D.V. Stone's Blog, page 10

Around the fire new release spotlight. today kringle all the way by Judy kentrus.

Hi everyone! I hope you had a great weekend. Today's guest lives only an hour away from me and we've become friends. Just this past Saturday we both joined other NJRW authors at a signing event at one of our local Art & Event Galleries. You can check the venue out at ​www.facebook.com/whitespaceartevent/ Kringle all the Way
by 
​Judy Kentrus
A sweet holiday romance.
Released November 8, 2023

Freja Sorenson is content running 2 Sisters Kringle and Fudge, their family business in Dickens.  She decides to rent out the back apartment in her big Victorian home. She’s taken aback when the man who once held a special place in her heart wants to rent the space. Once a loving couple, she suffered his betrayal when he shared her secret ingredient with her biggest contender in her culinary school’s distinguished bake-off.
Can she forgive him for his betrayal? 
Axel Frost became mother and father to his two young granddaughters after their parents were tragically killed.  He moved Holly and Ivy to Dickens for a fresh start and opened a hobby shop, Trains, Planes, and Automobiles.  When the house he's renting is sold, two weeks before Christmas, Axel is desperate to find them a new home.
His best friends told him about a great apartment, but he’s leery when he learns his landlord will be Freja Sorenson.  Together for five months, she unexpectedly ended their loving relationship. After all these years, he’s determined to find out why she broke his heart. 
Is it possible Christmas is a time for forgiveness and maybe a second chance at love?
Grab your copy today at one of these online retailers.
books2read.com/u/38nA6r  Hi, I’m Judy Kentrus. I write Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Sweet Romance, Rom-Com, Later-in-Life Romance, and Historical Romance. 
I’ve always been a romantic at heart, and I married my high school sweetheart. I make my home in the Poconos of Pennsylvania. My two grown children have given me six grandchildren.  
When I’m not giving couples their happily-ever-after, you can find me in the kitchen, baking, especially cookies.  I’ve been dubbed the cookie queen by my family and friends.  You’ll find a new recipe every month on my website. 
Want to find out more about my books and what’s coming?  Be sure to sign up for my newsletter via my website.  My stories are fun, sexy romances that make you laugh, cry, and fall in love.
 
Website:  https://www.judykentrus.com 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/judykentrusauthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judykentrus
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/judy-kentrus
Pinterest    https://www.pinterest.com/jkentrus                                                                   
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7389513.Judy_Kentrus

Around the Fire New Release Spotlight. A holiday romance.

Thank you for visiting Around the Fire. For any of my guest from NY, NJ, and PA, It's less than a week away. I'll be joining other authors at Whitespace Art and Event Gallery in Hackettstown, NJ. It's an easy on and off from I-80. Check it out at https://www.facebook.com/whitespaceartevent
November 18 - Romance Book Signing 1pm - 4pm FREE ADMISSION The Scarred Santa Kindle Edition
by
Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy 

The Wild Rose Press, Inc. 
‎ November 13, 2023
A sweet inspirational romance.

​Once handsome Rafe Sullivan is left scarred, injured, and with PTSD from his Marine Corps service in Afghanistan, returning to civilian life is far from smooth, and the burn scars on his right side are extensive. Although he lives close to family, he lives a solitary life and changes jobs more often than most people change their socks. A temporary job as Santa at the mall is presented, but Rafe first rebels, then relents. His Santa gig affects his PTSD. Then he meets Sheena Dunmore. When she doesn't run from his scars or issues, she intrigues him. An unmasking by some rowdy children is a test of his stamina and spirit. His greatest fear is fire. Will Rafe conquer the fear so he can move forward into the new life he desires?

Christmas Romance
Christmas Holiday Romance
 Military Romance

Get your copy today
www.amazon.com/Scarred-Santa-Lee-Sontheimer-Murphy-ebook/dp/B0CHG2JPKX
About the author
From an early age, Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy scribbled stories, inspired by the books she read, the family tales she heard, and even the conversations she overheard at the beauty shop where her grandmother had a weekly standing appointment. She was the little girl who sat at the feet of the elders and listened.
As an author, she has published more than fifty novels and novellas writing as both Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy and as Patrice Wayne for historical fiction. She is also the author of a new Faery Folk series from Evernight Publishing writing as Liathán O'Murchadha. Her books are found in many places, online and in brick and mortar stores including some in both Ireland and Australia. As of October 2022, she currently has six upcoming titles from World Castle Publishing, Evernight Publishing and The Wild Rose Press.
She spent her early career in broadcast radio, interviewing everyone from politicians to major league baseball players and writing ad copy. In those radio years she began to write short stories and articles, some of which found publication. In 1994 she married Roy Murphy and they had three children, all now grown-up. She was widowed in 2019. Lee Ann spent years in the newspaper field as both a journalist and editor and was widowed in 2019. 
In late 2020, she hung up her editor’s hat to return to writing fiction. A native of St. Joseph, Missouri, she lives and works in the rugged, mysterious, and beautiful Missouri Ozarks.
Follow the Author
 https://leeannsontheimer.blogspot.com/

Around the Fire In-depth Interview with Susie Black.

Welcome to Around the Fire. I’m so glad you could join me today. Before we get started, I want to tell you about a unique opportunity I have coming up. Whitespace Art and Event Gallery in Hackettstown, NJ, is hosting a book signing on November 18th. Members of NJRW will be on hand amidst the beautiful art displays, helping you get a head start on your holiday shopping. If you’re in the area, check out https://www.facebook.com/whitespaceartevent/
I’m so happy for you to meet today’s guest. We did a book spotlight on her a few weeks ago, but now you get a chance to meet the lovely award-winning author, Susie Black. Hey, Girl, come on and hunker down by the fire while I grab some nectar of the gods, otherwise known as coffee. And while I do, please introduce yourself to our other guests.
I am a curious, nosy, funny, irreverent, compassionate, driven woman who succeeded in a traditionally male-dominated industry and broke every glass ceiling I faced.
 
I can attest to much of that, and the sound of shattering glass is music to my ears. What interests besides writing do you enjoy? For instance, what do you read or hobbies you have?
I am an avid stamp collector, voracious reader, sailor, and dedicated walker-3 miles a day.
 
Ahoy there! So, a philatelist. Hah, I looked that up. I knew there had to be a unique name for it. As you know, Pete is my rock as far as a support system. Who is your network or support system?
First and foremost, my family. My husband and son are both helpful, especially in making sure my depictions of male characters are accurate. Then I have a group of author colleagues and super readers who I bounce ideas off of. 
 
An author gets inspiration from many different places, ideas, and characters, often in other books and authors, which is why we also read so much. Who or what books or authors are your inspiration?
I have a ton. Joan Hess, Nancy J. Cohen, Elmore Leonard, and Janet Evanovich are just a few.
​
Do you have any fun or outrageous talent?
I can single-sail a sailboat.
 
