#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with J. P. McLean

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I’d like to welcome author J. P. McLean back to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday.

The thing that you will most remember about your writing life:

The feeling of accomplishment when I hold a book I’ve written in my hands.

Something in your writing life that you wish you could do over:

If I had a do-over, I’d learn more about how to market and promote my book before it hit the shelves. There was much I could have done to improve the success of those early books, if I’d only known.

Something you’re really good at:

Organizing things like closets and drawers. Annoyingly so (or that’s what I’m told).

Something you never learned how to do:

Speak a second language. I’ve tried, and I can repeat a few passable phrases, but I wish I could carry on a full conversation in another language.

Something you wanted to be when you were a kid:

I imagined myself as an inventor, but it never came to be. Turns out great ideas aren’t enough.

Something you do that you never dreamed you’d do:

Scuba diving. It was my husband’s idea. We got certified on our honeymoon and diving has been great fun and something to look forward to on vacations (in warm water).

Things you always put in your books:

Magic! The possibility of the supernatural being real is a never-ending source of fascination and inspiration.

Things you never put in your books:

Hurting animals. It’s just wrong. It ruins me.

Things to say to an author:

I loved your book and of course I’ll write a review.

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book:

When I have nothing better to do, I might write a book, too.

People you’d like to invite to dinner (living):

Taylor Swift. She’s an impressive young woman.

People you’d cancel dinner on:

Putin.

Favorite things to do:

Enjoying dinner with friends. It doesn’t matter if we dine in a restaurant or eat in.

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing:

Playing games like charades.

The funniest thing that happened to you in an airport:

A group of women in a bar kept staring at me. Awkward. Eventually, one of them told me they were staring because they thought I looked EXACTLY like one of their other friends. And funnier still, it wasn’t the first time I’ve been identified as someone’s doppelganger. Weird.

The most embarrassing thing that happened to you in an airport:

Hands down it was hearing my name being paged overhead. I’d forgotten about the time zone change and nearly missed my flight. It felt like a walk of shame slinking down the narrow airplane aisle, long after everyone else was buckled in. And making it worse? I had a window seat.

The best job you ever had:

Easy answer! Fiction writer. Who wouldn’t want to daydream and make things up all day long?

The worst job you ever had:

Making cold calls. For anything. Just thinking about it makes me uncomfortable.

The one thing you cook/bake that is better than a restaurant dish:

Spaghetti and meatballs. Mostly the meatballs.

The one thing you cooked/baked that turned out to be an epic disaster:

I recently invited guests to dinner and planned to serve ribs, which normally turn out fall-off-the-bone yummy. But my timing was way off, and the ribs came out terribly chewy. My guests were gracious, but I was horribly embarrassed.

About J. P.:

JP (Jo-Anne) McLean is a bestselling and award-winning author of urban fantasy and supernatural thrillers. Reviewers call her books addictive, smart and fun. Raised in Toronto, Ontario, JP now lives with her husband on Denman Island, which is nestled between the coast of British Columbia and Vancouver Island. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her cooking dishes that turn out looking nothing like the recipe photos or arguing with weeds in the garden.

Let’s Be Social:

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jpmcleanauthor

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/jpmclean

Goodreads Author Profile ID: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6429987.J_P_McLean

Library Thing: https://www.librarything.com/home/JPMcLean

Amazon Author Central Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/jpmclean

Amazon Follow Author Link: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00JSZOXTC/#author-footer-B00JSZOXTC

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jp-mclean-15b91064

Instagram ID: https://www.instagram.com/jpmcleanauthor

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/jpmcleanauthor/

BookBub Scorch Mark: https://www.bookbub.com/books/scorch-mark-dark-dreams-book-3-by-jp-mclean

BookBub JPMcLean: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/j-p-mclean-cd5829f0-6e0d-4189-b561-44651ad67b9e

WriterSky: https://www.writersky.com/user/publish-story/3180

SoundCloud JPMcLean: https://soundcloud.com/jp-mclean

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwKvYQlzVE482HuqudE1cUg/

Scorch Mark Book Trailer on YouTube: https://youtu.be/twIN7E5CzlI or https://youtube.com/watch?v=twIN7E5CzlI

Website Links: https://jpmcleanauthor.com

#WriterWednesday Interview with Diann Floyd

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I’d like to welcome author Diann Floyd to the blog for #WriterWednesday.

