D.V. Stone's Blog, page 13

Around the Fire New Release Spotlight with M. Flagg.

The Vampire’s Retribution The Champion Chronicles Book I
by
M. Flagg 
July 31, 2023
N.N. Light’s Book Heaven: “A fresh voice is paranormal has arrived. Think you’ve read all the stories on vampires? Think again. At the crux of this tale is the paradox of love.” 5+ stars

Dreams are often hidden desires… even if they are terrifying. 

Michael Malone, a mystically enhanced vampire, destroys three immortal sorcerers and takes on their vengeful army of hell-beasts in an unprecedented battle. Poisoned and captured, his body is exsanguinated and left to rot in a cell beneath the city. Guided by the heavenly entity known as Helena, he spins a fantasy full of deep love and devotion to the one woman he treasures and his mystically-human, very troubled son. Helena focuses Michael’s fading mind through emotional twists and unexpected turns, through passionate highs and very realistic lows. Is there deliverance or the end to his immortal existence at its conclusion? Each revelation offers hope. Yet Michael’s last words doggedly remain “Let me die.” His original reasons for the singular battle are noble. One is retribution. The other is love.

From the author - Not suitable for readers under the age of 15. My novels have some steam, but definitely not erotica.
Inspiration for M. Flagg's writing.
Welcome to my world of mystical warriors, of witches and sorcerers, of mysterious anomalies in novels full of suspense and intrigue where love leads to redemption and passion blossoms. I write characters anyone would want on their side when evil rears its ugly head.
 I never thought myself an author. A creative person? Yes? A writer of novels? No. Fifteen years ago, when life only offered a basket of truly putrid lemons, my son told me to write a story. So on a whim, I decided to redeem a commanding vampire. Don’t ask why. Too many reasons. My creativity raced to the surface, which tuned into a paranormal trilogy published by The Wild Rose Press. Fast forward to my retirement in 2020. After twelve years of a creative drought, I revamped (pun intended) the vampire trilogy and went on in the next two years to write five additional novels in the original Paranormal Romance Suspense series aptly named by my dearest TWRP editor, The Champion Chronicles. Now wiser and much older, my journey to publishing begins again. Whoever thought that insufferable basket of lemons could be a blessing? What an amazing gift it is to live another day to write from the heart.

About M. Flagg
Always an avid reader, the realm of paranormal fiction is the perfect landing point for Mickey Flagg. After a successful career as a music teacher and an urban school administrator, she continues to spin stories of passion, love and redemption. She’s been a contributor in a book on urban music education and has also authored an article for Still Standing, a web-magazine about loss and healing. Named a Distinguished Music Educator at the 2010 Yale Music Symposium, Micky is a life-long New Jersey resident, a member of Liberty States Fiction Writers, and a Professor in Residence with a local university. 
Find out more by following on social media
Website      http://www.mflagg-author.com
Facebook    www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077462468784
Twitter         https://twitter.com/flagg_michele
Instagram    https://www.instagram.com/mickeyflagg

Around the Fire New Release Spotlight. Today's guest is Cynthia Terelst.

Take the Bull by the Horns Love Down Under Series
by
Cynthia Terelst
Love can heal the scars on your heart.

Contemporary Romance
Single Dad/Nanny
Small town
Found family
PG-13
Release Date – 31 July 2023
Buy Link - https://books2read.com/Bull?store=amazon

About the book.
Peyton wasn’t out to find love, she only wanted to find her voice. Lachlan thought he had everything he needed until he met Peyton. Both are broken. Both are strong. Can an American nanny and an Australian farmer mend their damaged souls together?  

