Spotlight & Giveaway: Poisoned Past by Emmie Lyn

Today, HJ is pleased to share with you Emmie Lyn’s new release: Poisoned Past

When a festive Christmas party turns deadly, a single mom and a brooding stranger must unravel a chilling mystery before the killer strikes again.

The holiday season is in full swing in Clam Cove, Maine, where twinkling lights and carols set the scene for the library’s annual Christmas party. ER nurse Nina Reyes is looking forward to a peaceful week off with her daughter, Ana, and their mischievous Golden retriever, Ginger. But when the town librarian collapses, poisoned during the festivities, Nina finds herself pulled into a deadly mystery.

Still recovering from a life-altering accident, horticulturist Kyle Walker is drifting until fate throws him into Nina’s path. Despite their differences, her determination and his keen eye make them an unexpectedly strong team. As they investigate, long-buried grudges surface, and the motives, ranging from greed to revenge, run deeper than they imagined.

With danger mounting and sparks flying, Nina and Kyle must stop a killer before they become the next targets.

Brimming with small-town charm, heartwarming romance, and page-turning suspense, Poisoned Past is the perfect holiday read to curl up with by the fire.

Enjoy an exclusive excerpt from Poisoned Past 

Chapter One
Nina Reyes slung her bag across her chest, her steps quick as she made her way to the hospital’s exit. The weekend before Christmas stretched ahead of her, followed by a rare week off, a chance to breathe, and maybe even unwind from her hectic job as an emergency room nurse. The frosty air hit her cheeks as she pushed through the doors, but it wasn’t the chill that made her pause.

Across the parking lot, she spotted a familiar figure.

She raised a hand and called out, “Kyle!” hoping to catch him before he disappeared into the passenger seat of the waiting car.

He hesitated mid-step, glancing over his shoulder with a blank expression. But a moment later, recognition sparked, and he smiled—a real smile, not the guarded one she’d seen during his recovery.

“Nurse Reyes,” he called, closing the car door and walking toward her, his gait slow but steady. “Good to see you.”

Nina’s pulse quickened. With his rough-edged charm, Kyle Walker was even more striking than she remembered. The scruff on his jaw and his light brown hair catching the glow of the parking lot lights only added to the effect. They’d become friendly during his physical therapy sessions when she volunteered with her therapy dog, Ginger.

“You look great,” she said, keeping her tone light. “Done with physical therapy?”

“Yes,” he said, a faint grin tugging at his lips.

“I, um…” Nina hesitated, her thoughts scattering like snowflakes. She took a breath and tried again. “Do you know about the Christmas party at the library tomorrow night?” She hurried to add, “I’m going with Ana and Ginger.”

Kyle’s eyes brightened, the tension in his expression easing. “That’s exactly what I need after these past grueling months. Ana always makes me smile, and Ginger has a certain magical furry charm that’s impossible to resist.”

Nina’s heart warmed at the compliments. Her eleven-year-old daughter Ana’s natural empathy surpassed many of her coworkers. She’d met Kyle while accompanying Nina during one of her volunteer visits with Ginger when Kyle had one of his more challenging physical therapy sessions. With the innocence and determination of youth, Ana had taken his hand to help him walk when he’d been ready to give up. Ginger, Nina’s young Golden Retriever, was developing into an exceptional therapy dog. Her calm demeanor and love for people made her a hit whenever Nina brought her to the hospital.

“I’ll look for you tomorrow night, then,” Nina said, her voice light. “My friends will be there, too. Hanna, the owner of Dessert First Bakery, is providing the pastries. You won’t want to be late and miss out on the best selection.” She hoped the promise of sweets might nudge him toward attending.

Kyle smiled and reached for the car door. “I’ll lend a hand if you can use a slightly unsteady volunteer to serve cookies,” he said, making fun of himself and his lingering limp. “I’ll be there.”

Nina glanced at the driver in Kyle’s car—an attractive blonde-haired woman—and felt a pang of something she quickly pushed away. Kyle had his own life. Their paths had only crossed because of his accident, and if he kept running into her, she’d probably just remind him of those dark days. Sometimes life didn’t seem fair.

“See you tomorrow, then,” Nina said, waving as she turned toward her old Subaru parked nearby. The snow fell softly, blanketing the Maine town of Clam Cove in a layer of white. She felt a rush of gratitude for her trusty all-wheel drive vehicle, especially on nights like this.

