Showing results by author "Brian W. Smith" in All Categories

In 1995, Clementine Wilson was murdered in her home. The slaying was witnessed by her two sons: Christopher (10) and Omar (8). The boys spent the next seven years in and out of numerous foster homes. When Christopher became too old for the foster care system, he joined the army. Feeling abandoned by the only relative he'd ever known, Omar fled the dysfunctional environment the first chance he got. The brothers didn't see each other again for twenty years. When the brothers reconnect they are both surprised to learn that they have a lot of similarities: they are both aloof, they often ...

Nothing can derail a wedding faster than a murder… Eli LaPomeret is a descendant of Pierre LaPomeret—the most notorious slave owner in Louisiana history. The LaPomeret family has benefited for generations from the wealth accumulated by their infamous ancestor, and still has a lot of influence within the city of New Orleans. So, when Eli announced his engagement to Khloe Francois the buzz that ensued within the city’s most exclusive social circles was predictable. But, no one could have predicted that Eli would find himself standing at the altar waiting for his soon-to-be-bride…who ...

A beautiful college student is killed in Audubon Park - just a few feet away from St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans. There were no witnesses. The case is handed to newly minted detective, Elizabeth Silverman. It isn't long before Elizabeth realizes there are multiple people who had a motive to murder the young woman. Elizabeth is in over her head on this one, but she has a secret weapon - legendary detective Donald "Sleepy" Carter. But, there is one catch, everyone at the New Orleans Police Department believes Sleepy Carter is dead - and that's exactly the way Elizabeth and Sleepy like it.

Saxophone Bo has been playing jazz tunes on the same Bourbon Street corner for over fifty years. He's always been a crowd favorite because of his skills, personality, and the thing that makes him stand apart from the other musician's roaming the French Quarter...he's blind. When Saxophone Bo is found dead at the spot that he stood at for decades, the locals and police are baffled. Why would anyone murder such a kind man? And why did the murderer leave Bo's money and his most prized possession, his saxophone, untouched? Trying to catch the killer seems impossible since there were no ...

Monty Okafor is a young hot-shot lawyer who runs into his old high school girlfriend, Summer Tonti. While at dinner, catching up on old times, Monty reminds Summer that the reason they broke up was because her mother forbade her from dating anyone whose skin color was darker than a brown paper bag. Much to Monty's chagrin, it's 15 years later and Summer admits that her mom still doesn't want her to date anyone who is darker than a brown paper bag. So, imagine how awkward things get when Summer's twin brother, Langston, is accused of murder and needs the best Defense Attorney in the city......

Cyril Phelps is the black sheep of his family; the one Phelps child who didn't go to college, doesn't have a fancy job with a six-figure salary, and no perfect spouse and kids. As a result, he's always been the butt of all the family jokes. But, what Cyril does have is the inside scoop on the family's dirtiest secrets. And when his siblings go too far with their bullying at the Phelps family Christmas gathering, what starts out as a good day, turns into Mad Day - the day when Cyril strikes back, and no one will walk away unscathed. Hell hath no fury like a sibling scorned.

Carnival season in New Orleans is six weeks of chaos that culminates with Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras day). In a city that thrives off of tourism year round, nothing compares to the millions of people that flock to the Big Easy to party during this time of year; which is why it's also the best time of the year to kill and get away with it. Someone is using the carnival season as the perfect cover to kill a select group of men. Trying to find the killer will be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. And there is only one detective skilled enough to do that...Donald "Sleepy" Carter.

From witnessing horrible acts of domestic violence, becoming a teen father, army veteran, college professor, best-selling author, and screenwriter, Brian W. Smith has experienced his share of disappointments and triumphs. Yet, he managed to ADAPT and OVERCOME whenever obstacles got in his way. In this hard-hitting and transparent testimonial, Brian offers the lessons he's learned along the way with the hopes that you are inspired and motivated to accomplish the things that God intends for you to do. Brian W. Smith is the best-selling author of thirty-eight novels. His books have appeared on...

Evelyn Quick is a feisty, smart, attractive young entrepreneur. But her troubled past has left her fractured emotionally and is the genesis for a deep dark secret she has struggled to keep from her friends and co-workers...she's a hoarder. Hoarding is a way for her to emotionally bury the secrets of her past...as well as some other things.

Donna Ledbetter inherits millions. But her financial windfall brings on more headaches than she anticipated. Her scheming ex-husband attempts to extort money from her by denouncing his paternal rights if she doesn't give him money. To make matters worse, her girlfriends have convinced her that he fiance' - the man who took care of her and her kids when she had nothing - needs to sign a pre-nup before they get married. Will Donna be able to identify her friends from her foes or will greed leave her without her money...and her man.

