Author Interview--Susan Whitfield

Good Friday,

Welcome to my first interview in a couple of months. Today, I have Susan Whitfield in the hot seat. Please give her a warm welcome.

About Susan
Award-winning multi-genre author Susan Whitfield lives in Dudley, North Carolina where she sets her novels. She is the author of four published mysteries, Genesis Beach, Just North of Luck, Hell Swamp and Sin Creek. She also authored Killer Recipes, a unique cookbook that includes recipes from mystery writers around the country. Brand new Slightly Cracked is her first women’s fiction, set in Wayne County where she lives with her husband. Susan’s a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Carolina Conspiracy, Coastal Carolina Mystery Writers, North Carolina Writers Network, and National Association of Baby Boomer Women. Her books are available in print and ebook formats. Learn more at her website. Susan is currently writing her fifth mystery and researching a medieval ancestor for an historical mystery.

-What book and/or experience made you want to be a writer?

I’ve been reading since I was 4-years-old and couldn’t wait for the Bookmobile to come each month so that I could get the maximum number of books allowed. The writing bug struck some time in high school, but I never got serious about it until I raised two sons and completed three college degrees. After a busy career as a teacher and then a principal, I finally put pen to paper in 2004.

-What genre(s) do you write?

I’ve been known as a mystery writer since 2003 but last year I decided to write a women’s fiction, Slightly Cracked, about two aging lifelong friends and some hilarious antics they get themselves into. I also authored a unique cookbook, Killer Recipes.

-Works in progress?

I’m currently writing Sticking Point, the fifth Logan Hunter Mystery, set in Beaufort, NC. I’m also researching an ancestor with intentions of writing an historical mystery.

-What’s your favorite book/genre to read?

While mystery (both graphic and cozy) is at the top of my list, I also enjoy a romance once in a while.

-What’s your favorite thing you’ve ever written?

I’d have to say that all my babies are special but I really enjoyed writing the women’s fiction partly because it was a nice change of pace from the graphic mysteries I usually write.

Thanks for the interview, Mary!

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You’re very welcome, Susan!
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Want more from Susan?

Visit her website and check out her blog. She is also on Facebook and on Twitter @Swhitfield.

Book Tour--SOUL SUCKER

Goddess Fish Book Tour

SOUL SUCKER by Kate Pearce
A paranormal romance

BLURB
Supernatural Branch of Law Enforcement empath Ella Walsh sucks memories from people's heads. The job fills her mind with others' nightmares and leaves her with little time for love, but if she doesn't pair off with a mate of the government's choosing soon, the psychic blowback will destroy her powers and her sanity.

The last time shapeshifting SBLE superstar Vadim Morosov worked with an empath, he got her killed and himself assigned to a desk. He worries about taking on another partner, but helping Ella track down an empath killer might be his only chance to save his career.

Naturally, the government decides to throw them together.

They resist at first, but they can't deny the simmering heat between them. As the killer's strikes grow closer to home, their bond gets tighter. And when the murderer finally traps Ella, her developing link with Vadim might be the only thing that can save her.

EXCERPT
Ella stopped walking and faced him. “Look, are you programmed to disagree with everything I say, or are you just totally obnoxious?”

“Probably a little of both.”

“Then get over it. I’m already tired of having to argue with you all day.”

“You could try agreeing with me for a change.”

She started walking again. “Right. Like that’s going to happen. We’re obviously not meant to be best buddies, okay? So let’s do what Feehan said and try to get along at least on a professional level.”

“You prefer to keep things professional?”

“Of course.”

“You don’t date your colleagues?”

“Why, are you trying to summon up the courage to ask me out?”

He laughed, displaying a dimple near his chin. His blue eyes crinkled at the corners and he looked so damn sexy Ella almost wanted to smile back.

“For the record, Morosov, I don’t date.”

“Why not?”

“Because...” She glared at him. “I don’t owe you an explanation, do I?”

“Not yet.”

“Wow, you really are over-confident.”

“Not at all. As your colleague, I’m just concerned about your well-being.”

“I have men, I don’t date them.”

He nodded. “So you’re afraid of commitment.”

“My life will probably end at twenty-seven.” She looked up at him. “Would you subject someone you loved to that?”

Ella regretted the words the moment she said them. She didn’t want him feeling sorry for her.

He let out his breath. “Probably not.” He reached out and took her hand. “I apologize.”

She flinched as his magic shot through her. “I knew you weren’t quite human.”

He shrugged and released her hand. “I’m many things.”

ABOUT KATE

Award winning author, Kate Pearce was born into a large family of girls in England, and spent much of her childhood living very happily in a dream world. Despite being told that she really needed to 'get with the program', she graduated from the University College of Wales with an honors degree in history.

A move to the USA finally allowed her to fulfill her dreams and sit down and write her first romance novel. Kate is published by Signet Eclipse, Kensington Aphrodisia, Ellora's Cave, Carina Press, Cleis Press and Virgin Black Lace/Cheek.

Kate can be found at her website, on Facebook, and on Twitter @Kate4queen.

