Gone Before by Terry Korth Fischer

 A murderer who doesn’t leave a clue.

      Small-town detective, Rory Naysmith, thought he’d seen it all, but a young woman’s brutal murder is especially hard to stomach. Doubly so, when he recognizes the murder’s MO is identical to that of Tobias Snearl, the killer he put behind bars a decade before.

     His frustration grows after a series of senseless accidents plague those dearest to him, and a second woman dies. Searching for answers, Rory races against time, plunging deep into the murder investigations, drawing ever closer to becoming a casualty of the dark, angry deeds himself, until he finds no one is who they pretend to be—and none are beyond evil’s reach.

 Wild Women Authors is pleased to focus on one of our favorite new authors, Terry Korth Fischer, and Gone Before, book 2 in the quirky Rory Naysmith series.

 Excerpt:

The detective studied the cloudless sky and tried not to think about his foot. It didn’t work. “Just use the crowbar to break one of these frickin’ stones loose.”

The jack handle didn’t do the trick. Opening the trenching tool and using the pick end, Thacker swung it against the largest stone. It bounced off the surface. Rory suppressed a scream as pain shot from his knee down his encased leg.

“Easy!”

“Sorry, boss.”

“Try removing one of the outer stones. Loosen them, and maybe we’ll be able to budge these. I’ll hold the light, and you make room for these damn jaws to unclasp. Try finding the cornerstone.” A fine layer of perspiration covered Rory’s face. He felt defeated and a little nauseous. He leaned back on his elbows and looked at the sky. “Thacker,” he said, “this is damn unlucky.”

The rookie moved down the mound to the edge of the pile. Using the crowbar and a lot of muscle, he attacked. Finally, he was able to roll one stone out of position. Then another. He was still three feet from Rory’s crevice, working his way toward the more enormous boulders and Rory’s ultimate freedom, when the rock he was prying loose rolled out of place. He hesitated. “There is something funny here, boss.”

“I could use a good laugh.”

“Not ha-ha funny, peculiar funny.”

“Tell me anyway.”

“There’s someone else in this rock pile.”

 

About our focus author:

Terry Korth Fischer writes short stories, memoirs, and mysteries. Her memoir, Omaha to Ogallala, was published in 2019. Followed in 2021, by her debut mystery, Gone Astray, introducing Detective Rory Naysmith, a seasoned city cop relocated to small-town Winterset, Nebraska. The Rory Naysmith Mysteries continue with Gone Before, coming in January 2022.

Transplanted from the Midwest, Terry lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and two guard cats. When not writing, she loves reading, frolicking with the kittens, and basking in sunshine. Yet, her heart often wanders to the country's heartland, where she spent a memorable—ordinary but charmed—childhood. 

To learn more about Terry, go to:

Website

Twitter

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Amazon Author Page

Goodreads Author Page

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Newsletter

 

To purchase Gone Before, go to:

Amazon; Barnes & Noble

 

Kathy L. Wheeler and The Duke's Detour

 A man of structure and a woman of impulse fires long suppressed passions.

Lady Rebecca Thatcher cares nothing for fashion or societal dictates. Her destiny in life is to fight for those less fortunate, be it woman, child, or animal. And when a young boy appears from the trees, clutching her skirts, addressing her as Mama with a vile villain on his heels, it incites every instinct in her to protect. Her priority is to get him where he belongs.

Having married off his youngest sister, the Duke of Ryleigh can finally begin the task of locating a suitable bride of his own. But his well-ordered plans are thrown into chaos by a note from his sister informing him she no longer wishes to be a countess (as if she had a choice) and has vacated to the family’s seat in Dorchester. On Ryleigh’s way south, he encounters a carriage with a broken wheel carrying Lady Rebecca, his sister’s long-ago schoolmate—the one responsible for turning his genteel and compliant sister into a hoyden he hadn’t recognized when he took her out of school seven years before.

Ryleigh’s sense of honor will not allow him to look the other way as he and Rebecca are bound for the same destination. She is just as he remembers—unwieldy and uncaring of what anyone thinks—and now? Unmarried with bastard children. Certainly not duchess material.

 Wild Women Authors is delighted to welcome back author Kathy L. Wheeler and The Duke’s Detour, the latest addition to the Rebel Lords of London series. With Kathy today is Lady Rebecca Thatcher

 Good morning, Rebecca. Let’s start with where you’re from. Exford, England UK

Tell us a bit about The Duke’s Detour. I’m a bit of an odd duckling for my time period. Some people refer to me as an Amazon, though I’m quite small in stature. I was at St. James Park, a place women are discouraged from visiting, when this young boy rushed out from the trees and hugs my legs and calling me, “Mama.” You can imagine my surprise.

