Synopsis: Sixty-Four Squared: The Scholar's Mate/Sixty-Four Squared: The Queen's Gambit

A pair of novels, these first two, of which is quickly proving to be a series of sorts. I'm writing these things out of order, and while most is from the first, I do have a few excerpts better fit to the second.

Part mystery. Part suspense. Part science-related (but not entirely science-fiction or science-realism). With dashes of magic, adventure, and romance thrown in. Set primarily in Boston, the story follows a team of paranormal investigators, whose lives are far more tangled than they'd like, and whose secrets are about to become even more entangled with the crime scenes...

The Characters:

Declan, the boss. He's manipulative, cold, calculating, but looks out for his team. He just doesn't want them to know it.

Anya, the team's photographer, right-hand-woman, and voice of reason. She might be sleeping with the boss, but don't let that get to you.

Reid, he lost his entire life four years ago, and it'd be much easier to simply run. He's quiet, curt, and abhors most company.

Miles, the chatterbox, the jokester, the flirt, the comedian. She's here because she doesn't know what else to do, but she likes her team (and in love with Reid), she likes the idea of saving the world, and she figures it's better than a desk job. Plus, the boys don't complain when she tries out her cooking on them.

Ryan, the computer scientist. Like most, he doesn't talk much about his past or his family. He's close-mouthed, and he's more likely to put a knife through you for the wrong thing at the wrong time (or right time) than anyone else there, but he's loyal to a fault, and partial to migraines.

Charlie, the accountant, the mother-hen. He'll make you a cup of coffee (or tea) when you come in, make sure you're eating right, and that your paycheck is accurate and on-time. He's anal when it comes to the expense reports, but certainly the least threatening of the bunch.

Jenn, the intern. She's the youngest of the bunch, still in college. She's been working there for a year, and while she's aware the accounting business is a front, she's not aware for how much. Only she's about to find out.

Other characters include:
Hunter, a historian, archivist, and freelance lecturer. He had a dealing with some living books about ten years back and never been quite the same since.

Rook, his younger (step-)sister. She's studying for her Ph.D, and lining up the pieces from behind the scene. She often has information no one else does. That she's married to one of thefairer folk probably helps.

Amy, a kindergarten teacher. She's engaged to Hunter, is allergic to onions, and doesn't like snakes. She's also a professional assassin, but that's not exactly everyday dinner conversation.

Alex, a former professional assassin, now he offers out jobs. He seemingly has no heart, and no weakness, and no breaking point. But those who say that have never met his adopted daughter.

Sarah, she owns the local apothecary, and hands out advice with her wares.

Kyril, her assistant. Also an ass, just not literally.

Gilbert, head of the Northeastern branch of the Archives.

Miranda, his assistant.

Lior, his secretary.

Cache, previously married to Reid, she took off with their kid after certain events unfolded. She's a painter and sculptor, she raises her daughter on the art fair circuit, and dares you to call her a "bad mother".

Ophir, a private dective, a mother of three, and wife. She left Declan's team three years ago after a falling out, and struck out on her own. She sometimes purposely steps on their (and his) toes, and she has no qualms about shooting someone, no matter how inane the reason.

Tovim, her partner. Has a genius IQ, not that many people realize behind his rather simple take on life. Prefers his meat rare. Ophir saved his life once, and he's been paying her back since.