Book Extract: I Kill Always Love You by Helen Golden

I am so delighted to be welcoming Helen Golden back to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest book, I Kill Always Love You.

A perfect sunny getaway with no drama. Or so they’d hoped…

BREAKING NEWS Woman Taken in for Questioning in Death of Actress’ Husband

Police in Portugal this morning told reporters that a woman is being questioned in connection with the murder of the film producer Jason ‘JT’ Kenda, who was married to award-winning actress Ariella St Gerome.

Mr Kenda, who was found dead in the swimming pool of the couple’s villa, was initially thought to have died following an accident, but now police believe the American was killed intentionally. The villa is next door to where Lady Beatrice, the Countess of Rossex, is currently holidaying with family and friends at the villa of TV’s Sir Hewitt and his wife, Lady Grace.

Who can say no to Lady Grace? When the daughter of Lady Grace’s housekeeper is suspected of murder, her ladyship requests that Bea and her friends prove the maid’s innocence. But with time running out, can they navigate the tangled web of lies, betrayal, and hidden motives before an innocent woman is imprisoned for a crime she didn’t commit? Because even on holiday, the sleuthing never stops!

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Helen has kinky shared an extract from I Kill Always Love You with us today. We hope you enjoy. 

*****beginning of extract*****

Intro

Lady Beatrice, her cute dog Daisy, her son Sam, and best his friend, Archie, are joined by DS Richard Fitzwilliam, Bea’s best friends Perry and Simon, and Simon’s daughter Isla, for a relaxing holiday in the sun, and they can’t wait. They’ve all had a crazy year so far, and all they want to do is sit by the pool and chill. No mysteries. No murder. Just sunny weather, good food, and great company. Their villa, Villa Mer, is in a complex of three, but Bea hopes that they can keep their interaction with their neighbours to a minimum, especially when she finds out that one of them is famous American actress, Ella St Gerome, and her husband, hot-shot Hollywood film producer, JT Kenda. The couple have been splashed all over the newspapers recently with rumours that he wasn’t giving his wife the lead role in his next movie. Bea doesn’t want to be dragged into that drama. But it was never going to be that simple, was it?

While Bea and the others were having breakfast the day after their arrival, an invitation arrived from Ella and JT to a pool party. Perry has persuaded Bea to hand deliver their acceptance note and has dragged her over to the neighbouring villa. Once in the grounds they overhear a couple arguing. Bea wants to turn back, but it’s too late. They have been spotted, and Ella has waved them over. Bea has no choice but to go…

Extract

“That’s Ella St Gerome,” Perry whispered from the side of his mouth as they approached the pool. Ella’s dark hair framed an exquisite face, with piercing blue eyes full of intensity. There was something undeniably commanding about the actress’ presence.

Next to her, the man seemed agitated, his tall, fit frame radiating tension. His handsome features were marred by a menacing smile that sent shivers down Bea’s spine.

“Well, hey there!” Ella greeted them warmly, extending a hand. “I’m Ariella St Gerome, but please call me Ella. And this is my husband, JT. You’re Lady Rossex. I recognise you from the papers. I’m stoked to meet y’all,” she said in a soft southern drawl.

“Delighted to meet you too,” Bea said, taking the woman’s small tanned hand. “This is Perry Juke.” Bea indicated Perry, who was now hovering by her shoulder. “He and his family are staying with us,” she felt compelled to add unnecessarily. She turned to greet Ella’s husband, but he’d already walked off towards a table by the side of the pool, his sulking demeanour leaving an awkward silence in his wake. He picked up a half full glass of amber liquid and downed it in one.

“Isn’t this just divine?” Perry gushed to Ella in a voice that sounded a lot posher than normal. He swept his arm around in an arc that encompassed the area they were standing in.

Divine? Bea stifled a giggle as her gaze wandered around the pool area, taking in the opulent surroundings. A detailed statue stood proudly on a plinth on the grass near the pool, its stone form bright under the sun’s rays. Large palm trees were scattered around the edge of the pool, providing clumps of shade, and large bushes of pink flowers broke up the enormous expanse of grass.

