Friday, July 29, 2022

This week in The Loft: Author Ruth A. Casie!

Joining me today in The Loft is historical romance author Ruth A Casie. A USA Today bestselling author, Ruth writes adventures that take readers from the shores of medieval Scotland to the cobblestone streets of Regency London. Her stories embrace women who are strong and men who deserve them. Ruth is also one of five Timeless Scribes. They write short stories and publish them in a holiday and summer anthology.

Author Ruth A. Casie

S:  Good morning, Ruth. Thanks for joining me in The Loft!

Is true romance--the wooing, courtship, passion, seduction, the little gestures of affection, etc.--dead?

R:  I hope not. My world, my real one, is my family. Each of my grown children are either married or in relationships. They and their significant others treat one another respectfully and tenderly. They treat each other to surprises, treats, and acts of kindness. The outside world around me may be different, but I believe that it’s family values and actions that teach children what is expected and how to behave. For example, after a day of work and commuting into Manhattan, I cooked dinner. My husband, who commuted with me, did the dishes. Even now that we are both retired, I cook and he does the dishes. Our son went to Northeastern University in Boston. One Saturday afternoon, I got a call from the school. It was a student calling parents of student asking for donations. The young lady on the other end read her script. Out of nowhere she asked about my son. She was given a list of parents to call and when she noticed our name just had to call. I wasn’t sure whether to be pleased or cautious. She said, "I just had to tell you. He is dating my roommate. We had him over for dinner this week and he wouldn’t let us do the dishes.” Okay. It could be a great pick-up line, but here it is, 15 years later and he still does the dishes after dinner, now for his wife.

S:  What do people get wrong about writing romance?

R:  At a recent gathering I heard words from men who I believed were progressive, educated, understanding. "You write soft porn. Where do you get your material?" One asked if I was happily married. They thought they were being cheeky. They thought they were being brash. They thought they were being funny. When in fact, they weren’t thinking at all. And rather than correct them, teach them, embarrass them, I said nothing. I smiled and ate a tasteless sandwich. That position isn’t unique to men. Women get it wrong. I’m a member of a women’s organization that prides itself with its progressive mindset. They have several book clubs for members. One woman suggested they read my book and was told no one reads those types of books. In a repressed environment, prior to the 18th century where women had no rights, women wrote stories from their heart, with dreams of independence and freedom. To quote Maya Rodale, “We are writing stories about women who triumph in a world that doesn’t want women to triumph.” It breaks away from the accepted norm of the era which is threatening to those in control and can be linked to the rise in the call for women’s rights. Romance stories take you on a journey as a woman of that any era, in any story where she finds fulfilment and a deserving happily ever after.

S:  I was rather surprised at the comments I got when I first started writing romance. They revealed such a lack of tolerance and maturity about a subject that is really important to humanity--love. Why are men--and some women--so uncomfortable with it? Maybe the role of romance authors is to lift the curtain and reveal love in all shapes and forms.

If you were suddenly transported back to Victorian England as a member of the aristocracy, would you thrilled or appalled? Would you be willing to stay there permanently?

R:  I hope a bit of both. Thrilled for the experience and appalled by the narrow-mindedness. Would I stay permanently? Only if I found people who would support a forward-thinking woman. I think I would wind up in a lot of trouble.

S:  If women had started taking a stand back then, I imagine we would be living in a much different world now.

What do people get wrong about publishing a book?

R:  People think you write a book and someone--and that someone could be you--publishes it. Each stage of the process has its own difficulties from story concept through story development, and editing to publishing. And it doesn’t stop there. Whether you are traditionally published or self-published, there is the marketing. Even if you’re traditionally published, a great deal of the marketing is left to the author. Self-published authors have to do it all.

S:  The promotion aspect is time-consuming. If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose to write books?

R:  Yes, but I wouldn’t have waited so long. I loved my job at the bank and spent over 25 years there. However, the creativity and camaraderie I have found in the writing community has been wonderful. I find out more about myself with each book I write.

