Illinois Authors

Independently Published 2024

From the outside looking in, no one would ever believe Maureen Ryan’s life had been complicated and challenging. She was familiar with putting on a brave face since she was a child. At only three years old, Maureen was orphaned. Until she was nine years old, she had been tossed in and out of foster homes, never truly feeling as if she belonged anywhere. That changed in the fourth grade when Quinn Palmer befriended her, brought her home from school, and convinced her parents to take her in as their own. Maureen finally had a real family. Now, four decades later, Maureen’s life changed in the blink of an eye. Tragedy and loss, once again, made its way into her world. And, this time, she was too defeated to find her way back. This story, set in both Highland and Grafton, Illinois, is a blatant reminder of how life sometimes has a way of completely breaking us down, and it is in that brokenness where we will eventually find ourselves.

Independently Published 2023

Author Lori Bell has written 37 previous novels. She always crafts intricate tales that draw the reader into her fictional characters’ worlds. This story has amazing characters and an intricate tale as well. However, it is the true story of life in the trenches of parenting a child with autism. This is a raw, honest, and inspiring story. If you are a parent of a child with special needs that longs to feel heard, this story is for you. If you are a person that has ever been handed a challenge you may have not felt ready for, this story is for you. If you want to know more about autism or how to be more empathetic of the challenges individuals with different abilities and their families face, this story is for you. Once again Bell has composed another page turner, but this one will bring you deeper and closer to her personal story than you’ve ever been. Be prepared to be moved, shed a tear, and even laugh out loud as you come along on the journey of “Bear with Me."

Independently Published 2022

When Louie Brave’s entire life in Boone, North Carolina is rocked by a father-son duo, everything becomes complicated. An attraction to her best friend’s son flips her world upside down. In Book 2 of the Some Other Time Trilogy, Louie has a major decision to make, but the thought of knowing she will hurt one of them in the process, forces her into an indecisive limbo. That is, until one of the men in her life makes the choice for her. When Chip abruptly leaves town, will Louie be able to resume her life as it once was? Or will she realize that there’s no going back to just her family, her best friend, Barry, and her nursing career? Don’t be Afraid to Fall is Book 2 of the Some Other Time Trilogy.

Independently Published 2019

In Book 3 of the Stronger than Truth Trilogy, the Gallant sisters maintain a strong bond as life continues to be a series of intense challenges. Skye's cancer rebounds. Laney battles alcoholism and trying to save her marriage as her teenage son unexpectedly reels from a life-threatening accident. Afton adjusts to the drastic changes in her life with the man she loves ― and with her best friend, Jess Robertson who can't seem to avoid the temptation of trouble. This story, set in the Twin Cities, is one of life, love, and the threat of loss. For Reasons Unknown will tie up all the loose ends in this trilogy and leave the reader captivated with every page. Bell continues to create stories that draw us in as we fall in love with the characters, feel their pain, and root for happy endings.

Independently Published 2020

The story of the trio from the triplex continues in the aftermath of the shooting. Milo Brand is left paralyzed from the waist down ― and Winnie chooses to stay by his side, despite her love for Baylor Graham. Eventually, Milo pushes Winnie too far with his destructive, manic behavior. But when she wants to end their marriage, Winnie discovers what she will have to sacrifice for her freedom. Oakley Marks seizes the chance to become a published author, but not without falling in love with the man who made her dream a reality. Jack Harper is a businessman who never questions his instincts; then he makes an unethical decision to boost Oakley’s career and he breaks her trust. Lori Bell has 26 published novels. High Standards is Book 2 of the Orion Lane Trilogy.

Independently Published 2022

This story begins with Neeley Fitzpatrick’s final walk-through of her family’s home. From ceiling to floor, the entire house is bare. She leaves there, hoping the closure will eventually do something for her soul, and she moves into a quaint cottage along the coastline of Rockaway Beach, Oregon. Her intention is to hit the reset button on her life by escaping how everything suddenly went wrong. She’s reeling from being blindsided by her husband, and she fiercely misses her children. Neeley rents a middle beach cottage, bookended by two neighbors who will forever change her life, while her past continues to call her back. She will face more lies that have been intentionally withheld from her, which brings unexpected danger for her loved ones. And in the midst of it all, Neeley discovers a renewed hope for what she thought was gone forever.

Independently Published 2022

Friends often hold a special place in our hearts like no other, and that was precisely the case for two esteemed obstetricians. Jacobi and Ben met as medical school classmates, and later became colleagues and each other’s closest confidant. From every angle, they were an integral part of each other’s lives. Ben, however, had the one thing Jacobi didn’t ― a family of his own. In this story, set in Cleveland, Ohio, Jacobi relies on her career to hold her focus, to fulfill her life. But when Ben’s marriage begins to crumble, he reaches for the woman he believes has always been his soul mate. Will the pain of breaking up a family, one that Jacobi also cherishes as her own, be worth crossing the boundaries and finally finding happiness?

Independently Published 2021

Sacrifices can easily become a way of life, but Della Berkley has always wondered if there was something more out there for her. She once had big dreams of leaving Clinton County, Illinois, breaking free of the small town of Trenton that she grew up in, to become a successful television journalist. But that dream was brought to a halt just as she finished her college degree and ended up with a child on the way. Consequently, she married a family-oriented farmer and spent decades of her life feeling resentful of her husband and their marriage. Now three children and thirty years later, Della decides to seek something more. She packs her bags, buys a getaway car, and leaves the family farm behind without a word to anyone. This story has unexpected twists and turns as an adventure becomes dangerous, and family secrets begin to unravel. Save a little for Yourself is Book 1 of the Family Secrets Trilogy.

