Victoria LK Williams presents Murder for Neptune's Trident and Mist Across the Waves

Welcome author Victoria LK Williams!

I write what I like to call Cozy Mysteries with a Tropical Twist. My series are set in small South Florida towns, with fun characters and a dog/cat or two.  Two of my series are cozy paranormal mysteries.

You can find me writing from our South Florida home, looking into the garden, watching the birds and squirrels fight over their next meal while I write. My two cats, Miss Marple, and Fletch, often join me at the desk and each has their assigned spot. I'm not sure they are there to supervise my writing or watch the birds.

Victoria and my husband of 37 years share a love of gardening, and together we have written a gardening handbook for Florida gardeners. We are now empty-nesters, which gives me plenty of time to dream up the next story.

Until then, you can read any of my current titles in the Citrus Beach Mystery series, Sister Station series, Storm Voices series, Mrs. Avery's Adventures series. And the new Beach House Mysteries!

Tell us about your life outside of writing.

Outside of writing, I spent my days in the garden. No, really, I do. I own and run a landscape gardening business where I design, install, and maintain small gardens, container gardens, and refurbish tired landscapes. I then come home to my hubby and two cats. We are generally homebodies, and spend time in the pool, reading and of course writing. I have a grown son who recently got married, so we are true empty-nesters.

Do you have a work in progress?

Yes, I am currently working on book 4 (of 6) in my Beach House Mystery series. I am so in love with this series. It's about murder, mermaid legends, and some great characters. The series is paranormal cozy and quite different from my other series.

What was the most difficult section/piece you ever wrote? What made it difficult?

In book 1 of the Beach House Mystery series, Mist at the Beach House, I killed off one of my more important characters. This was the first time I've ever killed a character that wasn't a victim or villain. I'm not ashamed to admit I cried as I wrote the scene.

 What sort of research do you do for your work?

I research titles, to be sure mine is unique, then I try to find at least one thing that is unusual that will blend in with the story. It could be a piece of history, a weapon, or a legend. I use Pinterest to capture a lot of what I'm looking into using in the story.

Which books and authors do you read for pleasure?

Hands down, my favorite author is Nora Roberts, followed closely by Agatha Christie. From there, I read authors I know to support them, and after that, it's whatever catches my attention.

Was there a person who encouraged you to write?

 Not one person, but a group of 20! I was in a business group, and we were all talking about what we would love to do if there was nothing to hold us back. I didn't even think the words pop out, surprising even me. "I want to write a book and have one stranger read it." That group of friends asked me constantly (nagged!) how the writing was going. Finally, I sat down and started writing Murder for Neptune's Trident (Citrus Beach Mystery series). That was six years and 18 books ago. I am very thankful for their encouragement and support.

              Murder For Neptune's Trident

My First Book (free): https://books2read.com/CitrusBeachMystery-1

Who killed JJ Travels? What does it have to do with Neptune's Trident?

A simple errand for a client leads Megan Cassidy into more trouble than she could have ever thought possible.
Before she knows what has happened, she’s a witness to a murder and a target for bullets and speeding trucks.
Who knew there could be so much going on in this little southern town, where your neighbors watched your back and "Mom & Pop" businesses populated Main Street?
When FBI Consultant, Aiden Tory, arrives to solve the murder, Megan pushes her way into the investigation. Together, they discover JJ hid secrets about their tropical paradise. Secrets that got him killed.
With her dog, Barney, helping to sniff out clues, they follow the leads, discovering the past can come back to haunt you.

Mist Across the Waves

My latest book (preorder): https://books2read.com/BeachHouseMystery-2

Morgan knew she didn't want to go out to sea...now she knew why.

The simple act of a surprise birthday party brings trouble from the depths off Pearl Island, and Morgan is forced to solve a murder and confront the threat to the island. It's her destiny to protect Pearl Island, and it's residence, just as it's Cora's destiny to try and destroy Morgan.

The sea witch is full of trickery and malice as she tries to lure a group of ocean salvage divers with the promise of gifts from the sea. But Morgan, with the help of her friends Gabe Holleran and the Colbright sisters, plans her own sleight-of-hand.

Who will win this battle? As Morgan tries to find the murderer, she also finds more about the history of Pearl Island and the roles the Seaver Family has played in the battles against the tricks and deceptions of the sea witch.

Website:  https://www.VictoriaLKWilliams.com

Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/Victoria-LK-Williams/e/B00FCVOINM

Books2Read: https://books2read.com/ap/xL5O9R/Victoria-LK-Williams

BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/victoria-lk-williams

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/vlkwcbm/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7314336.Victoria_L_K_Williams

Facebook Author Page:  https://www.facebook.com/SunSandandStoriesPublishing/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/CitrusBeachMyst

Google Play:  https://play.google.com/store/books/author?id=Victoria+LK+Williams

 Blog: Pen in hand, words on page:  https://wordpress.com/view/victorialkwilliams.blog

Linked In:  www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-lk-williams-426a399

Rhobin Lee Courtright tells us about Constantine's Legacy and Angels Tread

Welcome to writer, blogger, and Round Robin Blog Fest creator and organizer, 

Rhobin Lee Courtright!

I'm a born Michigander, I've lived in Missouri and Colorado, but I'm back in Michigan. I love this state and love being closer to my siblings. I started teaching art and didn't even start writing until I was in my thirties. Now I see writing as painting with words and love it and teach it, too.

1. What would you say are your strengths as an author?

My best strength is I am persistent, but I also have a vivid imagination, which is probably why I write science fiction and fantasy. I have recently done a historical, Constantine's Legacy, about the Carolingian Age. One thing I've learned is people remain the same, no matter what the age. Most people think it is the start of the Dark Ages, but it is far more than that. I'm also wanting to try a long-distance 40's romance.

2. How often do you write, and do you write using a strict routine?
I try to write something everyday, even if not part of a novel, but I'm easily distracted. I like creative non-fiction, too. However, family has to come first, and I am still working as an adjunct professor of writing. I just finished Angels Tread in January, so I'm also in a 'what to do next' mode.

3. Five years from now, where do you see yourself as a writer?
Hopefully still alive and expanding my writing and able to work on all my other hobbies.

4. If you could offer once piece of advice to a novice writer, what would it be?Write fiction because you love to write it. As you write work on ways to improve it. Don't be disappointed because publishers don't swoop your writing up immediately, and certainly don't give up because of a bad review or people saying they aren't interested in your type of writing.

5. What would you consider to be the best compliment a reader could give your book?That my story enthralled them and they want to read another one.

6. What are you working on now?I'm working on the 40's romance mentioned above. I have a contemporary romance in the works (I may never get it finished), and I have ideas for another sci-fi and for another fantasy series.

I have two blogs:

Rhobin Courtright at  https://www.rhobincourtright.com/p/scifi-books.html

Rhobin's Garden at https://rhobins-garden.com/

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

Constantine's Legacy (released in August 2019) 

 Leonard must learn to be the Frankish warrior his father Radulf, the Dux Provinciae, demands. His difficult training is nothing compared to the dangerous deceptions he discovers.

Angels Tread is the 4th and last volume of the Black Angel Series. The heroine has multiple personalities. Jezlynn Chambers had been in the Alliance's elite Space Service Corps. Her service ended in disaster and she became a space pirate. Everything changed. Now she has found her love, a Space Service Corps captain, and the Alliance President has ordered her to serve as an ambassador for the Alliance with their recent enemy, the Khajari. More change and problems are inevitable.

Buy Constantine's Legacy 

Angels Tread - to be released in July 2020

Victoria Chatham is back with His Unexpected Muse

Welcome back to the lovely and talented Victoria Chatham!

Victoria Chatham’s tag line History, Mystery, and Love says it all. She is a history buff, especially of the Regency era, adds a little mystery into her novels and seals them with a loving happy ever after ending. She is active in her local writing community but when not writing enjoys the great outdoors, especially if it includes playing around with horses. She lives near Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

What would you say are your strengths as an author?

Firstly, I mostly write historical romance, especially Regency romance so in the first place I write what mostly appeals to me. It is where I am happiest and think that automatically lends itself to stronger writing. Next, I would have to say characterization. All my heroines tend to be strong women in their way, or ways in which they can be, given the strictures of Regency society. I like to balance their characters with that of the men in their lives. Setting is also something I find fairly easy to write about, as is dialogue. My weakest component of writing is narrative, which is where I have to work the hardest to link my scenes together.

How often do you write, and do you write using a strict routine?

I try to write something every day. If I am actively writing a book, then I write every day, Monday to Friday and sometimes on the weekend depending on what I’m doing socially. At the moment, with most people in lockdown, I thank goodness I have something with which to fill my time and occupy my mind. I wouldn’t say I have a strict routine, maybe more an organized one. I like a clear desk, apart from a notebook and pen, and I do like to have complete quiet when I write.

Five years from now, where do you see yourself as a writer?

In five years, I will be, unbelievably, 81 years old! I find it hard to comprehend the age I am now, but I would still expect to be writing something. To me, there is a huge differential between the number of years a person has under their belt and how they deal with that. Some people let themselves get old while others don’t give it a thought. I think I fall in the latter group. As long as I have stories to tell, I’ll just keep writing them.

If you could offer once piece of advice to a novice writer, what would it be?

I taught Introductory Creative Writing for several years and thoroughly enjoyed the experience of encouraging novice writers. My one piece of advice to every one of them was to keep writing, whether for their own satisfaction or ultimately publication.

What would you consider to be the best compliment a reader could give your book?

That they enjoyed it. I have a fan letter which I received after the release of my first Regency romance, His Dark Enchantress, which I framed. In part – you took me into a pub where I could see the beer stains on the tables and smell the tobacco smoke in the rafters.

What are you working on now?

I have started a new series entitled Those Regency Belles. I’m moving away from lords and ladies and telling stories of slightly classy young ladies. The first is called Hester Dymock and will be released in September 2020. There may be a lord or two involved throughout the series, but I felt that for my heroines being untitled gave them a bit more scope as to what they may be able to do or get away with doing.

His Unexpected Muse: Berkeley Square series Book 3

When Lady Olivia Darnley is seemingly abandoned by her mother, she accepts the assistance of a stranger, Lady Skeffington, who offers her a position as a companion, much to her son’s dismay.

Lord Peter Skeffington is not at all pleased that his mother has chosen to not only take Lady Olivia under her wing, but her dog, too. Despite his reservations, he finds in Olivia a shared interest in books and begins to look for her daily until he faces the uncomfortable realization that he is in love with her.

Still hurt by her mother’s disappearance and desperate to find her, Olivia relies more and more on Peter’s support but a shocking betrayal by the man she has come to trust and love, shatters her new-found happiness. Will Peter manage to overcome the rift that he has unwittingly caused between them? Will Olivia accept not only his apology but also his proposal of marriage? Is there a future for this apparently mismatched pair?

BUY LINK: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07V9SSQXW?tag=

At Books We Love: http://www.bookswelove.com/authors/chatham-victoria-romance-historical/

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorvictoriachatham/

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/vchathamauthor

Round Robin Blog Fest May 2020

We have a new logo!! Thanks to Connie Vines for her hard work.

Wow, it's been a long couple of months BUT at least I had more time to be part of this blog tour than if I'd been busy at my work office full time instead of working from home! One great thing about all the changes and upheavals we've all faced, it that the arts and entertainment sector is getting a real boost as far as keeping us all occupied. I've even been able to publish a new book in the midst of things. Release date is June 1st for Drop Dead Cowboy!

Today's question to the authors is:  All books go through multiple edits. What have you learned are your problems, and what irks you about editing?

I've learned I am passive, repetitive, and wordy. LOL!

Okay, that was the short answer. In truth, like all writers I've come a long way from using mistakes like having hands reaching for objects instead of the character reaching for things. My characters don't roll their eyes in every third paragraph anymore. I've also cut back on my usage of "that" and about a zillion "-ly" words. Yup, those were bad habits. So was my severe overuse of exclamation marks!!!

That's not to say I never use any of those things. When I'm writing in the heat of the moment, all bets are off. Then I put the book aside for a while and when I dig into edits....



Lots of red ink!!

Sometimes those chicken scratches help to clean up the manuscript and tighten up the story.

Sometimes I write copious new sentences only to cross them all out later.

Always editing!





One of the things that helped to shape my writing style, is reading Robert B. Parker. He uses concise language, as well as leaving most of the finicky details to the reader's imagination while weaving a great story.

Repetition is another nemesis. I tend to repeat phrases or words several times on the same page. Sometimes even in the same paragraph. While writing the draft, I tend to write first and think about the grammar later, trying not to edit as I go. Word program usually catches spelling typos, but not always, especially if they're real words or the right word but wrong spelling.

Making sure names and titles are consistent through the entire manuscript is another thing that can cause issues. I've been editing my novel and discovered at one point Jack was called Jake. Hm, forgot to change that a couple times. That's when the Replace features come in handy. I did kick myself though considering this was a second edit. Oh well!

One of the best memories of when I first started writing was of my editor at the time who used to nag me about my use of exclamation marks. Where a single exclamation mark used sparingly in a novel has much more impact and looks far more professional, my first novel was riddled with them. To the point my editor would send me emails that looked like this:

Please!! Stop using so many exclamation marks!!!!! I am sending this back!! Fix it!! I don't want to see another exclamation mark in this or any other copy!!!

I got the hint. I can't even write an email without hearing her voice in the back of my head.

I can't wait to see what editing issues our other authors have dealt with!

And now off to see what my fellow bloggers have to say about humor in their writing...

Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blog
Anne Stenhouse  http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/
Anne Stenhouse  http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/
Margaret Fieland http://margaretfieland.wordpress.com
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1UN
Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com

Rick Collins shares his novels A Run of a River and The Providence of Basketball

Welcome to author Rick Collins!

Rick Collins is a retired English teacher from Simsbury Connecticut.  He has coached track and field, football, and basketball in Connecticut for the last 36 years.  He was named the Connecticut Track and Coach of the Year, New England/New York Region I Coach of the Year, and Finalist for the National Coach of the year in 2010.  His extensive background in the classroom and on the athletic field has given him insights to the joys and challenges of being a student athlete.  He lives in Simsbury with his wife, Betsy, and is the loving father of his daughter, Hannah, and his son, Sam.  He is also owned by two cats, Fitzgerald and Autumn.

 My life outside of writing has been, up to recently, all about teaching middle school and elementary aged kids as well as coaching high school sports.  Almost all of my ideas for my books have had some genesis in my teaching or coaching.  For example, a friend of mine in high school and his mother and sister fled from domestic violence.  That was a poison that had to come out and it is reflected in my first book, It Emptied Us.  I grew up in a very white town.  My second book, The Providence of Basketball is a fictional narrative a hot-shot white kid facing his own racism while spending a week in inner-city Providence.  My most recent book, A Run of a River is about how a town, in order to save its reputation, ignores the reality of having a pedophile youth sports coach living in its midst.  So as you can see, my life as a writer isn’t truly divorced from my experiences as a teacher, coach, and my own personal experiences as an athlete.

I’m working on a story called “Lovely Rita’s Misplaced Heart”.  It’s about a young girl sold into domestic slavery here in the U.S.  She falls in love with a young man who has lived well past his “expiration date” because of a heart defect.  When the school she is attending during the day (when she isn’t slaving for the family who has purchased her) finds out she is a slave, the family sells her down the line.  Her boyfriend, racing his own mortality, tries to find her before she is swallowed into sex slavery. 

The most difficult thing I’ve written is really the entire book, A Run of a River. I was targeted by a pedophile coach when I was very young, so getting into the mind of the pedophile and trying to present him as a monster grooming his prey was very painful. I was lucking in that he never was able to physically assault me, but some of my friends were not so lucky. I definitely bled writing that book.

My first three books come from personal experiences, so I didn’t do that much research.  My next book, Lovely Rita’s Misplaced Heart, is requiring some significant research focusing on domestic and sex slavery.  Rita, one of the main characters, comes from Ghana so I have had to do extensive research on the African domestic slave trade into the U.S. as well as the political and social makeup of the country.

In terms of my influences as a writer, well it all started with J.R.R. Tolkien who was the first author I dug into.  Up to that point, I think my freshman year in high school, I was pretty much a jock.  Tolkien opened my mind to new worlds and fantastic characters.  Robert B. Parker’s Spenser novels helped me internalize some of the darker sides to the human character, and I love how John Grisham and Jennifer Weiner tell their stories.

I had a teacher, Christine Parker, who taught creative writing in high school.  She once played “Songbird” by Fleetwood Mac in class and asked us to write an emotional story inspired by the song.  I wrote about a young wife waiting for her ship’s captain husband to return from the sea. She paces a widow’s walk all the way until she was an old woman, desperately hoping for his return.  Of course, he never does.  She left quite a mark on me.

A Run of a River

Chief Louise Consola, the chief of police for the idyllic town of Beaumont, Massachusetts, must unravel the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of one of her best friends. As she unearths clues, it becomes clear that her friend’s death is part of a terrible secret that has been kept hidden for decades. Can Louise put an end to the evil that ravages her town and still protect those who have carried the secret? And can a town ever be washed clean from its terrible sin?

Purchase link for A Run of a River  https://www.amazon.com/s?k=rick+collins+a+run+of+a+river&crid=39UAU6459C065&sprefix=rick+collins%2Caps%2C144&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_4_12

The Providence of Basketball

Tim decides to spend a week with his grandparents in the inner city of Providence, Rhode Island. His friends suggest this might not be a good decision, but he goes anyway with the idea he can spend his time playing basketball at the court in the Cranston Street Projects. He is befriended by Marcus, the best basketball player in the projects. But Marcus and his sister are in danger from Pele, the drug dealer on Cranston Street. Tim is thrust into danger when a rival drug dealer, Raja, tries to take Pele's turf. He survives a drive by murder, but it is clear that Raja cannot leave witnesses. In the course of hiding out, Tim comes to realize that his preconceptions about being black in the ghettos of the inner city are completely off-base. He begins to understand that he has his own racist ideas. Can Tim survive being hunted and change the way he thinks about black people?

Purchase Link The Providence of Basketball

https://www.amazon.com/Providence-Basketball-Rick-Collins-ebook/dp/B07WXTD4B7/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2KQJMFZN4LZ64&dchild=1&keywords=the+providence+of+basketball+rick+collins&qid=1587847964&sprefix=rick+collins+the+pro%2Caps%2C148&sr=8-1

The Rick Collins Page on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/RickyCollins25/?modal=admin_todo_tour

Rick Collins on Blogger:

https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blogger.g?blogID=6282341472602467828#allposts

Rick Collins on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/home

Gilda Wright Mysteries and Sandstone Cove

Welcome to Sandstone Cove!

Hey all! It's me again!

While I've been busy promoting other authors, working from home and keeping busy during self-isolation with editing and the like, I decided this week I would do something a little different.

I did this interview years ago with another publisher and decided to update and share it here.

Since the original interview, my Gilda Wright Mysteries have been republished by BWL Publishing and have had a facelift! First a little background...

The History

The original first book (now Dead Without Honor) was first titled Death of a Jaded Samurai. I loved the title and the cover BUT it didn't have an impact on the target market of my then publisher. SO.... we renamed and changed the covers.

They were cute and very...pink... but still didn't catch on with their target market.

In fact, my publisher decided perhaps I should pull them from the shelves and start over. 

Somewhere else. 

I was upset for about ten minutes before I reached out to the publisher of my Wild Blue Mystery series who was happy to take them.

The stories got a re-edit and new covers then were released once more in 2018.

I'm much happier with both the covers and the stories AND have been able to reach out to more martial arts minded people. 

The Questions

Where is the real Sandstone Cove located?

    My fictional town of Sandstone Cove is based very loosely on a larger town along the shores of Lake Erie called Dunkirk, New York. The shoreline and layout of the town was exactly what I needed for my little town (although I certainly modified the basic map to become Sandstone Cove!)   

 
 I was also inspired by a photo I cut from a magazine years ago of a log on the beach that has become Gilda's "thinking place" and her usual meeting place with Fabio, her police officer friend.





Is there a real Café Beanz?

