Brewing (Dis)trust

Trust Series Book 1

by D.L. O'Neil
Paramedic watching firetruck leave station
Part of the Trust Series series:
  • Brewing (Dis)trust

JC Washington is laser focused on the debut of her new, all-natural energy drink. !ZING’s success will free her from her father’s unreasonable expectations. Abby Martin is running from her past, determined not to let anyone get too close. Those close to her always got hurt. When JC and Abby’s paths cross in a small northern California community neither is sure they can trust the other. Facing a series of unexplained incidents threatening to disrupt their lives, both women realize they need to trust someone. But who? Can that question be answered before anyone gets seriously hurt?

Published:
Editors:
Allison Behrens
Genres:
contemporary, family drama, fiction, lgbtq, mystery
Tags:
bartender, entrepreneur, lesbian, paramedic/fire fighter
Excerpt:

JC didn’t speak to her father for four years after admitting to him she quit college. The day she declared her independence from Cole Washington’s empire and all the things it stood for. Everything JC did since that day declared her liberation from the family business. Even though she now spoke with her father, their business separation remained. JC wanted none of his world.

She shook her head, bringing herself back to the present. JC tried hard not to forget about that time in her life. It embarrassed her to think of things she’d done. How she’d treated others in pursuit of her father’s approval while growing up. The ways she’d chosen to get ahead. Every day JC awoke determined to live a life that made up for all of that. And to prove to her father that there were paths to being a winner that did not have to come at someone else’s expense.

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Footsteps drew her attention as Dre emerged from the warehouse. JC stared, arching an eyebrow and stifling a laugh. Dre’s cargo shorts and tee were covered in brownish-black goo. It was splashed on her face and in her neatly combed black hair, making it appear she’d fallen into a mud pit. “Do I even want to ask?” JC queried, struggling to keep the smile from her face.

COLLAPSE

Concussion and Contentment

A Vivian Chastain Novel

by Liz Faraim

Vivian, an adrenaline junkie and U.S. Army veteran, goes about her life as a bartender, avid runner, and polyamorous lesbian. Her life in Sacramento, California, is going well until she is blindsided by unforeseen financial issues that lead her to consider a new career.

In an attempt to recharge and take a break, Vivian goes on a motorcycle trip with her best friend, Bear, but the adventure does not turn out to be the carefree break Vivian had hoped for. She returns to Sacramento where her partner, Ang, tries to push her down rather than help her pick up the pieces. Meanwhile, Vivian takes big steps with her other partner, Audre.

Vivian has an epiphany about what line of work she wants to pursue. As things start to stabilize, one of Vivian’s partners commits an act of grave violence, resulting in life-changing consequences for all concerned.

Surrounded by friends, Vivian turns over a new leaf and finally finds the contentment she has sought for a lifetime.

Published:
Publisher: NineStar Press (https://ninestarpress.com)
Editors:
Elizabeth Coldwell
Cover Artists:
Natasha Snow
Genres:
action-adventure, contemporary, lgbtq
Tags:
bartender, college graduate, contemporary
Reviews:Maryann Kafka on Goodreads wrote:

This is the third book in “A Vivian Chastain Novel” series and Liz Faraim has done an outstanding job with this one. It’s very powerful with various emotions that Vivian deals with while on search to “just be” and find contentment in her life. Faraim opens up so much more of Vivian’s soul, with the support of so many important characters. The novel explains aspects of the polymerous relationship but it is by no means sexually explicit. It’s very low heat and romantic, as Vivian has her issues to work through before she can find her place and contentment.

Faraim also does spectacular with describing Vivians colorful journey from the ocean to mountains in all types weather and terrain. It shows Vivain’s determination and fears as she travels alone to find what she’s searching for.


Stitches and Sepsis

A Vivian Chastain Novel

by Liz Faraim

Adrenaline addicted veteran, Vivian Chastain, confronts the man who has been following her for days, only to find he has a message of dire consequence for her. Spurred into action by his news, she barrels head on into a tumultuous and violent series of events. Stoic and stubborn as always, Vivian lands in the hospital, fighting for her life.

During Vivian’s lengthy recovery, her partner is released from jail and the two reconnect, stoking up the flames of their toxic union all while Vivian dives into a blossoming relationship with a new love interest who offers fulfillment and love, if only Vivian can figure out how to allow it all in.

Vivian learns that the coast is not clear as former threats return and continue to endanger her. While she cannot rest easy; friends, her work crew, and customers at the night club where she tends bar provide her with much needed fun, comradery, and support.

Vivian wrestles with her temper, her penchant for physical violence, and her overwhelming emotional baggage. Struggles from within and without threaten her existence, and in the moment when death is just a breath away, Vivian’s brother shows up and changes everything.

Published:
Publisher: NineStar Press (https://ninestarpress.com)
Editors:
Elizabeth Coldwell
Cover Artists:
Natasha Snow
Narrators:
Nastasia Marquez
Genres:
action-adventure, contemporary, lgbtq
Tags:
bartender, college graduate, contemporary
Reviews:Earl Wynn on Amazon wrote:

The first book was amazing, and the second book is just as good, but it's also pulse pounding. I was addicted, reading 80+ pages per day while running full speed on the elliptical. The hits kept coming and I kept reading just to find out what was going to happen to Vivian next. Amazing stuff! Starting the next book now!


Canopy

A Vivian Chastain Novel

by Liz Faraim

Vivian Chastain is an adrenaline-addicted veteran transitioning to civilian life in Sacramento, California. She settles into a new routine while she finishes up college and works as a bartender, covering up her intense anxiety with fake bravado and swagger. All Vivian wants is peace and quiet, but her whole trajectory changes when she stumbles upon a heinous crime in progress and has to fight for her life to get away.

While recovering from the fight, she falls in love with someone who is tall in stature but short on emotional intelligence, and this toxic union provides Vivian the relationship that she thinks she needs. Given Vivian’s insecurities and traumatic past, she clings to the relationship even while it destroys her.

Vivian’s relationships are strained to their breaking points as she continues to seek balance. She turns to her best friend for support, only to be left empty-handed and alone until she finds comradery and care from the last person she would have thought.

Published:
Publisher: NineStar Press (https://ninestarpress.com)
Editors:
Elizabeth Coldwell
Cover Artists:
Natasha Snow
Narrators:
Nastasia Marquez
Genres:
contemporary, lgbtq
Tags:
bartender, college graduate, contemporary
Reviews:Earl Wynn on Amazon wrote:

I usually bounce between about six different books, reading them all at the same time, but Vivian's story grabbed me so hard and so viscerally that I literally put every other book I was reading aside so I could absolutely lose myself in the story. The genre isn't one I usually read, but holy heck, this book didn't let up and I couldn't put it down. This is the first book in a long time that I've sucked down by itself in less than a week and I am so drawn into the story that I bought the sequel and the third book AND bought copies for my little sister for Christmas. This is a rare gem. I could go on and on about it, honestly. I could go on and on about how the writing is so lush and crisp with detail that I felt like I was there, like I was Vivian, living through this stuff. Absolutely amazing.