Ally Shields's Blog, page 27

Character Interview: NJ Litz' Sleuth Speaks for Herself

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Welcome, Booklovers!
 
Grab your coffee, sit back, and prepare for something a little different. Instead of our usual author interview, we have a character visiting us from NJ Litz’ romantic mystery novel, No Bed of Roses. I guess we could call this the ultimate inside story. :)
 
Let’s get started by having our guest introduce herself and the book that brought her to life.
​Hi! I’m Brianna Kincaid.
I have a PhD in botany and work for the world-renowned Missouri Botanical Garden,
​the oldest botanical garden in the U.S.      My colleagues and I are mourning the death of my research assistant, Megan, in a car accident when a police detective shows up, asking a lot of questions about her, and my team’s travels out of the country. The police also need our help in identifying a mysterious substance in her body.
 
     Once I figure out the substance, I suspect Megan’s death wasn’t an accident, especially when I stumble onto clues she left. She planned a treasure hunt for the mysterious father of her unborn child. I believe her lover killed her. To prove it, I partner with Nick Mancini, a down-on-his-luck journalist, to decode the clues and reveal her murderer. Along the way, the killer figures out what we’re trying to do, and suddenly Nick and I are no longer the hunters, but the hunted. INTERVIEW:
 
Ally: Your story sounds very exciting, Brianna. I know you won’t reveal any more of the plot, but I have a lot of other questions. Let’s start with one about you…name three of your favorite things.
 
Brianna:  All three of them are featured in the book. I love roses, which play an important part in the story, and I love to run, which both relaxes and challenges me. I get my best ideas when I run. I also love to eat. Because both Nick and I travel so much in our careers, we like many different types of food. From our travels, we know how much sharing a meal can form a bond with other people.
 
Ally: So getting back to the story, who was your favorite supporting character?
 
Brianna:  My favorites were Riley O’Shea or my father, Scottie Kincaid. Riley works for her father’s detective agency. She makes a brief appearance, but she was different both times that we met so I think she would be intriguing if I had more time to get to know her.
 
My father is a force of nature. He’s a successful lawyer, a partner in a large firm, and he’s handled major trials throughout the country. Quiet is not often a word associated with my father.
 
Ally:  Do you have siblings? Are you close to them?
 
Brianna:  I’m close to my sister, Carly, though readers never get to meet her. She lives in Boston. She’s an assistant coach for a women’s college basketball team. Carly herself was a nationally ranked basketball player in high school and college. Sports is one way that my sister and I bonded. I was a nationally ranked runner in high school and college. We always looked so odd when we would run together. Carly is over six-feet tall while I’m only 5’4”.
 
Even though we were both outstanding athletes, Carly was much more laid back and carefree. She was the one who would sneak out her bedroom window on Friday night if she’d been grounded. My sister never missed a party, and she was always the life of the party.
 
What unites us both in the book is that we’re worried about our father, who is still grieving deeply over the death of our mother six months earlier. We connive to get him to visit Carly in Boston so I can store my mother’s things (with Dad’s permission.)
 
Ally:  Is your love interest the way you pictured him or her? What would you change in appearance or personality?
 
Brianna:  I’m a scientist so I recognize a superior specimen when I see it. Sure, I noticed Nick Mancini was tall, dark and handsome when I first met him. But he was also rude and condescending. If I hadn’t needed his help, I would have been happy never to have run into him again. On top of that, I wasn’t sure I could trust a journalist who had reported from every country with a beach. He seemed like a slacker, but he ended up having several useful skills.
 
Watching Nick charm drinks and information out of women, and talking with him made me realize he had a colorful past that included a lot of women. It happened before me, so I accept that part of his life.
 
Turns out he’s easy to talk with. I’ve always preferred plants because they’re less complicated and messy than humans. But Nick . . . he listens better than I thought for a man with a handsome face and rakish charm. He brings out the best in me, so there’s not a darn thing I would change.
 
Ally:  How many re-writes did you have to live through?
 
Brianna:  Shockingly, I only had to live through two rewrites. My author is slow, and normally she’s a firm believer that most writing isn’t polished enough for other eyes until the third draft. However, she had so much fun with the hero (and I can understand why because he becomes my favorite too). She also loves to garden and has been going to the Missouri Botanical Garden since she was a child so she’d been figuring out the clues for a long time, whether she realized it or not.
 
Ally:  Are you hoping to make an appearance in a sequel or series? Why or why not?
 
Brianna:  Oh, I have to make an appearance in another book—if I want to help save the life of someone who’s important to Nick—because a crisis develops during the epilogue.
 
The other wonderful thing about being a botanist is that I can travel all over the world so the mysteries I can solve can be in so many fantastic locations. It helps that Missouri Botanical Garden, for which I work, is a global leader in plant conservation. Not surprisingly, I’m very concerned both personally and professionally about climate change.
 
All this said, though, my author’s next two books are already written. They’re romantic mysteries set in the future (but without the scientific detail she thinks bogs down those kinds of stories.)
 
Thanks for letting me stop by, Ally!
 
Ally:  Thank you, Brianna. I hope you and/or your author will visit again. Oops, we almost forgot something very important! Where can readers buy your story? Buy Link: 
​https://www.amazon.com/No-Bed-Roses-NJ-Litz-ebook/dp/B07QG8LD9W/ About the Author, NJ Litz*:
 
My undergrad degree is in journalism, and I started out as a newspaper reporter before I moved into communications for corporations and non-profits. I’m now connected with a non-profit so it’s very rewarding to go to work every day. I live in the St. Louis area with my family and numerous dogs and cats.
 
Something unique/unusual that isn't in your regular bio: “I’m a Christmas baby so we just wrapped up my time of year. A December 25 birthday has both its pluses and minuses. I have no idea what it’s like to have to go to work on my birthday. Then again, I only get to celebrate once a year while most of you celebrate your birthday and a major holiday.”
 
Contact info:
​
Email: njwrite@outlook.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18608494.NJ_Litz
Website: https://www.njlitz.com/
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/LitzNj
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/NJ-Litz/e/B07KDJL6JC​
 
*NJ Litz was on the Coffee Chat in January 2019. You can find her interview here. Thanks for stopping by. Come back soon!

Book Spotlight: Sea Scope by Debbie De Louise

Sea Scope
by Debbie De Louise
Genre: mystery/suspense
Release Date: May 4, 2019

Sarah Collins needs an escape. Mourning her brother’s death and the impending breakup of her marriage, she accepts an invitation to return to her childhood home in South Carolina, where her family operated an inn.

She hasn’t been back to Sea Scope for twenty years; not since she and her brother Glen discovered a body by the nearby lighthouse. She never understood why her parents left Sea Scope so suddenly, or the reasons behind her father's suicide.
After Sarah returns to the inn, she faces long-buried memories, text messages and strange clues. Something is not right in Sea Scope.

Reunited with people from her past, she tries to figure out what's going on in her childhood home. As the past and present collide, she must face truths about her family, and what happened that summer day by the lighthouse. But will she survive to tell the tale?

Excerpt:
​
When we crossed the bridge to Bretton Island, Carolyn exclaimed, “I wish my first view of Cape Bretton wasn’t in the pouring rain. It still looks lovely. I can see the lighthouse in the distance.”
 
I’d noticed it, too, but tried to ignore the emotions that welled up in me at its sight. We followed the one-lane road to Sea Scope next to dripping Spanish moss. The road wasn’t well lit, and I had to concentrate to find the turns that led to the inn relying on my memory more than the address I’d plugged into the car’s GPS which was often inaccurate.
 
“It’s coming up,” I notified Carolyn as we took another twisting turn, the wipers furiously swishing against the windshield in a futile attempt to keep it clear of the downpour.
 
“Thank God,” she said. “Be careful, Sarah. I can hardly see the road.”
 
The tires felt like they were rolling in mud as I accelerated so the car could crest the hill up to the inn. I finally came to a stop a few feet from Sea Scope’s door next to two cars, one I recognized as my aunt’s Honda. I wondered who the green Camry belonged to.
 
“This is it,” I told Carolyn who was already gathering her purse and overnight bag. “I think we can make it inside without using an umbrella if we run for cover under the porch.”
 
Carolyn looked ahead at the house. It was not as large as I remembered, but things always appear bigger to children. I could tell, even in the dark, that it needed upkeep. The bushes out front were overgrown and, although I couldn’t see the back garden, I assumed it also needed tending.
 
