How did you get started writing?

Years ago, I worked both a full-time and part-time job while going to school at night to obtain my MBA.  I was rather busy at the time, and when I completed the MBA program I suddenly found I had a lot of excess time on my hands.  A friend of mine handed me a Janet Evanovich book and said, “Here, read this.”  I quickly declined the book because the last thing I wanted to do was read anything since I’d just spent years reading text books.  I had never read for pleasure before.  My friend insisted I read the book.  I did, and I was hooked.  Throughout the next year, I read every book written by Evanovich at the time, even those under her pen name, and then I read some more books.  I think I read somewhere in the neighborhood of 53 books during that first ‘reading’ year.  One night I dreamt up a character named Nick Spinelli, a quirky detective, and I thought to myself that Evanovich could have a field day writing about this guy.  Then I thought, heck with Evanovich, I’ll do it myself.  That said, I penned three novellas in the Nick Spinelli romance mystery series and published them via Melange Books, LLC.  I am currently working on the fourth.

What is your favorite part of writing?

My favorite part of writing is the first draft.  Not only does that part go fairly quickly, it also relaxes me by providing an escape from reality.

What is your next project and when will it be released?

I’ve been working on the first book in the Jacobs brother series.  I’ll soon send it off to my editor and hope to release it in the spring of 2016.  The story is about a twenty-two year old man who inherits his five younger brothers when their parents are killed in a car accident.  To add to his stress he’s also responsible for managing the family dairy farm.  He hires the neighbor as a live-in nanny/housekeeper­.  I’m sure you can see where I’m going hereJ

What is your typical day like?

During the weekdays I’m generally writing, editing, or promoting my books by 5:30 a.m.  I write until about 7:00 a.m. at which time I get ready for the day-job.  Sometimes I write in the evening as well.  On the weekends, I usually start the day with a couple hours of writing, then I move on to cleaning or spending time with the hubby, cats, and friends.

Do you have a view in your writing space?  What does your space look like? 

I have a tiny home office.  There is one window with a view of trees.  The room contains my desk, some book shelves, a filing cabinet, and an ironing board.  Not too exciting.

Tell us about your hero.  Give us one of his strengths and one of his weaknesses.

Joe is extremely sensitive but afraid of loving again since the death of his wife.

Tell us about your heroine.  Give us one of her strengths and one of her weaknesses.

Elizabeth starts out pretty insensitive until Joe unleashes her sensitive side, then she bursts with love and kindness.

What genres are you drawn to as a reader?

I really like romantic suspense but have recently ventured into contemporary and historical.

Do you or have you belonged to a writing organization?  Which one?  Have the helped you with your writing?  How?

I belong to the Romance Writers of America and the Wisconsin Romance Writers.  Both have been enormously helpful to me in learning the craft of writing.  It was at a WI Romance Writer’s meeting that I found my first critique partner who helped me immensely with the first Nick Spinelli romance mystery novella.  Without her, I’m sure I’d still be fumbling through the tenth draft of that novella with no hope of a publisher picking it up.

Blurb:

Elizabeth Shaw’s professional life is going according to plan until she meets the handsome widower and his two young children next door. Having shelved her personal life to land her dream job, she disregards her romantic feelings for him. But the forces of nature have other ideas for her.

Joe Antonetti has made his children his main focus since the death of his wife. But his beautiful neighbor becomes an irresistible distraction and has him wondering if he can change her priorities.

Surrendering to their attraction for each other causes another player to step in with his own plan for Elizabeth. One that could not only end the budding romance but her life as well.

Tag Line:  There’s more to some women than meets the eye….and it takes the right kind of man to unleash her secrets.

Pre-Order Links (Sales go live on November 3rd):

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Plan-Interrupted-Valerie-J-Clarizio-ebook/dp/B015WEN7L2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444176158&sr=8-1&keywords=valerie+clarizio

iTunes:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1044123608

Kobo:  https://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/ebook/plan-interrupted

Barnes & Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/plan-interrupted-valerie-j-clarizio/1122714090;jsessionid=3D6A876E55691250042DDE8D87865BE3.prodny_store01-2?ean=2940152759938

Bio:

Valerie Clarizio lives in romantic Door County Wisconsin with her husband and two extremely spoiled cats. She loves to read, write, and spend time at her cabin in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

She’s lived her life surrounded by men, three brothers, a husband, and a male Siamese cat who required his own instruction manual. Keeping up with all the men in her life has turned her into an outdoors enthusiast, of which her favorite activity is hiking in national parks. While out on the trails, she has plenty of time to conjure up irresistible characters and unique storylines for her next romantic suspense or sweet contemporary romance novel.

Ms. Clarizio’s Contact Links:

Website:  https://valclarizio.wordpress.com/about/

Twitter:  @VClarizio  https://twitter.com/VClarizio

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Valerie.Clarizio

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/u/0/100928949465109415957/posts

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6573130.Valerie_J_Clarizio

Newsletter Signup:  http://eepurl.com/bn6QoD

Excerpt #1

Elizabeth leaned back against her closed door for support. She recalled how perplexed Joe looked a moment ago, and she couldn’t help but wonder what was going through his mind. She thought maybe he wanted to kiss her, and on one hand she longed for him to do so, but on the other hand he wasn’t part of ‘The Plan,’ the very plan that didn’t allow for men right now.

She raised her fingers to her lips. They felt hot. What would it have been like to kiss his mouth rather than his cheek? No need to speculate; it would be heavenly. Her heartbeat went into overdrive, causing her limbs to go numb. What were supposed to be deep calming breaths were useless.

What in the world is happening to me? Pull yourself together Elizabeth. Stay the course!

But no matter how hard she tried to will Joe out of her mind, visions of him kept passing through. Thoughts of him warmed her heart, yet made her head ache.

Stick to the plan. Stay the course. Stick to the plan. Stay the course.

Thinking the words were of no use, and she knew saying them aloud wouldn’t help either. Her head couldn’t control her heart.

Tell us about your current series.

The St. John Sibling Series is about four brothers and one sister who’ve been raised by loving parents in the unorthodox world of expats in Eastern Europe where their parents were American Embassy support staff. They go off into adulthood well-adapted and well-equipped to handle life, effectively making them the perfect mates for the conflicted people they fall in love with.

