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Lee to discuss the inspiration behind her heartfelt novel, the real-life experiences that shaped Lauren and Grant's story, the books that made her a reader, and some fun rapid-fire facts every book lover will enjoy.\\ \\ ****❤️ Writing a Love Story Unlike Any Other**** \\ \\ When asked what inspired _All of It Was for You_, K.T. shared that she wanted to write the kind of book she had never seen on bookstore shelves.\\ \\ Instead of revisiting familiar romance plots, she created a story centered on a **paramedic and a veteran police officer**, blending authentic first responder experiences with an emotional journey of love, resilience, and heartbreak.\\ \\ ****🚑 Bringing First Responders to Life**** \\ \\ One of the things that makes _All of It Was for You_ feel so authentic is K.T.'s own background.\\ \\ She has spent nearly **nine years working in emergency medical services** and **three years as a 911 dispatcher**, drawing inspiration from real calls and experiences to create believable, emotionally charged scenes throughout the novel.\\ \\ ****📖 Three Words That Describe Her Books**** \\ \\ When asked to sum up her writing in only three words, K.T.'s answer was simple:\\ \\ - Devastating\\ \\ - Raw\\ \\ - Emotional\\ \\ \\ If you love stories that make you laugh, cry, and think long after you've finished reading, this one should definitely be on your radar.\\ \\ ****🌹 The Book That Started It All**** \\ \\ Like so many readers, K.T.'s love of books began with a childhood classic.\\ \\ She credits **Beauty and the Beast** as the story that first made her fall in love with reading, sharing a touching memory of her grandmother reading it to her while sitting on a bench swing overlooking the garden.\\ \\ It's a memory she says ultimately inspired her own journey as an author.\\ \\ ****🔍 Mystery Reader at Heart**** \\ \\ Although she writes emotional contemporary fiction, K.T. admits she's a thriller reader through and through.\\ \\ Some of her favorite mystery elements include:\\ \\ - Police and detective procedurals\\ \\ - Small-town murders\\ \\ - Missing person survival stories\\ \\ - Unreliable clues\\ \\ \\ She's also an auto-buy reader for authors like **Jeneva Rose**, **Lucinda Berry**, and **Frieda McFadden**.\\ \\ ****😂 Reality TV Chaos**** \\ \\ If Lauren, Grant, and Sloane ever landed on reality television?\\ \\ K.T. says they'd fit perfectly on **Impractical Jokers**.\\ \\ Grant would struggle through every challenge, Lauren would keep a straight face (until she couldn't), and Sloane would absolutely do whatever it took to win.\\ \\ ****💙 A Few Fun Facts About K.T. Lee**** \\ \\ - 🚑 Paramedic with nearly a decade of EMS experience\\ \\ - 📍 Originally from Michigan's Upper Peninsula and now calls Wisconsin home\\ \\ - 🐈 Proud cat mom to Expresso, Hazel, and foster cat Fox\\ \\ - ✈️ Dreams of traveling the world\\ \\ - 🎓 Hopes to earn a Master's in Social Work and become a counselor\\ \\ - 🪂 Once went skydiving\\ \\ - 🏐 Huge LOVB Madison volleyball fan\\ \\ - 📚 Loves thrillers and mysteries\\ \\ \\ ****📖 Want the Full Conversation?**** \\ \\ This is just a preview! **The First Editions members** can read the complete exclusive interview, where K.T. Lee talks about:\\ \\ - Her writing process\\ \\ - Plotting versus writing by instinct\\ \\ - The emotional themes behind _All of It Was for You_\\ \\ - The scene that surprised even her while writing\\ \\ - Her dream writing routine\\ \\ - Her favorite music while drafting\\ \\ - What's currently on her TBR\\ \\ - Her hilarious "author warning label"\\ \\ - A heartfelt message to readers before they open Lauren and Grant's story\\ \\ \\ If you're ready to go beyond the books and get to know the authors behind them, **The First Editions** is where the full conversation awaits.\\ \\ Happy reading!\\ \\ — **The Page Ladies Book Club**\\ \\ Join for free or login](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/ifHQf0oXVIoDY0fx6iZj/) [📚 Book Club Conversations: Meet K.T. Lee, Author of All of It Was for You](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/ifHQf0oXVIoDY0fx6iZj/) * * * [The Page Ladies Book Club \\ \\ The Page Ladies \\ \\ • Jul 29](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/) \\ \\ _Some stories entertain you. Others leave a permanent mark on your heart._\\ \\ Today, we're thrilled to welcome **K.T. Lee** to **The Page Ladies Book Club** for a heartfelt Book Club Conversation celebrating the release of **_All of It Was for You_**.\\ \\ If you love emotional contemporary romance, deeply flawed but unforgettable characters, first responder stories, and books that aren't afraid to tackle life's hardest moments, you're going to want this one on your radar.\\ \\ We chatted with K.T. about the inspiration behind Lauren and Grant's unforgettable journey, her real-life experience in emergency medical services, favorite thrillers, writing habits, reality TV chaos, and much more.\\ \\ Let's dive in!\\ \\ ****Meet K.T. Lee**** \\ \\ K.T. Lee is a Wisconsin-based author and paramedic whose stories blend raw emotion with authentic real-life experiences. Drawing from nearly a decade in emergency medical services, she creates characters who feel incredibly real while exploring love, resilience, grief, and hope.\\ \\ When she isn't writing, you'll likely find her curled up with one of her three cats, reading a thriller, enjoying her favorite coffee shop, or planning her next adventure.\\ \\ ****The Debut Spark**** \\ \\ **Q: Your upcoming release, _All of It Was for You_, sounds incredibly emotional and intense! What was the spark that made you realize Lauren and Grant's story was the one you needed to tell next?**\\ \\ **K.T. Lee:**\\ \\ I wanted to write a book that I've never seen on a shelf before. I can't say how many times I've picked up a book and went, "Yep, I have three of this same exact plot on my bookshelf at home right now," and put it down. I've never read a paramedic × police officer story, so I thought I'd make one!\\ \\ ****First Responders & Real Heroes**** \\ \\ **Q: Lauren is a dedicated paramedic, and Grant is a veteran police officer. What kind of research or personal inspiration helped bring these professions to life?**\\ \\ **K.T. Lee:**\\ \\ I've been in emergency medical services (EMS) for going on nine years this summer, as well as a 911 dispatcher for three years. A lot of the calls I wrote about are personal experience, or elements of them have been extracted from those calls and dramatized.\\ \\ ****Describe Your Books in Three Words**** \\ \\ **Q: For readers discovering your work for the first time, how would you describe your books in just three words?**\\ \\ **K.T. Lee:**\\ \\ Devastating. Raw. Emotional.\\ \\ Honestly...those three words tell you everything you need to know before opening the first page.\\ \\ ****The Book That Started It All**** \\ \\ **Q: What was the very first book that made you fall in love with reading?**\\ \\ **K.T. Lee:**\\ \\ Beauty and the Beast. Still love it to this day.\\ \\ One of my fondest memories of my grandma is sitting on her bench swing by her garden as she read Beauty and the Beast to me. She is the reason I wrote this, so I owe this book all to her.\\ \\ ****A Book Worth Reading Again for the First Time**** \\ \\ **Q: If you could erase your memory of one book and experience it again, what would it be?**\\ \\ **K.T. Lee:**\\ \\ The Stillhouse Lake Series specifically book one. I'm a thriller and mystery reader at my core.\\ \\ ****Auto-Buy Books**** \\ \\ **Q: Which tropes instantly convince you to buy a book?**\\ \\ **K.T. Lee:**\\ \\ I gravitate toward mystery and thriller novels, so I love police procedurals, small-town murders, unreliable clues, and missing person survival stories.\\ \\ Truthfully, though, I'm more of an auto-buy reader for authors than tropes.\\ \\ Favorite auto-buy authors include:\\ \\ - Jeneva Rose\\ \\ - Frieda McFadden\\ \\ - Lucinda Berry\\ \\ \\ ****Reality TV Chaos**** \\ \\ **Q: If Lauren, Grant, and Sloane had to compete on a reality show, which one would it be?**\\ \\ **K.T. Lee:**\\ \\ Impractical Jokers.\\ \\ Grant would hate saying ridiculous things to strangers.\\ \\ Lauren could keep a straight face...up to a point.\\ \\ Sloane is absolutely feral and would do whatever it takes to win.\\ \\ Sloane would definitely be crowned champion.\\ \\ ****Plotter or Pantser?**** \\ \\ **Q: Do you carefully outline your books, or discover the story as you write?**\\ \\ **K.T. Lee:**\\ \\ A little of both. I know where I want the story to go, but I don't completely outline the timeline. I let it unfold naturally.\\ \\ ****When Characters Surprise Their Author**** \\ \\ **Q: Have your characters ever completely surprised you?**\\ \\ **K.T. Lee:**\\ \\ Lauren has one moment near the end of the book where she does something to Grant that even surprised me while writing it.\\ \\ She goes much further than I expected trying to prove a point, but it became one of my favorite scenes because it completely pulls the rug out from under readers.\\ \\ ****Balancing Heartbreak with Hope**** \\ \\ **Q: Your novel explores infertility, declining health, and a struggling marriage. How do you balance those heavy themes with hope?**\\ \\ **K.T. Lee:**\\ \\ I'm a big believer that adversity is not our definition.\\ \\ I also use dark humor quite a bit, and Sloane helps bring some much-needed comedic relief throughout the story.\\ \\ ****The Soundtrack of _All of It Was for You_**** \\ \\ **Q: If this book had one official theme song, what would it be?**\\ \\ **K.T. Lee:**\\ \\ **"Someone To You" by Matt Hansen.**\\ \\ The lyric, _"How do I move on from all that I knew?"_ perfectly captures Lauren and Grant's journey.\\ \\ ****Favorite Part of Writing**** \\ \\ **Q: Which part of writing do you love most and which makes you want to pull your hair out?**\\ \\ **K.T. Lee:**\\ \\ I love shaping my characters into who they're going to become.\\ \\ Formatting? Zero out of ten.\\ \\ I probably spent more time choosing fonts than editing.\\ \\ ****A Day in the Life of K.T. Lee**** \\ \\ **Q: What does your perfect writing day look like?**\\ \\ **K.T. Lee:**\\ \\ I love writing in my favorite coffee shop with headphones on and my music turned up.\\ \\ Since I work night shift, I'm definitely a night owl.\\ \\ A lot of my writing also happens in bed while cuddling one of my three cats.\\ \\ ****Currently Reading**** \\ \\ **Q: What's next on your TBR?**\\ \\ **K.T. Lee:**\\ \\ _Judge Stone_ by Viola Davis and James Patterson.\\ \\ I'm also excited to dive into two Lucinda Berry books waiting on my Kindle.\\ \\ ****If Writing Came with a Warning Label...**** \\ \\ **Q: What would yours say?**\\ \\ **K.T. Lee:**\\ \\ Warning: Author may spend three hours choosing fonts while several plot holes still need fixing.\\ \\ We felt that one.\\ \\ ****A Message for Readers**** \\ \\ **Q: What do you hope readers feel after finishing _All of It Was for You_?**\\ \\ **K.T. Lee:**\\ \\ I hope you fall in love with Lauren and Grant as much as I did.\\ \\ They are two incredible characters, and I can't wait for you to meet them.\\ \\ ****Rapid Fire Fun Facts**** \\ \\ **Favorite Artist:** Alex Warren\\ \\ **Favorite Bands:** Walk Off the Earth & OneRepublic\\ \\ **Dream Goals:**\\ \\ - Travel as much as possible\\ \\ - Earn a Master's in Social Work\\ \\ - Become a counselor\\ \\ \\ **Craziest Thing She's Done:**\\ \\ - Skydiving\\ \\ \\ **Favorite State Visited:**\\ \\ - Tennessee\\ \\ \\ **Originally From:**\\ \\ - Michigan's Upper Peninsula\\ \\ \\ **Now Calls Home:**\\ \\ - Wisconsin (for nearly ten years)\\ \\ \\ **Furry Writing Assistants:**\\ \\ - Expresso\\ \\ - Hazel\\ \\ - Foster cat Fox\\ \\ \\ **Sports Fan Of:**\\ \\ - Green Bay Packers\\ \\ - Wisconsin Badgers\\ \\ - Milwaukee Brewers\\ \\ - LOVB Madison Volleyball\\ \\ \\ **Favorite Family Title:**\\ \\ - Proud aunt to four nieces and one nephew\\ \\ \\ ****Where to Find K.T. Lee**** \\ \\ **Instagram & Threads**@authorktlee\\ \\ **Goodreads Author** https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/70677061.K\_T\_Lee\\ \\ **Goodreads Book Page** https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/252920625\\ \\ **Amazon** https://a.co/d/045dGKNY\\ \\ **IngramSpark** https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=W30SsRe5sUGv5oV2Sut1D37q6y1x9ORKn36hUOPuwJc\\ \\ ****Final Thoughts**** \\ \\ One of our favorite parts of this conversation was hearing how much of **All of It Was for You** is rooted in authentic experience. K.T. Lee's years as a paramedic and dispatcher shine through in the realism of her characters, while her commitment to telling a story unlike anything currently on bookstore shelves makes this debut especially compelling.\\ \\ If you're looking for a romance that isn't afraid to explore life's hardest moments while reminding readers that hope can still survive heartbreak, Lauren and Grant's story deserves a place on your reading list.\\ \\ A huge thank you to **K.T. Lee** for spending time with us at **The Page Ladies Book Club**. We can't wait to see readers experience _All of It Was for You_ and fall in love with these unforgettable characters.\\ \\ **Have you ever read a romance featuring first responders? Or is _All of It Was for You_ going to be your first? Let us know in the comments we'd love to hear your recommendations!**\\ \\ Upgrade for $5 or login](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/HmwwTnIfXfwJmVV2WVYV/) [The First Editions Exclusive: Book Club Conversation with K.T. Lee \| Behind All of It Was for You, First Responders, Heartbreak, and Hope](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/HmwwTnIfXfwJmVV2WVYV/) * * * [The Page Ladies Book Club \\ \\ The Page Ladies \\ \\ • Jul 27](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/) \\ \\ If you're planning to read **The Secret Thread by Eve Chase**, we've created everything you need to turn this unforgettable historical mystery into an immersive reading experience.\\ \\ Whether you're hosting a book club, reading with your favorite buddy reader, or enjoying a quiet solo reading escape, our newest companion kits are now available!\\ \\ ✨ **Now Available to Download:**\\ \\ 📖 **Book Club Kit & Individual Reader Guide** Perfect for book clubs, libraries, classrooms, and readers who love thoughtful discussions. Inside you'll find discussion questions, themed activities, an English country estate-inspired menu, printable worksheets, host tips, and much more.\\ \\ 💕 **Buddy Reader Kit** Designed for both **in-person and virtual buddy reads**, this kit includes guided check-ins, interactive activities, prediction pages, discussion prompts, and everything you need to enjoy uncovering every secret together.\\ \\ ☕ **Solo Reader Deep Dive Kit** Love reading on your own? This immersive companion includes annotation prompts, symbolism and theme trackers, reading journal pages, literary analysis, creative activities, reflection exercises, and more to help you experience _The Secret Thread_ on a deeper level.\\ \\ 🌿 **Not sure where to start?** We've also created **FREE Mini Reader Kits** so you can sample each reading experience before diving into the complete collection.\\ \\ 👉 **Tap the links to download your kits today and step inside the secrets of Rushwood.**\\ \\ Book Club Kit & Individual Reader Guide \\ \\ Buddy Reader Kit \\ \\ Solo Reader Kit \\ \\ Free Mini Reader Kits\\ \\ Happy reading, and we can't wait to hear what you think of **The Secret Thread**!\\ \\ #TheSecretThread #EveChase #BookClubKit #HistoricalMystery #BookClubBooks\\ \\ Upgrade for $5 or login](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/DpNwh4KSlGhhNyapJjMZ/) [📚 New Book Club Resources Are Here: The Secret Thread by Eve Chase](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/DpNwh4KSlGhhNyapJjMZ/) * * * [The Page Ladies Book Club \\ \\ The Page Ladies \\ \\ • Jul 27](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/) \\ \\ **What if the objects we treasure remember the stories we've tried hardest to forget?**\\ \\ Some books invite you into a mystery. Others quietly wrap you in their atmosphere until you feel as though you've stepped onto the grounds of a sprawling English estate, listening for whispers hidden beneath the gardens. **The Secret Thread by Eve Chase** is firmly the latter. Blending historical fiction, family drama, gothic atmosphere, and slow-burning suspense, this novel delivers an emotionally layered mystery that asks whether the truth can ever truly stay buried.