“It’s absolutely beautiful,” Carolyn said with her hand on the car door. “I love these types of Victorian sea homes. It looks like the houses I saw when I visited Cape May years ago. The view of the water and lighthouse must be amazing in good weather. I can’t wait to see the inside.”
 
“I’m glad you approve. It looks a little unkempt to me and not as large as I remember, but it still exudes that Southern charm of which my aunt and father were always so proud. C’mon, let’s make a run for it. It looks like one of the other guests is already here. No need to drag along our suitcases. The overnight bags we used in the motel should be fine. We can get the other stuff tomorrow.”
 
Carolyn nodded, throwing open the passenger door to the onslaught of rain. I ran up the porch steps behind her. When I got there, I tapped the anchor doorknocker even though I saw there was now also a bell.
 
“Welcome to Sea Scope,” I said, taking a deep breath as I waited for an answer.

​Buy/Pre-order Link:  

​eBook & Kindle Unlimited: https://amzn.to/2uc0mt2  




​Buy/Pre-order Links:  

​eBook & Kindle Unlimited: 

 mybook.to/SeaScop

(paperback): mybook.to/SSpaper 
​(Large Type): ​https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Scope-Large-Debbie-Louise/dp/109582418X/

​ About the Author:
 
Debbie De Louise is an award-winning author and a reference librarian at a public library on Long Island. She is a member of International Thriller Writers, Sisters-in-Crime, the Long Island Authors Group, and the Cat Writer’s Association. She has a BA in English and an MLS in Library Science from Long Island University.
 
Her novels include the four books of the Cobble Cove cozy mystery series published by Solstice Publishing: A Stone's Throw, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Written in Stone and Love on the Rocks. Debbie has also published a romantic comedy novella featuring a jewel heist caper, When Jack Trumps Ace, a standalone mystery, Reason to Die, and has written articles and short stories for several anthologies of various genres.
 
She lives on Long Island with her husband Anthony; daughter Holly; and Cats Stripey, Harry, and Hermione.
 
Social Media Links:
 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debbie.delouise.author/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Deblibrarian
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2750133.Debbie_De_Louise
Amazon Author Page: Author.to/DebbieDeLouise
Website/Blog/Newsletter Sign-Up: https://debbiedelouise.wordpress.com
 
 
Previous appearances on the blog:
Interview: https://allyshields.com/blog/interview-with-mystery-author-debbie-de-louise
Guest Post:  https://allyshields.com/blog/guest-post-from-multi-genre-author-debbie-de-louise

Mystery Author Grace Topping Finds "Fictional" Revenge is Sweet

Welcome to this week’s Coffee Chat!

Our guest is Grace Topping, author of Staging is Murder.
​Good morning, Grace. What may I get you to drink?

GT:  I love coffee with lots of half and half—but only after dinner. The rest of the time, I am a tea drinker. Being married to an Englishman, we have tea (in a tea pot covered with a tea cozy) readily available all day.

Ally: Tea drinkers are welcome too. :) Please introduce yourself to readers while I pour our drinks.  Bio:
 
Grace Topping is a recovering technical writer and IT project manager, accustomed to writing lean, boring documents. Let loose to write fiction, she is now creating murder mysteries and killing off characters who remind her of some of the people she dealt with during her career. Fictional revenge is sweet. She’s using her experience helping friends stage their homes as inspiration for her Laura Bishop mystery series. The first book in the series, Staging is Murder, is about a woman starting a new career midlife as a home stager. Grace is the current vice president of the Chesapeake Chapter of Sisters in Crime, and a member of the SINC Guppies and Mystery Writers of America. She lives with her husband in Northern Virginia.
 
Something unique about me: “I spent seven years in the Navy, which enabled me to travel all over the world. Four of those years I spent in London, England, where I met my British husband.”
 
Contact the Author:
 
http://www.gracetopping.com
https://www.facebook.com/gracetoppingauthor
https://twitter.com/gtoppingauthor
INTERVIEW:
 
Ally:  What do you find most rewarding about a writing career? Most negative or frustrating?
 
GT:  One of the most rewarding things about having a writing career is the camaraderie you develop with other writers, editors, agents, audiobook narrators, and readers. I’ve had the good fortunate to make friends throughout the country and abroad with people who share an interest in mystery writing and production. The mystery writing community is a very supportive one. I probably wouldn’t be published if it hadn’t been for the friendship, support, and help I received from other writers, particularly from members of Sisters in Crime, a national organization that helps promote women crime writers. 
 
The most negative aspect of having a writing career—most definitely sitting too much. I’ve tried standing to write and recording while I walk, but there is something about seat in the chair and fingers on the keyboard that makes me the most productive. And if I could overcome my addiction to Facebook, I would be even more productive. I get some exercise from walking downstairs to the microwave to reheat my cup of tea—several times a day.
 
Ally:  Tell us about your main characters. Are they likable? Do they have off-putting flaws or beliefs? Are they “good” people? Is it important for them to be real or relatable?
 
GT:  It was important to me to have a main character that was realistic and one people could relate to. I don’t know anyone who, finding a body, would immediately set off to find the killer. In Staging is Murder, my main character, Laura Bishop, only becomes involved in an investigation because the grandmother of the young man accused of the murder virtually begs her to find the killer. To say she is a reluctant sleuth is an understatement. She readily admits that she has no skill in solving crimes, but since the police are convinced they have the murderer, she gives into the grandmother’s pleas to at least help.
 
Laura has a big flaw—she dislikes and tries to steer clear of good-looking men. Every time someone hurt her, took credit for her work, embarrassed her, etc., it seemed a handsome man was involved, including her father who deserted the family and her deceased husband who was a womanizer. That really complicates her dealings with an attractive police detective assigned to the case and a local real estate agent with movie star good looks who is trying to sell the house she is staging before the bank can take it over.
 
Ally:  Have you written or considered writing in other genres or other forms, such as short stories or screenplays? Why or why not. Would they be easier, harder, or just different?
 
GT:  Before I started my mystery, I wrote a children’s picture book. My daughter loved it, but not so much agents or publishers. Everyone thinks they can write for children, but it is a lot harder than it sounds. Then I wrote a short play for middle school kids, which is also in a drawer somewhere. The experience gained from writing a play was invaluable. It gave me a good grasp of writing scenes and dialogue. In a play, other than the setting, the dialogue has to carry everything. As a result, I wrote my mystery with scenes in mind with very little description, emotion, and everything else that adds to a book. As I learned more about writing, I added characterization, emotion, etc., and I’m having an easier time with my second book. If Hollywood comes calling, I would enjoy trying my hand at writing a screenplay of my book.
 
Ally:  What is your favorite social media?
 
GT:  I am so addicted to Facebook that if there were a Facebook Anonymous group, I would have to join. I tweet occasionally and have one posting on Instagram, but the majority of time I favor Facebook. It enables me to belong to a number of mystery writing and mystery reader Facebook groups. I learn a lot from the writing groups and enjoy interacting with readers. If I don’t control my addiction, I’m never going to get the next book in my series finished.
 
Ally:  What’s the most meaningful thing a reader could say about your book?
 
GT:  That my book made them laugh and gave them comfort during a trying time.
 
I have particular authors that I turn to during times of stress—like waiting for medical test results. Their books can totally take my mind off whatever is driving me crazy. I would be thrilled if someone wrote and said that my book helped get them through a rough time.
 
Ally:  What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
 
GT:  I have a contract with Henery Press for two more books in the Laura Bishop mystery series. The next one is due to Henery September 1, which is why I’m in a panic and need to stay off Facebook. It should be out, hopefully, April 2020.
 
Ally:  Which quick answer questions did you choose to finish your interview?
 
GT:  a. Do you believe in love at first sight?  “Absolutely, because it happened to my husband and me. I was living in England at the time and had been invited to a Royal Navy dance on Valentine’s Day. My husband walked into the room, and I said to my friend, “Judy, I’m in love.” She laughed, but he felt the same way and proposed within three weeks. We may have fallen in love at first sight, but I’m not insane—we got engaged months later and married a year after that. So Valentine’s Day is super special to us. If a romance writer put that in a novel, it would sound contrived, but it happens.” b. Favorite movie?  “Can I please name more than one? For warm fuzzy feelings, I love movies with Meg Ryan. You’ve Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, and Kate and Leopold. For a really good laugh, Galaxy Quest.”c. Favorite song?  “Proud Mary by Credence Clearwater Revival. If I were on my deathbed and heard it, I would have to get up and dance.” d. Favorite Quote?  We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.  -- Sir Winston Churchill.e. If you couldn’t write anymore, what would you want to do? “It has taken me ten years to get published, so I’ve learned a lot along the way. If I couldn’t write anymore, I would enjoy teaching others what I learned to help them get published.”  Ally: Thanks for visiting today, Grace. It’s been a pleasure. Before you go, let’s take a look at your featured book.
​
Staging is Murder
Genre: Cozy mystery
 
When a body falls from a laundry chute and lands at her feet, flowered wallpaper becomes the least of Laura Bishop’s home staging duties.
 
