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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Snap, Spirit, Murder?

I wanted to write a story about a midlife woman who’s been through the wringer but still finds a way to rebuild, reinvent, and embrace the extraordinary. I love second chances, found family, and the idea that life doesn’t end at forty—it gets more interesting. Having lived in the UK for over a decade, I wanted to set my book in a picturesque English village, but with a twist—Fairwyck isn’t just charming, it’s layered with secrets, ghosts, and a hint of magic. The idea of a camera that captures ghosts intrigued me, and from there, Liv Grantham’s journey took shape.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Snap, Spirit, Murder, what would they be?

Liv is a fan of Pink, so "Just Like Fire" feels like a great anthem for her—she’s embracing her abilities, standing strong despite her past, and refusing to be defined by her mistakes. For her journey of self-trust, "Who Knew" also fits, reflecting her regrets and the need to move forward.

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

I love reading mysteries with a touch of the supernatural, and that’s exactly what I love to write. Books that blend real-world stakes with eerie, unexplained elements always pull me in—I just love the idea that there is more out there than we know. Everyone needs a little magic in their lives. I also love characters with a secret superpower. But I also read thrillers, suspense, and biographies—give me a strong woman on a mission to read about, and I’ll be happy.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Too many! My Kindle is packed with books I haven’t gotten to yet, all neatly organized into virtual bookshelves. I usually gravitate toward books similar to what I’m writing, but sometimes I crave something completely different. Right now, I’m reading Danielle Garrett’s Beechwood Harbor Ghost Mysteries, but I just downloaded the latest Colleen Helme book for a change of pace.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

One of my favorites was when Liv first captures Matilda’s ghost in a photo. That moment when she looks at the image and realizes what she’s seeing—it’s eerie, it’s unsettling, and it forces her to face what she’s been avoiding for decades. I also loved writing scenes with her cat, Ethel. Pets always find a way to steal the spotlight!

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

Absolutely! My Maine Coon, Rocks, is my constant writing companion—whether I want him to be or not. He loudly demands attention (or food) at the most inconvenient times, which means many writing sessions include negotiations with a very opinionated cat. Also, I don’t start writing without coffee. It’s practically a ritual at this point.

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

One that resonates with both me and Liv is: “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.” Liv’s journey is all about stepping into the unknown, even when she’s terrified—whether that’s facing ghosts, small-town suspicion, or her own self-doubt.

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

That it’s never too late to rebuild, rediscover yourself, or embrace the things that make you different. Liv’s story is about resilience, trust, and second chances—not just with people, but with herself. I hope readers walk away feeling like they, too, can face whatever life throws at them (hopefully without any murder investigations, though!).

 

Felicity Green is the author of the new book Snap, Spirit, Murder

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write True Crime Widow?

As an Irish-American from a Boston suburb with a desire to write what I know, I wanted to set my crime novel in the kind of environment I grew up in, avoiding the mean streets of inner city Boston, which had become something of a cliché. I also wanted to explore how sociopathy might present itself among my characters and what forms it might take, where some “bad” people might appear more mischievous than evil, while other, supposedly respectable characters had a dark side darker than anyone else’s.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of True Crime Widow, what would they be?

I'd like to say "Bad to the Bone".

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

I generally alternate between literary fiction and crime fiction, although I confess to a penchant for science fiction in my younger days.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Radium Girls by Kate Moore, James Salter: Pilot, Screenwriter, Novelist by Jeffrey Meyers, Prince of Thieves by Chuck Hogan, and America Fantastica by Tim O'Brien.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The decline and fall of the boorish millionaire, Buckminster Albright.

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

True to my contrary nature, I like to set the text to white characters on a black background when I read through my stuff during the editing phase. That, plus I like to wear my lucky hat.

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

If you overestimate someone, the worst you're likely to be is disappointed. But if you underestimate them, and they get wind of that, you'll have created an enemy for life. (That is why I always prefer to see the best in people.)

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

The voice, the pacing, the psychological acuity, and the inexorable outrageousness of the events that transpire.

 

James Vance Elliott is the author of the new book True Crime Widow

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Soulmatcher?

The call came. After 10 years in the same company my services were no longer wanted. For the 4th time in my work history I would be laid off. My old boss who had moved to the international section of the same company called, there may be a job for me. A couple of months later I was on a plane to France where a new contract had been awarded. There I met colleagues from Germany who had also lost their jobs when the German office closed, a few who had been retained as they spoke French. After several weeks, and formed into pairs, we were dispersed. Me and my partner, to Nice, where over the next months we worked together. We fell in love. We wanted a life together. I returned to the USA, sold my house and moved to Germany. My former work partner was now my wife.