Favorite thing that you always make time for:

I will always have time for a movie.

The thing you’ll always do just about anything to avoid:

I always put off reorganizing my closets.

Things you need when you’re in your writing cave:

Seriously, I don’t have a special place to write. Anywhere quiet works for me as long as I can plug in my laptop.

I think they were being cute and using the term cave to mean wherever you write. Notice “your” writing cave. I love the initial response, but perhaps you should add something like the following: Seriously, I don’t have a special place to write. Anywhere quiet works for me as long as I can plug in my laptop.

Things that distract you from writing:

If a good movie is on, I have to leave the room, or else I lose my concentration, and I cannot finish the story.

The thing you like most about being a writer:

I love hearing from my readers. It warms my heart.

The thing you like least about being a writer:

Editing. Thank goodness there are professional editors.

Things you will run to the store for in the middle of the night: Chocolate - Chocolate - Chocolate.

Things you never put on your shopping list:

You will never see artichokes, olives or Brussel sprouts on my grocery list.

The thing that you will most remember about your writing life:

I remember a publisher telling me they wanted to publish my story. It was so exciting!

Something in your writing life that you wish you could do over:

If I had to do something over, I would never have mailed in some of my first stories.

Something you’re really good at:

I am good at hand beading. I just finished beading a new Christmas Stocking for a family member.

Something you never learned how to do:

I never learned how to do tatting and embroidery.

My Great-Grandma Terrill was so good at tatting and quilting. My mom was great at embroidery, along with 2 of my great-grandmas My mom did beautiful embroidery; you could look at the back, which was as beautiful as the front.

Something you wanted to be when you were a kid:

I always wanted to be able to skateboard and ice skate like my brother Danny.

Something you do that you never dreamed you’d do:

Art, I never dreamed I could paint, especially using different media..

Favorite things to do:

I love to sing, act, and bake.

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing:

Vacuuming the car.

Most daring thing you’ve ever done:

Rappelling in Costa Rica.

Something you chickened out from doing:

Bungee jumping

The coolest person you’ve ever met:

It was an honor to meet Senator John McCain in Austin, where his documentary on his time in Vietnam was shown at the State Theater.

The celebrity who didn’t look like he/she did in pictures/video:

Robert Redford

The funniest thing that happened to you in an airport.

I was in the Athens airport, and I was locked in the bathroom. I could hear it was time for boarding. I started beating on the door and yelling for help until my thumb started bleeding. The people could open the door, and I made it to the plane. It was only funny after I was safely on the plane.

The most embarrassing thing that happened to you in an airport.

I was not watching the gate messages or listening to announcements to hear my gate change till I realized we should be boarding. I had to have the attendant tell the gate I was running to get to the correct gate, so I could still make the plane.

About Diann: Diann Floyd Boehm is an award-winning international author. Diann writes children's books and young historical fiction adult books. In addition, Diann writes books to inspire kids to be kind, like themselves, peace, and to "Embrace Imagination”.  You can find all her books on Amazon.

Diann does speaking engagements, book signings as well as author visitations. Her creative flair encompasses the performing arts and performing in musical theatre productions in Dubai produced by Popular Productions out of the UK. In addition, Diann enjoys making guest appearances on various live streaming shows. Diann is the cohost  for three shows on USA Global TV ™ and Radio. 

She has traveled extensively to many parts of the world and lived in Dubai for 14 years, where her husband worked for the American Law Firm Norton Rose Fulbright for 14 years. She has a Bachelor of Education from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, and her kindergarten certification from The University of Texas @ Austin. Diann has taught in the classroom overseas as well as stateside. more about Diann at https://www.diannfloydboehm.com

Diann is a wife, mother, grandmother, and a former classroom educator. Throughout her life, Diann continues to be involved in various humanitarian projects.

