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Interview with Kathleen Bailey, Author of Silence Says the Most

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Silence Says the Most: An Olivia Penn Mystery?

The inspiration came from my experience of working with children on the autism spectrum as a pediatric physical therapist. I often treated children who had expressive and receptive language impairments. Though many on the autism spectrum may not use verbal language to communicate, they often express themselves through other means.

One of the main characters in Silence Says the Most is a boy on the autism spectrum who doesn’t speak. He witnesses a crime and then draws a picture of what he has seen, implicating Olivia as the key to solving the murder. It’s up to Olivia to make sense of his drawing, because in his silence, he holds the key to the mystery.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Silence Says the Most: An Olivia Penn Mystery, what would they be?

For Olivia Penn, “Heart of a Hero” by Cathy Heller. For the antagonist, “Trouble so Hard” by Amythyst Kiah & Her Chest of Glass. For Mikey, a boy on the autism spectrum, “Colors” by Black Pumas.

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

I don’t have an absolute favorite, but I lean toward mysteries, especially cozies. I enjoy romance, magical realism, paranormal women’s fiction, and lots of varied non-fiction.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Anam Cara by John O’ Donohue, and The Magpie Key by Sarah Painter.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The climax. It’s the first scene that came to me. It’s a moment when Olivia doesn’t have time to think, and she must only react and do the unthinkable to save her life.

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

I don’t have any quirky writing habits, but my kitten has a quirky habit when I start my workday. As soon as I open my laptop, she trots into the corner of my room and then won’t stop meowing until I come over and devote all my attention to her.

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

“The past is finished. Learn from it and let it go. The future is not even here yet. Plan for it, but do not waste your time worrying about it. Worrying is worthless. When you stop ruminating about what has already happened, when you stop worrying about what might never happen, then you will be in the present moment. Then you will begin to experience joy in life.” - Thich Nhat Hanh

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

You can’t dismiss what others are trying to communicate just because they express themselves differently than you do.

Kathleen Bailey is the author of the new book Silence Says the Most: An Olivia Penn Mystery

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Interview with Allyson Lindt, Author of Dungeon Crawl

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Dungeon Crawl?

There's a YouTube channel featuring a creator who's so familiar with games, that he's got a knack for breaking them. I was watching him one day and thinking "I need to write a character like that." Except, I thought it might be a lot more fun to make her a she, and have her go toe-to-toe with the developers who write her favorite game to break.

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

She's So Mean by Matchbox Twenty would be Elliot's theme song, Come Again by Damn Yankees would be Link's, and Fallyn's song... I have so many songs for Fallyn, but I might have to choose Do What U Want by Lady Gaga.

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

I love so many genres, but my absolute favorites are contemporary anything--romance, fiction, fantasy--and urban fantasy. I love to write the same things I love to read, though I probably read a lot more urban fantasy than I write.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I'm super looking forward to Thor's Heart by Sotia Lazu. Her gods in modern settings are some of my favorite books, and I'm excited to see what this new series of hers is like (besides amazing!)

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

There's a scene in the book that takes place at a masquerade and karaoke party, Link is singing, and Elliot and Fallyn are dancing. I had the scene in my head for weeks before I got to it, and it was so much fun to write.

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

I really like to go to coffee shops to write. I have a few that I rotate through, and I prefer to be there early in the morning. A large coffee and a blueberry muffin and I'm set for words for a few hours.

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

Always be willing to adapt.

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

It's not always easy to figure out who we are and where we belong, but when we do, it's worth it.

Allyson Lindt is the author of the new book Dungeon Crawl

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Interview with J. V. Speyer, Author of See It Happening

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write See It Happening?

I have a good relationship with the neighbors on either side of my home, both of whom are a bit older than I am and have been in the neighborhood for decades. I thought it might be fun to work that into a story or a series, to kind of honor the effect of female friendships and support. The rest of the plot kind of mushroomed from there.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of See It Happening, what would they be?

For Celina – “I Can See For Miles and Miles,” by The Who. For Dana, “If I Was Your Girlfriend,” by Prince. For Alex, “O.P.P.” by Naughty by Nature.

