Ally Shields's Blog, page 9

Guest Author Donna Schlachter Visits the Blog with a Giveaway!

​Good Morning, Booklovers!
 
I hope you enjoyed last week’s quizzes, but today we are back on track with guest author, Donna Schlachter, and her featured sweet historical fiction novel, Calli. And she has a Giveaway!
Welcome to the blog, Donna. How do you take your coffee?
 
DS:  I drink it with half-and-half, although I prefer whipping cream. Not the frothy stuff that comes out of a can, but the liquid. My favorite is Peruvian, which I purchase when I go there on mission.
 
Ally:  Since my magic pot can do anything, Peruvian whipping cream is not a problem. While I fix our drinks, please introduce yourself to readers. Bio:

A hybrid author, Donna writes squeaky clean historical and contemporary suspense. She has been published more than 50 times in books; is a member of several writers’ groups; facilitates a critique group; teaches writing classes; ghostwrites; edits; and judges in writing contests. She loves history and research, traveling extensively for both.
 
Something unique/unusual that isn't in your regular bio: “I’m a Canadian by birth, American by choice. I once skated with an Olympic figure skating medalist.”
  
Author contacts:
 
www.DonnaSchlachter.com Stay connected so you learn about new releases, preorders, and presales, as well as check out featured authors, book reviews, and a little corner of peace. Plus: Receive a free ebook simply for signing up for our free newsletter!
www.DonnaSchlachter.com/blog
Check out previous blog posts at www.HiStoryThruTheAges.wordpress.com and www.AllBettsAreOff.wordpress.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DonnaschlachterAuthor
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/DonnaSchlachter
Books: Amazon: http://amzn.to/2ci5Xqq
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/donna-schlachter
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C&query=donna+schlachter
Etsy online shop of original artwork: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Dare2DreamUS   INTERVIEW:
 
Ally: Who or what inspired your featured book?
 
DS:  I was asked to participate in the “Prairie Roses Collection” again, and in doing some research, discovered that while we know about the hundreds of thousands of people who headed west, we rarely hear about those who didn’t find what they were looking for and returned east again. While there is no official tally, unofficial numbers range in the tens of thousands. I felt their story needed to be told.
  
Ally: What is the easiest—or the hardest—part of writing for you?
 
DS:  The idea is always the easiest. But getting the characters to build the story, the plot to hang the story on, and the theme of the story can be tough. I’ve abandoned many good ideas because the history wasn’t there, or the science wasn’t in place in time, or I simply couldn’t come up with enough sticky situations to place my characters in.
 
Ally:  Do you use critique groups or beta readers? Do you find them valuable?  
 
DS:  I have an in-person (now Zoom) critique group that I’ve been with for more than 10 years. Word Crafters is a delightful group of serious authors whose goals are publishing and sharing the Gospel (not necessarily in that order). Of the initial authors who began so long ago, 4 (including me) are still active, and 3 have been published. I think a critique group is important because it’s people we trust to tell us the truth. There is nothing worse than writing a 5-page synopsis before figuring out there really isn’t a compelling story to tell—unless it’s writing the entire book. A good critique group will steer you right, help you fix not only the grammar and punctuation issues, but will also help you with the big picture problems.
 
Ally:  What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
 
DS:  I actually have a contemporary release on May 2nd in an anthology that I’m very excited about. You can learn more about my story, Zero Guilt Calories, and the anthology, Sweet Sprinkles, here: https://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Sprinkles-Collection-Jennifer-Miller-ebook/dp/B09KTB32B3
 
Ally: Which of the trivia questions did you choose to answer?
 
DS: 
an author (living or dead) you'd love to chat with – Agatha Christiean item on your bucket list:  visit Britain, Ireland, Scotlandebook or print?  Print – although I also read ebook.most watched tv show:  Murdoch Mysteriesa movie you’ll always remember: A Witness for the Prosecution (original not the recent adaptation)Ally: Thanks for visiting with us, Donna. I’ll look forward to seeing you again in May when you return with a new contemporary release. In the meantime, let’s take a look at Calli.
Calli (Prairie Roses Collection #13)
Genre: Clean and Sweet Historical Fiction
 
Calli works as a nurse with the US Army at Fort Bridger, Wyoming in 1880. When a wagon train full of discouraged emigrants passes through on its way east, a pregnant widow delivers her baby then dies. Bradley Wilson, leading this train, has few options. He asks Calli to travel with them until they find a relative to take the child in St. Joe, Missouri. Calli, drawn to both this dark and quiet man and the child, resists. But when she disappears, he wonders if she’s run away or been kidnapped. Can these two put their pasts behind them and move into a new future together? Or will Calli insist on having things her own way?


Amazon Buy Link (also available through Kindle Unlimited)
 
https://www.amazon.com/Calli-Prairie-Roses-Collection-Book-ebook/dp/B09SD6XPRQ
 
*** Giveaway : Happy to give a free print (US only) or ebook of Calli to a random, lucky winner. Just comment to enter.

Guests Posts are on Hiatus, so How About a Quiz or Two?

​Good Morning, Booklovers!

It's Spring Break on the Coffee Chat, so I've given you the links to a couple of quizzes that educate or entertain. See how you do. I'm posting my results for your interest or challenge. :) Quiz #1: What Fictional Character is Your Personality Match?

A fun quiz, but you can imagine my surprise that I was an 87% match with Elizabeth Bennet (Pride and Prejudice), (in light of the fact I am currently writing mysteries from England's Regency era. Who knew?)

​openpsychometrics.org/tests/characters/
​ Quiz #2:  How is your grammar?

This one is more serious, but it's short. Hop over to GrammarBook.com and take this brief quiz on Effective Writing. I was 10 for 10. Can you match me? 

www.grammarbook.com/grammar_quiz/effective_writing_1.asp

Inside Scoop on Killer Nashville Internat'l Writers' Conference

Good Morning, Booklovers!

