Tag: Literary Locals Page 2 of 8

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I met Ashely at this year’s Book Faire and really enjoyed our conversation, which will hopefully not be our last. I also really enjoyed the book she mentions below and hope to write about it soon (hopefully in conjunction with a conversation). Get to know her a little here and then search out her book and social media accounts. You’ll be glad you did!

Before we get into things, why don’t you give the reader a brief introduction to you and your work.
My name is Ashley and I like to describe myself as a “spooky writer & witchy crafter.” Last September, I published my 1st book, Memes & Mayhem. It’s a spooky humor book that retells a few of my fave ghosty stories with memes such as The Bell Witch, Krampus, Amityville Horror, etc. I also make wreaths & gift baskets. My website is twisted-ash.com where you can find all my spooky & crafty things. I’m also on Instagram @twisted_ash.co & TikTok @twisted_ash.co

Are you a native Idahoan? What brought you to Idaho in the first place? (answer whichever question applies) What is it about Idaho that keeps you here?
I’m actually an Army brat. I was born in Frankfurt, Germany and have lived in several places throughout my childhood: Tennessee, Texas, Ohio, Washington, Maryland. My mom is from Weiser, Idaho so I grew up visiting my grandparents almost every summer. I even went to Kindergarten at Pioneer Elementary in Weiser! In 2004, I finished college in Memphis, TN and moved to Boise with my parents & brothers. We’ve been here ever since and I have no plans to leave. I absolutely adore Boise and can’t imagine living anywhere else.

Are you tied into some sort of local author/bookish group/culture? If so, tell us about it and how it helps you as an author. If you’re not, is there a reason for it?
I’m not really a part of any groups. I’m a super introvert & homebody.

What kind of events in the area do you attend—either to sell/promote your books or to network with authors? Are there any outside of this area that you hit regularly and wish we had something like it here?
I’m very new to the indie author scene. I’ve attended 3 local book fairs to promote my book. Since I also craft, I like to attend local pop-up markets where I can sell my book, wreaths & gift baskets. I don’t really push online sales as I really prefer the in-person & local book/craft markets. There is a Haunted Farmer’s Market in Tacoma, WA that I really wish we had here in Boise. That is totally my jam & I think my whole vibe would work really well at something like that.

This is off-topic, but I’ve got to know a little more—what is a Haunted Farmer’s Market? How well do you think that would go over around here?
It’s pretty much a farmer’s market but make it spooky. I’ve never been but it’s ton of vendors that make it look like Halloween in the Summer!

More on-topic—despite your introversion (and that of many of your peers), have you been able to make any connections at these book fairs? Would you say there’s a sense of camaraderie among local authors?
The local authors who attend these fairs have been AMAZING. So many helpful tips: writing tips, marketing tips, etc. Extremely friendly & supportive. Many of us are indie authors so knowing we’re all kind of in the trenches of indie publishing & marketing is reassuring.

What’s the breakdown of your audience—do you have a strong local base, or are your readers from other parts of the world?
Since I’m so new with my writing & crafts, I’m still trying to find my peeps. I haven’t really found my niche group yet but anyone who likes all things spooky, witchy & funny, should check out my book. My wreaths & gift baskets are all seasons, all occasions so anyone can enjoy them.

Do you think there are particular challenges or advantages to being a writer in the Treasure Valley? (possibly both)
The support I’ve seen at the local book fairs & markets has been awesome. The Treasure Valley really loves & supports its local scene i.e. shops, artists, restaurants. It’s pretty incredible to witness.

I’ve got some friends who get booths at local craft markets and the like—they frequently tell me about authors booths at them. Do you get good reactions at them? Is this a market local writers should try to exploit?
As soon as I explain to someone that I wrote the book I have on display, they immediately smile & engage. Even if my genre is not their jam, they still express how awesome it is to have written & published a book.

One final question, is there a book (or two…or 18, if you get really carried away), that embodies Idaho/the Idaho spirit to you to recommend to my readers?
I’ve really enjoyed Forgotten Tales of Idaho by Andy Weeks and Murder & Mayhem in Boise by Mark Iverson & Jeff Wade.

Thanks for your time and participation! Hope you enjoyed it!
Thank you so much for reaching out!!

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LITERARY LOCALS: A Q&A About Writing in Idaho with Cindi Hartley

By HCNewton

On May 6, 2025

In A Few Quick Questions With..., Literary Locals

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I haven’t had a chance to read Cindi Hartley’s work yet, but I’m very excited to introduce you to her. When I met her at the Nampa Library’s Book Faire last month, her effervescent personality made me a fan. She’s new to being a published author, which brings a fun perspective. Hope you enjoy this–and that you give her book a shot.

Before we get into things, why don’t you give the reader a brief introduction to you and your work.
Hi, my name is Cindi Hartley. I am a volunteer disability advocate and accessibility advisor with experience in training volunteer forces, setting up accessible spaces, and hosting events that focus on helping those with special needs and various physical disabilities find more inclusion within the community. I myself live with a condition known as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Arthrochalasia type (aEDS) which has progressed to the point of needing a wheelchair due to stability issues when I try to walk. As my health has weakened through the years, I have had to step back more, but I continue to do what I can when I am asked for help which has included hosting a wheelchair challenge for my city leaders and being on call to answer accessibility questions or brainstorm solutions to accessibility barriers in the community.

I have been an avid reader and book lover for as long as I can remember. I have often dreamed of being a writer and have won small awards for various essays, poetry, and an old blog through the years. Even with all that though, I never thought I would get to see the day my name appeared on the byline of a book. It’s been humbling, overwhelming, exciting, and nerve-wracking all at once. Definitely a whole new experience, but one I am grateful to be having. My main goal with “Fifth Sparrow Rising” is to provide encouragement and a few simple ideas for how my readers can help bring more light into the world around them. I share a bit of my personal story and faith as well as experiences through some of the hardest parts of my life and things I have learned through it all in hopes that at least one person might feel seen and find help, hope, or courage from it. This is not a tell-all memoir, nor is it a complete summary of my life, but I hope it is enough to help show others they are not alone and that there is a way to find light again, as well as be a light, even when one has lived through darkness.

