The Writer's Life eMagazine

📚 A Bookish Chat with 'Your Ghost: A Memoir of Love, Loss and the Echoes That Remains' Marie McGaha #AuthorInterview

2026-06-09T08:17:42.334-04:00

Today we welcome Marie McGaha to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! Marie is the author of the new memoir, Your Ghost: A Memoir of Love, Loss and the Echoes That Remain, and this interview is part of his Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

Marie McGaha is an award-winning writer whose work includes clean historical romances, Christian devotionals, and heartfelt children’s books. A storyteller at her core, she weaves faith, resilience, and gentle humor through every page she writes.

She makes her home in southeast Oklahoma, in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains, where life is anything but quiet. Her days are shared with four spoiled dogs, a crippled rooster with more attitude than feathers, a noisy guinea who believes it runs the place, a couple of flighty hens, and a watchful roo who keeps an eye on everything that moves. This lively little farm—equal parts sanctuary and circus—provides endless inspiration, companionship, and the kind of grounding only God’s creation can offer.

Whether she’s crafting a tender love story, guiding readers through Scripture, or bringing the Bible to life for children through animal characters, Marie writes with a voice shaped by faith, loss, healing, and the stubborn hope that refuses to let go. Her work reflects the heart of a woman who has walked through fire and come out carrying stories worth telling.

You can also join her for daily devotionals on YouTube at @HeReignsChurch, where she shares encouragement, Scripture, and the steady reminder that hope is still alive. You can contact her by email: church.hereigns@gmail.com.

Marie’s latest book is Your Ghost: A Memoir of Love, Loss and the Echoes That Remain.

Visit her blog at authormariemcgaha.blogspot.com.

Connect with her on social media at:

╰┈➤ Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorMarieMcGaha

╰┈➤ LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/mariemcgaha

Your title carries immense emotional weight; what is the origin story behind those specific words?

After my husband died, I lost myself. Everything was gone, my home, every dream, every plan, everything. My husband died and I was completely alone for the first time since I was 28. I couldn’t sleep, couldn’t eat, and I felt like he was gone and I was the ghost haunting my son’s house. So the title “Your Ghost” is how I felt and seemed like the perfect title.

How long did it take you to write it?

I didn’t intend to write a book, I was just making notes, writing my feelings, which was difficult in itself because they were so varied and bounced from one extreme to the other so quickly, I could barely keep up. So, over the past 4+ years, I accumulated 600 pages of raw emotion written like a crazy person just trying to grasp a thread of sanity.

Which specific scene or chapter gave you the most difficulty to write, and why?

All of. As I began editing those 600 pages, I was living all the emotions over and over again. Some days I could only manage a page or two, while other days I couldn’t even look at it.

At what point in your grief journey did you realize that writing a book was necessary for your healing or survival?

I don’t think I’ve realized that even now! I’m a writer, it’s what I do, but I had no intention of writing a book about this part of my life. It’s too intense, too raw, too emotional, too real, and it still claws at my chest like some monster trying to rip me open again.

How did you balance the heavy elements of sorrow with moments of levity, hope, or light to keep the reader engaged?

I can’t even answer this question. It’s heavy but I’m not sure there’s any levity. I didn’t write it for any particular reason except that the pain was, and still is, so painful I sometimes think I’ll never know happiness again. But I think widows who have experienced such deep loss will relate, and maybe they’ll see they aren’t alone in their grief.

Grief rarely happens in isolation. How did surviving family members or friends react to your portrayal of a shared loss?

I try not to show my grief around my kids. I know they have their own pain and I don’t want them to have to carry mine too. I asked my son if he wanted to read the manuscript and he declined, so I’ve left it at that.

Many people find that grief doesn't disappear; it changes form. How do you maintain a connection to your loved one today?

I am surrounded my photos on the walls, on my phone, and his memory is always with me. I look at the pictures of us together and I see the love and happiness there, but when I look in the mirror, I see a different woman. The lines on my face are deeper, my eyes are duller, and I laugh less often. Grief didn’t just change me, it turned me inside out and ripped me open. I am not the same, and I’m trying to figure out who I am now without him.

Your Ghost: A Memoir of Love, Loss and the Echoes That Remain is a searing, faith-anchored memoir of love, loss, and the long road back to oneself. When Marie’s husband dies without warning, her world fractures in an instant, leaving her to navigate the brutal, unfiltered landscape of grief. In the quiet of an empty house and the chaos of a shattered heart, she wrestles with God, memory, and the haunting presence of the man she can no longer touch but cannot let go.

Told with unflinching honesty and spiritual depth, Your Ghost traces the intimate, day-by-day unraveling and rebuilding of a woman who refuses to let tragedy define the rest of her life. As she confronts guilt, loneliness, anger, and the strange moments when his nearness feels almost tangible, Marie discovers that grief is not a straight line but a sacred, winding path. What emerges is a story not only of devastation, but of resilience—a testament to enduring love, stubborn hope, and the quiet miracles that carry us forward when we think we cannot take another step.

*****

╰┈➤Book Details

Genre: Memoir
Sub-genre: Survival Biographies
Language:English
Pages: 105
Hardcover: 979-8252998060

Your Ghost is available at Amazon.

*****

╰┈➤Here’s What Readers Have To Say!

“You will feel every emotion, especially the pain, of losing your soulmate unexpectedly as you read this deeply spiritual journey of recovery. This kind of loss is painful, emotionally draining and physically crippling. Through every stage of grief, Ms. McGaha helps us understand how we can begin to breathe again and move forward. I cried, I felt her pain and rejoiced as the agony slowly began to leave. The best book I’ve ever read about grief and recovery. A must read for anyone experiencing the loss of a loved one. Also, it’s proof God is still beside us at our lowest point… (this is) a woman trying to hang onto life. A life that crashed and burned unexpectedly… very inspiring.” – Vicki L.

“A beautifully written, heart-wrenching examination of deep-held grief, Marie McGaha pulls the reader in with her dynamic and impactful imagery, compelling us to understand her tragedy—the caregiving and ultimate loss of the one love of her life, her husband, Nathan. The thoughts, the analysis, and the unfolding of this unwanted, unasked-for journey from a woman familiar with grief are, at times, more than one can bear. Yet the sheer poetry, interwoven with the Word of God, brings us fully into the author’s world with brilliance. Her deeply personal exploration of grief—from exhaustion, to numbness, to heightened awareness—is extraordinary, leaving the reader with a greater understanding of our own journeys through death and loss. This is a journey that, once entered, will not easily be forgotten—a powerful and necessary read for anyone who has known love and loss.” – Linda W.

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📚 A Bookish Chat with 'A Change in Plans' Mike Martin #AuthorInterview @mike54martin

2026-06-08T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today we welcome Mike Martin to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! Mike is the author of the new mystery, A Change in Plans, and this interview is part of his Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

Mike Martin was born in St. John’s, NL on the east coast of Canada and now lives and works in Ottawa, Ontario. He is a long-time freelance writer and his articles and essays have appeared in newspapers, magazines and online across Canada as well as in the United States and New Zealand.

He is the award-winning author of the best-selling Sgt. Windflower Mystery series, set in beautiful Grand Bank. There are now 17 books in this light mystery series with the publication of A Change in Plans.

A Tangled Web was shortlisted in 2017 for the best light mystery of the year, and Darkest Before the Dawn won the 2019 Bony Blithe Light Mystery Award. All That Glitters was shortlisted for the LOLA 2024 Must Read Book of the year award.

Some Sgt. Windflower Mysteries are now available as audiobooks and the latest Darkest Before the Dawn was released as an audiobook in 2024. All audiobooks are available from Audible in Canada and around the world.

Mike is Past Chair of the Board of Crime Writers of Canada, a national organization promoting Canadian crime and mystery writers and a member of the Newfoundland Writers’ Guild and Capital Crime Writers.

Visit Mike’s website at https://sgtwindflowermysteries.com.

Connect with him on social media at:

╰┈➤ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore

╰┈➤ Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mike54martin

A Change in Plans is the 17th book in your Sgt. Windflower Mystery series set in Newfoundland. In your experience, what makes a "cozy" crime investigation so much fun to read?

I think that it's about more than the crime or murder. It's about food, family, friends and living in a small town.

The Sgt. Windflower series is known for its "quietly powerful" tone, focusing on community, kindness, and traditional "whodunit" mystery elements. Can you tell us why you focused on these admirable traits?

Those elements are what drew me to the mystery genre in the first place. I think that small town community life is fascinating. And kindness may be the most important thing of all. The Dalai Lama says: "Whenever possible, be kind. And it's always possible."

Which of the characters from A Change in Plans do you most closely identify with and why?

Windflower is who I would like to be when I grow up. Tizzard has a lot of my goofy charactristics.

Are any of the characters based on real life people?

No, although there are some composite characters. But I do sneak real people's names into the books from time to time as a joke between me and them.

What do you think sets A Change in Plans apart from other books of the same genre?

The setting in unique and having an RCMP Officer, a Mountie also helps it stand out.

What season does your book take place?

Autumn

What location does your book take place?

Grand Bank and Marystown in Newfoundland. Then shifts to Mississauga and Oshawa in Ontario. But all in Canada.

Do you think writing a “cozy” whodunit is more complex than writing books of other genres?

No, it's just a genre. No harder or easier than any other genre. I think writing non-fiction would be hard work though.

What’s next for you?

Book 18 is already in the works. I hope the muse will carry me through.

RCMP officer Winston Windflower’s rare afternoon off gets interrupted when a hit and run turns into murder and he must pull together a team of Mounties from Newfoundland to resolve the crime. Following the money and fentanyl— and bodies—Windflower and his team join forces with police officers in southern Ontario to take down an international drug-smuggling ring.

Windflower must face personal doubts and fears when fellow Mountie Fil Romano is kidnapped. While the higher-ups at HQ make plans to give safe passage to the drug lords in return for Romano’s life, Windflower worries Romano will get caught in the crossfire. Windflower again looks to his friends and allies for help in the difficult hours and days ahead.

╰┈➤Book Details

Genre: Mystery
Sub-genre: TBA
Language: English
Pages: 278
Paperback ISBN: TBA

A Change in Plans is available at Amazon.

╰┈➤Here’s What Readers Have To Say!

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The Writer’s Life

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🔥 Virtual Book Tour: New Spiritual Self-Help Book! The Faithful, The Fearful & The Foolish: Living for God in Troubled Times by Luke Uebelher #bookspotlight #newrelease

2026-06-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

Empowering readers to grow as Faithful Disciples of Christ by equipping them to overcome the fear of man, become effective in the Business of God, and prepare themselves to Rule & Reign with Christ…

Here is a timely word for the Church of Jesus Christ, for those who have a true desire to know and to be pleasing to God. The parable of the talents, while not necessarily an easy word to hear, is a much-needed word for the Church today. Brother Luke has perfectly captured the word of Jesus in his exposition on the parable of our Lord.

The Faithful, The Fearful & The Foolish: Living for God in Troubled Times is available at Amazon.

╰┈➤Book Details

- Genre: Personal Transformation
- Sub-genre: Spiritual Self-Help/Discipleship/Christian Leadership
- Language:English
- Pages: 124
- Paperback ISBN: 979-8368097947

╰┈➤Here’s What Readers Have To Say!

“This book will encourage you, challenge you & remind you that YOU have a purpose & important kingdom work to do here, put your armor on Christian soldier.” – Valentina Anderson

“If you, like me, see that this world is getting darker and that the light is not as bright as it could be, then this book is for you.” – Joyful

“This book is very inspirational and a must read!” – Carla Price

Watch Luke Talk About His Book

About the Author

In 2012, Luke Uebelher began serving and supporting the needs of sex-trafficking and domestic violence survivors by working in partnership with ministries that are led by trafficking and abuse survivors. Under the guidance and leadership of his pastors, his ministry expanded to also serving and supporting the needs of homeless Military Veterans, and ministries in the Philippines. Luke and his wife Maggie were married in 2018 and have a home in the Philippines. Luke travels between the United States and the Philippines for business and ministry services.

Luke’s latest book is The Faithful, The Fearful & The Foolish: Living for God in Troubled Times.

Connect with him on social media at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Luke-UebelherDiamond-Fire-Transport-Missions-100077395525353/

Sponsored By:

🔥 Virtual Book Tour: New Contemporary Women's Fiction Novel! The Good Mother Test by Michael R. French #bookspotlight #newrelease

2026-06-03T00:00:00.000-04:00

A gripping work of contemporary fiction exploring modern motherhood, ambition, and identity…

When Emily, a bright but impulsive UCLA student, gives birth to her daughter Violet, she vows to be the kind of mother she never had: endlessly loving and fiercely protective. But single motherhood is a test with no right answers.

As Violet grows into a gifted and unpredictable child, Emily’s instinct-driven parenting collides with a world obsessed with achievement, social expectations, and expert advice. When Violet’s father, Doug, reenters her life — now in a relationship with Amanda Hoenig, a respected family therapist unable to have children of her own — an uneasy triangle begins to form. What starts as an amicable co-parenting arrangement turns into a psychological tug-of-war over Violet’s future. Emily’s intuition and Amanda’s professional authority clash in living rooms, classrooms, and finally courtrooms, as everyone insists they are fighting for the same thing: what is best for the child. Violet has her own opinions about this.

Told in two voices — first Emily’s, then Violet’s as she comes of age — The Good Mother Test is a gripping work of contemporary fiction exploring modern motherhood, ambition, and identity. Fans of Little Fires Everywhere and The School for Good Mothers will be drawn to its emotional depth and moral complexity.

Read sample here.

The Good Mother Test is available at Amazon.

╰┈➤Book Details

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction
Sub-genre: Literary Fiction/Psychological Fiction
Language:English
Pages: 315
Paperback ISBN: 978-1948749909

╰┈➤Here’s What Readers Have To Say!

“…A highly readable, relatable novel about ordinary people interacting, clashing, and blending their lives in however a messy or successful manner they can, and will attract readers interested in the psychological dovetailing of family and relationship-building which all boils down to luck and trust. These elements move full circle to guide characters and readers in an unexpected journey towards new beginnings and hope, making for a hard-hitting, satisfying read.” — Midwest Book Review

╰┈➤Read if you love…

⃝Emotionally Gripping

Thought Provoking

⃝Heartfelt

Page Turner

⃝Psychologically Complex

Book Club Worthy

Excerpt:

Cedars-Sinai, arguably the most luxurious and respected hospital in L.A., was waiting for Emily. Under a moonless sky, Doug seemed to be steering an Army assault vehicle, not a vintage Mercedes — honking, flicking his high beams, and clenching his teeth whenever he passed a car. Was he praying for luck or simply exuding courage? Emily wondered. He was navigating Beverly Boulevard like he'd just held up a bank. Emily was slouched in the passenger seat, the baby inside her kicking.

She glanced at Doug. "Slow down, please."

"Steady as she goes," he said, eyes glued to the traffic flow.

"I don't want to kill our baby."

Doug smiled patiently. "I should have taken you to the hospital half an hour ago, when your water broke. I don't know why you resisted."

"My bad. I wanted to finish watching the last five minutes of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix."

"Seriously? Why take chances?"

"I wasn't ready, Doug. I'm still not."

She didn't have the strength to explain in a hundred words or less to a man she wasn't married to that she wasn't sure about her future, say, beyond the next year or two. She was in flux. Recently, her thoughts had been tossing her into her past, where she had to feel her way out slowly, gingerly, like being in a dark room with sharp objects.

"Ohhhh." Emily's first contraction came with a jolt, body-slammed by a seven- or eight-pound fetus. She and Doug had already chosen the baby's name.

– Excerpted from The Good Mother Test: Not Trying to Heal My Inner Child While Raising One by Michael R. French, Terra Nova Books, 2026. Reprinted with permission.

About the Author

Michael R. French graduated from Stanford University where he was an English major, focusing on creative writing, and studied under Wallace Stegner. He received a Master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University. He later served in the United States Army before marrying Patricia Goodkind, an educator and entrepreneur, and starting a family.

In addition to publishing twenty-three titles, including award-winning young adult fiction, adult fiction, biographies, and a self-help book, he has written or co-written a half-dozen screenplays. These include indie films Intersection, which has won awards in over thirty-five film festivals, and The Reunion. Both streamed on Amazon.

He has also had a long business career in real estate, living in Santa Fe, New Mexico. His passions include travel, collecting rare books, and hanging with friends and family. French’s work, which includes several best-sellers, has been warmly reviewed in the New York Times.

Visit his website at www.goodmothertest.com.

Connect with him on social media at:

╰┈➤ Twitter: https://twitter.com/mfrenchauthor

╰┈➤ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelRFrenchAuthor/?fref=nf

╰┈➤ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrfrenchbooks/

╰┈➤ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/245381265-the-good-mother-test

Sponsored By:

📚 A Bookish Chat with 'The Wars Between' Lee Mavin #AuthorInterview

2026-06-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today we welcome Lee Mavin to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! Lee is the author of the new YA fantasy novel, The Wars Between, and this interview is part of his Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

Lee J Mavin is the author of 11 books. He is also a teacher and father. He has a Masters in Creative Writing and am solely focused on writing fiction (fantasy and horror) and poetry. He is now in collaboration the illustrator Karolina Piotrowski, a Polish artist who has brought many stories to life. He has worked and studied in China and Japan and studied with Dr Xiaohuan Zhao (a master of Chinese poetry) to complete his book Li Bai’s Shadow, at the University of Sydney. He has two children who are both avid readers, so he is always in the loop with trends in children’s fiction. He is married and lives in Sydney, where he teaches English.

His latest book is the YA fantasy, The Wars Between.

Visit his website at leejmavin.com.

Connect with him on social media at:

╰┈➤ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lee.mavin.925/

╰┈➤ Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/mavin798

╰┈➤ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5103759.Lee_J_Mavin

╰┈➤ TikTok ➜ https://www.tiktok.com/@leemavin4

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I am Lee J Mavin, a middle aged Australian author and teacher from Sydney. I have two children (one daughter and one son) and have been married for 17 years. I have published 12 books in the form of poetry collections, children’s picture books and short story collections and novels. I have lived in China and Japan and can speak both languages.

Can you tell us about your latest book, The Wars Between?

The Wars Between follows two main characters, Outis Everrett and Gwenia Xiachung who are from two different countries who have been at war with each other for thousands of years. Outis feels like a bit of a failure to begin with having failed his warrior exams and not being a willing soldier for his country. He is however a master poet, who has the ability to craft words that change people’s perceptions of the world. Gwenia is a strong willed vegan and the youngest of 13 children and ready to leave the nest. The two of them wind up in an adventure across the seas.

Is The Wars Between your only book?

No I have published 12 other books.

Can you tell us a little about the main characters in The Wars Between?

(See above for this response) Outis’s poem is so timeless, the king awards him the greatest honour, to take it across the sea, to the newly elected president of Kastanair, Penelope Chinwa. He is guided by the Knights of Sunrise, who protect him along the way.

Do you see a little bit of yourself in your main character?

I am a little bit like Outis and would like to be more like him.

Where is this book set and why did you choose that location?

The book is set in a fantasy world consisting of three countries Asalandia a proud monarchy, Kastanair a strong democracy and Syanthia, a neutral state that sells meat and weapons to both countries (and benefits greatly)

What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors?

Dont read negative reviews, edit as much as you can. Don’t change your plot ideas based on someone else’s opinions.

Thank you so much for this interview, Lee. What’s next for you?

I am currently writing the sequel to The Wars Between which is titled The Angelic Fallen and is set hundreds of years after the events of The Wars Between.

For centuries there had been an ongoing war between Asalandia, the proud monarchy of the east and Kastanair the progressive democracy of the west. However, the years of war would end with the most unlikely turn of events.

Outis Everrett, the disappointment of his family, a measly poet, is suddenly thrusted into an epic adventure across the sea, with the King’s blessing. His poem, the poem that somehow won the first annual Asalandian poetry competition, was meant to be taken across the seas, to the enemy island of Kastanair, there, it would be read by the President of Kastanair, the newly elected and very progressive, Penelope Chinwa and she was supposed stop the war after reading those so special words.

So Outis set sail aboard the Golden ship, guided and protected by the Knights of Sunrise and their adventures began. The Knights are led by Bartholemew Aries, the most famous soldier in Asalandia, though when their ship drifts off course to the mysterious island of Aquos Atalantious, the Princess of the island soon lures him to stay. So, the Knights of Sunrise become distracted by the beauties of this foreign island. After failing to find the prince, who had been taken by a monstrous octopus, the Golden ship sails onto Kastanair, without its leader, who had fallen in love with the Princess. They then sail to Syanthia, where the worlds’ meat was produced. There they meet, the young Kastanairian, Gwenia Xiachung, an enthusiastic vegan on a mission to stop everyone eating meat. Outis is thrown into a pig saving mission with Gwenia and is intrigued by the young girl. After saving the pigs and convincing the head of meat production to change his ways with a beautiful poem about animal empathy, Gwenia falls in love with Outis. She joins him and the Knights of Sunrise on the voyage to back to her country, Kastanair. Once they finally reach the shores of Kastanair, they are attacked on the shores by a small army, led by Caslian Jesper, the tough captain who worked his soldiers to exhaustion. The Knights, Outis and Gwenia are rescued by Nastab and his band of terrorists who take them on horseback through Kastanair to Mount Xian. Nastab and his men come from a rebel group who had been dwelling on the plateau of Mount Xian, plotting to overthrow the government of Kastanair. However, their leader, who had driven their group to crimes and violence, was hoarding their food and treasure.

Caslian Jesper follows the terrorists to Mount Xian, in pursuit of two of his enemies at once, the terrorists and the Asalandians. Outis and Gwenia are suddenly taken off their horses by huge hawks, who fly them up Mount Xian, to a cave opening. There Gwenia and Outis meet The Tall Man, a strange man with huge black eyes who has no name. He takes them into the cave, and they fall more tall people. There they learn that the tall people had been in the caves for hundreds of years and they care not for treasures of war. The tall man collects water from an underground stream and fruits from the cave roofs and they take Outis and Gwenia up to the top of the mountain. There they find Caslian’s army had managed to climb to the top of the mountain in attempt to attack but they were too drained to fight so the tall man shared his fruit with them. Both sides rested as Outis read a poem to the leader of the terrorists.

Outis and Gwenia are then taken to the capital, by an eclectic group including Nastab, The Tall Man and the Knights of Sunrise, they journey through the planes of Kastanair where they are attacked by wolves. The Knights and Nastab fight the wolves off valiantly and they continue. When they finally reach the capital Outis reads his poem to the President, but it is not the words of his poem alone that convince her to stop the war, it is the group he brings with him, a group of once enemies, who had come together with the same goal.

╰┈➤Book Details

Genre: YA Fantasy
Language:English
Pages: 300

To find out how to purchase this book, visit the author’s website at leejmavin.com.

The Writer’s Life

Thank you for visiting and reading!

Feel inspired? Have you read this book? Let us know your thoughts!

📚 A Bookish Chat with 'The Lemon House Murders' Tucker May #AuthorInterview

2026-05-18T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today we welcome Tucker May to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! Tucker is the author of the new mystery, The Lemon House Murders, and this interview is part of his Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

Tucker May is a writer of mystery novels, whodunit short stories and all kinds of fun, puzzling tales. Murders, crimes, and mysteries abound. He grew up in Missouri then attended Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. He’s a diehard fan of the Los Angeles Rams and Geelong Cats. He lives in Pasadena, CA with his wife Barbara and their cat Principal Spittle. He is the author of The Lemon House Murders and Death of a Billionaire.

╰┈➤ Visit Tucker’s website at www.tuckermay.com.

Connect with him on social media at:

╰┈➤ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Tucker-May-Mysteries

╰┈➤ Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/TuckerMayMysteries

╰┈➤ BlueSky: http://www.bluesky.com/TuckerMayMysteries

╰┈➤ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/58926295.Tucker_May

A string of mysterious deaths . . . A house full of suspects . . . A secret that will change everything. This is the premise of your new mystery, The Lemon House Murders. How did you ever come up with such an intriguing storyline?

I like to build stories around a central idea that I think is worth exploring deeply. The Lemon House Murders was born when I noticed how much of our popular media emphasizes the importance of family. We hear it so much that it almost doesn't register any longer: family is everything, blood is thicker than water. We're constantly told that familial relationships are some of the most important ingredients of a happy life. It made me begin to wonder if there might be a downside to this pervasive messaging. What about the people who have no family? How are they meant to feel about all of this? Even more broadly, I wondered if it's healthy to put anything, even something as supposedly good as family, up on a pedestal in that way? This led me toward the topic of addiction, something that I have personal experience with, and I crafted The Lemon House Murders to explore our society's addiction to family and how that might potentially damage a young man's life.

Which of the characters from The Lemon House Murders do you most closely identify with and why?

There are reasons that I connect with each and every character in the book. I would say that I most closely identify with one of the two people investigating the murders, whose nickname within Lemon House is Gobstopper. He's a creative softie with big dreams, just like me. He's also a bit proud in ways that can hold him back, much like me as well. I hope readers can find their own characters in the story to connect with.

Are any of the characters based on real life people?

Very loosely, yes. I spent time in a rehab facility myself back in 2022 and many of the characters in this book are inspired by men that I met during that time. Mostly the resemblance between the characters and real-life figures is physical. I used real people to more vividly picture the fictional characters in my head.Their personalities and the choices they make are almost entirely fictionalized.

What do you think sets The Lemon House Murders apart from other books of the same genre?

I think The Lemon House Murders makes an effort to explore deeply rooted themes more than most other novels in the whodunit murder mystery genre. Come for the puzzle box mystery, stay for the thought-provoking ideas!

Surprise me. What is something that happens in the book that would make my mouth drop without giving too much away?

There's definitely a moment where the main character feels the floor drop from beneath his feet following a major revelation. He's been thinking about things from the wrong perspective and the only thing that can set him right is a message from someone he cares about . . . from beyond the grave.

What season does your book take place?

It takes place during the winter . . . but it's a Los Angeles winter, so that barely counts.

What location does your book take place?

The setting for this book comes directly from my own personal experience in a shabby rehab facility. I spent time living in what became direct inspiration for Lemon House in 2022. The details of the house in the story, and some of the minor characters, are based on true details directly from my memories. While the events of the story in The Lemon House Murders are entirely fictionalized, the setting is not.

Do you think writing a mystery is more complex than writing books of other genres?

In some ways, writing genre fiction is actually LESS complex. Since the genre carries with it certain expectations and obligatory scenes that a reader will need in order to feel satisfied, the author gets a bit more of a blueprint than someone sitting down to write literary fiction. I enjoy writing mysteries because on top of story structure is a puzzle layer that helps you stay aware at all times of what the reader is thinking and feeling.

What’s next for you?

My next novel is in the drafting stage currently. It's titled The Last Dead Guy in Hell and it explores the question of whether a person needs big goals and high-level ambition to lead an important and fulfilling life. Readers can visit www.tuckermay.com to sign up for updates on that.

A string of mysterious deaths . . . A house full of suspects . . . A secret that will change everything…

When residents of a live-in drug rehabilitation facility called Lemon House start dying one by one, no one in the outside world seems to care.

Two Lemon House patients, nicknamed Trip and Gobstopper, are the only ones who can see the truth: these are murders.

Their quest to find the killer will push their budding relationship to the brink, cast suspicion on everyone locked in the house with them, and force them to question their most cherished beliefs.

The Lemon House Murders is the rare murder mystery that will have you guessing at the culprit AND thinking deeply about theology, society’s relationship toward the downtrodden, and the importance of self-determination to a fulfilling life.

╰┈➤ Read sample here.

╰┈➤ The Lemon House Murders is available at Amazon.

╰┈➤Book Details

Genre: Mystery

Sub-genre: Contemporary American Fiction

Language:English

Pages: 329

ISBN: 978-1969306099

The Writer’s Life

Thank you for visiting and reading!

Feel inspired? Have you read this book? Let us know your thoughts!

🔥 Virtual Book Tour: New Mystery Book! A Change in Plans by Mike Martin #bookspotlight #newrelease

2026-05-07T08:13:29.143-04:00

Food, family, friends and a few dead bodies…

╰┈➤Book Details

Genre: Mystery
Sub-genre: Cozy Mystery/Police Procedural
Language: English
Pages: 278
Paperback ISBN: TBA

A Change in Plans is available at Amazon.

╰┈➤Here’s What Readers Have To Say!

“

╰┈➤Read if you love…

Mystery

̷̊̊̊̊̊ International Drug-Smuggling Ring

Kidnapping

Dead Bodies

Canadian Mounties to the Rescue

Edge of Your Seat Excitement

Excerpt:

Summer was nearing its end in the small town of Grand Bank on the eastern shore of Canada. Winston Windflower, husband, father and RCMP officer, was enjoying some quiet time while his wife, Sheila Hillier, and their two girls, Amelia Louise and Stella, were in St. John’s for their annual back-to-school shopping spree. He was alone except for his four-legged friends. Lady, an eight-year-old collie, was still frisky and ready to go for a walk as always. Molly, the cat, was ageless and just about lifeless as she sat in her bed waiting for the next treat to fall in front of her.

It was a fine, sunny day as Windflower looked out of their home onto the Atlantic Ocean. Because it was so nice, he had taken the afternoon off for picking berries. The summer had been unusually hot and sticky, and that meant the berries were out a little earlier than usual. His fervent hope was that his special picking spot had not been disturbed by early pickers trampling down bushes and limiting the harvest.

If things went well, he could pick a gallon of berries in a couple of hours, and if he was super lucky, Sheila would make something fabulous with the blueberries when she got back. Maybe a pie or even one of her blueberry specialties. Windflower salivated when he imagined all of that deliciousness. He grabbed a couple of Tupperware containers and a bottle of water and then headed for his favourite spot.

There was a congregation of berry pickers at the closest picking location, just past the clinic. Bent over, they paid him little attention. He didn’t mind being ignored. The area was too busy and crowded for him. He took the trail down by the brook and then up the hill to the lookout. He paused for a moment to take in the majestic view of Grand Bank. Windflower glanced over the brook to the town and the wharf, all the way to the craggy outcrop that the locals called the Cape. Then he continued on up over the hill and towards the other side.

He veered off the path about halfway down and was very pleased to find his desired location calm and untouched. He said a silent prayer of thanks to Creator and began his task. Some people would have thought of this as work, but Windflower found berry picking both meditative and spiritual. It reconnected him to the land and made him think of his early days growing up on the reserve in Pink Lake, Alberta. His Cree family would all go berry picking for the day, bringing a lunch and a kettle to make tea.

He soon had one container filled and was working on the second when his pocket buzzed. He checked the number on his phone. It was Corporal Samira Gupta, his right-hand assistant, calling from the bigger community of Marystown. He had made arrangements with his boss, Superintendent Ron Quigley, that he would take the job as acting inspector for the region as long as he could stay in Grand Bank and have an assistant in Marystown. Gupta filled her role perfectly.

“What’s up, Corporal?” asked Windflower.

“Sorry to bother you,” said Gupta. “Betsy said you were off. But I thought you should know. We had a hit and run in Marystown. Over near Walmart. A woman in her forties is in hospital. Sergeant Tizzard is on the scene.” Eddie Tizzard was one of Windflower’s long-time friends and co-workers. They’d been working together for the last 10 years in one way or another.

“That’s a dangerous area,” said Windflower. “How is the woman?”

“She was unconscious when they brought her to the hospital in Burin,” said Gupta. “But no other information so far.”

“And the driver?”

“We’re working on it. Tizzard has a team doing interviews from the scene.”

“It’s busy around there. Somebody would have seen something.”

“That was our thinking, too,” Gupta agreed. “If we don’t get anything back soon from the canvass, we’ll do a media hit.”

“Perfect. Keep me posted.”

Now that his reverie had been disrupted, Windflower packed up his stuff and headed back down to his car. He was driving towards home when he noticed the driver of a passing car flashing their headlights at him. He slowed down and pulled over and then went to see if they were okay. As he got closer, he squinted to see Moira Stoodley, co-owner of the Mug-Up Café, the best and only diner in Grand Bank, in the driver’s seat. She was also the wife of his best friend, Herb Stoodley, who was tutoring him in two very diverse subjects—classical music, about which Windflower knew next to nothing before he met Herb, and trout and salmon fishing, which he thought he had mastered but now realized he was only a beginner.

He assumed Moira had stopped him to say hello or to pass along a message from her husband. But it was much more serious.

“I saw Mike Winger, that crazy-looking guy, back on the road,” said Moira. “It looked like his wheelchair had tipped over. A few young fellers were helping him get back up. But he looked in bad shape. Had a cut over his forehead. I asked him if he was okay. He told me to mind my business and went on home. You might want to check in on him.”

It wasn’t exactly his job to look after wandering locals, but it had become expected of the lone police officer in the community. He may have the high and mighty title of acting inspector, but his day job consisted of part-time social worker, youth counsellor and senior companion when he wasn’t solving crimes or directing the limited amount of traffic that Grand Bank produced.

Helping citizens in distress certainly fell into his ‘other related duties’, and Mike Winger seemed to be in constant need of assistance of one kind or another. Mostly of his own doing.

Windflower knew a little about the man from his many interactions with him. Winger was an American and a veteran of the Gulf Wars. After he left the military, he got certified as a refrigeration mechanic and started wandering around, first in the United States and then into Canada. He ended up in the Grand Bank area working for fish plants and discovered a place where nobody really knew him but welcomed him anyway.

Mike Winger finally felt at home. He bought a house and found a girl who eventually moved in.

His life seemed perfect until… the crash that changed his life. His girlfriend was killed instantly as his car slid off the highway to avoid a moose one late spring morning. He was left with one leg paralyzed and the other badly damaged. Stuck with his feeling of loss and grief, he turned to alcohol and then drugs. Then he became mean and isolated. His scooter was his only escape, but even that turned out to be another source of problems.

Windflower had rescued him and the scooter more times than he could remember. From ditches by the side of the road. From a farmer’s field. From the pub, more than once, when he had been asked to leave, none too politely. One time from the cemetery, although Windflower wasn’t exactly sure how that happened. Mike Winger was certainly one of Windflower’s pet irritants in Grand Bank. But since neither of them were going anywhere soon, they had figured out how to survive, if not get along, together.

– Excerpted from A Change in Plans by Mike Martin, Ottawa Press and Publishing, 2026. Reprinted with permission.

About the Author

Visit Mike’s website at https://sgtwindflowermysteries.com.

Connect with him on social media at:

╰┈➤ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore

╰┈➤ Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mike54martin

Sponsored By:

🔥 New Mystery Book! The Wars Between by Lee Mavin #bookspotlight #newrelease

2026-05-05T00:30:00.000-04:00

A Young Adult Fantasy Novel Exploring Themes of Conflict, Propaganda and Empathy…

╰┈➤Book Details

Genre: YA Fantasy
Language: English
Pages: 300

To find out how to purchase this book, visit the author’s website at leejmavin.com.

╰┈➤Read if you love…

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧Fantasy

Unputdownable

Coming of Age

༄.ೃ࿔*Page Turner

Excerpt:

Outis Everrett was an overthinker. Every night he would toss and turn in his tiny chamber and go over and over the things he had to do the next day. He would plan the next day and things he would say, over and over in his mind, until he slowly became too tired to think and then he would finally fall asleep. He had been like this for a while now and try as he might, he couldn’t change this habit. He became sleepy with this constant worrying and it became difficult to do his day-to-day tasks. During the days, he would mope about with his head down, being of little use to anyone. To anyone else, he was a nobody, a useless man that was easy to forget, but Outis Everrett was much more than that. Outis Everrett was a poet. Outis loved poetry and wrote poetry a lot, but he didn’t consider himself an actual poet at the time. He simply thought very little of himself. One thing he knew for sure, he wasn’t a strong man. He wasn’t a sailor, a guard or a soldier and he didn’t ever want to become one of these.

He sighed and thought of his father’s words, ‘We come from a long line of warriors, long have we held our swords high and defended our lands with pride. It is your destiny, my son, to take up arms and keep fighting.’

But he was no warrior, and he was as thin as limegoat and he had been cursed with his mother’s short stature. He was shorter than the average Asalandian and was a lot weaker. He spoke with a soft, unsure voice and often didn’t say anything at all. He rarely exercised and even his hair was unusually dark for an Asalandian (it was light brown, most Asalandians were blonde). He had avoided any kind of conflict his whole life, running from the bullies that called him Tiny in Sword School. As a child he often hid away in his room and read, he loved the adventure stories of journeys, and he especially loved the poets of the old world. He loved imagining, dreaming of far off lands, tales of monsters and horror. He was intrigued by the notion of destiny and longed for love. He was lonely and hid his thoughts from everyone. He thought nobody would understand him and was scared to look vulnerable. He just read all the time by himself and at times he wrote. He was an amazing poet but poets weren’t really talked about much in Asalandia. In fact, poetry wasn’t read much at all.

To be shunned was uncommon and not talked about. Most children (all able-bodied) trained hard before the test and if they failed, they tried again. Outis was shunned from the warriorship because he failed to take the final test. The reason for this was because he was too scared and couldn’t swing a sword hard enough to even make a sound. He was always a quiet young man, troubled by the weight of society, pressuring young men to fight, leading them to be battle ready. Everyone was constantly hearing about the threat of the enemy, every day they heard about the Kastanarians getting closer or the Kastanarians were preparing for war. The King was announcing it constantly and it was always being proclaimed from the palace. During these frequent announcements, everyone had to stand and listen. This was an unspoken rule and most people wanted to listen to the kings’ announcements. Outis wasn’t one of those people. He stopped listening to the kings’ announcements long ago and decided he would focus on other things. One of those things was poetry. He had read all the old poets over the years and started writing his own poetry out of frustration. He wanted to write poetry about the way things really were. He practiced his style constantly in his room, late at night, all by himself, slowly developing his voice. Then he wrote a very special poem. It was this very poem that changed the course of history in Asalandia. Yes, a poem did that. As absurd as it may seem, Outis managed to write the most amazing words every written. He crafted those words so beautifully that once you read it, your life would be forever different. That poem was such a special sonnet, it led to everything that happened afterward. It was in the lines of that poem that gave birth to the timeless truths, and they all came into view and the men that swayed power became powerless.

You might ask, how did the king manage to come across the poem of such an unimportant commoner like Outis. Well, that is a good question indeed. You see, around about the time Outis was masterfully creating the poem that changed the world forever, the King was actually going through a sort of inner, self-reflective process that had the Queen and the entire royal family particularly worried. It all started with the rain. Now Asalandia, famous for its beautiful sunshine, mostly had perfect weather, warm in the day, cool at night, deep blue skies that reflected the dark blue seas and it normally only rained during the rainy season for one month. However, that particular year, the rainy season stretched on for three months and it wasn’t just the typically light pitter patter, this was drizzle and depressing downpour, nonstop. So, this kept the King off his horses, which he loved dearly, and kept him in his chambers. This was where the King discovered poetry. The King couldn’t sleep well during the rainy season, so he often requested books from the library and read them to the wee hours of the morning. He started with the Histories and became quite depressed reading about all the wars, invasions, death and destruction. This left him feeling empty and alone, so he searched for more books. He was brought poetry and he instantly fell in love with it. He loved the rhyming patterns of the old poets and would sing them in his bed, often waking the poor Queen, who was getting very worried about her husband.

The King read poem after poem and slowly came to the realisation that something was missing. All the poems praised the warriors and gave thanks to all the kings. All the poems depicted Asalandia as heaven on earth, yet when he looked outside his window, all he saw was rain. He craved a poem that spoke the truth, that was as reflective as the water in Lake Asalandian (that is the clearest, cleanest and most beautiful lake in Asalandia), but he didn’t find it in his library. So, he slept less and less and worried with his head down reading, until he came up with it. The first Annual Poem Contest! This was the Contest that started it all and it was the king’s idea. He had signs made up immediately and had them posted all over the city. One sign happened to be posted right under Outis Everrett’s little house. When Outis saw the sign on the way, branded with the Kings sunbeam stamp of approval he was most pleased. It read:

The 1st Annual Poem Contest

Under order of the king, every man willing must enter the first annual poetry contest of Asalandia. The theme to the contest is: Asalandia, the winner receives fame and fortune beyond their wildest dreams and the highest honour, dinner with the king.

– Excerpted from The War Between by Lee J. Mavin, Tellwell Talent, 2026. Reprinted with permission.

About the Author

His latest book is the YA fantasy, The Wars Between.

Visit his website at leejmavin.com.

Connect with him on social media at:

╰┈➤ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lee.mavin.925/

╰┈➤ Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/mavin798

╰┈➤ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5103759.Lee_J_Mavin

╰┈➤ TikTok ➜ https://www.tiktok.com/@leemavin4

Sponsored By:

📚 A Bookish Chat with 'The Siren of Paris' David LeRoy #AuthorInterview

2026-05-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

Today we welcome David LeRoy to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! David is the author of the new historical fiction novel, The Siren of Paris, and this interview is part of his Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

David LeRoy is an author and avid explorer of the intersection of philosophy, psychology, and art. His debut novel, The Siren of Paris, is a poignant work that emerged from personal family research he undertook in 2010 to locate missing persons of WWII.

LeRoy’s fluency in French and two-year sojourn in France afforded him unique insights into the French culture he deftly weaves into his literary work. With a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religion, an MBA from California State University Sacramento, and an MSc. Applied Data Science from Paris, France, LeRoy is a polymath with diverse interests and an insatiable curiosity for knowledge.

He currently resides in California, where he continues to write and pursue his creative passions.

Connect with him on social media at:

╰┈➤ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesirenofparis

╰┈➤ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14760740-the-siren-of-paris?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=v6UbhLIMmb&rank=1

Can you tell us a little about yourself? Are you a full time author?

Today, I am just an average Middle Age American Male. I once worked in Telecommunications in various management roles. My formal education is in Philosophy and Religion from a small private Christian college named Point Loma Nazarene College. I also hold an MBA from California State University of Sacramento and a MSc. in Data Analytics from France. My interest in writing stories came later in my life. Instead of a degree program, I attended workshops to advance my story crafting abilities. I adore the study of depth psychology of Carl Jung.

Can you tell us about The Siren of Paris?

The story follows a soul’s transition after death and the war is treated as a life review. This point of view makes the story unique and adds the magical realism elements to the plot. Most of the World War Two Genre is a hero’s journey and treats the war as a testing ground where heroes are made against the evil Germans. Romanticized stories have dominated the fiction of the war in the past twenty years. The Siren of Paris is a story of betrayal within a world of utter moral chaos. This is the second edition, with small minor edits to scenes to sharpen the moralistic tone. The question which the work addresses is the following: Can a soul find rest after such a war?

Can you tell us a little about the characters?

Marc Tolbert is the lead protagonist. He was born at the end of World War One. His family was wealthy and he chooses to study in Europe after a nasty break from a girlfriend in 1938. He is common as there were 1000’s of Americans traveling back and forth between Europe at the outbreak of the war. Once the war began, most found themselves trapped by the circumstances with many never surviving. The characters of the Siren are historical people, some famous at the time, operating within the normal context of the war. This also includes all the animals which appear in the story, most of all the white Angora rabbit on the RMS Lancastria.

Where is this book set and why did you choose that location?

I was involved in missing person’s research of the war for my family. Most of the facts of the war presented in The Siren of Paris I had no idea of when I started my search. Our stories of the war are mythic and often focused upon military campaigns. The facts that I undiscovered when searching revealed a war that was a moral apocalypse of unimaginable scale. As an example, as before the fall of Paris, the city was inundated by fleeing refugees of Belgium and Netherlands. This included live stock in the form of sheep, cows, pigs and goats. Paris was bombed with leaflets promising to close all banks sending the public into a panic. Everyone became a target including a traveling circus on the road leaving Paris.

How can people benefit from reading The Siren of Paris?

There are several benefits to reading The Siren of Paris. First, it is the only novel that I am aware of that treats certain acts of the war, such as the sinking of RMS Lancastria realistically. Romanticized stories of the war are entertaining however are not accurate representations of the true chaos, moral failures of people, and events of the war. The story appears to have a healing effect of closure for those with family members who have experienced tragedies.

Is The Siren of Paris your only book?

Today it is the only work in public, but I am currently in editing phase of a second novel title The Flower of Chamula. The new story addresses the topic of generational trauma, war, and massacres of the innocents. It is set during the Mexican uprising of the Zapatista during the 1990s.

Thank you so much for this interview, David. What’s next for you?

I have started research into a new historical horror fiction work of the 1970’s. A few of the books that provide the research materials are rare and several hundred dollars. The zeitgeist of the period is one of political and social uncertainty. The protagonist is a young FBI officer who finds himself among a group of Western Ranchers seeking to protect their cattle at night from a terrifying force. The accounts are fascinating as well as government documentation. Every cow multination was given full autopsy. Everyone wants to know, but also has a direct interest in covering up the truth.

Journey through the dark, violent, and haunting landscape of World War II in Paris and beyond – Take on a harrowing tour through the depths of human depravity, exploring themes of love, loss, guilt, and redemption in this gripping historical tale.

Marc Tolbert, a young French-born man from a prominent American family, takes off to Paris for a fresh start after a breakup in 1939. Pursuing his dreams of attending a prestigious Parisian art school, he soon makes friends with some of history’s most notable figures, including Sylvia Beach and William Bullitt. Falling in love with an art model from one of his classes, he is blinded to the escalating violence around them as the war inches closer to the City of Lights.

What started as an adventure quickly becomes a nightmare as the war worsens, and Marc is faced with choices that will change his life forever.

When he finally faces the reality that he must leave Paris, fate deals him a cruel hand. Surviving the sinking of the RMS Lancastria, Marc is haunted by the deaths of his friends and the regret of not leaving sooner.

Returning to Paris, Marc is drawn into the resistance movement, risking everything to help those trapped behind enemy lines. But after being betrayed, he is captured and sent away to face the horrors of war and the guilt of his past mistakes.

The Siren of Paris is a powerful and emotional story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. With its compelling plot-driven narrative, vivid scenes, and intense action, this novel will transport you to the heart of war-torn Paris and leave you contemplating the weight of human choices and their impact on others. Whether you’re a fan of historical fiction, war stories, or symbolic themes, this novel will captivate and intrigue you from start to finish.

The Siren of Paris is available at Amazon.

*****

╰┈➤Book Details

Genre: Historical Fiction
Sub-genre: Magical Realism
Language:English
Pages: 352
Paperback ISBN: 978-0983966715

*****

╰┈➤Here’s What Readers Have To Say!

“The soul of this book is found in LeRoy’s analysis of human nature through the main character. There really is nothing like a life-or-death situation that can split human nature so cleanly and show us what being human really means. The author shows us how a person can be completely changed from this experience, how in a few short years, in a few short moments, or even in a split second, everything can become drastically different. This book is suited for those with a love for history and those with a love for fiction alike. This novel brought tears to my eyes and left me with a more enlightened heart, so it is with absolute pleasure that I say The Siren of Paris is highly recommended.” – Boyu Huang, Allbooks Review Int.“I’ve just finished reading Siren of Paris by David LeRoy and it’s a story that will stay with me for a while. It has a complex, well developed plotline and presents the story in a tantalising way. I’ve read quite a few books set during the Second World War… this one especially gripped me.” – Dianne Ascroft Ascroft

The Writer’s Life

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Feel inspired? Have you read this book? Let us know your thoughts!

🔥 New Mystery Book! The Lemon House Murders by Tucker May #bookspotlight #newrelease

2026-04-21T00:00:00.001-04:00

A string of mysterious deaths . . . A house full of suspects . . . A secret that will change everything . . .

A string of mysterious deaths . . . A house full of suspects . . . A secret that will change everything…

When residents of a live-in drug rehabilitation facility called Lemon House start dying one by one, no one in the outside world seems to care.

Two Lemon House patients, nicknamed Trip and Gobstopper, are the only ones who can see the truth: these are murders.

Their quest to find the killer will push their budding relationship to the brink, cast suspicion on everyone locked in the house with them, and force them to question their most cherished beliefs.

╰┈➤ Read sample here.

╰┈➤ The Lemon House Murders is available at Amazon.

╰┈➤Book Details

Genre: Mystery

Sub-genre: Contemporary American Fiction

Language:English

Pages: 329

ISBN: 978-1969306099

╰┈➤Here’s What Readers Have To Say!

"The Lemon House Murders explores themes such as theology and atheism, and the harsh judgment cast on society’s fallen. Drug addicts are seen as the scourge of society, and we often forget that there are factors that brought them to that point. Tucker May homes in on the fact that judgment is not reserved for anyone but God, which I loved. I admired how Francis grew into himself; as a teen struggling with low self-esteem, life was not easy. I also enjoyed Francis’s dry wit; he was funny and brought relief to the dark subject matter. Braden Tarano is another character who left a big impression on me, and I found his motives interesting. The novel also tackles controversial topics such as abortion and homophobia head-on, emphasizing that the world lacks empathy and kindness. Unpredictable and inspiring, The Lemon House Murders will have you guessing until the very end." - Readers Favorite, Danielle Peterson

"If you’re into stories with lots of twists and red herrings, you won’t be disappointed. Tucker May is great at writing small but meaningful interactions that add depth to the characters and make you more immersed in the Lemon House and its colorful residents. Even the most mundane scenes always have a purpose: fleshing out a character, exploring Trip’s psyche, presenting a different life philosophy, etc. You’ll find quirky folks, bizarre scenarios, witty remarks, and sarcasm, but also drama, social commentary, and dilemmas. At its core, The Lemon House Murders is a humanizing journey through the world of marginalized men, asking deep questions about life and purpose along the way. All with a healthy serving of mystery on the side." - Readers Favorite, Gabriel Santos

╰┈➤Read if you love…

Rare Murder Mysteries

Whodunnits

Shock Value

Coming of Age

Locked Room Mysteries

Excerpt:

I sit down in what I hope is an unobtrusive manner on the short wall surrounding the lonely tree. I kick at a small rock and send it skittering across the concrete. Then I set about closely inspecting my own hands, a pointless act meant to make it seem like I have something, anything at all, to do. I sit this way for a few minutes until a metal folding chair is placed down right next to me with a loud clang.

I look up to see a young man. My heart leaps into my throat. His is the sweet, friendly face I’d seen in the window as my parents dropped me off earlier that day.

“Hold still,” he instructs me, adjusting the glasses that have slid partway down his nose. His soft, round face rests atop an equally soft, round body. He is far from tall. In his hands he holds a notepad and a sharp pencil.

“Are you going to draw me?”

“I draw everybody,” he responds as he begins to lay down a few tentatively sketched lines onto the pad. He produces a pack of cigarettes and pulls one out with his lips. He deftly lights it with a small yellow lighter.

“You want one?”

“No, thank you. I don’t smoke.”

“You will. These things are like gold in here.”

His eyes bounce up and down from the notepad as he works.

“They’re right, you know,” he says after a lengthy pause.

“Who’s right?”

“The guys. They keep saying you’re dressed like you’re going to Sunday School.”

I frown. “This is how I dress.”

He snorts in response. I tug at the sleeves of my plaid button-down.

“My dad’s a pastor,” I say to fill the silence more than anything else. “He runs a church a few hours east of here. Small town called Elba. We live in the apartment above the nave.”

“What’s a nave?”

“It’s the— like, the area with all the pews. Where people sit during the service.”

“Ah. So you’re a Jesus boy.”

I blink.

“Um. Yeah. I guess so. The church is called Stonewood.” He grunts. I say, “Stonewood Non-Denominational Congregatory Assembly of Worship.”

“Catchy.”

I let that go.

“My grandpa started it way back in the sixties.”

He cocks his head sideways, examining his work. He says, “You don’t ever wonder if it’s all bullshit?”

“If what is?”

“God. Church. The whole thing.”

“Of course not. There’s no higher calling than being of service to your community in God’s name.”

“Sure, I guess. If that’s the service your community needs.”

“Every community needs God.”

“I think mine just needs some decent jobs. Any chance God is planning to open a factory in South Central?”

I shift my weight, rub my upper lip. He goes on.

“Lighten up, it’s a joke. My abuela’s real Catholic. Always struck me as a scam, though. Suffer now to get rewarded after you die? I mean, come on.”

“Hey, you know, if you’re going to . . .”

“Hold still,” he asserts.

I do as he orders, highly aware of his eyes on me. Heat rises in my face.

“They call me Gobs, by the way.” His light tone diffuses the tension a bit. I soften. “Short for Gobstopper. You know, the candy?” My curiosity must show on my face, because he explains, “Tibu picked it. He said it’s because I’m little, round and sweet.” I crack a smile. “Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up. I’m a lot tougher than I look.”

“Who’s Tibu?”

“You’ll find out.”

He focuses on his drawing for a while.

“So, what’s your poison?” he asks finally. “Wait, let me guess. Laced up guy like you— cocaine?”

I shake my head. “Never even seen the stuff.”

“Ah. Downers, then. Oxy?”

“I’m not an addict.”

He laughs. “Yeah. Came to Lemon House for vacation, huh? For the sandy beaches?”

“My parents brought me. I think because— I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Fair enough. But why here?”

“What do you mean?”

“You said you’re from a few hours east. Gotta be treatment facilities closer to home. Why come all the way to LA?”

“My parents. They were worried what people would think. I had to go far enough to make sure no one found out. They told the whole congregation that I’m on a mission trip.”

“Hmm,” he grunts. “Well, at least your family is talking to you.”

“Yours isn’t?”

He rolls his eyes.

“My cousins spent years running drugs through the house but somehow my abuela blames me for getting hooked.” He shrugs. “Who needs ‘em?”

“I don’t know what I’d do without my family.”

Gobs winces.

“You’re gonna get eaten alive in here.”

– Excerpted from The Lemon House by Tucker May, Tucker May Books, 2026. Reprinted with permission.

About the Author

╰┈➤ Visit Tucker’s website at www.tuckermay.com.

Connect with him on social media at:

╰┈➤ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Tucker-May-Mysteries

╰┈➤ Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/TuckerMayMysteries

╰┈➤ BlueSky: http://www.bluesky.com/TuckerMayMysteries

╰┈➤ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/58926295.Tucker_May

Sponsored By:

🔥 New Historical Fiction Book! The Siren of Paris by David LeRoy #bookspotlight #newrelease

2026-04-07T00:00:00.001-04:00

A soul seeking peace after his failures in finding love during World War II.

What started as an adventure quickly becomes a nightmare as the war worsens, and Marc is faced with choices that will change his life forever.

⤷The Siren of Paris is available at Amazon.

╰┈➤Book Details

Genre: Historical Fiction
Sub-genre: Magical Realism
Language:English
Pages: 352
Paperback ISBN: 978-0983966715

╰┈➤Here’s What Readers Have To Say!

╰┈➤Read if you love…

Thrilling Historical Novels

Dramatic Sagas

Paris During WWII

Psychological War Narratives

Brings Tears to Your Eyes

Love, Loss, Guilt, and Redemption

*****

Excerpt:

September, 1967—Saint-Nazaire, France

“May the Lord be with you,” the priest’s voice rang out to all gathered at Marc’s graveside. It was September 1967.

The cloaked man stood taller than all others gathered, self-luminous with the hood of his smock pulled over his head. In his right hand he held a staff with a round clock mounted on top.

Marc stood beyond the gathering, gazing back upon his grave. He saw his only sister, Elda, surrounded by all his other friends from France. The body of his soul beamed a reddish-golden light, as he anticipated the final moment he would leave in peace. He strained to see the face of the priest obscured from view under the hood.

“And also with you,” Marc whispered, looking toward the release from his life.

“Let us pray,” the priest said softly. With a rush, the first eleven souls appeared around him. They had come from the graveyards of Angoulins-sur-Mer, Les Fortes, Saint-Charles-de-Percy, Saint-Clément-des-Baleines, Saint-Palais-sur-Mer, Chatelaillon- Plage, Saint-Sever, Traize, Brest, Saint-Hilaire-de-Talmont and Saint Pancras. They wore drab olive-green uniforms, kit bags ready for war. They were soaked to the bone. Only a few had boots. The dial on the clock stopped as a moment of Marc’s life flashed before him.

“I no longer want to see you, Marc. It is finished. It's over,” Veronica stood shivering outside his dorm room. Winter, 1939. He dropped out of medical school after that. He decided to run. Marc’s soul turned a dark red. The pain came back, searing.

“O God, we pray you lead us to truth, deliver us all from violence, battle, and murder, and from dying suddenly and unprepared,” the priest said as he glanced up from under his hood, then down again before Marc could catch his face.

Twenty-two more souls gathered by the grave. They came from the graveyards of Bretignolles-sur-Mer, L’Aiguillon-sur-Mer, Port-Joinville, Les Sables-d’Olonne, Nantes Pont du Cens, Sainte Marie, Yves, Piriac-sur-Mer, Olonne-sur-Mer, Coulac and Charroux. Among the soldiers stood one woman dressed as a nurse, a Belgian boy and little girl, all with no name

Again, the clock stopped. Another memory surfaced.

“I can watch out for myself, you know. I am not small anymore. You should go,” Elda was only eight years old at the time. Marc could see she blamed herself. His soul constricted. The hands of the clock moved again. His light turned blue.

“O God, we pray for those who suffer in silence with guilt, and for those who suffer with shame, regret, and remorse.”

“I've seen enough,” Marc cried out to the priest. Thirty-three souls arrived from the graveyards of La Couarde-sur-Mer, La Turballe, Saint-Denis-D’oléron, Sainte-Marie-de-Ré, Olonnes, Bouin, Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, Aytré and Barbatre. The clock stopped.

“One-way ticket, first class, June 14, crossing on the Normandie, please.” Marc’s soul recoiled from this moment. He knew why he had left. The hands on the clock resumed. His light turned a dark purple.

“Please, let this go, it is just the past,” Marc called out to keeper of the clock. The staff remained steady.

“O God, our time is in your hands. Look upon us with favor as we, your servants, begin another year of life.”

Sixty-five souls appeared in a flash from the graveyards of Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré, Château-d’Olonne, Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, Ile d’Yeu, Beauvoir-sur-Mer, Saint-Georges-D’oléron, Ars-en-Ré, La-Barre-de-Mont, Dolus, Saint-Trojan, L’Épine, La Plaine-sur-Mer, Noirmoutier-en-l’Ile, L’Herbaudiere, and Le Clion-sur-Mer. Again Marc felt the weight of time pulling him backward.

“Happy birthday, young man. Better get a move on it. You have a ship to catch today,” his mother handed him his hat the morning he left for France. The words pierced him. She drank herself to death from worry in the spring of ’42.

“Why must you show me this? Is this my judgment?” he cried again. His light turned dark green. The clock bearer looked up briefly from under his hood. The clock began to move.

“O God, whose glory fills the whole of creation: Preserve and protect those who travel from every danger and bring them in safety to their journeys’ end,” the priest intoned.

233 souls, men, women, children and soldiers from the graveyards of Saint-Nazaire-sur-Charentes, Les Moutiers-en-Retz, Prefailles and La Baule-Escoublac gathered around Marc. Time compressed. The clock slowed to a stop. Dread replaced fear.

“When you get to Paris, let Ambassador Bullitt know you are in town. He would be glad to see you. We were classmates back in college before the war.” His father pulled the car up to the French Line Pier. The image flickered before Marc in the fading light. His father never took art school seriously. The pain of these last words to him before a heart attack killed him in ’44 brought Marc to his knees. Two eyes peered from under the hood as Marc’s face twisted in anguish. The clock dial started to spin.

“O God, we pray for those who have died. May your love and light keep them eternally yours in peace and life without end.” Everyone who had gathered whispered a name. Marc swallowed hard. 370 souls gathered from the graveyards of La Bernerie-en-Retz and Pornic to join the other souls. The clock stopped.

“You should have left Paris, Marc, and never returned,” she said before the Gestapo officer read the charges. Marc groaned under the weight of this most painful moment, feeling regret and shame. His light turned dark as obsidian and the clock began to run.

“Make this stop. I have forgiven her,” he pleaded. The priest removed his hood and bared his face. Marc recognized him instantly: the betrayed priest he had known during the war. Yves.

“O God, the Father of all, who commanded us to love our enemies: Lead us both from hatred and revenge and, in your good time, enable us all, who are known unto you to stand before you in eternal peace,” the priest looked directly at Marc. The words ripped through him in shock waves, fracturing him on his side three times, and once down the middle. The clock stopped spinning. Marc noticed that the second hand now moved steadily forward with temporal time.

An unknown number rose from the sea, the beaches, and ditches to join the 859. Marc, overwhelmed, stared in disbelief at the priest’s face before him. With all his strength, he strained to whisper, “Why?”

“Why, you ask?" the priest voice thundered through the sky in a quick response. "Your marker reads ‘Known unto God!’ That is why,” Yves voice reverberated back to Marc, his face staring back in shock. “Those are souls who died without last rites, final confession, or do not even realize that they are dead, just waiting in limbo until they can be found,” Yves said, his voice booming and vibrating with a strange undulation as he raised his eyes towards the assembly that had gathered.

“I am the soul collector of the lost and forgotten of this war. This is my calling. Behold the assembly of those ‘Known Unto God,’” Yves said, his voice clear, natural and crisp. His form glowed as he raised his arms towards the assembly that rose high into the sky, looking back upon Marc and the Priest. He struck his staff once on the ground.

“I will not treat you any differently than I have any one of them who now lie in wait until the time arrives to stand before the Lord,” Yves said as he stood in the center of a Dodecagon of souls of number unknown. He rapped his staff a second time on the ground. Marc's eyes snapped into focus on the staff with a nausea of anticipation.

“The life review is to examine your conscience for sin and prepare for your final confession,” Yves said with a stoic glare. Marc glanced at the clock on the staff to read the time. Yves struck the staff a third time. A shockwave emerged from the clock traveling in all four directions. “The clock is now set," he said, "May the Lord Be with you.”

The clock reached June 18, 1939, eight thirty at night. A fear greater than the judgment of hell filled Marc, as he realized he would now watch his life during the war all over again.

***

June 18, 1939—East Bound Atlantic Ocean

The S.S. Normandie’s bow parted the sea as she carried her passengers toward France that Sunday. Marc dressed for dinner in his finest tuxedo. Before taking the last dinner at sea, he entered the chapel of the ship for his evening prayers.

“And may you, my Father in heaven, keep my family in your protection. I pray for my mother, Lynette, my father, Eldon, and my little sister, Elda. Amen,” Marc knelt alone in the chapel. He made the sign of the cross as he rose to leave for dinner.

– Excerpted from The Siren of Paris by David LeRoy, David Dribble Publishing, 2012. Reprinted with permission.

About the Author

LeRoy's fluency in French and two-year sojourn in France afforded him unique insights into the French culture he deftly weaves into his literary work. With a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religion, an MBA from California State University Sacramento, and an MSc. Applied Data Science from Paris, France, LeRoy is a polymath with diverse interests and an insatiable curiosity for knowledge.

He currently resides in California, where he continues to write and pursue his creative passions.

Connect with him on social media at:

╰┈➤ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesirenofparis

╰┈➤ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14760740-the-siren-of-paris?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=v6UbhLIMmb&rank=1

Sponsored By:

20 Questions with 'Fighter Pilot's Daughter' Mary Lawlor

2026-04-03T00:00:00.000-04:00

It's time to play 20 Questions! Today's guest is Mary Lawlor, author of the memoir, Fighter Pilot's Daughter. She is also the author of Public Native America (Rutgers Univ. Press 2006), and Recalling the Wild (Rutgers Univ. Press, 2000). Her short stories and essays have appeared in Big Bridge and Politics/Letters. She studied the American University in Paris and earned a Ph.D. from New York University. She divides her time between an old farmhouse in Easton, Pennsylvania, and a cabin in the mountains of southern Spain.

You can visit her website at https://www.marylawlor.net/ or connect with her on Twitter or Facebook.

~ Book Description ~

Fighter Pilot’s Daughter: Growing Up in the Sixties and the Cold War tells the story of Mary Lawlor’s dramatic, roving life as a warrior’s child. A family biography and a young woman’s vision of the Cold War, Fighter Pilot’s Daughter narrates the more than many transfers the family made from Miami to California to Germany as the Cold War demanded. Each chapter describes the workings of this traveling household in a different place and time. The book’s climax takes us to Paris in May ’68, where Mary—until recently a dutiful military daughter—has joined the legendary student demonstrations against among other things, the Vietnam War. Meanwhile her father is flying missions out of Saigon for that very same war. Though they are on opposite sides of the political divide, a surprising reconciliation comes years later.

⤷Read sample here.

⤷Fighter Pilot’s Daughter is available at Amazon.

*****

╰┈➤Book Details

Genre: Memoir
Sub-genre: Women in History / Military Leaders Biography
Language:English
Pages: 323
Paperback ISBN: 978-1442222007
Kindle ISBN: 978-1442222014
Publisher: Rowman and Littlefield
Format: Hardcover, Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook

*****

╰┈➤Here’s What Readers Have To Say!

“Mary Lawlor's memoir, Fighter Pilot's Daughter: Growing Up in the Sixties and the Cold War, is terrifically written. The experience of living in a military family is beautifully brought to life. This memoir shows the pressures on families in the sixties, the fears of the Cold War, and also the love that families had that helped them get through those times, with many ups and downs. It's a story that all of us who are old enough can relate to, whether we were involved or not. The book is so well written. Mary Lawlor shares a story that needs to be written, and she tells it very well.” ―The Jordan Rich Show

“Mary Lawlor, in her brilliantly realized memoir, articulates what accountants would call a soft cost, the cost that dependents of career military personnel pay, which is the feeling of never belonging to the specific piece of real estate called home. . . . [T]he real story is Lawlor and her father, who is ensconced despite their ongoing conflict in Lawlor’s pantheon of Catholic saints and Irish presidents, a perfect metaphor for coming of age at a time when rebelling was all about rebelling against the paternalistic society of Cold War America.” ―Stars and Stripes

20 Questions with Mary Lawlor

Are you a morning writer or a night writer?

I’m most definitely a morning writer. The best time is 5:30 am, before the sun comes up. It’s a magical, silent hour, and no one else is up but me. I love writing in the dark and the half-unconscious feeling that stays with me for the first hour. Images and ideas surface without restraint and, if I’m lucky, spill out onto the page. A cup of tea helps get the juices going. That

moment when the light starts creeping across the sky is inspiring too and makes me feel like there’s promise for the day, for my work, even if at the moment what comes out is random and murky.

Do you outline or are you a pantster?

I do both. Usually I start with an idea that slips into view from something I read or saw or heard. For most of my books, the generating idea stayed with me for months before I finally saw it was something I wanted to spend time writing about—my family history, a 12^th century English monk translating Arabic books in Spain, an 18^th century Irish woman who died in Andalusia. I’ll sketch out a situation, then a plot, then start writing. The plot always changes, so I’ll go back and change the outline as I go. The outline is really more of guide than a strict framework I make myself honor.

Which comes first – plot or character?

Character, always. It’s the person who inspires me. In the case of Fighter Pilot’s Daughter, it was actually my mother and her experience of living without a home until my father finally retired. She was always packing up our house or unpacking everything and making a new home for us. This happened every two years. Of course, as the story developed, my father became the central figure, since it was his career that determined so much and served as the plot of the memoir.

Noise or quiet when working on your manuscript?

Quiet! I used to like to listen to classical music, but as the pieces I liked became familiar—and new ones too—I would get distracted by the arrangements and the emotional effects of the movement. Now I keep it quiet as much as possible.

Favorite TV show?

It changes from season to season. At the moment my favorites are “Slow Horses” and “The Diplomat.” A while ago I was really taken by “River,” with Stellan Skarsgård and “Unforgotten,” with Nichola Walker. I like fast moving, difficult-to-follow-if-you’re-not-paying-attention dramas like these with well-developed characters and unusual situations.

Favorite type of music?

I live in Spain half the year and have become a fan of flamenco, of all things, especially Paco de Lucia, Pepe Habichuela, and Cameron de la Isla. I like good rock music from the 60s and 70s like The Doors, Cream, The Stones, Stevie Winwood, Jack Bruce, George Harrison, and John Lennon. I also like Max Richter, Dustin O’Halloran, Chilly Gonzales, Mozart and Beethoven.

Favorite craft besides writing?

I like cooking and photography (in my case not an art but more like a craft…). We travel a lot in Spain, and I like taking pictures of my little farm there. I also take a lot of photos of the beautiful countryside and the many gorgeous cities of Andalucía.

Do you play a musical instrument?

I used to play guitar and sing, but I gave up both years ago when writing started pulling at me and demanding all my time. When my father was stationed in Germany, I set off to college in Paris and before long was playing a lute I’d bought (really just a guitar with a melon-shaped back more than a real lute) in a café in Place Saint André des Arts in the left bank. That didn’t last long…

Single or married?

I’m married and happily so to John McClure, a professor of English at Rutgers University and author of several fine books, including Partial Faiths, a really smart look at contemporary American fiction.

Children or no?

I have a stepdaughter who’s been with me since she was a little girl. She’s all grown up now, and I try not to see her as still my baby! She’s a wonderful, super smart woman with stepdaughters of her own now.

Pets?

I don’t have any pets now, mostly because we travel a lot. I used to have two cats who I loved very much, Osa and Miel. They were sisters, although they were opposites in coloring: one was black tortoise and the other was white with brown and black patches. They were both characters, and I’m tempted to tell cat stories here, but will resist.

Favorite place to write?

I write in my study on the third floor of my house, where I’m far enough away from whatever’s going on downstairs to really be left alone. It’s a big room which takes up the entire floor. The windows look out on a big Norway spruce, the street, and the mountain in the distance. The floor is nice, finished pine boards, and I have amber lights over my desk and a bed on the other side of the room for resting.

Favorite restaurant?

There are two places near the square in our town, The Quadrant and The State Grill, where I like to go for breakfast with friends. Both have great food, are super casual, and have welcoming, easy-going atmospheres. We live close to New York City, so I also like to go there for dinner, especially to the Village, where for a long time I’ve loved the pizza and pasta at Arturo’s on Houston Street. I often work at a library I joined last year in New York.

Do you work outside the home?

They have study rooms where you’re really sealed off from everything and can concentrate really well. I’ll take the bus into the city and the subway to the library, then stay there for several hours before heading back home. I also travel a lot and take my laptop with me wherever I go. Early morning is good for writing anywhere, even in a hotel room when my husband’s sleeping.

What was the name of the last movie you saw?

I just saw “Operation Mincemeat” (2021), with Colin Firth and Kelly Macdonald. It’s an intriguing spy story set in WW II Britain. You have to pay close attention to the plot to follow it, but it’s a great story.

Favorite outdoor activity?

Walking! I walk a couple of miles most days. When the weather’s warm and there’s a beach nearby, my very favorite thing to do is swim. If I’m in shape, I can swim 40 laps at a time in an outdoor pool, but I’m happy to just dawdle around in the water too.

Pet peeve?

People double parking, not being able to find my phone, the pile of junk mail that comes every day.

Your goal in life?

To be a good person and see Fighter Pilot’s Daughter and my novel, The Translators, do well.

Your most exciting moment?

Meeting John. Then it was when the publisher’s accepted Fighter Pilot’s Daughter, and I knew it would see the light of day!

The love of your life?

John McClure!

📚 A Bookish Chat with 'Evan's Gift' Karen Charles #AuthorInterview @karenra2422968

2026-04-01T00:00:00.003-04:00

Today we welcome Karen Charles to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! Karen is the author of the new children's book, Evan's Gift, and this interview is part of her Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

Karen Charles grew up in West Africa and traveled to countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Her rich background and lifetime experiences are reflected in the depth of her writing. In her stories, she transforms real-life narratives into gripping fiction thrillers. Her novels intricately weave the threads of truth into a tapestry of suspense, intrigue, and riveting storytelling. She is the author of two children’s books, “Freeman Earns a Bike” and “Evan’s Gifts,” and three thrillers based on true stories. “Fateful Connections” takes place in the aftermath of 9/11, and “Blazing Upheaval” takes place during the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles and the Northridge earthquake. “A Glimpse Too Far” offers all the mystery and heart-pounding suspense of a psychological thriller and is based on a true story.

Karen Charles has two businesses—a global company that trains international teachers to teach American English and an Airbnb on a beautiful bay in Washington State, where she currently resides with her husband.

Visit her website at www.weaveofsuspense.com.

Connect with her on X, Facebook and LinkedIn.

A New Dawn is a Evan's Gift is about a little boy who trades his dream of a new bike for compassion and discovers the greatest gift of all - helping others. Can you tell us more about this little boy?

Evan is an ordinary child with a very big heart. Like many kids, he wants something special, a new bike, and he’s been holding onto that dream with excitement. But what makes Evan remarkable is his ability to notice others. When he becomes aware of someone else’s need, he pauses, reflects, and makes a choice that comes from empathy rather than impulse. Evan represents the part of every child that is capable of kindness when given the space and encouragement to listen to their heart.

Who are the other characters in the book?

The other characters, roommates, classmates, and friends, are gentle but important guides in Evan’s journey. There are parents and dorm parents who model compassion and create a safe environment for reflection, and there is a child in need who quietly becomes the catalyst for Evan’s decision. Each character plays a role in helping children see how kindness often unfolds, not in dramatic ways, but through everyday moments and thoughtful choices.

What do you think sets Evan’s Gift apart from other books of the same genre?

What sets Evan’s Gift apart is its simplicity and emotional honesty. The story doesn’t preach or tell children what they should do. Instead, it invites them into Evan’s inner world and lets them experience the decision alongside him. The message of kindness emerges naturally through the story, making it relatable and authentic. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about noticing, caring, and choosing compassion in a real, human way.

Do you think writing children’s books is more complex than writing books of other genres?

Yes, in many ways it is. Children are incredibly perceptive, and they can sense when something isn’t genuine. Writing for them requires clarity, emotional truth, and restraint. You have to say more with fewer words and trust the reader to feel the meaning without overexplaining it. That balance, being simple without being simplistic, is both the challenge and the joy of writing for children.

Would you suggest having classrooms carry your book? How will it benefit the children?

Absolutely. Evan’s Gift fits beautifully into classroom settings because it naturally opens the door to meaningful conversations about empathy, kindness, and social-emotional learning. It encourages children to think about how their choices affect others and helps them develop emotional awareness. Teachers can use it as a read-aloud, a discussion starter, or part of SEL lessons focused on compassion, community, and character development.

What’s next for you?

I’m continuing to write stories that explore human connection, across both children’s and adult fiction. I’m especially interested in stories that help readers, young and old, pause, reflect, and see the world through a more compassionate lens. Evan’s Gift has opened a new and meaningful chapter for me, and I’m excited to see where it leads next.

When Evan trades his dream of a new bike for compassion, he discovers the greatest gift of all—helping others. Perfect for classrooms and families, “Evan’s Gift” celebrates empathy, courage, and the beauty of giving in a warm, uplifting story about generosity and the power of choosing kindness.

╰┈➤Book Details

Genre:children’s fiction
Sub-genre:Social Themes / Friendship
Age Range (years):5 – 12
Language:English
Pages: 48
Paperback ISBN:9798317824341
Publisher: BookBaby

Ethan’s Gift is available at BookBaby.

╰┈➤Here’s What Readers Have To Say!

“What a lovely story! This is a life lesson wrapped in an engaging and beautifully illustrated package geared toward readers 5 – 12. Charles opted to provide an abundance of sensory details for her readers, so the younger ages might need assistance from a parent if they are not fluent readers. Middle-grade readers ages 8 – 12 will appreciate the additional details. Knowing this is inspired by a true story makes it extra special. With stunning artwork by Roger Feldman, Evan’s Gift is sure to delight readers with its touching story and expressive illustrations.” – The Children’s and Teens’ Book Connection

“Even’s Gift is a story that your youngster is able to relate to the characters. The message will stick with your youngster for a longtime after they’ve read the story. This story can be used by teachers or parents to help open conversations. The words are perfect for emerging and middle grade readers. Kids and adults will love this book. I love the discussion questions and activity guide at the end of the book. If you are looking for a book with the following themes then this would be a good book to read” – The Blended Blog

The Writer’s Life

Thank you for visiting and reading!

Feel inspired? Have you read this book? Let us know your thoughts!

📚 A Bookish Chat with 'The Copper Scroll' Nicholas Teeguarden #AuthorInterview

2026-03-31T00:00:00.001-04:00

Today we welcome Nicholas Teeguarden to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! Nicholas is the author of the new archaeological thriller, The Copper Scroll, and this interview is part of his Virtual Book Tour with Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

Nicholas Teeguarden is the award-winning author of Masa Chronicles: The Copper Scroll, a biblical-archaeological thriller blending international suspense, ancient mystery, and faith-driven storytelling. His debut novel is a ChristLit Book of the Year Finalist, a Titan Gold Medal Winner, and has earned praise from readers for its gripping pace and moral depth. Nicholas hosts Teeguarden’s Writing Room, a weekly series chronicling his creative process and the ongoing development of the Masa Chronicles. He resides in Oklahoma and is currently working on the next book.

╰┈➤Visit Nick’s website at www.nickteeguarden.com.

Connect with him at the following social networks:

╰┈➤ X: https://twitter.com/nickteeguarden

╰┈➤ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579248636306

╰┈➤ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickteeguarden

╰┈➤ BookBub: The Copper Scroll: Masa Chronicles (The Masa Chronicles Book 1) by Nicholas Teeguarden – BookBub

╰┈➤ Goodreads: Masa Chronicles: The Copper Scroll by Nicholas Teeguarden | Goodreads

╰┈➤ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF_TUwTK0lQI0eu6_6QEyYQ/

Can you tell us a little about yourself? Are you a full-time author?

I’m a husband, dad, and U.S. Army veteran who now writes faith‑infused thrillers from small‑town Oklahoma.

I’m not a full‑time author yet, but writing takes up a big part of my life alongside family and church; it’s where I process faith, questions, and some of what I carried home from deployment.

Can you tell us about The Copper Scroll?

The Copper Scroll is an archaeological thriller about Joshua “Masa” Bennett, an American veteran and grad student who travels to Jordan to study the most mysterious of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

What starts as a quest for academic glory turns into a dangerous chase from Qumran to Masada to Capernaum, as Joshua’s team uncovers artifacts that could reshape how people understand Jesus — and draws the attention of ISIS, modern Templars, Mossad, and church power brokers who all have something to lose.

Can you tell us a little about the characters?

Joshua “Masa” Bennett is driven by faith, trauma from his Army years, and his grandfather’s old stories about hidden treasures and scrolls; he’s brave, curious, and sometimes reckless.

Alongside him are Noa, a sharp and guarded Israeli researcher, and Amina, a determined Palestinian journalist; together with figures like Father Nance and Rabbi Cohen, they’re forced into fragile alliances across deep historical divides as the danger escalates.

Where is this book set and why did you choose that location?

The Copper Scroll is set in the modern Middle East — Amman and the Jordan Museum, then into the Judean desert at Qumran, Masada, the Dead Sea, and Capernaum — anchored by Joshua’s start at the University of Arkansas.

I chose those locations because they’re the real landscapes of the Copper Scroll, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Gospels, and I wanted readers to feel like they were walking those sites themselves as the mystery unfolds.

How can people benefit from reading The Copper Scroll?

On the surface, readers get a fast‑paced treasure‑hunt thriller, but beneath that they’re invited to wrestle with the tension between faith and proof: what we do when new evidence presses on old beliefs.

I also hope it nudges people to see the Middle East — and the believers, skeptics, Israelis, Palestinians, and local communities who live there — as real neighbors with complex stories, not just as background to the nightly news.

Is The Copper Scroll your only book?

So far. The Copper Scroll is the first book in The Masa Chronicles, and I’m currently about halfway through book two.

What’s next for you?

Next up is the release of my new novel, The Boy from the Vines, planned for next month.

At the same time, I’m drafting the second Masa Chronicles novel, continuing Joshua’s journey as he deals with the fallout from The Copper Scroll and stumbles into a new set of historical and spiritual fault lines.

The Copper Scroll follows historian Joshua “Masa” Bennett as he journeys into the heart of the Middle East in an attempt to unlock the secrets hidden within the legendary Copper Scroll. Just as he begins making progress, disturbing warnings and shadowy sightings reveal that other powerful forces are also closing in: Templars, ISIS operatives, and government intelligence groups, each hiding their own motives for uncovering what the scroll may reveal.

Drawn deeper into a world of danger, deception, and spiritual tension, Masa must navigate hostile territory, shifting alliances, and a truth far more explosive than he ever imagined. As past and present violently intersect, he realizes the stakes extend far beyond archaeology, the secrets of the Copper Scroll could alter geopolitical power and shake the foundations of faith itself.

A blend of international suspense, ancient mystery, and truths long buried beneath history, The Copper Scroll delivers a gripping thriller for fans of Joel Rosenberg, Dan Brown, and archaeological adventure stories rooted in real-world intrigue.

*****

╰┈➤Book Details

Genre: Archaeological Thriller/Suspense/Action Adventure
Sub-genre: International Mystery & Crime
Pages: 230
Paperback ISBN: ‎ 978-1509264681
Kindle ISBN: 979-8999106025
Publisher: Independent
Formats: Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook & Kindle Unlimited

⤷Read sample here.

⤷The Copper Scroll is available at Amazon.

*****

╰┈➤Here’s What Readers Have To Say!

“The Copper Scroll: Masa Chronicles, authored by Nicholas Teeguarden, is extraordinary piece of literature that has made a significant impact on me. The last time I felt this level of excitement about a book was while reading the Bible for the first time, a bold comparison, but one that underscores the author’s exceptional God given talent!” – Louise Jane, CEO The Christlit Book Award

“The Copper Scroll is more of a quest for truth than a treasure hunt. I recommend this book to lovers of historical books with a bit of danger, and it put me in the mood to find out about Qumran myself.” – Mary Clarke for Readers Favorite

I’d recommend The Copper Scroll to anyone who enjoys historical mysteries wrapped in modern storytelling. If you like a blend of Indiana Jones energy with a more thoughtful, personal core, this book will hit the right notes. It would appeal to readers curious about archaeology, faith, or just a good chase story where the stakes feel both grand and intimate. It left me thoughtful, a little breathless, and eager to see where Masa’s journey goes next. -Literary Titan

*****

╰┈➤Read if you love…

Ancient Secrets

Modern Thrills

Intriguing Historical Details

Secrets That Connect the Past With the Present

High-Stakes Quest

Keeps You Guessing

The Writer’s Life

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🔥 New Thriller Suspense Book! The Copper Scroll by Nicholas Teeguarden @nickteeguarden #bookspotlight #newrelease

2026-03-10T00:30:00.001-04:00

A lost scroll. A deadly secret. A race across the Middle East—where every clue could be fatal…

*****

Genre: Archaeological Thriller/Suspense/Action Adventure
Sub-genre: International Mystery & Crime
Pages: 230
Paperback ISBN: ‎ 978-1509264681
Kindle ISBN: 979-8999106025
Publisher: Independent
Formats: Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook & Kindle Unlimited

⤷Read sample here.

⤷The Copper Scroll is available at Amazon.

*****

╰┈➤Here’s What Readers Have To Say!

*****

╰┈➤Read if you love…

Ancient Secrets

Modern Thrills

Intriguing Historical Details

Secrets That Connect the Past With the Present

High-Stakes Quest

Keeps You Guessing

Excerpt:

Joshua “Masa” Bennett hummed the Villines Trio’s familiar refrain, “I’m going all the way, I made up my mind…” as he drove toward the University of Arkansas. The song, a staple from his Lincoln church, bookended his commute, its quiet grace a lifeline since his Army days tromping biblical lands. No atheists in foxholes, they say, and Masa carried that faith into civilian life, fueling his master’s in archaeology. Today felt routine, just another class, but a spark flickered beneath it, a path to mysteries buried for centuries, secrets that could shake faith’s foundations. The lecture hall buzzed with late-afternoon chaos. High ceilings arched overhead, intricate moldings catching golden light through tall, narrow windows. Dust motes danced in the beams, stirred by restless students shifting in tiered rows of scarred desks with etched initials, coffee rings, and doodles of bored minds. Chalk dust bit the air, mingling with the musty scent of old books and the hum of flickering fluorescents. At the front, Professor Thaddeus Luke commanded the room, his wiry frame dwarfed by a blackboard scrawled with frantic chalk lines and gray hair flaring like a storm cloud as his voice boomed with passion.

Joshua sat near the back, his lean frame hunched over a desk that creaked under his weight. His leather backpack, a frayed relic from his grandfather’s desert-wandering days, slumped against his leg like a loyal dog. Dark hair fell into his eyes as he scribbled furiously in a notebook already thick with ink: sketches of jagged cave mouths, snatches of Hebrew script, arrows darting between wild theories. Around him, classmates slumped in their seats, some doodling aimlessly, others sneaking glances at their phones beneath the desks. A girl two rows ahead twisted a strand of blonde hair around her finger, whispering to her neighbor with a smirk. Joshua barely noticed. His world was the blackboard, the professor’s words, the tantalizing riddle unfolding before him.