This week's guest interview is a little difference than usual. Clay Stafford, founder of Killer Nashville International Writers' Conference, joins us to talk about this year's conference, behind the scene activities in producing the conference, and his own history with Killer Nashville.
Welcome, Clay. How do you drink your coffee?

Clay: Hi, Ally. I. take four cups of coffee in the morning, each morning a different flavor (I grow bored easily) with half-and-half. Throughout the day, I compliment that with a half-gallon of unsweetened iced tea. Before bed, it is herbal teatime with my wife. I am rarely seen without a tea glass or coffee/tea cup in my hand.

​Ally: Since we're meeting in the morning, we'll stick with coffee, and I guess we'll just surprise you with the flavor! While I fix our drinks, please tell us a little about yourself.
.   Bio:

Clay Stafford is an American bestselling and award-claystafford.com/winning author, poet, screenwriter, playwright, composer, filmmaker, educator, and public speaker. He has sold nearly four million copies of his books, has his work distributed in over sixteen languages, and has spoken as a Master of Ceremony to over one million people live.

Clay writes the monthly “Killer Writers” column for Writer’s Digest. Clay serves as President/CEO of American Blackguard Entertainment, which includes Killer Nashville Magazine, Clay Stafford Books, American Blackguard Records, The Clay Stafford Company, and American Blackguard Music.

Clay has an M.F.A. and has taught at numerous universities and is the honorary Writer-in-Residence at Battle Ground Academy. He is also the founder of Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference. He is recipient of Publishers Weekly, Frankfurt Book Fair, and the American Booksellers Association Star Watch Nominee for top North American publishing industry professionals.

Publisher website:  claystaffordbooks.com/ 
Professional Website: claystafford.com INTERVIEW :
 
Ally: What inspired you to organize a writers’ conference?
 
Clay:  Hi, Ally. I’ve always been a writer and I’ve always been an educator. I taught my first graded high school course while I was still a senior at a private high school. At the time I was also already a professionally produced writer. I’ve been hooked on sharing info ever since. Throughout my career, I’ve helped found and start several instructional courses (public and university) and Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference (https://killernashville.com/)—founded in 2006—is my latest. Sixteen years later, we’re still going and have attendees visit annually from all over the world. It truly is an international event.
 
Ally:  How did you choose the name Killer Nashville?
 
Clay:  I live in Nashville, and I wanted to brand the conference as a Nashville entity, so the Nashville part is a given. I’m a huge fan of Southern gothic, mystery, thriller, horror, dark literary, and suspense novels and true crime. I’m also attracted to sci-fi, fantasy, westerns, and romantic suspense. What do you have when you try to combine all of those elements together? Usually someone gets offed. There’s where the Killer came in. So we’re basically a conference for all genres incorporating mystery, thriller, or suspense elements.
 
Ally:  How do you select your speakers each year?
 
Clay:  Speakers come to us in numerous ways. Some are referrals from other writers. Many are attendees who sign up to be at the conference. Some are people that I’ve heard about and I approach them in a cold call. Some are writers I know. Some are writers/educators who send us a proposal. I’m always interested in hearing from someone that I didn’t expect to hear from. If someone signs up for the conference, we always try to accommodate them on a panel.
  
Ally:  What do you feel is unique about Killer Nashville compared with other conferences?
 
Clay:  If you ask our writers (and you can see their blurbs all over the web and the Killer Nashville website), it is about how Killer Nashville feels like a family. For me, the difference is the focus. Killer Nashville for me is a labor of love. I’ve devoted sixteen years of volunteer time to it with the whole purpose of the conference being for established writers to give back to the next generation of up-and-coming scribes. We do outreach to help writers find publishers. Our connections with agents is unmatched. We teach people on any level to promote themselves and their works better in order to take themselves to the next level. We are fully invested in writers for the long haul throughout the entire year—for their entire career really—rather than just seeing them at an annual event. For us, attendees are not just another writer, they are the voices in the community of tomorrow. We’re investing in the future. We also don’t do that just at Killer Nashville. Annually, Killer Nashville donates up to $85,000 worth of books to needy libraries and literary causes among other outreach and charitable activities. We even publish a monthly electronic magazine, Killer Nashville Magazine. Readers can sign up for a subscription to it for free online.
 
Ally:  Is there programming for readers or is this strictly a writers’ conference?
 
Clay:  It is designed as a writer’s conference, but about ten percent of our attendees each year are actually fans with no desire to write anything themselves. We also have our forensic track for CSI junkies and many non-writers attend that track. We’ve found readers love to know what goes on behind-the-scenes in the world of a favorite writer, so those particular fans attend for that. So while our job is to instruct, guide, and mentor writers of all genres, we also offer something for those who want to learn more about the writers themselves, including free book signings that are open to the public. The sessions are honest, and authors truly do share much about themselves.
 
Ally:  Is diversity addressed in your scheduled events?
 
Clay:  Diversity has always been addressed at Killer Nashville. Always. Even before it was the politically correct thing to do. I’ll say Killer Nashville has been a forerunner of diversity in the industry. See our Star Watch Nominee nod to me because of this very reason.
 
Ally:  Tell us about the annual awards as well as the scholarships available.
 
Clay:  We offer several awards at Killer Nashville. My two personal favorites are the Killer Nashville Claymore Award and the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award. The KN Claymore Award is for the best first fifty pages of an unpublished novel. Through this award, we’ve been able to secure new authors agents, publishing contracts, and even movie deals. The KN Silver Falchion Award is for best book published in the previous years in a variety of genres. This is open to both traditionally published works and self-published works. We make no distinction. All we’re looking for is a great story.
 
