Diane Bator's Blog, page 59

Tanya Agler talks about "The Sheriff's Second Chance"

Welcome to author Tanya Agler!!

An award-winning author, Tanya writes sweet contemporary romance. A graduate of the University of Georgia with degrees in journalism and law, she makes her home in Georgia with her wonderful husband, their four children, and a lovable Basset, who really rules the roost. Her debut novel, The Sheriff’s Second Chance, is a January of 2020 Harlequin Heartwarming release. She’s represented by Dawn Dowdle and the Blue Ridge Literary Agency. When she’s not writing, Tanya loves classic movies and a good cup of tea.






1.    Tell us about your life outside of writing.Hi, Diane. Thank you so much for inviting me to be your special guest on your blog today. I live in metro Atlanta with my wonderful husband, four kids, and one lovable but fussy Basset hound named Vera. In my spare time, I love reading to students at a local elementary school and I’m often found at my daughter’s basketball games or my son’s Cub Scout den meetings. I love going on picnics, and Georgia has some great hiking trails and state parks allowing my family to enjoy a picnic after walking. I’ve enjoyed climbing the steps to reach the top of Amicalola Falls and hiking in Cloudland Valley. Whether it’s walking outside in nature or on a treadmill, that’s one of my favorite activities. Otherwise, I’m usually found with a book in hand or watching a classic movie as I’m a huge fan of Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart.  
2.    Do you have a work in progress?I currently have two works in progress: the second book in the series is with my agent and awaiting edits before we send it to my editor at Harlequin Heartwarming and I’m also working on the first draft of the third book in the series. In my second book, the heroine was first seen in The Sheriff’s Second Chance and the book deals with how she rebuilds her life in a small town after her ex-husband embezzled money from several of the town’s residents while battling bats and balancing work with her chaotic household including her young twins and menagerie of pets. The third book centers around another character from my debut novel.
3.    What was the most difficult section/piece you ever wrote? What made it difficult?The first page of my books are always the most difficult for me. I’m still getting to know the characters and figuring out where to start and how much information the reader needs to get grounded in the story while not overwhelming them with too much detail is always the most difficult. Once I start writing and get the words on the page, I try to have fun with the book even the gut-wrenching parts where the couple faces insurmountable odds.
4.    What sort of research do you do for your work?It depends on the book. For me, it’s a combination of interviewing people, watching YouTube videos, and doing online searches. For the book I’m starting, I interviewed a friend of mine who is in the military about military life, reenlistment issues, and bereavement leave. I also rely on friends with different career backgrounds for information. My husband works in the medical field, and he’s answered questions on everything from poisons (for the cozy mystery I wrote) to stent procedures. YouTube is amazing as I’ve watched videos on everything from how to change brake fluid to how to navigate a high ropes course.
5.    Which books and authors do you read for pleasure? Is there an author that inspires you?Reading is one of my favorite hobbies. In my childhood, I fell in love with Trixie Belden mysteries and still love reading cozy mysteries. Some of my favorite mystery authors include Anne George, Carolyn Hart, Rita Mae Brown, V.M. Burns, and Heather Blake. I’m also a huge fan of romance novels and love reading sweet contemporary romance and romantic suspense. Series and small-town romances are two of my personal favorites. With my debut novel coming out with Harlequin Heartwarming, I love so many of the books in the line, and two authors in the line whose books I read when they come out are Rula Sinara and Melinda Curtis. So many authors inspire me on both a personal and a professional level. On a personal level, Tina Radcliffe has patiently answered my questions about writing, my critique partner Jeanine Englert has read my earliest drafts, and my accountability partner Sharee Stover helps me stay on track. Professionally, I have the utmost respect for RaeAnne Thayne and Carolyn Hart and so many others who demonstrate a strong work ethic while writing remarkable stories.
6.    Was there a person who encouraged you to write?In high school, my junior English teacher announced a contest for young writers, and her encouragement led me to enter. My mom found a copy of that story and was the first person to tell me she enjoyed my writing. When my two oldest children were in school and I started writing a novel, I told my husband what I was doing and he said he wondered when I would realize I was a writer and start doing something about it. He knew before I did that I wanted to write romance novels and he’s been a huge encouragement ever since then.
Website: www.tanyaagler.comFB: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTanyaAgler/Twitter: https://twitter.com/tanyaagler Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanyaaglerauthor/

The Sheriff's Second Chance
Broken things can’t be fixed…
Or can they?
Officer and single dad Mike Harrison doesn’t believe in second chances. Ever. That is, until he learns that his former best friend—gorgeous green-eyed car mechanic Georgie Bennett—is back in town. Unfortunately, she’s also a suspect in a recent break-in! But it’ll take an old classic car to show Mike and Georgie that almost anything can be restored with a little patience…and a whole lot of love.




Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1335889566/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_3ZBkEbS5RNVP8Harlequin: https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781488061844_the-sheriffs-second-chance.html
BN.com: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-sheriffs-second-chance-tanya-agler/1131651914?ean=9781488061844

Devon Delaney talks about "Guilty as Charred"

Welcome to today's author Devon Delaney!
BIO: Devon Delaney is a mother of three, grandmother of one, accomplished amateur cooking contester, lifelong resident of the Northeast and author of a cooking competition mystery series. She has been handsomely rewarded for her recipe innovation over the last twenty-plus years, including a full kitchen of major appliances, top cash prizes, and four trips to Disney World. She has also won the Grand Prize in a national writing contest for her “foodie” poem “Ode to Pork Passion.” Her latest book, Guilty As Charred, was released in late summer and two more are in the works. Between dreaming up new recipes for cook-offs and new ways for murder and mayhem to incorporate themselves into the competition, Devon’s plate is full.
Devon’s author website can be found at: www.devonpdelaney.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/devonpdelaney/

