Ally Shields's Blog, page 29

Author Interview with Mystery/Thriller Writer Augustine Sam

Welcome, Booklovers!

​Grab that much needed coffee this morning and join me in meeting mystery/thriller writer, Augustine Sam.
Good morning, Augustine. How do you take your coffee?

AS:  ​I like my coffee extra-strong with a smidgen of sugar. Normally, I drink espresso - the traditional Italian coffee - now and then, depending on my mood, I like to have it ‘corrected’ with a shot of grappa (the grape-based brandy of Italian origin), which is the kind of coffee Italians call “caffè corretto”). 

Ally: Ah, I see. Like I occasionally "correct" with Baileys! :) While I fix our drinks, please introduce yourself to readers.   Author bio:
 
Augustine Sam is a journalist by profession, a novelist by choice, and a poet by chance. A member of the U.K. Chartered Institute of Journalists, he was formerly Special Desk editor at THISDAY newspapers, an authoritative Third World daily, first published with the Financial Times of London. He later became a correspondent for central Europe. In addition to pursuing hard news, he fell in love with poetry the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once. He was the winner of the Editors’ Choice Award in the North America Open Poetry Contest organized by the National Library of Poetry, USA. And his poetry collection, Flashes of Emotion, was a finalist in the International Book Award Contest.
 
Something unique/unusual that isn’t in your regular bio: I’m fascinated by ancient architecture. By that I mean I have a somewhat childlike excitement about it. In fact, the sight of those magnificent, primal constructions, and tales of ancient civilizations always fill me with awe. I don’t know about other people but I find the mathematical precision by which measurements, structural dimensions, and space were figured out in an era where there were no computers to be inspiring.
Not surprisingly, therefore, my travel destinations are often determined by the prospect of such relics-themed sightseeing.
  
Author contacts:
 
 Website:         https://www.augustinesam.com/
 Blog:              https://authorsuite.blogspot.com/
 Facebook:       https://www.facebook.com/austin.sam001/
 Google +:       https://plus.google.com/+AugustineSam01
 Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1831067.Augustine_Sam
 Pinterest:        https://www.pinterest.com/austinsam001/ INTERVIEW:

Ally:   Where do you get your story ideas?
 
AS: I sometimes get story ideas from events I have witnessed or from bizarre stories I’ve heard and sometimes my story ideas are figments of my imagination. But the idea for The Conspiracy of Silence came from a radio play I wrote when I was a student. It was a half-hour radio drama that revolved around a murder that threatened the career of a very successful musician. As it turned out, his sister who was the only one that knew of his innocence could not, due to an intricate chain of events, prove it. When the play was aired, I felt it was too short to convey the kind of emotion that should naturally accompany a tense plot such as that. So, years later, I developed the plot into a mystery/thriller novel complete with legal intrigues and all the accompanying drama that was missing in the radio play.
    
Ally:   How did you get that first book or story published?
 
AS: My debut novel, Take Back the Memory, was rejected by several literary agents and big-name publishers because, as one of them told me, “I had no name.” For someone who didn’t understand the industry, it was very unsettling for me because I had no idea how to go about “getting a name,” and it shattered the notion I had in my head that writers were published because they had a talent and their books had potential, not because they had a name. After years of querying agents and publishers, I decided to take a break and concentrate on my day job - journalism. Eventually, a small press in the state of Minnesota accepted the book and published it without a fanfare and, consequently, without the commercial success I had hoped for. But the process opened my eyes to the possibility of self-publishing. I haven’t looked back since.
 
Ally:   Why did you start writing? Why fiction? What keeps you writing?
 
AS: I started writing because I love storytelling and because it offers me a unique opportunity to reach people, which is a big deal for an introvert like me. Actually, I had a passion for writing even as a kid. I remember that while some of my friends kept toys, I kept piles of notebooks where I created stories mainly for the pleasure of my two sisters who, by the way, were my first real fans and readers. Why fiction? Well, we read fiction sometimes to ‘escape’ and sometimes we do so to be entertained and be informed because fiction, in manifold ways, gives us valuable insights into many of life’s realities. What keeps me writing is the desire to tap into that reality.
 
Ally:   What three books in your genre would you recommend to fans (after they’ve read your books, of course!)
 
AS: I would recommend (1) Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow (2) Split Second by David Baldacci & (3) Tears of God by Steven F. Freeman
 
Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
 
AS: My next writing project is a trilogy - a literary thriller with romantic elements. I can’t say more at this time. Though the first part is now in the editing stage, I’m unable to proffer an anticipated release date because I haven’t laid the groundwork for it yet.
 