Lachlan
So what if I’ve gone through four nannies in three short years? I know what’s best for my children and it’s not the nanny my mother and ex-wife have hired. Peyton may be all kinds of beautiful but she is totally unsuitable—city girl, former doctor and no experience. Problem is, everybody loves her. I don’t want to feel the same; one failure at love is enough. Besides, I have a duty to my family and the farm. Except the more I spend time with her, the more I’m drawn to her honesty and bravery. I need to remember, a farm is no place for a woman like Peyton; she will not stay.
Peyton
After an accident put an end to my surgical career, I jumped at the opportunity to be a nanny. Moving to Australia will get me away from my controlling family. It’s time I start making my own decisions. But falling for my boss is not the wisest one I could make, even if it feels right. It doesn’t hurt that his singing makes my panties melt. Everything is perfect—I feel heard and seen for the first time (and I don’t just mean my scars). 
I’m where I belong…until my family get involved. Then I’m left with no job and no home.
Now I need to make the biggest decision of all—stand up to my family, choose my happy and fight for love.
**This is a standalone romance with medium heat** ​About the author.
Cynthia Terelst is an Australian author based in regional Queensland, where the sun shines 283 days a year. She is a document controls manager by day and a writer by night. Her contemporary romance novels share a little bit of history, some Australian scenery and a whole lotta love. Cynthia does not shy away from difficult topics, as she feels they should not be ignored.
Terelst has published seven books in her Love Down Under Series and has added short stories to multiple anthologies. She refers to her writing style as heat with heart. Her stories will leave you feeling warm and hopeful.
Social Media Links
​Website cynthiaterelst.com/
Newsletter https://www.subscribepage.com/p9p9y0
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cynthiaterel...
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cynthiatere...
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@cynthiaterelst
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cynth...
Amazon Author Page - https://www.amazon.com/Cynthia-Terelst/e/B07ZCTX8SB/
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/cynthiaterelst
Blog cynthiaterelst.com/blog/
Twitter https://twitter.com/CynthiaTerelst
Linktree - linktr.ee/cynthiaterelst

Around the Fire New Release Book Spotlight with Tena Stetler.

I'm pleased to bring you a special guest for today's spotlight. Fellow camper/glamper Tena Stetler. She's a pro so I'm just going hand the reins over to her. Enjoy! OH! I almost forgot. Here's a link to a book trailer⤵️
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdUGZl7qipE&authuser=2 Hey there DV. I’m thrilled to be sitting around the campfire with you today. We’ve been on several camping trips, but the yet is best to come in September. Can’t wait! Been a long cold winter.  Even our dog, Mystic; parrot, Taco; and box turtle, Sammie are enjoying camping adventures. Thank you for allowing me to share a few reasons why everyone should read my new release, which revisits some of the same characters from Meringue Snowflake Magic and introduces new characters and adventures.
Top 11 Reasons You Should Read Raven’s Hollow Spring Magic
Find out what makes Raven’s Hollow so unique.Find out who is missing and what happened.What about the adorable dog, Cocoa? Where did she come from?Was the ancient jelly bean machine to blame?You love spring time.You love tales with happily ever after endings.You love stories set in a small town with quirky townspeople.You love mystery stories and time travel.The action, adventure, and magic will keep you turning pages.What happened in 1861 that intrigued the characters.You enjoy stories with twist and turns, and engaging characters.You need a break from your ordinary world to be swept into an exciting mystery sprinkled with a bit of fantasy and romance that you may never want to leave.
 
Now let’s see what my new release, Raven’s Hollow Spring Magic is all about.
Spring is in full bloom in Raven’s Hollow, a small town in the Colorado Rockies with a population of unique townspeople. Blaze, a dragon shifter, and Wynter, a witch, are neck-deep in wedding preparations, when Wynter’s mother, Jade, goes missing after opening her new antique store, and attending the Simon estate sale where she procured an ancient jelly bean machine. Frantic with worry, Blaze and Wynter track her last movements via the store’s ancient, grainy, security footage. What it reveals is nothing short of shocking. As deputy sheriff, it’s Blaze’s responsibility to find his soon-to-be mother-in-law. But at what cost?

How about a sneak peek between the pages of Raven’s Hollow Spring Magic?
“Let’s not jump to the worst-case scenario. Relax, we’ll find her.” Using his calm cop voice, he felt anything but calm. My gut is telling me she’s not here, and I’ve no idea how to find her. He sucked in a deep breath and blew it out slowly. He could see that his calm voice did little to soothe her.
She nearly vibrated. “Mom is missing. Our wedding is in less than two weeks. Tammy’s baby is due soon. I gotta find a part-time employee and you’re telling me to relax?” Another clap of thunder shook the building and an involuntary scream flew out of her mouth.
He wrapped his arms around her tight and held on. “We’ll find her. Everything will be all right. One step at a time. We’ll stop over to Ms. Roost’s place as soon as the storm subsides. Then we’ll come back here and view the surveillance footage, if there is any. That’s the plan right now. Don’t think it’s smart to try to view it while the storm rages. Electrical current could cause a surge, fry the system, and then where would we be?”
“My head knows you’re right. My heart is at war with my head.”
“I understand. Off to Ms. Roost’s first.” He shut off the lights and unlocked the door.
She set the antiquated alarm, and locked it after they were outside. Thunder still rumbled around with only an occasional flash of lightning. The torrents of rain had turned into a drizzle as they ran to his vehicle. 