In terms of scholarships, many times the very people who need to be at Killer Nashville and who need the mentorship that Killer Nashville offers are the very ones who can’t necessarily afford to attend Killer Nashville. We’re considered a premier writers’ conference (voted the best writers’ conference this past year by The Writer magazine, for example) and successful writers want to give back to that next generation so they’ve set up scholarships that pay for everything from tuition to travel and board. For all of these and other opportunities, go to the Killer Nashville website at https://killernashville.com/.
 
Ally:  What is the best part of hosting a mystery conference?
 
Clay:  Making new friends and seeing old ones. Watching people get agents. Seeing lightbulbs go off in attendees’ heads. It’s an incredible feeling to be a part of an event that is actually changing people’s lives.
 
Ally:  Is there anything I haven’t asked that you’d like to talk about?
 
Clay:  Anyone who knows me knows I can talk for days. For the sake of your readers, I think you’ve covered things delightfully.
 
Ally:  Tell us where, when, how many sessions, this year’s speakers, hotel accommodations, other entertainment, costs, registration, etc.
 
Clay:  All of the above can be found on the Killer Nashville website, so I won’t belabor it here. But to sum, we have nearly seventy sessions throughout the four days, a writer intensive on Thursday afternoon, five tracks covering everything from newbie questions, writing specifics, genre specific sessions, academic sessions, publicity/advertising, new technology, and forensics. We have agent pitches for attendees to find an agent. We have mingling events for attendees to network and make life-long friends and writing support. It’s a fun-filled weekend. Many writers bring their families for a full vacation in Nashville.
 
Ally: Fun-filled and exhausting! What a line up! And what an interesting job you have, Clay. Thank you for coming on the Coffee Chat and sharing so much with us. I wish you the best year ever with the 2022 conference!
​ Mark your calendars, folks. Killer Nashville, Franklin, TN
Aug. 18 - 21, 2022
killernashville.com

Cozy Up to Author Rose Kerr's New Mystery Series

​Good Morning, Booklovers!
 
Pull up a chair and join me in welcoming Rose Kerr, the author of the Brenna Flynn cozy mystery series.
Please set with us, Rose. What may I get you to drink?
 
RK:  I can’t drink coffee anymore, so I’ve switched to black tea. I drink it with a big splash of Silk Vanilla Almond creamer.
 
Ally: Sounds delicious. While I pour, please introduce yourself to readers. Author Bio:
 
Rose Kerr lived most of her adult life in small towns. She and her husband raised their family in a small town on the shores of Lake Superior, in Northern Ontario, Canada. The town and surrounding communities provided the scenic setting for Rose’s Brenna Flynn Mystery series. Rose is a member of Sisters in Crime, the Guppy Online Chapter of Sisters in Crime, and Crime Writers of Canada.
 
Something unique/unusual that isn’t in your regular bio: “In my last year of high school, I took a cake decorating class from one of the bakers in my village. I learned decorating techniques that I still use today.”
 
Author contact links:
Website: www.rosekerr.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RoseKerrAuthor
Instagram: @r.m.kerr
Twitter: @rkerrwriter
Pinterest: @rosekerrauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/rosekerr INTERVIEW :
 
Ally:  Do you write from an outline?
 
RK:  Well, I start with an outline. I like to know who the victim is and who the suspects are. I use my outline like a roadmap, I know where I want to go, but I can take different ways to get there. I may start out thinking I know who the killer is, but along the way, that can change.
 
Ally:  With your writing, do you still find time to read?
 
RK:  I read between ten and twelve books a month. I stick to mystery and thrillers most of the time. I like discovering new to me authors in the cozy mystery world. This last month, I’ve been reading cozy authors Sarah E Burr, Michelle Hillen Klump, J.C.Kenney, and Essie Lang.
 
Ally:  What are your most frequently used research sources for your writing?
 
RK:  Google for general information. I narrow the focus of my search, or it gets overwhelming.
Google Earth has been helpful in scouting out locations as during the recent lockdowns it was impossible to travel.
YouTube to figure out how to do things. Let’s just say, there’s a lot of things you can learn on YouTube.
 
Ally:  Do you use critique groups or beta readers? Do you find them valuable?
 
RK:  I have two critique partners who have different skill sets. Between the two of them, they provide me with great feedback. They are invaluable to me.
 
Ally:  What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
 
RK:  Book 2 in the Brenna Flynn series (Death in Academia) has been turned in and the tentative release is March 2023.
I’m writing book three now, due for submission to my editor in September 2022.
 
Ally:  Which of the trivia questions did you select to answer?
 
RK:  Short answer below:
Memorable book:  And Then There Were None, Agatha Christie.Have you written a book in NaNo? Yes, Death on the Set, A Brenna Flynn Mystery’s first draft was done in NaNo. It’s changed a lot since that first draft, but that’s what first drafts are for.Your pets:  Jake, our female dog who is a Golden Retriever/Husky mix. She was a rescue from our local Humane Society. She’s featured in my books.Best place ever visited:  South Korea. We were there for three weeks when our son and daughter-in-law got married. We travelled throughout the country, met some great people, and took home beautiful memories.Do you re-read books? Yes, I do. I’ve read most of Agatha Christie’s books several times and The Pelican Brief by John Grisham has been read at least eight times.Ally: I’m afraid we’ve come to the end of our chat. It’s been a pleasure, Rose. Before you go, please show us your featured novel.
Death on the Set, A Brenna Flynn Mystery
Genre: cozy mystery
 
Former high school guidance counselor, Brenna Flynn, returns home to Bayview City after the sudden death of her husband. Unable to find work in her field, she signs up with a temp agency to find employment. Sent on an interview for a cooking reality show, she aces it and gets the job of a production assistant.
 
