• Shop
My Account
  • Register
  • Login
Header Logo
You are here: Products MANGROVES AND MONSTERS (The Stolen Nickel Series, #2) by Sharon Cupp Pennington
Cover image of the book
Cover image of the book

MANGROVES AND MONSTERS (The Stolen Nickel Series, #2) by Sharon Cupp Pennington

In this sequel to Hoodoo Money, Charlie Cooper is a reluctant teacher by day and broken-hearted wanderer by night – and a man desperately in love with a dead woman. But is Angeline St. Cyr really dead? The supermodel fell victim to an auto-pedestrian accident in New Orleans. Police reports and medical records substantiate the severity of her injuries. Cosmetics mogul Mathieu Fournier, her former boss, orchestrated a cremation and memorial service. The paparazzi swarmed celebrity attendees. Fans mourned.

Call it gut instinct, call it what you will, but Cooper is convinced Angeline’s death was an elaborate scheme Fournier sold to the world. He isn’t buying it, nor is his heart. A tenuous lead draws him to the Caribbean island of Jacqueme Dominique. Only he isn’t alone in his quest. With the unsolicited help of Angeline’s brothers, Nick and Brent, and by chasing his dream of rekindled love, Cooper becomes embroiled in murder, treachery and abduction at the hands of his old nemesis Willem Voorhees – a merciless killer.

For five long years Cooper’s love survived while he searched for Angeline. Will finding her cost him his life?

SKU: B00FCXY2GI Category: Romantic Comedy Tags: folk magic, friendship, hoodoo, Hoodoo Money, Mangroves and Monsters, Sharon Cupp Pennington, southern culture, superstition
360 product view
0%
  • Description
  • Reviews (0)

Description

Find more from this author on:

Buy this book on Amazon
Amazon
Author's Website
Author Site
Find this book on Goodreads
GoodReads
Find this author on Facebook
Facebook
Find this author on Twitter
Twitter


About the author:

Sharon Cupp Pennington’s short stories have appeared in numerous online and print venues, with anthology contributions to The Rocking Chair Reader in the Coming Home edition (2004) and Family Gatherings (2005), A Cup of Comfort for Weddings: Something Old, Something New (2007), and Good Old Days Magazine (March, 2007). Her debut novel, Hoodoo Money, and the second installment in The Stolen Nickel Series, Mangroves and Monsters, were released in second editions on September 21, 2013. She resides in Texas with her husband, Wayne, where she is currently working on her next novel.

What inspired you to write your book?

Angeline St. Cyr. But the members of my writing group liked Angeline – particularly Angeline with Cooper – and were quite upset about her demise, so I had to find a way to resurrect her…thus MANGROVES AND MONSTERS. Of the two books published, it’s my favorite.

Here is a short sample from the book:

