Reader's Entertainment Radio: Recent Episodes
COS Radio
Reader's Entertainment Radio is a fun, informative and entertaining way to learn about books, engage with authors and have fun! From Book Lights to Reader's Entertainment Radio Show we have something for every reader and every genre!
Dr. Roger Leslie is a scholar in the fields of success and education. Through major literary houses, medium and small presses, and his own publishing house, Leslie has published fiction and nonfiction books in multiple genres: historical fiction, inspirational self-help, spirituality, writing and publishing, movie reference, teaching and librarianship, biography, history, and memoir.Leslie has won numerous national awards including ForeWord Book of the Year, The Ben Franklin Award, and Writer’s Digest’s #1 Inspirational Book of the Year. At its inaugural event, Leslie received the Houston Literary Award for his body of work.Leslie is in demand as a teacher, coach, and keynote speaker. He is also a sought-after speaker for his lively, entertaining keynotes relating award-winning movies to any topic or group.In every book and presentation, Leslie entertains, inspires, and empowers people to live the life they dream and soar toward their own ideal of success. For more, visit RogerLeslie.comAnd for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Lauren Thoman writes speculative fiction for teens and adults. Her debut novel, I'll Stop the World, was selected for publication in 2023 by six-time Emmy nominee Mindy Kaling through her eponymous imprint, Mindy's Book Studio. Lauren's pop culture writing has also appeared in numerous online outlets including Parade and Vulture. Lauren lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and two children in a house full of dogs and fish. When she's not writing, she's probably on the hunt for tacos or coffee, poking around her flowerbeds, or buried underneath a pile of dogs. You can find out more at: https://www.laurenthomanwrites.com/And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Christine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, with 83 published works in seven different series: Dark Series, GhostWalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, Sea Haven Series, Shadow Series, and Torpedo Ink Series. All seven of her series have hit the #1 spot on the New York Times bestseller list. Judgment Road, the first book in her newest series, Torpedo Ink, debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. You can find out more at her website: https://christinefeehan.com/ And check out her store here: https://feehanandco.com/ See Lisa's tarot reading with Christine's Carpathian tarot deck: https://youtu.be/IqvB65mVbJMAnd for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Born in Havana and raised in New Jersey, Aurelio Voltaire’s boyhood fascination with horror movies blossomed into a teenage taste for the moody music of British rock bands including Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bauhaus, and the Cure. Aurelio worked for years in stop-motion animation, a career that led to gigs with MTV, Nickelodeon, and Syfy, and to becoming an instructor at the School of Visual Arts from 1996 to 2019. As a musician, he is a songwriter whose music can best be described as a collection of murder ballads, and tongue-in-cheek exercises in the macabre. He is the author of the books Paint It Black: A Guide to Gothic Homemaking and What is Goth: Music, Makeup, Attitude, Apparel, Dance, and General Skullduggery. Aurelio lives in the East Village, NY and regularly streams his YouTube show, Gothic Homemaking. You can find out more and check out his Gothic Home Products here: https://voltaire.net/the-lair-of-voltaire-wholesale and find out more about the books and music at: https://voltaire.net/booksAnd for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Defying all odds is what #1 New York Times and international bestselling author Sherrilyn McQueen writing as Sherrilyn Kenyon does best. Rising from extreme poverty as a child that culminated in being a homeless mother with an infant, she has become one of the most popular and influential authors in the world (in both adult and YA fiction), with dedicated legions of fans known as Paladins–thousands of whom proudly sport tattoos from her numerous genre-defying series.Since her first book debuted while she was still in college, she has placed more than 80 novels on the New York Times list in all formats and genres, including manga and graphic novels, and has more than 70 million books in print worldwide. Her current series include: Dark-Hunters®, Chronicles of Nick®, Deadman’s Cross™, Eve of Destruction™, Nevermore™, Lords of Avalon® and The League®.Over the years, her Lords of Avalon® novels have been adapted by Marvel, and her Dark-Hunters® and Chronicles of Nick® are New York Times bestselling manga and comics and are #1 bestselling adult coloring books.You can find out more at her website: https://www.sherrilynkenyon.com/And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Darkness Prevails is a spooky storyteller extraordinaire hailing from the Ozarks of Arkansas. When he’s not busy spinning yarns about things that go bump in the night on Eeriecast: The Horror Podcast Network or on his wildly successful YouTube channel, Darkness Prevails, he can often be found wandering through the misty woods, searching for evidence of Bigfoot (or at least an excuse to use his night-vision goggles).Despite his fascination with the unknown, Darkness Prevails is also a devoted family man. He is the proud father of two terrors-in-training. His wife, who may or may not be a vampire, supports his creepy pursuits and even helps him research his latest hair-raising tales.Carman Carrion is a name synonymous with the eerie and mysterious realms of folklore and horror. As the esteemed writer and host of the popular podcasts Freaky Folklore and Destination Terror, Carman has spent a lifetime immersed in the spine-tingling tales that have captured the human imagination for generations. Working as a dedicated contributor to the Eeriecast Podcast Network, Carman’s dulcet voice and captivating storytelling have brought chilling narratives to life for countless listeners.And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Lori Roy is the author of six novels, including her upcoming novel, LAKE COUNTY (6/1/24). Her debut, BENT ROAD, was awarded the Edgar Allen Poe Award for Best First Novel by an American Author. She went on to receive the 2016 Edgar Allen Poe Award for Best Novel, making Lori the first woman to receive an Edgar Award for both Best First Novel and Best Novel, and she is the third person to have done so.Lori's critically acclaimed work has been named a New York Times Editors' Choice, twice named a New York Times Notable Crime Book, featured in People Magazine as Book of the Week and excerpted in Oprah Magazine. Her work has been widely reviewed and has been included on numerous Best Of lists and summer reading lists.Lori lives with her family in west-central Florida.You can learn more at: https://www.loriroy.com/And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Kendra Elliot has sold twelve million books, hit the Wall Street Journal top ten bestseller list more than a dozen times, and is a three time winner of the Daphne du Maurier award. She is an International Thriller Writers' finalist and a Romantic Times finalist. She grew up in the lush Pacific Northwest but now spends most of her time on a warm beach wearing flip flops. You can learn more about her at: https://www.kendraelliot.com/Melinda Leigh is a #1 Amazon Charts and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author and has sold over 14 million books. As a fully recovered banker and a life-long lover of books, she started writing as a way to preserve her sanity while raising her kids. Melinda's debut novel, SHE CAN RUN, was an International Thriller Award finalist. Since then, she has garnered numerous writing accolades, including two RITA® Award nominations and an induction into the NJ Romance Writers Hall of Fame.She lives near the beach with her family and two spoiled rescue dogs. With such a pleasant life, she has no explanation for the sometimes dark and disturbing nature of her imagination. Find out more at: www.melindaleigh.comAnd for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Kara Thomas is the author of the YA novels The Darkest Corners, Little Monsters, The Cheerleaders, That Weekend, and The Champions, as well as the adult novels Out of the Ashes and Lost to Dune Road. She lives on Long Island with her husband, son, and rescue cat, where she spends way too much time on Reddit Unresolved Mysteries trying to solve cold cases. For more information, visit www.kara-thomas.comAnd for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Sebastien de Castell had just finished a degree in Archaeology when he started work on his first dig. Four hours later he realized how much he actually hated archaeology and left to pursue a very focused career as a musician, ombudsman, interaction designer, fight choreographer, teacher, project manager, actor, and product strategist. In one way or another, each of these fields plays a role in his writing. He sternly resists the accusation of being a Renaissance Man in the hopes that more people will label him that way.Sebastien's acclaimed swashbuckling fantasy series, The Greatcoats. was shortlisted for both the 2014 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fantasy. the Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Debut, the Prix Imaginales for Best Foreign Work, and the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. His YA fantasy series, Spellslinger, was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and is published in more than a dozen languages.Sebastien lives in Vancouver, Canada with his lovely wife and two belligerent cats. You can reach him at www.decastell.com
Donna Conrad is an award-winning author, journalist, activist, and teacher. Her core values revolve around the concept of individual empowerment, a sustaining ideal running through the books she writes. She is a multi-genre author with books published in historical fiction and memoir. Her first book, "House of the Moon: Surviving the Sixties," is an award-winning memoir that explores life in the tumultuous decade that changed the world.Her upcoming four-book historical fiction series, The Magdalene Chronicles" has been acquired by Cold Creek Press. Book One, "The Last Magdalene," will be released on April 9, 2024, and has won 5 national pre-publication awards.She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their three cats. When she's not writing, you can find Donna cruising the back roads in her black-on-black Miata MX-5, Maya - named for one of her favorite poets, Maya Angelou. You can learn more on her website: https://donnaconrad.com/And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Brent Olson lives in Big Stone County, on the edge of the prairie in western Minnesota, but in his life as a working journalist he's filed articles from 20 countries on six continents. This has led him to want to change the world he lives in, through his work as a county commissioner, and create new worlds in his two recent novels, "Angr" and "Between the Helpless and the Darkness." In this time of news and information tailored so everyone can hear only what they want to hear, he presents information that will leave everyone just a little unsettled. Olson is a Big Stone County Commissioner and a 2012 Bush Foundation Fellow. You can learn more at his website: https://www.brentolson.online/aboutAnd for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Caroline Cleveland is the founding partner of the law firm, Cleveland & Conley, LLC, where she represents private and public employers, including law enforcement. A native South Carolinian, she inevitably writes from a Southern perspective. She gravitates -- both as a writer and a reader -- toward mystery and suspense, and she cannot resist a character with a dark secret.Caroline lives in Charleston, South Carolina with her husband, David. You can learn more at: https://carolineclevelandauthor.com/And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Eileen Garvin is a beekeeper and writer who lives in Oregon. Her debut novel, The Music of Bees, was a national bestseller and named a Good Morning America Buzz Pick, a Good Housekeeping Book club Pick, a People Magazine Best New Book, an IndieNext Pick, a Library Reads Pick, a Christian Science Monitor Pick, a Washington Post Best Summer Reads, and named a Most Anticipated Book of 2021 by BookRiot, Bookish, Nerd Daily, The Tempest, Midwestness and others.Her new novel, Crow Talk, is available now! You can learn more at: https://www.eileengarvin.com/And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Edward Willett is an award-winning author of more than sixty books science fiction, fantasy and non-fiction for both children and adults. He's also host of the Aurora Award-winning podcast The Worldshapers: "Conversations with science fiction and fantasy authors about the creative process." (http://www.theworldshapers.com). He successfully Kickstarted and edited a new anthology, Shapers of Worlds, featuring authors who were guests during the first year of the podcast.Besides being a writer, Willett is a professional actor and singer who has performed in dozens of plays, musicals and operas in and around Saskatchewan, hosted local television programs, and emceed numerous public events.He's married to a telecommunications engineer and has one daughter and a black Siberian cat named Shadowpaw. You can find out more about him at: https://edwardwillett.com/And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Christopher Reich is the New York Times bestselling author of Rules of Deception, Numbered Account, and The Patriot’s Club, which won the International Thriller Writers Award for best novel in 2006. His new novel, Matterhorn is availabe now! You can learn more at his website: https://christopherreich.com/And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hay is an educational consultant, author, editor, speaker, and podcaster. She currently serves as a content editor and writing coach for Iron Stream Media, where she is responsible for ensuring the quality of content produced by writers. She also freelances as an editor and coach to help writers get their projects ready for publication. Additionally, she works as a sensitivity reader for Sensitivity Between the Lines, providing feedback on manuscripts to ensure the content is culturally sensitive and inclusive.As a review board member and contributor to Inkspirations, an online magazine for Christian writers, Katherine actively supports and encourages aspiring writers to hone their skills and pursue their passion for writing. She regularly blogs for the PEN, the Write Conversation, The EFA Newsletter, the BRMCWC blog, and has also published her writing in Guideposts.She hosts the podcast “Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality” and is the cohost of the www.wordweaversinternational.com live podcast “Open Mic.” and “A Fifth of the Story,” her first general market thriller. You can learn more at: https://www.drkatherinehayes.com/And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Christine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, with 83 published works in seven different series: Dark Series, GhostWalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, Sea Haven Series, Shadow Series, and Torpedo Ink Series. All seven of her series have hit the #1 spot on the New York Times bestseller list. Judgment Road, the first book in her newest series, Torpedo Ink, debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list.“The Queen of paranormal romance.” —USA TodayYou can find out more about Christine and her books on her website: http://www.christinefeehan.comAnd for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Rae Shawn writes captivating, inclusive Black romances that'll have you up in arms for the heroes and, sometimes, even the villains. In her free time, she likes to binge-watch reruns of Supernatural, read books of all genres or watch anime. She currently lives on the East Coast, experiencing all four seasons, but will never forget her constant summer living Los Angeles days. You can find out more and sign up for her newsletter at: https://www.loveraeshawn.com/And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Edo van Belkom is a Canadian author of some 35 books and over 300 short stories in the genres of horror, science fiction, fantasy and mystery. His short fiction has been published in countless anthologies such as Year’s Best Horror Stories, Year’s Best Erotica, Robert Bloch’s Psychos, the Hot Blood and Shock Rock series, as well as several anthologies based on RPGs. His story “Rat Food” (with David Nickle) won the Bram Stoker Award from the Horror Writers Association, and “Hockey’s Night in Canada” won the Aurora Award, Canada’s top prize for speculative fiction.More recently, his Silver Birch and Aurora Award-winning young adult series Wolf Pack has served as the inspiration for the new Jeff Davis supernatural TV show Wolf Pack, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, which premieres worldwide on Paramount+ in January 2023. You can learn more at: https://www.edovanbelkom.com/And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Cerece Rennie Murphy is the national bestselling and award-winning author of ten novels, children’s books, and short stories. She is also the founder of Virtuous Con, an online science fiction and comic culture convention that celebrates the excellence of BIPOC creators in speculative fiction, across the mediums of fiction, comics, film, and visual arts.Ms. Murphy is the recipient of Black Pearls Magazine’s Author of the Year Award for Children’s Literature, the National Best Sellers designation from the African American Literature Book Club (AALBC), and the Science Fiction Writers of America (SFWA)’s Kate Wilhelm Solstice Award for significant contributions to the science fiction, fantasy, and related genres community. Created in 2008, Ms. Murphy joins the ranks of distinguished previous Solstice Award winners, including Petra Mayer, Carl Sagan, Octavia Butler, and Gardner Dozois. Ms. Murphy lives and writes just outside her hometown of Washington, DC with her family.You can find out more about her and her books at her website: https://cerecerenniemurphy.com/And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Rox Burkey is half of the writing team BREAKFIED AND BURKEY. Together they deliver well-rounded thrillers that include levels of humor, romance, intrigue, suspense, and mystery. Their long-running Enigma series has earned multiple awards, and they are also part of the Underground Authors group writing cozy mysteries/murders in the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles. You can find out more on her website: www.EnigmaSeries.com.And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Michelle strives to write the kinds of books she enjoys reading--complicated characters, a little romance, and a lot of mystery and intrigue. Strong women in sticky situations is her specialty!You can find Michelle at www.michellecornishauthor.com. She also writes children's books with her kids as A.J. Kormon.And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Rebecca Hanover is the New York Times bestselling author of THE SIMILARS duology. After graduating from Stanford University with a BA in English and drama, Rebecca joined the writing team of the CBS daytime drama GUIDING LIGHT, where she earned an Emmy Award. Still, she never lost her love of books—particularly YA. She now writes Young Adult as well as adult novels full-time from her home in San Francisco, where she enjoys matcha lattes and a complete lack of seasons. When she isn’t writing, she can be found in a yoga class or reading anything Dav Pilkey with her husband and three kiddos. You can learn more at her website: https://rebeccahanover.com/And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Internationally bestselling author Tess Gerritsen took an unusual route to a writing career. A graduate of Stanford University, Tess went on to medical school at the University of California, San Francisco, where she was awarded her M.D.While on maternity leave from her work as a physician, she began to write fiction and in 1987, her first novel, Call After Midnight, was published. It was just the first of 32 suspense novels that she’s written over a 36-year writing career. She also wrote a screenplay, "Adrift," which aired as a 1993 CBS Movie of the Week starring Kate Jackson.Tess's 1996 medical thriller, Harvest, marked her debut on the New York Times bestseller list and her novels have hit bestseller lists around the world ever since. Among her titles are Gravity, The Surgeon, Vanish, Listen to Me, and her upcoming spy thriller, The Spy Coast, which has just been optioned by Amazon Studios for a television series. Her books have been translated into 40 languages, and more than 40 million copies have been sold around the world.You can learn more at her website: www.tessgerritsen.comAnd for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Elaine Roth is a New Jersey based author who writes about young widowhood, grief, and dating as a solo parent. Her work has appeared on HuffPost, Refinery29, Modern Loss, and Scary Mommy. Her story was also featured on People.com and in the New York Times. She has two kids and an adorably neurotic rescue dog who keep her busy when she's not writing or teaching Pilates. You can read her story on reconstructingayearinhope.com or connect with Elaine on Instagram @thisyoungwidowlife. You can learn more on her website: https://www.elaineroth.com/And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Francesca Maria writes dark fiction surrounded by cats near the Pacific Ocean. She is the creator of the BLACK CAT CHRONICLES comic book series and her short story collection, THEY HIDE: SHORT STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK will be out from Brigid's Gate Press in 2023. You can find her at francescamaria.com and on Twitter @Writer_of_Weird You can learn more at her website: https://francescamaria.com/And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Tracy Hewitt Meyer is the award-winning author of young adult fiction. Her works range from gritty contemporary to edge-of-your-seat thrillers. She tackles tough themes teens face in today’s world with raw, direct, and honest prose.When not writing, Tracy works as a mental health therapist for adults with concerns such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.Born and raised in West Virginia, Tracy now lives in Virginia with her family and two dogs, Lila and Leonard, and spends far too much time lost in her daydreams. You can find out more at her website: https://tracyhewittmeyer.com/generation-annihilation/And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Since he was eight years old, all Ray wanted to be was a writer, and since 1984, he has been fortunate enough to spend his life writing full time. He's written over 60 books — novels and novellas in the horror and suspense genres, collections of short stories, movie novelizations and TV tie-ins — with more in the works. In 2006 he was presented with the World Horror Grand Master Award.Ray is active on social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter, and you can also visit his home on the internet at http://www.raygartononline.comAnd for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Lisa Morton is a screenwriter, author of non-fiction books, and prose writer whose work was described by the American Library Association’s Readers’ Advisory Guide to Horror as “consistently dark, unsettling, and frightening.” She is a six-time winner of the Bram Stoker Award®, the author of four novels and over 150 short stories, and a world-class Halloween and paranormal expert. Her latest releases include Calling the Spirits: A History of Seances and The Art of the Zombie Movie. Recent short stories appeared in Best American Mystery Stories 2020, Final Cuts: New Tales of Hollywood Horror and Other Spectacles, and Classic Monsters Unleashed. Lisa lives in Los Angeles and online at www.lisamorton.comAnd for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
A survivor of traumatic brain injury with steel body parts, Luna lives in SoCal with her combat veteran husband and their two-pound terror of a rescue pup, #TinyEditor. She loves Disney, tacos, and dragon shifters.Luna Joya writes steamy romances that are “wickedly delightful” (Publishers Weekly). You can learn more at: https://lunajoya.com/ And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Lee Goldberg is a two-time Edgar Award and two-time Shamus Award nominee and the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty novels. He has also written and/or produced many TV shows, including Diagnosis Murder, SeaQuest, and Monk, and is the cocreator of the Mystery 101 series of Hallmark movies. As an international television consultant, he has advised networks and studios in Canada, France, Germany, Spain, China, Sweden, and the Netherlands on the creation, writing, and production of episodic television series. You can find more information about Lee and his work at www.leegoldberg.comAnd for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Rakesh Khanna grew up in Berkeley, California, of mixed Punjabi and Anglo-American heritage. He co-founded Blaft Publications in Chennai, India with his wife, Rashmi Ruth Devadasan, in 2008. The company publishes translations of Indian-language pulp fiction, folklore, weird fiction, and graphic novels. Sometimes he edits mathematics textbooks. He is interested in marine invertebrates, percussion music, demonology, and topological graph theory. You can find out more about his book here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/738269/ghosts-monsters-and-demons-of-india-by-rakesh-khanna/9781786788078/And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Katrina Tortorici Anglehart is an award-winning author from Montreal, with a multilingual prowess in English, French, Italian, and “Spanglish”. A dedicated academic, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, a graduate certificate in Scriptwriting, and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.
Inspired by the wizarding world, the land of Narnia, and parallel planes, she penned The Wise One, inviting readers to connect with nature and its ever-present magic. Her exploration of the landscapes and folklore of Ireland and Scotland greatly influenced her debut YA urban fantasy, marking the inception of The Scottish Scrolls series.
K.T. Anglehart is a passionate advocate for bunnies, thanks to her late Netherland Dwarf, Magic—the inspiration behind her imprint, The Magic Dwarf Press. When she’s not writing or diving into magical reads, she revels in hiking, antiquing, and Netflix binges alongside her high school-sweetheart-turned-husband, Andy. They currently live in Toronto with their three pets: Nessie, a mysterious rescue dog from Puerto Rico, and their whimsical bunnies, Onyx and Stirling.
You can learn more at her website: https://www.ktanglehart.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
With a long career as a radio morning show host, Scott Overton’s first novel, the mystery/thriller Dead Air was set in the radio world (and shortlisted for a Northern Lit Award in Ontario, Canada). Since then he has taken the reader to even stranger places, including the human bloodstream in his SF novel debut The Primus Labyrinth, a science fiction thriller that reviews compare to Michael Crichton and Dan Brown. Scott’s short fiction has been published in many science fiction magazines and anthologies. Fifteen of his SF/fantasy short stories have been gathered in the collection BEYOND: Stories Beyond Time, Technology, and the Stars. Many more SF novels are on the way. A professional member of the Canadian Authors Association and SF Canada, Scott’s distractions from writing include scuba diving, music, and collector cars. He lives with his wife on a private island in Northern Ontario.
Contact Scott through the Contact page, look for him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter @SFtruenorth, check out his Goodreads page or his Amazon author page for more reading.
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Charles Breakfield works as a data/telecom solution architect and supports digital security, blockchain solutions, and unified communications. He enjoys writing, studying World War II history, travel, and cultural exchanges. Charles’ love of wine tastings, cooking, and Harley riding often provides writing topics.
Much of his personality comes from his father who served in the military for 30 years and three wars. Charles grew up on multiple bases and different countries. The multi-cultural exposure helps him with the various character perspectives they bring to the series. His personal ambition is to continue to teach his co-author Burkey, humor.
BREAKFIELD AND BURKEY together build stories as fictional story writers. Storytelling is the best method to share excitement, thrills, and insights to today’s technology risks.
EnigmaSeries.com has information on their 12 books, 10 short stories, audio books, book trailers, and the upcoming Enigma Heirs.
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
T.D. Zummack spent his adolescence reading authors such as Agatha Christie and Louis L' Amour and his adulthood reading true crime and watching countless hours of crime-related television.
To hone his writing skills, T.D. also writes short stories. He is a true crime and mystery nerd and when not writing he can be found lounging around his house with his family and their pets. You can learn more at: https://www.tdzummack.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Nancy Crochiere wrote a humor column about family life for Massachusetts newspapers for thirteen years. Her collection of those columns, titled The Mother Load, was a finalist for Foreword Reviews’ Book of the Year in humor and the Independent Publishers of New England 2014 Book Award. A graduate of Middlebury College, she earned a master’s degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Minnesota, is an alumna of GrubStreet’s Novel Incubator program, and worked as a development editor for various educational publishers. Her essays have appeared in The Boston Globe, Writer’s Digest, and WBUR’s Cognoscenti blog. She began her fiction career when her daughters were young by penning creative notes to excuse their tardiness at school. With her girls now grown, she lives north of Boston with her husband, a lawyer and marathoner, and a few house plants that could use more attention. Graceland is her first novel. You can find out more on her website here: https://www.nancycrochiere.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Edward Savio grew up in Connecticut. He is an award-losing screenwriter and award-winning novelist. He has written numerous film projects for Walt Disney Studios, Sony Pictures Entertainment and others. He once nearly drove Val Kilmer over a cliff.
He divides his time between the East and West Coasts. Wave to him if you see him passing by. You can find out more at his website: https://edwardsavio.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Sheila English lives in California, USA where she is a producer, director and screen writer for COS Productions, the top producer of book trailers in America, a company she owns.
She has worked with authors such as George R. R. Martin, Christine Feehan, Karen Rose, Cory Doctorow, James Rollins and many other amazing authors.
When she isn't writing supernatural suspense she is an animal rights activist, loves dogs (and cats) and has is a huge Doctor Who fan.
You can find out more at www.SheilaEnglish.com
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Mia Heintzelman is a polka-dot-wearing, horror and romance movie lover, who always has a book and a to-do list in her purse. She writes fun, unforgettable, more than just laughs romance about strong women, and men with enough heart to fall for them. When she isn’t busy writing fictional happily-ever-afters, she is likely reading, playing board games, or eating sweets. She currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with her husband and two children.Her latest book Monopolove is out April 6th.You can find her at Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bookbub, Amazon, Goodreads, and TikTok.And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Now retired from his dental supply business, Peter Pontsa enjoyed sharing his knowledge through writing techno-clinical articles. He was also president of the College of Dental Technologists of Ontario, where he helped develop the quality assurance program. Now he combines his passions-British cars and writing. During his tenure as president of the Headwaters British Car Club, Pontsa wrote numerous stories about cars in its newsletter, "British Driven." He's currently a member of the Wordsmiths, a writing group based in Alliston, Ontario, and is also a member of the Crime Writers of Canada.Peter Pontsa lives in Loretto, Ontario, with his wife, Angela, and their orange tabby, Mr. Tee. You can find out more here: https://peterthomaspontsa.com/And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Sasscer Hill, who's been involved in horse racing as an amateur jockey and racehorse breeder for much of her life, sets many of her novels against a background of big money, gambling, and horse racing. Her novel, FLAMINGO ROAD, won the Dr. Tony Ryan Best in Racing Literature award for 2018. Her other novels have garnered a Carrie McCray award and nominations for Agatha, Macavity, and Claymore awards. You can learn more at her website: https://www.sasscerhill.com/Learn more about our Book Lights host at: http://authorlisakessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Lisa Kessler is a Best Selling author of passionate, page-turning paranormal fiction. She's a two-time San Diego Book Award winner for Best Published Fantasy-Sci-fi-Horror and Best Published Romance. Her books have also won the PRISM award, the Award of Excellence, the National Excellence in Romantic Fiction Award, the Award of Merit from the Holt Medallion, and an International Digital Award for Best Paranormal.Her short stories have been published in print anthologies and magazines, and her vampire story, Immortal Beloved, was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award.She also publishes horror and thriller novels under the pseudonym, L.A. Kessler.When she's not writing, Lisa is a professional vocalist and tarot card reader.You can learn more at http://Lisa-Kessler.comLearn more about our Guest Host Luna Joya at: https://lunajoya.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Kara Thomas is a part-time librarian and an unsolved-mystery enthusiast who dreams of one day solving a cold case. She lives on Long Island with her husband, son, and rescue cat. She is the author of That Weekend, The Cheerleaders, Little Monsters, and The Darkest Corners. For more information, visit www.kara-thomas.comAnd for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Francesca Maria writes dark fiction surrounded by cats near the Pacific Ocean. She is the creator of the BLACK CAT CHRONICLES comic book series and her short story collection, THEY HIDE: SHORT STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK will be out from Brigid's Gate Press in 2023. You can find her at francescamaria.com and on Twitter @Writer_of_Weird You can learn more at her website: https://francescamaria.com/And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
A native New Yorker, born and raised in the Bronx, James L Hill has a scientific mind and a spirit that nothing is impossible if you want it bad enough. He enjoys traveling to new places and seeing what life has to offer.James writes the Killer Series as JL Hill and science fiction Pegasus: A Journey To New Eden, with a slant on the dark side of life. He also penned, The Emerald Lady, the first in the fantasy Gem Stones Series and coming soon book 2, The Ruby Cradle. He has recently started his own publishing company, RockHill Publishing LLC, to help new and established writers realize their dreams too. You can learn more at: https://www.jlhill-books.com/index.htmlAnd for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
A survivor of traumatic brain injury with steel body parts, Luna lives in SoCal with her combat veteran husband and their two-pound terror of a rescue pup, #TinyEditor. She loves Disney, tacos, and dragon shifters.Luna Joya writes steamy romances that are “wickedly delightful” (Publishers Weekly). You can learn more at: https://lunajoya.com/ And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Mia Heintzelman is a polka-dot-wearing, horror and romance movie lover, who always has a book and a to-do list in her purse. She writes fun, unforgettable, more than just laughs romance about strong women, and men with enough heart to fall for them. When she isn’t busy writing fictional happily-ever-afters, she is likely reading, playing board games, or eating sweets. She currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with her husband and two children.Her latest book Monopolove is out April 6th.You can find her at Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bookbub, Amazon, Goodreads, and TikTok.
