Lucy Kubash
1. I hear you have pets and other animals in your novels. Tell us about the books.
The books I’m featuring here today are Will o’ the Wisp and The Haunting of Laurel Cove. Will o’ the Wisp is contemporary romance with suspense; The Haunting of Laurel Cove is a mystery romance with a bit of the supernatural. Both are published by The Wild Rose Press, and both have animals in the stories.
In Will o’ the Wisp, Allison Delaney runs a boarding stable and gives riding lessons to kids on the farm she inherited from her grandparents. She also rescues horses, which leads to a run in with some less-than-stellar locals. When Shane McBride re-enters her life, Allison isn’t sure which to fear most, the loss of her farm or losing her heart to the man she thought never to see again. And what will he do when he learns her secret? Besides the many horses in the book, Allison’s dog and a few orphan kittens play a big part.
Will o’ the Wisp blurb:
In spite of a broken heart, Allison Delaney carved out a life for herself and her young daughter on her grandparents’ farm. Her child and the horses she rescues are all that matter. Then a sudden threat to their safety puts her back in touch with Shane McBride, the man she never thought to see again.
Returning to the small town of Silver Creek brings back a lot of memories for Shane, ones he treasures haunted by the ones that made him leave, but this time he is determined to stay and make things right.
Trusting Shane may be her only choice, but now Allison fears not only the threat against her farm but the risk of losing her heart again.
Will o’ the Wisp buy link: books2read.com/u/mYQN0w
In The Haunting of Laurel Cove, Jane and her faithful, ragtag companion Pepper come back to Laurel Cove to recover from a vicious attack. She becomes obsessed with an old cabin in the Cove, but Pepper will not let her near it. Jane welcomes her dog’s presence while she discovers answers to the secrets and mysteries of Laurel Cove, while guarding her heart against falling back in love with an old flame, Brendan McGarren.
The Haunting of Laurel Cove blurb:
Shattered dreams, family secrets, rekindled love. Which is the biggest threat to life and sanity to a broken woman trying to heal?
When Jane Stuart returns to the Smoky Mountains and the house she inherited from her grandmother with the hope to heal from a brutal mugging, she finds herself obsessed with a local legend involving a witch and a mysterious cabin.
Upon reconnecting with an old boyfriend now turned handsome environmentalist, she finds herself rekindling her attraction to Brendan McGarren and is drawn into his battle to keep Laurel Cove from becoming a rich man’s playground. As she begins to uncover family secrets pertaining to the witch and the cabin, Jane questions her own sanity. Then the threats begin. Can she trust Brendan?
Will the search for the truth cost Jane her life?
The Haunting of Laurel Cove buy link: books2read.com/u/baBvBx
2. Why did you add animals to these books?
I love animals! I’ve never in my entire life been without at least one or more—often several—pets. My kids are also animal-lovers, and when they were young, we had everything from dogs and cats to hermit crabs, hamsters, a lizard, birds, tropical fish, and a horse.
I currently have one dog (Ace) and one cat (Sandwich), and there are three granddogs in the family. When we get together, it’s a fun, often noisy time. I can’t imagine writing stories without animals involved. They are just part of my everyday life.
3. You also write The Pet Corner. Tell us about it.
Twenty-two years ago, I began writing a monthly column for a local shopper’s guide, Mailmax. My column is called the Pet Corner, and I advocate for pet adoption, pet rescue, and responsible pet ownership. I feature any fundraisers or other activities that may be happening at local rescues and shelters. The link to Pet Corner in Mailmax online is https://mailmax.pageflip.site/editions/MM57473#page/20. The column also appears in print, and I sometimes feature the column in my blog The Zeke Chronicles: http://thezekechronicles.wordpress.com.
4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.
I’m pleased to say that both of my books have received favorable reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, and Netgalley.
5. How do you promote your books?
I have promoted my books through guest blogs, like this one, and in group promotions such as those through BookFunnel and N.N. Light’s Book Heaven. I’ve also participated in a few Facebook promotions/parties. I do try to join any library events for local authors for in-person signings.
6. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
You can find out more about me and my books here:
My website: http://lucynaylorkubash.com
My Amazon Author page: www.amazon.com/author/lucynaylorkubash
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LucyNaylorKubash
Instagram: https://instagram.com/lucykubash_author
DON’T MISS LUCY KUBASH’S EBOOK GIVEAWAY!
Lucy is offering an ebook copy of Will o’ the Wisp to one lucky reader who comments on her interview!
MARCIA: Thank you, Lucy, for being my April interviewee and for offering your ebook to one lucky commenter! I really enjoy romances that feature pets and animals and look forward to reading yours!
MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks!
Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or a photo, click on the word “Reply,” which is just below the social media icons for THIS interview. (Don’t scroll past this interview to the next interview.) Go Pets!
Julie Lence
1. I hear you have wolf-turned-pet in one of your Westerns. Tell us about the book.
No Luck At All is a western romance set in the mid-1800s. The story centers around Creel Weston and his new wife, Racine. Creel is a Colorado rancher who went to Boston to obtain a medical degree. They met at dinner party hosted by Racine’s father, who was also Creel’s mentor, and Creel was instantly smitten with her, so much that he decided he wasn’t leaving Boston without her. But unbeknownst to him, Racine suffered deep emotional scars, so much that her father intervened and blackmailed Creel into marrying her, before Creel had a chance to propose. The wedding takes place, and they leave Boston for Creel’s home in Colorado. During an overnight stay in Denver, things come to a head and both realize they have made mistakes and unfairly judged the other…until someone from Creel’s past causes Racine’s doubt to return.
No Luck At All Amazon Buy Link: www.amazon.com/dp/B0064R6NVI
2. Why did you include a wolf in this book?
I have always had a soft spot for animals. Dogs and horses are my favorite, and with the internet, it’s easy to find cute pictures of each. And other animals. Honestly, if I was a lot younger, I’d have a barnyard filled with animals. I also liked “The Roadrunner/Wile E. Coyote” cartoons and Sully’s wolf on Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. Sully’s wolf was always a joy to see on the screen, and I couldn’t help but think it’d be fun to incorporate one into one of my stories, and that story was Racine’s story.
When I originally wrote No Luck At All, Creel was the bulk of the story, but when I went back for revisions, Racine kicked Creel aside and took over. And as she did, it became apparent she needed something to love, something that would return that love and not judge her. Remembering Sully’s wolf, I thought it’d be fun for Racine to have one as a pet. Of course, she didn’t raise Wyle from a pup. He showed up at her homestead in need of food and help, and though Creel cautioned she couldn’t keep a wild animal, she did. And Wyle loved her unconditionally.
