woman detective

01
Oct
2022

Free Fiction Feature October 2022 | Tale of the Tape, PLUS The Devil You Know

This month, you enjoy two fun short stories with strong female leads–one murder mystery, and a fantasy adventure featuring a dwarf and her demon sidekick:

Tale of the Tape: A Kira Brightwell Short Novel (Mystery)

Tale of the Tape Kira Brightwell coverA bootleg Nine Inch Nails cassette tape.

Weird thing for Kira to find abandoned by a sewer grate on her way to school.

The hand-drawn NIN logo in marker catches Kira’s eye. Who tossed the tape? And why?

Kira pockets it, of course. Seems a shame to leave it in the gutter. Who knows what kind of extra tracks she might find on it?

…Now she only needs to figure out a way to play the thing.

A twisting, short novel of Kira’s high school past from the Kira Brightwell mystery series by Jacquelyn Smith.

Now, you can read it online for free for one month only:

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Legends of Lasniniar: The Devil You Know (Fantasy)

Legends of Lasniniar The Devil You Know coverMerchants peddle fear in Belierumar.

Mothers cling to their children as they walk through the crowded marketplace. Eyes dart as people hurry to make their dubious purchases.

Demon-warding amulets. Herbs guaranteed to help victims of possession. Paige inspects them all with a jaundiced eye.

The young dwarf woman knows how to deal with demons. Probably better than anyone else in Lasniniar.

…With good reason.

In the aftermath of war, a new era begins in this stand-alone story from the World of Lasniniar epic fantasy series by Jacquelyn Smith.

Now, you can read it online for free for one month only:

Start Reading
Posted by Jacquelyn in Free Fiction Feature, 0 comments
01
Apr
2022

Free Fiction Feature April 2022 | Clean Break, PLUS Quicksilver

Even though it’s technically spring now, we’ve had some more snow here recently in my neck of the Canadian woods. (Sigh.) Both of these stories are fun, winter adventures.

Clean Break: A Kira Brightwell Short Novel (Mystery)

Clean Break Kira Brightwell coverKira Brightwell needs a change of scenery.

A relaxing, solo trip to Toronto to visit her grandparents seems like a good idea. No nosy reporters, no criminals to take down, and (most importantly) no self-appointed sidekick Trevor Wright.

…But from the moment Kira steps off the plane from California, nothing goes according to plan.

A stand-alone short novel misadventure from the Kira Brightwell mystery series by Jacquelyn Smith.

Now, you can read it online for free for one month only:

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Legends of Lasniniar: Quicksilver (Fantasy)

Legends of Lasniniar Quicksilver coverHero of Lasniniar. Dwarvenhome’s Chief of Clans. Barlo can claim both these titles, and more. (But never ‘Master Chef.’)

Brave, stubborn, and loyal to a fault, he takes pride in his judgment of character. And he holds no qualms about sharing his opinions. (Much to his elf friend Iarion’s chagrin.)

…Even when it means he must tell an unwelcome truth.

A stand-alone story of the infamous Barlo and Iarion from the World of Lasniniar epic fantasy series by Jacquelyn Smith.

Now, you can read it online for free for one month only:

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Posted by Jacquelyn in Free Fiction Feature, 0 comments
17
Nov
2021

Writing/Publishing Roundup: A new mystery series has arrived

This second publishing update of the month is mystery-based (in case you couldn’t tell from the title, lol).

Kira Brightwell’s cousin is on the case.

Two short novel (mis)adventures are now available in the Mackenzie Quinn Canadian cozy mystery series:

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Posted by Jacquelyn in Publishing Updates, Writing Updates, 0 comments
13
Sep
2021

Writing/Publishing Roundup: A New Fatal Empire prequel, plus a new mystery series

Fantasy Updates:

Keeper of Prophecy Fatal Empire cover

A Haunted Past: Prequel Fatal Empire Story ‘Keeper of Prophecy’ Now Available

The joys and challenges of writing Moriah’s secret past:

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Mystery Updates:

Photo by Dominika Roseclay from Pexels

Meet Kira Brightwell’s Canadian Cousin: Mackenzie Quinn

There’s a new detective in town. More updates about a new series in progress:

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Join Jacquelyn’s newsletter group to receive sneak peeks and book release news, plus exclusive access to special offers.

