Sparks, S’mores, and Scandals: (A Taryn O’Kelly Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Colorado
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Salty Inspirations (April 13, 2026)
Print length ‏ : ‎ 293 pages

Synopsis

Wildfires weren’t part of Taryn O’Kelly’s summer plans. Neither was arson.

When a string of suspicious wildfires erupts in the mountains, authorities clear out the KOA Campground and surrounding homes, forcing Taryn to postpone her long-planned summer kick-off picnic. As smoke drifts over town and neighbors settle in at the fairgrounds, unease spreads right along with it. Then an insurance adjuster goes missing, and rumors of arson begin to take hold.

Determined to protect her town and her livelihood, Taryn starts asking questions. Corporate land grabs, bitter zoning disputes, and simmering grudges point in several directions. Even Silver Springs’ resident prankster seems to know more than he is saying. But the deeper she digs, the clearer it becomes that someone is playing a dangerous game, and the fires may be only the beginning.

Set against the backdrop of a Colorado mountain summer, Sparks, S’mores, and Scandals blends small-town charm, wry humor, and heartfelt community spirit with a mystery that smolders long after the last ember fades.

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Guest Post

A Perfect Day in Silver Springs… Until the Body Shows Up

I am so happy to be on the blog tour. Celebrating the latest chapter in what has become a life of solving crime! I never expected to be a sleuth, but apparently, I am really good at getting into trouble, especially when it comes to finding dead people. You would think it would be easy to stay out of that kind of trouble, but in Silver Springs, a “perfect day” can go spectacularly wrong. Here is how mine usually starts.

I like to start my day around 6 a.m. I get up and try not to trip on my cat, who almost daily zigzags in front of me on the way to the kitchen. She impatiently meows, stretches up using the cabinet handles as a crutch, and pokes me to give her a treat. I affectionately pat her head and scratch her chin while I make my coffee. Once the coffee is started, I retrieve a treat from her pink cookie jar on the counter. It has her little paw print and her name, Giselle, painted on it. She loves her treats like I love my coffee. It’s only fair that she gets one every time I enjoy a cup.

After she retrieves her treat, she races over to her food bowl, where she can see straight to the bottom, and that is a catastrophe. Once I have attended to my needy kitty, if it’s warm enough, I drink my coffee on my patio overlooking the Winterburn River and check emails before my run. I try to start every day with a run. It clears my head, keeps me fit, and prepares me for whatever the day decides to throw at me. I get dressed in running attire, a pink sports bra, a black running tennis skirt, and my auburn wavy hair pulled tight into a ponytail.

If Alex stays over, which he does a lot, he joins me on my balcony, but he doesn’t run. He hikes and lifts weights to stay looking like Batman.

I run a trail known as the riverwalk. It’s a paved path that follows the river the whole length of the town, and it can be a bustling place that many use as their commute to work. The sounds of the rushing river create a kind of rhythmic urgency, while the scent of pine and wildflowers fills the air. This is my peaceful place.

Once I return home, I make a quick breakfast, usually an omelet and a second cup of coffee, then head to my office, which is the second bedroom in my condo. My office window looks out toward the street, and I can see clients as they come up the steps. I also have a beautiful ash tree that’s home to a couple of crazy squirrels and a new family of woodpeckers.

So, if I am lucky enough to get through my entire workday without finding a body, I consider it a fantastic day of organizing, planning, and color-coding my calendar. It’s pure heaven. When I finish up for the day, I make dinner for Alex and me, although Kandice and Robert are often over, too. I love cooking from scratch, trying new recipes, and making everything from ingredients I can see and touch.

After a delicious dinner, with wine, of course, Alex and I take a walk, watch a movie, and then go to bed.

Well… not straight to bed.

See, my life is normal, peaceful. That is, until an event I have planned comes with a body. That’s how it always happens. First it was a bachelor party, then a skijoring event, then my cruise, but I guess I wasn’t planning anything on that one except relaxation. And now, barely back home, I had a beautiful reopening summer kickoff picnic planned… and someone felt the need to start a fire. After that, it spiraled out of control.

You see, I really don’t go looking for trouble. But for whatever reason, this is my path for now, and I guess I will wear the hat of a crime-solving sleuth. I am told I am pretty good at it, if you ignore the fact that the attempts on my life have substantially risen. My relationship with Alex is good, but I think I may be giving him an ulcer. Kandice, well, she is always up for an adventure. If anything, she is the one looking for trouble, not me. And Robert… well, it’s complicated. Having your ex-fiancé around all the time can get a little weird, but he’s familiar, which makes him a little too comfortable.

Honestly… this is just how things seem to go for me in Sparks, S’mores, and Scandals.

Excerpt

“Taryn, honey. I know you’re busy, but your grandfather has declared war on whoever set your grandmother’s rose bushes on fire. He’s at the VFW right now recruiting anyone who can see in the dark. He’s building his own civilian army. If you have a moment, can you go down there and please tell him to stop? Your grandmother and I have already tried. He won’t listen to reason. And your father seems to be okay with it. He doesn’t think, at their age, they can get into much trouble. Does he know this family?” My mother sighed.

I rolled my eyes. I loved my family. I really did. Taking a deep breath, I said, “Absolutely, Mom. I’ll go down there and take care of it right now.”

“Thank you, sweetie,” my mom replied.

I disconnected and turned to my friends. “My grandpa’s causing a ruckus, and we need to go stop him first.”

They exchanged glances.

“The apple didn’t fall far from the tree now, did it?” Alex said, grinning.

“Not funny,” I snapped, stomping my foot.

“He’s not wrong,” Robert added, laughing

Kandice just laughed.

“Whose team are you on?” I argued. “Either you guys get your coats and come with me or stay here, but I’ve got to go deal with my grandpa.”

We grabbed our things and headed out.

About the Author

Michelle L. Clifton writes lighthearted, high-stakes cozy mysteries filled with humor, romance, and small-town shenanigans. She is the author of the Taryn O’Kelly Mysteries, a fast-paced series featuring party planner and amateur sleuth Taryn O’Kelly and her growing circle of friends who somehow keep stumbling into trouble. Her stories blend the charm of traditional cozies with the quick pace and comedic flair readers love in Janet Evanovich books, always with a satisfying, happy ending.

Michelle serves on the board of the Southwest Florida Fiction Writers and is Editor-in-Chief of Inkwell Magazine. She is also the founder of Salty Inspirations, her blog, journal pen name, and publishing imprint, which serves as a home for her writing, creative projects, and behind-the-scenes insights into life as a cozy mystery author.

She lives in Cape Coral, Florida, with her husband. Her books are perfect for readers who enjoy humorous mysteries with heart, memorable characters, and a touch of romance mixed with murder.

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