 Welcome to my fire, Susie. I understand your go-to beverage is black coffee, and I’ve just brewed a pot. While I pour, why don’t you introduce yourself and give us an insider’s scoop? I am a curious student of human nature who sees each day as a gift, an opportunity, a mystery, an adventure, and a challenge. I strive to find something to laugh about every day. Humor helps us get through even some of the most trying times, so laugh away, my friend. Other than reading, do you have any other hobbies? I am a voracious reader. I read all types of mysteries but favor the same kind of stories I write-cozy mysteries. I am an avid stamp collector, sailor, jazz, oldies Rock N Roll fan, and an enthusiastic walker. Who is your network or support system? This would be any groups/authors/friends/family who contributes to your writing career? First and foremost, my very patient and supportive husband and son who tirelessly answer my incessant questions like, “How does this sound?” or “Is this funny, or am I the only one who’s going to laugh at the line?” Secondly, a cabal of generous author colleagues who I call on for their opinion, knowledge, and information. Thirdly, “the Aprils,” my trusty two super readers who read and critique my final manuscripts before I submit them to my editor. I couldn't imagine not having the support of my dearly beloved, Peter. Who or what books or authors are your inspiration? My inspirations are the interesting and quirky people I have encountered during the course of my ladies’ apparel sales career. I have a number of authors who are my inspiration: Joan Hess, Anne George, Carolyn Haines, Carl Hiaasen, Dave Barry, Nancy J. Cohen, Janet Evanovich, S.V. Date, Donald E. Westlake, and Elmore Leonard are my tops. Books that inspire me: The Axe by Donald E. Westlake, Maximum Bob by Elmore Leonard Do you have any fun or outrageous talent? I can single-sail an obstacle course without flipping the sailboat over. Hmm, I'm not a sailor but I enjoy watching the colorful sails bobbing in the wind. What is your neighborhood like? I live in a gated community in Palm Desert, CA.on a golf course with a water hazard inhabited by ducks & geese. I walk the gorgeous grounds within our community with a variety of palm trees and desert flora and fauna in a riot of colors that look like a painting. I am continuously amazed at what not only grows in this challenging climate but actually thrives. It sounds lovely. I've never been to a desert but it's on my camping to-do list. Tell us about your body (sorry pun) of work. Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book? Both. I write a series with continuing characters and locales, but each book can stand on its own. If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would that be? Trust your gut. Don’t be afraid to fail. You can’t please everyone. So true. In the same line can you share what literary success look like to you? When a reader says, “I stayed up all night reading your book. I could not put it down.” Those are the best comments. Depending on my genre, I've done tons of research. What about you? What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book? Since all my books take place in the LA garment district, I go to the California Apparel Mart in downtown LA, visit stores, and talk to buyers and sellers. I used to love watching Project Runway until it got so political. It made me feel like a behind the scenes fashionista. How do you select the names of your characters? All of my characters are based on real people I knew, so I do a variation or a play on their names. For example, Mr. Newman/ Mr. Oldham; Mr. Turpin/Mr. Tyne; Mr. Arbetman/Mr. Workman(Arbetman in German means workman.) If you didn’t write, what would you do for work? Definitely a stand-up comedienne. I picture Lucille Ball or Carol Burnett, though I wonder if you're more of a Mrs. Maisel? Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones? I read every review, but I do not respond to them. The good ones I revel in. I try to learn something to improve my writing with the bad ones if they give constructive criticism. How long, on average, does it take you to write a book? Nine months-like giving birth to a baby. And often as much pain. If they made a movie about your life, what would the title be, and who would play you? Rag Lady and Melissa Rauch (Judge on the new TV Night Court) would play me. Do you have a particular object, like a piece of jewelry or a keepsake of some sort? Can you tell us what makes it unique to you? A bookmark my son made for me in kindergarten for Mother’s Day. Aww. I have a pin made from sunflower seeds from my son. What is your favorite mug drink that black coffee? A mug that my wise guy nana gave me when I started selling ladies’ swimwear. The mug says: “Things Could be Worse: We Could be Trying on Swimsuits.” Years ago, a commercial talked about a “Kodak Moment.” It’s a moment in time you catch in a picture. One you never want to forget. What is yours? The moment my newborn son was put into my arms for the first time. Again, aww. If you could only choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what would it be? People, by Barbra Streisand. Now that song is running through my head. Who is the most interesting person you’ve met and talked with? Best-selling Author Harlen Coben. Susie, thank you for spending time with me Around the Fire. You are always a fun guest. Before heading out into that lovely community, will you leave a little information about your newest release? Oh, and watch out for the geese. They can be a little touchy.  Death by Cutting Table by Susie Black The Wild Rose Press, Inc. (August 2, 2023) Cozy Mystery Amateur Sleuths Butch Oldham didn’t have an honest bone in his body. So, the question wasn’t who wanted him dead. The question was, who didn’t. Mermaid Swimwear sales exec Holly Schlivnik finds colleague Queenie Levine standing over Mermaid CEO Butch Oldham’s bloody corpse nailed to a fabric cutting table with a big honkin’ pair of cutting shears plunged deep into his chest. When the cops discover Queenie’s blood-soaked sweater, learn about her stormy relationship with the victim, and her public threats to make Butch pay for destroying Mermaid Swimwear by stealing it blind, Holly’s colleague shoots to the top of the suspect list. When Queenie is arrested, the wise-cracking, irreverent amateur sleuth jumps into action to flesh out the real killer. But the trail has more twists and turns than a slinky, and nothing turns out the way Holly thinks it will as she tangles with a clever killer hellbent for revenge. Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C62HRJXM Barnes & Noble: Death by Cutting Table by Susie Black | eBook | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com) What others are saying. Holy guacamole, Susie Black does it again in Death by Cutting Table. I enjoyed reading the fourth entry in the Holly Swimsuit mystery series, and Black offers another hilarious murder story starring Holly Schlivnik, her Yenta buddies, and best friend, Queenie Levine. Holly describes herself as a nosy parker who cannot fake sincerity, and she is correct. When her friend Queenie comes under suspicion for the latest murder (the CEO of their company), Holly springs into action again with her own investigation. CEO Butch Oldham has bankrupted his company, stolen his job from a friend, and dumped his wife … for starters. There is no shortage of suspects for an overbearing detective pursuing Oldham’s killer, along with helpers that are “uniformed versions of Starsky and Hutch.” As with her other Holly Swimsuit books, Susie Black keeps the reader guessing until the end. I love the characters, probably the most vital component of this series, but the descriptions of the fashion industry and all that goes with it make marvelous stories by themselves. This is a strong recommendation for all the Holly Swimsuit books, but Death by Cutting Table may be the best in the series. I’m looking forward to the next one (or two or three). Link to series. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BMNSR2M2  More about the author.
COZY MYSTERY STORYTELLER Susie Black Named Best US Author of the Year by N. N. Lights Book Heaven, award-winning cozy mystery author Susie Black was born in the Big Apple but now calls sunny Southern California home. Like the protagonist in her Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series, Susie is a successful apparel sales executive. Susie began telling stories as soon as she learned to talk. Now she’s telling all the stories from her garment industry experiences in humorous mysteries. She reads, writes, and speaks Spanish, albeit with an accent that sounds like Mildred from Michigan went on a Mexican vacation and is trying to fit in with the locals. Since life without pizza and ice cream as her core food groups wouldn’t be worth living, she’s a dedicated walker to keep her girlish figure. A voracious reader, she’s also an avid stamp collector. Susie lives with a highly intelligent man and has one incredibly brainy but smart-aleck adult son who inexplicably blames his sarcasm on an inherited genetic defect. Looking for more? Contact Susie at: Website: www.authorsusieblack.com E-mail: [email protected]  The Emerald Fairy and the Dragon Knight by Jennifer Ivy Walker The Wild Rose Press, Inc. Publication date June 21, 2023 Fantasy Romance Paranormal Romance Interwoven fates. Otherworldly mates. Destiny awaits. Wielding a trio of enchanted Elven weapons to battle a dark wizard and a legion of diabolical dwarves, Tristan is faced with the impossible choice between saving the woman he loves or defending his endangered kingdom. Inexplicably compelled to remain in the sacred forest where he hears the voice of her heart, the heir to the throne of Cornwall incurs the wrath and scorn of his army when he decides to hunt for his captive mate. Her verdant magic greatly enhanced by the mystical Morgane la Fée, Issylte must summon a coalition of Naiad nymphs and celestial fairies to destroy a nascent evil as she fights to reclaim her rightful crown. When the Black Widow Queen unites with a malignant menace and a ghost from Tristan’s haunted past, the Emerald Fairy and the Dragon Knight must ally with a triad of shapeshifting warrior tribes to defeat a Viking Trident and defend their trinity of Celtic kingdoms. What others are saying Surprising Journey into Enchantment An Enchanting Journey of Love, Magic, and Heroism Captivating and enchanting fantasy novel that combines elements of love, magic, and heroism Read an excerpt. She held the églantine to her nose, inhaling the delicate fragrance with a smile of wonder. “Thank you, my love. It reminds me of the nightingale in the woods of Avalon. You never cease to amaze me.” Gratitude shifted to empathy as she intently searched his face. “How does it feel to come home?” Tristan looked out at the cerulean sea. The blue waters of Lyonesse. His home. “I feel…conflicted. Tremendous guilt and grief, mingled with incredible joy.” He raised the hand in which she held the wild rose, lifting the pink blossom to his nose. He inhaled its soothing floral fragrance—Issylte’s essence—to ease his heavy heart. “When I saw the edge of the forest where Goron held me that day…I relived the horrors…” A violent shudder shook his body. Issylte wrapped her arms around his waist and nestled her head against his thundering chest. He kissed the top of her head, cocooning her in loving arms. “But now…with you here…I remember the love.” He rocked her in his arms as fond memories flowed, washing away the sadness and sorrow. “My mother’s tender touch…my sister’s beautiful smile…my father’s noble face. All the happiness we shared here. All the laughter. All the love.” Issylte raised her tear-stained face to beam at him. “Love conquers hate. It is the Goddess’ greatest gift. And I am eternally grateful that She has healed your broken heart.” He kissed her. His Wild Rose. His green golden goddess. His Emerald Fairy. “Aye, my love. She has. Through you.”   About the Author Enthralled with legends of medieval knights and ladies, dark fairy tales and fantasies about Druids, wizards and magic, Jennifer Ivy Walker always dreamed of becoming a writer. She fell in love with French in junior high school, continuing her study of the language throughout college, spending summers in France as a foreign exchange student, exploring medieval castles and troglodyte caves in the Loire Valley, sites of pilgrimage such as le Mont-Saint-Michel, eventually becoming a high school teacher and college professor of French. As a high school teacher, she took her students every year to the annual French competition, where they performed a play she had written, "Yseult la Belle et Tristan la Bête"--an imaginative blend of the medieval French legend of "Tristan et Yseult" and the fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast", enhanced with fantasy elements of a Celtic fairy and a wicked witch. Her debut novel, "The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven"--the first of a trilogy-- is a blend of her love for medieval legends, the romantic French language, and paranormal fantasy. It is a retelling of the medieval French romance of "Tristan et Yseult", interwoven with Arthurian myth, dark fairy tales from the enchanted Forest of Brocéliande, and otherworldly elements such as Avalonian Elves, Druids, forest fairies and magic. Explore her realm of Medieval French Fantasy. She hopes her novels will enchant you. Find out more at the following links. https://jenniferivywalker.com/ www.tiktok.com/@jenniferivywalker https://www.instagram.com/jenniferivywalkerauthor/ www.facebook.com/Jennifer-Ivy-Walker-Author-106926765275369/  An Author and Book Blog, Around the Fire is thrilled to bring you exciting authors and books to help you find your next favorite read.  