S:  What is the best or worst thing that ever happened to you as a writer?

R:  This is a hard question. There are so many wonderful things. Fangirl moments with Diana Gabaldon, Eloisa James, Nora Roberts. The first time a person recognized me and showed me my book on their Kindle and the first time I saw someone reading my book. But the best was a call that my story made the USA Today bestselling list.


S:  What’s the best advice you have ever been given?

R:  Write the next book. I remember I went to an RWA conference. My first book, "Knight of Runes" had been published eight weeks earlier by Carina Press. I went to the Carina Press gathering and Angela James asked when I was handing in my next book. I was dumbfounded. My response? “With all the red marks on my manuscript, I didn’t think you’d ever want another book from me.” She laughed and said, “If you’re as smart as I think you are, there won’t be as many red marks on the next one.”

S:  Is there anything special you would like people to know about The Ladies of Summer-by-the-Sea series?

R:  Here's the blurb for the series--

Welcome to Sommer-by-the-Sea, a vibrant village nestled on the rugged northeast coast of England, 15 miles north of Newcastle upon Tyne. Here, the world is centered on the country village and the lives of the landowning and professional families. Sommer-by-the-Sea is populated with aristocrats, gentry, self-made men, shop owners, local workers, and servants, a cross-section of the people of the time. Steeped in history dating back as far as the Vikings, the villagers are proud and celebrate their heritage.

Everyone from the elite summer residents to the year-round residence keep businesses flourishing and gossip thriving. As with any small town, there are challenges and successes, secrets, disagreements, and feuds. There is no shortage of romance, mystery, drama, and even a murder or two.

Graduates of the Sommer-by-the-Sea Female Seminary have a unique education. Along with the usual studies available, the head mistress has nurtured each woman’s innate ability and helped them develop into the women they are today. This shared unique experience has kept the graduates close.

Each lady has her own story to tell as she is called to action and must demonstrate she is smart, strong and sensible and must challenge the accepted definition of a “woman’s place.” For these women, arranged or political marriages will not do. If she chooses a husband, it will be for love, on her own terms, and with a man who will accept her as a partner.

S:  Tell me more about Book 3, "The Lady and Her Duke."

R:  Here's the blurb--

Could she use her skills as a lockpick to crack open the secrets to the murder as well as unlock his heart?

Lady Katherine Thornton has no interest in men after an indiscretion at her disastrous Season in London. No man can be trusted. Instead, she indulges in her fascination for gears and all things mechanical. Her unique drafting skill is an asset to her uncle Bennett Sutton, who is automating his textile factory. She doesn't need anything else.

Lord Ian Wallace, the 4th Duke of Blackhall, is a retired military officer. An accidental duke after the deaths of his father and brother, he retreats from society and the clawing mothers and debutantes who stalk him. He’s focused all his energy on his partnership with Sutton. He’s satisfied and needs nothing else.

An oath to marry, a family legend to preserve, an uprising of the factory workers, and Sutton’s murder, throw Katherine and Wallace together to find a blackmailer and murderer. They also will find two things neither knew they were missing… each other and their happily ever after.

S:  That sounds like a suspenseful story. Where can readers buy this series?

R:  All books are available on Amazon Kindle at Amazon Kindle Unlimited.

S:  Ruth, thanks so much for joining me today. If you'd like to learn more about Ruth and her books, please visit--


Friday, July 22, 2022

The week in The Loft: Author Amber Daulton!

Joining me today in The Loft is author Amber Daulton. The author of the romantic-suspense series, Arresting Onyx, and several standalone novellas, Amber writes sexy stories with heart. Her books are available in eBook, print on demand, audio, and foreign language formats. When she’s not writing, Amber reads, obsesses over her herb bed--she actually has some plants growing this year-- or binges her favorite TV shows, Supernatural and Star Trek: TNG. Amber lives in North Carolina with her husband and demanding cats. 

Author Amber Daulton

S:  Good morning, Amber. Thanks for joining me today!

Historical romance dramas have become quite popular on television. If you were suddenly transported back to Victorian England as a member of the aristocracy, would you thrilled or appalled? Would you be willing to stay there permanently?

A:  Ooh, I’m not sure. At first, I would be thrilled. As a member of the aristocracy, I would have beautiful gowns, servants to attend me, and I’d get to go to lavish parties. On the other hand, as a high-born lady, I would have very little say in my own life. I would be subject to the whim of my father, brother, or husband, and I would be expected to keep house, have babies, and stay silent. Granted, not all romantic relationships of the time were so cold and strict, so if I would find a forward-thinking gentleman who has a healthy respect for women, then I might seriously consider staying in Victorian England.

S:  I'm with you on that! I'd enjoy the elegance of that life, but I'd probably strap a stiletto to my hip to deal with men who have bad attitudes toward women. Then I would be writing from a jail cell!

Do you write in genres other than romance?

A:  No, but perhaps in another life, I could write crime books. I already write romantic suspense, so it wouldn’t be a hard stretch to ditch the romance angle.

S:  What do people get wrong about writing romance?

A:  A lot of people think it’s cliché and full of toxic heroes with gleaming muscles and waif-like beauties without an original thought in their heads. These naysayers have probably never read from the genre. Romance books are more than just romance these days, more than broad-shouldered men and clingy women. They focus on family problems, friendships, careers, personal demons, and hope. The villains are often sympathetic, and sometimes you even root for them. There’s action and tears, everything that makes up a blockbuster movie.

S:  Exactly. Many romance stories reflect real life situations. It's not all fantasy.

If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose to write books?

A:  Yes, but I would like to go into it with more knowledge about what to expect. Writing is a difficult profession for several reasons, one of which is that you can’t just slap words on a piece of paper and call it done. You have to fine tune those words several times over to make them great, but that doesn’t mean everyone will love what you wrote. Beyond marketing the book, I think editing is the most difficult part of the writing/publication process. That said, I still wouldn’t trade this career for anything.

S:  What’s the best advice you have ever been given?

A:  Just keep trying even when you’re feeling bad about yourself and the quality of your work. No one is perfect. Don’t rush a project. Give it the love and attention it needs to be the best it can be. You as the writer, the book itself, and the readers deserve it.

S:  What inspired your latest book, "Ryan’s Temptation?"

A:  I never meant to write the Arresting Onyx series. Book 1, "Arresting Mason," started as a single book, but the secondary characters demanded stories of their own, so I kept writing. Before long, I had a trilogy on my hands. But that wasn’t enough either. As I was writing the last book, a pestering little voice in the back of my head told me to go back and squeeze in two novellas. You see, I’d introduced two secondary characters in book 1 and let them return in book 3, but I didn’t give them a chance to shine in their own story. Deep inside me, I just couldn’t accept that. These two women, Chanel and Shea, are wonderful friends to Mia, the heroine in "Arresting Mason." They deserved a story of their own. So after a little re-writing of books 2, 3, and 4, I wrote two novellas and marked them as books 2.5, "Ryan’s Temptation" and 3.5, "Trevor’s Redemption." All the books in this series include the men’s names, but I chose a different format for the novellas to help readers differentiate between them and the full-length novels.

S:  Is there anything special you would like people to know about "Ryan’s Temptation?"

A:  It was previously published in a multi-author box set, but now the set is off sale, and the rights to my individual story have reverted to me. You can find it available for pre-order at Amazon and several other online retailers. It’s only .99 cents during the pre-order period, so reserve your copy now before the price goes up.

Here's the blurb--

Wrong place, wrong time. Now she’s running for her life.

Beautician Chanel Leroc can wield a pair of scissors like nobody’s business. After she witnesses a murder and lands on a serial killer’s hit list, she has to figure out how to protect herself—and fast. The killer tracks her down, but her sexy new neighbor, Dr. Ryan Naylor, drives the brute off.

