Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Blackout (Sins of the Past Collection)
    Blackout (Sins of the Past Collection)
    Blackout (Sins of the Past Collection)
    Ebook138 pages2 hours

    Blackout (Sins of the Past Collection)

    By Lynette Eason

    4.5/5

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    A young woman once implicated in a robbery gone wrong finds herself at risk years later when the real culprit is up for parole. The loot taken that night has never been found and he believes she knows where it's hidden--only her memory of that night has always been unreliable. Can she remember enough to find her way to safety?
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBaker Publishing Group
    Release dateOct 4, 2016
    ISBN9781493403981
    Blackout (Sins of the Past Collection)
    Author

    Lynette Eason

    Lynette Eason lives in Simpsonville, SC with her husband and two children. She is an award-winning, best-selling author who spends her days writing when she's not traveling around the country teaching at writing conferences. Lynette enjoys visits to the mountains, hanging out with family and brainstorming stories with her fellow writers. You can visit Lynette's website to find out more at www.lynetteeason.com or like her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/lynette.eason

    Read more from Lynette Eason

    Related to Blackout (Sins of the Past Collection)

    Related ebooks

    Christian Fiction For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Gabriel & Holly

      Feb 8, 2021

      The first day was the most daunting. It helped that she’d arrived last night to settle herself in the cottage annexe before first contact this morning. Still, nerves attacked her as she stood before the door of the imposing but charming ivy-covered 1

      6 min read

    • Article

      The Woman In The Bay Window

      Feb 4, 2021

      The Woman In The Bay Window
      2 min read

    • Article

      O Fortuna, Velut Luna

      Sep 15, 2018

      What is Miss Treece’s trouble, according to a popular notion? The man A has failed to show up. Arousing herself at the restaurant, she fixes her lipstick when her solo supper concludes and takes herself down the stairs situated behind the bar. There,

      3 min read

    • Article

      Family Matters

      May 15, 2020

      Family Matters
      5 min read

    • Article

      Swans Don’t Always Sing

      Aug 5, 2021

      Swans Don’t Always Sing
      2 min read

    • Article

      The Education of Mrs. R.

      Sep 6, 2022

      An adolescent shriek woke her. Cockerels, she thought, cockerels, with a wry twist to the word. She lay in the dark listening. There was no use in covering her head; the screaming still came through. The soloist was suddenly submerged in the chorus.

      13 min read

    • Article

      The Space Between Us

      Oct 9, 2019

      The Space Between Us
      8 min read

    • Article

      Partners

      Sep 15, 2018

      Enter,” she says, and is obeyed. He’s taller than before, or perhaps he only seems taller now that he’s here, in the house. She walks behind him, moving toward the living room, and wonders if he might be too tall for her house. It soon dawns on her t

      8 min read

    • Article

      Rediscover THIS DAY

      Apr 1, 2021

      Rediscover THIS DAY
      4 min read

    • Article

      Not My Cat

      Aug 21, 2023

      The rise and fall of fur, sunlight rippling across his perfectly groomed coat – it’s enchanting, hard to look away. For 30 minutes, she’s watched the cat sleeping on three blankets, folded and piled on top of one another. She’s cold, but can’t bring

      6 min read

    • Article

      THE CYBER Saviour

      Feb 10, 2021

      THE CYBER Saviour
      3 min read

    • Article

      First Date

      Jul 9, 2020

      First Date
      5 min read

    • Article

      An Unspeakable Life

      Jan 10, 2022

      It was a perfect fall afternoon when Muriel found out she was pregnant. Tourists snatched up apple cider by the gallon at farm stands. Leaf peepers stood on the side of the road with their cameras aimed in all directions; wherever you looked, a quint

      12 min read

    • Article

      Freedom

      Aug 6, 2020

      Freedom
      7 min read

    • Article

      Rediscover This Day

      Mar 22, 2022

      Rediscover This Day
      4 min read

    • Article

      Summer Reads

      Dec 30, 2019

      Summer Reads
      7 min read

    • Article

      I’ll Burn You Alive

      Aug 19, 2021

      I’ll Burn You Alive
      5 min read

    • Article

      Tuesday

      Feb 10, 2022

      Tuesday, she made him a drink. He was seated in the armchair. It was 7:02 p.m. Dinner had been served at 6:00 p.m., after which the kitchen was so thoroughly cleanedthat not even a single crumb remained. He had not spoken to her during or after the m

