Books

#1 International Bestseller

Isabella’s Painting

Book 1, Karina Cardinal Mystery Series

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Peeling back layers of lies can save a masterpiece…or reveal a killer.

After a long week lobbying on Capitol Hill, all Karina Cardinal wants to do is chill with Netflix and her boyfriend, Patrick Dunne. Instead, she’s slipping her aching feet into red stilettos for his parents’ annual holiday bash.  When she accidentally interrupts Patrick’s father in his study, her embarrassment is tempered by suspicion that Martin Dunne and his dapper, secretive guest are hiding something. Maybe the painting she barely glimpses right before it disappears behind a secret panel.

An internet search raises her curiosity to full-blown alarm. If she’s right, Martin is in possession of a stolen masterpiece. Infamous because everyone close to it has turned up dead. As in Mafia-style-execution dead.   As she’s chewing over which instinct to follow-back off while she still can, or dig deeper for the truth-she crosses paths with FBI agent Mike Finnegan. An old friend and not-quite flame from her college days. When she looks into his warm, mocha eyes, she’s tempted to tell him everything.

Trouble is, she’s already being watched. And the next move she makes could destroy innocent lives-including her own.

Read an Excerpt of Isabella’s Painting

Fatal Legislation

Book 2, Karina Cardinal Mystery Series

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Working the back channels can be very bad for your health.

If any day calls for a soothing glass of wine, it’s today. One moment, Capitol Hill lobbyist Karina Cardinal is having a heated discussion with Senator Harper, who just torpedoed her latest health care legislation initiative. The next, after a cryptic remark, the senator is dead at her feet. Hours later, she’s still so rattled she wakes to a freezing apartment because she forgot to close her back door. Or did she?

When her boyfriend, FBI cybercrimes expert Mike Finnegan, is suddenly reassigned to work a new case, he’s got bad news and worse news. The bad: the senator’s death was no heart attack-it was assassination by a hacker disabling his pacemaker. Worse: Karina’s a “person of interest.”

Certain that status could change to “suspect” at any moment, Karina begins her own back-channel investigation into who could have wanted the senator dead. Of course, in Washington, that means playing politics and following the money trail. A trail that leads to more murders-and possibly leaving the door open for a killer to change her status to “dead.”

Read an Excerpt of Fatal Legislation

Diamonds & Deception

#1 Amazon bestseller

Book 3, Karina Cardinal Mystery

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Karina’s stuck between a rock and a hard place…and these rocks are hot property.

Sadira Manon, friend and colleague of Karina Cardinal’s sister Jillian, has been moonlighting at a jewelry store. When a loose diamond falls out of her purse, the police sing her the song of their people-“Miranda Rights.”

Karina, Jilly, and Silverthorne Security join forces to investigate who’s setting Sadira up to take a fall, and why. By the time Karina realizes they’ve dug too deep, Jillian’s in trouble, and Karina’s forced to make that dreaded phone call to Mike Finnegan, her estranged lover-hoping Mike doesn’t let it go to voice mail.

Pharaoh’s Forgery

Book 4, Karina Cardinal Mystery

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She just wanted a little downtime. But now she’s running out of time…

Karina Cardinal’s more than ready for a short-girls’ getaway to Cancun-until Jilly breaks her leg. With Jilly injured and Mike working, her fellow lobbyist Rodrigo volunteers to share some sun, sand, and margaritas in Cancun.

It’s tough for Karina and Rodrigo to relax in Cancun, knowing what’s in her suitcase. A package she promised to hand off to Mrs. Thundermuffin. Mrs. T’s evasive maneuvers around Karina’s questions wave more red flags than a bullfighter. Turns out it’s an Egyptian death mask that attracts crooks, conmen, kidnappers, and killers. When chaos erupts, Karina and Rodrigo are lucky to have friends in the right place-at their backs. But they’re in one hell of a jam. And they could be going home in something tackier than a souvenir t-shirt-more like a body bag.

Swindler’s Revenge

#1 Amazon Bestseller

Book 5, Karina Cardinal Mystery Series

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There are no softball cases in the FBI-especially when an agent gets dirty.

