I hope everybody’s had a great month. I can’t believe it’s almost March already. Hopefully, the warm weather will be here soon.

I’m delighted that the author, K.R. Bailey, has agreed to be a guest on my blog today. She is a smart, productive and delightful author.

Terri: Welcome to my blog, Kathy. I’m so glad you’re able to be here. Let’s get started. Tell us a little about yourself.

Kathy: It’s great to talk to you today. Thanks for inviting me.

I’m a Utah girl, born and raised in a small town in northern Utah. Utah is home, and I love it, but I’ve always loved traveling, seeing new places and meeting new people. My sister used to laugh because everywhere we’d go, I’d pull out a notebook and make notes even though at that time I hadn’t decided to try writing. I’ve always loved to read, and actually decided to try writing a book over twenty-five years ago. I met my husband about that time and my writing was put on the back burner. When I retired in 2004, I saw an advertisement for the Utah Chapter of Romance Writers of America and I joined. My days of writing started and I love the journey!

Terri: I understand that you have visited many ghost towns in your travels. How does this help your writing?

Kathy: I love seeing old ghost towns. It starts my mind whirling, wondering about the people and the way they lived. Their old cemeteries make me wonder what happened. I’ve learned to love history even though as a kid in school, I hated history, but after having had the opportunity to visit so many towns along the east coast, civil war and revolutionary war monuments, history now fascinates me. We enjoy going out on the west desert, and I love going through the remnants of the railroad town of Kelton. My sister lives in Colorado and it’s been fun to travel with her to towns like Cripple Creek, Victor, and Marble.

When I’m writing a new story, I try to throw in a real fact or two, and I think it adds a bit of interest and intrigue. If I’ve been there, I think I can describe the area with a bit more realism and hopefully pull my readers into the places I’ve been.

Terri: Have you always lived in Utah or have you lived in other areas of the country as well?

Kathy: Spent most of my life in Utah, but I had the opportunity to move to the Washington D.C. area and live in Maryland for nearly a year. It was a fantastic opportunity, and I was able to do a lot of traveling up into New York, Maine and Vermont and the states in between. When we moved back, we were able to take a few weeks and travel down through the Carolinas, Tennessee all the way down to the Keys in Florida and into Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico and the states in between. It was a fantastic experience.

Terri: What did you like about living in other areas of the country or dislike?

Kathy: Everything was new. It was just an exciting time for me. I worked at the Securities and Exchange Commission just off Capitol Hill. I met so many wonderful people, and I still stay in touch with some of them. I was able to visit so many interesting places like Harpers Ferry, Washington’s home at Mount Vernon, Niagara Falls, and Thomas Jefferson’s home. New York City was exciting. I loved the quaint areas in Vermont and Maine.

I remember being told I’d hate it back there because the people weren’t friendly. Not true. Everyone was so helpful to us. It was a fantastic experience.

Terri: You’re a very prolific writer. How do you get so many ideas for stories?

Kathy: Gosh, Terri, how to answer that – everything I do brings a story to my mind. The problem is having the time to put my ideas on paper. When my husband and I go for long drives, which is one of our favorite things, even the tall mountains bring ideas to mind. Now don’t laugh, but last summer we went to Fish Lake and stayed in a little cabin and went fishing. All I could think about was it would be a perfect place for a murder or someone being kidnapped. The lake was very deep. The forest was so thick with pines. The cabins were old and the big lodge was quaint. Everything about that place brought story ideas to my mind.

I also have to smile because I have friends and family who come up with ideas and can’t wait to tell them to me, hoping I can make a story out of some of them. My sister and her husband were in Yellowstone and came up with an idea for a ghost story. I love Yellowstone. A few years ago I bought a book about ghosts in Yellowstone. Needless to say, my mind is still trying to come up with a perfect story about that.

Terri: I notice that you have a wolf in your book, Never Too Late, My Love. Is this your favorite animal?

Kathy: I can’t say wolves are my favorite animal, but they definitely intrigue me. I think they are beautiful creatures. When I was writing Never Too Late, My Love and was researching the Goshute Indians, for some reason the wolf spirit came to my mind even though the Goshutes really never had stories about wolves. It just seemed to fit what I was writing at the time.

I also love bears. I love watching them in real life in Yellowstone. They are fascinating animals, and I think have a mystical way about them. But I was raised around Morgan horses and my horse, Rascal, will always have a special place in my heart. In fact, you’ll notice a lot of my stories will have Morgan horses in them. We have a yellow lab, and they are such sweet dogs. I have to include them in my love of animals, too.

Terri: Is your latest novel, Murder and Lies out yet? When do you expect it to be in print format? Can you give us an excerpt from it?

Kathy: Actually, Murder and Lies is out in e-book formats right now. It’s supposed to be out in print copy any time soon.