Grab a copy today!
https://books2read.com/u/bOPR5E
https://www.amazon.com/Ravens-Hollow-Spring-Magic-Things-ebook/dp/B0C43XYQ5P 
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ravens-hollow-spring-magic-tena-stetler/1143427010
https://books.apple.com/us/book/ravens-hollow-spring-magic/id6448729654
www.bookbub.com/books/raven-s-hollow-spring-magic-jelly-beans-and-spring-things-by-tena-stetler
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/146782568-raven-s-hollow-spring-magic
About the Author:
Tena Stetler is a best-selling author of award winning paranormal romance/mystery with an over-active imagination.  She wrote her first vampire romance as a tween, to the chagrin of her mother and the delight of her friends. Colorado is home; shared with her husband, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot and a forty-five-year-old box turtle. When she’s not writing, her time is spent kayaking, camping, hiking, biking or just relaxing in the great Colorado outdoors.
 Her books tell tales of magical kick-ass women and mystical alpha males that dare to love them. Travel, adventure, and a bit of mystery flourish in her books along with a few companion animals to round out the tales.
Social Media Links:
Website: https://www.tenastetler.com
Authors’ Secret’s Blog - https://www.tenastetler.com/category/authors-secrets-blog/
My Say What Blog - http://www.tenastetler.com/category/m...
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/tenastetler.author
Twitter Page: https://www.twitter.com/TenaStetler 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14187532.Tena_Stetler
Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/author/tenastetler
Newsletter: https://www.tenastetler.com/newsletter-signup/
Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/tenastetler
Tribber - http://triberr.com/TenaStetler
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tena-stetler
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tenastetler/
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/tenajean2014
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tena-stetler-10057978/
​

Around the Fire with D. V. Stone-What's Behind That Door?

The following quotes are from my WIP Kingdom at a Crossroad. These words have not changed since putting the proverbial pen to paper way back in 2015. 

"All beings, if they are noble of character, will do the correct thing whether or not they have hope in their hearts."
Tuilelaith to Kíeran

“That is the problem with the good. They don’t understand pure evil. They always think there is hope. You, my dear are the proof they are wrong.”
Dalbhach to Ceara

I have been doing a lot of work on Aimhirghin recently. My first book baby is still a work in progress and recently turning circumspect with it, asking what my motivation is, what are my character's motivations? These questions lead to considering the deeper thoughts of life.
Or staring into the heart things
A critique partners once made the following statement.
I struggled a bit with the Wizard Athair. I struggled to determine whether he was a good guy or a bad guy. I think he’s good, but I’m not sure. 
Good observation! Many of my characters have that question asked about them throughout. Mostly in Athair and Sárnait, but everyone gets a turn in the frying pan. It is a bit of my 'philosophy'. I don't believe anyone is all good. We all have something in us. We choose to act or not on  on those thoughts, impulses and desires, hence Tuilelaith's words on nobility. Some are just better than others at wearing a mask like Sárnait.
I have been taking my characters apart and looking into their hearts, examining the good, the bad, and the really bad. At some point, every character has to make a choice. Some choices are tougher than others. And sometimes even the good characters make the wrong choice.
Why did they do that? My answer? It's because I may have done the same thing. 
Every character in my manuscripts have a piece of me, and who I am, in them. And sometimes I just want to dope-slap myself for having certain thoughts. Usually in traffic. Have you been to New Jersey?

I like this picture. I see the heart. But what's behind that door? ​Recently there has been a growing trope in books regarding the "morally gray" character, though these characters have been around for a while. Think Batman, Severus Snape, Lord Varys, Boromir, and Celaena Sardothien to name a few. I might add Liam Neeson in the Taken movies he's breaking laws left and right even for a good reason. 
So, like this door, the morally gray may look like love on the outside, but yank on the handle and you may find Tony Stark.
What are your thoughts? Who are some morally gray characters? What makes them that?

Around the Fire New Release Spotlight with M. S. Spencer

The Wishing Tree: Love, Lies, and Spies on Chincoteague Island
by
M. S. Spencer
Will the wind whip her token from the Wishing Tree and make her wish come true?
 