On her second day at work, Brenna discovers a body in the studio. She soon learns she’s the police’s primary suspect. Determined to clear her name, she uses some skills she’s honed as a guidance counselor to learn more about the victim. Drawing people out comes naturally to Brenna, and she becomes a confidante to cast and crew on the show.
 
The stakes are raised with threatening notes, poisonings, and blackmail. Can Brenna uncover who the killer is before someone else dies?
 
PURCHASE LINKS:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/36VF6yn
Amazon.ca: https://amzn.to/35kSlIp
Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/3NvdsZS
Kobo: https://bit.ly/38471wp

Meet Cozy Mystery Author Carol Preflatish

Good Morning, Booklovers!
 
I’m afraid we’re having dreary, rainy, snowy weather in the Midwest this week. Spring has temporarily hidden it’s head, so we’re huddle around the fireplace today. It’s pleasantly warm and dry in here, and I’m pleased to welcome this week’s guest author, cozy mystery writer Carol Preflatish.
 
Thanks for coming, Carol. How do you take your coffee?
   
CP:  I drink it black with two sugars, or sometimes with caramel mocha creamer.
 
Ally:  Caramel mocha creamer sounds like a treat, so why not go with that today? While I fill our mugs, please tell readers about yourself.
Bio:
 
Carol Preflatish, from southern Indiana, is the author of the Nathan Perry Mystery Series, as well as several romantic suspense novels, and two non-fiction books. When she’s not writing, she loves to read, watch Indianapolis Colts football, and do just about anything outdoors. 
 
An avid photographer, Carol has had many photos published in her local newspaper, as well as in “Golf Journal,” the official publication of the United States Golf Association. A few little-known facts about Carol are that she’s a licensed amateur radio operator, and is a collector of celebrity autographs, stamps, and coins.
 
Carol is a member of Sisters in Crime, SinC's Guppies chapter, and the Louisville, Kentucky SinC chapter.
 
Something unique/unusual that isn't in your regular bio: “I worked in social services for over 30 years.”
 
Social Media links:
 
Web site: http://www.carolpre.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarolPreflatish
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CarolPreflatish
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/author/carolpre
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4957220.Carol_Preflatish
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carol_pre/
Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolpreflatish/ INTERVIEW :
 
Ally:  Why did you choose writing as a career? Is it your only career, or do you have a “day” job?
 
CP:  I retired from my day job several years ago. I’ve always loved writing and in 2000, I decided to give it a shot, but I wasn’t published until 2010.
 
Ally: Do you write from an outline?
 
CP:  I usually start my book with an outline, but by the third or fourth chapter, it’s all out the window.
 
Ally:  How many drafts (revision passes) do you do on a typical book before submission to your editor/publisher?
 
CP:  I usually write two drafts, then edit a couple times before sending it in.
 
Ally:  What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
 
CP:  My next Nathan Perry book will be sort of a modern-day retelling of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. I hope to have it released in 2023.
 
Ally:  None that you’re writing, do you still find time to read?
 
CP:  I usually read a book every two months. My favorite genre is mystery, and my favorite authors are Lisa Gardner and the late Robert B. Parker.
 
Ally: Which of the trivia questions did you choose?
 
CP:Most watched tv show: There’s so many, but if I had to chose one, it would be Seal Team on Paramount+. Favorite comfort food: Mac and cheese.Have you written a book during NaNo? Every one of my published books was started as a NaNo book.Pie or cake? Chocolate Cake.If you had to evacuate your house (your family, pets, and laptop are already out safe), what one thing would you try to take with you? My cell phone. Ally: It has been a pleasure having you, Carol. Before we finish, please show us your featured book, Witch Hunt. Witch Hunt (A Nathan Perry Mystery)
Genre: cozy mystery
 
Is it 1692 all over again? When a millionaire's daughter is found hanging from a tree in the Mystic, Massachusetts cemetery, witchcraft is suspected. Police detective Nathan Perry is assigned the case and works closely with an attractive female private investigator hired by the father to find who murdered his daughter.
 
Mystic is known for its history of witchcraft in the area. It's what brings tourists to town, and when another murder occurs, there is rising pressure on Nathan to solve the case quickly.
Nathan's investigation pulls him into an unfamiliar world rife with covens, magic, and lore to find the killer. A small town gripped in fear is depending on him to prevail.
 
Witch Hunt is a stand-alone novel that is part of the Nathan Perry Mystery Series
 
Witch Hunt buy links:
 
Amazon - https://amzn.to/3H6oArD
B&N - https://bit.ly/3p6fK77
Kobo - https://bit.ly/3sj6E9b
iTunes - https://apple.co/3s8bSEh
 

Romance Writer Daryl Devore Shows Her Sweet Side

Good Morning, Booklovers!
 
Spring has definitely sprung in the Midwest. It’s not quite warm yet—and raining today—but we’re getting there. It will be deck weather soon, and I can hardly wait. But I digress. We have guest author, Daryl Devore, here to chat about books today.
 
Welcome, Daryl. What can I get you to drink?
 
DD: I am that person. Yup, that person who doesn’t drink coffee. Never developed a taste for it. When I was young, my grandmother let me try a mouthful of hers. Ugh. Burnt my tongue. Thought it tasted disgusting and that was the end of that.
I have been known to drive early morning diner servers crazy. They keep coming past with the pot and are trying to pour it into my OJ or onto my pancakes – anywhere – they just seem to have to pour coffee!
Since as I write this, the current temperature is -20C (-4ishF), the drink I will choose is hot chocolate. I am old enough to remember getting a certain brand tin of hot chocolate powder and needing a spoon to pop the lid. I have graduated in my taste. Now it is a blend from a well-known chocolatier. YUM. And I drink it in either the mug my mother made for me or one a friend gave me.
When I am feeling frivolous, I’ll pop in a marshmallow. If I’m feeling exotic, I sprinkle in some cinnamon.
 