Before going home, Nina made a detour to Dessert First Bakery. She spotted the closed sign in the window, not surprising at this late hour, but Ana had spent the day helping the owner, Hanna, and her employee, Shelly, make cookies for the library’s Christmas party. Inside, the warmth and smell of sugar cookies greeted her.

Shelly glanced up from the work counter as Nina walked into the back room of the bakery, a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “You look particularly cheerful, my friend. Did you happen to see someone special today?” She wiggled her eyebrows for emphasis.

Nina rolled her eyes, but her cheeks warmed. Shelly and Hanna had heard plenty about Kyle during his physical therapy sessions. Nina had often brought Ginger and Ana along to lift the spirits of the patients, and Kyle had been no exception. Her friends had often prodded her about her so-called special feelings for him. She always brushed them off with a nonchalant, “I’m just doing my volunteering,” but they knew her too well. Her deflections never fooled them.

Ana’s voice broke through Nina’s thoughts. “Mom! Mom! Look at all the cookies I decorated!”

Nina couldn’t help but smile at her daughter’s contagious excitement. As a single mom, she thanked her lucky stars for her friends, who always stepped up to watch Ana when she needed the help. This holiday season might be busy, with the library party, shopping, and cookie making but it was already shaping up to be one filled with love, laughter, and could she hope for a hint of magic?

Nina looked at her daughter proudly holding up a tray brimming with cookies shaped like reindeer, frosted in festive red, green, and white.

Ginger let out a happy woof, her golden tail wagging furiously as she bounded over to Nina. Within seconds, Shelly’s Golden Retriever, Jake, followed by Hanna’s Golden Retriever, Stella, surrounded Nina. The three dogs weaved around her in a flurry of fur and excitement, their tails knocking over a basket of candy canes and sending a tray of frosting-covered spatulas clattering to the floor.

“Ginger! Jake! Stella!” Nina exclaimed as she tried to sidestep the chaos. Shelly darted around the counter to scoop up the candy canes before they became chew toys. Still, Jake had already snagged one and pranced away triumphantly.

“Every time,” Shelly said with mock exasperation, shaking her head.

Hanna laughed. “You’d think they’d calm down by this time of the day, but no. Christmas energy hits them, too.”

Nina finally managed to calm the wriggling pack, giving each dog a quick pat before turning back to Ana.

“These look amazing,” she said, picking up one of Ana’s cookies. “But I think I’d better do a taste test, just to make sure they’re good enough for the library party.” She took a bite, savoring the sweet, buttery crumb. “Delicious!”

Ana beamed, and Nina added casually, “Oh, I ran into Kyle earlier. He said he’s coming to the party tomorrow night and looking forward to seeing you. Be sure to save some of your cookies for him. He even offered to help serve.”

Shelly didn’t miss a beat. “I knew it!” she teased. “How’s he doing?”

Nina finished the cookie and dusted off her hands. “He looked good—definitely on the mend. But, uh … an attractive woman picked him up, so I’m guessing she’ll be there tomorrow, too.” She tried to sound indifferent, but the slight edge in her tone didn’t escape her friends.

Shelly grinned. “Come by my place tomorrow, and I’ll fix you up so you can bedazzle him.”

“That sounds tempting,” Nina admitted, “Kyle is charming but I’m not looking for a romance complicating my life right now, however, there’s no harm in getting spiffed up.” She glanced at Ana, still engrossed in adding the finishing touches to the last couple of sugar cookies. “Between raising Ana, work, and training Ginger, my plate is overflowing, you know what I mean?” Nina sank onto one of the stools at the work table, her legs finally feeling the strain of standing all day.

Before Shelly could respond, the peaceful atmosphere shattered. At the sound of a firm knock, all three dogs bolted toward the front door, barking wildly. The sudden commotion startled everyone.

Hanna wiped her hands on her apron and sighed. “That must be Eloise. She said she wanted to check on the cookies and make sure they met her approval.” She rolled her eyes. “She’s nice enough, but sometimes she’s just too controlling. Honestly, doesn’t she trust me to make delicious cookies for the party? I’ve done this for years—for the library employees, volunteers, and patrons.”

“Tell her to make them herself,” Shelly mumbled, still nursing her grudge against Eloise Timmons, the head librarian of the Clam Cove Free Public Library. The two had clashed months ago when Eloise cut funding for local author presentations—a program Shelly had championed. Her husband, Max, the first featured author in the program.

