After her archaeologist father is killed in a mysterious car crash on the Navajo Indian Reservation, lapsed socialite and museum designer Amanda Bell travels to the remote deserts of Monument Valley to fulfill his last wish—deliver and archive his Southwest literary collection, a gift to the fledgling Navajo Cultural Center.

To Navajo Durango Yazzie, her arrival is unexpected and intrusive. For one thing, she sticks out like a tall cool glass of lemonade in an espresso bar. For another, she’s a daily reminder to an uneasy community of the fiery car crash in the desert and the body still out there never properly put to rest.

Amanda is unprepared for the culture shock of reservation life, a culture Durango is recommitted to preserving after having turned his back on his heritage in his youth. Bitterness had chased him from the reservation, but it was the hard lessons he learned outside that sent him back. Now he wants only two things: to teach Navajo youth the importance of preserving their heritage—a heritage he once denounced—and stop a neighboring landowner from claiming Yazzie land.

Amanda’s days spent cataloging dusty journals, diaries and books are suffused with threats, rumors of scandal, sullen and secretive teenagers who spend too much time in the desert, a scheming small town newspaper editor who knows everything but tells nothing, and a menacing presence watching her every move. Does an ancient charmstone really have the power to protect her from unseen enemies?

This story of mystery, history and love carries the reader deep into the breathtaking landscape of Monument Valley and provides a glimpse of Navajo culture. Readers will be swept along as Amanda and Durango unearth unsavory truths and come to grips with where they belong in the world.

Golden Quill Best Romantic Suspense Winner!
Golden Quill Best First Book Winner!
Colorado Award of Excellence Finalist!

What They’re Saying…

“C. C. Harrison’s excellent writing produced a gripping novel that combines a love story and murder with an insider’s view of the Navajo culture. A valuable book!” – Tony Hillerman, NYT bestselling author of The Shape Shifter

“THE CHARMSTONE is an intriguing tale, peopled with strong and interesting characters. The setting “Monument Valley” has its own magnificent story to tell.” – Linda Lael Miller, New York Times best selling author of The Man From Stone Creek and McKettrick’s Choice

“THE CHARMSTONE is tightly plotted, sprinkled with intrigue and romance a good read.” – Linda Lea Castle, best selling, multi-award winning author of Mattie and the Blacksmith and Embrace the Sun

“(A) magnificent setting . . . a suspenseful tale . . . exciting . . . full of unexpected twists with never a dull moment…” – Vijaya Schartz, award winning author of The Garrison: Lockdown, and Operation: Pleidaes-Relics

“You do not want to miss this wonderful book. Highly recommended. Rated 5 Roses.”
– A Romance Review

“THE CHARMSTONE is a fascinating amateur sleuth romantic suspense that contains several late twists that will shock and delight readers…entertaining story line…Readers will enjoy C. C. Harrison’s fine thriller.” – Harriet Klausner

“Harrison does a masterful job of painting very visible characters and challenging them with an interesting and fast moving plot. Her descriptions of the desert southwest are on a par with Tony Hillerman’s…pure adventure and an absolute pleasure to read.” – MyShelf.com

“…A thoroughly entertaining read.” – Love Romances and More