Nightshade

by Lynessa Layne, Belle Âmes (Editor)

Some temptations are deadly. In a city of secrets, love is the greatest risk.

In the sun-kissed shadows of Tampa Bay, Kinsley Hayes has a life most only dream track stardom, a supportive family, and the attention of a charming hometown hero. But after a chance encounter with a brooding stranger costumed as a pirate, her carefully constructed world begins to unravel. Drawn into a web of hidden identities and dangerous desires, Kinsley finds herself caught between the allure of the enigmatic Klive King and the comfortable embrace of Jase Taylor.

As threats emerge, Kinsley must decide who to trust. Is Klive a protector or a predator? And can she risk everything for a love that could shatter her carefully built world? In a city where appearances can be deceiving, Kinsley must learn to trust her instincts before closing her eyes to the darkness that surrounds her.

229 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 7, 2025

About the author

USA TODAY Bestselling Indie Author
2x Silver Falchion Award Winner
Host/Organizer of TropiCon® Book Expo & Writing Conventions:

* TropiCon'25 Pensacola Beach, FL (16-18 OCT. 2025) - Hilton Pensacola Beach Convention Center
TICKETS:
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* TropiCon'26 Hot Springs, AR (10-11 April 2026) - The Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa

* TropiCon'26 Houston, TX (13-14 November 2026) - Courtyard by Marriott Katy Mills, Texas

https://www.TropiConBookExpo.com
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LYNESSA LAYNE is a mystery-thriller-suspense-romance novelist and Writer's Digest certified copy editor.
- Author of the DCYE romantic suspense series.
- Featured in Writer's Digest: https://www.writersdigest.com/aug-17/...
- Featured in Mystery & Suspense Magazine: https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/vi...

MEMBER OF:
- Royal Society of Literature (London, UK)
- Mystery Writers of America (SEMWA Chapter)
- Georgia Romance Writers

Reviews

[A. Alford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging and suspenseful storytelling, dual main character POV and fly on the wall perspectives that put you right in the middle of the action. Easily reads like a viral Netflix series - the dialog and descriptive set the scenes and interactions between characters masterfully. Kinsley, a college track star, gets inadvertently pulled into the shadowy underworld of a crime syndicate in Tampa, Florida. Unfortunately for her, she's drawn to the organization's kingpin, while simultaneously being wooed by her 'what might have been' crush from her high school days past. A murder that hits too close to home sets in motion an intriguing whodunnit and why mystery that keeps you guessing and deepens the plot. Naive daddy's girl in love and 20-something youthful exuberance meets dangerous liaisons mixed with cloak and dagger spycraft. Very well written and edited. Looking forward to the second installment...would like to see this in movie / TV show format someday. Purchased from Amazon.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for choosing me.

I was intrigued when I read what this book was about, sadly it just wasn't meant to be. I hope it finds its audience elsewhere.

[Betty Stoneking · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

[Becca Ann]

DNF