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Welcome

Receive a free download of La Paloma, the prequel to Tequila Midnight.

I'm an author, book coach, and world traveler. I write about intriguing women in captivating places who become their own heroes.

I grew up writing and riding horses in far West Texas. I graduated from SMU in English/Creative Writing and went on to get an MBA from Thunderbird and a PhD from Clemson.

Originally from Texas, I've had the good fortune to live in Spain, Mexico, Tanzania, and several U.S. states, and the good sense to end up in Carlsbad, California. She loves travel, fiery food, hanging out with the neighbors in the front yard on Friday evenings, and reading.

I had tons of fun speaking about all things writing on Maggie Smith/WFWA’s Hear Us Roar podcast.

@maggiesmithwrites
@womensfictionwriters

#hearusroar
#womensfiction
#debutauthors

It’s World Donkey Day. I met this guy while driving the length of Baja California in 2001. I fed him a mango which he seemed to enjoy.

#worlddonkeyday
#bajadonkey

Enter to win a free signed copy of Five Tries to Get It Right at Goodreads (link in bio).

#goodreadsgiveaway
#friendshipfiction
#travelwithfriends
#bookstagram

I’m currently reading new historical fiction, Saving Vincent, by Joan Fernandez. It’s about the efforts of Vincent Van Gogh’s sister-in-law to promote his work after his death. I’m listening to Leave only Footsteps by Connor Knighton, who visits all US national parks in one year. 👍👍

@joanfernandezauthor
@connorknighton

#savingvincent
#leaveonlyfootsteps
#bookstagram

The @sdbookcrawl was a great way to visit independent book stores in San Diego yesterday. The is the “staff picks” wall at one of my favorites, @mystgalaxybooks - the fun continues today!

#independentbookstore
#sandiegobookcrawl

Travel to far-flung destinations without leaving your chair by winning a copy of this friendship fiction novel about two women challenging themselves to overcome loss and find their true passions in the second half of their lives.

#goodreadsgiveaway
#friendshipfiction
#travelficrion

Rovinj, Croatia. A gorgeous village on the Adriatic Sea where you can wander the narrow streets, then turn a corner and glimpse the water through an arch of polished stone.

#writinginspiration
#booksandtravel

My dad’s cactus garden. Spring has sprung.

“She’s tough, yet vulnerable, independent, and even a little ruthless at times. She can be forceful, sassy, brave, resilient, and stubborn. And she’s had quite a ‘colourful’ past awash with dark bars, intimate encounters, and liberal amounts of alcohol - tequila being her preferred poison. But she’s also awash with doubts and insecurities- especially since she has ‘turned over a new leaf’, so to speak. But underneath all her quirks and flaws, she’s fiercely loyal to her friends and ‘found’ family, and has a burning desire for justice, to help people in need. This desire has led to many dangerous situations, especially since she has a tendency to act first and ask questions later. She seems to stumble into trouble and so finds herself in the grip of another murder mystery that turns into a twisted game of cat and mouse with a deranged psychopath- which results in a twisty and suspenseful read that brings plenty of action, adventure, intrigue, danger, tension, and gritty developments- while also exploring the mother-daughter relationship, and family dynamics.
Can’t wait to see what Jessica gets up to next – bring on Book #4!!”

Link in bio.
#Matador
#bookstagrammystery
#bookreview

Jessica Watts knows three things: tequila burns, memories haunt, and the border keeps its secrets. When a Mexican tycoon hires her to find his missing daughter, she should say no. She doesn’t. Now she’s in too deep to back out—and too close to the truth to survive…Free with Kindle Unlimited!

Link in bio.

#yournewthriller
#southwestsuspense
#bookstagram

There are signs.

#handsoff #democracynow

It’s a good day for good trouble.

#handsoff #goodtrouble #democracy

I love travel and adventure, and when I’m not doing it, I love reading about it. My favorite fun adventure book is Llama Drama by Ana McNuff. Ana and her friend bike through South America, and it’s a heck of a ride.

#bookrecommendation
#adventuretravel
#bookstagram

Sometimes one-star reviews are a good warning. My Jessica Watts series is suspenseful, spicy, and there will be cussing. Link in bio.

#readerreviews
#foullanguage
#abraveheroine

Last night at @warwicksbooks I got to meet @krystenritter and pick up a copy of her new thriller Retreat!

#authorsigning
#bookstagram

Sunrise in San Sebastián. It’s is an easy city to live in and a hard place to leave.

#writinginspiration
#writingfromtheroad

Jessica’s dark past resurfaces when girls start vanishing. A predatory pastor, a desert ranch, a deadly conspiracy. She’ll risk everything for justice, including her life. FREE through March 23, 2025 at Amazon.com.

#freemystery
#bookbub
#bookstagramfree
#crimefiction

The perfect bookstore has:
1) a bathtub full of books
2) a sign that says “to read is to resist”

#madridbookstore
#amreading
#bookstores

There’s something calming about watching the ocean.
#authorinspiration

Then this year happened. Now I can’t see my way to a happy ending, between lovers or with the environment. Sometimes writing is hard. I think I’ll start something new - it might involve a revolution.

Canada has been America’s closest friend since before I was born. What’s happening with the US government now is not a reflection on how I (or I believe most Americans) feel. Canada has many great authors and a rich literary history. Here are a few of the Canadian authors I read and follow.

