Here in Southern New England, April ended in true April fashion: lots of showers. But last Saturday, the weather warmed and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. It was a perfect day for the Branford Book Festival.
The concept was fantastic. Thirty stores along the center of town each allowed one or two authors to room to set up a table on their sidewalk. I was in a little shopping plaza, so I set up on the end, away from the stores, but smack where everyone passing on Main Street could see me.
I set up outside a beautiful salon with the most gracious hosts. They offered to help me set up (and offered to help me tear down at the end of the event). They kept offering me coffee, tea, and water. When my kids came to visit, they gave them lollipops. When the weather got a little too hot, they offered me an umbrella. When I declined, they offered me aloe for my sunburn.
The event began at ten, and I finished setting up a few minutes after that. But it had a slow start. I took advantage of the downtime in my super comfy camping chair. In fact, I enjoyed the chair so much, I may bring it with me to every author event, even the indoor ones. It's so much nicer than a folding or banquet chair.
Eventually, foot traffic increased, and I made some sales. Overall, the event was fantastic, and I had a lot of fun. And the weather was gorgeous. A little too nice.
I left with a severe sunburn. Nearly a week later, I am still red and even sore in some places. I started with aloe and have since moved to moisturizers. A friend of mine recommended vinegar, but I was glad I didn't have any. I was too scared to try it.
However, since I know no matter how many resolutions I make, I am bound to forget sunscreen again. So my question this week is
what are your favorite ways to treat sunburn?
Choose Your Own Path Story
I first started this Choose Your Own Path game as a fun way to interact with you, my readers. And I love doing it.
However, writing three scenes every other week in addition to my other stories takes a lot of time. Unfortunately, with summer approaching, time is a precious commodity.
Therefore, I need to make a decision. Should I continue these stories every newsletter? Or put them aside until fall? Or are you getting bored and would rather these go away for good?
There is also a fourth option. I could make these stories a separate newsletter. I would continue writing over the summer—possibly an episode a week, possibly an episode every three weeks—and you would receive the story in your inbox as normal. But it would be separate from this newsletter and not contain any other information.
Hartfield Chronicles
Season 5 of Hartfield Chronicles is here!
Melinda loves Pat, but sometimes she wishes he had friends of his own. When he starts spending time with her dance partner, however, Melinda can't help the feelings of jealousy that surface, especially when he starts choosing him over her. Will their relationship survive Pat's new bromance?
Hartfield Chronicles follows the lives of Melinda, Pat, and their friends as they navigate their way through boarding school life. Each episode features two stories, one from Melinda's point of view and one from Pat's, along with an excerpt from Melinda's writing journal. New episodes are published every Friday.
As a thank you, you will receive access to bonus chapters from the Hartfield Chronicles.
Announcing the New Hammerhead Club
Membership benefits:
Read new episodes 4 weeks in advance
Receive new episodes directly in your inbox
Access to new bonus chapters every season
Each month you are a member, $1 is added to your club credit. This credit can be used to purchase e-books and signed paperbacks at the Ashleigh Stevens Bookstore. Credits never expire.
Free Books
Singling Lizards
A Mystery Adventure
Bridget never wanted to travel to Africa
... until her sister disappeared.
Add in the part where we are angels too.
Insert freak out here!
22-year-old Bridget Reinhold is not exactly the adventurous type, but when her sister Claire disappears in Southern Africa, nothing can hold her in England. Bridget throws herself into the search in the country of Botswana and encounters obstacle after obstacle. She learns the basics of the native language and culture and soon moves to the capital city of Gaborone. Soon, her mission is plunged into turmoil as everything seems to be going wrong.
Just coincidence or is there something more sinister at work?
Chasing the Wild Sparks
A clean, second chance romance short read set in an alluring Greek island
Throwing down the guantlet has never been so wild.
Throwing down the gauntlet has never been so wild. Just ask Hadley Beckett.
