FEATURED AUTHOR: FRAN LEWIS

ABOUT THE BOOK

Driving down a rocky road I saw the overgrown grass, weeds, and poison ivy overtaking the outer perimeter of the bushes. The smell of mildew permeated the air, along with the stench of animals killed by cars coming up from the ground along this dirt road. I could see the sadness on the faces in the cars behind me; I could feel the pain and sorrow. As I looked inside the cars and saw the faces of the drivers, I began to wonder what they were thinking, their thoughts and feelings as they traveled down life’s highway, maybe for the very last time.

What stories lay behind the faces behind the wheel of each oncoming car?

What stories were hidden?

Whose voices are now silenced?

Book Details:


Title: Silent Voices

Author: Fran Lewis

Genre: horror, suspense

Series: Silent Voices


Publisher: Southern Owl Publications, LLC (June 10th 2019)


Print length: 51 pages


On tour with: Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours

LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT WITH FRAN LEWIS

A few of your favorite things: reading interesting novels, doing my interviews, walking in the morning to my favorite bakery.
Things you need to throw out: old shoes and old coats.

Things you need in order to write: my thoughts, my computer, my notepad on my phone.
Things that hamper your writing: annoying phone calls and writer’s block.

Things you love about writing: I get to write whatever I want and express my thoughts in my own way.
Things you hate about writing: editing and correcting mistakes.

Hardest thing about being a writer: writing and hoping to attract many different types of audiences.
Easiest thing about being a writer: choosing my titles and genres.

Things you love about where you live: the quiet, the people and the local stores within walking distance.
Things that make you want to move: not anymore.

Things you never want to run out of: coffee pods, paper, ink for my computer, paper cups and smiles.
Things you wish you’d never bought: some of my shoes and jackets.

Words that describe you: intelligent, humorous, headstrong, tough, perceptive, and kind.
Words that describe you but you wish they didn’t: hard to handle, confrontational at times, inquisitive.

Favorite foods: pizza and tuna.
Things that make you want to throw up: foods with too much sugar or salt.

Favorite music or song: classical and opera.
Music that make your ears bleed: Rap and HIP HOP.

Favorite beverage: black coffee.
Something that gives you a pickle face: spicy foods.

Favorite smell: fresh air.
Something that makes you hold your nose: perfume that makes you want to walk down the stairs because it is so strong.

Something you’re really good at: book reviews, interviews on my radio shows, helping my nieces and nephews understand their projects for school and solving problems and getting answers to my questions no matter what.
Something you’re really bad at: hearing the word NO.

Something you wish you could do: have a magic wand and bring back the people that I miss everyday.
Something you wish you’d never learned to do: play tennis in college.

Something you like to do: visit more museums.
Something you wish you’d never done: gone to Florida with college friends.

People you consider as heroes: my dad who made me strong and my grandfather who taught ethics and morals.
People with a big L on their foreheads: people that critique others just for the fun of hurting their feelings because their self-esteem is low. People that are constantly negative.

Last best thing you ate: one slice of pizza.
Last thing you regret eating: salty tuna.

Things you’d walk a mile for: a great sale at my favorite store, finding the right nondairy cupcake, my family.
Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: phone calls that ask for money, surveys on the phone and people that just always want something and never do anything in return.
 
Things to say to an author: write what you know about, stay true to who you are and do not write a book with a small font or that is too long. As a reviewer I  cannot review books where I need a magnifying glass to see the print or the plot is overdone.
Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: I would love to be an evil twin to your main character in your next book and hopefully be brought back many times.,

Favorite places you’ve been: San Diego, Florida, several states.
Places you never want to go to again: Staten Island.

Favorite books: fiction, non-fiction, historical fiction, memoirs, general fiction, romance, historical romance.
Books you would ban: erotica.

People you’d like to invite to dinner (living): Iris Johansen, Charles Dickens, James Patterson.
People you’d cancel dinner on: negative people.

Favorite things to do: read, walk, jog, go to museums, parks, and the Bronx  Zoo.
Things you’d run through a fire wearing gasoline pants to get out of doing: the dentist, the laundry, cooking.

Things that make you happy: when my nephews and nieces text me every few days to say hi or call to say they miss and love me when am I going to visit.
Things that drive you crazy: when someone calls for money.

Most embarrassing moment: learning to drive when I was 16 and driving towards a cute guy.
Proudest moment: when I got my masters and PD.

Biggest lie you’ve ever told: I never tell my age I usually pick a number from 19-29 and choose a different one every day.
A lie you wish you’d told: When I weighed 200 pounds and was about to go on a blind date I told him I weighed 100, but now I do weight 107.

Best thing you’ve ever done: spending my years as an educator, dean, staff developer and helping my students succeed in life. They are on Facebook and remind me all the time of the positive impact I had on their lives.
Biggest mistake: never really feeling comfortable behind the wheel of a car and not driving anymore.

