Welcome to Blackwater County

A serene nighttime landscape featuring a watermill beside a gently flowing creek, illuminated by soft lights from a nearby building. A wooden sign reads 'BLACKWATER SERIES - Where the Creek Runs Black' amidst lush foliage.

Around here, everyone has a story.

Some are told on front porches over coffee.

Some are whispered across church pews or carried on the current of the creek.

Some have been buried for so long they’ve become part of the soil itself.

Before you read Where the Creek Runs Black, take a moment to meet the people who call this place home.

You may not agree with them.

You may not trust them.

But if you listen closely enough, they’ll tell you exactly who they are.

Pull up a chair and meet the characters, places, and stories that inhabit my novels.

Every story begins with a character.

Some arrive quietly. Others demand to be heard. The people who inhabit my novels often become as real to me as family, carrying their own histories, hopes, fears, and secrets.

Here you’ll find a closer look at the characters who call these worlds home.

Where the Creek Runs Black

A Southern Gothic mystery set in Blackwater County, Kentucky.

Character Spotlight: Mary Whitaker

Character spotlight of Mary Whitaker from 'Where the Creek Runs Black', featuring her portrait, quick facts, and an interview with her, discussing her life in Blackwater Creek, fears, and aspirations.

Mary Whitaker is one of the most complex characters in Where the Creek Runs Black. Strong, fiercely loyal, and carrying more secrets than she would ever admit, Mary stands at the center of a mystery that has haunted Blackwater County for decades.

Character Spotlight: Sarah Miller

Mother. Keeper of memories. Haunted by what the creek refuses to forget.

Character spotlight on Sarah Miller, a mother and dreamer, featuring an interview exploring her fears, beliefs, and struggles.

Character Spotlight: Jaob Miller

Father. Protector. A man carrying more guilt than anyone realizes.

An image featuring a character spotlight on Jacob Miller, with an interview format detailing his role as a father and husband. It includes insights into his personality, struggles, and beliefs, alongside a portrait of him by a creek.

Character Spotlight: Rachel Vale

Reporter. Outsider. The woman who came asking questions no one wanted answered.

An interview character spotlight featuring Rachel Vale, an investigative reporter. The image includes a portrait of Rachel with short hair, seated at a table with a pen, surrounded by notes and a camera. The text outlines her beliefs, struggles, and insights about her work in Blackwater County.

Character Spotlight: Roy Collier

Friend. Witness. Keeper of dangerous truths.

An image of Roy Collier, a local historian and storyteller from Blackwater County, portrayed in a rustic setting. He wears a cap and a plaid shirt, sitting at a table with a glass of iced tea. The background includes elements indicating his role as a keeper of local history, with a character spotlight and an interview transcript outlining his beliefs and experiences.

Character Spotlight: Roy Collier

Lawman. Politician. A man who knows more than he says.

An illustrated character spotlight featuring Sheriff Daniel Dunlap, highlighting his role, strengths, struggles, and beliefs, alongside an interview exploring his thoughts on community, justice, and personal duty.

Coming Soon: Meet the people of The Honey House

Some stories are inherited. Others are rebuilt one day at a time.

Clara

Daughter. Caregiver. Reluctant heir. After returning to the family home, Clara finds herself navigating grief, responsibility, and the unexpected possibility of a new beginning.

COMING SOON

Ruth

Matriarch. Beekeeper. Keeper of traditions. Even in her absence, Ruth’s presence lingers throughout The Honey House, shaping the lives of those she loved and the legacy she leaves behind.

COMING SOON

Hazel

Friend. Neighbor. Steady heart. Practical, compassionate, and fiercely loyal, Hazel understands that healing rarely happens all at once—and that sometimes the best medicine is simply showing up.