Get in the mood for Valentine’s with this tale of love and landscapes! Set between London and the wilds of Scotland, this is a stalker/protector romance with lots of twists and turns . . .
BLURB
Lashings of steamy suspense mixed with whodunnit . . .
Travelling the world as part of her job as a fashion buyer, Flora laughs it off at first when she recognises she’s being followed around from place to place. When Caelan Cameron finally approaches, that’s when she realises her estranged gangster father has to be involved somehow.
Ex-SAS with a past to rival her own, Caelan is clever, gorgeous and determined – but can he be trusted? Flora’s mind says one thing, but her heart screams another, and when he takes her to his home up in the remote Scottish Highlands, she finds it very hard to resist him. Surrounded by the most beautiful scenery in the world, she begins to fall madly in love with a man who’s clearly hiding something . . .
The sequel and concluding part Fight for Love coming soon!
EXCERPT
I wanted to ask so many questions but as we turned down some quieter streets and he directed me with the strength of a bulldozer, I got dizzy trying to figure out what we were doing. When we ended up around the back of someone’s shop, down a narrow, short alley, he squeezed my hand and said, “Wait here.”
He backed me into a wooden gate that stood between two brick walls, so I was tucked in and obscured from view. I was moments from burying my hand in my bag and taking out the small handgun I’d taken from Suzie’s safe that morning, when he quickly climbed over the six-foot wall adjacent and walked along it until he then was able to jump to a wall on the other side of the alley—then climb up a drainpipe until he was literally scaling someone’s roof. All the while my heart was in my mouth. Despite his stature, he moved like a cat.
Then he crouched beside a chimney pot and grinned with a smile nothing short of feral. Reaching into his waistband, he brandished the gun from my bag, held it up and pointed it right at me. I doubted he would do such a thing in broad daylight, then I recognised that look in his eye.
He was showing off. That’s all he was doing. Showing off.
I shook my head and walked away.
“Idiot.”
I heard his laughing behind me, even as I got into my car and put the radio on, trying to drown out thoughts of him—and greatly failing at it.
Whatever he was hanging around for, I was going to get to the bottom of it.
A new series which adds a fresh perspective to the frightening, alternative S. M. Lynch universe . . .
Leah was wrenched from everything she knew at a young age and turned into a killer. It became that she didn’t know anything else but the day’s toil of hardening her body and her mind.
Her mentor Caleb was the only person she saw and she couldn’t escape him. We only know that at some point they fell in love, but it didn’t quite go according to plan.
The present Leah Feltham is now the toughest assassin in London, a woman in her thirties working alone, existing for the job, nothing else.
Then, something goes wrong.
War is brewing. She knows it.
And she’s about to find her true love, right before it all kicks off . . .
**This series can be read without any previous reading, but for added context, it’s recommended you read the Ruthless Series after reading the Collective Series**
S. M. Lynch Connected Novels Reading Order:
Chimera (Collective 1) Panacea (Collective 2) Exodus (Collective 3) Ruthless Trilogy The Radical (Unity 1) The Informant (Unity 2) The Sentient (Unity 3) The Awoken (New Unity 1) The Rising (New Unity 2)
Author Note
DEAR READER,
My advice to you if you’re reading my work for the very first time is to read this series AFTER reading the Collective Series.
However, you can also read Ruthless without any previous reading, being that it is a story that can stand alone and makes sense within itself. Leah is the narrator, taking you on her journey, and you can follow her adventure without any previous reading whatsoever.
My point is however, all of the novels in the S. M. Lynch universe are interconnected. Therefore, they are designed to be read in chronological order… or you get some spoilers. Chronologically, you should begin with the Collective Series, then read the Ruthless Series, UNITY and then, finally, New Unity. While Ruthless could be read as a sort of prequel to the Collective in terms of ideas/timeline, it does contain spoilers for the Collective Series which is why I advise to go this way. But anyway… it is up to you! I am one of those strange people who started with The Two Towers and still ended up enjoying the entire LOTR Trilogy. So sue me!
Now, a word of warning about books in this universe:
Firstly, don’t assume anything (and I mean anything) is what it seems.
Secondly, there are elements in these books BEYOND the thriller genre. I dare to venture into sci-fi, mind-bending plots… and well, more besides.
