Romance and Suspense Author Suzanne Jenkins is the author of the Pam of Babylon series and The Greeks of Beaubien Street.
The Jade Emperor
Author: Suzanne Jenkins
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After a stranger appears on their doorstep, a picture-perfect family takes a side trip to crazy town in this story of a soldier's last chance at love.
A marriage of nearly half a century faces its greatest challenge when a stranger arrives, bearing life changing news. Although Steve and Kelly Boyd live together, they barely tolerate each other. Marrying in their teens and quickly becoming parents, the separation due to the war in Vietnam forms the foundation for the next forty-five precarious years.
Filling the empty marriage with the companionship of her twin sister, Karen, and the family she made with Steve, Kelly’s life revolves around her six adult children.
The stranger’s sudden appearance clarifies so much about Steve’s lifetime behavior to Kelly.
Heartfelt conversations at the local coffee shop where son Reggie works as a barista, help the family resolve differences, build new relationships, and grow in acceptance of one another.
At the end, love outweighs everything.
Excerpt from The Jade Emperor
Chapter 1
Until one warm Friday evening in autumn, Kelly Boyd’s life revolved around her husband and six grown children. She wasn’t interested in vacations, cruises and trips to exotic places because spending time with her family provided all the fun and relaxation she needed. Almost achieving her childhood goals, all she’d wanted in life was to have her own home, a husband who loved her, and a nice family like the one she came from, but with lots of children.
The excitement and anticipation of the weekends made the stress of her job and the discontent in her personal life recede. Simmering away in the back of her subconscious was a seed of non-specific unease that grew and festered if she gave it too much of her attention. The apprehension didn’t seem to have a source she could pinpoint. A common occurrence for her, she thought it was simply due to her age, and women’s intuition instigating worry with no foundation.
Routine was essential for her wellbeing. After a week of grueling hospital work as a nurse, Kelly spent each Friday night cleaning house so the weekend would be free for family dinners and outings. While she cleaned, she’d talk on the phone to her twin sister with reruns of Hoarders on the television as background noise. Steve, her husband of over forty years, sequestered in his basement man-cave watching sports events on a ninety-inch flat screen, was oblivious to whatever Kelly was up to until he heard the vacuum running.
Sticking rigorously to her schedule no matter what; her husband, Steve once joked that he could be having a heart attack on the floor, and Kelly would finish whatever task she was doing before she’d stop to call 911.
“That’s not even funny,” she replied the first time he said it, frowning, but he wouldn’t relent.
On this particular Friday, the weather was warm; the last days of Indian summer in progress, and in honor of the beautiful evening she’d left the front door open, locking the storm door. While mopping the floors, she heard a car pull up in front of the house.
“Hold on for a minute,” she told her sister.
Going to the door, she saw a Yellow Cab that had stopped directly in front of the house. A tall, thin man got out of the back and leaned through the window to chat with the driver. Kelly saw him reach into his pocket to retrieve paper money, watching as he counted out bills, handing them through the window. The driver drove off, and it wasn’t until then that Kelly realized the man was headed to her house.
“Beaver, come,” she called to the dog in a low voice.
Their shepherd – boxer mix obediently came to her side and gave a low growl as he watched the man walk up the steps. Wishing the TV wasn’t on so loud; if she needed to yell for Steve, he’d never hear her. She stood with the mop handle in her hand and the young man came up the steps, smiling. Attractive, clean cut, and possibly Asian, she thought if he’s going to attack me, he’d bust through the door right away, but the dog would get him.
“Hi, I’m sorry to show up at this hour. Is Augustus Boyd here?” he said loud enough to be heard through the glass.
It was uncommon for someone to come to their house late, and never for her husband. Kelly hesitated, wondering if she should at least ask his name, or why he wanted to speak to Steve, but decided against it; she’d let Steve handle it.
“I’ll get him. Wait here just a moment.”
The young man nodded his head, and Kelly, on a whim, shut the big door and locked it, putting her mop handle against the wall, moving quickly to the basement landing. She opened the door and ran down the steps. Steve looked up when she entered his den.
“What’s up?”
“There’s a man at the door asking for Augustus.”
“Did he give a name?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I was standing there with the door wide open cleaning when the cab let him out, and all I thought of was how quickly I could get the door shut without offending him.”
Steve got out of his recliner and followed her up the stairs.
“Who’d come here in a cab?” he said, his lips set in a line.
“I have no idea.” Kelly stepped aside so Steve could get to the door.