Ally:  Are you ready for some quick answer questions?a. favorite book - The Collected Oscar Wildeb. an author (living or dead) you'd love to take to lunch - Agatha Christiec. favorite tv show - Breaking Badd. favorite song - “Dignity” by Bob Dylane. favorite quote - “Be yourself; everyone else is taken.” - Oscar WildeAlly: It has been a pleasure chatting with you, Augustine. Before you go, please show us your featured book, The Conspiracy of Silence.

The Conspiracy of Silence
by Augustine Sam

A ‘hypnotic’ political thriller…with an epic courtroom showdown.
 
The conscience of a town steeped in sexism, vanity, and hypocrisy is pricked by the brutal murder of a mysterious woman in a park in Los Angeles. But the shock is transformed into a steamy, seductive scandal when the corpse turns out to be Susan Whitaker, the flamboyant wife of the governor of California.
 
An intricate shuffle of accumulating leaks soon lead the police to the delicate theory of secret lover/blackmailer, and to the indictment of Benjamin Carlton, Hollywood’s most influential celebrity.
 
Then curious things begin to happen when Carlton’s ambitious girlfriend, Rita Spencer inadvertently unearths the shocking secret that Susan Whitaker did not, in fact, exist. She little realizes however that her discovery of this colossal fraud is a mere curtain raiser to a chilling world of ugly skeletons dating back to the assassination of a U.S. senator in a Washington hotel sauna, skeletons connected to riveting scandals in high places, skeletons the FBI and political king-makers will kill for...
 
     
Buy link:

eBook & Paperback: - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015YF1T9Q

Book trailer:  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kSn7K6hP9I
Free excerpt: - http://goo.gl/kYhj92 Thanks for stopping! See you next year...

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All!

​​Wishing you the very best of the holidays and the coming New Year! ​Mary Did You Know? https://youtu.be/ifCWN5pJGIE

Christmas Eve in Olde Town, updated version

Christmas Eve in Olde Town

Twas the Night Before Christmas, and all through Olde Town,
Not a creature was stirring nor making a sound.
The werewolves were running all night through the woods,
The demons were hiding their faces in hoods.

The elves all were dancing; the dwarves were so merry,
The nymphs were excited and so very cheery.
With Ari, Andreas and Rayne altogether,
The town was all settled, snug in the cold weather.

When out of the sky with a light pure and bright
Came a dragon so bold glowing gold and pure white.
Ari dashed across town, stopped on a dime,
If the dragon was hostile, she couldn't get there in time. The children were gathered in the town square
Singing and dancing, their thoughts without care.
When what did their wondering eyes behold
But the dragon that stories had once foretold.
 
With scales of pure gold, and eyes oh so green
They knew in a moment it was the Dragon's queen.
She'd come to bring presents, to those old and young,
To recapture the stories that once had been sung.

Of a beautiful princess who had fallen in love
With a handsome dragon from the clouds far above
And every Christmas she brought back her joy
By sharing her gifts with each girl and boy.

When Ari arrived, Rayne and Andreas close by,
The queen pulled out a bag and undid the tie.
She dropped all the toys at Ari's feet
So they could surprise every child with a treat.

Then blowing snowflakes out of her nose,
The dragon winked boldly, or so the story goes,
And spreading her wings, she rose to the sky
"Merry Christmas to all, and I bid you Good-Bye!"

                                               Ally Shields (2013, updated 2018)
​ Thanks for reading my annual Christmas fantasy post,
updated to include Rayne as the  third main character of the Guardian Witch and Guardian Witch Legacy series.
Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday season!

Author Interview: Lois Winston Writes a More Mature Answer to Stephanie Plum

Good Morning, Booklovers!

Thanks for taking a break from the holiday rush to stop for a chat with author Lois Winston and check out her featured cozy mystery, Drop Dead Ornaments.

Welcome, Lois! How do you take your coffee?

LW:  Milk, no sugar.
​
Ally: That makes it easy for me. While I pour, please tell readers something about yourself. Bio:
 
USA Today bestselling and award-winning author Lois Winston writes mystery, romance, romantic suspense, chick lit, women’s fiction, children’s chapter books, and nonfiction under her own name and her Emma Carlyle pen name. Kirkus Reviews dubbed her critically acclaimed Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series, “North Jersey’s more mature answer to Stephanie Plum.” In addition, Lois is a former literary agent and an award-winning craft and needlework designer who often draws much of her source material for both her characters and plots from her experiences in the crafts industry.
 
Something unique about you that isn’t in your regular bio:  “I absolutely HATE peanut butter!”
 
Author Contacts:
 
Website: www.loiswinston.com
Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers blog: www.anastasiapollack.blogspot.com
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/anasleuth
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Anasleuth
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/722763.Lois_Winston
Newsletter sign-up: https://app.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/z1z1u5
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lois-winston
INTERVIEW:

Ally:  You have written in several genres. Which are your favorites? Do you anticipate expanding into even other areas?

