Category Archives: Author Feature

Tule Author Q&A: Jeannie Watt has baby fever!

March 7, 2023 · Posted by Tule Publishing

Jeannie Watt stopped by the Tule blog to discuss the second book in the Return to Keller Ranch series, Her Cowboy Baby Daddy!

Where did you get the inspiration for Her Cowboy Baby Daddy?

There are a lot of babies being born in my family right now. My first granddaughter is approaching the age of two this spring, I was just blessed with two great-nieces, and I have another grandchild due shortly. Also, like the heroine, I was told in my early twenties that I may not be able to have children—thankfully the doctor was wrong—and I know that ticking clock feeling. There hits a point where you feel like you have to either resign yourself or act. Hayley has hit this point.

If you could spend the day with Spence or Hayley, who would you choose and what would you do?

I would spend the day with Hayley, working in her greenhouse, tending the plants and harvesting fresh vegetables. That said, hanging with Spence for the day would be a hoot. We’d probably ride fence or something. He’s a classic middle child, connects well with other people, and would be easy to spend the day with.

This isn’t your first time writing a story set in Marietta, Montana. Can you share how you manage to write stories in a town with so many different authors writing their own characters? Will we see any familiar faces?

There aren’t many familiar faces in this Keller story, but there will be in the next in the series, Cowboy Meets Cowgirl. The way I keep things straight in the Marietta stories is by consulting A Book Girl’s Guide to Marietta, reading stories set in Marietta and, most importantly, depending on my editor, Sinclair Jayne, who also writes in the Marietta world. Sinclair really knows Marietta. It’s a wonderful community, and I love being part of it.

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

Spence—nomad, protector, easy going. Hayley—determined, caregiver, battling shyness.

What are you currently reading?

I just started Cupid, Cupcakes and Carnage by Kaz Delaney, one of our Tule Mystery authors. I’m so excited to dive into this world and lose myself with some vicarious baking and crime solving. Next in the queue is A Santa Stabbing by Geri Krotow. I mainly read mysteries while I’m writing romance. It gives my brain a break and I love that Tule has a mystery imprint.

About the Author

Jeannie Watt is the author of over 20 contemporary romances and the recipient of the Holt Medallion Award of Merit. She lives in a small ranching community—a place where kids really do grow up to be cowboys—with her husband, dog, cat, horses and ponies. When she’s not writing, Jeannie enjoys sewing retro fashions, running, and buying lots and lots of hay.

Tule Author Q&A: Shelli Stevens believes in the friend zone!

March 6, 2023 · Posted by Tule Publishing

Shelli Stevens stopped by the Tule blog to discuss the fourth book in the Bro Code series, Nursing the Flame!

Where did you get the inspiration for Nursing the Flame?

Both my hero and heroine, Reggie and Amber, actually show up in book 1 in the Bro Code series, Losing It. They work at the same fire station as Blake, my hero in book 1. Reggie has a somewhat bigger role in that first book. But once I’d introduced them both, I knew they needed their own story. I kind of hinted in book 1 that Amber was nursing already nursing a crush on her superior. And I love a good age gap romance, so….Nursing the Flame was born.

Your characters, Amber and Reggie, are stuck in the friend zone in this book. Have you ever been stuck in the friend zone? If so, did it work out for you as well as it did for Amber and Reggie?

Ha! Funny story, or cringe maybe? But most of the guys I’ve dated over the years were my friend before they became a romantic interest. I honestly think it’s a good way to date, because in a way you already know them. No background check needed 😂 Which is why I usually maintain friendships with these guys after/if it ends. My now husband and I were friends for probably fifteen years (okay, and on and off flirting all that time) before we decided to give it an official shot and ended up married.

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

So much firefighter research! And, cough, research on how to have sexy times when you have a broken leg.

What was your favorite scene to write and why?

I love the scene where Reggie finally sees Amber as a woman, and not just one of the guys. And oh the emotional chaos that ensues!

He grabbed a second bottle and straightened up, extending the beer to hand it to her.

She leaned against the railing on the other side of the porch, and for a moment, his mind went empty. The air locked in his lungs.

The sunlight and shadows hit her in a way that obscured her face, but made her long golden hair shine.

His gaze slid lower, past the baggy black T-shirt to her legs. The pale flesh was a mix of muscles and softness, not hiding beneath those tiny denim shorts.

At the moment, he wasn’t looking at Amber—who he literally saw as one of the guys—he was looking at a gorgeous woman.

He blinked, willing it to go away.

Come back, Amber. Please turn back into the girl that’s one of the bros.

“You okay, Lieutenant?” She stepped closer, out of the sun, her brows furrowing.

Her face came into focus, and some of the tension in his muscles eased.

She was Amber again. Thank god. What the hell had that been?

“Yeah.” He nodded quickly, thrusting the beer at her. “I’m good. And it’s Reggie when we’re not working.”

“Right. Reggie,” she said softly. “It’s habit.”

Those shorts were throwing him. Though they shouldn’t have. It was a hotter-than-usual July with the temperatures already in the low 80s. Since most apartments and homes didn’t have AC, that made it kind of brutal. So, of course, she was dressed accordingly.

They’re just shorts. Just legs.

Damn, it hadn’t gone away. He willed it to leave again—the realization that Amber was all female and entirely hot—but it lingered.