Welcome to my fire Judy. I'm so glad you could join me. Can I offer you a beverage? I’m all about tart since I’m always dieting and trying to avoid sugar. I’m either sipping lemon water or unsweetened iced-tea with lemon. To my secret shame, I am obsessed with cola. I try not to indulge though, as one glass can pack on a hundred pounds overnight, and I’m vain. I hear you. I have a favorite mixup. I take orange sugar free drink and mix it half and half with AHA pineapple mango seltzer. It's only a bit sweet and refreshing. I'll make you one and a bring you a lemon water too. While I'm at it, please share with others who you are other than your bio. As I approach sixty, I’m still trying to find that out. In most ways, I’m pretty normal: I love my husband, son, and dog to distraction – and most of my time is spent organizing their lives and picking up the pieces. I enjoy beautifying the world and exploring alternative history and the supernatural. If reincarnation is real, I was most definitely a Victorian lady in my last life. I used to pull my knee-socks up to my thighs and wrap them in hair ribbons. My mother would yell about the stretched elastic, but I refused to do otherwise because that’s where stockings were supposed to go. I wanted big, poofy dresses (I still do!), and delicate Romance replete with fans, tea, constraints meant to be broken, and sparkling glances across a room. The gentility of the Victorian era has always drawn me, not to mention I’ve always been in love with love. I make different types of earrings, sketch a bit, cook over the open fire, what interests besides writing do you enjoy? For instance, what do you read or hobbies you have? I’m a closet creative who loves to paint, decorate, and play with flowers. I need to beautify the world when not writing or exploring esoteric subjects. Give me a brush and I’m happy. But I can also be found engrossed in books that discuss and expand my knowledge of what our world is really like, and I read just about anything to find out, including: physics, biology, history, archeology, noetic science, and studies on the mind/brain dichotomy. I suppose I’m a closet scholar who likes a pretty environment. You mentioned a husband, son, and pupper, who is your network or support system? This would be any groups/authors/friends/family who contributes to your writing career. My greatest support is my husband, because he allows me the ability to spend my days tapping at the keyboard. However, in terms of understanding the complexities of a writer’s occupation, I have found enormous support with other TWRP writers who encourage me, as well as help with the practical matters. If I name them all here, I’d be afraid to forget someone, so I won’t try. I’ll only say that I’ve found a home at the Wild Rose Press, and my fellow authors each give me a reason to put forth my best work in the hopes I’ll someday match their enormous talents. The Garden is a wonderful place and I've made many friends there. who share their knowledge and generously support each other. Who or what books or authors are your inspiration? I think my writing has been most affected by Amanda Quick and Julia Quinn. I’ve read everything they’ve written. What I admire most about both of them is the way they can weave adventure into relationships, and the way they urge the time periods into life. Historical Romance is based on history, yes, but it also pushes the boundaries of what the average person might have done in the time period. Constraints are loosened. Plus, I’m mad about secrets and secret societies! Do you have any fun or outrageous talent? I’m really good at arguing. If I find an underdog, I’m rabid (pardon the pun), and though I almost always prefer peace, I can rip an opponent to shreds if I believe I’m protecting someone. I completely lack the ability to argue on my own behalf, however, which makes my talent particularly fun when I’m the victim. As I shrink off into my corner, I’m generally laughing at the irony of my talent. What is your neighborhood like? Are there any places you frequent? What makes them special? I live in a lake community of older, smaller houses that the town’s ever-loosening zoning laws have somehow overlooked. Acres of forest back up to my home, but just a half mile from my door lies a major thoroughfare, and a few miles up that road is a hustling college center. It’s the best of all worlds. My favorite spot is in my sunroom, because there are numerous animals who come to watch me while I write, although there’s a black bear who has decided to take up residence in the area. I have nightmares about him crashing through the windows, but the squirrels, deer, rabbits, chipmunks, lizards, groundhogs, owls, vultures, birds, and foxes traipsing through my yard don’t seem the least scared. I love my sunroom because it’s a bit like living in the middle of a zoo, but instead of the animals being caged, it’s me. Since I object to most infringements on freedom, I enjoy the lack of guilt while I study them! You sound like we live in the same neighborhood! Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book? Each of my novels can stand on its own, but the world and various characters overlap. I enjoy giving minor characters in one book a chance at their own novels. My main series is named, “Raised All Wrong.” Assyriology, the sobriquet Victorians gave the study of the ancient Middle East, is always central, as are the advantages of being raised slightly outside the norm. For example, in the first in series, “Arabella’s Assistant,” Arabella’s father died when she was a child, so she became rather stubborn and independent under her mother’s lax rule. She’s a twenty-seven-year-old bluestocking, because no one pushed her into an advantageous match at the right age. “Primrose and Promises” is a part of the Wild Rose Press’s, “Jelly Beans and Spring Things” collection, but the characters cross over to the “Raised All Wrong” world. The book also incorporates Assyriology, and the characters have been – you guessed it! – raised outside the norm. My Jelly Bean story also overlaps but is a standalone so I understand. How long on average does it take you to write a book? I am a pantser. I have an idea for a character and situation in the beginning, the knowledge I have to get to a Happily-Ever-After for an ending, and no idea what comes between. It makes my writing a bit stop-and-start, which in turn takes a lot of time to arrive at a satisfactory finished product. On average, it will take me a good six months from start to finish per book. The time includes research into historical details and at least ten rounds of edits. I used to believe my words were sacred, but now I know cutting and altering just deepens the plot and allow the story to flow more efficiently. The storyline appears as I write, oftentimes surprising me (almost always surprising me). I have never had writer’s block, but I do get writer’s edit! Do you have a particular object like a piece of jewelry or a keepsake of some sort? Can you tell us what makes it special to you? I am a hoarder (according to my husband who will throw out anything I haven’t glued down), so I have quite a few objects. They are memories, and when I touch them, I return to a specific age or place or