 
Laura Bishop just nabbed her first decorating commission—staging for sale a 19th century mansion that hasn’t been updated for decades. But when a body falls from a laundry chute and lands at Laura’s feet, removing flowered wallpaper becomes the least of her duties. 
 
To clear her young assistant of the murder and save her fledgling business, Laura’s determined to find the killer. Turns out it’s not as easy as renovating a manor home, especially with two handsome men complicating her mission: the police detective assigned to the case and the real estate agent trying to save the manse from foreclosure.
 
Worse still, the meddling of a horoscope-guided friend, a determined grandmother, and the local funeral director could get them all killed before Laura props the first pillow.
 


Buy Links:
 
Amazon: Here
Barnes and Noble: Here

Meet Multi-Genre Author Keta Diablo

​Good Morning, Booklovers!
 
Are you ready for coffee and book talk? This week’s guest is multi-genre author Keta Diablo with her featured romantic suspense, Season, Unforgettable.
How do you take your coffee, Keta?
 
KD:  I love coffee! Wonder if I could diminish my constant craving by putting it through an IV directly into my arm? Lol. Just kidding. I like my coffee strong with cream. I probably drink too much of the stuff but…don’t most writers?
 
Ally: I’ve had a surprising number of tea drinkers on the blog, but coffee is a frequent writers’ vice.  Including mine! :) While I pour for both of us, please introduce yourself. Bio:
 
Keta Diablo lives in the Midwest part of the United States on six acres of gorgeous woodland. When she isn't writing or gardening, she loves to commune with nature. A pair of barn owls returns to the property every year to birth their young and show them off in the high branches of the oak trees. Nothing more adorable than these white fluffy babies with heart-shaped faces. A lifelong animal lover, Keta devotes her time and support to the local animal shelter. Emma LaPounce, a rescued feline, has been her furry companion for the last ten years.
 
Keta is an award-winning and best-selling author who writes in several genres: Western Romance, Historical Romance, Paranormal Romance and Contemporary Romance. In a past life, she wrote Gay Romance. Her books have received numerous accolades, including RWA contest finalist, Authors After Dark finalist, Top Pick of the Month and Recommended Review from top review sites, and Best Romance Finalist from The Independent Author Network.  
 
Ps: For some strange reason, ghosts often show up in her stories, no matter the genre.
 
Tell us something unique/unusual that isn't in your regular bio: “I saw ghosts as a child. It’s true. We lived in a very old house when I was three years old (tin ceilings, cornice boards everywhere). That’s when I started to see them. Every night, I’d tell my mother they were in my bedroom sitting in the curve of the cornice boards. I couldn’t understand why she couldn’t see them. Mom is 92 years old now and still remembers those nights.”
 
Keta would love to have you follow her on the Net:
 
Author Home: http://authorketadiablo.com
Author Blog: http://ketaskeep.blogspot.com
Twitter http://www.twitter.com/ketadiablo
Facebook Author Page https://www.facebook.com/KetaDiablo.Author/
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Keta-Diablo/e/B002BODURI/
Goodreads Page https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2620426.Keta_Diablo
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/ketadiablo/
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/keta-diablo?list=about
INTERVIEW:
 
Ally: Where do you get your story ideas?
 
KD:  Sometimes in a dream, and sometimes by reading a newspaper or an article in a magazine. Mostly my ideas come from watching people interact with one another, like at a mall.
 
Ally:  What do you find most rewarding about a writing career? Most negative or frustrating?
 
KD:  The most rewarding thing about writing for a career is the flexibility to work at your own pace (no boss looking over your shoulder). Course, you have to discipline yourself or you won’t have a job. Lol. I also like the freedom. If there is a special event or a family get-together I can always attend. The most negative thing would have to be the marketing/promoting aspect after writing that book. Long gone are the days where you could publish your book and hope that with a little word of mouth it will do well. The market is so competitive, it takes a tremendous amount of organization and planning to market every book.
 
Ally:  Do you use a professional editor? If not, what do you do to ensure a quality book?
 
KD:  I use several beta readers, and I do have one editor who goes through every book.
 
Ally:   Do your characters come to you fully formed with names and backgrounds?
 
KD:  Names for sure, but their personalities sort of develop as I write. I have an idea of who they are or what they do for a living, but full character depth is developed along the way.
 
Ally:  What supernatural power or ability would you love to have?
 
KD:  Since I’ve always wanted to be an investigative/crime journalist, I would say the ability to memorize everything in an instant I see at a crime scene and then bank it so I can call it forth later. I don’t know of instant recollection or photogenic memory is a super power, but I’d like it.
 
Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
 
KD:  Sigh. I’ve been working on a novel about demon hunters it seems for a long time. Something or other always comes up lately – first a health issue that lasted a year, and then a large moving event. I hope one day soon things will settle down and I can finish that story. It’s more than half-way finished, so I just have to plant my butt in the chair and write.
 
Ally: Which quick answer questions did you pick?
 
KD:favorite book – To Kill A Mockingbird and a close second The Windflowerbook you're currently reading – The Mortician’s Daughteran item on your bucket list - tour the United States in a RVfavorite movie - Man On Firecolor of nail polish you have on – YIKES! Green.Do you believe in love at first sight? AH….no. The best kind of love begins as a friendship that lasts out of respect, caring and putting the other person before you…always. Then comes love.favorite song – I Will Wait For You – Mumford & Sonsyour pets - Emma LaPounce, a rescued cat that is now 16 years old and my best buddy. Ally:  It was a pleasure to meet you, Keta. Come back and chat again when you get that demon hunters book written! Before we close this interview, please show us your featured book. SEASON, UNFORGETTABLE
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Rating: Mild sexual tension
Standalone
 
About the Book:
 
*Finalist* Independent Author Network 2015 Book Awards, Romance Category

Season Scrimshaw isn't selling the land her parents left her when they died, not even to the gorgeous Rann Brogan who saved her life in the forest. Especially not after she finds out he was in the woods to survey her property.

Rann's mother owns Terra Care, a land development company. She wants Season's land to put up a strip of luxury condos along the lake. And she wants it bad. Although Rann works for his mother, he's never been close to her. To say they have a normal mother/son bond would be a big stretch. But now he realizes the cold, ruthless woman will go to any lengths to get what she wants and dispose of anyone who gets in her way.
​
Lives spiral out of control, secrets, lies and betrayal take center stage. Caught between his rich and powerful mother and the woman he loves, Rann is forced to make a choice. He soon realizes love is complicated...and in this case, lethal.
 
Available on All Venues:  https://books2read.com/u/3nYoz8​

Book Readers Buy Experiences Says Scifi Author Kayelle Allen

Good Morning, Booklovers!
 
It’s time for another Coffee Chat about books and authors. This week’s returning guest is Scifi Romance author Kayelle Allen. (Check out her prior blog appearances here:  https://allyshields.com/blog/coffee-chat-author-interview-kayelle-allen1 and https://allyshields.com/blog/coffee-chat-author-interview-kayelle-allen)
 
Welcome, Kayelle! While the magic pot whips up your usual mug of Starbucks coffee with cream and Stevia, please introduce yourself to new readers. About Kayelle Allen: 
Readers do not buy books. They buy experiences. When you read a Kayelle Allen Science Fiction Romance you have a great experience interacting with misbehaving robots, mythic heroes, role playing immortal gamers, and warriors who purr.
 
Something unique/unusual that isn't in your regular bio: “I grew up all over the country. Not a military family -- my parents had wanderlust. I have been to almost every state (except Hawaii) and even lived in Central America as a young child.”
 
Author Contacts:
 
Homeworld https://kayelleallen.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/kayelleallen
Facebook https://facebook.com/kayelleallen.author
Join one of Kayelle's Reader Groups. You can download four free books and get news about books coming soon. You can unsubscribe at any time. https://kayelleallen.com/reader-groups
INTERVIEW:
 
Ally:  How did you get your first book or story published?
 
