D.V. Stone's Blog

I wasn't sure what to open with today, but after checking out the date, I found October 15th, 1951, one of my favorite comedians had the debut of her show. I Love Lucy. It ran until May 6, 1957, with 180 half-hour episodes. I'm sure many of you remember this show fondly. My favorite, okay, one of my favorite scenes was where Lucy was trying to tell Ricky she was pregnant. Desi sang "We're Having a Baby (My Baby and Me)"; it was also the first time a pregnant woman was seen on television. We've come a long way, baby. 
Back in 2019, Pete and I camped near Jamestown, NY, and visited the Lucy ~ Desi Museum. You can check it out here at lucydesi.com/ Speaking of camping, my guest today is also a camper, and I can't wait for you to meet her. Take it away, Pam.
​Thank you, DV, for letting me hang out around the fire with you! I just love, Love, LOVE glamping 😊 In fact, I write about my adventures on my travel blog Bathroom-Blues.com. I hope you’ll check it out. Meanwhile, here is a picture of me and my (rescued) dog, Bandit, at his first National Park.
Summer is over, Fall is right around the corner, and the holiday season is barreling down upon us so what better time to introduce you to my collection of holiday-centered short stories, A Hint of Holiday Romance?
AHOHR brings you sweet stories of couples who, whether married or looking for love, find romance during various holidays throughout the year.
NN Lights Book Heaven gave A Hint of Holiday Romance 5+ stars saying, “Each story takes place during a holiday, and the couple is realistic, emotional, and enjoyable to read. This collection of romantic stories is meant to be savored each month while also read and reread.”
Why I Wrote A Hint of Holiday Romance Stories: As a novel writer, short stories are a welcome diversion, but also a challenge. To tell a complete story in so few words can sometimes frustrate one who thrives on the detail and description found in a novel.
Some of these were written with a particular women’s magazine in mind. Others were for the publisher I was with earlier in my career. A few were released years ago to my newsletter audience only, and a couple have never been published by any means.
 ALL were written for fun and the experience. A friend of mine said I write excellent short stories. I hope I’ve done well enough in these to entice you to want to read my longer works.
Love is celebrated in all seasons and every holiday. Christmas trees have become “Holiday Trees,” hence our cover. These stories each revolve around a specific holiday, and love is always in the air…
 
Winter Madness: Is it true love between the faithful optimist and broody pessimist or simply winter madness?
Choices: Can Cammie and Kip rediscover each other after one night of his Home is where the Heart is Tour or is she destined to unrequited love?
Love Unmasked: Will Kelli and Cody find love when the masks come off?
Casi’s CPA: Will her new CPA be the one to fill Casi’s bankrupt heart to overflowing?
Lilies for Sandi: Can two hearts broken by unfulfilled dreams find healing, wholeness, and restoration?
Cathy’s Angel: Can a confirmed bachelor and the mother of four find love amid normal daily chaos?
Detained for Love: Will love set her free when Maddy Albright is detained by Officer Jacob Roberts for a traffic violation?
Ferryn’s Quest: Will Ferryn’s search for the man in her dreams cost her the love of her life?
  Kaylyn’s Flowers: Will a storm on All Hallows Eve give Kaylyn and Jake a chance at love?
  Old Flame, New Love: Will Lindsay’s old flame, Stephen (who’s in the middle of a divorce), be her new chance at love?
Love Field: Will Katie spend the holidays alone again or will the romantic name of an airport bring her and her soul mate together?
  
*Note: Some of these stories were previously published by White Rose Publishing/Pelican Book Group - All Rights Reverted to Author. Some were published in a personal newsletter to a limited audience. Others have never been published.*
Get your copies today at
https://www.amazon.com/Hint-Holiday-Romance-Collection-Stories-ebook/dp/B0F195S5FV
https://amzn.to/4iiS4G2)
https://www.amazon.com/Hint-Holiday-Romance-Collection-Stories/dp/B0F1LPKDRY
https://amzn.to/3DMd0WZ)
All Other Online Retailers:
https://books2read.com/AHintofHolidayRomance

Welcome back to Around the Fire. After the rain came the chill we've all been waiting for. That's okay. It makes for great firepits and campfires. This weekend I'll be joining today's guest along with  Jessica Lauryn and Kimberley Ash, fellow New Jersey Romance Writers at the Barnes and Noble in Ledgewood, NJ, from 12-3. Pete has promised to take me to Anderson Farms for pumpkin ice cream on the way home. Yay, me! I'm a vanilla girl but pumkin is for sure in the top 5. What's your favorite? And speaking of favorites let's get to one of Around the Fire's favorite guests. Tell us Roni, what's the inspiration behind your newest release? Inspiration...  Hmmm...
When I finished writing "Lightning Strikes the Billionaire" one of my paranormal romance series books, the heroine's sister, who had a minor role in the book, had broken up with her boyfriend.  I knew I wanted to give her a happy ending someday.  
And since my Hanukkah stories have been popular with readers, I decided to write about her finding love during the holiday season.  I decided to make my hero Russian, since many Jewish people have left Russia to seek freedom in the USA.
I love when characters take the story and run with it. Will you share a bit more? One Hot Hanukkah Kindle Edition
by
Roni Denholtz

Contemporary Holiday Romance  

Melissa Wallenberg’s heart was broken several years ago when she caught her boyfriend cheating on her. Then she had an unfulfilling relationship with another guy whom everyone expected her to marry.
Now she feels all she wants is a hot holiday fling. When she meets handsome Sergei Rubenov, he seems like the ideal man to fulfill her desires.
But Sergei is searching for the woman of his dreams, a woman to spend his life with. And he’s becoming convinced that Melissa could be “the one.”

