My love for the Ozarks burst out in newsprint and magazine features  in 1986 and has continued without stop since then, currently appearing in the "To Die For" mystery series, A VALLEY TO DIE FOR (Ozarks hills and hollows),  MUSIC TO DIE FOR (Ozark Folk Center State Park, A TREASURE TO DIE FOR (Hot Springs National Park), A WEDDING TO DIE FOR, (The 1876 Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, AR), A RIVER TO DIE FOR (Buffalo National River, Arkansas), A JOURNEY TO DIE FOR, (Murder linked to a historic passenger excursion train and Van Buren, AR),  A FAIR TO DIE FOR, (How about crime hidden among the crafters at Arkansas's largest craft fair?). and A PORTRAIT TO DIE FOR, set largely in and around world-famous Crystal Bridges Museum of American in Bentonville, Arkansas.  In addition there are many short stories featuring locations like Pea Ridge National Military Park, Ozark Folk Center State Park (starring five-year-old twins Jeremy and Jemima),  and Ft. Smith National Historic Site.  Terrific places to visit in real life and in the pages of my novels.  Motivation?  I love working with  words, I love making stories, and love the Arkansas Ozarks.   All my stories are set at tourist destinations aroound the Ozarks, which makes research and writing very pleasant indeed.  I invite you along on the journey with me.        

Five awards from Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc., one for non-fiction book, three for mystery fiction. Macavity Nomination from Mystery Readers International. Arkansas Governor's Award for best writing about the state. Several Arkansas "Best Book" awards. Dan Saults Award (Missouri) for Nature and Ozarks Value Writing, David G. Sasher nomination for Best Mystery Novel. Christian Writer of the Year award. The 2010 Silver Falchion from Killer Nashville, Inductee, Arkansas Writers' Hall of Fame, 2011.