If you love atmospheric storytelling full of history, mystery, and a few restless spirits, I’m so glad you found Casten House Books.

Driftless Spirits is an introspective series starter featuring how Charlotte arrives in Casten’s Horn, saves someone in desperate need of help, and discovers a big secret.

Tangled Roots is a cold-case murder mystery with an eerie start and a thrilling ending, suitably spooky for its Halloween theme.

Next up will be Hidden Gifts, a Christmastime caper building on the events of Tangled Roots and setting up what I expect will be the series finale.

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praise for driftless spirits

“It’s a different twist on a ghost story, which makes this book so compelling. The main characters are female but not aggressively masculine like so many female protagonist books. Very enjoyable read—can’t wait to read the second book in this series!“
– Amazon review, U.S., “Excellent Read“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I really enjoyed this book. I wasn’t sure about the title, but then realised it was a clever play on the setting of the story and the character of the main protagonist. I loved the whole set-up of the story; the mysterious house, the small town it’s in, and the people Charlotte met during her sojourn there and eventual adventure.“
– Amazon UK review, “Loved It!“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pictures From my home in the Driftless area of wisconsin

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  • Cozy in the Driftless

    (This was originally my guest post over at Christy’s Cozy Corners during the recent blog tour. I like it so much I wanted to repost it on my own site. Thanks again to Christy for highlighting Driftless Spirits!) My husband… Continue reading

    Cozy in the Driftless

  • Driftless Thursday: Turkey Vultures

    High in the sky ahead, three black silhouettes flew in lazy circles over the road.  Their widespread wings rarely flapped as they glided beneath wispy clouds.   As she drew closer, Charlotte could see the glint of white feathers on the… Continue reading

    Driftless Thursday: Turkey Vultures

  • Editing This Week

    In my last writing update, I talked about beta reader feedback on the very first draft of “Tangled Roots” (working title still, but I like it). There were two main areas of the story to fix. First, I needed to… Continue reading

    Editing This Week

  • Driftless Thursday: Phoebe

    I remember our first summer in our new home and how many new sights and sounds we experienced. It’s the time of year right now when I’m on the watch for returning birds. I can pretty much identify all our… Continue reading

    Driftless Thursday: Phoebe

  • Writing Update: Book 2, Draft 1

    I finished the first draft of the sequel to Driftless Spirits just as the recent blog tour kicked off. I asked a couple beta readers to give the raw draft a go for some early feedback. “Don’t worry about edits,”… Continue reading

    Writing Update: Book 2, Draft 1

  • LAST STOP – Virtual Book Tour and First Look at Results

    Well, to be honest, the last stop forgot to stop yesterday, but it was Easter so let’s acknowledge life and let it slide. It is the last hours of the giveaway! The entries close at midnight Central tonight (4/6), and… Continue reading

    LAST STOP – Virtual Book Tour and First Look at Results

  • Virtual Book Tour: Spotlight at fundinmental

    Today’s stop to highlight Driftless Spirits visits Sherry at fundinmental, a blogger with a love of reading and photography. This is the second-to-last stop on the tour. Time is running out to enter the giveaway for a paperback copy of… Continue reading

    Virtual Book Tour: Spotlight at fundinmental

  • Virtual Book Tour: Review at Because I Said So — and other adventures in parenting

    Today’s blog featuring Driftless Spirits posts another review. I’m deeply thankful to Connie at “Because I said so – and other adventures in parenting” for taking the time to read my book and share her thoughts. A couple favorite lines… Continue reading

    Virtual Book Tour: Review at Because I Said So — and other adventures in parenting

  • Virtual Book Tour: Spotlight at Baroness’ Book Trove

    [Apologies to the Baroness for my late post. Freezing rain took out our power this afternoon and we live remote enough where there’s no cell service to hot spot to in a pinch! Please show the Baroness some extra love!]… Continue reading

    Virtual Book Tour: Spotlight at Baroness’ Book Trove

  • Virtual Book Tour: Review At Great Escapes

    Today’s blog featuring Driftless Spirits is none other than the host, Great Escapes Book Tours! Lori/Dollycas has been amazing in helping me get the word out and she’s the first blogger on the tour posting a review. She’s a fellow… Continue reading

    Virtual Book Tour: Review At Great Escapes