Roxanne Rhoads's Blog, page 5
July 28, 2025
A Bewitching Monday
A Round-Up of Daily Virtual Book Tour Stops
Please welcome Haley Cavanagh as She Tells Us About Shadowed Skies, a YA Dystopian Fantasy Romance #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/dO4GcEv
Author Advice from Rupert Stanbury #GreekGods #Fantasy #Comedy #AuthorAdvice #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/Ysb1f3X
Roxanne Rhoads Bookshop Store
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You reek of darkness, of some evil spirit that’s worked its way under your skin. You don’t talk about it, no. It’s your secret...” Excerpt from The Sister’s Curse by Nicola Solvinic from Berkley Publishing Group. Now available for pre-order: https://bit.ly/4jBXbCc
#nicolasolvinic #thesisterscurse #mysteryauthor #crimeauthor #thrillerwriter #criminology #crimefiction #crimethriller #crimenovel #suspensenovel #thrillerbook #murdermystery #mysteryreads #booklovers #bookclub #newrelease #bookreview
Shadowed Skies Book Tour #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/FHpNjaa
Gods Galore Series by Rupert Stanbury #GreekGods #Fantasy #Comedy
https://serenasynn.blogspot.com/2025/...
July 21, 2025
Author Interview- Gods Galore Series by Rupert Stanbury #GreekGods #Fantasy #Comedy
1) What inspired you to become an author?
I’ve always been fascinated by the Olympian Gods since being a schoolboy when I read the great classical works by Homer and Virgil about the Gods’ role in the Trojan Wars.Anyway, a few years ago I was rearranging my bookshelf and saw a very old copy of Homer’s The Odyssey. I pulled it out and decided to read it again, which of course took me back into the whole world of Olympus and its Gods. This exercise got me wondering about what these gods were now up to in the 21st Century. In particular, I felt someone should write a comedy about how they were coping, or not coping, in the modern world. Since I’ve always been a great fan of Terry Pratchett, I thought about writing a Terry Pratchett type book about these gods. I then forgot all about it until sometime later the Covid pandemic struck. Being in lockdown, I needed a project and, remembering the gods, I decided to have a go at writing about them. The result was my first book - Gods Galore.
2) How did you come up with the title for your latest book?
It was fairly easy. Pimlico People is about two of the Greek Gods coming to live in Central London for a time to get a better understanding of how we humans lead our lives. They live in Pimlico, a well-known area of London, so the name Pimlico People effectively chose itself.
3) Do you title the book first or wait until after it’s complete?
I’ve written and published three books so far and, in all instances, I’ve decided on the title very early on. I view writing a book as having 4 main components – title, cover, plot and finally, the words. I’m currently working on my fourth book and have already got the first three sorted, so you could say I’m three-quarters of the way there. There’s just the last small item of 100,000 words to write!!!
4) Is the book, characters, or any scenes based on a true life experience, someone you know, or events in your own life?
My latest book, Pimlico People, is set in an area of London where I’ve lived most of my adult life, so many of the places I refer to, I know intimately – even the pelicans in the nearby St James’s Park!
Because it’s set in London, the book has lots of typical London characters such as taxi-drivers (cabbies) who often use phrases in ‘Cockney rhyming slang’ – a type of ‘language’ particular to the East End of London. For example, ‘trouble and strife’ means ‘wife’, ‘Barnaby Rudge’ is ‘judge’, and ‘Oliver Twist’ is ‘pissed’. Pimlico People happens to have a cabby who has the crazy name of Octavian Stegosauras, so you can imagine, he’s a bit of a character!
5) Is there a genre that you’d like to write that you haven’t tackled yet?
Yes. I currently write fantasy / comedy books about the Greek Gods in the 21st Century. However, I would like to write a ‘serious’ book about a number of the Greek Myths such as Perseus and the Minotaur, Jason and the Golden Fleece, the Twelve Labours of Hercules etc.I’m actually very active on TikTok and give 3-5 minute talks on these subjects on a regular basis. I’ve decided I’m going to turn all these videos into a book, which I’m hoping to publish by the end of 2025, even if this somewhat delays Book 4 of the Gods Galore series.
6) Of all the characters you’ve ever written, who is your favorite and why?
I’ve got two favourite characters who’ve appeared in all three of my books. These are Hebe, the Goddess of Youth, who is a bit of a ‘pocket rocket’, and Cerberus, the Underworld’s 3-headed Guard Dog. Let me say a little about Cerberus:
In Classical Literature, Cerberus was a ferocious animal. However, in my first book, Gods Galore, he met a young teenager called Vesta who over time managed to mellow him. She taught Cerberus all about friendship and he now has a long list of pals, including the poets, Homer and Virgil and Hades’s wife, Persephone.
I should say that when I first started writing about the Greek Gods in modern times, I never intended to create Cerberus as a significant character. However, he seemed to take over my pen as he became involved in more and more absurd situations.
Cerberus is actually a firm favourite of many of my readers, so perhaps the final say should come from one of my book reviewers on Amazon and Goodreads:
“No matter how many Gods I came across within the story, my favourite character has to be Cerberus with his "Woof, woof" and "I'm the Head of Internal Security" in Hades. His clumsy, way over the top fashion had tears of laughter running down my face so many times throughout the book.” 7) Who designed the cover of your latest book?