Ally: Although the weather has certainly changed since you wrote about the hot chocolate, there is a chill in the air with the rain. And after all, I’m drinking hot coffee. Hot chocolate sounds perfect. White I fix our drinks, please tell readers something about yourself.
BIO:
This my new bio. A friend wrote it. I super like it as it is short and hits it on the nail. I’m the bigger Tigger 😊
 
Daryl Devoré is an author who spans heat levels from soft and sweet to spicy hot. Each of her characters is so captivating they leave her readers spellbound as they rush to reach the end of her stories.
Daryl lives and works from her home in the gorgeous wilds of Canada. When she's not writing she spends her spare time gardening, enjoying the tasty homemade bread her hubby bakes, and attending yoga classes where she sometimes hangs from the rafters like a bat.
 
Something unique about me: “Hmmm. I can’t whistle. Never learned. Lots have tried to teach me but soon give up as we all end up laughing our heads off at the ridiculousness of the situation and from the facial contortions of me trying to get it right.”
 
Author Contacts:
 
Blog - Romance - Sweet to Heat
Twitter
Every Other Month Newsletter (always looking for subscribers)
Facebook INTERVIEW:
 
DD: I brought along my medieval fantasy romance – The Last Dragon. Even though I am more known as a hot romance writer, this book is definitely in the sweet heat rating.
 
Ally:  A perfect lead to my first question. Who or what inspired your featured book, The Last Dragon?
 
DD:  A bit of both. Both a “who” and a “what”. I wrote a hot medieval romance, and someone commented they expected a dragon to pop into the story. I’d never written fantasy before, so I dismissed the idea. A few years later, there is dragon flying around in my head, demanding to have its story written.
 
Ally:  Are you self-published or traditionally published? How did you make the decision?
 
DD:  Yes and no. LOL. I’m being really wish-washy today. I was traditionally published – agent and all that. Left that. Then had an e-publisher, but also did my own indie publishing. Left both epublishers and now I am solely an indie. It’s a long-involved story about editors and myself and I think I don’t play well with others. My sweet books, I did not want an editor to work on them. I found they removed my voice and soul in my hot romance books. I love my sweet books too much to let that happen.
 
Ally:  Do you use critique groups or beta readers? Do you find them valuable?
 
DD:  Yes, I have some wonderful CPs (critique partners). One who doesn’t let me get away with passive verbs, floating body parts and that sort of thing. The other can ask the most annoying questions. Solving the questions always seems to make the story even better. Questions like – well, why didn’t he just… She’s usually right.
My beta is amazing. She constantly refers back in the book to check every little detail and make sure every plot twist moves the story along.
 
Ally:  Do you write from an outline?
 
DD:  Nope. Card carrying pantser. A few years ago, I was asked to join a group of wonderful authors that was writing a box set. The theme of the set was Lawbreakers. My whole plot outline was – Lawbreaker – should be her. And from that I wrote a twisted fairy tale based on Robin Hood. Which I swear, I did not know I was going to do until I got to the end of the first chapter and the main character announced her name.
 
Ally:  Do you read reviews of your books? Do you respond to them? Are you affected by them?
 
DD:  This is a touchy topic. Writers need reviews to get their books noticed. People have opinions and they will express those opinions. I get not everyone will like my books, so I ignore the reviews marked less than 4 stars. I use the 4- and 5-star ones for tweets and in book teasers.
I don’t read the lower rated ones. They hurt my feelings or they trigger my temper and there is nothing I can do but yell at my computer.
I’ve also had reviewers give away the end of the book. Thanks a lot!! – said in a very sarcastic tone.
 
Ally:  What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
 
DD:  Well, as my next release date is for a hot romance – I will skip that one and jump to the next which is probably April. It is a new adult romance for older teens. A dancer, horses and a bad boy get mixed together.
Oh, and I am nearing the end of another sweet medieval fantasy romance. This one has fairies, imps and the occasional troll.
 
Ally:  Which of the trivia questions did you choose? - Memorable book you’ve read: I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai- Favorite comfort food: Chocolate- Your pets: Cats. Black. Licorice and Ginny-Furr- Your hobbies? Gardening. Raks Sharqi (belly dancing)- Best place you’ve ever visited: Grand Cayman  Ally: Thank you for chatting with us today, Daryl. Before we finish, please show us your featured book, The Last Dragon. THE LAST DRAGON
Genre: Medieval fantasy romance
Rating: sweet
 
What do dragons, knights and romance have in common?
 
A sorcerer craving dominance merged with a dragon, the power overwhelmed him causing him to split into three dragons. Demora ruled thought, but was lost in time. Yidithe offered protection, shining like the light of the sun. Ayrradex craved chaos, reveling in destroying souls.
Many knights died, attempting to slay the devil beast.
 
One knight, Prince Hawkyns, did not fear death. He’d lost everything. Away on a mission when Ayrradex attacked his father’s kingdom, Penrythe, Hawkyns returned to find his noble father – feeble and defeated. His wise mother – crazed. His beautiful wife and unborn child - dead. Only a pile of ashes remained for him to bury. He knelt before his King and vowed to slay the devil-beast or be slain
.
Derry was born with powers that terrified her parents. They delivered her to a nunnery to be raised in secret. Jathe, a wise sorceress, discovered the young girl and trained her to one day use the secret hidden in her soul.
 
Legends spoken around campfires hinted the sole way to destroy Ayrradex was when the hearts of a knight and a golden dragon became one. But after a vicious battle with Ayrradex, the golden dragon was thought to be dead.
 
Can Prince Hawkyns’s bravery and Derry’s powers end the reign of the devil-beast’s terror?
 