Edward Savio grew up in Connecticut. He is an award-losing screenwriter and award-winning novelist. He has written numerous film projects for Walt Disney Studios, Sony Pictures Entertainment and others. He once nearly drove Val Kilmer over a cliff.He divides his time between the East and West Coasts. Wave to him if you see him passing by. You can find out more at his website: https://edwardsavio.com/And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Edo van Belkom is a Canadian author of some 35 books and over 300 short stories in the genres of horror, science fiction, fantasy and mystery. His short fiction has been published in countless anthologies such as Year’s Best Horror Stories, Year’s Best Erotica, Robert Bloch’s Psychos, the Hot Blood and Shock Rock series, as well as several anthologies based on RPGs. His story “Rat Food” (with David Nickle) won the Bram Stoker Award from the Horror Writers Association, and “Hockey’s Night in Canada” won the Aurora Award, Canada’s top prize for speculative fiction.More recently, his Silver Birch and Aurora Award-winning young adult series Wolf Pack has served as the inspiration for the new Jeff Davis supernatural TV show Wolf Pack, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, which premieres worldwide on Paramount+ in January 2023. You can learn more at: https://www.edovanbelkom.com/And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Brian Feehan lives in his mind, creating vibrant characters who tend to talk very loudly and far too often. When real life comes knocking, it is likely to be the love of his life, Michelle, or their son Dylan. Together, they live on the northern coast of California.Brian is fascinated by both the written word and learning new subjects. He is always up for a laugh, a game, or a drink with friends and family. He is also the son of #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan, who started his training to become an author before he was old enough to walk. You can learn more at his website: https://brianfeehanauthor.com/And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Kelley Armstrong believes experience is the best teacher, though she’s been told this shouldn’t apply to writing her murder scenes. To craft her books, she has studied aikido, archery and fencing. She sucks at all of them. She has also crawled through very shallow cave systems and climbed half a mountain before chickening out. She is however an expert coffee drinker and a true connoisseur of chocolate-chip cookies.Contact: Click here for contact information.And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Brian Feehan lives in his mind, creating vibrant characters who tend to talk very loudly and far too often. When real life comes knocking, it is likely to be the love of his life, Michelle, or their son Dylan. Together, they live on the northern coast of California.Brian is fascinated by both the written word and learning new subjects. He is always up for a laugh, a game, or a drink with friends and family. He is also the son of #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan, who started his training to become an author before he was old enough to walk.You can pre-order his latest release, Harmony of Lies, is the second book of the Alice and Own series that will be out February 23rd. You can find him at his website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Rebecca Kelley is a fiction writer from Portland, Oregon. Her first novel, Broken Homes & Gardens, was published in 2015. She also coauthored The Eco-nomical Baby Guide with Joy Hatch. When Rebecca isn’t writing, she is conducting elaborate baking experiments, designing book covers, and keeping up her thousand-plus-day streak in Duolingo. You can find out more here: https://rebeccakelleywrites.com/And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Henriette Lazaridis is the author of The Clover House, which was a Boston Globe bestseller. Her short work has appeared in ELLE, The New York Times, New England Review, The Millions, and more, and she has earned a Massachusetts Cultural Council Artists Grant. She is a graduate of Middlebury College, Oxford University, where she was a Rhodes Scholar, and the University of Pennsylvania. Having taught English at Harvard, she now teaches at GrubStreet in Boston. She founded The Drum Literary Magazine and currently runs the Krouna Writing Workshop in northern Greece. She writes the Substack newsletter The Entropy Hotel, at henriettelazaridis.substack.com. For more, visit henriettelazaridis.comAnd for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Katelyn Marie Peterson graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and writes freelance pieces for various newspapers. When she isn’t typing on her laptop, she enjoys movie marathons, singing show tunes in the car, and cozying up with a good book. Katelyn resides in Connecticut with her husband and two children, a stay-at-home mom with a passion for Romance. You can learn more at her website: https://www.katelynswriting.com/And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Mia Heintzelman is a polka-dot-wearing, horror and romance movie lover, who always has a book and a to-do list in her purse. She writes fun, unforgettable, more than just laughs romance about strong women, and men with enough heart to fall for them. When she isn’t busy writing fictional happily-ever-afters, she is likely reading, playing board games, or eating sweets. She currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with her husband and two children.You can find Mia at her website where you can sign up for her newsletter to be the first to find out her newest news. Reach out to her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Bookbub. Her most recent release,Olive & Pear's Christmas Detour, is out now and you can preorder Monopolove everywhere!And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.comBook Lights - shining a light on good books!
Monique Fisher is a theatre and comic book geek who always has her hands glued to the keyboard conjuring up happily ever afters. She writes modern, fun, real life romances set in cities and small towns featuring a diverse cast of big hearted, lovable characters. When she isn't writing, she's busy trying to create shelf space for other Black authors. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband Joe, their two boys, Michael and Alexander, and their canine babies, Abraham aka Hammy and Maya aka Pie. You can learn more here: https://www.moniquefisherauthor.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Ann Charles is a USA Today Bestselling author who writes award-winning books that are splashed with humor, mystery, suspense, romance, supernatural elements, and whatever else sounds fun. She has a B.A. in English with an emphasis on creative writing from the University of Washington. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and Western Writers of America. She is currently toiling away on her next book, wishing she was on a Mexican beach with an ice-cold Corona in one hand and a book in the other. When she is not dabbling in fiction, she is arm wrestling with her two kids, attempting to seduce her husband, and arguing with her sassy cats. You can find out more on her Website: https://anncharles.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Melissa Yi could slice your throat and sew it back up again. Legally. Because she's an emergency doctor. In her spare minutes, Melissa writes thrillers about Dr. Hope Sze, a resident doctor bone-deep in murder which have been finalists for the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for Best Thriller and the Crime Writers of Canada Award of Excellence. In The Shapes of Wrath, which debuts February 1, 2023, Hope confronts a killer surgeon—and a ghost—in the operating room. Under the name Melissa Yuan-Innes, Melissa writes award-winning speculative fiction and non-fiction. Sometimes, she sleeps. Find out more on her website: www.myi.ninja
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Douglas Clegg is a writer of imaginative dark fiction (including horror, gothic, fantasy, supernatural, and suspense thrillers) and has been a professional novelist since he signed his first book contract with Simon & Schuster in 1987. He considers much of his horror fiction as being on the surrealistic side of the equation, venturing into the logic of nightmare and dream.
His books have been published worldwide and translated into various editions. His short fiction has won the Bram Stoker Award, the International Horror Guild Award and the Shocker Award, and has been included in several Years’ Best anthologies.
Keep in contact with him via his Newsletter.
And for more about our Spooky Halloween host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Philip Fracassi is an award-winning author and screenwriter.
His debut collection of stories, BEHOLD THE VOID, was named "Story Collection of the Year" by both This Is Horror and Strange Aeons Magazine. LOCUS Magazine said it "...recalls the work of writers such as McCammon, King, and Bradbury."
His second collection, BENEATH A PALE SKY, received a starred review from Library Journal, and Booklist called it a "must read collection."
His debut novel, BOYS IN THE VALLEY, premiered on Halloween, 2021, from Earthling Publications. His upcoming novels include A CHILD ALONE WITH STRANGERS (August 2022, Talos Press) and GOTHIC (February 2023, Cemetery Dance).
His stories have appeared in multiple magazines and anthologies, including BEST HORROR OF THE YEAR, BLACK STATIC, CEMETERY DANCE, and NIGHTMARE MAGAZINE. His work has been favorably reviewed by The New York Times, Rue Morgue Magazine, LOCUS Magazine and many others.
His produced screenplays have been distributed by Lifetime Television and Disney Entertainment.
Philip lives with his family in Los Angeles, California.
You can follow Philip on Facebook, Instagram (pfracassi) and Twitter (@philipfracassi), or at his official website at www.pfracassi.com
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Kelly Florence is an American author, screenwriter, and podcaster. She is best known for her books The Science of Monsters, The Science of Women in Horror, The Science of Stephen King, The Science of Serial Killers, and the forthcoming The Science of Witchcraft all from Skyhorse Publishing. All of the books are written together with her co-author, Meg Hafdahl. She is also known for her podcasts Horror Rewind and Be a Better Communicator. You can learn more about her books and podcasts here: https://kellyflorence.com
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Fortune Whelan's stories are “charming, silly and emotionally fraught” with “fast-paced plot[s] that keep pages flying”. When she’s not at her standing desk fending off feline invaders, you can find her on her yoga mat, or shelving books at the local library.
Her latest release, My Christmas with You, the third of the Dorseys of Conception series is out now.
Keep up with her at her website, where you can sign up for her newsletter.
And find her at Tule Publishing, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linktr, Happily Ever After Collective, and YouTube.
Gina L. Maxwell is a New York Times, USA Today, and #1 International bestselling author living in the upper Midwest, despite her scathing hatred of snow and cold weather. As a lifelong romance novel addict, she began writing as another way of enjoying the Happily Ever After stories she's always loved.
Her debut novel in 2012, SEDUCING CINDERELLA, hit the bestseller lists within the first month of its release and continues to be a favorite with readers a full decade later.
When she’s not reading, writing, or spending way too much money on planners and office supplies, she enjoys hanging out with her son and daughter who’ve left the nest, snuggling with her fur babies, and dreaming of her someday-move to someplace tropical.
Her latest book, The Dark King, is available now.
You can find Gina at her website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Amazon.
Lisa Morton is a screenwriter, author of non-fiction books, and prose writer whose work was described by the American Library Association’s Readers’ Advisory Guide to Horror as “consistently dark, unsettling, and frightening.” She is a six-time winner of the Bram Stoker Award®, the author of four novels and over 150 short stories, and a world-class Halloween and paranormal expert. Her latest releases include Calling the Spirits: A History of Seances and Haunted Tales: Classic Stories of Ghosts and the Supernatural (co-edited with Leslie S. Klinger). Lisa lives in Los Angeles and online at www.lisamorton.com.
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Lisa Kessler's love for all things paranormal is showcased in over forty best-selling paranormal romance novels and thrillers. Her fiction books have been translated into French and are also available in audiobook formats. She's a two-time San Diego Book Award winner for Best Published Fantasy-Sci-fi-Horror and Best Published Romance, and her books have also won the PRISM award, the Award of Excellence and Romance Through the Ages Award for Best Paranormal, and the Award of Merit from the Holt Medallion. Her vampire short story, Immortal Beloved was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award.
Now she's writing her first non-fiction book, Practical Tarot, and publishing her first tarot deck through Kickstarter! You can learn more and back the project here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lisakessler/practical-tarot
You can check out tarot readings and mentoring here: metaphysicalmanifesting.net/
And for more about her fiction check out her website: http://authorlisakessler.com
And for more about our Guest Host Sheila English, check out her website here: https://sheilaenglish.com/
Sapna lives in Seattle, WA with her perfectionist husband and perfect daughter. Her name in Hindi means “dream” and true to its meaning, Sapna finds gratification in dreams and storytelling. She was born in southern India, raised in northern India, and spent the better part of her adult life in the United States. She, therefore, unabashedly clutches her Indian roots while embracing the American in herself. She loves to cook traditional Indian food and, yes, she uses cilantro in practically everything. When she isn’t cooking, writing, or being intellectually stumped by her daughter, she may be found running down the nearest trail by her Pacific Northwest home.
The inspiration for her debut novel, A New Mantra, has been her own journey as both a woman of color and a runner, the latter being a sport that was introduced to her by her husband.
Her newest release in the Sood Family series, A Rebel Mantra, is out now.
You can find Sapna at her website, Facebook, Twitter, BookBub, and Goodreads.
Peter James is a UK No.1 bestselling author, best known for his Detective Superintendent Roy Grace series, now a hit ITV drama starring John Simm as the troubled Brighton copper.
Much loved by crime and thriller fans for his fast-paced page-turners full of unexpected plot twists, sinister characters, and accurate portrayal of modern day policing, he has won over 40 awards for his work including the WHSmith Best Crime Author of All Time Award and Crime Writers' Association Diamond Dagger.
To date, Peter has sold over 21 million copies worldwide and been translated into 38 languages. His books have also been adapted for the stage - the most recent being Looking Good Dead.
Visit Peter James www.peterjames.com
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
It's Hispanice Heritage Month (Septmeber 15th-October 15th) and I'm super excited to have L.M. Gonzalez on Readers Entertainment Radio.
LM writes about the loves and lives of Latinas and the challenges of romance the second time around.
Her stories, set against a backdrop of strong Latino culture blended with an American lifestyle, are refreshing and capture the essence of everyday Hispanic life.
Her sixth and latest book, Strawberry Sundae Afternoon, is out now.
You can connect with LM on her website, and Facebook and get her books at The Wild Rose Press and Amazon.
USA TODAY bestselling, award winning author Melissa McClone writes heartwarming women’s fiction and sweet contemporary romance novels for Tule Publishing Group, Harlequin Books, and Cardinal Press.
She has published more than 50 novels, optioned 2 screenplays, and sold more than 3 million books in over 25 languages. Melissa graduated from Stanford University with a mechanical engineering degree, but discovered she prefers writing happily ever afters to jet engine testing and analysis.
When she’s not writing relatable characters and sigh-worthy happy endings, she spends her time in the rainy Pacific Northwest reading from her Kindle’s ever-growing TBR, napping with her dog and cats, and decorating her Happy Planner.
She is married to her own real-life hero, has 3 young adult children, and learning to be an empty-nester!
Her latest book, A Touch of Autumn is out now.
You can find Melissa at her website, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.
Mia Heintzelman is a polka-dot-wearing, horror and romance movie lover, who always has a book and a to-do list in her purse. She writes fun, unforgettable, more than just laughs romance about strong women, and men with enough heart to fall for them. When she isn’t busy writing fictional happily-ever-afters, she is likely reading, playing board games, or eating sweets.
She currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with her husband and two children.
You can find Mia at her website where you can sign up for her newsletter to be the first to find out her newest news. Reach out to her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Bookbub. Her most recent release, The Friendship Contract, is out now and you can preorder Monopolove everywhere!
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Christine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, with 83 published works in seven different series: Dark Series, GhostWalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, Sea Haven Series, Shadow Series, and Torpedo Ink Series. All seven of her series have hit the #1 spot on the New York Times bestseller list. Judgment Road, the first book in her newest series, Torpedo Ink, debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. You can learn more on her website here: https://christinefeehan.com/
Brian Feehan lives in his mind, creating vibrant characters who tend to talk very loudly and far too often. When real life comes knocking, it is likely to be the love of his life, Michelle, or their son Dylan. Together, they live on the northern coast of California, which is quite different from any other part of California. Brian is fascinated by both the written word and learning new subjects. He is always up for a laugh, a game, or a drink with friends and family. He is also the son of #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan, who started his training to become an author before he was old enough to walk. You can learn more at his website here: https://brianfeehanauthor.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Amina Akhtar is a former fashion writer and editor. Her satirical first novel, #FashionVictim, drew rave reviews and acclaim and was covered in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Martha Stewart Living, Entertainment Weekly, Fashionista, Book Riot, CrimeReads, and more. Akhtar’s new book Kismet takes on the world of wellness and all the crystals that go with it. This #OwnVoices novel is set in Sedona, Arizona, where nature is just as much a character as anyone else.
Akhtar has worked at Vogue, Elle, the New York Times, and New York Magazine, where she was the founding editor of the women’s blog The Cut. She’s written for numerous publications, including Yahoo Style, Fashionista, xoJane, Refinery29, Billboard, and more. She currently lives not too far from the Sedona vortexes. Kismet is her second novel. You can learn more at her website: https://www.aminaakhtar.work/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Kelly Cain writes multicultural romance with determined women directing their own fates, and the swoon-worthy men who adore them. She loves reading most genres but don’t ask Kelly to pick just one. However, she can pick her favorite book boyfriend – Will Herondale – although Jamie Fraser is a close second. When she isn’t reading or writing, she’s most likely using ancestry to research her extended family, both old and new. Or cooking/baking something delightful.
She has two adult daughters, and a new granddaughter, and lives in Austin, Texas.
You can connect with her through her website kellycainauthor.com, twitter @kellycainauthor, and facebook @KellyCainAuthor.
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Mack Little grew up in the Deep South and has accumulated a vibrant experience which she often emulates in her storytelling. Her studies in International Politics and service in the Army have given her impressive perspectives to bring to her novels new layers of intrigues and twists, which are all quite prevalent in her latest novel, Daughter of Hades. You can learn more at her website: https://www.mack-little.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Karina is a bestselling author of 14 titles covering most fiction genres, including thriller novels and award-winning young adult fiction. She's also won awards for her documentary and short fims, at International Film Festivals. She is a BookTuber, podcaster and radio host, and also owns Author Assist, helping independant authors with promoting and marketing their books. You can learn more at her website: https://explosivewriter.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Jordan Monroe believes there is no such thing as a guilty pleasure. She enjoys playing her French horn, attempting to bake, and buying too many books to fit on her bookshelves. She lives in Maryland with her husband and spoiled cat. You can learn more at her website: https://missjmonroe.wordpress.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Fortune's stories are “charming, silly and emotionally fraught” with “fast-paced plot[s] that keep pages flying”. And Publisher's Weekly has called her "...a romance writer to watch." When she’s not at her standing desk fending off feline invaders, you can find her on her yoga mat, or shelving books at the local library. Keep up with her @fortunewhelan everywhere and sign up for her newsletter at: https://fortunewhelan.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Richard H. Stephens lives in Cambridge, Ontario with his wife and five children. He began writing as a child, culminating in a 600-page novel about outer space that caught the attention of a special teacher, who encouraged him to keep writing.
After a thirty year detour, Richard retired from the police force and is now writing full time. With the support of his family, he's now living his boyhood dream. You can learn more at his website: https://www.richardhstephens.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Karen Winn received her MFA from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She also holds a doctoral degree in nursing. Born and raised in New Jersey, Karen now lives in Boston with her husband and two children. Our Little World is her first novel. You can learn more about her at: https://karenlwinn.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Often accused of navigating life without a filter, Tasha L. Harrison has managed to brand herself as the author who crafts characters and stories that make you feel all of the feels. She writes erotica and erotic romance with heroines just as brazen as herself and heroes that know that they are messy and dramatic but love them anyway.
She lives in Upstate South Carolina with her husband, and two sons. You can find out more here: tashalharrison.com
@tashalharrison on Twitter and Instagram
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Born and raised in New Jersey, TIMOTHY JANOVSKY is a queer, multidisciplinary storyteller.
He earned a Bachelor of the Arts in both Theater (acting and performance studies) and Dance (choreography) from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA.
He studied abroad at the Accademia dell’Arte in Arezzo, Italy where he spent a semester immersed in Physical Theater practices and Commedia dell’Arte.
As a performer, he has worked numerous times with well-known theater directors and choreographiers.
He is a former member of the comedy improv troupe the Underground Improv Project (UiP), which has performed at Muhlenberg College, Skidmore College, and multiple times at ArtsQuest Steelstacks in Bethlehem, PA.
His work as a humor writer has been featured on Points in Case, The Broadway Beat, and Well Mannered Grump, and his work as a playwright has been showcased in staged readings at Muhlenberg College.
HIs debut rom-com Never Been Kissed gives us a story about second chances, sweet summer nights, and the magic of love.
You can find Timothy at his website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
Sapna lives in Seattle, WA with her perfectionist husband and perfect daughter.
Her name in Hindi means “dream” and true to its meaning, Sapna finds gratification in dreams and storytelling.
She was born in southern India, raised in northern India, and spent the better part of her adult life in the United States. She, therefore, unabashedly clutches her Indian roots while embracing the American in herself.
She loves to cook traditional Indian food and, yes, she uses cilantro in practically everything.
When she isn’t cooking, writing, or being intellectually stumped by her daughter, she may be found running down the nearest trail by her Pacific Northwest home.
The inspiration for her debut novel, A New Mantra, has been her own journey as both a woman of color and a runner, the latter being a sport that was introduced to her by her husband.
You can find her at her website, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, BookBub, and Tule Publishing.
Elle Marr is the #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author of The Missing Sister and Lies We Bury. She graduated from UC San Diego before moving to France, where she earned a master’s degree from the Sorbonne University in Paris. Originally from Sacramento, Elle now lives in Oregon with her husband, son, and one very demanding feline. You can find out more here: https://ellemarr.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Zachary Hagen is a Minnesota based fantasy author and editor. He lives there with his wife, Claudia, and their dog, Flynn. When he isn't busy writing his next book or working with an editing client, you can often find him walking around his neighbor hood or up hiking. You can learn more at: https://zacharyhagenwrites.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
After graduating from the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and spending many years as an advertising creative director and copywriter in New York City, Lisa Roe accepted the tougher job of stay-at-home mom and turned to writing fiction — mostly to entertain her kids, but then to tell her own stories.
A classic first born, a reluctant empty nester, and a Dr. Doolittle wannabe, Lisa lives in New Jersey with her husband and three incorrigible dogs. WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD is her debut novel with Sourcebooks.
You can find what Lisa is up by signing up for her newsletter at her website and following her on social media. Facebook Twitter Instagram Goodreads
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Ann Aguirre has been a clown, a clerk, a savior of stray kittens, and a voice actress, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in Mexico with her family. She writes all kinds of genre fiction, but she has an eternal soft spot for a happily ever after.
Her upcoming release, Boss Witch, book 2 of 3 in the Fit-It Witches series, is with Sourcebooks and will be out April 5, 2022.
You can find Ann on her website where you can sign up for her newsletter.
Keep up with her latest shenannigans on Twitter, FB, Instagram, Goodreads, and Tumblr.
Erica Ferencik considers her MA in Creative Writing from Boston University just the beginning of her literary education. Her thirty-five years of writing—novels, short stories, essays, ghostwriting, ten years of standup and sketch comedy, as well as dozens of screenplays, and a brief filmmaking stint—was her boots-on-the-ground training. Her work has appeared in Salon and the Boston Globe, as well as on National Public Radio.
She says, “I was raised in the wilds of upstate New York during the era when—rightly or wrongly —you could take off after school to explore and no one worried, as long as you were home by dark. Now, I live in MetroWest Boston with my very tolerant husband and frankly enormous Maine Coon cat. I am in love with my family and friends, the startling beauty of the natural world, and the wonders that lay half hidden in everyday life.
Find out more on her website EricaFerencik.com and follow her on Twitter @EricaFerencik
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Katja Desjarlais is a music teacher by day and a paranormal romance writer by moonlight. She is an unapologetic music addict and has an obsession for bad Bach puns despite her irrational aversion to Baroque. Her favorite words include ‘plethora’ and ‘dapper’, and she is physically repulsed by the word ‘moist’.
Desjarlais lives in the Okanagan valley with her husband, three children, and three cats. Her ideal summer vacation is spent driving Route 66 with her family and attending heavy metal concerts.
Her newest release, Muzzled, is out now with Tule Publishing.
You can find at her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, YouTube, TikTok, and Spotify.
Joanna Vander Vlugt is an author and illustrator. Her motorcycle illustrations have been purchased world-wide and her Woman Empowered motorcycle art series has been featured in on-line art and motorcycle magazines. In 2006 her short mysteries Egyptian Queen and The Parrot and Wild Mushroom Stuffing were published in the Crime Writers of Canada mystery anthologies. Her personal essay, No Beatles Reunion was published in the Dropped Threads 3: Beyond the Small Circle anthology.
The Unravelling, her debut thriller novel, was a Canadian Book Club Awards finalist. The sequel, Dealer’s Child, is set for release August/September 2021. She is proud of her podcast JCVArtStudio - From the Dressing Room and being able to promote authors and artists. You can learn more at: https://www.jcvartstudio.net/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Sam Tschida (pronounced cheetah) is a rom-com author. She lives with her gang of children, a couple of poorly behaved dogs, and one handsome man. When she’s not writing she is probably making lasagna. Just kidding. Who knows what she’s doing, least of all Sam. The only guarantee is that she is actively brainstorming her next book. And if we’re being honest, it’s pretty likely that she’s not making lasagna, unless it’s the frozen kind. Shout out to Mrs. Stouffers!
Besides living the dream writing books, Sam is the head bitch at SMUT University, a school of writing she started for writers to connect, learn craft, and tell dirty jokes. She also edits other peoples’ books , but she is a Pisces so we might as well call it what it is, therapy. So boiled down, Sam is an unlicensed therapist who also writes rom-coms.
Her debut novel, Siri, Who Am I? is out now and you can find it Amazon, Kobu, and Barnes and Noble.
You can find Sam online, Amazon, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.
Deborah Falaye is a Nigerian-Canadian young adult author. She grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, where she spent her time devouring African literature, pestering her grandma for folktales, and tricking her grandfather into watching Passions every night. When she’s not writing about fierce Black girls with badass magic, she can be found obsessing over all things reality TV. Deborah currently lives in Toronto with her husband and their partner-in-crime yorkie, Major. Blood Scion is her first novel. You can find out more here: https://linktr.ee/deborahfalaye
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Kelly Cain is a native Northern Californian but has spent the last couple of decades in Texas, currently residing in, Austin, the live music capital of the world. Consequently, most of her books are set somewhere between those two locations.
She writes multicultural romance with determined women directing their own fates and the swoon-worthy men who adore them.
She loves reading most genres but please don’t ask her to pick just one. However, she can pick her favorite book boyfriend – Will Herondale (from Shadowhunters).
When she isn’t reading or writing, Kelly is most likely using a genealogy site to research her extended family, both old and new. Or cooking/baking something delightful.
She has collaborated with a group of wonderful authors (and great friends), and their short story collection, Déjà You, is available.
Find out more about Book Besties and their short story collection at their website.
You can find Kelly at her website, Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, Pinterest & Tule Publishing.
Check out YouTube for her book trailers.
Eliot Parker is the author of four novels, most recently A Knife’s Edge, which was an Honorable Mention in Thriller Writing at the London Book Festival, and is the sequel to the award-winning novel Fragile Brilliance. His novel Code for Murder was named a 2018 Finalist for Genre Fiction by American Book Fest. He is a recipient of the West Virginia Literary Merit Award and Fragile Brilliance was a finalist for the Southern Book Prize in Thriller Writing. He recently received with the Thriller Writing Award by the National Association of Book Editors (NABE) for his novels.
Eliot is the host of the podcast program Now, Appalachia, which profiles authors and publishers living and writing in the Appalachian region and is heard on the Authors on the Air Global Radio Network and Blog Talk Radio. A graduate of the Bluegrass Writers Studio at Eastern Kentucky University with his MFA in Creative Writing and Murray State University with his Doctorate in English, he teaches English at the University of Mississippi and lives in Oxford, Mississippi and Chesapeake, Ohio.
He is the proud pet-parent of two loving, and spoiled cats, Layla and Buddy, and enjoys sports, traveling, reading, and movies when he’s not writing. You can learn more here: https://www.eliotparker.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Carina Alyce is the pen name of the Amazon Best-selling author and full-time triple board-certified physician who started writing dramatic medical romances after twenty years in the trenches of health care. She promises she never had sex in a call room – the mattresses are not comfortable – or had a fistfight with a patient – though she did work as a fight doc at the Octagon. Her stories are sexy, snarky, and real with all the romance and drama of the lives of our first responders.
She writes the MetroGen Downtown series that tackles the personal and professional challenges facing our front line providers. Her stories have the drama of Grey’s Anatomy, the comedy of Scrubs, the sexiness of Outlander, and the medical details of Forensic Files. They feature fast, witty dialogue, strong women with goals, and quirky ensemble casts.
When not working or writing, she is a brown belt in judo, an avid reader, and an attending surgeon in stuffed animal veterinary medicine for her six kids. (No one trusts her husband’s medical skills because he’s just a lawyer.)
Her latest release, Unchecked, is out now. You can get her book Wildcat, for free now and you can pre-order
Heroes with Heat and Heart Anthology here.
Keep in touch with Carina at her website, Facebook, Twitter, and BookBub.
J.E. McDonald was born and raised in Saskatchewan, Canada, The Land of the Living Skies. As a child, she was either searching the clouds for identifiable shapes, or star-gazing way past her bedtime. She cut her teeth watching Star Trek, James Bond movies, and reading the Harlequin novels her mother left in the bathroom—which resulted in an extremely skewed sense of sex education by age eleven. All of these factors contribute to her love of writing rom coms with a paranormal twist, romantic suspense, and far-future romance. You can find out more here: https://www.jemcdonald.net/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Mia Heintzelman is a polka-dot-wearing, horror and romance movie lover, who always has a book and a to-do list in her purse. She writes fun, unforgettable, more than just laughs romance about strong women, and men with enough heart to fall for them. When she isn’t busy writing fictional happily-ever-afters, she is likely reading, playing board games, or eating sweets.
She currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with her husband and two children.
You can find Mia at her website where you can sign up for her newsletter to be the first to find out her newest news.
Reach out to her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Bookbub.
Her most recent release, The Friendship Contract, is out now.
Ali Williams' inner romance reader is never quite satisfied, which is why she oscillates between writing romance, editing romance, and studying it as part of her PhD.
She can be found at the foot of the South Downs in the UK, either nerding out over local mythologies, reading tarot cards, or making homemade pasta, according to her Nanna’s recipes.
She believes with all of her bifurious heart that writing romance is an act of rebellion and that academia will be so much better when studying diverse HEAs is naturally part of the curriculum.
As a freelance romance novel editor, she specialises in contemporary romance, erotic romance, paranormal and speculative romance, and romantic suspense.
Ali is a member of the International Association for the Study of Popular Romance (IASPR) and the Romantic Novelists' Association (RNA). You can learn more here: https://www.aliwilliams.org/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Christopher Rice is the recipient of the Lambda Literary Award and is the Amazon Charts and New York Times bestselling author of A Density of Souls; Bone Music, Blood Echo, and Blood Victory in the Burning Girl series; and Bram Stoker Award finalists The Heavens Rise and The Vines. He is an executive producer of The Vampire Chronicles and The Lives of the Mayfair Witches, the AMC television adaptations of the bestselling novels by his mother, Anne Rice. Christopher and Anne also penned the novels Ramses the Damned: The Passion of Cleopatra and Ramses The Damned: The Reign of Osiris. Together with his best friend and producing partner, New York Times bestselling novelist Eric Shaw Quinn, Christopher runs the production company Dinner Partners. Among other projects, they produce the podcast and video network TDPS, which can be found at www.TheDinnerPartyShow.com. He lives in West Hollywood, California, and writes tales of romance between men under the pseudonym C. Travis Rice. You can learn more at his website: http://www.christopherricebooks.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Ieshia Wiedlin grew up in Detroit Michigan, and currently resides in a Chicago suburb. She hopes that the world will enjoy her unique brand of humor and romance. She's excited to add her fun storytelling style to the exemplary Tule Publishing family.
You can find Ieshia (pronounced Eye-e-sha) at her website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Her debut novel, There You Are, the first of her Romancing the Doctor, series is out now.
Author Coralie Moss likes to begin her Urban Fantasy stories with normal witches, and plunk a surprise or five into their seemingly normal lives. Coralie just happens to lives on Salt Spring Island, the site of much magical inspiration, with her husband, their son, and two rescue cats. To find out more, visit her website, https://coraliemoss.com
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Lara Elena Donnelly is the author of the Nebula, Lambda, and Locus-nominated trilogy The Amberlough Dossier, as well as short fiction and poetry appearing in venues including Strange Horizons, Escape Pod, Nightmare, and Uncanny.
Lara has taught in the MFA program at Sarah Lawrence College, as well as the Catapult Workshop in New York. She is a graduate of the Clarion and Alpha writers’ workshops, and has served as on-site staff at the latter, mentoring amazing teens who will someday take over the world of SFF. You can learn more here: https://laradonnelly.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Nicole Fanning is a smitten wife and super proud dog mom to three rambunctious rescue dogs.
She's an old school romantic, with a proclivity for a little mischief, and an obsession with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Her first book, Catalyst-Heart of the Inferno, is an action-romance about the terrifying and dangerous mafia lord Jaxon Pace, and Natalie Tyler, the girl who became his only exception. Follow her on Goodreads at: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21392485.Nicole_Fanning
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Happy Penguin Day friends!
Get to know our guest, contemporary author, Michelle Dayton, lover of sexy and suspenseful novels.
But that's not in her top three. Those high priorities are reserved for her family, the city of Chicago, and Mr. Darcy (both the Colin Firth and Matthew MacFadyen versions).
When she's not writing, Michelle dreams of a year of world travel – as long as the trip would include weeks and weeks of beach time.
As a bourbon lover and unabashed wine snob, Michelle thinks heaven is discussing a good book over an adult beverage.
Her latest book from her Tech-nically Love series, Scammer Girl is out now.
The first in the series is Disaster Girl and also available as well as her Tracy Brothers series.
Stay in the know by signing up for her newsletter and following her on Twitter.
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For those who are looking for great stickers, check out The Romancelandia Shop or follow them on Twitter and Instagram
Want the recipe for the hot toddy we talked about today?
Try this one from Martha Stewart.
Cheers!
Rae Shawn began writing to see more characters like her doing the hard jobs that typically were seen by male characters. She is from California and tends to write romance, suspense or mystery that occur in her home state. In her free time, she likes to binge watch reruns of Supernatural, read books of all genres or watch anime. You can learn more at her website: https://www.loveraeshawn.com/
Lisa Kessler is a Best Selling author of passionate, page-turning paranormal fiction. She's a two-time San Diego Book Award winner for Best Published Fantasy-Sci-fi-Horror and Best Published Romance. Her books have also won the PRISM award, the Award of Excellence, the National Excellence in Romantic Fiction Award, the Award of Merit from the Holt Medallion, and an International Digital Award for Best Paranormal. Her short stories have been published in print anthologies and magazines, and her vampire story, Immortal Beloved, was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award. You can learn more at her website: http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Shirley Reva Vernick writes award-winning MG and YA fiction, including ALA Best Fiction pick and Sydney Taylor honor book The Blood Lie. Her essays have appeared in Salon, Cosmopolitan, literary journals, and city newspapers. Shirley also helps run Storybee.com, a storytelling web service that is used as a literacy tool on five continents. NASA used it as a model for its Imagine Mars program, which combined storytelling and science for K-12 students. You can learn more at her website: https://www.shirleyrevavernick.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Author and Book Lights Podcast host, Lisa Kessler, joins me today to talk all about what helped her writing in 2021 and what her goals are for 2022.
On Lisa's 2022 to do list? To pen her 50TH book!
Lisa Kessler is a Best Selling author of dark paranormal fiction. She’s a two-time San Diego Book Award winner for Best Published Fantasy-Sci-fi-Horror and Best Published Romance. Her books have also won the PRISM award, the Award of Excellence, the National Excellence in Romantic Fiction Award, the Award of Merit from the Holt Medallion, and an International Digital Award for Best Paranormal.
Her short stories have been published in print anthologies and magazines, and her vampire story, Immortal Beloved, was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award.
When she’s not writing, Lisa is a professional vocalist, and has performed with San Diego Opera as well as other musical theater companies in San Diego.
Stay up-to-date on new releases and giveaways by subscribing to Lisa’s newsletter here: https://goo.gl/56lDla or checking in with her on Twitter, FB, and Amazon.
International Bestselling Author Kathrin Hutson has been writing Dark Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and LGBTQ Speculative Fiction since 2000. With her wildly messed-up heroes, excruciating circumstances, impossible decisions, and Happily Never Afters, she’s a firm believer in piling on the intense action, showing a little character skin, and never skimping on violent means to bloody ends.
In addition to writing her own dark and enchanting fiction, Kathrin spends the other half of her time as a fiction ghostwriter of almost every genre and as Fiction Co-Editor for Burlington’s Mud Season Review. She is an active member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and the Horror Writers Association.
Kathrin lives in Colorado with her husband, their young daughter, and their two dogs, Sadie and Brucewillis.
You can learn more at: https://www.kathrinhutsonfiction.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Writer Angela Terry is an attorney who formerly practiced intellectual property law at large firms in Chicago and San Francisco.
She is also a Chicago Marathon legacy runner and races to raise money for PAWS Chicago—the Midwest’s largest no-kill shelter.
She resides in San Francisco with her husband and two cats, and enjoys throwing novel-themed dinner parties for her women’s fiction book club.
Her latest release, The Trials of Adaline Turner, is out now.
You can sign up for Angela's newletter at her website and reach out to her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Linda Thomas-Sundstrom is an award-winning author of paranormal romance and urban fantasy, with books from Kensington, Amazon Montlake, Harlequin Nocturne, and GothicScapes.
Linda lives in the west and swears she has "paranormal" in her DNA. A teacher by day and a writer by night, Linda delivers gothic, supernatural fare, both contemporary and historical, and invites you to come on this wild ride with her. You can find Linda on Facebook at - www.facebook.com/LindaThomasSundstrom and her website: http://www.lindathomas-sundstrom.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
By day, Becky Monson is a mother to three young children, and a wife. By night, she escapes with reading books and writing. An award-winning author, Becky uses humor and true-life experiences to bring her characters to life.
She loves all things chick-lit (movies, books, etc.), and wishes she had a British accent. She has recently given up Diet Coke for the fiftieth time and is hopeful this time will last... but it probably won't.
Readers' Favorite Book Award Recipient
2016, 2017, 2018, & 2019
You can find her latest book How To Ruin the Holidays out now.
Give Becky a shout at Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Bookbub, and Goodreads.
Even better, sign up for her newletter at BeckyMonson.com.
Mia Heintzelman is a polka-dot-wearing, horror and romance movie lover, who always has a book and a to-do list in her purse. She writes fun, unforgettable, more than just laughs romance about strong women, and men with enough heart to fall for them. When she isn’t busy writing fictional happily-ever-afters, she is likely reading, playing board games, or eating sweets.
She currently lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with her husband and two children.
Look for her books soon with Tule Publishing.
You can learn more at her website: https://www.miaheintzelman.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Carla Luna was born in Los Angeles but spent most of her childhood on Vancouver Island, B.C., surrounded by beaches and forests. Her love for writing started at the tender age of eight when she wrote a short story about three witches who debated the best way to spend Halloween (riding broomsticks vs riding vacuum cleaners). In college, she studied history and archaeology and was fortunate enough to work on digs all over the world. She still dreams of traveling to far-off places and now channels that wanderlust into her stories.
Her love of romance began when she discovered the rack of Harlequin romances at the library where she worked as a teen. From there, she moved on to steamy historical epics and Gothic romances set on windswept moors. At present, she writes contemporary romance and romantic comedies with a dollop of humor and a pinch of spice.
When she’s not writing, she works in a spice emporium where she gets paid to discuss food and share her favorite recipes. Her passions include baking, Broadway musicals, whimsical office supplies, and listening to pop culture podcasts. She currently resides in Wisconsin with her family and her feisty Siberian cat.
Her latest release, White Wedding, a Christmas Romantic Comedy is out now.
You can find Carla and sign up for her newsletter at her website. She's also on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
*Book graphics by Carla Luna
Eliot Parker is the author of four novels, most recently A Knife’s Edge, which was an Honorable Mention in Thriller Writing at the London Book Festival, and is the sequel to the award-winning novel Fragile Brilliance. His novel Code for Murder was named a 2018 Finalist for Genre Fiction by American Book Fest. He is a recipient of the West Virginia Literary Merit Award and Fragile Brilliance was a finalist for the Southern Book Prize in Thriller Writing. He recently received with the Thriller Writing Award by the National Association of Book Editors (NABE) for his novels.
Eliot is the host of the podcast program Now, Appalachia, which profiles authors and publishers living and writing in the Appalachian region and is heard on the Authors on the Air Global Radio Network and Blog Talk Radio. A graduate of the Bluegrass Writers Studio at Eastern Kentucky University with his MFA in Creative Writing and Murray State University with his Doctorate in English, he teaches English at the University of Mississippi and lives in Oxford, Mississippi and Chesapeake, Ohio.
He is the proud pet-parent of two loving, and spoiled cats, Layla and Buddy, and enjoys sports, traveling, reading, and movies when he’s not writing. You can learn more here: https://www.eliotparker.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Journalist and sports lover Tracy Solheim loved writing since the 4th grade when she sold out of her first book--because her father bought all the copies.
Nevertheless, she was hooked on telling a good story.
A bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Tennessee landed her in Washington, DC, where she wrote reports for Congress while pursuing a Master’s degree in Legislative Affairs from The George Washington University.
Not totally exciting, but writing. Then she had a brief stint in television production for NBC Sports at the Seoul Olympics (1988), but most of her early writing consisted of crafting lengthy government reports.
In 2012, her first book Game On, was published and Tracy has been penning amazing romances ever since.
Her latest series, Men of the Secret Service is out and her latest holiday release, Second Chance Christmas are available now.
You can find Tracy at her website, Facebook, Instagram, BookBub, Pinterest, and Goodreads.
You can find her book list on her website and if you sign up for her newsletter, you'll get a recipe book full of holiday drink recipes featured in Second Chance Christmas.
USA Today bestselling author Aven Ellis began her publishing career in 2013 with her debut release, Connectivity. She currently writes romantic comedies featuring royals, billionaires, aristocrats, and athletes.
Her books are designed to make readers laugh out loud and fall in love. Happily-ever-after endings and good-boy heroes are guaranteed.
Aven lives in the Dallas area with her family. Aven loves shopping and fashion and can spend hours playing with fragrances in any department store. She can be found chatting it up on social media, eating speciality M&Ms, and crushing on the latest outfit the Duchess of Cambridge is wearing.
You can find Aven at her website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and BookBub. You can find links to her books here and her upcoming release Making Spirits Bright on December 22, 2021.
Stephen L. Brayton is a Sixth Degree Black Belt and certified instructor with over 30 years experience in The American Taekwondo Association.
He began writing as a child; his first short story concerned a true incident about his reactions to discipline. During his early twenties, while working for a Kewanee, Illinois radio station, he wrote a fantasy based story and a trilogy for a comic book.
He has been involved broadcasting, trucking, hospitality, newspaper graphic design, and a pre-press camera operator at a publishing company.
He has written numerous short stories both horror and mystery. You can learn more at his website: https://stephenbrayton.wordpress.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Charlotte Anne Hamilton is a blue-haired mermaid-wannabe who lives in Ayrshire, Scotland with her two fur-children, Izzy (chocolate lab) and Smudge (queen cat). She is currently studying Astronomy and Planetary Science and in her spare time she enjoys reading and gaming, as well as dabbling in all forms of art and her craft as an eclectic witch. Her main source of inspiration in writing and in life is the popular phrase: "but make it gay". Join her on various social media sites @cahwrites or her website charlotteannehamilton.co.uk
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Lynne Reeves is an internationally recognized family counselor and novelist. Her short fiction, essays, and articles have appeared in Parents, Psychology Today, Solstice Literary Magazine, Chautauqua Journal, Craft Literary, Fiction Writers Review, Brain, Child and more. Lynne regularly appears as a media guest expert to discuss contemporary family life and preventive mental health. This is her first novel of domestic suspense. You can learn more at her website: https://www.lynnegriffin.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Hailing from Northern Virginia, Yasmin Angoe is a first-generation Ghanaian American who grew up in two cultural worlds. She taught English in middle and high schools for years, served as an instructional coach for virtual teachers, and works as a freelance developmental and copy editor.
Yasmin received the 2020 Eleanor Taylor Bland Award for Emerging Writers of Color from Sisters in Crime, of which she’s a proud member. She lives in South Carolina with her beautiful blended family, and when she’s not writing, Yasmin’s editing for clients, trying new recipes, or absorbed in an audiobook. You can learn more on her website at: https://yasminangoe.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Matthew FitzSimmons is the author of the bestselling Gibson Vaughn series, which includes The Short Drop and Poisonfeather. Born in Illinois and raised in London, England, he now lives in Washington, DC, where he taught English literature and theater at a private high school for over a decade. You can learn more here: https://matthewfitzsimmons.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Douglas Clegg is a writer of imaginative dark fiction (including horror, gothic, fantasy, supernatural, and suspense thrillers) and has been a professional novelist since he signed his first book contract with Simon & Schuster in 1987. He considers much of his horror fiction as being on the surrealistic side of the equation, venturing into the logic of nightmare and dream.
His books have been published worldwide and translated into various editions. His short fiction has won the Bram Stoker Award, the International Horror Guild Award and the Shocker Award, and has been included in several Years’ Best anthologies.
Keep in contact with him via his Newsletter. Also check out Patreon.com/DouglasClegg to get special pre-publication editions of his newest stories, novelettes, and novellas.
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Ever since she was little, Amy was especially intrigued by horror books and movies. Raised in Northern Arizona, she sustained herself on a steady diet of Goosebumps, Fear Street, and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark books before discovering Stephen King in her mother's bookshelf.
When Amy isn't reading or writing, she enjoys playing roller derby, cooking, crafting, and playing games across many platforms.
Her novel The Ravenous was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award in the Superior Achievement in a YA Novel category, and Daughters unto Devils was a YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers 2017. You can learn more at her website here: http://www.amylukavics.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Edward Willett is an award-winning author of more than sixty books science fiction, fantasy and non-fiction for both children and adults. He's also host of the Aurora Award-winning podcast The Worldshapers: "Conversations with science fiction and fantasy authors about the creative process." (http://www.theworldshapers.com). He successfully Kickstarted and edited a new anthology, Shapers of Worlds, featuring authors who were guests during the first year of the podcast.
Besides being a writer, Willett is a professional actor and singer who has performed in dozens of plays, musicals and operas in and around Saskatchewan, hosted local television programs, and emceed numerous public events.
He's married to a telecommunications engineer and has one daughter and a black Siberian cat named Shadowpaw. You can find out more about him at: https://edwardwillett.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Lisa Morton is a screenwriter, author of non-fiction books, and prose writer whose work was described by the ALA’s Readers’ Advisory Guide to Horror as “consistently dark, unsettling, and frightening.” She is a six-time winner of the Bram Stoker Award®, the author of four novels & over 150 short stories, and a world-class Halloween and paranormal expert. Her recent releases include Night Terrors & Other Tales and Calling the Spirits: A History of Seances; her latest short stories appeared in Best American Mystery Stories 2020, Final Cuts: New Tales of Hollywood Horror and Other Spectacles, and In League with Sherlock Holmes. Her weekly original fiction podcast Spine Tinglers is now live at My Paranormal Network; forthcoming in 2021 is the anthology Weird Women 2, co-edited with Leslie S. Klinger . Lisa lives in Los Angeles & online at www.lisamorton.com.
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Lauri Schoenfeld currently resides in Utah with her husband, 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. Visit her at www.laurischoenfeld.com
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Hank Phillippi Ryan is the USA Today bestselling author of 13 thrillers, winning the most prestigious awards in the genre: five Agathas, four Anthonys, and the coveted Mary Higgins Clark Award. She is also on-air investigative reporter for Boston’s WHDH-TV, with 37 EMMYs and dozens more journalism honors. Book critics call her “a master of suspense,” “a superb and gifted storyteller,” and she’s the only author to have won the Agatha in four different categories: Best First, Best Novel, Best Short Story and Best Non-Fiction. Her latest book Her Perfect Life released on September 14, and received starred reviews from Kirkus and Publishers Weekly, which called it “A superlative thriller.”
Hank is a founder of MWA University and The Back Room; and National Sisters in Crime past president. Visit Hank online at HankPhillippiRyan.com, on Twitter @HankPRyan, on Instagram @hankpryan and Facebook at HankPhillippiRyanAuthor.
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Meredith Ireland is a Korean-American attorney and writer, born in Seoul. She is a Rollins College and University of Miami School of Law alumna. She writes adult and children’s books and is proudly represented by Lauren Abramo of Dystel, Goderich & Bourrett LLC. Her debut novel, THE JASMINE PROJECT is out now! The forthcoming follow up EVERYONE HATES KELSIE MILLER is scheduled for Fall 2022 also from Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.
Meredith resides in New York with her two children and a county fair goldfish who will probably outlive them all. You can lear more at: https://meredithireland.wordpress.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Matthew FitzSimmons is the author of the bestselling Gibson Vaughn series, which includes The Short Drop and Poisonfeather. Born in Illinois and raised in London, England, he now lives in Washington, DC, where he taught English literature and theater at a private high school for over a decade. You can learn more here: https://matthewfitzsimmons.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Terry Shepherd grew up in Michigan and began writing fiction in high school. After a long career in the corporate world, he took up the craft full time in 2018. He writes detective fiction for both adults and kids from his home on the Atlantic Ocean in Jacksonville, Florida. You can learn more about Terry here: https://terryshepherd.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Shail is a women's fiction writer sharing stories which celebrate the role family, friendships, food, and falling in love play in our every day lives.
Shail now lives in the Bay Area with her husband and three wonderful, noisy, mischievous children.
When she is not writing and reading, she loves to volunteer, tackles the occasional DIY project, obsesses over her vegetable garden, and cooks nonstop.
Don't be surprised if you hear your stomach growling while reading her books because she is a serious foodie and often includes vivid descriptions of the food her characters are eating. If you feel the urge to cook something up, she often shares her recipes on her social media so go check them out.
Shail recently published her debut novel in women's fiction, The Summer Breeze and is currently working on a cozy thriller and the next book in The Summer Breeze series.
She is also a proud member of the Women Fiction Writer's Association.
Connect with Shail for info on release dates, deals, and recipes at her website, Amazon, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, BookBub, and LinkTr.ee.
Back on the show is one of my favorite writers, Honey Parker.
A veteran advertising writer and creative director for big agencies in New York and Los Angeles, Honey Parker eventually co-founded her own creative shop in Park City, Utah.
Somewhere in the middle of all that, Honey began doing standup comedy in clubs and on TV, and won the coveted title of Funniest Person In Advertising.
Honey is married to her best friend and business partner, Blaine Parker. Or, as Honey’s father refers to him, “The man who took her off the market.” In their spare time, Honey & Blaine run an ad agency, speak to small-business owners around the globe about profitable branding, and co-host the weekly podcast, CoupleCo: Working With Your Spouse For Fun & Profit.
Her first book, Careful-ish talked about six people during COVID lockdown. Her newest release, Daughter of Careful-ish follows up with just as many laughs, tears, and much hope.
You can find Honey at her website, Instagram, Facebook, and Amazon where she posts photos of her husband staring down different cats.
Even though Mr. Parker is a fabulous guy, my bet is on the cat.
International bestselling author Brad Parks is the only writer to have won the Shamus, Nero, and Lefty Awards, three of American crime fiction’s most prestigious prizes. His novels have been published in fifteen languages and have won critical acclaim across the globe, including stars from every major prepublication review outlet.
A graduate of Dartmouth College, Parks is a former journalist with the Washington Post and the Star-Ledger (Newark, New Jersey). He is now a full-time novelist living in Virginia with his wife and two school-age children. A former college a cappella singer and community theater enthusiast, Parks has been known to burst into song whenever no one was thoughtful enough to muzzle him. His favored writing haunt is a Hardee’s, where good-natured staff members suffer his presence for many hours a day and where he can often be found working on his next novel. You can find out more at his website: https://bradparksbooks.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Internationally bestselling author Tess Gerritsen took an unusual route to a writing career. A graduate of Stanford University, Tess went on to medical school at the University of California, San Francisco, where she was awarded her M.D.
While on maternity leave from her work as a physician, she began to write fiction. In 1987, her first novel was published. Call After Midnight, a romantic thriller, was followed by eight more romantic suspense novels. She also wrote a screenplay, “Adrift”, which aired as a 1993 CBS Movie of the Week starring Kate Jackson.
Her series of novels featuring homicide detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles inspired the TNT television series “Rizzoli & Isles” starring Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander.
Now retired from medicine, she writes full time. She lives in Maine. You can learn more at: https://tessgerritsen.com/
Gary Braver is the Bestselling and Award-winning author of eight critically acclaimed mysteries and thrillers including Elixir, Gray Matter, and Flashback, which is the only thriller to ever win the prestigious Massachusetts Book Award.
He was born and raised in Hartford, CT and holds a BS degree in physics and an MA and PhD in English. Before settling into college teaching, he worked as a project physicist. An avid bicyclist, hiker, and scuba diver, he lives with his wife outside of Boston. Find out more here: https://garybraver.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Jenna Greene is an elementary school teacher. When she isn't teaching or writing, she is co-hosting "Quill and Ink: A Podcast for Book Lovers" with Miranda Oh. Jenna lives with her husband, daughter, and their cat, Thomas. You can learn more at her website: https://www.jennagreene.ca/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Carolyn Eychenne is an author of fiction and non-fiction works. Sunrise over Paris is her first novel but not the first book she has published, the other being a French-language book about digital platforms. While radically different and a lot less fun to read, it led her back to her true love, writing.
Not quite "an American in Paris," Carolyn Eychenne has lived most of her adult life in the suburbs of Paris, after growing up in southern California. Even after so many years abroad, she is still fascinated by the cultural differences. And the food. She especially enjoyed doing all the hands-on research (hiking and dining) for Sunrise over Paris.
You can find Carolyn at her website, Amazon, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Goodreads.
Lisa Kessler is a Best Selling author of passionate, page-turning paranormal fiction. She's a two-time San Diego Book Award winner for Best Published Fantasy-Sci-fi-Horror and Best Published Romance. Her books have also won the PRISM award, the Award of Excellence, the National Excellence in Romantic Fiction Award, the Award of Merit from the Holt Medallion, and an International Digital Award for Best Paranormal.
Her short stories have been published in print anthologies and magazines, and her vampire story, Immortal Beloved, was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award.
When she's not writing, Lisa is a professional vocalist, and has performed with San Diego Opera as well as other musical theater companies in San Diego. You can learn more at http://Lisa-Kessler.com
And for more about our special guest host Sheila English visit https://sheilaenglish.com/
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Kathy Reichs’s first novel Déjà Dead, published in 1997, won the Ellis Award for Best First Novel and was an international bestseller. The Bone Code is Kathy’s twentieth entry in her series featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan. Kathy was also a producer of Fox Television’s longest running scripted drama, Bones, which is based on her work and her novels. One of very few forensic anthropologists certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology, Kathy divides her time between Charlotte, North Carolina, and Montreal, Québec. Visit her at KathyReichs.com or follow her on Twitter @KathyReichs
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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The Ladies, Wilnona Marie and Jade Dee, started this journey with the simple thought that life is different from textbook or what society told them. They missed some things. They forgot to to teach everything needed to be a successful women in today's world. The ladies came together to write a book about what they have learned along the way throughout their lives. The And I Thought Ladies range in age from 26-62 ( they are all 27 and holding) and have done every sort of job and faced challenges involved at every level of life. They discuss everything from surviving domestic violence to throwing the perfect twenty dollar party. You can learn more at their website: http://www.andwethought.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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C.H. believes in fate, destiny, and love at first sight. C.H. fell in love at first sight when she was seventeen. She was married for 41 wonderful years until her husband lost his battle with cancer. Soul mates, their hearts will be joined forever. They have three grown children—one son-in-law, two grandsons, two rescue dogs, and two rescue grand-cats.
Her characters rarely follow the synopsis she outlines for them…but C.H. has learned to listen to her characters! Her heroes always have a few of her husband’s best qualities: his honesty, his integrity, his compassion for those in need, and his killer broad shoulders. C.H. writes about the things she loves most: Family, her Irish and English Ancestry, Baking and Gardening.
Take a trip back in time to Regency England for her new series: The Lords of Vice, or venture back to the Old West with her bestselling Irish Western Series. Fast-forward to the present, stopping at the Circle G Ranch in Pleasure, Texas, before finally landing in Apple Grove, Ohio–Small Town USA–for a slice of Peggy McCormack’s Buttermilk Pie!
C.H. loves to hear from readers! https://www.chadmirand.com
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Stephanie LaVigne has done a bit of everything. After spending years in the NYC film industry and as a professional photographer specializing in underwater portraits, she eventually settled into her favorite phase of life yet: as an urban adventurer and full-time fiction writer.
From hopping trains across the US to crewing a sailboat on a trans-Atlantic crossing, from mushing dogs on a Canadian dogsled to unwittingly hiking Mount Washington (which, as a native Floridian is a big deal), she’s been lucky enough to have incredible adventures with all kinds of real-life characters.
She currently lives in her favorite South Florida neighborhood surrounded by palm trees, peacocks, a few wild kids, one wild husband, and a handful of incredible family and neighbors. You can find out more at her website: https://stephanielavigne.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Julie Caplin is addicted to travel and good food. Julie Caplin is an English author of romance books best known for her book series Romantic Escapes. She also writes standalones romance books under the penname Jules Wake.
She’s always had the passion for reading and writing books right from childhood.
She is addicted to good food and travel, and she’s always on the hunt for the ideal gin and obsession picky about tonic, garnishes, and glasses.
Formerly a PR director, for many years she swanned around Europe taking top food and drink writers on press trips (junkets) sampling the gastronomic delights of various cities in Italy, France, Belgium, Spain, Copenhagen and Switzerland.
It was a tough job but someone had to do it.
Her romantic escapes series will take you from Brooklyn to Tokyo to Copenhaguen and everywhere in between. Her latest book, The Little Swiss Ski Chalet is out now.
You can find Julie on Facebook, Amazon, Book Series in Order, and BookBub.
Shane Wilson is a storyteller. No matter the medium, the emphasis of his work is on the magical act of the story, and how the stories we tell immortalize us and give voice to the abstractions of human experience.
Born in Alabama and raised in Georgia, Shane is a child of the southeastern United States where he feels simultaneously at-home and out-of-place. He graduated from Valdosta State University in south Georgia with a Masters in English. He taught college English in Georgia for four years before moving to North Carolina in 2013.
Shane's short story, "The Boy Who Kissed the Rain" was the 2017 Rilla Askew Short Fiction Prize winner and was nominated for a 2018 Pushcart Prize.
Shane is currently at work on a new novel. Visit www.shanewilsonauthor.com for more!
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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With over 35 stories in print, best-selling author Monique McDonnell has fun, flirty stories to tell.
Monique's writing journey began when she was in 6th grade and wrote about a kutaburra. That article was published in the local paper and with her name in the byline and $10 in her hand, Monique knew she'd found something amazing.
After working in PR, a series of events led Monique to writing full-time. Since then, she's penned the Upper Crust Series, the Jewel Sisters Series, the Courtside Romance series, and a few stand-alone novellas.
Her latest book from the Marlin Shores series, Saltwater Wishes, was just released.
You can find Monique on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Meka James is a writer of adult contemporary and erotic romance. A born and raised Georgia Peach, she still resides in the southern state with her hubby of 16 years and counting. Mom to four kids of the two legged variety, she also has four fur-babies of the canine variety. Leo the turtle and Spade the snake rounds out her wacky household. When not writing or reading, Meka can be found playing The Sims 3, sometimes Sims 4, and making up fun stories to go with the pixelated people whose world she controls. You can find out more at her website: https://www.authormekajames.com/
Lisa Kessler is a Best Selling author of dark paranormal fiction. She’s a two-time San Diego Book Award winner for Best Published Fantasy-Sci-fi-Horror and Best Published Romance. Her books have also won the PRISM award, the Award of Excellence, the National Excellence in Romantic Fiction Award, the Award of Merit from the Holt Medallion, and an International Digital Award for Best Paranormal. Her short stories have been published in print anthologies and magazines, and her vampire story, Immortal Beloved, was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award. When she’s not writing, Lisa is a professional vocalist, and has performed with San Diego Opera as well as other musical theater companies in San Diego. Stay up-to-date on new releases and giveaways by subscribing to Lisa’s newsletter here: https://goo.gl/56lDla
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A public relations professional, Denny S. Bryce spent more than 20 years running her marketing and public relations firm.
For nearly 10 of those years, she wrote and read Buffy/Spike fan fiction.
Before fanfiction, and her days as a PR Diva, the graduate of Barat College at DePaul University, was a professional dancer, part-time singer, and “bad” actress.
She worked with professional dance companies in Chicago and New York, and a theatrical production, which almost debuted off-off-off-Broadway.
Her debut novel, Wild Women and the Blues brings the past and the present together when a grieving film student Sawyer Hayes seeks out the 110-year-old Honoree to get answers for his thesis on the legendary filmmaker, Oscar Micheaux and they discover more than they bargained for.
The book has been featured in O Magazine, Bustle, Parade, Marie Claire, and multiple others.
You can find Denny at her website, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.
Kelly Cain is a multicultural romance author. She loves reading most genres but don’t ask her to pick just one. However, she can pick her favorite book boyfriend – Will Herondale – although Jamie Fraser is a close second. When she isn’t reading or writing, she’s most likely using ancestry to research her extended family, both old and new. Or cooking/baking something delightful.
She has two adult daughters, and a new granddaughter, and lives in Austin, Texas.
You can connect with her through her website kellycainauthor.com, twitter @kellycainauthor, and facebook KellyCainAuthor.
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Contemporary Romance & Chick Lit with sizzle and sass
Brynn North's goal is to write fun, witty, and relatable books that leave you with a smile and laugh. Her heroines are often finding their way in life, in and out of relationships. Her characters may not always be perfect people, but hey, neither are we, right? She hopes that you can see another perspective or even parts of yourself in her books and realize you aren't alone in figuring this whole life thing out. Her books are chick lit or closed-door romance, perfect for readers who love chemistry and sizzle but no explicit content.
She is a Minnesota native and still lives in Minneapolis with her family, loving it for approximately eight months out of the year. The other four months she dreams about moving to a warmer zip code. She is a total cat lady, with the best cats in the entire world. #sorrynotsorry
Her books Love Refined and Love Game are out now with additional books ready for you to preorder.
You can find Brynn at her website, Facebook, Instagram, and BookBub
Kristi is a scientist and science fiction/urban fantasy author who resides in Vancouver, Canada. Kristi writes what she loves; adventure heavy stories featuring strong, savvy female protagonists with the occasional RPG fantasy game thrown in the mix. She is also a co-host on the popular Adventures in Sci-Fi Publishing Podcast.
She received her BSc and MSc from Simon Fraser University in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, and her PhD in Zoology from the University of British Columbia.
You can find out more about her at: http://www.kristicharish.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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C.P. Hoff lives in southern Alberta with her husband and children. She has written for the local paper, which might be impressive if she lived in New York, and if anyone read the local paper. Hoff is a founding member of WordBridge Writers Conference in Lethbridge Alberta.
Her first novel, A Town Called Forget, was longlisted for the Stephen Leacock Medal For Humour. Her second novel, West of Ireland, received a Kirkus star and was featured in Kirkus Best Indie Fiction & Literature 2020. You can learn more on her website here: https://cphoff.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Despite working as a professional wordsmith – Halima is a broadcast journalist having worked with the BBC and ITV.
Since she was a child, she knew that words would be her thing. With a lifelong passion for writing, Halima wrote her first novel - a coming-of-age children's story - at the age of 12. It was politely turned down by all the major publishing houses. However, proving that writing was indeed her forte, Halima went on to study English and Journalism and was one of just four people in the UK to be granted a BBC scholarship during her postgraduate studies.
Along with being a PR consultant,Halima also blogs on lifestyle, food, travel, and parenthood on halimabobs.com.
This is where she also shares updates on her novels, her first, The Secret Diary of an Arranged Marriage came out in 2020 and her latest book, the second of the series, The Secret Life of a Bengali Bridezilla was released in early 2021.
You can find Halima at her website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
For as long as Chrstine Feehan can remember she's been a writer and lucky for us as she put those multiple stories down.
Her books have hit #1 New York Times bestselling author fifteen times over with her portfolio including over 50 published novels.