Tell us about your life outside writing.When I’m not writing about murder investigations centered on cooking competitions I’m probably participating in one of my beloved hobbies or frolicking with my granddaughter. I play competitive league team tennis to keep myself in shape. I’m an avid gardener and I jar and pickle my harvest. Of course, I create recipes. I needlepoint, hook rugs and read cozy murder mysteries when time permits. I walk my standard poodle and I adore volunteering to educate underserved children about gardening at a nearby community garden.
Do you have a work in progress?My fourth book, title undecided, is in the final edit phase. Let’s see: without any spoilers, there’s a Fall Fest cook-off, a murder (of course), a family crisis, a mysterious cast of out-of-towners clouding the murder investigation and a sense of urgency to solve the murder before the main character’s brother is tossed in jail. As always, I include a few of my recipes in the book, many being award winners.This is the point in the writing process where I, as a proud author, offer up my creation to my editor for final polishing. While that manuscript is out of my hands being worked on, I don’t take a break, I move right into the next project, which is the fifth book in the series.
Was there a person who encouraged you to write?My father encouraged me to write when I showed an interest as early as elementary school and thank goodness for his persistence. I have a strong memory of him reading one of my compositions and telling me I had writing talent. What a gift his words were. My mother also continues to encourage me at the ripe old age of ninety-four. I am very lucky.
 Five years from now, where do you see yourself as a writer?Years of writing winning recipes took a left turn when it led me to writing cozy murder mysteries. From the years of honing my recipe contesting hobby I learned to craft clearly written recipes with interesting titles and easy to follow steps. Each recipe has unusual “Devon spins” that made them unique to my culinary viewpoint. The next five years will be spent translating that process into my cozy mystery craft and I see myself becoming a better writer, story-teller and wordsmith.
What are you working on now?I am in the process of letting my fifth book in my series find its way to the finish line. By that I mean, I thought the detailed outline of the book was leading in one direction, but it’s taking an unexpected and exciting turn. As my series hook explains, competition is the perfect backdrop for foul play, as it not only brings out the best, but also the worst, in people vying for cash and valuable prizes. My main character is having a character growth spurt, the murder victim was not at all who I expected him to be and the circumstances of the cook-off murder are unusual, to say the least. The pages will be filled with delicious action, tasty clues, twists and turns, and I am so excited to share my cook-off experience with my readers.

Weston Kincade

Welcome to author Weston Kincade!

Weston Kincade is a bestselling writer of supernatural mystery and horror novels that stretch the boundaries of imagination, and often genres. His current series include the A Life of Death trilogy and the Priors. Weston's short stories have been published in Alucard Press' "50 Shades of Slay," Kevin J. Kennedy's bestselling seasonal anthologies, and others. He is a member of the Horror Writers Association (HWA) and helps invest in future writers while teaching. In his spare time Weston enjoys spending time with his family and friends, fishing, and playing board and roleplaying games like D&D. 

Tell us about your life outside of writing. Well, I'm a PK-8 Computer Science teacher by day. Nights, weekends, and over the summer, I write, participate in Story Medics' YouTube shows Prompt Joust and Story Glimpse, do book signings and lectures, coach writers, edit, and help out with Cleveland ConCoction's Authors Alley, the lit side of the convention. I began it 6 or 7 years ago. Since then, Melissa Stasko took over and the convention has continued to grow as a result. In my spare time I enjoy movies, shows, camping, fishing, video games and roleplaying, like D&D. To put it simply, I stay busy.
Do you have a work in progress?Yes, I'm actually finishing a prequel to my Life of Death trilogy. I hope to have it finished by the end of the year. The trilogy was received well, so I wanted to give fans a bit more to enjoy in Alex's world. I've written short stories in the Life of Death world that have been published in anthologies, but I wanted to give readers something more after the trilogy.  While Alex and Paige are the stars of the trilogy, his mysteriously absent father and amnesiatic grandfather are the stars of this one. I think it holds answers to a few mysteries readers were intrigued by.

Was there a person who encouraged you to write?Well, not really. My father encouraged me to read, bringing home fantasy books that got me hooked, like Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. However, I never knew any writers growing up. It was just something I had to get out or go insane. It gets quite claustrophobic if I don't get the voices out of my head now and again.
Five years from now, where do you see yourself as a writer?In less than 5 years, my plan is to become a full-time writer. Book sales and finances will dictate whether that's possible. Until then, I am shooting to get out a book a year.
What are you working on now?In addition to the Life of Death prequel, I'm working on a short story anthology, a few other novels, and I host two YouTube shows under the name Story Medics: Prompt Joust and Story Glimpse. Prompt Joust is a storytelling competition where authors match wits, whereas Story Glimpse uses short stories I've written to highlight best writing practices and offer advice to aspiring authors.
Social Media Links:Website: kincadefiction.comTwitter: @WestonKincade https://twitter.com/WestonKincadeFacebook: @WAKincade https://www.facebook.com/WAKincade/Instagram: WestonKincade https://www.instagram.com/westonkincade/?hl=enPinterest: @WAKincade https://www.pinterest.com/wakincade/YouTube: @StoryMedics https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdEI13B3ztngLLnj5Af_1sg?


Amazon Book Links:A Life of Death: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078J66NYY?ref_=dbs_r_series&storeType=ebooks
A Life of Death Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7hx6fMxC80
The The Priors: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0753GD755?ref_=dbs_r_series&storeType=ebooks
Strange Circumstances: https://www.amazon.com/Strange-Circumstances-Magic-Fiction-Collection-ebook/dp/B00730UTS8/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Strange+circumstances&qid=1572378284&s=digital-text&sr=1-1   Build Your Authors Alley: https://www.amazon.com/Build-Your-Authors-Alley-How-ebook/dp/B07B8X6XKH/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=build+your+authors+alley&qid=1572378343&s=digital-text&sr=1-1

Marci Baun talks about Snow Spirits

Happy New Year! Escape with a Writer Sunday welcomes author & publisher  Marci Baun!