My new mystery The Wishing Tree: Love, Lies, and Spies on Chincoteague Island, releases today!

About the Book
Book is PG; excerpt is G
Addison Steele dreams of the day her husband—lost at sea—returns to her. Instead, she meets Nick Savage, whose every word may be a lie. She is soon embroiled in mystery, all related to the top secret science station at Wallops Island, Virginia.
After a Belarusian scientist at Wallops is murdered, the questions multiply. Was it because he caught the person stealing classified documents or because he wanted to defect? Is Nick the spy—or is it his brother? How can she trust the man who is slowly claiming her heart when his story keeps shifting?
 
The Wishing Tree: Love, Lies, and Spies on Chincoteague Island
The Wild Rose Press, July 17, 2023
368 p.; PG
Murder mystery (Cozy), Romantic Suspense
 
Buy Links:
Books2Read
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Bookbub
Goodreads

A further peek when Addison meets Nick
Addison circled the oak. Sure enough, the small strip of canvas still fluttered in the cold wind. She touched it, then drew her hand back and walked down to the water. Her eyes danced with the waves, searching, imagining what it would feel like to see Seth’s head pop up and watch his long arms battling the current to get to the shore. And to her.
“Surely Hurricane Thomas would have taken it.”
She jumped and whirled around. A man leaned against the wind-washed trunk. Tall and thin, his hair was a glossy espresso and his eyes the inky blue of a stormy ocean. He reminded her of the portrait of her great-great-grandfather which hung in her family’s Chincoteague house. “Taken what?”
“Whatever you left on the tree.” He peered at her. “Isn’t that what you wished for? To have your token carried off by the wind? Or is my guidebook wrong?”
She shook her head slowly. “No, it’s not wrong. I mean, the legend of the wishing tree says that if your offering blows away, you will find your true love. Or…he’ll come back to you.” She thought of little Starlyn. “Some folks think it just means your greatest wish will be granted.”
He took a step toward her. In the waning light, his eyes took on an even darker hue. His mobile face showed distress. “Which one are you hoping for: a new love…or that your lover will return to you?”
“What? No. I mean…Yes…I—”
He waited, his lean body bent slightly forward, his eyes attentive. She found herself wanting to tell him everything—about the boat and Seth and the accident. She opened her mouth, but he spoke before she could get a word out.
“Forgive me. I’m being impertinent. You just looked so lost that I had to try to cheer you up, and suddenly that seemed stupid and then it got all awkward and here I am apologizing before I’ve even asked your name.”
Addison shot a quick glance to see if he were laughing at her, but his expression was unreadable. Embarrassed? Indifferent? “It’s all right. You just startled me. I’m Addison Steele.” She removed a mitten and stuck out her hand. He took it in a very large one of his own. She could feel the calluses on his palm. A carpenter? Maybe a sailor?
“Nick. Nick Savage.”
​Chincoteague Island, on the Eastern Shore of the Delmarva Peninsula, is a barrier island. It is protected from the sea by Assateague Island, which is a national wildlife refuge and stop on the Atlantic Flyway. Assateague is jointly managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service and the national Park Service. It has a beautiful beach accessible through the refuge.
Colonists used it to graze cattle in the 17th century (local Indians only used it as a temporary camp) and began to settle there by 1800. It is a small town now, but Assateague is only inhabited by ponies and birds.
Addison Steele, the heroine, is a librarian in Washington, DC. Her family has owned land on Chincoteague for several generations She is recently widowed and comes down to stay in her family’s home to write a book. She meets a handsome stranger at the Wishing Tree, where she’s placed a token. The legend is that if the wind takes the token, her true love will come back to her. ​About the Author
Librarian, anthropologist, research assistant, Congressional aide, speechwriter, nonprofit director—award-winning, multi-published author M. S. Spencer has lived or traveled in five of the seven continents and holds degrees in Anthropology, Middle East Studies, and Library Science. She has published sixteen romantic suspense and mystery novels. She has two children, an exuberant granddaughter, and currently divides her time between the Gulf Coast of Florida and a tiny village in Maine.
Social media
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Around the Fire New Release Spotlight with today's guest, Jennifer Vido and Serendipity by the Sea.