Thanksgiving Traditions

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I love fall and the kickoff to the holiday seasons. There are so many Thanksgiving and fall traditions.

When I was little, my grandmother and I put up her Christmas tree on the Friday after Thanksgiving. It was always a magical time and a great capstone for Thanksgiving weekend. I love Christmas, and I usually put up four or five trees. They’re themed by decorations or color. We haven’t done the outdoor decorations in a few years, so maybe this year, we’ll Griswold the front yard.

Back in the heyday of the malls in the 80s, the Friday after Thanksgiving was always our biggest shopping day, and it was usually an all-day event that started before dawn. I like shopping online now, so I do most of mine from my desk. But those days at Lynnhaven Mall and Pembroke Mall were fun and crazy because my sister could never make up her mind, and we visited the same stores multiple times. And Thankfully, I never did get caught up in the Cabbage Patch fights. Though, my nephew did send me on a wild goose chase one year looking for a very specific blue Power Ranger (that didn’t exist.)

I have to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and all the Charlie Brown specials each year. They are such a holiday tradition. And Thanksgiving is also the kickoff to all the holiday movies. (And yes, that includes Die Hard.)

Since I’ve been married and we host Thanksgiving at our house, Turkey Day is for food, family, and football. (My team is playing their arch-rival this year. Pleeeeeeeese let us win!) We usually eat the big meal at lunch and then spend the afternoon and evening snacking on football food during the games.

What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Alan Orloff

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I’d like to welcome the one and only Alan Orloff to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday on Thanksgiving. Alan gave me one of the best pieces of writing advice early in my writing life, BICFOK (Butt in Chair, Fingers on Keyboard). He’s right. Check out his interview and his new novel.

Things you need for your writing sessions: a computer and a chair (usually, but not always)

Things that hamper your writing: that Internet thing

Hardest thing about being a writer: The muddle in the middle

Easiest thing about being a writer: Writing Facebook posts

Favorite beverage: water

Something that gives you a sour face: any hot beverage (I know, weird)

Favorite smell: Freshly baked bread is pretty awesome.

Something that makes you hold your nose: Cooked cheese. (It grosses me out even typing that.)

Something you’re really good at: I’m really good at the carnival game where you squirt water into the clown’s mouth to blow up and pop a balloon. Like really good. If this was an Olympic sport, you’d see me on the podium.

Something you’re really bad at: Singing. Like really bad.

The last thing you ordered online: Barley (I know, weird)

The last thing you regret buying: Compact floating light-up pool fountain (I know, sounds great, but it didn’t work. Alas…)

Things to say to an author: I really enjoy your work

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: I’d like your work if the characters were more likable/real/unlikable/relatable/humorous/serious/whatever.

Favorite places you’ve been: Hawaii

Places you never want to go to again: Genoa, Italy. The entire city smells really bad (at least the night I spent there).

Best thing you’ve ever done: Married my wife and started a family

Biggest mistake: Pulling ivy off the trelliswork in the backyard. All of a sudden, the ivy released and I fell backward, landing on my lawnmower. I think I broke a bone in my back. This was about fifteen years ago, and my back still hurts from time to time.

Besides writing, what’s the most creative thing you’ve done: Constructed built-in floor-to-ceiling bookcases

A project that didn’t quite turn out the way you planned it: Tried to build a water fountain next to the back deck. It did not work.

Some real-life story that made it to one of your books: I went on a ride-along with a local police department, and I used one of our calls as the opening scene in a novel called…Ride-Along.

Something in your story that readers think is about you, but it’s not: My second and third books were part of the Last Laff mystery series, featuring a stand-up comic. Some people thought that I was actually a stand-up comic. Um, no.

About Alan:

Alan Orloff has published ten novels and more than forty-five short stories. His work has won an Anthony, an Agatha, a Derringer, and two ITW Thriller Awards. His latest novel is SANCTUARY MOTEL, from Level Best Books. He loves cake and arugula, but not together. Never together. He lives and writes in South Florida, where the examples of hijinks are endless.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: http://alanorloff.com

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

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/alanorloff

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alanorloff/



#WriterWednesday Interview with Mary Keliikoa

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I’d like to welcome the fabulous Mary Keliikoa to the blog for #WriterWednesday!

