Carolyn Ridder Aspenson writes the Angela Panther Mystery series which is set in Georgia. It features Angela Panther, a seemingly normal housewife who wakes up one morning to discover that she can see dead people. More specifically she can see her recently deceased mother.
The first book in this series, UNFINISHED BUSINESS, was a finalist in the 2014 RONE Awards from InD'Tale Magazine.
Books in this series: