Category Archives: Author Feature

A MID-SUMMER MURDER: Release day blog post featuring Geri Krotow!

April 25, 2023 · Posted by Tule Publishing

A Stroll Through Stonebridge

It’s release day for A Mid-Summer Murder, book two in my Shop ‘Round the World series. This often humorous, with a good dose of warm fuzzy, cozy mystery series takes place in fictional Stonebridge, Pennsylvania, and I’m delighted to take you on a mini ‘tour’ of retired Navy helicopter pilot Angel Warren’s hometown today. Fun author fact: Stonebridge is loosely based on the south central PA town I live in.

Angel hung up her Navy flight suit and moved back to her native town to open a very special international curio shop, where she strives to share some of the joy she’s experienced while living a global Navy lifestyle for over twenty years. Stonebridge is a quaint town that was founded by Jacob Stoner back in the eighteenth century. Here’s a Christmas time shot. You can imagine the fun shops, cafes, and restaurants that occupy each historical building. An added bonus: spectacular sunsets!

Next up, the building that Angel purchased (and um, finds her first dead body in). The main floor is where Shop ’Round the World is located, and the second and third floors are where Angel and her twin daughters live when the girls aren’t away at university. I picture it next to the building with the belltower in the downtown pic above. You can see Angel’s building’s top floors, from across the street in where I imagine Eloise’s yoga studio. It offers a great view for any dead bodies that show up on Main Street. 😊 This loft is actually where I had the A Santa Stabbing book release party!

There is no shortage of hiking and outdoor activities in Stonebridge, including a spooky old cemetery.

Perhaps these next two aren’t part of a tour, but they are big parts of the Shop ‘Round the World series. Meet Machiatto aka Mach, Nate the silver fox barista’s big Shiloh Shepherd doggie, and Ralph, Angel’s yellow nape Amazon parrot. Because, what’s a cozy mystery without beloved pets?

Thanks for coming along on this tour with Angel! Please connect with me at my website, where you can sign up for my newsletter and site news. And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and Bookbub while you’re at it—I have so much fun cozy mystery coming your way in 2023!

Let’s keep the fun quaint town vibe going—what’s your favorite historical town that you’ve ever read about, been to, lived in, or want to visit?

About the Author

Geri Krotow is the bestselling author of over 25 novels of romantic suspense, contemporary romance and women’s fiction. A US Naval Academy graduate and Navy veteran, Geri’s strong heroines are reader favorites. Geri’s Shop ‘Round the World series with Tule is her cozy mystery debut.

A KISS FROM THE PAST: Release day blog post featuring Kelly Cain!

April 20, 2023 · Posted by Tule Publishing

What if you found out you’re adopted?

Thank you so much to the Tule blog for allowing me to write about the backstory behind my new release, A Kiss From the Past. This story is very personal to me because, like Nichelle, I found out I was adopted later in life. Much later for me than Nichelle, and I didn’t inherit a pricey heirloom ring, but the outcome is mostly the same.

It’s so interesting to look back now at how everything unfolded: a home DNA test just for fun, being stumped why my ethnicity results didn’t align with what I knew about my family, not matching to any family members I knew had taken the test, putting together that my father wasn’t my father, and finally realizing I’m adopted.

Nichelle is fortunate enough to be able to talk it out with the only parents she’d ever known, but I’m left to guess why my parents made the decision to keep the truth from me all those years. There may be a little bit of role playing involved with Nichelle and her parents, me wondering what those conversations may have been like, but in the end, I’ve accepted my parents made the decisions they thought were right. They certainly loved me enough that I never had a clue of my adoption.

The newfound family of Nichelle’s mirrors my own. I grew up mostly as an only child but now have siblings. Siblings! It’s been the most positive result of all of this, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I only wish I had more time with them, but we’re making up for what we’ve missed.

So, if you read A Kiss From the Past, keep me in mind as Nichelle goes on her journey, but have fun with her budding relationship with the buttoned-up Clark. That part is completely fictionalized from my imagination.

And if you ever decide to take one of those home DNA tests for fun…I hope you’re prepared there may be a surprise waiting for you on the other side.

About the Author

Kelly Cain is a native Californian but has spent the last couple of decades in Texas, currently residing in the live music capital of the world, Austin. Consequently, most of her books are set somewhere between those two locations.

Kelly 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.

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 two adult daughters, and a new granddaughter. Visit her website kellycainauthor.com for more info.

HOME TO RIVER’S EDGE: Release day blog post featuring Nan Reinhardt!

April 18, 2023 · Posted by Tule Publishing

Sisters, Sisters…

The Weaver sisters started clamoring for attention—popping up in my head before I even got through Max Lange’s book. That was how I knew their stories were next, and the concept of a family that owned a marina on the Ohio River so intrigued me that I tucked Jo and Jenny into Max’s story just for fun. When I finished Beck Lange’s story, the what-ifs began for the Weaver sisters. What if the family that owned the marina had three daughters? Oh, and what if they were triplets? Identical triplets! And what if one of them had moved away for her career, but had come home. But where had she moved and why was she home?