You can reach me through my Facebook page, titled the same as my book, or through my email address: The5thSparrow@yahoo.com, and I will do my best to respond as quickly as I can. My book is currently available through Mail Room ‘n’ More (Nampa), Mustard Seed (Nampa), or Sweet Zola’s (Boise). You can also get it directly from me at book signings. My next one is coming up on May 17th at Shared Stories in Caldwell.

What brought you to Idaho in the first place? What is it about Idaho that keeps you here?
I am not a native Idahoan. I moved here from Kansas back in 2015 when my family and friends helped raise funds to get me to the Treasure Valley after a few doctors here made national news in the EDS community. I was able to see a couple of them before they retired or moved their practice out to the East Coast. Their help gave me back my stability for a few extra years, which I will always be grateful for.

What keeps me here is twofold. The nature and beauty of this state fills my heart, and the kindness and acceptance of the overall community and people here have helped me feel at home. I may be a Kansan by birth, but I am an Idahoan at heart.

Are you tied into some sort of local author/bookish group/culture? If so, tell us about it and how it helps you as an author. If you’re not, is there a reason for it?
My book was published in January of this year so I am still trying to find my feet in this new experience of being an author. I do however appreciate the kind and welcoming nature of other local authors who welcomed me with open arms at my first book fair. These are writers I have been a fan of and have eagerly looked forward to seeing at various book fairs over the years, and when I stepped to the other side of the table for the first time in April they immediately embraced me as one of their own which meant the world to me and provided more encouragement than I could express. I also have a friend I made from being a fan of her writing who has helped with advice and encouragement when I needed it while trying to complete my book.

What kind of events in the area do you attend—either to sell/promote your books or to network with authors? Are there any outside of this area that you hit regularly and wish we had something like it here?
I am still new to all this, but so far I have been at the Nampa Library book fair this past April and a book signing at Mail Room ‘n’ More in Nampa. I have another book signing coming up in May at Shared Stories in Caldwell and hope to be able to find a spot in another book fair in the fall.

What’s the breakdown of your audience—do you have a strong local base, or are your readers from other parts of the world?
Through past writings I have known a global audience, but for this book my audience as been mostly local or from Vermont, where the artists responsible for the beautiful cover art are from. I have a few readers in a handful of other states as well, and one reader in Australia, which was a humbling thing to experience.

Do you think there are particular challenges or advantages to being a writer in the Treasure Valley? (possibly both)
I am not sure about challenges, but one advantage was the Nampa Library and the librarians who work there. They were a huge support throughout my writing process by helping with everything from beta reading and light editing support to helping me tackle tech issues when trying to transport my book from my trusty notebook to the computer. I could never have done all this so quickly without their support.

I also believe I couldn’t find more genuine support and encouragement than I do from the local author community here and the community of readers. That in itself is a huge asset tied to being in the Treasure Valley.

One final question, is there a book (or two…or 18, if you get really carried away), that embodies Idaho/the Idaho spirit to you to recommend to my readers?
Oh, that’s a hard one for a book dragon. lol If I had to narrow it down, I would say “Idaho’s Remarkable Women: Daughters, Wives, Sisters, and Mothers Who Shaped History” by L.E. Bragg and “Fuzzwiggs: the Switcheroo” by Amy Maren Rice. An odd pair at first glance, I admit, but I honestly feel they help summarize what makes Idaho so great. The former is a non-fiction book about some key people in Idaho’s past that helped shape this state and is full of the grit, heart, and the kind of determination that makes Idaho strong. The latter is a fun fantasy that highlights humor, nature, and adventure while bringing you a story of family bonds and personal growth, while the main characters learn the value of working together and building a mentality of teamwork and community. Idaho to me is a magical and beautiful place, where the history and culture is rooted in perseverance, strength, and courage, and the sense of community and family here is strong. There are several more books that I could add to this list, but I choose these two books to highlight because I believe that together they help capture a good summary of what makes this state what it is.

Thanks for your time and participation! Hope you enjoyed it!

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LITERARY LOCALS: A Q&A About Writing in Idaho with Nathan Keys

By HCNewton

On April 22, 2025

In A Few Quick Questions With..., Literary Locals

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Nathan Keys and I tried to get this posted last year, but communication errors led to that plan going out the window. But after the Treasure Valley Book Faire a couple of weeks ago, we brushed this up, updated it, and now I’m happy to bring this to you. Hope you enjoy.

Before we get into things, why don’t you give the reader a brief introduction to you and your work.
Hello there! I’m Nathan Keys, author of the epic fantasy adventure series, The Epic of Marindel. My mission is to write captivating stories that will bring readers hope and purpose. I believe every person has a story, and every story is a part of something Greater. My faith in Christ is central to everything I do.

I have three books published as of this interview. Chosen and Redemption are Books I and II in The Epic of Marindel series. I also have a companion study guide called The Great Story of Marindel that offers the Marindel gospel allegory as a stand-alone tale, with guided questions after each chapter for those who would like to dive into the symbolism and Scripture references behind the story. Currently, I’m writing Books III and IV in the fantasy series.