A fifth generation California, Marci Baun has had a passion for books from an early age. Unless climbing trees, swimming, catching frogs, or getting into the usual hijinks with her friends, she had one everywhere she went. That passion turned into desire to create her own stories. She wrote her first one in sixth grade, decided it sucked, and promptly lost it. It took her nearly 20 years before she wrote her next story. That only happened after she opened her own publishing house and had published books by some very talented authors.

Her stories, ranging from horror/science fiction to paranormal to contemporary romance and beyond, are influenced by her early years in Central California and her travels around the States and the world. But no matter the genre, you’ll always find a love story winding its way through it. Because . . . love.
She lives in California with her husband, her child, and two cats.
Snow Spirits
Not quite human, not quite animal, and isolated in a tiny village in the Qílián Shān mountain range, Lin Xuě just hopes to survive and live in peace.When her parents insist she marry Kwan Bao, a young man from a neighboring village, her life is overturned. Bao is handsome, gentle, and unlike any man she’s ever met.But, with the Great Famine in full swing and Chairman Mao’s oppressive presence felt in every inch of China, Xuě and Bao find themselves running for their lives across the Asia continent with the People’s Liberation Army hot on their heels.ExcerptThey stepped outside into brilliant sunshine, and all of the hairs on her body stood on end. Something wasn’t right. Loud, angry voices filtered back to them from the direction of the banquet. She recognized her father’s voice, but not the other male.Xuě looked to Bao. His entire body tense, he grabbed her arm. Their gazes met. Without a word, she motioned for him to follow her. They circled around the back of her parents’ hut and slipped into the forest.Retreating farther into the trees, they sneaked around the village until the banquet area came into view. A truck with eight to ten soldiers of the People’s Liberation Army with rifles at the ready stood next to the vehicle. An officer stood at the front of the soldiers and looked around the village as if searching for something. Her heart raced, and she shrunk back. Slipping her hand in Bao’s, she pulled them behind a tree and crouched down in the melting snow. A pit opened in her stomach.Why were they in her village? Soldiers only arrived to take something, or someone, away.Even from the distance, their conversation echoed loud and clear in her ears.“Where is she? Where is your daughter?” the officer asked.She peeked around the tree.Her father bowed his head and said, “I don’t know.”The man stepped closer to her father, towering over him, and scowled. “I don’t believe you. Tell me where she is, and you won’t be punished.”Her father stared at the other man, his expression giving nothing away. “I don’t know.”The officer stared at her father. “I will only ask one more time: Where is your daughter?”“I don’t know. She went for a walk early this morning with her new husband, and she hasn’t returned yet.”“You lie. This is their banquet feast. They wouldn’t miss this.” He turned to two of his soldiers. “Check their hut.”“No,” her father protested. “They’re not there. I told you they left early this morning for a walk.”The officer raised his arm and struck her father, who reeled and crumpled to the ground. She gasped and rose, almost giving away their position, but Bao pulled her back, whispering in her ear, “No. They’re protecting us. The best thing we can do is leave.”“But—”“If we’re gone, then your father isn’t lying. The officer may not punish him. We must leave before the soldiers find our wedding clothes.”Fear rocketed through her. “The clothes will prove Father has lied.” “No, they will prove we were married, but not when.” He pulled on her arm, and she turned to face him. “We must leave now.”“We can’t—”“Xuě, we must. What do you think will happen when they confront you?”Xuě paused. She would freeze. Her yukihyō instincts ensured that. All of her life, she’d battled those instincts. Not once had she won, but maybe this time . . . “We can save them.”“No, we can’t.” He grabbed her shoulders and captured her gaze. “Why do you think they’re looking for you?”Her heart stuttered in her chest. Somehow, Mao knew. They knew about her. If they knew about her, then they knew about Bao, too, and possibly all of the others. Mao’s government had proven to be no more kind than the Japanese. Mao might kill them, but he might also do as the Japanese had done and experiment on them. He was right. They had to leave. Behind them, someone said, “Zhōngwèi, the old man is telling the truth. They aren’t in the hut.”“Then they are somewhere in this village. Search all of the huts,” the lieutenant ordered. When they didn’t find them in the huts, they would search the forest. At least, the snow had melted enough to hide their tracks. And she knew this forest better than anyone.“Come.” Bao’s whisper,  a breath on the air, tickled her ear.Xuě bowed her head and nodded. With one last glance at her parents and the village, she sprinted after him into the trees. He surged ahead of her. She picked up her pace. Their footfalls barely a murmur above the silence. Some minutes later, he stopped and turned to her, his eyebrows raised. This territory belonged to her. He could only lead them so far.With a nod, she ran ahead through the trees, heading toward her hunting ground and the cave she used to get away from everyone to think. A few gōnglǐ away, the cave would be a perfect hiding place. Above the scree, in a rock outcropping, it nestled between two large boulders. From a distance, it looked like the other rock formations around it. Not even an experienced tracker would find them let alone regular soldiers. They would disappear into the mountains, like ghosts.In a few days, still unable to find their quarry, the soldiers would give up and move on. Then they could return to the village and check on their parents. Her spirits lifted, and she smiled. Plans of returning home and then continuing on to Bao’s village spun in her head. The comforting sound of her husband’s light rasping breath urged her forward.They’d covered about a quarter of the distance to the cave when a shot rang out. Its echo ricocheted through the silent forest. A second shot followed by a third and a fourth then multiple shots reverberated in her ears. Xuě stumbled. Bao caught her and pulled her into his arms, turning her to press her face into his chest. She clung to him.“Bao?”The unasked question hung between them.She looked up into his face. All color had drained from it. He nodded. She didn’t need to witness what had happened. In her heart, she knew. Her entire village was dead because of her and what she was—what the Japanese had made her and her new husband. Because their family had protected them, their blood now seeped into the earth, their lives but a memory.Her knees buckled. Bao clasped her to his chest, supporting her. “We can’t stay here. We must leave,” he said, but he didn’t move. Instead, his arms tightened around her. His chest expanded and shuddered under her cheek.She closed her eyes. “I know.”Her whispered words caught on a sob, but she couldn’t cry. She didn’t have time to cry. Once they reached the cave and they were safe, she would let her emotions take hold, but not now. Now, they had to escape.
Releasing Late January 2020
Marci’s works are available on Amazon and through Kindle Unlimited:
https://www.amazon.com/Marci-Baun/e/B...
Links:
Website: https://www.marcibaun.com/booksFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcibaunTwitter: https://www.twitter.com/marcibaunInst... https://www.instagram.com/marcibaun

Round Robin Blog Fest Featuring "The Bakery Lady"

Merry Christmas, everyone!