LW:  I started out writing romance and romantic suspense, which are the genres of the first two books I sold before I segued over to mystery. I’ve written a few short stories and several novellas, but I’m most comfortable writing full-length fiction because I love including subplots that involve my quirky cast of secondary characters.

I’ve also written one children’s chapter book, The Magic Paintbrush, and the nonfiction book Top Ten Reasons Your Novel is Rejected, which came about as a result of the knowledge I acquired during the decade I spent working for a literary agency.

I don’t know that I’ll ever venture into other genres beyond those I’ve written, but one thing I’ve learned? Never say never. So who knows? Maybe one day I’ll have an uncontrollable urge to write science fiction or paranormal romance.
Ally:  Do the people in your real life show up in your writing?

LW:  Yes, indeed! Most specifically, Lucille Pollack, my protagonist’s communist mother-in-law. She’s based nearly entirely on my own communist mother-in-law. My sons think Anastasia’s sons are based on them, which they are, to a degree, but not as closely as Lucille is based on their grandmother.

Ally:  What's the best writing advice you’ve been given?

LW: Every scene and all dialogue must do one of two things—either advance the plot or tell the reader something she needs to know about the point of view character at that moment. If the scene/dialogue does neither, it’s filler and should be deleted.

Ally:  Let’s talk about about your reading habits. Favorite genres. Books read per month, year? Print or ebooks? Any current favorites?

LW:  I’m a very eclectic reader, but my favorite genres are mystery and women’s fiction. Lately I’ve been reading quite a bit of historical mystery. The number of books I read per month, or even per year, varies greatly depending on how much spare time I have and the length of the book. (I recently read Ron Chernow’s biography of Alexander Hamilton. That book is 818 pages long!)

Some of my favorite authors are Ariana Franklin, Amy Stewart, and Janet Evanovich for mystery, Kristin Hannah for women’s fiction, and Shelley Noble for both mystery and women’s fiction.

I never thought I’d enjoy reading digital books, but as I’ve gotten older, I buy fewer and fewer paperbacks and hardcover books. Reading on my Kindle is easier on my eyes because I can enlarge the font size and adjust the backlighting, allowing me to read longer before my eyes tire.

Ally:  What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?

LW:  I’m currently working on the eighth book in the Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series, which will be released autumn 2019.
​
Ally: It’s time for a few quick answer questions. Ready?a. book you're currently reading:  Ask Me No Questions, a Lady Dunbridge Mystery by Shelley Nobleb. favorite movie:  That often depends on my mood. Today I’d say Shakespeare in Love, but tomorrow I might choose The Greatest Showman, Singing in the Rain, or Casablanca.c. favorite song:  Rhapsody in Blue Does that count? There are no words, so technically I’m not sure it qualifies as a “song”, but it’s my favorite piece of music.d. last book that made you cry:  The Nightingale by Kristin Hannahe. a fantasy being/person you'd like to be:  Supergirl, because I’ve always wanted to fly.Ally: It was nice to chat with you, Lois. Before you go, please show us your featured book, Drop Dead Ornaments .
Drop Dead Ornaments
(An Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery, Book 7)
Genre: cozy mystery
 
Anastasia Pollack’s son Alex is dating Sophie Lambert, the new kid in town. For their community service project, the high school seniors have chosen to raise money for the county food bank. Anastasia taps her craft industry contacts to donate materials for the students to make Christmas ornaments they’ll sell at the town’s annual Holiday Crafts Fair.
 
At the fair Anastasia meets Sophie’s father, Shane Lambert, who strikes her as a man with secrets. She also notices a woman eavesdropping on their conversation. Later that evening when the woman turns up dead, Sophie’s father is arrested for her murder.
 
Alex and Sophie beg Anastasia to find the real killer, but Anastasia has had her fill of dead bodies. She’s also not convinced of Shane’s innocence. Besides, she’s promised younger son Nick she’ll stop risking her life. But how can she say no to Alex?
 


Buy Links:
 
Paperback https://amzn.to/2FG12PZ
Amazon https://amzn.to/2MBo1xS
Kobo iTunes Nook https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/drop-dead-ornaments-lois-winston/1129345148?ean=2940161937181 Happy Holidays!

New Release: A Jo Durbin Mystery Series 3-book set

A Jo Durbin Mystery Series 3-book set

​Genre: mystery

Jo Durbin, frustrated business writer, cat believer, and accidental amateur sleuth wants to up her game—parlaying temporary lifestyle into a bestseller. She tries real estate promotion, the baglady life, and reenacting an 1813 woman at war. But the byline she scores, instead of “a killer caught,” might be “DOA.”
 
This collection includes the complete series: Hidden Body, a prequel novelette, Yesterday’s Body, Book 1, and Forgotten Body, Book 2. Jo is helped, or hindered, by her sister Kaye, by Mel, the man who wants to be more than a friend, and other characters, not the least of which are the police who seem to always be on her case.
 
