Celebrity Chicklit Mystery

PAST PERFECT

The latest book in my Amber Reed romantic comedy celebrity mystery series is now out. Past Perfect is set in Vancouver - Canada's answer to Hollywood - and follows amateur sleuth Amber as she gets to grips with a new case to solve, as well as trying to sort out her on-off relationship issues with Celebrity Crimes Investigation Agency (CCIA) super sexy special agent Charlie.

About the book:

"Addictive new series, approach only if you are willing to read into the early hours of the morning!!!"
Chicks That Read 

'Humorous romantic cozy mystery set in the world of the rich and famous' 


One soap star death is a tragedy, but three all in the same week, that’s a case for the CCIA – otherwise known as the Celebrity Crimes Investigation Agency. 

Amber Reed, the agency's newest support officer, is sleuthing again! This time she's sent to Vancouver, Canada’s answer to Hollywood, where soap opera North Shores is filmed. She needs to track down who is targeting and killing the show’s stars – and fast. 

Alongside her, making up the rest of the CCIA team for this high profile case, are man-eater and troublemaker Martha, agency bad boy Dan and Amber’s kind-of-ex-boyfriend, special agent Charlie. 

Can they catch the killer before another star is murdered? Will Charlie and Amber kiss and make up or is it over between them, this time for good? Will sworn enemies Charlie and Dan manage to resist gunning for each other? 

The team need to find a way to set aside their differences and focus on the investigation because this time there’s not just one murder case to solve but three! 

From the reviews for this series of books: 

“I quickly warmed to the main protagonist, Amber, and leading man Charlie has a bit of a James Bond feel to him which I think numerous female readers will definitely enjoy!” 

"Excellent book could not put it down. The combination of murder mystery AND romance,brilliant." 

"I loved this book; it's a fun, mysterious, romantic, page turner that keeps you curious through-out. Amber is a loveable character that you get to know quickly, and I loved the combination of a murder-mystery with the lovely romcom element of a fabulous chick lit novel. I've enjoyed all of Zanna's books, but this is my favourite so far, she has given Amber an engaging and chatty voice so it's a bit like reading an email from a friend recounting an adventure." 

Get this book on Amazon

New to the series?

 Get On Trial (Amber Reed Book 1.5) FREE via my website 

To get your free book simply enter your email address on this secure mailchimp link and then I'll send you the special link to download your copy of the book - simple as that!

#ChickLitMay - What's On Page 45? AND THE EARTH MOVED

Well hello there! Welcome to my What's On Page 45? post as part of this week's chicklit celebrations.

On page 45 of my chicklit mystery novel And The Earth Moved local barmaid and newspaper admin assistant Amber has got herself caught up in a whole lot of trouble in the shape of a murder investigation.

The murder victim is the troublemaker brother of her ex-boyfriend Ennis. 

Amber and Ennis used to date years ago when they were at university  and he was just a regular guy but now Ennis is a famous heartthrob actor with adoring fans all over the globe - oh and he's constantly being harassed by the world's media. 

Having called in the experts from the Celebrity Crimes Investigation Agency (otherwise known as the CCIA) to catch the killer as quickly and discreetly as possible, Ennis finds himself struggling to trust the special agent assigned to his brother's murder investigation, so he pleads with Amber to help him out by shadowing sexy special agent Charlie Huxton.

Amber's convinced the idea is crazy and that there's no way she can keep tabs on Charlie without him realising what she's doing - and there's no way he'll agree to her tagging along to spy on him throughout the investigation either!

BUT, after much teasing and lots of questions, Charlie DOES agree, much to Amber's amazement.

It's only when she arrives at Ennis' home to tell him the news that she finds out what Charlie's up to and the reason why he's agreed to her 'helping him out' on the case.

Here's a snippet from the page:

“So what happens next? I mean, with the case. Now that we’re working together you’ll keep me informed of our next move won’t you? Let me give you my mobile number.” I dump my bag on the bonnet of the car and ferret around inside for a notepad and pen. Charlie watches me, an amused expression on his face. “I know I have a notepad in here somewhere.” 

