Book Title: Runway Dreams: Prideful Vengeance
Author: T.K Ambers
Publisher: Star Spirit Adventures
Cover Artist: Getcovers
Release Date: December 18, 2023
Genre: Murder Mystery with MM Romance
Tropes: Connect the Deaths, Never Suicide, & Everyone’s a suspect.
Themes: Forgiveness, Family, Relationships, & Music.
Heat Rating: 3 flames
Length: 78 671 words/ 275 pages
It’s part of a series, but this book focuses on Alex and Matthew and can be read as a standalone.
Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited
Music, murder, and Pride, oh, my!
Blurb
To Alex Crimson, California means fun in the sun, but when his favorite new LGBTQ+ pop idol goes missing, California marks the start of a deadly nightmare.
As the disappearances continue, Alex fears the trail is moving toward Tulsa. Could the killer be someone he knows? Thinking things can’t get any worse, he unwittingly finds himself in the crosshairs of a friend’s volatile family dispute.
Join the cast of Runway Dreams in this dark and humorous murder mystery as they work to catch a serial killer, and avoid becoming the victims of a friend’s lunatic brothers.
Opening the door, Bernie led them forward into the three-story club. Alex and Hector’s jaws dropped as they stood in the entryway, eyes bugging out as they took everything in. Alex had been there many times before, but in this instance, he would’ve never known it was the same place.
“What do you think?” asked Bernie. “We have three different floors with three different themes. You can do whatever you like, but I’d recommend you be on the second floor at eight o’clock, or you’ll miss out on something quite special. On a second note, the main floor will open to the regular crowds at ten-thirty, so enjoy it while it lasts.”
“This is unbelievable,” said Matthew. “You really went all out.”
“I second that,” replied Aiden. “This is surreal.”
Taking in the view, Alex noticed that the first floor was completely devoted to a masquerade theme. All the workers wore black masquerade masks, and several ribbon dancers were suspended from the ceiling at different points throughout the room. The lighting was provided mostly by lit candles on shelves lining the walls, and a string quartet was playing at the center of it all. At one end of the room stood a stage. Alex couldn’t wait to see what it would be used for.
“This floor is your first course. You can order any number of different specialty drinks and appetizers, but only specialty drinks and appetizers,” noted Bell. In thirty minutes, Lavender Pride will be playing for half an hour, and then we have a comedian coming to the stage.” She smiled, knowing Alex and Hector were both ecstatic about Lavender Pride.
“I can’t believe you were able to hire them for tonight,” gushed Alex. “They were so much fun at the Pride Festival. It has been wonderful reconnecting with Maddie. Will she be joining us before they play?”
“Yes,” replied Bell.
“I’m glad you’re excited,” replied Bernie, “because I hired them to play at the club the weekend of your wedding, too.”
“Oh, shut up! They’re playing our wedding reception?” squealed Hector. “That’s so awesome!”
“Wow, Bern, that’s an amazing surprise,” gushed Alex. “Thank you.”
“You two deserve it,” said Bell.
“I couldn’t let you go with a disc jockey when a live band you love was available. I wanted your night to be special,” said Bernie.
“Well, mission accomplished,” replied Hector. “It’ll truly be the memory of a lifetime.”
Moving on, Bernie said, “The second floor is Las Vegas-themed. Up there, you can play Poker, Craps, Roulette, and Blackjack. There’s also a seafood buffet setup for six-thirty. You’ll notice that we’ve provided a photo station with men and women dressed in true Vegas show attire. You can take as many photos with them as you please. The costumes will change each hour, and they’ll be here until one in the morning.”
“Remember to be seated in front of the stage on floor two before eight o’clock,” added Bell. “I promise, you want to see this show.”
“The third floor, or roof, is a surprise for later,” said Bell. “It’s meant for no one but our small intimate group, meaning us, our significant others, and Maddie. You’ll appreciate it once we get there,” she informed. Alex noticed that she wrinkled her face slightly when she said Maddie’s name. He made a mental note to discuss it with her the following day.
“We did invite several of your friends to come out,” added Bernie, “but they will not be arriving for another hour so that we can have a little extra time to ourselves.”
“I don’t know what to say,” replied Hector. “Alex, where would you like to start? Do you want to look around quick or settle in with some food?”
Alex scanned his surroundings. The first two floors were an open concept similar to a mall. You could see the theme of each from the entrance. Shaking his head, he said, “I just can’t get over what you’ve done to this place. It’s so beyond. I think two hours per floor sounds great, starting here. We can go with the flow after that.” Looking around some more, he noticed a ribbon dancer twirling between the floors and a fire-breather was now sitting on stage. He felt like a child taking in the circus for the first time.
T.K. Ambers is the award-winning author of Runway Dreams A Pricey Affair. Her novel has been recognized in four award competitions and took second place in the Pencraft Awards, Women’s Fiction category.
Her love of reading and writing spans several genres, but she loves comedy, thrillers, and paranormal. Most of her work contains a comedic element.
She lives in New Richmond, Wisconsin, with her husband and two cats, Bellatrix and Kit. She would spend her perfect day lakeside, where she would swim, play games, and then wind down with a bonfire, s’mores, and stories told by family and friends.
T.K. has a love for nature, travel, photography, concerts, off-roading, and hiking (preferably to waterfalls). She also holds a special place in her heart for her father’s band, 40 Fingers. She enjoys dancing to their music.
She lives by the belief that life is short and every day is its own adventure and should be treated as such.
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