Give readers the gift of a book this Christmas!

Use this link to browse a catalog of books just in time for Christmas giving!

http://www.southernwritersmagazine.com/hc14.html

You'll love this Bacon!

Mark S. Bacon began his career as a newspaper reporter covering the police beat.  After writing news and features at two newspapers, he moved to copywriting when he joined  the advertising department of Knott's Berry Farm, a large theme park down the road from Disneyland in Orange County, Calif.  Bacon wrote commercials and ads and he directed special events.

Later, his career moved into other forms of communication, but his early background covering a daily police beat and working in a theme park led him to create Nostalgia City, the setting for his new mystery novel.

He is the author of several business books, one of which was selected as a best business book of the year by the Library Journal and printed in four languages.  He is also the author of two collections of short mystery fiction including, Cops, Crooks & Other Stories in 100 Words.

Welcome to the blog, Mark.

Give a short synop of your recently published book, Death in Nostalgia City.

Thanks, Susan!

Ex-cop Lyle Deming talks to himself.  And he wears a rubber band on his wrist—therapy for stress.  He thinks he’s found the ideal new job to cure his chronic anxiety.  He’s driving a cab in a theme park resort that lets him relive a quieter time.  Nostalgia City is a meticulous re-creation of an entire small town from the early 1970s, complete with period, clothes, cars, music, stores, hotels, fads—the works. 

The relaxed atmosphere is just what Lyle needs, until rides are sabotaged and tourists killed.  Iron-willed “Max” Maxwell, the billionaire founder of Nostalgia City, drafts Lyle into investigating—unofficially. When more “accidents” happen and employees get jumpy, Lyle gets help.  Maxwell persuades his PR director, 6-foot, 2 ½ -inch Kate Sorensen, to deflect the horrific media coverage—and help discover who is behind the deaths.

Lyle and Kate scour the Arizona desert—the setting of the theme park—and travel to Boston and back in a race to uncover a deadly conspiracy.

How much of yourself is hidden in the characters in your book?

Lyle is really a combination of several people I’ve known with a healthy dose of my own psyche tossed in.  I think I have a type A personality at times and, like Lyle, seek peace whenever I can find it.  Some of Kate’s opinions about the news media are similar to mine—I was a PR manager for a time, after I was a reporter—but for the most part, she’s a combination of two women I’ve known and admire.

Do you travel to do research or for inspiration?  Can you share some special place with us?

As to the research, I stayed in Boston twice and thought it was an ideal setting for several reasons.  First, it forms a good contrast to Nostalgia City which is a small town located in the open spaces of northern Arizona.  Second, I especially like the New England city’s downtown, with its winding, unparallel streets, modern glass buildings next to centuries-old historic structures and a mixture of city hubbub and Boston Common calm.  The geography of eastern Massachusetts fits the plot of the story as well.  Or perhaps the geography influenced the plot. Which came first?  

Inspiration also came from the southwest where I’ve lived for a long time.  Parts of old Route 66 run across northern Arizona from the New Mexico border to California at the Colorado River, connecting the past with the present in bits of cracked asphalt and retro diners.  Nostalgia City fits there for many reasons, not the least of which is I needed lots of inexpensive land to build the theme park and resort.

How would you characterize your book in terms of genre?

I would call this a suspenseful mystery.  Or perhaps a mysterious suspense story.  I wrote the type of story I enjoy reading.  I want an author to create a puzzle, stir in lots of clues and suspects for me to consider.  That’s the intellectual side.  But I don’t want it all to happen in a manor house.  Action and suspense are necessary to involve the emotions and persuade you to identify with the protagonists’plight.  I hope Death in Nostalgia City appeals to both the head and the heart.

Where do you store ideas for later use: in your head, in a notebook, or on a spreadsheet?

I store my ideas in my head only long enough to get them down on paper. Eventually, I collect the scraps of paper, with ideas hastily scrawled on them, and enter the details in files in my computer.

At first, your mention of a spreadsheet sounded strange, but it could work for me.  I’ve always written detailed outlines of my books.  When I was writing nonfiction I would create lengthy outlines, covering many pages, for each chapter in my book.  Then when I got started I knew exactly where I was going.  I had made note of everything.