Buy Links:
Amazon - ebook, paper, hardcover
Amazon - Audio 
Audible - audio
BookBub
BookSprout
Pinterest page for THE LAST DRAGON
GoodReads Excerpt for Last Dragon (This is the prologue.)
​
The men’s gazes fixed on the crimson glow of the embers. Twilight too feeble to ward off the soul-freezing sounds drifting out of the woods, weary travellers sat around a campfire with heads bowed and huddled deeper into their cloaks. Strangers to each other, but linked at this shared moment by the need for companionship and the illusion of protection.
The evening grew darker. Clouds blanketed the sky, erasing the stars, dulling the moonlight. A breeze rustled the leaves of the bushes.
Or was it a breeze?
Heads lifted and gazes searched into the darkness for danger. One of the horses tied to the trees reared its head, whinnied and stomped the ground. The wayfarers pushed their hoods back and peered past the startled beast. Two men reached for their swords.
A log dropped deeper into the fire and raised a shower of sparks. Crackles and hisses erupted and faded as the blaze settled. A gust of wind blew curls of smoke meandering around the men, stinging their tired eyes.
Silence fell once more on the huddled group as the travellers shifted their focus back from the world outside the campfire to the one inside their thoughts.
A bard raised his hands towards the heat of the flames, cleared his throat and lifted his voice. “The Legend speaks―in whispers―of an evil dragon who flies in the dark of the moon. The heat of its breath will melt a man's soul and kill ye alive. Alive yet dead. Never again to taste, touch, love or be loved. Those who obey its commands; their fire burns a man’s flesh and turns his bones to ash.
But, they say, there is a dragon the colour of the sun and a brave prince. When their hearts become one only then can the devil dragon and all loyal to it be slain and their souls banished into the depths of Hell.”

The Dead Betray None, Regency Mystery, Releases July 2022

I am excited to share the news that my first historical mystery,
THE DEAD BETRAY NONE (A Viscount Ware Mystery), under the name of J L Buck
will release on July 12, 2022 and is already up for pre-order on several sites, including Amazon, B&N, and Kobo. The cover is below.
For the blurb and pre-order links, hop over to my JL Buck blog: janetlbuck.com/blog/the-dead-betray-none-by-jl-buck-releases-july-12-2022

Coffee Chat with Humorous Mystery Author Kris Bock

​Good Morning, Booklovers!

It is a beautiful early spring day in the Midwest! In another few weeks, we’ll be on the deck again! Meanwhile, we gather inside where to meet this week’s guest, Kris Bock, featuring her humorous mystery, Something Shady at Sunshine Haven.
 
Welcome, Kris. What can I get you to drink?
 
KB:  I can't stand coffee! Not even something fancy like mocha. Instead, I'm totally a tea drinker. I like strong black tea, hot, with half and half, or maybe chai or pu-erh.
 
Ally: Then tea it is. While I prepare our drinks, please introduce yourself to readers.
Bio:
 
Kris Bock writes novels of mystery, suspense, and romance, many with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. Get a free Accidental Detective short story and bonus material when you sign up for her newsletter. You’ll also get a free 30-page sweet romance set in the world of the Furrever Friends cat café and a printable copy of the recipes mentioned in the cat café novels. Kris has also published over 100 books for young people under the names Chris Eboch and M. M. Eboch.
 
Something unique/unusual that isn't in your regular bio: “I've written six sweet romance novels about a cat café – but I don't have cats. Tragically, I am allergic. Instead, my husband and I keep ferrets. Princess Pandemonium (Panda) and Teddy Black Bear (Bear Bear) provide us with lots of amusement, snuggles, and cute photos for social media.”
 
Find Kris:
Website
Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Pinterest
Instagram
GoodReads Author Page
BookBub
Amazon US page or Amazon UK page.  INTERVIEW:
 
Ally:  Who or what inspired your featured book?
 
KB:  For the Accidental Detective mystery series, I started with a character who is trying to reinvent her life as she turns 50. She spent 30 years as a war correspondent, so she’s pretty fearless, but that doesn’t always help her with the challenges of aging. She’s dealing with elderly parents who have health problems, a resentful sister, her own lack of retirement planning, and a body that doesn’t recover as quickly as it used to.
 
This character was inspired by my own experiences. Okay, the part about turning fifty, not traveling the world as a war correspondent. I didn’t necessarily intend to write humor, but both my agent and my editor said they laughed a lot. That comes from how Kate sees the world, which is how I see the world. Laughter helps with the pain.
 
Ally:  Have you done any ghostwriting? Tell us about your experience.
 
KB:  Yes, I’ve ghostwritten for two popular children’s mystery series that have been around for decades – six books total. They were fun to write, but I can’t tell you much about it!
 
Ally:  Have you co-authored a story or novel? How did it work? Would you do it again?
 
KB:  I’m writing a series with my brother, scriptwriter Douglas J Eboch, who wrote the original screenplay for the movie Sweet Home Alabama (yes, the movie starring Reese Witherspoon). Our young adult comedy series features “Felony Melanie,” Jake, and their friends a decade before the events of the movie. It’s a lot of fun to work with a writing partner, especially one I’ve known my whole life.
 
Book 1 involved a beauty pageant with a mystery and book 2 had Melanie desperate to participate in the local demolition derby. We are now editing book 3, which involves a high school prank war. Readers called the first two books “Laugh out loud funny,” so I guess the fun we have writing it is coming through.
 
Sign up for our romantic comedy newsletter and get Felony Melanie Destroys the Moonshiner’s Cabin. These first two chapters from the novel Felony Melanie in Pageant Pandemonium stand alone as a short story. Or find the books on Amazon US or All E-book retailers.
 
Ally:  What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
 
KB:  The Accidental Detective book 2, Something Deadly on Desert Drive, comes out June 21. Book 3, Someone Cruel in Coyote Creek, is scheduled for September 29, and book 4, Someone Missing from Malapais Mountain, will be out in February 2023.
 
