Love and Not Destroyis my first full-length ebook.
A baby is found in a basket during a museum's annual Folk Fest. Twenty-two years later, a homeless man is murdered in exactly the same spot. The foundling, now an adult working at the museum, can’t believe it’s a coincidence and thus begins a search for identity that explores the nature of family, of loyalty and responsibility. And, of course, there’s the murder to be solved. It’s set in a museum of antique tools and folk art in a small town near Philadelphia. It's been fun getting to know a new cast of characters: Peace, the foundling searching for roots; Caroline Morrow, the Quaker lady who adopted her; Daniel, a wayward fifteen-year-old, Grimaldi, the crusty police chief . . . I’ll spare you the complete list, but I do have to mention Henry, the world trustiest Labrador Retriever.
NOTE: The short story, FindingPeace, described below, was originally written as a prologue to this novel.
If you're looking for a quick read ...
As much as I love writing mysteries (and I do plan more books about Jennie Connors and am currently working on a new novel which will continue Peace Morrow's story), sometimes it's fun to dabble in something a little different. When I need a change, I write short stories. These aren't mysteries ... unless you consider (and I do) the day-to-day bump and jostle of family life a mysterious thing.
The life of a disillusioned peace activist takes on new meaning when she takes a day off to visit a small town Folk Festival - all because she couldn't ignore a creature in distress. This one is free. You can't go wrong with that.
Lynn Donovan is anice girl, open-hearted, too impulsive for her own good - and completely captivated by a married man. The mere thought of him sets her senses aflame and her daydreams spinning. Is this love? Or is love something different? Something you see every day and slip into like your favorite tee shirt? Sometimes you don't value what you have until you're about to lose it.
These three short stories ask the question: "What happens after 'I do'? Does 'happily ever after' mean 'every minute of every day ... forever'? In Beyond the Fairy Light, a child looks to magic to heal her troubled family. In All is Calm, a young woman longs for a harmonious celebration in a family made up of proud Irish rebels and Jews savvy enough to get out of Babi Yar before the arrival of the infamous killing squads. Best Laid Plans starts out simple, but is anything simple in human relationships?
Does familial love bind us or set us free? Or both? This trio of short stories explores those questions. In A Perfect Wedding, a mother longs to pass on the traditions that have made her happy to a daughter who is determined to forge her own traditions. In Generation Unto Generation, a young woman comes to terms with the loss of a beloved family member. In Next Time - The First Time, a free spirit finds himself in a trap from which there is no escape.
