{"product_id":"sapphire-beach-starter-bundle-books-9-12-ebooks","title":"Sapphire Beach Starter Bundle (Books 9-12), Ebooks","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #00aaff;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold\"\u003eBooks 4-8 of the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan class=\"a-text-bold a-text-italic\"\u003eSapphire Beach Cozy Mystery Series\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cspan style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrefer paperbacks\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: #ff00ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/store.angelakryan.com\/collections\/paperback-bundles\" title=\"Click here for paperbacks.\"\u003e \u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: #ff00ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/store.angelakryan.com\/collections\/paperback-bundles\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eClick here.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: #ff00ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/store.angelakryan.com\/collections\/paperback-bundles\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eFriends, Foes and Felonies \u003c\/i\u003e(Book 9)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003ePassion and Poison \u003c\/i\u003e(Book 10)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eDaffodils and Death\u003c\/em\u003e (Book 11)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eMarriage and Mischief\u003c\/em\u003e (Book 12)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0754\/5444\/7933\/files\/SmallerFiveStarsCropped_480x480.jpg?v=1706237296\" width=\"89\" height=\"17\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"The plot thickens! A murder mystery with lots of suspects that will keep you guessing till the end. Well-written with a wonderful variety of characters. Anyone that likes to read will love this book.\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\"A wonderful book about old friends and new friends helping each other find out the answers. Looking forward to seeing Connie and Zach taking the next steps in their relationship.\" \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis product is an EBOOK and is compatible with any modern digital app and device, including:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKindle or Kindle App for phones\/tablets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApple Books\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGoogle Play Books\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNook\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKobo\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNative e-readers on Apple and Android products\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMicrosoft Surface and Tablets of all kinds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eiPads, iPods, iPhones\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAndroid phones and devices \u003cbr\u003e\u003cem style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"color: #00aaff; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cem style=\"font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrefer paperbacks\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: #ff00ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/store.angelakryan.com\/collections\/paperback-bundles\" title=\"Click here for paperbacks.\"\u003e \u003c\/a\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: #ff00ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/store.angelakryan.com\/collections\/paperback-bundles\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eClick here.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: #ff00ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/store.angelakryan.com\/collections\/paperback-bundles\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"color: #00aaff; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'San Francisco', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003eExcerpt\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFriends, Foes and Felonies: Chapter 1\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eConnie clutched Zach’s hand and practically pulled him through the parking garage, across the street, and into Concourse D at Southwest Florida International Airport.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThey climbed the staircase and made their way toward a wooden bench. Connie anxiously glanced at the corridor that Sam O’Neil, her longtime friend and mentor, would be required to pass through upon arriving. On one side was a large window and on the other was the security checkpoint for departing passengers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“Let’s wait here,” Connie said, plopping herself down on the empty bench.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eZach pulled his phone from his pocket and glanced at the time. “We’re early. It will be at least ten more minutes before Sam arrives. His plane is probably just touching ground now.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eConnie let out a sharp breath. “I know. I just wanted to be sure we were here to greet him the second he arrived. I can’t believe it’s been nearly two years since I last saw him. For eleven years, Sam and I worked side-by-side in the office. And that doesn’t even include the countless weekend fundraisers and business trips.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eConnie’s eleven years working for Sam at\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eFeeding the Hungry\u003c\/i\u003e, a non-profit agency that served the poor in various developing countries, as well as her post-graduate term of volunteer service in Kenya, gave her the confidence and experience to open\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eJust Jewelry\u003c\/i\u003e, the shop where she sold Fair Trade jewelry and her own handmade pieces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eZach rested his arm on Connie’s shoulders. “I’m looking forward to meeting someone who has been such an important part of your life.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eConnie leaned against Zach. “It was actually my parents who introduced us. Did I ever tell you the story?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“I don’t think so.