We watched the movie True Spirit, about a teenage girl who sailed alone around the world. Rather scary. I love our home area. Even though it’s in New Jersey, we’re still quite rural. What is your neighborhood like? Are there any places you frequent? What makes them special? 
I live in a gated community in the California desert. We live on a golf course, and I enjoy watching the duffers make fools of themselves. Great entertainment that has given me some wonderfully funny one-liners that have shown up in my books.

Do you have a particular object like a piece of jewelry or a keepsake of some sort? Can you tell us what makes it special to you?
Yes. Several. A ring and earrings from my Nana she made for my sister and me. My grandfather’s ruby and diamond pinky ring. My wedding band. And a pin my son made in school when he was 6. 

What is your favorite mug or teacup?
A mug my wise guy Nana gave me when I got into the swimwear biz that says “Things could be worse. We could be trying on swimsuits.”

What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
A large-screen computer

What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book? 
All my stories are based on the daily journal entries I kept during my apparel sales career. If I need additional research, I go to the California Apparel Mart and speak to sales reps or buyers.

Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?
I read them all. I revel in the good ones and try to learn something from the bad ones…but I never responded to any of them.

What does literary success look like to you?
When a reader says I stayed up all night to read your book because I couldn’t go to sleep without knowing how it ends.
Susie, I know how busy you must be with Rag Lady only a week away from release, but could you leave us a bit about where to find out about the book and more about you?

Rag Lady A Holly Swimsuit Novel
by
​Susie Black
Release Date November 15, 2023
Contemporary Women's Fiction
Recent college graduate Holly Schlivnik dreams of being a writer, but fate has other plans. A family crisis throws her into an improbable situation and her life will never be the same. Determined to make her own luck when things don’t happen the way she plans, the irrepressible young woman takes a sledge hammer to the glass ceiling and shatters it to smithereens. The wise-cracking, irreverent transplanted Californian takes you on a raucous, rollicking rollercoaster ride of her hysterical adventures as a ladies apparel sales rep traveling in the deep South as she ends up finding herself along the way. 
https://www.amazon.com/Rag-Lady-Holly-Swimsuit-Book-ebook/dp/B0CHG62W5V​
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rag-lady-susie-black/1144031749

Goodreads reviews  www.goodreads.com/book/show/198973127-rag-lady#CommunityReviews
Susie Black’s hilarious Rag Lady, is book #1 of the Holly Swimsuit Series. It depicts the trials and triumphs of a very competitive business. The author keeps you on the edge with details so vivid you’ll swear you’re standing right in the middle of an actual trade show. Her attention to specifics, are second-to-none. The reader will be laughing out loud one minute, then taking a sober look at society the next.
The entire series is binge-worthy, and Rag Lady is no exception.
Highly recommended.

And you can follow the author here.
authorsusieblack.com/
https://www.bookbub.com/search?search=Susie+Black
https://facebook.com/TheHollySwimsuitMysterySeries
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57877534-death-by-sample-size
Susie Black (@hollyswimsuit) • Instagram photos and videos
https://www.linkedin.com/in/authorsusieblack-61941011
https://www.pinterest.com/hollysusie1_saved/
http://twitter.com/@hollyswimsuit

Around the Fire New Release Book Spotlight. Today Stone Bridge by Linda Griffin.

 Stonebridge
by
Linda Griffin

Released by The Wild Rose Press, Inc. on November 1, 2023
Rated PG
Paranormal, Historical, Romance

According to BookLife "Griffin's tale abounds in atmosphere, with a compelling supernatural element, a sense of out-of-time mystery, and delicious scheming about bloodlines and inheritances."
 
About the story
 Ghostly notes from an old piano – a welcome and a warning.
After the death of her mother, Rynna Dalton comes to live with her imperious great-grandmother and her bookish, disabled cousin Ted at Stonebridge Manor. Almost immediately she is aware of a mysterious presence, which she believes is the spirit of her mother’s murdered cousin, Rosalind. Rynna is charmed by Rosalind’s lawyer son Jason Wyatt, who courts her, and she agrees to marry him. Meanwhile, Ted and Rynna become good friends. But Stonebridge holds secrets that will profoundly affect her future. Why is Ted so opposed to the match? Why does Rosalind seem to warn Rynna against it? And how far will Jason go to possess Stonebridge—and the woman he professes to love?

I asked Linda what the inspiration for the story was. She wrote back. 
I enjoy ghost stories and always wanted to write one. I also like stories about people coming to live with strangers. When I put the two ideas together, Rynna’s story began to take shape. Then I fell in love with the man who inspired the character of Ted, and he took over the story. One of my favorite books as a child was Karen by Marie Killilea, founder of the Cerebral Palsy Association, and Karen was one of my heroes, so a disabled hero was a natural for me. An earlier version of the story was published by Winston-Derek in 1994. The new version has benefitted by everything I’ve learned about writing since then, and I also pushed the story back to 1958-1959, which seemed a better fit for Rynna’s unliberated attitudes. I spent four months obsessively rewriting the ending, and the only way I could get myself to stop was to start a sequel, which will be published in 2024.
Get your copy today.
https://www.amazon.com/Stonebridge-Linda-Griffin-ebook/dp/B0CGG1TN31
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1000585740
https://books.apple.com/us/book/stonebridge/id6463164419
https://bookshop.org/p/books/stonebridge-linda-griffin/20467808
​
About the Author.
Linda Griffin knew she wanted to be a “book maker” as soon as she learned to read, and she wrote her first story, “Judy and the Fairies,” with a plot device stolen from a comic strip, at the age of six. She retired as fiction librarian for the San Diego Public Library to spend more time on her writing. She has had stories published in numerous journals, and Stonebridge is her 8th book from The Wild Rose Press. In addition to the three R’s—reading, writing, and research—she enjoys Scrabble, travel, and movies.
For more information.
https://www.lindagriffinauthor.com/
https://www.facebook.com/lindagriffin.author
https://twitter.com/LindaGriffinA
https://www.instagram.com/lindagriffinauthor/

Around the Fire In-depth Interview with Rosetta Diane Hoessli.

Welcome to Around the Fire. Can you all believe it’s November? The chill is definitely in the air here in Northern NJ. So, it’s a great day to light the fire. I have a few things going on this month, including an interview today that I’ll tell you about soon and a signing with a few NJRW authors at Whitespace Art & Event Gallery 47 Route 46 Suite 3, Hackettstown, NJ 07840 on November 18th. Then I’ll be at Christmas Village at the Shoppes On November 2nd from 10:00 am - 7:00 pm. For locals, it will be a great place to pick up holiday gifts. Now, onto today’s guest, who is new to the fire. Please welcome Rosetta Diane Hoessli, a fellow Wild Rose Press Author. Rosetta, thank you for joining us today. It’s a bit early. May I pour us cups of coffee while you introduce yourself to our other guests?
Only one because any more than that wires me so much that I can’t think straight. (I’d be waxing the ceiling instead of working on a book.) Otherwise, pure water is just fine.
 
