Meet Stephany Tullis, Chandler County, and A New Christmas "Season of Suspense"

Welome GLIAS friends. I’m excited today to tell you about my new romantic suspense holiday-themed Box Set, “A Season of Suspense: A Chandler County Christmas.” This set contains six brand new, heart-racing romantic suspense stories by six award winning authors—who just happen to be me and five of my friends and fellow authors!

I’m especially thrilled to introduce you to author Stephany Tullis, one of the masterminds behind

“Season of Suspense” and, in fact, one of the architects of the entire Chandler County world where the stories of SOS are set.

Stephany is a USA Today and Amazon Best Selling cinematic writer of edgy inspirational fiction. Her books cross several genres including Women's Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, and Satire. She currently lives in Metro Atlanta.

You can check out her #1 Best selling book “Blue Lady’s Mission Under Fire”

HERE

Stephany, along with former GLIAS crew member PJ Fiala, created the world of Chandler County several years ago, and have since welcomed more than a dozen authors who’ve written Chandler County romantic suspense novels.

The fictional Chandler County is located between Louisville and Lexington KY, an area largely affected by the Kentucky Derby and the goings on surrounding that iconic race. It’s two main towns, Chandlerville and Bourbonville are rich in culture, diversity, horse ranches, bourbon distilleries, politics, their respective businesses and business owners. Guests float in and out of town as the Derby approaches and also in November, when the Chandler County Birthday Bash rolls around.

The stories in “A Season of Suspense” are all short novellas set in the Christmas holiday season. The box set will release on November 4, 2019, but it’s available for PRE-ORDER now— and there are a number of awesome things that happen when you pre-order from any online retailer. Read on for more info.

 Here’s a little about the six amazing authors and stories you’ll find in “A Season of Suspense.”

Stephany Tullis: “Missing Joy” – They came seeking love, peace & joy but will they find it in the midst of the Storm?

Lizbeth Selvig “Missing One Angel” – Finding Angel was their second priority. Staying alive to do it was their first.

Traci Wooden-Carlisle: “Missing Under the Mistletoe” – Love at death’s door. Not her first choice…but it could end up being the best choice.

Cherime MacFarlane: “Missing Family” – One minute he was the heir. Now he doesn’t have a family.

Dionne Grace: “Missing You for Christmas” – Tyler was intrigued by his new neighbor, but would the dilemma that materialized be his undoing?

Tearra Rhodes: “Missing Wishes” – Could one missing wish hold the key to her heart even while another holds the key to a tragic mystery?

If that sounds intriguing, here’s the place to go:

PRE-ORDER LINK

And once you pre-order, you’re eligible to receive six free bonus books from the SOS authors.

Follow this link after ordering http://bit.ly/SOSFreebie to get instructions for downloading the freebies!

But the coolest thing that happens when you pre-order is that you’ll be teaming up with the SOS authors to help rescue and rehome retired racehorses. A SEASON OF SUSPENSE is partnering with CANTER Minnesota / CANTER USA, a wonderful non-profit dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming ex-racehorses. 50% of pre-sale profits will go to this deserving organization. So pre-order and help a racehorse! To date CANTER has found new loving homes and new careers for over 25,000 former racetrack thoroughbreds!

I hope we’ve intrigued you with this upcoming set of romantic suspense stories. 

GIVEAWAY: If you’d like to sample some of what Chandler County has to offer—just leave us a comment about your favorite suspense novels, TV shows, or movies. What is your favorite whodunnit? Or who is your favorite detective or sleuth? I have two Chandler County e-books for on commenter:  Stephany’s “Missing Pieces” and my (Lizbeth’s) “Missing by a Heartbeat.”

And if, for fun, you’d like to know a little more about Stephany’s novella “Missing Christmas Joy,” and mine “Missing One Angel” from the upcoming box set, you can read the blurbs below.

Missing Christmas Joy

By Stephany Tullis

In this story of suspense, romance, family ties, and sinuous passions, USA Today Bestselling author Stephany Tullis weaves a page turning holiday adventure.

