D.V. Stone's Blog, page 17

Around the Fire with Marilyn Barr and her new release Quarter-Master.

Welcome to the fire Marilyn. While I grab some pirates grog for us, why don't you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about you. How long have you been writing? 
I started writing in 2018. I used to write books to be printed at our local office supply store, so my friends could read them after their homeschooled kids went to bed. We would meet for drinks and an informal book club to giggle over the dirty bits once a month. When the pandemic canceled my husband’s business travels, he found out about my “playing author.” Within his first 24 hours at home, I had a website, business cards, manuscript queries sent, and a membership to the Kentuckian romance writers. 

Wow not just supportive but a git'er dun kinda guy. I know you write in a number of genres and I'm a fan of your Wylder series. 
I may bounce from pirates to cowboys to scientists to monsters, but all my books are paranormal.
They say you must write what you know, and my life is too strange to write anything else.

Lol! I've read you Vampire/Pirate stories. So tell us about your book that releases today. 
Quartermaster is a paranormal pirate romance and a spin-off from the Walk the Walk series. Branko
and his vampiress may be living their HEA as landlubbers but Patricia’s Wish sails on with Captain Teeth
at the helm and Chub returning as Quartermaster. It’s 1725 and most of the pirates have taken pardons
from the Spanish or English government. Teeth and Chub are on the hunt for treasure—not gold, but
love. The sidekicks are ready to become heroes.

What is it that you drove you to writing about pirates?
I’m a homeschooling mom. I needed to teach the foundations of democracy to my then-10-year-old.
From Hammurabi’s code in ancient Mesopotamia to the pirate parlay code, I found democracy was found
in more places than in ancient Greece and the colonial USA. In fact, women and people of color had
equal rights on the sea, but not on land in colonial America. I fell in love with the governing systems of
what I always thought were “lawless scoundrels.” Every job aboard was a voted position from Captain to
poop deck scrubber, and each person holding those positions had an equal vote. Pirate Captains were
slave liberators and portrayed by villains because the ones losing money are the same men writing the
history. The truth is buried in the shipping logs from the port masters and merchant boat Captains. I was
fascinated!

Like I said, I read your  vamp/pirate books. I've learned a lot about pirates and their life from your work. How much research was involved? Did you stay on point or were you tantalized and went off on rabbit trails?
Quartermaster comes from a love of psychological warfare in the records of 1700s piracy. In the
movies, pirates are portrayed as brainless sword-slashers when historically, they hardly ever boarded
another vessel. They depended on their reputations to scare their opponents—easy when the general
population was superstitious. I fell in love with the tales of Sam Bellamy taking the Whydah by making a
pretend ghost ship, Blackbeard braiding firecrackers into his beard to appear possessed, and the rest of
the shenanigans of the 4 years called the Golden Age of Pirates. While I wrote about this time period in
the Walk the Walk series, Quartermaster takes place in 1725. Most of the pirates had taken pardons and
retired from the sweet trade to a landlubbing life of agriculture or crime. I wondered what would happen if
a boat refused to retire. They would be hated by the Spanish, English, and colonial Americans…
 
Quarter-Master is a long novella, how long did you take to write the book?
I wrote Quartermaster in a month. I was already half in love with Chub from his role in my other book
series. I knew I wanted him to represent tough men who weren’t tall, dark, and classically handsome
gentlemen. Chub is a 5 foot 5 inches tall, freckled, red-headed pirate with more brains than manners.
What he brings to the table is a patient disposition, a talent for teaching, and a huge heart. He teaches
the young crew how to sail, the Captain to read, and his lady love to trust again. I wanted his HEA so
badly, the story wrote itself. Quartermaster
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BRWRPDBF
By
Marilyn Barr
Can the love of a pirate heal the wounds inflicted by a gentleman?
Catalina
He violated me. Don Rodrigo took my family’s business, home, and titles, but he will never own me. I’m on the run. He’s threatened to expose my secret. My last hope is to intercept the ship carrying my dowry before our match is permanent. Trusting pirates to give me a fair share is foolish but not as much as staying on the same island as my attacker…
Chub
The letter from our arch-nemesis was written in feminine calligraphy but our nutmeg Captain Teeth didn’t notice. Blimey that because the author of the letter is my lady love. I’d bet my last doubloon. If only she didn’t shrink away from my touch… Killing every scoundrel who dared to hurt her isn’t helping…but it cools the rage I hold inside.
Can Chub teach Catalina to assemble her shattered fragments into the strong woman she wants to be or is she too broken to believe in herself? Will she accept a pirate’s promise of true love or was the Mortar & Pestle’s message too late for lonely Chub to claim his lady love?

Ancient World Historical Romance (Kindle Store)
Romantic Fantasy (Kindle Store)
Sea Stories
Marilyn Barr
I have a diverse background containing experiences as a child prodigy turned medical school reject, published microbiologist, special education/inclusion science teacher, homeschool mother of a savant and advocate for the autistic community. This puts me in the position to bring tales containing heroes who are regular people with different ability levels and body types, in a light where they are powerful, lovable, and appreciated.
I currently reside in the wilds of Kentucky with my husband and son. When I’m engaging with the real world, I’m collecting characters, empty coffee cups, and unused homeschool curricula. I love to read paranormal romance as much as I love to write it. Connect with me on Goodreads to find out what I am reading.
https://www.marilynbarr.com/
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https://www.instagram.com/marilyn_bar...
http://fb.me/MarilynBarrAuthor
https://twitter.com/author_barr

Around the Fire with Ruth A. Casie and her upcoming release.

