September 19, 2023

THE TAKEN ONES Is OUT!

This is a one-sitting read!” —Jeffery Deaver, author of The Bone Collector and The Watchmaker’s Hand

The Taken Ones is the first full-length novel in a new series featuring BCA cold case agent Evangeline “Van” Reed and BCA forensic scientist Harry Reed. They have an Odd Couple/Mulder and Scully vibe, and the series is best described as cold case meets urban legend.

This new series was born when my brilliant editor at Thomas & Mercer, Jessica Tribble Wells, asked me in 2021 if I wanted to write a short story. When I tell you I'd rather go to the dentist, gynecologist, and DMV every day for a week than write a short story...truly, if anyone else had asked, I'd have said no.

But it was Jessica. If you know her, you know. So I said yes with not a thought in my head as to what I'd write. You've heard those stories of authors who sit down to write a story, and it just flows from their fingertips? I’ve always been annoyed by them, too, so imagine my surprise when that's what happened with this short story. I was poolside in Costa Rica, and out poured "Catch Her in a Lie,” the first case featuring BCA cold case agent Evangeline “Van” Reed and BCA forensic scientist Harry Steinbeck.

I loved that short story. I loved Van and Harry. But I figured that was our brief fling, and we were all moving on. Then Jessica came back. Asked if I wanted to write a whole series featuring them. I hesitated for exactly one minute—it's been years since I wrote a series, the police procedural angle is outside my comfort zone—but I wanted to hang with Harry and Van again. He's fussy, brilliant, and decent; she's messy, intuitive, and made of steel. They're both hiding secrets. That’s my jam! So I dug in.

I hope you do, too. Dig in, that is. Van and Harry are waiting for you here, and if you like their style (and I think you will), you can schedule a date to hang out with them again in 2024 here.

“Twists and turns you don’t see coming make for a real page-turner.” —Kirkus Reviews

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September 9, 2023

The Quarry Girls Takes the Gold

I have happy, thrilling news! The Quarry Girls took home the Anthony Award for Best Paperback Original/Audiobook/Ebook at last week's Bouchercon, the world mystery convention.

To be honored by the community I love is humbling, and it's extra special because I love this book so much (secret: I don't love all of 'em ☺️, and I'm not gonna tell you which are not my faves. Ok, fine. I think May Day is kinda stinky, but it's fine for a first book, and I truly believe writing it saved me.

It was an honor to be nominated alongside Sandra S.G. Wong, Jim L'Etoile, Kelly J. Ford, and Gabriel Valjan. I share this award with them, and I hope you'll check out their books, too.

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August 6, 2023

THE TAKEN ONES Giveaway

I'll be giving away ten signed early copies of The Taken Ones along with a deluxe promo kit. Open to all newsletter subscribers, including international ones. :)

Plus, you get the latest news on my signings, book releases, cover reveals, and foster kitten pix.

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