Take a look at this month’s selection of bestsellers now in paperback! April had a great selection of bestselling books to check out from thrilling mysteries to enthralling literary reads, and insightful biographies. Pick up these latest paperback books by bestselling authors Lee Child, Karin Slaughter, Michael Connelly, Jennifer Weiner, Jim Butcher, and many more!
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Fantasy and Sci-Fi Books For Your Spring Reading List | 2021
Fantasy and Sci-Fi Books For Your Spring Reading List | 2021
No Spring Reading List is complete without some exciting fantasy and sci-fi books! To help make finding your next favorite reads a little easier, we've made a list of some of our favorite new releases from bestselling authors L.C. Conn, Robyn VanDerSys, Orlando A. Sanchez, Becky Chambers, Kristen Banet, and Rhett C. Bruno. We hope you enjoy the book recommendations!
Realm of Dragons: Fight for the Crown
by L.C. Conn
Release Date: April 13, 2021
Teagan Loinsigh, long ago banished from her magical home of dragons now lives on Earth. Her dreams and memories of the great creatures are put down to fantasies and an overactive imagination. Until one day she comes across a creature so unlike any other in the land she lives in. A baby dragon. Muniath Magaoidh, a Dragon Warden fallen so low by a failed mission, must be brought back from his despair to retrieve what is lost. Scetis Mordha, alone in the world since he was a child. Finds himself in the middle of intrigue and conspiracy against The Realm of Dragons. Tying them all together is a dragon. Not just a dragon but The King of Dragons.
75 Miles
by Robyn VanDerSys
Release Date: April 15, 2021
Samantha finds herself stranded 75 miles away from home after an EMP decimates all critical infrastructures and cripples the power grid. With the help of old family friends, she arms herself with a revolver and a pack full of supplies then strikes out to hike home. Seeking a direct and safe route, she chooses to cross the Black Hills forest, but quickly discovers it’s neither. With society collapsing further into chaos and anarchy by the hour, she comes face to face with the hardest reality that once good people will resort to evil deeds when desperate and with no one to police them.
They Bite
by Orlando A. Sanchez
Release Date: December 19, 2020
The first book in The Nyxia White Stories by Orlando A. Sanchez... Nyxia White isn’t entirely human. She sees the things no one else can. She never counted on being called to The Seven, it was an offer she could’ve refused…if she wanted to die. Now she’s one of the beings tasked with protecting humanity. When creatures start escaping the darkness and claiming human lives, Nyxia is the one who will stand against them. Together with her demon familiar, Acheron, and dark magic, she will answer the call and fight for those who can’t fight for themselves.
The Galaxy, and the Ground Within
by Becky Chambers
Release Date: April 20, 2021
The fourth book in the Wayfarers Series by Beck Chambers... With no water, no air, and no native life, the planet Gora is unremarkable. The only thing it has going for it is a chance proximity to more popular worlds, making it a decent stopover for ships traveling between the wormholes that keep the Galactic Commons connected. If deep space is a highway, Gora is just your average truck stop.
The Avatar's Flight
by Kristen Banet
Release Date: April 20, 2021
The seventh book in the Age of the Andinna Series by Kristen Banet... Mave Lorren has had many titles. Slave, gladiator, mercenary, warrior, rebel, enemy of the Empire, and her most treasured, Champion of King Alchan. Now she had one more. Avatar. A new title, new powers, and a terrible burden that only Mave can carry. She is the most powerful Andinna of all time. War, death, and darkness are her domain. Mave will have to harness those dark powers if she wants to protect the futures everyone is fighting for.
Vicarious
by Rhett C. Bruno
Release Date: April 13, 2021
In High Earth, the real world is only where you breathe. Entertainment is everything. Virtual worlds, hyper-realistic simulations, endless streamable content--there's something for everybody. You don't ever have to leave your home. Even working is optional. For Asher Reinhart, nothing compares to Ignis: Live, a reality show that pushes human beings to their very extremes. As a volunteer director, he closely monitors the lives of those living on an Interstellar Ark who wrongly believe they're the last of humanity searching for a new Earth.