Taming Tess, a modern day Taming of the Shrew story, book 1 in the series, is full of verbal jousting between building contractor and ready for a family of his own Roman St. John and career focused Architect Tess Armstrong. Finding Home, Book 2, hints of the Wizard of Oz in that Sam Ryan, who’s been sent to dig up dirt on widow Dixie St. John so her father-in-law can take custody of her son, personifies the Tin Man who thought he lacked a heart but had one all along…as Dixie will teach him. Craving a Hero, book 3, brings together Michigan Game Warden Kelly Jackson who believes there are no heroes for her and Sexiest Action Movie star Dane St. John for whom everything has always come easy…until Kelly, fearing rejection, hides the fact she’s given birth to his daughter. It takes nearly losing his child and Kelly for Dane to fully understand what’s most precious to him.

Yet to come, Seeking Bliss, a departure from the straight contemporary romance of the first three books in the series as it adds in the kidnapping of writer Bliss O’Hara’s brother and former Navy SEAL Jake St. John’s finding his way back into civilization. Forever Knight follows baby brother Renn St. John into the world of dinner theater on the grand scale of a Medieval Joust. The carefree stunt rider is pitted against his boss’ daughter Gabriel de la Santo, an Olympic-level equestrian.

What is your favorite part of writing?

I love brainstorming with other authors. Something magical happens when all that creative energy gets together. We feed off each other’s energy. It becomes a feeding frenzy of ideas.

Where do you get the ideas for your stories?

Strangely, I seem to get my best stories from a setting. A favorite restaurant of mine that had been converted from a farmhouse inspired Finding Home. The spectacular fire of a local Victorian mansion which was being renovated sparked my idea for Taming Tess. I seem to get a feeling from the place or something that happened to/in the place that makes me ask how would this work as a backdrop for a romantic relationship story. What is its story? What kind of characters would live/work in this place? How does this building/setting affect my characters?

Was your road to publication fraught with peril or a walk in the park?

Definitely peril. When I was writing paranormal, none of the big publishers were buying them.  By the time I started writing lighter romance, the market wanted paranormal. Twice I was on the brink of a contract with major publishers. In one case, the editor pushing my work was fired and, in the other, the line I was under consideration for closed.

I even had a great relationship with one editor as she was rising through the ranks. Her company didn’t publish paranormal which is what I was writing when we first me, but she hung onto my manuscript, insisting “someday.” When “someday” came (five years later), the paranormal they wanted wasn’t the kind of paranormal I wrote.

When I jumped on the ebook bandwagon, hoping it was the next trend, my first publishing experience was wonderful because of the amazing company I’d signed with. They were enormously author friendly and I learned a lot about the business with them. Unfortunately, they eventually sold out to a larger epublisher and my sales dried up. I sold the book of my heart to one of the top epublishers only to have them change their bookstore to a cumbersome buying process that made it almost impossible for new readers to find my book. In fact, I think the only sales from that company were the print copies I hand sold.

My first publication with a small but major publisher was part of an anthology which never earned beyond the advance. The next major publisher to sign me put my book out in hardcover, but distributed to a limited audience and then they closed the line.

I’m currently trying out being an INDIE author. I like the control I have over the process. I have a fabulous cover artist, which I’m responsible for paying. And a good editor costs a lot. I’m thinking of exploring some small publishers.

Enough, I’m depressing myself revisiting all this. But it does make one point clear for anyone who wants to make a career out of writing. You need to persevere and you better love writing because sometimes that’s the only payout.

Do you have a view in your writing space?

What does your space look like?  My little office off my bedroom looks out over a wooded field where deer and bunnies and squirrels and turkeys play…when my dogs don’t chase them off.

Has your muse always known what genre you would write and be published in?

My muse is schizophrenic. My early books were dark with gothic-like paranormal themes. I’ve written erotica (under another name). I’ve even published an American colonial historical. Currently, I’m writing the St. John Sibling series that has a lot of humor in it. But even within the series I’m having trouble keeping to a straight contemporary theme. I put out a spin-off friends series from the St. John Siblings series earlier this summer with a mystery in it and the 4^th book in the Sibling Series is a mystery adventure which I refer to as Romancing the Stone meets Remington Steel. For those of you not old enough to remember that movie and series, the movie put a romance novelist in a South American jungle searching for her kidnapped sister and the series involved Pierce Brosnan (if you don’t know who he is, Google him) impersonating the series’ heroine’s fictitious boss. Both were fun.

What do you have planned for the future?

I’m dying to get to the FRIENDS spinoff series. I already did Saving Andi, a spinoff friend of Kelly, my forest ranger heroine in Craving a Hero who falls in love with Sexiest Action Movie Hero Dane St. John. But I’m itching to get to Brody, Roman St. John’s best friend from Taming Tess. Brody is such a tease and so sexy in spite of the fact he’s in a wheelchair. He has enlisted Roman the contractor and Tess the architect to help him renovate a lodge on a ski hill he wants to turn into a camp for handicapped kids. I’ve been interviewing heroines for him. She has to be able to see behind that sense of humor he uses as a shield. I’m also looking forward to researching the sex lives of paraplegics.

What did you want to be when you were a child?

At one point, when I was very young, I wanted to be a nun. But not being Catholic made that a problem. So, I just kept pretending I was a boy so I could do adventurous things like ride the rails. That last really tells us something about the mindset of a culture can limit a child’s thinking.  Did you always know you wanted to be a writer? I didn’t always “know” I wanted to be an author. I just wrote a book when I was twelve because I loved the Black Stallion series but I wanted a horse series with a girl lead in it. When I was a high school freshman and had to fill out some school form, one of the questions was “what is your secret ambition?” I had never given secret ambitions a thought yet, without hesitation, I wrote “writer.” I guess I always subconsciously knew what I wanted to do.

Do you have any rejection stories to share?

I once got a rejection from a magazine I didn’t even know I’d submitted an article to. Then there was the phone call from an agent who gushed over my writing, telling me how I’d nailed my heroine. But, because of the subject matter, she couldn’t handle the book. I recently got a rejection on a full manuscript, the editor saying she really liked my writing and the story, but it didn’t fit her line. The odd part of this rejection was I had never sent a full manuscript to her, just a partial.