Brent dumped the canvas on the ground, almost had the snarled hammock untangled when the sky opened. Gray clouds snuffed the sun’s rays; rain peppered the landscape.
Great. More humidity.
His inherent St. Cyr stubbornness took over. After several tree-hugging tries, he slapped the end of the rope around the tree’s giant trunk and began tying off his hammock.
“What are you doing?”
He whirled at the sound of Kat’s raised voice.
Her face appeared ashen, her eyes round with something akin to panic in them.
He dropped the rope like a hot poker. “Hanging my hammock?”
She grabbed his arm, draggimg him after her as she broke into a run.
His foot caught in a twisted vine, and he tripped over tree roots protruding from the ground.
Kat hauled him up. “There’s a river ahead.”
They stumbled toward the overgrowth.
“What’d I do?” He ducked, and a low-hung branch grazed his cheek. As he raised his hand, he felt the ooze of blood.
She knocked his hand away. “Don’t touch your eyes.”
“Why are you so pissed?” He heard the sound of rushing water. They plunged forward.
“Manchioneel tree,” was all she said before shoving him into the icy river.
He came up sputtering and coughing. “Are you crazy?”
She dove in after him, shoving him under, massaging water into his hair, splashing it in his face and eyes. “I must be,” she shouted. “Taking someone as green as you into the bush.”
He swiped water from his face. “Tell me what I did”
“Show me your hands.” When he held them out, she turned them over, checking his palms and wrists, knuckles and fingertips. “You scared me, Flyover.”
“What is this?” he croaked. “Some backwoods initiation? Next thing I know a tribe of howling pygmies will jump out of the trees, yell “˜Gotcha!’ before they toss me in a cauldron of bubbling gunk.”
She extended her hand. “Give me your shirt.”
“I’m not takin’ my damn clothes off.”
“Now you get shy.” She pointed her finger at him and said, “Don’t move from this river. I’ll be right back.” She sloshed out of the water and tromped up the bank, slipping, sliding, shoes squishing. Sopping fabric clung to all the right places. “Shit!” was the last word he heard her say before she disappeared into the brush. When she returned, his skin had pimpled blue with goose bumps, and his chattering teeth sounded like Morse code. But he still stood in the waist-deep water.
She dumped a towel and blanket on dry ground. Gesturing to an outcrop of flat rock at the river’s edge, she popped the oversized towel in her hands. “Take your shirt off and sit there.”
He sat, unbuttoned his shirt, and shrugged out of it.
“The manchioneel tree is poisonous. Deadly poisonous.” She yanked the shirt from his hands and tossed it on the bank nearer the rushing water. “You don’t climb the manchioneel. You don’t touch it, sniff it, or go within a mile of it.” Squatting, she scrubbed his shirt on a large rock, and then beat the drenched fabric with a small branch. “You don’t pluck its leaves or eat its devilish apples.” She eyed him over her damp shoulder, still pounding. Anger heightened the Irish in her brogue. “Ya ever seen Snow White?” She didn’t give him the chance to answer. “That old wart-nosed crone doesn’t hold a candle to the wickedness in this tree. My da always said it’s the devil himself that’s rooted in the manchioneel.”
His shirt got dunked in the river. She lifted it and dunked again. “You don’t use the manchioneel’s branches for firewood, ever, and you sure as blazes don’t stand under it when it’s raining. Jesus, Joseph and Mary, Flyover! The manchioneel can blind you. It’ll blister the skin right off you. Give me your pants.”
Blistering skin, blindness?
Brent kicked off his shoes. He hopped on one foot, then the other, tugged off his socks, and shimmied out of his jeans. He handed them over, flinchng when Kat beat them on the rock the way she did his shirt. The woman had anger issues.
“What am I going to do with you?” She averted her eyes and extended her arm behind her.
Brent took the towel from her outstretched fingers, then a green army blanket. He sniffed. It smelled like hay . . . and chickens. He didn’t see any point in telling her the rain had stopped. She was river-drenched. Besides, the view of her bouncing breasts draped in thin, wet fabric wasn’t half bad.
She kept his socks but handed back his shoes. “Put these on so you don’t step on a snake on the way back to the plane. I’m going to lay our clothes in the sun. While we still have sun.”
Our clothes?
He wrapped the blanket tighter around him. “What will you wear?”

Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Be the first to review “MANGROVES AND MONSTERS (The Stolen Nickel Series, #2) by Sharon Cupp Pennington” Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related products

Prev Next
  • Cover image of the book

    The Secret History of Hatty Ha Ha … begins by S M Mala

    0 out of 5

    Hatty lives on an island in the Caribbean and is afraid of mosquitoes and the sea. She longs for friendship, love and the truth about her history. But nothing is easy for her and she is constantly met with a wall of silence and a general sneer from some of the locals.

    But when Jake visits his father Murray, who is also Hatty’s secret guardian, the young couple are instantly attracted to each other. He realizes there is a tale about this young woman which is heightened by speculation and gossip about her background… stories regarding her parents, his father and her.

    But unknowingly the young couple’s lives are closely intertwined and their bodies do the same, as the heat of the tropical sun is transferred to their lust for one another.

    There are too many secrets being hidden about her life and slowly but surely, each one is discovered, only hurting the people around until something is revealed making Hatty doubt her very existence.

