Jill Piscitello

Interview with Christine Columbus, Author of Chance Meeting

Author Christine Columbus is joining me today for an interview. Her latest novel, Chance Meeting, features a woman in her forties balancing family obligations, work, and romance.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Title: Chance Meeting

Author: Christine Columbus

Genre: Romance, contemporary, clean and wholesome

BLURB:

Melody is fostering her niece while her sister, Captain Opal Erickson, is deployed to Kuwait. A chance meeting at work with Clayton, a construction manager, awakens feelings of love and romance. Everything is perfect until Opal reveals a family truth and swears Melody to secrecy. To honor her sisterly pledge, Mel attempts to reject any advances from Clayton until he guesses the truth. Torn between loyalty to Opal and love for Clayton, she pours herself into work, making a mess of everything. When the dust settles, Mel wonders if she can put the pieces of her life back together.

INTERVIEW:

Welcome! It is my pleasure to feature your novel.

What was the inspiration behind your latest release?

I wrote the story from Melody’s perspective with humor and heartfelt emotion: she is a civilian with a sister deployed to Kuwait. Melody is the caretaker for her sister’s daughter. The story is about the struggle of balancing family, work, and a budding new romance when you are over forty and wanting to do what’s best for everyone, even when you’re not exactly sure what that looks like.

Where do you get your ideas?

Chance Meeting began percolating many years ago when I overheard a construction worker discussing his frustrations with a job because the person making the decisions had been tossed into the job and knew nothing about construction, building maintenance, or remodeling.

What has been your biggest challenge?

I took a twelve-year break from writing, and I am trying to catch up. The marketing and publishing world has changed, and while traveling with my husband in a fifth-wheel camper and volunteering at state and national parks, I lost touch with the writing community.

What writing tips or marketing advice would you like to share?

The biggest thing I’ve learned is that if you want to be published, you must write and submit your manuscript. Over fifty years ago, I was at a party listening to a man repeating the same story about how someday he would write a book. Right then and there, I decided I wouldn’t be the woman repeating the same story about someday wanting to write a novel. I’d rather have a hundred rejection notices than be the person with nothing but an idea.

What project are you currently working on?

I am working on edits with The Wild Rose Press for a sweet, clean, and wholesome novel. I’d Rather Kiss You Goodnight. Sally is forty-seven, and Ty is forty-five. Their feelings simmer beneath the surface. During the day, they repair Mabel’s house, and they spend evenings at a nearby campground, enjoying sunsets and contemplating a summer romance.

AUTHOR BIO:

I am thrilled to be back writing with Chance Meeting available now, and I’d Rather Kiss You Goodnight coming out soon. These novels culminate my passion for storytelling, and I can’t wait to share them with you.

Eighteen years ago, while living in Minneapolis, Minnesota, I published children’s stories, creative non-fiction, poetry, and flash fiction, then stumbled into romance, writing several short stories and a novel with The Wild Rose Press.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

BookBub

Bluesky

Amazon

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Apple Books

Books A Million

Bookshop

Interview with Susan Bagby, Author of Sweet Ridge Hearts

Author Susan Bagby is joining us today for an interview. Her latest novel, Sweet Ridge Hearts, is a perfect pick readers in search of their next small town romance.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Title: Sweet Ridge Hearts

Author: Susan Bagby

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Small Town, Clean and Wholesome

BLURB:

Career-driven Katy Flanagan desperately wants to become creative director of the Martin and Lewis marketing agency. But when she loses the promotion, and gets dumped by her boyfriend the same day, Katy flees New York for a small-town break with her cousin Christine.

Yet even in country-quiet Maple Ridge, Katy’s skills can be useful, and she’s prepared to jump in to help Christine win a competition for her Sweet Ridge Bakery. What she’s not prepared for is handsome bakery manager Derek Higgins.

A veteran dealing with the aftermath of PTSD, Derek is a loner, and he likes it that way. Being forced to work with a spirited businesswoman and her healthy ego is a challenge every step of the way. But the stakes are too high for him to give up helping his boss.

As the competition heats up, so does the chemistry with Katy—until she’s offered a new job in another city. Now she must decide whether to take a risk and start her own company, or become the creative director of a new, successful firm, which is everything she ever wanted. At the same time Derek must face his own issues when personal tragedy wraps him in survivor’s guilt, leaving him unable to forgive himself for past actions.

