I’m happy to welcome author Amanda Capper. Today, Amanda shares her creative journey and the anthology Midnight Schemers & Daydream Believers.

In 2014 my first (and only, to date) novel was published by Divertir Publishing. It’s out of print now, which is just as well. I rushed the ending and wasn’t all that thrilled with the beginning, but in the middle was some of my best writing (again, to date) so I took the advice of my new writer friend, Judy Penz Sheluk and I’m re-writing it. “Why not?” said Judy. “It’s your book.”

I’ve written all my life but rarely submit. Early on, when I did, I received back a rejection letter that was very emphatic about how horrible the main character was, especially because she was female. Well, yes. That was the point, but I put the story away, and probably burned the letter because I can’t find it.

Judy, once again, gave me good advice. “Not everyone is going to like that one story. But someone will.” I’m paraphrasing but that was the gist. She also yells at me with exclamation marks. “PUNCTUATION GOES INSIDE THE QUOTES!!!”

I’m learning a lot from Judy. Some things new, some not but forgotten for lack of use. That’s about to change.

My story, “A Time to Tell” was accepted by Judy for her fifth anthology, Midnight Schemers and Daydream Believers. The story is all about secrets. Everyone has them, and how some are told, and some are best kept for later. There are twenty-one other short stories and I’m excited to see my name included with those authors.

Until this acceptance, my only recent submissions were for our local University’s semi-annual e-zine and then only at the urging of my creative writing instructor.

One last quick story. It’s hard to shut me up once I start. It’s about Fate.

In 2012 I went to Bloody Words in Toronto, Ontario. I went alone and during a break between speakers I went to forage for food. I don’t remember where or how I struck up a conversation with a lady, who was, I believe, also looking for something to eat, but I did and mentioned my hometown. She replied she was familiar with the city, she and her husband were looking for waterfront property in the area. After polite chitchat, where I mentioned I was a bookkeeper, we parted ways.

Twelve years later, as I’m sure you’ve already guessed, our paths crossed again, only neither of us remembered the earlier meeting. Judy had moved to my hometown and was getting involved with the Northern arts community, and I asked to meet. I’d read her step-by-step guide, Self-Publishing; The Ins and Outs of Going Indie and had a few questions. We met then and a few times after as we had more in common than writing, but it wasn’t until we talked about how we both were at Bloody Words that Judy emailed me later and asked what I did for a living back in 2012. I told her I’d been a bookkeeper at a local business. Then it twigged, and here we are.

Fate. Always a surprise visitor.

Author Bio

Amanda Capper is the author of A Bother of Bodies (as A. J. Capper) and her short stories can be found in Every Day Fiction, Painted Words, and The Algomian. When she is not reading, writing, or roaming the woods, she volunteers at the Royal Canadian Legion as their treasurer. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and Short Mystery Fiction Society.

Find her at http://www.amandacapper.com.

About Midnight Schemers & Daydream Believers: 22 Stories of Mystery & Suspense

Desire or desperation, revenge or retribution—how far would you go to realize a dream? The twenty-two authors in this collection explore the possibilities, with predictably unpredictable results.

Featuring stories by Pam Barnsley, Linda Bennett, Clark Boyd, C.W. Blackwell, Amanda Capper, Susan Daly, James Patrick Focarile, Rand Gaynor, Gina X. Grant, Julie Hastrup, Beth Irish, Charlie Kondek, Edward Lodi, Bethany Maines, Jim McDonald, donalee Moulton, Michael Penncavage, Judy Penz Sheluk, KM Rockwood, Peggy Rothschild, Debra Bliss Saenger, and Joseph S. Walker.

Find it at http://www.books2read.com/midnight-schemers.

I’m happy to welcome author Kate Ellington. Today, Kate shares her new release, Ever Since the Ball.

Blurb

Miranda Harlake’s only chance to escape the detestable match her parents are arranging is a sham betrothal to her best friend, Peter, who proposes solely to save her from a loveless marriage. She gratefully accepts, though both know they’ll never wed.

Piqued by her parents’ scheming, Miranda secretly attends a masked ball and dances with a fascinating stranger all night. Upon discovering her partner was the insufferable George Rockford, she tries to forget the romantic evening they shared.

George, lonely despite his popularity and roguish ways, is intrigued by Miranda but she’s apparently immune to his charms.

Miranda must listen to her heart and find courage to be honest with everyone—especially herself—if for once she’s going to fulfill her own dreams.

Excerpt

As Miranda approached the drawing room she heard men’s voices, and neither of them was her father’s. She guessed Mr. Tolwood had stopped by and brought someone with him, but when she strode into the room she nearly gasped aloud.

