Sunday, August 29, 2021

Little Owl by Lauri Schoenfeld releases August 31!

 


LITTLE OWL 

By Lauri Schoenfeld

 Published by Twisted Whisperings

 This title is available through all retail booksellers 

Releasing August 31, 2021


Adaline and Cache Rushner are falling apart. Their daughters are missing, presumed dead. Their marriage is crumbling. Their attempt at starting over in a new city is failing. Adaline is sure their daughters are alive somehow, but Cache finds it too painful to hope and only wants to move on with their lives. Adaline’s certain that the current tragedy has something to do with her childhood, and the lost memories that she can’t seem to recall.  She wonders whether her marriage to Cache can be saved amidst the doubt and uncertainty taking hold of all that she knows to be true. 

LITTLE OWL is a tale of truth, redemption, and the hope that urges us onward in spite of our worst fears.

Amazon.com:   Amazon.com: Little Owl (9781735233116): Schoenfeld, Lauri: Books

Amazon.ca:  Little Owl : Schoenfeld, Lauri: Amazon.ca: Books


ABOUT LAURI:


Lauri Schoenfeld currently resides in Utah with her hubby, three kids, and dog Jack Wyatt Wolverine. She’s a child abuse advocate, a Nancy Drew enthusiast, and is part cyborg. Teaching creative writing classes to her community is one of her favorite things to do. When she’s not having long conversations with her characters and creating stories, she’s hosting the Enlightenment Show, reading, or solving a mystery.

Lauri’s a well sought-after speaker and a frequent guest with multiple writing groups, podcasts, and businesses, talking about Connecting to Your Artist, Embracing Your Fears to Succeed, and Learning to Love Yourself After Abuse.

She’s the owner of Inner Enlightenment, a business built around connecting to your inner light and child within through stillness, creativity, play, and self-expression. Lauri teaches and holds creativity workshops, retreats, and one-on-one coaching.

More information about Lauri can be found here:

Website: https://laurischoenfeld.com/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LauriSchoenfeld

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

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

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Lauri-Schoenfeld/e/B096ZFRXB9/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

To request additional review copies or an interview with Lauri Schoenfeld, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: Mickey.CreativeEdge@Gmail.com | (403) 464-6925.   

 We look forward to the coverage!



Friday, August 27, 2021

Author Jay Lang releases her newest novel Storm

 


Welcome to mystery novelist Jay Lang, a fellow BWL Publishing author!

 


Jay Lang is the author of four Lesbian thrillers published with BWL Publishing Inc., including the February 1, 2021 new release Storm - now available in pre-release at all the primary retailers and in print from Amazon. 

Jay Lang grew up on the ocean, splitting her time between Read Island and Vancouver Island before moving to Vancouver to work as a TV, film and commercial actress. Eventually she left the industry for a quieter life on a live-a-board boat, where she worked as a clothing designer for rock bands. Five years later she moved to Abbotsford to attend university. There, she fell in love with creative writing. Hush is her first published novel. She spends her days hiking and drawing inspiration for her writing from nature.

https://bwlauthors.blogspot.com/2021/01/featured-author-jay-lang.html

Do your characters come before or after your plot?

My characters generally come after I have a rough plot in my head. I usually think of a story outline long before the characters walk into my mind. 

How do you choose a villain and how do you make them human?

I think we all have a little good and a little bad in us. When creating a villain, I tap into the darker parts of my psyche. 

Do your reading choices reflect your writing choices?

I'm ashamed to say that I don't read enough. Do audiobooks count? Actually, I am heavily influenced by poetry, especially when I'm writing descriptions about nature. Too, I find that after I've listened to a novel, example: Stephen King, it puts me in the suspense zone which also helps me with motivation and flow.

 Which type of characters are your favorite to write?

This is a great question. I love to write about characters that are developing from timid, scared and vulnerable to ass-kicking powerhouses that aren't about to lie down and take crap from anyone anymore.

What are you working on now?

Right now I'm writing a book called The Immoral. It's about a girl who's a recluse and lives on her boat. The only close friend she has gets mixed up with a really bad guy that has ties in the sex industry. The two friends join together to not only sabotage the creep but to free vulnerable girls as well.

What sort of research do you do for your work?

Because I write suspense, murder mystery types of novels, I have to do A LOT of research for each story. Everything from contacting forensic specialists, police detectives and an array of other institutions and experts.

