Novel November

I plan to work on Face-Off to Murder for Novel November, the first in a cozy mystery series that I hope you’ll all like. 

Read the official blurb below and Let me know what you think!

Add Face-Off to Murder to your Goodreads TBR.

Sandusky Psychedelics Hockey Mysteries. Let's Go, Dels!

Months after being named a finalist, the Krajcek family is on the verge of becoming the owner of the PWHL's newest minor league hockey team, the Sandusky Psychedelics.

On the eve of the selection committee’s final visit, a former rival-turned-business partner makes public threats to Kresho Krajcek, a former NHL all-star.

When a body is found inside the arena, all eyes turn to the man once considered hockey royalty.  

Desperate to clear her uncle's name, Daisy Krajcek and her friends set out to find the real killer. But when danger rears its ugly head, Daisy's face-off with a killer is one she can't afford to lose. 

Leave your thoughts in the comments below. My goal is to publish by the start of the 2026-2027 hockey season.

Happy reading and in the meantime, Go Jackets!

 - Heather

P.S. Join my Leaux Cay Readers!

I've moved!

It's true! I have! 

Ok, fine. I'm moving in real life, too, but I've officially moved my newsletter to Substack! 

Welcome to my Grant's Crossing Substack!

If you'd like to subscribe to my monthly newsletter, click on my Leaux Cay News Substack for regular updates and subscriber-exclusive fun.

I look forward to seeing you there! 

Thanks and happy reading, everyone!

 - Heather

P.S. Join my Leaux Cay Readers!

Let's Go, Dels!

You are what you write... er... or something like that?

I've always read mysteries ever since I could remember, starting with the Bobbsey Twins, then Trixie Belden mysteries. After that, I played around a bit with Nancy Drew, but started getting into murder mysteries after that.

Sure, I watched Scooby Doo - if it weren't for you meddling kids... - and the Hardy Boys because Shawn Cassidy was my first celebrity crush, though I think that Parker Stevenson was maybe a little cuter, but that's neither here nor there.

During college, I went through my Leon Uris phase and read his books such as Armageddon, Topaz, The Haj, QBVII, Mitla Pass, etc. Armageddon is still my favorite. Heck, I've read it 2-3 times since then. And after college, I went a year without reading until I found Fannie Flagg's Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe.

Dark and Disturbing

No matter what I read, I always came back to mysteries. A couple of jobs ago, I started talking with a coworker who recommended I try Tami Hoag, and oh my god! I'm so grateful! I must have read a good 10 or so of her books that October, starting with Ashes to Ashes, the first in a series with Detective Kovac and Liska. So good. SO SO GOOD! and dark, too. Seriously, the first chapter starts from the POV of the serial killer. OMG!

It's dark and disturbing, and it'll keep you up at night, but not because it was dark and disturbing. No. It's because you have to keep reading one - more - chapter. Then, all of a sudden, it's 230am when you close the book, and you go to work the next morning all exhausted, but so happy that you get to start the next book when you get home! HA!

And then, a couple of years before the pandemic, I discovered cozy mysteries. I'd kind of discovered them a little bit without knowing it - Jessica Fletcher. Agatha Christie's Miss Marple mysteries. Then I read a handful of Laura Child's Tea Shop mysteries. Before long, I found myself at a Cozy Con event sponsored by Kensington and I was introduced to the wonderful cozy worlds created by amazing authors like Julie Anne Lindsey, Lynn Cahoon, Alex Erickson, Christin Brecher, and more. I also made a few new real-life friends that I still keep in touch with thanks to various signing events and online book groups.

So what all these leads back to is that it's said that authors should write what they like to read. Me? I love to read mysteries - especially cozy mysteries. 

And that's exactly what I'm doing! 

A Cozy Undertaking 

As you may know, I'm a huge hockey fan. I love cheering on my Columbus Blue Jackets. In fact, the epilogue in my most recent book, End of a New Life, is set at First Responder night at Nationwide Arena, where the Blue Jackets play.

Anyhoo, I'm currently mapping out a series of cozy mysteries based in and around a fictional minor league hockey team that feeds into the PWHL (Professional Women's Hockey League).

Let's Go, Dels!

Welcome to the world of the Sandusky Psychedelics, otherwise known as the Dels. The Dels will be located just outside of Sandusky, Ohio, up on Lake Erie, in between Cleveland and Toledo, and will be a mix of a fictional town set amongst real places.

I'm nervous, but if I can write military fiction, I can write anything, right? RIGHT! (right?)

I've already started my research and have met with the front office folks with the Columbus Blue Jackets, who were super supportive. So supportive that they spent nearly 2 hours answering all my questions about how to manage a hockey team.

My goal is to publish my first book by the start of the 2026-2027 hockey season, which means one year from now. I can do that, right?