Buy Links:

Amazon - www.amazon.com/dp/B07KPL5SRZ

D2D (Including Nook, Apple, Kobo, and others: https://www.books2read.com/u/4DlpgO
​
Nook:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-jo-durbin-mystery-series-norma-huss/1129908559?ean=2940156226511&st=AFF&2sid=Draft2Digital_7968444_NA&sourceId=AFFDraft2Digital
​
Apple:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/a-jo-durbin-mystery-series/id1443209625?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
​
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/a-jo-durbin-mystery-series EXCERPT: (Since keys play big in Book I of the series, this small bit gives some of the flavor of protagonist Jo Durbin. She is speaking to her sister Kaye.)

More to myself, I added, “Mr. Talbit wanted a key from Francine’s desk.” And if he meant the single key, I still had it.

“A key? When we’ve got all these guilty people to consider, why worry about a key?”

“It’s all part of the mix,” I insisted.

“Yeah, like the museum and its gold ring.”

Sylvie headed for the shower. I washed breakfast dishes and polished the stove. My brain thrived on mindless chores.
The key in Francine’s desk, the one that wasn’t on her key ring, what did it open?

“Sylvie,” I said at the shower door, “I’ve got to run an errand.”

“Wait for me. After all, I’m watching you so you’ll stay put. Police orders, remember?” She turned the shower on full.

“I’ll meet you at the police station. Bring your list.”

She didn’t answer. Had she heard me? Finally she said something that I barely heard. “…a half hour,” and, “What’s the rush?”

I walked away before I turned and said, “I have to go to the office.”

My conscience was clear. I’d told her my plan. If she didn’t hear, was that my fault?

We’d made a list of clues and there wasn’t one new item on it. I had to find more evidence.
And since Sylvie didn’t think Francine’s key had anything to do with murder, I had to do it alone.
  About the Author: Norma Huss

I’m a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who writes. I grew up in Washington (state) and moved to Pennsylvania to marry my husband. We raised five children who all married, and all but one produced two grandchildren. I’ve worked as a secretary in the distant past. Although retired, I’m more active writing now than I’d ever been. Besides creating imaginative stories, my second love is creating meals for my husband, me, and occasionally, for visiting friends and relatives. (And yes, my two loves combined when I released a book of short stories, with recipes included.)
 
Amazon author page: https://tinyurl.com/nuy7ugv
Facebook author page: fb.me/writerNormaHuss
Twitter: https://twitter.com/normahuss
Website: http://www.normahuss.com
Blog: http://blog.normahuss.com

New Release: Search for Fire (Guardian Witch Legacy #2)

Search for Fire (Guardian Witch Legacy #2 ​is finally here!
Search for Fire (Guardian Witch Legacy #2)
Author: Ally Shields
Publisher: Etopia Press
Release date: Dec. 14, 2018
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Length: 80K

A young witch, hunted by demons, in a desperate search for the truth behind a prophecy.
 
Vivid nightmares haunt guardian witch Arianna Calin, igniting memories of the demon attacks seven years ago…and the threats against her daughter Rayne. An ancient evil is rising, and a future battle is foretold by the prophecy marking Rayne as its Chosen. Only the star witches hidden in Tuscany, Italy, have the answers to the mysterious prophecy. She has to find them...while there's still time.
 
For the vampire warlock Andreas De Luca, his wife's dream visions couldn't come at a worse time. While he will do anything to protect Rayne and Ari, the vampire world is restless, old territorial rivalries are rising, and he's caught in the middle of danger and betrayal. If he leaves the country with his wife and daughter, his people in Riverdale will be vulnerable to attack without their blood-bonded prince to lead them.
 
In Italy, Rayne is hunted by a demonic spirit determined to destroy her, and the search for answers pulls the family apart just as they need each other the most. Evil forces are gathering, and Rayne is directly in their sights...
 
Buy Links:
 
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LBXJ4G3
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/search-for-fire
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/search-for-fire/id1446799430?mt=11
GooglePlay: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Ally_Shields_Search_for_Fire?id=Gsx-DwAAQBAJ
B&N: not yet available

Celebrating Christmas with my Characters by Debbie De Louise

The characters from Debbie De Louise's Cobble Cove cozy mysteries gather in the Cobble Cove library to celebrate the holidays. Each character receives a gift from the author, and Alicia, the main character, reads some excerpts from the first and second books of the series: A Stone's Throw, and Between a Rock and a Hard Place.
​

Celebrating Christmas with my Characters, a short story by Debbie De Louise, will be a FREE eBOOK on Thursday, December 13 through Monday, December 17.  