Marriage. That word drives my nuptial-phobic boyfriend of three years, Finn Wilder, who is Richmond’s sexy, golden boy daredevil sportscaster, to the brink of madness. While the daredevil thrives on adrenaline and danger and eagerly professes his love for me, he’ll walk on the wild side and not down the aisle. Furthermore, Finn Wilder is single, according to his coworkers and viewers—Finnatics. I don’t exist.
Despite his marriage fears and questionable relationship status, Finn pressures me to move in with him. Still, traditional by today’s standards, I want to marry first, adhering to my beliefs, just as he desperately clings to his, regarding not starting a family with me.
As much as I love Finn, I’ve reached my limit with the lies, secrets, and his irrational fear. Something has got to give. We’re forever at a standstill, a faceoff which one of us will lose. Everything.
Dark Secret Lie
A Twisting Psychological Thriller
Emma’s life turns upside down after finding her husband murdered at their home. With no evidence left at the crime scene and no known motive, Emma is determined to find the person responsible.
However, her husband’s death uncovers a secret that leaves her questioning everything she thought she knew about him.
Emma believed she was in a loving and trusting relationship with Kendrick.
She thought of them as just another couple living a normal life.
However, Kendrick had a dark secret, one that got him killed.
Detective McKinley is working the case, as he continuously communicates with Emma throughout his investigation, he pleads for her to stop trying to play detective, as every clue she finds puts her life and those around her at risk.
He wants her to trust this murder case to the police before it’s too late.
Emma understands that her life is at risk, but she can’t quit now. She must find out who Kendrick was and why he got killed.
She needs answers and she is willing to put her life on the line to uncover the truth.
Would you like some free books in exchange for an honest review?
Want more free books? Check out these giveaways!
Do you have Kindle Unlimited? These books are free for you!
Other Books on Sale
Popularity
A Growing Up Girls Book
Is Popularity everything it's cracked up to be?
Melinda is the shy, awkward high school girl who sits in the shadows drawing what she sees from afar, while longing to experience it. Focused on "The Glam Squad," she sees how their lives seem to sizzle and glitter with excitement, boys and the adoration and envy of the entire school - everything that goes with popularity.
When a strange twist of fate grants the new "Mel" access to the fabulous world of the popular crowd, she experiences both the advantages and disadvantages of the group from the inside, while trying to keep one foot in her old life. But when the two worlds collide and people start to get hurt with bullying and cyberbulling, will she be able to straddle the two or must she choose? Will she find popularity is all she hoped for, or is it just another teenage prison, binding to certain roles?
Trapped with a Billionaire
An Enemies to Lovers Romance
Have you ever been trapped in a small town with a dangerous, grumpy billionaire?
No?
Well I have...
CASSANDRA
I thought running away would help me feel like myself again.
Instead, I met Gary.
This ex-navy seal, arms dealer is so grumpy and rich. So hot.
I can’t stand him.
Now I am stuck in this town working for him.
Even with his gruff tone I am drawn to him like a moth to a flame.
GARY
Who the hell is this pretty thing snooping in my office?
I yell at her to get out, the phone rings.
The thoughts of this bad deal flood into my mind.
After she left, I couldn't stop thinking of her beautiful features.
No, stop, remember what happened the last time you let someone in?
Just as I get her out of my mind, she’s kidnapped
No one takes what’s mine…
The Secret Terror Beneath
A Small Town Cozy Hotel Murder Mystery
Within the recesses of the Terrowin Hotel lie hidden secrets, lost treasures, and an ominous sense of danger.
Jamie Sharpe, the latest heir to the Sharpe legacy, becomes entranced by the mystifying allure of her inheritance. But as she ventures deeper into the Terrowin’s dark history, she soon realizes that the depths of the hotel may be harboring a much more sinister and deadly presence.
After the discovery of a historical artifact found in the secret passageways beneath the hotel. Archeologists and historians have stormed the hotel in full force, searching for other relics from the past.
And when Jamie and her friend, Paige, find the dead body of historian Hubert Fillmore hidden away in one of the hotels underground tunnels, it’s time to start investigating.