Unwittingly, his gaze fell to the cartoon of a fire hose on her shirt and the writing beneath it. Only this time, he read what it said.

I Put Out.

His breath caught and his blood quickened.

Oh hell. It was happening.

His imagination took the statement on her shirt and ran wild. Mentally stripping her out of her clothes and imagining her in his bed. On top of him. Beneath him. On her hands and knees.

Sweat beaded on his brow.

In one moment that friends only filter had been removed, and he saw her in a light that until now, he’d forced himself to ignore.

Without a doubt, he’d never be able to look at Amber the same way again.

Fuck.

What are you currently reading?

I just finished up Desire’s Addiction by Mari Carr and Lila Dubois (two of my author friends!) Warning, it’s HOT!

About the Author

Shelli is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author who read her first romance novel when she snatched it off her mother’s bookshelf at the age of eleven. One taste and she was forever hooked. It wasn’t until many years later that she decided to pursue writing stories of her own. By then she acknowledged the voices in her head didn’t make her crazy, they made her a writer.

Shelli is a true pluviophile (lover of rain) who currently lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two daughters. She loves Disney, taking sunset pics (follow her on Instagram), baking, nature walking, and spontaneously bursting into song. She’s written various genres of romance, but is most known for her contemporary series such as Marshall Ranch, The McLaughlins, and A is for Alpha.

SOMEONE MISSING FROM MALAPAIS MOUNTAIN: Release day blog post featuring Kris Bock!

February 28, 2023 · Posted by Tule Publishing

Someone Missing from Malapais Mountain: The Accidental Detective Book 4

It’s hard to chase the truth when you need a cane…

Former international war correspondent Kate Tessler had to trade her illustrious journalism career for her childhood bedroom after a brush with death almost took her leg. But Kate is drawn back into her old world when a journalist covering a sprawling story of political corruption is the victim of a hit-and-run. Gabriella can only communicate by blinking yes or no to questions.

Kate takes the case with her new PI partner—her sister, Jen—and their trusty senior sidekicks. Can a fifty-year-old journalist with a bad leg survive the dangers of the Arizona desert long enough to catch a killer?

Get Someone Missing from Malapais Mountain.

Okay, I might have chosen Malapais Mountain because of the alliteration, which follows the series pattern of Something or Someone (maybe someday Somehow?) followed by three words starting with the same letter.

Also, Malapais means badlands, which has a nice ominous sound.

Arizona’s Malapais Mountain is near the Superstition Wilderness east of Phoenix. I like to hike, and this plot allowed me to get Kate and Jen into the rugged wilderness. In the southwest, the desert full of cacti and spiky plants—and maybe a rattlesnake or two. Everything wants to hurt you. I’ve hiked in the area many times (and pulled cactus spines out of various body parts more than once). But to write the book, I needed to get out to the area again and take notes and photos. Not a hardship!

Here are some views in the Malapais Mountain area. It’s beautiful:

Note the saguaro, the tall cacti, which starts growing arms only after they reach 50 years old.

The saguaro cactus is limited to southern Arizona and northern Mexico. They’re easy to spot—it’s the little cacti that get your ankles while you’re hiking!

If you thought the desert was flat, nope—hiking can take you up and up! And then you have to get back down again.

You can also visit a ghost town, now a tourist attraction, if you’d rather have a burger and drink than face the desert.

About the Author

Kris Bock writes novels of romance, mystery, and suspense. In the Accidental Detective series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. This humorous series starts with Something Shady at Sunshine Haven. Find The Accidental Detective Series in ebook or print on Amazon US, Amazon UK, or at Tule Publishing with links to all retailers.

Kris’s Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series follows a Texas ranching family that wins a billion-dollar lottery. Who wouldn’t want to be a billionaire? Turns out winning the lottery causes as many problems as it solves. The 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. Learn more at www.krisbock.com. Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter to get a free Accidental Detective mystery story, a free cat café novella, and more.

Kris also writes a series with her brother, scriptwriter Douglas J Eboch, who wrote the original screenplay for the movie Sweet Home Alabama. The Felony Melanie series follows the crazy antics of Melanie, Jake, and their friends a decade before the events of the movie. Sign up for the romantic comedy newsletter to get a short story preview, or find the books at Amazon US or All E-book retailers.

Find Kris:

GoodReads Author Page

BookBub

Amazon US page or Amazon UK page

FOUR HIDDEN TREASURES: Release day blog post featuring H L Marsay!

February 16, 2023 · Posted by Tule Publishing

What’s in a name?

When I began writing Four Hidden Treasures, the first book my new series, The Secrets of Hartwell, not only did I have to come up with a village full of new characters, I also had to create the village itself. Previously, my stories have been set in real places like York, so I considered basing this series in one of the many Yorkshire villages I love such as Hovingham, Thornton Le Dale or Coxwold, but none of them were quite right. So, instead, I picked my favourite bits of each place; the beck running through Thornton, the Victorian primary school in Hovingham and the church in Coxwold, to create somewhere new.