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Posted by Jacquelyn in Publishing Updates, Writing Updates, 0 comments
01
Jul
2021

Free Fiction Feature July 2021 | Shadow Stalker PLUS Seeing Stars

Two stories are available to read for free this month. One fantasy adventure featuring Barlo of Dwarvenhome and his wildcat sidekick Sinstari, and a Fourth of July whodunnit featuring kickass amateur detective Kira Brightwell:

Legends of Lasniniar: Shadow Stalker (Fantasy)

Legends of Lasniniar Shadow Stalker coverBarlo wanders the underground streets of Dwarvenhome with only the wildcat Sinstari for company.

His days of adventure seem long behind him. He misses the thrill of battle, the journey to strange new places…

He misses Iarion.

Bereft of the elven best friend who always accompanied him into danger, Barlo’s life now revolves around a seemingly endless stream of clan meetings.

But fate—and Sinstari—have other plans.

A stand-alone story of action and adventure from the World of Lasniniar epic fantasy series by award-winning author, Jacquelyn Smith.

Now, you can read it online for free for one month only:

Start Reading

Seeing Stars: A Kira Brightwell Short Story (Mystery)

Seeing Stars Kira Brightwell coverKira Brightwell might not wear a badge. But she still enjoys the challenge when she unravels a difficult case.

The case of Taylor Christie proves no exception. The social media starlet prepares to shoot a video, when things go wrong. Horribly wrong. With an entire crowd in attendance.

And more than Kira knows stands between her and the truth about what happened.

A twisting, stand-alone story from the Kira Brightwell mystery series by award-winning author, Jacquelyn Smith. If you love a clever detective, who plays by her own rules, grab this book.

Now, you can read it online for free for one month only:

Start Reading

 
 

Want to stay in touch?

Join Jacquelyn’s newsletter group to receive sneak peeks and book release news, plus exclusive access to special offers.

Your information will remain private, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Posted by Jacquelyn in Free Fiction Feature, 0 comments
01
Apr
2021

Free Fiction Feature April 2021 | On the Card PLUS Making Waves

OK, so it’s been about a year since I launched the Free Fiction Feature, and I’ve decided to mix things up a bit. Instead of posting each story here, on my overall/multi-genre site, I’m breaking them out by genre onto my sub-sites going forward. I’ll continue to post a roundup here of the feature(s) for each month, as well as any other writing news.

What does this mean?

For fantasy:

A different short fantasy adventure will be posted each month on my fantasy-specific website, which will also be highlighted on this blog.

For mystery:

A different short mystery adventure will be posted for one month of each quarter on my mystery-specific website, which will also be highlighted on this blog. These posts will take place during the months of April, July, October, and January.

And yes, this means that during the months listed above, there will be two stories available to read for free–one fantasy and one mystery. This also means that those who enjoy fantasy will get a story in that genre each month, without a mystery story taking up a place in the rotation. For mystery readers, the scheduling is still roughly the same–if not a little more frequent–as it was when I was slotting my mystery stories on this site between my fantasy titles. (I have far fewer mystery shorts than fantasy at the moment, so the scheduling on that side is lighter.)

I hope this all makes sense… In the meantime, here are this month’s Free Fiction Features!

Legends of Lasniniar: Making Waves (Fantasy)

Legends of Lasniniar Making Waves coverDeep sapphire, flecked with silver. Iarion’s eyes mark him from any elf ever born.

A strange, physical anomaly? Or a sign of his unique condition? Even after thousands of years spent wandering the lands of Lasniniar, the answer continues to elude him.

…Now Iarion’s eyes sweep the harbor of the Sea Elves in the hopes that his ship might finally come in.

In the epic fantasy World of Lasniniar series by award-winning author Jacquelyn Smith, this stand-alone story explores an adventure from Iarion’s deep past, before he becomes a hero of legend.

Now, you can read it online for free for one month only:

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On the Card: A Kira Brightwell Short Story (Mystery)

On the Card Kira Brightwell coverKira Brightwell needs to pay.

A problem solver for hire and local hero in her own right, Kira never sought any acclaim for her actions. She only wants to track down the man who abducted her three years ago. And maybe celebrate her birthday with some ice cream cake.

But even an unintentional path to prominence comes with collateral damage.

…And some people can never forgive and forget.

A fast-paced, stand-alone story from the Kira Brightwell mystery series by award-winning author, Jacquelyn Smith.

Now, you can read it for free online for one month only:

Start Reading Continue reading →

Posted by Jacquelyn in Free Fiction Feature, 0 comments
13
Aug
2020

New Release News and Promos: August 2020

I can’t believe it’s August… These past few months feel like some weird, alternate reality.