This includes six series that include the Leopard Series, Dark Series, Ghostwalker Series, Drake Sisters Series, the Sisters of the Heart Series, and her new Shadow Series as well as other single titles.
She lives on the beautiful Northern California coast where she draws inspiration from the incredible beauty of the region.
She loves people, dogs, good books, great coffee and her fabulous family.
Her latest release, Storm Shadow, is the 6th book of the Storm Shadow Riders series and out now.
You can find Christine at her website, Facebook, Goodreads, and Instagram.
EDWARD M. LERNER worked in high tech and aerospace for thirty years, as everything from engineer to senior vice president, for much of that time writing science fiction as his hobby. Since 2004 he has written full-time.His novels range from near-future technothrillers, like Small Miracles and Energized, to futuristic mysteries, like The Company Man, to such traditional SF-adventure fare as Dark Secret and his InterstellarNet series. Collaborating with Larry Niven, Lerner also wrote the space-opera epic Fleet of Worlds series of Ringworld companion novels. His 2015 novel, InterstellarNet: Enigma, won the inaugural Canopus Award "honoring excellence in interstellar writing." His fiction has also been nominated for Locus, Prometheus, and Hugo awards.In shorter forms, Lerner's writing has appeared in anthologies, collections, and many of the usual SF magazines and websites. He also writes about science and technology, most notably including Trope ing the Light Fantastic: The Science Behind the Fiction. You can find out more on his website: https://www.edwardmlerner.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Laura Heffernan is the award-winning, internationally best-selling author of fun, witty romantic comedies and more serious women’s fiction. After a few years of practicing law, she realized that she much preferred arguing with her characters rather than other people.
When not watching total strangers get married, drag racing queens, or cooking competitions, Laura enjoys board games, travel, board games, baking, and board games.
Some of Laura’s favorite things include goat cheese, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Battlestar Galactica, the Oxford comma, and ice cream. Not all together. The best place to find her is usually on Twitter, where she spends far too much time tweeting about writing, Canadian chocolate, board games and reality TV.
Her newest release Sight Seeing, under her alter ego, Ada Bell, is out now.
You can find Laura at her website, FB, Goodreads, Twitter, Amazon, and BookBub.
Chris (C.C.) Humphreys has played Hamlet in Calgary, a gladiator in Tunisia, and a dead immortal in Highlander; he’s waltzed in London’s West End, conned the landlord of the Rovers Return in Coronation Street, commanded a starfleet in Andromeda, and voiced Salem the cat in the original Sabrina.
A playwright, his plays have been produced in Calgary, Vancouver and London. He has published 20 novels including The French Executioner, The Jack Absolute Trilogy; Vlad – The Last Confession; A Place Called Armageddon; and Shakespeare’s Rebel. His novel Plague won the Arthur Ellis Award for Best Crime Novel in Canada in 2015. He is now writing epic fantasy with the Immortals’ Blood Trilogy, for Gollancz; the first book, Smoke in the Glass, was published in 2019. Book Two: The Coming of the Dark has now been published in the UK and Canada.
He has just published The Tapestry Trilogy set around - and through - the fabulous medieval Unicorn Tapestries in New York's Cloisters museum.
He has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia. He wears a unicorn signet ring and always wondered why. The Hunt of the Unicorn begins to answer that question. You can learn more at his website: http://www.authorchrishumphreys.com/
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Carly Bloom began her writing career as a family humor columnist and blogger, a pursuit she abandoned when her children grew old enough to literally die from embarrassment.
To save their delicate lives, Carly turned to penning steamy, contemporary romance.
The kind with bare chests on the covers. Carly and her husband raise their mortified brood of offspring on a cattle ranch in South Texas. In fact, according to Entertainment Weekly, Carly's invented a place we want to hang up our hat and kick up our spurs anytime she's got a story to tell.
You can find her latest book Must Love Cowboys out now.
To connect with Carly, find her at her website, Twitter, FB, Instagram, and BookBub.
Sebastien de Castell's acclaimed swashbuckling fantasy series, The Greatcoats. was shortlisted for both the 2014 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fantasy. the Gemmell Morningstar Award for Best Debut, the Prix Imaginales for Best Foreign Work, and the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. His YA fantasy series, Spellslinger, was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and is published in more than a dozen languages.
Sebastien lives in Vancouver, Canada with his lovely wife and two belligerent cats. You can reach him at www.decastell.com
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Priscilla Oliveras, a USA Today bestselling author and 2018 RWA® RITA® double finalist, writes contemporary romance with a Latinx flavor.
Her works earned praise from O, The Oprah Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Publishers Weekly, and Booklist among others.
She earned an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University and teaches the online class “Romance Writing” for ed2go.
Priscilla's also a sports fan, beach lover, and Zumba aficionado, who often practices the art of napping in her backyard hammock.
Get her latest book Anchored Hearts and her upcoming release, Summer in the City, is out May 25th.
Follow her at her website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Kaira Rouda is a USA TODAY and international bestselling, multiple award-winning author of contemporary fiction that explores what goes on beneath the surface of seemingly perfect lives. Her domestic suspense novels include BEST DAY EVER and THE FAVORITE DAUGHTER. Her next novel, THE NEXT WIFE, is out in May 2021. To date, Kaira's novels have been translated into more than ten languages.
She lives in Southern California with her family and is at work on her next novel. Connect with her on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest: @KairaRouda; and on Facebook at Kaira Rouda Books. You can learn more at: KairaRouda.com
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Tonnisha B
Tonnisha Bolian is a Chicago native, US Army veteran, and single mother with a bachelors in Mass Media Communications. Tonnisha is an honest light succeeding in a world that has constantly stacked the odds against her. Her story is full of darkness, rising above, healing, and maintaining her spiritual ground.
Tiffany Jackson is a veteran of the US Army, a mother, a wife, an advocate of many causes, and has been a student at both, Concordia and Aurora Universities, who calls the Windy City home. Tiffany is a chronic optimist who refuses to be defined by her struggles and works tirelessly to share her strengths.
Tonnisha and Tiffany are The Combat Divas and you can find their podcast here.
Their debut book The Combat Diva Chronicles is out now and you can find them at their website, FB, Twitter, IG, and YouTube.
JENNIFER ANNE GORDON is a professional ballroom dancer and choreographer by day, and a curly haired neurotic writer by night. She is an actor, a traveler, a photographer, a lover of Gothic Horror, and a dog mom. She lives in the wilds of New Hampshire with her partner on and off the dance floor. Her novels include the Kindle Award for Horror 2020 Winning book, Beautiful, Frightening, and Silent, as well as the historical Gothic novel From Daylight to Madness (The Hotel #1) as well as When The Sleeping Dead Still Talk (The Hotel #2). She also has a published collection of her artwork, titled "Victoriana {mixed media art of jennifer anne gordon}. You can find out more at her website: http://www.JenniferAnneGordon.com
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Jennifer Dupee grew up on the North Shore of Boston near the seaside communities of Manchester-by-the-Sea and Beverly Farms. She is a graduate of Brown University, where she studied under published authors Meredith Steinbach and Carole Maso, and received her honors in Creative Writing. She is an active member of the Grub Street writing community in Boston and has published in The Feminist Press. She was a semi-finalist for the 2016 James Jones First Novel Competition and a semi-finalist for the 2016 Faulkner-Wisdom competition. Jennifer lives just outside of Boston with her family. Her first published novel is The Little French Bridal Shop, and she is currently at work on her next novel. You can find out more at her website: https://www.jenniferdupee.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Rich Amooi is a Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal Recipient, a Holt Medallion Finalist for Best Contemporary Romance, and the Amazon Bestselling author of 17 rom-coms, including It's Not PMS, It's You; There's Something About a Cowboy, and Madam Love Actually.
A former radio personality and wedding DJ, Rich now writes romantic comedies full-time in San Diego, California.
He's happily married to a kiss monster imported from Spain and believes in public displays of affection, infinite possibilities, donuts, gratitude, laughter, and happily ever after.
Rich's latest book, Uncork my Love, is out now.
Find Rich at his website, Facebook, Instagram, BookBub, and Amazon.
Ellen Butler is a #1 International Bestselling novelist writing edgy suspense/mystery novels and sexy, sassy romance. She is the author of the award winning Love, California Style series, bestselling and award winning historical suspense, The Brass Compass, and international bestselling Karina Cardinal mystery series. Ellen holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and Policy, and her history includes a long list of writing for dry, but illuminating, professional newsletters and windy papers on public policy. She is a member of the Office of Strategic Services Society, Sisters in Crime, Virginia Writer’s Club, and International Thriller Writers.
She is an admitted chocoholic and confesses to a penchant for shoe shopping. Ellen lives with her family in the suburbs of Washington, DC.
Connect with Elllen at: http://www.ellenbutler.net/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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International Bestselling Author Kathrin Hutson has been writing Dark Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and LGBTQ Speculative Fiction since 2000. With her wildly messed-up heroes, excruciating circumstances, impossible decisions, and Happily Never Afters, she’s a firm believer in piling on the intense action, showing a little character skin, and never skimping on violent means to bloody ends. Kathrin is an active member of SFWA and HWA and lives in Colorado with her husband, daughter, and two dogs. For updates on new releases, exclusive deals, and dark surprises you won’t find anywhere else, sign up to Kathrin’s newsletter at kathrinhutsonfiction.com/newsletter
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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A small town girl at heart, Jane Porter was born in Visalia, California.
She loved the central California's golden foothills, oak trees, & the miles of farmland. In her mind, there's nothing sweeter in the world than the heady fragrance of orange blossoms on a sultry summer night.
As a child, she spent endless hours staring out the window, dreaming of far off places, fearless knights, & happy-ever-after endings. If she wasn't thinking of imaginary worlds, Jane had her nose in a book.
During middle school, Jane's family moved to Europe for a year and Jane discovered a huge & wonderful world with different cultures & customs. In high school and college, she studied internationally, living in Ireland, South Africa, and Japan.
After years of traveling and studying, she earned Bachelors degree from UCLA in American Studies as well as her Masters in Writing from the University of San Francisco and then teaching jr. high and high school English.
But those fictitious worlds she dreamed about simply wouldn't go away, so Jane put pen to paper and by March 2001, her first book The Italian Groom, was published by Harlenquin Presents.
To date, Jane has over 65 books in print in both romance & women's fiction genres.
Her latest book, Montana Cowboy Daddy, is out now.
Fine Jane at her website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Rae Shawn began writing to see more characters like her doing the hard jobs that typically were seen by male characters. She is from California and tends to write romance, suspense or mystery that occur in her home state. In her free time, she likes to binge watch reruns of Supernatural, read books of all genres or watch anime. You can find out more and sign up for her newsletter at: https://www.loveraeshawn.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Rachel John started her storytelling career by telling her younger sister grand tales of pricesses to get her sibling to fall asleep.
Over the years, she kept telling stories through artwork and scribbling book ideas on scraps of paper, keeping her wild imagination flowing until finally, she decided to write it all out.
To date, she has over a dozen books in print and many more ideas on the way.
She loves to read anything with romance or humor, and thinks the best books should combine the two.
She's a terrible cook, but unfortunately for her family, she keeps trying. Rachel lives in Arizona with her husband, four crazy kids, and her desert tortoise.
Her latest release, Dashing Into Disaster: An Austen Inspired Romantic Comedy is a modern take on Sense and Sensibility, bringing Elinor and Edward together in an entirely new way.
You can find Rachel at her website, Amazon author page, Facebook, Goodreads, and Instagram.
Meka James is a writer of adult contemporary and erotic romance. A born and raised Georgia Peach, she still resides in the southern state with her hubby of 16 years and counting. Mom to four kids of the two legged variety, she also has four fur-babies of the canine variety. Leo the turtle and Spade the snake rounds out her wacky household. When not writing or reading, Meka can be found playing The Sims 3, sometimes Sims 4, and making up fun stories to go with the pixelated people whose world she controls. You can learn more at her website: https://www.authormekajames.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Tracy Solheim's creative writing career began in the 4th grade when she published her first book.
It was a bestseller–mainly because her dad bought all ten copies she made on the school’s prehistoric Xerox machine.
From there, she moved to writing a monthly column in a local newspaper. A bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Tennessee landed her in Washington, DC, writing reports for Congress while pursuing a Master’s degree in Legislative Affairs from The George Washington University.
Other than a brief gig with NBC Sports at the (1988) Seoul Olympics, most of her early writing consisted of crafting lengthy government reports, but in May 2013 her dream of becoming a published author came true with the release of her debut novel, GAME ON.
Her latest book, Just for Kicks, is the first of her newest series.
Find Tracy at her website, FB, IG, Goodreads, Pinterest, and BookBub.
USA Today and Amazon Bestselling author Anna Lowe loves putting the "hero" back into heroine and letting location ignite a passionate romance. She loves dogs, sports, and travel – and letting the later inspire her fiction. If she's not hunched over her laptop, working on her latest story, you'll find her hiking in the mountains or biking country roads. Either way, the day will end with a chunk of dark chocolate and a good read. You can find out more at: http://annalowebooks.com/
Originally from Denver, Kelsey Osborne made her way to Los Angeles in search of warmer weather and ended up rediscovering her love of performance and comedy. After completing the UCB Improv program, she began performing on some of LA's coolest stages including; UCB Sunset, UCB Franklin, The Pack Theatre, and The Comedy Central Stage at The Hudson. She has provided voice over for educational videos, magazine audio articles, recurring audio play characters, and animated shorts. Additionally, in a fun 'shift' of fate, she found myself narrating a long list of over 40 paranormal romance novels, which can be found on audible.
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Careful-ish is Honey Parker’s first novel, but not her first written words.
She’s co-authored several business books, written and sold several screenplays which, as per Hollywood tradition, are circling various levels of that place known as Development Hell.
Honey is a veteran advertising writer and creative director for big agencies in New York and Los Angeles, she eventually co-founded her own creative shop in Park City, Utah.
Somewhere in the middle of all that, Honey began doing standup comedy in clubs and on TV, and won the coveted title of Funniest Person In Advertising, which brought no sash nor cash.
Honey is married to her best friend and business partner, Blaine Parker and in their spare time, they run an ad agency, speak to small-business owners around the globe about profitable branding, and co-host the weekly podcast, CoupleCo: Working With Your Spouse For Fun & Profit. As the most amateur of athletes, they’ve raced together in full and half marathons and triathlons.
Honey’s other “accomplishments” include being a performer at various Club Med locations around the world, sailing in the North American Fireball Championships despite the fact she cannot sail, and sparring with the World Female Boxing champ, a feat for which Honey is most proud that she neither bled nor cried.
You can find her at her website, FB, IG, and Amazon.
K. Sterling is just a very tired and anxious woman with a MacBook who writes to save her sanity. Writing also allows her to stay home and care for her dogs, Milo and the awful Otis, and one very abusive cat, Luna. K. has two teenage daughters who are the most teenage daughters to ever teenage and responsible for all of K.’s premature grey hairs. She also homeschools her teenage autistic son, Alex. Alex is the inspiration behind K.’s most beloved character, Dr. Aiden Sharp. Before all this magical romance nonsense happened, K. served in the U.S. Army as a counterintelligence agent then went on to teach CI Investigations before changing careers and becoming a stay-at-home mom with Alex and the gang. K. has been married for many, many years to Mr. Sterling and he is currently leaving his very long career in counterintelligence to narrate his wife’s audiobooks. And other things. Learn more at ksterlingbooks.com
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Rose Amberly argues with stubborn women, counts the bells as Big Ben strikes the hour, undresses an army officer and sails a boat up the river Thames.
She's been a mermaid, a teacher, a musician and an orange tree.
She's duelled with vikings and made love in the rain.
All before lunch because why? She's a writer, a creator of worlds.
The first books of her English Channel series are out now with book three on the way for April.
You can find Rose at her website, instagram, Facebook, Amazon, and Goodreads.
Andrew Mayne is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Naturalist, Looking Glass, Murder Theory, Dark Pattern, and Angel Killer, as well as an Edgar Award nominee for Black Fall in his Jessica Blackwood series. Black Coral is the second book in his Underwater Investigation Unit series. The star of Discovery Channel’s Shark Week special Andrew Mayne: Ghost Diver and A&E’s Don’t Trust Andrew Mayne, he is also a magician who started his first world tour as an illusionist when he was a teenager and went on to work behind the scenes for Penn & Teller, David Blaine, and David Copperfield. Ranked as the fifth bestselling independent author of the year by Amazon UK, Andrew currently hosts the Weird Things podcast. For more on him and his work, visit www.AndrewMayne.com
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Stella Bixby is a native Coloradan who loves to snowboard, pluck at the guitar, and play board games with her family.
She was once a volunteer firefighter and a park ranger, but now spends most of her time making up stories and trying to figure out what to cook for dinner.
Her newest release, Bungled, will be out on March 30thm but you can pre-order it here.
If you want to keep in touch with Stella, check out her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
USA Today and national bestselling author Anna J Stewart can't remember a time she didn't have a book in her hands or a story in her head. Early obsessions with Star Wars, Star Trek, and Wonder Woman set her on the path to creating sweet to sexy pulse-pounding romances for her independent heroines. Anna lives in Northern California where she deals with a serious Supernatural addiction and two slightly nutty cats named Rosie and Sherlock. When she’s not writing, you can find her cooking and baking, binge-watching classic TV and cooking shows, attending fan conventions, or heading to the movies. You can read more about Anna, her books, and the writing workshops she offers at www.authorannastewart.com
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Reese Ryan is the author of twenty published works of romantic fiction and counting. Her stories feature a cast of flawed, complex characters. She presents her characters with family and career drama, challenging love interests, and life-changing secrets while treating readers to an emotional love story with unexpected twists.
Reese, an advocate for the romance genre and diversity in fiction, is the past president of her local Romance Writers of America chapter, a panelist at the 2017 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, and the 2018 Donna Hill Breakout Author.
For the latest news, a peek behind the scenes and cool contests, join her newsletter here. You can find out more at her website here: https://www.reeseryan.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Native to New Mexico, DelSheree Gladden and her husband spent several years in Colorado for college and work before moving back home to be near family again.
There, she, her husband, and two children love have their seventeen cousins close by again. They also love having all the neighbor kids over to play, which has made DelSheree's house the unofficial summer and after school hangout spot.
When not writing, you can find her out and about with my family or sneaking a few minutes for one of her many hobbies she never seems to have time for.
For her day job… she spends time trying not to get bitten by small children at work as a dental hygienist.
With 14 different projects in print, DelSheree has a plethora of characters for all of you to read about.
Her most recent release, a young adult retelling of Jane Austen's Persuasion, What Had to Be Done, is available now.
You can find DelSheree at her website and on FB, TW, IG, PN, YouTube, and Amazon.
Jules Crisare loves writing sexy shifter romances. The growly and dominant males of Broken Peak and the Silver Sentinels are the ones bending to the strong wills of the smart heroines who cross their paths. Seriously, only strong heroines need apply to capture the hearts of these sexy alphas.
Born and raised in the Midwest, she hopped from one coast to the other for several years before moving back to the Midwest. If she isn’t at her laptop writing and it’s not football season (Go Pack Go!), she’s reading, knitting (she has a serious addiction to yarn), dehydrating fruit, or testing small batch bourbons for her Old Fashioneds. You can find out more and sign up for her newsletter here: https://jcrisare.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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A theatre major in college, McGarvey Black pursued an acting career for a few years.
From there she moved into sales in the magazine publishing business where I sold print advertising.
In the late 80's, she quit her job and backpacked around the world starting in Australia, on to Asia, the Middle East and then Europe.
Because of that adventure, she ended up on her next publishing job at Outside Magazine and for the next 15 years, she sold and managed sales teams for companies like Conde Nast and WebMD working at brands like GQ, Allure, Lucky and Brides. She was also on the founding team of Condé Nast’s first foray into the digital space running the ad sales team for Condénet
In 2007, with two children at home, she became a work-from-home executive recruiter for large and small internet companies for the next decade, but no matter how she earned a living, she always wrote…for me, for my friends and family.
In 2017, she left recruiting to pursue a full-time career as a writer and since, she's penned four novels all published by Bloodhound Books.
The first three were Thriller/Suspense; I Never Left (2019), The First Husband (2020) and Without Her Consent (2020) and her most recent, a romantic comedy, The Fussy Virgin (2021) will be out February 8, but you can pre-order here.
You can find McGarvey Black on her website and at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and BookBub.
Melinda Curtis is the USA Today bestselling author of light‐hearted contemporary romance. In addition to her Sunshine Valley series from Forever, she’s published independently and with Harlequin Heartwarming, including her book Dandelion Wishes, which was made into a TV movie - Love in Harmony Valley, starring Amber Marshall. She lives in Oregon’s lush Willamette Valley with her husband - her basketball-playing college sweetheart. While raising three kids, the couple did the soccer thing, the karate thing, the dance thing, the Little League thing and, of course, the basketball thing. Now when Melinda isn’t writing and Mr. Curtis isn’t watching college basketball, they do the DIY thing. You can find out more at: https://www.melindacurtis.net/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Summer Dowell is an author of fun, feel-good chick lits and romantic comedies that will brighten your day. She lives in Southern California where she spends her days keeping her six energetic children alive and doing massive loads of laundry.
Summer loves to fit in writing during her free time where she brings to life all the sarcasm and humor that none of her family fully appreciates.
She released her first book of The Wedding Business series, If It's Perfect, in October 2020, and now she's working on her next book, It’s Just Business. The rom com series followings three friends working in the wedding industry.
You can find Summer on her website, as well as FB, IG, Pinterest, Amazon author, and BookBub.
Jason Pinter is the bestselling author of seven novels for adults—Hide Away, the first Rachel Marin Thriller, the acclaimed Henry Parker series (The Mark, The Guilty, The Stolen, The Fury, and The Darkness), and the stand-alone thriller The Castle, as well as the middle-grade adventure novel Zeke Bartholomew: SuperSpy! and the children’s book Miracle. His books have over one million copies in print worldwide. He has been nominated for numerous awards, including the Thriller Award, Strand Critics Award, Barry Award, and Shamus Award, and The Mark was optioned to be a feature film.
Pinter is the founder of Polis Books, an independent press, and was honored by Publishers Weekly’s Star Watch, which “recognizes young publishing professionals who have distinguished themselves as future leaders of the industry.” He has written for the New Republic, Entrepreneur, the Daily Beast, Esquire, and more. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and their two daughters. Visit him at www.JasonPinter.com, and follow him on Twitter and Instagram @JasonPinter.
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Remi Carrington is the figment of Pamela Humphrey's imagination. She loves romance and chocolate, enjoys disappearing into a delicious book, and considers people-watching a sport. She was born in the pages of the novel Just You and then grew into an alter ego.
She writes sweet romance and sweet romantic comedies set in Texas.
You can find her at Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Goodreads, BookBub, and her webpage for samples and excerpts. https://remicarrington.com/
Her newest release, Wrangled by Lilith, is out TODAY and is the first of the Stargazer Springs Ranch series.
Nicole Haldoupis is a queer writer, editor, and designer from Toronto. She's a co-creator and editor of untethered, editor of Grain, and co-founder of Applebeard Editions. Her work can be found in Bad Dog Review, The Feathertale Review, Bad Nudes, (parenthetical), Sewer Lid, antilang, and others. Tiny Ruins is her first book. Nicole lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. You can find out more here: http://nicolehaldoupis.ca/
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Kate O'Keeffe is an award-winning, bestselling author of fun, feel-good chick lit and romantic comedies. She lives and loves in beautiful Hawke's Bay, New Zealand with her family, two scruffy dogs, and a cat who thinks he's a scruffy dog too.
He's not: he's a cat.
When she's not penning her latest story, Kate can be found hiking up hills (slowly), traveling to different countries around the globe (back when we used to be able to do that), and eating chocolate. A lot of it.
Right now, Kate is working on a spin-off story from the Love Manor Romantic Comedy Series. Entitled A very English Love Story, it's Phoebe's story, one of the contestants from the Dating Mr. Darcy reality TV show. The box set is called Love in the City and it's an anthology of 13 fabulous rom coms, on pre-order here.
You can find her at her website, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Bookbub, Goodreads, and Amazon.
Lee Goldberg is a two-time Edgar Award and two-time Shamus Award nominee and the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty novels. He has also written and/or produced many TV shows, including Diagnosis Murder, SeaQuest, and Monk, and is the cocreator of the Mystery 101 series of Hallmark movies. As an international television consultant, he has advised networks and studios in Canada, France, Germany, Spain, China, Sweden, and the Netherlands on the creation, writing, and production of episodic television series. You can find more information about Lee and his work at www.leegoldberg.com
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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International Bestselling Author Kathrin Hutson has been writing Dark Fantasy, Sci-Fi, and LGBTQ Speculative Fiction since 2000. With her wildly messed-up heroes, excruciating circumstances, impossible decisions, and Happily Never Afters, she’s a firm believer in piling on the intense action, showing a little character skin, and never skimping on violent means to bloody ends. Kathrin is an active member of SFWA and HWA and lives in Colorado with her husband, daughter, and two dogs. For updates on new releases, exclusive deals, and dark surprises you won’t find anywhere else, sign up to Kathrin’s newsletter at kathrinhutsonfiction.com/newsletter
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Denise N. Wheatley is a lover of happily-ever-afters and the art of storytelling. She has written (and ghostwritten) numerous novels and novellas that run the romance gamut, from contemporary to paranormal, sweet to steamy. Denise strives to pen entertaining stories that embody matters of the heart, while creating characters who are strong, colorful and relatable.
She is an RWA member and received a B.A. in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago, the city where she was born and raised. When Denise is not sitting behind a computer, you can find her in a movie theater, on a tennis court, watching true crime television or chatting on social media.
Love at the Iclce Cafe is her first book with Tule Publishing is out now.
You can find Denise at her Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, BookBub, Goodreads, and her Writer's Blog,
Mark Leslie would be the first person to admit he's still afraid of the monster under his bed.
Proudly adopting the term "Book Nerd" for himself, Mark is a writer, editor and bookseller and is most comfortable with a pen in hand, fingers on keyboard or with his nose stuck in a book.
His first book, ONE HAND SCREAMING (2004) collected mostly previously published short stories and poetry along with a few original tales. His other fiction includes I, DEATH (2014), EVASION (2014) and A CANADIAN WEREWOLF IN NEW YORK (2016). Mark's dark fiction is often compared to "Twilight Zone" or "Black Mirror" in terms of style, exploring "what if" themes with contemporary settings that include speculative elements, gently skipping around the genres of sci-fi, horror and urban fantasy.
He is also the editor of the science fiction anthologies NORTH OF INFINITY II (2006), TESSERACTS SIXTEEN: PARNASSUS UNBOUND (2012) the horror anthology CAMPUS CHILLS (2009) as well as FICTION RIVER: EDITOR'S CHOICE (2017) and FICTION RIVER: FEEL THE FEAR (2017).
Born in Sudbury Ontario, Mark has courted with a serious addiction to reading and writing his entire life. He has called both Ottawa, ON and Hamilton, ON home for about a decade each and currently lives in Waterloo, Ontario. You can learn more here: http://markleslie.ca/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Ann has a B.A. in English with an emphasis on creative writing from the University of Washington. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and Western Writers of America. She is currently toiling away on her next book, wishing she was on a Mexican beach with an ice-cold Corona in one hand and a book in the other. When she is not dabbling in fiction, she is arm wrestling with her two kids, attempting to seduce her husband, and arguing with her sassy cat. Most nights, you can find her hanging out over at www.anncharles.com, on Facebook as Ann Charles, or as AnnWCharles on Twitter.
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit: http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Wintour sought refuge between the pages of a book as a child. Though now she is in a healthy and loving household she still suffers from PTSD and finds writing to be therapeutic. She is an advocate for mental health especially for children.
She went to Grand Canyon University for psychology but that career path just didn’t feel right for her. It wasn’t until she buckled down and dedicated herself to her novel The Cursed Rose that things really started to fall into place. She found the path she was meant to walk.
She has a bubbly and friendly personality but don’t let that fool you. Halloween is her favorite holiday and thrillers, horror, and anything with a surprising dark twist really peak her interest. Two of her favorite authors are Stephen King and Anne Rice. Plus she has an obsession with anything vampires.
She was part of the San Antonio Romance Author Association (SARA) where she had amazing mentors that helped shape her into the author she is today. She now lives in Honolulu Hawaii where she dedicates her time between her family, her writing, and helping other authors peruse their dreams.
To connect and follow her journey you can find her on Twitter and Instagram.
Her book The Cursed Rose hits the shelves and ebooks on December 21st.
Abigail Owen is a multi-award-winning author of paranormal romance and upper YA/new adult fantasy romance. Other favorite titles include wife, mother, Star Wars geek, ex-competitive skydiver, spreadsheet lover, Dr. Seuss quoter, eMBA, organizational guru, Texan, Aggie, and chocaholic.
Abigail grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. She attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing) and an MBA. However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it. She currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her own personal, swoon-worthy hero and their two children, who are growing up way too fast.
Abigail also writes award-winning steamy contemporary romance and romantic comedy as Kadie Scott (kadie-scott.com), and sweet contemporary romance and Amish romance as Kristen McKanagh (kristenmckanagh.com).
For the latest news and exclusive excerpts, subscribe to Abigail's monthly newsletter (http://eepurl.com/c-D2Cf) or join her Facebook fan group - Abbie's Awesome Nerds (https://www.facebook.com/groups/AOsAwesomeNerds)
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Hilary Grossman is a recovering corporate executive. She spends her mornings and weekends hanging out with her "characters." She has an unhealthy addiction to denim and high heel shoes. She's been known to walk into walls and fall up stairs. She only eats spicy foods and is obsessed with her cat, Lucy. She loves to find humor in everyday life. She likens life to a game of dodge ball - she tries to keep many balls in the air before they smack her in the face.
She lives on Long Island.
You can find Hilary at Amazon, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, and her website.
She's also part of the Holly Jolly Chick Lit Hop going on now.
You can find the Hop on Hilary's Facebook page.
Natalie Normann is a Norwegian writer and writes historical romance series in her native language. She has also written crime novels and children’s books before turning to romance full-time.
She grew up in a shipping town on the west-coast of Norway and always wanted to be a writer. Actually, she wanted to smoke cigars and drink whiskey like Hemingway but settled for chocolate and the occasional glass of Baileys.
Her writing journey started with short stories in women’s magazines until her first book was published in 1995.
Summer Island is her first romance written in English and her latest book, Christmas Island, is out now.
You can find Natalie at Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
A. R. Torre is a pseudonym for New York Times bestselling author Alessandra Torre. Torre is an award-winning bestselling author of more than twenty novels. Torre has been featured in such publications as Elle and Elle UK and has guest-blogged for the Huffington Post. In addition to writing, Torre is the creator of Alessandra Torre Ink, a website, community, and online school for aspiring authors.
