USAT Bestselling
author, Nichole Giles, is the author of The DESCENDANT series and The WATER SO
DEEP series. Her dreams include owning a garden full of fairies, riding a
unicorn, and taming her pet dragons. She loves traveling to tropical and exotic
destinations, driving with the convertible top down, and playing music at full
volume while she sings along.
Connect with the Author here:
Recently forced into
the underwater city of Atlantis, Emma Harris has managed to avoid marrying the
merman who brought her, but her grandfather—the Sea King—insists that joining
with the abusive Merrick is inevitable. When Emma discovers a poison that might
restore her human lungs, she goes in search of the rare creature that carries
it, prepared to try the poison no matter the cost, so she can return home to
her family—and to James.
Since his girlfriend
went missing, James’ depression has destroyed his chance at a basketball
scholarship and incurred the wrath of his uncle, who was once his strongest
supporter. When the police inform him that he’s a suspect in Emma’s mysterious
disappearance, James sells his beloved motorcycle to buy a boat so he can find
Emma and prove his innocence before going on trial for a murder he didn’t
commit.
With destiny against
them, it’s only a matter of time before both are imprisoned forever.
Snippet:
The detective tapped his fingers on his knee, choosing
his words with care. “You were the last person to see her. You returned with
her brother, her car, her clothes and her cell phone—but not her. Other than
Keith, you have no witnesses, and I have to be honest, James, if you were on
trial and I was a member of the jury, you’d be looking at a conviction.”
Desperation clawed
at his throat. “But the video—”
“Coercion. Editing skills. Bad lighting, a good
actress with a similar look—that video is not enough when the rest of the
evidence points directly at you.”
James’ heart
thundered in his chest. “I didn’t hurt Emma.”
Peters stood. “Then help us find her. Look, I know
there’s something you’re not telling me. Now’s the time for you to share
whatever information you’re holding back, otherwise, you’ll be answering for
more serious charges than outing a secret.”
James pinned his focus on the wall behind the
detective, too stunned to move. His father stood, grunting with the effort, and
pointed at James. “That’s enough. Don’t say another word.” He directed his next
words at the detective. “My son is done talking to cops without a lawyer.”
Peters raised his
brows, but didn’t seem all that surprised. “Does that mean you’re finished cooperating
with the case?”
“It means.” Richard’s commanding tone was a voice
James hadn’t heard in years. “The next time you have questions, make an
appointment.”
“Okay then.” Detective Peters flipped his notebook
closed and slid it into his jacket pocket. “Guess that will do for now.” He
stood, offering a friendly hand, which neither of the other men accepted.
Peters let his arm drop to his side and started for the door. “James, we’re
considering you a person of interest in Emma’s disappearance. It would be best
for everyone involved—especially you—if you don’t leave the state.”
He nodded in acknowledgement, numbness flowing into
his limbs as his father ushered the detective out and locked the door behind
him. Then Richard returned to his James, draping his arm across James’
shoulders in a show of support. “Don’t worry, Son. We’ll get this sorted out.”
James embraced his father, trying not to think about
how awkward the practice had become since the man had almost doubled in size
over the last few years. “I don’t know, Pops. From the way he talks, I wonder
if the only way to get me out of this mess would be to find Emma and bring her
back.”
“So let’s do that, then.” Richard released James,
wheezing with effort as he returned to his chair.
James scrubbed his hands into his dusty hair, causing
white tile powder to rain on his eyelashes. “It’s not that easy.”
Richard dropped into his recliner, clearly relieved to
be sitting again. “I’m only going to ask this once, and I promise I’ll believe
you, as long as I can see that you’re telling the truth.” He leaned a thick
elbow on the arm of his chair, tipping the entire frame to one side. “Did you
do something to that girl? Do you know where she is?”
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Melanie is an author, designer, photographer, and flight attendant all rolled into one. She has told stories all her life and finds her passion in sharing the plots that spin through her head. She now lives in Portland, Oregon, with her two dachshund-chihuahua dogs. She loves the beauty of the Pacific Northwest that feeds her imagination.
