by
What started as a vacation for Stiles Long, Michael O’Leary, and Lizzie Ferguson, soon turns to murder?
Aboard the ocean liner, the Mauretania, every luxury is at their fingertips. Sumptuous food, comfortable staterooms, dancing, card games, and anything else your first class heart can expire too. What the trio did not expect was a face from a past assignment to follow them on their cruise.
James Stark was the lowest of men. A blackmailer with a heart of ice. But who hated him enough to kill him? The list of suspects all circle around the same dining room table, including Stiles, Michael, and Lizzie.
They have less than two days before they dock in Liverpool to find the killer. If they don’t, he’ll walk off the boat Scott-free.
Nights of romance, declaring love, dancing in the ballroom, playing cards, a storm that nearly takes the life of one of our trio, and a murderer among them, all makes for an adventure on the deep sea.
- 1 Read list
Editors:
Cover Artists:
Genres:
Pairings: M-M
Heat Level: 3
Romantic Content: 3
Ending: Click here to reveal
Character Identities: Gay
Protagonist 1 Age: 26-35
Protagonist 2 Age: 26-35
Protagonist 3 Age: 26-35
Tropes: Blackmail
Word Count: 35000
Setting: Ocean Liner
Languages Available: English
Series Type: Continuous / Same Characters
“It’s beautiful,” Lizzie exclaimed as they followed the man who carried their luggage on board the ship.
“It certainly is,” Michael agreed. “You did a marvelous job Stiles.”
“Hold your praise until we see the staterooms,” Stiles answered. He took Lizzie’s arm and helped her up the gangplank to the ship’s main deck.
The Mauretania, the sister ship to the Lusitania, was a magnificent vessel boasting luxurious staterooms, fine dining, smoking rooms, a ballroom for dancing, billiard, and card rooms. There was a library aboard as well as designated rooms for ladies to use. First class staterooms had their own bathrooms. Second class and third class were supposedly nice but not up to the standard of first class. His and Lizzie’s room had a lounge area and wet bar as well as separate bedrooms. Michael’s single would be next door to them.
“Good afternoon,” a steward in a crisp white uniform said. “May I have your names please?”
READ MORE“Stiles Long. This is my sister Lizzie Ferguson and our traveling companion, Michael O’Leary.”
“Ah yes. Your rooms are on this deck through the doorway there. The porter will bring your bags to your rooms immediately,” he said as he gave the porter the room numbers. “I hope you have a pleasant voyage with us.” He tipped his white hat and motioned them on.
Stiles could hear the man give the next couple behind them the same introduction. So far so good.
The hallway to their rooms was wide enough for the porter to push a large cart with their luggage through. He stopped at a door with the numbers 105 and 106 on them.
“This is the two bedroom unit,” the porter said pointing to the door on the left. “And this is the single.”
He opened the door to his and Lizzie’s suite and allowed the porter to come in with the luggage.
“The blue bags are mine and I’ll take the room on the right,” Lizzie told the porter. “Look, Stiles,” she said pointing at the bureau where a bottle of wine sat in an ice bucket.
Stiles poured them a glass of wine and they stared out the window at the dock and the people still boarding. After the porter unloaded their luggage, he moved outside and went into Michael’s room. He’d also opened the door allowing the porter in.
“It’s lovely Stiles. Really it is,” Lizzie said still standing by the window. You and Michael will be able to have some privacy, I’m sure on this voyage.” A knock on the door caused them both to look up.
“Good afternoon, ma’am, sir. I’ll be your cabin steward during your voyage,” he said as he bowed toward Lizzie and shook Stiles hand. “My name is Winston Aldridge, but please call me Winston. If you need anything at all, just pull the bell by the door and I’ll be alerted. Do you have any questions about the layout of the ship that I may answer?” He waited for them to speak.
“How many levels are there and where are the public rooms?” Lizzie asked.
Winston smiled, then said, “Good questions. There are four levels below the main deck. First class passengers rooms are on this level, labeled A. Second class is below that, level B. Third class below that. Of course, that is level C. Engine rooms and employees compartments on the lower deck. As for the main deck, there are three dining rooms. The Seaside is the first class dining hall. The Beaches is for second class passengers. The Dolphin is for third class. The ballroom, Shells, is nestled between Seaside and Beaches. The ladies lounge is adjacent to the ballroom facing the ocean with a wide bank of windows. And, lastly, the men’s lounge is on the bow side where tobacco and pipe’s would not offend the ladies.”
“My goodness that was an abundance of information,” Stiles noted. “You’ve got your job cut out for you.”
“I’ve worked on the Mauretania since she launched sir,” Winston answered.
“Thank you for all the information,” Lizzie replied.
Before he left them, Winston added, “I nearly forgot, I’d also like to know when you’d like your tea and toast brought in each morning; as well as what time you would like to have your beds turned down. A maid will change the linens each morning while you enjoy the many opportunities you have on board. Please, let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you.”
Stiles gave him the information that the three of them had decided on before they had left New York. That way, if Stiles slept in Michael’s room at night he would have to be back in his room by the time the steward came in each morning.
COLLAPSERelease Date September 20, 2021
Pre Order available now only on Amazon
