Author Archives: annchehak

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About annchehak

Ann Chehak is the author of two mysteries that weave together her love of nature and penchant for wandering the trails and streams of California. Growing up, traveling offered inviting and scenic backdrops for her stories. Ann's professional writing career included drafting information technology (IT) fiscal manuals and managing IT projects. Now retired, Ann Chehak is working on her third book, a mystery involving a yacht that transports grandmasters to a chess tournament displaying a famous chess set with jewels stolen in an 1898 exhibition game--coming soon.

The Seaside Painting Caper anniversary

It’s almost the one-year anniversary of my first published book. I’m so thankful and amazed at this great feat. I’m diligently writing my second novel.

The Seaside Painting Caper is a “breezy debut novel” as noted in the Kirkus Reviews. My character, Trina, takes a much-needed break from her museum job and travels to Catamara, a beach resort town, to work in the family’s Hidden Treasure Gift Shop.

Trina is intrigued with a missing 100 year old painting–a dark angel painting–and twin to its magnificent white angel painting hanging in Catamara’s oldest church. Her sleuthing efforts are joined by Daniel, who helps her search through the twisting rooms and stairways of the church.

She soon finds herself embroiled in an art forgery scheme and enlists her friends to help draw out the culprits.

You’ll enjoy my sunny beach story amid summer’s white sand, blue skies, surfing waves and tide-pool adventures as Trina reacquaints herself with God’s abiding love and direction in her life.

Read for pleasure.

Sunny Places

Wassama Round House is a fascinating and circular lodge that was rebuilt after being burned following the death of each ruling chief. The mystical house and land have a Native American heritage dating its past to the 1860s. The spiritual Wassama Round House is a special place for cultural gatherings of Chukchansi Yokuts and Southern Sierra Miwoks located in California’s Madera County on the edge of the Sierra Nevada National Forest and a few miles west of Yosemite.

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The sacred dance house carries an air of spiritual reverence. Once inside, you can imagine the place transformed through ceremonial dancers in traditional native clothing made with beautiful craftsmanship for the special Gathering Day Ceremony. Wassama translates to “leaves falling,” a gentle and peaceful way of life for 8,000 years until 1849 when the California gold rush created an influx of Americans and Europeans.

The Wassama Round House is a living legacy of the long-ago traditions of native Californians.

Our country’s bald eagles

I’m concerned to read about 13 bald eagles found dead on a Maryland farm. Without visible evidence of what caused their death, speculation is that the eagles were poisoned–maybe by feasting on dead rodents fed with a poison. The news story goes on to say this isn’t the first incident of foul play in the death of eagles in that part of our country. Eagles have been shot to death, but this is the first reported case of death from unknown causes. Hopefully the lab in Oregon will find discover the cause. The senseless killing of eagles is disturbing to read about. I hope the person responsible is remorseful and does not repeat the actions that led to the eagles’ deaths. How sad.

Great start to the new year

Smooth sailing now that the holidays are behind us. The new year is the time to evaluate accomplishments and examine what I could have done a little better, been a little nicer, worked a little more diligently, and enjoyed family a little bit more. Do you ever wonder?

My book is for sale

You’d think having a book published and seeing it advertised for purchase is an exciting achievement. But for my book, the descriptions on the Barnes and Noble website and the Amazon website are too funny for words. My book is not about a goat!

My Book is Coming Out Soon

I’m so excited and thrilled to have a book published! Can’t wait to see it in print.

It’s all about  a young woman who’s at a low point in her life. She flees to a family haven in a small beach town along California’s coast. The story is a light-hearted mystery with some romance and spirituality.

Reply to me and follow me on my media platforms to stay tuned.