Blog

Sign up for our email and we’ll send you the best new books in your favorite genres weekly.

Interview with Paula Scott, Author of River of Mercy

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write River of Mercy?

Years ago, as a young newspaper reporter, I did a story on boating safety in the Sacramento River. I rode along with the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department for a week in their river patrol boat, hearing all kinds of stories. “There are bodies in the river that will never be found,” the sheriff told me. “Submerged cars conceal crimes that may never be solved.” This stuck with me because how can there be justice if someone gets away with murder? And what is mercy? Who deserves it? Small towns are big on justice and often short on mercy. Small-town kids have a hard time escaping what they’re born into, if your parents cause trouble, that follows you.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of River of Mercy, what would they be?

Maggie May from Rod Steward’s album Every Picture Tells a Story plays a crucial role in this novel. One of the main characters, Maggie, is named after this song so her biological father will be reminded that she is his.

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

I enjoy reading in different genres and write in different genres too.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I’m currently reading The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell. Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate is up next.

Someone Else’s Shoes, Mad Honey, Lessons in Chemistry, Virgin River, Go As A River, A Crack in the Edge of the World, and Only the Beautiful by Susan Meissner are in my stack right now.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

It is a scene at the end of the story, but I don't want to ruin it for someone so I won't explain it...

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

I binge write. If I am on a roll, I will write for 12 hours with few breaks. Then I can't hardly move my arms and my hands go numb. Not a good thing! Haha!

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

It doesn't matter if I'm in the mood, I make myself sit down and write the story until it's finished. Starting is fun, but finishing is hard. 'Finish what you started' is a motto I live by.

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

Mercy is a gift to be given and received without any strings.

Paula Scott is the author of the new book River of Mercy

Connect with Paula Scott

Sign up for our email and we’ll send you the best new books in your favorite genres weekly.

Interview with Becki Willis, Author of Keep Your Doors Locked

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Keep Your Doors Locked?

Last year, a dangerous prisoner escaped in our area. While this is NOT that story, I did draw upon my own feelings of apprehension and fear to express what my protagonist felt.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Keep Your Doors Locked, what would they be?

The 70's classic by Gloria Gaynor, "I Will Survive".

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

I enjoy many different genres, although I do lean toward the mystery/suspense/thriller categories, as well as women's fiction.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Quite the eclectic mix! A magical realism women's fiction book by Heather Webber, a thriller by Freida McFadden, a novel by Mary Ellen Taylor, a cozy by Dianne Harmon, a paranormal cozy by Angie Fox, and an action suspense novel by Christopher Greyson.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The very last scene. Not only was it another twist you won't see coming, but a twist of a different kind.

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

I much prefer my desktop to my laptop or, if I do have to use my laptop, to at least hook it up to a larger monitor screen when possible. I also find that writing near water inspires me and gets my creativity flowing. (This may have played a large factor in our purchase of a beach house on the Texas Gulf Coast!)

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

My books may not change your life, but they may change your day. And, sometimes, that's just as important.

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

We can't always control what happens to us, but we can control how we react and respond to life's challenges. Stay strong and be true to yourself, no matter the circumstances.

Becki Willis is the author of the new book Keep Your Doors Locked: A Captivating Psychological Domestic Thriller

Connect with Becki Willis

Sign up for our email and we’ll send you the best new books in your favorite genres weekly.

Interview with Jenny Hale, Author of The Magic of Sea Glass

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Magic of Sea Glass?

Butterflies have a strong meaning to me and I wanted to tell a similar story of hope using sea glass.

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

Women's Fiction with Romance!

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Brenda Novak's The Seaside Library and Denise Hunter's A Novel Proposal.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The opening scene was my absolute favorite.

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

I write best at coffee shops.

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

Never say never!

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

Love is all there really is.

Jenny Hale is the author of the new book The Magic of Sea Glass

Connect with Jenny Hale

Sign up for our email and we’ll send you the best new books in your favorite genres weekly.

Interview with Sufani Weisman-Garza, Author of True Stories of an Urban Shaman

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write True Stories of an Urban Shaman?

