Murder, romance, and the discovery of the true nature of her high-powered patron disrupt the life of a sheltered courtesan.
Set in an alternate history world in which women have no rights, Blood and Veil tells the story of beautiful, cultured Gabrielle, who lives and works at a house of courtesans. After uncovering evidence that her patron has committed murder, she plots to bring him down by allying herself with a secret society of wives who will use any means to avenge the wrongs against them.
A 'must read' - Amazon reviewer
'Fans of sci-fi mysteries and strong female characters should snap up this psychological page-turner.' -Publishers Weekly
Two women thousands of miles apart. One a scientist stranded on an island with an untrustworthy male colleague and a hostile alien stalking them. The other—a thief wrongfully imprisoned for murder—lives in fear of assault by a corrupt prison guard. Neither can overcome the invaders that threaten their survival without solving the mystery of the link that binds them.
“A short, briskly paced novel that's full of entertaining plot twists.' -Kirkus Reviews
A gripping new time travel mystery - Book Three of the BEFORE series.
In Book Two (Before She Was Taken), Rebecca Danser went back in time to seek her younger sister, who disappeared when they were children.
'Amazing… I greatly recommend it. I can't wait to continue with the series.' -Bookshelf Adventures (Before She Was Taken)
Still troubled by the growing sense that she should be using her unique ability to save others who have gone missing, Rebecca becomes obsessed by the case of an African-American boy who vanished one year ago.
'Mystery fans will love this plot device, which takes a straightforward whodunit to an otherworldly level.' -The BookLife Prize
Frustrated that police and media have made little effort to find 13-year-old Ethan Pitt or publicize his disappearance, she jumps back in time to discover what really happened. Though she struggles to trace his movements, her motivation increases the more she learns about this bright, resourceful child, forced to grow up fast after his widowed mother lost her job and became injured in a car crash.
“I loved this new tale in the Before series.” -Bookshelf Adventures
Rebecca places her past and present lives at great risk as she narrows down the suspects and infiltrates the lair of the ruthless manipulator most likely responsible for Ethan's vanishing.
(Previously published as Before the Killing by Marjory Kaptanoglu)
A time-travel tale of love and murder…
In 1973, 19-year-old Cassie returns to her home town in coastal Massachusetts after her first year away at college. The next day, her boyfriend, Julian, is implicated in a brutal killing.
“Once I started I couldn’t put it down!” -Bookshelf Adventures
Seven years later, a freak occurrence gives Cassie a unique time-traveling ability. She can cast her consciousness back to a younger version of herself, allowing her to re-live that earlier time with the benefit of foreknowledge.
'A cleverly plotted fantasy thriller with a strong cast of characters.' -The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Cassie, who has never gotten over her feelings for Julian, asks herself the question, what if he was innocent? Now she has a way to go back in time and witness what actually happened.
“Mystery fans will love this plot device, which takes a straightforward whodunit to an otherworldly level.' -The BookLife Prize
In witnessing the truth, she inadvertently reveals herself to the killer, who begins to pursue her in past and present both. With no evidence beyond what she’s seen during time travel, how can she hope to bring the killer to justice before she becomes the next victim?
Margie Benedict's 'prose is crisp and purposeful, charged with feeling, and always attuned to what will engage readers in each moment.' (The BookLife Prize)
(Previously published as Before She Was Taken by Marjory Kaptanoglu)
A time-travel tale of abduction and redemption...
What happened to Sadie? This question has plagued 25-year-old Rebecca Danser for 19 years.
Imagine if at the age of six, you had ditched your four-year-old sister to go play with your friend… and then you never saw her again.
'Amazing… I greatly recommend it. I can't wait to continue with the series.' -Bookshelf Adventures
In the intervening years, now living in Silicon Valley, Rebecca has made a mess of her life. She hates her job, has no career prospects, and has never had a successful relationship unless you count sex with a relative stranger during her time jumps into the past.
“Mystery fans will love this plot device, which takes a straightforward whodunit to an otherworldly level.' -The BookLife Prize
But soon she realizes this strange ability she recently gained, allowing her to cast her consciousness back into a younger version of herself, can be used to discover who took Sadie that fateful day.
Benedict's 'prose is crisp and purposeful, charged with feeling, and always attuned to what will engage readers in each moment.' -The BookLife Prize
She must travel back in time to witness the event with her 6-year-old eyes.
What she learns leads her into a remote forest in the Sierra Mountains… where the monster responsible for the destruction of her family lies in wait for her.
(Previously published as The Conjurer Fellstone Trilogy, by Marjory Kaptanoglu)
“Excellent!” -Kirkus Reviews
When a dangerous conjurer has her father killed, locksmith’s apprentice Tessa and her companions embark on a perilous quest to bring him back to life…
'For those who enjoyed Harry Potter but who seek a feisty, determined female protagonist.' -Midwest Book Review
Tessa, who blames herself for actions that led to her father’s murder, must race against time to steal the conjurer’s most treasured magical artifact—the Dreadmarrow—to restore Papa’s life.
