Love and the Divorce Lawyer

 She defied death once. Can she do it again?

 About Love and the Divorce Lawyer:  Josephina Jensen, a feisty, justice seeking divorce lawyer reluctantly returns to the courtroom after a four-year absence, to help a woman collect an award worth several million dollars from her unscrupulous ex-husband. This means she must match wits against the brilliant, infuriating, yet ever so charming attorney , Richard Diamond, and his unscrupulous client , who will go to huge lengths to stop the dismantling of his empire.

Little does anyone know that someone from Josie’s past is also at work, intent on taking care of unfinished business by stopping her permanently.  

Wild Women Authors is delighted to feature author Barbara Newhart as she celebrates the release of her debut novel, Love and the Divorce Lawyer, a cozy mystery released earlier this month out of the Wild Rose Press. With Barbara is attorney Josie Jensen who will go first.

Good morning, Josie. Tell us a bit about yourself.  I’m originally from the central New Jersey area and after college, I joined my older brother Dan, in Connecticut, where he lived and practiced law. I went to law school there and our younger brother, Mark, followed for college, then returned after rabbinical school, leaving our father and his family back in Jersey. He visits often and we all are devoted to him and to each other.

What made you choose divorce law for a profession?  I became a divorce lawyer through unexpected circumstances. My mom was a civil rights lawyer, and I expected to join her law firm when I graduated from law school, except she passed away while I was in college, and I fell to pieces. Dan got me back on track, but civil rights jobs were far and few and didn’t pay well, so I accepted a position at a criminal defense firm. I figured it was pretty close to civil rights and my mom would approve.

          After six months in, I was assigned to represent a wealthy middle-aged woman who crashed through a stop sign and wrecked part of a nearby property-owner’s lawn with her Range Rover, and kept going, causing two other cars to crash into each other at the intersection. Cameras identified her and she was arrested for reckless driving and evading the scene of an accident, along with a list of other colorful charges.  

          My client claimed her defense was temporary insanity. Earlier that afternoon, she’d been served with divorce papers from her cheating husband’s lawyer. The husband had emptied many of their financial accounts and was heading to Argentina to be with his twenty-three-year-old girlfriend. My client learned his plane had been delayed and was racing to the airport to give him a piece of mind. Fortunately, for all involved, the FBI caught him before she got there. It turned out that his girlfriend was the daughter of a drug cartel leader, and the FBI had been investigating him for several months for money laundering. My client got to witness him being arrested, even though she didn’t know what was going on.

          With me representing her, my client, as an innocent spouse, cooperated with the FBI and local officials regarding their investigation. She also wholeheartedly apologized for her behavior and agreed to meet regularly with a therapist while her divorce was pending. The prosecutor agreed to let her enroll in a first offender probation program that would be removed from her record in a year, providing she didn’t get into any other legal trouble.   

          During that year, my client and I stayed in close contact, with me helping her make sure she followed all of the probationary rules. I also learned a ton about divorce law through her divorce and I discovered that I like it. When the year expired, the owner of the law firm representing her in the divorce offered me a job and I accepted. And that was that.

Whoa, that’s quite a story—but knowing what you know now, if you had it to do over again, would you stick with the law or do something different? When I think about a later client who was aiming a gun at her husband—but shot me instead—any job looks good. Thankfully, after two years of rehab which got me back on my feet, literally, I was able to secure a teaching position at a law school. It pays my bills and keeps me in the legal profession, minus any flying bullets. I don’t ever want to step foot inside a courtroom again.    

What is your biggest fear? When I was going to court, practicing divorce law every day, my biggest fear was being ineffective. Clients came to me for help, and they paid a lot of money for that help. I had a constant fear that I was missing something crucial in their cases. But this fear was good. It motivated me to understand human nature and to predict my opponents’ moves and counter them before they took place. Obviously, I failed where that erratic client was concerned. It never occurred to me that a woman would try to murder her husband in order to make herself a widow and to prevent the divorce.

Who is your favorite fictional character and why? I really like Mickey Haller in the Netflix series, The Lincon Lawyer. I also like his staff. The series shows what it really takes to represent someone exceptionally well, and that should be the goal for all lawyers.

Yep, the Mick is a piece of work—as is his staff. So, what’s the best piece of advice you ever received?  I found this in a Chinese fortune cookie: A problem clearly stated is a problem half solved.

Excellent! Thanks for spending time with us, Josie. We can’t wait for the next story in this intriguing series. Now we’d like to chat with Barbara.

Which writer or character[s], from either books or movies, [or both] have had a major impact on your writing?  This is a tough question because I have so many favorites. For authors, years ago, books written by Nora Roberts, Erich Segal and John Grisham inspired me to hurry up, sit down and write, while trying to hold on to the emotions they evoke in me. More recently, books by Susie Black, Steve Cavanagh, and Tessa Wegert motivate and inspire me.