    Yes, there is, but with a different spelling. They use Beans. I found it purely by accident in Barrie, Ontario. I haven't been inside yet, but it's on my bucket list!

    My version of Café Beanz is a little deli-style cafe that serves sandwiches and soups for lunch and several kinds of coffees and teas. It's based on the old 50's style diners, but modernized in colors and textures. Along with Happy Harvey's, Beanz is one of the hubs of Sandstone Cove.

What kinds of coffees do your main characters drink?

     Gilda's favorite all time drink is a latte with cinnamon and chocolate curls (and wine in the evenings when the mystery solving gets her down!)

     Mick loves a "double-double" as we call them in Canada, coffee with two milk and two sugar.

     Marion takes her coffee hot, strong and with a little milk.

     Razi and Kane are both tea drinkers. Green preferably.

     Thayer and Fabio, the police officers Gilda has often had to deal with, love their coffee. Thayer takes his black. Fabio prefers to mix it up a little bouncing between coffee to lattes.

How did Happy Harvey's Hangover Hut come about?

     Happy Harvey's Hangover Hut wasn't the place to go if you had a hangover, more like if you were in desperate search of the means of one. A glorified, tiki-infested liquor and convenience store, Happy Harvey's was owned by Happy—no one had ever called him Harvey—a seventy-year-old man who'd become disillusioned with retirement. He was also one of Gilda's good friends.

     Sometimes ideas will just pop into my head and I have no idea where they came from. Happy Harvey's was one of them. I combined my love of the tropics with a local convenience store run by an older man who wasn't afraid to be a little different. Happy is one of Gilda's main supporters and cheerleaders who lets her know what's on his mind and will happily give her both advice and a bottle of wine from time to time.

How did you become interested and learn about karate and other martial arts?

   Writing a martial arts-based series was in the making, ever since my ex-husband and kids started karate and Brazilian jiu jitsu classes. All four of them became Black Belts and I was actually a Karate Mom for about 6 years before I started working at the martial arts school and began my own training. Due to life getting in the way, I stopped training at blue belt in Goju-Ryu karate, but the Gilda series lives on. One part of training I enjoy, was helping our instructors at self-defence courses we did at local schools. At one high school, we were in lock down after a teenager from another school came in and stabbed a student. It was very sad to see the kids so calm because this happens at least once per semester. Most students were very grateful for us coming in to give them an option to deal with the bullies. One day, that incident may become a whole new Gilda mystery.

    Aside from training and self-defence courses, I helped to run the school and rewrote the school's karate manual and Black Belt grading information packages.

  

Who are Gilda and Mick based on?

    While I still worked at the karate school, my kids called me Gilda. Aside from that, Gilda and I led very different lives. Gilda is a young, single woman who is protected by a well-known bookie, has a best friend who is a 9-1-1 operator, and is surrounded by strong, handsome men, and chaos.

     I am a middle-aged--gulp--divorced woman who is protected by two cats, surrounded by kids, laundry, great friends, and...of course...chaos.

     My two senseis actually argued about who was Mick, Gilda's love interest. In truth, neither of them actually were, but it made for a few giggles around the front desk when people speculate!

     As for Marion... 

     Like Gilda, I had a good friend at the school who trained and earned her second degree black belt. She's my strength and kept me going when there were days I wanted to give up. While she's no Marion, I would love for Marion to become more like her as the series goes on.

Writers are always sitting and working. How do you get any exercise?

     Mostly by keeping up to my three grown sons!

      I had to stop training due to knee and back issues. These days, I'm a walker, not a runner. Lately, bad weather and Covid have made even that difficult. I went through a bad period where I had to start life over and stress had literally crippled me. Recovery has involved walking and yoga. The best yoga classes are the ones we did outdoors near my instructor's swimming pool!

     The best part for me as a writer, is I always seem to find inspiration for my books while on walks, in classes, and so on. While my body is distracted and my mind can wander.

     My mind is in writer mode 24/7.

"Dead Without Glory" starts off with Gilda meeting Kane Garrick while he trains on the beach with a sword. Where did that idea come from?      

