I’m happy to welcome author Amethyst Drake. Today, Amethyst shares her creative journey and new release, The Scheme.

Here’s Amethyst!

Q: What is the best part of being an author? The worst?

A: The best part of being an author are the moments when inspiration flows and ideas come together smoothly. It’s exciting to solve plot holes and uncover surprising connections between characters. Getting lost in the story and letting the characters take over is an indescribable experience. Dealing with feedback and waiting for reviews are the worst parts. I’ve poured my heart and soul into creating a captivating story. The silence between submitting my work and receiving feedback can be deafening. Wondering whether my story connects with readers leaves me feeling anxious and uncertain. The minutes feel like hours, and the weeks feel like months.

Q: Describe your writing space.

A: My writing space is a cozy room with pale lavender walls. My adjustable writing table faces a window, giving me a peaceful view of the big tree in our front yard. I can adjust my table and office chair up and down to suit my needs, allowing me to work comfortably for long stretches. The walls are adorned with colorful landscape paintings. Water scenes in particular inspire my creativity. I designed my office to feel different from the rest of the house so I have a retreat without leaving home. It’s a special place where I can fully immerse myself in storytelling.

Q: Which authors have inspired you?

A: One author who has truly inspired me is Agatha Christie, a trailblazing writer who broke barriers in a genre dominated by men. She was both a a strong, independent woman and a remarkable writer who created her own path and made a lasting impact on mystery and detective fiction. Her daring plot twists keep readers on their toes even today, showcasing her skill and creativity. Who can forget Hercule Poirot, with his famous mustache and “little grey cells”? Her clever use of plot devices, like the locked-room mystery, has influenced generations of writers. Christie’s work remains iconic, reflecting her innovative spirit and commitment to her art. She continues to motivate writers and readers, standing as a true giant in the world of literature.

Q: What is your favorite quote?

A: I collect quotes so it is hard to pick a favorite! One of my favorites that has influenced the themes in The Scheme comes from Agatha Christie’s autobiography.

“Loyalty and courage are two of the finest things there are. Any kind of courage, physical or moral, arouses my utmost admiration. It is one of the most important virtues to bring to life. If you can bear to live at all, you can bear to live with courage.” – Agatha Christie: An Autobiography

Q: Besides writing and reading, what are some of your hobbies?

A: My hobbies help me relax and explore my creativity. Crochet is one of my favorites. I mostly make hats and blankets, but I just took a class at the local yarn store to make little pumpkins and I am obsessed. I also love cross-stitching and diamond painting. These crafts take patience and attention to detail, but it feels great to see the beautiful designs come to life. Basically, I love all kinds of crafts, anything that involves turning one thing into something else that is more beautiful or useful.

Q: What are you working on next?

A: I’m currently working on a companion story to The Scheme. It will be a cozy read that dives into the secondary plot we introduced in The Scheme and follows Margaret Mitchell, a lawyer and Katherine Carson’s best friend. There are several fun new characters that I think readers will enjoy. The ebook will be available to my newsletter subscribers as soon as it is finished later this year.

I’m also busy with the second book in the Carson Crime Files series. I’ve had many fans asking about its release! You can find the prologue for Framed included as a final chapter in my current novel. In this installment, Carson Investigations will take on a murder case in order to prove the accused widow is innocent. I can confirm that it will be released in 2025, but I’m still finalizing some details before setting a specific date. Thank you for your patience and support!

Blurb

Katherine Carson, a former intelligence operative turned private detective, has never been in it for the money. But when a desperate CEO offers double her usual fee to find his missing daughter, she can’t refuse.

Set in Baltimore, 2009, what begins as a simple missing person inquiry transforms into a complex case of espionage, financial crime, and deep-seated grudges. For Katherine, this case strikes a personal chord, stirring up haunting memories from her own past. As unexpected connections emerge, she must confront her unresolved guilt.

Can Katherine and her team of private detectives solve the case before it’s too late, or will the turmoil of her past consume her?

Excerpt

Katherine slowed down as she closed the final feet between them. Her target was cornered.

Lee reached up and felt the top of the door frame. “No key. I guess Ames forgot to leave it.”

“He has his own key. He just said Olivia keeps it up there.” Katherine bent down to flip back the welcome mat. Still no key. She sighed. “Should we see if the manager has a spare?”

“The manager isn’t on site.” Lee slouched against the wall. “If only we knew someone who could pick a lock.”

Katherine rolled her eyes, but smiled in spite of herself. “Breaking and entering could lose me my license.” Lee and Jake liked to tease her about some of her skills, although they always stopped short of mentioning the Espionage Services Agency.

“Sure, sure. But we do have permission to enter. And we’d have to drive to Wilmington to get another key from Mr. Ames…” Lee let his voice trail off and studied his fingernails.

Katherine chuckled and pulled out her pocket knife. “You know I don’t carry picks anymore.” She opened the knife and carefully slid the high carbon stainless steel blade between the door and the striker plate. Finding the latch, she pushed it out of the door jam and opened the door.

“Don’t tell Sammi.”

“Never.” A huge grin spread over Lee’s face.

Author Bio and Links

Amethyst Drake is a passionate storyteller. She excels at crafting delightful characters and enjoys developing com-plex relationships among them. Mystery has always been her favorite genre to read, making it a natural choice for her writing. She aims to blend her personal experience with mental health and the moral complexities of intricate interpersonal relationships into engaging novels.

Amethyst loves reading all kinds of mysteries, suspense, and thrillers and enjoys watching classic detective and espionage dramas like “Murder, She Wrote,” “Perry Mason,” and “Mission: Impossible.”

She also loves hearing from readers! Connect by signing up for her newsletter at amethystdrake.com or email amethyst@agswordsmiths.com

Author Website | Facebook | Amazon Buy Link | Barnes and Noble Buy Link

Giveaway

The author will award a $25 Amazon gift card and a signed book to one randomly drawn winner, a $10 Amazon GC and a signed book to a second randomly drawn winner, and a signed book to a third randomly drawn winner. Find out more here.

Follow the author on the rest of her Goddess Fish tour here.