This month's Round Robin Blog Fest features an excerpt from one of our stories. Since we're knee-deep in holiday spirit, I chose a section from "The Bakery Lady" to share. Enjoy!
The Bakery Lady (Wild Blue Mysteries, Book 3)
From the moment Leo Blue meets the local tattoo artist's sister Christina, he's drawn into a web of bread dough and lies. Christina Davidson has returned to Packham with a duffle bag full of secrets. Leo soon discovers her biggest secret is Christina's alter ego and her husband, who stands accused of murdering an up-and-coming artist. He promises to help set things straight and plans to bring husband and wife together for Christmas—even if it costs him his sanity and the love of his life.

"I could visualize that bookstore, smell the coffee and pastries, and see the colorful characters. This book has lots of twists and turns, and I never knew who to trust, all the way to the end. I'll look for future books by this author." ~ Paul Carr


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NEO2I2M
Mimsy’s soirees were the highlight of the Christmas party season. The Lexington mansion would be decorated from eaves to basement with white lights. Trees glowed and tinkle with metal icicles made by a local artist. Christina and her family were invited every year, but they’d only ever been to one. Her mom brought her and Clancy one year since Mel couldn’t stand all the frivolity. They’d missed out on a lot of events. The bakery was the one place he’d left them all alone. He hated the mess and the people coming in to visit. Was that why her mother had worked so much?Christina closed her eyes and sighed. Reality stunk. She should go back to Newville while she had the chance before she got stuck in her mom’s shoes for good. Then she reconsidered. There wasn’t much left there anymore either.When she returned to the store front, Clancy and Mimsy were deep in conversation. Mimsy had removed her furry hat to reveal a glittering tiara on the top of her head. What kind of person walked around town wearing a sparkling tiara and used a walker decorated with blinking, battery-powered Christmas lights? While Mimsy Lexington was old and batty back when Christina knew her, she appeared to have become crazier in the past few years.“Is there anything else for you today, Mrs. Lexington?” Christina rang in the purchase.“Darling, please call me Mimsy.” She allowed Clancy to help her to her feet. “Everyone else in town does.”“Mimsy.” Her mouth twitched into a small smile. “Sorry.”“The people at my writing meeting this evening will love these.” Mimsy’s smile faded. “Oh, darling, you made me two boxes? I only wanted one dozen.”“Sugar cookies.” Christina bowed her head. “For old time’s sake.”“Oh, you are a gem!” Mimsy clapped her hands together. “I’ll be sure to tell everyone where they came from and you’ll be busy from now until Christmas.”Once Mimsy was gone, Clancy leaned on the display case and gawked. “Well, that was uncharacteristically nice of you. What gives?”She shrugged. “Like you said, it’s Christmas. Good will towards man and all that crap.”“I should tattoo that on your forehead, including the crap part.”Christina placed her fists on her hips. “Don’t you have any customers?”“Yes, I do. One of your favorite guys.” He grinned. “Leo Blue.”Christina’s heart leaped and her step faltered. She hoped Clancy hadn’t noticed. “Since when is Leo my favorite guy?”“Since he got your name tattooed on his bicep.” He winked.She narrowed her eyes. “He did not. He hardly even knows me. Besides, Leo doesn’t seem like the kind of guy to tattoo anyone’s name on his bicep. A snake or a hula girl maybe, but not anyone’s name.”“You can ask him yourself. We’ll come by later so he can show it off.”He had to be joking. Leo didn’t come across as the kind of guy who’d hand his heart to anyone except maybe science. And even that would be a fight.Her cell phone rang as she locked the front door. She didn’t remember turning it on and hesitated, not wanting to answer. Maybe it was really Gage who’d decided to take her back and would explain why some woman had called using his phone. Curiosity consumed her and she pulled her phone from her pocket. “Gage?”“Wait, don’t hang up,” the same woman who’d called earlier said. “I’m Detective Beverly Wallis with the Newville Police. I found your name in his phone listed as Rosie and I need to ask you some questions. Were you a friend of D.J. Gage?”“I modeled for him.” Her entire body lurched. Something was definitely wrong. “What do you mean ‘were’? What’s happened to him? Was he in an accident or something?”Detective Wallis’s voice softened. “Perhaps you can come to the station and we can talk.”“I can’t.” Her shoulder’s sagged. Come in to talk to a police detective about Gage? What was going on? “I’m not in Newville. I’m in Packham.”“May I ask what you’re doing there?” Detective Wallis asked.Christina didn’t want to answer, but what could it hurt? She blinked back tears. “I’m looking after my family’s bakery. My mom had cancer. She died in September.”Detective Wallis extended her condolences. “How long have you been out of town?”“Since a couple days before the funeral.” Her stomach clenched. The stress would send her running for the toilet soon. “Why are you calling me? What’s happened to Gage?”“Have you talked to Mr. Gage since you left Newville?” Detective Wallis ignored Christina’s questions.“No. Like I said, I’ve been busy with family matters.” She leaned against the cooler door. “What’s this all about? Is Gage okay?”“Were you close to him?”“At one time.” Her voice crackled.“Do you happen to know a woman named Rose Ryan?”Christina wiped the flour off her shaking hands. Her heart hammered and knocked the air from her lungs. She’d hoped not to hear the name Rose Ryan ever again. “Why are you asking me about Gage and Rose? What’s going on?”Detective Wallis let out a sigh. “D.J. Gage was shot and killed two days ago. Apparently, a jealous husband caught up to him. The shooter’s wife is still missing. I’d hoped that since you were obviously close, personal friends with Mr. Gage, maybe you’d know Mrs. Ryan as well.”The room seemed to spin and she sagged to the floor as her worst nightmare came to life. All the horrible things she’d done and was confident her family would never find out would now be exposed. All the things she’d tried to block from her memory would become real. The truth would tear apart what little family she had left.“Are you still there?” Detective Wallis spoke softly, like Christina was a young child she’d startle if she raised her voice. “Gage is dead and you’re the one of the few people I haven’t been able to speak to.”“How did he die?”“He was shot. We have a suspect in custody, but have to wait for autopsy and lab results.” Detective Wallis didn’t give her much information, which didn’t help make Gage’s death any more real. She paused. “I know who you really are. I think you and I need to talk.”Christina took a deep breath and leaned against the cooler door. Her stomach sank and tears welled in her eyes. “Yeah, we do. I’m Rose Ryan.”
Merry Christmas to all!
Please stop by and spread some cheer to my fellow authors!