Then, I had to think of a name for my village. This wasn’t as simple as you might think. Due to England’s long history, every tribe or invading army have left their mark when it comes to place names. The Roman word for ‘fort’ roughly translates to cester, caster or chester, so we have Manchester, Lancaster and Cirencester. The Viking influence is still strong in the north of the country. Places ending in ‘thorpe’, ‘thwait’, ‘ness’, ‘by’ and ‘kirk’ were all named by our Scandinavian invaders, so we have Copmanthorpe, Husthwaite, Skegness, Whitby and Ormskirk. The Anglo Saxon’s dominated the south and their place names ended in ‘ham’, ‘ford’ and ‘ton’, giving us Birmingham, Oxford and Boston. When the French- speaking Normans arrived in 1066, they made a few changes too. They liked to use ‘beau’ and ‘bel’ meaning fine or fair, so we get Belvoir and Beaumont.

Due to a backstory running through my series, the village had to have been founded by the Celts. They treated water as if it was sacred. In fact, two thirds of England’s rivers still have their Celtic names, such as Avon, Derwent, Severn, Tees and Tyne. My village had an old, sacred well, so ‘well’ needed to be included in the name. Certain trees and animals were also important to the Celts, but Hollywell sounded too much like Hollywood and I couldn’t use Oakwell as it’s the name of Barnsley football club’s home ground. Stagwell just sounded wrong. It was starting to drive me crazy. I would lay awake at night, coming up with names only to find they had already been taken. Then one day, I was browsing the internet, looking for a new mattress (my husband had bought one that he thought was a bargain but turned out to be only one inch deep. Neither our backs nor our marriage were going to survive it much longer!) As I was scrolling through the pages of a mattress store, I found it. Amongst the Lyndehursts, St James’s and Lichfields was ‘Hartwell’. It was perfect. Combining the word ‘well’ with ‘hart’ the old English word for stag. Finally, I had a name for my village and a new mattress. I could sleep in peace.

About the Author

H L Marsay always loved detective stories and promised herself that one day, she would write one too. She is lucky enough to live in York, a city full of history and mystery. When not writing, the five men in her life keep her busy – two sons, two dogs and one husband.

Tule Author Q&A: Gerri Russell loves writing strong female characters!

February 14, 2023 · Posted by Tule Publishing

Gerri Russell stopped by the Tule blog to discuss the fourth book in the Guardians of the Isles series, To Claim His Highland Bride!

Where did you get the inspiration for To Claim His Highland Bride?

When I originally created Rowena as the only female MacLeod with five brothers, I knew she had to be strong-willed and perhaps a bit of a rebel to counter the dominance of her warrior brothers. The most outrageous things she could ever do would be to reach across a centuries-old divide and fall in love with her clans’ enemy.

Marcus MacDonald is a dreamer with an explorer’s heart. He loves his clan but wants more out of life than simply feuding with the MacLeods. Marcus’s heart has always belonged to the sea, so with great joy I wrote a “pirate-adventure” story for Marcus and Rowena.

Rowena is such a strong female character in a time where women are historically more subservient. Where did you draw inspiration for her? How do you relate to her?

In my fiction world, I like to portray strong and dynamic women who seem ahead of their time. Yet to me they are only holding on to their positions as evidenced throughout history when women were warriors, powerful priestesses, and political leaders. In the early Christian church, women held positions of equal influence to men. In Medieval times, women were the healers, and their wisdom was valued in a world without medicine. I acknowledge all of that changed at different times in history for various reasons, but I like to imagine my female protagonists, such as Rowena, could stand up to their male counterparts and demand equality in their little corner of the world.

I can relate to Rowena’s desire for independence and her need for a sense of purpose because of my own past. My father died when I was young, leaving my twenty-nine-year-old mother widowed with three children to raise in a world where her name wasn’t even on the mortgage, the bank accounts, or any of the utility bills. I watched her struggle to gain footing in a world dominated by men, to become a strong, independent, and successful woman. My sister and I are both fiercely independent as a result. (Just ask our husbands.) A little bit of my mom, my sister, and me are in every female character I write.

What song would be in the soundtrack to Marcus and Rowena’s love story? Why?

Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol captures the essence of Marcus and Rowena’s relationship.

I need your grace
To remind me
To find my own
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?

These lines capture Marcus’s guilt and grief, Rowena and Marcus’s conflict with their clans, and their need to build something of their own together.

Are there any settings in this story that readers could visit today?

To Claim His Highland Bride is set on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Much of the story takes place at Dunvegan Castle which is open to the public from April 1st to October 15th each year. Approximately ten miles from Dunvegan is Neist Point, on the west coast of Skye, which is accessible by car. And finally, if you’re up for a bit of a hike, readers could visit Uamh Oir, the Cave of Gold, located about five miles north of Uig.

What are you currently reading?

Just like everyone else in the world, I’m indulging in Spare.

About the Author

Gerri Russell is the award-winning author of historical and contemporary novels including the Brotherhood of the Scottish Templars series and Flirting with Felicity. A two-time recipient of the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart Award and winner of the American Title II competition sponsored by RT Book Reviews magazine, she is best known for her adventurous and emotionally intense novels set in the thirteenth- and fourteenth-century Scottish Highlands. Before Gerri followed her passion for writing romance novels, she worked as a broadcast journalist, a newspaper reporter, a magazine columnist, a technical writer and editor, and an instructional designer. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and four mischievous black cats.

Tule Author Q&A: Kaz Delaney mixes Valentine’s Day with murder + A GIVEAWAY!

February 8, 2023 · Posted by Tule Publishing

Kaz Delaney stopped by the Tule blog to discuss the fifth book in the Hart of Texas Murder Mysteries series, Cupid, Cupcakes and Carnage! Plus, keep reading to see how you can enter a giveaway!

Where did you get the inspiration for Cupid, Cupcakes and Carnage and the Hart of Texas Murder Mystery series?

Hi everybody! It’s great to be here again. So while the Hart of Texas Mysteries can be read in any order, they were written to chronologically (roughly) follow the seasons. With Christmas gone, and Rosie getting more than she’d bargained for, (Murder below the Mistletoe), I was checking the calendar to set the next mystery and Valentine’s Day jumped out at me. The tiny town of Airlie Falls loves a good celebration. They go all out, no matter what it is, so this just seemed to fit.

Story-wise, Valentine’s Day is such a beautiful time and yet the wicked side of me saw the fun(?) of juxtaposing that time of warmth and love, of selflessness, alongside the cold-hearted selfishness of murder.

Valentine’s Day is also such a pretty time, and murder is never pretty—so, again, it was a time of contrasts. And such contrasts! I had enormous fun researching Valentine’s Day celebrations and creating such a gorgeous setting. I so badly wanted to go those parties and celebrations; the warmth of that community just keeps dragging me in, making me yearn for a community just like Airlie Falls.

This installment takes place during Valentine’s Day. Are you a fan of the holiday? Do we get to see some romance between Rosie and Jonah?

To be perfectly honest, my husband and I don’t go all out for Valentine’s Day. I suspect we allowed the busy-ness having four children to push more elaborate celebrations to the side—though not once in over fifty years have we not acknowledged it between us, maybe not with a big show, but always a kiss, gratitude that we have each other and a wish for many more Valentine’s Days to come. In retrospect that’s probably the nicest way to celebrate and I guess we will continue that way because those sentiments come from our hearts.

As for Rosie and Jonah? Well, naturally finding a dead body in your backyard would put a dampener on any romantic celebration, right—no matter how young and newly in love you are. So, if ONE random body causes some distress, imagine what finding TWO bodies would do to upset your plans, romantic or otherwise? Especially as one of those bodies has been lying buried in your backyard for over ten years—and of course you had no idea.

Making that work involved a lot of thinking, but the idea of finding a body buried in your backyard intrigued me. Yes, I’m obviously disturbed—we can agree on that. 😊 Two things simultaneously happened that led to the birth of this idea. Our national news was reporting on the outcome of a thirty year old case that had been re-opened. A husband had long been suspected of murdering his wife and the news had historic footage of where their back yard had been dug up at the time. With this on my mind, a few days later I was watching my husband dig a new garden bed, and I idly considered how awful it would be to discover long buried bones. Gruesome? Yes, somewhat, but intriguing. When those two ideas meshed, I had the beginning of a story—one that I then had to make work. Btw, in case you’re wondering, in a landmark result, despite not having ever found the body, enough evidence was found to convict that husband 30 years after his lovely young wife disappeared and after he had installed his teenage girlfriend in his home just days after that wife’s disappearance.

There’s a new senior dating app in Airlie Falls. Would you ever consider using a dating app in today’s dating climate?

person holding black smartphone Wow—what an interesting question. You know, I’m kind of on the fence. It doesn’t sound like something I would do, but then again, it seems to be ‘the’ way to meet people these days, right? And I’m going to share a secret here and I hope you keep it just between us… I’ve always been curious about who an app would match me with. True! I’ve seen some great results but more than often hilariously disastrous ones. That said, there’s no way I’m replacing my man, but still…curious.

Although maybe if the situation arose and I found myself alone I should take a leaf out of the Fab Four’s book and try it! With Valentine’s Day in the air, those gorgeous rascals, average age 90, decided to get back in the ‘game’ and they tried a dating app! I had huge fun writing those scenes and I knew from the first inklings of this book that I wanted to give Lori Sue, Martha, E.T. (Ethel Therese) and Betsy the fun of a dating app to play with. There’s no use-by date on finding love, but with a lot of competition out at Riverbend retirement complex they used their cunning wiles to try to get an edge.

What was your favorite scene to write and why?

Trying to choose a favorite book is like trying to choose a favorite child. However, for reasons I can’t explain, this particular book has a firm place in my heart. I adored every moment of its creation, and couldn’t wait to get to my computer each day. And as many authors would agree, this isn’t always the case. So, bearing all that in mind, I had such trouble choosing a scene. Was it the romantic—and oh so pretty—dance night that heralded the beginning of the Valentine’s Day celebrations? The Fab Four fluttering their eyelashes (and everything else) at their chosen victim—um—date prospect? Was it the moment when Rosie finally realized she’d been looking at everything from the wrong angle? The scene with the supposed psychic who claimed to have been gifted all the answers from the spirits of the dead?

You know what? I think it should be the scene when the second body is discovered. Jonah and Rosie have been away on a short trip to an interstate baking fair and on returning to Rosie’s farmhouse they had been delivered the news of the body discovered in Jonah’s yard while they’d been away. A body that had been buried just days before. Naturally they rush to Jonah’s property just up the road.