You can learn more at www.alessandratorre.com
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Lyndon Hardy became interested in fantasy while wandering through the fringes of fandom when he was at Caltech. In addition to reading and writing, he has sporadic bursts of enthusiasm for collecting stamps and playing cards. As of yet, he has not figured out a plot line for a stamp collector who saves the world.
He published three fantasy novels for Ballantine/Del Rey in the 1980’s. They are now available again.
While at CalTech, in 1961 he organized and led what has been called the best college prank ever pulled – The Rose Bowl Card Stunt Caper.
You can find his latest book, Double Magic, out now.
This other books in the series can be found on Amazon.
Find him on his website, Facebook, and Amazon.
Melinda Curtis is the USA Today bestselling author of light‐hearted contemporary romance. In addition to her Sunshine Valley series from Forever, she’s published independently and with Harlequin Heartwarming, including her book Dandelion Wishes, which was made into a TV movie - Love in Harmony Valley, starring Amber Marshall. She lives in Oregon’s lush Willamette Valley with her husband - her basketball-playing college sweetheart. While raising three kids, the couple did the soccer thing, the karate thing, the dance thing, the Little League thing and, of course, the basketball thing. Now when Melinda isn’t writing and Mr. Curtis isn’t watching college basketball, they do the DIY thing. You can find out more at: https://www.melindacurtis.net/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Tracy Krimmer loves coffee, popcorn, Drew Barrymore, and the movie Saving Silverman. She enjoys reading great books (of course) and writing realistic characters for you to enjoy. When she listens to music she prefers the 80s and 90s music she grew up on. In a typical day you'll find her writing at one of her favorite spots-on the couch, at the kitchen table, or at her favorite hometown coffee shop.
You can find her at her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Bookbub, and Amazon.
And come join Tracy and a bunch of her writer friends during the Holly Jolly Chick Lit Hop December 7-13th.
Lisa Kessler is a Best Selling author of dark paranormal fiction. She's a two-time San Diego Book Award winner for Best Published Fantasy-Sci-fi-Horror and Best Published Romance. Her books have also won the PRISM award, the Award of Excellence, the National Excellence in Romantic Fiction Award, the Award of Merit from the Holt Medallion, and an International Digital Award for Best Paranormal.
Her short stories have been published in print anthologies and magazines, and her vampire story, Immortal Beloved, was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award.
When she's not writing, Lisa is a professional vocalist, and has performed with San Diego Opera as well as other musical theater companies in San Diego. She's also the host of the Book Lights Podcast for Reader's Entertainment.
You can learn more at http://Lisa-Kessler.com & Sign up for her newsletter here: https://goo.gl/56lDla
And for more about our Special Guest host NYT Best Seller Alyssa Day visit https://alyssaday.com/
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Photographer, author and product developer, Andrew Darlow has lectured, conducted seminars, and workshops around the world at conferences, and for photography organizations, including the Arles Photo Festival in France and the International Center of Photography in New York City.
His works have been featured in numerous magazines, newspapers and TV programs as well as held in many private collections.
He’s the editor of imagingbuffet.com, which covers photography, printing, and new media.
His latest release Focus and Filter was an Amazon Hot New Release, No. 1 Best Seller, and an award-winning finalist at the International Book Awards.
His book, Biscuit for Your Thoughts: Philosophy According to Dogs, combines humorous canine-inspired sayings with Andrew’s photographs from his long career as a commercial, pet and portrait photographer.
Find Andrew at his website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, LinkenIn.
Readers Entertainment Radio listeners can watch his 50 photography tips here.
Marc Watson is an author of genre fiction of all lengths and styles. He began writing at the age of 15 and continues to be a part-time writing student at Athabasca University. He has been published on flash fiction site www.101words.org (find his stories here) as well as comedy site www.thecorrectness.com. Marc lives in Calgary, Alberta. He is a husband and proud father of two. He is an avid outdoors-man, martial artist, baseball player, and lover of all Mexican foods. He can be found at online www.marcwatson.ca, as well as on Facebook at www.facebook.com/marcwroteabook
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Kaylie Newell was born in the great state of Oregon, where she was raised alongside rivers and lakes and scruffy dogs that chased their tennis balls as far as Kaylie’s noodle arms could throw. As she grew, so did her imagination, and it didn’t take long to realize she was a romantic at heart. She began to fancy herself the future wife of a cowboy, the likes of which graced every paperback novel she could get her hands on.
She decided to go to college in Oklahoma to snag herself one, but irony won over when she fell in love with a hippie in sheep’s clothing instead. Together, they came back to Oregon, started a family and watched their dreams unfold. Kaylie wrote her first book when her girls were toddlers, editing sex scenes with The Wiggles on in the background.
She’s proud of many things in life, among them the fact that she can still recite her lines from Romeo and Juliet from her seventh grade play, the fact that she can set a grilled cheese sandwich on fire faster than most people can make one, but mostly she’s proud of the stories blossoming inside her noggin on a daily basis.
You can find Kaylie on her website, Facebook, Twitter, BookBub, and Instagram.
Her latest book Montana Christmas Magic is out now.
Laura Marks is a PEN Award winning playwright, television writer and comic book writer. Her plays Bethany and Mine have garnered acclaim from critics and been published and produced across the US and overseas. For TV, she's written episodes of The Good Fight, The Expanse, Servant, Ray Donovan, The Exorcist, and BrainDead, and she's currently co-writing a new project with Carlton Cuse. Her debut comic series for DC's Hill House Comics, Daphne Byrne (with art by Kelley Jones), will be released as a hardcover compilation in November 2020. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Brooklyn. You can learn more on her website: https://lauramarks.net/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Laura Heffernan is the award-winning, internationally best-selling author of fun, witty romantic comedies and more serious women’s fiction. After a few years of practicing law, she realized that she much preferred arguing with her characters rather than other people. It’s easier to win that way.
When not watching total strangers get married, drag racing queens, or cooking competitions, Laura enjoys board games, travel, board games, baking, and board games. She lives in the northeast with her husband, the world’s most active toddler, and two furry little beasts.
Some of Laura’s favorite things include goat cheese, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Battlestar Galactica, the Oxford comma, and ice cream. Not all together. The best place to find her is usually on Twitter, where she spends far too much time tweeting about writing, Canadian chocolate, board games and reality TV.
Her latest book, Poll Dancer, is out now.
You can contact her at her website, Facebook, Twitter, BookBub, and Goodreads.
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. Born and raised in Texas, Rachael lives in the Houston area with her husband of almost fifteen years, and their two small children. You can learn more at her website: https://rachaeltamayowrites.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Douglas Clegg is a writer of imaginative dark fiction (including horror, gothic, fantasy, supernatural, and suspense thrillers) and has been a professional novelist since he signed his first book contract with Simon & Schuster in 1987. He considers much of his horror fiction as being on the surrealistic side of the equation, venturing into the logic of nightmare and dream.
His books have been published worldwide and translated into various editions. His short fiction has won the Bram Stoker Award, the International Horror Guild Award and the Shocker Award, and has been included in several Years’ Best anthologies.
Keep in contact with him via his Newsletter. Also check out Patreon.com/DouglasClegg to get special pre-publication editions of his newest stories, novelettes, and novellas.
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Award-winning and best selling author Jeannie Moon is a native Long Islander and imagines that conjures an image of big hair and a nasally accent, but that’s not the Long Island that she knows. Raised in a north shore town that once would have been called bucolic and now people call trendy, she married her high school sweetheart and her children were born in the same hospital as she was. She has deep roots here, and it gives her a history.
A strong sense of home which reflects in her fabulous stories.
Like most women, she wears a lot of hats. When she was in college, she planned on becoming a famous sportscaster. However, never being objective, she leaned more toward the publicity side of the business, doing work for local papers and local teams. But the plan took a detour and she found herself in the front a classroom, teaching English. Teaching was in her blood, and she was hooked.
Now, a mom, a nana, a wife, a teacher, a librarian and a contemporary romance author. It’s the last part—the romance author—that’s allowed her to connect with all of you.
Her latest book Christmas in Angel Harbor is out now and to find out more about Jeannie, connect with her on her website, Facebook, Instagram,and Bookbub.
Be bold, and do something amazing, Scarlett Cole insists on her website write up.
And she has.
She's been a car maker, a consultant, and even a senior executive at a large retailer running strategy.
Born in England, spent time in the U.S. and Japan, before ending up in Canada where she met my own, personal hero – all six and a half feet of him.
One of the bold things she did was become an amazing writer.
A second was help so many by talking openly about her peri-menapausal depression.
Her latest release, Love in Numbers*, is out now.
You can find Scarlett on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and BookBub.
*I said Love in THE Numbers a few times in the first part of the show. My apologizes.
Alyssa Day is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with more than a million books sold --all filled with kissing, laughter, mystery and magic. Alyssa’s paranormal series include the Vampire Motorcycle Club, Poseidon’s Warriors, and Cardinal Witches paranormal romances and the Tiger’s Eye Mysteries paranormal mysteries. In an Alyssa Day book, the good guys (and gals!) always win and happily ever after always prevails!
Alyssa's many awards include Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA® award for outstanding romance fiction, and the RT Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Paranormal Romance novel of 2012. Her books have been translated into a zillion languages but she’s still holding out for Klingon.
Before she became a full-time writer, Alyssa graduated summa cum laude from law school and practiced as a trial lawyer in three different states for more than a decade. She is a past president of Romance Writers of America.
Please visit her online at http://www.alyssaday.com to sign up for her newsletter for news of releases, free stuff, and pictures of her dogs and her baking. But not of her dogs baking, because that would just be wrong.
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Lisa Morton is a screenwriter, author of non-fiction books, and award-winning prose writer whose work was described by the American Library Association’s Readers’ Advisory Guide to Horror as “consistently dark, unsettling, and frightening”. She is the author of four novels and 150 short stories, a six-time winner of the Bram Stoker Award®, and a world-class Halloween expert. She co-edited (with Leslie S. Klinger) the anthology Weird Women: Classic Supernatural Fiction by Groundbreaking Female Writers 1852-1923; forthcoming in 2020 is Calling the Spirits: A History of Seances . Lisa lives in Los Angeles. You can find out more and sign up for her newsletter: https://lisamorton.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Best selling author Teri Wilson is the Publishers Weekly bestselling author/creator of the Hallmark Channel Original Movies Unleashing Mr. Darcy, Marrying Mr. Darcy, The Art of Us, and Northern Lights of Christmas, based on her book Sleigh Bell Sweethearts. She is also a recipient of the prestigious RITA® Award for excellence in romantic fiction for her novel The Bachelor’s Baby Surprise.
Teri has a major weakness for cute animals, pretty dresses, Audrey Hepburn films, & following the British royal family.
Her newest release, Christmas Charms, is available now.
Feel free to visit and connect with her on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Amazon.
Christopher Rice is an Amazon Charts bestselling author whose works include Bone Music and Blood Echo in The Burning Girl series; the New York Times bestseller A Density of Souls; and the Bram Stoker Award finalists The Heavens Rise and The Vines. He is an executive producer of The Vampire Chronicles, a television show based on the bestselling novels by his mother, Anne Rice. Together they penned Ramses the Damned: The Passion of Cleopatra. With his best friend and producing partner, New York Times bestselling novelist Eric Shaw Quinn, he runs the podcast and video network TDPS, which you can find at www.TheDinnerPartyShow.com. Visit him at www.christopherricebooks.com.
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
LaQuette is a romance author of bold, provocative love stories featuring multicultural characters. Her writing style brings intellect to the drama. She often crafts emotionally epic, fantastical tales that are deeply pigmented by reality's paintbrush. Her novels are filled with a unique mixture of savvy, sarcastic, brazen, and unapologetically sexy characters who are confident in their right to appear on the page.
This bestselling Romance Author is the 2016 Author of the Year Golden Apple Award Winner, 2015 Swirl Awards Bronze Winner in Romantic Suspense, and 2015 Georgia Romance Writers Maggie Award Finalist in Erotic Romance. LaQuette—a native of Brooklyn, New York—spends her time catering to her three distinct personalities: Wife, Mother, and Educator.
Writing—her escape from everyday madness— has always been a friend and source of comfort. At the age of sixteen, she read her first romance novel and realized the genre was missing something: people that looked and lived like her. As a result, her characters and settings are always designed to provide positive representations of people of color and various marginalized communities.
She loves hearing from readers and discussing the crazy characters that are running around in her head causing so much trouble. Contact her on Facebook, Twitter, her website, LaQuette.com, Amazon, and via email at LaQuette@LaQuette.com
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
When her mother was diagnosed with demenia, Kate Kunkle set out on a quest to discover why this happened, how she could help her mother, and how she could prevent or decrease the odds of it happening to her.
She learned what inspired her to embark on what she considered the most important mission of her life, to make dementia and Alzheimers rare diseases and to control and to empower people to take control of their health and future.
Her book Don't Let the Memories Fade, came out September 12th and is available at Amazon.
You can also find her at her website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and her Amazon author page.
Melissa Blue’s writing career started on a typewriter one month after her son was born. This would have been an idyllic situation for a writer if it had been 1985, not 2004. She penned that first contemporary romance, upgraded to a computer and hasn’t looked back since.
Outside of writing, Blue works as a mail clerk for the federal government, has a paralegal certificate (that she has more use for as a dust pan) and is a mother of two rambunctious children. She lives in California where the wine is good and, despite popular belief, is not always sunny.
You can find her camped out on Facebook or Twitter. Or sign up for new newsletter on her website: https://www.themelissablue.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Thriller author Karen Rose is a woman of many talents, her most recent is best selling author.
After working in corporate America as a chemical engineer for a decade, she transitioned to teaching high school chemistry and physics, all the while, she penned stories that she figured woudl never see the light of day.
Until her fabulous husband told her to go to a writer's group meeting and do something with her creations.
Through their guideance and encouragment of her writing peers, she sold her debut novel, DON'T TELL, in 2001. It was released in July 2003 and her twenty-fourth novel, SAY NO MORE, released in August 2020.
Karen's books have appeared on the bestseller lists of the New York Times, USA Today, London's Sunday Times, and Germany's der Spiegel (#1), and the Irish Times, as well as lists in South Africa(#1) and Australia!
To date, her books have been translated into more than twenty languages.
You can find Karen at her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Amazon, BookBub, and YouTube.
Internationally bestselling author Karen Rose was born and raised in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC. She met her husband, Martin, on a blind date when they were seventeen and after they both graduated from the University of Maryland, (Karen with a degree in Chemical Engineering) they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Karen worked as an engineer for a large consumer goods company, earning two patents, but as Karen says, “scenes were roiling in my head and I couldn't concentrate on my job so I started writing them down. I started out writing for fun, and soon found I was hooked.”
Her debut suspense novel, DON'T TELL, was released in July, 2003. Since then, she has published more than fifteen novels and two novellas. Her twenty-fourth novel, SAY NO MORE, will be released in 2020.
Karen's books have appeared on the bestseller lists of the New York Times, USA Today, London's Sunday Times, and Germany's der Spiegel (#1), and the Irish Times, as well as lists in South Africa(#1) and Australia! To date, her books have been translated into more than twenty languages.
A former high school teacher of chemistry and physics, Karen lives in Florida with her husband of more than thirty years. You can find out more at: http://karenrosebooks.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
International bestselling author Brad Parks is the only writer to have won the Shamus, Nero, and Lefty Awards, three of American crime fiction’s most prestigious prizes. His novels have been published in fifteen languages and have won critical acclaim across the globe, including stars from every major prepublication review outlet. A graduate of Dartmouth College, Parks is a former journalist with the Washington Post and the Star-Ledger (Newark, New Jersey). He is now a full-time novelist living in Virginia with his wife and two school-age children. A former college a cappella singer and community-theater enthusiast, Brad has been known to burst into song whenever no one was thoughtful enough to muzzle him. His favored writing haunt is a Hardee’s restaurant, where good-natured staff members suffer his presence for many hours a day, and where he can often be found working on his next novel. You can learn more at: https://bradparksbooks.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Photographer, author, and digital imaging consultant, Andrew Darlow has lectured and conducted seminars and workshops around the world at photo-related conferences, and for photography organizations.
His latest book Focus and Filter is out now on Amazon.
Find Andrew's Free Backup Course Website and Podcast at https://backup.fm.
His Photo News & Tips Blog at https://imagingbuffet.com as well as Twitter, Facebook (personal), Facebook (photo tips), LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Visit the special page Andrew created for our listeners, with book excerpts, pet photography tips & much more: https://backup.fm/pwf
Amy Bearce writes magical escapes for young readers and the young at heart. She is the author of the World of Aluvia series, Shortcuts, and Paris on Repeat (July 2020). She is also a former reading teacher and school librarian. As a military kid, she moved eight times before she was eighteen, so she feels especially fortunate to be married to her high school sweetheart. Together they’re raising two daughters in San Antonio.
You can find Amy at her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Linkedin.
Her books are on Amazon and Bookbub.
USA Today Bestselling author Jess Michaels likes geeky stuff, Vanilla Coke Zero, anything coconut, cheese, fluffy cats, smooth cats, any cats, many dogs and people who care about the welfare of their fellow humans. She is lucky enough to be married to her favorite person in the world and lives in the heart of Dallas, TX where she's trying to eat all the amazing food in the city.
When she’s not obsessively checking her steps on Fitbit or trying out new flavors of Greek yogurt, she writes historical romances with smoking hot alpha males and sassy ladies who do anything but wait to get what they want. She has written for numerous publishers and is now fully indie and loving every moment of it (well, almost every moment).
In addition, Jess is super (some would say obsessively) active on both Facebook and Twitter, so be sure to follow her on one or both from the links provided here! And sign up for her newsletter to be the first to know when there is a new release out and for a chance to win a $75 Amazon Gift Certificate just for being cute.
Website/Blog: http://www.authorjessmichaels.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jessmichaelsbks
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jessmichaelsbks
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Ellen Goodwin is a Productivity Trainer, TEDx speaker, and author who uses neuroscience-based principles to enable individuals and businesses to overcome all types of procrastination, build stronger habits, and be more focused so that they can be more efficient and effective with their time. Ellen believes that when it comes to productivity, there is no one-size-fits-all solution, which is why she advocates for experimentation to find the tools and techniques which will work seamlessly with your life and your business, no matter what you want to accomplish.
Through the course of a successful career as an advertising creative, Ellen learned the elusive secrets to getting things done when no one is watching. She now shares this information through speaking engagements, corporate seminars, consulting, and writing. Ellen lives in San Diego is the co-host of The Faster, Easier, Better Show podcast.
You can find her on her website where you can also sign up for her weekly newsletter.
Reach out to her on Facebook, Twitter, and Amazon.
Her book, How to Work When No One is Watching is out now.
We welcome the amazing Amanda Jayde for a quick 15 minute spot to chat about her new release Bewitched, her new witch series and writing! Learn about some great dark romantic fantasy and the fun-loving Amanda!
Bianca D'Arc started her professional life running a laboratory. After grad school, she started to climb the corporate ladder in the shark-infested streets of lower Manhattan. She now writes full time and loves it more than anything, though she'll always miss her first love... her laboratory. You can find out more on her website: https://www.biancadarc.com/
Anna Lowe loves putting the "hero" back into heroine and letting location ignite a passionate romance. If she's not hunched over her laptop, working on her latest story, you'll find her hiking in the mountains or biking country roads. Either way, the day will end with a chunk of dark chocolate and a good read. Find out more at http://www.annalowebooks.com
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan joins us to talk about her paperback release of Dark Illusion and her upcoming Dark Song. We'll talk all things Dark!
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN has won five Agatha Awards, in addition to the Anthony, Macavity, Daphne du Maurier, and Mary Higgins Clark Award for her bestselling mystery novels. As an investigative reporter, her work has resulted in new laws, criminals sent to prison, homes saved from foreclosure, and millions of dollars in restitution for victims and consumers. Along with her 36 Emmys and 14 Edward R. Murrow awards, Hank has received dozens of other honors for her ground-breaking journalism. A former president of Sisters in Crime and founder of MWA University, she lives in Boston with her husband, a nationally renowned civil rights and criminal defense attorney. She is the author of acclaimed psychological thriller Trust Me and the Jane Ryland series, which begins with The Other Woman.
Visit Hank online at HankPhillippiRyan.com, on Twitter @HankPRyan, on Instagram @hankpryan and Facebook at HankPhillippiRyanAuthor.
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Katie Golding is a racing fan with a writing problem.
The recovering cheerleader lives in a small town outside of Austin, Texas, mom to a future philanthropist, and wife to a superman.
Her writing playlists range from 80s love songs, 90s grunge, 00s punk, to new age underground in less time than it takes her to burn dinner, and she is currently at work on her next romance novel—unless she’s tweeting about it.
You can find her latest book, Fearless, is out now.
Reach out to Katie on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and BookBub.
Eric is a former bookseller, cellist, and comic seller currently living in Saint Louis, Missouri. A lifelong enthusiast of books, music, toys, and games, he discovered a love for the written word after being dragged to the library by his parents at a young age. When he is not writing, you can usually find him reading, gaming, or buried beneath a small avalanche of Transformers. You can learn more and sign up for his newsletter here: https://www.ericrasher.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Makenna Lee is an award-winning romance author living in the Texas Hill Country with her real-life hero and their two children.
Her oldest son has Down syndrome and taught her to appreciate the little things, and he inspired one of her novels.
As a child, she played in the woods, looked for fairies under toadstools, and daydreamed.
Her writing journey began when she mentioned all her story ideas, and her husband asked why she wasn’t writing them down. The next day she bought a laptop, started her first book, and knew she’d found her passion.
Now, Makenna is often drinking coffee while writing, reading, or plotting a new story. Her wish is to write books that touch your heart, making you feel, think, and dream.
She enjoys renaissance festivals, nature photography, studying herbal medicine, and usually listens to Celtic music while writing.
She writes for Harlequin and Entangled Publishing and believes everyone deserves a happy ending.
Her debut novel, Her Second Chance Cowboy, is out now. Her first book from Harlequin, A Sherrif's Star, will be out in November 2020.
You can find Makenna Lee at her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and BookBub.
Ann Charles is a USA Today Best-Selling author who writes award-winning mysteries that are splashed with humor, romance, and whatever else sounds fun. Ann has a B.A. in English with an emphasis on creative writing from the University of Washington. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and Western Writers of America. She is currently toiling away on her next book, wishing she was on a Mexican beach with an ice-cold Corona in one hand and a book in the other. When she is not dabbling in fiction, she is arm wrestling with her two kids, attempting to seduce her husband, and arguing with her sassy cat. Most nights, you can find her hanging out over at www.anncharles.com, on Facebook as Ann Charles, or as AnnWCharles on Twitter.
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
LM Gonzalez's first love was romance books. After she read “Sweet Savage Love” by Rosemary Rogers one summer, it encourage her to write her first story.
Ever since, she's written and in 2006 after submitting a story for an antholgy to the Wild Rose Press, she got that email that every writer waits for. A request, but not for her short story.
No, they wanted her to expand her short three chapter story to a full sized novel.
As she worked in the medical field, she continued to write and is now up to book five, A Well-Structured Life, due out July 22nd.
Her future project include a series set in a small town that was inspired by her own hometown.
Her characters may be looking for a second chance at love and they’ll encounter love in the most unlikely places – sometimes even in their own backyards – and at the least expected time.
You can find LM Gonzalez on her website and Facebook.
Suzy Vadori is a Book Coach, Editor, Public Speaker and the Calgary Bestselling Author of The Fountain Series (The Fountain, The West Woods, Wall of Wishes). This fantastical Young Adult Series has received two Aurora Nominations for Best Young Adult Novel, as well as Five Stars and a bronze medallion from Readers’ Favorite Book Awards. She is represented by Naomi Davis of Bookends Literary Agency.
Suzy lives in Calgary, Canada with her husband and three children and is an involved member in the writing community. She is a Program Manager for Calgary’s When Words Collide (WWC), teaches writing at Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society, and is a touring member of the Young Alberta Book Society. Suzy is also the founder of WriteIt! creative writing programs in schools.
You can learn more at her website: https://suzyvadori.wordpress.com/
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Nan Reinhardt is a USA Today bestselling author of sweet and sexy romance novels for older women.
Writing is my first and most enduring passion. She wrote her first romance novel at the age of ten. It involved a love story between the most sophisticated person I knew at the time, my older sister (who was in high school!), and a member of Herman’s Hermits.
If you know who they are, you are her audience!
She's writing romance, but this time from the viewpoint of a wiser, slightly rumpled, menopausal woman instead of a starry-eyed preteen.
Her newest series, Four Irish Brothers Winery, from Tule Publishing includes A Small Town Christmas, Meant to Be, and Christmas with You, are out now.
Book four, The Baby Contract, releases July 16, 2020 and is currently available for pre-order from all book retailers.
Contact me at nan at her website,Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Cynthia is an award-winning paranormal romance author that writes for sassy nerds with a sharp sense of humor. Starting her adult life in theater, she earned a Masters of Fine Arts in Costume Design, but her first love was telling stories. After some encouragement, she dove down the writing rabbit hole, creating magical worlds, snarky heroines, and sexy heroes with a dash of "cinnamon roll".
When not telling tales, Cynthia is a geek, a costumer, and an amateur artist. She resides in sunny San Diego, California with her husband Max, two cats of varying intelligence, and a ton of goldfish. You can learn more at her website: http://www.cynthiadiamondauthor.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Reese Ryan is the author of fifteen published works of romantic fiction and counting. Her stories feature complex, deliciously-flawed characters. She presents her characters with family and career drama, challenging love interests, and life-changing secrets while treating readers to an emotional love story with unexpected twists.
Born and raised in the Midwest, she now resides in Central North Carolina. She treads the line carefully between being a Northerner and a damned Yankee, despite her insistence on calling soda pop. She gauges her progress by the number of “bless your lil’ hearts” she receives each week. She is currently down to two.
Reese, an advocate for the romance genre and diversity in fiction, is the past president of her local Romance Writers of America chapter, a panelist at the 2017 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, and the 2018 Donna Hill Breakout Author.
Her latest booksA Reunion of Rivals and Candidly Yours are available now.
You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube, Book Bub, and her website.
Lisa Kessler is a Best Selling author of dark paranormal fiction. She's a two-time San Diego Book Award winner for Best Published Fantasy-Sci-fi-Horror and Best Published Romance. Her books have also won the PRISM award, the Award of Excellence, the National Excellence in Romantic Fiction Award, the Award of Merit from the Holt Medallion, and an International Digital Award for Best Paranormal.
Her short stories have been published in print anthologies and magazines, and her vampire story, Immortal Beloved, was a finalist for a Bram Stoker award.
When she's not writing, Lisa is a professional vocalist, and has performed with San Diego Opera as well as other musical theater companies in San Diego.
You can learn more at http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Robert J. Sawyer is one of only eight writers ever to win all three of the world’s top awards for best science-fiction novel of the year: the Hugo, the Nebula, and the John W. Campbell Memorial Award. He has also won the Robert A. Heinlein Award, the Edward E. Smith Memorial Award, and the Hal Clement Memorial Award; the top SF awards in China, Japan, France, and Spain; and a record-setting sixteen Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Awards (“Auroras”).
Rob’s novel FlashForward was the basis for the ABC TV series of the same name, and he was a scriptwriter for that program. He also scripted the two-part finale for the popular web series Star Trek Continues.
He is a Member of the Order of Canada, the highest honor bestowed by the Canadian government, as well as the Order of Ontario, the highest honor given by his home province; he was also one of the initial inductees into the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.
Rob lives just outside Toronto.His website and blog are at sfwriter.com, and on Facebook, Twitter, and Patreon he’s RobertJSawyer.
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Eric is a former bookseller, cellist, and comic seller currently living in Saint Louis, Missouri. A lifelong enthusiast of books, music, toys, and games, he discovered a love for the written word after being dragged to the library by his parents at a young age. When he is not writing, you can usually find him reading, gaming, or buried beneath a small avalanche of Transformers. You can learn more and sign up for his newsletter here: https://www.ericrasher.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Get ready because I've got a reading list for you that will keep you plenty busy all summer.
For the history of baseball fans:
Curveball by Martha Ackerman
A Strong Right Arm by Michelle Y Green
Mo'ne Davis: Remember my Name by Mo'ne Davis
Children's Books:
What was the March on Washington? by Kathleen Krull
What was Stonewall? by Nico Medina
20 Shakespeare Children's Stories: The Complete Collection (found on Amazon)
A bit of whimsy:
Head Over Paws by Debbie Burns
All the Way by Kristen Proby
The Kissing Game by Marie Harte
Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morgenthaler
Not the Girl You Marry by Andie J. Christopher
Conventionally Yours by Annabeth Albert
Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors AND Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev
The First Emma by Camille di Maio
To expand our perspectives:
So You Want to Talk About Race by Injeoma Oluo
Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
Workbook for Me and White Supremacy
Keep reading friends! Keep learning. Be safe.
Nina Crespo lives in Florida where she indulges in her favorite passions — the beach, a good glass of wine, date night with her own real-life hero and dancing.
Her lifelong addiction to romance began in her teens while on a “borrowing spree” in her older sister’s bedroom where she discovered her first romance novel.
Let Nina’s sensual contemporary stories and steamy paranormal tales feed your own addiction for love, romance, and happily ever after.
You can learn more here: https://ninacrespo.com/
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Jackiem Joyner has loved Science Fiction ever since he was a child, fascinated by all the stories and imaginations of futuristic worlds. But it wasn’t until later in his life, after experiencing huge success in the recording business, that he decided to put pen to paper - the result of which is his debut novel, Zarya.
Gathering from his experiences traveling the world as a recording artist, he developed a knack for good science fiction stories after reading several books a month. Having used and operated many devices from the future, he incorporated exciting equipment and imaginary scientific ideas into dramatic thrillers that are sure to keep readers on edge.
Jackiem was born in Norfolk, Virginia and spent most of his young adult life in Syracuse New York before moving to Los Angeles, California where he currently resides. In addition to writing fun stories, Jackiem Joyner has experienced huge success as a recording artist, with multiple songs peaking at number 1 on the billboard charts and 5 international records released. You can learn more on his website here: http://jackiemjoyner.com/books/
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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USA Today Bestselling author Sonali Dev writes Bollywood-style love stories that let her explore issues faced by women around the world while still indulging her faith in a happily ever after.
Sonali’s novels have been on Library Journal, NPR, Washington Post, and Kirkus’s Best Books of the year lists. She has won the American Library Association’s award for best romance, the RT Reviewer Choice Award for best contemporary romance, multiple RT Seals of Excellence, is a RITA® finalist, and has been listed for the Dublin Literary award. Shelf Awareness calls her “Not only one of the best but one of the bravest romance novelists working today.”
She lives in Chicagoland with her very patient and often amused husband and two teens who demand both patience and humor, and the world’s most perfect dog.
Her latest book Recipe for Persuasion is availble now.
Find more at her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Stephen Parolini is a full-time freelance editor and writer who shares his small Colorado apartment with his granddaughter and an assortment of imaginary characters. He is the author of the novel, Beautiful Sky Beautiful Sky, Stolen Things, and the short story collection, Duck (and other stories).
