Interview & Giveaway with Dale Dallman, Author of Drive Down the Purchase Price of Your New Car

Dale Dallman worked in the CAR business for decades. He started at Frontier Chevrolet in Billings, Montana. He worked the hardest part of the dealership, the USED CAR LOT! Frontier Chevrolet had 37 salespeople after it was bought out and renamed Denny Menholt Chevrolet. Dallman was #1 in sales from the beginning. Dallman invented the tool that made him famous, “THE BIRD DOG BUCK.” It was a copy of a $100 bill, with his picture on it. It had a section for the previous buyer to print their name, and for the potential new buyer to print their name. The idea was to send ten copies to every person who bought a car from him. It asked the buyer to give one to every person they thought might be interested in buying a car. The instructions printed on the fake bill were “Give this to a potential buyer. If they present it to the dealership and ask for Dallman, you will receive a $25 “Bird Dog” check! The potential buyer will get a $500 discount on their purchase.” It got to the point that he didn’t even need to stand at the door and wait for new walk-ins. He had a secretary who handled his appointments!

Dallman then went out to the West Coast. Here, he worked on new and used cars for a Chevrolet dealer in the car village in Olympia, Washington. He and his best friend (both from Billings) worked there. The idea for a book started there, but Dallman needed a broader cross-section of the car business, so he moved to Gilchrist Buick in Tacoma, Washington, to reach a different class of buyers. He did so well that Buick Motor Division had him do training videos that they used internally in National training.

Dallman decided to go to Germany on a contract with TOYOTA WORLD. The job was working the locations on the military bases where the military could buy cars and use them in-country, order one to be picked up at a dealer back in the states when they rotated home.

Dallman now does consultant work for buyers. He has instructed sales classes and trained both BUYERS and the salesmen, trying to get your money! Dallman has advised many dealers and salespeople. But he loves helping buyers outsmart the Dealers more!

https://www.dallmanproductions.com/https://www.facebook.com/Grizzlytrack https://www.instagram.com/dallmanproductions/ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/49906767.Dale_E_Dallman https://www.bookbub.com/authors/dale-e-dallman

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Dale-E.-Dallman/author/B0D57RY38J

BLURB: 

Buying a car. Just those three words can conjure up a whole swirl of emotions.

For some, it’s the thrill of a sleek new model—the scent of fresh upholstery and the promise of open roads. For others, it’s a daunting odyssey filled with jargon, pressure, and the fear of an expensive mistake.

Wherever you fall, you’re reading this because buying a car is a significant life event.

We’ve all stood on the lot, squinting at price tags, decoding financing offers, and feeling the push to “act now.” It’s easy to feel outmatched—to wish for an expert at your side. Consider this book that expert: your trusted co-pilot on a journey that’s both exciting and rewarding.

This isn’t just a checklist—it’s a philosophy. You’ll learn to approach car buying with clarity and confidence, understand financing, master the test drive, and negotiate with purpose, ensuring that you walk away feeling like a winner.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, upgrading, or simply overwhelmed by options, this book is for you.

So, buckle up. Get ready to embark on a journey that will not only lead you to the perfect vehicle but will also leave you feeling empowered, informed, and ready to hit the road with a smile.

Happy driving!

EXCERPT:

The Mega car dealers worked up a sales system designed to cost you money! It was to psychologically make your brain pick the one item out of four you reacted to most. The four items are PRICE, DOWN PAYMENT, TRADE ALLOWANCE, and MONTHLY PAYMENT! The designs were different, but the concept was just as deadly. 

The top, center of the Four Square Sheet describes the vehicle you are buying. The Brand, Year, and Serial number, then, at the bottom of the sheet, they drew four separate squares. They were all blank squares. The salesperson would have you settle into a specific vehicle and fill in the center part. He wouldn’t fill in the squares. He would talk to you about price, down payment, trade-in, and monthly payment, but not write in the squares. He would ask about a down payment. 

Then, he would leave you to talk to the boss. This time alone does two things. It allowed you to talk over the information you had given the salesperson, and it was a cool-down period to settle your jitters. 

Now he has left you to tell the Desk Manager everything you discussed. The Desk Manager then fills out the four squares on the bottom of the selling sheet. He lists the FULL selling price, including all dealer-added options and extra profit, in one square. He writes a very low value in another square for the price they offer for your trade. The next square gets a very high cash down payment figure. The last square gets a very high monthly payment figure.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in the small town of Rutland (150 pop.), North Dakota!! I spent my youth on my uncle's farm. We moved to the metropolis of Minot, with a population of 20,000, when I was 6 or 7. We lived so close to Roosevelt Zoo, the animals were my neighbors!