Independently Published 2023

Andi Cooper never got over her first love. Even though she moved on with her life, the memories of Miller Grey continued to weigh heavily on her heart. Half her life ago, when Andi was 25 years old, heartbroken and pregnant, she made a regrettable choice to keep a secret, forge ahead with medical school, and build a new life. This story, set in Breese, Illinois, is a poignant reminder that relationships play a key role in our emotional growth and mental health. And there are some connections that will never die.

Independently published 2024

Two women, who shared the same mother, lived separate lives hundreds of miles apart until one letter forced them to meet. But neither of them happily beheld it as fate bringing them together. One sister’s husband, however, gets caught in the crossfire and all their lives are forever changed. Secrets are kept as Ashton Dall recovers from a serious health scare, and her husband, Matty makes a careless choice. This story, set in both Fairfax, Iowa and Darby Montana, will take readers on a ride through the reality of discovering someone’s false character. The lines are blurred when Aubrey Gorman manipulates her way into Matty and Ashton’s lives and covertly becomes obsessive.

Independently Published 2024

Ashton Dall’s mother left her at seven years old, and that childhood trauma continues to affect her at nearly forty years old. She's unable to be emotionally present and often willingly chooses to be disconnected in most of her relationships. Aubrey Gorman was born a decade after Ashton to the same mother. They lived separate lives, thousands of miles apart, yet their stories as the daughters of the same woman feel all too familiar and painful. When their mother’s life ended, she shocked her family in her will by leaving behind a letter written for her firstborn daughter. No one had known Ashton existed. It's now left up to Aubrey to find her half-sister and deliver the letter. This story, set in both Fairfax, Iowa and Darby, Montana, brings two sisters together but when their paths cross they learn very quickly how one secret may have brought them into each other’s lives, but another could tear them irrevocably apart.

Independently Published 2021

There was a persistent feeling rooted deep in Della Berkley’s soul. When she reached a revelation, there was no turning back, as she chose to experience something more than her small-town life in Clinton County, Illinois. An adventure quickly turned dangerous, however, and Della was fortunate to return home safe and sound. Her life as she knew it for three decades, as a farmer’s wife and the mother of three children, resumed. She made the choice to stay out of obligation, but she secretly swore to one day do something for herself. To matter. To count. To stand for something. But Della’s need to be the persona that no one else could see blindly leads her down a path of misconception. This story, set in Trenton, Illinois, has many unforeseen circumstances that will put the Berkley family through pain and heartache. Bonds will be both broken and strengthened when tragedy strikes. The Me That You Cannot See is Book 2 of the Family Secrets Trilogy.

Independently Published 2022

Louie Brave lived in Boone, North Carolina all her life. She was an accomplished woman. A single mother to three sons, who were now thirty-something adults. A doting grandmother. A seasoned emergency room nurse, who imagined she would never be ready to give up her part in the medical world. Her family and her career had always been Louie’s entire life. And then there was Barry. His world and hers ran parallel. He was her forever dinner date, travel buddy, and closest confidant. She never wanted anything more from Barry than for him to be her lifeline. Chip Keller was a wildly successful film director in Hollywood. He moved away from Boone, North Carolina to pursue a career in LA ― and never really looked back. Until now. He’s back in Boone to recharge and reconnect with his family. He also returned to his hometown knowing all too well that he would see Louie again. She’s not just his father’s best friend. She’s a beautiful, ageless woman, who he had been unable to forget since their spontaneous one-night stand more than a decade ago. Lives would be forever changed if their buried secret were to resurface. When Louie’s told of Chip’s return to town, she reminds herself what happened was a long time ago and she simply must let it be. Soon, however, she will discover that Chip believes otherwise.

Independently Published 2020

There’s something so raw and pure about true, lasting friendship. For Winnie Heap, it’s acceptance, love, and the ultimate feeling of home. She is fortunate to have two best friends in her life — Oakley Marks and Baylor Graham. But Winnie’s love for Baylor goes beyond friendship, and she harbors that secret from everyone. In this story, set in Edenton, North Carolina, Winnie struggles between listening to her heart and trusting her mind. When Milo Brand unexpectedly enters her life, all of her emotions are tested. But will she settle for less than her heart desires? Lori Bell has 25 published novels. Vulnerability is Book 1 of the Orion Lane Trilogy.

Independently Published 2023

As a self-assured, mature woman, who was entirely content with her family life, her career, and her social life, Louie Brave was thrown for a loop when a sudden May-December romance with her best friend’s son became something more. Although Louie was initially torn when she had to choose between her dearest friend, Barry or his son, Chip ― an accident, and the truth about what caused it, prompted her decision to be with one man. In the conclusion of this series, set in Boone, North Carolina, Book 3 brings to light the reason why Louie always believed her time with Chip was only meant to be a temporary treasure. Bell writes about how life is fleeting and unpredictable, as we never know when everything will change. Louie and Chip’s story represents a mindful journey of living in the moment before it’s gone, while Louie and Barry’s story tests the strength of a genuine friendship that’s been challenged.