New Books For Your Romance Reading List | April 2021
New Books For Your Romance Reading List | April 2021
Have you been searching everywhere for some new romance book recommendations? You've come to the right place because we've got a brand new list of the latest romances from bestselling authors Kayley Loring, Bella Roccaforte, Tracey Jerald, Lauren Rowe, Willow Winters, J.R. Ward, and more! We hope you enjoy our latest reading list recommendations.
The Love Interest
by Kayley Loring
Release Date: April 16, 2021
Dear Fiona, I hope this letter finds you well—and by well, I mean significantly less infuriated than you were yesterday. I’ve wanted to continue our conversation from the night we met, but there are so many things I can’t say or do, now that I’m your professor. As an anonymous letter writer, I can give you some idea of what I have planned for us, once the year is over. As an author, I can share my work in progress with you. Not for you to critique but to show you how much you mean to me. When you’re done reading this page, destroy it—and then write me back.
Dark Moon Falls: Volume 3
by Bella Roccaforte, A.K. Michaels, S.J. Pierce, and more
Release Date: April 20, 2021
This highly acclaimed series is back with Dark Moon Falls III! Packed with even more thrills for you with a collection of brand-new stories you’re sure to want to get your paws on. Filled with hot wolf shifters hunting for their one true mate, witches brew up trouble while mystery and suspense lurks around every corner. Danger, intrigue, peril, and steamy romance abound in this amazing paranormal romance set which is sure to set your heart pounding and keep you glued to the pages into the wee hours of the night. Don’t set your alarm … you’ll be up all night with this!
Perfect Assumption
by Tracey Jerald
Release Date: April 17, 2021
The second book in the Midas Series by Tracey Jerald... For the last ten years, I've guarded the gate to my heart. I've lived under a shroud of despair after I was emotionally devastated. I isolated myself to avoid seeing my name in the media since I was thrown to the wolves. But that was then, and this is now. As the legal assistant for an entertainment law firm, I'm the gatekeeper into the heart of the deal. Even as I handle celebrities all day long, I try to avoid becoming the focus of the media's attention. Because I know full well once I become their target, I can never run far enough to avoid their attention. Ever.
Falling Out of Hate with You
by Lauren Rowe
Release Date: April 15, 2021
The first book in The Hate-Love Duet by USA Today Bestselling Author Lauren Rowe... I’ve tried to like Adrian Savage, the mercurial frontman for Fugitive Summer, while serving as his band’s opening act on tour. We’re stuck together for three months, after all. And I’m well aware I’m lucky to be here. But it’s proved impossible. He’s far too rude and dismissive a guy to get along with. And way too good at getting under my skin. In fact, at this point, I think it’s fair to say I downright hate his guts.
Autumn Night Whiskey
by Willow Winters
Release Date: April 20, 2021
The second book in the Tequila Rose Series by USA Today Bestselling Author Willow Winters... One man loved me when I didn’t even like myself. The town whispered that we were star crossed lovers… among other things. He was my first love, but so out of reach with where fate had taken me. With a little girl to look after and a past I wished I didn’t have, things were never going to be easy when it came to my life in this small town. Let alone my love life.
Lover Unveiled
by J.R. Ward
Release Date: April 20, 2021
The #1 New York Times bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood series returns with Sahvage, a powerful MMA fighter with a buried secret that can change the world of Caldwell forever.
Must-Read Mystery & Thriller Books | April 2021
Must-Read Mystery & Thriller Books | April 2021
Whether your a fan of mystery, thriller or cozy, the month of April has had some amazing new release books to enjoy. To help find your next favorite read a little easier, we've made a list of our latest must-read book recommendations from bestselling authors Nanci Rathbun, Molly Maple, John Sandford, Ellery Adams, David Baldacci, and Jeffrey Archer. Enjoy your new books!
