A series of difficult circumstances have forced Dave and Katie Parker into early retirement. Searching for new life and purpose, the Parkers take a wintertime job house sitting an old Victorian mansion. The picturesque river town in southeastern Minnesota is far from the climate and culture of their home near the Alabama Gulf Coast.But dark secrets sleep in the mansion. A criminal network has ruthlessly intimidated the community since the timber baron era of the 19th century. Residents have been conditioned to look the other way.The Parkers’ questions about local history and clues they discover in the mansion bring an evil past to light and create division in the small community. While some fear the consequences of digging up the truth, others want freedom from crime and justice for victims. Faced with personal threats, the Parkers must decide how to respond for themselves and for the good of the community.“Challenge for Two has characters that are more than colorful!! The settings from the downtown diner to the mansion are charming. It gave me so much pure reading pleasure. Looking forward to the next adventure with Dave and Katie.” Marnie Rasche

Challenge for Two: A Dave and Katie Adventure (Challenge Mystery-Destination Series)

Literature & Fiction

Coons, Kit and Drew

Contemporary

Challenge for Two

The Ambassadors

“The Ambassadors combines elements of science fiction and real-life genetics into a story that is smart, witty, and completely unique. Drew and Kit Coons navigate complex issues of humanity in a way that will leave you pondering the implications long after the book is over. If you’re ready for a compelling adventure with humor, suspense, and protagonists you can really root for, don’t miss out on this one!” Jayna Richardson.Two genetically engineered beings unexpectedly arrive on Earth. Unlike most extraterrestrials depicted in science fiction, the pair is attractive, personable, and telegenic–the perfect talk show guests. They have come to Earth as ambassadors bringing an offer of partnership in a confederation of civilizations. Technological advances are offered as part of the partnership. But humans must learn to cooperate among themselves to join.Molly, a young reporter, and Paul, a NASA scientist, have each suffered personal tragedy and carry emotional baggage. They are asked to tutor the ambassadors in human ways and to guide them on a worldwide goodwill tour. Molly and Paul observe as the extraterrestrials commit faux pas while experiencing human culture. They struggle trying to define a romance and partnership while dealing with burdens of the past.However, mankind finds implementing actual change difficult. Clashing value systems and conflicts among subgroups of humanity erupt. Inevitably, rather than face difficult choices, fearmongers in the media start to blame the messengers. Then an uncontrolled biological weapon previously created by a rogue country tips the world into chaos. Molly, Paul, and the others must face complex moral decisions about what being human means and the future of mankind.The Ambassadors is timely and up-to-date in the context of emerging genetic technology and division among humans. The genre is classic science fiction with elements of alien contact and genetics, plus romance and humor.

Drew and Kit Coons

Dave and Katie Parker’s only son, Jeremy, is getting married in Australia. In spite of initial reservations, the Parkers discover that Denyse is perfect for Jeremy and that she’s the daughter they’ve always wanted. But she brings with her a colorful and largely dysfunctional Aussie family. Again Dave and Katie are fish out of water as they try to relate to a boisterous clan in a culture very different from their home in South Alabama.After the wedding, Denyse feels heartbroken that her younger brother, Trevor, did not attend. Details emerge that lead Denyse to believe her brother may be in trouble. Impressed by his parents’ sleuthing experience in Minnesota, Jeremy volunteers them to locate Trevor. Their search leads them on an adventure through Australia and New Zealand.Unfortunately, others are also searching for Trevor, with far more sinister intentions. With a talent for irresponsible chicanery inherited from his family, Trevor has left a trail of trouble in his wake and has been forced into servitude. Can Dave and Katie locate him in time?

Challenge Down Under: A Dave and Katie Adventure (Challenge Mystery-Destination Series)

Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

Thrillers & Suspense

Many heartwarming stories share about difficult situations that worked out miraculously or through iron-willed determination. The stories are useful in that they inspire hope. But sometimes life just doesn’t work out the way we expected. Many people’s lives will never be what they had hoped. What does a person do then? This mini book uses our personal struggle with infertility as an example.