Connie Vines  Skye Taylor Victoria Chatham 
Marci Baun 
Dr. Bob Rich 
Anne Stenhouse 
A.J. Maguire 
Fiona McGier 
Beverley Bateman 
Rhobin L Courtright 

Diane Bator talks about "The Bakery Lady"

Merry Christmas!I really didn't anticipate such a great response to this blog idea when I started. I love that we have a full roster for the next couple months and am always open to hearing from other writers!
Today, however, it's my turn.
 Right now I'm writing murder mysteries, but have also written some YA stories that I will have published one day. While I do enjoy a good mystery, I do enjoy a variety of novels and short stories. I've even started to read some romance novels written by friends. The one genre I can't see myself attempting is Erotica, it's just not something I'm interested in writing or reading.


I love a good hero! They seem to come to me far easier than heroines or even villains, of course that can vary from story to story. They are far from perfect, but are always there to try to save the day.
My heroes tend to blindside me. Just when I think I have a good story, a hero will appear out of the page and try to control the way I think the story should go. In my Wild Blue Mysteries, Leo Blue was a background character in The Bookstore Lady and by The Bakery Lady, he'd taken over as a leading man!
My heroines are all around me. All my characters are composites of people I know, people I hear about in the news, and people I hear about from other people. I never base one character on any one person. I am blessed to have many strong women in my life who have had to overcome adversity. I love writing about both their strengths and weaknesses.
In writing mysteries, there can appearto be more than one antagonist. They are all people with their own agendas, but the one who ends up being the villain is usually the person who won't let anyone stand in their way without making them an obvious villain. Just as a protagonist isn't perfect, a good antagonist needs a blend of good and bad and can even win over a reader until their true colors shine through.
My latest release will be released by Books We Love Ltd in the New Year! It is called Dead Without Shame. Gilda Wright, Mick Williams, and Kane Garrick are back and this time someone is out to get Happy, owner of Happy Harvey’s Hangover Hut! You'll have to read the mystery to find out what’s going in Sandstone Cove this time.
Right now I am also doing edits on the book I wrote for NaNoWriMo this year (also known as National Novel Writing Month.) A character I’d written in a novella a few years ago makes her big debut in “Drop Dead Cowboy.” Keep your ears open for the release date! 
The Bakery Lady
Wild Blue Mysteries, Book 3
From the moment Leo Blue meets the local tattoo artist's sister Christina, he's drawn into a web of bread dough and lies. Christina Davidson has returned to Packham with a duffle bag full of secrets. Leo soon discovers her biggest secret is Christina's alter ego and her husband, who stands accused of murdering an up-and-coming artist. He promises to help set things straight and plans to bring husband and wife together for Christmas—even if it costs him his sanity and the love of his life.

"I could visualize that bookstore, smell the coffee and pastries, and see the colorful characters. This book has lots of twists and turns, and I never knew who to trust, all the way to the end. I'll look for future books by this author." ~ Paul Carr
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NEO2I2M

The Painted Lady
Wild Blue Mysteries, Book 4
Leo Blue can't escape Packham nor the life of a private detective no matter how hard he tries. Six months after the murder of artist DJ Gage, the prices of Gage's paintings soar. When a forgery is discovered in the local art gallery and a woman winds up dead, Leo not only has to find a murderer and a forger, but deal with a man who came to town seeking the wife he thinks abandoned him. The pieces of Christina Davidson's life have built up into place over the past few months, despite the one last secret she's trying hard to hide. When Leo Blue returns to town then Brady Ryan shows up, her carefully constructed walls begin to crumble and the only people who can help her now are the men of the Wild Blue Detective Agency.

https://www.amazon.com/Painted-Lady-Wild-Blue-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B07M6QCP1X
Join me next weekend for a taste of Christmas from The Bakery Lady...

Juliet Waldron talks about "Fly Away Snow Goose" and "A Master Passion"

