Seventeen-year-old Emma June believed her mother’s new friend, the citified Betty Bedford, breathed life into their small town of Holly Gap, Texas, with her flapper dresses, fancy flasks, and progressive ideas. But when her mother goes missing after fighting with Betty on carnival night, Emma June fears that all of Betty’s words were filled with lies.
Trying to piece together the events of that dreadful night, Emma June sets out to find her mother and warily accepts the help of the town’s mysterious newcomer named Frank, whose sudden appearance in Holly Gap raises her suspicions. Yet behind his easygoing attitude and passion for jazz, Frank conceals many secrets of his own.
Teaming up in their investigation, Emma June and Frank uncover the presence of a wanted mobster who threatens the stability of their community and may be the key to finding Emma June’s mother. Even as their search leads to danger and Betty’s life-shattering lies come to light, Emma June will stop at nothing to bring her mother home.
A thrilling mystery set in the social tumult of the Prohibition era, Distilling Lies reveals what real crimes occur beyond the moonshine thicket.
I didn’t know James “Slim” Hand had died until recently.
In 2011, when my first novel came out, he played at my book release party. His rich voice belted out songs he had written as well as my requested, “Home on the Range.”
In the short time I knew him, I found him to be a kind, gentle soul who wore his heart on his sleeve and an easy smile on his face.
My newest novel will be released on May 9th and I think of him now. This round, I will not have an official release party (although I’m dancing in private.) But if he were still around, I know he would gladly pose with my newest book in hand, have his photo taken, and later, enjoy my efforts in painting him. Rest in Peace, Slim.
Distilling Lies will be available on May 9th. You may find it here: