2024 NEW RELEASE! book 8 in The san francisco mystery series
WEDDING BALLOON, A NOVELLA
Wedding Balloon Story Description:
√ Sapphic Novella
√ Romance
√ Part of a series but can be read as a standalone
√ A perfect way to sample The San Francisco Mystery Series
√ A wedding with action, adventure, and a touch of fantasy
The eagerly anticipated day has arrived for Dr. Jen Dawson and Agent Amanda Hathorne to exchange wedding vows at a breathtaking destination on the California coast. Best friends and soulmates, Jen and Amanda have triumphed over a myriad of obstacles, ranging from an unexpected pregnancy to the perils of Amanda’s dangerous, all-consuming career.
Despite the lingering drama and trauma from their recent missions—Jen’s valiant efforts in the hospital during a bioterror attack and Amanda’s covert mission with Roxy and Tommy—they are determined to create a jubilant, romantic, and unforgettable wedding weekend.
Perched on a cliff above Rainbow Beach, the idyllic wedding site is adorned with a magnificent wedding arch, fresh flowers, and a satin runner strewn with rose petals. Cherished family and friends have gathered to witness Jen and Amanda’s love for each other, and on the surface, everything appears to be going according to plan.
However, a cloud of unease shrouds Amanda as struggles with bizarre visions and ominous premonitions that make her question her own sanity. Despite her unwavering love for Jen and the desire to seal their commitment, her newly-acquired powers of perception are feeding her information that is overwhelming, threatening to throw her off her game.
Meanwhile, Tommy grapples with life-altering news but is reluctant to share it with Jen and Amanda for fear his situation might dampen the celebratory atmosphere. Compounded by his internal struggle over whether to join Amanda at Central Missions, a covert CIA division, he is at a personal and professional crossroads.
As the wedding weekend unfolds, unforeseen forces conspire to break the iron-clad bond forged by Jen, Amanda, and Tommy in both their co-parenting roles and careers. The wedding weekend will no doubt be unforgettable, but will they survive it?
Buy Wedding Balloon - A Novella with a bang!
A perfect way to sample the San Francisco Mystery Series
Purchase the entire San Francisco Mystery Series (all 8 books) -
Hours of thrilling reading are at your fingertips. Eight books of mystery, suspense, romance, legal drama, and crime drama. Thrills and chills guaranteed.
The San Francisco Mystery Series (8 Books)
A sizzling seven-book series featuring coming out later in life, friends-to-lovers, betrayal, reconciliation, retaliation, steamy sapphic romance, docs and cops, sexpionage, big guns, fast jets, and HEAs. Tons of juicy legal and crime drama, including fast girls firing big guns.
"Lady Hawthorne" is the winner of two 2022 Lesfic Bard Awards in Mystery and Action & Adventure categories.
Over 2000 starred Reviews and Ratings on Goodreads!
★★★★★ "Venice is a fabulous crime/mystery and suspense writer. She knows and understands the legal system and that is conveyed in her storytelling. The action and drama feel very authentic. The interplay between the police and the DA’s office is written with a keen eye, keeping it quite realistic. Additionally, the story is nicely paced; readers are engaged from the first page and yearn for more. Even though Bourbon Chase is titled a mystery, it contains a lovely undercurrent of romance. The romance is beautifully threaded throughout the story and contributes wonderfully to the overall story arc." 5 Stars Women Using Words Blog
Book 1: Dr. Jen Dawson sticks up for a physician colleague during a murder investigation-
★★★★★ "Couldn't love this series more if I tried. It has the most amazing mix between love, action, thriller, and some comedy!" Amazon Reviewer - January 12, 2021
Jen Dawson is an emergency room physician training for a triathlon in San Francisco. Her boyfriend, Tommy Vietti, is an experienced detective who is loyal to the police force, his Italian family, and Jen.
Amanda Hawthorne is a charismatic District Attorney who prosecutes criminals while fending off attacks from mobsters. As San Francisco's most eligible lesbian, Amanda has her choice of female companions, so why is she attracted to Jen, who is supposedly straight?
