Guest Post about Online Marketing by Hayley Zelda

Posted on September 16, 2020September 16, 2020 by Debbie

How To Do Online Marketing For Your Book

While many authors have spent years studying how to improve the craft of writing, few study the very important craft of marketing. I put together this post to share some tips on book marketing for authors looking to market their book online. Let’s face it, unless you’re J.K. Rowling or Stephen King, you’re not going to land a major publishing deal and have an army of sales people promoting your book for you. This means that it’s going to be up to you to find ways to get people to read your book. There are all sorts of tools and tactics available for self-published authors, but I’ve listed some of my favorite tools below for creating interest in your book. Keep in mind, you don’t have to use all of these tools, just pick and choose from them as you see fit.

1. Try working with influencers

If you want to sell more books, you’ve got to get the attention of influencers in your genre. These influencers could be authors, bloggers, podcasters, Twitter personalities, etc. Try to work with influencers who have a lot of followers and get your book in front of as many people as possible. You can try contacting influencers on social media or sending them an email.

What works best for you will depend on the influencer. Some of them may not even want your book, but they could be willing to mention your book on their blog, podcast, or twitter account. Most of the time you’ll have to give them a free copy of your book in exchange for mentioning it.

If you have an ebook, then you can create your own landing page for your book and send people to it when they pre-order the book. For instance, you can use Amazon’s product page creator, give the URL to your influencers, and they can send people there to order the book when it’s released.

2. Create a podcast, Youtube channel, or blog

If you want to make a living off of your writing, then one of the best things that you can do is to create a following of people who like your work and will buy your future books. The easiest way to do this is to create a blog, podcast, or YouTube channel where you can regularly post new content that will interest your target market. The more popular you get, the more people you can reach and the more people will buy your book.

3. Focus on creating quality content

What kind of content works best for building an online audience? I’d have to say that educational content is the best kind of content. People who are interested in buying and reading your book are probably the same people who want to improve themselves and increase their knowledge about a subject. If you’re an author, then you know all about writing. Try to create content that is both entertaining and educational. This is a great way to get your book in front of the right people who are likely to buy it. If you don’t have an audience on your site to share content to, look at other writing sites or blogs to contribute to. Start by targeting smaller blogs and sites to contribute to like Wired For Youth and then climb up the ladder to larger ones.

4. Use Amazon’s free services to promote your book

Authors can list their books on Amazon for free and they’ll even display a custom cover for your book if you have one. They’ll also put your book in front of people who are searching for books in your genre and people who click the “also bought” buttons. Amazon will also give you the ability to drive free traffic to your book’s landing page. This will help you build a list of people interested in your book and they’ll be notified when your book is released.

There are also other free services that Amazon offers to authors such as the Amazon Author Central account and KDP Select. I encourage you to take advantage of everything that Amazon has to offer to you to promote your book.

5. Create a website for your book

If you have a personal brand, then you can build an audience with a blog that you own. You can also build a website for your book or both. You can use your site to drive traffic to Amazon and it can also help you create a following of people who like your writing and want to hear about your future releases. It’s a lot of work, but it’s very rewarding.

6. Test Facebook Ads

If you have an existing audience on Facebook, then you can use Facebook ads to promote your book to that audience. You can create an audience of people who like your Facebook page and target them with ads on Facebook. It won’t cost very much to do and you can test how your ads are performing to see which ones are bringing you the most sales. You can learn more about Facebook Ads for authors here.

7. Leverage your email list

People who follow you online are your biggest fans. You can tell them about your new book when it’s released and ask them to pre-order it or leave a review. You can also use your email list to promote your book to your fans and it won’t cost you anything. You can also try using an autoresponder service like Aweber to send emails to your list.

8. Get your book into brick and mortar stores

If you have a physical book and you’re selling it locally, then the best way to sell more of your books is to get it on a shelf in a bookstore or to ask them to order it for you. Contact the local bookstores to see if you can set up a book signing at their store.

9. Setup a book trailer

People tend to consume video content more than anything else on the web. Make a book trailer that tells people about the plot of your book or what inspired you to write the book. You can get a couple of friends to star in it or you can make one yourself. Use Youtube to promote your book to people who like watching book trailers.

10. Leverage multimedia fiction

If you have a book, then you can leverage it by including multimedia content. You can create a web app, graphic novel, board game, mobile app, etc. to create more interest in your book. For instance, you could create a web app that is based on the themes of your book and your audience can play with it for free. You could even include an ad for your book in the app. You can also try a multimedia fiction site like Commaful.

11. Create promotional products for your book

Promotional products such as t-shirts, mugs, posters, etc. are an easy way to promote your book to people who have a habit of collecting these kinds of things. You can offer the items as prizes on a giveaway, get them printed with your book cover, or you can sell them on your website or Amazon.

I hope that you’ve found some useful information in this post about how to market your book online. It takes a lot of work, but it’s worth the effort when you land your first big client and make a nice chunk of change for your efforts. If you want to sell more books, then you’ll have to get the attention of your target audience and the best way to do that is to get your book in front of people online.

About the Author

Hayley Zelda is a writer and marketer at heart. She’s written on all the major writing platforms and worked with a number of self-published authors on marketing books to the YA audience.

author news

Mid-September Author News: Stories, Books, and Cats

Posted on September 14, 2020September 14, 2020 by Debbie

I hope you’re all doing well. During this pandemic, the focus is on health which reminds us how important it is to our well-being. I recently took a fall and received a minor if not aggravating injury to my rib cage. I have to limit my lifting and modify some of my other activities including my exercise and household tasks. I’m lucky that my accident wasn’t worse, but it made me realize how easy it is to become hurt or ill and that every day of health shouldn’t be taken for granted.

While I had some bad luck this past week, I’ve also received some good news. I’ve been elected an officer on the Cat Writers’ Association’s council. As a long-time member of this organization that supports and promotes all cat-related media, I am honored to have been elected.

STORY NEWS

Another piece of good news that I’m happy to report is that my two rescue cats, Harry and Hermione, are featured in the new release, Second-Chance Cats: True Stories of the Cats we Rescue and The Cats Who Rescue Us, that will be published on September 15. This book also includes rescue stories by several other Cat Writers’ Association members and is available in hardcover, paperback, audio, and eBook.My story about Harry and Hermione and other fateful experiences are included in Chapter 13 of Why People Believe in God: True Stories of Encountering God by Reverend John H. Krahn. All 3 of my cats, Harry, Hermione, and Stripey appear in fellow CWA member Sandra Toney’s article about bedtime routines which can be read here.Most of my writing involves cats, sometimes mine and sometimes fictional ones based on mine. Although I write mostly mysteries, I recently submitted a science fiction tale featuring alien cats to the new Red Penguin Collection’s What Lies Beyond, a science fiction anthology. They are accepting submissions through September 15 for this anthology and will publish future anthologies featuring different themes. Check the website for more details and, while you’re there, check out the other exciting opportunities with Red Penguin Books including their author podcasts and new literary journal. https://redpenguinbooks.com/the-red-penguin-collection/BOOK NEWS

I’ve submitted my 5th Cobble Cove cozy mystery to Solstice Publishing and hope to have some updates about it in the October Author News. In the meantime, here’s a tentative blurb for No Gravestone Unturned.

It’s October in Cobble Cove, and Alicia is busy preparing for the library’s Halloween party when she learns that John’s aunt from Florida has died and that John’s cousins and their spouses are coming to town to bury their mother. The day after the funeral, the caretaker’s son is found dead by John’s grandfather’s gravestone, from a blow on the head. The only witness seems to be Sneaky the library cat, who, having left the library, turned up at Alicia’s door with blood and dirt on him.

As Alicia, Gilly, and Sheriff Ramsay investigate, a generation of family secrets is uncovered. Are one of the guests staying at the inn a killer? Will the humans solve the crime, and can Sneaky, Kittykai, and Salem, the inn’s guest cat, team up to help?

In October, I should also have more updates about Pet Posts: The Cat Chats, the non-fiction cat book that I’m self-publishing.Lastly, I would like to ask two favors. My new standalone mystery, Memory Makers, is in the running for the AllAuthor September cover-of-the-month contest. It has made it to the second round. To get into the third round it needs to be in the top 50 books. The last day to vote for Round 2 is September 14. If Memory Makers gets into the third round, you can vote again for it starting on September 15. If you like the cover, please vote for it here.

The blog tour for Memory Makers ends on September 21. Follow it here for a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card.

The second favor is to vote for Harry and Hermione in the Remember Me Thursday contest. If you vote for my story, I could win a prize and the Golden Paw Society, Inc., the rescue from which I adopted them, would receive some money to support their organization. This contest ends on September 30. Vote here to support Harry and Hermione and the Golden Paw Society Rescue.

Recipe, Spotlight

Spotlight and Recipe for Dough or Die, A Bread Shop Mystery by Winnie Archer

Posted on September 13, 2020September 13, 2020 by Debbie

Hembesha, East African Spiced Bread

Recipe credit, with permission, to Global Table Adventure (globaltableadventure.com/ recipe/eritrean-spiced-bread-hembesha-2/)

Makes one 12-inch hembesha

Ingredients:

11⁄2 cups all-purpose flour 1⁄2 cup whole wheat flour 2 tsp instant dry yeast
1 tsp ground fenugreek 1 tsp ground coriander 1 tsp ground cardamom 1 tsp salt
1–2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1⁄2 cup warm water (start with a little less) 1 large egg
Additional vegetable oil, for cooking

Directions:

First, mix all ingredients, save the additional vegetable oil, together by hand or with a mixer. Turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth.

Cover and let rise in a warm spot for between 45 minutes and 1 hour, or until doubled in size. (Instant dry yeast works very quickly—but if you only have regular yeast this will take about 1 1⁄2 hours.)

Roll out dough to about 1⁄3-inch thickness and put it in an oiled, 12-inch oven-safe pan or skillet. I used a paella pan. A round pan is best, but placing the round dough on a large cookie sheet is fine, too.

Immediately cut with a pastry wheel (a pizza cutter will also work)—first cut in wedges like a pizza, then create concentric circles about an inch apart. If the dough pulls with the cutter, try cutting toward the center.

Be sure to cut 99–100% of the way through— this is the only way your cuts won’t “disappear” once baked.

Let rise 30–45 minutes—until puffed and doubled in size. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350º F.

Brush with oil and bake 15–20 minutes. Allow to cool in pan.

NOTE: Eritreans also like to cook their hembesha on the stovetop. Try over medium-low (flipping once after 10 minutes). This works better with a heavy-bottom pan as it cooks more evenly.

Dough or Die (A Bread Shop Mystery)
by Winnie Archer

About Dough or Die

Dough or Die (A Bread Shop Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
5th in Series
Publisher: Kensington (August 25, 2020)
Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
ISBN-10: 1496724410
ISBN-13: 978-1496724410
Digital ASIN: B082WQZBGF

Known for its mouthwatering traditional breads, the Yeast of Eden bakery has gained fame across Northern California’s coast. Now the shop is bound for Reality TV—but a murder may kill its reputation . . .

People come to the beach town of Santa Sofia as much for the healing properties of Yeast of Eden’s breads as for a vacation getaway. And now a cable food channel has selected the bakery as a featured culinary delight for a new show. Baking apprentice Ivy Culpepper is excited as the crew arrives, ready to capture all the ins and outs of the renowned bread shop. But instead they capture something much harder to stomach: the attempted murdered of the show’s cameraman just outside Yeast of Eden . . .

With no motive and no clues, and the town craving answers, it will be up to Ivy to sift through the evidence to find the truth. But she’ll have to move quickly before someone else is targeted or the wrong person gets the heat—and the business collapses like a deflated soufflé, right before her eyes.

About Winnie Archer

Winnie Archer is a middle school teacher by day and by night she’s the author of the Bread Shop Mystery series. Born in a beach town in California, she now lives in Colorado. She fantasizes about spending summers writing in quaint, cozy locales, has a love/hate relationship with both yoga and chocolate, adores pumpkin spice lattes, is devoted to her five kids and husband, and can’t believe she’s lucky enough to be living the life of her dreams. Visit her online at Website .

Author Links

Kensington: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/9781496724410/dough-or-die/

Website: https://melissabourbon.com/

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

Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N – Kobo

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

September 10 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT

September 10 – The Book’s the Thing – REVIEW

September 10 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

September 10 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

September 11 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

September 11 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

September 11 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT

September 11 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 12 – Baroness’ Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

September 12 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 12 – I Read What You Write – SPOTLIGHT

September 13 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 13 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE

September 13 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

September 14 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

September 14 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

September 14 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW

September 15 – A Blue Million Books – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

September 15 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – GUEST POST

September 15 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT

September 16 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST

September 16 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

September 16 – Gimme The Scoop Reviews – SPOTLIGHT/ RECIPE

September 16 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?

Click Here Find Details and Sign Up Today!

Cozy Mystery, New Releases, Spotlight

Spotlight for Undone in Uluru, A Traveler Cozy Mystery, by A. R. Kennedy

Posted on September 11, 2020 by Debbie

Undone in Uluru: A Traveler Cozy Mystery
by A R Kennedy

About Undone in Uluru

Undone in Uluru: A Traveler Cozy Mystery
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Independently Published (August 25, 2020)
~150 Pages
Digital ASIN: B08D7S722B

A missing person + a do-gooder father + a new friend = An adventure in which Naomi finds more than a murderer.

Naomi is off to Australia with her father in her latest vacation. She expects a drama-free trip to Oz with her dependable father. That all ends at check-in when they encounter a young woman searching for her boyfriend. Fellow traveler Daniel drags them into a search for the missing man in the Red Centre. In between sunset tours, daytime hikes, and Vegemite tastings, Naomi wanders ever closer to danger.

About A. R. Kennedy

A.R. KENNEDY

A. R. Kennedy lives in Long Beach, New York, with her two pups. She works hard to put food on the floor for them. As her favorite T-shirt says, ‘I work so my dog can have a better life’. She’s an avid traveler. But don’t worry. While she’s away, her parents dote on their grand-puppies even more than she does. Her writing is a combination of her love of travel, animals, and the journey we all take to find ourselves.

Check out my interview of A. R. Kennedy here: https://wp.me/p6m4z7-2s6

and my review of R.I.P. in Reykjavik, her second book in the Traveler cozy mystery series here: https://wp.me/p6m4z7-2vQ

Author Links

Website – Amazon – Facebook – Twitter – Goodreads – BookBub –

Purchase Link – Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

September 1 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

September 1 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

September 2 – Literary Gold – CHARACTER GUEST POST

September 2 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

September 3 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT

September 3 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 4 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – SPOTLIGHT

September 5 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

September 5 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

September 6 – This Is My Truth Now – REVIEW, GUEST POST

September 7 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 7 – Reading Is My SuperPower – SPOTLIGHT

September 8 – Here’s How It Happened – REVIEW

September 8 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW

September 9 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – SPOTLIGHT

September 9 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

September 10 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT

September 11 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

September 12 – eBook Addicts – REVIEW

September 13 – Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW

September 13 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, GUEST POST

September 14 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST

Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?

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Books, mystery, New Releases, Next Chapter

Vote for Memory Makers in the September AllAuthor Cover of the Month Contest

Posted on September 4, 2020 by Debbie

My new mystery, Memory Makers, has been chosen as a contender for the September AllAuthor Book of the Month. I personally think the cover is outstanding and reflects the theme of my book. If you agree, please vote here: https://allauthor.com/cover-of-the-month/9222/

Thanks so much for your support.

Also, my blog tour for Memory Makers is still running until September 21. Follow it for a chance to win an Amazon Card giveaway and learn more about the book through spotlights, excerpts, and guest posts.

https://www.silverdaggertours.com/sdsxx-tours/memory-makers-book-tour-and-giveaway

Spotlight, Uncategorized

Spotlight for Mystery Follows Her: A Multi-Author Cozy Mystery Collection

Posted on September 3, 2020September 13, 2020 by Debbie

Mystery Follows Her
A Multi-Author Cozy Mystery Collection
By Dianne Ascroft, Ellen Jacobson, Sarah Biglow, Aubrey Elle,
Beate Boeker, Adriana Licio, Vikki Walton, Angela K. Ryan, and Tamara Woods

About Mystery Follows Her

Mystery Follows Her – A Multi-Author Cozy Mystery Collection
Cozy Mysteries
Publisher: Kydala Publishing, Inc. (June 24, 2020)
Print Length: 426 pages
Digital ASIN: B08BTN6HN2

MISCHIEF, MAYHEM, OR MURDER?

MYSTERY FOLLOWS HER through dangerous city streets, quaint villages, and locales across the globe. Uncover the clues with feisty female sleuths of various ages in this multi-author cozy mystery collection of short stories.

Catch a mugger in THANKSGIVING AND THEFT by Dianne Ascroft
Dig up hidden treasure in BURIED BY THE BEACH by Ellen Jacobson
Open up a case in CLOSED OUT by Tamara Woods
Pray for justice in TREASURES IN HEAVEN by Sarah Biglow
Escape the blame in RING GONE ‘ROUND THE ROSES by Aubrey Elle
Try on some clues in THE MYSTERY OF THE STOLEN RING by Beate Boeker
Search for the suspect in WHEN THE CLOCK CHIMES TWO by Adriana Licio
Catch the culprit in HIJINKS IN AJIJIC by Vikki Walton
Locate the missing loot in VENDORS AND VILLAINS by Angela K. Ryan

You’ll love this collection of intriguing and light-hearted stories from award-winning and best-selling authors from across the globe.

About the Authors

Two US Today bestselling authors are among these nine authors who hail from Germany, Italy, Northern Ireland and the United States.

Their current and past occupations are diverse and include lawyer, perfumery shop owner, biology lecturer, marketing consultant, global house and pet sitter, interior designer, university campus minister, journalist, tea lady, arborist, bookseller and lottery archivist.

Their interests and hobbies are broad too. Here’s just a few: anthropology, walking and hiking, quilting, sailing, lindy hop dancing, suburban homesteading, sci-fi and urban fantasy, playing bagpipes and poetry. While many have traveled and lived in places around the world that were new and exciting to them, one even lives in a tiny campervan that’s traversed several American states this year!

Yet as diverse as they are, they all share a love of cozy mysteries and telling a good tale. And that’s what they have done in this collection of stories and novellas that introduces readers to characters in each author’s cozy mystery series.

Author Links

The website links for each author in the collection:

Dianne Ascroft: www.dianneascroft.com

Ellen Jacobson: www.ellenjacobsonauthor.com

Tamara Woods: www.tamarawoodsauthor.com

Sarah Biglow: www.sarah-biglow.com

Aubrey Elle: www.authoraubreyelle.com

Beate Boeker: www.happybooks.de

Adriana Licio: www.adrianalicio.com

Vikki Walton: www.vikkiwalton.com

Angela K. Ryan: https://www.facebook.com/AngelaKRyanAuthor

Purchase Links – Kobo – Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Apple Books – Books2read

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

September 1 – Here’s How It Happened – REVIEW

September 1 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

September 2 – My Journey Back – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

September 3 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

September 3 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

September 4 – Books to the Ceiling – SPOTLIGHT

September 5 – Gimme The Scoop Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 6 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT

September 7 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW

September 7 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT

September 8 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW

September 8 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

September 9 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 9 – Reading Authors Network – REVIEW

September 10 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST

September 10 – Thoughts in Progress – SPOTLIGHT

September 11 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – SPOTLIGHT

September 11 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

September 12 – Brooke Blogs – GUEST POST

September 12 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

September 13 – I Read What You Write – SPOTLIGHT

September 14 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

September 14 – Ebook Addicts – REVIEW

Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?

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Cats

Review of Sammie’s Tail: My Story of Rescue by Stasie Fishman

Posted on August 24, 2020 by Debbie

*****5 stars

As a cat lover and author who features cats in my book, I also enjoy reading about them. Sammie’s Tail: My Story of Rescue, is a children’s book told from the point of view of a rescued cat with special needs. It’s heartwarming and beautifully illustrated. While aimed at children up to fourth grade, adults will also appreciate this story that teaches about pet rescue.

Sammie is a Bombay cat who has trouble seeing out of her left eye. She started hanging around the author’s house. After being fed outside and gradually getting to know Stasie, she eventually summoned up the courage to go inside. Despite trying to escape through a screen, she adjusted and made the place her home.

I love how Ms. Fishman used the word “Tail” in the title as an acronym for Tolerance for Animals Inspires Love. A forthcoming rescue story of her cat Bettinna is previewed at the back of the book along with photos of her fur family and information on reader extras found on the website SammiesTail.com.

Blog Tour

Memory Makers is on Blog Tour with an Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

Posted on August 21, 2020 by Debbie

It’s my pleasure to announce that my new mystery release, Memory Makers, is on a month-long blog tour with Silver Dagger Book Tours. Please follow the tour to read spotlights, excerpts, and guest posts, as well as earn a chance to win an Amazon gift card.

Memory Makers

by Debbie De Louise

Genre: Mystery

Twenty-five years ago, Lauren Phelps and her sister Patty were kidnapped from their backyard on Long Island. Lauren escaped her captor, but Patty was killed.

Ever since, Lauren has suffered from nightmares of the “Shadow Man.” Trying to recall his face and avenge her sister’s murder, Lauren, now a kidnapping investigator, enrolls in a clinical trial for a new memory drug.

At the offices of Memory Makers in California, she receives the injections of the Memory Makers’ serum, and begins to experience flashbacks of repressed memories. Along with the flashbacks, she receives threats from an anonymous source that point back to her childhood trauma.

Soon, Lauren becomes involved with a fellow trial participant who seeks to recall his own traumatic past. But can Lauren discover the identity of the “Shadow Man” before history repeats itself?

Goodreads * Amazon

Debbie De Louise is an award-winning author and a reference librarian at a public library on Long Island. She is a member of International Thriller Writers, Sisters-in-Crime, and the Cat Writer’s Association. She has a BA in English and an MLS in Library Science from Long Island University. Her seven published novels include the 4 books of her Cobble Cove cozy mystery series: A Stone’s Throw, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Written in Stone, and Love on the Rocks, her paranormal romance, Cloudy Rainbow, her mystery thriller Reason to Die, and her latest psychological mystery, Sea Scope. She also published a romantic comedy novella featuring a jewel heist caper, When Jack Trumps Ac. Debbie has also written articles and short stories for several anthologies of various genres. She is currently querying agents to represent the first book of a new cozy mystery series. She lives on Long Island with her husband, daughter, and three cats.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

$10 Amazon gift card

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway and/or check the schedule for each blog.

Aug 21

kickoff at Silver Dagger Book Tours

A Pinch of Bookdust

Aug 22

Inside the Insanity – GUEST POST

Aug 23

This Is My Truth Now

A Wonderful World of Words – GUEST POST

Aug 24

BooksWithMollyAhern

Rabid Readers Book Blog

Aug 25

All Things Dark & Dirty

Girl with Pen

Aug 26

The Writer’s Grab-Bag

Bayou Queen Book Fanatics

Aug 27

Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read

Aug 28

Aug 29

Aug 30

Readeropolis – GUEST POST

Aug 31

Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin’

Bedazzled By Books

Sep 1

IndiePowerd by No Sweat Graphics

Sep 2

Sep 3

Sep 4

Sep 7

Musings From An Addicted Reader

The Bookshelf Fairy

Sep 8

Scrupulous Dreams

Twisted Book Ramblings

Sep 9

Author Kim Knight

Our Town Book Reviews

Sep 10

Book Lovers 4Ever

Celticlady’s Reviews

Sep 11

Indie Author Book Reviews

Dragon’s Den

Sep 12

All the Ups and Downs – GUEST POST

Jazzy Book Reviews

Sep 13

Books, Authors, Blogs

Sep 14

Nina Soden #TheRedheadedAuthor – GUEST POST

Books all things paranormal and romance

Sep 15

#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee

Sapphyria’s Book Reviews

Sep 16

The Sexy Nerd ‘Revue’

Books a Plenty Book Reviews

Sep 17

The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – GUEST POST

Pen Possessed – GUEST POST

Sep 18

Authors & Readers Book Corner

Book Corner News and Reviews

Sep 19

Anna del C. Dye official page

Sep 20

Books A-Brewin’

Teatime and Books

Sep 21

Valerie Ullmer | Romance Author

Louy Castonguay

Cozy Mystery, New Releases, Spotlight

Spotlight for All Done With It: A Dreamwalker Mystery by Maggie Toussaint

Posted on August 18, 2020 by Debbie

All Done With It (A Dreamwalker Mystery)
by Maggie Toussaint

About All Done With It

All Done With It (A Dreamwalker Mystery)
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
7th in Series
Publisher: Camel Press (August 11, 2020)
Number of Pages 211 pages

A Jane Doe jogger homicide near the swamp mystifies Dreamwalker Baxley Powell. The petite woman carried no ID, and no one recognizes her. Worse, a shadow passes from the body to a deputy, rendering him unconscious. The deputy and the corpse are dispatched to the hospital and morgue, respectively.

With summer heat and pending childbirth on her mind, Baxley’s dreamwalks into the spirit world fail to yield leads, frustrating Baxley and her deputy husband, Native American Sam Mayes. Days later, Jane Doe’s description matches a missing Mississippi woman. Turns out, her new husband is missing too. Jane’s sketchy brother-in-law and her aunt arrive, full of secrets. At Jane’s campsite, the team encounters a terrifying anomaly, nullifying Baxley’s senses. With such danger present, they must protect their unborn child. No more dreamwalks will occur until Baxley gives birth.

When her friend Bubba Paxton vanishes, Baxley sights him in a mirror, trapped between worlds with other souls.

Meanwhile, the shadow invades other hosts, demanding to see Baxley. Mayes and Baxley ignore the shadow as they rescue Bubba, untangle the Jane Doe case, and handle missing persons reports.
To free the trapped people, Baxley must outwit a powerful foe. Can she stop this super villain before he steals her soul?

In this 7th Dreamwalker Mystery, female sleuth and psychic crime consultant Baxley Powell works a homicide case that leads straight to an evil force in the spirit world. The stakes? Her soul, her unborn child, and humanity’s freedom.

About Maggie Toussaint

Southern author Maggie Toussaint writes cozy and paranormal mysteries, romantic suspense, and dystopian fiction, with twenty-plus fiction novels published. A three-time finalist for Georgia Author of the Year, she’s won three Silver Falchions, the Readers’ Choice, and the EPIC Awards. She’s past president of Mystery Writers of America-Southeast chapter and an officer of LowCountry Sisters In Crime. She lives in coastal Georgia, where secrets, heritage, and ancient oaks cast long shadows.

Author Links

Website – https://maggietoussaint.com/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MaggieToussaintAuthor

Twitter – https://www.twitter.com/MaggieToussaint

GoodReads – https://www.goodreads.com/MaggieToussaint

BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/authors/maggie-toussaint

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Author Spotlight, Cozy Mystery, New Releases

Interview with Tracy Gardner, Author of Behind the Frame: A Shepherd Sisters Cozy Mystery

Posted on August 13, 2020 by Debbie

It’s a pleasure to have Tracy Gardner from Howell, Michigan, here to chat about her writing and new release, Behind the Frame: A Shepherd Sister’s Mystery.

How long have you been published, Tracy? What titles and/or series have you published and with which publisher? Have you self-published any titles? Please give details.

My first traditionally published novel released last year through Hallmark Publishing. OUT OF THE PICTURE: A SHEPHERD SISTERS MYSTERY was the first ever Hallmark Publishing cozy mystery novel. That has now become a Hallmark cozy mystery book series, with book two, BEHIND THE FRAME, releasing August 11^th, 2020, and book three, STILL LIFE AND DEATH, releasing summer of 2021.

And just recently, I’ve signed with Crooked Lane Books to publish a new cozy mystery with series potential called RUBY RED HERRING: AN AVERY AYERS ANTIQUES MYSTERY.

Prior to receiving the Hallmark Publishing deal in 2019, I had published a women’s fiction novel, THE FALL OF OUR SECRETS, through a small e-publisher that has since gone out of business. That book is still available on Amazon as well; readers should note that it has more PG-13 / R rated content as opposed to my nicely G / PG rated cozy mysteries above.

That’s wonderful, Tracy. I also have a 4-book cozy mystery series, The Cobble Cove Mysteries, with Solstice Publishing, a small Indie publisher, and am looking to publish a new one with a larger traditional publisher if I get lucky with an agent. In the meantime, I’m happy publishing my series and standalone mysteries with Solstice and Next Chapter.

Tell us a little bit about your books — if you write a series, any upcoming releases or your current work-in-progress. If you have an upcoming release, please specify the release date.

In Hallmark’s Shepherd sisters series, Savanna Shepherd has just returned to her small Lake Michigan hometown of Carson after a broken engagement and lost job in Chicago. As an art authenticator, Savanna has a special talent for spotting clues hiding in plain sight. Savanna is thrilled to be reunited with her two sisters, and her family is happy to have her home. In OUT OF THE PICTURE, when it becomes clear that someone is trying to kill Savanna’s would-be grandmother, town matriarch Caroline Carson, Savanna races to uncover the truth and find the culprit with help from her sisters, Detective Nick Jordan, and intriguing town doctor, Aidan Gallager. By book two, BEHIND THE FRAME (8/11/2020), Detective Jordan realizes Savanna could be an asset when she discovers the body of a murdered councilman and has insight into possible suspects. Savanna once again becomes embroiled in a murder mystery in book three, STILL LIFE AND DEATH (summer 2021), when her beloved uncle is suddenly a suspect in the strange murder of the town florist.

Aside the mystery in each book, Savanna and her sisters share a wonderful friendship, and we see Savanna recover from her broken engagement and begin a slowly developing relationship with a Carson resident. The Shepherd sisters series encompasses high-stakes mysteries, Sunday family dinners, a gourmet dog treat and grooming salon in a town you’d love to live in.

In Crooked Lane Books’ RUBY RED HERRING, Avery Ayers now runs her parents’ antiques and artifacts appraisal business a year after her parents perished in a fiery car crash. But Avery’s life is turned upside down again when she receives a mysterious message from someone claiming to be her (deceased) father on the heels of being hired to investigate a potentially priceless ruby that could be the missing dragon eye in famed Emperor’s Twins Xiang Dynasty medallion. Avery and new friend Detective Art Smith are pulled into a mystery involving a possible faked death, a stolen ruby worth millions, and New York’s Museum of Antiquities. RUBY RED HERRING takes place in the upstate New York town of Lilac Grove and in Manhattan; Avery Ayers younger sister Tilly and eccentric force of nature Aunt Midge keep Avery centered as she delves into her parents’ past and how it is connected to the ruby under lock and key at the museum.

Both those series sound excellent. Describe your goals as a writer. What do you hope to achieve in the next few years? What are you planning to do to reach these goals?

I’d love to continue working with wonderful publishers and writing stories that matter to me and resonate with readers. I’m so extremely fortunate to be on this path, and I’m committed to doing the work necessary to continue.

Writing is definitely a labor of love. Best of luck to you meeting your goals.

What type of reader are you hoping to attract? Who do you believe would be most interested in reading your books?

I think anyone who is looking for characters they can relate to, sweet, slow-burn romance, mystery and intrigue, and/or normal, everyday life issues we all deal with will enjoy my books.

That’s a nice, wide audience.

What advice would you give other authors or those still trying to get published?

Don’t stop.

If you’re completely worn out from the effort of trying to get your work out there, and it’s too heartbreaking or soul-crushing for you to go on, go ahead and try to quit. If you feel okay and at peace not writing, or writing solely for your eyes only, then you’ve made the right decision. But if you try to quit and find you can’t, then get back on your journey to publication and keep on going. Don’t stop.

Great advice. Even if I never land an agent or publish with a large publisher, I will continue to write and publish wherever I can because I truly love sharing my characters and plots with readers.

What particular challenges and struggles did you face before first becoming published?

This question made me smile, coming right after the previous one, as the answer is in that advice. I became worn out and just mentally and emotionally crushed more than once. You can get into an unhealthy cycle of focusing so much on this one goal, that you lose perspective of what really matters. The last time I tried to quit, I’d reached the point where I realized I was siphoning away time, energy, and enjoyment from my family in pursuit of this thing I’d tried for over a decade to achieve, and for what? I told my agent (the one it took me years of querying to secure) to take me off her website because I was done. She nicely told me no, and to take some time and step away from writing for a while. I was able to strengthen my focus on the things that really matter to me—my kids, my husband, and how truly blessed I am in life for so many reasons. When my agent got back in touch and asked if I wanted to put together a proposal for Hallmark’s new publishing division, I said sure, why not? I think the difference then was that my expectations were gone. I can’t say the drive was absent, but I really had nothing to lose and zero expectations.

I’m sure there are a million different routes to becoming published. I wouldn’t recommend mine to anyone, but I’m so grateful I’m here.

What a great story. Thanks for sharing your experience. I know many writers who have gone through a similar period of despair, as I have, and questioned all the time and effort they’ve put into writing for very little reward. It’s good to know that a successful author such as yourself has gone through the same thing.

Do you belong to any writing groups? Which ones?

I don’t, but I should. Well, that’s not 100% true. The Hallmark authors have a little online group I’m part of, and they are some of the sweetest, most helpful and supportive people I’ve ever known. I do not belong to any organizations or formal groups, but I’m sure I would benefit if I did.

I also belong to my publisher’s Facebook groups and a writing group at the library which currently isn’t meeting. Other than those, I belong to Sisters-in-Crime, International Thriller Writers, the Cat Writers’ Association, and the Long Island Authors Group. I find certain groups are more helpful than others depending on your interests and type of writing you do.

What are your hobbies and interests besides writing?

I really enjoy spending time hanging out with my kids, who are now 18, 20 and 20 (son and two daughters, respectively). I learn so much from them; they are pretty cool people.

My husband and I have transitioned from a Harley to a Side-By-Side (SxS) ATV, different but still fun. I love, love, love live music, and that is one of the things I’m saddest about in our current pandemic: that I have no idea when my concert-wife and I will be able to see our favorite bands again. I also love reading, baking, and snuggling our pets.

My only daughter will be 16 in October, and I think she’s cool, too – lol. As for snuggling with pets, I absolutely adore our two-year-old cats and our 13 year old senior tabby.

What do you like most and least about being an author? What is your toughest challenge?

Most: Those moments when the little plot points come together or the characters are talking and I suddenly stumble across the deeper meaning in what I’ve written. That’s seriously the best. That, and being able to write the stories of these random characters who pop into my head. If I couldn’t do that, I think I’d always be curious about them. I keep notes on characters I’ve “met” and haven’t yet had time to figure out their stories and write them.

Least: The tech-angst I experience when trying to do necessary things like create and link newsletters or construct book promo graphics or change formats of files or find the right platform to get something to run. My tech guy (my 18-year-old son) is leaving for college any minute and then I have no idea what I’ll do!

Toughest challenge: Beginning. Writing that first sentence in a new manuscript.

Most authors cite promoting and marketing as their toughest challenges, and they are definitely mine. You mention your struggles with technology to create your promotions. I enjoy learning how to use graphics, but I have difficulty locating photos I’ve saved and the time it takes to master everything. As far as beginning a new manuscript, I have no trouble with that. I’m now outlining my plots which also helps.

What do you like about writing cozy mysteries?

Oh, good question! I have fun coming up with who I want to be the victim, and then all the reasons various other characters might have to kill that person. I enjoy being along for the ride as my main character follows the clues. I especially love writing the mini cliffhanger—those Oh no! What happened?! moments when you’re reading a book and you know you absolutely can’t put it down now, you’ve got to read another few pages. At least!

I also love all of that, but I enjoy switching up genres now and then, alternating my cozies with standalone mysteries of a darker nature.

Can you share a short excerpt from your latest title or upcoming release?

Sure! Here’s a little from Behind the Frame:

Now Savanna saw what was wrong with the view. As she walked around the gazebo into Carson’s park, she stared up the twelve-foot-tall statue of Jessamina Carson on her pedestal. Jessamina wasn’t quite twelve feet tall any longer. Savanna gasped, covering her mouth in shock.

Jessamina Carson’s head was missing.

Savanna took an involuntary step back, away from the defaced, century-old statue, taking in the scene. What in the world? The head of the statue lay several yards away on the ground, scattered debris littering the grass between the base of the statue and the eerily severed concrete head. Across the base of the statue, from one side to the other, spanned large, red spray-painted words, NEVER CARSON.

Savanna whirled around at a sound behind her, hands up defensively—a reflex, considering what she’d just stumbled onto. Her friend Britt was walking toward her, his eyes wide and his short, white-blond hair making him look paler than Savanna felt.

“Savanna? What is this? What happened?”

She shook her head. “I have no idea.” She turned in a circle, searching the park for any sign of the person who’d done this. No one. The park was deserted.

Britt stood, hands on his hips, looking the statue up and down, gaze coming to rest on the ugly words. “Well, I’d say someone has a problem with your town.”

I liked that. Thanks for sharing it.

Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know about you or your books?

You’ve asked some great questions, I can’t think of anything else. But I do want to say how grateful I am knowing people are enjoying the stories! Thank you for reading!

I’m glad you enjoyed the interview, Tracy. I’m including your blog tour and giveaway below. Best wishes to you on your new release and forthcoming books.

Behind the Frame: A Shepherd Sisters Mystery
by Tracy Gardner

About Behind the Frame

Behind the Frame: A Shepherd Sisters Mystery
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Publisher: Hallmark Publishing (August 11, 2020)
Paperback 360 Pages
ISBN-10: 1947892975
ISBN-13: 978-1947892972
Digital ASIN: B084FHKMTG

When art in the park
leads to murder in the dark,
the Shepherd sisters
have another crime to solve.

Savanna Shepherd, an art expert turned elementary art teacher, is planning the Art in the Park festival for her hometown of Carson. But apparently, someone isn’t happy that Carson got to host the event: the beloved statue in the park is destroyed. Not long after, Savanna finds the dead body of one of the people on the planning committee.

Savanna and her sisters are convinced that the arrested murder suspect didn’t do it, despite strong evidence to the contrary. With the help of Dr. Aidan Gallager, Savanna’s new romantic interest, they uncover hidden resentments and intrigue. Several people in Carson had a motive for the murder. Can they find out which one of them is behind the framing of an innocent person?

This intriguing mystery includes a free Hallmark original recipe for Mini Rhubarb Pies.

About Tracy Gardner

Tracy Gardner is a fiction author represented by Fran Black of Literary Counsel. Tracy writes Hallmark Publishing’s Shepherd Sisters Mystery series, intriguing, engaging stories about Art Authenticator turned elementary art teacher Savanna Shepherd and her sisters solving murder mysteries in a small Lake Michigan town. A Detroit native, Tracy is the daughter of two teachers. She grew up on Nancy Drew mysteries and rock and roll. Tracy lives with her husband and best friend of thirty years and a menagerie of spoiled rescue dogs and cats, her front door constantly revolving with her two daughters and son back and forth from college. She is a strong believer in the power of baked goods, live music, family, and friends as staples to a happy life.

Author Links

Website: tracygardnerbeno.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Tracy_Beno

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

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/tracy-gardner

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19478520.Tracy_Gardner

Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

August 11 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 11 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

August 11 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT