Monday, May 25, 2026

The Flames of Soulflare by La Kayshal EXCERPT & Giveaway

The Flames of Soulflare
La Kayshal
(Hell’s Fire Dragon Series, #2)
Publication date: May 27th 2026
Genres: Fantasy, New Adult, Paranormal, Romance

Fourth Wing meets From Blood and Ash in this Dark Paranormal Romantasy where dragons fear prophecy—and love may be the final weapon.

Everin Haydon was stolen, tortured, and reshaped into the dreaded Hell’s Fire Dragon, bound as a weapon for a Dragon Council that calls itself righteous.

Across the realms, Lord Tynan, the Demon of Darkness and Chaos, has ascended. His arrival heralds the Three Days of Darkness, and he will burn heaven and earth to reclaim what fate bound to him—his power, his vengeance.
But one question if the demon has risen, where is the god meant to stop him?

As the dragon world waits for divine intervention, Everin must decide whether she will remain a weapon—or become the fate of the realms.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Apple Books / Kobo

EXCERPT:

Dark themes including captivity and experimentation

Emotional conflict and intense character struggles
Violence and battle scenes
High-stakes situations involving power and survival

This book is best suited for readers who enjoy emotionally intense, character-driven romantasy.
Read Before You Decide

Before committing, please read the prologue.

This will give you a clear sense of the tone, pacing, and writing style.

Prologue:
Present Day

The moon hung quietly above Helldreth Fort, its pale glow spilling through the tall windows and brushing the chamber with soft silver. A cool breeze drifted in and stirred the white curtains, their edges sweeping lightly across Everin’s skin. She pulled her silk gown closer, grateful for the warmth of the room. It felt comforting, far more so than the terrible, dark place she had left behind.

Her steps carried her to the mirror in the corner. The reflection staring back looked thinner, as if her body had been carved down to something she hardly recognized.

The neckline of her nightie dipped too low to her liking, drawing her eye to the faint scars across her chest. The lamp light traced their uneven lines, pale and unsettling.

She touched them gently. Everin barely remembered how or when she got the scars.

She pulled the outer robe around her until it covered more of her chest. At least the scars were low enough to stay hidden unless she wore something too revealing.

A sound of footsteps behind her made her turn.

Tariel Fenwick, her first love, stood at the doorway.

Everin froze for a moment. He looked different—stronger, more defined, more man than the boy she remembered. His dark hair rested just above his shoulders with two thin braids at the sides of his head, framing a face sharpened by a faint stubble. His amber eyes, once so warm, now carried a deeper, shadowed intensity.

His shirt hung open across his chest, revealing sculpted muscle that rose with each slow breath, and a leather gauntlet, more like an open finger glove, hugged his left hand like a seamless extension of his skin.

Her gaze lingered longer than she meant it to. He saw that. A slow, knowing smirk touched his lips.

She straightened quickly. “We need to talk, Tariel.”

“Yes,” he replied, approaching her, “but not now.”

“There is a lot I want to understand,” she said quietly. “So much I don’t remember.”

“Later.” He reached her, lowering his voice. “I’ve long waited for this moment with you.”

He stepped closer.

She stepped back.

“You waited for me?” she whispered, searching his face.

“I did,” he said. “More than you know.”

He brushed a fingertip along her arm. She stiffened but felt a flicker of the old pull toward him, a warm memory trying to surface. Her eyes drifted briefly to his lips, those that she had kissed in the past, before she forced herself to look away.

His smirk deepened. “Are we shy now, Everin?” he murmured, amusement warm in his voice.

“It has been a while,” she managed. “Things are not the same.”

“We are,” he said, touching her jaw. “You still feel this.”

She backed away again, but he followed, closing in until she had no space left. Her leg hit the edge of the bed. She lost her balance and stumbled, falling backward onto the soft covers. Instantly, she pressed her elbow into the mattress as she tried to push herself upright and pull her short nightie into place, but she barely had a second.

By the time she braced herself, Tariel was already on the bed. One knee pressed into the mattress, and in a swift movement, he trapped her between his legs. His body loomed over hers, leaving her nowhere to go. His hand slid behind her back and pulled her closer. The other moved to her neck, his fingers settling at her pulse, firm enough to hold her from looking away.

His control was precise and deliberate.