You can find me on Facebook and Instagram @nathankeys23. Below are links to my website, YouTube, Goodreads, and Amazon page.

https://nathankeys.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@nathankeys23
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19341586.Nathan_Keys
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07V5CCZWQ/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=c113121d-7d33-402f-8bb4-e29c353973fc&ref_=pe_1724030_132998060

What brought you to Idaho in the first place? What is it about Idaho that keeps you here?
I was born and raised in the Southern California town of Rancho Cucamonga. I moved to San Diego for college, where I lived for ten years until the pandemic hit and I lost the means to afford the big city. My parents had been looking to move out of state for years, but the way the pandemic was handled in California pushed them over the edge, and they bought a property in the Treasure Valley. When they invited me to come with them, what was I going to say, no? We’ve been here for over three years now, and I have no regrets!

My favorite things about Idaho are its abundant natural beauty, the existence of four seasons, and the friendly neighborhood feel that I so rarely encountered in Southern California.

Are you tied into some sort of local author/bookish group/culture? If so, tell us about it and how it helps you as an author. If you’re not, is there a reason for it?
I’ve been part of a Christian writing group called the Kingdom Writers Association (KWA) for several years. I encountered them when I was just finishing the first draft of my first book, and they provided me with valuable information about how to publish, and connections with editors and illustrators. Though it was initially founded in San Diego, KWA has since expanded globally, including a local Boise chapter called Sacred Scribes, which I now help lead. We meet once a month to encourage one another in our writing, just like CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien did in their writing group, the Inklings.

Oh, great! Yet another writing group in the area—I keep finding new ones every time I turn around. Tell us a little about Sacred Scribes—how big is it? How active? Is it more of a mutual encouragement group, or do you critique each other and so on?
Sacred Scribes meets once per month, usually on the first Saturday. We’re pretty small for now, but slowly growing – our average attendance is between 8 and 15 people per meeting, with 65 people in our Facebook group (look this up if you, reader, are curious about joining). Our major focus is encouragement of the writer, though we also do regular writing prompts and critique circles. I’m the point-person for getting more of our published members involved in events like the Treasure Valley Book Faire!

What kind of events in the area do you attend—either to sell/promote your books or to network with authors? Are there any outside of this area that you hit regularly and wish we had something like it here?
Being relatively new to Idaho, I’m still learning about all the events that are possible to attend. I’m very pleased to see the local author/bookish community in the Treasure Valley growing so quickly. I was worried there would be fewer opportunities here than there were in San Diego, but it seems like each library in the TV is trying to put on an event at least annually. I’m also curious to discover which craft/community fairs will allow book tables. I’m sure there are more opportunities here than I’m aware of, so I’m open to suggestions!
If there are community/craft fairs that don’t allow them, I haven’t heard of any. I’m always getting tips from friends who attend more of them than I can.

What’s the breakdown of your audience—do you have a strong local base, or are your readers from other parts of the world?
I have a growing local fan base, which I’m very thankful for. Word-of-mouth is my favorite way to market! However, through my connections with the Kingdom Writers Association and as I grow my social media following, I have fans popping up all over the country. I’ve even gotten a few sales internationally. A library in the UK recently stocked my first book!

I have to imagine that hearing about that UK library had to be a great encouragement. Do you have solid plans for how to grow your social media following? I’m just curious about how authors experiment with these kinds of things. Have you tried some things previously that haven’t worked out?
For now, consistency is key. I’m not willing to allow social media to drain me, so I set realistic goals that I know I can accomplish, even if it’s less than what some other authors are doing. Right now, my goal is posting consistently twice per week. As for things that haven’t worked, I haven’t seen much luck with paid ads, though I think it may require more experimentation on my part.

Do you think there are particular challenges or advantages to being a writer in the Treasure Valley? (possibly both)
For advantages, the community-forward culture of the Treasure Valley makes it easier to connect with people through word-of-mouth. Getting into events at libraries, bookstores, etc. is also much less competitive than what I experienced in California with my first book release (2019). Here, I feel it’s much easier for indie authors to make connections and find their fan base. As for challenges, all I can think of is the lack of bigger writers’ groups and writing conferences that bring in renowned field experts. A TV writer will have to travel to take advantage of those!

You mentioned finding your fan base here. A couple of weeks ago, we were both at the same event, and I talked to someone who was so excited that their “favorite writer” had a table there—you. So you’re at least finding some fans here—has there been a strategy behind that, or is it just happening?
It’s happening by me showing up, being present, and talking to people! At every event I attend, networking is the most important objective. I don’t stress too much about sales, at least not in the short-term sense. Personal connection and brand familiarity often precede sales.

Do you bring Idaho (or some sort of Idaho-sensibility, assuming one exists) to your work? Whether or not anyone else sees it, can you look at some aspect of your writing and think, “That’s Idaho” or “I would do ____ differently if I was a Kentuckian or from Illinois?”
In my WIP (Marindel Book 3), I’ve introduced a tavern called “The Hardy Bluebird,” which is an intentional reference to Idaho’s state bird. The tavern’s entrance sign depicts a flying bluebird clutching a sage branch in its talons. The setting is more or less a ghost town (as much as a fantasy realm can delve into the wild west genre), and it’s very exploratory at the moment, but I’m enjoying the world-building so far!

One final question, is there a book (or two…or 18, if you get really carried away), that embodies Idaho/the Idaho spirit to you to recommend to my readers?
This is a question I’d like to turn on everyone reading this. I love both history and historical fiction, and I’m still getting familiar with Idaho’s story. Any recommendations?
Readers, feel free to give him some recs! I have a couple of ideas, but I’d love to hear yours.

Thanks for your time and participation! Hope you enjoyed it!

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Grandpappy’s Corner: Life Lessons by Titan as told to Melaney Taylor Auxier: Wise Words from a Noble Dog

By HCNewton

On April 16, 2025

In Dogs, Grandpappy's Corner, Literary Locals, YA/MG/Children's Books

Life Lessons by Titan

as told to Melaney Taylor Auxier

DETAILS:
Publication Date: June 28, 2024
Format: Paperback
Length: 39 pgs.
Read Date: April 9, 2025

What’s Life Lessons by Titan About?

We meet this very good-looking dog, Titan, at the shelter when he meets his human, she “fell in love instantly because I’m so loveable.” Titan decides to keep her.

We get a couple of pages showing Titan adjusting to his new home and friends, making some mistakes and then Titan teaches some life lessons. He teaches about friends, making mistakes, eating well, being grateful, that sort of thing.

Let’s Talk about the Art for a Minute

The art consists totally of home photographs of Titan—and occasionally some other good-looking dogs—and a couple of human feet.

On the one hand, these are not studio-quality pictures. They’re just candids of Auxier’s dog, likely her phone is loaded with them (like any person who has pets and a phone). She took the best—sometimes goofiest—of these to illustrate Titan’s lessons.

Are they the best dog photos you’ll see? No. But they’re taken and shared with love for the subject—and that’s more than enough to justify looking at them. Also, little kids are not known for being discerning when it comes to pictures of handsome doggies.

So, what did I think about Life Lessons by Titan?

This is a great tribute to a great dog.

My grandson isn’t ready for Lessons From Lucy by Dave Barry, Lessons from Tara by David Rosenfelt, or even The Teachings of Shirelle by Douglas Green. But he is ready for this one (pretty much). Many of the lessons/perspectives/thoughts in this book match those books for older readers, so even if he has a decade or so before I can introduce him to Lucy, Tara, or Shirelle, I can introduce him to Titan and his wisdom.

Also, this one has far more pictures. And who doesn’t want that?

It’s short, sweet, and to the point. It’ll win over young dog lovers, and even bring a smile to us older ones when we need a quick fill of puppy love.

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LITERARY LOCALS: The 3rd Annual Treasure Valley Book Fair (and tiny book haul)

By HCNewton

On April 10, 2025

In A Few Quick Questions With..., Literary Locals

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This past weekend, the Nampa Public Library hosted The 3rd Annual Treasure Valley Book Fair and, as is my habit, I wanted to take a minute or two to talk about it.

Like last year, everyone was given a Passport with the names of every author present. If you got a stamp from every author, you got a free book from…I don’t know where they got this selection—but it was a pretty good one. I got a hardcover of Terry Pratchett’s Dodger, which looks fun. The downside to this is that there were several people that just came by, got a stamp, and moved on. My daughter and I had a conversation of a decent length with all of them—and were interrupted more than once by someone just wanting that. It’s kind of a shame because you could tell that too many people were just out for that (we actually had to be reminded more than once by an author to get a stamp—we’d just get distracted by whatever we were talking about). We had some great conversations—too many. Once again, we spent about 4 hours at an event we’d planned on attending for 90 minutes. We both would’ve gladly talked to many of these authors for longer than we did.

We didn’t see nearly as many returning authors as we’d hoped (Amy Maren Rice‘s absence made us briefly rethink attending). However, there were many that we got to meet for the first time. I’ve already talked to some about showing up here—and will be reaching out to as many of the others as I can in the next few days.

All in all, it was a great event with a large range of genres, target audiences, and authors represented (which was pretty encouraging) and one I hope is repeated again and again.

Now, I can’t be expected to show up to an event like that and walk away empty-handed, can I? I did restrain myself this time (the budget was very restrained this year—I bought less than half of what I wanted too) I do have a shopping list of some of the leftovers.
NPL Indie Fair Book Haul
(behold yet more evidence of why I don’t do bookstagram).

I, again, really enjoyed getting to talk to all of the authors there. Here are the social media (and/or way to order the books for) everyone that I could find. Do yourself a favor and check these authors out!