We’re coming onto the last two of the Kira Brightwell shorts I have planned for this run (August and September) before I’ll start formatting and releasing all the existing Kira novels and shorts as collections, with one new collection coming out each month for five months.

On the fantasy side, all of the Lasniniar collections are done (for the moment), and I’m focusing on Fatal Empire now, with the remaining three titles in the quartet planned to come out by the end of 2020. Plus, I’ve also written a fun bonus guide to the Dharakmeni Empire that’s available for free, which you can check out below!

August New Releases

Ring Girl: A Kira Brightwell Short Story

Enemies since high school… Kira and Trevor never expected to end up solving cases together.

Trevor knows that Kira does most of the solving, but he likes to think his raw charm and charisma count for something…

And when the opportunity to prove himself as more than a stunningly handsome sidekick falls into his lap in the form of a beautiful client, how can he possibly refuse?

A short story misadventure of Kira and Trevor from the Kira Brightwell crime fiction series by award-winning author, Jacquelyn Smith.

Get your ebook ONE WEEK EARLY when you buy your pre-order direct from the author!

Retailer Links

Buy Direct from the Author

 

Yarden the Wanderer Presents: A Visitor’s Guide to the Dharakmeni Empire (A Fatal Empire Bonus Book)

Visitor's Guide to the Dharakmeni Empire cover

Assassins, danger, intrigue… The Dharakmeni Empire does not welcome the faint at heart. (Or anyone else, for that matter.)

But fear not, dear reader! The Shining Kingdom’s foremost adventurer, Yarden the Wanderer, knows all the ins (inns?) and outs of the continent’s most reclusive (and reviled) region.

Let Yarden guide you—as only he can—on a journey through the empire’s customs, caste system, and cuisine. Explore esoteric temples dedicated to the endless expressions of the goddess. Meander your way through a myriad of marketplaces. Impress the locals with your nebulous, newfound knowledge!

…Learn just enough to become an adventurer in your own right with this exclusive guide, funded by the Temple of the Keeper of Wonder, and recorded by award-winning scribe, Jacquelyn Smith.

Please note: Yarden the Wanderer and the Temple of the Keeper of Wonder in no way claim responsibility for any harm or mishap that befalls visitors of the Dharakmeni Empire before or after reading this guide—including, but not limited to death or enslavement.

This title is ONLY available as part of the Back Story Sampler Collection, which is FREE when you subscribe to my newsletter group.

Get this book for FREE!

 

Coming September 3rd (Available for pre-order)

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Posted by Jacquelyn in Promotions, Publishing Updates, 0 comments
09
Jul
2020

New Releases and Promos: July 2020

July is a big month. In addition to a new Kira Brightwell short and the Smashwords Summer Sale, we also have the last Lasniniar bundle coming out (for the time being), PLUS another fun project I’ve been working on. Keep scrolling for more info!

July New Releases

Seeing Stars: A Kira Brightwell Short Story

Seeing Stars Kira Brightwell cover

Kira Brightwell might not wear a badge. But she still enjoys the challenge of unraveling a difficult case.

The case of Taylor Christie proves no exception. The social media starlet prepares to shoot a video, when things go wrong. Horribly wrong. With an entire crowd in attendance.

And more than Kira knows stands between her and the truth about what happened.

Once again, Kira finds herself in the right place at the wrong time with her self-appointed sidekick in tow in this twisting, stand-alone story from the Kira Brightwell series. If you love a clever detective, who plays by her own rules, grab this book.

Retailer Links

Buy Direct from the Author

 

Harbingers Lasniniar Collection

Harbingers Lasniniar Collection cover

Goblins, shapeshifters, blood-drinking demons… Lasniniar has always had its share of dark creatures for the Free Races to keep at bay.

But now a new enemy has arrived from beyond the Void—one that threatens to tip the balance, and plunge the world into chaos.

This fast-paced, epic fantasy collection of elves, dwarves, and magic contains one novel and two short stories from the World of Lasniniar series by Writers’ Journal winning author, Jacquelyn Smith: Harbingers, Prevailing Wind, and The Devil You Know. Harbingers is the eighth novel in the series.

Retailer Links

Buy Direct from the Author

Coming August 6th (Available for pre-order)

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Posted by Jacquelyn in Publishing Updates, 0 comments
11
Jun
2020

New Releases and Promos: June 2020

So in addition to my usual new release news, I also have some cool updates and discount information regarding direct ebook purchases at the bottom of this post. Keep scrolling to check it out.