Get it here and have a very happy holiday: mybook.to/XmasCharacters 

EXCERPT​:

The festivities started with a toast around the table in the Cobble Cove library’s reading room with the wine that Pamela supplied. Alicia proposed a toast to the author, Debbie De Louise, for bringing her and the other characters to life. Everyone except Sneaky and Fido raised their glasses. Alicia hadn’t forgotten the animals. Sneaky had cream in his bowl; Fido chilled water in his.

Although Sneaky and Fido took down most of the ornaments on the tree and pulled off the ribbon and tags of the gifts underneath, Alicia knew to whom each one belonged. Sneaky played with a golden ornament ball, rolling it around the floor, while Fido chased his tail around the tree, sniffing all the presents for a hint of what they contained.

“When shall we open the gifts?” Mac asked, like an eager young boy, although he was in his eighth decade.

“Be patient, Dad,” John said. “It's not Christmas yet, so we won’t be exchanging for another few weeks. Those presents are from Debbie to her main characters.”

“Debbie is so thoughtful,” Dora said. “I should invite her to breakfast at the inn one day. I’ll make her some of my special muffins.”

“I've been thinking of inviting her to lunch at Dad’s place to sample our special family recipe for PB&J sandwiches like Alicia did early in our acquaintance,” John added.

“Great idea, son. I’ll break out some of my canned preserves for her, too.”

“What about dinner at the diner?” Casey suggested. “I think Debbie would enjoy my juicy cheeseburgers and fries even though she’s dieting. It would be good for her to take a break to celebrate the release of our second book.”

“Dessert would be nice, too,” Gilly interjected. “I know she won't be able to resist the chocolate chip cookies I bake for my three sons’ Boy Scout troop.”

“I’ll serve her drinks,” Pamela offered. “The bar in my home is well stocked. Afterwards, we can chat upstairs in my private home library where I know she’d be comfortable since she’s a librarian herself.”

Edith and Rose, always willing to volunteer for events, spoke up. “I can bake her a cake,” Rose the younger and quieter sister whispered. Edith, the older sister, said, “I can’t cook her anything, but I could crochet her a warm holiday sweater.”

“I make a nice crockpot stew,” Sheila pointed out.

“My sister, Lily and I, like to dip chocolate. We can make some of Debbie’s favorite chocolate cherries,” said Laura. “We can even make them cat-shaped if she prefers since we like cats as much as she does.”

“I know Debbie was once a features editor on her college newspaper,” Andy stated. “I can interview her for a story in the Cobble Cove Courier. I bet she’d like that.
”
“That’s a great idea,” his girlfriend, Kim, agreed fingering her brown ponytail. “I’m a good babysitter; and, although Debbie’s daughter is in middle school, I can still watch her one night while she and her husband go on a date night.”

Angelina appeared lost in thought. “It’s hard for me to know what to get Debbie. She was so sympathetic to my illness. I think maybe she would just enjoy knowing that I’m getting well.”

“I’m sure she would,” Maggie said, her green eyes, darker than Sheila’s, lighting up. “There are so many beautiful trinkets at my mom’s gift shop. I’m sure I can find a cat one for Debbie.”

“What about a nice Italian dinner at La Bella?” Salvatore suggested. “Debbie is part Italian, and so is her husband. I’ll invite the whole family to our restaurant one night.”

“I’d be happy to let Debbie select a dress or pants set from my clothing store,” Chloe added. “I know she’s lost weight recently. I have many nice items that would fit her well and do justice to her new figure.”

“If Debbie’s interested, I wouldn't mind asking my wife to invite her to Christmas dinner,” Faraday announced. “We have turkey, and I do an excellent job carving it.”

Ramsay huffed. “I wish I could throw in some leftover donuts from the station, but I’m dieting, too. Maybe Debbie and I can share a salad or some fruit. What about you, Alicia? What are you getting Debbie?”

She thought a moment. “The best gift we can give Debbie is to help her sell our books by being great characters. The next Cobble Cove Mystery is coming out soon. We can all help her write the next one.”

“Even Sneaky and Fido can help,” John added. “People love to read about pets and their silly antics.” About the Author:

Bio:
 
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. Ms De Louise lives on Long Island with her husband, Anthony, daughter, Holly, and cat, Stripey.
Her four novels include the three 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 her latest mystery thriller, Reason to Die. Debbie has also published a romantic comedy novella featuring a jewel heist caper, When Jack Trumps Ace, and has written articles and short stories for several anthologies of various genres. 

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: http://amzn.to/2bIHdaQ
Website/Blog/Newsletter Sign-Up: https://debbiedelouise.com

Interview with YA Author PJ Sharon

Good Morning, Booklovers!
 
Grab you favorite beverage and join us for this week’s Coffee Chat with author PJ Sharon and check out her featured YA novella, Broken Angel.
 
Nice to have you with us, PJ. What may I get you to drink?
 
PJ:  I drink tea and enjoy English or Irish Breakfast in the morning and herbal teas at night. Raspberry or Lemon Ginger with local honey are my favorites!
 