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“Sam was one of my father’s clients. My dad was his personal accountant. When Sam would go to my dad’s office every year to get his taxes done, my father would keep him posted on my adventures in Kenya. Shortly after I returned, Sam called my dad to tell him that he decided to close his lucrative consulting business to start a non-profit organization after participating in a humanitarian trip to South America with his parish. He wanted to hire my father to take care of the organization’s accounting needs. My dad thought Sam and I would enjoy meeting each other, so my parents invited Sam and his wife, Janet, to Sunday dinner one afternoon. By the end of the meal, Sam had offered me a job and I had accepted.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“And the rest is history?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“Exactly. I’m looking forward to spending the next two weeks with him. Sam is a combination of an older brother and a second father to me. I have a feeling something meaningful will happen while he’s in Sapphire Beach.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“What do you mean by that?” Zach asked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eConnie shrugged her shoulders. “It’s hard to explain, exactly, but it’s always a blessing when Sam and I get together. We’re like kindred spirits, even though he is twenty years older than me. There’s usually some sort of strange parallel with what’s going on in each of our lives, ever since he opened\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eFeeding the Hungry.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003eAt that time, I was trying to figure out a path for my life that would somehow be a continuation of my work in Africa, and Sam was wondering how’d he grow a non-profit with no help.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eZach kissed the top of Connie’s head. “It sounds like you two have a special bond.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“I couldn’t believe it when he told me he was coming for two weeks. As long as I’ve known Sam, he’s never taken that much time off from work. I also can’t wait to run by him the plans I’ve made for the expansion of my Fair Trade section. I’m sure he’ll have some great ideas.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eConnie couldn’t sit still, so she walked to the airport monitors and checked on the latest flight information, then eagerly returned to Zach. “His flight landed ten minutes ago. It shouldn’t be long now.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eA minute later, Connie jumped up and pointed toward the corridor. “There he is!”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eBefore Zach could say a word, Connie darted toward a man with salt and pepper hair, a medium build, and kind blue eyes. She threw her arms around his neck. Until that moment, Connie hadn’t realized just how much she had missed her old friend and mentor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eZach caught up with Connie and Sam.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“Let me guess,” Zach said. “This is Sam.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eA smile was plastered on Connie’s face. “Nah, I just like to give perfect strangers a warm welcome to Florida,” she joked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eZach extended his hand. “Hi Sam, I’m Zach. I feel like I know you already from everything Connie has told me about you.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eSam pushed away Zach’s hand and pulled him into a warm hug. “And I, you. It’s a pleasure to finally meet the man who captured Connie’s heart.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eZach glanced at Connie and smiled broadly. Then he took the backpack Sam had been carrying.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“Thank you, Zach,” Sam said.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“It’s the least I can do for a weary traveler. I’ll bet you’re exhausted.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eConnie had been so excited to see Sam that she hadn’t noticed how tired he looked until Zach mentioned it. Dark circles had formed beneath his eyes, and his skin tone was paler than normal, even for a long New England winter. Sam had only taken a quick three-and-a-half-hour direct flight from Boston, so he shouldn’t have been nearly as tired as he appeared.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eConnie placed her hand on Sam’s forearm. “Come to think of it, you do look weary. Let’s pick up your luggage and get you settled in at home so you can rest. Dinner is ready to be put in the oven.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eAfter retrieving Sam’s suitcase at Carousel 10, they walked back to the parking garage and loaded Sam’s suitcase into Zach’s grey Jeep. Within forty minutes, they had pulled into the underground garage at Palm Paradise, which was the condo building where Connie lived. They ascended the elevator to the seventh floor and entered Connie’s condo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eConnie’s chestnut and white Cavalier King Charles Spaniel eagerly trotted over to greet them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“This must be Ginger,” Sam said, bending over to return the dog’s affection. He reached into the front pocket of his suitcase and pulled out a rawhide bone with a red ribbon tied around it. He took off the ribbon and gave the bone to the dog.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“A belated Christmas gift,” Sam said.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eZach smiled. “I think you just made a friend for life. That is so thoughtful of you.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eConnie and Sam both chuckled at Zach’s comment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“What’s so funny?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“Sam is a generous guy, but the gift for Ginger was undoubtedly courtesy of his wife, Janet,” Connie clarified.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“Don’t get me wrong,” Sam said, scratching the top of Ginger’s head. “I was looking forward to meeting this little girl. But I wouldn’t have thought of bringing her a Christmas gift.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“I guess running a growing non-profit wouldn’t leave you much time for buying presents for your four-legged friends,” Zach said.