Gone Astray by Terry Korth Fischer

           A heart attack sends detective Rory Naysmith reeling. Too young to retire, he accepts a position in small-town Winterset, Nebraska. Handed an unsolved truck hijacking, with the assistance of a rookie, Rory sets out to prove he is still able to go toe-to-toe with younger men. When the body of a Vietnam veteran turns up, he dons his fedora and spit-shines his shoes. But before he can solve the murder, an older woman disappears, followed closely by a second hijacking. He doggedly works the cases, following a thread that ties the two cases together. Can Rory find the mental and physical strength to up his game to bring the criminals to justice before disaster strikes and he loses his job?

 Wild Women Authors is thrilled to feature Terry Korth Fischer as she celebrates the release of Gone Astray, a contemporary cozy mystery set in Nebraska featuring reluctant hero, Rory Naysmith. As usual, Rory will go first.

 Good morning, Rory. Thanks for taking time out of your detecting schedule to talk about Gone Astray. What’s it all about? After years on the job in Omaha, I had an incident. Okay, it was a little heart thing, but I was just as sharp as ever. Maybe better. When the powers-that-be suggested retirement, it was an easy decision to move to Winterset, where my expertise would elevate the small-town police department. I hadn’t settled in before there was a murder. Then one of the citizens disappeared, and well, things, in general, started to go wonky. I don’t want to give too much away, but let’s say there was some cockeyed deception going on.

 What made you choose to law enforcement for a career? The idea of sitting behind a desk all day made me cringe. I’d heard that in law enforcement, no two days were the same, you were out of the office, and worked for something greater than yourself. I was all in for knowing my time and talents would make a difference.

 Knowing what you know now, if you had it to do over again, would you stick with being a detective or do something different? The world can be dangerous, and I believe someone needs to look out for the other guy, our average Joes, and plain Janes. I’d make a lousy politician, and I can’t see myself becoming a bartender or a priest. Detecting is what I do—I’d stick it out.

 What is your biggest fear? I used to think I was bulletproof. Others gave me a nod and stepped out of the way. Then all of a sudden, those same people were sizing me up for the senior citizen discount. I ask you, is that right?

 Who is your favorite fictional character and why? There’s this guy, Walt Longmire, the main character in a mystery series by Craig Johnson. He’s a sort of lone hero with a strong sense of duty and justice and a knack for unearthing the truth. Maybe Walt isn’t a superhero, but he’s kind, yet tough, and he knows what he stands for.

 Absolutely. Walt Longmire is one of our faves too. What is the best piece of advice you ever received? You need to meet Axel, the handyman. He can be a little goofy, but he grows on you. After spinning our wheels searching for the missing woman, he turned to me, and said, “People talk about Miss Lydia like they’re talking about a missing shoe, not like they remember they’re talking about Lydia Mullins, a real, live, honest to gosh person.”  I don’t know if you’d consider that advice. Still, his words reminded me of things I believe in—do your best—give one hundred percent—everyone deserves to be a top priority. You know, good advice—golden rule stuff.

 Again, right on target, Rory. Now we’d like to chat with Terry starting with which writer or character[s], from either books or movies, [or both] have had a major impact on your writing?  I absolutely love the Dick Francis crime novels written between 1970-2010. His writing entertained me with unusual professions and unfamiliar situations by employing descriptions and dialogue that rendered them completely relatable. No matter how foreign or complicated, I always felt like I was there with the hero, and sometimes, as one of the team. I strive to accomplish a similar familiarity between my characters and readers.  

 With regard to research, where did you start for this novel? Did that lead you down different paths, thereby changing the original concept? Gone Astray is Rory’s story, and as such, needed to be told from his point-of-view. But without a law enforcement background, I couldn’t pull off a police procedural. I had some knowledge of detective work from watching Lieutenant Columbo and Hill Street Blues. I loved CSI and Castle and followed Richard Jury and Lucas Davenport's careers. It was not exactly first-hand knowledge. But with the aid of my brother-in-law, a retired police sergeant, and an eleven-week citizen police academy course, I learned the basics and straightened out my misconceptions. Books and the internet helped. My personal library has several dog-eared police references stuffed between the well-worn mysteries.

