDER MYSTERY #1 MYSTERY THRILLER #1 VICTORIAN AN EDITED AND UP TO DATE VERSION OF THIS BOOK CAN NOW BE FOUND ON AMAZON. $.99 FOR KINDLE, FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED AND $6.99 FOR PAPERBACK. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08SWJ9RH8/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Love+%26+Murder+Kindle+erin+st+james&qid=1610517381&sr=8-1

WATTYS WINNER 2020 Two interconnected murders, 64 years apart. One woman's search for truth and identity. Readers' comments: 'a masterpiece', 'impeccably written', 'amazing', 'superbly crafted page-turner', 'hauntingly beautiful', 'tremendous plot and character development', 'one of a kind', 'fantastic story telling', 'loved this book', 'a wonderful read", 'absolutely beautiful', 'brought tears to my eyes' and many more Wattys judging panel: 'This is VERY good. We were HOOKED from the beginning, and the writing and plot hold up throughout. This is a very unique, polished, well-written and well-researched piece.' Plot Set partly in rural England, partly on the sun-kissed coast of southerm Italy, The Painted Altar is a murder mystery mixed with romantic and historical elements (World War Two). Given away at two days old, Mary Rice has spent her life in the shadows. When discovering the suspicious circumstances surrounding her biological mother's death, she embarks on a journey which will shine a light not only on the truth but also on her own identity. Brief extract Suddenly, the door had inched open, half a wrinkled face visible behind the tautened chain. "Hello. Who is it?" The words I was going to say had of course been well-rehearsed, repeated over and over in my mind like a mantra, but now that the moment had arrived I found myself struggling to remember them. "Mrs Harvey... I think that you might... well, that you might be..." The door closed, then slowly opened once more, the chain this time unlatched. And there she was before me - half a metre away, within arm's reach. Thin lips gradually crooking upwards at each corner like the slow beatific kindling of a summer's dawn. "Oh yes love, I know who you are." Length: 70,000 words About the author: Originally from England but for the last 16 years I've been living in Italy. I hope therefore that the Italian aspects of the novel will have a certain gloss of authenticity.

1908. A transatlantic voyage. Jane fled her broken home for a new beginning. She boarded the ship to escape her past. She thought she was just a passenger. But someone on board knows her name-and wants her dead. A young woman. A famous detective. His stubborn grandson. A voyage that becomes a deadly game of secrets, lies, and survival.

Emma is an 18-year-old girl who lives with her mom and stepfather. She was sent to a boarding school when her parents moved to Europe and didn't want to take her with them. She is sweet, kind, and always willing to help. Emma has a twin brother who she hasn't seen since her parents' divorce. She misses him a lot, but she knows that he hates her. Why wouldn't he answer any of her calls and messages if he didn't hate her? She is happy to attend one of the best schools in the country, but she isn't ready to face her past, which awaits her when she gets there. Mason is the school's most popular guy. He is charming and used to getting everything he wants. He has a good relationship with his father, but he has never forgiven him for something that happened in the past. Mason is ready for a senior year filled with parties, booze, and girls throwing themselves at him. But he gets a surprise in the form of a girl, whom he hates more than anything. Mason and Emma are the most interesting topic at Forest Lake Boarding School. Until the first disappirance.

A weekend partying at a remote cabin is just what Mackenzie needs. She can't wait to let loose with her friends. But a crazy night of fun leaves two of them dead-murdered. With no signs of a forced entry or struggle, suspicion turns to the five survivors. Someone isn't telling the truth. And Mackenzie's first mistake? Assuming the killing is over...