     At martial arts seminars, some of our students have been lucky enough to train on the beach at sunrise or sunset. I've never been one of them, but I combined that experience along with my oldest son's love of sword fighting and kendo to create Kane who is a total free-spirit.

           

Who will Gilda choose:  Kane or Mick?

     Gilda started to work for Mick after breaking up with her former boyfriend Jason Thayer in spectacular fashion - she threw him into a large bag of coffee beans after catching him with his latest fling and split his head open! Karate and learning how to defend herself in a more empowered way seemed like a logical next step.

     Just when she and Mick take the next step and start to develop a romantic relationship, along comes Mick's long time friend and colleague, Kane Garrick. Kane has eyes for Gilda, but is it because she's Mick's new girlfriend or do his flirtations run much deeper?

     Okay, readers, who would you choose and why?

How do you picture your main characters look?

  Gilda Wright is the receptionist at martial arts school. She is an avid karate student, runner and trying to master yoga. Fresh-faced and stepping out on her own after a disastrous relationship with Jason Thayer.

(Portrayed here by Rachel Bilson)

Mick Williams  5'10" tall, a very solid 190 lbs, black hair; muscular; 3rd degree black belt goju-ryu karate; black belt in jiu jitsu; 1st degree black belt tae kwon do; kickboxing; MMA trainer and coach.

Mick runs the original Yoshida Martial Arts school then owns the shiny new Phoenix Martial Arts School later on.

(Portrayed by a younger Pierce Brosnan)

Kane Garrick 6 feet tall; long, blond hair; turquoise eyes; broad chest; thick, muscular build; 3rd degree black belt goju-ryu karate; black belt jiu jitsu, trained for over 10 years in Japanese sword fighting and Japanese Jiu Jitsu; has an Australian accent although not Australian due to his childhood upbringing.

Kane is a weapons expert. Gilda first meets him while he practices with a sword on the beach near her house. 

 (Portrayed here by Chris Hemsworth) 

The Books

Book 1:  Dead Without Honor

Gilda Wright thinks she's landed a dream job managing a karate school. Sure, her boss, Sensei Mick Williams, is almost as demanding as he is sexy, but Gilda is inspired by the strength of people around her and hopes to absorb some of that into her own life. But when Gilda finds the body of one of the instructors, laying in the dojo with a sword through his chest, suddenly Gilda must find her own inner strength and fast! The police see everyone as a suspect, including her boss, and it's up to Gilda to find out what really happened. She follows the clues of the missing scroll of the Four Possessions of the Samurai down a deadly path, filled with lies, deceit, and poisoned ninja stars! If she doesn't watch her step, she just may become the killer's next sparring partner. 

Book 2:  Dead Without Glory

Gilda Wright's life seems to finally be on track. Her love life is looking up with her hot boss, Mick, and she's planning and promoting a grand opening extravaganza for his new martial arts school. But things go awry when their special guest referee for the opening's exhibition match is found dead on the beach. To make matters worse, the school's sexy new weapons instructor, Kane Garrick, stands accused of his murder. In spite of her promise to Mick and nearly everyone else in town to not get involved, Gilda—a.k.a. the Brunette Sherlock—wades into danger one more time. The only question is, can Gilda catch a killer before the killer catches up to her?                                    

Book 3: Dead Without Pride

Gilda Wright steps in to help Kane Garrick find a way to deal with the New Age shop he is stuck with and doesn't want, until a pretty psychic comes to town and refuses to leave Kane alone. As the psychic's predictions of doom and gloom begin to come true--including one about the murder of a well-known person in town--Gilda begins to wonder if the psychic's involvement in both her predictions and in Kane's life are actually a mere coincidence or if he's being set up.

Book 4: Dead Without Shame

Once more, Gilda considers leaving the karate school to work for her friend Happy (no one has ever called him Harvey). When three men rob Happy Harvey’s Hangover Hut killing the woman at the front counter, Gilda is stunned to think that could have been her. Was this a mere robbery, or does someone have a vendetta against Happy, including his good friend Gary del Garda? The evidence keeps piling up while both her mother and another karate instructor come to town bearing secrets that may cost Gilda the life she loves in Sandstone Cove.

Where to find me (Here, obviously!)

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