Suddenly, Jasmine Weaver, who hadn’t appeared in any other River’s Edge books, began telling me her story. Her love of all things political. The move to Washington, DC, after college to pursue a career with her heroine—a congresswoman from their district in Indiana—and her strong belief that she was working for the good of the nation and her own state, only discover, after ten years, that the people she thought were honorable were not.

Jazz returns to River’s Edge, dejected and feeling like a real loser, but her sisters are there to shore her up. They always have her back and isn’t that what sisterhood is all about? For Jazz, the sisterly connection goes beyond being siblings, because I imagined the bond that is formed by sharing a womb is a strong one. More than merely being born to the same parents. Turns out I was right about that—multiples often share a unique bond.

Identical triplets are the rarest kind—the odds of having identical triplets is somewhere between one in 60 thousand and one in 200 million. In other words, it doesn’t happen very often. I read voraciously about multiple births and how those children often form bonds so tight that they feel one another’s pain, can often read one another’s thoughts, and know, instinctively, when each other is in trouble.

However, to give each woman her own unique story meant that I couldn’t focus on the triplet thing too closely, so at age 34, Jazz, Jo, and Jen have outgrown dressing alike and trying to fool people. Each heroine has her own distinct personality—Jazz, career-driven, Jo, laidback and easy, and Jenny—domestic and loving her life as a wife and mom. For each, there is an inciting incident—something that turns her life upside down and causes her to turn to her sisters to cope. But the triplet bond—the almost mystical link between them—is a thread that runs through all three books.

More than sisterhood, the Weaver triplets share a special group dynamic that comes from their childhood and being raised by parents who understood the natural attachment they would feel to each other as multiples. An attachment that was encouraged, but not pushed, so the girls became individuals and not simply part of an oddity of birth. My own relationship with my two sisters came into play here—realizing that the closeness I share with my sisters ebbed and flowed as we matured and went our separate ways, but the knowledge they were always there for me (and I for them) was never in doubt.

I hope you enjoy getting to know the Weaver Sisters and have fun with their stories, starting with Jasmine’s Home to River’s Edge. And just for fun, tell me about your siblings. Are you a twin or a triplet or like me, just one of a clutch of kids who are bound together as family?

About the Author

Nan Reinhardt has been a copy editor and proofreader for over twenty-five years, and currently works mainly on fiction titles for a variety of clients, including Avon Books, St. Martin’s Press, Kensington Books, Tule Publishing, and Entangled Publishing, as well as for many indie authors.

Author Nan writes romantic fiction for women in their prime. Yeah, women still fall in love and have sex, even after they turn forty-five! Imagine! She is also a wife, a mom, a mother-in-law, and a grandmother. She’s been an antiques dealer, a bank teller, a stay-at-home mom, and a secretary.

She loves her career as a freelance editor, but writing is Nan’s first and most enduring passion. She can’t remember a time in her life when she wasn’t writing—she wrote her first romance novel at the age of ten, a love story between the most sophisticated person she knew at the time, her older sister (who was in high school and had a driver’s license!), and a member of Herman’s Hermits. If you remember who they are, you are Nan’s audience! She’s still writing romance, but now from the viewpoint of a wiser, slightly rumpled, post-menopausal woman who believes that love never ages, women only grow more interesting, and everybody needs a little sexy romance.

MAKING THE MARQUESS MINE: Release day blog post featuring Karla Kratovil!

April 13, 2023 · Posted by Tule Publishing

Have you ever wanted to run away with the circus?

In my newest installment of my Maidens of Marbury series, Making the Marquess Mine, the heroine does just that. Well, she hitches a ride with a travelling circus more than runs away to be part of said circus. Susanna is on a mission to do a good deed and reunite two long lost lovers. In her mind, the only way to travel safely to her destination is to travel with thefriends she’s made at Astley’s Amphitheatre (London’s most famous circus) as they take their show on the road for the summer. Her friends, when they figure out her plan, fear for her safety and send our hero after her in an attempt to save her reputation and bring her home. And the chase is on!

Now, a Regency era circus was quite different from what you’re probably thinking. No tigers or elephants or pyrotechnics ala Ringling Bros. This type of circus would become popular in the late 1800s and the first half of the 20th century. A Regency era circus included acrobats, jugglers, rope dancers, clowns, and strongmen. But the main attraction was the trick riding!

Philip Astley, a British ex-cavalry man, is often credited as the ‘father of the modern circus’. In 1768, he and his wife Patty established Astley’s Riding School in London, where Philip would teach riding in the morning and perform equestrian tricks in the afternoon. Both Philip and Patty were expert riders. One of Patty’s popular tricks involved her circling the ring on horseback at high speed, with swarms of bees covering her hands and arms as if she was wearing a muff!

