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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Barracuda Bay?

Police detective Emilia Cruz’s story started in Cliff Diver, the first in the series set in Acapulco. Now in Barracuda Bay (Book 9), she’s a seasoned cop assigned to investigate the murder of the mayor’s sister. Of course, nothing is easy, and before Emilia can arrest her prime suspect, she’s sent to Washington, DC. There, she becomes a fugitive on the run from killers disguised as cops. Emilia has to turn to her brother, a shady Mexican federal cop she once vowed to kill. I wanted to put Emilia to the ultimate test in Barracuda Bay. She’s on the run in a strange place, having to speak a foreign language, with no money, phone, car, or place to sleep. How will she survive? What would you do? Like all the books in the series, Barracuda Bay gives enough backstory to read as a standalone.

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

Definitely mystery, especially books set in exotic (to me, anyway) locations. I love seeing how other authors build clues and insert red herrings. I never read intending to figure out “whodunit.” I want to be led along the twisting, winding road to the end. Some favorites are books by Peter May, Jussi Adler-Olsen, and Brian Klingborg.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Karla's Choice by Nick Harkaway (a continuation of the George Smiley books by John LaCarre) and Midnight and Blue by Ian Rankin, the latest Inspector Rebus novel.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The first scene must qualify as my favorite, because I rewrote it so many times! The killer is "off-screen" for much of the book, so I knew the reader needed to know who is causing so much havoc. He almost leaps off the page in the short and breathless start to the book. The scene sets a fast pace for the action to come.

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

I am a plotter with a love of the number 3. Every Detective Emilia Cruz mystery has at least 3 strands that are braided together throughout the book: the main crime/investigation, a secondary crime, and a personal issue that Emilia is struggling with. In Barracuda Bay, the main crime is the murder of the mayor’s sister, and the secondary crime is the murder of a Mexican federal cop connected to her undercover brother. Her personal issue is just as explosive: she continually faces discrimination for being the first female police detective in Acapulco. The chief of police sees her plans to marry hotel manager Kurt Rucker as an opportunity to force her out.

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

"If you aim at nothing, you will surely hit it." I don't know who was the first to say it, but it is so true!

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

Grappling with murder, deception, and uncertainty, Detective Emilia Cruz is resilient, courageous, and resourceful. If she can be all that, so can you.

Carmen Amato is the author of the new book Barracuda Bay

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Ghost and Tell?

Ghost and Tell is book ten in my Ghost Detective series, so by now Audrey and I are basically co-workers. This time, she’s dealing with a dead schoolteacher, a buried scandal, and a raccoon who’s way too comfortable stealing evidence. There’s no deep, soul-searching inspiration behind it—just my love of murder mysteries, snarky banter, and fictional chaos. It also lets me explore what it would be like to live with a talking cat... which is exactly as ridiculous as it sounds.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Ghost and Tell, what would they be?

Audrey (my ghost-whispering PI): “Try Everything” by Shakira, because she’s going to trip, fall, faceplant, and still keep going. Thor (her grumpy, food-obsessed cat): “I Want It That Way” — he has strong opinions about kibble. Bandit (the raccoon): “Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson. No explanation needed.

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

I love reading the same kinds of books I write—cozy mysteries with a paranormal twist, snarky characters, and a whole lot of heart. Give me ghosts, witches, and small-town secrets any day of the week. That said, I’ve also been dipping into some non-paranormal psychological thrillers lately—as long as they’re not too dark.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Right now, I’ve got The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman, The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston, and a few others I picked up purely because the covers were pretty or the blurbs made me laugh-snort. I’m a mood reader, so what I plan to read and what I actually read are often two very different things.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Oh, the taser scene. That one had me giggling at the keyboard. I won’t spoil it, but let’s just say someone seriously underestimated Audrey—and for once, she didn’t tase herself. There was adrenaline, righteous fury, and a very satisfying zap. Easily one of my favorite moments to write in Ghost and Tell.

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

I wish I had something quirky to share, like wearing a yellow beret every time I write—but I don’t. I like to write in silence, and if there’s too much noise around, I’ll put on headphones and listen to thunderstorm sounds. That’s about as exciting as it gets.

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

“Done is better than perfect.” That one’s served me well. Also: don’t skip coffee, and always back up your files. Seriously. Always.

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

That even with ghosts and murder, my books are really about life. I want readers to laugh, escape the real world for a bit, and come away feeling lighter than when they started. If I can deliver a few laughs and a few surprises along the way, then I’ve done my job.

Jane Hinchey is the author of the new book Ghost and Tell

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write You, Me and Three?

You, Me and Three is the third in my Half Moon Yoga series. I’m a yoga teacher who likes to write so I combined both interests to create my fictional yoga world love stories. Isaac was a constant character in my first two books. and I knew he needed his own story. He’s charming, sexy and funny but needed to grow up a bit. Anna (who was also in both previous books) was driven and introverted- not Isaac’s usual type. But I thought they worked well together When he and Anna meet up at his dad’s wedding sparks fly and the story flows from there. The first two books had an element of pregnancies and babies and I thought why not go all in with this third story. Anna’s surprise pregnancy drives the story and forces both of them to grow in unexpected ways.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of You, Me and Three, what would they be?

I always write to playlists! All three of my books have playlists.They motivate me to go deeper into a characters feelings. Anna’s song- Before I Knew You by Ben Platt played well into the unique connection these two have. Not to give away any secrets but these two met when they were kids. Isaac rescued Anna, but that’s all I’m revealing. Isaac’s song- All the Ways by The Secret Sisters and Ray Lamontagne I felt like this song was Isaac all the way. Sexy, playful, soulful and warm. A true cinnamon roll character.

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

I’m team romance. I read all kinds of romances from big authors to indie authors like me. Steamy to sweet -bring it on! I just love the creativity it takes to make a everyday story pop. My second favorite genre is historical stories of real life women heroes- especially from World War 2. My mom lived through it and was always telling us stories about the sacrifices they had to make. Women who stepped out of their traditional roles and became spies or otherwise contributed to the cause. Not sure I’d be that brave.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Any Abby Jimenez or Ali Hazelwood books. I just finished the The Enlightenment of Bees by Rachel Linden and hope to read more of hers.The romance readers just had a stuff your Kindle day, so I did fill my Kindle…so many books to read!

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

That’s tough one. But probably one of my favorites was when Isaac comes back from volunteering on a rescue crew after a hurricane devastated Asheville ( I live in North Carolina and saw the destruction hurricane Helene brought to the area). The way Anna takes care of him and he allows himself to be taken care of really shows the way their relationship had grown. My other favorite scene was when Isaac revealed to his siblings about the unexpected pregnancy. I love the way they all kid around and pick on Isaac but show their support for him. The siblings are all unique (they are also in the previous two books) and they are a wild and diverse group. They remind me of my own adult kids.

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

Not really. I do have four sparkly pens with fake gems from Dollar Tree that I use to write down ideas. I’m a messy writer and a messy person. I have four different notebooks that I scribble plots and ideas, email lists and promotions and notes from any writing seminars I take . It sounds organized but it’s not- each notebook has a bit of everything in it, so I spent a lot of time trying to remember where I put the notes. If you saw my desks you’d just shake your head. Although, one quirky thing I do is I write on my laptop but edit and format on my larger screen desktop.

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

Find what you love and spend as much time as you can doing it. I lost both my sister and mother in the last two years and it's been eye opening. Life as you know it can change in an instant so you'd better enjoy what you have before it disappears.

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

That love comes in many forms and at any age.

Michelle Stevens is the author of the new book You, Me and Three

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Walking in Dark Water?

A good friend and beta reader did not care for my last series, a cozy mystery/romance trilogy. Definitely not his thing; he prefers something with more of an edge. I chose to write a thriller, urban fantasy style.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Walking in Dark Water, what would they be?

Bad Moon Rising by CCR

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

I do not have a favorite genre. I have written mystery/thriller/sci-fi and now an urban fantasy.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The books I am likely to read next (I read several at a time) includes re-reads: The Fools in Town Are on Our Side – Ross Thomas Pro Bono – Thomas Perry The Tomb of Dragons – Katherine Addison (Sarah Monet) Eisenhower’s Lieutenants – Russell Weigley Fever Beach – Carl Hiaasen

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The opening scene after the origin story at the start of the novel.

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

I tried to write a fun story.

Reynold Starnes is the author of the new book Walking in Dark Water

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