Coffee is coming up, and I’ll grab some water, too, while you begin the chat with who you are other than your bio.
I’m a military brat, so I struggle with wanderlust to this day. I love to travel. I’m a history fanatic – mainly because my dad wrote world military history, so I cut my teeth on it. He was also an intelligence analyst for the Air Force and Security Service, so I always say that he taught me how to think…which, translated, means that he taught me how to plot logically.
My husband and I have rescued several wolf dogs in our nearly 50 years of marriage, but now we have only one dog – a Beauceron herding dog I rescued from a busy parking lot. We learned early on, through our first high-content wolf dog, that ‘wolf-speak’ is completely different from communicating with a dog, so I began researching wolves. From that research came an obsession with wolves and bison, then the Lakota Sioux Indians, and then the American plains – all of which led to my first book, WHISPERS THROUGH TIME.

This is so interesting. I’m pretty good with dog breeds, but I had to look Beauceron herding dogs up. From what I can see, they resemble Dobermans and Rottweilers in many ways. What else can you share about yourself?
I’m very patriotic and love American history – in particular, the American Revolution, the Texas Revolution, the Civil War, and Native American history (especially the Plains Indians).
My parents were very creative and musical, so I still play the piano (I began when I was 5), still listen to wonderful blues artists like Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald on old 78-rpm records I inherited from my parents, and still love to watch old musicals with folks like Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, and Leslie Caron. That’s how I stay grounded. On the other hand, listening to classical music or old-time rock’n’roll is how I unwind.
 
My DH and I love history, too. Our travels usually include historical sites or museums. What do you read, or hobbies do you engage in?
I love to frame original photography, especially my father’s. He passed on in 1985 and left us a treasure trove of landscape portraits from all over the world – which was a skill he picked up while reporting for the Stars and Stripes newspaper in Europe during WWII. I’m still framing his work and want to donate it to museums all over this country. I also love to analyze movies, especially those that I really enjoy and think are unique. My husband and I have a travel trailer that we enjoy camping in, and I love to plan our trips. To me, there’s nothing more relaxing than that.
 
I adore old photos. We don’t have a lot of old family pictures, but a good friend of mine has many, and I love looking at them and asking about the person in the photo. And yay! A fellow camper. I knew I liked you. You’re correct about finding it relaxing. Who is your support system or contributes to your writing career?
My husband would be at the top of that list. He’s not a reader – I used to laugh and say he only read the pictures in Playboy – and he can’t write his way out of a paper bag, but he’s one of the best plotters I’ve ever known. When I first started out years ago, he’d listen while I read stuff out loud (bless his heart) and really tear an action scene apart just because he watched so many action/adventure movies. (He’s practically a weapons specialist as well, which also helps.) He kept me loaded up with paper, ink ribbons, then software, computers – anything I needed. He was (and still is) such a blessing.
My mother was a constant cheerleader, and our loss of her back in 2018 still hurts. My best friend is a writer (she’s also been published by The Wild Rose Press) and we push each other like crazy. I have a few high school buddies who encourage me constantly (and read for me), and my agent, Susan Cohen of Pearlco Literary Agency in Memphis, Tennessee, is a fabulous editor. She goes over the work of her clients with a fine-tooth comb before she ever submits it. I adore that woman.
My daughter and granddaughter help me with my social media/marketing because I’m incredibly technologically challenged, but my daughter is ill right now and can’t help as much as she used to. I really miss her input, but I’m so blessed.
 
Wow, you have a fantastic circle. Prayers for your daughter and her health. Who or what books or authors are your inspiration?
The most inspiring book I’ve ever read was Exodus, by Leon Uris. It completely changed my life. He also wrote Mila 18, QB VII, and The Haj. One of the most beautiful writers I’ve ever read (prose-wise) is Pat Conroy, author of Prince of Tides, The Citadel, and The Great Santini, among others. I think a perfect example of incredible character-building is the classic Gone with the Wind. I hated Scarlett, but I’ve never forgotten her. That’s one great character. So was Rhett Butler, but I think I give Clark Gable more credit for that than Margaret Mitchell.
I love really good historical novels, so I have several favorite writers in that genre. I’ve read everything by Susan Howatch, who wrote Penmarric and Cashelmara, among many others. (She’s prolific and writes wonderful series). I love John Jakes who wrote the magnificent North and South series, Henry Wouk who wrote the fabulous Winds of War series, and, of course, James Michener. My favorite authors of purely gifted story-telling and atmosphere are Daphne DuMaurier, Victoria Holt, and Taylor Caldwell. I also read a lot of true crime, especially if it’s written by Ann Rule, and biographies, but I can’t read horror or science fiction.
If I just want to curl up and chill out, my guilty (and secret) pleasure is reading an unauthorized biography of some ridiculous Hollywood celebrity or movie star.
 
We have many of the same authors in our history. I will confess to not being a Michener fan. I could never finish one of his books. Do you have any fun or outrageous talent?
Unfortunately, no. I’m an only child, so I’m too shy and I don’t like to be the center of attention. Both my parents were entertainers – my mom was a wonderful blues singer and my dad was a self-taught instrumentalist (he could play anything and never had a lesson in his life) – so I was always very content to sit off by myself and let them do what they did. I play piano for myself, and my husband was a very good drummer, but neither of us like to entertain in that way.
 
I’m going to say that playing the piano is a fun talent. I can’t even read music. Talent doesn’t have to be on display. What is your neighborhood like? Are there any places you frequent? What makes them unique?
We still live in the house we purchased in 1979. There were only 9 houses in our subdivision back then, but there are more than 50 subdivisions in our area now! That’s because San Antonio is one of the fastest-growing cities (and medical centers) in the country – not to mention the sad fact that we have a wide-open border only 125 miles away. Consequently, what we like to do is head for either the Texas Hill Country (north) or the Big Bend region (west) to get away from all the crazy if possible. Of course, the Rio Grande River runs through the Big Bend area, so we don’t go there much anymore. I miss it more than I can say.
We have a favorite Chinese restaurant (doesn’t everybody?) that we visit often. I like it because I spent two years in Okinawa when I was young, and the food and atmosphere at ‘our place’ reminds me very much of that island. When we walk in and all those fragrances waft around us (Oolong Tea and fried rice, in particular), I feel the tension just ease out of me. The fact that they know us by name doesn’t hurt, either!
 