www.amazon.com/One-Hot-Hanukkah-Roni-Denholtz-ebook/dp/B0FPDM2G33
About the author
​Roni Paitchel Denholtz is the award-winning author of 12 romance novels, 9 children’s books and dozens of short stories, articles and poems. Her work has appeared in such magazines as Complete Woman, Baby Talk, Modern Romances, and For the Bride. Her children’s books are published by January Productions, and one book, “Jenny Gets Glasses” was named to the list of Top Favorites of First Graders in a nationwide study by the Reading is Fundamental Group. Her traditional romances are published by Avalon Books and “Marquis in a Minute,” won the NJ Golden Leaf award for best regency romance in 2007. Many of her books have been nominated for awards such as the National Readers’ Choice Award. Her newest books are a series of contemporaries with paranormal elements: The Lightning Strikes Series!

https://ronidenholtz.com/
www.instagram.com/denholtzroni/

For a peek at the entire series, head to...
​amzn.to/4nHD0o0

Happy October! Did I just say October?
Holy Moley, the summer went fast. Even though here in Northwest New Jersey, we had an extended one. September is usually transitional, but the days remained warm, though the evenings were cool. We enjoyed many fires. So many that my fire pit is now kaput. I have it propped up on bricks. And it’s been busy! I’m using a lot of exclamation points, aren’t I? Oh, well. We didn’t camp much this summer, but still spent time in nature. And I’m excited that next month I’ll be in one of my favorite places, Lancaster. My daughter-in-law got us tickets to see Noah at the Sight and Sound Theater. We’ve seen many productions there, and it’s always a treat. The poor camp host managed to fix my chaos about switching days and also storing the camper while we make a quick trip to West Virginia. For several years, our church has provided Thanksgiving meals to families who need a little bit of help. This year, over 200 families signed up. A group will go down and hand out baskets with all the fixings. It’s a blessing to spread the blessing. Sometimes it’s only a smile or a kind word that can make the difference in someone’s life. I’d love to hear how you all are blest while blessing others.
In the meantime, I’d love for you to meet today’s guest. She’s sharing how, as writers, the story can hijack itself and take you down a different path than the one you’ve outlined. as well as writing thoughts for her next story. 
Take it away, Sheila ​“People ask where I get my ideas. Usually, an image inspires me. Before writing The Gardener’s Secret, I watched a young woman walking a feisty, overactive dog. From my car’s window, I noticed she had trouble staying on the sidewalk and keeping him from wrapping his leash around her legs. It occurred to me if he tripped her, she might need help getting up. I visualized introducing a handsome hero into the scene, because writing a romance was my original plan. But the romance quickly turned into a suspense when I imagined him hiding a secret. To veer away from the romance angle, and to focus on his secret, I turned the hero into a retired gardener with a grandson.”
​
“Although the Internet provides authors a way to research millions of topics, nothing beats drawing upon a stockpile of personal experiences. Since I’ve been a professional artist who’s dealt with clients and galleries for over forty years, I wanted to use my accumulated knowledge for the next book.”
Runaway Artist
by
Sheila Hansberger
 Small Town Romance 
 Suspense
Contemporary Romance

Backcover:
Talented artist Brooke Arnelletta knows she’s going places. She just never dreamed her journey would include running away. Behind the upscale gallery where she serves as a summer intern, she’s the lone witness to a stabbing. When police can’t find evidence to support the crime, Brooke begins to wonder if her creative imagination was working overtime. Days later, clues finally emerge, turning the alleged murder into a reality. Brooke must face a decision—risk the killer returning to silence her...or disappear into thin air. Can she remain hidden until an arrest is made? Or will evil find her first?
 
EXCERPT:
My mind kept replaying the previous night’s happenings on a continuous loop, urging me to re-examine the incident. As soon as I gathered enough courage to go home…a sketch pad would be my therapist, and I’d draw every detail. My sketches might not solve the murder, but they might point the police in the right direction.
 
BUY LINK for e-book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FMGY5ZV6/
Review
“Mixed with the terror of evasion and constant alarms, our young artist finds a real warmth in her mountain hideaway community of supporting characters. Hansberger ratchets up the tension in this compelling setting of a life lived in elegant extravagance but now coping with basic survival.”—Nelda Stuck, retired Arts & Entertainment Editor, Redlands Daily Facts
About the Author
Sheila Hansberger, a Signature member of Watercolor West and the National Watercolor Society, is an award-winning artist and author who resides in California. She worked as a graphic designer for a printing firm before beginning her fine art career. For the past 40+ years, Sheila’s watercolors have been in demand with galleries and clients. Her paintings can be found in private homes and public collections within corporations, museums, and various institutions across the USA.
Other than occasional magazine articles or press releases, Hansberger’s writings took a back seat to her artwork. A five-year stint as Newsletter Editor for the National Watercolor Society reminded her how much she loved the written word. She then joined two national writer’s groups and attended meetings, podcasts, and conferences to hone her skills. A First-Place win in a nationwide contest brought her to the attention of a publisher. In 2024, The Wild Rose Press published her debut suspense, The Gardener’s Secret. Her next novel, Runaway Artist, also a suspense, was released in August 2025, and is available in digital and paperback formats on Amazon. 
​
​For more information
Website: www.s-hansberger.com
Facebook: Sheila Hansberger, Artist and Author
Instagram: Sheila Hansberger (@sheilahansberger) • Instagram photos and videos