For movies, The Rainmaker, Love Actually, and Notting Hill give me that same inspirational feel-good feeling. And I can relate directly with the 1989 hit movie, The War of the Roses, with Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner. It is the best!

With regard to research, where did you start for this novel? Did that lead you down different paths, thereby changing the original concept?  I didn’t need to research to write Love & the Divorce Lawyer. While all the characters and the storyline are fictional, the writing came naturally through twenty-five-plus years of practicing divorce law. In addition to being a lawyer, I am also an Occupational Therapist, focusing on mental health. The two professions really blended well because the ending of a relationship and the legal aspects of the divorce process can be emotionally traumatizing, for all sorts of reasons.    

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 write for The Wild Rose Press. I first learned about this publisher through other writers who belong to Romance Writers of America and its Connecticut chapter. The turn-around time was very prompt and professional. The process took just about a year, from query letter to release date. My editor, Kacee John, and I had an excellent working relationship, and her suggestions really helped to make Love & the Divorce Lawyer a better story.

What are you reading right now?  I recently finished Brian Anderson’s Yule Tide, and Kate Damon’s Jury Duty is Murder, both published by The Wild Rose Press. These stories are fast-paced, fun, who-dun-its, with surprise endings.

What's next for you? I’m working on a sequel to Love & the Divorce Lawyer. The working title is Your Future Ex-Mother In-law.

To learn more about Barbara Newhart and the stories she creates, go to:

Website: www.Barbaranewhart.com

Barbara.newhart.mysteries@gmail.com

Tik Tok: @barbara.newhart2

Find her on Facebook and Instagram as Barbara Newhart

To purchase Love and the Divorce Lawyer, go to:

Love and the Divorce Lawyer – The Wild Rose Press Inc

Love and the Divorce Lawyer: Newhart, Barbara: 9781509259250: Amazon.com: Books

Love and the Divorce Lawyer by Barbara Newhart, Paperback | Barnes & Noble®

Also available at Walmart.com

 

Breaker by AK Nevermore

 Beware the Coming Storm…

 A bit about Breaker: 

Before Kara Jester met Flynn Scot, she was property of the Source, a genetic research facility owned by a powerful international conglomerate which dominates the Northern Hemisphere. Valued solely for her DNA and her talent to bind matter together, when Kara receives a summons to breed, she panics and goes on the run. Rescued from the brink of death, she is offered the chance to escape and find her own destiny.

The journey through the desolation of the Outside is fraught with peril, and the golden haloes which mark her as a Talent also paint her as a target. Kept ignorant of everything beyond the facility’s walls, Kara grapples to survive in the hostile wasteland. Humanity purists and roving gangs are only a fraction of her problems because the Source and Riegel, her contracted mate, aren’t just going to let her walk away …

 Wild Women Authors features indie author AK Nevermore and Breaker, Book one in The Price of Talent series, a futuristic dystopian romantic adventure. With AK is Kara Jester, a Binder as well as a Talent, who will go first.

Good morning, Kara. Thank you for spending time with us. Let’s begin with where you are from. I was created at the Source, the Corporation’s genetics division.

Tell us a bit about Breaker. It details my journey through the Outside and across the border into the Northern Territories. Early on, I make a really stupid decision and have to be rescued. Looking back, can’t say that I wouldn’t do it again, but Glory, if I knew then what I know now…

What did you think the first time you saw Flynn Scot? I thought he was a Breaker, but then that beard of his, the scars…I wasn’t exactly in the best state of mind. I mean, he couldn’t have been one, at least, not one of the Breakers from the Source.

Interesting. What was your second thought? That I’d never seen anyone with a beard before. Stupid, right? But it’s true. I wanted to touch it to see if it was real.

Do you feel it was love at first sight? No. He was infuriating, but…I don’t know. There was always something about him. I still don’t know if I want to kiss him or punch him half the time.

Always a good start to any relationship. What do you like most about him? That he’s a better person than he thinks he is. He’d deny it, but he cares so deeply about things…

How would you describe him? Big. Better looking than he has any right to be. He carries too much on his own shoulders.

That’s nice. It shows your . . . humanity. How would Flynn describe you? You would have to ask him.

What made you choose medicine for a career? I didn’t. All Binders are trained either as medics or structural engineers. My talent lends itself more toward healing than construction.

What is your biggest fear? That I’ll wake up and be back at the Source.

How do you relax? I like to write in my journal.

Who is your favorite fictional character? Alice in Wonderland. I can relate.

Great response! What is the best piece of advice you ever received? Rogan once told me to let people underestimate me. So far, that’s served me well.

