#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Grace Topping

I’d like to welcome my friend, the wonderful Grace Topping, to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

Things you never want to run out of: My husband is from England, so he panics if we get low on milk for his tea. So I never want to run out of milk and have him going out in bad weather for milk.

Things you wish you’d never bought: I’m notorious for buying clothes on sale and then not liking them after I get home. I am frequently persuaded by the price and not the fit and appearance. They hang in my closet with the tags on them until I finally donate them.

Hardest thing about being a writer: Talk to most writers and they will tell you that the hardest thing about being a writer is not the writing—it’s promoting what they’ve written.

Easiest thing about being a writer: Is there anything easy about being a writer? I haven’t found it yet.

Things you need for your writing sessions: I’m not always successful at it, but I like to be in a position where I’m not stressed about other things that need to be done. I don’t have any rituals like having special treats around, music, etc. Occasionally, I’ll clear off my very paper-covered desk, which always helps me make progress in my writing.

Things that hamper your writing: Music playing. I need quiet to focus on what I’m writing.

Words that describe you: Committed. It took me ten years before my first book was published. I refused to give up.

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t: Chunky. The problem with writing is that I do a lot of sitting, which doesn’t help me stay in the shape I’d like to be.

Favorite foods: Anything that I can sprinkle Pecorino-Romano cheese on. Love it.

Things that make you want to gag: The idea of eating octopus. It is such an intelligent creature that I can’t bear to see it on a menu.

Favorite music or song: I’m a fan of both rock music from the 60s and 70s and classical music. Play “Proud Mary” by Credence Clearwater Revival and I could hop out of a sick bed and dance.

Music that drives you crazy: I’m not a fan of country or rap.

Favorite smell: Natural fragrances like lavender and sandalwood.

Something that makes you hold your nose: Heavy perfumes.

Last best thing you ate: Leftovers from an Indian restaurant. I love Indian food but only if it isn’t too spicy.

Last thing you regret eating: A bowl of chocolate ice cream. I loved it, but I regret that it added to my waistline.

The last thing you ordered online: Doll baby furniture for my two-year-old granddaughter’s birthday.

The last thing you regret buying: The carton of chocolate ice cream mentioned above.

Things to say to an author: I loved your book.

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: I’d like to write a book. How hard can it be?

Favorite places you’ve been: My husband and I have had the good fortune to travel around a good portion of the world. Among my favorites are remote places that I never thought I would get to in a million years, such as Easter Island, Petra, Cape Horn, and Pitcairn.

Places you never want to go to again: I’m just not a beach person, so I can safely say that if I never went to the beach again, I wouldn’t be disappointed.

Favorite books (or genre): I write cozy mysteries, and I read a lot of them. But my favorite genre is historical mysteries. I like being taken into a different time period, especially ones that modern technology doesn’t interfere with the plot. For example, in a contemporary mystery, it is difficult to get a character into a situation without readers thinking, why doesn’t she pull out her cell phone and call for help.

Books you wouldn’t buy: I’m not a fan of sci-fi, so I probably wouldn’t buy books in that genre. I definitely wouldn’t buy erotica.

About Grace:

USA Today bestselling author and Agatha Award finalist, Grace Topping is the author of the Laura Bishop Mystery Series. She is the former vice president of the Chesapeake Chapter of SINC, a steering committee member of the SINC Guppies, and member of MWA. She lives with her husband in Northern Virginia.

Grace Topping, a USA Today bestselling author and Agatha Award Finalist, is the author of the Laura Bishop Mystery Series. A recovering technical writer, she is now creating murder mysteries and killing off characters who remind her of some of the people she dealt with during her career. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, the Chessie Chapter of Sisters in Crime, and the SINC Guppies, where she serves on the steering committee.

Let’s Be Social:

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

Ways to Expand Your Facebook Presence

It takes some time and a lot of care and feeding to build a steady following on social media. Here are some ideas of things you can do to expand your social media presence.

• There are lots of specialized Facebook groups for books, reading, and all genre imaginable. Find these and join them.

• Join in discussions.

