The Rosaries (Crossroads Series)

Table of Contents

Beginning

About the author

Other books by author

Preface

Other books by Sandra Carrington-Smith…

The Book of Obeah

While fulfilling the final request of her departed
Grandmama
, Melody
Bennet
, a young professional raised in the genteel suburbs of North Carolina, is plunged into the clandestine world of an ancient West African religion – via the Louisiana bayou. In unearthing a mysterious religious manuscript, Melody collides with those seeking powers believed to be contained within the text, from The Vatican to individuals claiming it as their legacy. She accepts the task of safeguarding the book and finds lives are threatened, including her own, sometimes from unexpected directions. As her knowledge grows and perceptions shift, Melody's path is fused with that of the sacred book. She risks body and soul to protect both and, unbeknownst to her, secures the future of an esoteric, divine prophecy.

“This book captured me from the start and would not let me go. I kept looking for a stopping point, a place I could relax and take a breath, set it down and go to sleep, but there was none. I was physically attached to the characters and the prose and I could not stop until it was over, at 4:30 am. The last time a book took hold of me this way was a long time ago.” ~ Rebecca Cox, Reviewthebook.com

“The talented Ms. Carrington-Smith brings all the loose ends, past and present, and binds them into a bewitching story, but also a classic story of greed. An exciting, riveting novel with many twists, this book will surely satisfy mystery fans and paranormal/mystical fans. The descriptive nature of the book brings us right into the heart of a wonderful old city and the people of the bayous. I thoroughly enjoyed it all the way through with no desire to take a break before finishing it.” ~Betty
Gelean
, “Night reader”

“A fine choice and a highly recommended read.” ~ Midwest Book Review

“A psychological thriller filled with suspense.” ~Stephanie Rose Bird, author of “Stick, Stones, Roots and Bones”

Housekeeping for the Soul: A Practical Guide to Restoring Your Inner Sanctuary

The first book to combine how-to, self-help and spiritual genres to address the needs of millions of readers as they strive to detach from the Culture of Chaos and embrace a life of balance. It is through this inner harmony and balance that one may then create a meaningful, authentic reality. With a down-to-earth approach, the reader is guided through the process of emotional healing and renewal of spirit through the familiar analogy of housekeeping: cleaning, organizing, and "airing out" our lives, room by room, task by task.

“Housekeeping for the Soul carries its lovely, practical message with a lilting voice and eclectic viewpoint. The author helps us clear out some spiritual cobwebs and make our next 'spring cleaning' apply not to our homes but to the deepest part of ourselves.” -- Victoria Moran, author of international bestseller Creating a Charmed Life
 

“Sandra Carrington-Smith 'brings home' the need to simplify and let go of psychological 'clutter' in order to be more fully present in our everyday lives. Housekeeping for the Soul overflows with important concepts presented in a style that is fresh and relatable. A unique, 'must read' debut from this eloquent author.” -- S.T.
Underdahl
, Clinical Psychologist and author of The Other Sister and Remember This

“A great soul gripping and informative book to live by.” ~Dr. Robert E McGinnis

Killer in Sight: A Tom Lackey Mystery

When a young woman is found murdered in a public park, it is up to RPD detective Lt. Tom Lackey to locate her killer. With the help of his longtime girlfriend and professional photographer, Kathy Spencer, Lackey unravels a mystery laden with psychosis and unexpected revelations. While Tom is busy following the multiple clues pouring in from different directions, Kathy gets to work to prove her own theory: The last image viewed by the dying person can be lifted from the eyes of the victim to identify the murderer. Using her background in photography and her passion for iridology, Kathy enlists the help of Dr. Greer, a
snow
-haired medical examiner who allows her to take shots of Tracey Newman’s eyes. Her findings are puzzling, but they are supported by Alexis Howard, the dead girl’s ten-year-old half sister who volunteers information she claims was delivered to her by her imaginary friend Lily. With multiple suspects floating up to the surface and skeletons yanked out of unlikely closets, Tom must rely on his methodical expertise and on Kathy’s insight to find the killer before tragedy strikes again.

“Sandra Carrington-Smith leads off with a glimpse of the victim's thoughts and feelings before her murder. She sets the scene so vividly that as the story progresses the reader mentally returns often to the scene of the crime as Detective Lackey and his photographer girlfriend piece together clues. To add unique flavor to the mystery is a bit of paranormal suspense as Tracey's sister imaginary friend, Lily, moves the story forward. The flavor of the paranormal is just enough that every reader can picture the sequences without it "being over the top." I love that the story held my interest to the very last page and every question I had about a character was answered.” ~
Jean
Ferratier

“What Carrington-Smith has written instead is a first-rate thriller, with sympathetic characters and a completely believable story line.”~ David Workman

