Dear Reader:

Moving to Arkansas from Tulsa, Oklahoma, was an adventure and (as it turned out) the fulfilling of a dream. The adventure was living a unique new life in the remote Ozarks. The dream fulfillment came when I began writing about that life and could share it with you.

After my husband John and I settled here, we began to realize what a full menu of fascinating places was open to us in Arkansas. We had the forested hills, hollows, and caves of the ancient Ozarks, and the relatively new pleasures of tourist towns like Hot Springs, Eureka Springs, and Siloam Springs. (Yes, there are a lot of springs here—and lakes, and even a river so special it's a National Park.) There was celebration of the life of early settlers as preserved at Ozark Folk Center State Park near Mountain View. There were historic Civil War battle locations and archeological digs, including one in the Delta where DeSoto is said to have landed. The list is rich and full.

Which brings us to the adventures of Carrie Culpeper McCrite and her friend, Henry King, the stars of my mystery series. As an employee of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, Carrie is familiar with the adventure places. Not only that, she can't ignore a human in distress, or keep her nose away from murder...

It's my privilege to open Carrie's world to you, offering, through her eyes and Henry's, an easy and exciting vacation trip to Arkansas. In addition I hope you find challenging suspense, a private window into the lives of unique people and their special relationships, and, perhaps, a little bit of inspiration to carry into your own life. Most of all, I hope you have a good time in my "Something to Die For" mystery series. I'm grateful to say that I have.