Renee Benzaim

Biography

Renee Benzaim was born in Wenatchee, Washington, but grew up in Northern California. She wrote her first short story when she was in the third grade and discovered her love of putting words on paper.

Her novels include the popular Detective Annie Avants crime fiction series, which is set in Kern County, California. Annie has become very popular with readers and some call her the next "Nancy Drew". She will publish the fifth novel in this series in the Summer of 2016.

Her other books include Coyote's Song, the story of a five-year-old Miwok Indian girl who disappears. Ten years later, a reknowned writer sets out to solve the mystery of Evangeline's disappearance.

In addition, Renee has written three non-fiction books: How to Make Compost; Salsa!; and Can Men Get Yeast Infections?

She lives with her husband in a home and gardens surrounded by a stone wall. This small piece of paradise is the home of an ever=growing number of cats and one shaggy dog.

Smashwords Interview

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in California in a large family. As an adult, I lived in North Carolina, Delaware, and Hawaii. Looking back, I can see that the ":California mindset" is different, especially from that of the East Coast. I think this influence gives my writing a less formal, more open style. Also, my crime fiction series featuring Robbery/Homicide Detective Annie Avants is set in Kern County/Bakersfield, California where I lived for many years.
When did you first start writing?
I remember the first long story I ever wrote. I was in the third grade and my teacher, Miss Steere, asked us each to write a story about something in history.
I chose to write about the Donner party and the tragedies that befell them as they tried to make it to the wild west.
Read more of this interview.

Where to find Renee Benzaim online

Where to buy in print

Series

Detective Annie Avants
Cause of Death
Price: $3.99 USD.
Damage Control
Price: $3.99 USD.
Southern Secrets
Price: $3.99 USD.
Green Witch, Dead Witch
Price: $3.99 USD.
Fly on the Wall
Price: $3.99 USD.

Books

Fly on the Wall
Series: Detective Annie Avants, Book 5. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 75,900. Language: English. Published: September 16, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » International crime, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Spies & espionage
At 3:00 a.m. on April 13, 2014, Detectives Annie Avants and Tom Weston of the Kern County Robbery/Homicide Unit were called to the scene of a combined Narcotics Division/SWAT Team raid gone bad at a farmhouse along the I5 Corridor. The house was abandoned, but a surprise package had been left for the teams. The body of a middle-aged Mexican male had been executed "gang" style and left at the scene
Coyote's Song: A Native American Tales, Myths and Legends Mystery
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 50,210. Language: English. Published: April 23, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Action & suspense, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Women Sleuths
There was a legend among the Sierra Band of Miwok Indians. It said that a female would someday become the Shaman of the band and she would reunite the Miwok Indians and make them strong again. Many people believed in the legend, but many did not.. Then, one day in 1989, a little Miwok girl disappeared from her front yard on the reservation. This book is a Prequel to Green Witch, Dead Witch.
Green Witch, Dead Witch
Series: Detective Annie Avants, Book 4. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 70,090. Language: English. Published: December 24, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Horror » Occult
Three people have died following a witches' sabbat. Two deaths were classified as 'accidental', Annie's intuition tells her the three deaths are related. Is there a serial killer in Bakersfield targeting witches? Det. Annie Avants has a good friend who is a green witch. Working with Annie and Annie's partner, they race against time to solve the murders before the next sabbat - Halloween
Southern Secrets
Series: Detective Annie Avants, Book 3. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 73,270. Language: English. Published: May 1, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Crime thriller, Fiction » Historical » USA
(5.00 from 2 reviews)
Deep in the Ouachita forests of Arkansas, Zachary Avants finds 3 journals written by his great grandfather that gives sensitive information on a secret society active during the Civil War - the Knights of the Golden Circle. Unfortunately for Zack, and his cousin Det.Annie Avants in California, the KGC & FBI would do anything to recover these journals. Even murder and kidnapping.
Damage Control
Series: Detective Annie Avants, Book 2. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 73,180. Language: English. Published: September 30, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Crime thriller
(4.50 from 4 reviews)
Detectives Annie Avants and Tom Weston tackle one of the most perplexing murder mysteries since they became partners. The crime victim is a well-respected attorney. He has gone missing and the only criminal evidence is his car with blood on the passenger seat.. Before they can understand the criminal mind of the killer, another person goes missing! Is a serial killer stalking Bakersfield?
Cause of Death
Series: Detective Annie Avants, Book 1. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 86,250. Language: English. Published: April 29, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Police Procedural
(4.33 from 6 reviews)
A Serial Killer. Black widow spiders. A race to catch the perp before he strikes again. Meet Robbery/Homicide Detective Annie Avants and her partner, Detective Tom Weston of the Kern County Sheriff's Office in Bakersfield, CA. Cause of Death is a spine-chilling thriller that keeps you guessing right up to the last minute - and makes you wonder about the "normal" people in YOUR daily life.
Salsa!
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 16,910. Language: English. Published: June 22, 2012 . Categories: Nonfiction » Cooking, Food, Wine, Spirits » Specific Ingredients / Natural Foods, Nonfiction » Cooking, Food, Wine, Spirits » Methods / Quick & Easy
REVISED OCTOBER 2012 to include METRIC weights and measures, as well as American Standard measures. Salsa is one of the most enjoyable foods today, and it's great with tortilla chips, of course, but also makes a wonderful accompaniment with grilled foods, beef, fish, chicken, pork, and as a side dish. This eBook includes 80 delicious recipes, with a focus on fresh fruits and vegetables.
Can Men Get Yeast Infections?
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 9,130. Language: English. Published: April 10, 2012 . Categories: Nonfiction » Health, wellbeing, & medicine » Diseases / contagious, Nonfiction » Health, wellbeing, & medicine » Diseases / skin
When someone mentions "yeast infections" we usually think of women and the types of yeast infections they experience. Many folks don't even realize that men, also, are victims of yeast infections. In this 34-page booklet, we will explore yeast infections in men - what types they are prone to, how they become infected, symptoms, treatment, and prevention. (booklet: 9100 words)
How to Make Compost
Price: $1.99 USD. Words: 10,900. Language: English. Published: April 6, 2012 . Categories: Nonfiction » Home & Garden » Gardening » Techniques, Nonfiction » Home & Garden » Gardening » Organic
(4.00 from 1 review)
In this booklet, you will learn the basics of composting and several different methods you can use to handle your kitchen scraps, dog feces, and cat litter. As you learn how to compost your kitchen scraps, leaves, and grass clippings, you will save money on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and you will keep your garbage out of our over-flowing landfills. (Booklet: 10,800 words)