While Derek strives to heal the wounds of a haunting past, and Katy gathers the courage to face her fears and carve a new path, their individual growth becomes an inspiring testament to the human spirit. What will become of their relationship in the face of such profound change?

INTERVIEW:

Welcome! It is my pleasure to feature your novel.

Do ideas for plot or characters appear first?

I usually get a partial plot idea first with one character. As I dig into both, a story and a personality start to appear, and then I make some kind of timeline to guide me when I sit down to write. I find if I can write a 1-2 sentence logline for the book in the beginning of the process, everything flows easier.

Have you ever traveled when researching information for a book?

Yes. Last summer I fulfilled a bucket list item by going to the UK, but I also was writing a book that entailed my hero living and working there. I was able to take pictures of homes and places that would be in my novel. It made writing about my settings so much easier.

What has been your biggest challenge?

I think the biggest challenge for me is the marketing of my books. I have dived into social media, taken many workshops on marketing, and network with other writers, but it’s not easy finding new readers when you don’t have the support of a large publishing house. The publishing world requires tenacity and perseverance.

Which writers inspire you?

I love historical fiction writers like Kristin Hannah and Soraya Lane, romance writers Rebecca Yarros, Abby Jimenez, and women’s fiction writers Jojo Moyes and Elizabeth Gilbert.

What project are you currently working on?

I am presently working on a sweet, small-town contemporary romance novel for The Wild Rose Press, entitled, Forever Kind of Love.

AUTHOR BIO:

Author Susan Bagby is a retired speech and language pathologist and full-time writer of romance novels. Living in her hometown of Akron, Ohio, her life-long dream to write romance books came true when she found a home with Sands Press Publishing in 2021. Her debut novel, Christmas Wish Upon a Star, was published in 2022 and was a semi-finalist for the 2023 CIBA Chatelaine Book Awards for Romance Fiction. Her second book, Home for Love, was released in October of 2023 and was a second-place winner in the Romance-Wholesome category at the 2024 Spring Book Fest Awards. The third book, Sweet Ridge Hearts, in the Maple Ridge series, was published in the fall of 2024 by SheRisesStudios.

Susan belongs to the Great Lakes Fiction Writers Organization and Romance Writers of America (RWA). Susan is currently working on a new small-town romance series for The Wild Rose Press and loves seeing new characters come to life. When not writing, she loves reading, walking in the woods, yoga, Pilates, and playing the piano. She’s a firm believer that dreams do come true.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Website

Amazon

Facebook

Instagram

Goodreads

BookBub

Bluesky

Threads

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Walmart

Bookshop

Book in the Spotlight: Death by Dreidel, by Susie Black

I’m thrilled to welcome back author Susie Black with a spotlight on her latest release. Death by Dreidel is a perfect pick to kick of your cozy mystery spring reading.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Title: Death by Dreidel

Author: Susie Black

Genre: Cozy Mystery

BLURB:

Mermaid Swimwear President Holly Schlivnik attends an industry Hanukkah party to honor Rapido Swimwear CEO Leni Waxman as the Mount Cedars Hospital Woman of the Year. The guest of honor collapses and dies in the middle of the event. An autopsy confirms that Leni expired as a result of poisoning by coming in contact with a purposely contaminated dreidel. There is no shortage of suspects—Leni had no problem destroying anyone who threatened her top-dog swimwear industry position. When Holly’s business partner is wrongly arrested for Leni’s murder, the irreverent sales exec can’t mind her own beeswax. The wise-cracking snoop sticks her nose everywhere it doesn’t belong to flesh out the real killer. But the trail has more twists and turns than a rollercoaster and nothing turns out how Holly thinks it will as she takes on a ruthless killer hellbent on revenge.

AUTHOR BIO:

Named Best US Author of the Year by N. N. Lights Book Heaven, award-winning cozy mystery author Susie Black was born in the Big Apple but now calls sunny Southern California home. Like the protagonist in her Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series, Susie is a successful apparel sales executive. Susie began telling stories as soon as she learned to talk. Now she’s telling all the stories from her garment industry experiences in humorous mysteries.

She reads, writes, and speaks Spanish, albeit with an accent that sounds like Mildred from Michigan went on a Mexican vacation and is trying to fit in with the locals. Since life without pizza and ice cream as her core food groups wouldn’t be worth living, she’s a dedicated walker to keep her girlish figure. A voracious reader, she’s also an avid stamp collector and sailor. Susie lives with a highly intelligent man and has one incredibly brainy but smart-aleck adult son who inexplicably blames his sarcasm on an inherited genetic defect.