time. I’m always terrified of a house fire, because my entire past, and those of others I’ve loved, would be torched along with the objects. However, the one piece that informed my life as a writer is a rose-patterned tea cup I was given by my fifth-grade teacher for writing, “Rose China,” a story of a girl who finds a rose-patterned plate and goes back in time to live with John and Abigail Adams. It was my first completed novel. I would wake at 4 a.m. every day and write until I left for school. The tea cup is a reminder of the unfettered joy creativity brings, and sometimes with it, a more tangible reward. I love that! Now for some quick get to know you questions. Would you rather have unlimited international first-class tickets or never have to pay for food in a restaurant? Easy. I am terrified of air travel, and I love going out to eat. Never have to pay? I have at least ten restaurants near me I want to try right now! How do you select the names of your characters? They select themselves. In fact, as part of my new works, a name usually pops into my head, and from there a general description suggests itself, and once the character has an outline, the scene comes into focus. Every once in a long while, I’ll have to search for a name of a secondary character to match the description, but it’s rare. In fact, in derivation of my norm, in “Primrose and Promises,” the original names of the characters were Theodore and Jocinda. From the beginning, they didn’t work, and I stalled at the second chapter. I kept writing, because that’s what I do, but it felt like too much effort. I thought, “Okay, I have this story and I have the gist of where it is supposed to go, but why can’t I get there? It can’t be writer’s block, because the story is unfolding in my head, so what’s the problem?” Into my head popped the new names: Sebastian and Phoebe. The story took off. Who is the most interesting person you’ve met and talked with? Almost ten years ago, I met my maternal uncle for the first time. He was a fairly famous linguist, a professor, a student of everything, and a true Renaissance man. He worked with actors when I met him, but he could speak nine languages fluently and personally knew some of the authors I adored. Even though I’ve been blessed with a wonderful education, there were holes in my knowledge. Like Socrates, he would suggest books, or make me argue my rationales. He pushed me to know more. I could feel my brain expanding and stretching every time we spoke. It turns out he was an incredible teacher, and there’s no person more interesting than the teacher who helps you learn. If you could only choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what would it be? Carmina Burana’s, “O Fortuna.” It’s only fair to warn people in advance… LOL! I Googled it. It's quite epic. Judy, thank you for stopping by. It was wonderful getting to know you. Before you head out into the wilds of your neighborhood will you leave us with a bit about your book, Primrose and Promises and where to get more information?  Primrose and Promises – part of the “Jelly Beans and Spring Things” collection by The Wild Rose Press
Heat rating: I’m never sure – my books usually have 1-3 sex scenes, but they’re usually more poetically pictorial than erotic. I believe passion has a place in a love story, so no closed doors – but the scenes are more emotional than erotic. +18 About Primrose and Promises: When Sebastian Edgars, the newly minted Viscount Trelawney, meets the woman of his dreams, the ground shifts beneath his feet. Unfortunately, she has just buried her father and is required to mourn for a year. Though the rules say he cannot court her, he can’t abide her absence, and so he does the only thing he can think to do: he disguises himself as a servant in her home so they might come to know each other better. Miss Phoebe Carmichael has decided she will never marry. Wealthy and impatient, when she meets Sebastian everything in her calms. He understands her grief and how spring’s promise will lead her back to life again. As secret organizations and mad Assyriologists battle, the two fall in love. Will their love prove strong enough to overcome societal norms and those set against their union? Grab your copy today https://books2read.com/u/mgPezK What others are saying. Winner of Second Place, Romance Category, Mid-Atlantic Author Society Writing Contest From Nina Fiegl, editor and writing consultant: "Historical instalove with a dash of mystery." From USA Today Bestselling Author, Sofia Aves, Aussie Queen of Romance: “A rustle of romance amongst grieving. " Other books by Judy Arabella’s Assistant https://books2read.com/u/m2eGKd Find out more about the author Website: judylynnichkhanian.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100070286490858 Twitter: @ judylynnichkha1 https://twitter.com/judylynnichkha1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judylynnich/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorjlich Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/judylynnichkhanian/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judy-ichkhanian-a07a919/ Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/judylynnich  Island Heat The Carolina Series Book 2 by Debby Grahl Romantic Suspense Released May 1, 2023 by The Wild Rose Press, Inc. +18 When bookstore owner Suzanna Shay and writer Austen Kincade meet on a Who Done It mystery cruise, their instant attraction has them more interested in romance than searching for clues. But when the leading actress in the shipboard murder skit, Austen’s publisher’s wife, throws herself at Austen, she’s furious when he rejects her advances and vows to have Austen no matter what it takes. After the ship docks, with plans for a future together, Suzanna and Austen part, unaware vindictive lies will soon test their newfound love and entangle them in a real mystery that proves deadly. Grab your copy today Amazon www.amazon.com/Island-Heat-Carolina-Book-2-ebook/dp/B0BW4S3QPZ B&N www.barnesandnoble.com/w/island-heat-debby-grahl/1143041442 What others are saying An intriguing and exciting romantic suspense Must read! Amazing!  Award-winning author Debby Grahl lives on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, with her husband David. Besides writing, she enjoys biking, walking on the beach, and a glass of wine at sunset. Visually impaired since childhood by Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), she uses screen-reading software to research and write her books.