Astley’s unique mixture of equestrian and acrobatic acts, followed by a pantomime was a huge success. In 1795 Astley opened the Royal Amphitheatre. The Royal Amphitheatre had a stage in addition to the circus ring and the two were interlinked by ramps. This enabled audiences to sit close to the ring. It was said that patrons could feel the horse’s tails swishing by their faces. He is credited with discovering that the ideal size for a circus ring is 42 feet in diameter. This was the optimum size that enabled him to use centrifugal force to help balance on a horse’s back. But it was Mr. Astley’s rival Mr. Charles Dibdin, who first coined the word ‘circus’. Dibdin copied Astley’s formula of theatrical equestrian entertainment by opening The Royal Circus a short distance from Astley’s.

In Making the Marquess Mine, Susanna becomes entranced by trick riding after attending a show at Astley’s theater. In fact, she becomes friends with many of the performers and of course gets into some trouble! The book is a rollicking friends-to-lovers, road trip romance that includes all sorts of shenanigans; long lost lovers, a travelling circus, an attempted kidnapping, obsession, trick riding, amnesia, scandal, and of course falling in love.

About the Author

From the time she read fairytales as a child, Karla Kratovil was hooked on stories that ended in Happily Ever After. Now as an author of sexy historical romance she gets to craft her own happy endings. Karla lives right on the edge of Northern Virginia’s wine country with her college sweetheart, two terrific teenagers, and two blond terriers. She is a Taurus. Like any good earth sign she loves good food, good wine, and getting her hands dirty growing things in her garden.

To keep in touch, sign up for her newsletter on her website – www.karlakratovil.com

THE BILLIONAIRE COWBOY’S PROPOSITION: Release day blog post featuring Kris Bock!

April 10, 2023 · Posted by Tule Publishing

The Billionaire Cowboy’s Proposition releases today!

She’s ready to put on the performance of a lifetime.

Cody Tomlinson and Mallory Moore have struck sparks off each other since high school theater, where she was sunny and talented while he was injured and angry. A decade later, Mallory is working to save Last Stand’s movie theater and convert it into a performance space for live theater and music. Thanks to his family’s lottery win, Cody has plenty of money to help. But Mallory’s the only woman in town who doesn’t want Cody’s charity.

It’s bad enough that Cody is sexy as sin with his tough, scarred cowboy looks. Now he’s rich and Mallory refuses to be another woman fighting for his attention. She won’t accept a financial gift for her business, but she’s not above a fair trade. Mallory offers a deal: Cody can invest in the theater if he volunteers on the renovation. Meanwhile, she’ll play the part of his fiancée to ward off fortune hunters.

But Mallory immediately realizes her mistake. Cody’s always driven her crazy, and now they’re spending all their days—and nights—together.

Praise for The Billionaire Cowboy’s Proposition

“It was so much fun to read.”

“This whole series has been fun, but this story really made me think.”

“I love returning to this little Texas town and the Tomlinson family. It’s like reconnecting with old friends.”

“The writer makes this a wonderful edition to the series, don’t miss it, it leaves you with ‘ the feel goods’!”

The Billionaire Cowboy’s Proposition is book 3 in the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series.

I like to include food in my books, because who doesn’t like a good meal or tasty snack? This book features a busy teacher, so she likes simple dishes that make for good leftovers. Here’s an excerpt from the book, and read on for the Slow Cooker Lasagna recipe below.

For a moment there, she’d almost thought . . .

But no. He saw her as a friend at best, and he was clearly struggling with his newfound fortune and fame. She’d gotten her wish for him to move back, but she’d been careless. She’d forgotten all the rules of fairy-tale wishes, all the warnings to be careful with the wording, lest the thing you wanted most become the very thing to hurt you. She’d never considered the possibility that the thing to bring him home would be an outrageous lottery win that had half the women within five hundred miles throwing themselves at him. She wouldn’t be one of them.

Well, she could be a good friend. She’d been on the receiving end enough that she owed he universe some payback.

“Let’s go to my place.” She kept her voice casual. Good thing she was an actor. “I don’t want to compete with every woman in a restaurant for your attention.”

He grimaced. “I know what you mean. Privacy has become an issue since the lottery for sure.” He flashed the smile that made her knees weak. “But don’t worry. You’ll have my full attention.”

That could be dangerous. He needs a friend. If she kept repeating it, she might forget she’d ever dreamed of anything else.

He followed her through town in their separate cars. The route to her house took them past some of Last Stand’s nightspots, which weren’t particularly happening on a Wednesday evening. Still, chances were high that some people they’d known in high school were in one of those bars and would be astonished to know cool cowboy Cody was going to mousy Mallory’s house. A few would even be envious.

