Tag Archives: the wild rose press

August 27, 2025 · 11:12 am

Hobby, Career, Passion ~ Why Zuri Loves Mixed Martial Arts by Dan Rice ~ New Release: Phantom Algebra #YAHorror

Please help me welcome today’s guest, Dan Rice…

Why Zuri Loves Mixed Martial Arts in my New Release: Phantom Algebra

When I took a crack at writing Phantom Algebra, I faced a couple of new challenges. First, the novel is a horror story, a ghost tale to be precise, which was something I had never tackled before in novel-length fiction. Sure, I had written a handful of short stories that fit into the creepiest of genres, but crafting an entire book in that genre felt like a monumental undertaking. This was especially true because I also faced a deadline, which was not the self-imposed kind. If I wanted the yarn to be part of The Wild Rose Press’s series, The Haunting of Pinedale High, I needed to produce a polished manuscript in a little over a year. Such a task usually takes me at least eighteen months.

Despite those challenges, I wanted to make my hero, Zuri Williams, distinct from the characters I had encountered in the horror genre. What quintessential passion could I give her to set her apart from the genre’s many heroes and final girls?

While brainstorming passions, I fondly recalled watching boxing with my father as a lad. He wasn’t much of a sports fan, but he did enjoy the pugilistic arts. This was back before mixed martial arts (MMA) had taken off and women’s boxing was rarely televised. But times have changed. MMA fighter Conor McGregor has helped make mixed martial arts more mainstream and become a sporting superstar. Fighters like Ronda Rousey have increased the prominence of the female side of the fight game. Social media is full of videos of female fighters battling with the same levels of passion and skill as their male counterparts. I thought, what if Zuri is an aspiring MMA fighter? That struck me as a suitably unique passion for a horror hero, and raised an awesome question. What will Zuri do when facing foes she can’t punch, kick, or grapple into submission?

So mixed martial arts became Zuri’s passion imparted to her by her estranged father, a former prizefighter turned gangland enforcer. Instead of studying algebra, Zuri obsessively watches clips of her hero, The Jade Tiger, battling it out in the octagon and dreaming of one day becoming a world champion herself. She will learn just as she can’t solve algebraic equations with her fists, some enemies, namely nasty poltergeists, can’t be dispelled with a high kick alone, no matter how expertly delivered.

Zuri and her mother settle in Pinedale, North Carolina, to start over. For years, they’ve been on the run from Zuri’s father, a retired boxer and full-time gangland enforcer.

In Pinedale, Zuri finds a gym where she can train in mixed martial arts to pursue her dream of becoming a champion fighter. At Pinedale High, she discovers friends among the outcasts, academic challenges, and something unexpected…ghosts.

When Zuri encounters a tween phantom haunting the library, her life is turned upside down and inside out as she attempts to help the spirit. This incurs the wrath of devils, living and dead. Zuri will need her martial arts prowess, heart, and the aid of friends to protect everyone she loves.

Excerpt:

After being sucker punched by Mason, Zuri had executed the advice to lead with straight right hands. As the oldster had said, Mason was fast, but she was faster, and for whatever reason, be it arrogance or laziness, the boy never raised his guard high enough to block her shots. Instead, he tried to dodge them, which he did sometimes, but not nearly enough. Her right hand crunched into his face time and time again, sending satisfying jolts up her arm into her shoulder. With gratification, she watched the maniacal glee fade from his eyes, and panic set in as he realized he was getting his ass whooped by a girl. Mr. Tito ended the sparring match after one round, not wanting Mason to get beat up with the tournament only weeks away.

But the revelation after the match had doused Zuri’s joy at showing up the bully. After berating Mason for his shoddy defense, Mr. Tito ambled over to help Zuri remove her gloves. Smelling of aftershave and sweat, he spoke as he worked. “You did good in there, Zuri. Maybe too good for Mason, but you taught him a hard lesson. Something I’ve been working on with him for months. Keep your hands up!”

“He does keep his left low,” Zuri agreed.

Tito wrenched the right glove off her hand and dropped it to the canvas. “The angles you throw the right hand are unorthodox. I’ve only seen it once before.” He looked her questioningly in the eyes. “Zuri Williams. You’re not Jake Williams’s daughter, are you?”

Zuri’s mouth dropped open. “Ummm…” What to say? She collapsed in on herself, shriveling like a raisin. Did she dare lie and risk being caught? Did Mr. Tito know her father? Would he phone Big Jake as soon as she left?

Buy link(s):

About the Author:

Dan Rice pens the young adult urban fantasy series The Allison Lee Chronicles and other speculative fiction, both short and long, in the wee hours of the morning. To discover more about Dan’s writing and keep tabs on his upcoming releases, check out his blog, join his newsletter, and follow him on BlueSky. His latest novel, the YA horror Phantom Algebra, releases on September 15, 2025.

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Tagged as Award Winning Author, MMA, the wild rose press, YA Horror, Young Adult

August 20, 2025 · 5:00 am

Author Interview with Susan Dalessandro ~ New Release: A Whisper In The Trees YA romance w/paranormal elements

Please help me welcome today’s guest, Susan Dalessandro…

Please tell us a little about yourself. I’m from Bucks County, PA, a northwest suburb of Philadelphia. I still live here now. I have two grown sons and two dogs. I am a passionate runner and have been since I was seventeen.

Where did you get the idea for A Whisper In The Trees? I love to write coming of age YA stories, and I wanted to show both the physical and emotional pressures that young runners go through. I ran cross-country in high-school and still run 6 days a week currently, so I have a lot of experience!

Why did you choose this genre (is it something you’ve written in before)? All of my books are YA contemporary with a romance subplot, but this one I wanted to add a paranormal element. I thought the woods created a great venue for that aspect of the book.

What is the most difficult thing about writing a book? Honestly, it’s the marketing! Getting your book in front of people once it’s published. As to the writing itself, sometimes getting stuck in the middle of the story. I know where I want the story to go, but I’m not always sure how to best get there.

What was the most difficult thing about this one in particular? For this book, it was making the ghost story believable. As I mentioned above, I write YA contemporary (usually with a romance subplot), but I wanted to add a paranormal, ghostly element, because I thought if fit in perfectly with the story and I wanted to add some mystery to the woods. Hopefully, I’ve done that!

Do you have another occupation, other than writer? If so, what is it and do you like it? I have an M.A. in Applied Math -I’ve always loved math and figuring out problems- and I work in Assessment Sciences. Yes, I love what I do and the people I work with.

What do you love that most people don’t like and wouldn’t understand why you do? It’s probably running long distances. So many people say, ‘I hate running’, but I can’t live without it. It’s an integral part of who I am, and it helps me think and plot story lines as I run.

What was your first job? My first job was a lifeguard and swimming instructor for a summer day camp. Swimming is also a favorite of mine.

What do you want readers to come away with after they read A Whisper In The Trees? It’s important, no matter what age you are, to be true to yourself, be your real self.

Have you written any other books that are not published? I have a book I’m querying at present, ‘All The Secrets That Aren’t’, a YA romantic suspense.

Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination? Some of the characters are derived from real people and share some of their characteristics and qualities. Some are entirely fictional.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? It’s so important to be you, to be yourself, to not let anyone else define you.

How much of the book is realistic? All of it, except for maybe the ghostly presence in the woods. Although, people claim to have had paranormal experiences, so maybe it’s not far-fetched.