Rue Toulouse, a contemporary romance set in the French Quarter, medalled as second place in the Readers’ Favorite international competition, and was awarded first place in the Top Shelf Fiction for the Romance category. His Magic Touch, a paranormal romance, is also set in New Orleans. Her latest book, Island Heat, will be released May 1, 2023, and will be the second book in her three-part Carolina series. The first, Mountain Blaze, released November 2, 2020, has received a five-star review from Readers’ Favorite. You can find Debby at the following: Website -- www.debbygrahl.com Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/debbygrahlauthor?ref=br_rs Bookbub -- https://www.bookbub.com/search/authors?search=debby%20grahl Twitter -- https://twitter.com/DebbyGrahl Amazon Author Page -- https://www.amazon.com/Debby-Grahl/e/B00B34HM26 B&N --https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Debby+Grahl  SECRET DESIRES by J. L. Regen Release
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/secret-desires-j-l-regen/1125516296 About Secret Desires Nothing in Margo Simmons’s life comes easy. She can’t claim the inheritance on a condo apartment her uncle has left to her until she is gainfully employed in a job for a year. She meets the man of her dreams but anguishes over a loving relationship because he is still emotionally tied to his deceased wife. With great difficulty, she becomes the guardian to a recently orphaned child she had been tutoring. Margo evolves from an insecure, newbie elementary teacher into a woman determined to fulfill the secret desires locked in her heart. My story speaks to anyone who has suffered a loss and had to start over. A Peek between the covers MARGO SIMMONS GRIPPED THE EDGES of the leather chair, waiting for details from the family lawyer about her Uncle Harry’s death. She hoped it would be shorter and less pain ful than the reading of her father’s will. An older gentleman extended his hand. “I’m sorry your mother couldn’t be here.” Margo looked up from her reflections to acknowledge him. “Thanks, Mr. Steinberg.” “You’ve grown into a lovely young woman.” Margo blinked back tears at memories of good times shared with Uncle Harry. “Not so young. I’m twenty-three.” The portly man squeezed himself into a swivel chair and peered at her over wire-rimmed bifocals. “I’m ancient compared to that number.” Margo gripped her knees to steady her nerves. “My mother wanted to come with me, but they’re downsizing at her dress shop. She was afraid to leave early. My stepfather is furious because Uncle Harry didn’t leave him any money.” Mr. Steinberg saddened at the sorrowful expression on the young woman’s face. “It pains me to hear Jerry hasn’t changed his ways. However, since you’re the only one present to hear your uncle’s will, I’ll get to the point. Harry has left you his Riverside Drive condominium apartment and the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.” Margo jumped up from the chair and hugged the man. “This is a miracle. I can’t wait to tell my Mom. She’s wanted me to get out on my own. Now I can. Though I wish it hadn’t come with the loss of my uncle. I adored him. NOMINATED AS ROMANCE NOVEL OF 2019 BY READERS CHOICE. SECRET DESIRES is now on sale at Audible.com and on iTunes. Now, you can listen to Margo’s story and cheer her on as you commute to work or sit back and adjust your headsets at home. It is also available on B&N.com and Amazon.com –eBook and paper.  J.L. Regen’s book was inspired by a real life story of lovers who join hearts against many odds. She lives in the New York metropolitan area, is a published photojournalist, has short suspense stories online, and has taught English as a Second Language to students around the globe. This is her first contemporary romance. She has also published three nonfiction books and is crafting a historical suspense set in World War II. WHY DID I CHOOSE Margo and Edward and the theme of Starting Over: Margo wants a place of her own, as I did in my 20's, loves children so much that she becomes a foster parent (I've nurtured children as a teacher for decades), and wants to share her life with someone special to fulfill her secret desires. Edward in his early 30's is successful but empty and drained after losing a wife he adored. He is hesitant to take a second chance on love because most of the women he meets are after his money --he's an investment banker with a burgeoning portfolio. IS THIS BOOK A SLICE FROM YOUR LIFE? I dated a man like Edward in my 20's but wasn't ready to dive into marriage. WHAT KINDS OF BOOKS DO YOU ENJOY READING? Now, my favorite are historical, especially WWII. If the book includes romantic liaisons, I cheer them on for a happily ever after but my focus is keeping the heroine in my future historical suspenses out of danger. WILL THERE BE A SEQUEL TO SECRET DESIRES? Yes, I'm working on it now.  Rosemary, welcome to my fire. Can I grab you a refreshment while you start by telling us a little about yourself? Water, chilled, no ice. How boring am I (she asks, laughing)? Here’s the deal – I don’t like carbonated beverages, I’m not much of a mixed drink gal, and I only drink wine on the rare occasion. I will admit that I start my day with a cup of hot breakfast tea, and I crave a coffee in the afternoon. Otherwise, it’s water all day long. Oh, and if I’m in a posh mood, I’ll have a Bailey’s on the rocks. Water is not on my list of favorites. For me it’s a necessary evil but one glass of water it is. Go ahead share who you are other than your bio while I’m at it? I love to laugh, and I love to make people laugh. If I tell a story about how I got from Point A to Point B, you can count on it being filled with humor. When gathered with family or friends, I enjoy a rousing card or board