The duo unveil a shrouded connection between Jamie's family and the hotel’s darker past along the way, and discover that the killer didn’t act alone.
Jamie and Paige are in a deadly pursuit to uncover the murder’s intentions and stop them before another innocent life is taken.
You may also be interested in these books
Upcoming Events
RomantiConn
July 8, 2023
Trumbull, CT
Tickets Now Available
Already attending? Book pre-order forms are available here.
I can't wait to see you!
Last week, my mother requested I send a check on her behalf. She had registered for a bus trip through our church, but the person organizing it was unable to accept credit cards and wanted payment sent to her address although the check was to be made out to the church. Since my parents are currently traveling, she does not have access to her checkbook and requested I send the check for her. Since I was the one who told her about the trip, I was happy to do it.
Although I pay most of my bills electronically, I also keep a paper checkbook for the occasional handwritten check. However, I usually deliver them by hand or have an invoice I can include when I mail the check. This was the first time in a very long time I had to mail a check with a cover letter.
So I dug through my desk drawer for one of my most prized possessions. As some of you know, I have been writing since I was a child. By junior high, I was collecting stationary. During that time, I received a box. I believe it is linen, although I really don't know. It's not large, about the size of my Chicago Manual of Style book, and is an illustrated gardening collage depicting seed packets and planning lists. Inside is a collection of stationary: blank pages with decorated headers and/or borders along with matching envelopes.
Over the years, I have added to the collection with thank you note sets and other blank cards, always with matching envelopes. If you have ever ordered a book from me, odds are you received a handwritten note from this stationary collection.
As I wrote out my letter to the church lady, I realized that sending letters is a lost art. Even my children, who send the occasional letter to their cousins, don't use stationary. They just write on computer paper and use business envelopes. And that got me wondering.
Do you still like to write with stationary?
On a completely unrelated note, I will be at a live event next weekend. If you are in the Southern Connecticut area, come check out the Branford Book Festival.
Branford Book Fest
May 6, 2023
Branford, CT
I will be outside the Allusions Salon. Stop by and say hi, pick up some free swag, and enter to win a door prize full of goodies. I look forward to seeing you there!
Choose Your Own Path Story
“That is a long story and it is nearly the hour of supper. Would you like to stay here and eat with us? Or shall we take a walk and I can tell you in the quiet?”
What do you think?
You could eat. You would like to hear the story over supper.
A meal with everyone staring you? There goes your appetite. You’d rather hear the story in the quiet.
You send the old man a hesitant smile. “I’m kind of hungry.”
He nods. “As am I. Please.” He returns to his seat at the head of the table, gesturing for you to sit on the bench beside him. You do as he suggests. Though your back is to the room, you find yourself facing a small window through which you can see the expansive fields and the forest beyond.
“Let us begin with names. I am Beorhtnan, although I have been the elder for so long, everyone calls me Ayaldwita.”
You let the name roll around your tongue a moment before you try it. “Ay-ald-wit
The old man nods. “Close enough. And you are?”
When you tell him your name, he sends you a curious look. “I see. I’d love to learn more about how you came here, but you wished to know about me. Believe it or not, I wasn’t always the village elder.” He leans closer with a conspiratorial smile. “In my youth, I was known as quite the adventurer.”
You try to imagine this old man running through the forest, but he doesn’t look like he could even make it across the room without assistance. Biting your tongue, however, you settle for a more neutral response. “Really?”
“Yes. When I was about twenty summers old, I met a man in the forest, much as young Birdie met you today. I forget his human name, but we called him Driman. Sorcerer. His magic had brought him from your land to ours.”
You raise your eyebrows. “There’s no such thing as magic.”
Ayaldwita sighs. “I am not surprised to hear you say that. There is much magic here. When Driman fist came to us, it was already dying in your world. He knew a little. Enough to bring him here. However, he always feared by the time he returned to your world, it would be extinct.”