Karina Cardinal’s Saturday starts out with a bang, and it’s not the home renovation marathon she’s watching on HGTV. It’s the FBI banging on her door, hunting for a fugitive. As if she could easily hide one in her modest condo. Especially one named Mike Finnegan. The two of them called it splitsville a couple months ago, but Mike? Take a $1.2 million bribe? No and no and no.  No matter how much damning evidence the feds claim to have.

When a mysterious burner phone shows up in her pocket, Karina has no doubt who dropped it there. Mike is deep undercover and so far off-grid, he needs help to figure out who’s framing him-and why. Classic Karina, she jumps in with both feet, ignoring the dangers. The trouble with leaping before you look? You can land in a world of dirt. And when an old enemy starts playing hardball, you can end up six feet under it.

Spectral Revelations

Book 6, Karina Cardinal Mystery Series

      

Karina’s aunt is missing—along with a list of historic treasures. Is she a victim or guilty party?

Karina is trying to keep her mind on getting a cosponsor for a bill, but it’s tough with her Mom blowing up her phone. By the time Karina finally stops hitting “ignore”, Mom is frantic. It appears Karina’s Aunt Vera has disappeared, fibbed to her employer about the reason for her absence, even abandoned her beloved cat, Nightshade—which is completely out of character. Karina would bet her favorite pair of designer shoes that Vera is in some kind of trouble.

However, when Karina hauls her cookies from D.C. to historic Williamsburg to search Vera’s house, she finds nothing suspicious. Except for a mischievous Civil War ghost who scares the bejesus out of her and keeps trashing Vera’s office. Until Karina realizes his seemingly random ectoplasmic tantrums have a purpose—revealing key evidence.

Something is definitely fishy, but the clues aren’t adding up. And as the spirit’s visitations become more urgent, Karina calls on reinforcements for help—her latest squeeze Rick Donovan and her sister Jillian. Because the cops are following faulty leads, which could put Vera on the wrong end of an arrest warrant … if she’s found alive.

“A believable and intriguing plot, a snappy pace, and some laugh out loud moments, particularly one involving a certain reptile named Salazar, flesh out this highly entertaining mystery whose realistic characters you will miss like old friends when it’s over.” – Judith Gonda, Author of the Tory Benning Mysteries

“Another fun installment in this series.” – Author Melanie Jackson

Read the First Chapter of Spectral Revelations

#1 International Bestseller

The Brass Compass

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A beautiful American spy flees into the night. On her own, she must live by her wits to evade capture and make it to the safety of the Allied forces.

Lily Saint James grew up traveling the European Continent, learning languages as she went. In 1938, her mother’s abrupt death brings her back home to Washington, D.C., and after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Lily comes to the attention of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS). Her knowledge of German, French, and Italian makes her the perfect OSS Agent, and her quick thinking places her as a nanny in the household of an important German Army Colonel, where she is able to gather intelligence for the Allies. After her marketplace contact goes missing, she makes a late-night trip to her secondary contact only to find him under interrogation by the SS. When he commits suicide, she flees into the frigid winter night carrying false identification papers that are now dangerous and a mini film cartridge with vital strategic information. In order to survive, Lily must make it out of Germany, into the hands of Allied-controlled France, through a path fraught with peril.

Knowing her capture will mean torture and certain death, is she resourceful enough to make it out in time?

Awards:  2018 IndieReader Discovery Award, Historical Fiction Category, 2019 Readers’ Favorite Silver Medal Winner, Historical Event/Era Fiction Category

Operation Blackbird: A Cold War Spy Novel (Book 2)

Next Generation Indie Book Award Winner! – First Place Historical Fiction (2023)

2023 Adventure Writers Competition – Top 10 Finalist (2023)

      

Her mission could tip the balance of power…or spark World War III.

October, 1952. The war is over, but for CIA officer Miriam Becker, memories of the horrors she witnessed remain jagged in her mind. While vacationing in Argentina, recovering from a mission that nearly killed her, she’s seeing more ghosts from the past than the sights. When a longtime family friend and fellow operative, Jake Devlin, tracks her down, Miriam is forced to push everything to the back of her mind for the next mission: help a highly prized and heavily guarded rocket scientist defect from Soviet-controlled East Berlin—right out from under the KGB’s nose.

