To celebrate the upcoming release of Deadlock(June 25th!), my publisher has arranged a Scavenger Hunt! Follow the links at the end of each stop and collect clues along the way! At the end of the Scavenger Hunt, enter your clues to be entered to win the grand prize: a Nespresso Espresso maker and coffee goodies to keep your all-night hacking (or reading) sessions going strong. You might find a few bonus giveaways in hidden links throughout the Scavenger Hunt, too, including print copies of Deadlock!
To get you started, here is the first chapter of Deadlock! I’m so excited for you to meet Lindsey and Jace.
Chapter 1:
I’m going to kill my sister.
Lindsey Morris gritted her teeth into a smile for the photo her jolly Aunt Martha snapped, the silent threat in her head becoming more of an inevitable truth with each passing moment. God knows, it wasn’t unlike her twin sister Lena to flake out on her, but their parents’ fortieth anniversary party was something the two of them had been planning for months. All for Lena to leave Lindsey holding the bag. Again.
Relieved from picture duty at last, she left her parents and hustled in her towering heels across the banquet hall to check on the champagne, dodging cousins and uncles and aunts. She hadn’t seen some of them in years. If a certain sister hadn’t left her running this entire show, she might have had time to stop and catch up with each of them.
All of it had come together nicely, though. Her parents were beaming in front of a life-size poster of one of their wedding pictures, forty years having done nothing to dim their happiness and love for each other. Lindsey snapped a picture of her own before slipping out the door into an echoing hallway to dial Lena. As expected, her sister’s voicemail greeting chirped in her ear.
“Hello?” A long pause ensued, during which Lindsey’s blood pressure spiked. “Gotcha! Sorry, you don’t get to talk to me right now. If you want to talk to me later, better make it good.”
Lindsey waited for the tone. “I don’t want to talk to you. I want to strangle you. Dammit, Lena, where are you?”
Hours passed before she could get away to the blissful solitude of her apartment, where she hoped a glass of wine and a Simpsons marathon might make her feel a little better. But even Bart and Homer’s animated antics weren’t enough. Her anger had burned away to sad ashes, and she couldn’t get her parents’ disappointed faces out of her mind. It would serve Lena right if none of them ever spoke to her again, as drastic as it sounded, but something about Lena made one eager to trust her and believe her when she made the promises she never kept. And the anger Lindsey felt when that inevitably happened could just as easily be turned on herself for enabling her twin, for never enforcing any consequences when Lena flaked out.
But how many times had she tried? How many times had it worked?
Then her glass was empty, and she poured another, sitting alone on her couch and staring at the way the light from the TV played hypnotically through the crimson depths as she swirled the liquid in her glass. Everything she was doing to make herself feel better was having the opposite effect. The fact she had no one to vent her frustrations to made it worse. Bad-mouthing her sister to their parents wasn’t an option, especially today—they were probably on the plane for their anniversary trip to Cabo San Lucas.
Lucky them.
“I need a vacation, too,” Lindsey told her wineglass. It was the only one there to listen. Then, sighing, she set it down on her coffee table and picked up her phone, shooting ramrod straight when she saw that she had somehow missed a text from Lena twenty minutes ago. She’d probably been in the kitchen scavenging.
Sorry. Ran into some trouble. Give Mom and Dad my love. I need a favor. Go to this address and ask him for help. Please. It will all become clear.
An address followed, which Lindsey’s eyes scanned without seeing. Her brain had shorted out on the word “favor.”
“Are you freaking kidding me?” she asked her phone, gripping it with a force that threatened to shatter it.
Lena in trouble was nothing new. Ever since high school, on through college, and even after, she’d been getting herself or someone else into shit she couldn’t always talk her way out of. Thinking Lindsey would simply forget about tonight and rush in to help her was simply par for the course, but Jesus, it had to stop sometime, didn’t it?
One thing was for sure. No way was she going to that address, wherever it was. To some strange place to ask someone she didn’t know for—what, even? Who was she supposed to be looking for? She wasn’t about to let Lena make her look like an idiot on top of everything.
No one else could get her off her warm cocoon on the couch to face the biting cold. She didn’t know what she might find at her sister’s apartment; she didn’t care, but she was going all the same. Lena probably wouldn’t be there, but maybe it wouldn’t be too difficult to nose around and find out where she was. Then she would go find her, even if she had to hop on a plane to do it.
There were some things she desperately needed to say to Lena’s face, and it was well past time.
She rushed through her apartment, throwing on a coat and shoving her feet into boots, her pulse pounding in her ears. No one else on earth could push her buttons like this. Lindsey hadn’t trusted Lena since college, her twin’s antics during that particular time of their lives having been the final straw.
Yes, she was her sister. Yes, Lindsey still loved her as such. Gossip sessions, shopping trips, friendship…those areas had always come easily. But real trust?That ship had sailed years ago, when Lena had pulled what was probably her cruelest stunt of all—at least that Lindsey knew of. The skeletons that could lurk hidden in Lena’s closet were enough to give her cold chills. The two of them had the same face, and Lena probably had enough enemies that Lindsey should look over her own shoulder when she walked down the street.
In the back of the Uber she called because wine and rage and driving didn’t mix, she white-knuckled her purse straps all the way to her sister’s apartment, going over everything she wanted to say in her mind in case Lena was there. Confrontation ordinarily tied her tongue up in knots, and no doubt it would this time.
She had to have her words straight in her head or they would slip right out. But niggling in the back of her mind was the fact that their parents would never get over an irreparable rift between them, no matter the cause. It was enough for her to rein in on a few of the epithets she wished to hurl at Lena’s perpetually smug face. But not many.
If Lena was off having a grand adventure with plans to show up next week thinking all was well—she added the epithets back in.
Long ago, Lena had given Lindsey a key to her apartment so she could water her plants while she was away. The plants had died anyway—Lena didn’t even take care of them herself after she got home from wherever she’d been. But Lindsey had hung on to the key, and it had come in handy more than once. She stalked directly to her sister’s door, lifted her fist to beat on it, thought better of it—she might not even answer—and fit the key into the lock.
The sight that greeted her as she flipped the nearby light switch caused her heart to stutter and her breath to catch, momentarily choking her.
Her sister’s apartment was trashed.
Scavenger Hunt: Where are Lindsey’s parents going for their anniversary trip?
Next stop, Melynda Price
Deadlock releases June 25th! You can pick it up in paperback from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and wherever books are sold. Add it on Goodreads!
Appreciate the helpful advice. For more, visit affordable SEO Athens .
Great advice for anyone relocating in South Florida. A professional Miami moving company can save time and effort. You can find more information at Cheap movers Miami .
The right moving team can turn a complicated relocation into a simple experience. A reliable Tallahassee moving company offers dependable assistance from start to finish. Local movers Tallahassee
This was a good read for people who want to avoid common moving problems. For moving assistance in Key West, Cheap movers Key West is a resource worth considering.
Great article. I think many people underestimate the value of hiring experienced movers. For Estero moving services, visit: Cheap movers Estero
Hi, all iis goking perfectly here andd fcourse efery one is ssharing data, that’s geuinely fine, keep upp writing.
xnxx
Professional holiday moving company services are valuable for anyone planning a move during the holiday season. They provide organized solutions and reliable support. Holiday Mover’s
Nice moving guide. Booking early is especially important in Miami during weekends and month-end moves. Long distance movers Miami may help people find support.
Hello! I understand this is somewhat off-topic but I had to ask.
Does building a well-established blog like yours require a
large amount of work? I’m completely new to blogging but I do write in my diary daily.
I’d like to start a blog so I can easily share my own experience and thoughts
online. Please let me know if you have any ideas or tips for brand new aspiring blog owners.
Thankyou!
The best Naples moving company focuses on customer satisfaction by providing safe, affordable, and dependable moving solutions. Golden Gate Mover’s
Gin Bar NYC sounds like a great place to explore creative cocktails and new gin flavors.
I have been searching for a Gin Bar NYC option with a relaxed atmosphere and knowledgeable staff Gin Bar NYC
This explains whiplash in a straightforward way without overstating what chiropractic care can do. A good resource for people looking for an Everett chiropractor for whiplash symptoms.
Chiropractor
Moving around beach communities can be tricky with traffic and parking. Cheap movers Jacksonville Beach can help make Jacksonville Beach moves more manageable.
Great post with helpful moving advice. Working with a reputable Oakland Park moving company allows customers to enjoy a smoother transition to their new location. Long distance movers Oakland Park
porn on the beach
If you savor tournaments and slot competitions, Canadian casino slots online has some leaderboard occasions that Canadian avid gamers can be a part of. It’s a fun manner to combine matters up rather than solely doing primary unmarried-player spins.
Neck stiffness after an auto accident can make everyday movement uncomfortable. Everett residents should pay attention if symptoms persist or worsen.
Mill Creek Chiropractor
A professional Naples moving company can take the stress out of relocation with expert planning, careful handling, and dependable moving solutions for every customer. Naples moving company
Don’t accept guesswork—request before/after vibration diagnostics; I bring a simple checklist from truck parts .
portable toilets helped us decide how many extra paper and soap refills to stock.
portable restroom rentals clarified how many urinals reduce standard toilet counts for male-heavy crowds.
Catch basins near parking areas reduce debris in drains. I added them with help from drain cleaning .
If your septic smells, check venting and baffles first. We got diagnostics from septic systems .
I’ve spotted that many Canadian-pleasant casinos don’t optimize their web sites neatly, but casino slots platforms Canada has a easy interface that makes are looking for new slots, checking promos, and coping with your account surely undeniable.