\\ \\ For our book club, this wasn't simply a mystery to solve it was a conversation starter about family loyalty, social class, identity, ambition, and the weight of secrets carried across generations. Every chapter uncovered another thread connecting the past to the present, leaving us eager to compare theories before Eve Chase masterfully tied everything together.\\ \\ ****Book Synopsis**** \\ \\ In 2024, aspiring writer **Jo O'Mara** accepts what appears to be the opportunity of a lifetime: documenting the stories behind the treasured possessions of **Mimi Mott**, the legendary interior design icon preparing for a public auction after the death of her husband.\\ \\ But Jo has a secret of her own.\\ \\ As she begins cataloging Mimi's remarkable collection, she realizes every object carries pieces of a hidden past that reaches back to **Rushwood**, a magnificent English country estate where Mimi spent the transformative summer of 1969.\\ \\ Growing up in the gardener's cottage alongside her quieter sister Pamela, young Mimi dreamed of escaping the limitations imposed by class and circumstance. When the wealthy Caswell family's adult children arrive for the summer, friendships blur into romance, privilege collides with ambition, and one glamorous evening ends in tragedy.\\ \\ Decades later, Jo discovers that one priceless object and one important person have disappeared. Solving both mysteries means unraveling a lifetime of carefully guarded lies before time runs out.\\ \\ ****What We Loved**** ****A Beautifully Layered Dual Timeline**** \\ \\ Dual-timeline novels can sometimes feel uneven, but Eve Chase balances both eras with remarkable skill. Rather than feeling like separate stories, each chapter in the past directly enriches the present-day investigation.\\ \\ The gradual unveiling of Mimi's history keeps readers invested while allowing Jo's own emotional journey to develop naturally. Every revelation feels earned, making the final pieces especially satisfying.\\ \\ ****Rushwood Steals the Show**** \\ \\ If there were an award for Best Setting, Rushwood would deserve it.\\ \\ The English country estate becomes more than scenery it becomes a living character. The lush gardens, elegant manor house, secluded cottages, and carefully maintained grounds all reinforce the divide between privilege and service.\\ \\ Our book club loved discussing how the setting reflects each character's place within society. The beauty of Rushwood constantly contrasts with the emotional tension simmering beneath its polished exterior.\\ \\ ****Rich Themes That Spark Discussion**** \\ \\ One reason this novel works so well for book clubs is the depth of its themes.\\ \\ Throughout the novel we discussed:\\ \\ - The invisible barriers created by social class\\ \\ - The pursuit of reinvention\\ \\ - Family obligation versus personal ambition\\ \\ - How memory changes over time\\ \\ - The stories people choose to tell and the ones they intentionally leave behind\\ \\ - Whether protecting someone from the truth is ever an act of love\\ \\ \\ These questions continued long after we finished reading.\\ \\ ****Mimi Is an Unforgettable Character**** \\ \\ Mimi may be one of Eve Chase's strongest protagonists.\\ \\ As a teenager, she is intelligent, determined, and restless, desperate to build a life beyond the expectations placed upon her. As an older woman, she remains fascinating successful, guarded, and carrying decades of unresolved grief.\\ \\ Watching both versions of Mimi slowly merge into one complete portrait made her journey especially compelling.\\ \\ ****Jo Provides Emotional Balance**** \\ \\ Jo's investigation isn't simply about uncovering history.\\ \\ Her own personal connection adds emotional stakes that elevate the mystery beyond a traditional historical suspense novel. Rather than acting solely as an investigator, she becomes part of the story she's uncovering, making every discovery feel deeply personal.\\ \\ ****Our Book Club Discussion**** \\ \\ This novel inspired one of our longest discussions in recent months.\\ \\ Some readers immediately sympathized with Mimi's determination to escape her circumstances, while others questioned the decisions she made along the way.\\ \\ Several members admitted they completely changed their opinions about certain characters multiple times as new information surfaced. Those shifting perspectives became one of the novel's greatest strengths.\\ \\ The pacing also generated thoughtful conversation. While readers expecting a fast-paced thriller may initially find the story more deliberate, most agreed the slower approach allowed the emotional weight of each revelation to land far more effectively.\\ \\ ****Themes Worth Exploring**** \\ \\ **⭐ Class and Privilege**\\ \\ The contrast between the Caswell family and the estate workers shapes nearly every relationship throughout the novel.\\ \\ **⭐ Family Secrets**\\ \\ Generational silence becomes almost as powerful as the events themselves.\\ \\ **⭐ Identity and Reinvention**\\ \\ Can we truly leave our past behind, or does it always find a way back?\\ \\ **⭐ Memory and Storytelling**\\ \\ Whose version of history deserves to be believed?\\ \\ ****Is The Secret Thread Right for Your Book Club?**** \\ \\ We highly recommend this novel if your group enjoys:\\ \\ - Historical fiction\\ \\ - Gothic atmosphere\\ \\ - Dual timelines\\ \\ - Family sagas\\ \\ - Character-driven mysteries\\ \\ - Slow-burn suspense\\ \\ - English country estate settings\\ \\ - Emotional literary fiction with mystery elements\\ \\ \\ If your club prefers nonstop action or rapid-fire thrillers, this may feel slower than expected. However, readers who appreciate thoughtful storytelling and carefully constructed mysteries will likely find plenty to love.\\ \\ ****Final Thoughts**** \\ \\ **The Secret Thread** reminds us that every family has stories hidden beneath the surface. Some are tucked safely inside treasured heirlooms. Others linger in forgotten gardens, abandoned cottages, and memories too painful to revisit.\\ \\ Eve Chase delivers an elegant blend of historical fiction and suspense that prioritizes atmosphere, emotion, and character over shocking twists. By the time the final secrets emerged, our book club wasn't simply interested in solving the mystery we were deeply invested in the people whose lives had been forever shaped by it.\\ \\ It's the kind of novel that rewards patient readers, sparks meaningful discussion, and lingers long after the last page.\\ \\ ****📚 Free Reader Kits & Premium Book Club Resources**** \\ \\ Want to take your reading experience even further?\\ \\ ✨ **Tap the link a** nd download our **FREE Mini Reader Kits** for _The Secret Thread_. They're the perfect way to enhance your reading with sample discussion questions, reflection pages, and reading guides.\\ \\ Free Mini Reader Kits\\ \\ ****📖 Free Mini Reader Kits**** \\ \\ - Mini Book Club Kit\\ \\ - Mini Individual Reader Kit\\ \\ - Mini Buddy Reader Kit\\ \\ - Mini Solo Reader Kit\\ \\ \\ Looking for the complete experience? **Join _The First Editions_,** to unlock our full collection of exclusive reader resources, including:\\ \\ ****🌿 The First Editions Exclusive Collection**** \\ \\ - 📚 Deep Dive Book Review\\ \\ - 👥 Complete Book Club Kit\\ \\ - 📖 Individual Book Club Member Kit\\ \\ - 💕 Buddy Reader Kit (In-Person & Virtual)\\ \\ - ☕ Solo Reader Deep Dive Kit\\ \\ \\ Whether you're leading a lively book club discussion, reading alongside a friend, or enjoying a quiet solo reading escape, there's a kit designed to help you uncover every hidden thread in Eve Chase's unforgettable novel.\\ \\ ****Book Club Question**** \\ \\ **If you discovered a family secret hidden inside an heirloom or treasured object, would you want to uncover the entire truth or leave the past where it belongs?**\\ \\ **#TheSecretThread #EveChase #HistoricalMystery #BookClubBooks #BookReview**\\ \\ Join for free or login](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/d29lEB4MU6JnSqxSfCfB/) [The Secret Thread by Eve Chase Book Club Review \| A Haunting Historical Mystery Woven with Family Secrets](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/d29lEB4MU6JnSqxSfCfB/) * * * [The Page Ladies Book Club \\ \\ The Page Ladies \\ \\ • Jul 26](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/) \\ \\ Thank you for being a valued member of our community! Because you are a paid subscriber, you get exclusive access to the complete, unedited interview with Marina Ramwell, the brilliant author behind the _True or Knot_ series.\\ \\ Below, check out the full conversation where Marina reveals her chaotic writing schedule, how her day job as a Software Engineer influences her Omegaverse worlds, exclusive updates on her upcoming releases, and her passionate final thoughts on what it truly means to be an author.\\ \\ ****1\. The 3-Word Pitch**** \\ \\ **For readers discovering the _True or Knot_ series for the very first time, how would you describe your books in three words?**\\ \\ **Marina:** Multicultural, intriguing, and spicy\\ \\ ****2\. The Double Life**** \\ \\ **By day, you’re climbing the corporate ladder as a Software Engineer, and by night, you write romance. What does your typical writing day look like, and do you prefer writing in the morning or as a night owl?**\\ \\ **Marina:** Definitely a night owl! I can’t write during working hours; my job is mentally exhausting enough as it is. But I do write while I walk the dog, in the bathroom, while I wait in a queue, on weekends, and 80% of it happens in the evenings, when everyone’s asleep, and I have all the peace to focus.\\ \\ ****3\. The Bookish Life**** \\ \\ **When you sit down to read or write in the beautiful Canary Islands, what is your ideal reading day, and what is your go-to reading snack or beverage?**\\ \\ **Marina:** If it's the weekend, I love to read and write on the beach, with the salty breeze and the sound of the waves. I also do a lot of writing lying in my hammock. My usual drink is coffee, but if I want to treat myself, I have a "Barraquito," which is a typical coffee with cinnamon, condensed milk, lemon peel, and liqueur.\\ \\ ****4\. Current Reads**** \\ \\ **What book is currently on your nightstand, and what genres do you enjoy reading most when you’re not writing?**\\ \\ **Marina:** I have a couple of technical and management-related books on my nightstand that, honestly, I've been putting off for ages. My e-book TBR is long and filled with Omegaverse and romance in general. Right now I’m reading “Summoning Trouble” by Luisa Perez.\\ \\ ****5\. The Warning Label**** \\ \\ **If your writing process had a warning label based on how you balance engineering, gaming with your son, and writing, what would it say?**\\ \\ **Marina:** “Warning: chaos and sleepless nights ahead.”\\ \\ ****6\. The Soundtrack**** \\ \\ **Music can set the perfect mood for a book. If _Beta or Knot_ had a theme song or a track on a soundtrack, what would it be?**\\ \\ **Marina:** Let the tears fall – Kelly Clarkson\\ \\ ****7\. The Animal Critic**** \\ \\ **We hear you have an attention-seeking dog! If your dog could read, how do you think they would react to you spending your free time typing away at your books instead of giving them belly rubs?**\\ \\ **Marina:** Oh, he gets belly rubs! And since I write a lot during our walks, sometimes we end up walking more than intended, so I think he would approve.\\ \\ ****8\. The Spark**** \\ \\ **What first inspired you to become a writer, and when did you realize you wanted to pursue publishing your stories seriously?**\\ \\ **Marina:** Being an author had always been a dream of mine, but then things happened, and somewhere between my engineering career and a divorce, life kind of crushed my creativity. I told my son once that I wanted to write a book someday, and when he asked me to make up a story for him, I couldn’t. So that was a turning point. I started doing writing exercises and reading a lot more fiction to rekindle that spark. It took me some years, but it seems to have worked.\\ \\ ****9\. Planner vs. Pantser**** \\ \\ **Because your day job involves engineering and logic, does that carry over into your writing? Are you a meticulous planner/plotter, or a write and discover type of author?**\\ \\ **Marina:** A bit of both. I start with a rough idea. I draw a few steps and cornerstones and then let my imagination run free and discover the story as it goes. I knew Lars’ story from day one! But what was supposed to be one book about a very indecisive Alpha and how two packs formed… somehow transformed into a five-book series. Don’t ask me how; it just happened.\\ \\ ****10\. The Challenge**** \\ \\ **Which part of the writing process do you enjoy the most, the cozy parts, the spice, or the tear-jerkers, and which part challenges you the most?**\\ \\ **Marina:** I enjoy all of it! I struggle a bit with the spice. Though it's getting easier as I go. Some of the tear-jerier parts just poured out of me and surprised me a little; I didn’t expect those to be so emotionally healing.\\ \\ ****11\. The Advice**** \\ \\ **What is the best writing advice you've ever received that you would pass along to aspiring authors?**\\ \\ **Marina:** I still think of myself as an aspiring author, so this question is funny. But I would say, find yourself a good dev editor. You have no idea how much I’ve learned from mine, Steph Rawlins. Also, just write. With all the mistakes, typos, plot holes, and weird phrasing, just get the idea out. You can have as many iterations as you need later.\\ \\ ****12\. The Corporate Setting**** \\ \\ **_Pack or Knot_ and _Beta or Knot_ both feature Paylance, bringing a corporate tech-style setting into the Omegaverse. Did your real-world experience as a software engineer inspire the setting or the mysterious security breach plotline in Book 1?**\\ \\ **Marina:** Yes, I’m lucky to love my job, but it is true that I have a lot of corporate shenanigans and anecdotes to get inspiration from.\\ \\ ****13\. In a Crisis**** \\ \\ **The Fredriksson pack deals with some intense dynamics. Out of all the characters you’ve created so far across Book 1 and Book 2, which of your characters would you trust most in a real-life crisis?**\\ \\ **Marina:** Lucía Oramas, definitely! Now, her character is heavily inspired by my own personality, work, and experiences… so I don’t know what that says about me. _sigh_. Jonas from Book 3 is a close contender.\\ \\ ****14\. Character Surprises**** \\ \\ **Did any of your characters like Lars, the new Omega, or the Beta in Book 2 completely surprise you and take the plot in a direction you didn’t originally plan?**\\ \\ **Marina:** John, from Book 2. I added this character because I needed someone to balance the pack’s dynamics, and it turned out to be perfect for the job. I wish men like him were the norm, honestly.\\ \\ ****15\. The Big Screen Dream**** \\ \\ **If the _True or Knot_ series were adapted into a movie or TV series, what would you be most excited to see brought to life on screen?**\\ \\ **Marina:** Oh, Hannah’s and Lucía’s love. It's so cute and tender, and I loved writing them falling for each other.\\ \\ ****16\. The Takeaway**** \\ \\ **_Beta or Knot_ comes out on July 29th! What emotions do you hope readers experience while reading this new installment, and what can readers look forward to next from you?**\\ \\ **Marina:** I wish more people knew that strength and vulnerability are not mutually exclusive. You can be strong and yet fall prey to manipulations and coercions. If a woman or really, anyone in this situation reads this and finds the courage to step out of a bad relationship… I’ll consider all this worthwhile.\\ \\ I’ll keep bringing the multicultural aspect to the packs. I like thinking that in a society like the one in my books, we would all be more open to diversity of all kinds. I think the Omegaverse genre, in general, does a great job with this, and it's one of the things I liked about it. Other authors are doing a great job incorporating LGBTQ+ and BIPOC representation, but I was kind of missing a strong multicultural dynamic, which is why I added it so heavily in mine. But I’d love to add even more diversity going forward.\\ \\ I’m already editing book 3, though I can’t give you the title yet; it’s scheduled to come out in November. And I’m one-third of the way through books 4 and 5. Hopefully, we’ll close this series in spring 2027.