St. Simons Island

Stella Bankwell has suddenly found herself in a 'heap of trouble' in the words of her mountain people. Ten years ago, the pretty, charming redhead was a sports marketing executive when she married unforeseen trouble-dashing Asher Bankwell who is descended from 150 years of old Atlanta money and prestige. Now, she is banished from Atlanta society, after her high falutin' lifestyle humiliatingly crashed publicly in front of Atlanta's snootiest at a blacktie gala. After a brief runaway to her childhood mountain home to her Mama's consoling, she escapes for her beloved St. Simons Island where the sea and her best friend, Marlo, offer peace and calm. But there on the enchanting island, she also finds herself embroiled in a mystery that includes murder and money laundering. With the help of her best friend, Chatty (Chatham Balsam Colquitt IV, the only good that came from her marriage to Asher), who follows her to his second home on adjoining Sea Island; former Governor McCager Burnett (Chatty's Sea Island neighbor); and handsome U.S. Marshal Jackson (Pepper) Culpepper, they set out to solve a mystery that, most surely, will send a deep rattling through the columned, brick mansions of Atlanta's exclusive Buckhead. She was simply trying to escape her scandalous embarrassment and an unhappy marriage. Now, she's facing real trouble: Possible federal indictments that lead to a murder that leads to serious danger for Stella. It turns out to be the beginning of Stella Bankwell, former Atlanta socialite, becoming Stella Bankwell, amateur sleuth.

Genre: Inspirational

"Ronda Rich's newest novel is one for the beach! Read and enjoy!." - Karen Kingsbury

"What a firecracker of a read! Ronda Rich invites you to enjoy an exciting mix of Southern-upper-class-pride and honor-abiding-people-of-the-hills. Pure enjoyment." - Janette Oke