EXCERPT

I chose to focus on Book 2 of the St. John Series, FINDING HOME, the sweetest story of the series. Finding Home Link

Finding Home was a finalist in AMAZON’S BREAKTHROUGH NOVEL AWARD and WRITE TOUCH READERS’ contests, & placed second as READERS’ CHOICE in BTS eMag RED CARPET REVIEW contest.

Dixie’s eyes cut to the garage door where his helmet and duffel lay. Damn, why hadn’t he just set the kid aside, shooed the dog off, and hopped onto his bike? Now he’d have to run the gauntlet of excuses why he couldn’t stay, none of which would be the truth…unless he confessed that he’d come here under Uncle Stuart’s orders…not to mention he was far too attracted to his cousin’s widow to be decent.

“I hope you were going to say good-bye before you left,” she said, her purr a tad sad.

“Sure. Of course.” He stared at the red toes of Dixie’s footwear—boots this time, which was about as close to looking her in the eye as he could manage. Maybe if she didn’t see into his eyes, she wouldn’t see the lie in him.

But the seconds stretched and he knew he hadn’t fooled Dixie Rae one iota. He shoved his hands into his pockets and confessed.

“I was sneaking off.”

“Poor Sam.”

He blinked at Dixie—gaped at her. Hardly the response he’d expected.

“You don’t need to sneak off from us, Sam.” She brushed at the dust on his sleeve. “You can come and go here as you please.” She turned his hand over, her fingers light on his wrist, her thumb soft against the grass stain on the heel of his hand.

If she kept touching him like that, his pleasure would all be in the staying. Was that her plan, entice him with provocative caresses?

One corner of her lips tugged further upward as though she knew her secret was out. “Just making sure I’m not sending you off with any of my gravel imbedded in your hand. Blame the mother in me.”

“The mother, huh?”

Her crooked smile stretched further still. “That’s what mothers do.”

“Not mine,” he answered without thinking.

The flirtatious curl of Dixie’s lips slipped and the message in her eyes couldn’t have been clearer if she’d said it aloud, poor Sam.

He should be disturbed by her pity. He should be so shamed by it that he couldn’t face her—that he’d all the more need to leave. But he couldn’t turn away, couldn’t stop exploring the sympathy in Dixie’s eyes. Suddenly he wasn’t so sure he wanted to leave the world of a woman who knew what it was like to be cast out by the Carringtons.

“You said the restaurant was closed Mondays,” he said. “So you won’t need a chef tomorrow.”

“I’ll have all day to talk Carl into coming back.”

He had no doubt she could talk any man into anything.

“Besides, I’ve already imposed on you enough,” she added.

“We already had this discussion,” he said, prolonging a conversation better ended. “I’m family, remember? Besides, it was fun.”

“Good.” Her lips curled into their seductive smile and her hand in his warm—comfortably so, invitingly so.

Ask me to stay.

“We’ll miss you, Sam.”

BIO

Award-Winning author Barbara Raffin has lived on the Michigan-Wisconsin border all her life. Blessed with a vivid imagination, she creates stories and adventures where she can explore her love of words and the human psyche. Whether a romantic romp or gothic-flavored suspense, her books have one common denominator: characters who are wounded, passionate, and searching for love.

Barbara will be appearing at the Southeast Wisconsin Festival of Books at the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha November 7^th on a Q&A panel about the romance genre.

Visit her at her website: www.BarbaraRaffin.com

Or her blog: Barb’s Blog

Find her books at Barbara Raffin Books

Hi, there! My name is Melissa West and I am the author of RACING HEARTS, the first in the Hamilton Stables series, featuring horse racing and a second chance at love.

How did you get started writing?

I decided to write a book after I had my first daughter. I remember looking at her and thinking that I wanted to do something big to show her that she could do/be whatever she wanted. So I wrote a book. I ended up signing my first publishing contract seven months later.

What genre(s) do you write in and why?

I actually write across several. I write YA sci-fi, contemporary new adult, and then small town contemporary romance. What I like to say is that everything I write is set in the South, so regardless of the genre, I consider myself a Southern fiction writer…with kissing. Because every book needs a good kissing scene, right? 🙂

Tell us about your current series.

The Hamilton Stables series focuses on three brothers who together manage Hamilton Stables, a farm dedicated to breeding and training Thoroughbred racehorses.

What inspired your latest book?

I liked the idea of writing about a female succeeding in a male role, so my heroine is a jockey who hopes to be the first female to win the Kentucky Derby.

What is your favorite part of writing?

Readers! I’ve met so many amazing people, both at signings and online. The reading/writing community is utterly fantastic. I feel so blessed to be a part of it.

What is your least favorite part of writing?

Deadlines, lol!

What is your next project and when will it be released?

My next book is titled YOUR B&B OR MINE? and it actually releases on November 9^th, 2015.

What is your typical day like?

Oh, I have two little girls, so my days are insane! I usually try to write first thing in the morning and then from 9PM-1AM.

Do you have critique partners?

I do, but depending upon my deadline, they aren’t always able to read the full manuscript. I also use beta readers.

What is your favorite dessert/food?

Tiramisu!

How likely are people you meet to end up in your next book?

It’s not likely that a person will end up in my book, but something he/she says or does might. I tend to pay attention to things around me and will zero in on behaviors I feel would make nice character traits.

Was your road to publication fraught with peril or a walk in the park?

I certainly received my share of rejection! My story was a little unusual. I ended up receiving numerous offers of representation from agents, but I turned them down and accepted a publishing contract instead. My father was just diagnosed with cancer, and he had always been my first reader. I wanted to make sure he would see that book become a reality.

Book Description:

In the lush heart of Kentucky, the Hamiltons are horse racing royalty, born to produce champions. To win takes heart and soul—and to love takes the wild spirit of the land itself…

The oldest of three headstrong brothers, Trip Hamilton is considered the best horse trainer in the world. But he learned long ago to keep his focus on the horses and away from the riders. He’s seen the way heartbreak can waylay a career, and he’s determined not to risk it—until a stubborn, sexy rider thunders into his life, breaks his resolve, along with several of his rules, and takes his heart right out of the gate…

Emery Carlisle has a point to prove. She’ll be the first woman to win the prestigious Kentucky Derby, if only Trip will hire her, and let her ride the spirited colt she fell for at first sight. He won’t—unless she agrees to train with the horse at Hamilton Stables, under his guidance. It’s supposed to be strictly business, but as the race approaches, and their undeniable chemistry builds, Trip and Emery may be headed for the greatest win of all—as long as the losses of the past don’t gain on them…

Author Bio:

Melissa West writes heartfelt Southern romance and YA sci-fi romance,

all with lots of kissing. Because who doesn’t like kissing? She lives outside of Atlanta, GA with her husband and two daughters and spends most of her time writing, reading, or fueling her coffee addiction.