Romeo Soublet sleeps with wealthy older women for money. In other words, he's a gigolo. And in the city of New Orleans, there are a LOT of older wealthy women to make his chosen occupation extremely profitable. Expensive cars. A pricey Uptown New Orleans loft. Shopping sprees. Romeo has it all...and then his life changes. Connie Dupree, a wealthy socialite, hears of the exploits of Romeo a/k/a Gigolo Number Nine (the number assigned to him by the madam who "discovered" his talent), and arranges to spend the night with Romeo to see if everything she's heard is true. When Romeo sees the ...

Is voodoo real? Detective Lizzy Silverman is about to find herself face-to-face with that question. When Corey Simon, a delivery truck driver, is found dead with his throat slit near the tomb of Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans, police are shocked by the gruesome crime scene. Guinevere Laveau, a woman who claims to be the descendant of Marie Laveau, confesses to placing a voodoo spell on the victim; a spell that assured his death. With no other suspects, Detective Lizzy Silverman feels compelled to arrest Laveau, but that would also mean Lizzy would have to believe that voodoo ...

Robert Sumina, a successful entrepreneur, husband, and father, hates his own father, Enis, so much that he told his ten-year-old daughters their grandfather died. Why? Because Enis was so verbally and physically abusive that Robert's mother committed suicide to escape his wrath. When Hurricane Katrina demolishes New Orleans and sends thousands of residents fleeing from the city, Enis, now sixty-five years old, hobbled, and destitute because of the hurricane, lands—unannounced—on the doorstep of Robert’s suburban Dallas home. Robert’s lie is exposed. To make matters worse, Enis is ...

When Detective Lizzy Silverman is asked to be one of three judges for the gumbo contest at the 25th Annual Big Eazy Gumbo Festival, she reluctantly accepts. When one of the judges dies after eating a bowl of gumbo, Lizzy finds herself knee deep in a homicide investigation that has her stumped. The identity of the judges was kept a secret. The contestants had no way of knowing which of the three judges would eat the poisoned gumbo. Lastly, several people had access to the gumbo bowls. With no cameras in the prep area, how could she possibly determine who poisoned the gumbo? Luckily for Lizzy...

The Club is a book club that consists of 7 women and 1 man who all have a passion for reading novels. Their love for books has created an unbreakable bond between them. But things take a dark turn when Amber, the baby of the group, reveals that her husband, Police Chief, Anthony Dunwoody, is a monster who has done horrible things to her and their daughter, Sophie. The members of The Club become enraged by Amber's confession, and once the alcohol starts flowing at the meeting, it isn't long before suggestions on how to kill the badge wearing abuser get tossed around. Those suggestions might ...

Malik and Sheila Baptiste have been married for 13 years. In an effort to "spice" up their sex life, Mailk talks Sheile into "swinging" with their next door neighbors (Stacy and Darnell). Sheila reluctantly participates in the "swinging", but something goes terribly wrong - Malik wants to stop and Sheila becomes addicted to the lifestyle.

Four former army friends reunite in New Orleans for a "guys" weekend. What starts out as a night of reminiscing and partying spirals into a weekend that will change all of their lives forever. The guys quickly learn that time changes people. The guys went to New Orleans to party, but they all get a little something extra.

**Be advised - this short story was originally published in the 4 Secrets Anthology** Mitchell Victor, a struggling writer, suspects his wife, Tasha, is cheating. His suspicions are confirmed when he snoops through her emails, and finds a message from her lover—the Police Chief. The email details the date, place, and time of their next rendezvous. Victor concocts a clever plan to crash their private party. Armed with a gun and a heart filled with rage, he carries out his plan. But, no plan is perfect—and neither is Mitchell’s. As a result, he learns a harsh lesson…never look for ...

Sonya Lucas is the model wife. Her husband Eric is not the model husband. The couple's marriage is in jeopardy because Sonya can't have kids and Eric desperately wants a son. Tired of waiting for his wife to give him a child, Eric has a "love child" with his mistress Ann. Will Sonya accept the baby to save her marriage? Or will she take matters into her own hands. Deceit has consequences...serious consequences.

Quincy Washington is an alcoholic and drug addict. He abandons his wife (Carmen) and their five year old son (QJ). Carmen tells QJ his father died. Ten years later, QJ and a few of his rowdy friends are beating up a homeless man. Just as QJ was about to hit the man, the man tells him he's his father.