Illinois Authors

Pocket Star Books, New York : ©2010.

Rachel Farnsworth doesn't believe in the paranormal. She can find plenty of evil forces right in east Texas, like the Mega-Mart that's driving her family's hardware store into the ground. But when her marriage goes up in smoke, Rachel discovers that her husband Kevin isn't just a deadbeat; he's also a demon with a renegade bounty hunter--a fallen angel named Sam--chasing him. Now, Sam's heavenly attraction has down-to-earth Rachel believing in celestial magic, but will it be enough to save her and her son from the dark forces Kevin has unwittingly unleashed on Dogwood County?

Downtown Press, New York : 2005.

Pocket Star Books, New York, NY : 2010, ©2009.

In this humorous story, cafe owner Constance Plyd starts seeing dead people after she's hit on by her murdered ex-husband at his own funeral. Fortunately for Constance, irresistibly sexy sheriff Nathan Garrett wants to believe that a card-carrying demon in a black suit killed Jimmy in the garage. But when the Devil and would-be mother of the Antichrist descend on Crockett County, Texas, and Constance finds herself at the center of a hellish battle with plenty of supernatural support (including a talking French bulldog angel), this East Texas gal starts taking matters into her own hands!

Whether laughing to tears or clamoring for more unmistakable "me too!" moments, girls all over the world have been touched by Judy Blume's poignant coming-of-age stories. Now, in this anthology of essays, 24 notable female authors write straight from the heart about the unforgettable novels that left an indelible mark on their childhoods and still influence them today. After growing up from Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing into Smart Women, these writers pay tribute, through their reflections and most cherished memories, to one of the most beloved authors.--From publisher description.

Downtown Press, New York : 2006.

"Lily Crandell has always lived in the shadow of her older sister, Lauren, who has a successful career as a wedding planner and a perfect husband and baby boy. Known within her family for being an aimless, impulsive trouble-magnet, Lily finally decides she may as well live up to her reputation: she elopes with new beau and would-be rock star Ted Dayton. But just as quickly as his band skyrockets, Lily's marriage crashes and burns. When news of her ex's new love with sultry and silicone-enhanced actress Melanie Slate hits the tabloids, she flees the country. Hello, London! Across the pond, Lily shares a flat with an old flame -- a commitment-phobic doctor who convinces her that the best prescription for her broken heart is volunteering at the local hospital. Turns out, he's right, as one of the patients, famed soccer star Sean Gates, takes more than a passing interest in Lily's quirky style. But things get complicated when her ex's band starts flying up the British charts. Ted comes to town, the paparazzi camp on her doorstep, and her new fling and old flame both find rumors that Lily and her ex are planning a little reunion tour rather troublesome. Is there a happily ever after at the end of this rocky road?"--Publisher's description.

Follows a divorced wedding consultant as she finds her professional and personal life turned upside down by her demanding boss, psychotic clients, and neurotic friends.

Pocket Star Books, New York : 2010, ©2003.

Follows a divorced wedding consultant as she finds her professional and personal life turned upside down by her demanding boss, psychotic clients, and neurotic friends.

Pocket Books, New York : 2006, ©2004.

Downtown Press, New York : 2004.

Miranda, now a junior, finds her anticipated return to the haunted Bard Academy dampened by the fact that her freshman sister, Lindsay, is attending for the first time, especially when Lindsay falls in with the Parker clique and disappears.

Pocket Books/MTV Books, New York : 2008.

A private school staffed by the ghosts of famous dead writers is hard enough to navigate without a freshman kid sister in tow, but now Miranda's trying to sort out her feelings for her brooding friend Heathcliff, who happens to be a fictional character, while keeping Bard's secrets from her nosy sister. And when her nemesis Parker handpicks gullible Lindsay to be a Parker clone, Miranda knows a storm is brewing. Then, Lindsay disappears in the woods ... and a frantic search sends Ryan, Miranda, and Heathcliff to Whale Cove, a spot rumored to hide a sunken pirate's ship. But something -- or someone -- even more ominous and terrifying lurks there. Can Miranda stay the course and save her sister? --P. [4] of cover.

Pocket Books, New York : 2004.

Pocket Star Books, New York : 2010, ©2004.

"She's been handed her walking papers. Jane McGregor has just been laid off from her job designing pink slips for an office supply company. The irony is not lost on her. She's a twenty-eight-year-old art major whose last major career accomplishment was being propositioned by the company vice president. Desperate to maintain her freedom from her oddball parents, tyrannical older brother, and slacker ex-boyfriend, Jane starts sending out resumes. So what if some of them aren't exactly, well, true. She's taking the future in stride. When Jane's dad, a staunchly conservative believer in the corporate dream, loses his job, and her mom goes to work for a trendy dot com, Jane discovers that the family she's taken for granted is unraveling. After a fellow lay-off victim hatches a plot to seek revenge on the office supply company, Jane must choose between living in the past and seeking out a new future. To her surprise, that future might involve a most unlikely partner in crime--handsome, funny Kyle Burton--and maybe, just maybe, a new job, too"--Publisher's web site.

Fifteen-year-old Miranda is sent to a boarding school for delinquent teens in Maine, but she can't tell if it is the unhappy ghosts or the other students who will cause her the most trouble when their lives begin mirroring plots in classic literature.

Pocket Books/MTV Books, New York : 2006.

Fifteen-year-old Miranda is sent to a boarding school for delinquent teens in Maine, but she can't tell if it is the unhappy ghosts or the other students who will cause her the most trouble when their lives begin mirroring plots in classic literature.