@maggiegiles_
@charlenecarrauthor
@racheystone
@psands.stories

#canadianauthors
#lovecanada

It’s exciting to see the reviews come in for MATADOR, the latest Jessica Watts novel. Love an author - leave a review!

Get your copy today - link in bio.

#newmystery
#bookstagrammystery
#southwestsuspense

There’s a street in San Sebastián, Spain, with a basilica built in the 1700s on one end and a cathedral built over 100 years later in the other.

#writinginspiration
#donostia
#sansebastian

Uh-oh. Sparks. I’m going to miss the stickers.

#laptopstickers
#sayinggoodbye

The border doesn’t forgive mistakes. Jessica Watts has made plenty—but finding this missing heiress could be her last. Because on these streets, everyone’s hiding something. And some secrets are worth killing for.... Link in bio.

#freemystery
#bookstagrammystery
#tequilamidnight

It’s launch day! Welcome to MATADOR, the third book in the Jessica Watts Southwest Suspense Series. Link in bio.

When Jessica’s dog unearths a skeleton in a pecan grove, she has no idea she’s about to unravel a decades-old mystery that will shake a family to its core. What really happened to Paul Brown, who vanished without a trace? And who’s willing to kill to keep the past buried?

#matadormystery
#newmystery
#bookstagrammystery

Carnival in Donostia, Spain. Two days - eight hours a day - huge dance party.

The escapism is real this week. Both these books have taken me away from the real world when I needed a little time outside of . . . everything. Thank you @lesdoggg and authorabbyjimenez

#bookrecommendations
#bookstagram
#buriedinabook

Can you solve the mystery? New this week. Link in bio.

#MATADOR
#newmystery
#bookstagram

San Sebastián, Spain.
#writinginspiration

A beautiful bookstore. @libreriadonosti

#agreatplaceforbooks

A dog’s grim discovery pulls Jessica into a decades old mystery that spans two countries. Preorder today! Link in bio.

#southwestsuspense
#newmystery
#dogonthecase

When your lunch comes with a “glass” of wine and they plonk down the whole bottle.
@restaurantecasajavier

#lunchinspain
#menúdeldía

I was a fan of Marvel’s Jessica Jones TV series on Netflix. This book continues her story and is written by Lisa Jewell - @lisajewelluk, a well-known British author of mysteries and psychological thrillers. By the way, Krysten Ritter - @krystenritter, the actress who played Jessica Jones in the Netflix series is also an author who just published her second book, the psychological thriller, Retreat.

#bookrecommendation
#boosktagram
#jessicajones

What happens when your dog digs up more than bones? Jessica Watts is about to find out that some family secrets are worth killing for. This gripping mystery will keep you guessing until the last page. Link in bio.

#newmysterybook
#bookstagram
#onelinewednesday

Ready for a whodunit murder mystery with dogs, tequila, and a spooky pecan grove? Badass amateur detective Jessica Watts is back in the third Southwest Suspense Series. Preorder today! Link in bio.

#newmurdermystery
#matador
#mysterybookstagram

I am really enjoying both of these of these novels. The Last Road Trip by @jennifer_klepper is about a group of friends and their second, decades later, attempt at an abandoned road trip across the US. A Drop in the Ocean by @ogden.jenni is about a solo adventure to a tiny atoll off Australia. Both come with interesting protagonists and plenty of baggage.

#bookstagram
#bookrecommendations
#writingandlistening

#mystery novel #southwestsuspense #jessicawatts

A hard-drinking amateur detective with a haunted past has one chance to find a missing woman, but when the lines between allies and enemies blur, can she escape with her life? Enter to win a free ebook. Ends 3/4/25. Link in bio.

#freemystery
#southwestsuspense
#goodreadgiveaway

Are you advertising on Facebook but sending customers to Amazon to purchase your book? Amazon attribution links help you understand which of your sales come from Facebook or other non-Amazon sources. In this episode of 5 Minute Indie Insights, we show you how to get Amazon attribution links for your books. Link in bio.

#indieauthor
#selfpublishing

Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy - great memories.

#writinginspiration

MATADOR - preorder today! The third in the Jessica Watts series has the feisty sleuth searching for killer, at least until she ends up on the wrong side of a gun.
Link in bio.

#onelinewednesday
#preoderMatador
#newmystery

Both these novels deal with family secrets and how they can tear loved ones apart for generations. We Rip the World Apart by @charlenecarrauthor focuses on a Canadian family scarred by rebellion and racism. All the Broken Places by @johnboyneauthor highlights the ramifications of the Nazis during and after World War II. Both books will stay with you after the last page.

#readingandlistening
#bookrecommendations

Matador - the newest book in the Jessica Watts Southwest Suspense Series is available for preorder. Link in bio.

#matadormystery
#mysterybook
#onelinewednesday

The Mexican food in El Paso is the best. El Paso is where the chiles of New Mexico meet the ranches of Chihuahua. The result is pure deliciousness. Thanks @ljcafe

El Paso’s mountains at sunset. All three of my Jessica Watts Southwest Suspense Series novels are set here, including the upcoming Matador, which releases on March 6. Download the prequel novella for free. Links in bio.
#elpasotexas
#matador
#suspenseseries
#mysterybooks

Matador - Now Available for Preorder. This “whodunit” mystery is the third novel in the Jessica Watts Southwest Suspense Series. Link in bio.

#matador
#mysterynovel
#southwestsuspense
#murderinthedesert

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