When I started doing fiction I followed the same strategy.  But things happen.  I’m not saying my characters did things I didn’t expect, but circumstances change—especially in a mystery/suspense story—and at times my outline went out the window.

What books have you read recently and do you have favorite authors?

I read in a variety of genres, mainstream fiction, historical fiction, and history to name a few.  I’ve recently read Team of Rivals, Unbroken, Destiny of the Republic, Water for Elephants, Shadow of the Wind and Thunderstruck.  Obviously I love mysteries and suspense.  I read a broad range of authors there including Robert Harris, J.A. Jance, Harlen Coben, Scott Turow, John Grisham, Elmore Leonard, Bill Moody, David Morrell, Nelson DeMille, David Baldacci, Stieg Larsson and the list goes on.  Some favorites of the past include the wonderful Graham Greene and 30s and 40s noir master Cornell Woolrich.

Are your books available in print and e-book formats?

Death in Nostalgia City is available in print and in all popular e-book formats for Kindle, Nook, iPad and more.

Here are links:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble            

Congratulations on the book, Mark, and continued success!

Meet Ashleigh Galvin

Ashleigh Galvin was born in Toowoomba, Australia in 1990 and grew up in Wyreema, located in Queensland, Australia. She attempted to write her first novel in primary school and hasn’t stopped since. She enjoyed reading Fantasy series as a young girl, which fueled her to start writing as a hobby. Her first published novel, Birth By Fire’s Embrace, was released in May 2013.

Many people ask Ashleigh where she gets her ideas from and her answer is simple: daydreaming. She likes to call them epic daydreams because some can last for a week or longer. Interestingly enough, she gets most of her story ideas this way. Now she has combined her great imagination and her love of fantasy to create exciting and fresh novels featuring strong characters and lots of action to keep even the most imaginative mind fully enticed.

Welcome to the blog, Ashleigh! 

How many books have you written?

I’ve written three books although only one has been released at this stage. My other two novels, sequels to my first Birth By Fire’s Embrace, are currently in the publication process so hopefully they will be released some. Once I’ve finished editing the third novel, I’m going to start on either the fourth installments of the Amethyst Series or maybe a side project. Haven’t decided yet.

Give a short synopsis of your most recently published book.

A taut fantasy for all ages, Birth by Fire’s Embrace explores how drastically things can change when the world that lies just beyond our senses begins to surface. When all that is familiar vanishes from Shar’s life, she begins to look inside and find the strength and courage to carry on in a harsh world, and look towards another world that lies ahead.

At the beginning of the summer she was doing so well; done with school, a promising promotion in the works, the best boyfriend a girl could ask for, and the chance of a lifetime at the Academy. Then he came and it was all ashes. He had cost her everything, the job, the boy, the acting school, and even her family. He had cost her the world.

What Shar didn’t know was that the stranger was actually there to protect her from another dark intruder in her world. Caught in a deadly game between two lethal adversaries, she comes to know that there are forces around her that she has only dreamt of. Forces that will bring her to the edge of death and back again, that will show her a new realm to fill the void left by the one she has lost.

What do you think is the greatest lesson you’ve learned about writing so far? What advice can you give new writers?

I think the best lesson I’ve learnt is just to keep writing. Every word written will help your craft grow and evolve. It’s very important to find your voice when you write as well. It’s your voice that will separate you from all the other authors writing in your genre. And the best way to find your voice? You guessed it! By writing. Write short stories. Write long stories. Keep a journal and write down your whole day every night. Try to make it sound as epic as possible without stretching the truth too much.  

Where do you store ideas for later use: in your head, in a notebook, or on a spreadsheet?

Story ideas always start in my head as either a day dream or as an epic flash of I Must Write This! I keep the idea in my head for a few days, mulling over the details and trying to refine the story as much as possible. Once it’s ripe, it’s time for it to leave my head. Normally my story ideas get added to a folder on my USB. However if I’m away from my computer, I find the closest piece of paper and write it down so I can transpose it later. Once the idea is out of head and on the USB, my brain can start to think up new ideas. I have a notepad I use a lot but that’s mostly for help with planning and writing the novel, not storing ideas.

We all know how important promoting our work has become. How do you get the word out both off and online?