The covers for both The Four Horsemen and Pimlico People were designed by a professional illustrator in the UK called Tim Stringer. Tim is autistic and is the son of a long-standing friend of mine and former work colleague, who takes an active interest in what we’re doing together. I suspect this is to ensure that I behave myself because we spent 10 years in the same firm, so he knows what I’m like!
8) If this book is part of a series…what is the next book? Any details you can share?
The three books I’ve published so far are often referred to as a series, but they are all written on a stand-alone basis. The same will apply to the fourth book which I’m currently working on. This is going to be my most challenging work so far. It’s mainly based in the Underworld - I’m planning to fuse a plot involving 1) the pre-Olympian gods (known as the Titans), 2) King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table; as well as 3) Satan and his followers, as depicted in Milton’s Paradise Lost. I’m about a quarter / third of the way through it, so I suspect it won’t be finished until Spring 2026.
9) When you’re not writing what do you do? Do you have any hobbies or guilty pleasures?
I go to the gym 3/4 times a week; I read a lot; living in London means I’m able to be an avid theatre goer; and I travel 3/4 times a year – last two trips were to Athens (Greece) and Bologna (Italy) respectively. I also spend time socialising with friends – most of whom are not great readers, but I’ve managed to persuade a number of them to delve into my humble scripts.
10) What books are in your to-read pile?
I read all sorts of genres. Here’s my current ‘to read’ pile, a number of which I’ll tackle when I go on holiday to the South of France later in August:
• Paradise Lost – John Milton – currently reading for 3rd time.• The Night Fire – Michael Connelly• Dragonsdawn – Anne McCaffrey• Le Morte D’Arthur – Sir Thomas Mallory• The Girl of His Dreams – Donna Leon• Romala – George Eliot• The Patience of the Spider – Andrea Camilleri
GODS GALOREGods Galore SeriesBook OneRupert Stanbury
Genre: Fantasy / ComedyPublisher: Troubador / MatadorDate of Publication: 28 October 2021ISBN:878-1800465305ASIN: B09KM9JV2SNumber of pages: 344Cover Artist: Dave Hill
Book Description:
The Olympian Gods have made it to the 21st century AD. We may not have heard much about them in the last two thousand years, but they’re still controlling what we humans are up to – or at least they think they are.
The reality is that the Gods are like us – they’ve got problems!
Zeus is still Top God on Mount Olympus, but he’s got issues with many of the younger gods. His brothers, Hades and Poseidon, have issues with themselves – they’re getting too set in their ways ruling the Underworld and the Seas; they probably need a job change.
But help is at hand from an unexpected source – we humans.
It’s surprising what a dose of good common sense can do for even the most powerful of the gods, especially when it comes from a couple of teenagers!
https://amzn.to/4kAzqdK
THE FOUR HORSEMENGods Galore SeriesBook TwoRupert Stanbury
Genre: Fantasy / ComedyDate of Publication: 17 April 2023ISBN: 979-8366008495ASIN: B0C2Q4G268Number of pages: 337Cover Artist: Tim Stringer
Book Description:
The Four Horsemen is the second book in the Gods Galore series about the Olympian Gods in the 21st Century AD.
The gods are still trying to control what we humans are up to. Unfortunately, they’re not being particularly successful. The world is experiencing both plague and famine which Zeus and the Gods’ Council never approved. What’s going on?
Athene’s determined to find out, but before she can get going the God of War initiates an attack on Poseidon’s realm. It’s now all out conflict and the gods are taking sides – one side, in particular.
Wherever there’s a fight, Hebe’s involved. She soon signs up to an army regiment which is full of soldiers even smaller than she is. But war these days involves brains and not just brawn and there’s plenty of both ready to be deployed in this fight!
https://amzn.to/4mJgbQQ
PIMLICO PEOPLEGods Galore SeriesBook ThreeRupert Stanbury
Genre:Fantasy / ComedyDate of Publication: 28 October 2024ISBN: 979-8338117200ASIN: B0DL5XTHMHNumber of pages: 339Cover Artist: Tim Stringer
Book Description:
Pimlico People is the third book in the Gods Galore series about the Olympian Gods in the 21st Century AD.
The Goddesses Artemis and Hebe are staying in Central London to obtain a better understanding of the lives of ‘normal’ people.
To their surprise, they soon encounter a plot to blow up a foreign embassy. Add to that a sophisticated operation involving the theft of valuable paintings from a major art gallery, and the two goddesses begin to question what a ‘normal’ life is all about.
Meanwhile, in the Underworld Cerberus encounters another dog who, amazingly, only has one head! How will they get on?
https://amzn.to/43JQyqy
EXTRACT FROM PIMLICO PEOPLE – THE PARK
The location for this extract from PimlicoPeople is St James’s Park in Central London.
The reference to Blefuscu and Lilliput areto two islands in Gulliver’s Travels where people are only about six inchestall. The people of these islands are often in conflict with each other.
Both Iris and Hebe are Greek goddesses.Cerberus is a three-headed dog living in the Underworld. The Argyll andSutherland Highlanders is a Lilliput army regiment; Rach is also from Lilliput.Finally, Slasher and others are swans living in the park.
As this small armada wasmaking progress, exciting things were beginning to unfold on West Island wherefour Blefuscu commandos still remained, together with a couple of swans. Noneof them knew precisely what their role was, other than to be ‘back-up’, so theyjust rested on the ground expecting to have a quiet time until their comradesreturned. They were therefore surprised to hear a paddling noise from the lakeand even more surprised when a large black dog with three heads emerged. Allthese heads had the same face which bore a remarkable resemblance to theGoddess Iris.
