Velvet Knives

by Jan Kirchner

Overview

Elena Serrano was raised in the shadows of Charleston's most elite underground empire-The Siren's Wake, a gilded den of secrets ruled by her mother, Vivian, a woman who wielded power like perfume and punishment. But Elena left that world behind years ago, determined to live a quiet life, far from the velvet-draped cages of her childhood.

Until a single, chilling message lures her back.

When a cryptic voicemail from a long-lost ally leads to a brutal murder and a fire that levels the only home she knew, Elena finds herself on the run-with only Jonah Cross, a former enforcer and ex-lover turned reluctant protector, standing between her and the past that wants her silenced.

As enemies close in and the truth unravels, Elena and Jonah must confront what tore them apart years ago-and what still burns between them now. Together, they navigate a world of crumbling dynasties, buried clues, and a betrayal that cuts deeper than blood.

But reclaiming her future will mean taking down the woman who taught her everything about control, elegance... and vengeance.

In a world where trust is currency, love is a liability, and knives come wrapped in velvet, Elena must decide what kind of legacy she's willing to kill for-and who she's willing to save.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798319600455
Publisher:	Barnes & Noble Press
Publication date:	06/13/2025
Pages:	66
Product dimensions:	5.00(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.17(d)

About the Author

Jan Kirchner is a multi-genre indie author whose writing explores the emotional terrain between light and shadow. She is the author of several poetry collections, including Holes in Your Umbrella and Borderline, as well as novellas such as A Love Stolen in Time and A Book Club Survivor’s Guide. Her work often centers on themes of mental health, identity, longing, and the quiet power of everyday survival.

A lifelong writer and storyteller, Jan holds a Master’s degree in English and Creative Writing and teaches college writing courses as an adjunct professor. She also runs a personal blog, Ghosts in the Glass, where she shares reflections on writing, life, and the ever-changing weather of the mind.

Whether she’s crafting poetry that speaks to emotional truth or suspenseful fiction with a twist, Jan is passionate about creating stories that resonate—and helping others feel a little less alone in the process.

When not writing, she spends her days in Illinois with her husband, a gecko, and a bearded dragon named Hermes. She is also a proud Avon representative.