Blood Kills
by Nanci Rathbun
Release Date: April 20, 2021
The fourth book in the Angelina Bonaparte Mysteries Series by Nanci Rathbun... Private investigator Angelina Bonaparte can barely contain her excitement. Thrilled to reunite with her detective boyfriend after an obligatory embargo of several years, she’s preparing every detail for his return. But she’s forced to put passion on the backburner when she discovers a local artist brutally slain. When the dead man’s own last will and testament shockingly predicts his death, the seasoned sleuth ignores her lover’s warnings and digs into the victim’s treacherous links with the Russian mob.
Marshmallow Murder
by Molly Maple
Release Date: February 2, 2021
The second book in the Cupcake Crimes Series by Molly Maple... Charlotte McKay is new to Sweetwater Falls, but that doesn’t mean she's about to look the other way when everyone’s least favorite miser goes missing. Following her dream of selling her cupcakes at a bakery is put on hold as she follows a trail of clues, each more strange than the last. Nearly every person in Sweetwater Falls has a grudge against Amos, who was known more for his penny-pinching than his benevolence.
Ocean Prey
by John Sandford
Release Date: April 13, 2021
The 31st book in the Prey Series by New York Times Bestselling Author John Sandford... An off-duty Coast Guardsman is fishing with his family when he calls in some suspicious behavior from a nearby boat. It's a snazzy craft, slick and outfitted with extra horsepower, and is zipping along until it slows to pick up a surfaced diver . . . a diver who was apparently alone, without his own boat, in the middle of the ocean. None of it makes sense unless there's something hinky going on, and his hunch is proved right when all three Guardsmen who come out to investigate are shot and killed.
Mint Condition Murder
by Ellery Adams
Release Date: April 20, 2021
The ninth book in the Antiques & Collectibles Mysteries Series by New York Times Bestselling Author Ellery Adams... When the female antique dealer she was meant to interview turns up dead, Collector’s Weekly reporter Molly Appleby can’t help but wonder why anyone would kill a woman so new to the area. Before she can spend much time pondering the means or motive, Molly discovers that the father she never knew is keen on a reconciliation. And while it seems unlikely that his sudden interest and the death of the dealer are connected, Molly soon learns otherwise.
A Gambling Man
by David Baldacci
Release Date: April 20, 2021
The second book in the Archer Series by New York Times Bestselling Author David Baldacci... The 1950s are on the horizon, and Archer is in dire need of a fresh start after a nearly fatal detour in Poca City. So Archer hops on a bus and begins the long journey out west to California, where rumor has it there is money to be made if you’re hard-working, lucky, criminal—or all three. Along the way, Archer stops in Reno, where a stroke of fortune delivers him a wad of cash and an eye-popping blood-red 1939 Delahaye convertible
Turn a Blind Eye
by Jeffrey Archer
Release Date: April 13, 2021
The third book in the William Warwick Series by New York Times Bestselling Author Jeffrey Archer... Newly promoted to Detective Inspector, William Warwick is tasked with a dangerous new line of work, to go undercover and expose crime of another kind: corruption at the heart of the Metropolitan Police Force. Along with detectives Rebecca Pankhurst and Nicky Bailey, his team is focused on following Detective Jerry Summers, a young officer whose lifestyle exceeds his income. But the investigation risks being compromised when Nicky falls for Summers.
Interview with the Authors of Dark Moon Falls: Volume 3
What can you tell us about your new release, Dark Moon Falls: Volume 3?
A.K. Michaels
My addition to Dark Moon Falls III is all about Elias, the Alpha of the Pack. I’ve wanted to write about him from the start, as I knew he needed his story told. He’s always looking out for everyone else, taking care of the Pack, defending everyone else, and he lost his true-love many years ago. So, I thought it was about time he found love again. However, it’s not an easy ride for him. His memories of his lost love causing him so much pain and anguish. Not to mention there’s a horde of rogues on their way to wreak vengeance on Misti, the young woman who’s meant to be his soul-mate, and who’s ran for help to the one person she thinks can help her; her sister.