The scene at Jonah’s wasn’t nearly as chaotic as I’d expected. Bobby Don, our senior deputy and arguably the best chili maker in Texas, was raking through the disturbed soil where it was obvious the body had been buried. The other guy, Arnie Sanchez, was working in a wider arc. I’d only met Arnie a couple of times but he seemed okay. At mid-twenties he was only a few years younger than Bobby Don and Jonah, and the guys had included him in a few of their occasional trips to Dallas for ball games.

At the moment though, ballgames were the last things on Jonah’s mind. Even in winter his tan was always evident but now he was scarily pale by comparison. His eyes roved the disturbed paving stones, his gaze darting back and forth, mentally measuring the distance between the gravesite and the house. And I knew what he was thinking—ludicrous. It was ludicrous to even consider that anyone had thought burying somebody here was a good idea.

“They had to have thought they had no choice,” I muttered just loud enough for him to hear.

“I agree, but why were they here in the first place? I mean, sure in this town everybody knows everybody’s business, but our decision for me to join you on that trip was pretty much spur of the moment! And even we didn’t know until last night just when we were returning. At first, we were only going for two nights, remember? So, by rights, we should have been home—and chances are I’d be here because I’ve been staying close to those new calves.”

“But we didn’t recognize him Jonah, so he wasn’t local. Which means what? That it was random?”

Jonah bumped his cowboy hat to the back of his head and scratched at his forehead. “Darlin’, I always love the way you think, but to suggest that a stranger wandered onto my property, got himself murdered and buried by another random stranger at the precise time I’d be away is a stretch even for your imagination. Definitely for mine. It makes no sense…”

Clay and Fiona were heading back from the corral barn that housed the new additions to Jonah’s herd and I’d just opened my mouth to ask if they could think of anything else they hadn’t yet told us when a shout went up from the grave area.

“Sheriff! Did you notice anything odd about that guy we dug up? Like, was he missing anything?”

Frank sighed. “Bobby Don, what in tarnation are you talking about now?”

The deputy pushed up from where he’d been hunkered down close to the disturbed soil. “Well, like—did he have all his parts?”

“Bobby Don, I’m close to thinking you don’t have all your parts—especially in the head department. Do you mean body parts? If so, yes, as far as I recall he was intact. So, what is your problem?”

It had long been accepted that Bobby Don was the most generous man you’d wish to meet, and a truly exemplary chili maker. A deputy sheriff? Not so much. But he was as honest as the day is long, and Frank appreciated honesty, so he stayed. Right then I was figuring Sheriff Frank Kinnead was questioning that decision.

Especially when Bobby Don added, “If he didn’t lose anything, then I suppose it’s a bit far-fetched to consider he had anything extra either, right?” I willed him to continue before Frank exploded. “’Cos I’m struggling for an explanation as to why we have an extra hand here…” He paused. “Unless…”

“Unless we have another body,” I finished for him. I’d said the words but it was like actually uttering them made them truly real. I didn’t remember moving my hand until I felt it clasped across the lower part of my face. “Oh my Lord, Jonah. There are two bodies!”

Arnie moved closer and both Frank and Bobby Don squatted to examine the new find. Other than Fiona’s gasp, I think the rest of us simply held our breaths. One random body was unfathomable. Two was insane.

What are you currently reading?

I had some time off after Christmas and have been having the time of my life reading so many titles from Tule’s Montana series. Oh my… So many great stories. Kelly Hunter, Jane Porter, C.J Carmichael, Joan Kilby. The list goes on. And on! And I still have many more to go. Bliss!

Prize up for grabs!

Thank you everybody for hanging out with me. Do you love Valentine’s Day? Do you have a favorite annual celebration? Or what do you like or dislike about cozy mysteries? I don’t mind what you comment on, but if you care to leave a comment, I will randomly choose one person to win a $10 Amazon card and also an e-book copy of your choice of any of the first four titles in the Hart of Texas Mysteries.

About the Author

Award winning YA & children’s author, Kaz Delaney, and her alter ego, have currently sold 73 titles between them over a 26 year career.

Her books have won many awards, among them the prestigious Aurealis Award for best paranormal and ARRA (Australian Romance Readers Association) awards. Her novel ‘Dead, Actually’ (Allen & Unwin) was nominated for a Davitt Award, (Best crime novel, Sisters In Crime) in the YA section. Dividing her time between teaching and writing, Kaz formerly tutored Creative Writing for CSU’s Enrichment Program as well as teaching and creating courses for the Australian College of Journalism.

Having always had a love of cozy mysteries, Kaz is having so much fun writing her Hart of Texas Mystery Series for TULE Publishing, that she worries it’s not legal!

With their family grown and gone, Kaz lives with her wonderful husband at beautiful Lake Macquarie, Australia, a place she describes as a strip of land between the ocean and lake. Like Rosie, Kaz loves to bake and grow vegetables and unlike Rosie, manages to make a mess of every crochet task she undertakes.

TULE AUTHOR Q&A: Susan Lute was inspired by the word “Dibs”

February 1, 2023 · Posted by Tule Publishing

Susan Lute stopped by the Tule blog to discuss the fourth book in the Angel Point series, The Valentine Project!

Where did you get the inspiration for The Valentine Project?