KA:  I had joined an online critique group and one of the authors who critiqued my work offered to introduce me to her publisher (a small press). I submitted three chapters and within a few days had a contract. I finished the book in February, and it was released in April of that year. The story I'm sharing today is that story's prequel.
 
Ally: What do you think makes a good villain? What characteristics will make us love to hate him/her?
 
KA:  A good villain must be better than the hero. Yes, better. A villain who isn't better than the hero cannot give the hero enough challenge to make the story worthwhile. A villain must be complex, meaning more than just being bad for the sake of the story. Why is the villain doing what he or she is doing? Were they abused children? Are they avenging a wrongful death? What will they do if they win? There must be a reason beyond the moment, unless the villain plans to die in a blaze of glory. And, the villain must be believable--a character with depth.
 
Ally:  Do you use a professional editor? If not, what do you do to ensure a quality book?
 
KA:  I use several editors. I have beta readers, two critique groups, a developmental author (Lisa Lowe), a "story polisher" (Patricia McCabe Cook, who oversees structure and character emotional development among other things) and a professional content editor (Barb Caffrey). And even with all that, a book can go out and the day it releases you find a typo on page six. No one is perfect, but I believe in striving toward that goal.
 
Ally:  Do your characters come to you fully formed with names and backgrounds?
 
KA:  Once I have the name, I have the character. They might grow and change and surprise me, but often, I have their entire story immediately. That said, Pietas, the immortal king from the Bringer of Chaos series morphed from a villain to a noble hero. I won't spoil his story by revealing how. But yes, usually I have the whole person right at the beginning.
 
Ally: Do your book fans influence your writing? If so, in what way?
 
KA:  When someone tells me they like something, or they wish X would happen, I listen. I love to write. I love creating stories. But even more, I love it when people want to talk about my world and its people. I'm always excited when someone asks a question. I've added things to or eliminated things from later stories because of fan comments. I don't write in a bubble. I'm always glad to hear comments.
 
Ally: What's the most meaningful thing a reader could say about your book?
 
KA:  Recently one told me she was reading and heard a noise. When she looked up, she was surprised to find herself still in her world. Mentally and emotionally, she had walked right into mine.
 
 Ally:  Talk about your main characters. Are they likable? Do they have off-putting flaws or beliefs? Are they "good" people?
 
KA:  Two of the three main characters in Bro are professional thieves. But from page one, you know Senth is adorable. He's constantly bullied because he's only half human, and he struggles with his identity. He is at odds with his father, who understands him far better than Senth thinks). But at the end of the day, the guy makes a living by taking from other people.
Why should you like him? Because, like Senth, we have all been in places and situations where we felt we didn't belong. When he psychs himself up and rallies the courage to go through the door of the Thieves' Guild on page one, we are ready to go with him. It doesn't hurt that his sense of humor comes right into play. He goes through a litany of "maybes" that include being accepted and not being mocked, and then ends by telling himself, "Oh, and maybe the Empress would eliminate taxes, and while she was at it, free all the slaves. Because, sure. That could happen."
 
 Ally:  What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
 
KA:  Bro released at the beginning of April. It's the prequel to the Antonello Brothers series, which currently has two books. My next book is Watch Your Six. It's the third book in the Bringer of Chaos series. Then comes the re-release of Surrender Love and its new sequel, Surrender Trust. After that, the third Antonello Brothers book gets top priority. I have so many stories in my head that if I couldn’t die until I'd written them all, I would live forever.
 
Ally: Let’s see which quick answer questions you selected.
 
KA:a. Color of nail polish I have on - Zip. I don't wear polish, but I am a fanatic about clean, well-shaped nails.b. High heels or sneakers - I don't even own a pair of high heels.c. Favorite book boyfriend - Roarke from JD Robb's In Death series. (Ally comment: Ooh, He’s one of mine too!)d. Do I believe in love at first sight? - Absolutely. I married a man who swears it was love at first sight. After I met him, I never dated another man. We've been together 45 years.e. Something unique in my handbag - I carry a seat belt adjuster. It's a triangular shaped cloth device that slips over the seat belt. It keeps the belt in place over hips and shoulder. I'm short-waisted, so most belts go right across my neck. With this, I don't have to worry about it. I don't have to constantly adjust the belt.f. Typical breakfast - I eat the same thing almost every day. A dark chocolate almond Zone Perfect bar, Light N Fit fat free vanilla yogurt, and fresh fruit. I'm at my most creative in the morning, so I don't waste time trying to decide what to eat.  Ally:  It’s been a pleasure chatting with you, Kayelle. It’s now time to reveal your featured book. Bro, Antonello Brothers Prequel
Genre: Science Fiction/romance
Heat level: PG
 
The tech Senth is about to claim will make him invisible. Finally, the young halfbreed thief will be out of sight and far from the taunts humans throw at him. But when that tech reveals he has a human half-brother who's bound by a cruel slaver, Senth must find a way to win his brother's freedom and save him from abuse -- even though Senth is a slave himself.
What if invisibility wasn't magic? What if it was tech? When you can make yourself invisible, you reveal invisible truth.
 
Excerpt:
 
In this scene from Bro, Senth Antonello is in a place well familiar to readers on Coffee Time Romance -- a coffee shop. After getting an encrypted message from his father, a former head of the Thieves' Guild, Senth is trying to use the shop's back room to listen to it. One little problem that a thief of his caliber shouldn't have: he can't open the door.
---
Senth pulled out his lockpick and adjusted the settings. When he pointed it at the lock, the device signaled a lockout error and the tiny screen flashed nonsense letters at him.
What in the worlds did probata mean?
He twisted the tip of the pick and floated the stats as a holovid. Probata Corporation. Wasn't that the system his prof in Premium Fingersmithing ranted about? Something about useless upgrades and pointless codes. What did she say about a bypass trick?
"Think, Senth. You sat there listening to the woman fume for two solid wasted hours."
Oh, no he hadn't.
No, that was the day Senth had flaked out of classes and spent a full day at Planet Fun with his mates. He'd recorded it instead. But had he transcribed it to his code book?
Of course not. And didn't that make this encounter so much more fun? He pinched the bridge of his nose, but his father always did that so Senth stopped it at once.
Why was a lock on a coffee shop's storeroom door harder than a security system at the planet's busiest amusement park? What were they storing in there? The Empress's private coffee stash?
Curiosity over the message from his far-from-patient father burned through his mental pockets. Wait. His father. Surely, he'd have the new codes.
Yes, and then he'd want to know why Senth didn't and no way was he explaining to dear old Dad how he hacked into Planet Fun for "a planetful of fun" instead of going to class.
That fortune Dad paid for Senth to attend classes at the guild academy? Yeah, wasted a full day of it to impress a few girls, which was why he was calling needing a bail out.
No way was he going back to the front, stand right in front of a table full of professors, and do the Hey can I borrow your key thing.
Riiight.
He tried a few other codes, used a couple work-arounds and then trashed two premium override keys trying to wangle a back-way in.
"Forget this." Senth snapped the lockpick shut and got out his mobile. He tapped his first choice for help, the third name from the bottom of his contacts list. When his fellow thief answered, voice only, Senth wasted no time. "You got overrides for a Probata?"
"Excuse me? Who do you think you're talking to?" The woman never blinked in class. She listened, took no notes, never failed a test. "How bad you need it?"
Bad enough not to make a fool of himself in front of his professors. "Season ticket to Planet Fun. You can barter that for anything."
"Hmm." Clicking sounds in the background. Searching the value, most likely. "Stolen or purchased?"
"Excuse me?" Senth returned. "Who do you think you're talking to?"
She gave a throaty chuckle. "Send your code. I'll send mine."

Add this book on Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44777225-bro

Amazon Link:
 
Enjoy for ,99 or free on Kindle Unlimited https://books2read.com/u/bwqyAy

Laughter is Essential Says Author Linda O'Connor

Happy Wednesday, Booklovers!
 
It’s a fine Midwestern morning, a perfect day for a book chat. This week’s guest is author Linda O’Connor, who writes romantic comedy. Grab your drinks and pull up a chair.
 
Linda, it’s so nice to meet you. Would you like coffee or something else to drink?
 
LOC:  I like my coffee best when it’s mixed into a dense chocolate cake. It deepens the chocolate flavor – yum! :D I’ll have a raspberry smoothie instead.
 
