Tess Burton is always up for an adventure, and she’s risked her inheritance to open Divine Vintage clothing boutique. While modeling an elegant gown from an Edwardian trousseau, her mind is opened to a century-old murder. Visions—seen through the eyes of the murdered bride—dispute local lore that claims the bridegroom committed the crime.

Trey Dunmore doesn’t share her enthusiasm for mind-blowing visions, yet the appeal to clear his family’s tainted legacy compels him to join her in exploring the past. Aided by the dead woman’s clothing and diary, Tess and Trey discover that pursuing love in 1913 was just as thorny as modern day. As the list of murder suspects grows, the couple fears past emotions are influencing, and may ultimately derail, their own blossoming intimacy.

Wild Women Authors is pleased to feature debut author Sandra L. Young who is celebrating today’s release of Divine Vintage, a paranormal time travel romance, published by the Wild Rose Press. With Sandy is boutique owner Tess Burton who will go first.

Good morning, Tess. Thanks for taking time away from the shop to speak with us. Let’s begin with where you are from. I grew up in the quiet farmlands of north central Illinois. I moved to Michigan City, Indiana, to open Divine Vintage in the growing Uptown Arts District. About 30,000 people live here, so we enjoy the advantages of small-town living but are only an hour out of Chicago. And if I miss the farm, I only have to drive a few minutes to see cornfields!

Tell us a bit about Divine Vintage. I’m so happy I opened the shop, despite the risk. I felt so strongly that my grandmother, who left me some early inheritance, was smiling down at the decision. I’ve stocked the store with items she’d love: dozens of dresses, coats, jewelry, shoes, hats--even undergarments. The store was a former candy shop, and it offers a lovely big bay window and a glass display counter for sweet sweaters and other lovely pieces. With our online sales, we’ve been able to turn some profit, and traffic and buzz continue to grow.

What did you think the first time you saw Trey Dunmore. Gorgeous. Brown eyes, plush as 1930s velvet. Thick, honey-toned hair with the cutest little cowlick. I couldn’t help but stare…and he did the same.

Works for us, but what was your second thought? When we shook hands, we both felt an electricity. It knocked every thought out of my head.

Did you feel it was love at first sight? Nooo. I mean, I was attracted, sure. Then he made a couple snarky, architect-snob comments about my shop. I was definitely annoyed, but he stayed in my mind the rest of the week, till we collided again at the style show.

What do you like most about Trey? When we started to talk at the show, I discovered he’s easy to be with. Fun, funny, sexy, smart. As we opened up, slowly, over the coming weeks, I discovered he shares my passion for helping others. He’s also super supportive of my shop, unlike my last jerk boyfriend.

How would you describe him? He’s great, but a little wary, like me. We were both burned in our last relationships, so we’ve been hesitant to jump in too fast. And this psychic vision thing has really aroused his cautious, skeptical side.

How would Trey describe you? Depends on when you’d ask! He’d probably have said I was teetering on crazy after I shared my first visions. He’d have called me infuriating when Marcy and I drove out at night looking for Jake in spots where the homeless gather. Overall, I think he admires my courage and convictions, in opening Divine Vintage, trying to solve the mystery through our visions, and standing up for social justice for the homeless.

What made you choose owning a vintage boutique for a career? The link to my grandmother. We were very close, and I lost her too young, before we had a chance to discuss her “sensitivities.” After she passed, I started to experience heightened impressions when I’d handle appealing vintage items. Almost like I was channeling the earlier owner for a few moments. The images eventually extended beyond the visual, to encompass emotion, smell, and sound.

What is your biggest fear? That I’ll open myself again--to love, to the visions--and be crushed. Mentally. I don’t think the visions can cause physical harm, so I don’t fear those. Trey has greater concern in that area!

How do you relax? Who can relax after opening a new business?! Thankfully, I love the job and the clothing so much that working with it puts me in a zen frame of mind. Speaking of zen, my part-time assistant, Marcy, calms my nervous energy with her laid-back, artsy vibe.