• Many book groups on Facebook offer author take-overs. This is a chance for you to meet new readers in that genre and to introduce them to your books.

• Post interesting/entertaining content on your site. This keeps people coming back.

• Make sure your posts have some sort of picture, graphic, or video. Avoid huge blogs of text. Facebook often only shows the first few lines, make sure the important information is first in your sentence.

• Follow the 80/20 rule. Only about 20% of your posts should be about your books. Readers want to know about you and your interests.

• Be social. Don’t just post and run. Make sure you respond to comments.

• Spend some time scrolling your newsfeed and comment on others’ posts.

• Celebrate others’ accomplishments on your site.

• Put your key social media links in your email signature, website, and newsletter.

• Use your Search button. Look for topics that interest you for ideas of people or groups to follow. You can also search by key words for subjects like librarians, book bloggers, cozy mystery, etc. to see what is available.

• When you meet new people, check out their social sites and follow them.

• When you post group or event photos, make sure to tag the other folks who are with you. Your audience expands when they share it with their readers.

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Leah St. James

I’d like to welcome my friend, the fabulous Leah St. James, to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

Things you never want to run out of: Black tea. I’m a tea-aholic, but don’t give me any of that sissy, fruit-flavored herbal stuff.

Things you wish you’d never bought: Our living room couch/loveseat set.

Things you need for your writing sessions: Quiet or white-noise type of background sounds.

Things that hamper your writing: Music I love—it’s too distracting; I end up dancing in my seat and forgetting I’m supposed to be writing.

Favorite foods: Anything with sugar and fat, especially if it’s fried.

Things that make you want to gag: Raw oysters. (I’m gagging now just thinking about them.)

Something you’re really good at: Writing scathing letters to the editor.

Something you’re really bad at: Public speaking.

Favorite music or song: Country rock or contemporary Christian.

Music that drives you crazy: Opera because it’s performed in other languages I don’t know.

Favorite smell: The ocean.

Something that makes you hold your nose: Gasoline or combustion engine exhaust.

The last thing you ordered online: Replacement seat cushions for the aforementioned couch/loveseat set.

The last thing you regret buying: Tuxedo cake for Father’s Day dessert…It was too good.

Things you always put in your books: Cats and food.

Things you never put in your books: Anything mechanical; I’m clueless.

Things to say to an author: “I loved your story. Where can I post a review?”

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: “I wrote a book and it was easier than I thought!”

Favorite books (or genre): Romantic suspense and action thrillers.

Books you wouldn’t buy: Horror and fantasy.

Some real-life story that made it to one of your books: The heartbreak of infertility in Christmas Dance. While I had a happy ending, not everyone does.

Something in your story that readers think is about you, but it’s not: The BDSM lifestyle in Surrender to Sanctuary. I keep telling people, “This is not an autobiography!”

About Leah:

Leah St. James writes stories of good and evil, the mysteries of life, and the enduring power of love. Her published works span the genres from romantic suspense, mystery, and police procedurals to women’s fiction and even a children’s book.

A member of Sisters in Crime, Central Virginia Chapter, and the Alliance of Independent Authors, Leah is a native of the Central Jersey Shore but now lives in the Richmond area with her husband. Together they have two grown sons, two wonderful daughters-in-law and several grand-critters.

Let’s Be Social:

Twitter/X: https://x.com/LeahStJames

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

20 Ideas for Blog Posts

Does your blogging ever get in a rut or do you have trouble coming up with new ideas? Here’s my go-to list of ideas.

1. Interview Other Authors

2. Make Playlists for Your Books

3. Write about What You’re Doing

4. Write about Your Pets and Include Lots of Pictures

5. Talk about Your Hobbies

6. Look for Nonfiction Hooks in Your Books

   1. Delanie Fitzgerald lives is a Sears Catalog House, so I did some research and shared information about these types of houses.

7. Talk about What You’re Reading

8. Write Posts for Special “Holidays” or This Day in History

9. Share a Recipe and Photos and Videos of you Creating it

10. Show Pictures of Your Desk or Office, and Talk about Your Writing Space

11. Talk about Things You’ve Learned Recently

12. Go for a Walk and Document it in a Video or Pictures

13. Play Tourist in Your Own Town and Share Your Adventures

14. Share What You’ve Watched or Binged Lately

15. Share Your Favorite Inspirational Quotes

16. Go to Places in Your Stories and Write about What Inspired You to Use it as a Setting

17. Describe Your Writing Process

18. Do a Blog Swap or Blog Take-over with a Writer Friend — You write a post for her site, and she is a guest on yours.

19. Pick a Favorite Movie or Book and Write a Post about What You Learned from It (e.g. What I Learned from Nancy Drew)

20. Blog about What You Wished You Had Known as a New Writer

#WriterWednesday Interview with Annie McEwen

This week, I’m excited to feature the fabulous Annie McEwen for #WriterWednesday!

Things you need for your writing sessions: Caffeine in any way, shape, or form and a comfy chair

Things that hamper your writing: Getting distracted by my phone and my three dogs. They think they’re my editors, especially Chappy. Since he’s in my books, he always wants to sit on my lap and watch me type. I guess he’s making sure I make him look good.

A few of your favorite things: Photos of my kids when they were little, my late grandmother’s wedding ring (which was part of her mother’s wedding ring), and my piano I taught myself to play on as a kid. It was my mom’s when she was a little girl.

Things you need to throw out: Those jeans I keep telling myself I’ll get back into, the load of scrapbooking supplies I swear I’m going to make beautiful albums with, and my high heels. Plantar fasciitis is a jerk.

Words that describe you: Friendly, compassionate, loving, funny (or so I’ve been told!)

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t: Clumsy, self-conscious, scatter-brained (I’m blaming being in my fifties on that one!)

Favorite foods: Seafood, pasta, cheese, any pastries my daughter makes (she has a side bakery business)

Things that make you want to gag: Onions, avocados, and jalapenos

Something you’re really good at: Being a Gigi – this grandma thing is fabulous!

Something you’re really bad at: sports…I try, but I need to be honest with myself, I stink.

Favorite music or song: Hard to pick! I love country, pop, southern gospel (I wanted to be a southern gospel piano player when I was younger).

Music that drives you crazy: hip-hop and rap

Things you’d walk a mile for: My family and friends… and a sweet tea from Puckett’s in Franklin, Tennessee.

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: a mouse…I will kill any bug for you, but a mouse will put me in complete panic mode.

Things you always put in your books: Good friends, red herrings, a dash of humor, and, of course, a mystery!

Things you never put in your books: Crimes against a child or animal, sexual assault

Things to say to an author: “I loved your book!” “I got all the cozy feels!” “I can’t wait for your next book!”

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: “So, you just type it up and send it to a publisher, and they print it, right?” “Why can’t you give me a book? You get them for free, don’t you?”

Favorite books (or genre): Cozy mysteries, historical fiction, sweet romance

Books you wouldn’t buy: Anything with crimes against children or dark stories. Between my husband’s job as a police lieutenant and my job in radiology, I see and hear so much real-life sadness that I don’t want to read about it. The mysteries we write have a totally different vibe.

The nicest thing a reader said to you: She said my book felt like being wrapped in a warm hug. (cue the tears!)

The craziest thing a reader said to you: One reader/reviewer said my main character, Emmy, was cliched. She listed all the reasons why. I texted my writing bestie, Paula Charles, aka Janna Rollins, and told her, “Well, I guess I’m a cliché because everything she didn’t like about Emmy is all me!” We shared a laugh since Paula knows me so well and also knows that Emmy is mostly based on my personality. Oh well, you can’t please everyone. (sigh)

Some real-life story that made it to one of your books: There’s a story about a tetherball in Resort to Murder. It is exactly what happened to me when I was about thirteen. My dad still has the now-deflated tetherball. LOL.

Something in your story that readers think is about you, but it’s not: Many people think that Dean, Emmy’s crush, is based on how my husband Brian and I met. It’s not. We actually met through his mom! I worked with her and she set us up.

About Annie:

Annie McEwen, author of the Northwoods Mysteries Series, finds inspiration in the tall pines and sparkling lakes of northern Wisconsin, where she spent her childhood vacations. Nowadays, she visits her family, who resides in the area she writes about.