The thing about story inspiration is that it can come from anywhere. And it doesn’t happen the same way for every story. In the case of The Valentine Project, the inspiration came from my own imagination and one sentence . . . a teenager saying to his dad, “Dibs.” I love a strong woman on a mission (Deputy Mayor Gwen Olsen) and a man who is not afraid to step into the middle of things and lend a hand (Fire Chief Carson Loman). When it became clear that best friends Gwen and Carson went to school together and at their senior prom kissed and made a pledge to get married if they were still single at thirty-five, I didn’t know and neither did Gwen that it would be sixteen years before she saw Carson again. Setting the story in Angel Point was a given. Flynn, Carson’s adopted son, and Grandma Adele and her friends, the Wild Card Ladies showed up unexpectedly, and well . . . from there, the story wrote itself.

What song would be in the soundtrack to Gwen and Carson’s love story? Why?

The song that would be the soundtrack to Gwen and Carson’s love story is My Valentine by Martina McBride and Jim Brickman. This song is about what love means and how the dream of love can last forever . . . “I will give you my heart until the end of time. You’re all I need, my love, my valentine.”

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

As it turns out, I do research as the story unfolds, which is to say I research all kinds of things for every book. Even after four books (I’m just finishing the fifth book in the Angel Point series), I’m still researching Angel Point. There’s always something new to learn about this sweet town. I sometimes wish I could live there, walk on the beach, hike in Ecola Park (but I digress). For The Valentine Project, I researched small town government, fire stations and the men and women who dedicate their lives to keeping their communities safe, and fun things to do in Chicago. Those were just a few trips I made to the internet library.

What was your favorite scene to write and why?

When I write a story, every scene moves into the next like a movie that plays across the screen of my mind. It really is hard to pick a favorite, but the scene I like the most in The Valentine Project is when Gwen and Carson run into each other for the first time in sixteen years at Gabe and Taylor’s wedding (from Book One). Gwen is looking for her grandmother and I knew exactly what Flynn would say to his dad from the moment I sat down to write this book.

Gwen went looking for her grandmother. She found the older woman talking to the same man, a tall guy, who knocked it out of the park in his dark suit. His black hair was neatly combed; hands stuffed in his pants pockets as he chatted with Grandma Adele. A young, teenage boy loitered close, mimicking the man’s stance.

Gwen’s breath caught as she almost tripped over the sudden excitement sprinting alongside her pulse. The man (that was his son, she was guessing) was like a dream she didn’t know she had, come true. She stared at his back. He was . . . taller than average . . . strong . . . comfortable in his skin as he laughed at something the boy said. A man, it seemed by his interaction with the teen, who could be relied on to stay the course.

Grandma Adele waved her over. Mesmerizing dude turned at the same time. And Gwen’s heart crashed.

Carson Loman.

Shaking her head, she had to force herself not to run in the opposite direction. Stopping short of making a spectacle of herself, she straightened her shoulders and pasted on a smile. Hopefully it wasn’t too fake.

As if she greeted a MIA ex-best friend everyday, she walked over to her grandmother and kissed the older lady on the cheek before facing Carson. She held out her hand. “Hello, Carson.”

“Carson and Flynn are my plus one and two,” Grandma Adele said, just a little too smug.

For a long moment, he stared at her, memories filling bright blue eyes she had tried so hard to forget but couldn’t. He took her hand, his grip firm and warm. “Hi, Gwen. You look lovely.”

This was not the boy she used to know. Life had etched lines on his face, broadened his shoulders, and—

“Gwen—” he pulled the teenager forward. “This is my son, Flynn.”

He had a son.

“Dibs!” Flynn said in a stage whisper as he leaned into his dad’s shoulder,

“Ignore this crazy kid.” Carson dragged Flynn close with an arm around the boy’s neck, scrubbing knuckles across his head. Flynn squirmed, but his father watched her . . . expecting to find . . . what? The girl he’d left behind? That wasn’t likely to happen.

What are you currently reading?

Currently I’m reading The Vibrant Years by Sonali Dev, Sunrise With the Silver Surfers by Maddie Please, and I’m waiting for The Gentleman’s Gambit by Evie Dunmore to release. This will be Book 4 in her League of Extraordinary Women series, set in the 1800s, about four women and their fight for women’s suffrage. I can’t say enough good things about this series.

About the Author

Susan is an award winning author of contemporary romance, women’s fiction, and dystopian romance. Like all children of military families, she spent her childhood moving from one duty station to the next. She likes to say she is first and foremost a wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, dreamer, and novelist. These days, when not working as a Registered Nurse, she remodels her house and writes whenever she can.

TULE AUTHOR Q&A: Leigh Ann Edwards shares who she’d switch bodies with!

January 31, 2023 · Posted by Tule Publishing

Leigh Ann Edwards stopped by the Tule blog to discuss the second book in the Maidens of the Mystical Stones series, Winter’s Haunting Pledge!

Where did you get the inspiration for Winter’s Haunting Pledge and the Maidens of the Mystical Stones Series?

Ever since I was a child, I’ve loved all things historical, magical, or supernatural, and I still do. I’m always trying to come up with something a little different for a new fantasy or paranormal series. I remember really enjoying the movie Freaky Friday and the book The Prince and the Pauper.

It seems we often envy other people’s lives and I thought it would be a really interesting premise for a series with four friends—four very different women in personalities and life circumstances, to be given the magical opportunity to change places—exchanging lives for a season.

Also, when I was looking into my genealogy a few years back, I discovered my branch of Edwards were from a small village near Stonehenge. Sound familiar? It made my imagination go wild with possibilities. I thought one day… that would make a great fantasy series.

