{"product_id":"savage-grace-a-sydney-rye-mystery-9781694783578","title":"Savage Grace: A Sydney Rye Mystery","description":"\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eI'm pregnant.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cp\u003eGripping the test in my hand, I can't stop staring at the blue cross in the window.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTears roll, hot and slow, down my cheeks. I huddle in a low ball, emotion bowing me. My dog, Blue, whines and presses against my side, his warm tongue laving my cheek, his musky scent enveloping me. \u003ci\u003eA familiar comfort\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eWill my child love Blue as I do?\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMy phone vibrates on the bathroom counter, and I hiccup a sob. Squeezing my eyes shut, pressing more tears free, I hold my breath. Blood rushes in my ears, and my heart throbs in my chest...a tidal wave is washing me away. \u003ci\u003eI can't do this\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe soft ping of a voicemail brings my eyes open. I'm staring at the cross again. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBlue shifts closer, leaning his warm weight against me. As tall as a Great Dane, with the elegant snout of a collie, the markings of a wolf, and mismatched eyes-one blue the other brown-Blue means the world to me.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eMy heart will have to make room for more\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFear slices through me, adrenaline flooding my veins and bringing another soft whine from Blue. Standing quickly, the adrenaline demanding action, I glance at my phone. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eRobert Maxim\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe can't know. My eyes trace to the trash can of the hotel bathroom. \u003ci\u003eWrap up the test and put it in there\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut my hand won't follow the advice. My fingers grip tighter, refusing to release the small wand of plastic. \u003ci\u003eThe proof\u003c\/i\u003e. The truth.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrabbing my phone off the counter, I step back into the hotel room. Blue stays close to my hip, his nose tapping my waist once, a gentle reminder he is there. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI shove the plastic wand into my bag, pushing it into a zipper interior pocket and closing it up. Locking it away.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eJust throw it out\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eI can't\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMy hand strays to my stomach, and Blue's nose swipes against my fingers. Vision blurred with tears, I stand in the center of the hotel room, my mind reeling. Lightning sizzles across my vision, and thunder ricochets inside my mind.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eI'm not cut out for motherhood\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eI know I'll survive. It's everyone I love who dies\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThat changes now\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003eP.S. The dog does not die.\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e**Beware: If you can't handle a few f-bombs, you can't handle this series.**\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Independently Published","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51199325602066,"sku":"9781694783578","price":17.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_3d3edd9b-22b3-4445-ac41-80a64af36a1c.jpg?v=1744875088","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/savage-grace-a-sydney-rye-mystery-9781694783578","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}