Ally: Tea it is. While I fill our mugs, please tell readers something about yourself. Bio:
 
In addition to her day job as a Massage Therapist, PJ Sharon is an award-winning author of young adult books, including the contemporary novels PIECES of LOVE, HEAVEN is for HEROES, ON THIN ICE, and Holt Medallion winner SAVAGE CINDERELLA. Follow the Savage Cinderella Novella Series with FINDING HOPE, LOST BOYS, SACRED GROUND and her latest release, BROKEN ANGEL. Or enjoy her YA dystopian trilogy, The Chronicles of Lily Carmichael, which RT Book Reviews calls “An action-packed read with a strong female lead.”
 
A black belt in the art of Shaolin Kempo Karate, avid kayaker, and singer of Italian art songs, PJ has two grown sons and lives with her husband in the Berkshire Hills of Western MA where she writes YA…because every teen deserves a hopefully ever after.
 
Something unique that isn’t in my regular bio: “I was a competitive figure skater and taught learn to skate and power skating lessons for over twenty-five years.”
 
Social media and contact info:
 
Website: http://www.pjsharon.com
Follow PJ on Twitter: @pjsharon      http://www.twitter.com/pjsharon
“Like” PJ on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pjsharonbooks
Find PJ on Amazon’s Author Central page: http://www.amazon.com/PJ-Sharon/e/B005ONR4IY/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/PJSharon
Signup for PJ’s Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bm7rj5 INTERVIEW:
 
Ally: Let’s start with talking about research. Do you enjoy it? Does your genre require it?
 
PJ:  I think every book requires some amount of research. It’s definitely one of my favorite parts of the writing process—when it’s not being used as a procrastination device…ehem. Not that I ever allow myself to be distracted from my writing, lol. But good research can make or break a book. I’m always afraid someone who knows more about a topic than I do will read and fact-check my books and give me a scathing review if I don’t get something right, lol. Something as simple as calling a Marine a “soldier” can cause a reader to call you out on social media…lesson learned! A Marine is always a Marine!
 
Ally:  Do the people in your real life show up in your writing? Be honest now. :)
 
PJ:  Absolutely! It’s impossible not to draw from our real-life experiences, and that includes using interesting features and quirky characteristics from people we know. I try not to make it too obvious, but sometimes memorable and unique traits are too good to pass up. I think it helps bring my characters to life and gives them more personality when I can visualize a real person as I write. Of course, the characters on the page take on a life of their own and seem to define themselves as individuals as the story progresses. Hopefully, by stories’ end, no one is the wiser

Book Spotlight: Christmas Magic by Beth Barany

Christmas Magic, A Christmas Romance Collection (Two Touchstone Series Books) by Beth Barany
 
In this collection: A CHRISTMAS FLING and A CUPCAKE CHRISTMAS, 2 novellas for your Christmas reading pleasure! 

About A CHRISTMAS FLING:

What if falling in love put the life you cherished in jeopardy?

Dahlia, a Santa’s Elf, has 21 days left before Christmas to create the best toy in the world without using magic or revealing her true identity. Stuck on how to complete the prototype, and working as a temp in San Francisco’s financial district with no time for love, will her Christmas fling get her unstuck, or will she turn her back on her beloved career for her heart?

Liam, an up-and-coming financial analyst, swore off women after getting dumped by the love of his life. He just found out his ex is going to the company Christmas party with his rival Michael Hendricks. Up for promotion against Hendricks, Liam has to win the favor of his boss. His best bet is to invite the vivacious secretary Dahlia to the party. Will Dahlia be a welcome distraction, or will she turn his life upside down?

About A CUPCAKE CHRISTMAS:

What if you risked losing your baking legacy by cooking up a love truly special?

Florian MacMillian needs a final job to complete his baking resume—preferably a job where he’s unlikely to blow things up with his unruly magic—before returning to the North Pole and taking his rightful place as Master Baker to all the elves.

Kate Delore desperately needs help in her fast-growing cupcake business. Florian is a perfect fit, so she brings him on as baker. Florian is happily up to his elbows in batter, and Kate’s business is booming. But when things heat up between them, Florian wonders if he should risk his legacy to cook up something truly special.​

BUY LINKS FOR Christmas Magic:
​
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Magic-Romance-Collection-Touchstone-ebook/dp/B01MD0787M/ (Global Amazon link: http://viewbook.at/ChristmasMagic)
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/christmas-magic-a-christmas-romance-collection/id1200363009?mt=11&uo=8
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/christmas-magic-a-christmas-romance-collection
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/708772
Nook:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/christmas-magic-a-christmas-romance-collection-beth-barany/1125895253?ean=2940157330613 Excerpts: EXCERPT OF A CHRISTMAS FLING: CHAPTER 1

DECEMBER 1, OAKLAND, CA
 
Dahlia strolled through the small neighborhood park. It was great fun to think about how the children would enjoy her toy once she was done with it, but she had to complete it first. She only had twenty-two days to fix whatever was wrong with it before returning home. She’d gone over her designs and schematics and taken it apart and put it back together a dozen times, but it still wouldn’t work.

