BETWIXT AND BETWEEN... 
a book for tweens (ages 9 to 15), is a fantasy/adventure story about the spiritual journey of a 13-year old boy. Sent on a Quest by his Guardian Angel to gain knowledge and discover who he truly is, Michael finds himself suspended in the bizarre land of Betwixt and Between. He must travel a dangerous path if he hopes to return to earth and home again. Using his wits and all his energy Michael struggles to reach his goal. If he succeeds in his quest, what will he find? What is the secret knowledge awaiting him?

 AN EXCERPT FROM BETWIXT AND BETWEEN:    

“Come back, Michael, come back.”
Michael tried to answer his cousin Kaity’s cry. He swallowed a mouthful of water instead. His head bobbed up and down in the churning water of the Palatucka River, but he managed to catch a glimpse of her racing after him. Above the roar of the water he heard her older brother, Tyler, shout, “He can’t come back. I’m going for help.”

“I’ll go with you,” called Kaity’s twin, Curtis.

It had rained for days. The shallow stream Michael waded across a few weeks ago was now so deep he couldn’t touch bottom. Tons of water plunged down from the mountains swelling the creek to a turbulent river. It sped over rocks and boulders, past the loblolly trees-- pulling Michael with it. He tried to fight the strong current. Too powerful; I can’t do it. Dragged underwater, hurled up again, he gasped for breath. Michael’s stomach sank. Kaity’s falling behind. She can’t keep up with the swift current. Around a curve, another curve, until Kaity disappeared.

His strength was fading. In desperation he reached for a boulder. Too slippery! His fingers slid off the surface; he was swept away. Roaring sounded in his ears. The din grew louder with each passing second. His already racing heart pounded even harder. A waterfall! Hurtling toward the brink of a cliff, he made a frantic attempt to turn back. Impossible! The power of the raging river carried him on.

“OH, NO-O-O-O-O---”

Flung over the edge, arms and legs thrashing as he fell, Michael plunged into the angry waters at the bottom of the waterfall. Down into a cold, dark whirlpool, turning round and round, sinking deeper and deeper, until it became so dark he was spinning in blackness. He couldn’t see or grasp onto anything. Pray . . . . Our Father . . . . His lungs were bursting; he couldn’t breathe. Try, . . . Our Father who . . . Pain exploded in his head.

And then he didn’t think at all.

Hope you enjoyed reading the above excerpt.  I am currently writing a sequel to Betwixt and Between called Above and Beyond.  It takes place many years later and features Michael’s daughters, Carly and Anna along with Joseph, their guide in the strange land in which they find themselves stranded.  

Look for my latest novel, a cozy mystery for adults entitled “Long Shadows” scheduled to be released in January 2013.  It tells the tale of two women who arrive at a house plagued by a death, a missing heiress, and unanswered questions.  Their presence stirs up old mysteries and new perils.  Will they survive their confrontation with danger?