Here's a quick mockup, more of a placeholder, really, of my first book, currently titled Face-Off to Murder, which I hope to publish in October 2026.

Now it's on me to write my book. I have ideas for at least seven books, including a spin-off to another series.

I really need to win the lottery so I can write full-time!

Click on the pictures above to be taken to the world of the Sandusky Psychedelics and see if you don't become a fan of the Dels before it's all said and done. Plus, if you want to go ahead and add it to your Goodreads TBR, click here!

Anyway - didn't mean to ramble, but I'm so excited to be delving into the world of writing cozies!

Thanks and happy reading, everyone!

 - Heather

P.S. Join my Leaux Cay Readers!

IT'S LIVE!

End of a New Life, Heroes of Grant’s Crossing Book 3, is now live! 

It’s now available in both digital and paperback and is coming soon to your local library.

I can’t wait for you to read Derek’s journey into civilian life, where he struggles with the trauma of war and the loss of his best friend. Our veterans deserve so much more support and appreciation than we could ever give them. 

Thank you all so very much for all the support you’ve sent my way as I’ve written and published this trilogy of small-town military dramas. Your encouragement has meant more than I can ever truly express. 

 - Heather

PAPERBACK

DIGITAL 

Amazon

Apple

Barnes & Noble 

Kobo

Smashwords

All digital platforms

  BOOKISH SITES

Goodreads TBR

Bookbub

Storygraph

As always, word of mouth about a book you like is the lifeblood of indie authors. Please take a moment when you read End of a New Life to tap a star rating on your ebook or leave a quick written review. 

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Thanks, and happy reading! 

 - Heather

P.S. Join my Leaux Cay Readers!

 

3 MORE DAYS! Are you ready?

Derek Mitchell is a 13-year US Army Ranger combat veteran who battles PTSD while navigating civilian life in small-town Ohio.

Read his story of addiction, guilt, friendship, & found family in End of a New Life, Heroes of Grant's Crossing Book 3. Available this Thursday!

Pre-order for $3.99. at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and Kobo.

Add End of a New Life to your Goodreads TBR

Join my Leaux Cay Readers

Thanks, and happy reading! 

 - Heather

Countdown: 5 Days!

Only 5 more days until End of a New Life goes live!

Amazon - https://a.co/d/fth7xyg

Apple - https://books.apple.com/us/book/end-of-a-new-life/id6479220015

Barnes & Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/end-of-a-new-life-h-m-s-brown/1147849593?ean=2940184361871

Kobo - https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/end-of-a-new-life-1

Goodreads TBR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204551136-end-of-a-new-life

Join my Leaux Cay Readers

Thanks, and happy reading! 

 - Heather

Countdown: 10 days to End of a New Life

Countdown: 10 more days!

Amazon - https://a.co/d/fth7xyg

Apple - https://books.apple.com/us/book/end-of-a-new-life/id6479220015

Barnes & Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/end-of-a-new-life-h-m-s-brown/1147849593?ean=2940184361871

Kobo - https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/end-of-a-new-life-1

Goodreads TBR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204551136-end-of-a-new-life

Join my Leaux Cay Readers

Thanks, and happy reading! 

 - Heather

Countdown: 11 days to End of a New Life

11 DAYS TO RELEASE DATE!

Heroes of Grant's Crossing is my trilogy of standalone military fiction novels. End of a New Life will go live on September 25 and is currently available for pre-order on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Apple Books.

How far must one man fall?

END OF A NEW LIFE (Official blurb below)

Amazon - https://a.co/d/fth7xyg

Apple - https://books.apple.com/us/book/end-of-a-new-life/id6479220015

Barnes & Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/end-of-a-new-life-h-m-s-brown/1147849593?ean=2940184361871

Kobo - https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/end-of-a-new-life-1

Goodreads TBR - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204551136-end-of-a-new-life

Join my Leaux Cay Readers

It’s been over two years since Army veteran Derek Mitchell lost his best friend on the field of combat in Afghanistan. Back home in Grant’s Crossing, he turns to the bottle and one-night stands, two vices that become less and less reliable with each passing day. 

As the nightmares worsen and the drinking consumes him, Derek retreats from his friends and family, hellbent on surrendering to a battle no one else can see. 

Just as he receives an ultimatum that puts his job on the line, a stranger arrives with plans for the abandoned Victorian home next door.

With new motivation to seek help, he discovers an unexpected friendship, but will it be enough to piece his life together before it's too late?

A troubled veteran
An abandoned home
Some repairs take time

End of a New Life is the third book in the Heroes of Grant's Crossing series. Like Wayward Guilt and Safe Now, it can be read as a standalone and features veterans navigating the return to civilian life in the heartland.

No part of this book was created by generative AI. All content is 100% the creation of the author, H.M.S. Brown. CW: PTSD, alcoholism, loss, and grief.

