Tule Author Q&A: New Tule Author Melissa Westemeier talks nerd culture, her love of reading murder mysteries, and her writing process.

July 26, 2024 · Posted by Tule Publishing

Your immersion in nerd culture through your sons has clearly influenced your writing. How do elements of Marvel, DC, Dr. Who, and other franchises find their way into your books? In book 3 of my series, Detective AJ Lewis heads to Emerald City Comic Con. He and his buddies dress as Star Wars characters and geek out over their photo op with Ewan McGregror. AJ also keeps Star Wars action figures on his desk, as well as a Boba Fett bobblehead, frequently tapped for luck as he works. In every book he and his pals discuss comic books and new Marvel releases, Spiderman features in book one with commentary about the Multiverse. References to Dr. Who come up in all the books, too. I’ve included all of my boys’ faves, even Naruto gets included!

You’ve written rom-coms and a trilogy based on your experience tending bar on the Wolf River. How do these different genres and personal experiences shape your storytelling? I never set out to write in a genre, but my writing has definitely landed within them. A subconscious decision? With my rom-coms, once I realized my writing fit those genres, I tweaked the stories to better effect.

While every fiction writer is literally making it up as they go, I find it’s easier if I can include elements of what I know. My personal experiences season what I invent in my imagination, they inform characters and situations and help me include better details in my writing.

As I wrote Old Habits Die Hard, I didn’t actually know a murderer, but I take notes every time I visit my 95-year-old friend who lives in assisted living. I use her gripes and my observations of people’s behavior in the lobby and elevator to shape what life might look like in the Abbey.

Writing murder mysteries was a childhood dream of yours. What sparked this interest, and how did you transition into this genre? I loved READING murder mysteries, which made me want to write them. I did make a few attempts early on, but without success. During COVID a dear friend and former writing partner was diagnosed with vascular dementia and moved to a memory care facility. Mariana wrote murder mysteries. Another writing partner and I went to visit Mariana and she wanted to work on the groundwork for this story. We helped organize her ideas for characters, setting, and plot, and left thinking how great the concept was but Mariana wasn’t able to develop it beyond the pitch. A year later I found myself between projects and I picked up those old notes. My plan was to noodle around with it, see if I could pull the notes together and make a short story, maybe a book out of it, for Mariana. Next thing I knew, I’d written 30,000 words and was going strong. Turns out writing a murder mystery is MUCH easier if you work out a few details in advance, ha ha!

After writing Old Habits Die Hard, I learned it needed to be a series, so I got cracking on the next two cases. Now I find myself constantly wondering what could kill a person, how and why and who and where. I’m always thinking of what troubles could plague people living in senior apartments. It’s quite addicting once you start! You start looking for material everywhere!

Your books blend humor and nerd culture while tackling serious themes. How do you balance these elements to create engaging and thought-provoking stories? I believe levity helps readers digest the heavy stuff. I feel compelled to include the serious themes because I want readers to think about bigger issues that transcend a single story. Domestic abuse, urban sprawl, violence against women, human impact on the environment are real and people need to pay attention and take action to improve the world we share. “Know better, do better,” right? And we all experience these problems, so readers can relate to them when they’re included in fiction. Once I tried to write a straight-up tragic story. On the River involves domestic abuse and violence and I took that challenge very seriously. However hard I tried, though, the book wasn’t coming together, something was missing. It took a while for me to realize in my commitment to telling the tragic storyline, I’d left Maw Cooper, my crazy bait shop owner, out of the story. His storylines always brought a lot of humor to the table. I added him in and to my surprise everything came together better after I did that—the pacing, the tone, even the opportunities for other characters to engage with one another as they bore witness to Joanne’s situation and reacted to it. The humorous sections didn’t diminish the storyline about domestic violence, but Maw’s storyline gave the book balance so the reader could catch their breath and process what Joanne’s character endured. It boils down to what you want to achieve with your readers and what you want them to walk away knowing after they’ve read your book, and part of what they know stems from how they feel while they read your book. I try to consider these questions with each story I write.

In my murder mysteries I’ve included issues like aging, accessible housing, gentrification, and addiction.

How has your experience of marriage and motherhood, especially with three sons, influenced the characters and plots in your novels? My characters get into some zany situations and they have NOTHING on some of the crazy things I’ve experienced with my family. Team Testosterone has taught me patience and acceptance. Knowing these guys helps me add dimension to my male characters and make them more authentic. The boys will take any dare, accept any challenge, and I appreciate their creativity and their humor. I’ve written characters with those qualities and included some of Team Testosterone’s experiences in my books because I find them so entertaining. They’re also huge in developing AJ’s backstory in Old Habits Die Hard. AJ is really based on my oldest son in so many ways.

As someone who loves the outdoors, do you find that nature and your outdoor activities inspire your writing? If so, how? Every book I’ve written includes a natural setting. We all need a little fresh air and time outside near trees and birds to get our heads and hearts straight. I’m glad to put Bernie in the courtyard of the Abbey so she can tip her head back and stargaze, or place AJ in Alton Baker Park watching the squirrels. I’d like to bring these characters deeper into the wilderness sometime. Maybe in a future book? The woods can conceal all kinds of secrets…

Your passions include hiking, swimming, biking, and reading. Do any of these hobbies feature prominently in your characters’ lives or plotlines? Not really in this new series, and I’m wondering why not now!

Can you share a bit about your process for developing a murder mystery? How do you come up with the “whodunnit” and the intricacies of the plot? For me the trick is to first identify WHO dies, WHO kills them, and WHY. The HOW comes next. The other challenge in my series is involving both a detective and an amateur sleuth in solving the crime. Sister Bernie needs a plausible reason to get involved and she needs to access some clues to help solve the murder, so positioning her in the story is a huge consideration. She’s an 80-year-old nun, so the options get limited after a point. After I’ve written a chunk of the book (80-ish pages), my writing partners read it and speculate. I take notes on their questions and ideas because that gives me suggestions on red herrings to include, suspects I could elevate in the story, and how their deductions shape up against what I’ve planned for the book. My writing partners, Lauren Small and MK Graff are invaluable in the process.

What has been the most rewarding piece of feedback you’ve received from a reader, and how did it impact your writing? When my first book, Whipped, Not Beaten, came out, my husband’s co-worker gave the book to her mother as a gift. Her mother called her from vacation and she asked how she liked my book. “I haven’t had a chance to read it yet, your dad won’t put it down.” Turned out HE really enjoyed my rom-com novel, too! Learning that my writing had appeal to a range of readers gave me validation and built up my confidence that I can write for a wider audience. The idea of a man in his seventies reading my book on the beach told me I can hold ANYONE’S attention!

What advice would you give to aspiring authors who want to blend humor, nerd culture, and serious themes in their writing? Do it. Nerd culture is underrepresented in adult fiction and genre fiction. If there’s a following for Spiderman fans or Star Wars fans, they’ll love seeing themselves and their passion portrayed in your story. Of course, it helps a lot if you’re a nerd or have nerds in your life who will educate you on the finer details about those worlds. Don’t be afraid to be funny, but don’t force it either. Humor stems from incongruities, so if you can mine for those, you’ll have success injecting humor in your writing. And as far as serious themes go, if an event or issue is playing out in your neighborhood, chances are other people are experiencing a similar situation where they live. They’ll appreciate seeing their lives represented in your story. If your characters are actively involved in solving their community’s problems, even better, because you’ve given readers a blueprint of how to respond and a model for change. Complaining about problems is cheap, and everyone can gripe about what’s wrong in the world. Getting involved in solving problems has great value, and if I can write characters who encourage people to behave productively in their communities, that’s a sweet victory.

BONUS: What is one book that you would consider to be your comfort read that you will always reach for? Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is like going home. Wherever I open to, it’s familiar, like looking at the family photo album.

Tule Author Q&A: Laurie Beach discusses her Crickley Creek series and how her career has led her to becoming a full time writer.

July 19, 2024 · Posted by Tule Publishing

We had a chance to sit down with Tule Author Laurie Beach and talk about how her career landed her as a full time writer, and how impactful her fictional town of Crickley Creek has become in her moving forward.

How has your diverse career background influenced your writing style and storytelling techniques? I learned to be clear while writing as a press secretary, concise when I worked as a television news reporter, and I added in an extra layer of creativity as an advertising producer. But the thing that taught me the most in my life was parenthood. I didn’t realize at the time how all of that intense human interaction and writing practice would benefit me in my future career.

Growing up in Alabama, what elements of Southern life and culture do you incorporate into your novels? I moved to Alabama in the second grade and left after graduating college. My mother was from California, and my dad from Montana. I became an observer of southern ways because I felt as though I didn’t fit in. I tried so hard to conform and assimilate, that the “fish out of water trope” from The Firefly Jar came naturally to me. Now, I feel incredibly lucky to understand some of the cultural idiosyncrasies, and to have experienced people who I used to perceive as different, but have grown to deeply love and appreciate.

What aspects of Southern settings do you find most romantic, and how do you incorporate these elements into your love stories? I am an absolute sucker for ancient oaks and Spanish moss. If I could make my husband propose to me all over again, I’d have him do it under a hairy 200 year-old tree.

How do you balance the charm of Southern hospitality with the potential for conflict in your romance plots? The opposite of charm is revulsion or displeasure and the South is filled with brilliantly sneaky ways of expressing those emotions. Balancing charm and conflict is so much fun! Can you share an example from one of your books where this balance is key to the story? In a name, Virginia Buchanan. She is a layered antagonist with a friend, Birdie, who is like a parrot on her shoulder telling all of her secrets. In the opening scene of The Firefly Jar, Virginia acts as the consummate hostess, until Charlotte Sinclair shows up. At this point the reader witnesses a woman behaving in the nicest way while expressing deep hatred at the same time. Birdie’s character is useful for pointing out Virginia’s sly digs and explaining why she’s doing it, thereby helping to maintain the balance of charm and conflict.

How did raising four children impact your journey to becoming an author? I don’t know if my kids delayed my writing career or caused it! When my last two children (twins) were about to begin Kindergarten, my husband gave me the best advice. He said, “You are being given the gift of time, do something with it you’ve always wanted to do.” That’s when I wrote The Firefly Jar. Do any of your children share your love of writing? My stepson, Drew, is an avid reader and very creative. I hope he writes a book one day because it would be a bestseller! My daughter, Brooke, loves to read and is probably the child most likely to take after her mother in this way. My daughter, Allison, wrote a brilliant (yet unpublished) children’s book, and my daughter, Natalie, is a beautiful essayist and social media specialist. None of them have shown any desire to write a novel yet, but there’s still time!

You mention being a sucker for elderly people and grumpy animals. Have any of these personal affinities inspired specific characters or scenes in your books? Absolutely! I volunteered for a hospice organization for five years and got so much joy from the people experiencing the I will say anything I want and I don’t care what other people think stage. It is so genuine and free. The character of Brownie in Christmas in Crickley Creek is one I hold especially dear for this reason. I even named him after my grandfather.

As far as grumpy animals, I feel like they’re misunderstood and see them as a challenge—a challenge that may or may not have landed one of my family members in the hospital with a dog bite on Christmas Eve. Animals are just like us, only they speak a different language. It takes time to learn it. I’m happy to say that we won that biting dog over and gave it a great life. Only one human and no animals were harmed in the process.

Why do you prefer happy endings in your stories? I’m one of those readers who feels betrayed if I spend hours on a book and get invested in the characters only to have a sad ending. I vowed to myself that I would never do that to people. Do you think they are important for readers today? I think readers should have all of the options. Sometimes we want a good cry, sometimes we want to be scared out of our minds (hello, Stephen King), and sometimes we just want to feel something. It doesn’t always have to be a romantic happy ending, but I do feel like we come to expect things from certain authors. For instance, I expect to cry with a Nicholas Sparks book, and I accept his endings, which are usually poignant, but not always “happy”. I just happen to be an author who strives to have her readers finish her books with a happy sigh and a warm feeling of time well spent. When circumstances in our lives have us down, it is nice to escape to a place where we can feel good.

How has living in California influenced your writing, especially compared to your Southern roots? I’ve been incredibly lucky that my family has remained in Alabama. I love noticing and enjoying the differences in both places. The food, the weather, social interactions, even what we do for fun varies in interesting ways. California has simply served to highlight those differences for me.

What types of books do you love to read, and how do they inspire your own writing? I always try to keep up to date on the books within my genre—women’s fiction. Outside of that, I go through phases. I read all of Harry Potter, the Twilight series, and I’ll even admit to reading Fifty Shades of Grey. I’ve also read tons of classics and every book by Jane Austen. Today, I’m reading a thriller (Stacy Willingham) and listening to RomCom (Christina Lauren). Everything from books to movies to real life inspires my writing. I’m always on the lookout for little gems that spark thoughts and ideas.

