Runaway Storm

This first book in D. E. Knobbe's gripping Runaway series puts readers in the middle of a wilderness adventure that few could survive on their own. Nate stole the kayak . . . sort of. His parents don't know where he is, and that's just fine with him. He's made it to the chain of sparsely populated islands off the coast of Vancouver, his kayaking dream come true. So what could possibly go wrong? For starters, he hadn't counted on real runaways making him feel like a fraud or on the cops chasing him into a wild and deadly storm. Nate hadn't planned to shipwreck on a deserted island either, or to have a run-in with a crazed drug smuggler, who drifted into the bay on a crippled Sailboat, ready to protect his stash with a loaded gun. Should Nate save himself or the Goth girl from Seattle who tried to rescue him? Between being chased by criminals, shot at, and almost drowned, their options aren't looking good.

For five years Jamie has managed to outrun his past, his pain, and anything remotely resembling an emotion. Now, with his probation over, he’s finally ready to leave town with plans to fade into the crowd and noise of Las Vegas. No more court-ordered grief counseling. No guardian trying to keep him out of trouble. He’s convinced all he needs is a blackjack table and a strong drink for the rest of his life. Trixie believes she can tame the monster that keeps her tethered to Las Vegas. Her boyfriend, Eli, is difficult, but she can handle him. One night, however, her child’s in danger rather than herself, and she realizes running is the only chance they have to survive. Jamie offers safe passage out of town on one condition—Trixie cannot pry into his past. With every mile they drive, they grow closer. But the storm that chases them won’t relent, and somehow they must find a way to weather it together.

Autumn Chase is painfully aware grief is a beast that won’t be chased off before it’s ready to leave. When an icy road and a dark night leave her a young widow, she’s forced to trade in her perfectly planned future for the unknown. Like a child hiding from a monster, she pulls her covers up over her head with the intention of sheltering herself forever. But once an unexpected stranger shows up on her doorstep, Autumn has to choose between being alone or connecting with someone who is hurting as badly as she is. Noah Key, an emergency room doctor, has solemnly informed countless families that their loved one could not be saved. However, when his own wife dies suddenly there are no words to bring him comfort. His in-laws want him to fall to pieces to confirm his love for his late wife. His colleagues want him to take time off to grieve. The only thing Noah wants is to work enough hours in the day to forget his wife is gone. He’s written himself a prescription for a cocktail of distraction and exhaustion in order to trick his brain into thinking his life isn’t in shambles. When the world keeps moving on without them, Noah and Autumn will need to decide if they’ll survive the storm or allow themselves to be swept away by it.

The success of solving a cold case on East Bonnet Beach catapults Gwen and Mark into the limelight. Their approach, current popularity, and connections make the lure of another long forgotten Jane Doe impossible to avoid. Morristown is a small farming town in Connecticut. Friendly neighbors. Helping hands. Bright smiles. But for some reason, no one seems to care at all about finding the person who murdered a stranger and buried her in their town. The reputation of a dead man, a town hero, is more important than justice in their eyes. An odd family vacation, Gwen and Mark load up the car with the people they love and head to Oakwood Farm. Determined to break the decades old complacency of the locals, they realize quickly just how dangerous that might be. The Missing Pieces Series Book 1: The Bend in Redwood Road Book 2: The Pier at Jasmine Lake Book 3: The Bridge in Sunset Park Book 4: The Stairs to Chapel Creek Book 5: The Cabin on Autumn Peak Book 6: The Shore at East Bonnet Beach Book 7: The Field on Oakwood Farm

"The author went out to Sydney in the Lady Kennaway, 584 tons. He gives an interesting account of New South Wales in the late thirties under the administration of Sir George Gipps."--Abebooks website

How different is a powerless djinn from a mere human? In the fractured desert kingdom of Seiran, the demons of wind, fire, and waves faded into fairy tales. But when a cult of strangers arrives looking for a djinn, people are forced to ponder the possibility someone around them is more than they seem. And to worsen this thought, the strangers are asking for Zaira, a fugitive and alleged murderer. Zaira is a djinn indeed, but she's no killer. A thief maybe, a criminal sentenced into a human body, but she has nothing to do with any human deaths. She's without power, only helped by the brash mercenary Ezair, striving to untangle this web of intrigue before either the guards or the cult gets to her, leaving the real killer on the loose. They soon realize that Zaira isn't the only djinn in town, and this simple murder isn't so simple either. As the pair forms an unlikely friendship, gathering allies from Kahlaran's highest and lowest class, a much larger conspiracy unfolds, and enemies more powerful than they could imagine reveal themselves. Discovering the truth isn't just personal now - it might be the only option to prevent the war about to engulf the desert. When swords and wits fail, can Zaira break the shackles locking away her powers - or will they succumb to the manipulation of their foes. Shackles of the Storm is a blazing adventure in a world of magic, miracles, and demons, where nothing is as they seem. "The world building was well down and I failed to put it down, multiple times. " - Mama-Bears Book Hour "The writing is decent, showing some moments of brilliance in description and flow." - Rosie writes... "This world was built so well - I was getting Middle Eastern vibes from like a hundred years ago!" - Books by Bindu " I read this book in a day and a half and am looking forward to the sequel so I can find out what happens to Zaira, Ezair, and their motley band of friends!" - Goodreads, EllenZReads

Reprint of the original, first published in 1882.