“Tariel—” She sucked in a breath, fear slipping into her voice. “What are you doing?”

His lips hovered above hers, so close she could taste the hint of warmth in each breath he released.

“You belong to me,” he whispered, his voice shifting, deepening, curling around her like smoke. His eyes burned brighter, molten gold spilling across the darkness of his gaze. “You always have.”

Everin’s heart thrashed in her chest. Something ancient stared back at her through his eyes—something demanding, something claiming.

She tried to pull away. “You’re frightening me.”

He leaned closer, lips brushing the edge of her jaw. “You love me,” he whispered.

“You always have. And you will give yourself to me again.”


Author Bio:

La Kayshal is an Australian writer of romance, YA, and children's fantasy novels. She lives with her husband, daughter, and a playful Malshi puppy in the coastal plains of the Sunny State.

Her debut novel, The Lost Crown, is an adventure romance set in the exotic landscapes of India. She also created the much-loved Sylph Series, a whimsical children’s collection that introduces readers to the amazing world of Sylphs, with each book carrying a gentle moral lesson.

A lifelong fan of wizards, magic, dragons, swords, and elementals, she poured all these passions into her YA fantasy Ariston Baker in the Weird Picture Book, a fast-paced journey filled with realms, riddles, action, and adventure.

Her latest project is the Hell’s Fire Dragon series. Book 1, The Flames of Darkness, is a YA Romantasy full of dragons, and Book 2 is set to be released soon.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram


GIVEAWAY!

The Flames of Soulflare Blitz


Sunday, May 24, 2026

HER SILENCE by S.T. Ashman Excerpt



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. S.T. Ashman will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.



Nicole gets the call at 4 a.m. Her daughter Lacey was found in the woods beside her friend's dead husband. He was stabbed forty-four times. Lacey is barely alive. Covered in his blood. And completely mute.

She hasn't said a word since. Not to the police. Not to her husband. Not even to Nicole.

Nicole had Lacey at seventeen and swore her daughter would have a good life. Now Lacey is sitting in a cell, and Nicole's three grandchildren are left behind with a father who is losing it.

But Nicole knows her daughter. She isn't a cold-blooded murderer. Guilt didn't silence her. Fear did. Whatever happened in those woods scared Lacey more than prison.

So Nicole starts digging. But some secrets don't save people. They destroy them.


Read an Excerpt

I strode past carts and nurses, straight down the hall, and yanked open the door to room 12. But I wasn't ready for what was waiting inside. My body jerked back as my hand shot up to my neck. "Dear God."

Lacey sat upright on the bed, wearing a hospital gown. A doctor stood over her, shining a light into her eyes. Two nurses flanked him.

I almost didn't recognize her.

Her hair was soaked in dried blood. Matted. Tangled with dirt and leaves. Thick blood streaks ran down her neck and across her temple like Viking war paint. Her face and arms looked like someone had tried to wipe her clean with a wet napkin and given up halfway. Just smears of pink and red everywhere.

The bandage on her forehead was already smudged with red too.

Her eyes met mine. Brown, blank, dull. Nothing behind them.

"Sweetheart!" My voice fell apart. Tears burst out of me as I crossed the room in two desperate strides and grabbed her. Held her. Pressed her to my chest so tight nothing could tear her away again.

Not even the nurse who latched onto my arm.

"Ma'am, you can't be in here right now." Her voice was sharp and demanding.

I didn't move.

The other nurse came at me from the side. Hands on my other arm.

"You need to wait outside," she said, yanking at me.

"Get off me," I growled.

About the Author: S. T. Ashman is an American-German author who calls the beautiful U.S. Seacoast home. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, she spent years working as a psychotherapist in the criminal justice system. The work gave her a rare window into the human mind, both the beautiful and the deeply shadowed. It's no wonder readers often say her characters feel real enough to step off the page.

When she's not crafting her next twisty tale, you'll find her chasing after her kids, nose-deep in a book, or curled up late at night with a horror movie and a husband who always falls asleep on the couch before the scary parts.