Connect with Melissa at www.melissawestauthor.com or on Twitter @MB_West. And for sneak peeks at upcoming works, prizes, and more, join Mel’s Madhouse: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MelsMadhouse.

Website: www.melissawestauthor.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MelissaWestAuthor

Twitter: @MB_West

Instagram: MelissaWestAuthor

Buy Links:

http://www.melissawestauthor.com/hamilton-stables.html

Giveaway- Racing Hearts Ebook

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How did I get started writing?

Like most authors, I’ve always written stories. And as a young child, my sister and I played Librarian because books and our library were a big part of growing up. Years ago my sister and I co-write a story for a Redbook writing competition and were runners up. Then in the mid-80’s I wrote my first children’s stories, sent it in to Highlights for Children and sold it. “This is a piece of cake,” I foolishly told my husband. As I say, I’ve had a lot of pieces of humble pie since then. After selling a couple of short stories and not selling to New York, I decided last year to self-published and I’m so happy I did!

What inspired my latest book?

My 10^th book is just coming out. Because I write both children’s fantasy and women’s fiction/romance, this book – WINNING BIG, a little love story for all ages – is something I wrote for my readers and their families. I wrote this story when my husband and I and our long-haired dachshund, Winston, lived at a seaside resort in Florida while my husband worked on a long-term project there.

The story features Theodore, who’s just been given the job of doorman at the mouse entrance to the glamorous, ritzy Winston Hotel, and lovely, petite Lila, the pink-nosed mouse Theodore instantly falls in love with. When the owners of the hotel threaten to close it down due to bad publicity, Theodore, intent on winning Lila’s heart and saving his family, sets out to solve the mystery behind the problem, and comes up with a few surprises of his own.

Early readers are calling it “every kind of delight” and charming. Of all the stories I’ve written, this was, in many respects, the most fun! I’m hoping my readers find it a fun little story.

What is my next project and when will it be released?

My next book is called Baby Talk and it should be out in January. Readers who read my Hartwell Trilogy wanted more, so this is book 4 in what I refer to as the Talk series. It’s fun because it gives reader more information about this very different women.

What is my favorite part of writing?

I really enjoy the editing process. Being able to go back over my work and put more meat on the bones and get a different view of the story is a lot easier for me than pounding the story out.

How has your experience with self-publishing been?

In less than a year, I will have put out ten books – 4 children’s books, 5 women’s fiction, 1 short story. It has been unbelievable – exciting, difficult, scary, exhilarating! I realize that none of this would have happened if I’d sold to New York. The creative energy is something else. The attention one has to pay to detail is another matter. Needless to say, it’s become a full-time job and more. My husband has taken over the financial end of it and is tracking sales and keeping data up to date, etc. so that I can continue to spend my time writing.

What advice do you have for other authors wanting to self-publish?

If you’re really serious about doing it, then take the time to set things up properly. It’s going to take more time and more money than you might think, though there are plenty of ways to save money. Everyone says the same thing –it’s all about quality and quantity. It’s that simple and that hard. I personally would wait to start until you have several books ready to go, then get them out quickly so that the readers who like one book will buy others.

How likely are people you meet to end up in your next book?

It’s funny, but people think others in their entirety are plopped down into a story as a complete character. For me, that doesn’t happen. My characters tend to be made up of bits and pieces of people I meet, I read about, I see on television, etc., mostly for motivation. So I think the people around me are pretty safe. Maybe. LOL

What genres are you drawn to as a reader?

I love women’s fiction with a lot of heart.

What do I have planned for the future?

When readers ask for more, I listen. So after Baby Talk is out, I will be working to get out Lunch at the Beach House Hotel (a follow-up to Breakfast at the Beach House Hotel) and Sassy Saturdays (A follow-up to Fat Fridays). Then I’d like to come up with some new characters and new stories.

How far do I plan ahead?

You can see from the above answer that I’m always planning ahead. It sometimes seems burdensome but I also like to know where I’m going.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

Learning how to write is something that never ends. Like any craft, a writer is constantly learning. Be grateful for any critiques you get of your writing –good or bad—and listen to what people are telling you. Think of it as a teacher talking to you rather than someone who may or may not like your work. And keep plugging away. If you start a story, finish it, even if you know it will end up in a box beneath your bed. It’s the completion of it that matters. It will make the next book easier.

I, of course am still learning about so many things—writing, publishing, marketing. Thank you so much, Cindy, for having me here to share my story. Appreciate it!

Bio: Judith Keim was born and raised in Elmira, New York, and now makes her home in Idaho with her husband and long-haired dachshund, Winston, and other members of her family.

Growing up, books were always present – being read, ready to go back to the library or about to be discovered. Information from the books was shared in general conversation, giving all of us in the family a wealth of knowledge and a lot of imagination. Perhaps that is why I was drawn to the idea of writing stories early on. I particularly love to write novels about women who face unexpected challenges with strength and find love along the way.

As J.S. Keim I write children’s middle-grade stories. I love writing about kids who have interesting, fun, exciting experiences with creatures real and fantastical and with characters who learn to see the world in a different way.

I have a story in Chicken Soup to Inspire a Woman’s Soul an a story in Belle Book’s Mossy Creek Series – A Summer in Mossy Creek. Some of my stories have finalled in RWA contests and three of my children’s stories have been published in magazines – Highlights for Children, Jack and Jill and Children’s Playmate.

I hope you enjoy my stories as much as I enjoy telling them!

Excerpt from BABY TALK (The Hartwell Women-Book4)– coming out in November

On a clear, warm June day, I stood on the front porch of the house I now owned, staring out at the Maine coastline with a sigh of gratitude. I did this as often as I could. For me, taking a moment to appreciate all I’d been given had become a morning ritual I treasured.

In front of me, the blue-gray water met the sandy shore with a moist kiss, reared back like a shy lover and then, tempted for more, embraced the shore again. Gulls cried out, swooped down and lifted up in the air in unending musical acrobatics. A few large rocks, precursors of the rockier coastline down east, protruded from the water’s surface like sea creatures wanting a peek at the world.

