I’m pleased to have fellow Black Opal Book author, Ronnie Allen, as my guest today on Books, Birds, and Banter. Besides being writers of mysteries, we have a few other things in common: NYC, Florida, and teaching. Here’s an excerpt from Ronnie’s new mystery, Scorpio.
Scorpio: The Sign Behind the Crime

His reaction took her totally by surprise. How could he do this to her?

“Any more good news?” The sarcasm rolled off his tongue. “That’s not what I’m concerned with.”

“Then what?”

“The way he looked at you.”

“Don’t worry about it. We’re adults here.”

“Exactly.”

“Frank, please. Can’t you deal with this?”

He did a double take. “Know what, Sam? No. I can’t. And I didn’t realize you’re so emotionally disconnected.” He checked the clock and blew out a deep breath. “As soon as it hits daylight, I think it’s best that you go back to your place.” He rolled over onto his left side, his back facing her.

“What are you saying, Frank?”

He barely turned his head. “Use your psychic intuition to figure out what I’m saying.”

“You’re breaking up with me?”

“I think we need to distance ourselves. It’s been too hot and heavy these past eight weeks, anyway. You’re not the woman I thought I knew.”

“How in hell are we supposed to distance ourselves? We work cases together. Every day, if I have to remind you.”

“Keep it formal. I’m now Dr. Khaos from you, and you’re Detective Wright from me.”

“But—”

“No buts. I’m done. We’re done.” His stomach twisted as he uttered those last two words.

Blurb

With a mind as strong as twisted steel, Scorpio obsessed Henry Slater, suave, sophisticated, sexy, intelligent, and wealthy is the perfect man—except to women who tell him what he doesn’t want to hear.

Dr. John Trenton is called back to NYC for a case close to his heart, while NYPD Detective Samantha “Sam” Wright and Dr. Frank Khaos, conflicted about their on-again-off-again relationship, take on another case—a serial killer who’s orchestrated sixteen murders across the United States over a nine-year period. The seventeenth victim is Sam’s best friend, Carrie Baines. When forensic science connects Frank to Slater, Frank is pushed to delve into his past, something he swore never to do. Meanwhile, due to the interstate nature of the crimes the FBI gets involved, convincing Sam to go undercover. But Slater is clever, and Sam is no match for him. Will her psychic skills and police training be enough to survive this close encounter with a killer, or will she end up as his eighteenth victim? And even if she lives, is her relationship with Frank really over?

Bio

Ronnie Allen is a NYC native transplanted to rural Central Florida nine years ago. A teacher in The New York City Department of Education for 33 years, she also obtained a license as NYS School Psychologist. In later education, she added certification as a Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, earning a Ph.D. in Parapsychic Sciences. Ronnie uses her expertise in education, the paranormal, and psychic development throughout her novels.  She’s an advocate for children, and their health and well-being. This is evident in the themes of her novels and in the dedications. Scorpio is the third book in The Sign Behind the Crimes series.
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