That was 12 years ago. I wondered how this could have happened. What were the chances that a boy from London, England who moved to the USA could meet a German girl in Paris? How many choices and decisions needed to occur to make our unlikely meeting occur? What if there are heavenly beings whose role is to help soulmates find each other no matter the distance, no matter the challenges? - "The Soulmatcher" was born... I hope you enjoy the book and know that behind it is a true story. One which continues to fill me with wonder and a another question...what if Soulmatchers really do exist? What a lovely thought...

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

I love insightful nonfiction. Authors like Malcom Gladwell, Adam Grant, and Daniel Kahneman.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

"Origins: How the Nine Months Before Birth Shape the Rest of Our Lives" by Annie Murphy Paul. "The Winner Effect: The Neuroscience of Success and Failure" by Ian Robertson. "The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Study on Happiness" by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The escape scene from east to west Berlin across the wall. I live in Berlin and am very familiar with the location where I based that part of the story. My wife’s grandmother lived right at the wall on the west side where events are described. All of the locations exist, or did, e.g. the church I mention has since been demolished and is therefore based on research.

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

So many! Don’t focus on outcomes as we don’t know what’s best for us.

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

Be open to all the possibilities without judging.

 

Francis J. Shaw is the author of the new book The Soulmatcher

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Shadows, Ghosts, and Gold?

Although Shadows, Ghosts, and Gold was written as a standalone book, its themes continue the journey I began in my first novel, When We Were Warm: A Futuristic Time Travel Romance. Both books were born from the same source: a spontaneous vision in 2012—a moment that has stayed with me ever since. In a wide-awake dream state, I saw a man with silver skin appear before me. He came with a warning—a glimpse of a transhuman future, one where humanity was on the brink of losing itself. That vision, combined with my own heartache over the rapid decline of San Francisco, ignited the need to tell this story. Rather than writing a dystopian manifesto, I chose to make it personal, to weave these ideas into an emotionally resonant narrative—one wrapped inside romance, time travel, and adventure. This new book expands the theme in an even more epic way, blending historical romance with romantic fantasy, touching on sci-fi, the paranormal, and the haunting echoes of San Francisco’s Gold Rush past. Time moves fluidly in this story, just as it does in life—and the choices we make now ripple across all of history.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Shadows, Ghosts, and Gold, what would they be?

Actually, that’s exactly how I work! Music is a huge part of my creative process—it invokes emotion with such force that I rely on it to deepen scenes and characters. For the heartbreaking moment near the beginning, where Aroya witnesses his own body reverting back into a machine, I used "Creep" by Radiohead to pull out the raw devastation of that scene.

When he later travels to the dystopian future of 2050, "Welcome to the Machine" by Pink Floyd perfectly captured the bleak, dehumanizing reality he steps into. I could go on and on—music was a constant source of inspiration while writing this book, and it always is when I create.

In fact, I’m carrying that love of music forward in a new way—by bringing Aroya’s poetry to life through music on his new YouTube channel. So, in a way, the story isn’t just words on a page—it’s an experience that extends into sound and resonance.

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

Not really! In fact, I actually avoid reading anything too close to my own genre—I don’t want outside influences to seep in unconsciously. That way, my writing stays unique and fresh, shaped only by my own creative instincts. The only reading I do outside of my own work is for research—especially when it comes to the historical aspects of my story and the poetry woven throughout. Those elements require deep study to ensure authenticity, but when it comes to fiction, I prefer to let my imagination lead the way, unfiltered.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

OMG—it’s a strange and eclectic mix! Right now, I’m deep into books on mind control, music, and social engineering in the ‘60s—all in preparation for my next book, which takes place in 1969 San Francisco. Researching that era has been fascinating—so much was happening beneath the surface of the counterculture movement, and I can’t wait to weave those layers into my next story.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Although most readers say the Gold Rush scenes are their favorites, my personal favorites are the warehouse scenes in dystopian 2050. There’s a deep camaraderie between the characters that warms my heart, and certain moments still bring me to tears—even now. To me, these characters are real—in their suffering, their triumphs, and the way they hold onto each other in the darkest of times. Their relationships are what touch me most deeply, and writing those connections was one of the most meaningful parts of the book.