“Books at Beverley Races” took place last October and was a roaring success. Lots of happy smiling faces, many books sold, hilarious conversations had and long overdue catch-ups finally achieved after, in some cases, two years apart. It was a lot of hard work but it was so worth it – and let me tell you, I wasn’t always sure it would still go ahead, what with Covid lingering in the background. Truth to tell, this event was a bit of a crazy late-night idea of mine. I had no idea what it would really require, but I met each challenge head on, knowing how much this meeting would mean to people.
Also, what it would mean to me. The idea of organising a book event such as this arose from a desire to challenge myself, to test my capabilities. I’ve always been a bit of a leader in every job I’ve ever had, yet since becoming an author, I’ve obviously only been in charge of myself, and I might have somewhat forgotten the broad spectrum of what it is I am capable of. Yet this desire to challenge myself wasn’t just about reconnecting with long-forgotten skills… it was an urge to level up with everyone around me. So many people have been in pain for one reason or another this past couple of years. Yet they’ve stepped up. They’ve shown up. Especially some people close to me – mostly, my husband, who’s not only about to lose his dad from cancer, but this past few months or so, has had to deal with some terrible, cruel manoeuvres from people within his career orbit. That’s not something you need or expect, especially when these people know your father and best mate won’t be here for much longer. But what does not destroy us, only makes us stronger (or stranger), and we are stronger and more defiant than ever. It was at this event actually that someone told me just how much my partner had helped her that day – and I agree – my husband is normally the one propping up everyone else.
So last year was a productive year indeed. Under my third (secret) pen name, I published four books which have been very well received. And after the success of Beverley, I really wasn’t sure about organising another event. I was exhausted. And if you’re anything like me and you can see a lot of moving puzzle pieces inside your mind, then you’ve accounted for everything but you’re also prepared for it all to go wrong, too. Yet – and I am sure many other events organisers experience this – after pulling off something like this, you have a sort of withdrawal (if not right away, eventually) and all you want to do then, is do it all over again! Maybe one day I won’t want to do it ever again, but right now… I can announce that I AM DOING IT AGAIN!
The feeling I got after Beverley was not only that people wanted me to do another event, but that they also want me to make it more varied. There were many constrictions I was under at Beverley due to Covid and other factors, preventing me from going further, but now I think I have found a terrific venue that will give us the platform to create something even more special.
I find that at every event I attend, whether as a reader, author or organiser – they just zip by too bloody fast! All the people you wanted to speak to you don’t always get to and all the things you told yourself beforehand to absorb and suck up…. Well, in practise, it just doesn’t always happen. So with “Authors at the Armouries”, I am organising a dinner-dance after the main signing – and also hoping to lay on some small, intimate seminars/panels on the Sunday morning, too! There may be some interesting conversations that morning!
So if you are an author and would like to register your interest for my next event, click here and input your details! If you’re a reader and would like me to approach your favourite author, send me an email… smlpublishinguk@gmail.com. So far, it is shaping up to be an exciting and unforgettable one. All genres are welcome and we have already had interest from thriller writers, PNR, fantasy, romance, poetry, contemporary and children’s.
Other News
I’m sure not one of you has not been affected lately by what we’re seeing in the news. We all feel useless and mortified we can’t do more. Yet all over the place, small acts of kindness are brimming – sometimes it’s those that push me over the edge, not to mention the images we’re subjected to every day. I am contributing but a poem to this anthology organised by Danielle Jacks, but there are several authors writing short stories centred around military romance. All proceeds will benefit the Red Cross Ukraine Appeal. You can find out all you need to know here:
This year, it’s 10 years since I first started publishing and I find myself more and more going back to my roots. I began my writing career publishing sci-fi novels and as S. M. Lynch, I find myself able to explore avenues and areas of my writing I can’t as a romance writer. As a thriller writer, I can vent about a lot more – and considering my past self of ten years ago predicted a pandemic to occur in 2023 (I was a couple of years out), maybe we can read quite a lot into my other predictions, too. It’s the fate of an ex-journalist, I am afraid, to be always on the pulse.
So it gives me great pleasure to announce my next publication, RUTHLESS! I can’t wait for you all to read it. Read the blurb:
A new series which adds a fresh perspective to the frightening, alternative S. M. Lynch universe . . .
Leah was wrenched from everything she knew at a young age and turned into a killer. It became that she didn’t know anything else but the day’s toil of hardening her body and her mind.
Her mentor Caleb was the only person she saw and she couldn’t escape him. We only know that at some point they fell in love, but it didn’t quite go according to plan.
The present Leah Feltham is now the toughest assassin in London, a woman in her thirties working alone, existing for the job, nothing else.
Then, something goes wrong.
War is brewing. She knows it.