 Tell us a bit about your publisher. How did you hear about them, what influenced you to submit to them, how is the submission process, what is the turn-around time from date of the query to date of release? I met Rhonda Penders, one of The Wild Rose Press' co-founders, at a writer’s conference. I was pitching a memoir as Women’s Fiction, and she was patient and gracious, encouraging me to take the time to decide what I really wanted to do with my book. Because of that meeting, when I finished Gone Astray, I thought of The Wild Rose Press. I wanted a publisher interested in what was right for me as well as profitable for their business. I queried in July and TWRP released my novel in February. I couldn’t have asked for a more supportive, responsive, or dedicated team.

 What are you reading right now? I usually read for pleasure. Lately, cozy mysteries are on my TBR pile, including Laura Childs, Teresa Trent, and Leslie Meier. I am researching the genre, toying with the idea of writing one, or three because they seem to hatch into book series.

 What's next for you? A second Rory Naysmith mystery is almost complete. I love these characters; they have become my best friends. That could be the quarantine, stay-at-home, bubble mentality speaking. But honestly, if I have to spend months (years) with a story, this is the crew for me.

 To learn more about Terry Korth Fischer and the stories she creates go to:

Website: https://terrykorthfischer.com

 BLOG: https://www.terryiswriting.com

 Twitter: https://twitter.com/terryiswriting

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

 Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/terrykorthfischer

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14349440.Terry_Korth_Fischer

 Book Gems: https://www.bookgems.com/3534/gone-astray/

 

To purchase Gone Astray, go to:

https://amzn.to/2LHnlYI

 

The Return of the Raven

          Margaret, Lady Ravenwood, is trapped in a loveless marriage and firmly entrenched in the medieval world. Along comes Griffin Nightshade, a historian from the future whose soul resonates with hers. He persuades her to return with him to the 1950s, but heeding her heart means courting danger from a curse that could spell her doom.

          Haunted by his parents' sudden deaths, Griffin knows all too well the pain born of love lost. He guards his emotions, but Margaret delves deep and goes straight to the soul. She's hard to resist…and harder to set free.

          The heart's desire and history's demands don't always agree. Yet true love is eternal.

Wild Women Authors is pleased to feature Return of the Raven (The Novels of Ravenwood, Book Five) by Judith Sterling. First up is Griffen Nightshade.

Good morning, Griff. Thanks for joining us. Where are you from? Chicago, Illinois

What did you think the first time you saw Margaret? I thought she was beautiful. Her violet eyes, in particular, captivated me. What was your second thought?

What was your second thought? She seemed strangely familiar.

Did you feel it was love at first sight? No, but there was something about her, some hidden connection that made me want to befriend her.

What do you like most about her? Her intelligence.

How would you describe Margaret? The closest to Heaven I’ve ever come.

How would she describe you? She’d say I was part of her soul.

What made you choose teaching history for a career? I love history, particularly the medieval period. Once I got my PhD, I wanted to inspire students to love it as well.

What is your biggest fear? That those I love will leave me.

How do you relax? I enjoy reading and playing games like Clue/Cluedo. I sometimes play the piano, too.

Who is your favorite fictional character? It’s a tie between Sherlock Holmes and the Duc de Richleau in Dennis Wheatley’s works.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? To climb Woden’s Stair. Quite literally, a little bird told me.

Thanks for spending time with us, Griff and thanks for bringing an excerpt from The Return of the Raven:

          Held in the ballroom of a nearby hotel, the after-party boasted a band of musicians, savory food, a variety of drinks, and a three-tier, white-frosted cake. After consuming a sizeable portion of said cake and a goodly amount of fruit punch, Margaret sat beside Griffin against the wall, watching the other guests and the happy couple interact.

          The bride and groom took to the dance floor and moved as though they were one body, which in essence they now were. Frank and Hannah also danced, talking and laughing as they often did around the manor.

          Oh to be so happily joined with another. If only…

          There it was again: the recurring, inevitable “if only.” Her nights were full of them. She lay in bed staring up at the darkened canopy, wishing he were there beside her. Perhaps ʼtwas wanton and wrong, or by some standards, ridiculous.

          But the heart wants what it wants. Hers wanted Griffin. Not just for a day or even a year but forever. She loved him. ʼTwas as simple—and as complicated—as that.

