276 Book(s) Related to desert places blake crouch

From #1 bestselling author Blake Pierce comes a heart-pounding new mystery series.In the cornfields of Nebraska a woman is found murdered, strung up on a pole, the victim of a deranged killer. It doesn’t take long for the police to realize a serial killer is on the loose—and that his spree has just begun.Detective Mackenzie White, young, tough, smarter than the aging, chauvinistic men on her local force, finds herself called in grudgingly to help solve it. As much as the other officers hate to admit it, they need her young, brilliant mind, which has already helped crack cold cases that had left them stumped. Yet even for Mackenzie this new case proves an impossible riddle, something the likes of which she—and the local force—have ever seen.With the FBI called in, together, an intense manhunt ensues. Mackenzie, reeling from her own dark past, her failed relationships, and her undeniable attraction to the new FBI agent, finds herself battling her own demons as her hunt for the killer takes her to the darkest places of her mind. As she delves into the killer’s mind, obsessing over his twisted psychology, she finds that evil truly does exist. She only hopes it will not be too late to extricate herself from it, as her entire life collapses around her.As more bodies turn up dead and a frantic race against time ensues, there is no way out but to find him before he kills again.A dark psychological thriller with heart-pounding suspense, BEFORE HE KILLS marks the debut of a riveting new series—and a beloved new character—that will leave you turning pages late into the night. Book #2 in the Mackenzie White Mystery series will be available soon. Also available by Blake Pierce is ONCE GONE (A Riley Paige mystery—Book #1), a #1 bestseller!

“A dynamic story line that grips from the first chapter and doesn't let go.” --Midwest Book Review, Diane Donovan (regarding Once Gone) From #1 bestselling author Blake Pierce comes a new masterpiece of psychological suspense—the AVERY BLACK SERIES—which continues here with CAUSE TO DREAD (Book #6), also a standalone novel. The series begins with CAUSE TO KILL (Book #1)—a free download with over 200 five star reviews!A woman turns up dead in her own apartment, locked in her closet, her body crawling with poisonous spiders, and the Boston police are stumped. As all of their leads collapse, they are dreading the killer will strike again. Desperate, the police have no choice but to turn to Boston’s most brilliant and controversial homicide detective—Avery Black. Now retired, Avery, in a low point in her own life, reluctantly agrees to help with the case. But when other bodies start turning up, murdered in grotesque and unusual ways, Avery can’t help but wonder: is there a serial killer on the loose?With the intense media pressure and the stress of having a new, inexperienced partner, Avery is pushed to her limit as she struggles to crack the bizarre cases—and to keep herself from falling into the abyss. Avery finds herself falling deeper and deeper into the twisted mind of the killer, who holds more secrets than Avery could imagine.The most riveting and shocking book of the series, a psychological thriller with heart-pounding suspense, CAUSE TO DREAD will leave you turning pages late into the night. “A masterpiece of thriller and mystery. Pierce did a magnificent job developing characters with a psychological side, so well described that we feel inside their minds, follow their fears and cheer for their success. The plot is very intelligent and will keep you entertained throughout the book. Full of twists, this book will keep you awake until the turn of the last page.” --Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone)

“A masterpiece of thriller and mystery. Blake Pierce did a magnificent job developing characters with a psychological side so well described that we feel inside their minds, follow their fears and cheer for their success. Full of twists, this book will keep you awake until the turn of the last page.” --Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone) HOMECOMING (A Chloe Fine Mystery) is book #5 in a new psychological suspense series by bestselling author Blake Pierce, whose #1 bestseller Once Gone (Book #1) (a free download) has over 1,000 five-star reviews. When two husbands, best friends, turn up dead in a wealthy suburban town, FBI VICAP Special Agent Chloe Fine, 27, is called in to unmask the lies in this small town and to find the killer. Chloe will have to penetrate this town’s perfect façade, to get past its public appearances to understand the truth of who these men were, and who may have wanted them dead. And in a town that thrives on its exclusivity, that won’t be easy to do.What secrets were these husbands hiding?An emotionally wrought psychological suspense with layered characters, small-town ambiance and heart-pounding suspense, HOMECOMING is book #5 in a riveting new series that will leave you turning pages late into the night. Book #6 in the Chloe Fine series will also be available soon.

