Casino Queen by Cara Bertoia

 Wild Women Authors is pleased to feature author Cara Bertoia who is celebrating the release of Casino Queen, a suspense novel released by the Wild Rose Press. With Cara is casino manager Caroline Popov who will go first.

Good morning, Caroline. Thanks for taking time away from your busy day to speak with us. First, tell us a bit about Casino Queen.

Caroline Popov, alone, heartbroken, and deeply in debt ends up in glamorous Palm Springs, California. Native American casinos have just opened, thousands of people from all over the world came to work there, money flowed like water, and real estate became the new status symbol. And then came The Great Recession, and suddenly the partying stopped. 

Alone, desperate and deeply in debt, she lands a job at the Palm Oasis Casino. She is mentored by the charismatic tribal chairman, John Tovar. Embraced by casino culture, Caroline works her way up to casino manager of the Night Hawk, in the High Desert town of Joshua Tree. There, she is responsible for managing multicultural team members, satisfying the demands of challenging guests, growing revenue while rooting out corruption. As she moves up through the ranks of management, her bond with John deepens.

            In the process of uncovering the underbelly of corruption her list of enemies grows. Sometimes you have to gamble like your life depends on it. With her life on the line can she pull out a win?

What made you choose the casino industry for a career? I always enjoyed playing in the casino, but I never seriously considered it for a career. I guess you can say it chose me. When I found myself deeply in debt, Shotowa Tribal Chairman John Tovar threw me a lifeline. He offered me a job in management training at the casino. Palm Springs wasn’t a very big town and the Palm Oasis was the biggest employer. I also must admit I was intrigued about what it would be like to stand behind the table as a dealer.

I have not regretted this career for a second. At the moment John offered me a job I could barely get up in the morning. I felt like a total failure, both personally and professionally. Sometimes when you’re down you feel like you don’t deserve anything, but then John stepped in and changed my life. He didn’t just give me a job he gave me an identity. I worked with so many great people, it felt like a big family. I never felt lonely on the casino floor. Pretty soon I looked forward to going to work, to hear the latest gossip.

My biggest fear is that everyone will find out what a fraud I am. I need to be honest with my employees, or they will tune me out. Every day I have to go to work with the fate of my team members in my hands. I know that a little fear is a necessary thing, it keeps people honest, but I also want the face of the house employees to have a positive and upbeat attitude. The juggling act of balancing the two is a very tricky proposition. There is room for a little heart in the casino.

Who is your favorite fictional character? Becky Sharp from the Victorian novel Vanity Fair. I read it at a young age, and her honesty was a refreshing change of pace. She is presented as a social climber but circumstance made her live the way she did. Orphaned at an early age she had to make her way in a male dominated society with marriage her only option. I love Becky because she’s funny and cynical, but underneath it all there is a heart beating, faintly. I love characters that show their shades of gray.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? My accountant gave it to me at the beginning of the Great Recession when everyone was losing their homes: “If you ever consider buying a home in the future, only buy if you make the payments on a thirty-year fixed loan. No adjustable, no interest only, or any other kind of crazy loan the banks make up, only fixed interest.” If this saves one person reading this, my job will be done. His advice came too late to help me.

Thanks, Caroline. Now we’d like to chat with Cara.

Which writer influenced this novel? The first time I read Charles Bukowski was a revelation. He wrote in such a simple manner about his everyday life and what an unconventional life he led. He loved to go to the track, get drunk and chase women. Reading his work, I felt like I was sitting at the bar next to him listening to his tales. I read him just when I got into the casino business.

I also love Shopgirl by the actor Steve Martin. We lived in Palm Springs and would often make the drive to Los Angeles. His spare book presented such a spot-on portrait of the city, his descriptions so real. His protagonist Mirabella captured the loneliness of a young woman trying to make her place in the big city, far from home and practically friendless.

With regard to research, where did you start for this novel? Did that lead you down different paths, thereby changing the original concept. I found the perfect backdrop for my novel while hiking in the High Desert of Southern California. A refuge for artists, ex-Marines and desert rats. The sky was always blue, and the rocks at Joshua Tree National Park looked like giant Jenga pieces precariously balanced, ready to fall. We loved hiking in the park, an isolated place near the largest Marine base in the world. The Night Hawk casino near that base became the setting for my novel.

