1–What is the title of your latest release? THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID 2–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I’m based in London, along with the majority of my friends, so I felt it was the strongest location for me to write about friendships in the city. 3–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Probably not – they wouldn’t have time for a third wheel! Beth and Serena are so close to each other, they can be closed off to others, but I think I’d have a great night out with them if we were to hang out every now and then. 4–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Beth: Sarcastic, confused, loyal. Serena: Dedicated, witty, whirlwind. 5–What’s something you learned while writing this book? I learned that society really expects us to have figured out our sexualities by the time we’re twenty-one and anything after the fact can be considered ‘juvenile’, but in reality we’re all figuring ourselves out at different rates in different ways and that’s something to be celebrated and shared. 6–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I wait until it’s…

Book Title:  MURDER AND A MISSING MANUSCRIPT Character Name: Mr. Boots How would you describe your family or your childhood?Difficult to say. I was adopted, you see. The early years are a blur of tin trays and Meow Mix® which, as you know, is the culinary equivalent of gas station sushi. I’ve blocked most of it out—survival instinct, no doubt. There were cages, barked orders, and a revolving door of well-meaning but clueless humans. Then, one day, everything changed. Polly Pepper came to live in my castle. Or perhaps I found her. Either way, in that moment, the past lost its grip. She smelled like lavender and murder. She became family. What is your greatest talent?Judgment. Unflinching, feline, and delivered with attitude. I can assess a person’s value in the time it takes them to bend down and say, “Who’s a good kitty?” (Spoiler alert: it’s always moi.) Of course, I also mastered the fine art of napping too—sun-drenched windowsills, tufted cushions, Polly’s favorite chair. But even in slumber, my judgment never sleeps. Oh, and I’m a talented contortionist when it comes to grooming my private parts. Significant other?I flirted—briefly and with great reluctance—with the notion of affection. It was……

April showers may bring May flowers, but with luck, they’re bringing you extra reading time. Great books have rained down on me recently, both old and new, and as always, I am excited to share some of the gems I’ve enjoyed. First off, I was recently privileged to lead a writers’ conference discussion of Lucy Score’s THINGS WE NEVER GOT OVER. I’d done a quick listen to it a few years back and enjoyed it, but now I did a more thorough read. My verdict and that of most of the conference attendees: A winner! There are a few plot holes and inanities we had fun poking fun of, but overall, this runaway bride, grumpy/sunshine, enemies-to-lovers, found-family romance is a delight that will leave you remembering Naomi and Knox with a satisfied smile. Skipping back a few centuries, I was absolutely captivated by Susanna Kearsley’s newest title, THE KING’S MESSENGER. The king in question is James II of England (aka James VI of Scotland—Ms. Kearsley allows historical details space to enlighten but never overwhelm), and the messenger is Andrew Logan, torn between his need to honor his job and provide for his family and his growing suspicion that the task…

B is for Books, which Dakota specializes in. O is for Oh no, which is what the criminal will say when Dakota solves the crime. O is for Octave. Dakota isn’t much into poetry, but she recognizes a good one when she reads it. K is for Killer. We know they won’t get too far with Poppy on the prowl. C is for Clever. Poppy and Dakota both fit this bill! L is for Library. In this mansion, Dakota gets to explore a wonderful one. U is for Unique books and rare manuscripts. B is for Brazen. The criminal thinks they’re in the clear… B is for Bookish, the theme of the retreat. A is for Antagonist, who creeps through the night. I is for Icy. It’s the storm before Christmas, and all through the night, everyone is slipping because they can’t see a thing. T is for Tiny Terror. Poppy in a nutshell. A is for Agile. You can’t be a cat and not have agility in spades. N is for Night, as in things that go bump in the night. D is for Deadly. Things may take a turn if Dakota can’t solve the crime. S is for…

Book Title: MARRYING THE MIDWIFE, Book 10, Below the Salt Series Character Name: Maggie Whitlock How would you describe your family or your childhood? My name is Maggie Whitlock. My childhood was normal, but my life has changed drastically since I birthed my daughter. What was your greatest talent I learned the skills of being a midwife from my mother. I used to work at her side. Significant other? I was married young to a man named George. He died before my daughter was even born. Biggest challenge in relationships? I don’t have a lot of experience with romantic relationships. Although, since meeting Lord Evan Blake, I feel as if his presence has ignited something in me that has been dormant for many years. I find it hard to trust nobles, so I am not sure we belong together. Where do you live? I don’t stay in one place long. Sir Evan offered me a job at Saltwood Castle in Hythe taking care of his pregnant cousin. I live here for now with my daughter and younger brother too, thanks to the kind lord. Do you have any enemies? Yes. There is a noble family who blames the death of…