          He turned to her now, and his warm, brown eyes sparkled with an invitation. “Shall we dance?”

          Her stomach dropped. “I don’t know how.”

          He gestured to the dancing couples. “Look at the other women. And see that little boy and girl? If they can do it, so can we. You’ll put your left hand on my shoulder, and your right hand will hold mine. Then you’ll move your feet when I do. Don’t worry. I’ll guide you.”

          “Well…” The need to touch him, to feel his hands on her again, outweighed her doubt. “I’ll try.”

          He led her to the dance floor, and she did as he instructed. Leisurely, they began to move.

          Always the teacher. What might I learn in your bed?

          Heat flushed her cheeks. Thankfully, the dance was slow; perfect for a beginner such as she. But the gentle pace enfolded them in a mantle of intimacy.

          “This song is called ‘When I Fall in Love.’” His voice was soft and low.

          “Fall?”

          He nodded in silence.

          Aye, ʼtis very much like falling. Like stepping off the side of a cliff. Once you take that step, there’s no turning back and no stopping what’s to come.

Now a few questions for Judith, beginning with what movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? Pride and Prejudice (the book). The Lion in Winter (the movie).

What event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? Like Margaret, I’ve taken many “spirit journeys” while sleeping. I hope my own experiences made Margaret’s more real and relatable.

Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? I noticed a book by The Wild Rose Press online and did a little research about the company. I liked what I read, so I submitted Flight of the Raven. Return of the Raven is my eighth book with them.

What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? Let the Dead Lie by W. L. Brooks.

Lastly, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves? I’m currently writing The Spear Alight, the final book in my YA paranormal fantasy series. It’s due to my editor on April 1, 2021. After that, I’ll start writing the first book in a gothic mystery series I’ve outlined.

 A bit more about our feature author:

          Judith Sterling is an award-winning author whose love of history and passion for the paranormal infuse everything she writes. Whether penning medieval romance (The Novels of Ravenwood) or young adult paranormal fantasy (the Guardians of Erin series), her favorite themes include true love, destiny, time travel, healing, redemption, and finding the hidden magic which exists all around us. She loves to share that magic with readers and whisk them far away from their troubles, particularly to locations in the British Isles.

          Her nonfiction books, written under Judith Marshall, have been translated into multiple languages. She has an MA in linguistics and a BA in history, with a minor in British Studies. Born in that sauna called Florida, she craved cooler climes, and once the travel bug bit, she lived in England, Scotland, Sweden, Wisconsin, Virginia, and on the island of Nantucket. She currently lives in Salem, Massachusetts with her husband and their identical twin sons.

 To learn more about Judith Sterling, go to:

Website – https://judithmarshallauthor.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/judithsterlingfiction/

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16291161.Judith_Sterling

BookBub –  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/judith-sterling

Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01MT3KB7L

The Wild Rose Press – https://www.thewildrosepress.com/authors/judith-sterling

 

To purchase the Return of the Raven, go to:

Amazon https://amzn.com/B08RYD2GW8

Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Return-Raven-Novels-Ravenwood-Book-ebook/dp/B08RYD2GW8

Amazon CA https://www.amazon.ca/Return-Raven-Novels-Ravenwood-Book-ebook/dp/B08RYD2GW8

Amazon AU https://www.amazon.com.au/Return-Raven-Novels-Ravenwood-Book-ebook/dp/B08RYD2GW8

Barnes & Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/return-of-the-raven-judith-sterling/1138556276

Apple https://books.apple.com/us/book/return-of-the-raven/id1547199256

 

 

 

 

 

Home in Wylder by Jane Lewis

 Today Wild Women Authors is pleased to focus on the latest release for the Wylder West series out of the Wild Rose Press:  Home in Wylder by Jane Lewis.

 

Here’s a taste of what’s in store for readers of this terrific series:

She wanted to say something, tell him how lovely

everything looked. How he’d done a wonderful job

with his house and furnishings. She turned to tell him,

but his gaze stopped her. His look seared her soul with

desire and beckoned her toward him. As if she traveled

through time and space, she found his embrace.

Daniel held her close and rested his chin on the top

of her head. “I don’t know how we found each other,

but I’m glad we did.” He turned her face up and

claimed her lips.

