Blog

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Hiding In The Shadows (The Shadows Series Book 2)?

After finishing The Shadows Between Us, I kept asking myself: What happens when the dust settles—but the danger is still out there, waiting? What if the lies ran even deeper than anyone realized? That question was the spark for this story. At the same time, I was watching how quickly the world around us was shifting—especially with digital currencies, blockchain, and the way money now moves through systems most of us barely understand. That fascinated me.

Like so many of us, the characters in this book are forced to adapt to a new, digital-first world where the rules feel unclear, and the people writing those rules don’t always have your best interests at heart. I wanted to explore how that uncertainty—and the lack of meaningful regulation—could be weaponized, turning technology into a perfect cover for greed, manipulation, and control. In Hiding in the Shadows, the characters face not just personal betrayals, but also a much larger, more faceless threat—a system that feels too big to fight, yet too dangerous to ignore. It’s still a story about resilience, trust, and uncovering the truth—but this time, the shadows stretch into the digital world we’re all learning to navigate.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Hiding In The Shadows (The Shadows Series Book 2), what would they be?

- For Kirbey, “Warrior” by Demi Lovato — it reflects her pain, her fight, and her determination to stand her ground even when the odds are stacked against her.
- For Ryan, “Human” by Rag’n’Bone Man — it captures the weight of his flaws, guilt, and quiet strength as he tries to make amends.
- For Chelsee, “Elastic Heart” by Sia — she bends, she struggles, but she refuses to break.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I’m still deeply drawn to psychological thrillers and suspense — but as I wrote Hiding in the Shadows, I also found myself reading more books about technology, finance, and moral gray areas. I love stories that make you question what you thought you knew — about the world, and yourself. That’s what I aim to write, too — stories that feel intimate and emotional while exploring larger, unsettling forces around us.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Honestly? Too many! I have a towering stack of psychological thrillers and suspense novels waiting for me, including None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell and Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris — both of which I’m excited to finally dive into. But most of my reading time right now is actually going into my own writing. I’m working on a new standalone psychological thriller that’s been living in my head for a while, and once that’s finished, I’ll be diving straight into the third book in The Shadows Series. So my current TBR might have to wait a little longer — but that just means more to look forward to when the time comes.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

My favorite scenes to write were actually the ones where the characters — and readers — start piecing together what all the different digital and crypto elements really are. I loved weaving in the layers of discovery, showing how something that seemed abstract or harmless at first slowly revealed itself to be part of a much bigger, more dangerous scheme. Those moments let me explore not just the mechanics of financial manipulation, but also the emotional weight of realizing just how much of the world can operate in the shadows. Watching my characters wrestle with both their personal betrayals and this massive digital web was deeply satisfying to bring to life.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Once inspiration strikes, I can’t stop — I’ll write for hours, completely immersed in the story. I talk through scenes out loud, often while pacing or cooking, and Rex has become my very patient sounding board for all the twists and turns. I write best near a window or outside, listening to birds chirping and watching for the different colored birds that visit the yard — it’s become part of my ritual.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

“When you can’t see the path, take the next brave step anyway.” That’s been my guiding thought through so many seasons of life — and it became even more meaningful while writing Hiding in the Shadows. In this story, the characters are forced to move forward even when everything around them feels uncertain, dangerous, and unclear. They make imperfect, messy, but brave choices — and that’s what I believe courage really looks like.

Amy Rose Novoa is the author of the new book Hiding In The Shadows (The Shadows Series Book 2)

Connect with Amy Rose Novoa

Author Site

Facebook

For Book Clubs

Buy The Book

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Have You Seen Him?

Soon after we meet the book’s main character, David, he’s sifting through his mail and sees the missing child ad with his own face. The inspiration for the book is a scenario pretty similar to that—I was sorting my mail and saw an ad for a child who went missing when he was 10. The computer-progressed image showed him at 40 years old. I thought about how this boy’s family had been searching for over three decades and had never given up trying to find him. The faces haunted me. I tore it out and carried it around in my bag for a while, then sat down to write a story about it.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Have You Seen Him, what would they be?

David: Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson.
Gayle: I’m Every Woman by Whitney Houston.
Alejandro: Beautiful Mistakes by Maroon 5 feat. Megan Thee Stallion.
Violet: Maneater by Nelly Furtado.
Stone: Believer by Imagine Dragons.
Hersh: Location by Khalid.
Margaret: Been So Long by Anita Baker.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Thrillers. I love a good page-turner that immerses me in the world of the characters and keeps me guessing.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Brendan Slocumb’s Symphony of Secrets (I loved The Violin Conspiracy), Lucy Foley’s The Hunting Party.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The last few chapters: I’d written the beginning of the story and knew how I wanted it to end but wasn’t sure how to get there. I decided to go ahead and write those final scenes. Doing that gave me a glimpse of how I’d feel when the book was complete, and it motivated me to get the characters from Point A to Point Z. I think my subconscious was also working on it because I’d wake up with ideas.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Much of this book was written behind the wheel (while the car was parked, of course!). I’d be waiting for my kids at karate class, flute lessons, and parkour. Something about grabbing those casual moments—with a finite amount of time—helped me get into a flow and took away the pressure that sometimes blocked me when sitting at my desk for designated writing sessions.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Work hard, play hard. Refuse to allow negative attitudes or people to bring you down.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Home is within you.

Kimberly Lee is the author of the new book Have You Seen Him

Connect with Kimberly Lee

Author Site

Buy The Book

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Death of an Idol?

Death of an Idol began with a single haunting image: a young woman falling from a cliff beneath a cobalt Jeju sky, betrayed by someone she trusted. That image stayed with me. I wanted to explore the collision between fame and trauma, and what it means to be truly seen in a world built on masks. The inspiration came from my love of psychological thrillers, my curiosity about the darker side of the K-pop and entertainment industry, and my desire to tell a story weaving obsession, grief, and identity into something both suspenseful and intimate. Tae’s journey—from idol to professor to accidental detective—felt like the perfect vehicle for that exploration.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Death of an Idol, what would they be?

Tae’s playlist includes “Red Lights” by Stray Kids—which is literally featured in the book—sultry, obsessive, and dangerous. Also on the list is “Where Am I” by Cha Eunwoo, another track featured in the story. In fact, the character of Tae was inspired by the South Korean actor and K-pop idol Cha Eunwoo.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Yes and no. I’m obsessed with psychological thrillers and mysteries—anything by Agatha Christie, Val McDermid, Freida McFadden, or Gillian Flynn has me hooked. But I also devour literary fiction, especially books that blend beautiful prose with emotional depth—authors like Celeste Ng, Jhumpa Lahiri, and Hanya Yanagihara. I love writing thrillers but always aim for a voice that’s poetic and introspective, even amid the suspense. I want the atmosphere to linger.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The Teacher by Freida McFadden, A Darker Domain by Val McDermid, The Good Son by You-Jeong Jeong, and Death in Tokyo by Keigo Higashino.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The scene with Nari and her parents in the car gave me chills just imagining it. For readers, you’ll know what I mean when you get to it. The visuals, the stillness, the slow reveal—it was all incredibly cinematic in my head.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I need some matcha milk tea or coffee to sip on. My cats occasionally jump onto my table to get pets and inevitably press the keyboard, adding a line or two.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

A motto I live by comes from a Michael Jackson song: “Keep on with force—don’t stop. Don’t stop ‘til you get enough.” It sums up my approach to life—it’s about wanting everything I can get out of it while I’m here. Call it ambition or just plain greed for experience, but I don’t believe in holding back.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Grief isn’t linear, love isn’t always pure, and sometimes the most dangerous people are the ones who love you the most.

Rima Ray is the author of the new book Death of an Idol

Connect with Rima Ray

Youtube

Instagram

Buy The Book