Looking for more? Contact Susie at:

Website: www.authorsusieblack.com

E-mail: mysteries_@authorsusieblack.com

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

PURCHASE LINKS:

Book in the Spotlight: Washed Up at Sea Oats Beach, by Karen C. Whalen

Today is Release Day for Washed Up at Sea Oats Beach, by Karen C. Whalen. Who doesn’t love a cozy mystery/beach read? It’s never too early to build your summer reading list!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Title: Washed Up at Sea Oats Beach

Author: Karen C. Whalen

Genre: Cozy Mystery – Beach Read

BLURB:

One sun-drenched morning at Sea Oats Beach, Breanna Hart stumbles on the dead body of a surfer washed ashore. As the reality of her grim find sinks in, a movement in the water catches her eye—a chocolate Lab perched on a surfboard. Did the dog belong to the surfer or someone else? With no answer to that question, Breanna fosters the traumatized canine and learns about the incredible world of dogs who surf—an unexpected yet fascinating sport.

What began as a tragic encounter quickly escalates into a homicide investigation when the authorities determine that the woman’s death was no accident. Driven by her desire for justice for the woman, and healing for the Lab, Breanna sets out to connect the lost dog to his people and unravel the secrets hiding in the tide. Will she discover the truth, or will it remain as mysterious as life under the waves?

Dive into the sequel to the award-winning Mystery at Sea Oats Beach featuring a colorful cast of characters including the island town of Sea Oats Beach itself. Sit back and relax, unwind, and escape to the shore!

AUTHOR BIO:

Karen C. Whalen is the award-winning author of three cozy mystery series. The Dinner Club Mysteries features Jane Marsh, an empty nester who hosts a gourmet dinner club. The Tow Truck Mysteries stars Delaney Morran, a super feminine shoe-a-holic who drives a tow truck. Both are about strong friendships and family ties set in Colorado. The Sea Oats Beach series is a cozy mystery – beach read set in Coastal Carolina. Her books are similar to those written by authors Jessica Beck, Joanne Fluke, Leslie Meier, Cindy Bell, and Laura Childs.

The first in the Dinner Club series, Everything Bundt the Truth, tied for FIRST PLACE in the Suspense Novel category of the 2017 IDA Contest. The third in the Tow Truck series, Eyes on the Road, was a SECOND PLACE winner of the 2023 Firebird Book Awards in the Cozy Mystery category. The first in the Sea Oats Beach Mysteries, Murder at Sea Oats Beach, won the 2024 Firebird Book Awards in the Summer Beach Read category.

She worked for many years as a paralegal at a law firm in Denver and had been a columnist and regular contributor to The National Paralegal Reporter magazine. She loves to host dinner clubs, ride bicycles, hike in the mountains, walk on the beach, and read cozy murder mysteries.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

PURCHASE LINKS:

Book in the Spotlight: Silver and Aconite, by Tashia L. Fugate

I’m pleased to welcome author Tashia L. Fugate for today’s Book in the Spotlight. Silver and Aconite is a new release sure to appeal paranormal romance readers.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Title: Silver and Aconite

Author: Tashia L. Fugate

Genre: Paranormal Fantasy, Romance

BLURB:

What do you do when the past you start to remember is quickly becoming a past you wished would stay forgotten? On the surface, Samantha Walker is your average human. She’s working hard to rebuild her future, but there’s more than one fanged skeleton in her closet and they’re about to be released. In the sleepy town of Glenwood this should’ve been a piece of cake, but when mystery man, Deacon Vasileios, shows up at her feet bleeding from a gunshot wound her life gets turned upside down. Something about him isn’t human, but the glow of his icy blue eyes holds all the keys to unlock her past. People she thought she trusted are lying to her as she struggles to understand her twisted memories. Hunters want to use her while an alpha wants her to become his. As the fire rekindles between Samantha and Deacon, she must make a choice. Is her life in fate’s hands or is she in control? Choices are dangerous things to make.

AUTHOR BIO:

Tashia L. Fugate lives in Kentucky with her husband and their family. She is the author of Silver and Aconite, the first book in A Prophecy of Blood and Flowers series. She began writing this series in college but has always used her imagination to create different characters and worlds. In the summer she gardens and can usually be found on a walk or in her craft room. She enjoys painting and drawing, but her greatest joy is reading. There’s no place she would go without a good book in hand. You can visit her online via TikTok, Instagram or Facebook (@tashialfugate).