      7 min read

    • Article

      Getting Up

      Oct 15, 2022

      Getting Up
      20 min read

    • Article

      A Gentle STIRRING

      Mar 13, 2024

      A Gentle STIRRING
      6 min read

    • Article

      Recapturing the Spark

      Sep 10, 2023

      “Hair straight or curly?” She asked this, standing in the doorway of their bathroom. The light shined from behind her, and for a moment, with one hand on her hip and the other resting on her bare breast, Christine looked like the statue of a Greek go

      13 min read

    • Article

      Let’s Play Dead

      Mar 3, 2020

      There was a man, let’s call him Henry VIII. There was his wife, let’s call her Anne B. Let’s give them a castle and make it nice. Let’s give her many boy babies but make them dead. Let’s give him a fussy way of being. Let’s make her smart and sneaky,

      17 min read

    • Article

      Begin Again

      Jun 14, 2022

      My grandfather came to live with me. There was nowhere else for him to go. What had happened to all his children? Death, decay, exile—I hardly know. My own parents died of pain. But I must not be too gloomy, at the beginning, or you will leave me, an

      6 min read

    • Article

      The heartbeat OF PARIS

      Apr 24, 2024

      The heartbeat OF PARIS
      9 min read

    • Article

      Human Contact

      Aug 10, 2022

      Beer tasted like wet money—or maybe just bad beer did. Viola had never tried any other kind. She preferred white wine, but there was no white wine at this party. “Drink it like medicine,” the guy manning the keg said. “It’ll loosen you up.” He wore a

      18 min read

    • Article

      The Real Monster

      May 2, 2024

      The Real Monster
      5 min read

    • Article

      A Little About Why

      Jun 1, 2023

      A Little About Why
      15 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Blackout (Sins of the Past Collection)