The dog raced along the groundtowards the commandos. It snarled and growled as it moved at speed, its threemouths spitting out saliva and showing a large number of very sharp teeth. Thecommandos tried to get up and run, but the dog was on them before they couldget away. They were by now all terrified and started to scream.
“Give us a Mars bar or I’llbite yer bums!” they heard, but it made no difference because the dog decidednot to bite their bums; instead, it proceeded to kick them all into the water.
“Help!” screamed one of thecommandos. “I cannot make ze swim! Help!”
The two swans were nearby inthe lake and, considering themselves pretty tough, didn’t run away, but insteadtried to help the commandos. However, the three-headed dog launched itself fromthe bank and landed on top of one of the swans. It gave the white bird a numberof painful bites and used its powerful front paws to thump the swan in allsorts of sensitive places. Eventually, its victim was so battered and bruisedthe black dog left it floating on the lake.
The other swan by now haddecided he wasn’t quite tough enough to take on a manic three-headed dog andhad started swimming away. Unfortunately, it was now the next target for theIris-Cerberus look-alike who, despite being a four-footed canine, could out-swimany of the St James’s Park swans. The dog soon caught up with the fleeing swan,jumped on its back and meted out the same treatment as it had given to itscompanion. Having left the second swan equally battered and bruised, the dogswam back to the Blefuscu commandos, who were still flailing around in thewater. Three sets of jaws each took hold of a commando at the same time andthen proceeded to toss them back onto the island. They were soon joined bytheir final companion as they lay moaning and groaning on the ground. At thisstage the three-headed dog turned round and began to swim towards Duck Island.
The next minute a miniatureboat arrived at West Island, having travelled along the length of the lake nearthe north bank. It had a silent motor, specially designed by Rach’s SpecialProjects team. A number of Argyll and Southern Highlanders disembarked, wentover to the four Blefuscu commandos, tied their hands behind their backs whileat the same time taping their mouths. They were put into the boat which set offon its return journey, again along the north side of the lake.
xxxxx
Meanwhile back on the lake, the adjutantand his three commandos were rapidly approaching the south-west corner of DuckIsland. The commandos had already taken out a number of hand grenades while theadjutant was readying a bomb to create a Big Boom when Slasher became aware ofsomething in the water approaching him at speed. Suddenly he jerked and let outa honk as he realised he was looking at a giant swan, which was at least fivetimes bigger than him with a neck ten feet high. Interestingly, this swan hadthe Goddess Hebe’s face, although Slasher would not have been aware of that. Hedidn’t have time to let out another honk because the giant swan’s head swipedhis own, knocking him on his side. He managed to right himself only to findthat his adversary didn’t just have webbed feet, but also forearms with brightred boxing gloves which started bashing his head and thumping his body. After ashort while the boxing gloves went under his belly and then threw him backwardsinto the air. When Slasher landed back in the water and his head resurfaced, hefound he was due another good beating and bashing until he was left in an evenworse condition than his two comrades who’d been attacked by the three-headeddog near West Island.
Slasher’s four Blefuscu commandos hadfallen into the water shortly after the altercation with the giant swan hadbegun. Fortunately, they could all swim, but they did a lot of shouting forhelp. All their bombs and grenades had also fallen into the lake, so they werenow useless, but this didn’t seem to matter. Getting to dry land was their keyobjective now. Creating a Big Boom at the Lilliput Embassy was no longer highon the agenda.
The other four swans and their commandosbehind Slasher were soon aware that matters weren’t going to plan. They triedto move away from the giant swan and turned back towards West Island. However,they didn’t get very far because the giant swan hadn’t taken long to deal withSlasher and began chasing after them. It soon caught up with the two in therear and gave them both the same treatment it had given Slasher. The other two,who were in the lead for a brief while, thought they’d got away, until one of themwas hit very hard by a three-headed dog swimming directly at it with the forceof a torpedo. As the swan tried to right itself while it’s four commandos wereflailing around in the water, the three-headed dog jumped high into the air. Itlanded on the back of the final swan, again knocking its commandos into thewater before starting to rough up the bird.
While the giant swan and the three-headeddog were having fun beating up Slasher, Spike, Spanka,Scorcher and Smog, the pelicans had stopped chanting “Oggy, Oggy, Oggy”from the lakeside. They got into the water and started looking for thecommandos who were splashing around. When they found them, they gently pickedthe small men up in their beaks and carried them to Duck Island. They werejoined by more miniature boats manned by members of the Argyll andSutherland Highlanders as well as the Lilliput Embassy’s security staff. Rachwas also hovering overhead on her scooter, shining a powerful torchlight on thelake and calling out whenever she found one of the flailing commandos.
Author Intro Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=33RW970lp04
About the Author:Rupert Stanbury is a Cambridge University graduate. He was born in Manchester in the North of England but has lived most of his adult life in Central London.
He has always been an avid reader and in recent years decided to take up writing himself. His books have one overriding objective which is TO MAKE PEOPLE LAUGH!