Pre-order your copy today!

books2read.com/EONL/

Thanks, and happy reading! 

 - Heather 

P.S. I'd love for you to add it to your Goodreads TBR! 

Pre-order your copy today!  

        

Digital pre-orders are available at these online retailers. End of a New Life will be available in paperback when it hits the shelves on September 25, 2025. 

Like all my books, absolutely no part of End of a New Life was created using generative AI. All content is 100% the creation of the author, H.M.S. Brown, i.e. me. :-) 

Content Warning: PTSD, alcoholism, loss, and grief.

Find all my books here!

Bring You Back - Excerpt from End of a New Life

We are one month out from my book release, so I thought I would treat you all to an excerpt from my latest release, End of a New Life. It’s Book 3 in my Heroes of Grant’s Crossing series of standalone novels. 

End of a New Life will hit the shelves on September 25, 2025, and is available for pre-order in these online shops. It’ll also be available in paperback when it goes live.

Barnes & Noble - Amazon - Apple Books - Kobo 

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

Here’s a quick excerpt for you. Enjoy! 

Derek knocked on the door frame. “You wanna see me, Chief?” 

“Yeah.” Chief Travis waved him in from behind his desk. “Come on in, Mitchell. Close the door.” 

Derek exhaled but turned to close the door behind him. 

Chief Travis motioned toward the chairs in front of his desk. “Have a seat.” 

Derek sat down while the chief flipped through some papers on his desk, occasionally writing notes. 

“How are things going with you?” he asked nonchalantly.

“Fine.” Derek’s response was curt. 

“Everything at home okay?” 

“Yeah,” Derek assured him. “It’s fine.” 

“Sleeping okay?” 

“Like a log.” 

“Mmhmm,” the chief grunted, not looking up from his papers. 

“Seeing anyone?” 

A crease formed on Derek’s brow. “Not seriously, no.”

“Hmm.” Chief Travis gathered the papers together and tapped them against the table to arrange them in a neat pile. He set them down on his desk, folded his hands together, and finally met Derek’s gaze. 

“Are you talking to anybody?” 

“What do you mean?” 

“I know it’s been tough since you came back.” 

Derek shook his head with a pronounced eye roll. “I don’t know what you’ve heard, Chief, but I’ve been back for a while–”  

Chief Travis held up his hand to cut Derek off. He reached into a drawer and pulled out a card, which he offered to Derek. “I know the VA is an option for you, but I also know that takes time. Here's someone who can help right away.”

“I'm fine,” Derek insisted. 

“I’m sure you are.”

“Chief, I’m fine.”

“I saw your truck yesterday.” 

“What?” 

“At the cemetery.” 

Derek froze in place as his stomach clenched.

“I was there putting fresh flowers on my mother’s grave yesterday morning when I saw Tank in the distance. He was cleaning up a gravesite.” 

“Shit.” 

“And then I saw him drive away.” Chief Travis took a breath. He continued in his usual calm voice. “Only, I saw him drive away in your truck, which made me wonder. Why would he do that?” 

“It’s been two years–” 

“Two years since you lost your best friend,” Chief Travis finished his sentence. “Have you ever talked to anyone about it?” 

“I’m fine,” Derek’s voice carried much less strength than when he walked in. 

 “You’re fine. Of course.” He extended the card to Derek again. “Take the damned card, Mitchell. He’s helped out a lot of first responders. Myself included. He’s also a veteran, so he’ll relate more than you think.”

Reluctantly, Derek accepted the proffered card. 

“He’s expecting your call.” 

Derek stood up. 

“But talk to him soon.”

“Chief ... ” 

“Today, if you can. Or you’ll be on full-time desk duty and inspections.”

Derek winced at the thought. “Yes, Chief.”

Chief Travis stood up as well. “I can only imagine what happened that would give Tank cause to clean up your best friend’s gravesite and drive your truck home, but you don’t need to risk your job or your life simply because you’re too damned stubborn. There’s no shame in asking for help, Derek.” 

Derek glared at the chief. “Will it help bring my best friend back?” 

“No,” Chief Travis answered solemnly. “But it’ll help bring you back.”

 

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 

I hope you enjoyed a sneak peek at my next novel that I still can't believe is coming out one month from today! 
Click here to sign up to be an ARC reader. Details and the blurb are included on the form.

Thanks, and happy reading! 

 - Heather 

P.S. I'd love for you to add it to your Goodreads TBR! 

Pre-order your copy today!  

        

Digital pre-orders are available at these online retailers. End of a New Life will be available in paperback when it hits the shelves on September 25, 2025. 

Like all my books, absolutely no part of End of a New Life was created using generative AI. All content is 100% the creation of the author, H.M.S. Brown, i.e. me. :-) 

Content Warning: PTSD, alcoholism, loss, and grief.

Find all my books here!