How did your interest in writing originate? I’ve always had stories in my head, and I finally started writing them down.

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work? I love Jennifer Armentrout. She writes both fantasy and contemporary. Her writing (especially her YA books) gives me all the feels, makes me care about the characters, and that, to me, is what I want to experience when I read a book.

Hard truths aren’t easy to run from

Excerpt:

I hug myself tightly and glance around. Nothing but leaves blowing in the dusty, hot breeze. Hot, not cold. It doesn’t change the fact I’m frozen inside like the last time. And I didn’t pass out at practice today. I was totally fine for our mile repeats. In fact, I killed them.

The chill leaves as quickly as it arrived, and I exhale, a dense vapor billowing from my mouth. I take off along the path and the song resonates in my head. Only this time the lyrics are sharper. Stronger.

My stomach clenches and I try to push the song out of my head, but it refuses to be silenced.

It taunts me.

Buy links: https://books2read.com/u/bQwQy0

About the Author:

I’m a lifelong lover of books and storytelling and hold an M.A. In Applied Math, a subject which finds its way into many of my stories.

I live in Bucks County, Pennsylvania with my husband, two sons and two dogs. I gather story ideas as I run in the early mornings with my dogs. Running is the perfect environment for me to think and create. It’s also a central theme of many of my novels.

My debut novel, Complex Solutions, a YA coming of age thriller, released March 16, 2021, with Rhetoric Askew Publishing. As part of a group of authors in the Play Like A Girl shared world series, I released Strong Enough, a YA sports romance. My most recent book, A Whisper In The Trees, a YA romance with paranormal elements from The Wild Rose Press, released on June 30, 2025.

https://authorsusandalessandro.com

dalessandrosusan27@yahoo.com

Hobby/Career/Passion How an Apparel Career Led to a Writing Gig with Susie Black & Death by Dreidel #CozyMystery

Please help me welcome today’s guest, Susie Black…

How an Apparel Career Led to a Writing Gig

Like the protagonist in my Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series, I am a ladies’ swimwear sales executive. The most critically important skill a sales exec must have to succeed is to be a good storyteller. Fortunately, I’ve been telling stories since I learned how to talk. One thing I was told repeatedly as a sales executive was to know your product inside and out. I heard the same thing when I started writing cozy mysteries: write what you know. If you don’t know it, either do the research and learn it, or don’t dare to write it. Whether you’re an author or a sales exec, you’re selling yourself, and readers, like buyers, can sniff out a phony in a heartbeat, and then you and whatever kind of story you’re telling are toast.

I came to write in the cozy mystery genre because I love solving puzzles. My parents would certainly confirm I have always asked a lot of questions, and I am naturally curious (some narrow-minded people say I am nosy…go figure…LOL). So, writing mysteries was the natural next step for me to take. Since I’d never written a novel before, the only thing I knew to do was to apply the same storytelling skills I’d successfully used hawking bikinis to writing a tale. It turns out that how you present an apparel line is the same way you write a story. Both have a beginning, a middle, an ending, and a point of view.

So, where did my story ideas come from? From the start of my career, I have kept a daily journal that chronicles the quirky, interesting, and often challenging people I’ve encountered as well as the crazy situations I’ve gotten myself into and out of. The protagonist of the Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series, Holly Schlivnik, is based on me. The journal entries are the foundation of all my writing for the stories that comprise the Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series. With a dollop of imagination, a pinch of angst, and a decades-long career chocked to the gills with juicy characters, I had more stories itching to be told in my daily journal than time to write them.

Who could push a sales exec to dream of murder and mayhem? Who else but a buyer? After completing a rather challenging conversation with an important but difficult account, I imagined how good it would feel with my hands around her scrawny neck, squeezing the life out of her. While the notion of knocking off my annoying customers was wildly appealing, a horizontally striped prison uniform making my four-foot, eight-inch body look like a barbershop pole and a fire hydrant had a child wasn’t a pretty sight. The viable alternative? Writing humorous murder mysteries set in the Los Angeles garment center. Brilliant and cathartic! In one fell swoop, eliminate a pain-in-the-patootie buyer, avoid life in prison, and still get the order. It doesn’t get any better than that.

Very interesting article, Susie. Thank you for sharing. And now, tell us about your book…

Brings a whole new meaning to a killer party.

Blurb:

Mermaid Swimwear President Holly Schlivnik attends an industry Hanukkah party to honor Rapido Swimwear CEO Leni Waxman as the Mount Cedars Hospital Woman of the Year. The guest of honor collapses and dies in the middle of the event. An autopsy confirms that Leni expired as a result of poisoning by coming in contact with a purposely contaminated dreidel. There is no shortage of suspects—Leni had no problem destroying anyone who threatened her position as the top dog in the swimwear industry. When Holly’s business partner is wrongly arrested for Leni’s murder, the irreverent sales exec can’t mind her own beeswax. The wise-cracking snoop sticks her nose everywhere it doesn’t belong to flesh out the real killer. But the trail has more twists and turns than a rollercoaster, and nothing turns out how Holly thinks it will as she takes on a ruthless killer hellbent on revenge.

Excerpt:

I leaned over to Queenie and pointed to Leni. “Take a gander at Leni. Something’s wrong with her.”

Queenie followed my index finger with her eyes. “Yeah, she’s white as a ghost and perspiring.”

Gary snapped, “Maybe the old broad is nervous.”

Buddy took his seat and pointed to Leni. “Something is wrong with that woman.”

Mira shrugged. “Or perhaps the emotion of sharing the loss of her sister took its toll.”

Gary clucked his tongue. “Don’t let her fool you with her sad story about her sister. I wouldn’t be surprised if she made the whole thing up to add some dramatic context to her acceptance speech. Leni Waxman has a heart of stone, and only ice water runs in her veins. She is incapable of loving anybody but herself. She’s probably going through menopause and having one helluva hot flash.”

Seeming to rally after taking several restorative gulps of water, Leni tottered on unsteady feet over to a large glass-topped table piled high with door prizes. She pointed to the stack and said in a remarkably normal voice, “Okay, folks, the last thing on our party agenda is the auction of these wonderful door prizes donated by all you generous vendors. Dig down deep in your pockets and let’s see some high bids. The proceeds are going to buy a library of books for the daycare center in the new hospital wing.”

She leaned over to pick up the first item, but it slipped through her fingers. Leni bolted straight up and stumbled as she clutched her midsection and let out a blood-curdling scream. She gagged and vomited down the front of her dress. Leni fell forward and collapsed onto the table. The stunned crowd went as silent as a cemetery when the glass top shattered and the door prizes scattered across the ballroom floor.

Hadassah Waxman jumped up and screamed, “Oh My God, No!” Morty and Barry rushed to Leni, but Doctor Levinson pushed them away. Levinson yelled, “Somebody call nine-one-one!” Then he sprang into action. He carefully pulled Leni out of the glass shards and laid her stiff-as-a-board body on her back. He held his palm over her mouth. She wasn’t breathing. He pressed his thumb first on the inside of her wrist and then on the bottom of her throat, but detected no pulse. He put his ear to Leni’s chest but didn’t hear a heartbeat. He commenced CPR, but she failed to respond.

