Books with author Conrad

"An addictive first entry in the Julie Madigan Thriller series... fortunately for us, a second Julie Madigan book awaits." –Best ThrillersJulie Madigan’s career with the New Mexico State Police ended in a puddle of her own blood after having her throat cut, barely able to lift her gun to shoot and kill the man who almost ended her life. But survival led to a year of recovery and left her desperate to hide the scars and to escape her past. She moved to Michigan, away from friends and coworkers who knew her secrets.Now a Medical Examiner Investigator, Julie Madigan loves her job and her team, but when a killer sends her clues and evidence about two of his victims, taunting her with his unusual methods of murder, she is pulled into a twisted game that eventually targets those she cares about. The killer’s goal – to prove that not only will Julie kill again, but that she will enjoy it as much as he does. While trying to identify him, Julie discovers that this monster has been much closer to her than she ever imagined, leaving her in a race to save the victims he has selected, forcing her to choose who lives and who dies.

"All I want to find is one dinosaur," Daniel was saying. "And I'll find it right here. Like I do all my fossils." Wandering through the Natural History Museum with her grandchildren, Julia Creath feels the presence of her dead brother, Daniel, she remembers a time when fossil fever hit everyone, old and young -- a time when people would kill for those old bones under the ground. Julia becomes the Nebraska farm girl she once was, as she weaves together the story of the great dinosaur rush -- an adventurous tale of love and treachery, but most of all the story of her own childhood, and of the older brother she loved more than anything. Daniel had a dream that julia shared -- and the she alone would see come true.

Having telepathic powers isn't all it's cracked up to be. Especially when it only works with animals. And especially when it works best with... wolves. Giant, terrifying ones included.I've seen some strange things. And now that Father has a new wife, and I got a glimpse of her true face, I wish I could unsee it. She's pure evil underneath. Since no one believes me, namely my own dad, my only chance is to escape and find help before it's too late. I wonder if the wolf pup I met as a child will help me -- if I can find him. I wonder if he'll remember me. Maybe we'll still feel a bond. Trystan is all grown up now, just like me. Can he shed some light on my troubled past and the danger I'm in, or will he turn me away too?This is book 1 of 3 of The Joining series.One-click for a dark, imaginative tale of the Cinderella you never knew!

The road to hell is paved with good intentions... I broke all the rules and became a princess. A part-Fae, telepathic girl who's married to Trystan, the wolf prince, I'm being held captive for my "crimes." The way out? The Fae Queen will free me if I deliver a small child to her. To refuse endangers my family, but my husband most of all. So I agree, until I learn this is no ordinary little girl. I simply can't hand over someone so innocent and magically gifted to someone as wretched as Queen Imurgura.Except everyone is telling me the child is evil incarnate and I'm the only person who doesn't see it. They say she'll turn on me. And if they're right, my kindness will cost Trystan his life. Between a hidden realm, an enchanted weapon, and my own Fae abilities, can I find a way to do the right thing?This is book 3 of 3 of The Joining series.One-click for a dark, imaginative tale of the Cinderella you never knew!

"Novelist Val Conrad’s stripped down style works well in this otherwise complex medical thriller series." –Best ThrillersAll four books of the Julie Madigan Thriller series are now available for one low price! Includes Blood of Like Souls, Tears of Like Souls, Promises of Like Souls, and Secrets of Like Souls (Books 1-4). Book #5, Dreams of Like Souls releases October 2020.Blood of Like SoulsJulie Madigan’s career with the New Mexico State Police ended in a puddle of her own blood after having her throat cut, barely able to lift her gun to shoot and kill the man who almost ended her life. But survival led to a year of recovery and left her desperate to hide the scars and to escape her past. She moved to Michigan, away from friends and coworkers who knew her secrets.Now a Medical Examiner Investigator, Julie Madigan loves her job and her team, but when a killer sends her clues and evidence about two of his victims, taunting her with his unusual methods of murder, she is pulled into a twisted game that eventually targets those she cares about. The killer’s goal – to prove that not only will Julie kill again, but that she will enjoy it as much as he does. While trying to identify him, Julie discovers that this monster has been much closer to her than she ever imagined, leaving her in a race to save the victims he has selected, forcing her to choose who lives and who dies.Tears of Like SoulsMedical Examiner Investigator Julie Madigan might have survived her half-brother's brutal crime spree, but the emotional wounds left by Anthony Bock's evil run deep. She begins a walk down the path to healing with the one man who's always loved her - Zach Samualson, who works for the Drug Enforcement Agency. They begin to establish a new life together in Washington - until he reveals a secret of his own. Julie's torn between trusting him and running from her inner demons and the one question that's haunted her since she was sixteen -did Bock make her kill her father?Promises of Like SoulsAfter a small wedding to Zach in Albuquerque, Julie Madigan, now Julie Samualson, goes back to Michigan to pack and say goodbye to her friends and coworkers before moving to the log cabin Zach had built for them prior to Julie's yes to marriage. But her arrival in paradise was without her groom, who had stayed behind in New Mexico to finish an assignment with his DEA unit while awaiting a transfer. Zach, however, faces a startling surprise that will change both their lives completely - that he is the father of a teenage daughter, whose mother was kidnapped by one of Zach's ex-partners who had turned against the agency and his partners. By a man with a single goal - to destroy Zach and all he holds precious.Secrets of Like SoulsOn her way down the stairs, Julie Samualson falls and injures her ankle, disrupting more than her family. She limps on to a Portland hospital to begin an investigation into the burns suffered by the sister of one of the sheriff's dispatchers - burns that don't appear to have been sustained in a fall. Then the wife of a fellow deputy goes missing, and the van found near the Columbia River. On crutches, Julie can only help process evidence. Meanwhile, Amber, her stepdaughter, asks if they can continue searching for clues about the bag they found on a trail ride - the contents include an old library card and piece of tattooed human skin made into leather. But when the three different cases begin to connect and threats get closer to her loved ones, Julie's world begins to unravel.