Well aware that one wrong move could spark World War III, Miriam, Jake, and the team plan their strategy to the last detail. But when a betrayal brings everything crashing down, Jake’s quick thinking creates the diversion to get Miriam out alive—but leaves him trapped behind the Iron Curtain. Unsure of whom she can trust, Miriam must complete the mission by relying on contacts outside of the agency, even though her heart longs to return to East Berlin to rescue the man who is the last link  to her troubled past … before the KGB gets to him first.

“The presence of a strong female lead adds a feather to the astounding hat that this novel dons.” – InD’tale Magazine

“Author Butler knows her stuff…” – Historical Novel Society Review

“…thrilling and cinematic, with tension that will have readers eagerly turning the pages to see what comes next.” – Manhattan Book Review

“A deftly crafted and fully reader engaging novel with many an unexpected plot twist and turn, “Operational Blackbird” by Ellen Butler will have a special appeal to readers with an interest in Cold War era spy novels.” – Midwest Book Review

Awards: 2023 Next Generation Indie Book Award, First Place Historical Fiction, 2023 Adventure Writers Competition finalist, 2023 IAN Book of the Year Awards Finalist for Historical Fiction

Read the first chapter click HERE! 

ARIADNE WINTER MYSTERIES

Deadly Secrets at Ballyford Castle (book 2)

now available!

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From Paris runways to country manors, danger is always in fashion.

When intrepid journalist Ariadne Winter leaves behind the glittering cafés and haute couture of 1958 Paris for the misty hills of rural Ireland, she expects champagne toasts and countryside charm at her cousin’s engagement celebration. But amidst party prep excitement the festive mood at Ballyford Manor is shattered when a body is discovered among the ruins of the ancient castle grounds.

The local inspector suspects an accident—but Ariadne knows better. Armed with her sharp wit and a reporter’s determination, Ariadne peels back the polished façade of the O’Connell family, uncovering simmering tensions and long-held grudges that refuse to stay buried. As she navigates a world of crumbling aristocracy, whispered scandals, and dark family legacies, Ariadne realizes someone will do anything to keep the past hidden — even if it means making her the next victim.

Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and Tana French, this stylish, atmospheric mystery captures the glamour and shadows of 1950s Ireland, blending intrigue, secrets, and a sleuth you won’t forget.

“For readers, this novel offers different pleasures. Those who love Agatha Christie–style mysteries will enjoy piecing together the puzzle of lies and hidden motives. Historical fiction fans will savor the old estate setting, with its echoes of past centuries. And anyone who has ever navigated family politics, whether over a wedding, inheritance, or simple sibling rivalry, will find something resonant here.” – Seattle Book Review

“Butler skillfully weaves in the realities faced by the declining upper classes striving to hold on to their vast estates as the world changes without them.” – Historical Novel Society

“Butler’s tale is well-written with unexpected twists and turns, well-developed characters with distinct personalities, and a well-paced plot.”  – Christa Reads and Writes Blog

“DEADLY SECRETS AT BALLYFORD CASTLE is a delightful mystery that uncovers long held secrets in 1958 Ireland.” – Cozy Up With Kathy Blog

“The plot is fast-paced, and the setting is full of atmosphere and tension as the two families get to know one another, and tragedy strikes.” – Karen Siddall Blogger

Ink & Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn (book 1)

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A dead body, a magazine deadline, and a race against time—1958’s most fashionable writer turns sleuth.

During 1958, with a predominantly male workforce, societal norms dictate women should be compliant, fashionable housewives. To Ariadne Winter, the sole tradition she aims to embrace is that of being fashionable.

Amidst the ambiance of Ivy Tree Inn, where she’s been dispatched as a writer for Ladies’ Lifestyle Magazine, her focus wavers as she grapples with an interview assignment concerning a Hollywood starlet on the cusp of royal matrimony—an event hailed as the “Wedding of the Century.” While Ariadne dutifully attends to her task, her heart yearns for the pursuit of her collegiate ambition: to be an investigative reporter for a renowned newspaper.