Ally:  Which of the trivia questions did you select? 
Memorable book you’ve read:  Sword Dance, by A.J. Demas, a spy adventure/romance with a damaged military hero and a non-binary sword dancer, set in an imaginary ancient world. Wonderful characters, exciting drama once it gets going, and interesting world building.Book you're currently reading:  The Professor Bradshaw Mysteries by Bernadette Pajer, set in 1901 Seattle. The hero is an electrical engineering professor, and it’s interesting to see Seattle – and the state of electrical engineering – in that time period.Color of nail polish you have on:  I can’t even remember the last time I wore nail polish, though I have worn a bit of eyebrow pencil when doing Zoom workshops, because otherwise my blonde eyebrows disappear on screen.Favorite comfort food:  Chocolate. But my husband and I also greatly enjoy grilled cheese sandwiches (made with sliced cheddar rather than American cheese) and tomato soup as a cozy winter dinner.Favorite quote:  “You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” ― Jack London​ 
Ally: It has been a pleasure chatting with you, Kris. Before you go, please show us your featured novel, Something Shady at Sunshine Haven.

Something Shady at Sunshine Haven : The Accidental Detective Book 1
Genre: humorous mystery/female amateur detective
 
War correspondent Kate Tessler has followed the most dangerous news stories around the world. But can she survive going home?
 
Injured in a bombing, Kate returns to her hometown in Arizona to recover. For the first time in her life, she's starting to feel her age (49), even though she's living like a teenager again: staying with her father, trying to understand why her sister resents her so much, and running into people who still think of her as Kitty.
 
Seeing her mother in an Alzheimer's unit is the hardest part – until an old friend asks her to investigate suspicious deaths at that nursing home. Is a self-appointed "Angel of Mercy" killing patients to end their suffering? Are family members hastening their inheritance? Is an employee extorting money and removing the witnesses? Kate uses her journalism skills to track clues, but the puzzle pieces simply won't fit.
 
If Kate can't uncover the truth, her mother could be next on the killer's list.

 
Buy Links:
 
Publisher (Tule)
Amazon Kindle
B&N Nook
Apple Books
Kobo
Google Play
Amazon Kindle UK

Coffee Chat with Guest Author ME Roche

​Good Morning, Booklovers!

Pull up a chair and join me in visiting with ME Roche and check out her featured book, Bigamy.
Welcome, Ms. Roche. How do you take your coffee?

MER:  I drink my coffee black—often day-old and lukewarm.

Ally: An easy request. While I pour, please tell readers a bit about yourself. Bio:

I am a product of the Midwest, but have lived on both coasts, as well as in Ireland. While being a retired RN, I continue to work as a volunteer with a neighborhood clinic.

Something that isn’t in my bio: I have worked as a volunteer, assisting with autopsies in the coroner’s department of my local sheriff.

I primarily write murder mysteries, sometimes with a touch of romance (PG) or the paranormal.
​
My website: www.meroche.com. I also have author pages on Amazon’s Author Central, Bookbub, Goodreads, and Facebook.. INTERVIEW :

Ally:  What inspired you to write your featured book, Bigamy?

MER: As I was working on a follow-up in my Nora Brady series, friends brought me the story of their grandfather who was accused (rightly so) and jailed for bigamy in the 1930’s. They had numerous newspaper clippings from that time and they thought it would make a great novel. I did further research on the story, but it took me some time to decide if I could shape the story into a book; there was no murder. What would make readers want to read about this? Eventually, I did decide to write and the product is BIGAMY. What makes this story different from all the other books I have found written about bigamists is the fact that both wives were full participants in the plot and that the story was true—to a point. Times were different then. No TV. No Internet. No real communication between different state departments, or different states for that matter. These people had every reason to assume their goal was achievable, but they forgot one tiny factor which proved to be their downfall. I hope my readers will enjoy!

Ally: Do you write from an outline?

MER: I don’t use an outline, preferring to let my characters take me to where the story goes.
 
Ally: Tell us about your own reading habits.

MER:  As part of my effort to discover writers previously unknown to me and possibly to my readers, I read approximately 6-10 books/month, as well as listening to another 4-8 audiobooks. Because I’m trying to read those authors who are new to me, I can’t say I yet have a favorite, but I do prefer the mystery/thriller/suspense genre. New to me: Hank Phillipi Ryan, Nita Prose, Alex Michaelides and Robert Dugoni.
 
Ally:  What is your best research source?

MER:  I use Google most often when I’m researching; it can generally give me the quickest answer if I’m checking a small fact. For greater depth, I will go to the library.

Ally:  What is next on your writing agenda?

MER:  My next novel will be another in the Nora Brady adult series. This new one will be a paranormal mystery which I plan to have out mid-summer.

Ally:  Which of the trivia questions did you select to answer?

MER: Favorite movies - I really have two favorite movies: “Friendly Persuasion” and “Somewhere in Time”.If I were a color what would it be? - It would be green—the colors of life and hope.Favorite music - Motown.Beach lover or a snow skier? - I am a beach lover.Beer at the bar or book on the deck? - I am a beer at the bar.Ally: Thank you for chatting with us. Before we finish for today, please show us your featured book, Bigamy.
BIGAMY
Genre:  mystery

When a wooden box filled with old newspaper clippings is found in Sophie Dawson’s attic of fifty years accumulation, no one is prepared for the family secrets they discover. With their grandmother’s unwillingness to answer questions about the findings, the family is left to guess at answers which will forever haunt them.

Loosely based on a case that captivated people’s attention coast to coast in 1930’s rural New Jersey, the story follows the lives of Sophie, her husband William, and Aine, the second wife and their former servant. The question to which everyone wanted an answer: “What can a woman possibly be thinking, when she willingly steps aside and gives her husband to another woman?” For Sophie, it was clear she had not considered all that she should have. For William and Aine—and finally Sophie—nothing worked out as they had naively imagined.