When one of Jen's colleagues becomes a suspect in a murder investigation, Tommy and Amanda invade Jen's professional life. Jen sticks up for her physician colleague but discovers she has more in common with Amanda than just butting heads. Will Jen stay with Tommy or choose Amanda?
★★★★★ "This book (heck, the whole series) is FANTASTIC! Rarely do books get into my thoughts like these did - I would think about them during the day at work. The two main characters, Amanda & Jen, are people I wish were my real friends (maybe I need to get out more?) Anyhow, the books are so good & I cannot recommend them highly enough... The story line is great, the writing is great, my only complaint is that there aren't more books to the series! More! More! More Venice! :)" Goodreads Reviewer - 5 stars
Book 2: Amanda takes on the Mafia-
★★★★★ "This series just keeps getting better and more involved all the time. I don't know how a person writes a book like this, but I bet it's not easy! So involved, so detailed and so, so good! And you get to find out what Amanda's Dragonfly is, too!" Goodreads Reviewer - 5 Stars
Amanda Hawthorne is a powerful District Attorney in San Francisco, defined by her beauty, intellect, and an unwavering sense of justice. While she is renowned for prosecuting murder cases, when a war erupts between the DA's Office and the Italian mafia--with a Russian billionaire lurking in the background--Amanda must decide how far she is willing to go to protect her lover, Dr. Jen Dawson.
Jen Dawson is facing monumental personal changes and dangerous threats from mobsters.
Tommy Vietti intentionally dropped off the matrix after Jen left him for Amanda, his longtime colleague. Feeling viciously betrayed by both of them, the last thing he wants is for them to find him in paradise because they each need him-for very different reasons.
Purchase on Amazon by clicking on book cover.
Book 3: Roxy MacNeil hits on Amanda while solving a murder with Tommy-
★★★★★ "An emotional & entertaining story with characters that become so authentic they truly become like they're your family in your mind. The riveting plot lines draws you in without you even noticing & the action is compelling enough to grab, hold & keep you anticipating the "end game.'" 5 Stars - Goodreads Reviewer
Detective Tommy Vietti expects the Feds to take a murder case from him since it involves an employee of the Federal Reserve Bank. Instead, they send Roxy MacNeil, a Scottish banking expert, to co-investigate. Smoking her cigarettes, using vulgar language, and drinking Scotch, Roxy gives the impression that she's a number-crunching savant, until she and Tommy pay a visit to a strip club, that is.
District Attorney Amanda Hawthorne wonders if she should have a baby, like her fiancée, Dr. Jen, but Amanda is in the middle of a re-election cycle. As they consider who might be the perfect sperm donor, Amanda becomes immersed in Tommy and Roxy's murder investigation.
Juggling her busy clinical practice and raising baby Kristin, Jen is by Amanda's side at public events. She can handle Amanda being a semi-celebrity, having a ton of old girlfriends, and even being hit on by strangers at the Dyke March. Roxy MacNeil, however, is Jen's worst nightmare. Beautiful. Mysterious. Smart. Sexy. And powerful.
Purchase on Amazon by clicking on book cover.
Book 4: Amanda runs for re-election-
★★★★★ "I swear, this series just took it to another level in this book-- especially considering how high the bar was set already from the beginning! But, incredibly, not only did Alexi Venice manage to deliver, she killed it!!" 5 Stars - Goodreads Reviewer
Dr. Jen Dawson is frustrated with her love life. She's interested in someone at the CrossFit box but wonders why she keeps thinking about her ex-lover, District Attorney Amanda Hawthorne.
As Jen works through her conflicted feelings, she also must manage the expectations of her irritated boss, Dr. Melissa Cohen, and the daily drama served up by angry patients, wild animals, and confidential information made public at the Cohen Clinic.
To make matters worse, Jen is asked by Amanda's campaign manager to defend Amanda after her HEA--hellish ending to an affair--with Roxy. Jen will be damned before she'll turn into the abused political wife, standing by "her woman" after Amanda fooled around on her. Yet, with just a short TV interview, Jen could clear up a mischaracterization of Amanda...
