THOSE WHO SHALL DIE by Michael Bradley Trailer, Excerpt, Review & Giveaway

THOSE WHO SHALL DIE

by Michael Bradley

June 22 - July 17, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

A collective of mystery writers, known as the Society of Fibbers, has captivated thousands with their addictive podcast—catapulting each member into the limelight. But when one of their own is found dead under chilling circumstances, the remaining Fibbers realize their newfound fame may have painted a target on their backs.

Rebecca Stanchion, one of the group’s co-founders, is convinced her friend’s murder is a tragic case of domestic violence—until a sinister attempt on her own life shatters that theory and threatens her family. Meanwhile, Zach Hargrove, a fellow writer, becomes obsessed with the cryptic black cards left at both crime scenes. Each card seems to whisper a warning: the killer is watching.

Is this the work of a fan driven to madness, or has betrayal seeped into the heart of the Society itself? As an annual writers’ conference approaches, Zach and Rebecca race against time to unmask the killer before the Society of Fibbers’ headline appearance turns into a deadly final act.

Praise for Those Who Shall Die:

"Michael Bradley has done it again! Those Who Shall Die is a thrilling novel of mystery and suspense, a tense and twisty page-turner that will leave you desperate to learn who is killing mystery authors and why."
~ Lisa Malice, bestselling author of Lest She Forget, winner of the 2023 IBPA Best New Voice in Fiction award.

"A well-written, clever whodunit with crafty twists that will keep readers guessing."
~ Jennifer Sadera, award-winning author of I Know She Was There.

"... keeps the reader's head spinning as secrets emerge, friendships fail, alliances dissolve, and animosities rise to surface until the final betrayal is revealed. A page turner that plumbs the depths of ambition, betrayal, and murder."
~ Jane Kelly, Author of the Meg Daniels mysteries.

Those Who Shall Die Book Trailer:

Book Details:

Genre: Amateur Sleuths, Suspense Thrillers
Published by: Initium Books
Publication Date: July 7, 2026
Number of Pages: 388
ISBN: 9780986200243 (ISBN10: 0986200247)
Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub

Read an excerpt:

Chapter One

Zach Hargrove held the serrated hunting knife in a white-knuckled grip as he silently crept forward. No room for mistakes this time. This had to be silent, swift and deadly. Just one fierce thrust into the carotid artery. It would be messy, but she had to die.

Nellie sat—unmoving—in a black leather office chair, facing the third-floor windows that looked out over Old Mill Creek. If she was aware that he was behind her, she gave no sign. Her dark straggly hair hung over the back of the chair in tangled clumps. Zach couldn’t remember the last time he’d run a brush through it. She needed a wash too, but he’d given up on that long ago. Nellie had been exactly what he needed at first, but after so many years, she’d become more of a burden than a help. He hated having to move her heavy, awkward body from chair to chair, room to room. Caring for her had become arduous. No one would miss Nellie if he got rid of her . . .

Her head tilted to the right, blocking her neck from his view, and he hesitated. He wouldn’t be able to strike cleanly from this direction with her head tilted. He swapped the knife from his right hand to his left. The rubber handle felt awkward in his grasp. A few practice swings with his non-dominant hand felt odd and clumsy, so he tried some overhead plunges. Maybe he could stab Nellie in the back of the neck instead. A quick blow to sever her spinal cord, and she’d die in seconds. What if he yanked her head back and ran the knife across her neck, slitting it open from side to side? He shook his head. Too clichéd. Everyone slashed throats these days. He toyed, for a moment, with driving the knife through the back of the chair and into Nellie’s back. I’d never get the knife deep enough to kill her, he thought. She’d survive with a flesh wound—if that happened, he’d never hear the end of it.

With a frown, he shifted the knife back to his right hand and decided to continue with his original plan: one fast jab to the right side of the neck. Zach glanced at his prey. Nellie remained still, oblivious of what he was about to do. He inched forward, his gray Skechers silent on the plush beige carpet. His fingers tightened on the knife handle, and he drew his arm back. The muscles on his shoulder were taut, but his arm had a slight tremble. He had to get this right on the first try.

After two more cautious steps, he stood behind Nellie, staring down at a scalp of unkempt hair. Oh, how he hated that hair. With one barbaric swing, he brought his arm down, but the blow didn’t go quite as planned. The knife tip deflected off her head, tangled in a clump of hair, and plunged into Nellie’s shoulder.

“Damn it,” Zach shouted.

He stood for a moment, studying his handiwork. Nellie slumped forward, the knife standing tall in her shoulder.

He tried to withdraw the knife slowly, but the serrated blade caught on several threads and tore the seam in Nellie’s shoulder. Clumps of polyester stuffing—like giant cotton balls—tumbled out of the hole and fell to the floor. Zach let out a long sigh as he placed the knife on the nearby desk. Now he’d have to sew her up. He spun the office chair around and stared at Nellie. Her featureless face and black button eyes stared blankly back at him. Patches—both big and small—covered her arms, abdomen, head, and legs—scars of the many instances of his mistreatment.

