Revenge Hit by B Davis Kroon

 The others fit his agenda. But that first victim? Most likely that one’s personal.

A brilliant but oddball football fanatic witnesses a player die on the gridiron—thanks to an official’s screw-up—and the agony of his childhood takes over. Weeks later, some part of him is killing football officials. And Ben Leit is dragged into a road trip search for the anesthetic killer.

 Wild Women Authors welcomes author B Davis Kroon as she celebrates the release of Revenge Hit, Book 2 in the Ben Leit Series. With the author is the man himself, former pro football player, current sports website mogul, occasional TV sports commentator, Ben Leit, who will go first.

Welcome, Ben. Please take a moment to tell us about Revenge Hit. Man, revenge isn’t good for the soul, you know? I thought I was done with killing. After losing Dad, and nearly losing Mimi, the last thing I wanted was hunt down another killer. But I saw John Brown die, you know? And figuring our sports website could ID the killer, what else could I do but take on tracking down Beacham.

What made me choose investigations as a career? Would I change what I do? My football career went in the toilet after I got knocked out on the playing field—out for ten minutes. The Giants dumped me and, you know, what career? Logical thing was for me to shift over to sports commentator and I started doing that. Not really my thing, but what was I gonna do, sit around?

Then these threats started rolling in against football officials and security for the officials came to me for help. Why me? Well, people remember me for catching my Dad’s killer. I keep telling ‘em I’m not a detective. And Mimi would have a cow if I started down that road again. But one thing leads to another. And we did stop Beacham. And, thinking about how things went so wrong for the guy, I think we’re on to something really worthwhile now.

What is your biggest fear? I have a couple more years before my doctors can say whether I’m dying because of my old head injury. I guess my fear is, either one day I’ll start stumbling and can’t feed myself —that’s how CTE shows up—or Mimi will end up caretaking me while I drift off into la-la-land. I try not to go there. I mean, what good does that do?

Who is your favorite fictional character? I read history, 1850s to 1870s, so I read a lot about Lincoln and his cabinet.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve received? It’s the team, buddy, they’re the ones make it work.

Thank you for taking time away from your busy schedule to speak with us, Ben. Now we’d like to chat with Barbara [aka B Davis Kroon]

Which writer or character[s], from either books or movies, [or both] have had a major impact on your writing? Poet Theodore Roethke, for sure for his poetry and sense of the real. Nonfiction writer for his way of making complicated process both accessible and interesting. The BBC series Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy – again for that combination of complex plot and grit. And (it surprises me but) I’m reading the Thursday Murder Club series and loving it.

With regard to research, where did you start for this novel? Did that lead you down different paths, thereby changing the original concept? Revenge Hit is book two in the Ben Leit series but the basic plot—a man killing football officials—was my initial idea which hatched one day at a very frustrating football game. Book one, Trap Play, covers the why and how that Ben Leit football hero ends up being an amateur detective and meeting Mimi [Fitzroy]– that story needed to come first. The nature of the killer in Revenge Hit changed radically as I began to think about what was behind that drive to kill.

It seemed to me it had to be much deeper and more painful than merely winning or losing a football game. In thinking about that and working to keep some focus on the risk of head injury in football, Beeker [Beacham] became the sad and ruined character he is.

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 query to date of release? Revenge Hit is my second fiction book. Both of my suspense books have been published by The Wild Rose Press. I’m a member of the Pacific Northwest Writers’ Association, which has a major writers’ conference each year. At that conference, writers have the opportunity to pitch various agents and editors, either in person or via zoom. I pitched my manuscript for my first book, Trap Play, to Ally Robertson, an agent for Wild Rose Press and she asked me to send her the whole manuscript. During the publisher review process, they asked that I cut one chapter. That meant a certain amount of rewriting (which I freely admit made the book stronger). As a newbie in the publishing world, my editing passes took longer to complete than a more experienced writer might encounter. I sent my full m/s to them in November, it was accepted (after the change in chapters) and it was published in March 2020 (yes, right at the crunch of Covid).

What are you reading right now? The Marsh King’s Daughter by Karen Dianne; The Body, a Guide for Occupants by Bill Bryson; Your Plantation Plam is Not Okay by Kelly McWilliams and [just finished]: Transplanted by Birgit Lennertz Sarrimanolis.

What’s next for you? I have two books in process and another on a back burner. In process is an untitled book 3 in the Ben Leit series and is set in San Francisco. The Truth Of It, a  stand-alone women’s fiction is about how white collar crime ruins a family. On the back burner is Harmony, a stand-alone mystery where a sweet farm town isn’t as sweet as it seems.