I’m a very active marketer. I try as hard as I can to get my book out there but it’s very difficult when you’re not drowning in money. I have a webpage which I post up regularly and also a monthly newsletter to help people keep up to date with what’s happening. I use Facebook, Twitter and Google+ as well. I’m on GoodReads and often try to run ads there because their price is actually really good.  I also have a video on You Tube and will hopefully be able to add more once I get my new camera.

Can you tell us your future writing goals/projects?

My future writing goal is to finish the Amethyst series but that’s going to take quite a while. I’m most probably going to start writing other books in between each of the Amethyst books to give myself a break and to shake up my writing style with different genres and characters. I’ve got about fifteen other book ideas on my computer at the moment so there’s plenty of inspiration to choose from. 

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

The best place would probably be my website although I post everything up on Facebook and Twitter as well.

Links are:

Website:  http://ashleighgalvin.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ashleigh.Galvin.Author

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ashleigh_Galvin

Google+: https://plus.google.com/+AshleighGalvinAuthor

And you can sign up for my monthly Newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/YNCSv

Are your books available in print and ebook formats? 

Birth By Fire’s Embrace is currently available in both Paperback and Ebook formats. They are available in most online stores including Barnes & Noble and the IBook store but I have included the Amazon.com links below for ease of use.

Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Birth-Fires-Embrace-Amethyst-Series/dp/1938444051/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1369736413&sr=8-1

Ebook: http://www.amazon.com/Birth-Fires-Embrace-Amethyst-Book-ebook/dp/B00CS6JFOG/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1369736413

I wish you continued success, Ashleigh. Thanks for dropping by.

Networking Perks

It's been a while since I posted on my own blog, and  for that I apologize to you loyal followers. I won't bore you with excuses, but I thought it about time I talked about how important networking is for us as authors and for you readers as well. It's more than selling a few books. I have met some wonderful readers and I want them to know how much I appreciate them coming back again and again as I spread my wings from mystery to women's fiction to current project, historical fiction.

I have to admit that going to conferences and book events has not only brought me closer to readers but I now have a vast network of authors who are truly genuine friends of mine. I've met some outstanding authors who've won many national awards and remained humble. I will post a few pictures here with a little about a few of them.

Here I am at Book'em North Carolina with headliner, Mary Alice Monroe from South Carolina. I'd read all of her books so it was a pleasure to meet this sweet lady in person. Did you know she helps protect sea turtles? I wish Mary Alice many more books and I'll buy them as they come off the press;-)






I have to mention Michael Palmer, a great big teddy bear I met several years ago at the same book event. He died only a few months after this picture was taken. Such a wonderful writer and such a sweet man. Rest in peace, Michael.

I met Haywood Smith at Book'em last year. What a hoot! I could have talked with her the entire day if we hadn't both had other things to attend to. I hope everyone who went to that event got to meet her in person. And her books are full of humor even though at times a little strange, Haywood:-) She gave me the background  and inspiration for Out Of Warranty, my personal favorite of her books so far.

I have to mention some pals of mine who are richly talented and live here in North Carolina so that we can meet once in a while, do some signings and benefits together, and just get together to pick each other's brains over lunch.  Even though they're not as well known, they soon will be, so you should add them to your reading list ASAP.

Joyce and Jim Lavene organized the Carolina Conspiracy, composed of mystery writers from North and South Carolina. They somehow manage to write a multitude of novels together without killing each other. My hat is off to them. I don't have a picture of this dynamic duo to post, but they have written series after series of delightful who-dun-its that you should explore. If you enjoy Renaissance faires, this team is for you!

I met Lynette Hall Hampton at my first Carolina Conspiracy event and we've been close friends since the moment we laid eyes on each other. Lynette is sweet with a side of saucy. I adore that woman! She writes several series: mysteries, romances as well westerns. Check out her work. I especially enjoyed her series featuring a female preacher, Willa Hinshaw, who can't help investigating when things go awry, as they always do in Lynette's books.

Yes, I know she looks innocent, but trust me ... (teeheehee)

I could mention a multitude of other authors,too, but I should get back to my historical.

By the way, if you've never been to Book'em North Carolina, it's a huge event in Lumberton, North Carolina the last Saturday in February. The very talented and highly-organized Trish Terrell (P.M.) not only organized this outstanding event but finds time to write great books too. She's the most organized person I've ever met and her technical skills are mind-blowing. She's also a friend and I have to thank her again for helping me get my books back out there after my Dreamspell publisher died and the company closed. I owe you a lung, Trish!

