ROMANCE. MYSTERY. THE OPEN COUNTRY.
Stand-alone novels where love, suspense, and adventure roam free.
These western-inspired stories blend romance, intrigue, and the unexpected. Each stand-alone novel invites readers into worlds of adventure, mystery, and unforgettable characters.
Perfect for anyone who loves a little suspense with their romance!
KUDU
When Katherine Bell learns that critically endangered animals from Africa, India, and the Middle East are being raised on modern-day Texas ranches, she decides it’s time for a fresh start. Selling her home in Alpine, she purchases a thirty-two-acre property overlooking the hills and valleys above the Guadalupe River in the Texas Hill Country, planning to raise exotic animals.
Katherine hires the handsome, much younger, Wolf Abbot as the resident foreman of her ranch and they quickly form an unconventional bond.
But life on the ranch isn’t without danger. As Katherine and Wolf navigate rustlers, a mysterious killer on the loose, and the challenges of raising exotic animals, Kudu the bull unexpectedly plays a pivotal role in bringing justice to their gates.
KUDU is a compelling narrative of adventure, romance, and suspense: a widow’s journey into ranch life, friendship, love, and the unexpected thrills of caring for some of the world’s most fascinating animals.
Author: Kay Taylor Burnett | Illustrations by: Andy J. White | ISBN: 1663277419 | Published: January 2026
No Odes to Widows
Kay Taylor Burnett’s debut novel, No Odes to Widows, is a captivating tale of friendship, love, and suspense set against the rich backdrop of Alpine, Texas.
While waiting in line for fresh-baked bread at a local bakery, three widows, Katherine Bell, Doris Kemp, and Susanna Perez, form an unlikely bond. Though their lives are different, their shared experiences of loss bring them together, just as a shocking murder shakes their community.
When a young Texas Highway Patrolman is killed while on duty, leaving behind a wife and child, the widows take it upon themselves to investigate. Doris, a criminal justice professor, encourages the group to follow leads, putting their courage and ingenuity to the test. Could the shooter be the same person who nearly ran Katherine off the road the night of the murder? And is there a connection to strange activity at a neighbor’s home?
As they navigate a maze of murder, love, and betrayal, Katherine, Doris, and Susanna find strength in their friendship. Their journey uncovers the unique paths each widow must take to confront grief, loss, and ultimately, personal resolution.
Author: Kay Taylor Burnett | ISBN: 978-1440135996 | Published: April 2009
Ginger Quill
Mae Maguire is running for her life. Fleeing a dangerous ex-husband, she takes refuge in her friend’s fishing cabin along the Rio Grande River in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, hoping to start over and pursue her art.
There, Mae forms a connection with a charming German neighbor, a hydrologist affiliated with the prestigious Santa Fe Institute. Through his stories of a nearby World War II camp for German prisoners, secrets from the past begin to surface—but Mae’s fragile sense of peace is quickly shattered.
When her cabin is broken into and evidence mounts that someone is watching her every move, Mae finds herself on her own. Her friend cannot protect her while working at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico, leaving Mae to rely on local authorities—and her own instincts—for safety.
As she navigates the rugged terrain of the Rockies, Mae uncovers information far more dangerous than she could have imagined. Ginger Quill is a gripping tale of survival, romance, and suspense, testing Mae’s courage, relationships, and determination in a story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
Author: Kay Taylor Burnett | Illustrations by: Andy J. White | ISBN: 1663277419 | Published: January 2026
Kay Taylor Burnett is an award-winning author whose life is as adventurous as her novels.
A former publisher and editor, she served nine years as a trustee of the Santa Fe Institute and is a Fellow at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business (EPNL). She founded the Arts Alliance Center at Clear Lake and Marfa Public Radio, enriching communities with her passion for literature and the arts.
Today, Kay enjoys raising exotic animals with her husband, Andy White, on a country ranch. Drawing on these real-life adventures, she crafts stand-alone Western-inspired novels infused with romance, suspense, and unforgettable characters. Writing became a new chapter in her retirement, and now her stories captivate readers across the country.
A Day In The Life…
Curious what a day on the ranch really looks like? Follow Kay Taylor Burnett behind the scenes and into the wild beauty of her
exotic-animal sanctuary.