bullet Ashley DeLeon—a writer of spooky and humorous tales, I think my daughter and I could’ve stopped and talked to her for quite a while
bullet Bonnie Schroeder—her “novels feature complex female characters who must navigate challenging and even extraordinary circumstances to discover strength and wisdom they never knew they had.”
bullet Vannotes—writer of graphic novels, who was super-friendly
bullet Charles L. Hay—his novel focuses on survival, nature, and faith (I really wish we could’ve talked more)
bullet Cindi Hartley—her book talks about her struggles, and how she gets through them, with guidance for others (if this book is half as bright and optimistic as she seemed, it’ll be great)
bullet Daniel J. Breen—author of a cute children’s book about a well-loved dog
bullet Danielle Harrington—Fantasy and YA Fantasy novelist
bullet Elliott Linker—a young graphic novelist, back for his third time at this festival
bullet Ellis L. Knox—a local Fantasy novelist with a healthy backlist and a new mystery series in that fantasy world that looks promising
bullet Felicity Watt Wilson—author of a charming children’s book with art you have to see
bullet Gail Cushman/Helene Mitchell—As Gail Cushman she writes rom-coms for the senior set, and as Helene Mitchell she writes mysteries set in a (fictional) small-town Idaho
bullet Glen Gabel—his doorstop of a fantasy novel looks to be fun. Glen took time out of talking about his stuff to tell me about a Western that he’d recently become a fan of. A non-Western reader talking to another about one instead of plugging his own book. It’s exactly the kind of conversation I love falling into
bullet Katherine Ecrivain Joy—writer of faith-filled books for children
bullet James T. Lambert—one of my favorite local writers—SF and Steampunk—with one of the best beards in the valley
bullet Charles Sage—His thrillers look like they could be uncomfortably realistic (just from the setting). Came all the way from the panhandle.
bullet J.S. Anderson—writers of thrillers with a supernatural edge
bullet J.C. Jackson—I’ve probably been reading Jackson longer than any other local writer, always great to see her.
bullet JoEllen Claypool—Claypool writes for children, adults, and writers of all ages. And probably a few other audiences as well
bullet Julie Howard—writer of a series of domestic suspense novels
bullet K.J. Backer—writes books for younger readers who love animals and fantasy novels for adults that feature unicorns who know what to do with that horn. She’s new to the area and I hope I run into her at future events.
bullet Kelsey Elwood—the author of a memoir full of life-coaching lessons
bullet Ken Pollard—a musician-turned-travel writer. He had a violin/fiddle with him to decorate his table. We only realized later that we could’ve asked him to play for us (what we could hear from a distance sounded good)
bullet Laura Jenski—writer of cozy-ish mysteries
bullet Lori Josifek—writer of bird-centric children’s books
bullet Margaret Koger—a very nice poet
bullet Mary Vine—writer of “Romance With Humor, Suspense and Inspiration” and “Language-based Children’s Books that Educate, Inspire and give Hope”
bullet Melaney Taylor Auxier—Writer of Adult Fiction, Middle-Grade and Children’s books. Also a generous fellow dog-lover.
bullet Mel Parrish—A YA Fantasy writer from the Eastern part of the state
bullet Nathan Keys—Epic Fantasy writer. Our conversation led me to realize I didn’t post a Q&A we did last year. Oops.
bullet Nicole Sharp—her website describes her as a “writer of love, coffee, Italy, and fearless women.” I think she’s added “with a touch of spice” to her signage. Conversing with her was just as pleasant this year as last year—she’s the kind of person you’d love to get coffee with.
bullet Rachelle Nelson—writer of YA Fantasy
bullet Rebecca Evans: another brave soul trying to sell poetry
bullet Robin Chadwick Rundle—writer of Historical Romances
bullet Samual Smith, aka Joe Idaho—writer of “action and adventure, political commentary and satire, contemporary or historical fiction, modern or weird westerns.” Anyone who titles a book Teddy Roosevelt’s Goblin: A Bigfoot Story has got to be fun to chat with (and he was!).
bullet Sara Knightly—writer of Fantasy, who had one of the best-decorated tables.
bullet Sarah Hill—writer of Romance, who (with good humor) remembered that I told her last year that I probably would never read her books.
bullet Sherry Briscoe writes : writer of “suspense mysteries with a flavor of the paranormal”
bullet Troy Lambert—a writer of thrillers, and a couple of other things. He’s been distracted from getting to sequels that I’m waiting for by things that pay better (and that sound pretty cool, truth be told)
bullet Wendy Ann Mattox—a writer of Christian children’s books. She seems so full of energy, I expect her to put out 5 more books this year. At least.

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HC Chats with Paul Regnier about Monster Therapist and the Warlock’s Citadel and some other stuff

By HCNewton

On March 26, 2025

In HC Chats, Literary Locals, Miscellany, News/Misc.

HC sat down with literary local Paul Regnier (https://www.pauljregnier.com/) to talk about his books, influences, and things of that nature.

Some of the books we mentioned were:
Paul’s books/writing:
Space Drifters trilogy
Luke and Bandit cozy mysteries
Bard Tidings
Monster Therapist and the Warlock’s Citadel
Almost the Chosen One Substack by Paul Regnier

Other books we mentioned/discussed:
The Sword of Shannara Trilogy by Terry Brooks
Magic Kingdom for Sale–Sold! by Terry Brooks
MythAdventures by Robert Asprin series
Mark of the Fool by J.M. Clarke
Sir Hereward and Mister Fitz by Garth Nix
The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin
I’m Afraid You’ve Got Dragons by Peter S. Beagle

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Big Trouble in Little Italy by Nicole Sharp: Filled with Great Food, a Lot of Laughs, and Love

By HCNewton

On September 9, 2024

In Fiction, General Fiction/Literature, Literary Locals, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller

Big Trouble in Little Italy

by Nicole Sharp

DETAILS:
Series: Simply Trouble Series, #1
Publisher: Writing Moose
Publication Date: October 3, 2023
Format: Paperback
Length: 343 pg.
Read Date: August 27-28, 2024

The Back of the Book

There’s no way I could put all this as concisely as (I’m guessing) Sharp did for the back of the book. Also, I think I’d trip over myself not saying some of this, but I clearly think some things are more spoiler-ish than others do. So I’m just going to steal this:

Life is looking pretty good for thirty-two-year-old Jessica Dodd. She just bought her wedding dress and closed on a house with her trial lawyer fiancé, Thomas. But first, she needs to take care of one tiny issue: her husband – a youthful indiscretion from a drunken weekend in Vegas years ago. She never saw the guy again, so it didn’t really count. Still, she needs to get divorced.

CIA agent Parker Salvatore has thought of his “Vegas wife” over the years, though it was never time to start dating her. However, when he returns from a two-year assignment to find that she is literally in bed with the enemy, he realizes it’s time to make his move. First, he needs to catch the bad guy, then he can woo the girl.

Things begin to unravel when Jessica finds out Thomas has been lying to her. Determined to confront him she follows him to Italy. Fueled by a surplus of caffeine and a colossal lack of sleep her plan becomes a hell of a lot more complicated when she walks straight into the middle of the CIA’s criminal investigation of her fiancé.

Set against the backdrop of the Tuscan countryside, Parker and Jessica find themselves treading the perilous waters of infiltrating a well-known crime family, filing for divorce and attempting to keep their rekindled attraction at bay.

Slightly Ajar Door Romance

I’m not an expert on this kind of thing, but I can read definitions online, so I feel safe saying that this isn’t a closed-door romance. But it’s really not that far off–I’ve read books (Romance and otherwise) that put more on the page. Sharp does fade to black pretty quickly, thankfully*, but she could fade a bit quicker–and take a little more time before fading back into light.

* That’s a reflection of my prudish-inclinations.

I just figure that I should mention it since I’ve talked about things like this in the past–and I know some of my readers care. Basically, I’ve learned from the Sunshine Vicram books–these are not ones I will give my mother. Although I have to say, I kind of think I’d be more comfortable knowing that my mother read this over Sunshine (and much more comfortable with my mother knowing I read these, too). That might be a silly basis for rating, but that’s where I am.