“A masterpiece of thriller and mystery. Blake Pierce did a magnificent job developing characters with a psychological side so well described that we feel inside their minds, follow their fears and cheer for their success. Full of twists, this book will keep you awake until the turn of the last page.” --Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone) IF SHE KNEW (A Kate Wise Mystery) is book #1 in a new psychological thriller series by bestselling author Blake Pierce, whose #1 bestseller Once Gone (Book #1) (a free download) has received over 1,000 five star reviews. 55 year old empty nester—and freshly retired FBI agent—Kate Wise finds herself drawn out of her quiet suburban life when her friend’s daughter is murdered in a home invasion—and she is implored to help.Kate thought she left the FBI behind after 30 years as their top agent, respected for her brilliant mind, tough street skills and her uncanny ability to hunt down serial killers. Yet Kate, bored with the quiet town, at a crossroads in life, is summoned by a friend she can’t turn down.As Kate hunts the killer, she soon finds herself at the forefront of a manhunt, as more bodies turn up—all suburban moms in perfect marriages—and it becomes apparent there is a serial killer stalking this quiet town. She unearths secrets from her neighbors she wishes she never knew, discovering that all is not what it seems in this picture of model streets and neighbors. Affairs and lying are rampant, and Kate must sift through the town’s underbelly if she will stop the killer from striking again.But this killer is one step ahead of her, and it may end up being Kate who is in danger.An action-packed thriller with heart-pounding suspense, IF SHE KNEW is book #1 in a riveting new series that will leave you turning pages late into the night. Book #2 in the KATE WISE MYSTERY series is coming soon!

“A dynamic story line that grips from the first chapter and doesn't let go.”--Midwest Book Review, Diane Donovan (regarding Once Gone)From #1 bestselling mystery author Blake Pierce comes a new masterpiece of psychological suspense.Keri Locke, Missing Persons Detective in the Homicide division of the LAPD, remains haunted by the abduction of her own daughter, years before, never found. Still obsessed with finding her, Keri buries her grief the only way she knows how: by throwing herself into the cases of missing persons in Los Angeles.A routine phone call from a worried mother of a high-schooler, only two hours missing, should be ignored. Yet something about the mother’s voice strikes a chord, and Keri decides to investigate.What she finds shocks her. The missing daughter—of a prominent senator—was hiding secrets no one knew. When all evidence points to a runaway, Keri is ordered off the case. And yet, despite pressure from her superiors, from the media, despite all trails going cold, the brilliant and obsessed Keri refuses to let it go. She knows she has but 48 hours if she has any chance of bringing this girl back alive.A dark psychological thriller with heart-pounding suspense, A TRACE OF DEATH marks the debut of a riveting new series—and a beloved new character—that will leave you turning pages late into the night.“A masterpiece of thriller and mystery! The author did a magnificent job developing characters with a psychological side that is so well described that we feel inside their minds, follow their fears and cheer for their success. The plot is very intelligent and will keep you entertained throughout the book. Full of twists, this book will keep you awake until the turn of the last page.”--Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (re Once Gone)Book #2 in the Keri Locke series will be available soon.

Fire. Fire is everywhere. The sounds of screams are heard throughout our little town. People are scared. People are running for their life. People are on fire, and they’re still running. Still screaming. I hear someone calling out for me. Who is that? Oh, it’s my grandfather. “Hey! Listen to me, okay? We don’t have much time. You have to go now. You have to go and not come back here. Do you understand? I can’t go with you right now. But I’ll find you. One day, I’ll find you and we’ll be together again, okay? I need you to be good for him, okay? Be good for him. He’s going to protect you. I’ll see you again one day. I promise. Now go! Get out of here!”

"How dare you drug and fuck me?" Alpha Arthur roars as he clutches my tiny neck, his angry eyes piercing through my soul.
My heart races faster as I struggle for my life. I know I've committed a grave sin, and standing before him, I believe today is my last day on earth.

Three days before Elara Redmond's wedding, she finds out her fiance has been cheating on her with her evil step-sister. Devastated and angry, Elara decided to give her fiance the taste of his own medicine by having a one-night stand with his best friend. But she wakes up the next morning to discover that the person she had drugged and fucked is the cruel Alpha of her pack, Alpha Arthur, and Elara runs away for her life.