And she’s about to find her true love, right before it all kicks off . . .
**This series can be read without any previous reading, but for added context, it’s recommended you read the Ruthless Series after reading the Collective Series**
Welcome to the world of Freya Carter, hotel manager turned art dealer. She has been on quite the journey, from London to Nice – and yet she has further to go yet!
When it seems like the only man for you can never be yours, what are you going to do?
Well, when your name is Freya Carter, and your middle name is Badass, I think you’ll soon get the picture . . .
~Blurb~
In the first instalment of the steamy, suspenseful Legacy Trilogy…
Ruben and Freya have been friends for two years and still don’t know one another very well. Whenever they meet up for a drink, sex with other people is something they openly discuss, but fooling around with each other is out of the question.
Then right out of the blue, everything changes. Freya can’t stand to have him in her life anymore and Ruben is shocked into action, forced to confess his true feelings.
Endless nights of pure, unbridled passion between two people seemingly destined to be together follow. Freya and Ruben are equally closed books, but as their passion unfolds, so do the pages of their chequered pasts.
There is however, one secret so dark and devastating, it could wreck their lives. As their pasts converge, kismet will play a big part in whether they survive or die.
PART ONE of The Legacy Trilogy is FREE to download for Kindle, Apple, Nook and Kobo
Freya has forged an amazing career in the art world, built a brilliant relationship with her brother and finally has the man she loves by her side, too. It seems like she couldn’t want for more from life.
If only the past had never happened. There are still traumas to face, confessions to be made and dark truths which must be exposed.
From France to Brazil and back again, along the way Freya will learn more about the man who changed her life forever. Theirs is the love of a lifetime. There’s no matching it. She’s certain she will never experience this same connection with anyone else… and the more time they spend together, she realises there’s nobody else she could ever be happy with.
Life could be so good, she knows that – if they stick together.
Killer releases on January 19th! To save yourself spoilers, don’t read the blurb for this one until you’ve read Books One and Two. You can pre-order from Amazon; other vendors available soon!
It’s strange that, for a few months now, I have been writing a new series of books in secret. . . with the intention of releasing them all at once. Now feels like no better time to release it! If you’re on lockdown or self-isolating, you can read this brand-new series at a bargain.
The Bad Series is an epic series of 6+ books (TBC) and charts the lives and loves of a massive friendship group whose lives intertwine. The actions of one often cause many pain, and vice versa. This is a series of epic character building and friendships that have lasted the test of time. While reading you may wonder if these people are actually real. . . but my intention with these books is certainly to give you a healthy dose of drama and twists and turns!
Bad Friends is where you need to start and she’s FREE today only! Scroll for more details…
Bad Friends
A brand-new series of interconnected stories . . .
Lily is in denial about her relationship with Ian, a university lecturer who was sexy three years ago but has become progressively more boring. Her friends try to tell her what she already knows but it’s an illicit Christmas encounter that finally makes her see sense.
Is life about to get better, or will it only get worse?
The path to true love never runs smooth.
AUTHOR NOTE:
The Bad Series saga charts the lives and loves of a group of friends hailing from Yorkshire, England. Their experiences take them all over the world and each character has a BIG story to tell. Sit back, enjoy the ride, and binge until your heart is content!
Theo Richards is a very bad actor. He’s told lie after lie, kept secrets so deep and dark . . . and yet, his heart has always been in the right place.
The kind of love most people can only dream of is about to drop into his life. At the same time, his career is about to take off and everything is going to change.
Will he survive the rollercoaster, and does anyone ever really get everything they want?
Download Theo’s story for 99p or read free in Kindle Unlimited here
Bad Wife
Susan has always known exactly what she wants and how to get it. So being told she can’t have something is very hard to take.
Now a year since Adam walked her down the aisle, things are becoming complicated.
They visit a fertility clinic for help once it becomes clear things might not happen naturally. The results are unexpected and send Adam into a tailspin.
Were his friends always right about her?
Or didn’t they give her enough of a chance?
Download Adam and Susan’s tale for 99p or read free in Kindle Unlimited here
Bad Girl
SPECIAL PRE-ORDER PRICE!
Chloe is travelling around Australia with her boyfriend when she hears some unexpected news from home. Having spent two years dodging reality and living like a nomad, she decides it’s time to quit messing around and finally go after what she wants.
Leaving Cole behind, she heads home to figure out what her future holds – and why things never worked out with Adam.
As with most love stories, nothing is ever as it might first seem . . .
