Shein Davis & Fuller
Erik Daniel Shein, originally born as Erik Daniel Stoops in Northfield, Ohio, emerges as a visionary storyteller deeply captivated by the paranormal and a fervent champion for animal welfare. His artistic flair spans various genres, seamlessly merging his love for storytelling with a profound commitment to animation and the welfare of animals.
Erik's odyssey in the realms of publishing and animal welfare commenced alongside editor Sheila Ann Barry at Sterling Publications. Together, they crafted six non-fiction children's books about animals, presented in an engaging question-and-answer format. His exploration extended to the fascinating field of herpetology, where he refined his expertise as a trained authority on reptiles and amphibians.
As a consultant for both local and federal fish and wildlife services, Erik immersed himself in the intricate world of these creatures, contributing invaluable insights to conservation endeavors. This rich background served as the bedrock for his eventual transition into the enthralling realms of written and visual storytelling.
Melissa Davis is an accomplished multi-genre author with over 50 novels and numerous screenplays to her credit. Born in Southern Illinois, her lifelong passion for reading inspired her to begin writing creatively at the age of seven. She further developed her talent while attending the prestigious Illinois Summer School for the Arts during high school. Melissa went on to graduate with a Bachelor’s in Education from Illinois State University. She initially worked as a teacher before leaving to focus on raising her children and pursuing her dream of becoming a full-time writer.
As a multi-genre author, Melissa's novels span a diverse range including contemporary and historical fiction, fantasy, mystery and more. With over twenty years of experience, she is an expert in crafting intricate plot lines and multi-dimensional characters that resonate with readers across genres. Her writing has been praised by critics and readers alike for its warmth, insight, and ability to capture the full range of human emotion. When not writing her next book, Melissa enjoys connecting with her loyal community of readers.
Karen Fuller is an award-winning and accomplished multi-genre author with over 30 novels and numerous screenplays to her credit. A graduate of Pensacola State College with an Associate of Arts degree in Business Management, Karen has turned her creative passion into a successful writing career spanning over two decades.
Born in Alabama, Karen began writing at a young age, inspired by her voracious reading habit. After starting a family, she devoted herself to raising her children while continuing to write in her free time. In 2011, Karen took her entrepreneurial spirit further by founding her own publishing press, World Castle Publishing, to provide support and guidance to aspiring authors.
When not crafting intricately woven plotlines brimming with multidimensional characters, Karen enjoys traveling the country to meet her loyal readers at book events. She also loves experiencing the outdoors while camping and watching auto races. Married for over 40 years, Karen now splits her time between writing novels, running her business, and visiting her two grown children and young grandchildren, who provide endless inspiration.
Karen writes in a diverse range of fictional genres, effortlessly transitioning from thriller to romance, dystopian to fantasy. Her novels have received numerous accolades for capturing universal emotions and showcasing the breadth of the human experience. Driven by her imaginative spirit, there is no literary terrain Karen Fuller cannot expertly explore.
Lethal Connections
The Poison ID Unit
Authors: Erik Daniel Shein, Melissa Davis & Karen Fuller
Hardback ISBN: 9781960076205
Paperback ISBN: 9781960076212
eBook ISBN: 9781960076229
Genre: Crime Thriller
Release Date 06/20/2023
In a sleepy little parish just outside of New Orleans, murder is no rare occurrence.
Sergeant Lance Knight has a pile of unsolved homicide cases on his desk. On the surface, none seem to be connected. The victims are all men with money or power. An investment banker, a lawyer, and a local politician. They don’t socially run in the same circles. Lance can’t find a connection.
Working closely with coroner Gina Goodwin, Lance and Gina discover a pattern. Three unrelated things the bodies all have in common—a string of lethal connections. Is it just a coincidence, or is it something more?
Things heat up when Lance realizes he’s getting close to finding the killer, and everything spirals out of control. Can he piece it together before it’s too late?
INDUSTRY REVIEWS
Publishers Weekly says, "Lethal Connections pulses with spry dialogue, surprising bursts of tension and danger, and a plot as slippery as a swamp copperhead. For all the fast-moving procedural fun, though, Knight possesses an insightful perception that imbues the storytelling with emotional weight and resonance."