What did you think the first time you saw the Duke of Ryleigh? Frankly, he was an arrogant arse. And, admittedly, I secretly admired him. Of course, I was fifteen at the time.

What was your second thought? I was not duchess material. I’m certain he felt the same. 

Was it love at first sight? Certainly not.

What do you like most about him? I think I admire his dedication in looking after his sister. She is my closest friend, you know.

How would you describe the Duke? As I said, he is arrogant beyond tolerance. He is regimented and does not like to stray from the rigid schedule he sets forth for himself. But there is a softer side too.

How would Ryleigh describe you? In our most intimate moments, he calls me his “warrior woman”. I’m not certain why, unless it’s to describe how I detest society treating women and children so shabbily. He says I was ill, though I’ve never been ill a day in my life, just ask Papa. My maid told me he wouldn’t let anyone near me.

What is your biggest fear? Marrying for less than love. I fear I’m long in the tooth and Papa has promised never to force me into marrying someone I didn’t wish. But I’m afraid, I was put in quite the quandary, and society being what it is…

How do you relax?  I abhor being indoors. In Exford, I do not have the restraints I have in London [where] the air is thick with coal. I prefer the country. The sea air in my face.

Thank you for taking the time to speak with us. Now, we’d like to spend some time with Kathy.

What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? I love the 80s movie: American Dreamer. The author has a jerk for a husband. She enters a writing contest and wins. Her husband denounces her at every turn but she goes to Paris on her own. While there, someone steals her purse, she chases him down and gets hit by a car. When she wakes, she believes she is the character in the book of the contest she’d won.

What event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? The independence, despite the time period, is something I admire of the heroine in this book. I divorced when my only child was two. I had to step in where there was no one else. We were also so close. I’m not that close to my own mother, sadly, but the relationship Rebecca has with her charges is directly correlated to the relationship I have with my daughter and her two boys.

Tell us a bit about your publisher. Chisel Imprint is my own company. This entire series is self-published, but that does not mean that I work alone. My editor has been with a couple of NY houses. My critique partner is an editor with TWRP. I’m very blessed. All writers know, it takes a village.

What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? At the top of the list is Julie Ann Long’s Lady Derring Takes a Lover; Cathy Maxwell’s A Seduction at Christmas; Valerie Bowman’s The Legendary Lord. Of course, I reread a lot of stuff. Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Amanda Quick, Jayne Ann Krentz, etc…

Lastly, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves?Currently, I’m working on some Flaming Shorts for my Bloomington Series, which are contemporary. Very fun and very hot.

A bit more about our guest: Kathy L Wheeler graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a BA in Management Information Systems and Vocal Music minor. She loves the NFL, NBA, musical theater, reading, writing and karaoke. She belongs to RWA’s Greater Seattle and Contemporary Romance Writers chapters, and the Regency Fiction Writers.

She lives with her musically talented husband in the Pacific Northwest, a recent migrant from Oklahoma. She has one grown daughter (who has two adorable boys), and a neurotic dog, Angel!

 Find Kathy all over social media.

https://kathylwheeler.com

https://twitter.com/kathylwheeler

https://pinterest.com/kathylwheeler

https://bookbub.com/kathy-l-wheeler

https://linkedin.com/in/kathy-l-wheeler

https://instagram.com/kathylwheeler

https://facebook.com/kathylwheeler

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrlnvpCGGe6_SvIrZRIyj4A

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5804151.Kathy_L_Wheeler

https://www.amazon.com/Kathy-L-Wheeler/e/B07C87Y2GK

To Purchase The Duke’s Detour, go to:

AMZ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09D8QLT7H

B&N https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dukes-detour-kathy-l-wheeler/1140042328

iTunes https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-dukes-detour/id1582304619

Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-duke-s-detour-1

 

Delicious Heat, Book 3, Bangers Tavern Romance series

 …Cupid has lousy timing.

After kicking her cheating husband to the curb, nurse Anna Khoury discovers she’s pregnant. When Bangers Tavern’s hunky chef makes heart eyes at her, she dismisses that delicious thrill as the last thing she needs. Single motherhood will take all her strength and focus. Anna’s battered heart can’t take another blow.  

Chef Diego Vargas is aiming higher than burgers and tater tots. His dream—his own food truck, the Empanada Angel, but he’ll need his family’s support to pull it off. Meeting Anna leaves him thunderstruck, even though his attraction to her threatens all his plans. Call it fate, call him crazy, but he’s determined to prove he’s in it for keeps.