So you see, networking is wonderful. I've met hundreds of people who still keep in touch and we hug when we see each other here and there across the state and nation. My BFF, Mary Daly, who rides shotgun most of the time, has helped make long trips so much more enjoyable and sometimes downright spectacular. Love you, Mary.

Thanks to all of you who make my life so rewarding. And don't forget to keep reading! There are so many talented folks right under your nose. Check them out. You won't be disappointed.

Another time I will tell you about some of the Dreamspell "Dream Team" who still keep in touch although we've been picked up by different publishers or started our own companies. And then there are the Killer Nashville folks and then .... Just stayed tuned. And thanks again, y'all!

Get cozy with Sharon Pape

Sharon Pape describes her writing career as having two stages. Back in the dark ages, before computers were in every household, she had three paranormal books published. The first one was condensed by Redbook Magazine, the first paperback original they had ever condensed. (WOW!) She has just re-released that book under the title FOR EVERYTHING A SEASON.   

Then life brought her an unexpected challenge, by the name of breast cancer. After treatment, she started a not-for-profit organization to provide information and peer support to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. Once the organization didn't require as much of her time, she returned to her first love - writing. During this second stage of her career, she's been writing cozy mysteries with a  paranormal twist. She's also one of the thirty, cozy mystery authors who blog monthly on Killer Characters. To learn more about her and her books, you can visit her website: http://sharonpape.com  or her Amazon page: http://goo.gl/vKb3cZ 

Susan: Sharon, it's a pleasure to have you over. How many books have you written?

Sharon: I was bitten by the writing bug at an early age, writing stories in first grade and book length pieces in seventh grade, none of which deserved to be published or even read by anyone other than friends and family. So, counting just  the ones that have been published, there are eight.

Susan:  Give a short synopsis of FOR EVERYTHING A SEASON.

Sharon: My most recent cozy mystery was published in December 2013 and is the fourth book in my Portrait of Crime Mysteries from Berkley, but FOR EVERYTHING A SEASON, the paranormal I mentioned earlier, was re- released in June. Here’s a brief synopsis:

Not all the witch trials took place in Salem. And there are people in nearby Rachael Crossing who believe the abandoned old house in their midst has roots going back to those awful times.

Determined not to be spooked by vague rumors, Deborah Colby leases that house and when she meets Ethan Burke, she's certain she's exactly where she’s meant to be. But will she live to regret it?

Susan: How much of yourself is hidden in the characters in the book?

Sharon:  Probably more than I think there is, because everything I write comes through the filter of my life and experiences. There is a character in SKETCHER IN THE RYE, the fourth book in the Portrait of Crime Mysteries, who shares my obsession with ice cream. Hardly an evening goes by that I don’t have a cone or a dish. If you were to open my freezer, you’d see five or six half gallons from which to choose. In general, though, I’d have to say that there’s a lot more of my daughter in my protagonists than of me. She’s bright, courageous and never lets obstacles stand in her way when she has a goal. I call her my role model.

Susan: What do you think is the greatest lesson you’ve learned about writing so far? What advice can you give new writers?

Sharon: Very few writers become overnight successes, so you have to love the process itself enough to keep at it in spite of setbacks and disappointments. I sometimes find that the hardest part of writing is applying the seat of one’s pants to the computer chair. My favorite quote, one that keeps me going when I hit a rough patch, is this one by George Eliot, “It's never too late to be who you might have been.” So if you’re wondering if you have the right stuff to be a writer, there’s only one way to find out.

Susan: That's so true, Sharon. Can you tell us your future writing goals/projects?

Sharon: I’m currently working on a new cozy mystery series. Like my previous mysteries, it also has a light, paranormal aspect. I think the paranormal adds an extra creative layer to the stories. It’s fun to tease the mind with elements that can’t be easily pinned down. In essence, each book winds up with two mysteries, the murder mystery and the mystery that surrounds the paranormal element. If I had a slogan, it would be: Have you exercised your imagination today?

Susan: Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

Sharon: On my website: http://sharonpape.com/  Facebook page:   https://www.facebook.com/  Amazon link: http://goo.gl/7XYKvu

If you visit my website, there’s a also a free short story.

