Lilly M Mysteries

"Some days I hated my life. Turning forty, pre-menopausal migraines, single, gaining ten pounds in six months, not to mention having three, sometimes overbearing mothers, and an editor with no compassion.On the other hand, I had Kline, sort of, and there was my career, or what was left of it. I had a dog that idolized me, even if no one else did, and a house of my own. Those pluses should sustain me through my crises. So now, I would go home and write. It's what I do." -- Lilly MillenovanovichAunt Fran is missing. Those words echoed throughout the town, worrying family and friends. So, Lilly Millenovanovich, a mystery writer, decides to help the authorities find her aunt. The Barton police have very few leads and Lilly is between novels with time on her hands. Her search becomes a hazardous journey in Whips, Cuffs, and Little Brown Boxes. Thrown into awkward situations is familiar to Lilly Millenovanovich, like hiding in a stranger's bedroom closet and discovering a naked man cuffed to the bed. Though events sometimes turn dangerous Lilly continues her sleuthing and recruits Mona, her cousin and best friend, to assist in the search.Complications erupt, making their quest almost impossible. A chain of store robberies, the unusual behavior of Aunt Fran's husband, and death threats from the mob are just a few. No matter where the search takes them, Lilly sees one common element – Ron Kinecki, known by women in town as Slick Dick Ron. He's the owner of Repo Ron's Used Cars, but might be selling more than automobiles.As luck would have it, not all eyes watching Lilly intend harm. Her eccentric neighbor, Kooky Colonel Crockett, proves to be a helpful witness as he stands guard over the neighborhood. Aunt Sadie, the bold matriarch of Lilly's family, who may tip the bottle once too often, executes strong will and bold opinions to keep Lilly on a straight path. Even an anonymous emailer feeds Lilly clues.Before it's over, Lilly must face more trouble than she can manage alone. Still, with friends and family to lend their support, everything turns out well in the end. Certainly, it doesn't happen without a murder or two, but then all is back to normal. At least until the next mystery hits town. Kathryn Long is a native Ohioan, born and raised in Barberton, the "Magic City". She is the youngest of five children, although the closest sibling in age is a brother sixteen years her senior. Being raised like an only child, Kathryn found reading and writing as favorable forms of entertainment. In high school as a member of the Writers' Club, she continued to nurture her writing talent.After high school Kathryn attended and graduated from the University of Akron with a BA degree in French. Before marriage and children the author managed a Waldenbooks store and continue writing short stories and song lyrics as a hobby. In 1987 she returned to school for a Bachelor's in Education. She has been an employee of the Green Local School system since 1990 and currently teaches SLD students at the high school.Writing took a more serious turn a few years ago as Kathryn completed her first novel-length work and discovered that mystery was her nitch. Early on, determined to improve her craft, she developed a habit of spending most of her free time in the summer and on weekends during the school year, writing story after story. Mystery merged with the color of Native American culture to create Oklahoma's Gold and A Pleasant View. Venturing into cozy mysteries and romantic suspense writing, Kathryn has created three novels with the cozy, Whips, Cuffs, and Little Brown Boxes; a romantic suspense, A Deadly Deed Grows; and the recently completed, Dying to Dream, another romantic suspense.Kathryn has also written short stories, two of which are published in The Piker Press: "A Good Man" and "Betrayal in a Letter". She also has ventured into the young adult genre, writing the modern-day fairytale, Cinderella Geek, under the pen name, K. Sean Jennkrist.Keeping co