The police dump the pair in a witness protection program, which doesn’t last long. Either the killer has a connection to the police, or he’s far more intelligent than they realize. All Chanel wants to do is get back to her safe life and get to know her neighbor better. Instead, she and Ryan hit the road and try to survive on their own.

How will they stay alive and keep their blooming romance intact with the killer hot on their trail?


S:  Wow, steamy and chilling. It sounds like a good read. Where can readers pre-order "Ryan's Temptation?"

A:  It's available at--

Universal link:  https://books2read.com/RyansTemptation

Amazon:  https://amzn.to/3ajZ6MT

Barnes and Noble:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ryans-temptation-amber-daulton/1141713344?ean=2940186609674

Apple/iTunes:  https://books.apple.com/us/book/id6443054102

Kobo:  https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/ryan-s-temptation

Google Play:  https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=5R54EAAAQBAJ

S:  Amber, thanks so much for joining me today. If you'd like to learn more about Amber and her books, please visit--

Universal link:  https://linktr.ee/AmberDaulton

Newsletter Sign Up (free eBook to new subscribers):  https://bit.ly/amberdaultonnewsletter

Thursday, July 14, 2022

This week in The Loft: Author Jana Richards!

Joining me today in The Loft is romance author Jana Richards. She writes contemporary and paranormal romance, romantic comedy, and romantic suspense. Jana believes there’s nothing more interesting then peeling back the layers of a character to see what makes them tick. When not writing up a storm or dealing with dust bunnies, Jana can be found pursuing hobbies such as golf or reading. Jana writes full-time from her home in Western Canada, where she resides with her husband.

Author Jana Richards

S:  Welcome, Jana! Thanks for joining me today.

You've been writing romance for a while now. Some people claim true romance is dead--the wooing, courtship, passion, seduction, the little gestures of affection, etc. Do you agree?

J:  I hope it’s not dead! Without the courtship, the gestures of affection and the eventual seduction, life doesn’t have the same meaning. In the end, romance, eventually leading to love and family and commitment, is everything to us as humans. It’s what makes life worthwhile.

S:  If you were suddenly transported back to Victorian England as a member of the aristocracy, would you thrilled or appalled? Would you be willing to stay there permanently?

J:  I think I’d be thrilled—for a day or two. I’d be thrilled at being able to get a firsthand look at how Victorian society functioned rather than only reading about it in books. And if I were a member of the aristocracy—I’m not gonna lie—for a short while, it would be awesome to have someone look after my every need, and to be able to buy whatever I wanted. But after a few days, I’m sure I’d become appalled by the restrictive, sheltered, misogynistic life that Victorian women were subjected to. Being told I couldn’t do something because I was a woman wouldn’t sit well with me, and neither would being told that because I was a woman, I was stupid. Top that off with a lack of modern conveniences, like toilets and showers and smart phones, and I’d be ready to return to my own time. 

S:  I like to think if I was stuck in those times, I would still be writing hot romances--just under a male pen name!

What do you appreciate more--Brains or brawn/beauty?

J:  I enjoy a handsome face as much as the next girl, but what really gets me is brains. Whether it’s in real life or in a novel, a person who has brains and wit and resourcefulness is always more interesting than good looks. And more attractive.

S:  Amen. There may come a time when interesting conversation is all that's left!

What do people get wrong about publishing a book?

J:  I think they believe that writing the book is the hard part. Don’t get me wrong, it is hard to write a book, but it’s only the beginning. After writing and publishing a book, you’ve got to think about marketing and selling. Selling a book takes creativity, perseverance, and a lot of hard work, maybe even more than the writing itself.

S:  What do you consider your greatest achievement?

J:  I share my greatest achievement with my husband. Hands down, our greatest achievement is that we raised two wonderful daughters. They are both smart, capable, compassionate women, and I couldn’t be prouder of them

S:  What do you want inscribed on your tombstone? How do you want to be remembered?