Purchase on Amazon by clicking on book cover.
Book 5: Tommy and Amanda solve a high-profile murder while Amanda does something special for Dr. Jen
★★★★★ "Another Hit! This series is such a great read and Sativa Strain was another fantastic installment. The author kept me engaged with the characters and plot twists throughout. Intrigue and romance abounds in each novel. I cannot wait for the next book in this series." Goodreads Reviewer
In Sativa Strain, Amanda carries with her the quiet confidence of a yogi, the unrelenting burden of a prosecutor, and the demons that torture the corners of her soul.
Newly re-elected as San Francisco’s DA, Amanda faces her biggest internal and external foes yet when she and Detective Tommy Vietti investigate a high-profile murder implicating Kara Montiago, the CEO of a Silicon Valley tech company and candidate for President of the United States.
Battling her desire to control everything around her, Amanda rekindles her relationship with Dr. Jen Dawson, the love of her life, testing the boundaries of Jen's patience.
Purchase on Amazon by clicking on book cover.
Book 6: Ditching Amanda, Dr. Jen vacations in Wisconsin-
★★★★★ "#Fabulous. I was excited to see this new book in the series and was unable to put it down. The drama around Amanda's job and relationship kept me hooked. A fabulous book and I can't wait for the next!" Goodreads Reviewer
District Attorney Amanda Hawthorne has no one to blame but herself when a hookup selfie surfaces of CIA Agent Roxy MacNeil and Amanda, jeopardizing Amanda’s engagement to Dr. Jen Dawson.
Humiliated and furious, Jen leaves on a vacation with her daughter, Kristin, and Kristin’s father, Detective Tommy Vietti. Surrounded by her family and recuperating at Sandy Lake, Jen feels liberated. When Victoria Marshall, an old high school acquaintance, tempts Jen with a dinner invitation, Jen visits a nearby town to explore a clinic position and see the intriguing businesswoman’s house.
Amanda, heartbroken and fighting her addictions, turns to dark music, loyal friends, and the California beach. Will she be able to resist her go-to mix of vices and lovers? Amanda must act fast if she wants to salvage her relationship with Dr. Jen.
★★★★★ "Couldn't love this series more if I tried. It has the most amazing mix between love, action, thriller, and some comedy!" Amazon Reviewer - January 12, 2021
★★★★★ "This book can be a stand-alone or a continuation of the series (my advice: read all of them!). This book kept me on edge for the entire time I was reading it. I dare say this installment is my absolute favorite. So far." 5 Stars - Goodreads Reviewer
★★★★★ "Wow, this is a great series!!! Loved it!! I feel that I know the main characters: Jen, Amanda and Tommy." 5 Stars - Goodreads Reviewer
★★★★★ "This is the 6th book of the series but it was the first one I read. All the books in this series can be read as "stand alone" but references are made to the other storylines. I enjoyed this story and the characters so much I knew I had to read books 1 thru 5 !!" 5 Stars -Goodreads Reviewer
★★★★★ "Those two were meant for each other......weren't they? Jen's not sure, and walks away. Amanda becomes sure and vows to stay on track. Jen runs into a high school acquaintance who really wants to catch up! What about the troublesome Scot, Roxy? You'll have to read it for yourself to find out! Believe me, it's well worth your time - Venice has another hit! Loved it!" 5 Stars - Goodreads Reviewer
★★★★★ "I'm not too well-versed in Venice's works and this was actually the first I've read in the series since it said it could be a standalone story. I have to say it was a real enjoyment. It was funny, it was romance, it was also not knowing if Jen and Amanda could put aside their past transgressions and start again. It ends in a bit of a cliff-hanger, but I hope the series is expanded, and I hope Amanda keeps it in her pants while away from her love, Jen." Goodreads Reviewer
Purchase on Amazon by clicking on book cover.