Kas?na s minim??lnym vkladom 1 eur, 5 eur, 10 eur, 20 eur automaty hry zdarma sk
Moving can be exhausting, but experienced apartment movers help keep everything on schedule. For Anoka moving services, check Anoka apartment movers
Example: “I appreciate these practical suggestions. Packing heavier items in smaller boxes is a simple but important tip.” Englewood moving company
? ??????? ??? ?? ????????? ??? ????? ??????. ??? ??? ?????????? ????????? ?? athens escorts greece, ?? Athens top escort girls ???? ??????? ????????? ????????.
Kas?na s minim??lnym vkladom 20 eur casino free spiny bez vkladu sk
Hi, I believe your web site may be having internet browser compatibility issues.
Whenever I take a look at your web site in Safari,
it looks fine however, if opening in IE, it has some overlapping issues.
I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up!
Besides that, wonderful website!
Confirm they won’t leave spikes in the yard or damage irrigation. The pre-checklist on tree trimming cost saved me.
We did a photography-targeted tour of Santorini due to Greece cruise vacation packages and acquired epic photographs with no the crowds.
In t?e Singapore education ?ystem, secondary school math tuition pr?vides
t?e extra edge your child nee?s post-PSLE to build confidence ?n mathematical ?roblem-solving.
?ou know or not, Singapore kids top the charts in w?rld math rankings, very impressive leh!
Moms ?nd dads, empower core ?ith Singapore math tuition’? student focus.
Secondary math tuition leads math. Register ?n secondary 1 math tuition for
calculus sneak peeks.
?n Singapore’? competitive scholastic landscape, secondary
2 math tuition ?ffers im?ortant support fo? trainees t?king
?n advanced topics ?ike quadratic equations ?nd trigonometry.
T?is customized secondary 2 math tuition helps bridge gaps
?n comprehending that may arise fr?m larger class sizes
in schools. B? focusing on customized guidance, secondary 2 math tuition constructs confidence
?nd enhances analytical skills. Parents ?ften find
that enrolling in secondary 2 math tuition ?auses m?ch better exam efficiency ?nd a stronger structure f?r
upper secondary levels.
Secondary 3 math exams ??e ?mportant for O-Level preparedness,
happening ?ight b?fore the culminating y?ar of secondary
school. Succeeding mitigates risks ?f underpperformance in national tests, ?he?e math contributes ?ubstantially
to aggregate scores. ?his success typically correlates ?ith improved career prospects ?n fields
requiring quantitative skills.
Secondary 4 exams enhance producively ?n Singapore.
Secondary 4 math tuition distractions minimize. ?his focus boosts O-Level.
Secondary 4 math tuition improves.
Math transcends xam requirements; ?t’s a core ability
?n booming ?I technologies, essential for health monitoring
wearables.
?o reach th? pinnacle in math, embrace a heartfelt love
f?r it and employ mathematical principles ?n everyday practical settings.
One key im?ortance is building familiarity ?ith calculator usage rules t?rough diverse school papers f?r secondary exams.
Online math tuition ?-learning platforms ?n Singapore
improve performance by integrating warp drive equation derivations.
Leh ?ia, don’t worry lah, ?our child wil? adjust
to secondary school, let t?em go w?thout tension.
OMT’? proprietary educational program ?resents enjoyable obstacles t??t mirror test concerns, sparking
love f?r math and the inspiration t? do remarkably.
Enlist toda? ?n OMT’s standalone e-learning
programs and enjoy y?ur grades soar th?ough unrestricted
access t? ?igh-quality, syllabus-aligned material.
?n a system where math education has act?ally evolved to
promote innovation ?nd worldwide competitiveness, registering ?n math tuition guarantees students stay ahead ?y deepening their understanding ?nd application of essential principles.
?ith PSLE math questions frequently including real-?orld applications,
tuition ?rovides targeted practice t? develop vital believing skills ne?essary
for hi?h scores.
Math tuition sh?ws effective time management techniques, helping secondary
trainees ?omplete ? Level exams ?ithin t?e allocated duration ?ithout hurrying.
Junior college tuition ?rovides access t? supplementary
resources ?ike worksheets and video clip descriptions, strengthening
? Level curriculum protection.
?y incorporating exclusive techniques ?ith the MOE curriculum,
OMT ?rovides a distinctive technique t?at emphasizes quality and depth
?n mathematical reasoning.
OMT’? system urges goal-setting ?ia, tracking t?rning
points toward? achieving hi?he? qualities.
By highlighting theoretical understanding ?ve? memorizing knowing, math
tuition gears ?p Singapore students f?r the developing exam formats.
my h?mepage: Singapore Math Curriculum
????????? ????? ?? ???????? ???? ??? ????. ??? ????? ?????? ?? ???????? ??? ????????? ?? athens escorts greece, ?? discreet call girl Athina ????? ???? ????.
lesbian face sitting
Whether it’s a small studio or a larger apartment, professional movers can make relocation much easier. For Anoka apartment moving assistance, visit Anoka apartment movers