Serendipity by the Sea (The Gull Island Series Book 1)
by
Jennifer Vido
(sweet romance) Rated G
April 12, 2023

Will her wanderlust ex-boyfriend’s return allow a hopeless romantic a second chance at love?
 
Cate Ainsworth is poised to land her dream job when an ex-boyfriend—the guy she once loved who left town without explanation—returns to their Lowcountry hometown. Their long-denied attraction tugs her in a new direction, but will she risk everything for a second chance at love? 
A freelance photographer, Knox Price seeks adventure, not commitment. Back in town to care for his uncle gets complicated when he crosses paths with Cate, igniting a spark he can’t ignore. But can he confess the truth about why he walked away?
 
Inspiration:
The inspiration behind the Gull Island series came from a family vacation to Fripp Island, South Carolina. As a frequent visitor to coastal Carolina, I am fond of the Lowcountry, especially the people who call it home. Fripp Island is a small barrier island, rich with natural beauty and history—the perfect backdrop for my fictional town, Gull Island. My childhood experiences growing up on the Jersey Shore filled in any missing blanks about living near the sea.
 
The importance of community is the common thread weaving the Gull Island stories together. The series consists of three novels: Serendipity by the Sea, Serenity by the Sea, and Simplicity by the Sea. These standalone books are interconnected with recurring characters, familiar faces searching for their happily-ever-afters. The series features three strong women, each at a crossroads in life, both at work and in love.  
I hope readers will gain an appreciation for small, coastal towns—tight-knit, Lowcountry resort areas like Gull Island—where kindness is the heartbeat of the community. When I visited Fripp Island, I was struck by the island’s warm hospitality and how locals seamlessly interacted with visitors, sharing the island’s history and natural beauty. Gull Island has a story, including historical landmarks and meeting places where the locals like to gather. Each of the three books introduces the reader to a different part of the island, providing a glimpse into Lowcountry living at its best.
 
Grab a copy from one of these retailers today
Kindle
Paperback
Barnes & Noble
BN nook
Apple Books
Kobo Jennifer Vido is the author of the Gull Island sweet romance series. An avid booklover, she interviews bestselling authors for her weekly Jen’s Jewels column on FreshFiction.com. A longtime Arthritis Foundation advocate, she teaches seniors an arthritis-friendly water exercise class in the morning before heading to the office to serve as the executive director of a legal non-profit in her community. The proud mom of two sons, she currently lives in Maryland with her husband, two rescue dogs, and a finicky calico cat. 

You can find out more about Jennifer by following her on social media
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Website
Goodreads
BookBub

Around the Fire Book Spotlight with a Sweet Deal from Kris Bock.

​Book Deal! Charming the Billionaire Cowboy is 99 cents July 1-9 
Charming the Billionaire Cowboy
 
Who wouldn’t want to be a billionaire? Turns out winning the lottery causes as many problems as it solves.
 
For the first time, his cowboy charm seems to backfire…

With his Texas ranching family’s lottery win, TC Tomlinson is finally able to build a ranch with alternative livestock. TC has a lot to prove, starting with his new ostrich herd, so when he catches a beauty scooping up an escaped baby bird, TC chases her down, assuming she wants to meet him for his money.

When Hallie Armstrong sees the injured baby ostrich, she jumps into professional mode. A former vet tech, she’s moved to Last Stand to work at her aunt’s wildlife rescue and heal from an attack. She’s skittish of the handsome cowboy, but when he starts to flirt, she decides two can play at this game—the rescue needs fundraising, and TC is an eligible bachelor.

As they brainstorm ideas for a bachelor auction and work to solve the mystery of local sheep attacks, TC finds himself falling for the feisty cowgirl. But when he learns she’s still in danger, his protective instincts threaten to drive the independent Hallie away. Can TC convince Hallie she can have her independence and him too?
 
Find the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series
Amazon US
Amazon UK
B&N/Nook
Kobo
Google Play
Apple
 
 
Kris Bock writes novels of romance, mystery, and suspense. Her Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat café. Watch as they fall in love with each other and shelter cats. Get a free story set in the world of the Furrever Friends cat café when you sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter .
 
In the Accidental Detective series , a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. If you love romantic suspense by Mary Stewart or Barbara Michaels, try Kris Bock’s stories of treasure hunting, archaeology, and intrigue in the Southwest. Learn more at www.krisbock.com or visit the Kris Bock Amazon US page or Amazon UK page . ( For other countries click here .) 
The Accidental Detective series: Get a free Accidental Detective short story and bonus material when you sign ​​up for my newsletter. 
Get The Furrever Friends Cat Café Sweet Romance series​ on Amazon, free with KU. 
Visit the Amazon series page for the Sweet Home Alabama teen comedy novels.