While I don’t have a wolf for a pet (I actually considered a wolf mix many years ago), I do have Harley. He’s a Great Pyrenees/Dutch Shephard rescue who’s been with us for 5 years. Before him, we had a female German Shephard, Nova. She was another rescue and with me almost every day for 12 years. Needless to say, she was my girl and spoiled. One of my fondest memories of her: when I vacuumed and phone rang, she barked to let me know.
Before Nova was Rip, a male German Shephard who was also my baby (we got him as a pup, and I carried him everywhere until I could no longer lift him), and Tasha, a Husky/German Shepherd mix. She hated Rip when I brought him home, but the two soon became inseparable. When she had to have overnight surgery, Rip was so heartbroken and mad that she wasn’t with him that he turned destructive until she came home. Other pets included parakeets, one of which we hand-tamed, but my pups will always be near and dear to my heart.
3. What other books have you written?
No Luck At All is part of the Weston Family series. Other books in the series are:
Luck of the Draw Blurb:
Royce Weston knows firsthand women are exceptional liars, especially the one who has wormed her way into his family’s good graces by claiming amnesia. Since Paige didn’t heed his advice at the poker tables, he reasons a bit of friendly persuasion is needed to send her packing. But when she matches him trick for trick and has his ranch hands jumping to please her, Royce is thoroughly disgusted. A simpering miss she is not. Sassy and daring, if only she’d give him a reason to trust her…
Paige Morgan knows Royce Weston despises her. But on his family’s ranch, populated only by males, he seems to be the only one who knows about her past…a past she can’t remember. Until he tells her what he knows, she isn’t going anywhere. And if along the way she manages to tame this rough and tough cowboy, so much the better. Any girl will admit it’s not how you play your cards, it’s the Luck of the Draw that counts.
Luck of the Draw Amazon Buy Link: www.amazon.com/dp/B0063VOS4E
Lady Luck Blurb:
Lucas Weston is living proof of the damage a woman can cause. Determined to keep another miss from running roughshod over his heart, Lucas has garnered the reputation of a man who favors flirting and wild times between the sheets. When he’s roped into escorting Missy back to her home in San Francisco, he isn’t too pleased, until he discovers she uses her poker-playing, whiskey-swilling ways to hide her own fears. What they might be, he doesn’t know, but he’s going to find out. Drawn to her from the start, Missy represents the opportunity for the life fate cheated him seven years ago.
Missy Morgan has lived by a rigid set of rules for so long she knows no other way. Fate has dealt her more losing hands than she cares to remember. But she has Lady Luck and her family. For them she’ll remain strong, until a handsome cowboy challenges her way of life. Against her will, she’s drawn to Lucas’ blue eyes and honesty. Would it be so terrible if she put her trust in him? The odds say yes, but something else says no. Only a fool would gamble on Lucas’ goodness. And she’s not a fool. Or is she?
Lady Luck Amazon Buy Link: www.amazon.com/dp/B0063WCXO0
Bring Me Luck Blurb:
Grief and guilt are as much a part of Jess Jansen as riding herd. Twenty-two years he’s longed for the woman who ran out on him, and now his luck is about to change. Needing a place to hole up during a thunderstorm, the Lazy K looks to be a safe haven. There’s a barn―and a body with soft curves and sapphire eyes he’d know anywhere.
Rachael Weston is a bundle of nerves when Jess suddenly appears at her door. He shunned her once and will again if she foolishly welcomes him back into her life. But when Jess proves innocent of wrongdoing, Rachael fears revealing to him the one truth that just might cause him to turn his back on her―for good.
Bring Me Luck Amazon Buy Link: www.amazon.com/dp/B00OP5PT2U
4. How do you promote your books?
All of my books are sold exclusively through Amazon. For promotion, I use Amazon Ads and social media, mostly Facebook and Twitter.
5. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
I always enjoy connecting with readers. To learn more about me or my books, please visit my website: www.JulieLence.com
I have a short story on my website that you can read, all the links to my books and, as owner of Cowboy Kisses, you can check out my blog dates and topics. Plus there are links for you to connect with me.
Thank you for having me as your guest this month, Marcia. It’s truly a pleasure to work with you and to talk about pets.
Don’t Miss Julie Lence’s Ebook Giveaway!
Julie is offering an ebook copy of No Luck At All to two readers who comment on her interview!
MARCIA: Thank you, Julie, for being my March interviewee and for offering your ebook to two lucky commenters! I really enjoy romances that feature pets and animals and look forward to reading yours!
MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks!
Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or a photo, click on the word “Reply,” which is just below the social media icons for THIS interview. (Don’t scroll past this interview to the next interview.) Go Pets!
J. Arlene Culiner
1. I hear you have animals in most of your novels. Tell us about your favorite book featuring animals.
In my contemporary romance, All About Charming Alice, my heroine rescues stray dogs—she has a whole house full of them. One stray, nicknamed Killer, brings the gorgeous and sexy writer Jace Constant into Alice’s life. But Alice doesn’t just like dogs. She also studies and protects snakes and actively protests against such cruel practices as snake shows where those creatures are tortured to death for the amusement of tourists. Jace, however, is terrified by snakes, and it does take a bit of coaxing to get him to change his mind.
Blurb for All About Charming Alice:
Trust in love and solutions will appear
Alice Treemont has no intention of falling in love. Living in Blake’s Folly, a semi-ghost town, she cooks vegetarian meals, rescues unwanted dogs, and protects the most unloved creatures on earth: snakes. What man would share those interests?
Jace Constant is in Nevada doing research for his new book, but he won’t be staying. He’s disgusted by desert dust on his fine Italian shoes and dog hair on his cashmere sweaters. As for snakes, he doesn’t just despise them; they terrify him.
So why does the air sizzle each time Alice and Jace meet? A romance would entail far too many compromises.
Excerpt from All About Charming Alice:
“Jace, whenever you do see a snake, try and appreciate the creature. See the beauty of its movements, its markings. Find aesthetic appreciation.”
“Sure.” He tried not to shiver. Could he really get over his repulsion? He doubted it.
“Think also that the snake is a victim, not an aggressor.”
“Right. That should be easy: a five-foot-long slithering victim with deadly poison.” But he told himself to relax, to think about how good it felt out here. Because that, at least, was true. Straggling tufts of vegetation, tickled by a chilly breeze, shimmered along the broad horizon. And the silence? Well, he’d already gotten used to that, too. Life without the noise of traffic and big city clatter did have appeal. “Okay. Reassure me. Tell me more about snakes being victims.”
“Well, for one, so many are killed by cars because they love to go bask in the heat on the road. And if most people are instinctively afraid of snakes, snakes aren’t instinctively afraid of people, so they sometimes slide into backyards, innocently passing through on their way to somewhere else. They should be left alone, of course, but people kill them as soon as they notice them. Then, there’s the danger of habitat destruction.”
