Amy R. Anguish's Blog, page 3

Behind the Story: Wicked Characters

So, here's something I never knew I would enjoy--writing "bad guys." When I started writing my fairy tale, I knew it had the EVIL stepmother and stepsister. Well, some retellings soften those characters, but most don't. So, I started down the road of having them be evil in my story too.
And y'all, I actually liked having those "scapegoats" to cause mischief and problems for my character. And to blame. In all my other books, my characters don't really have something like that. So, it was nice to have someone to point a finger at and make the bad guy.
​That being said, I didn't leave it that way.
What do I mean?
Well, my characters are still pretty bad at the end. But, I didn't want my main character looking at them only as if they were evil. It's something she struggles with through the whole book. They're all the family she has left and she wants to love them. They simply don't make it easy.
Also, Ella is a Christian. And let's be honest, the whole "love your enemies" thing is much harder than it sounds. But I wanted her to struggle to be able to do it. She wants to have the love God wants her to have toward Angela (stepmom) and Bellamy (stepsister). If only they would cooperate!
So, get ready to be angry at these characters. But also try to remember that people we get angry at are people God loves and made in His image too. And don't worry. We'll get to see them again in Beauty School and the Beast, when Bellamy gets her own story. ;)
Do you love to have characters you can hate? 
Rendersella

​Ella dreams of her artwork on display in the famous Prince Gallery, but working for her stepmother leaves her eking out sporadic minutes to draw or paint. When her stepsister steals her drawing and claims it as her own, Ella fears she’s lost her chance.
Chaz Prince wants more responsibility at his family’s gallery, but first he must prove he can handle it. Chaz talks his dad into a contest to bring in some new artists, sure this will be exactly what the gallery needs. When he stumbles across Ella’s piece, he not only wants the artwork, but wishes to know the artist.
At the gala to celebrate the contest winners, Ella is determined to let them know the artwork is hers, but time is against her. And where did her shoe end up?

Behind the Story: West Virginia

When you think of fairy tales, do you think of West Virginia. I'll be honest. Until I went there, I probably wouldn't have either.
My family visited some friends a couple years ago over Spring Break. As you can see in the picture, the trees hadn't even leafed out yet because it was so early in the year. But ... there was still this absolute beauty all around us everywhere we went and looked. West Virginia took my breath away. And inspired my Cinderella retelling.
​How?
Well, not only was the scenery breathtaking, which made me think a lot about God as our master Artist. But see that train track in the valley in the picture below? We saw a coal train go past on it while we were at the vista. And coal is a very West Virginia commodity.
Then, we visited Tamarack, which is a place full of arts made by locals. We watched a glass blower and checked out handmade items from pottery to woodwork to paintings. Even books! 
And as we drove home from our fun trip, my mind started connecting some dots.
What if Cinderella's fingers weren't dirty because of sleeping next to the fire. What if they were dirty because she was an artist? And what if she liked to use charcoal because it reminded her of her daddy who worked in coal? And what if she's inspired by the beauty around her in West Virginia.
And the story was born.
Are there other parts of West Virginia in my book? You betcha! Pepperoni rolls (a state staple leftover from the days when the men would take them as lunches in the coal mines) and Tudor's Biscuits, which is a yummy restaurant that sells breakfast all day both make it in the story. Along with other fun things. My friend who lives there said it was wonderful to have a book set in her state.
I definitely hope to go back one day. And until then, I can revisit it in my story.
Have you ever read a book set in West Virginia? Does it sound a bit more fairytale-ish to you? Today is the last day to pre-order Rendersella and save a $1 on the ebook. Paperbacks will be available 7/22. But if you want a sneak peek to see if you're interested ... or just because you don't want to have to wait until tomorrow to start it, my publisher is sharing the first three chapters for free! Rendersella​

Ella dreams of her artwork on display in the famous Prince Gallery, but working for her stepmother leaves her eking out sporadic minutes to draw or paint. When her stepsister steals her drawing and claims it as her own, Ella fears she’s lost her chance.
Chaz Prince wants more responsibility at his family’s gallery, but first he must prove he can handle it. Chaz talks his dad into a contest to bring in some new artists, sure this will be exactly what the gallery needs. When he stumbles across Ella’s piece, he not only wants the artwork, but wishes to know the artist.
At the gala to celebrate the contest winners, Ella is determined to let them know the artwork is hers, but time is against her. And where did her shoe end up?

