Wednesday Writers–Interview with Mary Ann Diorio, author of Miracle in Milan

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author interview, Christian fiction, financial suspense, Italy setting, Mary Ann Diorio, Miracle in Milan, romantic suspense, Wednesday Writers

Welcome to Wednesday Writers! Today we have an author interview with MaryAnn Diorio and an excerpt from her newest release Miracle in Milan. Thanks for being with us today, Mary Ann!

Please tell the readers about the book that is being showcased today.

Miracle in Milan is the story of a young, female auditor who discovers evidence that the man she loves is an embezzler and who must choose between ruining him or ruining herself.

Amy Torelli, Chief Auditor for New York City-based Enson Pharmaceuticals, is assigned to audit the books of Enson’s Italian branch in the enchanting city of Milan, Italy. Having made an inner vow never to trust a man again because of her father’s betrayal, Amy finds herself falling in love with Enson Italia’s American-born Vice-President, Ted McMasters. Will Ted be the one to cause her to break her inner vow?

Ted McMasters is on the run. A run from rejection. From himself. From God. Having been wounded by a father who made him feel worthless, and having been dumped by the woman he wanted to marry, Ted is determined to keep all women at bay. But will Amy be the reason he changes his mind?

How did you come up with the concept for this book?

The Lord gave me the idea for this story several years ago. Italy has always intrigued me, especially since my mother was born and raised there. Having lived and studied in Italy, I wanted to write a story set in that beautiful, romantic country. Interestingly, I ended up first writing my trilogy titled The Italian Chronicles, based on the life of my paternal great-great grandmother. But I knew that another story set in Italy lay dormant within my heart. That story was Miracle in Milan.

 Setting is important in books. I noticed that your story is in set in Milan, Italy. Were you inspired to set the book in Italy because of a visit to the country? If not, tell the reader why this setting inspired you.

As mentioned, I have close ties with Italy through my Italian mother. While a student there, I had occasion to visit Milan, the financial and business capital of Italy. When it came time to writing a novel based on financial intrigue, Milan seemed to be the natural choice.

What genre is this book, and why do you like to write in this genre?

Miracle in Milan is a novel of romantic suspense. Actually, this is the first novel I have written in this genre. My main character is a young American woman who works in New York City for a global pharmaceutical firm. The story flowed organically out of who she is and the lie she believes, a lie that has stood in the way of her fulfilling God’s call on her life. I enjoyed writing in this genre and look forward to writing more romantic suspense.

Do you write in more than one genre? If so, why?

Yes. I started out writing historical women’s fiction with an element of romance. Three of my novels–The Madonna of Pisano, A Sicilian Farewell, and Return to Bella Terra–are all historical women’s fiction set in Italy and America during the late 19th century and early 20th centuries. My novel titled In Black and White is a historical romance set in the 1950s, in the United States and Ghana. I also write fiction for children.

While I particularly enjoy writing historical fiction, I like to use the genre that best fits my character and story. When a character emerges in my heart, she emerges within a time period. I instantly know what century she lives in and, in most cases, what decade. The time period has a lot to do with making my character who she is in the natural and in the supernatural.

Do you have a day job? If so, what is it?

I am blessed to be able to write full-time. I used to have a day job as a university professor of foreign languages.

Name three interesting things most people don’t know about you.

• My mother tongue is Italian.
• I play the mandolin, an instrument my maternal grandfather used to play.
• I am also a visual artist and paint in oils and acrylics.

What’s next for you? Are you currently working on something new?

I’m working on a novella titled The Captain and Mrs. Vye. Summary: When a young widow inherits an oceanfront inn upon her husband’s death, she receives more than she bargained for as a whaling boat captain becomes her first tenant and disrupts her heretofore peaceful life.I am also writing a middle-grade novel titled Dixie Randolph and the Secret of Seabury Beach, the first novel in a six-book series for eight-to-twelve-year-old children.  

It’s been a pleasure having you here today. As you say goodbye, can you leave the readers with an encapsulation of your life’s philosophy? (a quote, a Bible verse, a precept you live by or have tried to instill in your children?)

There is nothing more important in life than accepting Jesus Christ as one’s Savior and Lord and living for Him. This is what Jesus meant when He said in John 3: 3 that a person must be born again in order to experience eternal life. One may accomplish great things in the earth, but, ultimately, unless one knows Jesus, everything else is meaningless. While one’s name may be listed in many records of earthly accomplishments, all that matters in the end is that one’s name be listed in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

There are four quotes on which I have based my life:

1) John 8: 32 – “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
2) Philippians 3: 10 – “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings….”

3. “Only one life; ’twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.” ~ Charles Studd

4. “The true success of my life will not be judged by those who admire me for my accomplishments, but by those who attribute their wholeness to my having loved them, by those who have seen their true beauty and worth in my eyes.” ~ David Grant.

Years ago, I created a mission statement by which I have lived and written. It is this:
To create works of art that communicate Christ’s love and connect people to Him.
CREATE. COMMUNICATE. CONNECT. This is what I’m all about.

Thanks for being part of the blog, Mary Ann. It’s been a pleasure to host you. Good luck with your book. It sounds intriguing!

Thank you so much for featuring me, Catherine. I trust that I will bless your readers.

MaryAnn

Miracle in Milan

By Mary Ann Diorio

When young, female auditor Amy Torelli is assigned to audit the books of her company’s Italian branch in Milan, she discovers convincing evidence that the man she loves is an embezzler.

Excerpt:

      “This way, Ms. Torelli.” Giorgio led her into his private office and shut the door. It was a modest office, as far as offices go. Nothing like Mr. Conklin’s plush space in the downtown Manhattan headquarters. A medium-sized window overlooked a narrow street with another office building on the opposite side. In one corner of the office space stood a large plant about the size of a small fig tree. On a credenza behind the desk was a picture of two small children sitting on either side of a lovely woman who looked to be in her late thirties. Very likely Giorgio’s wife and children.

          “Please, sit down.” Giorgio pointed to a small sitting area in the opposite corner furnished with two barrel chairs and a small coffee table.”

          Amy took the chair to the right and sat down. Her muscles tensed.

          Bassetti sat down in the chair across from her, crossed his legs, and folded his hands in his lap. “First of all, I want to thank you for making the long trip to Italy to help us.”

          Dare she say she’d had no choice but to lose her job if she’d refused? “I’m glad to do what I can.”

          Bassetti cleared his throat. “I don’t know how much you know, but Enson Italia is on the verge of bankruptcy.”

          Amy nodded. “Yes, Mr. Conklin explained as much to me.”

          “Then you know that we are in a precarious situation. The future of our Italian operation depends on your discovering what is going on.”

          Amy stiffened. There it was again. The burden of responsibility resting squarely on her shoulders. A burden she didn’t like at all. She hated having the ball in her court “Yes, I understand.”  She squared her gaze on him. “So, what are your thoughts on the problem?” She loved to toss the ball back to where it belonged.

          Bassetti shifted in his chair. “Frankly, I don’t know.”

          Amy sensed he was lying. “But surely, from your perspective as president, you have some idea, do you not?” His dodging annoyed her.

          Bassetti squirmed. “All I can say is that we have discovered some expenses that do not align with our expenditure categories and that seem to have no correlation with our normal business expenses.”

          “Has anyone investigated those unusual expenses?”

          Bassetti’s eyes narrowed. “That is what you are here to do.” His voice was curt.

Want to read more? You can find Miracle in Milan at  My Book Table  Amazon (affiliate) Print:  EBook:  and Universal Link:

About the Author:

MaryAnn Diorio is a widely published, award-winning author of fiction for both adults and children. Her stories are powerfully moving and deal with the deepest issues of the human heart.
MaryAnn resides in New Jersey with her wonderful husband of 51 years. They are the blessed parents of two amazing daughters, a very smart son-in-law, and six rambunctious grandchildren. You can learn more about MaryAnn and her writing at maryanndiorio.com.

Connect with MaryAnn on her Website: Facebook: Amazon Author Central: BookBub

A Writer’s Garden–The Healing Garden by Christa MacDonald

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A Writer’s Garden, Christa MacDonald, flowers, Gardening blog, plants, Redemption Road, romantic suspense, roses, Sweet romance, the healing effect of a garden, tomatoes, vegetables

Welcome to A Writer’s Garden where writers who are gardeners or just love gardens will be sharing their garden and flower stories, as well as a bit about their writing. Today’s writer/gardener guest is Christa MacDonald who will talking about her garden and its healing and calming effect. I’m sure we can all relate. I know I can. Welcome, Christa!

Tomatoes in Grow Bags

It’s June and my garden is already overgrown. I have not been attentive this year. This is more of a problem than usual because I added two additional beds. Also complicating things, I decided to put my tomatoes in grow-bags. It’s my anti-blight experiment. For years I never had blight issues, but the last two summers have been pretty brutal so I’m seeing if the grow bags can solve it. So far, I’ve only seen the impact on my water bill. Yikes these things dry out quickly!

The roses have been outstanding this year. Is anyone else having a rose year to end all years? It’s a balm to my tattered soul.

• 

• 

After a very rough few months managing a job heavily impacted by the pandemic, I went into this gardening year a bit ragged. This was followed by the sudden loss of my 17-year-old daughter, Eden, to an undiagnosed, asymptomatic intracranial brain hemorrhage. The shock, the struggle to save her and the devastation knowing we couldn’t has nearly finished me off. Grief is an angry ocean, and I am tossed about on its waves, struggling to keep my head above water. Sitting in my garden, especially in the evenings, is a way I’ve found to calm the seas. 

Gardens are healing places. I’m not sure if it’s being connected to God’s creation, the smell and vibrancy of life all around, or just the quiet and peace of it that does it. The garden offers a safe place to be your wounded self. Weeping is entirely acceptable with the plants, and so is staring off into the distance, lost in thought. And if you’re feeling the rage coming, take it out on the weeds. They won’t mind. 

Eden’s Rose

In my family, I’m the only gardener. Eden hated gardening, although she loved plants, specifically bright, vibrant, unusual ones. She even kept a moss terrarium up in her room. But the act of digging in the dirt, dodging bees (she was allergic to wasps), and dealing with the heat – not her thing. Every Saturday, though, we’d watch the BBC program Gardeners’ World together. I even planted a rose because it shared her name. 

As it happens, that rose was in the front yard and took a beating this winter. It looked close to death, so I transplanted it to my herbaceous border in the back. At first, things were looking grim, but it hung tough, and a few days ago, just after Eden died, the rose with her name gave me a bloom. It was as if the garden knew I needed to see that proof of life. I, of course, wept. 

But our family has something better than a bloom as proof of life after death. Eden was a child of God, saved by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Our souls are eternal, and it’s a comfort knowing that hers is with the Father. 

Sitting in my garden tonight, in the gloaming, I can’t help but think that those of us who garden, who hike forests, who farm, who seek out God’s creation, we are the lucky few. God is the original gardener; we are His apprentice. Time spent tending his creation is time spent with Him. What is more healing than that? 

About the Writer/Gardener:

Christa MacDonald is a lifelong gardener and writer living in New England despite its terribly short growing season. She’s the author of the Sweet River Redemption contemporary Christian romance series. All three books are now out on Amazon and the first in the series, The Broken Trail, is on audio at Audible

Connect with Christa on her Website.

Redemption Road

By Christa MacDonald

It’s redemption that he needs, and she’ll pay any price to help him find it.

As the new game warden in Sweet River, Alex Moretti is focused on enforcing Maine’s wildlife laws and little else. Moving from tragedy to a fresh start, all he wants is a way to fix his life in the tranquility of the north woods. Until he meets Annie Caldwell at Coffee by the Book. But his own bitter, dark life is a threat to Annie’s sweetness and light. It’s better for him to stay away.

Annie doesn’t know how to label her relationship with Alex, but she is determined to figure it out. After a few false starts and a kiss under the Christmas lights, their romance goes from fiction to fact. Annie has fallen hard. Then trouble shows up. Someone is stalking Alex, seeking to punish him for a mistake which ended in deadly consequences. When Annie becomes a target, he tries to push her away, but she won’t abandon him. Alex is desperate to keep Annie safe while he attempts to reconcile the past, but what he really needs is redemption. And she will risk her life to help him find it.

A Writer’s Garden-Plants and Pets by Sally Brandle

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A Writer's Garden, flowers, Garden blog, Pawn, romantic suspense, Sally Brandle

Welcome to A Writer’s Garden where writers who are gardeners or just love gardens will be sharing their garden and flower stories, as well as a bit about their writing. Today’s writer/gardener guest is Sally Brandle who will be sharing her garden and her garden pet partners. Welcome, Sally!

One thing about gardens, if you have good soil and rain, they will grow without any help. Of course, that includes persistent flowers such as forget-me-knots (aptly named as they reseed with fervor), wonderful geums, bee balm, euphorbia, Japanese anemones (also a bit pushy), iris, blue bells and a host of other plants which make their home in my yard. When I clip bouquets or prune, I’m generally not alone. Spock, the kitty, sees the pink harness and sits at the door. We have coyotes, and he chases birds, so he’s stays indoors otherwise.

• 

• 

My rescue pups, Ursa, the Heeler, and Maggie, the Shepherd, are willing to go outside and assist. When we brought them home and their outdoor help became a bit overzealous, we added a temporary (hopefully) wire barrier around the flower beds—at least until Maggie is out of her teen years. A former dog of ours was renamed from Dylan to Digger, as his determination to take out the yard ended up with us installing fake grass. We’ve had it for five or six years and love the easy care. We keep real grass down by the lake, but the no weeding or mowing advantage is hard to beat.

I was known as Sally G. Frog in college and spent my childhood loving frogs . . . now I cherish outdoor versions given to me by family and friends, and the occasional live resident.

• 

• 

Writing and riding my horse, Lance, who turns 31 on May 7^th, keeps me busy. I’ve published four books in four years and its time for me to take a break and pull a few determined groundcovers and remove weeds.

Here’s my work in progress to fill in the flagstone with a few flowers and polite ground covers. I’ll do an update on a post in October. I pulled three garbage bins worth of a nuisance ground cover from this area. Uggh.

My parting words for happy gardening are that if you see horsetails beginning to grow, dig down carefully as far as the root goes and get rid of them! Happy almost summer, and happy gardening!

About the Writer/Gardener:

I grew up in a family of vegetable and flower gardeners. When I lived in an apartment, potted plants sufficed. The sense of being one with Mother Earth calms me.

 I write clean/sweet romantic suspense. My stories contain sensual elements, mild swear words, and villains receiving non-gory justice—along with female friends supporting one another while they search for their perfect heroes.

The Targeted Pawn is a contemporary clean romantic suspense. If you enjoy smoldering romance, mercenary villains, and rescued animals, you’ll love escaping again to Emma Springs, Montana.

 Visit Sally’s website for an overview of her books and to see what she’s about to publish next!  www.sallybrandle.com

Threats forced her to flee Seattle. Honor binds him to Montana. A second chance at love tethers them together.

Elon Hardy’s romance skills are rusty after a loveless marriage ends, but upon meeting hunky rancher, Rane Calderon, sparks blaze hotter than her welding torch. To support her collegiate sons, she’s determined to acquiesce to the bullheaded, female-phobic boss until her divorce finalizes from her deceitful husband.

A woman Rane trusted ruined his life, and at forty, he won’t be fooled again. Blisteringly mad he’s hired a female bearing a man’s name, he fights attraction for the curvy, determined brunette while thwarting efforts to build a private prison atop his Blackfeet ancestors’ burial ground.

Can Elon and Rane realize love doesn’t have a “best used before date”? If you enjoy smoldering romance, mercenary villains, and rescued animals, you’ll love escaping again to Emma Springs, Montana.

Available on Amazon

Wednesday Writers—Northern Protector (Heroes of the Tundra Book 2) by Laurie Wood

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Canada book setting, Laurie Wood, Northern Protector, Polar Bears, romantic suspense, Wednesday Writers

Today’s Wednesday Writers guest is author Laurie Wood, talking about how wild animals, specifically polar bears.  figure in her newest romantic release about murder on the tundra. Welcome, Laurie.

Thanks, Catherine.

My new release, Northern Protector (Heroes of the Tundra Book 2), like the rest of the series, takes place in the actual town of Churchill, Manitoba, Canada. It sits on the southern shore of Hudson Bay, on the border of the sub-arctic and arctic wilderness. The population is about 900 people and they’ve learned to live with the migration of polar bears through their town in the spring and fall every year.

Polar bears live out on the sea ice from late November/December to late June/early July so they can feed on seals and keep up their fat stores. When they come ashore at Churchill and the surrounding area in mid-summer, they migrate westwards inland and either fast or live off of small prey like foxes and birds.

Churchill is called “The Polar Bear Capital of the World” because Canada is home to about 15,000 polar bears. They have an extremely keen sense of smell and can detect seals a mile away and buried under three feet of sea ice and snow. Their hearing is as acute as a human’s and their eyesight is good up to distances of two miles. They are the apex predator of the arctic and have no other rival besides humans.