Professor Luke’s chalk scratched against the board as he recited from the Copper Scroll, his tone reverent yet edged with excitement. “Item four: ‘In the cave of the pillar that is in the valley of Achor, which is near the house of the washer, dig three cubits: there are twenty-two talents of silver.’” He paused, turning to face the room, his eyes glinting behind wire-rimmed glasses. “Discovered in cave three at Qumran in 1952, this scroll stands apart from the Dead Sea manuscripts. Sixty-four locations, each a cryptic promise of treasure, not scripture, not prophecy, but a map. A cipher waiting to be cracked.”

– Excerpted from The Copper Scroll, 2025. Reprinted with permission.

About the Author

Visit Nick’s website at www.nickteeguarden.com.

Connect with him at the following social networks:

X: https://twitter.com/nickteeguarden

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579248636306

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickteeguarden

BookBub: The Copper Scroll: Masa Chronicles (The Masa Chronicles Book 1) by Nicholas Teeguarden – BookBub

Goodreads: Masa Chronicles: The Copper Scroll by Nicholas Teeguarden | Goodreads

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF_TUwTK0lQI0eu6_6QEyYQ/

Sponsored By:

📚 A Bookish Chat with 'A New Dawn' Trina Spillman #AuthorInterview

2026-03-04T00:00:00.001-05:00

Today we welcome Trina Spillman to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! Trina is the author of the new political thriller/romance, A New Dawn, and this interview is part of her Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

Trina Spillman, who also writes under the pen name Selene Greenleaf, crafts both practical witchcraft guides and immersive works of fiction that span romance, magical realism, and contemporary thrillers. Splitting her creative life between Colorado’s mountain landscapes and a growing library of story ideas, she blends current events, folklore, plant magic, and real-world rituals to invite readers into transformative experiences. Under Selene Greenleaf, she’s the author of Witchcraft Essentials: A Modern-Day Guide to Spells, Herbs, and Crystals; Cupid’s Craft: Love Spells for Valentine’s Day; and her forthcoming Plant Magic Encyclopedia: Rituals & Remedies, resources designed to help modern practitioners weave intention and botanical wisdom into everyday life. Writing as Trina Spillman, she’s best known for her engaging fairy tale retellings. Upcoming projects include:

A New Dawn — a gripping political thriller of power, ethics, and love, to be released by The Wild Rose Press

Collateral Justice — the powerful sequel to A New Dawn, where a hidden alliance of the world’s elite blurs the line between justice and vengeance.

The Witches of Fablecastle— When a witch hunter’s mirror exposes her forbidden magic, Holly McCool flees through a portal to Fablecastle, only to learn she’s the one destined to stop him from tearing both worlds apart.

The Quantum Hitchhiker’s Guide to Escaping the Matrix — a witty, mind-bending manual on how to hack reality, rewrite your personal code, and manifest with humor, consciousness, and a touch of modern witchcraft.

Whether she’s exploring the ethics of power in a thriller or sharing herbal recipes for daily rituals, Trina/Selene’s work reflects her unwavering belief in the healing and transformative power of words.

Trina’s latest book is A New Dawn.

Visit her website at https://authortrinaspillman.com.

Connect with her on social media at:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authortrinaspillman/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18389879.Trina_Spillman

A New Dawn is a political thriller and romance. Which of these was the most challenging for you to write about?

Blending a genuine romance into a high-stakes political thriller was the greater challenge. I wanted the relationship between Ian and James to feel authentic and earned, not symbolic or performative. Too often, gay characters are reduced to stereotypes, either sidelined or flattened into tropes. I was very deliberate about writing them as capable, complex men whose relationship unfolds under pressure, with honesty ultimately prevailing. Making that emotional arc feel plausible within the unforgiving world of politics required careful balance.

Which of the characters from A New Dawn do you most closely identify with and why?

I see pieces of myself in several characters. There’s Alex, the sharp, fearless woman who understands how to dismantle a corrupt system from the inside. That kind of strategic courage is something I deeply admire. And then there’s Ian, an ordinary man suddenly thrust into extraordinary circumstances, with no roadmap and no preparation, yet rising to the moment anyway. Writing characters like these requires tapping into lived experiences of fear, resilience, and adaptability so readers can recognize themselves in the struggle.

What do you think sets A New Dawn apart from other books in the same genre?

The pacing and structure. I wrote the book cinematically, with momentum always at the forefront. I’m less interested in ornamental description and more focused on movement, consequence, and tension. The story unfolds visually and quickly, like a film, which keeps the reader engaged and mirrors the urgency of the political world the characters are navigating.

W Surprise me. What is something that happens in the book that would make my mouth drop without giving too much away?

The downfall of the President and Vice President. Let’s just say there’s a moment involving wordplay between “dessert” and “desert” that delivers a very darkly satisfying payoff.

What season does your book take place?

Primarily summer, transitioning into fall and winter as the campaign intensifies.

What locations does your book take place in?

New Orleans and Washington, DC.

Do you think writing a political thriller with a romantic storyline is more complex than writing other genres?

I’ve always gravitated toward genre-blending. Combining genres adds complexity, but it also allows for deeper storytelling. It creates space to explore power, love, and truth from unexpected angles.

What’s next for you?

I’m currently working on The Witches of Fablecastle, a prequel that explores the historical persecution of women labeled as witches simply for refusing to conform. It introduces readers to the origins of Fablecastle and sets the foundation for the larger world. The story expands on themes of autonomy, fear, and resistance, and leads directly into The Fablecastle Chronicles, which is an award-winning novel available through major retailers, including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

A catastrophic explosion at a New Orleans convention hall critically injures presidential nominee James Sinclair and ignites a national crisis. Attorney Ian McCullough soon uncovers evidence tying the attack to Vice President Jay Buckley, who has orchestrated a false-flag EMP event to mimic a Chinese assault and destabilize the country for his own rise to power. With the economy collapsing, industries crippled, and global alliances shifting against the United States, Buckley intends to weaponize fear, chaos, and national confusion to consolidate control. Secret recordings obtained by Lee Chang confirm collusion between the administration, foreign officials, and powerful tech interests. The evidence is strong enough to expose the conspiracy if Ian can deliver it safely.

Determined to return to Washington, Ian turns to naval commander Sean Hennessey and asks for a plane. Their strained past reignites when Ian finally admits how deeply Sean’s emotional withdrawal wounded him, especially after concealing the deaths of Ian’s mother, brother, and sister-in-law. Despite the unresolved pain between them, Sean agrees to help. With presidential immunity shielding those in power and time working against him, Ian risks everything to expose the conspiracy, protect James, and prevent the nation from descending into manufactured chaos.

*****

╰┈➤Book Details

Genre: Political Thriller/Romance
Sub-genre: Conspiracy Thrillers
Language:English
Pages: 224
Paperback ISBN: ‎ 978-1509264681
Kindle ISBN: 978-1509264698
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

⤷ A New Dawn is available at Amazon at https://a.co/d/7vJUkhy.

*****

╰┈➤Read if you love…

Suspense

Romance

Betrayal

Political

High Stakes

Emotional

Page Turner

The Writer’s Life

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📚 A Bookish Chat with 'The Welcome Sign' Barbara Jean Weber #AuthorInterview

2026-03-02T00:00:00.001-05:00

Today we welcome Barbara Jean Weber to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! Barbara is the author of the new YA fantasy novel, The Welcome Sign, and this interview is part of her Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

Barbara Jean Weber lives in Skagit County with her husband and two daughters, where she works as a speech and language therapist. Her novel, The Welcome Sign, was inspired when she was gifted a mermaid welcome sign. The more she studied the sign, the more her story evolved. She is currently an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Visit her website at https://www.barbarajeanweber.com/.

The Welcome Sign gives us magical characters and hidden magical realms. Which of these was the most challenging for you to write about?

The magical characters were probably the more challenging to write about. I wanted my characters to be unique, powerful but also relatable so I did a lot of work on crafting each of the characters with different personalities, powers, etc. Characters have many layers and can be very complex so finding the right balance for each of the characters personalities, how they fit together in the story, importance to the plot, etc was time consuming but also very gratifying.

Which of the characters from The Welcome Sign do you most closely identify with and why?

Each of the characters has something about them that I identify with but I also wrote my characters to be unique and different. If I had to choose one character, Molly is probably the character I most identify with. She owns a cat, we have 2 cats. She is very close with her mom. I was very close to my mom as well. Molly is intrigued and fascinated with magic and magical beings. I love fantasy stories and enjoy reading books or watching movies about magical beings, magic, realms of magic, etc. Molly is a good friend who is honest, kind and friendly. I believe that I also possess those character traits. We all have our faults and Molly isn't perfect but she is very relatable and interesting. She has struggles and insecurities common to most10 year olds, striving to be independent but also being close to her family. I have two kids who are also going through the struggles to be independent but still be close. I hope Molly will make audiences cheer for her success as she makes new magical friends, battles bad guys and helps save the magical realm.

What do you think sets The Welcome Sign apart from other books of the same genre?

The Welcome Sign is a unique story with an interesting origin and fun plot twists. The characters and magical powers are new and interesting. It's a fun, magical story for young-middle teen readers who enjoy hidden worlds of enchantment, magical powers, interesting characters, strong friendships, adventure and imaginative and emotionally engaging stories. The Welcome Sign is a balance between personal growth and magical adventure. It is full of good versus evil, intrigue and action. This book will delight and entertain readers who enjoy unique and magical characters, secrets to be revealed and discovering amazing new places. It is a page turner with lots of twists and turns. The Welcome Sign aligns with readers expectations for middle-grade fantasy. If you appreciate fun, adventure stories with lots of action, this book will be a fun one to read.

Surprise me. What is something that happens in the book that would make my mouth drop without giving too much away?

I think something that will surprise you and readers is learning about the truth behind Molly's grandmothers disappearance and how far up her involvement goes within the magical realm. She has kept a lot of secrets from her family and the true shocking nature of her daily life and background is eventually revealed to Molly and her mom.

What season does your book take place?

The story takes place in the fall.

What location does your book take place?

At the beginning of the story Molly and her mom are living in Popular Bluff, Missouri but as the story unfolds the location changes to the town of Barnstable, Massachusetts on Cape Cod where the grandmother lives. As I was researching good locations for the book I read about Popular Bluff, Missouri and really liked the description of it being among the Ozark foothills, filled with spring-fed streams, having a national forest, peaceful lakes and lots of farmland. Just seemed like a nice, peaceful location for Molly and Angela's home. For the main part of the story, I knew I wanted a coastal location since the basis of the story involved mermaids. Also, my husband and I both love the coast and try to visit our Oregon and Washington coasts at least once a year. I visited Cape Cod years ago and loved the area. I had never been to Barnstable, Massachusetts but as I was researching the Cape Cod area, Barnstable sounded like the perfect small town, coastal feel for the grandmother's beachfront lifestyle.

Do you think writing a young adult fantasy is more complex than writing books of other genres?

I think it depends on the person. Most people will write about genres that interest them or that they have experience with reading. I have a big interest for fantasy books so writing in this genre came fairly easy for me as I have read a lot of books in that area. I would find it more complex to write books of other genre's such as a historical novel or a cook book, etc because that's not a format or genre that I have an interest in writing about. People will likely find it easier to write about things within their interest or things they are familiar with.

What’s next for you?

I am a full time speech language therapist so I will continue to work. As far as writing goes I have several projects in various stages. The Welcome Sign is supposed to be a series of 3 books. I have book 2 written but not published yet and book 3 is still in outline form so I am continuing to work and develop that into a finished piece. I am also working on finishing a fiction book (not related to The Welcome Sign) I started co-writing with my mom before she passed away. I also have an outline I am working on for another book (also not related to The Welcome Sign) called "The Cinderella Effect."

When 10-year-old Molly Parnell’s grandmother mysteriously disappears she and her mother travel to Cape Cod to take ownership of the house they inherited and find out answers about the sudden disappearance. But what they discover could be more dangerous and life changing than they ever imaged. Molly and her mother find a beautiful mermaid welcome sign in the attic and place it on the front door. Unusual things start to happen and they are flooded with visitors who claim they knew the grandmother. The true powers behind the mysterious sign are revealed as Molly learns her grandmother was part of a secret organization working to keep balance between the magical realm and the real world. The magical realms placed an invisible veil of secrecy over the world to hide their true identities from the human world but allowing them to live among them in secret. An angry rebel group of magical beings, tired of living in hiding is tearing down and destroying the magical cloaking fabric between the two worlds. If they are not stopped the magical realm will no longer be safe from the world. As Molly and her mom embark on a dangerous and magical adventure throughout the magical realms to help stop the rebels, she learns of her own magical powers and her strong family heritage connected to the welcome sign. Along the way, she teams up with new magical friends helping to keep the realm of magic safe from the eyes of the world and discovers that her grandmother was right all along. The world she thought she knew no longer exists, but an amazing world of magic woven into their world has always been hiding in plain sight.

The Welcome Sign is available at Amazon.

The Writer’s Life

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🔥 New Children's Book! Evan's Gift by Karen Charles @karenra24229683 #bookspotlight #newrelease

2026-02-17T00:00:00.003-05:00

When Evan trades his dream of a new bike for compassion, he discovers the greatest gift of all—helping others.

When Evan trades his dream of a new bike for compassion, he discovers the greatest gift of all—helping others. Perfect for classrooms and families, "Evan's Gift" celebrates empathy, courage, and the beauty of giving in a warm, uplifting story about generosity and the power of choosing kindness.

Genre:children's fiction
Sub-genre:Social Themes / Friendship
Age Range (years):5 - 12
Language:English
Pages: 48
Paperback ISBN:9798317824341

Ethan’s Gift is available at BookBaby.

About the Author

Visit her website at www.weaveofsuspense.com.

Connect with her on X, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Sponsored By:

🔥 Hot New YA Fantasy! The Welcome Sign by Barbara Jean Weber #bookspotlight #newrelease

2026-02-17T00:00:00.001-05:00

After finding a beautiful mermaid welcome sign, a young girl encounters a hidden and wondrous magical realm filled with magical characters, unlikely new friends and embarks on a dangerous quest to save the world from evil and restore the balance between the real world and the magical realm...

Genre: YA Fantasy
Sub-genre: Teen & Young Adult Magical Realism Fiction
Language: English
Pages: 218
Paperback ISBN: 979-8350987287

Read sample here.

The Welcome Sign is available at Amazon.

Excerpt:

PROLOGUE

CRYSTAL PERKINS SLIPPED INTO HER OFFICE AND LOOKED carefully down the hallway. It was shortly after 8:00 p.m., and the office was dark and deserted. The only staff remaining was the cleaning crew. She threw one last look around the hallway and nervously shut the door quickly behind her. She glanced out the window, closed the blinds, and turned on the small desk lamp.

Crystal slumped down in her chair and unfolded the newspaper on her desk. She ran her hand anxiously through her short, curly black hair. She couldn’t believe all of this was happening so quickly. Things were totally out of control, and she didn’t know how they were going to fix them. Sighing deeply, she glanced at the article in bold print and reached for the phone. She continued to stare at the front page of the newspaper as she frantically dialed the numbers on the phone. In bold print on the first page of the newspaper were these words: “More Unusual Sightings of Strange Creatures: An Elaborate Hoax or Fact?”

“Warren, it’s Crystal. Have you seen the newspaper today? There have been more sightings!” Her voice was shaky and worried. “It’s getting too overwhelming!” She ran a hand across her forehead.

“Crystal! Calm down. I have my people looking into this right now on my end,” a deep voice replied. “Have you questioned the witnesses yet? Are their stories credible? Are you—” he asked with a concerned tone but stopped suddenly.

“Yes, of course I have investigated all of the local reports and followed up on all the new leads regarding the sightings! Besides, Warren, that is my job. Isn’t that why you put me in the position of investigative reporter in the first place? Plus, Warren, like you. I know the real story. She paused with a deep sigh. “But Warren, there are too many! I can’t keep up. Warren, what is it? What’s wrong?”

“Crystal, do you hear that humming sound in the handset? I’m not sure this is a secure line! Quick, call me on the other line!” There was a click and the line instantly went dead. Crystal dug deep in her purse and pulled out a small pearl-colored compact. The circular device shimmered as she turned it in her hands. She quickly scanned the room to make sure she was alone. Flipping open the compact, Crystal dropped in five small glowing bead-like objects from a long, clear vial she had also removed from her purse. She breathed over them, and instantly they broke apart into smaller pieces. She pushed a button on the side of the compact, and the glowing objects began to melt and formed a glowing, watery substance. Crystal dipped her finger in, swirling it slowly in a clockwise direction. Slowly the glowing substance rose out of the compact in a funnel shape and expanded out to form a lighted, liquid screen about ten inches in length. Through a shimmery haze Warren’s face appeared in the watery screen. He spoke in a low voice.

“Is it safe to talk here?” he asked quietly. Crystal nodded. “Yeah, it’s late. There shouldn’t be anyone else here. Everyone has gone home. I think the only people that are here now are the cleaning crew.”

“We must be absolutely sure! There is too much at stake here. I think your office phone may be bugged. We can’t speak on the regular line anymore, understand?” Warren warned. “As my number one investigative reporter, YOU are in charge of making the witness’s stories sound ridiculous, and it’s your job to discredit the reports inthe papers. Under no circumstances can we let the real story get out. EVER! It’s important that we keep the truth hidden. I’ve got others strategically placed in these roles around the world doing the very same jobs. Don’t make me think I picked the wrong person for this job, Crystal!”