You can find Stephen on the web in two locations at once. While this sounds like alchemy, it’s really just technology. You can find out more about his books at https://steveparolini.com/ And you can find information about his day job (freelance editor) at www.noveldoctor.com.
Tracy Wolff is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of sixty-four novels that run the gamut from young adult action adventures to new adult romance and from women’s fiction to erotica. A long-time lover of vampires, dragons and all things that go bump in the night, Tracy loves nothing more than combining her affection for paranormal creatures with her love of writing tortured heroes and kick-butt heroines.
When she’s not writing (which is a rare occurrence), she can be found trying out new recipes, offering make-up tips online, wandering comic book/gaming stores with her sons, and watching movies or plotting stories with her besties. A one time English professor, she now writes full-time from her home in Austin, Texas, which she shares with her family. Her most recent work, CRAVE, the young adult vampire novel, released in April 2020.
To contact Tracy, you can find her at her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and BookBub.
USA Today and Amazon Bestselling author Anna Lowe loves putting the "hero" back into heroine and letting location ignite a passionate romance. She loves dogs, sports, and travel – and letting the later inspire her fiction. If she's not hunched over her laptop, working on her latest story, you'll find her hiking in the mountains or biking country roads. Either way, the day will end with a chunk of dark chocolate and a good read.
Get THREE FREE STORIES, 2 FREE AUDIOBOOKS, and dozens of EXCLUSIVE BONUS SCENES instantly by joining Anna's reader group at http://www.annalowebooks.com
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Born in Joliet, Illinois, author Twyla Turner was instantly enamored with all things entertainment and yearned for something "more".
She wrote her first story in the 3rd grade and fell in love with creating a whole world from my mind.
On her journey to become the next Oprah, she majored in radio/television with a minor in creative writing, then taught English in Japan for a year followed by, four years in Long Beach, California where she set her first book, Star Struck.
After a mentally awakening trip to Sedona, AZ, her ravenous want to write more about amazingly strong women with fabulous curves hit her like a ton of bricks.
To date, she's penned 13 novels and 2 novellas that combine her love of romance and travel, mixing in her own struggle with body image and the male species. Her Damaged Souls Series was a 2015 Amazon Bestseller.
She is a champion for the underdog. She writes BBW and Interracial Erotic Romance (Romantica). To date, she has 17 published works, 15 full-length novels and 2 novellas. Her brand and motto: Novels with Curves...Celebrating our beautiful imperfections!
Her lastest release, Rocking the Curves, is out now. You can find her at FB, Instagram, Twitter, & Bookbub.
Shannon Rogers has finished many novels, but after taking some time off, she connected with talented and prolific author, and friend, (C.G. Mosley), who had begun a sci-fi space opera trilogy who came up with the brilliant notion that Shannon could finish writing the rest of the story, and before she could blink, she was signing her first publishing contract for her co-authored book, scifi space story titled Star Cruiser Titan 2: The Abandoned Secret.
When not writing, Shannon is reading, dancing, singing loudly in her car, playing with her dogs, obsessively watching makeup tutorials, song reactions, and dance choreography videos on YouTube, and searching Spotify and Pandora for the next brilliant artist and songs which she will then run around and shove in her friends' faces, demanding they listen and love it.
Shannon lives in Nashville, TN with her husband and furbabies, while butting into the lives of her adult son and daughter who tolerate it with exasperated sighs but genuine love. Oh, and she gets to spoil two grandbabies. What more could you want? You can find out more at her website: https://www.shannonrogersauthor.com/
Regina Kyle knew she was destined to be an author when she won a writing contest at age ten with a touching tale about a squirrel and a nut pie. By day, she writes dry legal briefs, representing the state in criminal appeals. At night, she writes steamy romance with heart and humor.
A lover of all things theatrical, Regina lives on the Connecticut coast with her husband, teenaged daughter and two melodramatic cats. When she's not writing, she's most likely singing, reading, cooking or watching bad reality television.
Her latest release, Dirty Work, is available now and you can find Regina on her website, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Goodreads, and Bookbub.
USA Today and NY Times bestselling author Michelle Fox lives in the Midwest with her husband, tween, the occasional exchange student, and two labs who steal her socks and all the space on the couch. She loves fantasy and romance, which makes writing paranormal romance and urban fantasy a natural fit. Aside from writing, she runs the Wolf Pack Reads group on Facebook, a large, active community for readers (you should join!). In her spare time, she helps remodel her 1860 farmhouse, drives her tween everywhere and sits in the car, and drinks too much tea. Sign up for her newsletter here: https://authormichellefox.blogspot.com/p/subscribe-to-my-newsletter-get-free-read.html
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
A few years ago, author Camille DiMaio left an award-winning real estate career in San Antonio to become a full-time writer.
Along with her husband of over twenty years, she enjoys raising their four children. She has a bucket list that is never-ending, and uses her adventures to inspire her writing.
Camille studied political science in college, but found working on actual campaigns much more fun. She overdoses on goodies at farmers markets (justifying them by her support for local bakeries) and belts out Broadway tunes whenever the moment strikes. There’s almost nothing she wouldn’t try, so long as it doesn’t involve heights, roller skates, or anything illegal.
Her newest release, The First Emma, will be available on May 5th, but you can pre-order at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Books a Million.
While you're there, grab her other four books.
You can find Camille at her website, Twitter, FB, and Instagram.
Stephanie Thornton loves history. Not only does she write about the amazing women you might not learn about in class, but she teaches history as well.
Her books, tell the stories of great women of the Egyptian, Byzantine, Mongolian empires as they navigated chaos in order to survive.
Two new books are her lastest releases And They Called it Camelot: A Novel About Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis and American Princess: A Novel of the First Daughter Alice Roosevelt are out now.
When she's not writing or teachihg history, she spends time with husband and daughter in Alaska.
In addition to her blog, you can find her on Twitter as well as Goodreads, Facebook, and Instagram.
Boone's stories range from high fantasy to humorous paranormal.
Having lived all over the world, and finally settling in the icy region of Alaska, she's always looking for the next adventure. It's not unusual to find Boone traversing the remotest parts of the Alaskan bush, gathering information for her stories. No person or escapade is off limits when it comes to weaving real life experiences into her books or blogs.
Join Boone's V.I.P. Club and be first to hear about new releases, events, free read, contests and giveaways, and so much more. Sign up for her newsletter and stay informed. http://smarturl.it/VIPClub
Or stop by her website - www.boonebrux.com
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Author Erica Hale has always loved writing so with encouragement from her mom, she wrote her first book, Tomahawk, and never looked back.
To date, she's penned half a dozen books, including those from her thriller Tomahawk, series.
She loves hearing from readers as she continues to create her fabulous stories.
You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Her latest release, Bow and Arrow, is available now.
Jenna Greene is the author of the acclaimed Young Adult Fantasy series, Imagine! She is a middle school teacher, dragonboat coach, enthusiastic dancer, and semi-professional napper. She lives in Lethbridge, Alberta with her husband (Scott), daughter (Olivia), and dog (Thor, dog of thunder). Find out more at: https://www.jennagreene.ca/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Sonja B Is a new author, wife, mother and daughter.
She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, traveling and of course writing.
Most days you can find her with a good paranormal romance in hand. Her love of romance birth her dream of becoming an author.
She loves hearing from readers.
You can find her on Facebook and Instagram.
Axl, her latest book, the first of the Salvant Brothers series, is available now.
Kristina Rienzi is a Jersey Shore-based new adult thriller author, certified professional coach, and the former president of Sisters in Crime-Central Jersey. An INFJ who dreams beyond big, Kristina encourages others (and herself) to embrace the unknown through her stories. When she's not writing or drinking wine, Kristina is spoiling her baby girl (and two fur-babies), dissecting true crime stories, singing (and dancing) to Yacht Rock Radio or rooting for the WVU Mountaineers. She believes in all things paranormal, a closet full of designer bags, weekly manicures, the Law of Attraction, aliens, angels, and the value of a graduate degree in psychology. You can find out more at: https://kristinarienzi.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Blue Saffire, award-winning, bestselling author of over thirty contemporary romance novels and novellas,—writes with the intention to touch the heart and the mind. Blue hooks, weaves, and loops multiple series, keeping you engaged in her worlds. Every word is meant to have a lasting touch that leaves you breathless for more.
Blue and her husband live in a home filled with laughter and creativity, in Long Island, NY. Both working hard to build the Blue brand and cultivate their love for the arts. Creativity is their family affair.
Her latest release, Calling on Quinn, is available now.
You can find Blue at her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Louisa Bacio published her first erotic thriller in June 2010. A Southern California native, Bacio can’t imagine living far away from the ocean. The multi-published author of erotic romance enjoys writing within all realms – from short stories to full-length novels.
Bacio shares her household with a supportive husband, two daughters growing “too fast,” and a multitude pet craziness: Two dogs, five fish tanks, an aviary, hamsters, rabbits and hermit crabs. In her other life, she teaches college classes in English, journalism and popular culture. Find out more at: http://louisabacio.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
To his neighbors, he is a quiet and assuming guy who works blue-collar. What they don’t know is that he also writes dark speculative fiction. His work has been printed all over the world, with four novels on the market and a fifth and sixth in production. His short fiction is also available with numerous pubs, including magazines and anthologies. You can find out more about MJ on his website: https://www.mjpreston.net/
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Humphrey Hawksley's brand-new international thriller series begins in paperback in October 2019 with MAN ON ICE a knuckle-whitening drama set on the remote and wild US-Russian border. In early, 2020 comes the nail-biting MAN ON EDGE set on the Norway-Russian border followed in 2021 by MAN ON FIRE whose location is yet to disclosed. Rake Ozenna, a native of Little Diomede island in Alaska is the series hero. Each thriller includes trauma surgeon, Dr Carrie Walker, American intelligence contractor, Harry Lucas, and his ex-wife, British businesswoman and diplomat, Stephanie Lucas.
Humphrey's thrillers have been widely praised. Steve Berry describes 'authentic settings, non-stop action' from MAN ON ICE. Lee Child speaks of SECURITY BREACH as 'high stakes, high octane' and Alan Furst as a 'hard-driving, a good taut thriller' -- right back to the first future history thriller DRAGON STRIKE: THE MILLENNIUM WAR which Steve Coonts hailed as 'ominous and insightful.'
Humphrey's work as a BBC foreign correspondent has taken him all over the world. He has contributed to ABC, National Public Radio and other networks in the United States and global publication of his work includes the Financial Times, New York Times, Yale Global, and others. You can learn more at: https://www.humphreyhawksley.com/
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
A Dog’s Hope is a poignant, heart-wrenching, but ultimately uplifting novel about the unbreakable bond between a boy and his dog. Perfect for fans of A Dog’s Purpose, The Art of Racing in the Rain and Marley and Me.
Tammy is a USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author and in addition to her series, also writes popular Hallmark-style Christmas novellas that are dog-centric.
You can find her at her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Her latest book, A Dog's Hope is out now.
Stacey Tucker used her fifteen years of field research in women’s history, spirituality, and energy work to create her three book series, The Equal Night Trilogy. The romantic fantasy story combines science and spirituality in a relatable way for the modern reader. Tucker’s first book in the series, Ocean’s Fire, took Gold at the Living Now Book Awards, and she’s making magic again with Book 2, Alchemy’s Air. She has written for Women’s World, Working Mother, and Pop Sugar, and speaks to teen groups about self-empowerment and awareness in today’s saturated climate of social media. You can learn more at: https://staceyltucker.com/
And for more about our host, Lisa Kessler, visit: http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Teri Wilson is the Publishers Weekly bestselling author/creator of the Hallmark Channel Original Movies Unleashing Mr. Darcy, Marrying Mr. Darcy, The Art of Us, & Northern Lights of Christmas, based on her book Sleigh Bell Sweethearts.
She is the recipient of the prestigious RITA® Award for excellence in romantic fiction for her novel The Bachelor’s Baby Surprise.
Teri has a major weakness for cute animals, pretty dresses & Audrey Hepburn films. She loves following the British royal family.
Connect with her at her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, & Pinterest.
You can also add and share her books on BookBub and GoodReads.
We proudly interview Teri Wilson!
Author Miranda Oh Is your typical girl: She loves the sunset, loves long walks on the beach, world travels, and When not playing the corporate part she can be found sipping wine and spending all her hard-earned money on shoes.
Among her friends and family, Miranda Oh is known to be the storyteller of the group, always recapping crazy life stories and situations. Her personal experiences, emotions and fantasies are the inspiration for most of her books, so there is a little bit of her in every story.
You can connect with Miranda on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ohmirandaoh/ or on her website: https://www.mirandaoh.com/
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Fernando Rover Jr is an author born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. He earned a dual BA in English and history from Texas Lutheran University and is currently earning a MA in Communication Studies from Gonzaga University.
His writing interests range from millennial interests, popular culture, Black male experiences, feminism, LGBTQ, and spoken word poetry. His work has appeared in Odyssey, Caged Bird, Buddies!, BlackPressUSA, and San Antonio Observer.
In 2019, he released a poetry anthology, 'Labyrinth', available on Amazon. 'Labyrinth' was selected as the 2019 Best Indie Book Award for Poetry.
He can be found on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
His next poetry reading is Februrary 29th in San Antonio.
USA Today Bestselling author Naima Simone’s love of romance was first stirred by Johanna Lindsey, Sandra Brown and Nora Roberts many years ago. Well not that many. She is only eighteen…ish. Though her first attempt at a romance novel starring Ralph Tresvant from New Edition never saw the light of day, her love of romance, reading and writing has endured. Published since 2009, she spends her days—and nights— writing sizzling romances with a touch of humor and snark.
She is wife to Superman, or his non-Kryptonian, less bullet proof equivalent, and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all live in perfect, sometimes domestically-challenged bliss in the southern United States.
Her latest release, Blame it on the Billionaire, is out now.
You can find Naima at her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and BookBub.
Sasha Summers grew up surrounded by books.
Her passions have always been storytelling, romance and travel–passions she’s used to write more than 20 romance novels and novellas. Now a best-selling and award winning-author, Sasha continues to fall a little in love with each hero she writes.
From easy-on-the-eyes cowboy, sexy alpha-male werewolves, to heroes of truly mythic proportions, she believes that everyone should have their happy ending–in fiction and real life.
Sasha lives in the suburbs of the Texas Hill country with her amazing and supportive family and her beloved grumpy cat, Gerard, The Feline Overlord. She looks forward to hearing from fans and hopes you’ll visit her online Facebook, Twitter, or her website.
Her latest book, Dogpark Sweethearts, is available now.
Dwayne Clayden combines his knowledge and experience as a police officer and paramedic to write crime thrillers. His first novel, Crisis Point, was a finalist for the 2015 Crime Writers of Canada Arthur Ellis Award.
Dwayne’s vast experience in emergency services spans over 40 years, and includes work as a police officer, paramedic, tactical paramedic, firefighter, emergency medical services (EMS) chief, educator, and academic chair.
He is a popular speaker at conferences and to writing groups presenting on realistic police, medical and paramedic procedures.
The co-author of four paramedic textbooks, he has spoken internationally at EMS conferences for the past three decades.
He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Crime Writers of Canada and the Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society.
You can learn more at: https://dwayneclayden.com/
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Before becoming a mom to 9-year-old John and triplet 6-year-olds Tommy, Teddy and Nate, Christie Cuthbert was an accomplished journalist/columnist in the Chicago suburbs.
She and her family moved to San Antonio in 2017 and are loving the laid back Texas life.
She currently writes for Scary Mommy and San Antonio Woman Magazine.
Her first book, "Mom! I Farted in Church" One Type A Mama's Journey Learning to Laugh and Let Go is out now.
Follow her family’s crazy shenanigans on Instagram at @christiecuthbert, her website, Facebook, some of her articles on Today's Parents.
Katee Robert is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense. Entertainment Weekly calls her writing “unspeakably hot.” Her books have sold over a million copies. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, children, a cat who thinks he’s a dog, and two Great Danes who think they’re lap dogs. You can find out more at: http://kateerobert.com/
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Abigail grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. She attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing). However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it.
Over ten years since finishing her first book, Abigail is now a multi-award winning author, who's written 30+ novels/novellas/short stories under 2 (soon to be 3) pen names with more to come.
She is also the owner/operator of Authors On A Dime, a company which provides services to help authors like herself. Abigail loves every part of the publishing journey and considers herself damn lucky to be living out her dream every day.
You can follow her at Abigail Owen or Katie Scott, as well as Twitter, FB, Pinterest, & Instagram.
Her books can be found at Amazon, Bookbub, and Kobo.
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN has won five Agatha Awards, in addition to the Anthony, Macavity, Daphne du Maurier, and Mary Higgins Clark Award for her bestselling mystery novels. As an investigative reporter, her work has resulted in new laws, criminals sent to prison, homes saved from foreclosure, and millions of dollars in restitution for victims and consumers. Along with her 36 Emmys and 14 Edward R. Murrow awards, Hank has received dozens of other honors for her ground-breaking journalism. A former president of Sisters in Crime and founder of MWA University, she lives in Boston with her husband, a nationally renowned civil rights and criminal defense attorney. She is the author of acclaimed psychological thriller Trust Me and the Jane Ryland series, which begins with The Other Woman.
Visit Hank online at HankPhillippiRyan.com, on Twitter @HankPRyan, on Instagram @hankpryan and Facebook at HankPhillippiRyanAuthor.
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Jayce Ellis has three loves: her husband & her two turtles. Hubby loves her back.
The turtles she's not so sure about.
A voracious reader as a child, she always loved a great story and wanted to write a few of her own, but decided to try something that "actually made money".
After graduating law school, the call of the books pulled her back to her childhood dream.
Still practicing law, she's written three & she's still going strong.
Her most recent release, Jeremiah, is a interracial, gay romance where the happily ever after rings true.
Find Jayce Ellis on Facebook, Amazon, & Twitter and her guest post on Smexy Books.
Alexis (Lexie) is a writer with a day job for the last twenty years servicing her community and its everyday heroes.
Born in Tucson her heart still remains there, but she lives, works, and writes in Indy. Her desire to see the whole country is almost complete (seven states left) and as much of the world as she can (7 countries down, 188 to go)!
She collects fountain pens, perfume bottles,, rescue animals, and dirty curse words in as many languages as she can. Her list of hobbies is longer than her arms and legs combined (even though she is on the petite side so that isn't hard) including knitting, crocheting, painting, graphic design, and learning to play the piano.
In addition to 'writer', her life has many roles including wife, dog mom, fun aunt, and ghost hunter.
Lexie's goal is to cram as much living into one life as possible and write about it along the way. You can connect with her on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAlexisDCraig/
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Dwayne Clayden combines his knowledge and experience as a police officer and paramedic to write crime thrillers. His first novel, Crisis Point, was a finalist for the 2015 Crime Writers of Canada Arthur Ellis Award.
Dwayne’s vast experience in emergency services spans over 40 years, and includes work as a police officer, paramedic, tactical paramedic, firefighter, emergency medical services (EMS) chief, educator, and academic chair.
He is a popular speaker at conferences and to writing groups presenting on realistic police, medical and paramedic procedures.
The co-author of four paramedic textbooks, he has spoken internationally at EMS conferences for the past three decades.
He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Crime Writers of Canada and the Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society.
You can learn more at: https://dwayneclayden.com/
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series. In addition to the success of Lisa's INSIDE OUT series, the TALL, DARK AND DEADLY series and THE SECRET LIFE OF AMY BENSEN series, both spent several months on a combination of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling lists. Lisa's other bestselling series include: DIRTY RICH and WHITE LIES.
Prior to publishing Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women's Magazine. In 1998 Lisa was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.
Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at www.lisareneejones.com and she is active on Twitter and Facebook daily.
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Abigail grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. She attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing). However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it. No matter the genre, she loves to write feisty heroines, sexy heroes who deserve them, and a cast of lovable characters to surround them (and maybe get their own stories).
Abigail is now a multi-award-winning author who has written 30+ novels/novellas/short stories under two pen names with more to come. She is also the owner/operator of Authors On A Dime, a company which provides a la carte services to help authors like herself. Abigail loves every part of the publishing journey and considers herself freaking lucky to be living out her dream every day.
Abigail currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her own personal hero (who she totally married!) and their two children, who are growing up way too fast. You can connect with Abigail at her website: http://AbigailOwen.com
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Susannah Nix is an award-winning author of contemporary romances featuring smart women and swoony men, including the Chemistry Lessons series of romcoms about women who work in STEM fields and the Starstruck series of movie star romances. She is a member of Romance Writers of America® and Greater Houston RWA®.
Susannah resides in Texas with her husband, two ornery cats, and a flatulent pit bull. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, cooking, knitting, watching stupid amounts of television, and getting distracted by Tumblr. She is also a powerlifter who can deadlift as much as Captain America weighs.
Her recent release, Maybe this Christmas, is out now.
You can find Susannah at her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, BookBub, Amazon, and GoodReads.
Tameri Etherton is the award-winning author of the Song of the Swords fantasy series. As a born storyteller, Tameri grew up inventing fictional worlds where the impossible was possible. It’s been said she leaves a trail of glitter in her wake as she creates new adventures for her kickass heroines, and the rogues who steal their hearts.
She lives an enchanted life traveling the world with her very own prince charming.
Tameri loves to chat with readers! You can find her online at facebook.com/TameriEthertonAuthor, or tweet her @TameriEtherton.
Want to receive exclusives like advanced notice of upcoming releases, secret scenes, cover reveals, cool contests, and other enticing tidbits about the Song of the Swords series? Sign up for Tameri’s Inner Sanctum newsletter today!
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Georgie Blalock is an amateur historian and movie buff who loves combining her different passions through historical fiction, and a healthy dose of period piece films. When not writing, she can be found prowling the non-fiction history section of the library or the British film listings on Netflix. Georgie writes historical romance under the name Georgie Lee.
You can find out more on her website: https://georgieblalock.com/ and follow her on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/georgieleebooks
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Rebecca Yarros is an expert level chaos coordinator.
She's a hopeless romantic and adores all things chocolate, coffee and paleo. An avid reader, she naturally evolved from her love of late nights reading just one more chapter to becoming a best-selling romance author.
When she's not writing, she's got a few other things that keep her busy such as being a military wife, mom of 6, foster/adoption and autism advocate.
If that's not enough, she loves the Mets and she's the creator of One October auction.
You can follow her on her website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Gina L. Maxwell is a full-time writer, wife, and mother living in the upper Midwest, despite her scathing hatred of snow and cold weather. An avid romance novel addict, she began writing as an alternate way of enjoying the romance stories she loves to read. Her debut novel, Seducing Cinderella, hit both the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists in less than four weeks, and she’s been living her newfound dream ever since.
When she’s not reading or writing steamy romance novels, she spends her time losing at games to her high school sweetheart, hanging out with their teenagers before they fly the coop, and dreaming of her move to somewhere tropical once they do.
Her latest book, Hook, is the second of her Neverland Series and is out now.
You can find Gina at her website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.
And to help more kids in foster care have the basic essentials they need, check out One October.
Jeffrey A. Carver write action packed stories that excite, compel, and entertain. As a fiction writer, my his favorite themes have been star travel, alien contact, artificial intelligence, and transcendent realities–and the moral, ethical, and spiritual implications of these possibilities. Though he's known primarily as a hard science fiction writer, the characters are always the most important part of his stories.
At various times he has been a scuba diving instructor, a quahog diver, a UPS sorter, a word-processing consultant, a private pilot, and a stay-at-home dad. He now lives with his family in the Boston area, where he divides his shrinking time between home duties and writing. He is a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, The Authors Guild, and the author-owned publishing collaborative, Book View Cafe.
You can find out more at his website: https://www.starrigger.net/
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Wonder what it would be like if a man wrote wrote romantic comedies?
Look no further as we talk to the King of Romantic Comedies, author, Rich Amooi.
After working in the radio industry and as a DJ for well over 30 years, Rich decided to try his skills at writing. A long-time lover of romantic comedies, in 2014 he penned his first book, Five Minutes Late and he took off from there.
Now with thirteen books to his credit, Rich has no plans to stop as he's got a list of over 40 story ides waiting to be told.
You can find Rich at his website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
An avid reader as a child, Jeannie Moon read everything she could get her hands on.
As she grew, she added books by Danielle Steele and Judith Kranz to her library.
Married to her high school sweetheart, Jeannie lives in Long Island, NY with her husband and dogs and near her kids and grandbaby.
She's been a teacher and librarian for a collective thirty plus years and has added best-selling romance author to the list of accomplisments.
Her most recent release, All of Me, is the third book of her Compass Cove series.
You can find Jeannie at her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and BookBub.
Craig DiLouie is an author of popular thriller, apocalyptic/horror, and sci-fi/fantasy fiction. His novels have been praised for their strong characters, action, and gritty realism. Each book promises an exciting experience with people you’ll care about in a world that feels real.
These works have been nominated for major literary awards such as the Bram Stoker Award and Audie Award, translated into multiple languages, and optioned for film. He is a member of the HWA, International Thriller Writers, and IFWA.
You can check out his blog and find out more about his books at www.CraigDiLouie.com Be sure to sign up for Craig’s mailing list so you can stay tuned on new releases.
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Writing was not San Antonio teacher Emily Mims’ first love-in fact, she wrote her firstnovel on a dare. “I had just finished a romance novel and it was so awful I pitched it across the floor and said I could do better. My husband Charles promptly dared me to do so.” She did and although that book didn’t sell, she sold her second book and seventeen more to Candlelight Ecstasy Romances under the name ‘Emily Elliott’.
To date, she has over 30 books in print with her latest, Wade's Dangerous Debut, the 3rd book of her Durango Street Theater series out now.
You can find Emily at her website, Facebook and Twitter.
Michelle Cox is the author of the multiple award-winning Henrietta and Inspector Howard series as well as Novel Notes of Local Lore, a weekly blog dedicated to Chicago’s forgotten residents.
She suspects she may have once lived in the 1930s and, having yet to discover a handy time machine lying around, has resorted to writing about the era as a way of getting herself back there.
Coincidentally, her books have been praised by Kirkus, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Booklist and many others, so she might be on to something.
Unbeknownst to most, Michelle hoards board games she doesn’t have time to play and is, not surprisingly, addicted to period dramas and big band music.
Also marmalade.
You can find her at her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and BookBub.
Douglas Clegg is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of dark fiction (including horror, gothic, fantasy, supernatural, and suspense thrillers.)
His books have been published worldwide and translated into various editions. His short fiction has won the Bram Stoker Award, the International Horror Guild Award and the Shocker Award, and has been included in several Years’ Best anthologies.
Keep in contact with him (and get a free ebook) at his Newsletter.
Keep up with his Bookbub price drops for ebooks: Follow Doug on Bookbub.
Follow him on Social Media: Facebook & Twitter.
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Sasha Summers grew up surrounded by books. Her passions have always been storytelling, romance and travel–passions she’s used to write more than 20 romance novels and novellas. Now a best-selling and award winning-author, Sasha continues to fall a little in love with each hero she writes. From easy-on-the-eyes cowboy, sexy alpha-male werewolves, to heroes of truly mythic proportions, she believes that everyone should have their happy ending–in fiction and real life.
Sasha lives in the suburbs of the Texas Hill country with her amazing and supportive family and her beloved grumpy cat, Gerard, The Feline Overlord.
She looks forward to hearing from fans and hopes you’ll visit her online at Facebook, Twitter: , and website:
Since he was eight years old, all Ray wanted to be was a writer, and since 1984, he has been fortunate enough to spend his life writing full time. He's written over 60 books — novels and novellas in the horror and suspense genres, collections of short stories, movie novelizations and TV tie-ins — with more in the works. In 2006 he was presented with the World Horror Grand Master Award.
Ray is active on social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter, and you can also visit his home on the internet at http://www.raygartononline.com - You can also find Ray and support his work on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/user?u=5089694
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Teri Wilson is the Publishers Weekly bestselling author/creator of the Hallmark Channel Original Movies Unleashing Mr. Darcy, Marrying Mr. Darcy, The Art of Us, & Northern Lights of Christmas.
She is also a recipient of the prestigious RITA® Award for excellence in romantic fiction for her novel The Bachelor’s Baby Surprise.
Teri has a major weakness for cute animals, pretty dresses and Audrey Hepburn films and following the British royal family.
Visit and connect with her at her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & Pinterest.
Share her books on Amazon, BookBub & GoodReads.
Veronica Scott grew up in a house with a library as its heart. Dad loved science fiction, Mom loved ancient history and Veronica thought there needed to be more romance in everything. When she ran out of books to read, she started writing her own stories.
Seven time winner of the SFR Galaxy Award, as well as a National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award, Veronica is also the proud recipient of a NASA Exceptional Service Medal relating to her former day job, not her romances!
She read the part of Star Trek Crew Member in the audiobook production of Harlan Ellison’s “The City On the Edge of Forever.”
Blog: https://veronicascott.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vscotttheauthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Veronica-Scott/177217415659637?ref=hl
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Tracy Goodwin is the USA Today bestselling author of the sexy New York Nighthawks contemporary romance series for Loveswept. In addition, she pens sweeping historical romances and vivid urban fantasies. Though the genres may be different, each story delivers her unique blend of passion, excitement, poignant emotion, humor, and unforgettable characters that steal readers' heart.
Her latest series about the New York Nighthawks hockey team and how they play on and off the ice.
You can find Tracy at her website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, BookBub, and Instagram.
V. S. Holmes is an international bestselling author. She created the REFORGED series and the NEL BENTLY BOOKS. Smoke and Rain, the first book in her fantasy quartet, won New Apple Literary's Excellence in Independent Publishing Award in 2015. In addition, she has published short fiction in several anthologies.
When not writing, she works as a contract archaeologist doing throughout the northeastern U.S. She lives in a Tiny House with her spouse, a fellow archaeologist, their not-so-tiny dog, and owns too many books for such a small abode. As a disabled and queer human, she works as an advocate and educator for representation in SFF worlds.
You can find out more and grab a free read on her website: https://vsholmes.com/
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Elise Sax worked as a journalist for fifteen years, mostly in Paris, France. She took a detour from journalism and became a private investigator before writing her first novel. She lives in Southern California with her two sons. She loves to hear from her readers. Don’t hesitate to contact her at elisesax@gmail.com, and sign up for her newsletter at http://elisesax.com/mailing-list.php to get notifications of new releases and sales.
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Stacey Peterson hadn't planned to become an author, but then again, she hadn't planned to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer 1a at the age of 28, while in her second trimester with her daughter.
After having an initial surgery to remove the fast growing tumor, she had her daughter a few weeks early and then started chemotherapy. That was 11 years ago and Stacey has shared her cancer journey not only with fellow survivors, but penned a book for kids to understand what's going on for the cancer patient.
Her goal was to help turn a nightmare into a chance to serve the Lord and give back.