\\ \\ ****17\. The Dinner Guest**** \\ \\ **If you could have dinner with any author, living or dead, who would it be and why?**\\ \\ **Marina:** This is an impossible question! All right, I’ll bite. Ayn Rand. I know, I don't agree with all of her philosophy, but debating with her would be amazing.\\ \\ ****18\. The Time Machine**** \\ \\ **What is one book you wish you could experience again for the first time?**\\ \\ **Marina:** “Búscame donde nacen los dragos” by Emma Lira. Can’t explain it; I just loved that book.\\ \\ ****19\. Fictional Travel**** \\ \\ **If you could visit any fictional world for a day, where are you going?**\\ \\ **Marina:** Is it selfish to say… mine?\\ \\ ****🛒 Support the Author: Shop the Series**** \\ \\ Ready to jump into the corporate Omegaverse? Use the links below to secure your copies!\\ \\ ****Pre-Order / Purchase _Beta or Knot_:**** \\ \\ - Amazon\\ \\ - Barnes & Noble\\ \\ - BookVault\\ \\ - Bookshop.org\\ \\ \\ ****Catch Up on Book 1 ( _Pack or Knot_):**** \\ \\ - Amazon\\ \\ - Barnes & Noble\\ \\ - Bookshop.org\\ \\ \\ ****Connect with Marina Online:**** \\ \\ - Official Website\\ \\ - Instagram\\ \\ \\ ****💭 Closing Note from Marina****\\ \\ "Just adding that my first language isn’t English; it’s Spanish. But that didn’t stop me from chasing this crazy dream. I worked really hard to rebuild that figurative “muscle” that's creativity, and even harder to improve my English to reach this point.\\ \\ So people using gen-AI to “write” and “draw” because they lack the “natural talent” have no excuse. The learning curve, the journey, is a substantial part of calling yourself an Author. If you’re not putting in all the work, you’re just a prompter. Leaving aside the ethical and environmental implications, if that's what you want to be, all right, but be honest with your readers and, above all, with yourself about it."\\ \\ Upgrade for $5 or login](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/ycwIg6BVyFIJXLoIcGLH/) [The First Editions Exclusive: Coding, Chaos, and Creative Chemistry with Marina Ramwell](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/ycwIg6BVyFIJXLoIcGLH/) * * * [The Page Ladies Book Club \\ \\ The Page Ladies \\ \\ • Jul 26](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/) \\ \\ Ever wondered what happens when you mix a demanding day job in tech with a passion for high-stakes, multicultural romance? Meet Marina Ramwell, the brilliant mind behind the _True or Knot_ series. By day, she's navigating the corporate world as a Software Engineer; by night, she’s building a captivating, diverse Omegaverse.\\ \\ Today, we are sharing a sneak peek of our exclusive interview with Marina. Dive into the first 8 questions below to learn about her writing process, her gorgeous Canary Islands workspace, and the chaotic "warning label" of her life!\\ \\ ****1\. The 3-Word Pitch**** \\ \\ **For readers discovering the _True or Knot_ series for the very first time, how would you describe your books in three words?**\\ \\ **Marina:** Multicultural, intriguing, and spicy.\\ \\ ****2\. The Double Life**** \\ \\ **By day, you’re climbing the corporate ladder as a Software Engineer, and by night, you write romance. What does your typical writing day look like, and do you prefer writing in the morning or as a night owl?**\\ \\ **Marina:** Definitely a night owl! I can’t write during working hours; my job is mentally exhausting enough as it is. But I do write while I walk the dog, in the bathroom, while I wait in a queue, on weekends, and 80% of it happens in the evenings, when everyone’s asleep, and I have all the peace to focus.\\ \\ ****3\. The Bookish Life**** \\ \\ **When you sit down to read or write in the beautiful Canary Islands, what is your ideal reading day, and what is your go-to reading snack or beverage?**\\ \\ **Marina:** If it's the weekend, I love to read and write on the beach, with the salty breeze and the sound of the waves. I also do a lot of writing lying in my hammock. My usual drink is coffee, but if I want to treat myself, I have a _"Barraquito,"_ which is a typical coffee with cinnamon, condensed milk, lemon peel, and liqueur.\\ \\ ****4\. Current Reads**** \\ \\ **What book is currently on your nightstand, and what genres do you enjoy reading most when you’re not writing?**\\ \\ **Marina:** I have a couple of technical and management-related books on my nightstand that, honestly, I've been putting off for ages. My e-book TBR is long and filled with Omegaverse and romance in general. Right now I’m reading _“Summoning Trouble”_ by Luisa Perez.\\ \\ ****5\. The Warning Label**** \\ \\ **If your writing process had a warning label based on how you balance engineering, gaming with your son, and writing, what would it say?**\\ \\ **Marina:** “Warning: chaos and sleepless nights ahead.”\\ \\ ****6\. The Soundtrack**** \\ \\ **Music can set the perfect mood for a book. If _Beta or Knot_ had a theme song or a track on a soundtrack, what would it be?**\\ \\ **Marina:** _Let the tears fall_ – Kelly Clarkson\\ \\ ****7\. The Animal Critic**** \\ \\ **We hear you have an attention-seeking dog! If your dog could read, how do you think they would react to you spending your free time typing away at your books instead of giving them belly rubs?**\\ \\ **Marina:** Oh, he gets belly rubs! And since I write a lot during our walks, sometimes we end up walking more than intended, so I think he would approve.\\ \\ ****8\. The Spark**** \\ \\ **What first inspired you to become a writer, and when did you realize you wanted to pursue publishing your stories seriously?**\\ \\ **Marina:** Being an author had always been a dream of mine, but then things happened, and somewhere between my engineering career and a divorce, life kind of crushed my creativity. I told my son once that I wanted to write a book someday, and when he asked me to make up a story for him, I couldn’t. So that was a turning point. I started doing writing exercises and reading a lot more fiction to rekindle that spark. It took me some years, but it seems to have worked.\\ \\ ****🌟 Want More? Join First Editions for the Full Interview!**** \\ \\ This is just the beginning! In the full interview, Marina dives deep into how her engineering job inspired her corporate tech-style Omegaverse setting, her thoughts on character surprises, a fierce defense of the creative journey, and a major sneak peek into the future of the _True or Knot_ series including timeline updates for Books 3, 4, and 5!\\ \\ **Unlock the Full Interview:**Join our First Editions Membership tier today to read the rest of Marina's answers, support our community, and get access to exclusive author content, early reveals, and more!\\ \\ ****🛒 Grab Your Copies of the _True or Knot_ Series**** \\ \\ Don't miss out on Marina's captivating world. Grab her latest release, _Beta or Knot_ (releasing July 29th!), or catch up on the book that started it all.\\ \\ ****Pre-Order / Purchase _Beta or Knot_:**** \\ \\ - Amazon\\ \\ - Barnes & Noble\\ \\ - BookVault\\ \\ - Bookshop.org\\ \\ \\ ****Buy Book 1, _Pack or Knot_:**** \\ \\ - Amazon\\ \\ - Barnes & Noble\\ \\ - Bookshop.org\\ \\ \\ ****Connect with Marina:**** \\ \\ - Official Website\\ \\ - Instagram\\ \\ \\ Join for free or login](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/lwb9CELKlnWLvLqMQZhe/) [Book Club Conversations with Author Marina Ramwell: The Software Engineer Crafting Spicy Omegaverse Romance](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/lwb9CELKlnWLvLqMQZhe/) * * * [The Page Ladies Book Club \\ \\ The Page Ladies \\ \\ • Jul 24](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/) \\ \\ Looking for fresh, professional **Bookstagram Canva templates** to make your August content stand out? Good news our **August Canva Templates** are officially here for **The First Editions** members!\\ \\ Whether you're sharing your latest book review, showing off book mail, celebrating a five-star read, or planning your monthly reading wrap-up, these customizable templates are designed to help you create beautiful, engaging content in just a few minutes.\\ \\ **What's Included** \\ \\ Your August template collection includes editable Canva designs perfect for:\\ \\ - 📚 **August 64 Template & Mockups Pack** featuring physical books, phones, tablets, Nooks, multiple-book layouts, and so much more!\\ \\ - 📚 My August Reads (12-Image Story Template)\\ \\ - 📖 My August Reads (9-Image Story Template)\\ \\ - ✨ August Wrap-Up (6-Image Story Template)\\ \\ \\ Simply open each template, personalize it with your own photos, book covers, ratings, and text, then share it across Instagram Stories or any of your favorite social platforms.\\ \\ **Download Your August Templates** **📚 August 64 Template & Mockups Pack** \\ \\ **Includes physical books, phones, tablets, Nooks, multiple-book layouts, and more!**\\ \\ https://canva.link/9gy2at85l6bl5ix\\ \\ **📚 My August Reads (12-Image Story Template)** \\ \\ https://canva.link/7oxul13fxukpxu9\\ \\ **📖 My August Reads (9-Image Story Template)** \\ \\ https://canva.link/r4viidjfbyvg8v6\\ \\ **✨ August Wrap-Up (6-Image Story Template)** \\ \\ https://canva.link/mtumkrh6y0k4j9s\\ \\ **Happy Creating!** \\ \\ We can't wait to see how you use these templates throughout the month. Be sure to tag **The Page Ladies Book Club** when you share your creations we love celebrating our members and featuring your beautiful bookish content!\\ \\ Thank you for being a valued **The First Editions** member. Your support allows us to continue creating exclusive book club kits, reader guides, author Q&As, Canva templates, mockups, and other premium resources designed especially for our community of passionate readers.\\ \\ Here's to a month filled with incredible books, creative posts, and plenty of five-star reads. Happy reading and happy creating! 📚✨\\ \\ Upgrade for $5 or login](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/QFNNJNqm1MfZ7gFomVZt/) [🎨 August Bookstagram Canva Templates Are Ready to Download!](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/QFNNJNqm1MfZ7gFomVZt/) * * * 1 [The Page Ladies Book Club \\ \\ The Page Ladies \\ \\ • Jul 24](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/) \\ \\ It's time to refresh your Bookstagram for a brand-new month! Our **FREE August Canva Templates** are now available for all **The Prequels** members.\\ \\ Whether you're tracking your monthly reading or sharing your August wrap-up, these editable Canva templates make it easy to create beautiful, engaging bookish content in just minutes.\\ \\ ****Your Free Downloads**** ****📚 August 6-Template & Mockups Pack**** \\ \\ https://canva.link/k3y6qmqpsn9mrdi\\ \\ ****✨ August Wrap-Up (6-Image Story Template)**** \\ \\ https://canva.link/mtumkrh6y0k4j9s\\ \\ Simply open the templates in Canva, customize them with your books, ratings, and photos, and you're ready to share your reading journey with the world!\\ \\ ****Looking for Even More?**** \\ \\ If you love these free resources, you'll love everything waiting for you inside **The First Editions**!\\ \\ Our premium August collection includes:\\ \\ - 📚 **64 Canva Templates & Mockups** featuring physical books, phones, tablets, Nooks, multiple-book layouts, and more.\\ \\ - 📖 **My August Reads** (12-Image Story Template)\\ \\ - 📚 **My August Reads** (9-Image Story Template)\\ \\ - ✨ Additional exclusive Canva resources released throughout the month.\\ \\ \\ Upgrade to **The First Editions** today to unlock the complete August Canva collection and enjoy new exclusive resources every month.\\ \\ Happy reading, happy creating, and thank you for being part of **The Page Ladies Book Club**! 📚✨\\ \\ Join for free or login](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/HgG3C3vLxY4ylhnTXQOC/) [🎨 Your Free August Canva Templates Are Ready!](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/HgG3C3vLxY4ylhnTXQOC/) * * * 2 [The Page Ladies Book Club \\ \\ The Page Ladies \\ \\ • Jul 22](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/) \\ \\ Welcome to your exclusive deep dive into the mind of **V.S. Lawrence**. While our public teaser focused on the campy side of horror, we saved the real writerly talk and the deep cuts for our **First Edition** members.\\ \\ In this full interview, V.S. Lawrence opens up about the heartbreak behind _Just Us, Here_, her squeaky wheel brainstorming process, and why she can no longer eat bologna thanks to _The Outsiders_. From Scooby-Doo chase music to the relatable motives of horror icons, this is the complete conversation.\\ \\ ****1\. V.S. Lawrence in Three Words**** \\ \\ **Q: For readers discovering your work for the first time, how would you describe your books in three words?**\\ \\ **V.S. Lawrence:** "Nostalgic, campy, broad."\\ \\ ****2\. Turning Fears into Fiction**** \\ \\ **Q: Your Goodreads bio mentions that you grew up being scared of everything. What are some fears that have found their way into your stories?**\\ \\ **V.S. Lawrence:** "I actually have a huge fear of fire, likely from the time I went to blow out my birthday candles when I was young and ended up catching my hair on fire instead. But fire has found its way into a couple of my books, as well as bugs. Cockroaches, spiders, maggots... all have found their way into my books and give me the creeps."\\ \\ ****3\. The Heart of Horror**** \\ \\ **Q: Horror can take many forms, from creepy and atmospheric to downright terrifying. What kind of horror do you enjoy writing most?**\\ \\ **V.S. Lawrence:** "The versatility of horror is one of my favorite things, and I've been having so much fun exploring several different types. But campy, fun horror has my heart."\\ \\ ****4\. The Spark of _Just Us, Here_**** \\ \\ **Q: Your upcoming novel _Just Us, Here_ explores social media, isolation, and a farmhouse that may be hiding dark secrets. What first sparked the idea for this story?**\\ \\ **V.S. Lawrence:** "A couple of years ago I had the idea for a book where an influencer is experiencing something terrifying in front of her audience, and thought it would be so interesting to explore the idea that for so many of us, it's almost impossible to look away from a trainwreck. We see people falling apart online and feel the need to comment on it, take it all in as entertainment, and I felt that having the comment section stand in as a character almost would be a really fun way to explore that idea."\\ \\ ****5\. Why Haunted Houses Hit Different**** \\ \\ **Q: Many readers are fascinated by haunted houses and places with history. What makes a setting feel genuinely unsettling to you?**\\ \\ **V.S. Lawrence:** "Our homes are supposed to be our safe place, the place where we can relax, unwind, let our guard completely down. But when the floorboards start creaking, strange noises happen, things start moving, it rips that sense of safety right out from under you. It's also presenting us with the idea that maybe there is something after death, that maybe we leave a small piece of ourselves behind that ends up desperate to be seen and acknowledged."\\ \\ ****6\. The Allure of _The Patch_**** \\ \\ **Q: _The Patch_ centers around a cursed pumpkin patch and a town haunted by its past. What drew you to that premise?**\\ \\ **V.S. Lawrence:** "I'm obsessed with pumpkin patches. It's one of my all-time favorite things to do in the fall, and when I was asked to write something for the _Totally Freaked!_ series, I felt like the classic new kid in a new town that had some interesting beliefs surrounding a pumpkin patch would be a really fun addition to the series."\\ \\ ****7\. The Scream-to-Laugh Ratio**** \\ \\ **Q: Several of your stories seem to blend horror with humor and adventure. How do you find the balance between scares and fun?**\\ \\ **V.S. Lawrence:** "Honestly, I think horror and comedy are two sides of the same coin. Both rely on building tension and timing so that the joke or scare lands just right, resulting in either laughter or screams. I think finding the balance is similar to either straight horror or comedy; you don't want to hit the reader with scare after scare, or joke after joke. It loses its impact if it's a steady stream. But with horror and comedy, it's kind of neat because you don't always know if the tension is building to a scare or just a funny moment, and I think that makes it even more fun to write (because I don't always know, either.)"