It's double the trouble, with tons more suspense, and steaming with lots of romance. The second novel in the Lilly M. Mystery series proves that Lilly Millenovanovich gets things done in the most entertaining, exciting, and often comical way.Lilly Millenovanovich is an over forty, struggling author, trying to make financial ends meet by working as a night school instructor, teaching English to immigrants, while freelancing during the day for the Barton Gazette. When one of her students is shot, life goes from boring to frighteningly exciting as Lilly is thrown into chaotic turmoil of murder and mystery.She begins making new friends; only they aren't all the nice kind. Diving into cultural waters, she can't refuse a heartfelt plea to help find a young Mexican boy, Luis Gallos, and reunite him with his mother. Of course, she will have to dodge the dangerous hands of the Mexican Mafia and it's ruthless but clever jefe, Carlos Ruido. Lilly finds her sleuthing will keep leading to the south side of town, appropriately named the Peligroso. It is home to many Hispanics, but also to the Mexican Mafia gangs and rampant crime. Barton authorities are preparing for the eventual showdown with the infamous Ruido, hoping to finally capture him. The only problem is who they're using for bait to lure him in. Luis Gallos, the crime leader's grandson.If Lilly could just focus on helping to get Luis back together with his mother, her search might not be so frustrating. However, when the hot and handsome bad boy Latino, Nick Galina, pops into her life, Lilly's emotions kick into overdrive. She's hopelessly drawn to him, though it doesn't help that he might be working for the wrong side of the law. When Lilly finally decides she can handle her feelings and whatever Nick dishes out, another romantic ingredient is added to her life. Former fiancé, Jake Kline comes back into town.The challenges are demanding and the dangers are increasing, but Lilly can depend on her cousin, Mona, as well as her crazy but loving team of aunts, Irene, Sadie, and Fran to lend a bit of help. The chase is on to save Luis before his grandfather can manage to dupe the authorities and steel Luis away. If all goes according to plan, Lilly and company are just the ones to accomplish the task and bring life a happy ending.For more in this mystery series, read Whips, Cuffs, and Little Brown Boxes. Kathryn Long is a native Ohioan, born and raised in Barberton, the "Magic City". She is the youngest of five children, although the closest sibling in age is a brother sixteen years her senior. Being raised like an only child, Kathryn found reading and writing as favorable forms of entertainment. In high school as a member of the Writers' Club, she continued to nurture her writing talent.After high school Kathryn attended and graduated from the University of Akron with a BA degree in French. Before marriage and children the author managed a Waldenbooks store and continue writing short stories and song lyrics as a hobby. In 1987 she returned to school for a Bachelor's in Education. She has been an employee of the Green Local School system since 1990 and currently teaches SLD students at the high school.Writing took a more serious turn a few years ago as Kathryn completed her first novel-length work and discovered that mystery was her nitch. Early on, determined to improve her craft, she developed a habit of spending most of her free time in the summer and on weekends during the school year, writing story after story. Mystery merged with the color of Native American culture to create Oklahoma's Gold and A Pleasant View. Venturing into cozy mysteries and romantic suspense writing, Kathryn has created three novels with the cozy, Whips, Cuffs, and Little Brown Boxes; a romantic suspense, A Deadly Deed Grows; and the recently completed, Dying to Dream, another romantic suspense.Kathryn has also written short stories, two of which are published in The Piker Press: "A Good Man" and "Betrayal

"I didn't have time to mope. We had a criminal or two to catch, a murder rap to solve, and an ex fiancé to save." – Lilly Millenovanovich.Rescue ex fiancé, Jake Kline. Save pastry chef, Audrey Willow. That's the plan. Mystery author, Lilly Millenovanovich finds herself up to her ears in mayhem and mischief in this latest caper. After receiving a phone call from professional hit lady, Brooke Williams, Lilly's life moves from hometown Barton, Ohio to the Gulf coast of Florida. Brooke claims to have Lilly's best friend and ex fiancé, Jake Kline under lock and key. Her directions are very clear: if Lilly wants to save Jake, come to Florida and do what Brooke asks, no matter what that is.As if that wasn't enough on her plate, Lilly is drawn into helping Aunt Sadie's friend and pastry chef, Audrey Willow, prove she really didn't poison a food critic with her famous chocolate dessert. Or did she? Lilly manages a skilled but somewhat haphazard juggling act to work at finding the real killer while trying to avoid provoking Jake's captor from sending him to the bottom of the ocean. Both old friends and enemies enter the picture. Like Latin dreamboat, Agent Nick Galina, who stirs up emotions Lilly would like to avoid. And Mexican crime boss, Carlos Ruido, who manages to be the center of all Lilly's problems. Of course, it wouldn't be any fun without throwing an aunt or three into the mix, along with their quirky, zany behaviors.Will Lilly rescue Jake? Will she prove Audrey Willow didn't commit murder? Devilish, Devious, and Deadly with One Bite will serve a tantalizing, scrumptious story with all the answers in this third installment of the Lilly M Mysteries. Kathryn Long is a native Ohioan, born and raised in Barberton, the "Magic City". She is the youngest of five children, although the closest sibling in age is a brother sixteen years her senior. Being raised like an only child, Kathryn found reading and writing as favorable forms of entertainment. In high school as a member of the Writers' Club, she continued to nurture her writing talent.After high school Kathryn attended and graduated from the University of Akron with a BA degree in French. Before marriage and children the author managed a Waldenbooks store and continue writing short stories and song lyrics as a hobby. In 1987 she returned to school for a Bachelor's in Education. She has been an employee of the Green Local School system since 1990 and currently teaches SLD students at the high school.Writing took a more serious turn a few years ago as Kathryn completed her first novel-length work and discovered that mystery was her nitch. Early on, determined to improve her craft, she developed a habit of spending most of her free time in the summer and on weekends during the school year, writing story after story. Mystery merged with the color of Native American culture to create Oklahoma's Gold and A Pleasant View. Venturing into cozy mysteries and romantic suspense writing, Kathryn has created three novels with the cozy, Whips, Cuffs, and Little Brown Boxes; a romantic suspense, A Deadly Deed Grows; and the recently completed, Dying to Dream, another romantic suspense.Kathryn has also written short stories, two of which are published in The Piker Press: "A Good Man" and "Betrayal in a Letter". She also has ventured into the young adult genre, writing the modern-day fairytale, Cinderella Geek, under the pen name, K. Sean Jennkrist.Keeping connected is an important element of writing. Staying in tune with what goes on in the writing world and being visible are reasons why Kathryn is a member of Sisters in Crime and maintains a blogsite - Writers & Teachers as well as a facebook page.