Interview with Joel Shulkin - 12 Days of SinC Christmas

Who is Joel Shulkin?

Joel Shulkin, MD, is the author of the the Memory Thieves series and the Death Benefits series. He has also penned award-winning short stories and poetry. A pediatrician and United States Air Force veteran with a master’s in public health, Joel lives in Florida with his wife and two daughters.

The Giveaway:

The chance to win a free signed copy of HEROIC MEASURES (see blurb below) to anyone who signs up for my newsletter at https://authorjoelshulkin.com. Valid to US residents only and must sign up by December 12, 2024, before midnight. Also, Dec 8 & 9 the ebook of Heroic Measures is only $0.99 on Kindle!

Stephen Englehart, an Armed Forces medical examiner. dedicates his life to bringing peace to the families of fallen soldiers. Tagged as one of the best, he’s able to spot forensic clues others miss. But when the body of a US Marine, supposedly burned beyond recognition, shows up with hardly a scratch, even Stephen is stumped. Were the bodies switched? Then, in the middle of the autopsy, the impossible happens.

The soldier wakes up.

Something incredible—and dangerous—is happening to the military’s elite, and Stephen may be the only one who can figure it out. And when Stephen’s sister, a Green Beret, goes missing, the entire military machine seems designed to stop him from finding her. To find the truth and save his sister, one man must stand against an army. Can he be the hero he never thought he could?

The Interview:

What genre do you write in, and what drew you to that genre? 

I write medical/sci-fi thrillers. I had gotten a flyer from a group called SEAK back when they were still doing contests for physicians who wanted to write.  I wrote a short story called “Simon Says.” I haven’t gotten this one published yet, but it was about a psychiatrist visiting a very difficult patient—complicated, bipolar, manic—and I submitted it, and it ended up winning first prize.  And I thought, OK, maybe I should write more medical kinds of things.  After that, I was at a Massachusetts Medical Society meeting and Michael Palmer was there, giving a talk about how to write medical thrillers.  I attended, and I got to talk to him afterwards about it.  He really encouraged me and said, “If you write a medical thriller, I’ll give you my list of agents, I’ll write a blurb for you, do whatever you need.”  He was mentoring me and supporting me.  So that really got my foot in the door.  

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

I’ve written five medical thrillers and published three so far. I also have a YA fantasy, a sci-fi/fantasy thriller, and an urban fantasy thriller I’m thinking of rewriting if I ever have time. Of my published books, Heroic Measures is definitely my favorite as it not only draws on my experience as a physician and a military veteran; it’s a homage to the Captain America comics I loved growing up. I was able to work in numerous comic book references and Easter eggs for sharp-eyed readers and that alone was a lot of fun. 

What's your approach to writing? Are you a plotter or do you let your story unfold and the characters present themselves (Pantser)?

I refer to myself as a “plants-er,” kind of in-between. Adverse Effects was pretty much just “pantsed” out. I just wrote it chapter by chapter to see what was going to come next.  I couldn’t do that for Toxic Effects, because I had a deadline.  I had to have an idea of what I wanted, so I wrote a rough outline.  The next books I’ve written, I’ve done more about really making a clearer outline, but not super detailed. I’ve recently started writing my first non-medical thriller, and I have that outline already. Then I can make changes along the way if I need to.  With an outline, I tend not to totally let things go; you hear about writers who have a side character who runs away with the story, and that usually doesn’t happen because I know whose story it is, and I know what I want to be happening and how I want the character to change by the end of the book. 

If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?

Teleportation, for sure. I’m so sick of driving and flights are ridiculously expensive. It would be amazing to just blink over to another part of the world, and much easier to visit friends and family (and to go on a book tour)!

Since it’s the holidays, what’s your favorite holiday food?

Most “holiday” foods we eat throughout the year so it’s not really that special. If I had to choose something only eaten this time of year, I guess I’d go with sufganiyot, jelly-filled donuts to celebrate Hanukkah. But I also love glühwein, a heated wine found at every Christmas market in Germany, though it’s must more satisfying in cold weather than in Florida. 

Tell us about your current work in progress.

I’m editing/formatting my next medical thriller, SPONTANEOUS REMISSION, which will release in May 2025. It’s a more traditional medical thriller than my others. Although Betsy Daniels, suffering from end-stage scleroderma, wishes she had more time to live, she’s ready to free her husband of his burden caring for her, and to end her torment. Until, miraculously, her condition improves. Not only are her kidneys healing; she’s getting stronger and healthier, with an energy she hasn’t felt in years. As happy as her doctor, Regina Thomas, is that Betsy is getting better, she’s fraught by the fact she can’t find a reason why. But someone else knows. A hired killer is searching for a prototype panacea drug. He’s tracked it to somewhere in Clearwater, Florida, where Betsy lives, and he’s closing in. He’s not the only one, though. Biotech genius Friedrich Gersch, is also following clues to the prototype. Whoever finds Betsy first will hold the key to the greatest medical discovery in human history—or its greatest threat.

I’m also currently writing the sequel to Heroic Measures, titled EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES; as Heroic Measures was a twist on Captain America, this one will be a twist on the X-Men.

Lightning Round – Just for fun:

Holiday pies --- apple or pumpkin - Pumpkin

Morning person or night owl – Night but after having kids I now wake up at 4:30 so I can write and get everything done before everyone else wakes up, so I’m sleepy by 9!

Beach or Mountains - Beach

City or Country– City

Vanilla or Chocolate Ice Cream:   Vanilla

Favorite Movie- Princess Bride

Last book Read –Burn Out by Joshua Hood 

Print, audio, or ebook -   Audiobook to/from work, though if I have time, I prefer print

Social Media:

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

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

Threads:           https://www.threads.net/drjoelshulkin 

Interview with Gayle Brown - 12 Days of SinC Christmas

Who is Gayle Brown?

Formerly a full-time teacher, now a full-time writer, Gayle’s passion for writing started when she could hold a crayon in her hand, using the walls as her storyboard. Since then, she’s connected pen to paper and fingers to the keyboard at every given chance. Gayle is also a mentor for the writing program, The Book Incubator. She is a member of various writing organizations, including the Women’s Fiction Writing Association, International Women’s Writing Guild, International Thriller Writers, and Sisters in Crime. When not writing, mentoring or reading, you can find her spending time with her family, including a very spoiled mini dachshund.

The Giveaway:

The chance to win a free signed copy of A DEADLY GAME (see blurb below) to anyone who signs up for her newsletter at www.gaylebrownauthor.com. Valid to US residents only and must sign up on December 12, 2024, before midnight.

When local college student, Jaden Pierce, disappears one night playing 'Manhunt in the Woods' with his fraternity brothers, Nicole, an empathetic stay-at-home mom living a blissful life, joins the search party.

Combing through the wooded area, Nicole unearths her son Kyle's license and withholds this potential piece of evidence. She trusts him, but a sliver of doubt festers below the surface, thanks to one unresolved incident from middle school and his shady pastime. After he is officially named a person of interest, she must decide what to do next. Unsettled but determined to protect him, Nicole searches for the answers on her own.

While probing deeper, surprised by her unethical actions interfering with the investigation, Nicole realizes she's being followed. As the situation deteriorates, she is blindsided by the truth, suddenly shattering her trust in people as well as her entire belief system. Now, unsure who to believe and running out of time, Nicole faces her most challenging moral dilemma: With someone's fate resting in her hands, will she reveal what she's learned or keep it to herself?

The Interview:

What genre do you write in, and what drew you to that genre? Do you aspire to write in another genre? If so, which one(s)?

I write in the suspense/mystery genre because I like to read mysteries, suspense, and thrillers. I love challenging my mind and having to figure out who did it and why. I’m also obsessed with true crime shows and podcasts. I listen intently, making notes for my books. I have also tried my hand at a rom-com and found myself loving writing humor, so my next books, the ones I’m currently working on combine humor with mystery and suspense.

How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

I have written four books, but have only one published to date. I am currently working on my fifth manuscript, the second one in a series (see below).

It's hard to choose a favorite book because each one has a special significance in its own way. Since A DEADLY GAME is my debut, it holds a special place in my heart, but I also love my new character, Avery Montgomery, and the situations she finds herself in. Her sidekick is a lovable character as well.

What's your approach to writing? Are you a plotter or do you let your story unfold and the characters present themselves (Pantser)?

I’m sort of a hybrid.   I’ve tried outlining, but it doesn’t really work for me, so much so, the only time I wrote an outline, it sat under my notebooks for the entire project. It wasn’t until I was cleaning everything up I found it. And guess what? The story didn’t follow the outline. There were some parts that matched up, but as I wrote, the story took twists and turns. I love when I write something that I didn’t see coming. I know the reader will feel that, too.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?

Read minds! What I could really learn about a person if I could hear their inner thoughts. And what juicy material it would make for my books!

Since it’s the holidays, what’s your favorite holiday food?

This may sound boring, but it’s squash casserole. My mom makes the best one, and it’s the one food I crave at the holidays!

Tell us about your current work in progress.

I am working on book 2 in the Avery Montgomery, Bridesmaid for Hire series. I am about a quarter of the way through, and the characters are revealing themselves to me. The series is about a teacher turned professional bridesmaid, who, ironically, doesn’t believe in marriage. While assisting at weddings, Avery becomes entangled in less than stellar circumstances, challenging her trust issues and self-worth. Putting on her amateur sleuth hat, she has to follow the clues, along with her sidekick, Phoebe, to save the weddings and herself.

Lightning Round – Just for fun

Holiday pies --- apple or pumpkin - Pumpkin

Morning person or night owl – Morning!

Beach or Mountains - Beach

City or Country– City

Vanilla or Chocolate Ice Cream:   Vanilla

Favorite Movie- When Harry Met Sally (a classic!)

Last book Read – Expiration Dates, Rebecca Serle

Print, audio, or ebook -   Print first, ebook second, rarely audio

Find Gayle on Social Media:

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

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

Threads:           https://www.threads.net/gaylebrownauthor

Interview with Sarah E. Glenn - 12 Days of SinC Christmas

If it's December 6th, it's my turn.

So, who am I?

Sarah E. Glenn loves mystery and horror stories, often with a sidecar of humor. Several have appeared in mystery and paranormal anthologies, including G.W. Thomas’ Ghostbreakers series, Futures Mysterious Anthology Magazine, and Fish Tales: The Guppy Anthology. She is the Web Maven for the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of Sisters in Crime, and also serves as Editor-in-Chief for Mystery and Horror, LLC.

Sarah developed strong ideals from her parents, a salesman turned missionary and an activist turned social worker. Despite their tutelage and a short stint as a classical languages grad student, she still loves Kolchak, superheroes, geek fandoms, and pop culture.

Her great-great aunt served as a nurse in WWI, and was injured by poison gas during the fighting. After being mustered out, she traveled widely. A hundred years later, “Aunt Dess” would inspire Sarah to write stories she would likely not have approved of.

Shaddap already! What's the giveaway?

