Blog

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Mist and Moonbeams?

Imagine growing up with the world's largest freshwater system as your backyard. I've called the shores of four out of five of the Great Lakes home, from the bustling waterfronts of Detroit and Chicago to the rugged beauty of Michigan's Upper Peninsula and the cosmopolitan vibe of Toronto. Each move brought new adventures and introduced me to fascinating people whose lives are intertwined with these inland seas. I've woven their most captivating stories into a collection that captures the spirit of the Great Lakes.

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

I'm a voracious reader with an appetite for all kinds of fiction. While I used to devour biographies, these days I crave the escapism that only great fiction can provide. As for writing, I thrive in the realm of thrillers, suspense, and the unexpected. It's a playground where I can weave together elements from various genres I've enjoyed as a reader. Ultimately, whether I'm reading or writing, it all comes down to one thing: a captivating story that keeps you turning pages long past bedtime.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Currently, I'm reading Patrick Süskind's "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer", with the TBR pile of Michael Crichton and James Patterson's "Eruption", Douglas Brunt's "The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel", and E.L. Doctorow's "The Book of Daniel". Doctorow's "Ragtime" was a highlight last summer, so I'm hoping for another great read.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Mist and Moonbeams is full of very personal moments. There's a true story of me at a Chicago bus stop in deep winter when a mysterious car approached. Another recounts launching a canoe into an icy river under a washed-out bridge, wishing I'd worn a helmet. I even share the time I was knocked over in Toronto, skinning my knee - I can still show you the scars. These real experiences inspired the stories in this collection. It was wonderful to write, capture, and share these moments with readers.

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

I've been drinking the same coffee for 12 years while I write: Zingerman's Chemex Roadhouse Joe. The baristas think I'm nuts, and new ones always ask, "What's so special about that?" It helps me write.

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

If you finish my book, and enjoyed it, there are 14 more to choose from as your next read. Thank you for reading.

Paul Michael Peters is the author of the new book Mist and Moonbeams

Connect with Paul Michael Peters

Author Site

Facebook

Twitter

Buy The Book

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Tales From Down Under?

My husband and I left our “normal” lives to spend five years moving about five of the continents. We travelled mostly by bicycle and stopped often to stay with locals; sometimes as guests, other times working as volunteers. I soon found that we were having adventures way beyond what I envisioned and wanted to share them. I started writing just to keep our friends informed, and it was their encouragement that prompted me to submit my stories to a few magazines. To my surprise they were accepted, so I continued to write for these magazines and to the people on my email list. The response was always positive—and would most often include this sentence: “When will you put it all in a book”? It took over 10 years, but I finally published a compilation of our stories in Europe (Five, Ten, or Never, Adventures in Europe) and now “Tales From Down Under”.

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

Non-fiction, but not necessarily travel. I like history and enjoy reading books by science writers—and perhaps that is why I include in my stories those background bits that interest me—how infant bats are “baby-sat” by teenaged bats, how they make paper from elephant dung, that sort of thing. And people—I am fascinated by other people’s stories.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

"Mapping The Darkness" by Kenneth Miller, "Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law" by Mary Roach, "When Things Go Wrong" by Bill Bryson.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

This is a tough question. I had fun writing most of the book! But if I had to choose, maybe, How to Avoid Becoming Dinner which tells the story of when human beings were occasionally on the menu in Samoa, or perhaps the piece about the horse-race in Australia. The story we were told while standing on the edge of a live volcano in Papua New Guinea was definitely interesting to relay!

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

Coffee. I must have a cup of coffee by my side at all times.

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

If I did, it would change every day.

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

That they laughed when reading it.

Judy Kashoff is the author of the new book Tales From Down Under

Connect with Judy Kashoff

Author Site

Buy The Book

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Package (The Infiltrix Series Book 1)?

I grew up watching the old Mission Impossible movies on tv and have always liked spy stories. When I was older, I fell in love with The Bourne Identity, Alias, and The Americans, so I wanted to create my own world of intrigue set in the near-future. Heather Slade is my kick-butt asset who risks her life to infiltrate all levels of the government in the war-torn regions of what once was the US. She leads her teams in life-or-death missions to help tip the scales toward freedom while struggling to remember her life before the Second Civil War.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Package (The Infiltrix Series Book 1), what would they be?

Agent Heather Slade enjoys listening to ancient rock music sung by female artists.

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

I enjoy to read and write romantic suspense, thrillers, and mysteries because I like twists and turns that surprise me.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Too many to count.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The ending was both difficult and exciting to write because the danger-level was flipped up to EXTREME..

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

I can write almost anywhere, but my special quirky spot is to sit in the window seat at the local coffee shop Saturday mornings to write.

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

Love will conquer hate...eventually.

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

I hope readers are swept up in the mission and adventure with Heather and her team while also getting a taste of how hard it would be to live under a dictator.

Kimberley Troutte is the author of the new book The Package (The Infiltrix Series Book 1)

Connect with Kimberley Troutte

Author Site

Facebook

Twitter

Buy The Book

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write A Vengeful King Rises (House of Croft Book 1)?

I wanted to try something different - something that would appeal to a broader audience too. While the books I write have always been more 'fairytalish' in nature, I love dark Scandinavian thrillers, as well as shows like The Blacklist. This got me thinking of ways in which to incorporate these murder-mystery, thriller, and mafia themes into a historical romance setting. The idea began taking shape over the course of a year while working on other projects, until my anti-hero, Adrian Croft, emerged. From that point on there was no choice but to start writing.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of A Vengeful King Rises (House of Croft Book 1), what would they be?