For me, writing has been a lifelong journey. I never set out to write a book originally. I was on a learning and awakening journey, and every time I learned something I never wanted to forget, I wrote it out, printed it and threw it into a folder. One day, the folder was around two-hundred pages long and I realized I had a book in my hands. From that day on, I would open a word document and write consecutively knowing it was intended to be a book. I just never stopped. That branched out into creative writing and fiction as well. It’s all an outlet of expression.

This book was a catalogue of my life, expressing the ups and downs, the questions about life, the struggles with my attitudes and reconciling them with my healing work and life. It’s a raw and real look into my life so you can see that what you feel and go through is what we all go through. We often try to make things seem better than they are. This book doesn’t hide behind the bushes, it’s up front and true. I always say you must love all parts of yourself to truly love yourself. That means even when you are negative. Even Yin Yang has a “shady side of the tree.” My inspiration is always to share, so you can learn from my experience and be a little ahead of the game.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of True Stories of an Urban Shaman, what would they be?

Probably something titled, “Sneaky Grandma” or some Pirate Song. Life is about being quirky and full of surprises with people and journeys. My life soundtrack would be like my life, vast, unpredictable, and fun-loving!

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

I love fiction thrillers most; anything ghostly, haunting, paranormal, scary, but not gory. I love reading and writing fiction thrillers and have one I just released as well called,” 1377 Rikoppe Lane.” I love non-fiction too. I have read so much non-fiction over the years and I love reading about mystical, mysterious things that make us question our reality. Like books on true reincarnation stories, near death stories, or questions of time travel, astral travel, other worldly beings and so on. There are just so many stories and things to know. Books are amazing!

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The Authorized Biography of Gene Roddenberry, Star Trek Creator (Trekkie: Next Generation), 599 pages, been getting through it for two years. Alfred Hitchcock Presents: My Favorites In Suspense (got it at a vintage shop), The Ghostly Grounds: Murder & Breakfast, by Sophie Love.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

When I was healing a woman on the table and I called in any spirit healer that wanted to come in to help, and a tall African Bush Medicine Man came in from the Congo, with a feather staff, dressed with a large leaf covering his bottom half, a headdress, and told me how my clients energy was running, and showed me how to use my sacred tools “properly,” to run along her energy path. It was also funny to me that this little old white lady had an African Spirit Guide from the Congo (so many past lives…we could have been anyone). When I told her about him she didn’t seem surprised, almost like on a cellular level she already knew him or something. Amazing!

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

I have to have music that matches the mood of what I am writing. I like to write in places that stimulate a creative spark to get me going or even visit places with a certain feel or vibe and then when I go home, I transfer that feeling onto the page. I need a space clear of clutter, and not to be bothered if I am on a roll at a crucial point.

Oh, and my cat seems to think I need her walking across my keyboard at the absolutely wrong time as part of my process! LOL

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

Yes, "You Have Nothing to Lose," & "You Got This."

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

To love & accept themselves, every single part, including the part they are least proud of, or the part that makes mistakes or gets angry sometimes. I would say to them, "it’s ok to be human and imperfect." Art happens in the mistakes; and you ARE art baby!

Sufani Weisman-Garza is the author of the new book True Stories of an Urban Shaman: Living Between Worlds (Memoir)

Connect with Sufani Weisman-Garza

Sign up for our email and we’ll send you the best new books in your favorite genres weekly.

Interview with Nancy Golden, Author of Sword of Fate

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Sword of Fate?

Don’t be afraid to pursue your dreams, no matter how long it takes, or even if you have to set them aside for now. I have always enjoyed reading fantasy and loved to write, so I decided to write a fantasy novel. The first draft of Sword of Fate was written in 1986 on a typewriter! Life got very busy and it was not until very recently that I was able to return to my dream of being an author. I kept the original manuscript all of these years, until I had the opportunity to begin working on it again.

I am so excited that the book I started so many years ago is now being published! Don’t forget your dreams, even if you have to put them away for a while. They will be there waiting for you, when you are ready.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Sword of Fate, what would they be?