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: taking a camel ride and walking for March of Dimes.
Something you chickened out from doing: motorboating and kayaking.

The last thing you did for the first time: buying distance glasses one pair for each day of the week and getting my colorful highlights in my hair: Red, blue, green, purple and more.
Something you’ll never do again: go back to black hair. I am a blonde

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Fran Lewis taught for 36 years in a New York Public School as a dean, staff developer and reading specialist. She loved helping children with learning disabilities soar and rise to the top. Fran loves music and majored in music when she attended Hunter College and was a concert violist. Fran has a master’s in reading and learning disabilities , education, Administration and supervision and a PD in Administration and supervision. Fran enjoys doing book reviews, interviews on her network MJ network on Blog Talk radio and she is currently writing her next Faces Behind the Stones book. Title to be decided.

Connect with Fran:
Blog  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads

Buy the book:
Amazon

FEATURED AUTHOR: DIANN MILLS

ABOUT THE BOOK

There’s a killer on the loose in Galveston, targeting law enforcement officials and using a fatal injection of snake venom to take them down. Authorities have reasons to believe the Veneno gang is behind the hits, and FBI Agents Leah Riesel and Jon Colbert team up to track down those responsible. Their best lead is an eyewitness who identifies a young man dumping the third body on a church doorstep. But their suspect has gone into hiding, and those closest to him are reluctant to reveal anything that might help investigators find him.

As Leah and Jon check connections among the victims and dig deeper into motives, they discover appearances may be deceiving. Someone is desperate to keep their secrets hidden, and Leah and Jon must face their greatest fears in order to stop the next fatal strike.

Book Details:

Title: Fatal Strike

Author: DiAnn Mills

Genre: Romantic suspense

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers (September 3, 2019)

Print length: 400 pages

On tour with: Partners in Crime Book Tours


GUEST POST BY DIANN MILLS

A Day in the Life of DiAnn Mills

Whenever someone learns I’m a writer, I see widened eyes, hear “wows,” and I think they smell money. Those responses make me laugh. None of those people would want me to balance their checkbook. Neither would many of them want to spend hours alone in the writing process, and I’m certainly not in the publishing world for the money.

I’m a writer because I cannot not write.
I’m a writer because I love story.
I’m a writer because I’m addicted to the art of story writing.

What a blessing to work at a career that fills me with such amazing satisfaction. I treasure the time to create a world with characters who are distinct and send the reader on an unpredictable adventure.

The more I write, the more I learn about myself, my views about life, and how to better impact the world for good. My goals are: To entertain with story. To inspire others to dream big and find the tools to accomplish the previously unattainable. To encourage the downtrodden and weak by offering light and hope. Life isn’t always good, but we can choose joy.

I wrote from the time I could hold a pencil but not seriously until 1996 when my husband challenged me to write a book. He suggested I quit my job and take a year to see if I could get anything published. I never went back to work.

Not so sure you’d want to climb inside my head. On any given day, I could take on the identity of many different people—some are funny, yet some are scary.

I write fiction because we live in a dangerous and unpredictable world. I want to show readers there are trained men and woman who are committed to keeping us safe.

I write Christian fiction because that’s who I am . . . showing good overcomes evil. I believe in a character who lives his/her life according to their faith, not spouting Scripture and belittling those who have different beliefs.

My motto to write comes from James Patterson: “Don’t assume anyone’s safe.”

Balance is hard for me because I tend to be a workaholic. I’m such a type A personality that my blood type is A+. I’m a bit OCD about goals. Every due date is scheduled to be completed two months ahead of time. That buffer in time allows for life interruptions, additional edits, and perhaps a vacation.

I’m disciplined, maybe to a fault. Want to see my schedule?

5:00  Up and into my Bible and prayer.
5:30  Grab my laptop and get started with the day on the treadmill. Do email and schedule social

media and work on word count.
7:30  Breakfast.
8:15  After getting cleaned up, I write until lunch.
1:00  Check email and social media. Professional development either with the craft or social media.
1:30  Write blogs.
2:30  Writing students/mentoring/coaching.
3:30  Read: a novel in my genre.
4:00  Finish up loose ends for the day.
5:00  Cook dinner—yes, I cook. Great time to think about what I’ve written during the day and how to make it better.
After dinner while husband watches a show or movie, I join him on the sofa and continue with what didn’t get done during the day.

That’s it! I love readers and would love to connect.