“I’m glad you don’t hold a grudge,” he said.

Zach wrapped his arms around the life-size dummy and lifted her out of the chair, her canvas skin rough on his bare arms. A trail of white filling marked his steps as he manhandled her across the room and propped her up on the sofa.

Dropping into his desk chair, he reviewed the previous few paragraphs he’d written just before he attempted to kill Nellie. The murder scene “seemed” to flow, but he wasn’t satisfied with the way it turned out. His antagonist—the mysterious Mr. Price—had entered the home of Dallas Kincaid with the intention of killing Kincaid’s new girlfriend. But Zach had found the scene difficult to write. There was something about the logistics that bothered him, hence his attempt to “kill” Nellie, his long-time partner for acting out crime scenes. For her part, Nellie had endured a dozen or more stabbings, being thrown from windows, run over by cars, and even shot twice. And yet she never once complained.

Zach stood again, snatched a Bic pen from the desk, and paced around the room, pausing on occasion to glance out the windows that covered all four walls. The third floor of his house, his “Author’s Loft,” as he liked to call it, had a 360-degree view of the surrounding yard as well as the creek that flowed past the back of his property. The small Delaware town of Lewes hadn’t been his first choice of places to call home. But when he’d first toured the house three years ago, the bright openness of the room couldn’t have been more perfect for him. It satisfied his need for a place to write, and the room’s openness was preferred over the more confined spaces he’d seen in every other house he’d toured. He’d put an offer on the place immediately and moved in a month later.

As he paced, Zach furiously clicked the button on the pen with his thumb. He passed the lone bookshelf, stuck in the corner between the adjoining walls’ windows, and paused to study the colorful hardback spines of his previous eight Dallas Kincaid Mystery novels. Five of them had become New York Times bestsellers, but not the last two. His protagonist, Dallas Kincaid, had become increasingly more difficult to write over the past couple years. The character had become too clichéd, too much like every other amateur detective in the market, and Zach was struggling to keep each new book fresh and original. He was ready for something new, something different.

“This will be the last Kincaid novel,” he’d told his agent, Mariah Maddison.

“Don’t be too hasty,” she’d said. “You might regret those words once the book is released.”

With a sigh, Zach slipped the Bic pen into his pants pocket, returned to his desk, and hovered his fingers over the keyboard of his laptop. He stared at the text on the screen, the words fading together into a jumble of pixels that made no more sense than when he’d read them a few minutes ago.

Pushing back from the desk, he growled, “Hell,” and stood, rounding the half wall that hid the stairs from view and descended into the house below.

In the kitchen, Zach grabbed a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale from the fridge, twisted the top off and took a long sip. A calendar—tacked to a nearby corkboard—was open to the month of June. A quick glance over the dates made his stomach churn. He had until mid-July to finish the first draft of the next Dallas Kincaid novel. That gave him six weeks. The manuscript was only thirty percent done. He sighed as he eyeballed the next few weeks. There was an upcoming recording session for the Society of Fibbers podcast. A book signing with Jasper Stone and Martina Vargas in Virginia. He flipped up the calendar page and looked over July. The week after Independence Day was blocked out for ThrillNYC in New York City. Damn, that only gives me five weeks to finish the book. His stomach twisted in knots as his anxiety rose.

Zach moved through the open dining room to the sliding glass door, stepped onto his back deck, and gazed out across the creek. The tide was out, and the muddy banks were exposed to the Tuesday afternoon sun. An eagle was perched in the tree that hung over the water. The lush cordgrass stood tall along the edges of the creek, outlining the maze of the twisting waterway. A gentle breeze rustled the tips of the grass. The faint aroma of marsh water punctuated each deep breath. So peaceful. So relaxing. He closed his eyes and listened to the tranquility around him. But it did little to subdue the angst within him. When was his next therapy appointment? Maybe it was time to try some of the meds his therapist had so often suggested.

From within the house, the shrill of his mobile phone interrupted the serenity of the moment. Moving back into the kitchen, he scooped up the phone from the counter where he’d left it.

The voice that greeted him was grave and somber. “Zach? It’s Rebecca. Something terrible has happened. Martina Vargas is dead.”

***

Excerpt from Those Who Shall Die by Michael Bradley. Copyright 2026 by Michael Bradley. Reproduced with permission from Michael Bradley. All rights reserved.

 

 

Author Bio:

Michael Bradley is an award-winning author from Delaware who started life as a radio disc jockey, working at stations in New Jersey and West Virginia. His time in radio provided him with a wealth of fond, enduring, and sometimes scandalous memories that he hopes to one day commit to paper.

After spending eight years “on-the-air,” he realized that he needed to get a real job. He has spent the next twenty or so years working in Information Technology. And yes, he has said “try turning it off and on again” more times than he wants to admit.

Never one to waste an experience, he used his familiarity with life on the radio for many of his suspense novels. His third novel, DEAD AIR (2020), won a Foreword INDIES Award and a IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award.