To learn more about B. Davis Kroon and the stories she creates go to:

https://www.bdaviskroon.com/

https://www.facebook.com/bdaviskroon

https://www.instagram.com/bdaviskroon/?hl=en

To purchase Revenge Hit, go to:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/revenge-hit-b-davis-kroon/1143898783?ean=9781509249565

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=revenge+hit+kroon&i=stripbooks&crid=2M265A0UXUBY7&sprefix=revenge+hit%2Cstripbooks%2C151&ref=nb_sb_ss_fb_1_11

https://catalog.wildrosepress.com/bookpage.php?TitleID=17408

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/revenge-hit

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/B_Davis_Kroon_Revenge_Hit?id=5NrbEAAAQBAJ

https://books.apple.com/gb/book/revenge-hit/id6459510661

https://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=9781509249565

https://www.booksamillion.com/p/9781509249565

https://bookshop.org/p/books/revenge-hit-b-davis-kroon/20403270?ean=9781509249565&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fcatalog.wildrosepress.com%2F&source=IndieBound&title=Revenge+Hit

 

 

Accidental Allies by Karina Bartow

 Wild Women Authors features Karina Bartow and Accidental Allies, a contemporary mystery and current release out of the Wild Rose Press. With Karina today is Orlando police officer Gus Channing who will go first.

Good morning, Gus. Thanks for joining us. Let’s start with you telling us a bit about Accidental Allies: The novel follows one of my detectives, Minka Avery, as she returns to Orlando PD after a six-year hiatus. My decision to rehire her following such a lengthy absence wasn’t popular with some of the top brass, and when the courthouse was bombed, that investigation put us all under the microscope. The case took many twists and turns, but Detective Avery proved her time away from the department didn’t diminish her skills by any means.     

What made you choose law enforcement for a profession? I wanted to help people. While there are many ways to do that, I’ve always been aware of the crookedness in the world and viewed joining the force as the means to combat it.

Knowing what you know now, if you had it to do over again, would you stick with being a police officer or do something different? Even though I hate the politics that come with the job, I have no regrets. In Accidental Allies, I was forced to consider other options, but nothing seemed to fit. It’s a part of me.

What is your biggest fear? From a philosophical perspective, I’d say it’s being unable to provide for my family. In general, however, it’s potato chips. Call me crazy, but I’m just weirded out by the texture and everything. 

Who is your favorite fictional character? Frank Reagan, from the television series “Blue Bloods”. The show first premiered when I was a young detective, and as I pursued moving up in the ranks, he was my role model as a commanding officer. He expects the respect owed to him as a commissioner, but he’s fair and kind in his duties. 

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? Don’t judge a book by its cover…unless, of course, it’s Accidental Allies!  

Excellent way to end the interview. Thank you, Gus. Now we’d like to chat with Karina.

Which writer or character[s], from either books or movies, [or both] have had a major impact on your writing? I didn’t realize it until recently, but Shawn Spencer, from the television series “Psych” and the overall writing on that show has really influenced my style. I loved Shawn’s kooky methods and the way they twisted the mysteries in such an unexpected and insane manner. It made me want to challenge readers’ minds while still making them laugh.  

With regard to research, where did you start for this novel? Did that lead you down different paths, thereby changing the original concept? My main research pertained to the bombing itself—much to my mother’s chagrin, I may add! I also researched the surrounding area of the courthouse, as I’d never been in that part of Orlando until after I finished my first draft. When I learned there was a diner across from it, that coerced me to make it a key role in the plot, especially since one of my friends in high school ran a diner and inspired a fun character to incorporate.  

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 query to date of release?  I’ve enjoyed the privilege of working with The Wild Rose Press for my past two novels. Since they published Brother of Interest, the forerunner to Accidental Allies, I hoped they’d like it, and to my thrill, they did! It was the first time in my career that I only sent out one query. I initially submitted it in late January, and it came out yesterday, ten months later.  

What are you reading right now? Pink Lemonade Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke

What's next for you? I’m working on another novel in the Unde(a)feated Detective Series, as well as two mini-installments in the form of short stories that Author TG Wolff will feature on her Mysteries to Die For podcast.

 

To learn more about Karina Bartow and the stories she creates go to:

Website

Blog

 Goodreads

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

 

To purchase Accidental Allies, go to:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Accidental-Allies-Unde-feted-Detective-ebook/dp/B0CHWKQ98F

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/accidental-allies-karina-bartow/1144069605;jsessionid=D196D6EF2F76C613F15D81D65BCDF7D5.prodny_store02-atgap06?ean=9781509252077

Books-A-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Accidental-Allies/Karina-Bartow/9781509252077?id=8973185582242

Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Unde-a-Feated-Detective-Accidental-Allies-Series-3-Paperback-9781509252077/5087500511?from=/search   

 

 

Rag Lady by Susie Black

Today, Wild Women Authors features author Susie Black as she celebrates the release of Rag Lady, a current contemporary release out of The Wild Rose Press. In place of the usual character/author interview, Susie has agreed to speak about her writing process.