Book 7: Amanda, Roxy, and Tommy on a covert mission
Lady Hawthorne is the winner of two 2022 Lesfic Bard Awards: in Mystery and Action and Adventure
Lady Hawthorne, SFMS Book 7, Featuring Agent Roxy MacNeil
√ Spy thriller
* A kiss of fantasy
√ Covert operations
* Forced proximity
√ Sexpionage
* Scottish folklore
√ Steamy sapphic romance
* Medical mayhem
√ HEA
* Part of a series but can be read as a standalone
√Lady Hawthorne is the winner of two 2022 Lesfic Bard Awards in the Action & Adventure and Mystery categories
Amanda Hawthorne, Dr. Jen Dawson, and Detective Tommy Vietti volunteer to help in the aftermath of a terrorist attack in Wisconsin. Dr. Jen treats victims in the hospital, including someone once very special to her, but makes a new friend in Nurse Denni Russo.
While on an international covert mission to find a cure for the bioterror attack victims, Amanda summons her inner strength to avoid falling into old romantic habits as she learns earth-shattering revelations about her Scottish ancestry.
Agent Roxy MacNeil performs a highwire balancing act by revealing secrets about Amanda's ancestry while deftly training Tommy and Amanda to operate in her clandestine world.
Tommy feels like he’s walking on shifting sands as he transitions from a city detective to an international agent, relying on his gut instincts, drinking abilities, and shooting skills.
Purchase on Amazon by clicking on book cover.
the Monica spade Trilogy
Book #1 - A thriller with a twist
★★★★★ “An impeccably well-written legal drama with a slow burn romance front and center. Look for a surprise twist at the end of this book, too!” Goodreads 5 stars – Gayle
Trevor McKnight, a young, white male, is charged with the murder of Abdul Seif, a Saudi Arabian foreign exchange student.
Attorney Monica Spade's physician clients plan to testify at trial that Trevor's punch to Abdul's head killed him. Monica is shocked when her bosses at her all-male law firm warn her not to cross the powerful McKnight family.
Facing death threats and career-ending consequences, Monica must decide whether to expose the truth in a bigoted environment.
In her personal life, Monica joins a CrossFit box to work off stress. During class, she meets Shelby St. Claire, a high school art teacher. For the first time in her career, Monica considers coming out of the closet for Shelby.
★★★★★ "A witty legal tale intermingled with murder, bigotry, loyalty and an intelligent and honest lawyer finding love and friendship. Not to mention a rogue monkey causing some chaos. Alexi Venice gives the reader a brilliant and engaging story with some harsh reality and honest focus on our world today. I can't wait to read the next one!" Amazon Reviewer - 5 Stars - December 2020
monica spade book #2
Book 2: An award-winning standalone legal thriller
★★★★★ Named "The Best Legal Thriller of 2021" by BestThrillers.com "A sexy legal thriller that deftly blends an international terror plot with romantic obsession. Highly recommended.” BestThrillers.com
★★★★★ Winner of the 2020 Lesfic Bard Award in Mystery
★★★★★ Over 400 ratings and reviews on Amazon and Goodreads
Monica Spade insists she isn't a trial lawyer, much less one who represents dangerous criminals. Despite her protests, Judge O'Brien orders Monica to serve as standby counsel for a young woman accused of repeatedly stabbing her boyfriend.
Setting aside her abject fear, Monica drags herself to jail to meet her new client, Stela Reiter. A demure Romanian, Stela looks more like a meek librarian than a person capable of overpowering and stabbing a young man to death. Unlike Monica's other clients, Stela is coy and secretive during their interview. Meanwhile, Monica's girlfriend, Shelby St. Claire, is keeping secrets of her own, forcing Monica to question the foundation of their relationship.
Monica uncovers sexual innuendo and layers of international intrigue, then deadly forces come after her in the form of a Ukrainian thug who will stop at nothing to get what he wants and two suspicious federal agents who put the squeeze on her. Stuck between an unrelenting judge and a killer in a pink cardigan, Monica pursues the truth in court while fighting to keep Shelby and herself out of harm's way.
