The Devil and the Diva

When pop diva Sheila Lews dies under puzzling circumstances, Clarisse Dufresne is approached by agents of a shadowy international crime syndicate with a proposition-"What if, after a period of time, say five years-yeah, make it five years-it was discovered that Sheila had left behind some unmixed tracks, songs she had been working on before she died but didn't release? What do you think a find like that would be worth?"

Clarisse refuses to participate in the fraud and is rescued by a mysterious man named Maurice Crevier, who conceals both his face and his intentions behind a black, obsidian mask. But the savior soon becomes Clarisse's tormentor when she learns that she is not his guest as he professes, but his prisoner.

Despite it all-and against her better judgment-Clarisse feels a growing fascination and affection for her jailer, as well as his odd henchmen-a voodoo-practicing Haitian and a young chef who is haunted by the ghost of her mother. Until a second attempt is made on her life. And a third...

Critical Acclaim for The Devil and the Diva:

2014 Best Twin Cities Arts and Culture Best Book Selection -Minnesota Monthly Magazine

"Here it is: my official declaration that The Devil and the Diva is the season's first "dock book," perfect for reading on a lazy day at the lake, on the cool porch or in a leafy back yard." -St. Paul Pioneer Press

"It's wonderful. I loved Clarisse-smart, witty and human. Maurice (the man in the black mask) was quite the romantic figure, yet still human, too, with those little foibles that make a girl want to smash him in his obsidian nose and then kiss him and make it better... The story was outrageous, and I totally bought into it. I was sorry when it ended." -Deborah Woodworth, author of Dancing Dead

Reviewer's Choice 2014 "Definitely a buried treasure..." -All About Romance