EXCERPT FROM FATAL STRIKE

SPECIAL AGENT LEAH RIESEL scanned the headlines on her phone. A prosecutor from Galveston had been found murdered behind a construction site, the second apparent victim of gang violence in two days. Both deaths were caused by rattlesnake venom injections to the heart. Before she could pull up additional reports on the woman’s untimely death, Leah’s phonerang.
“Riesel, hostage situation in Galveston,” the SWAT commander said. “Grab your gear. The chopper takes off in five.”
“On it.” She took a last lingering look at the half-eaten blueberry donut and coffee on her cubicle’s desk.
Could this have anything to do with the two murders in Galveston?
Before most of the city began the workday, Leah boarded a Little Bird helicopter beneath whirling blades and the pressure of a critical operation. Dressed in full camo and shouldering her sniper gear, she inhaled the rising temps. Feverish Houston.  With the familiar air transport sounds ushering in memories of past missions, her adrenaline kicked in.
A pilot from the tactical helicopter unit lifted the chopper into the air for the twenty-minute ride to Galveston. She recognized him from previous assignments involving aircraft used to deliver SWAT and the elite hostage rescue teams to crisis incidents. This morning her focus eliminated any chitchat.
Leah grabbed sound-canceling headphones and contacted the SWAT commander already on the ground. “Riesel here. Special Agent in Charge Thomas briefed me on a home invasion that’s turned violent.”
The SAC would be watching the operation at the Crisis Management Operations Center.
“Negotiations have gotten us nowhere.” The SWAT commander’s voice rose above the chopper’s blade-snap. “Two unidentified men are holding two women and three children at gunpoint. Galveston PD estimates they’ve been inside the home for at least an hour. Demanding we leave the area after giving them five hundred grand and a gassed-up speedboat.
Clock is ticking with forty minutes max. We’ve backed off as far as they know.”
Leah swiped through pics taken with telephoto lenses and sent to her phone. Each ski-masked man held a child as a shield. Leah detested the savagery and the horrific emotions the hostages
must be feeling.
“We’re located on San Luis Pass Road on the western section of the island. Nearest house is five hundred yards away. Owners are in Europe. We’re in contact with the agency managing it.”
She didn’t need a key to access the home.
The SWAT commander continued. “One of the hostages is the owner of the home, Amanda Barton.”
“Is there a Mr. Barton in the picture?”
“Divorced. Lives in California.”
Unlikely the ex-husband was behind this.
“Agent Jon Colbert will be on scene shortly,” the commander said. “He had a deposition early this morning in Texas City and drove on to Galveston. Over the weekend, his SWAT partner had emergency knee surgery. Out for six weeks.”
And Leah’s partner had left the city yesterday on vacation.
The luck of the draw meant she and Jon would be working together. “I’ll contact you as soon as we land.”
Jon Colbert, a sniper who had excellent marksmanship and a stellar reputation, also worked organized crime. But she and Jon had never worked together. The idea of teaming up with an agent she barely knew made her uneasy. If a sniper mission required a partner, she preferred an established relationship where she would know how the person processed information.
Shoving aside her doubts, she narrowed her thoughts on what lay ahead. The precarious situation and local law enforcement’s inability to negotiate added up to why she and Jon had
been assigned to the case.
She grasped her backpack, lighter than usual with only a spotting scope, ammo, water, communication equipment, extra batteries, granola bar, and a handheld radio. Her Glock, as comfortable in her right hand as a toothbrush, found its spot in her back waistband. She touched her H-S Precision heavy tactical rifle.
The sooner she got to Galveston, the sooner she could provide intelligence and help neutralize the circumstances. Her priority was seeing the women and children freed from these ruthless men.
*    *    *
Jon received a text from Special Agent in Charge Thomas that Leah Riesel had left the Houston FBI office and was en route to Galveston. He’d met her a few times, and they’d qualified
together. Attractive woman—dark-brown hair, light-olive skin, New Yorker with the accent to prove it. Her professionalism in the violent crime division wavered between exceptional and extraordinary. A touch of toughness. Jon had heard not to make her mad—she had earned the nickname Panther for a reason.  He remembered her stats—number three in the US for distance shots. Good thing he wasn’t easily intimidated.
Once the chopper landed, Leah would be transported in an unmarked car to a vacant house more than a quarter of a mile away from the Barton home. No point in making the two men more trigger-happy when they’d warned law enforcement to back off.
The SWAT commander spoke through Jon’s radio attached to his collar. “Thermal imaging confirms four adults and three children inside the Barton home. The men claim they’ll kill the
children first. We have fifteen minutes.”
In Galveston, Jon stopped at Broadway and Sixty-First Street. Tourists persisted in the middle of the thoroughfare, pushing strollers, riding surrey bikes, and enjoying the day.  Some were dressed for the beach and others clutched what they needed for their excursion. All hindered his turn. Obstacles in his mission. If they knew the situation not far from them, they’d grab their loved ones and speed home. Each moment delayed his shot and shoved the hostages closer to death. A chilling composure took over his emotional, mental, and physical reactions.  The busy street finally cleared. Jon turned west onto Seawall Boulevard and drove on to San Luis Pass. The hostage site was four and a half miles beyond there.
Were the two men inside the Barton home wannabes looking to make a name for themselves? Strung out on drugs? Was this a personal vendetta? No matter how this ended—either a surrender or he’d be instructed to take a shot— their moment in history would likely be the lead story on tonight’s news.  His phone alerted him to an incoming call. He responded
before the first ring ended. “Colbert.” The chopper’s rhythmic whir reverberated through his phone.
“Riesel here. Landing in five at Galveston Island State Park.  SWAT commander has given me a location on the west side of the Barton home.”
“I’ll be on foot by then. Taking a position on the east, beach side.”
“I’ll need seven minutes to get into place,” she said.
“Okay.” No need to remind her of the ticking clock.
He touched End and whipped his truck onto a beach-access road where police officers had instructed residents to shelter in place. He switched off the engine. Grabbing his gear, he bolted
down the beach. A Galveston police officer stopped him, and Jon handed him his ID. Seconds later, he moved toward his site.
A sultry breeze blew across the water, and he recalculated his shot.
Crouching low, he moved past police SWAT standing guard.
FBI SWAT held the position Riesel was headed for. They were racing against time, a commodity that stopped for nothing or no one. At any moment, one of the armed men could pull the
trigger on those inside the Barton home.
Restraint.
Control.
Tense muscles relaxed.  His heartbeat slowed.
A clear head laid out the steps before the kill shot.
No mistakes.
Precision.
Accuracy.
A chance for the women and children to live another day.
Near a sand dune, he tuned out the occasional seagull and the waves rushing against the shore. After wiping the sweat from his hands on his pants, Jon set up his rifle and scope,
activated his radio, and spoke to the SWAT commander and Leah Riesel.
***
Excerpt from Fatal Strike by DiAnn Mills.  Copyright © 2019 by DiAnn Mills. Reproduced with permission from DiAnn Mills. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, Mountainside Marketing Conference, and the Mountainside Novelist Retreat with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