Ally: Lol. My magic pot can make anything, so that raspberry smoothie will be ready in a moment. You just have time to tell readers something about yourself. Bio:
 
Award-winning author Linda O’Connor started writing romantic comedies when she needed a creative outlet other than subtly rearranging the displays at a local home décor store. Her books have enjoyed bestseller status. When not writing, she’s a physician at an Urgent Care Clinic. She shares her medical knowledge in fast-paced, well-written, sexy romances – with an unexpected twist. Her favorite prescription to write? Laugh every day. Love every minute.
 
Something unique that’s not in your regular bio: “I love to dance. I don’t have any formal dance training, but I pretty much dance every day even if it’s just wiggling my butt while I vacuum or do dishes.”
 
Author Contacts:
 
Website:  http://www.lindaoconnor.net
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/LindaOConnorAuthor
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/LindaOConnor98
Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/Linda-OConnor/e/B00S7CNLEA
Newsletter Sign up:  http://www.lindaoconnor.net/contact/ INTERVIEW:
 
Ally: Let’s get started by asking why you decided to write novels?
 
LOC: I’m a physician, and I started writing because I wanted to find a fun way to disseminate medical information and to educate and empower readers to take ownership of their health. Targeting a female audience with romance novels seemed like a good idea because women are usually the ones who see a doctor. (Males typically only go when a girlfriend/partner/spouse/mom encourages them to do so. :D) I write romantic comedies because I love being in a fun headspace when I’m writing. Plus, laughter is essential to great health!
 
Ally: Where do you find your story ideas?
 
LOC:  Everywhere! News stories, headlines, lyrics of songs, watching people, and listening to snippets of conversation all inspire my imagination. Even my own quirky characteristics, like wanting to know the ending of a movie or a book, or judging drivers by the color of their car have ended up in a story. Delivering a baby (well I’ve delivered a few, but delivering my nephew when I didn’t expect to) crept into my writing in Perfectly Honest. I love the challenge of creating the storyline and figuring out how I’m going to make things happen - with humor and a bit of the unexpected thrown in.
 
Ally:  Do your characters come to you fully formed with names and backgrounds?

LOC:  I usually come up with the storyline first – what the beginning, middle, and end of the story look like and then I start to ponder the characters. I try to have a pretty good sense of them, and I can’t start writing until I’ve nailed down their names. The male names are the hardest because I have 3 sons, and they have a lot of friends. The name can’t remind me of anyone I know.
 
Ally: What inspired you to write the book we're featuring today?
 
LOC:  Time for the Doctor was a fun project. I joined a group of nine other authors and we all wrote a romance set in Copper Mills, Arizona. I loved the idea of characters from the other books popping in for a visit and readers getting to know and love the small town.
 
Ally: Stepping away from writing for a moment... if you could have any supernatural power or ability, what would it be? Why?
 
LOC:  The ability to teleport would be very cool! Worrying about icy roads, delayed flights, and long train rides would be a thing of the past. What a time saver and imagine not having to find a parking space, ever. I can dig it.
 
Ally: Are you ready for a few short answer questions?a. An item on your bucket list:  I’d like to see the Aurora borealis. b. Favorite place to write:  Outsidec. Something unique in your handbag:  A CPR keychain with a mask and glovesd. Fav accessory:  Earrings (because I can make them!)e.  High heels or sneakers:  Definitely sneakersf.  Fav quote: It ain’ t no use putting up your umbrella till it rains. Alice Caldwell Rice (So simple, but excellent advice – don’t be worrying about something that may not happen!) Ally: You’ve been a delightful guest, Linda. Before we have to let you go, please show us your featured book... ​Time for the Doctor: A Copper Mills Novella
Genre: Medical Romantic Comedy 
Heat rating 16+
 
Come visit Copper Mills, Arizona - a small town with a heart as big as the wide-open spaces and a history of making dreams come true.
 
Dr. Tash Bannon, the only internist at Copper Mills General Hospital, is a workaholic. After a couple of patient complaints, the board of directors realizes Tash needs a break and “suggests” he take a three-month vacation.
 
Dr. Melissa Sinclair is a single mom, and her adopted son comes first in her life. She’s used to the hustle of a big city hospital but takes the job to cover for Tash hoping to expose her son to his Hopi ancestry during their time in Copper Mills.
 
Tash resents having to take time off – and has an even harder time staying away now that Melissa is around. Now he just has to decide which is more important: his job or Melissa?
 
Make time for the doctor…especially if she’s the love of your life.
 
Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JLKJK3F
Trailer Link:  https://youtu.be/852yLUtDjQ8 Thanks for stopping. Come back soon!

Cozy Mystery Author Dianne Ascroft Wants You to Step in and Stay a While

Happy Spring, Booklovers!
 
Spring has sprung in the Midwest (although we’ve had snow before into April, so anything could still happen). While the weather is putting smiles on our faces, let’s welcome this week’s guest author, Dianne Ascroft.
 
It’s great to meet you, Dianne! What may I get you to drink?
 
DA:  I’m very fond of caramel lattes but they’re a treat – I couldn’t drink them several times a day. My usual beverage is tea with just enough milk to turn it to the colour of a fawn’s coat.
 
Ally: Since this is a special occasion, I’ll fix that caramel latte while you introduce yourself to readers. :) Bio:
 
Hello everyone. I’m Dianne Ascroft. I grew up in Toronto, Canada and moved to Britain almost three decades ago. I’ve been gradually downsizing from city to town to countryside until I’m now settled on a farm in rural Northern Ireland with my husband and an assortment of strong willed animals. I enjoy the outdoors so when the household chores are completed (my least favourite part of life) and I’m not writing, I go for long walks and also spend time with our pets.
 
I wrote historical fiction, often with an Irish connection, for several years before veering off into cozy mysteries. A Timeless Celebration is the first book in the Century Cottage Cozy Mysteries series, and my first book set in my homeland. Writing stories set in Canada has been a nostalgic journey for me and I’m enjoying every minute of it.
 
My previous fiction works include The Yankee Years series of novels and short reads, set in Northern Ireland during the Second World War; An Unbidden Visitor (a tale inspired by Fermanagh’s famous Coonian ghost); Dancing Shadows, Tramping Hooves: A Collection of Short Stories (contemporary tales), and an historical novel, Hitler and Mars Bars, which explores Operation Shamrock, a little known Irish Red Cross humanitarian endeavour.
 
Something unique/unusual that isn't in your regular bio: “Since I was a child I’ve loved Irish and Scottish traditional music, and for more than two decades, I played the Scottish bagpipes. I loved playing and competing with a pipe band in parades and piping contests in Canada, Northern Ireland and Scotland.”
 
Author contact links:
 
Website and blog: www.dianneascroft.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DianneAscroftwriter
Twitter: www.twitter.com/DianneAscroft
Mailerlite Newsletter signup: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/y1k5c3
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1357575.Dianne_Ascroft INTERVIEW:
 
Ally: Why did you decide to write this week’s featured book?
 
DA:  One of the things that draws readers to a cozy mystery is a place that appeals to them. It’s important that the place where the story is set beckons to readers to step in and stay a while. When I found a real place to inspire my fictional town the Century Cottage Cozy Mystery series was born.
 
The specific seed that sowed A Timeless Celebration, my first cozy mystery in the series, was a random thought that popped into my head. I don’t know where the idea came from, but one day I suddenly had a quirky idea for where a stolen watch could be hidden. Then I worked back from that idea to decide why the watch was important, where it was stolen from, and how and why my main character, Lois Stone, would search for it and get it back. That one random thought about where it might be possible to hide a stolen item got my imagination working and A Timeless Celebration was the result.
 
Ally: Let’s talk about your main characters. Are they “good” and likable? Do they have off-putting flaws or beliefs? Is it important for them to be real or relatable?
 
DA:  Lois Stone, the main character in A Timeless Celebration, is definitely one of my favourite characters in this book. Though I have to admit that I may have a bit of a crush on her quiet friend, Bruce, because I can just imagine his soulful eyes. But back to Lois. In many ways, though not entirely, she is very like me so I feel an affinity with her. After years of doing detailed historical research for my previous books, I decided that my first cozy mystery wouldn’t involve a huge amount of research. So as I created Lois, I deliberately used some of my own likes and dislikes to make her real. That made it very easy for me to bring her to life, and since she has so much in common with me, we ‘hit it off’ and are great friends.  
 
She is someone who is dependable and trustworthy with firm standards. I wanted her to be believable rather than larger than life, and her struggle with grief after the death of her husband and her determination to get involved in her new community, despite her shyness, are challenges that I think will resonate with many readers.  
 