His first book, Gods Galore, was published in November 2021 and this was followed by The Four Horsemen, in April 2023. His latest novel, Pimlico People, was published in October 2024. All three books are a mixture of fantasy and comedy about the Olympian Gods in the 21st Century.
https://x.com/rupertstanbury
https://www.facebook.com/RupertStanbury/
https://www.instagram.com/rupertstanbury/
https://www.tiktok.com/@rupertstanbury
www.goodreads.com/author/show/22032388.Rupert_Stanbury
https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Rupert-Stanbury/author/B0BL3VT8FM
A Bewitching Monday
A Round-Up of Daily Virtual Book Tour Stops
10 Tips for Becoming a Better Writer with Christine Amsden #UrbanFantasy #Friendship #Buddies #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/QxE5lfO
INTERVIEW WITH GG COLLINS (SKINWALKER MEDIUM) #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/rLRGdsw
Gods Galore Series by Rupert Stanbury #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/Ib5ctCQ
Book Tour + Review + #Giveaway: Knot of Souls by Christine Amsden @ChristineAmsden
https://magickofbooks.blogspot.com/20...
Skinwalker Medium: A Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mystery by GG Collins #Mystery #Thriller #UrbanFantasy #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/yIza23q
Roxanne Rhoads Bookshop Store
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"Set in the high desert of New Mexico and drenched in the eerie remnants of true historical tragedy, this supernatural thriller blends folklore, murder, and mystery with an unmistakable love for the paranormal"
https://www.kimsbookreviewsandwriting...
July 18, 2025
A Bewitching Friday
A Round-Up of Daily Virtual Book Tour Stops
Skinwalker Medium Book Tour
https://lshadowlynauthor.com/2025/07/...
Author Interview- Skinwalker Medium: A Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mystery by GG Collins #Mystery #Thriller #UrbanFantasy #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/sYvOVTR
Gods Galore Series by Rupert Stanbury by Rupert Stanbury ~ #Fantasy / #Comedy @RupertStanbury #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/KuCDhXU
Book Tour + Review + #Giveaway: Knot of Souls by Christine Amsden @ChristineAmsden
https://magickofbooks.blogspot.com/20...
Roxanne Rhoads Bookshop Store
https://bookshop.org/shop/RoxanneRhoads
If you loved The Hunter’s Daughter, then you’re going to be obsessed with the second book, The Sister’s Curse - it’s even darker and more twisted. 🌔
Anna Koray returns to Bayern County to face a new chilling mystery: a string of mysterious drownings that threaten to unravel everything she thought she knew. Still haunted by the legacy of her serial killer father, Anna must navigate ancient whispers of witches, deadly curses and revenge. As she dives deeper, the town’s darkest secrets begin to surface and something far more sinister lurks beneath the water, craving vengeance. Be prepared for a suspense-filled ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
Pre-order The Sister’s Curse from Berkley Publishing Group NOW: https://bit.ly/4jBXbCc
#nicolasolvinic #thesisterscurse #thehuntersdaughter #mysteryauthor #crimeauthor #thrillerwriter #criminology #crimefiction #crimethriller #crimenovel #suspensenovel #thrillebook #murdermystery #mysteryreads #booklovers #bookclub #newrelease #annakoray
Knot of Souls by Christine Amsden
https://www.facebook.com/bookpimpette...
July 17, 2025
A Bewitching Thursday
A Round-Up of Daily Virtual Book Tour Stops
Author Interview- Skinwalker Medium: A Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mystery by GG Collins #Mystery #Thriller #UrbanFantasy #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/sYvOVTR
Skinwalker Medium (A Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mystery Book Five) by GG Collins #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/DgDpsE5
Gods Galore Series by Rupert Stanbury by Rupert Stanbury ~ #Fantasy / #Comedy @RupertStanbury #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/KuCDhXU
Book Tour + Review + #Giveaway: Knot of Souls by Christine Amsden @ChristineAmsden
https://magickofbooks.blogspot.com/20...
Gods Galore Series
https://www.tumblr.com/bewitchingbook...
Roxanne Rhoads Bookshop Store
https://bookshop.org/shop/RoxanneRhoads
Skinwalker Medium: A Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mystery by GG Collins #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/tb0CwwL
July 16, 2025
Author Interview- Skinwalker Medium: A Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mystery by GG Collins #Mystery #Thriller #UrbanFantasy
Howdid you come up with the title for your latest book?
Each of the Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mysteriesinclude Medium in the title, the first being Reluctant Medium. And reluctant she is; sometimes put-upon. Everyinstallment is a stand-alone read, but there remains her evolving personalstory as Rachel hones her new skillset. SkinwalkerMedium refers to the evil witch that some Southwest Native Nations, in thiscase Navajo, believe in. But skinwalker is not what they call it. In fact, theywon’t mention one at all for fear of calling it to them. After having studiedthis phenomenon, I will never again drive through the reservations without ablack obsidian arrowhead for protection.
Doyou title the book first or wait until after it’s complete?
I come up with the title first. I’m always readingabout Native culture in the Four Corners region. I find the Native Nations tobe interesting and I learn so much from them about nature and what’s importantin living day-to-day. They’ve been at it a lot longer than some of us. Fromthese studies I find the next thing I want to write about and from there, thetitle of the next book.
Isthere a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
The story revolves around the 1980 Santa FePenitentiary riot. The inmates who were slaughtered there are not at rest, andwho would expect them to be? Rachel picks up on the shadow people in thecellblock where the worst took place while reporting on a story for High DesertCountry.
I would hope that anyone who reads this comes awaywith the cause, which was overcrowding and the mixing of heinous criminals withnonviolent inmates. Among those murdered were snitches in protective custodyand possible offenders like counterfeiters and auto thieves. The sentence forthese offences is not the death penalty, but that’s what they received.