Bea cleared her throat, feeling the need to explain their sudden appearance. “We came by to accept your invitation for the pool party tomorrow afternoon,” she said, trying to sound casual. She cleared her throat and gestured to Perry, who had the acceptance note in his pocket.

He was still staring at Ella.

“Er, Perry. Do you have the note?” Bea prompted him.

He looked at her, smiling. “Sorry, what?”

“The note I wrote accepting the invitation.” She tried to keep the impatience out of her voice. Come on, Perry. Get a grip!

“Oh, yes. Sorry,” he tittered, delving into his pocket and handing the piece of paper to Ella with a small bow.

Bea suppressed a grin. She’s not royalty! “There will be five of us in total,” Bea said to Ella. She hoped Isla would come with them but knew the boys would prefer to stay at the villa and play video games than make polite conversation with a group of adults they didn’t know. And they can look after Daisy too. “I hope that’s alright?”

“That’s marvellous! The more the merrier,” Ella cried, her eyes lighting up. “I’m so glad you’ll be joining us. Can I offer you a drink?”

“I—” Bea began, intending to decline, but Perry jumped in before she could finish.

“Absolutely! Thank you,” he said, giving her another bow.

Bea stifled a sigh. He’s got it bad!

“Lucy!” Ella called out, and a petite woman with short blonde spiky hair, shaved at the back and sides, appeared through the open bifold doors and hurried towards them. As she got closer, she adjusted the brown round glasses that framed her blue eyes and stopped in front of Ella.

“Can you arrange some drinks for our guests, please, Lucy,” Ella said, smiling. She turned back to Bea and Perry. “Is iced coffee good for you both?” They nodded. “Oh, and I suppose another bourbon for JT,” she added, a weariness in her voice.

Another? At this time of day? It isn’t even lunchtime yet…

“Right away,” Lucy replied.

“That’s Lucy Harper, my PA,” Ella told them as they watched the young woman return to the open door of the villa. “She’s a treasure.”

JT gave a loud huff and threw himself down into a lounger by the side of the table where his empty glass now rested.

An awkward silence settled over them as they waited for their drinks. Bea looked at Perry. Normally, he was the one who filled gaps like this, but he was staring at Ella, his mouth gapping slightly open, with a goofy look on his face. Bea pressed her lips together to stop a smile that was desperate to escape. Oh my goodness! He’s actually starstruck.

“I absolutely adore England,” Ella suddenly blurted out.

Bea turned to her and smiled. “Indeed. Have you spent much time there?”

“Er, we filmed a movie just outside London not too long ago. Oxford, was it?” She glanced at JT hopefully, but he said nothing, his look sullen and disinterested.

“Oxford’s a beautiful city, isn’t it, Perry?” Bea said, giving him a nudge.

“Er, oh, yes,” Perry replied, his eyes still glazed over.

“Ah, here are our drinks.”

Bea breathed a sigh of relief.

*****end of extract*****

About Helen Golden –

Hello. I’m Helen Golden. I write British contemporary cozy whodunnits with a hint of humour. I live in small village in Lincolnshire in the UK with my husband, my step-daughter, her two cats, our two dogs, sometimes my step-son, and our tortoise.

I used to work in senior management, but after my recent job came to a natural end I had the opportunity to follow my dreams and start writing. It’s very early in my life as an author, but so far I’m loving it.

It’s crazy busy at our house, so when I’m writing I retreat to our caravan (an impulsive lockdown purchase) which is mostly parked on our drive. When I really need total peace and quiet, I take it to a lovely site about 15 minutes away and hide there until my family runs out of food or clean clothes. 

Say hello via Instagram, Facebook, Twitter (X) and TikTok. 

I Kill Always Love You, a Right Royal Cozy Investigation Mystery was released on 31st March 2025. Click to buy on Amazon UK, Waterstones and Amazon US. 

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Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.