    4.5/5

    34 ratings9 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 4/5
      This is a collection of 3 novellas by 3 different authors. The theme of each story is romantic suspense. I've read Dee Henderson in the past but not the two other authors. I enjoyed each one.
    • 4/5
      Three suspense novellas in one book.Missing by Dee Henderson is the first novella in this book. John Graham, a Wyoming sheriff has come back home to Chicago because his mother Martha has come up missing. Her car is in its spot and her purse with all the contents is next to the front door. Martha lives in a retirement home. Is Martha the victim of foul play? Is so what could be the motive? Could it be someone John Graham arrested in the past has a grudge against John and wants revenge. Also I was wondering if maybe Martha had onset of dementia and lost her way. Lt. Sharon Noble helps John in his quest to find out what happened to his mother. The novella kept me engaged since I wanted to find out what happened to his mother. Of course you do eventually find out what happens but I shall not give too much of the story away. In the end a friendship develops between John and Sharon and is implied that it could develop into something more.This novella collection is due to be released on April 26, 2016. Thanks to Netgalley and Bethany House Publishers for allowing me to preview this book.Shadowed by Dani Pettrey is the second novella in this book. This novel is more of a prequel to his Alaska Courage series which consists of five books and deals with one family, the McKennas. This novella is about the parents Libby and Ben, how they met, the mystery they helped solved and their love story. It started out suspenseful with the discovery of a female corpse in the water. Libby was a competitive swimmer and recognized the victim as a member of the Russian team. As the story progressed it seem to drag some the main reason was too hard to keep up with all the characters. I had never read any of the Alaska Courage books so this novella did spark an interest in me reading the Alaska Courage books.The last novella was Blackout by Lynette Eason. It was by far the best. I knew it would be. I didn't start this late at night because I knew I could not stop until I finished and I was right. This book had me hooked from the first page. Lynette's books always get me hooked from the beginning. In this book Macey had gone through a traumatic experience a few years before. She has no memory of what happened but has nightmares of what happened to her. She is afraid to let anyone get close to her. She is afraid that anybody close to her will die. Eventually she has no choice but to trust Chad, her next door neighbor who is also a detective. I liked the way the love story developed in this novella. It did not feel rushed or anything since Chad has always hoped Macey would open up and talk more to him about her troubles.
    • 4/5
      Three compelling stories in one book, written by three authors I've read for some time. Dee Henderson is my favorite, her police procedural stories are so true to life. Dani Pettrey writes about the parents of the McKenna family, part of her Alaskan courage series which by the way is a great series. Lynette Eason pens the tale of a woman who has lost her memory and as they are slowly coming back she realizes someone is trying to keep her from remembering even if they have to kill her. There's plenty of suspense and light romance in each novella. I thoroughly enjoyed them. I received a copy of this book free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
    • 5/5
      This book gets off to a slow start to me. I like how Sarai is rescued from defilement by her half-brother, Abram, and the two are soon married. A curse was placed on Sarai that she would be barren. Abram his wife, Sarai and his family leave Ur because of the Elamites attacking. His brother Haran is killed and the family, except Nahor escape. Being lead by the promises if his God, Abram leads his family on a journey that he has no idea where he is going. They arrive in Egypt. Fearing for the lives, Abram lies to Pharaoh causing him to order a fleet of barges to take Abram and his large family to Tanis where they were to gather their servants and herds and leave Egypt. Sarai and Hagar. Hagar gives birth to a son. Abram's name changes to Abraham, exalted father. Sarai's name also was changed to Sarah, princess. Sarah gives birth to Isaac. The characters are intriguing. To have faith to leave all that you know and fell safe at, to go to some unknown place because God promised it to you is a life-altering faith and love. Pick up a copy today you will enjoy it. This is my first book by Roberta Kells Dorr. It is well written.I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House for my review.
    • 5/5
      Brilliant! Luv the fact that every time her stories are different! Fast paced action!
    • 5/5
      February is the month for love and romance, and when a story is paired with action-packed suspense, well, you really cannot go wrong. The 3-novella collection, Sins of The Past has all that and more — the wonderful writing of not 1, not 2, but 3!! of the best romantic suspense authors in Christian fiction. When you dive into this book you are in for a sweet treat! You get tough and determined heroines, hunky heroes with a soft side, and twists and turns that make the pages fly. The only down side? You’ll be done with this book in no time and be yearning for more!I loved that each novella was classic Henderson, Pettrey and Eason. In Missing, the reader returns to Chicago to solve the case of a missing mom. In Shadowed, the reader gets the low-down on the McKenna’s parents romantic beginning, as well as adrenaline-fueled suspense. And in Blackout, the reader will be on the edge of her seat trying to figure out just what the main characters are missing. Characters are easy to like, and the plots will keep you guessing. The common thread of a sin from the past that plagues the main characters is a clever way of linking the stories.So if you are looking for the perfect Valentine’s read, I highly recommend you pick up Sins of The Past. I loved it and I am betting you will too!Highly Recommended.Audience: adults.(Thanks to Bethany House for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
    • 5/5
      Title: Sins of the Past (Novella Collection)Author: Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey, Lynette EasonPages: 384Year: 2016Publisher: BethanyMy rating is 5+ stars.There are three stories each one written by an author listed above: Missing (Dee Henderson), Shadowed (Dani Pettrey), and Blackout (Lynette Eason). The stories are not tied together and be prepared for them to each totally engage you the moment reading them begins! In Missing a former Chicago police Officer returns from to help locate his mother who has been missing for hours without a clue! In Shadowed Libby is in Alaska for a competition swim when she meets Ben McKenna while on a whale sighting tour. However, not only do they sight whales but a body too and Libby knows the person! Finally in Blackout a woman who in her earlier life ran away to meet a boyfriend only to somehow become entangled in a murder and theft. The hard part is she has no memory of that fatal night and her life depends on remembering!Each of the stories was worth the wait for me though it was hard as I anticipated each author’s story telling ability to keep me turning pages till I finished the book! If you like suspense and surprise endings or thrills while figuring out how the culprit will be discovered then this collection is for you! The action, adventure and faith woven throughout the tales are exciting to say the least! You won’t soon forget the fun you had reading the book and I know I will eventually be rereading them sometime down through the years! I will also be sharing the book with friends or family who want to read good books, perhaps you will too!Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
    • 4/5
      A mother disappears from her Chicago home . . . a swimmer mysteriously dies in Alaska . . . a woman haunted by the things she cannot remember. These three suspenseful romantic novellas are short enough to read in one sitting, but well-written and filled with interesting characters. In “Missing,” police chief John Graham joins forces with Riverside police lieutenant Sharon Noble in a desperate search to locate his mother, who has vanished from her retirement community home. “Shadowed” spins a tale around the discovery of a competitive swimmer’s body that throws an Alaskan fisherman into dangerous waters.Macey Adams, haunted by nightmares and enigmatic flashes of memories that have eluded her for years, becomes the target of a killer in “Blackout.”A touch of romance, suspense-building plots, and an unexpected twist or two all work together to keep the pages turning. Swiftly pulling readers into each story, the building tension adds urgency to each tale. Readers will find much to enjoy in these unique tales.Highly recommended.
    • 5/5
      Sins of the PastDee Henderson, Dani Pettrey and Lynette EasonBook Summary: Three Novellas from Bestselling AuthorsIn Dee Henderson's "Missing," a Wyoming sheriff is called to Chicago when his elderly mother goes missing. Paired with a savvy Chicago cop, the two realize her disappearance is no accident, and a race against the clock begins.Dani Pettrey returns to Alaska with "Shadowed," introducing readers to the parents of her beloved McKenna clan. Adventure, romance, and danger collide when a young fisherman nets the body of an open-water swimming competitor who may actually be a possible Russian defector.Lynette Eason's "Blackout" delivers the story of a woman once implicated in a robbery gone wrong. The loot has never been found--but her memory of that night has always been unreliable. Can she remember enough to find her way to safety when the true culprit comes after her?Review: Great set of authors that come together for an equally great story from each of them!!!Missing - Intense beginning with an exciting adventure to find John’s mom. The speed of the story was fantastic! A lot happened in a the brief pages of this story. About two thirds of the way through the book his mom is found safe and sound. Than unravelling the mystery begins. From start to finish a great read and quite a fast one at that.Shadowed - A blast from the past. Well captured in this story! The year is 1979 and Libby and Ben, the parents of the McKenna clan are meeting for the first time. A bit of nostalgia, without having to wear the clothes or live through the time again - or perhaps for some the first time. Laying the ground work for the McKenna house and excitement of Alaska rolled into one. Blackout - Heart pounding and intense story. From the first line to the end this roller coast caps off the book with a true grand finally. The lead characters were flawed and realistic. Macey was not the straight arrow most lead characters are portrayed. Chad was a great lead with some shyness showing throughout. It was well written garnering sympathy for those who died and root for justice to be done. Loved Lilly and want to know when her mystery and romance will happen!I would like to thank Net Galley and Bethany House Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