Her sister, Savannah, is determined to protect her at all costs, and that causes a few problems, when she stands up to Elias. She’s not exactly known for being meek and mild, but she’s not stupid, and is aware that they’ll need help if her sister is to survive. All in all, it’s quite a tense, high octane story, but will they have a happy ending? Or will the rogues take Misti from Elias … guess you’ll have to read the story to find out! All I know is I absolutely loved writing Elias, and I hope you do too!
What scene in Dark Moon Falls: Volume 3 was your favorite to write?
Tami Lund
The final scene, which of course I can’t really tell you about! What I can say is, I’ve published a book in all three Dark Moon Falls volumes, and all six main characters are part of the final scene in my book, Anthony. And it’s such a touching moment. I can’t wait for you all to read it!
If you had an extra hour each day, how would I spend it?
Elaine Barris
If I had an extra hour each day, how would I spend it? I'd probably take a nap! Though I should be writing! lol
What makes your world go round? Why does it bring you joy?
Robbie Cox
Family. I love spending time with them, going on adventures, and all the crazy things we do together. They're the best support system.
What books are currently on your nightstand?
Robbie Cox
1) Hunger games (part of a book challenge)
2) Percy Jackson and the lightening thief (also part of a book challenge)
3) The Grave Tattoo by Val McDermid
What advice would you give your teenage self?
Bella Roccaforte
Never stop believing in magic, never stop dancing in the rain, and never, ever, ever hesitate when your heart speaks to you.
Dark Moon Falls: Volume 3 is the new paranormal romance collection from 12 Bestselling Authors
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The Story Behind Perfect Assumption by Tracey Jerald
By Tracey Jerald
Once upon a time, I worked for a worldwide company’s legal department. I was one of three people responsible for the day-to-day ins and outs of outside media usage available on our corporate website. I worked for a team of brilliant women; all had different strengths and came from varied backgrounds. And I adored them all. To this day, I still miss working with every one of them.
It wasn’t my first exposure to the world of contracts, nor would it be my last. However, that team of women imparted to me lessons about entertainment law. DCMA, ASCAP, royalty payments, public domain, social media limitations, liability, and indemnity clauses are just a few things burned into my brain.
But oh, the rewards were often great: flying up to New York on the corporate jet for a meeting, strutting down the streets of Manhattan for lunch, and zipping back with a bag of bagels and a slice of pizza just in time for dinner.
All of it was a whirlwind time of my life, but the experience left me with incredible memories. And for the people who walk through the doors of the entertainment law firm in my new Midas Series, they live this life every single day.
Well, some of them do.
Legal assistant Angela Fahey is chained by her past. She can’t escape it emotionally nor through the persistent reminders of social media. Highly intelligent but fearful of spreading her wings too far to fly, she’s turned the doors of LLF LLC into her sanctuary.
And her shield.
She guards herself well from even the people who walk through LLF’s doors, even lawyer Ward Burke—brother to the firm’s founder and newest team member. A handsome man who is a favorite of the paparazzi, he comes off as aloof—the consummate grumpy boss.
Until one day, a dropped cup of coffee sets off a chain of events that begins to change everything between them.
Since I fell in love with my husband in the workplace, it’s something I’ve been itching to do for some time. But by adding a few zeros to their bank accounts, it may appear as if I deviated from my mantra of “Love. Hope. Reality.” I haven’t. You see, that company I worked for was a worldwide internet startup. Most of the senior team members I interacted with had shares in the company from the day they started working there. Most were millionaires; some flirted very closely to being billionaires.
And like Ward Burke, it happened overnight. Just in a very different way.