Renee Benzaim's tag cloud

american indian tales and legends    assassination thrillers    athletes foot    candida    civil war novels    composting    composting methods    condiments    cookbooks food wine    cookbooks healthy    espionage spy thrillers    female detective crime series    female detective murder mystery series    female novel suspense mystery series    female serial killer fiction book series    femalle novel suspense mystery series    gardening and horticulture    home and garden    international cooking    international espionage    international mystery and crime series    jock itch    kidnapped suspense    kidnapping suspene    kidnapping suspense    lawyer murder mystery    magic fiction    magick    male yeast infection    murder mystery book with female detective series    native american historical fiction    native american myths and legends    native american spirituality    natural food    occult detective    organic food    organic gardening    penile yeast infection    poison    police procedural female detective    police procedural female detective series    raw food    retribution    sacrifice    salsa recipes    scary novels    serial killer novels    serial killer series    shaman fiction    side dishes    small town serial killer    southern mysteries    southern mystery and suspense    southern mystery thriller    suspeneful    suspense series    thrush    tomatoes and jalapenos    vegetables    vengeful    women detective serial killer series    women sleuths by women authors   

Smashwords book reviews by Renee Benzaim

  • Lust, Money & Murder - Book 1, Lust - A Female Secret Agent Takes on an International Criminal on April 14, 2012

    I loved this book so much, I immediately bought the other two in the series and practically read non-stop until I finished all of them! Mike Wells is an extremely talented writer.
  • Smashwords Style Guide on April 14, 2012

    Thank you Mark! If it wasn't for this ebook, I wouldn't have my first two booklets successfully published. I did read a lot of other "guides" before I found this one, and none of them gave me ALL the information I needed to succeed.
  • Phantasy on Oct. 18, 2013

    I've always been a big fan of Tom Robbins (Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas; Still Life with Woodpecker; Another Roadside Attraction) but never found anyone who quite had his way with words and quirky phrases. That is, until I discovered Marlowe and PHANTASY. If you want a fun read that you can't put down, get a copy of this book and escape into the madcap world of PHANTASY.