Buy Links for her books on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/M-E-Roche/e/B014PMIEMO/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

Darlene Dziomba Turned Her Love for Animals into Mystery Books

Good Morning, Booklovers!
 
I’m visiting with you this morning from sunny Florida. I just had to escape the cold weather for a couple of weeks, and I hope Spring will be right around the corner when I return to the Midwest.
My guest this morning is Darlene Dziomba, featuring her cozy mystery, Clues from the Canines.
 
Welcome, Darlene. What can I get you to drink?
 
DD:  I’m a tea drinker.  My morning cup is Earl Grey.
 
Ally:  No problem. While I prepare our drinks, please introduce yourself to readers. Bio:
 
I’m Darlene Dziomba. I’ve been working in Fiscal Operations and Financial Planning for the University of Pennsylvania for over thirty years. I’m an animal lover. My parents always joked that from the time I learned to walk, I could not pass a dog without wanting to pet it.  Pre COVID, I volunteered at the Animal Welfare Association, a local New Jersey animal shelter. I hope to return to it when the virus dissipates.  I miss the staff and the dogs. I had an idea for a book where the amateur sleuth worked at an animal shelter, and the Lily Dreyfus series was born. I have one dog, Billie, an irresistible terrier mix I adopted from AWA.
 
Something unique/unusual that isn't in your regular bio: “I have a chocolate chip cookie addiction.  My local grocery, Acme, has tremendously good chocolate chip cookies.”
 
People can find me on social media at:
 
www.ReadDarlene.com
@ReadDarlene1
facebook.com/read.darlene.7
ReadDarlene@hotmail.com INTERVIEW:
 
Ally:  Who or what inspired your featured book?
 
DD:  I was volunteering at the Animal Welfare Association, a local animal shelter. I got to know the staff and the operations. I had never read a book where the amateur sleuth worked in an animal shelter. I thought I had found an untapped niche and could raise awareness of shelters and the loving animals just waiting for a family to add them as a member.
 
Ally:  Are you self-published or traditionally published? How did you make the decision?
 
DD:  I am self-published. My decision was for sentimental reasons. I spent two years querying agents.  Of the queries, I had a .05% request for additional pages. I listened to lots of famous authors say things like, “It doesn’t matter at what age you publish. Stick with the queries until you get an agent.” While my age may not matter, my parents are in their 80’s. I wanted them to be able to hold a book with my name on the cover in their hands. Clues From The Canines will be out on Amazon in April, 2022.
 
Ally:  Why did you choose writing as a career? Is it your only career, or do you have a “day” job?
 
DD:  My “day job” is in Finance. It turns out the analytical reasoning skills that make you successful in Finance also aid in plotting a mystery.
 
I had not planned to have a writing career. I had an idea and set out to see if I could write a book. I had a tremendous amount to learn about the craft of writing, publishing, marketing, etc.  Once I started, I was determined to see my book in print.
 
Ally:  How many books do you read in a month? Which genre(s)? Favorite authors?
 
DD:  I read four to five books a month. Ninety percent of what I read is mystery and suspense. I’m in a book group to ensure I get a little non-fiction and non-mystery reading.
 
My favorite authors are Michael Connelly, Ian Rankin, and Jacqueline Winspear.  They all have relentless protagonists who will get to the heart of the matter irrespective of what feathers they ruffle. Also, their sidekicks are well-defined and likable.
 
I was lucky enough to meet Jacqueline Winspear in 2010.  Within her books, the main sidekick Billy was musing about going to Canada. I asked her, “If you must send Billy to Canada, would you please give him a Detective Agency of his own?” She was quite gracious and assured me that Billy wasn’t leaving England.  It was quite a relief.
 
Ally:  What three books in your genre (other than your own) would you recommend to readers?
 
DD:  Three tremendous cozy authors who I’ve met through Sisters in Crime:
 
A Deadly Inside Scoop by Abby Collette
In the Dog House by V.M. Burns
Body on the Bayou by Ellen Byron
  
Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
 
DD:  I am working on the sequel to Clues From The Canines, Up Close and Pawsonal.  It will release in April, 2023.
 
Ally:  Which of the trivia questions did you select to answer?
 
DD:Memorable book you’ve read - Educated by Tara Westover. It was unsettling for many reasons, but her resilience is inspiring.Movie you’ll always remember – “My Cousin Vinnie,” it doesn’t matter  how many times I see it, I laugh until my sides hurt.Most beloved comic book character - HobbesBest place you’ve ever visited - The Galapagos Islands, the animals have no fear of humans and carry on about their business as if you aren’t there. I let my group get too far ahead on one morning walk, and ended up being cut off by a three hundred pound sea lion. In the moment it was terrifying. For the rest of the trip the guides pointed out which islands had “bachelor” sea lions I might want to meet.Beer at the bar or a book on the deck? - I’m an introvert, so a book on a deck.  A glass of wine would be a nice accompaniment.Ally:  Thanks for being with us this morning, Darlene. Before we finish, please show us your featured book, Clues from the Canines.


​Clues from the Canines
Genre: cozy mystery
  
Set in a small town in New Jersey, Clues From the Canines combines witty dialogue with tension and intrigue. 

Lily, the Adoption Coordinator at the Forever Friends Animal Shelter, is stunned by the news that her physically fit, former Marine boyfriend is dead.

​When the police rule the death a homicide, Lily, spurred on by grief, resolves to sniff out the killer. She gathers her pack, both human and canine, to point police to the perpetrator. The canine pack competes for the alpha position, their owner’s attention, and extra treats, while the human pack doggedly seeks out justice.
 
Coming April 2022!