One day, I hope to visit the great state of Texas. I have friends there. Oh, and now I’m craving Chinese. Favorite childhood book? Or writing that inspired you to become an author.
My favorite childhood book, believe it or not, was The Diary of Anne Frank. I read it in 1958. That book was the one that showed me how much a person could be touched by words – the words of a 13-year-old girl, no less! I read all the time as a child, and I loved to write stories, but that book turned my world upside down. For the first time I realized that my pitiful little life and complaints were ridiculous and embarrassing because Anne Frank was fighting for her very existence every single day. She had a crush, she had girlfriends, she loved movie stars…she was normal – but look at how much power she had, even after she was dead.
And that’s when I decided I wanted to be a writer. I was about 9.
But when I was 17, in 1967, I selected Exodus to read for an accelerated English final term paper. It was our assignment to dissect our chosen novel and write about how it had been written. I read Exodus in one sitting – over 800 pages! – and my paper was 28-pages long. My instructor wrote this on my first page (I still have it – Lol): If this is your craft, it is superior work.
The truth is, the reason my paper was so good was because I felt passionately about the subject, the Holocaust (which I hadn’t known anything about until then), the characters, the locations, the history, the theme…the sheer power of Leon Uris’ writing.
And that taught me the most valuable lesson I ever learned about my work: If I don’t care about my subject, I can’t write about it.
 
I believe it’s an author’s job to touch people’s hearts and minds. What was your first job?
My first job was in an insurance company. I told the interviewer that I couldn’t do math, but they hired me anyway and it was a nightmare. I lasted one week. On my second day I had a terrible upset stomach and I upchucked on my boss’ brand-new alligator boots in a crowded elevator. I knew then it was time for me to go to college, so that’s what I did.
 
LOL! Let’s chat about writing. What are common traps for aspiring writers?
I don’t know about common ones, but I think that writers who just write for money are dooming themselves – not to failure, but to an internally unsatisfactory career. Through all the years I’ve written – as a co-author, ghostwriter, non-fiction article writer, and finally novelist – my greatest thrill had little to do with the size of a check, but whether or not I’d touched readers and maybe illuminated a subject they’d never really thought about. I also learned that if I don’t care about my subject, I can’t write about it. I think that’s true of most serious writers.
 
What is your writing Kryptonite?
That’s a super question! In my case, I think it’s probably that as much as I love to write and want to make a difference in the world by using my words and experiences, I need to live a more balanced life than that. When my family or friends need me, I’ve always tried to be there for them – even if it meant I had to work myself to death to meet a deadline. But I’ve never failed to meet one, and I’m proud of that. The writers that I admire so much and would love to emulate are writers who never put anything ahead of their writing – not their spouses, their children, their friends. Nothing was more important than their work, and I knew early on that I just couldn’t live like that.
 
How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?
I have completed two epic historical novels set in Texas after the Civil War, and one ‘fun’ romance set in contemporary Texas, but I’ve never tried to find homes for them. I also have a half-finished western. The two historical novels I want to re-work into one family saga, and the half-finished western I’d like to combine with the fun romance just because I think the story would be phenomenal.
But the truth is, I wrote all of these books when I was first starting out and my major goal was to actually finish a book, then to find an agent, then to find an audience, etc. I actually did all that, so those manuscripts certainly weren’t a waste of time.
 
What does literary success look like to you?
I really love this question because that’s different for every writer. I’d like to make enough money to pay a few bills or to travel, but I have no desire to be famous or wealthy. I just want to make readers think while they’re reading a terrific story, in the same way that Leon Uris made me think when I first read Exodus back in 1968.
That was my goal in WHISPERS THROUGH TIME, which deals with an empathic woman who, along with her former love, goes through the massacre at Wounded Knee in 1890 South Dakota and solves a contemporary mystery through that experience. And it was definitely my goal in my soon-to-be released mystery/suspense novel TIP THE PIANO MAN, which deals with the sexual trafficking of young children by the very system that’s supposed to be helping them. I want people to have lightbulb moments as they read my books. I want them to learn and feel while reading a story they can’t put down. That would be literary success to me.
 
What was your hardest scene to write?
In WHISPERS THROUGH TIME, I used a lot of symbolism in Sierra’s visions and dreams. That was very difficult because the symbols had to make sense, and everything had to connect because there were subplots that were very important to the overall story. Sometimes the visions just came to me and I couldn’t write fast enough to keep up with them, but other times it was like pulling out teeth.
 
Rosetta, thank you for being such an amazing and interesting guest. Before you head out on your next camping trip, please tell us about your book and where we can learn more about it and you.​ WHISPERS THROUGH TIME
BY
Rosetta Diane Hoessli
Rated PG
Native American Literature 
Paranormal & Urban Fantasy

About
The only man Sierra Masters has ever loved appears with a proposition that could alter her future. She turns him down, but then after experiencing a foretelling dream, decides to take a risk in order to uncover the truth. Hunter Davenport realizes the evidence he's shared with Sierra could indeed destroy her—but it could free her as well. The decision is yanked from her hands when the past and present collide through a historical portal on sacred Native American land. Will she take the gift that is offered? And will Hunter do what he didn't do twelve years earlier—stand by her? Only time will give them their answers.
Grab a copy today!
https://www.amazon.com/Whispers-Through-Rosetta-Diane-Hoessli/dp/1509238158
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/whispers-through-time-rosetta-diane-hoessli/1139719243

More about the Author
Rosetta Diane Hoessli (called 'Ronni' by her friends) has been a resident of San Antonio, Texas since 1963. She's been married for 47 years to Kevin Hoessli, her high school sweetheart. They have one beautiful daughter, Michele, and two terrific grandchildren, Kevin and Briana.
Rosetta's father was a military historian and photographer for the Air Force, so she came by her love of reading and writing quite naturally. She's written and edited many articles, as well as acted as Managing Editor for three regional publications, each claiming a readership of 100,000 or more. She's also co-authored a book with socialite Jeanette Jaffe-Longoria (80+ years young!) entitled 'Aphrodite and Me: Discovering Romance and Sensuality at Any Age.

Follow the Author
https://www.facebook.com/RosettaDianeAuthor
https://www.instagram.com/thompd2011/
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58926515-whispers-through-time
https://twitter.com/DianeThomp3419
@DIANETHOMP3419
THOMPD2011@GMAIL.COM.

Around the Fire New Release Spotlight. Rag Lady by Susie Black.