Behind the Story: Art

In the original Cinderella tale, she was always dirty because of the housework and sleeping next to the fireplace. But I couldn't picture a modern-day Cinderella doing that. So, what to do?
​Well, I don't know how artsy-crafty you are, but I've often commented that when my fingers are covered in paint, it's been a really good day. I almost never work on a project without ending up with something under my fingernails or smeared on the side of my hand. That could be a fun way to make Ella always have something on her fingers too. When my family travelled to West Virginia a couple years ago, we visited several places like Tamarack, where local art is displayed for sale. I was inspired.
West Virginia is also known for coal. Well, when I was in college, I took a couple art classes. One of them required us to do drawings using charcoal.
Y'all.
I was COVERED in it by the end of finishing up my 18x18 drawing of a rose and a hand. It was up my arms, smeared on my cheeks. And charcoal was the perfect addition to the art element. It tied it all together. Because Ella would associate charcoal with the coal her dad used to work in. 
So, that's why art is a big element in Rendersella.
And having Chaz Prince work at the Prince Art Gallery, where Ella wishes to display her work? Well, that's pretty perfect too.
​What do you think? Is it a fun twist on the classic Cinderella story?
We're less than a week away from you being able to read the story. Have you saved $1 by preordering your ebook? The deal is only good until 7/21. Don't let it turn into a pumpkin! Rendersella

Ella dreams of her artwork on display in the famous Prince Gallery, but working for her stepmother leaves her eking out sporadic minutes to draw or paint. When her stepsister steals her drawing and claims it as her own, Ella fears she’s lost her chance.
Chaz Prince wants more responsibility at his family’s gallery, but first he must prove he can handle it. Chaz talks his dad into a contest to bring in some new artists, sure this will be exactly what the gallery needs. When he stumbles across Ella’s piece, he not only wants the artwork, but wishes to know the artist.
At the gala to celebrate the contest winners, Ella is determined to let them know the artwork is hers, but time is against her. And where did her shoe end up?

Behind the Story: Fae

How can you have a fairy godmother when there's no magic in the story? Well, you can't, really. But I had a lot of fun making a character who fit the spot anyway. Especially with a name like Fae--which is what the Irish call their faerie folk. ;) You know I love a good play on names.
Fae is the lifelong neighbor of Ella and is full of sass and spunk. She loves Ella like another mother and has been there for her as long as Ella can remember. While Ella relies on her, she also won't let herself fully give in to Fae's wishes to really care for her. Ella thinks she has to make it on her own. That means Fae has to get creative in her care. Which she does, of course. From "hiring" Ella to help clean out her garden and closets, to providing a meal every now and then, Fae makes sure Ella is cared for. And when Ella needs a dress. Or a ride. Well, Fae just happens to have an orange car she calls the Pumpkin. And maybe a few other surprises tucked away.
Honestly, Fae is one of my favorite characters ever. Her sense of humor, no-nonsense attitude, and Christian love (even for people who act in unlovable ways) definitely makes her a good role model if nothing else. And I can't wait to hear how you feel about her too.
Good news! You don't have to wait long. We're just over a week away from release. If you order your ebook before 7/22, you can save $1. Rendersella

Ella dreams of her artwork on display in the famous Prince Gallery, but working for her stepmother leaves her eking out sporadic minutes to draw or paint. When her stepsister steals her drawing and claims it as her own, Ella fears she’s lost her chance.
Chaz Prince wants more responsibility at his family’s gallery, but first he must prove he can handle it. Chaz talks his dad into a contest to bring in some new artists, sure this will be exactly what the gallery needs. When he stumbles across Ella’s piece, he not only wants the artwork, but wishes to know the artist.
At the gala to celebrate the contest winners, Ella is determined to let them know the artwork is hers, but time is against her. And where did her shoe end up?