Thank you for letting us see a different side of you, Kara. 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? Anything and everything sci-fi, horror, fantasy…it all goes into your subconscious and kind of bubbles away, fermenting into something potent. Breaker, the first book in the Price of Talent series was something that I’ve been working on for a while. A lot of that epic SFF I read when I was a kid got translated into it.

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 there are bits and pieces of me in every book I write. I can’t pinpoint one exact thing, but it’s all the little things, I think. The sensations. How a black iron pipe sounds when you drag it against concrete. Being outside when it’s so incredibly cold and ice hisses when it hits. Having to continually feed a fire and the air being cold enough to hurt when you breathe…all that.

Tell us a bit about your publisher. Breaker is self-published. I have a Traditional and a Digital First Publisher, but I wanted total creative control of this project.

What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? Butcher & Blackbird, a bunch of Ilona Andrews, and a lot of my friend’s work. I beta read quite a bit.

Last, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves? I’ve got more books in The Price of Talent series coming, and a couple of other series are always bubbling along.

You can check out all of them on my website, aknevermore.com

 

 

 

His Christmas Muse by J. J. Ransom

 Christmas magic and a rescue dog bring two lonely people together for a holiday tale which explores how we mis-judge others, tell ourselves lies and heal from past wounds.

Wild Women Authors welcomes author J. J. Ransom as she celebrates the release of His Christmas Muse, a contemporary holiday tale, a current release out of the Wild Rose Press. With J. J. is marketing professional Sylvie Bradley who will go first.

Thanks for taking the time to chat with us, Sylvie. Let’s begin with you telling us a bit about yourself and His Christmas Muse. I currently live in Richmond, Virginia for my employment. I’m from Alabama and, yes, I still have a very southern drawl, but I’m workin’ on it. I’d been stuck in a home office for over a year and I’d gotten pretty lonely, so I decided to try online dating. That did not go great at all. When I meet Pete at a pet adoption event, things start to happen. I don’t like him much, but the dog he adopts, Riley, seems determined to get us together. Well, that’s my interpretation of events. Pete is a writer, and I assume he’s a freelancer which is just not acceptable. I want someone who’s financially stable. Not because I’m greedy, it’s cuz of my somewhat unreliable, but loving daddy. You know how it is. Pete is very handsome and smart, and there’s something to him. It’s a romance story, so you might guess the rest.

What led you to choose strategic marketing for a career? I majored in business at the University of Alabama, then got my MBA at Vanderbilt. I ended up at a consulting firm in Nashville, where I fell in love with marketing and helping businesses improve and grow.

Knowing what you know now, if you had it to do over again, would you stick with being a strategic business consultant or do something different? I earn a good living in my day job. However, my grandma was an award-winning gardener, and she taught me a lot while playing in the dirt. I spend most of my extra time on my extensive collection of plants. When Pete saw my plants, he was pretty near stunned. So, I guess if I could do something else, I’d work with plants. Maybe I’ll try for a Master Gardener certification one day. I guess I’d like to do both.

What is your biggest fear? My biggest fear at the age of thirty-two is wasting my time on the wrong man. I don’t want to fall in love with someone who isn’t my perfect match. I suppose I hear my biological clock ticking, just a little noise out there. Right alongside that fear is ending up alone. Though, given my parents’ relationship, I suppose you could end up alone right beside a person. Sad, huh?

Who is your favorite fictional character and why? I love Miss Jane Marple, a brilliant character written by Agatha Christie. When I was a little girl in a house filled with division, I read a lot of books. I wanted to solve the problems in my home, but I didn’t have the tools or abilities to do that. I was awfully curious as a kid, and my nosiness got me in a few tough spots, so naturally I related to this funny pretend detective.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? My friend, Angie, told me to give Pete a chance early on when I had serious doubts and fears about being involved with him.

Thank you, Sylvie. Now we’d like to speak with J. J.

Which writer or character[s], from either books or movies, [or both] have had a major impact on your writing? I read a lot of historical fiction and women’s fiction, and I have many favorite authors. Whether they have impacted my writing specifically, I couldn’t say. That I have been a voracious reader since childhood has certainly paved the way for me to write books. That said, I love pithy, fast-moving dialogue which I find many thriller writers have mastered. Authors like Tami Hoag, John Grisham, Michael Connelly, to name a few. Quick, funny dialogue is always a goal of mine when I’m writing scenes.

With regard to research, where did you start for this novel? Did that lead you down different paths, thereby changing the original concept? His Christmas Muse is a holiday romance, so my best inspiration for introducing conflict and pacing the story was the much-loved Hallmark Christmas movie! I live in the area where the story is set, so I used my research skills to verify ideas I wanted to include. Silly things like using an actual street name meant I had to find a house number that did not exist on that street. I used restaurants I’d visited but changed the name slightly to avoid potential issues. The characters get to Nashville, so I used what I knew from my travels and researched areas of the city for accuracy.