It's 92 days until Christmas. It's hard to believe with the extended summer-like weather here in Northern NJ. We sit on the deck, and yes, it does cool down at night, so we light the firepit and listen to the crickets and the chittering and trilling of the Easter Screech Owl who has taken up residence in the woods across the street from me. Saturday night, after a wonderful day at the Hoboken Public Library chatting with readers and authors, we came home, and our neighbors joined us for coffee and coffeecake around the fire. Do we ever solve the problems of the world? Nope. But we dream aloud. Speaking of dreaming, let me introduce today's guest, who doesn't have sugarplums dancing, but a life of hopes and dreams. Welcome, Liz. ​There are dreams I’ve had that didn’t come to pass. They had to do with being thin and having good hair, with being able to sing and dance, with traveling where and when I wanted to. Some of them were about business—at different times, I dreamed of having a bookstore complete with a cafe, a tearoom complete with a gift shop full of affordable things, a Victorian B&B on a lake, and a quilt shop.
In truth, I have absolutely no business having a business. My mind doesn’t work that way. But still … those dreams wandered around in my head and my heart. They still do.
So I write about them. More than once for most of them, and I do a really good job with those businesses. They all succeed, and readers all want to go to them—me included! It was fun naming them. Ones I recall are Tea on Twilight, Cup & Cozy, Keeper Shelf, A Soft Place to Fall, and in A New Kind of Hope, my Christmas novella, Silver Threads & Golden Needles. (Ask me how often that song played in my head while I was writing.)
Fee and Jed’s story was first published as part of a Dickens Holiday Romance anthology. When I wanted a Christmas story this year but ran out of time to write one, I remembered both the couple and Fee’s quilt shop. And I wanted to go back. I hope you’ll pay a visit, too. A New Kind of Hope
 by 
Liz Flaherty
Fee and Jed were best friends who fell in love, but that was high school. Life and families and other loves had happened since that dear and distant time. They’re friends again, comfortable with each other and having so much fun at Christmas time in Dickens. They’re not still in love, but…wait…could it be happening again?
 
A peek between the covers. 
They walked downtown, their booted feet crunching on the snow. Jed held her hand much of the time, but released it so often to take pictures that they finally gave up the effort.
“Was it this much fun when we were kids?” he asked as they listened to the high school choir sing a couple songs before going on. “My folks liked coming downtown for this, but I don’t remember us doing it, do you?”
“We didn’t do it. We were too cool. And even when we did, you were taking pictures and I was with girlfriends pretending not to notice guys.”
“Good point.” He put the cover over his camera lens and slipped his arm around her, pulling her in close and holding her gaze. “So? Are you noticing now?”
“Noticing what?” She fluttered her lashes and grinned at him, wondering if there’d ever been a day that he was around that she hadn’t noticed him. And longed for him. And wondered what it would feel like to be as close physically as they were mentally. She’d wondered a whole lot about being close emotionally, too, but she didn’t want to think about that. Not yet, at least.
She wanted to think about the warmth of him at her side, about her heart racing, and about the touch of his finger where it just barely stroked her cheek.
They walked on, talking to old friends and new acquaintances. They stood and watched and laughed uproariously at the snowman-building contest across from the Common.
At a certain time, as if someone had whistled them into silence, the crowd grew quiet and watchful. They waited for the announcements that preceded the tree-lighting, looking around as other lighting in the area dimmed and went dark. Squeals of both fear and excitement came from children. Even the Christmas music that seemed to come from all directions became quiet and promising.
Then the tree lit, thousands of bulbs waking and glowing on the huge fir tree that had held the place of pride on the Common for more years than most anyone in town could remember. Following the universal breath of “ahhhh … ” came cheers and applause.
“Do you need to stop by the store?” asked Jed, as they walked away from the milling crowd.”
“No. Actually, I was invited not to.”
“You want to stop at Marley’s for a drink? It’s a good night for something mulled.”
She waited for just a few beats, her nerves zinging almost painfully. She felt herself blushing—she fully expected she’d be blushing in her coffin—and reached for his hands, holding them and looking down as if something about their joined fingers was completely fascinating.
“I have some cider at home,” she said, “in a slow cooker on the counter with mulling spices in it. And popcorn. And a fireplace even if it doesn’t work. We could pretend. And we could call out for pizza if we were hungry, too. You could—” She stopped, uncertain how to go on. How could a person be thirty-eight years old and scared to ask a man— “You could stay for a while.”
He drew his hands away and lifted them to her face, holding her cheeks so that she had to meet his eyes. Oh, that mesmerizing storm cloud gaze. She couldn’t have looked away if her life depended on it.
Even if she’d wanted to.
“For breakfast?”
She smiled back into his eyes, smoothing their crinkling edges with her fingers. She wasn’t calm when she answered. But she was certain.
“Yes.”

 
Grab your copy today because remember it's only 92 days.
Amazon: https://a.co/d/2DiAbVy
Everywhere else: https://books2read.com/u/bogDg0
More about the author.
Liz Flaherty wanted to shake off the dust of central Indiana farm country and move to the city, get rich, wear designer clothes, and write books.
Well, she writes books.
She lives five miles from where she grew up, only now she relishes the sights and sounds and scents of the fields around her, doesn’t care much about clothes, and thinks being rich would probably have been overrated anyway.  She’s spent the past several years enjoying not working a day job, making terrible crafts, and writing stories in which the people aren’t young, brilliant, or even beautiful. She’s decided (and has to re-decide nearly every day) that the definition of success is having a good time. Along with her husband of lo, these many years, kids, grands, friends, and the occasional cat, she’s doing just that.
You can find her all over the place, but this is easiest:  https://linktr.ee/LizFlaherty
​She’d love to hear from you!