Dahlia left the park and headed down the street toward the detached studio she rented on Miles Avenue.

A dog bark had her look up just in time to almost but not quite avoid getting tangled up in a long leash. A man with the warmest brown eyes she’d ever seen gazed down at her, a half smile on his face.

She smiled back startled out of her daydreaming, but not before she noticed his endearing dimple on one side of his mouth.

She said, “Sorry, I didn’t see you. Thank goodness for your dog. Oh, she looks like a Husky.”

Dahlia shifted her bag to one hip, so she could bend down and pet the dog.

The dog wagged her tail.

Dahlia said, “You must feed her really well. Her coat is so soft and luscious.”

“She’s a Bernese Mountain Dog. Sally. My roommate’s.”

His voice was deep. She had to look up to smile into his deep brown eyes. He was a whole head taller than she was. Almost two meters. She translated into American measurements. Six foot three or something.

“My uncle, well one of my uncles has one—that he uses for work. But I hardly see him because he lives—” She paused. “I’m prattling, aren’t I?”

“Yes, you are, but I like listening to your accent. Scottish?” EXCERPT OF A CUPCAKE CHRISTMAS: Chapter one

Monday, December 1, San Francisco

“Help wanted. Must be good with pastry baking, parties + kids. Part-time/Holiday Temporary. Competitive pay. Flexible hours. Apply in person. Bring printed resume. Must love cupcakes.”

Florian jumped off the trolley at the bottom of Market Street and checked the address on his smart phone’s map. He peered around at the busy area, looking for his new possible employment, Kate’s Cupcake Cart. He didn’t see it. He must be off by a few blocks. He hustled back up Market Street, one of San Francisco’s main boulevards.

A cold brisk wind had him turning up his collar, pulling down his cap more over his ears—couldn’t have people spotting them and asking questions—and tightening his scarf. He loved the weather at the city on the bay. Way warmer than New York City where he’d been working up to last week, and way, way warmer than back home at the Pole.

He stood on the busy street corner of the city’s Financial District and swiveled, not just his head, but his whole body. He still didn’t see it. He was about to wave his hand to stir up some magic, maybe bring a magnifying glass in front of him—he never knew exactly what he’d conjure—but then saw as the busy crowd thinned for a moment what he was looking for. A small food stand perched on the corner, kitty corner to where he stood. A big sprinkle-top cupcake jauntily capped the sign that stated in broad flourish font, “Kate’s Cupcake Cart.” At the other end of the sign, a frothy cappuccino angled in nice symmetry. He smiled. His sign-making elf cousins couldn’t have done a better job.
​
He crossed the street, a bounce in his step, and wiggled his fingers in his pockets. Nerves. This job would work out. Had to. He needed one more stint of unique work experience to round out his resume, emphasis on the unique. Uncle, known as Santa to the rest of the world, expected him to have a diverse and eclectic resume when he returned home to finally ascend to his rightful place as Master Baker for the entire North Pole community. He was young for a Master Baker but ambitious. He still had to prove himself. About The Author: Award winning author, Beth Barany writes in several genres including young adult adventure fantasy, paranormal romance, and soon science fiction mysteries. Inspired by living abroad in France and Quebec, she loves creating magical tales of romance, mystery, and adventure that empower women and girls to be the heroes of their own lives.
 
For fun, Beth enjoys walking her neighborhood, gardening on her patio, and watching movies and traveling with her husband, author Ezra Barany. They live in Oakland, California with a piano, their cats, and over 1,000 books.
 
When not writing or playing, Beth runs her own company helping novelists as a creativity coach, speaker, and teacher. For a free Touchstone series romance, join our reader's group here: author.bethbarany.com/free-romance-st....
 
CONTACT BETH:
 
Site: http://author.bethbarany.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/beth_barany
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethbarany
Instagram: http://instagram.com/bethbarany​

Interview with Mystery Author Judy Alter: Featuring her New Cookbook!

Welcome to Our Wednesday Coffee Chat & Book Talk!
 
Today’s guest is Judy Alter, an author of cozy mysteries and historical women’s fiction. While we’ll be talking mainly about her fiction, she’s featuring a new cookbook, Gourmet on a Hot Plate. Maybe we’ll pick up some hints for the holidays!
​
Thanks for taking a break from the seasonal rush, Judy. What may I get you to drink?
 
JA: I drink decaf (doctor’s orders) green tea, one cup every morning, with a tad of honey.
 
