Introducing Caroline Mickelson

This week I have the honor of hosting Caroline Mickelson.  Her book, From Mangia to Murder,  A Sophia Mancini Mystery--Book One, is available free on your Kindle device, the weekend of September 5th-9th.  Hurry and get your copy!

Book Synopsis

Little Italy, 1946 - Sophia Mancini would have enjoyed the grand opening celebration of her family’s private detective agency if the volatile chef at Vincenzo’s Ristorante had actually survived the meal. But before Sophia’s chilled spoon hit the spumoni, someone plunged a knife into Vincenzo’s back and the word on everyone’s lips went from mangia to murder.Sophia soon finds herself trailing crime boss Frankie Vidoni, chatting with his mouthy mistress Maria, and dodging henchman Mooch DiMuccio. She’s suspicious of Vincenzo’s widow, Stella, and his assistant chef, Eugene, because they don’t appear the least bit dismayed by Vincenzo’s passing. There is no conversation Sophia won’t eavesdrop on, no question she won’t ask, and no danger she won’t face to find the killer.

 About the Author:

Caroline Mickelson loves her family and loves to write. She also loves a good adventure, among her favorites thus far were attending graduate school in a Scottish castle, riding a camel around the Pyramids in Giza, and taking a best-in-a-lifetime road trip to Graceland. Caroline lives in the American southwest with her husband and their four children, affectionately known as The Miracles.Learn more about Caroline at: www.carolinemickelson.com

Excerpt:

“Murder looks like our best option.” Sophia Mancini pushed her plate of cold uneaten pasta away. Murder was on her mind, not marinara.“I’ve been over this in my mind a million times, Angelo. We definitely need to add murder to our list.”Her older brother let out a slow sigh and rubbed his eyes. “Murder is so complicated, sis. There are so many details to keep track of and you know it’s going to trip me up.”“I’ll be right there with you.” Sophia reached over and squeezed his hand. “I can handle the details and no one will be the wiser.”“So you’ll be the brains of the operation? And what does that make me? Just a pretty face?” He pushed away from the table, frustration etched on his.Sophia poured more Chianti into her glass and then refilled her brother’s glass. “Don’t sell yourself short. Before the war you were a fine police officer and everyone here in Little Italy knows that.” She took a sip and quickly replaced the glass on the table. The wine tasted bitter but she knew it was just her own gnawing worry that was ruining an otherwise fine bottle of vino. “The Nazis are to blame for your injuries, not you. But you’ll be to blame if you don’t sit down, get serious and help find a way out of the mess we’re in.”She waited while her brother settled himself across from her once again. He drained his wine glass and poured another, a sure sign that he was as worried as she was. Her brother wasn’t a drinker.“Remind me what we’ve got so far, Sophia.”“Theft, burglary, blackmail - the usual. But if we throw murder in I think it will really boost our reputation.” She met her brother’s gaze and winked. “It will give everyone something to talk about anyway.”Angelo didn’t respond to her attempt at humor. This serious, sad man across from her was altogether different from the young, happy, confident man who’d shipped out to fight with the Allied forces three years ago. Home four months now, he was struggling with a head injury that had obliterated his short term memory and ability to retain details. If that wasn’t bad enough, he’d shipped out a married man with a beautiful young pregnant wife he loved beyond reason. He’d come home a widower to find that Luciano, his toddler son, didn’t know him from the milk man. Added to the pile of worry and stress, Angelo’s memory problems made returning to work as a police officer impossible. In turn prompted his in-laws, who had never approved of their daughter marrying an Italian-American beat cop, sued for custody of little Luciano. What little Angelo hadn’t already lost, he now stood to lose. The judge granted them thirty days to prove they could start a viable business.“Face it, Sophia, the Burkwaites have more power and more money than we’ll ever have.”Tears pooled in Angelo’s eyes.Anger burned in Sophia’s heart.She grabbed her brother’s arm and shook him, desperate to snap him out of his sad state. His helplessness scared her more than her own rage did.“Listen to me, Angelo, Charlotte’s family has all the money and power they need to threaten us. But we can give Luciano all of the love and devotion he needs. He’s your son, Angelo. He needs you to fight for him.” She held her breath and waited for an answer. A single tear slid down his cheek. The only sound in the room was her brother’s heart breaking.“Okay, Sophia, you win.” Angelo squared his shoulders. “I’ll do anything to keep Luciano at home with us.” He refilled his glass and raised it.Sophia grinned and raised hers.“A la famigilia,” they toasted in unison. To the family.“You’ll be with me every step of the way, Sophia?”She nodded. “Just like always, Angelo. I’ll be right next to you or-” her spirits restored, she couldn’t resist teasing him, “a step ahead.”“And with your plan the Burkwaites will never get custody of my son?”“If they do, it will be over my dead body.”“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.” He flashed her a smile that reminded her of the carefree pre-war brother she’d always counted as her best friend. “Now let me hear your plan again from start to end.” He reached for a notebook and pencil. “You talk, I’ll write.”Sophia smiled. “You know, Angelo, this murder business could actually be kind of fun if we do it right.”  Please feel free to leave Caroline Mickelson comments below!    