J:  “She was a good friend, mother, wife, and sister." And oh, yes, "She was a damn fine writer.”

S:  What inspired your featured book, "Strong Enough?"

J:  "Strong Enough" is book four in my Masonville small town romance series. In each of the books, my characters must overcome hardships and traumas in order to move forward and find love. I was inspired to write "Strong Enough" and the other books in The Masonville Series by my love of small towns and their sense of community. I was also inspired by brave people who have come forward in the last few years to tell of sexual abuse they suffered, sometimes years in the past. In "Strong Enough," Charlotte keeps silent for 10 years about being raped in college because she believes she was to blame. I believe that when survivors are allowed to speak of their abuse, it helps to lessen its power over them.

S:  Is there anything special you would like people to know about "Strong Enough?"

J:  The main characters in "Strong Enough" have the biggest hurdles of any of the characters in The Masonville Series to overcome. Damon was a victim of childhood sexual abuse, and Charlotte was raped in college. I know sexual abuse is a difficult topic to read about, but I like to think that "Strong Enough" is a celebration of love over trauma. It’s that message of hope I want to give to readers.

Here's the blurb:

Charlotte Saunders has a full life—a rewarding career as a nurse, meaningful volunteer work at a dog shelter, and family, friends and pets she adores. But no matter how hard she tries, she can’t forget the horrible event that’s haunted her for ten years.

A survivor of childhood sexual abuse, Damon Greyson now helps others who have suffered trauma. His experience and intuition alert him to trouble in Charlotte’s past, and he wants to help her, if only she’d let him.

As they work together to help veterans suffering from PTSD and neglected dogs needing loving homes, their feelings for each other deepen. But when the trauma from Charlotte’s past roars back to life, both are forced to confront their painful histories—or die trying.

S:  Love over trauma. I really like that perspective. Where can readers buy your book?

J:  It's available from--

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09VNRFZW7

Amazon CA:   https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B09VNRFZW7

Amazon UK:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09VNRFZW7

iBooks:  https://books.apple.com/us/book/strong-enough/id1615684106

Barnes & Noble:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/strong-enough-jana-richards/1141265231?ean=2940161031278

Universal Link:  https://books2read.com/Strong-Enough-by-Jana-Richards

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60582342-strong-enough

BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/books/strong-enough-masonville-series-book-4-by-jana-richards

S:   Jana, thanks so much for joining me today. If you'd like to learn more about Jana and her books, please visit--

Website:  http://www.janarichards.com

Blog:  http://janarichards.blogspot.com

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/JanaRichardsAuthor

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/JanaRichards_

Amazon Author Page:  http://www.amazon.com/author/janarichards

Amazon UK Author Page:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B002DEVWWG

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2892274Jana_Richards

BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jana-richards

Newsletter Signup:  http://janarichards.com/contact.html#newsletter

Friday, July 8, 2022

This week in The Loft: Author Bethany Drake!

Joining me in The Loft today is author Bethany Drake. Bethany writes futuristic and urban fantasy romance, with a lot of heat. The author of the erotic Sci-Fi romance series, Desire's Duty, and the paranormal romance series, Tears of the Wolf, Bethany says she writes in her own little world, creating new worlds for her characters. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) and is a big fan of the UNCC 49ers football team. The owner of several cats, Bethany tells people it’s her crazy cat lady starter kit. 


The avatar of author Bethany Drake

S:  Good morning, Bethany. Welcome to The Loft!

How has romance changed in your lifetime?

B:  I don’t think romance has changed that much. The way a couple might meet has changed a lot, but not romance.

S:  Is true romance--the wooing, courtship, passion, seduction, the little gestures of affection, etc.--dead? 

B:  I don’t think it’s dead. I love to see couples who have been married a long time hold hands in public. Or be out to dinner and get a single rose. Something so simple can make you feel loved and special.