Learn more about Michael Bradley and his books:

mbradleyonline.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads - @mjbradley88
BookBub - @mjbradley88
Instagram - @mjbradley88
Threads - @mjbradley88
Facebook - @mjbradley88

My Review:

This book had me guessing who the killer was and I kept changing my mind. I really enjoyed the friendships between the "fibbers". They were real people that had real relationships that were put to the test. They had real reactions as the killer confused them and blurred the lines of friendship. Add the life of an author with book signings and deadlines. There was definitely a feeling of urgency. We had to find out who the killer was and who was the next victim. Were all the "fibbers" going to die? As secrets emerge, Crazed fans and multiple points of view add to the drama. However, my favorite part of the story was the calling card that the killer left with the bodies. It really made me think about what it could mean. Rafi definitely had no filter and said whatever he wanted, no matter the foul language. This book is not for readers that dislike swearing. The ending was interesting and I liked that the author chose to go past the main unmasking of the killer and actually visited the killer at the prison, I can not wait to read more from this author and these characters. I am giving this book a 5/5. I was given a copy to review, however all opinions are my own. 

 

Tour Participants:

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Win Before The Next Victim Falls

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THOSE WHO SHALL DIE by Michael Bradley | Gift Card & Books

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Wicked Temptation: The Lost Treasure by Patti O’Shea Excerpt & Giveaway

Wicked Temptation: The Lost Treasure
Patti O’Shea
(The Paladin League, #8)
Publication date: July 1st 2026
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense

He’s always been a protector. She’s strong enough to fight on her own. This time, survival depends on each other.

Special Forces Sgt. Cal “Baggs” Baggnell walked away from Iona Desmond. Carving out his own heart hurt—but watching the woman he loves charge headfirst into danger hurt even more.

Iona loves Cal with her whole being, but she couldn’t change the core of who she is to fit his protective nature. He knew exactly who she was when they met—the need for adventure is in her DNA.

Now, their paths collide in Puerto Jardin, where Iona has talked her way into Cal’s op. And he’s been assigned to work with her.

Their bait: the Lost Treasure of Trujillo. Their target: arms dealer Jorge Torres. Their problem: Torres isn’t the only predator closing in.

With ruthless drug lords, rival treasure hunters, and a powerful Russian mob lieutenant obsessed with finding the billion-dollar fortune, Cal and Iona must put their past aside. The deeper they dig, the deadlier the game becomes.

As betrayals mount and enemies tighten their grip, survival depends on one thing: Trust. If they fail, they won’t just lose their second chance—they’ll lose everything.

Wicked Temptation is a stand-alone romance with a HEA. There are references to events that happened in earlier books, but it’s not necessary to read them to enjoy this story.

Indulge in a protective Special Forces hero and a heroine who works undercover for the Paladin League as a photojournalist. This story features a second-chance romance, identical twins, and a kick-butt heroine.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

“Baggs,” BD said somewhere behind them, “how do you know our guest?”

Cal inhaled sharply and his muscles tensed.

“Io is my wife.”

The words hit her like a jolt. Of course he’d say it like that—direct, unvarnished, a fact dropped into the room like a grenade. Her stomach twisted. She kept her eyes closed for one more heartbeat, wishing she could stay in the place where she felt safe and not the place where reality waited. She hated that part of her still wanted the title he’d walked away from.

Silence sharpened around them.

Io stepped back.

Cal’s arms tightened for a split second, and then he released her. The loss of his warmth was immediate, a cold draft across her skin despite the humidity of Trujillo. She forced herself not to reach for him again. Forced herself to remember why she shouldn’t. She’d already learned what happened when she let herself believe she belonged with him.

She turned to her sister.

Exactly what she’d expected. Hurt, anger, tears. “Ayla—”

“You got married?”

Oz moved to Ayla’s side. Io felt a flicker of gratitude and irritation. It had always been her job to protect Ayla. To absorb the hard things so her sister didn’t have to.

She shot Cal a look. “We eloped. We went to Las Vegas while Cal had leave.”

“Vegas? Did you get married by an Elvis impersonator?”

Oz tugged Ayla closer.

Io felt her temper climb. “Sure, showgirls and all. What else would you get at a Vegas wedding? Certainly not a real chapel with a real minister.”

“I didn’t mean—”

“Yes, you did. I’m sorry I hurt you, but you don’t get to take free shots at my wedding.” Cal and Oz stayed wisely silent.

“When did you get married?”

“What?”

“You heard me.”

Hell.“January.”

“It’s July.” Ayla threw that out like a gauntlet. “You had months to tell me.”

“And the marriage isn’t in your personnel file,” BD added to Cal. “I would have seen that.”

Cal rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah.”

BD waited. When Cal stayed quiet, he said, “Notification protocols, benefits, next-of-kin—”

“Io has her own health coverage. She’s not dependent on me.”

She wasn’t dependent on anyone. Not now. Not ever.