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ashmanbooks
Instagrm: https://www.instagram.com/booksbyashman/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094353614873
Website: http://www.ashmanbooks.com
Link to ARC on Netgalley: https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/book/830451
Goodreads giveaway: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/250496134-her-silence

Amazon preorder: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GX371KS8
Apple Preorder: http://books.apple.com/us/book/id6762005159
Barnes and Noble Preorder: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/her-silence-s-t-ashman/1149881409

The Whispering Witch Mysteries by Mildred Abbott Interview & Giveaway

 

The Whispering Witch Mystery Series by Mildred Abbott


The Whispering Witch Mysteries
by Mildred Abbott

About The Whispering Witch Mystery Series

Start the Whispering Witch series today—a paranormal mystery where magic has consequences, trust is dangerous, and even a corgi might not make everything okay.


Gossiping About Grimoires (Whispering Witch Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery/Urban Paranormal
1st in Series
Setting – New Orleans, Mostly French Quarter
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently Published
Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 1, 2026
Print length ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
Paperback
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8243417433
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0GQTC3TKR
Digital
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0GJTS4272
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Maeve Hawthorn writes about witches for a living.
They want her to stop.

When a book signing ends in her abduction, Maeve’s only priority is escaping with her corgi, Mischief, alive. That urgency deepens when she learns her captors are real witches, furious that Maeve has been exposing their secrets to the world.

Before Maeve can make sense of how her fiction has become reality, she’s caught in the middle of a murder that leaves her marked by magic she doesn’t understand. When a dying witch’s power floods into her, Maeve becomes the prime suspect in a crime she didn’t commit—and a target for every supernatural being certain she knows too much.

Turns out, magic isn’t a gift. It’s a liability.
And clearing her name may cost Maeve far more than her safety.

With danger closing in and no clear allies other than Mischief, Maeve must navigate a hidden supernatural world that wants her silenced… or dead.

For readers who enjoy witchy mysteries with a little more at stake than a traditional cozy, Gossiping About Grimoires will appeal to fans of Danielle Garrett, Erin Johnson, and Juliet Blackwell.

(Includes the Shroom Boom recipe from Ayu Bakehouse, a beloved New Orleans bakery.)


Verifying About Vampires (Whispering Witch Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery/Urban Paranormal
2nd in Series
Setting – New Orleans, Mostly French Quarter
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently Published
Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 30, 2026
Print length ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
Digital
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0GGZ4YC8Q
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Maeve Hawthorn didn’t mean to get involved with vampires.
They insisted.

When a prominent member of New Orleans’ vampire community is accused of murder, Maeve is pulled into an investigation that could unravel the fragile balance between magical factions. Clearing their name isn’t just about justice — it may be the only way to prevent something far more dangerous.

As Maeve follows a trail of secrets through candlelit courtyards and hidden supernatural circles, she discovers that truth in this world is layered, political, and rarely convenient. Meanwhile, living with her roommates and their familiars begins to feel like home. The witches who were once strangers are becoming allies. Maybe even family.

But solving one mystery has a way of exposing others.

And in a city built on power and old allegiances, someone is always watching.

For readers who enjoy witchy mysteries with a little more at stake than a traditional cozy, Verifying About Vampires will appeal to fans of Danielle Garrett, Erin Johnson, and Juliet Blackwell.

Continue the Whispering Witch series — a paranormal mystery where magic has consequences, loyalty is complicated, and even a corgi doesn’t know all the answers.

(Includes Butterscotch Pecan Scone recipe from Bywater Bakery, a favorite New Orleans bakery.)


Snitching About Spirits (Whispering Witch Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery/Urban Paranormal
3rd in Series
Setting – New Orleans, Mostly French Quarter
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently Published
Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 30, 2026
Print length ‏ : ‎ ~ 400 pages
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0GRSFK8VD
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Maeve Hawthorn started chatting with ghosts.
They made demands.

When a murder victim refuses to stay silent and buried secrets start coming to light, Maeve is pulled deeper into the hidden power struggles shaping New Orleans’ magical world. What started as a single investigation is unraveling something much older—and far more dangerous.

As Maeve follows the trail through enchanted courtyards, secret alliances, and the fragile peace between supernatural factions, she begins to realize the truth may not be what anyone wants revealed. Meanwhile, living with her roommates and their familiars is starting to feel less like survival… and more like family.

But some secrets were buried for a reason.

And when the past finally surfaces, it may threaten far more than one witch’s life.