Connect with DiAnn:

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads 

Buy the book:
Amazon

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FEATURED AUTHOR: MARY ELLEN HUGHES

ABOUT THE BOOK

Callie Reed is looking forward to her first Keepsake Cove spring festival. But her excitement dims considerably when she learns that her ex-boyfriend, Hank, will be performing with one of the hired country-western bands. Callie vows to keep her distance, but that changes when the band's manager, Bobby Linville, is found dead, killed with the music box Hank bought at Callie's shop.

Hank is soon singing a sad tune in a detention center with Callie his only lifeline. Though thoroughly aware of his many faults, she knows violence and murder aren't in his blood. But that means one of her fellow Keepsake Cove residents must be hiding a dark secret―something Callie desperately needs to uncover.


Book Details:

Title: A Curio Killing

Author: Mary Ellen Hughes

Genre: Cozy mystery


Series: Keepsake Cove Mystery, book 3


Publisher: Midnight Ink
 (Sept. 8, 2019)


Print length: 264 pages

On tour with: Great Escapes Book Tours


IFs ANDs OR WHATs INTERVIEW WITH MARY ELLEN HUGHES

Ifs

Q: If you could live in any time period which would it be?
A: I’m happy to be in the current time period. The past is interesting, but I’d hate to give up the progress that got us to where we are now. The future might be better (or not!) and I’d hate to take a chance on it. I’ll stay where I am, thanks.

Q: If you could step back into a moment or day in time, where would you go?
A: Ah, now that’s a different kettle of fish. For a moment I think I’d like to drop in on Philadelphia as colonial America was becoming the U.S.A. A fascinating time when you think of all they accomplished!


Q: If you could meet any author for coffee, who would you like to meet and what would you talk about?
A: Jane Austen would be an interesting author to meet. I’d love to hear (if she’d tell me) where her characters and stories come from, and how in the world she could write an entire novel by hand!

Q: If you could choose a fictional town to live in what would it be and from what book?
A: Oh, St. Mary Mead from any of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple books. The people living there are so well-mannered . . . except when they commit their murders.


Q: If you could live anywhere in the world, where in the world would it be?
A: Can I have five homes, please? I’d love to spend a few weeks in a different area—mountain, seaside, New York, London, and my own home, where I’d come back to unwind.




Ands


5 things you need in order to write:
    •    quiet
    •    a comfy chair
    •    laptop
    •    water or tea
and
    •    ideas

5 things you love about writing: 
    •    creating characters
    •    learning new things through my research
    •    meeting with other writers
    •    the excitement of coming up with new ideas
and 
    •    typing “The End”

5 things you love about where you live:
    •     peacefulness
    •    wildlife
    •    good neighbors
    •    change of seasons
and
    •    internet access

5 favorite foods:
    •    coffee
    •    chocolate
    •    pickles
    •    apples
and
    •    yogurt

 
5 things you always put in your books: 
    •    animals
    •    food
    •    laughs
    •    tension
and
    •    conflict

Whats

Q:  What’s your all-time favorite library?
A: The little library I walked to when I was about 7 or 8 and checked out as many books as they’d let me.

Q: What’s your favorite ice cream?
A: Baskin Robbin’s Jamoca Almond Fudge.