SOUL SUCKER can be purchased online at Barnes and Noble and Amazon.

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Hey readers,

Just my personal preference, but I’d take the shapeshifting over the memory sucking any day. 

Want more from SOUL SUCKER? Follow the tour.

And don’t forget to comment for a chance at one of two prizes.

Kate will be awarding a $25 Amazon or BN GC, winner's choice, to two randomly drawn commenters during the tour.

Book Tour--THE ANGRY WOMAN SUITE

Goddess Fish Book Tour

THE ANGRY WOMAN SUITE by Lee Fullbright
A historical psychological mystery

BLURB
Raised in a crumbling New England mansion by four women with personalities as split as a cracked mirror, young Francis Grayson has an obsessive need to fix them all. There’s his mother, distant and beautiful Magdalene; his disfigured, suffocating Aunt Stella; his odious grandmother; and the bane of his existence, his abusive and delusional Aunt Lothian.

For years, Francis plays a tricky game of duck and cover with the women, turning to music to stay sane. He finds a friend and mentor in Aidan Madsen, schoolmaster, local Revolutionary War historian, musician and keeper of the Grayson women’s darkest secrets. In a skillful move by Fullbright, those secrets are revealed through the viewpoints of three different people–Aidan, Francis and Francis’ stepdaughter, Elyse–adding layers of eloquent complexity to a story as powerful as it is troubling.

While Francis realizes his dream of forming his own big band in the 1940s, his success is tempered by the inner monster of his childhood, one that roars to life when he marries Elyse’s mother. Elyse becomes her stepfather’s favorite target, and her bitterness becomes entwined with a desire to know the real Francis Grayson.

For Aidan’s part, his involvement with the Grayson family only deepens, and secrets carried for a lifetime begin to coalesce as he seeks to enlighten Francis–and subsequently Elyse–of why the events of so many years ago matter now. The ugliness of deceit, betrayal and resentment permeates the narrative, yet there are shining moments of hope, especially in the relationship between Elyse and her grandfather.

Ultimately, as more of the past filters into the present, the question becomes: What is the truth, and whose version of the truth is correct? Fullbright never untangles this conundrum, and it only adds to the richness of this exemplary novel. —Kirkus Reviews

"A very human story . . . a fine read focusing on the long lasting dysfunction of family.” -the Midwestern Review

"There is something fascinating in labyrinthine plot twists, which is what we have here, and I must applaud Fullbright for her keen and magical ability to pull it off with such aplomb."-Norm Goldman, Montreal Books Examiner and Bookpleasures.com

EXCERPT
“I’ll tell you what I’m ready for, Aidan. I’m ready for the top floor.” His eyebrows shot up.

“I beg your pardon?”

“The third floor of Grayson House. I’m ready for it. I’m really ready.”

“I don’t think I understand—“

“Please, Aidan.” I emphasized each word: “I’m ready to meet Jamie.”

I turned and walked out of that parlor then, and into the foyer and up the ten steps to the landing where the grand staircase turned direction. I ran up the first flight, then paused at the second landing, waiting for Aidan. When I glimpsed him behind me, I turned and ran up the next flight, to the third floor, straight for the door at the end of the hallway, next to the door that opened onto the outside stairs.

I’d been able to pinpoint this door as the one by the soft thumps I’d heard when I’d sneaked into Papa’s room on the second floor—things nobody thought I’d hear—and by watching from my spot across the road: the quick deliveries and arrivals, the things and people nobody thought I’d see.

I hesitated, not feeling anything, I was now so empty. No more anger. Instead I was in tune with senses: the steady tick-tock of the clock at the end of the otherwise soundless hallway, the wallpaper’s perfectly vertical stripe, even an aromatic odor reminiscent of the appendectomy I’d had when I was six—was it ether? And then, finally, Aidan’s ragged breathing when he caught up with me. We were ready, in position—and it was understood I’d assumed leadership: I’d go first.

I turned the doorknob. My opponent had just run through his resources.

ABOUT LEE

Lee Fullbright, a medical practice consultant in her non-writing life, lives on San Diego’s beautiful peninsula with her writing partner, Baby Rae, a 12-year-old rescued Australian cattle dog with attitude.

The Angry Woman Suite, a Kirkus Critics’ pick, 5-starred Readers Favorite, and a Discovery Aware winner, is her first published novel.

"Secrets and lies suffuse generations of one Pennsylvania family . . . in a skillful move by Fullbright, those secrets are revealed through the viewpoints of three very different people . . . a superb debut that exposes the consequences of the choices we make and legacy's sometimes excruciating embrace." –Kirkus Reviews

Visit Lee’s website, and connect with her on Facebook.

Find THE ANGRY WOMAN SUITE and Lee on amazon and Goodreads.

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Hey readers,

Oof, intense.

For more from Lee and THE ANGRY WOMAN SUITE, follow the Goddess Fish tour.

And don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance at a prize.

Lee will award a $50 Amazon card to one randomly drawn commenter.