Writings

Published Works

League of Utah Writers' 2024 Anthology, "Write Where You Belong"

This anthology is a testament to the gentle outreach and embrace of the volunteers of The League of Utah Writers as well as to the community that the League has cultivated & nurtured ever since its founding in 1935. Debra’s story discusses how the League’s Romance Chapter encouraged & supported her, helping to create writing magic & finding write where she belonged. While reading her story, “Finding Write Where I Belong,” Debra suggests listening to Rachmaninoff’s: Piano Concerto No. 2 (Movement 2)

E-Book & Paperback

Love Is Complicated, A Romance Anthology 

In this complicated world, one thing remains clear: love is always worth it. This anthology is full of complicated love stories with happily ever after endings to prove this idea. Debra’s story, “Despite All the Years,” is about two high school sweethearts separated by distance and misunderstandings, but who meet again years later. When reading her story, Debra suggests you listen to the Beatles’ “Let It Be” as it plays a vital part in the story. 

Music

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Soulmate Syndrome: Certain Dark Things

Tragic, shocking, and irresistibly compelling, Soulmate Syndrome: Certain Dark Things, exposes our deepest fears and most forbidden yearnings in the face of love’s darkest turns. Debra has two stories in this volume. “When I Awoke” is a story about two vampires who were separated and are now reunited. “Jack” offers an explanation of what really happened to Jack the Ripper. Setting the mood to read these stories, Debra suggests one listen to the melody, “Requiem for a Dream,” by Clint Mansell

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Soulmate Syndrome: Box Full of Darkness

This entrancing anthology of dark romantic tales invites you into wicked shadow-laden realms where love cuts deeper than any blade, where passion and danger are inseparably intertwined. Debra’s dark story tells of a woman who returns to her ancestral home to bury her mother and two of her children, discovering the manor house holds secrets she never knew existed.

To set the mood for read “Manor House by the Sea,” Debra suggests you listen to the Irish melody, “King of the Fairies

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DARKNESS 101: Lessons Were Learned.

Being a part of this horror anthology has taken Debra out of her romance genre. Her story, “In the Shadows,” is about a woman who is attacked in a cemetery. To set the mood while reading this volume, Debra suggests you listen to “In the Shadows” by Amy Stroup.

We Are Dangerous

This Anthology includes Debra’s story, “Shifting Sands,” which is about a woman taking a dangerous journey far away from home in order to save her children.

Music from Dionne Warwick’s “That’s What Friends Are For” is a great way to set the mood for reading this story.

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So We Meet Again

This short anthology showcases 100-word romance stories and contains Debra’s story, “The Funeral” about a woman and her daughter who meets a familiar stranger.

Music from “If Ever You’re in my Arms Again” by Peobo Bryson sets the mood for the piece.

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Cycle of Coincidence

 A coincidental meeting of two strangers aboard a flight from Salt Lake City to Amsterdam sets into motion a dangerous plan of intrigue, revenge, and murder because of mistaken identity. This is Debra’s debut novel.

Music from Wagner’s opera, “The Ring Cycle,” is a backdrop for this novel, especially “Ride of the Valkyries.”

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Second Chance​

This anthology brings together an assortment of highly talented writers. In Debra’s story, “Never in a Million Years,” a mature widow joins a dating site to find someone with whom she might spend the rest of her life. But who will she choose?

The title is taken from the chorus of a 1958 song called, “Oh-Oh I’m Falling in Love Again,” by Jimmie Rodgers.

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Short Stories On Demand for your Enjoyment

When I Was Ten

*Non-fiction
A story about two young girls having to begin a new life without their parents.

The haunting melody of “Five Hundred Miles” (written by Hedy West and originally sung by Peter, Paul, & Mary) speaks about being far away from home and not being able to get back. This is how the two girls feel in the story.

“The story moved me deeply…”
– Jana Begovic,
Ariel Chart International Literary Journal,
Senior Editor

Nominated for 2022 Best of the Net Short Nonfiction by Ariel Chart International Literary Journal.

Homer's Prank

Homer has been planning this prank for an entire year and now he’s ready to pull it off.


If Homer had listened to the words of the Otis Redding song, “(Sittin’ on) the Dock of the Bay,” he might have mellowed out and not been so angry.

A Murder of Crows

Can Ziara and Vlad save the world
on Halloween?

 

“Bad Moon Rising” by Credence Clearwater Revival (CCR) was connected to this story because it describes what bad things are coming.

 

“That was an interesting story. I enjoyed your world building.”

– Annalisa D.

Rose-Colored Memory

Melody is going to find out how true her version of the past really is.

The piece of music that inspired this story is Edith Piaf’s “La Vie En Rose.” For some, this song speaks of how lovely the world is with love in your heart. For others, viewing the world through a rosy glow may be hiding the truth.

“Great effort. Keep up the good work!”
– Howard Seeley

A Villa on Lake Como

A Villa on Lake Como” is a lovely romance story about how a villa on Lake Como in Italy connects two people.

Song:

 

Coming Novels

And Then God Created Lawyers

A prominent attorney has been murdered and the police must flush out the real killer. A flurry of suspects is reviewed but the focus is on the wife because she was running away when they caught her. But did she kill her husband?

The song that relates to this novel is “Yesterday Once More” made famous by The Carpenters.

Initial Impressions

Someone is trying to steal The Josephine Ruby and French Agent André LeBlanc believes local history teacher, Josie Douglas, is a notorious jewel thief with her eye on this national treasure. But is she?

“My Cherie Amour” by Stevie Wonder is the music theme of this story.

Operation Emily

Derrick James died fifteen years ago, or so his wife thought. Now, the U.S. Marshals and the Cartel, who he stole from, are after her as Derrick’s accomplice. She’s innocent but who can she turn to for protection for her and her son?

The song, “Emily,” from the 1963 movie, “The Americanization of Emily,” is a constant theme in this novel.

Shading the Truth A Bit

The Michelangelo Drawings are missing. Interpol Agent Mario Villa has been charged with finding the thief and the drawings. In a twist of fate, he temporarily marries Rose Adams to save her from being arrested. Can they find the culprit and the drawings before they are charged with theft and murder?

The medley of the 1954 song, “Cara Mia,” made famous by Jay and the Americans in 1965 and Sweden’s entry to 2007 Melodifestivalen, “Cara Mia,” sung by Måns Zelmerlöw, play a part in this novel.

Tomorrow's Rain

Marianne Hamilton doesn’t believe in anyone’s ability to tell the future. But when her friends cajole her to go with them to a fortune teller who predicts she will meet a dark stranger who will change her life, she is skeptical. Then, she meets Simon Shappell and a mutual attraction begins to develop as her stable world turns upside down. Now, she must make a decision on the spur of the moment that will alter her life and Simon’s forever. And, if that’s not enough, a hurricane is coming…

“Singin’ in the Rain” sung by Gene Kelly from the movie by the same name is the melody Debra played while writing this story.

Yesterday's Summer

Addy, Eli, and JP have been best friends since childhood. The summer after graduation, things change for all three. Years later as their paths cross again, they must deal with decisions made that last summer together. Can love really conquer all?

This novel’s musical theme is “Phantom of the Opera.”