​The Return of the Ladies of Sommer-by-the-Sea Series
The Lady and the Barrister – Book 1
By
Ruth A. Casie
​
She swore she’d help him find his soul mate. Will she realize he already has?

Lady Anna Ravencroft shines brightly as a much-admired organizer and hostess. In her mind it is the one thing at which she succeeds. Inwardly she is shy, retiring… a wallflower. With two seasons that ended in disaster she has accepted marriage might not be in her future.

Lord Fraser Castleton, a London barrister is shocked when he inherits a title and estate from his mother’s
great aunt and becomes the 8 th Duke of Willbury. He returns to Sommer-by-the-Sea to take up permanent
residence. He crosses paths with his longtime friend, Lady Anna. He confides that he is the target of every mother with an unmarried daughter. She commiserates with him. Every eligible gentleman sees the Ravencroft purse rather than her. Together they decide to find a mate for each other. Anna presents him with a list of several eligible women. Castleton is receptive, but not enthusiastic. He gives her the same reaction with the  subsequent two lists. Will she realize he has already found his match?

Reginald Younge who doesn’t always play by the rules wants to be the next Member of Parliament for his borough. His political backer will support him if Younge can finance the campaign himself. He suggests Younge find a wealthy wife to support his political plans. Marrying a Ravencroft would all but guarantee not only his backer’s continued support but provide the steady stream of money needed to claim his place amongst the gentry. He calls on Lady Anna for assistance for a campaign event and has an ulterior motive. With two men vying for her hand, who will she choose? The smooth politician or the down to earth barrister turned duke?
Heat Rating PG
Release Date – April 11, 2023
Pre Order
www.amazon.com/dp/B0BSG2GMH9 About the author

Storyteller  -  Blogger  -  Dreamer  - Creative Thinker - Good Sport  -  Teammate
You might be wondering what I’m about. Sit back and let me tell you.
I’m happiest when I’m telling stories either chatting with a group of friends or writing them down. I love to put my hero and heroine in tough situations and dare them to work it out—together, always together. They haven’t disappointed me.  Oh, they complain but in the end their love and relationships are stronger than ever.
I’ve been filling up my days and staying busy. While I keep tormenting my druid knight, I’m outlining a new series. The working title is the River of Time. It’s about an elite technology security officer, whose job is to eliminate time travelers, but he falls in love with a time traveling art appraiser and has to choose between his duty and his one chance for a timeless love. I love this story line because it lets me stretch my contemporary voice while working in historic time periods. I think this is the best of both worlds.
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Around the Fire is following the M&P to the Highlands with author Jean M. Grant.

Hi, Jean. Welcome to Around the Fire. Congratulations on your book birthday! While I muster up some coffee for us, why don’t you introduce yourself? Who is Jean M. Grant? 
I’m Jean – travel and nature lover, avid gardener, baker, former scientist, champion for my kids, oh, and an author. I write romance and women’s fiction, as well as freelance work on experiencing the outdoors with kids. If I was stranded on a deserted island, I would need (beside the usual must-haves) chapstick, coffee, and Dwayne the Rock Johnson. Hey, you asked.

So you’re not busy at all, then, lol. And The Rock, huh? I can see the appeal. So tell us a bit more about your gardening. I used to be a big gardener. Nothing like digging into rich soil and getting your hands dirty. I usually did it to classical music. 
I am obsessed with flower and veggie gardens. I already bought my veggie and flower seeds for this spring. It’s a great physical activity (all those garden beds and flower beds!), gets me outside, is beautiful (ahh, lilies and phlox!), and rewarding to nurture something from seed or bulb to a plant. Oh, and you get to eat all those veggies. I have gigantic raspberry bushes and a few apple trees, too. I also love to bake sweets. And walking is my jam – I get out a few times a week (and hike, too) – while listening to audiobooks. 

Who is your network or support system? This would be any groups/authors/friends/family who contributes to your writing career. 
I have a few writer’s groups on Zoom that started via Twitter (#5amwritersclub is one) through WFWA, locally, and publisher.

Ugh! Five A.M. not my favorite hour of the day. Who or what books or authors are your inspiration?
I’ve always loved and admired Diana Gabaldon. Some of my newer favorites include: Amy Harmon, Kristin Higgins, Susan Wiggs, Christina Lauren, and a few others.

What is your neighborhood like? Are there any places you frequent? What makes them special? 
I live in an area with farms and the suburbs of central Ma. I love to visit my small-town coffee shop, walk through the historical cemetery, and walk on the rail trail. The icicles are especially cool in winter! We have a ski mountain nearby and my kids frequent it regularly! (I write in the lodge…my writing is always with me)
 
Your latest release is Seeker. It’s part of the Mortar & Pestle Series. Have you written in cooperation with other authors before?
This was my first time! And it was a great experience. Nothing like the horrible group assignments my son is dealing with in high school…

What drew you to this project? 
I loved the idea of a central theme (the mortar and pestle), a bit of magic, the novella-length (they are always fun to write!), and that we have a great group of talented authors.

What’s the best thing about writing with other authors?
Support and communication.

Yep, I'm going there. What’s the worst thing about it?
Imposter syndrome and perhaps agreeing on a few decisions, but really, it was not a bad experience at all. Unlike group projects in high school (shiver…!)