Almost two years ago the sandy beach had hosted one of the most important events of my life. Even now my pulse quickened at the memory of Brad saying “I do” and sweeping me into an embrace that drew applause. The simplicity of the ceremony had touched the hearts of everyone. What a wonderful day that had been! I still felt the thrill of belonging to his family and mine—the family I’d discovered after a lonely childhood. Thinking of the group gathered there, I thought how lucky I was and smiled up at the sun, letting its warmth wash over me.

The screen door opened and closed behind me. Brad stepped out onto the wide porch that swept the front of the seaside estate and wrapped his arms around me. “Good morning, Marissa Cole Crawford!” The sound of my married name on his lips sent a tingle of delight throughout my body.

I smiled and turned to him, inhaling the spicy aroma of his aftershave lotion. Snuggling into his strong embrace, I stared up at him, taking in the caramel-colored hair and toffee eyes that were his alone. I adored this man who’d given me so much love, so much confidence. I treasured our life together, so different from the background that had once been my life.

“You’re off to Barnham?” I asked, hiding the emptiness I already felt at his upcoming departure.

He nodded. “Thank God this commuting back and forth will end in another year or so. I’m hoping Dad is fully retired by then and we can finally sell the law practice to someone else.” He gave me the lopsided grin I loved. “By then, we’ll have started our family, and I can stay settled right here.”

I didn’t reply but rested my head against his chest. We’d been trying for a baby since the wedding. Brad was anxious to have children, but the thought scared me to death. I had so many doubts about myself as a mother. I’d been raised by one of the worst.

My website (with buy links) is http://www.judithkeim.com/

My Amazon Website (with buy links) is: http://www.amazon.com/Judith-Keim/e/B00THNL4VA/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

I’m on Twitter and LinkedIn as well…come say hello

What inspired your latest book?

His Work of Art was inspired by a simple conversation with one of my daughters. We were discussing Instagram and whether I needed to be there to promote the first Hot & Nerdy trilogy. I had no plans to write another trilogy, or any novellas, or any New Adult, for that matter. But as I mentioned that to her, I had a sudden thought of “What if I wrote nerdy guys?” And that was all it took for the ideas to start rolling in.

What is your favorite part of writing?

I love drafting. Most of the time. Staring at a blank page can be horrible if the words aren’t coming, but usually, I can just write anything and the story will come. I draft without too much care. I don’t plot ahead of time. I get to know my characters and trust them to tell me their story.

What is your least favorite part of writing?

I hate revising. Revisions show me that the words I wrote while drafting that I thought were brilliant and perfect aren’t. Revision feels harder, even though it’s not. It’s just not as much fun because it’s when you have to fix everything. What I do during revision matters.

What is your next project and when will it be released?

I have the Hot & Nerdy trilogy, of which His Work of Art is the first novella. The other two novellas – His New Jam and His Dream Role release in November and December respectively.

Then I have new single-title series – For Your Love – that will release next summer.

What genres are you drawn to as a reader?

I read a lot of contemporary romance. In fact, most of what I read these days is contemporary. However, I’ve always loved romantic suspense and a good paranormal has been known to draw me in. And every now and then, I read a YA. I tend to avoid those, though, because so often they make me cry.

Has your muse always known what genre you would write and be published in?

My muse might’ve known I belonged writing contemporary romance, but I didn’t. The first two manuscripts I wrote were romantic suspense because that’s what I loved to read at the time. They weren’t working, but I couldn’t figure out why. When I drafted my first contemporary, More Than This, I realized why those other books didn’t work. My writer’s voice is contemporary romance.

What do you have planned for the future?

Write, write, and write some more.  Fill in my extra time with watching too much TV. As I said, I have the For Your Love series that I’m working on right now. That’s my main focus. I have a few other things dancing in my brain, but nothing I can discuss just yet.

What is your writing routine like?

Although I try to have a writing routine, it might not actually look much like one. I’ve always written around my kids’ schedules. So depending on where my kids are, that will dictate when I write. I travel with my laptop, drop my kids off at whatever extracurricular activity is on for the day, and I usually go sit at McDonalds and write until it’s time to pick them up. I get some writing time in on my days off from my day job and when I’m coming up on deadline, I write when the kids are in bed too.

Having achieved your goal to be a published author, what is the most rewarding thing?

The absolute best thing about being a published author is fan mail. I can be having the worst day ever, but if I get a comment or an email from someone telling me that she loved my book, it changes my whole day.

Author contact:

Web site — http://www.shannynschroeder.com

Goodreads — https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6575201.Shannyn_Schroeder

Twitter — https://twitter.com/SSchroeder_

Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/shannyn.schroeder

Bio:

Shannyn Schroeder is the author of the O’Leary series, contemporary romances centered around a large Irish-American family in Chicago and the new Hot & Nerdy series about 3 nerdy friends and their last spring break. When she’s not wrangling her three kids or writing, she watches a ton of TV and loves to bake cookies.

Book Blurb:

Reese Carter is definitely not your average college girl. She’d prefer to spend Saturday nights playing Hero’s Crusade than attending a wild frat party on campus. When she bands together with Adam, fellow comic enthusiast and illustrator, it appears that Reese has formed a dream team sure to propel her writing into the comic hall of fame.

Adam Hayes has never met a girl like Reese. She’s sassy, smart, and loves talking comics, although he can’t see why she’d choose DC over Marvel. He’s thrilled to finally put his artistic chops to use in their upcoming comic project. But this relationship is strictly professional. Or so he tells himself. When the two combine forces, they churn out magic in more ways than they had planned; they never expected to develop a steamy romantic sub-plot of their own…

Buy Links:

Kindle – http://www.amazon.com/His-Work-Art-Hot-Nerdy-ebook/dp/B00UFYGDVQ/ref=pd_sim_sbs_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0X52HAXGBQQKKW83BH44

Nook – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/his-work-of-art-shannyn-schroeder/1121380906?ean=9781616509552

iBook – https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/his-work-of-art/id979049691?mt=11

Kobo – https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/his-work-of-art

Tell us about your current series. My current series, A Lady’s Wish, is centered around three sisters who are a bit down on their luck and a mystic place called the Fairy Steps in the Lake District of England. The year is 1818.  Our sisters have been abandoned by their brother and are dependent on the kindness of a nearby family.  Each story is about wishing for something and then getting it. Of course, the wishers are never careful what they wish for, not to mention the mischievousness of fairies.