How do you relate to Rhianwyn, your heroine, and how do you hope readers will relate to her?

I think I mostly relate to Rhianwyn in how she empathizes with people. She wants to make things better for those she cares about, and feels badly when she can’t always make life easier for them.

I hope readers will relate to how fiercely Rhianwyn fights to better the lives of others and her inability to accept how women, during her time, were abused and devalued. She speaks up for the less fortunate and against injustices even when females were expected to be silent and submissive.

If you could switch lives with anyone, living or dead, like your characters, who would it be?

That’s a really good question and a really difficult one to answer. I definitely wouldn’t want the life of any of my four heroines. Even if I do think Broccan’s a really gorgeous, amazing hero.

Because I like history so much, I’d love to say I’d choose to live as one of my favorite authors, probably Emily or Charlotte Bronte, but having visited the Bronte parsonage in Haworth England and hearing about the terrible living conditions back then, I wouldn’t. None of the six Bronte children lived to be elderly. Charlotte lived the longest and she was still only thirty-eight when she died.

It might be skirting around your question, but I wouldn’t pick anyone in particular. However, I would really like to have my younger body with more endurance, but with the wisdom gained through the experience of the years I’ve lived. It would be exciting to be fit enough to backpack across Ireland or maybe all of Europe.

What was your favorite scene to write and why?

I have a few favorite scenes, but some give too much away. So I’ve chosen one where the characters have a little bit of child-like fun together.

To set up the scene, Rhianwyn has already gone through the first magical transformation and is living as her best friend, Selena. She’s having a very difficult time being separated from her husband Broccan. He’s also really confused and unhappy in his marriage now. He doesn’t understand why his wife seems so changed or why he’s suddenly attracted to the woman he sees as Selena.

On Broccan’s request, Rhianwyn has gone to speak with Selena to try to find out if she’ll tell her what’s wrong. He asks her to discover if his wife doesn’t love him any longer of if she’d maybe fallen for someone else when he was away for a few months.

Broccan came after her, startling Rhianwyn. Her thoughts were on the quarrel she’d had with Selena.

“By your worried look,” he said, “the conversation didn’t go well.”

Rhianwyn grasped with what to tell him to lessen his worries.

“Give her time, Broccan. She’s feeling low. It sometimes occurs during the long dark days of winter. With spring, approaching, I suspect she’ll recover soon enough.”

Broccan’s strained expression told her he wasn’t convinced.

“She’s not in love with anyone else,” Rhianwyn said, hoping to assure him. “But now, I must get back before Shandy sends Aldrich to fetch me.”

He nodded and she started off, but looked back to see him leaning against the stable, deep in thought. How she wished she could ease his burden. Her preferred method––taking him to bed––wasn’t possible. But she could offer him some lighthearted merriment.

She grasped some snow, formed a ball and threw it at him. He glanced up maybe thinking it had fallen from the roof. She threw another and he looked at her in disbelief. She tossed one more, even harder. It struck his chest and sprayed his face. He grinned and she giggled, throwing yet another.

He picked up snow, too, and tossed it at her. She raced off, ducking behind a tree. He followed and they continued the frivolity for some time until he threw a far larger amount. Snow covered her hair and face, went inside her cloak and garments, sliding down her neck and between her breasts. She squealed at the shock of the cold. He must have thought he’d gone too far, for he drew nearer, looking apologetic. She pretended to be dismayed, wiping the snow away, then reached for another handful and rubbed it on his face. He laughed, picked her up, and dropped her gently into a mound of snow. She grabbed at his leg and knocked him off-balance. He fell beside her wearing the broadest, most magnanimous smile.

Overcome with love, she reached out and lightly touched his jaw as she’d so often done before. The attraction between them was profoundly overpowering…as it had always been when her consciousness was in her own body. She desperately yearned for his kiss, but when he moved close enough their lips nearly touched, she quickly stood. He did as well, still wearing an unmistakable look of longing. Aching to be with him, she pushed him against the stable and pulled his head down to her lips. The kiss was undeniably torrid, but then he moved away and pulled his hand through his hair, obviously equally torn.

She was tormenting them both.

“Forgive me, Broccan,” she said as she left him standing looking even more confused.

What are you currently reading?

I have so many books on my Kindle that I can’t wait to get to. Sometimes when I spend long days writing or editing, I can’t read as much as I’d like because of eye strain.

In the last couple of months I’ve enjoyed several stories by different Tule authors. But presently, I’m reading The Girls in the Stilt House by Kelly Mustian. It was recommended to readers who enjoyed Where the Crawdads Sing. I’ve only read the first six chapters, but so far it’s really intriguing.

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.

MY MONTANA VALENTINE: Release day blog post featuring Elsa Winckler!

January 30, 2023 · Posted by Tule Publishing

I’m so excited to finally share My Montana Valentine, the first story in a new series called The Millers of Marietta with all of you. Like many of you, I’ve read and loved all Tule’s stories set in the fictional town of Marietta and I was thrilled when Tule liked my proposal for a series set in this quaint town.

This series introduces a new family – a brother and his two sisters who have relocated to Marietta. Each of them has reasons why they’re willing to cross state lines and settle in a new town. What they don’t expect, though, is the matchmaker in town who has decided the Millers are the perfect matches for her three godchildren.