Things you never want to run out of: Coffee. I’m not sure how I’d function!

Things you wish you’d never bought: Most of my exercise equipment—except for my treadmill. I always have grand plans of lifting weights, and working on my core with those exercise balls, and now they sit there and taunt me.

A few of your favorite things: Golden retrievers, traveling to warm places, and British mysteries.

Things you need to throw out: Half my wardrobe. I swear I still have clothes from twenty years ago—they’ll eventually come back into fashion…right?

Things you need for your writing sessions: Did I mention I love coffee? It fuels my writing time, so an absolute must have, along with my computer!

Things that hamper your writing: social media. If I could have it unavailable to me from 7am to noon, I’d get more done!

Hardest thing about being a writer: Wondering if the book will come together early on. Even with a good idea, I’m never quite sure until I’ve passed a certain point.

Easiest thing about being a writer: showing up at the keyboard. I look forward to it every day. I may not always get much done, but even if I spend an hour editing, I feel like I’ve accomplished something that day.

Words that describe you: tenacious, loyal, kind

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t: impatient and easily distracted

Favorite music or song: I’m a country girl all the way.

Music that drives you crazy: Rap – I’ve never understood the appeal.

Favorite beverage: Besides coffee…. I love Ginger Beer.

Something that gives you a sour face: Anything green that identifies itself as a healthy smoothy.

Favorite smell: Cinnamon. I really love walking into my house in the autumn because I have all the spicy scents going!

Something that makes you hold your nose: Hominy. My grandmother used to cook it and I remember just hating that smell.

Things you always put in your books: The beginnings or hint of some kind of romantic relationship. I just feel like it adds a layer of real life.

Things you never put in your books: Graphic violence.

Favorite places you’ve been: Hawaii, New Zealand, Great Barrier Reef

Places you never want to go to again: Does the emergency room of the hospital count? Because I could live my whole life and not go there again!

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: Zip Lining

Something you chickened out from doing: Bungee jumping – I just couldn’t see myself free falling…rope attached or not!

Some real-life story that made it to one of your books: In Hidden Pieces, the cold case in that book was based on the event that happened in my small town when I was 14. Two girls went out walking and one of the girls was abducted, never making it home.

Something in your story that readers think is about you, but it’s not: In my PI Kelly Pruett series, Kelly has an obsession with peanut butter and most think that’s from something I enjoy. Truth is, I liked it okay as a kid, but not so much as an adult.

About Mary:

Eighteen years in the legal field, and an over-active imagination, led Pacific NW native Mary Keliikoa to start writing mystery and suspense. She is the author of the award-winning HIDDEN PIECES and DEADLY TIDES in the Misty Pines mystery series, the PI Kelly Pruett mystery series including the multi-award nominated DERAILED for Best Debut, and the upcoming stand-alone DON’T ASK, DON’T FOLLOW out June of 2024. Her short stories have been included in Woman’s World and the anthology, Peace, Love, and Crime.

When not in Washington, you can find Mary with toes in the sand on a Hawaiian beach. But even under the palm trees and blazing sun, she’s plotting her next murder—novel that is.

Let’s Be Social:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mary.Keliikoa.Author

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/mary_keliikoa

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mary.keliikoa.author/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mary-keliikoa

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20038534.Mary_Keliikoa

Website: www.marykeliikoa.com 

What Have You Been Reading This Fall?

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What have you been reading this fall? I’ve been in my editing cave a lot lately with the two books that are coming out early next year, so I haven’t been reading as much as I like to. And there are so many new books out there that look like a lot of fun. So far this fall, I’ve been reading Eve Calder, Catherine Bruns, Julie Anne Lindsey, Jenn McKinlay, Spencer Quinn, Vivien Chien, Lee Goldberg, Kristin Kisska, Libby Klein, Tina Kashian, Sarah Fox, and Paige Shelton. All are great reads. If you haven’t already, add them to your TBR list.