Q: What’s your favorite hobby or past-time?
A: Doubles tennis.

Q: What’s your favorite social media site? Would you rather tweet or post on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest . . .?
A: I’m an active Facebook-er.


Q: What book are you currently working on?
A: A Wicked Yarn, book one of a new craft fair/knitting series I am writing under the pen name Emmie Caldwell.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mary Ellen Hughes is the bestselling author of the Pickled and Preserved Mysteries (Penguin), the Craft Corner Mysteries (Penguin), and the Maggie Olenski Mysteries (Avalon), along with several short stories. A Curio Killing is her third book with Midnight Ink. A Wisconsin native, she has lived most of her adult life in Maryland, where’s she’s set many of her stories.

Connect with Mary Ellen:
Facebook  |  Twitter

Buy the book:
Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Kobo

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FEATURED CHARACTER: CLAIRE LOGAN'S HECTOR JACKSON

Ring-A-Ding Dead! is a cozy mystery set in a fictional 1920's Chicago about a newly married couple. Part of the mystery is who these characters are and where they came from. Claire's virtual book tour with Great Escape Book Tours begins on September 11. Watch for the second character post from this main character couple on September 18.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Just married! It's time for . . .  a murder?



When checking into the posh Myriad Hotel on their honeymoon, Hector and Pamela Jackson discover a dead body! All the couple wants to do, though, is keep out of the commotion and enjoy some well-earned rest.



But another person dies, and they happen to appear at the crime scene. When a third person falls right in front of them, the police begin to wonder why.



Who's responsible for the murders? Why are they happening? Are the couple under suspicion? Where does the little stray dog hanging around the hotel entrance come from? And when are Hector and Pamela finally going to have a proper honeymoon?



All these questions are answered in this first of The Myriad Mysteries—a clean, mild murder mystery set in a fictional hotel in 1920's Chicago.

Book Details:


Title: Ring-A-Ding Dead!

Author: Claire Logan

Genre: cozy mystery


Series: Myriad Mysteries, book 1


Publisher: Self-published (May 29, 2019)


Print length: 244 pages

CHARACTER INTERVIEW WITH CLAIRE LOGAN'S HECTOR JACKSON

Basic Character Questions

Name: Mr. Hector Jackson (at least, that's what he tells everyone . . . )
Race: Black - has "very dark" skin
Age: 32
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 190 pounds
Build: average, on the slender side
Hair color: black
Hair style: wears his hair pressed and slicked back in the current fashion and style for early 1920's Chicago
Eye color: black
Relationship status: Just married!

Name of (romantic) partner: Mrs. Pamela Jackson (well, that's what she tells everyone . . . )
Distinguishing features: Has a deep voice and a scar on his left upper arm from getting shot that one time . . .
Neat or messy dresser? Very neat
.
His personal style: Classic: he has a prep school background.

Does he have any quirks? In spite of his wealth, he's a minimalist: he carries very little with him. Doesn't drink or smoke, which is unusual for that time. Generous and tips well.
Is this a main character or supporting character? One of two main characters.



Personality

Is he optimistic or pessimistic? Optimistic
.
Is he an introvert or extrovert? Extrovert
.
What is his strongest character trait? Makes friends everywhere he goes.

What is his weakest character trait? A float through life attitude. He's used to other people taking responsibility for the dirty work - he's used to being on his own and not taking care of anyone else. Also, he's not as sneaky as he likes to think he is.

What is his motto? Today is all that matters
.
What sense does he most rely on? Observation
.
What are his pet peeves? People who judge others on appearances without knowing anything about them. The selfish. People who impose upon others for no good reason.

What are his idiosyncrasies? Prefers coffee with heavy cream, no sugar. Likes to read the newspaper. Likes boating quite a bit.

What are his ambitions? He's not very ambitious. He's happy with his life and kind of goes with the flow.

What past act is he most proud of? He once built a log cabin by himself, back when he was in his 20's.

What is his favorite food? Steak.

Is he superstitious? Not at all.

Is he serious or laid back? Laid back.

What does he do first thing on a weekday morning? Read the paper.

Does he prefer alcohol or soft drinks? Soft drinks
.
What is his soft drink of choice? Ginger ale with lemon in it
.
What is his alcoholic drink of choice? Doesn't drink alcohol
.
Does he make a positive or negative first impression? Positive.

Conflict

How does he respond to a threat? Freezes at first when faced with a sudden crisis.
Is he most likely to fight with their fists or their tongue? Words.
What is his choice of weapon? Lawyers.
Does he have a secret? Yes, lots!
Is he confrontational? No.
Does he carry a weapon? No.

Work, Education and Hobbies

What is his current job? Independently wealthy: owns lots of property all over the country and abroad, has men hired to take care of them.
What are his hobbies? Likes boating and the theater.
What is his intelligence level? High intelligence.
Does he have a natural talent for something? An intuitive thinker.