Was there a particular inspiration for your book in this series?
The series idea came about from chatting with some fellow authors. We came up with this idea of a magical mortar and pestle that transcends time, and it works as a matchmaker of sorts. I happened to have a mortar and pestle in one of my historical books. And as it usually goes as an author, we fall in love with our secondary characters. So…Seeker came about from two minor characters in another one of my books in my historical trilogy (A Hundred Lies). I wondered: Wouldn’t Aileana (the spunky sister of the hero; she is adventurous and a very non-typical noblewoman of a magical family) and Brodie (a reserved, beta-hero who has a medical condition that prevents him from being war chieftain) make a great story of their own? I loved weaving the two stories together so if readers have read the trilogy (each are standalone), they will be pleased to see the overlap in Seeker! Seeker, of course, can also be read as a standalone. A lovely bonus is that the book before mine in the series, Selkie, is about the Norse and my Scottish clan has Norse roots (see the first book in my trilogy – A Hundred Breaths), so that connection is also awesome!

So, Selkie was the first book in the series. Seeker is second. Can you tell us a bit about the next book in the series?
The Scottish Highlands are quiet with the union of the Montgomeries and MacDougalls…for now… So the Mortar & Pestle sails the high seas in search of a couple in need of their heart’s desire until it lands on the island of Trinidad in 1725. Catalina Pintarro is a little lady with a big secret and even bigger enemies. It will take a pirate to heal the wounds inflicted by a gentleman…and the Mortar & Pestle knows just the Quartermaster… Seeker: A Scottish Medieval Enemies to Lovers Romance ​
​by
Jean M. Grant

Nock, draw, release. Her bow is always ready, and if her arrow hits its mark, she will secure her destined soulmate. 
 
Aileana Montgomerie’s bloodline holds valuable gifts of foresight and healing, but with each honor comes a curse. Even though she is descended from the mystical isles’ folk, she lacks the ability of the Scottish Ancients and wonders if she belongs in a magical family. Aileana just wants a purpose. What good is her bow and arrow if she is denied the right to fight for her clan?
Brodie MacDougall is ordained to be the next war chieftain of his clan. The title is a privilege as long as his brother, the future laird, doesn’t expect him to lift a sword and charge into battle. Chronic pain and nervous vapors force him to spend his days alone. Can his strategic skills keep him one step ahead of his conspiring brother?
Through a magical Mortar & Pestle, Brodie finds his heart’s desire. But there’s a catch. The seat on his brother’s council is no longer dependent upon his health…but on Aileana’s strength. With rumblings of unrest among their clans, will their love foster an alliance or be a step toward war?
www.amazon.com/Seeker-Scottish-Medieval-Enemies-Romance-ebook/dp/B0BRYS2JXY
Link to series                             https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS42PKHZ
Link to Free Sample of series  https://dl.bookfunnel.com/b1ytv2r7nq
Link to Trailer                            https://youtu.be/juQwaRm4aEw 
About the Author
Jean has a penchant for misunderstood creatures, be it sharks, microbes, or wounded characters. A scientist by training, she now spends her days as an author and champion for her children. She writes historical and contemporary romance and women’s fiction. Two of her books won InD’tale RONE awards.
A nature enthusiast, Jean also writes for family-oriented travel magazines and websites. When not writing, she enjoys gardening, tackling the biggest mountains in New England, and going on adventures near and far with her family. If she were stuck on a desert island, her three essentials (besides family, food, water, and shelter) would be coffee, lip balm, and the Rock Dwayne Johnson.
Grab your copy today

https://www.jeanmgrant.com/
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Around the Fire New Release with Sydney Winward.

Welcome to my Fire Sydney! This lovely lady and several other have joined together in a co-operative effort and it was a pleasure meeting and working with her. I hear you are a Mountain Dew fan, so while a grab a few please tell us about you.
I’m not gonna lie, I love Mountain Dew. You know what they say. Don’t date a smoker if
you don’t want to become a smoker. In my case, don’t date a Mountain Dew enthusiast if
you don’t want to become one too.

So who is Sydney Winward?
Thanks for having me around the fire, Donna! I write fantasy and paranormal romance, with the occasional historical romance mixed in. I’m a mom of three cute kids, ages 5, 3, and 1. When I’m not reading or writing, I love doing anything crafty such as sewing, baking, and decorating cakes.

I've met them on Zoom and they are so adorable! What interests besides writing do you enjoy? For instance, what do you read or hobbies you have?
I have a lot of fun buying wedding dresses from the thrift store and turning them into
princess gowns. Playing dress up is fun even when you’re an adult!

I've seen some of Sydney's creations on TikTok. They are Gorgeous!  Who is your network or support system? This would be any groups/authors/friends/family who contributes to your writing career.
I have several great author friends who are super supportive of my writing. And of
course, my husband is my number one. I would not have gotten as far as I have in my
writing career without him.

I get that. If not for my husband I'm not sure where I'd be in my writing career. Who or what books or authors are your inspiration?
Always, I have to name Christopher Paolini as one of my top fantasy inspiration authors.
I also love Kenley Davidson’s writing, as her romance is some of the best I’ve ever read.

Oh, I adore Christopher's work. Do you have any fun or outrageous talent?
Does burping count as a talent? I have never lost a belching contest.

LOL! You don't look like a big belcher. That shows don't judge a book by its cover. What is your neighborhood like? Are there any places you frequent? What makes
them special?