The fiery kiss stirred a passion that bloomed in her

belly and raced through her blood. He stopped kissing

her and she inhaled a deep breath. The smell of leather

and everything Daniel fanned the flames. She wanted

this man and he wanted her. She closed her eyes and bit

her bottom lip. Would he think she an immoral woman

if she let him love her?

He put his fingers under her chin and tugged her

face up. “Are you all right?”

The tenderness she found in his eyes answered her

question. “I am.” She placed her hands around his neck

and pulled his face to hers. She kissed him, opening her

mouth to his sensual kiss. She followed his lead as he

waltzed her around the room. He held her close while

his fingers gently caressed her body, and his mouth did

wonderful things to her lips.

 

A Bit About our Focus Author:

Jane Lewis dreamed of being a romance writer since she read her first romance novel. She wrote articles for her school newspaper, articles for a music magazine and composed and arranged music.

When she isn’t writing, re-writing or editing her next romance novel, she enjoys cooking, playing music, yoga, weight training and hanging out with her real-life hero, her husband.

She writes Historical Romance as Jane Lewis and Erotic Romance as Eve Lyn. Both believe in a happy ever after, always.

Jane is a PAN member of Romance Writers of America and Georgia Romance Writers. She was a 2016 finalist in the Hearts Through History, Post-Victorian/World War II category for her first romance novel, Love At Five Thousand Feet.

 

To Learn More About Jane Lewis, go to:

www.janelewisauthor.com

 

Spirit in Time

 Today we celebrate with Julie Howard on the release of Spirit in Time, the latest addition to her Spirit Quest series.

Congratulations, Julie. This one's a beauty!!

The Warrior's Progeny

   If love dies, can it be reborn…only stronger?

 For the next few days, Wild Women Authors focus on The Warrior’s Progeny, a full-length romance recently released by the Wild Rose Press.

       Colton Stone is a newly traded tight end whose reputation is as battered as his football helmet. When he receives a vacation invitation from his new teammates, he accepts. There he collides with Dr. Lillian Morgan, a pediatric cardiovascular surgeon, and doesn't know what to think.

A widow with two children, Lilly is looking forward to her friends' wedding. When she meets Colton Stone, his arrogant attitude only makes her long for the love she took for granted. Lilly struggles between letting go of her perfect past for an uncertain future.

Strange events occur, out of the realm of normal consciousness. When black energy touches their world Colt and Lilly become the pawns of the immortal Greek gods. Is the love developing between them natural, or part of a larger prophecy?

To purchase The Warrior’s Progeny, go to:      

Amazon

Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Warriors-Progeny-Heaven-Earth-Book-ebook/dp/B089PZQJ34

Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Warriors-Progeny-Heaven-Earth/dp/1509232192/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-warriors-progeny-jeny-heckman/1137148709

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/ebook/the-warrior-s-progeny?utm_campaign=shopping_feed_au_en&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc

iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-warriors-progeny/id1517325582

 

Author Bio:

Award-winning author, Jeny Heckman wrote her first book, the Catch, in a few short months but took several years before she gained the courage to self-publish it. In 2018, she created the Heaven & Earth series, a story of doomed Greek gods and their only salvation, their modern-day descendants. Her first book of the series, the Sea Archer, won “Best in Category” from the 2018 Chanticleer International Book Awards.

          In the year 2020, the Warrior’s Progeny, and Dee’s Cornucopia continues the Heaven & Earth Series. Jeny lives in Washington State with her husband of over twenty-eight years.

 To learn more about Jeny Heckman and the stories she creates, go to:

          Website: https://jenyheckman.com/

          Amazon Author Central: https://amzn.to/3hfq6fh

          Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heckman.jeny

          Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenyheckman

          Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenyheckman

          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeny-heckman/

          Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/jenyheckman17

GoodReads: https://bit.ly/3fd8RJA

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jeny-heckman

YouTube: https://bit.ly/30vNfUI

          iBooks Author Page: https://books.apple.com/us/author/jeny-heckman/id1436374028

          Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/dDTPI9

 

 

Heart of Ash by Kathy Otten

      In the skies over France during the Great War, the life expectancy of a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps is measured in days. Captain Elliot "Ash" Bainbridge is certain he'll be the next pilot sent spinning to earth in a ball of fire. Not because the Germans will shoot him down, but because God will punish him for daring to love another man.