 


STORM

After taking the fall for her former lover, Paisley Stewart comes out of a stint in prison only to stay in another: her childhood home on Vancouver Island, where memories of her homophobic childhood linger. To her relief, her parents plan to vacation in Florida for part of the summer, leaving her to take care of the rental cabins. However, the relief is short-lived. She has a co-landlord: the know-it-all Ivy Logan, a family friend and childhood enemy. Little do they realize that their friction is setting off sparks, and a summer romance blooms.

However, their happiness doesn’t last. Ghosts from Paisley’s past emerge, and what was once an idyllic dream becomes a living nightmare. The girls find themselves in a desperate fight for their lives, and Paisley must decide—how far will she go to save the woman she loves?



HUSH

Jade Banks thinks she has finally found happiness. A home on a beautiful little island, and a good woman, Annie, by her side. But that all changes when her father dies and leaves her brother, Denny, in charge of the family fortune—a brother Jade knows is seeking to destroy her. After a night away, Jade returns home to find Annie hurt. A short time later, a body is found in the bay. Over a hellish few weeks, Jade is caught up in a police investigation while her insecurities and paranoia push Annie away. With the intention of restoring peace to their lives, Jade gathers clues that point to the murderer. However, she is not prepared for the shocking truth revealed by a shotgun blast that echoes over the bay.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51148146-hush

 


SHATTER

Jules Gordon has spent the past fourteen years as a recluse after her mother was brutally murdered and her father framed for the crime. Things seem to improve after she accepts a job as a private investigator for a local firm where she meets the enigmatic Katie, and a passionate romance develops. However, just as Jules’ life starts to show promise, she receives a call from a parole officer who tells her that her father is being released from prison. Apprehensive, Jules lets her father move in. Her father, now terminally ill, divulges the name of the man who framed him. In a twist of fate, while investigating her first case, Jules believes that she’s stumbled on the trail of her mother’s murderer. As Jules slowly unravels the truth, her pursuit for retribution turns deadly. A game of cat and mouse leads her deep into the underworld, and she realizes that she has been played for a fool as she stares into the eyes of the true killer.

https://www.amazon.ca/Shatter-Jay-Lang-ebook/dp/B08869T4NN

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Joan Havelange talks about her mystery novels and upcoming releases

 


Welcome back to Canadian mystery author Joan Havelange! 


Joan Havelange is a Canadian author of three cozy mysteries and lives in a beautiful little town in the prairies, surrounded by hills, valleys, and many lakes.

I’m an avid traveller. Before this pandemic broke out, I was able to travel to over 45 countries. This has helped my writing as I take my protagonists to places I have visited. I follow that old adage, write what you know. I directed little theatre for 15 years. And I find writing is a lot like directing. The difference is my characters show up on time and always know their lines. Although sometimes, they do go off in a direction that surprises me. I began writing romances, but I soon realized I was not the romantic type; murder is my line. My change of genre was the right choice, as my first whodunnit mystery, ‘Wayward Shot,’ was published in 2019.

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoanJhave

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


What would you say are your strengths as an author?

I write good dialogue. My mysteries are fast-paced and fill with humour and twists.

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

I try to write every day. In the winter, I write for three to four hours in the morning. In the summer, I golf every morning, so my writing takes place in the afternoon.

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

Still writing, I don’t expect to get rich; that’s not why I write. I have stories to tell, and I hope the readers will still be enjoying them.

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

Write a story you want to read.

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

I can’t wait for your next book. And I didn’t figure it out who dun it

What are you working on now?

I have a new release coming out on October 1st, 2021.

‘The Suspects’

Mable Havelock and Violet Ficher are on a scenic bus tour of the Nordic capital cities of Europe and Russia. The tour culminates in Moscow. Where The tour director is murdered. There is a busload of suspects to choose from. A flirtatious woman and her jealous husband. A professor of Nordic History who is ill-informed. Two world travellers who describe themselves as gypsies, a mysterious man who is hiding something. And the tour director’s assistant and bus driver; both have an axe to grind against the tour director Hilda Karlson. Add to the mix smugglers and thieves. And a case of mistaken identity. But unfortunately, the prime suspect is Mabel. Mabel and Violet will have to use all their skills and ingenuity to solve the murder in Moscow. And prove to the Russian police Mabel’s innocence.

And I’m working on my next whodunit. ‘Murder Exit Stage Right’

 


WAYWARD SHOT

When Mabel slices her golf ball into the town cemetery. She and her best friend Violet think the worst that could happen would be a lost ball. That is until they discover a dead body, and it isn’t six feet under. Mabel’s golf ball lays in the middle of his forehead; it’s murder. The ladies take it upon themselves to solve the mystery of the dead body in the graveyard. Using the information gleaned from Coffee Row, a collection of eccentric townspeople. Leads them to investigate golfers and relatives of the deceased. Their investigation frustrates a newly appointed RCMP officer, who does his best to put a stop to their interference. But nothing stops the intrepid detectives. Not the RCMP, a stampede of cattle or even shots fired at them in the dark. They have an uncanny ability to find trouble and dead bodies. Almost getting themselves killed before solving the murders.

https://books2read.com/Wayward-Shot

 


DEATH AND DENIAL

My next Cozy Mystery took my ladies to Egypt.

On her way to visit Egypt and its ancient past, Mabel Havelock stumbles upon a murder plot. Mabel is trapped on board a boat with a dead body and a boatload of suspects. And in the middle of the Nile River, a passenger disappears. Although language difficulties put her at odds with the lone police officer on board the boat. Mabel is determined to untangle the web of lies and deceit. She will have to use all her wits and ingenuity to solve the murder in the locked cabin.

https://books2read.com/Death-and-Denial

 


THE TROUBLE WITH FUNERALS

My latest mystery was published in 2020

 

 The trouble with funerals is there are too many of them. Mabel's mother is convinced there is something nefarious going on at the senior's condo 'Gravenhurst Manor.' She convinces her daughter to look into the death of her best friend, Mini, who died in suspicious circumstances. If there is a cold, calculating murderer at work. Mabel needs to find the killer before it's too late. Her mother could be next. But what is the motive? Why would anyone want to kill a senior? And Her main suspect has a perfect alibi, namely Mabel.


Her reliable sidekick Violet is no longer reliable. Violet may have gotten herself involved with a con-man. Against the backdrop of the peaceful little town of Glenhaven, Mabel's challenge is to solve the motiveless murders; and save Violet from herself.

https://books2read.com/The-Trouble-With-Funerals

 

Sunday, August 22, 2021

CARNAL KNOWLEDGE, A NEW BOOK IN THE DEADLY SINS SERIES By Rachael Tamayo

 


CARNAL KNOWLEDGE

A STUNNING NEW BOOK IN THE DEADLY SINS SERIES

By International Best-selling Author, Rachael Tamayo

 Set for release this July and published by Tangled Tree Publishing!

The book will be available worldwide, in digital and print, across all platforms!

 

 

“Carnal Knowledge” is a twisted tale of lust, but not the kind of lust that anyone is expecting. A woman is hunted by a killer in a world that is turned rapidly inside out as her life is put on a countdown by a madman. This killer has authorities baffled, and will leave readers with one question: What do you do when you know you’re on a serial killer’s hit list?

One thing is certain, some appetites are best left unsatisfied.

A serial killer on the loose, driven by darkness and obsession. A woman determined to not go down without a fight and refuses to be a victim. International bestselling author Rachael Tamayo is back with a highly anticipated Deadly Sins novel. With twists and turns to keep readers gripped, fans of Teresa Driscoll and Rachel Caine will be hooked in this unforgettable thriller. 

"A well-written thriller that keeps the reader guessing until the end!" - InD'Tale Magazine 

"Intense, original, and detailed thriller." - Power of Three Readers

 OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES:

Book Tagline:  When rage holds you together, love will tear you apart.  

Hook: Sticks and stones do break bones, and words will surely hurt you.

Synopsis:

Staring down the barrel of a loaded 9mm is a wake-up call, especially when it’s your husband’s finger on the trigger. Brooklyn James’s only thought is to take her baby and run. It's better to end up on the streets than suffer one more day beneath her husband's hand.  Finally back on her feet, Brooklyn is stronger, better prepared, and determined not to run. That is until she gets the call that her husband has been released from prison after serving his three years for DWI.  

Cain James has his wife on his mind, always. With his friend Donovan at his side, anything is possible. He can find her, bring her home, make her love him again. While Cain has serious anger issues, Donovan is much worse. Cain can’t control his friend's sick, twisted mind and even sicker actions. 

Donovan has Cain's best interest at heart, and he'll do whatever it takes to help Cain bring his wife home—including murder. After his time in prison, Cain doesn’t want to hurt his wife again and becomes a man torn—divided between the darkness inside him, his twisted love, and his lifelong protector, Donovan. 

As Cain tries to convince his wife that he’s changed, he watches the bodies hit the floor one by one at the hands of his sidekick. Enraged by his estranged wife’s new love and conflicted by his own anger and need to protect his family, Cain unravels. 

He can’t live without her, and he won’t let her live without him. 

ABOUT RACHAEL:

Rachael Tamayo is a former 911 emergency operator and police dispatcher.  After twelve years in those dark depths, she’s gained a unique insight into mental illness, human behavior, and the general darkness of humanity that she likes to weave into her books.  A formerly exclusive romance author tried her hand at thrillers in her award-winning novel, Crazy Love, and loved it so much that she decided not to turn back.   Rachael is also the author of the internationally renowned domestic thriller, “Break My Bones and her newest novel Carnal Knowledge, the second in the critically acclaimed stand-alone Deadly Sins Series is out this July.  Born and raised in Texas, Rachael lives in the Houston area with her husband of sixteen years, and their two small children. More information can be found about Rachael at: 

Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/RachaelTamayowrites

Facebook fan page https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheRTAsylum

Twitter https://twitter.com/rtamayo2004

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01HC2VZ0C

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15251093.Rachael_Tamayo

Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/rachael-tamayo 

To request additional review copies or an interview with Rachael Tamayo, please contact Mickey Mikkelson at Creative Edge Publicity: mickey.creativeedge@gmail.com / 403.464.6925.    We look forward to the coverage!

Saturday, August 21, 2021

Round Robin Blog Fest August 21 - Favorite Words

 


I'm back with another fun Round Robin Blog Fest! This month's question is:

Do you have any character habits or favorite words that always crop up in your writing?

Since I've been writing a non-fiction writing book lately, my thoughts went a totally different way to words and habits I tend to overuse.

I had to laugh when a friend read one of my earlier books and commented how there was a lot of nostril flaring. Nostril flaring and eye rolling are two of my biggest, most overused reactions for characters. Apparently, I must do a lot of both in real life.


Sighing is another reaction I tend to overuse. In one of my books I was doing a first edit on, I gave up counting the number of sighs. I should have done a search when I plugged my edits into the computer. I think there would have been at least three per page.


I’ve also had characters groan several times on a page. Some of the time I plug them into a rough draft with the intention of going back and replacing them with something better and…sometimes I forget.


Just and very pop up often, too. So does A LOT, which I’ve already used three times in this blog!


Speaking of overused, I went back and did a quick edit and got rid of four exclamation marks. I did leave one for effect, but the others were far from necessary. One of my first editors used to constantly rap my knuckles for using them more than once per book. I have snuck a couple more in there lately when the situation calls for them.


Nice. “It’s a nice day.” What does that mean? Nice is one of those words that can be used by a character but really doesn’t say anything. I try hard to elaborate while going through edits.


We all tend to do comparisons and sometimes like can get a real workout. “The puddles were like tiny oceans to the bugs that bounced with every raindrop.” If you’re writing those sorts of comparative sentences several times a chapter, your readers will start to notice. One way to get around that is to add more description of the item instead of likening it to something else.


Actually, I think I overuse actually a great deal, too. The good thing is this is one word I actually delete when I go through my first round of edits. Unless it’s actually needed by a character, I automatically cross it out.


One issue I tend to have lately is dialogue tags. I’ve gone from many “said” and “asked” to action tags. And I got called out for it by a big league author. I’ll be much more careful going forward.


Being an author there’s a real learning curve. Just when you think you’ve figured things out and are following the “rules”, someone points out a bad habit that you never even noticed. That’s when we roll our eyes and sigh before we actually make a lot of changes…


If you haven't seen my newest release, introducing:



 
An explosion leaves a gaping hole in the streetscape where the Nine Lives Consignment Shop and the former martial arts school once stood. When police find remains of a bomb inside, Gilda Wright needs to track a killer before her suspects scatter like debris.


Check it out at: https://books2read.com/Dead-Without-Remorse


Also be sure to check out our wonderful authors:

Anne Stenhouse http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea

Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com

Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/

Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/

Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-2ow

Fiona McGier http://www.fionamcgier.com/

Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blog

Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/

Rhobin Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com


Escape With a Writer Has MOVED!

  You can find all of the latest and greatest releases, interviews, and books at: https://escapewithawriter.wordpress.com/