“And rattlesnake roundups,” he added, to his own surprise.
Her eyes flickered. “That’s right. Very few snakes manage to survive their first encounter with man. But snakes have other enemies, too. Hawks, owls, coyotes, roadrunners, bobcats, skunks, badgers, and other snakes all prey on newborn rattlers. Everyone should remember how important snakes are. They eat animals most people want to get rid of—mice, shrews, rats, moles, gophers, lizards, rabbits, and other snakes. Carrion, too.”
All About Charming Alice Buy Link: https://books2read.com/Charming-Alice
All About Charming Alice Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l2VyHtsY7A
2. Why do you include animals in your books?
I include animals in my books because I have them in my life. All my animals are either stray dogs that I’ve rescued, or that I’ve adopted from animal shelters. Ditto for my cats. I think having the love of an animal is good for the soul. Just reaching out and touching a cat, horse, cow, dog, guinea pig, or even a pet rat, or a snake, is an important experience, and a very comforting one. Animals keep us in touch with our environment and with the world.
3. What other books have you written?
All About Charming Alice is part of my “Blake’s Folly” romance series.
Another book in the series is Desert Rose. Rose, the heroine, is Alice’s closest friend, and she very unwillingly adopts Noodle, one of Alice’s strays.
Blurb for Desert Rose:
Secrets are the best protection against love
Rose Badger is the local flirt, and if the other inhabitants of backwoods Blake’s Folly, Nevada, don’t approve, she couldn’t care less. With a disastrous marriage and a dead-end career far behind her, settling down is the last thing she intends to do. Newcomer Jonah Livingstone is intriguing, but with his complicated life, he’s off limits for anything other than friendship. Besides, Rose has a secret world of her own—one she won’t give up for any man.
The last person geologist Jonah Livingstone expected to meet in a semi-ghost town is the sparkling and lovely Rose Badger. But Rose, always surrounded by many admirers, doesn’t seem inclined to choose a favorite. So why fret? Jonah keeps his personal life well hidden…and that’s the best way to avoid disappointment.
Excerpt from Desert Rose:
“This lovely guy is called Noodle,” said Alice, pointing to the beast.
Rose grimaced. Lovely? Come on. “Pleased to meet you, Noodle, but if Alice thinks you’re coming to stay, this will be a short friendship. There’s no place for a hairy shedding animal in my store, my house, or in my life.”
“Well, you’ll have to change your mind. Noodle needs a good home, and you need a dog. This is an isolated building in a place that’s almost a ghost town. You need fang support.”
“Fang support? What the hell is fang support? You’re inventing this. I told you, I don’t want a…a…” Rose looked sourly at the animal waiting calmly by Alice’s feet. Okay, it had to be a dog, but she wasn’t sure. “I don’t want one of those. I don’t want a pet of any sort.”
The pet in question was the size of a large shepherd, and it had rough, unappealing fur of a splotchy beige-ish color. It also had the whiskers of a terrier, pointed ears, a corkscrew tail, and huge hairy paws. It was horribly ugly.
The dog gazed back at her with beautiful golden eyes. Calm eyes. Patient eyes. As if it—or he, because Alice claimed it was a male—were simply waiting for her to stop criticizing and accept him for what he was.
Desert Rose Buy links: https://books2read.com/RosesDesert
Desert Rose Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/tHPrIciT0XU
4. How do you promote your books?
Mostly on social media. I love blogging, meeting other authors on their sites, and I also have a storytelling podcast: https://soundcloud.com/j-arlene-culiner
5. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
Here are the links to all the places people can find me: https://linktr.ee/j.arleneculiner.
All my romances can also be found on my site: https://www.j-arleneculiner.com/
And to receive my newsletter with a few stories and cartoons, just sign up here:
https://www.j-arleneculiner.com/newsletter
Don’t Miss J. Arlene Culiner’s Novella Giveaway!
My giveaway to one person who comments on this interview is my novella, The Boomtown, the first complete story from my romance, A Room in Blake’s Folly!
MARCIA: Thank you, J. Arlene, for being my February interviewee and for offering your novella to one lucky commenter on your blog interview! I really enjoy romances that feature pets and look forward to reading yours!
MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks!
Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or a photo, click on the word “Reply,” which is just below the social media icons for THIS interview. (Don’t scroll past this interview to the next interview.) Go Pets!
Clyve Rose
1. I hear you have dogs in your Clifton Hall series. Tell us about the books.
My award-winning debut novel, Always a Princess, was the start of the Clifton Hall series. In the novel, the hero has a little sister he hasn’t seen since he left to fight in France. On his return, he gifts her a spaniel puppy–a naughty one. As her pup does not seem to care for Englishmen, she names it Bony “after the French usurper.” Bony was inspired by my bichon fries Cookie, but as his breed (which is Belgian) wasn’t known in England at the time the book is set (1812), I turned him into spaniel puppy. Much of the novel takes place at Clifton Hall in Lancashire and at least one Lancashire estate was known as a place for breeding Springer spaniels in the Regency era.
The little sister of book one grows up into the heroine of the sequel novel, The King’s Mistress, which released in early 2023. As much of this novel is set in a Romany camp (the hero is an important Romany man among his own people and the English), dogs feature prominently in this book as well. Dogs are important for Romany families. They’re companions and useful hunters–and most importantly, they are fiercely loyal to the Romany camp and protect the boundaries by alerting their owners of strangers approaching.
The Regency era Romany were persecuted as an underclass, so the warning bell of a dog’s bark meant a lot. Valkin is the Romany hero in this book, and he attempts to subdue his powerful attraction to the heroine, so he spends most of the book frustrated and fantasising–while Chore, the largest canine in the camp, is rutting about all over the place producing pups at a prodigious rate. Chore is the Romany word for ‘thief’ and is a bit of a dig at the many false accusations of theft the Romany are forced to face, both in the past and even today.
At one point in the novel, Valkin avoids the woman he wants so desperately to love by hunting alone with Chore, and he calls him ”‘ratfelo fakement,” which is Romany for “precious scoundrel.”
Chore makes another appearance in my most recent release A Holiday Season at Clifton Hall. This novella is a race to wed for Chal (Valkin’s youngest brother) and his betrothed. Chore’s main activity in this shorter story is swallowing mince pies at the Christmas feast, destroying the remains of three roast geese, and herding children away from the burning yule log fire as the very English Cliftons and their Romany friends and family feast outdoors. The novella appears in a holiday duet alongside Heather Hallman’s Edwardian Seduction of Tokyo novella, which is excellent as well–although, unfortunately, there are no dogs in this one.
There is a sneak peek at my final Clifton Hall book (due out in 2024), An Impossible Duchess, and there will be dogs aplenty there! Perhaps even a cat.
I should add that horses also feature strongly in this series of Regency romances.
All Clifton Hall romances’ buy links can be found here: https://boroughspublishinggroup.com/authors/clyve-rose
Amazon links:
Always a Princess: https://books2read.com/u/bajLZ6
The King’s Mistress: https://books2read.com/u/496ONk
A Holiday Season at Clifton Hall: https://books2read.com/u/4XENQL
2. Why did you add dogs to this series?
At the time I wrote Always a Princess, we’d just acquired Cookie (or as I call him, the demon in white fur). He wormed his adorably furry way into my heart and my book. It’s set on an English country estate anyway, and dogs are part of the scene there.
In the Romany camp, dogs are essential for recreating this world for the reader. Even these days, Romany are fond of their dogs and hardly go anywhere without them.
In addition, I feel dogs can assist the storyline. They can demonstrate character traits (such as the duke’s cruelty in my Clifton Hall stories–don’t worry, Bony is all right). They can also show up villainy and allow me to showcase kindness in a hero and/or heroine. Dogs also have good instincts, especially if they’ve been trained to guard a camp. One of the reasons the Romany respond kindly to the heroine in The King’s Mistress is because none of their dogs perceive her as a threat. Her circumstances certainly are, but dogs can’t know about propriety. Chore certainly doesn’t!
3. What other books have you written?
A Delicate Investigation novella in Summer Secrets of the Soho Club:
At the moment, I have the third instalment of my regency spy-romance series set in and around the Soho Club and based on the historically true events surrounding the failed coronation of the Princess of Wales in 1821.
The story is the third in the series, and any purchase of the collection nets you a link for a free downloads of the previous two mysteries: https://books2read.com/u/mKXPRV
A Delicate Investigation (in Summer Secrets of the Soho Club) blurb:
The Regent’s estranged wife is now the Queen-or is she? Her Highness has enemies and fiercely protective children.
James Lovedale, brother to the Prime Minister’s secretary, finds himself transported from debtor’s prison to The Soho Club, where the proprietress has work for him. The work? A “simple burglary”-that’s too well-compensated not to be suspicious. His one aim is to complete his work, collect his booty, and leave England for good. Until he’s persuaded to take tea with the alluring Miss Ward.
Miss Edwinna (Eadie) Ward, the queen’s foster-daughter, will do anything to protect her family. When her brother’s accused of theft, she turns to Ada Jenkisnon (nee Ryan), whose connection to her found family is closer than she guessed. Together, they attempt to discover the true thief-but there’s problem…can you guess what it is?
The Christmas Salon
This shorter novel (or longer novella–whichever you like–at 50,000 words), features a brief cameo from the hero from Always a Princess from his Cambridge days, but spins off to take a closer look at the Congress of Vienna and the fortunes of a mysterious, reclusive artist living in Paris in 1814.
The Christmas Salon buy link: https://books2read.com/u/bQgEJE
The Christmas Salon blurb:
1814: Napoleon languishes in his Elbe island prison.
Meanwhile, Major Henry Musgrave uses his time at The Congress of Vienna to learn all he can regarding the whereabouts of his oldest friend, Miss Louisa Beresford. She seems to have disappeared.
A series of paintings draws Henry to the first Salon de Noël (Christmas Salon) in Paris since the wars ended. Could the model in the paintings be Louisa?
As rumours swirl that France is not yet safe, Henry grows more determined to find the only woman he’s ever loved and give her a Christmas to remember.
The Christmas Salon is a Regency reunion novella. Again, there are no dogs, but there is a baby, a baron, and my version of Madame Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun, Marie Antoinette’s favourite portrait artist.
Love Unbroken appears in Love for Maui (a charity anthology)
This is a short, sweet Regency romance about childhood crushes reuniting after ten years despite–or perhaps because of-class differences, and the changes to them both wrought by war and circumstance. It’s inspired by Austen’s Persuasion, and the foot-shuffling, non-proposing fellow is based on a man I no longer date.
Love for Maui buy link: https://books2read.com/u/bW8yrW
Love Unbroken (in Love for Maui) blurb:
Lionel Eversfield is impressed into the navy on the very day he vows to support his dearest friend, Lady Annette (Annie) Ryehurst, on the hardest day of her life-her father’s funeral. Nevertheless, he manages to get a letter to her and explain why he left her to bear it alone. He daren’t write again. Annie’s the late earl’s daughter after all, and Lionel is merely a clergyman’s nephew.
Annie moves on from her father’s death, but her life gets harder while her childhood friend is away at sea. The debts from her mother’s addictions find her eking out a miserable, solitary existence as she waits for her cousin (the new earl) to propose. She waits…and waits…meanwhile the earldom runs to ruin, and Lionel returns to England, but he’s not the same young man from all those years ago…
All proceeds from the sale of this Love for Maui anthology (50 authors and 48 novellas) go to the UHF [University of Hawai’i Foundation] to assist in rebuilding after the devastation wrought by wildfire in August 2023.
4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.
I’m pretty excited to have released 4 novellas and one full length novel this year.
I’m also chuffed to receive my first 5-star review for my holiday duet, which is a recent release so hopefully lots of reviews are still incoming.
Always a Princess is a 2020 Bookfest Gold Medal Winner.
The Christmas Salon won Romantic Novella of the Year in 2021.
I am entering The King’s Mistress in its first content, so cross something for me.
5. How do you promote your books?
Via my blog and other invitationals like this one. J Thank you.
On social media and podcasts. I will meet with any book club and writing group, any time you like. Virtual or in person, I’m just happy to talk books, characters, and words.
6. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
My website: www.ClyveRose.com You’ll find my blog there and my newsletter signup.
I’m also on:
Tiktok: @authorclyverose
X: @clyverose
Facebook: Clyve Rose (Author)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clyverose/
I’m also on Goodreads and Bookbub.
I’m new to Threads too, and looking into BlueSky, but a girl only has so much time…
GET CLYVE’S BONUS NOVELLA!!
Tagging me in any reviews of my work gets you a free novella.
Commenting on this page ALSO nets you a free novella.
MARCIA: Thank you, Clyve, for being my January interviewee and for offering your novella to all those who comment on your blog interview! I really enjoy historical romances and look forward to reading yours!
MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks!
Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or a photo, click on the word “Reply,” which is just below the social media icons for THIS interview. (Don’t scroll past this interview to the next interview.) Go Pets!