Behind the Story: Chaz

One of the problems with setting my Cinderella retelling in the "real world" was that I didn't want a real prince. I wasn't going for royalty, but I wanted the guy to "feel" royal.
The first thing I did to achieve this was give him a princely name. Namely, Chaz Prince. Don't you love it? (I had way to much fun with names in this series.) He's the son of Kingsley Prince, owner of the Prince Art Gallery. He's handsome and kind and mostly in love with Ella from the moment that he sees her. Why? Because she avoids him!
What does that mean? Well, you see, he's been voted Most Eligible Bachelor in West Virginia and most girls who run into him lay on all the fake, flirty attention, hoping to snag him for themselves. Having a girl not do that is like a breath of fresh air. Until it's just frustrating because she's the one he wants to get to know and grow closer to.
Between his desire to learn more about the elusive Ella Renders, his work on the new art contest he's started at the gallery, and hanging out with his best friend Jake, Chaz has his hands full.
But don't worry. I didn't remove all the "magic" from my fairytale retelling. There's still some shoe action going on toward the end. ;)
Do you think Chaz will live up to his Prince Charming status even though he's not a real prince? Think he'll meet all your Cinderella happily ever after vibes?
You can find out in less than two weeks!
Until 7/22, you can order Rendersella on Kindle and save $1. Don't miss out! Rendersella

Ella dreams of her artwork on display in the famous Prince Gallery, but working for her stepmother leaves her eking out sporadic minutes to draw or paint. When her stepsister steals her drawing and claims it as her own, Ella fears she’s lost her chance.
Chaz Prince wants more responsibility at his family’s gallery, but first he must prove he can handle it. Chaz talks his dad into a contest to bring in some new artists, sure this will be exactly what the gallery needs. When he stumbles across Ella’s piece, he not only wants the artwork, but wishes to know the artist.
At the gala to celebrate the contest winners, Ella is determined to let them know the artwork is hers, but time is against her. And where did her shoe end up?

Author Interview: Teresa Wells

One of the many perks of being a content editor is getting to know the other authors--and reading their stories before anyone else gets to. With Teresa Wells, I also got to meet her in real life last November, at ScrivCon. She's such a sweet woman, and I was thrilled to be able to help her polish up her first novel. It's a great story and I can't wait for you to learn more about it and Teresa. Congratulations on your first book, Teresa! What made you decide to write about crazy quilts?
 
Thank you, Amy! I’m thrilled to be here on your wonderful blog.
 
I’ve always been fascinated by crazy quilts. I inherited a small one from my great-grandmother on my dad’s side, a woman I never met named Sarah Lora Martin Green (1870—1930). However, because of her crazy quilt, I have a glimpse into her life and what she held dear, proven by the names she stitched onto velvet, silk, and satin. This 3 x 3 crazy quilt contains the names of her husband, seven children, and one adopted nephew.
 
Seven children! I’ve always wondered where she found the time to make one of these, since crazy quilts take time, precision, and a knowledge of fancy stitches. Not exactly the stuff of a harried housewife. I mean, I could barely keep up with three girls—but five boys and two girls? Wow. Sarah Green probably had lots of help (the hired variety), freeing her up for endless hours of embroidery. According to my research, crazy quilting was a rich woman’s hobby. So, just like my fictional Truitt family, my great-grandparents lived a very comfortable life. But hard times were just around the corner.  I know you live in Texas and your book is set in Texas. If you were going to write about another place, where do you think you might set a book and why?
 
I think western North Carolina is stunning, and someday I might set a novel there. My husband’s ancestors lived in the Smoky Mountains (they were hillbillies!), so I can see one day writing something based there. No twisting my arm to make a research trip!
 
What was one of the most interesting things you discovered in your research?
 
I was shocked to learn how people mocked women who made crazy quilts!
It was so interesting to read about women begging store owners for scraps of silk, velvet, and satin. At first, it wasn’t a big deal to give away bits of material. But after the crazy quilt hobby gained steam and more and more young women expected free clippings, store owners banned the practice, stating they would go broke if they kept up the practice of giving away swatches of luxury fabrics. No problem. The crazy quilters turned to their husbands’ closets and took clippings from the lining of hats and suit pockets, as well as silk hatbands, and of course, neckties.
 