Coming soon…

Shadows of a Tuscan Moon

A beautiful mother of two mysteriously disappears without leaving a trace, apparently swallowed by the darkness of a frigid winter night. The local law enforcement gets right to work, but as time goes by every lead turns into a dead end. Has the woman decided to run off and turn her back on her too-tight family life, or is her disappearance the work of a skilled killer who has left no clues behind? Many shadows lurk in the timeless beauty of a small Tuscan town; one of those shadows, maybe the darkest one of all, holds the key to a terrifying truth…

The Key (Book III of
The
Crossroads Series)

As the ancient prophecy continues to unfold, more lives become entangled in a web of sticky secrets and astounding revelations. Join Melody
Bennet
and Natalie Sanders on this new leg of the journey, as they travel to Brazil for a new adventure filled with danger and startling discoveries.

The Rosaries

A Novel

By

San
dra Carrington-Smith

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and inc
idents, are the product
of the author’s imagination and are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the internet or via any other mean without permission from the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in, or encourage, electronic piracy of copyrighted materials.

Copyright© 2012 By

Sandra Carrington-Smith

All rights reserved.

First Edition

ISBN- 13: 
978-0-9855558-3-2

CROSSROADS BOOKS

http://www.sandracarringtonsmith.com

I dedicate this book to my children, Stephen, Michael and Morgan, and to P.L. who never fails to amaze me.

Acknowledgements

When I wrote The Book of Obeah, my first novel, I didn’t know what to expect. As all new authors, I, too, had high hopes for the future, but I must admit that the road ahead looked a bit scary at the time.

Today, I am happy to say that The Book of Obeah (book number one in The Crossroads Series) has grown its own feet and legs, and it is busy exploring new territories. Within the last few years, The Book of Obeah has won an award, has been translated in Portuguese, and it is now undergoing two new incarnations: An audio book narrated by Dave
Fennoy
(better known as The
Hulu
Guy and Lee Everett in the video game Walking Dead), produced by Cherry Hill Publishing, and a movie production scheduled to begin filming in mid-2013. Thanks to
Milena
Rimassa
-Merrill, Melody and the gang will soon come to life on the silver screen!

Two years after The Book of Obeah was released, The Rosaries is now ready to make its debut. Will it have the same success its older sibling enjoyed? One can only hope, and the answer to that question will surely come in time.

For now, I would like to thank everyone who’s been in my corner since the beginning: First in line are my children, Stephen, Michael and Morgan,
my husband John,
my parents, my uncle and my sister, followed by all the friends who have supported my efforts, both online and in real life. A special token of gratitude must go to Mr. Ed Powers, my number one fan, and to Dena Patrick, Pam and Fred
Scarboro
, Mia Smith, Donna Freeman, Scott Schultz and Toni
Overby
. I would like to thank my agents, Natalie
Kimber
, Krista Goering, and Daniel
Doglioli
, and the
Facebook
group Writers and Artists Share! Tremendous gratitude certainly goes to Sherrill
Suitt
-Craig, my talented cover designer and editor extraordinaire,
Shannon
Choppa
, the creator of the beautiful rosaries featured on the cover,
and to Julie Wall (Wall2Wall Photography). Julie’s superb photographic skills allow me to show my face on websites and magazines without being embarrassed. And of course, many thanks to my readers for the continued support. I would have never made it without you.

Preface

“There will come a time when powerful signs herald a crossroads for Humanity. Events affecting one part of the Earth will instantly be known to the rest of the world and shall be recognized by a chosen few as the prophesied signs. Consequences of action and inaction will be apparent, cause and effect manifesting faster as this cycle draws toward conclusion. Inequities and imbalance will be painfully evident on individual, regional and global levels. Feelings of isolation, disconnection, and confusion will be widespread. Few will express these feelings, most choosing to mindlessly walk through their daily tasks, numbing themselves in countless ways. Hardships will flood the vast majority of people from every direction, creating a rising sea of anxiety. This will be reflected in Mother Earth being out of balance, with cataclysmic events taking place more regularly and more intensely as She strives to attain equilibrium.

A long-ago gathering of elders who revered and held sacred our connection to Mother Earth foresaw the time of this crossroads. A divinely inspired plan was conceived to counteract this state of imbalance, to be put into place at this crucial time. Over a preordained period, four distinct, devastating conflicts among societies throughout history will be confronted—one at a time—so as to heal suffering at the core, bringing about a state of wellness and balance. The prophetic elders knew they must protect this knowledge, for there would always be those who would seek to maintain control of the power. The elders’ descendants became protectors of this ancient wisdom tradition—sometimes knowingly, sometimes not—with their lives intrinsically entwined in guardianship of the sacred prophecy.
The painful disparities of the past and present must be exhumed to be honored and healed. Accountability will be imperative once a shift toward stability is initiated. The fate of All rests with a universal awakening…”