For readers who enjoy witchy mysteries with a little more at stake than a traditional cozy, Snitching About Spirits will appeal to fans of Danielle Garrett, Erin Johnson, and Juliet Blackwell.

Continue the Whispering Witch series — a paranormal mystery where magic carries a price, loyalties are tested, and even a corgi can’t sniff out every secret.

(Includes a bewitching S’mores Cheesecake recipe from Deuxbelle, an award-winning New Orleans bakery.)

About Mildred Abbott

Mildred Abbott writes twisty cozy mysteries filled with humorous and complex characters. Whether brimming with magic or simply an above-average dose of curiosity, Mildred’s amateur sleuths solve murders with the cutest sidekicks ever. Fifteen years as a special education teacher and a lifetime of loving rescue dogs results in creating adventures with a ton of heart and the need for lint rollers.

Interview:

Maeve isn’t the kind of person who fits neatly into interview questions—but that’s part of what makes her interesting to write.

1. What words or phrases does she overuse? 
Maeve doesn’t really have a catchphrase. If anything, she has a habit of quietly saying, “Wait… that’s real, too?” as more and more fantastical things reveal themselves to be more than myth—which is happening right and left lately.

2. Does she have a catchphrase? 
Not in the traditional sense. Maeve tends to pause instead—watching, listening, putting pieces together. That moment of silence is usually when she realizes there’s more going on than anyone else has noticed. Plus, she uses those times to get input from her corgi sidekick, Mischief. When things get a little strange, there’s no one better to turn to than a corgi with attitude!

3. Is she more optimistic or pessimistic? 
Maeve starts out as an optimist. She believes the world makes sense if you pay close enough attention. The trouble is… the world she’s stepped into doesn’t always follow those rules. She’s over the moon that so many of the things she’s dreamed about are real, but the whole… am I going to survive long enough to enjoy it all adds some complication.

4. Is she introverted or extroverted? 
Introverted, but not withdrawn. Until her book signing in New Orleans, Maeve lived a very sheltered existence for her first twenty-four years of life. Mostly solitary working her custodial job at a wellness center and writing her books as Mischief snored beside her. Being thrown head first into this magical world filled with witches, fairies, and every other sort of magical creature imaginable isn’t’ for the faint of heart.


5. Does she ever put on airs? 
No. If anything, Maeve tends to underplay herself. She’s far more capable than she lets on, and she’s perfectly fine being underestimated. While she may not think she’ll ever get a hold of this new magical powers thing, Mischief hasn’t a solitary doubt.

6. What bad habits does she have? 
Maeve overthinks. Once something doesn’t add up, she can’t leave it alone—even when it would be easier… or safer… to walk away.

7. What makes her laugh out loud? 
That’s easy! Her corgi, Mischief. Let’s just say, that sweet girl earns her name!

8. How does she show affection? 
Quietly. Maeve shows she cares by paying attention, by staying when things get difficult, and by protecting the people who matter to her. Maeve is loyal, honest, and a bit headstrong in defending those she loves.

9. If she could change one thing about herself, what would it be? 
Strangely, she got the very thing she dreamed would be true for herself… magic. However, it may be the very thing that causes her undoing.

10. What is her obsession? 
Understanding. Maeve needs things to make sense—and when they don’t, she keeps digging until they do.

11. What are her pet peeves? 
Half-truths. Not outright lies—those are easier to spot. It’s the things people almost say that bother her the most. And in this new magical world, it seems nobody gives a direct answer, but instead likes to speak in riddles.

12. What are her idiosyncrasies? 
Maeve is a fish out of water. Both in the human and within witch society. She was isolated and removed from all but a small handful of people, leaving her unprepared for life out in the big wide world. Quadruple that now that witches have been thrown into the mix. Luckily, Mischief has enough gumption for both of them!