The characters were familiar to me from my two decades working in the casino industry. Fortunately, I worked for the most charismatic tribal chairman in America. People always asked me, “What’s a nice girl like you doing working in a place like this?” Now I can honestly say, “Research.” The characters in my head just kept letting me know how they wanted their story told. All the pieces of the story came together in an organic way to capture that special time and place.

In my first draft I think I tried to write two books in one. Once I began working with my editor Kaycee John, she wanted to me to shorten a sub-plot and expand the stories about life in the casino. I think focusing the book on one subject added to the realism. I kept the original theme of the story but as I like to say I just added some spice to the mix.

Tell us about your publisher. My publisher is The Wild Rose Press. I had seen and read novels by them, so when I was querying, I decide to submit to them. They offered a quicker response and a great royalty rate. I sent them a query letter, they read the first five pages, and asked for more, then the next fifty, and finally the complete manuscript. I spent a year in the editing process, writing and rewriting. What I loved about the editing process was that I got to polish every sentence, and send it to a professional who knew her stuff, but most importantly what would attract an audience.

What are you reading right now? French Ghost by a fellow Wild Rose writer. It is a fun romp through Paris, and a mystery with so many twists and turns. I love to read about good food, beautiful places and handsome men. This book has it all!

What’s up next for you? I am thrilled to announce that The Big Thrill will be doing an author interview with me for their April issue. Here is the link: The Big Thrill

Plus, My husband and I met when we were working for Princess Cruises. In April, we have booked a cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Copenhagen. The first part of the cruise is six straight sea days. One of my friends said she would jump over board if she had to be at sea that long. We can’t wait. For me there is nothing as great as standing on the deck of a ship in the middle of the ocean. After the cruise we will travel across Europe to visit his family and mine. I plan to tweet about my travels. You can follow our journey online. I know people are curious. Is it okay to cruise again? We’ll let you know.

Where can readers find you? I love connecting with my readers. Please send me a picture with Casino Queen at: mailto:carabertoia@yahoo.com

Other social media contacts:

Cara Bertoia’s Blog

Twitter

Cara Bertoia – Author (godaddysites.com)

Cara Bertoia (@carabertoia) • Instagram photos and videos 

Facebook

TikTok:  tiktok.com/@carabertoia

GoodReadsCaraBertoia 

BookBub Cara Bertoia  

Amazon Author Cara Bertoia

 

Here are the links to buy my book. It can also be bought at any online bookseller.

Casino Queen by Cara Bertoia | NOOK Book (eBook) | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

 

Casino Queen (Night Hawk Casino Series Book 1) - Kindle edition by Bertoia, Cara. Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Buried Alive by Donnette Smith

 When your sixth sense speaks, believe it.

      As a clairvoyant, Jenna Langley has foreseen her fair share of murder. But the night she is haunted by visions of a woman buried alive in a makeshift casket, nothing prepares her for the chilling reality that the victim she saw in her vision is herself.

Having survived a recent tragedy, and now tasked with the duty of planning her wedding, everyone attributes Jenna's disturbing dreams to stress. Even her fiancé does his best to convince her she is perfectly safe.

But someone wants revenge and Jenna is the target of that obsession. Her only hope for survival is if her fiancé, Detective Cole Rainwater, can root out who wants her dead before time runs out.

 Wild Women Authors is pleased to welcome back author Donnette Smith as she celebrates the release of Buried Alive, book 2 in her Spirit Walker series. With Donnette is business consultant, Jenna Langley who will go first.

Good morning, Jenna. Thanks for taking time away from your wedding, parenting your terrific daughter, and your new business to talk with us. Let’s start with where you’re from. Farmersville Texas.

Tell us a bit about Book 2 of the Spirit Walker Series, Buried Alive – The title says a lot, let me tell you. I end up 6 feet under the ground, and it all starts with a terrifying vision I have of being buried alive just as me and my fiancé, Cole Rainwater, are finally planning our wedding, after all we’d gone through in book 1, Killing Dreams. But this time the clock is literally ticking off the minutes of my life, and if Cole can’t find out where I’m buried before my time is up, I’ll suffocate in a pine box, and no one will ever discover the whereabouts of my lifeless body.

What did you think the first time you saw Cole? The word annoying fits the bill. We were fifteen years old, and he thought he was so cool with the way he purposely nudged me from behind while I stood in the concession stand line at the rodeo.   

Typical adolescent male ploy. What was your second thought? He really wanted my phone number, and he followed me around until I finally gave in to him. He was either a psycho stalker, or more persistent than the usual guy. Honestly, I sorta knew he was the latter. And that was okay with me. Any boy who vies that hard for my attention was worth at least one date.  