A betrayed Cinderella must risk it all in a story of romance, action, and magic.Being the girl chosen to marry Prince Trystan hasn't been anything like I thought. Especially since it turns out my fairy grandmother is a big, fat liar, and I won't be marrying him at all. Trystan and I are supposed to unite the wolves and the Fae Realm against a long-standing enemy. But instead of helping arrange our wedding, the queen is telling me I must prove my worthiness by performing an impossible feat of magic: change my stepmother human and turn her evil heart good. If I can't, she'll force the prince to marry someone "more suitable." I want to be with my wolf more than anything but what the queen's asking can't be done. Until I discover it can -- with a dangerous spell that will certainly kill me. There's a tiny chance of survival, meaning I'd pass the test. But will I risk death knowing the queen may not keep her word?This is book 2 of 3 of The Joining series.One-click for a dark, imaginative tale of the Cinderella you never knew!

Grab your detective hat and flashlight because there are loads of mysteries to be solved in The Case of the Ghostly Note & Other Solve-It-Yourself Whodunits! Can you solve these whodunits faster than the Mystery Brothers? Thirteen-year-old Logan and his shy little brother, Thad, always seem to figure out who stole the bake sale money or broke into the middle school. The Case of the Ghostly Note & Other Solve-It-Yourself Whodunits features fifteen original mystery stories. You'll get to find clues and take notes as you read along, and see if you can guess "whodunit" before the brothers do.Reason it out and then check the answers at the back of the book (which are in the form of the continued story). Follow along as the two brothers investigate foul play, stolen goods, lying, and even a case or two from their police officer uncle, and see if you're as super at sleuthing as these guys are.

Not all prisons all escapable...Thousands of miles from ancient Celtic Britain, Bridget awakens as a Sumerian girl standing outside the Great Ziggurat of Ur. She can't understand where Celena is or what any of this has to do with their history in Wales. Her pendant has disappeared, and she has no way back.Trapped in this arid land, Bridget's problems extend beyond locating her friend or finding an exit door. Her parents are forcing her to prepare for an arranged marriage, and if she doesn't follow through, the consequences will be severe. But when Bridget meets Relan, a stranger who's undeniably familiar, all of that changes.Wearing a woolen cloak over his animal skin tunic, this pale "barbarian" is from elsewhere and has unusual ideas. Bridget's curiosity leads her down an alluring and dangerous path as Relan shows her something unbelievable, wonderful, and frightening. Just as Bridget thinks she has a solution to her problems, she's faced with a disturbing choice that may cause a shift in her destiny which can't be undone.One-click for a story of friendship, time travel, and haunting adventure in ancient Wales and Sumer!.....What readers are saying:"I am so glad I discovered these books, they are a great read." --E. Roosevelt, Amazon Reviewer"The story is complex yet easy to follow and rich and full of intrigue and imagination. Readers young and old alike will like this great story that continues the trilogy." --Keith R. Rees, Amazon Reviewer"Delightful story, had a hard time putting it down." --Colleen, Amazon Reviewer"The bond of friendship between Bridget and Celena is once again the strongest magic in the book. Conrad skillfully develops the characters while leading the reader through scenes of wonder and adventure." --Sci-fi-reader, Amazon Reviewer"The story is fast paced and fun even when for several chapters they live another life." --Angus, Amazon Reviewer