The polar bear is an excellent swimmer and can swim an average of 6 miles an hour. In 2011, a satellite-tracked female bear swam for nine days straight in the Beaufort Sea for 425 miles, which is about the same as going from Washington DC to Frankfort, Kentucky. Unfortunately, the cub clinging to her back fell off and drowned on the way.

Whereas brown or black bears (including grizzlies) might maul a person, polar bears are predatory and will always kill a person unless someone saves the person from the bear. I placed my Heroes of the Tundra series in Churchill because of these fascinating facts about this magnificent but deadly animal, and used the bears to up the danger and suspense aspect of my books.

At the rate we’re losing polar bears world-wide to climate change, we may not have them in 25 to 30 years. I also felt the need to highlight their domain and their plight as an educational experience.

In the first book, Northern Deception, Constable Ben Koper is attacked and mauled by a polar bear in town during polar bear season. Northern Protector opens up during the summer right after, when he’s come back to Churchill and finished his recovery. It’s a story about murder on the tundra as well as how he falls in love with the head nurse in the ER at the Health Centre. In July 2019, I went up to Churchill for a week to research the town and area in order to give my readers the best reading experience I could. I hope you enjoy it!

NORTHERN PROTECTOR

By Laurie Wood

Constable Ben Koper is still healing from the polar bear attack that almost killed him. Nine months after it happened, he returns to Churchill, Manitoba, a changed man—scarred more than just physically. PTSD is his new shadow, haunting his every step, and he can’t seem to kick the pain meds he shouldn’t need anymore. He’s determined to prove, to himself and his colleagues, that he’s still up to his job. Failure isn’t an option.

ER nurse Joy Gallagher spent the entire last winter texting with a healing Constable Koper. What started as friendly concern from this single mother has grown into full-fledged romantic feelings, and she’s eager to level up their friendship and introduce him to the idyllic comfort of small-town life. Until a teenager is murdered at a summer party. The crime is strikingly similar to the cold case murder of Joy’s foster sister, stirring old trauma Joy has never fully dealt with.

When another victim is snatched in town, Ben and Joy must confront their own demons, and join forces to track down an elusive killer. The race to rescue the next victim before it’s too late will test Ben and Joy to their limits. Can they survive their encounter with this heinous killer, or will the past destroy them.?

Buy Links:

Amazon.com: Amazon.ca:    Anaiah Press: (Print copies)

About the Author:

Laurie Wood lives in Central Canada and writes inspirational romantic suspense with an edge of danger. She’s also a military wife who’s raised two wonderful special needs children to adulthood. They’ve lived all over Canada and are still on that journey. When she’s not writing she can be found at her spinning wheel, knitting, or hanging out with her dogs in the garden. She loves to hear from readers and always replies so feel free to get in touch with her.

Please visit her at her website :  Facebook:   Twitter               

A Writer’s Garden–Secret Gardener by Kimberly Rose Johnson

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A Writer's Garden, Certain Threat, flowers and vegetables, Kimberly Rose Johnson, romantic suspense, secret gardener

Welcome to A Writer’s Garden where writers who are gardeners or just love gardens will be sharing their garden and flower stories, as well as a bit about their writing.

Today’s writer/gardener guest is Kimberly Rose Johnson. who will be sharing a secret with us. Welcome, Kimberly!

 

I have a secret. My gardening skills are lacking. Well, maybe it’s not so secret now since I shared a pic on Instagram of what I thought were amazing zucchini plants. According to experts they weren’t lol.

Zucchini?

I may not be a great gardener, but 2020 has proven to be a great year for my garden. My dismal backyard turned into a thing of beauty this year. It didn’t happen by itself. It took some weeding, grooming, water, fresh organic soil, fresh bark, and the right weather conditions, but for the first time in years, I’ve have a pretty backyard.

 

Backyard 

 

We made raised beds out of cinderblocks and pavers that were just sitting on the side of the house. We grew lettuce, radishes, and zucchini in the beds. I actually had a salad from my own garden! I realize this isn’t a big deal, but for me it is. We also have cherry tomatoes, and earlier in the season we had some delicious raspberries and blueberries.

 

 

I am hooked on trying to grow edibles. As much as I love growing food, I love my flowers even more. Through the years I’ve accumulated a decent number of pots. This year I decided to do something with them and planted wave petunias, coleus, a spikey plant, and something that spilled over the front of the pots. I’m not super great with their names.             HANGING BASKET  ⇒

 

 

                                                                                                                            The place I once avoided, turned into one of my favorite hangouts this past spring and summer.

 

ABOUT THE WRITER/GARDENER:

Award winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson lives in the Pacific Northwest. She enjoys looking at the pretty flowers in her garden and takes great pleasure in her berry bushes. Kimberly writes Christian romantic mystery and suspense that is safe for ages ten and up.

You can find all of Kimberly’s social media links at https://kimberlyrjohnson.com/

 

CERTAIN THREAT

by Kimberly Rose Johnson

Katrina White’s garage explodes and she fears someone is out to get her.

Not long after Katrina overhears two people talking about robbing the bank where she works, her attached garage explodes. With the help of her neighbor, Frank Davis, she escapes the burning home after a storage shelf falls over, trapping her beneath it.

The co-owner of Protection Inc. has one thing on his mind for the week of Christmas—rest and relaxation, but when his favorite neighbor needs his help he calls in his team. Unable to turn their backs on someone Frank clearly has feelings for the co-owners agree to help out Katrina.

When things escalate, Frank is certain of two things—he cares a lot for Katrina and he can’t let anything happen to her.

Join the team of Protection Inc. this Christmas where love is in the air even in the midst of danger.

       Certain Threat releases Oct. 6th on AMAZON 

 

 

 

Wednesday Writers—The Hitman’s Mistake by Sally Brandle is up for a Raven Award!