Here’s an excerpt:

Maggie started to step outside but gunfire exploded all around her. The night filled with noise. Yelling. Screaming. Maggie stayed hidden inside the dark shed, frozen in fear. She tried to find a weapon, a shovel, anything she could use to protect herself.
The door slammed shut on the big house, and she heard running. People everywhere running and shouting. She shivered but remembered Sam’s words about staying hidden, no matter what. What the hell was happening? She heard glass breaking. More screaming. Pandemonium everywhere, like a war going on. Maggie whimpered and slid closer to the back of the shed.
A bullet broke the glass above her head, and she bit her tongue to keep from screaming. Another bullet hit the wall. Suddenly, the door to the shed flew open, and Sam stood in the doorway, his eyes wide. “Maggie, come on,” he yelled and grabbed her hand, pulling her out of the shed and up the hillside behind the house.
Maggie ran until she thought her lungs would explode. “I can’t. I can’t go any farther.” She slumped to the ground, gasping for air.
“Maggie, we have to get away from here.” Sam tugged, and Maggie forced herself to stand. They continued but at a slightly slower pace.
She didn’t have time to look behind her. There was no time for any discussion about where they were going. She forced her mind to concentrate on running, putting one foot in front of the other. She didn’t know how long they ran or how far away from the lodge they’d come, but when Sam stopped, she sank gratefully to the ground, gasping for air. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on breathing. When she opened her eyes, she saw a dark spot on Sam’s shirt.
“You’re hurt,” she cried out.
“Ssssh.” He shook his head. “I’m fine.”
Maggie closed her eyes and leaned against a rock, willing herself not to panic. Finally, she couldn’t wait any longer. “Sam, what’s going on?”
He glanced at her. “Wilson arrived.”
“Wilson?” Maggie sat up, her eyes going wide.
“The FBI was with him. He made a deal with them.”
“What?” Maggie’s heart soared. Wilson was here, trying to help free her. She’d been right to trust him. Now she had to find a way to survive until he found her.
Sam moved closer and took her hand. “It’s okay. I’ve never quit loving you, Maggie.”
Maggie closed her eyes, but for some reason, his words sounded wrong. She listened to his even breathing but didn’t feel any comfort. Suddenly, her nerves were on edge. Something wasn’t right, and she didn’t feel safe. She didn’t feel protected. She glanced up at Sam and in the early dawn could see his face and realized he was looking at her, but his eyes were full of disdain. She pulled away quickly.
“Sam. What’s happening?”
He snickered. “What do you mean? You’re with me. We got away.”
The sound of his voice made fear prickle her spine…

You can get copies of Murder and Lies at:
http://Bookstrand.com/Murder-And-Lies
Amazon.com
Barnes and Noble

Terri: Are you working on another novel?

Kathy: Always. It seems like I always have several stories running around in my mind.

One is my first western historical, and I had fun researching the LaPlata mining area for this one. It’s getting really close to being completed. I have ideas to write two sequels to it.

I’m excited to say my next novel, Secrets of Wolf Creek Pass, will be released in e-book form on Tuesday, February 28. You can get a copy through my publisher at: http://bookstrand.com/Secrets-Of-wolf-Creek-Pass

I had fun writing this book. I got the idea when I went hunting with my husband and we drove over Wolf Creek Pass, which is a beautiful, rugged mountain about an hour out of Salt Lake City. The rocks were so big, they were like sentries guarding the mountain. The pine trees were so thick it was if they wouldn’t allow any sunlight to reach the ground. Here’s a blurb:

When five-year old Anna Burke goes missing in the rugged mountains of Wolf Creek Pass, can a stranger understand the clues and find her?

To survive the pain and loss of her own daughter’s kidnapping and murder, Layne Youngman has closed her heart to everything but helping others find their missing children. As she begins her search, it appears nearly everyone has a secret.

Rhys Burke is struggling to survive a bitter divorce. When Anna disappears while in his care, he is consumed with guilt and desperate to find his daughter. What he isn’t prepared for is the petite woman investigator who strikes a fire in his heart unlike anything he’s ever experienced.

Together they must find a way to unravel the clues, overcome the obstacles, and concentrate on finding Anna. What they don’t realize is the challenge may be more than they can handle.


Terri: Well, I’ll be at the Bookstrand web site on Wednesday to pick up a copy of Secrets of Wolf Creek Pass. Kathy, thank you so much for dropping by. This has been just great. I have enjoyed this interview, and I’m sure everyone else has learned something as I have.

Kathy: Thank you, Terri. It has been fun chatting with you. I’d like to remind everyone that you can find out more about me and my stories in several places:

My web site: http://krbailey.com/
My blog: http://krbailey.blogspot.com/
I have an author page on Amazon.com. Just type in K. R. Bailey.

I love hearing from readers. There’s a contact form on my web page or you can write to me at AuthorKRBailey@live.com

Happy Reading.