Recently I finished John Grisham’s THE EXCHANGE and Janet Evanovich’s DIRTY THIRTY. I recently found Eve Calder’s series on the Cookie House. What fun. I can’t wait to read more.

What has been your fall favorite?

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Jackie Layton

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I’m so excited to have the fabulous Jackie Layton back on the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

Favorite thing that you always make time for: Walking on the beach.

The thing you’ll always do just about anything to avoid: For some reason, I hate to go grocery shopping. I put it off as long as possible, but eventually I’ll go.

The thing you like most about being a writer: Creating characters, communities, and the relationships between the characters.

The thing you like least about being a writer: Marketing.

The coolest thing you’ve bought online: A handheld massager. It’s great for my shoulders after sitting at my desk for a long time.

The thing you wished you’d never bought. A fondue pot. For some reason I thought it would be a lot of fun, but I’ve never taken it out of the box.

Things you need when you’re in your writing cave: Music, coffee, and pretzels or sesame sticks. I also have my series notebook with maps and house plans.

Things that distract you from writing: If I’m in the writing zone, not much distracts me. Other times the TV, nice weather, or even the sound of a lawn mower can distract me.

The thing that you will most remember about your writing life: I’ve made a lot of great friends through writing.

Something in your writing life that you wish you could do over: I wish I had started sooner.

Things you always put in your books: I always have pets in my books.

Things you never put in your books: Alcoholism runs in my family, and I’ve never been a drinker. It’s a personal choice. Some of my friends drink, and some don’t. I really don’t pay attention to what they order though. I have been questioned why my characters don’t drink, and it’s because I just don’t think about it. I can be authentic about drinking coffee, eating pizza, or eating ice cream.

Things to say to an author: I enjoyed your book, and I’ll leave you a review.

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: I didn’t think your book was authentic.

The coolest person you’ve ever met: Vince Gill. He was so nice, and he was taller than I expected.

The celebrity who didn’t look like he/she did in pictures/video: Paula Deen. She was so tiny when I met her last year, but she went out of her way to be kind when we crossed paths with her.

The nicest thing a reader said to you: Recently a reader told me he laughed out loud at a scene in a book. After my husband read the book, he said the same thing. That really made me feel good.

The craziest thing a reader said to you: After I agreed to a speaking engagement, the reader told me I needed to speak for an hour. I thought that was crazy, but I had already agreed. So, I asked a few friends and family members what they’d like to hear authors talk about. When the day came, I talked for an hour. The audience was engaged. They laughed at the right time and oohed at other times. It was a great experience.

The funniest thing that happened to you in an airport: My flight was late arriving in Atlanta, and I RAN, and I rarely run, down to catch the train, also know as the APM (Automated People Mover). I made it to my concourse and crowded onto the escalator up, then I ran again. I made it to my gate, sweating and out of breath, just in time to hear the announcement that my connecting flight had been delayed. Once I could breathe, I laughed. At least I didn’t miss my flight.

The most embarrassing thing that happened to you in an airport: After a writing conference, I placed my suitcase on the scales when I checked in. I joked to the man about hoping I hadn’t gone over the weight limit. The scales tipped up to seventy-five pounds, and my heart dropped. Then he pointed to his foot. He’d stepped on the scale as a joke. We laughed, and thankfully my suitcase was under the limit.

The best job you ever had: Being an author is the best job ever.

The worst job you ever had: I was a candy striper at the local hospital when I was a teen. I worked in the physical therapy department, and my job was to clean out the tubs after burn patients soaked in them. I felt terrible for the patients, and it broke my heart to see how much pain they were in.

The one thing you cook/bake that is better than a restaurant dish: My baked beans are better than most restaurants. My husband always says nobody can make baked beans as good as I do.

The one thing you cooked/baked that turned out to be an epic disaster: Kale chips. Epic disaster. Not only did they taste terrible, but the house stunk too.

The craziest thing you’ve ever researched for a story: I tried to figure out how to jump off a balcony and survive. I needed to decide where to place my feet and hands and how to move and turn to make it possible without injuring my character.

Something you never include in your books: I’d never include the death of a pet or a child.