In the swamps of Louisiana, a body is discovered floating in the murky waters of the Wetlands Observatory. Not an unusual day for Detective Lance Knight from the nearby St. Bernard’s Sheriff’s Department. The manner of death, though, and the case that follows prove anything but. When more victims are discovered around the waters of Chalmette, Louisiana, Lance and the coroner, the indomitable Gina Goodwin, discover a most unusual common thread: each has venom in the bloodstream, from what Gina describes as “snakes with a venom I’ve never encountered before.” (And she’d know—she adores herpetology.) From there, the case slithers into surprising territory, including the underbelly of a drug ring operated by a reputed witch practicing black magic.
Lethal Connections pulses with spry dialogue, surprising bursts of tension and danger, and a plot as slippery as a swamp copperhead. For all the fast-moving procedural fun, though, Knight possesses an insightful perception that imbues the storytelling with emotional weight and resonance. Insights into the life of the widow of a victim who cheated on her, for example, bring welcome humanity to the case, as does the winning repartee between the detective and a smirking coroner, quick to deploy the “stink-eye” when appropriate, who has it in her to star in her own mystery series.
The three co-authors’ voices and interests blend into unison but also likely enrich the varied personalities and areas of expertise of this strong cast of characters. Gina’s introduced, in one scene, “elbow deep in internal organs,” while Lance struggles, a bit, with questions like whether he should pull out a chair for her at an Italian restaurant. His minor uncertainty is the kind of winning detail that keeps readers invested, not just in the bodies discovered among the reeds but in the sleuths on the case. The mystery is crisply told, the killer a surprise, and local color and folklore, is engaging.
Takeaway: A detective facing Louisiana poisonings may find the killer too close for comfort.
Great for fans of: Tess Gerritsen, D.J. Donaldson.
Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: B
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: B
Lethal Connections is a sleuth murder mystery novel by Erik Daniel Shein, Melissa Davis, and Karen Fuller. Sergent Lance Knight has quite the challenge of maintaining law and order as an officer at the St. Bernard Parish in Chalmette, Louisiana. Apart from struggling to end things with his girlfriend, Lance has the added burden of trying to solve a string of murders, with each victim poisoned under mysterious circumstances. While Lance searches for clues to find a missing link between the victims, he is joined by the enigmatic coroner and herpetology enthusiast Gina Goodwin. But when the FBI arrives and offers their help solving the case, Lance realizes that things are not as they seem and that there must be something he is missing. Can he get to the bottom of the mystery before putting his own life on the line?
Fans of sleuth murder mysteries or detective tales are in for a treat with Lethal Connections. Erik Daniel Shein, Melissa Davis, and Karen Fuller tell a gripping story of murder, crime, and betrayal that has you glued to the pages from start to finish. The authors perfectly capture the feel and ambiance of rural Louisiana, with its swamps, poisonous reptiles, and the underlying criminal underworld. The hyper-realistic and gritty tone of the narrative is peppered with bouts of humor sprinkled throughout the pages. I particularly enjoyed the dynamic between Lance, Gina, and Captain Donovan. Overall, this is a book I immensely enjoyed, and I read it in one go. Can't recommend it highly enough. -- Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
.png)
Lance Knight, a homicide detective in New Orleans, has his work cut out for him when bodies begin to stack up. He teams up with Gina, an intelligent coroner who doesn’t give up so easily to solve a challenging case. Thomas Wilcox, a man who was dumped in the swamp with a distinct mark on his body, is just one of many that end up dead. Are these deaths connected? Is there a serial killer on the loose? As the investigation deepens, Lance soon becomes a target. Unsure of whom to believe, he knows one thing, he must find the killer before they find him.
The story immediately opens with drama and suspense, and I was instantly hooked. The authors provide readers with a captivating narrative that will keep them on the edge of their seats. Lance is passionate about his work, and that takes precedence over anything in his life. Gina is the coroner who is methodical, intelligent, and also passionate about her work. I enjoyed that the authors kept the storyline moving while providing short backstories on the characters introduced in the stories. This helped the story to move along while also giving the reader a sense of each character’s motivations. Authors Erik Daniel Shein, Melissa Davis, and Karen Fuller have combined their writing skills and creativity to create a thrilling story with likable characters. The details of the dead bodies may be a turn-off to some, but I found it intriguing. The twist at the end threw me for a loop and was the icing on the cake for this book.
I highly recommend this gripping read to fans of thrillers and crime fiction. It is the perfect read for suspense lovers with strong and intelligent characters. Lethal Connections is an engaging and page-turning novel that will not disappoint.
Lethal Connections is an exciting crime novel that keeps the reader in anticipation of a resolution of the tension. If you love crime novels, the try-to-find-the-bad-guy type of novel with a lot of pieces to try to put together, then this novel is for you.