Steve opened the door and the young man smiled at him. They watched each other, looking into each other’s eyes.
“Can I help you?” Steve asked, his heart pounding.
Not a deep thinker, something told Steve this man would alter the course of his life.
Author Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Suspense
Website: Suzanne Jenkins
Author's Blog: Suzanne Jenkins
Twitter: @suzannejenkins3
E-Mail: suzannejenkinswriter@gmail.com
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Author Description: Get Suzanne's newsletter and never miss a new release! Receive a FREE Pam of Babylon short story by signing up at http://suzannejenkins.com
Suzanne's Gift to You! DOWNLOAD FREE and Bargain EBOOKS Start the first installment of Suzanne's bestselling series, Pam of Babylon FREE! Download Today - The Greeks of Beaubien Street 99 Cents (Greektown Detroit Detective Stories), and Burn District: The Prequel.
Her anthology of romance titles with eleven other authors, A TOUCH OF PASSION, has just become the 2016 WINNER of The Romance Reviews Readers' Choice Awards.
Suzanne writes page-turning contemporary romance, mystery, and women's fiction with passionately gripping characters that stay with readers long after they turn the last page. The Detroit Detective Stories, beginning with The Greeks of Beaubien Street are a reflection of American fantasy with historical reality. Pam of Babylon books consistently rank in the Top 100 Best Sellers in American Drama with over 500,000 downloads.
Suzanne's stand alone novels include Someone Like You, the Family/LGBT themed Alice's Summertime Adventure, suspenseful The Savant of Chelsea, Slow Dancing, The Liberation of Ravenna Morton and Perfect for Him, her latest romance story. "Bring the tissues," readers say.
Burn District, Jenkins new sci/fi series, follows an American family as they flee from political insanity to save their lives in the Arizona Desert.
Her short story, Vapor appeared in Willow Review, Spring 2013.
A retired operating room nurse, Jenkins divides her time between the west Michigan lakeshore, the Brandywine River Valley, and the mountains of Southern California, traveling across country with her husband, Jim and dog Oscar in an RV, to visit their children and grandchilden on different coasts.
Author's Book List
Second Chance
- Pam of Babylon #15Just when life settles down to a dull roar for those people whom Pam holds closest to her heart, the pendulum swings in the opposite direction and everyone is tossed into the air. Who will they hold on to as they fall back to earth?
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Pam's Adventures in Babylon
- Pam of Babylon Book #14Life at the beach takes on a new twist as Pam embraces the children Jack left behind. The triad of Lisa, Allison, and Ryan grows closer, then further apart when Ryan’s lust gets out of control. Even the reappearance of someone from Ryan’s past isn’t enough to keep him in check.
The rest of the players cope with life as each drama is thrown their way. Discover what Dan and Julie, Cara and Roger, Sandra and Tim, Gladys and Ed, Ted and Jeanie, the Great Neck Gang, Claire Maddox, and the rest are up to. #15 brewing!
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Meet Me at the Beach
- Pam of Babylon Book #13Disappointments and challenges surprise Pam, but when one door closes, another always opens for her. Romance swirls around as friends and neighbors learn that perfect someone is right down the beach. A wedding shakes things up; a discovery is made during the honeymoon, and a love triangle is formed when Lisa opens her heart again. Things seem to be on the right path finally, but as usual, a secret of Jack’s is exposed, shaking it up once again.
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South Shore Romance
- Pam of Babylon Book #12At last, with everything aligned perfectly, and her family occupied, Pam finds romance, love, excitement and joy with Senator Charlie Monroe and his rescued Greyhound, Margaret. But swirling around her are the antics of Dan and Julie and their exciting but exasperating relationship, the elders living a riotous life jet-setting between Babylon, Great Neck, and Florida, Alison and Diana spending more and more time with Miranda, Lisa and Ryan Maddox discovering bonds they never thought possible, Sandra finding true love, and last but not least, Sister Mary Joseph, settling in to a life of comfort and privilege at the beach. What could possibly go wrong?
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Beach Spirits
- Pam of Babylon Book #11The cycle of drama continues with lows to fabulous highs and back to lows again. Pam of Babylon, the well loved series, continues with Book #11. After a horrifying start, Sandra is the only character who seems to be in control, but that might be a smokescreen. Pam starts out on shaky ground, but soars to new heights! Lisa and Cara add zest to their romance, a few new men come on the scene, and an observer notes they are all just one, big happy family.
