Friday, August 31, 2018

HBS Author’s Spotlight – Class of August 2018

This month we have a group of interesting writers with worlds of knowledge and expertise. The author interviews are a MUST read.

Be sure to check out what they have coming next for their readers. I try to pick authors who are interesting studies and ask them unique questions for our Q/A section.

Check out the Showcase feature of the HBS Author's Spotlight. I have included those authors in this class. Also, we have added the Author Bundles we have posted this month.

Thanks to the following outstanding authors for a great month. Here is a summary of our August 2018 crew.



Alan Jacobson
Author: Alan Jacobson

Author Genre: Mystery & Thrillers

Author's Blog: Alan Jacobson
Website: Alan Jacobson
Twitter: @JacobsonAlan
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

Post with Profile + Interview: HBS Author's Spotlight

Amazon Author Profile


Author Description:
My literary career has been marked by a number of events, but none more significant than an accidental meeting nearly 20 years ago. While researching "False Accusations" at the Department of Justice's crime lab, I met FBI agent Mark Safarik, who was awaiting promotion to the FBI's Behavioral Analysis (profiling) Unit--the one popularized by TV's Criminal Minds. We hit it off, stayed in touch, and Agent Safarik invited me out to Quantico to tour the FBI Academy and profiling unit. Thus began my immersion in the world of serial killers, rapists, bombers and arsonists.

Seven years later, my education had reached critical mass: I'd made numerous trips to the Behavioral Analysis Unit, had countless hours of conversations with Agent Safarik and his partner, Agent Mary Ellen O'Toole; I'd edited four published FBI research papers on serial offenders and attended numerous FBI training courses; I'd shot submachine guns with the head firearms instructor at the Academy; and I'd parsed serial killer interviews with Agent Safarik. I felt that I owned the material well enough to use this knowledge and experience in writing my third novel, the first featuring FBI Profiler Karen Vail.

Vail had an explosive debut, bursting onto the scene in the national bestseller "The 7th Victim." Sporting a vibrant personality oozing sharp wit and sarcasm, Vail is a woman bucking the odds in a unit geared toward men, someone who always means well but, like you and me, makes mistakes. She has fears, loves, and vulnerabilities--and despite being very good at what she does--suffers perpetual unease about the decisions she makes. Because lives are on the line. Errors prove costly.

There's little doubt that Vail has resonated with hundreds of thousands of readers because she's real. But at the end of the day, Karen Vail is a cop you'd "go through a door with." That's how law enforcement officers of all stripes describe a colleague you'd entrust your life to when bullets are flying. And that's how the head of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers association described Karen Vail.

My years of research and training with law enforcement have influenced me both personally and professionally and have helped shape the stories I tell and the diverse characters that populate my novels. So sit back, crack the spine--or click that button--and immerse yourself in the gripping world of "Alan Jacobson thrillers."

But--before you go: I co-authored a free personal safety booklet with FBI profiler Mark Safarik. Hop over to my website, alanjacobson.com, and pick it up. Did I say it's free? Did I say it's super important for you and your loved ones in keeping them out of the crosshairs of violent criminals? (It is.) And while there, be social...and follow me on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/AlanJacobsonFans) and Twitter (@JacobsonAlan). See you in cyberspace!



Interview Excerpt

Lot of research for your books: one very significant incident…While in the early stages of my debut novel, False Accusations...I took a serendipitous phone call from the director of the California Department of Justice. To make a long story short, he asked for a reference on one of my former employees. She had applied to the California Criminalistics Institute to be a CSI (forensic scientist). After I gave him the reference, I figured he’d be a good person to ask a question about my protagonist in False Accusations, Ryan Chandler.

Karen Vail character has a dry sense of humor: Vail’s sense of humor happened by accident. When I wrote the opening page to The 7th Victim, there’s a gun battle during a bank robbery. Vail is on the radio with dispatch giving a situation report. She describes the four robbers that are visible and notes that they’re using submachine guns. Then she sees the sign on the window of the bank and remarks to the dispatcher: “And the bank’s offering free checking, by the way.” It’s funny—and just happened organically.

Was writing about the Moon very different from writing Earth-based scenes? Very much so. First consider the physical setting. There aren’t any birds, clouds, smells, animals, or sounds. There’s no sky, air to breathe, color. Then you have the concept of having to wear a pressure suit at all times. This made contact with others completely different, especially when your protagonists and antagonists interact. Movement is slow and there’s little gravity so it’s clunky and uncoordinated. You have to learn how to move.

Book Launch process: The moment I hand in my manuscript to my editor, I start reading it. Because of my tight annual deadline and the extensive research I do for each novel, I often don’t have time to read the manuscript before I give it to my editor—meaning we read it together; however, after 20 years of writing books, I’ve learned how to listen to my inner voice as I write, because I’ve found that I talk to myself and know when something isn’t working.

Audiobooks are the fastest growing segment of publishing. They are up almost 30% year over year in 2017 compared to 2016, and this is a continuation of a promising trend. Much like eBooks fueled publishing industry growth several years ago, audiobooks have had a similar effect.

I see it as another potential avenue for sales, but it hasn’t had a material impact for me yet. So I guess—unfortunately—I’m bucking the trend!


Primary genre: I write primarily suspense/thriller novels, which falls under the large mystery genre umbrella. Mystery consists of over a hundred subgenres, from cozies to crime novels, procedurals to espionage. I don’t write to a genre per se.

Time management: It’s definitely difficult. It requires discipline. I don’t have a set schedule because it’s akin to the “Man plans and God laughs” saying: you can have good intentions to write at 9AM, but if something interrupts, the best intentions get thrown out the window. There’s promotion, research, outlining or writing, interview requests, correspondence with my agent or publisher, and so on.

Reader list: Yes. People who sign up through my website are recipients of my newsletters (which only come out two or three times per year). For signing up they get a free eBook on personal safety that I co-authored with FBI Profiler Mark Safarik. It contains invaluable information on keeping you and your loved ones safe, and has been recently updated to include cybersecurity advice.

I like the idea of Amazon grouping an Author’s series of novels under one heading on their sales site: I think it’s important if you write series. The books of both the FBI profiler Karen Vail series and the OPSIG Team Black series are associated. This is a feature, I believe, that Amazon offers to make purchase of the books easier and clearer. My publisher either set it up or worked with Amazon to get it done.

Author's Book List
Dark Side of the Moon
The Lost Codex
Hard Target
The Hunted
The Darkness of Evil
Spectrum
False Accusations
No Way Out
Inmate 1577
Velocity
Crush
The 7th Victim
False Accusations


For the rest of the story...View Alan Jacobson - HBS Author's Spotlight


Judith Lucci
Author: Judith Lucci

Author Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

Author's Blog: Judith Lucci
Website: Judith Lucci
Twitter: @JudithLucci
E-Mail: JudithLucciWrites@gmail.com
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

Post with Profile + Interview: HBS Author's Spotlight

Amazon Author Profile


Author Description:
Judith Lucci is a Wall Street Journal and Amazon Best Selling author who writes what she knows.... Hospitals, Medicine, Crime and Art. She adds suspense along with well-constructed plots, vivid descriptions and memorable characters. Very few readers can put down her medical and crime thriller novels once they start reading them.

Ms.Lucci is a Gold Medal Winner for Best Sleuth 2017 for Dr. Dude, the first book in the Michaela McPherson Series and Best Political Thriller 2017 for Viral, the third book in the Alexandra Destephano Novels. She has contributed to five anthologies which are currently available on Amazon. She has recently claimed the prestigious status of a Wall Street Journal Best Selling author. Her Cozy Mystery series, Artzy Chicks, debuts this summer and takes place at Massanutten Resort where she and five ditzy authors solve mysteries that occur at the resort.

Dr. Lucci is the author of the Alexandra Destephano Series, true-to-life medical thrillers set in New Orleans and the Michaela McPherson crime series set in Richmond, Virginia. Lucci's thrillers are a fast-paced, riveting reads that offer readers believable drama, memorable characters and true suspense.

Judith was born and educated in Virginia where she holds graduate and doctoral degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia. She is also the author of numerous academic and health-related articles and documents.



Interview Excerpt

Next: the Case of the Man Overboard released a while back and has done very well. It even earned an Amazon Best Seller’s badge! Overboard is the third book in my Michaela McPherson crime series. Another book in that series will release later this year.

On 24 July, a limited collection of 12 never-before published Mysteries by 12 of the Best Cozy Authors around releases. Summer Snoops and Cozy Crimes: Mysteries for the Dog Days of Summer will release. The authors that are part of this set are excited and a review of the blurb will let you know that each author is quite eclectic in her writing. Read more about Summer Snoops and Cozy Crimes


Social media: I do spend a fair amount of time on social media. I have quite a few Twitter followers and Facebook followers. I'm also have a small presence of Instagram and Pinterest. I know social media platforms have certainly given my books visibility and helped build my reader base. My book launch process is greatly affected by using my social media relationships.

Personal appearances: I've been fortunate to grow my reader base by being the Writer-in-Residence at the five-star four-season Massanutten Resort in the Virginia Mountains. I'm generally there every Monday afternoon at the Conference Center where I meet resort guests and sign books. I also sign books one other day a week, usually Wednesday afternoons at the Artisan Galleries on resort Drive in the Massanutten Resort complex.

Great covers: Thank you for noticing my book covers! They are designed by Margaret Daly of Margaret Daly Designs. Margaret and I seem to share the same concepts as they relate to my books. The medical thrillers include several symbols that identify the medical profession, the caduceus, a mask and an EKG rhythm strip. Hopefully people will recognize this series as a collection of medical thrillers.