Not that Cody and Mallory would be doing anything deserving of envy. And not that anyone would ever know. As a teacher, Mallory had a reputation to maintain. She didn’t have to be a saint—teachers deserved lives too—but she preferred to avoid people gossiping about whom she brought home.

Mallory pulled up to her cottage and headed for the door as Cody parked behind her. Her house was tiny, but it was hers, and it was all she needed. She had a few seconds to glance around and make sure nothing embarrassing was visible. Not that she typically left her bras and panties on the coffee table, but it was nice to be certain.

Cody followed her in and sniffed the air. “Something smells amazing.”

“Slow cookers are my friend.” For a moment, she couldn’t remember what she’d put in the pot that morning, so many hours ago. The smell tipped her off. Slow cooker lasagna. That would do nicely. She always made enough for leftovers, so she had plenty for the two of them. She’d just have to adjust her weekly meal planning.

Tiny claws scratched at the other side of a closed door. Cody’s eyes widened. Then he glanced at Mallory as if debating whether he should mention the small animals infesting her house.

Mallory opened the door and looked down at two furry faces. She scooped up the ferrets.

Cody stepped up next to her. “Who do we have here?”

“This is Titania, Queen of the ferrets. She’s one and a half pounds of pure attitude.” The little cream-colored girl was already trying to squirm out of Mallory’s hand, ignoring the four-foot drop to the floor. “And this is London, after Jack London.” She held up the big silver ferret with white paws.

Find all the books in the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series.

Slow Cooker Lasagna

Note: I call this lasagna because the original recipe called for no-bake lasagna noodles. I find it simpler to use any small pasta I have on hand. It’s a flexible recipe. You can adjust it to suit what you have on hand or your personal taste. Just make sure you have enough liquid to cook the pasta. Here it comes from the tomatoes. If you prefer a white lasagna, leave out the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce, and add 1 cup of milk.

one package (16 ounces) pasta such as rigatoni or spirals

1/2 cup chive-and-onion cream cheese spread

2 cans (10-12 oz) creamy mushroom soup

1 large can (16 oz) diced tomatoes

1 large can or jar (22-30 oz) tomato sauce

1-2 packages frozen spinach

Plenty of spices of your choice – oregano, basil, paprika, cayenne etc.

Optional: other veggies, crumbled Italian sausage or another meat.

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 oz)

1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (1 oz)

Spray 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Add all ingredients except cheese and stir.

Sprinkle with the cheese.

Cover. Cook on Low setting 6 hours. If possible, stir once or twice while cooking and make sure there’s enough liquid to get everything bubbling.

You might have also noticed the ferrets Mallory has. I’ve been waiting for a chance to use ferrets in a story. Here are mine, with Panda (Princess Pandemonium) hugging Bear Bear.

About the Author

Kris Bock writes novels of romance, mystery, and suspense. Her Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat café. Watch as they fall in love with each other and shelter cats. Get a free 30-page story set in the world of the Furrever Friends cat café when you sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter. You’ll also get a printable copy of 22 recipes mentioned in the cat café novels and a selection of mystery short stories. In the future, receive fun content, announcements of new books, sales, and more.

Kris also writes mystery and suspense novels. In the Accidental Detective humorous mystery series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. This series starts with Something Shady at Sunshine Haven. If you love romantic suspense by Mary Stewart or Barbara Michaels, try Kris Bock’s stories of treasure hunting, archaeology, and intrigue in the Southwest.

Find Kris:

GoodReads Author Page

BookBub

Amazon US page or Amazon UK page

MONOPOLOVE: Release day blog post featuring Mia Heintzelman!

April 6, 2023 · Posted by Tule Publishing

Back in the day, I used to throw these hardcore game nights. Now, you’re probably thinking, hardcore feels a little overzealous to describe a gathering with friends and family playing board games but let me tell you, Taboo… Two teams of super competitive people out for bragging rights… Things got wild and ridiculously funny.

Oh, my goodness, do I miss game night.

Life happens, though. Marriage, kids, writing books, global pandemics… More reason to live vicariously through my characters, right?

So, one day, I’m knee-deep in words when my character makes a reference to a Community Chest card from Monopoly. Instead of getting up from my computer to retrieve the game box, I made the mistake of doing a “quick” search for the answer online. Naturally, I fell down the doomscrolling rabbit hole. Instead of the “get out jail free” card or the “bank error in your favor, collect $200” cards, my attention snagged two words “Monopoly tournament.”

Never have I ever swiped over to my Notes app so fast.