A former farm kid, Annie, along with her husband, are empty nesters enjoying the country life in rural Indiana. With their children and two young grandsons living nearby, they cherish frequent family time. Annie believes being a grandparent is the best role ever! Their household is completed by four fur babies, one of whom is a significant character in her books.

When Annie isn’t immersed in writing, she loves taking on trash-to-treasure projects, tending to her garden, and working as a radiological technologist. She's a member of Sisters in Crime and enjoys attending mystery conventions, as well as connecting with readers and fellow authors in person and on social media.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: https://www.anniemcewenauthor.com/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064688271296

What Are You Reading This Summer?

What are you reading this summer? Here are some of the books I’ve read recently.

You can’t go wrong with anything by Diane Kelly, Maria DiRico (Ellen Byron), and Tara Lush. Read all their series. They are fabulous, and I always read their latest.

Korina Moss and Linda Reilly are my favorite cheese-themed cozy writers. What is not to love? You can never have enough cheese, and when it’s mixed with a mystery, it’s perfect. You need to check out all the books in both of their series.

Daphne Silver, Annie McEwen, T.C. Herren, and Jennie Marts were all new-to-me cozy authors. Their books are terrific, and you need to check them out.

Paula Charles’s Hammers and Homicide is a fun cozy and a great start to a new series. I also had the pleasure of reading an early version of her second in her goat yoga series as Janna Rollins. It’s a hoot.

I had the pleasure of reading an ARC for Janna Rollins for the second in her Zen Goat Mysteries. It’s a hoot. This is a must-read series.

Annie McEwen’s Resort to Murder is another great start to a new series. What a sweet, fun mystery. She has a new one out in this series, too.

I read the first two of The Turner and Mosely Files by LynDee Walker and Bruce Robert Coffin. What a fun series of mysteries full of adventure, missing treasures, and all kinds of cool technology. Escape on a book vacation with this series!

What books or authors should I add to my summer reading list?

#ThisorThatThursday Interview with Kristin Kisska

I’d like to welcome my friend, the fabulous Kristin Kisska, to the blog today for #ThisorThatThursday!

Things you need when you’re in your writing cave: I can’t work without coffee and absolute silence.

Things that distract you from writing: Pretty much all things on the internet. I need to put parental controls on my office computer.

Things you will run to the store for at midnight: A 9-volt battery to replace the dying one in my chirping smoke alarm. That’s usually the time it goes off as well.

Things you never put on your shopping list: Lumber. I’m not handy, so I have no business working with a hammer, nails, or wood.

The coolest thing you’ve bought online: This is tough, because I buy just about everything online these days. But, one of my very first online purchases ever was my wedding dress back in 1999!

The thing you wished you’d never bought: I bought a monthly subscription plan for a streaming “commercial free” radio service for my car, that took months to finally terminate our subscription, and now I’m on their marketing mailing list.

Favorite snacks: Ice cream, especially Gelato. I just returned from visiting my daughter in Rome, so I’m trying to break my daily afternoon Gelato habit.

Things that make you want to gag: Olives. I can’t even pick them off a Greek salad, because they make all the rest of the ingredients taste like olives.

Something you’re really good at: Making lists and spreadsheets.

Something you’re really bad at: Remembering to bring along my shopping list with me to the grocery store.

Something you wanted to be when you were a kid: Growing up, I wanted to be a veterinarian.

Something you do that you never dreamed you’d do: I never in a million years predicted I’d be a novelist, let alone publish one!

Things to say to an author: I couldn’t stop thinking about your book after it

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: I have a great idea for a book. If you write it, we can split the profits.

Favorite places you’ve been: I adore Prague, Czech Republic where I lived for three years, the Amalfi Coast, Italy, and the Exuma, Bahamas. In the USA, I love visiting Destin, Florida, Savannah, and Charleston.

Places you never want to go to again: Ohhhhh, that’s tough, because I think most places have something charming to them. But if pressed, it would be tough to convince me to visit Las Vegas.