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2020 Raven Award, clean romance, romantic suspense, Sally Brandle, The Hitman's Mistake, Wednesday Writers

This Wednesday Writers’ guest today is Sally Brandle.  Sally’s a regular guest on my blog series, and we are both part of Soul Mate Publishing. Although Sally will be talking about her book The Hitman’s Mistake, today’s post is a bit different from Wednesday Writers’ usual posts. However,  I thought the subject matter was worth the change. So, without further ado, let’s welcome Sally!

 

Hi, Catherine.

Thank you for allowing me to share wonderful news. The first book I wrote (at 61), The Hitman’s Mistake, finaled in Uncaged Book Reviews Raven Awards in the Mystery/Suspense category. To qualify for the semifinals of this neat award, my novel had to garner 4/5 Stars from their review team, then receive enough votes to land in the finals. To win, I am up against an Amazon Bestseller and a NYT Bestseller.

I’d really appreciate your vote. The final poll runs through Friday, August 1^st. I write clean (sensual without intimate scenes) stories weaving slow-burning romance into edgy suspense, motivating women to trust their inner gifts. To vote, simply click on the link below, scroll to the circle next to The Hitman’s Mistake in the fifth category and click. Then click on the ‘Vote’ button below the group. Reader support provides the motivation for me to keep writing. I’m at eight books, with three published in this series. Thank you for your love of reading.

A Note from Catherine:

I’ve read The Hitman’s Mistake and loved the book. If you like clean romance that’s full of suspense, I hope you’ll head over to the Raven Awards link and vote for Sally. It’s one vote per category.  To vote for Sally’s book once  you reach the page, scroll down until you come to Mystery/Suspense category, find Sally’s book The Hitman’s Mistake (she’s the first one on the mystery suspense list), click in the little circle to the left of the book, and hit VOTE at the bottom of the category box.

Raven Award Voting Link:

http://uncagedbooks.com/raven-awards-final-voting/

 

Here’s a peek at Sally’s book.

 

The Hitman’s Mistake

By Sally Brandle

 

Now it’s her life or his.

After Miranda Whitley stops crooked cops from assassinating a prominent Seattle judge, she’s next on the hit list, and her survival depends on the buff FBI Agent she’s had one awkward encounter with. But can she find him in time?

The last person Grant Morley expects to discover on his annual supply run to a Montana mountain hermit is alluring Miranda Whitley, nearly dead from a bullet wound in her side. An accidental witness or the cold-blooded accomplice to would-be assassins?

Miranda must convince Grant of her innocence, evade the killers intent on preventing her testimony, and fight her unwanted attraction for the agent…an attraction which seems to be mutual. If you love sizzling chemistry, Montana’s mountain landscape, and fast-paced action, then you’ll love Sally Brandle’s galloping thriller, The Hitman’s Mistake.

 

About the Author:

Multi-award winning author Sally Brandle weaves clean, slow-burning romance into edgy suspense stories. Sally left a career as an industrial baking instructor to bring to life stories motivating readers to trust their inner gifts

Sally’s Social Media  Website:  Facebook:  Instagram

 

 

 

Wednesday Writers–The Targeted Pawn by Sally Brandle

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book excerpt from The Targeted Pawn, clean edgy romance, romantic suspense, Sally Brandle, Sweet romance, The Targeted Pawn, Wednesday Writers

Today’s Wednesday Writers guest is one of my favorite suspense authors, Sally Brandle. She’ll be sharing an excerpt from her newest book, The Targeted Pawn, and talking about a research aspect that she feels made a big difference in her books. Welcome, Sally!

Asking for Help Garners Wonderful Contacts

by Sally Brandle

 

Engaging sensitivity readers prior to publishing helps writers craft authentic books. In The Targeted Pawn, my hero’s grandmother asked him to protect their ancestral Blackfeet cemetery, on land adjacent to his ranch. To ensure the accuracy of several scenes, I sought guidance from an acquaintance belonging to The Blackfeet Nation and Thomas Smittle, from the Oglala Lakota tribe. I’m fortunate that a horse owner at my barn put me in touch with Tom, who’s offered a wealth of information. He participated in the program depicted in The Mustang (2019), and then portrayed a lead character in the film. It’s a powerful picture worth viewing by adults, and a win/win for inmates and wild horses. Along with corrections on terminology, Tom provided insight into the teasing banter between him and his friends, which enriched my character, Rane Calderon. I strive for realistic portrayals and am thankful to my ‘herd.’

 

The Targeted Pawn

by Sally Brandle

Threats forced her to flee Seattle. Honor binds him to Montana. A second chance at love tethers them together.

Elon Hardy’s romance skills are rusty after a loveless marriage ends, but upon meeting hunky rancher, Rane Calderon, sparks blaze hotter than her welding torch. To support her collegiate sons, she’s determined to acquiesce to the bullheaded, female-phobic boss until her divorce finalizes from her deceitful husband.

A woman Rane trusted ruined his life, and at forty, he won’t be fooled again. Blisteringly mad he’s hired a female bearing a man’s name, he fights attraction for the curvy, determined brunette while thwarting efforts to build a private prison atop his Blackfeet ancestors’ burial ground.

Can Elon and Rane realize love doesn’t have a “best used before date”? If you enjoy smoldering romance, mercenary villains, and rescued animals, you’ll love escaping again to Emma Springs, Montana.

 

Excerpt:

Fired before she started? No, the Bull Boss couldn’t do that to her. Elon gripped the underside of the table edge, willing him to give her a trial run. One stinking opportunity to prove she wasn’t as worthless as Tim maintained. She bit her lip. There wasn’t enough cash to return to Seattle. “I drove here in good faith. Give me a chance, Mr. Calderon.”