The Firefly Jar was a long-term project of yours long before it found its home with Tule. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in keeping your story alive for so long? The Firefly Jar was the first book I ever wrote, and the one that I edited and revised over and over again as I learned storytelling techniques. It would be shelved for a while as I practiced writing other things, and then pulled back out again. I used it to look for an agent and I shared it with friends. It is the most deeply personal book I’ve written. The challenges I faced were both within myself, and typical in the industry. What would people think of the book? Was my writing any good? When I finally got the confidence to pitch it or query it to agents, most of the time the effort went without response. It took over fifteen years to find a publishing home. And what were the most rewarding moments once you finally landed with Tule and expanded Crickley Creek?

Writing the second book in the series, Blink Twice If You Love Me, was like going on vacation to my favorite spot. I love Crickley Creek and the fictional people who live there. It was so gratifying to visit my good friends again. I will always be indebted to Tule because they gave me not just a physical book, but an audience. To get such positive feedback from readers has fueled the flame of my love for writing and opened the door to the career I longed for. No matter what happens from here on out, the title of author is mine. I will always feel awe and gratitude for that.

BONUS: What is one book that is a comfort read for you that you always find yourself reaching for? So many books feel like home to me, it’s impossible to choose just one. I find magical books like those by Sarah Addison Allen and Heather Webber to be comforting. But, if I was stuck in bed and needed to feel better, I’d want to be transported to my happy place—the Lowcountry. Therefore, I’d choose Anne Rivers Siddons, Dorothea Benton Frank, or Pat Conroy.

Dani Collins shares her Raven’s Cove characters most likely to…

July 16, 2024 · Posted by Tule Publishing

Whether you’ve started my Raven’s Cove trilogy yet or not, with the release of Book Two, Forgiving Her First Love, I thought you might enjoy getting to know some of the characters you’ll meet in these books by way of a ‘most likely to’ scenario. Here goes:

Most likely to steal every heart? Storm is the adorable baby who brings the three estranged Fraser brothers back to Raven’s Cove, their father’s fly-in fishing resort in BC’s central coast. She’s not yet a year and I promise she’ll steal your heart, too.

Most likely to tell someone where they can stick their heart? Sophie would really only say that to Logan, the middle Fraser brother. She’s mad. She loved him her whole life, had a fling with him after graduating high school, then he left Raven’s Cove without her, breaking her heart.

Most likely to grovel for an entire book? Okay, maybe it’s not the whole book, but Logan figures out pretty quickly that he messed up. The night Storm has a fever and Sophie helps him is a turning point. He starts to realize exactly how unforgivable his actions were and knows he has a long way to go just to earn her friendship again.

Most likely to win your heart by saying something goofy? Sophie’s son, Biyen, is eight. He loves dinosaurs. He is relentlessly cheerful and he is not Logan’s son, but Logan sure wishes he was. (This author may or may not have wanted to punish Logan for taking Sophie for granted.)

Most likely to get excited about a free meal? Sophie’s grandfather Art is modeled very loosely on my maternal grandfather who absolutely loved a free meal. It is a family joke that he would always show up if invited and would always leave as soon as he’d eaten.

Most likely to keep the three feral Fraser brothers in line by making them work together? The brothers have different mothers, but Logan’s mother Glenda did her best to turn them into a family when they were under her roof. To keep them from fighting, she put them to work. She’s diabolical that way.

Most likely to plot his life on a spreadsheet? Reid is the eldest. His mother had mental health issues so he is not comfortable in chaos. See Book One, Marrying the Nanny, where he learns babies are agents of chaos, but falls in love with Storm (and Emma) anyway.

Most likely to tell Logan he reminds her of her ex? Ouch, right? Emma had her work cut out for her when Storm is orphaned and three grumpy bears show up. In Marrying the Nanny, she falls for Reid, but she learns to love Logan and Trystan like brothers. She loves them more than her real brother, if you want the truth. He’s a real turd.

Most likely to develop millions of fans while living in the woods alone? Trystan is the youngest Fraser brother and a midlist celebrity for his wilderness survival series. He comes across as the brother who actually has his act together, but wait until you get inside his head in Book Three, Wanting a Family Man. Things aren’t exactly as they seem with him.

Most likely to cause everyone distress until they actually meet her? This is a tiny *spoiler* so skip it if you want to, but Cloe is Storm’s aunt. She looms as an unknown quantity and therefor a threat to the men’s custody of their baby sister. Then she turns up in Wanting a Family Man and she isn’t what they expected. She is Storm’s family, however, so they have to make room for her. Lucky Trystan, the loner, has to make room on his boat for her.

Most likely to want to visit Raven’s Cove in real life? You! Fun fact, you technically can because Raven’s Cove is loosely based on a real place. Look up Denny Island, BC. It’s hard to get to, though. Visiting within the pages of these books is probably cheaper and easier.

Forgiving Her First Love

They have a past they’d both rather forget…

When Logan Fraser arrives to save the marina she manages, Sophie Peterson is skeptical that she can count on him. She spent her childhood crushing on Logan, and they even had a brief affair when he came back to Raven’s Cove the summer she graduated high school, but he left again, breaking her heart.

Logan escaped Raven’s Cove to design luxury yachts. He was done with the relentless rain and a childhood of feeling responsible for other people’s unhappiness. His mother stuck out her difficult marriage for Logan’s sake, even when his father had yet another affair. By the time Sophie looked to Logan for happiness, he knew it was every man for himself.

Now Logan’s profligate father has died, leaving him an orphaned sister and a financial mess that demands a Herculean effort with his estranged brothers to resolve. He needs Sophie’s help, but her priorities are her son, grandfather and sanity. Still, she needs the job, but she’ll never trust Logan again.

About the Author.

Award-winning and USA Today Bestselling author Dani Collins thrives on giving readers emotional, compelling, heart-soaring romance with laughter and heat thrown in, just like real life. While she is best known for writing contemporary romance for Harlequin Presents and Tule Publishing, she also writes historical and erotic romance. When she’s not writing—just kidding, she’s always writing. Dani lives in Southern BC, Canada with her high school sweetheart husband.

Tule Author Q&A: Dani Collins shares some tips and advice for writers leading up to her latest Tule release!

July 12, 2024 · Posted by Tule Publishing

Tule Author Dani Collins stopped by the Tule Blog leading up to her upcoming release of Forgiving Her First Love, book two in her Raven’s Cove romance series for Tule.

Can you share the story of your journey to becoming an award-winning and USA Today Bestselling Author? What does that mean to you? The journey starts when I was in high school. I found romance and wondered how you got a job writing those books. I rented a typewriter when I was twenty-one (yes, I’m that old!) and quickly discovered writing is hard. Also, rejection sucks.