“Stellar!” -SPR Book Awards
While helping Tessa, her companions conceal their own secret motivations for infiltrating the conjurer’s castle. Ash hopes to avenge his brother’s death at the hands of Fellstone’s apprentice, and Calder seeks his long-lost love who has mysteriously disappeared since she became the conjurer’s wife.
“A gripping fantasy adventure, highly recommended.” -Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Tessa can shapeshift into a sparrow using a magical amulet, Ash wields a sword like no other, and Calder carries a bag of tricks that provide defense against a variety of prickly situations.
'A work of classic fantasy.' -The BookLife Prize
But are their combined skills any match for the creatures of the Cursed Wood, the boarmen, the wraiths, and the fiendish conjurer's own insurmountable magic?
Margie Benedict's 'prose is crisp and purposeful, charged with feeling, and always attuned to what will engage readers in each moment.' (The BookLife Prize)
(Previously published as Dreadmarrow Thief, Book One of The Conjurer Fellstone Trilogy, by Marjory Kaptanoglu)
“Excellent!” -Kirkus Reviews
When a dangerous conjurer has her father killed, locksmith’s apprentice Tessa and her companions embark on a perilous quest to bring him back to life…
'For those who enjoyed Harry Potter but who seek a feisty, determined female protagonist.' -Midwest Book Review
Tessa, who blames herself for actions that led to her father’s murder, must race against time to steal the conjurer’s most treasured magical artifact—the Dreadmarrow—to restore Papa’s life.
“Stellar!” -SPR Book Awards
While helping Tessa, her companions conceal their own secret motivations for infiltrating the conjurer’s castle. Ash hopes to avenge his brother’s death at the hands of Fellstone’s apprentice, and Calder seeks his long-lost love who has mysteriously disappeared since she became the conjurer’s wife.
“A gripping fantasy adventure, highly recommended.” -Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Tessa can shapeshift into a sparrow using a magical amulet, Ash wields a sword like no other, and Calder carries a bag of tricks that provide defense against a variety of prickly situations.
'A work of classic fantasy.' -The BookLife Prize
But are their combined skills any match for the creatures of the Cursed Wood, the boarmen, the wraiths, and the fiendish conjurer's own insurmountable magic?
Margie Benedict's 'prose is crisp and purposeful, charged with feeling, and always attuned to what will engage readers in each moment.' (The BookLife Prize)
(Previously published as Gravenwood, Book Two of The Conjurer Fellstone Trilogy, by Marjory Kaptanoglu)
“Grounded, likable characters with complex emotions anchor this excellent series installment.” -Kirkus Reviews
Tessa (the shapeshifter), Ash (the swordsman), and Calder (the trickster) reunite for a potentially deadly new adventure in Book Two of the award-winning Thieves of Magic series that began with Dreadmarrow and ends with Kingshackle.
“Full-bodied, engrossing, and hard to put down.' -Midwest Book Review
Desperate to cure her mother of the delusion that she’s a bird, Tessa appeals to the conjurer lord in neighboring Blackgrove. Everything goes wrong, however, when he takes Calder hostage and refuses to help until Tessa and Ash bring him the Gravenwood. They set out to steal this magical tablet while romance blossoms between them.
“(Benedict) plots shrewdly, nesting quests within quests and mysteries within mysteries, keeping the story exciting while still finding time to lay bare the hearts of her heroes. She's especially good at setting up puzzles whose solutions, once sprung on the readers, prove delightful.” -The BookLife Prize
But none of them may survive the treachery of the rising despot — unless Tessa can conquer her inner doubts and unlock the secret to becoming a true conjurer.
“A strongly-plotted fantasy adventure packed full of charismatic characters. A finalist and highly recommended to young adults.” -The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
(Previously published as Kingshackle, Book Three of The Conjurer Fellstone Trilogy, by Marjory Kaptanoglu)
“An exciting, inventive finale.” -Kirkus Reviews
Tessa (the shapeshifter), Ash (the swordsman), and Calder (the trickster) reunite for the heart-stopping conclusion of the award-winning Thieves of Magic series that began with Dreadmarrow and continued with Gravenwood.
Quarterfinalist for the 2020 BookLife Prize run by Publishers Weekly
Ash is missing and must be found. Confounding the matter, the Conjurer King Slayert launches an attack against the remaining free cities. Saving the world falls to our three heroes, who reunite to steal Slayert’s own crown, called the Kingshackle—a magical artifact that makes him invincible.
'A powerful and fitting conclusion to the series... Very highly recommended.' -Midwest Book Review
But their success depends on Tessa winning the King’s Challenge, the ultimate test of her intelligence, valor, and heart.
'(Benedict's) masterful pacing makes her novel a quick read. The story takes readers through a bevy of betrayals, startling deaths, and exhilarating action…” -Kirkus Reviews