Around the Fire New Release Spotlight. The Solace of Denim by Kathy Otten.

The Solace of Denim
by 
Kathy Otten 
PG rating
Young Adult

Whom do you trust when you can’t trust yourself?
The victim of a horrific crime, fifteen-year-old Joey Kowalski has bounced around in the foster care system for six years. When his only friend Luke is murdered, suspicion falls on Joey. 
As evidence mounts against him, Luke’s denim jacket appears in Joey’s closet. When he puts on the jacket, he gets visions of Luke’s murder and hears Luke’s voice in his head. Can Joey convince Luke’s father, Detective Marek, to look past his grief and help him find the real killer?
 
Grab a copy at one of these retailers⤵️
Paperback at Amazon  •  Paperback at B&N  •  Hardback at B&N  •  eBook at Apple  •  eBook at Kindle  •  eBook at Kobo  •  eBook at B&N  •  eBook at Smashwords
 
Inspiration for the story.
Over the last several years, I’ve been playing with a young adult mystery novel that was close to my heart. After querying numerous agents and publishers, I’d sort of relegated the story to the “Under the Bed” file where stories go that, for whatever reason, will never see publication.
But a friend, believing in the story, when I’d pretty much given up, submitted it to an editor who read it, liked it and thought the story worthy of publication.
All to say, that it takes a village to write a story, and the support of fellow writers and people who believe in you are invaluable.
For all my fans, readers who are the last link in the writing process, here is a sneak peek at the cover with a blurb and excerpt for you to read.
The Solace of Denim | DFP Books About the Author.
Kathy enjoys writing stories with wounded heroes and feisty heroines. She writes contemporary romance, historical fiction, and young adult, in all lengths from short story to novel. She was a finalist in the Utah/Salt Lake RWA Hearts of the West Contest and a winner of the Northwest Houston RWA Lone Star Writing Competition. 
Kathy is also a certified book coach, helping writers bring their vision to life. Specializing in empowering new writers, she offers a variety of coaching packages tailored to give writers the tools they’ll need to move forward on their own. 
She lives in the rolling farmland of western New York and enjoys long walks with her German Shepherd, Henry. 
You can contact Kathy through her web site at kathy@kathyotten.com
Sign up for a free 15-minute coaching call. Subscribe to her newsletter.
 
Where to find out more. 
Website: http://kathyotten.com
Facebook    https://www.facebook.com/kathyottenauthor
Goodreads   https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2874462.Kathy_Otten
Amazon Author Page  https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00351X1VG/about
Book trailer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10VX-aAyblcY9mgBBYocX4N8KrNib10AJ/view
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kathy-otten

Around the Fire with Cozy Mystery Author Susie Black.

Welcome to my fire, Susie. I understand your go-to beverage is black coffee, and I’ve just brewed a pot. While I pour, why don’t you introduce yourself and give us an insider’s scoop?
I am a curious student of human nature who sees each day as a gift, an opportunity, a mystery, an adventure, and a challenge. I strive to find something to laugh about every day.
 
Humor helps us get through even some of the most trying times, so laugh away, my friend. Other than reading, do you have any other hobbies?
I am a voracious reader. I read all types of mysteries but favor the same kind of stories I write-cozy mysteries. I am an avid stamp collector, sailor, jazz, oldies Rock N Roll fan, and an enthusiastic walker.
 
Who is your network or support system? This would be any groups/authors/friends/family who contributes to your writing career?
First and foremost, my very patient and supportive husband and son who
tirelessly answer my incessant questions like, “How does this sound?” or “Is this
funny, or am I the only one who’s going to laugh at the line?”
Secondly, a cabal of generous author colleagues who I call on for their opinion, knowledge, and
information. Thirdly, “the Aprils,” my trusty two super readers who read and critique my final manuscripts before I submit them to my editor.
 