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

I like reading romantic suspense and mystery - basically, if there's homicide, I'm happy. That is what I like to write, too. I also read a lot of history, but I don't tend to write historical fiction.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Oh, wow. I will *never* get to the bottom of my TBR pile (curse BookBub, by which I mean thank you.) I've got "Hot Protestants: A History of Puritanism in England And America," "The Night Watch," and "Don't Look."

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I have to pick a favorite? Um, the one where Celina confronts the killer was very emotional for me. The one with the bomb was fun, and I'm sure I got on a list for the research I did.

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

I do focus better with music, but it can't be new-to-me music. My cats can be helpful, but one of them has developed a bad habit of sitting on the keyboard. This is not as helpful as she thinks it is.

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

There's a motto on the boards at the rink where my kid played one of her three on three leagues this summer: "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." I liked that.

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

Without spoilers? Money complicates relationships.

J. V. Speyer is the author of the new book See It Happening

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Interview with RM Zubairi, Author of Two Infinite Things

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Two Infinite Things?

I was thinking about the idea of superheroes and how terrifying superpowers can be to the people who have them. Like, imagine discovering that you can fly by jumping wrong and ending up ten stories in the air with no clue how to land. From there, the idea evolved into a story about a kid who's completely traumatized by his powers. He can't use them without getting hurt, there's a telepathic mouse shouting in his brain at school, and random people keep showing up to kill him.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Two Infinite Things, what would they be?

"Hold On" by Shawn Mendes really captures how Orville embraces his fear just to survive each day. Penelope March is the living embodiment of Hoku's "Perfect Day" from the film Legally Blonde. She's superficial and wealthy and secretly the smartest person in the whole place. Omar's is "I Won't Back Down" by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. He does the right thing and he stands his ground.

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

I'll generally read anything, but I gravitate more toward science-fiction and dystopian stuff that’s a lot darker than my own writing. My own genre of light-hearted sci-fi/fantasy for children and young adults is a fairly lonely one. Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett come closest and they're two of my favorite authors.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Hilary Mantel's whole career passed me by, so Wolf Hall and everything in the Mantel-verse is at the top of the pile. I also have to read Where the Crawdads Sing before someone spoils the ending for me.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

All the scenes with Orville's father. He's a certified conspiracy nut and thinking of conspiracies for him to embrace was the most fun I've ever had as a writer.

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

I don't know how people write in coffee shops and airport terminals. I need nearly total isolation, which is a little hard in a house of five people and a cat. I'm working on having them evicted.

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

From The Phantom Tollbooth, "So many things are possible just as long as you don't know they're impossible." My daughter made that into a bookmark for me, and it's the last thing I see before I go to sleep.

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

There's a sequel! Also, the success of evil often depends upon people just doing their job.

RM Zubairi is the author of the new book Two Infinite Things

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Interview with Lexxi James, Author of Marked

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Marked?

Second chance romances are butter for my soul, and what better way to showcase one than with a hot former sniper and his best friend’s baby sister? And because my fiancé is from the picturesque Adirondack Mountains, it provided the perfect backdrop for Mark “Danger Zone” Donovan and his childhood nemesis Jess Bishop. I began this story nearly two years ago, popped it on the back burner, and let it simmer until the story, the emotions, and the heat were just right.

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

I'm torn between John Legend's "All of Me" and Avril Lavigne's "Love it When You Hate Me."

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

I read what I write. I spend every spare moment devouring romantic suspense, military romance, and billionaire romance.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Colleen Hoover's "It Starts with Us," Meghan Quinn's "Runaway Groomsmen," and Layla Hagan's "Matchmaking CEO"

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The scene where Mark and Jess connect after 8 years at her charity event. It's fun and frisky, but also warm and brings them instantly close.

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

My quirkiest writing habit? I love to surround myself with my favorite paperbacks and romantic scented candles everywhere I write. Seriously, my laptop and I pop from room to room, and I have little writing nooks everywhere. My current favorite candle is Rifle Paper Company's Amalfi del Mar.

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

"Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time." –Maya Angelou

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

Believe in love. Always.

Lexxi James is the author of the new book Marked

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Interview with Sophie Shulman, Author of Where Is Sarah?

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Where Is Sarah??

In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, I helped a friend during his house hunting journey. I went with him and his real estate agent to a house for sale in Fairfax, CA. The place needed a lot of work. As I toured the place, I noticed fingerpaint on the window sills and the real estate agent said it used to be a daycare and - boom. I had the seed from which this story grew.