Did you feel it was love at first sight? The sparks didn’t fly until our first date. I remember we were at a teenage get-together, sitting on the tailgate of his truck, staring at a moonlit, star speckled sky. He leaned in to kiss me, and when he did, I was smitten.

What do you like most about Cole? He is so protective of me. Sometimes it feels like a bit much. But I know I’m always safe with him. And I love the way he always knows how I’m feeling, and just what to do to lift my spirits. He’s got such a big heart and I’ve never felt so loved by anyone as much as I am by him.

How would you describe him? Handsome as a devil and smart. He’s a homicide detective, and I can tell you, there’s not much that gets past him. He’s a great dad too. I’m amazed at how good he is with our daughter Emily, especially since he’d only recently discovered he was her father. Family is everything to him. And he would lay down his life for me and Emily without a second thought. I swear that man can read my mind. I don’t know how he does it.  

How would Cole describe you? I’d bet he would say I’m fiercely independent, and too headstrong for my own good.

What made you choose business consulting as a career? I come from a background of running my own company. When it sold, I decided to help others do the same. Let’s just say, it’s something I have a knack for, and I thoroughly enjoy doing it.

What is your biggest fear? Losing Cole again, now that I finally found him after being away from him for ten years. Somewhere, deep inside, I have this fear that he will decide living with a psychic day in and day out is just too much. Life is different with someone like me. And although I want more than anything for him to accept what I am, sometimes I feel as if it lays a heavy burden at his feet. Cole is the strongest man I’ve ever met. But there is that thought in the back of my mind that one day, perhaps, contending with my clairvoyant abilities will ultimately push him away.

How do you relax? My office is my fortress. For me, there’s nothing more satisfying than the peace and quiet that awaits me when I step through the door. Yes, it’s work, but I’m totally in my element there. And then, there’s my time alone with Cole, just the two of us, curled up on the couch watching TV together. That’s when I’m at my most comfortable.

Who is your favorite fictional character? Believe it or not, Nicolas Cage…and not only because he’s a badass. Well, he is. But his role in the movie, Next, reminds me so much of myself. He can see events minutes before they occur, and he struggles with his ability. Is it a curse or a blessing? I constantly ask myself the same question.  

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? If doing something requires a mountain of convincing, maybe doing it isn’t the right course of action.

Thanks for taking time out for us, Jenna. Now we’d like to chat with Donnette.

What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? Good question. They say all writers are shaped by other writes in some way. This is true. John Grisham would be my first pick. I love the way he gets to the point. And I admire his technique for drawing the reader into his stories. My second pick is Dean Koontz, who is like night and day to Grisham. Koontz takes his time. His passion for words is obvious. But this author knows how to build on his characters. Even the serial killers have a colorful background with well displayed emotions. I don’t think any other author can get you as involved in the inner thoughts of a madman like Koontz can.

What event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? I have lived in a small, country town in Texas for more than half my life. I raised my kids in this small town. I know a lot about country living, and what life is like growing up in rural America. This helped me to bring a rural feel to the Spirit Walker Series. Cole is a smalltown detective, working for the local police department. And Jenna is a country girl, raised up wearing cowboy boots and attending Friday night football at the high school.

Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? I learned about TWRP right after I’d received a contract from another publisher for my second book, Cunja. After researching TWRP, I liked what I saw and heard from other writers, and I decided when I got around to writing my third novel, I would submit to them. I did, and here I am with my first ever series.   

What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? My mother just visited for a few weeks. That woman can read a book a day, no problem. She left me with a stack. First up is, The Earl’s Complete Surrender, by Sophie Barnes. I haven’t completed it yet. But I’m working on it. There’s something about reading and writing that doesn’t mix well for me. I have a difficult time doing both at the same time. It’s the distraction that gets me. It seems all I do is write anymore, so…it’s going to be awhile.

Last, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves? I’m nearly finished with the 3^rd book of the Spirit Walker Series, The Stolen. This time our tenacious, little psychic, Jenna Langley is up against a human trafficking ring who kidnap her. After what happened to her in book 2, Buried Alive, her clairvoyant abilities have altered, allowing her to see people who have died, but have not moved on. When she begins to get frequent visits from a dead girl who just so happens to have once been a captive of the people holding Jenna hostage, it soon becomes apparent if she wishes to survive this latest horror, she will need to rely on the guidance of this dead girl.