My brain went into overdrive. Enemies/rivals to lovers. Total opposites attract. He’s sunshine because he’s looking to recapture the nostalgia and beautiful memories of playing Monopoly with his late grandfather. And her? She’s the passionate grump because she’s serious about Monopoly, this game she’d loved as a child. This game that fueled her dream of owning a classic board game store. But wouldn’t she drag along her sister and best friend on this dream? Now, I had three women managing a board game store and meeting their love matches in the process. Naturally, if she loved Monopoly, I had to give them their own games. But which ones?

This brings me to my fun theory.

Seven personality types. Seven board games.

1. Planner | Monopoly

The goal of Monopoly is to be the last player standing with money. It’s all about the long game, strategy, and reading the proverbial room. No game better fits the meticulous planner who believes the structured approach and resource allocation delivers future opportunities. One roll, you could be in jail. But the next, you could be advancing to Boardwalk. Or Go!

2. Explorer | Trivial Pursuit

Trivial Pursuit is a glorious battle of wits perfect for the explorer that finds inspiration in discovery. You’re constantly observing, seeking out new experiences, and accumulating knowledge that may seem unimportant to others but often serves a purpose. Give you a new role or a diabolical problem to solve, and voilà! Challenge accepted.

3. Sage | Clue

Nothing like a good whodunit to pique the sage’s interest. Not only are you committed to helping solve the case with brilliant insight and wisdom, but often, you bring along a team. Being a mentor or advisor to help others succeed in their future plans keeps your motivation running.

4. Hero | Dungeons & Dragons

At the heart of Dungeons & Dragons is storytelling, and most stories start with a hero—or heroine! Dole out a risky quest to save the world or find the treasure. Ta-da! You’re the bold, courageous soul driven by purpose and a solid mission. You’ve got limitless imagination, a hankering for adventure, and don’t need an excuse for cooperative role-playing.

5. Collaborator | Taboo

Did someone say party? Or maybe, party game? Look no further. The collaborator seeks connections, belonging, and fun-loving relationships. While you’re shouting out phrases and inside jokes to tip off your guessing teammates, it’s all about togetherness and support toward a common goal. Faithful and down-to-earth, you thrive in groups. And while the team avoids the taboo words on the card, bonus, you expand your speaking skills and vocabulary. Winning!

6. Innovator | Scattergories

Breaking out Scattergories is like creatively thinking outside the box. The innovator’s imagination and ability to think quickly on their toes is both rewarding and impactful. Sure, it’s just a roll of a 20-sided letter die, but while you rack up points for unique word responses, you’re also boosting cognitive agility, building vocabulary, and sharply engaging others.

7. Outlaw | Risk

Hello, outlaw! A.k.a. conqueror, status quo challenger, rule questioner. Wow, have I got a classic military-themed board game for you to live out your world domination dreams. Sure, while playing Risk, you’ll be using critical thinking skills and staging premeditated cardboard battles, but it’s for a good cause, right? You might be a tiny lawless desperado, but change is constant and necessary for the future you’re building. Risk is your business. Danger is your game. Or was it the other way around?

That’s all I’ve got for now, but I hope you’re inspired to break out an oldie but goodie board game for game night! If you’d rather live vicariously through a fun-loving set of fictional characters, it would be my honor for you to spend time with the Love & Games family, starting with Monopolove, then Trivialized Pursuit this summer, and Clued in Christmas for the holidays!

About the Author

Mia Heintzelman is a polka-dot-wearing, horror movie lover, who always has a book and a to-do list in her purse. When she isn’t busy writing fictional happily-ever-afters, she is likely reading, or playing board games and eating sweets with her husband and two children. She writes fun, unforgettable, more than just laughs romcoms about strong women and men with enough heart to fall for them.

Tule Author Q&A: Dakota Harrison reflects on her 8 book series!

March 29, 2023 · Posted by Tule Publishing

Dakota Harrison stopped by the Tule blog to discuss the eighth book in the With Love, From Kurrajong Crossing series, Be My Baby!

Where did you get the inspiration for Be My Baby?

It wasn’t really inspiration in that sense, more the fact that Max has been in the background the whole time, being the good older brother, the one who is dependable, caring, and always there. He needed a story. He deserved a HEA. He deserved to be loved.

And Millie deserved a chance to explain why she had become so jaded; snarling and biting like a cornered animal, when all she needed was someone to believe in her.

What 3 words would you use to describe Max and Millie so readers can get to know them better?

Max:

Loyal

Dependable

Caring

Millie:

Stubborn

Loyal (once you get past the tough outer shell)

Lonely

Your hero runs an inn called The Spotted Cow. If you could run any type of business, what would it be and what would you name it?

The Spotted Cow is named after an actual, real pub that I used to go to when I attended Uni. It was a fun place.

Ooooh, it would be a toss-up between a bookstore (preferably one that sold secondhand books as well as new), or a gelato store. Option three would be a cupcake shop (like Cat’s).

This is the 8th book in the With Love, From Kurrajong Crossing series. What has been your favorite part about setting your stories here?