Possessions

What is in his wallet? A picture of his sister

Miscellaneous

What is his greatest extravagance? Stays in hotels wherever he goes.
What is his greatest regret? Not being able to save someone he loved very much from dying.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Claire Logan has loved reading since she can remember. She loves puzzles and mysteries and intrigue. Of all the cities she’s been to, Chicago is her favorite. Her four years living in Chicago during grad school were wonderful. Plus she loves history. And wasn't the 1920's wild? She’s always wanted to write a series set in Chicago and now here's her chance.



Connect with Claire:
BookBub  |  Facebook  |  Goodreads 

Buy the book:
Amazon

GUEST POST WITH JESSA ARCHER'S JAMIE LANG

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Jamie Lang finds one of her hand lettered quotes on the window of her shop, Flourish, with a hole shot through a serif, she knows someone’s trying to drive her business into red ink. Jamie confronts Earleen Culp, the ruthless owner of the local stationery shop, in front of the most popular breakfast spot in the small town of Cedar Valley. Of course, Earleen professes shock and innocence, so when she’s found dead in front of Jamie’s home the next morning, Jamie becomes the prime suspect.

Jamie’s one cross-stroke short of acquittal, and even her best friend has her doubts. But Jamie’s not the only one in town with a motive for wanting Earleen silenced for good. To clear her name, Jamie’s going to need every last drop of ink in her quill.

With the hot police chief Ridge, and her makeup artist friend Nora on her side, she’s prepared to go out with a flourish if that’s what it takes to catch the real murderer. She’s desperate to save her hand lettering business, but will her quest lead her right into a killer’s snare?

Book Details:

Title: Who Shot the Serif?

Author: Jessa Archer

Genre: Cozy mystery, book 1

Publisher: Independently Published (July 7, 2019)

Print length: 218 pages

On tour with: Great Escapes Book tours

   

GUEST POST WITH JESSA ARCHER'S JAMIE LANG

Coffee—Jamie Lang

I'm supposed to be writing a guest post, but although I'm an excellent writer, I'm not much of a writer. That doesn't make any sense, you say. Either you are or you aren't. Here's the distinction—I'm a hand letterer and calligrapher. Mostly a hand letterer, which is more art than writing. Calligraphy is actual writing. It's a subtle but important distinction. So my lettering and handwriting are fun, whimsical, beautiful works of art. But actually writing content isn't really my thing. I leave the writing of thoughts and stories to the writers whose words and quotes I letter.

So instead I decided to share a fun piece of my work with one of my favorite sentiments. If you know me, you know I drink a lot of coffee. I bet many of you do, too, and share the sentiment in my little gif. So here's to you!

Jamie

ABOUT THE CHARACTER:

Jamie Lang is a fictional hand letterer who lives in Cedar Valley, WA just outside Seattle. She owns her own shop, Flourish, where she sells her art and can be found lettering and drinking copious amounts of coffee. Fortunately, it's easy to feed her addiction—her shop is connected to Perk Me Up, the best coffee shop in town. Outside of lettering, Jamie is known for her uncanny ability to solve murders.

You can follow Jamie on Pinterest or on Instagram. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jessa Archer writes sweet, funny, warm-hearted cozy mysteries because she loves a good puzzle and can’t stand the sight of blood. Her characters are witty, adventurous, and crafty in the nicest way. You’ll find her sleuths hand lettering inspirational quotes, trying to lower golf handicaps, enjoying a scone at a favorite teashop, knitting a sweater, or showing off a dramatic side in local theater.

Jessa’s done many things in her long career, including a stint as a journalist and practicing law. But her favorite job is spinning mysteries. She loves playing small town sleuth and transporting readers to a world where the scones are delicious, wine pairs with hand lettering, and justice always prevails.


Connect with Jessa:
Website  |  Amazon  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Goodreads  |  Pinterest

Buy the book:
Amazon.com  |  Amazon Universal Link (to all Amazon sites)

Instead of a Giveaway, the author is offering a FREE Mini Mystery

 

FEATURED AUTHOR: HEATHER HAVEN

ABOUT THE BOOK

When chefs Charly and Cliff Harding divorce, she gets custody of their upscale restaurant and its namesake, Felix, the cat. He gets custody of their dog, Oscar. What they both still have custody of, though, is each other’s heart, but they’re the only two people in the small ski resort town of Snow Lake, Nevada, who don’t seem to know it. Cliff opens his own restaurant in direct competition with Charly and bad things begin to happen. Death threats, accidents, and murder are now on the menu. Their ‘if-you-can’t-take-the-heat-then-get-out-of-the-kitchen’ battles are backfiring on them. But can they find their way back to each other? Or will they spend the rest of their lives in prison unjustly accused of murder?

