Imaginarium 2025

I had a wonderful time at the Imaginarium Convention over the weekend in Louisville, Kentucky. It was so great to see so many of my friends in person that I usually only get to see once a year at this convention. I met lots of new people, but missed the ones that weren't able to attend it this year. I sold some books, participated on panels, and attended a few, too. Unfortunately, I didn't win anything at the Awards Banquet this year, but it was not a surprise for me. The screenwriting competition was so good. Congratulations to the winners. Most of the are friends.

Other than my car getting damaged when I hit a pothole in the rain, the convention was as great as usual and I can't wait for next year's to roll around.

Carol 

 

 Author Carma Shoemaker and I. We've been friends for over 20 years, first meeting online.

 

 

Deputy Sheriff Emma Long - Exposure, a Coyote Canyon Mystery

 

Today's character from Exposure is Deputy Sheriff Emma Long. 

Deputy Emma Long, age 28, is Sam’s second in command, a former Marine MP, and gay. She’s been with the Sheriff’s Department for four years. Her life partner is Leslie Dunbar, a paramedic with the Coyote Canyon Fire Department.

Emma loves to keep in shape by going to the gym regularly. She’s an expert in hand-to-hand combat, is a sharpshooter, and enjoys kickboxing. She’s an excellent deputy and the one that Sam hopes will succeed him as sheriff someday. Originally from Denver, she moved to Colorado after leaving the Marines to become a deputy with the Sheriff’s Department, prior to Sam becoming sheriff.

 

Excerpt from Exposure:

        Sam turned to Emma and Mitch. “What do we know about our victim?”

“His name is Richard Lucero, age twenty-seven, from Placerville,” Emma said. “From what I could find online, he’s been an outdoor guide for a company there for six years.”

“Dr. Hill said she’d do the autopsy this afternoon, and that he’d probably been dead for twelve to eighteen hours. That puts the time of death before sunset yesterday,” Sam said. “Will one of you call the Placerville PD and see if they know him and could notify his next of kin?”

Mitch let out a long yawn.

“You both look like hell. After you make the call, go home and get some sleep. Be back here in the morning. I’ll have dispatch call in some reserve officers to fill in today.”

“You need to do the same thing, Sam. You look as bad as we feel,” Emma said. “We’ll all work better on this after we get some sleep.”

 

You can get Exposure in e-book or paperback at Amazon.

Carol

FBI Supervising Special Agent Jessica Leal - Exposure, a Coyote Canyon Mystery

 

My final character introduction for this week from my latest book, Exposure, is FBI Supervising Special Agent, Jessica Leal. Agent Leal, age 35, has been with the FBI for ten years. She’s slender, 5’8”, with brown eyes, and long brown hair that she usually has pulled back into a ponytail or bun. She’s married to FBI Agent, Jake Daniels and they have two sons.

Sheriff Sam Winslow calls Agent Leal after a large sum of money was found hidden in an old silver mine close to where a body was found in the mountains. The FBI has interest in both the money and the body and Agent Leal plays an important part in discovering how everything is connected, not to mention how she’s pulled into Sam’s personal life.

Exposure won’t be the last time we see Agent Leal as she makes an appearance in the next Coyote Canyon Mystery.

Excerpt from Exposure, a Coyote Canyon Mystery:

        Agent Leal took a sip of her iced tea and sat the glass back on the table. “Since that problem is solved, can I ask you a more personal question?”

“I suppose,” Sam said.

“Why has everyone out here been staring at us since we were seated? Even the people inside when we walked through the restaurant, did that,” she asked.

Sam looked around and saw a lot of heads turn away after being caught staring. “There’s probably a couple reasons. I’m in uniform and as a low-paid public servant, I don’t normally eat here at the hotel.”

Leal laughed, causing more heads to turn toward them. “The FBI is picking up the tab for the meal, or I wouldn’t be eating here either. What’s the other reason?”

“The locals aren’t used to seeing me with a woman who isn’t my girlfriend.”

“I’m sorry. I know how small towns can be about things like that. I hope I haven’t caused a problem for you,” she said.

Sam let out a deep breath. “No. The problem was already there, and speaking of my girlfriend, here she comes now.”

  

You can buy Exposure at Amazon:

Carol

Mateo Diaz, Deputy at the Sheridan County Sheriff's Department

 

Mateo Diaz, age 30, Hispanic, is married to Alana, who makes the best tacos in Coyote Canyon, Colorado. Together, they have two kids, Jorge and Nina.

Mateo has been a deputy for six years and his special skills include rock climbing, search and rescue, and he’s an expert marksman. Sheriff Winslow relies on Mateo for his calm demeanor, intelligence, and loyalty. 

Excerpt from Exposure:

 “Mateo, are you at the parking area?” Sam asked over the radio.

“Yes. Mr. Travis and the boys just left.”

“Do you know how to rappel and climb with a rope?”

“Affirmative.”

“Come back up here. We need your assistance,” Sam said.

“Roger. On my way.”

“I’d be glad to teach you how to climb some time,” Drew said to Sam, throwing one end of a rope over the edge.

“Thanks. I might take you up on that.”

After Mateo showed up, he and Drew secured their ropes and went over the edge. After about an hour, Sam saw two heads appear back above the cliff. He helped them up the rest of the way.

You can get your copy of Exposure at Amazon.

Carol