Many readers appreciate the ways of the Navajo andHopi. These characters bring depth and meaning to my stories. I also includecharacters from the three cultures who make their homes in this area and byincorporating some of their Native languages.
Ofall the characters you’ve ever written, who is your favorite and why?
That would have to be Rachel Blackstone. She and herfriend Chloe Valdez, each have some of my traits. I always wear shoes I can runin and so does Rachel. But I don’t eat much junk food. My eating habits aremore in line with Chloe’s who also does yoga. And while Rachel doesn’t reallyget this supernatural gig, Chloe basks in it. Together they are a bit of an oddcouple who manage to solve paranormal mysteries.
Whatbooks/authors have influenced your life?
Shirley Jackson’s book We Have Always Lived in the Castle really woke me up at about agethirteen. I wasn’t writing then, but I’d been reading Phyllis A. Whitney andMary Stewart, who wrote romantic mysteries. Jackson’s had that twist at the endI wasn’t expecting. And then came along Stephen King. Salem’s Lot and The Shiningreally rang all the bells and whistles for me. Of course, there is TonyHillerman who literally wrote the books on the Indigenous mystery genre.Without him, none of us would be writing about Indigenous culture.
A recent review from the UK was so lovely. But theline that especially stood out to me was “Highly recommended for readers whoenjoy intelligent mysteries with a supernatural twist.” This reader made mefeel I was achieving exactly what I wanted in this series.
Canyou share a little of your current work with us?
This is from my next Taylor Browning Cozy Mysteryseries entitled Editor Die Line. It’sthe first chapter and only two of my closest friends have had a look at it. Wefind Virginia Compton, Piñon Publishing’s senior editor having a bad day athome. Is there something we don’t know about her? Hmm. Taylor, the publishingcompany’s mystery editor, has her work cut out for her.
Editor Die Line
By G.G. Collins
Chapter 1 (Beware: RoughDraft)
Virginia Compton, theeditor-in-chief at Piñon Publishing had been uneasy all day. She had takenseveral manuscripts home to work on, but they hadn’t settled her. Something waswrong but she couldn’t identify what. Instead of editing, she was pacing.
She filled herwatering can at the kitchen sink and drenched her flowers on her back portal.This was the first time in years she had grown flowers in multiple planters.Usually, it was a single geranium in several plain brown pots but this year shehad expanded her gardening into her courtyard by adding Talavera containerswith bright colorful flowers. The pots now stood like soldiers on either sideof the front door. In each one grew a single red geranium. She thought it madeher front entry a little less dreary but she preferred the exterior lookunimpressive overall. People these days would break into any house especiallyif it looked monied.
Her return to flowergardening was something she hadn’t done in many years and she had missed it.There had been reasons for it of course, but surely by now it was safe toreturn to some of her former indulgences.
Virginia picked up amanuscript and quickly glanced over the query letter and synopsis. It soundedpromising, but she couldn’t focus.
Maybe she was stillangry with Jessica, the publisher and CEO of Piñon Publishing. Her boss hadinsisted on taking a group photo of all the staff. Virginia had tried to getout of it but Jessica threw one of her famous tantrums and she gave up, butmaneuvered to the back row of the staff where she hid half of her face behindthe taller art director. Jessica had placed the photo on the company website,their book catalog and even managed to get it into the local papers much toVirginia’s distress.
The dryer buzzed andshe walked to the utility room to remove her clothes. Virginia scowled at thebeige and brown colors that tumbled from the dryer into a waiting basket. Wheneverything was neatly hanging on her clothes rod she pushed them all togetherand carried them to her bedroom.
From her vantage pointat the closet door, she could only see the business clothes she wore to work.But when she moved them slightly the closet revealed other brightly-coloredgarments. There were silk blouses in jewel colors, fashionable suits in vibrantpinks and blues and many scarves in dazzling patterns; never worn to the officeor anywhere else. She washed them once a year, never dry-cleaned, and thenreturned them to garment bags. It was as if the clothing came from anotherlife.
Virginia sighed andpushed the clothes to the back again. What a wasted day. She definitelywouldn’t file for pay on this day. There was simply no work getting done.
Her landline rang andshe went to answer. It was bound to be another scam call. That’s all shereceived on the phone anymore. She really should have the phone company take itout. Everyone she knew called her cell.
Virginia glanced atthe caller ID and didn’t recognize the number; not uncommon. She allowed thecall to go to her antiquated answering machine. She almost walked awayexpecting it to be the latest scam, but she paused and waited to see if theyleft a message.
“Thought I’d neverfind you,” said a man’s voice.
Virginia’s whole beingwent cold as she recognized the caller’s voice. This was the call she hopednever to receive. How to deal with it? Ignore or pick it up and pretend to besomeone else? She picked up the receiver.
“You must have thewrong number,” she tried to disguise her voice. “To whom do you wish to speak?”
“Oh, you know who Iam,” he said. “It hasn’t been that long.”
Virginia hung up andpulled the plug out of the wall. And then, she slid down the wall and satcowering on the floor next to her desk. Her hands quivered. She placed on thefloor beside her and pressed, trying to stop the shaking.
In a few minutes hercell began to ring. She’d left it next to her computer. Virginia stood andpicked up her cell. The number was the same as on the landline caller ID. Thistime she let it ring. She knew what the message would be. It could stay in voicemail until hell froze over.
He was right. She knewwho he was. Her body trembled at the recognition.