Which writer or character[s], from either books or movies, [or both] have had a major impact on your writing? I studied a number of  authors to learn timing, comedic skills, how to use my voice, the use of snark, how to make characters zany, but not cartoonish, as well as how far I could take their zaniness, how to make characters irreverent, but not obnoxious, how to use physical comedy in writing, and how to make characters inept, but not stupid. My books feature zany, irreverent, and at times, inept characters. I studied the characters of these authors to create mine and I credit them for the development of my distinct writing style:

Donald E. Westlake is the undisputed King of inept characters. In Jimmy the Kid, Westlake’s career thief, John Dortmunder, and his hapless gang proved that they couldn’t pull off the simplest caper if their lives depended on it.

Tim Dorsey is the master of physical comedic mayhem and zany characters. His series protagonist- local historian and spree killer, Serge A. Storms, is the classic model for taking zaniness to the nth degree. Dorsey’s Hammerhead Ranch Motel is nothing short of laugh-out-loud Southern fried mayhem.

Joan Hess is the Professor Emeritus of poking fun at the hypocrisy of society and people via snark. Her series protagonist, Police Chief Arly Hanks, is the Queen of irreverence and one of the characters I patterned Holly Schlivnik, the protagonist of The Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series after. In Miracles in Maggody, Hess spares no one, and gleefully makes mincemeat of the foibles of both good guys and bad guys alike.

Carl Hiaasen is the expert in creating complicated, kooky characters with oddly memorable traits along with a moral compass. Hiaasen’s protagonist Skink in Stormy Weather is who I patterned some of Holly Schlivnik’s quirky personality traits after.

With regard to research, where did you start for this novel? I started my research for this novel by referring to the daily journal I have kept since I started my successful ladies’ apparel sales career. All of the characters in this story are based on people I encountered and chronicled in my journal.

Did that lead you down different paths, thereby changing the original concept? No. Actually it solidified the original concept of a fictionalized autobiography.

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 query to date of release? My publisher is The Wild Rose Press. I heard about them from an author colleague. The Wild Rose Press is owned by two women who were authors before going into publishing. Having a publisher that was female-led and had been authors themselves was a major influence in my submitting to them. As a female who has succeeded in a historically male-dominated industry, it was important to me to write about the apparel business from a woman’s point of view. I was confident this particular publisher would support me in that goal, and they have.

For my initial submission I sent a query letter via their website and was then asked to submit a synopsis and the manuscript to the editor assigned to me for consideration. The turn-around time from date of query to date of release was about ten months.

What are you reading right now? I am reading a hilarious cozy mystery: Margaritas, Mayhem, & Murder-by Mary Cunningham.

What's next for you? I have submitted the manuscript for Death by Jelly Beans, the sixth book in The Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series, and have been informed that it has been submitted for a contract. I am also working on the first book in a prequel series to The Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series. In this new series, the protagonist, Holly Schlivnik, is a high school newspaper reporter who has an uncanny nose for murder. Recently, a sister author colleague and I mapped out a collaborative plot that brings my continuing cast of cozy mystery characters together with her cast of paranormal romance characters. The plot is both a mystery and a paranormal romance. We are quite excited about this.  

To learn more about Susie Black and the stories she creates go to:

www.authorsusieblack.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/susieblack.com

Facebook:    https://facebook.com/TheHollySwimsuitMysterySeries

Instagram:   Susie Black (@hollyswimsuit) • Instagram photos and videos

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/authorsusieblack-61941011

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/hollysusie1_saved/

Twitter:    http://twitter.com/@hollyswimsuit

To purchase Rag Lady, go to:

Book Bub:  Rag Lady (Holly Swimsuit Series Book 1) by Susie Black - BookBub

Goodreads: Rag Lady by Susie Black | Goodreads

Amazon: Amazon.com: Rag Lady (Holly Swimsuit Series Book 1) eBook : Black, Susie : Kindle Store

Barnes & Noble: Rag Lady by Susie Black, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

 

 

Flame & Shadow by AK Nevermore

 Wild Women Authors feature AK Nevermore and Flame & Shadow, book one of The Dae Diaries, a contemporary urban fantasy, recently released by The Wild Rose Press. With AK today is the female protagonist who goes by several different names but today we’ll address her as Envy.

Tell us a bit about Flame & Shadow. It’s pretty much an account of how I got screwed over into becoming fae. I mean, not that dying would’ve been better, but I could seriously do without the drama. Or the groupies. They seriously suck. You’d think they’d have video games to play or something.

What did you think the first time you saw Brennan? Um, drool? Because I totally did. Have you seen him? Dae-licious. As in puts a big “O” in hot.