Who is your favorite fictional character? I grew up reading my grandmother’s old Nancy Drew mysteries. I was into a vintage vibe even then, and I admired Nancy’s courage and persistence. I never imagined I’d become a kind of psychic sleuth, trying solve a century-old mystery. I guess that makes Trey a Ned Nickerson sidekick. Old-school, I know. But I’m a vintage chick.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? I had a very realistic connection with my grandmother recently, though it had to be a dream. She counseled me to “open” myself. I’m assuming she means to the visions from Phoebe’s trousseau gown and garments. And to Trey. The first is easier than the second, but I don’t think I have much control in either instance.

We thank you for spending time with us, Tess. Now we’d like to chat with Sandra.

What movies or books have had an impact on you as a writer? I read a lot of mysteries and romance in my earlier years. I was an early Nora Roberts fan, and especially enjoyed her novels including magical or mild supernatural elements. Those books apparently left their impact as the same themes popped up in Divine Vintage.

What event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? I began my career as a newspaper journalist and transitioned into nonprofit management. In my last job as Vice President of a community foundation, I chaired a Home Team coalition that focused on assisting the homeless and those most-at-risk. There’s often a “not in my backyard” reaction to housing the homeless, and I translated that into a social justice issue of my heroine fighting for the opening of a new resource center in the town. I believe this issue brought an unexpected level of gravity to the lead characters, and to the tone of the novel.

Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? Some respected members of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association are published with The Wild Rose Press, so I looked into it after receiving a couple other small press offers. Those writers were complimentary of the publisher, and I liked its strong, established track record.

What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? As a 2022 debut author, I’m supporting as many other new writers as possible – including from our press. Those currently include Not My Child by Lis Angus and Casino Queen by Cara Bertoia. When the books I read have a historical timeline, I write Vintage Reviews on Instagram pairing them with pieces from my collection. Another story in my TBR, by an established author, is The Keeper of Happy Endings by Barbara A. Davis. It revolves around a vintage wedding dress, a dual-timeline story, and magic.

Lastly, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves?When my launch promotion whirl slows a bit I’ll rework the sequel to Divine Vintage, featuring Tess’ assistant, Marcy. The novel has similar themes of romance woven around historical mystery, vintage fashion, and ghostly elements. A main setting is a community theater, with a fabulous costume loft.

Sandra brought along an excerpt from Divine Vintage for us:

She fought the slithering fear. He wouldn’t hurt her; she just had to reason with him through the daze of alcohol. She pushed against his chest to gain distance and chose her words carefully. “I’m sorry if you misinterpreted my friendship gestures. But I care for—no, I love Edward. Very much. Please, please go and be happy for us. We’ll put this incident behind us. Forget it ever happened.” She would keep this intrusion their secret. She owed him that much.

He paused as if contemplating her plea. She gained hope that he had accepted her explanation. He would leave peacefully.

Instead, the spurned suitor pulled her tighter. “You’ll be with me, or nobody.” He covered her mouth with hard, demanding lips.

Survival instinct kicked in. She brought up a knee, hard, to his tender maleness, and wrested away to scream—

“Tess. Tess. Wake up.”

The authoritative male voice pierced her mind and Tess struggled to rise from the frightening scene. She finally broke through the filmy veil of unconsciousness. Her body trembled with remnants of fear and horror. She shot up in the bed and cried out, her words searing the quiet.

“My husband didn’t kill me!”

To learn more about Sandra L. Young and the stories she creates, go to:

My website: https://sandrayoungauthor.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/116212228-sandra-l-young---author

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sandra-l-young

https://www.instagram.com/slyoungauthor/

https://twitter.com/1DivineVintage

To purchase Divine Vintage, go to:

https://www.amazon.com/Divine-Vintage-Sandra-L-Young-ebook/dp/B09NGP2W9R/ref

https://bookshop.org/books/divine-vintage-9781509238231/9781509238231

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/divine-vintage-sandra-l-young/1140776337

https://books.apple.com/us/book/divine-vintage/id1599901532