Unfortunately, I live on a busy street which makes going about the neighborhood
difficult. But one thing I do love is taking the kids on a bike ride next to the golf course,
to the park, and up an extremely steep hill that makes me want to die. But at the top, I can
see the entire valley, and it’s one of my most favorite views in Utah Valley.

That sounds lovely. Let's chat about your book Selkie. I've read it and fell in love with the characters and world. Have you written in cooperation with other authors before?
I have written with a co-author before but never in a series like the Mortar and Pestle
Series.

What drew you to this project?
I admire the group of authors I work with and their writing, so I was excited for the
opportunity to team up with them on this project!

What’s the best thing about writing with other authors?
The variety of ideas everyone brings to the table. I love seeing everyone take a concept
and make it their own.

Yin and yang. What’s the worst thing about it?
Uhhh…well, information gets mixed up or lost easily, so keeping track of plans and due
dates is not always easy!

D.V.'s note about the series. Sydney Winward is the creator of all the designs from the covers to all the graphics used. She is amazing and talented and it was a pleasure to work with her on this project.  Selkie
By
Sydney Winward
No one has ever managed to capture a selkie. Until now…
On their wedding day, Klaus Lovik’s bride is stolen by an enemy chieftain. He will travel to the ends of the earth to find her, and in desperation, he captures a selkie and uses her as a bartering piece. But the selkie’s magic is powerful enough to drown entire islands, and if he’s not careful, he might find himself in a watery grave.
Mayla Brior is gifted with the power to shed her seal skin, enabling her to walk on land. But when a man robs her of the pelt, she is forced to follow his commands, endangering her skin, and preventing her return to the sea.
Venturing into enemy territory, Klaus and Mayla bond, escalating their relationship into more than adversaries. He realizes his pending nuptials are a dreadful mistake. But it might be too late to choose another path, especially when he knows he has to eventually let her go.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BRWZ6K8Q

About the Author
Sydney Winward
https://sydneywinward.com/​
Is a fantasy and paranormal romance author who dabbles in the occasional historical fiction. She loves building complex worlds filled with magic, strong characters, and emotional stories that can make you laugh and cry.
Sydney is the author of The Bloodborn Series and the Sunlight and Shadows Series. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, thinking about stories, or going on adventures with her children. She lives in Utah with her husband and three amazing kids.
​
About the Series
Go on the adventure of The Mortar & Pestle series with international authors of different genres and vast backgrounds who came together and offer this exciting, often humorous series. From world travelers, teachers, bloggers, magazine editors, and award winners, there’s something for everyone in this series.
Here's a link to a free sample book of all the stories in the series   https://dl.bookfunnel.com/b1ytv2r7nq

And because I know you'll want to read all of them https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS42PKHZ

Around the Fire, “It’s only a week away!”

Thank you for popping in today. I can’t believe the first book in the Mortar & Pestle Series releases next Tuesday with Selkie by Sydney Winward.
Full disclosure here. I’m one of the authors in the series. Sea Hunter is book four. But let me tell you, that doesn’t change my opinion of all these authors. We’ve respected each other’s work which is why we got together in the first place.
Who are we? The Mortar & Pestle is a series with international authors of different genres and vast backgrounds who came together and now offer this exciting, often humorous series. From world travelers, teachers, bloggers, magazine editors, and award winners, there’s something for everyone in this series.
How did this happen? Being an author is often very isolating. We end up in our own little world because, in my case, I don’t have very many writers in my life who are nearby. I met Shirley Goldberg at the Florida West Coast Writer conference a while back, and we hit it off. She knew someone, they knew someone, and the next thing you know, we had a group of seven women meeting on Zoom and hashing out the nuts and bolts of the profession. Trust me, writing the book isn’t the most challenging part.
But what about the series? Somebody at a point said, “we should write a series together.” We sort of laughed because we’re different genres, heat levels, and had other books we were working on. But before you know it, the general idea tightened into a working project.
Was it easy? You know, for the most part, for me anyway, it was. Of course, some issues needed to be worked out, but things tend to work out when you have respect and are willing to compromise.
So what is the series about? This is one of the first things we worked out. The overreaching idea.
A wisp of smoke, a swirl of promise, a breath of destiny…a message within the Mortar & Pestle for those who want to believe.
Throughout time people have sought their heart’s desire. But true love is often elusive.
Carved with ancient Norse runes, the Mortar & Pestle shows paths to happily-ever-afters.
Once you capture the Mortar & Pestle’s scent of magic, you’ll want to read all seven individual romances. Notes about the seriesEach book is on sale for .99 until the day of it's release.This is a rapid release series do you don't have to wait. Two books a week until Artist, the final work.There is a free sample of all the stories available for download at dl.bookfunnel.com/b1ytv2r7nqThe series link is www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS42PKHZThe series will also be available in Kindle Unlimited.Come back next week. I'll be spotlighting each story individually on it's release day. 

Around the Fire New Release Spotlight with A Heart Restrained.

