Jovan Mosely and The Long Way Home

I was privileged today to hear a presentation by Jovan Mosely and Laura Caldwell about Jovan's horrifying experience of unjust incarceration. Laura Caldwell wrote a book about Jovan's experience, and about the two female attorneys who worked to have him exonerated.

Jovan spent 48 hours in an interrogation room with no chance for food or a bathroom break.

He was coerced into signing a document which alleged he committed a crime of which he was innocent.

He was not provided with legal representation for five months.

He spent six years in jail before he was finally given the trial that ultimately exonerated him.

He is sad, but not bitter, about this experience. He subsequently earned a degree from Loyola University and is getting ready to take his LSATs.

A New Title

The second book in the Lilah Drake Undercover Mystery series is available on Tuesday. Lilah's story began in THE BIG CHILI (Berkley, 10-15) and continues in CHEDDAR OFF DEAD (Berkley 9-16), a Christmas-themed mystery in which Lilah witnesses the murder of a Santa Claus.

After this traumatic event, Lilah turns to her ex-boyfriend Jay Parker, a detective on the Pine Haven Police Department, who must determine who would want to kill this seemingly innocent Santa in a time of good will and celebration.

Lesa Holstine of Lesa's Book Critiques writes "Cheddar Off Dead is an enjoyable entry in a favorite new series . . . It has everything a reader wants: Christmas and murder (and recipes). "