STANDALONE NOVELS
I'M NOT SORRY​​
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What could strengthen friendships better than a murder, a funeral, and digging up a body?
Eighteen-year-old Billie-Ashley arrived at Thornes University with a secret and an envelope, containing a promise of a life-changing amount of money and to learn more about her past once she completes a task.
The problem? The task wasn’t stated.
She planned to be a wallflower. But within minutes that plan becomes a tangled mess. She is placed in the room once occupied by the girl who disappeared a couple of weeks prior.
Thanks to a handsome stranger, who is now wearing her iced mocha, Billie-Ashley learns the value of friendships. She intertwines herself within a group of guys while secretly gathering tidbits of information even when a warning turns deadly.
With the threat breathing down her neck, can Billie-Ashley keep her secret and complete the task?​
EXCERPT FROM I'M NOT SORRY​​
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Though unbelievable, the rain intensified. Hands down, the wildest storm I had ever experienced during the fall season. The darkened sky brightened with flickering lightning. Beneath my feet, the porch vibrated with constant rumbling thunder. Or that could’ve been my anxiety. I firmed my grip on the pool cue and ran down the steps without looking back.
Mud splashed up onto my pants as I sprinted down the drive. I slipped on gravel and almost went down, but I kept myself upright and ran as fast as possible. I cowered as lightning struck in the woods, thunder crashing right above me.
Emmitt yelled something, but the chaotic weather deafened me. I kept running, needing to get to security and keep my friends safe regardless of the fear heightening with every heartbeat.
Deeper puddles, my boots were no match for the water. My socks soaked through, my feet growing icy cold.
Lightning hit a tree off to the left. Emmitt’s scream swelled over the thunder. I looked over my shoulder only to see that he had fallen.
“My ankle!”
I ran back and tried to help him up.
“No! Go!”
“I can’t leave you here!”
“Yes, you can. Go!”
For a moment, I stared at him, my trembling lips parting, but before I could say anything else, he insisted.
“I’ll be fine, B-Ash. Go to security.”
One last look, and I took off, following the drive to the end. Wind whipped the rain sideways, beating my exposed skin. Blinded, I almost ran into the black SUV. I jogged around to the driver’s side and banged onto the window.
“Hello!” I yelled, pounding harder.
No response.
That gave me a creepy crawly feeling.
Tucking the pool cue under my armpit, I stood on the rail and cupped my hands around my eyes, pressing against the window.
Too fogged.
I banged again, but the results were the same. I slipped down to the ground and dropped the pool cue. That’s when I noticed the door wasn’t closed all the way and popped right open.
Slumped to the side, I knew something was wrong, but I begged to whatever God that he was asleep.
Back up onto the step, I touched his shoulder. “Hello?”
His arm slipped and hung at his side. I picked up his wrist. He wasn’t cold to the touch, but not warm either. Feeling a stickiness, I brought my hand up to my face.
Blood.
I leaned far enough in to see his face. “Oh, God!”
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COPYRIGHT 2025 RISSA BLAKELEY