The older I get the more intrigued I am about human behavior. Why are we the way we are? Why do we react to situations the way we do? Most of the time the reason or reasons we don’t have enough confidence or that we believe something about ourselves that isn’t true, stems from our childhood. To become the person you’re supposed to be, you have to grow, have to see the lie you believe about yourself isn’t true. In this story Vivian has been hurt badly and is determined to guard her heart against any future heartache. As a journalist Aiden has seen the worst in people and at this point of his career he’s not optimistic he’ll find the feel-good story his boss is looking for.

So what happens when these two end up in the same place at the same time? Both are so determined to steer clear of any entanglements but, as they will find out, love always finds a way to heal and open hearts again.

I would like to thank other Tule authors like Katherine Garbera who has been so helpful and kind and has agreed to let me use one of her characters in the stories – you’ll recognise Risa Grant’s flower shop! Of course, there must be flowers, it is after all, Valentine’s Day ☺

I hope you enjoy reading these stories as much as I enjoyed writing them.

Thank you for all your lovely feedback, I so appreciate all the support!

About the Author

I have been reading love stories for as long as I can remember and when I ‘met’ the classic authors like Jane Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell, Henry James The Brontë sisters, etc. during my Honours studies, I was hooked for life.

I married my college boyfriend and soul mate and after 43 years, 3 interesting and wonderful children and 3 beautiful grandchildren, he still makes me weak in the knees. We are fortunate to live in the picturesque little seaside village of Betty’s Bay, South Africa with the ocean a block away and a beautiful mountain right behind us. And although life so far has not always been an easy ride, it has always been an exciting and interesting one!

I like the heroines in my stories to be beautiful, feisty, independent and headstrong.  And the heroes must be strong but possess a generous amount of sensitivity. They are of course, also gorgeous!  My stories typically incorporate the family background of the characters to better understand where they come from and who they are when we meet them in the story.

Tule Author Q&A: Winter Austin was inspired by a song!

January 26, 2023 · Posted by Tule Publishing

Winter Austin stopped by the Tule blog to discuss the third book in the Benoit and Dayne Mystery series, Straight for the Kill!

Where did you get the inspiration for Straight for the Kill?

This one came from listening to a new to me duo called Neoni and a few of their songs stirred up some scenes in my head while driving home from one of my many trips to Iowa City for check ups on my eyes. I can’t reveal what scenes those were because it would ruin the book. The title took a bit to decide on, and it was there before I figured out how to work it in. The overall plot has been around since Elizabeth and her characterization were birthed.

How have your characters Elizabeth and Lila changed throughout the course of the Benoit and Dayne Mystery series?

In increments. Both are older and have some set ways, but that’s the beauty of being an author and these are fictional people, you can change them.

Elizabeth is more jaded than she was when we first meet her. She’s always been a go-getter, but doing the job as sheriff, she’s shifted into being more of jump to conclusions first and work her way out of it. This is going to get her into trouble at some point.

Lila, after the events of Hush, My Darling, has learned to work through her trauma and is more levelheaded than she was when we first met her. She’s taken on more of a leadership role than she ever imagined. She’s also trying to navigate her life with a stable relationship, something that is a foreign concept for her.

Why did you choose the setting of Eckardt County for this series? Can you paint a picture of the town for us?

Juniper, the main town in Eckardt County, is a combination of many of the places here in Southeast Iowa. Towns and rural areas that I grew up around, spent a lot of time in, and live near and in now. Many of the establishments reflect local businesses or places that once existed. As for Eckardt County itself, it is like Juniper, a large conglomeration of the counties in Southeast Iowa. I had written a series previously set in my area of Iowa, which made it easier to write because I could give the nuances and visual feel of what my world looks like without having to spend any time researching. Coming back to Southeast Iowa for another series felt right.

If you could spend the day with Elizabeth or Lila, who would you choose and what would you do?

Probably Elizabeth. I’m such a dog person and having a Border like Bentley to love on would just make my day since she goes everywhere with Elizabeth. Then there’s Elizabeth’s sister Marnie who totally intrigues me, and I’m her creator. Course wherever Elizabeth is, Lila is sure to show up. In the end I’d probably spend time in Elizabeth’s office swapping stories.

What are you currently reading?

Fellow Iowan, Stacy Green’s book The Trapped Ones. I’m also reading through fellow Tule author Katherine Cowley’s book, The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet. And for my SinC Iowa Chapter we’re going through The Linchpin Writer: Crafting Your Novel’s Key Moments by John Matthew Fox as our craft novel for this year.

About the Author

Winter Austin perpetually answers the question: “were you born in the winter?” with a flat “nope,” but believe her, there is a story behind her name.

A lifelong Mid-West gal with strong ties to the agriculture world, Winter grew up listening to the captivating stories told by relatives around a table or a campfire. As a published author, she learned her glass half-empty personality makes for a perfect suspense/thriller writer. Taking her ability to verbally spin a vivid and detailed story, Winter translated that into writing deadly romantic suspense, mysteries, and thrillers.

When she’s not slaving away at the computer, you can find Winter supporting her daughter in cattle shows, seeing her three sons off into the wide-wide world, loving on her fur babies, prodding her teacher husband, and nagging at her flock of hens to stay in the coop or the dogs will get them.

She is the author of multiple novels.