Published Novels and WIPs

So put on your bobby socks, turn up that old record player, and start your toes tapping, ’cause it’s time go to the hop!

Mayhem Under the Mistletoe was a short novella that continues the Mari Duggins saga from Digging Up Death. I was trying to get it out for Christmas, but I’m not sure it will happen in time. Life (and a million kid Christmas activities) got in the way. But it could easily be converted to another time frame and not just for Christmas. We’ll see!

I’m also working on Rosie the Riveter: A War of Her Own. Well, I was working on it until I got contracted for Digging Up Death. It’s a Historical Women’s fiction with a heavier tone than my mysteries, but a story that I’m really compelled to tell. It’s based on my grandmother’s experience as a Rosie raising three children on her own.

Several years back when I was trying to find my niche/genre, I pitched an  idea to Susan Downs who was acquiring for Barbour’s cozy mystery line. At the time I was homeschooling my children and we were stuck in Egypt (by choice.) I became fascinated with the Pharaoh Hapshepsut and her story. So I thought, “How could I weave ancient Egypt into a contemporary mystery set in Texas?” And Viola, out came Digging Up Death. Those who’ve read it describe it as a cozy mystery with a chicklit feel.

That’s a tough one, since I’m not up on the latest holiday sensations. I didn’t get a vision for my characters until recently when I was actually thinking of the screen play. My pic for Mari Duggins would have to be Sandra Bullock for her comedic roles in The Proposal and Miss Congeniality. I haven’t a clue for my male lead. Guess I need to do watch some movies over Christmas break!

Agency Representation:

Chip MacGregor of MacGregor Literary Agency

I met Chip years ago in Dallas when he had just launched his agency and was looking for clients. We ended up seated next to each other in the lobby and he asked me what I was writing. Unfortunately, God had told me to take a break from writing. (Long story that starts here) So I didn’t answer him directly. But over the course of a few years, we got to know each other through conference and emails, when I was ready to pitch Digging Up Death, I did. And he wanted to represent the story. But it didn’t sell in the CBA. I went on to other projects, but Chip never gave up on that story and this summer it sold to Stonehouse Ink. Digging Up Death is a lesson in perseverance and proof that you should never give up on your dreams!

Short Synopsis:

Archaeology Professor Mari Duggins is adjusting to life as a single mom and trying to balance a television career, but gets caught between the pull of her former flame, a field archaeologist, and her ex-husband who is wanted by the FBI on an antiquities crime. Then her colleague is murdered, and she gets in over her head as she searches for truth in a desert of lies. Mari Duggins’ life caves in as she tries to excavate the truth, but realizes only God can dig her out of the hole she’s created. Will Mari sort through her muddled feelings and put her trust in someone else before her world caves in? Or will the truth bury her alive?

So many years I lost count! But that’s mainly because I usually don’t write first drafts (though I’m learning to do this now) because I edit as I go. Then there’s this thing called life and four kids that get in the way. And frankly, a lack of consistent writing time…and excuses. Let’s not forget the excuses why I can’t write! Anyway, I hope I can answer this question better the next time around.

Though I would compare my writing craft to theirs, the style is similar.

Susan May Warren’s P.J. Sugar Series 

Claudia Mair Burney’s Amanda Bell Mysteries

Christy Barritt’s Squeaky Clean Mysteries

And Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series

No one in particular inspired the story, but the inspiration came when I asked the what if question. “What if an Egyptian artifact that was suppose to be authentic turned out to be a fake.” I thought I had the plot figured out (though I do tend to write Seat of the Pants to fill in the blanks,) but a writing book challenged me to throw in an additional twist, and I think that really made the ending a satisfying surprise.

I’m really excited about this story on several levels. First, it’s the story that never sold and I buried it… for good! But God gave it new life! What a story and lesson in never giving up hope! Second, it’s an unconventional story about love and loss, forgiveness and redemption, hope and healing. It’s a story that wouldn’t sell in the CBA because it didn’t “fit.” At first, I was sad about this fact, but now I’m excited. It means that those who wouldn’t normally pick up a CBS book might pick up mine. It also appeals to CBA readers who are interested in a little more edge in than Amish fiction. And it’s appealing to a wider audience than I would have imagined. Here’s my favorite review to date:

I’m not a fan of romantic novels, but I read Digging up Death and found it to be a real page turner, or in my case a real screen tapper. There were a couple of pleasant surprises and it has enough convolutions in plot to keep me reading continuously without putting it down. Good book! Even though, as I said above, I am not a fan of romantic mysteries, I will continue to follow the further adventures of Mari Duggins. Move over Janet Evanovich

You can read more reviews here:

Georgiana Daniels  just came out with her Love Inspired novel titled, A Daughter’s Redemption. We’ve been traveling this writing road together for some time and it’s exciting to see her hard work pay off!

Angela Strong has written a fun, sassy novel that packs a strong punch. I’m in the middle of it, but look for a full review soon of Lighten Up!

Katharine Grubb’s debut novel Falling for Your Madness is loaded on my kindle and I’m so excited to read this book. It already some really great reviews!!

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And you? What do you like in a great story? What keeps you turning the pages?