    A mysterious and turbulent sexual tale of young love, deceit, jealousy and passion mixed in with the conflict of deep rooted prejudices and regret … The Secret History of Hatty Ha Ha … begins.

    Purchase
    Quick View
  • Cover image of the book

    Secret Seduction by Jill Sanders

    0 out of 5

    To Katie life was simple, she wanted; a little house in upper Boston, and four kids, fathered by her best friend, who she’s been infatuated with since she was eight. After a devastating family secret is exposed, all she wants now is to escape the media hype that follows her everywhere she turns. Leaving her family, friends, and Jason behind, she travels to places she’s only read about, to find a father she’s never known.

    Jason is on a mission and he’s come half-way around the world to complete it. Despite his feelings for Katie, he won’t let her resistance detour him, even if it means she’ll never trust him again. As their world spirals out of control, their relationship will be tested and changed forever. If he can only keep them alive and out of harms way, he may have a chance to make everything right.

    Purchase
    Quick View
  • Cover image of the book

    Wicked Alphas: Bad Boys of BDSM Novella Collection No. 2 by C.J. Sneere

    0 out of 5

    SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY PRICE! LIMITED TIME ONLY! Two novellas filled with hot shifter man love from Amazon and All Romance bestseller C.J. Sneere. Stories of sexy, tough alphas caught up in intrigue, deception, and scorching passion. Bad boy bikers, arrogant billionaires, and werewolf detectives.

    This collection includes:

    Bad Boy Biker: Bad Boys of BDSM Vol. 3

    Their tempers burn hot. Their chemistry burns hotter.

    Haden is trouble walking, and the last thing Taggart ‘Tag’ Wells needs in his life. But the big biker has promised to protect him. The Nighthawks are out for Haden’s blood, and the bear shifter would just as soon give this wannabe tough guy over to them, but loyalty to his MC comes first. Something about the hazel eyed prospect brings out the beast in Tag. Can Haden’s charms soften his heart, or will they lead him into dangerous territory?

    Bad Boy Alphas: Bad Boys of BDSM Vol. 4

    Mystery. Murder. Alphas with attitude.

    Kit Harrison hates his boss Liam Briggs. Heir to the wealthy Briggs werewolf clan, this music mogul is insufferably arrogant. But after a major project catastrophically fails on Liam, Kit sees another side of the record producer, and they begin a tempestuous relationship.

    Enter Peter Briggs, Liam’s older brother who is a homicide detective with the supernatural police department. His arrival uncovers shocking secrets that challenge Kit’s loyalties. When Kit ends up in Peter’s bed, he finds himself torn between two powerful shifters.

    Dominant males collide, and the passion grows hot and heavy.

    Bonus Story: Barista Boys by C.J. Sneere

    Bonus Story: Lust Times Two by Roxxy Meyer

    Bonus Excerpts

    Purchase
    Quick View
  • Cover image of the book

    Dangerous Dozen: 12 Sexy Heroes To Die For Romantic Suspense Boxed Set by Maureen Child, Caridad Pineiro, Tina Wainscott, Tawny Weber, Nina Bruhns, VirnaDePaul, Maureen A. Miller, Paige Tyler, Gennita Low, Joyce Lamb, Kristin Miller, Karen Fenech

    0 out of 5

    The Dangerous Dozen–heroes who make danger sexy… These alpha male heroes know how to protect their women–and how to love them. This romantic suspense boxed set stars TWELVE smoking hot heroes in TWELVE full-length novels by TWELVE bestselling authors.

    To Catch Her Man by Charity Pineiro, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author. Investigative reporter Sylvia Amenabar must decide between friendship, love and discovering the truth behind a cop’s murder… Undercover detective Carlos Ramirez nearly lost his life protecting Sylvia, but knows it’ll be a fight to reach her heart. . . Can they learn to trust one another and find out the truth about a failed assignment that nearly killed Carlos? Or will the secrets of the past cost them the things they hold most dear.