Ayaldwita sits back, his gaze shifting to something behind you. As you turn, you notice the volume in the room. There had to be nearly a dozen people sitting in small groups on the floor, sipping from small bowls. Most seemed to be conversing with each other, although the furtive glances in your direction suggest you are probably tonight’s hot topic.
But Ayaldwita does not seem to be bothered by the crowd. His attention is on the child who dragged you from the forest. Birdie is slowly making his way toward you, a bowl in each hand. With a small bow, the child places one before the elder before turning to you.
You take the bowl, but Birdie runs away before you can say thanks. With a shrug, you examine your meal. A thick brown liquid with pieces of green, orange, and purple swimming in it. Biting your lip, you turn back to Ayaldwita.
“Um, what is this?”
“Soctha. It is like your soup.”
“What kind?”
Ayaldwita frowns. “I’m sorry. I do not understand.”
“What kind of soup is it?” You point to the colorful additions. “What’s that purple and green and orange stuff?”
The elder gives a knowing nod. “Ah. They are wyrta. Food that grows in the ground. pysecynn, feldmoran, cawlas. I am not sure what you would call them.”
“Vegetables.” Your muttered response is automatic and doesn’t quite hide your distaste.
Ayaldwita brings the bowl to his lips, drinking some before returning it to the table. You follow his lead, sipping a small amount of broth and licking your lips as you consider the flavor. Not bad.
Taking a slightly larger drink, you get some of the vegetables. The purple one tastes like carrots while the orange one tastes like potatoes. You’re pretty sure the green stuff is peas.
The elder looks at you expectantly. “Is it okay?”
You nod. “It’s good. Thanks. So, this Driman guy taught you about humans?”
Ayaldwita nods. “Yes. He lived with us many years. Learned magic from our elders. In exchanged, he taught young me his ways. You see, I wanted to return to Earth with him. To see your people.”
“Really? Did you?”
The elder sighs mournfully. “Alas, no.”
“Why not?”
“Well, at first, Driman wasn’t sure how to return. He claimed an old spell brought him here, but he couldn’t remember it enough to get back. So he studied with our elders until he was certain he had found a way. By then, however, the Dragon Wars had begun.”
You sit up a little more in your chair. “Dragon Wars?”
Ayaldwita waves a dismissive hand. “The Dragon Wars were a long time ago. You don’t want to hear about them, do you?”
Except, as you make your way to your car, you remember you have no food at home. You can go out to eat, but eating alone is, well, lonely. And costs money. You can order something and bring it home. That might be a little cheaper, but it still costs money. Or you can go to the grocery store, but that will delay eating even longer.
As you climb into your car, you make your decision. What do you decide?
Eat out
Order take out
Go grocery shopping
It is definitely a takeout kind of night. Sitting in your car, you scroll through the menus of some of your favorite restaurants. But there are so many options. Your city has restaurants for every nationality. Some are represented by multiple restaurants.
You debate between trying something new or going with something you know. Everyone at work has been talking about that new Caribbean restaurant downtown. But if you’re going there, you might as well get your favorite meal from the tapas place next door.
But do you really want to go downtown? Maybe you should get something closer to your own apartment. Something like drunken noodles from that Thai restaurant.
Although you scroll a few other menus, nothing sounds better than the Thai food. As you place your order, your mouth salivates at the idea. But what should you do when you get home? Obviously, eat in front of the television. There’s no question about that. But what are you in the mood to watch? Or maybe you skip the television altogether and read that book that’s been sitting on your nightstand all week?
You’re still debating your options as you pull into the parking lot of your apartment complex. Shoot. You forgot to pick up your dinner. Frowning at the staring wheel, you decide to walk. It’s so nice outside and the restaurant isn’t that far away.
Your food is probably ready, but you are in no rush to reach the restaurant. You try to forget about your harrowing day. So many things went wrong. At least tomorrow would be better. There was no way it could get worse.
Although, there was a silver lining. Hot Guy Mike from the coffee shop. The man who might become your new client. He definitely seemed to be flirting with you.
