#SaturdaySpotlight is on Hywela Lyn & The Matchmakers Mare!

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! I absolutely LOVE books about horses and today's guest has a doozy for us!

Good Morning, Friends and welcome to the last edition of Saturday Spotlight before we get into our "All Christmas thru Christmas" Feature beginning next weekend. 

Hwyela Lyn is brand new to our blog (don't know how that happened as I've known her for years!) with her book, The Matchmaker's Mare, so tighten your cinch and let's get a peek into this novel.

Thanks for joining us Hywela, tell us why you wrote The Matchmaker's Mare and what makes it special...

My previous books for the Wild Rose Press, who have published all my books to date, are fantasy and futuristic romances, so this story, set in my native Wales, mainly in the present time, is a little different. As a Christian, I try to incorporate Christian values into my stories, hopefully without being ‘preachy’, but I do think love and marriage, honesty and fidelity are qualities to be valued in an ever-changing world, and I’ve tried to incorporate all these in this little tale of friendship, love and second chances. 

I’ve had a passion for horses for as long as I can remember. The Matchmaker’s Mare evolved from a short story I wrote years ago, although it has changed considerably from the original. I usually manage to sneak a horse or pony into all my stories somewhere, and this one allowed me to indulge my love of horses more fully.

When I left school, I saved up for five years to purchase Flicka, my first horse, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge several years ago and is also featured in The Matchmaker’s Mare, along with Flying T’pau (aka TipTop) although the actual ‘Star’ (Seren) was a gentle 15.2 hands high bay mare I bred myself from Flicka, rather than a feisty little chestnut pony, but she did have a perfect star in the middle of her face! Although horses are important in this story, I hope it will appeal not only to horse lovers, but to anyone who enjoys a gentle, uplifting  romance with a touch of mystery – not to mention a couple of friendly ‘otherworldly’ spirits.

Oh wow, what a beautiful reason to write this one, Hywela. Give us more please...

Here you go...

Blurb: When Megan Johnson inherits an old cottage in the Welsh countryside, she seizes the opportunity to cut ties with her past life, after a broken romance. Her nearest neighbour, a horse trainer, is also something of an enigma. Single dad Glyn Phillips does his best to balance his love of horses and hard work, with his devotion to his son. When he meets his new neighbour, he knows he should resist any attraction. A feisty pony mare which mysteriously appears on his land adds to his problems, but another, larger problem lies ahead. Two matchmaking spirits find their carefully laid plans may not go as smoothly as they hope.

Excerpt: The memory of Glyn Phillips’ smile stayed with Megan all the way home. The handsome, quietly spoken horse trainer she’d just met was so charismatic. He obviously doted on his son, and she could understand him being worried about him handling the wild little mare, even though she’d seemed to calm down for the boy. 

She could not help wondering about the boy’s mother. The village shopkeeper had informed her Glyn Phillips and his son moved into the farm about three years ago, but made no mention of anyone else. Well, it wasn’t really any of her business. She would hate to be thought of as a typical ‘nosy neighbour.’ Still, it was difficult not to feel a bit curious. 

By the time she drew up outside Ty Gwyn, the daylight had faded, and a young moon filtered through the grove of trees next to the cottage. The newly whitewashed walls which gave the cottage its name, reflected back the gentle moonlight. She couldn’t help a little rush of pride. All the time and effort she’d spent on the cottage over the last weeks had been worth it! 

She gave a sudden start. Was that a shadow moving in the darkened window of the kitchen? She left the car and fumbled in her bag for her keys, her hands shaking a little.  She needed to invest in a sensor light. Apart from the practicality of having such a light, she always felt a little nervous in the dark. Of course the moonlight played funny tricks sometimes, but she couldn’t shake off the feeling of someone watching her.

THANK YOU! Now tell us more about yourself and where we can find you AND get a copy of The Matchmaker's Mare...

Sure, Pam, below are my official bio and social media links...

Award-winning U.K. author, Hywela Lyn spent most of her life in Wales, whose beautiful landscapes and wealth of myths and legends inspired her to write. A horse and dog lover, she weaves fantasy romances set in her native Wales, and romantic Science Fiction adventures set in the future. She loves dreaming up characters who overcome the odds, and go on to find deep and enduring love. However difficult the journey, in the end love will always win. She hopes her stories will truly take you 'out of this world' and beyond. 

She is a member of The Romantic Novelists' Association and her local writing group, Chiltern Writers. Beloved Enemy, the third book in the Destiny Trilogy, was shortlisted in the Paranormal category of the prestigious Romantic Novelists Association RoNA awards and was a Runner up in the U.S. RONE Awards in 2017. Circumstances prevented her writing since the Release of Beloved Enemy and she is excited to now be able to announce the release of her new novel The Matchmaker’s Mare, featuring her other great love, horses, and the area in Wales where she grew up.

When she is not writing or reading, she can usually be found enjoying the outdoors with her rescue dog Choccy, who rules the house and keeps her sane (nearly) anything involving horses or dogs, or just eating chocolate!

Website:   https://Hywelalyn.co.uk

Blog:         https://Hywelalyn.blogspot.com

Blue Sky:  https://bsky.app/profile/hywela-lyn.bsky.social

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/HywelaLynAuthor/

‘X’:            https://x.com/Hywela_Lyn

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1422651.Hywela_Lyn

You can get The Matchmaker's Mare at Amazon UK and US and through other online retailers HERE.

Hope you enjoyed today's spotlight as much as I do, Friends! This book is definitely on my wish list! 

Until next week, take care, God Bless and...

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Kris Spisak and her Baba Yaga books!

Good Morning and Welcome, 

Today's guest is brand new to our blog so please give Kris Spisak a huge SW Louisiana... 

... W-E-L-C-O-M-E!

Hey there, Kris, please give us a little background on why you write and then tell us about your books.

Thanks, Pam.

The words we use and the words we digest have a profound impact. Ergo, I've made it my mission to empower voices and perspectives, writing books both to sharpen storytelling and communication skills and to introduce lesser-known histories and perspectives that have something to say about the moment we live in today. Emboldening others, as writers or as thoughtful readers, is my favorite part of what I do.

In my debut novel — dual timeline, multigenerational fiction, The Baba Yaga Mask (Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing, 2022; Tantor Audio, 2023) — I had the opportunity to tell the story of my Ukrainian roots, a country's fight for independence, and a World War II perspective I had always sought but never found in fiction prior. When I signed my publishing deal in 2021, I had no idea how timely this book would be upon its launch only weeks after Russia's invasion in 2022. Now, more than ever, its backdrop focused upon the many ways women can be strong, amid war and amid motherhood, is one I'm proud to share.

When their grandmother is lost after a trans-Atlantic flight, two Ukrainian-American sisters are swept into a quest across Eastern Europe to find the woman who always told more tales than truths. From Poland to Slovakia to Hungary and beyond, Larissa and Ira navigate the steps of Ukrainian folk dance, the cliff-side paths of Slovak Paradise National Park, and the stark realities of love and war. Larissa and Ira’s journey is cross-stitched with their grandmother’s narrative of survival within the epic panorama of World War II in Western Ukraine, where her coming of age echoes a country’s fight for identity and independence. For teenage Vira in 1941 and her modern-day granddaughters, understanding their family’s roots means everything. Their grandmother’s obsession with the wisdom and ferocity of Baba Yaga folktales is only the beginning of what they uncover. 