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I'll Always Love You
- Pam of Babylon Book # 10The women; Bernice, Nelda, Pam, Lisa, Violet, Cara and little Miranda rise up in power in this tale of triumph and love. Pam helps Miranda face a lifetime battle, as Alison finds her footing in her later father's family.
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Save the Date
- Pam of Babylon Book 9Pam and John set their wedding date while Sandra and Dan Chua move in together, Grandmothers Bernice and Nelda fall in love, not with each other, Lisa and Cara meet new men, and Jack becomes a distant memory. Hopefully, he'll stay that way.
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Soulmates
Pam faces new challenges with glamour and poise, while Sandra doesn't disappoint, and Lisa discovers new strengths. Nelda reveals secrets which explain Pam's personality. "Women's fiction with a touch of noir."
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In Memoriam
- Pam of Babylon Book #7In Memoriam begins with the birth of a baby boy to Pam’s former boyfriend, Dan and daughter, Lisa as the journey of Pam of Babylon continues in this seventh volume. Still reeling from the death of her beloved son Brent, Pam endures life at the beach with remarkable strength.
Sandra tries to balance several versions of her life while striving to be part of the Smith legacy.
Lisa rises above circumstances that would destroy most, with determination.
But don't be too impressed; history does have a way of repeating itself.
Readers love the Pam of Babylon Series, including Pam of Babylon, Don’t You Forget About Me, Dream Lover, Prayers for the Dying and Family Dynamics. After Jack Smith dies, Pam and his two lovers discover secrets and lies, and each other.
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The Tao of Pam
- Pam of Babylon Book SixA beautiful life at the beach is marred by secrets and lies as the legacy of Jack Smith's debauchery continues to haunt his widow, Pam. The Tao of Pam finds Pam at a crossroad which will take her to the next phase of her life. Her children, Brent and Lisa move on, dealing with their own life choices, as one by one, they all come down off their pedestals. The Tao of Pam prepares fans of the Pam of Babylon series for Book Seven....In Memoriam.
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Family Dynamics
- Pam of Babylon Book FiveHeartbreak and devastation move toward triumph in the fifth installation of the Pam of Babylon stories. Pam is at last able to overcome the pain of Jack's rejection, and her own role in perpetuating his deviance, when she meets Dan and falls in love. Her children move on with their lives in ways Pam would have never believed possible. Sandra fulfills her dreams with Tom, and a gift from Marie helps to complete their life together. Ashton and Ted build a beautiful life, and new discoveries make it richer than they thought possible, but with a twist. But don't be deceived; what you see is not what you may get.
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Prayers for the Dying
- Pam of Babylon Book FourBook Four in the Pam of Babylon Series, Prayers for the Dying exposes more of what Kirkus Review said about Dream Lover, "A gritty, realistic portrait of the aftermath of deceit." Jack Smith's victims attempt to move forward while grappling with the pain and horror that he left behind. Pam makes a few startling revelations about herself, while Sandra hopes for a future with exciting expectations. Marie is in a most unlikely place, with the happiest news in the bleakest circumstances. Ashton's story of a lifetime love affair with Jack is finally told, with his heartache revealed. Family Dynamics, Book Five follows.
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Dream Lover
- Pam of Babylon Book ThreeDream Lover is Book Three of the Pam of Babylon Series, followed by Prayers for the Dying and Family Dynamics. Dream Lover is a compilation of character studies of the women and one man who Jack Smith left behind. Slowly, they make their way to the Long Island village of Babylon for an audience with his widow. No longer in denial and stronger than she thought possible, Pam Smith is able to confront the horror of her marriage in its totality as she draws a new picture of the man she was married to. The new discoveries she makes empowers her and she is able to maintain her strength and the grace and compassion she's known for. Truly a formidable woman, Pam conquers her worst demons in Dream Lover. Kirkus Review calls Dream Lover "A gritty, realistic portrait of the aftermath of deceit."
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Don't You Forget About Me
- Pam of Babylon Book TwoWhen charming, seemingly devoted Jack Smith dies, his wife and his two girlfriends are astonished to learn that they were not the only love of his life, and that, in fact, Jack was a rogue who was carrying on secret existences with other women. Shattered by grief and stunned by Jack's betrayals, these three women, Pam Smith, Marie Fabian, and Sandra Benson, find themselves suddenly thrown together. They could have despised one another, jealously guarding their private memories of their time with Jack and hating those they perceived to be their rivals, but instead, the women begin to realize there might be strength in numbers and in shared pain. Slowly, they begin to open their hearts to one another. They bind together to try to make sense of their lives and to try to heal the terrible shock.