Oh, my! It's already the middle of September. We've had some outstanding days here in Northern NJ. The Sun has been shining and the temps perfect. Warm days and cool nights. While I know we need rain I can't help enjoying it. One of the other things I enjoy is being in the kitchen. This year I've taken to preserving the bounty of fresh foods from our local farmers. Canning and freezing tomatoes in different forms, freezing fruit and berries, corn on the cob and yesterday salsa and peppers. I think my jalepeno haul were some of the hottest I've ever had. My fingers are still burning today. Ah, well, momentary pain will lead to yummyness in the coming months. Speaking of yummy, I have a yummy series from a delightful author on today's blog. Lyndi Alexander is back and talking about her path to authorship and its ups and downs. Take it away Lyndi... Like many other writers, I knew I wanted to tell stories since I was in grammar school. But the story of a pair of unlikely partners thrown into an accidental apocalypse seemed like it would be a story I could never tell. 
101 queries.
I sent it to agents, to editors, to anyone I could find an address for who I thought might be interested. #101 was finally a yes. The “book of my heart” became a reality, thanks to editor Liz Burton at Zumaya Publishing. She convinced me to expand the story from one to three volumes, The Color of Fear, a young adult series: WINDMILLS, DESTINATIONS, and ADVERSARIES.
 
This is the story of Lin Kwan, a young Chinese girl who finds herself caught in the middle of world-changing events after a terrorist attack wipes out much of the Caucasian population of the world. Her father sends her a request from America to bring Chinese herbs to facilitate a cure.
Kwan’s voyage to a decimated America, accompanied by her sensei Li Zhong, is traumatic, and surely would tear the heart from a lesser soul. The world she finds in San Francisco isn’t any better, but she’s determined to complete the task her father has set for her.
In San Francisco, she finds nurse’s aide Valery Paz, a Latina teen who’s survived the virus that killed her whole family, and who now works on the black market caring for patients who can’t come to the hospitals.
She also meets Xi San, a young Chinese man who’s taken on the task of guarding the Pacific Heights neighborhood in which Kwan comes to live. The streets are lawless, patrolled by roving gangs, and San, believing he has nothing else to live for, puts his life on the line every night keeping safe those who struggle to remain alive.
But the gangs aren’t the only menace to peace and peace of mind, as San discovers. A man known only as Gabriel preaches his message of hate and white supremacy on the few remaining air waves, backed up by the evidence of the terror attack.
Kwan has her own problems, as a Chinese spy tracks her to the United States, determined to stop her from giving her father the medicines she’s brought all the way from China–even if it means killing them both.
Reconnecting with Xi San by chance, Kwan and Valery join his group of diverse travelers as they cross America, headed for St. Louis, where civilization is being rebuilt. Between the caravan and safety, danger lurks—Gabriel, a self-styled religious leader and white supremacist, who has organized his army from Upper Midwest survivalist and militia followers, sweeping south, determined to take their violent revenge for the white man.
Life after the devastating biological terrorist attack is on a recovery vector as Kwan is finally able to deliver her precious cargo of herbs to her scientist father. Or is it?
The virus may be mutating, spreading to infect those previously immune. Tzu Shin and his fellow scientists—and now Kwan—are literal prisoners of the US military. The White supremacist army of the demagogue Gabriel has invaded St. Louis. And the Chinese assassin Piao finally knows where to find his targets.
Kwan and her friends, Valery, Eddie, and San, are ready to fight to the death to defend their recovering world. The question is: Are courage and determination enough? Or will the fallout of the plague overcome them at their final stand?
Video available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5HtphfL7TE&t=21s
 
The political climate at the time I finished the series was such that I wondered if having a white supremacist villain had become outdated. Clearly, history has continued on a path that indicates it is not. Fighting racism is an ongoing battle, and Kwan and Xi San are heroes who demonstrate the very best.
WINDMILLS was nominated for book of the month at Long and Short Reviews; ADVERSARIES won Book of the month in April 2021.
Science Fiction/ Fantasy/ Young Adult Windmills
Bio-terrorists release a plague in the United States that spreads to kill most of the world’s Caucasian population. As the deadly virus mutates, Tzu Shin, a renowned medical doctor and biologist, defects from China to help develop a cure. His only daughter, Lin Kwan, is left behind in Hong Kong with her aunt.
Then Kwan’s father summons her from across the sea to bring him Chinese medicinal herbs he needs to develop a cure. Lonely and missing her parents, she accepts the challenge, traveling with her sensei Li Zhong to the New World.
But a Chinese assassin is on her trail, determined to kill her and Li Zhong, and when Kwan discovers her father has disappeared, she sets out on a journey to find him and deliver her precious cargo, a quest that she may not survive.

Destinations
Xi San saved the life of a mysterious girl one night in his ravaged San Francisco neighborhood. He can’t get her out of his mind, but believes that she’s lost to him.
Lin Kwan came to America to bring her scientist father Chinese medicinal herbs, hoping to stop the virus that killed most of the world’s Caucasians before it mutates to infect the rest of the world. On her way to finding him, she meets again the man who once saved her, a man she can’t forget.
With a diverse group of fellow travelers, they head for St. Louis, where civilization is being rebuilt. Between them and safety, danger lurks—Gabriel, a self-styled religious leader and white supremacist, who has organized his army from Upper Midwest survivalist and militia followers, determined to take revenge for the white man.
But Gabriel isn’t their only enemy. Before they reach their destination, they will battle nature, prejudice and even those hidden among them who wish their destruction.

Adversaries
Life after the devastating biological terrorist attack that decimated the White population in the US is beginning to recover as Tzu Lin Kwan is finally able to deliver her precious cargo of herbs to her scientist father. Or is it?
The virus may be mutating, spreading to infect those previously immune. Tzu Shin and his fellow scientists—and now Kwan—are literal prisoners of the US military. The White supremacist army of the demagogue Gabriel has invaded St. Louis. And the Chinese assassin Piao knows where to find his targets.
Kwan and her friends Valery, Eddie, and San are ready to fight to the death to defend their recovering world. The question is: Are courage and determination enough?
Get all three Here About the Author
Lyndi Alexander always dreamed of strange and unusual worlds and interesting alien contacts. She lives as a post-modern hippie in Asheville, North Carolina, mentoring young scientists in the EcoExplore program, fostering homeless kittens and cats, and trying to grow more than one real tomato every gardening season. She is a single mother of her last child of seven, a daughter on the autism spectrum, finding that every day feels a lot like first contact with a new species.
 