Alpha Arthur, who now wants more of her, and his greatest desire is to claim her, places a reward for anyone who will find Elara and bring her back to him. Things take a different turn when Elara's step-sister finds Elara, and now wants the position of Luna as her reward.
What will Alpha Arthur do about the reward, and will he be able to claim Elara whose fated mate turns out to be his rival?
Let's ride through this journey of romance, twist, conflicts, love, pain, and war.

“Your fate hasn’t changed,” he says, stepping closer. “What you saw will come to pass—unless you break the curse.”

“How?” My voice trembles. “Please, tell me. Anything to stop that horror.”

His gaze darkens. “Your death… by the hands of your mate.”

My world stops. And when I turn to Bion, his face is pale—like he already knows.

~

On her eighteenth birthday, Melanie Spane’s life shatters. Meeting her destined mate, Bion Anaxagoras—the most powerful and untouchable boy in school—should have been a dream. Instead, it becomes the beginning of her curse.

Memories of another life begin to surface. A hidden truth starts to crack: Melanie is no ordinary girl—she’s the lost princess of the supernatural world.

The same princess cursed by an ancient witch.
The same princess destined to destroy everything and everyone.

And the only way to stop her—is for her mate to kill her.

But Bion is no hero. He’s darkness wrapped in one—loyal only to her.

He would burn the world to see her breathe.

A fated love.

A deadly curse.

A choice between love and the end of the world.

“Do you really think I am going to put my hand in that shitty—Ah!”
He caught me by the ear, hauling me onto my tiptoes and dragged me towards the bin.
“I said: Pick up the book.”
I felt his words like the tightening gripping around my ear, stretching and aching, that almost brought tears to my eyes.
Maybe it was the pain or the humiliation, or both, but my face was flaming red.
Having no way out, my brain impulsively obeyed. I slowly lowered myself on my knees, much against my disbelief, and picked up the book.
How does a man of God could be so diabolical, mercurial and ruthless?
...................................................
Six years ago, Father Gabriel Sullivan washed the blood off his hands and picked up the rosary. He traded the expensive suit to become the man of the cloth and never looked back.

He has never broken a vow of priesthood. Until Sienna Emerson stormed into his school and promised to bring hell with her if he didn’t bend the rules. And for the first time in six years, the devil within him has awakened. And with every fibre of his black heart, he wanted her. To kiss her. To take her. To ravish her.

***This novel includes a love story of a priest and lots of blasphemy, but it is not intended to offend or provoke.

I was barely a young girl when I was sent to him to be trained to be an assassin.
Marco didn't just turn me into a ruthless killer; he made me a woman.
I was his protégé.
He was my Master - of my mind, body, and soul.
But I wanted more.
I wanted to be HIS WOMAN.
And how long is he going to deny me?


W A R N I N G:
This book is intended for mature audiences and contains explicit sexual content and graphic language. Read this only if the above themes do not offend you. You've been warned.
This book is unedited so you will find some grammatical errors/misspellings.

"Family is everything. Blood is everything. You only live, die and kill for your family."

Born and raised in secret, like a ghost who never existed, Lilliana Moretti was brought up to be used as a secret weapon against one of the most ruthless crime families-the Romanos.
And when she walked into the devil's lair willingly-pretending to be in love with the second-in-command of the Romano Empire, Dominic Romano-too many buried secrets were unearthed, leaving her shattered.

An uphill battle between two crime families unleashed chaos like never before.

While two people were out for each other's blood with bleeding hearts, little did they realize their love was more lethal than their hatred for each other.


E X C E R P T -

My fingers fisted her hair as I tried to lower her body.
"I am not going to kneel before you like you are some freaking God," she snarled.
The corner of my lips titled up slightly. "No, you are not going to kneel for me," I said agreeably. "You are going to spread your legs for me, Lilliana-because I am the freaking monster, baby."

Triffany never expected her life will change after an unpleasant encounter with a
stranger she never knew, this wasn't the life she dreamt of, force into a marriage she did not
sign up for but will things really go well for her after getting married to a wealthy man who
has no love for her.

"Move!"
"Ouch!" She glared at me. "Must you act this way towards me even if you and Katherine are in a relationship, can't you at least act friendly with me?"
"Relationship?" I scoffed. "Don't delude yourself!"
"I saw you both."
I smirked and grabbed her hands. "Who was kissing Hinn today?" Her eyes dilated, I was sure she was not expecting me to see that. "You belong to me and no one else!"

