The Bootlegger's Bible

Sixteen-year-old Evelyn knows it takes more than grains and time to distill a good jar of shine—it takes prayer.

As Prohibition enters a second decade and America enters the war, Evelyn’s family wages a war of their own—against other bootleggers. With years of debt piling up, the mob forces them into a deadly race against their rival, the Cohens, where producing a drop too little will cost one family their lives.

To avoid sleeping with the fishes, Evelyn must put the kibosh on any chance the Cohens have of winning, even if that means breaking a commandment or two. After her other schemes go bust, raiding out-of-town speakeasies provides the only way to fulfill the impossible liquor quota. And the Cohen’s son, Elijah, has the wheels she needs. Evelyn wants Elijah’s help about as much as she likes gefilte fish. But with mobsters and the Prohibition Dry Squad hot on their tails, they must stop fighting long enough to nick the booze. When their partnership grows complicated, Evelyn will need more than a shot of courage to decide between her family’s survival and the boy who dies if she wins.

If Skyscrapers Had Secrets

In 2124, the City That Never Sleeps doesn't eat either. Sixteen-year-old Dax knows they're too damn poor to buy food, never mind a life-saving transplant for his sick mother. If he doesn't find a solution Telsa-quick, Dax risks losing another family member. Only, he never thought he'd get the sickness as well.

His best chance lies with the city's most infamous street gang: the Angels, who have a reputation for actually helping people. For any successful mission, Dax is handsomely rewarded by the gang's wealthy, young leader, Ma. And for a while, that's all the matters. But when missions to save lives transform into finding dead bodies, its clear working with the Angels is more dangerous than it seems.

With the help of his best friend Talia, a capable hacker, Dax is determined to figure out just what the hell is going on. Even if it means tapping into the Interlink, the city's ever-present security system, in order to uncover the truth. So long as he can ignore his suspicions, there's still a chance to save his mother's life. On the other hand, if Dax exposes the Angels as crooks, his sickness might not be what kills him.

However Improbable

"People see, but they do not observe." And to Marigny Sheridan, that is elementary. The Saturday night Sherlock Holmes radio broadcast is a staple in the Sheridan household for one simple reason: deciphering people provides all the entertainment she'll ever need. That is until the Queen's 50th Jubilee Contest twists the knickers of every eligible teenager in the Empire, and Marigny is unexpectedly selected to become the Colonies' new Saturday night entertainment.

Marigny has no interest in some cockamamie contest. After all, there's no need for celebration when the British Empire is still going strong well into the 21st century. All she cares about is that her fellow contestants are easy to read. Especially the bitchtastically annoying girl from Australia and the street-smart player from Hong Kong. But as soon as she settles in, her Sherlock senses start to tingle. Something doesn't smell right. And it's not the smog over London.

The contest wouldn't be so ridiculous if she could win riches to support her family. But no, the prize is marriage and Marigny isn't quite ready for that yet. Even if it is to an heir to the throne. The only boy she bothers to trifle with is Simon Whitaker, a cocky Islander with a dashing smile and slick charm. In the midst of lock picking the contest host's hotel room and butting heads with constables, they discover someone is pulling the contest strings. But when Marigny unearths an Empire secret, she must either bury her inner Sherlock to avoid exile or follow her hunch and lose Simon forever. As far as Marigny's concerned, winning is just as bad as losing.

Works In Progress

Contemporary projects (focusing on queer stories): ~Summer camp romance ~Fandom love story

Speculative projects (mostly shelved): ~Dark historical fantasy

Short Stories