“Looks to me as though you’ve got everything but the kitchen sink in there. Why don’t you just tell me your number and I’ll key it straight into my phone?”

Of course. Why didn’t I think of that? We exchange phone numbers.

“So we’ll speak soon?” I say, wanting him to confirm he’ll be in touch.

“We’ll speak soon,” he confirms, flashing me a smile before heading off.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

And The Earth Moved

Amber Reed CCIA Mystery Book One

“Romantic comedy meets celebrity murder mystery”

Can a barmaid convince a secret agent she can help him solve a celebrity murder mystery?

A murdered celebrity. A deadline to catch his killer.

One minute you're at work making up horoscopes for the local paper, the next you're teaming up with a sexy secret agent called Charlie and trying to help solve a case for the Celebrity Crimes Investigation Agency...

Amber’s making up the horoscopes for the local paper and wishing for some excitement in her life when she gets a phone call offering her just that. It could change her life forever and plunge her into a world where she’s quickly (and scarily) out of her depth.

The call? Heartthrob actor Ennis McKarthy, her old uni boyfriend, begs her for a favour. His brother Joel has been found is dead - in very suspicious circumstances.

Desperate to keep the story out of the newspapers and solve the mystery of his brother’s death as fast as possible, Ennis has called in the specialists in the shape of the CCIA. The Celebrity Crimes Investigation Agency has just the man for the job – their top agent Charlie Huxton.

But Ennis, stalked by journalists and paparazzi, doesn’t trust a stranger to handle the case on his own and keep quiet about what he might discover so he pleads with Amber, wanting her to shadow Charlie throughout the investigation.

Much to Amber’s surprise Charlie eventually agrees, leaving her wondering why. What’s he up to?

Charlie and Amber delve into Joel’s death and soon have their hands full with questioning potential suspects and the victim’s irate ex-girlfriend. Then they discover they’re battling something far more dangerous than they could ever have expected…and it’s not just their growing attraction for each other.

Maybe Amber’s life is about to get too exciting…

Grab a copy of this book on Amazon at the special offer price of just 99c/99p:

http://getbook.at/AndTheEarthMoved

GRAND PRIZE

 

A one-pound package of caramels from Whitney's Goodies

The winner can choose their flavor from those listed below:

 

This giveaway is open to residents of the USA only.

 

The Girl Next Door (Crème Caramels)

A scrumptious, full-bodied caramel. Old fashioned, melt-in-your-mouth bliss!

The Charmer (Chocolate Crème Caramels) 

This smooth, chocolate cream caramel will add panache to your day. An exquisite and elegant morsel, simply irresistible.

The Movie Star (Orange Crème Caramels)

 A timeless treat that will satisfy caramel fans of all ages. “The stuff that dreams are made of!”

The Bombshell (Lemon Crème Caramels)

 A bodacious bit of heaven with a bold citrus pallet. They will leave you satisfied and refreshed. Caramels are a girl’s best friend!

Always a Lady (Rose Caramels)

 A delicate bouquet of rose essence infuses this lovely caramel: alluring, tantalizing and reminiscent of another era. They are perfect for weddings and bridal showers. A definite for ladies who lunch or breakfast at Tiffany’s.

 

HOW TO ENTER

 

To enter, answer the following question in the comments section below.

 

"In 4 or 5 words, why do you think 'And The Earth Moved' would be a good read?"

 

Entrants must leave their full name, along with an e-mail address. A winner will be chosen via Random.org on Tuesday, May 19th.

You can enter at each of the blogs participating in the pageant. So, that's 37 chances to win!