Audio books: My first three medical thrillers have been converted to audiobooks. I'm ashamed to say that I've been so busy, I haven't marketed them very well in audio format. I've sold some, but it's been the luck of the draw. I do recommend that authors consider having their work available in as many formats as possible. My goal this fall is to learn how to better market my audio books.

Support groups: I’m always delighted to go to the Suffolk Mystery Writers event. I have folks that come to see me over and over and have watched me grow as an author. I listen to what they tell me, what their ideas are and what I do right and wrong. Reader’s opinions are valuable to all authors. I’m also remember of the Shenandoah Valley Writers Group, the Virginia Writers Club and several other writing organizations and support groups.

My primary genre has been medical thrillers and crime mystery.

Free books: I used to hate to give away books. However, over the years I've gotten used to it and it doesn't bother me as much as it used to. Giving away books for free works. Most of the books I get away for free go to my mailing list.

Reader list: Yes, I have a reader list and I've spent years building it. I give away my first medical thriller for free when someone joins my mailing list. I also offer free books infrequently on social media. Most of my free books are gifted to readers that follow me on my mailing list. I use my mailing people, better known as The Lucci Mob as barometers of my work, beta readers, reviewers and in my launch process.

Great blog: My blog originally began as author 911 and was conceptualized as a resource for folks needing medical information to write it right! There's nothing worse, in my opinion, then reading a book that's medically incorrect. Over the past few years, I haven't had time to keep the blog up today so now it pretty much is used for marketing, either myself or other authors.

Love Under Fire: I love working in author bundles and boxed sets. I've done two cozy author bundles parens one release last December and the second in July. I am currently involved with Love Under Fire, a 21author bundle of unbelievably great, never published romantic suspense.

Author's Book List
Summer Snoops and Cozy Crimes
The Case of the Man Overboard
Evil: Finding St. Germaine
The Case of the Dead Dowager
The Case of Dr Dude
Toxic New Year: The Day That Wouldn't End
Viral Intent
The Imposter
Chaos at Crescent City Medical Center
Gawd Almighty & the Corn


For the rest of the story...View Judith Lucci - HBS Author's Spotlight


Casi McLean
Author: Casi McLean

Author Genre: Romance, Suspense Time Slips, and Mystery with a sprinkle of supernatural elements...and magic

Author's Blog: Casi McLean
Website: Casi McLean
Twitter: @CasiMcLean
E-Mail: Casi@casimclean.com
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

Post with Profile + Interview: HBS Author's Spotlight

Amazon Author Profile


Author Description:
Award winning author, Casi McLean, pens novels to stir the soul with romance, suspense, and a sprinkle of magic. Her writing crosses genres from ethereal, captivating shorts with eerie twist endings to believable time slips, mystical plots, and sensual romantic suspense.

Known for enchanting stories with magical description, McLean entices readers with fascinating hooks to hold them captive in storylines they can't put down. Her romance entwines strong, believable heroines with delicious, hot heroes to tempt the deepest desires, then fans the flames, sweeping readers into their innermost romantic fantasies.

With suspenseful settings and lovable characters you'll devour, you'll see, hear, and feel the magical eeriness of one fateful night. You'll swear time travel could happen, be mystified by other worldly images, and feel the heat of romantic suspense, but most of all you'll want more.

Casi's latest series enters the realm of political thrillers with Reign Of Fire, exclusively found in the #1 bestselling, romantic suspense boxset, Love Under Fire. Watch the trailer exclusively on this page.

Her three-book, time slip, romantic suspense, Lake Lanier Mysteries, hit the stands running with book #1, Beneath The Lake, winner of the 2016 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence for BEST Romantic Suspense. Watch the trailer on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvf0IC4ndBw

Beyond The Mist, book #2 in her romantic time slip treasure chest, is a stunning tribute to the victims and first responders of the 911 World Trade Center terrorist attack. Here is the trailer link: https://youtu.be/Bj6ySTh_7xI

Between The Shadows brings the saga full circle with an amazing time slip to 1865 and a search for the Confederate gold. Don't miss this trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voa2qbtqATY

Uniquely qualified to write self-help and inspiration, Casi tops the scale with her powerful memoir, Wingless Butterfly: Healing The Broken Child Within, sharing an inspirational message of courage, tenacity, and hope, displaying her unique ability to excel in nonfiction and self-help as well as fiction.

Discover the magic, with Casi McLean books: http://CasiMclean.com



Interview Excerpt

Next: Between The Shadows, which releases in a few weeks––September 18––but it's available on Amazon now––pre-sale.

Reign Of Fire, exclusively sold in the Love Under Fire box set––also available now pre-sale for only $0.99––comes out in November.


Social media: Almost 10,000 followers. I’m excited to cross that goal. I built my following on Twitter by following back and having interesting, eye-catching tweets. I rarely tweet anything without a great graphic or .gif to keep my followers engaged.

My Facebook profile is approaching the limit, so I’m trying to interact more on my pages. Instagram and Pinterest are fun, too.


Personal appearances: I love online events where I can meet myriad readers in one place, while sitting in the comfort of my favorite chair. You can’t beat that...but I also enjoy talking face-to-face with people. I’ve done a good bit of speaking engagements, centered around my brand as well as my books. I love interviews and have several videos on my website of past engagements.

Great covers: That’s a great compliment. It means a lot because I honestly believe people do judge a book by its cover. The visual is so important, a first impression hook to draw in a reader. If a book doesn’t capture a reader’s attention, an author loses a potential fan before they read the tagline, first paragraph, or back cover.

Audio books: Absolutely, and my fan base has increased exponentially. One of my favorite new fans has Multiple Sclerosis, which keeps her homebound. She loves what she refers to as fairytales for grown-ups, but her vision often keeps her from the books she loves, so audiobooks open her world.

Novella series called Destiny. Originally, I wrote my shorts to give readers a taste of my style, but I’ve come to realize short stories, novelettes, and novellas give readers more options. A novel can be daunting, especially in todays busy society. Finding time to read isn’t easy, and I never enjoyed a book a much when I was pulled away by life situations after reading only a few chapters then had to back-track and re-read to remember the storyline. With varied story lengths, readers can choose to read a book in one sitting, over a weekend, or on vacation, depending on their schedule.

Primary genre: Huge question…when my teacher chose to read A Wrinkle In Time to her fourth-grade class, I fell in love with time travel. Later, my interests evolved to romance, suspense, and stories with a touch of supernatural. As an adult, I love stories that hook me with the first paragraph and keep me turning pages through the end. My primary genre includes all those elements.

Reader list: Social media definitely helps spread the word, but the key word there is social. I try to vary my presence and treasure every contact. Lately, though, social media challenges authors by limiting unpaid exposure. So, for me, the most important tool is email. Readers signup through my websites, and I send out a monthly newsletter.

Great blog: Thanks, James, you have such great questions. Sometimes I feel like I’m glued to my computer, but I have two driving forces. I think my brand centers my work. If you wander through my Internet presence, you’ll soon discover I have a burning passion to inspire others to live their dreams.

Love Under Fire is my first multi-author box set. An author friend invited me to participate and I’m always open to achieving more visibility, so that was my initial objective. With a swiftly-approaching deadline, I wrote Reign Of Fire faster than any previous book. One would think the speedy process would have a slipshod result, but the deadlines actually helped me get past myself to let the story flow.

Great book trailers: I love my trailers, but the process isn’t an easy one. My son is an audio-visual technician and his team created the trailer for my first publication, my memoir, Wingless Butterfly––Healing The Broken Child Within. I had so much fun on that set, I feared I missed my calling.

Author's Book List
Between The Shadows
Beyond the Mist
Wingless Butterfly
Beneath the Lake
The Pegasus Chronicle
Convergent
After Midnight
The Gift
Destiny
Reign Of Fire


For the rest of the story...View Casi McLean - HBS Author's Spotlight

HBS Author's Spotlight Showcase


Sam Cheever
Featured Book: A Familiar Problem


Loyalties questioned…worlds shaken…nothing is what it seems. LA will have to look beyond her own perceptions to see what’s before her very eyes. Or risk losing everything.

When the barrier between worlds is threatened, LA and her friends are sent into the terrifying realm of Underworld on a super-secret mission to discover who’s behind the breaches. LA believes she's going to battle against one of her own…an aunt who’s rumored to want multi-dimensional domination.

What she finds once she gets there is nothing like what she expects.

Intrigues swirl. Loyalties change in the blink of an eye. And loss beyond anything she can imagine waits just over the next horizon. Someone is pulling the strings of it all and LA is fighting against the clock to discover who it is.

Can LA get to the bottom of the mystery and save the worlds? Or will she lose what she loves…one friend or family member at a time…and face the crushing end of all she holds dear?


Author: Sam Cheever

Author Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Romance, Mystery & Thrillers

Author's Blog: Sam Cheever
Website: Sam Cheever
Twitter: @samcheever
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

Amazon Author Profile


Author Description:
Nobody really cares that Sam Cheever is a USA Today Bestselling Author. Nobody cares that she’s written a whole ton of fun and snappy books. Let’s face it, the most interesting thing about Sam is the fact that she’s a dogaholic. Yeah, there’s no Dogaholic’s Anonymous chapter that can help her. Believe me, she’s looked. So Sam deals with her problem the best way she knows how. She digs into the mountains of personal experiences (mostly involving dog poo) to write GREAT dog characters.

Oh, and there are some people in her books too. She’s also pretty good at those.

Want to ask Sam about her dogs…erm…books? You can connect with her at one of the following places. Just don’t ask her why she has 16 dogs. Nobody in the whole wide world can answer that.

Author's Book List
A Familiar Problem
Familiar Territory
Summer Snoops and Cozy Crimes
Humpty Bumpkin
Fatal Assignment
Murderous Craft
Vlad-Handing
Naval Gazing
Bad Haircult
Freezer Bernie
Dose Vidanya
Christmas Grift
Flo Charts
Street Smart
Smart Alex
HOHO Honeybun
Hell Hath No Honeybun
Stealth Honeybun
Honeybun Sheik
Shadow of a Honeybun
Honeybun One and Done
Honeybun on the Run
Honeybun at a Dude Ranch
Honeybun in a Loin Cloth
Fast Track to a Honeybun
A Honeybun in Hell
Life, Liberty and Pursuit of a Honeybun
A Honeybun and Coffee
Aloha Honeybun
Yules of Yesterday
Yesterday's Ghosts
Threads of Yesterday
Yesterday's News
Yesterday's Lost
Toxic Tech


For the rest of the story...View Sam Cheever - HBS Author's Spotlight Showcase


Tamara Ferguson
Featured Book: TWO HEARTS IN ACCORD


Lieutenants Neil Harrison and Anna Drummond shared tragedy four years earlier during a special mission in Iraq, and despite their connection at the time, they both took their previous commitments seriously.

Injured later in Iraq, Neil eventually returned to active duty in pararescue with a prosthetic leg, while former sniper Anna regained her weaponry skills after losing an arm.

Now intent on retraining wounded warriors for active duty while working together as future instructors in a new program in Crystal Rock, Wisconsin, they realize the spark is still there.

Their personal situations have changed, and both Neil and Anna are single. And they seem to have a lot in common; most particularly their love of music.

But it's a few weeks before Luke Bryant and Kelly Callahan's wedding (Two Hearts Surrendered), when Anna and Neil find themselves assisting Sarah Benton's best friend Claire, who's certain her ex is trying to kill her. With Claire's life endangered, Neil and Anna make use of their skills to keep her safe.

Neil and Anna have both been burned in the past,so they're in accord deciding on a no strings relationship. But will they finally admit that it's love?


Author: Tamara Ferguson

Author Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Suspense

Author's Blog: Newsletter Sign Up
Website: Tamara Ferguson - Kissed by Fate
Twitter: @Tammysdragonfly
E-Mail: Tammysdragonfly@gmail.com
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

Post with Profile + Interview: HBS Author's Spotlight

Amazon Author Profile


Author Description:
Writing steamy yet sweet compassionate stories of fate that are wonderfully romantic, Tamara Ferguson is the multi-award winning, #1 international bestselling author of the Tales of the Dragonfly Romance Suspense Series, the Kissed By Fate Series, the Two Hearts Wounded Warrior Romance Series and the Daydreams & Dragonflies Sweet Romance Series.

If you don't believe in the power of fate, you shouldn't read her stories, because Tamara always writes a happily-ever-after for her heroines and heroes, since it doesn't always work out that way in real life.

Her wounded warrior romances, Two Hearts Unspoken, Two Hearts Surrendered, and Two Hearts Undone were all WINNERS at the 2016 Readers' Favorite International Book Awards; with Two Hearts Unspoken earning the Silver Medal in Military Fiction. Two Hearts Surrendered is also a 2016 New Apple Romance Selection for excellence in Indie Publishing.

Two Hearts' Christmas Wish, the fourth story in the series, spent 6 consecutive weeks at #1 in the Mistletoe Kisses & Christmas Wishes romance set and has become a #1 Best Seller independently as well a 2017 IAN Book of the Year Finalist. And it's the #13 BEST INDIE BOOK of 2017.

Along with the 2015 Romance Reviews Readers' Choice Award Winner That Unforgettable Kiss, Two Hearts Surrendered and Two Hearts Unspoken were also finalists for the 2016 IAN Book of The Year. Tales of the Dragonfly In Tandem was a romance finalist in the Indie Excellence Awards, while Tales of the Dragonfly In Flight was a romance suspense winner at the Readers' Favorite International Book Awards.

She's just released Two Hearts Find Christmas (Two Hearts Wounded Warrior Romance Book 5) and is working on Two Hearts Unbroken (Two Hearts Wounded Warrior Romance Book 6) and Emergence, her third Tales of the Dragonfly Novel, due to be published by Windswept in spring of 2018.

A member of the RWA, the Authors' Billboard and the Authors' Independent Book Network, her stories have been included in several #1 bestselling anthologies.

Since she remains a full-time caregiver for an autistic son (along with a bunch of adopted pets!), you can usually find Tammy working at home, where she spends a lot of time not completing her numerous home improvement projects, because she's writing or helping author friends promote their books on twitter.