Janet Walters
1. I hear you have a Maine Coon cat in your cozy mystery series. Tell us about the series.
The opening book in the series (soon to be seven) was written and published many years ago. Murder and Mint Tea has earned many reviews mostly good but some not. When I wrote Murder and Mint Tea, I had no thoughts of writing a series. The heroine is quirky and mothers her neighborhood. The cat, Robespierre, is based on a real cat, my companion for many years.
These are small-town mysteries, though Katherine Miller, a retired nurse, visits friends in Santa Fe and also in Vermont. She lives in a Hudson River village in a Victorian house, known as a Painted Lady. She has recently retired from the hospital where she worked for years. She is also a former church organist. The first book, Murder and Mint Tea, deals with her new tenant and the woman’s children. The woman is murdered. Many readers express the idea that it’s about time.
The second book, Murder and Poisoned Tea, brings [in] Katherine’s organ music and the search for a new church organist. His playing mastery is wonderful, and she craves him for the church not realizing he brings poison to the choir.
The third book, Murder and Tainted Tea, takes Katherine to Santa Fe with a Maine Coon cat kitten as a gift for her friend’s granddaughter who has recently lost her mother. Once again murder raises [its] head.
The fourth book, Murder and Bitter Tea, brings Katherine a new tenant, a girl who is at odds with her family. When Katherine learns about deaths at a local nursing home, she takes a job as a nurse there to find the truth.
The fifth book, Murder and Herbal Tea, shows Katherine’s wedding to her widower friend Lars. A friend who has moved to Vermont misses the wedding. Katherine makes a phone call, learns what happened and sets off for her friend, leaving Lars a note to manage the reception.
The sixth book, Murder and Sweet Tea, shows Katherine in her new house on the banks of the Hudson River. A new neighbor arrives and, of course, there is a murder for Katherine and Robespierre to solve.
There will be a seventh–a novella this time–Murder and Iced Tea. The mayor of the village where Katherine lives cancels the Halloween parade, a tradition. This upsets many people, including her friend, Sarah.
2. Why did you add a cat to this series?
I didn’t add a cat to the series. He inspired the first book and even the others. Robespierre and I were friends since the day my sons found him in the wire rims of my car and brought him inside. After taking him to the vets up the street, I learned he was probably two- to three-weeks old. I fed him with a baby doll bottle. He sat on my shoulder until he became too heavy. Then he had a perch on the windowsill in my study and was always there when I was writing.
He loved the snow and during the winter, he would wait at the door to be let out so he could roll in the snow. Since the heroine was partly me and partly imagination, Robespierre belonged in the books, and so he figures in most of the books.
I am a cat person and have a love for all cats from small to tigers, lions and other large cats. As a child, when I went to the zoo, I ran to the cats area and seldom left.
3. What other books have you written?
I’ve been published since 1968, but my writing career had some interruptions. First when I had 4 children under the age of eight. The second time was when I returned to nursing to help put those children into college. I began writing short stories and poetry and was published in both areas. Then I turned to novels, with four novels being published. Then came electronic publishing, and my career took off. My first eBook came out in 1998 and there were many more.
As to the genres, I write contemporary romance, romantic suspense, fantasy–both romance and young adult, a bit of historical and some nonfiction.
For the contemporary romance: The Aries-Libra Connection is the first book in my Opposites Attract series.
The Aries-Libra Connection blurb:
Jenessa is Aries, a nurse, union advocate and likes a good fight.
Eric is Libra, Director of Nursing, and believes in compromise.
Can these two find a way to uncover the underhanded events at the hospital? They’re on opposite sides, but the attraction between them is strong. Jenessa’s a widow who fought to save her husband’s life during a code. She feels guilty because the love she and her husband shared had died before his death. Eric assisted at the code, but he feels guilty since he was the one who was responsible for the short staffing the night her husband died.
Now they face falling in love and trying to solve the problems between the nurse’s union and the president of the hospital’s Board, who wants a takeover of the hospital by his hospital group. Is their connection strong enough to survive?
For Fantasy and Paranormal books I’ve written, Seppal is book 5 of the Moon Rising series.
Seppal blurb:
In Seppal, the prophecy has been heard and the Three and Three are awaited.
Ranal’s dead mam once told him one day he would learn why he had been born. He has found two companions–boys like himself who have no home and became seaweed gatherers like he has been. His two friends are developing strange skills. He can see no change in himself, but he desires a sword. Then they will be three–Seer, Healer and Warrior
Amera returns to the clan after spending the summer with the king windsteed stallion and six yearlings. What she finds is the slaughtered herd and also the clan. Only one person remains barely alive and tells her Bethera, her cousin and almost sister, has been taken by the priestesses and their guards. Not knowing what to do, Amera follows the king stallion to a sheltered glen and a huge cave complex. When the stallion calls her, she follows him to the priestesses’ keep and manages to rescue her cousin and another young girl.
During the next few years, her friends develop talents and are becoming the Seer and the Healer. Amera wants to become the Warrior, but she can’t imagine how she can gain a sword.
Now the Three and Three must join to bring justice, healing, order and change to Seppal.
4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.
I’ve been one of Books We Love LTD’s top earning authors for a number of years. In 2003, along with my writing partner for Becoming Your Own Critique Partner, we won the EPPIE award for best Nonfiction How To Book. Over the years, I’ve garnered awards and some interesting kudos from magazines. Murder and Mint Tea has 840 ratings. Many of my other books have many reviews. Some are great and some are less so.
5. How do you promote your books?
Since I’ve been published since 1968, my promoting has changed over the years. When I first hit eBook publishing, there were dozens of places for reviews, and I took advantage of them all. These days, I have a certain number of people who buy my books, so I advertise less. What I do have is my Eclectic Writer blog, and three days a week I promote one of my books. I do MFRWHooks [Marketing For Romance Writers Hooks] almost every week. I also go to other people’s blogs to talk about writing and my books. Occasionally, my publisher has a promotion going, and I also take part in these.
6. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
My Places Online:
Eclectic Writer blog: https://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com
Book We Love author page: https://bookswelove.net/Walters-Janet-Lane
Book We Love home page: https://www.bookswelove.net
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JanetL717
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janet.l.walters.3?v=wall&story_f
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/shadyl717/
JANET’S BLOG COMMENTERS CONTEST:
Janet is offering an autographed print book to one lucky U.S. or Canadian commenter on this blog interview! So don’t forget to comment!
MARCIA: Thank you, Janet, for being my December interviewee! I love cozy mysteries and look forward to reading yours!
MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks!
Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or a photo, click on the word “Reply,” which is just below the social media icons for THIS interview. (Don’t scroll past this interview to the next interview.) Go Pets!