Crystal nodded. “You did pick the right person for the job. You know Warren, it’s getting harder to cover this up.” Crystal ran a hand slowly across her forehead and through her hair. “Wait, Warren,” she stammered. Hearing a noise in the hall, Crystal stood up and approached the door. “Warren, hold on. I heard something.” She listened quietly, cracked open the door, and peered into the darkened hallway. The light from her office made dark shadows dance along the walls as she opened the door. Silently and unseen, a tall, slender figure slid the toe of his shoe into the dark shadows, pulled his body tighter against the wall, and held his breath. Crystal glanced around, and when she was convinced no one was there, she closed the door quietly. “I’m losing my mind, Warren. I’m sure I just heard footsteps in the hallway.”

“Calm down! Don’t be so jumpy, Crystal. You’ve got to hold it together! It was probably just the cleaners. Now is not the time to lose it. You’ve got to keep your head clear,” Warren stated authoritatively.

“Warren, there’s something else. I think I’m being followed. I swear I keep seeing the same car—”

Warren cut her off with, “Don’t panic. I’ll get someone over there for your protection and to keep an eye on you. They should be there in the morning. Just stay focused and on task. We can’t let this get out of control, understand? We won’t let anything happen to you!”

“Our paper wants to run a similar article as what the witnesses are saying,” she whispered. “And Warren, I’m looking at a press release that they want sent out as soon as possible. The witnesses sound very credible this time . . . I’m having a hard time covering this up. Warren, what do we do? There are too many sightings. More and more are coming in every week, and I’m running out of creative ways to cover them up! We need to get this stopped RIGHT NOW! I need some serious help from your end!” Crystal stammered nervously.

“I know! I know,” Warren nodded. “We’re doing all we can over here. We’re trying to find out who’s responsible so we can stop them. You just keep doing the best you can. We’ll get to the bottom of this as soon as possible. Whatever you do . . . Keep the secret hidden. It’s imperative that we continue to keep this under control. We’ve been able to keep this hidden for a long time, and I’m not about to let the secret loose now. We must keep covering this up! And we need to do it quickly! We’ll talk in a few days. Warren out!”

The liquid screen started swirling slowly, gradually picking up speed and ultimately dissolving back into a sparkling funnel shape and descending into the compact. All that was left in the compact were several glowing bead-like objects. Crystal held the compact out and blew at the objects. The bead-like objects instantly disintegrated into a fine powder and were swept away without a trace. Crystal snapped the compact shut, shoving it back in her purse. This wasn’t going to be easy. Warren had given her the tough job of keeping their identify safe. Although there had been sporadic incidents here and there, their secret had been kept safe for nearly three centuries.

Why was it getting harder now while she was the investigative reporter? Things were skyrocketing out of control at a rate faster than she could handle.

Crystal had known Warren Tracer ever since she was a little girl. He was a dear family friend. They had all been true believers, and when Crystal was old enough to know the secret, she was brought into the circle of trust. As she grew older, she had seen more of Warren and learned about his unbelievable secret. Warren Tracer hadn’t always been Warren Tracer. His original name was Whalen Marks, and although he was not a magical being, he possessed great magical powers.

In his younger years, he and her father had been with the Special Forces for the military. During a particularly secretive mission, a trap had been set, and the mission had gone terribly wrong. Everyone had been reported dead. However, the real events of the mission had never been revealed.

All Crystal knew was that Warren, her father, and several of the men had made an amazing discovery on that day. The mission had indeed gone horribly wrong, but several of the Special Forces men had been rescued. Crystal suspected that Warren and his men had made contact with beings of the magical realm. Warren rarely spoke of the events of that day, but she knew better than anyone that Warren was a true believer. Something remarkable had happened to him and his men, but no one knew exactly what that was. Just that it was remarkable and life changing.

Warren had eventually changed his identity, becoming Warren Tracer, and begun working undercover for the magical realm. When her father died several years later, Warren had stepped in as a replacement. He had been family from the beginning, so to accept him as a father figure wasn’t difficult.

Eventually, Crystal had been approached to work for Warren in helping keep their secret safe. There was nothing more in the world that Crystal wanted than to help out her new friends. She’d jumped at the chance to work undercover at the newspaper and keep Warren up to speed on all the local sightings. It was a dream come true. Warren and the others didn’t disappoint her, and she loved her job. She had been working with the newspaper for over eleven years now, but of late, she was finding it harder and harder to hide the truth.

Crystal hoped Warren would find those that were responsible for the tears in the fabric and stop them. They would need a lot of help if they were going to keep the secret safe this time. As she sighed heavily and slumped back in her chair, she caught a quick glimpse of movement to her side. Startled, Crystal looked up suddenly. There had been more noises that she was sure weren’t made by the cleaning crew. In a flash Crystal stood up, knocking her chair to the floor. Before she could fully comprehend what was happening, two tall, shadowy figures flung open the door, bolted from her office, and were joined by a third in the hallway. They had heard everything. In the wrong hands, the information that she’d conveyed to Warren could prove very dangerous. As she grabbed for the compact in a frantic panic, the three figures dashed from the building at an astonishingly fast speed and vanished without a trace silently into the night.

– Excerpted from The Welcome Sign by Barbara Jean Weber, BookBaby, 2025. Reprinted with permission.

About the Author

Visit her website at https://www.barbarajeanweber.com/.

Sponsored By:

📚 A Bookish Chat with 'Mercy's Peril' Virginia Barlow #AuthorInterview

2026-02-09T00:00:00.004-05:00

Today we welcome Virginia Barlow to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! Virginia is the author of the new historical western romance from The Wild Rose Press, Mercy's Peril, and this interview is part of her Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

Virginia Barlow has been a dreamer her whole life. She loves reading, traveling, and roses. She will dive headfirst into any romance she can get her hands on in any genre. Although her first love is Regency Romance and always will be. Something about the era calls to her soul like a siren’s song rising from the depths.

She writes richly layered historical romance infused with intrigue, drawing readers into worlds of aristocratic scandal, hidden bargains, dangerous desire, and women who refuse to remain pawns in other people’s games. Her heroines are intelligent, resilient, and quietly defiant; her heroes carry honor, guilt, and a capacity for devotion that cuts deep. Beneath the silk gowns and rigid rules of society, Virginia’s stories explore freedom, longing, and the cost of choosing one’s own heart.

Known for her sensual yet elegant prose, Virginia favors emotional tension over excess, intimate moments over spectacle, and romance that simmers before it ignites. Her work often weaves together family secrets, shadowed power brokers, and high-stakes love, where a single kiss can be as dangerous as a duel.

The most important thing in Virginia’s life is her family, and spending time with them. When she is not bouncing a grandbaby in her arms or handing out popsicles, she is writing and dreaming up her next story. Virginia has published sixteen romance novels with another two on the way and has half a dozen more circling inside her head, eager to make their debut.

Her latest book, Mercy’s Peril, is available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Visit her website at www.virginia-barlow.com.

Connect with her on these social networks:

Mercy’s Peril offers Civil War drama and historical western romance. Which of these was the most challenging for you to write about?

The Civil War elements were the most challenging, without question. Writing romance allows me to lean into emotion, intimacy, and connection, but weaving in the weight of war required a different kind of responsibility. I wanted to honor the trauma, loss, and moral complexity of the era without overwhelming the love story. Balancing authentic historical pain with hope and healing was delicate and deeply meaningful.

Which of the characters from Mercy’s Peril do you most closely identify with and why?

I identify most with Mercy. Her resilience, her determination to protect those she loves, and her refusal to let her past define her future resonate with me on a very personal level. Mercy carries quiet strength. The kind that grows from endurance rather than bravado, and I think many women will recognize pieces of themselves in her journey.

What do you think sets Mercy’s Peril apart from other books of the same genre?

At its heart, Mercy’s Peril is not just a romance. It’s a story about survival, secrets, and the cost of loyalty. The emotional stakes run just as high as the romantic ones. I weave mystery, danger, and layered backstories into the love story, so readers aren’t just watching two people fall in love. They’re uncovering truths, facing consequences, and watching wounded souls learn to trust again.

Surprise me. What is something that happens in the book that would make my mouth drop without giving too much away?

Without spoiling anything, I’ll say this: a revelation comes to light that completely redefines what one of the main characters thought they knew about their family, and their own past. It’s the kind of moment that makes you stop, reread the page, and whisper, Wait… what? It changes everything moving forward.

What season does your book take place?

The story unfolds primarily in winter and into early spring. I love that transitional season, when the air shifts, tensions rise, and change feels inevitable. It mirrors the emotional arc of the characters beautifully.

What location does your book take place?

Mercy’s Peril is set primarily in post-Civil-War New York and Richmond, Virginia. These locations allowed me to explore both the physical and emotional aftermath of the war, from rebuilding lives to confronting long-buried secrets. The contrast between the two settings adds depth and texture to the story.

Do you think writing a historical western romance is more complex than writing books of other genres?

Absolutely. You’re not just telling a love story. You are stepping into another world entirely. Every detail matters: language, customs, social rules, and historical accuracy. At the same time, you have to make the characters feel modern in their emotional truth so readers can connect with them. It’s a beautiful challenge, but it demands both research and heart.

What’s next for you?

I’m continuing to build out the world of the Calhan Brides series, diving deeper into interconnected stories, secrets, and romances. Each book reveals more about the larger tapestry of the family and their pasts. I am always dreaming up new historical worlds. because once you fall in love with writing history and romance together, it’s impossible to stop.

When Mercy Jackson slips into Calhan Shipping under cover of darkness, she expects to steal a secret and disappear. What she doesn’t expect is Connor Calhan, a man as dangerous as he is relentless. Mercy has one mission: to expose a killer, protect her family, and vanish before anyone uncovers her true identity. But the deeper she digs, the more tangled the lies become, and the more drawn she is to the man who stands in her way. Connor is determined to unmask The Phantom, a traitor hiding in plain sight. But Mercy’s arrival threatens everything. Her secrets run deep, and her presence stirs a past Connor cannot outrun.

Mercy’s Peril is available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

If you like:

Historical Romance

Civil War Drama

︎ Enemies to Lovers

Happily Ever After

You’ll love this book!

The Writer’s Life

Thank you for visiting and reading!

Feel inspired? Have you read this book? Let us know your thoughts!

📚 A Bookish Chat with 'Artsy Rambler' Evy Journey #AuthorInterview

2026-02-09T00:00:00.003-05:00

Today we welcome Evy Journey to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! Evy is the author of the new nonfiction/art/travel book, Artsy Rambler: Mindful Journeys to Paris and Beyond, and this interview is part of her Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

Evy Journey writes. Stories. Blogs (three sites). Cross-genre novels. She’s also a wannabe artist, and a flâneuse (an ambler).

Evy studied psychology (M.A., University of Hawaii; Ph.D. University of Illinois) initially to help her understand herself and Dostoevsky. Now, she spins tales about nuanced multicultural characters negotiating separate realities. She believes in love and its many faces.

Just as she has crossed genres in writing fiction, she has also crossed cultures, having lived and traveled in various cities in different countries. Find her thoughts on travel, art, and food at Artsy Rambler.

She has one ungranted wish: to live in Paris where art is everywhere and people have honed aimless roaming to an art form. She visits and stays a few months when she can.

Evy’s latest book is Artsy Rambler: Mindful Journeys to Paris and Beyond.

Visit her website at https://evyjourney.net.

Connect with her on social media at:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evictoriajourney

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eveonalimb2

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/evy-journey

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14845365.Evy_Journey

The Arrangement offers French travel, impressionism and the transformative power of art. Which of these was the most challenging for you to write about?

The art—from gothic cathedrals to Picasso’s Guernica (a cubist painting) and understanding what they mean to me and the world around us.

Which part of Artsy Rambler was the most fun to write about?

The socializing—much of which was spontaneous. It was fun and enlightening to meet the “natives.”

What do you think sets Artsy Rambler apart from other books of the same genre?

The concept embodied in Mindful Journeys. This is not your typical travelogue, nor a recounting of sights seen from the usual “tourist gaze.” It also includes wandering off the beaten path and allowing yourself to get lost in a place to discover something new to you.

Surprise me. What is something that happens in the book that would make my mouth drop without giving too much away?

We all have different life histories so what might make your “mouth drop” might be different. Anyway, for me, there were several—there’s always something unexpected and surprising when you venture into a different culture. One such experience in Paris was my first time going into a cheese shop with hundreds of different kinds of cheeses. And being invited to press a round of cheese to see how soft it was. At home, it’s hands-off for most edible merchandise unless you’re buying it. Also, in that shop, sellers dressed in white “lab coats.”

Do you think writing a nonfiction about art and travel is more complex than writing books of other genres?

It’s not. For me, anyway. I did research about places and events for the fiction I’ve written. Sometimes quite extensively; for instance, in The Shade Under the Mango Tree, I read a lot, even interviewed someone about living in Cambodia and surviving the Khmer Rouge genocide. I had taken a few art and art history classes in the past that helped in writing Artsy Rambler. One thing I like about writing a book is I always learn something new.

What’s next for you?

Quite likely, back to fiction.

Experience the transformative power of art when you see the rich and vibrant city of Paris through the eyes of a mindful artsy traveler. From the light-inspired grandeur of Gothic cathedrals and the fresh beauty of Impressionism, sinuous forms that speak to our innate sense of beauty, and the rare library that helps one define oneself; to the role of French cuisine and cultural events in shaping the city’s uniqueness, this collection of essays will take you on a journey of discovery and self-reflection.

Amidst the charm and allure of Paris and its art, questions arise and conflicts are explored. Can art truly enrich our understanding of life? Can it help extricate us from constantly waging wars? And how does a urinal become a symbol of controversy that challenges our conception of art?

If you enjoyed “A Moveable Feast” by Ernest Hemingway, this thought-provoking and sometimes meditative collection of essays will unveil the beauty and complexity of the world around you by unleashing the power of art as you satisfy your wanderlust.

Read sample here.

Artsy Rambler: Mindful Journeys to Paris and Beyond is available at Amazon.

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📚 A Bookish Chat with 'The Arrangement' S.D. Lettie #AuthorInterview

2026-02-04T00:00:00.001-05:00

Today we welcome S.D. Lettie to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! S.D. is the author of the new adult romantic suspense, The Arrangement, and this interview is part of her Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

Bestselling author Kathleen Shoop, PhD writes historical fiction, women’s fiction, and romance. Shoop’s novels have garnered awards in the Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY), Eric Hoffer Book Awards, Next Generation Indie Book Awards, and more. You can find Kathleen in person at various venues. She’s on the board of the Kerr Memorial Museum, teaches at writing/reader conferences, co-coordinates Mindful Writers Retreats and writing conferences, and gives talks at various book clubs, libraries, and historical societies.

Visit her website at www.kshoop.com or connect with her on X, Facebook, Instagram, BookBub, TikTok and Goodreads.

Cinder Bella is available at Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble & Kobo.

The Arrangement offers forced engagement, buried truths and politics. Which of these was the most challenging for you to write about?

Definitely the buried truths. I could go down a whole rabbit hole with that. Book One has a lot of twists, and I wanted each one to add real depth to the story. Imagine being in Emilia’s shoes - you grow up in the D.C. political circuit, you know how the game works, and you think nothing can shock you. And then BAM… twist. And just when the reader thinks they’ve settled in, I throw another one at them. It’s the part that was the most challenging to write, but also the most fun. Even if readers end up yelling at me for it.

Which of the characters from The Arrangement do you most closely identify with and why?

The obvious answer is Emilia, but honestly, the character I relate to the most is Thalia. She’s basically my inner voice on the page. She’s crass in the most authentic way, she doesn’t sugarcoat anything, and she says the things most people only think. She’s that ride-or-die best friend every woman deserves.

What do you think sets The Arrangement apart from other books of the same genre?

Honestly? The politics. I’m a huge espionage/CIA/FBI nerd, so setting the story in D.C. felt like playing in my dream sandbox. My husband grew up there, and when we visited, I was obsessed - not just with the history but with the sense that every aspect of the city is built on secrets.

What makes The Arrangement different is how grounded it is. The university may not exist by name, but elite private schools like it definitely do. And the characters feel real because they’re dealing with things we actually see in the news: political scandals, corruption, powerful families, organized crime. I didn’t invent a fantasy world; I built something that could absolutely happen. Readers can put themselves in Emilia’s shoes - or Thalia’s, or Nikolai’s - because the stakes feel real.

Surprise me. What is something that happens in the book that would make my mouth drop without giving too much away?

Veronica Langford - Emilia’s mother - has a moment in the book that I think will catch readers off guard. It shouldn’t be shocking given what we already know about her, but for Emilia, it’s a punch to the gut. It’s one of those scenes where a lot of things finally click into place for her… and not in a good way.

What season does your book take place?

It takes place at the end of summer going into fall. The story is set in modern day and follows Emilia through her senior year at Bancroft University.

What location does your book take place?

Primarily Washington D.C., with some scenes set in Virginia.