S:  If you were suddenly transported back to Victorian England as a member of the aristocracy, would you thrilled or appalled? Would you be willing to stay there permanently?

B:   No, thank you. I think the smells would be what I’d want to get away from. Would it be fascinating to see that era up close? Of course, but I wouldn’t want to stay.

S:  I imagine the lack of regular bathing and the overuse of cologne to cover up unappealing smells would be cloying.

What do people get wrong about writing romance?

B:  They think they can just put words together and publish your book. Every book should still go through the editing process. Self-published authors hire editors and readers to help them make their book the best it can be.

S:  I am always amused when people make it sound so easy. It takes a lot of work to write a book.

What do people get wrong about publishing a book?

B:  They think it’s easy. There’s the editing, then the proofing. Giving the artist enough information to get you a cover you’ll like. And let’s not forget the deadlines that need to be met to get the book out on the date predicted, and I have a publisher to help me with that. Then there’s the media kit, promotion…that list is endless.

S:  I think people would be surprised at the amount of promotion involved. The tasks seem endless.

What inspired your newest release, "The Power of the Tears?"

B:  My main character, Katherine, kept pestering me to write her story. She deserved romance like everyone else. After we talked, I knew where I was setting it and the rest was magic.

S:  Is there anything special you would like people to know about "The Power of the Tears?"

B:  This book three in the Tears of the Wolf series and can be enjoyed independently. In addition, I sort of fell in love with Jacques as I developed his character. Each time I wrote about him I had a clear vision of what he looked like. It was like I was there in the scene.

Here's the blurb--

Catherine is second in command in her pack and Max, her alpha, has made arrangements for her to visit a pack who has had three women murdered in a ritualistic manner. She isn’t looking forward to visiting a pack whose alpha believes women should only be mates and mothers. As the pack historian she has the knowledge needed to help the local sheriff solve the murders.

Jacques is the oldest son of the pack alpha, but an injury when he was young keeps him from shifting. He had to step back as the heir-apparent and let his brother rule. He’s now their sheriff. The moment he meets Catherine he wants something he feels he’s not worthy of. How could such a beautiful, successful werewolf want him?

The passion between them is powerful. Catherine starts to wonder if it’s interfering with her solving the murders. Jacques is determined to keep Catherine safe when it appears she may be the next victim. Can they solve the murders together? Can they have a happily ever after?


S:  Where can readers buy your book?

B:  It's available at--


S:  Bethany, thanks for joining me today. If you'd like to learn more about Bethany and her books, please visit--

Friday, July 1, 2022

This week in The Loft: Canadian author Linda O'Connor!

Joining me today in The Loft is award-winning and best-selling author Linda O'Connor. A physician at an Urgent Care Clinic, Linda writes romantic comedies that draw on her medical training and experience. Her stories are fast-paced, with an unexpected twist. When not writing or working, Linda enjoys cycling, cross-country skiing, skating, and dancing. The mother of three grown sons, Linda is married to a surgeon. Her favorite prescription? Laugh every day. Love every minute.


Author Linda O'Connor

S:  Welcome to The Loft, Linda! 

What do people get wrong about writing romance?

L:  I specifically write medical romance and here are three things that authors may get wrong when their main characters are doctors. Physicians cannot and would not date their patients-- unless they want to lose their license to practice medicine. I know that readers are sometimes asked to suspend reality when reading fiction, but a doctor hooking up with their patient makes me cringe. It’s so unprofessional. If you want to write a romance with the doctor as the hero or heroine, their love interest could be a colleague. Generally, the rules about dating a fellow hospital employee aren’t as strict as they are in the corporate world. Something else I’m often asked about with respect to the scope of practice outside of a clinic or medical facility-- doctors can pretty much only do First Aid and CPR like any other bystander. Not many doctors carry around a stethoscope, medical equipment, or urgently--needed drugs on an outing! Gone are the days of old when a doctor, usually a surgeon, stereotypically a neurosurgeon, goes around throwing out arrogant orders to the doctors-in-training or nursing staff. That is no longer tolerated. Doctors are expected to maintain a level of professionalism-- on and off the job. A couple of years ago, a doctor was reprimanded by the College of Physicians and Surgeons for swearing at another driver after a minor motor vehicle accident. It wasn’t medically related at all, but it was deemed that the doctor’s behavior was unbecoming to the profession.