Welcome to writer Juliet Waldron!
Juliet Waldron was baptized in the Yellow Spring of a small Ohio farm town, and she’s always had a strong connection with the land and nature.
After some years spent in a house with a resident ghost, she began to travel with her mother, a shoe-string globe-trotter, a flamboyant woman who adored history and grand opera. Juliet attended schools in Cornwall and Barbados, before returning stateside for college.
She married her first boyfriend and raised two sons while she worked at jobs ranging from artist’s model and waitress to power-suited Merrill Lynch “girl.” Approaching the Crone-age, she decided to drop out, mentally move to other centuries, and write historical novels. She enjoys putting what she has learned about people, places, and relationships into her stories.  One granddaughter is married to an organic farmer, while another is still in college, pursuing a law degree. The youngest is part of the cohort of autistic children and lives inside her headphones, engrossed in penguins, ponies, and mermaids.
1.           1. My life outside of writing. I don’t have one. JI have a husband who, since his retirement, needs someone to boss around, so, lately, that’s me. Besides being the hausfrau, I do lots of yard work. In the summer, it’s mowing, trimming, weeding, and gardening. (We Ohio farm girls are tough.) If it snows, you know who is first out the door to dig out the cars.  Just finished the leaves—which are somewhat my fault, as I’ve planted 25 trees on our small lot since we came here 30+ years ago. Like Treebeard in Lord of The Rings, some I’ve known since “nut and acorn.”
I bike, but not as much as I used to. I volunteer and show up at meetings for local government and stay informed. I love to camp, but only get out once a year. These days’ I stay in a cabin with others who share many of my interests in New Age studies. I’m too old for sleeping on the ground, although I used to enjoy cuddling up on Mama Earth. I do still love to get into the woods and out in the countryside where I can see the stars at night and hang out around camp fires discussing wyrd stuff until late. There is hiking and swimming, but last year, it was mostly trying to stay cool, as the temp was over 100 for most of the time we were there.
I’ve read a lot of history and archaeology over the years, but these days am reading books such as “Humanimal” by geneticist Adam Rutherford and “The Hidden Life Of Trees”by forester Peter Wohlleben, Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.  I’m also an ardent S/F fan. Anything by Neil Gaiman, Margaret Atwood, etc.
2.      Work in Progress?  Zauberkraft Green should be the last in my series about the generational adventures of an Austrian aristocratic family who attract all sorts of challenging supernatural attention. Zauberkraft Green concerns a young teen member of the family who is “cursed”(as she often views it) with the ability to see auras and other worldly realities more mundane folk do not. My heroine’s voice comes and goes—so sometimes the process stalls. I hope she’ll spill the beans – the rest of her story – soon.
3.      Was there a person who encouraged you to write?My Mother encouraged me when I was young. Then, as I got older, her advice changed from the aspirational to a plain “get married.” She wrote for local newspapers back in the day, as did one of my aunts, so the sight of women working at typewriters was not strange to me.
4.      Five years from now, where do you see yourself as a writer?  Maybe back to poetry, which is where I started. Or, possibly, dead.  You know the I don’t even buy green bananas joke…
     5.     What are you working on now? Zauberkraft Green, but I am having a vague image forming about a story set in the Neolithic, or possibly, the Bronze Age. Viewing Time Team has been egging me on. That, and a hike I took on the Ridgeway in Wiltshire about a decade ago, refuses to let my imagination go.
http://www.julietwaldron.com/http://w...https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Juliet+Waldron?_requestid=1854149Juliet's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jwhistfic/?r...
Fly Away Snow Goose Transport to Fort Providence residential school is only the beginning of their ordeal, for the teachers believe it is their sworn duty to “kill the Indian inside.” All attempts at escape are severely punished, but Yaotl and Sascho, along with two other youngsters, will try, undertaking a journey of 900 kilometers across the Northwest Territory. Like wild geese, brave hearts together, they are homeward bound.
Buy links:http://amzn.to/2jZPtIRhttps://www.kob...https:///books/view/752162
Alexander Hamilton & Elizabeth Schuyler: A Master Passion A Master Passion is the story of the marriage of our brilliant first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, and his wife, Elizabeth Schuyler. It begins with a whirlwind Revolutionary War courtship at Washington’s headquarters. Conflict, however, is built into this marriage.“...And hence one Master Passion in the breastLike Aaron's serpent, swallows up all the rest..."  Betsy's passion is Alexander. Hamilton adores his wife and children, but, sometimes, he loves America more.
Buy links: http://www.bookswelove.net/authors/wa...
https://www.bookbub.com/books/alexand...

Vijaya Schartz talks about Akira's Choice and Angel Fierce

Welcome author Vijaya Schartz!

Born in France, award-winning author Vijaya Schartz never conformed to anything and could never refuse a challenge. She likes action and exotic settings, in life and on the page. She traveled the world and claims she also travels through time, and feels just as comfortable in the future as in the far past. Her novels collected many five star reviews and literary awards. She will make you believe you actually lived these extraordinary adventures among her characters. Find out more at: http://www.vijayaschartz.com
Tell us about your life outside of writing. - As busy as I have been with writing lately, there isn't much of a life outside my computer and my chair. But I make it a point to practice Tai-Chi several times a week and I hike the mountains of the Valley of the Sun around Phoenix Arizona on weekends. It keeps me centered. Otherwise, I have a steady relationship with my cat (who inspired many of my feline characters), and I maintain friendships in writing circles. I am also in the middle of a divorce... don't ask.
Do you have a work in progress? - I always have a work in progress, if not several. I am currently writing book 3 of the Byzantium space station series, and I'm plotting Book 3 of the Azura (angel planet) series. The two series are related, set in the same universe, and I am enjoying writing them. A few characters are recurring, but each novel is a standalone. That's what I like when I read. I hate novels ending with a cliff-hanger. I want to be satisfied at the end, so I want my readers to feel satisfied as well.
Was there a person who encouraged you to write? - All my teachers encouraged me to write, but I wasn't ready then. I needed to see the world and accumulate personal experiences, so I could write from direct knowledge. I also do a lot of research. Obviously, I've never lived on an alien planet or a space station, but first hand experience in many places, and first hand knowledge of many different cultures helps me create believable worlds for my novels.
Five years from now, where do you see yourself as a writer? - Writing. Always writing. A few more literary awards or a movie would be nice, a NYT bestseller would be fantastic. But for me, writing is its own reward. I think what authors crave the most is recognition for the quality of their work.
What are you working on now? - I'm in the first stages of MALAIKA'S SECRET, set on the Byzantium space station. The hero, Tyler, and the heroine, Mailaika, were secondary characters in AKIRA'S CHOICE, book 2. Book 3 is their story... along with a lot of action, adventure, dangers, plot twists, and villainous characters bent on their destruction, of course. Otherwise, it wouldn't be a Vijaya Schartz novel.

AKIRA'S CHOICE

When bounty hunter Akira Karyudo accepted her assignment, something didn't add up. Why would the Galactic Trade Alliance want a young kidnapped orphan dead or alive?