"A Victory of Love" by Alphaville.

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

Historical fiction. I typically write historical romance but I love all types of books that are set in the past.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

As soon as I finish the last book in the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas, I'll be reading The Counterfeit Heiress by Tasha Alexander, followed by Men of Men by Wilbur Smith.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

It was probably the one where the hero and heroine put the plan they've created to catch the killer into action.

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

Nothing quirky as such, but I am fanatic about my schedule and wordcount. I need to start work by 9:00 am and get at least 2,000 words down before 3:00 pm.

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

In order to accomplish something you've got to put in the work.

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

A situation will be perceived differently depending on who is looking at it.

Sophie Barnes is the author of the new book A Vengeful King Rises (House of Croft Book 1)

Connect with Sophie Barnes

Author Site

Facebook

Twitter

Buy The Book

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Love Walks In (Yosemite Ranch Book 2)?

Gracie 1 saw a single dad making sandcastles with his daughter at the beach. The rest is history!

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Love Walks In (Yosemite Ranch Book 2), what would they be?

Finn - “Nobody” by One Republic.

Emma - “Brave” by Sara Bareilles.

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

Contemporary romance all day long.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Gracie 1 and Gracie 2 are buried in TBR piles of hardbacks, mass-market and trade paperbacks, audiobooks, and eBooks. Gracie 1 is currently reading "Flawless" by Elsie Silver . Gracie 2 is currently reading "By a Thread" by Lucy Score.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Finn and Emma’s first love scene was a scorcher to write! Gracie 1 had to stick her head under the kitchen faucet. Gracie 2 was forced to call the fire department! (But she does that a lot because…firefighters.)

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

Gracie 1 plots during her morning walks in the Southern California sunshine. Gracie 2’s day is completely quirked if she doesn’t get her Italian espresso.

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

“Every woman deserves an alpha hero.”

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

Yosemite Ranch Book 3, The Power of Love, comes out August 29! Evander and Phoebe’s story is sizzling hot, even though it unfolds during a record-breaking blizzard.

Gracie Owens is the author of the new book Love Walks In (Yosemite Ranch Book 2)

Connect with Gracie Owens

Author Site

Facebook

Buy The Book

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

I’ve always had a passion for writing about history and genealogy, but when I transitioned into writing YA thrillers, I couldn’t leave the past behind. I wanted to incorporate elements of my award-winning historical fiction, Citrus Green, into a contemporary thriller, but I didn’t know how. Until—personal plot twist—I received a certified letter asserting that my absent father had died, and I should relinquish all claims to his estate. Like any good writer, instead of processing this news, I had an idea. … What if I sent some of the most intriguing and dangerous historical elements of Citrus Green to its modern descendants via a certified letter? To an unsuspecting protagonist, I could deliver grave information that would alter her life forever. I imagined dark family secrets, cryptic clues, hunts for an inheritance, and a long-buried lie that would emerge with deadly consequences. As an ominous plot for The Hennessy Lie began to unfold, I tried integrating the heart-felt themes of belonging, found family, self-identity, trusting one’s intuition, swoony romance, and best friendships into a page-turning thriller. I hope readers enjoy the novel.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Hennessy Lie, what would they be?

“Bad Blood” and “Look What You Made Me Do” by Taylor Swift.

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

I love reading a great story in any genre, but my favorite books are often thrillers, historical fiction, or historical biographies. I’m drawn to thrillers that integrate history, antiquities, or old abandoned estates in the middle of nowhere. I’ll buy any book with a crow on the cover, and I lean toward YA thrillers with an ivy league or boarding school trope.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

It’s really tall. I always feel bad for the books who linger near the bottom. Top of the TBR: "Heiress Takes All" by Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka, "Jackie" by Dawn Tripp, "Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books" by Kirsten Miller, "First Lie Wins" by Ashely Elston, and "The Midnight Feast" by Lucy Foley. I just finished "One Perfect Couple" by Ruth Ware and "The Cliffs" by J. Courtney Sullivan. I’m currently reading "The Summer She Went Missing" by Chelsea Ichaso. I will listen to any book narrated by Imogene Church.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

It’s hard to answer this question without spoilers, so I’ll just whisper, “Chapter twenty-four.” It’s only a couple of pages, but there’s nothing better than writing a scene in which a young woman begins to know herself, trust herself, and stand in her power. I also loved writing the hospital scene because Bernice turned out to be one of my favorite characters. It’s funny how a flat, tertiary character can come to life as you write her. I hope she shows up in my next book.

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

Yes, but don’t tell anyone. I cannot have any distractions when I write, no music, no TV, no tick-tick-ticking ceiling fan, so I wear noise-cancelling headphones and listen to thunderstorms. No matter the mood of the scene I’m writing, thunderstorms drown out the real world so I can sink into my manuscript. I also have three dachshunds who sleep at my feet and a yellow lab who brings me slobbery toys. I usually take a break when she brings me my sneakers.

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

The Hennessy Lie has some great philosophies to live by: Be yourself, follow your dreams, and most importantly, trust your intuition. Always trust your gut; that little voice in your head is seldom wrong.

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

It’s okay to ask for help. Everyone needs support, and it’s important to surround yourself with the kind of people you wish to become. “The more support you have around you, the more courage you have within you.” –Piper Covington, The Hennessy Lie (And never date a guy like Topher. I know that’s two things to remember, but it’s really important to never date a guy like Topher.)

Annette Masters is the author of the new book The Hennessy Lie

Connect with Annette Masters

Author Site

Facebook

Twitter

Buy The Book