To learn more about Donnette Smith and the stories she creates, go to:

Website: https://www.donnettesmith.com/

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

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/Donnettetxgirl

 

To purchase Buried Alive, go to:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3sJogv5

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/buried-alive-donnette-smith/1140834485?ean=9781509240821

Wylder Bride by Amey Zeigler

          Maisie Brinley rejected every bachelor in the Boston elite put forth by her social-climbing mother. Then Mother issues an ultimatum to marry a family friend—but he's twice Maisie's age. After corresponding with a stranger whose letters connect with her heart, Maisie crosses the continent for his love. When they meet, will he live up to her expectations, or will her escape be in vain?

Living in Wylder, Wyoming Territory—where men outnumber women ten to one—gunsmith Cyrus Haddock hides his disfigured face to avoid romantic rejection. Out of pity, he helps a friend woo a woman through letter writing. But his success backfires when Cyrus falls in love with the Easterner's words. When they meet, will Cyrus hide his feelings or confess his love?

 Wild Women Authors is pleased to feature author Amey Zeigler and Wylder Bride, one of the latest editions in the Wylder West series out of the Wild Rose Press. With Amey is gunsmith Cyrus Haddock who will go first.

Good morning, Cyrus, thanks for taking time out of your day to speak with us. Let’s start with where you’re from. A small town in Pennsylvania. I moved to Wyoming after the War. My face was so scarred, I was sure no woman on earth would have me.

What did you think the first time you saw Maisie Brinley? She was an angel clad in purple. I knew it was here as soon as I clapped eyes on her. Her smile brought shivers to my toes.

That’s lovely. What was your second thought? Oh crap, she’s engaged to my best friend Captain Christopher Peele.

Was it love at first sight? I know it was on my end. For her, I’d like to think it was. Some part of me hoped she’d see me in those letters I wrote on behalf of Christopher.

What do you like most about Maisie? She is no ordinary woman. Her words are like manna to my soul. Her thirst for life lifts me from my darkest days.

How would you describe her? She’s a little unprepared to live out West. Her upbringing in an upper-class Boston family didn’t give her the skills to homestead, but I love her sweet innocence.

How would she describe you? Hah! That’s a good question. She would see my heart first, not the horrible scar lancing across my face. She would see that I care for her no matter what and that I would do anything to keep her by my side.

What made you choose to become a gunsmith? I love the contemplative work that goes into crafting beautiful heirloom pieces. My guns isn’t just firearms, they are works of art.

How do you relax? I like to block the world out with the banging of the hammer on an anvil. I like to lose myself in the rhythm of the movements: holding the steel in the heart of the forge, then waiting until it glows purple, squelching it in the slack bucket with a hiss. I lose myself in creation.

Who is your favorite fictional character? I love Shakespeare. I love the wise who are considered as fools.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? Plant in the spring if you want to harvest in the fall. In other words, you reap what you sow--so sow carefully.

Cyrus, not only are you a gunsmith, you are a wordsmith, and we thank you for your time. Now, we’d like to chat with Amey.

What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? I loved the classics. I read Cyrano de Bergerac in high school or so and I always wanted to give him a happy ending.

What event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? My father is an avid shooter. I grew up with guns in my house. I respect them. I actually called my father’s gunsmith and talked for about an hour about what he loves about his career, the mechanics of a gun and how to create one.

I am also intrigued by stories of unrequited love. I felt a close kinship with Cyrus. I knew his pain to love but never be loved. Thankfully, my husband rescued me from that, hahah!

Tell us a bit about your publisher. How did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? Before I was published, I went to a conference in Seattle. I was talking to someone there who recommended I find a small press for my work. I had never considered a small press. So I looked up a list of small presses and read each one of them in alphabetical order and what they wanted and how to submit etc. I was really impressed by The Wild Rose Press--which was last on the list. They were the only ones I submitted to and I got accepted.

What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? Hahah! A whole stack. What I’m currently reading is Bone Crier’s Moon by Kathryn Purdie.

Lastly, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves? After Wylder Bride from TWRP, I have a trio of clean billionaire books planned for self-publishing, as well a standalone called Late Bloomer about a girl who is trying to NOT be a hick from the sticks. Then I have Certainly Will Die, my second romantic suspense, from TWRP.

