A welcome quietness settled over Witherspoon academy in early June. School was out for a while causing teachers to breathe a sigh of relief. Five of the instructors had plans for a cruise. Three of these had plans for murder.

A welcome quietness settled over Witherspoon academy in early June. School was out for a while causing teachers to breathe a sigh of relief. Five of the instructors had plans for a cruise. Three of these had plans for murder.

This manuscript is a contemporary novel that challenges readers to solve a murder mystery. The suspects are a close-knit group of medical center employees. The book features a variety of well-developed characters and an exciting, unexpected conclusion. The main setting for this mystery is a small East Texas town, with a couple of excursions to the Texas Gulf Coast and Aspen, Colorado. Each suspense filled chapter is a short story ending with a cliffhanger. These episodes are interlinked to propel the protagonist, Nelda Simmons, toward a successful resolution. Summary: The mystery begins with the murder of a doctor who owns a health clinic. Nelda discovers the body, and calls the young sheriff, John Moore, who doesn't mind Nelda's aid in solving the mystery. Nelda has considerable experience in solving criminal cases because she assisted her late husband in his work as sheriff. All the workers at the clinic are suspects and have good reasons for wanting him dead. None of them have air tight alibis for the night of the murder. The plot continues with the drowning of the murdered doctor's wife and warning to Nelda in Latin. This Latin phrase is one in a series left by the murderer after or before crucial events. All the messages appear in red lipstick of a particular brand and color. Some of the major events that occur after the two deaths are: the sabotage of Nelda's car and the major car accident that followed; the near drowning of her niece, Sue; predawn visit by the murderer; confrontation in Aspen with the killer on a downhill bicycle ride, and the final outcome. This is a Fireside Mystery with approximately 70,000 words in twenty-six chapters

"Women of Courage" They Never gave Up, is an inspirational book that tells how three brave women fought back from adversities to live productive lives, and give back to the community. Linda Warren suffers from rheumatoid arthritis. She would not let this disease, or years of rejection of her first book, keep her from becoming an award winning author. Her novels entertain and help readers by relating to concerns in their own lives. Teresa Maurer has multiple sclerosis, but lives a full life. She is a successful Beatrix Potter Storyteller and literacy advocate encouraging hundreds of children to read each year. Her performances draw school children from all over Texas. Their smiles as she relates a Potter story are rewards she cherishes. Marsy Clarke is a crusader for the physically and mentally challenged citizens in Texas. For more than a decade, Marsy has helped implement programs that find jobs and housing for those in need. Her desire to become a crusader was kindled by her son, Andrew, who was born with disabilities. Travel with them through their lives. Feel their despair and triumphs as God leads them to reach higher planes.

Rudder From Leader to Legend Thomas A. Hatfield In this first comprehensive biography of James Earl Rudder, Hatfield covers Rudder's storied military exploits -- from years spent stateside training the all-volunteer 2nd Ranger Battalion to the unit's trek over the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc during the D-Day invasion. 540 pp. 68 b&w photos. 8 maps. Bib. Index. $30.00 cloth

Family isn’t always what you think it is. Twins learn what they are to each other, siblings learn what they are not and a mother is replaced by another. Connecting them all are the flames that wove through Burasal so long ago. Now, new flames are burning across the kingdom revealing secrets and magic long thought lost.