Ally:  I don’t drink hot tea very often, but I love honey in it too. While I get your tea and my coffee, please tell readers about yourself. Bio:
 
The award-winning author of Contract for Chaos, Judy Alter has written seven other Kelly O’Connell Mysteries, four in the Blue Plate Café Series, and two Oak Gove Mysteries. She has written five historical novels about women of the American West and is also the author of three cookbooks, including the new Gourmet on a Hot Plate: Tiny Kitchen Tips and Recipes.
 
Something unique/unusual that isn't in your regular bio: “Cooking has been my lifelong avocation, and I’ve cooked holiday dinners for twenty and intimate dinners for two. These days I cook on a hot plate and toaster oven in a tiny kitchen.”
 
Follow Judy:
Blog, “Judy’s Stew,” http://www.judys-stew.blogspot.com
Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/judy.alter and https://www.facebook.com/Judy-Alter-Author-366948676705857/,
Twitter, where she is @JudyAlter.
Her new interactive food blog is http://www.gourmetonahotplate.blogspot.com--comments, questions, and recipes encouraged. INTERVIEW:
 
Ally: Let’s start our chat by exploring story ideas. Where do you get them?
 
JA:  They come from current social issues and happenings, history, and my own wild imagination. My first mystery, Skeleton in a Dead Space, was partly inspired by a dead space in my own kitchen but came to life when I drove by a Craftsman house and suddenly thought, “There’s a skeleton in that house.”
 
Ally: Do your reading habits mirror your writing interests? Who and what do you read?
 
JA:  Mysteries are my favorite genres because they help me improve my own storytelling skills and because I have always enjoyed them. I read three or four a month, depending on what else is on my desk, and mostly I read ebooks either on my computer or iPhone. Favorites include Susan Wittig Albert, Deborah Crombie, Dick Francis, Sue Mott Davidson, and many others.
 
Ally: Which of your books is your personal favorite? Why?
 
JA:  The Gilded Cage, historical fiction chronicling the lives of hotelier Potter Palmer (Chicago’s Palmer House) and his wife, one of the first women to see that great wealth obligates one to philanthropy. Their story is set against the background of the turbulent last quarter of the nineteenth century in Chicago—robber barons, labor troubles, the Great Fire, the Haymarket Riot, and the spectacular Columbia Exhibition. I think, modestly, it’s the best book I’ve ever written.
 
Ally:  What is the most meaningful thing a fan could say about your book?
 
JA:  A fan once said that the people in my mysteries are just like the people you’d meet in the grocery store. I thought that was high praise.
 
Ally:  Tell us about your next writing project and when it might be released.
 
JA:  I’m working on a nonfiction book tentatively titled The Second Battle of the Alamo, about two early twentieth-century women who joined together to save the Alamo from demolition and then became bitter rivals over how the iconic mission site should be developed. It’s scheduled to release in February 2019 to be available for the anniversary of the fall of the Alamo.
 
Ally: Give me your quick responses to the following questions.a. favorite book – Wallace Stegner’s Angle of Repose, or Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbirdb. book you're currently reading – Deborah Crombie’s Where Memories Liec. an author (living or dead) you'd love to take to lunch – Deborah Crombied. an item on your bucket list – Another trip to Scotlande. Your pets - type and names – I could not live without a dog and have had many in my long life. Current co-resident of my cottage is Sophie, a Bordoodle (deliberate cross between a poodle and a border collie—scary smart). Ally: Thanks so much for visiting today, Judy. Have a great holiday! Before you go, please show us your new cookbook.


Gourmet on a Hot Plate: Tiny Kitchen Tips and Recipes
Genre: cookbook
 
Judy Alter has cooked her way through life, feeding family and friends at everything from casual dinners al fresco to elaborate meals for twenty. An award-winning author and publisher, she jokes she’ll come back in another life as a chef.

Today Alter finds herself cooking in a four-by-six kitchen where zoning laws forbid built-ins but allow anything that plugs in. So she cooks with a hot plate, a toaster oven, and a large refrigerator/freezer. Given these limitations, she has developed a new approach to food, one that she says lets her get in touch with the food itself. By choice, she does not have an Insta-Pot, an air-fryer, a microwave. Her menu choices are dictated by her cooking facilities—and she loves it. She shares her tiny kitchen tips and recipes, developed over the past couple of years, in Gourmet on a Hot Plate.
 




"Love cooking? Love the minimalist lifestyle? Your tiny kitchen doesn’t need to limit your gourmet dreams. Judy Alter’s Gourmet On a Hot Plate will inspire you with big ideas to satisfy everyone around the table." Susan Wittig Albert, author of Queen Anne’s Lace

​Buy Link:  Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Gourmet-Hot-Plate-KItchen-Recipes-ebook/dp/B07JC75FC5/ Happy Holidays! Come back soon...