Susan: Are your books available in print and ebook formats? 

Sharon:  A Portrait of Crime Mysteries:

                Sketch Me If You Can (print and ebook)

                To Sketch a Thief (print and ebook)

                Sketch a Falling Star (print and ebook)

                Sketcher in the Rye (ebook)

                       

               The Crystal Shop Mysteries:

               Alibis and Amethysts (ebook)

              For Everything a Season (ebook)

           

           Here’s the link to my Amazon page: http://goo.gl/7XYKvu

Thanks for the interview, Susan!

My pleasure, Sharon. Continued success! Now readers, head over and pick up a few of these cozies;-)

I'm interviewed on my own blog! Ha!

(Good morning, everyone. I'm reposting a unique interview from 2011. I invited David Fingerman back over to talk about his new book, but as you will see, David turned the table on me. I hope you enjoy the conversation.)

I am honored to be making my third appearance on Susan Whitfield’s blog. Other than the release of my new mystery, Playing the Hand She’s Dealt, the amazing and fantastic sequel to the equally amazing and fantastic Silent Kill, my life hasn’t change all that much since my last interview here. So, for something a little different I thought it might be fun to turn the table on Susan and interview her.  Happily (for me), she agreed.

And as you can tell, David is sooooo modest. LOL.

Susan, welcome. First off, how does it feel being the interviewee instead of the interviewer on your own blog?

LOL. Well, David, I’ve been interviewed quite a few times but not on my OWN blog. I’m honored that you’re interested.

I'd be willing to bet a lot of people are interested.
When and how did you know you wanted to be a writer, and then a mystery novelist?

I’ve been writing since about third grade, so it’s pretty much been a lifelong dream. However, I didn’t really get serious about it until I was retiring from a high school principalship. They say write what you read, and I truly love a good mystery. I tried to write a steamy novel, but I blushed so much I just couldn’t go through with it.

What’s a typical day for Susan Whitfield?

Normally I grab a huge cup of joe (some people refer to my cup as a planter) and start writing. Unfortunately, right now I have to dress and go to physical therapy in the mornings because I tore me Achilles tendon, power-walking between writing sessions to get into better shape. That’s thrown my routine off and now I’m writing sporadically in the afternoons. So my routine is quite atypical right now.

Ouch! Here's wishing you a speedy recovery.

Thank you. I'm wearing an ugly heavy boot and my husband calls me a platypuss:-( 

LOL, brave man.

You’ve completed four Logan Hunter novels thus far.  How do you keep Logan Hunter fresh and exciting?

I have to remember to let her age and change over the course of the novels. She was inexperienced in Genesis Beach as an intern at the Genesis Beach Police Department, and then once she was an official North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation agent in Just North of Luck, she tackled (quite literally) a serial killer in our beautiful Appalachian Mountains, got herself into all kinds of jams in Hell Swamp, and had truly life-changing experiences in Sin Creek.

In each book, she matured a little more, changed from heavy dark eye glasses to contacts, and married another agent. (I use internal thoughts in my first-person novels so readers can get inside Logan’s head and emotions.) Sin Creek was difficult to write because there’s so much raw emotion in it. Punch Street, the fifth novel in the Logan Hunter series, is about seven pages at this point. I’m currently writing a non-series novel, entitled The Goose Parade of Old Dickeywood, about lifelong friendship.

We'll get more into the Goose Parade in a couple minutes.
How are you and Logan Hunter similar/dissimilar?

Boy, that’s a loaded question.

I try.

First of all Logan is over six feet tall, blond, and toothpick thin. I, on the other hand, am 5’6” and shrinking, have salt and pepper hair, and am not a toothpick. I have to admit there is a lot of me in Logan. I believe in saying what I mean and meaning what I say. I believe in doing what’s right even when it’s not popular. I like bending rules as much as Logan does, but I seldom break them completely unless there’s no other choice. She’s more adventurous than I am; I write adventures but you won’t find me sky-diving…unless I develop more courage or dementia as I age.

Well, let's keep a happy thought.
Changing gears for a moment, please tell us the history and thought processes behind the cookbook, Killer Recipes.

