The Twila Taunton Series

Politically incorrect redneck sleuth Twila Taunton is back in ebook format in all three books in the series and look out for book #4 FAT GIRLS ROCK –it’s almost ready for release.

LOADED WITH KICK ASS ATTITUDE

Redneck P.I. Twila Taunton juggles her love life while she hunts down her mama’s murderers.

What do a secret code, a dead bank robber and a batshit crazy woman have in common? The answer is nothing, unless you live in Quisby, Alabama. Twila Taunton has just returned to her hometown and started her Redneck P.I. business so she can find her mother’s murderers and bring them to justice.

She juggles her love life while following the leads, all of which point to the Drifter—who was murdered in the town 25 years ago. Her hard-drinking octogenarian Great Aunt Essie cracks the code—or does she? They head out on their Harleys in the middle of the night to ‘Cyder Hill’—a haunted mansion patrolled by man-eating wild boars, otherwise known as ‘This side of hell.’

Written with a raised eyebrow and plenty of cheek, the ridiculously disparate collection of weirdos mingled with corruption, crooked cops, and moonshine are guaranteed to keep you turning the pages.

Read a Preview on Amazon

BACKWOODS BOOGIE

Twila Taunton cannot allow Pam Taylor to be set up for a crime she didn’t commit, nor can she ignore the desperate, pleading look from an abused dog.

Proud of her uninhibited lack of sophistication, redneck  sleuth, Twila Taunton is deadly serious about bringing justice to the falsely accused, to protecting the innocent, no matter their species, and about her vow never to get married.

She cannot believe she could be pregnant, nor that she has to work with Jimmie-Ray, the sleazebag who stood her up on her wedding day. But she can’t allow gentle Pam Taylor to go to prison for a murder she did not commit.

In a breakneck race to hunt down the real killer before Pam is seriously messed up in prison, Twila solicits the help of hacker and mean guitarist Gasser Cunha, her hard-drinking great aunt Essie, and office assistant LaMercy Howard, who reluctantly agrees to go Goth.

When she discovers an illegal puppy mill and a cruelly, injured dog gives her that inconsolable look, she knows she has to mount her own rescue mission. At the same time, a possible dog-fighting ring rears its ugly head in Quisby.

Twila calls on her long distance lover, Harland and a vigilante biker gang to help.

Read a preview on Amazon

The Radio Murders by Kelly Marshall

Attention crime readers. Here’s an author whose books you might want to get to know, including The Radio Murders, which has just been re-released. Here is her story behind the story.

Writing is a lonely profession. We authors often sit up late in the night while our spouses, children and, in my case, grandchild have all gone to bed. Frequently tired after a day full of activity, it’s the quiet time when we can think, imagine, and write without interruption. It was my desire to connect with my reader that prompted me to start a blog. I fought the idea for some time. I kept thinking, how in the world will I ever find the time to add one more thing to my exploding schedule? My decision to write a blog was prompted by that need to reach out and connect with those individuals who inspire me and share their thoughts with me—just like they did on my radio shows.

It’s been a few years since I sat at a microphone and communicated with listeners on my radio show Lights Out in Seattle. Back then I worked for KLSY for several years. Another radio station wined and dined me and wooed me away, and I went to work for Warm 106.9, also in Seattle. Management named my new show Love Songs. I thoroughly enjoyed the magic of nighttime radio. The lights in the studio would be soft and low; I could look through my studio windows and see the city lights sparkling in the dark waters of Puget Sound. The real magic though was the conversations with my listeners. I treasured their stories of love and devotion and yes, even their tales of painful losses. One conversation sticks in my mind with crystal clarity. The caller was from Vancouver, BC. Her family had been in a horrific car accident that night and she was waiting to hear whether they were going to live or die. She called my show to ask for support from my Lights Out listeners. I was humbled that she thought of us to help her through her desperation.

I left radio in 2002 and decided to get a “real” job. You know, one of those with fantastic benefits. It was a difficult transition because I missed the heartfelt sharing I had in radio. I decided to write in my spare time to ease some of the boredom I felt with the job that paid my bills. From the time I could barely read, I had a feeling I would communicate in the world with the written word. I started writing and haven’t stopped. I have written four novels: Black Phoenix, an apocalyptic thriller, The Chair, a sweet romance for the mature set, The Radio Murders, the first in a series of crime mysteries set in Seattle, and 6 White Roses, the second in that series. Currently, I am very close to finishing the third Seattle murder mystery, Kiss the Girls and Make Them Die.