On December 5th and 6th, the Kindle version of Murder on the Mullet Express will be free. Also, if you comment on my blog post with the word "snowbirds," you will be entered into a drawing for the new audiobook version of Murder on the Mullet Express!

Oh, wait. You won the drawing, but don't want an audiobook? We can negotiate sending you a print copy of MOME, or one of the other books in the series. Write me at sarahglenn 63 @ gmail.com minus the spaces.

And now ... the interview!

1.          What inspired you to start writing? I began reading at a very early age. I loved stories. Loved, loved, loved them. I couldn’t think of anything nobler to do (not sure where humor came into it). My earliest writings were continuations of the stories I loved (aka fan fiction), which I drew as well as wrote. I began with horses (big Black Stallion fan), moved to Betty and Veronica, and eventually to The X-Men, where I introduced my own characters.

In college, I was introduced to fantasy. I shifted to prose inspired by Roger Zelazny’s world of Amber, but developed my own plots and characters. I do enjoy other worlds, whether science fiction, fantasy, or historical.

2.          What did you want to be when you grew up? A witch, an astronaut, an alien, a superhero, a spy, an actress, and an author. The beauty of being an author is that you can be all of these people and more.

3.          What genres do you write? I started with horror and paranormal tales, but my interest in mysteries developed over time. People’s secrets and hidden motivations are fascinating. Zelazny’s first Amber series (the first five novels) starred Corwin, who woke up with amnesia in a private hospital and broke free. His first question was “Who am I?” The hospital’s records led him to his sister, who was not forthcoming. A brother, one of many, shows up. He’s in trouble, and offers to help Corwin take the throne. Turns out Corwin has been missing for longer than their father. The family has been betrayed by one of their own, and Corwin must discover what is going on.

Meeting Gwen sharpened my interest in mysteries as a genre. She is a long-term Agatha Christie fan. I’d read several of my grandmother’s Perry Mason books, but mostly watched my detectives on television. Together, we discovered Anne Perry, Donna Andrews, Catriona McPherson, Janet Evanovich, Louise Penny, and the Elizabeth McPherson series by Sharyn McCrumb.

4.          What advice would you give to a new writer, someone just starting? Write what inspires you. Don’t “write to market.” By the time you finish writing a story in a popular trope, the readers will have moved to something else. Plus, you will have wasted your energy on writing something you didn’t love. Writing is something that comes from the self, like any creative endeavor.

5.          Plotter or pantser? Oh, I pants my way through the beginning of everything I write. I have tried outlining first, but it takes the life out of the process for me. I usually have to write 30,000 words of a book before I figure out what the real story is. Then I outline, usually with the help of a calendar.

I don’t write in chronological order; I write the first scene that appears in my head. Eventually the narrative grows into a scene and sequence pattern, and the plot takes form. At some point, I have to move a block of story because I realize it should have happened earlier in the tale, and then retrofit things so it looks like it was there all along.

6.          Do you listen to music while you write? My co-author can only write in silence. My imagination rides music like a horse. When I’m writing in a specific historical period, I listen to music (with earbuds) from that era. It helps set the mood, and in some cases, the attitude of the culture. The popular music of the 1920s is more rambunctious than the compositions of the French Romantics and Impressionists, even though they aren’t far apart in age. Life has a soundtrack, as far as I’m concerned.

7.          How did you convert your book into an audiobook? Scott Ellis of Scott Ellis Reads spoke to our Sisters in Crime chapter a few years ago. One of our dreams has been having audiobooks, so when we reconnected with him earlier this year, we decided to go ahead with him.

We sent Scott sample material from Murder on the Mullet Express, and he sent us audio from different narrators who work with him. Even though the primary characters were mostly female, we chose him for his facility with the different accents and general tone.

Scott guided us through the process with ACX, which is owned by Amazon (so far, Amazon has provided us the best bang for our buck for the series). I claimed our book on ACX, and extended an offer to his company (we had agreed on the rate by then).

He posted his reading of the first chapter quickly, and we made comments. We also met with Scott via Zoom to provide more information on the characters—their general tone (pleasant, gruff, etc.), backgrounds (some are Southern, others are not). Scott offered his suggestions for how minor characters might sound.

After that, he uploaded recordings of the chapters to ACX for us to listen to and approve. Once we had approved the initial recordings, we then received completed recordings for final approval. It was a last-minute chance to catch problems, which I appreciated.

The projected date of completion at the time of the offer was late January 2025, but the audiobook became available before Thanksgiving. Amazon/ACX runs the book through its own approval process. They say the average time for approval is 10 days, but ours took two weeks. But there were no requests for corrections!

Gwen and I were both pleased with the work Scott Ellis did with the audiobook. He did an excellent job.

On December 5^th and 6^th, the Kindle version of Murder on the Mullet Express will be free on Amazon. If you comment on this post with the word “snowbirds,” I will enter you into a drawing for a free copy of the audiobook. If you don’t want a download of the audiobook, I can send you a print copy of Murder on the Mullet Express or another book in the Three Snowbirds series.

Lightning round – Just for fun:

Tea or coffee? Yes, with sugar. Lots of sugar.

Morning person or night owl? Whooo, me?

City or country? The ‘burbs suit me best.

Thanksgiving or Christmas? Halloween.

Extrovert or introvert? Introvert in person, extrovert online.

Print, ebook, or audiobook? Ebooks for nonfiction, audiobooks for fiction.

Pizza, burgers, or pasta? Pizza. See, I can give a straight answer!

Other books by Sarah E. Glenn

Murder at the Million Dollar Pier - co-written with Gwen Mayo.

Ybor City Blues - co-written with Gwen Mayo.