Book Details:

Title: Christmas Trifle

Author: Heather Haven

Genre: Romantic suspense


Series: Snow Lake Romantic Suspense Novels, book 1


Publisher: Wives of Bath Press (September 1, 2019)


Print length: 349 pages

On tour with: Great Escapes Book Tours


IFs ANDs OR WHATs INTERVIEW WITH HEATHER HAVEN

Ifs


Q: If you could talk to someone (living), who would it be and what would you ask them?
A: Queen Elizabeth. How do you do it? Why do you do it? You’re in your mid-nineties and yet you perform your queenly duties every day. Don’t you want to just play with your dogs? Don’t you want to sit around and schmooze with your husband, with no makeup, no hats, no formality? How outstanding it is to still hear the call of all that pomp and circumstance and for so many decades.

Q: If you could talk to someone (dead), who would it be and what would you ask them?
A: William Shakespeare. Did you really write all those plays and sonnets by yourself? Did you really invent all these phrases (and more) that we still use today? Such as: All that glitters isn't gold; All's well that ends well; Bated breath; To be-all and the end-all; To beggar description Break the ice; We have seen better days; A blinking idiot; Brave new world; Brevity is the soul of wit; The clothes make the man; Cruel to be kind; A dish fit for the Gods; It's Greek to me; He hath eaten me out of house and home; Foregone conclusion; In my heart of hearts; Jealousy is the green-eyed monster; Laid on with a trowel; Melted into thin air; Neither rhyme nor reason; Not slept one wink; Own flesh and blood; Short shrift; Something wicked this way comes; Star-crossed lovers; Sterner stuff; Too much of a good thing; A tower of strength; Wear my heart upon my sleeve; Wild-goose chase; What's done is done; The world is my oyster. Like most of us, I’ve used these phrases countless times.

Q: If you could step back into a moment or day in time, where would you go?
A: I would like to be there and listen to the Sermon on the Mount. I don’t consider myself a deeply religious person, but I would really like to experience that.

Q: If you had to do community service, what would you choose?
A: I like to help rescue animals and endangered species. I am deeply committed to saving rhinos. I can’t go to Africa or Asian, but I try to give as much $$$ as I can when I can.

Q: If you could meet any author for coffee, who would you like to meet and what would you talk about?
A: Stephen King. I would like to discuss his prolific writing abilities and his imagination. And I suspect he is a very nice man.


Ands


5 things you need in order to write:
    •    ideas
    •    time
    •    solitude
    •    inspiration
and
    •    a computer

5 things you love about writing:
    •    freedom
    •    far-ranging imagination
    •    endlessness
    •    control
and
    •    purpose

5 things you never want to run out of: 
    •    time
    •    good health
    •    people to love
    •    sense of fun
and 
    •    a positive outlook

5 favorite places you’ve been:
    •    San Miguel de Allende
    •    Kauai
    •    Florence
    •    Positano
and
    •    Prague

5 favorite things to do: 
    •    play with my cats
    •    watch old movies
    •    chat with friends
    •    work in my garden
and
    •    snuggle with my husband

Whats

Q: What’s your all-time favorite library?
A: 5th Avenue Library in New York City.


Q: What’s your favorite meal?
A: Tuscan Chicken with saffron rice and asparagus. I make it myself!

Q: What’s your favorite vacation spot?
A: I still dream about the time we were in Bermuda and I sat on the pale pink sands and played in the aqua waters all day. It was unbelievably beautiful.

Q: What’s your all-time favorite picture of yourself? 

A: Me, in my thirties. I really never looked this good. Freak shot.



Q: What’s your favorite dessert?
A: Fresh cut strawberries with fat-free whipped cream. No guilt whatsoever!

Q: What’s your favorite beverage?
A: Chardonnay.

Q: What’s your favorite ice cream?
A: It’s a tie! Halo’s Salted Caramel and Peaches and Cream.

Q: What’s your favorite thing to do when there’s nothing to do?
A: So rare! But watch old movies.


Q: What’s your favorite quote?
A: There are more thing in heaven and earth, Horacio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.


Q: What is the wallpaper on your computer’s desktop?
A: A gorgeous shot I took of the Na Pali Coastline from a boat. Blue skies, turquoise waters, green mountains, rainbow arced in the sky.

Q: What’s your all-time favorite place you’ve visited?

A: Here’s la parrocchia In San Miguel de Allende. I took the shot myself.


Q: What do you know now that you wish you knew then?
A: How really, really short life is.



Q: What author would you most like to review one of your books?
A: Agatha Christie. While I’m daydreaming, that’s the person.



Q: What book are you currently working on?
A: Casting Call For a Corpse, Book Seven of the Alvarez Family Murder Mysteries

.

Q: What’s your all-time favorite place in your town? 

A: The orange tree woven through by a grape vine on my back patio. Small, but much loved.