I recently changed publishers and am very pleased to announce that I am now with White Bird Publishing. The transition from one publisher to another can be complicated, so all of my books had to be taken off the Internet and reformatted. The freshly edited, new edition of The Radio Murders debuts August 16th.

Kelly’s Bio:

I always thought I would communicate in the world as a writer. As a child I was a voracious reader, and knew someday I would pen a great novel. It was my calling. But life sometimes takes left turns and I went to broadcasting school instead of a four-year college.  I did spent thirty years having fun, spinning records, interviewing people, doing love song dedications. I had a ball until…Congress passed a law in 1996 allowing broadcast corporations to own multiple radio stations in one market. Well, the gobbling began and soon behemoths corporations ate up radio stations like locusts in a wheat field. Radio announcers like me were axed on bloody Fridays with surgical precision. I left radio, went to work for the US Federal Government, and in my private hours, began doing what I really loved doing—writing.  

Thank you for the gift of your time. I look forward to hearing from you.

Here’s the link to Amazon and click here for Kelly’s blog.

Suspense vs Mystery

Back in the day identifying a fiction book genre was simple. The choices were limited to romance, suspense, mystery, comedy, historical, western, etc. Most were identified with one word. Now, it is almost impossible to classify a book’s genre using only one word, as so many sub-categories have been created, originally to facilitate search engine keywords.

A lot of people don’t seem to know the difference between a suspense thriller and a mystery, so here it is:

In suspense, the reader knows what the bad guy (antagonist) is up to before the protagonist knows. The reader’s inside knowledge that someone is lying in ambush waiting for the unsuspecting character creates suspense.  The actual ambush makes it a thriller.

In a mystery, the reader only knows what the primary characters know. If they’re hunting for a clue, you don’t know where they may find it, and if someone is going to ambush them, you won’t know until it happens.

My Redneck P.I. Mystery Series are romantic mystery/comedies.

My Zodiac Series are romantic suspense/thrillers.

Animals always play an important part.

FREE downloads for Kindle or you computer — http://www.trishjackson.com/#!free-stuff/cjci

Review — It’s Bad Business by R.L. Cherry

This is the second story featuring detective Morgana (Morg) Mahoney, a captivating character who has an insouciant sense of humor and enjoys a Jameson whisky, (or two) on the rocks.  

In this story, we go back in time to when she graduates from college and starts working as a private investigator. One of her cases is tied up with the Mexican Mafia—La Eme. She blames them when a special friend is murdered, but is unable to prove her suspicions. 

Fast forward fifteen years and Morg’s past catches up with her. . . and maybe she’ll finally solve the mystery and bring the killer to justice.

A mystery that will keep you guessing all the way to the end.  The characters are intriguing, quirky and disparate, and I particularly enjoyed Morg’s sidekick—a Border Collie named Sam.

Here’s where to purchase It’s Bad Business

Interview with Author Susan Whitfield

I haven’t featured any new authors for the longest time and I’m thrilled to be able to highlight multiple award-winning author Susan Whitfield. She writes in a variety of genres.

Q — Welcome, Susan. It’s so good to have you here on my blog. Please tell us about your writing – the genre/s, and why you chose it or them.

This is a loaded question, Trish! I started out to write a short story and it turned into a mystery novel, Genesis Beach. I liked the protag so much that I wrote a series about her, a tough North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation agent.  Since I’ve live in this state all my life, I decided rather than have Logan Hunter stay in one place, I’d move her around the state to showcase not only our beaches but our mountains and all parts in between.  Just North of Luck is set in the mountains, Hell Swamp along Black River where I grew up, Sin Creek along the Cape Fear waterfront in Wilmington, and Sticking Point in Beaufort. I decided to end the series and try on a few more hats.

I wrote a women’s fiction, titled Slightly Cracked and hope to write another novel in this genre. I had a blast writing about these two lifelong friends and their antics.

My brand new Sprig of Broom is historical fiction. I am the lineal descendent of a Knight of the Bath and wanted to write about him since he married King Henry’s daughter Matilda and fathered the long line of Plantagenet kings. He often wore a sprig of broom in his hat, hence the title.

I love to read many genres and I suppose it just seemed natural to try to write multiple genres as well. I’m easily bored so this has added adventure and challenge to my life.

Q — Wow! I love that. So glad you chose to feature the historic book.

