My W.I.P. (work in progress)...the second book I have contracted with Barbour
Prancing on Pebbles, a continuation of the story begun in Found in the Translation, tells about Kim Hartlinger's return home--only to find that her mother has died in a car accident coming to pick Kim up from the airport. Kim suffers guilt, depression, and nightmares because she believes she's to blame for her mother's death. Will an invitation to help with a mission project at a men's prison in California bring Kim back to normal?

Completed manuscripts in descending order of polish...
WHEREFORE ART THOU, RAMON? is a whimsical young adult novel about two teens who must find a way to end the inter-family feud they unwittingly started as children. The feud's about whether the sancutary's elegant new curtains should be drawn to cut the glare through the fancy new windows--one a contribution of Ramon's parents, the other of Julianne's. But when the feud threatens their budding romance and nearly drives their families into bankruptcy, the teens must take some drastic steps to reunite their families.

ROSA NO-NAME is the prequel to the coming-of-age novel, FOUND IN THE TRANSLATION. It is my only totally serious story. Orphaned, uneducated, and ignored by the residents of her tiny Mexican village, Rosa No-Name naively seeks a better life in San Diego with her in-name-only husband, Tomás. Instead, she finds herself captive to his egotistical whims and violence. When compelled to return to her home village after discovering the truth about her background, can Rosa overcome the village’s ignorance and prejudices to win their acceptance, solve a generations-old problem, and meet a more immediate need? Will Rosa’s acceptance of Christianity enable her to acquire a name she can be proud of?

THE LADY & THE IMPRACTICAL JOKESTER is an off-beat love story about Mary and Rodney, two middle-aged best friends. While it's obvious to everyone else that they're the "perfect couple," they're both afraid of destroying their friendship by revealing their love to one another. Rodney overzealously uses his fondness for jokes and puns and his musical expertise to create a special surprise for Mary, whose unexpected reaction threatens both their friendship and their hoped-for romance. Can a local deejay save their relationship in this humorous tale of hidden identities?

THE DEVIL & PASTOR GUS is a whimsical, yet thought-provoking Christian spoof about the tempestuous relationship between the Rev. Mr. Gus Gospello and the Devil. Middle-aged Pastor Gus is obsessed with leaving a significant spiritual legacy to future generations: a novel ridiculing Satan. The Devil is obsessed with restoring his tarnished reputation by acquiring Gus's soul and delivering him to the fires of Hell. But can anyone win this battle of wills once Satan unwittingly provides Gus with more power than he realizes?

A TWISTED RAINBOW is a coming-of-age novel about two young men who are trying to free themselves of their Christian upbringing. Joel is a Preacher's Kid who suffers terrible pangs of conscience just for being human. His best friend, Roberto, is a Nicaraguan immigrant who despises Christians because of the hypocrisy of those who brought his family to the United States. Together they seek the American Dream. But which event will have the greater effect on their lives--winning a $5 million lottery jackpot or losing it again?

FIFTY-FIFTY is an off-beat novel about Bryan Centuria, adopted son of a Protestant pastor. Convinced by a childhood encounter with an angel that God has promised him strength and a century-long lifespan, Bryan successfully pursues wealth and prestige while using people and ignoring God. Bryan's mid-life crisis convinces him that God's promise is just his own wishful thinking and nothing can prevent him from dying before his fiftieth birthday. Retiring to a houseboat to await death, Bryan confronts several voices from childhood, including one that forces him to make an impossible life or death decision.