Ten minutes later, two paramedics, pushing a stretcher loaded with life-saving gear and accompanied by a pair of LAPD uniforms, rushed into the ballroom. The hushed crowd held their breath as the medical first responders reached Levinson, still working desperately to revive Leni. The two pulled resuscitation equipment out and prepared to work on the supine guest of honor. The doctor’s shoulders slumped with defeat. Levinson’s eyes filled, and his voice cracked as he waved the two off. “It’s too late. She’s gone.”

Naturally, I burst out laughing.

Buy link: https://books2read.com/u/m2jl7d

About the Author:

Named Best US Author of the Year by N. N. Lights Book Heaven, award-winning cozy mystery author Susie Black was born in the Big Apple but now calls sunny Southern California home. Like the protagonist in her Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series, Susie is a successful apparel sales executive. Susie began telling stories as soon as she learned to talk. Now she’s telling all the stories from her garment industry experiences in humorous mysteries.

She reads, writes, and speaks Spanish, albeit with an accent that sounds like Mildred from Michigan went on a Mexican vacation and is trying to fit in with the locals. Since life without pizza and ice cream as her core food groups wouldn’t be worth living, she’s a dedicated walker to keep her girlish figure. A voracious reader, she’s also an avid stamp collector and sailor. Susie lives with a highly intelligent man and has one incredibly brainy but smart-aleck adult son who inexplicably blames his sarcasm on an inherited genetic defect.

Looking for more? Contact Susie at:

Website: www.authorsusieblack.com

E-mail: mysteries_@authorsusieblack.com

Contact Links:

Blue Sky: @hollysusiewrites.bsky.social

Facebook: Susie Black, author of The Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series | Facebook

Facebook: https://facebook.com/TheHollySwimsuitMysterySeries

Instagram: Susie Black (@hollyswimsuit) • Instagram photos and videos

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/authorsusieblack-61941011

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/hollysusie1/

X: Susie Black (@hollyswimsuit) / X

10 Moments That Changed My Life by Mickey Flagg ~ New Release: Night of the Crescent Moon #Paranormal

Please help me welcome today’s guest, Mickey Flagg…

Walking into Kindergarten. I couldn’t wait to let go of my mother’s hand and take a seat in that classroom. A love of learning led me to a BA in Music Ed, an MA in Education, an M. Ed in administration, and much, much more. Learning takes a lifetime and I’m still up for trying new things every day.
The day I put my hands on a piano at age 4. I wasn’t allowed to touch the expensive piece of furniture, so I watched my sister’s lessons through a keyhole in an old-fashioned door. When no one looked, I’d run to the piano and play her lesson. I think I read music before I read words.
The day the boy I had the biggest crush on taught me how to read and play chords on the piano. I was thirteen. He was sixteen. He had a photographic memory. I didn’t. He was on the football team. I couldn’t catch a football if I tried. But… Sitting so close together on the piano bench, torn between absolute adoration and a thirst for knowledge, I somehow managed to absorbed everything he taught me. Little did I know it would shape my future.
The first audition for a speaking role in my high school’s musical. I had always been in the chorus, but in junior year, I tried out for a minor role. I won the lead and caught the acting bug. That experience changed my life.
The day I auditioned at NYU. On the spot, I was offered a full scholarship in music. Unfortunately, my parents wouldn’t let me go to school in NYC. But that validation of my abilities definitely changed my view of the world.
The day I stepped off the plane in London to study acting at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. After the summer session, I spent months traveling Europe, seeing places I had dreamed about, before returning to New Jersey. RADA’s classical training led to years of professional performances in the tri-state area.
The glorious births of my two children. Each one was different. My son’s labor took forever. My daughter’s was a breeze. I feel blessed that they were both born healthy and have grown into such wonderful, caring adults. I cherish them both.
Taking a music teaching position in a local, large urban district. Life happens, right? I had taught in private schools and other school districts, but I needed to be closer to my two teenagers. So I took a position that had many challenges. It became a twenty-five year stay. My choruses were top-notch and a joy to prepare for performance. Then I was blessed to become an administrator in the same school for the last ten years of my education career.
The day I looked at a blank word document on my laptop and decided to write a novel. Who knew, right? I thought I’d write a few pages and walk away. Instead, three novels poured out of me. They were published between 2008 and 2010 with The Wild Rose Press. But as I said, life happens, and with my new administrative duties, I stopped any form of creative writing.
The day I retired. For twelve years, I’d written educational reports and evaluations. The rights for my three novels had reverted back to me. It took months of soul-searching before I opened them up ando read what I had written over a decade ago. So I cleaned them up. During those deep edits, I got the idea to continue the paranormal series. In 2022, I contracted the revised manuscripts, as well as Night of the Crescent Moon, with The Wild Rose Press, and I was able to work with my original editor. I’m thrilled that NOTCM won the Spring 2025 BookFest First Place Award for Paranormal Romance and took Second Place in Paranormal for the NEST (National Exelence in Story Telling) with the Central Region Oklahoma Writers. I never thought I’d have this exciting experience. But my life has overflowed with many blessings. I’ve had the unconditional support of family and friends through good times and bad. That kind of love is a gift that keeps on giving!

Some wounds never heal

Martine, a good witch and ER nurse must enlist Lukas, a mystical warrior to save her patient who is under the spell of a dark witch from the Second Realm. But Martine pushed Lukas out of her life years ago, and he is the only person who can help save her patient. Martine is torn when Lukas agrees to return to the realm that holds terrifying memories for him. Even though many assist Lukas, Martine’s ask is complicated and dangerous. Can he save her patient from a fate worse than death? More importantly, can Martine open her heart to Lukas, or this time, shut him out forever?

Night of the Crescent Moon Excerpt:

Lukas pushed off the kitchen chair, walked over with his arms wide and a warm smile complete with magnificent dimples. They held on to each other as if both had become lost in a mist of memories. Closing her eyes didn’t erase five years apart, nor the horrible way she ended their friendship. As if sensing her apprehension, his arms tightened across her back. The steady rise and fall of his chest as her head rested against him brought a strange comfort. Yet too many emotions blurred the lines, crashed into each other. Martine bit her lip, unable to focus. Lu looked happy. That’s all that mattered. And when he kissed her cheek, for the first time in a long time, she felt drawn to life again.

“Christ, how I’ve missed you, M,” he whispered in her ear.

“I can’t believe you’re really here, Lu,” she replied still tight in his arms.

“For you, I’d have walked if necessary.”

Looking aside, she frowned. “Yeah, and swim across an ocean, too.”

“Like I’ve always said, for you, anything.” He held her shoulders as she pulled back, and his deep-blue eyes filled, his expression one of concern. “You’re so thin. It’s like you’re wasting away.” She glanced down, but he drew her close again. The last time they’d seen each other, she had been healthy and happy, convincing him how her new boyfriend would be her destiny, how they’d have a baby and live happily ever after. She hadn’t realized it until just now. “I’m so very sorry,” he whispered as if he read her thoughts.

Buy link(s): Night of the Crescent Moon (The Champion Chronicles Book 4) – Kindle edition by Flagg, M. . Paranormal Romance Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

M. Flagg Bio

Mickey Flagg writes paranormal tales of passion with a twist of fate. Her mystical warriors, witches, and not-so-normal creatures of the night speak to the heart. She is an award-winning author in the genre of paranormal romance. Also published in the field of music education and in Still Standing, a web-magazine about loss and healing, Mickey is a member of Liberty States Fiction Writers, NJRW and NJ Author network. Oh, and she loves to edit, and then spend some quality down-time snuggling with her rescued Maine Coon. Find out more about her novels at www.mflagg-author.com

Social Media Links

Website info: http://mflagg-author.com

Facebook: (1) M. Flagg | Facebook

Twitter: Michele Flagg (@flagg_michele) / Twitter https://twitter.com/flagg_michele

Instagram: Instagram (Mickey Flagg)

Goodreads: Night of the Crescent Moon by M. Flagg | Goodreads

Amazon Author Page: Amazon.com: M. Flagg: books, biography, latest update

M. Flagg Books – BookBub

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Tagged as Award Winning Author, Fantasy Read, Magical Element, paranormal romance, the wild rose press

July 14, 2025 · 9:07 am

10 Moments That Changed My Life with Lynda Rees ~ New Release: The Attic

Please help me welcome today’s guest, Lynda Rees, The Murder Guru, with…

1. In our tiny coal mining town near Hazard, Kentucky, every man I knew was either a coal miner or a retired miner. My first memories are of moving into a bigger house than the two-room cottage we lived in. I recall vividly asking my dad about a conversation he and my uncle had as they moved our furniture inside. He explained what a president was and that Eisenhour had been elected the new one. This sparked my interest in the world outside of our home.

2. Mommy disappeared for a few days and thrilled me when she returned with my new infant brother. In my mind Ernie was my baby, though I was only four-years old at the time. We are forever connected in our souls, though he is no longer on this earth.

3. As a child, I was free to roam the hills and holler where we lived. The neighbors were family and friends. I knew to beware of rattlesnakes and copperheads but had no fear of anything or anyone. My days consisted of visits to the homes of friends and family, finally ending at my grandparents’ farm, where I followed and learned from them as we did whatever chores made up their schedule.

4. At the age of four, I learned to read with my grandpa, Daddy Lida, sitting on the porch, each of us deep into our Bibles. He was infinitely patient when I asked him to explain confusing words.

5. We moved to Indiana for a summer when I was five. I had my first experience riding a bus instead of walking the mile to school in my Kentucky home. Indianapolis was my first big city. Suddenly confined to a tiny yard and not allowed to venture on my own, I learned I should be wary of strangers. It was a shock to me.

6. We moved to Cincinnati when I was in the third grade. Talk about culture shock! I became ‘the new kid’ with a funny accent. I learned if you laugh at yourself, others stop bullying you and give you a chance to become friends.

7. I fell in love with the boy across the street. He was a few years older and didn’t notice me until my pigtails were gone and I developed a girlish figure. He nearly scared me to death when after our first date, he told his mother he was going to marry me someday. He wasn’t wrong. Hunky Hubby and I have been happily married for fifty-two years.

8. I’d given up on being a mother when I became pregnant. The births of my miracle son and sixteen months later my beautiful daughter were the most wonderful days of my life. I’ve achieved many notable things in my lifetime, but raising my family has been the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done. They are my heart.

9. I am so fortunate. My children are the best people I know. They also graced me with the greatest gift ever—three grandchildren, each bringing their own special gifts.

10. Writing is my second career. After thirty-six years in the corporate world as a marketing and global transportation manager in a Fortune 500 company, I turned my focus to publishing my stories. My biggest thrills:

1) A fan told me she was on a waiting list at the library to read my newest publication.

2) A fan told me she reads every book I write, and that I have changed her life for the better. Wow! What a compliment. It humbles me.

GIVEAWAY!!! I would love to provide a reader who comments and joins my VIP group (link below) the giveaway of an eBook copy of my latest book.

Join my VIP group at: https://preview.mailerlite.com/t1a6j6

Love is a dangerous mystery. Enjoy the ride!

Rehabbers Charli Owens and fiancé, Eli Lange, remodel an historic mansion suspected of being haunted.

Secret tunnels, hidden chambers, unexplained happenings, and a killer on the loose ignite Charli’s curiosity. Enlisting her ex-rock-and-roll singer grandmother’s help, she delves into clues police ignore.

Unravelling the property’s notorious history, they become embroiled in a murder case and a major criminal operation that puts Charli’s life in danger.

Rehabbers Charli Owens and fiancé, Eli Lange, remodel an historic mansion suspected of being haunted.

Unravelling the property’s notorious history, they become embroiled in a murder case and a major criminal operation that puts Charli’s life in danger.

Excerpt:

Chapter One

She showered in the mansion’s crude, plastic, one piece bathroom stall, trying her best to wash guilt and terror from her pale skin. Red goo on her flesh mingled with water flow, her tears, and then drizzled in streaks down her legs into the rusty drain. The warmth eased her sore muscles. She closed her eyes, trying to block out memories straining to take possession of her spirit. Someone stole part of her soul. She desperately wanted it back.

She puffed an exhale and inhaled fresh oxygen to cleanse her insides. Her heart ached in her chest, trying to burst free. She held her breath for a count of four, then breathed in for a count of eight. She held it, counted slowly to four, and then breathed out to the count of six, repeating the process four times. With each repetition, her heartbeat slowed more. She’d learned the technique eased anxiety when it struck.

She scrubbed her hair for the third time with lilac scented shampoo, still pulling bits of dried leaves and twigs from the long, blonde tresses. She’d finally gotten used to the shade, which looked oddly natural on her. The lilac scent helped remove the crude odor of his heavy cologne—clearly an attempt to postpone bathing—combined with foul-smelling breath tinted with alcohol, onions, and tobacco.

She still sensed his rough, calloused grip on her bruised arms. Her hips burned from scrubbing where welts had developed from the friction of her jeans being ripped down.

She forced visions away to still her pulse and avoid another panic attack. The flow of water cooled, reminding her she’d showered long enough. She’d exhausted the supply of heated liquid from the inadequate, ancient, hot water tank.

After stepping out of the rickety stall onto a towel, she buffed her flesh with soft terry, continuing to rid herself of memories she certainly would dream about later.

She mustn’t catch a cold. The Lord knew she had enough problems. Besides, she couldn’t afford the cost of a doctor or the attention such a visit might bring to her.

A noise from the street signaled the slam of a vehicle door in front of the building. She gazed through grime undoubtedly accumulated over at least a decade of neglect on the thick pane. Voices drifted upward to her high observatory.

“Oh, crap, I’ve got to get this mess cleaned up…quickly.” She scrambled to finish drying, slid her slightly damp body into sweats and donned a tee shirt she’d brought to the bathroom. She’d been diligent about returning personal care items after they were used to the tote she’d carried them in so she could make quick work of it. Nasty clothing was crammed inside. Her tattered hoodie missed a zipper pull.

“Well, it’s trash.” Should she keep it? “Nope. You’re gone, baby.” She might like the jacket, but not the recollections that came with it.

She snatched her things and rushed to the safety of her private sanctuary.

Buy link(s):

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Sale Links:

AMZ

Amazon.com: The Attic (A Flip or Flop Mystery Book 1) eBook : Rees, Lynda : Books

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UNIVERSAL LINK: https://books2read.com/u/4E1DEE

Also available in audiobook at:

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Libro.FM https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781960763013

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GooglePlay https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Lynda_Rees_The_Attic?id=AQAAAEDyWCIYwM

KOBO/WM https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/attic-the-1

HOOPLA https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/17553736

BIO: LYNDA REES, THE MURDER GURU

Lynda Rees is a multi-award-winning storyteller, horse farmer, born in Eastern Kentucky. This coal miner’s daughter, part-Cherokee Indian author’s writing is influenced by growing up in the area when Newport prospered as a mecca for gambling and sin. Her fascination with history’s effect on today’s lives works its way into her written pages.

Having traveled the world working with heads of industries, foreign governments, and business leaders during a marketing and global transportation corporate career, this free-spirited adventurer turned her workaholic tendencies to following her passion for writing.

Lynda received accolades from KILLER NASHVILLE, SILVER FALCION READER’S CHOICE TOP PICK AWARD for both Fresh Starts, Dirty Money and Flip or Flop, Murder House; from PFTH; RITA for debut novels in two genres, Gold Lust Conspiracy and romantic suspense, Parsley, Sage, Rose, Mary & Wine, Book 1 of The Bloodline Series, set in Kentucky horse country and from and Imaginarium for her 2022 launched Operation Second Chance. She’s also published in MG, children’s picture books and non-fiction.

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Author Interview with Margo Carey ~ Demon Amulet #UrbanFantasyRomance

Please help me welcome today’s guest, Margo Carey…

Please tell us a little about yourself, where are you from? Where do you live now? Family? Pets?

Originally from Marblehead, MA, I later moved to Rhode Island with my husband and son. New England holds a special place in my heart. It’s where my imagination led me to write. Today, we live in Southwest Florida with our black cat, Sammy. Though we enjoy riding our bikes, we gave up kayaking after a couple of scaly denizens followed us around then bumped my husband’s boat. However, the positive outweighs the negative. The view from my office is always green. No ice. No snow. My latest pastime is walking and recording ideas for my next book. I enjoy reading paranormal and anything witchy. My favorite TV shows are Elspeth and Tracker. Life is good.

Tell us a little about how you came to write Demon Amulet.

Demon Amulet is set in Newport, RI, one of my favorite places. I created the Watcher Clan series around a mysterious stone tower that some believe was built by the Knights Templar. If so, I wondered if there could be descendants. Might those relatives have psychic powers? When we lived there, my husband was an offshore lobsterman, and I spent a lot of time in the wharf area with wonderful little shops. My characters also love those touristy lanes. I chose the title, Demon Amulet, to reference the story’s lethal magic trinket. Although I had already done intensive research on the Knights Templar for the first book, I found this second book more difficult because I had to discover new ideas: conflicts, story arc, and goals. I do love Google Earth for my setting research. That and Pinterest for photos of people who look like my characters and for ideas on their outfits. Each book can stand alone which means different protagonists and villains. In my first book the protagonist is a young brunette unaware of her family or powers. Her antagonist is a dreamwalker. This second book revolves around a beautiful blonde cousin and a vicious warlock. For the third, a thirty-something redhead goes up against a traitorous member of the Templar council. Of course, each story has the necessary handsome and psychically powerful love interest.

Are there any tricks, habits or superstitions you have when creating a story?

When I’m looking for a setting, whether it be a house or neighborhood, I always picture someplace I’m familiar with. But, if I don’t know I use the internet. The Brendani estate in this book is in an exclusive neighborhood. Although I’ve ridden by the driveways, I had to get a view of the homes and riverfront property via Google Earth. The apartment in the next book is my sister’s former abode. That way I can picture my characters as they move around.

What book have you read that you wish you had written?

Any one of the Harry Potter books.

What’s your favorite book of all time and why?

“The Agony and the Ecstasy” by Irving Stone. A wonderful narrative about Michaelangelo.

What’s your favorite childhood book?

Nancy Drew. The beginning of my love of mysteries.

Would you rather have a bad review or no review?

As much as I’d hate a bad review, I do want to know what I’ve done or not done to upset a reader. Critiques can be painful, but they help you grow.

What is your favorite quote?

“Nothing you do can change the past. Everything you do can change the future.” Anon.

Your most prized material possession and why?

A beautiful wood jewelry box. My son made it for me.

If you could be a character in any of your books, who would you be?

I’d be Lia Ferguson. She is beautiful, tough, and has a great sense of humor. Oh yes, and she has awesome psychic powers.

What is the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

For me, a criticism I had trouble fixing was “Show. Don’t tell.” I still go back and look for it in my writing. What made me happy was someone telling me that they loved my characters. I also love my characters and try to make that come out on the page.

Tell us Your favorite…

Movie: See No Evil. Hear No Evil. A comedy with Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder

TV show from adulthood: NCIS

Food: Really good french fries

Sports team: Boston Red Sox

A cursed amulet. A deadly warlock. An impossible love.

Excerpt:

Moonlight filtered through the clouds, bathing the Brendani property in swaths of soft light. Lia inhaled the sweet aroma of beach roses carried by the wind. A perfect evening. A shiver unrelated to the weather coursed through her. Would he be waiting?

Gravel crunched under her feet and the bite of chlorine teased her nose as she neared her destination. She paused for a moment to control her erratic breathing. Nerves? Ridiculous. No man had ever disturbed her.

The glow from the changing room lanterns almost reached the pool. The flickering shadows on the liquid grew into waves caused by the powerful strokes of the swimmer. Mesmerized by Aiden’s straining muscles, desire stirred in her belly.

She swallowed and strolled closer. “I see you made it.”

He stopped and looked up, unruffled. She knew he’d been aware of her. Watchers could always sense another’s approach. As the silence lengthened, she reached around to the back of her neck, undid a clasp, and let her cover-up slide down. Aiden’s sharp intake of breath made her skin tingle.

His eyes darkened as they raked over her body. A slow smile played across his face. “Coming in?”

The deep timbre of his voice ignited her desire. She paused for another moment to enjoy the heat simmering between them. Without breaking eye contact, she lowered herself to the pool’s edge and slipped in. The warm water covered all but her bikini top.

“Ooh!” she said as she gazed at him. “It feels so good.”

Her body responded to the naked desire blazing from his eyes. She swam past him to the deep end and turned. He hadn’t moved, but she felt his penetrating gaze follow her.

Poised there in waist-high water, Aiden resembled one of the ancient sea gods.

Buy link: Demon Amulet by Margo Carey

About the Author:

Margo Carey, an award-winning author, weaves tales of romance and supernatural intrigue. She began her career trying to write cozy mysteries, but the paranormal inevitably slipped in. Rather than fight her muse, she gave in to her pen’s inclination, changed her genre to Paranormal Romance, and titled her website, My Haunted Pen.

Her gripping novel Trace of Evil, a NEST finalist, immerses readers in a haunting romance in Salem, Massachusetts. After her move to Rhode Island, she penned The Convent House, the first in her Watcher Clan series that follows the perils and romance of psychically gifted descendants of the Knights Templar. Readers’ Favorite gave it a five-star review. The second book, Demon Amulet, will be out in June, 2025.

Margo now lives with her husband Paul and their unapologetically spoiled cat, Sammy, in South Florida. Will inspiration for her next book spring from the shadowy, gator-infested swamps where she and her husband kayak? Stay tuned.

MargoCarey.com

MargoCarey.HauntedPen@gmail.com

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Tagged as Award Winning Author, Knights Templar, Newport, paranormal fantasy, paranormal romance, Rhode Island, Romantasy, Romantic Fantasy, the wild rose press

May 19, 2025 · 8:45 am

The Spotlight is on Linda Griffin & Morgan’s Landing #Mystery

Please help me welcome today’s guest, Linda Griffin….

In the small Maryland town of Morgan’s Landing, fourteen-year-old Julie Morgan is living in comfort with her wealthy family. She disappears on her way to school after a spat with her twin sister. Detective Jim Brady, married and the father of two, has been on the Morgan’s Landing police force for twelve years. He identifies a few suspects in the girl’s disappearance—Is it the fired school janitor, a paroled sex offender, Julie’s computer teacher…or his own teenage son? Jim can’t believe his son could be involved, but his wife is convinced the boy is hiding something. He needs to find Julie before the worst happens—and keep the peace at home.

Excerpt:

Heather was taking a math test when Mr. Scarlett, the vice principal, called her out in the hall to ask if she knew where Julie was. He was unusually stern.

“She has Phys Ed this period,” Heather said. Shouldn’t he know that?

“She’s not in class,” Mr. Scarlett said. “She wasn’t in Computer Applications first period, either. Your mother says she didn’t stay home sick.”

“No, she left before I did,” Heather said. She was mystified, and as the situation sank in, she experienced the first shudder of real fear. Julie liked school, and she would never cut classes. Their parents would kill them if they even thought of such a thing. They were not overly strict, but they were firm in their expectations that their daughters would always do the right thing.

She dug her cell phone, silenced during class, out of her purse, and dialed her sister’s number. It rang four times and went to voicemail. “It’s me,” she said. “Where are you? Call when you get this.”

****

“Julie Morgan is missing.” Jim Brady took the call at 10:30. He had been with the Morgan’s Landing Police Department for twelve years, and this was only his second missing person case. The first had involved a three-year-old boy who had wandered away and been found within the hour. He still remembered the emotions associated with that hour: the overwhelming anguish of the boy’s mother, the sharp desire to make sure his own son was safe. This time Colin was in school, and Jim resisted the urge to call Frances—of course the baby was safe with her.

Buy links:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/morgans-landing/id6743084781

https://www.audible.com/pd/Morgans-Landing-Audiobook/B0F7J4F8B6

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/morgans-landing-linda-griffin/1147054902

About the Author:

Linda Griffin knew she wanted to be a “book maker” as soon as she learned to read and wrote her first story, “Judy and the Fairies,” at the age of six. Her passion for the printed word also led me to a career with the San Diego Public Library. She retired to spend more time on her writing and has had stories of every length from short shorts to novellas published in numerous literary journals. Morgan’s Landing is her tenth novel published by the Wild Rose Press. In addition to the three R’s—reading, writing, and research—she enjoys travel, movies, Scrabble, and visiting museums and art galleries.

Website: https://www.lindagriffinauthor.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindagriffin.author

Twitter: https://x.com/LindaGriffinA

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeBKs9SryUS6XNmTaFZgIDQ

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Tagged as Missing person, Mystery, police procedural, small town life, the wild rose press

May 5, 2025 · 8:19 am

The Spotlight is on Hywela Lyn & Her New Release: The Matchmaker’s Mare #Sweetparanormalromance

Please help me welcome today’s guest, Hywela Lyn…

Giveaway: $10 Amazon Gift Card and ‘Matchmaker’ key chain to one lucky commenter

Who knew a stray pony and a haunted cottage could bring two wounded hearts together?

BLURB:

When Megan Johnson inherits an old cottage in the Welsh countryside, she seizes the opportunity to cut ties with her past life, after a broken romance. Her nearest neighbour, a horse trainer, is also something of an enigma. Single dad Glyn Phillips does his best to balance his love of horses and hard work, with his devotion to his son. When he meets his new neighbour, he knows he should resist any attraction. A feisty pony mare which mysteriously appears on his land adds to his problems, but another, larger problem lies ahead. Two matchmaking spirits find their carefully laid plans may not go as smoothly as they hope.

Excerpt:

Prologue

Near Pentrebont, West Wales, sometime in the distant past.

“Faster Seren, faster.” Leaning low over the pony’s neck the young woman urged her into a mile-eating gallop. The mare’s hooves scarcely seemed to touch the ground as she appeared to fly across the rugged landscape. If only Seren really could gallop through the air, it would make her escape so much easier.

There had been something very special about the filly Rhiannon found as a motherless foal in the mountains and raised until fully grown. She named her Seren, meaning ‘Star’, for the perfect diamond-shaped star on her face. Seren needed no breaking-in or training, but allowed Rhiannon to sit on her back as soon as she was mature enough to take a rider. No one else could ride her, not even Sion Sienco. Now she could only hope the mare would carry her to Sion in time.

She cast one last, swift look over her shoulder at the only home she had ever known. The cottage receded into the distance, appearing forlorn in the soft moonlight before melting into the darkness. She could almost believe the cottage knew she would never return. With a sigh, she turned her head to concentrate on the rough road ahead.

Thoughts of the injured animals the villagers, or their children, would bring to the cottage for her to heal flashed into her mind, and hot tears stung her eyes. Her spells and herbs could heal most injuries provided they were not too severe. Now she would no longer be able to help them. Nor would she be able to use her gift of matchmaking to help the maidens in the village find their one true love. “Oh Sion,” she whispered, “Sion, where are you when I need you?”

She pushed the mare even faster. “Sion,” she whispered once more. “Sion, please let me find you.”

Her father’s harsh words rang in her head and a shiver ran through her, which had nothing to do with the chill night air. “It is all arranged. You will marry Gwynfor Pryce. We have already agreed on the marriage settlement and the wedding will take place a week today. There will be no more argument.”

Rhiannon knew then she must leave the little cottage where she had lived with her father since her mother died five years before. Leaving the dwelling where she’d lived her whole life, the only home she knew, made her heart ache. However, she would not marry a man she hated.

Buy link:

About the Author:

Award-winning U.K. author, Hywela Lyn spent most of her life in Wales, whose beautiful landscapes and wealth of myths and legends inspired her to write. A horse and dog lover, she weaves fantasy romances set in her native Wales, and romantic Science Fiction adventures set in the future. She loves dreaming up characters who overcome the odds, and go on to find deep and enduring love. However difficult the journey, in the end love will always win. She hopes her stories will truly take you ‘out of this world’ and beyond.

She is a member of The Romantic Novelists’ Association and her local writing group, Chiltern Writers. Beloved Enemy, the third book in the Destiny Trilogy, was shortlisted in the Paranormal category of the prestigious Romantic Novelists Association RoNA awards and was a Runner up in the U.S. RONE Awards in 2017. Circumstances prevented her writing since the Release of Beloved Enemy and she is excited to now be able to announce the release of her new novel The Matchmaker’s Mare, featuring her other great love, horses, and the area in Wales where she grew up.

When she is not writing or reading, she can usually be found enjoying the outdoors with Choccy, anything involving horses or dogs, or just eating chocolate!

Website: https://Hywelalyn@hywelalyn.co.uk

Blog: https://Hywelalyn.blogspot.com

Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/hywela-lyn.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HywelaLynAuthor/

‘X’: https://x.com/Hywela_Lyn

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1422651.Hywela_Lyn

Please tell us a little about yourself, where are you from? Where do you live now? Family? Pets?