Robin Heisten a handsome man that grabs a lot of attention wherever he goes but was known as a cold person with no feelings, his past has been a mess but just crossing path with a girl he met once had been the only warm memory he has left in his heart.

But what happens when he finally saw her but discovered she has feelings for someone else?
Would he let the only lady that warms his heart go?

Triffany never expected her life will change after an unpleasant encounter with a stranger she never knew, this wasn't the life she dreamt of, and force into a marriage she did not sign up for, but will things really go well for her after getting married to a wealthy man who has no love for her.

Born blind but blessed with the rare gift of seeing auras—and the full memory of her past life—Ariella has learned to navigate a world she cannot see with quiet strength and sharp instincts. She dreams only of a peaceful existence… until fate claws its way into her life.

At fourteen, she is discovered to possess an extraordinary resistance to Dragon energy—a trait so rare it marks her as a prize. Torn from her quiet life by a power-hungry noble, Ariella is offered up as one of the human brides to the enigmatic Dragon realm, where ancient beasts take on human form, and danger simmers beneath beauty and flame.

Jeffery was back after leaving for so many years, he came back just in search of his darling dearest Cindy White, but what happened when he couldn't recognize her and when they discovered the secret that kept them apart.
Read to find out!

Scarlett and Alexander had been married for two years and their relationship was very strong. Despite being the youngest son of a mafia family, Alexander was gentle and caring towards Scarlett. She thought they would be happy together forever. However, everything changed after a car accident - Scarlett fell into a coma, and Alexander lost his memory! When Scarlett woke up, she found that Alexander had a new girlfriend by his side, and she had become a burden, occupying the position of his wife. Scarlett was in agonizing pain. Can she and Alexander ever return to the way they were before?

"But why do you want to stay with me?" I tried keeping a steady breath. He stood in front of me, barely any space between us anymore. I fixed my eyes on his hoping they won't trail down to his lips.
"To protect you." He answered short. Something flickered in his eyes but I couldn't put my finger on it.
"Guards can protect me. Now tell me why are you doing this." I straightened myself, daring him. He leaned forward, his lips so close to my cheek and whispered.

"Patience love, everything in the right time."

"You're a werewolf, Jake! I will be a temporary substitute till your mate comes." My chest heaved up and down, struck by the harsh reality.

He's the prince of werewolves. She's the princess of demons and witches. Mates are sacred to werewolves. The love that mates have for each other is unlike all beings.

Stephanie, a 25 years old woman, was left heartbroken when her finance, Roberto marries her best friend on her wedding day.

Devastated, she found out that her father used her as a collateral and she was unexpectedly approached by Alessandro, a ruthless Italian Mafia leader.

He proposes a contract marriage offering a deal; marry him and help him secure the post of the Mafia leader, after the death of his father the former Mafia leader in Italy.

After many tortures, Stephanie agreed but deep down, she doesn't love Alessandro. As they navigate their arranged marriage, Stephanie must confront her past heat break and learn how to trust again.

In the rugged heart of the wilderness, where the trees loom like ancient sentinels and the mist clings to the mountains, lies a town that the world seems to have forgotten—an eerie place devoid of a name, yet teeming with mysteries and echoes of past atrocities. The town’s allure is paradoxical; what may first appear quaint soon reveals itself as a harbinger of terror. It is here that Joe and Emily find themselves unwittingly ensnared, their unraveling love set against a backdrop of impending doom. Joe, a man of logic and reason, is haunted by the life he once led. Days in the nameless town morph into a fever dream as he grapples with the palpable sense of dread. Every alley seems to hum with whispers of forgotten nightmares, every speck of dirt on the dusty street echoes with the pain of lost souls. Joe’s heart races with an unshakable urgency; he must escape this confounding labyrinth before it consumes him whole. Emily, however, is drawn to the quaintness of the town. Its rusty charm enchants her in ways Joe never could. The townsfolk, with their enigmatic smiles and hidden stories, wrap her in a warm embrace that Joe’s steady gaze cannot provide. She finds herself limping through the remnants of their marriage, it is in her burgeoning connection with Lucas, a strikingly charming young man with eyes like the stormy sea, that Emily discovers a thrill she thought long extinguished. As Emily dabbles in her new romance, at night, the howl of unseen beasts punctuates the silence, and Joe learns quickly that the woods are not only a physical barrier but a metaphorical one. They are a representation of his isolation and his fight against forces he cannot control.

