This manuscript is a contemporary novel that challenges readers to solve a murder mystery. The suspects are a close-knit group of medical center employees. The book features a variety of well-developed characters and an exciting, unexpected conclusion. The main setting for this mystery is a small East Texas town, with a couple of excursions to the Texas Gulf Coast and Aspen, Colorado. Each suspense filled chapter is a short story ending with a cliffhanger. These episodes are interlinked to propel the protagonist, Nelda Simmons, toward a successful resolution. Summary: The mystery begins with the murder of a doctor who owns a health clinic. Nelda discovers the body, and calls the young sheriff, John Moore, who doesn't mind Nelda's aid in solving the mystery. Nelda has considerable experience in solving criminal cases because she assisted her late husband in his work as sheriff. All the workers at the clinic are suspects and have good reasons for wanting him dead. None of them have air tight alibis for the night of the murder. The plot continues with the drowning of the murdered doctor's wife and warning to Nelda in Latin. This Latin phrase is one in a series left by the murderer after or before crucial events. All the messages appear in red lipstick of a particular brand and color. Some of the major events that occur after the two deaths are: the sabotage of Nelda's car and the major car accident that followed; the near drowning of her niece, Sue; predawn visit by the murderer; confrontation in Aspen with the killer on a downhill bicycle ride, and the final outcome. This is a Fireside Mystery with approximately 70,000 words in twenty-six chapters

A welcome quietness settled over Witherspoon academy in early June. School was out for a while causing teachers to breathe a sigh of relief. Five of the instructors had plans for a cruise. Three of these had plans for murder.

"Women of Courage" They Never gave Up, is an inspirational book that tells how three brave women fought back from adversities to live productive lives, and give back to the community. Linda Warren suffers from rheumatoid arthritis. She would not let this disease, or years of rejection of her first book, keep her from becoming an award winning author. Her novels entertain and help readers by relating to concerns in their own lives. Teresa Maurer has multiple sclerosis, but lives a full life. She is a successful Beatrix Potter Storyteller and literacy advocate encouraging hundreds of children to read each year. Her performances draw school children from all over Texas. Their smiles as she relates a Potter story are rewards she cherishes. Marsy Clarke is a crusader for the physically and mentally challenged citizens in Texas. For more than a decade, Marsy has helped implement programs that find jobs and housing for those in need. Her desire to become a crusader was kindled by her son, Andrew, who was born with disabilities. Travel with them through their lives. Feel their despair and triumphs as God leads them to reach higher planes.

Eight witty stories that parody the Little Red Riding Hood tale

Detective Dan Brandon is the special investigator who only takes cases that involve a Techno-Crime. He receives an early morning call from the CEO of Gladstone Electronics, Harold Remkin. The young genius responsible for the development of a special prototype, laptop super-computer was missing along with the laptop. Brandon conceded that it was a Techno-Crime but Remkin wanted him to proceed without the help of the police.The CEO feared that his competitors might find Bob Clauson and the laptop before he did.The Lab Director said he would not be able to put the prototype into production without Clauson. When Brandon agreed to take the case he understood all of the implications, including that it would not be a job he could quit.

Small town, meet big crime. It's not hard for longtime Sheriff Bo Handel to keep Texas' Caddo County in line. He handles petty crimes and rabble rousers, runs a competent police force and maintains a relationship with his steady girlfriend while keeping things quiet. But when the local minister's wife, Amanda Twiller, is murdered and dumped on the church's front, Bo suddenly finds himself with his hands full. Unfortunately for Bo, finding Amanda's killer won't be as easy as rounding up the town's usual suspects. He'll have to get past sleazy attorneys and drug lords first. When he discovers that Amanda was not only addicted to narcotics but also having an affair with one of the roughest men in town, the lazy days of his past are a distant memory. Soon, Bo realizes there are only so many cocaine kings and Mob bosses that one man can juggle. But the murderer is out there, and it's up to Bo to find out who it is. This small town sheriff is used to a light workload. So what happens when heavy crime comes to town?

When a peaceful New Mexico Territory colony is attacked, Clayt Adams is charged by his dying father to bring the killers to the federal marshals. When Clayt faces the men who killed his neighbors, he will have to decide whether to take justice into his own hands or abide by his father’s last wish.

What happens when you lose everything: a mother, your home, your right to live alone? What happens when society calls you undesirable? When best efforts make it worse? Three women and a child, each alone. Nature heals . . . opens hearts . . . Nelda's small herd of goats and her wisdom, Ester's willingness to pay attention, Dee's caring action. These are the gifts from three unlikely women to the child Sophia. To know the saddest song there is, to know the Goatsong of tragedy, is to be reborn. Goatsong, a story of return, love, and redemption. -- "Some wonderful classics transcend age and gender: The Last Unicorn, The Red Balloon, The Little Prince. Goatsong joins that legendary trio. Unlike many books with mythic content, the emotions of the characters are authentic, their dialogue real and profound, the psychological insight as powerful as the tale." -Leah Shelleda, author of After the Jug Was Broken and The Book of Now. --

Alien Spaces in Similar Places is a Sci-fi novel for young adults. Ashton Claiborne, a young and smart lad, played with his mirrors in the attic of his home. He came upon Alana Walton by sheer accident, during one of his frightening trips, wandering into a parallel space. He found out that Alana robbed his grandmother, Nelda, blind. He told his sister about it and both investigated Alana, traveling through the mirrors. His father, Thomas Claiborne, later joined his siblings, helping to hunt down Alana. After Ashton's grandmother died, she sucked her dry of blood and backfilled her with embalming fluid. She was good at her job, and usually she catered to the embalming candidates before they died, familiarizing herself with their financial circumstance and then finishing her job after the victim's death. Eventually, Thomas and his children were instrumental bringing Alana Walton and her accomplices to justice to justice.

First multi-year cumulation covers six years: 1965-70.