Brenda Whiteside
Brenda and Rusty
1. I hear you have a deaf and mute dog in your novel. Tell us about the book.
The Deep Well of Love and Murder is the fourth book in my Wild Horse Peaks novels. Laura is running from a criminal ex-husband. She meets the foreman of the ranch where she’s serving as a nanny. Randy is still nursing a broken heart after many years, but also fighting to hold on to his own small ranch. Perro is Randy’s deaf and mute dog friend. There are villains aplenty in this romantic suspense.
After an abusive childhood and bad marriage, Laura Katz has finally found a home, stability…and possibly love. But her blissful refuge as nanny on the Meadowlark Ranch, miles from Timberline, shatters when her ex is released from prison, determined to reclaim her.
Randy Silva, the Argentine foreman, has plans for his own ranch, but a brutal land grab is underway. As the battle escalates, Laura steals his heart, but there are outsiders who stand in their way. He’s in a vicious battle for his land—and the woman he wants by his side.
Stakes are high, as the attacks on Randy and his ranch draw blood. While the vengeful ex-husband stalks Laura, a mob-backed land developer teams with a desperate gambler. Uncertain where the next attack will come from—will their love be caught in the crossfire?
The Deep Well of Love and Murder links:
Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BQ59LGT7
Series Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BNC7LT9J
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/80583692-the-deep-well-of-love-and-murder
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-deep-well-of-love-and-murder-wild-horse-peaks-book-4-by-brenda-whiteside
2. Why did you add a dog to this book?
I don’t always have a pet or animal in my books. When I began the character sketch for Randy Silva, the foreman on the Meadowlark Ranch, I knew he’d have horses. In fact, he has one horse that is special to him. In my original synopsis, there’s no mention of a dog. But what’s a ranch without a dog? Perro, which is Spanish for dog, walked in on the first scene with Randy at home and became an instant love for me. Side note here: he is probably special to me because he’s a Heeler mix and has thick rust-colored fur.
I modeled him after my soulmate dog, Rusty, who is no longer with me. Rusty wasn’t deaf and mute. Those are Perro’s special traits. I know you’d like to know why he’s deaf and mute, but I don’t know. That’s just how he came to me. It’s a birth defect. His shortcomings and the love Randy has for the dog, says something about Randy’s personality. Plus, because Perro doesn’t have hearing or the ability to bark, his other senses are heightened. He helps Randy out with more than one catastrophe.
3. What other books have you written?
The Wild Horse Peaks novels, which includes The Deep Well of Love and Murder, has five Romantic Suspense books, four in the series and a sequel to book one. I’m happy to offer someone who comments on this blog interview book one in the series, The Art of Love and Murder.
If you’d like to become a BNG Member (Brenda’s Newsletter Group), you can receive the sequel to book one free. Become a BNG Member here: https://us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=4804e039587723cfe02e83f2c&id=5e4b22a4ac
I also have a three-book series, The MacKenzie Chronicles.
In the 1960s, Susie Muse and Frank MacKenzie were part of the hippie evolution of a dying, Arizona town. They stayed, made a home, and raised a family. The MacKenzie Chronicles is the romantic suspense trilogy set in present-day Joshua, Arizona—an 1800s mining community-turned-ghost-town, reborn hippie haven, and now tourist town clinging to the side of Spirit Mountain—only the MacKenzies, touched with the mystical, can unlock the secrets and dangerous mysteries of the town.
The MacKenzie Chronicles Series Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08JCKBVH2
The Chocolate Martini Sisters Mysteries is a cozy mystery series. Book two just released in September and the third book will release in March of 2024.
Twice a year, Emma and Nicole spend a relaxing weekend at the storied Dulce Inn in Wyatt, Arizona, celebrating their birthdays with a chocolate martini. But there is always more than martinis on the menu for the sisters. Mayhem dwells while murder lurks giving the amateur sleuths plenty of opportunities to use their knowledge of all things mystery to solve the crime.
The Chocolate Martini Sisters Mysteries Series Link on Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BQ9T7ZBX
4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.
Well, sure, why not brag a little. Three of the Wild Horse Peaks novels have been runners up in contests, but the series as a whole was named 2020 Still Moments Magazine Reader’s Choice Award Mystery Suspense. Without naming each and every one, The MacKenzie Chronicles books have been recipients of several book awards on their own, plus the series won the 2021 PRG RCA Award.
5. How do you promote your books?
I am on Facebook, Twitter, and occasionally Instagram. I have a blog of my own, plus I guest on other blogs. I am currently trying my hand at Amazon ads, but I have to tell you, the Zon doesn’t make it easy!
6. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
I’m available in several spots. The links below will connect you to me and my books.
Visit my website: https://www.brendawhiteside.com
Or on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/BrendaWhitesideAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/brendawhitesid2
I blog and have guests: https://brendawhiteside.blogspot.com/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003V15WF8
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3972045.Brenda_Whiteside
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/brenda-whiteside
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brendawhitesideauthor/
Join Brenda’s Newsletter Group here: https://us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=4804e039587723cfe02e83f2c&id=5e4b22a4ac
BRENDA’S BLOG COMMENTERS CONTEST:
Don’t forget! Brenda is offering book one in her The Wild Horse Peaks series, The Art of Love and Murder, to one lucky commenter on this blog interview!
MARCIA: Thank you, Brenda! I look forward to reading your books—especially The Deep Well of Love and Murder, which features Perro the dog!
MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks!
Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or a photo, click on the word “Reply,” which is just below the social media icons for THIS interview. (Don’t scroll past this interview to the next interview.) Go Pets!
Victoria Bradleigh
1. I hear you have a cat in your romance, Trick or Meet? Tell us about the book.
Trick or Meet: A Halloween Romance is a later-in-life, slow-burn, small-town, steamy Halloween romance. Hannah, the main female character, has a cat who, despite being all black, is named Ghost (her daughter Olivia’s idea!).
Trick or Meet Blurb: In Holidaze, New York, nearly every day’s a holiday–but Halloween is the best time of year for practical, straight-laced Hannah. Her work as a ghostwriter picks up, her candy addiction becomes socially acceptable, and the line between the living and the dead is so thin, she can feel the spirit of Justin, her late husband, in a way she can’t the rest of the year.
Scott is only in town temporarily to research the town’s Halloween celebrations and urban legends–yet soon after they meet, it’s Hannah he can’t stop thinking about. He gets his nose out of the books long enough to tempt Hannah fully back into the land of the living–but does their romance have a ghost of a chance for happily ever after?