    Book preview

    Blackout (Sins of the Past Collection) - Lynette Eason

    Cover

    ONE

    Macey Adams wished she could remember the sins that haunted her. Because if she could remember, then maybe she would be able to figure out who was trying to kill her—or drive her mad.

    She stood with her back against the wall, a butcher knife clutched in her right hand, facing the kitchen door. Could he get in? She’d locked the doors and checked the windows. Just like she did every night. Tremors wracked her slight frame, and she wished she’d thrown a coat on over her sweatshirt. Anger surged through her along with the adrenaline. It was two in the morning. She shouldn’t have to be worried about someone trying to get into her house.

    Her eyes landed on the windowsill above the sink, where she’d left her phone after talking to her sister almost four hours ago. A conversation that had brought on the nightmare that had awakened her. Or had it been the noise under her bedroom window that had interrupted her restless doze? She didn’t know. It didn’t matter.

    All that mattered was that she’d come into the kitchen to get her phone, and now it wasn’t where she’d left it. And the window was open, letting in the freezing night air.

    The phone’s glaring absence mocked her, but that didn’t shake her nearly as much as the black hole of the open window. Had he been able to climb in? Was he in her house even now? Hiding? Waiting? She shuddered. Did she dare go outside and run? Or was he out there?

    Desperation choked her. She moved to the cordless phone on the counter and turned it on. Held it to her ear.

    Dead silence.

    Fear now had a stranglehold around her throat. No cell phone, no landline, no alarm. And a possible intruder in her home. A whimper escaped her lips, and one unsteady step at a time, she walked to the open window. Tremors shook her, but she had to close and lock it. She couldn’t leave it open. He could come in that way. If he wasn’t already inside.

    Close the window, close the window. Two more steps. She stood in front of the sink, staring at the window, bracing herself for someone to reach in and grab her. She almost couldn’t do it. Almost couldn’t lift her arms.

    Do it!

    She forced her arms up, grasped the window, and slammed it shut. She twisted the lock and let out a shuddering breath. No one had grabbed her, and the featureless face she saw so often in her dreams hadn’t appeared. She pressed a hand over her racing heart.

    Without taking her eyes from the window, she backed from the kitchen into the foyer. The hair on the back of her neck prickled and she spun. No one behind her. But what about in the hall closet? She pressed a hand to her mouth to stifle a sob.

    Her wooden front porch creaked, and Macey stiffened, her blood renewing its rapid surge through her veins. She whirled to stare at the front door, at the knob. It gave a slight turn to the left then stopped. It jiggled to the right then again to the left.

    Terror clamped down on her lungs, and she struggled to breathe even as she stayed still, her mind racing, flipping through escape scenarios and discarding each one. But the wiggling doorknob told her one thing: he wasn’t inside.