So, what did I think about Big Trouble in Little Italy?

I only took one note while reading this book–after the first chapter, I wrote simply “Zany.” And I really never came up with anything to say beyond that. There is a lot more to the book than that–but that word is pretty much always applicable.

Sharp’s voice is infectious–I thoroughly enjoyed the writing here, more than the rest of it (which is saying something). The characters lept off the page and right into your heart (except for the small handful you just wanted to spit out as quickly as possible, and then spit on). There’s an Italian agent working with Parker who is one of those characters that comes close to stealing the show–I’d love to read more about him. That’s true for most of the more significant supporting characters, too. Yes, the focus of the book is (rightly) on Jessica, Parker, and Thomas–but Sharp has this book bursting with characters you want more of.

This is very much a Romance novel–yes, a Romantic Comedy, yes, a Romantic Comedy with a Thriller flavor. But the key word there is Romance/Romantic. As such, I’m not really the intended audience for this, but after talking with Sharp at an event this Spring, I really wanted to read something she wrote–and thankfully, the Comedy and Thriller parts of the book were strong enough that I could handle the Romance.

I’m not sure what people who read more Romance fiction than I do would think of this. I think die-hard Thriller readers would think it stretches things a bit (but not as much as a couple of Lee Child books have, for just one example). The Comedy never misses, though. Not once.

I can see myself coming back for more in this series, actually. I can also see me dropping it pretty quickly if the laughs die down. I say that without rancor–but because I recognize that I’m just dabbling in this world.

I’d definitely like to hear what people better versed in Romantic fiction have to say about Sharp’s work. But for my money, this is worth your time and money. The plot zips along well, the CIA-Crime story zigs and zags the way it should, and the comedy is pretty consistently goofy and yet heartfelt–actually, all of it is heartfelt. Zany and Heartfelt. A heckuva combination.

Oh, be sure to have your local Italian restaurant’s online delivery menu pulled up, you’re going to want to use it. Or have it, and your payment methods, locked away if you don’t need to treat yourself in that way.

4 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.

Bizarre Frontier Omnibus #1 by Brock Poulsen: Death Doesn’t Stop this Marshall

By HCNewton

On September 2, 2024

In Literary Locals, Urban Fantasy, Western

Bizarre Frontier Omnibus #1

by Brock Poulsen

DETAILS:
Series: Bizarre Frontier, Omnibus #1
Publication Date: October 20, 2021
Format: Paperback
Length: 349 pg.
Read Date: August 5-6, 2024

I hate dying. It usually hurts something awful and ruins my whole day. I avoid it whenever possible.

What’s Bizarre Frontier About?

This is a collection of the first three novellas in Poulsen’s Bizarre Frontier series. This series focuses on the adventures of the former Deputy Marshall, Willard Beckett. He didn’t always wear a “white hat,” back in his black hat days, he was cursed by a dying Romani woman. He can’t stay dead. He can die, he can go through all the pain and suffering before death—but he shakes it off after a little while.

As curses go, it’s not the worst, actually.

On Moths

In the first novella, we meet Beckett and learn about his, um, condition.

As any “retired” protagonist in a Western starts, Beckett is living alone, away from everyone else, self-medicating and merely existing. His wife divorced him, he lost the taste for the work (or so I assume, I don’t remember it being spelled out), and really doesn’t have much purpose in life. Until, of course, his old boss comes for help. It seems some brothers that he ran with are causing problems in a local mining town and they can’t be stopped.

The funny thing about that situation, those brothers were killed by the aforementioned Romani woman.

Hanged Man’s Boots

After finding out how those brothers got in the position where they could terrorize the town, Beckett and his ex-wife, Sue, learn that the man behind it all is cutting a swath of destruction behind him as he tries to escape justice. Can the pair stop him?

Husk

The big hook to this one comes from Willard not doing something I’d assumed he took care of in between novellas. And the fact that he didn’t made me roll my eyes pretty hard. Yes, he justified his lack of action to someone later in the novella—and it’s plausible, but I still don’t buy it. Still, without his being careless, we wouldn’t have gotten this story.

It begins with Willard going off to take care of the repercussions of his carelessness and Sue having to go rescue some of her sister’s sheep following a storm and her brother-in-law coming into close contact with a monster (or so he claims and not enough people believe).

Craziness and action ensue. And while the last novella brought the pair into contact with evil made stronger by the supernatural, this one brings them into some supernatural mayhem. It’s hard to argue which is worse

The Strangest Bit

For me, the thing that was stranger than Willard’s curse—or anything else he ran into—was the way he (and everyone else) called the woman who cursed him (and her family) Romani instead of that term that I grew up hearing. I’m not complaining about it—if I’m buying a Deputy Marshall who can’t stay dead for long, I can buy a degree of cultural sensitivity that is just as out of place.

It just took me a second to accept it. But honestly, I like the fact Poulsen made that choice, he didn’t need to.

So, what did I think about Bizarre Frontier?

These stories are light on the Western and heavier on the Urban Fantasy—which is fine with me, if you forgive the anachronistic nature of that. They’re Western enough to qualify, but by a hair—they remind me of the Bodacious Creed Zombie-Steampunk-Westerns in this way. (and actually fans of one of these series, should check the other out)

I wouldn’t mind a little more depth to each of these, but I don’t think they need much more. They work really well for what they are—quick, episodic, adventures with just enough of a tie between them to keep readers coming back (if you get them individually) or to carry you through the omnibus (if you go that way).

There’s a lightness to the prose that keeps it engaging and fun even in the midst of monsters, death, and mayhem. The action is smooth, the recurring characters are fun and I can see hanging out with Willard and Sue for quite a while to come. I’d like to see them deal with something that has no contact with anything they’ve encoutered yet—but if Poulsen keeps going down this path, I’m not going to complain.

