House of Croft, Book 4
Date Published: 06-17-2025
Acquitted of the crime he was accused of, Adrian Croft begins an investigation that could link a duke to his sister's death. But with a fresh series of murders leading straight to Saint George's Hospital, Adrian is torn between his quest for revenge and the need to catch an active killer. For though he may have sworn to yield his power in order to gain a pardon, all bets are off when villains threaten his city.
Having proven her unfailing loyalty to her husband, Samantha Croft settles into married life - an idyl that quickly crumbles when she and Adrian get caught up in a new series of murders. As they follow a trail that leads them through subterranean tunnels and to a secret organization, they face another threat too: a ghost from Adrian's past who's about to bring war to their doorstep.
Footsteps approached and a soft glow spilled over Chief Constable Peter Kendrick’s left shoulder, flooding the woman’s face. It was clear now, judging from her appearance, that she’d been in the water a while. At least a couple of days, Peter reckoned.
He glanced up at Jackson, who’d brought the lantern over, then shifted his gaze to the men still gathered behind him. “Which one of you found her?”
There was a long pause before Jones chose to speak up. “Clarence and me. We was preparing the boat we use to ferry goods across the river when we saw her floatin’ nearby.”
“A possible case of self-murder then,” Jackson murmured while Peter returned his attention to the dead woman.
The Runner wasn’t wrong to suppose such a thing. These types of deaths happened from time to time, especially on the river where those who wanted a way out of life would jump from one of the bridges. Victims of foul play were rarely found in the Thames, most likely because those guilty of murder were wise enough to weigh the bodies down. Make sure they were never discovered.
Peter pulled the sackcloth back farther. The body appeared to be intact, so Jackson could be right. Were it not for a tiny detail that snared Peter’s attention. He lifted the woman’s right wrist, turned it slightly, and waved Jackson closer with the light.
Sure enough, the skin in one spot looked raw, with a purplish bruise directly beneath. Like something or someone had gripped her.
Of course, it could be nothing – no more than an accident of the woman’s own doing. Peter had no intention of making assumptions. But he’d been at this job long enough to know that this finding could be proof of foul play.
As such, it warranted further investigation.
Practical Advice for Beginning Fiction (or other genre) Writers
Whether you’re able to write full time or you’re trying to juggle your writing with a day-job, creating a routine for yourself will ensure that your book eventually gets written. Figure out how much time you want to dedicate toward your writing each day and then decide on a time that’s just for that. Personally, I prefer writing in the mornings after doing yoga, but there are many writers who would rather write in the evenings, or at night. What’s important, is consistency. Even if you don’t write much, every word counts as it adds to the story.
I would also recommend starting out with a novella. Novels are loooooong. If you’re just starting out it’s a bit like running a marathon without ever running before: exhausting and with the risk of giving up half way through. Plus, most authors write several ‘practice’ books before getting published. Novellas have the same structure as a novel and require the same character development, world building etc. Basically, new writers can learn the same from a novella as they would from a novel, just so much faster.
Also, if you have a series in mind that you’d like to write, you can use your novella as an introduction to the series, then turn it into a funnel book – a book you give away for free in order to gain newsletter subscribers, or in order to hook readers and get them to buy the next book in a series.
Finally, recognize that the publishing industry is tough. Unless you choose to self-publish, it can take a long time to acquire an agent and then a publishing deal. Don’t let this deter you. If you’re passionate about writing, persevere. Once you do get published, try to ignore the negative reviews. All authors have them. They’re unavoidable. What you can do though, is learn from them. Let these reviews help you grow as an author. Then start your next project without looking back – just keep moving forward.
USA TODAY bestselling author Sophie Barnes writes historical romance novels in which the characters break away from social expectations in their quest for happiness and love. Having written for Avon, an imprint of Harper Collins, her books have been published internationally in eight languages. With a fondness for travel, Sophie has lived in six countries, on three continents, and speaks English, Danish, French, Spanish, and Romanian with varying degrees of fluency. Ever the romantic, she married the same man three times—in three different countries and in three different dresses.
When she’s not busy dreaming up her next swoon worthy romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, practicing yoga, baking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading.
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