About Jackie:

Jackie Layton is the author of cozy mysteries with Spunky Southern Sleuths. Her stories are set in Texas, Georgia, and South Carolina. She lives on the coast of South Carolina where she enjoys walks on the beach and golf cart rides around the marsh. Reading, gardening, and traveling are some of her favorite hobbies. She always keeps a notebook handy to write down ideas for future stories. Be careful what you say around her, because it might end up in a book.

Let’s Be Social:

Clutter Free

Returning to Fox Island where she grew up, Kate Sloan begins her career as a professional organizer. When a woman accuses Kate’s police chief brother of having an affair, Kate’s priority shifts from organizing to proving her brother’s innocence. Kate visits the woman, hoping for a confession. The woman won’t admit she lied, and to make the situation worse, the accuser is found dead the next day by Kate and her business partner.

Kate has an eye for seeing what’s out of place, and she knows how to fix problems. Can she utilize her organizational skills to toss red herrings and focus on legitimate clues? Emma’s business is at risk as well as her brother’s career. The clock is ticking, and this could be the deadliest deadline of Kate’s life. She must discover the truth behind the victim’s vicious lies, but most of all, she needs to solve the murder before she becomes the next victim.

#WriterWednesday Interview with Linda Lovely

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I’d like to welcome the fabulous Linday Lovely to the blog for #WriterWednesday!

Things you never want to run out of: Coffee to wake me up each morning, and toilet paper (TP wasn’t on my essentials list until we ran out during the pandemic).

Things you wish you’d never bought: Uncomfortable shoes and all the specialty facial washes, moisturizers, and cosmetics collecting dust under the bathroom sink.

Things you need for your writing sessions: Quiet. No radio, TV noise. My husband and I quickly learned we couldn’t share an office.

Things that hamper your writing: Phone interruptions and the urge to get up and do something constructive (like making cookies or cleaning the bathroom) when I’m having a bad day.

Hardest thing about being a writer: Social media promotion to sell books, though I really enjoy in-person meetings at book clubs, libraries, etc.

Easiest thing about being a writer: Finding ways to “disappear” or humiliate the type of characters who annoy you in real life.

Words that describe you: Determined, optimistic, easily amused.

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t: Old, wrinkled, overweight.

Favorite foods: Chocolate, Eggs Benedict, almost any Italian dish.

Things that make you want to gag: Vegetables overcooked until they’re slimy.

Favorite smell: Cookies or cakes baking in the oven. My answers to these questions seem to explain why one of the words I use to describe myself is overweight.

Something that makes you hold your nose: People who douse themselves in perfume.

Something you’re really good at: Cooking.

Something you’re really bad at: Holding my tongue. I tend to say what I think and offer my opinion even when the wiser course is to keep my mouth shut.

Things you always put in your books: Smart women.

Things you never put in your books: I’m tempted to say smart men—but that’s not true! My real answer is I don’t like excessive gore or torture scenes and avoid those.

Favorite books (or genre): Mysteries, thrillers, suspense.

Books you wouldn’t buy: Most celebrity-written bios.

Favorite things to do: Read, go on long walks, play tennis, swim.

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing: Attend an opera or a rave. Hate huge crowds and loud noise.

Best thing you’ve ever done: Married my husband, my best friend. Approaching our 50th.

Biggest mistake: Years ago, my husband and I bought a franchise that we quickly discovered was a huge mistake. But we gained skills that we’ve been very thankful for—so the mistake eventually yielded a happy ending.

Besides writing, what’s the most creative thing you’ve done: Oil painting, playing with food recipes.

A project that didn’t quite turn out the way you planned it: Some of those “let’s see what happens if I add this” recipes.

About Linda:

Linda Lovely’s A Killer App is her eleventh published novel. A journalism major in college, Lovely spent decades handling corporate PR, including penning hundreds of feature articles for business, trade and travel magazines. Today, her focus is fiction. Her mysteries, historical suspense and contemporary thrillers share one common element—smart, independent heroines. A member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime, she also serves as secretary for Mystery Writers of America’s Southeast regional chapter. For many years, Lovely helped organize the Writers’ Police Academy.