Rane took in a deep breath, then let it out slowly. “You did me a favor helping my bull, so I’ll do the same.” He folded her letter and rested his fist on it. “Wasn’t expecting to accommodate a woman.” His glance flicked outside and back to her. “There’s an unused bedroom and attached bath down that hall.” His face softened for a split second before he flipped his thumb over his shoulder. “You may bunk in my grandma’s room. She didn’t handle stairs either.”

She’d handle him all right. Her fingers relaxed. “Sounds ideal. You have an MIG welder?”

He glanced around the kitchen, as if noticing the mess for the first time. “Yup. Welding can wait until tomorrow. Start by feeding the men at five o’clock. Plenty of grub in the storeroom through the door by the sink.”

“I’ll fix a hearty meal.” She palmed her locket. “I don’t have a cell phone. May I call my sons to tell them I arrived?”

“House phone’s on my desk in the far corner of the living room. No incoming calls after ten at night, Montana time. Anything else?”

“When do you cut checks?”

“On the fourth and the twenty-eighth.” He rifled through the stack and pulled out a photocopied timesheet. “Normally the men hand in hours three days earlier. I can take yours that morning.”

“Thank you. I can work through the weekend to catch you up.”

“Good. Other questions?”

Angel needed an advocate. “Just tell me where to park my car and oh…I, ah, have a dog.”

“Your car’s ok where it’s parked. Didn’t realize you brought a guest,” he said, in a voice turned soft as suede.

The calm before the storm? “Hadn’t planned to adopt a pet. A jerk tossed her from a truck on the highway an hour ago.” She clenched her fist. “I won’t abandon Angel. That’s what I named her.”

His boots scraped the floor as he pulled them in. He rose to his full height. “Angel can bunk inside, or I’ll find her a temporary doghouse.”

“I won’t let her bother you.”

“Dogs never do. If she needs kibbles, ask for Fred. He’ll find someone headed to town.”

The man did have a heart. For the first time today, she smiled. “Thank you. I’ll find something to feed her tonight,” Elon said.

Rane leaned over her, close enough to show dark stubble on his perfectly sculpted jaw. The guy’s black lashes appeared thick as paint brushes. His eyes glowed a deep shade of russet.

Flutters swirled in her belly. She blinked several times and leaned back.

With one fist braced on the papers, his chest stiffened into a shield. “Animals I trust, Ms. Hardy. Women are another story. A month’s trial, then we’ll talk.” He straightened and walked out, leaving a trail of spice-scented annoyance.

The front door slammed shut. Elon flinched.

So much for the misconception of a kindly old rancher. Nope. Her fortyish boss possessed the ability to morph into a hardened commander with one scowl from his squint-eyed, condemning looks.

She fingered the buttons on her blouse. How gracious of him to give her a month’s trial run. The divorce might take a year.

Rescuing Angel had helped win him over. They both needed a home until she got the settlement check, and she’d use the pup’s plight again if necessary. She removed a crusty saucepot from the sink. Stacking dirty fry pans cleared a space under the faucet to scour a water bowl for her dog.

Stagnant air surrounded her. “Uggh.” The place needed an open window and a stiff breeze. A metal ring hung from the middle of the lowered roller shade. Tugging it sent the blind snapping upward. She shoved open the pane of grimy glass on a window that faced her car. Dust particles danced in the filtered sunlight. Outside, the men gathered in the corral around the bull.

She collected Rane’s papers, crossed into the living room, and dropped them onto a desk capable of seating six. Angel would think she’d been abandoned again, but first she’d phone her boys.

Brandon didn’t have late classes. She punched in his number and smiled to hear his voice. “Hi. Hoped to catch you. Made it to the beautiful ranch. Cowboys and cattle.”

“Glad to hear, Mom. Beats deadbeat dads.”

She couldn’t agree more but wasn’t going to bad-mouth Tim. “Did Jeremy tell you the cost of his book?”

“I think he said two-fifty for a stupid, newly minted, print-only book. I’ll look for a part time job online tonight.”

The shameful practice of overcharging for a college book hadn’t ceased. “I’ll send him the money next week. I’d prefer you concentrate fully on schoolwork.”

“Okay. I’ll tell him. Thanks for leaving the freezer full.”

“You’re welcome. Tuesday’s my first payday. It won’t be a windfall, but we’ll manage. I’m sorry about the divorce drama.”

“We’re all better off without Dr. Deceitful judging our every move. We think he’s gone off the deep end.”

“Let’s not jump to conclusions. I’ll open a bank account tomorrow so I can transfer money to you, okay?”

“Yeah.” He cleared his throat. “Please be careful. Did you smash your phone?”

Her eyes teared from pride of their protective instincts and sadness at the reason. “I did. You boys mean the world to me. I’ll be back in Seattle soon. Love you.”

“Back at you.”

Her stalwart Brandon sounded worried. The handset wobbled into the cradle. “Damn you, Tim,” she whispered.

Want to read more?

You can find Targeted Pawn at Amazon:

About the Author:

Multi-award winning author, Sally Brandle, weaves slow-burning, clean romance into edgy suspense, motivating readers to trust their instincts. Growing up as a tomboy alongside brothers prepared her to work in a male-centric industry, raise sons, and create action packed stories featuring capable women. She thrives on creating unintentional heroines who conquer their vulnerabilities and partner with heroes to outwit cunning villains.

 

Social Media:

Website: http://http://www.sallybrandle.com/

Sally’s Blog link: https://smpauthors.wordpress.com/author/sallygfrog/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100012840931763

 

 

Musings from a Writer’s Brain—Behind-the-scenes Small Town tour by Jenna Brandt

Tags

clean romance, essay, Gilmore Girls, Jenna Brandt, Musings from a Writer's Brain, romantic suspense, small towns, Stars Hallow, The Girlfriend Rescue

 

How many of you out there love

behind-the-scenes tours?