“I thought it wasover,” she murmured. “I thought it was over.”
After a few moments ofmostly rational thought, she began closing all the drapes in her house makingcertain each window and door was locked. Because of the many burglaries inSanta Fe, she had decorative bars on all the doors and windows and one of the mostexpensive security systems she could find. But none of that was going to beenough.
Once her house wassecured and dark, Virginia moved her desk out several feet to reveal her hidingplace. It was further disguised by short piles of books, a practice thatprevailed throughout her house. The push of her finger opened a small flap madeout of the wood floor. It had been carefully done to blend in with the rest ofthe floor. After entering a code, the inside door opened.
The interior held asmall go-bag. It contained a change of clothes, a few cosmetics, sundry items,a wig and a burner phone. She only took one prescription and an extra bottlewas included. A zippered pocket inside bag held two small keys to a safe depositbox. Virginia made certain it was still there and closed the bag. She securedthe hidden compartment on the floor and moved her desk back in place.
She set the alarmbefore entering the garage. Inside were two cars. The older one was kept on abattery charger. Virginia never drove it, only started it occasionally. Shehoped the charger had done its job because she finally needed the car. Sheturned the key. The car growled and grunted a few times and then came to life.
Virginia hoped that noone was watching her house as she quickly exited her neighborhood and turnedonto Cerrillos Road. The old car blended in well on this street as locals andvisitors alike careened to wherever they were going. Usually, the frenetic trafficon this street bothered her but today her vision processed only where sheneeded to go, not the constant lane changes and ever present blaring horns.
She turned the vehicleinto her credit union and parked around back where the main entrance was. Onewould assume that made it more private for banking and less attractive torobberies.
Inside, Virginiaremoved the keys and asked for access to her safe deposit box. After openingthe box, the CU employee backed away and left her alone. Inside the box was astack of money in all denominations. Virginia knew there to be $10,000 as shehad carefully counted it. Before she reached for the wrapped object she stoppedand tried to take a soothing breath. With her eyes closed she could almostpretend it was any other day. Quickly she shoved the wrapped gun into her bag,took her key and walked straight to the restroom in the lobby.
In the handicappedstall, she changed clothes and added the dark brown wig, stowing her wornclothes in the bag. Before she left the restroom, she added more makeup. Shepaid special attention to the blush. It needed to be bright, too bright even.She added sunglasses and left the building. Once in the car, she looked in therearview. Satisfied that she was as concealed as possible, she started the car.
While she had plannedfor this, it was unbelievable that it was happening. Obviously, she rememberedher preparations but somehow her comfortable job editing at Piñon Publishingand enjoying the Santa Fe lifestyle may have been wishful thinking. As much asVirginia hated to admit it, she had grown complacent. That was her fault. Shehad hoped this day would never arrive. And yet, here it was. Now, what todo?
Whodesigned the cover of your latest book?
Tatiana Vila, with Vila Design, has created all mycovers. She is a master. I send a short (4 or 5 line) synopsis and a few itemsimportant to the story and turn her loose. If you want changes, she’ll makethem. I took a chance on her just from looking at the many covers she had done.I’ve never looked back. Find her at https://www.viladesign.net
Doyou have a song or playlist that you think represents this book?
During the writing of Skinwalker Medium I played a lot of Native flute music. Here aresome of the artists I particularly enjoy: John Two-Hawks’ “Wind Songs,” AliceGomez “While the Eagle Sleeps,” R. Carlos Nakai “Mythic Dreamer” and JessitaReyes “Native American Flutes & the Sounds of Nature.” These albums take meright to the Four Corners area where much of this story took place. As soon asI hear the haunting melodies I’m immediately transported to legendary places inthe Four Corners such as Shiprock and Monument Valley. My sense of place kicksin.
Whatis next for you? Do you have any scheduled upcoming releases or works inprogress?
SkinwalkerMedium has been nominated for the New Mexico Book Award andI’m excitedly waiting for word on it, but not holding my breath. Winners won’tbe announced until November.
Currently, I’m writing Editor Die Line, the cozy I spoke about. It will likely have aspring pub date. The latest book in this series, Editor Kill Fee, was reviewed by Publisher’s Weekly and appeared on The Strand magazine reading list.
As for the Rachel Blackstone, her next adventure willbe Brujo Medium. Yup, she will begoing up against another type of evil witch. There is sure to be more grippingadventure and narrow escapes as she and friend Chloe try to interpret morecryptic clues from the spirit world.
Skinwalker MediumA Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mystery Book FiveGG Collins Genre: Indigenous Paranormal ThrillerPublisher: Chamisa Canyon PublishingDate of Publication: March 19, 2025ISBN: 978-1735428246 ASIN: B0F1ZGSYJKNumber of pages: 259Word Count: 66,235 Cover Artist: Tatiana Vila, Vila Design Tagline: It’s the season of the witch. Are you ready?Book Description:
Rachel’s interview subjects are turning up dead, but only those linked to a certain story: the Santa Fe Penitentiary riot of 1980.
It’s beginning to look like something malevolent is involved and it’s threatening everyone connected with the story.
Rachel, the Reluctant Medium, must learn the Navajo ways to prevent another horrific skinwalker death – maybe even her own.
Reviewed by Publisher's Weekly
Nominated for the New Mexico Book Award
The Strand Magazine Reading List.