Trick or Meet is available for purchase at Amazon and/or to read for free in Kindle Unlimited at https://www.amazon.com/Trick-Meet-Halloween-Romance-Holidaze-ebook/dp/B0BKMKT6SM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2UNCEWP3QFDS6&keywords=trick+or+meet+victoria+bradleigh&qid=1695332264&sprefix=Trick+or+meet%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-1
2. Why did you add a cat to this book?
Hannah was widowed young, and besides her daughter, Ghost is the one other living tie to her late husband. Although Hannah continues to move on, including finding a new love in Trick or Meet, Ghost is a much-loved reminder of a person and a life she loved and still misses.
Since childhood I’ve always had cats, and they’re such a comforting, steady link to different phases of one’s life. When I was finishing kindergarten, we adopted a tiny kitten that my sister named Marbley (she was all black like Ghost and looked like a little marble)–and she lived until a few months after I graduated from college! Marbley was with me through all the highs and lows of childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, and was such an affectionate and loyal friend to the end.
My husband and I currently have two cats, a two-year-old orange cat named Fuzz Aldrin who followed me home last November, and a 16-year-old cat named Sophie who we adopted from an animal rescue organization in February. She was supposed to become Fuzz’s best friend but, probably due to their age difference, Sophie didn’t get that memo!
3. What other books have you written?
Trick or Meet is my first book in my Holidaze Love series. The books are stand-alones so you can read them in any order, but they all take place in the small town of Holidaze, New York–where every holiday is celebrated with the excitement it deserves!–and some of the same characters make appearances in all the books.
Kiss Kringle, my second book in the series, is a Christmas romance, and I’m now working on a Thanksgiving romance. Every book features a pet or animal of some sort. Kiss Kringle has a very sleepy dog named Blitzen, and my Thanksgiving romance will feature a couple of pet turkeys.
I also have at least one female character in each book who has a traditionally male job. Trick or Meet has a handywoman named Laura who can fix anything, and in Kiss Kringle, Nico’s aunt is a police officer and Marianne’s great aunt was one of the first female commercial pilots in the U.S.
I would describe the Holidaze Love series as light, contemporary, small-town, later-in-life, medium-steam holiday romances.
4. How do you promote your books?
The most successful promotion for me has been offering Trick or Meet free for a day through Fussy Librarian (https://www.thefussylibrarian.com/). Over 1,000 copies of the Trick or Meet e-book were downloaded that day, and I also got some reads through Kindle Unlimited. I highly recommend Fussy Librarian for both authors and readers!
5. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
Feel free to visit my website at https://www.victoriabradleigh.com/, where you can find out about my books, email me, or sign up for my newsletter–I love to connect with readers!
Victoria’s Blog Commenters Contest:
I would also like to offer one free, signed paperback copy of Trick or Meet to one lucky person who comments on this blog interview. Happy Halloween!
MARCIA: Thank you, Victoria, for your interview and your contest offer. An autographed paperback book is a great prize! I love holiday romances, and I’ll definitely read yours! Happy Halloween!
MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks!
Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or a photo, click on the word “Reply,” which is just below the social media icons for THIS interview. (Don’t scroll past this interview to the next interview.) Go Pets!
Miriam Newman
1. I hear you have a true story novella about one of your many dog rescues. Tell us about the book.
Rescued is the true story of Dancer, the dog who began my “career” in rescue. It’s a saga of recovery, not only for the dog, but for me! Trying to recover from loss, I decided one day to go to my local shelter and adopt a dog…you know, some cute cuddly little thing…not a pit bull. We all know how that goes.
Rescued Blurb:
What do you do when you are alone in the world? If you’re a nice middle-aged lady with a social conscience, you go to your local shelter and adopt a rescue dog. Of course, sometimes it isn’t only the dog who needs to be rescued.
Rescued Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Rescued-Miriam-Newman/dp/0996495959
2. Tell us about your dog rescues.
I was raised with dogs, and when my husband and I moved to fox hunting country, I got familiar with hounds. Dancer was my first rescue. She hunted hamburgers. She also acquainted me with the dire need for fosters, and it wasn’t long after she died that I began, first with a hound, then with over a dozen to follow. Most got homes. But there were a few… Here are three of them (current residents) on my bed. The fourth runs at the sight of a camera, alas.
3. What other books have you written
I write fiction as a rule, primarily romance, much of it historical and/or fantasy. I’m a serious student of history, my library looks like a museum, and although romance is a main ingredient, I write realistic portrayals of Medieval-style warfare. Love, war and fantasy—that’s my thing. Romance is a strong element, but not “fluffy.” Most of my women are strong characters, and so are the men.
I have a seven-book series, The Chronicles of Alcinia, that traces three generations of a family caught up in that world. Most recently, I’ve begun a spinoff called The Sahra Chronicles, about which I’m very excited.
The Chronicles of Alcinia Tagline: In a time of war, what would you surrender in the name of love
The Chronicles of Alcinia Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/The-Chronicles-of-Alcinia/dp/B08J3N18NN
4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.
Book I of The Chronicles of Alcinia, called The King’s Daughter, won a number of coveted awards. Now in its third printing, most of its reviews on Amazon were deleted on the current edition, but can be found on others. Full disclosure, it is a fantasy not intended for those seeking sweet or Christian romance.
5. How do you promote your books?
Readers can certainly check my author page, blog, BookBub, Facebook page and definitely look for blog tours on any new releases.
6. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
CONNECT WITH MIRIAM:
Website: http://miriamnewman.com
Website: http://thedarkcastlelords.net
Blog: http://miriamnewman.com/blog
Blog: http://thecelticroseblog.blogspot.com
Email: mrmireland@aol.com
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMiriamNewman
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/miriamnewman
BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/miriam-newman-cf7ca8bf-caab-4b7e-a6f2-7db5490d9215
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3146550.Miriam_Newman
Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/38ED8hG
Newsletter: www.subscribepage.com/02t6d6
EBOOK CONTEST FOR BLOG COMMENTERS: Miriam is offering a copy of Rescued or any one of the books included in The Chronicles of Alcinia—winner’s choice—to one lucky blog commenter! The drawing will be on September 29th.
MARCIA: Miriam, thank you for being my September interviewee! I love meeting fellow pro-rescue-pet authors, and I look forward to reading your books.
MARCIA’S MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks!
Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or a photo, click on the word “Reply” {or “Replies”}, which is just below the social media icons for THIS interview. (Don’t scroll past this interview to the next interview.) Go Pets!
L.B. Joyce
1. I hear you have a pet in your novel, For the Love of July. Tell us about the book.
For the Love of July is Book 2 in the “Twelve Months, Twelve Love Stories” series. It takes place in the Midwest and tells the love story of Abby Evans and Kevin Kardell. When they first meet, sparks fly. But not necessarily in a good way. Abby thinks he’s an egotistical athlete, while Kevin doesn’t know what to think, never having met anyone like her before. Then, with one kiss, everything changes between them. But as their love grows, Kevin senses she’s hiding something. Determined to find out what it is, never did he expect to find out what he did.