    I’ll Be Watching You by Tina Wainscott, New York Times Bestselling Author. Kim left her Everglades town under a cloud of scandal. Her grandmother’s murder brings her back to reclaim her home and unearth the truth…while a killer watches her every move.

    Bedeviled by Maureen Child, USA Today Bestselling Author. A *faerie* funny paranormal.

    Protective Custody by Paige Tyler, USA Today Bestselling Author. Someone is stalking reporter Paisley McCoy, and police detective Gray Beckham is the only man who can protect her. While the chemistry between them is undeniable, there’s no way he’s going near the captain’s daughter, and she had a hard and fast rule that says she doesn’t date cops. Can they both survive the stalker who’s coming after them long enough to realize how good they are together?

    There’s a New Witch in Town by Tawny Weber, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author. Her magic, his town, their love… is it enough? Or will a witch just regaining her powers have to choose between saving a cursed town, or giving up everything she’s come to care about?

    In His Control by Nina Bruhns, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author. A rogue detective will do anything to catch the sexy international thief he’s fixated upon. When their titillating game of cat and mouse grows shockingly intimate, he must make the impossible choice between honor and duty…and the notorious woman he has unwittingly come to love.

    Chosen by Sin by Virna DePaul, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author. A wounded alpha werebeast bent on revenge… A female vampire trying to save her adoptive dragon-shifter family… Can they stop a group of rebel shape-shifters from unleashing every demon in hell? Only if they relinquish their secrets, face their fears, and open themselves to love.

    Imposter: The Protectors Series — Book One by Karen Fenech, International Bestselling author. Chemist Dr. Eve Collins, wrongly accused by the CIA of developing a chemical weapon, learns someone has set her up as a scapegoat. That “someone” wants her dead. To save her life, she must join forces with CIA Operative John Burke–the man who doesn’t believe her claim of innocence and the man she’s falling in love with.

    Dark Tide Rising by Kristin Miller, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author. Police Sergeant Mark Thurgood is all work and no play, but he’s harboring secrets that tie him to the vengeful sea. Free-spirited Emily McAllister is haunted by premonitions, and the latest shows her death in a dark coastal cave. Can they put their desires aside to focus on the task at hand and find the killer before he finds her?

    Big Bad Wolf by Gennita Low. On the run from shadowy enemies, a secret agent finds sunlight and love while working undercover for a female roofer.

    Found Wanting by Joyce Lamb. She’s been on the run for 14 years. He’s been sent to bring her home, dead or alive. A boy’s life depends on what happens next. Can they overcome betrayal, lies and violence to find what they’ve always wanted?

    High Tide by Maureen A. Miller. A couple locked in a struggle to protect the coast…and their lives.

    Purchase
    Quick View
  • Cover image of the book

    Forbidden Desires Boxed Set by Anita Lawless

    0 out of 5

    This boxed set from All Romance and Amazon bestselling author Anita Lawless contains 32 stories of illicit love. Love that should not be. But it feels so right, how can it be wrong? Get lost in these stories about rock stars, male exotic dancers, tattooed bad boys, and the women who love them.

    This boxed set includes:

    Rock ’N’ Roll Step Brothers, which includes:

    The Twins

    Ambushed By Twins

    Trapped Between Twins

    Taken By Twins

    Bonus Story: Shane & Sally On Tour

    Friendly Enemies Smutfest, which includes:

    Friendly Enemies 1

    Friendly Enemies 2

    Friendly Enemies 3

    Friendly Enemies 4

    Bonus Story: Friendly Enemies 5

    Betting On Sex

    Paying His Toll

    Wrestler Romance

    Oh! Shamus Strip Club Escapades, which includes:

    Strip Club Surprise

    Seducing Mary

    Hot Valentine

    Shamus’ Jealousy

    Strip Club Rivalry

    Bonus Story: Strip Club Escapades

    Plus: Oh! Brother London Epilogue

    Oh! Brother Christmas Proposal

    Cherry’s Sex Exploration, which includes:

    Cherry On Top

    Cherry’s Sex Education

    Spanking Cherry

    Cherry’s First Gang Bang

    Bonus Story: Cherry’s Sex Exploration

    Rock Star Romance Playing With The Bands, which includes:

    School of Passion

    Bad Girl

    Little Drummer Girl

    Naughty New Year

    Chloe’s Affair

    Bonus Story: Ricky’s Romantic Surprise

    All stories have a scorching heat level. Most involve multiple partners.