What inspired your latest book? I was between stories and surfing the internet. I came across a site called Mystical Britain. It spoke of the Fairy Steps in Beetham, Cumbria. They were used to lower caskets down to St. Michael’s Church in Beetham. Curious, I stumbled upon a website from a lovely retired couple who liked to walk the dales of England. The gentleman was a wonderful photographer and took some great photos of the Fairy Steps.  From there I had to write a story about it and this series was born.

Tell us about your Heroine: Anne Townsend is the eldest daughter of a baronet. Her brother, who is a jerk, has forced his step sisters out into the world to fend for themselves. She settles them in Beetham where they have the patronage of a nearby lady who was a friend of their mother. With little funds, Anne has to resort to a wish to better their circumstances. Unfortunately it backfires and chaos ensues. Anne is twenty-seven, rather plain, but very dependable. She is a wall flower, not used to the attentions of anyone in the room. The results of the wish push her out of her comfort zone where she finds self confidence and of course, love.

Tell us about your Hero. Nathaniel Matthews is a self-made man. His parents died when he was in school leaving him to care for his younger brother. His father also left them penniless. He and his brother were forced to move in with their grandmother in Beetham. He is smart, very business savvy and very protective of his younger brother. When he finds out that his brother is about to make a bad marriage, he arrives to put an end to the infatuation. This is where he meets Anne. Nathaniel is very alpha male. He knows what he wants and usually gets it. It is really too bad that Anne doesn’t feel like cooperating with him too much.

Do you write under a pen name? Yes. My pen name is my middle name and my husband’s first name. I was asked to come up with a pen name because I have a very odd but very German last name. My husband came up with this one and it stuck.

What is your favorite part of writing: Plotting and drafting. I love coming up and expanding on story ideas. I have notebooks filled with different ideas to work on. Drafting is like painting with words. I get to discover my character people through the plots I plan. I am a plotter too, but I don’t like to plot too much. I like to leave some of it to serendipity.

What is your least favorite part of writing: Revisions. Revising is all about rolling up your sleeves and polishing. I have such a hard time editing my own work. I’m working on this skill. Revision is what makes good stories great.

Did you always know you wanted to be a writer? Yes. There have been notebooks of stories under my bed since I was little.  My sisters and I wrote and recorded our own soap operas onto cassette decks for fun. I took a break from writing to raise two boys. In 2008, I finished a manuscript and decided it was time to try to get published. I joined RWA and my local chapter and started submitting. It took seven years to finally get published.

Why have you become a published author? I wanted to see my books in the library. Growing up in a small southern town, the library was my lifeline to a larger world.

Do you have any words of inspiration for aspiring writers? Never stop learning your craft and write every day. If you want it, work for it. Make it a priority. Strive to make every story better and to learn something from every story. If I can do you it, you can too.

Bio:

Eileen Richards has been writing for most of her life. Poetry, totally inappropriate answers to essay questions in school, and interesting error codes during her 30 year IT career has prepared her for the manic world of publishing.

She writes sassy regency romps set in the small villages of England where the rules are bent a bit and gossip rules the day.

Eileen resides with her husband and their diva of a greyhound in North Carolina.

Website: http://www.eileenrichardsauthor.com

Buy Links:

Amazon US:  http://tinyurl.com/p7bvfuz

Barnes and Noble: http://tinyurl.com/prwaqdc

IBOOKS:  http://tinyurl.com/o475rom

Kobo: http://tinyurl.com/q43vg6j

Blurb:

An Unexpected Wish

 LOVE IS IN THE AIR

 Anne Townsend doesn’t ask for much. Plain and poor, she’d settle for the funds to put food on the table. Making a wish on the fabled Fairy Steps is hardly a solid solution, but to see her two sisters taken care of, Anne’s willing to try anything. Yet when she finds herself suddenly surrounded with suitors, romance is now a possibility for the spinster everyone always ignored except with the one man who will never want her…

Nathaniel Matthews has no time for courting. As the eldest, he has his family’s lost fortune to rebuild, and his reckless brother to manage before he gambles his future away. Odd that Nathaniel can think of little but kissing bright-eyed Anne, who seems to be fighting off admirers from all sides. Is it the country air, or is Nathaniel ready to discover that love has a magic all its own?

Excerpt:  Setup: Anne has made her wish at the Fairy Steps but things are not going as she thought they should. In this scene the vicar, Cecil Worth, starts reading some very inappropriate Bible text in Sunday morning service while under the spell of the wish.

Juliet elbowed her in the side. “Anne, are you paying attention?”

“What?” she whispered back.

“The Vicar, Mr. Worth. He’s acting very strange.”

Anne looked up at the pulpit and noticed Mr. Worth’s eyes on her. She met his eyes and saw the change wash over his face. “Oh Lord.”

“What?” Sophia whispered.

“We have a special Biblical text today,” Mr. Worth droned. “Song of Solomon, Chapter Seven. And I shall read:

“’How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O prince’s daughter! the joints of thy thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a cunning workman.’”

Gasps echoed around the church. Anne looked down at her hands, now knotted in her lap. Please God, don’t let this be happening. Mr. Worth’s high-pitched voice droned on.

“’Thy navel is like a round goblet, which wanteth not liquor: thy belly is like an heap of wheat set about with lilies.’”

“I didn’t know there were texts like this in the Bible,” Juliet whispered. “And here I’ve been wasting my time on novels.”

Sophia giggled at Juliet’s remark. “You have to admit, it’s more interesting than his usual sermons.”

Anne prayed that the ground would open up and swallow her. She glanced up at Mr. Worth and he smiled back at her.  Could things get much worse?

“’Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins.’”

Oh heavens, he said ‘breast’ in church! Some teenage boys laughed in the back. Anne risked a look around her. Many, including Lady Danford, were frowning. Mrs. Worth was glaring at her.  She sunk lower in her seat and tucked her head down. Please God, let it end soon.

Rafflecopter Ebook Giveaway for An Unexpected Wish

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The first story I ever wrote was about a princess who escaped her ivory tower and became best friends with a purple dragon named Patsy. I know, the name could use work and I was a rebel even back then. I wrote it for English class and got an A+. Ahhh, my first review. 🙂

I have a hard time writing in the company of others. That’s why I can’t write in a coffee shop or surrounded by people. I feel self-conscious and my muse shuts down. I have to be alone with no prying eyes peeking over my shoulder.

