As I mentioned in an interview last year, it was one of my goals to write a contemporary novel. I started my latest novel Like a Closed Fist over Thanksgiving break, and now have a completed first draft!
My first foray in the modern writing world was very rewarding. I fell in love with my contemporary characters just as quickly and thoroughly as I did in my Mabel Crowley world. More details to follow; hopefully this one will be published by the end of the year!

Theodore Hartley, the long awaited prequel to my Amazon best-selling debut Mabel Crowley, is now available! Immerse yourself in a world thirty years before Mabel's story began and fall in love with Theodore all over again--I know I did when I was writing it. Theodore was always one of my favorite characters from my first book, and I am so happy that he finally has his very own novel to share.
Check out the print or kindle version on Amazon and let me know your thoughts!

I am proud and happy to announce the release of Mabel Crowley, the second edition. My fellow writers, you know that gnawing sensation when your story isn't quite perfect but you don't know how to fix it? A character name here, a detail there, an explanation--whatever it is, it has to be corrected or you face the beloved memory of your book tainted by one or two flaws.
Enough time had passed and I was fortunate enough that my characters marinated in my brain and helped me fix the one or two details that had always bothered me. Voila! A re-release of my Amazon best-selling debut Mabel Crowley! I've updated all kindle versions, so if you've already bought books 1-5 (or the complete series) your ebooks will automatically update to the second edition. If you haven't yet read Mabel Crowley, head over to Amazon and check it out! And best of all, if you're craving more from Mabel's world, you only have to wait a little longer before the prequel is released--I'll keep you posted!

For those of you who were anxiously anticipating a Mabel Crowley sequel/spinoff, your waiting is almost over!

Theodore Hartley, the charming benefactor in Mabel Crowley, had always been one of my favorite characters when I was writing the book. When Theodore and his wife Alice are introduced, they are already married and have two daughters. What happened before Mabel Crowley met the Hartleys? How did they meet? What's their story?


I have now finished Theodore Hartley, the first parallel story written to accompany Mabel Crowley. As you know, I have two other parallels planned (Astrid Clark and Oliver Parker) and I'm so pleased that Theodore's story is the first sequel to hit the presses!
Next step: publishing! I'll keep you posted on the release date!
P.S. I'm thinking of using "The Doctor" by Luke Fildes as the cover illustration. What do you think?

Four decades of Mabel's life was recorded in Mabel Crowley, but hers wasn't the only intriguing narrative. Dozens of characters, all struggling with their own hopes and hardships, mingled and crossed paths with Mabel throughout the years. 
It is time we read their stories...

Theodore Hartley
Not a soul in England, or in Europe for that matter, was ignorant of the Hartley name. Percival Hartley, self-made railroad tycoon, passed his wealth and business sense down to his son Frederick, who in turn, trained his eldest son Theodore to fall into line and maintain the Hartley legacy. Theodore matured into the most sought-after bachelor in the country: charming, obscenely wealthy, and notorious for his aversion to marriage. In his third decade of happily unmarried bliss, Theodore finally fell in love. The new Mrs. Hartley, sixteen years old, was the envy of every woman who had hoped to catch Theodore's eye. After the difficult birth of her first daughter, Alice was warned of the risks if she should have another child. Theodore was terribly worried during Alice's second pregnancy, but thankfully both she and the child survived. As a devoted husband, Theodore insisted they relocate to Bath to rejuvenate; Alice was still very weak from the birth and wished to recover as soon as possible so she could care for her two daughters.
While in Bath, their eldest daughter Irene falls madly in love with her primary school teacher and successfully convinces her parents to offer her a position as governess to the Hartley daughters. Miss Mabel Crowley accepts, entering and changing the lives of every Hartley for generations to come. 

Astrid Clark
Known in Mabel Crowley as the thin blonde with a "constantly pinched look to her face," Astrid Clark roomed with Mabel during their last year of school at King's School. The two students hardly formed a relationship, and after graduation they were certain that their paths would never cross again. While on vacation in Bath, Mabel overheard a conversation between a mother and daughter:  “You don’t want to end up an old-maid schoolteacher, like Aunt Pauline, do you?” This suggestion was dreadful enough to inspire both young women to make decisions with drastic consequences in their lives. While Mabel decided to apply for a position as a primary school teacher, Aunt Pauline's niece chose to accept the marriage proposal of Mr. Reginald Denton. Mr. Denton, a horrid old man nearing sixty years old, demanded a male heir and beat his new bride to death after she gave birth to a baby girl. 
He lies to his in-laws, convincing them that their daughter died in delivery, and he demands that they provide a replacement to take care of his household affairs and new child. The same afternoon of the late Iris Denton's funeral, Mr. Denton marries her younger sister, formerly Astrid Clark. 

Oliver Parker
Oliver Grimsy, the shy runt of the litter, and Gregory Parker, a tough prize fighter, were the least likely among the men in the 14th Light Division to become friends. In the years they fought alongside each other in World War One, Oliver found his mentor, and Parker found the younger brother he always wished for. There were hardly any survivors in their division after a particularly devastating battle in 1917 when the creeping barrage arrived five hours early to their destination and were ambushed by two hundred German soldiers. Olli and Parker both made it back to England unharmed, and they vowed to keep in touch once they were settled. 
Both soldiers have a great amount to adjust to, and they write letters faithfully each month to help each other with their hurdles. Olli returns to his abusive father who hopes the war has finally made a man of his son. Still grieving the death of his friend and fellow soldier Ned Hagen, Oliver develops a friendship with Ned's fiance Dorothy Brown, the only person in town who seems to realize that he has changed since the war. As he tries to suppress his growing attraction to Dorothy, he asks Parker for guidance. Surely an old married man would have advice for the lovelorn! Parker was married the weekend before he was shipped overseas, but he experiences his fair share of obstacles on English soil. Not only does he have to reacquaint himself with his wife Hazel, a former prostitute, but he must adjust to parenthood as he meets his daughter Samantha who was born while he was still in France.



Please leave your vote for which story you'd like to see on the shelves first and why in the comments section.