I know! Fiona and I can’t believe we’re up to eight already. It’s a bit exciting.

The town itself, and the locals in it. They’ve become like family. It’s like coming home when I sit down to write one of their stories.

We have some fun stories planned for the rest of the series, with some pretty important themes covered, plus some people who will be getting their redemptions … and perhaps even something that turns the town on its head.

What are you currently reading?

I read a lot of Sci-Fi Romance and Paranormal romance when I’m writing. I just last week finished Yearning For Her, by Tiffany Roberts. They are a husband and wife team and one of my few go-to authors, and I wasn’t disappointed. It’s a paranormal romance with a fae hero and human heroine, set on contemporary Earth. It’s in KU as well as for sale, go check it out! ☺

About the Author

Dakota lives in a (not so) sunny part of Queensland, Australia, with her human and fur kids, and harbors a strange love of UGG boots. K- and J-Pop feature heavily in her home, especially when drafting her novels, drawing inspiration for her heroes from the music videos and anime, much to her children’s delight and her husband’s sufferance. She loves writing both alpha and beta heroes, all of whom she tortures and makes fall to their knees before their heroines and beg for mercy.

SPRING’S MYSTICAL PROMISE: Release day blog post featuring Leigh Ann Edwards!

March 28, 2023 · Posted by Tule Publishing

Happy Spring everyone! As I’m writing this, it still feels like winter in north-central Alberta, Canada. The windchill was -20C this morning. I’m ready for warmer weather.

No matter how often I’m on the Tule blog or how many book release days I celebrate, I’m still as thrilled as I was the first time. Today I’m here celebrating the release of Spring’s Magical Promise, book three in my Maidens of the Mystical Stones series.

This has been such an interesting series to write. It’s definitely made me refocus on appreciating the blessings in my life and not envying others. We truly don’t know the struggles people face inwardly or behind closed doors. Outward appearances can be deceiving. The grass is always greener. The four young maidens who enter into the magical pact to live one season in each of their friends’ lives, certainly learn that hard lesson and to be careful what you wish for.

Whenever I’m featured on the Tule blog, of course I want to discuss my new book and promote my current series. Writers, even those who tend to be introverts, still like to talk about their stories. Since this is the middle book in the series and I’ve already given you the general premise, I’ll tell another story.

During book launch events, school, library, or book club visits, one of the most frequently asked questions is how I became a published author. I especially love telling how I began my journey with Tule.

It was a dark and stormy night…Ha ha–– no it was actually a bright summer August day in 2015 in Calgary Alberta. I was attending When Words Collide, an annual readers and writer’s festival.

I’d heard about the event a month earlier. I registered and happily anticipated going. Diana Gabaldon was speaking and I was an Outlander fan long before the television series. Yet, as the date approached, I became hesitant, as introverts tend to do. The weather was also hot. I’d developed a sun intolerance a couple of summers earlier. The thought of driving a few hours in the sun to be in warm crowded rooms just didn’t appeal. My husband, Mark, eventually talked me into going. I’m really thankful I listened.

I’d self-published two novels with Friesen Press, a Canadian publisher. Mark and I had decided to go with one more. The books were doing reasonably well. I’d had lots of positive feedback, but we agreed if we weren’t seeing more sales, we couldn’t afford to go beyond that third book, even though I had so much more planned for the characters in the Irish Witch Series.

After receiving the agenda for the Calgary festival, I realized there were pitch sessions with publishers. By then they were almost all booked. I managed to get in to one who mainly published fantasy. At the heart of my stories is romance, but the romance genre is so huge, I thought drawing on the fantasy aspect of my books might be a better way to find a traditional publisher. I went to the Saturday pitch session but that publisher really wanted more horror than fantasy and absolutely no romance. I knew we wouldn’t be a good fit.

When I was leaving, the door attendant stopped me. Maybe I looked disappointed or maybe it was destiny… because I don’t accept coincidence. She told me there’d just been a cancellation for the next day––an opening with Tule Publishing. To be honest, I hadn’t heard of Tule. She said they were a relatively new romance publisher from California. I thought it couldn’t hurt, so I gladly took the spot.

That night I read up on Tule and found most of their authors wrote contemporary romance and my books were historical fantasy. But, I figured pitching my series again would still be good experience. The next day, when I got to where I was to meet with someone from Tule, the room had been double-booked. My pitch session, scheduled to start in about seven minutes, was now in a completely different building. I hightailed it through three buildings and across two parking lots. Did I mention it was hot outside? Canada’s renowned for our cold temperatures, but summers can be brutally hot.

Anyway–– I arrived on time, overheated and breathless. The designated room was locked so I sat on a nearby bench. (Collapsed might be a better word.) Sitting next to me was a young woman who looked nearly as exhausted as me. She laughed because she, too, had raced across the complex from the other location.