For the Love of July Blurb:
Think summertime…and baseball comes to mind. But let’s say we mix things up a bit. Think of it as a recipe in the making.
A recipe for love.
Start by tossing together one spunky hometown girl, Abby Evans, who bakes cookies for a living and Kevin Kardell, a hot and upcoming Major League Baseball sensation. A Chicago native and new in town, he is more than ready to show Cleveland just how good he really is.
Add a dash of humor, a pinch of sass and a whole lot of chemistry. Finally, the most important step of all? Add heat. Lots of it.
The result? Bam! Bang! Sha-zamm! You’ve got fireworks! A recipe that’s a winner, hands down!
But of course, there’s a catch…because, as we all know, anything worth having never comes easy.
Buy Links–For the Love of July and other books in the “Twelve Months, Twelve Love Stories” series:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08N6SLTBS
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/shop/lbjoyce12
Draft2Digital: https://www.draft2digital.com/book/
2. I understand a very special dog inspired Poppy in this book.
Snickers was a cockapoo I was lucky to have for 18 years. I wish everyone could be lucky enough to have a dog with the personality she had…fun, smart, always happy and just too darn cute. I based Poppy, Abby’s dog in For the Love of July on Snickers. Like Snickers was for me, she was there for Abby, be it a sloppy puppy kiss or a cuddle. I have also included dogs in other books of the series. Mia in A Million Decembers, Popcorn and Snowball in February’s Angel, Mr. Pickles in February’s Angel, and Oreo in Goodbye Heartbreak, Hello May. Some of these little pups keep showing up throughout the series.
3. What other books have you written?
I have written and published 9 books, and I am now working on number 10. Eight of the books (along with the book in progress) are part of the “Twelve Months, Twelve Love Stories” series. I guess you could classify all of my books as Contemporary Romance, even though I find this genre so vague. I like to describe them as falling in the small town, sweet, but with a little bit of spice, and a feel-good kind of romance read. And, of course, always with a happy ending.
I have also started another series, “Holidays in White Oaks Valley.” There is only one book at this time, A Grand Slam Kind of Christmas.
Buy Links (Available in Print, Audio and E-Book):
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Grand-Christmas…/dp/0960031154/
Universal Book Link: https://books2read.com/u/mVgeL6
Independent Book Stores: https://bookshop.org/shop/lbjoyce12
4. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
Website/blog: https://www.lbjoyceauthor.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLBJoyce
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lbjoyceauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lbjoyceauthor/
All Author: https://allauthor.com/author/lbjoyce/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/L-B-Joyce/e/B01N2AFD4L/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dsk
MARCIA: L.B., thank you for being my June interviewees! I love discovering novels that feature dogs, and I look forward to reading your books.
MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks!
Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or a photo, click on the word “Reply,” which is just below the social media icons for THIS interview. (Don’t scroll past this interview to the next interview.) Go Pets!
Neil Plakcy
1. I hear you have a Golden Retriever mystery series.
I do. Sixteen of them so far. They began in 2011, but because I don’t want my canine sleuth to get too old, I’m trying to plot out three or four books a year. So in their world it’s only 2015.
My hero, semi-reformed computer hacker Steve Levitan, began as an accidental sleuth. His next-door neighbor was killed while walking her golden retriever Rochester, and Steve uses his computer skills to help his high school pal, the local police detective, solve the crime. Rochester motivates Steve, sniffs out clues for him, and teaches him how to love again after a bad divorce.
The series began with In Dog We Trust, and the newest book, Dog of Thieves, carries on the tradition of repurposing God phrases with “dog” – which after all is God spelled backwards.
Dog of Thieves features stolen treasures, a cane-whacking elderly woman and a couple of dead bodies.
From a tree-removal scam artist to a museum heist, their investigations lead Steve and Rochester on a thrilling journey from their small town in Pennsylvania to the bustling streets of New York City. They follow a trail that takes them from an elegant Fifth Avenue museum to a drop-in center for the poor and homeless on the Lower East Side.
Steve endures personal threats and makes an important decision in this latest entry in a charming series, one that readers have reacted to with deep emotion. With their unique skillset and clever wit, Steve and Rochester use their charm and humor to uncover the truth and solve the crime in this new mystery with heart—and fur.
https://books2read.com/u/m0qjJJ
https://www.amazon.com/Dog-Thieves-Mystery-Retriever-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0BZ8ZGGF3/
2. Why did you add goldens to this series?
I’ve always been a dog person, but adopting my golden, Samwise, kicked that love up a few notches. He had such a personality and I loved him dearly. I wanted to write a book about him—and because I have loved crime fiction since reading Freddy the Detective as a kid, I made him the center of my book. Rochester is a beautiful dog and looks like the breed standard, with a square head, a golden coat and a plumy tail. He also has a nose for bad guys and a talent for uncovering clues as a dog might—by scratching, sniffing, and tugging, among other ways.
Samwise is the golden who inspired my series; Brody and Griffin have taken up the challenge now that Samwise is no longer with us.
3. What other books have you written?
My first published mystery was Mahu, the first of my Mahu Investigations, about a Honolulu homicide detective who is dragged out of the closet while investigating a dangerous case. In thirteen books so far, his detective work has illuminated his gradual coming out, to the point where now he is a loving partner and dad to twins. Since then I’ve written over fifty other books in mystery, adventure and romance.
4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.
I was honored to win a Lefty for best police procedural mystery for my third book, Mahu Fire. It was given by the attendees of the Left Coast Crime fan convention. I’ve also been a four-time finalist for the Lambda Literary Awards in mystery and romance.
5. How do you promote your books?
My first step is to make sure that the book description is the best it can be, and that it tells readers how they will feel after reading it. I often solicit help from my editor, and lately I’ve learned to use ChatGPT to help. A third party can give a more objective view, and the AI supplies those glowing accolades that authors are shy about using regarding their own work.
I advertise free and discounted books in email newsletters like BookBub and The Fussy Librarian, and on social media I post pictures of my dogs and cute dog cartoons. I want to attract a readership that loves dogs as much as I do.
6. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
My website is www.MahuBooks.com, and readers can sign up for my monthly newsletters there. I’m most active on Facebook under my own name, but I can also be found on Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest, where I share photos that have inspired characters and locations in my books.
MARCIA: Neil, thank you for being my July interviewees! I love discovering novels that feature dogs, and I look forward to reading your books!
MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks!
Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or a photo, click on the word “Reply,” which is just below the social media icons for THIS interview. (Don’t scroll past this interview to the next interview.) Go Pets!