 
You have lots of fun quotes at the beginning of each chapter. Did you have a favorite and why?
 
I have a couple that make me chuckle. This, from a newspaper in Chicago, Illinois, in 1884:
Such a woman was it who fell a victim to that “crazy quilt” mania which is now insidiously undermining the moral and intellectual character of the females in all ranks of life throughout this whole country.
 
And from Charleroi, Pennsylvania, in 1930:
A Chicago woman was turned out of her happy home for making a crazy quilt out of her husband’s four-in-hand ties. She didn’t realize she was cutting home ties.
 
Can you give us a sneak peek into what you're working on next?
 
I’m writing the second book in The Truitts of Texas series, called Seeds of Hope. Rabb is my male protagonist, and Sallie is my female protagonist. I’m having lots of fun! The feel of Seeds of Hope is more western/cowboyish, because the town of Blooming Grove has a big problem with cattle rustlers. I won’t say more, lest I give away too much! I can’t wait for Seeds of Hope to release in July of 2026.
 
Did being a teacher and librarian in the past help you as you started to write your own stories? How?
 
I’ve always read aloud to my students, both in the classroom and in the library. I think the constant exposure to quality children’s literature allowed me to fine-tune my ear for a well-worded sentence and well-told story. When I became a school librarian, I loved attending the Texas Library Association Conference because famous children’s authors talked about writing. I think that’s when I realized the power of story, whether a person is 1 or 100.
 
Last, but not least, what is one fact about yourself that very few people know already?
 
This is one of my best-kept secrets and one only my daughters know: I am a miserable failure when it comes to parking my vehicle between painted lines. It all started in 1976 when I failed parallel parking on my driver’s test (but still managed to walk away with a score of 90!). Things got worse whenever we bought a Honda Odyssey van in 2000. Not only could I not park the behemoth, I took out every curb that stood between me and a right-hand turn. You’d think I’d limit myself to smaller cars, but sadly, my parking skills, or lack thereof, are consistent, no matter the size of vehicle. 

As someone who also drives a Honda Odyssey, I can understand your problem a bit. Sometimes those lines are too close together! LOL!

Thanks so much to Teresa for being on my blog today. Keep reading to find out more about her book as well as how to keep up with her.
What Brings Us Joy

Love, hope, and courage collide in a faith-filled battle to build a future

1895: After losing their Georgia home, eighteen-year-old Delia Truitt and her family move to Blooming Grove, Texas, to work for a relative on a ramshackle farm. Set on helping her family dig out of their impoverished circumstances, she plans to open a dressmaker’s shop, combining her sewing skills and her keen fashion sense. But owning a business takes money she doesn’t have.
Unless she can finish her quilt in time to enter the county fair. The prize money would be just enough to open her shop. Determined and resourceful, Delia sets her sights on success—until her heart takes an unexpected detour when she meets handsome Clarence Parker.
Bent on respectability, Clarence refuses to let his past get in the way of his future happiness, especially after falling for spirited Delia Truitt. But his hopes shatter when headlines declare members of his former gang have broken out of jail and are heading his way, set on revenge. Though Clarence doesn’t regret testifying against the outlaws, he fears his future with Delia is in jeopardy. Clarence will protect her from the killers, even if it means risking their future together.
Can Clarence keep her safe? And will Delia love him after she finds out about his past? A former teacher and librarian, Teresa Wells treasures a story threaded with redemption and hope. She loves people, history, and studying the Bible. Teresa is a member of Novel Academy and American Christian Fiction Writers Association, where she volunteers behind the scenes. She lives with her family outside of Dallas, Texas. What Brings Us Joy is her first novel.