June New Releases

Puncher’s Chance: A Kira Brightwell Short Story

Puncher's Chance Kira Brightwell cover

Kira Brightwell and trouble seem to go hand in hand.

Still, after escaping her own abduction over three years ago, becoming MMA trained, and solving two major cases in the past few months, most people would consider her above running down the streets of La Valentia with scrambled egg on her shirt to chase down a complete stranger…

But even a local hero has her off days.

A fast-paced, crime fiction misadventure for both new and regular readers of the Kira Brightwell series by award-winning author, Jacquelyn Smith. (This short story takes place between Black and Blue and Low Blow.)

Retailer Links Buy Direct from the Author

 

Void Walker Lasniniar Collection

Void Walker Lasniniar Collection cover

Goddess, trickster, unborn spirit… All these words describe Felara, yet somehow fall short.

Combine her immortal power with an obsession for a certain elf, and things in Lasniniar get even more complicated. Felara will do anything to get her way with Iarion—whether he likes it, or not.

This fast-paced, epic fantasy collection of elves, dwarves, and magic contains one novel and two short stories from the World of Lasniniar series by Writers’ Journal winning author, Jacquelyn Smith: Void Walker, Quicksilver, and Goddess Almighty. Void Walker is the seventh novel in the series. (All adventures in this collection take place between Wave Runners and Harbingers.)

Retailer Links Buy Direct from the Author

 

Coming July 2nd (Available for pre-order)

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Posted by Jacquelyn in Promotions, Publishing Updates, 0 comments
14
May
2020

New plans for the blog, plus May New Releases

Blog Plans

In case you missed it last week, I’ve launched a new Free Fiction Feature, where I’m posting one of my shorts to read for free on this site each month, and only for that month. (These will be a mixture of my fantasy and crime fiction titles, generally starting with the oldest ones in the series and working my way forward in some kind of chronological order. I’ve also worked it out so Christmas titles will release in November/December, Halloween titles will release in September/October, etc.)

I also want to use this opportunity to try to create a weekly structure for my blogs (which is something I’ve always struggled with). I’m hoping to create a balance between current news about my writing/books (including new releases, promos, etc.), and some behind the scenes, evergreen posts.

Here’s what the new planned schedule looks like:

1st Thursday of the Month:

Free Fiction Feature. (Old one comes down, new one goes up. Check out the current one here.)

2nd Thursday of the Month:

New Release News and Promo/Sale News. (This post you’re reading.)

3rd Thursday of the Month:

Behind the Book feature. This will be some kind of background story or anecdote about the current Free Fiction title. (Unlike the Free Fiction Feature, these posts will stay up indefinitely.)

4th Thursday of the Month:

Writing update. This is where I’ll talk a bit about whatever projects I’ve been working on that month.

 

…And if there’s an extra week that month, well I might just take it off, or maybe post something extra, if I have something interesting up my sleeve. Hope that makes sense!

Current Sales/Promotions

The Author’s Give Back Sale is still on until May 31st. I have several titles opted in for both fantasy and crime fiction, ranging from 30% off to free on both Smashwords, and in my own online store. You can find all the details (including links and coupon codes) here. 

New Releases

On the Card: A Kira Brightwell Short Story

On the Card Kira Brightwell cover

Kira Brightwell never expects much on her birthday.

But this year promises an even more low-key day than usual, with a sick boyfriend, one of her few friends working a double shift, and her family too busy to celebrate until the weekend.

Curling up with an ice cream cake to binge-watch some movies seems like the best way to salvage things. (And so what if she had to buy the cake herself?)

…Until an anonymous birthday card containing an immediate threat ends up crashing the party.

A quirky, crime fiction short story for both new and regular readers of the Kira Brightwell series by award-winning author, Jacquelyn Smith. (This adventure takes place between Split Decision and Black and Blue.)

Retailer Links Buy Direct from the Author

 

 

Godmaker Lasniniar Collection

Godmaker Lasniniar Collection cover

There have never been gods in Lasniniar—until now.

But most of these so-called deities are more interested in power than peace. Meanwhile, the dark creatures that roam the land are multiplying in the growing chaos…

This fast-paced, epic fantasy collection contains one novel and two short stories from the World of Lasniniar series by award-winning author, Jacquelyn Smith: Godmaker, By the Light of the Moon, and Lion’s Pride. Godmaker is the sixth novel in the series. (All adventures in this collection take place between Wave Runners and Void Walker.)

Retailer Links Buy Direct from the Author

 

Coming June 4th (Available for pre-order)

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Posted by Jacquelyn in Publishing Updates, 0 comments