A new tack shop and a gala polo match are reasons to celebrate for horse trainer Michaela Bancroft—until equestrian Sterling Tabor is found clubbed to death with a polo mallet. Worse yet, suspicion falls on Michaela...The weapon belongs to Michaela, her prints are all over it, and rumors of her alleged affair with the victim aren’t helping. With her boyfriend Detective Jude Davis out of town, Michaela doesn’t stand a chance of proving her innocence and clearing her name unless she delves into Tabor’s mysterious life—and death—on her own. But in unearthing a real suspect and a motive, she discovers a deadly past. And Tabor’s shady friends are more than willing to throw Michaela off the track—for good.

As the Vineyard Manager at Malveaux Estates, Nikki Sands knows a lot about wine pairings, but she has a harder time making matches in her own life.  Is it finally time to give up her crush on her boss, Derek Malveaux, and commit to winemaker Andrés?  With big changes afoot at the Estates, Nikki’s days of wine and roses may be over sooner than she thinks…Malveaux Estates has added a boutique hotel and spa to its beautiful grounds, and everyone in Napa is abuzz about the hotel’s restaurant, Georges on the Vineyard.  Its opening has been delayed a bit by the quirks of star chef Georges Debussey, better known for his cuisine than his couth.  When Georges doesn’t return to the kitchen after a relaxing Syrah bath splash at the spa on opening night, Nikki figures the bubbles must have gone to his head.  But instead of bubbles, it was a bullet—leaving Nikki to wonder what kind of wine can be paired with murder…

For those of you who’ve been introduced to Michele's heroine Michaela Bancroft in Saddled with Trouble you’re aware that Michaela is a bit of a reluctant sleuth. Somehow these horrific situations she finds herself in are forced upon her, and she has no choice but to investigate. In Death Reins In, Michaela is headed out for a day at the Quarter Horse Races with her dear friend Audrey Pratt. However, a fun day under the southern California blue skies turns dark and gloomy rather fast, when Audrey reveals that her brother (racetrack veterinarian) Bob Pratt has been missing for a few days. Michaela suspects that Bob may be out on a binder and hopes that isn’t so, as Audrey has recently put her brother through rehab. But when Audrey winds up murdered at the races, out on the back forty lot next to the parked horse trailers, Michaela suspects that Bob’s disappearance and Audrey’s murder are related. She is determined to find out who did this horrible thing to her friend and locate Audrey’s missing brother.