Ally:  Have you written or considered writing in other genres or other forms, such as short stories or screenplays? Why or why not. Would they be easier, harder, or just different?
 
DA:  Yes, I wrote Second World War fiction, set in Northern Ireland, for several years before I ventured into cozy mysteries. My World War II series The Yankee Years has seven novellas in it to date. I’ve also released a contemporary short story collection as well as a couple other historical novellas and novels.
 
I love setting stories in the past but it requires much more detailed research than setting stories in the present does. This adds to the time and work involved in writing the book. Since historical accuracy isn’t a consideration, I feel like I can be more spontaneous when writing contemporary mysteries and that is a nice change. I don’t think I’ll ever abandon historical fiction but it’s good for my creativity to switch back and forth between historical and contemporary stories as each utilises my creative process in a different way.
 
Ally:  What three books in your genre would you recommend to fans (after they’ve read your books, of course!).
 
DA:  I’m a great fan of Leighann Dobbs’ writing. Her Mystic Notch series that features a bookshop owner and Pandora, her cat that has paranormal abilities, completely drew me into it. They have captivating characters and interesting plots, and I’m always on the lookout for the next in the series.
 
Astoria Wright’s Faerie Apothecary Cozy Mysteries also intrigued me as the stories intertwined the lives of human and mythical beings on an imaginary island. I loved the nods to Irish myth that are found throughout the books.
 
Kassandra Lamb’s Kate on Vacation collection also sticks in my mind. The mysteries are compelling reading and I like the husband and wife duo working together to solve mysteries in exotic locations. The books are good, solid mysteries without too much gore.
 
Ally:  What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
 
DA:  I’m continuing the Century Cottage Cozy Mysteries series. Since I’m convinced that the real town Fenwater is based on is the perfect place to set a cozy mystery, I want to write more stories set in my fictional version of it. So that’s my plan for the immediate future: to write the second book in the Century Cottage Mysteries series and the next one and the next one…Book 2 should be ready to release in early autumn.
 
I’m also working on a prequel novella to the series, Out of Options, set in 1983 in the last area of Toronto to still prohibit the sale of alcohol (continuing without a break from before even the days of Prohibition in the 1930s), to give readers a glimpse into Lois Stone’s life before she moved to Fenwater, and reveal what prompted her move to the small town. It will be available in April.
 
Ally: Please give me your quick answers to the following:a. book you're currently reading:  "I always have a ‘stack’ of books waiting on my Kindle but the one I’m currently reading is Her Hidden Life by V.S. Alexander, a gripping story about a young woman who becomes an unwilling ‘taster’ for Hitler to ensure he does not eat poisoned food. I’m also reading The Agora Letters Volume 2 by Clay Boutwell. It’s a great, old fashioned mystery collection in the tradition of Sherlock Holmes."b. favorite tv show:  "Grantchester and Cold Feet. They are set in different eras but both are very much about the characters and that always appeals to me."c. high heels or sneakers:  "Definitely sneakers. I’m not a particularly girly woman and I couldn’t enjoy a long walk along a country lane in high heels."d. Do you believe in love at first sight?  "No, attraction yes, and there’s nothing wrong with that. You have to start somewhere. But love grows as you get to know someone and share good and bad times with them."e. What comes to your first - character or plot?  "The plot. Quirky ideas occur to me and then I start to ponder them and put the pieces together until I’ve built them into a story. Once I have an idea where a story is going, I figure out who needs to be part of it." Ally: Thanks so much for visiting, Dianne. Before you go, please show us your featured book.

A Timeless Celebration (A Century Cottage Cozy Mystery)
Genre: cozy mystery
Rating: PG (budding romance/no romantic or sexual scenes)
 
A small town, a big party, a stolen gift. When an artefact from the Titanic is stolen before her town’s 150th anniversary celebration, it’s up to Lois Stone to catch the thief. 

Middle-aged widow Lois has moved from bustling Toronto to tranquil Fenwater and is settling into her new life away from the dangers of the city. Then two events happen that shatter her serenity: her house is burgled and an antique watch belonging to a Titanic survivor is stolen from the local museum. Her best friend, Marge, was responsible for the watch’s safekeeping until its official presentation to the museum at the town’s 150th anniversary party, and its disappearance will jeopardise her job and the museum’s future. Lois won’t let her friend take the blame and the consequences for the theft. She’s determined to find the watch in time to save her best friend’s job, the museum’s future and the town’s 150th anniversary celebration. 



​
Buy links:
 
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Timeless-Celebration-Century-Cottage-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B07HF847NN
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Timeless-Celebration-Century-Cottage-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B07HF847NN

The Unique Voice of Edgy YA Author Missye K Clarke

Good Morning, Booklovers!
 
Signs of Spring have finally arrived in the Midwest. On this fine day, I’d like to welcome author Missye K. Clarke to the Coffee Chat. How do you take your coffee, Missye?
 
MkC: I adore Melitta extra dark European Roast regular (that's milk w/ 2 sugars for those of you in #RioLinda and what we from NYC call a coffee regular), or a fantastic Turkish espresso shot in a super-hot cappuccino. When not in the mood for a smooth joe, my Mrs. Tea go-to is Harney & Sons (at your local Barnes & Noble or harneyandsons.com) Earl Grey Imperial with bergamot.
 
Ally: While my magic pot is brewing that Melitta, please introduce yourself to readers. Bio:
 
An imagination too vast for conventional media and fueled by her father’s cold case homicide, Missye K. Clarke loves mapping her Casebooks and Threesome of Magic Mysteries, drafting haikus, and finding rare, original plots and storylines to craft flash fiction. The transplanted New Yorker, and creator of Maroon The Sleuth Books LLC imprint, resides in central Pennsylvania with her husband and son, a senior-but-still-rumbustious Australian cattle dog, a “Jackson 5” clutch of cats, and an occasional groundhog drop-in.
 
Something unique about you that isn’t in your regular bio: “This is a sweet memory I’d forgotten about. During summer camp in the late 1970s, a darling girlfriend was going through a nasty break-up. Every night before the camp powered down, the director or counselor-in-chief gave the closing address followed by “Taps.” After “Taps” I asked and got permission if I could sing something for my friend—the choice was poetry from E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web a book narrator sung a cappella and I’d memorized. Trust: when you’re singing something that hits you emotionally, it took a lot then to not break. In the shower of applause I got from every camp and staff attendee--which sounded like distant applause, to my big surprise--I went back to my cabin, and she cried a good five minutes on my shoulder that I cared as I did. She was awesome, and I wanted to do it. Unintended consequences: her ex was pretty much treated like an outcast for the rest of camp.”
 
Author contacts:
 
Keep up with Ms. Clarke’s (Mis)adventures at @MaroonTheSleuth on gab.com or email her at maroonsclues@gmail.com. INTERVIEW:
 
Ally: Tell us what kind of books you write.
 
MKC:  My featured book, Jersey Dogs: McGuinness/Pedregon Casebook, is an edgy YA mystery/suspense novel—a bit more so than the average bears out now, and definitely not suited for the younger readers. I wouldn’t call this book of the commercial variety—more like indie/renegade/rebel-ish, if this makes sense.
 
 Ally: What's the best writing/marketing advice you’ve been given?
 
MKC:  Just because something’s worked for somebody else, doesn’t mean it will for me. Don’t be afraid to strike out on your own—and be willing not only to make mistakes, but think outside of the marketing box with your books. You write un-formulaically, so market them much the same way. No two books are/should be alike, so no two marketing ways should be, or can be, either.
 
Ally:   What is your favorite social media? Why?
 
MKC:  Generally I don't like social media--you can't be perceived as your true self behind a computer and cyberspace. But GAB (www.gab.com, an ad-free social network dedicated to preserving individual liberty, the freedom of speech, and the free flow of information on the internet) is my platform of choice, as is. When I get decent video equipment, www.brighteon.com. I don’t like injecting my views/stances into my fiction—my characters do hold most of my beliefs and stances, but none of us are preachy about it—but in the skein of the late Nat Hentoff, he made it work with his columns and his The Day They Came To Arrest the Book and Free Speech for Me, But Not for Thee books. As an author, I have to allow room for myself and my characters to offer social commentary a bit in the stories when warranted. Kids have opinions, but they don’t always have to share those stances with their parents, society, their friends, family members, or even whom they’re in love with. If they see me as an author, and in my characters holding to their beliefs they share, they can relate to somebody else feeling in solidarity as they do, whichever side they’re on.