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: In my twenties, I bought a one-way ticket to Prague and lived there for three years. My parents thought I was nuts, but it was the adventure of a lifetime.

Something you chickened out from doing: Skydiving. I don’t do heights. Ever.

The most exciting thing about your writing life: I love going to in person book events like festivals, conferences, and book clubs. While most writers are introverts—myself included—I get a rush chatting with book people.

The one thing you wish you could do over in your writing life: I wish I could learn how to write in quick bursts. I started out writing when my kiddos were napping or in preschool, and now I need a stretch of absolute quiet time or I can’t write.

The nicest thing a reader said to you: “If I could, I would give your novel [The Hint of Light] six stars!”

The craziest thing a reader said to you: “Did you hire a ghost writer?”

Recommendations for curing writer’s block: My go-to writer’s block cure is going for a walk. If that doesn’t work, I ask myself, “How can I make the situation worse for my main character?” And if all else fails, I enjoy an adult beverage. That usually helps ease through the pain.

Things you do to avoid writing: I can tell if I’m procrastinating if I start cleaning my home. That is my S.O.S. call!

About Kristin:

KRISTIN KISSKA used to be a finance geek, complete with MBA and Wall Street pedigree, but now she is a self-proclaimed #SuspenseGirl. Kristin has contributed short suspense stories to a dozen anthologies, including her first locked room mystery, “Cruise to Nowhere” in the revenge fiction anthology, First Comes Love, Then Comes Murder.  Her debut novel, The Hint of Light, was an Agatha Award finalist for Best First Mystery Novel. Kristin is a member of International Thriller Writers, Women’s Fiction Writers Association, and Sisters in Crime. Kristin lives in Richmond, Virginia with her family and their moody tabby cat, Boom. She loves hearing from friends, readers, and book clubs at www.KristinKisska.com

Let’s Be Social:

Instagram - @kristinkisskaauthor 

Twitter/X - @KKMHOO

Facebook - @KristinKisskaAuthor 

YouTube -  @KristinKisskaAuthor

Website - www.KristinKisska.com

Kristin’s short story, “Cruise to Nowhere” appears in the anthology, First Comes Love, Then Comes Murder.

#WriterWednesday with Jackie Layton

I’d like to welcome my friend, the fabulous Jackie Layton, to the blog for #WriterWednesday.

Things you never want to run out of: I never want to run out of story ideas and time to write.

Things you wish you’d never bought: Years ago, before the birth of my second son, we traded in our sports car for a bigger car. It was a true lemon. It broke down before my son was born, and we weren’t even able to drive home with him in the new-to-us vehicle. We ended up trading it. Then another time we bought a used car. We were told it’d never been smoked in. I have allergies and that’s one of the many things I’m allergic to. We took it home, and the smoky smell soon broke through. That was our last time to buy a used car, because it just doesn’t seem to work for us. But, I’m still driving my 2007 Highlander, and I love it.

Hardest thing about being a writer: Distractions. Instead of just yearly goals, I have quarterly and weekly goals. Also, at night before I go to bed, I make a list of writing goals for the next day. If I’m scheduled to work my other job, I’ll make a simple list like check social media. But I try to always have a list.

Easiest thing about being a writer: Watching people and coming up with ideas. I may not use all the ideas, but it’s fun to consider.

Things you need for your writing sessions: Laptop, pens, notecards, Scrivener, and coffee.

Things that hamper your writing: If I’m writing in my home office, I like it to be quiet except for soft music playing in the background. When neighbors start mowing their yards, it really distracts me. I’m not sure why.

A few of your favorite things: I have two of my Grandmother Lutz’s small looms. She had some so big that they were taller than some people. She wove many things, and I learned to weave little things like placemats and scarves.

I have a pie safe that belonged to my parents. It was in the kitchen where we grew up, and instead of pies, she kept dishes in it.

Things you need to throw out: I’ve just gone through old magazines and put most of them into the recycling box. Some magazines are for research, and others are for fun, but it was time to get rid of a lot of them.

Words that describe you: A lot of people refer to me as being tall. I’m 5’10”, so they’re right, but the people in my family are tall and I tend to forget about it.

