Linda Shenton Matchett's Blog, page 46
September 22, 2021
Talkshow Thursday: Welcome SaraBeth Williams
Talkshow Thursday: Welcome SaraBeth Williams
Linda: Welcome to my blog. It’s a pleasure to have you? Let’s chat about your debut novel, When Hearts Collide. What made you decide to write the novel, and what is the inspiration for the plot?
Sara Beth: Thank you! I’m glad to be here. I had been writing stories for years, since 5th or 6th grade. Upon graduating high school (in ’04), I knew I wanted to publish something someday, and I knew I liked romance, but I knew I didn’t want to write general market romance. Christian Fiction was really just becoming a new thing and I didn’t know anything about it. But I knew I wanted to write something for that kind of market. I wrote early drafts of what would become When Hearts Collide ten years prior – then I later on, I began reading Christian romance. The more Christian Fiction I devoured, the more I thought to myself – I can totally do this! So, in 2014, I picked up my old drafts and wrote the entire (rough) first draft of When Hearts Collide in 4 months. I’ve only written one other manuscript that quickly since then haha! The story idea for When Hearts Collide is loosely based off of a few YA books I read in high school - as well as the death of a classmate who died in a tragic car accident. That unfortunate death was the catalyst for the story’s main premise, and then I gleaned from the books I was reading at the time. (This of course being the very early drafts from ’04)
LM: How did you come up with your characters? Are any of them based upon people you know, including yourself? Sara Beth: Yes. Lacey embodies many of my personality traits. Tara’s physical appearance is similar to mine, and her personality is similar to that of one of my best friends. Joel, Lacey’s brother, incorporates personality traits from both my husband and my younger brother. And Jay – while his personality and background is nothing like my younger brother’s, in my head he looks like my brother LOL. A little taller and more intimidating maybe, but a lot of the physical traits were based off my brother. LM: Research is an important aspect of writing. How did you go about researching When Hearts Collide? Sara Beth: Lots of internet research regarding prison life as well as research into length of jail sentences
etc in California. I did talk to a lawyer at one point just to run by him whether the length of the sentence I gave my character matched the crime he committed. I watched a couple documentaries on prison life. Very early drafts incorporated more of that aspect but I chose to cut all that out and focus on the romance aspect instead of Jay’s prison sentence. LM: What do you do to prepare yourself for writing (e.g. listen to music, set up in a certain place, etc.), and how do you juggle it with your other responsibilities?
Sara Beth: I prefer to be totally alone and work in complete silence, but that rarely happens anymore. These days I typically play some kind of instrumental worship music, or background ambiance sounds. I do my best writing at night after everyone is asleep. Even if I’m home alone during the day for some reason, I still end up doing my best writing at night. LM: What is one thing you wish you knew how to do?
Sara Beth: I’ve always wanted to learn how to fence and horseback ride well. I’m a little lot obsessed with swashbuckling movies. I’ve only been horseback riding twice, and it was really fun. LM: Now that you have several books published, what advice can you give to fledgling writers?
Sara Beth: Sometimes inspiration will knock you over and you’ll bust out a book in a snap. Other times, finding inspiration is like mining for gold in the middle of a desert. It feels impossible and exhausting and time-consuming and dragging all the words out on your project seems too daunting. My advice is to not give up and keep pushing at it. Some stories take a long time to germinate. After I wrote my first book so quickly, I was discouraged that the next 2 took so long, but the inspiration for all of the books I’ve written since then came intermittently through life experiences, sermons, my own studying of the bible, etc. It is worth it to take the time needed to finish a story and finish it well. Also, if you prefer pantsing, don’t be afraid to plot. If you prefer plotting, don’t be afraid to be a pantser once in a while.
LM: What is your next project?
Sara Beth: I am currently working on the third book in a small town beachy romance series set on the west coast of California called the Song of Grace series. As I’m still plotting book 3, the release of this entire series is yet to be determined. If you love beachy romances, you can definitely subscribe to my newsletter to keep tabs on what’s coming up in the future. Newsletter link: newsletter
LM: Where can folks find you on the web?
Sara Beth: Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/SaraBethWilliamsAuthor/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sarabethauthor2018/ Twitter https://twitter.com/WilliamsSaraB Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/sara-beth-williams Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18403465.Sara_Beth_Williams My website and blog. www.authorswilliams.wordpress.com
About When Hearts Collide:
One unforgivable secret could destroy their future: A reckless mistake landed Jacob “Jay” Mathews behind bars, but it was his inescapable guilt that led him to God. Upon his release, with the help of a spiritual mentor and friend, he strives to move forward with his life. Determined to graduate college, get a job, and follow God’s word, the last thing Jay needs or wants is a girlfriend. Until he meets Lacey Bennett. When fervent prayers for reconciliation between her divorced parents go unanswered, and her older sister tragically dies, Lacey questions how God could allow such tragedies to befall her family. Turning her back on her past and God, she focuses on her future. College and theater are her ultimate goals; falling for the one type of guy she swore to avoid—a Christian—is not. No matter how much she wants to resist, Jay is irresistible.
As their relationship deepens, Jay struggles with Lacey’s unresolved anger and her unwillingness to even discuss faith. All he wants to do is reveal how God changed his life, but doing so would mean revealing his status as an ex-convict. Finally, as she begins to rekindle her faith, past secrets collide, threatening to destroy everything they’ve built. Now, Jay must rely on his faith more than he ever has before. Can they learn to forgive—or is their relationship fractured beyond repair?
Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H4S9J6L
Linda: Welcome to my blog. It’s a pleasure to have you? Let’s chat about your debut novel, When Hearts Collide. What made you decide to write the novel, and what is the inspiration for the plot? Sara Beth: Thank you! I’m glad to be here. I had been writing stories for years, since 5th or 6th grade. Upon graduating high school (in ’04), I knew I wanted to publish something someday, and I knew I liked romance, but I knew I didn’t want to write general market romance. Christian Fiction was really just becoming a new thing and I didn’t know anything about it. But I knew I wanted to write something for that kind of market. I wrote early drafts of what would become When Hearts Collide ten years prior – then I later on, I began reading Christian romance. The more Christian Fiction I devoured, the more I thought to myself – I can totally do this! So, in 2014, I picked up my old drafts and wrote the entire (rough) first draft of When Hearts Collide in 4 months. I’ve only written one other manuscript that quickly since then haha! The story idea for When Hearts Collide is loosely based off of a few YA books I read in high school - as well as the death of a classmate who died in a tragic car accident. That unfortunate death was the catalyst for the story’s main premise, and then I gleaned from the books I was reading at the time. (This of course being the very early drafts from ’04)
LM: How did you come up with your characters? Are any of them based upon people you know, including yourself? Sara Beth: Yes. Lacey embodies many of my personality traits. Tara’s physical appearance is similar to mine, and her personality is similar to that of one of my best friends. Joel, Lacey’s brother, incorporates personality traits from both my husband and my younger brother. And Jay – while his personality and background is nothing like my younger brother’s, in my head he looks like my brother LOL. A little taller and more intimidating maybe, but a lot of the physical traits were based off my brother. LM: Research is an important aspect of writing. How did you go about researching When Hearts Collide? Sara Beth: Lots of internet research regarding prison life as well as research into length of jail sentences
etc in California. I did talk to a lawyer at one point just to run by him whether the length of the sentence I gave my character matched the crime he committed. I watched a couple documentaries on prison life. Very early drafts incorporated more of that aspect but I chose to cut all that out and focus on the romance aspect instead of Jay’s prison sentence. LM: What do you do to prepare yourself for writing (e.g. listen to music, set up in a certain place, etc.), and how do you juggle it with your other responsibilities? Sara Beth: I prefer to be totally alone and work in complete silence, but that rarely happens anymore. These days I typically play some kind of instrumental worship music, or background ambiance sounds. I do my best writing at night after everyone is asleep. Even if I’m home alone during the day for some reason, I still end up doing my best writing at night. LM: What is one thing you wish you knew how to do?
Sara Beth: I’ve always wanted to learn how to fence and horseback ride well. I’m a little lot obsessed with swashbuckling movies. I’ve only been horseback riding twice, and it was really fun. LM: Now that you have several books published, what advice can you give to fledgling writers?
Sara Beth: Sometimes inspiration will knock you over and you’ll bust out a book in a snap. Other times, finding inspiration is like mining for gold in the middle of a desert. It feels impossible and exhausting and time-consuming and dragging all the words out on your project seems too daunting. My advice is to not give up and keep pushing at it. Some stories take a long time to germinate. After I wrote my first book so quickly, I was discouraged that the next 2 took so long, but the inspiration for all of the books I’ve written since then came intermittently through life experiences, sermons, my own studying of the bible, etc. It is worth it to take the time needed to finish a story and finish it well. Also, if you prefer pantsing, don’t be afraid to plot. If you prefer plotting, don’t be afraid to be a pantser once in a while.
LM: What is your next project?
Sara Beth: I am currently working on the third book in a small town beachy romance series set on the west coast of California called the Song of Grace series. As I’m still plotting book 3, the release of this entire series is yet to be determined. If you love beachy romances, you can definitely subscribe to my newsletter to keep tabs on what’s coming up in the future. Newsletter link: newsletter LM: Where can folks find you on the web?
Sara Beth: Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/SaraBethWilliamsAuthor/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sarabethauthor2018/ Twitter https://twitter.com/WilliamsSaraB Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/sara-beth-williams Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18403465.Sara_Beth_Williams My website and blog. www.authorswilliams.wordpress.com
About When Hearts Collide:
One unforgivable secret could destroy their future: A reckless mistake landed Jacob “Jay” Mathews behind bars, but it was his inescapable guilt that led him to God. Upon his release, with the help of a spiritual mentor and friend, he strives to move forward with his life. Determined to graduate college, get a job, and follow God’s word, the last thing Jay needs or wants is a girlfriend. Until he meets Lacey Bennett. When fervent prayers for reconciliation between her divorced parents go unanswered, and her older sister tragically dies, Lacey questions how God could allow such tragedies to befall her family. Turning her back on her past and God, she focuses on her future. College and theater are her ultimate goals; falling for the one type of guy she swore to avoid—a Christian—is not. No matter how much she wants to resist, Jay is irresistible. As their relationship deepens, Jay struggles with Lacey’s unresolved anger and her unwillingness to even discuss faith. All he wants to do is reveal how God changed his life, but doing so would mean revealing his status as an ex-convict. Finally, as she begins to rekindle her faith, past secrets collide, threatening to destroy everything they’ve built. Now, Jay must rely on his faith more than he ever has before. Can they learn to forgive—or is their relationship fractured beyond repair?
Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H4S9J6L
September 15, 2021
Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Mary K. Savarese
Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Mary K. Savarese
LM: Thanks for joining me today. Congratulations on your most recent release The Girl in the Toile Wallpaper. What was your inspiration for the story (and BTW I love that it’s a fantasy adventure romance)? Mary: Thank you, yes it is. My inspiration for The Girl In The Toile Wallpaper was from my love of toiles. Toiles are in our daily lives, as wallpaper, fabrics, accents. They are usually two bold colors that tell a story. The story can be of anything. In my home, I have several wallpapers and so intrigued by one in my guest bathroom of a girl dancing, living her life, etc, I saw romance, betrayal, intrigue! And I wrote a story with intertwining romances around that. LM: You had a career in finance and insurance followed by a stint as a religious education instructor. How did you end up as an author? Mary: I am also a Eucharistic Minister for my Catholic Church. I raised my family and always had so many fantasy ideas for writing. I wrote my first manuscript followed by 4 more, rejection after rejection. I wanted to be traditionally published and to write for the Christian Marketplace. Ten years later my dream came true when my fourth manuscript, a cozy mystery romance with a spiritual twist, Tigers Love Bubble Baths & Obsession Perfume (who knew!) was accepted by a traditional publisher.
LM: What is your favorite aspect of writing?
Mary: Something inspires me for a title. I love to begin with a quirky title, a general idea develops, and
then I create the characters. The favorite part is creating, writing and seeing page after page develop into a story. LM: What do you do to prepare for writing?
Mary: I begin with a little prayer for guidance.
LM: In addition to being an author, you also are a speaker and have a YouTube channel. How do you juggle the different responsibilities?
Mary: As an empty-nester I now have time to live my dream of being an author. I try to go with the flow and to enjoy every minute.
LM: You’ve accomplished quite a lot. What is one thing you wish you could do?
Mary: To make the NY Times Bestseller List. Still a dream! I keep praying!
LM: What is your next project? Mary: The Girl In The Toile Wallpaper is the first book of the StarWriters trilogy. One to be published each year. Right now I am finishing up the manuscript for the second book.
LM: Where can folks find you on the web?
Mary: Please visit my author website, https://www.maryksavarese.com/ for live excerpt readings, trailers, reviews, links to my books. Please go to the bottom and sign up on the email list. Beginning this month and each month after I will be choosing one winner a month for a giveaway of the hard copy of The Girl In The Toile Wallpaper. The publisher has created such an artful book cover! Also please recommend me for your book clubs. I would be honored to join you for discussion meetings via facetime, zoom, skype, or if we can swing it, in person. My Email: maryksavarese(at)gmail(dot)com. About The Girl in the Toile Wallpaper:
A bright young man named Tyler Charles accompanies his aunt Meg on a trip to Italy when the camp he had planned to attend is closed unexpectedly. Once there, though, he is sucked through a portal into the past and meets a girl named Lyly, who has been trapped in a two-dimensional landscape within the titular wallpaper for over two hundred and fifty years. Lyly explains that she was imprisoned by a magician named Joroku at the behest of a rich noble, the father of the boy to whom she had been engaged. In defiance of her parents, Lyly had fallen in love and run away with a boy named Patrick, who has spent the past couple of centuries in the form of a cat, seeking to be reunited with his beloved. Tyler must find a way to restore the pair and return to his own time. Loves are gained and lost in this battle to bring back order.Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3z9w8pq
September 14, 2021
Release Day: Daria's Duke
Release Day: Daria's Duke
At long last, I'm thrilled to announce that Daria's Duke (Westward Home & Hearts Mail-Order Brides, Book 22) is now available! I had a blast researching and writing the story and learned more than I thought possible about the peerage in the United Kingdom. I also tossed in a bit of a Cinderella feel by giving poor Daria an evil stepmother and stepsisters and relegating her to the servants' quarters.
The story returns us to Rocky Mountain Springs, Wyoming where Rayne's Redemption takes place, so you'll run into some well-known characters as well as meet some new ones.
About Daria's Duke:
Will a stolen inheritance and false accusations thwart the chance for happily-ever-after?
After the death of her father, Daria Burke is thrust into the role of a servant by her stepmother. Locked in her room one night, Daria watches as the woman and her daughters sashay from the house wearing her mother’s gowns and jewelry. Realizing she’ll never be accepted as family, she flees the house and applies to be a mail-order bride. Then the sheriff arrives on the eve of her wedding with an arrest warrant. Can she prove her innocence or will she go to jail and lose her one chance at happiness?
Ewan McKay’s father was stripped of his title, property, and wealth, and sent to prison for crimes he didn’t commit. The stain of his father’s incarceration prevents Ewan from finding a woman willing to be his wife, so he uses a matrimonial agency to secure a mail-order bride. But when she’s accused of stealing, he wonders if he is destined to go through life alone.
STILL $0.99 FOR A LIMITED TIME. GRAB YOUR COPY TODAY: https://amzn.to/3ty3A83
Have you seen the book trailer?
September 2, 2021
Fiction Friday: New Releases for September 2021
September 2021 New Releases More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website
Contemporary/Women’s Fiction:
The Gathering Table by Kathryn Springer -- Winsome Lake, Wisconsin, is postcard pretty, but for personal chef Jessica Keaton it's also a last resort. Fired from her dream job, Jess is starting over as a live-in cook and housekeeper. When she arrives, she finds her new employer is in rehab after having a stroke, and Jess expects she'll be all alone in Elaine Haviland's quaint house. A chef with no one to cook for. Instead, she encounters a constant stream of colorful visitors who draw her back into the world. (Contemporary/Women’s Fiction from Love Inspired/Harlequin)
Contemporary Romance:
The Heart of Splendid Lake by Amy Clipston -- When Brianna Porter’s father unexpectedly dies, Brianna is steeped in grief and guilt—then left alone to clean up the mess. To make matters worse, a constant stream of real estate brokers begins marching through her property, offering to buy the family land. In particular, she keeps running into handsome real estate mogul Scott Gibson. As Brianna struggles to keep it all together, Scott finds his way into her heart. And as the two fight against their feelings, they just might find themselves forging a surprising and exciting new love at Splendid Lake. (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing)
Historical Romance:
Brides of the Old West by Amanda Cabot -- Four unlikely couples. Four unexpected chances at happiness. Four unforgettable stories of love and faith in the Old West. (Historical Romance, Independently Published) < br>
Daria’s Duke by Linda Shenton Matchett -- After the death of her father, Daria Burke is thrust into the role of a servant by her stepmother. Locked in her room one night, Daria watches as the woman and her daughters sashay from the house wearing her mother’s gowns and jewelry. Realizing she’ll never be accepted as family, she flees the house and applies to be a mail-order bride. Then the sheriff arrives on the eve of her wedding with an arrest warrant. Can she prove her innocence or will she go to jail and lose her one chance at happiness? (Historical Romance from Shortwave Press)
Hers to Love by Sherrinda Ketchersid -- Fiona McGowan, a beautiful Scottish widow without hope for a family of her own, travels to St. Mary’s Convent to become a nun. In route she is kidnapped by handsome Highlander Adam MacIntosh in a case of mistaken identity. Adam, laird of the MacIntosh clan, is attempting to free his brother held captive by the rival Fergus clan. The failure of his plan leaves him reeling with betrayal, death, and a wee babe in sore need of a healer. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)
Romance/Mystery:
The Secret of Emerald Cottage by Julie Lessman -- Twenty-five-year-old Molly Stewart—ex-Navy nurse and former evidence technician for the Charleston Police Department—has been burned by love. So when her friend, Pastor Chase Griffin, begs her to move to scenic Lake Loon to be a nurse and companion for Miss Lilly, his elderly landlady, she jumps at the chance. The secluded and cozy cottage on a clear mountain lake seems the perfect place to heal from her fiancé’s betrayal as well as indulge in one of her greatest passions—cozy romance. First with reading them by the bookcase and then hopefully, if dreams come true, writing and solving them one day as an author and detective. But when Miss Lilly’s estranged great nephew shows up, it’s no mystery as to why he and Molly butt heads. Because it only takes one stolen kiss—while she’s sleeping, no less—to discover he’s an even bigger player than the ex-fiancé who broke her heart. (Romance/Mystery, Independently Published)
Romantic Suspense:
Home Run by Cathe Swanson -- Phoebe Schenstrom's always been a bit bossy. After all, she's the oldest of ten children, has worked as a nanny and run the children's ministry at the Unity Plenkiss Community Center for three years. But when a clash - or two - with clients leads to her suspension, she needs to prove that she's more than a babysitter. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)
Personal Threat by Kimberly Rose Johnson -- Christmas is supposed to be the happiest time of the year, but when Sally’s young daughter, Emma, becomes the target of child traffickers, and the little girl’s biological father wants Sally dead, the Christmas season takes a dark turn. Police officer, Dillon Brady, responds to a call for help at the home of his friend and Protection Inc. bodyguard, Sally Wilson. When their relationship tips beyond friendship, Dillon is determined no one will hurt Sally or her daughter again. Will his resolve be enough? (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)
Speculative Fiction:
[image error] The Next Fithian: An Ordinary Teen on a Strange, New World by Rick Barry -- Was this a new life - or a death sentence? When Rankin Johnson boards a flight to Israel, he expects an adventure in archeology. But the airplane comes under attack and explodes in midair. Rankin shouts, "God, I'm yours!" Instantly, he's in some other place. An angel informs Rankin the Lord is pleased to accept his offer. He dubs Rankin "the next Fithian" - a messenger from God, not to Earth, but to planet Zemna in the alternate dimension. What happened to the previous Fithian? "He was killed," the angel says before vanishing. (Speculative Fiction/Soft Science Fiction, Independently Published)
Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month: Cold Case Double Cross by Jessica R. Patch, They’re on a cold trail and running out of time. (Thriller Suspense)
Moose Ridge: Ending to Beginning by Craig Hastings, Jazmine just knows, for once, everything is going to be exactly how she always dreamed it could be. Then she’s handed the letter. (Contemporary Romance)
A Summer in Shady Springs by Sarah Anne Crouch, How can Madeleine help A.J. discover a passion for the career he’s always wanted? And how can A.J. convince Madeleine to give God and Shady Springs a second chance? (Contemporary Romance)
Requilted with Love by Carrie Fancett Pagels, Find humor, family relationships, and romance blossoming at the 1889 Michigan State Fair in Lansing when a quilter finds herself literally falling for a balloonist! (Historical Romance)
Contemporary/Women’s Fiction:
The Gathering Table by Kathryn Springer -- Winsome Lake, Wisconsin, is postcard pretty, but for personal chef Jessica Keaton it's also a last resort. Fired from her dream job, Jess is starting over as a live-in cook and housekeeper. When she arrives, she finds her new employer is in rehab after having a stroke, and Jess expects she'll be all alone in Elaine Haviland's quaint house. A chef with no one to cook for. Instead, she encounters a constant stream of colorful visitors who draw her back into the world. (Contemporary/Women’s Fiction from Love Inspired/Harlequin)Contemporary Romance:
The Heart of Splendid Lake by Amy Clipston -- When Brianna Porter’s father unexpectedly dies, Brianna is steeped in grief and guilt—then left alone to clean up the mess. To make matters worse, a constant stream of real estate brokers begins marching through her property, offering to buy the family land. In particular, she keeps running into handsome real estate mogul Scott Gibson. As Brianna struggles to keep it all together, Scott finds his way into her heart. And as the two fight against their feelings, they just might find themselves forging a surprising and exciting new love at Splendid Lake. (Contemporary Romance from HarperCollins Christian Publishing)Historical Romance:
Brides of the Old West by Amanda Cabot -- Four unlikely couples. Four unexpected chances at happiness. Four unforgettable stories of love and faith in the Old West. (Historical Romance, Independently Published) < br>
Daria’s Duke by Linda Shenton Matchett -- After the death of her father, Daria Burke is thrust into the role of a servant by her stepmother. Locked in her room one night, Daria watches as the woman and her daughters sashay from the house wearing her mother’s gowns and jewelry. Realizing she’ll never be accepted as family, she flees the house and applies to be a mail-order bride. Then the sheriff arrives on the eve of her wedding with an arrest warrant. Can she prove her innocence or will she go to jail and lose her one chance at happiness? (Historical Romance from Shortwave Press)
Hers to Love by Sherrinda Ketchersid -- Fiona McGowan, a beautiful Scottish widow without hope for a family of her own, travels to St. Mary’s Convent to become a nun. In route she is kidnapped by handsome Highlander Adam MacIntosh in a case of mistaken identity. Adam, laird of the MacIntosh clan, is attempting to free his brother held captive by the rival Fergus clan. The failure of his plan leaves him reeling with betrayal, death, and a wee babe in sore need of a healer. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)Romance/Mystery:
The Secret of Emerald Cottage by Julie Lessman -- Twenty-five-year-old Molly Stewart—ex-Navy nurse and former evidence technician for the Charleston Police Department—has been burned by love. So when her friend, Pastor Chase Griffin, begs her to move to scenic Lake Loon to be a nurse and companion for Miss Lilly, his elderly landlady, she jumps at the chance. The secluded and cozy cottage on a clear mountain lake seems the perfect place to heal from her fiancé’s betrayal as well as indulge in one of her greatest passions—cozy romance. First with reading them by the bookcase and then hopefully, if dreams come true, writing and solving them one day as an author and detective. But when Miss Lilly’s estranged great nephew shows up, it’s no mystery as to why he and Molly butt heads. Because it only takes one stolen kiss—while she’s sleeping, no less—to discover he’s an even bigger player than the ex-fiancé who broke her heart. (Romance/Mystery, Independently Published)Romantic Suspense:
Home Run by Cathe Swanson -- Phoebe Schenstrom's always been a bit bossy. After all, she's the oldest of ten children, has worked as a nanny and run the children's ministry at the Unity Plenkiss Community Center for three years. But when a clash - or two - with clients leads to her suspension, she needs to prove that she's more than a babysitter. (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)
Personal Threat by Kimberly Rose Johnson -- Christmas is supposed to be the happiest time of the year, but when Sally’s young daughter, Emma, becomes the target of child traffickers, and the little girl’s biological father wants Sally dead, the Christmas season takes a dark turn. Police officer, Dillon Brady, responds to a call for help at the home of his friend and Protection Inc. bodyguard, Sally Wilson. When their relationship tips beyond friendship, Dillon is determined no one will hurt Sally or her daughter again. Will his resolve be enough? (Romantic Suspense, Independently Published)Speculative Fiction:
[image error] The Next Fithian: An Ordinary Teen on a Strange, New World by Rick Barry -- Was this a new life - or a death sentence? When Rankin Johnson boards a flight to Israel, he expects an adventure in archeology. But the airplane comes under attack and explodes in midair. Rankin shouts, "God, I'm yours!" Instantly, he's in some other place. An angel informs Rankin the Lord is pleased to accept his offer. He dubs Rankin "the next Fithian" - a messenger from God, not to Earth, but to planet Zemna in the alternate dimension. What happened to the previous Fithian? "He was killed," the angel says before vanishing. (Speculative Fiction/Soft Science Fiction, Independently Published)
Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month: Cold Case Double Cross by Jessica R. Patch, They’re on a cold trail and running out of time. (Thriller Suspense)
Moose Ridge: Ending to Beginning by Craig Hastings, Jazmine just knows, for once, everything is going to be exactly how she always dreamed it could be. Then she’s handed the letter. (Contemporary Romance)
A Summer in Shady Springs by Sarah Anne Crouch, How can Madeleine help A.J. discover a passion for the career he’s always wanted? And how can A.J. convince Madeleine to give God and Shady Springs a second chance? (Contemporary Romance)
Requilted with Love by Carrie Fancett Pagels, Find humor, family relationships, and romance blossoming at the 1889 Michigan State Fair in Lansing when a quilter finds herself literally falling for a balloonist! (Historical Romance)
September 1, 2021
Talkshow Thursday: Meet KC Hart
Talkshow Thursday: Meet KC Hart
Linda: Welcome to my blog. Congratulations on your upcoming release which is book seven in the Katy Cross mystery series. What was the inspiration for the story? KC: In Mistaken Murder and Small Town Status, a very valuable bull is shot by a deer hunter. The owner is standing beside the bull and is killed when the animal that weighs close to two thousand pounds lands on him. My husband and I were driving down the road by our house and we passed a field of beautiful silver Brahman cows. He said, why don’t you have a cow-tipping murder. That’s where the idea for this murder mystery came from. LM: Did you set out to write series or did that just happen? How many books do you plan to release in the series? I planned on writing a series. KC: I planned on writing a series. At first, I thought it would just be three books, but I kept coming up with all of these crazy scenarios for Katy Cross and her friends to get into. I already have book eight, the Christmas cozy, written. I’m editing right now with plans to release in November. I’m not sure how many books will be in the series. I already have one more brewing in my brain. I feel kind of bad about all the mayhem happening in Skeeterville, but I love the town and the people there. LM: What sort of research was required to prepare you to write the story, and did you find any tidbit(s) you knew you had to include?
KC: I had to call my friend who is a large animal vet and ask all kinds of questions about these
extremely large, extremely expensive bulls. I learned all kinds of things about bull breeding, performing a necropsy, and a lot of other bovine information that I never would have found out about if I had not written this novel. I also had to learn about scopes and rifles and deer hunting. I knew I wanted a lot of banter and humor between Katy and her husband John about Hernando, the high-dollar bull. This flowed easily after I learned enough about the animals. There is a great tidbit that I came across that I would love to share, but I cannot because it might spoil the mystery. LM: Tell us a bit about your journey to publication and what lessons you learned along the way. KC: I decided to write a novel in October of 2019. In January of 2020, I decided to publish it in June of that same year. I had no idea what I was undertaking, but I had prayed about it and felt that I should self-publish. I started watching videos and reading every article I could get my hands on about self-publishing. In the meantime, I started writing book two. I joined the Mississippi Writers Guild and met my cover designer. She is amazing and I feel that God brought us together for this endeavor.
From June of 2020 to the present, I have published six Christian cozy mysteries, and have two more coming out shortly. One lesson that I learned the hard way is that no matter how much I study and work, I cannot do absolutely everything. I published my first book without it being edited or having beta readers. I didn’t know what beta readers were at that time, but I did skip the editing even though I read that this was not a smart plan. I paid for this with some scathing reviews. After a few reviewers raked me over the coals about my grammar, I had a good cry, pulled the book down, and had it edited. The damage was already done and those reviews will be there for all posterity. They keep me very humble and remind me of the lesson I learned. LM: Do you do anything special to prepare yourself for writing your stories? (e.g., listen to music, go for a run, etc.)
KC: No, not really. When I start a book, I set a goal of ten thousand words a week, or two thousand words daily for five days. I read the chapter I wrote the day before, look at what I want to accomplish with the upcoming scene and start typing. My mind goes to the story like I am watching a movie. Once I get going, the words come. The story never happens exactly how I thought it would, but that’s the fun part. If I do get stuck on the plot, or the mystery is not working out, I talk it out with my husband and kids. Talking through plot problems gets me back on track. LM: What is one piece of advice you can offer to fledgling writers? KC: Wow, I am honored to be asked this question. I would have to say do not give up. You are going to work hard and long and people are not going to respect the amount of work it takes to actually write a book. That’s why finding other Christian authors who are doing the same thing you are doing is so important. They understand how hard it is to make something out of nothing, which is what you do when you write a story. I have not arrived at success as it is viewed by many, but I am enjoying the journey. Enjoying the journey is a success in itself. LM: What is your next project? KC: I will be working on another cozy, but I am also contemplating writing an inspirational romance. I have several friends who write in this genre and I think I would like to try this. The great thing about being an indie author is that it is up to me. I just want my writing to be God-honoring, other than that, I am unsure. LM: Where can folks find you on the web?
KC: My website is http://www.kchartauthor.com. You can sign up for my monthly newsletter there. Facebook is https://www.facebook.com/kc.hart.509/ Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kc-hartGood Reads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20570083.K_C_Hart
About Mistaken Murder and Small Town Status:
Someone in Skeeterville has a serious beef with Hernando and it’s up to Katy to figure out who... Sixty-thousand-dollar stud bull Hernando is shot in his pasture and falls on one of his owners, crushing him to death. Katy Cross, along with everyone else in Skeeterville, assumes the shooting (and deadly cow-tipping) are nothing more sinister than a tragic accident and a case of terrible luck. Everyone else in Skeeterville, that is, except local Post Mistress Barbara Jean Nelson, who makes it her business to let everyone know she suspects foul play. Barbara Jean’s reputation as a hateful gossip proceeds her, however, and no one takes her accusations seriously... until she is attacked at the post office, barely escaping with her life. With one of Hernando’s owners in the grave and the only person who suspected foul play in the hospital, Katy decides it’s time to take the bull by the horns. Can she find the true murderer and uncover their connection to the dead cash cow? Join Katy Cross and her friends and family in Skeeterville as they work together to solve this latest mystery. This Christian cozy mystery contains no gore, sex, or foul language, but is full of humor and southern small-town charm.
Purchase Link: https://storyoriginapp.com/universalbooklinks/dcf376b6-0302-11ec-bdbe-c3fcb02b28e7
August 25, 2021
Talkshow Thursday: Meet Janetta Fudge Messmer
Talkshow Thursday: Meet Janetta Fudge Messmer
Linda: Welcome and thanks for joining me today. Congratulations on your recent release, It’s a Mystery...Birds. Can you tell us a bit about the book and your inspiration for your plot?
Janetta: It’s a Mystery…Birds is Book #5 in the Early Birds series. As I’ve said to my readers, my characters are not done talking to me yet. My hubby and I brainstorm ideas for my books, and when I came up with this idea of someone tagging along in Betsy or Rose’s RV, and I wanted to make it a mystery, he wasn’t so sure. I couldn’t blame him. It was my first time doing one, but what fun I had writing it.
LM: You’ve written in a variety of genres. How do you decide which book/genre to write next?
Janetta: I have to say it’s back to brainstorming. An idea pops into my head and I go with it. One I have in the back of my mind could be either a historical or contemporary. I’m just not sure I want to tackle another historical.
LM: Research is an important part of writing. What sort of research did you do for It’s a Mystery...Birds, and is there a particularly intriguing tidbit you stumbled on you knew you had to include?
Janetta: I don’t want to say I didn’t do research for this one, but the readers here today may not know
that my husband and I are full-time RVers. Since It’s a Mystery…Birds is about a famous author tagging along with my main characters, I thought it’d be fun to imagine someone coming along on our travels. What would I have to change in my lifestyle to bring along someone? What if they’d never camped before? How would we deal with having a stranger with us 24/7 in a teeny tiny space? Meals? Quiet time? Entertaining them?
LM: What sort of routine do you have for your writing? (e.g. do you write at a certain time during the day, set up somewhere specific, etc.)
Janetta: Since I don’t have a designated place to write, I’ve learned I work best in the morning hours, or when my husband is off doing something. Another reason I write in the morning; we like to go sightseeing in our travels. Getting my writing done early leaves the rest of the day free.
Linda: What is your favorite part of the writing process?
Janetta: Since I write Comedy, I look for comical scenes for my characters. The crazier the better. Those are the most fun to write. I enjoy when my readers tell me that my words made them laugh. Side Note: I also crack myself up at time. I tried being serious in my writing, but it didn’t work for me. I also enjoy editing. I’m an editor at heart. Back to writing, I’ve written long enough now that I can cut a scene if I don’t think it works. Years ago (i.e. first book – Early Birds), I thought every word was a precious gem. HA!!!
LM: If money were no object, where is your idea of the ultimate vacation?
Janetta: Taking around-the-world cruise
LM: What is your advice for fledgling writers?
Janetta: DO NOT GIVE UP. Take some time to pray about whatever they’re working on. Listen. The answer will come.
LM: What is your next project?
Janetta: Right now I’m editing a memoir. Next writing project is another Contemporary Romance. No title yet. LM: Where can folks find you on the web?
Janetta: Janetta Fudge Messmer, Author of Christian Comedies (with a touch of Romance). Books are available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01DWHA1EW E-mail: janettafudgemessmer@gmail.com Website: http://janettafudgemessmer.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janetta.fudge.messmer Twitter: https://twitter.com/nettiefudge
About It's a Mystery...Birds
When Betsy Stevenson signed up for the writer’s conference, she thought she’d see her Houston friends and learn more about the craft of writing. However, rain, canceled flights, and a chance meeting with Dillon McCloud (a mystery writer and keynote speaker) turns her life into a back-to-back adventure. And the mayhem has to include Rose Wilford, Betsy’s bestest friend in all the world. Especially since she ‘happens’ to show up at the writer’s conference, and she isn’t a writer. While she’s there – Rosie invites Dillon to join them on a girl’s trip in her RV. The famous writer accepts.
Monday morning, they’re on the road. And they are no more than fifty-five miles when suspense and intrigue come knocking at the RV door. Not to mention seeing lingerie where you’d never expect to find undergarments. It’s a mystery, for sure. Follow the Early Birds, plus one, on a journey where snooping around leads them to more than clues. It may even include a little matchmaking amid criminal activity. Is there actually a crime, or is it all a marketing ploy for the mystery author to sell her latest novel?
Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/2WzMslH
Linda: Welcome and thanks for joining me today. Congratulations on your recent release, It’s a Mystery...Birds. Can you tell us a bit about the book and your inspiration for your plot? Janetta: It’s a Mystery…Birds is Book #5 in the Early Birds series. As I’ve said to my readers, my characters are not done talking to me yet. My hubby and I brainstorm ideas for my books, and when I came up with this idea of someone tagging along in Betsy or Rose’s RV, and I wanted to make it a mystery, he wasn’t so sure. I couldn’t blame him. It was my first time doing one, but what fun I had writing it.
LM: You’ve written in a variety of genres. How do you decide which book/genre to write next?
Janetta: I have to say it’s back to brainstorming. An idea pops into my head and I go with it. One I have in the back of my mind could be either a historical or contemporary. I’m just not sure I want to tackle another historical.
LM: Research is an important part of writing. What sort of research did you do for It’s a Mystery...Birds, and is there a particularly intriguing tidbit you stumbled on you knew you had to include?
Janetta: I don’t want to say I didn’t do research for this one, but the readers here today may not know
that my husband and I are full-time RVers. Since It’s a Mystery…Birds is about a famous author tagging along with my main characters, I thought it’d be fun to imagine someone coming along on our travels. What would I have to change in my lifestyle to bring along someone? What if they’d never camped before? How would we deal with having a stranger with us 24/7 in a teeny tiny space? Meals? Quiet time? Entertaining them? LM: What sort of routine do you have for your writing? (e.g. do you write at a certain time during the day, set up somewhere specific, etc.)
Janetta: Since I don’t have a designated place to write, I’ve learned I work best in the morning hours, or when my husband is off doing something. Another reason I write in the morning; we like to go sightseeing in our travels. Getting my writing done early leaves the rest of the day free.
Linda: What is your favorite part of the writing process?
Janetta: Since I write Comedy, I look for comical scenes for my characters. The crazier the better. Those are the most fun to write. I enjoy when my readers tell me that my words made them laugh. Side Note: I also crack myself up at time. I tried being serious in my writing, but it didn’t work for me. I also enjoy editing. I’m an editor at heart. Back to writing, I’ve written long enough now that I can cut a scene if I don’t think it works. Years ago (i.e. first book – Early Birds), I thought every word was a precious gem. HA!!!
LM: If money were no object, where is your idea of the ultimate vacation?
Janetta: Taking around-the-world cruise
LM: What is your advice for fledgling writers?
Janetta: DO NOT GIVE UP. Take some time to pray about whatever they’re working on. Listen. The answer will come.
LM: What is your next project?
Janetta: Right now I’m editing a memoir. Next writing project is another Contemporary Romance. No title yet. LM: Where can folks find you on the web?
Janetta: Janetta Fudge Messmer, Author of Christian Comedies (with a touch of Romance). Books are available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01DWHA1EW E-mail: janettafudgemessmer@gmail.com Website: http://janettafudgemessmer.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janetta.fudge.messmer Twitter: https://twitter.com/nettiefudge
About It's a Mystery...Birds
When Betsy Stevenson signed up for the writer’s conference, she thought she’d see her Houston friends and learn more about the craft of writing. However, rain, canceled flights, and a chance meeting with Dillon McCloud (a mystery writer and keynote speaker) turns her life into a back-to-back adventure. And the mayhem has to include Rose Wilford, Betsy’s bestest friend in all the world. Especially since she ‘happens’ to show up at the writer’s conference, and she isn’t a writer. While she’s there – Rosie invites Dillon to join them on a girl’s trip in her RV. The famous writer accepts. Monday morning, they’re on the road. And they are no more than fifty-five miles when suspense and intrigue come knocking at the RV door. Not to mention seeing lingerie where you’d never expect to find undergarments. It’s a mystery, for sure. Follow the Early Birds, plus one, on a journey where snooping around leads them to more than clues. It may even include a little matchmaking amid criminal activity. Is there actually a crime, or is it all a marketing ploy for the mystery author to sell her latest novel?
Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/2WzMslH
August 18, 2021
Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Sharon Rene
Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Sharon Rene
Linda: Congratulations on your upcoming novel Hesitant Heroes. What was your inspiration for the story, and why did you decide to make it part of a series?
Sharon: I read The Hunger Games series and it blew me away. It was the first speculative book I’d ever read, and I became very interested in the genre. I thought that Christian teens would enjoy a speculative series that wasn’t as violent as The Hunger Games. I came up with the idea of a high school in 2062 for exceptional teens all over the planet. The world is ruled by the authoritarian and anti-religious Global Collective. The Christian students are soon embroiled in mystery and danger.
When I wrote Hesitant Heroes, I didn’t plan for this to be a series. The book ends with a satisfying conclusion – not on a cliff hanger. As the writer, I kept wondering what else happened. (LOL) So I wrote Relentless Rebels. While writing Relentless Rebels, I learned more about the backstory of the adults in the book. I decided they needed a book of their own, thus the prequel Defying Destiny.
LM: Research is an important aspect of writing. How did you go about researching Hesitant Heroes?
Sharon: Because Hesitant Heroes is set in the future I didn’t have to do a lot of research. If I needed a
special gadget I just invented one. That’s what’s so fun about writing speculative. The book takes place in the Alps and Venezuela, so I did research weather, plants, and vegetation. The teens in the book have various skills such as martial arts, ballet, mountain climbing, and computer hacking. I had to research those areas too. LM: What is it that draws you to the YA genre in general and speculative fiction specifically?
Sharon: I loved to read when I was a teen and I believe the books we read make an impression on us. I’ve worked with children and teens in Bible Fellowship for many years. Telling a story is an excellent way to keep the students interested. Teens can be more interesting than adults and definitely more real. I like speculative because our world is constantly changing. We think we’re secure and life will never change but that’s not true. Things can change for the better or the worse. I believe it’s good for teens and adults to read about a world they’d hate to live in. Perhaps it will help them try to make our world a better place.
LM: What do you do to prepare yourself for writing (e.g., listen to music, set up in a certain place, etc.)?
Sharon: I don’t really do anything special. I write whenever I can find the time. I write on a notepad in the evenings and sometimes on my lunch hour at work. I have my computer set up in my bonus room and sometimes I’ll spend most of Saturday typing away. I also work on my laptop in bed.
LM: What is one thing you wish you knew how to do?
Sharon: One of the characters in Hesitant Heroes is a martial arts champion. As an adult, I took karate for over three years, but life got in the way and I had to stop. I wish I could have learned more.
LM: What is one piece of advice you’d like to give to fledgling writers?
Sharon: Never give up. Rejections are hard and you will get a lot of them. I try not to let myself dwell on rejection and concentrate on the writing itself. You have to enjoy the journey. If the Lord sets you on this writing path, He will guide and direct you.
LM: What is your next project?
Sharon: I have completed a romantic suspense that’s in search of a publishing home. I’ve started a middle-grade book about a girl and her friends who want to be detectives. Their curiosity and imaginations lead them into many adventures.
LM: Where can folks find you on the web?
Sharon:Email: sharonrene17@gmail.com Website: http://www.sharonreneauthor.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sharonreneauthor Twitter: https://twitter.com/SharonRene4 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonrene2019
About Hesitant Heroes:
In a future where the planet is ruled by the powerful Global Collective Council, Christian computer geek Jordan Scott is chosen to attend Global Collective University. Shy and insecure, she has difficulty fitting in with the intelligent, worldly teens at GCU. Christian students mysteriously disappear from campus. Jordan discovers these students will be framed in a plot to assassinate a radical councilmember. Suddenly she is forced into a leadership position as she and her teammates' journey from the European Alps to the jungles of Venezuela. Fighting fears that have haunted her for years, Jordan battles with the strongest political force on the planet. Did God place her at GCU for “such a time as this,” and will He use her to save the missing students and stop the assassination?
Linda: Congratulations on your upcoming novel Hesitant Heroes. What was your inspiration for the story, and why did you decide to make it part of a series? Sharon: I read The Hunger Games series and it blew me away. It was the first speculative book I’d ever read, and I became very interested in the genre. I thought that Christian teens would enjoy a speculative series that wasn’t as violent as The Hunger Games. I came up with the idea of a high school in 2062 for exceptional teens all over the planet. The world is ruled by the authoritarian and anti-religious Global Collective. The Christian students are soon embroiled in mystery and danger.
When I wrote Hesitant Heroes, I didn’t plan for this to be a series. The book ends with a satisfying conclusion – not on a cliff hanger. As the writer, I kept wondering what else happened. (LOL) So I wrote Relentless Rebels. While writing Relentless Rebels, I learned more about the backstory of the adults in the book. I decided they needed a book of their own, thus the prequel Defying Destiny.
LM: Research is an important aspect of writing. How did you go about researching Hesitant Heroes?
Sharon: Because Hesitant Heroes is set in the future I didn’t have to do a lot of research. If I needed a
special gadget I just invented one. That’s what’s so fun about writing speculative. The book takes place in the Alps and Venezuela, so I did research weather, plants, and vegetation. The teens in the book have various skills such as martial arts, ballet, mountain climbing, and computer hacking. I had to research those areas too. LM: What is it that draws you to the YA genre in general and speculative fiction specifically? Sharon: I loved to read when I was a teen and I believe the books we read make an impression on us. I’ve worked with children and teens in Bible Fellowship for many years. Telling a story is an excellent way to keep the students interested. Teens can be more interesting than adults and definitely more real. I like speculative because our world is constantly changing. We think we’re secure and life will never change but that’s not true. Things can change for the better or the worse. I believe it’s good for teens and adults to read about a world they’d hate to live in. Perhaps it will help them try to make our world a better place.
LM: What do you do to prepare yourself for writing (e.g., listen to music, set up in a certain place, etc.)?
Sharon: I don’t really do anything special. I write whenever I can find the time. I write on a notepad in the evenings and sometimes on my lunch hour at work. I have my computer set up in my bonus room and sometimes I’ll spend most of Saturday typing away. I also work on my laptop in bed.
LM: What is one thing you wish you knew how to do?
Sharon: One of the characters in Hesitant Heroes is a martial arts champion. As an adult, I took karate for over three years, but life got in the way and I had to stop. I wish I could have learned more. LM: What is one piece of advice you’d like to give to fledgling writers?
Sharon: Never give up. Rejections are hard and you will get a lot of them. I try not to let myself dwell on rejection and concentrate on the writing itself. You have to enjoy the journey. If the Lord sets you on this writing path, He will guide and direct you.
LM: What is your next project?
Sharon: I have completed a romantic suspense that’s in search of a publishing home. I’ve started a middle-grade book about a girl and her friends who want to be detectives. Their curiosity and imaginations lead them into many adventures.
LM: Where can folks find you on the web?
Sharon:Email: sharonrene17@gmail.com Website: http://www.sharonreneauthor.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sharonreneauthor Twitter: https://twitter.com/SharonRene4 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonrene2019
About Hesitant Heroes:
In a future where the planet is ruled by the powerful Global Collective Council, Christian computer geek Jordan Scott is chosen to attend Global Collective University. Shy and insecure, she has difficulty fitting in with the intelligent, worldly teens at GCU. Christian students mysteriously disappear from campus. Jordan discovers these students will be framed in a plot to assassinate a radical councilmember. Suddenly she is forced into a leadership position as she and her teammates' journey from the European Alps to the jungles of Venezuela. Fighting fears that have haunted her for years, Jordan battles with the strongest political force on the planet. Did God place her at GCU for “such a time as this,” and will He use her to save the missing students and stop the assassination?
August 11, 2021
Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Sharon K. Connell
Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Sharon K. Connell
Linda: Welcome and thanks for joining me today. Congratulations on your upcoming release. Can you tell us a bit about the book and your inspiration for your plot?
Sharon: Thank you for having me, Linda. Ko’olau’s Secret is basically about trusting God. A young woman finds that her father, an Army major stationed on O’ahu, Hawai’i, is missing. Even his commanding officer has no idea what happened. Kyleigh learns that her father gave the Honolulu Police Department some information about criminal activity, but she’s getting nowhere in finding out what they’re doing to find him or what’s going on. She’s not even sure she can trust the detectives who are handling the case. And they certainly aren’t going to stop her from looking for her missing father on her own, even if it takes her into the Ko’olau Range to see if he’s had an accident up there on the mountain and no one’s come across him yet. LM: What draws you to the mystery/suspense genre?
Sharon: I love suspense and mystery, whether it’s in a book I’m reading or something on TV or a movie. I suppose that’s why I started writing it.
LM: Research is an important part of writing. What sort of research have you done for your books, and is there a particularly intriguing tidbit you stumbled on you knew you had to include?
Sharon: Oh, my! Another thing I love to do is research. I’ll ask questions of anyone who will talk to me when I start looking for information I need for a story. For my books, I’ve contacted the Navy, police officers, first responders, searched online for trusted sites to get specific information like the Army and FBI, and even contacted the Chamber of Commerce in North Bend, Nebraska for my story Treasure in a Field. For Ko’olau’s Secret, I joined the Facebook group All Things O’ahu Hawai’i to talk to locals on the island. I subscribed to magazines and newsletters from Hawai’i and made friends with several people who lived or were born and raised on O’ahu. People are more than generous with information if you tell them you’re a writer working on a story involving their expertise or locale, and you’d like to get the details correct. So far, I’ve not been turned down.
When it comes to stumbling upon information I wanted to include in the story, there was just too much. Tempted as I was to add things to the story really not needed for my plot or the scenes, I had to restrain myself. For Ko’olau’s Secret, I did add a section in the back of the book for some fun facts I thought the readers might enjoy learning about.
LM: What sort of routine do you have for your writing? (e.g. do you write at a certain time during the day, set up somewhere specific, etc.)
Sharon: When I first get going in the morning, I do some routine chores around the house, and then step into my office and start working on my current work in progress. Generally, I’ll do other chores as breaks from sitting at the desk. But I keep going until it’s time to make dinner. My writing is a full-time job to me, so I treat it that way. My husband made the guest room into an office where I have everything I need for my writing at my fingertips. It’s just like when I worked out of the home in the 9 to 5 world. Linda: What is your favorite part of the writing process?
Sharon: That’s a hard one because I enjoy all of it. The first draft, coming up with little sub-plots, self-editing, getting critiques from my critique group, the research. It’s all a joy to me. But I guess if I had to be pinned down to a favorite part, it would be getting that notice that my book has been published, and then getting that first comment about the book from a reader. LM: If money were no object, where is your idea of the ultimate vacation?
Sharon: I used to think that my ideal destination for the ultimate vacation would be in the United
Kingdom. But now that I’ve written Ko’olau’s Secret, I’ve changed my mind. I’d love to vacation somewhere at the foot of the Ko’olau Range, take walks up the mountain, visit the waterfalls on the island of O’ahu, and spend time with the native Hawaiians. LM: What is your advice for fledgling writers?
Sharon: 1. If you have an idea for a story, write it. Don’t worry about spelling, grammar, or any of the editing details until you have that story down from the first paragraph until you add “The End” to the manuscript. Then go back and start your first read-through of your story. That’s when you start to make corrections. 2. If God’s called you to write, write. Ignore anyone who says you can’t do it. 3. Take some classes in writing. If you can’t afford them or don’t have time to go to school for writing classes, join a free online course. Look around online and find something that fits what you need. 4. Get to know other writers. No one is an expert in this field so take everything you hear with a grain of salt. Use what works for you, and discard the rest. 5. Read, read, read. It’s the best way for you to learn how to write. You’ll learn what you think is the right way to do it, and you’ll learn what you’ll think is the wrong way to do it. Use what you learn. LM: What is your next project?
Sharon: In time for the holidays, I’m putting together a cookbook called Simply Cooking. This will be a cookbook for beginners, and/or for those who don’t have time for gourmet recipes or simply don’t care to cook with ingredients not normally found in their kitchen. After the first of the year, I’ll be writing a story set in the Rocky Mountains, in Colorado. I already have notes on that one. LM: Where can folks find you on the web?
Sharon:
The new group I set up on Facebook to have my launch party, which is tomorrow evening is, Ko’olau’s Secret Bk launch party group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1125923617932028 My website: www.authorsharonkconnell.com Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/author/sharonkconnell Facebook Author’s book page: https://www.facebook.com/averypresenthelpbook1 Facebook Author’s Page: https://www.facebook.com/ChristianRomanceSuspense/ Facebook Group Forum: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ChristianWritersAndReadersGroupForum/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SharonKConnell Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/SharonKConnell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonkconnell Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/rosecastle1/ About Ko'olau's Secret:
Kyleigh Flanagan, receives a strange note from her father, an Army Major stationed on the Hawaiian Island of O'ahu. The wording tells her something is not right. Her calls to him go unanswered. With her best friend Marisa, Kyleigh sets off for O'ahu to find out what’s going on. Her father’s commanding officer has no idea where he is but ordered an investigation. The major had contacted the Honolulu Police Department with information about suspicions he had. But what information? After checking with HPD, Kyleigh and Marisa are told Detectives O’Shea and Swanson were assigned to the case. But the detectives are not available to speak to. Kyleigh is still in the dark. She is not one to sit around and do nothing when her father is missing.
Could the mysterious Ko'olau Range, which holds many secrets, have an answer to her father’s disappearance? The two handsome detectives cause sparks to fly, and not the good kind. At least, not at first. Can Kyleigh trust them? Authorities had let her down in the past when her mother was killed and the murderer not apprehended.
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1732923752
Linda: Welcome and thanks for joining me today. Congratulations on your upcoming release. Can you tell us a bit about the book and your inspiration for your plot? Sharon: Thank you for having me, Linda. Ko’olau’s Secret is basically about trusting God. A young woman finds that her father, an Army major stationed on O’ahu, Hawai’i, is missing. Even his commanding officer has no idea what happened. Kyleigh learns that her father gave the Honolulu Police Department some information about criminal activity, but she’s getting nowhere in finding out what they’re doing to find him or what’s going on. She’s not even sure she can trust the detectives who are handling the case. And they certainly aren’t going to stop her from looking for her missing father on her own, even if it takes her into the Ko’olau Range to see if he’s had an accident up there on the mountain and no one’s come across him yet. LM: What draws you to the mystery/suspense genre?
Sharon: I love suspense and mystery, whether it’s in a book I’m reading or something on TV or a movie. I suppose that’s why I started writing it.
LM: Research is an important part of writing. What sort of research have you done for your books, and is there a particularly intriguing tidbit you stumbled on you knew you had to include?
Sharon: Oh, my! Another thing I love to do is research. I’ll ask questions of anyone who will talk to me when I start looking for information I need for a story. For my books, I’ve contacted the Navy, police officers, first responders, searched online for trusted sites to get specific information like the Army and FBI, and even contacted the Chamber of Commerce in North Bend, Nebraska for my story Treasure in a Field. For Ko’olau’s Secret, I joined the Facebook group All Things O’ahu Hawai’i to talk to locals on the island. I subscribed to magazines and newsletters from Hawai’i and made friends with several people who lived or were born and raised on O’ahu. People are more than generous with information if you tell them you’re a writer working on a story involving their expertise or locale, and you’d like to get the details correct. So far, I’ve not been turned down.
When it comes to stumbling upon information I wanted to include in the story, there was just too much. Tempted as I was to add things to the story really not needed for my plot or the scenes, I had to restrain myself. For Ko’olau’s Secret, I did add a section in the back of the book for some fun facts I thought the readers might enjoy learning about.
LM: What sort of routine do you have for your writing? (e.g. do you write at a certain time during the day, set up somewhere specific, etc.)
Sharon: When I first get going in the morning, I do some routine chores around the house, and then step into my office and start working on my current work in progress. Generally, I’ll do other chores as breaks from sitting at the desk. But I keep going until it’s time to make dinner. My writing is a full-time job to me, so I treat it that way. My husband made the guest room into an office where I have everything I need for my writing at my fingertips. It’s just like when I worked out of the home in the 9 to 5 world. Linda: What is your favorite part of the writing process?
Sharon: That’s a hard one because I enjoy all of it. The first draft, coming up with little sub-plots, self-editing, getting critiques from my critique group, the research. It’s all a joy to me. But I guess if I had to be pinned down to a favorite part, it would be getting that notice that my book has been published, and then getting that first comment about the book from a reader. LM: If money were no object, where is your idea of the ultimate vacation?
Sharon: I used to think that my ideal destination for the ultimate vacation would be in the United
Kingdom. But now that I’ve written Ko’olau’s Secret, I’ve changed my mind. I’d love to vacation somewhere at the foot of the Ko’olau Range, take walks up the mountain, visit the waterfalls on the island of O’ahu, and spend time with the native Hawaiians. LM: What is your advice for fledgling writers? Sharon: 1. If you have an idea for a story, write it. Don’t worry about spelling, grammar, or any of the editing details until you have that story down from the first paragraph until you add “The End” to the manuscript. Then go back and start your first read-through of your story. That’s when you start to make corrections. 2. If God’s called you to write, write. Ignore anyone who says you can’t do it. 3. Take some classes in writing. If you can’t afford them or don’t have time to go to school for writing classes, join a free online course. Look around online and find something that fits what you need. 4. Get to know other writers. No one is an expert in this field so take everything you hear with a grain of salt. Use what works for you, and discard the rest. 5. Read, read, read. It’s the best way for you to learn how to write. You’ll learn what you think is the right way to do it, and you’ll learn what you’ll think is the wrong way to do it. Use what you learn. LM: What is your next project?
Sharon: In time for the holidays, I’m putting together a cookbook called Simply Cooking. This will be a cookbook for beginners, and/or for those who don’t have time for gourmet recipes or simply don’t care to cook with ingredients not normally found in their kitchen. After the first of the year, I’ll be writing a story set in the Rocky Mountains, in Colorado. I already have notes on that one. LM: Where can folks find you on the web?
Sharon:
The new group I set up on Facebook to have my launch party, which is tomorrow evening is, Ko’olau’s Secret Bk launch party group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1125923617932028 My website: www.authorsharonkconnell.com Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/author/sharonkconnell Facebook Author’s book page: https://www.facebook.com/averypresenthelpbook1 Facebook Author’s Page: https://www.facebook.com/ChristianRomanceSuspense/ Facebook Group Forum: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ChristianWritersAndReadersGroupForum/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SharonKConnell Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/SharonKConnell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonkconnell Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/rosecastle1/ About Ko'olau's Secret: 
Kyleigh Flanagan, receives a strange note from her father, an Army Major stationed on the Hawaiian Island of O'ahu. The wording tells her something is not right. Her calls to him go unanswered. With her best friend Marisa, Kyleigh sets off for O'ahu to find out what’s going on. Her father’s commanding officer has no idea where he is but ordered an investigation. The major had contacted the Honolulu Police Department with information about suspicions he had. But what information? After checking with HPD, Kyleigh and Marisa are told Detectives O’Shea and Swanson were assigned to the case. But the detectives are not available to speak to. Kyleigh is still in the dark. She is not one to sit around and do nothing when her father is missing. Could the mysterious Ko'olau Range, which holds many secrets, have an answer to her father’s disappearance? The two handsome detectives cause sparks to fly, and not the good kind. At least, not at first. Can Kyleigh trust them? Authorities had let her down in the past when her mother was killed and the murderer not apprehended.
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1732923752
August 5, 2021
Fiction Friday: New Releases
August 2021 New Releases More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website
Historical Romance:
A Warrior’s Heart by Misty M. Beller -- Brielle Durand is a key defender and hunter for her people's peace-loving French settlement in the Canadian mountains. When a foreigner wanders too near to their secret homes, she has no choice but to disarm and capture him. She won't allow another massacre like the one that killed her mother a dozen years before. But now, what to do with this man who looks at her in a strange way? (Historical Romance from Bethany House)
The Debutante’s Secret by Mary Davis -- Will Geneviève open her heart to a love she never imagined? Geneviève Marseille, a French socialite, has only one purpose in coming to Kamola—stopping her brother from digging up the past. She has reluctantly journeyed alone to the quaint college town in central Washington State. Kamola is so different from her beloved Paris that she is tempted to abort her mission, but the kindness of a handsome deputy tempers her desire to flee. (Historical Romance from Mountain Brook Ink)
Beyond These War-Torn Lands by Cynthia Roemer -- The War brought them together ~ Would it also tear them apart? While en route to aid Confederate soldiers injured in battle near her home, Southerner Caroline Dunbar stumbles across a wounded Union sergeant. Unable to ignore his plea for help, she tends his injuries and hides him away, only to find her attachment to him deepen with each passing day. But when her secret is discovered, Caroline incurs her father’s wrath and, in turn, unlocks a dark secret from the past which she is determined to unravel. (Historical Romance from Scrivenings Press)
General Historical:
Book Title by Terrie Todd -- War might be raging overseas, but Rose Onishi is on track to fulfill her lifelong goal of becoming a concert pianist. When forced by her government to leave her beloved home in Vancouver and move to the Canadian prairie to work on the Thornes' sugar beet farm, her dream fades to match the black dirt staining her callused hands. Though the Thorne family is kind, life is unbearably lonely. In hopes that it might win her the chance to play their piano, Rose agrees to write letters to their soldier son. Will Rusty survive the war only to encounter the Japanese on his own doorstep? Can Rose overcome betrayal and open her heart? Or will the truth destroy the fragile bond their letters created? (General Historical from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)
Amish Romance:
[image error] The Cowboy’s Amish Haven by Pamela Desmond Wright -- Her home and her heart are on the line… On the same day Gail Schroder’s faced with losing her Amish family ranch, her old crush Levi Wyse shows up on her doorstep. He doesn’t know that when he left ten years ago he'd taken Gail’s heart with him. Now Levi’s her only hope of keeping a roof over her head. But can this cowboy teach Gail the ropes in time to save her home? (Amish Romance from Love Inspired/Harlequin)
An Amish Schoolroom by Amy Clipston -- Description. (Amish Romance from Harper Collins Christian Publishing)
Contemporary Romance:
A Mother’s Strength by Allie Pleiter -- Will finding her son a friend lead to forever love? Single mom Molly Kane will do anything to help her son overcome his anxieties—including enlisting former police officer Sawyer Bradshaw to give him golf lessons. Sawyer’s a loner, yet he quickly forms a bond with little Zack. And with Molly. But protecting Zack means Molly must keep her heart off-limits from Sawyer, even as her little boy draws them together…(Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired/Harlequin)
[image error] To Bring You Back by Emily Conrad -- He's determined to confront the past she's desperate to forget. When Adeline Green’s now-famous high school crush descends on her quiet life, a public spotlight threatens to expose her deepest regret. After eight years of trying to bury her mistakes under a life of service, she's broke financially and spiritually. The last thing she can afford is feelings for the man who took center stage in her past—even if he does claim to know the secret to her redemption. But when Gannon’s fame and their mutual regrets jeopardize their relationship anew, will grace be enough to bring them back to God and each other? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
The Cottage on Seagull Lane by Patti Jo Moore -- Description. (Contemporary Romance from Winged Publications)
Speculative:
[image error] Into the Unknow by Daphne Self, et. al. -- Humanity has spread and colonized regions of the galaxies. As their reach expanded, countries, colonies, and planets joined to form the Federated Nations, providing a centralized government among the stars. Along with the Science Conglomerate—who explores and researches the unknown regions—and the Judicial Clerical Court—purveyors of truth, history, and justice—humanity discovers new beings, wondrous worlds, old temptations, and strength in horrendous trials. (Speculative from Ambassador International)
Mystery:
One Hundred Proof Murder by Mary Ellis -- ravel writer Jill Curtis is in Louisville, Kentucky, on the next stop of her bourbon tour assignment, and is keen to explore the local distilleries with her videographer, Michael Erickson – especially since her new beau, Lieutenant Nick Harris, lives in the city. But the night before Jill’s first tour at Parker’s Distillery, she is shocked to learn that the master distiller, William Scott, has died suddenly of a heart attack – and even more shocked when she discovers William’s daughter, Alexis, suspects foul play. Is there more to William’s death than meets the eye? Jill is soon drawn into a deadly blend of rivalry, jealously, and cold-blooded murder as she attempts to uncover the truth behind William's unexpected demise. (Cozy Mystery from Severn House)
Thriller/Suspense:
Exile by Brian Shotton -- Gone for three years, Scott returns home to find Aurora in decay. A curse has descended on the small Kentucky town. Someone is convincing the young to take their own lives, and with each suicide the death-cycle grows stronger, entangling all it touches. Scott and Father Stan must find the source of the evil if they hope to heal and restore community. Meanwhile, Dee and Tim find their own trouble at the Order of the Third Sister. A demon has infiltrated the Sisters, hellbent on discovering the truth behind the prophecy of the Scion and secretly ushering in the destruction of the enclave. (Thriller/Suspense/Biblical, Independently Published)
Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month: Justice at Dawn by Valerie Massey Goree, When a training exercise turns deadly, can Agent Callahan save the rookie, the abducted family, and himself? (Thriller/Suspense/Romance)
Counterfeit Captive by Susan Page Davis, A chance for escape takes two unlikely allies on a romantic adventure along a desert trail. (Historical Romance)
Betrayal of Genius by Robin Patchen, Join Jacqui and Reid as they navigate this pulse-pounding, faith-filled adventure into the high-stakes world of medical research, innovation, and greed. (Thriller/Suspense/Romance)
P.W. Stone and the Missing Kingdom by S.C. Easley, Sometimes the planets and stars do align. Enter the Kingdom Realms, where the unseen is seen, and battles must be won... (Children’s/Middle Grade)
Sweet Summer by Christina Sinisi, Can Shelby let her sisters, Tyler, and even more importantly, God, show her in one Sweet Summer, that love is worth taking the risk? (Contemporary Romance)
Potato Flake Christmas by Cathe Swanson, It seemed like such a good idea at the time... (Contemporary Romance)
Historical Romance:
A Warrior’s Heart by Misty M. Beller -- Brielle Durand is a key defender and hunter for her people's peace-loving French settlement in the Canadian mountains. When a foreigner wanders too near to their secret homes, she has no choice but to disarm and capture him. She won't allow another massacre like the one that killed her mother a dozen years before. But now, what to do with this man who looks at her in a strange way? (Historical Romance from Bethany House)
The Debutante’s Secret by Mary Davis -- Will Geneviève open her heart to a love she never imagined? Geneviève Marseille, a French socialite, has only one purpose in coming to Kamola—stopping her brother from digging up the past. She has reluctantly journeyed alone to the quaint college town in central Washington State. Kamola is so different from her beloved Paris that she is tempted to abort her mission, but the kindness of a handsome deputy tempers her desire to flee. (Historical Romance from Mountain Brook Ink)
Beyond These War-Torn Lands by Cynthia Roemer -- The War brought them together ~ Would it also tear them apart? While en route to aid Confederate soldiers injured in battle near her home, Southerner Caroline Dunbar stumbles across a wounded Union sergeant. Unable to ignore his plea for help, she tends his injuries and hides him away, only to find her attachment to him deepen with each passing day. But when her secret is discovered, Caroline incurs her father’s wrath and, in turn, unlocks a dark secret from the past which she is determined to unravel. (Historical Romance from Scrivenings Press)General Historical:
Book Title by Terrie Todd -- War might be raging overseas, but Rose Onishi is on track to fulfill her lifelong goal of becoming a concert pianist. When forced by her government to leave her beloved home in Vancouver and move to the Canadian prairie to work on the Thornes' sugar beet farm, her dream fades to match the black dirt staining her callused hands. Though the Thorne family is kind, life is unbearably lonely. In hopes that it might win her the chance to play their piano, Rose agrees to write letters to their soldier son. Will Rusty survive the war only to encounter the Japanese on his own doorstep? Can Rose overcome betrayal and open her heart? Or will the truth destroy the fragile bond their letters created? (General Historical from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)Amish Romance:
[image error] The Cowboy’s Amish Haven by Pamela Desmond Wright -- Her home and her heart are on the line… On the same day Gail Schroder’s faced with losing her Amish family ranch, her old crush Levi Wyse shows up on her doorstep. He doesn’t know that when he left ten years ago he'd taken Gail’s heart with him. Now Levi’s her only hope of keeping a roof over her head. But can this cowboy teach Gail the ropes in time to save her home? (Amish Romance from Love Inspired/Harlequin)
An Amish Schoolroom by Amy Clipston -- Description. (Amish Romance from Harper Collins Christian Publishing)Contemporary Romance:
A Mother’s Strength by Allie Pleiter -- Will finding her son a friend lead to forever love? Single mom Molly Kane will do anything to help her son overcome his anxieties—including enlisting former police officer Sawyer Bradshaw to give him golf lessons. Sawyer’s a loner, yet he quickly forms a bond with little Zack. And with Molly. But protecting Zack means Molly must keep her heart off-limits from Sawyer, even as her little boy draws them together…(Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired/Harlequin)[image error] To Bring You Back by Emily Conrad -- He's determined to confront the past she's desperate to forget. When Adeline Green’s now-famous high school crush descends on her quiet life, a public spotlight threatens to expose her deepest regret. After eight years of trying to bury her mistakes under a life of service, she's broke financially and spiritually. The last thing she can afford is feelings for the man who took center stage in her past—even if he does claim to know the secret to her redemption. But when Gannon’s fame and their mutual regrets jeopardize their relationship anew, will grace be enough to bring them back to God and each other? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)
The Cottage on Seagull Lane by Patti Jo Moore -- Description. (Contemporary Romance from Winged Publications)Speculative:
[image error] Into the Unknow by Daphne Self, et. al. -- Humanity has spread and colonized regions of the galaxies. As their reach expanded, countries, colonies, and planets joined to form the Federated Nations, providing a centralized government among the stars. Along with the Science Conglomerate—who explores and researches the unknown regions—and the Judicial Clerical Court—purveyors of truth, history, and justice—humanity discovers new beings, wondrous worlds, old temptations, and strength in horrendous trials. (Speculative from Ambassador International)
Mystery:
One Hundred Proof Murder by Mary Ellis -- ravel writer Jill Curtis is in Louisville, Kentucky, on the next stop of her bourbon tour assignment, and is keen to explore the local distilleries with her videographer, Michael Erickson – especially since her new beau, Lieutenant Nick Harris, lives in the city. But the night before Jill’s first tour at Parker’s Distillery, she is shocked to learn that the master distiller, William Scott, has died suddenly of a heart attack – and even more shocked when she discovers William’s daughter, Alexis, suspects foul play. Is there more to William’s death than meets the eye? Jill is soon drawn into a deadly blend of rivalry, jealously, and cold-blooded murder as she attempts to uncover the truth behind William's unexpected demise. (Cozy Mystery from Severn House)Thriller/Suspense:
Exile by Brian Shotton -- Gone for three years, Scott returns home to find Aurora in decay. A curse has descended on the small Kentucky town. Someone is convincing the young to take their own lives, and with each suicide the death-cycle grows stronger, entangling all it touches. Scott and Father Stan must find the source of the evil if they hope to heal and restore community. Meanwhile, Dee and Tim find their own trouble at the Order of the Third Sister. A demon has infiltrated the Sisters, hellbent on discovering the truth behind the prophecy of the Scion and secretly ushering in the destruction of the enclave. (Thriller/Suspense/Biblical, Independently Published)Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month: Justice at Dawn by Valerie Massey Goree, When a training exercise turns deadly, can Agent Callahan save the rookie, the abducted family, and himself? (Thriller/Suspense/Romance)
Counterfeit Captive by Susan Page Davis, A chance for escape takes two unlikely allies on a romantic adventure along a desert trail. (Historical Romance)
Betrayal of Genius by Robin Patchen, Join Jacqui and Reid as they navigate this pulse-pounding, faith-filled adventure into the high-stakes world of medical research, innovation, and greed. (Thriller/Suspense/Romance)
P.W. Stone and the Missing Kingdom by S.C. Easley, Sometimes the planets and stars do align. Enter the Kingdom Realms, where the unseen is seen, and battles must be won... (Children’s/Middle Grade)
Sweet Summer by Christina Sinisi, Can Shelby let her sisters, Tyler, and even more importantly, God, show her in one Sweet Summer, that love is worth taking the risk? (Contemporary Romance)
Potato Flake Christmas by Cathe Swanson, It seemed like such a good idea at the time... (Contemporary Romance)
August 4, 2021
Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Back Valerie Goree!
Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Back, Valerie Goree!
Linda: Welcome back and thanks for joining me today. Congratulations on the release of Justice at Dawn. What was your inspiration for the plot? Valerie: Since this is the last novel in my Stolen Lives Trilogy, I wanted to return to characters from the first novel. Although they feature in the plot, the story revolves around Cooper, IRO’s training officer, and his new recruit. What does it take to become an IRO agent? What training do they undergo and what skills do they need? LM: What draws you to write in the suspense genre? Valerie: I read romantic suspense so it seemed natural for me to write in that genre. I love to create a hook at the end of a chapter to entice the reader to keep turning the pages. A story that only focuses on perfect characters and their wonderful lives would be boring, in my opinion. So I love to put my hero and heroine in difficult situations and ratchet up the trouble.
LM: How did you come up with the idea for the International Retrieval Organization? Is there something similar in “real life?” Valerie: IRO is my creation, a detective agency on steroids, with superior technology and unlimited funds. What fun to create a story world where my characters’ ingenuity is supported by the organization’s resources. LM: Your story is set in California. Did you choose that location for a specific reason? Have you had the opportunity to visit the area where you set your story? Valerie: Weep in the Night and Day of Reckoning, books one and two in the Trilogy, are set in
California. Although IRO has branches in other states, I needed my hero agent to be based in San Diego for this plot. I have visited San Diego and San Juan Capistrano. Although I have not spent time in the Caspers Wilderness Park, I relied on Google maps and my imagination for the cabin scenes. LM: What authors have influenced your writing?
Valerie: I’ve been privileged to be part of a critique group for many years. As I write today, I can “hear” various members’ comments from the past. Corrections to problems I always made, the comma guru adding or deleting, insightful suggestions to improve the scene. I appreciate all the help I received from Catherine Leggitt, Marcia Lahti, Marcy Dyer, and you, Linda. LM: What is one thing you wish you knew how to do?
Valerie: I wish I could ice-skate. As a youth, I loved to roller skate, but since I grew up in a small town in Central Africa, we had no access to frozen ponds. When I attended university in the USA, I visited friends in Colorado one Christmas break. They took me ice-skating at Estes park. Well, I spent a lot of time on the ice but not on my feet. LM: What is one piece of advice you’d like to offer to fledgling writers?
Valerie: Read novels in your genre, attend workshops or conferences, read craft books, join a critique group, but most importantly, hone your skills by writing, writing, writing. You can only improve your skills by “practicing”.
LM: What is your next project?
Valerie: One of my publishers is sponsoring a series of novels under the umbrella theme of “My Mother’s Secret.” My character’s mother worked in a genetic research lab. When Anna reads the will, she is astonished to discover… Aha. You’ll have to wait until that novel is published. LM: Where can folks find you on the web?
Valerie: Website: http://www.valeriegoreeauthor.com Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/ValerieMasseyGoree/
About Justice at Dawn:
Cooper Callahan has been an International Retrieval Organization operative for fifteen years. In all that time he has never worked with a trainee like Kitty Claire Briggs. Overflowing with energy, KC isn’t quiet long enough for him to think. But when the boss assigns them a training mission to follow Sadie, his wife, KC’s serious side emerges. Sure, former stunt double, KC, wants to be an agent, but she also has an ulterior motive to be accepted by IRO—she wants access to their superior technology. Can she locate her quarry without Cooper finding out? As Cooper shares the finer points of surveillance with KC, his waning faith is strengthened by her enthusiasm for the Lord and for the job. When the training exercise turns into a real abduction, will KC’s naiveté lead to death or to a successful conclusion to the case?
Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/2V7lIZA
Linda: Welcome back and thanks for joining me today. Congratulations on the release of Justice at Dawn. What was your inspiration for the plot? Valerie: Since this is the last novel in my Stolen Lives Trilogy, I wanted to return to characters from the first novel. Although they feature in the plot, the story revolves around Cooper, IRO’s training officer, and his new recruit. What does it take to become an IRO agent? What training do they undergo and what skills do they need? LM: What draws you to write in the suspense genre? Valerie: I read romantic suspense so it seemed natural for me to write in that genre. I love to create a hook at the end of a chapter to entice the reader to keep turning the pages. A story that only focuses on perfect characters and their wonderful lives would be boring, in my opinion. So I love to put my hero and heroine in difficult situations and ratchet up the trouble. LM: How did you come up with the idea for the International Retrieval Organization? Is there something similar in “real life?” Valerie: IRO is my creation, a detective agency on steroids, with superior technology and unlimited funds. What fun to create a story world where my characters’ ingenuity is supported by the organization’s resources. LM: Your story is set in California. Did you choose that location for a specific reason? Have you had the opportunity to visit the area where you set your story? Valerie: Weep in the Night and Day of Reckoning, books one and two in the Trilogy, are set in
California. Although IRO has branches in other states, I needed my hero agent to be based in San Diego for this plot. I have visited San Diego and San Juan Capistrano. Although I have not spent time in the Caspers Wilderness Park, I relied on Google maps and my imagination for the cabin scenes. LM: What authors have influenced your writing? Valerie: I’ve been privileged to be part of a critique group for many years. As I write today, I can “hear” various members’ comments from the past. Corrections to problems I always made, the comma guru adding or deleting, insightful suggestions to improve the scene. I appreciate all the help I received from Catherine Leggitt, Marcia Lahti, Marcy Dyer, and you, Linda. LM: What is one thing you wish you knew how to do?
Valerie: I wish I could ice-skate. As a youth, I loved to roller skate, but since I grew up in a small town in Central Africa, we had no access to frozen ponds. When I attended university in the USA, I visited friends in Colorado one Christmas break. They took me ice-skating at Estes park. Well, I spent a lot of time on the ice but not on my feet. LM: What is one piece of advice you’d like to offer to fledgling writers?
Valerie: Read novels in your genre, attend workshops or conferences, read craft books, join a critique group, but most importantly, hone your skills by writing, writing, writing. You can only improve your skills by “practicing”.
LM: What is your next project?
Valerie: One of my publishers is sponsoring a series of novels under the umbrella theme of “My Mother’s Secret.” My character’s mother worked in a genetic research lab. When Anna reads the will, she is astonished to discover… Aha. You’ll have to wait until that novel is published. LM: Where can folks find you on the web? Valerie: Website: http://www.valeriegoreeauthor.com Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/ValerieMasseyGoree/
About Justice at Dawn:
Cooper Callahan has been an International Retrieval Organization operative for fifteen years. In all that time he has never worked with a trainee like Kitty Claire Briggs. Overflowing with energy, KC isn’t quiet long enough for him to think. But when the boss assigns them a training mission to follow Sadie, his wife, KC’s serious side emerges. Sure, former stunt double, KC, wants to be an agent, but she also has an ulterior motive to be accepted by IRO—she wants access to their superior technology. Can she locate her quarry without Cooper finding out? As Cooper shares the finer points of surveillance with KC, his waning faith is strengthened by her enthusiasm for the Lord and for the job. When the training exercise turns into a real abduction, will KC’s naiveté lead to death or to a successful conclusion to the case? Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/2V7lIZA