Rag Lady A Holly Swimsuit Novel
by
​Susie Black
Release Date November 15, 2023
Contemporary Women's Fiction
Recent college graduate Holly Schlivnik dreams of being a writer, but fate has other plans. A family crisis throws her into an improbable situation and her life will never be the same. Determined to make her own luck when things don’t happen the way she plans, the irrepressible young woman takes a sledge hammer to the glass ceiling and shatters it to smithereens. The wise-cracking, irreverent transplanted Californian takes you on a raucous, rollicking rollercoaster ride of her hysterical adventures as a ladies apparel sales rep traveling in the deep South as she ends up finding herself along the way. 

https://www.amazon.com/Rag-Lady-Holly-Swimsuit-Book-ebook/dp/B0CHG62W5V​
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rag-lady-susie-black/1144031749

Advance Reader Copy (ARC) Review
Nanasbookreviews 
Rag Lady by Susie Black is the prequel to the Holly Swimsuit series. This is the story of how Holly Schlivnik became a successful sales executive in the ladies' swimwear industry. In this book, we saw Holly's dream of becoming a writer shuttered and how a new opportunity that was given to her changed her life. If you've read this series then you're familiar with the quirky main character and her family. So the snarky commentary and the hilarious moments aren't a surprise. We also met some new unique characters that shaped Holly's character. What I truly appreciated in this book was the life lessons. My favorite scene was at her birthday. P.S. If you're a sentimental person there is a scene that will make you tear up. If you are looking for an entertaining story then you need to read this book. I will rate it with 5 stars.
​From the author about choosing a pseudonym
Once I’d decided to write under a pen name, the search for the perfect pseudonym began. What type of pen name to choose? Something flamboyant, perhaps a clever play on words, an unforgettable name that everyone would remember. 
I daydreamed of being interviewed by Oprah Winfrey on a TV special after my debut novel Death by Sample Size became the Oprah Book Club's all-time best seller. Then, my daydream quickly became a nightmare. Oprah introduced me to millions of fans….as I stood backstage waiting for my name to be called and waited and waited until Oprah’s producer whacked me on the head with a clipboard, asked if I didn’t know my name when I heard it, and shoved me onto the stage. Yikes. There was a disaster waiting to happen. 
Now what? To paraphrase Dirty Harry, a girl’s gotta know her limitations. The most important criteria for the pen name wasn’t finding something tricky; it was choosing one I’d remember to answer to. Since I write cozy mysteries, here are two clues: The first name is a version of my real middle name. This one is a gimme. Surname is the translation from another language to English of my real last name. Let’s see how alert you are. Can you guess my real name? Write me at: mysteries_@authorsusieblack.com

About the Author
​Named Best US Author of the Year by N. N. Lights Book Heaven, award-winning cozy mystery author Susie Black was born in the Big Apple but now calls sunny Southern California home. Like the protagonist in her Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series, Susie is a successful apparel sales executive. Susie began telling stories as soon as she learned to talk. Now she’s telling all the stories from her garment industry experiences in humorous mysteries. 
She reads, writes, and speaks Spanish, albeit with an accent that sounds like Mildred from Michigan went on a Mexican vacation and is trying to fit in with the locals. Since life without pizza and ice cream as her core food groups wouldn’t be worth living, she’s a dedicated walker to keep her girlish figure. A voracious reader, she’s also an avid stamp collector. Susie lives with a highly intelligent man and has one incredibly brainy but smart-aleck adult son who inexplicably blames his sarcasm on an inherited genetic defect. 
Looking for more? Contact Susie at:
Website: www.authorsusieblack.com
E-mail: mysteries_@authorsusieblack.com
Follow the Author
https://www.bookbub.com/search?search=Susie+Black
https://facebook.com/TheHollySwimsuitMysterySeries
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57877534-death-by-sample-size
Susie Black (@hollyswimsuit) • Instagram photos and videos
https://www.linkedin.com/in/authorsusieblack-61941011
https://www.pinterest.com/hollysusie1_saved/
http://twitter.com/@hollyswimsuit

Around the Fire New Release Spotlight with Terry Segan.

Manatee Soul, The Marni Legend Series Book 2
by
Terry Segan
Release  October 16, 2023
Cozy ghost mystery.
Rated PG

Marni Legend has embarked on the most perilous journey of her life—a vacation with her sister. The women are like two peas in a pod, providing each pod came from a different mother ship. One day into their Florida adventure, Marni questions her choice of travel partner. Gloria strives to understand her carefree younger sibling while kayaking and snorkeling without chipping a nail.
With nothing but eternity on his hands, Phil insists the sisters resolve the circumstances of his untimely demise. The wise-cracking spirit leads them on a trail filled with bartenders, bikers, and the promise of a hidden treasure.
Her greatest challenge will either be enduring a week with Gloria or surviving the thugs searching for the stolen booty. Can Marni figure out who to trust, who to avoid, and who she’d most likely want to be trapped alone in an elevator with?

Grab your copy today!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Manatee-Soul-Marni-Legend-Book-ebook/dp/B0CF6HFHKD 
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1143894199 
KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/manatee-soul 
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195939375-manatee-soul 
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/manatee-soul-the-marni-legend-series-book-2-by-terry-segan 



The Story behind the Story.
Most of my stories are inspired by trips I’ve taken or places I’ve lived. Marni, the main character in my Marni Legend Series, currently lives on Long Island, NY, where I hail from. Manatee Soul, the second book in the series, takes place in Crystal River, FL. I went there on a girls’ trip a couple years ago. My traveling companion and I both dove in with both feet to go snorkeling with manatees and kayaking on the ocean. Marni’s sister, Gloria, requires a bit more (translated as lots more) encouragement to get into the water with large sea mammals. She continually had doubts that alligators weren’t lurking in wait as well. While we never saw any of those toothier creatures ourselves, we were told they did get spotted in the river from time to time. While Crystal River is a real town, I took the liberty of creating all the establishments mentioned, just like in Marni’s hometown of Northport. I have to admit, the hotel the two sisters stayed in had been inspired by the real outdated lodgings I experienced—shag carpet and all! Real life also lends itself to her infatuation with Max, her motorcycle riding love interest. My husband and I travel extensively on his motorcycle, which enabled me to accurately depict Marni’s experiences on the back of the bike. And perhaps Marni’s sarcastic humor aligns with my New York roots—maybe. About the Author.
Terry Segan, originally from Commack, NY, now resides in the desert where she’ll never require an ice scraper or snow shovel again. The beach is her happy place, but any opportunity to travel soothes her gypsy soul. The stories conjured by her imagination while riding backseat on her husband’s motorcycle can be found throughout the pages of her paranormal mysteries. Growing up immersed in sarcastic humor and science fiction movies, Terry’s goals are to cause her readers to laugh out loud, cry with joy, or cower under the covers wondering if the noise under the bed was real or imagined.
Author Website: https://terrysegan.com/
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/AuthorTerrySegan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terrysegan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SeganTerry
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorterrysegan
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Terry-Segan/e/B087YQGXMD

Around the Fire with Debut Author, Chelsey M. Ortega.

Thank you all for joining me Around the Fire. Today’s guest I met via our mutual publisher, The Wild Rose Press. I’m excited to bring this debut author to you. Welcome, Chelsey! I hear you are a Diet Dr. Pepper fan. My hubby is too. But since you also love a hot chocolate and it’s a bit chilly today, I’m going to mix up a batch while you introduce yourself.
Thanks for having me, Donna. My name is Chelsey, and I am a mom and teacher who often forgets she’s no longer eighteen - that’s probably why I write YA and New Adult.
 