“And if you were injured or killed?” BD pressed. “I never would have known to contact Ms. Desmond.”

Io flinched. She didn’t want to think about Cal dying, but his job came with risks. Serious ones.

Ayla’s gaze was sharp, wounded. “That’s why I didn’t see you in February, isn’t it? You were with him!” She pointed at Cal as if she were a noir detective.

Sighing, Io said, “Cal was stationed in Germany. The commute to California was a little tough.”

“That doesn’t explain why you didn’t call. Or text.”

“It wasn’t a vacation.”

“It was a honeymoon.”

That hit hard. Io was too tired for this. Cal stood behind her, close enough she could feel him, and she wished, just for a second, that she could lean into him the way Ayla leaned into Oz. But she was the strong one. The one who held everyone else up. She didn’t get to lean.

“Ay, I’m not going to argue. I’m sorry I hurt you. It was never about hurting you. If you want to keep ripping at me, we can do it later. In private.”

“I don’t want to rip at you, I just want to know why you shut me out.”

Io eyed the table. She could reach it, hold on, stay on her feet. Her energy was gone and Ayla’s questions were the hard stuff.

They’d both been shaped by their parents, but in opposite ways.

Her vision blurred. The room tilted. She swayed.

Cal moved before she even registered she was unsteady enough to fall. It was pure instinct, nothing more. Certainly not love. She knew that. But his arms locked around her waist and pulled her back against his chest. Solid. Unyielding. Familiar in a way that made something inside her crack.

“I got you, Io,” he murmured, voice low against her ear. “I told you that earlier.”

She let her hands drift to his, trying to remember how to stay upright. Her muscles trembled with the effort.

“You want to know why I didn’t tell you?” Io forced her gaze to meet her twin’s. Her throat burned. “Because we got married in January and it was over in March. That’s why. Happy now, Ayla?”

Author Bio:

Patti O'Shea's passions are writing, airplanes and traveling. Fortunately, she's been able to enjoy all three. After receiving a degree in advertising copywriting, she took a job with a major U.S. airline and now works in 757 Engineering. Besides teaching her about the planes she loves, it's given her an opportunity to travel to places like Australia, Papua New Guinea and Canada's Yukon Territory.

Writing, though, remains her primary love. Patti created her first romance when she was in junior high school and has been hooked ever since. She should have figured out she was a writer years earlier, however, since her dolls had such involved lives, complete with goals, motivation and conflict.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram

GIVEAWAY!

Wicked Temptation Blitz

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THE OLD CRANBERRY LADIES GARDEN CLUB SERIES by Bill Cusano Interview & Giveaway

THE OLD CRANBERRY LADIES GARDEN CLUB

by Bill Cusano

June 1 - July 10, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

 

Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub

THE GHOST AND THE KEY

With a pitchfork through the man's groin and another through his chest, it is clear that someone had murdered Chester H. Cranberry. It's not something that could have happened accidentally. But that was 192 years ago. As Mildred Cranberry, the current family matriarch, puts it, "We have two women, two keys, two pitchforks, and one dead two-timing man." Who in their right mind would want to dig up that cold case and try to solve it? It's not like the murderer could be prosecuted in 2024, right? But what if a key piece of evidence can be dug up (literally)? And what if a descendant of Chester's illegitimate child can get her hands on it? Mildred will need more than the Old Cranberry Ladies Garden Club members to solve this bizarre case. The spiritual support she needs may not be what she expects when the ghost of Elcira Cranberry, the widow murderess herself, arrives to do what? Tell the truth or protect her reputation?

The Ladies Garden Club of Old Cranberry, Connecticut, has a 200-year history that has remained shrouded in secrecy for so long, it has been lost to history, until now. Elcira Cranberry and freedwoman Deborah Townsend knew the men of the town would have no interest in a garden club, so it was the perfect cover for their secret organization. Now, nearly two centuries later, the current members have no idea what those ladies were up to in the early 1800s, right here in Connecticut. But the secret will soon be out.

 

Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub

THE WIDOW MURDERESS

Connecticut, 1833. A year after Chester Cranberry's unsolved murder, the town that he founded continues to suspect that his wife, Elcira, ended his life. With insufficient evidence to bring her to trial, and little effort to find another suspect, the town gossip labels her "The Widow Murderess." But Elcira has seven children to feed, ranging in age from three to nine, and her nanny, Deborah, a freed slave, is pregnant with her husband's illegitimate child.

All eyes are on these two women, expecting them to fail to keep the farm and the family together. When the general store cuts off Elcira's credit and refuses to sell anything her farm produces, the alliance between Elcira and Deborah grows stronger, and the women set out to do something unthinkable, something that can cause one to be whipped and the other thrown in jail. They opened their home to runaway slaves seeking freedom along a secret route north. Behind the facade of a ladies' garden club, the women run a clandestine school, teaching the formerly enslaved and runaways to read and write-a dangerous act that could destroy everything she's built.