With a belligerent ex-husband and two overprotective families set on breaking them up, Anna and Diego will need more than red-hot passion to pull them through. His career and her baby’s future are on the line.

 Wild Women Authors is delighted to welcome back Sadira Stone and Delicious Heat, Book 3 in her fabulous Bangers Tavern Romance series. With Sadira today is Diego Vargas, Bangers long time chef and budding food truck entrepreneur.

Good morning, Diego. Thanks for taking time away from your cooking duties to speak with us.

Let’s begin with where you’re from. I grew up in Tacoma, Washington in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Tacoma has lots of nicknames, including City of Destiny—a bit over-inflated, if you ask me, and my favorite—The Gritty City. That one describes our neighborhood, the 6^th Avenue District, perfectly.

Tell us a bit about Delicious Heat. It’s a foodie romance, obviously. Anna Khoury and I met when she came into Bangers Tavern, where I worked as head chef, to help us spy on the unscrupulous new bar across the street. They were totally copying all of Bangers’ holiday event ideas, which violates the rules of the 6^th Ave Business Association.

          Charlie Khoury, one of our servers, called in her little sister Anna to check out the competition and report back. Dawn, Bangers’ owner, wanted to reward her with a platter of my famous deluxe tater tots. Naturally, I brought them out myself—you know, just to see if Anna was as cute as her older sister.  

          The moment our eyes met across the bar, time stopped. Okay, it sounds cheesy, but I knew in that golden moment she was THE ONE. Trouble was, she’d just broken up with her lying, cheating, scum-sucking ex-husband…and she was pregnant. Convincing her to give us a chance was not an easy task, but I’d climb mountains and swim seas for Anna. She’s my angel.

What did you think the first time you saw Anna? If I recall correctly, my first thought was, “She’s a goddess.”

Works for us. What was your second thought? Please let her be single. Please, please, please…

Did you feel it was love at first sight? One thousand percent. And it’s funny—before that moment, if you’d have asked me about love at first sight, I’d have said there’s no such thing.

What do you like most about Anna? She’s sweet but strong. She won’t take disrespect from anyone, and she won’t settle for less than she deserves. Of course, I think she deserves the best.

How would you describe her? A snarky, funny, sexy goddess. That thick dark hair, those huge dark eyes, that smoky alto voice…man, she does things to me without even trying.

How would she describe you? Determined, I guess. No matter what obstacles our families and her ex threw in our path, I refused to give up on her.

What made you choose cooking as a career? My abuelita gets the credit for that. She took care of me after school while my parents worked. I’m the youngest in our family. While my brother and sisters did sports or hung out with friends, I hung out in Abuelita’s kitchen soaking up her culinary wisdom. The technical skills I learned in cooking school were important, sure, but it was Abuelita who taught me to cook with heart and soul.

What is your biggest fear? Losing Anna or—well, I won’t spoil the story by telling you baby’s name. Anna’s my world. Without her, life would by hollow, joyless, pointless. Yeah, I’ve got it bad.

How do you relax? Besides cooking? I like to dance, whether with Anna or just alone at home. There’s always Salsa music blasting in my kitchen, and in my food truck. Working out with my coworkers River, Eddie, and Jojo helps me blow off steam, too. Jojo’s a real taskmaster, but I always feel better after one of his workouts.

Who is your favorite fictional character? How about the Swedish Chef from the Muppets? He cracks me up. Sometimes, when I’m throwing together wild combinations of flavors, I feel kind of like him.

We weren’t expecting that but it’s perfect. So then, what is the best piece of advice you ever received? My Abuelita said, “When the angels speak, you better listen.”

Excellent advice. Now it’s time to chat with Sadira.

What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? I admire so many romance authors, I couldn’t possibly name them all. But it was a mediocre romance author who made me think, “I could write a better book than this.” I guess that’s the origin story of lots of authors.

What event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? Let’s just say the question of whether a mother should settle for a crappy marriage for her child’s sake is one I’ve lived. My position on that issue is crystal clear to all who read Delicious Heat.

Oh yeah, that came through. Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? This is my third indie book. While I’m grateful to the small press who published my first books, I love the freedom and control that comes with being an indie author.