Author Links 

Newsletter sign up:  http://www.mildredabbott.com/contact-mildred.html

 Website: http://www.mildredabbott.com

 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MildredAbbottAuthor/

 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17347095.Mildred_Abbott

 Instagram: @mildredabbott

 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mildredabbottauthor

Purchase Links
– Amazon – Gossiping About Grimoires   Verifying About Vampires      Snitching About Spirits

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

May 12 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

May 13 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

May 14 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT

May 15 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST, INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY

May 16 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

May 16 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

May 17 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – SPOTLIGHT

May 18 – Storybook Lady – AUTHOR GUEST POST, INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY

May 19 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT  

May 20 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

May 20 – Angel’s Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT

May 21 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER GUEST POST

May 21 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

May 22 – Twirling Book Princess – SPOTLIGHT

May 23 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT

May 24 – Deal Sharing Aunt – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

May 25 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – REVIEW

May 25 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

May 25 – Salty Inspirations – CHARACTER GUEST POST

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Hot Wings and Homicide by Carmela Dutra Interview & Giveaway

 

Hot Wings and Homicide (A Food Truck Mystery) by Carmela Dutra

About Hot Wings and Homicide


Hot Wings and Homicide (A Food Truck Mystery) 

Cozy Mystery

2nd in Series

Setting - San Francisco, California

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Crooked Lane Books 

Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 12, 2026

Print length ‏ : ‎ 320 pages 

Hardcover ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8892424417 

Paperback ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8892424424

Digital ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8892424431 

Audiobook ASIN : B0FY43Z1DC

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Twins Beth and Seth Lloyd are on the chopping block in the follow-up to A Murder Most Fowl, where a perfect recipe for murder is stirred up.

Business at Kluckin’ Good is smoking hot. To keep momentum going, Beth and her twin brother, Seth, just scored a prime spot at the Flavors of the Bay Food Festival. For three and a half days, food lovers will flock to the Bay Area’s biggest culinary event to enjoy gourmet food trucks, cook-offs, and live music, but this recipe for success is also the perfect setup for murder.

When the infamous food critic Brad Dawson—also Beth’s ex—turns up dead, the only clue at the scene of the crime is a Kluckin’ Good tumbler mug. The timing couldn’t be worse. Beth and Brad were seen in a heated altercation, and days prior, witnesses saw Seth punch Brad. Suspicion naturally falls on the twins. With the cops hot on their trail, Beth will have to avoid the flames to clear their names and save her food truck’s reputation.

But the chickens are out of the coop, and as Beth digs into Brad’s final hours, she will uncover rivalries, grudges, and a different side of Brad she never knew. If she doesn’t crack the case soon, she might be the next one to get cooked. Best of cluck!

A mouthwatering mystery for fans of Joanne Fluke that will leave you peckish for more.

About Carmela Dutra

Carmela Dutra is a writer from the San Francisco Bay Area who loves food trucks, family, and cozy mysteries. She is the author of the Food Truck Mysteries, including A Murder Most Fowl and Hot Wings and Homicide. Her series has been praised by Kirkus Reviews, which called her debut “a serious set of crimes leavened by plenty of amusing moments,” and by Library Journal, which noted that Hot Wings and Homicide “is perfect for foodies.” Criminal Element highlighted the “juicy reasoning behind the sabotage that was almost as shocking as the murder itself,” and New York Times bestselling author Ellery Adams described the books as “the perfect escapist read, brimming with banter and an extra helping of fun.” Carmela has also been featured in CrimeReads Magazine.

A lover of humor, quirky characters, and all things geeky, Carmela spends her days sketching, sipping far too much coffee, and over-cuddling her allergy-inducing cats and dog. She lives with her husband and two dinosaur-obsessed sons, drawing inspiration from rainy afternoons, bustling farmers’ markets, and the unexpected moments that make life memorable.

INTERVIEW

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

When I realized I was a lazy aunt. My nephew wanted me to draw pictures for him to color, and my niece asked me to write her a bedtime story. I didn’t have a lot of free time, so I created something that worked for both of them. I wrote and illustrated a picture book, leaving some pages for my nephew to color.

I had so much fun writing that first book that I kept going, and before I knew it, one picture book turned into five. Once I found my storytelling voice, I knew I wanted to try something bigger than a thousand words, but I held myself back. When the world shut down in 2020, I finally gave myself permission to go for it—and wrote my first adult novel.

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

From plotting to incorporating beta reader feedback, about four months.

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

It’s a procrastinator’s dream! I start by organizing my writing space, then cleaning the house, doing laundry, and deciding it’s the perfect time to vacuum my car.

After a solid few hours of avoiding my work, I finally sit down and write. It doesn’t matter how rough the words are, I just get them on the page. You can edit bad writing, but you can’t edit a blank page.

