Josh Aterovis

Thank you!

You would be correct! He is a lucky lil thing, isn't he? This is actually a bit of a nod to some of my favorite murder mystery writers (Muller, Grafton, etc.) whose sleuths were always in mortal danger. Just amps up the tension! @refueling835 is correct. Carmen is actually the president of Pemberton University. And honestly, I don't think Killian will ever come clean with Adam about seeing (and hearing) Seth unless Seth asks him to. I think it would be pretty hard on Adam. And thank you so much. Yes, sadly, not much has changed in the last quarter of a century, at least not as much as I would have hoped when I was writing these the first time around... I was 21 when Bleeding Hearts was published. I wrote all five of the original books (Bleeding Hearts through A Change of Worlds) and most of the short stories in the next five years. A Kind of Death is my most recently written novel. I wrote it during the COVID lockdown. And RIP Amy...you were gone too soon.

Thank you!

Thank you so much! I hope you know how much I enjoy your commentary (and your sleuthing)!

You are correct! You get a gold star.

Tad is fifteen in this story, and Jake is the same age as Killian, so 18 or 19 is correct, but I more meant that Jake tends to like his guys his age or older... LOL

This story is complete, so if you enjoyed it (or even if you didn't...hey, at least you made it to the end!), please consider leaving a review. 😊 Thank you!!

Thank you so much! That's a huge compliment since character development and long-term growth (both emotionally and literally since my characters age) are things I look for most, both in my writing and the media I consume. Thank you for reading and commenting!

Thank YOU, @Seraph28! I loved hearing from you...especially knowing you remember the original version. LOL Do you think it changed much or was it pretty much intact as far as you recall? And Tad is definitely part of A Change of Worlds, coming in 2026. Jake pops up too, but Jake gets a proper spin-off romcom-style novel that I'm currently rewriting with Dabeagle (we co-wrote it ages ago...).

We said very little on the drive home from DC. Since Micah had suffered a slight concussion, I was driving. Tad sat in the back seat, silently staring out the window. I kept an eye on him in the rear view mirror just to make sure he was okay. He dozed off after we'd crossed the bridge back to the Shore. "He's awfully quiet," I said softly. Micah twisted stiffly around to check on the dozing boy, who looked even younger asleep than he did awake. "He's been through such a lot."

I think Tad is probably a little too young for Jake, but there is romance in store for Mr. Sheridan...

One chapter to go!

I stood uncertainly in the hall, trying to force my tired mind to think logically. My brain was putting up a valiant fight, however. When I'd left Micah there to watch out for Razi, I hadn't specifically told him what to do if Razi appeared. I'd simply hoped he'd know enough to invent a distraction. Micah wouldn't have deserted his post, so if he wasn't where I left him, it followed that he was most likely in the apartment. "Fuck!" I cursed under my breath. "Fuck, fuck, fuck!" Tha

You guessed it!

Officer Marshall was sent to escort Ilana and me out. He offered me a small smile as he held the lobby door open for us. Adam and Micah leaped to their feet the moment we appeared. It was a race to see who could get to me first. Adam won by a hair, enveloping me in a huge hug. He gripped me tightly for a long time, then stepped back abruptly and shook me by the arms. "Don't you ever do something that stupid again!" After he let go of me, Micah quickly moved in for his hug. Ho

Thank you all for your comments! I love reading your theories, the wilder the better!

I staggered back in horror, barely making it to the trashcan before I lost the contents of my stomach. His wasn't the first dead body I'd seen, but apparently repetition didn't make it any easier. People with their brains blown out were officially out of my league. I pulled out my cell phone to call the police before I realized it might not be wise to have the call traced back to me. Still holding onto the idea that I might somehow find Jake and get him out of there before the police a

At least you only have to wait until Friday! It'll make you all the more thankful tomorrow...

A sharp knock jerked me awake. I jumped upright, briefly disoriented, not knowing where I was. Then I focused on Evans's sour mug glaring at me through the car window and realized what had happened. Glancing at my watch as I opened the door, I saw I'd been asleep for almost half an hour. "I hope you weren't waiting to bug me some more," he said. "No, actually I was just resting my eyes. I haven't been sleeping very much lately." "If you're that tired, are you sure you're

As soon as the detective was gone, the waitress's fake smile fell. "Don't let him get to you, hon," she said softly. "He's a real hard ass. From what I overheard, he's just mad because you've done a better job on this case. For a guy who's been at this game for as long as he has, that's a real kick in the gut. The other guys on the force are always ragging on him about losing his edge. He's trying to hold out a few more years till he can retire." "You know him?" "I ought to. He's