Southern Cross

Trixie Belden and her mysteries was my first foray into the fascinating world of suspense, and at age eleven I realized I was happiest with a pen in my hand and a plot swirling in my mind. My first creation, a ghost/murder mystery, was performed for the school by my seventh grade classmates via the support and encouragement of my teacher, Mr. Schlegle. Organizations like RWA, NJRW, Kiss of Death (RWA Mys/Sus) and Sisters in Crime fanned creative flames and my imagination took flight, into "what if" and "whodunnit". My first book, award-winning thriller STONES THROW, was a December 1999 release from Hard Shell Word Factory. "Best Pick for July 2000" romantic suspense LAKE BRAXTON features a husband-and-wife private investigation team (Ethan's a pro - Mickey's not) based in Nashville. SOUTHERN CROSS is my first time travel and is set in the mystique, romance and intrigue of 1867 New Orleans. My works-in-progress include BETWEEN THE MOON AND MIDNIGHT, a tale of murder, revenge and deadly family betrayal and WAITING FOR MIDNIGHT, a thriller about a fatal honeymoon and the clock-dominated, cat-and-mouse game to solve the murder. Free time finds me relaxing and listening to country music at the Jersey shore with my husband of almost thirty years, our two children and three grandchildren. For more information or updates drop me a line at llopdyke@verizon.net or P.O. Box 1038 Barnegat, NJ 08005 Visit my website and check out the contests at http://www.lindaopdyke.com/Opdyke, Linda is the author of 'Southern Cross', published 2007 under ISBN 9780759902916 and ISBN 0759902917.