“Sit,” Hanna commanded the dogs as she moved toward the door. They obeyed reluctantly, tails wagging in anticipation. Hanna swung the door open. “Hello, Eloise. Come in.”

Eloise stepped inside with her usual air of quiet authority. Her sleek silver bob gleamed under the warm bakery lights, though slightly windblown. She smoothed it deftly with her fingers, her lips curving into a polite smile.

“Hello, Hanna. The cookies?”

Hanna overlooked the curt question and gestured toward the trays with a flourish. “Just finished. Come take a look. The cookies are to die for.”

Nina exchanged a glance with Shelly, who snorted at the phrase, then raised an eyebrow as Eloise carefully examined the cookies, picking up one shaped like a reindeer and scrutinizing it as if it were a museum artifact. The silver-haired librarian nodded approvingly before placing it back on the tray. “These will do,” she said curtly. “I’ll see you all tomorrow night. Be sure to arrive early—we want everything perfect for the guests. Make sure none of them break when you pack them up.”

As Eloise swept out, they all sighed with relief. “That woman needs to loosen up. Maybe someone should slip some holiday cheer into her punch tomorrow night,” Shelly suggested.

Nina laughed, but the moment of levity faded as she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket. She pulled it out and frowned at the message on the screen. It was from Kyle, asking her if he could back out of his plan to volunteer to serve cookies at the Christmas party.

“He’s bailing already?” Shelly asked, peering over Nina’s shoulder.

“It’s not even that,” Nina replied, annoyance creeping into her voice. “He just … he doesn’t think it’s a good idea anymore. Volunteering, I mean. I don’t get it. He was the one who offered and now he’s backing away without a real explanation.”

Hanna exchanged a look with Shelly, but neither said anything.

Nina took a deep breath and crossed her arms. “I know it shouldn’t bother me, but it does. He was in such deep despair after his accident, but made so much progress during his physical therapy over the past six months. This feels like … like he’s retreating back into that funk he was in when I first met him, when he arrived in the emergency room after being hit be a car. I admit, it seemed we’d gotten close, so this change of heart is frustrating.”

“Maybe he’s nervous about being around you,” Shelly teased, though her tone was softer this time.

Nina ignored the comment, her gaze drifting toward the window, where snow began falling more heavily. She had plenty on her plate without trying to figure out Kyle Walker’s next move. But they’d connected during her volunteering. At least she thought so. Still, a small part of her couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to his sudden change of heart—and why the thought of him not showing up tomorrow night felt like such a disappointment.

She put on a happy face for her daughter. “Come on, Ana. Get your things together,” she said and grabbed her bag. “It’s time we head home and unwind after this busy day. See you tomorrow, Hanna, Shelly.”

They gave Nina and Ana hugs, then Nina bundled up and stepped outside into the frosty evening air. Ginger barked at the falling snow, jumping enthusiastically as if trying to catch the flakes. She took Ana’s hand and smiled despite herself, giving her pup a quick scratch behind her ears.

Snowflakes swirled in Nina’s headlights as she drove home. Kyle’s text bothered her. Their moment together during his rehab came back to her. Was she making up his smile, the look of longing in his eyes? She couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that something about tomorrow’s party would be anything but ordinary.

Excerpt. ©Emmie Lyn. Posted by arrangement with the publisher. All rights reserved.
 
 

Giveaway: Winner will receive one ebook copy of POISONED PAST by Emmie Lyn plus one additional ebook of the winner’s choice from Tule Publishing.

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the form and post a comment to this Q: What did you think of the excerpt spotlighted here? Leave a comment with your thoughts on the book…

Meet the Author:

Emmie Lyn grew up in a small town in New England, much like the towns where her female characters live—scenic, quaint and filled with colorful characters. She loves to create mysteries with twists and unexpected turns that draw readers in and capture their imagination.

Emmie lives in rural Massachusetts with her husband and a black cat with an extremely bad attitude. She shares twelve acres with a wide variety of wildlife including deer, bunnies, turkeys, and many songbirds. When she’s not busy thinking of ways to kill off a character (for a book, of course!) she enjoys a cup of tea and chocolate in her flower garden, hiking, or spending time near the ocean.

https://tulepublishing.com/books/poisoned-past/