But the more they learn about Jack and his nefarious past, the more they begin to question everything they thought they ever knew about him. Not only did Jack carelessly cheat on each of them, without thought to the harm he was causing, but the women are stunned to discover a secret of Jack that he never revealed.
As the women try to piece together the real life story of Jack, they begin to deal with their own lives differently, as well. They must deal with Jack's heartbroken mother, who knew nothing about her son's clandestine dealings in life. The tragedy also takes a toll on their working lives, and most of all it takes a toll on them, robbing them of sleep, hope, and even dreams. But with a sense of shared sisterhood, a little laughter, and a whole lot of determination, these brave women forge brave new lives that are full of promise.
The novel probes the difficulties in thinking that we can ever really know a person, even a loved one. All the women in Don't You Forget About Me wonder if they had been really and truly loved by Jack, or if he had simply played them for fools. They question their own blindness to his faults and how they allowed themselves to believe that they might have had it all, when what they had was really more of a dream. The book investigates modern social problems with grace and warmth. Infidelity, it uncovers, can do more than break hearts. In showing some of the worst things that can happen in relationships,it also teases us to imagine the best, a world in which loyalty, devotion and fidelity are prized. As the characters grow and change, they have the possibility for those things.
Don't You Forget About Me is a tale of love lost and then found again. A sequel to Pam of Babylon, Don't You Forget About Me can also be read all on its own. You will not like this book if many characters and lot of twists and turns is not your cup of tea.
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Pam of Babylon
Warning! This book contains themes of sexual abuse and infidelity.
For Long Islander Pam Smith, keeping house and staying beautiful dominate her daily routine as she awaits the return of her husband, Jack, every Friday evening. When he suffers a fatal heart attack on the train home from Manhattan, Pam's exquisitely arranged life is catapulted into turmoil as she is forced to face the realization that her marriage is nothing more than a black hole plagued with cruel infidelity, abuse, and sexual deviance. Witness Pam as she graciously and gracefully accepts the foul world her husband's "other life" forces on her previously immaculate existence. Come along for the ride of your life as you ask yourself this one question. How well do I know my husband? Kirkus Review says of Pam of Babylon, "An intriguing first novel that revolves around a husband's death and hidden secrets…consistently interesting, this psychological novel contains some mystery and moves along quickly for a non-thriller." Of Don't You Forget About Me, "An exciting, surprising story that leaves the reader hungry for the next book."
And of Dream Lover, the third in the series, "A gritty, realistic portrait of the aftermath of deceit."
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A Greektown Wedding
- Detroit Detective Stories Book #4After Christmas was finally over, the family could focus on other things, like love! The jam-packed fourth volume of the Greektown Stories Saga, A Greektown Wedding takes you on the emotional roller coaster the other books introduced you to as the Zannos's have another family dinner in Greektown, but this time with a wedding.
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Christmas in Greektown
- Greektown Stories Book # 3As Christmastime approaches, the family prepares for another get-together in Greektown. Relationships blossom and some end during the hardest time of the year. But as Jill and others discover, when one door closes, another opens, often with more wonderful opportunities.
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The Princess of Greektown
- The Greektown TrilogyThirty years ago, Terry Smith was Detroit’s top news anchor. She set the standard for excellence in investigative journalism, staying at the news desk long after her time should have been over. Just as Terry’s son-in-law is murdered in the city, Detective Jill Zannos faces upheaval in her own life. A new man, family intrigue and the dregs of the last case she investigated becomes the lowest priority as she and her partner Albert untangle the mess of Terry Smith and her family.
Jill’s father, Gus is ready to begin living again, no longer smothered by secrets. His sister, Sophie makes a life changing decision and the family is powerless to help her. Peter’s wife, Joan hurries to make restitution for mistakes from the past. The rest of the family deal with the aftermath of choices they made as everyone returns to Greektown to celebrate Thanksgiving. Jill makes a chilling discovery soon after.
The Princess of Greektown is the story of an American family coming to terms with the legacy their ancestors left behind while dealing with their own complex lives.
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The Greeks of Beaubien Street
Warning: this novel contains a graphic depiction of rape.
