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Born in Poland, Margot Justes has lived in some of the world’s most wonderful places, including Israel, France, and South Africa. Currently living in the Midwest, and working as a Human Resources Coordinator for a major corporation, she has taken her love of art and travel and cultivated it into unique settings and stories for her writing.

In the past she has been a PTA Board Member, a Volunteer Board Member, a grade school Picture Lady and library volunteer. She is a Member of Romance Writers of American and Sisters in Crime; she serves on the local board of both organizations.

She is the proud mother of two daughters, grandmother to two grand-children and the wife of one husband. In her spare time she enjoys reading, gardening, music and the occasional shopping spree. She is now working on her second novel, A Hotel in Bath.

ISBN: 978-1-59080-534-3

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A HOTEL IN PARIS

At a professional and emotional crossroad in her life, Minola Grey, an American painter decides that a trip to Paris is just what she needs to re-capture her muse. Soon after her arrival, a murder in the hotel disrupts her peaceful contemplation.

Quick on the case is Interpol Inspector Peter Riley, who suspects Minola of holding the oldest profession known to man. Despite his rudeness and hostility, the gratuitous loss of life impacts her deeply and forces her to take action.

With an eye for details, Minola's ability to observe the casual occurrences of every day life instilled in her as an artist, and her equally impressive talent to putting it on paper could help bring the case to closure. But when the murderer realizes she knows too much, can Peter Riley keep her safe?

Laurel, MD–December 1, 2007 — FIRE! You see it on the news, on the Internet, in the papers, but if it doesn't strike close to home it's easy to ignore. When a small fire in Karen Syed's Maryland apartment complex brought neighbors out, Karen got proactive. With one e-mail sent to 21 authors, The Heat of the Moment was developed. Each of the authors, the youngest being sixteen years old, involved in this remarkable collection of short stories has made a pledge. Contributors, authors, editors, and artist, have all committed their royalties to benefit the survivors of the San Diego fires of 2007.

After speaking with Marty Leavitt, President of the The Fire Safe Council of San Diego County (FSCSDC), Echelon Press pledged to send all proceeds from the sale of The Heat of the Moment to the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County. "It is important to us that these people who have lost everything know they don't have to do this alone. We may be strangers, but we care," states Ms. Syed. The goal of "The Heat of the Moment" is to put money directly into the community of San Diego, and those who lost so much. With no direct link to San Diego, Ms. Syed had to make a difficult decision as to who would benefit from the publication of The Heat of the Moment. With thousands of homes destroyed in the 2007 San Diego fires, and dozens of injuries, the loss is impossible to measure. This fact alone spurred Karen Syed, president of Echelon Press, LLC, to take a step to do something. "This organization (FSCSDC) represents everything that we would like to accomplish with this project," states Syed.

The Heat of the Moment is a compilation of twenty short stories with one common theme—fire. From fantasies to tributes remembering historical catastrophes, chilling and moving, the stories will tap human emotions with their overwhelming credit to survival.

The Fire Safe Council of San Diego County (FSCSDC) was formed in 1997 and is comprised of a 15-member Board of Directors (voting members). The Board consists of federal, state, and local agencies and stakeholders as determined by the (FSCSDC). The (FSCSDC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is incorporated under the California Franchise Tax Board. The (FSCSDC) is a member of the California Fire Safe Council, a non-profit corporation, and is authorized to use the name "Fire Safe Council" and the FSC logo. All (FSCSDC) Council members have common goals of fire safety education and pre-fire management, attend meetings, and participate in SDCFSC programs and activities.

Echelon Press, LLC, is an independent publishing house based in Laurel, MD. With ninety authors in their three divisions, Echelon Press has spent nearly seven years cultivating a stable of authors ranging from beginners to national award winners. Echelon authors are located across America as well as in New Zealand, Australia, Israel, and Canada.

A listing of all parties contributing to The Heat of the Moment is available upon request. The list includes story titles and author locations.

For review copies, requests for interviews, and author events, please contact Karen L. Syed at echelonpress@comcast.net.