Debra writes about women in the 1920s in her Butterflies Fly Free series.
Trapping the Butterfly was first published by Desert Breeze and the novella won a RONE award for the cover. When Debra got her rights back she made Trapping the Butterfly the first in her 1920’s Butterflies Fly Free series of novellas, each about a woman who longs to be free. Trapping the Butterfly is set in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and is Bethany’s story.
On the eve of her eighteenth birthday, Bethany is eager to celebrate at the Arlington Hotel. More than anything she wants to cut her long hair into a bob, raise her hemline, and learn to do the Charleston.
Unfortunately, every aspect of her life is strictly controlled by her aunt and uncle who want to keep her–and her inheritance–stiflingly close. If they have their way, she will return from her holiday engaged to her uncle’s new business partner.
Little do any of them know Al Capone has rented the fourth floor of the Arlington, and one of his men has taken a liking to Bethany. All that stands between the innocent young woman and the hardened gangster is Detective Paul Tollick.
Instantly drawn to Bethany’s enchanting beauty, Paul will do whatever it takes to keep her safe. Between deadly criminals and oppressive family ties, can he help her claim the freedom to follow her heart?
Dancing Butterfly is book two, Suki’s story which begins at The Green Mill in Chicago, Illinois, and moves to Miami, Florida.
“Shimmy hard enough and nothing can hurt you.” – Suki
Suki—aka Susan Chesterfield—is flirting with Frank, one of Al Capone’s enforcers, when gunmen enter the club and open fire. Frank saves Suki’s life, allowing her to escape despite a broken foot. But Suki can’t make it to safety alone. She needs help to get to a doctor.
Thankfully, Frank comes to the rescue again.
While Suki escapes with her life, her broken bone will prevent her from dancing for weeks. She worries about how she’s going to pay her rent when Frank offers a rather unorthodox answer. There is safety in being a gangster’s moll. No one will mess with Frank’s woman if she agrees to play the part. But… can they prevent the lines between fact and fiction from blurring?
Falling for Frank would be oh-so-easy. But the life of a moll isn’t. How will independent Suki handle being Frank’s woman? Suki is used to living in the now. Not thinking about the future or about true love, she has always lived moment to moment.
Will she find safety and security in being caged? Or will the urge to dance cause her to break out of her cast to be free and independent again?
Exotic Butterfly, book three, is set in Miami, Florida. The release date is November 5, 2024.
Miami Florida in the 1920s is a land of opportunity for Phyllis, a young woman traveling from Spain to escape her traditional, formal, restrictive life.
The books are interconnected as the women meet each other, but they can be read as standalones.