Book Title: THE SCARLET SPY Character Name: Deverill Osborne How would you describe your childhood? “In a word?” Deverill Osborne paused for a moment, eying his interviewer with a quizzical look. “Why, it was rather . . . perfect. I had all the luxuries of being born into an aristocratic family—and as I was a younger son, I had none of the responsibilities of being the heir.” A sunny smile. “It made for a very pleasant, carefree existence.” What is your greatest talent? Well, in all modesty, I’m considered to be a good friend and a very charming fellow.“ A cough. “Perhaps a tad feckless, but charming—just ask all the ladies of the beau monde.” After reflecting for a brief moment, he added, “Granted, I don’t have a serious bone in my body. But where’s the fun in life if one has to think too hard?” You left out mentioning your handsome phiz, but I give you credit for that. But given your charm, I assume you have a significant other? “Ah, well. I confess that’s a difficult question to answer. Several weeks ago, I would have cheerfully answered ‘none whatsoever!’ You see, relationships aren’t conducive to a devil-may-care existence,…

1–What is the title of your latest release? ONE DEATH AT A TIME 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? A cranky former actress teams up with her Gen Z sobriety sponsor to solve the murder that threatens to send her back to prison. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I love Los Angeles, where I live, and have set all my books there. LA is a city of many subcultures, ranging from the obvious, like the movie business, to more obscure, like burlesque. I wanted to draw on all of them, and tried to do so. Plus, I didn’t have to go anywhere for research, which is always a plus for this lazy broad. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Definitely, but I might not be cool enough to do so. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Julia Mann is misanthropic, sarcastic and underwhelmed. Natasha Mason is irascible, spontaneous and temperamental. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? That plotting mysteries is really hard. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I edit as I go and then start…

1–What is the title of your latest release? WHO WILL REMEMBER 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? When a duke’s son is found hanging upside down in a pose copied from the Tarot’s Hanged Man, a former cavalry officer must uncover a diabolical killer stalking both the rich and the poor of Regency London. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? My hero, Sebastian St. Cyr, has been solving murders in Regency England for twenty years now, so that was kinda a given. But next year, he may go someplace quite different . . . 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? I would dearly love to hang out with Sebastian. Oh, the questions I could ask him! 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Courageous, honorable, empathetic. I know honor and empathy have both been kinda out of fashion for a while, but maybe it’s time to bring them back? 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? Sebastian has dealt with the Society for the Suppression of Vice before, but they really come into their own in this murder investigation. These self-anointed “saints” were determined to rid…

1–What is the title of your latest release? THE MURDER SHOW 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? A television showrunner looks for next season’s story by investigating the real death of a high school friend. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I set most of my books in the upper Midwest. It’s the place I know best, which means I can write with authenticity and do as little research as possible. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Definitely. We have a few things in common. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Honest. Hard-working. Second-guessing. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? Happy endings are two-sided. Solving the mystery may not be the best outcome. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I do edit as I draft in the beginning. It’s important for me to feel the those first several chapters are solid. Once I’m happy with them, I tend to write straight through to the end and then edit on the second pass. 8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence? Dark chocolate peanut butter cups 9–Describe your writing space/office! A…

1–What is the title of your latest release? THE CURIOUS INHERITANCE OF BLAKELY HOUSE 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? A brilliant young clockmaker inherits an industrialist’s estate, but there’s something odd about the inheritance, and about the eclectic island home full of gadgetry that seems to have a mind of its own. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I fell in love with the eclectic, innovative mansion of industrialist William Armstrong. It was the first home to be powered by hydroelectricity at a time when electricity itself was new. Brimming with odd gadgetry and mechanical brilliance, it just glowed with steampunk vibes! 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Absolutely! Sydney is quirky in the best way, and incredibly brilliant. I loved watching her get excited or worked up about something, and even better when she so easily stood her ground and rebelled against a group of men. She’s got an unusual strength. Besides that, she’s head over heels for books, and we could talk stories all day. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? quirky, resourceful, curious 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? Honestly?…