    Purchase
    Quick View
  • Cover image of the book

    Scandalous Heroes by Sienna Mynx

    0 out of 5

    ALPHAS, SHIFTERS, DOMS, BILLIONAIRES, BLUE COLLAR HUNKS AND URBAN HEROES: 9 BEST SELLING AUTHORS OF SENSUAL ROMANCE. SCANDALOUS HEROES COLLECTION GIVES READER THE KIND OF BAD BOYS WOMEN LOVE—This collection includes best sellers of USA Today and Amazon Top 100 Authors whose stories reflect the diversity of romance such as contemporary, mafia drama, urban lit, BDSM to paranormal and sci-fi. These authors have taken the time to pen new full length and original stories for the readers only found in this collection for a limited time.

    Purchase
    Quick View
  • Cover image of the book

    Love the Way You Lie: A Dark Romance Novel by Skye Warren

    0 out of 5

    “I’ve always been a fan of Skye Warren ever since I read Wanderlust. Her writing is flawless and tales captivating. Love The Way You Lie is no exception. 5 Stars.”

    – Pepper Winters, New York Times bestselling author of Tears of Tess

    A dark romance about the lies that lead us down…

    I’ll do anything to get safe, even if that means working at the scariest club in town.

    I’ll do anything to stay hidden, even if it means taking off my clothes for strangers.

    I’ll do anything to be free. Except give him up. When he looks at me, I forget why I can’t have him. He’s beautiful and scarred. His body fits mine, filling the places where I’m hollow, rough where I am soft.

    He’s the one man who wants to help, but he has his own agenda. He has questions I can’t answer. What are you afraid of?

    You.

    LOVE THE WAY YOU LIE is a full-length dark romance novel that does stand alone. Fair warning: contains scorching scenes in the VIP room.

    Purchase
    Quick View
  • Cover image of the book

    Double Blind (Vittorio Crime Family #2) by Vanessa Waltz

    0 out of 5

    I’m in so deep that I can’t see the way out.

    The boss of the Rizzo family needs me. I need to get closer to Carmine Lucchesi, a captain in his family. I need to steal information from him. He’s a sweet man, but underneath there’s something damaged, something deranged.

    The boss wants me to leave Vincent, the man I love. End the engagement. I’m with Carmine until he says so. Until I get what he needs.

    Or he’ll kill Vincent. He’ll kill my mother, and Vincent’s mother, and everyone I’ve ever cared about.

    I don’t have a choice. I need to end it with him, even though I love him. Even though it just might kill me.

    Purchase
    Quick View

Book Categories

  • Collections & Anthologies
  • Contemporary
  • Erotica
  • Fantasy
  • Gothic
  • Historical Romance
  • Multicultural & Interracial
  • Mystery & Suspense
  • Paranormal
  • Romantic Comedy
  • Science Fiction
  • Time Travel
  • Westerns
  • Romance
  • Author Interviews
banner-01testtesttesttest
banner-01testtesttesttest
banner-01testtesttesttest

Top Rated Products

  • Hidden Embers by Jane Burrelli
    5.00 out of 5
  • Bad at Love by Emeline Piaget
    5.00 out of 5
  • Forever Loyal by Sheppard Brothers
    5.00 out of 5
  • Driving the Billionaire Boss (An MFMM Menage) by Sienna Crane
    5.00 out of 5
  • More Than Everything by Delphie Gray
    5.00 out of 5
WantonReads.com supports indie authors!

for Authors

  • Submit Your Book
  • Submit an Author Interview
  • Get Featured Placement

for Readers

  • Discover New Books
  • Meet the Authors
  • About WantonReads

Thanks for visiting!

  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
© 2022 - WantonReads.com
View Cart Checkout Continue Shopping