Rionna Morgan with Collin Kelley

Collin Kelley is the author of the novels Conquering Venus and Remain In Light, which was a 2012 finalist for the Townsend Prize for Fiction. His poetry collections include Better To Travel, Slow To Burn and After the Poison and the forthcoming Render. Kelley is also the author of the eBook short story collection, Kiss Shot. A recipient of the Georgia Author of the Year Award, Deep South Festival of Writers Award and Goodreads Poetry Award, Kelley’s poetry, essays and interviews have appeared in magazines, journals and anthologies around the world. He lives in Atlanta, GA. For more information, visit www.collinkelley.com, find him on Facebook at CollinKelleyWriter or follow him on Twitter @collinkelley.

Where are you from?
I’m a native of Atlanta, Georgia, although my heart is in London. I have delusions of being an international jetsetter, but if I can get to Europe at least once a year, I’m a happy camper.

What do you write? 

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I write poetry and fiction. My two mystery/suspense novels, Conquering Venus and Remain In Light are out now from Vanilla Heart Publishing. They are the first two books in The Venus Trilogy.

Tell me about your current novel.
The Venus Trilogy follows a Parisian widow, Irène Laureux, whose husband was murdered during the student and worker riots in 1968. She’s been looking for his killer for 30 years and finally catches up with him with the help of American expat writer, Martin Paige. But finding the killer reveals a much larger conspiracy. There’s crooked cops, detectives with questionable motives and stolen identities. 

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What are you currently working on?
My new poetry collection, Render, will be out from Sibling Rivalry Press in April 2013. I’m currently working on the third book in The Venus Trilogy, which I hope will be ready in 2014.

If you could design a refrigerator magnet, what would it say?
Probably my favorite quote from Bette Davis: If everybody likes you, you must be pretty dull.

 Conquering Venus and Remain In Light are available in ebook and trade paperback formats from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Powell’s, Smashwords and through your favourite local bookstore.

Collin will giveaway an eBook edition of each of his novels, Conquering Venus and Remain In Light, via Smashwords to a lucky winner. The eBooks will be available for download in multi-formats including versions for the Kindle, Nook and other devices. Make sure to leave a comment and Collin will randomly draw a winner, which will be announced at his Modern Confessional blog (www.collinkelley.com) on Dec. 12.

Rionna Morgan with Jean Lauzier

Jean Lauzier has always been a writer though life just recently settled enough so she can spend the time needed at the keyboard with her characters. Jean writes mystery and fantasy for the most part but enjoys playing with romance and western genres ever so often. When not writing, Jean spends her time trying to keep her Bonsai alive, learning Spanish and training the cat.

Her short story collection, Six Pack of Murder is available on Amazon. She is president of the East Texas Writer’s Association.

During the tour, Jean will be giving away at least three copies of Six Pack of Murder and three copies of the soon to be released Dark Descent. Be sure to leave a comment along with your email address to be entered in the drawing.

Thanks for letting me stop by your blog.
You are so welcome, Jean!  I'm excited to spend the day with you!

Where are you from?
These days, I live in the East Texas town of Longview and while I love the convenience of having Walmart and Sonic just down the street, I miss the quiet life of living in the country. I served in the Air Force many years ago where I met my husband and after moving around on a regular basis it’s really nice to be settled and mostly unpacked.

Tell us your latest news. 

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I’m getting a Doberman puppy! Oh wait, you meant writing news. Let’s see… my novel Dark Descent will be released soon. We’re doing final edits on it and it won’t be much longer. Be sure to leave a comment and your email addy to be entered to win a copy.

Also, my publisher has accepted my fantasy novel, Dragons of Jade. I’m real excited about this. We are in the first stage of revisions and dealing with cover art. Our goal is to have it out in January for Dragon Appreciation Day.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I don’t write with a message in mind, however I like to write strong female characters who learn they are stronger than they believe themselves to be and can do things they didn’t believe they could. If my readers took anything away from the story, other than being entertained for a bit, I’d like it to be that they themselves are stronger and more capable than they believe.

If someone wrote a book about your life, what would they title it?
I hope no one ever does but the best title might be A Comedy of Errors, it’s too bad Shakespeare already wrote that one. Maybe something like, Won’t She Ever Learn or just plain Oooops.