S:  As a former lawyer, I want to scream every time a lawyer in a book or film does something that would not fly in real life. Sure, it's fiction, but the public doesn't know that. 

If you were suddenly transported back to Victorian England as a member of the aristocracy, would you be thrilled or appalled? Would you be willing to stay there permanently?

L:  I would be appalled. A female physician in Victorian England was pretty much unheard of, and the practice of medicine was very different. The use of anesthetics, antibiotics, and even basic sanitization practices were all still evolving. I would be anxious to be transported back to today.

S:  I have to agree. Back then, women were in a very subordinate position. 

What attracted you to your current partner?

L:  His smile. We have a lot of things in common, but it was his smile that made me want to get to know him better.

S:  Is true romance--the wooing, courtship, passion, seduction, the little gestures of affection--dead? 

L:  I don’t think so, at least not in my heart. It’s the little gestures of affection that carry the relationship forward. The wooing and courtship allow you to get to know someone and develop trust and respect. They build the foundation of affection and attraction, and the passion and seduction have to wait until your heart is ready. That foundation, in my opinion, has to be in place for a long-lasting relationship.

S:  What’s the best thing that has ever happened to you as a writer?

L:  The best thing is when a reader tells me they love my book. It’s not just the words, but the sparkle in their eye or the laugh when they recount a scene. Sometimes, they haven’t finished reading it yet, so I can’t say too much because I don’t want to spoil the ending. But that genuine enjoyment is so uplifting to me as a writer.

S:  What inspired "Love and the Hidden Hockey Clues?"

L:  My latest release, "Love and the Hidden Hockey Clues," is the first in a new series, Laugh-out-Loud Hockey Caper Romance. It’s about a doctor who finds a tin box hidden between the studs during renovations of her home. She thought the items were random hockey mementos but realizes they are clues and enlists the help of the captain of the local pro hockey team to help her sort out where they lead. I’ve always thought it would be cool to find a hidden treasure during renovations and that sparked the initial idea. I also love escape rooms with the challenge of clues to decipher and puzzles to solve. I thought I’d weave that type of white-collar crime mystery into a romance. Add in a smart, sassy doctor and a swoon-worthy professional hockey player, and the stage is set for a fun, clever hockey caper.

S:  Is there anything special you would like people to know about "Love and the Hidden Hockey Clues?"

L:  This is the first book in the series and all of the stand-alone stories will have an element of white-collar crime--like a cozy mystery without murder. I also decided to make these stories sweet with the feel of a sexy romance--sweet with heat.

Here's the blurb--

When she was younger, Dr. Abigail Clark dreamed of playing professional hockey, but the world wasn’t ready for a female player. That stung. She skated as far away from hockey as possible--until she lands a job in the emergency department of a hockey-crazy town and buys the house of the late beloved Zamboni driver. A tin box is discovered during the renovation of her new home, and Abigail brushes it off as a time capsule left by the previous owner--that is until someone tries to steal it. Turns out, the odd collection is more than just sentimental hockey memorabilia.

Abigail inadvertently embroils Del Braebury, captain of the local pro hockey team, into helping her sort it out. Her history with hockey players is rocky at best, but he comes in handy when she needs to access parts of the rink that are off limits. Del is happy to be tangled up in the clues of the hidden hockey loot. In the process of solving the mystery, he hopes to win Abigail’s heart!

S:  That sounds like fun! Where can readers buy your book?

L:  It's available at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YJXZS7H/.

S:  Linda, thanks so much for joining me today. If you'd like to learn more about Linda and her books, please visit--

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