When a mysterious murder during a violent storm brings old secrets to light, the truth about Chester's death threatens to surface. With the town's suspicions mounting and powerful enemies closing in, Elcira must decide how much she's willing to risk to protect those she loves and maintain the underground railroad that runs through her land.

A gripping historical novel about courage, family, and the price of freedom in pre-Civil War New England, The Widow Murderess explores how one woman's determination to survive becomes a beacon of hope for those seeking liberty.

 

Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub

THE SPARROW AND THE CROW

The last time the crows circled the old farmhouse, her husband Chester was found dead and the town named her a murderess. Thirty years later, the truth she buried with him is stirring again, the country is splitting in two, and the family she fought so hard to hold together is being pulled apart by a war that hasn't yet been declared.

Her grandson Auggie wants to fight for the Union. His mother, born to a Virginia plantation family, will do anything to drag him south instead. Millie — the rector's daughter with golden hair and a satchel full of letters — waits at home for a boy who may never come back. And in the chapel behind the lilacs, Elcira and the women of her garden club continue the work no one is supposed to know about: sheltering freedom seekers as slave catchers tighten their grip on the Connecticut coast.

Then a telegram arrives. And another. And the war everyone said would never come has come for the Cranberry's all at once.

  

Perfect for readers of Kristin Hannah, Marie Benedict, Paulette Jiles, and Charles Frazier's Cold Mountain — a story about what families inherit, what they hide, and what they're willing to risk when the country they believed in begins to come apart.

Book Details:

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Historical Mystery
Published by: 4610 Publishing
Series: The Old Cranberry Ladies Garden Club

 

Author Bio:

Bill Cusano is an author, a retired deacon in the Episcopal Church and a believer that it is the process rather than the outcomes that matter most in our lives. Retired from the corporate world and an eight-year stint running a non-profit feeding program, Bill attacks every project as a ministry, giving it his full commitment. Needing to readjust to life after losing the love of his life to leukemia in April of 2024, Bill returned to writing full-time, resulting in The Old Cranberry Ladies Garden Club series, the motivation and inspiration for which came from his wife’s voracious appetite for reading historical fiction. While this is Bill’s debut novel, he has always been a writer, publishing short stories and poems early on, and then beginning a daily spiritual blog in 2008. You can follow Bill’s Reflections From The Garden Bench along with other writings on his Substack account.

Interview:

1. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

1. I was in second grade when I discovered the joy of writing. Mrs. Rollender taught us how sentences were built and what they could become. She encouraged me to write stories using the weekly spelling words. I will never forget her.

2. How long does it take you to write a book?

1. Some stories flow like water while others plod along. Now that I am writing full time, they come to life sooner. I have written five novels in two years. My readers want them to come quicker. I don’t know if I could write any faster.

3. What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

1. I wake up between 5 and 6 every morning. The first thing I write is a daily reflection from the day’s scripture readings. Then I study a foreign language for about fifteen minutes before making my breakfast. After breakfast, I write. I spend most mornings writing and many afternoons working on the business of publishing and marketing my books. I rarely write in the evenings, unless I am rewriting and editing. 

4. What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

1. I use Speechify to read me my chapters, using different voices to catch errors. I find a female voice from the UK works best with the Cranberry books. A husky male voice from the US works for thrillers and noir stories.

5. How do books get published?

1. I started my own independent publishing company to publish my books. When I was younger, I went the traditional publishing route, but that takes too much time. When my wife died, I wanted to get the book about the garden club ladies out quickly, to honor her, so I went independent. I am so glad I did.

6. Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

1. Characters come first. I had the idea for two of the characters in my novels 18 years ago during a writer’s workshop. I read my character sketches to the class and everyone hated them. I never forgot them, though. It was my wife who told me to write about those ladies, and the first book in the series was born.

7. When did you write your first book and how old were you?

1. I was seventeen when I wrote my first novel. I had written poems and stories before that, some of which I published, but the novel took shape when I was in high school. I spent a summer in the basement, typing on my typewriter.

8. What do you like to do when you're not writing?

1. I like to walk and meet people. My latest novel was written while on a world cruise. I would write each day, go on excursions, go to lectures and classes, sing in the choir, practice my violin,go dancing, play bridge, eat, and talk to everyone I could. 

9. What does your family think of your writing?

1. My wife was my biggest fan. It is not easy writing without her by my side, encouraging me and correcting my grammar. There was nothing I wrote that was bad in her eyes, though she did read to me from the books she liked to get me interested in her authors and genres. I wrote this series for her.

2. My whole family is so supportive. But it is great having people outside the family circle read and love your books.

10. What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

1. I am often surprised when I reread my books and realize I actually wrote that. I often don’t remember where the story came from. I swear the characters speak to me and tell me where they want to go in the story.

11. How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

1. I have written ten books over the years. Five were not published and five were published. My favorite is always the latest one. And The War Came is the fourth book in The Old Cranberry Ladies Garden Club series. In it, we get a family at war with itself as it struggles through the start of the Civil War. 

12. Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?

1. Write. The only way to get better at writing is to write. We ran a writer’s group on board the cruise ship and most of the attendees said they weren’t writers when they signed up. But they challenged themselves, did the prompts and wrote stories. Some were long and elaborate, while others were short. All were clever. They are writers.

13. Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

1. I love my readers. My marketing approach is different from most authors. My goal is to get to know every one of my readers and to communicate with them directly. They give me the greatest feedback and encouragement. I don’t know how authors can enjoy writing without knowing their readers. Selling books online without knowing who is buying and why is like writing in the dark. I go to book clubs, give talks, and have informal get togethers with my readers. They tell me which characters they like and which they hate. I love to surprise them. 

14. Do you like to create books for adults?

1. I love writing books for adult readers, but I hope young readers like to read about these characters as well. In my family saga, there are children, ranging in age from 3 to 17. In two of the books, they are the key characters. So, adults, yes, but young adults as well. The stories work for both groups.

15. What do you think makes a good story?

1. Characters make the story. Job one is to connect with a character. Once the reader does that, he/she wants to follow that character through the story. They don’t remember the author. They don’t remember the full story. They remember the characters. So, start there and let the character run away with the story. Just try to keep up. 

16. As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

1. A doctor because I wanted to help sick people, and a writer because I wanted to make them well again.

17. What would you like my readers to know?

1. An author’s biggest fear is that a reader will close the book and throw it across the room. If you feel like doing that with one of my books, please email me and tell me why. 

Catch Up With Bill Cusano:

BillCusano.com
Bill's Substack
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads - @billcusano
Instagram - @billcusano
X - @CusanoBill
Facebook - @bill.cusano

 

Tour Participants:

Click through the other tour stops for can’t-miss reviews, insider interviews, exclusive guest posts, and more chances to win!

Click here to view the Tour Schedule

 

 

When Crows Circle… It’s Time to Enter to Win

This giveaway is hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Bill Cusano. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

The Old Cranberry Ladies Garden Club by Bill Cusano | Surprise Gift Box w/ Gift Card

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A Soul on Trial: A Marine Corps Mystery at the Turn of the Twentieth Century by Robin R. Cutler Review, Giveaway & Interview

 

Book Details:

Book Title:  A Soul on Trial: A Marine Corps Mystery at the Turn of the Twentieth Century by Robin R. Cutler
Category:  Adult Non-Fiction (18+),  365 pages (442 with back matter)
Genre: Literary Non-Fiction, History
Publisher: View Tree Press
Release date:  May 20, 2026
Content Rating: PG +M: The M rating is because the book is about whether or not a young man committed suicide. There is a brawl and an autopsy described in detail but minimal violence, no sex no abuse, adultery or abortion.

Book Description:

Secrets, Spirits, Scandal, and a Nation Watching
A murder mystery, ghost story and courtroom drama from the Progressive Era 

The death of a young Marine Corps lieutenant in 1907 creates a sensation when his mother, his sister, and his ghost challenge the Navy's suicide verdict.

A Soul on Trial is the true story of an unprecedented conflict between democratic values and military justice in the age when the modern mass media was born. It is also a tale of the power of the press a century ago, and of the lives of young officers whose private battles were often as challenging as their professional ones.  After her son died under mysterious circumstances in 1907, Rosa Brant Sutton came 3000 miles from Portland, Oregon, to challenge the Navy’s suicide finding. Inspired by her Catholic faith and several alleged postmortem visits from her beloved “Jimmie,” she embarked on a crusade to save his soul from the stigma of a mortal sin– a sin that would keep him out of heaven.

Rosa’s spiritual journey soon became  a political one that would take her through the corridors of power in Washington, D.C., to a courtroom in Annapolis, and, finally, face-to-face with Jimmie’s corpse in Arlington Cemetery. This book also explores the values of a proud and honorable Marine Corps forced into the center of public discourse by Rosa’s uninhibited pursuit of justice. The Corps’ brilliant judge advocate, Henry Leonard, already a combat hero at thirty-three, was the perfect foil for Mrs. Sutton, her renowned attorney, and America’s relentless reporters when the naval inquiry opened in Annapolis in 1909.
By then, millions of Americans had a stake in this confrontation between a patriotic mother and her own government in a military forum. Rosa’s story was irresistible to Progressive Era journalists and high-ranking military officials who joined with members of Congress in a search for verifiable truth that played out on a national stage. In order to save her son’s reputation and defend her own sanity, Rosa ultimately turned to James Cardinal Gibbons, the highest official in the American Catholic Church, and Dr. James Hervey Hyslop, America’s foremost psychical researcher. Hyslop commissioned a detailed field study of her paranormal experiences as part of his research on whether or not the dead communicate with the living. With the press corps as a catalyst, these two men helped Rosa achieve an American brand of justice, as well as redemption both for Jimmie and for herself.

