Northern Explosion — Andie Peterson

Murder. Assassination. Intrigue.

The number of deaths multiplies as murder and assassinations move to Birch Bay. Laura Kjelstad, the Bay's first term mayor, faces a season of treachery and deceit as events resonate through the political halls of Minnesota into Washington, DC.

Laura must deal with a high-profile assassination that's linked to the rich and powerful in the state and possibly the nation. When she becomes the target for the next murder, she finds the nightmare sits squarely on the mayor's doorstep. Or as one of her third grade students asked, "Mrs. Kjelstad, did someone try to assassinate you?"

Northern Explosion propels the reader through the political spectrum as FBI, BCA, Homeland Security, and state police descend on the town with a larger-than-life presence. Camera crews from CNN, CBS, NBC, ABC, and scores of media networks move through the town with microphones gripped like sabers.

Sheriff Sam Mikkelson -- young, handsome, divorced, and powerfully drawn to Laura -- finds he has competition from Minnesota's lieutenant governor in the investigation and in winning Laura's affection.

Necessity has thrown them all together in the telescopic lens of national media coverage and deaths of horrific proportions. Through it all, Laura's friends and family remain by her side, but her critics relish the vengeful stories they can spread. Always in the shadows is the memory of her past life before she was left a young widow.

Compelling. Riveting. The terrifying web of betrayal lurks through the heart of Birch Bay, seeking to devour anyone in the way.