Here you go, a steaming cup of chocolatey goodness. I love Young Adult and New Adult. There's something about the storytelling and world-building that appeals to me. Tell us more about you.
I am an amateur baker. I love baking desserts for family Sunday dinners. I also pour my heart into three birthday cakes a year: my children’s, of course. Out of all the cakes I’ve made over the past decade, I’m the most proud of a unicorn cake I made for one of my daughter’s fourth birthday, and a Minnie Mouse cake I made for my other daughter’s second birthday. Since starting my full-time teaching career three years ago, free time to bake has decreased. But I always try to make an effort during the fall because I always want to make pumpkin cookies, a pumpkin poke cake I found on Pinterest, and pumpkin cheesecake.
My deep love is ballroom dance. I competed and performed for ten years in my youth. My dream was to travel the world on Brigham Young University’s tour company in college, then become a pro on Dancing with the Stars. That obviously didn’t happen, but I still enjoy watching it. And I’m living vicariously through two of my characters who are professional ballroom dancers.
 
**Note to other guests: Pictures of Chelsey's cakes and dancing are below.**
​
​Recently my kitchen was renovated and I’m rediscovering the joy of baking, especially bread. The pumping cookies sound delish. Ballroom dancing is beautiful, the grace and athleticism is awe inspiring. What do you like to read when you get the chance?
As a reader I read all sorts of genres. My favorites are fantasy, romance, historical fiction, biographies and memoirs. When it comes to inspiration for my own writing, the Harry Potter series, Beautiful Creatures series, Witches of East End series, and Vampire Diaries series all inspired my world-building. Rachel Hollis’ self-help inspirational books convinced me to even try writing and send my book out to publishers. Right now, I really look up to Helen C. Johannes and Sarah J. Maas. All of my published and unpublished fiction takes place in modern-day America. I would love to try my hand at creating a completely new land with its own history, culture, etc. That kind of world-building is something I aspire to.
 
Well with your first book under your belt and published, I’m sure you’ll attain your dreams. Most of us have a support or supporters that we can’t imaging being without. Who are your cheerleaders?
My family has been so supportive of my writing journey. I was really surprised when my husband jumped on board right away when I started writing fiction. I’ve been blogging for ten years, and he hasn’t been a fan - but he hasn’t stopped me. He’s very private and doesn’t want “the world to know our business.” But writing fiction? He wants the world to read my stories. I’ve learned that I’m very lucky in that aspect. One webinar I attended, the presenter said that close to 50% of writers she interacts with have unsupportive partners! I think that is so sad. If you love someone, you should support their dreams and aspirations. My parents have been supportive in taking care of my kids when I have an editing deadline or an in-person event. I love my family so much and am so grateful for their support. My very first book, Bondwitch, released two days ago; and I couldn’t have done it without my family’s support.
  
My husband, Pete, is my rock. He’s the first reader of my books. He also brags about me and has handed out more bookmarks to strangers than I can count. I call him my gorilla marketer. I’m so glad your DH has your back. Tell me, what’s your little corner of the world like?
My neighborhood is a hidden gem in our town. It rests between the businesses on Main Street and the train tracks and farmland behind that. There is a park around the corner, and I enjoy working in my garden when the weather is nice. I grow strawberries, raspberries, cantaloupe, zucchini, yellow squash, cucumbers, green beans, and carrots. I gave pumpkins a shot, but my garden is too small. I’ll just buy from the local farmers in the future.
 
Let’s chat about the craft. What are the most important websites, podcasts, or programs for writers to subscribe to?
The most important thing you can do is find some type of advice/critique/support group. On Facebook, I’m part of the ProWritingAid community. There is the main group and three sub-groups: Fantasy Writers’ Fellowship, Romance Writers’ Group, Crime Writers. I’m in the main group, and the fantasy and romance groups. I’m also a member of the Nebo Novelists, a chapter of the League of Utah Writers. We meet twice a month, read excerpts, and provide comments. It’s really fun. I’ve met a lot of talented local authors.
I’m also subscribed to “Hello Future Me” on YouTube. The host, Tim Hickson, makes lots of videos about writing.
 
I had to edit a whole chapter out of Rock House Grill. What did you edit out of this book?
One major thing, and one minor thing. In a very early draft, Marianna was the main antagonist. As I wrote and got to know her, she wasn’t working as an antagonist. So, I tried to work the beginnings of a redemption arc; but even that wasn’t working. So, I rewrote the beginning, making Marianna a secondary protagonist.
I used to have a scene where Annamaria and Marianna use magic to talk to their dead parents. It was purely meant to be a relationship building moment. But as I plotted the remaining books, I realized being able to talk to the dead just opened up a can of worms. The dead could just solve all the mysteries and problems by being able to see everything and relay the information to the main characters. So, I took that magical ability away.
 
Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
Bondwitch is the first of a series that will need to be read in order. Back when I was preparing to query, I read that new authors should advertise their book as a stand-alone with series potential - or at the very least, the first book should end complete and resolved. There was no way I could make Bondwitch end truly complete. The main plot does get resolved, but it’s clear there’s more to come.
 
What was your hardest scene to write?
Fight scenes. Always fight scenes. Giving the reader the perfect visual and sensory experience is very difficult for me.
 
If my neighbors peeked in my window, they’d think I’m crazy. I have swords and pretend I’m fighting. I’ll also stand with my eyes closed and imagine the scene. Do you Google yourself?
Yes, twice. The first time was when I was applying to teaching positions. I wanted to know what my potential bosses would see if they chose to Google me. My social medias showed up first, and another Chelsey Ortega. I wasn’t concerned because it was obvious which Chelsey Ortega they should be looking at.
The second time was when I was trying to figure out what I wanted my author name to be. Chelsey Ortega? Chelsey Mae Ortega? Chelsey M. Ortega? C.M. Ortega? Turns out there are a lot more Chelsey/ea Ortegas online than when I was applying for teaching jobs. So I threw in my middle initial, and that narrowed things down quite nicely. And I’m glad. I’m very proud of my middle name. My great-grandma, my grandma, myself, and my oldest daughter all share that middle name.
And because I was asked this question, I just Googled myself for a third time. The top results are still my socials, plus a few review sites like Goodreads and Readers’ Favorite.
 
Do you have a particular object, like a piece of jewelry or a keepsake? Can you tell us what makes it special to you?
I have a wooden wand necklace I got about five or six years ago from an Etsy shop. The creator is a Canadian carpenter who sells wooden toys on Etsy. He has a small collection of wand necklaces. I’m a huge Harry Potter fan, and have wanted a wand necklace for years, but I didn’t want a character wand. I wanted my wand. I’m not big into jewelry, but I wear this necklace everyday along with my wedding ring, and a pair of earrings.
 
If you could only choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I’m choosing to answer this question because my administration made me choose a “walk-up song” for our faculty retreat in August, so I already have one ready to go. Levitating by Dua Lipa. That song is a Samba, and I really want to choreograph a Samba to it. I also just really enjoy the fantastical elements to the lyrics.
 