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

LOL—no, not really! I don’t have any lucky objects or rituals, but the one thing I absolutely need is no distractions. When I write, I completely immerse myself in the emotions of my characters, feeling every moment as the story unfolds. That deep focus is what brings the scenes to life, so I prefer to work in silence, undisturbed.

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

Hmm… I suppose it would be something I learned from my Sufi teacher: "The heart is the seat of the King, and the mind is the King’s wise advisor. For harmony to exist in the kingdom, the King must consult his advisor—but the advisor must never dethrone the King." In other words, rule with your heart, and always consult with your disciplined mind—but never let the mind overpower or silence the heart.

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

There are two things, really. First, I hope readers remember the power of love—because love has the ability to make the impossible possible, across all time and dimensions. Second, if we want to change the future, we must focus on the present. What we do here and now creates ripples forward, shaping the unfolding of future events and our own lives.

 

A. B. Raphaelle is the author of the new book Shadows, Ghosts, and Gold

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Cinders Burn at Midnight (Trium Perfectum Series Book 1)?

When I was about 28/29, I woke up with these damn characters in my head...and they would not stop. Would. Not. Stop. Talking to me. When the idea first came to me, I had no self-esteem. I was a young mom, and I had no sense of self. I rarely picked out anything other than music or a favorite television show. I struggled a lot with just living. I knew if I tried anything, I’d mess it up. I'd always wanted to be a writer, but I didn't try because of my low self-esteem. But… and I don’t have to tell you how wrong all those thoughts were… So I figured, what the hell? I’ll do what they ask. The minute the pen went to paper (because I had written the entire thing by hand at that point), it was like a light clicked on for me. It lit a fire inside me that nothing except becoming a mother had done. It made me realize I had a purpose, and it set a lot of things in motion. I wanted to be a good mother, and writing changed everything. I basically blew up my life (metaphorically) and started on a path to get to the point I am at today. I write for someone I used to be who didn’t believe in herself. I also write it for others who don’t think they can do something they want to do because of whatever factors are telling them they can’t. Yes. You can. You just have to find the right way for you.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Cinders Burn at Midnight (Trium Perfectum Series Book 1), what would they be?

I have them already! "Hero" by Regina Spektor for Kaitlin Gilbert. "Stolen Dance" by Milky Chance for Finn Avery.

Sidenote: all of the characters except a few antagonists have songs they gravitate toward. I find that they really show me their personality with music.

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

Fantasy/sci-fi is the genre I like to write in. Although I love sci-fi, I hadn’t dived too deeply into writing it. I’ve always leaned toward fantasy more. However, when I was ghostwriting, I discovered that I really enjoyed writing contemporary romance, which was a surprise.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Gah, too many things. Being a heavy presence on Bookstagram has opened me up to a whole new world of authors in every stage of their writing journey. I'm lucky because by forming those bonds I get to beta and ARC for some amazing people. Then there are the others who have incredible books and at this point, I read so slowly that I’ll probably die under a pile of TBR, but there are just so many good ones out there it’s hard not to add all of them to the list. I’m starting A.C. Wonderland’s One Shot soon!

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

That’s a great question and a difficult one to peg down. I have a novella introducing readers to the world called "An Accidental Faerie Tale". It’s a MM dark fantasy/romance, and Max and Aiden fall under the enemies-to-lovers category. I really enjoy writing scenes with that kind of tension. But for Cinders, my favorite parts were the ones where Kaitlin began asserting herself, sticking up for what was right even though it went against the grain of what she was always told she was supposed to be.

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

I'm sure I do, I'm not sure if it's a habit or not, but when I clean, I put headphones on and let the characters have a dance party in my head.

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

Keep moving forward. (Meet the Robinsons) And, the only way you fail is by giving up. Any mistakes made are lessons learned, and it’s up to us to decide how we will tackle the lesson.

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

Mental health is not a joke. It’s a serious situation that can affect our brain and body chemistry. Things like depression, flashbacks, and panic attacks can attack a person at a cellular level. Going through trauma and facing it is going to be the worst and most worthwhile thing anyone ever does for themselves. Always ask for help. Someone is there; if you can’t find someone, look outside your circle. Don’t be afraid to reach out and connect with someone, or a community. Keep looking and believing in yourself, even if it’s only a spark. Everyone deserves to find peace.

 

Kara M. Zone is the author of the new book Cinders Burn at Midnight (Trium Perfectum Series Book One)

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