 

CHECK OUT THESE OTHER WHAT'S ON PAGE 45? BLOGS TODAY:

 

Kristina Knight 
Pippa Franks 
Laura Kenyon
Jayne Denker
Amy Gettinger 
Gina Henning
Jennifer Ammoscato
Lauren Clark  
Laura Chapman 
Celia Kennedy  
Jennifer Farwell 
Glynis Astie 
Clodagh Murphy 
Stacey Wiedower
Bethany Turner
Franky Brown  
Tracy Krimmer  
Jillianne Hamilton  
Catherine L. Hensley 
Becky Monson 
Georgina Troy 
Zanna Mackenzie
Jennifer Collin 
Monique McDonell 

Samantha March 

Sky Greene 
Whitney Dineen 
Maggie Le Page 
Kathryn Biel 
Meredith Schorr 
Karen M. Cox 
Rachel L. Hamm 
T. A. Munroe 
Heather Balog 
Jennie Marts
Serena Clarke

 

Weekend Writing Warriors Blog Hop - And The Earth Moved

Hi!

I'm thrilled to join in with this week's Weekend Writing Warriors  Blog Hop!

The requirements?

Apparently I need to post just 8 sentences from one of my books.

Mmm... right, OK, let's go with a scene from And The Earth Moved - hope you enjoy!

Have a lovely day,

Zanna

x

And The Earth Moved -

Charlie shrugs. “At the moment it could still be anything – murder, an accident or suicide. We’re not ruling anything out.  Forensics suggest he wasn't in a fight up on the edge of the quarry but there’s still a lot of questions unanswered. There was no note or anything signposting it as a suicide but not everyone leaves that kind of stuff to make it obvious they took their own lives.”

I step back to try and increase the distance between myself and Charlie and accidentally put my foot through a box of crisps. This storeroom combined with his close proximity is making me feel all claustrophobic, not to mention hot and bothered.

“Are you all right?” Charlie instantly closes the gap I just created, reaching for my arm to steady me as I try to pull my foot out of the box.

ABOUT THIS BOOK:

One minute you're at work making up horoscopes for the local paper, the next you're teaming up with a sexy secret agent called Charlie and trying to help solve a case for the Celebrity Crimes Investigation Agency...

Amber’s making up the horoscopes for the local paper and wishing for some excitement in her life when she gets a phone call offering her just that. It could change her life forever and plunge her into a world where she’s quickly (and scarily) out of her depth.

The call? Heartthrob actor Ennis McKarthy, her old uni boyfriend, begs her for a favour. His brother Joel has been found is dead - in very suspicious circumstances.

Desperate to keep the story out of the newspapers and solve the mystery of his brother’s death as fast as possible, Ennis has called in the specialists in the shape of the CCIA. The Celebrity Crimes Investigation Agency has just the man for the job – their top agent Charlie Huxton.

But Ennis, stalked by journalists and paparazzi, doesn’t trust a stranger to handle the case on his own and keep quiet about what he might discover so he pleads with Amber, wanting her to shadow Charlie throughout the investigation.

Much to Amber’s surprise Charlie eventually agrees, leaving her wondering why. What’s he up to?

Charlie and Amber delve into Joel’s death and soon have their hands full with questioning potential suspects and the victim’s irate ex-girlfriend. 

Then they discover they’re battling something far more dangerous than they could ever have expected…and it’s not just their growing attraction for each other.

Maybe Amber’s life is about to get too exciting...

Find this book on Amazon:

http://getbook.at/AndTheEarthMoved

If you're a KindleUnlimited reader you can get 
And The Earth Moved 
for FREE!

Check out other 8 Sentence Scenes from other authors and books on 

 www.wewriwa.com 

My Sexy Saturday Blog Hop - And The Earth Moved

Hi!

I'm thrilled to join in with this week's Sexy Saturday Blog Hop!

The requirements?

Apparently I need to post just 7 sentences, paragraphs or words from one of my books.

Mmm... right, OK, let's go with a scene from And The Earth Moved - hope you enjoy!

Have a lovely day,

Zanna

x

And The Earth Moved -

I expect him to shout, to swear, to try to force me, somehow manhandle me over the edge of the quarry with him. Instead he steps towards me, gently tilting my chin up with one hand. “You’re not a coward, Amber. I know you’re not. You’re a fighter. Determined. Strong. You can do this. You know you can. You’re not going to give in.”