Sprig of Broom is the new book. It can be labeled historical fiction or creative nonfiction. It is a stand-alone. Here’s a synopsis:

Sprig of Broom is a coming-of-age novel about Geoffrey Plantagenet, a count, who at the age of 15 marries King Henry’s daughter, Empress Matilda, and fathers the dynasty of Plantagenet kings. The story begins with the count on his journey to Rouen in Normandy to become a Knight of the Bath. From Rouen, he and the king’s entourage travel to LeMans where Geoffrey is wed to Matilda. And the loathing begins . . .

Sir Geoffrey Plantagenet has much to learn, and over the course of his life’s journey he develops a better understanding of himself, fathers a long line of kings, endures adversaries—especially his own wife—and boldly faces the world of chaos around him.

http://www.amazon.com/Sprig-Broom-Susan-Whitfield/dp/0996818707/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1442866845&sr=8-1

Q — Fantastic. Please tell us more about the main character(s).

Back in the 12th century folks were married off to each other with no regard for love or likemindedness. Goeffrey Plantagenet had never seen Matilda until he traveled to Rouen to be knighted and then with the king’s entourage to LeMans Cathedrale for the wedding. Matilda at once loathed Geoffrey because even though he was handsome, he was a mere count and only fifteen years old. She was 26 and had been previously married to the Emperor of Germany. She made his life difficult, indeed.

  

 Q —   Are you a pantser–you write by the seat of your pants, or a    plotter?

I have on occasion been a pantser but for Sprig of Broom it was crucial to be a plotter because I wanted to be as accurate as possible with the time period, architecture, travel, battles, and historical facts about their marriage and life together. Large gaps in time gave me the space I needed to let my imagination take over but I still wanted the novel to be believable.

Q — Understandable. Promotion is the hardest part of being a writer. What do you do to promote your stories?

I have a blog at www.susanwhitfield.blogspot.com and a web site at www.susanwhitfieldonline.com I’m also a member of many writers’ groups including www.booktown.ning.com, www.coldcoffeepress.com, www.booksinsyn.com, www.bookemnc.com.

Here’s a short excerpt of Sprig of Bloom:

“I will see Henry, my son,” I said sternly. I backed away from her bed and walked into the nursery, where the baby still fretted in a nursemaid’s arms.

“Is he ill?”

“No, my lord. He is a babe being a babe. Lady Matilda has not the patience needed—” She stopped her words and her face reddened. “Oh, I beg your pardon sir!”

I smiled and nodded, understanding at her candor. “No pardon is needed, but I do wish to hold this fussy moppet.”

I gathered the bundle in my arms and the future king quieted and looked at me with bright blue eyes. I walked to the high window’s sun and looked him over. He smiled up at me and if he had not already held my heart, he stole it then.

~***~

Biography:

Award-winning multi-genre author Susan Whitfield is a native of North Carolina, where she sets all of her novels. She is the author of five published mysteries, Genesis Beach, Just North of Luck, Hell Swamp, Sin Creek and Sticking Point.

She also authored Killer Recipes, a unique cookbook that includes recipes from mystery writers around the country.  All proceeds from this book are donated to cancer research.

Slightly Cracked is her first women’s fiction, set in Wayne County where she lives with her husband. Their two sons live nearby with their families.

Sprig of Broom is her first historical fiction about a medieval ancestor.

Susan’s books are available in print and all ebook formats.

LINKS:

www.susanwhitfieldonline.com

www.susanwhitfield.blogspot.com

www.facebook/susan.whitfield

Virgo’s Vice Cover Reveal

I just received my cover for the next story in my Zodiac Series, Virgo’s Vice. As always, Soul Mate Publishing’s artists did an amazing job and captured the essence of the story, which is a romantic suspense thriller set in Africa. 

Lexie King can’t believe she did this to herself — she signed up to work as a camera operator in Allan Dockery’s new survival type reality show.

She wanted to prove she could break her reliance on anti-anxiety meds, and make something of herself. But she had no way of knowing he would be there. The monster.

Now all she wants is to get away–as far away as possible. But how? They’re one stop past nowhere in Africa.

When shocking events start to happen, she draws comfort from Jake, the producer’s chocolate lab, and cowboy contestant Billy Murphy, who makes her laugh at the darkest of times, and heats up more than her heart with his touch…

Scheduled for release in October 2015.