As H. Michael Gelfand wrote in the Journal of American History, A Soul on Trial explores “one of the most remarkable cases of a civilian challenging the power of the U.S. military in American history… [and it is] a testament to the power that one ordinary individual can wield when determined to seek justice.” Plus, “. . . it is narrative history at its finest.”

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Meet the Author:

Historian, filmmaker and blogger, Robin Cutler’s early life was split between Manhattan and a farm in rural Virginia. An only child, she never felt like one because of the menagerie collected by her mother, Jane Hall, a former screenwriter at MGM. Robin’s siblings included a rescued ocelot, German Shepherds, farm cats, snooty cats, and a screech owl (Sidney), who could not fly but travelled on Eastern Airlines in a modified Nantucket basket. 

Robin decided she wanted to be a historian in the ninth grade. Highlights of her career include working for the National Endowment for Humanities, co-producing an Emmy-nominated dramatic series for PBS, collaborating with several Native American tribes to chronicle their histories and culture on film and video, and publishing three nonfiction books. 
She discovered the extraordinary story told in A Soul on Trial in family papers. She was astonished that Rosa Sutton’s effort to learn the truth about her oldest son’s death created a national sensation between 1907 and 1910. Although Rosa was convinced Jimmie’s ghost came to her several times, he has never visited Robin. Rosa was Robin’s great grandmother.

What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?

 As a historian, whenever I diginto a new story, I go to the places where the events happened and where there may be resources about the lives of the different characters.Trying to learn who Rosa Sutton really was took me to Vancouver, Washington, where I found her parents’ graves and, of course, to Portland to the Oregon Historical Society and to see the house on Hoyt Street where the story started. (In 2007 it was a group home and the interior was not accessible. It has since been beautifully restored as a private home.) Playing detective involved contacting lots of local archives, schools and churches and spending time in Annapolis, at the Naval Academy and its Nimitz Library. But because this is a true story, a critical part of my time travel back to the early twentieth century came when I discovered hundreds of priceless documents at our National Archives in Washington, D.C.  These Included the original transcript of the sensational naval inquiry from the summer of 1909.NARA is where I got to know the Marines involved in the story as if they were family members.

What is the first book that made you cry?

Black Beautyby Anna Sewell partly because the story was told through the voice of the horse. I could hardly stand to read about the abuse that Beauty and his friend Ginger went through. I don’t think this should be a children’s book, but it helped expose inhumane practices.

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

Energize definitely. Though the research sometimes can get exhausting.

What is your writing kryptonite?

Probably going down too many research rabbit holes. Sometimes it’s hard to resist.

Did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?

No, but the thought is intriguing.

What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?

I had a wonderful several years with a nonfiction writers group where we met weekly to analyze each other’s work. Most of my writer friends are other scholars who have been great collaborative partners on particular topics; but in general writingfor me is a solitary effort.

 

Do you want each book to stand on its own or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?

I inherited a large collection of letters, diaries and other documents when my mother died in 1987. It was surprising to learn that some of my family members had unusual adventures in the early 20^th century that could interest a broad audience.

Each book stands on its own, but some of the real life characters in my books are related to each other. For example my mother’s outspoken, passionate and bold grandmother was Rosa Sutton whom I knew nothing about before writing A Soul on Trial.

What Authors did you dislike at first but grew into?

Charles Dickens is one example.We were given Bleak House to read for a school assignment and it was daunting. Later onI learned to appreciate Dickens’ extraordinary portrayal of Victorian England and his characters like Ebeneezer Scrooge, or Oliver Twist. And I enjoyed Great Expectations.Miss Havisham was quite scary yet unforgettable.

Favorite underappreciated novel?

She’s probably not underappreciated now, but I had never heard of Marie Benedict until a few years ago. Once I started readingCarnegie’s Maid, I was enthralled by Clara Kelley, though it’s not always easy to figure out what’s true in historical fiction.

As a writer what would you choose as your mascot avatar, spirit animal?

The lion

How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?

None at the moment.

What did you edit out of this book?

Some of the historical background information that appeared in earlier drafts and is now easily available for anyone to find online. It’s still quite a detailed story because I wanted to follow all of the threads in the case to be fair to Rosa as well to the members of the Marine Corps whom she challenged.

If you didn’t write what would you do for work?

I would be a journalist or possibly an attorney.  Of course, those careers do involve writing but in a different way. And I enjoyed teaching and mentoring.

Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?

No, although there are some surprises in A Soul on Trial that come out as the plot thickens.

What is your favorite childhood book?

Probably The Secret Gardenby Frances Hodgson Burnett. It was easy to identify with Colin and Mary as they escaped from the confines of an adult world.