The Greeks of Beaubien Street is the first book in The Greektown Stories. The Princess of Greektown continues where Beaubien Street leaves you. Nestled below the skyline of Detroit you'll find Greektown, a few short blocks of colorful bliss, warm people and Greek food. In spite of growing up immersed in the safety of her family and their rich culture, Jill Zannos doesn't fit in. A Detroit homicide detective, she manages to keep one foot planted firmly in the traditions started by her grandparents, while the other navigates the most devastated neighborhoods in the city she can't help but love. She is a no nonsense workaholic with no girlfriends, an odd boyfriend who refuses to grow up, and an uncanny intuition, inherited from her mystic grandmother that acts as her secret weapon to crime solving success. Her story winds around tales of her family and their secret laden history, while she investigates the most despicable murder of her career.
The Greeks of Beaubien Street is a modern tale of a family grounded in old world, sometimes archaic, tradition as they seek acceptance in American society. They could be any nationality, but they are Greek.
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Perfect for Him
Two years after her husband, Jason makes a late night-discovery, Harley Jones finds out she’s dying, with the reality of leaving him and their four daughters behind. As obsession with what will become of her family overwhelms the little time she has left, and another woman sets her sights on Jason, Harley’s sister-in-law, Bea comes up with an idea that might solve Harley’s problems.
Perfect for Him is a tale of two lovers whose lifetime romance sustains them, as an unwanted ending looms in the near future. Pathos and heartbreak intermingle with expectation and the comedy that only a close-knit family can generate. At the end, joy and hope reign, thanks to Harley’s unselfish love.
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Gracefully, Like a Living Thing
- The Sequel to The Savant of ChelseaA continuation of the haunting story of Alexandra and the aftermath of a midnight run to the Thirty-Fourth Street Subway Station. Who covers for her, and who will expose her? Psychological suspense abounds as world renown brain surgeon Alexandra Donicka is surrounded by faithful supporters from every walk of life when the death of her daughter is investigated. in the process she grapples with long-hidden emotions in an attempt to discover her own humanity. One facet of her life remains the same; the longing for what was left behind, until an unexpected surprise changes her outlook on everything.
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Burn District 1
Laura and Mike Davis build an idyllic life with their four children, friends and family nearby in the beautiful Brandywine River Valley. Dreams and goals come to an abrupt end soon after Hurricane Sandy hits the east coast. Discovered in wood soaked by seawater, a virus thought to have the potential to decimate the population becomes the excuse to relocate thousands of citizens from beach towns. Fire is the only known way to eradicate the virus.
Rumors spread that napalm is used to burn without evacuating the people. A neighbor warns Laura and Mike that their town is next as the destruction moves inland. Is it a drastic way to halt the spread of disease, or is there another catalyst?
Burn District will be a serialized novel with releases approximately every four to six weeks.
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The Liberation of Ravenna Morton
Ravenna Morton is a Native American woman living a very old-fashioned life in a primitive cabin at the edge of the Kalamazoo River. Facing modern problems when her lifelong romance with a Greek artist is closely examined by their children after a child she gave up for adoption dies, The Liberation of Ravenna Morton captures the small-town dynamic of a family's private secrets being exposed to the world. A poignant look at the melding of two Americanized cultures observed under a microscope.
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Someone Like You
Life gets in the way as upstate NY sisters, Marley and Abigail cling to each other and their young children. But a babysitter introduces them both to Jay Malik, a medical student from India who becomes their lifeline to happiness, forgiveness and healing. "Another tear-jerker from Jenkins. Have the tissue ready."
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Alice's Summertime Adventure
We meet Alice Bradshaw when she is at a crossroad. She's just beaten cancer and is suddenly unsure of what her next move should be. Looking back on where she's been and what the future may hold, she knows she needs to make a big change in her life. Then her car dies on the highway after an argument with her daughter. Dave, a stranger on a motorcycle, pulls along side her and saves the day. He offers Alice a chance at adventure. She jumps on it, much to the dismay of her children. The adventure starts a chain of events that will have Alice and her children, as well as Dave questioning every aspect of their lives. There will be a few casualties along the way, a lot of anger, life changes and a few shocking surprises. Alice's Summertime Adventure is the story of an average American family as they struggle with dilemmas we all have, and making choices that aren't for everyone.
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The Savant of Chelsea
In the French Quarter of New Orleans, the birth of a baby to a mentally ill woman marks the beginning of life for The Savant of Chelsea. An abusive childhood segues to the operating rooms of the largest medical center in New York as a gifted but unbalanced brain surgeon waits for just the right time to redeem her past. In the end, she takes matters into her own hands. The reader will decide what happens after the climax.
Contains explicit sexual themes.
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