    She tried to envision how she could protect herself. The knife in her hand would require close contact, and that was the last thing she wanted. If she went out the kitchen door and through the garage, he could see her. Could she climb out of her bedroom window? Maybe.

    Her head pulsed and a bright light flashed behind her eyes. Woods, trees . . . the feel of the rain . . . the pain of the gunshot wound in her shoulder, the smell of the freshly turned earth that was supposed to be her grave.

    She blinked fast, wondering at the images forcing themselves to the forefront of her mind even while she listened for the intruder. She knew she’d been shot six years ago, she had just never been able to remember the details.

    Her breathing now came in short, gasping pants and a fine sheen of sweat broke out across her forehead. Her fingers, clenched around the knife’s handle, protested the tight grip. She loosened them slightly.

    Silence slithered over her. Had he left? Her ears strained in the dark quiet. Or was he just waiting? Or perhaps looking for another way in?

    Minutes passed without another sound. Finally she dared to move to the front door, just to check the lock one more time. Then back into the kitchen to check that door. Also locked. But the top half of it was glass. Easily broken should he decide to smash through it.

    She turned away and let her gaze bounce from shadow to shadow. Did she dare turn on a light?

    Her spine tingled, and the hair on her neck stood up straight. She spun back toward the kitchen door.

    Saw the black face that had no eyes, no nose, no lips.

    She dropped to the floor and screamed.

    And screamed.

    And screamed.

    Chad Latham sat straight up in his lounge chair at the first terrifying cry. His blanket fell away from his shoulders and he shivered in the cold November night air as he tried to discern where the cry had come from. What was it? An animal?

    When the second scream came, he bolted from his deck toward Macey Adams’ house. By the third chilling screech, he’d already used his pile of firewood to enable him to vault over the fence that separated the two small yards. The roar of a car engine registered, but it was the direction the screams had come from that he focused on. Macey.

    He raced up the front porch and pounded on the door. Macey, it’s Chad. Are you okay? Sobbing reached his ears. Was she inside or outside? Macey?

    Chad? Is anyone else out there?

    He looked around. No, it’s just me. Open up. He heard rustling, shuffling, the click of the door unlocking. The door opened a crack.

    Concern for the fragile sound in her voice made him step toward her. Hey, what’s wrong? What happened?

    Someone tried to break in. She backed up and let him in. He shut the door and faced her as she paced the small foyer. I—I couldn’t find my phone even though I left it on the windowsill in the kitchen and the window was open, but I know I closed it and the alarm didn’t go off and then he looked in my door and he didn’t have a face and— She pressed her hands against her temples. Ugh! Why can’t I remember?

    Whoa, hang on. She wasn’t exactly hysterical, but she wasn’t making any sense either. He took her hand and led her from the small foyer into the open-concept living area. He gestured to the couch. Sit down. I’m going to check everything, then you can tell me what happened.

    No! She grasped his hand. Don’t leave me.

    The frantic fear in her voice stopped him. Fine. Fine, I won’t go anywhere, but I need to call it in. The guy could still be in the area, looking to hit another house.

    She ran a shaky hand over her face. Right. Of course.

    Chad stayed right next to her while he reported the attempted break-in. While he talked, she seemed to calm slightly, but shivers still shook her thin frame every so often. He went to the thermostat and adjusted it then lowered himself into the chair opposite her.

    I’m sorry, she said. I probably woke you up with my screams.

    I heard the screams, but they didn’t wake me. At her raised brow, he shrugged. I was sitting outside on my deck.

    She blinked. Oh.

    His lips flattened. I have my own memories that keep me awake. Probably not as bad as your nightmares, though.

    I hate nightmares, she whispered. Especially when I’m not even asleep.

    Tell me what happened.

    She shuddered and goose bumps pebbled her bare arms. Her cheeks reddened. You’ll think—

    What? I’ll think what?

    That I’m . . . that . . . She lifted her hands in a hopeless gesture. I’ve tried to leave the past behind, Chad, but it won’t let me.

    Then tell me.

    I can’t, she whispered.

    He pulled her against him and she let her forehead drop against his chest.

    Chad blew out a soft breath. He’d met Macey when she’d moved in almost two years ago. In those two years they’d spoken on a regular basis, shared a few late-night talks when they’d been iced in last winter. He’d even borrowed the clichéd cup of sugar two or three times, but he’d never scratched the surface of the shell she’d built around herself. If she’d shown an inkling of interest, he’d have asked her out long ago. But she hadn’t.

    It had been a bit of a blow to his healthy ego, but he’d survived and committed himself to just being her

    Enjoying the preview?
    Page 1 of 1