game. I like to begin my day with a brisk walk around my neighborhood. I love to eat, but I hate to cook. Unfortunately (for my waistline), I love to bake! We could hang out! I’ll do the cooking cuz I love to cook. Board games and laughing go together like milk and cookies. What else do you enjoy? For instance, what do you read or hobbies you have? My TBR stack of books – which I never seem to get to the bottom of – largely consists of mystery and suspense novels. As far as hobbies go, a few years ago I abandoned my scrapbooking hobby in favor of creating digital photo albums. After returning from each vacation, I can’t wait to gather everyone’s photos and plug them all into a digital album. During the winter, one end of our kitchen table is usually covered with a picture puzzle that gets worked on whenever my husband and I have some down time. I’ve also done a lot of family history research and occasionally scour Ancestry.com to see what new information has been unearthed. We’ve given up on puzzles until we no longer have feline friends. Who is your network or support system? First and most importantly are my husband and sons who have devoted so much time to critiquing my rough drafts and encouraging me to pursue a writing career. Secondly, the ladies in my book club have been incredibly helpful with my marketing efforts. And, lastly, I rely on my writers’ group to provide feedback on my works in progress. Do you find inspiration in other’s books? I’d have to say that I find inspiration in every book I read. Every author/story is either a model for how to write well or a lesson in what pitfalls to avoid. Do you have any fun or outrageous talent? I can balance my checkbook! Does that count (she asks, jokingly)? Sadly, I’m not a particularly talented person. Seriously? What’s a checkbook? I have ONE check from years ago that I hold onto incase of an emergency. Tell us about your neighborhood? Any special haunts? My husband and I have lived in the same lovely, peaceful neighborhood for 33 years and many of our neighbors have become lifelong friends. Our area of Ohio is part of the Connecticut Western Reserve which granted land to settlers moving westward in the 1700s, so our town is designed much like a colonial New England village complete with a gazebo on the Village Green. We’re also surrounded by a beautiful metropark that offers lots of activities – golfing, walking trails, boating, flower gardens, nature preserves. Although we love to travel, this corner of northeast Ohio will always be home. It sounds wonderful. My hubby and I just camped in Ohio outside of Cleveland. He wanted to visit the Christmas Story house. It was a hoot. If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be? Don’t let life get in the way! Devote one hour every day to writing and be disciplined in keeping to that schedule. How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have? My computer contains one completed book that I need to revisit and make more interesting before I pitch it, plus three novels I started but can’t decide where I want to go with them. Do you have a particular object like a piece of jewelry or a keepsake of some sort? Can you tell us what makes it special to you? When my older sister got her first good-paying job, she gave my mother a beautiful diamond ring for Christmas. Both my mother and sister have passed away and the ring has been handed down to me. The ring is almost always on my finger, and each time I look at it I’m flooded with wonderful family memories. I’m sorry for your losses but happy you have a wonderful memento. Would you rather have unlimited international first-class tickets or never have to pay for food at restaurants? The first-class plane tickets, for sure! I love to travel and there are so many places I’d like to visit. Did you ever win something? What? I did! While visiting a resort in Las Vegas a few years ago, my husband and our friends and I decided to finish our breakfast coffees in the Keno lounge. I paid $10 to play five games of Keno and won $5,000 by matching all 6 of the numbers I chose on the very first game!! The casino manager took a photo of me holding one of those oversized Publisher’s Clearing House-style checks. It was my 15 minutes of fame! Who is the most interesting person you’ve met and talked with? Wow – this one’s hard to answer. I’ve met a lot of interesting people, but two stand out in my mind. My husband and I have stayed at bed and breakfasts with a group of our friends several times, and the owners of two separate B&Bs have been really fascinating individuals. One is a retired gentleman who regaled us with so many interesting stories about the history of the inn and his career as the dean at a few universities around the country. The other is a woman, also retired, who is one of the greatest story-tellers I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I could listen to her talk for hours, and I take every opportunity to stay overnight at her B&B. I love listening to others with stories. I fear the art of listening is sorely overlooked. What was your first job? Working in my college’s cafeteria. I got to select 3 flavors of ice cream every night and then scoop the dessert out as the students passed through the food line. Yum!! Rosemary, it was such a pleasure getting to know you. Thank you for sharing my fire. Before you head out into that lovely town, will you please leave us some information about you books and where we can find it and you?  Gullible – A Novel of Suspense, Intrigue, and Romance