Ah, good question. I met a lady here in North Carolina who came to an event just to meet me. She’d written a cookbook and I bought one. Later, as we kept in touch, she told me how good sales were, and she was considering another cookbook. I started to think about that and all the wonderful recipes I have. Since I had a fairly large audience of writer friends from networking, I asked if folks would consider donating recipes for the cookbook in exchange for promotion at the bottom of each one.

I decided that all proceeds from this book would be donated to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in honor of my grandson, a cancer survivor. I didn’t think it would be right for me to pocket proceeds since the book  couldn’t happen without the support of other writers. Authors all over the country responded in an overwhelming way, and Killer Recipes has become a unique cookbook we can all be proud of. My publisher, L&L Dreamspell, liked the idea so much that they didn’t give me a chance to query, and they donate all of THEIR profits for this particular book as well. Good folks, indeed.

Indeed they are ~ and a great cause! And what a great holiday gift (hint hint).

Yes, giving this book is giving twice. You can order all of my books through my site, www.susanwhitfieldonline.com or www.amazon.com and other online stores. They're all available in print or digital formats. I love having the cookbook on my Kindle.

On a very serious and scary note, and I’m sure it’s a nightmare of anyone who has reached any level of celebrity status, but I seem to recall you were harassed by a stalker some time back. I certainly won’t ask details, but what would you advise your fellow authors to do if ever in a similar situation?

Your memory is still sharp, David. While the person never came to my house and never called my house, she showed up at several of my signings and tried to discourage people from buying books. I really think it backfired, though, because it 's obvious that she is unstable. She wrote a personal attack on Facebook about me, and posted a terrible review on Amazon about what a bad writer I am. The post was up 3 weeks before I knew about it. I contacted Amazon.com and told them about the woman, our past, and the Facebook comment. They removed the review immediately. The scariest part was that the following weekend, I had a signing back in my home county, and she’d messaged me that she was going to go. I “unfriend” her, and contacted a deputy who worked with me when I was a principal. He arranged for a deputy to ride by the bookstore every few minutes during the hours I was there. She never showed. I guess she was playing with my head.

I’m not sure what I’d advise someone else. My situation was strange and it really wasn’t about writing at all. I’ve never had another experience like that and hope I never do again. However, after that lengthy answer, I will also tell you and readers to whatever you have to do to keep yourself safe. There are plenty of nuts out there.

That had to have been not only scary, but very frustrating and time consuming as well. I'm glad it's long behind you.

Thank you , David. I hope it’s over.

I see on your website that Punch Street is due out in 2012. Would you mind giving us a sneak peek into that novel?

Punch Street (working title) is the next Logan Hunter novel, dealing with bullying, a major issue that’s been around since the beginning of time but seems to be in the news so much more since Internet and texting arrived. Logan and another agent go undercover in a school to get to the bottom of a student’s death. Remember, not all bullies are children. They come in every size and package.

Not only an excellent sounding  plot - but very timely.

I also noticed that you’re working on a stand-alone book, The Goose Parade of Old Dickeywood. Would you be willing to share any secrets on what that is about?

Writing this stand-alone has been a hoot, for sure. It’s about lifelong friends who’re now going through menopause, marital problems, and health problems. Their friendship endures even through misfortune and conflict. The title comes from the fact that they live near a pond that is overcrowded with geese, only one of many conflicts that arise.

I can already sense the fun you're having writing this. That's always a good sign that it will be an equally fun book.

What else does the future hold for Susan Whitfield?

My first goal is to get well and back to full-blown writing here shortly, complete Goose Parade and Punch Street, and dig into all the research I’ve gathered about my ancestor, a Knight of the Bath. I hope to write an historical novel about him, son-in-law of King Henry I.

It certainly sounds like you're keeping your writing plate full.

I have to stay busy. I don’t idle well.

Susan, thank you for being such a good sport and letting me turn the tables on you. I hope you had fun being on the other side of your blog.

I certainly did, David. That was a great idea and I appreciate your support. I also wish you tremendous success with your new book.

Thank you. As mentioned above, Playing the Hand She's Dealt is the sequel to Silent Kill. In Silent Kill, Louise Miller was after a psycho-killer. In Playing the Hand, someone is after Louise. Not only does he want her dead, but he first wants to destroy her piece by piece. A great mystery if I do say so myself.

I can’t wait to read it. BTW, as I repost this interview, I'm walking a mile every day and not limping. It feels good to be back. Hugs!   