Bridge Over Troubled Water

You’ve Got a Friend

We are the Champions

I am Woman

When You Believe

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

I am all over the map both in what I like to read and what I like to write, but fantasy has always been one of my favorites. I have one common denominator in both my reading and my writing – I enjoy clean, uplifting stories that are entertaining. I also love getting to know the characters of the stories I read and the stories I write, regardless of genre.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig and The Masterharper of Pern by Anne McCaffrey.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

That’s a tough question! Getting to create Rugal’s first experience transforming into a bear was a lot of fun. I also enjoyed getting to imagine his first real challenge involving an important artifact that must be obtained in order for their mission to be successful, and how Rugal could use his magic to aid him in that quest. I had a lot of fun when writing about the different reactions everyone had upon meeting Argothal the dragon for the first time. Exploring character relationships in various scenes was very satisfying. Can you see a trend here? LOL The entire story was a lot of fun to write!

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

I have a four-legged 90lb. writing buddy named Mark who periodically encourages me to take needed breaks and play ball in the backyard. I also frequently read out loud what I am writing – it helps me get a better sense of whether what I am writing is working or not.

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

I have lots of them! This one is from my novel, Sword of Fate: "Never pass up the opportunity to ride a dragon." ~ Ancient Proverb (Unknown Origin) In other words, don’t let your fears hold you back from doing something amazing!

I think this is a profound statement and well-worth considering in every endeavor: “What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal.” —Albert Pine And finally, a verse that Paul wrote in Philippians 4:8 that I try to apply to my writing and life in general: "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

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

Relationships matter the most.

Nancy Golden is the author of the new book Sword of Fate

Connect with Nancy Golden

Twitter

Sign up for our email and we’ll send you the best new books in your favorite genres weekly.

Interview with K.K. Ness, Author of The Last Knotbinder

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

This book has been bouncing around in my brain for the last decade until I decided to wrangle it onto the page. But my inspiration was being able to spend lovely days on the couch with my Labrador, Sheldon, beside me and being lulled by his snores and the clack of the keyboard. Special times.

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

For Matteo, it's Till The End by POOLCLVB & Woodes; for Kainon, it's Seven Nation Army - the Nino-Onna version; and for Craise, it's Jungle by Fred Again.

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

I'm a mad fantasy fan, particularly epic fantasy and mm fantasy, which are also the genres I like to write in.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I'm more of a search and devour sort of reader... I get through books quickly and then hunt for the next one. I've just started the Murderbot series by Martha Wells.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

It's one towards the end of the book where there's a dragon that likes to eat people... but no spoilers!

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

I like to walk on the beach and dictate scenes... I've gotten plenty of odd looks when I'm speaking punctuation out loud! I also have a few dogs who let me know when it's time for a break based on how long it's been since their last treat.

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

On good days, it's 'Never accept a sh**ty circumstance'. On days when things seem a little tough, it's 'I can move forward and be okay'... cause we all have hard days.

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

Not all dragons want the same thing...

K.K. Ness is the author of the new book The Last Knotbinder

Connect with K.K. Ness

Sign up for our email and we’ll send you the best new books in your favorite genres weekly.

Interview with Nell Carroll, Author of Mated to the Alien Minotaur

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Mated to the Alien Minotaur?

I really wanted to write a "happy farm" book. Not all love stories need endless action. Some people want soft love and peace. Along the way, I fell in love with Many and Vozak.

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

I love reading and writing Science Fiction Romance. SFR is my favorite right now!

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I Married a Dryad by Regine Abel, Alien Chief by Honey Phillips, A Monster's Fate by Lynna Lee, and The Alien's Chase by Ella Maven to name a few.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The little moments between characters that I don't plan but happen along the way. Those bring me so much joy!

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

I don't know? I usually have a lap blanket?

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

I'm between mottos right now. Let me know if you have a good one!

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

Love can be soft, quiet, and joyful.

Nell Carroll is the author of the new book Mated to the Alien Minotaur

Connect with Nell Carroll