Chelsey, by the way I have a niece with the same name and spelling, thank you for spending time Around the Fire with me. You’re a fun person with a great outlook. I love your TikToks. Before you head off, will you leave us information about your book and where we can learn more about it and you?  Bondwitch
by
Chelsey M. Ortega
Teen and Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Released October 16, 2023
​
About
Eighteen-year-old Annamaria Lyons has never left her small hometown of Harrison, Wyoming. She has lived with her aunt, Trinity, since her parents died when she was two years old. Trinity has been a wonderful guardian with one exception—she won’t allow Annamaria out of the house after sunset. That is, until the night of senior prom. Annamaria’s long-lost sister arrives, bringing with her a world full of hidden family secrets and the supernatural. 
Forced to flee her childhood home without a proper goodbye to her human life and first love, Annamaria immerses herself in the magical world. New friends and a new suitor challenge her original dreams for the future, and when she finds herself caught in the middle of a centuries-old conflict, Annamaria must decide to rise above it or give in to the darkness.
Grab your copy today!
https://www.amazon.com/Bondwitch-Chelsey-M-Ortega-ebook/dp/B0CF6H8NYC
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1143894193?ean=9781509251940
 
What others are saying.
"Chelsey M. Ortega has crafted an excited new YA filled with suspense, mystery, and a sense of magical discovery...immersing readers in a richly imagined realm of magic and intrigue that is more than just visual but multi-sensory in the experience, waking up all corners of the imagination” - Readers’ Favorite

www.chelseymortega.com  More about the author.
Chelsey M. Ortega is a teacher by day and award-winning author by night. History is her first love, and any story involving magic and romance, her second love. She especially loves witches and is still awaiting her acceptance letter to a well-known school. Chelsey received her Bachelor’s in History Teaching from Brigham Young University. In addition to writing, Chelsey teaches high school U.S. History and ELD. She lives in Utah with her husband, three children, and two cats.
Follow Chelsey at www.chelseymortega.com.
Don't forget! This weekend is the Big Event. I even made The Boston Globe! Check it out.
www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/15/arts/readers-are-invited-fall-love-with-romance-marlborough-book-conference/

Around the Fire New Release Spotlight with Randy Overbeck.

A note from D. V.
Hi, everyone. I had the pleasure of meeting today's guest while in Florida. Randy was doing a book signing for his book Scarlet at Crystal River, where I scored a signed copy. I also enjoy his Podcast Great Stories about Great Storytellers.  Cruel Lessons
by 
Randy Overbeck
Mystery/Ameteur Slueths
Released October 11, 2023

Four kids dead. Can Assistant Superintendent Ken Parks unmask the drug dealer poisoning his
students before more kids die?

On a school camping trip, fifth graders experiment with a dangerous new hallucinogen and die
in a horrific accident, their deaths shattering the quiet town. Assistant Superintendent Ken
Parks, hoping to redeem a fatal mistake from his past, grasps the opportunity to conduct the
district investigation of how students are getting the drugs. Almost before he begins, the cops
make a stunning arrest. But Parks battles on, convinced the real pusher is still out there,
poisoning more kids until he receives an anonymous threat: if he continues, those close to him
will pay. Is Parks willing to risk those he loves for a chance at redemption?
A peek inside the cover.
From the bend, the road descended quickly and Amanda felt the car picking up speed as
gravity and its powerful engine propelled it downhill. As she approached the next turn, she
realized she was coming in a little too fast. She slid her foot to the brake. Her concentration on
steering the twisting road ahead, at first it didn’t register. She dared to take her gaze off the road
and look down at her feet before she understood. When her right foot depressed the brake, the
pedal glided all the way to the floor. No friction. She pulled her foot back and slammed on the
brake again. The pedal slid all the way down. Unbelieving, she pumped it, again and again.
There was nothing there.
She jerked her eyes back. The hairpin turn hurtled at her. On instinct, she kept jamming on
the pedal. It was supposed to work. She turned the wheel wildly. The big car shuddered as it tried
to negotiate the turn. The two rear wheels slipped off the pavement, spinning in space. With the
front wheel drive, the front two tires managed enough traction to catch. The car veered around
the curve and headed down the next straight incline. The heavy vehicle rolled faster again as
gravity pulled it down the hill.
Amanda’s mind reeled. What was she supposed to do?
Struggling desperately to force her mind to think, Amanda tried to consider her options. It
was all happening too quickly. The next treacherous turn came at her fast. She had no way to
slow down. White knuckles gripped the steering wheel.
The bend ahead showed a hard curve to the right, not quite as tight as the last one, but
steeper. And she felt the car accelerating, though she hadn’t touched the gas pedal. Right before
the car hit the curve, Amanda spun the steering wheel. The car lurched around the bend. The
driver side of the car lifted up. Halfway through the long bend, Amanda watched the hood tilt in
the turn until it was almost vertical. No seat belt on, she was catapulted down the leather seat,
crashing into the passenger door.
“Hell!” she cried, reaching to grab her bruised shoulder.
She froze as the two wheels still on the ground shuddered in the gravel, sliding off the small
road. Slammed against the side door, she heard the tall weeds and low branches whip against the
body. But the car didn’t slow. Blood streamed from a gash on her forehead. For an instant she
lay there stretched across the passenger door, holding her breath.
Then she sensed the car teetering. The front tire bumped something hard. Amanda stared,
unbelieving, as the car began to flip. As the Regal made the first revolution, she screamed.
Grab your copy today.
https://www.amazon.com/Cruel-Lessons-Peril-Book-ebook/dp/B0CDJ6GL5W
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1143862801 Dr. Randy Overbeck is an award-winning educator, author and speaker. As an educator, he
served children for more than three decades and has turned that experience into captivating
fiction, authoring the bestselling series, the Haunted Shores Mysteries, winner of nine national
awards. This fall, the Wild Rose Press will release his newest work, an atmospheric amateur
sleuth mystery, CRUEL LESSONS, the first installment in a new series set in schools, “Lessons in
Peril.” He is the host of the popular podcast, “Great Stories about Great Storytellers,” which
reveals the unusual and sometimes strange backstories of famous authors, directors and poets.
He is also a speaker in much demand, sharing his multi-media presentations, “Things Still Go
Bump in the Night,” “A Few Favorite Haunts,” and “Everything You Wanted to Know About
Publishing” with audiences all over the USA. As a member of the Mystery Writers of America,
Dr. Overbeck is an active member of the literary community, contributing to a writers’ critique
group, serving as a mentor to emerging writers and participating in writing conferences such as
Sleuthfest, Killer Nashville and the Midwest Writers Workshop.
Follow the author.
www.authorrandyoverbeck.com
www.authorrandyoverbeck.com/podcast
www.facebook.com/authorrandyoverbeck
twitter.com/OverbeckRandy/media
www.instagram.com/authorrandyoverbeck/
www.bookbub.com/authors/randy-overbeck
www.goodreads.com/author/show/4825632.Randy_Overbeck
www.buzzsprout.com/1924616/10983135
www.amazon.com/Randy-Overbeck/e/B07QQHW7DM
Let us know what you think in the comments.  And Don't forget if you are in the area the amazing FILNE conference. 