Knowing a person does or doesn’t have wealth doesn’t factor in to whether I care about them as humans. People don’t get a pass on trials and hardships because of the number of zeros in their bank accounts or brokerage statements.
For the team I worked with, wealth didn’t cause them to sit back on their laurels. They wore jeans and sweatshirts to the office, attended parties around the lake, and offered up their boxes at various arenas for employees to participate in concerts, sporting events, or to take their families to things like ice skating events.
They were real, just like you and me.
While not based on my former colleagues, Ward and Angie’s emotional journey takes you through a different set of social circumstances as they navigate falling in love while avoiding one of the two things Angie fears the most.
The press.
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Interview with Nanci Rathbun, Author of Blood Kills
What can you tell us about your new release, Blood Kills? Blood Kills is much more of a thriller than the other books, but there is a deep vein of romance running through it, too, as PI Angelina Bonaparte and her homicide detective boyfriend reunite and several years apart. The main plot twist seemed to call for an increased level of tension. It was inspired by newspaper articles about the capture of the Golden State Killer in 2018. I’m attaching the Notes at the end of the book, but the gist is that DNA evidence is not necessarily definitive in a small number of cases. There are people who have human chimeric DNA – that is, the DNA in some of their organs doesn’t match the DNA in others. Since that’s the ah-ha moment, I’d hate for it to be explicitly revealed. Another interesting aspect of the story revolves around Angie’s family connections with the Milwaukee Mafia via her father, Pasquale “Pat” Bonaparte. In Blood Kills, she must confront a mobster who is involved in Bratva, the Russian organized crime network. So the daughter of a Mafia leader (retired) must deal with the boss of an Illinois Bratva branch as she pursues justice for a slain metal artist. I’ll be taking a slight turn after this book (#4 in the series) is published, as I prepare to research and write mysteries about Angie’s female ancestors – her mother during WWII, her grandmother in the 20s, and her great-grandmother in post-Civil War Colorado. What or who inspired you to become an author? I always wanted to write, but working full time in a demanding IT position and raising two children as a single mom pretty much took all my time. When the kids got older and more self-sufficient, I joined a local writer’s group. At first, I was very reluctant to share my work, but I wanted to learn and grow as a writer. Those critique partners gave me the encouragement I needed to believe in myself and in the possibility of bringing a book to publication. What's on your top 5 list for the best books you've ever read? Oh, man. That’s a hard one! Say you're the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask? Since we’re speculating, I’ll assume that I can pick anyone living or dead. I never got to meet my mystery-writing role model, Sue Grafton, so I’d love to sit down with her for a convo. I’d want to ask how she feels about her protagonist, Kinsey Millhone. Are they sisters under the skin? Does Kinsey take on a life of her own in Sue’s mind? What's your favorite thing about writing? I’m a very character-driven reader, so I love seeing the characters unfold, book by book. They are very real for me. For example, Angie’s partner in the PI business, Bobbie Russell, started fictional life as a bit player in book one, Truth Kills. Bobbie was simply going to be a source of information for Angie. But he refused to accept his small role and I’m very happy for that. Readers love Bobbie. What is a typical day like for you? It varies so much from one day to another. Now that I’m retired, I can spend my time as I please. I love being with my granddaughters and that’s a priority. But even on days when I’m not at the computer, I seem to have plot points and ideas percolating up to the surface from my subconscious. On days when I am writing, I sit down with coffee at my tiny home office – a chair and a computer cart in the guest bedroom – and tune out the world. That’s pretty easy for me to do, once I’m in my writing zone. Rather than dashing off a first draft and then going back to polish it, I prefer getting each chapter to the point where I would feel good seeing it in print, before moving on to the next. I often get side-tracked by researching some apparently insignificant point as I write, but my brain can’t focus unless I pin down the details. I tried the other way with book two, Cash Kills, and regretted it when a big plot hole appeared in the first third of the book during my attempt to polish the quickie first draft. I spent more time fixing it and tracking down all the implications it led to than it would’ve taken to spend more upfront time. What scene from Blood Kills was your favorite to write? Near the end, Angie and her aunt are babysitting for friends who want a night out, when the villain of the piece shows up with his Bratva team and demands that she return DNA evidence that would implicate him in a crime he pinned on the murder victim. Artur threatens to burn down the house with them in it unless Angie gives him what he’s after. Knowing his ruthlessness and that he would never allow them to live even if she complied, Angie must act. Determined to keep the children safe even if it means her own life, she emerges in full warrior mode, wielding a semi-automatic pistol and stun grenades. I’ve never written a scene like that one. The power of it, her fierce determination to shield the children and her aunt, just poured out of me. Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by? Be kind, especially when it’s difficult. (That’s been something of a challenge in these increasingly adversarial times)