I submitted to every publisher I could find for 25 years and sold in 2012 to Harlequin Presents. Coincidentally, that’s about the time Tule Publishing was born. I feel very blessed to have started out my published career surrounded by the many amazing authors and fabulously supportive team at Tule.

As far as what it means to me? It’s genuinely a dream come true. I spent many a dull hour at a boring day job dreaming of one day being a fulltime author and here I am. The awards and bestseller status are wonderful, but I’m most grateful that I get to write every day, see my stories get turned into books, then hear from the readers who love them. It’s incredible.

You’ve written a wide range of romance sub-genres. What inspires you to explore such diverse themes and settings in your novels? When I was chasing my first sale, I tried every new market that came along. I’ve always read nearly any type of romance so it was always fun to try writing something different—a ghost, erotic romance, a romcom or a medieval fantasy.

Once I began publishing, I found that writing the more grounded emotions of Marietta was a nice change-up from writing the glitz and billionaires of Presents. It exercises different storytelling muscles and keeps each type of story feeling fresh.

You’ve written rancher romance for Tule’s Montana Born imprint, what do you enjoy most about this genre of cowboys and ranchers and how does it resonate with your small-town roots? I’ve lived small town most of my life so it just feels like home. I love neighborly chats when you bump into someone at the grocery store and I adore the lighthearted gossip that is not mean-spirited, but more like keeping up with family. I love the sense of belonging and community that always shines through in the Montana Born books.

How do you create such compelling and relatable characters across your books? Do you have any particular methods or inspirations for character development? I don’t do a ton of preparations, but I always write 3-4 paragraphs about the character that lists their baggage. Eg. Three years younger than Logan, Sophie was in love with him from the moment he picked up her dropped sweater and brushed off the grass. … At eighteen, she followed him to the ferry slip, bag packed, but he made clear he wouldn’t take her with him. He didn’t want to marry her. He had bigger plans. (Forgiving Her First Love, Raven’s Cove Book 2, July 16, 2024)

It’s less about hard details, more about identifying the layers that will drive the character through the story. They are chasing or avoiding something. Why? What hole in their soul are they trying to fill?

I know it’s tough to pick a favorite, but do you have a favorite genre to write? I always include some humor in my books. Lately I’m leaning into that more and more and loving it.

How does living in Canada with your high school sweetheart and two children influence your writing? Do any real-life experiences sneak into your stories? My Raven’s Cove trilogy is a love letter to my roots on the Westcoast of Canada. My dad and both of my grandfathers were commercial salmon fishermen. Raven’s Cove is based on a real place where my cousin lived and worked as a tugboat operator for twenty years. By the time I got to book three where Trystan’s mother is canning peaches, I was channeling my grandmother. These three books are deeply influenced by my life.

I don’t consciously draw on specific memories of our family life. Our kids are grown and thriving, living with their own spouses. Doug and I are trying to get some travel in before they start having grandkids so I’m constantly looking at where we can go that I might set a book.

What did it feel like to win your first writing award and achieve USA Today Bestselling status? The award was for one of my very first books so imposter syndrome hit me pretty hard. I thought they’d made a mistake! Of course, it’s wonderful to win and see that bestseller tag, but I try not to get too hung up on accolades or reviews and focus instead on the things that I can control like which book to write next.

What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a writer, and what have been some of the most rewarding aspects of your career so far? The biggest challenge by far was persevering through twenty-five years of rejection. Perimenopause was no picnic, either. We lost my mom in 2021 and, at first, I wrote to escape the grief, but that eventually caught up to me. I went through a period of struggle, counselling helped, and now I’m in a really good place.

The rewards are endless. I marvel over the fact I get to invent people and situations and worlds for a living. I love when a story takes me down a rabbit-hole of learning something new. I love when an editor reads my book and gets what I’m trying to say and is as excited for the story as I am. I love, love, love when I get a note from a reader who says something in my story resonated with them. To me, that’s pure magic.

What advice would you give to aspiring romance writers who are just starting out? Are there any specific tips for writing across multiple genres?

Tips for New Writers:

You learn how to write a book by writing a book. Workshops and craft books can be helpful, but they offer tools and you learn how to use those tools by actually writing. You learn to find your voice by trusting your instincts. Accept that your first book probably won’t come out the way you hoped and just write it.

Also writing is rewriting. I know authors who spew out an ugly first draft then do massive revisions. Other authors essentially turn out a finished manuscript in one go without ever looking back. I fall somewhere in the middle, preferring to fix and polish as I go. You have to write a few books before you discover your process. Just keep writing.

Finally, the writing is yours. Embrace the joy of creating! No one can ever take that away from you. Publishing is a business. If you choose to publish, there may be rejection and compromise and bad reviews. Always remember they’re two different things and keep writing.

Tip on writing multiple subgenres:

It’s worth considering different pen names. Aside from one project, I’ve always used my own name. Readers know that I deliver sexy, humorous books with complex emotion. I always trusted that they could figure out and decide for themselves whether they were in the mood for a particular subgenre.

However, algorithms are not as smart as readers. Marketing has become very complicated. If I was starting my career today, I might consider using different names for different subgenres. Might. I’m just saying it’s worth some deliberation.

Can you give us a sneak peek into any upcoming projects? What can your readers look forward to next from you? I am *so* excited for Forgiving Her First Love, which is coming out on July 16th. It’s Book Two in my Raven’s Cove trilogy, which had a working title of Three Men and a Baby on an Island.

That pretty much sums up the concept for these books. You don’t need to read the first book, Marrying the Nanny, but you’ll probably want to.

In Forgiving Her First Love, Logan has come back to Raven’s Cove with his two half-brothers to look after their orphaned, infant sister and rescue their father’s fly-in fishing resort from bankruptcy. The men oversee different portions of the operation. Logan’s purview is the marina, where Sofie is the manager.

Sofie loved Logan her whole life, until they had a week-long fling when she was eighteen. Then he rejected her, leaving her on the ferry slip. She promptly went out and made some mistakes—not that you will ever catch her calling her son a mistake—but now she’s focused on being a mother. Logan can take a long walk off a short pier as far as she’s concerned.

Here’s a peek at exactly how mad she is at him. Logan has just asked her about her relationship with her son’s father. He’s hurt that she went straight from giving him her virginity to having a baby with someone else:

“Since when did you bring home men from the bar?” Logan’s brows crashed together.

“That smells a lot like judgment when I know for a fact that at nineteen, you spent your weekends in the bar, picking up girls. Trystan told me that’s what you told him you were doing when I asked him if you were enjoying university. Sauce for the goose.”

“Trying is the operative word,” Logan said through his teeth.