Follow the Author
https://lyndialexander.wordpress.com/
COLOR OF FEAR page- all buy links here!
https://www.facebook.com/lyndialexander13/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4185290.Lyndi_Alexander
https://www.amazon.com/Lyndi-Alexander/e/B005GDYPU2/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lyndi-alexander
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/lyndialexander
https://www.instagram.com/alexander_lyndi/

Welcome back to Around the Fire. Here in Northern New Jersey, it's been feeling a bit like fall. I love the colors, the smells, and the crisp, warm days followed by cool (sometimes cold) nights. Even though the trees are still green and the crickets and frogs set up nightly concerts, some of my Autumn decorations have been making their way out of storage. Pumpkins, orange and yellow leaves, scarecrows, and mums. Driving around, I see some others looking forward to fall. Halloween is right around the corner, and boy, do I have a great guest today on the blog just in time for the season. Dan Rice is a fellow Wild Rose Press author. His specialty is Young Adult paranormal, but today we'll learn about the Five Things He's Learned stepping into a new phase of his writing career. Take it away, Dan. Five Things I Learned While Writing Phantom Algebra 
​1.     Writing in the third person is great.
Phantom Algebra is the first novel-length work I’ve written in the third person. My other books are all first person present tense, think The Hunger Games. I had written in third person before, but writing an entire novel in third person of publishable quality struck me as a daunting task. All my previous attempts at crafting a story in the third person are either gathering digital dust on a hard drive or in the cloud or have been scrapped altogether.
What I discovered is that writing in the third person is great fun and not as difficult as I feared. It allows you to delve into the minds of so many characters beyond the protagonist. You can tell scenes from the perspective of that brutally nasty antagonist, crafting a three-dimensional character and creating suspense up the kazoo.
Part of the reason writing in the third person came easier than I expected is how much I’ve grown as a writer since my first book was published. My weakness has always been characterization—I was the person in the critique group who was rightfully brutalized for creating slipshod characters. That’s not the case any longer.
 
2.     Writing in a shared universe didn’t limit my storytelling
Initially, I was pumped to learn that my publisher was putting together a multi-author YA horror series titled The Haunting of Pinedale High, as in a haunted high school. I thought, great! I write YA! I write fantasy! Horror is fantasy adjacent, right? It all falls under the umbrella of speculative fiction…more or less.
So yeah, I was duly excited. But then I realized that I’d have to share a story world with other authors. I didn’t know if I liked the idea of sharing. Shared character, shared setting, shared lore… I was a bit nervous. Wouldn’t all this sharing business limit my storytelling?
I was pleased to discover my trepidation was entirely misplaced. I chose to lean heavily into the classic horror trope of past trauma. Zuri, the protagonist, is haunted by past trauma, as is the ghost with whom she will eventually form a bond. The past trauma trope is inherently character-centric, so, in the end, I didn’t feel the shared setting, loose rules surrounding the ghosts, and a handful of shared characters limited the tale I wanted to tell.
3.     Horror—in this case, a ghost story—is super fun.
I enjoy reading a good horror yarn from time to time. My Heart is a Chainsaw, Clown in a Cornfield, and almost anything by Stephen King have entertained me and made me peek around corners just in case something lurks in the dark. But I’ve never considered myself a massive fan of the genre, nor had I put serious thought into penning a horror novel. Oh, I had dabbled in the horrifying by writing a short story or two, but it wasn’t my jam.
I discovered that writing a YA horror, a ghost story to be precise, was super fun. It didn’t strike me as all that different than crafting a YA fantasy. By tweaking the fantastical elements, they become hair-raising and frightful, opposed to magical or awe-inspiring. Populating an underground lair with enormous nightcrawlers, engorged rodentia, and satanic magic is delightful. It speaks to my inner child who watched black and white monster movies on TBS and was terrified of arachnids.
4.     Deadlines are good things.
Phantom Algebra is the first writing project I’ve had with a deadline that wasn’t self-imposed. If I wanted to participate in the series, I needed to turn in a polished manuscript in a hair over a year. As a writer with a day job, I’m pretty good at finding time to grind out and edit words, but it usually takes me at least eighteen months to go from idea to submittable manuscript, and I was in the middle of another writing project. Crunch time, indeed!
However, I found out that having a drop-dead date focuses the mind. I created a more detailed and logical plot outline than ever before and assiduously adhered to it while banging out the rough draft in record time. Most pleasing of all, the story was strong and freer of errors than anything I had previously written. Not only had I met the deadline, but I had produced perhaps my best writing ever. 
5.     Writing is its own Reward.
When I first embarked on writing Phantom Algebra, I feared the project would be a slog. I had a deadline, which was something entirely new for me as a writer. The genre was one I typically don’t write, and the tale was set in a shared world. Despite all that, I found the writing process, from planning to the rough draft to the edit, as invigorating as ever. Writing fiction, like many creative endeavors, is truly its own reward. Pre Order Today Phantom Algebra
The Hunting of Pinedale High
By
Dan Rice
Zuri and her mother settle in Pinedale, North Carolina, to start over. For years, they’ve been on the run from Zuri’s father, a retired boxer and full-time gangland enforcer.
In Pinedale, Zuri finds a gym where she can train in mixed martial arts to pursue her dream of becoming a champion fighter. At Pinedale High, she discovers friends among the outcasts, academic challenges, and something unexpected…ghosts.
When Zuri encounters a tween phantom haunting the library, her life is turned upside down and inside out as she attempts to help the spirit. This incurs the wrath of devils, living and dead. Zuri will need her martial arts prowess, heart, and the aid of friends to protect everyone she loves.

Grab your copy today!

Amazon
Apple Books
Barnes & Noble
Dan Rice pens the young adult urban fantasy series The Allison Lee Chronicles and other speculative fiction, both short and long, in the wee hours of the morning. To discover more about Dan’s writing and keep tabs on his upcoming releases, check out his blog, join his newsletter, and follow him on BlueSky. His latest novel, the YA horror Phantom Algebra, releases on September 15, 2025.
 Follow the AuthorBlueSkyTwitterInstagramThreadsTikTok To get your fulfill all your Haunted reads, here's a link to the entire series.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9YZWG5Z

​D: Susie Black is back Around the Fire today. We have coffee brewing and some wonderful insights into her life, writing, and advice to others. While I pour, Susie, why don't you introduce yourself and let us know the you behind the official bio?
​SUSIE: I am a curious student of human nature who sees each day as a gift, an opportunity, a mystery, an adventure, and a challenge. I strive to find something to laugh about every day. 
​
D: What a great outlook on life. Other than writing, how do you fill your day?
SUSIE: I am a voracious reader. I read all types of mysteries, but favor the same kind of stories I write-cozy mysteries. I am an avid stamp collector, sailor, jazz and oldies Rock N Roll fan, and an enthusiastic walker.

D: I'm a fan of Jazz and Classic Rock too, though I've never sailed, I admire those beautiful boats out on the lake. Who is your network or support system? 
SUSIE: First and foremost, my very patient and supportive husband and son, who tirelessly answer my incessant questions like, “How does this sound?” or “Is this funny or am I the only one who’s going to laugh at the line?” Secondly, a cabal of generous author colleagues whom I call on for their opinion, knowledge, and information. Thirdly, “the Aprils,” my trusty two super readers who read and critique my final manuscripts before I submit them to my editor.
D: I love that, the Aprils. Who or what books or authors are your inspiration?
SUSIE: I have many authors who are my inspiration: Joan Hess, Anne George, Carolyn Haines, Carl Hiaasen, Dave Barry, Nancy J. Cohen, Janet Evanovich, S.V. Date, Donald E. Westlake, and Elmore Leonard are my favorites. Books that inspire me: The Axe by Donald E. Westlake, Maximum Bob by Elmore Leonard.
​
D: Let's talk about your world personally.Do you have any fun or outrageous talents?SUSIE: I can single-sail an obstacle course without flipping the sailboat over.What is your neighborhood like?SUSIE: I live in a gated community in Palm Desert, CA., on a golf course with a water hazard inhabited by ducks & geese.Are there any places you frequent?SUSIE: I walk the gorgeous grounds within our community with a variety of palm trees, and desert flora and fauna in a riot of colors that look like a painting.What makes them special?SUSIE: I am continuously amazed at what not only grows in this challenging climate, but thrives.  ​Lightening RoundDoes writing energize or exhaust you?SUSIE: BothWhat are common traps for aspiring writers?SUSIE: Telling, not showing. Overuse of words.What is your writing Kryptonite?SUSIE: Not listening to my characters.Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?SUSIE: Both. I write a series with continuing characters and locales, but each book can stand on its own.If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?SUSIE: Trust your gut. Don’t be afraid to fail. You can’t please everyone.How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?SUSIE: I have nine published books. Number ten is contracted, with no release date yet, and I have just submitted number eleven to my editor.What does literary success look like to you?SUSIE: When a reader says, “I stayed up all night reading your book. I could not put it down.”What’s the best way to market your books?SUSIE: Target your specific audience and reach the largest number of potential readers at one time: Blog and Podcast spots and interviews.What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book? Or for example, along with my friend "Google" I’ve visited sites and museums to get a feel for several book scenesSUSIE: Since all my books take place in the LA garment district, I go to the California Apparel Mart in downtown LA, visit stores, talk to buyers and sellers.What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?SUSIE: Getting their reactions right to situations and making sure they speak like a manHow do you select the names of your characters?SUSIE: All of my characters are based on real people I knew, so I do a variation or a play on their name. For example, Mr. Newman/ Mr. Oldham; Mr. Turpin/Mr. Tyne; Mr. Arbetman/Mr. Workman(Arbetman in German means workman.)If you didn’t write, what would you do for work?SUSIE: A stand-up comedienne.Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?SUSIE: I read every review, but I do not respond to them. The good ones I revel in. I try to learn something to improve my writing from the bad ones if they give constructive criticism.What was your hardest scene to write?SUSIE: The scene where the protagonist realizes who the murderer is.What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?SUSIE: ChocolateWhat is your favorite childhood book?SUSIE: Nancy Drew -SeriesDoes your family support your career as a writer?SUSIE: Yes, I am so fortunate. 150%How long on average does it take you to write a book?SUSIE: Three months.If they made a movie about your life, what would the title be, and who would play you?SUSIE: Rag Lady and Melissa Rauch (Judge on the new TV show Night Court) would play me.Do you have a particular object, like a piece of jewelry or a keepsake of some sort? Can you tell us what makes it special to you?SUSIE: A bookmark my son made for me in kindergarten for Mother’s Day.What is your favorite mug or teacup if neither T-shirt with a graphic or Meme?SUSIE: A mug that my wise-guy nana gave me when I started selling ladies’ swimwear. The mug says: “Things Could be Worse: We Could be Trying on Swimsuits”        Years ago, there was a commercial that talked about a “Kodak Moment.” It’s a moment in time you catch in a picture. One you never want to forget. What is yours?SUSIE: When the Rabbi pronounced Larry and me husband and wife, and he stepped on and broke the wineglass with his shoe, according to Jewish tradition.If you could only choose one song to play every time you walked into a room for the rest of your life, what would it be?SUSIE: My Way, by Frank Sinatra. If you could eat anything in the world right now, what would it be?SUSIE: Stone CrabsWorst household chore?SUSIE: Cleaning the toilet bowl.Would you rather have unlimited international first-class tickets or never have to pay for food at restaurants?SUSIE: Unlimited international first-class tickets.Did you ever win something? What?SUSIE: Yes, a pastrami sandwich at Nellie’s DeliDo you play board games? What games do you like?SUSIE: Yes. Scrabble, Monopoly, and Clue.Who is the most interesting person you’ve met and talked with?SUSIE: Best-selling Author Harlen CobenWhat was your first job?SUSIE: As a girl, a babysitter. As a young adult, a sales clerk in a department store.What’s the most amazing natural occurrence you’ve witnessed?SUSIE: An earthquake.What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?SUSIE: A large flat-screen computer.Thank you Susie for spending time with us. I know everyone will enjoy your pictures.  Now that you know everything about Susie I bet you want to know about her new release! Death by Dreidel 
Holly Swimsuit Mystery Book 6
by 
Susie Black 