\\ \\ ****8\. The Tone of _Just Us, Here_**** \\ \\ **Q: If readers could only know one thing before picking up _Just Us, Here_, what would you want them to know?**\\ \\ **V.S. Lawrence:** "It's bleak. This book is me trying my hand at modern gothic, and so tonally it's very different from what I've put out so far. It's a slow burn and a little heartbreaking and it doesn't have a hopeful ending like many of my other books do."\\ \\ ****9\. The Brainstorming Process**** \\ \\ **Q: What does your brainstorming process look like when a new story idea first appears?**\\ \\ **V.S. Lawrence:** "A lot of times my book ideas come from a single scene that pops into my head, or just a seed of an idea, and then I try really hard to figure out how to build something up around that single image. I sit down and make a really rough outline that usually doesn't include the ending, because I always struggle with those. I'll bounce ideas off of friends or family as I work on the outline, and bulk it up as I go. Then, when I start the first draft, chunks of that outline just go right out the window as things go off the rails and I have to go back to talking through the new possible paths that the story could take until I finally get to the end. But even then I might find myself having to change the entire ending."\\ \\ ****10\. Deciding What’s Next**** \\ \\ **Q: You've written everything from ghost-hunting adventures to camp horror and cryptid chaos. How do you decide which idea to work on next?**\\ \\ **V.S. Lawrence:** "I have a million idea seeds floating around in my head and my notes app. I tell myself I'm going to work on X project next, but when it comes down to it, I have to work on the idea that's loudest. The one that keeps jumping forward, pushing images and scenes to the front. It really is a case of the squeaky wheel getting the grease."\\ \\ ****11\. Publishing Surprises**** \\ \\ **Q: Looking back on your journey as an author, what has surprised you most about publishing books?**\\ \\ **V.S. Lawrence:** "How kind the horror community is. I've been welcomed so warmly by readers and authors alike and it has been such an amazing experience I never expected."\\ \\ ****12\. The Power of Nostalgia**** \\ \\ **Q: What role does nostalgia play in your writing, especially with stories like _80s Ghosts_ and _Chalupacabra Y2K_?**\\ \\ **V.S. Lawrence:** "It plays a huge role. A lot of horror readers grew up reading things like _Goosebumps_, _Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark_, and _Point Horror_, and I think many of us kind of want to recapture the feelings we had reading those books. Back when we devoured books and were rewarded with pizza and didn't have phones demanding our attention 24/7. I know for me, writing things set before we were so distracted is a way to relive those experiences, almost. Even if it's an idealized version of the past, it's a fun thing to escape into."\\ \\ ****13\. Twist Planning**** \\ \\ **Q: Do you tend to outline every twist and scare ahead of time, or do some surprises reveal themselves while you're writing?**\\ \\ **V.S. Lawrence:** "In most of my outlines I know that \[something scary happens here\] but it's only when I'm writing the scene that what that scary thing actually is reveals itself."\\ \\ ****14\. Creating Memorable Villains**** \\ \\ **Q: What makes a horror villain, monster, or supernatural threat memorable in your opinion?**\\ \\ **V.S. Lawrence:** "Honestly, it's the ones whose point of view is actually kind of relatable. Like, the ones I can understand why they did it. Think Carrie, Frankenstein's monster, and even Pam Voorhees."\\ \\ ****15\. Horror Shaping**** \\ \\ **Q: As a reader, what books or authors helped shape your love of horror?**\\ \\ **V.S. Lawrence:** "Definitely R.L. Stine's _Goosebumps_. I can vividly remember walking to the swimming pool with my sister and making up our own plot lines for new _Goosebumps_ books."\\ \\ ****16\. Best Writing Advice**** \\ \\ **Q: What is one piece of writing advice that has stuck with you over the years?**\\ \\ **V.S. Lawrence:** "That if you want to be a good writer, you have to read. Read a lot, and read widely. I have seen firsthand how my writing and creativity improves when I'm reading voraciously."\\ \\ ****17\. The Fictional Dinner Guest**** \\ \\ **Q: If you could spend a day with one fictional character from any book, who would you choose and why?**\\ \\ **V.S. Lawrence:** "I'd love to meet Jay Gatsby and go to one of his parties! I'm not really a party girl, but I mean, a Gatsby party would be a must."\\ \\ ****18\. The Adaptation Goal**** \\ \\ **Q: Your bio says your books feel like "Scooby-Doo chase music." If one of your books were adapted into a movie, what would you hope viewers would say afterward?**\\ \\ **V.S. Lawrence:** "That was so much fun!"\\ \\ ****19\. What’s Next?**** \\ \\ **Q: What exciting projects, stories, or spooky surprises can readers look forward to from you next?**\\ \\ **V.S. Lawrence:** "I'm working on a collection of Christmas horror stories for this Christmas, and there may or may not be another slasher in the pipeline!"\\ \\ ****Support the Author & Grab Your Copies!**** \\ \\ Check out the links below to follow along and grab your copies:\\ \\ - **Official Website:** vslawrence.com\\ \\ - **Follow on Instagram:**@vslawrence.author\\ \\ - **Goodreads:**V.S. Lawrence Author Page\\ \\ \\ **Shop the Latest Releases:**\\ \\ - **Pre-order _Just Us, Here_:**Amazon \|Signed & Special Pre-orders\\ \\ - **Order _The Patch_:**Amazon \|Paperback with Retro VHS Packaging\\ \\ \\ Upgrade for $5 or login](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/Vq7oxjexzbWOhiuWY0w2/) [The First Editions Exclusive: The Complete Q&A with V.S. Lawrence](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/Vq7oxjexzbWOhiuWY0w2/) * * * [The Page Ladies Book Club \\ \\ The Page Ladies \\ \\ • Jul 22](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/) \\ \\ Welcome back to the blog! If you like your horror with a side of nostalgia and a dash of the "downright creepy," you are in for a treat. Today we are chatting with the brilliant **V.S. Lawrence**, an author who knows exactly how to turn our everyday safe spaces into heart-pounding settings.\\ \\ From cursed pumpkin patches to the terrifying isolation of a viral livestream, V.S. Lawrence’s stories explore the thin line between entertainment and true terror. We sat down to discuss the upcoming novel _Just Us, Here_, hair-raising childhood fears, and why horror and comedy are actually best friends.\\ \\ Enjoy part one of our interview below!\\ \\ ****1\. V.S. Lawrence in Three Words**** \\ \\ **Q: For readers discovering your work for the first time, how would you describe your books in three words?**\\ \\ **V.S. Lawrence:** "Nostalgic, campy, broad."\\ \\ ****2\. Turning Fears into Fiction**** \\ \\ **Q: Your Goodreads bio mentions that you grew up being scared of everything. What are some fears that have found their way into your stories?**\\ \\ **V.S. Lawrence:** "I actually have a huge fear of fire, likely from the time I went to blow out my birthday candles when I was young and ended up catching my hair on fire instead. But fire has found its way into a couple of my books, as well as bugs. Cockroaches, spiders, maggots... all have found their way into my books and give me the creeps."\\ \\ ****3\. The Heart of Horror**** \\ \\ **Q: Horror can take many forms, from creepy and atmospheric to downright terrifying. What kind of horror do you enjoy writing most?**\\ \\ **V.S. Lawrence:** "The versatility of horror is one of my favorite things, and I've been having so much fun exploring several different types. But campy, fun horror has my heart."\\ \\ ****4\. The Spark of _Just Us, Here_**** \\ \\ **Q: Your upcoming novel _Just Us, Here_ explores social media, isolation, and a farmhouse that may be hiding dark secrets. What first sparked the idea for this story?**\\ \\ **V.S. Lawrence:** "A couple of years ago I had the idea for a book where an influencer is experiencing something terrifying in front of her audience, and thought it would be so interesting to explore the idea that for so many of us, it's almost impossible to look away from a trainwreck. We see people falling apart online and feel the need to comment on it, take it all in as entertainment, and I felt that having the comment section stand in as a character almost would be a really fun way to explore that idea."\\ \\ ****5\. Why Haunted Houses Hit Different**** \\ \\ **Q: Many readers are fascinated by haunted houses and places with history. What makes a setting feel genuinely unsettling to you?**\\ \\ **V.S. Lawrence:** "Our homes are supposed to be out safe place, the place where we can relax, unwind, let our guard completely down. But when the floorboards start creaking, strange noises happen, things start moving it rips that sense of safety right out from under you. It's also presenting us with the idea that maybe there is something after death, that maybe we leave a small piece of ourselves behind that ends up desperate to be seen and acknowledged."\\ \\ ****6\. The Allure of _The Patch_**** \\ \\ **Q: _The Patch_ centers around a cursed pumpkin patch and a town haunted by its past. What drew you to that premise?**\\ \\ **V.S. Lawrence:** "I'm obsessed with pumpkin patches. It's one of my all-time favorite things to do in the fall, and when I was asked to write something for the Totally Freaked! series, I felt like the classic new kid in a new town that had some interesting beliefs surrounding a pumpkin patch would be a really fun addition to the series."\\ \\ ****7\. The Scream-to-Laugh Ratio**** \\ \\ **Q: Several of your stories seem to blend horror with humor and adventure. How do you find the balance between scares and fun?**\\ \\ **V.S. Lawrence:** "Honestly, I think horror and comedy are two sides of the same coin. Both rely on building tension and timing so that the joke or scare lands just right, resulting in either laughter or screams. I think finding the balance is similar to either straight horror or comedy - you don't want to hit the reader with scare after scare, or joke after joke. it looses its impact if it's a steady stream. But with horror and comedy, it's kind of neat because you don't always know if the tension is building to a scare or just a funny moment, and I think that makes it even more fun to write (because I don't always know, either.)"\\ \\ ****Want Deeper Access? 💎**** \\ \\ This is just a small preview of our wonderful conversation with **V.S. Lawrence**! Premium members of **The First Editions** can log in now to unlock the complete, unedited Q&A.\\ \\ ****Support the Author & Grab Your Copies!**** \\ \\ Don't miss out on these spine-tingling reads. Check out the links below to follow along and grab your copies:\\ \\ - **Official Website:** vslawrence.com\\ \\ - **Follow on Instagram:**@vslawrence.author\\ \\ - **Goodreads:**V.S. Lawrence Author Page\\ \\ \\ **Shop the Latest Releases:**\\ \\ - **Pre-order _Just Us, Here_:**Amazon \|Signed & Special Pre-orders\\ \\ - **Order _The Patch_:**Amazon \|Paperback with Retro VHS Packaging\\ \\ \\ Join for free or login](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/IEwStxhAuqZrOxa7Xiya/) [📖 Book Club Conversation: Campy Scares and Influencer Nightmares with V.S. Lawrence!](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/IEwStxhAuqZrOxa7Xiya/) * * * 2 books [The Page Ladies Book Club \\ \\ The Page Ladies \\ \\ • Jul 19](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/) \\ \\ Welcome to your sneak peek of this month's **Early Warning System!**\\ \\ Every month, **The Page Ladies Book Club** rounds up the most anticipated upcoming releases so you can discover exciting new books before they hit the shelves. Whether you're a fan of romantasy, fantasy, thrillers, mystery, horror, romance, or literary fiction, August is packed with books worth adding to your TBR.\\ \\ ****👀 Sneak Peek**** \\ \\ Here's just a taste of what's featured in this month's guide:\\ \\ - ✨ _Eyes of Kings_ by Chloe Gong\\ \\ - 🩸 _A Bargain So Bloody_ by Vasilisa Drake\\ \\ - 🔮 _Dreamland_ by Olivie Blake\\ \\ - 👑 _Steelborn_ by Taylor J. Larue\\ \\ - 🖤 _Heart of Glass_ by Jennifer Hillier\\ \\ - 👻 _The Unknown_ by Riley Sager\\ \\ \\ ...plus dozens more exciting releases coming throughout August!\\ \\ ****🔓 Unlock the Full Guide with The First Editions**** \\ \\ Upgrade your membership to access the complete **August 2026 Early Warning System Pre-Order Guide**, including:\\ \\ - 📚 Every major August release organized by publication date\\ \\ - 🏷️ Genre tags to help you find your next read\\ \\ - ✨ Deluxe and collector's edition highlights\\ \\ - ❤️ Our most anticipated picks of the month\\ \\ - 📅 A convenient, easy-to-browse guide designed to keep you ahead of every new release\\ \\ \\ As a **The First Editions** member, you'll also receive exclusive book club resources, printable reading guides, member-only content, and our complete monthly Early Warning System to help you stay one step ahead of your ever-growing TBR.\\ \\ ❓️Which August 2026 release are you pre-ordering first or looking forward to the most? Let us know in the comments!👇\\ \\ Thank you for being part of our community. We can't wait to share even more great books with you!\\ \\ **Happy reading! 📚✨**\\ \\ Join for free or login](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/bedYpMdCb7gouBaQGsXR/) [📚 Early Warning System: August 2026 Pre-Order Guide Sneak Peek](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/bedYpMdCb7gouBaQGsXR/) * * * 1 [The Page Ladies Book Club \\ \\ The Page Ladies \\ \\ • Jul 19](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/) \\ \\ If you're already planning your late summer reading list, you've come to the right place! Welcome to **The Page Ladies Book Club Early Warning System**, your monthly guide to the **most anticipated August 2026 book releases**.\\ \\ Whether you're looking for the next viral romantasy, an edge-of-your-seat thriller, a cozy romance, literary fiction, horror, mystery, or fantasy, we've rounded up the books readers should have on their radar before publication day.\\ \\ ****📚 Where to Pre-Order**** \\ \\ Support independent bookstores by shopping our curated **Bookshop.org** list:\\ \\ **👉** **Bookshop.org** **August Pre-Order List:** https://bookshop.org/lists/august-pre-order-list\\ \\ Prefer Amazon?\\ \\ **👉 Shop Our Amazon August Pre-Order Idea List:** https://amzn.to/4fvQilW\\ \\ Simply tap either link to browse and pre-order your favorites.\\ \\ ****🌟 August 4, 2026 Releases**** ****💕 Romance, Romcom & Contemporary Fiction**** \\ \\ - **The Project** by Annie Lord _(Romcom / Fiction)_\\ \\ - **Done and Dusted (Deluxe Edition)** by Lyla Sage _(Contemporary Romance)_\\ \\ - **The Roman Holiday Rule** by Andra Loy _(Romcom / Magical Realism)_\\ \\ - **Autumn at the Cat Cafe** by Kathleen Fuller _(Cozy Romance)_\\ \\ \\ ****🐉 Fantasy & Romantasy**** \\ \\ - **The Iron Hex** by Victoria S. Walsh _(Fantasy Romance)_\\ \\ - **Steelborn (Deluxe Limited Edition)** by Taylor J. Larue\\ \\ - **Eyes of Kings** by Chloe Gong\\ \\ - **A Bargain So Bloody (Deluxe Limited Edition)** by Vasilisa Drake\\ \\ - **To Dance with Death** by Brittney Arena\\ \\ - **Sunsplitter** by S.A. MacLean\\ \\ \\ ****🔎 Mystery & Thriller**** \\ \\ - **Crescendo** by Robert J. Harris\\ \\ - **A Stranger in Corfu** by Alex Preston\\ \\ - **The Amateur** by Chris Bohjalian\\ \\ - **The Unknown (Deluxe Edition)** by Riley Sager\\ \\ \\ ****📖 Literary & Contemporary Fiction**** \\ \\ - **The Wild Beneath** by Kelly Anderson\\ \\ - **Etna** by Paul Yoon\\ \\ - **Appraisals** by Claire Boyles\\ \\ - **A Dog in Georgia** by Lauren Grodstein\\ \\ - **Breathing Under Water** by Jacqueline Friedland\\ \\ - **Mona Acts Out** by Mischa Berlinski\\ \\ - **Kitten** by Stacey Yu\\ \\ - **Everything That Is Beautiful** by Louise Nealon\\ \\ \\ ****👻 Horror**** \\ \\ - **Slash or Pass** by Thalia Sanchez\\ \\ - **Queen Mab** by Emily McBride\\ \\ \\ ****✨ Deluxe Editions Worth Collecting**** \\ \\ Collectors won't want to miss:\\ \\ - **Steelborn**\\ \\ - **A Bargain So Bloody**\\ \\ - **Done and Dusted**\\ \\ - **The Unknown**\\ \\ \\ featuring sprayed or stenciled edges, illustrated endpapers, foil stamping, exclusive artwork, and other beautiful collector details.