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

Psychological thrillers. I implement some psychological elements into my books, but I mostly write detective mysteries.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Never Lie by Frieda McFadden, One-Hit Wonder by Lisa Jewell, Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six by Lisa Under - and about a million more!

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

My favorite scene to write was probably the very first one when Sarah tours her house. While writing it, I knew I had something and I could see that scene so vividly - because I'd lived it in real life.

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

My quirky writing habit may be that I don't have any! I can write at any time of day, anywhere. Except I can't write for long periods of time. Short stints are more my style.

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

What's helped me in every area of my life, whether it's writing, or work or day-to-day living, is breaking big projects into smaller bits. I write just 500 words a day, which is totally manageable with everything else I've got going on. I similarly break down other tasks in the same way - little bits at a time!

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

That there's more coming! We are not done with Cassidy Archer.

Sophie Shulman is the author of the new book Where Is Sarah?

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Interview with L.A. Kaye, Author of Dearly & Deviant Daniel

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Dearly & Deviant Daniel, Dearly & the Departed, Book 1?

Growing up in a small town in the Midwest, I knew the local mortician's son, and he had the best stories about living over the funeral home his parents owned. Some of them were hysterical, and they stuck with me.

When I decided to write a paranormal book, those memories were my inspiration, though he never mentioned if he could see ghosts!

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Dearly & Deviant Daniel, Dearly & the Departed, Book 1, what would they be?

Michael Jackson's "Thriller"--Dash knows how to thrill Keir!

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

My favorite genre is M/M Romance, which is what I write.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Mike Bravo Ops by Eden Finley, and Cold Case Psychic series by Pandora Pine.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The prologue when Keir meets his first "guest."

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

When I write, I have to have noise in the background. If it's too quiet, I scare easily!

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

Love is love.

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

We don't live forever, so make the most of the time you have.

L.A. Kaye is the author of the new book Dearly & Deviant Daniel, Dearly & the Departed, Book 1

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Interview with Debbie Cassidy, Author of When Monsters Lie

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write When Monsters Lie?

I love post-apocalyptic stories where humanity bands together to survive and hope shines a light even in the darkest hours. I also love writing monstrous heroes and wanted to play with romance arcs that incorporated them. When Monsters Lie allowed me to do both.

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

I read many different genres but my go-to genres are Horror, Urban Fantasy, and Fantasy Romance.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I have way too many. Off the top of my head, I have Curse of Wolf King by Tessonja Odette, Dead Silence by S.A Barnes, Into the Deep by Mira Grant, Only a Monster by Vanessa Len, and Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson. But, yeah, so many more…

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I thoroughly enjoy writing the action scenes but I don't want to say too much and give anything away.

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

Two cups of coffee before I start writing. I need them. Lol.

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

Be kind both to others and to yourself. Self care is a huge part of my life because if I don't care for myself how will I be in a fit state to care for the important people in my life? For me a positive mindset is super important to maintaining my equilibrium.

Debbie Cassidy is the author of the new book When Monsters Lie

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Interview with Meg Fitz, Author of Best Laid Plans

What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Best Laid Plans?

Like most of my books, the inspiration came from a dream, flickers of nighttime images that spiraled into characters, a plot, and goats.

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

Romcoms, romance, dark romance, anything with the HEA.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Lots of books by Golden Angel and whatever Booktok is ranting and raving about at the moment. I like to stay on trend.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

My favorite scene to write was Kinsley's date with Davin. I loved the way he described her jumping from all the different animals in the petting zoo. Her date was so wholesome and different from what the reader would expect from her perfectionist nature.

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

I have to get all my real life responsibilities done before I can sit down and write, which is one of the reasons it takes so long for me to write a book.

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

Follow the rules, make a plan, and break both so you don't miss out on life.

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

I want my readers to remember that humor and tragedy are intwined and it's ok to laugh even when the world is coming apart.

Meg Fitz is the author of the new book Best Laid Plans

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New Mystery and Thriller Books to Read | October 25

Hold on to the edge of your seat as we hunt for clues and solve the case with these exciting new mystery and thriller books for the week! There are so many bestselling authors with new novels for you to dive into this week including Kathleen Bailey, Sophie Shulman, J.V. Speyer, and many more. Enjoy your new mystery, thriller, and suspense novels. Happy reading!