Pre-order Chloe’s story for 99p here – releasing in TWO WEEKS!
I loved every minute of this book; I also may have throttled the author a few times in my mind as I read this story. Her writing skills are outstanding!
Alison Parkins Book Reviews
Blurb
“Survival makes animals of us, Ruben. Animals.”
Ruben and Freya have been friends for two years and still don’t know one another very well. Whenever they meet up for a drink, sex with other people is something they openly discuss, but fooling around with each other is out of the question.
Then right out of the blue, everything changes. Freya can’t stand to have him in her life anymore and Ruben is shocked into action, forced to confess his true feelings.
Endless nights of pure, unbridled passion between two people seemingly destined to be together follow. Freya and Ruben are equally closed books, but as their passion unfolds, so do the pages of their chequered pasts.
There is however, one secret so dark and devastating, it could wreck their lives. As their pasts converge, kismet will play a big part in whether they survive or die.
Available to read for free if you’re a KU subscriber!
Kismet will release on November 26th, 2019 and here are all the details…
BLURB:
“Survival makes animals of us, Ruben. Animals.”
Ruben and Freya have been friends for two years and still don’t know one another very well. Whenever they meet up for a drink, sex with other people is something they openly discuss, but fooling around with each other is out of the question.
Then right out of the blue, everything changes. Freya can’t stand to have him in her life anymore and Ruben is shocked into action, forced to confess his true feelings.
Endless nights of pure, unbridled passion between two people seemingly destined to be together follow. Freya and Ruben are equally closed books, but as their passion unfolds, so do the pages of their chequered pasts.
There is however, one secret so dark and devastating, it could wreck their lives. As their pasts converge, kismet will play a big part in whether they survive or die.
BLOGGERS sign up here to receive your advance review copy: CLICK ME
The thriller writer in me has a new book out! Check out the details . . . and grab a freebie while you’re at it . . .
BLURB
In the second and final Collective novel, Nate’s navigating a terrifying new world… all without Beatrice this time.
It’s been almost two years since Nate attempted to unveil Panacea to the world, but the hacker’s efforts to bring the truth to the fore seem to have been crushed.
Beatrice is gone from his life, that much is clear. But where? How? Is she ever coming back?
A lone wolf, he’s on the hunt again, seeking answers… a route inside. Something.
An old friend of his, Sadie is a geneticist who might be able to facilitate access to Panacea. She could give him all he needs, if only he could convince her to help him.
The question is, what will it take to convince Sadie? Just what lengths must he go to in order to get inside the Collective’s uber-secretive island complex?
All Nate knows is that he will do what he can, or die trying.
Without Beatrice by his side though, he’s a different person entirely.
Be prepared for a rollicking ride of psychological warfare, dark deeds, underhanded tactics… and one devastating truth you might never see coming.
**Highly recommended you read Chimera, Book One, first!**
Through Lynch’s words, embark on a journey of lost innocence, reality bites and how old-fashioned sentiment doesn’t seem to translate – not anymore.
This poetry collection features the disappointments we can all share in, including opening your heart only to be shot down, trying and failing, encounters of bigotry and misogyny – not to mention navigating a world in which everyone is hurting in their own way.
Pervading this work is the sense that people will always be people, but perhaps punctures are actually what force us to decompress.
Beatrice was on a modelling job in Florida when she saw on the news that her sister and parents had been killed in a huge explosion, back home in Scotland.
It’s now been three months and she’s been running all this time, certain her father’s enemies had something to do with the tragedy. The trouble is, she doesn’t have all the facts. Was it an accident, as reported by the media? Is she just being paranoid? Or are there more sinister forces at work?
Along comes Nate. He lands in her life with no explanation of where he’s been or where he’s going. She has no idea if she can trust him.
Together they set off in search of answers, but Beatrice has her guard up, the lessons of her father never far from her thoughts: to plan for every scenario and not trust anyone. Despite her misgivings however, it quickly becomes clear Nate may be the key to figuring out her past—and present. Perhaps trusting him is the only option she has . . .
This is a book I read in less than a day! I wanted to know what happened next as I furiously went from page to page, spurred on by the suspense created by a superbly well written book. I loved the book’s premise and it kept me guessing constantly!
A wild rollercoaster of hot and steamy, intrigue, mystery and only a couple of upset message writing moments!!
I absolutely adore SM Lynch’s books. I have my favourites and this one has definitely made it on to this list.
This is a ride you need to get on and then never want to leave!
Sarah Michelle Lynch 