Jill Piscitello

Interview with Birdie Song, Author of The Guy from the Wedding

Author Birdie Song is joining us today for an interview. Her latest novel, The Guy from the Wedding, offers readers a romance set in Australia. I enjoyed learning how this author allowed the characters to take her story in a new direction.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Title: The Guy from the Wedding

Author: Birdie Song

Genre: Sweet romance, small town romance, Australian romance, multicultural romance

BLURB:

Wedding bells are ringing … but not for them.

Katrina Lee just can’t catch a break. She’s single, failing to mingle, and spending precious weekends surrounded by blissfully happy newlyweds-to-be. It’s just an occupational hazard of working for The Wedding Elves. Another hazard? Her sister’s new business partner, whose first job as co-owner seems to be putting her off guys for good.

Liam Donovan left Melbourne, determined to start a new life in Perth. He never dreamed this would mean working with the sour-faced woman he met at an old friend’s wedding, let alone falling for her. Now he’s caught between the man-in-charge he wants to be and the pathetic loser he swore to leave behind.

The Guy from the Wedding is a sweet enemies-to-lovers workplace romance, set in the world of Somerville Downs.

INTERVIEW:

Welcome! It is my pleasure to feature your novel.

What was the inspiration behind your latest release?

The Guy from the Wedding started as a web serial on my blog back in 2021. I got as far as the main characters meeting at a wedding, definitely not getting along, and then … I blanked. The story sat virtually untouched for a couple of years.

One advice fiction writers get is to “spend time” with their characters, often through drafting, but sometimes by meditating on them, having imaginary conversations with them, just to get a feel for what they’re like as people. So for a long time, I’d draft and imagine, and even took one of them out for coffee (just me hacking away at my laptop in a local café lol) to try and understand their stories.

Eventually, I found the problem. I was too focused on writing a lighthearted enemies-to-lovers romcom, when this book actually wanted to explore how we inadvertently hurt the ones we love when we don’t fully process the hurt done to us. The couple in this book very much want to reinvent themselves in the wake of toxic relationships, but they’ll need to confront their own shortcomings and insecurities before they’re worthy of love.

Have you ever traveled when researching information for a book?

I have! For this book in particular, I left my writing cave to visit two places: a mini-golf course and a heritage hotel in the south-west rural region of my state. Although some places get named in the book, these two didn’t, but anyone who’s been to these places around Perth and Western Australia will probably recognise the locations and inspiration in this book.

I enjoy travelling, but writing books set in my home city means I can’t skip town very often. There are three more books to go in the Somerville Downs series, and I’m thinking maybe my next one should be set somewhere else in the world I’d like to research in person.

What has been your biggest challenge?

Finishing The Guy from the Wedding has been my personal mountain so far. Putting myself in my characters’ shoes so I could write them – not gonna lie, that was hard. Painful at times (even though this book doesn’t delve into anything dark on the page), because of the messy human emotions involved.

I hope this means I’ve produced something readers can feel and love. Life has a way of blunting our emotions sometimes, making it seem unsafe to have feelings. Maybe that’s why we turn to romance, so we can feel our feelings and know it’ll be all right in the end.

Besides that, this book is the longest story I’ve ever written, and I had to hold a lot in my head at once. It’s only a short novel, but I usually prefer to write (and read) novellas. Romance, to me, is a chocolate bon bon, not a three tier Queen Sylvia mudcake!

What does literary success mean to you?

To earn a liveable income through work that brings joy to both myself and other people. I don’t need to make millions, just enough to live comfortably and support my family and community. That’s how I’d define success in general, not just literary success.

What project are you currently working on?

At the moment, I’m taking a break to spend time with family and friends over the holidays. Oh, and to catch up on life admin. When I’m waist-deep in work, my home gets progressively more cluttered and untidy with every passing day. So, I owe it to my very supportive family to do my share of chores.

In the new year, I plan to start on book 6 in the Somerville Downs series, The Guy from the Bakery.

AUTHOR BIO:

Birdie Song is an Asian-Australian writer from Perth, Western Australia on Whadjuk-Noongar country. She pens sweet stories featuring hopeful characters and optimistic endings (spoiler alert!). She believes love is more important than labels, integrity is a person’s most attractive quality, and that no one should be judged for putting pineapple on a pizza. When not writing, she tends to a veggie garden and reads a variety of books, hoping to one day understand the meaning of life.