I will be back for more as soon as I get a chance. It’d be nice if there was a second omnibus (I mention in case Poulsen reads this), but it looks like I’ll be picking up the novellas at my earliest convenience. I’d recommend you trying these yourself.

3 Stars

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LITERARY LOCALS: A Q&A About Writing in Idaho with R.M. Scott

By HCNewton

On August 6, 2024

In A Few Quick Questions With..., Literary Locals

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I met and had a nice chat with R.M. Scott this spring, and now I’m very happy to bring you this quick chat about her writing.

Before we get into things, why don’t you give the reader a brief introduction to you and your work.
Hi Wonderful Readers!

I am R.M. Scott, a young adult and children’s author.

My first traditionally published novel is Unseen.

It is a captivating tale of sixteen-year-old Alaia, a gifted healer. She can cure her father from a lung disease given enough time, but instead she must disappear, because the Inquisitor has accused her of practicing magic.

She flees with Mateo, the Inquisitor’s nephew, in a forbidden romance, but the young healer must learn to use her herbal knowledge to fight back to save those she loves. Even those she’d believed were already lost.

It is influenced by Basque culture and the European witch hunts of the 17^th century, but it is a sweet and adventurous, young adult read.

www.rmscottauthor.com
Amazon.com: Unseen: 9781942856825: Scott, R M: Books
Unseen – Kindle edition by Scott, R. M. . Literature & Fiction Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.
Unseen by R. M. Scott – Audiobook – Audible.com
Unseen (Paperback) | The Rediscovered Bookshop (rdbooks.org)
www.instagram.com/rmscottauthor
www.facebook.com/rmscottauthor
www.twitter.com/rmscott99

Are you a native Idahoan? What brought you to Idaho in the first place? (answer whichever question applies) What is it about Idaho that keeps you here?
I was born in Idaho Falls on the coldest night of the year. There were power outages, snow, and storms. All the heat in the maternity ward was routed to the babies to keep them alive, and I was one of them. So yes, I am a native Idahoan. I’ve traveled to Europe, Asia, Central America, and all over the U.S., but the Northwest is more than where I am, it’s simply who I am. Home. A connection of life and being.

Are you tied into some sort of local author/bookish group/culture? If so, tell us about it and how it helps you as an author. If you’re not, is there a reason for it?
I joined SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) after meeting a local author at Hastings. It has been huge for me. I met other authors that helped mentor me in critique groups. I grew in my skill and craft. I took courses and attended conferences, still do.

What kind of events in the area do you attend—either to sell/promote your books or to network with authors? Are there any outside of this area that you hit regularly and wish we had something like it here?
I like to attend the Idaho Writer’s Guild conference held annually in Boise. There are usually agents to pitch work to and classes on craft. SCBWI also has great conferences, with a focus on writing for children. It has conferences occasionally in Idaho, and annually or semi-annually in Utah, Seattle, Portland, and other areas.

Utah also has a couple amazing conferences that I’ve attended – LTUE (a must if you’re a Brandon Sanderson fan) and the Storymakers Conference. The Storymakers Conference has an annual competition called the Whitney Awards. I was honored to be a finalist in 2022 where I got to meet Brandon Sanderson in person. And yes, I am a fan.

What’s the breakdown of your audience—do you have a strong local base, or are your readers from other parts of the world?
My audience is wide-ranging in age groups and geographical areas. For example, readers of my book have ranged from 11 to 90-years-old. My book is at different libraries across the U.S. I’ve had readers in the U.K. as well.

Do you think there are particular challenges or advantages to being a writer in the Treasure Valley? (possibly both)
When you attend large conferences, you realize how much a “small fry” you are. There are definite advantages to big areas with big names and big conferences. However, sometimes I see being from a smaller venue as an advantage because you’re not as easily discouraged by how intense the competition can be. You’re more likely to try simply because you’re a little unaware of it.

Do you bring Idaho (or some sort of Idaho-sensibility, assuming one exists) to your work? Whether or not anyone else sees it, can you look at some aspect of your writing and think “That’s Idaho” or “I would do ____ differently if I was a Kentuckian or from Illinois?”
I think writing is an expression of the soul. It’s hard to divide it into who you are and the story. It’s intertwined. Sometimes I can tell where an author is from quite easily from the choice of words, perspective, and storytelling. All our experiences shape our viewpoints, and I’m no different. I do believe kindness and helping others is part of being Idahoan and that is always going to be an undertone in my writing.

One final question, is there a book (or two…or 18, if you get really carried away), that embodies Idaho/the Idaho spirit to you to recommend to my readers?
For those who have grown up hearing about their pioneer ancestors, I enjoyed Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson. It’s a young adult novel with a magical twist influenced by covered wagons, walking the Oregon trail, and the gold rush.

Good looking pick!

Thanks for your time and participation! Hope you enjoyed it! Readers, be sure to click on at least one of those links above and check out Scott’s work out!

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LITERARY LOCALS: A Q&A About Writing in Idaho with Norelle Smith

By HCNewton

On July 30, 2024

In A Few Quick Questions With..., Literary Locals

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I met Norelle Smith at the Nampa Library’s Book Faire this Spring. She has written so many different kinds of books that I’m not going to try list them–I’d skip something. But…well, I’ll let her get into that.

Before we get into things, why don’t you give the reader a brief introduction to you and your work.
Norelle Smith is my ‘pen name’. Growing up, never had I thought I’d be writing books. As a matter of fact, my 4^th grade teacher didn’t think I’d amount to anything. I was slower learning than most kids, but once I caught on, I was on a roll. I graduated from high school with a GPA of 3.8 I love to read as much as I love to write. Let’s get down to my books.

