In this third book in the River Bend Chronicles, Lynn Powers, a fortyish widow with a teenage son, continues to build her new life in River Bend. It's two weeks before Christmas and the holiday season is going full tilt -- except for Lynn and her son. In an effort to rekindle their slow starting romance, chief detective Dusty Reid pays a visit and finds Lynn's household untouched by holiday cheer. Dusty takes Jason on a routine call and starts a series of events that mirrors the death of Lynn's husband two years ago. In addition to grieving on the anniversary of her husband's death, Lynn has...

In this fourth book in the River Bend Chronicles, Lynn Powers and Dusty Reid have broken off their engagement to the consternation of both families. But Lynn gets drawn into a murder that requires Dusty's intervention. An actor who has come to town to help with the production of an Arts Council play is found murdered. Two days later another actor is also found dead. During the investigation, Dusty pleads with Lynn to elope, but the killer has other plans for Lynn. Murder and marriage - what a combination

Jason is a victim of a fight in the park and is thrown into a fishing boat and set adrift on the river. Dusty organizes a search for the youngster. Blaming himself, Dusty begins interviewing friends and family about parenting. During this hectic period, Sean Hennessey returns to River Bend to claim his inheritance. His father died before he and Sean could heal the breach in their relationship. As he spends time in town trying to learn more about the man his father really was, Sean becomes a suspect in Dusty's investigation. Lynn is injured in a truck accident. Sean inherits a fortune. And...

Sonny Bosco, one of the actors who came to River Bend for a community project last spring, stayed to die. She is a friend of a local physician. Dr. Rita Rutledge, and the River Bend gang, led by Lynn Powers and her family, have rallied to help with Sonny's care. A sick child is also facing death as his mother, an environmental attorney, and her team investigate water quality issues on the river. One of the environmentalists is murdered at the same time detectives find another body. The inhabitants of this small town explore love and loss while learning from Sonny to celebrate life well...

In many communities, a lot of service is delivered by nonprofit staff and volunteers. Most communities rely on a nonprofit shelter for victims of domestic violence; safe after school programs for children from groups with national affiliations like the Boys and Girls Clubs and scouting programs; emergency support for victims of fire or flood from the American Red Cross and local emergency support groups; and social need support from groups such as food pantries and homeless shelters. In addition local nonprofits also augment the life of a community through arts and theater programs as well as...

Lynn Powers is facing the month of May caught up in the activities driven by a son who is graduating from high school. But that doesn't stop her from becoming embroiled in mayhem as she discovers an elderly black woman who has been assaulted. Throughout the story Lynn and her family learn about the history of many people in town, including the simmering feuds and sad stories among members of River Bend's African-American community. In addition, Lynn learns more of her own family history as she discovers a small diary belonging to her mother. Mix all this in with the usual antics of Lynn,...