Take A Peek With Author Julie Howard. It's A Book Birthday!

​Thank you, D.V., for having me on your blog today! 
I’m excited this is Wild Crime’s one-year anniversary. The release of this mystery/domestic suspense wrapped up a three-book series that follows the story of Meredith Lowe, an abused wife and mother, who fantasizes about killing her husband. When he is found murdered, she becomes the likely suspect. In this third book, Meredith discovers a shocking letter from her late mother, one that reads: I’m a murderer. She must discover the truth behind those words.
There is much more to this series, however: Quirky characters in a small town, a search for the truth about her past, and yes, a fair bit of romance.

Who: I was a journalist for years and have always loved writing stories. People are fascinating, aren’t they? When I left my career, I eagerly turned to fiction writing. The idea for the Wild Crime series began with my earlier move from California to Idaho; the idea had been brewing in my mind for a long time. Talk about feeling like a fish out of water. Idaho is a mostly rural state, with vast and rugged wilderness areas. At first, I was a bit overwhelmed. Pretty quickly, though, I was bowled over by the stunning beauty of the mountains and lakes, and the kindness of people here. Now, it’s been my home for twenty years and I can’t imagine living anywhere else.

Interests: Like many writers, I’m an introvert and love to read. As a child, I spent soooo many hours in the library. But I also was a bit of a tomboy. I loved to ride horses and play softball. My softball days are behind me, but I still love the outdoors. This past year I bought a kayak and spent wonderful days paddling some of Idaho’s beautiful lakes. I enjoy traveling the world and look forward to a time when those travels can begin once more. My favorite interest is my family – two kids and two grandkids. I am so lucky!

Network: One of the best things I’ve done is create and join writer groups. I surround myself with others who feel the same way I do about writing. While we don’t meet in person at the moment, we do still meet online. I find a great deal of support and inspiration, as well as advice, from fellow authors – and I enjoy helping them too.

Desk: These days, I’ve set up shop in my formal dining room. I have an upstairs office, but with so much quarantining, I need to have some bustle around me. From my dining table, I have a view of the front sidewalk and can watch neighbors out on walks or with their dogs. I also can see the delivery trucks arrive – online shopping in my household certainly increased this year.

Outrageous: I’m not afraid of failing at things. I’m willing to try most activities at least once, from rock climbing to ziplining to windsurfing. Many people tell me they’ve always wanted to write a book but weren’t sure they could. How would they know if they hadn’t tried? I certainly didn’t know if I could do it, but worked hard at the process. The worst thing that could happen was my ego getting bruised, but after a career as a journalist, I’ve developed a thick skin.

Window: Out my window is my raised planter garden where I love growing vegetables and flowers. Spring through autumn, I have more than a dozen types of veggies under cultivation, from cucumbers to tomatoes to eggplant. This time of year the beds lay under a layer of snow. We all deserve a rest, don’t we? My garden works very hard the rest of the year.

---

Wild Crime by Julie Howard
"I'm a murderer. I'm a murderer. I'm a murderer." 
Those three repeated words discovered in an old letter propel Meredith Lowe in a cross-country pursuit to unveil her mother's murky past. Danger stalks Meredith back to Hay City, Idaho as she peels apart the mystery: who is her father, and did her mother kill him? In finding the answer, will a growing love slip through her fingers?

Past merges with the present as the story races to its stunning conclusion.

Excerpt from Wild Crime:

Her hair fell below her waist, ripped free of its ties and weighed down by the warm, lashing rain. The sky-blue dress, so carefully chosen for this night and tried on so many times in her bedroom, was ruined. One strap had torn from her shoulder and dangled down her back. Mud splattered the hem. Sweet Cantaloupe lipstick, a lovely coral that heightened the green in her eyes, was smeared like a bruise on one cheek. She ran.
The high school gym behind her, decorated in crepe paper and curtains, vibrated with electric guitars and teen-aged hormones. Couples gyrated on the dance floor and then disappeared into dark corners. It was late and the Spring Dance was in full throttle. No one would miss her for hours.
Before her, trees dripped moss, barely visible in the darkness. She envisioned the moss brushing her shoulders, low branches snagging in her hair, the possibility of snakes both at her feet and above; this made her hesitate. It would take one scream, one gasp, and he would find her.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2W8j0Pt
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/wild-crime/id1482591716
Barnes andNoble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wild-crime-julie-howard/1134112545?ean=9781509228638
Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Julie_Howard_Wild_Crime?id=xjzADwAAQBAJ
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/wild-crime


About the author:
Julie Howard is the author of the Wild Crime series, and Spirited Quest. She is a former journalist and editor who has covered topics ranging from crime to cowboy poetry. She is a member of the Idaho Writers Guild, editor of the Potato Soup Journal, and founder of the Boise chapter of Shut Up & Write. Learn more at juliemhoward.com.
Website: http://juliemhoward.com

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/juliemhowardauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18116047.Julie_Howard 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Julie-Howard/e/B07D6CS4NQ/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/julie-howard?list=author_books

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_JulieMHoward

---