Karen Woods

Biography

I'm Karen Woods.

I write romantic intrigue, historical romance, futuristic romance, gothics, inspirational novels, and nonfiction.

When I was a young college instructor, if anyone had told me that I would be making my living as a writer, I would have told him that he had the wrong woman. Oh, I had stories and characters dancing in my head, clamoring to get out. Writing, however, was something I did strictly for my own amusement, as I had done since I had written my first short story at the age of five. I simply had plans for my life other than writing. I was quite happy teaching undergraduates. Hey, I had to use my degrees for something, didn't I? I do quite enjoy teaching. But, it dawned on me that I could and did write tales that were as good or better than the ones I read in my leisure time.

As for me at this stage of my life, I tease that I live a quiet life. Well, maybe it's quiet in comparison to a Category Four hurricane. I've been married to my best friend since 1979. Often, my house is filled with the sounds of young people, friends of my youngest child who is now almost an adult. My firstborn is a college graduate, working in her field, entirely an adult. I'm exceptionally proud of both of my children.

It's fun to make a living at what I'd do for amusement, anyway.

When I'm not writing, reading, promoting my books, or tutoring children, I like to paint icons.

Where to buy in print

Books

Every Good Deed
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 67,300. Language: English. Published: September 16, 2018 by Sleeping Beagle Books. Categories: Fiction » Christian » Contemporary
The nuns of Saint Maria's Monastery have been giving end of life care to their bishop. Now, that he has died their duty is to give him a Christian burial. It's going to be a long week that will remind the nuns that, as Saint Seraphim of Sarov taught, every good dead done for Christ's sake is a means by which they can acquire the Holy Spirit.
A Merciful Heart
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 73,190. Language: English. Published: June 2, 2018 by Sleeping Beagle Books. Categories: Fiction » Christian » Contemporary
The Orthodox Nuns of Saint Maria Skobtsova's Monastery always strive to acquire merciful hearts, hearts that are remade into the image of God's own heart. But that is hard work. Even harder as they are providing end of life care to their much loved bishop.
Curse the Rain
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 61,290. Language: English. Published: September 2, 2017 by Sleeping Beagle Books. Categories: Fiction » Christian » Contemporary
The nuns of Saint Maria's Orthodox Monastery live quiet lives of prayer and service... until they don't. But then again, as Saint Basil taught, troubles are the brooms and shovels that Christians can use to smooth the road ahead...and that no one should ever curse the rain.
Flow Like Water
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 56,740. Language: English. Published: March 13, 2017 by Sleeping Beagle Books. Categories: Fiction » Christian » Contemporary
An Orthodox monastery is a spiritual battleground. This is something the nuns of Saint Maria's Monastery know intimately through their communal life and their work. But not as intimately as they come to know it after one of the sisters is accused, by an old enemy, of murdering a hospice patient.
Retaliate With Chocolates
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 64,150. Language: English. Published: November 27, 2016 by Sleeping Beagle Books. Categories: Fiction » Christian » Contemporary
The last thing that the newly made nuns of the brand new Saint Maria Skobtsova Monastery expected was to have an old enemy of the Abbess' greet them as they left the Monastery Chapel. The man was broken, contrite, dying, and in desperate need of tender care. When one is engaged in spiritual warfare, the demons will not retaliate with chocolates.
Making Angels Laugh
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 82,310. Language: English. Published: August 14, 2016 by Sleeping Beagle Books. Categories: Fiction » Christian » General
If you want to make the Holy Angels laugh, just tell them your plans. Dr. Margarita Zornova has long known that to be true. Now, widowed, her grown sons and practice partner have conspired to make her take her first vacation in thirteen years. But none of them expected to hear so much laughter coming from the heavens about those plans.
Ghost of A Chance
Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 10,210. Language: English. Published: October 5, 2013 by Sleeping Beagle Books. Categories: Fiction » Holiday » Halloween
Love endures even after death. Cathy Reynolds, although a ghost, has been trying to help her husband Jake through his mourning for her following her murder, almost a year ago. Now, on her birthday, Halloween, she has an opportunity to push Jake and Mary Edwards-Robins together. Mary’s been in love with Jake for a long time. Although reluctant, Jake’s far from immune to Mary.
A Mother's Eyes
Price: $5.99 USD. Words: 94,260. Language: English. Published: May 2, 2011 by Sleeping Beagle Books. Categories: Fiction » Christian » Historical
“Do not be afraid, Miriam, for you have found favor with Elohim.” Come with us on a journey through her life, as she learns to live with the results of her agreement. See her life, her Son, and His Church through A Mother’s Eyes
Becoming Holy (without becoming Holier-than-Thou)
Price: $2.50 USD. Words: 21,770. Language: English. Published: September 8, 2009 by Sleeping Beagle Books. Categories: Nonfiction » Religion & Spirituality » Theology, Nonfiction » Religion & Spirituality » Religious philosophy
A fresh translation of St. Francis of Assisi's Admonitions along with brief reflections on those, supporting each of the admonitions with passages from other of St. Francis' extant writings and selections from early Franciscan biographies.
Love and Arson
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 70,310. Language: English. Published: September 7, 2009 by Sleeping Beagle Books. Categories: Fiction » Romance » General, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » General
Edward swore he'd make her regret breaking their engagement. Dani expected any attack would be against her. Instead, Edward's now the prime suspect in the house fire that killed Dani's mother. Dani has gone to meet the father she'd never known, walking blindly into the old danger her mother had fled from in terror, decades ago. Can Dani live long enough to learn to love and trust again?
Vengeance
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 68,480. Language: English. Published: September 7, 2009 by Sleeping Beagle Books. Categories: Fiction » Religious, Fiction » Romance » General
RT gave 4 stars! Mona Graves wants her former daughter-in-law, Rose Jacqueline, on death row for Nicky's murder. Mona lives for vengeance. R.J. wants Mona to leave her to live her life without being the target of an unrelenting quest for vengeance. Tom wants 'Jackie' to see his love for her. But how can he get her attention when she's busy defending herself against acts of vengeance?
Get Geri
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 75,030. Language: English. Published: September 4, 2009 by Sleeping Beagle Books. Categories: Fiction » Romance » General, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » General
A murdered pet, sick gifts, crank phone calls, and both her car and home have gone up in explosion and flames. Get Geri. Josh, Geri's boss, offers her refuge and protection. But who will protect her tender heart from Josh? Either her stalker or Josh, one man is going to Get Geri.
The Bishop's Daughter
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 78,340. Language: English. Published: July 31, 2009 by Sleeping Beagle Books. Categories: Fiction » Historical » General
When George Keppel, the Earl of Newport, broke off their romance, and married another woman, in 1809, Jane Sommersby was devastated. When his twins were born less than five months after that wedding, Jane swore she’d had a lucky escape; that she had been spared great misery. Now, it's 1812, and Newport’s a widower who is pursuing her, once more. Like Byron, Newport is dangerous to know.