I don’t like Twitter or the other known social media platforms; in wake of Hentoff’s Free Speech for Me read, those platforms banned speech/tried to de-person news organizations and individuals posting links and their thoughts disagreeing with the mainstream. That’s wrong. The First Amendment protects ALL speech, even that which that bothers you. 
 
Ally:  What’s the most meaningful thing a fan could say about your book?
 
MKC:  That Casper and Logan being sons of a hooker/john union are as an important part of life and society as in say, a child having been conceived violently, or one on drugs, or a child in the gears of the foster care system. Their births are always important—and if someone ever came to me to tell me thank you for giving validation of this being a part of culture not ever addressed—boys of these unions more so than girls of these unions being lifted up—I’d say thank you. I’d turn away and cry. Most important to me: I did my job. And I couldn’t be more proud of the McGuinness cousins for being so courageous to share their story, and trusting me enough to be that vessel to make it a novel.
 
Ally:  What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
 
MKC:  Other than my other mysteries strictly For 21 & Over Only, following up with Casebook #1, of course. Kingz of Caspian County, due in 2019, brings the reader into the middle of a hazy, hot, and humid—and deep blackout—New York City. But this doesn’t matter when The Big Apple’s San Gennero Festival carnival-like atmosphere helps New Yorkers forget their blackout-related stresses for a while. And like a NYPD chaplain’s death and a dunk tank pitch, on the surface means nothing in the slightest . . . but when Casper, Logan, Jay Vincent, and a motley crüe cast are pulled into a citywide mystery having more twists in it than a warm New York pretzel they could lose their lives in, if the why behind the chaplain’s murder come to light.
 
Ally: Let’s see your responses to these quick answer question:a. an author (living or dead) you'd love to take to lunch:  Impossible to pick just one, sorry :)! Mark Twain, George Dawson, Jackie Collins, Sue Grafton, Gary K. Wolf, D.J. MacHale, C.S. Lewis, and Judy Blume. b. favorite tv show:  Long Island Medium and anything Leah Remini’s in.c. favorite accessoryz:  Watches and backpack purses.d. favorite book boyfriend(s): Three: Casper and Logan McGuinness, and Cooper Foley of the Morpheus Road trilogy.e. What are your hobbies?  Anything affording me more learning—I LOVE it! I’m teaching myself acoustic, looking forward to hopefully taking classes in this, and when I can find the space/time, revisit playing the piano. But right now, I’m singing, have been since I was 4, and cannot believe I’ll be singing for a half damn century!!!Ally: Thanks for visiting the blog, Missye. Good luck with your career. Before you go, please tell us more about your featured book, Jersey Dogs. Jersey Dogs, McGuinness/Pedregon Casebook #1
Genre: YA/mystery/suspense
Rating: Edgy, not for younger readers
 
Two adopted cousins. Two mysterious prostitutes. And a biologic father wants both sons dead.
Casper's and Logan McGuinness's junior year opens with a bloodstained, unexpected contact and an eerie text coming to pass. While Enzo and Angela de Francisci's stubbornly refuse to explain the boys' biologic parents' backstories, the cousins dig into their pasts in stealth, only to unravel a sordid history meant to stay unknown and bigger than they realized. The first of several attempts on the boys' lives reveals a desk clerk's true identity, and conversations with a former john, lands Casper and Logan on the streets of New York and respite from a former madam. Through an intricate tale of loyalty, humor, first love, and discovering trust and sacrifice, Jersey Dogs Casper and Logan venture into the personal and collective unknown to stop a brutal killer and a network of thugs from fulfilling a murderous to-do list—and learning to trust one another so they'll stay two steps ahead of alive. 
 
Buy Links:
 
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Jersey-Dogs-McGuinness-Pedregon-Casebook-ebook/dp/B07G3GN2G8/
 
JERSEY DOGS is available on Amazon, BN, iTunes, Kobo, Scribd, and most fine e-retailers near you.
 
Coming in the series:
 
Kingz of Caspian County, McGuinness/Pedregon Casebook #2, Mid 2019.
Astoria Foxe One, McGuinness/Pedregon Casebook #3, Mid 2020.
Owl Rocka the Rockaways, McGuinness/Pedregon Casebook #4, Mid 2021.

Guest Post from Multi-Genre Author Debbie De Louise

Good Morning, Booklovers!

Many authors have books among their own writings that hold special meaning for them. Author Debbie De Louise shares her favorite in this guest article. (see also her previous Coffee Chat interview: August 15, 2018.) 

Without further ado, I'm going to turn the blog over to her. Debbie, it's all yours! The Meaning of Life, Death, and Cats in my Novel,
Cloudy Rainbow
By Debbie De Louise​      It’s a pleasure to be here again on Ally Shield’s Coffee Chat. Today, I’d like to talk about my paranormal romance, Cloudy Rainbow. This was the first book I published back in 2008. I self-published it through Booklocker.com. Recently, I republished it with Solstice Publishing in a 10th-anniversary edition. While the edits are fresh, the story remains basically the same.
​     It follows computer programmer Dulcie Mills starting on the anniversary of her fiancee’s death in a car crash in which she was present. To cope with her loss, Dulcie becomes involved in a virtual world on her computer and befriends an online stranger. As the story progresses, a clairvoyant Dulcie meets through a girlfriend makes some strange predictions that start to come true. Dulcie’s past and present begin to merge and culminate in a virtual séance. (photo: my avator in Rainbow Gardens with photo of Floppy on pet memorial board)      I wrote Cloudy Rainbow after my 15-year-old cat passed away. It will always be a special book to me. Not only does it feature my cat Floppy, but it goes back to the time I worked as secretary and Features Editor in college on the C.W. Post Pioneer newspaper. It also includes a virtual world similar to Second Life that I’d become involved in at that time to meet fellow librarians around the world. After Floppy died, I created and still maintain a virtual pet memorial center in SL called Rainbow Gardens where I display photos of real-life pets that people have lost. Both Floppy and my cat Oliver who died last November are featured there.
     I think that some of the themes I approach in the book, although the characters and happenings are fictional, touch on universal questions most of us have about life and death. Without bringing up religious beliefs, I believe a line from the blurb is significant: “When you lose a loved one, whether it’s a relative, friend, or precious pet, you wonder where that special soul has gone and if you will ever see him or her again.”
​       Here’s the booktrailer I created for Cloudy Rainbow: https://youtu.be/brucBve3sGs
​
Buy Links:  eBook & Kindle Unlimited: mybook.to/CR2
Paperback: mybook.to/CRpaper About the Author:

Debbie De Louise is an award-winning author and a reference librarian at a public library on Long Island. She is a member of International Thriller Writers, Sisters-in-Crime, the Long Island Authors Group, and the Cat Writer’s Association. She has a BA in English and an MLS in Library Science from Long Island University.

Her novels include the four books of the Cobble Cove cozy mystery series published by Solstice Publishing: A Stone's Throw, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Written in Stone and Love on the Rocks. Debbie has also published a romantic comedy novella featuring a jewel heist caper, When Jack Trumps Ace, a standalone mystery, Reason to Die, and has written articles and short stories for several anthologies of various genres.

She lives on Long Island with her husband Anthony; daughter Holly; and Cats Stripey, Harry, and Hermione.

Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debbie.delouise.author/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Deblibrarian
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2750133.Debbie_De_Louise
Amazon Author Page: Author.to/DebbieDeLouise

Author Interview with Mystery Writer Catherine Maiorisi

Welcome to the Coffee Chat!
 
Join me in talking books with this week’s guest author, mystery writer Catherine Maiorisi. Thanks for coming out in the cold weather, Catherine. How do you take your coffee?
 
CM: I love coffee. One of my early memories is sniffing the freshly ground Eight O’ Clock coffee my mother would bring home from the A&P. And happily, even at that young age I was allowed to have coffee in the morning. But then I took it with milk and sugar.
Somewhere along the way, in high school, maybe college, my taste changed and I started drinking it black, no sugar. Now unless it’s strong, espresso strength, and hot, I won’t drink it.
 
 Until I’ve had a cup of coffee in the morning, I’m like a sleepwalker. Generally, I drink about four cups while reading the New York Times and eating breakfast. I might have a cup or two at lunch but I rarely have coffee in the evening unless I’m out to dinner. And then I’ll have an espresso, maybe a double, and stay up late reading.
 
