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

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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I heard movement in the hall. Alex must be up. We don’t technically live together. He just spends a lot of time here. He appeared in the doorway, wearing only his lounge shorts.

“The Martins called me. They have been evacuated,” he said.

“Rosie called me. Ryan is missing.”

“What do we know so far?” Alex asked, turning to watch the TV.

“Not a lot. They keep replaying the news blurb. But I called Mom, and Scotty’s out there.” Saying it aloud made my chest swell. I know that it’s his job, but this felt scarier than other times for some reason. Alex must have sensed my distress because he moved towards me, pulled me from my desk chair, and hugged me tightly. I buried my face in his warm, bare chest. Taking a few deep breaths and asking for St. Florian’s protection. I calmed, relaxing into his embrace for a few moments.

Pulling away from him, I looked into his honey-colored eyes. “Thank you,” I said. “You always seem to know when I need something.”

“Call it my Spidey sense.” He smiled.

“Ha ha, but Spiderman doesn’t do it for me.” It’s probably because of my innate fear of bugs.

“Noted. Spider-Man, not so good. I know you are worried about your brother and Ryan.”

“I am, but we don’t know anything yet, so I will do my best to remain calm.” I smiled.

“No sudden urges to clean,” Alex joked.

“I only clean like that out of anger, not worry. You know this.” I rolled my eyes and playfully pushed him. My mom unleashes chemical warfare on their poor house when she is worried or overly stressed.

“It made you smile.” He leaned in and kissed me before leaving to get a cup of coffee.

I peered out the window towards the burning mountainside. There was an eerie glow illuminating the mountain’s silhouette. The sun was starting to peek over the mountaintops, and someone was coming up the steps to my house. Giselle must have sensed it because she jumped off her hammock, sending it rocking, and ran over to the window, pushing back the sheer curtain to see who it was.

“Alex,” I hollered, “Someone is coming up the steps.”

The knock came, and we went to answer it together. Standing on the other side of the door was Robert, pillow tucked under his arm and a duffel bag slung over his shoulder.

“Honey, I’m home!” he sang out.

Alex looked at me and shrugged his shoulders. “He’s your stray.”

“Robert, what are you doing?” I asked, letting him into the house and closing the door behind him.

“I have been evacuated. I was told to take shelter at the fairgrounds or at a friend’s. I checked in at the fairgrounds so they would know I wasn’t still at large, but decided we are friends and I want to stay with you.”

I sighed. How does this happen to me? Robert is my ex-fiancé, and every time I turn around, we are roommates.

“Why am I the friend you chose to stay with?” I asked, following him to the couch.

“Because, why not? We are familiar. We know each other’s idiosyncrasies, and I wanted to.” He smirked, looking towards Alex, who had taken a seat at the dining room table. Alex waved back, looking unamused.

I didn’t even get a chance to reply when there was another knock at the door. “What is this? I am not a shelter!” I returned to the door and proceeded to open it when Kandice waltzed in.

She scanned the room. “Oh, look, the gang’s all here.”

“I knew you liked hanging out with me!” Robert grinned and winked at Kandice.

“Like, may be too strong a word, Robert. I would say tolerate is more like it,” she said sweetly.

Alex choked on his coffee. Making Kandice smile. “He agrees with me.” She nodded in Alex’s direction.

“Alex, will you make more coffee? I am going to need it. I have a headache starting to form,” I said, rubbing my temples.

“You may want to put a shirt on, too. Since we have company.” Robert added.

“If you’re talking about me. Leave the shirt off. I like a sexy distraction.” Kandice smirked.

“Well, in that case…” Robert started to pull off his shirt.

“Stop!” I shouted. “I love you all! But it is way too early in the morning for this. I haven’t even gotten to run. Robert, keep your shirt on.”

“Honey, you are not running outside today. The whole town is filling with smoke,” Kandice replied.

“I have a question.” Robert stood up.

“Your shirt stays on because I want it to,” I answered.

“Fine!” he groaned, sitting back down on the couch.

“Honestly, Taryn, it’s not like he is bad to look at. Actually…”

“No, Kandice!” I interrupted her.

“We are all adults, let’s act like it, please. Now, what do you want for breakfast? Pancakes or coffee cake?” I asked.

 

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. You can learn more about Michelle and her books at her website and blog, Salty Inspirations.

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There is a King Sumo Giveaway for this tour. Prize – Three winners each receive an E-pub Copy of: Sparks, S’mores, and Scandals : (A Taryn O’Kelly Mystery) by Michelle L. Clifton (US and Canada)