NOTE: Since this post first "aired", I have completed the Logan Hunter Mystery series with Sticking Point, created my own publishing company, and re-published my cook book, Killer Recipes, now under the Studebaker Press logo.

Lisa Miller

Lisa Miller lives in the beautiful state of Alaska with her family where the spirits of animals and men roam free.She is married to a wonderful man and they have three children and they used to foster girls which brought them lots of joy. She is currently a full-time college student and she writes inspirational poetry. Both are books of poetry with Bible verses sprinkled within the pages.They can be found on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

She is able through the help of The Holy Spirit to write about the beauty and simplicity of life. Through words she wants to reveal the beauty of Christ to the broken and lost spirits of humanity. Through pouring out her heart and tears and trying to be transparent she wants to encourage people to see we are in this together.

Lisa enjoys reading, writing, blogging, walking, family, social networking, scrap booking and photography. Her dad joined the Air Force  when she was little so the world has been her playground. It is where she learned to get along with other people and accept herself.

She is  very comfortable with books and pens and paper. She sometimes feels like she was born with a pencil in her hand and she started writing at six years old and it has just expanded from there. She has never passed a library or used bookstore that she has not liked. 

She is a lady who comes from a Christian background and family. She came to know the Lord on a personal level when she was 17 years old. Since then she has been on a quest to learn more about Him and herself. On her journey she has come to realize her purpose in life is to write what is on God's heart and encourage the broken and lost souls of humanity with it. 

Here are two quotes she thinks sums up her writing life:

"I am a little pencil in the hand of writing God who is sending out a love letter to the world."

Mother Teresa

"Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart."

William Wordsworth

Welcome, LIsa. What are the titles of your books?

Godly Inspirations for the Troubled Soul

Inspirations from Heaven's Gate                             

Give a short synop of your most recently published book?

She writes through the whispered power of the Holy Spirit. She wants to write about the beauty and simplicity of life and reveal the beauty of Christ to the broken and lost souls of humanity. She has been given the ability to write simply and honestly from the heart so it is understandable. She believes writing is a language of the heart and is a beautiful way to share one's innermost feelings.

Lisa C. Miller is an author working under the Holy Spirit's daily direction. She focuses on the Holy Spirits daily direction for her life and writing. She has enjoyed a creative partnership with the Holy Spirit for many years.

It is a book of poetry with Bible verses sprinkled throughout it.

What challenges did you face while writing this book?

Time to write. I am a college student and I am married with three children. My challenge was and still is time to do everything.

What do you think is the greatest lesson you have learned about writing so far? What advice can you give new writers?

The greatest lesson I have learned about writing so far is the writing never ends. There is always something to write about.

Advice I can give new writers is this: write about things you are passionate about and write simply and be as honest as you can.

Where do you store ideas for later use? In your head or or a notebook?

     

 I write ideas in my journal/notebook. I always try to have paper and pens scatter everywhere around the house. You never know when inspiration will strike.

We all know how important promoting our work has become. How do you get the word out both offline and online?

Word of mouth. My friends and family have helped a great deal with this. I have a website for my writing and a blog. I also use social networking. I use the top six sites in the world which are facebook, twitter, linkedin, pinterest, google, tumblr. There are many more.

Can you tell us your future writing goals/projects?

 I am currently working my third book of poetry and I am writing a book about how Asperger's Syndrome has affected/impacted my family.

Where can folks learn more about your books and events?

    There are three places:

     Amazon.com: Lisa C Miller: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle

 http://askdavid.com/reviews/book/inspirational-poetry/5267

World Blog Hop

I'm participating in a World Blog Hop. Thanks to my pal, Lynette Hall Hampton aka Agnes Alexander for the invitation. Lynette writes mysteries as Lynette Hall Hampton and as Agnes Alexander. You can learn more about this lovely and talented lady at www.Agnesalexander.com.

I am considered a multi-genre author. I'm a native of North Carolina and set all of my novels somewhere around the state in order to showcase different places. I've written five published mysteries, Genesis Beach, Just North of Luck, Hell Swamp, Sin Creek and Sticking Point.

I also authored Killer Recipes, a unique cookbook that includes recipes from mystery writers around the country.  All proceeds from this book are donated to cancer research.