She will get to the truth once she finds the boy, and the no-good SOB who snatched him from a psychiatric hospital. With her cheetah, Freckles, a genetically enhanced feline retriever, Akira sets out to flush them out of the bowels of the Byzantium space station. But when she finds her fugitives, the kidnapper is not what she expects.

Kazmo, a decorated Resistance fighter, stole his nephew from the authorities, who performed painful experiments on the boy. Stuck on Byzantium, he protects the child, but how can he shield him from the horribly dangerous conditions in the lawless sublevels of the space station?

Akira faces the worst moral dilemma of her career. Law or justice, duty or love. She can't have it both ways.
November 2019 release from BWL Publishingamazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZL45JRR/ B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22 
Editorial Reviews

"Wow! If readers want to see and feel and believe they are in deep space, then ‘Akira's Choice’ is the perfect choice! With a touch of romance, the vivid descriptions and beautifully developed characters masterfully presented by Schartz create a virtual world that invite the reader not merely to observe, but to walk amongst them and participate... This is a delicate art, and Schartz wields her weapons with precision and skill. Banzai!" 5 stars - exceptional - recommended read - Ind'tale Magazine

"A captivating story with interesting, appealing characters. Being a cat lover, I found the relationship, with its psychic element, between Freckles and Shane absolutely captivating. As always, Ms. Schartz’s solid plot and crisply-written prose incorporates a good blend of action and intrigue... This story can easily stand alone... but I believe you’ll enjoy this exciting Sci-Fi series much more if you start reading it from the beginning... a must read for all fans of Sci-Fi romance. Go pick them up and settle into your favorite armchair for some entertaining reading. 4.5 stars - Manic Readers
ANGEL FIERCE
Something’s rotten on the angel planet. When Avenging Angels turn up dead, Urielle, their Legion Commander, suspects the handsome intruder brought unspeakable evil to Azura.

Maksou never met a woman he couldn’t seduce. He came to the forbidden planet to rescue his friends and get rich in the process, but the jungle crawls with lethal life forms… including a gorgeous warrior angel, who saves his life but keeps him prisoner and challenges his irresistible charm.

Urielle, sworn to protect Azura at all costs, has no use for a maverick who ignores the rules and endangers the planet… no matter how attractive. Especially when the Galactic Trade Alliance (GTA) wages a secret war to get their greedy hands on the priceless crystal at Azura’s core.
Winner of the 2019 ARIZONA LITERARY AWARDS in Fiction.
February 2019 release from BWL Publishingamazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NCXHZJX/ B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22?Nrpp=20&page=2 
Reviews:"Action-packed twists and blooming romance fill each chapter to the point I didn't want to stop reading it. I adore her planet, Azura, and the abilities of her Avenging Angels, but even above those, her two main story-stars. Maksou and Urielle take the lead. Truth beyond all... especially when one can't lie. Love it! I will be reading more of this author, entertaining and intriguing, along with vivid, intense action... plus the fact, this author knows her sci-fi." Susan - 5-stars on amazon."This romance is full of fascinating elements and a unique spin on Angels... fast pace and strong, vivid characters that draw readers in and keep them glued to the pages...  an entertaining and intriguing read." 4.5 stars -Ind'tale Magazine May 2019
LINKS: http://www.vijayaschartz.com
http://www.amazon.com/author/vijayaschartz
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/vijaya-schartz
https://www.facebook.com/vijaya.schartz
https://twitter.com/Vijayaschartz

Vijaya Schwartz talks about Akira's Choice and Angel Fierce

Welcome author Vijaya Schartz!

Born in France, award-winning author Vijaya Schartz never conformed to anything and could never refuse a challenge. She likes action and exotic settings, in life and on the page. She traveled the world and claims she also travels through time, and feels just as comfortable in the future as in the far past. Her novels collected many five star reviews and literary awards. She will make you believe you actually lived these extraordinary adventures among her characters. Find out more at: http://www.vijayaschartz.com
Tell us about your life outside of writing. - As busy as I have been with writing lately, there isn't much of a life outside my computer and my chair. But I make it a point to practice Tai-Chi several times a week and I hike the mountains of the Valley of the Sun around Phoenix Arizona on weekends. It keeps me centered. Otherwise, I have a steady relationship with my cat (who inspired many of my feline characters), and I maintain friendships in writing circles. I am also in the middle of a divorce... don't ask.
Do you have a work in progress? - I always have a work in progress, if not several. I am currently writing book 3 of the Byzantium space station series, and I'm plotting Book 3 of the Azura (angel planet) series. The two series are related, set in the same universe, and I am enjoying writing them. A few characters are recurring, but each novel is a standalone. That's what I like when I read. I hate novels ending with a cliff-hanger. I want to be satisfied at the end, so I want my readers to feel satisfied as well.
Was there a person who encouraged you to write? - All my teachers encouraged me to write, but I wasn't ready then. I needed to see the world and accumulate personal experiences, so I could write from direct knowledge. I also do a lot of research. Obviously, I've never lived on an alien planet or a space station, but first hand experience in many places, and first hand knowledge of many different cultures helps me create believable worlds for my novels.
Five years from now, where do you see yourself as a writer? - Writing. Always writing. A few more literary awards or a movie would be nice, a NYT bestseller would be fantastic. But for me, writing is its own reward. I think what authors crave the most is recognition for the quality of their work.
What are you working on now? - I'm in the first stages of MALAIKA'S SECRET, set on the Byzantium space station. The hero, Tyler, and the heroine, Mailaika, were secondary characters in AKIRA'S CHOICE, book 2. Book 3 is their story... along with a lot of action, adventure, dangers, plot twists, and villainous characters bent on their destruction, of course. Otherwise, it wouldn't be a Vijaya Schartz novel.

AKIRA'S CHOICE

When bounty hunter Akira Karyudo accepted her assignment, something didn't add up. Why would the Galactic Trade Alliance want a young kidnapped orphan dead or alive?