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Behind the Story: Ella

What first inspired me to write a Cinderella retelling? Well, it was a mix of things.
Dirty fingers after I did an art project.
The beauty of West Virginia, along with all it's handmade crafts and artwork.
Coal/charcoal.
That's where my idea for Ella Renders came from.
Just like the original Cinderella, she's always dirty, but instead of it being due to ashes and soot from the chimney, it's due to her love of drawing, especially with charcoal. Because her daddy worked in the coal business and it makes her feel closer to him.
In the beginning, Her dad is telling her the story of Cinderella and messes the name up to be Rendersella. He says it combines their last name, Renders, with her first name, Ella, and he likes it better that way. And it stuck, though maybe not the way she wanted it to. Her stepsister uses it to taunt her later in life.
Still, Ella uses the talents God gave her that her mama shared when she was little, and she sketches adn paints and draws, mostly trying to capture the beauty of her state of West Virginia. She dreams of having artwork in the Prince Gallery, but isn't sure she's good enough. When she hears about the contest, she thinks maybe she has a chance. Until her stepsister steals the credit for her drawing.
What's a girl to do?
When she dreamed of becoming like Cinderella, she meant the happy ending--not the part in the middle with an evil stepmom and stepsis. 
You can find out more about Ella's story in less than three weeks! It's on pre-order now, and if you order the ebook before 7/22, you can save $1. Are you excited to learn more about Ella Renders? Rendersella

Ella dreams of her artwork on display in the famous Prince Gallery, but working for her stepmother leaves her eking out sporadic minutes to draw or paint. When her stepsister steals her drawing and claims it as her own, Ella fears she’s lost her chance.
Chaz Prince wants more responsibility at his family’s gallery, but first he must prove he can handle it. Chaz talks his dad into a contest to bring in some new artists, sure this will be exactly what the gallery needs. When he stumbles across Ella’s piece, he not only wants the artwork, but wishes to know the artist.
At the gala to celebrate the contest winners, Ella is determined to let them know the artwork is hers, but time is against her. And where did her shoe end up?

Christmas in July 2025

Can I be honest here? Christmas in July is NOT usually my thing. 
Summer in TN can be really hot. Way too hot for me to think about Christmas as I'm used to it.
That being said, I also can't avoid thinking about Christmas around this time of year. I'm often editing a book set around that time. Or writing one! 
And, because there are so many people who enjoy celebrating Christmas in the middle of the year, why not join in?
So, I threw my book into two different Christmas in July celebrations. There is one going on right now and through the whole month of July. All the details are here, but the prizes look amazing!

And, on July 14-21, I'll be participating in another one through Celebrate Lit. I'll share the links closer to when that one launches. So, if you're one of the people who love Christmas in July, be sure to take advantage of these giveaways. Or, if you're like me and would rather wait to read Christmas stories until closer to the actual holiday, feel free to enter now anyway and then save the goodies for December. It's a win-win!

Do you celebrate Christmas in July? Why or why not?

Book Spotlight: Cathy's Christmas Confession

Are you ready to talk about Christmas books? How do you feel about widows and widowers in your holiday romances? Patti Shene Gonzales is chatting about her inspiration behind her Christmas novella--and it might surprise you. See what you think. If you’ve suffered the death of a spouse, you are familiar with the crushing sense of loss that darkens the world around you. Everything in your life changes. A piece of you is missing and that hole brings you pain in so many ways, from the subtle to the agonizingly acute.
My husband passed away during open heart surgery. Although the physician had bluntly told me his chances were slim, my optimism soared when three phone calls from the operating room indicated he was stable and the surgery was proceeding as planned. It was the last call that crashed my world when I received the report that he was in cardiac arrest.
​I was blessed to have several supportive family members in his brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and our daughter and granddaughter. They walked me through the emotional darkness and helped me navigate the financial and legal decisions that confronted me. My church family strengthened me with their compassion and prayers.
A few friends had lost spouses within months on either side of my husband’s passing. We bonded in a hospice support group. I came to realized that not everyone can rely on a strong network of family or friends to help them through the storms of life.
When the opportunity was offered me to join a multi author project and write a Christmas novella, I didn’t have character or plot ideas. We collaborating authors had agreed to write a romance series, but we didn’t want all of our stories to be about young love. It was then that I felt God directing me to write about a widow and widower and how one would help the other find joy in Christmas after the loss of a spouse.
A few years had passed since my husband’s death, but I still had a stack of over a hundred sympathy cards sitting on my desk. As I reread the heartfelt messages of condolence and the kind words of remembrances about my husband, my story came together.
My heroine, Cathy, has been a widow for a couple of years and therefore has weathered the Christmas holidays without her husband. She notices the signs of grief in David, a church acquaintance, and reaches out to him.
As Cathy strives to achieve her goal of showing David how to find joy in Christmas, she makes a startling discovery. She’s been harboring a secret about her less-than-stellar baking prowess, the very reason she believes the townspeople have accepted her. She is surprised to learn she is deeply admired for character traits she didn’t know she possessed.
Cathy’s Christmas Confession is a Christmas novella, but the themes of loss, grief, compassion, and second chances make it an enjoyable and thought-provoking clean and sweet read to be enjoyed any time of year.
Do you know someone who has lost a loved one in recent years, months, or even days? How did you reach out to help them find their way back to joy?
Cathy's Christmas Confession

