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.

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!“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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  • Driftless Thursday: This Started About Louie

    Sometimes I go to write a Driftless Thursday post and end up down the proverbial rabbit hole. In case you haven’t realized it yet, I’m the curious sort. I research everything. Something pops into my head and I have to… Continue reading

    Driftless Thursday: This Started About Louie
  • Updates: Writing and Marketing

    It’s going to be an interesting month. On the writing side, this week I’m tackling the climax of Tangled Roots (working title), the sequel to Driftless Spirits. It’s Halloween in Casten’s Horn, bones have been found, Ivy’s visiting Charlotte, and… Continue reading

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  • Driftless Thursday: How We Got Here

    My husband and I had become restless. We dreamed of early retirement and quiet adventure, but most of all we craved something different. We tried on different futures. We tried RVing. We took an introduction to sailing course on Lake… Continue reading

    Driftless Thursday: How We Got Here
  • Driftless Thursday: A Winter Breather

    After a few days of unseasonably warm temperatures (we hit 50 degrees!), we’re back to snow on the ground in our little valley. This is the time of year when Mother Nature becomes a real tease. There’s a glimmer of… Continue reading

    Driftless Thursday: A Winter Breather
  • Driftless Thursday: Phil and Mrs. Phil

    Ah, Valentine’s Day. Love is in the air. Today’s post features Phil, the ring-necked pheasant. Ring-necked pheasants aren’t actually native to Wisconsin or to North America in general. According to the Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance, they were brought to the… Continue reading

    Driftless Thursday: Phil and Mrs. Phil
  • Driftless Thursday: Winter Robins

    Last week my husband noticed robins on our front hill. It was the first time we’d ever noticed robins in winter. Aren’t they supposed to be the harbingers of spring? I keep a 365-day journal in which there is a… Continue reading

    Driftless Thursday: Winter Robins
  • Driftless Thursday: Other Cats

    Last week’s Driftless Thursday post was “Of Mice and Cats.” As it happens, I was browsing Facebook with my coffee this morning and an alert from the nearest town’s community page said a cougar had been spotted on the north… Continue reading

    Driftless Thursday: Other Cats
  • Driftless Thursday: Of Mice and Cats

    My husband and I had the retirement dream to go live in the country, and at a young enough age that we could handle the physicality of it still. We moved to the Driftless area of Wisconsin in the fall… Continue reading

    Driftless Thursday: Of Mice and Cats
  • Driftless Thursday: This Morning’s Sky

    A simple post today before I write. I’m always up early and often get to see the sun rise, so much so that sometimes I forget to stop and appreciate the beauty. This morning’s changing sky caught my attention and… Continue reading

    Driftless Thursday: This Morning’s Sky
  • Scenes That Didn’t Happen

    I spent yesterday afternoon in a long brainstorming session about the next chapters in Book 2. The book starts really well (in my humble opinion) but I’d begun to feel a little, dare I say it, Driftless. Exactly where and… Continue reading

    Scenes That Didn’t Happen