What’s your latest recommendation for:
Food: Fresh salmon covered with dill, butter, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and a touch of white wine. Bake at 350. Never tire of it.
Music: Score from Hamilton the Musical.
Movie: Howard’s End
Book: Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca. One of the most spectacular books ever written.
Audiobook: What the hey, let’s throw in my audiobook for Murder is a Family Business, Book one of the Alvarez Family Murder Mysteries. It turned out well!
Netflix/Amazon Prime: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Miscellaneous: Support the International Rhino Foundation. These nearly extinct creatures need our help.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Heather Haven has won awards for her short stories, novels, comedy acts, television treatments, and ad copy. While in New York, her one-act plays were mounted at Manhattan’s famed Playwrights Horizon. She ghostwrote a book on how to run an employment agency, followed by a stint at No Soap Radio where she delivered humorous advertising. Since moving to the west coast, she has penned four mystery series: the Alvarez Family, Persephone Cole Vintage, Love Can Be Murder, and the Snow Lake Romantic Suspense Novels, of which Christmas Trifle, Book one, debuted September 2019. Her docu-fiction, Murder under the Big Top, and anthology, Corliss and Other Award-Winning Stories, round out her work. Heather and her husband are allowed to live in the foothills of San Jose with their two precocious cats.



Connect with Heather:
Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Amazon Page

Buy the book:
Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FEATURED: THE PRINCESS POSE AUDIOBOOK

ABOUT THE BOOK

A modern princess. A charming commoner. Can they hurdle tradition to find true love?

Princess Elizabeth "Liz" of York isn't interested in a fairy tale life. Determined to use her elite platform to champion children's causes, she'd much rather raise awareness than find her prince. If only she could stop picturing one certain gardener with vivid hazel eyes . . .

When the relentless paparazzi invade her space, Liz's crush comes to her rescue and steals her heart. Tossing aside centuries of tradition for something real, she takes Roman's calloused hand and braces for the backlash. But after her progressive approach ruffles more than a few feathers, one member of the monarchy vows to keep the princess locked in her stylish but decidedly ivory tower.

Can Liz break through her birthright to find a powerful kind of love?

Book Details:

Title: The Princess Pose

Author: Aven Ellis

Narrator: Andrea Emmes

Length: 10 hours 25 minutes

Publisher: Tantor Audio⎮2019

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Series: Modern Royals, Book 2

Release date: July 24, 2019

Q & A WITH AVEN ELLIS

Are you an audiobook listener? What about the audiobook format appeals to you?
Yes, I’m always listening to a book-when I’m in my car, and right before bed. I love the audiobook format because it allows me to read at times when I can’t. As a writer, when I’m done writing for the day, my eyes need a break. Audiobooks fill that need nicely!

How did you select your narrator?
The Modern Royals Series is produced by Tantor, and they gave me a couple of narrators to choose from. But I requested Andrea because I heard a clip of her British accent, and I knew she was perfect to carry the series forward! Her accent is so good I had a British friend ask if she was British! There’s no greater compliment than that!

Were there any real life inspirations behind your writing?
I have been fascinated with the British royal family since I was a tween. People always come to me to talk royals and finally another author said, “Why aren’t you writing a royal series? You would be perfect for that.” So I thought about it and decided I wanted to create an alternate reality British royal family. I use the real palaces and traditions in the books, and it’s been a tremendous research project to get those details right, but I absolutely love telling royal stories.

Check out the post from August 26 for info on A Royal Shade of Blue and a Love it or Leave it interview with Aven.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: AVEN ELLIS

Aven began her publishing career in 2013 with her debut release, Connectivity. She currently writes hockey and baseball romances as well as a modern royal romance series. Her books are designed to make readers laugh out loud and fall in love. Happily-ever-after endings and good-boy heroes are guaranteed. Aven lives in the Dallas area with her family. She is a huge fan of both the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Aven loves shopping and fashion and can spend hours playing with fragrances in any department store. She can be found chatting it up on social media, eating specialty M&Ms, and crushing on the latest outfit the Duchess of Cambridge is wearing. Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Goodreads⎮Instagram⎮Pinterest

ABOUT THE NARRATOR: ANDREA EMMES

Best selling, award winning audiobook narrator, Andrea Emmes was born in Hollywood, Florida, grew up in both Tennessee and Rhode Island and started her career in musical theatre. She’s enjoyed an eclectic career as a singer, dancer, Vegas Headliner, Magician’s Assistant, a Recording Artist and a Video Game Designer. A total book nerd, Andrea, now enjoys narrating all genres of audiobooks, especially YA, LitRPG, Mystery, Romance, and NonFiction at her professional home studio in San Jose, California. Her wide range of character voices and dynamic/emotionally invested performances has reviewers and listeners alike commenting on how she effortlessly pulls listeners in and has versatility and charisma. Fun Facts: Andrea has a Bachelor of Science in Game Art and Design; was a game designer for Disney Interactive; and gets her gamer-geek on playing games of all kinds!

Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Instagram 

LISTEN TO AN AUDIO EXCERPT

Modern Royals Giveaway: $25 Amazon Gift Card