Goodreads Giveaway — Capricorn Cravings

Capricorn Cravings was published in print format 10 months after it first hit the Kindle market, and with two new books being released over the holiday season I am only just now scheduling a giveaway.

Riley Shaughnessy has the perfect life. Her veterinary practice is thriving, and she loves living in the small town in the Colorado mountains, where no one knows the shocking secret of her past. She loves to gallop her palomino mare across the vast expanse of public land bordering the town, and after a long period of self-denial, she has even committed to a date with handsome horse wrangler, Randy Hansen. But now, she knows her assistant, Jamie, would never willingly abandon her child, so why has she disappeared? Something dark and sinister is taking place, and it all started on the day hunky Powell Stewart, with the piercing blue eyes, came into her life in a strange and unexpected way. Her inner voice tells her to stay as far away from him as she can…

Here are the details of the Giveaway:

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Capricorn Cravings

by Trish Jackson

Giveaway ends March 20, 2015.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/widget/127467

It Matters Radio – Trish jackson

Last night I had the privilege of being interviewed by Ken Weene on It Matters Radio, about my new Redneck P.I. Adventures book, Backwoods Boogie.

First I have to thank all three presenters — Ken, Monica and Kerry. They are so warm and friendly, it’s like being invited into their homes. There’s even a cat called Punky who manages to get into a lot of the coverage, which made me feel more at home since I love animals.

We discussed the salient points of Backwoods Boogie — first about the unlikely Picadilly Tearoom — a British tea room in a little redneck town in Alabama called Quisby.  Ken asked what they were serving I said probably cucumber sandwiches and scones with strawberry jam and thick cream. Of course the interview took place at my time 9:30 pm so I actually had a glass of wine in front of me. Monica was in central time, and hour behind me, and Ken was in mountain time, and Kerry in Pacific time. Before my interview, a very talented musician, John Cee Stannard was the musical guest, broadcasting from London, England where it was some ungodly hour of the morning.

Some of my family members and friends attended and I wished I could have interacted more with them and the others who were there. 

We talked about Twila’s mission to rescue almost 100 abused and mistreated dogs from an illegal puppy mill, and her venture with biker Bart and his vigilante’s gang to take down a dog-fighting ring. It just happens to be Superbowl weekend and we discussed the fact that Godaddy agreed to remove their ad from the Superbowl because it depicted puppies being sold over the Internet — which is how a lot of puppy mill dogs are sold.

Then we discussed my newest book, Aquarius Addiction, which had just been released the same day. 

Here’s a link to the show: http://www.spreecast.com/events/talent-of-john-cee-trish-jackson/clips/fun-time-from-talent-of-john-cee-trish-jackson

Backwoods Boogie on Amazon

Aquarius Addiction on Amazon

Review – Murder, Madness and Love

Murder, Madness and Love Is Yolanda Renee’s first novel and she did a wonderful job.

Detective Steven Quaid is following the trail of a serial murderer. The only clues seem to point to Sarah Palmer, the recently widowed wife of executive Michael Palmer, who died suddenly in a car accident. Could she be a black widow? If she is, then why is someone stalking her?

The author has done a great job of creating a number of potential and very valid suspects, and ratcheting up the tension. The gruesome murders and terrifying stalking and kidnap scenes lead to an exciting and totally unexpected conclusion.

This is a great debut novel and I look forward to reading the next book in the series, which is currently available. 

Buy now on Amazon

Aquarius Addiction Cover Reveal

I;m getting excited about my next novel in the Zodiac Series, Aquarius Addiction, now that the cover is done.

FBI psychic Arlette’s Xylander’s life changes dramatically when her mysterious Aunt Lucie, whom she has never met, dies, and bequeaths two things to Arlette–her country home on the banks of Bayou LeGue, and an ancient spell book. 
Then, on the same day she meets hunky Andre Rossouw, her doctor tells her she’s suffering from a terminal disease. 

The house holds many mysteries, including the ghosts she hears meeting in her dining room in the dark hours of the night, and why is there a gris-gris — the talisman of a voodoo curse — outside in her yard? Could it be something to do with the mysterious, cloaked woman she sees at her aunt’s graveside?

She displays all the character traits of her star sign, Aquarius, being feisty, eccentric, freedom-loving, flirtatious, rebellious and unpredictable, and she determines two things; to beat the odds of the disease, and to have wild and passionate sex with Andre.

Then she finds out he’s engaged.

Get the prologue, Arlette’s Story absolutely free here.