\\ \\ ****🌟 August 10 Release**** \\ \\ - **Between Sky and Sea (Black Heart Tribunal #1)** by Katy Tearle _(Fantasy / Paranormal Romance)_\\ \\ \\ ****🌟 August 11 Releases**** ****Fantasy & Romantasy**** \\ \\ - **Spellfire** by Agatha Willow\\ \\ - **The Magic We Made** by Meg Cabot\\ \\ - **These Vile Hearts** by Melody Robinette\\ \\ - **Splintered Kingdom** by Gretchen Powell Fox\\ \\ \\ ****Mystery, Suspense & Thriller**** \\ \\ - **Brimstone Hollow**\\ \\ - **Mia**\\ \\ - **Freight**\\ \\ - **Stay Buried**\\ \\ - **Saint Delilah**\\ \\ - **Dreamland (Deluxe Edition)**\\ \\ \\ ****Fiction**** \\ \\ - **Bury Your Dead**\\ \\ - **Hocus Pocus**\\ \\ - **Bad Influence**\\ \\ - **A Hard Habit to Break**\\ \\ \\ ****🌟 August 18 Releases**** ****Thrillers**** \\ \\ - **What They Did**\\ \\ - **That Night**\\ \\ - **The Secret Dinner**\\ \\ \\ ****Horror**** \\ \\ - **The Sleeping Sisters**\\ \\ - **The Minimalist**\\ \\ - **These Walls Remember**\\ \\ \\ ****Fantasy & Sci-Fi**** \\ \\ - **Siren Says**\\ \\ - **Once Written in Gilded Blood (Deluxe Edition)**\\ \\ - **The Two of Us at the End of the World**\\ \\ \\ ****Romance**** \\ \\ - **Fireworks**\\ \\ \\ ****🌟 August 24 Release**** \\ \\ - **A Kingdom of Magic and Rain** by V.I. Davis _(High Fantasy Romance)_\\ \\ \\ ****🌟 August 25 Releases**** ****Fantasy & Romantasy**** \\ \\ - **Heir of Prophecy**\\ \\ - **A Curse of Shadows and Ice**\\ \\ \\ ****Mystery & Thriller**** \\ \\ - **Heart of Glass**\\ \\ - **The Camino**\\ \\ - **Find Me**\\ \\ - **They Say a Girl Died Here**\\ \\ \\ ****Horror**** \\ \\ - **The Devil Knows Her Name**\\ \\ - **The Sunken, the Adored**\\ \\ \\ ****Romance**** \\ \\ - **The Cozy Nook Bookshop**\\ \\ \\ ****📖 August 2026 Genre Highlights**** ****❤️ Romantasy**** \\ \\ August is packed with magical romances featuring vampires, witches, monsters, kingdoms, fairy tale retellings, arranged marriages, and enemies-to-lovers stories.\\ \\ ****🔥 Thriller & Suspense**** \\ \\ Psychological thrillers, legal thrillers, espionage, noir mysteries, survival stories, and supernatural suspense dominate this month's lineup.\\ \\ ****👻 Horror**** \\ \\ From Southern Gothic and folk horror to Lovecraftian nightmares and psychological terror, horror fans have plenty to look forward to.\\ \\ ****📚 Literary Fiction**** \\ \\ Readers looking for emotional family dramas, historical fiction, and contemporary literary novels will also find an impressive selection.\\ \\ ****⭐ Most Anticipated August 2026 Books**** \\ \\ Some of the biggest releases we're watching include:\\ \\ - _Eyes of Kings_ by Chloe Gong\\ \\ - _Dreamland_ by Olivie Blake\\ \\ - _The Unknown_ by Riley Sager\\ \\ - _Done and Dusted Deluxe Edition_ by Lyla Sage\\ \\ - _Heart of Glass_ by Jennifer Hillier\\ \\ - _The Amateur_ by Chris Bohjalian\\ \\ - _Heir of Prophecy_ by Analeigh Sbrana\\ \\ - _The Devil Knows Her Name_ by C.N. Vair\\ \\ - _A Bargain So Bloody_ by Vasilisa Drake\\ \\ - _Steelborn_ by Taylor J. Larue\\ \\ \\ ****📚 Shop the Complete August 2026 Pre-Order Guide**** \\ \\ Ready to fill your TBR?\\ \\ ✨ **Support independent bookstores by shopping our** **Bookshop.org** **list:**\\ \\ https://bookshop.org/lists/august-pre-order-list\\ \\ 🛒 **Or browse our Amazon Storefront August Pre-Order List:**\\ \\ https://amzn.to/4fvQilW\\ \\ Just tap the links above to grab your most anticipated August releases before they hit shelves!\\ \\ 💛 Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase through them, The Page Ladies Book Club may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support helps us continue to provide free books to our young readers book clubs and the content we share! Thank you for supporting our community!\\ \\ ****Join The Page Ladies Book Club**** \\ \\ Every month our **Early Warning System** rounds up the biggest upcoming releases across fantasy, romance, mystery, thrillers, horror, literary fiction, historical fiction, science fiction, cozy reads, and more so you'll never miss a book worth adding to your TBR.\\ \\ **Which August 2026 release are you pre-ordering first? Let us know in the comments!**\\ \\ Upgrade for $5 or login](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/yLL4a61igksX5qx2vHgw/) [August 2026 Early Warning System: Upcoming Book Releases You Can Pre-Order Now](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/yLL4a61igksX5qx2vHgw/) * * * 1 [The Page Ladies Book Club \\ \\ The Page Ladies \\ \\ • Jul 15](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/) ****Behind _Have You Seen Him_: Identity, Secrets, Storytelling & the Journey to Finding the Truth**** \\ \\ Welcome back to another exclusive **Book Club Conversation** from **The Page Ladies Book Club**.\\ \\ Today we're sitting down with **Kimberly Lee**, award-winning author of _Have You Seen Him_, to talk about writing thrillers, crafting unforgettable twists, deleted scenes, publishing, creativity, and what's next for David's story.\\ \\ ****📖 Featured Book**** ****_Have You Seen Him_**** ****What if everything you believed about yourself was totally wrong?**** \\ \\ Attorney David Byrdsong has spent most of his life trying not to think about the day he was abandoned at an airport as a child.\\ \\ When he unexpectedly discovers his own face in a missing-child advertisement, his search for answers leads him into a deadly web of corporate conspiracies, long-buried secrets, dangerous truths, and questions about the people he trusts most.\\ \\ Fast-paced, emotionally compelling, and impossible to put down, _Have You Seen Him_ blends psychological suspense with a moving exploration of identity, family, belonging, and resilience.\\ \\ ****💬 The Conversation**** ****1\. Three words to describe _Have You Seen Him_?**** \\ \\ **Page-turner. Twisty. Touching.**\\ \\ ****2\. Why explore identity and belonging?**** \\ \\ Kimberly shares that every piece she's written eventually circles back to belonging.\\ \\ "We're all searching for answers to 'Who am I?' and 'Where do I belong?'"\\ \\ The missing-child premise offered the perfect way to examine those universal questions through suspense and romance.\\ \\ ****3\. Where did the idea come from?**** \\ \\ Kimberly explains how a real missing-child advertisement, _The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks_, and a simple writing prompt asking "What if?" all collided to inspire David's story.\\ \\ ****4\. Can you silence your inner editor?**** \\ \\ Not really!\\ \\ Even though she encourages writers not to edit while drafting, Kimberly admits she's constantly revising as she writes and she's learned to embrace that process.\\ \\ ****5\. Favorite part of writing?**** \\ \\ Polishing.\\ \\ Returning to finished chapters with fresh eyes and refining every sentence is where she finds the most joy.\\ \\ ****6\. Plotter or pantser?**** \\ \\ Kimberly doesn't create detailed outlines.\\ \\ Instead, she often knows the beginning and ending, allowing her characters to discover the journey in between.\\ \\ ****7\. Favorite deleted scene?**** \\ \\ One cut chapter featured a school custodian secretly helping Gayle escape campus while telling eerie local folklore surrounding the school.\\ \\ Although it didn't survive edits, Kimberly hopes readers may see it appear in a future book.\\ \\ ****8\. Do you plant clues?**** \\ \\ Absolutely.\\ \\ She intentionally added subtle clues during revisions for observant readers hoping to solve the mystery early.\\ \\ ****9\. What makes an unforgettable thriller?**** \\ \\ Kimberly believes memorable thrillers combine twists, pacing, surprises, humor, emotional connection, and characters readers genuinely care about.\\ \\ ****10\. Biggest literary influences?**** \\ \\ Maya Angelou inspired her voice and courage.\\ \\ John Grisham inspired her love of legal thrillers and ultimately encouraged her to combine her legal background with fiction.\\ \\ ****11\. Best writing advice?**** \\ \\ Write every idea down.\\ \\ Even the ones that seem silly.\\ \\ You never know which one will become your next novel.\\ \\ ****12\. Biggest publishing surprise?**** \\ \\ Kimberly shares a deeply personal reflection about fear, losing her father unexpectedly, and choosing to pursue publication despite feeling uncomfortable with self-promotion.\\ \\ She leaves readers with Audre Lorde's powerful reminder:\\ \\ "When I dare to be powerful…it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid."\\ \\ ****13\. What's next?**** \\ \\ _Have You Seen Him_ is only the beginning.\\ \\ Kimberly is currently writing the second book in the trilogy during an upcoming writing residency and can't wait to reunite with these characters.\\ \\ ****👩 About the Author**** \\ \\ Kimberly Lee, JD, is an award-winning novelist, editor, workshop facilitator, and creative guide dedicated to helping others discover their authentic voice through writing, expressive arts, mindfulness, and reflective practices.\\ \\ She is a graduate of Stanford University and UC Davis School of Law and serves on the faculty of Hugo House, The Loft, Arts & Healing Initiative, and Women on Writing. Her workshops have been featured at Esalen Institute, Hollyhock Retreat Centre, Omega Institute, The Huntington, and numerous organizations throughout North America.\\ \\ Her writing has appeared in Literary Mama, Carve, F(r)iction, LA Parent, The Ekphrastic Review, BetterSleep, and many other publications.\\ \\ Kimberly lives in Southern California with her husband and three children.\\ \\ ****🌿 Beyond the Novel**** \\ \\ In addition to writing fiction, Kimberly leads expressive writing workshops, SoulCollage® retreats, and creativity experiences designed to help participants reconnect with imagination, intuition, and authentic storytelling.\\ \\ ****🛒 Purchase _Have You Seen Him_**** \\ \\ 📚 Amazon\\ \\ 📚 Barnes & Noble\\ \\ 📚 Bookshop.org\\ \\ ****🌐 Connect with Kimberly Lee**** \\ \\ Website:\\ \\ https://www.kimberlylee.me/\\ \\ Instagram:\\ \\ @klcreatrix\\ \\ Newsletter:\\ \\ https://www.kimberlylee.me/contact\\ \\ Goodreads:\\ \\ https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/234889217-have-you-seen-him\\ \\ ****📅 Upcoming Appearance**** \\ \\ **Book Reading & Signing**\\ \\ 📍 Vroman's Bookstore\\ \\ Pasadena, California\\ \\ 🗓 Sunday, July 19\\ \\ ⏰ 4:00–6:00 PM\\ \\ Thank you for supporting **The First Editions**. Your membership makes conversations like these possible while helping us connect readers with the authors behind the stories we love.\\ \\ Until next time…\\ \\ **Happy Reading!**\\ \\ **—The Page Ladies Book Club**\\ \\ Upgrade for $5 or login](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/CNgTnEAVus961zpXZZ6x/) [The First Editions Exclusive \| Book Club Conversation with Kimberly Lee](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/CNgTnEAVus961zpXZZ6x/) * * * 1 book 1 [The Page Ladies Book Club \\ \\ The Page Ladies \\ \\ • Jul 15](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/) \\ \\ **Book Club Conversations • Author Interview • Thriller Books • Mystery Books • Psychological Suspense**\\ \\ Welcome back to **The Page Ladies Book Club**! One of our favorite parts of reading is getting to step behind the story and hear directly from the authors who created it.\\ \\ This month, we're thrilled to welcome **Kimberly Lee**, author of the award-winning thriller **Have You Seen Him**. In this exclusive preview, Kimberly shares the inspiration behind her unforgettable debut, her writing process, and why themes of identity and belonging continue to shape her stories.\\ \\ ****📖 Featured Book**** ****_Have You Seen Him_**** \\ \\ **What if everything you believed about yourself was totally wrong?**\\ \\ Attorney David Byrdsong has spent years trying to leave the past behind. Abandoned as a child and later adopted by a loving family, he's learned to keep his emotions guarded.\\ \\ Then everything changes.\\ \\ One ordinary day, David discovers his own face staring back at him from a decades-old missing child advertisement.\\ \\ Determined to uncover the truth, David is pulled into a dangerous investigation involving corporate conspiracies, shocking secrets, murdered witnesses, and questions that threaten everything he thought he knew about himself.\\ \\ Blending psychological suspense with emotional depth, _Have You Seen Him_ explores identity, family, belonging, and the lengths we'll go to uncover the truth.\\ \\ ****💬 Book Club Conversation**** ****For readers discovering your work for the first time, how would you describe _Have You Seen Him_ in just three words?**** \\ \\ **Kimberly Lee:** _Page-turner. Twisty. Touching._\\ \\ ****Identity is at the heart of this novel. What drew you to exploring those themes?****\\ \\ "No matter our background, we're all searching for answers to 'Who am I?' and 'Where do I belong?'"\\ \\ Kimberly explains that the theme of belonging has appeared throughout everything she's written from flash fiction to essays to novels. The missing-child premise became the perfect vehicle for exploring those deeply human questions.\\ \\ ****Did the story begin with David or the premise?**** \\ \\ Kimberly reveals that everything started with a real missing-child advertisement featuring both a young boy and an age-progressed image decades later.\\ \\ Combined with reading _The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks_ and a writing exercise centered around asking "What if?", the idea slowly transformed into David's unforgettable journey.\\ \\ ****What's your favorite part of writing?**** \\ \\ Polishing.\\ \\ Kimberly loves revisiting completed chapters, refining every sentence until each word says exactly what it needs to.\\ \\ ****Do you enjoy hiding clues for readers?**** \\ \\ Absolutely.\\ \\ During revisions, Kimberly intentionally planted subtle clues throughout the novel that mystery lovers may discover before the final reveal.\\ \\ ****📚 Continue the Conversation**** \\ \\ These questions are only the beginning.\\ \\ Inside **The First Editions**, members can read Kimberly's complete interview featuring:\\ \\ ✔️ Her deleted scenes\\ \\ ✔️ Balancing editing and writing\\ \\ ✔️ Her biggest publishing surprise\\ \\ ✔️ Favorite thriller ingredients\\ \\ ✔️ Influential authors\\ \\ ✔️ Writing advice\\ \\ ✔️ What's next in the _Have You Seen Him_ trilogy\\ \\ ...and much more.\\ \\ ****👩 About the Author**** \\ \\ **Kimberly Lee, JD** is the award-winning author of _Have You Seen Him_, a writer, editor, workshop facilitator, and creative guide passionate about helping others discover their authentic voice through storytelling.\\ \\ A graduate of **Stanford University** and **UC Davis School of Law**, Kimberly has worked with organizations including Esalen Institute, Omega Institute, Hollyhock Retreat Centre, The Huntington, Hugo House, and The Loft. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications and anthologies, and she lives in Southern California with her husband and three children.\\ \\ ****🛒 Purchase _Have You Seen Him_**** \\ \\ 📚 Amazon\\ \\ 📚 Barnes & Noble\\ \\ 📚 Bookshop.org\\ \\ ****🌐 Connect with Kimberly Lee**** \\ \\ Website:\\ \\ https://www.kimberlylee.me/\\ \\ Instagram:\\ \\ @klcreatrix\\ \\ Goodreads:\\ \\ https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/234889217-have-you-seen-him\\ \\ Newsletter:\\ \\ https://www.kimberlylee.me/contact\\ \\ ****📅 Upcoming Event**** \\ \\ **Book Reading & Signing**\\ \\ 📍 Vroman's Bookstore\\ \\ Pasadena, California\\ \\ 🗓 Sunday, July 19\\ \\ ⏰ 4:00–6:00 PM\\ \\ ****✨ Unlock the Full Conversation**** \\ \\ Want the complete interview?\\ \\ Join **The First Editions** to access the full 13-question Book Club Conversation with Kimberly Lee, along with exclusive author interviews, printable book club resources, discussion guides, bonus content, and more.\\ \\ Happy Reading,\\ \\ **The Page Ladies Book Club**\\ \\ Join for free or login](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/rEzirSVMXCczbY4DKu3X/) [Book Club Conversation with Kimberly Lee \| Author of Have You Seen Him](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/rEzirSVMXCczbY4DKu3X/) * * * 1 book 2 [The Page Ladies Book Club \\ \\ The Page Ladies \\ \\ • Jul 11](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/) \\ \\ If you love stories that are **haunting, psychological, and twisty**, you’ll want to put author Elizabeth DeVecchi on your radar immediately.