My Romantic Suspense Journey by Guest Blogger Trish Jackson

Danica: Today I have the privelege of sharing a little bit more about Romantic Suspense author, Trish Jackson.  Welcome, Trish.  Can you tell us about your experience writing Romantic Suspense?Trish: First, thank you Danica for inviting me to be a guest on you blog.

I write contemporary romantic suspense and romantic comedy.  My stories take place in our world as it is today. And they have an edge—blood, gore, and adventure mingle with sizzling hot love scenes. Add a dose of humor to the mix, and you get to experience a whole gamut of emotions—passionate heat, rolling on the floor laughter, and spine-chilling fear.

Stories have always been a part of my life—and I absolutely believe love and romance make the world go round.

There was no such thing as self-publishing or the Internet when I started writing my first novel. You had to submit your work to the various publishing houses, whose editors were like gods, and picked only a few manuscripts from the "slush pile"—the name they gave to the mountains of submitted works on their desks. "Expect rejections", writers were told. I did, and I handled them as graciously as I could—with muttering and foot-stamping.

Finally, in 2002, Publish America accepted my novel Way Out of Line. I was ecstatic—until I had a falling out with them over the ridiculously high retail price they set. I had signed over my rights for seven years and there was nothing more I could do—except keep writing.

In 2010, the world was a different place. The Internet, and the invention of eBooks had turned the publishing world upside down and put the power in the hands of the writers. No more slush piles.

I knew my novel, Redneck P.I. was good. I was sure others would love reading it, and I was overjoyed when eBook publisher Uncial Press accepted it, especially when I found I had an editor to help me hone the book into the great story it is today. It's about self-professed redneck, Twila Taunton, who has to choose between two sexy twins. She chooses Harland—kind of—and works for him in his P.I. business.  Her Harley-riding, weed-smoking great aunt Essie and her hacker-wizard neighbor Gasser Cunha help her bring a vicious killer to justice. Politically incorrect and a little crazy—definitely. Such fun to write!

As soon as my rights reverted back to me, I submitted Way Out of Line to Uncial Press. My editor, Jude, said she was so intrigued by the story that she read a hundred pages and totally forgot she was supposed to be editing. When she said it made her cry, I knew it was really good. I still cry every time I read the ending—and I know what's going to happen! It's a story about two kids from Texas who end up in the African wilderness, and love that has no bounds.

I've always loved animals, and in Kickassitude, the sequel to Redneck P.I., Twila is adopted by a dog named Scratch, who wears a black leather studded collar and rides on the back of her Harley. I also cry every time I read this one—and trust me—I have read it a gazillion times when editing. My publisher will release it in March 2013.