 

Thank you, Vicki, for the great questions and your interest in this book. There are lots of pictures on my website related to A Soul on Trial.https://robinrcutler.com/a-soul-on-trial/a-soul-on-trial-gallery/

Robin

Robin R.Cutler

 

 

 

For much more see https://robinrcutler.com/a-soul-on-trial/ 

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My Review:

I was curious to read this book because I love to watch television shows like History's Greatest Mysteries! Almost all true crime buffs know cases like The Black Dahlia. After reading this book, I believe that true crime buffs will soon know the name "James Sutton". The research that went into this story must have been extensive. What really struck me was the love of the victim's mother. A mother's love is something that is undeniable. Rosa is a woman that will not be swayed or take no for an answer. The pictures that are included really gave me a glimpse into the past. With pictures from President Taft to a courtroom scene, I was drawn into the past. The author also included newspaper clippings. Those were fascinating to read. Witness statements, letters, excerpts from real documents and the drawing used to show the bullet projection, pulled me in and I felt like I was in a courtroom hearing all the evidence. What was really nice was that there is an index at the end of the book. So as I read if there was something that I did not remember exactly, or I had more questions on, I could find out where to look for more information. This is the type of book that you read, and then reread to make sure that you did not miss anything. There is so much history, drama, mystery and of course the subplot of a families love. Not to mention the paranormal aspects. This is a great book for history and true crime fans. I am giving this book a 5/5. I was given a copy, however all opinions are my own.

The Siren’s Daughter by Claire Fuge EXCERPT & Giveaway

The Siren’s Daughter
Claire Fuge
Publication date: June 28th 2026
Genres: Historical

1126. The Norman conquest grips Wales. Rebellion stirs. And one woman’s choice could ignite it all.

Nineteen-year-old Angharad, the daughter of a Norman knight and a captive Welsh princess, arrives at Aberteifi Castle for her mother’s arranged marriage. But her new stepfather, the merciless Norman commander of the castle, has other plans. He demands that Angharad expose her mother, Nesta, as a secret rebel or be cast out to die.

To survive, Angharad presses Nesta to reveal the truth about her past: as a Welsh princess stolen by invaders, the victim of wars and betrayals, the seductress of kings and princes. As Nesta’s story unfolds, Angharad discovers a legacy more dangerous than she could have imagined, and must decide whether to protect her mother or herself…

Goodreads / Amazon

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EXCERPT:

In 1066, Duke Guillaume of Normandy, known to the English as William the Conqueror, won the Battle of Hastings and was crowned King of England.

In 1087, the Norman barons began their invasion of Wales.

By 1126, after countless deaths amongst the thorn-infested hills, swamps, and forests, the Normans had managed to subdue all five Welsh kingdoms. More or less.

Chapter 1. HOMECOMING

All Hallows’ Eve, 1126. West Wales

When the castle loomed out of the hailstorm above her, Angharad was careful not to crane her head upwards in awe as her Norman guards did. Her mother had commanded her to uphold her dignity, no matter what, so she kept her back straight and sat rigid in her saddle. Although the steepness of the hill made her feel as if spikes of ice were being hurled down at her by the castle itself, she didn’t cower. She pretended not to hear the guards cursing about having to drag a pair of heathen women out of the Welsh wildlands. She alone would be her mother’s last, unfailing support.

Angharad’s mother, Nesta, rode alongside, her imperious glare fixed on the track ahead, ignoring the water that streamed from her claw-black hair onto her horse’s flank. Even dressed in threadbare travelling clothes, Nesta didn’t look like the prisoner she was, finally recaptured by the Normans after three years of threats, bribes, and attempted ambushes. She didn’t look like a new bride either, although she was bound to marry the Constable of the castle; the contract had been sealed. No. What Nesta looked like, in the arrogant line of her jaw, in the resolute set of her flawless face, was what she was born to be.

Royalty.

During her nineteen years of life, Angharad had been reminded daily that her mother was the last living princess of Deheubarth, once the most renowned of the Welsh kingdoms. Angharad’s bloodline was the only wealth she possessed; she must look the part.

‘Amongst wolves,’ Nesta had said – and many wolves lived in the cloud-draped forests of these lands – ‘you can tell the leader of the pack from the way he draws every eye towards him. My father looked like a king from two arrowshots away, even when he was wounded from the endless wars, even when he was starving and freezing and caked in mud. Whatever fate we meet in this castle, I refuse to grovel before them. Hold your head high, Angharad. We must not disgrace the memory of our glorious ancestors.’

Luckily, deception was one of Angharad’s talents: Nesta had trained her in it since she was a child. Angharad had the skill of appearing haughty whilst at her most powerless.

When Nesta dismounted on the crest of the hill, Angharad copied, stifling a wince at the cramp in her thighs. Sixty miles they had travelled from the open meadows where they had spent their years of sanctuary amongst the Welsh: a journey of three days and nights, riding and walking through a wasteland of swamps and brambles, the Norman guards watchful behind them, bloodhounds running at their flanks to warn them of rebels and outlaws, with every hamlet full of hostile eyes and nothing to buy and almost nothing to steal. But here they were, at last.

Author Bio:

Claire Fuge writes historical fiction inspired by medieval Wales, the Tewdwr family and the women whose lives were shaped by conquest, loyalty and survival. Her work explores the spaces where history leaves silence, and where storytelling can bring forgotten voices back to life.

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