GUEST POST: On Becoming Invisible

I am REALLY EXCITED about today’s guest post! Terry Friedman, author of Bone Pendang Girls, wrote this post to share with you guys about how she became invisible for a week while writing her book. I find it SUPER interesting, and I hope you do too!

Before jumping into her blog, here’s a little more on her debut novel:

In the paranormal thriller Bone Pendant Girls, Andi Wyndham, a reluctant clairvoyant, buys two pendants and discovers the faces on them belong to missing teens. She follows clues left by the murdered Pendant Girls, Mariah and Bennie, to find a man they call “Fisherman,” a master of disguise. Teaming up with a handsome private eye and a South Carolina sheriff, Andi must find the girls’ bodies and put their souls to rest, before the Fisherman casts his deadly net to trap Andi.

Novel Excerpt: ANGOLIN

A hidden people not so hidden anymore.

I have the immense honor of sharing an excerpt from the brand-new sci-fi novel Angolin by C.E. Taylor! https://www.ce-taylor.com/booksThis novel came out in February of 2024 and is available for purchase everywhere books are sold.

About the Book

The Hidden Realm of Angolin has existed in peaceful isolation for centuries, but that’s about to change. The enemy across the Abyss has discovered them and is intent on conquest. Lieutenant Dharmen Tate has a great love for his homeland and a greater understanding of its position in the world. When he discovers a plot by fellow officers to join the enemy and overthrow Angolin, he and his colleagues spring into action to defend the Hidden Realm from its foes—those without, and those within. The ensuing struggle magnifies Angolin’s vulnerability and exposes the collusion of a growing body of its citizens, signifying an uncertain and bloody future.

Westerns and Writing with Jackie Johnson

When a violent gang descends on a small Colorado settlement, seventeen-year-old Theo Creed disguises herself as a boy to take them down from the inside, but her subterfuge gets complicated when she becomes undeniably attracted to one of the outlaws.

Western, strong female lead, almost a Mulan retelling, adventure, family secrets, what is not to love with this debut novel? But who exactly is the brain behind Bladestay?!

Jackie Johnson is a San Diego-born poet and novelist. Her background as a journalist, BA in history, and education in armed defense gives her a uniquely authentic voice within the historical genre. She’s been riding horses for over twenty years and had her own real-life cowboy love story when she fell in love with and married a horse trainer. Together, they established a ranch in Southern California where she spends her days writing, riding, and chasing after their dreams, their two children, four horses, six cats, and two dogs.

I recently had the opportunity to pick Jackie’s brain and ask her more about the book, her life as a writer, and more! Below is our conversation:

The Registration Day 1 Scene from Daniel’s POV

I rewrote a short scene at the end of day 1 from The Registration from Daniel’s point of view! Check it out here:

Realization is flushing through Daniel’s mind too quickly for his thoughts to keep up with. Freezing flames of fire seem to shoot into his palms, where they’re resting against Lynell’s shoulders. He pulls them back and presses his tongue to the roof of his mouth, trying to speak past the flood.

“How Lynell?” he asks, careful to keep his voice level and void of any emotion. “You only get one Registration.” And Lyn already used hers. Daniel remembers the day she decided to so sharply that it still stabs the edges of his mind. The wound never has the chance to heal, not when every time a scab begins to form, the memory rips it open again.

True crime with Kathleen Fine

Sixteen-year-old Emily Keller is charged with causing the deaths of four family members, but what really happened that fateful night—and who’s responsible—is anything but straightforward.

With a Master’s in Reading Education and a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education, Kathleen Fine is fully ready to share her young adult debut novel with the world! Kathleen is a member of the Maryland Writers Association, International Thriller Writers, and Author’s Guild, and she spends most of her time writing, reading, selling real estate, spending time with her family, and traveling to the Outer Banks!

As a big true crime and murder mystery fan, I was SO excited to talk to Kathleen about her novel! I love all things thriller, crime, mystery, etc., and I know that Kathleen really knows her stuff, so this interview was super high on my to-do list.

Girl on Trial is a ‘falsely accused’ murder mystery that follows 16-year-old Emily Keller (or, as the media knows her, Keller the Killer) as she struggles through the nation’s biggest trial of the year.

You can read more about Kathleen and check out some of her short stories on her website: www.kathleenfineauthor.com, and her blog on Instagram @kathleenfineauthor where she posts short stories and book reviews.

Until then, enjoy this wonderful conversation!

Top 5 FAVE books

Choosing my top five favorite books is nearly impossible, but I’ll try (in no particular order).