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eWhen Sam stood and looked up, the sight of the Gulf of Mexico through the double sliding doors in Connie’s living room stopped him in his tracks. “Wow, kiddo, what a view!” He slowly walked over to the sliders, while Ginger sat in the corner and went to town on her new chew toy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“I can see why you moved here. This view is exquisite.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“The view is the same from the guest room,” Connie said. “Why don’t you settle in and relax? I’ll put dinner in the oven.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eSam tugged at his fleece sweatshirt. “I need to get out of these winter clothes and put on something more appropriate for Florida weather.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eZach showed Sam to Connie’s guest suite, where she had already pulled down the Murphy bed and put fresh sheets on it. All there was for Sam to do was unpack.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eWhile Sam settled in, Connie put some breaded chicken breasts into the oven and heated up some mashed potatoes, which she had also prepared earlier. Then she sauteed some string beans in olive oil, garlic, and spices while Zach set the table.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eAbout fifteen minutes later, Sam emerged from his room wearing summer khakis and a short-sleeved blue and white button-down shirt. “This is much better,” he said with a satisfied smile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eBefore they sat down to eat, Connie made a quick phone call to check in with Abby, her employee who was covering the store so Connie could take the evening off. It was a late Friday afternoon in early January, which was one of the busiest months since the snowbirds and tourists were returning in full force, so Connie wanted to make sure Abby wasn’t too overwhelmed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“Everything is okay at the store,” Connie said when she hung up with Abby. “But I don’t like that Abby or Grace has to cover for me every time I want to take some time off. Although Abby insists she doesn’t mind, because she is still on winter break and could use the extra money, it still feels like an imposition.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“Can you afford to hire another employee?” Sam asked, after they said the blessing together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eConnie put two cutlets on her plate. “I probably should. I’ve thought about it, but I just bought the building where my store is housed and took on a mortgage that was higher than my rent had been, so expenses have gone up. I’m afraid of taking on too much overhead. Besides, I want to expand the Fair Trade section of the store, and as I take on more vendors, that means more upfront costs.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“It sounds like you’re a busy lady,” Sam said. “Of course, that doesn’t surprise me. Old habits die hard.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“Speaking of old habits, you must be slowing down a little bit,” Connie said. “I can’t believe you took off two entire weeks.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eSam let out a sigh.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“You don’t seem very excited about it,” Connie said. “Is everything okay?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eSam shook his head, as if trying to shake off his thoughts. “Don’t mind me. This vacation is just what the doctor ordered. I’ve been looking forward to it for months. I’m just tired.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“From work?” Connie asked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“Probably from the last thirteen years in general. The truth is, initially I was only planning to come for a week, but Janet insisted that I extend my vacation. I’ve been tired for a long time.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eConnie’s eyes flew open. “Sam, you’re not sick, are you?”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eHe shook his head. “No, it’s nothing like that. I just had a physical, and my doctor said that everything looks great. I guess I’ve just been working too hard. Perhaps my age is catching up with me. Janet’s probably right. I just need some time off.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“It sounds like you’re burning out,” Zach said. “We’ve all been there. An extended vacation could be just what you need.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“Thanks, Zach. I hope you’re right.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eAfter dinner, Sam offered to take Ginger for her nightly walk while Connie and Zach cleaned up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“I think I’ll turn in early and do some reading,” Sam said when he returned and saw that the kitchen had been cleaned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eSam retired to his room, and Connie accompanied Zach to the elevator.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“Something is different about Sam,” Connie said after Zach pressed the elevator call button. “The Sam I know and love was a big ball of energy.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“I’m sure he’ll be back to his old self after a few days of rest and relaxation – not to mention the warm Florida sunshine.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“I hope you’re right. But I know Sam, and it looks to me like it will take more than a few days in the sun. I really wanted to hit the ground running and pick his brain about expanding my Fair Trade section while he was here, but now I’m afraid to bring up anything work-related. He looks so fragile.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“Maybe focusing on\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eyour\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ework will help him to get his mind off his own. I’m sure he’d be happy to be your sounding board.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e“You could be right. I guess I’ll play it by ear.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eWhen the elevator arrived, Zach kissed Connie and left.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Angela K. Ryan","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51658742726973,"sku":"SBEBOOKS9-12","price":17.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0754\/5444\/7933\/files\/SBEB9-12.png?v=1777652224","url":"https:\/\/store.angelakryan.com\/products\/sapphire-beach-starter-bundle-books-9-12-ebooks","provider":"Angela K. Ryan","version":"1.0","type":"link"}