When Ms. Isabel Johnson decides to celebrate the first year of her thriving B & B business with the first annual Holly Jolly Holiday Couples Retreat, she has no idea that her life will never be the same. An idyllic spot with over 250 acres and home to now four generations of Johnsons, Ms. Isabel runs the Home on the Ranch B & B with the help of Manager, Joyeaux Noelle, Head Chef, Louis St. Cloud and new hire handyman, Frankie Sanders.

In the spirit of Christmas and despite dire storm warnings that predict the worst weather the county has faced in 10 years, the influx of jubilant couples descend on the festively decorated grounds in search of love, peace, joy, fulfillment and in some cases renewed relationships. When the highly recommended retreat leaders find themselves stranded at the Louisville International Airport due to strong winds, blowing snow and building ice, Ms. Isabel twists her grandson’s (Dr. Jared Johnson) arm and convinces him and his wife Marissa Johnson to co-lead the holiday Retreat. 

An unexpected visitor disrupts the intended romantic and Christmas spirited festivities not only exposing family secrets but threatening the lives of Retreat guests. To further complicate matters, when Mr. James, the postman, delivers a special priority Christmas card to Ms. Johnson, her inner voice warns that this will be a Christmas like none other. 

MISSING ONE ANGEL

By Lizbeth Selvig

As an abused child and a serial runaway, Mallory Carrick experienced early on the dark side of the foster care system and the tough world of life on the streets. But all that is behind her since finding a job and a family at Crosby Racing. Based at the racing stable’s home, Sanctuary Pond Farm, Mallory’s bright and cheerful personality, as well as her empathy for animals and people alike, makes her everyone’s favorite confidante and friend. And nobody has fallen for her harder than Sawyer Hawkins.

Sawyer, too, has a home at Sanctuary Pond where owner Winn Crosby has built a super-successful stable with the help of young adults needing second chances. Like Mallory, Sawyer had a rough start in life. Working with horses changed him, but finding Mallory Carrick saved him. He’s more than ready to build a future with her, and she wants the same.

Enter precocious, difficult, and homeless thirteen-year-old Angelika Coltrane. “Angel” certainly does not live up to her nickname, and when she stows away in a horse trailer bound for Sanctuary Pond, she starts a chain of events that threatens everyone in her path. Mallory immediately empathizes with the girl and is the only one to bond with her, inviting her to stay at the farm with her. Sawyer knows they aren’t ready to take on a runaway. But it’s holiday season and even he doesn’t have the heart to send a girl named Angel away at Christmastime.

But Angel isn’t simply a difficult teen. She has a secret she’ll only hint at. The crime she’s witnessed makes her a danger to herself and anyone around her. Just when the holidays start to mean something special, when her new surroundings offer people who actually understand her, and she gets the chance she’s always dreamed of to work around horses, Angel’s past catches her and she’s kidnapped.

Mallory and Sawyer must find out why she’s gone and where she’s been taken, but the danger tests their young love in a way that might destroy it. They have to decide if they possess the strength—or even the desire—to search for Angel before it’s too late for all of them.

Welcome to Chandler County

Hi GLIAS family! I’m so excited to hijack the blog today for a little shameless promotion of a brand new (for me) story world and soon-to-be-released book!

Last June I was lucky enough to attend a wonderful book signing event called Wild Deadwood Reads totally geared toward readers connecting with authors. (For information on this year’s event click HERE.) But I was also blessed to meet and get involved with a wonderful pair of authors who have created an exciting world called Chandler County, Kentucky. This past spring, six Chandler County books were released. Starting on October 26^th, eight new stories will be released, once a week through December.

I’m so excited that my book, “Missing By a Heartbeat” will be among them, and be released on November 16^th.

 

This is not a boxed set of books, it is available at all online retailers, not just Amazon, and it isn't a series that must be read in order. All CC books are stand alone novels. But they are set in the same wonderful place and share some of the same smart, sexy, sweet, rowdy, funny, beautiful characters. And there’s a heat level for everyone whether you love sweet inspy stories, hot sexy stories or something in between!