George and Ebenezer Rockford stood chatting with her parents, glasses of sherry in their hands. So this was why her mother had insisted she change. Nobody looked Miranda’s way when she entered the room and she wanted to tiptoe out and send Cassandra down with a message that she was ill. Very ill. She sighed. It would never work. Mentally preparing herself for an atrocious evening, she walked to her father’s side.

“Ah, here she is at last!” Mr. Harlake said, taking her arm.

Miranda fixed a smile on her face as he steered her over to stand beside Ebenezer.

“You remember Mr. Rockford, don’t you, Miranda?” Mr. Harlake asked, eyes twinkling.

“Yes, of course. Good evening.” Miranda hadn’t seen him up close in a long time. He had dark brown hair, brown eyes, and a short beard. She’d never been fond of beards.

Mr. Rockford took her hand and kissed it. “Good evening to you, Miss Harlake.”

She went to pull her hand away, but he showed no sign of relinquishing it.

“Call her Miranda. So much friendlier,” Mrs. Harlake said with a wide smile.

“Then she must call me Ebenezer.” He motioned to George. “You know my nephew, George? Why, you two must have gone to school together.”

Miranda was glad to remove her hand from Ebenezer’s grip as she turned to face George.

Author Bio and Links

Kate Ellington grew up in a woodsy New England town where summer days at the lake seemed to last forever. She read her first historical romance at age eleven when a teacher challenged her to find a book in the library written by an author she’d never heard of. Thus began a life-long love of love stories.

After graduating from college with an art degree she settled in the Pacific Northwest, where she currently resides with her family.

Kate wrote her first romance when she was sixteen, then set her pen down for years until another story floated into her head out of the clear blue sky. She jotted it down, just for fun, but soon it took on a life of its own.

Website | Goodreads | Bluesky | Facebook

Giveaway

Kate Ellington will be awarding a $20 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Find out more here.

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

I’m happy to welcome author Lauren Wagner. Today, Lauren shares her creative journey and new release, Misguided Trust.

Here’s Lauren!

What was your inspiration for this book?

Misguided Trust was created after considering how important cenotes were to the ancient Maya. When a long drought happened, water became scarce, which helped cause the collapse of many Maya cities. I just put a modern twist on the same idea. Instead of a historical event, I made water the key to a dystopian society. But while working on it, I hit a point where the plot needed an extra spark. That’s when a particular song completely took over my brain: “Redneck Crazy” by Tyler Farr. I must’ve listened to it on repeat a hundred times, trying to visualize the perfect scene that would match its raw, emotional energy. I didn’t just want the song to inspire a scene —I wanted it to become part of the story. So, I built an entire relationship around it, one that felt real, messy, and honest. That song didn’t just push the plot forward—it gave it a pulse.

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

Writing isn’t my full-time career. By day, I wear a different hat—working hard, juggling responsibilities, and making sure the people I love know they come first. When I come home, I shift into family mode, surrounded by a house full of wonderful, chaotic, loving energy. And when the day finally winds down and I sink into the couch, it’s not to unwind with a show—it’s with my laptop on my lap, slipping into the quiet comfort of a world I get to create.

That’s the best part of writing for me: the escape. It’s not about deadlines or page counts—it’s about losing myself in a space where I’m free. Free from pressure, from perfection, from the noise of the outside world. There’s no right or wrong on the page—just thoughts, feelings, and stories pouring out, raw and real.

The hardest part? Without a doubt, it’s the expectations I put on myself. The little voice that tells me I should be doing more, writing faster, hitting some invisible benchmark that only exists in comparison to others. I have to remind myself constantly that my process is my own. My word count doesn’t define my worth as a writer. It doesn’t all have to be perfect the first time—or the tenth. Some nights I write a paragraph, others I write pages. And that’s okay. Progress is progress, no matter how small.

Which authors have inspired you?

Several years ago, an author visited the elementary school where I teach. We try to bring in authors as often as possible to inspire our students, but one particular visit left a lasting impression on me. The author was Aaron Reynolds, best known for Creepy Carrots, Fart Quest, Caveboy Dave, and many others.

Before hearing Aaron speak, I had never truly connected with an author on a personal level. But his presentation changed that. He spoke candidly about what inspired him to write and the challenges he faced in getting published and recognized. His honesty and passion made the writing world feel tangible and accessible.

That day didn’t just inspire my students—it reminded me of the power of storytelling and reignited my own love for literature. After that, I wrote him a letter letting him know how much he inspired me. It was good old-fashioned snail mail…and the fact that he wrote back was the final push I needed. I knew what I had to do.

Any advice for aspiring writers?

I think it’s easy to get lost in your writing, in the best way. You fall into the world you’re creating, and suddenly, hours pass like minutes. But with that immersion comes the risk of losing your thread, especially when you’re deep into a story. The best advice I have? Always reread what you wrote yesterday before you begin writing today. It helps you reconnect with your tone, characters, and momentum. If you hit a wall—and believe me, we all do—don’t panic. Step away for a few days. Let your mind breathe. Then, when you’re ready, start reading it again from the beginning. Often, the pieces that felt stuck will shift into place naturally. Writing isn’t just about pushing forward—it’s about listening to your story, even in the quiet moments when it doesn’t want to speak.

What are you working on next?

I’m currently working on a ghost story with a sixth-sense twist, where reality and memory blur in a kingdom lost to time. The main character, Mia, is a young woman caught between duty and desire—betrothed to a distant, terrible king, yet feeling like a stranger in her own story. As she wanders the halls of the crumbling castle, she begins to sense the presence of others—ghosts bound to the past, their stories lingering like whispers in the stone. But one spirit stands out. Mysterious, kind, and heartbreakingly real, he draws Mia in. She doesn’t know if he’s alive or lost to history, but as their connection deepens, she’s faced with a choice: follow the path laid out for her, or chase a love that is impossible to follow.

Blurb

Following a catastrophic nuclear war, Sara lives in a town where the government controls every drop of water. Strict rationing tightly regulates residents’ lives, and to fall sick is to be executed. Sara’s life becomes more dangerous and complicated when she first hides and cares for a small boy who has fallen sick, then takes him in when his parents are taken by the authorities.

Determined to care for the helpless child while struggling to keep alive the memory of her long-dead best friend, Sara leans on her friend’s older brother, Josh, an employee of the domineering water company that controls the water rationing. But Josh is under suspicion, and the city’s enforcement unit begins to observe their daily activities. Despite knowing that she’d be executed if her actions were known, Sara finds herself deeply and distressingly attracted to the lead investigator, navigating a complicated romance and finding a glimmer of hope in a world long dominated by fear and control.

Excerpt

Interfering with water restoration and conservation laws is strictly prohibited.

I scrutinize the large mahogany desk positioned before me as I sit in my shrink’s office later that afternoon. The legs curve out into claws with such immaculate details. I can’t help but wonder if the claws are supposed to symbolize each one of her patient’s secret desires to claw away at their skin. It’s morbid, really. It just makes people yearn for it more, long for the inevitable pain that accompanies the fight. Place a sword in a knight’s hand, and he will want to fight. Put a claw in a psychiatrist’s office and make it resemble a razor blade.

“Sara? Sara, are you even listening to me?”

Dr. Hammid slides her glasses down her nose and glares at me.

The black rims make her face look pointy and sharp around the edges.

I look up at her without changing the expression on my face. She is an older woman with wrinkles forming around the smile lines on her face. Her short hair makes her look captivating. She is actually brilliant, in small doses. And only brilliant on the days I am willing to listen to her. It’s like eating a piece of chocolate. Tasting one makes you want another, but it leaves you feeling nauseous after a handful.

Author Bio and Links

Lauren Wagner’s love for reading started as a young adult after discovering her town’s public library. After carrying out piles of books at a time, and re-reading them over and over again, she discovered her love for writing. She writes fantasy and science fiction as well as post-it notes about her future stories.

She grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago where she presently resides with her husband and two children. She currently teaches upper elementary students to love and obsess over written works of art.

Twitter | Amazon Buy Link

Giveaway

Lauren Wagner will be awarding a $10 Amazon/Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Find out more here.

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

I’m happy to welcome author L. J. Ambrosio. Today, he shares his new release,
A New Life.

Blurb

From America to the streets of Paris, A New Life follows two friends as they navigate grief, love, and self-discovery in a city filled with history and hope.

A New Life is a story that lingers long after the last page

Excerpt

They spent the rest of the trip talking about Rhonda and how great she was, from the fight where she tried to protect Ron to the National Cemetery where she was left behind by accident at dusk, not found until midnight.

Louie and Ron had a chuckle over how Rhonda refused to walk on the sidewalks in Paris because of all the cigarette butts on the ground; she had to be pushed around in a baby carriage, because she did not want to burn her paws.

Louie started crying, and Ron comforted him, assuring him that the pain was fine; he needed to accept it.

“Rhonda was so smart,” Louie said proudly. “Some people don’t know the relationship between an owner and their pet. It is so special, so unconditional. Rhonda will always be a part of me. It was nice to bury her here in America, her home country.”

A while later, Ron and Louie arrived at their motel. Ron said to him, “Let’s get the luggage and go to bed. Hey, I was thinking when we get back to Paris, you should move in me with me and stop sleeping in the bookstore.”

Louie could not believe what he heard. Sharing more time with Ron would be special; he was excited to have that time together.

Author Bio and Links

Louis J. Ambrosio ran one of the most nurturing bi-coastal talent agencies in Los Angeles and New York. He started his career as a theatrical producer, running two major regional theaters for eight seasons. Ambrosio taught at seven universities. Ambrosio also distinguished himself as an award-winning film producer and novelist over the course of his impressive career.

Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Blog | YouTube. | Amazon Buy Link

Giveaway

L.J. Ambrosio will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Find out more here.

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

I’m happy to welcome bestselling and award-winning author Tee O’Fallon. Today, Tee shares her new release, Perfect Vengeance.

Blurb

Trusting him could save her…or destroy her.

Robin Hood meets the Sopranos…an insanely dangerous scheme Gina Perot and her friends hatched to steal from the mob and donate the loot to a worthy cause. Successful Wall Street investment banker by day, cat burglar by night, Gina leads a double life. But she’s never forgotten how the mob and the FBI destroyed her family and ripped her life apart. Now it’s time for payback. Charity and revenge all rolled into one. Perfect. Until Gina’s scheme sends her crashing headfirst into a major FBI investigation and facing heavy-duty federal obstruction charges. And, the hottest, most frustrating man she’s ever met.

Stop stealing from the mob or else…is the order FBI Strike Force Special Agent Jack Gates gives Gina. But Jack quickly learns he can no sooner control a force of nature like Gina than he can control where a tornado sets down. Facing a court-ordered deadline, Jack needs Gina’s cat burglar skills to help him bring down a powerful Mafioso. He makes her an offer she can’t refuse: go to jail or work for him as an FBI cooperator. When the mob learns Gina’s been ripping them off, Jack is determined to keep her safe at all costs. Even if that means confessing his terrible secret and losing her forever.

Excerpt

She did not just do that. He actually had to squeeze his eyes shut for a second. When he reopened them, the view was the same. Creamy swells of the most perfect breasts peeked out of the laciest, sexiest black bra he’d ever laid eyes on.

His heart beat a little faster, and he prayed he didn’t get a colossal boner. Adding to his discomfort, that intoxicating scent of hers mingling with her natural body heat was like a warm vanilla-sugar bath. One he was on the brink of drowning in.

“What?” At her question, he snapped his eyes from her chest to her face. “I don’t have any pockets on this thing.”

“Yeah,” he muttered. “I see that.”

From the hallway, Kinsey snickered. Way too much amusement at his expense.

With the unsteady fingers of his good hand, he gently pressed the com kit’s power supply box against Gina’s taut abdomen. Heat from her bare skin seared his fingertips as he adjusted the box to fit into the hollow beneath her rib cage. “Hold that.” His voice sounded like someone had rubbed his vocal cords with sandpaper.

She held the box in place while he tugged her zipper up. With each tug, he had to reach inside her suit with his injured hand to keep threading the ear wire out the top of the material so it would reach to her ear. With every touch of his fingers on her soft skin, his body temp went up a degree. The same way it had yesterday when he’d gotten a good view of her shapely legs…those same legs that made him dream about dragging those incredible stockings off them with his teeth.

With a final tug, he yanked the zipper up to her neck and began hooking the earpiece around her ear. More sweat beaded on his forehead. If things got any hotter, his Glock would go off on its own. The woman didn’t seem to notice the torture she was inflicting on him. Or maybe she did, and that was part of her diabolical plan to exact revenge.

Author Bio and Links

Tee O’Fallon is the bestselling, award-winning author of the K-9 Special Ops, Federal K-9, NYPD Blue & Gold Series, and FBI Strike Force Series. Tee spent twenty-three years as a federal agent conducting complex, long- and short-term criminal investigations, including undercover operations, across many agencies at the federal level, and four years conducting multi-state investigations as a police investigator. It felt only natural to combine her hands-on experience in the field with her love of romantic suspense. Tee has lived in New York State most of her life with a five-year stop in Colorado. When not writing, Tee enjoys cooking, gardening, chocolate, lychee martinis, and all creatures canine.

Buy Link | Website | Facebook | Facebook Fan Page | Twitter | Instagram | BookBub | Amazon Author Page | Goodreads | TikTok

Giveaway

Tee O’Fallon will be awarding a $20 Amazon/Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Find out more here.

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