My Novellas

Charlotte (Charley) Harris is a Pinkerton agent who goes undercover as a newspaper journalist to find a notorious train robber rumored to rob the inaugural trip of the Oversea Railroad to Key West. Allen Walker works security for Henry Flagler, the owner of the railroad, and takes on the persona of a photographer to ferret out any potential sabotage to the train’s success.

What will happen when Charley and Allen suspect each other?

Is the danger only to the train, or are their hearts in danger as well?

Mysteries Leap Off the Page

Murder and mayhem haunt four newly-opened bookstores.

The mysteries enjoyed in books come to life, threatening four businesses. Amber’s new bookshop and tearoom draws rare book collectors, but when one ends up dead in the mystery section, the shop’s future is questionable. Lilly’s pirate themed bookshop fits right into Harbor Inn, Maine, but she never expected to find a young pirate dead on her shop’s floor. Abby opens Secret Passages Bookshop in a Wyoming mountain town, not realizing her historic building held a real secret passage and a missing teenager. When Kelly Stephens opens her shop Artistic Adventures next to Bayside Books and Reading Room, she witnesses a suspicious death.

by Cynthia Hickey (Author), Linda Baten Johnson (Author), Teresa Ives Lilly (Author), Marilyn Turk (Author)

Only two more months remain before Lydia Palmer’s fiancé Nathan will return from his time on a merchant ship on Lake Superior.

Daughter of the head keeper at Au Sable Lighthouse, she watches from the gallery on top the lighthouse each day for Nathan's return. But when his brother Jesse returns without Nathan, Lydia’s hope is crushed when she learns Nathan drowned in a shipwreck. Lydia blames Jesse for convincing Nathan to leave in the first place and now blames Jesse for Nathan’s death.

Jesse has enough guilt to deal with, feeling responsible for his brother’s death and regretting the fact that he survived instead. Add to his guilt the condemnation from Lydia, who he has loved for years, but stepped away when he saw the relationship between Nathan and Lydia develop.

How can Jesse ever forgive himself, especially knowing Lydia will never forgive him? If only she knew how much he cared for her and never wanted to hurt her.

Will it take another shipwreck to restore their former friendship? Can forgiveness lead to love?

What happens when a trained nurse/midwife goes up against a Voodoo queen?

New Orleans, 1890

Camille Duval has been a trained nurse and midwife for a short time in Charleston when she loses both her parents, and her uncle Claude Duval insists she come live with him in New Orleans. When wealthy Vincent Rousseau hires her as a midwife for Adelaide, his young bride, Camille has no idea she will come up against Madam Lafleur, the local voodoo queen, who has staked her claim on the pregnant woman and her future child. How can Camille convince Adelaide to trust her instead of voodoo for the health of her baby? Can she enlist the help of the young family physician, Julian Charbonnet who apparently is not interested in what he sees as women’s affairs?

Julian Charbonnet graduated from Tulane University in medicine just two years ago, and he has gained the respect of the wealthy residents of New Orleans’ Garden District. When the Rousseau family hires a midwife for their future heir, he is surprised to discover the midwife is a pretty young woman instead of the usual old ‘grandma’ for the birth. But Camille Duval surprises him even more with her knowledge of medicine as a nurse. However, Miss Duval doesn’t know about the hold voodoo has on those that employ it, nor does she know the power Madam Lafleur wields in the city. Julian is content to stay out of the conflict until he finds out that not only is the baby in danger, but so is lovely Miss Duval, a woman who has unintentionally cast her own spell on him.

Sarah Beth Taylor inherits a saloon she plans to convert into a genteel café. Even though her lack of cooking skills threatens disaster, she rejects the town banker's advice.

What will happen when the two lock horns and an unlikely romance simmers on the back burner?

COMING SOON!

Mountain girl Minnie Tucker, new maid at the Biltmore mansion, knows Mr. Vanderbilt’s rule about the household staff not being seen. But when she accidentally opens the wrong door, she stumbles into  guest Stanton Bardwell. Will their mutual attraction be their doom?

When rising star Courtney Morgan unexpectedly loses her corporate job, she needs to get away and regroup, and the only place she can think of to go is the old family beach house. In the ten years since anyone has been there, the beach house shows signs of neglect and is an annoying eyesore to new beachfront property owners who want it torn down.

Soon after Kaetlyn Murphy lands in America, she is hired as a housemaid to a wealthy family. Her new friend, fellow Irishman Trevor Lewis finds work as a delivery man, and soon love blossoms between the two. But when Trevor loses interest in her, Kaetlyn is certain she has said the wrong thing once again. With Christmas approaching, Kaetlyn leaves town for her employers’ winter estate. Will she ever see Trevor again?

Karen Miller’s life is rolling along comfortably with her three sons out of the nest, her long-lasting marriage, and her career. But Karen’s life is turned upside down when her husband walks out and she is laid off, forcing her to relocate from her “forever” home to start a new life in Florida. But how does one start over at middle age? Where does she fit in and how can she meet new people, much less date?

Ken Newman is a widower ready to start dating again four years after his wife’s death. With a work schedule that frequently takes him out of town, he has little opportunity to meet anyone, and he already knows every woman at church—until the new lady shows up. Could she be the one? But is she single?

Karen’s adventures to make new friends are fraught with humor, trial, and error. Too bad that attractive man at church is unavailable.

The Christmas Gift – Marilyn Turk

1910

Amateur photographer Lettie Morgan accompanies her aunt to Springlake, Florida for the annual Springlake Assembly. Jonathon Townsend, wealthy heir to the family fortune and first-time chairman of the event, wants the event to run smoothly. But when the train bringing guests to the Assembly is robbed, Jonathon, who is part-owner of the railroad, must find the robber and appease the attendees. Can the young photographer who’s captured his attention provide clues to the robbery? As Christmas approaches and the Assembly comes to a close, will Jonathon find a way to entice Lettie to stay?

The Christmas Surprise – Lenora Worth

When Lynsey Milton comes to Springlake, Florida, to revitalize the town’s historic main street, Jon Townsend, the heir apparent, resists helping her. He’d rather return to the quiet life of a country lawyer. Lynsey needs to seal this deal since a promotion is in her future. But Jon wants to stay in his Victorian mansion, keeping his grief to himself. He won’t fall for a woman who’ll soon leave.When they make a discovery in the gazebo by the lake, Lynsey gets Jon into the Christmas spirit. Can an old gazebo and a beautiful vintage ball gown bring them together?