I learned she was from Tule and I’d be pitching my series to her. We chatted while waiting for someone to unlock the room. I felt at ease by the time we started talking books. Danielle was absolutely the kindest, loveliest person.

I told her I doubted my stories would work for Tule, but she explained their publishing company was branching into some fantasy and historical books under the Muse imprint. She liked the sound of mine and said they might be just what Tule was looking for. She took my information. I left not feeling exactly hopeful, but it was a positive experience.

Danielle contacted me a week later asking for my first manuscript. The first was my shortest book and ended with a cliffhanger so I sent the first two books in my Irish Witch Series, The Farrier’s Daughter and The Witch’s Daughter.

I eagerly waited, but when weeks turned to months, I presumed I wouldn’t hear from Tule again. Imagine my elation when in December, Danielle emailed me saying the editorial team at Tule had read both my books, loved them, and wanted to discuss signing a contract.

After a lengthy telephone conversation by the end of the month, I’d signed with Tule. They’d republish the first two books with different covers for a branded look, plus they’d publish book three. I was ecstatic! It’s every author’s dream to become published. That day, I did the happy dance.

After the first three books, we signed for the next three in the series, then added a seventh. I know… it sounds cliché, but the rest, as they say, is history. And I do love history!!!

I’m beyond delighted to say Spring’s Mystical Promise is my eighteenth book with Tule in my fourth series. There are two more installments in this Maiden’s series, Summer’s Celestial Plea and Fate’s Final Season, plus I’ve started writing another five book supernatural series. I couldn’t be happier. (Well maybe with a huge bestseller or a film deal!) After fulfilling my dream of becoming published (even if it was at age fifty-seven) I’m continuing to reach for the stars!

My Witches of Time series is available in audio books and the first two in the Maidens series, Autumn’s Magical Pact and Winter’s Haunting Pledge will be released in audio format, April 4th and April 11th respectively. I’m crossing my fingers the remainder of the series will be made into audio books as well.

I can’t wait for readers to discover what’s in store for Rhianwyn, Selena, Elspeth and Lilliana in the remainder of the Maidens of the Mystical Stones series and to eventually be introduced to Fiona and Lorcan in the Witch/Demon Hunter series.

I’ll always feel indebted to Danielle, and to Jane, Meghan, Nikki, Cyndi, and all the amazing people at Tule I’ve worked with through the years. The other Tule authors are wonderfully supportive, too. I’m also so grateful to the faithful readers who’ve reached out to let me know they love my characters and stories and that they want more.

I still have the coffee mug from that 2015 literary festival. Whenever I use it, I remember how this all started and I count my blessings again.

Till I’m back to celebrate the release of Summer’s Celestial Plea in June.

Magical Wishes,

Leigh Ann

About the Author

Leigh Ann Edwards’ fascination with history, romance, magic, fantasy, time-travel and Ireland sparked her interest in creating the Irish Witch Series and her growing collection of published novels. Growing up in a very small Manitoban village on the Canadian prairies left a lot of time to create stories and let her imagination soar.

An author for nearly thirty years, Leigh Ann has almost completed writing her fourth series with Tule Publishing and will soon begin a fifth. Besides writing, Leigh Ann loves spending time with her four grandchildren, reading, traveling, doing intuitive readings and reiki. Leigh Ann and her husband, their two cats, one large dog and their Boston Terrier puppy, live near Edmonton Alberta, Canada.

Tule Author Q&A: Melissa McClone’s hometown was her inspiration!

March 23, 2023 · Posted by Tule Publishing

Melissa McClone stopped by the Tule blog to discuss the fourth book in the Silver Falls series, A Sprinkle of Spring!

Where did you get the inspiration for the town of Silver Falls?

I live in a small town in Washington, very similar to Silver Falls. So let’s just say my hometown provided much of the inspiration. Instead of a First Avenue, we have Fourth Avenue. The Boo Bash in A Cup of Autumn? The shops here do something similar each year. We don’t have a Christmas decorating window competition, though.

So what I did was fictionalize my town and make it more perfect, as far as small towns go. I only wish we had the same shops Silver Falls did with those owners. I mean, who wouldn’t want one of Raine’s special hot cocoas? The yummy desserts that Taryn makes for Larsen’s Bakery (ours closed, but there is a new sweets shop that just opened.) Or buy the organic dog treats from Callie’s doggy daycare for their fur pup?

What 3 words would you use to describe Flynn and Anna so readers can get to know them better?

Flynn: arrogant, generous, workaholic

Anna: kind-hearted, giving, nurturing

This book features a dog grooming heroine and her many pets. Are you an animal lover and do you have any pets?

I am an animal lover. I have a dog, a Norwegian Elkhound named Cato, and two black cats, Yoda and Beauty. I’ve also fostered cats and volunteered at a local animal rescue as Anna does in the book. At one point we had two dogs and eight cats with all the fosters, but it is hard to say no when there’s an animal in need of a place to recover or spend their final days.

