Texas Beach Time

Getaways. Vacations. R&Rs. Knowing when it’s time to reboot. Knowing how important it is to be rested, especially after something traumatic happens in life. But what if, during that getaway, more trauma occurs? And is it better to travel alone or with a partner?

Who would be the best person to accompany you on your getaway? Could it be someone working on classified AI research with a robot? Or maybe a visiting Australian teacher who is full of surprises and enjoys a good brawl? Perhaps a heroic and level-headed police officer?

Complications arise as antagonists emerge, from dangerous exes and a shady but influential attorney, to the mega-crime organization of a Texas-Mexico cartel. And then there’s the young woman who was murdered. At her funeral, her mother realizes the body in the casket isn’t her daughter. Naturally, the mother loses it.

Jump into Texas Beach Time for a thrilling getaway.

Suddenly Single

Harry Blake had everything going his way. He retired from a successful business career. He wrote two novels and won the most prestigious literary award in the country, not to mention a prize of $125,000 in gold coins. Hollywood had decided to make a mini-series based on his books. He had a beautiful wife and a big, loving family. They lived in a lovely home on a lake in rural South Carolina. It seemed like a perfect life. But one night changed everything. Harry's life turned upside down. Can he start over at this point in his life? Can he expect a new life after 70? This is a story about one man who refused to surrender.

Story 1: The Delights of Sean Jr.

Sean Jr. had a tough life—as his mother told him, he had the ‘forbidden illness’: lusting for men. His uncle took him in, yet Sean lived a criminal lifestyle ingrained in the family business. Thug life meant trouble was Sean’s middle name; the drugs and jail did not help much either.

Now Sean had two loving parents. Yet his uncle was in conflict, wanting to protect Sean from the evils of their family’s work while disapproving of his player lifestyle. Meanwhile, the body count from their criminal exploits continued to rise.

Storm Across My Cherished Bamboo Bridge

Killer-Gangster Turns His Life Around

Fifteen-year-old Meiling has always sensed that her Dad, Douglas, has been keeping a secret which can shed light on why she grew up without a mother.  Now that he controls the largest laundry-supply business in the Northeast, USA, Douglas’ dark past as a feared gangster in Hong Kong is forcing him to face a future that clouds his relationship with his daughter.  There’s a new woman in her father’s life; will she come between Douglas and Meiling?  

“A story of enduring love, betrayal, and ultimately forgiveness, heartfeltly narrated.”   Tessie Abes

“An inspirational story that will not disappoint the reader.  It exudes the pursuit of high principle and purpose, easy to sympathize with. I have read Gene’s other books with much interest.”  Felix Alberto

“Enthralling & captivating work!  In its simplicity, author was able to refine a heartwarming story leading to a familial yearning.  Home to a dynamic plot, I would definitely recommend it.”  Christine Alexandra Carvajal    

“Thought provoking and relatable. Read how the characters use their tragedies to move their lives forward, yet never forget.  Anyone can benefit from reading this book.”  Victor T. Closa

“I love love stories and happy with happy endings. Gene’s novel has them both.  It is truly an enjoyable read.  Great job, Gene!”   Roberto M. Collantes

“Rich & spicy story of family love; even its secondary characters can ripen into enduring stories of their own.” Dinah M. Libang

Gene P. Del Carmen has written short stories for illustrated comics & television scripts in Manila, Philippines. Recently retired as a corporate accountant, he now works as a realtor in New Jersey where he lives with his wife, Arielita. He also holds an MA in Theology. This is his 1st novel and 4th book.

Cover design by: Olivia G. Mestidio

Stones

Jason Stouter, formerly of the CIA, and his partner, Sali Bryant, formerly of the FBI, operate a business that advises international corporate travelers on terrorism, and contracts out to the CIA and Homeland Security for various jobs. When Jamie Horgood, a Homeland Security Intelligence Analyst, receives an anonymous tip that a package of jewels is supposed to be turned over to a woman who may be involved in an international kidnapping and human trafficking operation, she has no idea Jason’s quest will eventually lead to the kidnappers of the U.S. President’s daughter, Charise Pearl, and a human trafficking ring. Our two heroes enlist the help of the most successful jewel thief in America, Masen Williams, to identify the gemstones, and eventually use his boat to follow the kidnappers to an island fortress with a huge hidden cave in the Eastern Caribbean that contains the enslaved women and children.

On the other side of the world, in Ukraine, the extremely wealthy owner of a 300-foot superyacht entices beautiful women from the area to come with him to make a new life in America as models and movie stars. It’s a swindle, and the women are destined to become trafficked at exorbitant prices. However, the President’s daughter has been transferred to his yacht and our heroes have to save her, as well as the captives from Ukraine, before the yacht’s owner takes off, leaving the protagonists with no hope of saving Charise Pearl.