Trystan had been trying to help her shake off her long and useless crush. She had not appreciated him for it.

“Either way, I’m guessing that behavior continued more or less nonstop until you got the call that Wilf was gone and had to leave your condoms on your yacht while you moved in with your brothers. So I’ll say a polite f-you to you and your double standards.” She rose. “What did you want me to do, Logan? Sit here and pine for you some more?”

“No.” His jaw was locked, his mouth grim. “I’m saying it seems out of character to the woman I knew.”

The one who had saved herself for him. As if he had ever really known her or cared one way or another what she did.

“I was getting over you, Logan.” Screw him and his stirring up of all her old baggage. Now her tortured, angry emotions were leaking everywhere, especially out of her mouth. “I had an empty hookup with a stranger because I thought that’s how I deserved to be treated. Because that’s how you treated me.”

“Sophie.” He pressed back in his chair with shock.

“I hate you for the way you treated me,” she spat, letting the poison squeeze out at last. “But I hate myself more for allowing it. For spending so many years waiting for you. For not seeing that you never actually cared about me.”

“That is not true.” He shot to his feet. “I have always cared about you.”

“You didn’t care about anyone but yourself! But I don’t care about that. I’m furious with myself because I treated myself badly. I punished myself for being stupid over you, and I wound up derailing my future. That’s not your fault. I did that to myself.” She tapped her breastbone where it was throbbing as though fractured all the way through. “But I won’t do it again, Logan. I won’t do this.” She motioned between them. “I won’t have cozy chats with you where I share my feelings and you convince me I matter. Never again. Understand?”

He stood very still, fists clenched as though he were withstanding something unbearable.

“We work together. For Storm’s sake, I’ll help you with her if you need it. Stay in my house and wash my dishes and give Gramps a laugh. He needs it. But we both know you’re leaving as soon as you can. We are not friends. We never were and we never will be.”

BONUS: What is one book that you would consider to be your comfort read that you will always reach for? I’m going to say Pride and Prejudice, but it’s my comfort *watch*. The Colin Firth version. I watch it at least once a year.

Tule Author Q&A: Leah Vale shares on happy endings, her pup, and her influencers!

July 5, 2024 · Posted by Tule Publishing

Leah Vale stopped by the Tule blog to do a rapid Q&A for our Tule readers!

With her newest series for Tule, Grit and Grace, coming out in the 2024 release schedule, readers will be thrilled to read more happy endings from her strong cowboys.

You mentioned that you’ve never met an unhappy ending you couldn’t mentally “fix.” Can you share a memorable instance where you reimagined an ending to create a happier outcome?

The easiest and most obvious answer is the movie Titanic. I mean, come on, just get on the door, Jack! There was room for both of them. At the very least take turns! As a child, I mentally rewrote Black Beauty so no horses died.

As a native of the Pacific Northwest now living in Central Oregon, how do these locations influence the settings and atmosphere in your romance novels?

I have found getting into a cowboy/cowgirl state of mind far easier while living on the high desert of Central Oregon. Plus, the often heavy snow fall in the winter is great inspiration for writing Christmas stories.

How did your B.A. in Communications from the University of Washington prepare you for a career in writing romance novels?

Learning how to write in all those Journalism classes was a big help. Granted, I’d graduated with the hope of writing advertising copy. The shorter, the better. But it turns out I have a lot more words in me, and fictional stories in my head, than expected.

Your golden retriever sounds like quite the character. Does your dog inspire any characters or scenes in your books?

I one hundred percent base any dog I write into a book on my dog. Any creature with such a massive capacity for love, loyalty, and all-around happiness deserves to be represented in a book. And despite how creative I try to be, I simply can’t make up some of the goofy things a dog will do. The same is true of horses. The quarter horse mare I grew up on inspires all the horses I write.

Creating “happy endings from scratch” is a dream come true for you. What do you find most rewarding about writing romance novels?

I love conquering the challenge of bringing two people who are in opposition, often bearing wounds from their pasts, together in a deeply satisfying way. Especially when I can find a way for them to help each other grow beyond their past hurts to be the best versions of themselves, together.

With a busy writing schedule, you mentioned that dinner often comes premade from the store. How do you manage your time between writing and daily life responsibilities?

I love me a good meal delivery service. It’s so nice to have either the completed meal or at least all the ingredients left right on my door step. Though, I have to admit that even with the luxury of food delivery, the closer I am to a deadline, the more my house resembles a fraternity, over-flowing with energy drink cans and pizza boxes, and the more in need I am of a consistent exercise routine. I’m working on it.

What is your process for developing characters who resonate with readers and drive the story towards a happy ending?

I have always been a huge fan of character and conflict charts that help me build my characters and the journey they will need to take to find happiness. Whether or not I actually use them is another matter. Also, my long-time critique partner, Terri Reed, has introduced me to Enneagrams. It’s really fun to use the test to discover which of the nine personality types, or what combination of them, the characters in my head fit into. Sometimes, though, nothing beats a good game of “What if?”

Can you share a particularly heartwarming piece of feedback you’ve received from a reader and how it impacted you?

I will never forget one actual letter I received from a reader who shared with me that one of my books had made her laugh and brought her happiness during a particularly low time in her life. I have never felt so honored.

What inspired you to pursue a career in romance writing, and who are some of your biggest influences in the genre?

Like many writers and readers of the genre, I grew up reading romance. Starting with my mom’s Harlequins then moving on to thick historical romances. They are the type of stories I’ve always had in my head. And when life gets hard, I really appreciate a happy ending.

In the beginning of my writing career, I was influenced by greats such as Johanna Lindsey, Betina Krahn, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, and Susan Wiggs. All wildly talented authors who crafted characters with such life and depth. Now I want to be Kristin Hannah when I grow up.

What advice would you give to aspiring romance authors who are passionate about creating happy endings in their stories?

The advice I give the most is the one I prescribe to myself—take any opportunity to learn the art of telling stories. Learning how to structure a story that will transport the reader into the world you create is an ongoing process for me. I’ve even delved into screenwriting to help me develop stories that will keep readers turning the page.

Another piece of advice is simply you’ll never know until you try. Then try again. Each book you write teaches you something and furthers you on your journey.

BONUS: What is one book that you would consider to be your comfort read that you will always reach for?

Anything by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.

Summer Romance Releases for Hot July Summertime Reads (Plus a Giveaway!).

July 1, 2024 · Posted by Tule Publishing

GIVEAWAY: We will pick ONE winner to receive a digital book of their choice from the July romance releases. Comment down below saying which book you’re looking most forward to reading! Giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY. The winner will be randomly selected and announced at the end of the month.