Then again, was that a good thing? After all, if his father signed the contract, Dr. Mike would be your client. And therefore off limits.
Maybe he wouldn’t sign the contract. If he wasn’t your client, you would be free to be together. But if they don’t sign, you might be out of a job. So you definitely want them to sign.
But then Dr. Mike would be off limits.
You are so wrapped up in your own thoughts, you aren’t really paying attention when you open the door to the restaurant. And nearly bump into the man exiting.
“Oh, sorry!” You quickly step back, holding open the door to allow him to pass.
When he smiles at you, you see a moment of surprise before he smiles. “You again?”
“Dr. Mike?” You can feel your jaw drop. Had you willed him there with your thoughts? Of course, you can’t ask him that. “Are you stalking me or something?”
He raises the bag in his hand. “I was here first. I’m thinking maybe you’re stalking me.”
You cross your arms, ready for a confrontation, but he shakes his head with a light laugh. “I’m kidding, of course. But seriously. What are you doing here?”
You gesture down the street. “I live nearby. Didn’t feel like cooking tonight. You?”
He points in the opposite direction. “Ditto.”
An awkward silence grows between you. You shuffle your feet, trying to figure out what to say next. But you don’t get the chance.
“Excuse me.”
An elderly couple squeezes past Dr. Mike to exit through the door you are still holding open. Feeling like an idiot, you release it when they leave.
Dr. Mike gestures to it as it closes. “Well, I better let you get your food.”
You nod. “Yeah. Probably.”
But neither of you moves. He shifts the bag to his other hand as you stare past him. A middle-aged couple, each holding hands with the small child between them, approaches. Stepping aside, you watch the man hold the door for his family. As the restaurant engulfs them, Dr. Mike clears his throat.
“So, uh. I was thinking. If you’re not doing anything, would you like to maybe have dinner together?”
You raise your eyebrows. “You are literally holding your meal right now. I’m about to get mine.”
“Yeah.” He shrugs. “I just meant, well, I only live a block from here. Would you like to come eat at my place?”
Dinner with a guy you just met? Yeah, you could handle that. But going to his apartment on the first date?
Dr. Mike must see your hesitation. “We don’t have to go to my apartment. There’s this lounge in my building. We can eat there.”
How do you respond?
Professor Mills takes her seat with a groan. Before you can ask why, Mr. Rollins sits beside her with a smirk. You want to groan, too. Does this mean you will have to deal with their bickering all weekend?
When everyone is seated, the butler gestures to a new person entering the room. Who is it?
A man in a suit similar to Mr. Giles
A man wearing a chef’s uniform
“May I present your host tonight, Mr. Maxwell Munson.”
With a small bow, Charles takes a step backward and closes the pocket doors, leaving you and the rest of the party guests with your host. He glances around the table, his salt-and-pepper hair bouncing slightly as he turns. After a moment, he makes a confused grimace.
“I believe we are missing someone.” Mr. Munson walks to the empty chair beside you, reading the placard before nodding and taking a seat at the opposite end of the table. “Well, while we wait for Mr. Kline, I’d like to welcome you all to my home.”
Professor Mills smiles. “It’s so lovely. May I ask how old it is?”
Mr. Kline looks pensive for a moment. “Nearly a century. It was built just before the Civil War. 1850s, I believe? It was built before Lincoln toured the state in his 1860 presidential campaign. My grandmother—this was her house, you see. She made it known to whomever would listen that Lincoln drove past here on his way to make his speech.”
Professor Mills wrinkles her nose. But, that’s was closer to two—”
Mr. Rollins elbows her none too gently as he reaches for his water glass. “Oh, excuse me.”
She narrows her eyes at him. “You’re not excused.”
Mrs. Giles seems to sense the fight about to break out. She turns to your host, who is sitting beside her. “So, what can we expect this evening?”
Mr. Munson smiles knowingly. “Well, I don’t want to give away too much—”
The door beside him opens and in walks the butler with a silver tray. “Shall I serve the salads, sir?”