I get distracted easily. Thus, no television on but music is a must for my writing environment. If there is something that catches my eye, I have to force myself back to my writing. Otherwise, procrastination takes hold and I’ll never get anything done.

I free-write a lot. I talk about the freedom and flooding of ideas that happens every time I free-write. The act of just letting my fingers do the talking is one of the best ways my characters emerge.

When I was 16, I won first prize in a poetry contest paying tribute to our veterans. I won $50 and invited to be on a float. I spent the money on books and politely declined to appear on the float (painfully shy).

I use life experiences to create real, honest characters in my writing. I’m a firm believer that life is filled with inspiration.

Planting the Seeds of Love: A Novella is my first foray into contemporary romance. I’ve been a reader of romance since I was twelve and the pressure was on. I normally write paranormal romance but I loved writing this novella. Sally’s story flowed out of me faster than I could write it down.

I got caught up in the “proper way” of writing almost two years ago and as a result, lost my writing fire. I listened to a few people who told me I was doing it wrong. The thing is, each writer has his/her own writing style and I have my own way of telling a story. It’s what makes me unique. I’m happy to say that I am back to writing in my own style and happier than I’ve ever been!

I write flash fiction and poetry as a warm-up to writing a novel/novella. I start with a writing prompt and let my muse take over. It gets the ideas flowing and my fingers write faster than I can keep up. I then keep them for later book ideas. Planting the Seeds of Love: A Novella came from a flash fiction story I wrote back in March 2015.

A few bonus facts about me:

I love to read books. It’s a passion of mine and I continue to discover new authors.

I love to bake goodies and my new favorite thing is to add boxed chocolates to brownie batter and bake. It adds such a depth of chocolate flavor and sophistication.

I’m a happy positive person, most of the time. Sometimes I get frustrated and tired but then I give myself a shake and am happy again.

Title: Planting the Seeds of Love: A Novella

Author: N. N. Light

Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult, New Adult Romance

Blurb:

Torn between two men, Sally must follow her heart and decide if love will lead her to the city or the countryside.

Twenty-Two year old Sally Rayton returns to the family farm she deserted four years ago to bury her grandfather. Her plan: to settle her grandfather’s estate and return to her life in the city with her boyfriend, Trevor Mattson.

Her childhood friend, Jack Smith, has other ideas.

Jack convinces Sally to transform the farm into a brewery and fulfill her grandfather’s dream while keeping the Rayton Farm in the family. Sally works side-by-side with Jack while Trevor is hundreds of miles away in the city. The more time she spends with Jack, the stronger her feelings are for him.

When Trevor shows up to propose to Sally right before Christmas and finds her in Jack’s embrace, she must make the biggest choice of her life: true love.

Excerpt:

Jack looked where she pointed.

“Sally…” he began.

“Yes?”

“Are you planning on selling it when the farm’s made a profit?”

Sally sighed.

He turned her body around, his gaze penetrating hers.

“I don’t know,” she whispered. “I know Grandpa wanted me to keep it in the family.” She furrowed her brow. “I’m not a country girl; my heart belongs to the city.”

“Hey, it’s okay.” He moved a step closer. “Farming is hard work and you have to love it to make it successful.” He put a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t beat yourself up for following your heart.”

Sally winced.

“What?”

“Jack, I’m not sure what my heart wants. Part of me loves being here, carrying on the family name.”

“But…” Jack raised an eyebrow warily.

“But I have a life in the city. I’ve almost finished my degree –”

“You have Trevor,” Jack interrupted her. He shook his head.

“What’s wrong with that? Yes, I have a life and a boyfriend in the city. I’ve told you a thousand times my dream is to open my own sidewalk cafe.” She folded her arms over her chest. “Don’t you want me to be happy, Jack?” Her voice sounded hurt, even to her own ears.

He closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead.

“This isn’t going how I wanted it to.” He glanced up at her. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to imply anything. It’s just –”

“What?” Sally cocked her head to one side.

The telephone rang inside.

“Shit, I have to go answer it. I’ll be right back.” She ran into the house.

“Hello?”

“Hi beautiful.” Trevor.

Buy Links:

Available at Amazon Worldwide exclusively: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01581XM50

Paperback: https://www.createspace.com/5697490

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26134330-planting-the-seeds-of-love

Newsletter:

If you would like to sign up to be an exclusive member of #TeamPOTL, send me an email:

info [at] princessofthelight [dot] com

You’ll get a free short story and you’ll get sneak peeks into what I’m working on. Plus, every Friday, you’ll get a special shout-out on Twitter. 🙂

Author Bio: N. N. Light has been creating stories ever since she was little. Her grandfather remembers when she was two years old, she would stand at the top of the stairs and tell him a story filled with emotion (and in a language foreign to him) with her hands on her hips. Let’s just say she was a born storyteller.

She was born in Minnesota, lived in Southern California only to move to chilly Ontario, Canada to marry her beloved husband MR N. She is blissfully happy and loves all things chocolate, books, music, movies, art, sports and baking. Her mantra is to spread the Light.

Most of the time you can find her on Twitter or getting new ideas on how to spread the Light on Pinterest. She is a proud member of ASMSG, Independent Author Network and Marketing for Romance Writers.

In addition to being an author, she’s also a book promoter/reviewer and social media marketer. She loves books, has ever since she was young. Matching up books and readers is something that gives her great pleasure.

She’d love to connect with you either via email or via these various social media sites:

Website: http://princessofthelight.com

Blog: http://princessofthelight.wordpress.com

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

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/NNP_W_Light

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/nnlight

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/n-n-light/90/1a7/902

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/118060034268079734144/posts

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/nnlight

Independent Author Network: http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/n-n-light.html

What genre(s) do you write in and why?

I write contemporary romances and romantic suspense. My favorite books to read are suspense one and it is my favorite type of story to write.

Tell us about your current series.

Rodeo Knights is a continuity series with one storyline that goes through the three stories and yet each book has a suspense thread that is wrapped up in it. Lisa Mondello has the first book in the series: Her Knight, Her Protector. I have the second one: The Knight and the Damsel and Lenora Worth has the last book called One Knight in Vegas. This series is about three brothers who try to figure out who is sabotaging the rodeo circuit.