To be honest, I can’t imagine a house without an animal. They are members of our family, only they have four legs instead of two.

Did you need to do any kind of research for this book?

Yes, I did! I did a bunch of research into the life of a surgeon. I realized so much depends on where they are and what they do. Some work privately and contract with hospitals, others work for hospitals. It was very interesting, but I found I could take some leeway for my story, which I did with Flynn.

I researched injuries that occur from falls (don’t want to give away any spoilers so that’s all I’ll say!)

I also went down a rabbit hole researching baby showers. It’s been a while since I attended one, so I wanted to see if they’d changed. I read articles on the games and themes and it was so much fun. Oh, boy, there are some cute baby things out there. Needless to say, I put together an entire baby shower for this book, even though I didn’t mention everything I had put down.

What are you currently reading?

I’m currently reading Relationtrip by Elana Johnson. It’s a standalone travel romance written in first person POV. I’m not far into the book, but I’m enjoying it.

About the Author

With a degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University, Melissa McClone worked for a major airline where she traveled the globe and met her husband. But analyzing jet engine performance couldn’t compete with her love of writing happily ever afters. She’s now a USA Today Bestselling author and has also been nominated for Romance Writers of America’s RITA® award. Melissa lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, three children, a spoiled Norwegian Elkhound, and cats who think they rule the house. They do!

THE PERFECTLY SIMPLE COMPLICATED LIFE OF MAGGIE HALLORAN: Release day blog post featuring Trish Morey!

March 9, 2023 · Posted by Tule Publishing

Why St Ives?

The gobsmackingly gorgeous Cornish town of St Ives provides the setting for The Perfectly Simple Complicated Life of Maggie Halloran. Maggie lives there in a renovated fisherman’s cottage on Baiiley’s Lane in the Downalong (as in the down along the harbour) part of the town. But why St Ives? And what is this Aussie author doing setting a story in this far-flung part of the world?

Quite simply it’s because I love Cornwall. I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to and explore Cornwall three times now (it should have been four, but I’ll just say 2020 and a certain virus intervened☹) and it never gets old. It’s magical, mystical and more picturesque that any place has a right to be – if you’ve been there, you’ll know exactly what I mean. As for St Ives, if you’ve never been there, let me convince you that it was the perfect place for Maggie’s perfectly simple life to get suddenly complicated. Let me share with you five things I love about St Ives.

Stone terrace houses and whitewashed buildings. Cobbled laneways that draw you down. Hanging baskets overflowing with colour. And history every which way you look.

St Nicholas Chapel atop the headland known as The Island dates back to the 15th century – it’s a landmark that you can see from all around St Ives and along the coastal walk. And it stands out gloriously in the sunset hours.

Speaking of sunsets, this is the view from the Porthmeor Beach Café. Hubby and I plus friends enjoyed our 30th anniversary dinner there. Great food, great company, great sunset.

The St Nicholas chapel again, a closer view this time. But that’s not my point. My point is, check out that September sky! That blue on the cover of The Perfectly Simple Complicated Life of Maggie Halloran is not a fiction☺

2pFalls! I know this is an odd-looking photo if you have never encountered a 2pFalls machine before but it’s a game with shifting platforms loaded with 2 penny pieces. It’s a four-sided machine so this is just one side of it. The object is to insert more 2p coins at just the right time to land behind the coins on the platform and push them onto the platform below and then hopefully into a chute near you. Win!! It’s a great game to play competitively as everyone knows by the rattle of coins when your rivals gets a win. 2pFalls plays a fun part in The Perfectly Simple Complicated Life of Maggie Halloran and I can’t wait to play it again – next time I get back to St Ives.

There’s so much more I could write about St Ives. It’s a gorgeous part of the world to visit if you haven’t already. And if you haven’t for a while or forever, then maybe pick up The Perfectly Simply Complicated Life of Maggie Halloran and enjoy a book visit. Armchair travelling can be almost as much fun as visiting in person (with the benefit of no flights, no pesky airline delays and best of all, no outrageous airfares).

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling Author, Trish Morey has written thirty romances for the internationally bestselling Harlequin Presents line and her stories have been published in more than 25 languages in 40 countries worldwide, including being published in Manga comic book form in Japan, and as Trish Moreyova in the Czech Republic. Trish was awarded Romance Writers of Australia’s Romantic Book of the Year Award (the Ruby) for short, sexy romance In 2006 and again in 2009, as well as being a ﬁnalist in the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA Awards in 2012. A qualiﬁed Chartered Accountant by trade, Trish was employed as ﬁnancial manager at a major business school prior to her ﬁrst sale. Trish lives with her husband, 4 daughters and assorted menagerie in the beautiful Adelaide Hills.