A Heart Restrained
by
​Jennifer Wilck

She refuses to sell him her company; will she give him her heart?
Caleb Zeno, a wealthy and successful media mogul, refuses to allow emotions into any aspect of his life, especially his entertainment corporation. When his company’s lifestyle website runs into competition from a small boutique company, the most logical solution is to buy out his rival. 
Fiona Hamilton’s lifestyle website succeeds due to her loving and caring treatment of her clients, who have become like family to her. She has no desire to sell to anyone, much less a tattooed, muscled, automaton. 
At odds professionally, Caleb and Fiona come together as a favor for Caleb’s sister. Sparks fly and sexual chemistry abounds. But Caleb can't let go of his abusive past and be the man Fiona needs, and she is unwilling to risk independence and financial security for anything less than a perfect happily ever after. Can they put their differences aside to find a viral kind of love?


Books2Read
Amazon
B&N
i-Books
About the Author
​Jennifer started telling herself stories as a little girl when she couldn’t fall asleep at night. Pretty soon, her head was filled with these stories and the characters that populated them. Even as an adult, she thinks about the characters and stories at night before she falls asleep or walking the dog. Eventually, she started writing them down. Her favorite stories to write are those with smart, sassy, independent heroines; handsome, strong and slightly vulnerable heroes; and her stories always end with happily ever after.
In the real world, she’s the mother of two amazing daughters and wife of one of the smartest men she knows. When she’s not writing, she loves to laugh with her family and friends, is a pro at finding whatever her kids lost in plain sight, and spends way too much time closing doors that should never have been left open in the first place. She believes humor is the only way to get through the day and does not believe in sharing her chocolate.
She writes contemporary romance, some of which are mainstream and some of which involve Jewish characters. She’s published with The Wild Rose Press and all her books are available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and The Wild Rose Press.
www.jenniferwilck.com/
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​twitter.com/JWilck

Around the Fire with Ruth A. Casie

The Ladies of Sommer-by-the-Sea Series
The Lady and the Barrister – Book 4
By
Ruth A. Casie
She swore she’d help him find his soul mate. Will she realize he already has?
Lady Anna Ravencroft shines brightly as a much-admired organizer and hostess. In her mind it is the one thing at which she succeeds. Inwardly she is shy, retiring… a wallflower. With two seasons that ended in disaster she has accepted marriage might not be in her future.
Lord Fraser Castleton, a London barrister is shocked when he inherits a title and estate from his mother’s great aunt and becomes the 8th Duke of Willbury. He returns to Sommer-by-the-Sea to take up permanent residence. He crosses paths with his longtime friend, Lady Anna. He confides that he is the target of every mother with an unmarried daughter. She commiserates with him. Every eligible gentleman sees the Ravencroft purse rather than her. Together they decide to find a mate for each other. Anna presents him with a list of several eligible women. Castleton is receptive, but not enthusiastic. He gives her the same reaction with the subsequent two lists. Will she realize he has already found his match?
Reginald Younge who doesn’t always play by the rules wants to be the next Member of Parliament for his borough. His political backer will support him if Younge can finance the campaign himself. He suggests Younge find a wealthy wife to support his political plans. Marrying a Ravencroft would all but guarantee not only his backer’s continued support but provide the steady stream of money needed to claim his place amongst the gentry. He calls on Lady Anna for assistance for a campaign event and has an ulterior motive. With two men vying for her hand, who will she choose? The smooth politician or the down to earth barrister turned duke?
Heat Rating  PG
Pre-Sale Link  Amazon KU
Release Date – April 11, 2023 ​RUTH A. CASIE is a USA Today bestselling author. She writes historical adventures from the shores of medieval Scotland to the cobblestone streets of Regency London. Within the pages you’ll discover ‘edge-of-your-seat’ suspense, mind boggling drama, and heart melting emotions featuring strong women and the men who deserve them. She currently has three historical series, The Druid Knight, The Stelton Legacy, and The Ladies of Sommer-by-the-Sea. She lives in New Jersey with her hero, three empty bedrooms and a growing number of incomplete counted cross-stitch projects. Before she found her voice, she was a speech therapist (pun intended), client liaison for a corrugated manufacturer, and vice president at an international bank where she was a product/ marketing manager, but her favorite job is the one she’s doing now—writing romance. Grab your favorite cup of tea, or an ale if you prefer, and join her heroes and heroines as they race across the pages to find their happily ever after.  Ruth hopes her stories are your next favorite adventures!
 
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I’ve negotiated with my granddaughter (who I am hugging in the picture) to help me get started in Tik Tok. You can find me at #RuthACasie and at #BookTok

Around the Fire with the final chapter of the Deerbourne Series.

First, no, I haven't read them all. Second, those I did I loved. I've camped in Vermont several times and visited tiny towns and villages. The Deerbourne series brings that flavor to the reader. One can imagine themselves tucked away in the corner of the Deerbourne Inn, near the fire, reading a good book or people watching. And people watching is so entertaining in Willow Springs. With thirty books of various genres, there is something for everyone. Each story is a standalone from sweet to spicy, contemporary to historical, and ever a trip into the paranormal. Start at the beginning and get to know this town and it's inhabitants. I don't think you'll be sorry for anything except maybe the real Willow Springs is only a fictional getaway.
Link to series  www.amazon.com/dp/B087JKRBG2
​Love a la Carte
by 
Carol Henry
The final installment in a thirty book series
Release Day February 20, 2023
When Nathan Harte received a review that trashed his restaurant and reputation, he left New York to start over in Willow Springs, Vermont, at the Deerbourne Inn. Pleased with his new life and success, he’s preparing to receive an award for his achievements when trouble steps through his door—Chantel St. Ives, his ex and the author of the bad review. Is she here to repeat history?
Chantel, a food and wine critic, discovers Nate’s location at long last. She’s always wanted to explain what happened with her critique, but he disappeared. Now she’s determined to hash it out with him and hopefully rekindle the love they had, but he’s hostile and suspicious. Can she rebuild his trust?
​www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BQGR95Y7








