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Inspiration Came From My Life
Murdered by the Books follows a new children’s bookstore owner who becomes an amateur sleuth when her friend is killed in a hit-and-run, causing her to navigate family interference, a clairvoyant aunt, and a killer determined to keep her from discovering the truth. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
You asked about the inspiration for my story, Murdered by the Books. I’ve always loved reading cozy mysteries, so this seemed the natural place to begin my writing journey. It was the people in my life – family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and even passing acquaintances, that inspired the characters throughout the novel. Each character is loosely based on the people mentioned combined with a healthy dose of literary license as I developed them into full-blown characters. Jillian, her sisters, Travis and the rest of the cast took up residence in my head for quite some time as I then worked out the overall plot. I would often come across a situation in real life and then write a scene in my head based on how I thought the characters would react and handle things.
How did you develop Jillian’s personality and her determination to pursue both her bookstore dream and the truth about her friend’s death?
Next, you asked how I developed Jillian’s character. As I mentioned before, she is based on someone in my life – ME. She is determined to follow her dream and open the bookstore after leaving her job as a teacher. I have done the same. After retiring from a 35-year career in education, I pursued my lifelong dream of being a published author. She, like myself, is a go-getter and doesn’t let anything stand in her way no matter how hard things might get. I have an intense curiosity for unsolved mysteries and consider myself a loyal friend. I shared these qualities with Jillian as she persisted with investigating/solving her friend’s death and seeking justice for Maggie.
What inspired the town of Willow Springs, and how did you develop its atmosphere and community?
What inspired the town of Willow Springs? This quaint small town is fashioned after the tiny town where my dad grew up and where my parents met and fell in love. Having spent a lot of time with my grandparents in my dad’s hometown, it felt like a good place to start when building a town appropriate for a cozy mystery. Much like Willow Springs, all the businesses were clustered around 2-3 streets in the heart of town, including my grandpa’s general store. Everyone knew everyone else and was friendly and welcoming. Yet, a few hidden secrets did come to light from time to time. As I wrote the book and developed Willow Springs, I drew from childhood memories of the people and places in this small town. I wanted to give the readers the same feelings for Willow Springs that my dad’s hometown always gave me. Interesting side note, there is a real town called Willow Springs in my home state, but it’s 300 miles from the tiny town I drew inspiration from.
When will book two be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers?
Book Two is already available! Murdered by the Blooms will celebrate its first birthday on October 14th. This second installment lets us get to know Jillian’s sister, Amanda better as a murder occurs right behind her beloved flower shop. She and Jillian get drawn into the mystery as someone is also threatening harm to Amanda. A few new characters pop up (as they will in each book) as I continue to build and develop Willow Springs and its cast of fun, quirky characters. As is my goal with each book, Book 2 is full of plot twists and turns, red herrings and chapter-ending cliffhangers that reviewers have said kept them fully engaged in the story.
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It’s a big week for Jillian Edwards as she prepares to open her children’s bookstore, Whimsy & Wonder. On Friday night, the people who helped her dream come to life have gathered to celebrate the grand opening. As the evening winds down and the guests disperse, a scream pierces the crisp autumn air. Jillian’s friend has been hit and killed in the street. The driver speeds away into the night.
Against everyone’s advice and despite ominous visions of danger from her clairvoyant aunt, Jillian jumps in to help solve the case as clues fall into her lap. Her interference annoys the lead detective, who happens to be her best friend’s husband. It also attracts the killer’s attention making her the next target.
Not everything is serious in Willow Springs. Jillian meets Travis, the handsome firefighter who worked the scene of the hit-and-run. From the first time they meet, their physical attraction is undeniable. After a few chance encounters, a heroic life-saving gesture and an intense first date, the pair find themselves with strong feelings for one another.
Will the killer be apprehended before Jillian’s life is threatened again? Can she find love amidst the mayhem and murder?
Murdered by the Books
Murdered by the Books by Jodi Casstevens-Short brings a new children’s bookstore, a busy family, and a budding romance into the same small-town murder mystery. Jillian Edwards has spent years working toward opening Whimsy & Wonder in Willow Springs, and her excitement gives the opening chapters an appealing sense of purpose. When a friend’s death interrupts the celebrations, Jillian’s concern pulls her into an investigation that soon competes with the demands of running her shop. I liked how much she cares about both responsibilities. She wants answers because someone she loved has been harmed, and she wants her bookstore to succeed because she believes children deserve a place where reading feels welcoming. Those commitments give the story a personal stake from the beginning.
I found the collection of people around Jillian to be very interesting. Her sisters, Cate and Amanda, and her best friend, Becca, express affection through teasing, unsolicited advice, and a steady supply of food. Their conversations capture the familiarity of people who know exactly which buttons to push. Aunt Grace adds her own brand of disruption with bold outfits, tea-leaf readings, and absolute confidence in her predictions. The family’s faith and Grace’s spiritual interpretations give their concern for Jillian a distinctive flavor. Then there are Abbey and Hayley, Jillian’s schnauzers, whose personalities and routines receive plenty of attention. If you love dogs, you’ll appreciate how fully they belong to her life. I also enjoyed the bookstore details, especially its lending library for children who can’t afford books. That feature makes Jillian’s enthusiasm feel practical and generous.
Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple stories came to mind as I read, particularly in the way a neighborhood becomes a source of information. Casual conversations, watchful residents, and everyday encounters all matter to the investigation. Jillian’s ability to put people at ease helps her hear things they’re hesitant to share with the police, and her teaching experience gives her an amusingly firm way of managing difficult personalities. Casstevens-Short gives this familiar style of amateur detection a strong romantic emphasis through Jillian’s growing connection with firefighter Travis Stevens. Their attraction gets considerable attention, including the awkwardness of early conversations and the anxiety of deciding whether to trust someone new. The firefighting scenes also give Travis a working life beyond his role as a romantic interest. Readers who enjoy courtship woven closely into a mystery will find plenty to follow here.
The book’s affection for its characters comes through, and Jillian’s concern for her friend gives weight to the investigation amid all the social activity. I’d recommend Murdered by the Books to readers who enjoy mysteries with extensive family interaction, enthusiastic pet ownership, and a substantial romance. I had fun with this book, and I think its most appealing quality is the care Jillian puts into the people, animals, and books around her.
Pages: 384 | ASIN : B0D1SZ25TP
UTTER DARKNESS
Tony Knapp’s Utter Darkness is a Christian supernatural thriller that combines a small-town police investigation, human trafficking, family drama, and an increasingly visible war between good and evil. Ryan Fletcher arrives in Cedar Grove, Tennessee, hoping his move from the FBI to a police chief’s job will give his family a quieter life, but he’s already carrying memories of something inexplicable and frightening from Seattle. When seven-year-old Becky Perkins disappears, the investigation pulls Ryan toward an abandoned farm, a trafficking operation, corrupt local officials, and beings that don’t fit into an ordinary criminal case. What starts with Ryan wondering whether the evil he once witnessed was real eventually becomes a story in which the unseen spiritual world is every bit as consequential as the physical one.
The book works especially well when its supernatural conflict becomes personal. Ryan’s determination to protect Laura and their children gives the story an emotional center, while former police chief Walt O’Brien becomes its most complicated character. Walt’s grief over losing his son, resentment over losing his career, wounded pride, and spiritual bitterness make him vulnerable to exactly the kind of temptation the story wants to explore. His arc gives the book more weight than a straightforward battle with demons would have, because the darkness operates through recognizable human weaknesses before it ever shows its claws. Rebecca is another standout. Her repeated efforts to protect Becky and later Rachel give some of the book’s most frightening scenes a strong human counterweight. By the climax, the story has brought police officers, pastors, parents, children, skeptics, and believers into the same conflict, making the central idea quite clear: courage here means choosing whom and what you’ll trust when fear gives you every reason to surrender.
Readers familiar with Frank Peretti’s This Present Darkness will recognize some of the territory. Both books treat spiritual warfare as a literal struggle in which demonic forces influence ordinary events while angels intervene in ways most people can’t see. Knapp gives that idea the rhythm of a police thriller, though, moving between crime scenes, interrogations, forensic evidence, corrupt officials, missing children, hospital emergencies, and supernatural encounters. The frequent shifts in point of view keep the story moving, and the dialogue has a direct, plainspoken quality that fits Cedar Grove and its law-enforcement characters. Scripture isn’t simply decoration here. It shapes the characters’ decisions and ultimately becomes part of the action itself, especially when Ryan, Jesse, Will, and Roger confront Murgley together and discover that their strength comes through faith, loyalty, prayer, and their willingness to stand beside one another.
What I liked most about Utter Darkness is that its real subject is allegiance. Ryan has to decide whether protecting the people he loves means sacrificing himself to evil or trusting God when he can’t see a way out. Walt has to confront what his anger and pride have cost him, and his final return to faith gives his story a painful but meaningful resolution. Even Roger’s crisis of faith matters because the book allows courage to include fear, doubt, retreat, and the decision to come back anyway. The final chapters provide a satisfying victory without pretending Cedar Grove’s spiritual war has ended. Ryan has his family and friends around him again, Rebecca has found a temporary home with the Fletchers, and Michael’s identity as Ryan’s supernatural protector becomes unmistakable, but Murgley is already gathering forces for another confrontation. That ending fits the book well. Utter Darkness is an energetic, faith-forward thriller about family, redemption, temptation, and the conviction that the darkest forces are real, but so is the light that opposes them.
Pages 299 | ASIN : B0FTTVWCTD
Intercessor
John Robert Still’s Intercessor takes readers on a journey through the haunting streets of New Orleans, introducing our protagonist, Jim Hampton, who is wrestling with the void left by abandoning his career as a lawyer. This reflective and eerie novel weaves together themes of personal reinvention, spirituality, and the seductive yet ominous allure of a city steeped in mysticism. Still’s evocative prose paints vivid scenes, blending the supernatural with the struggles of a man caught in existential limbo.
Right from the start, I found myself drawn into Still’s rich depiction of New Orleans. The city almost feels like another character in the story, teeming with life and shadowed by ghosts, both literal and metaphorical. Still’s portrayal of New Orleans—from gas-lit streets to lively Bourbon Street bars—is immersive. One passage that stuck with me describes Jim walking through the French Quarter: “The old houses seemed to shimmer with an energy from centuries of sheltering eccentric occupants, their lives absorbed into the woodwork.” This line encapsulates the novel’s ability to merge physical setting with emotional resonance.
The protagonist, is a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand, his internal monologue—filled with regret, longing, and self-doubt—is relatable. On the other, his frequent moments of indecision and his awkward interactions, particularly with Myriam, a young and mysterious bartender, can make him frustrating to follow. There’s a scene where Jim misinterprets Myriam’s kind gestures as pity, and while it’s painfully human, it also underscores his tendency to overanalyze. Still captures the restlessness of midlife crisis well.
One of the novel’s standout elements is its eerie, almost gothic tone. From Jim’s unsettling encounters with shadowy figures to the foreboding whispers of a brewing storm, Intercessor expertly builds tension. A particularly gripping moment comes when Jim stumbles into a seedy underworld masquerading as a party. The scene’s descent from intoxicated excitement to outright menace is chilling and heart-pounding.
The book switches between being a spiritual allegory, a character study, and a supernatural thriller. As the story unfolds, it’s clear that Still wants to explore big ideas: faith, redemption, and the battle between good and evil. Myriam’s steadfast Catholic faith and her role as a beacon of hope juxtapose Jim’s cynicism and spiritual fatigue.
Intercessor is a moody and thought-provoking read that will resonate with those who appreciate character-driven stories laced with a touch of the supernatural. Its vivid settings and ambitious themes make it worth picking up. If you’re drawn to stories about personal growth, faith, and the mystery of the unseen, this book has much to offer.
Pages: 305 | ASIN : B0BS1PPT5H
Dreams and Illusions
Tragedy strikes Gabrielle Dorian when her sister, Tina, is arrested for murder. Desperate to help, Gabby is thrust into a maelstrom of lies and corruption, unsure of who to trust. As she fights to clear her sister’s name, Gabby’s dormant, unsettling dreams resurface, offering cryptic clues but keeping her teetering on the brink of a deeper truth.
Dreams and Illusions captivates with its intricate plot and complex characters, crafted with love, frustration, and an authenticity that pulls readers into a journey of faith, family loyalty, and forgiveness. Olmstead’s story resonates deeply, particularly for those who have faced adversity, as it carries an inspiring message about holding on to faith through difficult times. Readers will find themselves reflecting on the real-life parallels within the narrative, and the reminder of spiritual endurance is ever-present. One of the standout elements for me was how Olmstead weaves faith into the story without making it preachy. The way the theme of forgiveness plays out, particularly through her relationship with Tina, adds emotional weight to the story. I found myself rooting for Gabrielle, even when she made questionable decisions because her emotional journey felt so genuine. While the initial pacing and portrayal of characters and time shifts may feel slightly disjointed, the humor and charm embedded in Olmstead’s writing style quickly draw readers in. Once attuned to the rhythm, the novel’s wit and cleverness shine through, adding a delightful edge to the storytelling.
Dreams and Illusions is perfect for readers who enjoy a blend of mystery and spiritual reflection. It’s a compelling read, especially for those who appreciate stories of personal growth wrapped in suspense. While it’s not a fast-paced thriller, it’s a thoughtful and emotional mystery that will appeal to fans of faith-based fiction and family dramas.
Pages: 253 | ASIN : B0CJ3S3BJH
Rock Step Triple Homicide
In Rock Step Triple Homicide, author Doug Dorsey delivers a captivating and intriguing read that merges two distinct genres. Detective Evann Myrick, the protagonist, has retired from law enforcement after solving The West Coast Swing murders. At the urging of his friend and love interest Victoria, Evann embarks on a dance cruise to take a break from his routine. However, what was supposed to be a leisurely and enjoyable trip turns into a perilous game of murder and deception.
Dorsey expertly weaves a complex plot that is fraught with suspense, surprises, and unexpected twists that will leave you guessing until the very end. The story immediately grips you with its intense and ominous opening scene, making it difficult to put the book down. The author’s innovative approach to incorporating dancing into a murder mystery adds an element of fun and originality to the genre. The book’s immersive descriptions of the various dance styles and techniques create a vivid picture of the cruise’s atmosphere, giving dance enthusiasts an extra layer of enjoyment. Dorsey’s attention to detail in creating well-rounded and unique characters makes it challenging to identify the real killer until the book’s final pages. In particular, Victoria’s character adds levity to the narrative and encourages Evann to explore new experiences outside his comfort zone.
In conclusion, Rock Step Triple Homicide is a refreshing and enjoyable read that blends murder mystery and dance genres seamlessly. Doug Dorsey’s writing style keeps you engaged and entertained throughout, making it an ideal choice for readers seeking a gripping and captivating story that will keep them on the edge of their seats. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting and engrossing read.
Pages: 271 | ASIN : B0BYP45YQS
The Genesis 6 Project
The Genesis 6 Project is a fast-paced action spree from author Michael Ferguson. A mix of sci-fi and biblical fiction, the story centers around a United States research team and a newly rediscovered dangerous threat to man: the Nephilim–powerful creatures born of fallen angels who once ruled the earth. Tamir-Benob is one such creature. He is a giant who has lived for thousands of years and dispatched armies of men throughout history. The capture, understanding, and, most importantly, militarization of this being will impact the balance of world power for ages. Different factions come to a head as Tamir-Benob rampages through rural Montana, leaving soldiers and tribal Crow warriors broken in his wake.
Paced exceptionally well, The Genesis 6 Project is a really tight read. The action ramps up early and is pretty much non-stop. The different characters from the rival factions, especially Dr. Kathryn Ryan and Indian Affairs agent Ironhorse Whitman, really stand out. Ferguson does an excellent job of switching perspectives between the hunters and the hunted, and those roles reverse many times throughout the story.
At times the novel really reminds me of Rambo: First Blood, and that’s not a bad thing. But unlike John Rambo, Tamir-Benob is a genuinely menacing villain who has plans to lay biblical waste to mankind. The action is fun, and there is also a delightful amount of cloak-and-dagger intrigue. Different individuals are each vying for the power they believe the Nephelim holds. Seeking to use science to unlock the ancient mysteries of what they believe is the descendant of an actual angel, there is plenty of backstabbing and treachery.
The Genesis 6 Project is a suspenseful Christian thriller that blends seamlessly with science fiction themes. This novel will captive readers looking for an action-packed story that keeps them on edge from the open pages till the exciting end.
Pages: 301 | ASIN : B0BN2NWL4L
A Pastor’s Pit
Preston Curtis could not have predicted the hint of what awaited him in the name of the city when he accepted the pastorate at Grace Bible Church in Pitfall, Oregon. Being a passionate believer in the Bible’s truth, he has no inkling that he would be prosecuted for a religious hate crime for exercising his religious freedom in preaching the Bible’s words. Judge Roy Sparkman’s A Pastor’s Pit is Preston’s fight against what he considers false religions and politically charged circumstances for a Christian in the U.S., dismissing constitutionally protected religious liberties and, thus, the virtue of the Bible.
A Pastor’s Pit depicts the dilemmas a Pastor has to overcome as a minister and counselor to people as a representative of God. Pastor Curtis is shown to be revered and admired, but he is equally criticized for conduct infringing on the consciences of previous supporters and admirers. He is shown as a devoted husband and father, as well as a true friend, delighted in the love and companionship of friends and family as anyone would, while also determined not to compromise his teachings of word-for-word Bible translation regardless of what the court ultimately determines. On the other hand, R.T. Glassman, his attorney, and best friend, does not retreat when defending his friend from prison, showing a beautiful example of what a loyal friend should be.
With the author being a former judge and practicing attorney, the court hearing with all of the legal terms, rhetoric questions, and cross-examinations by attorneys come across as authentic, without overdramatic and unreal situations. As informative and rhetorical as they are intriguing, the court hearings in the fiction greatly captivated me.
The topic raised in the novel is deserving of attention and explains laws molded for political ends. The novel brings to light the type of interference there is in religious liberties, no matter what the religion is. The book contains three examples of religious liberties being exercised or dismissed: the exercise of religious liberty in Pastor’s teachings and Umran’s choice of faith; dismissal of liberty in the persecution of Pastor and the threat of hell on infidels.
The novel deftly implement legal terminology, court hearings, and political intrigue to great dramatic effect and emerges as an informative work of fiction. A Pastor’s Pit is a riveting legal thriller with provocative questions at its core and an intriguing protagonist that lures you into this riveting novel.
Pages: 237 | ASIN: B08SDYCQ6X