Mr. Munson nods. “Of course, Charles. Please.”
The butler places his tray on a nearby sideboard and leaves. You glance at it hesitantly. Are you supposed to retrieve the dishes yourselves?
You glance at your companions, but no one else seems bothered. Mr. Munson is asking Miss Lewis about her dress. Mr. and Mrs. Giles are listening attentively. Mr. Rollins and Professor Mills are staring daggers at each other.
Charles returns a moment later with a second tray. Placing it beside the first, he removes two plate and places them in front of the elderly couple. As he places the last salad before the empty seat beside you, you glance at the salad before you. At least, you think it is a salad. The lettuce seems to be hiding under a mixture of nuts and fruit. Grapes, apples, walnuts, and almonds are drenched in a creamy white dressing. After placing your napkin across your lap, you take a hesitant bite.
Not bad. Too rich for you to enjoy on a daily basis, but definitely not bad.
Taking another bite, you glance up to see Miss Lewis biting her lip as she pokes at her dish. “I’ve never seen a salad like this.”
Mr. Munson doesn’t quite hide his smirk. “It’s called a Waldorf. Fruits and nuts in a mayonnaise-based dressing over a bed of lettuce. All the rage this year. According to Chef, it’s a must for every dinner party.”
Professor Mills sends him a hesitant look. “Does that mean we’re eating this again tomorrow?”
Your host gives a polite laugh. “No, I think we will try to diversify our menu a little.”
Mr. Giles nods. “My cholesterol thanks you.”
Professor Mills gestures to the empty seat across from her as she turns to the head of the table. “Mr. Munson? Do you know where our other guest is?”
He sighs. “Alas, no. I suppose he had car trouble.”
An earlier conversation pops into your head. When you were alone in the parlor, you had overheard two voices: the butler and a man you now recognized as Mr. Munson. And hadn’t the butler said that everyone had arrived?
You are still contemplating this when Charles returns to the room with another tray. Again, he places it on the sideboard, retrieving a second tray before serving the next course, a creamy white soup you have no trouble recognizing.
Charles is still serving Mrs. Giles when Mr. Rollins sighs contentedly. “New England Clam Chowder may be my favorite soup ever. Clams, bacon, potatoes. What else do you need?”
Professor Mills shrugs. “My grandma adds cheddar to hers.”
Mr. Rollins makes a face. “That sounds … actually, that sounds pretty good.” Is it your imagination, or does he send her a quick smile before returning to his soup.
When the butler returns to the dining room a moment later, he is not carrying a tray. Instead, he walks to the head of the table, bending to whisper something in Mr. Munson’s ear. When he leaves, your host glances at each of you.
What does he say?
Hartfield Chronicles
Season 5 of Hartfield Chronicles is here!
Melinda loves Pat, but sometimes she wishes he had friends of his own. When he starts spending time with her dance partner, however, Melinda can't help the feelings of jealousy that surface, especially when he starts choosing him over her. Will their relationship survive Pat's new bromance?
Hartfield Chronicles follows the lives of Melinda, Pat, and their friends as they navigate their way through boarding school life. Each episode features two stories, one from Melinda's point of view and one from Pat's, along with an excerpt from Melinda's writing journal. New episodes are published every Friday.
As a thank you, you will receive access to bonus chapters from the Hartfield Chronicles.
Announcing the New Hammerhead Club
Membership benefits:
Read new episodes 4 weeks in advance
Receive new episodes directly in your inbox
Access to new bonus chapters every season
Each month you are a member, $1 is added to your club credit. This credit can be used to purchase e-books and signed paperbacks at the Ashleigh Stevens Bookstore. Credits never expire.
Free Books
Lightning Within
A YA Paranormal Romance
Finding out that I am a part witch?
That’s a good laugh.
Add in the part where we are angels too.
Insert freak out here!
Moving to my mom's hometown after the divorce is not anything we thought it would be.
Finding out my true heritage and connecting to my soul mate was not on my to-do list.
The drama that is now my life is not what high school is about.
My family’s past has come back to bite me in the rear, hard.
I have a choice to learn the ways of my people or turn my back on everything they have fought for.
Being the stubborn girl I am, I have to take the risk to make things right for everyone.
An Old Promise
A clean, second chance romance short read set in an alluring Greek island
Joanna is determined to find her old love and prove she never forgot that old promise...
Joanna boards a flight to visit the Greek island of Sifnos again after twenty years.
All this time, despite the distance and her life's circumstances, she's been holding on to precious memories from an old summer love.
Now, she's determined to meet again the man she once left behind, hoping for a chance to prove she never forgot their old promise...
Murder at the Magical Bookshop
A Storykeeper's Cozy Mystery, The Prequel
Everyone inside! The winds are picking up and it's do or die for Sophie.
When a shocking murder rocks her peaceful island community, adventure comes knocking on her door in a way she never expected.
With the killer hot on her trail and the family bookshop now in her possession, Sophie must use all her wits to stay one step ahead. Luckily, she has a loyal band of friends, including her childhood buddy Detective Charlie Bell, who's been eyeing her with more than just nostalgia.
But it's not just her human friends who come to her aid. A mysterious stranger, a protective cat-turned-human, and even the powerful secrets hidden within the bookshop all rally around Sophie when another body is found.
As the clouds gather and reality begins to fray at the edges, Sophie faces a choice: retreat back into her old life or embrace the adventure. With the fate of her beloved town hanging in the balance, she knows there's only one path forward. But can she find the courage to take it?
One thing's for sure: Grandma would be proud. And if Sophie could only see her one more time, she'd know exactly what to do.
Hold onto your hats! There's a storm brewing, and it's going to get bumpy.
Would you like some free books in exchange for an honest review?
Want more free books? Check out these giveaways!
Do you have Kindle Unlimited? These books are free for you!
Other Books on Sale
Death by Midnight
A YA Spy Thriller
When her inventions put her loved ones in danger, can this brilliant teen rescue them from hostile international agents?
Anna Goode feels her gift is more of a curse. Bullied at school for her high IQ, the sixteen-year-old genius can’t even tell her parents about her clever contraptions for fear they’ll treat her differently. But when a Russian madman kidnaps her family and demands she build him a doomsday device, her sharp mind is the only thing that can save them.
Teaming up with her best friend, Anna races against the clock to gather the materials to meet the villain’s deadline. And now struggling to stay off the CIA’s radar, the daring high schoolers could be the only people between a maniac and millions of lives.
Can these fearless spy kids free Anna’s parents and protect the rest of humanity?
Love is in the Air
A Limited Edition Second Chance Romance Collection
Sometimes we don't get it right the first time around. That's why life gives us second chances.
This limited edition romance collection features 20+ stories of hope, happy ever afters, and the second chances it took to get there.
In this collection you will find stories of second chances at love and life as our heroes and heroines embark on life changing journeys, whether changing careers or moving half way across the globe.
What second chance have you been longing for? These stories just might inspire you to go out there and grab it.
Murder at the Vineyard Inn
A Cozy Hometown Mystery with Recipes
Innkeeper and vineyard owner, Avery Parker, is thrilled to play a part in the town’s long-awaited wedding.
Guests from near and far have gathered for what was meant to be a joyous union.
But instead of ringing toasts and happy cheers, a mysterious death casts a pall over the festivities.
When a dead body is discovered in her newly opened inn, Avery's dear friend is quickly put at the top of the suspect list.
Now it's up to Avery to prove her friend's innocence and discover the identity of the murderer before they strike again.
It's a race against time that could prove deadly if Avery fails.
Will she be able to uncover the truth before it's too late?
Wine pairings and irresistible recipes included!
You may also be interested in these books
Upcoming Events
Branford Book Fest
May 6, 2023
Branford, CT
RomantiConn
July 8, 2023
Trumbull, CT
Tickets Now Available
Already attending? Book pre-order forms are available here.
I can't wait to see you!