The first time Zoe met Zoe Louise, Zoe was four years old. Zoe Louise was more than 100. From that day on -- living in the same house, separated by a staircase and a century -- Zoe and Zoe Louise have been an important and permanent part of each other's lives.Now Zoe is older. And although Zoe Louise never grows up, she is changing in dreadful, frightening ways. Time is running out for Zoe's frightening ways. Time is running out for Zoe's best friend -- and Zoe is the only one who can help her. To do so, she must travel back 100 years in time and somehow alter the past. But in changing the past, must she also change the present? If she saves her friend's life, will she lose Zoe Louise forever?Zoe's grandparents think that Zoe Louise is Zoe's imaginary friend. The truth, however, is that Zoe Louise lived in Zoe's house a century ago, and her ghost has returned to solve a terrible mystery. . . . An eerie and gripping time fantasy. Conrads spare, vivid prose sustains the suspense, drawing readers inexorably toward a climax as satisfying as it is unexpected. SLJ. 1990 Boston GlobeHorn Book Award for Fiction Honor Book1990 Notable Trade Books in the Language Arts (NCTE)1991 Choices (Association of Booksellers for Children)Children's Books of 1990 (Library of Congress)1991 Books for the Teen Age (NY Public Library)1991 Best Juvenile Mystery (Mystery Writers of America)Parenting Honorable Mention, ReadingMagic Award1995 California Young Reader AwardZoe's grandparents think that Zoe Louise is Zoe's imaginary friend. The truth, however, is that Zoe Louise lived in Zoe's house a century ago, and her ghost has returned to solve a terrible mystery. . . . An eerie and gripping time fantasy. Conrads spare, vivid prose sustains the suspense, drawing readers inexorably toward a climax as satisfying as it is unexpected. SLJ. 1990 Boston GlobeHorn Book Award for Fiction Honor Book1990 Notable Trade Books in the Language Arts (NCTE)1991 Choices (Association of Booksellers for Children)Children's Books of 1990 (Library of Congress)1991 Books for the Teen Age (NY Public Library)1991 Best Juvenile Mystery (Mystery Writers of America)Parenting Honorable Mention, ReadingMagic Award1995 California Young Reader Award

"A new twist on time traveling and the power to love and forgive." --Edward Maher, Amazon ReviewerWhen your forever depends on helping your enemy, time stands still... Bridget thought finding the Isle of Apples was the end of her quest. This breathtaking land is lush and green, full of white magic and perfectly safe. Well, except for dangerous mythological beasts, enchanted streams, and the fact that there is no sun and no time... and it's what her mortal enemy's been searching for too. For centuries.Now all she and Celena need are sacred artifacts and the very boy who wants to kill them. But he's disappeared, and whether he's vanished to ancient Celtic Britain or is hiding out somewhere in Wales is unclear. But as Bridget seeks him, she finds the missing piece which shakes the fabric of her reality.With her world turned upside down, she must make things right or the three of them will be reincarnated in this vengeful cycle for all eternity. Her only chance is to do what her enemy least expects -- help him -- and survive the perilous journey to the place where all time meets.One-click for a story of friendship, time travel, and haunting adventure in ancient Wales!-----What readers are saying:"Wonderful fast moving book. I had not read any fiction for many years and this series was the best way to remember my love for reading. New beginnings!" --Lynda Bell, Amazon Reviewer"AMAZING, incredible...the idea the author used, the past lives, is great and very original. I love it love love LOVE IT. I'm hooked." --Kindle Customer"Loved that the story took you time travelling, a delightful story hated to see it end." --Colleen, Amazon Reviewer"Great new author... excellent creativity." --Amazon Customer

After finding what appears to be an ancient, Celtic necklace, Bridget and her best friend Celena have the strange feeling they've seen the pendant before--a long, long time ago. This, and the unusual familiarity they've felt ever since they met, leads them to ask questions and trace their find back to its source.In Wales, Bridget is compelled to an eerie, megalithic structure and suddenly finds herself in another time and place--as Enid, the dark-haired servant girl she was thousands of years ago. She is immersed in her horrid past and forced to relive it, helpless to avert the tragedy, save her dearest friend or even herself.Waking at dawn inside the ring of stones, she and Celena begin to embark upon the true adventure laid out before them. They need to right the past not only for themselves, but for a much higher purpose--and Paul, a mysterious stranger who jealously guards his own secrets, may be able to help them...One-click for a story of friendship, time travel, and haunting adventure in ancient Wales!.....What readers are saying:"The ultimate, satisfying teen fantasy adventure. An original and engrossing novel... if you love all things Celtic and/or Welsh, that's an added bonus." --MF Miller, Amazon Reviewer"J. has delivered the magical gem of an adventure I hoped for when I bought the book." --Gary Henry, Honest Indie Book Reviews"This is by far one of the most interesting books I've ever read. J. Conrad delivers a story that I don't think will ever be repeated because the word unique is stamped all over it." --Erik Nelson, Amazon Reviewer"Pacy, funny, full of ideas, this book is well written and a wonderfully engaging read." --Tribalchick, Amazon Reviewer"Fast paced, exciting. Makes you wish you could really time travel." --i.gonzalez, Amazon Reviewer