However, fate intervenes when she discovers a dead body and recognizes the opportunity it presents to write her way into the role she desires. Yet, as Ariadne delves deeper into the lives of the inn’s inhabitants, she uncovers a labyrinth of intertwined relationships and long-buried secrets among guests and staff alike, yielding a plethora of suspects. With a murderer on the loose, her magazine deadline looming, and the inn cordoned off by authorities, Ariadne faces a race against time to untangle the web of deceit and solve the murder before she loses more than just her job.

“Like her other books, Butler immerses her readers in a richly detailed world with a likable and relatable main character and complex supporting players, making for an engrossing read.” – Judith Gonda, Author of the landscape architect Tory Benning Mysteries

“This was a great mystery! I loved the main character and her detective abilities.” – Alexa The Book Worm

Ink and Intrigue at Ivy Tree Inn was a highly entertaining romp back in time with a strong, confident, go-getter female lead. The plot and pacing were spot-on, and I truly enjoyed this book. – Novels Alive

” I recommend Ink and Intrigue at the Ivy Tree Inn for other cozy fans, and especially for readers who also enjoy historical mysteries.” – View From a Birdhouse

“I loved this book ! This was a fast paced read full of mystery in a historical setting! I loved the way the author made all of the book very atmospheric and capable to keep me on edge!” – Midnight Booklover

Short Stories

First Comes Love, Then Comes Murder

Award Winning Short Story Anthology

AMAZON    WHITE CITY PRESS

“Contract Accepted”, by Ellen Butler in the FIRST COMES LOVE, THEN COMES MURDER Anthology.

When Ashley discovers her husband’s infidelity, she makes a bitter wish for his demise. Miraculously, he drops dead on the squash court, and the coroner rules it a heart attack. Just as she begins to grapple with the eerie coincidence, Ashley receives a series of mysterious red cards demanding a million dollars. As the threats intensify, she realizes someone knows her darkest desire—and they’re ready to collect on the debt. Caught in a web of guilt and fear, Ashley must unmask the sinister force behind the notes before her wish costs more than she ever imagined.

First Comes Love, Then Comes Murder features nineteen juicy tales of revenge, betrayal, bad breakups, and a few I dos and some I don’ts. Each short story takes ruthless relationships to an all-new level in all kinds of places like destination weddings, riverboat cruises, wineries, bachelorette parties, creepy stalkers, cheating spouses, and sneaky friends trying for their own version of happily ever after. So, settle in for some love stories with a twist of revenge, infidelity, and murder.

Featuring the writing talents of Teresa Inge, Heather Heather Baker Weidner, Debra Goldstein, Grace Topping, Maggie King, Ellen Butler, Kristin Kisska, Shawn Reilly Simmons, Marilyn Levinson, Sandra Murphy, Mary Dutta, Diane Fanning, Libby Hall, Frances Aylor, K.L. Murphy, Eleanor Cawood Jones, Leah St. James, Sheryl Jordan and Allie Marie.

Blind Alley

A Karina Cardinal Short Story

AMAZOn 

A quick trip to the local market could send Karina Cardinal to county lockup

An innocent visit to the local grocery store becomes a fiasco, when Karina accidently bounces a blind man off the bumper of her car. Things take a turn into the strange and unusual, when the produce manager limps out the front door hollering about bananas and attacks her victim while he’s laid out flat. A good Samaritan intervenes to help, but Karina fears handcuffs and an orange jumpsuit are in her future. As crowds gather to gawk, and the situation deteriorates, Karina calls her on-again-off-again FBI boyfriend to help her unravel the debacle and hopefully keep her out of the clink.

Poplar Place

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Former District Attorney, Cara Baker, cuts ties with her tumultuous life in Pittsburgh and moves to South Carolina where she embraces the peaceful, laid-back style of small town living. Everything seems to be falling into place when Cara finds the perfect house to round out her plans. Well- perfect except for the immovable hermit living on the top floor. Throwing caution to the wind, she buys the fabulous house-hermit and all-without meeting him. By wooing her reclusive renter with notes and mouthwatering meals, he caves and invites her up to the apartment. Preconceived notions are blown out of the water when she finds Danny isn’t the nerdy Mr. Mole she envisioned. Unfortunately, phone calls from the FBI bring Cara’s summer idyll to an abrupt halt. Will demons from a former life destroy Cara’s tranquility?

 Read an excerpt of Poplar Place.