With a suspense-packed progression of events and exciting plot twist, Lethal Connections meets all the cravings of a crime novel lover.
The author uses a simple chronological narration that makes it easy to follow the development of the climax. With a lot of misdirection here and there, lots of uneven pieces, and a lot to ponder, Lethal Connections is an excellent novel and I highly recommend it.
Overall, this book was amazing, and I highly recommend you read it. -- Reviewed by Andrew Okiemute for Book Nerdection
Om from Bookss Paradisse says, “It is an absolute page-turner as the story is fast-paced with its intriguing plot which makes the things more interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed the book while reading as I am into suspense thrillers, and if you are into suspense and thriller, then you should not miss this one.”
Action, mystery and intrigue are all concentrated for maximum potency in the new book Lethal Connections: The Poison ID Unit (World Castle Publishing). When investigator Lance Knight discovers an unusual connection between a number of recent murders, he enlists the help of an expert toxicologist to stop a killer before they strike again. As Lance draws closer to the truth, the body count increases, and the case takes several slithering turns. Fans of James Patterson and Harlan Coben will instantly be drawn in by Lethal Connections, a clever crime novel with an intriguing, toxic twist. - Reviewed by Michael Ferry BookTrib
BookViral says, “Generating the kind of edge-of-your-seat intrigue that keeps one glued to the words and the pages turning Lethal Connections proves a first-class read and is unreservedly recommended.”
Death Stalker
The Poison ID Unit
Authors: Erik Daniel Shein, Melissa Davis & Karen Fuller
Hardback ISBN: 9798891260849
Paperback ISBN: 9798891260856
eBook ISBN: 9798891260863
Genre: Crime Thriller
Release Date 12/05/2023
FBI agent Lance Knight specializes in identifying obscure toxins. But when victims show up carved with sinister calling cards, he's thrust into a cat-and-mouse game against a diabolical serial killer called The Master. Lance's obsession with finally defeating this enemy from his past threatens to destroy his career and his team. Every twist leads Lance further down a tunnel of paranoia and mind games designed specifically to torment him. This adversary seems to see all and know all. But unknown to Lance, the greatest poison is within the deception itself. With lives on the line, Lance must separate truth from the web of lies before a brilliantly sinister plot consumes everything he holds dear.
Serpent's Ladder
The Poison ID Unit
Authors: Erik Daniel Shein, Melissa Davis & Karen Fuller
Hardback ISBN:
Paperback ISBN:
eBook ISBN:
Genre: Crime Thriller
Release Date Coming in 2024
Special Agent Lance Knight of the PIDU helped put crime lord Graham Wilton behind bars, but Wilton's criminal empire, the Serpents, still slithers in the shadows. A string of poisonings leads Lance down a dark and deadly path as he races against time to dismantle the Serpents before more innocent lives are lost. Refusing to back down despite deceit and corruption at every turn, Lance relentlessly pursues the truth, determined to serve justice no matter the cost. The stakes climb ever higher as he uncovers Wilton's nefarious plans and attempts to foil a sinister Serpent plot that threatens the city. In a heart-pounding climax, Lance confronts the henchmen in a fierce battle that will determine the fate of the city and its people.
A thrilling tale of one agent's unwavering commitment to exposing the truth and taking down evil at its source, no matter where it hides.
Young Adult
A Hole in Her Sky
Authors: Erik Daniel Shein, Melissa Davis & Karen Fuller
Hardback ISBN: 9798891260573
Paperback ISBN: 9798891260580
eBook ISBN: 9798891260597
Genre: Young Adult Romance/Coming of Age
Release Date 10/24/2023
Still reeling from the loss of her twin sister, 17-year-old Maddie Tyler spends the summer with her grandmother in a sleepy country town. As she struggles with grief and abandonment, she finds hope in reconnecting with her childhood crush, Tristen. But their budding romance ignites a generations-old feud between their families. When a search for legendary treasure goes awry, Maddie must dig deep to find the will to survive. This poignant YA novel explores grief, family bonds, and discovering inner strength when faced with unimaginable loss.
Literary Titan says, “A Hole in Her Sky is a heartfelt and exquisitely written young adult book that examines sorrow, love, and the inner strength that may emerge from the depths of despair. I highly recommend this book to anyone undergoing severe traumatic and emotional experiences in their life right now, as this book can give them hope and help them see there is still light at the end of the tunnel.”