Spa Day - Be Careful What You Ask For

Caroline Chandler and her best friend, Abby, spend a Sunday afternoon at their favorite Day Spa. They leave the spa relaxed, refreshed, and rejuvenated, but Carli soon discovers an unexpected result from that spa visit. A microchip capable of two-way communication has been implanted behind her right ear. When it is activated, it instructs Carli to perform private courier tasks. The tasks are simple pickup and delivery of anonymous items on behalf of anonymous clients.

Over the next several months, Carli searches for the source of the unintended technology that is now taking over her life. Her search quickly takes her into the world of high-value art and antiquities. The more information she uncovers, the more confused she becomes as to the source of “the system”. Are the tasks legal? Are the tasks safe? The rewards are great, but at what personal cost? How far will she go without compromising her own integrity? Who will she trust in her search for answers?

Caroline has worked in the Harvard hospitals of Boston for most of her career. She has had an interesting life of work-related travel and has met an array of scientists and researchers. But none of her experiences could have prepared her for what she is being asked to do.

Spa Day is set in the present day, amid the historical sites of Boston and the Massachusetts shore, just coming out of a pandemic. The main characters are based on actual people, their experiences, and their expertise. The people that Carli meets along this journey change her life forever. Her story begs the question: What would you do?

Skewed: Darien Protectors I

Aubryanne Harrison wants nothing more than to take care of her son, Graham, and lead a quiet life away from the ugly scrutiny and suspicions in the aftermath of her husband’s questionable police methods and murder. Graham is disabled and keeps having “accidents” at school. The bruises and bumps aren’t serious, but as Graham’s fears of school and of his teacher escalate, Aubryanne believes he is actually being abused. She will do anything to protect Graham from the man she believes is hurting him, but when he turns up dead she becomes the primary suspect!  Aubryanne struggles to see God’s hand and purpose in the turmoil that her life has become as she and Graham become targets of an evil no one saw coming. Shane McCloud is an Army Ranger turned police detective bent on continuing the mission of taking out the world’s garbage. 

The evil in the world isn’t his only battleground, as the issues of his past tend to feed on the difficulties of the present. His integrity and professionalism are questioned when a criminal he apprehends ends up in the hospital with serious injuries. If God really cared, then how could he let these things happen?

There is a new player in the drug scene in Darien, Georgia. He is more dangerous and motivated than your typical thug selling pills in the shadows.  He has his own demons to overcome, but they fuel his desire for power and control. No one will stand in his way.

Singing in the Forest

This thrilling spiritual growth of never-ending adventure goes into a whirling spiral up and down, in order to find level ground. This story will bring you to tears and to laughter as some of her writings of short poems lay among the journey.

This unpredictable, side-winding adventure is packed full of danger and fast-thinking, motivated moves, relationships, and deadly dangers. Her life turned around to a source of redemption and strength ultimately leading her to write.

Shira

Shira is a fast-paced historical thriller that gives the reader an inside look at the Israeli spy organization, Mossad, during its heyday in the 1970s and 1980s. The story is about a young woman who is recruited to join the agency by an aging spymaster who believes women can serve an important undercover role in the traditionally male-dominated organization. Shira is inserted into some of the Mossad’s most infamous operations, including the murder of an Iraqi scientist, the raid that freed 103 hostages at the airport at Entebbe, and the audacious smuggling operations at the Red Sea diving resort in Ethiopia. Along the way she has an on-again, off-again relationship with her college boyfriend who questions the morality of her chosen profession. Their differing points of view about how to deal with volatile Middle East hostilities occurring at the time (and still occurring) form the moral dilemma that drives the plot toward its surprising but satisfying ending.

Secrets of the Past Revealed

When Amber and Maree Stokes inherit a house from an estranged aunt, they uncover more than just dusty memories. Lurking within its walls is the restless spirit of their cousin, Alice. As they delve into the mysteries of the past, the sisters are drawn into a chilling quest: to solve a murder and help Alice find peace. But with danger at every corner, will they live to claim their inheritance?

Scam Seduction

Scam Seduction is an intriguing story about deception. We see how money in the world of big government and business is especially seductive. This novel masterfully shows the dark side of humanity contrasted by exceptional human spirit and fortitude. Simon Benjamin’s powerful literary work is touching and unpredictable. Although there are times when the reader will laugh out loud, the nefarious acts of sinful people will keep you fascinated.

Compassionate, deft, and deeply moving, Benjamin’s debut will have you rooting for good against evil. What a compelling and absolutely gripping story based on true events.

Saving Annie Grace

Annie Grace and her two young student interns travel to a remote area of the Andes to work at an archeological dig site. Annie’s hope is that the team can discover the ‘Andean-Inca’ Rosetta Stone so the ancient Inca language can finally be interpreted and explained. The work looks promising until they are kidnapped and transported to one of the largest coca growing plantations in the Andes. As prisoners, they become a pawn between a drug lord ready to harvest, and the US government with plans to destroy the fields before they can be harvested.

This is a compelling novel where human lives and an entire empire are at stake. Annie and her young women are doomed unless they can be saved by someone.