Fellowship & Award-Winning Writer
SPJ (Society of Professional Journalists)Awards
Excerpt:
Astroll along the river usually calmed her. Still, Albuquerque’s crime rate hadmade national headlines so she tried to be alert to any threats.
Aftera few minutes, Olivia could tell her pulse had evened out and she was beginningto notice the birds and trees instead of her bothersome feelings. But somethingelse concerned her. There was a fetid odor in this area. She dismissed it as adead animal but it disturbed her enough that she dug in her coat pocket for herpollen and arrowhead. They weren’t there! Hadn’t she placed them in her pocketwhile talking with the reporter? When Blackstone cautioned about the others shehad interviewed who had died or been scared, she remembered taking the bag outand showing her the contents. She checked the other pocket that held her foband cell. Olivia could feel the panic rising in her throat, so she took out thephone. It made her more confident. Help was a phone call away.
Shequickly turned. Behind her was nothing but an empty trail and the beginnings ofanother spectacular sunset. Ahead, a biker disappeared around a corner. The RioGrande flowed to her left and there was no one exploring the banks or kayakingon the river. That left the treed area to her right. A few trees still heldonto their autumn leaves, but most had turned brown and fallen to the ground.There was nothing apparent, but the feeling of trepidation would not go away.How could she have left her amulet and bag of pollen? And where did she leavethem? It didn’t matter now. The only thing that mattered: something wasstalking her and she couldn’t yet see it. She held her phone tightly.
Ahawk flew overhead as she looked upward. The hawk didn’t worry her. These birdsof prey were only a threat to a small mammal, with the occasional insect orlizard for variety.
Itcircled languidly. This time, it swooped down at her as a bird parent mightdefend a fledgling against a passing cat. The intent was obvious: to bully her.It was working. Olivia wanted to go. She no longer wanted to be outside andfelt vulnerable, was vulnerable. Retracing her steps to the parking lot, sheheard a sound behind her.
Shekept walking, hoping it would go away. But the fear in her chest was fierce. Itwas difficult to breathe. She tried to control the shivering and her poundingheart. Her options had run out. Olivia knew she was no longer in charge of thesituation. She had to turn around and face whatever was there.
Aftercasually glancing about to appear unafraid, she came face to face with an evilwitch. Its eyes held her, and she couldn’t look away. The elders alwayscautioned against staring directly at the eyes so the witch could not controlthoughts. But it was too late. The red and glowing eyes allowed her to see onlythe beast.
Itwas sans clothing with fur covering its body and the neck heavy with jewelry.Its face and arms were grey. For a moment she thought it might be female, butnever had she known of a female witch becoming malevolent. She knew this wasimminent danger of the fatal kind. Without her arrowhead, she didn’t know howto defend herself. It could run faster, jump higher and climb better than shecould. Her chances of harming it were slim. The body of a skinwalker was tough,maybe impenetrable. With only the useless cell in her hand she stood silently,because who could she call to intervene?
About the Author:G.G. Collins loves the American Southwest where many of her stories are located. She can be found hiking through ruins of the ancient ones and enjoying New Mexican cuisine. When not traipsing about, she makes up stories with great friendships, quirky characters and, oh yeah, dead bodies. She has worked for a book publisher and as a journalist; publishing is in her blood. In real life she shares her time with a man, several neurotic – and psychic – cats and the ongoing struggle to grow a garden. Website: https://reluctantmediumatlarge.wordpress.com/
X: https://twitter.com/GGCollins1
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/ggcollins.bsky.social
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/g-g-collins
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6427518.G_G_Collins
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A Bewitching Wednesday
A Round-Up of Daily Virtual Book Tour Stops
INTERVIEW - PARANORMAL MYSTERY - SKINWALKER MEDIUM (Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mystery) by GG Collins
https://thebookjunkiereadspromos.blog...
Gods Galore Series by Rupert Stanbury by Rupert Stanbury ~ #Fantasy / #Comedy @RupertStanbury #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/KuCDhXU
Two souls trapped in one body must work together to solve multiple murders before it’s too late – before they can no longer tell where one ends and the other begins. #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/8N9YDGx
Book Tour : Skinwalker Medium
https://books0623.blogspot.com/2025/0...
Roxanne Rhoads Bookshop Store
https://bookshop.org/shop/RoxanneRhoads
You reek of darkness, of some evil spirit that’s worked its way under your skin. You don’t talk about it, no. It’s your secret...” Excerpt from The Sister’s Curse by Nicola Solvinic from Berkley Publishing Group. Now available for pre-order: https://bit.ly/4jBXbCc
#nicolasolvinic #thesisterscurse #mysteryauthor #crimeauthor #thrillerwriter #criminology #crimefiction #crimethriller #crimenovel #suspensenovel #thrillerbook #murdermystery #mysteryreads #booklovers #bookclub #newrelease #bookreview
July 15, 2025
A Bewitching Tuesday
A Round-Up of Daily Virtual Book Tour Stops
Skinwalker Medium (A Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mystery, Book Five) by GG Collins @GGCollins1 ~ Indigenous Paranormal Thriller #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/Cfxhq8h
Two souls trapped in one body must work together to solve multiple murders before it’s too late – before they can no longer tell where one ends and the other begins #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/wKtnRAp
Gods Galore Series by Rupert Stanbury
https://www.facebook.com/bookpimpette...