Her two books help patients, caregivers, and children make sense of a difficult time.
You can find Stacey at her website and on Facebook.
For those wnating the check list about ovarian cancer symptoms we discussed on the show, please click here.
For more information about signs & symptoms, resources, or support groups, check out NOCC, OCRF, and Ovary Act.
Tosca Lee is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of The Line Between, The House of Bathory Duology (The Progeny, Firstborn), Iscariot, The Legend of Sheba, Demon: A Memoir, Havah: The Story of Eve, and the Books of Mortals series with New York Times bestseller Ted Dekker.
A notorious night-owl, she loves watching TV, eating bacon, playing video games with her kids, and sending cheesy texts to her husband. You can find Tosca hanging around the snack table or wherever bacon is served.
A Single Light, Tosca’s highly-anticipated sequel to The Line Between, releases September 17 from Simon & Schuster and is available for pre-order now!
Keep up with Tosca's new releases here: https://toscalee.com/
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit: http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Tosca Lee is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of The Line Between, The House of Bathory Duology (The Progeny, Firstborn), Iscariot, The Legend of Sheba, Demon: A Memoir, Havah: The Story of Eve, and the Books of Mortals series with New York Times bestseller Ted Dekker.
A notorious night-owl, she loves watching TV, eating bacon, playing video games with her kids, and sending cheesy texts to her husband. You can find Tosca hanging around the snack table or wherever bacon is served.
A Single Light, Tosca’s highly-anticipated sequel to The Line Between, releases September 17 from Simon & Schuster and is available for pre-order now!
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit: http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Suanne Schafer, born in West Texas at the height of the Cold War, finds it ironic that grade school drills for tornadoes & nuclear war were the same: hide beneath your desk & kiss your rear-end goodbye. Now a retired family-practice physician whose only child has fledged the nest, her pioneer ancestors & world travels fuel her imagination.
She completed the Stanford University Creative Writing program certification. Her short works have been featured in print and on-line magazines (Bête Noire; Brain, Child; Empty Sink Publishing; and Three Line Poetry) and anthologies.
Her debut women’s fiction novel, A Different Kind of Fire, explores the life of Ruby Schmidt, a nineteenth century artist who escapes—and returns—to West Texas.
Her next book, Hunting the Devil, explores the heartbreak & healing of an American physician caught up in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
You can follow on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Amazon, Pinterest, & Instagram.
Kimberly Stuart, in an effort to condone the time and money spent, would like you to know she holds degrees from St. Olaf College and the University of Iowa. She learned lots of interesting things at these fine institutions, none of which prepared her for the lethal cocktail of parenthood and writing. Stuart is the author of eight published novels, including the Heidi Elliott series, Act Two, Stretch Marks, Operation Bonnet, Sugar, and Heart Land. She is a frequent public speaker and is passionate about helping others live great stories.
Find more at https://www.kimberlystuart.com/
And for more about our host, Lisa Kessler, visit: http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Kennedy Ryan, a Top 40 Amazon Bestseller, writes romance about remarkable women who thrive even in tough times, the love they find, and the men who cherish them. Kennedy’s writings have appeared in Modern Mom Magazine, Chicken Soup for the Soul, USA Today and many others.
The founder and executive director of a foundation, Lift 4 Autism, serving Georgia families living with Autism, she has appeared on Headline News, Montel Williams, NPR and other media outlets as an autism advocate.
Her latest books Long Shot, Block Shot, and Hook Shot are out now.
You can find her at her website, Facebook,Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Book Bub.
Cerise DeLand loves to write about dashing heroes and the sassy women they adore. Whether she’s penning historical romances or contemporaries, she’s praised for her poetic elegance and accuracy of detail.
An award-winning author of more than 60 novels, she’s been published since 1990 by Pocket Books, St. Martin’s Press, Kensington and independent presses. Her books have been monthly selections of the Doubleday Book Club, Rhapsody Book Club and the Mystery Guild. Plus she’s won countless 4, 4.5 and 5 star rave reviews from Romantic Times, Affair de Coeur, Publishers Weekly and more.
To research, she’ll dive into the oldest texts and dustiest library shelves. She’ll also travel abroad, trusty notebook and pen in hand, to visit the chateaux and country homes she loves to people with her own imaginary characters.
And at home every day? She loves to cook, hates to dust, lives to travel and go to Jazz class once a week!
Check out her YouTube channel, Travels with Cercise and her latest book, The Duke's Impetuous Darling, is available now on Amazon.
You can find Cerise at her website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, BookBub, and Goodreads.
New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance.
With over sixty books on the shelves, she's worked in both traditional publishing and now indie publishing. Make sure you don't miss any releases by signing up for her newsletter at http://galenorn.com/newsletter/
Yasmine lives in the Seattle WA area with her husband and is the mother of four cats.
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit: http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Books that make you laugh a little, and love a lot.
Stefanie London is the award-winning, USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romances and romantic comedies.
Stefanie’s books have been called “genuinely entertaining and memorable” by Booklist, and “Elegant, descriptive and delectable” by RT magazine. Her stories have won multiple industry awards, including the HOLT Medallion and OKRWA National Reader's Choice Award, and she has been nominated for the prestigious Romance Writers of America RITA award.
Originally from Australia, Stefanie now lives in Toronto with her very own hero and is currently in the process of doing her best to travel the world. She frequently indulges in her passions for good coffee, lipstick, romance novels and anything zombie-related.
Her newest books, The Aussie Next Door will be out August 27th and Faking It will be out September 1st.
You can find Stefanie at her website, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Nina Crespo lives in Florida where she indulges in her favorite passions — the beach, a good glass of wine, date night with her own real-life hero and dancing.
Her lifelong addiction to romance began in her teens while on a “borrowing spree” in her older sister’s bedroom where she discovered her first romance novel.
Let Nina’s sensual contemporary stories and steamy paranormal tales feed your own addiction for love, romance, and happily ever after.
Find out more about Nina and sign up for her newsletter on her website: https://ninacrespo.com
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Kimberly King Parsons is the author of the short story collection Black Light, forthcoming from Vintage August 13, 2019, and the novel The Boiling River, forthcoming from Knopf.
A recipient of fellowships from Columbia University and the Sustainable Arts Foundation, her fiction has been published in The Paris Review, Best Small Fictions of 2017, Black Warrior Review, No Tokens, Kenyon Review, and elsewhere.
She lives with her partner and sons in Portland, OR, where she is completing a novel about Texas, motherhood, and LSD. You can find reviews, interviews, and more here.
You can find Kimberly at her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Black Light is available for pre-order now.
Edward Willett is an award-winning author of science fiction, fantasy and non-fiction for both children and adults.
Willett is now the author or co-author of more than 60 books, ranging from computer books and children's non-fiction books to science fiction and fantasy for both adults and young adults, and host of the new podcast The Worldshapers: "Conversations with science fiction and fantasy authors about the creative process." (www.theworldshapers.com)
He's received an Aurora Award for best English-language science fiction or fantasy book by a Canadian author, and his latest book, Worldshaper, received a starred review from Publishers' Weekly.
Besides being a writer, Willett is a professional actor and singer who has performed in dozens of plays, musicals and operas in and around Saskatchewan, hosted local television programs, and emceed numerous public events. He's married to a telecommunications engineer and has one daughter.
His main website is www.edwardwillett.com, and he can be found on Twitter @ewillett and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/edward.willett
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Holly Castillo has always looked around her for inspriation for writing. From riding horses, to learning out to shoot, to historic buildings, she brings in the world around her to capture them to the pages.
When she worked in a building dating back to the 1800's & only blocks from the historic Alamo, it inspired her to create the Texas Legacy series from Tule Publishing.
Holly lives on the family ranch where she's surrounded by endless story inspiration.
Her latest book A Seal Never Quits, is on Amazon, Kobo, Target, & Barnes and Noble.
Find Holly at her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, & Goodreads.
Caridad Pineiro is a transplanted Long Island girl who has fallen in love with the Jersey Shore. When Caridad isn’t taking long strolls along the boardwalk, she’s also a NY Times and USA Today bestselling author with over a million romance novels sold worldwide. Caridad is passionate about writing and helping others explore and develop their skills as writers. She is a founding member of the Liberty States Fiction Writers and has presented workshops at the RT Book Club Convention, Romance Writers of America National Conference as well as various writing organizations throughout the country. You can connect with Caridad and sign up for her newsletter at www.caridad.com
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Book lovers and romance fans, The Romance Retreat is what you've been missing! This is a new kind of gathering where every genre of romance and YA will be celebrated.
Celebrate every genre in a unique way, make personal connections with your favorite authors and discover new favorites. Forget stress and dive into the best that romance has to offer.
Amazing Themed Reader Parties and Workshops! Gifts, Books and Prizes galore! Dragons and Direwolves, anyone? Dance like it's 1809 at the Times Gone By Ball, laugh at the TRR Comedy Club, get properly silly at a Steampunk Afternoon Tea Party, feel patriotic at the 1940's USO Swing Dance Party or get sizzling at the Salsa Dance Party--and do all of it alongside incredible authors!
Dress up! Let your hair down! Escape the ordinary! Everyone Deserves A Retreat!
Unforgettable and Affordable--Come to TRR and be a part of something magical!
You can reserve your spot at: https://www.theromanceretreat.com/expression-of-interest
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Laura Drake is a city girl who never grew out of her tomboy ways, or a serious cowboy crush. She writes both Women's Fiction and Romance.
Her first, The Sweet Spot, won the 2014 Romance Writers of America® RITA® award in the Best First Book category.
She's now written ten, and the first installment of her new Chestnut Creek series, The Last True Cowboy, released December 4, 2018.
Laura has finally realized a lifelong dream of becoming a Texan and is currently working on her accent. She gave up the corporate CFO gig to write full time. She's a wife, grandmother, and motorcycle chick in the remaining waking hours.
Newsletter sign up: http://dld.bz/hcJdt and you can learn more on her website: https://www.lauradrakebooks.com/
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Growing up, Gwen Hernandez never shared the stories in her head with other kids, but they usually involved intrigue and romance. She was raised in the Army and Navy, and married an Air Force engineer, so it’s natural that her Men of Steele series features military heroes and heroines who must overcome danger to find true love.
Blending writing with her tech background and love of teaching, Gwen has helped thousands of writers all over the world find the joy in Scrivener through her popular online courses, in-person workshops, and books like Scrivener For Dummies.
In her off time, she likes to travel, read, jog, flail on a yoga mat, and explore California, where she currently lives with her husband and a lazy golden retriever. Find her online at gwenhernandez.com or scrivenerclasses.com
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Sasha Summers grew up surrounded by books. Her passions have always been storytelling, romance and travel–passions she’s used to write more than 20 romance novels and novellas. Now a best-selling and award winning-author, Sasha continues to fall a little in love with each hero she writes.
From easy-on-the-eyes cowboy, sexy alpha-male werewolves, to heroes of truly mythic proportions, she believes that everyone should have their happy ending–in fiction and real life.
Sasha lives in the suburbs of the Texas Hill country with her amazing and supportive family and her beloved grumpy cat, Gerard, The Feline Overlord.
She looks forward to hearing from fans and hopes you’ll visit her online at her website or on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.
Award-winning author, Rina Gray has been writing and singing for as long as she can remember.
She never had a talent for singing outside the shower, but her writing flourished.
Rina has always been an avid reader, sneaking to read her mother’s books she had no business reading i.e. Stephen King’s The Stand, It, and Anne Rice’s various vampire series. As a pre-teen, she received a load of romance novels from a family friend and from that point on, she devoured any book related to romance or horror.
When she's not writing, she can be found with her head stuck in a book, kickboxing, or dominating game night with friends and family. Rina resides in Atlanta with her husband and son.
Her romantic comedy, Crush on You series can be found on Amazon.
You can find Rina at her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Daniela Petrova grew up behind the Iron Curtain in Sofia, Bulgaria. She came to the US in her early twenties and earned a BA in Philosophy from Columbia University and an MA in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness from New York University. She is a recipient of an Artist Fellowship in Writing from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Her stories, poems and essays have appeared in many publications, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Salon, and Marie Claire. Her first novel, Her Daughter’s Mother, is forthcoming from Putnam in June 18th, 2019.
She lives and writes in New York City.
You can find her at her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Teri Wilson is the author/creator of the Hallmark Channel Original Movies Unleashing Mr. Darcy, Marrying Mr. Darcy, The Art of Us, and Northern Lights of Christmas, based on her book Sleigh Bell Sweethearts.
Teri is a three-time finalist for the prestigious RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction for her novels The Princess Problem, Royally Wed and The Bachelor’s Baby Surprise, as well as a recipient of the GDRWA Booksellers’ Best Award for His Ballerina Bride.
She has a major weakness for cute animals, pretty dresses and Audrey Hepburn films, and she loves following the British royal family.
Feel free to visit and connect with her here, and Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Book Bub and Goodreads.
Storm Navarro is a paranormal romance author. Part of the writing team of R.C. Alvarez, she has a book out with Jolie de la Cruz titled Unchained Desire. Her family is made up of two awesome parents, three crazy siblings, five weird dogs, and a buzzard that never seems to leave the yard. Their support over the years has led her to finishing manuscripts, powering through edits, and even signing on with Entangled Publishing.
You can find Storm at her FB page, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.
Over 375,000 downloads from readers around the world, Rich Amooi has found his niche for writing--Quirky Romantic Comedies from a Guy's Perspective.
Rich Amooi is a former radio personality who now writes romantic comedies full-time in San Diego, California.
He is happily married to a kiss monster imported from Spain. Rich believes in public displays of affection, silliness, infinite possibilities, donuts, gratitude, laughter, and happily ever after.
His latest book, Dying to Meet You, is available on Amazon and to learn how to become a bone marrow donor, check out Be The Match for more information.
You can find Rich at his website, Twitter, and Facebook.
Robin Bielman is the USA Today bestselling author of over fifteen novels. When not attached to her laptop, she loves to read, go to the beach, frequent coffee shops (and by frequent she means daily but she’s trying to break the habit), and spend time with her high school sweetheart husband and two sons.
Her fondness for swoon-worthy heroes who flirt and stumble upon the girl they can’t live without jumpstarts most of her story ideas. She writes with a steady stream of caffeine nearby (see above) and the best dog on the planet, Harry, by her side. She also dreams of traveling to faraway places and loves to connect with readers. You can find out more on her website: https://robinbielman.com/
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Originally from Houston, Texas, GWENDOLYN WOMACK studied theater at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks and holds an MFA in Directing Theatre, Video, and Cinema from California Institute of the Arts. She is the USA Today bestselling author of The Fortune Teller and the RWA Prism Award-winning reincarnation thriller, The Memory Painter. She resides in Los Angeles with her family. You can learn more at her website: https://www.gwendolynwomack.com/
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Author, producer, entrepreneur and radio show host Sheila went from 18 years in the medical field and 5 years teaching clinical laboratory science to becoming the CEO of the top book trailer production company in the United States. It's a right-brain/left-brain synergy that has served her well.
Owner of the trademarked term "book trailer", Sheila went on to become a speaker on topics such as content production, marketing, branding, social media and of course book trailers. She has spoke at Book Expo America, Romance Writers of America, RT Booklovers Convention, International Thriller Writer's ThrillerFest, Women's Fiction Festival in Italy, NINC and many other prestigious events.
Sheila can be found on IMDB and has won more awards for book trailers than anyone in the industry. She has been featured in the New York Times, NPR, The Wall Street Journal and several television talk shows. You can find out more at her website: https://sheilaenglish.com/
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Abigail grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. She attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing). However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it. No matter the genre, she loves to write feisty heroines, sexy heroes who deserve them, and a cast of lovable characters to surround them (and maybe get their own stories).
10+ years since finishing her first book, Abigail is now a multi-award-winning author who has written 30+ novels/novellas/short stories under two pen names with more to come. She is also the owner/operator of Authors On A Dime, a company which provides a la carte services to help authors like herself. Abigail loves every part of the publishing journey and considers herself freaking lucky to be living out her dream every day.
Abigail currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her own personal hero (who she totally married!) and their two children, who are growing up way too fast. You can connect with Abigail at her website: http://AbigailOwen.com
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Dan Stout lives in Columbus, Ohio, where he writes about fever dreams and half-glimpsed shapes in the shadows. His prize-winning fiction draws on his travels throughout Europe, Asia, and the Pacific Rim, as well as an employment history spanning everything from subpoena server to assistant well driller.
Dan's stories have appeared in publications such as The Saturday Evening Post, Nature, and Mad Scientist Journal. His debut novel Titanshade is the first volume in The Carter Archives from DAW Books. You can follow him on Facebook or your social media site of choice.
You can find him at Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads.
You can also reach him by email at Contact@DanStout.com It's a proven fact that getting mail from readers makes him chortle with delight and refer to himself in third person.
USA Today Bestselling author, Suzanne discovered romance novels in her aunt's hidden stash one summer as a teenager. From that moment on she knew two things: she loved romance stories and someday she'd be writing her own. Her love for romances has only grown over the years.
The author of 13 novels and an Amazon best-seller for both her series, the Edgars Family Novels and the Westen series, Suzanne's books have been finalists in the National Reader's Choice Awards--SEIZED (2013) and VANISHED (2014). Suzanne was also a double finalist in the Romance Writers of America's 2006 Golden Heart with her manuscripts, KIDNAPPED (Long Contemporary Category) and HUNTED (Romantic Suspense).
Currently working on more books for her Edgars Family series (KIDNAPPED, HUNTED, SEIZED, VANISHED and Capitol Danger) and the Westen Series (Close To Home, Close To The Edge, Close To The Fire, and Close To Christmas), Suzanne hopes to bring readers more passionate and suspenseful books to fill your reading moments.
Suzanne's sexy stories, whether they are her on the edge of your seat romantic suspense or the heartwarming small town stories, will keep you thinking about her characters long after their Happy Ever After is achieved.
Her newest book, Shanghaied, is a prequel to her Edgar's Family Series.
You can Find Suz at her website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.
Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, paranormal, and young adult romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Fractured Connections, and Elements of Five series, which have sold over 3.0 million books worldwide. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over seventy-five novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not losing herself in her emotional and action-packed worlds, she’s reading as much as she can while wrangling her clowder of cats who have more followers than she does.
You can connect with Carrie on her website - http://carrieannryan.com/ or on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CarrieAnnRyanAuthor/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Carrie Callaghan is a historical fiction author living in Maryland with her family. Her debut novel, A Light of Her Own, about 17th century painter Judith Leyster, was published by Amberjack in 2018.
Her short stories have been published in multiple literary journals around the country, and she is a senior editor with the Washington Independent Review of Books. She loves seasons of all kinds, history, and tea.
And books, books, books.
You can find Carrie at her website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Instagram.
Aimee Brown is a writer and avid reader, often blogging her thoughts on chick lit books.
Little Gray Dress is her first novel published. She’s currently studying for her Bachelor’s degree in English Writing. She spends much of her time writing her next book, doing homework, raising three teenagers, binge watching shows on Netflix and obsessively cleaning and redecorating her house.
She’s fluent in sarcasm and has been known to use far too many swear words.
Aimee grew up in Oregon but is now a transplant living in cold Montana with her husband of twenty years, three teenage children, and many, many pets.
Her newest book, The Last Dance, is available for pre-order now and will hit your e-readers April 16th.
Find her over at Facebook, Twitter,Instagram, Book Bub, Pinterest or her author website.
Continue checking her website for information on her next book release!
Born and raised in Colorado, adopted by South Carolina, and at home in Vermont. Kathrin Hutson has been writing fiction for eighteen years, editing for eight, and plunging in and out of reality since she first became aware of the concept. Kathrin specializes in Fantasy and Sci-fi, with a splattering of short stories that weave in and out of literary fiction.
In addition to writing exquisitely dark fiction, Kathrin runs her own independent editing company, KLH CreateWorks, for fiction novels of all genres. She also serves as Fiction Co-Editor for Burlington, Vermont's Mud Season Review literary magazine. Needless to say, she doesn’t have time to do anything she doesn’t enjoy.
Kathrin keeps a vast collection of single earrings (and wears them), has fulfilled her dream of naming one of her dogs Brucewillis, and can’t remember the last time she didn’t laugh at one of her own jokes.
www.kathrinhutsonfiction.com www.facebook.com/kathrinhutsonfiction
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Rhonda spent most of her adult life in Germany, first as a soldier in the U.S. Army, then as a teacher in the Department of Defense school system. In 2014 she returned to the U.S. to marry her high school sweetheart. (Well, they taught in the same high school.) Their new chapter brought them to western Washington State, where she’s usually found hunched over her keyboard plotting mayhem and murder with a dash of romance . When she emerges from her writing cave, she enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest with her marvelous husband, listening to live blues and jazz, playing guitar with her musical family, and gobbling all the books.
She writes under the name of Sadira Stone and her book, Through the Red Door is published by the Wild Rose Press.
You can reach her at her website, Facebook,and Twitter.
Maureen is a former owner of a consulting firm that helped specialty drug companies to develop medications for ultra-rare diseases. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in physiology from Michigan State University & her Master’s degree in Liberal Studies from Wesleyan University.
Her background in science and love of the natural world informs and inspires her writing. LITTLE LOVELY THINGS is her debut as a novelist.
She is also an award-winning poet, published in diverse outlets such as Emory University’s Lullwater Review and Yankee Magazine.Maureen is a foodie and appreciates interesting recipes. She also enjoys painting (especially flowers and sycamore trees), competing in races with her dragon boat team (Go Fierce)!, and reading (of course). She relishes spending time with her three children, her husband and her pets; a ridiculous terrier named Huckleberry, and a plump orange cat, Pumpkin.
Her debut novel, Little Lovely Things, is availble for pre-order now.
You can find her at her website, Facebook,Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.
Lori is a children's storybook author and musician. She also creates character voices, and performs narrartion for the audio books in her series, The Amazing Adventures Of Tripi The Fly! It's all about a fly who can't fly, but who longs for adventure! He can talk, read and write; he can even dance and sing! He just can't do this one thing, fly! These are rhyming stories full of entertainment that is not only loaded with travel and adventure; but it is educational entertainment that is inspirational. Tripi Takes Flight and Tripi Visits France are Mom’s Choice Award and Pinnacle Achievement Award winners and more. http://www.lorilondonentertainment.com/media
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Eva began writing stories when very young and wrote almost constantly until she was 25, after which she took a years-long break before coming back to pursue her old dream of becoming a published author for real. She loves crafting historical fiction that brings humanity to real times and events that otherwise might seem impersonal and distant, and making doodles to go with them.
When Eva is not writing, she is teaching her human children, eating chocolate, cooking or baking, wasting time on Twitter, and making weird shrieky noises every time she sees her non-human children*. Also enjoys driving in snow when opportunity arises, because snow is the bomb.
You can find Eva at her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Tosca Lee is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of The Line Between, The House of Bathory Duology (The Progeny, Firstborn), Iscariot, The Legend of Sheba, Demon: A Memoir, Havah: The Story of Eve, and the Books of Mortals series with New York Times bestseller Ted Dekker.
A notorious night-owl, she loves watching TV, eating bacon, playing video games with her kids, and sending cheesy texts to her husband. You can find Tosca hanging around the snack table or wherever bacon is served.
A Single Light, Tosca’s highly-anticipated sequel to The Line Between, releases September 17 from Simon & Schuster and is available for pre-order now! You can learn more at her website: https://toscalee.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Danielle grew up with a love of reading, partly due to her namesake--Danielle Steele. It seemed as though she was born to write out the same love stories she devoured while growing up.
She attended Bowling Green State University with a dream of studying creative writing, but the thought of sharing her work in front of a group of strangers was enough to make her change her major to Political Science.
After college she moved across the state of Ohio with her soon-to-be husband. Once they married and had babies, she decided to stay home and raise her children. Some days her sanity slipped further across the line to crazy town so she decided to brush off her rusty writing chops and see what happened.
Danielle now spends her days running kids around, playing with her beloved dog, and typing as fast as she can to get the stories in her head written down. She loves to write contemporary romance with relatable characters that make her readers' hearts happy, as well as fast-paced romantic suspense that leaves them on the edge of their seats. Her story ideas are as varied and unpredictable as her everyday life.
When Tawna Fenske finished her English lit degree at 22, she celebrated by filling a giant trash bag full of romance novels and dragging it everywhere until she’d read them all. Now she’s a RITA Award finalist, USA Today bestselling author who writes humorous fiction, risqué romance, and heartwarming love stories with a quirky twist. Publishers Weekly has praised Tawna’s offbeat romances with multiple starred reviews and noted, “There’s something wonderfully relaxing about being immersed in a story filled with over-the-top characters in undeniably relatable situations. Heartache and humor go hand in hand.”
Tawna lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband, step-kids, and a menagerie of ill-behaved pets. She loves hiking, snowshoeing, standup paddleboarding, and inventing excuses to sip wine on her back porch. She can peel a banana with her toes and loses an average of twenty pairs of eyeglasses per year. To find out more about Tawna and her books, visit www.tawnafenske.com
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Maggie Aldrich is an avid reader, freelance writer, and yoga instructor who tends to catastrophize all situations. “Good grief, you should become a writer, you’re always making stuff up!” her family said.
And so, she did. Winner of the 2017 Bess Streeter Aldrich Short Story Competition – Adult Division.
Maggie lives on an acreage in middle America with her husband, daughter, cats, and other various unattended wild animals. Maggie enjoys writing romantic comedies, chick lit, and speculative fiction…and has occasionally been accused of profiling family members for her work.
Her latest book, It's All Greek to Me, is out.
You can find Maggie at Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
Tee O'Fallon is the author of the Federal K-9 Series and the NYPD Blue & Gold Series. Tee has been a federal agent for twenty-three years, and is now a police investigator, giving her hands-on experience in the field of law enforcement that she combines with her love of romantic suspense. Tee's job affords her the unique opportunity to work with the heroic men and women in law enforcement on a daily basis. When not writing, Tee enjoys cooking, gardening, chocolate, lychee martinis, and all creatures canine. Tee enjoys hearing from readers and can be contacted through her website: http://teeofallon.com/
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Negeen Papehn was born and raised in southern California, where she currently lives with her husband and two rambunctious boys.
She wasn't always a writer. A graduate of USC dental school, Negeen spends half of her week with patients and the other half in front of her laptop. In the little time she finds in between, she loves to play with her boys, go wine tasting with her friends, throw parties, and relax with her family.
You can find her on her newest release Forbidden by Destiny on Amazon.
To find Negeen, check out her website,Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Monique McDonnell is an Australian author who writes fun, flirty contemporary women's fiction including chick lit and romance.
After many attempts writing books that made her miserable, she decided to write books with happy endings and have been loving the journey ever since.
Her debut novel, Mr Right and Other Mongrels, was released in May 2012 and Hearts Afire was released in October of the same year.
And she's on a roll because to date, Monique has 22 books to her name.
Monique lives on Sydney's Northern Beaches with her husband and daughter which probably explains why the beach features in so many of her novels and why people describe them as excellent beach reads.
You can find Monique at her website, Amazon page, and Facebook.
Bestselling author Laurie LeClair writes contemporary romance, romantic comedies, romantic suspense, and women’s fiction. Laurie has a not-so-secret love for characters who make her laugh, cry, and who linger in her mind long after the story ends. Laurie’s habit of daydreaming has gotten her into a few scrapes and launched her to take up her dream of writing. Finally, she can put all those stories in her head to rest as she brings them to life on the page.
Laurie loves to write, read, bake, travel and discover new adventures. She considers herself a New Texan (New England born and raised and now living in Texas).
She lives in Central Texas with her husband, Jim. Laurie loves to hear from her readers.
Her latest book, Dear Cupid, is available now on Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks.
You can find Laurie at her website, Facebook,Twitter, and Goodreads.
Author Miranda Oh Is your typical girl: She loves the sunset, loves long walks on the beach, world travels, and When not playing the corporate part she can be found sipping wine and spending all her hard-earned money on shoes.
Among her friends and family, Miranda Oh is known to be the storyteller of the group, always recapping crazy life stories and situations. Her personal experiences, emotions and fantasies are the inspiration for most of her books, so there is a little bit of her in every story.
You can connect with Miranda on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ohmirandaoh/ or on her website: https://www.mirandaoh.com/
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Gina L. Maxwell is a full-time writer, wife, and mother living in the upper Midwest, despite her scathing hatred of snow and cold weather. An avid romance novel addict, she began writing as an alternate way of enjoying the romance stories she loves to read. Her debut novel, Seducing Cinderella, hit both the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists in less than four weeks, and she’s been living her newfound dream ever since.
When she’s not reading or writing steamy romance novels, she spends her time losing at games to her high school sweetheart, hanging out with their teenagers before they fly the coop, and dreaming of her move to somewhere tropical once they do.
Her most recent book, Pan, she tells of a new twist on Peter Pan and Wendy as the navigate the road to Happily Ever After.
You can find Gina at her website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.
Karina Kantas is a self-published and contracted author, a singer, mother, radio host and entrepreneur.
Born in the Midlands, UK, Karina Kantas can now be found on the Island of Corfu in Greece, and virtually, all over the web. Author of ten books, she writes in the genres of MC romance, YA, fantasy, thriller and horror.
Connect with Karina on her website: https://urbanhype101.wordpress.com/ or on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ExplosiveWriter/
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Rebecca Zanetti is the author of over forty romantic suspense, dark paranormals, and contemporary romances, and her books have appeared multiple times on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists. She lives in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest with her own Alpha hero, two kids, a couple of dogs, a crazy cat…and a huge extended family. She believes strongly in luck, karma, and working her butt off…and she thinks one of the best things about being an author, unlike the lawyer she used to be, is that she can let the crazy out.
Find Rebecca at: www.rebeccazanetti.com
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
USA Today Bestselling author Nicole Flockton writes sexy contemporary romances, seducing you one kiss at a time as you turn the pages. Nicole likes nothing better than taking characters and creating unique situations where they fight to find their true love.
On her first school report her teacher noted “Nicole likes to tell her own stories”. It wasn’t until after the birth of her first child and after having fun on a romance community forum that she finally decided to take the plunge and write a book.
Apart from writing Nicole is busy looking after her very own hero – her wonderfully supportive husband, and two fabulous kids. She also enjoys watching sports and, of course, reading.
Her latest release, Blind Date Bet, is on shelves on now and check out her other releases while you wait.
You can find Nicole at her website, Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.
Native Texan, retired physician, and women's fiction author Suanne Schafer completed the Standford University Creative Writing Certificate Program while writing her many short stories.
Her short works have been featured in print and on-line magazines (Bête Noire; Brain, Child; Empty Sink Publishing; and Three Line Poetry) and anthologies: (Night Lights; Graveyard; 166 Palms; and Licked).