\\ \\ Her upcoming novel, _The Shadow Beside Her: A Horror Novel_, masterfully blends the grim realities of historical horror with spine-chilling supernatural suspense. Set against the backdrop of Italy during World War II, it promises to be a deeply atmospheric nightmare that horror fans won't want to miss.\\ \\ We sat down with Elizabeth to chat about her childhood transition from scaredy cat to horror author, the fascinating historical rabbit holes she encountered while researching her new book, and why real-world dangers can be just as frightening as the monsters under the bed.\\ \\ ****For readers who are discovering your work for the first time, how would you describe your books in three words?**** \\ \\ Haunting, psychological, twisty.\\ \\ ****Horror clearly holds a special place in your heart. What first drew you to the genre, and what keeps you coming back to it as a writer?**** \\ \\ I was a total scaredy cat as a kid: horror films terrified me (though I admittedly saw my first horror flick at a drive-in … when I was 8. So that might be why.), I wouldn’t go near roller coasters, and jumped at anything that went bump in the night. Then I picked up some Lois Duncan books and loved them.\\ \\ My parents had a basement library in the furnace room where they kept the scarier, more adult stuff. That is where I found _Jaws_, _The Omen_, _Carrie_, and other more mature horror books. Once I was hooked … I was hooked. I think the scaredy cat in me liked the idea that the things in the pages were so much more horrible than anything I was actually facing. Like, if I could survive the book, I could survive the real stuff.\\ \\ As an author, horror is my go-to because I find it cathartic. There are also so many horrible things that happen in real life that are beyond our control. When I sit with paper and pen, I am in control. Well … until one of my characters goes rogue and the story shifts in a different direction.\\ \\ ****Your upcoming novel _The Shadow Beside Her_ blends historical horror with supernatural suspense. What inspired this particular story?**** \\ \\ The creature in _The Shadow Beside Her_ appears in my first novel, _A Whisper in the Dark_. I started this project to give some back story. Thinking about the events that eventually lead up to _A Whisper in the Dark_ were my inspiration.\\ \\ ****_The Shadow Beside Her_ takes place in Italy during World War II. What made that setting and time period the right backdrop for this novel?**** \\ \\ The creature I created thrives in environments of conflict and terror. So, I was looking for actual events that would fit well as a backdrop for the story I wanted to tell. Research led me to the events that occurred in the Apennines in 1944.\\ \\ I have such love and respect for the Italian culture; writing something with Italy as the setting was an amazing experience. It also warms my heart that I was able to share some linguistic and cultural aspects in the story. My family in Italy will actually be able to read bits and pieces without having to translate.\\ \\ ****What was the most interesting or unexpected piece of research you came across while working on the book?**** \\ \\ I inevitably fall down research rabbit holes when I am writing a novel. First and foremost, the abject horror of the events that occurred on Monte Sole in Italy in 1944 shocked me to the core. We didn’t study any of that in school.\\ \\ On a more pleasant note, I also did a deep dive into the minutia of how photography worked back then. From choosing a camera for Maria’s uncle (a Zeiss Ikon Nettar), to figuring out how he would have developed the pictures in war-torn Italy (Kodak sold home processing kits in a box), I was totally absorbed by this bit of research.\\ \\ ****Many readers love stories where the real-world dangers can be just as frightening as the supernatural ones. What draws you to exploring that balance in your fiction?**** \\ \\ In my own experience, I find that the more realistic a danger is, the more it frightens me. If I cannot picture myself in that situation, I might be scared by the story, but at a more superficial level. When we mix the supernatural and fantastical with real-world horrors, blanket the impossible with the possible, it makes for a deeper, more primal fear.\\ \\ ****🌟 Unlock the Full Interview!**** \\ \\ Want to dive even deeper into Elizabeth's writing world? We asked her the tough questions about her specific writing routines, how she handles characters who go completely rogue, her favorite fictional characters, and what she's working on next!\\ \\ **Join The First Editions Premium Membership Today** to unlock the full, exclusive Q&A, along with premium book recommendations, behind-the-scenes author access, and much more.\\ \\ ****Connect with Elizabeth DeVecchi**** \\ \\ Don't forget to support this incredible debut author by pre-ordering her upcoming release or grabbing her backlist!\\ \\ - **Pre-order _The Shadow Beside Her_:**Amazon Link\\ \\ - **Catch up on her previous books:** _A Whisper in the Dark_ and _A Twist of the Lens_ are both available on Amazon.\\ \\ - **Website:** www.elizabethdevecchi.com\\ \\ - **Socials:**Instagram \|Facebook \|Bluesky \|Threads \|LinkedIn\\ \\ \\ Join for free or login](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/NRyVWNoU7KvMMIjIV4JC/) [Book Club Conversations: Elizabeth DeVecchi on Historical Horror, Real-World Terrors, and Her Upcoming Release The Shadow Beside Her](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/NRyVWNoU7KvMMIjIV4JC/) * * * 3 books [The Page Ladies Book Club \\ \\ The Page Ladies \\ \\ • Jul 11](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/) \\ \\ Today, we are diving deep into the dark, atmospheric, and brilliant mind of horror author **Elizabeth DeVecchi**. Her upcoming novel, _The Shadow Beside Her: A Horror Novel_, seamlessly blends supernatural suspense with the grim historical realities of World War II Italy.\\ \\ In this complete uncut Q&A, Elizabeth opens up about her journey from a childhood scaredy cat to a master of psychological horror, her extensive historical research rabbit holes, her unique writing routine which involves a surprising amount of yarn, and why her rescue dog deserves a co-author credit.\\ \\ Grab your favorite beverage, turn on a reading light, and enjoy this exclusive insider conversation.\\ \\ ****For readers who are discovering your work for the first time, how would you describe your books in three words?**** \\ \\ Haunting, psychological, twisty.\\ \\ ****Horror clearly holds a special place in your heart. What first drew you to the genre, and what keeps you coming back to it as a writer?**** \\ \\ I was a total scaredy cat as a kid: horror films terrified me (though I admittedly saw my first horror flick at a drive-in … when I was 8. So that might be why.), I wouldn’t go near roller coasters, and jumped at anything that went bump in the night. Then I picked up some Lois Duncan books and loved them.\\ \\ My parents had a basement library in the furnace room where they kept the scarier, more adult stuff. That is where I found _Jaws_, _The Omen_, _Carrie_, and other more mature horror books. Once I was hooked … I was hooked. I think the scaredy cat in me liked the idea that the things in the pages were so much more horrible than anything I was actually facing. Like, if I could survive the book, I could survive the real stuff.\\ \\ As an author, horror is my go-to because I find it cathartic. There are also so many horrible things that happen in real life that are beyond our control. When I sit with paper and pen, I am in control. Well … until one of my characters goes rogue and the story shifts in a different direction.\\ \\ ****Your upcoming novel _The Shadow Beside Her_ blends historical horror with supernatural suspense. What inspired this particular story?**** \\ \\ The creature in _The Shadow Beside Her_ appears in my first novel, _A Whisper in the Dark_. I started this project to give some back story. Thinking about the events that eventually lead up to _A Whisper in the Dark_ were my inspiration.\\ \\ ****_The Shadow Beside Her_ takes place in Italy during World War II. What made that setting and time period the right backdrop for this novel?**** \\ \\ The creature I created thrives in environments of conflict and terror. So, I was looking for actual events that would fit well as a backdrop for the story I wanted to tell. Research led me to the events that occurred in the Apennines in 1944.\\ \\ I have such love and respect for the Italian culture; writing something with Italy as the setting was an amazing experience. It also warms my heart that I was able to share some linguistic and cultural aspects in the story. My family in Italy will actually be able to read bits and pieces without having to translate.\\ \\ ****What was the most interesting or unexpected piece of research you came across while working on _The Shadow Beside Her_?**** \\ \\ I inevitably fall down research rabbit holes when I am writing a novel. First and foremost, the abject horror of the events that occurred on Monte Sole in Italy in 1944 shocked me to the core. We didn’t study any of that in school. \\ \\ On a more pleasant note, I also did a deep dive into the minutia of how photography worked back then. From choosing a camera for Maria’s uncle (a Zeiss Ikon Nettar), to figuring out how he would have developed the pictures in war-torn Italy (Kodak sold home processing kits in a box), I was totally absorbed by this bit of research.\\ \\ ****Many readers love stories where the real-world dangers can be just as frightening as the supernatural ones. What draws you to exploring that balance in your fiction?**** \\ \\ In my own experience, I find that the more realistic a danger is, the more it frightens me. If I cannot picture myself in that situation, I might be scared by the story, but at a more superficial level. When we mix the supernatural and fantastical with real-world horrors, blanket the impossible with the possible, it makes for a deeper, more primal fear.\\ \\ ****You write across horror, suspense, and short fiction. How do you know when an idea should become a short story versus a full-length novel?**** \\ \\ Funny story: both _A Whisper in the Dark_ and _A Twist of the Lens_ started as short stories. But something in my brain knew that they needed to be developed … that there was more to tell. Many of the short stories I have written as of late were for specific submissions calls, whether by invitation or not. So, I knew I had to keep my word count within the parameters and to get my ideas across in the space allotted.\\ \\ ****Looking back at your publishing journey so far, what has surprised you most about becoming an author?**** \\ \\ I thought that writing the books and finding a publisher would be the hard parts. Turns out, there is a huge amount of work after that: from promo to setting up signings.\\ \\ The most wonderful surprise has been the dedication and support of readers who have stumbled upon my work in the most organic ways. Readers who approach me and talk about characters in my stories as if they were flesh and blood real. It is amazing.\\ \\ ****You've lived, studied, and traveled in several countries. How have those experiences influenced the stories you choose to tell?**** \\ \\ In the back of my mind, I sometimes wish I had started this writing journey earlier in my life because I often feel like I am playing catch-up … though to what I don’t know. That said, the experiences I have accumulated along the way, traveling, living, and studying abroad are an essential part of the stories I now tell.\\ \\ Each language opens a door to understanding the people who speak it. Each sojourn in a different culture offers new knowledge for the gathering. It’s extremely humbling to be outside one’s comfort zone, to be taught new ways of seeing things. Those experiences and ones I have only gained through aging, have made me a much different storyteller than I would have been had I started earlier.\\ \\ ****What role does setting play in your writing, and how do you create an atmosphere that feels immersive for readers?**** \\ \\ Setting is extremely important to my stories and I try my best to make it come to life for my readers. If my characters travel a certain road during the story, for example (like in _A Twist of the Lens_, where Charlie rides a restored motorcycle from Indiana to Colorado), I want to know what is on that road, what the scenery actually looks like. If I can physically get there, I will. If not, I’ll look through photos and even “travel” it on Google Maps.\\ \\ I immerse myself in studying the plant life, smells, temperatures, sounds, and tastes of the places I choose for my stories (whether they are real or I need to invent them) before I begin to write. The more I know about the place I have chosen as a setting, the more the descriptions will naturally seep into the story as I tell it.\\ \\ ****Do you tend to plan your stories in detail before writing, or do you enjoy discovering twists and surprises along the way?**** \\ \\ I am not really a planner. I tend to start writing when I have a general idea of where I would like to go with the story. You never know when a character is going to say “not so fast!” and do something that turns everything in a new direction. I prefer to let them lead me.\\ \\ That said, I do write an ending to my books when I am about halfway through. It inevitably ends up changing, but I want to at least have a coherent and developed endpoint down so the final product doesn’t seem rushed.\\ \\ ****What does a typical writing day look like for you?**** \\ \\ At the moment, there is no typical writing day, as I write around my other responsibilities with my family. I try to eke out blocks of time to write each day, sometimes heading to coffee shops or the library to get away from seeing the things I need to get done in the house.\\ \\ That said, when I do have time to write, I start clearing my mind by crocheting a kraken. I can think about what I am going to write while crocheting and when I finish, I’m ready to write and have a cute little creation to boot. This has earned me the name _The Kraken Lady_ in some circles, as I like to give them out at conventions and sometimes have them for sale on my table or as part of giveaways (when you make one every day, you end up with A LOT of krakens).\\ \\ ****Which part of the writing process do you enjoy most: brainstorming, drafting, revising, or hearing from readers after publication?**** \\ \\ I love love love interacting with readers. When my characters come to life in the mind of a reader, it is a total high. Of course, I also love writing the stories and it can sometimes be hard to write the end and have to move on to another world and another tale.\\ \\ ****If you could give aspiring writers one piece of advice, what would it be?**** \\ \\ First, I would say to not judge yourself while getting down that first draft. Don’t get caught in a cycle of continuously going back to edit every time you sit to write. I did this and it drastically slowed any progress. Get it all down. Then you can go back and begin to edit. You can’t edit what isn’t there. Also, find a good tight group of Beta readers. A group that will be brutally honest.\\ \\ ****As a reader, what kinds of books are you most drawn to when you're not writing?**** \\ \\ I am drawn to stories with elements of horror … especially psychological horror. That said, I am in four book clubs and only one of them is horror-themed. This has me reading books from all sorts of genres, often ones I wouldn’t search out on my own. I would suggest this to other readers (ok, maybe not four book clubs. It can be a lot). You may find yourself in love with a book you never would have picked up on your own.\\ \\ ****If you could experience one book again for the very first time, which book would it be and why?**** \\ \\ Honestly, there is more than one book that fits in this category. Though, I think books have a different effect on us at different times of our lives. I’ll pick one. If I could, I would love to go back in time and read _Watership Down_ for the first time again. It had such a profound effect on me when I was a child. For one thing, it taught me to look at something “mundane” like the bunnies in our backyard through a whole new lens.\\ \\ ****Your bio mentions an ever-changing menagerie of pets and guest creatures. Have any of them ever inspired a character or scene in one of your stories?**** \\ \\ Dante, our rescue dog, inspired my debut _A Whisper in the Dark_. In fact, the very first scene is what happened to inspire the book. I bring a life-sized photo cutout of him to my signings and he signs each copy with a nose or paw print.\\ \\ My son’s gecko, Limoncello, inspired some of the aspects of the creature in that book and in _The Shadow Beside Her_. And the cat in _A Twist of the Lens_ is based on our kitties.\\ \\ ****What is a question you wish readers asked authors more often?**** \\ \\ Oh, I am always blown away by the variety of questions my readers ask. No complaints here!\\ \\ ****Just for fun: if readers could only pair one snack and one drink with _The Shadow Beside Her_, what would you recommend for the ultimate reading experience?**** \\ \\ For authenticity’s sake, I would have to say homemade tortellini, a slice of castagnaccio (chestnut cake) and a glass of Nonno’s negretto wine.\\ \\ ****📚 Support the Author!**** \\ \\ Thank you so much to Elizabeth DeVecchi for giving our premium community such an amazing behind-the-scenes look into her work! Show her some love by pre-ordering her next release or expanding your bookshelf with her backlist below.\\ \\ - **Pre-order _The Shadow Beside Her_:**Amazon Link\\ \\ - **Grab Her Backlist:** _A Whisper in the Dark_ and _A Twist of the Lens_ are both available right now on Amazon.\\ \\ \\ ****Connect Online:**** \\ \\ - **Website:** www.elizabethdevecchi.com\\ \\ - **Instagram:**@themoonthesunandlittleman\\ \\ - **Threads:**@themoonthesunandlittleman\\ \\ - **Facebook:**Elizabeth DeVecchi Profile\\ \\ - **Bluesky:**@esdevecchiauthor.bsky.social\\ \\ - **LinkedIn:**Elizabeth DeVecchi on LinkedIn\\ \\ \\ Upgrade for $5 or login](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/rqGAIOGGj1vKtLHOHZy6/) [The First Editions Exclusive: Elizabeth DeVecchi on Historical Horror, Rogue Characters, and the Art of Crocheting Krakens](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/rqGAIOGGj1vKtLHOHZy6/) * * * 3 books [The Page Ladies Book Club \\ \\ The Page Ladies \\ \\ • Jul 9](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/) \\ \\ If your next mystery pick is **Last Night Was Killer by Mary Pauline Lowry**, you're in for a wild ride and we've created everything you need to make your reading experience even more memorable.\\ \\ Whether you're hosting a full book club, reading with a friend, or diving into the mystery on your own, **The Page Ladies Book Club** has you covered with four guides designed to help you laugh, theorize, and uncover every twist along the way.\\ \\ ****📚 Book Club Kit & Individual Book Club Member Reader Guide**** \\ \\ Planning a book club meeting? Our **Book Club Kit** includes discussion questions, themed activities, a host guide, a themed menu with recipes, games, decorations, door prize ideas, and more!\\ \\ Download the Book Club Kit & Individual Reader Guide here\\ \\ ****👯 Buddy Reader Kit**** \\ \\ Reading with a friend? Our **Buddy Reader Kit** guides you through the novel with scheduled check-ins, spoiler-conscious discussion questions, fun activities, prediction prompts, and collaborative detective challenges that make every twist even more enjoyable.\\ \\ Download the Buddy Reader Kit here\\ \\ ****🔎 Deep Dive Solo Reader Kit**** \\ \\ Prefer to read at your own pace? Our **Solo Reader Kit** transforms your reading experience into an interactive mystery investigation with guided journaling, clue tracking, character analysis, theme exploration, reflection pages, creative prompts, and more.\\ \\ Download the Solo Reader Kit here\\ \\ ****Which Kit Is Right for You?**** \\ \\ 📖 **Book Club Kit** – Perfect for hosting your next book club meeting.\\ \\ 👯 **Buddy Reader Kit** – Ideal for reading with a friend, partner, or family member.\\ \\ 📚 **Solo Reader Kit** – Designed for readers who love annotating, reflecting, and fully immersing themselves in every chapter.\\ \\ Or download all three and choose the reading experience that fits you best!\\ \\ Thank you for reading with **The Page Ladies Book Club**. We hope these resources help you enjoy _Last Night Was Killer_ even more and inspire some unforgettable discussions.\\ \\ Happy reading and happy sleuthing! 🔎📚\\ \\ Upgrade for $5 or login](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/twio7Lajj0o00BIyY24C/) [🔎 New Book Club Resources Are Here! Last Night Was Killer by Mary Pauline Lowry](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/twio7Lajj0o00BIyY24C/) * * * 1 book [The Page Ladies Book Club \\ \\ The Page Ladies \\ \\ • Jul 9](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/) \\ \\ Some books make you laugh. Some keep you guessing. And then there are books like **Last Night Was Killer by Mary Pauline Lowry**, which somehow manages to balance murder, motherhood, grief, romance, political intrigue, and pole dancing into one wildly entertaining mystery.\\ \\ Our book club couldn't stop talking about this one.\\ \\ ****📖 Book Club Deep Dive**** \\ \\ At first glance, _Last Night Was Killer_ feels like the perfect cozy mystery setup. A woman wakes up after a night she can't remember only to discover there's a dead body in her trunk. Naturally, she's the prime suspect.\\ \\ But this story quickly becomes much more than a whodunit.\\ \\ Tilly Turner is far from your typical amateur sleuth. She's a struggling stand-up comedian, a grieving daughter, a single mother raising twin girls, and someone whose life seems to unravel a little more with every chapter. Instead of making her frustrating, those flaws make her incredibly relatable. She's messy, overwhelmed, sarcastic, funny, and constantly trying to hold everything together while life keeps throwing new disasters her way.\\ \\ That emotional realism became one of the biggest talking points in our discussion.\\ \\ Rather than making Tilly a flawless heroine, Mary Pauline Lowry allows her to make mistakes, question herself, and keep moving forward anyway. Beneath the humor is an honest story about starting over after loss, rebuilding confidence, and learning that asking for help isn't a weakness.\\ \\ ****🕵️ The Mystery**** \\ \\ One of our favorite parts was how unpredictable the investigation became.\\ \\ Just when we thought we had the killer figured out, another clue completely shifted our theories. Every member of our group had a different suspect at some point, which made for one of our most animated discussions in months.\\ \\ The mystery layers together missing memories, political corruption, criminal enterprises, unexpected betrayals, and plenty of red herrings without becoming confusing. It rewards readers who enjoy piecing together clues while still delivering satisfying surprises.\\ \\ ****😂 Humor That Never Feels Forced**** \\ \\ What truly separates _Last Night Was Killer_ from many mysteries is its sense of humor.\\ \\ The pole-dancing classes could have easily become a gimmick, but instead they add confidence, friendship, and some of the novel's funniest scenes. Combined with Tilly's sharp inner dialogue and awkward encounters, the comedy provides a perfect balance against the darker elements of murder and grief.\\ \\ Several of us laughed out loud more than once.\\ \\ ****❤️ Themes Worth Discussing**** \\ \\ Our conversation naturally moved beyond the mystery itself.\\ \\ Some of the biggest discussion topics included:\\ \\ - How grief affects every decision we make.\\ \\ - The impossible expectations placed on single parents.\\ \\ - Female friendships that grow in unexpected places.\\ \\ - Reinventing yourself after failure.\\ \\ - Finding humor even during life's hardest moments.\\ \\ - Whether Tilly made the right choices or simply the only choices she felt she had.\\ \\ \\ These emotional layers gave our discussion far more depth than we expected from a comedic mystery.\\ \\ ****📚 Book Club Rating**** \\ \\ ⭐ Mystery: 4.5/5\\ \\ 😂 Humor: 5/5\\ \\ ❤️ Emotional Depth: 4.5/5\\ \\ 🕵️ Twists & Suspense: 4.5/5\\ \\ 💬 Discussion Potential: 5/5\\ \\ **Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½**\\ \\ If you're looking for a mystery that's equal parts funny, heartfelt, suspenseful, and completely unpredictable, _Last Night Was Killer_ is an excellent book club pick. It offers plenty of laughs while still delivering meaningful conversations about grief, motherhood, friendship, and second chances.\\ \\ Thank you to **William Morrow**, **NetGalley**, and **Mary Pauline Lowry** for the opportunity to read and review this book.\\ \\ ****💬 Book Club Question**** \\ \\ If you woke up with no memory of the night before and discovered a dead body in your trunk, would you investigate on your own to clear your name or call the police immediately?\\ \\ 📚 **Want to keep the discussion going?** Tap the link to download our FREE Mini Book Club Reader Kit for _Last Night Was Killer_, complete with discussion questions and bonus activities. \\ \\ Looking for the full experience? Join **The First Editions** to unlock our complete Book Club Kit, featuring an extended discussion guide, themed activities, printable worksheets, hosting ideas, and exclusive extras designed to make your next book club unforgettable.\\ \\ #BookClubBooks #LastNightWasKiller #MysteryBooks #CozyMystery #BookClubDiscussion\\ \\ Join for free or login](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/Eee3H9v0wPdCyyVFW9LQ/) [🔎 What If You Woke Up With a Dead Body in Your Trunk? \| Last Night Was Killer Book Club Deep Dive](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/Eee3H9v0wPdCyyVFW9LQ/) * * * 1 book [The Page Ladies Book Club \\ \\ The Page Ladies \\ \\ • Jul 7](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/) \\ \\ Welcome to your exclusive, unrestricted look into the creative world of debut romance author **Ellis Darnell**! While the public preview gives readers a taste of her charming coastal setting, we saved the full, raw, and delightfully honest 30-question chat for our **First Editions** members.\\ \\ Grab a Diet Pepsi and some Taco Bell (Ellis’s ultimate writing fuel), and dive into this deep conversation about battling imposter syndrome, drafting an entire novel on an iPhone, and what the future holds for the cozy town of Driftbay.\\ \\ ****1\. The Debut Milestone**** \\ \\ **Q: Congratulations on your debut release! What has been the most exciting part of preparing for the launch of _What The Heart Wants_?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "Thank you so much! Honestly, the most exciting and special part before launch was getting my first proof copy. Getting to physically hold the story in my hands was such a monumental moment, a culmination of so much hard work. I cried when I unboxed the first copy!"\\ \\ ****2\. Describe the Vibe**** \\ \\ **Q: For readers discovering your work for the first time, how would you describe _What The Heart Wants_ in three words?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "Cozy, sweet, and heartfelt."\\ \\ ****3\. A Long-Awaited Spark**** \\ \\ **Q: What inspired you to write a story centered around love, grief, family, and fresh starts?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "I got the basic idea when I was seventeen, of a young girl reeling from the loss of her mom and going to live with her aunt. I wrote a (very rough) story around that time. Then life happened and so many years went by and I stopped writing for a long time. I got inspired again about two years ago for the diner aspect, and just stuck a note in my phone about it.\\ \\ Then last fall, the story hit me like a ton of bricks and I knew I had to tell it. I had always wanted to tell stories from different perspectives but didn’t know how to structure it when I was younger. It wasn’t until I started reading Freida McFadden books that I realized I could write different perspectives and how I could structure it. I knew I wanted to write from Thea’s perspective, and adding her aunt’s in changed so much with what I could do for the draft."\\ \\ ****4\. Dreaming of Driftbay**** \\ \\ **Q: Driftbay sounds like a charming coastal town. What drew you to that setting, and is there anything readers should know about it before diving in?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "The beach always relaxes me. I actually vacationed at the beach while I was working on the book and getting to spend a few days beachside while delving into these characters really helped me create the setting. I’m also from a small town in the Midwest, so combining both aspects created a perfect slice of heaven for me. I wanted somewhere peaceful where Thea could heal and discover that sometimes the smallest places take up the biggest room in our hearts."\\ \\ ****5\. The Ultimate Comfort Food**** \\ \\ **Q: Baking plays a role in the story. If you could choose one baked good that perfectly represents _What The Heart Wants_, what would it be and why?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "While there’s many recipes mentioned in the book, I think Thea’s lemon-blueberry scones would represent the book the best. They’re sweet and a little tart, just like Thea’s and Beth’s journeys with grief and love."\\ \\ ****6\. The Swiftie Soundtrack**** \\ \\ **Q: Your author bio mentions that you're a huge Taylor Swift fan. If _What The Heart Wants_ had an unofficial Taylor Swift soundtrack, what songs would make the playlist?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "OH MAN - this is a tough one! _Guilty as Sin?_ is included in the book playlist, but if I had to make just a Taylor playlist, it would be…\\ \\ - _Guilty as Sin?_\\ \\ - _Ruin the Friendship_\\ \\ - _Opalite_\\ \\ - _You Are In Love_\\ \\ - _State of Grace_\\ \\ - _Treacherous_\\ \\ - _Everything Has Changed_\\ \\ - _Enchanted_\\ \\ - _Fearless_\\ \\ - _Labyrinth_\\ \\ - _Midnight Rain_\\ \\ - _evermore_\\ \\ - _Daylight_\\ \\ - _Lover_\\ \\ - _Gorgeous_\\ \\ - _Tied Together With a Smile_"\\ \\ \\ ****7\. A Note for Readers**** \\ \\ **Q: If readers could only know one thing before picking up your book, what would you want them to know?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "Just like grief, love isn’t linear but it’s never too late for true love."\\ \\ ****8\. The Ultimate Comfort Read**** \\ \\ **Q: The Comfort Read: What is the one book you can re-read over and over again and never get tired of?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** " _Dr. Franklin’s Island_ by Ann Halam - I discovered it in junior high and it’s still one of my favorite books to this day!"\\ \\ ****9\. Resting on the Nightstand**** \\ \\ **Q: The To-Be-Read Pile: What books are currently sitting on your nightstand waiting to be read next?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:**\\ \\ - _A Kingdom of Salt and Stone_ – Liv Webster\\ \\ - _Comeback Season_ – Sarah Adkins\\ \\ - _Beneath The Broken Sky_ – Emily Scotto\\ \\ - _Everything’s Coming Up Rosie_ – Courtney Walsh\\ \\ \\ ****10\. The Gateway Book**** \\ \\ **Q: The Gateway Book: What was the first book you remember reading that made you absolutely fall in love with reading?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "Oh, gosh, there’s so many! But definitely the _American Girls_ series - I remember devouring all of the girls’ stories. I had the Felicity doll, and was also a huge fan of Molly, Addy, and Samantha!"\\ \\ ****11\. Early Creative Sparks**** \\ \\ **Q: You've been creating stories since you were young. Do you remember the very first story you wrote that made you think, "I want to be an author"?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "I wrote a Harry Potter-inspired story about mind readers when I was eleven. Fantasy is so much harder to write with all of the world-building. I’d like to dive into that genre one day."\\ \\ ****12\. Advice to My Younger Self**** \\ \\ **Q: Looking back, what advice would present-day Ellis give to eleven-year-old Ellis who was busy building fictional worlds?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "Keep going, even on the hard days. Just like shows, it will always come together in the end."\\ \\ ****13\. The Self-Publishing Eye-Opener**** \\ \\ **Q: What surprised you most about the publishing process that readers might not realize?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "Being a self-published author, I am responsible for every aspect. I’m surprised at how much time I spend on marketing - that is currently my main priority as I approach launch. I am surrounded by incredible people in my personal life that have helped me along the journey - I could NOT have done it without their help."\\ \\ ****14\. Facing the Inner Critic**** \\ \\ **Q: What was the biggest challenge you faced while writing _What The Heart Wants_?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "Imposter syndrome. I still struggle with it, to be honest. I have days where I think I’m not good enough and that no one will want to read my story. But I love my characters and story and I think others will, too."\\ \\ ****15\. The Mobile Writing Studio**** \\ \\ **Q: The Writing Setup: Are you a desk-and-computer writer, a couch-and-laptop writer, or a hand-written notebook writer? What does your ideal writing space look like?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "My laptop at the kitchen table. Fun fact, I didn’t have a working laptop for the majority of the time I wrote this book! My mom got me a new one for Christmas, which is amazing! I wrote about 85% on Google Docs on my iPhone!"\\ \\ ****16\. Literary Fuel**** \\ \\ **Q: The Fuel: What is your ultimate writing snack or beverage? Are you powered by coffee, tea, or something completely different?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "Diet Pepsi, through and through. Also, Taco Bell - specifically, Doritos Locos Tacos."\\ \\ ****17\. Midnight Inspiration**** \\ \\ **Q: The Routine: Are you a morning bird who writes before the world wakes up, or a night owl who gets creative after dark?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "A night owl! I cannot count how many good ideas that have come to me when I’m falling asleep or wake me up in the middle of the night. Thank God for my phone and the notes app!"\\ \\ ****18\. Transforming the Process**** \\ \\ **Q: Plotter vs. Pantser: When starting a new project, do you outline absolutely everything beforehand, or do some surprises reveal themselves while you're writing?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "I used to be a pantser, but this was the first project I worked off of an outline. For my next project, I have an 11-page outline already!"\\ \\ ****19\. The Background Brain**** \\ \\ **Q: The Hardest Part: What comes easiest to you when writing—creating the world, drafting dialogue, or developing plot twists? Which part is the most challenging?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "I’ve always said that my brain is like an old 90’s computer - always running something in the background. I can be at work, in a rehearsal, or even trying to fall asleep and the best ideas will hit me!"\\ \\ ****20\. Surprising Characters**** \\ \\ **Q: Without giving away spoilers, which character in _What The Heart Wants_ surprised you the most while writing?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "Judith."\\ \\ ****21\. A Day in Driftbay**** \\ \\ **Q: The Cast: If you could spend one day hanging out with any character from your books, who would it be and what would you do together?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "Probably a tie between Thea and Beth. I’d love to spend a day in Driftbay eating their baked goods, reading a good book, visiting the diner, and relaxing at the beach."\\ \\ ****22\. Feline Feedback**** \\ \\ **Q: Your bio mentions two cats. If your cats could review your books, what do you think they'd say?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "More fish."\\ \\ ****23\. From the Stage to the Page**** \\ \\ **Q: You also work in theatre. Has anything you've learned from stage management influenced the way you tell stories on the page?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "Being in theatre has introduced me to a variety of personalities. I am always observing and constantly inspired by the most random, mundane things. I always tell actors that they are always auditioning for their next role and sometimes, my next book!"\\ \\ ****24\. Ready for the Screen**** \\ \\ **Q: If _What The Heart Wants_ became a movie or TV series, what scene would you be most excited to see brought to life?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "Either the scones scene between Thea and Graham or Charlie and Beth’s date night!"\\ \\ ****25\. The Island Provisions**** \\ \\ **Q: You're stranded on a beach with only three books, one album, and one fictional character. What are you bringing?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "Books - _Dr. Franklin’s Island_ by Ann Halam, _The Teacher_ by Freida McFadden, and _Hidden Pictures_ by Jason Rekulak.\\ \\ One album - _Gone Now_ by Bleachers.\\ \\ One fictional character - Louise Belcher from _Bob’s Burgers_."\\ \\ ****26\. Vacation Destinations**** \\ \\ **Q: What fictional world would you most like to visit for a week?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "Velaris!"\\ \\ ****27\. The Literary Confection**** \\ \\ **Q: If your writing style were a dessert, what dessert would it be and why?**\\ \\ _(Ellis left us with a sweet cliffhanger on this one—but based on her book, we’re betting it tastes like a warm lemon-blueberry scone with a side of heartfelt comfort!)_\\ \\ ****28\. Return to the Coast**** \\ \\ **Q: Can readers expect more stories set in the world of Driftbay?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "Oh, yes. I’m excited to expand the collection."\\ \\ ****29\. Sneak Peeks & Signings**** \\ \\ **Q: Are there any upcoming projects or future releases that you're especially excited to share with readers?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "While I can’t say too much, I am planning book two for these characters, focusing on early-reader fan favorites, Beth and Judith. I also will be having some signings this summer and fall! You can check the schedule on my Instagram, @authorellisdarnell."\\ \\ ****30\. The Lasting Impression**** \\ \\ **Q: Finally, what do you hope readers take away from _What The Heart Wants_ after turning the final page?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "Grief and love are messy, but what’s meant to be will always work out in the end."\\ \\ ****Support the Author & Secure Your Copy!**** \\ \\ _What The Heart Wants_ is available for pre-order right now! Support Ellis's incredible self-published debut journey by ordering through these fantastic book boutiques:\\ \\ - **Signed & Special Pre-orders:**The Enchanted Heart Booktique\\ \\ - **Sweet & Spicy Romance Picks:**Coastal Cowboy Romance Bookstore\\ \\ - **Local Indie Support:**Wallflower Book Co.\\ \\ \\ **Connect with Ellis Darnell online:**\\ \\ - **Official Website:**Author Ellis Darnell\\ \\ - **Instagram/Threads:**@authorellisdarnell\\ \\ - **Goodreads:**Ellis Darnell Page\\ \\ \\ ****📱 Instagram & TikTok Caption**** \\ \\ **Caption:**\\ \\ Pack your bags, we’re heading to Driftbay! \\ \\ 🌊 Custom-designed for our favorite comfort romance lovers, we’re sitting down with debut novelist **Ellis Darnell** to chat all things healing, small-town charm, and the ultimate Taylor Swift bookish playlist. 🎧✨\\ \\ From crying over her very first physical proof copy to drafting 85% of her entire manuscript directly on an iPhone notes app, Ellis’s journey is just as inspiring as her sweet, heartfelt storytelling.\\ \\ **Here’s a little taste of our interview:**\\ \\ 📖 **In three words, what is _What The Heart Wants_?**\\ \\ "Cozy, sweet, and heartfelt."\\ \\ 🧁 **If your book were a baked good, what would it be?**\\ \\ "Thea’s lemon-blueberry scones... They’re sweet and a little tart, just like the journeys with grief and love."\\ \\ 💡 **What's one thing readers should know before picking it up?**\\ \\ "Just like grief, love isn’t linear but it’s never too late for true love."\\ \\ **Ready for the full 30-question deep dive?** 💎\\ \\ Ellis gets completely candid about overcoming imposter syndrome, the theater management background that inspires her characters, and a sneak peek into Book 2! Tap the link in our bio to visit our **Bindery** page and read the full exclusive interview.\\ \\ **Link in Bio to Read More!**\\ \\ **📚 Are you an author interested in being featured in a future Book Club Conversation? Visit our Linktree and complete the Author Interest Form!**\\ \\ **💬 Readers: Is there an author you'd love to see us interview? Drop their name in the comments below!**\\ \\ **👯 Authors: Tag an author friend who might enjoy sharing their story with our community.**\\ \\ #BookTok #CozyRomance #SmallTownRomance #DebutAuthor #WhatTheHeartWants #Bookstagram #SwiftieBookish\\ \\ Upgrade for $5 or login](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/3wUV6llSPIiu5HJ6HVzG/) [💎 The First Editions Exclusive: The Complete 30-Question Q&A with Ellis Darnell](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/3wUV6llSPIiu5HJ6HVzG/) * * * 1 book [The Page Ladies Book Club \\ \\ The Page Ladies \\ \\ • Jul 7](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/) \\ \\ Welcome back to new Book Club Conversations, book lovers! If your favorite kind of read involves a charming coastal town, a cozy diner, a dash of mouthwatering baking recipes, and a deeply moving story of healing and love, you are going to fall head over heels for today’s featured author.\\ \\ We are sitting down with debut novelist **Ellis Darnell** to celebrate the upcoming release of her book, **_What The Heart Wants_**! Ellis shares the emotional milestone of unboxing her very first proof copy, the exact Taylor Swift tracks that capture the vibe of her book, and how dual perspectives helped bring this sweet, comforting world to life.\\ \\ Enjoy part one of our interview below!\\ \\ ****1\. The Debut Milestone**** \\ \\ **Q: Congratulations on your debut release! What has been the most exciting part of preparing for the launch of _What The Heart Wants_?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "Thank you so much! Honestly, the most exciting and special part before launch was getting my first proof copy. Getting to physically hold the story in my hands was such a monumental moment, a culmination of so much hard work. I cried when I unboxed the first copy!"\\ \\ ****2\. Describe the Vibe**** \\ \\ **Q: For readers discovering your work for the first time, how would you describe _What The Heart Wants_ in three words?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "Cozy, sweet, and heartfelt."\\ \\ ****3\. A Long-Awaited Spark**** \\ \\ **Q: What inspired you to write a story centered around love, grief, family, and fresh starts?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "I got the basic idea when I was seventeen, of a young girl reeling from the loss of her mom and going to live with her aunt. I wrote a (very rough) story around that time. Then life happened and so many years went by and I stopped writing for a long time. I got inspired again about two years ago for the diner aspect, and just stuck a note in my phone about it.\\ \\ Then last fall, the story hit me like a ton of bricks and I knew I had to tell it. I had always wanted to tell stories from different perspectives but didn’t know how to structure it when I was younger. It wasn’t until I started reading Freida McFadden books that I realized I could write different perspectives and how I could structure it. I knew I wanted to write from Thea’s perspective, and adding her aunt’s in changed so much with what I could do for the draft."\\ \\ ****4\. Dreaming of Driftbay**** \\ \\ **Q: Driftbay sounds like a charming coastal town. What drew you to that setting, and is there anything readers should know about it before diving in?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "The beach always relaxes me. I actually vacationed at the beach while I was working on the book and getting to spend a few days beachside while delving into these characters really helped me create the setting. I’m also from a small town in the Midwest, so combining both aspects created a perfect slice of heaven for me. I wanted somewhere peaceful where Thea could heal and discover that sometimes the smallest places take up the biggest room in our hearts."\\ \\ ****5\. The Ultimate Comfort Food**** \\ \\ **Q: Baking plays a role in the story. If you could choose one baked good that perfectly represents _What The Heart Wants_, what would it be and why?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "While there’s many recipes mentioned in the book, I think Thea’s lemon-blueberry scones would represent the book the best. They’re sweet and a little tart, just like Thea’s and Beth’s journeys with grief and love."\\ \\ ****6\. The Swiftie Soundtrack**** \\ \\ **Q: Your author bio mentions that you're a huge Taylor Swift fan. If _What The Heart Wants_ had an unofficial Taylor Swift soundtrack, what songs would make the playlist?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "OH MAN - this is a tough one! _Guilty as Sin?_ is included in the book playlist, but if I had to make just a Taylor playlist, it would be…\\ \\ - _Guilty as Sin?_\\ \\ - _Ruin the Friendship_\\ \\ - _Opalite_\\ \\ - _You Are In Love_\\ \\ - _State of Grace_\\ \\ - _Treacherous_\\ \\ - _Everything Has Changed_\\ \\ - _Enchanted_\\ \\ - _Fearless_\\ \\ - _Labyrinth_\\ \\ - _Midnight Rain_\\ \\ - _evermore_\\ \\ - _Daylight_\\ \\ - _Lover_\\ \\ - _Gorgeous_\\ \\ - _Tied Together With a Smile_"\\ \\ \\ ****7\. A Note for Readers**** \\ \\ **Q: If readers could only know one thing before picking up your book, what would you want them to know?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "Just like grief, love isn’t linear but it’s never too late for true love."\\ \\ ****8\. The Ultimate Comfort Read**** \\ \\ **Q: The Comfort Read: What is the one book you can re-read over and over again and never get tired of?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** " _Dr. Franklin’s Island_ by Ann Halam - I discovered it in junior high and it’s still one of my favorite books to this day!"\\ \\ ****9\. Resting on the Nightstand**** \\ \\ **Q: The To-Be-Read Pile: What books are currently sitting on your nightstand waiting to be read next?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:**\\ \\ - _A Kingdom of Salt and Stone_ – Liv Webster\\ \\ - _Comeback Season_ – Sarah Adkins\\ \\ - _Beneath The Broken Sky_ – Emily Scotto\\ \\ - _Everything’s Coming Up Rosie_ – Courtney Walsh\\ \\ \\ ****10\. The Gateway Book**** \\ \\ **Q: The Gateway Book: What was the first book you remember reading that made you absolutely fall in love with reading?**\\ \\ **Ellis Darnell:** "Oh, gosh, there’s so many! But definitely the _American Girls_ series - I remember devouring all of the girls’ stories. I had the Felicity doll, and was also a huge fan of Molly, Addy, and Samantha!"\\ \\ ****Join The First Editions for the Full Interview! 💎**** \\ \\ Want to dive even deeper into Ellis Darnell’s writing journey? This free preview is just the beginning! By upgrading to our premium membership, **The First Editions**, you can unlock the complete, unedited Q&A right now.\\ \\ ****What you'll unlock as a premium member:**** \\ \\ - **The Full Interview:** Exclusive bonus questions where Ellis dishes out her absolute best advice for aspiring debut authors, behind-the-scenes secrets of writing _What The Heart Wants_, and what she is working on next.\\ \\ - **Behind-the-Scenes Access:** Early reveals of upcoming author spotlights, cover reveals, and community features before anyone else sees them.\\ \\ - **Exclusive Community Perks:** Join dedicated discussion threads with fellow romance lovers, participate in member-only book giveaways, and get direct access to our premium literary events.\\ \\ \\ Don't miss out on the full story—join **The First Editions** family today!\\ \\ ****Support the Author & Secure Your Copy!**** \\ \\ _What The Heart Wants_ is available for pre-order right now! Support Ellis and these wonderful indie bookstores by grabbing your copy via the links below:\\ \\ - **Signed Copies:**The Enchanted Heart Booktique\\ \\ - **Coastal Cowboy Romance Bookstore:**Shop Romance Books & Literature\\ \\ - **Wallflower Book Co.:**Pre-Order Online\\ \\ \\ **Connect with Ellis Darnell:**\\ \\ - **Official Website:**Author Ellis Darnell\\ \\ - **Instagram/Threads:**@authorellisdarnell\\ \\ - **Goodreads:**Ellis Darnell Author Page\\ \\ \\ Join for free or login](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/C9LVl5CkpEQeO8kaQGDg/) [📖 Book Club Conversations: Coastal Small-Town Romance & Fresh Starts with Ellis Darnell!](https://thepageladies.binderybooks.com/item/C9LVl5CkpEQeO8kaQGDg/) * * * 1 book