Around the Fire’s weekly in-depth author interview with award winning Barbara Bettis

Welcome to Around the Fire’s weekly in-depth author interview.  I’m so excited for today’s guest.  I was just telling Pete that Barbara is one of my favorites.  Since becoming a Wild Rose Press author, she has been a stalwart cheerleader, encouraging everyone, not only me.  Her sweet heart is kind and oh-so comforting.  I’ve received personal notes from her that have lifted me out of author doldrums.  Now, I’m eager for you to know more about this lovely lady.  ​ Barbara, thanks for joining us today.  I know you enjoy both coffee and tea.  
Thank you so much for hosting me today, Donna.  I know you love camping and we’re meeting around the fire, so I come bearing spray and citronella candles because I’m a mosquito magnet.  But for you, my friend, I’ll be brave.  Coffee and tea.  It’s really a toss-up, depending on the morning and the mood.  I grew up in the country and each morning Mother fixed tea with loose leaves brewed in a stoneware pot with its own stoneware leaf holder (whatever that’s called.) But my grandmother, who lived in a nearby small town, was a coffee hound and when I was young, I loved to sit at her table with her and her next-door neighbor during their morning coffee time.  My g/mother filled my cup with milk and a splash of coffee, and I felt mighty grown up.  So I’ve always been indecisive!

I have a teapot I’ve been wanting to use, so while I brew, why don’t you introduce yourself to our other visitors?
I’m kind of reserved, quiet, until I know people pretty well.  And I hope I have a sense of humor.  I enjoy outings with my friends—we try to do something every week.  But…in my heart, I’m a Broadway star.  I love the theatre and was active all through high school and undergrad, and then in community theatre.  Trouble is, I can’t sing worth a hoot.  Truly.  As the old saying goes, I can’t carry a tune in a bucket.  But I did act and loved to direct.  These days though I settle for attending productions.  We have an excellent regional theatre here, as well as quite a good opera company and symphony.  And, of course, the movies.  In addition, I love hanging out with my grandchildren.  We manage to catch movies or watch DVDs when they are over.
 
I’m a sit back and observe person myself.  Quiet until you get to know me, or I put on my “stage” persona for public events.  What interests besides writing do you enjoy?  For instance, what do you read or hobbies you have?
I love to read, and I love to research for my books.  I can get on a topic and go right down a rabbit hole for hours.  Crazy, right?  I’m very interested in archeology, ancient civilizations, myths, legends.  But on an average day, I read historical romance, often rereading favorite books.  And I try to keep up with stories published by my friends who write other than historicals too.  I occasionally edit books for indie and hybrid authors.
 
I often go off on a rabbit trail of research.  My book Sea Hunter took me all over the Northeast and Google.  Who is your network or support system?  Who contributes to your writing career?
I am blessed with a wonderful writing network that includes super on-line crit groups, three delightful authors with whom I Zoom every week, and a local author’s group of supportive fellow writers that meets monthly.
 
One of the benefits of the Internet is being able to meet with people around the country and the world.  Good for you for being so active.  Who or what books or authors are your inspiration?
Oh, goodness, I have so many writers whose work I admire now, I hate to name names for fear of leaving someone out.  However—before I ever thought of writing romance, my go-to authors to read included Georgette Heyer, Mary Balogh, Jo Beverley, and Mary Jo Putney—all Regency books.  Then I discovered Anne Stuart’s and Christina Dodd’s medievals.  (In college, I read Jane Austen, Charlotte and Emily Bronte, so that set the stage!)
 
Do you have any fun or outrageous talent?
I have no talent, fun, outrageous or otherwise.  I can’t keep green plants alive, can’t sew a straight line, never learned to knit, can crochet only a single line, always knotted my embroidery thread, can’t sing, can’t play an instrument, my cooking has deteriorated now I live alone.  Good grief, I’m boring.
 
I wouldn’t say boring at all.  I’ll say you have a talent for making people comfortable and smile.  What is your neighborhood like?  Are there any places you frequent?  What makes them special?
I live in a settled, quiet and small neighborhood of patio homes.  Tea rooms, coffee shops—several in a three-mile radius.  Love it here.
 
It sounds lovely.  Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Yes.  (Depends on the day.)
 
What are common traps for aspiring writers?
Comparing yourself to others.  Don’t.  Your writing is unique.  Your voice is unique.
 
Big trap.  You are so right especially about voice. Each writer is unique.  Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
Each books stands on its own, but I grow so attached to characters that I end up writing books about them, so most books are connected in that way.  The Western, of course, is different.
 
If you didn’t write, what would you do for work?
I taught for many years, so that would be it.  Otherwise—I always longed to be an archeologist.  Honestly. But I finally realized I don’t have the patience for it.
 
Somehow, I should have known that with your nurturing spirit.  How long, on average, does it take you to write a book?
Way too long.  I’m a very slow writer.
 
Ugh, me too.  Barbara, before you slap that mosquito, please tell us about your book, where to find it, and more about you.


Last Stop, Wylder
by
Barbara Bettis
 
 A western frontier, historical romance.
Gunman Morgan Dodd is headed to a new life in California, where no one knows his name. Or his reputation. Just one last job to raise money for his fresh start—gunhand for a railroad agent in Wyoming. Easy enough. Until he meets the woman who could change everything. 
After ending her engagement, Emily Martin longs for independence. She sets out for Wylder, Wyoming, to help her brother with his newspaper. But when she arrives, she finds he’s off investigating a story. Well, then. She’ll simply publish the paper herself until he returns. Emily’s prepared to face challenges, but not the dangerous stranger who ambushes her heart. The same man hired to destroy her livelihood. 
When a common enemy threatens, Morgan and Emily must find a way to defeat danger and save their budding love. But a gunman’s word is his bond, and a lady’s trust can shatter
Grab your copy today!
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Last-Stop-Wylder-West-ebook/dp/B0B7KH6D86/
B & N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/last-stop-wylder-barbara-bettis/1141875393

More about the author.
Award winning author Barbara Bettis has always loved history and English. As a college freshman, she briefly considered becoming an archeologist until she realized there likely would be bugs and snakes involved. And math.
She now lives in Missouri, where by day she’s a mild-mannered English teacher, and by night she’s an intrepid plotter of tales featuring heroines to die for—and heroes to live for.
She loves hearing from readers.

Follow the author.
Website/Blog/Newsletter – http://www.barbarabettis.com
BookBub – www.bookbub.com/authors/barbara-bettis
Facebook – www.facebook.com/barbarabettisauthor
Twitter (now X) – www.x.com/barbarabettis
From D. V.
The Wylder West is an exclusive 37 book series by The Wild Rose Press. Standalone stories from many bestselling and award winning authors. 
Check them out here.
www.amazon.com/dp/B08PNT6719