During a snowstorm, widow Cathy Fischer creams a stop sign on her way to work at the Christmas Ridge Community Church. Acquaintance David Martin stops to help. Cathy sees signs of deep grief in David, a recent widower. She reaches out with support in an attempt to help David through this most difficult first Christmas without his beloved wife.
David Martin struggles with grief over the death of his wife. He blames God for her rapid demise after her cancer diagnosis. Cathy reaches out to him with compassion and support and soon enlists him in her mission to bring joy to others at Christmas. Will their joint quest restore David’s faith?
David needs to turn loose of the past and embrace his future. Cathy has a confession to make to the entire community that may give David a different perspective of who she really is. Will her confession set her free?
Does God have plans in mind for the two of them they did not anticipate? Patti is the former host of Step Into the Light, an interview style podcast where guests shared their darkness to light stories or spoke about their ministries and other creative endeavors. This year, she has turned her attention to full-time writing. She is the author of Cathy’s Christmas Confession, a sweet widow/widower holiday romance novella. She is under contract with Wild Heart Books for a three-book Western historical romance series, the first release scheulded for June of 2026. Patti hosts pre-published and published authors on her two blogs, Patti’s Porch and The Over 50 Writer on her website at pattishene.com .
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Book Spotlight: Trinity Sands Beach Club

It should be easier to write a story that's novella-length instead of novel-length, right? My friend Jen Dodrill tells us about her new experience with just such an undertaking. Her new book releases tomorrow, so be sure to read all the way to the bottom to get the full scoop. It sounds like fun! ​When Deborah Sprinkle approached me about joining her in a novella collection, I immediately said, “Sure!” How hard could it be writing 25- 30k words compared to more than double that for a novel? (More on that later!) We invited another author, Sharon Carpenter, and we got started. Keep in mind that while Deb has a number of novels under her belt, I’ve published two, and Sharon has written for anthologies.
Deb, Sharon, and I live about thirty minutes from each other, so we met for lunch to kick off the planning process. I think we were there for four hours! This became the norm for us, and Deb would tell our waitress we were renting the table for half the day. We’d leave great tips. 😊
​Back to the book. Figuring out what the central theme or place would be took a while. We knew it was going to take place in the summer, so we decided to create an island off the Gulf coast of Florida somewhere in the Destin area. We named it Trinity Sands Island.
On the island, we created a Beach Club – a specific section of houses and cottages complete with private beaches and a marshy area with an alligator. We went all out. It took some time to narrow down the characters that all of our characters would encounter. Maude at Maude’s Market was my favorite—quite the crusty old woman. Then there’s Ursula, who cleans for our characters. She’s a gossip and makes sure the other island residents know what’s going on.
Sharon and I used Pinterest to find pictures for these characters, which helped us describe and flesh out their character.
Somewhere in the notes, Deb has a map of the island that she drew. I won’t show you mine—I  can’t draw a cat, let alone a map. Our novellas are all romantic suspense. We each came up with a female character and a storyline for them. We had to compare names and make sure nothing was redundant or had too many of the same first consonant. Then we decided whose novella would come first and what time of the summer each of us would have.
By now, you can tell that writing as part of a novella collection is a bit more involved than simply writing fewer words. To sync all of the stories into a cohesive whole takes some work! What I found when I wrote my novella, SeaBreeze Obsession, is that in a novella, you still have to tell a complete story, you just have fewer words to do it in! Anything extraneous, subplots, multiple side characters, all of that has to go.
During the next few months, Deb, Sharon, and I met more frequently via Zoom than in person. Once we were all actively writing, we read each other's pieces aloud and critiqued them. This wasn’t your typical “sandwich critique” where you compliment, constructively critique, and then compliment. Of course, we didn’t go in like sharks either. We threw compliments around like it was a party!
And we also critiqued and helped each other rework sentences and passages that simply didn’t work. Staying on task and maintaining a good word count was also part of it. Having those expected critique times helped keep us in line. For one of our Zoom meetings, Sharon was going on a trip, but she still participated via Zoom while in the car (as a passenger, not the driver).
One of my very favorite things about writing with these two amazing women is the friendship we have now. We didn’t know each other very well at first, but after spending hours together and especially praying for each other, we’ve become close.
Will I ever write another novella? Yep! Bedlam in Bridal Falls, the second book in the Second Chances: Romance and Mysteries novella collection, will be out in the fall of 2026!
Trinity Sands Beach Club