As I spoke with (and continue to speak with) book clubs, at libraries, and other events around this novel, I've been honored to shape humanitarian aid donation drives around these book talks, speaking not only about Ukrainian art, culture, folklore, and history, but helping collect winter socks, diapers, and more for people in need today. Please connect with me if you'd like to be a part of this effort: https://kris-spisak.com/humanitarian-aid-ukraine/

Following The Baba Yaga Mask's publication, I realized that more needed to be said about the Slavic folklore "witch" at the core of my novel. I was overjoyed to return to nonfiction with Becoming Baba Yaga: Trickster, Feminist, and Witch of the Woods (Red Wheel / Weiser, 2024; Tantor Audio, 2024), which has been described as Yuval Noah Harari meets Brené Brown, with a touch of the macabre. 

Book Summary: 

Darkness, fear, and instability sometimes inundate our daily lives, but folktale figures like Baba Yaga speak to the dichotomy of our existence—the hope and the horror, the magic and the mundane. Stories that linger have something to teach us, and Baba Yaga’s tales don’t disappoint. Understanding ourselves, our complex world, and our place within history are only a matter of turning to a boney-legged old woman who lives in a hut that stands on chicken legs deep in the Eastern European woods.

My publications are varied but always return to the simple idea that well-written words and well-told stories have the ability to change the world. 

How wonderful, Kris! Thanks for sharing. You have a few more books don't you?

Yes, I do! 

The Novel Editing Workbook is designed for new and established writers alike. This step-by-step guide to self-editing will help you transform your story into the book you want it to be.

Written for those who hate grammar, Get a Grip on Your Grammar is a writing resource filled with quick answers and a playful style—not endless, indecipherable grammar jargon. 

And, The Family Story Workbook contains 105 prompts and pointers for writing your family history that is sure to bring pleasure for those who read it!

NICE, Kris! Now please give us the lowdown on you and tell us where your books can be found...

LOL! Pam, here is my bio and links...

Author Kris Spisak, a graduate of the College of William and Mary (B.A.) and the University of Richmond (M.L.A.), wrote her first three books—Get a Grip on Your Grammar, The Novel Editing Workbook, and The Family Story Workbook—to help writers of all kinds sharpen their storytelling and empower their communications. Her award-winning debut novel, The Baba Yaga Mask, was inspired by her family’s experience in the post-WWII Ukrainian diaspora and has been called “A complex, poetic tale” by Kirkus Reviews and “edu-tainment at its best” by the Historical Novel Society. Her fifth book, Becoming Baba Yaga: Trickster, Feminist, and Witch of the Woods, described as “A delicious read” by Atlas Obscura, is a nonfiction exploration of the complex origins of this Slavic folktale character and her lingering lessons for empowering us all. Kris is an active speaker, workshop leader, and literary historian.

All of the books can be found at Amazon and other online retailers listed on my Website (linked in bio).

Thank You, So Much, Kris for sharing with us today! We wish you the best of luck and God's blessings on all of your work.

Hope you enjoyed Kris's visit as much as I did friends, and that you'll check back weekly for another edition of Saturday Spotlight where I bring you great authors and their books.

Until next time, take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Winona Bennett Cross & Rebecca's Journey

Good Morning and Welcome back to another edition of Saturday Spotlight!

It is my pleasure to have Winona Bennett Cross return with her Oregon Trail Historical Romance, Rebecca's Journey.

Tell us, Nona, why you wrote this book and what makes it special to you...

Thanks for having me back in the spotlight, Pam. As with Dianne's Destiny, the reason behind Rebecca's Journey is very personal. You see, I never thought about writing until I became disabled from a fall. When the fog of not being able to work as a nurse again lifted, I found myself thinking about writing. I always enjoyed writing assignments in school and college. One morning I was "surfing" and came across a free writing course. I registered. I wrote some really bad stuff. But I learned bit by bit.

The idea for an Oregon Trail came into my head. Why? Because in 1968 during American History class my teacher, Mr. Haynes, taught about the Oregon Trail and Westward Expansion in such a way that I loved it. I didn't know that interest in, and love of, the Oregon Trail had settled in my heart until I needed it.

So, I started scribbling notes, doing research, and prepared to write. After many years, stops, and starts Rebecca's Journey finally came to fruition. I wrote about her, the emigrants, the hardships, and the perseverance it took to walk for six months among danger, changing landscape, hunger, fatigue, illness, and unseen challenges to reach an unknown land. The dream was there for the emigrants. 

Rebecca Pierce is an 18-year-old girl traveling with her mother. She's stubborn, knows what she wants, becomes a leader, and falls in love despite vowing never to do so. She's set in her ways, independent, and confident. Almost a girl out of time in 1845. 

By the way, I posthumously dedicated Rebecca's Journey to Coach Jerald Haynes. 

Oh how wonderful! Give us more please...

Sure!

Here's the Blurb: Determined to keep a vow made to her dying father, independent eighteen-year-old Rebecca Pierce sets out on a wagon train on the Oregon Trail in 1845 with her mother. Rebecca is strong and takes on a leadership role.

Zachary Miller is traveling alone with nothing more than what he can carry and his horse. He is assigned to help Rebecca and her mother from the first day on the trail. Zachary falls fast for Rebecca but she is conflicted about her growing feelings.

When Rebecca is kidnapped by an obsessive man, she is left injured, in pain, depressed, and losing the belief she had in herself.

Zachary is angry and wants revenge. He feels like there is nothing he can do to help Rebecca although he tries to do all he can.

Will their newly developed relationship recover and allow them to regain their growing love?

And an Excerpt: Rebecca allowed him to pull her so close she could feel his heartbeat. She wanted to close every gap between them. 

“Have you ever been kissed, Rebecca?” 

Zachary’s fingers on her cheek tingled in a pleasant, but different, way, leaving unexpected warmth. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words wouldn’t come. Shaking her head, she confirmed that she had never been kissed. 

Zachary chuckled. “Let me fix that.” 

When Rebecca first felt the soft, tentative touch of his lips she knew kissing him was the right thing to do. He kissed her lips, her cheeks, her eyelids, and her lips again. The kiss deepened yet remained soft. She kissed him back without worry, shame, or guilt. Everything about Zachary felt comfortable. She didn’t know what to do or say when the kiss ended, so she got her shawl from the saddle and spread it on the grass.

Aww...Everyone LOVES that first kiss. How sweet! Please share your bio and links to connect with you...

Winona Bennett Cross (Nona) lives in Wichita Falls, Texas. She recently moved from Durant, Oklahoma. She has two sons and two granddaughters. Angus, a finicky and nosy gray tabby cat, shares her home.

Nona's heart lies in the desert and oilfields of west Texas and New Mexico where she was raised. In 1969 she graduated from Lovington High School, New Mexico.