I retired a decade early and I started writing. Why? Well, I shared my life story with a friend one day, her reaction was “Wow, you need to write a book.” But who wants to read a memoir about Norelle Smith? Someone you’ve never heard of! So I decided to write through different characters in different stories. Each book (with the exception of the teen book and children’s books) have a piece of my life in them. Then I built a fictional story around it. Some books have more truth than others, regardless, they’re fiction novels. My hope in writing my story, is not only to entertain the reader but to touch or change a life or two (or more). I’ve walked down some horrible roads, and if my bad choices can help someone else, I’m willing to share most things.

Three of my books are with a co-author, SPW Mitchell, who is also from Emmett Idaho. Wonderful writer. I had no idea what I was doing when I decided to write IF Untold, so he mentored me and we wrote the book together, passing it back and forth to each other. He wrote so well together; we wrote That One Day together as well as Voices in the Dark. We both write our novels independently now. He has his hands in other things while writing. He’s starting to write, produce and direct short films. I’m very excited for him.

I have three other books that I wrote solo – The Gap Between Us, Viola and Deceitful Hearts, which should be available September 1^st. And more to come.

My books are available on Amazon, as well as my website – norellesmithbooks.com

Are you a native Idahoan? What brought you to Idaho in the first place? (answer whichever question applies) What is it about Idaho that keeps you here?
I’m not a native Idahoan, however, I have been here for several decades. Almost right out of high school (and trust me, that’s a long time ago!) I married (too) young, and when I came here, I was married to a guy that has Idaho roots for many generations. His great great-grandfather was an Idaho State Senator back in the 1950’s, if I remember right. They were one of the early families in the town of Council as well. What keeps me here? I’ve been here most of my life. This is where my daughters and grandkids are. And I’m now married to a man who is a native of Emmett, Idaho, which is where I live. He also has roots here back generations. We even have a road here in Emmett named after his grandmother’s side of the family: Vanderdasson Rd. The weather is great, I love having all four seasons. Although, I’m a summer girl and wish summer would last a little longer. I’m surrounded by everything: the river, the mountains and the forest are right behind me. Many lakes are a short drive away. And if I need to drive into the city, it’s just over the hill. With all of that, why leave?

Are you tied into some sort of local author/bookish group/culture? If so, tell us about it and how it helps you as an author. If you’re not, is there a reason for it?
I’m not tied to any local author group; however, I do have some other local authors that I’m friends with. I would love to participate with one/or more of the groups, but honestly the only thing that keeps me from it is my writing schedule. Typically, I’m up about 1 or 1:30 am, and start writing. When the rest of the world is still sleeping, although this morning I did sleep in. Until 3am 😊. I’ve been asked many times why I write that early. Simple: It’s quiet and there are no distractions – and I get distracted easily! During the summer when the nights stay hot, I’ve been known to write outside under the stars. THAT is wonderful. Many ideas come on those nights, when I sit back and let my mind wonder. (So if there are any local groups that meet in the morning or early/midafternoon, please let me know. I’ll be there!)

What kind of events in the area do you attend—either to sell/promote your books or to network with authors? Are there any outside of this area that you hit regularly and wish we had something like it here?
In terms of local events, I’ve done several book signings and library local author promotions. I also enjoy going to holiday bazaars and craft sales, whether I sell just a few books or dozens, talking with people at those is always fun. I’m eager to attend some out of the area. It’s interesting that it’s so enjoyable for me, because I’m an introvert and a homebody. Probably most writers are, maybe that’s why we talk on paper so easily. I’m working on a new children’s book series with a man named Bill Atalla. Once those books launch, I expect to be going out of the area to promote not only those books, but the ones that I’ve already written as well. More to come on that series.

It will be launching soon, and Bill and I will be making one or more videos to launch the series. It’s funny how we met.

What’s the breakdown of your audience—do you have a strong local base, or are your readers from other parts of the world?
I thought that most of my readers would be local, but I’m finding that not to be true. I was surprised when I had a review on the amazon page from the UK for my first book, IF Untold.

Do you think there are particular challenges or advantages to being a writer in the Treasure Valley? (possibly both)
I don’t think living in the Treasure Valley has either challenges or advantages. With my laptop, I can write from anywhere. Often, I write when I’m waiting in the parking lot to pick up my grandkids from school. I believe any challenges that I have fall on me, I’m still learning and improving my writing. Also, trying to figure out the marketing side of being a writer. The marketing side is the most challenging part, not my location. I must say, it’s incredible how supportive the Treasure Valley community and libraries are of local authors.

Do you bring Idaho (or some sort of Idaho-sensibility, assuming one exists) to your work? Whether or not anyone else sees it, can you look at some aspect of your writing and think “That’s Idaho” or “I would do ____ differently if I was a Kentuckian or from Illinois?”
I don’t (or at least haven’t yet) mentioned Idaho in my books. Horses and small-town living are mentioned in a couple, but there are two books that you don’t see much of the content in the rural communities (at least not where I live), so I decided not to. Now that doesn’t mean I won’t change it up later 😊 And yes, there are two local authors that I know of that do mention Idaho in their books, one in particular has Idaho towns mentioned in every book that I’ve read of hers. I’m a big fan and have had the opportunity to do a book signing with her and meet with her for coffee.

One final question, is there a book (or two…or 18, if you get really carried away), that embodies Idaho/the Idaho spirit to you to recommend to my readers?
The list is too long to mention individual books so how about two authors – Duane Peterson is a local author (I believe he passed away end of last year). He lived in Emmett but was originally from Cascade. He wrote several history books about Valley County, and he has more than a dozen western novels (fiction). The second is Robin Lee Hatcher, who I mentioned above. Robin writes Christian Fiction romance. Most of the books I’ve read she’s written the story in Idaho towns. Both are incredible writers!

Thanks for your time and participation! Hope you enjoyed it!

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