This Happened to Jessica by Michele Pariza Wacek - Spotlight

From bestselling author, Michele Pariza Wacek comes the next book in her Secrets of Redemption series, THIS HAPPENED TO JESSICA. Becca would like nothing better than to put the past behind her, instead she races against time to uncover the truth about what happened to Jessica before another sixteen-year-old girl is doomed to the same fate. 

Fans of Nora Roberts’ paranormal suspense novels, THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN by Paula Hawkins and classic Stephen King will devour this psychological thriller with an eerie twist of romantic suspense.

Amazon ~ Goodreads

Book Description:

Becca would like nothing better than to put the past behind her and focus on making Redemption her home. But what do you do when the past refuses to stay buried?

Becca still can't remember the night sixteen-year-old Jessica disappeared from a party, never to be seen again. Which is bad enough (especially since she was supposedly the last person to see Jessica alive), but it's not the worst …

Strange events are making Becca think there's a link between what happened to Jessica fifteen years ago and the darkness happening now.

With help from her friends and her teenage crush, Daniel, Becca races against time to uncover the truth about Jessica before another sixteen-year-old girl is doomed to the same fate as Jessica.

THIS HAPPENED TO JESSICA Excerpt

Copyright © 2018 Michele Pariza Wacek

Celia was looking around the table with a bewildered expression on her face. "I don't understand. Why does it matter if Jessica is related to Brittany?"

"Because Brittany looks like Jessica," Mia said.

Everyone fell silent. A woman next to us burst into hysterical, high-pitched laughter. Another table over, a group of college-aged guys started chanting as one of their friends, wearing a Wisconsin Badger cap, guzzled a pitcher of beer. Glasses clanked as they were plunked onto tables.

"Not this again," Celia breathed out, picking up her Cosmo and draining it.

"What do you mean, ‘not this again?’" Mia asked, her voice quiet, but with a dangerous edge.

Barry put a hand on Celia's arm. "Nothing. She means nothing." He glared at his wife. Celia kept her mouth shut, but her sour expression spoke volumes.

"Barry, let her talk," Mia said. "What do you mean, 'not this again?'"

"You know what I mean," Celia said. "It's been fifteen years. It's time to let it go."

"Let it go?" Mia said, her voice sounding even more quiet and dangerous. "Let it go? Our friend disappeared! And we don't know what happened to her!"

"First off, I'm sure Jessica left on her own. Her stuff was gone ..."

"But, it wasn't the right ..." Mia tried to interrupt, but Celia kept going. "And even if something did happen, she's gone. Gone!" Celia leaned forward. "I know this is difficult for you to hear, but you're not going to heal unless you, all of you …" here she looked around the table, "… accept it. She's gone. She's been gone for fifteen years. She's not coming back. And no amount of rehashing or talking about it is going to change that."

"She was our friend," Mia said. "Don't you get that? How heartless can you be?"

"I know she was your friend and I know this is painful to hear. No, Barry, stop it. Let me talk. This isn't healthy. It's not healthy to live in the past and that's precisely what everyone here is doing. Someone has to speak the truth and I guess that has to be me. I didn't know Jessica, but I very much doubt she would want all of you still obsessing over what happened to her fifteen years later. Besides, this has all gotten worse since she," she nodded toward me, "came back. We don't need to keep living in the past. Jessica is gone."

"I agree," Rich said, his deep voice cutting across the table. His voice was quiet, but there was something about it that caused everyone to pay attention. Maybe it was because he so seldom talked that when he finally did, it was really noticed. "If we're not going to be honest about what happened that night, then it makes no sense to keep talking about it."

"What aren't we being honest about?" Mia asked.

Rich stared at me, his dark eyes glittering. "If we're honest, we know exactly who to blame for that night."

Did he mean me? I stared at Rich, dumbfounded. "What do you mean?"

His gaze didn't flinch. "You know exactly what I mean."

You were the last person to see Jessica alive. Daniel had told me that. And Daphne. But, he couldn't possibly mean I had anything to do with Jessica's disappearance. Could he?

Start at the beginning of Becca’s story with

 IT BEGAN WITH A LIE! 

The first in her brand-new Secrets of Redemption series, bestselling author, Michele Pariza Wacek brings you IT BEGAN WITH A LIE. Becca was hoping for a fresh start for her troubled family, but instead, she is thrust into a mysterious past she barely remembers, one that threatens not only her sanity but her life. Fans of Nora Roberts’ paranormal suspense novels, GONE GIRL by Gillian Flynn and classic Stephen King will devour this psychological thriller with an eerie twist of romantic suspense. 