What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? Let’s just open up the Kindle, shall we? I’m currently reading Tessa Bailey’s It Happened One Summer—absolutely delightful! Next up is Kerry Blaisdell’s Damning the Dead, Katee Robert’s Neon Gods, Rosie Danan’s The Intimacy Experiment…

Lastly, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves? I’m working on two novellas for an upcoming anthology based on astrological signs. I’ve got Taurus and Capricorn. After that, I’ll write the final (?) book in the Bangers Tavern Romance series, Jojo and Lana’s story. Next, I’m starting a reverse harem romance series. In the meantime, come back to Bangers Tavern for a spicy tale of forbidden love that will warm your heart…and other parts…and make you hungry for empanadas!

Sadira brought an excerpt for us:

“I’ll show you the way.” With a gentle touch on the small of her back, he guided her down the hallway.

Heading toward the bar with a brimming ice bucket, the skinny barback lifted his chin. “Look up, guys.” A sprig of mistletoe dangling above the restroom doors.

“For cripes’ sake, Eddie,” Diego grumbled, but he didn’t look at all displeased.

“It’s tradition, man.” Eddie waggled his eyebrows before continuing on his way.

Eyeing the greenery, Anna debated and dithered. What a perfect excuse to satisfy her curiosity and claim a no-strings kiss. But Charlie might see them, or someone might tell Charlie, or…

Diego gently gripped her elbows and pulled her closer. “Christmas is all about tradition, right?”

For a thrilling, breathless moment, he hovered there, his softly parted lips an inch from hers. Impossible to wrench her eyes from that luscious mouth, so tempting, so close. His breath fanned across her skin. Her heart hammered.

And then he pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. “Merry Christmas, Anna.”

Not enough. Throwing caution to the tater-tot scented wind, she tilted her head and brushed her lips against his.

Just the barest touch, soft and warm, just the tiniest moan rumbled from the broad, firm chest beneath her palm. And yet, that simple gesture lifted the lid from her tightly clamped control, letting in fresh air and sunshine and a rush of delicious possibility. Heady stuff.

She took a deep breath and stepped back. “Gotta go help Charlie. Merry Christmas, Diego.”

Grinning and flushed, he wobbled in place. “I’ll call you.”

“Please do.”

He pointed. “Break room’s that way.”

“Okay.”

Like teenagers reluctant to hang up the phone, they inched toward their respective destinations, holding eye contact as long as possible.

“Thanks for coming to see me.”

“Thanks for the tots.”

“I hope you have a great Christmas.”

“You too.”

Finally, Shelby’s arm shot through the swinging doors and yanked Diego into the kitchen. “Get your ass back to work, lover boy.”

 

Visit Sadira on All the Socials!

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SadiraStone

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18568049.Sadira_Stone

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/sadira-stone

Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Sadira-Stone/e/B07KWK5FBX

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sadira0641/

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

Author newsletter: https://eepurl.com/dKLMP2

To purchase Delicious Heat, go to:

(Embedded link) Order your copy of Delicious Heat today!

https://books2read.com/deliciousheat

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59644171-delicious-heat

 

 

The Witch of Rathborne Castle by Virginia Barlow

 Listen to your heart. Only then will you discover your true path

 Wild Women Authors focus on The Witch of Rathborne Castle, a historical fantasy, written by Virginia Barlow, and released by the Wild Rose Press.

           Lady Jane Lenwood is abandoned and left penniless and alone at Rathborne Castle in the middle of a dark, twisted forest. She yearns to live a normal life and blames her misfortunes on the current duke. But Lady Jane has a secret, a voice in her head warning her of the future, which brings unwanted visitors to her gates.

          Wounded, Max Radley is found inside the gates of Rathborne. He is intrigued and drawn to the beautiful red-haired woman the locals call a witch. After spending the winter snowed in, Max must resume his search for a traitor but finds he cannot forget Lady Jane.

          Treason, enemies, lies and deception surround them. Jane must give everything to save them both, as well as Rathborne.

 

To purchase The Witch of Rathborne Castle, go to:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Witch-Rathborne-Castle-Virginia-Barlow-ebook/dp/B09C13MDNG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=J5B9KDYES3F5&keywords=the+witch+of+rathborne+castle&qid=1640205005&sprefix=the+witch+of+rathborne+%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-1

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-witch-of-rathborne-castle-virginia-barlow/1139986236?ean=9781509237968

Target: https://www.target.com/p/the-witch-of-rathborne-castle-by-virginia-barlow-paperback/-/A-84179314#lnk=sametab

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58802458-the-witch-of-rathborne-castle

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-witch-of-rathborne-castle-by-virginia-barlow

To learn more about author Virginia Barlow, go to:

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Virgini35142126

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virginia.barlow/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3046288755596817

Website: https://www.virginia-barlow.com