Stephen John

Stephen John

Steve is a retired business executive and former sports journalist who now writes cozy mysteries with a twist of sass and suspense. His Miss Fortune novels—set in the beloved world created by Jana DeLeon—blend small-town charm with fast-paced adventure, earning him six #1 rankings in Amazon KindleWorld's action/adventure category. Steve’s fiction career began in 2008 with Amazon’s Kindle Worlds, where he was invited to craft stories using established characters. His sharp dialogue and tightly woven plots quickly made him a fan favorite in the Miss Fortune universe. Beyond cozy mysteries, Steve has co-authored two thrill-packed titles—Devil’s Face and Gray Ghost—with bestselling author David Wood in the Dane Maddock Action Adventure Series. He also collaborated on Rainhorse, a gritty Western tale of justice and redemption. His standalone novel Night Music showcases his range, blending suspense and emotional depth in a story all his own. Steve’s first book, Deal Me In, is a nonfiction deep dive into the lives of twenty poker legends, commissioned by Phil Hellmuth himself. His time with poker and sports celebrities—including Doyle Brunson, Jennifer Harman, Johnny Chan, and basketball stars like LeBron James and Rajon Rondo—inspired him to keep telling great stories. When he’s not writing, Steve enjoys life in the Pacific Northwest with his wife, children, and grandchildren. You might also catch him performing in the Seattle music scene with his acoustic duo, Latitude 47—proof that good stories and good tunes never go out of style.

Books

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The Chapel at the Pines

A MISS FORTUNE Christmas story with chaos, Moon Pies, case law, and questionable glitter decisions.

Hi. I’m Fortune Redding—ex-CIA, current small-town trouble magnet, and the only person you’ll ever meet who can weaponize a cookie exchange.

Here’s the situation: a wandering troubadour with a red fedora wanders into The Pines and wakes up a...

The Ice Queen’s Gambit (Acts Of Misfortune Series Book 3)

A Riddle, A Hunt, A Chase and a Reckoning
From the series: Acts Of Misfortune Series

The may be Fortune’s most explosive story yet.

Nothing says small town charm like jail time, exploding auctions, and chasing a drug lord through a Louisiana rock quarry.

Former CIA assassin Fortune Redding thought Sinful, Louisiana was supposed to be her safe haven. Instead, she’s stuck in a cell with her sometimes partner Brennan Noble (who’s...

Fame and Fortune - 2025

When Fortune, Ida Belle and Gertie stumble on a suspicious ‘gold digger’ in a roadside diner, the gossip flies faster than Gertie on a scooter—and that’s before the body drops.

Fortune Redding, known to the locals in Sinful as Sandy Sue Morrow, former beauty queen and new local librarian, was just trying to keep her cover intact, have the...