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Saturday, February 8, 2025

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Catherine Dilts & Rapid Fear!

 

Hello Again Saturday Spotlight Friends & Fans!

Boy February is moving right along. Today's guest visited once in 2013 and it is SO wonderful to welcome Catherine Dilts back into the spotlight.

Please tell us about your new book, Catherine...

A couple decades ago, I finished reading yet another story where the bad guy was a preacher. It seemed to be a trend for a while. You knew who the killer was practically from the beginning of the book. A Christian religious leader or fanatical layperson would be the culprit committing heinous crimes. I decided to write a novel with a preacher as one of the suspects, but who was innocent. Fast forward to 2024. Due to my cozy writing style, I had the opportunity to write several books in various Annie’s Fiction series. Rapid Fear is the most recent release. Romantic Suspense is a new genre for me. Rapid Fear is a special book because my daughter gave me invaluable assistance in creating the story under a tight deadline.

How Interesting! Give us more please...

Blurb: Amy Brackstone had a recent near-death experience in the wilderness during a geological expedition, but her career choice requires her to explore the canyonlands. She convinces her best friend Valerie to accompany her on a Utah rafting trip, hoping to overcome her fear. Amy can’t figure out why handsome tour guide Jonah Steadman keeps an over-the-top watchful eye on her. When a terrifying series of “accidents” force the tourists to hike through the canyons, Amy and Jonah begin a fight to survive. It’s clear that someone in their group is sabotaging the tour. Amy is certain Jonah is hiding a secret, but if she’s going to make it out of the canyon alive, she has to trust him. She risks her life, and her heart, to save their tour group from a maniac.

Excerpt: Where are the rafts?

This didn’t make any sense. Amy was certain they had not been far from the anchor poles. She should be able to see the bright yellow of the two rafts, or at least their dark, bulky shapes. She strained to see, just able to make out glittering star light reflecting off the rapidly flowing river. The rafts weren’t on the shore. 

Amy shook her head in disbelief. This can’t be real. I must be dreaming. Or having a nightmare.

Amy felt a thick plastic rope under her hiking shoes. She reached down and grabbed the rope, which felt taut in her hands. The pressure must mean the rope was still attached to the rafts. Following it hand-over-hand toward the river’s edge, Amy squinted, convinced the rafts had to be there, but seeing only an empty sandbar. 

As she focused, she felt the nylon rope tug at her hands and stretch, like a fishing line with a fish caught on the hook. The rope had been dangling behind her as she walked, but it now brushed the backs of her legs. Then she felt it again beneath her feet, getting in her way, almost tripping her. She tried to kick it away with her hiking shoes, but the rope seemed to tangle around her ankles. Then it snapped tight, grabbing hold like a wet, sand-gritty snake. Suddenly, her feet jerked out from under her. Amy slammed abruptly onto her bottom, splatting onto the wet sand.  

Amy got to her hands and knees and tried to stand. But her legs felt like they were tied together. How had she tangled herself in the rope? She rolled back to sit on her bottom and tried to undo the rope looped around her ankles, tearing at the coarse fibers with her fingers and kicking her feet. They were tangled so tight, she was completely bound.

As she sat, working at the knots, with a sudden jerk she felt herself being dragged swiftly across the sand. Her heart pounded against her ribs. 

Trapped! Sudden awareness nearly overwhelmed her. The rafts were drifting downstream, and Amy was tied to them. 

OH My Goodness! Suspense for sure. Where can Rapid Fear be found?

Rapid Fear is part of The Hearts in Peril series and is available from Annie’s Fiction by subscription. Although this is my latest release, I also write the mystery series Rose Creek, set in Northeastern Oklahoma, with The Body in the Cattails and The Body in the Cornfield now available.

Wonderful, Catherine. Now how 'bout a bio and some links where we can find you...

Catherine Dilts is the author of the Rose Creek Mystery series, Rock Shop Mystery series, and several installments in various Annie’s Fiction series. Her short stories have appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine and anthologies. 

After a career in environmental compliance for a global corporation, Catherine now gets to write fiction full time. Most of her published short stories, novels, and write-for-hire projects have a cozy mystery flavor. Catherine and her husband live in a home with a view of Pikes Peak, where they attempt gardening at over 6,500 feet of altitude. 


Thank You, So Much, Catherine for sharing your book with us. We certainly wish you the best of luck and God's blessings for much success.

Thank You, Friends for supporting Catherine today. Until next week...

Remember, Reading can take you places you may never visit otherwise so grab a book today.

PamT

Saturday, February 1, 2025

#SaturdaySpotlight is on Wendy Kendall & Cherry Shakes In The Park

Good Morning and Welcome to another edition of Saturday Spotlight.

Today's guest is not new to our blog so I'm just going to let Wendy Kendall take it away and tell us all about her book, Cherry Shakes in the Park.

The blog is all yours, Wendy!

Thank You, Pam.

Cherry Shakes in the Park is an enchanting, compelling romantic comedy with wonderful, memorable characters. You'll love the beach town of Bayside, with its ferry boats on the scenic Puget Sound. Bayside lives close to my heart. Mischievous Bryson's charmed by a sexy diva and by an enchanting new love.

I had so much fun creating their story – because it mixes mystery, romance, and lots of humor. You’ll root for a Happily Ever After, a wish held at risk as the story builds to my very favorite scene. A midsummer night’s dalliance at romantic and desolate Loon Point remains one of my very favorite scenes I’ve ever written.

Enjoy this yummy read. Cherry Shakes In The Park comes recommended for a relaxing summer day, or for any time you’re longing for a happy summer day.

Blurb:  Selling ice cream on a bike cart, Bryson Tanner pedals his way into a romantic triangle. Life serves him a swirl of divas, danger, and frothy delights.

Bryson's training for Olympic trials in track and field shows slow times. Hurdles from mysteries of the heart stand in his way. Marta, his ex, is back in town and starring in the acting troupe's weekend show in the park. She stomped on his heart once, but now seems thrilled to see him. Can he trust her with his love again? 

Marta's co-star, Senona charms Bryson over cherry shakes in the park. He's torn between rekindling his past or starting a new flame. Bryson sees a romantic start when Senona invites him to partner with her on the actors' mystery scavenger hunt game, where the winner receives a career-boosting prize. Intrigue escalates during a midsummer night's dalliance at romantic and desolate Loon point.

Excerpt: Jumping back on the bike and pedaling toward his last stop, Bryson calculated the amount of ice cream left in the cart. After rounding the corner and coasting into the lot, he slammed on the brakes. No mistaking it. Those painted flowers and rainbows framing the words, The Not Royal Shakes Company. This was a bus like no other. The memory of her turning her back on him, stepping on his heart and boarding that bus seared his vision. He wiped the sweat off his face with a shaking hand. Is Marta here?

A dozen people and a noisy dog paraded back and forth across the expanse of lawn between the parking lot and the bluff overlooking scenic Puget Sound. The company of actors emptied the bus of costumes, equipment, props, and more. It was a scene of comical Renaissance flair. The set up was promising with the Bay as the stage backdrop. With that work and this heat, they’d want ice cream. Bryson studied each face. No Marta. Was he glad, or disappointed?

What next? Did he want to see her? What would he say? Did she want to see him? She didn’t text him. Maybe he should leave, but Arturo was expecting him to sell here, all weekend.

He walked the bike cart across the lawn to a shady spot near the children’s playground, away from the bus. Birds chirped providing background noise to the grunts, laughs, and chatter that came from the actors.

Delighted shouts erupted when the kids on swings discovered him and his colorful cart. A surge raced his way, surrounded him, and shouted their excitement for ice cream. He armed himself with a scooper and a smile.

After the minors’ assault, Bryson grabbed a cherry shake and sat. He grinned at Arturo calling it magical. He indulged in the creaminess glittering in the sun. Impressed, he drank again and stretched out his legs. He stole a furtive glance toward the bus, hoping and not hoping to see Marta. The scent of the pine trees combined with the slight ocean breeze. He thought of sitting here with her, a sweet gift from paradise. A hawk soared, circling, maybe scanning for unwary prey. 

A light female voice with a rhythmic, musical tone floated over him. “Hola. Do you know a place to get ice cream?” Her giggle sounded like a serenade of castanets.

She had one fist on her hip that jutted attractively outward, accenting her tiny waist and shapely curves. Her jet-black hair flowed straight down her back. She used a tissue to wipe her forehead.

Conscious he was sweating after his ride, he stood with his arms close to his sides. She was sweating as well, but it looked good on her. She was a glowing, summer sight in white sneakers with pink socks peeking out and tight pink shorts. Her sleeveless, white midriff top had very thin straps and fit her cleavage well. She pulled her locks behind one ear and smiled. “I’m Senona. Nice to meet you. What’s your name?”

Before he could speak, Bryson heard that familiar sweet voice. “His name is Bryson.”

Frozen in place and savoring the sound, he stared at his Marta. He searched her eyes, hoping to see a longing for him there.

Senona said, “This is the Bryson you talked about?”

A warmth rushed into his face. Marta had talked about him. Now she twisted her sandaled foot in the grass in that coy way he liked. She wore a bright yellow sun dress and her hair swung back and forth in a ponytail. “It’s good to see you.”

He relished how she said those words. He stammered, “I didn’t know you were coming back to town this weekend. We can catch up…”

Senona took a step toward his brightly painted cart. “The sight of your ice cream’s been driving us all crazy. We finished unloading in a hurry. Did the kids leave us actors any?”

Bryson couldn’t understand why Marta didn’t answer him, why she didn’t walk closer. She had come to him though. He couldn’t wait to be alone with her. He grinned at Senona. “No worries. I still have a scoop or two.”

A tall, buff guy in khaki shorts and a Washington State tank top jogged over and stood behind Marta. He peered over her and had the nerve to put his hands on her shoulders in a familiar way.

She let his hands stay there. “Oh, Dean, you’re here.” Marta laughed that darling burst Bryson normally thrilled at. Instead, chills went through him to see her with another guy. He frowned. A woman walked past them with a greeting as if Marta and he were a couple. As if. The pack of actors zeroed in on his cart. 

Published by The Wild Rose Press, Cherry Shakes in the Park can be Found/Purchased @ Amazon, B&N, Kobo, GoodReads and BookBub


The result of Wendy Kendall's passion for purses, mystery and romance is the intriguing In Purse-Suit Mysteries published by The Wild Rose Press. Kat Out of the Bag also published by Harlequin, introduces Katherine Watson purse designer/sleuth. As Katherine moves from designer bags to body bags, she's uncovering clues to murder. 

The prequel, Purse-Stachio Makes A Splash delves into a chilling cold case. Finalist for Best Suspense at Killer Nashville, Snow Kiss Cookies To Die For creates a tangle of mystery and love, raising suspicions about a teacher's romantic new sweetheart. 

A summer rom-com, Cherry Shakes In The Park blends danger, divas, and frothy delights. Ribbons of love run through the holiday book, Heart of Christmas Cookies and Dreams.

Wendy enjoys investigating the Pacific Northwest life, and she leaves a trail of her own clues as a blogger, YouTube podcaster, speaker, and syndicated columnist.

Wendy is delighted to connect with you at her Social Media Links:

Facebook – WendyKendallMysteries
Twitter - @wendywrites1
Instagram - wendyekendall

THANK YOU SO Much, Wendy for sharing your new book with us. 

Hope you enjoyed Wendy's post friends and that you'll check back each week for another edition of Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time take care and keep reading!
PamT