Goodreads  ~ Amazon

Enter to win signed copies of IT BEGAN WITH A LIE & THIS HAPPENED TO JESSICA. Three will win a digital copy of IT BEGAN WITH A LIE!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Michele PW:

Michele Pariza Wacek (also known as Michele PW) taught herself to read at three years old because she so badly wanted to write fiction. As an adult, she became a professional copywriter (copywriters write promotional materials for businesses, nothing to do with protecting intellectual property or putting a copyright on something) and eventually founded a copywriting and marketing company. She grew up in Madison, Wisconsin and currently lives with her husband and dogs in the mountains of Arizona. You can reach her at MicheleParizaWacek.com. She’s published two novels, “The Stolen Twin” and “Mirror Image,” both psychological thrillers/mystery/suspense books.

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It Began With A Lie by Michele Pariza Wacek - Spotlight, Excerpt, and Giveaway

Goodreads ~ Amazon

Book Description:

A fresh start. That was what Becca hoped the move from New York to Redemption, Wisconsin, would be for her troubled family—a way to get her crumbling marriage back on track, and to bond with her difficult 16-year-old stepdaughter.

But instead of a new beginning, Becca is thrust into a mysterious past she barely remembers … a past that includes complications from interacting with her teenage crush, Daniel, as well as living in her aunt's old house (aka "The Witch House," according to locals).

But is the house really haunted? Or is there something far more sinister out to destroy them?

IT BEGAN WITH A LIE Excerpt 

Copyright © 2018 Michele PW 

Chrissy gave me a withering look as she furiously pounded on her iPhone. I opened my mouth to say something—I had no idea what … something to bridge the gap that yawned between us—but Mia's voice interrupted me. "Daniel! Look who's here! It's Becca!" 

I closed my mouth and turned to look. A police officer was standing at the counter watching Mia fill up a to-go container with coffee. Could that be Daniel? I searched the room, but only saw only a handful of people finishing up their breakfast. It had to be him. 

I looked back at the cop. Broad shoulders and dark blonde hair—Daniel. Mia glanced at me and winked. I made a face back at her. 

He turned. He was older of course, but yes, it was most definitely Daniel. He wouldn't be considered traditionally handsome—not like Stefan with his almost pretty-boy looks. Daniel's face was too rugged, with sharp cheekbones and a crooked nose. But his lips were still full and soft, and his eyes were still the same dark blue. I found myself suddenly conscious of my appearance. I hadn't taken a shower in two days, and I was wearing an old, faded New York Giants tee shirt. I had scraped my unruly mass of reddish, blondish, brownish hair back into a messy ponytail in preparation for a full day of cleaning and organizing. But I quickly reminded myself that I was being silly. I was a married woman, sitting with my stepdaughter, and he was engaged. 

Besides, he had made it more than clear years ago he wasn't the slightest bit interested in me. 

"Becca," he said coming over, his face friendly, but not exactly smiling. "Welcome back to Redemption." It didn't sound much like a welcome. 

“Thanks," I said, mostly because I couldn't think of anything better to say. Instinctively, I reached up to smooth out my hair, since as usual, a few curly tendrils had escaped and hung in my face. "Not much has changed." 

He studied me, making me really wish I had taken an extra five minutes to jump in the shower and dig out a clean shirt. "Oh, plenty has changed." 

"Like you being a cop?" 

He shrugged slightly. "Pays the bills." 

I half-smiled. "There's lots of ways to pay the bills. If I remember right, you always seemed more interested in breaking the law than upholding it." 

"Like I said, things change." He lifted his to-go coffee cup and took a swallow, dark blue eyes never leaving mine. "I take it you're still painting then." 

I dropped my gaze to his chest, feeling a dull ache overwhelm me—the same pain I felt when I heard the name Becca. "As you said, things change." 

"Ah." I waited for him to ask more questions, but instead, he changed the subject. "So, how long are you staying?" 

I shrugged. "Not sure. We've actually moved here." 

His eyebrows raised slightly. "To Charlie's house? You aren't selling it?" 

“Well, yes. Eventually. That’s the plan. But, at least for the foreseeable future, we’ll be living in it.” I sounded like an idiot. With some effort, I forced myself to stop talking. Why on earth did I share so much detail? How was this any of his business? 

He looked like he was going to say something more but was interrupted by a loud snort. The two pant-suited women both scraped their chairs back as they stood up, glaring disgustedly at all of us before heading to the cash register. 

"What's with them?" Chrissy asked. I had forgotten she was there. 

I shrugged, before remembering my manners and introducing Chrissy to Daniel. I made a point of gesturing with my left hand to flash my wedding ring. 

His head tipped in a slight nod before looking back at me. "Will you be around later today? I'd like to stop by and talk to you." 

There was something in his expression that made me uneasy, but I purposefully kept my voice light. "What on earth for? I haven't even unpacked yet. Am I already in trouble?" 

The ends of his lips turned up in a slight smile, but no hint of warmth touched the intense look in his eyes. "Should you be in trouble?” 

I let out a loud, exaggerated sigh. "Why do cops always answer a question with a question?" 

"Occupational hazard. I'll see you later." He dipped his chin in a slight nod before walking away. I noticed he didn't give me the slightest hint as to what he wanted to talk to me about. That sense of unease started to grow into a sense of foreboding.

Enter to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card + a signed copy of IT BEGAN WITH A LIE 

and (9) will win an IT BEGAN WITH A LIE eBook!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Michele PW:

Michele Pariza Wacek (also known as Michele PW) taught herself to read at three years old because she so badly wanted to write fiction. As an adult, she became a professional copywriter (copywriters write promotional materials for businesses, nothing to do with protecting intellectual property or putting a copyright on something) and eventually founded a copywriting and marketing company. She grew up in Madison, Wisconsin and currently lives with her husband and dogs in the mountains of Arizona. You can reach her at MicheleParizaWacek.com. She’s published two novels, “The Stolen Twin” and “Mirror Image,” both psychological thrillers/mystery/suspense books.

Follow:

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It All Began With a Lie by MichelePariza Wacek - First Look, Excerpt and GiveAway

Here’s your FIRST LOOK Michele PW’s upcoming romantic psychological thriller, IT BEGAN WITH A LIE! 

Join us as we get our first peek at this psychological thriller with an eerie twist of romantic suspense. 

Plus, enter to win one of ten digital ARCs of IT BEGAN WITH A LIE!

Goodreads ~ Amazon

Book Description:

A fresh start. That was what Becca hoped the move from New York to Redemption, Wisconsin would be for her troubled family. A way to get her crumbling marriage back on track, and to bond with her difficult 16-year-old stepdaughter.

But instead of a new beginning, Becca is thrust into the mysterious past she barely remembers, as she is now living in her aunt's house (or what the locals call "The Witch House").

But is the house really haunted? Or is there something far more sinister out to destroy them?

Don’t miss Michele’s bonus novella 

THE SECRET DIARY OF HELEN BLACKSTONE. 

https://claims.instafreebie.com/public/1XxZR5gT?source=discover

IT BEGAN WITH A LIE Excerpt

Copyright © 2018 Michele PW

"You're right. It's perfect for us. I'm so glad we're here," I said, lying through my carefully pasted-on smile.

I tried to make my voice bright and cheery, but it sounded brittle and forced, even to me. I sucked in my breath and widened my smile, though my teeth were so clenched, my jaw hurt.

Stefan smiled back—actually, his mouth smiled but his dark brown eyes, framed with those long, thick lashes any woman would envy, looked flat … distracted. He hugged me with one arm. "I told you everything would be okay," he whispered into my hair. His scent was even more musky than usual, probably from two straight days of driving and lack of shower.

I hugged him back, reminding myself to relax. Yes, everything is going to be okay. Remember, this move represents a fresh start for us—time for us to reconnect and get our marriage back on track. It’s not going to happen overnight.

His iPhone buzzed. He didn't look at me as he dropped his arm and pulled it out of his pocket, his attention already elsewhere. "Sorry babe, gotta take this." He turned his back to me as he answered the call, walking away quickly. His dark hair, streaked with silver that added a quiet, distinguished air to his All-American good looks was longer than normal, curling around his collar. He definitely needed a haircut, but of course, we couldn't afford his normal stylist, and not just anyone was qualified to touch his hair.

I wrapped my arms around myself, goosebumps forming on my skin as a sudden breeze, especially cool for mid-May, brushed past me—the cold all the more shocking in the absence of Stefan's warm body.

He has to work, I reminded myself. Remember why we're here.

I remembered, all right. How could I forget?

I rubbed my hands up and down my arms as I took a deep breath, and finally focused on the house.

It was just as I remembered from my childhood—white with black shutters, outlined by bushy green shrubs, framed by tall, gently-swaying pine trees and the red porch with the swinging chair. It sat all by its lonesome in the middle of a never-developed cul-de-sac, the only “neighbors” being an overgrown forest on one side, and a marshy field on the other. 

Okay, maybe it wasn't exactly the way I remembered it. The bushes actually looked pretty straggly. The lawn was overgrown, full of dandelions going to seed, and the porch could definitely use a new paint job.

I sighed. If the outside looked like this, what on earth waited for me on the inside?

Inside.

I swallowed back the bile that rose in the back of my throat. It slid to my stomach, turning into a cold, slimy lump.

The house of my childhood.

The house of my nightmares.

Enter to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card and One of Ten eARCs of IT BEGAN WITH A LIE!

Rafflecopter giveaway

About Michele PW:

Michele Pariza Wacek (also known as Michele PW) taught herself to read at three years old because she so badly wanted to write fiction. As an adult, she became a professional copywriter (copywriters write promotional materials for businesses, nothing to do with protecting intellectual property or putting a copyright on something) and eventually founded a copywriting and marketing company. She grew up in Madison, Wisconsin and currently lives with her husband and dogs in the mountains of Arizona. You can reach her at MicheleParizaWacek.com. She’s published two novels, “The Stolen Twin” and “Mirror Image,” both psychological thrillers/mystery/suspense books.

Follow:

   Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Newsletter ~ Amazon ~ BookBub ~ Pinterest ~ Instagram