Amateur Sleuths/Cozy Mysteries 
 ‎ May 21, 2025

Mermaid Swimwear President Holly Schlivnik attends an industry Hanukkah party to honor Rapido Swimwear CEO Leni Waxman as the Mount Cedars Hospital Woman of the Year. The guest of honor collapses and dies in the middle of the event. An autopsy confirms that Leni expired as a result of poisoning by coming in contact with a purposely contaminated dreidel. There is no shortage of suspects—Leni had no problem destroying anyone who threatened her top-dog swimwear industry position. When Holly’s business partner is wrongly arrested for Leni’s murder, the irreverent sales exec can’t mind her own beeswax. The wise-cracking snoop sticks her nose everywhere it doesn’t belong to flesh out the real killer. But the trail has more twists and turns than a rollercoaster and nothing turns out how Holly thinks it will as she takes on a ruthless killer hellbent on revenge. 
Grab your copy today!
Amazon
Walmart
Target
BooksAMillion
Indie Bound
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
Google Books
ITunes
For more information, follow Susie 
Blue Sky: @hollysusiewrites.bsky.social
Facebook: Susie Black, author of The Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series | Facebook
Facebook: https://facebook.com/TheHollySwimsuitMysterySeries
Instagram: Susie Black (@hollyswimsuit) • Instagram photos and videos
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/authorsusieblack-61941011
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/hollysusie1/
X: Susie Black (@hollyswimsuit) / X

​Welcome back to Around the Fire. This is a place where we can discuss all types of things. Books, yes, but also life. Our “glamping” seasons are Spring and Fall. I’m going out a little early this year by heading to the Saratoga Springs area, more specifically, Corinth, New York. We love Upstate. The Adirondack’s the Catskills. Just like New Jersey, when you mention NY to people unfamiliar with it, they think of the city. But NYS is huge and so historical. One of the places we go is near Corinth, which has no light pollution. One night, we sat out at camp with friends and overhead we could see the Milky Way, satellites, and shooting stars. But even here in Northern NJ, you and still look up and enjoy creation. I love walking out on my deck and seeing the moon and stars. On my phone, I installed an application that scans the sky and tells you what’s what. The heavens make me feel very small.
This visit, we’ll be parking at a more amenities-based campground. My husband, Pete, is volunteering to help replace a roof at a nearby girls’ summer Christian camp. I usually join them, but this old gal is not getting on any roof, so Hali and I will be enjoying camp life, and I’m looking forward to some pool time. I’ll be making a couple of trays of food ahead of time for the workers so I won’t feel guilty for not contributing.
In November, we head to one of our favorite places, Lancaster, PA. My daughter-in-law bought us tickets to see Noah at the Sight and Sound Theater.

After this trip, I have a busy fall with several appearances scheduled and a few more possibilities. I’ll be in Branchville, Hackettstown, Hoboken, Ledgewood, and Newton. I need to order more books. I no longer do the huge author/reader events. As someone who is hearing impaired, the noise becomes almost unbearable. Hitting the road and meeting new people in a more intimate setting is fantastic. You never know where a conversation will go.​ What am I working on now? I needed a palate cleanser. My works in progress were not progressing. Frustration built, and with that came stone walls. After shutting my laptop down in defeat last week, my mind went to someplace I enjoy. Where? Lake Unami.
My novellas, Rainbow Sprinkles, summer. Sophia’s Magic Beans, spring, and A Christmas Storm, winter, make me happy. Like I said above, Fall is my favorite. So I’m returning to the lake for fall. And I’m enjoying the trip. Initially, the story was going to be an Agent Sam Carter Mystery.
Though as I delved into the history of one of our local Sussex County historical buildings, the idea became something different entirely. That’s the life of being an author. The story reveals itself. I’ll keep you posted on this, but here’s a teaser.