ABOUT CHANDLER COUNTY

Chandler County lies in 311 square miles between Lexington and Lousiville, Kentucky and consists of two main towns: Chandlerville (named for the founder Lyle Chandler) and Bourbonville (named for the prohibition-era government-led destruction of hundreds of private stills that flooded the town with bourbon and bourbon scent for weeks). Both towns thrive on business brought in by the Kentucky Derby every spring, but there are also many businesses that make up a successful economy.

In Chandler County you’ll find small town closeness and folks who’ve grown up in the area as well as lots of heroes and heroines who are new to the towns and the love they find there. Horses, horsemen and women, and thoroughbreds abound. In my book, you’ll meet a local veterinarian and a new-to-Churchill Downs trainer and plenty of scandal to give them trouble as well as push them together.

There truly is something and somebody for everyone!

Along with “Missing By a Heartbeat” here are the other seven books that will be released this fall:

“Missing Alaska” by Cherime Macfarlane

“Missing Desire” by PJ Fiala

“Missing Out” by Trish Edmisten

“Missing My Heart” by Tina Susedik

“Missing the Gate” by Aubree Lane

“Missing Us” by Traci Wooden-Carlisle

“Missing Home” by Stephany Tullis

In addition to the excitement of new releases, there is a Facebook Fan Page that’s full of fun little facts about each of the books: favorite recipes, favorite getaways, teasers, questions for readers, and giveaways. I’d love for everyone to hop on over and like the page so you can keep up with all the pre-release fun. 

 CHANDLER COUNTY FACEBOOK FAN PAGE

ABOUT MISSING BY A HEARTBEAT

Here’s a mini synopsis of my book, which will be available for pre-order this coming weekend!

Dr. Victoria “Tori” Sterling has only been practicing equine veterinary medicine for seven years, but she already knows her way around race horse injuries better than most vets with twice her experience. Innovative and honest to a fault, in a world where tradition and rule-bending are standard practices, Tori has fought to earn her good reputation. She’s also learned the hard way that an eccentric, animal-focused lifestyle is too much for any man to understand much less share. Since every spare minute is spent on her career and her farm filled with rescue animals—she has no time for love relationships.

As a newcomer to Chandlerville, thoroughbred trainer Winn Crosby has escaped a troubled past and made it to his dream destination: Kentucky and the venerable Churchill Downs. With a dozen horses in his stable and a gift for getting the best from them, he wants only to keep his business out of trouble and reach his ultimate goal of training a big stakes horse. It’s not an easy task, however, when every one of his teenage grooms, as well as his assistant trainer, has a record. But Winn was once a troubled teen, and along with his love of horses, he loves “his kids” and will do anything to help them succeed as he has.

It doesn’t take him long to decide Tori Sterling is someone who can help him with his goals. In addition to being straight-talking and scrupulously honest, she’s funny, smart, and attractive, and she makes him feel the same way—something rare for a man who’s had to fight for respect his whole life. Despite her support and his best efforts, however, it doesn’t take trouble long to find him. When a Derby-bound colt is targeted by a saboteur, Winn and his stable of misfits are prime suspects. Then a series of mysterious and illegal happenings behind the scenes at Churchill Downs keep him in the crosshairs and force him into a partnership with Tori that’s part detective team and all crazy attraction.

Because even though Tori stopped looking for love long ago, Winn gets through her defenses like nobody ever has. In him she sees a true horseman, a kind soul, and a man who shares her passion for all things lost. Tori’s love of animals and kids makes her a perfect role model for the teens in Winn’s employ. And her farm is a haven for Winn, who has never fully left his lost and lonely childhood in Chicago behind.

Together they struggle to find out who is doping horses with a secret stimulant that seems to magically make winners out of losers, who is sabotaging equipment and causing barn-wide panic, and who apparently wants Tori and Winn out of the horseracing business altogether. And they have to do it before both of them lose their careers—and their chance at love.

Have you ever been to Kentucky? Have you ever been to a racetrack? Tell me your best horse racing or never-been-to-a-horse-race story! I have a choice of any of my back list e-books for a commenter today. Please leave your email address with your comment!

And watch for more posts about the individual Chandler County books as we get to their release dates!