The Book of Hours
For artist Gabriela Martinez, psychopaths do hit twice. An unscrupulous art dealer covets Gabriela’s work to the point of madness, Richard Harrison is willing to do anything to get her back in his life, and if Richard and Gabriela don't stop this new threat, their chances for a future together will go up in flames. When art dealer, Arnold Wickham, catches a glimpse of Gabriela's new work, The Book of Hours, he is like a man possessed. Now, he will do anything in order to claim it, and nothing, especially not Gabriela, will stand in his way. Four years ago, Fate had separated Richard from Gabriela, the woman he loves. Now, Richard has been gifted a second chance to protect Gabriela, and he will risk everything to protect her. However, in the shadow of this new threat, the stakes are now much higher, and there is much more to lose. So Richard must stay one step ahead of the danger, if not, their lives and their love will be forever torn apart. Set in California and London, The Book of Hours is a story about greed, obsession, family duty, and, especially, deserved second chances.
About Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra (Raleigh, North Carolina Author)
Maria Elena Alonso-Sierra is a romantic suspense author with a unique point of view. Her adventure novels take place in locales across Europe and the United States, reflecting her international upbringing and extensive time as a global traveler. In her duology, The Coin and The Book of Hours, her characters, Gabriela and Richard, walk the same paths as their creator, though her life was never in so much danger.
Her short story collection, The Fish Tank: And Other Short Stories, silver medalist winner at the Feathered Quill Book Awards 2018, takes the reader on a ride across all genres; but the section, “Soul Songs,” delves into the gut-wrenching experience of exile through fictionalized Cuban Diaspora stories based on Ms. Alonso-Sierra’s own experience of exile. NY Literary Magazine describes The Fish Tank: And Other Short Stories as “a gracefully-written, varied collection of entertaining, touching, suspenseful and thought-provoking short stories. Her prose is vivid and distinct.”
The author’s creepy short story, “Retribution Served”, is featured in the anthology Book Dreams: Volume 1, as well, available through all retailers.
Ms. Alonso-Sierra’s writing career began circa age thirteen with a very juvenile science fiction short story, but the writing bug hit, and she has been writing, in one capacity or another, ever since. She has worked as a professional dancer, singer, journalist, and literature teacher in both the university and middle school levels (and not necessarily in that order) and holds a Masters in English literature. She loves to hear from readers and, when not writing, roams around to discover new places to set her novels.
Ms. Alonso-Sierra is currently working on her third novel, a Detective Nick Larson thriller, as well as other short stories, and lives in North Carolina with her husband and her dog, Amber.