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Interview with Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy, Author of The Cowboy’s Last Chance

Author Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy is joining me today for an interview. Sweet romance readers are sure to enjoy her latest novel, The Cowboy’s Last Chance, set in Southwest Missouri.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Title: The Cowboy’s Last Chance

Author: Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy

Genre: sweet romance, western romance

BLURB:

When Vivian Blackburn, recently returned to Southwest Missouri sets out to shoot pictures at a rodeo, she’s not looking for a cowboy but when she meets bull rider Calhoun Kelly, she’s found one. They have an instant attraction and rapport. They’re compatible in every way but one – he has a strong Christian faith and she lost hers after her parents died. When Vivian experiences strange dreams that seem to warn Calhoun of upcoming danger, she doesn’t know what to think. Calhoun decides to hang up his spurs at the end of the season but before he does, he and Vivian are married. They decide they’ll settle at her grandmother’s old farmhouse but not until he rides his last rodeo. When he’s critically injured, his life hangs in the balance. Will Vivian find her faith and pray? It’s a close call but time will tell.

INTERVIEW:

Welcome! It is my pleasure to feature your novel.

What was the inspiration behind your latest release?

I love cowboys, enjoy attending a good rodeo, and delight in spinning a love story. All these factors came together in The Cowboy’s Last Chance. A character named Calhoun Kelly, a bull rider, popped into my head and I had to tell his story.

Have you ever travelled when researching information for a book?

I have often travelled to research background for my novels. In The Cowboy’s Last Chance, I have been to most of the places Calhoun and Vivian visit. I have received many compliments from readers who tell me I nailed their community – including both Los Angeles and New York – because they could tell I had actually spent a little time there.

When did you begin writing?

I decided I wanted to be an author by the time I was in the fifth grade. I spent a good portion of my time that year scribbling a novel in the back of my blue binder. I continued to write. During college, I was on the campus newspaper staff and an editor for literary magazine. I worked in broadcasting as my first career after graduation and began to write short stories and articles, some of which sold. When my twin daughters were two, I decided if I didn’t get busy with my lifelong goal of becoming an author and write a novel, I probably never would. Although many friends and family thought I was crazy, a few encouraged me to continue so I made my first serious effort at a novel.

How many hours do you dedicate each day towards writing?

I approach writing like a full-time job. After I get up, play with my pets, have breakfast, get dressed, I head for my desk. I write at least six hours per day and if I’m heavily into a new work in progress, often more.

Which authors inspire you?

There are so many – Carolyn Brown, who lives “next door” in Oklahoma, Susanna Kearsley, the late Janet Dailey would be my top three.

Which project are you currently working on?

I’m working on a novel for a new line with The Wild Rose Press called Men And Women of Valor, I just completed final edits for a sexy romantic suspense novel, Venganza, with Evernight Publishing, and I’m also working on another WIP. I have an ongoing series with World Castle Publishing, the Laredo series. Book two debuted this summer and book three is already under contract.

Upcoming books, events, appearances, giveaways:

The Cowboy’s Last Chance, 10/21/24, Homeward Bound Hearts, 12/16/24 (both Wild Rose Press), Venganza, Evernight Publishing, The Birthright of Ezekiel Wilson and The Cowboy’s Prayer, 2025, World Castle Publishing, and The Cajun Cowboy (The Wild Rose Press) 2025.

AUTHOR BIO:

From an early age, Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy scribbled stories, inspired by the books she read, the family tales she heard, and even the conversations she overheard at the beauty shop where her grandmother had a weekly standing appointment. She was the little girl who sat at the feet of the elders and listened.

As an author, she has published more than seventy novels and novellas writing as both Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy and as Patrice Wayne for historical fiction. Her books are found in many places, online and in brick-and-mortar stores including some in both Ireland and Australia.

She spent her early career in broadcast radio, interviewing everyone from politicians to major league baseball players and writing ad copy. In those radio years she began to write short stories and articles, some of which found publication. In 1994 she married Roy Murphy and they had three children, all now grown-up. She was widowed in 2019. Lee Ann spent years in the newspaper field as both a journalist and editor and was widowed in 2019.

In late 2020, she hung up her editor’s hat to return to writing fiction. A native of St. Joseph, Missouri, she lives and works in the rugged, mysterious, and beautiful Missouri Ozarks.

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Interview with Mary Ann Jacobs, Author of Peril in Pittman Book 2 in the Berkshire Mystery Series

Author Mary Ann Jacobs is joining us today for an interview. Her latest novel, Peril in Pittman Book 2 in the Berkshire Mystery Series, is sure to delight fans of cozy mysteries.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Title: Peril in Pittman Book 2 in the Berkshire Mystery Series

Author: Mary Ann Jacobs

Genre: Cozy Mystery

BLURB:

Fear has invaded the small town of Pittman. In this cozy mystery, join the Super Sleuths as they unmask a thief and not one, but three hitmen. Sadie, an immigrant from Lebanon, arms herself to protect her adopted family in her new home. Meanwhile, a journalist is producing a documentary on the allure of small towns in New England. Will the locals see tourists avoid their crime-ridden town leaving the merchants with financial ruin?

Meet the members of the Geezer Book Club and look into the future plans of the characters you first met and loved in Don’t Mess with Me, #1 in The Berkshire Mystery Series.

INTERVIEW:

Welcome! It is my pleasure to feature your novel.

What was the inspiration behind your latest release?

My father’s side of the family was Lebanese. I modeled Sadie after my aunt who I loved. She was a main figure in Don’t Mess with Me Book 1 in the Berkshire Mystery Series, but I wanted more intrigue surrounding her character. Also, at the time that I was writing this, there was much conflict in the news surrounding gun control and ownership, so I thought I would incorporate this political controversy into my book.

Where do you get your ideas?

I am a dreamer and have lived a full life, living in many towns throughout the country and having many jobs, mostly in education. I base my plots on people and places I have experienced.

Do ideas for plot or characters appear first?
The characters always appear first and nag at me to get going on the plot.

A funny thing happened with one of the villains in this book. I had made him the assassin, but one night he appeared to me and refused to be the villain because I had made him too nice. It was so real that I returned to the draft the next day, and sure enough, he was right. He was too nice to be an assassin. I had to completely revise that section. That was weird.

When did you begin writing?

I have written all my life, but never had enough time to finalize my writings because I was so busy. When I retired, I had published only a poem and an essay. I had many children’s books in draft form and pages of poems in a notebook. I also found scraps of ideas for all genres of writing in the many piles on my desk that I finally had to clean up.

How many hours do you dedicate each day towards writing?

Not enough. My free time has become filled with many interesting, but time-consuming activities.

What has been your biggest challenge?

When I retired, I promised myself that I would polish some of my writings and finally get them published. I published several poems and essays, but by the time I polished my children’s books, Covid hit, and publishers weren’t publishing new writers.

During the isolation of Covid, I finally had time to write. After watching many Hallmark movies and reading escapist mysteries, I decided to try my hand at a cozy mystery. Thus, was born The Berkshire Mystery Series.

What project are you currently working on?

Book 3 in the Berkshire Mystery Series is at the brainstorming stage. I am researching agents for children’s books.

AUTHOR BIO:

Ms. Jacobs is a writer, a teacher of Creative Writing, and a writing coach. She has published essays in various publications including Moida Quarterly Magazine, Kentucky Monthly Magazine, Motherwell online, KRTA News, and Teachers of Vision Magazine. She has published poems in various publications including Elephants Never online, SOS Art Cincinnati, and The Kentucky English Bulletin. The Wild Rose Press published her first cozy mystery, Don’t Mess with Me in the Berkshire Mystery Series in 2023. Book 2 in the Berkshire Mystery Series, Peril in Pittman will be published September 23, 2024.

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Guest Post by Kay Pritchett, Author of The Incident at Sunny Banks

Please join me in welcoming author Kay Pritchett. Today, Kay is sharing a guest post about how her novel came to be set along the Mississippi River and details some interesting history behind Victorian homes. Mystery readers are sure to enjoy meeting a new amateur sleuth in The Incident at Sunny Banks.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Title: The Incident at Sunny Banks

Author: Kay Pritchett

Genre: Mystery

BLURB:

Mosey Frye, real estate agent and amateur sleuth, comes upon a corpse in the garage at Sunny Banks, the home of local towboat magnate Martin Eldridge. Hembree police chief Lieutenant Gus Olivera tracks a lead on a man who tried to extort money from the Captain Jack crew, claiming they were intoxicated on the night of a fatal collision. But Mosey, ever inquisitive, sets her sights on the Eldridges’ distant past and ultimately reveals a more devious plot to destroy the elderly riverman’s legacy and take control of his company.

GUEST POST:

The Role of Place in Storytelling: No Place like Home

When I start a novel, nothing drives me like the allure of place, especially the place I hail from, the Mississippi River Delta, a mysterious land that abounds in untold tales just waiting to be shared. Though I haven’t lived in my hometown of Greenville, Mississippi (once known as the Queen City of the Delta) since my high school days, this enigmatic place evokes a sense of nostalgia, a mélange of scents, sounds, hues, and textures that have left an indelible mark on my soul.

When it comes to this very special place, it’s hard to say which inspires a writer more: living there or not living there. During the years of my residency, writing about “God’s country” didn’t really interest me. It wasn’t until I had put some time and space between me and it that I understood the significance of my homeland in my life. Only then did I endeavor to fathom it, first, in memory, and later, in fiction.

So how does “place” come together in a novel? I started by crafting the quaint town of Hembree, set on the west bank of the Mississippi River. By keeping the town fictional and locating it in Arkansas rather than my home state, I figured I could steer clear of potential drama from friends and relatives claiming to recognize some character or event in the story. Then came the buildings, crucial, of course, to the plot, seeing as my amateur sleuth is a real estate agent and every mystery commences with a listing. I’ve come across many intriguing abodes in the Delta, from the storied shotgun shack to the tumbledown mansion. Yet, in creating my mystery series, I have most often gravitated toward the Victorian style house, and research has validated this inclination.