Ally:  More power to you! I’m a natural night owl. If I drank espresso at night, I’m afraid I’d be up for 24 hours. :) While I pour our drinks, please tell readers about your background. 
Bio:
 
Catherine Maiorisi lives in New York City and often writes under the watchful eye of Edgar Allan Poe in Edgar’s Café near her apartment.
 
Catherine has published two NYPD Detective Chiara Corelli mysteries, A Matter of Blood and The Blood Runs Cold. She has also published three mystery short stories. The latest, “Love, Secrets, and Lies” is included in Murder New York Style: Where Crime Never Sleeps, a New York/Tri-State Sisters in Crime anthology.
 
In addition to her mysteries, Catherine has published two full-length romances and four short stories. Her third full-length romance will be published in the fall 2019.
 
Catherine is the President of the New York/Tri-State chapter of Sisters in Crime and an active member of the New York chapter of Mystery Writers of America. She is also a member of Romance Writers of America.

Something unique/unusual that isn't in your regular bio: “I’m an activist. It seems I’m asked to assume a leadership position in any group I become a part of. It took a while but I’ve learned to say no unless it’s something I really want to do.”
 
Author Contacts:
 
Website:  http://www.catherinemaiorisi.com
 Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Catherine-Maiorisi/e/B00ML119ZQ
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CathMaiorisi INTERVIEW: 

Ally: What type of books do you write?
 
CM:  My mysteries (including today’s featured book) about NYPD detectives are considered police procedurals, though I see them more as character-driven mysteries. Both Chiara Corelli books contain light f/f romance and flirtation.
My romance novels, on the other hand, have some graphic sex scenes.
  
Ally:  Why did you start writing? Why fiction? What keeps you writing?
 
CM:  Unless you count some of the reports I was obliged to write when I was a management consultant, I’d never written any fiction. And I was sure I had no imagination. So I challenged myself to write a novel. I wasn’t thinking of publishing, only of testing myself. But, even though I’d been a huge reader my entire life I didn’t have the vaguest idea of how to start. The more I thought about it, the more I realized I needed help. So, as I do for most things, I turned to books. I actually spent nine months reading every book on writing that I could find.
One day I sat at my computer and started writing what I had decided would be a mystery. And realized, I had a pretty good idea of how to write it, but no idea of how to structure it, how to pull all the pieces together. Then, Elizabeth George, my favorite writer at the time, published her book Write Away, which described her approach to writing her mysteries. And the final pieces fell into place for me. From that point, I was off and running.
I continue to write because I enjoy the process. For me, writing is like meditating. I enter a world that’s only in my head and everything else fades for me. I don’t hear music or voices, I don’t get hungry, I don’t move for long periods of time (not a good idea so I have to set an alarm to remind myself to stand and walk). And I love the fact that I do have an imagination, that I have lots and lots of stories that I want to tell.
 
Ally:  Talk about your main characters. Are they likable? Do they have off-putting flaws or beliefs? Are they “good” people? Is it important for them to be real or relatable?
 
CM:  NYPD Detective Chiara Corelli is troubled at the beginning of the series. But she’s dealing with a lot. She’s served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, the last being a year-long mission to train Afghani police. When she returned to the NYPD she was still reeling from watching her partner killed but agreed to the undercover assignment from hell, exposing a ring of dirty cops.
Now she’s being ostracized by her colleagues and a requirement of getting back to investigating homicides is she work with a bodyguard, NYPD Detective P.J. Parker. Corelli is agitated and nasty to Parker who fluctuates between taking it and fighting back. Corelli doesn’t understand why she’s so nasty to Parker. Parker thinks Corelli has PTSD.
There’s a fine line between a flawed character and a likeable character. I believe I’ve walked that line with Corelli. I hope the fact that she’s a good, hardworking, family person who tries to do the right thing and fights for what she believes in balances out her aggressive behavior toward Parker.
Parker has her own issues but the fact that she sees through Corelli’s anger and cares about her shows Parker in a better light than Corelli.
To me, they both are likeable because they are both human.
And I do think it’s important for characters to be real and relatable. To me Corelli and Parker are very real and very relatable. I hope readers see them the way I do.
 
Ally:  What's the best writing/marketing advice you’ve been given?
 
CM:  One of the first books on writing that I read, You Can Write a Mystery by Gillian Roberts, contained Fifteen Commandments For Mystery Writers Who Want To Be Published. It’s been about fifteen years since I first read them but each one of the commandments still resonates with me today. Perhaps the most important for me was: 
“II. Thou shalt begin and keep going till you ‘re through.
All beginnings are hard. The beginning of a novel is the hardest part to write. The beginning of each chapter is hard. The beginning of each day’s work is hard. Knowing that, grit your teeth and get past those beginnings. Then finish the book. Nothing is more discouraging than an unfinished piece of work. Writing is rewriting. Let that give you confidence as you stumble along—you can and will make it better after you finish a draft.”
I took from this: it’s not easy but keep your butt in the chair and keep writing until you have a first draft. Then rewrite and rewrite until it’s the best you can make it. It’s how I work.
                  
Ally:   Have you written or considered writing in other genres or other forms, such as short stories or screenplays? Why or why not. Would they be easier, harder, or just different?
 
CM:  Actually my first publication was a mystery short story. And, the short story I wrote in order to understand the background of the love interest in the NYPD Detective Chiara Corelli mysteries, turned out to be a romance. I had not ever read or written a romance so I was surprised when it was accepted for publication in a Best Romance anthology. That story sparked my interest in romance. So far I’ve had two romance novels published and a third will be out in the fall 2019. I’ve also published additional mystery and romance short stories.
Writing short stories is very different than writing novels, but I don’t find them harder. The same for romances and mysteries. They are very different, both have a lot of conventions, and I enjoy writing both.
 
Ally:  What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
 
CM:  I’ve just started the third in the NYPD Chiara Corelli Mystery series. And I’m writing another romance. I hope both will be published in 2020. I have a completed family drama novel that I also expect to be published in 2020.
 
Ally: Now for a few quick answer questions:  Book you're currently reading:  “I’m nearing the end of The Widows of Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey. It’s an historical mystery that takes place in Bombay, India in the early 1900s. I love to read history and I adore historical mysteries if they are done well. And this one is.” An author (living or dead) you'd love to take to lunch:  “Michele Obama. I’m fascinated by her, her remarkable life, her grace and courage in the face of harsh treatment by some based on nothing but the color of her skin.” An item on your bucket list:  “I would love to live in a small town in Italy for three months, reinforcing my mediocre Italian, making friends with neighbors, learning to cook the local cuisine. And mixing quiet days writing with travel in the area.”Do you believe in love at first sight? “I do. If you’d have asked me before I started writing romances I might have said no but there’s something about imagining the circumstance that bring two people together and having them fall in love that’s changed my mind. Maybe it’s the idea (or is it a fantasy) that some are destined to be together? Or maybe I’ve become a romantic as I get older.”What comes to you first - character or plot? “Rarely plot. The beauty of writing for me is discovering the characters and the story as it unfolds. I do little or no pre-planning. Before I start writing, I might have a character, a scene, a snippet of dialogue, an image or a voice in my head but when I sit down in front of a blank screen and begin to write I have no idea where I’m headed or how I’m going to get there.” Ally: It’s been a pleasure meeting you, Catherine. Before you leave, please show us your featured book/new release.
​The Blood Runs Cold (A Chiara Corelli Mystery #2) 
Genre: police procedural / f/f romance
Heat rating: flirtation/no sex scenes

Still battling each other and the blue wall, NYPD Detectives Chiara Corelli and P.J. Parker catch a new murder case. The victim, a gay man, is posed with a rosary in his hands, the smell of incense in the air and Gregorian chants playing in the background. 

While Corelli and Parker search for leads, Kate Burke, the lesbian Speaker of the City Council asks for an update on the investigation. Thinking Burke is playing politics, Corelli ignores the request. In the meantime, two more bodies are found, both laid out in the same way. 

Pressured by the chief, Corelli goes to Kate’s office where a photograph of the speaker with a group of friends catches her eye. Corelli recognizes the three victims and, to her horror, three others. Suddenly the case becomes personal. 

Fearing a serial killer is picking off the people in the photograph, fearing the next victim will be someone she loves, Corelli races to find the murderer before he kills again. 
 
Buy Link:
 
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Runs-Chiara-Corelli-Mystery/dp/1642470260/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1548438894&sr=8-3&keywords=the+blood+runs+cold