​Red Gate Farm
Where tradition runs deep, tomorrow blooms bright, and new love finds fertile ground. Until next time, have a great day, and don’t forget to look up at the sky. ​

Welcome to Around the Fire—New Release Spotlight!  I'm thrilled to have you here and introduce you to Ghosted by Lori Matsourani. This paranormal second-chance love story is set to release on August 13th, and trust me the early reviews are outstanding.
One of my favorite camping trips was to the Chesapeake Bay where seafood is always on the menu. I made a boil with all sorts of tasty treats and poured it out on rolled brown paper on the picnic table. Lori's not only shares the inspiration that brought her first novel to life, but also a delicious recipe straight from Annapolis, Maryland.
​So grab a cozy seat and settle in. There’s a story, a spark, and maybe even something savory waiting for you. Ghosted
by
Lori Matsourani
Available 8-13-2025

Paranormal Ghost Romance/Second Chance Romance
​PG

​A haunted inn, a first crush, and a second chance for love with “help” from the resident ghost…

​Back Cover
When her fiancé’s infidelity prompts Bethany Hendren to map out a new path forward, her plans are disrupted by an unexpected encounter with Nick Dorsey, who convinces her to help search for the remains of a troubled eighteenth-century ghost. Nick is the handsome summer boyfriend who ghosted her years ago, and now he wants to rekindle their relationship.
Despite her reluctance to trust him, Bethany discovers he’s still the funny, caring person who captured her heart as a teen, but giving him a second chance is risky—it could lead to love and happiness or result in another devastating heartache.
Although Bethany wants a happily ever after with Nick, does she have the courage to trust him with her future?
Grab your copy today!
https://books2read.com/lorimatsourani
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F9XCPLYD/thewildrosepr-20
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ghosted-lori-matsourani/1147463084?ean=2940184606941
https://books.apple.com/us/book/ghosted/id6746414091
https://wildrosepress.com/product/ghosted/
Goodreads Giveaway (Runs from August 1 to August 30):
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/418301-ghosted

 Need more? A Look Between the Pages
As Mrs. Snowden spoke, a tall, dark-haired man entered the foyer. He wore jeans and a soft blue crewneck sweater that accentuated his lanky, yet solid, build. As soon as he saw Bethany, his face lit up.
“Bethany!”
He walked toward her as though they were long-lost friends, and she half expected him to pull her into an embrace. Then she recognized the dark chocolate eyes behind the black-framed glasses and her stomach lurched.
Nick Dorsey. He’s Mrs. Snowden’s nephew?
“Aunt Margaret told me you were checking in today.”
Stunned, Bethany stepped backward, bumping into the edge of the desk as her heart thudded. A white-hot flush scorched every inch of her skin as she stared at Nick. Of all the people she could run into, it had to be the first guy to break her heart? And why did he have to be so handsome, with that bit of hair curling over his forehead and late-day stubble?
She inhaled deeply to rein in her composure, hating her can’t-catch-your-breath reaction to him, then dipped her chin in a neutral acknowledgment.
“Hello, Nick.”
His smile morphed into a full-on, lopsided grin. “It’s been ages since I’ve seen you. Ten years, I bet. Not since the summer Zach and I got our drivers’ licenses.”
Mrs. Snowden laid her hand on Nick’s shoulder. “Bethany is staying in the Howard Room. Can you help her with her bag?” Then, turning to Bethany, she said, “Come back down when you’re ready and I’ll give you a tour of the house.”
As Bethany followed Nick to the second floor, the pain, questions, and self-doubts she’d buried years ago reemerged, seeping into her belly like liquid concrete. The last thing she needed was Nick Dorsey invading her healing zone. It had taken her months to get over the summer romance they’d shared—and he’d abruptly ended—when they were teens. And even longer before she could bring herself to date again.
And now he was in her safe space. From Lori about inspiration and BONUS! A recipe!
Thank you for the opportunity to appear on your blog, Around the Fire. 
I grew up near Annapolis, Maryland, although I live in Texas now, and I’m a coastal person at heart (Maryland has 3,910 miles of tidal coastline as calculated by NOAA). A big part of summer for me was crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to get to the Eastern Shore, where the vibe is pure sun-and-sea coastal, with the tang of salty air, the squawk of sea birds gliding overhead, and corn fields on either side of the highway.
​ 
Ocean City on the Atlantic coast was my go-to Maryland beach town as a kid, a teen, and a parent. When stress threatens to take over my mind, I stop and remember Maryland’s Eastern Shore and the beach—the clear sky and endless horizon; the feel of the icy water on my toes; the scent of sunscreen mingled with boardwalk French fries; and the background drone of the waves (along with the rumble of vintage prop planes towing ad banners along the shoreline) that accompanied the blare of a dozen different radio stations (Use headphones? No way!) emanating from an endless patchwork of blankets strewn across the sand.
 
It’s this Maryland coastal feeling that permeates me as well as my characters and inspires my writing (my second book is set in the same fictional Maryland Eastern Shore town).
 
And yes, I’m a crab lover: steamed crabs, crab cakes, crab soup, hot crab dip, crab imperial, crab-stuffed anything, etc. And since everyone loves, or should love, Maryland crabs , I’m sharing the recipe for steamed crabs used by my character, Nick, who is a true Marylander!
 
Steamed Maryland Blue Crabs
Water
Vinegar
1 dozen live crabs
½ cup OLD BAY seasoning
 
In a pot with a raised rack (minimum of 2 inches high) add equal quantities of vinegar and water to just below the level of the rack. Bring to boil. Carefully layer live crabs on rack (any dead crabs should be discarded), and sprinkle each layer with OLD BAY. Cover and steam 20 to 30 minutes depending on size of crabs or until crabs turn red. About the Author
Lori Matsourani is a romance addict. Give her stories with a touch of heartbreak and a spark of joy, and she’s happy. Throw in characters with a huge helping of heart and soul, and she’s up reading all night in romance heaven! While currently a Texas resident, Lori grew up near Baltimore and often draws on the historical flavor of Annapolis and Maryland’s Eastern Shore to inspire her story settings. She authored her first fiction story at twelve and has been hooked on writing ever since. Early on, her writing career focused on articles for magazines and newspapers before shifting to her first writing love—fiction. For Lori, connecting words to tell a story is like assembling a jigsaw puzzle, and she loves the challenge of creating every piece.
Website: https://lorimatsourani.com