by
- Shades of Sepia (The Sleepless City book 1)
- Electric Candle (The Sleepless City book 2)
- Family and Reflection (The Sleepless City book 3)
- Shifting Chaos (The Sleepless City book 4)
To be soulmates they first have to survive.
A serial killer stalks the streets of Boggslake, Ohio. The victims are always found in pairs, one human and one vampire.
Simon Hawthorne has been a vampire for nearly a hundred years, and he has never seen anything like it. Neither have the other supernaturals he works with to keep the streets safe for both their kind and the humans.
One meeting with Simon finds Ben Leyton falling for a man he knows is keeping secrets, but he can't ignore the growing attraction between them. A recent arrival in Boggslake, Ben finds it very different from his native New Zealand, but something about Simon makes Ben feel as though he's found a new home.
After a close friend falls victim to the killer, Simon is torn between revealing his true nature to Ben, and walking away to avoid the reaction he fears. But with the body count rising and the murders becoming more frequent, either, or both of them, could be the killer's next target.
Author’s note: This story was originally released in 2014 by another publisher. This edition has been revised and re-edited with the end result being a better, stronger story.
“Cool. I knew you guys were like the Justice League or something.”
Lucas laughed. “I was going more for the Legion of Super Heroes, actually.”
“Yeah, but the League has Batman in it,” Blair began, “and the Legion is—” Luckily, whatever he was going to say was interrupted by the sound of a telephone ringing. Once he and Lucas started on one of their comics conversations, they’d go for what seemed forever.
“Aren’t you going to answer that?” Forge asked Simon.
“What?” Simon glanced around for the source of the noise. He didn’t get telephone calls and presumed it was coming from wherever Blair was.
“You’re the only one around here who insists on that horrible ringtone,” Forge pointed out, “so it’s obviously your phone.” He’d complained about it ever since Simon had explained—quite logically he’d thought—that if he was to carry a telephone, it made sense for it to at least sound like one.
READ MORE“Try your pockets?” said Lucas helpfully.
“Oh, right.” Simon fished his telephone out of his pocket. Its screen was flashing with the name of the caller. Simon stared at it.
“You’re supposed to answer it, not stare at it,” Forge said. “Or have you forgotten how to again?”
“I know how to answer it.” Simon poked at the appropriate button, then held the telephone up to his ear. “Simon speaking. How can I help you?”
Forge snickered. Simon glared at him, thought for a moment about retreating to somewhere more private, then realized it would be a waste of time. Damn vampire hearing. Not that werewolves and ghosts were much better.
“Hey, Simon. It’s Ben.”
Perhaps he was calling to say he’d thought twice about meeting for coffee. But why would he take the time to do that? Surely if that were the case, he’d just not contact Simon again at all?
“Hello, Ben.” Simon took a couple of steps toward the door, half turning his back on the other occupants of the room.
“I rang to apologize,” Ben said, his words tumbling out over each other.
“Apologize?” Simon frowned. “Why?” If anyone should be apologizing for the way in which their conversation had ended, it should be him.
“I obviously upset you, and I’m sorry.”
“You didn’t,” Simon reassured him. “I overreacted. I do that sometimes.” He reached for his glass of milk and took a long drink. Feeling a little calmer, he collected his thoughts before breaking the silence. “Would you still like to meet for coffee?”
Lucas and Forge high-fiving was something best ignored, as was the smug expression on both their faces.
“Yeah, sure, that would be great,” Ben answered very quickly. “When and where? I’m working a long shift tomorrow, so that won’t work, but I don’t start until eleven on Thursday.”
After mentally consulting his calendar, Simon nodded. “That would be fine. I don’t have lectures on Thursday mornings. Do you know Hunter’s on West Thirteenth Street? We could meet there at nine.”
“I haven’t been there, but I’ll find it,” Ben said. “See you at nine then on Thursday?”
“Yes. Goodbye, Ben.”
“Bye, Ben,” called out Lucas.
“Bye.” Ben paused. “Hey, who is that?” His voice took on a rather suspicious tone. “Simon, is there someone listening in on us?”
“Unfortunately, yes,” Simon said. “I share my… building… with some friends who don’t understand the concept of privacy. That was Lucas. I’ll explain on Thursday.”
“Okay. Bye.”
“Goodbye,” Simon said again, this time to a darkened telephone. He shoved it back into his pocket.
“He sounds cute,” said Lucas. “I like the accent.” He grinned. “Can I come too? I want to hear how you explain me.”
COLLAPSEAnne Barwell delivers the re-edited version of “Shades of Sepia” of “The Sleepless City” series that was first introduced in 2014. This is an interesting murder mystery with an abundance of supernatural characters that are sure to pique the interest of paranormal readers. This first novel gives the reader an in-depth look at Ben Leyton and Simon Hawthorne and the team of Supernatural Investigators.
Ben Leyton has completed his college degree and is drawn to do something new. He’s from New Zealand and has taken an overseas trip to Ohio. He’s taken with photography and spends some of his time working and looking for unique pictures to photograph. Ben has a best friend Ange Duncan, who he skype’s with often. Ange is like a mother hen and quite the investigator when it concerns Ben.
Simon Hawthorne is a professor of history. He’s seeking out his soulmate who just happens to be Ben. But Simon has been dealt a very rough hand, he’s lost two lovers and made a mistake and his confidence level has severely diminished. When he finally meets Ben he’s more than nervous and he knows he has to be completely honest with Ben or walk away. Simon also knows his past keeps hanging over his head and he can’t forget the evilness that encompassed it.
Simon along with the Supernatural Investigators find themselves connected to the strange murders going on in Boggslake. Six murders and each time there is an unusual pairing. The investigation leads them to others cases that are similar. When the case blows wide open it becomes dangerous and deadly to both Ben and Simon.
Anne Barwell creates a very eclectic group of residents and Supernatural Investigators that reside at Boggs Castle. Jonas Forge is a Detective for Boggslake Police Department. He’s very much like an older brother to Simon. He always seems to give solid advice to anyone who needs a helping hand. He also seems to have something from his past that haunts him.
Lucas Coate is the coroner and works in the field for Boggslake Police Department. He’s brilliant at what he does but he’s also a jokester. Just not sure when to take him seriously. But he’s loyal to his friends.Mr. Boggs is the original owner of Boggs Castle and you never know where he’ll show up. And of course, Moose! There’s also Blair who insists to be called Alucard but it’s not working. He’s the young and gifted computer hacker, son of a former FBI contact of Forges. He’s into comics. But he doesn’t live at Boggs Castle and does he even have a clue who he’s exactly working with.
Along with the fascinating characters, Anne Barwell does some interesting world building. She gives us a break down of how the Supernatural Investigators work within the different cities and the human population. There’s also the relationship of werewolf vs. vampires and how the struggle exists for them to live in the same world.
I highly recommend “The Sleepless City” series for those that crave variety in the supernatural. There’s humor, action, and highly emotional moments filled with suspense and terror. I had fun re-visiting all the characters, along with an amazing tale. Anne Barwell is re-editing and will be releasing the other installments in “The “Sleepless City” series and I’ll be watching for their release!