Roxanne Rhoads Bookshop Store
https://bookshop.org/shop/RoxanneRhoads
You reek of darkness, of some evil spirit that’s worked its way under your skin. You don’t talk about it, no. It’s your secret...” Excerpt from The Sister’s Curse by Nicola Solvinic from Berkley Publishing Group. Now available for pre-order: https://bit.ly/4jBXbCc
#nicolasolvinic #thesisterscurse #mysteryauthor #crimeauthor #thrillerwriter #criminology #crimefiction #crimethriller #crimenovel #suspensenovel #thrillerbook #murdermystery #mysteryreads #booklovers #bookclub #newrelease #bookreview
July 14, 2025
A Bewitching Monday
A Round-Up of Daily Virtual Book Tour Stops
Skinwalker Medium: A Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mystery by GG Collins #Mystery #Thriller #UrbanFantasy #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/O0o40ww
Gods Galore Series by Rupert Stanbury #GreekGods #Fantasy #Comedy #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/oND8x6P
Electric Titan Book Tour #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/QBbcgMp
Fictional Characters I Would Invite to a Halloween Party with Christine Amsdenhttps://www.abewitchingguidetohallowe...
Roxanne Rhoads Bookshop Store
https://bookshop.org/shop/RoxanneRhoads
You reek of darkness, of some evil spirit that’s worked its way under your skin. You don’t talk about it, no. It’s your secret...” Excerpt from The Sister’s Curse by Nicola Solvinic from Berkley Publishing Group. Now available for pre-order: https://bit.ly/4jBXbCc#nicolasolvinic #thesisterscurse #mysteryauthor #crimeauthor #thrillerwriter #criminology #crimefiction #crimethriller #crimenovel #suspensenovel #thrillerbook #murdermystery #mysteryreads #booklovers #bookclub #newrelease #bookreview
Skinwalker Medium: A Rachel Blackstone Paranormal Mystery by GG Collins #Mystery #Thriller #UrbanFantasy #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/wlmLDzH
July 9, 2025
Knot of Souls by Christine Amsden ~ #UrbanFantasy #UF #BewitchingBookTours
Facing Your Fears
Knot of Souls is set in October, and though it’s nota Halloween book, it does draw on the atmosphere of fear as each of the twomain characters works on overcoming past trauma. For Joy, neglected by herfather, never feeling quite good enough, she’s afraid of asserting herself.This is maybe why she initially hides from the spirit invading her body, ratherthan fighting. But Joy has more power than she realizes, beginning with afriend who re-imagines Halloween in an inspirational new way.
Excerpt from Chapter 6 of Knot of Souls:
“It’s almost Halloween, the time of year to face your fears,to do something that really scares you.”
It was late Thursday evening, and we were hanging out at herhouse watching a truly terrible new horror series on Netflix. So far, the onlyfeeling it had induced was boredom.
“I don’t think that’s what Halloween is for,” I replied.“Isn’t it the day when the veil between the living and the dead is thinnest?”
“Is that what scares you?”
“No.”
“Then no, that’s not what it’s about.” Kristen gestured atthe TV, where ominous music suggested we were supposed to be worried aboutsomething. Too bad the plot hadn’t gotten the memo. “People need to scarethemselves sometimes. It’s how we get what we really want.”
“Hm.” I pondered the odd new idea, but ended up shaking myhead. “People dress in costumes to hide from the ghosts. I just don’t think—”
“And if you don’t face your fears,” Kristen addeddramatically, “then what’s going to change by next Halloween?”
Knot of SoulsChristine Amsden
Genre: Urban FantasyPublisher: Christine AmsdenDate of Publication: May 20, 2025ISBN: 979-8283019284ASIN: B0F7Y8YST6Number of pages: 384Word Count: 102,000Cover Artist: BZN Studio Designs
Book Description:
Two souls, one body …
When Joy wakes up in an alley, she knows three things: she was brutally murdered, she has somehow come back to life ... and she is not alone. She’s been possessed by an inhuman presence, a being that has taken over her dying body. That being is powerful, in pain, and on the run from entities more dangerous than he is.
Shade, a Fae prince on the run, didn’t mean to share the body he jumped into. Desperate and afraid, accused of a murder he didn’t commit, he only sought a place to hide—but if he leaves Joy now, he faces discovery and a fate worse than death.
Forced to work together to solve multiple murders, including her own, Joy and Shade discover hidden strengths and an unlikely friendship. Yet as their souls become increasingly intertwined, they realize their true danger might come from each other … and if they don't find a way to untangle the knot their souls have become, then even the truth won't set them free.
Knot of Souls is a stand-alone buddy love fantasy that forces two very different beings to work together … and come out stronger on the other side.
Free Through Kindle Unlimited
About the Author:Christine Amsden is the author of nine award-winning fantasy and science fiction novels, including the Cassie Scot Series.
Speculative fiction is fun, magical, and imaginative but Christine believes great speculative fiction is about real people defining themselves through extraordinary situations. She writes primarily about people, and it is in this way that she strives to make science fiction and fantasy meaningful for everyone.
In addition to writing, Christine is a freelance editor and political activist. Disability advocacy is of particular interest to her; she has a rare genetic eye condition called Stargardt Macular Degeneration and has been legally blind since the age of eighteen. In her free time, she enjoys role playing, board games, and a good cup of tea. She lives in the Kansas City area with her husband and two kids.
Website: https://christineamsden.com/wordpress/
Newsletter: https://christineamsden.com/wordpress/?page_id=5091
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christine-Amsden-Author-Page/127673027288664
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1030664.Christine_Amsden
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