 To purchase Wylder Bride, go to:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NTB6M49

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wylder-bride-amey-zeigler/1140780935?ean=2940161053706

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09NTB6M49

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09NTB6M49

 To learn more about Amey Zeigler and the stories she creates, go to:

 https://twitter.com/ameyzeigler

 https://www.facebook.com/azauthor/

 https://www.instagram.com/ameyzeigler/

 https://www.pinterest.com/aez02/

 https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17290110.Amey_Zeigler

 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClxrZBB--pz84cAHvC7z2Dg?view_as=subscriber

Featuring debut author Sandra L. Young and Divine Vintage

        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

 

 

 

  

Brother of Interest by Karina Bartow

 There’s nothing more heart-warming than a brother and sister’s bond—or is there?

In Minka Avery’s case, her relationship with her brother, Robin, has been strained for years, but never more than it is in Brother of Interest. For the past fourteen months, Minka's been basking in the joys of new motherhood, a far cry from the life she had as a deaf police detective. She sometimes misses the rush of chasing criminals, but she finds more excitement than she ever wanted when Robin ends up at the top of the list of suspects in a high-profile assault investigation.

She may not have a badge anymore, but the sister and law enforcer in her impel her unofficially explore the matter on her own. Will she find her runaway brother? Will the evidence she unearths exonerate him...or point to his guilt? 

 Wild Women Authors is pleased to feature author Karina Bartow as she celebrates the release of Brother of Interest, a follow up novel in her Undefeated Detective series. With Karina is former police detective Minka Avery who will go first.  

Good morning, Minka. Let’s begin with you telling us a bit about Brother of Interest. It follows what happened after I resigned from my job as a detective for the Orlando PD. I decided to quit and stay home with my daughter because my husband and I had a crazy few months when I was pregnant, with him going into witness protection and all. Long story! Anyway, I relished motherhood for the first year, but my brother, Robin, landed in the crosshairs of a high-profile assault and dragged me back into crime-fighting. I didn’t expect to return to hunting fugitives, much less one to whom I’m related.  

What made you choose police work for a profession? I know it’s unusual, considering I’m deaf, but I never wanted to be anything else. This may come as a surprise, but my desire stems from my brother. Our neighbor kidnapped Robin when he was four. I was supposed to be watching him, but at eight years old, I didn’t understand the danger that could lay literally in your own back yard. Naturally, I felt—and still feel—responsible, so I channeled that into doing my best to help others.    

Knowing what you know now, if you had it to do over again, would you stick with being a detective or do something different? I don’t regret a minute of my five years with the department. I loved public service, even if it took its toll now and then. I cherish being a stay-at-home mom, too, but police work will always hold a special place in my heart.  

What is your biggest fear? Not being there for my little girl, which is why I left law enforcement, of course. My husband and I spent two months apart when he was on the run from the mafia—again, long story. That really changed my perspective on life, especially when I realized I had a baby on the way.  I never want anything to endanger our family and future again.

Who is your favorite fictional character and why? Remember the television series, Monk? It aired during my early adulthood, and Adrian [Monk] inspired me to continue in my endeavors, while most people tried to talk me out of them. I appreciated how he used his disability and the point of view it gave him as an asset. It made me determined to do the same. 

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? Never let anyone convince you to give up on your dreams.

Thank you for your insight into persons with different abilities. 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? Nicholas Sparks. I thought about becoming an author from a young age, but I questioned my ability—especially to write a novel—because it seemed so daunting. When I started reading his work, I appreciated his simple style and how he could touch a reader’s heart with it. It impelled me to at least try. 

With regard to research, where did you start for this novel? Did that lead you down different paths, thereby changing the original concept? I don’t want to give away too much of the actual scheme at play, since it doesn’t come out until halfway through the book, but the underground operation is what I researched the most. My findings didn’t change the concept to a large degree, but between drafts a few years ago, I learned that the crime is actually handled on a federal level. Obviously, that called for some adjustments.

Tell us a bit about your publisher. How did you hear about them; what influenced you to submit to them. I came across The Wild Rose Press when I was shopping my second novel in 2017; I don’t recall if a search engine or publishing site referred them. That submission didn’t pan out, but I kept them in the back of my mind. I thought they published strictly romance novels, but I discovered in 2020 that they do mysteries, as well, so I queried them about Brother of Interest.

How was the submission process; what was the turn-around from date of query to date of release? After reviewing it, my editor determined it needed some more work and gave me a few tips on how to improve the plot. Nevertheless, she kept the door open for me to resubmit, so I did about five months later. Including that intermission, almost a year and a half has passed between the time I first submitted to the release, which is today!  

What are you reading right now? I just started The Mystery of Mrs. Christie.

What's next for you? My historical love story, Wrong Line, Right Connection, is coming out later this year, also published by The Wild Rose Press. I submitted it two months before I decided to resubmit Brother of Interest, never imagining they’d eventually accept both! It follows a switchboard operator and how she unexpectedly finds love by transferring a caller to the wrong number.

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

Blog | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Goodreads

 

To purchase Brother of Interest, go to:

The Wild Rose Press | Amazon | Walmart | Books-A-Million

 

Finding Home Again

 . . . A missing dog, a potential poisoning, and a suspicious death. Will Jordan and Logan find their happy-ever-after before another mysterious accident occurs?. . .

         Caretaker of a historical home, Jordan McKenzie, promised to keep a secret, but doing so gets harder by the minute, especially when an innocent kiss misses its intended target. Entangled in a web of mysterious mishaps, she discovers a surprising family connection. Is putting her trust in her boss' handsome nephew a risk worth taking?

Chef, Logan Crane, returns to Redford Falls hoping to claim an inheritance to open a restaurant, but he side-lines his plan after meeting Jordan. When past secrets intermingle with a present attraction, will Logan open his heart to the possibility of a future in Redford Falls…and with Jordan?

 Wild Women Authors is pleased to welcome back author Darlene Fredette as she celebrates the release of Finding Home Again, Book 5 in the Redford Falls series. We’ll begin with history teacher turned docent of an historic home in Nova Scotia, Jordan McKenzie.

Good morning, Jordan. Let’s start with where you are from. Toronto, but now residing in Redford Falls.

Tell us a bit about Finding Home Again. It is about me keeping a secret for a dear friend and employer, Pearl’s nephew, Logan, and the rest of her family. After they arrive at the inn, strange things being to happen.

What did you think the first time you saw Logan Crane? The first time I met him, he hit me with his car. Not the best first impression.

Agreed, what was your second thought? He is extremely handsome, and I sensed sadness in his heart.

Was it love at first sight? Logan knocked me off my feet – emotionally and physically.

What do you like most about him? Logan is kind, loving, and he makes me smile and laugh.

How would you describe him? Logan is a strong man and a great chef. He’s been hurt in the past, but I’m helping him find his way home.

How would he describe you? Probably that I talk to much. When I get nervous, I tend to chatter – a lot.

What is your biggest fear?  That Logan will leave when he finds out the secret I’ve been keeping from him.

How do you relax? By renovating the inn. I know it sounds crazy, but I love diving into the history of this home and incorporating new designs with many elements from the past.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? Stay true to yourself.

Thanks for spending time with us, Jordan. Now we’d like to chat with Darlene.

What movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? Movies and books haven’t made an impact on my writing, but I enjoy watching movies, and they sometimes inspire me with ideas for my own stories.

What event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and how do you feel it impacted the novel? Finding Home Again is a romance with twists of suspense/mystery, and thankfully my life doesn’t contain either.

Tell us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced your decision to submit to them? After receiving the rights back from my first book, I was looking for a new publisher and heard about The Wild Rose Press from another author. I’ve been with TWRP since 2014, and Finding Home Again is my nineth published book with them. My experience with them has been very good, and I recently signed a contract for book number ten.

What book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? I am professional book reviewer, so my reading pile is overflowing. I just finished reading a military suspense and I am currently reading a paranormal romance.

Lastly, what's up next and when can we expect to see it on the shelves? I am currently editing book ten with my editor. This story stays in Redford Falls but is a sub-series spin-off where the next few stories will focus on the five Marley brothers of Redford Falls. I am hoping Derailed Hearts will be out later this year.

To learn more about Darlene Fredette and the stories she creates, go to:

Website: http://darlenefredette.blogspot.com/

Blog: http://findingthewritewords.blogspot.com

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Darlene-Fredette/e/B005NAF660/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DarleneLF

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/DarleneLF

Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/2_STxHh37A4

 

To purchase Finding Home Again, go to:

http://darlenefredette.blogspot.com/2021/04/my-books-purchase-links.html

https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Again-Redford-Falls-Novel-ebook/dp/B09NGMDRNQ/

 

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

Facebook  

Amazon Author Page

Goodreads Author Page

BookBub Author

Newsletter

 

To purchase Gone Before, go to:

Amazon; Barnes & Noble