I’m a huge fan and over the holiday break, I was lucky enough to have my husband buy me tickets to the Warner Brothers Hollywood Tour. I took my teen daughter with me because we are both avid Gilmore Girls fans. During the two week break, the tour features a special “Stars Hallow” experience where you can walk around the set, eat in the town, take pictures and feel like part of the show. It was an amazing time, especially getting to share the tour with my daughter, who despite being thirteen, still loves her mom.

A lot of my books feature small towns, because like many readers, there’s something magical about them. I personally live in a mid-size city of 300,000 but our roots were from being a small town. I still run into people I know at the grocery store, we have cafes and restaurants that locals live and die for, and you can get from one side of town to the other in fifteen minutes. We have quirks like odd high school mascots (Drillers), roads that never get finished, a downtown filled with antique shops and stores in alleys, and a TV weather man who happens to also be the anchor man for the news. I have lifelong friends here, an amazing church where I know everyone, and extended family that makes my life richer.

I love where I live here in the Central Valley of California, though I could do without the blazing summer heat. I guess that’s what air conditioning is for though, and the rest of my town makes up for the heat in spades. I wouldn’t trade where I live for anything.

Comment below and tell me about where you live. Are you a big city person, a small town lover, or country fan?

 

 

The Girlfriend Rescue

by Jenna Brandt

(clean romantic suspense)

A search and rescue cop training to become a K-9 handler, a lovely dispatcher who always has his back, and an earthquake that threatens to tear them apart…

Officer Ted Hendricks has been biding his time, locating missing skiers and hikers for three years in Colorado, while waiting for a chance to become a K-9 handler. When a spot opens up at the Disaster City Search and Rescue facility in Texas, he jumps at the chance to go, even though it means leaving his girlfriend behind.

Dispatcher Deanna Harper had one strict rule — never date a cop. That all changed when she got to know Ted Hendricks. He was the only single officer in the department who didn’t hit on her, which made him all the more appealing. When he decides to travel across the country to train as a K-9 handler, she decides he’s worth taking a chance on a long distance relationship.

When Ted’s team is deployed to help in the aftermath of an earthquake in Colorado, Ted finds out that Deanna was in the epicenter. Can Ted find Deanna in time to save her? Will Deanna be able to survive until he does? And if they reunite, will they find a way to be together despite the distance between them?

Step into the world of Disaster City Search and Rescue, where officers, firefighters, military, and medics, train and work alongside each other with the dogs they love, to do the most dangerous job of all — help lost and injured victims find their way home.

Amazon Buy link

 

About the Author:

 

Jenna Brandt is an award-winning, international bestselling author who writes sweet inspiring contemporary and historical fiction with elements of romance, suspense and faith. She has been an avid reader since she could hold a book and started writing stories almost as early. Jenna has been published in several newspapers as well as edited for multiple papers and graduated with her BA in English from Bethany College where she was the Editor-in-Chief of her college newspaper. Her first blog was published on Yahoo Parenting and The Grief Toolbox as well as featured on the ABC News and Good Morning America websites.

Writing is her passion but she also enjoys cooking, watching movies, reading, and spending time with her three young daughters and husband who are the inspiration behind lots of her characters. She enjoys living in the Central Valley of California and spending summers on the Central Coast. She’s active in her local church where she volunteers on their first impressions team.

 

 

Wednesday Writers-Sandpiper Affair by Janis Lane

Tags

cozy mystery, Janis Lane, romantic suspense, Sandpiper Affair, Wednesday Writers

Today’s Wednesday Writers guest is Janis Lane, who is a frequent contributor to the blogs. She’ll be sharing an excerpt of her romantic suspense/cozy mystery Sandpiper Affair. So without further ado, here’s an excerpt from Sandpiper Affair.

 

Abby Naycomb, wildlife photographer, found more than scintillating images of the birds of Central Florida. A handsome park ranger turns her world upside down even as a criminal stalker seeks to threaten her life.

Who knew trespassing in the restrictive area of a Florida State Park to get the perfect shot of the sand hill crane family would wind up with Abby Naycomb, wildlife photographer extraordinaire, meeting the most handsome park ranger in the world? Mating/nesting birds were the subject of her quest but finding those intense blue eyes in the lens of her camera was distracting and hormone inciting.

Adam Rawlings, millionaire park ranger, was as shocked as Abby when she accidentally discovered a murdered man buried in a shallow grave in the sand.

Face to face with an exciting relationship with Adam, the perfect man, leaves her no excuse for backing away from a growing intimacy. Vagabond Abby must consider relocating if she wants to continue an invaluable relationship with Adam, the original home town hero.

Abby struggles as she continues to work deep in the breathtaking wilds of Central Florida while trying to ignore the menace of a serious and threatening stalker. Her task was to reexamine long held premises and prejudices while admiring the southern flora and fauna through the lens of her camera. Bird and nature lovers alert.

SHORT TEASER
Busted in Bird land. Still…what a calendar he would make with that uniform, that smile, those shoulders. She stifled a sigh of pure visual pleasure.

You had better stop it, Miss Smarty. He has the authority to fine and kick you out of the park permanently if he so chooses. Holy Moly– love a uniformed hunk!

Stoppit!

She stifled a giggle which was riotously rolling around deep inside her, threatening to break out. He continued to loom, gazing thoughtfully while she fidgeted in her warm nest sheltered by the dune. Surrounding them, the sporadic wind blew the smell of something baking in the sun. With her face turned upward and her eyes half-closed against the glare, she awaited her fate. She offered a weak smile while trying to bring into focus his face which was back lit by the bright sunlight. It couldn’t hurt, she thought, and tried for puppy dog eyes pleading for mercy.

“Leave this area, and I’ll forget your lapse of good manners–this time. Don’t let me catch you trespassing on restricted lands again. This is a nature preserve. Visitors may not wander about– especially during nesting season,” he added giving her a stern look. “And that goes for well-meaning, good-looking, lady photographers as well.”

