A Little Menagerie, which is currently available for representation, was selected as a top 100 semi-finalist in the 2007 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest.
A Little Menagerie is the story of former teacher Signe Hansson, who has made one mistake after another--wrong marriage, wrong career, and wrong student to befriend. Before Signe can start over, she must confront her past, and take control of her life and love with the same moxie she brings to training unruly dogs. After a student accuses her of sexual misconduct, Signe Hansson retreats with her son to a farmhouse outside a small Midwestern town. Here, Signe surrounds herself with rescued dogs, a wild cat, and a goat; offers a dog obedience class; and forges friendships with the quirky dog owners, including an attractive police officer with his own secrets. But when a troubled neighbor threatens her, putting her animal and human friends at risk, Signe learns happiness doesn't come easily and isn't always what it seems. What will it take for Signe to finally make the right choices in her life? A romance? Exposure of her past? A death?
Cages is my middle-grade novel for which I am currently seeking a publisher.
Learning who you are at twelve is hard enough, but for Billie Erickson it seems impossible. Her mother is off meditating in
Discovering a soda-pop drinking bear at Wild Al’s
Things get more complicated when school starts, and Billie is torn between her desire to fit in with other students and her friendship with Puck, who doesn’t mind that other kids think he’s weird. Her sudden popularity and a budding romance distract Billie from her important mission with Puck, and she makes a choice that leads to disastrous consequences. Ultimately, Billie learns about listening to her inner voice, daring to be different, and finding the courage to break out of the cages other people create.
I'll be adding more information soon.