What was your second thought? That he was a di—um, jerk, for kidnapping me. Saving me, whatever. I didn’t like him or his stupid rules.

Do you feel it was love at first sight? Is that seriously a thing? No. And who told you I loved him? I mean I do, most days, but— Ugh! Whatever. Next question.

What do you like most about him? Is this a family show?

How would you describe him? Like I said, dae-licious. 6’ 2”, clean-shaven, seriously cut, raven black hair that gets all mussy and falls over his stormy grey eye…mmm…and that frickin’ European accent of his… How long did you say this was going to take?

How would he describe you? Gorgeous, duh. Like you can’t see I’m pin-up perfect.

What is your biggest fear? That JD’s will close and I won’t be able to get garlic aioli with my waffle fries. That stuff is to die for. Like, seriously life changing.

How do you relax? Beer, Brennan, and bed, in that order. Did I say he puts a big “O” in hot? Yeah, that O, because he totally does.

Who is your favorite fictional character? Psh, easy. The Scarlett Witch. She can change her reality to whatever she wants. I’m thinking beach, cocktail, and some cabana boy role playing right about now.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? Not to bargain with a fae. What? I didn’t say I followed it, but it’s solid. That’s like betting against the house. Yeah, you might come out on top, but trust me, it will screw you in the end, and won’t be the fun kind.

Envy, we appreciate you taking the time to speak with us. Now, we’d like to chat with your creator, AK Nevermore.

What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? I read voraciously, so it’s hard to point to just one, but I would say all those old-school female SFF writers, Andre Norton, Mercedes Lackey, Marion Zimmer Bradley, and the like. It was awesome to see women out there creating all of those worlds I loved to get lost in and it lit a fire under me that I could do it too.

Is there an event in your private life that you were able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? I think it’s more of Envy’s the attitude than anything else. Externally she has this kick butt attitude where nothing gets to her, but inside she’s a mess. I can absolutely relate to putting on a brave face to do what you have to do, which is one of the reasons I write my newsletter, Nevermore News. There’s a lot of “crap, guess what I screwed up now” because I think it’s important for people to see others out there struggling but still attaining their goals. Owning your less than ideal moments is just as important as crowing about the awesome ones.

Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? Flame & Shadow is published is The Wild Rose Press. I hooked up with them through the RWA’s Romance Authors Mentorship Program, so it wasn’t a conscious decision to send them my stuff, but it worked out. I wish I had some grand plan, but that’s usually how I fall into things. The important take-away is just to put yourself out there.

What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? My Kindle is constantly cycling through dark romance and urban fantasy. I read a stupid amount of books, but I guess the ones that have lingered there the longest are The Bone Clocks and the latest JR Ward novels. I’ve been on a mafia romance kick, so my usual go-to reads have been gathering dust.

Last, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves?

Flame & Shadow just came out and is available here. The next book in the series, Air & Darkness is in production. I think we’re looking at having that out sometime in 2024, and a third book is in the works. If your readers want to know what the world is all about, I have a free download, One Night in Bliss, available. You can check out all of them, along with my dark SFF romance series, on my website, https://aknevermore.com/

 

 

Christmas at Solace Lake by Jana Richards

 It’s Christmas time at Solace Lake Lodge, but a series of thefts threatens everyone’s holiday spirit.

 Wild Women Authors focus on Christmas at Solace Lake, a contemporary small-town romance, book 4 of the Solace Lake series written by Jana Richards, released in October 2023.

An emergency brings Drew Barnes to Solace Lake Lodge, an inn deep in the Minnesota woods owned by his aunt and uncle. He’s sure desperation is the only reason they’d allow him to fill in as their bookkeeper. No one in his family has believed in him since his mistake got him fired from his previous job. Soon after he arrives, Drew is disheartened to discover thefts and financial irregularities. The last thing he wants is to be put in the middle of another crime.

Sous chef Celeste Bishop has made a good life for herself and her nine-year-old daughter in the three years she’s worked, and lived, at Solace Lake Lodge. After being unfairly fired, this was the only job she could get, and she’s grateful her gamble on the lodge paid off. The only sticking point is the isolation since she never learned to drive. How can she show her daughter independence when she’s always relying on others?

Drew sees Celeste’s frustration and offers to teach her to drive. A powerful attraction ignites between them, and soon deeper, stronger emotions blossom. Drew is all in, but Celeste resists her feelings. She’s nine years older than Drew. An interracial relationship didn’t work for her parents. And loving Drew feels like a betrayal of her deceased husband.

As Christmas approaches, the thefts escalate. Can Drew stop the thief and redeem himself in his family’s eyes—and his own? And can he convince Celeste they deserve the gift of a happily ever after this Christmas?

Find Christmas at Solace Lake at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Solace-Lake-Love-Romance-ebook/dp/B0CH5DTYNS