What is the ultimate dream vacation?
The beach. I’ve always loved the salty air, ocean breeze and all that comes along with living close to the water. One day I’d love to go to The Bahamas or Jamaica but until then, I’ll just visit Galveston Island as often as possible.

What person in history would you like to meet?
This is a tough one but I think Benjamin Franklin. He came up with so many useful inventions plus he had such common sense. He did so many things in his life, we could talk for hours.

If you could design a refrigerator magnet, what would it say?
Oh, what a cool question. I’ve already done this. It’s a business card sized magnet with the picture of Uncle Sam on it but he says “I want you to read books by Jean Lauzier!” I give them out at book signings and when I speak at writer’s groups. They are a nice conversation piece.

Once again, thanks for letting me stop by. I’ve enjoyed being here. 

Thank you!  I've had so much fun getting to know you!!

Here are a few places you can drop by to connect with Jean!!

 Blog – http://underthetrollsbridge.blogspot.com

Website – www.jeanlauzier.com

Twitter - @JeanLauzier

Facebook – jeanlauzier2319

Email – jeanlauzier@gmail.com

Rionna Morgan with Joyce Lavene

Joyce Lavene writes bestselling mystery with her husband/partner Jim. They have written and published more than 60 novels for Harlequin, Berkley and Charter Books along with hundreds of non-fiction articles for national and regional publications. She lives in rural North Carolina with her family, her cat, Quincy, and her rescue dog, Rudi. Visit her at www.joyceandjimlavene.com, Facebook/JoyceandJimLavene.com. Twitter: @authorjlavene, http://romanceofmystery.blogspot.com.

Q. Where are you from?

A. I was born in Norfolk, Virginia but moved to Chicago soon after.

Q. Tell us your latest news.
A. I have just signed a contract for a new mystery series with Berkley Prime Crime called the Retired Witch’s Spell Book. The first book will be out in 2014.


Q. Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

A. If there is, it is that everyone is different, but that we are all gifted.

Q. If someone wrote a book about your life, what would they title it? 

A. Follow Your Heart.

Q. What is the ultimate dream vacation?
A. Driving to Canada.

Q. What person in history would you most like to meet?
A. The Pythoness (priestess) of Delphi.

Q. If you could design a refrigerator magnet, what would it say?
A. It would say Eat More Pickles!

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A Haunting Dream
The mayor of Duck, North Carolina, Dae O’Donnell, is a woman with a gift for finding lost things. When her boyfriend Kevin’s ex-fiancée Ann arrives in Duck looking for a second chance, Dae suddenly finds herself facing certain heartache. And while her romantic life is in shambles, she’s even more concerned by the sudden change in her gift. After touching a medallion owned by a local named Chuck Sparks, Dae is shocked when her vision reveals his murder—and a cry for help. Dae doesn’t know what to make of the dead man’s plea to “Help her,” until she has another vision about a kidnapped girl—Chuck’s daughter, Betsy. With a child missing, the FBI steps in to take over the case. But Dae can’t ignore her visions of Betsy, or the fact that Kevin’s psychic ex-fiancé might be the only person who can help find her.

Win a copy of A Haunting Dream, the fourth book in the Missing Pieces Mysteries, by leaving your name at my blog: http://romanceofmystery.blogspot.com  

Rionna Morgan with Jean Henry Mead

Jean Henry Mead is the author of 18 books, including the Logan & Cafferty mystery/suspense series, Hamilton Kids’ mysteries, historical fiction and nonfiction. She’s also a national award-winning photojournalist who served as a news, magazine and small press editor.

Where are you from?
I was born in Hollywood, a block and a half from Paramount Studios. My brothers and I would sit on the front porch and watch movie stars drive by to the studio’s front gate. We’d wave and were sometimes rewarded with a wave from someone in the cars or limos. When I wasn’t star gazing, I was attending Vine Street Elementary School, which is now covered in graffiti.

Tell us your latest news.
I’m currently vacationing in paradise: a recreational vehicle resort in Southern California with green rolling hills , ponds, waterfalls, ducks, palm trees and a golf course which meanders through the 592-site area (although I don’t play golf.) While sitting with my husband on the patio of the small restaurant last evening, watching ducks diving in the pond, the first chapter of my next Logan & Cafferty mystery/suspense novel came to me, which tentatively begins: It was a lovely evening until a body floated by.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
In my recent mystery, Gray Wolf Mountain, I try to impart the message that killing off keystone predators—wolves and grizzlies—unbalances nature by allowing big game animals to over-populate and consume the vegetation that small animals and birds depend on to survive. I also included a little romance and humor to soften the theme.

If someone wrote a book about your life, what would they title it?
Probably Lost and Found: the Checkered Career of Jean Henry Mead.

What is the ultimate dream vacation?
It doesn’t get much better than my current location. We’ve done a lot of traveling and lived in nine states, including Wyoming, so returning to southern California for me is like a salmon swimming back upstream.

What person in history would you most like to meet?
Agatha Christie, among others. By rereading her books, I learned the language of fiction, along with Dean Koontz and Sue Grafton.

If you could design a refrigerator magnet, what would it say?
Don’t listen to anyone who says you can’t do it!

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Rionna Morgan with Marilyn Meredith

Bio: Marilyn Meredith is the author of over thirty published novels, including the award winning Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series, the latest Raging Water from Mundania Press. Writing as F. M. Meredith, her latest Rocky Bluff P.D. crime novel us No Bells, the forth from Oak Tree Press. Marilyn is a member of EPIC, three chapters of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and on the board of the Public Safety Writers of America. Visit her at http://fictionforyou.com and follow her blog at http://marilymeredith.blogspot.com/  Marilyn borrows a lot from where she lives in the Southern Sierra for the town of Bear Creek and the surrounding area.

Where are you from?

I was born in Glendale, California, lived in Eagle Rock (L.A.) until I was 18, traveled to Cambridge MD to marry the cute sailor I’d met on a blind date. We lived in Norfolk, VA, Port Hueneme CB base, CA, Little Creek, VA, Oxnard, CA, and now we’re in the foothills of the Southern Sierra—Springville, CA.

Tell us your latest news?

Of course it about my book, Raging Water, the latest in the Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series. I’ve spent most of the fall promoting it with a blog tour, two in-person book launches, giving talks and appearing at craft and book fairs.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

I don’t consciously put a message in my mysteries. I would suppose in Raging Water it might be “never give up.” Against many odds, the river flooding over, a mud slide cutting off the village of Bear Creek from the rest of the world, no electricity, and a murderer on the loose, Deputy Tempe Crabtree keeps on working to keep people safe.

If someone wrote a book about your life, what would they title it?
Loved Her Family and Writing. I have a huge family, raised 5 children, have 18 grandkids and 13 great-grandkids. I enjoy being around all my kids and their kids, and the greats, and watching them all grow-up. I send a lot of time writing and get much pleasure from spending time with the folks I’ve created.

What is the ultimate dream vacation?
Going anywhere that I don’t have to cook. Though I love cooking, I certainly get tired of doing it every day. I’m the one who always cooks all the special and holiday dinners, plus cooking for whoever happens to be around each evening.

What person in history would you most like to meet?
Perhaps Eleanor Roosevelt. She had so much charisma and intelligence, she would’ve made a great president.

If you could design a refrigerator magnet, what would it say?
Probably would have the cover of my latest book on it with a link to where it could be purchased. I’ve actually had a few of these over the years.

Thank you for hosting me today, Rionna.
You are welcome!  It's been fun.

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Raging Water Blurb: Deputy Tempe Crabtree’s investigation of the murder of two close friends is complicated when relentless rain turns Bear Creek into a raging river. Homes are inundated and a mud slide blocks the only road out of Bear Creek stranding many—including the murderer.

I know there are some people who like to read a series in order, but let me reassure you that every book is complete. Though the characters grow through each book, the crime is always solved. Here is the order of the books for anyone who wants to know: Deadly Trail, Deadly Omen, Unequally Yoked, Intervention, Wing Beat, Calling the Dead, Judgment Fire, Kindred Spirits, Dispel the Mist, Invisible Path, Bears With Us, Raging Water.

Do enter my giveaway contest for a copy of the previous Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery, BEARS WITH US. Leave a comment and you're automatically entered. Include your email addy so I can get in touch with you should your name be selected at random. The winner will be announced on my blog (http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com) on December 11, 2012. Good luck!