I’ve never been to Alabama so that state got a lot of my attention—things like the weather there, colleges in the state. Originally, I had Sylvie going to Auburn for her master’s degree, but a lady I met in an airport bar (yes, really!) suggested it’d be highly unlikely an Alabama grad would go to Auburn because the college rivalry is fierce. Funny, right?

Tell us a bit about your publisher. How did you hear about them; what influenced you to submit to them? I’m late to the novel-writing game so I didn’t want to spend time waiting for a literary agent to shop my book. I searched for publishers accepting un-agented work. That’s how I found The Wild Rose Press.

How is the submission process; what is the turn-around time from date of query to date of release? The submission process with Wild Rose is very clear and certainly easy enough to follow. I submitted His Christmas Muse in February 2024 and got a contract offer in March. The book releases on December 9, 2024.

What are you reading right now? I recently giggled my way through The Love of My Afterlife, a romantic comedy. Right now, I am reading The God of the Woods by Liz Moore. It’s set in 1975 which makes it historical fiction.

What's next for you? When His Christmas Muse releases, as a two-book romance series, I will be editing Book 2—untitled so far—I expect to submit it to TWRP very early in 2025.

My next project will be one of two ideas I have percolating: a decades-spanning friendship story set in Duck, NC or a Civil War female spy story, possibly a romance. Both of these projects have detailed outlines already developed, so we will see how the mood strikes.

To learn more about J. J. Ranson and the stories she creates go to:

https://www.juliejranson.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JulieJRanson

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/jjransonauthor

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

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jj.ranson.author

 

To purchase His Christmas Muse, go to:

https://www.amazon.com/His-Christmas-Muse-Hers-ebook/dp/B0DJC227ZY

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/his-christmas-muse-j-j-ranson/1146305820

https://bookshop.org/p/books/his-christmas-muse-j-j-ranson/21881514

 

Peril in Pittman by Mary Ann Jacobs

 Today, Wild Women Authors features Peril in Pittman, Book Two in the Berkshire Mystery Series, written by Mary Ann Jacobs and recently released by the Wild Rose Press. Up first is Lola, an actress.

Good morning, Lola.  Thank you for spending time with us. To start, please tell us a bit about your life in Pittman. I came back from Hollywood when my best friend Jana was dying and kept asking for me. When I heard, I quickly booked a plane, but I didn’t arrive in time. Jana’s dying left a void in my heart. She had worked in wardrobe at Shakespeare and Company and taught me everything I know about costumes and design for the theater. I was so sad that I couldn’t return to Hollywood and decided to get a job in Pittman.

What made you choose acting for a career? I have always loved to act. Even as a little girl, I would put on plays with my brothers and act out characters, demanding my father’s attention. He often was strung out on drugs or drunk, but my silly acting always made him laugh and pay attention to me, but my mother never cared about my acting career.

Knowing what you know now, if you had it to do over again, would you stick with being an actor or do something different? I probably would not have stayed in Pittman but would have tried my hand at live theater in New York. I might have even tried to find parts in the movies in Los Angeles. There are roles here in Pittman, but usually only in the summertime.

What is your biggest fear? My biggest fear is one of discovery. I have done some things in my past that I regret, and I don’t want my new Pittman family to find out about them.

Who is your favorite fictional character and why? Kate, in the Taming of the Shrew, is an in-depth character that I played at Shakespeare and Company. I thoroughly enjoyed playing her many personalities. Being seen as a real hellcat was so much fun.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? When I first was hired by Ms. George at her bookstore, she told me to be myself and don’t be afraid to try new things. I have followed that advice since that moment of discovery.

Thank you for this insight into you and the story. Now we’d like to chat with Mary Ann.

Which writer or characters have had a major impact on your writing? Holly Schwartz, writing as Susie Black, in the Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series, influenced me because she writes enticing cozy mysteries that hold the readers’ interest and manages to keep a sense of humor throughout her writing.

          Randy Overbeck has written many books for the Wild Rose Press. His Haunted Mysteries are engrossing even though I don’t usually like ghost stories. What impresses me about Randy is his energy and marketing ability. He gives excellent talks for groups of all sizes and holds their interest as he also promotes his books. Because of him, I created two talks to present to groups, Creativity Has No Expiration Date and Writing to Lessen Stress.

With regard to research, where did you start for this novel? Did that lead you down different paths, thereby changing the original concept? I start with what I know, for instance, I know a lot about the Berkshires because I have spent many summers there visiting my grandchildren. I didn’t know much about the resistance movement in Lebanon against ISIS so I researched it. It didn’t change my original concept except to make me realize how important and influential the ISIS groups leaders were.

Tell us a little bit about your publisher. How did you hear about them; what influenced you to submit to them? I have a wonderful publisher, The Wild Rose Press. I heard about them in a strange way. During Covid, I had written Don’t Mess with Me, a cozy mystery set in the Berkshires. When I first submitted it, I sent it to Berkley Publishers because they published many cozy mysteries. I worked with a wonderful editor, Ms. Jennifer McCord. She liked the mystery, proposed several edits, and was willing to present it to her publisher for publication.

          I was so excited, but Covid raised its ugly head, and her publisher said that because they had a backup due to Covid, they weren’t accepting any new authors this year. Needless to say, I was devastated, however, Ms. McCord suggested another press that she thought was still accepting new authors. I applied to The Wild Rose Press on her recommendation, and they asked for the first fifty pages, then the whole manuscript. They accepted my book and assigned me a wonderful editor Lea Shiraz.

How is the submission process? The submission process was very easy. Then for the second book, Peril in Pittman Book Two in the Berkshire Mystery Series, I was able to submit it to my original editor directly.

What was the turn-around time from date of query to date of release? The turnaround time from query to release was about a year on both books.

What are you reading now? Where the Sky Begins by Rhys Bowen. I have read many of her books and enjoy her Royal Spyness Series and her historical novels.

What’s next for you? I have just started my third novel in the Berkshire Mystery Series. I’m dealing with the characters now, writing their scenes, and as usual the characters are dictating the plot.

To learn more about Mary Ann Jacobs and the stories she creates, go to: maryannjacobsauthor.wordpress.com

Amazon.com/author/maryann_jacobs-1.2

https://www.facebook.com/maryannjacobsauthor

Twitter: maryann68592654

To purchase Mary Ann’s books, go to:

For the Don’t Mess with Me, Berkshire Mystery Series: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BKYHMPRL?ref_=dbs_p_mng_rwt_ser_shvlr&storeType=ebooks#:~:text=The%20Berkshires%20Mystery,the%20Sheriff%20wrong%3F

 https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Mess-Berkshires-Mystery-Book-ebook/dp/B0BKYF5HJV/ref=sr_1_1?crid=19PG1A36M97U0&keywords=Don%27t+Mess+with+Me+by+mary+ann+jacobs&qid=16

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Mary+Ann+Jacobs&ref=nb_sb_noss

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dont-mess-with-me-mary-ann-jacobs/1142600182?ean=2940186700777

For Peril in Pittman, Book Two in the Berkshire Mystery Series, go to:

https://www.amazon.com/Peril-Pittman-Berkshires-Mystery-Book-ebook/dp/B0D9HKQTHW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2D6VDSLN259VP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.e-ancQfw67TFacJRfz8_ZJGsqNvMwEBE0FP7LgcqMGLGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.baWGSvZ7TyYgNwrjJSEl_AKSVN4AipZI_BssC71fWX4&dib_tag=se&keywords=peril+in+pittman&qid=1723647288&sprefix=Peril+in+Pitt%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-1

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/peril-in-pittman-mary-ann-jacobs/1145960500?ean=9781509257874

 

Stone of Lust by Margaret Izard

 She finds true love in the past, but is his love worth risking her future?

         She dreams of a Viking warrior with Fae-blue eyes and a God-like body that makes her heart pound like no other. Trying to save her kidnapped sister-in-law, Ainslie follows her back to the Vikings of Scotland, where she faces the very man who has haunted her dreams.

When Jarl, Rannick MacRaghnaill meets the alluring Warrior Woman who helped steal his warship, she dresses in clothing so strange that every curve teases his senses. But is she, as she claims, a woman from the future or an irresistible lying thief?

She’d risk her life to save her sister-in-law. He’d risk his honor to win her heart. Can both hardened warriors save the realms from the evilest of Fae’s minds combined with the most dangerous of humans?

 Wild Women Authors focus on: Stone of Lust, a Scots time-travel, a current release out of the Wild Rose Press, written by Margaret Izard.

 Excerpt:

She placed her sword at his throat. “Yield?” The warriors gasped, then cheered for her.

Rannick’s eyebrows rose as Ainslie helped the youth to his feet and patted him on the back. Rannick rubbed his neck and looked over his warriors. He called upon another warrior. “Gunnar, come fight the She Warrior.”

A large older warrior moved from the crowd, a grin on his face. As Gunnar passed, Rannick patted his back and whispered something, but Ainslie couldn’t hear what was said. The warrior nodded as he moved toward her. No matter. She’d fight anyone.

Both took their ready stance, and Rannick signaled for them to begin.

They circled, weighing their opponent waiting on who would take the offensive first.

It was Gunnar, with a slice of his blade on her shoulder. Ainslie blocked him well, but he stepped forward and slammed his shoulder into her knocking her down. Ainslie somersaulted backward to stand, her blade out and ready to defend the next block.

Gunnar glanced at Rannick, who nodded toward Ainslie.

They circled again, waiting to see who would advance.

Ainslie led the next attack with an overhead slash. Gunnar blocked it, pushing her back. He was more substantial, but she was small, agile, and smart.

They circled, and Ainslie went for his middle.

Gunnar blocked and spun, coming around overhead.

She stopped it with her blade and allowed him to slide down hers knowing she could quickly push it aside with his forward momentum. When his sword came to the hand guard, she moved with all her might. He stumbled on a sidestep at the unexpected shift. As he flew past her, Ainslie whacked his rear with the side of her blade. The warriors laughed, and Gunnar came for her in an off-balance rage. She sidestepped and hit his rear end again.

Gunnar leveled his eyes on her and advanced with his blade. Side-to-side attacks came at her fast, backing her into the mainmast, trapping her, obviously trying to end the fight. Knowing sailing and the rigging, Ainslie reached up and grabbed the tack line holding the sail in place and swung herself onto the keelson box beneath the main mast. She landed surefooted and, in her follow-through, swung her sword connecting with Gunnar’s disarming him. His sword flew out of his hand and clattered against the hull. He stood staring at his empty hand, then tilted his head back and laughed loudly.

He bowed to Ainslie. “Ye are Freyja, the war goddess. Her spirit lives in ye. I have never seen a woman fight. A Valkyrie, and I’m honored to fight with ye.” 

Gunnar strode to Rannick whose eyebrows remained raised. “She has earned her coin. She has won the contest.”

The surrounding warriors cheered as Ainslie stood over them, proud of her accomplishment. She’d battled and won against a trained, skilled Viking warrior. Her da would be so proud. Some warriors grumbled as they settled on the bets made, bringing her out of her musings. Ainslie jumped down and approached Rannick. She grinned at him and held out her hand. “Time to settle up.”

Rannick dropped a gold coin in it, then glanced behind her. “Disarm her. She is still our guest.” Her guard Ivor must be back. The sword pulled in her hand, and she let him take it. He wasn’t who she focused on.

She stared at Rannick, her being so tall that they stood almost eye to eye. “I bested yer best. Admit it. A woman can fight.”

Rannick’s smile grew. “Oh, my sweet, he wasn’t my best. He was the one who wouldn’t hurt ye.”

Ainslie gripped the coin and raised an eyebrow. “I’ll take on yer best any day, anytime, and I’d still win.”

She flipped the coin and caught it. “I’d even wager the gold coin on it.”

She flipped the coin again, and Rannick stepped toward her, catching the coin. They stood close as their breaths mingled. His sweet woodsy scent wafted over her, sandalwood and citrus. He glanced over her face and hair, then trailed to her chest.

His eyes returned to her eyes, and she raised an eyebrow as he spoke. “Warrior woman from another time or another land, my best would do ye harm. I have vowed never to harm a woman.”

Ainslie gazed back into his eyes. “That’s all right. Ye’d never get close enough with yer sword to harm me. But I may harm ye.”

Rannick stood there a moment, staring into her eyes. She glowered back with the glare of a challenge. She held out her hand for the coin. He took it in his, the rough callouses brushing her skin, sending goose bumps up her arm. He placed her coin in her palm and closed his hands over hers, holding her hand in an embrace.

Without taking his eyes off her, he said, “Ivor, find a second guard. The She Warrior might need more than one.”

He winked at her, released her hand, and turned, moving away.

 To purchase Stone of Lust, go to: https://linktr.ee/mizardauthor

To learn more about Margaret Izard and the stories she creates, go to:

Trailer - https://youtu.be/qXAJQ47Djkc?si=f0iHwgKsvwJlTLxc

Goodreads- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217439887-stone-of-lust

 BookBub-https://www.bookbub.com/books/stone-of-lust-stones-of-iona-book-3-by-margaret-izard

The Passenger by Joie Lesin

 . . . The Passenger, a 1940s ghost story set in the California wine country, tells a tale of family connections, life-changing choices, and love—lost and found . . .

        Burdened with her empathic gift, Elizabeth Reilly wants to be free of it and fit in with normal people. Nevertheless, when the spirit of an old man asks for her help, she travels across the country to help him return home.

Gio Clemente is still angry with his father who abandoned him as a child. To help the father pass on, Elizabeth must persuade Gio to let go of his anger. Though he resents her intrusion, they are both stunned to find themselves fighting a profound attraction. Elizabeth can accept his headstrong brand of love, but can Gio accept her gift—and believe in her?

Wild Women Authors is pleased to feature Joie Lesin and The Passenger a ghost story set in post WWII California wine country. Today’s guests include Joie and Paolo Clemente—the ghost who sets off a chain of events that forever changes the lives of several generations.

 Good morning, Paolo. Thank you for joining us. Let’s begin with where you are from. Foggia, Italy

Tell us a bit about The Passenger. It is the story of the beautiful young woman who aided me at the moment of my death. With her generous heart, she helped me to return home to mia famiglia in California so that I could make peace with the mistakes of my past.

What did you think the first time you saw Adriana? The first time I saw my wife, it was at the harvest day celebration at the vineyard of mia famiglia back in Italia. When my eyes lit upon her, knowing she was not there for me, I thought the man who would win her heart would be both extremely fortunate yet face many challenges.

How lovely. What was your second thought? I would see to it that she become mine. 

Was it love at first sight? I did not fall immediately in love with Adriana. If I were meant to ever fall such a way, it would have been with her. So you see, I do not believe in love at first sight, but I do believe in loving someone for all eternity.

What did you like most about her? I would not be Paolo Giovanni Clemente if I did not say I admired Adriana’s beauty. Yet, that is not what I liked most about her. What I admired most about my wife is her strength and her ability to speak her mind no matter the situation. I admired the way she gives her heart and loves those of us lucky enough to have it with an unmatched fierceness.

How would you describe her? I could describe the waist-length, raven black hair of her youth or the graying hair she wore bound at the nape of her neck when I returned to her. I could describe her striking, coffee-colored   eyes or perfectly shaped nose . . . instead I will describe for you the strong woman who raised our son without my presence. This woman, my Adriana, came to America unable to speak the language and learned to run a vineyard. This resilient and beautiful woman kept my dream alive and passed it on to my son.

How would she describe you? She once told me when we first met, she believed me to be built of lean lines and sinewy muscle. She believed me to be an aristocrat made for Roman society and not be the don of a country vineyard.

          Later, she told me while divine to look at and despite her undying love, I frustrated her like no other with my mule-headed nature. That said, I ask who is the mule-headed one? For she loved me in my absence and never stopped waiting for me to return to her.

What made you choose to own a vineyard for a career? Would it appear I am waxing poetically if I tell you, it is in my blood? I grew up the eldest of three brothers and always knew the responsibility of the tending the beloved vines and perpetuating the magic of turning them into wine.

What is your biggest fear? My biggest fear is to live without mia famiglia.

How do you relax? In the early years of my life work and relaxation were the same to me. From boyhood, being amongst the vines was always akin to being in church. Within the vines, I found peace.

          Ah, but I do suppose you mean what activities I do to relax. Well, I do like to read the occasional book though later in my life I had but a few in my position. As a boy, I learned to appreciate music—especially the opera. In her youth, mia madre had dreamt of moving to Milan and singing in the opera. This leads me to your next question and a story I must share.

Who is your favorite fictional character? As I have mentioned, mia madre loved the opera and passed that love down to me.

          She never achieved her dream of singing. No, she became the mistress of a country vineyard and gave birth to three strapping boys. While my brothers took no interest in mia madre’s appreciation of music—she only sang in private when she believed no one to be listening but I made sure to give ear to her voice and count those times among my most favorite. I digress . . . I alone attended the rare traveling theatre troupe performances that came near our home.

          One day Pagliacci came through town. Have you heard of it? It is the story of Canio, a pagliaccio—a clown—who despite heartbreak must don his make-up and costume to perform. After this performance, I always believed mia madre saw a bit of herself in Canio. Day after day, she put on a brave face and took on the expected role of mistress of our vineyard. Later in my life, I too saw how I hid behind a mask just to make it through each day.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? The best piece of advice I have ever received but did not take to heart came from my father-in-law. “Paolo,” he said, “if you want to live a long and happy life with my daughter, listen to everything she says.”

          Had only I listened, I might not have returned home a ghost.

Thank you, Paolo. This has been lovely. Now, we’d like to chat with Joie.

What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? Marlys Millhiser’s book The Mirror is not only my favorite but also the book that has had the biggest influence on me as a writer.

          I originally read The Mirror at sixteen and was instantly thrilled over the fact that the story evolved from another person’s imagination. Marlys Millhiser’s vision whisked me away to the 1900s Boulder, Colorado and back again to 1978 with the help of a cursed mirror. Through the words, I lived vicariously through the two main characters, and I loved it. I knew this was the kind of story I needed to write. It showed me that I could put my limitless imagination to good use.

Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? The Passenger was released by The Wild Rose Press on August 21.

          I’d originally heard about them back in 2007 through authors in a writer’s group I belonged to. I was with another publisher at the time, but they stayed in the forefront of my mind through the books they offered, conference appearances, etc. I’d always had a thought that perhaps one day I would have the opportunity to work with them.

What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? I have an extensive TBR pile that fills several books shelves and a rather packed eBook reader. Some of the books I’ve recently moved to the top are:

·       Curse of Flame by J. Von Tobel

·       Breaker by AK Nevermore

·       The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo

·       Witch of Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

·       The Witches of Bone Hill by Ava Morgan

·       The Singer Sisters by Joy Ross Davis

·       Sedona by Kerry Fryer Freeman

Last, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves? I am currently in the process of working on two projects at once. The first is a story that takes up where The Passenger left off. Like its predecessor, Watch Over Me is a ghost story and answers some questions left open at the end of The Passenger.

          This story takes place in 1968 and tells the continuing story of Elizabeth’s daughter, Bella. I’m also working on a mermaid novel that explores the relationships between sisters, mothers, and daughters. I’m very excited about both of these stories and cannot wait to share more about them.

To purchase The Passenger, go to:

The Wild Rose Press Book Page:  https://wildrosepress.com/product/the-passenger/

OR https://www.amazon.com/Passenger-Joie-Lesin/dp/1509256644

To learn more about Joie Lesin and the stories she creates, go to:

·       Website: https://www.jlesin.com

·       Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjoielesin

·       Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/JoieLesin

·       TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@joie.lesin

·       Twitter:   https://twitter.com/JoieLesin

·       Amazon Author Central:  https://www.amazon.com/author/authorjoielesin

·       Goodreads Author Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2899613.Joie_Lesin

 

 

 

 

 

 

Undercover Babymoon

 …A babymoon provides parents-to-be—Wes and Minka Avery—the opportunity to unwind from preparing for the new addition and enjoy some pampering In the case of police detective Minka she gets to catch a killer...

 Wild Women Authors are thrilled to feature author Karina Bartow as she celebrates the release of Undercover Babymoon book 4 in her Undefe(a)ted Detective series out of the Crimson Rose line for the Wild Rose Press. With Karina is Wes Avery, domestic partner and intrepid supporter of police detective, Minka Avery. He’ll go first.

Welcome, Wes. Thanks for taking time to speak with us. Let’s begin with you telling us a bit about Undercover Babymoon. The book follows my wife, Minka, and her investigation into the suspicious death of a cruise ship worker. Though he met his demise in Orlando, where she and my brother are police detectives, they began to believe he was involved in a shady operation on the ship. Naturally, then, we boarded the vessel as regular tourists. Minka insisted I keep my cover simple as just her baby daddy, but I took on whatever alias suited the mission.

What made you choose teaching for a profession? My brother would tell you all the crime-fighting skills went to him, which I’ll let readers decide. Jokes aside, I enjoy helping people through education. Minka and I met when we were kids, and since I observed her challenges as a deaf child, I was drawn to want to reach out to the deaf community. I applied to schools for the deaf after I earned my degree. It fulfills me to be a mentor to my deaf students and show them they're not alone. 

Knowing what you know now, if you had it to do over again, would you stick with being a teacher or do something different? I’d definitely stick with it, but I’m still not ruling out a side hustle with the FBI if Quantico ever recruits me.

Hah! What is your biggest fear? Proving my wife right!

Who is your favorite fictional character and why? Pistachio Disguisey from “The Master of Disguise” because I admire his ingenuity and the way he can transform into different characters. Like me, all of his unconventional schemes are done in the best interests of his family. 

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? Just because you have to grow older doesn’t mean you have to grow up!

 Thanks again for spending time with us, Wes. Now we’d like to chat with Karina.

Good morning! Let’s begin with which writer or character[s], from either books or movies, [or both] have had a major impact on your writing? I was a big fan of “Castle” when it was on the air. Rick Castle appealed to me as both a successful author and a mischief-maker at crime scenes. Wes definitely took some cues from him!   

With regard to research, where did you start for this novel? Did that lead you down different paths, thereby changing the original concept? When it came to the cruise concept itself, I had a bit of personal experience to draw off of, given I had the privilege of going on one as a teenager. Even so, I researched a good deal about the staff and their different duties, and I looked up menus to try to make the dinner table scenes authentic. I’d heard ships have morgues, so I researched that, too, but couldn’t find a believable way to implement it once I considered the facts. Of course, the brunt of my research pertained to the killer’s method of operation, but I can’t get into that!

Tell us a bit about your publisher. I’ve been honored to work with The Wild Rose Press on three of my last books, including the past two installments of The Unde(a)feated Detective Series. That history made Undercover Babymoon a natural fit for me and apparently them, with my fantastic editor accepting it one day after I submitted my query!

What are you reading right now? Of Manners and Murder by Anastasia Hastings.

What's next for you? My current work in progress is a mysterious love story of sorts. The majority of it takes place in Alaska, so I'm doing a one-eighty, from the Caribbean to the Artic!

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

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Goodreads

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