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About the Wild Rose Press
The Wild Rose Press was founded in 2006 by RJ Morris and Rhonda Penders.  Both published authors, these women were disheartened by the way publishers treated authors.  They believed there should be a better, friendlier way to get books published. At this same time, publishing was just entering the digital world with ebooks.
Many small presses popped up around the same time believing that this type of publishing was low cost and easy to do.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Morris and Penders held their course, building their business and their author base.  They focused their attention not on the bottom line but rather on keeping a balance with author satisfaction and customer expectation – believing that creating a quality product and taking care of their authors was the only way to publish. Their mission was to create a “garden” where writers would grow. 
Over 500 authors and 3500 titles later this motto has proven to be solid.  When other small presses have come and gone, The Wild Rose Press has never wavered. It truly is a publishing house for authors, founded by authors with customer satisfaction being their number one priority.

Around the Fire with special guest Cara Bertoia and Casino Queen. A contemporary suspense / thriller.

Welcome to my fire, Cara. Can I pour you a refreshment? What is your go to beverage?
My go to beverage is iced tea. I grew up in the South and can’t live without it. But the quantities of tea I drink is so fattening that now I drink it plain and use Sweet’N Low to give it flavor. But if I do drink sweet tea it has to be brewed not instant, a noticeable  difference.
 
Okay, I'm on it. While I do, why don't you tell everyone who you are that's not part of your bio?
I’m a restless person who loves to travel and read. I have had many different careers and have moved to many cities, Charlotte, Boston, Lake Tahoe, Palm Springs and on a cruise ship for five years. I suffer from torschlussapanik, the German word for the fear of missing out. I don’t care about money only experiences.
 
I love new words thanks for sharing that one. Cruise ships are one of may favorite things. I don't know if I could do it for five years though. What other interests besides writing do you enjoy?
I love reality shows like 90 Day Fiancé, Love Is Blind and my all-time favorite, Married at First Sight. The goal of the show has to be a good relationship. I call myself The Hopeful Romantic, because I met my husband while working on a cruise ship and we were married four months later. After two decades I think our marriage qualifies as a success. Check out my blog, carabertoia.blogspot.com and read my latest post to learn my basic strategy of love. The dynamics of how couples do or don’t make things work fascinates me.
 
Wow, married after four month! I was engaged within two months but we waited a year to tie the knot and were going on twenty-nine. I bet your hubby is a big supporter. Who else is your network or support system?
My biggest supporter and chief editor is my husband Ray. He will be editing this article. I also had a great group of early readers for Casino Queen. One is a court reporter who catches my punctuation errors and another is a college professor who is an insightful critic. I also have a group of casino professional who vet my manuscript  for gambling errors. There are so many writers from The Wild Rose Press who support each other I have learned so much from them.
 
The Garden is an amazing group of creatives who are very generous with their time and experience. Who or what book or authors are your inspiration?
Charles Bukowski, who wrote about his daily life, his job and going to the track. I loved the plain way he wrote, he named his autobiography Ham on Rye. How great is that title. 
I also love Lionel Shriver, her most famous book is We Need To Talk about Kevin. She is cynical and funny and always honest. In her book The Post-Birthday World she creates a parallel-universe but both paths have their problems because life is not a fairy tale.
 
Hah! Ham on Rye indeed. I love it.  And I agree, life certainly is not a fairy tale. It can be gritty and dirty. Do you have any fun or outrageous talent?
I am known as the food-scout because I always pick good restaurants. I check out the reviews, read the menus and focus on the ambiance. It started when I worked on cruise ships, I hated the tourist traps we went to. Eating out is expensive so it better be good.
 
Next time Pete and I want to dine out I'll reach out for your recommendations. You're not on a ship anymore so, tell me about your neighborhood?
My neighborhood is fantastic. It is the reason we moved to Hollywood, Fl. We live right on the beach, I can see the ocean as I am typing this. This place is a walkers paradise, I can walk on the beach, to the library, and they are building a Publix two blocks away. But the highlight is the two-mile Broadwalk outside my door. It is great for eating out, people watching and there is a free concert five nights a week. It is a true beach paradise, and undiscovered except for the natives and Canadian tourists.
 
Darn! You are about 400 miles away from my winter home. I never realized Florida was such a big state. In my head it was always the size of NJ until I showed up and found out everything is tomorrow away. Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Writing exhausts me, it is so hard to write the first draft of a novel. But I love rewriting where words become sharper, dialogue is funnier and the real research begins. I love whipping my manuscripts into shape.
 
If you could tell your younger writing self-anything, what would it be?
To not worry about criticism. I used to be so anxious that people wouldn’t like my work. But guess what most agents and editors won’t like your work, but they don’t like other writers either. Try to paper your wall with rejection letters, a tough skin will make you a writer. Write the book you want to read, write it for you.
 
I just wrote a letter to a young author saying the same thing. What did you edit out of this book?
I wrote about the real estate crash of 2008 because I knew so many people in Palm Springs who lost their homes. I thought it was a good cautionary tale. My editor wanted to go in a different direction so I cut about 80 pages out of my manuscript but I can always use them in another book.
 
I deleted an entire chapter from Rock House Grill on the advice of my editor. They do know a thing or two. Do you Google yourself?
While I was promoting my first book, Cruise Quarters, I received a request from Goodreads asking me to provide a quote from my novel. Imagine my surprise a few months later when I Googled my name and I found over 200 websites where my quote had been used. I love to make up quotes, it’s a fun way to give advice in a short pithy sentence. I use them for my chapter titles. It has been included in so many lists of best gambling quotes, people on social media sites, and even Seeking Alpha, a financial website. A YouTuber used it with the song Money by Lisa playing in the background. My words have even been used as part of a legal argument in an Indian lawsuit. You too can Google Cara Bertoia quotes like this one... "It’s hard to walk away from a winning streak, even harder to leave the table when you’re on a losing one."
 
That's amazing! What kind of research do you do?
I spent two decades working as a croupier. I didn’t realize it at the time, but every day was research. When I decided to write a thriller about casinos, I thought writing a novel would be a breeze because I knew everything about casinos. I am here to tell you that knowing your subject is such a small part of the process. 
I had to research historical events to make sure I got it right. How did Native Americans win the right to open casinos on their reservations?  Luckily my husband worked as a pit boss, so he could answer my technical questions about money laundering and odds. I had to learn about police procedure because I wrote a mystery. I spent many hours on the Internet researching Native Americans, and the proper use of capitalization. If you think rules like when to capitalize the word tribes as it applies to Native Americans is simple just Google it. I also had to research the dialogue for some of my foreign characters to make sure it sounded authentic.

What can you share with other authors and aspiring ones?
Here’s a tip, read your whole novel out loud and record it to see how it sounds. 
Here’s another tip, even if you think you know how to spell a place, or a brand always double check. I was sure I knew the way to spell Louis Vutton imagine my surprise when I learned it was Louis Vuitton. Be careful about the names of companies you use, some companies are very serious about their trademarks. I bought The best punctuation book period and referenced it every day. Keeping your verbs in the right tense is just one of the many challenges you will  face.
Correcting all the mistakes in a novel are mind-boggling, so before you query if you have the resources hire an editor. Also make sure you have people that share your taste in books read your story. Does it flow, does the plot make sense and are the characters engaging?

Excellent advice. Who is the most interesting person you have ever met and talked to?
Agua Caliente Tribal Chairman Richard Milanovich was the most interesting person I knew. He was responsible for bringing casinos to tribal lands in Palm Springs, and positively impacting the fortunes of his tribal members. A charismatic man who spoke with the soft slow cadence of the Native Americans of the Southwest. Even though he was such an important man he knew all of his employees names and would stop and chat with them and ask about their families. He became the inspiration for my character John Tovar.

I hear you have an amazing write up in the Palm Springs Desert Sun. Can you share it?
Cara Bertoia stacks the creative cards in our favor in “Casino Queen” (The Wild Rose Press), a compelling
mystery set in Palm Springs and Joshua Tree.Bertoia lived in the Coachella Valley for nearly 22 years. In fact, she and her husband, Ray, were casino employees and long-time residents in Chino Canyon before moving to Florida several years ago. “Casino Queen” arrives at the perfect time when crime-solving tales that revolve around strong female protagonists aren’t just a luck of a draw. They’re downright successful. (See TV’s "Equalizer" and "Poker Face" for samplers.)
To that end, “Casino Queen” has the makings of a streaming series. 
That is so exciting! Congratulations. Cara, thank you so much for spending time Around the Fire with me today. Before you bottoms-up your iced tea, will you leave us some information about where we can find more about you and your latest book? Casino Queen
A contemporary suspense / thriller novel
by
Cara Bertoia
 
Caroline Popov, alone, heartbroken, and deeply in debt ends up in glamorous Palm Springs, California. Native American casinos have just opened, thousands of people from all over the world came to work there, money flowed like water, and real estate became the new status symbol. And then came The Great Recession, and suddenly the partying stopped. 
Alone, desperate and deeply in debt, she lands a job at the Palm Oasis Casino. She is mentored by the charismatic tribal chairman, John Tovar. Embraced by casino culture, Caroline works her way up to casino manager of the Night Hawk, in the High Desert town of Joshua Tree. There, she is responsible for managing multicultural team members, satisfying the demands of challenging guests, growing revenue while rooting out corruption. As she moves up through the ranks of management, her bond with John deepens.
In the process of uncovering the underbelly of corruption her list of enemies grows. Sometimes you have to gamble like your life depends on it. With her life on the line can she pull out a win?

What others are saying.
Little Miss Book Lover 187
"Oh Wow!! What a debut this has been. How will a written review do this one justice? I'm so excited for this book to get into the hands of other readers. I have wanted to step into the gorgeous setting of this one. However, the author's descriptions have transported me and made me feel as though the setting has been familiar to me - an added talent of hers. It's converted me as a huge fan of Bertoia." - Vikkie Wakeham, Little Miss Book Lover 187 - Squadpod
 
A peek inside. 
“Why did I transfer you up from Palm Springs to be my Casino Queen?” The charismatic Tribal Chairman John Tovar asked.
“Casino Queen, really? Apparently, you are the only person in America who isn’t watching the show about the seven kingdoms on cable. The queens always get killed in the most horrific ways. They are hanged, beheaded, poisoned, burned alive in an explosion, or have their throat slit,” an exasperated Caroline Popov answered.
“I promise that won’t happen to you.” He gestured for her to take a seat at an empty ‘Mystic Mermaid’ slot machine, then sat across from her. They swiveled their
chairs to face each other. John tried to act serious, but a smile kept pulling at the corner of his eyes. “According to the Mazurie decision, Native American tribes are considered sovereign nations. Therefore as leader of the tribe, I am King of the Shotowa.”
He continued. “Believe me, when I met the Queen of England I was introduced as the leader of the Shotowa nation. Let me be clear, as soon as you drove into this parking lot you entered the nation.” He gestured toward the uniformed officers standing at the door. “We have our own army.”
She decided to play along with the flow of his logic. “You mean security guards.”
“Precisely, trained courtesy of the United States Marine Corps. The tribe issues its own currency, gaming chips made of ceramic clay, stamped with our logo. At the cashiers’ cage, our central bank, those chips can be exchanged for U.S. dollars. Anyone can find food in our three restaurants or the team member dining room for employees. An underground well supplies us with water. We provide hotel rooms for shelter. Any guest who comes to stay with us will find their basic human needs covered by the Shotowa Tribe. Never forget we are a sovereign nation. I am the King, and I anoint you Queen of the Night Hawk.”
 
Get your copy today.
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More about the Author 
Cara Bertoia grew up in a strait-laced Southern family, but she was always fascinated with casinos. In her twenties on a summer hiatus from teaching in North Carolina, she drove to California and became a dealer at Caesars in Lake Tahoe. She discovered that after teaching high school, handling an unruly gambler was a piece of cake. Her mother highly disapproved of her working in a casino, "a place so bad it has 'sin' in the middle."
Eventually, she succumbed to pressure from the family and returned east to take a hi-tech job in Boston. She also began working on her MFA in writing at Emerson. Her goal was to write the first realistic novel about casino life from the perspective of an experienced table games dealer. She is always amazed that normal and sometimes quite intelligent players become absolutely clueless in the casino. They repeat superstitious nonsense and no amount of logic can change their position, maybe her novel will.
While in Boston she was offered the opportunity to join Princess Cruises as a croupier. Jumping at the chance, she spent the next five years circling the globe. Sometimes life exceeds your dreams. She was awed by the wonders of Venice, the fjords of Norway, and the Northern Lights in St. Petersburg.
Cara returned from ships with a very special souvenir, her Scottish husband Ray. They went to work at the Spa Casino in Palm Springs, and now live in Hollywood, Florida, where she writes about her casino years while wistfully gazing out at the ocean.
I love to connect with my readers. Please send me a picture with Casino Queen. I will post those pictures to my social media.
 
mailto:carabertoia@yahoo.com  
TikTok:  tiktok.com/@carabertoia
Cara Bertoia’s Blog  
Twitter  
Cara Bertoia – Author  
Instagram
Goodreads  
BookBub  
Facebook
Here is a link to my article in Women Writers Women’s Books
http://booksbywomen.org/behind-the-scenes-of-the-gambling-industry-writing-casino-queen/
 The Big Thrill is a monthly publication of the International Thriller Writers Association. They say they have 200,000 hits a month. I don't know why they picked me for an author interview, but I am very happy because all the big names appear there. Check it out. Here is the link. My interview appeared April 1st.
 
The Big Thrill Online Magazine 
 

Around the Fire New Release Spotlight with Susie Black

Death by Pins and Needles
By
Susie Black
Released 1-5-23
 
Who wanted Lissa Charney dead? The list was as long as your arm….but which one actually killed her? The last thing Mermaid Swimwear sales exec Holly Schlivnik expected to find when she opened the closet door was nasty competitor Lissa Charney’s battered corpse nailed to the wall. When Holly’s colleague is wrongly arrested for Lissa’s murder, the wise-cracking, irreverent amateur sleuth sticks her nose everywhere it doesn’t belong to sniff out the real killer. Nothing turns out the way she thinks it will as Holly matches wits with a heartless killer hellbent for revenge. 
Grab a copy today www.amazon.com/Death-Pins-Needles-Hysterical-Whodunit-ebook/dp/B0BPLHRWJ7 A Word from Susie Black
Write What You Know
No matter what stage an author’s writing career is at, one thing that is constantly drilled into their head is to only write what they know. If you don’t know it, either do the research and learn it, or don’t you dare write it. If you don’t have the creds for what you write, you are toast because readers can spot a phony by the second paragraph and never finish reading your book. This concept is one I never lose sight of and is the reason I write about the subjects I do.  Like the protagonist in my Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series, I am a ladies’ swimwear sales exec in the greater Los Angeles area. From the beginning of my career, I have kept a daily journal chronicling the interesting, quirky, and sometimes quite challenging people I have encountered as well as the crazy situations I’ve gotten myself into and out of. My daily journal entries are the foundation of everything I write.
I came to write in the cozy mystery genre because I love solving puzzles. My parents would certainly confirm I have always asked a lot of questions, and I am naturally curious (some narrow-minded people say I am nosy…go figure…LOL). So, writing mysteries was the natural next step for me to take. It is also the genre I read, am most comfortable in, and enjoy the most. The bonus is that it was an excellent way to knock off some people on paper who I would have loved to eliminate in real life and still not end up in prison. Extremely therapeutic. I highly recommend it. All of my characters are based on real people, and the central characters are all strong, successful women who have beaten the odds and broken the glass ceiling. 

About the Author
Susie Black biography
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