Middle-Grade
Rise of the FOWL
KittyBorgs Book 1
Authors: Erik Daniel Shein, Melissa Davis & Karen Fuller
Hardback ISBN: 9798891260870
Paperback ISBN: 9798891260887
eBook ISBN: 9798891260894
Genre: Middle-Grade Sci-Fi Fantasy Adventure
Release Date 10/30/2023
On the planet Regulus, cats, dogs, and birds from Earth have arrived to form a new society. But when evil robotic birds Talon Feather and Grim Chaos threaten to reclaim the planet, the feline inhabitants create eight high-tech heroes - the Kittyborgs! This cybernetic cat squad, including Linux Kat-Stratacus, Mega Bolt, Chip Socket, and more, are designed to defend Regulus. However, uniting the planet's divided cats and dogs presents a difficult challenge. Can the Kittyborgs overcome betrayal within their ranks and defeat their enemies? Or will Regulus fall into the claws of the villainous FOWL agents? Find out in this thrilling sci-fi adventure about animal allies, robotic heroes, and the power of unity.
The Mighty Tuskers
Authors: Erik Daniel Shein, Melissa Davis & Karen Fuller
Hardback ISBN: 9781960076755
Paperback ISBN: 9781960076762
eBook ISBN: 9781960076779
Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy Adventure
Release Date 5/18/2023
A compelling journey of seven legendary tusker superheroes and the one in line to be the next king.
A war has raged for centuries in the African rainforest. Once a place of peace ruled by a great tusker king, the rainforest now lies in shadows as the ghosts of the Obambo fight for dominance. The story is older than time, but a glimmer of hope shines on the horizon. Change is in the wind, and the world is ready for it.
Dakarai, a young African forest elephant, has grown up on the stories of his father, the great tusker king, Ajamu, one of the seven great tusker superheroes. It is not only his birthright to follow in his father’s footsteps but also his greatest desire. Hidden and sheltered from the ongoing war, Dakarai finds himself unprepared when the time comes to join.
With their very existence at stake, Dakarai must master his abilities and self-doubts to face the greatest evil in the jungle. If he doesn’t prevail, all is lost.
We Are the Wilds
Authors: Erik Daniel Shein, Melissa Davis & Karen Fuller
Hardback ISBN: 9798891260559
Paperback ISBN: 9798891260542
eBook ISBN: 9798891260566
Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy Adventure
Release Date 9/19/2023
Nestled deep within a lush, vibrant jungle lies a safari park unlike any other. It is here we meet Amari and Malik, two young siblings with a love for adventure and a passion for the wild. Alongside them are their six animal friends —CJ, the African elephant; Zed, the zebra; Flora, the shy female zebra; Millie, the pink flamingo; Micha, the lion cub; and Isaac, the meerkat. Together, they embark on a journey that will test their courage and resilience in ways they never imagined.
With its vibrant characters and heartwarming message, We Are the Wilds is a tale that will capture the imaginations of young readers and leave them eager for more.
Finding Footprints
A Sasquatch Saga
Authors: Erik Daniel Shein, Melissa Davis & Karen Fuller
Paperback ISBN: 9798891261846
eBook ISBN: 9798891261853
Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy Adventure
Release Date 4/16/2024
Lily Evergreen, a hearing-impaired 12-year-old, has always felt a deep connection to the enchanted forest surrounding her home. When she befriends Winston, a teenage Bigfoot destined to become the forest's guardian, Lily embarks on an extraordinary adventure filled with magic, courage, and the power of friendship.
Together, Lily and Winston must navigate the challenges of the mystical realm, facing ancient trials and forging an unbreakable bond. As Lily uncovers the secrets of her own heritage and the wisdom of the forest, she discovers her true purpose as a guide and protector alongside Winston.
"Finding Footprints" is a heartwarming tale of friendship, self-discovery, and the magic that lies within the natural world. Join Lily and Winston on their unforgettable journey as they learn the true meaning of bravery, compassion, and the enduring power of connection.
"Whimsical and wondrous, Finding Footprints is the perfect book for children and teen fantasy fans. Authors Erik Daniel Shein, Melissa Davis, and Karen Fuller transport young readers to a fantastical world that is not only immersive but also fascinating to read about. The descriptive worldbuilding makes your imagination run wild, and you can almost picture the setting in your head. This story also has a beautiful message about friendship and compassion toward nature and all living beings. A fantastic book for readers who enjoy portal fantasy and adventure tales. Highly recommended." -- Pikasho Deka for Readers’ Favorite