More Than Ordinary Challenges: Dealing With the Unexpected (More Than Ordinary Mini-Books)

Self-Help

Motivational

Jesus told story after story to communicate God’s truth. Personal stories create hope and change lives by speaking to the heart. The following collection of Drew’s stories is offered for your amusement and so that you can learn from his experiences. We hope these stories will motivate you to consider your own life experiences. What was God teaching you? “Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.” (Psalm 107:2)

More Than Ordinary Wisdom: Stories of Faith and Folly (More Than Ordinary Mini Books)

Challenge in Mobile: A Dave and Katie Adventure

Dave and Katie Parker regret that their only child Jeremy, his wife Denyse, and their infant daughter live on the opposite side of the world. Unexpectedly, Jeremy calls to ask his father’s help finding an accounting job in the US. Katie urges Dave to do whatever is necessary to find a job for Jeremy near Mobile. Dave’s former accounting firm has floundered since his departure. The Parkers risk their financial security by purchasing full ownership of the struggling firm to make a place for Jeremy.Denyse finds south Alabama fascinating compared to her native Australia. She quickly resumes her passion for teaching inner-city teenagers. Invited by Katie, other colorful guests arrive from Australia and Minnesota to experience gulf coast culture. Aided by their guests, Dave and Katie examine their faith after Katie receives discouraging news from her doctors.Political, financial, and racial tensions have been building in Mobile. Bewildering financial expenditures of a client create suspicions of criminal activity. Denyse hears disturbing rumors from her students. A hurricane from the Gulf of Mexico exacerbates the community’s tensions. Dave and Katie are pulled into a crisis that requires them to rise to a new level of more than ordinary.

Challenge in Mobile: A Dave and Katie Adventure (Challenge Mystery-Destination Series)

Mystery

Who has the bigger challenge—a teenager growing up with old-fashioned parents or parents trying to raise a modern teenager? Before their other exploits, Dave and Katie Parker had the challenge of raising a son—a son with an adventurous spirit. At an early age, Jeremy perceives the ordinariness of his parents’ lives and resolves that he can do better.Disappointment, bullies, alluring girls, peer pressure, and surging hormones combine to challenge Jeremy. His questions—Who do I want to be? What will I do with my life?—remain unanswered. Amid rich deep-south and Cajun-influenced culture, Jeremy explores routes to a future different from the heritage he received. Jeremy’s dilemma becomes more complicated as Dave and Katie experience personal problems of their own. Into the uncertainty of Jeremy’s world comes an irresponsible and beguiling older woman. Tara is a vagabond and a practiced con artist. To Jeremy, the street-smart and philosophical woman holds the secret to life. She offers him a path with her to a young man’s dreams: adventure, passion, freedom. All Tara asks is that Jeremy bring his college fund with him.

Jeremy's Challenge: Dave and Katie's Adventure Raising a Son (Challenge Mystery-Destination Series)

COONS

Genre Fiction

If Hallmark Mysteries joined the Travel Channel describes the Challenge Series. 
Dave and Katie Parker are a retirement aged couple recovering from difficult circumstances. “I feel like our old life was a boat that went over a waterfall with us inside. Now we’re bobbing up in the pool below, glad to be alive, but without a boat,” says Katie. The Challenge Series of novels follow the Parkers as they solve mysteries, thwart criminals, and find new adventures in colorful locales.\nChallenge in the Golden State 
The Parker family travels in an RV to the Golden State on vacation. After Dave, Katie, Jeremy, Denyse, and Katelyn enjoy Southern California’s glamorous attractions, the family separates at LA’s airport. Denyse takes her daughter, Katelyn, to visit her family in Australia. Jeremy returns to Mobile to manage the Parkers’ accounting firm.\nDave and Katie meander north to experience more of California’s wonders. At a state park, Katie discovers two bodies—the victims of a prescription opioid overdose. A man is already dead. The other—a teenaged girl—barely survives. The small town of Redwood Hills is situated among giant trees between California’s rugged coastline and picturesque wine country. The community has suffered an escalating rash of tragic overdoses. Sympathy for the girl draws Dave and Katie into an investigation to discover the source of illicit drugs.\nCriminal elements of the community are threatened as Dave and Katie find evidence of a wicked scheme. Dave is poisoned by an unknown opponent. Planted false evidence results in Dave and Katie being arrested, indicted, and court-ordered to remain local. They have no one to trust and summon Jeremy and Denyse for assistance. But their son and daughter in-law are each facing their own crisis’s. Both need help from Dave and Katie. An unexpected source comes to Dave and Katie’s aid as they pursue the truth and exoneration.

Challenge in the Golden State: A Dave and Katie Adventure (Challenge Mystery-Destination Series)

Missionary and the Witch: Mythology comes alive in rural Transylvania

Independently published

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Books by Coons, Kit and Drew