Also, coffee. There is always a generous amount of coffee involved.

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

My murder boards. I have three black felt boards covered in handwritten notes—and yes, sometimes paper clippings. Each board is dedicated to a different project, and the one I’m actively working on sits right in front of me.The only thing missing is red string tying everything together.

5.  How do books get published?

There are several paths to publication: traditional publishing, hybrid publishing, self-publishing, and vanity presses. Before choosing a path, it’s important to decide what your goals are and what you hope to achieve.

Publishing is a personal choice, and you have to pick the route that feels right for you.

I’ve experienced both self-publishing and, unfortunately, a vanity press (a long story, but I learned a lot about doing my due diligence and spotting red flags). Ultimately, I wanted a supportive team to help bring my books to readers in multiple formats, especially libraries.When I made my pros and cons list, traditional publishing felt like the right fit for me.

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

Everyday life. Grocery shopping, overheard conversations, people-watching at the park, or even a snippet of dialogue from a TV show.I love taking small, ordinary moments and asking, what if this turned into a murder mystery? Then I let my imagination run with it.

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

I wrote my first piece in middle school during National Poetry Month. It was inspired by the night and called In the Vast Stillness in the Middle of the Night.It was… not great. But I earned a passing grade! That experience led me to take creative writing classes in high school.

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

I’m a mom first, so if I’m not writing, I’m with my family. I’m also a homeschool educator, which is both a blessing and a challenge because working with family can be tough, but it’s incredibly rewarding.I also volunteer about 50 hours a month in my community, which brings me a lot of joy. In my spare time, I enjoy gardening, sketching, and working on puzzles.

 

9.  What does your family think of your writing?

I’m very fortunate to have a supportive family. My husband loves to brag that his wife is a published author, and my kids do too, although their version of bragging has occasionally gotten me into trouble.During one of my youngest son’s online classes, he was asked what his parents do for work. He proudly said, “My daddy builds buildings, and my mommy kills people.”

You can imagine how quickly I got an email requesting a meeting. Thankfully, once I explained, everyone had a good laugh. And I may have gained a couple of new readers.

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

No matter how carefully I plot, a character will inevitably go off the rails and create a plot hole I have to fix, usually right when I’m closest to my deadline.

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

I’ve written five picture books, four unpublished manuscripts, and two published novels.I don’t have a favorite. Each book has taught me something new and brought me joy in unexpected ways. Now, if you asked me about my favorite character, that would be a different story!

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

Don’t compare yourselfto other writers or even to your past work.Everyone’s journey is different, and comparison can steal the joy from writing. Focus on your voice and your growth.

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

Connecting with readers is my favorite part of being an author. Whether through social media, email, or meeting in person at events.I love hearing what readers enjoyed (and didn’t), their thoughts on the recipes, and their ideas for future stories.

The most common questions I get are about Detective Pretty Boy. Will he pay for his own food? Will he stick around? Is he based on someone real? Will he and Beth end up together?To answer one: no, he’s not based on anyone I know, he’s entirely from my imagination. As for the rest… you’ll have to keep reading!

14.                        Do you like to create books for adults?I do! It allows me to explore a different creative side that I don’t get to tap into with children’s literature.

15.                        What do you think makes a good story?The characters. Writing style matters, but if I connect with the characters, I’ll keep turning the pages.

16.                        As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?A veterinarian, until I realized there were parts of the job my heart just couldn’t handle.

17.                        What Would you like my readers to know?How much I value their time. There are countless ways to spend your free time, and the fact that you choose to spend even a small part of it with my books means everything to me.

 

Author Links 


TOUR PARTICIPANTS
May 12 – Sarah Can't Stop Reading Books – SPOTLIGHT
May 12 – Jody's Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
May 13 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
May 13 – Storybook Lady – REVIEW, AUTHOR GUEST POST
May 14 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT
May 14 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
May 15 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW
May 16 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT
May 17 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT 
May 18 – Christy's Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST
May 19 – Salty Inspirations – AUTHOR GUEST POST
May 20 – Elizabeth McKenna - Author – SPOTLIGHT
May 21 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
May 22 – @bibliophile_foodie – REVIEW
May 23 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
May 24 – Sarandipity's-AUTHOR GUEST POST
May 24 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
 May 25 – Boys' Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT

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