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t: Shy. I really have to push myself to be outgoing.

Something you’re really good at: I’m good at listening. If people want to confide in me, I will listen. I can be trusted with secrets both good and bad.

Something you’re really bad at: I’m not very coordinated, so I’m not very good at sports. Luckily, my sons didn’t inherit that from me, and I got to watch and cheer for them when they played sports.

Favorite music or song: I enjoy all kinds of music, but country music is my favorite.

Music that drives you crazy: I don’t like music with negative messages.

Favorite smell: The smell of the beach and sunscreen makes me happy.

Something that makes you hold your nose: Skunks.

Last best thing you ate: Key lime pie.

Last thing you regret eating: Fried food makes me feel sluggish, and I usually regret eating fried fish or chicken.

The last thing you ordered online: A skinny black shelf for my husband’s office.

The last thing you regret buying: A book about the psychology of murder. It may be great, but the print is so tiny. I can’t read it.

Things you’d walk a mile for: I’d walk a mile for a good cup of coffee. If my family needs something, I’d even run a mile.

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: If I am about to walk into a room and people are already arguing, I try to wait before entering. If I’m in a meeting and a fight breaks out, that will make me run screaming from the room.

Things you always put in your books: Dogs. I also like to add a romantic thread. At a recent conference they referred to this as Rom-cozy.

Things you never put in your books: Suicide or death of a pet.

Favorite places you’ve been: Some of my favorite vacation spots are Paris, Maine, and Rhode Island. I also love Kentucky, Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas.

Places you never want to go to again: I’d be happy never to drive on The Capital Beltway or drive in Boston. I’d like to visit both places again, but I don’t want to drive.

Favorite books (or genre): Cozy mysteries and romances.

Books you wouldn’t buy: Horror.

People you’d like to invite to dinner: I would love to invite my author friends to dinner. It would be fun to laugh and share stories.

People you’d cancel dinner on: Without being specific, we all have people in our lives who say things to make us feel bad. I try to avoid those people.

Favorite things to do: Spend time with family and friends, especially if we can be outside at a park or beach.

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing: Sing in front of people. I can’t carry a tune.

Best thing you’ve ever done: Marrying my husband.

Biggest mistake: Trusting a man to build a house for us, then he disappeared with a large chunk of our money.

The coolest person you’ve ever met: Vince Gill. He was so nice.

The celebrity who didn’t look like he/she did in pictures/video: Paula Deen. She was so tiny, but her smile and voice were just like on TV. She was also very nice.

The nicest thing a reader said to you: Your characters feel like my friends.

The craziest thing a reader said to you: People in South Carolina only drink Pepsi.

Besides writing, what’s the most creative thing you’ve done: Photography. Other people are better, but I still enjoy taking pictures.

A project that didn’t quite turn out the way you planned it: Creating a book of photos. Each time I try, something goes wrong.

Some real-life story that made it to one of your books: My husband teases me that many of my stories have an element related to things that happened to us. Kate Sloan, the amateur in Clutter Free, has lost hearing in one ear because of an acoustic neuroma. My husband also had an acoustic neuroma. After the tumor was removed, he lost hearing in his right ear.

Something in your story that readers think is about you, but it’s not: Some people think I’m organized, but it’s not a strength of mine. I work very hard to be organized.

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.

Let’s Be Social:

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

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jackielaytonauthor/ 

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

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/37slujv

Bookbub: https://bit.ly/37RqGQ8

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jackielaytoncozyauthor.com

Newsletter https://bit.ly/2WOPe42

Website: https://jackielaytoncozyauthor.com/

Back cover blurb: Emma Justice never imagines working at the farmers market on a normal Saturday morning will lead to her second murder investigation. When two friends become suspects in the latest small-town murder, she’ll help prove they are innocent by tracking down the real killer.

Houston Turner, the successful owner of Texas BBQ Hut, is a hard man and has made many enemies in his life. Revenge, greed, and hatred are some of the motives Emma must sift through to catch the killer. Seeds of suspicion from family, friends, and employees leaves Emma digging for real clues instead of stumbling through the rocky soil of deceit and lies.