#themarkofshadows

..Yet, you are the one writing it!

The Mark of Shadows - coming to Amazon and to a bookstore near you! (Trust me, it’s worth the wait!)

Listen to our Pre-Release Podcast here:

We are getting there, folks! The Mark of Shadows is just about done! Pre-order your copy today! Due Spring of 2025!

Even the Darkest of Shadows Can't Hold Back the Brightest of Lights

Happy New Year to you all!

In our upcoming book, "The Mark of Shadows" (due this Spring), there's a quote that carries a very deep meaning: "Even the darkest of shadows can't hold back the brightest of lights." This serves as a powerful reminder that no matter how dark our past may seem, there is an unwavering light deep inside each of us that can never be extinguished. It’s a light that wants to shine brightly, and only you hold the power to let it glow.

This idea perfectly aligns with the principle of constant and never-ending improvement, much like the Japanese concept of Kaizen (Kai - Change, Zen - Good), or "Good Change." Kaizen emphasizes small, continuous, and incremental improvements over time.

In life, there’s no “perfect” finish line where everything is done. Instead, it’s about cultivating a mindset of ongoing growth, whether in business or in our personal lives. It’s about constantly adjusting, learning, and improving—creating a cycle of growth and development.

Isn’t this how we’re meant to live as human beings? After all, if we’re not growing, we’re withering. If we’re not striving to improve, we’re allowing ourselves to stagnate. The better we grow as individuals, the more we elevate those around us.

Growth isn’t just about personal success; it’s about making a positive impact, lifting others up, and continuously becoming the best versions of ourselves. It’s about letting that bright light inside of us truly shine, no matter how dark our past was or how shadowy our present may seem.

Let your light shine for all the world to see this New Year! Start by connecting with our parent company, Second Ridge Private Client Consulting Group at www.secondridgeconsultinggroup.com, where a team of passionate development professionals is dedicated to helping people and businesses grow!

(And don't forget to explore the great reads at www.SecondRidgePublishing.com!)

See you again soon!

A HUGE thank you to our amazing supporter, #AlexSantillano, for this fantastic Travel Tumbler! 😍 The rest of you all better watch out because you might just end up in my next book! 😆

📚 “Chnawaway and the Sky Coyote” is available now on Amazon, and stay tuned for “The Mark of Shadows”, coming Spring 2025!

The agent stepped closer, his voice dropping. “Search your soul, Mr. Navarro. Even the darkest of shadows can’t hold back the brightest of lights.” ~ The Mark of Shadows, by H A Bustos

The Mark of Shadows A Noir Mystery Releasing Spring 2025

Nico Navarro knows darkness all too well. A recovering addict and a private investigator on the mean streets of Chicago, Nico's life is a constant battle between the demons of his past and the unsettling visions that torment his nights. But when a mysterious woman draped in black walks into his office, her desperate plea for help pulls him into a case with far-reaching consequences—secrets so dangerous, they may be worth dying for.

Cryptic symbols, long-lost faces, and a tattoo he doesn't remember getting—each clue pushes Nico further into a world of crime, corruption, and a puzzle that seems to be tied to his very soul. In order to solve the case, Nico must confront the darkness within, risking everything he's fought to rebuild: his sobriety, his sanity, and the lives of those closest to him.

The Mark of Shadows is a riveting story of redemption, psychological suspense, and supernatural mystery. Perfect for fans of hard-boiled detectives, twisty mysteries, and stories that linger long after the last page is turned.

Will Nico uncover the truth before it’s too late, or will the shadows claim him for good?

“The Shadows of Our Past Leave a Mark on Our Soul” ~ H A Bustos

Nico Navarro is a man haunted by the past. A recovering addict and private investigator in the gritty streets of Chicago, Nico spends his nights staring out his office window, cigarette in hand, wrestling with dreams that feel too real to ignore. His visions, vivid and haunting, began as an escape from a fractured childhood marked by his mother’s addiction and a string of abusive stepfathers. Now, they are something much darker—premonitions tied to crimes yet unsolved and secrets buried in shadows.

When a mysterious woman steps into his office wearing a black dress and desperation, Nico is thrust into a case that cuts closer to home than he ever imagined. Her plea for help reignites a recurring dream he’s been having—a fragmented vision of danger, betrayal, and a tattoo etched on his back that he has no memory of getting. As Nico digs deeper, the dream begins to expand, revealing cryptic symbols, forgotten faces, and a chilling connection to the woman who seeks his help.

Each step closer to the truth pushes Nico toward a line he swore he’d never cross again. The dreams become more vivid, drawing him into a tangled web of crime, corruption, and his own unresolved trauma. The tattoo on his back is no mere mark—it’s a map, a riddle, and a warning. To solve the case and save his own life, Nico must confront the demons he’s spent years running from and decipher the secrets hidden in his skin.

But every answer comes with a price. As Nico spirals deeper into the mystery, he faces an impossible choice: risk his sobriety to unlock the final pieces of the puzzle or lose himself—and everyone he’s trying to protect—to the shadows forever.

“The Mark of Shadows” is a gripping noir mystery layered with psychological depth, vivid dreamscapes, and an unrelenting sense of suspense. Perfect for fans of hard-boiled detectives, supernatural twists, and stories of redemption, this novel is a haunting exploration of how our pasts can define us—or destroy us.

Will Nico solve the case before it’s too late? Or will the truth buried in the shadows be his ultimate undoing?