Mark of the Loon

Former banker turned budding romance novelist Sam Monroe is wanted in the murder of her soon to be ex-husband’s grad assistant and lover, Ariella Fantini. Ariella is murdered while Sam is in Florida celebrating both her mother’s birthday and the publication of her first novel. Sam swiftly proves that she is just about the only person who could not have committed the murder. This swift change in her status from primary murder suspect to a person of interest has other consequences. Ariella's father, a mob boss on the run, makes Sam an offer she doesn't know how to refuse, help solve the murder of his daughter by using her connections in the English Department at the University. Since Mr. Fantini is on the most wanted lists of the Boston Police and the FBI, he needs to watch out for his own back.

Sam puts together a list of potential suspects that includes a jealous ex-boyfriend, a plagiarist who is using Ariella’s work and Rick, Sam’s soon to be ex. A local news reporter with connections to a friend of Ariella's becomes involved too. When this friend is murdered for Ariella's journal and Sam’s home is ransacked and her life threatened, it becomes clear that Sam is more prey than hunter. Mr. Fantini and his ever present bodyguard, the police and Sam’s friends and family realize that Sam is in danger and scramble to find her before she becomes the next victim

Graduate assistant Jan Lindell has her hands full supervising a team of archaeology students as they excavate the site of a Colonial-era inn in central Virginia. Sweltering heat, feuding students, vandalism, a visit from the local lunatic fringe, and complaints from the handsome son of the property’s owner are all complications she doesn’t need.

Her problems increase when it becomes clear someone doesn’t want them around. Vandalism turns into threats and then attacks on the students. On the bright side, when Gary Simpson, whose mother owns and lives on the property, assists her in the effort to thwart and identify the assailants, they discover a mutual attraction.

But someone seriously wants to stop them. When the attacks escalate and threaten to turn deadly, Jan realizes she’s fighting for more than a graduate degree and an archaeological site. All of their lives may be at stake.

In News from Dead Mule Swamp, Anastasia Raven is running from the pain of a failed marriage, and hopes to hide from the world in an old farmhouse she has purchased at the edge of Dead Mule Swamp. When a hundred-year-old newspaper she finds inside a wall is stolen by Cliff Sorenson, and then Cliff disappears, Ana is convinced that the paper holds the key to the mystery. But what old news could be important enough to put Cliff in danger?

(Anastasia Raven Mysteries #1)

Travel writer, Carol Valenti was enjoying her first view of the Grand Canyon when her new acquaintance wealthy Mimi Griffin, squeezed her arm in a death grip.

Carol turned to see a man scrambling up the protective fence, and then with a wave at the astonished crowd, he flung himself over the edge to his death a thousand feet below. Accompanying him on his brief trip were the shrill tones of Mimi's ear piercing scream.

Hour after his death, Carol notices Red, Mimi’s husband, conversing and giving an envelope to a distinctive looking character. Later Carol hears that the same man is now dead.

That evening Carol meets Lex Alan, a Vintner showcased at a wine trade show held at the Grand Canyon. There is an instant attraction between them, and they make plans to meet and ride together on the mule trip down to the Canyon floor.

While at a cookout on the Colorado River, Red is murdered and Mimi becomes a prime suspect. As dangerous incidents continue to occur, Carol must find a way to clear Mimi of suspicion and find the killer, before she becomes the next victim.

Brett Sargent is a native New Yorker transplanted through the Witness Protection Program to the urbane metropolis of Little Falls, Arkansas. Despite her “I Miss Bill” bumper sticker, Brett’s not fitting in so well. She doesn’t like people who drive too slow, eat too fast, or wear too much camo (and let’s face it—that pretty much sums up most of the Little Falls demographic). Her only consolation is a new career as a private investigator and her canine sidekick, a Boxer named Dude.

All is well until a client’s husband turns up dead with a Mafia poison pen letter stabbed to his chest—someone has figured out the real identities of protected witnesses in Little Falls. Brett tackles the case with the dead man’s tracksuit-wearing wife, Elaine, and her smokin’ hot redneck brother, Jake. These mysterious siblings are more a hindrance than a help, though—they forge family photos, can’t agree on the way their parents died, and are on a first name basis with the Mafia’s best hit man.

Brett’s search for the killer will reveal the truth about Elaine, Jake, and a full cast of Arkansan characters: a one-eyed repairman, a shotgun-wielding racist, a vindictive Kroger clerk, Bible thumpers, and a shoplifter named Rick James who just might be the best friend Brett’s been waiting for.

Gretchen Gallen is a young financial wizard and a rising star in Charlotte's business scene. But through a traumatic event, Gretchen soon finds herself tossed from the corporate ladder and into an adjoining wealthy rural enclave through her connections in a wildlife organization. There she takes up residence in the guest house of Leslie, an elderly widow who is losing her vision. When Leslie unexpectedly dies, suddenly Gretchen finds new friendships with hilarious women, interesting beaus, and a true calling in crime scene cleanup. But business is a little too good once a serial killer begins to drop in on the locals and Gretchen's retired cadaver dog begins to sniff out something a bit too close to home. It doesn't take long before Gretchen realizes the killer has a type; and she fits his profile perfectly.

“Charlie is slick, appealing, and nobody’s fool—just what readers want in an amateur sleuth.” – Booklist

“An impressive debut mystery.” –Albuquerque Journal

“An auspicious debut!” – I Love a Mystery

“This is a dandy. Don’t miss it!” – Book Talk

Charlie Parker really doesn’t want to track down killers. She’s an accountant and a partner with her brother in a private investigation business. But when her old friend Stacy North comes looking for help, Charlie gives in and agrees to help.

Stacy’s Rolex watch is missing and she’s afraid her husband Brad will find out. The truth is that she was seeing another man, and she’s terrified of Brad’s legendary temper. Charlie finds the missing watch--no problem--but when the “other man” suddenly turns up dead, Stacy is desperate. Can Charlie find out who the real killer is before the police connect Stacy to the victim? It turns out to be the challenge of Charlie’s life.