BUY LINK

About the Author:

Janis Lane is the pen-name for gifted author Emma Lane who writes cozy mysteries as Janis, Regency as Emma, and spice as Sunny Lane.

She lives in Western New York where winter is snowy, spring arrives with rave reviews, summer days are long and velvet, and fall leaves are riotous in color. At long last she enjoys the perfect bow window for her desk where she is treated to a year-round panoramic view of nature. Her computer opens up a fourth fascinating window to the world. Her patient husband is always available to help with a plot twist and encourage Emma to never quit. Her day job is working with flowers at Herbtique and Plant Nursery, the nursery she and her son own.

Look for information about writing and plants on Emma’s new website. Leave a comment or a gardening question and put a smile on Emma’s face.

Stay connected to Emma on Facebook and Twitter. Be sure to check out the things that make Emma smile on Pinterest.

Thursday Christmas Reads–All I Want for Christmas is Johnny Rocker Dead! by Lillian Duncan

Tags

All I Want for Christmas is Johnny Rocker Dead!, Christmas Read, Lillian Duncan, romantic suspense, Thursday Christmas Reads

 

Christmas is coming, and with that holiday season comes more Christmas romances. If you don’t now, I love Christmas and Christmas romances. So, to fill out the rest of the Thursdays this year, I’m hosting fellow authors and their Christmas novels. Today’s guest is Lillian Duncan with a different sort of Christmas story-a Romantic Suspense Christmas story. Welcome, Lillian.

 

            Murder, Mayhem & Christmas?

 

Murder, Mayhem & Christmas? Really?

On the surface, it may seem that murder and mayhem doesn’t necessarily go with Christmas, but I love weaving a Christmas story in with suspense and romance. Because of that I have several Christmas stories available—The Christmas Stalking; The Christmas Angel Thief; No Home for the Holidays; and A Christmas Stolen.

My latest Christmas novella is ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS JOHNNY ROCKER DEAD! How’s that for a title filled with murder, mayhem, & Christmas?

I won’t tell you the plot but I will tell you the story is about how much God loves each of us—no matter what we’ve done. And isn’t that what Christmas is really all about?

Speaking of Christmas, one of the things my husband and I do every Christmas is to clear out our enclosed porch and then we put up Christmas trees. Yes, I said trees as in many trees.

Last year, we had 14 or 15 trees up. In all sizes and shapes— even a snowman tree. We don’t have any young children or grandchildren around, but that doesn’t stop us from celebrating the season and honoring Jesus’s birthday.

Merry Christmas to all!

 

All I Want for Christmas is Johnny Rocker Dead!

By Lillian Duncan

Johnny Rocker believes he’s doesn’t need anyone or anything—especially God because after all he is a rock & roll god. When the floor beneath his feet crumbles—literally—he hurtles toward a different truth.

Since the death of Maddie’s family, she’s run from life and love and become the best bodyguard she can be. But, with God’s help, she’s ready to step out of her comfort zone and into a different life. When her boss asks—no begs—her to take on one last job, she finds it hard to refuse. Someone is trying to kill mega-star Johnny Rocker. It’s Maddie Cotton’s job to make sure that doesn’t happen.

Even under Maddie’s protection the threats continue. As Christmas approaches the danger escalates—someone doesn’t want Johnny Rocker to see the new year, and they are willing to kill Maddie as well. Johnny and Maddie will have to set aside their differences and learn to lean on each other and God if they want to see Christmas day.

EXCERPT:

 

I AM.

He ignored the voice. This was one of his favorite rooms in his mansion. Johnny Rocker’s gold and platinum records and posters—of him, of course—as well as old movie posters, decorated the walls. Because after all, it was the theater room. Music blared from every speaker in his mansion, including this room. His music, of course, because he was a rock and roll god.

I AM

Probably a trick of the acoustics.

I’m not losing it. Everything’s fine. He poured another drink and sat. His fingers ran across the buttery-soft, brown leather of the recliner. Nothing but the best for Johnny Rocker. Who’d have ever thought that poor little Zeb Walker would be sitting in his debt-free mansion? He could afford anything he wanted these days. The good life. He had it all.

People loved their rock and roll gods.

I AM

The door opened before Johnny could yell at the unseen voice. “Well if it ain’t Stan the Man.”

His manager of eight years glared. “What are you doing up here, Johnny? The party’s downstairs. Everyone keeps asking, ‘where’s Johnny?’”

“I know where they are, and that’s why I’m up here.”

“Very funny. Now get downstairs. The reason we’re having the party is so you can prove you’ve still got it.”

“I don’t have to prove anything to anyone. I’m Johnny Rocker.”

“Let’s go, Johnny. Now.”

“That’s not my name.”

Stan rolled his eyes. “You’re in one of those moods again. Fine. I’ll call you Zeb if that makes you happy. So, Zeb. Downstairs. Now.”

“I don’t know when you became my boss.”

Stan grinned. “When I made you your first million.”

“Right behind you,” Zeb said, but Stan was already gone. Apparently even a rock and roll go—

I AM

He looked at the glass in his hand. No more of this if it made him hear voices. He walked toward the door.

BOOM!

What was that? The floor below him disappeared.

I AM, the voice said again as Zeb hurtled through the floor.

 

All I Want for Christmas is Johnny Rocker Dead! By Lillian Duncan

Release date: Nov. 27 (available now as a preorder)

AMAZON BUY LINK

 

About the Author:

Lillian Duncan…turning faith into fiction.

Even though her books cross genres, they have one thing in common, faith-based stories that show God’s love—and lots of action. OK—that’s two things. She believes in the power of words to change lives, especially God’s Word.

Tiaras & Tennis Shoes Blog: http://www.lillian-duncan.com/

Devotions from Puzzle House Blog: http://www.powerupwithgod.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lillian.k.duncan