I waiver under his intense gaze, my flimsy confidence bolstered slightly by his words. “I don’t know.”

Charlie slips a hand into mine and shrugs. “Fine. If you stay, I stay. No way am I leaving you here.”

The voices are so close now I can make out what they’re saying. Panic rises up in me, a flood of fear and doubt. Shouts of ‘this way’ and ‘over here’ punch their way through the woods.

Can I do this? Jump into the black quarry hole to land in freezing cold water?

Do I have any choice?

I glance at Charlie, his face clouded with uncertainty. He’s prepared to stay with me, risk his own life, risk God knows what, if I refuse to jump.

ABOUT THIS BOOK:

One minute you're at work making up horoscopes for the local paper, the next you're teaming up with a sexy secret agent called Charlie and trying to help solve a case for the Celebrity Crimes Investigation Agency...

Amber’s making up the horoscopes for the local paper and wishing for some excitement in her life when she gets a phone call offering her just that. It could change her life forever and plunge her into a world where she’s quickly (and scarily) out of her depth.

The call? Heartthrob actor Ennis McKarthy, her old uni boyfriend, begs her for a favour. His brother Joel has been found is dead - in very suspicious circumstances.

Desperate to keep the story out of the newspapers and solve the mystery of his brother’s death as fast as possible, Ennis has called in the specialists in the shape of the CCIA. The Celebrity Crimes Investigation Agency has just the man for the job – their top agent Charlie Huxton.

But Ennis, stalked by journalists and paparazzi, doesn’t trust a stranger to handle the case on his own and keep quiet about what he might discover so he pleads with Amber, wanting her to shadow Charlie throughout the investigation.

Much to Amber’s surprise Charlie eventually agrees, leaving her wondering why. What’s he up to?

Charlie and Amber delve into Joel’s death and soon have their hands full with questioning potential suspects and the victim’s irate ex-girlfriend. 

Then they discover they’re battling something far more dangerous than they could ever have expected…and it’s not just their growing attraction for each other.

Maybe Amber’s life is about to get too exciting...

Find this book on Amazon:

http://getbook.at/AndTheEarthMoved

If you're a KindleUnlimited reader you can get 
And The Earth Moved 
for FREE!

Check out other authors and books on 

 My Sexy Saturday 

BOOK BOYFRIENDS BLOG HOP - AND THE EARTH MOVED

Hi!

I'm thrilled to join in with this week's Book Boyfriends Blog Hop!

The requirements?

Apparently I need to post a 'hot encounter' between two characters in one of my books.

Mmm... right, OK, let's go with a scene from And The Earth Moved - hope you enjoy!

Have a lovely day,

Zanna

x

And The Earth Moved -

We’re on a ledge not far from our designated surveillance spot. There’s a narrow section to traverse before we reach the slightly enclosed area where we’ll be spending the next few hours, crouched together in the darkness.

Charlie goes first and then waits for me to cross the narrow ledge. Seeing my hesitation he holds out a hand. I’m not good with heights but I haven’t told Charlie that for fear he’ll try to use it as an excuse to stop me coming here with him tonight. I gratefully take his hand and, holding my breath, gingerly take a step towards the ledge.

“Be decisive,” Charlie instructs. “You’ve got to be confident about where you’re putting your feet.”

Determined not to embarrass myself I try to conjure up positive, decisive thoughts as instructed, step onto the ledge and silently pray I’ll reach the other side of it safely.

The next thing I know I feel my foot start to slip, panic rising inside me. I’m going to fall a hundred foot into a quarry. I stop breathing, arms flailing in the air. This is it. The way my life ends.

“I've got you.”

I feel strong arms grab me, pulling me to safety. Daring to open my eyes I see I've now got my back up against the edge of the quarry wall and Charlie is standing in front of me, blocking me from the edge and certain death. Relief courses through every inch of me and I meet his gaze. He’s so close.