Short Stories:

"Bolita and Blues" - Paradise is Deadly: Gripping Tales from Florida’s Gulf Coast

"Hornswoggled" - Mystery with a Splash of Bourbon

"Two Old Crows" - co-written with Gwen Mayo for Mystery with a Splash of Bourbon

"The Odds Are Always Uneven" - co-written with Gwen Mayo for Hoosier Hoops and Hijinks

"New Age Old Story" - Fish Tales: the Guppy Anthology

Okay, that's about all the fun I can stand. I got wordy.

I hope you have a great end to this year, whichever holiday you do or do not celebrate. Drop me a line below--I'm eager for other people to hear our first audiobook!

Want to follow me? Thanks!

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

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

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sarahglenn.bsky.social

Interview with Gwen Mayo - 12 Days of SinC Christmas

 

Who is Gwen Mayo?

Gwen Mayo is a history junkie who grew up in the hills of Eastern Kentucky.  Her home state’s colorful past forms the backdrop for her Nessa Donnelly mysteries, Circle of Dishonor and Concealed in Ash. The series is set during the turbulent political upheaval of post-Civil War Kentucky at a time when Kentuckians were often confronted with murder.

She teamed up with humorist Sarah E. Glenn to write the Three Snowbirds travel mysteries set in the 1920s. Murder on the Mullet Express, Murder at the Million Dollar Pier, and Ybor City Blues are available wherever books are sold. The fourth Three Snowbirds mystery, Mustering Out, is coming soon.

Gwen is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, an active member of the Short Mystery Fiction Society, and a member of the Derby Rotten Scoundrels Chapter of Sisters in Crime and the Florida Gulf Coast Sisters in Crime. Her short stories have appeared in anthologies, in webzines, and in micro-fiction collections.  

The Giveaway:

On December 5th and 6th, the Kindle version of Murder on the Mullet Express will be free. 

We also have a brand new audiobook for this novel! Sarah Glenn is giving away a copy of the audiobook on December 6th. Visit her blog tomorrow to learn how to enter the drawing for a free download of the audiobook version of Murder on the Mullet Express.

The Interview:

1. What genre do you write in, and what drew you to that genre? Do you aspire to write in another genre? If so, which one(s)?

I write historical mysteries because I love the genre and the history. Classic whodunits are puzzles with key pieces hidden in plain sight. Using my brain to become a detective, follow clues, avoid misdirection, and find the truth is a wonderful experience. Exploring another time and place makes historical mystery the ultimate escape.

2. How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

My current Three Snowbirds mystery, Ybor City Blues, is the third book in the series, which I co-write with Sarah E. Glenn. I wrote two historical thrillers in the Nessa Donnelly series, set in Kentucky during the 1870s. I have also written dozens of short stories, some in conjunction with Sarah, including one in the anthology, Paradise is Deadly – Gripping Tales from Florida’s Gulf Coast. 

It's hard to choose a favorite book. They are all pieces of me. I suppose it would have to be my first book, Circle of Dishonor. 

I had written a few short stories with my cross-dressing detective, Nessa Donnelly. 

The idea of writing a full-length novel was daunting. It took a little pressure and a lot of encouragement from my Sisters in Crime chapter in Kentucky to get me to attempt a book. 

It took lots of pressure and much laughter to get me to let my boss become the doctor in my book. The character of Dr. Haydon is not only named for him but was completely rewritten with him in mind. 

He died of cancer shortly after the book was released. I will never forget the look on his face when he held the first copy up and told everyone in the room that he was going to live forever.

3. What's your approach to writing? Are you a plotter, or do you let your story unfold and the characters present themselves (Pantser)?

I am a plotter. I start with a brief outline of what I intend to write. The outline does get shifted some as the story progresses. Characters get their own ideas of what they should do, but the bare bones of the story remain. I also write from beginning to end, which is really hard when you team up with a writing partner who is a pantser, who starts writing with whatever scene she likes and fixes everything when the story is off track. It has made for some interesting conversations.

4. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?

Healing. It would be amazing to have the power to stop pain, ease suffering, and mend the damage life throws at us.  

5. Since it’s the holidays, what’s your favorite holiday food?

Just one? That is so unfair. The holidays are all about getting together for fun and fabulous food. Turkey is the star at Thanksgiving; not just the bird and turkey gravy, but my father’s turkey dumplings and Sarah’s grandmother’s stuffing rely on rich turkey broth. My younger sister’s broccoli casserole and her pumpkin rolls are also big favorites. 

As for Christmas, I have a dozen amazing cookie recipes, one for chocolate pecan pie and the best old-fashioned peanut butter fudge recipe around. Over twenty years ago, I started a new family tradition by roasting a full prime rib for the Christmas dinner and serving it with a side of orzo thick with fresh spinach and toasted pine nuts. The other sides vary depending on who’s coming and what their favorite foods are, but the mingled aroma of Christmas in our kitchen makes every mouth water.

There is no way that I can pick just one favorite holiday food. Can you?

6. Tell us about your current work in progress.

I am working on book 4 in the Three Snowbirds series, Mustering Out. Cornelia is ready to retire, but a series of unexplainable deaths among the lung patients brings out the detective in her. The provost officers in charge of the case look no further than Cornelia’s hand-picked successor but Cornelia knows Ruth would never harm a patient. Her efforts to find the real killer threaten to turn her retirement party into a wake as Cornelia, Teddy, and Uncle Percival race against time to discover the angle of death roaming the halls of Fitzsimmons General Hospital. 