I couldn't imagine not having the support of my dearly beloved, Peter. Who or what books or authors are your inspiration?
My inspirations are the interesting and quirky people I have encountered during the course of my ladies’ apparel sales career. I have a number of authors who are my inspiration: Joan Hess, Anne George, Carolyn Haines, Carl Hiaasen, Dave Barry, Nancy J. Cohen, Janet Evanovich, S.V. Date, Donald E. Westlake, and Elmore Leonard are my tops. Books that inspire me: The Axe by Donald E. Westlake, Maximum Bob by Elmore Leonard
 
Do you have any fun or outrageous talent?
I can single-sail an obstacle course without flipping the sailboat over.
 
Hmm, I'm not a sailor but I enjoy watching the colorful sails bobbing in the wind. What is your neighborhood like?
I live in a gated community in Palm Desert, CA.on a golf course with a water hazard inhabited by ducks & geese. I walk the gorgeous grounds within our community with a variety of palm trees and desert flora and fauna in a riot of colors that look like a painting. I am continuously amazed at what not only grows in this challenging climate but actually thrives.
 
It sounds lovely. I've never been to a desert but it's on my camping to-do list. Tell us about your body (sorry pun) of work. 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?
Both. I write a series with continuing characters and locales, but each book can stand on its own.
 
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would that be?
Trust your gut. Don’t be afraid to fail. You can’t please everyone.
 
So true. In the same line can you share what literary success look like to you?
When a reader says, “I stayed up all night reading your book. I could not put it down.”
 
Those are the best comments. Depending on my genre, I've done tons of research. What about you? What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
Since all my books take place in the LA garment district, I go to the California Apparel Mart in downtown LA, visit stores, and talk to buyers and sellers.
 
I used to love watching Project Runway until it got so political. It made me feel like a behind the scenes fashionista. How do you select the names of your characters?
All of my characters are based on real people I knew, so I do a variation or a play on their names. For example, Mr. Newman/ Mr. Oldham; Mr. Turpin/Mr. Tyne; Mr. Arbetman/Mr. Workman(Arbetman in German means workman.)
 
If you didn’t write, what would you do for work?
Definitely a stand-up comedienne.
 
I picture Lucille Ball or Carol Burnett, though I wonder if you're more of a  Mrs. Maisel? Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?
I read every review, but I do not respond to them. The good ones I revel in. I try to learn something to improve my writing with the bad ones if they give constructive criticism.
 
How long, on average, does it take you to write a book?
Nine months-like giving birth to a baby.
 
And often as much pain. If they made a movie about your life, what would the title be, and who would play
you?
Rag Lady and Melissa Rauch (Judge on the new TV Night Court) would play me.
 
Do you have a particular object, like a piece of jewelry or a keepsake of some sort? Can you tell us what makes it unique to you?
A bookmark my son made for me in kindergarten for Mother’s Day.
 
Aww. I have a pin made from sunflower seeds from my son. What is your favorite mug drink that black coffee?
A mug that my wise guy nana gave me when I started selling ladies’ swimwear. The mug says: “Things Could be Worse: We Could be Trying on Swimsuits.”
 
Years ago, a commercial talked about a “Kodak Moment.” It’s a moment in time you catch in a picture. One you never want to forget. What is yours?
The moment my newborn son was put into my arms for the first time.
 
Again, aww. 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?
People, by Barbra Streisand.
 
Now that song is running through my head. Who is the most interesting person you’ve met and talked with?
Best-selling Author Harlen Coben.
 
Susie, thank you for spending time with me Around the Fire. You are always a fun guest. Before heading out into that lovely community, will you leave a little information about your newest release? Oh, and watch out for the geese. They can be a little touchy. Death by Cutting Table 
by
Susie Black
The Wild Rose Press, Inc. (August 2, 2023)
Cozy Mystery
Amateur Sleuths