Her debut women’s fiction novel, A Different Kind of Fire, explores the life of Ruby Schmidt, a nineteenth century artist who escapes—and returns—to West Texas. Suanne’s next book explores the heartbreak and healing of an American physician caught up in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
You can find Suanne at her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Marc Watson is an author of genre fiction of all lengths and styles. He began writing at the age of 15 and continues to be a part-time writing student at Athabasca University. He has been published on flash fiction site www.101words.org (find his stories here) as well as comedy site www.thecorrectness.com. Marc lives in Calgary, Alberta. He is a husband and proud father of two. He is an avid outdoors-man, martial artist, baseball player, and lover of all Mexican foods. He can be found at online www.marcwatson.ca, as well as on Facebook at www.facebook.com/marcwroteabook, and on twitter at @writewatson
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Mary Smith is always on the hunt for a page turning story.
This avid reader absolutely loves a great tale with strong characters no matter their ages or ethniticities and is more than happy to guide readers toward some of her favorite books.
To help more people, she started the Chick Lit Shop, a one stop online shop for readers looking for the perfect read. There you can find books that feature the classic happily ever after as well as a great diversity of heroines and heroes from different ages, countries, ethninticies, abilities, and professions.
Need a great book for yourself or a friend?
Check out the Chick Lit Shop at the website as well as Facebook, Twitter, Bookbub, and Instagram.
Her bookshelf is a great way to find a specific book for your reading tastes.
If you're interested in editing services, you can contact Mary through her Facebook page or website.
Kristine Raymond didn’t figure out what she wanted to be when she grew up until later in life. You guessed it! It’s being an author. Since writing and publishing her first book in 2013, she’s gone on to complete two romance series – one historical western and one contemporary; a humorous non-fiction story; a collection of seasonally-themed short stories; and a contemporary erotic drama.
When not writing, she’s navigating the publishing and promotional side of the business. When not doing that, she enjoys spending time with her husband and furry family, reading, gardening, and binge-watching shows on Netflix.
Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Book + Main, and BookBub. You can also visit her at www.kristineraymond.com to keep up with her latest news.
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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World traveler and mom, Frieda Knezek (Ka-nez-ick) is fascinated by hackers.
She won't say if she has a hacker in the family, but her interest in this field helped her come up with the story, How The Con Stole Christmas, which will be live Decemberf 20th.
Besides being a writer, she's a mom, Girl Scout leader, and advocate for multiple furry friends. She works with local pet rescue sites, including Soul Dog and the Humane Societies.
You can find Frieda at her website, at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Suzy is the Calgary Bestselling, Award-Winning Author of The Fountain, and The West Woods, Books 1 and 2 of The Fountain Series, published by Evil Alter Ego Press. This fantastical Young Adult Series has received two Aurora Nominations for Best Young Adult Novel, as well as a Readers’ Favorite Book Award Bronze Medal for Best Young Adult Romance, and Five Stars from both Readers’ Favorite and San Francisco Review of Books. Suzy lives in Calgary, Canada with her husband and three children and is an involved member in the writing community. Currently, she is the Program Manager, Young Adult/Children’s Programming for When Words Collide (WWC), a literary festival held in Calgary each August, and teaches creative writing at Alexandra Writing Centre Society (AWCS) in Marda Loop. Suzy is also a member of the Young Alberta Book Society (YABS) and the founder of WriteIt! creative writing programs in schools, building young writers. Information about Suzy can be found at: https://suzyvadori.wordpress.com/
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
New York Times and USA Todaybestselling author Tracy Wolff wrote her first short story—something with a rainbow and a prince—in second grade, around the same time she forayed into the wonderful world of girls lit with her first Judy Blume novel. By ten she’d read everything in the young adult and classics sections of her local bookstore, so in desperation her mom started her on romance novels. And from the first page of the first book, Tracy knew she’d found her life-long love. A one-time English professor with over fifty novels to her name, she now devotes most of her time to writing romance and dreaming up heroes. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her family.
Edward Willett is the award-winning author of more than sixty books of science fiction, fantasy, and nonfiction for readers of all ages. Besides Worldshaper, other recent novels include the stand-alone science fiction novel The Cityborn (DAW Books), the fivebook Shards of Excalibur YA fantasy series for Coteau Books, the Masks of Aygrima fantasy trilogy (written as E.C. Blake for DAW), and the Peregrine Rising science fiction duology for Bundoran Press. In 2002 Willett won the Regina Book Award for best book by a Regina author at the Saskatchewan Book Awards, and in 2009 won the Aurora Award (honoring the best in Canadian science fiction and fantasy) for Best Long-Form Work in English for Marseguro. He has been shortlisted for Saskatchewan Book Awards and Aurora Awards multiple times. His nonfiction runs the gamut from local history to science books for children and adults to biographies of people as diverse as Jimi Hendrix and the Ayatollah Khomeini. In addition to writing, he’s a professional actor and singer, who has performed in numerous plays, musicals, and operas. He lives in Regina, Saskatchewan, with his wife, Margaret Anne Hodges, P.Eng., their teenaged daughter, Alice, and their black Siberian cat, Shadowpaw.
His main website is www.edwardwillett.com, and he can be found on Twitter @ewillett and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/edward.willett
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Meg Tilly may be best known for her acclaimed Golden Globe-winning lead performance in the movie Agnes of God. Other screen credits include The Big Chill, Valmont, and more recently, Bomb Girls, and Netflix’s movie War Machine, starring Brad Pitt. After publishing six standout young adult and literary women’s fiction novels, the award-winning author/actress decided to write the kind of books she loves to read–romance novels. Tilly has three grown children and resides with her husband in the Pacific Northwest. She is currently at work writing the next Solace Island novel.
You can find out more about Meg and her books at her website: https://megtillyauthor.com/
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Writing was not San Antonio teacher Emily Mims’ first love-in fact, she wrote her firstnovel on a dare.
After reading a book that "was just terrible", her husband dared her to do better.
So she did.
Now, this retired teacher is the author of over twenty books and three different series including her Hill Country Series and Smokey Mountain Series.
She lives in Texas with her husband of forty plus years and their dogs.
Her most recent release, Rescued, is an eight author anthology about rescue dogs. Proceeds go to Project Freedom Ride, an organization that flies dogs from kill-shelters to their forever homes.
To get hold of Emily, you can find her at her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Her books are available on Amazon, Kobo, and Barnes and Noble.
Nina Crespo lives in Florida where she indulges in her favorite passions — the beach, a good glass of wine, date night with her own real-life hero and dancing.
Her lifelong addiction to romance began in her teens while on a “borrowing spree” in her older sister’s bedroom where she discovered her first romance novel.
Let Nina’s sensual contemporary stories and steamy paranormal tales feed your own addiction for love, romance, and happily ever after.
Find out more about Nina and sign up for her newsletter on her website: https://ninacrespo.com
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Julie Kagawa, the New York Times bestselling author of the Iron Fey and Blood of Eden series was born in Sacramento, California. But nothing exciting really happened to her there. So, at the age of nine she and her family moved to Hawaii, which she soon discovered was inhabited by large carnivorous insects, colonies of house geckos, and frequent hurricanes. She spent much of her time in the ocean, when she wasn't getting chased out of it by reef sharks, jellyfish, and the odd eel.
When not swimming for her life, Julie immersed herself in books, often to the chagrin of her schoolteachers, who would find she hid novels behind her Math textbooks during class.
Julie now writes full-time and lives in Louisville, Kentucky, where the frequency of shark attacks are at an all time low. She lives with her husband, an obnoxious cat, an Australian Shepherd who is too smart for his own good, and a hyper-active Papillion.
Find more at http://juliekagawa.com/ and be sure to follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/jkagawa
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
West Texan, Suanne Schafer is a retired family-practice physician whose only child has fledged the nest.
Suanne completed the Stanford Univeristy Creative Writing Certificate program. Her short works have been featured in print & on-line magazines (Bête Noire & Brain, Child) & anthologies: (Night Lights & Licked).
Her debut women’s fiction novel, A Different Kind of Fire, explores the life of Ruby Schmidt, a nineteenth century artist who escapes—and returns—to West Texas.
Suanne’s next book explores the heartbreak and healing of an American physician caught up in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
You can follow her here on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, Amazon, Authors 18, & Goodreads.
Carly Bloom began her writing career as a family humor columnist and blogger, a pursuit she abandoned when her children grew old enough to literally die from embarrassment. To save their delicate lives, Carly turned to penning steamy, contemporary romance. The kind with bare chests on the covers.
Carly and her husband raise their mortified brood of offspring on a cattle ranch in South Texas. Also? Carly is vegan. The cows love her.
You can find Carly on her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Her books are on Amazon, Kobo, iBooks, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads, and IndieBound.
Born in Dublin, Ireland, Felicity Hayes-McCoy has always been a working author. She's created works that include fiction and non fiction books as well as original TV dramas and contributions to TV series.
In addition, she's penned radio scripts, screenplays, and work in digital media.
She relocated to London after studying English and Irish language and literature at Univeristy College Dublin and began her career as first, an actress and then a writer.
Her book, Summer at the Garden Cafe, was released in September 2018 and reviewers state it's a charming and excellent read.
You can find Felicity at her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
Her books are availbe on Amazon, iTunes, Books a Million, Barnes and Noble, Indiebound, iBooks, and Google Play.
Peter James is an international bestselling thriller writer. He is a New York Times bestseller, as well as having 11 consecutive Sunday Times No 1s, and he is published in 37 languages. His DS Roy Grace crime novels have sold 18 million copies worldwide. Prior to becoming a full-time author, he was responsible for 25 movies. In 1994 Penguin published his novel, 'Host', on two floppy discs as the world’s first electronic novel. His novels have won numerous awards, most recently the coveted 2016 CWA Diamond Dagger for sustained excellence, and he was publicly voted by WH Smith - Britain's biggest book selling chain - The Best Crime Author Of All Time. Visit him on YouTube: www.peterjames.com/youtube
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Ryan Jo Summers writes romances that blur the lines of subgenres by mixing contemporary with time travel, Christian, suspense, sweet, &/or paranormal.
Her non-fiction works have appeared in numerous magazines including WNC Woman Magazine, Critter Magazine, & Asheville Pet Gazette, where she regularly contributes.
She lives in a century-old cottage in North Carolina with her own menagerie of rescued pets & way too many houseplants.
“September’s Song” is her second self-published work.
Ryan Jo is at her website, on Facebook, Twitter, Google, Amazon, & Bookbub.
Her books are found on Lulu, Amazon, Kobo, & Barnes and Noble.
Veronica Scott grew up in a house with a library as its heart. Dad loved science fiction, Mom loved ancient history and Veronica thought there needed to be more romance in everything. When she ran out of books to read, she started writing her own stories.
Seven time winner of the SFR Galaxy Award, as well as a National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award, Veronica is also the proud recipient of a NASA Exceptional Service Medal relating to her former day job, not her romances!
She read the part of Star Trek Crew Member in the audiobook production of Harlan Ellison’s “The City On the Edge of Forever.”
Blog: https://veronicascott.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vscotttheauthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Veronica-Scott/177217415659637?ref=hl
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Forner entertainment journalist Jen Calonita knows all about Hollywood.
After beginning her career at a teen magazine where she chronicled the backstage life at concerts with Justin Timberlake and interviewing Zac Efron on film sets, the writing bug hit.
Her first series, Secrets of My Hollywood Life about a teen starlet named Kaitlin Burke who grew weary of the fame game, but loved being an actress was published in nine countries.
His led to her other YA series including Sleepaway Girls and Summer State of Mind (since she was a camp counselor as a teen), Reality Check and Belles, and Turn It Up, is about a girls' high school acapella group.
In her first middle grade series, Fairy Tale Reform School, readers explore a school run by Cinderella's formerly wicked stepmother with Switched and the Mistfits being the latest releases.
For more about Jen, you can find her on her website and Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook.
Douglas Clegg is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of dark fiction (including horror, gothic, fantasy, supernatural, and suspense thrillers.)
His books have been published worldwide and translated into various editions. His short fiction has won the Bram Stoker Award, the International Horror Guild Award and the Shocker Award, and has been included in several Years’ Best anthologies.
Keep in contact with him (and get a free ebook) at his Newsletter.
Keep up with his Bookbub price drops for ebooks: Follow Doug on Bookbub.
Follow him on Social Media: Facebook & Twitter.
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Julia London is the New York Times & USA Todaybest-selling author of more than thirty romantic fiction novels.
She is the author of the popular historical series including the Cabot Sisters, The Secets of Hadley Green, and the Highland Grooms, with Tempting the Laird being her most recent release.
Her contemporary romances include the Lear Sisters Trilogy, Lake Haven Series, and the Pine River series.
Julia is the recipient of the RT Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance & a six-time finalist for the prestigious RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction.
Her latest book,Suddenly Single, is the fourth addition to the Lake Haven Series.
You can find Julia at Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and her website.
Tonya Burrows wrote her first romance at age 13 and hasn't put down her pen since. Originally from a small town in Western New York, she suffers from a bad case of wanderlust and usually ends up moving someplace new every few years. As of now, she lives in the Pacific Northwest with The Boyfriend, a diva schnoodle, a plucky pug-mix, and #writercat.
When she's not writing about hunky military heroes, Tonya can usually be found kayaking, hiking, or road tripping across the country. She also enjoys painting and B grade disaster movies.
If you would like to know more about Tonya, visit her website at www.tonyaburrows.com. She's also on Twitter @tonyaburrows and Facebook www.facebook.com/tonyaburrowsauthor
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And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit: http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Award-winning paranormal romance author, Abigail Owen, grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. She attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing). However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it.
No matter the genre, she loves to write witty, feisty heroines, sexy heroes who deserve them, and a cast of lovable characters to surround them (and maybe get their own stories). She currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her own personal hero, her husband, and their two children, who are growing up way too fast.
Abigail also writes award-winning contemporary romance under the pen name Kadie Scott. (http://kadie-scott.com)
For the latest news and exclusive excerpts, sign up for her newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/Lw2XH
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And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit: http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Author June Faver is owned by two cats and a small, yappy rescue dog.
As a former educator and healthcare professional, she is an advocate for children, animals and elderly/disabled individuals.
She would rather be sailing or on a beach somewhere, but if not, you can probably find her with her fingers on a keyboard, pouring word images onto the virtual films playing in her head.
Her Dark Horse Cowboys series was launched last month with the first book, Do or Die Cowboy. Book two will be out in January 2019.
Along with writing about the amazing men of Texas, she's also penned many other romances under the name J. D. Faver.
You can connect with her at her website, Facebook, and Twitter.
Douglas Fetterly is a freelance writer and novelist with a passion for literature, love of adventure, and propensity for social consciousness in his stories. During his writing career, he was awarded 2nd place in the 2012 national New York City Gotham / The Writer Magazine short story contest, judged by the Director of Creative Writing at Harvard. His relative education includes a Bachelors in English Literature, summa cum laude, and storytelling classes at Dominican University, Marin County, CA, while his cultural perspectives expanded through travel in Europe, Russia, Egypt, Ghana, Asia, South Pacific, Mexico, and Canada. You can find out more about Douglas and check out excerpts from his new book, Silence Her at: http://silenceherthenovel.com/
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit: http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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We catch up with event coordinator and industry specialist JoCarol Jones to talk about her all-new book convention! New Orleans in 2019 is a great place to start. Find out what opportunities there are for authors and what fun is planned for readers. JoCarol discusses how the convention is unique, what's included and gives us an idea of her own philosophy when it comes to book conventions.
Find out more about the convention at https://www.bookloverscon.com/https://www.bookloverscon.com/
Craig DiLouie is an author of popular thriller, apocalyptic/horror, and sci-fi/fantasy fiction. His novels have been praised for their strong characters, action, and gritty realism. Each book promises an exciting experience with people you’ll care about in a world that feels real.
These works have been nominated for major literary awards such as the Bram Stoker Award and Audie Award, translated into multiple languages, and optioned for film. He is a member of the HWA, International Thriller Writers, and IFWA.
You can check out his blog and find out more about his books at www.CraigDiLouie.com Be sure to sign up for Craig’s mailing list so you can stay tuned on new releases.
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Molly Mirren loves being a writer. She also loves witty company, exotic food, creative cocktails, and obscure music. When not writing, she is doing laundry. She is also a firm believer in the Oxford comma and defends it fiercely. Long live the Oxford!
Molly also loves to read and will read almost anything if it holds her attention.
However, the stories that pop into her head, so far, have all been romances. Her first book, To Each Her Own, was released in 2015.
Beware the Stranger, the first book of her latest series, B. E. Ware, is out now with book two, Beward the Magician coming next month.
You can find Molly at her website, Twitter, Facebook, and Amazon.
Cindi Madsen is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance and young adult novels. She sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting, revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she'd be even crazier. She has way too many shoes, but can always find a reason to buy a pretty new pair, especially if they're sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music and dancing and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband, three children, an overly-dramatic tomcat, & an adorable one-eyed kitty named Agent Fury.
You can visit Cindi at: www.cindimadsen.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter to get all the up-to-date information on her books. Follow her on Twitter @cindimadsen.
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Alana Albertson is a bestselling romance author (#3 in entire Amazon store) with over half a million views on her Se7en Deadly SEALs serial on Radish.
She’s the former President of Romance Writers of America’s Contemporary Romance, Young Adult, and Chick Lit chapters.
Alana Albertson holds a Masters of Education from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Stanford University. A recovering professional ballroom dancer, she lives in San Diego, California, with her husband, two young sons, and six rescue dogs.
When she’s not spending her time saving dogs from high kill shelters through Pugs N Roses, the rescue she founded, she can be found watching episodes of Cobra Kai, Dateline, or Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team.
You can find her at her website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Amazon.
Paul Tremblay is the author of DISAPPEARANCE AT DEVIL'S ROCK and the World Fantasy Award nominated and Bram Stoker Award winning A HEAD FULL OF GHOSTS. A HEAD FULL OF GHOSTS has been option by Focus Features. He's also the author of the novels The Little Sleep, No Sleep till Wonderland, Swallowing a Donkey's Eye, and Floating Boy and the Girl Who Couldn't Fly (co-written with Stephen Graham Jones).
He is the author of the short story collection In the Mean Time. His essays and short fiction have appeared in the Los Angeles Times and numerous "year's best" anthologies. He is the co-editor of four anthologies including Creatures: Thirty Years of Monster Stories (with John Langan). Paul is on the board of directors for the Shirley Jackson Awards. He lives outside of Boston, Massachusetts, has a master's degree in Mathematics, and has no uvula. You can find him online at www.paultremblay.net
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Carmen Falcone loves to spend her time writing about hot Alpha males and the quirky, smart and sassy heroines who turn their world upside down.
Brazilian by birth and traveler by nature, she moved to Central Texas after college and met her broody Swiss husband--living proof that opposites attract. She found in writing the best excuse to avoid the healthy lifestyle everyone keeps talking about. When she’s not lost in the world of romance, she enjoys spending time with her two kids, being walked by her three crazy pugs, reading, catching up with friends, and chatting with random people in the checkout line.
She writes category contemporary, erotic romance and romantic suspense.
For more about Carmen, please visit her website: http://www.carmenfalcone.com
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Silvi Martín lives in San Diego, California with her hubby, author Rich Amooi, and Tara, their mini golden-doodle who was born in 2018, bringing everyday laughter, smiles and joy to their already happy home.
When she's not writing, she's a full-time Spanish teacher and is fluent in French. She's traveled all over living in England, Africa, Europe, and finally, the US.
The Postgirl is Silvi's debut contemporary romance novel, book one of the Coronado Island series. Can you fall in love with a place at first sight? Silvi did, on her first trip to San Diego and Coronado Island. The breeze from the ocean and the white sand of the magnificent beach inspired her to write this story and the ones following: The Postgirl, The News Girl, and The City Girl (coming soon).
You can find Silvi at her website, Facebook, Twitter, and on Amazon.
Steve Alten grew up in Philadelphia, earning his Bachelors degree in Physical Education at Penn State University, a Masters Degree in Sports Medicine from the University of Delaware, and a Doctorate of Education at Temple University. Struggling to support his family of five, he decided to pen a novel he had been thinking about for years. Working late nights and on weekends, he eventually finished MEG; A Novel of Deep Terror. Steve sold his car to pay for editing fees. On September (Friday) the 13th, 1996, Steve lost his general manager's job at a wholesale meat plant. Four days later his agent had a two-book deal with Bantam Doubleday. Steve's novels are action-packed and very visual. He has optioned DOMAIN, MEG and The LOCH to film producers.
Over the years, Steve has been inundated with e-mail from teens who hated reading ...until they read his novels. When he learned high school teachers were actually using his books in the classroom (MEG had been rated #1 book for reluctant readers) Steve launched Adopt-An-Author, a nationwide non-profit program designed to encourage students to read. Teachers who register for the program (it's free) receive giant shark posters, free curriculum materials, student-author correspondence, an interactive website, and classroom conference calls/visits with the author. To date, over 10,000 teachers have registered. Steve now spends half his work week working with high schools. For more information click on www.AdoptAnAuthor.com
For more information about Steve's books go to www.SteveAlten.com
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Audrey Wick writes for Tule Publishing and is a full-time English professor at Blinn College in Texas. Her writing has appeared in college textbooks published by Cengage Learning and W. W. Norton as well as in The Houston Chronicle, The Chicago Tribune, The Orlando Sentinel, and various literary journals. Audrey believes the secret to happiness includes lifelong learning and good stories. But travel and coffee help. She has journeyed to over twenty countries--and sipped coffee at every one.
Her newest release, Coming Home, came out July 26th. It's the second of the Texas Sisters series.
You can find Audrey at her website, Twitter, Instagram, and Amazon.
Peter James is an international bestselling thriller writer. He is a New York Times bestseller, as well as having 11 consecutive Sunday Times No 1s, and he is published in 37 languages. His DS Roy Grace crime novels have sold 18 million copies worldwide. Prior to becoming a full-time author, he was responsible for 25 movies. In 1994 Penguin published his novel, 'Host', on two floppy discs as the world’s first electronic novel. His novels have won numerous awards, most recently the coveted 2016 CWA Diamond Dagger for sustained excellence, and he was publicly voted by WH Smith - Britain's biggest book selling chain - The Best Crime Author Of All Time. Visit him on YouTube: www.peterjames.com/youtube
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Four-time RITA finalist Joanne Rock turned a passion for writing into a career when imaginary characters kept her awake at night, demanding she tell their stories.
The author of over ninety romances in a variety of sub-genres, she enjoys small-town family sagas as much as high-drama glitz and glamour. A former Golden Heart recipient, Joanne has won numerous awards for her stories including the Romantic Times WISH Award, the Snow Globe, and multiple Cataromance Reviewer’s Choice Awards.
Her work has been reprinted in twenty-six countries and translated into twenty languages. After receiving her Master’s degree in Literature from the University of Louisville, Joanne went on to teach writing, film, and fiction at a college level.
She enjoys sharing her passion for the arts at creative writing workshops, career fairs and with aspiring writers she meets online.
Her most recent release, The Forbidden Brother, came out July 1 and you can get it on Amazon.
You can find Joanna at her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Amazon. You can also sign up for her newsletter to get all the latest and greatest information on all her releases and cool news.
Rebecca Roanhorse is a Nebula Award-winning speculative fiction writer and a Hugo/Sturgeon/Locus Award Finalist for her short fiction, WELCOME TO YOUR AUTHENTIC INDIAN EXPERIENCE(TM), and a 2017 Campbell Award Finalist for Best New SFF writer. Her debut novel TRAIL OF LIGHTNING Book #1 in the SIXTH WORLD SERIES (Saga Press) drops June 26th, 2018. Book #2 STORM OF LOCUSTS will follow in 2019. She also has a middle grade novel coming in 2019 from Rick Riordan Presents, titled RACE TO THE SUN. And in 2020, an Anasazi-inspired epic fantasy BETWEEN EARTH AND SKY (Saga Press). She lives in Northern New Mexico with her husband, daughter, and pug.
Her nonfiction can be found in Invisible 3: Essays and Poems on Representation in SF/F, Strange Horizons, Uncanny Magazine and How I Resist: Activism and Hope for a New Generation (Macmillan).
Find more at https://rebeccaroanhorse.com/ and follow her on Twitter at @RoanhorseBex
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Elise Sax worked as a journalist for fifteen years, mostly in Paris, France. She took a detour from journalism and became a private investigator before writing her first novel. She lives in Southern California with her two sons. She loves to hear from her readers. Don’t hesitate to contact her at elisesax@gmail.com, and sign up for her newsletter at http://elisesax.com/mailing-list.php to get notifications of new releases and sales.
And for more about host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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The daughter of a Merchant Marine and a Rockaway beach babe, Alice Kaltman’s life has always been ocean-centric. Now when she’s not in the water she writes about surfers, mermaids, and other odd balls. In addition to Wavehouse, Alice is the author of the short fiction collection Staggerwing. Alice’s work can also be read in numerous journals, magazines and fiction anthologies. She splits her time between Brooklyn and Montauk, New York where she swims, surfs, and writes; weather and waves permitting.
You can learn more on her website: http://alicekaltman.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Trish Milburn began writing her first romance, a historical set along the Oregon Trail, while still in college. She got serious about writing and submitting for publication in 1996 when she was one of the charter members of the new local Romance Writers of America chapter, Music City Romance Writers.
Since then, she's written contemporary romance, romantic suspense, women’s fiction, and young adult novels. To date, she's written books for Penguin, Harlequin, Tule, and self published.
She's an avid reader and TV watcher, loves superheroes, strong characters, and happily ever afters.
She's also the creator of Upbeat Authors, a Facebook group that promotes a group of authors who support each other and take part in weekly, themed posts about happiness and positivity through their own social media and other outlets.
Her latest book, Her Cowboy Prince, is out with Tule Publication.
You can find Trish at her website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Goodreads.
Veronica Scott grew up in a house with a library as its heart. Dad loved science fiction, Mom loved ancient history and Veronica thought there needed to be more romance in everything. When she ran out of books to read, she started writing her own stories.
Seven time winner of the SFR Galaxy Award, as well as a National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award, Veronica is also the proud recipient of a NASA Exceptional Service Medal relating to her former day job, not her romances!
She read the part of Star Trek Crew Member in the audiobook production of Harlan Ellison’s “The City On the Edge of Forever.”
Blog: https://veronicascott.wordpress.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vscotttheauthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Veronica-Scott/177217415659637?ref=hl
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
After reading a book she said was so bad, she threw it across the floor, Emily Mims' husband challenged her to "do better." So she did.
Her first book didn't sell, but her second did.
To date, she has over a dozen books in her Smoky Blues and Texas Hill Country series as well as several stand alone novels.
She also loves to combine her love of writing with some of the other things she loves to do including playing the dulcimer and ukulele in a folk music group.
Emily lives in San Antonio with her husband Charles and their five dogs but spends time both in the Hill Country and in Eastern Tennessee. She would love to hear from each and every one of her readers!
You can find her at her website and Facebook page.
Tosca Lee is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of Iscariot, The Legend of Sheba, Demon: A Memoir; Havah: The Story of Eve; and Forbidden: The Books of Mortals series with New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker. Tosca received her B.A. in English and International Relations from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, with studies at Oxford University. She is a lifelong world adventure traveler who currently makes her home in the Midwest. Her upcoming pandemic thriller, The Line Between, releases January 2019.
To learn more about Tosca, visit www.toscalee.com.
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Teri Wilson writes romance and women’s fiction for Harlequin and Gallery Books. Her novels Unleashing Mr. Darcy and The Art of Us are both now Hallmark Channel Original Movies, and her third Hallmark film, MARRYING MR. DARCY, is set to premiere on June 2.
Teri also writes an offbeat fashion column for the royal blog What Would Kate Do? and is a frequent guest contributor for its sister site, Meghan's Mirror.
In 2017, she served as a national judge for the Miss United States pageant in Orlando, Florida, and has since judged in the Miss America system. She has a major weakness for cute animals, pretty dresses and good books. Teri loves to interact with her readers! Feel free to visit and connect with her here at TeriWilson.net, and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.
She makes her home in Upstate New York with the whole crew. Her sons keep her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean.
She is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, was ranked #6 on Amazon's Best Books for 2012, and spent 26 weeks on the New York Times. Her work has been translated in over a dozen countries, sold over a million copies, and was dubbed a “romance phenom” by Kirkus Reviews. She is also a proud RITA finalist.
She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases and her street team at www.jenniferprobst.com
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
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Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and paranormal romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Talon Pack, and Gallagher Brothers series, which have sold over 2.0 million books worldwide. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over fifty novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not writing about bearded tattooed men or alpha wolves that need to find their mates, she’s reading as much as she can and exploring the world of baking and gourmet cooking.
You can connect with Carrie on her website - http://carrieannryan.com/ or on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CarrieAnnRyanAuthor/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Originally from Florida, Chanel Cleeton grew up on stories of her family's exodus from Cuba following the events of the Cuban Revolution. Her passion for politics and history continued during her years spent studying in England where she earned a bachelor's degree in International Relations from Richmond, The American International University in London and a master's degree in Global Politics from the London School of Economics & Political Science. Chanel also received her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law. She loves to travel and has lived in the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia.
Her book, Next Year in Havana, has been featured in Entertainment Weekly, Hello Giggles, and on NPR.
You can find her at her website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Goodreads, and Pinterest.
Therapist and author, Samantha Heuwagen, earned her Master’s in Women’s and Gender Studies at the University of South Florida. She continued her education at Mercer University School of Medicine in Atlanta by getting her Marriage and Family Therapy degree and sex therapy certification. She wanted to help individuals looking to explore their sexuality and help couples regain their magical spark.
As a lover of science fiction, she dreamed of writing a book. Serioulsy, she had a dream about this particular story that is now her debut novel, Dawn Among the Stars. It's in preorder now and will be on shevles (and your e-reader) May 21st.
You can find Samantha at her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Her Youtube channel, Spillling Tea with Samantha and Dr. B, has her talking about everything to do with relationships, love, and sex with fellow sex therapist, Dr. B.
New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller Laura Kaye is the author of over thirty books in romantic suspense and contemporary and erotic romance and has sold more than one million books in the U.S. alone. Among her many awards, she won the RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award for Best Romantic Suspense of 2014 for Hard As You Can. A former college history professor, Laura grew up amid family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses, cementing her life-long fascination with storytelling and the supernatural. Laura lives in Maryland with her husband and two daughters, appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.
Laura also writes historical fiction under the name Laura Kamoie, also a Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and USA Today bestseller.
You can sign up for her newsletter and learn more at her website: https://laurakayeauthor.com/
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!
Tj O'Connor is an independent security consultant and a former government anti-terrorism agent. He has traveled the world to investigate terrorism and other security threats. This depth of experience fills his thriller novels with real places, real people, and real dangers. The Consultant is the first in the Jonathan Hunter series. Tj lives in Winchester, Virginia, with his wife.
You can connect with Tj at his website: http://tjoconnor.com/
He's also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tjoconnor.author
And for more about our host Lisa Kessler visit her website: http://Lisa-Kessler.com
Book Lights - shining a light on good books!