Check out our new romance releases for July!

Summer Heat: A Sexy, Steamy Summer Romance Anthology
Texas Forged by Eve Gaddy | Hot Mess by Amy Andrews | Nursing the Flame by Shelli Stevens | Her Texas Ex by Katherine Garbera |Strictly Off Limits by Stella Holt | Catch Me by Michele Arris
Release Date: July 2, 2024

Rumors, Ruin and the Duke by Karla Kratovil
The Lost Lords, Book 1
July 11, 2024

Forgiving Her First Love by Dani Collins
Raven’s Cove, Book 2
July 16, 2024

One Lucky Cowboy by Kristine Lynn
Marshall Brothers Ranching, Book 2
July 23, 2024

Hot, Hard and Impossible Cowboys: Anthology
Most Dangerous Cowboy by Megan Crane, A Doctor for the Cowboy by Amy Andrews, The Cowboy’s Redemption by Paula Altenburg, The Rebel and the Cowboy by Sarah Mayberry, Her Cowboy Baby Daddy by Jeannie Watt, The Cowboy Doctor by Leah Vale
July 29, 2024

Sworn to Defend by Charlee James
Sworn Navy SEALs, Book 3
July 30, 2024

Bear’s Heart by Jane Porter
The Calhouns & Campbells of Cold Canyon Ranch, book 2
July 31

Tule Author Q&A: 10 questions with Janine Amesta discussing her film background, writing, and jigsaw puzzles

June 28, 2024 · Posted by Tule Publishing

Author Janine Amesta gave us a chance to catch up with what she’s been up to and ask a few questions about finding her writing inspiration, connecting with her characters, and what it felt like when she landed her first publishing contract with Tule!

Moving from California to the high desert of Oregon must have been quite a change. How has this transition influenced your writing and creativity?

It was not only a location change but a lifestyle change as well. I’d been living in Los Angeles working in the film industry for awhile. So I’d gotten used to being in a large city with lots of people and things to do and then I found myself in an area that’s very outdoorsy with lots of rugged terrain and places to hike to. I loved living in LA but I think I was transitioning to a new phase where I kind of enjoyed being a bit more secluded from a busy world. But it was definitely an adjustment because I moved to a new area without any connections, no family and no friends…except the one who I had come with. This means that I got a lot of time to think and I started writing again. Maybe it was a way to make my life feel fuller because now I was wrapped up in the lives of my new imaginary friends: my characters. They became as dear to me as anyone.

Can you share the story behind your first published novel with Tule Publishing? How did that partnership come about?

My debut, Striking Gold, was actually the fourth novel I had written. The other three are even in the same universe but still unpublished. I remember when I finished Striking Gold, I had told my husband that THIS story was special, that it would be the one to get me an agent. And I was right! Of course, I didn’t predict that it would also land me a publisher. I was afraid to hope as high as that. No one was more thrilled than me when I got an email from my agent that Tule had read my book and loved it. Nothing feels more amazing than for other people to see your story, connect with it, and feel that it’s something special too. Ross and Mia’s story will always be characters that will have a special place in my heart. I wrote it because I always wanted to do my own version of Jane Austen’s Persuasion in a location that I adore, which is Placerville, Ca.

You studied screenwriting in college, but your thrillers ended up with too much flirty banter. How did this unique blend of thriller and romance shape your style as a romance author for Tule?

I’m sure I was annoying in my early screenwriting/filmmaking days because I wanted to be very serious with serious taste in movies. And, in my mind, that meant I was writing gritty thrillers and not romances. But I’ve always been a person who’s liked really snappy dialogue and you can have this regardless of the genre. And it’s true that maybe my focus was more on the banter because that’s where I was having fun. I like writing scenes where two characters are really connecting and playing off each other. When I started writing again, after moving to Oregon, I decided that I was only going to write what was fun for me and it ended up being romance. But I still take a lot of what I learned from my screenwiting (and also video editing) days in crafting a story, putting together scenes as I would a movie. Some people think writing romance is easy and fluffy but it’s really not easier than any other genre. And like writing a thriller, you still need to develop tension either between the characters or in the plot. This is building up anticipation and you want to do that so that when a happy moment does happen it feels rewarding to the readers.

Your cat, Hitchcock, has a very intriguing name. Does he influence any of your characters or plots?

Hitchcock the cat is named after the famed director, back from when I watched a lot of his movies during my gritty thriller days. When I was still living in L.A., this cat had been abandoned by his previous family when they moved away and then he just started coming to my place, making himself at home. This is definitely a situation where he adopted us, and when we moved to Oregon I had to take him with me. I think because of Hitchcock, I love to write storylines about people who didn’t intend to get a pet, but find themselves with one anyways. It’s a good way for characters to connect to something, even if they have trouble connecting to other people.

As a master at jigsaw puzzles, do you find that this skill translates into your writing process, particularly in building your character relationships?

Hmm, I’ve never really considered it. Maybe. I’ve always enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles. I think the biggest thing you need to do is pay attention to the details, especially for difficult puzzles. Maybe you’re looking for the one piece that has the smallest speck of yellow on it— like there’s the larger picture, but you’re trying to pay attention to the smallest details for fitting pieces together. When I create characters, I want them to feel as real as possible, so developing little details is important. That one piece with a little speck of yellow may seem insignificant now but it could be quite significant later. It could explain why a character acts the way they do. It can trigger a fight. It could change everything.

Embroidery is a detailed and patient craft. How does this hobby reflect or contrast with your approach to writing?

Writing is so labor intensive for my brain. It can seem like I’m just sitting and staring off into space, but there’s a lot of thought manpower going on. After a long writing session, I can be exhausted. Hand embroidery, like jigsaw puzzles, is a way that I can let my mind settle. It relaxes me and I don’t have to think about anything else. And it’s usually during these periods that I might be struck with some kind of inspiration or a way to solve a writing problem. But even if it doesn’t, that’s okay too. I think it’s important to let your brain rest and not be working it all the time. Sometimes you want to be creative in other ways and it’s good to have a hobby.

Critiquing bad movies on Twitter sounds like a fun pastime. How does engaging with different storytelling styles and tropes in movies influence your own writing?

I think because of my filmmaking background, I’ve always believed that good storytelling is good storytelling, regardless of the genre. And I’ve always had a varied and eclectic taste in what I’ll watch…which is pretty much anything and everything, even movies that are deemed “bad.” So I’ll watch romance or horror or documentaries or science fiction, old classics and new movies. Sometimes I feel like I’ve seen most movies out there, and I think it’s important to try other genres because it makes you well-rounded. And what you realize is that all genres have tropes and some of these tropes make genres more similar than different. There’s no rules that say you can’t take those different tropes in other genres and add it to romance. In fact, romance might be the most flexible genre because as long as the characters get together at the end, you can do anything else. You can put the characters through the wringer, you can experiment. All that matters is that you give it a happy ending and, luckily, there’s a lot of ways to get there.

How do you balance creating moody, suspenseful atmospheres with lighter, flirtatious dialogue in your novels?

I wouldn’t necessarily describe my romance novels as suspenseful but the plot can sometimes get dark, heavy, or emotional. And it can be hard to balance that as I don’t like to go heavy for too long. I always want to give this sense that there’s light mixed in with the dark. Usually, the darkness is the situation and the lightness is the characters. They help balance each other out. And even though I like the lighter parts and the flirty banter, it’s usually when the characters are working through a difficult part, that they’re growing as a character or their relationship is developing. I like to see romance as a cake. You can’t have all frosting. You need the cake for substance and you need the frosting to give it extra flavor. In a book I’m currently writing, a character is going through a heavy moment of grief and it’s easy to fall into a sad trap. But then she remembers something ridiculous and suddenly the moment becomes really light and funny. As someone who is very familiar with grief myself, it feels very true with how it is, where one moment you’re crying and the next you’re laughing at something silly. I think it’s what makes us human and I want my stories to feel the same way.

What’s the most rewarding feedback you’ve received from a reader about your romances, and how did it impact your work?

Hmm. I actually haven’t heard from too many readers. I’m always open to hearing from more! I think the comment I enjoy the most is that my book’s humor catches people off guard, like they don’t expect things to be as funny as they are. I’ve grown up in a family that has a very dry sense of humor so I think this comes across in my story telling. I can write the most ridiculous things in the most serious tone while adding a subtle wink. People that connect with that are my kind of readers and it always makes me happy when they find me. All my romance books tend to have this same kind of vibe because it’s what I enjoy.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers who are trying to blend different genres or elements in their stories?

You’re not going to know if something works, unless you try it and that means actually writing it. And there needs to be a reason for it so it’s best to figure out the story you want to tell and who your characters are that will help you tell it. Character development is always important, and the more developed and detailed they are, the more they’ll feel specific to the story. It should feel like only these characters would ever be in this particular story because they’re so connected to it. And even if you try and decide it doesn’t work, that’s okay too. At least you’ll learn for the next time. Or you can be like me and just write for your own amusement.

Rebecca Crowley hints at her favorite sport in recent release “Last Dance with the Texas Bull Rider”

June 27, 2024 · Posted by Tule Publishing

Confession time: I’m not much of a sports fan.

I don’t follow any professional sports, dip in and out of college football, and vaguely keep an eye on Arsenal in the UK, because it’s my husband’s favorite team. There’s only one sport I keep track of with any regularity, and it’s not one most people are familiar with.

Bull riding.

That’s right! There’s not much that’s more relaxing – in my world anyway – than watching men in cowboy hats get flung off thousand-pound cattle. I don’t know whether it’s the simplicity, or the high stakes, or the tight Wrangler jeans, but bull riding is a sport that I’m always happy to watch.

That’s why I’m excited to introduce you to Caleb “Calamity” Ross, the hero of my most recent Tule release, Last Dance with the Texas Bull Rider. Caleb has reinvented himself from obedient son to reckless bull rider, and the last thing he wants is to be tied down. But when he wakes up from a bull-riding wreck at the Fourth of July rodeo in Last Stand, Texas, his past comes crashing back.

Jessa Star is a perfectionist. A former professional ballerina, she has returned to her hometown of Last Stand to open a dance studio and hopefully find the perfect man to share her perfect life. Until a decided imperfect man from her past shows up – oh, and it just so happens they’re married!

Jessa and Caleb made a spontaneous decision in Hawaii, but the marriage that resulted is a lot harder to shake off. But while Caleb recovers in Jessa’s home, their connection is hard to ignore, even though their lives are headed down totally different paths. The clock is ticking as their divorce looms, and suddenly eight seconds on a bull seems like a walk in the park compared to the bumpy ride ahead for these two.

I hope readers will enjoy this opposites-attract, waking-up-married romance! Last Dance with the Texas Bull Rider is the third book in the Stars of Texas series, so keep your eyes peeled for the next installment!

About the Author.

Rebecca Crowley inherited her love of romance from her mom, who taught her to at least partially judge a book by the steaminess of its cover. She writes contemporary romance with smart heroines and swoon-worthy heroes, and never tires of the happily-ever-after. Having pulled up her Kansas roots to live in New York City, London and Johannesburg, Rebecca currently resides in Houston.

Two Cozies + One Thriller = Tule’s July Mystery Releases!

June 27, 2024 · Posted by Tule Publishing

Need a new mystery? Why don’t you check out our two newest cozy releases coming out this month and maybe add our latest thriller to your TBR list!

Join Rebecca and Aneksi in this engaging and humorous cozy mystery as they unravel a tale of murder, mystery, and mayhem while discovering more secrets in Citrus Grove.

Rebecca Cuthbert, no stranger to false accusations, rushes to defend her baker best friend when she’s accused of murdering Citrus Grove’s Elvis-loving mayor with a deadly petit four.

But Rebecca recognizes the real clue: this death is the work of the Emerald Scarab, one of the cursed artifacts she vowed to track down after it was stolen from her grandfather’s quirky antique shop.

Now she must navigate a peculiar maze of clues and enchantments, aided by her grandfather’s wise counsel and the scattered recollections of an immortal talking cat, Aneksi, who once encountered the scandalous scarab in Cleopatra’s court. With each revelation, her search becomes a frantic race to find the killer and the amulet before they can hurt anyone else.

But her meddling puts her in the killer’s path, and Rebecca must rely on her fledgling investigative skills to save her friend from jail and herself from becoming the sleepy Southern California town’s latest murder victim.

Instead of walking down the aisle, the bride is suspected of murder….

Maddie Bell’s life and career have hit peak stride. She’s sold her cozy mystery series and is contracted for two more books; she’s engaged to Hemlock’s chief of police; and her mother has purchased and restored the beautiful historic mansion, Gracewood Hall, in their hometown of Hemlock, North Carolina. Three generations—Gigi, Maddie, and Jenna–are now happily engaged in the wedding and special event business.

But their highly scrutinized inaugural event—the wedding of an A-List social media influencer—becomes a murder scene before the rehearsal dinner. Kate Archer, the professional bridesmaid Jenna hired, is found bludgeoned by a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, not only threatening their new business, but also sending Jenna into a tailspin of guilt. She knew Kate from college and had begged her to fill in as the maid of honor.

Even as the police warn Maddie not to interfere with the investigation, mother and daughter set out to discover who killed Kate and dispel the growing rumors that Gracewood Hall is cursed.

In the deadly future after the second civil war, the United States is divided and dangerous…

Agent Heather Slade is a beautiful well-crafted fake. A perfect lie. A highly-trained asset with no country, no memory, and no home. She spies for a secretive group of Revo agents from the democratic Free States and fights against the crushing power of the charismatic authoritarian leader who controls the militant Patriot regions. Risking her life, she infiltrates top levels of the brutal government and lives deeply under cover with her enemies.

Heather’s current mission is to smuggle a package from under the President’s nose onto a highly guarded golden train and bring it to safety in the Free States. Her partner on the perilous journey is a handsome but inexperienced foreign agent with secrets of his own. Why is Miguel Robles so hauntingly familiar? He might hold the key to finding the family she no longer remembers—if they survive the mission.

World building and character evolution play large roles in Leigh Ann Edwards’ latest installment in her Witch and Demon Hunter series.

June 25, 2024 · Posted by Tule Publishing

I’m happy to be on the Tule blog today to talk about Dark Knight’s Kiss, book three in my Witch and Demon Hunter series. I’ve been working toward meeting a deadline for the fourth book in this series and finally submitted the manuscript after having to get an extension. Phew! Now I wait to hear what my developmental editor thinks. No matter how many books an author writes (this is book 24 for me) that’s somewhat nerve-wracking. An editor can love it and think your manuscript requires minimal edits. But on occasion there are problems and major editing is necessary.

I very much appreciated a quick Q&A topic for this blog. I have a definite case of what I call book-brain. (Where your mind has been maxed out and it’s sometimes hard to form full thoughts much less be creative.)

What inspired the new direction or themes explored in this latest installment of your series?

I’m not sure it was an inspiration, but I’ve always loved Halloween. As a child, my mum made some great costumes for me and my three siblings. I was excited to carve pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns and go trick-or-treating in the town where I lived. It was so small. How small was it? Small enough you could go to every house in about an hour and that was back when people made you sing before you got the treat. Those popcorn balls and caramel apples were so worth it. Yes, I’m that old.

I enjoyed hosting Halloween parties with my daughters when they were young. We decorated the whole house––even the bathroom. When they were teenagers we made the decorations and games a lot spookier. I still look forward to handing out treats, and seeing my grandchildren in their Halloween costumes. I don’t make anyone sing, but I also don’t make popcorn balls or caramel apples.

Although Dark Knight’s Kiss isn’t being released in October, or a Halloween themed book per se, I thought it would be fun for Fiona and Lorcan, the main characters, to attend a company Halloween party.

LAMB, the agency they work for (locating and assessing magical beings), employs people with supernatural abilities, thus everyone had to know it wouldn’t be a typical Halloween celebration. Especially during the night when the veil between worlds is thinnest and Fiona, a witch, and Lorcan, a half-demon, can both see ghosts. I haven’t even mentioned the venue is a remote historic inn near an old burial ground.

Dark Knight’s Kiss begins at the Halloween party. They’re also celebrating Lorcan’s birthday. It turns out to be an interesting night and what happens there forms the plotlines for the entire story.

Can you share any insights into the world-building process for this book? Were there any particular challenges or exciting discoveries along the way?

Because this is the third book in the series, a lot of the world-building has already been established. The main characters and most secondary characters have been introduced, with a few new people or magical beings added in each installment.

Fiona and Lorcan also live in modern day Boston making it’s easier for readers to envision the world they live in. However, because they’re time travelers, I enjoy creating the places and times they visit. For this book some research regarding knights was required–– their armor, weapons and history. I also had to learn a little about medieval/gothic architecture.

One part of the story was particularly intriguing for me as Lorcan and Fiona journey to Camelot and meet Merlin, the magician. I wish I’d been able to write a longer storyline in Camelot but staying within allotted word count is always a struggle for me.

How do the characters evolve or face new challenges in this book compared to previous instalments?

That’s a great question. One, that I’m trying to figure out how to answer without giving too much away. In book one, Dark Irish Demon, Fiona and Lorcan initially adamantly oppose being forced into a partnership. In book two, Highland Dark Magic, after a few bumps, they learn to work together. They’re now LAMB’s best team. Although they’re complete opposites in nearly every way imaginable (Fiona is more stand-offish and Lorcan’s the in-your-face type for starters) they’ve become close friends.

Something happens in this book that turns everything around changing and challenging every aspect of their relationship. But it also moves it forward.

In this instalment, readers also meet, or for those who’ve read my Witches of Time series, they are reunited with Cal and Ainsley, Fiona’s son and daughter-in-law. Fiona and Lorcan journey back to post Civil-War Boston where Cal, Ainsley and family live.

Fiona is shocked to learn Cal and Lorcan have history and they are not on friendly terms. Since her family isn’t even aware Fiona works for LAMB (they think she runs an apothecary shop in twenty-first century Boston) a lot of secrets are revealed that create drama and more conflict.

Are there any key plot points or character arcs in this book that you’re particularly proud of or excited for readers to experience?

Wow! Is that a loaded question and also one I have to tip-toe around not to give spoilers. I would never want to downplay the previous books in the series in any way, because they’re great stories and vital to how everything plays out, but the plot points and character arcs in this book are pivotal.

I’m super excited for readers to experience what happens in this installment. ARC readers have been reaching out telling me their thoughts which is always rewarding to an author. I’m dying to say more, but I can’t.

As far as character arcs, the hero and heroine have changed a lot, but Lorcan more noticeably. They grow immensely in Dark Knight’s Kiss, but I’m particularly proud of Lorcan’s character arc.

Without giving away spoilers, can you tease any upcoming developments or hints about the future direction of the series that readers can look forward to?

I’ve struggled with possible spoilers in the previous questions so that might be a challenge. I’ll just say, Lorcan and Fiona’s relationship is constantly changing and will continue to surprise readers.

It even surprised me, right from the beginning. I don’t believe I’ve ever written characters who simply ran with the storyline. I feel like I’m mostly just along for the ride.

That said, I had to reel them in a little in the next book. Having magical abilities, going back in time, and dealing with often monstrous creatures is never smooth-sailing. But in Ghost Ship’s Dark Spell, Fiona and Lorcan are in for some rough seas. Is that enough of a tease?

I’m looking forward to being back here in September to talk more about book four and the Witch and Demon Hunter series. Until then have a wonderful summer making memories.

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.