Critical Reviews & Awards:   Crowned Heart Award ~ InD’Tale Magazine, Finalist Chanticleer Chatelaine Award , 5 Star Readers’ Favorite.

Heart of Design

(Love, California Style Book 1)

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Sophie Hartland has recently turned 30, and is five years out from a confidence crushing divorce. She’s sworn off men in favor of making her interior design business a success when her best friend introduces her to LA Heat’s hot new star, Ian O’Connor. He’s one of Hollywood’s beautiful people, with an Irish accent that makes Sophie’s toes curl. Ian hires her to renovate his home, and at their second meeting he initiates a scorching kiss that knocks her socks off. Even though she would love to drop down and go for it on the funky kitchen floor, Sophie sticks to her guns and enforces her “no dating clients” rule.

The tabloids portray flirtatious Ian as Hollywood’s latest playboy who has women falling at his feet, and Sophie refuses to be another notch on his bedpost. But Ian isn’t the type to take no for an answer, and he finds Sophie a refreshing change from the actress wannabes trying to hop aboard his new gravy train of success. Using his charm, he tries to persuade Sophie to break the rules.

Can Sophie ignore her traitorous libido and hold Ian off for the next five or six weeks until the renovations are finished? Or will she cave in to his pull on her heartstrings, and end up doing the knicky-knacky on the new velvet sofa? More importantly, can she protect her heart in this game of wills?

Read an excerpt of Heart of Design

 Planning for Love

(Love, California Style, Book 2)

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Planning for Love Awards: The Romance Reviews Readers’ Choice Award 2015, First Runner Up RONE Award ~ Chick Lit Category InD’tale Magazine, Finalist Chanticleer’s Chatelaine Awards, 5 Star Readers Favorite, Crowned Heart Award ~ InD’Tale Magazine

Successful, California party planner, Poppy Reagan, surprises her latest boyfriend on Valentine’s Day by catching him and a twenty-something in an R-rated version of ride the cowboy. After exacting revenge, Poppy decides it’s time to quit the bad boys and take her personal life seriously. With the help of her best friend, she maps out a plan to find a good-looking, successful man to become her life partner. Stoically, she heads into the deep end of the internet dating pool only to find herself embroiled in one bad date after another.

Handsome doctor, Adam Patterson, who started out as Poppy’s rebound-vacation-fling-guy has become a good friend and confidant. He attempts to convince her to give up on the local dating pool and come out to Ohio to test the relationship waters. Poppy is fervently against moving or carrying on a long distance relationship, but Adam’s pull on her heart convinces her to meet on middle ground. Will Adam convince her to try out life in America’s Heartland.

Art of Affection

(Love, California Style Book 3)

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Holly Hartland has spent the last year in Los Angeles finalizing her divorce from an abusive husband and getting her career as an art gallery curator back on track while trying to raise her young daughter. She shares a nanny with LAPD detective Gary Sumner, whose wife ran off to France with another man, abandoning him and his daughter.

With full-time careers to juggle, Gary and Holly end up relying on each other to help keep watch over their girls, who’ve become fast friends. The platonic co-parenting roles they’ve adopted are perfect for two people who’ve sworn off romance, but the burgeoning sexual chemistry they share proves hard to ignore.

When a Christmas wish puts the children in danger, Holly and Gary are forced to set aside their trust issues and work as a real team to keep their families safe. But can they overcome their baggage enough to open up their hearts to love?

Acclaim: 5 Star Readers Favorite Award.

 Second Chance Christmas ~ $.99

A USA Today Recommended Read

Amazon

Prominent DC attorney Emma Taylor is pulled away from a promising date the week before Christmas to pick up her ex-fiance from the ER after a bar fight. She’s in no mood to re-open old wounds, but it’s Christmas and she can’t just leave him alone and injured.

Eight hundred eighty-four days. That’s how much time has passed since Major Colton Evans made the biggest mistake of his life. Even after two tours of duty and too much shrapnel in his leg, it’s still the loss of Emma that haunts him. And if he can win her back, he’ll take any chance.

When she insists he stay with her during the holiday, they put out enough sexual electricity to rival the most decorated house on the block. But will it be enough to light the way to a future together?

Read an Excerpt of Second Chance Christmas

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