I’m not sure which of us makes the first move. Maybe we both move at exactly the same time, but I experience a rush of excitement and pleasure as his lips brush softly, teasingly against the corner of my mouth. At that moment a low rumbling noise starts in the distance and grows ever nearer. The earth, quite literally, starts to shake beneath our feet.

The earth is moving as we kiss.

For a second I wonder if it’s one of those magical moments like in books and films – they really do exist! Then, as Charlie ends the kiss and grabs my hand, pulling me away from the ledge and across, back into safer territory, I realise it’s all real.

It wasn’t the kiss which made the earth move. It was something else entirely.

What on earth just happened? An illegal quarry blast? Another earth tremor? An explosion? A warning of danger from the ancient standing stones up above us? It sounded similar to the noise we heard that night at the guest wing but somehow quieter.

“Did the earth just move for you too?” I attempt to quip, catching my breath and glancing at Charlie.

He nods. “It did. It was a proper earth tremor but very low on the Richter Scale I’d say. The ground seems to be getting quite unstable around here. Anyway, we can safely say it wasn't from you kissing me,” he pauses, then adds cheekily, “though that was pretty good.”

“Hang on, excuse me, did you just say from me kissing you? I’m fairly certain it was you who kissed me.” In truth I’m not certain at all but I can’t let him think I've accosted him.

“Actually I think it was you who kissed me first,” he insists.

“Do you always have to be right?” I challenge.

His face breaks into a smile which reaches all the way to his eyes and he nods. “Usually, yeah.”

In a split second he steps forward, slips a hand around my waist and slowly eases me back against the wall of rock behind us. His kiss is rich, deep, yet surprisingly gentle. I feel myself starting to respond in spite of where we are. Maybe it’s because I’m in shock after my near fall. That’s my excuse anyway. The kiss seems to go on forever and, at the same time, it seems to end all too soon.

When he eventually releases me, he whispers in my ear, “Now I’ve kissed you.”

I lift a hand to my lips. “Yes. You have.”

He steps away but still holds my hand. “Right, let’s get down to business.”

“What?” I gasp, startled. “Up here? In the quarry? You kiss me and then you think we’re going to…”

“I meant business as in finding this exact spot where we can see the quarry to get this surveillance stuff under way.”

I flush with embarrassment. “Oh, right, yes, of course. I knew that. Not that I would have, well, you know, with you, up here. I mean I hardly know you and…”

“No, of course not,” he replies, with a smile which tells me he suspects otherwise.

ABOUT THIS BOOK:

One minute you're at work making up horoscopes for the local paper, the next you're teaming up with a sexy secret agent called Charlie and trying to help solve a case for the Celebrity Crimes Investigation Agency...

Amber’s making up the horoscopes for the local paper and wishing for some excitement in her life when she gets a phone call offering her just that. It could change her life forever and plunge her into a world where she’s quickly (and scarily) out of her depth.

The call? Heartthrob actor Ennis McKarthy, her old uni boyfriend, begs her for a favour. His brother Joel has been found is dead - in very suspicious circumstances.

Desperate to keep the story out of the newspapers and solve the mystery of his brother’s death as fast as possible, Ennis has called in the specialists in the shape of the CCIA. The Celebrity Crimes Investigation Agency has just the man for the job – their top agent Charlie Huxton.

But Ennis, stalked by journalists and paparazzi, doesn’t trust a stranger to handle the case on his own and keep quiet about what he might discover so he pleads with Amber, wanting her to shadow Charlie throughout the investigation.

Much to Amber’s surprise Charlie eventually agrees, leaving her wondering why. What’s he up to?

Charlie and Amber delve into Joel’s death and soon have their hands full with questioning potential suspects and the victim’s irate ex-girlfriend. 

Then they discover they’re battling something far more dangerous than they could ever have expected…and it’s not just their growing attraction for each other.

Maybe Amber’s life is about to get too exciting...

Find this book on Amazon:

http://getbook.at/AndTheEarthMoved

If you're a KindleUnlimited reader you can get 

And The Earth Moved 

for FREE!

Check out other Hot Encounter scenes from other authors and books on the 

Book Boyfriends Blog Hop