Slightly Cracked is my first women’s fiction, set in Wayne County where I live.

My books are available in print and all ebook formats.

I am currently researching a medieval ancestor for an historical mystery titled Sprig of Broom. Learn more at www.susanwhitfieldonline.com

Okay, so I've written five Logan Hunter Mysteries, one women's fiction, and authored a unique cookbook which I'm especially proud of (thanks, all you writers who submitted recipes!). I am currently writing an historical fiction about my ancestor, Sir Geoffrey Plantagenet, a Knight of the Bath. The book is titled Sprig of Broom because he wore a broom straw in his hat. King Henry I sent for 15-year-old Geoffrey, knighted him and had him marry his daughter Matilda, who was 26-years-old. I'm having a great time reading every historical account I can get my hands on. While I want to be as accurate as possible, I will put my spins and twists on the story for extra measure.

I think my historical fiction differs from others because this man was an ancestor of mine. He actually lived and is down in the trunk of my family tree! How awesome is that?

Being multi-genre has become quite exciting for me. Easily bored, it's nice to move from mystery to women's fiction to historical fiction. I hope in the future to write another women's fiction because I had a blast writing Slightly Cracked. I love the idea of not being limited to one genre. It's very liberating to write in several genres.

I write in the mornings. I have a wonderful sun room where I can see the pond and wildlife while I write. I find that I'm much sharper in the mornings and much more creative. Lots of coffee and quiet keeps me going all morning long. What upsets my writing? Noisy TV, phone calls, and unexpected visitors. I'm a nice person but these things break my concentration. I think I have adult ADD and I'm not kiddin'.

I want to thank the authors who will continue to blog hop on July 14th. Please support:

p.m.terrell, the internationally acclaimed, award-winning author of more than 20 books in five genres. A full-time author since 2002, she is best known for her historical adventure/suspense and her contemporary suspense. She is also the founder of Book 'Em North Carolina, an annual event that brings together more than 75 authors and publishers to raise money for literacy campaigns, and the co-founder of The Book 'Em Foundation, whose mission is to raise public awareness of the direct correlation between high crime rates and high illiteracy.

www.pmterrell.blogspot.com




Aaron Paul Lazar writes to soothe his soul. An award-winning, bestselling Kindle author of three addictive mystery series, writing books, and a new love story, Aaron enjoys the Genesee Valley countryside in upstate New York, where his characters embrace life, play with their dogs and grandkids, grow sumptuous gardens, and chase bad guys. Visit his website at http://www.lazarbooks.com and watch for his upcoming releases, DEVIL’S LAKE(2014), and THE LIAR’S GALLERY (2014).

Marni Graff is the author of the Nora Tierney mystery series, set in the UK. The Blue Virgin introduces Nora, an American writer living in Oxford. She becomes involved in a murder investigation to clear her best friend as a suspect, to the chagrin of DI Declan Barnes. The Green Remains follows Nora’s move to Cumbria where she’s awaiting the publication of her first children’s book and the birth of her first child. When Nora stumbles across the corpse at the edge of Lake Windermere, she realizes she recognizes the dead man. Then her friend and illustrator, Simon Ramsey, is implicated in the murder of the heir to Clarendon Hall, and Nora swings into sleuth mode. The Scarlet Wench finds Nora once again involved in an investigation when a theatre troupe arrives at Ramsey Lodge and a series of pranks and accidents escalate to murder.

Graff is also co-author of Writing in a Changing World, a primer on writing groups and critique techniques. She writes crime book reviews at www.auntiemwrites.com and is Managing Editor of Bridle Path Press. A member of Sisters in Crime, Graff runs the NC Writers Read program in Belhaven. She has also published poetry, last seen in Amelia Earhart: A Tribute; her creative nonfiction has most recently appeared in Southern Writers Magazine. All of Graff’s books can be bought at Amazon.com or at http://www.bridlepathpress.com and are available as eBooks.

The Nora Tierney Mysteries:

The Blue Virgin: A Nora Tierney Mystery (Oxford)
First Place Winner: Mystery and Mayhem Award for British Cozy, Chanticleer Book Media

 The Green Remains: Book 2 (Lake District)

The Scarlet Wench: Book 3 (Lake District) 
www.bridlepathpress.com
www.auntiemwrites.com