She will get to the truth once she finds the boy, and the no-good SOB who snatched him from a psychiatric hospital. With her cheetah, Freckles, a genetically enhanced feline retriever, Akira sets out to flush them out of the bowels of the Byzantium space station. But when she finds her fugitives, the kidnapper is not what she expects.

Kazmo, a decorated Resistance fighter, stole his nephew from the authorities, who performed painful experiments on the boy. Stuck on Byzantium, he protects the child, but how can he shield him from the horribly dangerous conditions in the lawless sublevels of the space station?

Akira faces the worst moral dilemma of her career. Law or justice, duty or love. She can't have it both ways.
November 2019 release from BWL Publishingamazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07ZL45JRR/ B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22 
Editorial Reviews

"Wow! If readers want to see and feel and believe they are in deep space, then ‘Akira's Choice’ is the perfect choice! With a touch of romance, the vivid descriptions and beautifully developed characters masterfully presented by Schartz create a virtual world that invite the reader not merely to observe, but to walk amongst them and participate... This is a delicate art, and Schartz wields her weapons with precision and skill. Banzai!" 5 stars - exceptional - recommended read - Ind'tale Magazine

"A captivating story with interesting, appealing characters. Being a cat lover, I found the relationship, with its psychic element, between Freckles and Shane absolutely captivating. As always, Ms. Schartz’s solid plot and crisply-written prose incorporates a good blend of action and intrigue... This story can easily stand alone... but I believe you’ll enjoy this exciting Sci-Fi series much more if you start reading it from the beginning... a must read for all fans of Sci-Fi romance. Go pick them up and settle into your favorite armchair for some entertaining reading. 4.5 stars - Manic Readers
ANGEL FIERCE
Something’s rotten on the angel planet. When Avenging Angels turn up dead, Urielle, their Legion Commander, suspects the handsome intruder brought unspeakable evil to Azura.

Maksou never met a woman he couldn’t seduce. He came to the forbidden planet to rescue his friends and get rich in the process, but the jungle crawls with lethal life forms… including a gorgeous warrior angel, who saves his life but keeps him prisoner and challenges his irresistible charm.

Urielle, sworn to protect Azura at all costs, has no use for a maverick who ignores the rules and endangers the planet… no matter how attractive. Especially when the Galactic Trade Alliance (GTA) wages a secret war to get their greedy hands on the priceless crystal at Azura’s core.
Winner of the 2019 ARIZONA LITERARY AWARDS in Fiction.
February 2019 release from BWL Publishingamazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NCXHZJX/ B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Vijaya+Schartz%22?Nrpp=20&page=2 
Reviews:"Action-packed twists and blooming romance fill each chapter to the point I didn't want to stop reading it. I adore her planet, Azura, and the abilities of her Avenging Angels, but even above those, her two main story-stars. Maksou and Urielle take the lead. Truth beyond all... especially when one can't lie. Love it! I will be reading more of this author, entertaining and intriguing, along with vivid, intense action... plus the fact, this author knows her sci-fi." Susan - 5-stars on amazon."This romance is full of fascinating elements and a unique spin on Angels... fast pace and strong, vivid characters that draw readers in and keep them glued to the pages...  an entertaining and intriguing read." 4.5 stars -Ind'tale Magazine May 2019
LINKS: http://www.vijayaschartz.com
http://www.amazon.com/author/vijayaschartz
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/vijaya-schartz
https://www.facebook.com/vijaya.schartz
https://twitter.com/Vijayaschartz

Victoria Chatham talks about "His Unexpected Muse"

Welcome to today's featured author Victoria Chatham!
Victoria Chatham’s very first attempts at writing, in crayon on a wall, were not appreciated but she progressed to filling scrappy exercise books with proper words written in pencil. She now tries to embrace modern technology and uses a laptop. She grew up in England and immigrated to Canada more than twenty-five years ago. Now happily retired from formal employment, writing historical romantic fiction, particularly Regency romance, is her full-time occupation. When not writing, Victoria enjoys reading (of course!), movies, and sharing a glass of good wine with friends.



Victoria's latest release:

His Unexpected Muse, Book 3 in her Berkeley Square Regency romance series.

Overwhelmed by circumstances, Lady Olivia Darnley flees a society ball. She finds refuge in a darkened library but discovers that she is not alone. At her request, her unknown companion does not reveal himself but remains seated with the confines of a wing chair. When she finally exits the room all she has of him is his handkerchief.

Expected by his mother to choose a bride, Lord Peter Skeffington would much rather continue his bachelor lifestyle and his literary pursuits. However, the lady in the library unexpectedly piques his interest and, much against his will, he finds himself more and more drawn to her.

Will Lady Olivia recognize the owner of the handkerchief when she meets him? And will she forgive him for making her the heroine in her own story?
Universal buy link: https:/
/books2read.com/His-Unexpected-Muse







Brides of Banff Springs (Canadian Historical Brides)

In the Dirty Thirties jobs were hard to come by. Having lost her father and her home in southern Alberta, Tilly McCormack is thrilled when her application for a position as a chambermaid at the prestigious Banff Springs Hotel, one of Canada’s great railway hotels, is accepted. Tilly loves her new life in the Rocky Mountain town and the people she meets there.

Local trail guide Ryan Blake, taken with Tilly’s sparkling blue eyes and mischievous sense of humour, thinks she is just the girl for him. Ryan’s work with a guiding and outfitting company keeps him busy but he makes time for Tilly at every opportunity and has already decided to make her his bride. On the night he plans to propose to Tilly another bride-to-be, whose wedding is being held at the Hotel, disappears. Tilly has an idea where she might have gone and together with Ryan sets out to search for her.

Will they find the missing bride and will Tilly accept Ryan’s proposal?
Universal buy link: https://books2read.com/u/boYwj9


Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorVictor...
Books We Love: http://www.bookswelove.com/authors/ch...
Website: www.victoriachatham.com