Mark, is caught in the deep web of choosing between his reputation, and falling in love with his roommate.

However, he ends up in love choosing the later. He unapologetically falls in love with his male roommate, amidst all the adversities.

How'll he be able to navigate this new path?

The Bloody-Fist has been the most feared and dangerous crime group in Mexico for years. The Godfather 'Baron' is the leader, and he has a son named Lucas and a daughter named Lucia.

Lucas, was a very brutal and heartless monster as everyone thought. They always said he had no heart, because of the way he killed mercilessly. Some even called him 'El Diablo' which was 'The Devil' in Spanish because of some mysterious things they had found him doing.

On the other hand Lucia, was a sweet gentle and nice soul, who couldn't hurt a fly, or so everyone thought. For this reason Baron her father disliked her greatly.

Tanya Grayson, a young twenty three year old girl who lived with her twin sisters; Lily and Lila, after the demise of her mother and the mysterious disappearance of her father. Tanya on her own was an epitome of beauty.
Tanya who had an innocent face, was a petty thief who worked with a thief organisation called the 'Sneaky fingers'. They were a little thief organisation who goes about stealing, and Tanya was one of them.

But when she wasn't stealing, she was the most kind, innocent, naive, girl you've ever met.

But what happens when Tanya was given the job with two of her other friends to break into the Bloody-Fist clan, the most dangerous clan in Mexico.

On the first trial, they hadn't succeed but was lucky to escape in one piece. But what happens when Tanya foolishly returns alone a second time after getting involved in some stupid bet, but this time she runs out of luck as she gets caught, and becomes stuck with Lucas, the said Devil.

Maria has always dreamed of freedom, but her life has been shaped by decisions beyond her control. It was tormenting, but everything changes after she becomes engaged to Rico. She can’t have the life she wanted but at least, she gets to be with the man she loves.

Or so she thinks—until she witnesses him mercilessly kill someone in front of her. Her whole world collapsed.

Falling in love with the devil himself, Maria realizes staying with him means sacrificing her dream of freedom. So she runs, determined to never be found by him.

But she can only hope.

Rico believes they belong together, and he'll do anything to prove it.

For Maria, the only true escape may be in death.

Aria Blackthorn was once the pride of the Moonshade Pack. The strong, capable daughter of a respected Beta and a warrior. But everything begins to crumble the day her fated mate, Alpha Kade, rejects her in front of the entire pack and banishes her from the pack.

Aria is cursed was all they could say and this became a stigma. She was hunted by rogues and was left to die but survived.

The secretive Crescent Pack rescued Aria as she began to live in a place of no trust, a place where power can only be gotten with blood. Her past follows her like a shadow, but something far older begins to awaken within her . As an ancient pendant touched her skin, her true identity was revealed. Aria is the last living descendant of the Ember Queen, a she-wolf feared for her fire and foresight.

Selene , Alpha Kade’s ruthless sister, began hunting Aria. Crescent pack begins to break as a result of the magical power Aria now carries. Other packs whispered its rebellion… or assassination.

When Aria finally faces Alpha Kade again, the bond they tried to break ignites with a force neither of them can deny.

But something worse than rejection is coming.

This ancient entity that has awakened feeds on fire, and it wants Aria’s soul. The final war is not between packs… but between light and something far more dangerous.

To save the world that cast her out, Aria must choose between her new found identity or let go.

Zoe Marshall thought her marriage was unbreakable. She built her life around Ethan Carter—powerful, brilliant, and untouchable. Until his betrayal shattered her so deeply that filing for divorce became her only way to breathe again. She thought leaving him would set her free. But freedom is never that simple when your ex-husband is a ruthless billionaire who turns regret into obsession.
Ethan is determined to win her back, to claim what he believes is still his—no matter what it takes. Just as Zoe begins to rediscover her strength, Mason King enters her life: dangerous, wealthy, and hiding secrets darker than midnight shadows. He offers her protection and a passion she never imagined. But his world is deadly, and his past is painted with blood.
When an enemy obsessed with Ethan threatens Zoe’s life to erase her forever, and Mason’s hidden demons resurface, she finds herself trapped between two powerful men fighting for her love... or her destruction. Who will truly protect her? Who will destroy her? Because when love becomes a battlefield, only the strongest hearts survive—and Zoe isn’t letting anyone else decide her fate.