My pen name, Hywela Lyn, is a combination of my first two names. (I have always been known by my second name ‘Lyn’ and thought it was time my Welsh first name was used as well!) Having been born and raised in Wales living and working there for most of my life, I moved to a small village in England when I married my late husband, Dave, although I have to admit my heart remains in Wales! A keen animal lover, especially horses and dogs, I live with a terrier called Choccy, adopted by myself and my husband. Choccy rules the house and keeps me sane (nearly

Where did you get the idea for THE MATCHMAKER’S MARE. Why did you choose this genre (is it something you’ve written in before)? Was there anything unusual, any anecdote about this book, the characters, title, process, etc, you’d like to share?

I’ve always loved Science Fiction, Fantasy and stories of the paranormal. My fantasy novella, Dancing with Fate was originally written as part of an anthology featuring the Greek muses, for the Wild Rose Press, who have published all my books to date, including my Science Fiction Romance trilogy, which, like The Matchmaker’s Mare, started out as a short story.

One of the first short tales I ever wrote was entitled A touch of Witchcraft, about a fiery grey Welsh Mountain pony belonging to a white witch. Years later, I dug that one out and the witch became a matchmaker, and the pony evolved into a chestnut mare, becoming my latest novel The Matchmaker’s Mare. I usually manage to sneak a horse or pony into all my stories somewhere, and this one allowed me to indulge my love of horses more fully.)

I’ve had a passion for horses for as long as I can remember, and I saved up for five years to purchase Flicka, my first horse, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge several years ago and is also featured in The Matchmaker’s Mare, along with Flying T’pau (aka TipTop), although the actual Star (Seren) was a gentle 15.2 hands high bay mare I bred myself, from Flicka, rather than a feisty little chestnut pony, but she did have a perfect star in the middle of her face!

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Tagged as Equestrian Romance, Friendly Ghosts, paranormal romance, Present day Wales, the wild rose press, Wales in the past, Welsh countryside

April 4, 2025 · 10:32 am

Author Interview with Karina Bartow ~ Undercover Babymoon #Mystery

Please help me welcome today’s guest, Karina Bartow…

Please tell us a little about yourself, where are you from? Where do you live now? Family? Pets?

I still live in the same small town in northern Ohio where I grew up. My house is run by a very charming yet opinionated parakeet!

Where did you get the idea for Undercover Babymoon?

A friend, who’s always hitting me up with ideas for stories, suggested I set a mystery on a cruise ship. I don’t really welcome suggestions about what I write unless it’s in a professional capacity, especially from this friend, who doesn’t typically offer the most serious tips! For a change, however, he made me perk up my ears. Instead of mentally discarding the notion, I filed that one away, waiting for the right opportunity to act on it. Since my family went on one voyage years earlier, I had experience I could tap into to make it realistic, which added to the viability of the prospect.

Why did you choose this genre?

This was the fourth mystery I wrote, and I’ve grown to love the genre. I enjoy the opportunity to implement red herrings and twists and turns. I like playing with readers’ minds!

What do you want readers to come away with after they read your book?

With all of my books, I always want readers to be entertained, first and foremost, but I also hope they feel the same emotions as the characters. In The Unde(a)feated Detective Series—which follows a deaf detective—I include a lot of experiences and stigmas disabled people have to rise above, so I hope readers learn from some of those lessons in the process.

What genre have you never written that you’d like to write?

I’ve considered sci-fi, specifically time travel. Never excelling in science class, though, I doubt I have enough brain power!

If you were stranded on a deserted island and you could have 3 (inanimate) objects, what would they be?

A Bible, jug of iced mocha, and my mp3 player.

What celebrity would you most like to be stranded on an island with?

Robin Williams.

What do you want your tombstone to say?

She died with her high heels on!

What character in your book are you least likely to get along with?

Camille, the next door neighbor. She’s a nosey phony but a blast to write!

Who is the most famous person you have ever met?

Joey McIntyre of New Kids on the Block.

How did you come up with the title?

I was struggling with it, but I was patient, figuring it’d manifest eventually. A friend was talking about planning a vacation and mentioned a website named Undercover Tourist. Undercover Babymoon clicked right into place!

Thank you for being my guest, Karina…I enjoyed getting to know you. Please tell us about your book…

Excerpt:

Gus rocked back in his seat, as he always did while contemplating. “And if it was, then it’s out of our jurisdiction. That ship’s on international waters, so anything that happens after it docks isn’t even the country’s duty. You guys just need to do what you can here to make sure our people are safe, even if you can’t solve this murder. Meanwhile, I’ll make some calls to the Coast Guard and Border Patrol to alert them of our suspicions about a drug trafficking operation.”

“Logan’s roommate on the ship said they had a few days between voyages, so this would be the ideal time to scope it out,” Cael said.

Minka agreed with his resolution, hoping the feds would uncover something. No detective wanted to accept a case going unsolved, and up to this point, she thankfully hadn’t had to. Now that she was in Homicide, the possibility became greater, and deep down, she figured the day would come.

An hour later, Gus reported that Emmett’s statement about the drugs didn’t give Border Patrol or even the DEA enough to launch an investigation. Neither agency received any other tips about the ship or crew. Plus, Emmett’s condition didn’t give the claim much credence, and even assuming he was correct, the words were uttered on land by men who might not have any ties to the ship.

On their own yet again, Minka and Cael combed through Logan’s phone for something that hinted to drugs or his secret, but the superheroes remained their only grounds for suspicion. With no leads emerging the rest of the morning, they took longer lunch breaks than usual. Minka spotted an issue of The Miracle of Motherhood magazine she’d bought at the café a few days ago and took it with her to peruse it, skimming an article on the latest nursery fashions. After she highlighted a couple of ideas, she flipped to the next write-up, which shared ways to enjoy your second trimester. With Cael seated across from her in the break room, she had to joke with him about it.

“Guess I’m not on trend. Chasing after killers isn’t ‘the thing to do’ during my second trimester.”

“Bogus article!”

She giggled, browsing through what she was supposed to be doing, including indulging in spa days and wellness classes. With the busy life she led, all of the luxurious suggestions amused her. When her eyes crossed the words “Take a Babymoon”, she initially kept her cynicism intact, until an idea occurred to her. She put it down and told her partner, “I need a babymoon!”

Buy links:

About the Author:

Karina Bartow hails from Northern Ohio. Though born with Cerebral Palsy, she’s never allowed her disability to define her. Rather, she’s used her experiences to breathe life into characters who have physical limitations, but like her, are determined not to let them stand in the way of the life they want. Her works include Husband in Hiding, Forgetting My Way Back to You, Brother of Interest, Wrong Line, Right Connection, Accidental Allies and Undercover Babymoon. She may only be able to type with one hand, but she writes with her whole heart!

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Goodreads

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Tagged as cozy mystery, Deaf Literaure, Mystery, the wild rose press, Whodunnit, women's fiction

March 19, 2025 · 12:10 pm

Author Interview with C. Becker ~ New Release: Embracing Euphoria #RomanticSuspense

Please help me welcome today’s guest, C. Becker…

Please tell us a little about yourself, where are you from? Where do you live now? Family? Pets?

Thank you for having me today on your blog! I grew up with my eight siblings on a small farm in western Pennsylvania, but now live in West Virginia with my husband, daughter, and thirteen-year-old Jack Russell. My three older children have graduated from school and are living on their own.