Nursing was the lifelong dream Nona achieved in 1985 from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. A fall in the hospital ended her career. She specialized in Labor and Delivery, Women' Health, Community Education, Perinatal Bereavement, and Nursing Education at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Nona is a member of the Central Region Oklahoma Writers (CROW), the Oklahoma Romance Writer's Guild (OKRWG), the Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc. (OWFI) and Women Writing the West (WWW). Find and connect with her on her Website, Facebook, FB Author Page and Instagram.

Thank you SO much, Nona, for sharing with us today! We wish you the Best of luck and God's blessings with Rebecca's Journey and all of your work!

Hope you enjoyed Nona's visit as much as I did, Friends. Rebecca's Journey is available at Amazon for Kindle and in Paperback AND at B&N.

Check out Nona's previous visit and the story behind her book, Dianne's Destiny, HERE.

Until next time take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Me!

Good Morning Friends,

Every now and then I like to share what's going on with my books and career with you. I normally do this through my newsletter, but since my scheduled guest could not be here, I thought this would be a good time and place to catch you up with what's going on with me.

Let's start with the fact that A Hint of Romance is now available in audio and right now, you can get an Audible subscription for only $0.99 cents for the first 3 months! Offer ends Dec. 16th and you can cancel anytime.

What better way to try something new, right?

Speaking of trying new things, Kindle Unlimited has a free 30 day trial OR 2 months for only $0.99cents! Great deals for book lovers, don't'cha think? Sign up HERE.

I also have a few codes for a free audiobook in exchange for a review. Leave a comment if you want one. Be sure and give me your email address in the request!

A Hint of Holiday Romance is in production and will be available in audio early next year. 

Next up on the book front, I'm participating with NN Light's Book Heaven's Holiday Gift Guide. 

This feature runs from today through December 31st.With nearly 100 books in every genre and format, you're sure to find something for every reader on your Christmas list. Check it out HERE!

Speaking of Christmas gift lists, if you're in the mood for something handmade with love, check out The Kozy Knot!

The other news I'd like to share with you is that I've set up 2 YouTube channels.

CoachingInPJs ™ where I'll be sharing tips, tricks and hacks that, when implemented, can help you live a more fulfilled life. AND A Novel Lunch ™ where I'll be sharing everything I know and have experienced as a professional writer and published author. I also plan to interview other life coaches and authors on these channels. Please like and subscribe to both. TIA!

Next week we'll resume with our Saturday Spotlight guests and on November 29th, we'll begin our "All Christmas thru Christmas" feature.

Guess that's about all for now, Friends. Please be sure to check out our new Featured Author this month as well as the promotional opportunites here on this blog as well as those offered in my collaboration with Keuka Roots.

Until next time, take care and God Bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Michele Abshire & Letters from the Heart!

Good Morning Friends and Welcome to another edtion of Saturday Spotlight. Fall has come to SW Louisiana and I'm loving it. Cool nights/mornings and warm days make my heart happy. Another thing that makes my heart happy is sharing lovely authors and their books with you and today is no exception!

I met Michele Abshire years (decades?) ago when she joined Bayou Writers Group. Since, we've become good friends so it is my pleasure to present her today with her debut creative nonfiction book, Letters from the Heart.

Welcome, Michele! Please tell us how Letters from the Heart came about...

Thank you, Pam, I am SO excited to visit your blog today and talk about my book!

I started writing short stories sometime in 2004 to encourage and bless people in my church, family and friends. The first story I ever wrote, very short and simple, was called Thorns. From there I continued to write short stories and started giving them out to more and more people.  Eventually some of the stories were even published in some local and online magazines which included writing a column, “Michele’s Musings” for The Wordsmith Journal of which YOU had a great part. Through the years I had many readers saying I should compile the writings into a book, but the concerns and business of life prevented me from doing this for a long time. The dream was finally realized in late 2024 when “the some 106” stories written were finally compiled and published into Letters from the Heart. I believe the book is special because the stories are like “Love Letters” from God to the reader. They can bless, encourage, lift-up the hurting, reminding ever reader that they are beloved of God and special beyond measure to Him. 

 

I agree, Michele! You write beautifully and I've always been uplifted when I read your work. Please give us more...

Sure, here is the Blurb: 

The letters I write were born out of a desire to encourage and bless others. Though I wrote a few articles for our church bulletin back in 1999 I didn’t really start writing until I was about 44 years old (2004). Sometime around 2003-2004 our church was hosting ladies’ meetings and at the suggestion of my Pastor’s wife, Ann Mann, the ladies attending the meetings would take turns either calling, visiting or writing little notes of encouragement to the ladies in our church that were unable to come to church or going through various hard times. I am basically shy, so for me it was easier to write than to call or visit. Thus, I took up “Pen & Paper” and began to write notes of encouragement. I found that I really loved writing these little notes to our ladies and found that it was fast becoming one of the greatest joys of my heart. In time, I also learned the notes were a great source of blessing, often bringing much needed hope and encouragement to the reader.

Initially I only wrote encouraging notes in cards, and I was only writing to a select few in our church that were going through difficult times and/or not able to come to church for one reason or another. However, I had a great desire to reach more people once I realized how much it blessed the few. I remember praying and asking God to help me encourage everyone in our church, I wanted to reach out to more. The first story I ever wrote, very short and simple, was called Thorns. Our youth group had purchased a couple dozen roses the day before Mother’s Day 2004. We drove to all the homebound ladies’ homes to give them each a single red rose wishing them Mother’s Day Blessings. But the roses were “dangerous,” so we decided to snap off the thorns before handing them out. For unclear reasons I absently put the thorns in the middle console of my little gold Kia instead of discarding them. Thereafter, I would periodically look down at those little thorns and I would think two things, “I need to do something with those thorns” and “There is a story in those thorns.” But predictably, I would drive on forgetting about them. Then, one hot summer morning, after the umpteenth time of looking at them and having my usual thoughts, new reflections began to fully take shape in my mind, and the story was born. I ended up taking the thorns and wrapping each individual one in a little piece of clear cellophane tied with a pretty little ribbon and then taping them to the “Thorns” letter which I gave out to all our church family one Sunday service.

Until that fateful day, I really had no idea that I could actually write a story that someone would actually read! Now, in hindsight, I am of the firm belief that the ladies’ meeting request coupled with my shyness, the Mother’s Day gifting and the thorns sitting in my console for a few months was no accident. God was at the helm, gently leading, guiding, and answering my prayers so that I could reach more people. Even now, the stories are written as the Lord gives the ideas. And, as with the thorns, many of the stories are often sparked with the same “there’s a story in that” thought. Sometimes I write one a month and sometimes I have gone as long as six or more months without writing another one. I first I gave the letters out at church, a small congregation, about 30 or so families. More and more people started asking for them and the mail/email list continued to grow. Through a string of what I believe to be “God-incidence” meetings with magazine owners and publishers I was invited to publish the letters in local magazines and an online magazine. Through the years so many have come to me and said, Michele, you really should make a book with all your letters. Though I have always wanted to do just that, it is only now that dream is coming to fruition and this book is a realization of that dream. May the letters herein bless and encourage you.

Love in Christ, Michele

Beautiful! Now tell us a little more about yourself, and how readers can find you & Letters from the Heart...

Of Course! 

A legal assistant by day and a writer when there are moments in time, Michele loves to write with the hope of bringing encouragement to others. Over the years she has been published in local and online magazines. She has recently compiled and published her short stories into a book, “Letters from the Heart.” 

 The writings are classified as “Creative Non-Fiction.” Most of the short stories are analogies. A story is told and then comparisons are made to God, His character, His Word, His promises, etc… 

Michele truly believes, that in reality, the writings are thoughts straight from God’s heart. Divinely inspired from the throne of God to uplift spirits, bring hope to hurting hearts and needed encouragement to the reader. 

Copies of Letters from the Heart can be purchased through Amazon in Ebook and Print, directly from me via email to: micheles.musings@gmail.com and we will make arrengements for payment and pickup OR at The Charmed Page bookstore 2927 Hodges St., Suite 2, Lake Charles, LA.

You can read an Excerpt from the book HERE.

Thank You SO much Michele for sharing your beautiful body of work with us. We certainly wish you the best of luck and God's blessings on this and in every area of your life.

Hope you enjoyed meeting Michele and learning about her book as much as I enjoyed spotlighting her, friends and that you'll check back weekly for another episode of Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God Bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Just What the Doctor Hired by Amanda Nelson & Lisa-Marie Potter!

Good Morning, Friends,

It is SO nice to connect with you again and to host another great author - well authors - and their book. These lovely ladies, Amanda Nelson & Lisa-Marie Potter have never been to our blog, so please give them a huge SWLA W-E-L-C-O-M-E...

Thank you for joing us, ladies. Tell us about your book, Just What the Doctor Hired...

Thank you for having us Pam!

Just What the Doctor Hired is a clean, wholesome, fake relationship romance published by The Wild Rose Press. Here is the blurb...

Student Autumn Haze’s motto is: no men until she completes her Bachelor of Nursing degree. Years before, Autumn learned the hard way men are just a distraction she can’t afford until she’s established her career and what she wants. While moonlighting as a Plus One companion pays the bills, she struggles to follow her rules after meeting her newest contract. Pediatric Hospitalist Jensen Edwards is still recovering from a bad breakup that left him the talk of the hospital. Now he’s receiving a Best Doctor’s award, but after he hires Autumn as his plus one, Jensen is on edge. If word gets out that he hired a companion, rumors are bound to circulate, making work unbearable—again. Their chemistry as a fake couple is undeniable, but can a chance at a real relationship override their fear of commitment?

And, an Excerpt:

Jensen leaned forward, his lips rasping against my ear. “Make me look good--she’s watching.”  

I shook, an involuntary shiver running down my neck and into my spine. This will be fun. “You got it.” I licked my lips, slow and seductive, before wrapping my arms around his neck, my hips pressed against him, and swayed to the beat.  

Jensen’s hands slid down my waist.  

I felt his fingers dig into my skin, and I couldn’t stop my heart from racing. Jensen’s performance had me coiled like a spring, ready to jump at any moment. If Kayla was watching, she couldn’t deny my chemistry with Jensen. I chanced a glance. The woman’s

 deep scowl and curled lip was all the answer I needed. A+ for Jensen’s performance. “She looks furious.”  

“Good.”  

OH, how cute! Tell us, what makes this, and/or your other books special or stand out from similar titles?

Both of us agree that the best part of any romance book (or even a movie) is the chase. Reading or watching the "will they/won't they" moments are the parts that make us the most invested in the characters and the plot. However, many romances out there skimp on the tension that stems from the beginning of a relationship. Therefore, we decided to write a series of books that would give us, as well as our readers, all the feels of a good romance without the spice. Our books are light reads, full of wit and tension that you can share with anyone.

Ahhh, wonderful! Now give us the low-down on you two and where we can find Just What the Doctor Hired...

Amanda and Lisa-Marie are an award-winning, co-writing team of best friends who share imaginary worlds, including Men In Books Aren't Better (September 29, 2024), Just What the Doctor Hired (July 9, 2025), and a short story, Shivers, published in Moments Between (February 28, 2022). Lisa-Marie Potter (BIPOC) is a mom of four who grew up in Nottingham, England, and now resides in Alaska with her husband and golden retriever. Amanda Nelson grew up in Maryland and moved to Arizona, where she attended ASU and currently lives with her husband and four kids. Both women are hopeless romantics, but Lisa-Marie also enjoys suspense novels, while Amanda's second go-to genre is romantacy. The duo review books on their socials, hike the Olympic National Park, and fight over the same fictional crushes. Find out more by visiting our website where you can sign up to receive our newsletter. You can follow us on the social media links here: X, Instagram, Threads, and Facebook and LinkedIn and TikTok.

Just What the Doctor Hired can be found at Amazon, B&N and many other places listed HERE.

Perfect! 

We appreciate you two sharing your book with us today and wish you the best of luck and God's blessings in your endeavors.

Hope you enjoyed today's spotlight, friends and that you'll come back every week for another great author and his or her book(s)!

Meanwhile, don't forget to check out our Featured Author/Artist, Keuka Roots' Autumn Reads and the featured books in our sidebar.

Until next week, take care and God Bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Virginia Vaughn & Protecting the Texas Witness!

Good Morning Friends,

Fall is in the air here in SW Louisiana with mornings in the 60's and afternoons in the low to mid 80's. Even the humidity is lower than normal which is always wonderful! Sure makes those football games a bit nicer. 😄

A lot is happening here on our blog and in our collaboration with Keuka Roots. Check out the details HERE. 

Enough small talk, let's get to our guest!

Virginia Vaughn is brand new to our blog, so let's give her a great, Big, SWLouisiana W-E-L-C-O-M-E

Thanks for joining us today, Virginia, please tell us about your latest release, Protecting the Texas Witness.

Great to be here, Pam. Thanks for inviting me!

Here's the Blurb: 

He has a witness to defend…

and their future hangs in the balance.

Deputy Drake Shaw rescues single mom Isabelle Morris from an assailant's attack, only to be mistaken for her late husband. After exposing the corruption at her health-care company, Isabelle fears danger has followed her and her daughter all the way to their remote cabin. Now Drake must keep them safe long enough for Isabelle to testify against her former boss. But when her child is taken, the stakes are raised. Can they survive to unravel the truth about the present…and the past?

And an Excerpt: 

Isabelle saw a light in the murky water, then a figure below. 

It was a man and he was intentionally pulling her under. 

He reached for her arm and yanked her lower, then grabbed her head and pushed her down, too strong for her to fight against, but that didn’t stop her from trying. She kicked and flailed at the figure. Finally, she managed to push to the surface, gasping for air the moment she broke through the waterline. 

“Help me,” she cried as the strong hands pulled her under once more. 

Then there was splashing in the water and moments later the man released her. She surfaced again and struggled to catch her breath and tread water, coughing and gasping as she did so until another pair of strong hands grabbed her and she flinched. 

“It’ okay. I’ve got you.” The voice was husky and weighted with worry, but she knew it instantly. 

Drake. 

At that moment, it didn’t matter whether or not he was her deceased husband. All that mattered was that he was there for her. 

Oh My.... Intriguing! Tell us why you wrote this story or what makes it special and the please tell us more about you and where we can find you and Protecting the Texas Witness...

I was so happy when it was time to write this story because it focuses on two tropes I love—amnesia

and back from the dead. Creating a story to explain how a man could be missing for ten years without anyone realizing it was a stretch but I think we pulled it off. I also love these characters to much. Isabelle reminded me a lot of myself—strong because, as a single mom, she had to be and also a bit of a control freak. Yet it was that strength and determination that made her fight to learn the truth about Deputy Drake Shaw. 

In the end, I hope the reader asks the question, not is he or isn’t he her husband, but will she or won’t she become his wife? 

You can find Protecting the Texas Witness at Amazon and on Kindle, B&N, directly through Harelequin or wherever Love Inspired titles can be purchased. 

As for me, I am a Publishers Weekly Bestselling author of over thirty inspirational romantic suspense novels. Blessed to come from a large, southern family, my fondest memories include listening to stories recounted by my family and friends around the large dinner table. I've been a lover of books even from a young age, devouring gothic romance novels and stories of romance, danger, and love. One day I decided to start writing them LOL! A former investigator for the State of Mississippi, I utilize my criminal justice background with my love of writing to transform words into powerful stories of romance and danger. If you love fast-paced, exciting romantic suspense stories, subscribe to my monthly newsletter at https://bit.ly/3NYqzTl to keep up to date on current and upcoming releases, promos and my perfectly "normal" obsession with all things books.😊

You can find and connect with me through my Website, on Facebook, Amazon and Instagram.

Thank You, SO Much, Virgina for sharing with us today. We wish you the best of luck and God's blessings on your new release, your life and writing.

💖Pam 😊

Hope you enjoyed Virginia's visit as much as I did Friends, and that you'll check back weekly for another edition of Saturday Spotlight. Be sure to check out our Featured Author/Artist, Keuka Roots' Autum Reads and the featured books in our sidebar.

Until next time, take care, God Bless and Happy Reading!

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Winona Bennett Cross & Dianne's Destiny!

Good Morning and Welcome to October 2025's first episode of Saturday Spotlight! 

Today is my great pleasure to welcome my dear friend, Winona (Nona) Bennett Cross back to the blog with her revised edition of Dianne's Destiny.

Thanks for joining us today, Nona, please tell us why you wrote and then revised Dianne's Destiny.

So happy to be here today, Pam. I remember visiting in 2015 when Dianne's Destiny was part of a group series. When Covid hit in 2020, I got my rights back and set out to make the story more personal. 

The real Dianne was one of my closest friends during high school. In December 2020 she died of Covid. I was in the hospital at the time with the same illness and her death devastated me. I wanted to honor her in some way.

This new version of Dianne’s Destiny contains the original characters and premise except I emphasized some characters to reflect friends from high school. Most of my characters were named after my friends because it was my first book and I couldn’t think of any other names. They will recognize themselves.

Dianne’s Destiny is an homage to Dianne and a youthful time in my life.

What a sweet story, Nona! Can you share a blurb and exerpt with us?

Sure, here's the Blurb...

Panic and anxiety riddle her after the mugging. He’s the ranch manager of the equine therapy center. Will their history help or hinder her recovery?

When Dianne Jacobson returns to Wichita Falls, Texas after a fifteen-year absence, the last person she expects to see is her first love. Especially while she’s an emotional wreck. That he volunteers his time and horses at the equine therapy center her doctor recommends is a mixed blessing.

Kip Mahan hasn’t had a meaningful relationship since his high school sweetheart left without explanation or contact more than a decade ago. He’s caught off guard when she walks back into his life at the Hearts and Horses Equestrian Therapy Center with a haunted look in her eyes.

Dianne doesn’t expect Kip to love, much less trust her but she can’t stop the feelings buried so long ago from blooming. His hot and cold responses when they’re together make her wonder if he still feels the same about her or if he’s playing games to get back at her for leaving.

Kip always knew he and Dianne were destined to be together and has never stopped loving her despite the pain her desertion caused. Can he trust that she won’t run away once she’s healthy and whole again?

Slowly, the two find their way back to affection. But when Dianne’s ex-husband tracks her down it puts not only their newfound relationship, but their very lives, in danger.

Will Dianne’s destiny slip from her grasp before she’s even found it?

Dianne’s Destiny is a sweet, second chance romance with a bit of mystery and intrigue that will keep you turning the pages. Get your copy today and find out if Dianne and Kip overcome the challenges they face to reclaim the love lost years ago.

And an Excerpt...

     Dianne fidgeted in her boots and jeans. She longed for the designer suits and shoes that had cloaked her in poise and self-assurance. Power clothes ... that’s what her friend Jocelyn called them. She used to be confident. She’d once found joy in volunteering and using her Sociology Degree to help the less fortunate. Now, meeting someone new made her anxious. She must be getting stronger though, as she hadn’t bolted. Yet.

    The cowboy came toward her, his fawn-colored hat pulled low. Sun-streaked brown hair fell over the collar of a chambray shirt. Her gaze lowered to his scuffed, worn boots and the 3G brand tooled into the bottom of his chaps.

    “Hello.” Dianne whispered and took the cowboy’s outstretched hand. She forced herself to look up and take in a breath, then started coughing. She bent at the waist, clutching her stomach. This can’t be happening. Kip! My God! It’s Kip.

     “You all right?” Kip reached to steady her. She hadn’t heard that voice in fifteen years. Nor had she forgotten it. She glanced up to see recognition dawn in his eyes.

NICE! Now, give us your bio and how readers can connect with you.

Winona Bennett Cross (Nona) lives in Wichita Falls, Texas. She recently moved from Durant, Oklahoma. She has two sons and two granddaughters. Angus, a finicky and nosy gray tabby cat, shares her home.

Nona's heart lies in the desert and oilfields of west Texas and New Mexico where she was raised. In 1969 she graduated from Lovington High School, New Mexico.

Nursing was the lifelong dream Nona achieved in 1985 from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. A fall in the hospital ended her career. She specialized in Labor and Delivery, Women' Health, Community Education, Perinatal Bereavement, and Nursing Education at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Nona is a member of the Central Region Oklahoma Writers (CROW), the Oklahoma Romance Writer's Guild (OKRWG), the Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc. (OWFI) and Women Writing the West (WWW). Find and connect with her on her Website, Facebook, FB Author Page and Instagram.

Thank you SO much, Nona, for sharing with us today! We wish you the Best of luck and God's blessings with Dianne's Destiny and all of your work!

Hope you enjoyed Nona's visit as much as I did, Friends. Dianne's Destiny is available at Amazon for Kindle and in Paperback AND through other online retailers found HERE.

Until next time take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Desaree Armand & Sealed in Silence

Good Morning and Welcome to the last edition of Saturday Spotlight for September 2025! 

Today's guest is brand new to our blog. Not sure exactly when I met Desaree, but I'm sure glad I did. She is a gifted author in the Lake Charles area and we see each other regularly at author events around town.

Thanks for visiting with us today, Desaree! Tell us about your latest book.

So happy to be here, Pam! 

The idea for my story came about when I was 19 years old. I had just been dumped by my best guy friend whom, at the time, I had wanted to be with as more than just friends. He had dumped me to make his girlfriend happy, whom he eventually moved to Texas to be with and married. As far as I know, they are actually still married today, 21 years later.

Anyway, I was severely depressed at that time because of what had happened. I was in my second semester in college, living in a dorm with no real friends and feeling completely isolated. I remember one day I was driving through the city. I don’t remember where I was going, I just remember that I was listening to a CD. Evanescence to be exact. It was a popular album at the time, and it expressed how I was feeling in a way that made me feel normalized in my pain.

This song starts playing, My Last Breath, and when she sang these particular lyrics... 

“Look for me in the white forest

Hiding in a hollow tree (come find me)

I know you hear me

I can taste it in your tears”

I was suddenly visualizing being like in a dead place actually hidden in a hollow tree and making the guy who’d hurt me feel sorry and guilty for having broken off our friendship the way he had. I suddenly felt like I needed to write a story that reflected that in some way, but I didn’t want to write the story as if the main character would actually do that because first of all, I knew I wouldn’t, I just felt it, and second of all, I felt that no one else would want to read a story about someone who would actually do something like that. So, I took my visualization and tweaked the details to where it ultimately ended up having a completely different storyline but with the same type of other world idea.

But even then, I spent almost 20 years trying to write the story and never getting far. Over that time, as I grew older and more mentally mature, gaining adult life experiences, the characters went from teenagers to college age and finally to their mid-twenties. I was only able to eventually write the book when I was working at a job that allowed me a lot of downtime with nothing else to do. I was working as a phone operator for a small hospital and only getting about 10 calls an hour to transfer. In between those calls, I started writing the story for real and was finally able to finish it.

Oh my goodness! Isn't it amazing how we get our ideas and how long it sometimes takes for a certain idea to come to fruition? Thanks for sharing this! Share your blurb and exerpt please...

Of course, here is the Blurb...

Emily Bartlett is a young woman who feels that her life is all figured out. From her career to her home, Emily is the master of her universe. She is fiercely independent, but at what cost? Alex Coleman is one of Emily's best friends and they've been close from a young age. All of that changes when Alex reveals a secret to Emily that he's been keeping to himself for more than a decade. One night, after the disastrous results of Alex's revelation, a series of events leads Emily to wind up trapped and alone in an altered state of being. Can Emily, with the help of Alex, her younger sister Allie, and her best girlfriend Samantha, confront the memories and past choices that are keeping her trapped? Can Emily find her way out before time runs out? It's a story of will they or won't they and a race against time with a little science-fiction and magic mixed in.

And an Exerpt...

My head was pounding, and my entire body hurt. I struggled to open my eyes and once I had, everything was a little blurry. As my vision started to clear, I realized that I was staring up at the sky, which was orange as if it were evening, but it was a solid orange. There were no streaks of pink or purple, and no clouds to be seen. I couldn’t see the sun or moon at all either. Where was I?

I pulled myself up slowly and realized that I had been lying on a wooden bench. As I slid my legs to the ground, I realized that I was on the bench in front of the school. The school that I had attended kindergarten through twelfth grade in and had been a teacher at for a few years now. But something was wrong.

There was no street or sidewalk in front of the bench like there should be. In fact, there was nothing in front of the bench. No grass, no trees, no houses, and no people. There wasn’t even any wind. The air was warm and completely still. Stretching out in front of me, all the way to the horizon was nothing but sand. As if I were in the middle of a desert.

I stood up slowly and turned around to take a better look at the school. It was the same school alright. Only now, it looked dark and abandoned. All of the windows looked black and blown out and the building itself was an ashen shade of grey instead of its normal dark red brick. Once again, there was nothing around the building. Only sand. A shudder ran through me at the sight of the tall, dark, imposing building.

I looked away from it. In that instant, I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. I looked back at the building, but it seemed that whatever I thought I’d seen was gone. As I looked around, it hit me that I was completely alone in this strange place. What had happened, and where was I?

There didn’t seem to be anywhere else for me to go except this strange, extremely creepy version of the school. Although, I was afraid, I was even more afraid that wherever I was, I might be stuck unless I found answers. So, I started walking towards the school. I took a deep breath, pulled open the door, and took a step inside.

The inside of the building was no less creepy than the outside. There didn’t seem to be any electricity. The lockers that lined the hallways looked rusted out as if they hadn’t been touched in years. Some of them were missing their doors, creating small dark caverns along the wall. There were random pieces of paper strewn up and down the hall. I picked one up, but there was nothing on it. I picked up a few more, but they were all blank.

As I continued walking, I passed a few classrooms. Every door that I opened sported dark empty rooms filled with old wooden desks, more blank paper strewn all over, and graffiti sprayed all over the walls. What was going on? I came to the staircase that led to the second floor. As I looked up at the landing, once again I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. It had come from further back on the first floor. I looked towards the classroom door where I had seen it, but once again, there was nothing there.

I walked slowly towards that room instead of going up to the second floor and looked in. This one looked the same as all the rest, but with one major difference. Sitting there, behind the teacher’s desk, was a dark hooded figure. It looked over at me as I stood in the doorway. All I saw where a face should be inside the hood, was nothing. Just a dark empty hole. The figure stood up silently and started slowly coming towards me. It seemed to be gliding instead of walking. It was then that I screamed.

Wonderful, Desaree! Where can Sealed in Silence be found?

Glad you enjoyed the excerpt, Pam. Sealed in Silence is available at Amazon for Kindle and in Print and through Ingram Spark. 

If you're in, around or about the SWLA or SETEX area, you can pick up a copy of Sealed in Silence at Krews, Books & Brews, Bux Kajun Korner and eff. Oct. 1st, The Charmed Page bookstore. 

Perfect! Now tell us more about yourself and where we can connect with you.

Sure! 

As you indicated in the introduction, I live in SW Louisiana with my husband Merrick and our Dachshund, Floyd. I work full-time as a counselor by trade. In my free time, I read contemporary fiction and follow other creative and artistic pursuits. I start my mornings with a good cup of coffee and soothing coffee-shop sounds while reading. You can connect with me on Facebook.

OK. Again, THANKS for visiting and sharing your book with us, Desaree. We certainly wish you the best of luck and God's blessings with it.

Friends, if you're a fan of YA Paranormal Romance books, grab a copy of Sealed in Silence today. Also, don't forget to check out our Featured Author and the Featured books in our sidebar. If you love audiobooks, take advantage of Audible's FREE Trial Membership.

Until next time, take care, God Bless and happy Fall, Y'all!

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on DiAnn Mills & Canyon of Deceit!

Good Morning,

Can you believe September is half over already?!

I can't. Been crazy, busy this month as usual LOL!

Today's guest has been here numerous times but it always my pleasure to welcome my friend, DiAnn Mills to share her latest book with us. Welcome back, DiAnn, tell us what makes Canyon of Deceit so special...

Thanks for having me back, Pam!

Story ideas have a way of wiggling into my heart and taking root. Canyon of Deceit hit the curiosity bullseye, especially the concept of living off-grid. Imagine totally roughing it—no food, water, electricity, cell phone connection, yet plenty of snakes! 

Here’s the scoop on my new release:

A rescue team searches for a missing young girl and suspects all is not as it seems in this high-stakes romantic suspense novel.

When wilderness survival expert Therese Palmer receives a frantic phone call from former colleague Professor Rurik Ivanov, she is shocked by the news that his young daughter, Alina, is missing—and that Rurik wants Therese’s help finding her. She’s sure Rurik hasn’t given her the whole story . . . especially since he refuses to report the kidnapping to the police. Yet with a child’s life hanging in the balance, Therese can’t turn down this mission. She knows the clock is ticking and she can’t do this alone.

Therese reaches out to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, whom she met seven months ago during one of her training courses in wilderness survival skills. Blane’s specialized training and background with the Crisis Negotiation Unit make him uniquely prepared for this search-and-rescue mission. He agrees to help Therese and to accept Rurik’s terms to keep Alina’s disappearance quiet, and as the two begin working together, Therese is determined the spark growing between them won’t distract from their mission to save Alina.

Traversing deep into the desert of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Alina’s last known location, Therese and Blane struggle to separate truth from lies within the mix of intel they’re receiving. As they close in on answers that suggest the involvement of Russian organized crime and a high-profile international assassination attempt, they must fight to rescue Alina before she becomes an innocent casualty of a much bigger plot—no matter the risk to their own lives.

My adventuresome spirit propelled me to hike those mountains and find out all I could about where my hero and heroine attempted to rescue precious Alina. Dear reader, I love to visit the setting of my stories. I want to experience the area in every way possible. So my husband and I drove from our home in Houston into southeast New Mexico—because a person can’t drive to there except from New Mexico.

My husband and I drove into Guadalupe Mountains National Park’s Dog Canyon. The rocky cliffs, barren countryside, and desolate mountain beauty captivated me. In route, horses and cattle ran free-range, so we had to stop a few times before reaching our destination. Park rangers offered tremendous help with their knowledge of the area. Some of the information I’d never have known without their insight.

Arriving at the trailhead of Dog Canyon stole my breath, from the wildlife to the desert growth, I snapped pics like a crazy woman. My sanity in pursuing research might be in question, but that’s the life of a writer. Some of those pics are on a Pinterest board devoted to Canyon of Deceit.

Writing romantic suspense challenges me to reflect on the daily changes in our world. I always learn about careers, settings, behavior, the power of motivation, and so much more. Are you tempted to learn more about this story? Check out the book info page and a special tab for book clubs. 

Let me hear from you! You, dear reader, are why I write suspense, romance, and adventure.

Oh my goodness! What a wonderful adventure you had, DiAnn. I love traveling too and Dog Canyon sounds like an interesting place to visit. Can you give us a little more info on the book?

Sure, here's the blurb...

 A rescue team searches for a missing young girl and suspects all is not as it seems in this high-stakes romantic suspense novel from the author of Lethal Standoff and Facing the Enemy.

When wilderness survival expert Therese Palmer receives a frantic phone call from former colleague Professor Rurik Ivanov, she is shocked by the news that his young daughter, Alina, is missing―and that Rurik wants Therese’s help finding her. She’s sure Rurik hasn’t given her the whole story . . . especially since he refuses to report the kidnapping to the police. Yet with a child’s life hanging in the balance, Therese can’t turn down this mission. She knows the clock is ticking and she can’t do this alone.

Therese reaches out to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, whom she met seven months ago during one of her training courses in wilderness survival skills. Blane’s specialized training and background with the Crisis Negotiation Unit make him uniquely prepared for this search-and-rescue mission. He agrees to help Therese and to accept Rurik’s terms to keep Alina’s disappearance quiet, and as the two begin working together, Therese is determined the spark growing between them won’t distract from their mission to save Alina.

Traversing deep into the desert of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Alina’s last known location, Therese and Blane struggle to separate truth from lies within the mix of intel they’re receiving. As they close in on answers that suggest the involvement of Russian organized crime and a high-profile international assassination attempt, they must fight to rescue Alina before she becomes an innocent casualty of a much bigger plot―no matter the risk to their own lives.

You can Read an Excerpt on HERE.

THANKS, DiAnn! Now give us the scoop on you ...

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who invites her readers to step into stories where suspense meets adventure and romance warms the heart. Known for crafting unforgettable characters tangled in unpredictable plots, DiAnn believes every breath we take unfolds a story waiting to be told—so why not make it thrilling?

Her novels have consistently landed on bestseller lists including CBA, ECPA, and Publishers Weekly, and have won prestigious awards such as the Christy, Selah, Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol awards.

DiAnn is a founding board member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Conference Advisor for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers. She actively participates in Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and International Thriller Writers, DiAnn passionately invests in helping fellow authors succeed through mentoring, book coaching, and editing. She travels nationwide speaking and teaching engaging writing workshops.

A proud coffee snob who roasts her own beans, DiAnn also enjoys diving into good books, experimenting in the kitchen, and unabashedly spoiling her grandchildren—whom she insists are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband make their home under the sunny skies of Houston, Texas.

Connect with DiAnn online for behind-the-scenes glimpses, writing tips, and lively discussions: Facebook, X, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, LinkedIn, or her website: diannmills.com.

Canyon of Deceit is available through your favorite bookstore or online retailer as well as Amazon in Paperback, for Kindle and in Audio. In fact it's FREE on Audible with a membership trial!

Thank You, DiAnn. We wish you the best of luck and God's blessings with your new release.

Hope you enjoyed DiAnn's spotlight friends and that you'll check back weekly for more great authors and their books as well as Featured Authors/Artists and Featured Books in the sidebar.

Until next time, take care and God bless.

PamT

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Randy Overbeck & Red Shadows at Saugatuck

Good Morning and Welcome!

You may remember seiing this fellow's Featured Author page last month and this book in the sidebar, well today we're getting a peek into why Randy wrote Red Shadows at Saugatuck...

Take it away Randy!

As an author, I enjoy all the aspects of writing—the research to get the

details right, the inventing of the tale, the crafting of the narrative, the editing and the thrill of completing another piece readers might find interesting. My series, the Haunted Shores Mysteries, have received such a tremendous response from critics and readers alike that I’ve been amazed and thrilled. The novels have earned ten national awards including Best Book Award (Chanticleer Books and Reviews), Gold Award (LiteraryTitan) and Mystery of the Year (ReaderViews) and

achieved a #1 and #2 bestseller status on Amazon and B & N.

Readers have responded so well to the first three books in the Haunted

Shores Mysteries series—which chronicle the path of Darrell and Erin from meeting to falling in love, to getting married—I thought the narrative was ready for the next chapter. So in this entry, Darrell and Erin have a precocious little five-year-old, who’s inherited his father’s ability to see ghosts. Darrell returns home to Michigan, which gave me a chance to feature his interesting extended family. In this novel, readers will find another great whodunit set in another stunning resort

town, this time Saugatuck, Michigan. And I’ve wrapped the haunted aura of Native American spiritualty around the mystery of the murder. In the words of anearly reviewer, readers will find a tale that is “socially relevant and strangelybeautiful  in its grief, haunting in every sense of the word.” (litandcoffee reviews)

Wow...OK, now can we get a peek into the book?

Sure, here is the Blurb...

Darrell Henshaw hoped he was past it all. After all, no ghosts had visited him for years. Instead, he learns his five-year-old-son, Leo has inherited his “gift.” 

Now, they both can see ghosts.

This time, Darrell drives his young family 800 miles to celebrate his Aunt Gertrude’s 80th birthday. But, once in the resort  town of Saugatuck, Michigan, their participation gets derailed by the spirit of a Native teen who went missing weeks earlier. When he and Leo inquire about the girl, the locals dismiss their concerns—"Those girls run away all the time.”  Still, as questions pile up and threats grow, Darrell senses they may have stumbled onto something far worse and even more evil than one missing teen. 

Can Darrell continue to pursue justice for the girl if it places his wife and five-year-old son in danger?

And an Excerpt...

Darrell chanced another look in the rearview and saw the SUV accelerating, closing the distance. Darrell stared, fixated on the wide silver grill growing larger in his mirror. Alternating glances from the road ahead to the car behind, he watched it move closer, now less than a car length. He stared at the shield, could make out its colors of silver, gold, black and red. He checked out the road ahead then shot another look at the Cadillac emblem. In the center of the shield, he saw a small nick, like a stone from the road had chipped it. His gaze returned to the asphalt ahead of him.

He punched the accelerator and felt his Taurus respond. When the distance between the cars opened up a bit, he checked the speedometer. The needle moved past eighty. The scenery flew by. He didn’t think he could keep this up for long. At least, the road was straight…for now.

He sensed more than saw movement behind him and yanked his gaze back to the rearview mirror. The SUV accelerated even more and drew still closer, the black frame and tinted windshield filling his mirror. Darrell’s knuckles tightened on the steering wheel. The car came so close, the grill with the shield disappeared from his view. The darkened windshield was all Darrell could see through his mirror. 

God, he must be within a foot. He’s going to ram me.

He floored the gas pedal and the engine whined in protest. The needle passed eighty-five. He wanted to turn his head and look back through the rear window but couldn’t chance it. Not at this speed. He had to stay focused on the road ahead. His Taurus raced along the blacktop. 

Then it started. First, a few thunks on the roof and, within seconds, the sky opened up, the rain cascading in sheets. He flipped the wipers on high and stared through the windshield at the rain-slicked asphalt. Damn, what else can go wrong? Driving like this in the rain was major-league stupid.

He needed to slow down in the downpour but couldn’t. He feared if he slowed, even a little, the larger SUV would slam into him and probably run him off the road. He chanced another glance in the rearview and saw…nothing. All he could see looking back was the torrential rain slicing down onto the blacktop. 

Where had the Cadillac gone? Could he have turned off when the rain hit and Darrell hadn’t noticed? He didn’t think so but where was the car? He stared ahead and then shot another glance in the mirror. Nothing.

Then, he caught some movement in his peripheral vision. The Cadillac SUV had slid over into the oncoming lane. He was passing the Taurus on the left. He must’ve disappeared into Darrell’s blind spot before pulling even with the Taurus. Darrell stared from the SUV beside him to the road ahead. As far as he could tell, both lanes seemed empty of traffic, but the rain reduced how far he could see.

He shot a glance to his side. The Cadillac had pulled up, almost even with his car. He peered across but could make out nothing but the damn dark tinted glass. He jerked his gaze back to the road. What was this idiot going to do? Pass him and make him skid on the wet road? He risked a glance in the rearview to see if there was a second car, to block him in. Nothing.

The SUV inched forward, both cars hurtling at almost ninety! This was crazy. No, this was suicide. He should brake and slow down, let the Cadillac whiz by him. But he feared what might happen in the rain. He could hydroplane, lose traction and skid. 

He had no time to consider any options. 

Right then, the SUV surged forward and steered hard to the right, angling in front of him, cutting off the Taurus. Darrell had no choice. He stepped on his brake so as not to hit the Cadillac. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the SUV whiz into his lane right in front of him. He yanked the wheel to the right, swerving to avoid hitting the other car. His tires slipped on the rain-slicked asphalt. He tried to control the steering wheel but felt the car skid onto the narrow shoulder. He slammed on the brakes as hard as he could and watched the car go over the edge of the shoulder. His heart raced. He practically stood on the brake. The car bumped over the shoulder. It bounced down into a ditch and partway up. The Taurus jerked to a stop, slamming his head into the steering wheel. 

Everything went dark.

Oh My Goodness! Excellent, edge-of-your-seat excerpt. Tell us where we can find Red Shadows at Saugatuck and give us the lowdown on you...

Thanks, Pam. Red Shadows at Saugatuck can be found at Amazon and other Online Retailers. Below is my "official" bio.

Dr. Randy Overbeck is an award-winning educator, author, speaker and podcaster. As an educator, he served children for more than three decades and has mined that experience to create captivating fiction, authoring two series, the bestselling series, “The Haunted Shores Mysteries,” and the award-winning series, “Lessons in Peril.” His novels have won critical acclaim and garnered national awards including Mystery of the Year (ReaderViews) Best Book Award (Chanticleer Books and Reviews) and the Gold Award (Literary Titan) and amassed hundreds of 5-star reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. 

Dr. Overbeck also hosts the popular podcast, “Great Stories about Great Storytellers,” which reveals the unusual and sometimes strange backstories of famous authors, directors and poets and can be heard wherever listeners get their podcasts. He is a speaker in considerable demand, sharing his popular presentations about ghosts and the world of book publishing with hundreds of audiences all over the U.S. 

As a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Dr. Overbeck is an active member of the literary community, contributing to a writers’ critique group, serving as a mentor to emerging writers and participating in writing conferences such as Killer Nashville and the Midwest Writers Workshop.

When he’s not researching, writing, speaking or podcasting, Randy enjoys traveling with his wife Cathy and visiting both his far-flung family and the scenic locations around this country, often in search of inspiration for his next great story.

More info about his novels, programs and podcast can be found at his website. Contact him at: randyoverbeck@authorrandyoverbeck.com and connect with him on Facebook, X, Amazon, Instagram, BookBub and GoodReads.

Thank You, so much, Randy for sharing your book with us today. We certainly wish you the best of luck and God's blessings with your work.

Hope you enjoyed today's spotlight, friends and that you'll check back weekly for another Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care, God bless and remember to show a little kindness today.

PamT