by Rosemary Kubli Released June 14, 2023 by The Wild Rose Press Siena Ricci is shrewd, seductive, and an expert in the art of deception. Masking her identity behind the guise of Marie Lacroix, a specialist in antiques and objets d'art, she swindles her employer's wealthy clients out of their valuable possessions. She hasn't yet met the man she can't manipulate, but then the con she's playing on Jonathan Woodward has only just begun. Jonathan proves to be an easy mark, but he's also enticingly irresistible. As their relationship heats up, her plot to steal his multi-million-dollar antique trinkets begins to unravel. Noticing a subtle change in Jonathan's demeanor, Marie questions whether she's still in control of the con or if she's blindly become the gullible victim of her own scheme. Link to Amazon: www.amazon.com/Gullible-Rosemary-Kubli/dp/150924851X Link to Barnes and Noble: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gullible-rosemary-kubli/1143179526 A further peek between the covers. Marie stared at Jonathan Woodward’s number on her cell phone, hesitant to make the call. She and Jonathan hadn’t spoken with each other in nearly a year, and she worried their rapport, which she’d worked so hard to nurture, might not have withstood the test of time. She berated herself for not considering this possibility before agreeing to Gus’s Somerset Necklace scheme. Well, there’s only one way to find out if Jonathan is still under my spell. She took a deep breath, touched the screen, and listened as the call rang once…twice… “Marie! What a welcome surprise!” Jonathan sounded happy to hear from her, an encouraging sign. “Hello, Jonathan,” she said in her sultry voice, the one that usually hooked her unwitting target within seconds. “Am I catching you at a bad time?” “No, not at all,” he replied, his tone soft and intimate. She’d successfully set the mood. “We haven’t been in touch for a while. How are you?” “I’m well, thank you. I wanted to call you before now, but I hated to intrude on your privacy.” “I appreciate your consideration. My family has had a rough year, but I think we’re finally on the mend.” Marie understood loss. The sadness in Jonathan’s voice elicited memories and emotions she preferred to keep buried. When she responded, her empathy was sincere. “It takes a while to recover from such a tragedy.” “Yes, longer than we imagine, unfortunately.” Jonathan sighed heavily. “So, what prompted this call? Is something interesting going on the auction block?” Marie giggled coyly. “Oh, I’m sure I can always find some little trinket for you to add to your collection. But this isn’t a work-related call. I just made plans to spend this weekend in Boston. You live near there, don’t you?” “Yes, in Burgess, just west of the city. Why are you traveling up this way?” To keep things casual, so she didn’t appear to be aggressively pursuing him, Marie fed Jonathan a tall tale about a weekend reunion. “A couple of friends from college invited me to join them for a girls’ getaway. I’ll be in Boston Friday night through Sunday afternoon.” Dead silence. Then, “That’s nice. It’s always fun to get together with old friends.” The disappointment in Jonathan’s voice came across loud and clear. He’d probably assumed Marie was traveling to Boston to meet him in person as they’d discussed the last time they spoke, then realized she was instead calling to ask for recommendations on restaurants and sightseeing venues. “Yes, I’ll be happy to see them. It’s been a long time since we were last together.” “Well, if you need my input about places to go or things to do, don’t hesitate to call.” Okay, time to get to the point. “Thank you for the offer. But Jonathan…gosh, I hope I’m not being too forward.” She paused to give the impression she was worried he’d reject her suggestion. “I was hoping we could get together while I’m in town.” Again, silence. Uh-oh. Had she misread the playful insinuations he’d made during their previous phone conversations? Or perhaps, in the months since they’d last spoken, he’d become involved with someone and was no longer interested in pursuing a relationship with her. At last, he said, “I’ll need to rearrange my schedule. How’s Saturday, mid-afternoon?” Relieved, she breathed easily again. “Saturday afternoon works for me, but I don’t want to interfere with your commitments. Perhaps I could make a trip to Boston another time.” “No, no,” he said hastily. “We’ve waited long enough to meet as it is. Text me the name and address of your hotel. I’ll find a café close by where we can spend the afternoon getting better acquainted.” “That sounds wonderful. I can’t wait to meet you.” “Same here. I’m afraid I need to go for now, but I’ll call you Saturday morning to finalize the details. Take care, Marie.” Marie grinned with satisfaction as she strolled over to her closet to select her wardrobe for the upcoming weekend. Her plan was moving along perfectly. As a matter of fact, Jonathan was playing right into her hands. More about the author. Rosemary Kubli writes the type of books she loves to read - intrigue and suspense mixed with a pinch of romance and a clever plot twist or two. Her professional experiences run the gamut from Human Resources and training to accounting and banking, with publishing being her most recent endeavor. Aside from the seven years she lived in southern California, she has always called the northeast corner of Ohio her home. Rosemary and her husband of 45 years enjoy traveling - on land to visit family and friends and on sea to any destination a cruise ship will take them. When not working on her next novel, she can be found discussing the latest in literary fare with her book club, playing a rousing game of Bunco with some of her oldest and dearest friends, researching her ancestry, volunteering in her community, burying her nose in a book, or obsessing over the latest binge-worthy TV series. Social Links: Linktree for all links https://linktr.ee/rosemarykubli Website www.rosemarykubli.com Facebook Rosemary Kubli - Author | Facebook Instagram www.instagram.com/koobswrites/ Twitter twitter.com/KubliRosemary  Back in Time with Jelly Beans Part of: Jelly Beans and Spring Things (20 books) Michelle Godard-Richer Can she save him and his factory from burning down? June 12, 2023 Romance/Time-Travel Romance/Small Town Romance/Historical Romance Fueled by curiosity, and her dream of becoming a big-time journalist, Bella Thomas digs deep into the history of her small town. Mayflower thrived until the local Jelly Bean factory burned to the ground in 1927, killing handsome founder, Henry Hinchcliffe, and devastating the economy. In a twist of fate, instead of Bella finding the past, she's snatched out of the present and transported to the factory a year before the fire. There she is rescued by the sweet and swoon- worthy Henry. Bella can’t stop herself from falling for him even though he’s destined to marry another and suffer a tragic fate. Without any regard for her own happiness, Bella is determined to prevent the fire and save Henry. Even if he can never be hers. Grab your copy today books2read.com/BackinTime Read More. She covered her nose with her sleeve to block out the pungent odors of stale urine and rotten food. You would have to be desperate for warmth to sleep in such a filthy place. She angled her phone at the ground to avoid stepping in gum and trash as she walked towards the back of the factory. A few random pieces of metal were scattered across the floor. If only she could find something more meaningful to photograph for the article. An old poster advertisement would do the trick. Bella continued walking deeper into the dark storage area. She shone her flashlight into the corner. The edge of a small box stuck out from beneath an old newspaper. Leery of touching anything with her bare hand, Bella kicked the newspaper aside, then gasped. Somehow, a box of jelly beans had survived almost a century. The corners were stained brown, but the logo of the Mayflower ship was intact. Perfect! Bella kneeled. As the tips of her fingers brushed the old box, wind slammed against her in deafening gusts, lifting the dust and dirt off the floor. Debris swirled around in a vortex, blocking her view of the factory. What in the holy heck? Bits of dirt flew into her eyes and up her nose. She crouched into a ball covering her face with her arms. This is what I get for being nosey and breaking into the factory. Heat level: none  Bio: Michelle Godard-Richer is an award-winning thriller and romance author living in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada. With her degree in Criminology, she writes edge-of-your-seat, suspenseful stories with strong protagonists and diabolical villains.  Hi, Everyone! Summer is officially here. ☀️May passed by in a blur. Were you all busy too? Birthdays, graduations, Mother's Day. We did a spur-of-the-minute camp near Bernville, Pa, to meet up with friends we made in Florida. Hali got to see her winter fling, Bruiser. She was also fascinated by a man walking his duck on a leash at the Plum Creek Market and Creamery. We enjoyed delicious burgers and splurged on ice cream. I had strawberry cheesecake. Hali got a vanilla pup cup she shared with Bruiser and his brother Dom. Fun was had by all.  May 30th was my birthday. Many years ago, my nursing supervisor would make me one of my favorite cakes for my special day. Pineapple Upside down. I don't think I've had it since I left work at the prison. This year I decided to make my own as cupcakes. They didn't de-pan as well as I'd hoped, an a couple were a little wonky, but, Yay Me! I'm taking them to a BBQ. And since May was also my 29th anniversary, I did an anniversary drawing instead of a birthday. Congratulations to Susan, who was also a May bride. That was so much fun, and June is a traditional wedding month, so let's do it again. Who's a June bride? Send me a note to And let me know, and I'll choose a random name for a prize.  On Facebook recently, we discussed re-reading books. Many of us did. However, there was a goodly amount who wondered why. I’ll tell you why I do. In my library, or over 1,000 books on my Kindle, I often need to relax, unwind, and take my mind off of things. Some books are like putting on a pair of comfy pjs and slippers. You get to revisit old friends and hang out with the familiar. Often in books, the characters are like my friends. Jan Karon has a series called The Mitford Series. These are hardcovers on my shelf. The books are about a small town where the individuals are loveable, frustrating, silly, and heartbreaking, just like people I know. Since reading the first book in the 1990s, I’ve returned to Mitford and hang out with Father Tim, Cynthia, Dooley, and Barnabas (the dog). There are so many others you’d love to hang out with. What about you? Do you have a book or series that are reruns? Why or why not? I’d love to hear about it. Oh, I almost forgot. If you live in the NJ, NY, or PA area, I'll be signing books, sitting on a discussion panel, and generally being me at the ⤵️ Passaic County Book Festival 2023 JUN 10 Sat, 11 AM – 4 PM Weasel Brook Park, 1 Westervelt Pl Clifton, NJ There will be many authors from all genres there to meet and greet you. I hope to see you. https://www.newjerseystage.com/articles/viewevent.php?ID=3075  Thanks again for being part of my world. I'm glad to be part of yours. Until next month and for all my June Brides and Grooms. If a June night could talk, it would probably boast it invented romance. ~Bern Williams, as quoted in Reader's Digest, 1995  |
Your Host D.V. StoneAward winning multi-genre author and blogger. Fantasy, romance, mid-grade. Nothing better than a campfire, book, and glass of wine. Okay maybe there is.📚 Follow Me!
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