Tell us a little about your process in writing your book.

When I started writing the Euphoria trilogy, I had never written in the adult genre before. All my other books had been children’s stories. I chose romantic suspense because I like to read romances, and I wanted to see how difficult it would be to write an adult novel. I also thought it would be cool to incorporate medical topics in the book, as I worked in a clinical lab for several years and had a medical background. I honestly hadn’t realized the amount of research writing a book would take, but learning is so satisfying and I wanted to make the story as realistic as possible. The most difficult aspect about drafting the third book Embracing Euphoria was finding the fine line between giving out too much information from previous books in the trilogy and not enough. I had to go back twice to rewrite entire sections. Besides the rewrites, getting the story back into the editor’s queue in their busy schedule takes time. Whoever said patience is a virtue knew what they were talking about! I’m lucky my editor is very patient, too.

Do you have another occupation, other than writer? If so, what is it and do you like it?

I keep busy with different jobs. Currently I’m a musician working with two churches as the music director and organist. I also worked as a substitute teacher for over ten years. Before having my family, I worked as a medical technologist in a hospital laboratory. I joke with my sister that I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. LOL!

Do you collect anything?

Rocks and Pokémon cards.

What’s the main thing that you could get rid of in your life that would give you more writing time?

Cooking, cleaning, and household obligations. Often people assume when you write you can still spend your time doing everything in addition to your writing. If I worked in an office out of the home, I’d have eight hours of uninterrupted writing. Only in my dreams!

What’s your favorite book of all time and why? What’s your favorite childhood book?

My favorite book of all time is “Remember When” by Judith McNaught. I love how she shows emotions like pain and desire in her writing. I also like how McNaught brings in recurring characters from books. My favorite childhood book was The Secret Seven series by Enid Blyton. I read almost the entire series in elementary school. I became a fan of mysteries after reading those books.

Would you rather have a bad review or no review?

No review.

Have you written any other books that are not published?

I’ve written a middle-grade novel, but haven’t had time to pursue a publisher for it yet. The book was recognized last year in a state writing contest. I’ve also written a holiday screen play that I hope to find a home for this year.

If you could spend time with a character from your book, whom would it be? And what would you do during that day? (PG-13 please 🙂

I’d hang out with the main character Hailey Langley and shadow her in her biochemistry lab analyzing Euphoria. If I were lucky enough, I’d follow her around in an undercover case and then hit the gym with her.

How did you come up with the title?

I used the word Euphoria throughout my trilogy, including this final book Embracing Euphoria. Euphoria has a double meaning . First, it’s the name of the drug used in the first book that gets unleashed into the public. The protagonist in the book Finding Euphoria also longs to find happiness from the guilt she’s had for giving her first-born son up for adoption. In the second book, Saving Euphoria, the protagonist holds on to any happiness she has left after she believes her husband succumbed to a fire. The roots from the Euphoria shrub are used to derive the mind-altering drug she is unknowingly taking, and her scientist friend is trying to save his dying Euphoria plant. In Embracing Euphoria, the protagonist needs to find a Euphoria shrub after she learns the plant’s flowers hold the key to regenerating her husband’s skin. She also convinces her husband to accept his condition and their relationship, even if he can’t be healed.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Love and relationships aren’t easy, but you need to continue living and embrace the positive that exists all around you.

Your favorite…

Movie August Rush

Music Contemporary Christian

Place you’ve visited Florence, Italy

Place you’d like to visit Australia

TV show from childhood Little House on the Prairie

TV show from adulthood Guiding Light soap opera

Food Chocolate cake

Which do you prefer: Board games/card games or television?

Board games –Bananagrams and Big Boggle

Thank you for joining me today. I enjoyed getting to know you. Please tell us about your book.

Blurb:

Hailey Langley tries to wrap her mind around the news her husband survived a fire she thought had killed him. Before she can search for him, Hailey has a promise to keep that takes her to Colombia where she must face the drug lord behind her husband’s attack.

Mark Langley is suffering from his own plight and insecurities, including burns and PTSD. Beneath Mark’s scarred exterior is a man seeking acceptance from a wife he refuses to see. Uncertain if he will ever reunite with his family, Mark struggles through his therapies, hopeful an experimental drug from the Euphoria plant will heal his scars.

When another villain from Colombia seeks revenge, Hailey and Mark must learn to trust and love again as they battle their newest threat and find their way back to each other.

Excerpt:

Mark breathed in his wife’s delicate feminine scent, taking in every beguiling curve of her body. Dang! Hailey was sexier than when they first met. Even her soft snores heated his blood. He should’ve brought her here weeks ago. After sharing a bed again, he’d do whatever it took to recover and return home.

The shuttle bus would arrive in an hour. He’d wait another five minutes to calm his erection before he prepped for therapy.

He licked his lips. The sweetness of Hailey’s honeyed kisses the previous night still lingered. They hadn’t made love; the last time he’d slept with Hailey had been almost a year ago. He couldn’t push her. Depending on her response to his disfigurement, that element of their marriage might never happen again.

He raised his gloved hand to touch her cheek but then lowered it. Better take things slowly. For now, lying next to her was enough.

Bruce’s suspicions had been correct about Hailey encountering hardship in Colombia. Twice during the night, Hailey cried out Mendoza’s name.

Mark had comforted her, smoothing her hair, whispering, “I’m here, honey.”

He ground his teeth. He should kill that bastard for tormenting her. Thank God she was safe now. Back in the US, away from the Mendoza family.

Hailey’s eyelashes fluttered, and a smile spread across her face. “Good morning. What time is it?”

“Quarter after eight.” He leaned over and kissed her. God, her sweet lips tasted delicious. He nibbled on her lips again. Like a hummingbird feeding on nectar. “You can use the bathroom first. I’ll ask the therapist to change my pressure garments at the clinic. I leave at nine. I won’t have much time for breakfast.”

She snuggled closer into his arms. “Give me another minute with you. Before the outside world takes over.”

His pulse raced. Maybe their relationship hadn’t changed that much.

Buy links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Embracing-Euphoria-C-Becker-ebook/dp/B0DSG8XQ3X

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/embracing-euphoria-c-becker/1146791353

BAM: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/9781509259809

The Wild Rose Press: https://wildrosepress.com/product/embracing-euphoria/

Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/pt/book/embracing-euphoria/id6740242033

Kobo: https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=9781509259809

IndieBound: https://bookshop.org/p/books/embracing-euphoria-c-becker/22206508

About the Author:

C. Becker is a romance suspense writer, musician, and lover of crafts. She has a bachelor’s degree in Medical Technology and worked in the clinical hospital setting until she began raising a family. As her children grew older, she never outgrew the attraction of using science in everyday life. She turned to teaching, music, and eventually to writing stories. She considers herself a “jack of all trades,” and readily admits she is a “master of none.” Yes, she even does home improvement projects! Becker has published three romance suspense novels in the Euphoria trilogy, several poems, and over a dozen children’s books (under Colleen Driscoll). Becker enjoys hanging out with her family and Jack Russell, playing the piano, reading, traveling, and gardening.

Contact Links:

Email: cbeckerauthor@gmail.com

Website address: http://cbeckerauthor.com/

Twitter https://twitter.com/cbeckerauthor

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CBeckerauthor/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/beckercee/

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19026691.C_Becker

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