Victorian dwellings, you see, are considered creepy for more than just appearance’s sake. In fact, some sociological underpinnings contributed to their adoption as the ideal haunted house. Krystal D’Costa, in answering the question, “Why are Victorian houses haunted?” for the Scientific American blog (October 27, 2016), claims that when Victorian homes were first built, their wealthy owners were often seen as cold-hearted because they appeared to value money above all else. Before long, folks began to feel wary of the recently affluent and projected those sentiments onto their residences. Critics of the Victorian have also noted that these wooden dwellings, full of nooks and crannies, are a challenge to keep up. I can vouch for that, as I call one such beauty—or monstrosity—my home. If you don’t have cleaners and handymen coming around regularly, it’s likely your Victorian will look shabby, with paint chipping, boards coming loose, and spiderwebs taking over the veranda.

After settling on the Victorian style, I dove into exploring interiors and got carried away playing with décor, furnishings, and all kinds of what-nots. It’s convenient that my protagonist Mosey Frye’s best friend is an antique dealer who picks up treasures at estate sales, like old trunks, wardrobes, and even taxidermy mounts, quite favored by Victorians. An innocuous item like a hair receiver can play a central role in a mystery. The one I featured in The Terrace held hair strands laced with arsenic! In another mystery, The House with the Secret Cellar, a dusty oil painting discovered in a hidden cellar provided dirt on a prominent Hembree family.

Not all novelists like putting “place” front and center, but for me, it has conjured up a wealth of elements. And seeing as these things tie back to my own heritage, they come to me loaded with emotion, which, of course, is essential to storytelling. I have an indescribable connection with my made-up world: the scenery, buildings, and interiors, whether cozy or forbidding. While it’s all make-believe, the fantastical roots sink deep into the Delta, as deep as the roots of the legendary cypress trees around Greenville that, reaching down to the aquifer, color the water a faint shade of brown.

AUTHOR BIO:

Kay Pritchett, a native of Greenville, Mississippi, lives in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where she taught Spanish literature at the state’s flagship university. At retirement, she threw herself into fiction writing and has wrapped up six books in the Mosey Frye Mystery series. As a mystery writer, she delights in blending the charming wit of amateur sleuth Mosey Frye with the suave sophistication of police chief Gus Olivera. She’s all about sprinkling her mystery novels with lively banter, highlighting the dynamic interactions between Mosey and her trusty sidekick Nadia, as well as the intriguing dialogues between Olivera and sharp-witted coroner Eads McGinnis. Her goal? To transport readers into the thrilling world of an Agatha Christie whodunit, but with a delightful twist—think verandas and paddle boats! Murder in High Cotton (2022), inspired by childhood memories of theDelta, anthologizes her first short mystery novels. She launched her full-length novels, The Summer House at Larkspur (Book #4) and The Incident at Sunny Banks (Book #5), soon after in 2023. The House with a Secret Cellar (Book #6) has reached the final stages of editing and will enter production soon, so get ready for another wild ride with Mosey Frye Mysteries!

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Book in theSpotlight: Sunset Ledge, by Darlene Deluca

Today’s Book in the Spotlight is Sunset Ledge, by Darlene Deluca. Look no further for your next read than this later-in-life romance novel set on a Texas Ranch.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Title: Sunset Ledge

Author: Darlene Deluca

Genre: Sweet later-in-life contemporary romance

BLURB:

Jack Armstrong lives like a recluse on his Texas ranch. In the difficult years after his wife’s death, he goes through the motions of life and wants to be left alone.

Caroline Tate, a widowed ecology professor, arrives at the ranch for a much-needed break and to take nature photos for her sabbatical project. But relaxing is a challenge when she finds herself at odds with the curmudgeonly cowboy who owns the place.

Jack generally steers clear of the guests, but this time, it’s not so easy. Vivacious Caroline doesn’t fade into the background. This city gal comes with pearls around her neck, a big red flower on her floppy hat, and way too many questions. Her self-assured, adventurous spirit gets under Jack’s skin, and she soon stirs feelings long dormant inside him.

AUTHOR BIO:

Darlene Deluca writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction that explores relationships – what brings people together or keeps them apart.

Her intent is to bring to life interesting characters that readers can relate to in real-life situations that combine a little fun, plenty of drama (with perhaps a tear or two), and big helpings of friendship, love, and self-discovery, and will leave readers either cheering or sighing with a satisfied smile as they turn the final page.

The Kansas City author enjoys getting lost in a good story with a glass of tea, a bit of dark chocolate and a warm, sunny beach.