​What do a widow, a newly divorced woman, and a retired professor of art history have in common?
They all came to Trinity Sands Island to find a simple life without any entanglements. But instead, they are each confronted with a mystery and another chance at romance. Will they be brave enough to face the possible dangers of solving a mystery and losing their hearts?
This collection includes three novellas:
“Trinity Sands Treasure Hunt” by Sharon Carpenter—Retired art professor Claire Anderson inherited all of her uncle’s worldly goods. Arriving at his Trinity Sands Beach Club bungalow, she faces the daunting task of sorting through the boxes and bags that he left behind.
When someone tries to break in and steal seemingly worthless items, Claire calls Chief of Security, Ben Hastings and sparks fly. Claire and Ben realize all is not as it seems when they set out to discover who is targeting the house.
In their search for answers, will the attraction between Claire and Ben deepen into real treasure?
“SeaBreeze Obsession” by Jen Dodrill—Newly single Karah Halyard returns to her beach cottage and starts “SeaBreeze Designs,” a business specializing in beach decor. But beneath the tentative peace of her life, unresolved feelings stir as she considers reconciling with her ex-husband, Gage, who is in town doing research. When a secret admirer confronts her on the beach, Karah defends herself and runs. That night, he’s found dead. As she and Gage face a murder investigation, they must confront their past and unravel the mystery of the real killer.
Can they solve the crime and reconcile their fractured relationship?
“Searching for Serenity” by Deborah Sprinkle—Grace Caldwell hasn’t been to their beach house since her husband passed away three years ago. Her grief has kept her from moving forward with her life. But, when a letter arrives from her friend, Serenity James, saying something strange is going on at the Beach Club, Grace decides it’s time to head south. However, when she arrives, Serenity has disappeared, and no one knows where she is. Detective Peter Young gets involved and, as Grace and he work together, a mutual attraction blossoms—one that takes Grace by surprise.
Will Grace find love again while solving the mystery behind Serenity’s disappearance? Jen Dodrill (the one on the left) is living out her dreams on the pages of her books, bringing readers compelling stories of inspiration and hope for good times and bad.
Her family-focused novels depict her values of cooperation, connection, compassion, and community, demonstrating the importance of helping one another brave the waves of the world together.
As a mother of five, family life and travels have left her with decades of stories to tell, and she cherishes the time she has now to tell them, in between her honored role as Grandma, her passion for reading, and her adoration of all things coffee.
Her first book, Birds Alive! An Empty-nesters Cozy Mystery released February 27, 2024.
For more information about Jen, her books, writing tips, and author interviews, check out her blog:
jendodrillwrites.com