Lightning Round – Just for fun:

1. Holiday pies --- apple or pumpkin: Apple, if those are the choices. I prefer Pecan.

2. Morning person or night owl:         Night Owl

3. Beach or Mountains: Beach in spring, mountains in the fall

4. City or Country: Country

5. Vanilla or Chocolate Ice Cream: Vanilla

6. Favorite Movie: The Princess Bride

7. Last book Read: Hop Scot by Catriona McPherson

8. Print, audio, or ebook: Print, I’m old school (maybe just old)

Other books by Gwen Mayo:

Murder at the Million Dollar Pier - co-written with Sarah E. Glenn.

Ybor City Blues -  co-written with Sarah E. Glenn.

Circle of Dishonor - a Nessa Donnelly story.

Concealed in Ash - a Nessa Donnelly story.

Short Stories:

"Bolita and Blues" - Paradise is Deadly: Gripping Tales from Florida’s Gulf Coast -  co-written with Sarah E. Glenn

"Special Label" - Mystery with a Splash of Bourbon

"Two Old Crows" - co-written with Sarah E. Glenn for Mystery with a Splash of Bourbon

"The Odds Are Always Uneven" -  co-written with Sarah E. Glenn for Hoosier Hoops and Hijinks

Learn more about Gwen Mayo at:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p/Gwen-Mayo-Author-100063602106093/

Author page - https://gwenmayo.weebly.com/

Interview with Harold Emanuel – 12 Days of Sisters in Crime Christmas

Who is Harold Emanuel?

Harold teaches Information Technology at Hillsborough Community College in Ruskin, Florida.  He lives with his wife, Katherine, in Sun City Center, Florida. He is also an author who writes in two genres: cozy murder mysteries and historical fiction. His Lionel Trevor/Tech Squad series follows Professor Lionel Trevor and six students in a community college forensic technology workshop as they solve murders using forensic technology.

His latest novel, Aliyah – A Jewish Family Saga, follows sixteen-year-old Lazar Hermanski and fourteen- year-old Daria Solov, who survive the 1881 Warsaw pogrom, endure a perilous journey in steerage, and arrive, penniless, in New York. Lazar and Daria marry, start a family, and create a new life for themselves, balancing the needs of their new country’s culture with their desire to maintain the Jewish traditions they love. Throughout the story, family members participate in historical events, such as the 1899 Newsboys’ strike, the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, and the sinking of the Lusitania, and interact with historical figures such as Fiorello LaGuardia, Fanny Brice, and Al Smith.

The Giveaway:

You can go to Amazon.com on December 5 and 6 to download a free copy of Harold Emanuel's collection of murder mystery stories, Murder in the Sunset Years, on Kindle.

The Interview:

What inspired you to switch genres?

Aliyah – A Jewish Family Saga was inspired by stories I heard growing up about my own family’s immigrant experience on the Lower East Side in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries. I read many novels about immigrants on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. They all began and ended in the same locale, and in the late 19th Century.  I wanted a story that shows a family prospering and moving from the Lower East Side to Upper Manhattan and the outer boroughs, like my family did. 

Where do you get your inspiration for your stories?

I get my inspiration from history. I place my characters, members of the Hermanski family, at the center of historical events and I have them interact with historical characters. For example, Lazar and Fiorello LaGuardia work on Ellis Island as translators. Lazar’s daughter works at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory on the day of the fire.

Can you give us some insight into what makes your main characters tick?

Family cohesion. The Hermanski family faces many obstacles adjusting to a new country and culture and learning a new language. They face these hurdles as a family, supporting each other against the outside forces tugging at them. 

Tell us about your current work in progress.

I am working on a sequel to Aliyah – A Jewish Family Saga, tentatively titled The Saga Continues. It follows Lazar and Daria, their son, Marvin, daughter, Nellie, and Marvin’s children, twins Peter and Ariel, through the Roaring '20s, the 1930s Depression, and World War Two.

What book are you currently reading?

Broadcast Hysteria by A. Brad Schwartz. It chronicles the evening of October 30, 1938. On that date, Orson Welles’ broadcast of H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds on CBS radio’s Mercury Theatre convinced thousands of people we were being invaded by Martians. I plan to have the characters in The Saga Continues in the middle of the hysteria which occurred during and following the broadcast. 

Lightning round questions - Just for fun

Print book, eBook, or audiobook - Print Book

Favorite Movie – Funny Girl

Last Book Read – The Bonus Army by Paul Dickson and Thomas B. Allen

Tea or Coffee – Coffee

Beach or Mountains – Beach

Morning person or night person – Morning person

Sweet or Salty snacks – Sweet 

Find Harold Emanuel online:

Website: Haroldemanuel.com

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

Interview with Cheryl Hollon - 12 Days of SinC Christmas

Who is Cheryl Hollon?

Cheryl Hollon writes full-time after leaving an engineering career designing and building military flight simulators in amazing countries such as England, Wales, Australia, Singapore, Taiwan, and India. She combines a love of writing with a passion for oil painting and creating glass art in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida.

Cheryl is a Past President of the Florida Gulf Coast Sisters in Crime, a member of Florida Mystery Writers of America, a member of International Thriller Writers, and co-chair of SleuthFest 2024. She regularly attends SleuthFest in Florida, Malice Domestic in DC, and ThrillerFest in NYC. You will also find her at Left Coast Crime and Bouchercon, wherever they are being held.

The Giveaway:

In eastern Kentucky, Miranda Trent runs a unique tour company called Paint & Shine, but sometimes the peaceful mountains play host to murder.

To celebrate, I’m giving away my latest paperback, "Death a Sketch," a Paint and Shine Mystery. 