Butch Oldham didn’t have an honest bone in his body. So, the question wasn’t who wanted him
dead. The question was, who didn’t. Mermaid Swimwear sales exec Holly Schlivnik finds
colleague Queenie Levine standing over Mermaid CEO Butch Oldham’s bloody corpse nailed to
a fabric cutting table with a big honkin’ pair of cutting shears plunged deep into his chest. When
the cops discover Queenie’s blood-soaked sweater, learn about her stormy relationship with the
victim, and her public threats to make Butch pay for destroying Mermaid Swimwear by stealing
it blind, Holly’s colleague shoots to the top of the suspect list. When Queenie is arrested, the
wise-cracking, irreverent amateur sleuth jumps into action to flesh out the real killer. But the trail
has more twists and turns than a slinky, and nothing turns out the way Holly thinks it will as she
tangles with a clever killer hellbent for revenge.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C62HRJXM
Barnes & Noble: Death by Cutting Table by Susie Black | eBook | Barnes & Noble®
(barnesandnoble.com) What others are saying.
Holy guacamole, Susie Black does it again in Death by Cutting Table. I enjoyed reading the
fourth entry in the Holly Swimsuit mystery series, and Black offers another hilarious murder
story starring Holly Schlivnik, her Yenta buddies, and best friend, Queenie Levine. Holly
describes herself as a nosy parker who cannot fake sincerity, and she is correct. When her friend
Queenie comes under suspicion for the latest murder (the CEO of their company), Holly springs
into action again with her own investigation. CEO Butch Oldham has bankrupted his company,
stolen his job from a friend, and dumped his wife … for starters. There is no shortage of suspects
for an overbearing detective pursuing Oldham’s killer, along with helpers that are “uniformed
versions of Starsky and Hutch.”
As with her other Holly Swimsuit books, Susie Black keeps the reader guessing until the end.
I love the characters, probably the most vital component of this series, but the descriptions of the
fashion industry and all that goes with it make marvelous stories by themselves. This is a strong
recommendation for all the Holly Swimsuit books, but Death by Cutting Table may be the best in
the series.
I’m looking forward to the next one (or two or three).
Link to series. ​www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BMNSR2M2 More about the author.
COZY MYSTERY STORYTELLER​ Susie Black
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

Around the Fire New Release Spotlight with The Emerald Fairy and the Dragon Knight.

The Emerald Fairy and the Dragon Knight 
by
Jennifer Ivy Walker

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Publication date ‏ June 21, 2023
Fantasy Romance
Paranormal Romance

​Interwoven fates. Otherworldly mates. Destiny awaits.
Wielding a trio of enchanted Elven weapons to battle a dark wizard and a legion of diabolical dwarves, Tristan is faced with the impossible choice between saving the woman he loves or defending his endangered kingdom. Inexplicably compelled to remain in the sacred forest where he hears the voice of her heart, the heir to the throne of Cornwall incurs the wrath and scorn of his army when he decides to hunt for his captive mate.
Her verdant magic greatly enhanced by the mystical Morgane la Fée, Issylte must summon a coalition of Naiad nymphs and celestial fairies to destroy a nascent evil as she fights to reclaim her rightful crown.
When the Black Widow Queen unites with a malignant menace and a ghost from Tristan’s haunted past, the Emerald Fairy and the Dragon Knight must ally with a triad of shapeshifting warrior tribes to defeat a Viking Trident and defend their trinity of Celtic kingdoms.

What others are saying
Surprising Journey into Enchantment
An Enchanting Journey of Love, Magic, and Heroism
Captivating and enchanting fantasy novel that combines elements of love, magic, and heroism​ Enjoy the entire series.
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B9QFJX94
About the Author
​Enthralled with legends of medieval knights and ladies, dark fairy tales and fantasies about Druids, wizards and magic, Jennifer Ivy Walker always dreamed of becoming a writer. She fell in love with French in junior high school, continuing her study of the language throughout college, spending summers in France as a foreign exchange student, exploring medieval castles and troglodyte caves in the Loire Valley, sites of pilgrimage such as le Mont-Saint-Michel, eventually becoming a high school teacher and college professor of French.
As a high school teacher, she took her students every year to the annual French competition, where they performed a play she had written, "Yseult la Belle et Tristan la Bête"--an imaginative blend of the medieval French legend of "Tristan et Yseult" and the fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast", enhanced with fantasy elements of a Celtic fairy and a wicked witch.
Her debut novel, "The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven"--the first of a trilogy-- is a blend of her love for medieval legends, the romantic French language, and paranormal fantasy. It is a retelling of the medieval French romance of "Tristan et Yseult", interwoven with Arthurian myth, dark fairy tales from the enchanted Forest of Brocéliande, and otherworldly elements such as Avalonian Elves, Druids, forest fairies and magic.
Explore her realm of Medieval French Fantasy. She hopes her novels will enchant you.

Find out more at the following links.
https://jenniferivywalker.com/​
www.tiktok.com/@jenniferivywalker
https://www.instagram.com/jenniferivywalkerauthor/​
www.facebook.com/Jennifer-Ivy-Walker-Author-106926765275369/