Are peanuts capable of murder? Carolina Slade will bust this shell game.
Big money, big politics, crime, greed, and big farming-Slade, an agriculture department investigator in the steamy state of South Carolina, once again finds herself planted in a dangerous mystery.
Her assignment? Find out if there's a sinister connection between the drug-dealing arrest of wealthy peanut farmer Lamar Wheeler and the gruesome death of Lamar's teenage son in a car wreck. Especially since the dead teen is Governor Dick Wheeler's nephew.
Of course, the governor's people practically sky-write STAY AWAY FROM THE FIRST FAMILY over the Palmetto state's capitol dome in Columbia, which doesn't make Slade's job easier. Couldn't she simply back off from what appears to be a tragic and ugly-but private-family matter?
Not with hot-tempered DEA agent Pamela Largo on the case. Ex-wife to Senior Special Agent Wayne Largo, Slade's romantic interest, Pamela's hell-bent on using Lamar Wheeler's situation to re-open a cold case involving an Atlanta drug lord and Wayne's long lost sister, Kay.
Soon Slade's shoveling shooflies uphill against Pamela's obsessions, the drug lord's vendettas, the Governor's secrets, and the bizarre realization that those secrets involve peanuts.

As an introvert and a writer, you feel stretched to choose between the lesser of two evils - marketing to people who'll most likely criticize you, or putting your writing on the back burner. Introverts have strengths that make them marketable, creative, and successful. Forget those people who tell you to change, to put on a different personality, to dance like a monkey before crowds. Here is the support to be a writer and remain who you care to be . . . genuine. The Shy Writer Reborn: An Introverted Writer's Wake-up Call, is the guide to being yourself and being a writer who can be successful, without changing who you are. Learn tricks for book signings, speaking, submitting, interviewing, and more. Pick up mantras to remind yourself how to deal with the situation you're in. The Shy Writer Reborn is the new bible for the writer seeking to remain true to himself while establishing his profession . . . successfully. "If you're a shy writer looking for both inspiration and practical how-to advice, C. Hope Clark's THE SHY WRITER REBORN is the operations manual for you; filled with tips on a range of issues facing introverted authors, Clark's engaging work offers assistance with everything from blogging to self-promotion to holding a successful book signing to finding your authentic voice, all while honoring your deep need for solitude in which to write." -- Kelly L. Stone, author of TIME TO WRITE: No Excuses, No Distractions, No More Blank Pages (Adams Media) "Shy types, rejoice Introversion may seem like a major obstacle to building a successful writing career, but this wonderful covers-all-the-bases book handily debunks the notion. The only bad news? You'll have no more excuses not to succeed Highly recommended." Peter Bowerman, Author, "The Well-Fed Writer" series, www.wellfedwriter.com "The number one thing that holds writers back is fear. For introverts -- who, ironically, are drawn to writing because they think you can do it alone -- the fear is even bigger. Interviews, book signings, public speaking -- many of the tasks of a freelance writer demand that you be social and perform. But don't fret -- Hope has solutions in The Shy Writer Reborn that let you make the most of who you are instead of asking you to change your personality." Linda Formichelli, owner of The Renegade Writer Blog (http: //www.therenegadewriter.com) and co-author of The Renegade Writer: A Totally Unconventional Guide to Freelance Writing Success "I love The Shy Writer Reborn As a self-diagnosed introvert, I know the fears of many writers who are literally afraid to follow their passion and be successful. C. Hope Clark shares how to overcome that fear while navigating interviews, pitches, queries, and more. She even finishes the book with a great set of mantras If you're a shy writer, this is the book that will help you find and cultivate an audience for your writing." -Robert Lee Brewer, Senior Content Editor, Writer's Market "Hope Clark has done an incredible service for authors by writing The Shy Writer Reborn. She guides you through the steps to overcome fears and finally get a book out of your head and on to paper. This book will help a lot of would-be authors realize their dreams. Highly recommended " Stephanie Chandler, author of The Nonfiction Book Marketing Plan: Online and Offline Promotion Strategies for Serious Authors, www.StephanieChandler.com

"Terrific. Smart, knowing, clever...and completely original. A taut, high-tension page-turner--in a unique and fascinating setting. An absolute winner "
Hank Phillippi Ryan Agatha, Anthony and Macavity winning author
In the deep waters off the coast of Beaufort, South Carolina, corpses are turning up faster than dolphins chasing a shrimp boat . . .
When federal agricultural investigator Carolina Slade's best friend is suspected of embezzlement and fraud in a sordid case involving drugs and migrant slavery, Slade must question her own long-held loyalties. She's desperate to believe in Savannah Conroy's innocence despite every scrap of evidence pointing to her friend's guilt.
After a tomato farmer dies in a shrimp boat explosion, Slade's colleague, Senior Special Agent Wayne Largo, manages to force Slade off the case, citing conflict of interest. Refusing to quit even if it means violating agency orders, Slade fights to save her friend's career. Soon, Slade's the target of escalating threats meant to frighten her off the case.
But threats might be the least of Slade's worries. She's also juggling a co-worker's sudden romantic interest, voodoo, and her teenage daughter's determination to solve mysteries like her mother. Slade struggles to keep her life, and the lives of those around her, safe and sane when, once again, digging up dirt on the ag business threatens to put her six feet under.