For a chance to win (US Addresses only) sign up for my newsletter at my website during this promotion. www.cherylhollon.com 

I'll select a winner on December 13th and email you to ask for your postal address. Have a wonderful holiday season!

The Interview:

What genre do you write and what drew you to that genre? I write in the Cozy Mystery genre because I wanted both my mother and granddaughter to be able to enjoy my books.

Do you aspire to write in another genre? If so, which ones? I’m polishing a new manuscript in the Historical Mystery genre based on my early engineering career.

What time of the day do you write and where is your favorite place to write? I am an early morning writer and am usually at my laptop by 7:30 in the morning. I have a small desk in our second bedroom with a view.

How many books have you written? I have nine books that have been traditionally published and two more that are out on submission.

What comes first—story or character? For me, the protagonist always comes first, and then I put her in difficult situations.

What famous author do you wish would be your mentor? Louise Penny has had an exciting career and seems such a gentle caring person.

What are your favorite holiday foods? Roast Turkey, Dressing, Buttery Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Cranberry Sauce (freshly made not from the can) and pecan pie with vanilla ice cream

Lightning Round - Just for fun:

Tea or Coffee: Coffee

Morning person or Night owl: Morning lark with occasional insomnia.

Beach or Mountains: Mountains

City or Country: I love both since I am from Eastern Kentucky but love my apartment in downtown Saint Petersburg, Florida

Ice Cream: Ben and Jerry’s Vanilla!

Cake or Pie: Pecan Pie

Last Book Read: The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny

Cheryl Hollon's Books:

Webb's Glass Shop mysteries - 6 books

Paint and Shine mysteries - 3 books

Social Media:

Website * BookBub * Facebook * X/Twitter * Instagram * Bluesky

Interview with Teresa Michael - 12 Days of SinC Christmas

 

Who is Teresa Michael?

Teresa Michael, an award-winning author for her Mariposa Café Mystery Series, with Murder in Mariposa Beach earning the Firebird Book Award. A lover of reading, writing, and travel, Teresa has explored 49 states and managed the US Archery Team in two Olympic Games. She's a past president of the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of Sisters in Crime and a member of Mystery Writers of America. Teresa lives in Sarasota, FL, with her husband. Murder with a Terrace View – A Harrington House Mystery, the first book in her new series, was recently released. Someday, she’ll visit that 50^th state.  Connect with her on Facebook at TeresaMichael- Author or visit her website at https://teresamichaelwrites.pubsitepro.com.

What's her newest book?

MURDER WITH A TERRACE VIEW

In Murder with a Terrace View, Molly Harrington's peaceful life running a B&B is shattered when a local author is found dead. As she delves into the mystery, she uncovers a web of secrets tied to her family's past. With a spectral ally and a budding romance with the detective, Molly navigates a world of intrigue and danger. This gripping tale blends mystery, romance, and the paranormal, promising a cozy whodunit that keeps you guessing till the end.

·       Amazon Amazon.com : Murder with a Terrace View

·       Barnes and Noble - Murder with a Terrace View: A Harrington House Mystery by Teresa Michael, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

 

I heard there was going to be a giveaway.

-- You're right!

Free book:  Mistletoe and Missing Persons is free on Amazon Kindle on December 1^st & 2^nd

Free Short Stories:  Sign up for my newsletter and get the first two short stories in the Mariposa Café and Bakery Origin Stories collection. Sign up here. Contact Us - Teresa Michael.

And now ... the interview!

1. What genre do you write in, and what drew you to that genre? Do you aspire to write in another genre? If so, which one(s)?

I write in the mystery genre because I like to read mysteries, suspense, and thrillers. My favorite TV shows and movies are nearly always mysteries or suspense with some romance thrown in. I love the puzzle, figuring out who did it and why. I want to try writing a thriller, maybe a heart-throbbing romance, or maybe combine the two. 

2. How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?

My current release, Murder with a Terrace View, is the first book in the Harrington House Mysteries. I’ve written four books in the Mariposa Café Mystery series. I have a small volume of short stories that are a prequel to that series. These stories were originally my senior thesis, which required me to write three interconnected short stories. During the pandemic, I pulled them out, updated them, and published them as the Mariposa Café and Bakery Origin Stories. They are great giveaways at events. In addition, I wrote a novelette titled Indian Rock, set in Eastern Kentucky, where I spent summers with my grandmother and aunt. I also have a story in the anthology, Paradise is Deadly – Gripping Tales from Florida’s Gulf Coast. 

It's hard to choose a favorite book because each one has a special significance in its own way. For example, Murder in Mariposa Beach is special because it was the first novel-length book I wrote and published. Indian Rock is special because it is the one most closely based on truth—except for the dead body. I did not find a dead body when I was 12 years old. 

3. What's your approach to writing? Are you a plotter or do you let your story unfold and the characters present themselves (Pantser)?

I’m sort of a hybrid.  I’ve tried outlining, but it doesn’t really work for me.  I’m a pantser in that I let the characters take me where they want to go, but I go into the project after thinking about the characters and the situation, researching, and writing down scene notes. In writing mysteries, I need to keep track of timelines, clues, red herrings, and where I’ve left those little breadcrumbs that lead up to the resolution. I can’t keep them all in my head. There’s too much rattling around up there already.  In 2020, I wrote a blog post about plotters and pantsers. You can read it here: Are you a plotter, pantser, or something else - Teresa Michael

4. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?

Invisibility. I could be the proverbial fly on the wall if I were invisible. I get some of the best ideas and one-liners from overheard conversations. Can you imagine what you could learn if you were invisible? Think about it.