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The Story Behind Marshmallow Murder by Molly Maple
By Molly Maple Writing Marshmallow Murder involved spending time writing at my desk, but this project was a joy because it meant I also spent time cooking up different batches of cupcakes in my kitchen. In the small town of Sweetwater Falls, Charlotte’s dream is to become a cupcake baker, selling her cupcakes to the citizens who make her life so happy. So of course, I had to do my part and thoroughly research cupcake recipes. I came up with my own, then put the recipe in the back of the book for my readers. Now you can feel closer to Charlotte, and closer to sugar (two very important things). When small town charm meets sugary fun, those are my favorite types of stories. I am grateful I get to spend time with these quirky characters while they set out to solve a murder. No one knows who killed the town’s favorite penny-pincher, but Charlotte and Marianne won’t stop until his killer is brought to justice. All books in this series are standalone and can be read independent of each other. There are no cliffhangers, so you can rest assured that you will get a cozy read to match your sweet tooth.
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Interview with Lauren Rowe, Author of Falling Out of Hate With You
What can you tell us about your new release, Falling Out Of Hate With You? Falling Out of Hate with You is book 1 of the Hate Love Duet—an enemies to lovers rockstar romance featuring two sexy, stubborn, talented, strong-headed leads who go toe to toe in the book, trying to fight their insane chemistry! The book is book 1 of the Hate Love Duet, and book 2, Falling Into Love with You, releases April 19! Since the hero and heroine are both music artists, both books include their original music, which you’ll experience whether you’re reading it in ebook or paperback, or listening to the amazing audiobook, narrated by Jacob Morgan and Andi Arndt! What or who inspired you to become an author? I have no idea how I got the bug, initially, because even as a young child who was a voracious reader, I wrote full novels in pencil, in blank journals. From there, I wrote plays and screenplays in college, too. I went to law school and became a lawyer after college, and my writing dreams were delayed a bit. Ultimately, I got cancer, which made me realize life could be a whole lot shorter than I was realizing. So, I quit my job as a lawyer, wrote my first book, and never looked back. That was almost ten years ago! What's on your top 5 list for the best books you've ever read? I love The Witching Hour by Anne Rice, Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende, and I’m also a sucker for The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. In terms of recent stuff, I adore AL Jackson and Kennedy Ryan’s work. And I am currently reading and loving Talia Hibbert. Say you're the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask? I’d want Isabel Allende on my show. I adore her. As a writer, I’d want to ask her about her writing process. I’d want to understand exactly how she’s such a freaking genius. And then I’d rub her arm (if she said yes to that) and hope a drop of her genius rubbed off on me. What's your favorite thing about writing? Getting to live in an imaginary world of my own making for months at a time is a unique thrill. It’s my happy place, and such a wonderful place to live. Also, equal to that is the amazing feeling of reaching the finish line on writing a book. No matter how many books I write, it never ceases to feel like a marathon to reach that finish line, so it’s always an incredible feeling. What is a typical day like for you? Quite boring, really. I have a 7 month old HUGE puppy, so I spend time every day training and walking her. Plus, I exercise, too. And then I’m basically just sitting at my computer, getting it done. The books don’t write themselves, I’m afraid! In the evening, if I’ve put in a good day’s work, or if I’m not in a time crunch, I will luxuriate in a glass of wine and something on TV or a good book. 🙂 What scene from Falling Out Of Hate With You was your favorite to write? I have two. First, a scene when the characters finally give into their lustful, hate-filled attraction that’s been building and simmering for so long, and finally have explosively awesome hate sex. Their attraction is PALPABLE in the book and you’re just dying for them to bang, so it’s so much fun when it finally happens. And, second, there is a scene where our rock-god hero, Savage, sits down for a late-night cup of tea with an older woman in the kitchen of a party, as the party continues outside of that room. He has an unexpectedly adorable conversation with her, one that reveals a lot about his character and heart, and I think it’s just lovely and swoon-worthy in its own unique way. Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by? I have several. But mostly, I do not want to have any regrets. So, I know it’s very cliche, but I truly believe you have to “Go big or go home.” Better to go for it, and flop, than hold back and wonder “What if?"