Author's Book List
TWO HEARTS IN ACCORD
That Unexpected Kiss
TWO HEARTS UNBROKEN
TWO HEARTS FIND CHRISTMAS
A KISS UPON A STAR
TWO HEARTS' CHRISTMAS WISH
Two Hearts Undone
TWO HEARTS UNSPOKEN
TWO HEARTS SURRENDERED
That Unforgettable Kiss
In Flight
Tales of the Dragonfly Book I: In Tandem
Two Hearts Wounded Warrior Romance Series
Two Hearts Under Fire


For the rest of the story...View Tamara Ferguson - HBS Author's Spotlight Showcase


Dianne Harman
Featured Book: Murdered by Superstition


It was just a doll, wasn't it?
It didn't have powers, did it?
Powers that could kill?

New Orleans is famous for its pralines, beignets, jazz, Bourbon Street, and the French Quarter. But there’s a darker side to the Big Easy, one that involves voodoo and gris-gris.

Nicole was from New Orleans. When she found voodoo dolls in her gym locker, work desk, and on her front porch, she was scared. She knew what they meant. She was right. A few days later, she was murdered. A voodoo doll was next to her body.

Can voodoo dolls kill? Liz, an amateur sleuth, is determined to find out and catch the killer. On a trip to New Orleans to attend a Cajun-Creole cooking school she meets with a gris-gris doctor who specializes in voodoo, hexes, spells, and superstitions.

Join Liz and her dog Winston as they search for the killer.


Author: Dianne Harman

Author Genre: Romance and Literary Fiction

Author's Blog: Dianne Harman Author
Website: Dianne Harman Author
Twitter: @DianneDHarman
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

Post with Profile + Interview: HBS Author's Spotlight

Amazon Author Profile


Author Description:
USA TODAY bestselling author and seven time Amazon All Star Author, Dianne Harman, draws her stories and characters from a diverse business and personal background. She owned a national antique and art appraisal business for many years, left that industry, and opened two yoga centers where she taught and certified yoga instructors. She's traveled extensively throughout the world and loves nothing more than cooking, playing backgammon with her husband, Tom, and throwing the ball for their dog, Kelly.

Being a dog lover and having attended numerous cooking schools, she couldn't resist writing about food and dogs. Dianne is the author of several cozy mystery series: Cedar Bay, Liz Lucas, High Desert, Midwest, Jack Trout, and the Northwest. Each of these books contains recipes from her travels. Alexis, the first book in the Midlife Journey Series was also recently published. She's the author of the award-winning suspenseful Coyote Series.

Murder in the Pearl District was chosen by Amazon to be one of their Mystery books in their October, 2016 homage of great writing by independent authors and several of her books have been chosen by them as PRIME books!

Author's Book List
Red Zero Book Three
RED ZERO Book Two
Murdered by Superstition
Red Zero Book One
Murder at the Gearhart
Murder at the Waterfront
Murder and Mega Millions
Murder at the Gallery
Murdered at the Courthouse
Murder at Le Bijou Bistro
Murder in San Francisco
Murder After Midnight
Murdered By Wine
Murder in Seattle
Murdered By Plastic Surgery
Murder in Whistler
Murder & The Movie Star
Murder on Bainbridge Island
Murder in Calistoga
Trouble at the Animal Shelter
ALEXIS
Murder at the Polo Club
Murder at the Clinic
Murder on the East Coast
High Desert Cozy Mysteries #1
Murder at the Big T Lodge
Murdered by Country Music
Murdered by Words
Trouble at the Kennel
The Blue Butterfly
Murder in Cuba
Murder & the Secret Cave
Murder At The Bed & Breakfast
Murder & The Monkey Band
Murder at the Cooking School
The Death Card
Murder in Calico Gold
Murder and Brandy Boy
Murder in the Pearl District
Murder in Cottage #6
Marriage and Murder
White Cloud Retreat
Murder at Jade Cove
Kelly's Koffee Shop
COYOTE SERIES
CORNERED COYOTE
Coyote in Provence
Blue Coyote Motel
Murdered in Argentina


For the rest of the story...View Dianne Harman - HBS Author's Spotlight Showcase


Pamela Harstad
Featured Book: AS WE FORGIVE THOSE


Ava Fraser’s life is stripped away. As a business manager, she hopes to rise up and create a better future, but fears and her past plague her. A widower, tragedy is no stranger to cruise line owner Tony Andrews, as he continues a search for someone close to his heart.

From Venice, Italy to the Florida coast, Tony and Ava are drawn together through serving others affected from human trafficking and those abused in the crisis centers he founded.

But Ava must decide if she can give up the secure life she has rebuilt, or risk it to follow another path, as traumatic crises affect their lives and threaten their relationship.

Will Tony be able to change his path and take the next steps in his life as he hopes? Can Ava find it in her heart to forgive the past and move on in life?


Author: Pamela Harstad

Author Genre: Inspirational contemporary fiction with romantic elements

Author's Blog: The Write Inspiration
Website: Pamela Harstad - Inspirational romance writer
Twitter: @pjhpjh1
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

Post with Profile + Interview: HBS Author's Spotlight

Amazon Author Profile


Author Description:
Pamela Harstad writes inspirational romance and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. When not writing, Pam enjoys traveling, nature, music, and reading. She lives with her husband in the Midwest.

Author's Book List
AS WE FORGIVE THOSE
Their Greek Key
HEALING JOURNEY
ERIN'S MISSION


For the rest of the story...View Pamela Harstad - HBS Author's Spotlight Showcase


Dawn Greenfield Ireland
Featured Book: Forced Dreams


When the boundaries blur between dreams and reality, a woman must learn to trust her dream lover.

* * * *

What if you learned that everything you thought you knew about your quiet, ordinary life was a lie?

And what if you discovered that a far-away world in trouble, an insane rebel, and coming to grips with your husband’s death had more in common than you’d ever expect?

Alma fears for her sanity and the safety of her children in a dangerous adventure that takes her to the depths of space, where a vehicle isn’t even necessary.


Author: Dawn Greenfield Ireland

Author Genre: Mystery Thrillers, Fantasy,Professional & Technical

Author's Blog: Dawn Ireland
Website: Dawn Ireland Writer
Twitter: @dawnireland
E-Mail: dawnireland1@yahoo.com
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

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Author Description:
Dawn Greenfield Ireland is the CEO of Artistic Origins Inc, a writing and editing company that has been doing business since 1995. Her first book, The Puppy Baby Book (hardcover), was a finalist in the IPPY book competition (2001) and is a steady seller.

Novels include The Alcott Family Adventures cozy mystery series (Hot Chocolate, Bitter Chocolate, and Spicy Chocolate. Science Fiction includes Prophecy of Thol, and The Last Dog (dystopian/futuristic). Be on the lookout for Forced Dreams (Summer 2018), Gifts from Thol (late 2018) and others.

In addition to the novels, Dawn also creates nonfiction/self-help books and products. Writers Preparation Handbook is an online course, eBook and audiobook. What's Breaking Your Budget is currently an eBook and will be available as an audiobook and an online course, fall/winter of 2018.

Originally from Feeding Hills, MA, Dawn migrated to San Antonio in 1968 then moved to Houston where work was more plentiful. She built a 34-year career as a technical writer/editor. She's back on the east coast as of December 2015.

She is an award-winning screenwriter of the following scripts: The Far Corner (psychological horror/supernatural), A Girl and Her Dog (family), Plan B (very dark comedy), and Standing Dead (drama), and Memoirs of a Dog (with Barbara Mackey) which won the Spirit Award of the Moondance Film Festival (children's category) 9/2011. Two of her scripts were optioned.

Dawn has been a member and benefactor of Women in Film and Television (Houston) for decades. Her current day job is writing, creating online courses, and editing books and all things written.

Author's Book List
Forced Dreams
The Far Corner
The Last Dog
Prophecy of Thol
Spicy Chocolate
Bitter Chocolate
Hot Chocolate
Mastering Your Money
The Puppy Baby Book
Writer’s Preparation Handbook


For the rest of the story...View Dawn Greenfield Ireland - HBS Author's Spotlight Showcase


James Moushon
Featured Book: Operation Runaway - A Jonathon Stone Mystery Short Story


NSA information leaked by a spy sends Jonathon Stone and his fellow agent, Chuck Chun to Hawaii to stop the flow of information. Is our suspect a whistleblower or is it espionage? Their assignment: neutralize and stop the flow of information. At a luau in Paradise, they get help from an unlikely source before Jonathon and Chuck can complete their mission.


Author: James Moushon

Author Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery & Thrillers

Author's Blog: Indie Author’s Corner
Website: James Moushon - Mystery Writer
Twitter: @jimhbs
E-Mail: james.moushon@gmail.com
Google+: Check Out Google+
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

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Amazon Author Profile


Author Description:
James Moushon is a Mystery writer and an Author Advocate.

Starting over 15 years ago, he helped lead the startup of the electronic forms industry in the creation, conversion and usage of electronic forms by supplying that industry with a continuing source of published literature, software products and training seminars.

In 2003, Moushon changed his focus to ebooks and their development.

He is the author of the Jonathon Stone Mystery Novels. He has published three books: Black Mountain Secrets, Game of Fire and The Cajun Ghost plus several short stories including Operation No Sanctuary (June 2017), Operation Camp Navajo (July 2017), and Operation Asian Tiger (August 2017). All featuring CIA Agent Jonathon Stone.

A Jonathon Stone Mystery Short Story Winter 2017 is being released currently: Operation Sundown (November 2017), Operation Little Havana (December 2017), and Operation Listen Close (January 2018). All featuring CIA Agent Jonathon Stone.

James is currently wearing two Hats. He is a Mystery Writer and a Book Publishing Blogger. You can find his blogs at:

HBS Author's Spotlight http://bit.ly/QVEMix
The blog's purpose is to help authors get exposure in the book publishing industry. He has interviewed and showcased over 600 authors to date.

HBS Mystery Reader's Circle http://bit.ly/19Nfrx8
The HBS Mystery Reader's Circle provides information about the latest novels and what is coming next from a collection of Bestselling and Outstanding Authors in the Mystery, Thrillers, Historical Fiction and Crime genre.

eBook Author's Corner http://bit.ly/TauYkJ
The Corner is a collection of Author advice and studies including Marketing, Social Media and other major topics created to help writers in today's ever changing world of book publishing.

He has spent the majority of his adult life developing computer systems and thinking about writing mysteries.

His website is: www.jamesmoushon.com

To contact him, e-mail: james.moushon@gmail.com

Author's Book List
Operation Runaway
Operation Deadline
Operation Red Dragon
Operation Listen Close
Operation Little Havana
Operation Sundowner
Operation Asian Tiger
Operation Camp Navajo
Operation No Sanctuary
The Cajun Ghost
Game of Fire
Black Mountain Secrets


For the rest of the story...View James Moushon - HBS Author's Spotlight Showcase

HBS Bundles and Co-Authored Showcase


Featured Set: Red Zero: A Slade Kelly Suspense Series




Author: Dianne Harman


Author: Dianne Harman
Author Genre: Romance and Literary Fiction

Website: Dianne Harman Author
Author's Blog: Dianne Harman Author
Twitter: @DianneDHarman
Goodreads: Check Out Goodreads
Facebook: Check Out Facebook

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Amazon Author Profile


Author Description:
USA TODAY bestselling author and seven time Amazon All Star Author, Dianne Harman, draws her stories and characters from a diverse business and personal background. She owned a national antique and art appraisal business for many years, left that industry, and opened two yoga centers where she taught and certified yoga instructors. She's traveled extensively throughout the world and loves nothing more than cooking, playing backgammon with her husband, Tom, and throwing the ball for their dog, Kelly.

Being a dog lover and having attended numerous cooking schools, she couldn't resist writing about food and dogs. Dianne is the author of several cozy mystery series: Cedar Bay, Liz Lucas, High Desert, Midwest, Jack Trout, and the Northwest. Each of these books contains recipes from her travels. Alexis, the first book in the Midlife Journey Series was also recently published. She's the author of the award-winning suspenseful Coyote Series.

Murder in the Pearl District was chosen by Amazon to be one of their Mystery books in their October, 2016 homage of great writing by independent authors and several of her books have been chosen by them as PRIME books!

Title: Red Zero Book One

Author: Dianne Harman


Slade was first introduced to readers in the Blue Coyote Series. He's a private eye with attitude, street lingo, and a couple of advanced degrees. This three book short read serial features Slade and the woman he guards, but is also in love with, Darya. When she starts seeing red zeros on people's foreheads, and they die shortly thereafter, as well as owning the rights to an anti-aging formula, his protective abilities are put to the test.

If you're in the mood for a page-turning suspense short read serial with quirky characters and lots of action, this one's for you!

Available at Amazon

Title: RED ZERO Book Two

Author: Dianne Harman


When Darya sees red zeros on foreheads, the person dies.

USA Today Bestselling Author with the second in this three book suspense short reads serial with everyone's favorite private investigator, Slade Kelly.

Too bad the nurse overheard her talk about the baby boy in the hospital nursery that had one on his forehead and called the reporter. Makes a bodyguard’s job a lot harder.

Clamhammer wants the rights to her anti-aging formula and will take whatever steps are necessary to get it. He also has a little side business, selling AK-47s.

Slade was first introduced to readers in the Blue Coyote Series. He's a private eye with attitude, street lingo, and a couple of advanced degrees. This three book short read series features Slade and the woman he guards, but is also in love with, Darya. When she develops the ability to see red zeros on people's foreheads, and they die shortly thereafter, as well as owning the rights to an anti-aging formula, his protective abilities are put to the test.

Available at Amazon

Title: Red Zero Book Three

Author: Dianne Harman


Have a red zero on your forehead? Too bad, because you’re not long for this world.

USA Today Bestselling Author with the gripping conclusion to the three book suspense short read serial featuring Slade Kelly, a loveable but lethal private investigator.

Darya sees red zeros. People die.

She’s also getting ready to manufacture Everlasting Youth, a supplement that prevents aging and depression. Clamhammer would do anything to get the formula, including kidnapping and murder.

Available at Amazon

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