5. Since it’s the holidays, what’s your favorite holiday food?

The holidays are all about food! For Thanksgiving, it’s the turkey. We’ve gone to my son’s house the last few years, where he and his brother-in-law have a turkey cook-off. One turkey is traditionally roasted in the oven, and the second is cooked another way, for example, on the grill. Then we have a taste test!

Our most recent tradition for Christmas has been my husband’s prime rib and Yorkshire pudding. 

6. Tell us about your current work in progress.

I am working on book 2 in the Harrington House Mystery series. I am about three-quarters of the way through and coming down to the big reveal.  In this one, Molly and her friend, Rick Owens, the death investigator, find a dead wedding planner while at a country club event. The working title is Murder in the Rose Garden, but I’m not sure if that will remain the title. I’m taking title ideas if you have one. If I choose your idea, you’ll get a prize.

Lightning Round – Just for fun

1. Holiday pies --- apple or pumpkin: Pumpkin

2. Morning person or night owl: Night Owl

3. Beach or Mountains: Beach but I like the mountains too

4. City or Country: Suburbs – close to the city but not too far out

5. Vanilla or Chocolate Ice Cream: Vanilla with chocolate syrup

6. Favorite Movie: Casablanca

7. Last book Read: The Waiting by Michael Connelly

8. Print, audio, or ebook: All three – I usually have 1 of each going all the time

Other Books by Teresa Michael

The Mariposa Café Mystery Series

·      Murder in Mariposa Beach  https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Mariposa-Beach-Cafe-Mystery-ebook/dp/B07KPKYVTG

·      Mistletoe and Missing Persons https://www.amazon.com/Mistletoe-Missing-Persons-Mariposa-Holiday-ebook/dp/B081Y2FHYN

·      Deception in Mariposa Beach  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HNJW3YH

·      Redemption in Mariposa Beach https://www.amazon.com/Redemption-Mariposa-Beach-Cafe-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0B35DNX3L/

·      Mariposa Café and Bakery Origin Stories https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RC55PQW/

Other Works:

·      Indian Rock   https://www.amazon.com/Indian-Rock-Teresa-Michael-ebook/dp/B07T3FHLRY

·      Paradise is Deadly – Gripping Tales from Florida’s Gulf Coast – an anthology from the Florida Gulf Coast Sisters in Crime - Paradise is Deadly Gripping Tales from Florida's Gulf Coast: Dingwall, Wendy, Reed, Martha, Ryan, Barbara: 9781949281248: Amazon.com: Books

Want to follow Teresa?

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teresamichael1/

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18633273.Teresa_Michael

Or, you can follow #patioreading on Instagram and Facebook to see what and who she's reading.

Interview: Stephen Zimmer, Days of Darkness

 

Welcome to the blog tour for Days of Darkness, the new Hellscapes novel from award-winning author Stephen Zimmer! The Days of Darkness Blog Tour will run from June 17th to June 24th, featuring guest posts, interview, podcast appearances, and reviews!

Days of Darkness is a stand-alone novel, and marks the first full-length novel in the franchise following three volumes of Hellscapes short stories! Visceral and macabre, the Hellscapes worlds have strong appeal to readers who enjoy authors such as Clive Barker, Wayne Barlowe, H.P. Lovecraft, and others!

Get ready for a thrill ride into the Hellscapes realms!

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How did you create Ambrose? Was he inspired by someone? Popped into your head as is? His day job was interesting.

Ambrose was not inspired by one person, but he represents a type of person that I find to be increasingly prevalent in today’s world.  He holds a position that has a profound impact on the lives of a great multitude of people, and the work that he does, and the system that he is a part of, results in greater hardship, suffering, and struggle for that multitude of people.  Yet he never stops to question any of this, and, in fact, revels in the comforts and material success that this position brings him.  There is an underlying narcissism to him, and perhaps some sociopathic elements, to where he never thinks of the morality or consequences of what he does, or questions the nature of the system he serves.  It is a form of evil, and I hope the reader comes to understand that as the story unfolds and things unravel for Ambrose.

What about The Prophet?

The Prophet, like the Stranger, is one of my enigmatic characters that appear in Hellscapes stories.  Ultimately, the characters like these two act as a sort of beacon of conscience in the story, as they tend to be guides to the characters in the story toward the revelation of where they truly are and why they are there.  In some sense, they play a role like the Greek Chorus in an ancient theater performance.  The Prophet, in this story, underscores the doom that is unveiling upon Ambrose and all of the souls that are in this particular Hellscape.  In a sense, he is there to proclaim damnation on them, even if they do not quite understand what he is talking about just yet.

What was the most challenging part to write in this book?

The most challenging part to writing this book was the initial setting, where I wanted to have everything appear to be set in a “normal world” while slowly showing that there is something “off-kilter” about it, without giving away fully that this apparently modern city going about its daily existence is, in fact, a Hellscape.  The transition into that full revelation could not come too quickly, and I worked to make sure that was managed carefully in the early stages of the tale.

What draws you to writing dark, dystopian material?

The Dark and the dystopian reflect the reality of the world that we live in.  Exploration of the Dark, through storytelling, is valuable in understanding, confronting, and giving vent to the Dark that is present, and pervasive, in a flawed world.  Dark, dystopian material allows for creative expression that depicts and reflects an array of evils that people face and struggle against in life.  Art provokes thought and emotion, and often challenges its audience in some manner, and storytelling in a dark, dystopian setting is no exception.  If anything, it is very fertile ground for creating art rooted in reality.

Plotter or pantser?

I am about midway on the spectrum of Plotter vs. Pantser.  I always have a core structure when writing a story, where I know the general course that it will go and its destination.  This has helped me to avoid “writing myself into a corner.”  At the same time, I like to give myself room to add new elements, whether they involve the plot or new characters.  So I don’t outline to the point that I am too confined to be able to add new ideas that inevitably arise along the way.  With my writing, I have developed a balance between the two poles of Plotter and Pantser, and so far it has worked very well for me.

How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?

I have about three novels worth of material that I wrote during my formative years that I am not sure will ever see the light of day.  The ideas in them I still find to be good, but the writing would need a complete overhaul!  Currently I have several new, completed manuscripts that are in the editing pipeline, heading toward publishing.  I have a new Rayden Valkyrie duology called The Crossing, with the novels Beyond the Gates and The Light Within.  I have a new Ragnar Stormbringer stand-alone novel titled Where Mountains Rise, and a new Hongvi Shadow Walker stand-alone novel titled As Above, So Below.  There is also a new Rising Dawn Saga novel titled The Crimson Reign, the fifth book in that series, and a new Fires in Eden novel, the fourth in that series, titled Path of Valor.  Finally, there is Rise of the Voyagers, the next in my Faraway Saga.  So, in all, there are seven finished novels currently in that editing pipeline heading toward my readers!

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

To run, run fast from pursuing a career in writing! LOL!  I jest a little, but I would make sure my younger self understood the struggle, frustrations, and pitfalls that pursuing the writing path entails.  Not to discourage my younger self, but rather to give a sober and clear understanding of expectations and the marathon nature of the writing path.  Storytelling and writing are intrinsic to me, so I know I would still write just as much as I do, but I would be better prepared for the difficulties and trials that are part of the writing road.

Who is your greatest cheerleader?

My parents were always my greatest cheerleaders, and in my heart, I know that they still are, from wherever they may be in the worlds beyond this one.  But I am blessed and fortunate enough to have another such cheerleader that entered my world about eight and a half years ago, Holly Marie Phillippe, my best friend and better half.  I should say here that my definition of a true cheerleader is not just someone that seeks to encourage and uplift you, but is also someone who is honest with you, with a motivation to help you become the best version of yourself.  That entails constructive criticism and hard truths at times, but those are necessary things that help you grow, rise, and become a better version of yourself, and I am grateful to still have one such cheerleader in my world!

Thank you for the opportunity to be interviewed, and I hope that everyone who gives Days of Darkness a try finds it to be the wild thrill ride that I did while writing it. 

Synopsis of Days of Darkness:

Ambrose awakens to find dense, rolling layers of ash-gray clouds spanning to the far horizon, shrouding the city beneath in a drab pall.  He begins his day, thinking it no different from any other.

Though it is in the height of summer, an icy, anomalous chill sifts into the air later that day, until it becomes colder than the depths of winter.

Then, the sun sets, and darkness falls.

The night does not end, as there is no sunrise to follow.

Bizarre and frightening apparitions begin appearing across a city and world shrouded in an inexplicable darkness.  It is only the beginning of an unfurling, deepening nightmare, one that will take Ambrose on a terrifying journey of self-discovery and revelation.

For Ambrose, and everyone in the world around him, the Days of Darkness have only just begun.

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About the Author:

Stephen Zimmer is an award-winning author, filmmaker, and broadcaster based out of Lexington, Kentucky. His titles as an author include the Rayden Valkyrie Tales (Sword and Sorcery), the Ragnar Stormbringer Tales (Sword and Sorcery), the Hongvi Shadow Walker Tales (Sword and Sorcery) the Faraway Saga (YA Dystopian), the Rising Dawn Saga (Cross Genre), the Fires in Eden Series (Epic Fantasy), the Hellscapes short story collections (Horror), the Chronicles of Ave short story collections (Fantasy), and the Harvey and Solomon Tales (Steampunk).

Stephen’s visual work includes the feature film Shadows Light, shorts films such as The Sirens and Swordbearer, and the Rayden Valkyrie: Saga of a Lionheart TV Pilot. Stephen also co-hosts the Star Chamber Show, a weekly live audio podcast featuring creative talents from around the world.

Stephen is a proud Kentucky Colonel who also enjoys the realms of music, martial arts, good bourbons, and spending time with family.

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Author Links:

Website: www.stephenzimmer.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephenzimmer7

X App (Formerly Twitter): @sgzimmer

Instagram: @stephenzimmer7

Threads: @stephenzimmer7

TikTok: @stephenzimmer7

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Tour Schedule and Activities

6/17 Sapphyria's Books Blog Guest Post

6/17 The Scribblings of Sarah E. Glenn Blog Interview

6/17 War Dove (YouTube channel) Podcast Interview

6/18 SandySaysRead BookTube Channel Podcast Review

6/19 The Book Lover's Boudoir Blog Review

6/20 SandySaysRead BookTube Channel Podcast Interview

6/21 Sako and the Moon Podcast Interview

6/21 Sheila's Guests and Reviews Blog Guest Post

6/21 Eccentric Tea Woman Podcast Review

6/23 Deal Sharing Aunt Blog Interview

6/24 The Literary Underworld Blog Guest Post

6/24 Sheila's Guests and Reviews Blog Review

6/24 John A.Douglas YouTube Channel Podcast Interview

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Purchase links for Days of Darkness:

Print Link: https://www.amazon.com/Days-Darkness-Hellscapes-Stephen-Zimmer/dp/B0CSG46ZYK/

eBook Link: https://www.amazon.com/Days-Darkness-Hellscapes-Stephen-Zimmer-ebook/dp/B0CSFBL131/