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Interview with Robyn VanDerSys, Author of 75 Miles
What can you tell us about your new release, 75 Miles? 75 MILES is really about becoming your own hero. The main character goes from care-free and sort of self-centered, to becoming a survivor and even a hero. I wanted my readers to grow along with her; and to realize that everyone has it in them to do amazing things; whether it's pushing yourself in your interests and hobbies or stepping up in a dangerous situation to help someone. I share the Calamity Jane quote a couple of times in the book, "I figure if a girl wants to be a legend, she should just go ahead and be one". And this is 75 MILES in a nutshell. What or who inspired you to become an author? I started getting noticed for my writing in 5th grade. I had several teachers who told me I had a knack for writing, but I never really did anything with it; I always thought it would be cool to write a book but I shoved it onto the back burner. About two years ago I started writing again and decided to check it off my bucket list. Author G. Michael Hopf, who also happens to be my publisher, had just put out a string of videos encouraging new writers. He simplified things down to "Just tell your story. You can edit and proofread and research later when you're done, but for now, just tell your story and worry about the rest later". I took his advice and just told my story, and for the first time I had actually completed a book! For the heck of it, I submitted my book to Doomsday Press and they decided to publish it. It's been an awesome ride so far! What's on your top 5 list for the best books you've ever read? Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain One Second After by William R. Forstchen One True Thing by Greg Matthews Power in the Blood by Greg Matthews The Memory of Running by Ron McLarty Say you're the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask? I'd invite a handful of new or aspiring authors onto my show. I've already had several people approach me to tell me they've always wanted to write, and I give them the same advice that G. Michael Hopf gave me. I love helping others and hearing new and fresh ideas from other authors! What's your favorite thing about writing? Using my imagination to create whatever story I want to! I'm in control and I can do whatever I want with my characters, and shape their personalities how I see fit. There's a lot of joy in that for me. What is a typical day like for you? Living in the Black Hills, I get outside as much as I can. I love hiking and seeing all of the amazing views the Black Hills has to offer, and my family also loves to ride the off-road trails. I am still in the work force as well, so I enjoy my job as a chiropractic tech and connecting with people from all walks of life there. What scene from 75 Miles was your favorite to write? I got a little emotional when writing the scene about my main character meeting the three older people in Three Forks. I actually named the three characters after my late grandparents as well as my husband's late grandfather. I didn't get too detailed into their individual personalities but pictured them as I wrote, and it brought back a lot of laughter as well as tears, remembering them. So that was definitely a favorite scene for me to write. Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by? Yes I do! I truly believe we're not meant to just pay bills and die. We're meant to live a life of adventure- to push ourselves and to live every day with purpose and joy and inspire others if we can, to do the same thing. Find your "thing", write your bucket list, and go book the trip, run the marathon, race that race, write that book; whatever you need to do to live a full life and be a legend!
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