★★★★★ “Among legal thrillers, Standby Counsel excels in its depth of characterization. The chapters devoted to Monica’s romantic life are no less gripping than those devoted to the primary plot. While Standby Counsel is the second book in the Monica Spade Series, it’s a perfect entry point for new fans. Highly recommended.” BestThrillers.com
★★★★★ "This is one action-packed, keeps you guessing, can't put it down, legal thriller! Alexi Venice knows how to write engaging and complex courtroom dramas. Standby Counsel is an exceptional tale of crime, drama and romance. Venice leaves her readers captivated till the very end!" -5 Stars-Goodreads-The Lesbian Book Blog
★★★★★ I loved this book…The drama, intrigue and courtroom suspense are off the chart. Like the first book it’s also peppered with romance and not an inconsiderate amount of humour. I hope there will be much more of Monica Spade to come. Goodreads Reviewer - United Kingdom
★★★★★ "I love a good courtroom drama, but this is a great courtroom drama! In fact, there is some intense drama outside the courtroom that will keep you involved and wanting to know what happens next, too." -5 Stars Goodreads Reviewer
★★★★★ "Read this book - I believe you will be very happy you did. And by the end of this book, I think you'll be very attached to Monica Spade!!" -5 Stars Goodreads Reviewer
standby counsel wins the 2020 lesfic bard award in mystery
★★★★★ Lesfic Bard Awards
"ALEXI VENICE is the 2020 Lesfic Bard Awards winner in the category MYSTERY for her novel Standby Counsel. The Lesfic Bard Awards were created to celebrate Lesbian literature and award authors for excellence in writing and storytelling."
Monica spade Book #3
A standalone Crime Thriller with thrills, chills, and an HEA
★★★★★ "A highly original LGBTQ+ crime thriller with eye-popping doses of murder, mystery and romance. Highly recommended this mashup of crime thriller and lesbian romance." BestThrillers.com
Recharged from a romantic spring break, Attorney Monica Spade is hired to represent a plastic surgeon whose patients are being murdered and spray-painted with a sinister message.
An impending deadline forces Monica to take matters into her own hands while closing her law firm during a pandemic. She dives into the serial murder case, dissecting clues from surgeries, chasing down leads from smarmy nightclubs, and drawing criticism from the police for interfering.
In her personal life, Monica discovers her fiancée, Shelby St. Claire, hanging out with a former flame, Coco Rivelli, the yogi sensation. Can Monica keep a lid on her hot temper when provoked by Coco?
Fighting for life and love during a pandemic, Monica transforms her legal practice into an action-packed, killer ride through the lake country north of Apple Grove, Wisconsin.
★★★★★ “This is one heart-thumping, page-turning suspense thriller no dramatic crime mystery enthusiast will want to miss. Make room on your shelf for this one. The Monica Spade novels are one exciting series; I can’t get enough!” The Lesbian Book Blog
★★★★★ “I loved this book. Ms. Venice does a wonderful job with her characters, they are so believable, I expect them to jump off the page. I got drawn into the story early and I couldn't put it down!” Goodreads Reviewer 06-17-21
★★★★★ "Excellent thriller. The lawyer turned sleuth MC is a perfect mixture of action and cool-headed intellect. I definitely recommend all three books in this series. And I hope the author intends to continue this series!” Amazon Review 07-02-21
★★★★★ “Great read with suspense and romance!! When’s the next Monica Spade novel due to be released?!?! I can’t wait to read the next one!!” Goodreads 07-07-21
★★★★★ “I loved this! Monica is a likable and relatable protagonist and I just loved how the author made me really walk in her shoes from beginning to heart-stopping end. The murder mystery builds quickly as the real-life events of the pandemic surround the investigation and complicate things in a way that really resonated. My favorite are the bits of wry humor littered throughout the story. It keeps the tough subject from getting too dark. The mystery really kept me guessing until the end! 10/10 recommend!” Amazon 07-07-21