I'm currently working on Impassioned where small town Colorado veterinarian Riley Shaughnessy, who owns a palomino mare called Flight of Fancy, is forced to confront her darkest moments from the past. It is also a tear-jerker. I'm jazzed about it and spend every free moment getting an adrenalin rush working on it.

Danica: Could you tell us a little more about yourself?

Trish:  I grew up on a farm in Zimbabwe, Africa, and lived through many adventures that sparked my imagination, including having to keep a loaded UZI by my side every night in case of an attack by armed terrorists. I love animals and my grand children, and am happiest in my country home in Florida tapping out a new novel on my computer keyboard.

Website: http://www.trishjackson.com

https://www.facebook.com/redneckpi/app_191387770912394http://www.facebook.com/redneckpi

http://romanticreviewramble.blogspot.com/

Twitter: @trishjaxon

The Inspiration Behind the Book by Guest Blogger MK McClintock

I am excited to host a fellow Montana-based author, MK McClintock, on my blog.  McClintock is an entrepreneur, baker, photographer, tour host, reviewer, and multi-genre author. She was born on the west coast, but after less than eight years she left with her family to the Rocky Mountains. After more adventures around the country, business-college, and culinary school, McClintock found a place to call home in Montana.Over the years McClintock traveled the country and visited magnificent Scotland. She dreams of a time when life was simpler, the land rougher, and the journey more rewarding. With her heart deeply rooted in the past and her mind always on adventure, McClintock will always call Montana home.Please make her feel welcome.

Danica: Could you please tell us where you get your inspiration for Gallagher's Pride?McClintock:  Have you ever imagined another way of life? Have you ever dreamt of living in another time? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have an adventure that may seem completely out of reach?Chances are these questions inspire many writers and many books, but each of these is at the core of why I write and how Gallagher’s Pride, and the series, came to be. The story didn’t just come to me out of nowhere—it was nurtured by years of dreaming. Ever since I saw my first western movie, I thought how exciting and wonderful it would be to live that life. I had already begun reading historical romances long before this, but it was watching that first western that planted the seed in my mind about historical western romances.I allowed the seed to grow and the ideas to form until I no longer had thoughts churning around in my head. Instead I met the Gallagher family. I began to see their struggles and hard work. I felt their pain and joy, their sorrows and accomplishments. They became as real as the mountains and streams of Montana-they became family.

Then I met Brenna, a Scottish woman of undeniable strength and I fell in love with the Cameron family, just as I had the Highlands. It seemed so natural for Brenna to come from the land of my heart. I watched as she raced over the green hills on the back her mare, Heather. I felt the anguish at her loss and admire her strength for enduring and making a journey she knew had to be made.

As I walked along the Swan River or stood on top of Mt. Aeneas and looked out over the valley I call home, I knew the Gallaghers would find happiness and adventure in this remarkable place. I saw them build their ranch from nothing and bring a family into the world so that they may carry on the legacy. I knew their lives wouldn’t be easy, but I also knew they would find love and a reason to survive on this wild land.

As sure as I’m breathing, there was no way to stop the story from taking on a life of its own. The true inspiration behind the book is the Gallagher family. Without them there would be no story. They inspired me, not the other way around.

Danica:  I can certainly understand how you could find inspiration along the Swan River or on top of MT. Aeneas.  Thanks for sharing how you became inspired.  Your story is so lovely.  I'm sure I'm with my readers that we can't wait to read your book.  Talking about your book, where can we find Gallagher's Pride?

McClintock: Thank you all for your support.  If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to click on the links below.

Amazon Link

Amazon Kindle LinkGallagher's Pride Book TrailerMK McClintock WebsiteMcClintock's BlogOr Find Her on Goodreads!Danica: Thank you so much for visiting my blog and sharing your work.  To my readers, please feel free to ask MK and questions you have.  She loves to her comments!