I heard a rumor…

It is SO good to be back to my book tribe. As some of you already know, I took a little over a year off to be fully present during my youngest son’s senior year. I am pleased to report that he graduated and is off to college at Kent State University. While my oldest is finishing up his last year at The Ohio State University.

That means, I now have an empty nest, and I intend to take advantage of it!

First up, was the July release of my short story, Hidden on the Belt, included in Brave New Girls: Tales of Girls Who Engineer and Explore anthology. I love participating in this project because a portion of each sale goes to scholarships from the Society of Women Engineers for young women learning about careers STEM fields.

This is the second short I’ve written about Stella Purser, the youngest intern ever at the future First Intergalactic Bank and Trust, Lake Erie Branch. The clients are often not human, sometimes not even solid. And yes, Stella’s bank branch is actually under Lake Erie. May I suggest entering through the wet lobby. It’s quite the experience.

Stella has a gift for figuring advanced probabilities in seconds. That’s why novice security guard, Fox Aimsworth, nicknamed her “Chance.” Together, they get into the craziest situations.

In Hidden on the Belt, Stella and Fox tag along for a routine mining equipment check on Vesta in the asteroid belt. When the team stumbles on a major criminal cover up, the mission leader trusts the wrong person. Stella must use her unique talent to elude the bad guys and get the team off the rock spiraling through space.

And if you like, Hidden, be sure to check out the prior Chance & Fox short, Let the Numbers Show Truth, part of Brave New Girls: Adventures of Gals and Gizmos. It’s explosive.

Next up is the debut of my new middle grade horror series, Spooky Rumors. The first book, Some Thing Calls from the Dark, releases September 20, 2023, and as of this post is available for preorder.

The premise of Spooky Rumors is that Agatha Binx, preteen witch and self-proclaimed expert of all things that go bump in the night, collects rumors from her monstrous and ghostly friends to share with my readers.

These books are so much fun, creepy stories with corny humor thrown in, very much in the style of R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps. Short chapters, easy readability, and high action make them perfect for reluctant middle grade readers.

Each book/rumor is a standalone and will feature a different set of characters and monster or ghost story based in small town folklore. The first book, Some Thing Calls from the Dark, centers on the Flatwoods Monster of West Virginia. A profile at the end of the book gives readers extra info on the documented sightings.

In Some Thing Calls… Kayla Murphy wakes to an odd call for help coming from the creepy woods beyond her backyard. The next thing she remembers is waking up on her bedroom floor under an open window. Kayla is forced into the woods in search of answers. Each dangerous step leads her closer to the monster of local folklore.

I’m pretty psyched about the team for this one. I was so lucky to connect with the amazing Diane Landolf, editor of Mary Pope Osborne’s Magic Tree House Fact Trackers and numerous other major publisher middle grade titles. She polished the manuscript as editor. The book also includes original artwork from the Doug LaRocca.

And there is more on the horizon. Works in progress include A Cloak of Crimson, a Little Red Riding Hood retelling with werewolves set in Alaska. It will be part of a fairy tale box set currently slated for late 2024. I’m also working on the third book in the Mothman Mysteries series, Wrong Side of the Song. And I will be releasing new Spooky Rumors as quickly as possible.

In addition to ramping up the writing, you will again see me at events. I’m just starting to get those scheduled. Check my Home page for the current list.

Lastly, I just wanted to say thank you for your patience while I took this family time. I’m excited about these new stories and hope you are too!

Early Fun Friday: Black Friday Must-Buy Books

funfridaysI’m still cleaning for Thanksgiving guests so hopefully it’s not Friday. No, it’s Wednesday and this week’s Fun Friday post is early because we’re talking about Must-Buy Books for Black Friday.

I’m a pretty relaxed reader and busy mom so I never read as much as I’d like. I made it my mission to read more books this year, and I’ve been doing fairly well. Here are some of my faves so far. Be sure to add them to your gift list this holiday season.
hunter

HUNTER by KC Blake. I had the opportunity to review an advance copy of this novel. To say it is action-packed is an understatement. It’s the story of Bay-Lee, trained as one of the Van Helsing family to fight the monsters of the Spirit Realm. This is the second book in the Order of the Spirit Realm series, the first one is called Bait.

Prince of Wolves Createspace (4)PRINCE OF WOLVES by Quinn Loftis. It was so easy to get pulled into this world of werewolves and a curious teenage girl. You know me, I always love a story about a strong girl and this one has that in spades. Continue reading “Early Fun Friday: Black Friday Must-Buy Books”

YA Indie Carnival: Villains Worth a Vote

From the side show barker to the ring master, all the carnies are casting their ballots this week. The vote? It’s whatever we choose.

Here in the U.S., we’ve spent a great deal of time lately trying to determine who’s really a good guy/gal so that we could bestow upon them our trust to run our great country. Well, that’s left me a little burnt out. I’m sick of trying to figure out who’s the good guy. I’m ready for Continue reading “YA Indie Carnival: Villains Worth a Vote”

Beat the Heat: My Summer TBR

The YA Indie Carnival assignment for this week is to give our summer book recommendations just in time for Labor Day weekend in the US. It’s been a busy summer. Despite the heat, I’ve been able to consume a few cool books. Yet, I still have a number of promising tomes on my TBR list.

I know what you’re thinking. No, I didn’t read it. You know the one that I’m talking about. The one with the colorless cover and the flurry of Continue reading “Beat the Heat: My Summer TBR”

YA Indie Carnival: YA Picks for Mom

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

This week in the big top we’re discussing books that Mom would love. In preparation for today’s assignment, I asked my mother what she is currently reading. She said that she’s reading Midnight Child again. I absolutely didn’t expect that. Ain’t that like a Mom? Supportive even when we don’t know they’re being supportive.

I asked Mom to put together her TBR list. I needed to stop and explain what TBR is, though I didn’t mind. You definitely won’t find her on Continue reading “YA Indie Carnival: YA Picks for Mom”