Military

In THE TRUCKER’S CAT, Samantha Randall uncovers a plot to assassinate the U.S. President. She treks cross-country to warn the driver that his cargo, a Russian satellite, has the proof. Meanwhile, Russian special forces hunt for Samantha and the cargo. On the covert mission, Major Logan McCormick, against protocol, rescues Samantha. Can they stay hidden and still prevent the unthinkable?

Samantha and Logan’s story carries over into THE MAJOR’S DILEMMA. After a year of domestic normalcy, Logan yearns for the excitement of his secret assignments. Four-months pregnant, Samantha senses his restlessness. She wonders if he’ll choose the military over a family. A past mission and a terrorizing militia make the choice for them.

The theme continues with THEIR STOLEN HEARTS, a parallel story to The Major’s Dilemma. I nudge my secondary characters into the spotlight. Everyone has a story, and everyone has something they hold dear. What happens when those hearts are stolen?

While Director Peter Bingaman and his FBI agents investigate a string of robberies, a disgruntled agent steals a private envelope, turning Peter’s life upside down. Sylvia Folkert and the other feisty seniors at book club put aside their troubles to help a man who’s been wrongfully arrested for robbery. To prove his innocence, the women scheme to outwit the agents. They quickly find themselves entangled in the FBI’s dangerous case.

In JOE’S WOUNDED QUEEN, Madeline is independent; Joe needs to be in charge. They marry a month after meeting. Can their relationship really last a lifetime?

On their honeymoon at a secluded cabin in Canada, FBI Agent Joe Roberts and Dr. Madeline Pierce have yet to consummate their marriage and struggle to share their apprehensions. They receive a call from the FBI. A man broke into Joe’s apartment looking for their whereabouts; he wants Madeline to develop a nanodrug bioweapon. The hunt is now on in an epic chase across the wilderness. Joe and Madeline’s knowledge of each other will play a vital role while on the run. If successful, their insights will save lives and, more importantly, save their marriage.

Alone and afraid in CONNOR’S BRAVE BEAR, a young boy calls Allegan Police Chief Matt Connor. He can’t find his mother. The Connor family jumps into action to save the child, who might also be their grandson. As Madeline’s former assistant, Jessica also knew the formula of the dangerous nanodrug, which caused her to disappear into WITSEC six years ago.

With the help of his Uncle Joe, David Connor, a rookie with the FBI, vows to reunite with his long-lost love, Jessica. He must use his limited experience to piece the puzzle together and bring Jessica home.

Each novel introduces the main characters for the next book. Which families will support and sacrifice? Which ones will despise, disrupt, and destroy? Where would you and yours fit in?

In the Name of Family Series on AMAZON

Our son, David, will be on leave next month. It’s been a year since we’ve seen him. As you can imagine, this mum misses him. It brought to mind this post I wrote a few years ago about a moment in my life I still hold close to my heart.

David had just graduated basic training in the Air Force, so we attended the four-day festivities at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas. The celebration included the Airman Run, the Retreat Ceremony, the Coin Ceremony, and the Parade Ceremony. While the pomp and circumstance was all proud parents could ask for, the moment I observed was a quiet unassuming one.

During our private family visit late in the day, David sat with me, my husband, and our daughter in the empty bleachers away from the crowds. We enjoyed his animated stories about his first arrival as an anxious 0-Weeker (the group also known as Rainbow Flight since they were still in their street clothes) and then as a fearful early-Weeker (known as Baby Flight) with their endless running, kitchen duty, and lack of sleep.

All of a sudden, preamble music sounded over the P.A. system. David said, “Excuse me, mum.” He stood up, faced the center of the base toward the flag, snapped to attention, and saluted just as the Star Spangled Banner started playing.

As I watched and listened, I remembered him as a newborn. I had wondered back then what kind of man he would become. I thought about his birthdays, his high school graduation, and all the other firsts. The flood of emotions overwhelmed me, and I cried.

As a writer, I strive to project integrity, loyalty, bravery, honor, and selflessness into the heroes and heroines in my novels. That day, I saw those traits first-hand in my son. My children are my heroes. They inspire me. That moment gave me a glimpse where his past met his future.