Do you think writing a romantic suspense is more complex than writing books of other genres?

Yes and no. Romantic suspense can be more complicated because my book is a slow burn, and a lot of romance readers want things to kick off fast - kissing, touching, all of it. But that’s not my style.

I like the long game. I think it feels more real. Most relationships don’t go from zero to a hundred overnight, and I wanted Emilia and Nikolai’s dynamic to grow naturally. If someone picks up my book hoping the FMC and MMC are jumping into bed by chapter one, they’re going to be disappointed.

That doesn’t mean it won’t happen eventually - book two definitely has room for more heat - but book one is about setting the stage. It covers about three months of Emilia’s senior year, so the pacing reflects that.

What’s next for you?

Right now, I’m working on Book 2 of the Bancroft University Chronicles duet, which should be out in April 2026. A lot of people have asked if the side characters will get their own books, and honestly, I love that idea, so it’s a real possibility. Emilia and Niko’s story might end, but the world doesn’t have to.

And on top of that, I’ve started outlining a brand-new series in a totally different romance genre. So yes, more books are coming!

You know that guy you fell for at sixteen—the one who vanished without explanation, leaving behind enough damage to last years? Now imagine being forced into an engagement with him because your parents decided you’re more useful as leverage than as a daughter.

And the part he forgot to mention? He’s heir to a Bratva empire with blood on its hands.

That’s Emilia’s life. Her future is not her own, and her fiancé, Nikolai Volkov, is a man whose silence is more dangerous than his words. Their past is a wound. Their engagement is a threat. And what grows between them is something neither of them should let happen.

The Arrangement is a dark, slow-burn story of buried truths, political corruption, and a connection that pulls two damaged people toward a collision neither may survive unscathed.

Read sample.

The Arrangement is available at Amazon.

The Writer’s Life

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📚 A Bookish Chat with 'Tender Dreams, Harsh Reality' John Beilharz #AuthorInterview

2026-01-30T00:00:00.001-05:00

Today we welcome John Beilharz to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! John is the author of the new nonfiction memoir, Tender Dreams, Harsh Reality, and this interview is part of his Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

As a Ph.D. in psychology, John Beilharz has had an illustrious career in various fields. From practicing as a therapist to teaching at a junior college, he eventually founded his successful marketing and advertising firm. Yet, despite his success in these endeavors, John has always been drawn to the art of storytelling.

Through his memoirs, John shares his life experiences in a poignant and captivating way. This collection of short stories is a testament to the power of the human spirit and the enduring resilience of the human soul.

His latest book is Tender Dreams, Harsh Reality.

You can visit his website at https://jbadvertising.com or follow him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/people/John-Beilharz-Author/61573799214000/.

Welcome to The Writer's Life! Now that your book has been published, we’d love to find out more about the process. How did you come up with the idea to write your book?

I’ve always loved telling stories drawn from my own life experiences. Over the years, friends and loved ones repeatedly encouraged me to write them down as a memoir. It took time and I’m grateful I kept journals, but eventually everything came together. Writing Tender Dreams, Harsh Reality was a deeply meaningful experience. It brought both closure and a flood of warm memories, allowing me to revisit and make sense of an important chapter of my life.

Can you give us a short excerpt?

Darkness started coming on quickly, and with every stitch of darkness came more anxiety. I admitted to myself that I didn't like this at all. I wished I could go to sleep and just wake up with the bright sun on my face. Well! It wasn't going that way. Sitting against a tree beside the fire, my mind wandered everywhere. I tried to calm myself down and stay in the moment in peace, but damn if I could do it.

After several hours of being wide awake, I heard noises in the forest. Animals were walking around, and I heard one snort. I heard some splashing and slurping down by the creek, and it dawned on me that I had set up a camp right on the animal path that went to the creek for watering. These nocturnal animals probably were pissed that they had to walk around me, and I didn't blame them. I heard some rather large animals moving within a couple feet of me and wondered if they were a bear or a boar.

I was so nervous I did not want to leave the fire to even take a pee. I was paralyzed. I stoked the fire as it felt like my only friend and protector. As the flames grew, they projected light onto the surrounding forest. Instantly, I heard a rather large stomp and looked up behind me, and I swear I saw a large hairy leg walk by. Now I was convinced that Big Foot was up there watching me. I could feel him penetrating my thoughts. I was so scared that I went into a dream-like trance. It was so real and in the moment.

What part of the book was the most fun to write?

The part of the book I most enjoyed writing and also found the most painful to revisit was my time in a Mexican jail. As I wrote, everything came rushing back: the sounds, the smells, the constant, unnerving tension. Yet within that darkness, I also remembered the beauty of the angels who appeared when I needed them most and helped release me from the grip of that insanity.

What’s one fact about your book that would surprise people?

One fact that would surprise many readers is just how close I came to spending years in a Mexican federal prison. It’s sobering to realize that, if not for an angel who intervened at exactly the right moment, I might still be there all these years later.

What other books are you working on and when will they be published?

I am currently completing my second book, a science fiction novel, titled,” Belief Trap, a thought-provoking exploration of a community at the intersection of mysticism, human connection, and the quest for transcendence. Set in a fictional town rooted in deep spiritual traditions, the story follows Mark and his circle of friends, known as the Seers, who have the unique ability to cross into a dimension called Omnia. Omnia is a realm of pure love and interconnected consciousness, where individual egos fade away and all souls communicate as one.

As Mark and the Seers help guide others from their world into Omnia, the narrative delves into themes of faith, betrayal, and the human yearning for a deeper sense of purpose. Conflicts arise as rival religious groups and government misunderstand Omnia’s message, and the community must find ways to convey the true essence of empathy and love. The story weaves personal struggles with a broader spiritual journey, inviting readers to reflect on their own beliefs and the possibility of a world where unity triumphs over division.

Finally, is there a message you’re trying to get across with your book?

The message of the book is simple but hard-earned: we all have dreams, but the path to them is often far more difficult than we expect. What matters most isn’t always whether the dream comes true exactly as we imagined, but who we become in the process of chasing it. The struggle, the setbacks, and the moments of doubt shape us in ways success alone never could. This book is about honoring that journey—and finding meaning even when the dream comes at a cost.

📚 A Bookish Chat with 'Cinder Bella' Kathleen Shoop #AuthorInterview

2025-12-11T09:19:00.008-05:00

Today we welcome Kathleen Shoop to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! Kathleen is the author of the new historical fiction, Cinder Bella, and this interview is part of her Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

Visit her website at www.kshoop.com or connect with her on X, Facebook, Instagram, BookBub, TikTok and Goodreads.

Cinder Bella is available at Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble & Kobo.

Can you tell us a little about yourself? Are you a full time author?

I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was kid, but I didn’t write my first novel until I had finished my PhD dissertation and my mind was freed up for a bit of fun! That was around 1998 and I’ve been writing novels ever since. Having kids, being diagnosed with MS, and my husband, Bill’s, travel for work schedule shifted my professional life from academia to writing from home. My first book, The Last Letter, launched in 2011 and 20+ books have followed. I do write full time but I also teach workshops, classes, have co-coordinated the PennWriters Conference and Mindful Writers Retreats, and more. I try to keep writing at the center of my work life but it’s important to layer in other aspects of the creative world for lots of reasons!

Can you tell us about Cinder Bella?

Cinder Bella is the third holiday book I wrote and it is such a fun one. Set in 1893 during the bank collapses, financial panic, and eight month Gilded Age Depression (okay, that set up isn’t “fun”…) this novel brings to life the goodness that emerges at the holidays even when people are at their lowest. It features found family, a sweet romance, and draws from some real life oddities that were common in America at the time. It evolved from a tiny story about a young woman who saves a man’s life and he repays her by letting her live in his barn. He owns an estate and Bella Darling is ecstatic to take him up on his offer. Once I’d written the little version showing how Bella rescued Mr. Westminster, the characters kept returning to my mind, demanding to have their story more fully told.

Can you tell us a little about the characters?

Here’s a little insight into the two main characters:

Bella Darling never had anything.

Bartholomew Baines lost everything.

Together they create a Christmas to remember.

While Bartholomew’s character is drawn from a bit of a Scrooge archetype, he develops into so much more. Likewise, though there are threads of the classic Cinderella in Bella’s character, she does not require a man to rescue her. Both are wounded but resilient and each brings something to the larger group of people who end up staying at the estate during the Christmas holidays. All of the squatters are down on their luck in one way or another and as ensemble casts do, each brings limitations and gifts that create conflict, a little chaos, and loads of magic.

Where is this book set and why did you choose that location?

Cinder Bella is set in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in an area called Shadyside. At one point Pittsburgh had more millionaires that anywhere in the country including New York. With the steel, iron, glass, and engineering industries centered in Pittsburgh, money was found and lost daily. In 1893 there weren’t banking and stock market guardrails built into our financial systems and people could lose everything they owned easily. And there weren’t credit cards or insured checking and savings accounts to count on when things turned bad. Most people could not sustain their lifestyle if a crisis occured. So, this story, is perfectly set within the opulance of a Shadyside estate (Maple Grove) where a millionaire and his family live. Though, for most of the story they are overseas running from their financial difficulties and so the empty house is homebase for Bella and the crew who end up staying there when their boarding house burns down. For Bella, she has a knack for getting spent hens to lay eggs that make the most wonderful foods people have ever tasted, even mending struggling marriages. Everyone in town has to have them and she sells them at market. Drawing from one of the odd things I dug up about that time period, Bella writes messages, empties some eggs, and puts messages into the shells, hoping to draw the attention of the perfect person to create a life with.

People did this — sent messages across the country in eggs! One girl did this and asked for a dolly for Christmas and the reciever of the special egg sent her one! So fun little things like this play into the story and the magic the characters make while living together. So while there are elements of Bella that call to mind the classic Cinderella, she is a commanding force in her life, looking for love, but not necessarily a life of luxury.

How can people benefit from reading Cinder Bella?

It’s a warm, humorous, story that brings all the best of the holiday season to the page. There are trials and sad points of course, but it’s a reminder that building a life is so much more than aquiring money — though resources are important — the magic of the Christmas season goes far beyond material gifts.

Is Cinder Bella your only book?

Cinder Bella is book 3 in the ’Tis the Season Collection (a mix of contemporary and historical fiction and all are standalones). I’ve written over 20 books and some are embeded in larger series but I always try to write them so they can be read in any order. Boxing Day is also a Christmas story that is set in the town of Donora which is the thread that ties the Donora Story Collection together (can be read in any order). And there’s a collection of tiny holiday stories in a book called Holly and the Christmas Tree — perfect for reading a little bit each night while sipping wine or hot chocolate.

Thank you so much for this interview, Kathleen. What’s next for you?

My latest big book (weedy historical fiction to savor!) is at the copy editor so when January hits, I’ll be back at that one. It’s called Imperial Girl and it’s set in St. Petersburg, Russia 1909–1917. Mila is studying ballet at the Imperial Ballet School and she’s tremendously talented, but of course that’s not enough to pave an easy path through life.

Where to purchase the book:

https://books.apple.com/us/author/kathleen-shoop/id550901410

https://www.mysterylovers.com

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Kathleen%20Shoop%22?Ntk=P_key_Contributor_List&Ns=P_Sales_Rank&Ntx=mode+matchall

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?query=kathleen+shoop&fcadultcontentallowed=true&fclanguages=en&ssid=FVqbKr2gsrXalk0bOmHGF&sid=fcefd769-7e03-4420-846f-a1cf5501b412

Where to find Kathleen:

http://kshoop.com (newsletter sign up!)

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057696591811

https://www.instagram.com/kathleenshoop

She never had anything.

He lost everything.

Together they create a Christmas to remember.

December, 1893–Shadyside, Pennsylvania

Bella Darling lives in a cozy barn at Maple Grove, an estate owned by industrialist Archibald Westminster. The Westminster family is stranded overseas and have sent word to relieve all employees of their duties except Margaret, the pregnant maid, James the butler, and Bella. Content with borrowed books and a toasty home festooned with pine boughs and cinnamon sticks, she coaxes the old hens to lay eggs–extraordinary eggs. Bella yearns for just one thing—someone to share her life with. Always inventive, she has a plan for that. She just needs the right egg into the hands of the right man.

Bartholomew Baines, a Harvard-educated banker, is reeling in the aftermath of his bank’s collapse. With his friends and fiancé ostracizing him for what he thought was an act of generosity, he is penniless and alone. A kind woman welcomes him into her boarding house under conditions that he reluctantly accepts. Completely undone by his current, lowly position, and by the motley crew of fellow boarders who view him as one of them, Bartholomew wrestles with how to rebuild.

With the special eggs as the impetus, the first meeting between Bella and Bartholomew gives each the wrong idea about the other. And when the boarding house burns down a week before Christmas it’s Bella who is there to lend a hand. She, Margaret, and James invite the homeless group to stay at the estate through the holidays. But as Christmas draws closer, eviction papers arrive. Maple Grove is being foreclosed upon. Can Bella work her magic and save their Christmas? Is the growing attraction between Bella and Bartholomew enough for them to see past their differences?

Read a sample.

Cinder Bella is available at Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble & Kobo.

The Writer’s Life

Thank you for visiting and reading!

Feel inspired? Have you read this book? Let us know your thoughts!

📚 A Bookish Chat with 'Christmas in Newfoundland 3' Mike Martin #AuthorInterview

2025-12-10T00:00:00.001-05:00

Today we welcome Mike Martin to The Writer's Life e-Magazine! Mike is the author of the new holiday mystery, Christmas in Newfoundland 3, and this interview is part of his Blog Tour by Pump Up Your Book. Enjoy!

He is the award-winning author of the best-selling Sgt. Windflower Mystery series, set in beautiful Grand Bank. There are now 16 books in this light mystery series with the publication of Friends are Forever.

Some Sgt. Windflower Mysteries are now available as audiobooks and the latest Darkest Before the Dawn was released as an audiobook in 2024. All audiobooks are available from Audible in Canada and around the world.

His latest book is Christmas in Newfoundland 3: Sgt. Windflower Holiday Tales.

Visit Mike’s website at www.sgtwindflowermysteries.com. Connect with him at X and Facebook.

Can you tell us a little about yourself? Are you a full time author?

I am almost a full-time writer. I still do a little communications consulting and ghost write an occasional speech, but my primary role is as a writer. Almost exclusively as a fiction writer, although I also write poetry on a regular basis

Can you tell us about your latest book, Christmas in Newfoundland 3?

Christmas in Newfoundland 3 is a way to show how much Sgt. Windflower loves Christmas. It’s a great way to share what he and his family and friends do at Christmastime in Grand Bank or Marystown or Ramea, Newfoundland. Some of the stories feature Windflower and Sheila’s adorable daughters and of course Eddie Tizzard and his family make several spotlight appearances. Other stories take you back to Christmas seasons of any years long past and there’s even a return of a fabulous Newfoundland tradition, the Mummers.

Can you tell us a little about the characters?

As noted above the stories are from the main character in the award-winning Sgt. Windflower Mystery series. He is a Mountie, an RCMP officer stationed in the small coastal community of Grand Bank, Newfoundland. There are special appearances by his wife Sheila, their adorable daughters and of course Eddie Tizzard, Windflower’s sidekick, and his family make several spotlight appearances.

Where is this book set and why did you choose that location?

It is set in the small communities of Grand Bank, Marystown and Ramea, Newfoundland, on the easternmost tip of Canada. This is the main setting for all of the Sgt. Windflower Mysteries

How can people benefit from reading Christmas in Newfoundland 3?

Here’s what one Goodreads reviewer said about the book:

Old Christmas traditions are honored, new traditions are made, and childhood memories and stories are shared. Holiday spirit and generosity are high, with celebrations, decorations, parades and other special events with joyful children and of course remembering those less fortunate.

You should feel good, happy and ready to celebrate Christmas.

Is Christmas in Newfoundland 3 your only book?

There are 16 books in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series and 3 other Christmas themed books.

Thank you so much for this interview, Mike. What’s next for you?

Book 17 in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series is being editing and will be out in the world in Spring 2026.

Where to purchase the book:

https://www.amazon.ca/Christmas-Newfoundland-Windflower-Holiday-Tales/dp/1990896340/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.hSTICrjHovqYgEX0vW4ubkf70Z7PG59L_qiS8nR1uJbGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.8hO9u0-MzL-62qtJQa0kbLZ1ocGI9v2IvQ7advOPbnY&qid=1761660936&sr=1-1

Where to find Mike:

https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore

http://www.x.com/mike54martin

Sgt. Windflower loves Christmas and we’re happy to share what he and his family and friends do at Christmastime in Grand Bank or Marystown or Ramea, Newfoundland. Some of the stories feature Windflower and Sheila’s adorable daughters and of course Eddie Tizzard and his family make several spotlight appearances. Other stories take you back to Christmas seasons of many years long past and there’s even a return of a fabulous Newfoundland tradition, the Mummers.

Christmas is a time to celebrate but it is also a time to reminisce and remember. We hope that it will bring back pleasant memories for you and your family to share at Christmas and throughout the year. Come celebrate Christmas in Newfoundland with Sgt. Windflower Mysteries.

Read sample here.

Christmas in Newfoundland is available at Amazon.

The Writer’s Life

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