Today, I’m pleased to announce that Mary Martinez, the author of the Beckett Series, including Disappear, is a guest on my blog. She is a fascinating and productive artist.

Terri: Welcome, Mary. How long have you been writing and what got you started?

Mary: Hi Terri, thank you for inviting me to be on your blog. As for how long have I been writing. That depends on if you want to count the stretches in between. I tried writing short stories when I was young, but it was during the beatnik era, I’m sure most of the readers have no clue what that is. Anyway, I was influenced by it and they were just off the wall. Then I tried when my kids were small—you know before home computers. That didn’t work. So I swore I’d write when they left home. They wouldn’t leave home, so I finally started when they were at least old enough to let me write. I’ve been writing faithfully since about 2000.

Terri: You have said you live in a small town. Have you lived in a big city? If so, how do they compare?

Mary: Nope I’ve only lived in small towns. I’ve visited big cities. I love New York, and if I had a LOT of money, I’d love to live there. If we moved there on our income we’d be in the slums of NYC. I love the small town values and the small town celebrations, those I’d miss. I love the fact I can go to the post office and know people by name. Or run into everyone I know at the grocery store.

Terri: If you had to live somewhere else, where would it be and why?

Mary: Oh that’s easy. Either San Diego, CA if it had to be in the US or Italy in Tuscany.

Terri: Where do you get such original ideas for your books?

Mary: I don’t know that my ideas are original. They say there’s only about 5 or 6 different stories. It’s all in the twist and turns of how you tell it.

Terri: You have a new series out next month. Can we get an excerpt or blurb and where can we purchase it?

Mary: The Becketts are coming to town! The Beckett Series is about a family who grew up in Brooklyn.
The Beckett’s have a strong sense of family and honor.
When one of their own is threatened, their bond is as strong as a badge of steel.

Disappear

Coming Soon
eBook March 2012
Print May 2012

After two years undercover as an FBI agent to infiltrate a crime organization and discover the identity of a hit man, Tyler Beckett’s cover is blown. Tyler’s new assignment is to protect the only witness who can identify the mysterious killer. If only he didn’t find her so attractive. Each day it becomes harder to keep his objective, especially since he knows the interest is mutual.
Keira Cavanaugh is the only witness to a hit ordered by a crime boss. The safe house is compromised and the same hit man shoots Tyler. Fearing Tyler is dead, Keira plans revenge on the crime organization. She must fake her own suicide in order to survive.
When Tyler discovers what Keira plans, he realizes he must stop her before he loses her for good.

Innocent Coming Soon eBook July 2012 Print September 2012

All Jessica wants is a home and a family. So how did she suddenly find herself falsely accused of a felony and then kidnapped by a hit man?
Jessica Beckett loves her job teaching high school algebra. That is until Coach Brinley makes her life miserable because she actually has the audacity to fail his three staring football jocks. Maybe if they’d done their homework they would have passed. She refuses to be intimidated. He on the other hand refuses to admit defeat and manipulates the boys into accusing her of sex in exchange for passing grades.
Gabriel Despain loves his job as FBI agent. But falling for his partner’s sister has complicated a great partnership. It would be a lot easier to ignore his feelings if Jessica hadn't found herself in trouble. Now he must keep her safe. And if he can't remain objective, they both might get killed.

Quiet Coming Soon eBook November 2012 Print January 2013

Christine Beckett’s dream of partnership in a prestigious New York City law firm has finally come to fruition. She has financial security, a loving family, and owns her home, why does she need a man?
Detective Solomon has worked with Tyler Beckett on several cases, he almost feels he is part of the Beckett clan. He considers them his good friends, except for Christine who seems to look down her professional nose at him.
Christine receives a threatening note and her townhouse echoes with mysterious cries in the night. That is when the handsome and irritating detective insists he temporarily move in to protect her. To add insult, it is with her family’s blessing.

All will be available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and several other places. Check out the Trailer for the series, it’s best viewed on full screen. http://www.marymartinez.com/beckettseries.html

In honor of The Beckett Series, I’ll be having a Kindle Giveaway. Details are on my website. http://www.marymartinez.com/news.html#events

Terri: Thank you so much for this interview. It’s great that we can get to know more about you.

Mary: Thank you for giving me an opportunity to blab about myself. I have a few more places you can find me, I hope you don’t mind me sharing more.

Mary’s web site: http://www.marymartinez.com/
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mary-Martinez/169373246496620
Twitter @marylmartinez
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1646623.Mary_Martinez
Blog http://marysbooksblogger.blogspot.com/

Oh, I almost forgot! If you join my announce only newsletter you’ll receive a free download of Charmed and Beguiled http://www.marymartinez.com/contact.html

Thank you again, Terri!

Terri: I hope everybody enjoyed Mary’s visit to my blog. I know I did. Please check out her wonderful books.