What inspired your latest book?

I live in Oklahoma where the rodeo is a big deal. When I research the rodeo, I became interested in bull riding and the people who rode the.

What is your favorite part of writing?

Writing the first draft when the story all comes together with all the surprises.

What is your least favorite part of writing?

Doing edits. Sometimes I read the story so many times I meet myself coming and going.

What is your next project and when will it be released?

Deadly Noel will be out November 30th. It is the fifth book in my Strong Women, Extraordinary Situations, a romantic suspense series. Blurb for Deadly Noel: In this romantic suspense district attorney, Kira Davis, convicted the wrong man—Gabriel Michaels, a single dad with a young daughter. When new evidence was brought forth, his conviction was overturned, and Gabriel returned home to his ranch to put his life back together. Although Gabriel is free, the murderer of his wife is still out there and resumes killing women. In a desperate alliance, Kira and Gabriel join forces to find the true identity of the person terrorizing their town. Will they be able to forgive the past and find the killer before it too late?

How has your experience with self-publishing been?

My experience has been good, especially when I remember I’m in it for the long haul. It is a different kind of challenge. I’m also a traditionally published writer with Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense (Harlequin lines). Each type of publishing offers its challenges and rewards. I like doing both.

What advice do you have for other authors wanting to self-publish?

Write series. Put out a book at least every 3 or 4 months. Remember it takes time to build an audience.

What did you want to be when you were a child?

Did you always know you wanted to be a writer? I wanted to be a teacher as a child and ended up teaching 27 years (I’m retired now). I never thought of being a writer, but I’ve always been a storyteller. I loved making up stories when I was a child.

Please tell my readers a little bit about your book. 

The blurb for The Knight and the Damsel:

Retired champion bull-rider, Michael Knight, leaves his ranch when his younger brother calls for help. Someone is sabotaging and poisoning rodeo animals. Determined to stop them, Michael takes a job in the center of the action as a bullfighter.

Bella Rosenthal is one of the few female bull-riders competing with the men. Someone is harassing her, and Michael decides to solve that case as well, but Bella doesn’t want any help. She insists on taking care of herself until one of her bull rides is sabotaged, and she is nearly killed. Michael and Bella work to find out who is behind what is happening on the rodeo circuit while fighting their growing feelings for each other.

Bio:

Margaret Daley, a USA Today’s Bestselling author of over ninety books (five million sold worldwide), has been married for over forty years and is a firm believer in romance and love. When she isn’t traveling, she’s writing love stories, often with a suspense thread and corralling her three cats that think they rule her household. To find out more about Margaret visit her website at http://www.margaretdaley.com and connect with her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/margaretdaleybooks

Buy links for The Knight and the Damsel:

Amazon: http://bit.ly/TheKnightAM

Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1J2icPN

Apple: http://apple.co/1KuO79s

What genre(s) do you write in and why? I write mainly romantic suspense, but have dabbled a little in romantic comedy. My next series set in a winery, will only be lightly suspenseful.

What is your favorite part of writing? The beginning is always the best. Like falling in love, it’s new and exciting.

What is your least favorite part of writing? Promotion. I’m not good at it. I find it frustrating and because of that I have trouble expending a lot of energy towards it.

What is your typical day like? I am also a ghostwriter so my clients’ work comes first. I do e-mails and social media first thing in the morning. After a workout, I write, usually at least 3K words then lunch. If I have errands I do those right after lunch then I’m back to write 2K more in the afternoon. Then 1K more after dinner.

How has your experience with self-publishing been? I am both published with a publisher and self-published. I like both experiences for different reasons. I am thinking I’ll go with a publisher for my winery series.

Do you have critique partners? I have the best critique partners in the world. They are also my friends and my business partners. I trust them completely.

How likely are people you meet to end up in your next book? I never include whole people. I include parts of them. For instance the hero in the first book in the winery series looks like a guy I knew in high school.

Do you have a view in your writing space?  What does your space look like?  Have laptop, will travel. I work various places in my house. When I need to be around people and really get stuff done, I go to the library in my town. It is the best space. High ceilings. Lots of light.

What do you have planned for the future? I have a trilogy set in a winery, about three brothers who inherit a vineyard. I have a werebear trilogy also about three brothers. Then I will need to write another book for my Dog Matchmaker Series. Who knows after that.

EXCERPT

Waking up next to a dead guy can ruin your whole day.

At least interior decorator Miriam Stokes’ thought so.

The Philadelphia Police Detective whose name she couldn’t remember talked soothingly to her, making her feel, not better, but at least calmer.

As calm as anyone could feel after finding a dead body. How did she get herself into these things?

Sipping coffee Miriam didn’t remember asking for, she eyed the cop as they sat in a flowered living room. Her friend Joe’s neighbor owned said living room. The friend she just found dead.

She tried to keep eye contact with Detective. . .Dasher, Dancer? Some reindeer name.

She could see him clearly now, her vision returning to normal.

“So you woke up and he was dead.  Didn’t you hear a shot?”

After swallowing the scalding liquid, she answered him. “No detective. I do sleep very soundly, but I think I had help from this bump on the side of my head.”

To indicate the injury, she pulled away the bag of ice she held to her head. The ice had appeared sometime after the first patrolman.  The lump began to throb, but Donner only glanced at her head. Instead, he scribbled some notes in a small pad.

How many murders does one have to see to get so matter-of-fact about them? Miriam shuddered.

“Could I at least get dressed? I feel a little vulnerable in my pajamas,” she told him.

Donner. The detective had introduced himself as Donner. He looked her over as if making a decision. He nodded, glancing around the apartment. “Do you have any clothes?”

She nodded towards Joe’s apartment.

“When they remove. . .” he murmured, then grimaced. She caught his meaning.

He turned his brown eyes back to her. “We’ll work things out. I just have a few more questions for you. Then we’ll go downtown.”

Miriam nodded. Who would do this to Joe?

“How long have you known the deceased?”

BIO

Chris Redding lives in New Jersey with her husband, two sons, one dog and three rabbits.  She graduated from Penn State with a degree in journalism. When she isn’t writing, she works for a local winery. Her books are filled with romance, suspense and thrills.

Links:

http://chrisredddingauthor.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/chrisreddingauthor

www.twitter.com/chrisredding