     When Ash met Lieutenant Harry March, their attraction was instant. But Harry hates Ash's fatalistic attitude. He believes in capturing the moment. Can Ash set aside his fear of death and take a chance on love? Or should he try to keep his heart safe from hurt forever?

Wild Women authors is pleased to welcome a new author to the crowd, Kathy Otten as she celebrates the recent release of Heart of Ash, a novella from the Vintage Rose line out of the Wild Rose Press. With Kathy is Captain Ash Bainbridge. As per usual, he will go first.

 Good morning, Captain. Please tell us a bit about yourself, beginning with where you are from. Small village outside London

What did you think the first time you saw _Lt. Harry March His was the face missing from my fantasies.

What was your second thought?  He projects an air of confidence I’ll never have.

Did you feel it was love at first sight? Not so much love, but a sense of what I’d been looking for.

What do you like most about Harry? His eyes and a whiff of sandalwood when he was close by.

How would you describe him? A bit taller, brown hair, hazel eyes that look brown in the shade and green in the sun.

How would Harry describe you? I don’t know.  He does appreciate my skill as a pilot, but not what my tendency to see life as half full or empty.

What made you choose  becoming a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps? My father forced me to enlist and bribed the recruiter.

What is your biggest fear? Dying in a ball of fire.

How do you relax? Sit or pull weeds in the garden.

Who is your favorite fictional character? Don’t read fiction. Poetry or Biography and books on plants or how to do things.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? God knew who I was before I was born. He created me, so I need to learn to love who I am.

Ash and Kathy brought an excerpt from Heart of Ash for us:

The tip of the cigarette glowed red as March inhaled. Then he stepped back as he blew out a stream of smoke, the odor overpowering that last trace of the sandalwood Elliot loved.

He tipped the shrinking match into the bowl of his pipe, drawing the mellow, smoky flavors into the back of his throat. He raised his chin to squarely meet March’s intense gaze.

The hazel color wasn’t discernible in this light, but in the sun his eyes sparkled with green then softened with brown in the shade. Sharp pain seared Elliot’s fingers. His arm jerked back, and he gave his hand a quick shake, extinguishing the tiny flame. He tossed down the match, and with the toe of his boot, twisted the lucifer deep into the ground.

“Was it the fire?” Though March spoke in little more than a whisper, the intensity of his words carried in the damp air. “That why you froze? Bloody hell, two Albatross dropped from the clouds right on your tail. If I hadn’t been there—”

Elliot focused on the scuffed toe of his boot as he continued to twist his foot back and forth against the match. “I apologize.” He straightened, drew deep on his pipe, and slowly exhaled through his nose. “Rude of me not to say thank you.”

March brought his cigarette to his lips. A moment later he exhaled. “And are you?”

“Am I what?”

“Thankful.”

Elliot took a few steps forward, away from his machine. He turned.

March hadn’t moved. He flicked his cigarette. “Because I don’t think you are.”

Captain, thank you for taking time out of your day to spend time with us. Now we’d like to speak with your creator, Kathy Otten.

What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? Nothing specific. For authors, Louis L’Amour, his attention to research and sense of place. Elmore Leonard, for is ordinary, somewhat flawed characters, and his fantastic dialogue.

What event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? My brother was gay and struggled with the same issue as Elliot.

Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? I am a member of Pennwriters Inc, and many years ago when The Wild Rose Press was a brand new publisher, I’d seen mentioned in the PW newsletter that they were looking for submissions. I sent off a short story back in 2005 and I’ve been one of their authors ever since.

What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? Allen Eckhart’s book Bloody Hotel about H.H. Holmes, one of America’s earliest serial killers.

Lastly, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves? Working on another historical romance novel. The rough draft is done and I’m halfway through the first draft which I hope to finish by August. Then another year or so to go through submission and publishing process, so… Hopefully sooner rather than later.

To learn more about Kathy Otten and the stories she’s created, go to:

 Kathy@kathyotten.com

https://www.kathyotten.com

www.facebook.com/kathyottenauthor

www.twitter.com/kathyotten

 

To purchase Heart of Ash, go to:

https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Ash-Kathy-Otten-ebook/dp/B08P7VW9TM