I am a writer of romances and mysteries – a little bit of something for everyone.
- Love a cozy mystery series with just a splash of romance akin to Nancy Drew? Try The Great Jewel Robbery (Book 1) and Murder up to Bat (Book 2).
- Love a dark mystery filled with murder and a bit of romance? Try Killer Resolutions.
- Love a contemporary romance filled with angst and mild love scenes? Try First Crush, Last Love.
- Love a historical romance with mild love scenes? Try Venice in the Moonlight.
- Love a historical Western romance with steamy love scenes? Try Cera’s Place.
The Great Jewel Robbery
A Front Page Mystery – Book 1
For fans of cozy mysteries . . .
Chicago Tribune reporters Emma and Grace have been best friends since freshman year of college despite coming from different worlds. When Grace is assigned to cover an annual charity ball and auction being held at a lakeside mansion and her new boyfriend bails on her, she brings Emma as her plus one. The night is going smoothly until Emma finds the host’s brother unconscious in the study. Though at first it is thought he was tipsy and stumbled, it soon becomes clear more is afoot, as the wall safe is empty and a three-million-dollar diamond necklace is missing. With visions of becoming ace investigative journalists, Emma and Grace set out to solve the mystery, much to the chagrin of the handsome local detective.
Goodreads – 5 stars “I really enjoyed this book! There were fun characters to meet and watch develop throughout the story. Both the characters and the plot kept me guessing who would be the robber…This really is a great read for everyone from teenagers to adults.”
Murder up to Bat
A Front Page Mystery – Book 2
For fans of cozy mysteries . . .
After falling in love with the quiet lake life and a certain police detective, former Chicago Tribune reporter Emma Moore trades interviewing jocks for chasing champion cows at the county fair. As a small-town newspaper reporter, she covers local topics both big and small, but when her friend Luke is arrested for the murder of the head coach of his club softball team, she’ll need to hone her investigative skills to clear his name. Emma calls up best friend Grace for help, and together the women go up against cutthroat parents willing to kill for a chance to get their daughters onto a premier college sports team.
The game is tied with bases loaded, and murder is up to bat. Can Emma and her friends bring the heat and win the game?
Killer Resolutions
For fans of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None . . .
In a remote lodge in northern Wisconsin, friends gather for a festive, New Year’s Eve weekend. When a blizzard traps them with a murderer, who will be left to kiss at midnight?
Five years ago, a tragedy shattered the friendship between Dani, her older brother, and their college pals. When her brother invites the old gang for a weekend of outdoor winter fun at a remote lodge, she sees it as a chance to reconnect and heal. But when her friends are murdered one-by-one, Dani must determine whom she can trust before she becomes the next victim.
Goodreads – 4.5 stars “Killer Resolutions is another exciting suspense filled mystery by Elizabeth McKenna…I did not find it to be predictable and was surprised who the killer was in the end. There is quite a bit of twists and turns that left my head spinning. I never knew what was going to happen next.”
First Crush, Last Love
Remember your first crush? How your heart raced and your cheeks flushed whenever you saw him? Jessie Baxter does, and it’s happening again. Ten years ago, despite her best efforts, Lee Archer wanted to be just friends. Now, he wants more, but Jessie’s still recovering from a psycho ex-husband. Can she learn to trust again and make her first crush into her last love?
Elizabeth McKenna’s latest novel will have you remembering the angst of high school, the grief of a failed relationship, and the happiness of true love.
Goodreads – 5 stars “The story was captivating and drew me in from the start. I loved the character development that both Jessie and Lee went through as they grew up and discovered what they wanted from life. The struggles they went through were extremely well written and kept me, as a reader, invested in their story. The tension caused by the undertones of violence and abuse provided an edge to counteract the sweet romantic elements.”
Venice in the Moonlight 
A young widow discovers her father’s murderer is related to the man she’s falling in love with and must decide between vengeance, forgiveness, and love.
Goodreads – 5 stars “A delightful book in which the author captures the essence of Venice in the eighteenth century…The romance is extremely well done and it just shows that it doesn’t need to be graphic to be steamy. If you like Italy, romantic heroes or history you’ll love this book.”
- Read a preview
- Buy links
- Chosen as Best Historical Romance 2013 by Escape with Dollycas Into a Good Book
Cera’s Place 
Sparks fly when a feisty saloon owner crosses paths with a scarred Civil War hero.
Goodreads – 5 stars “The love story between Jake and Cera is gradual, leading up to some pretty awesome love scenes that left me tingling and wanting more.”
- Read a preview
- Buy links
- Chosen as Best Historical Romance 2012 by Escape with Dollycas Into a Good Book
The Gypsy Casts a Spell (Short Story)
Vadoma turns to desperate measures (and a handsome Marquis) to save her kin from the gallows.
- Read it for free.
- Published in the February 2012 edition of eFiction Magazine.
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Elizabeth McKenna 
Intriguing, Elizabeth! Sounds like the kind of book I would love to read.
I hope you – and others – will like it. It’s been fun to write so far!
I really enjoyed The Gypsy Casts a Spell. Two great characters. I fell for each of them.
Thank you, Judith!
Totally my kinda novels
Thank you for stopping by, Thaveesa!