Red White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Casey McQuiston perfected a witty, awkward, beautiful, sexy, and tropey romance novel with Red White & Royal Blue. This book is a celebration of and for all people have felt out of place, like they didn’t fit in, and had to work to carve out a space for them to be who they are.

Favorite quote: History, huh? Bet we could make some.

A little bit of Space with Ruth Fox

Today I spoke with the award-winning author of several published books and more upcoming, Ruth Fox, all about her upcoming books, space, and the sci-fi genre! Ruth writes sci-fi and fantasy books mainly for younger readers and received a Bachelor of Arts/Diploma of Arts in Professional Writing and Editing.

She currently lives with her husband, two cats, and three very adventurous sons (who also love books) in Victoria, Australia. You can find more information about her other books on her website at https://rfoxclair.wixsite.com/my-site or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RuthFoxAuthor.

Her upcoming book, New Eden is a sequel to Under the Heavens. In this science-fiction novel, Ruth explores save through the eyes of Hannah Monksman, who won the opportunity to captain Seiiki and carry the last of Earth’s whales to a new planet. Unfortunately, the isolation of space may be getting to her when she suspects that someone else is hiding onboard.

Read more about Under the Heavens here, and then check out our conversation below!

Traveling Time with Nancy McCabe

Author of seven published books and more upcoming, Nancy McCabe took time out of her busy schedule to sit down and answer a few questions for us! Nancy has written five creative nonfiction works, a memoir, and now children’s novels.

An adoptive parent and former longtime gymnastics mom, Nancy has published articles in Newsweek, Salon, Writer’s Digest, The Brevity Blog, and the Los Angeles Review of Books, among many others. She’s a Pushcart winner, and her work has been recognized nine times on Best American Notable Lists. She directs the writing program at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and teaches in the graduate program at the Naslund-Mann School of Writing at Spalding University. Read more about her on her website, nancymccabe.net.

Nancy’s upcoming book, Vaulting Through Time, will be her debut in the young adult novel world. In the book, Sixteen-year-old gymnast Elizabeth finds herself catapulting through time in order to solve the mystery of her own birth and stop a fellow time traveler whose actions may prevent her from being born.

Preorder the book here and keep reading to learn more about Nancy, her writing journey, and Vaulting Through Time.

Q&A With Screenwriter and Novelist Kathleen Hannon

I recently had the immense pleasure of speaking with Kathleen Hannon, author of Bye For Now. Kathleen worked as a Hollywood development executive for many years and screenwriter before returning to books to write her debut YA novel, The Confession of Hemingway Jones. We talk about the difference between screenwriting and writing novels, the world of science interacting with the world of fiction, and what readers can expect with her upcoming book!

Before we get to the interview, I want to share the summary of her book:

Moments after a devastating car accident kills his father, 17-year-old Hemingway Jones takes his father’s body to Lifebank, the cryogenic preservation company where he interns. Hijacking the lab in a desperate attempt to reverse the natural order, Hemingway holds police and medics at bay as he works to revive his father. As dawn breaks, the heart monitor beeps, and his father slowly creeps back to life.

Days later, Hemingway arrives at the hospital to learn that his father’s skin has turned ashen gray, he can’t exist in temperatures above 55 degrees, and hydrogen sulfide has become his only source of food. Facing arrest for his reckless actions, Hemingway is offered a proposal by the billionaire owner of the lab: recreate the experiment he swore he’d never do again, or go to prison, leaving his father to die a second time.

And now, let’s hear Kathleen’s answers to my questions!

Q&A with Award-Winning author Dana Claire

Dana Claire is a YA and fantasy author of 5 novels, with more on the way. She describes herself as “a hopeless romantic and an action junkie who’s been building creative worlds since” childhood. Living in Los Angeles, CA, Dana has worked as a trainer for celebrities, professional athletes, and fitness enthusiasts in addition to writing.

Dana’s most recent book, Hunterland was picked up by CamCat Books. Check out the Summary here:

Liam Hunter has warded off hungry vampires, slayed monstrous beasts, and put agonized spirits to rest since he could hold a stake. When trouble comes through the Hunterland message board, alerting them that nurses are dying at high schools across Wisconsin in a string of fishy “suicides,” the Hunter family hits the road to save the day.

The trail leads to Falkville Falls, where Liam clashes with Olivia Davis, whose maddening family seems inexplicably embroiled in this haunting mess. Olivia has always mothered her little sister, Pepper. But when the Hunter family opens her eyes to the hidden underworld of real monsters prowling the dark, she realizes she can’t protect Pepper from this newest threat by herself. Can the two families work together to uncover who or what is responsible before the next murder, or will this vicious death cycle have no end?

Without further adieu, check out my conversation with the incredibly talented Dana Claire!