When did you begin writing?

I began writing in grade school! The teacher used to read my little stories to the class. I continued when I joined the US Marines! Then, as I made a living as a traveling salesman, I would tape thoughts as I drove.

Do you feel your hometown influenced your writing?

The hometown influence!! Well. I have the towns in every book in one way or another! I guess I have a draw to the small-town safety net!

What inspired you to write Drive Down the Purchase Price of Your New Car? Did you perform research for this book? If yes, how did you approach finding the sources you required?

This book is about helping you SAVE MONEY!! Very simple story! Read it, follow the guidance of someone who went from sales to management in the car business. It is written with examples and stories of the dealers, but the big story is that it explains the four types of buyers!

I was inspired to write it after watching a friend go to the dealer and return exasperated and frustrated, saying she was going to do what the salesman said! I went back with her and saved her $4,000! That is inspiration!

Where can readers buy your book?

Readers can buy my book on AMAZON, Barnes & Noble, most bookstores, or from me! I will autograph and mail them personally!

What is up next for you?

My next adventures are already in the swimming pool!! First, "WHITE BUFFALO," a story of nature and MONTANA!! Then the next attempt is: “STILL STANDING," a story of life!

Is there anything you would like to add?

I want to praise the people who have helped me realize a "Bucket List"! My wife Cassandra, who just saw me through a rodeo with cancer(she has a book on this journey, JESUS CHRIST, the Chief Physician), my publisher and friend Traci Wooden, and all the people who believed in me and purchased my treasures!

Dale Dallman will be awarding a

 $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a 

randomly drawn winner.

Interview with Tara Badstubner, Author of Every Room Remembers

 

Tara Badstubner lives in Pennsylvania and is busy creating her next novel surrounded by her husband, children, grandbabies, and several silly dogs. Every Room Remembers is her debut novel, releasing in September 2026 from Sibylline Press. A former Artist-In-Residence for Bookgardan, Tara can be found at tarabadstubner.com and on Instagram @tarabadstubner.

What inspired you to write Every Room Remembers? How did you create your protagonist SJ?

The novel began to take shape during COVID. The exceptional loss that we all absorbed daily put me in a tough headspace. A dear mentor suggested I write into my fears instead of trying to ignore them. Her suggestion allowed me to feel the loss and heartache deeply but through the safe guise of my fictional protagonist, SJ.

Do you believe the natural world sends us signs?

I feel I’ve benefited many times from signs appearing at just the right moment, encouraging me or comforting me. For me, signs often come through cherished songs that hold significance, through the appearance of certain animals, and through numbers.

What is the significance of the animals portrayed in the book?

Each animal in the novel represents something unique. For instance, the book opens with the appearance of a black snake. The snake in some cultures is a harbinger of change or transformation. Right after this scene, SJ’s and Wyatt’s lives experience the ultimate transformation. If we can attune our senses to the more subtle communications all around, then we’ll be amazed how much the mystical world is trying to engage with us.

What inspired you to write about “the other side of grief” from Wyatt’s perspective?

We always think of grief in terms of the one left behind, and that’s so strange to me. An unanticipated death is bound to affect both the living and the deceased, as so much remains unresolved. I wanted to give the dead a voice beyond being mourned and canonized. They were imperfect; they had struggles and foibles, and death doesn’t negate their humanity.

How do we cope with the feelings of regret and lack of resolution that often come with great loss?

In my novel, my characters are good people in a loving but flawed marriage. They didn’t always get it right, and there was much left unresolved. Who among us always gets it right? But gradually, SJ and Wyatt learn to recognize and have faith in the extraordinary tenacity and goodwill of life. Yes, there is heartache and punishing turns, but I do believe that love has the final word, whether in this life or what lies beyond.

What is the significance of setting this story in Beaufort, SC?

The region of Beaufort, South Carolina first appears on maps in the 1500s as Santa

Elena, so it has seen a lot, experienced a lot. I wanted a place where one senses that compressed energy of many lives lived, all the joys and all the heartaches. Practically everyone in Beaufort has a ghost story they’ll gladly tell you. It’s part of the fabric of the town, this fragile veil between the living and the dead.

Are you interested in interior design like your protagonist?

Yes, SJ and I share a love for interior design. I consider it to be a kind of artistic expression. I grew up with a mom who loved making her home beautiful and welcoming, and for better or for worse, I’m the same way. For me, home can be a refuge.

What do you hope your readers will take away from the book?

I hope that those who experience deep grief feel seen and held with love. Grief can be so isolating and sometimes the only thing a person has the bandwidth for is a book—not texts, lunch dates, or visitors at their door, but the humble book that one can pick up and put down at leisure. I want readers to experience the slow resurrection of SJ’s life and through her imagine a life for themselves where there are still one or two wonderful surprises waiting for them.

Every Room Remembers

Tara Badstubner | September 25, 2026 | Sibylline Press | Literary Fiction

Paperback | ISBN: 9798897409167 | $22.00 Ebook | ISBN: 9798897409150 | $5.99

Purchase from Amazon

Interview with Glenn R. Miller, Author of Rough Cuts

Glenn R. Miller is the author of the forthcoming novel, Rough Cuts (Koehler Books, September, 2026), and of the critically acclaimed and award-winning novel Doorman Wanted (“A comic novel that doffs its hat to master humorist P. G. Wodehouse”—Minnesota Star Tribune; “…sly, sophisticated wit…” The Miami Herald). Miller launched his professional career by working on television soap operas and game shows on the back lots of NBC Burbank. He holds a master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism and has served as a CBS-affiliate news producer, public television producer, and creative director at production agencies within the Twin Cities. Glenn and his wife live in Minneapolis, MN, and are the parents of two grown sons. 

Website:

glenn-r-miller.com 

Socials:

https://www.instagram.com/glennrmillerauthor

https://www.linkedin.com/in/glennrmillerauthor

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Edina, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. 

When did you begin writing?

I have been writing professionally my entire life, but my creative writing began in 2012. 

Do you feel your hometown influenced your writing?

Possibly. One of the best writing exercises I ever had sticks with me to this day. It was an editing technique taught by my 9^th grade English teacher. She was young, ruthless, and brilliant. 

Do you write every day or when you can sneak in time?

At this point in my writing ‘career,’ I attempt to carve out 2-3 full days per week that are dedicated solely to writing. And when I’m not actually sitting and writing, I’m thinking about writing. I need large chunks of time to immerse myself in whatever story I’m working on. As more of my days are filled with presentations, book-related activities, or marketing related to the upcoming book, those designated writing days have become that much more important to me. 

What is your best advice for creating the time and space to write?

Yes, good question. I treat writing like my previous client work, where I simply put it on the calendar and that assigned time becomes sacrosanct. I used to regard a writing day as, essentially, an open day. That mindset allowed far too many interruptions to creep in. No more. Now, with blocked-out writing days, I shut the office door and tune out all interruptions. The only thing that allows me to leave the desk is a walk or a bike ride, both of which I find to be surprisingly productive. I have worked out countless plot or dialog issues while walking along the river or sitting atop a bike.

My other bit of advice? Put the phone and all its app-induced interruptions far out of reach. 

What is this book about?

My description for Rough Cuts: 

In Rough Cuts, the world of film in 1926 is about to change forever. On the cusp of “talkies,” directors and actors fear their greatest days might soon be behind them. Patrick J. Shepard, a director at the end of his career, has just completed his masterpiece, his vehicle for eternal fame. But there’s one problem: Ohio. 

Harold Dawdry, the young, second-string minister at a small church in a corner of Ohio, has been appointed to the State Film Censorship Board. He regards this appointment as his ticket to the power and relevance he desperately craves. There is one director who has particularly rankled his delicate sensibilities: Patrick J. Shepard. The minister feels Ohio is best served if Shepard makes drastic cuts to his final film. 

The silent film era is about to get loud. 

What inspired you to write it? 

The idea came like a lightning bolt. One day a few years back, my mother-in-law told me that she had been going through her grandfather’s files. Included amongst his papers were two long boxes containing 4X6 notecards. On each card were notes of changes that needed to be made to Hollywood films issued in 1926 and 1927. Turns out Grandpa – who was professionally a minister in Marietta, Ohio – had been assigned to the Ohio Film Review Board. Though I had vaguely heard of the Hays Office, I was unaware that a handful of individual states had their own review (read: censorship) boards. That a small-town Ohio minister had the power to alter Hollywood films fascinated me. I immediately jumped into research on this issue and committed to writing Rough Cuts in 2023. It is a satire that looks at power, legacy, and the fragility of creative expression in an ‘open’ society. 

Was the road to publication smooth sailing or a bumpy ride? 

It actually was quite smooth. Because of the success of my first novel, Doorman Wanted, my publisher, Koehler Books, signed on quickly for this second novel. Compared to Doorman Wanted, which took ten years to write, Rough Cuts gushed out of me. I had a polished draft in 18 months. 

If you knew then what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently? 

This may sound harsh, but I would not have spent the time I did in looking for an agent. I haven’t cracked that code yet, nor am I spending any more time trying to do so! 

What is up next for you? 

I have attended more than 80 book clubs and made dozens of presentations around Doorman Wanted since its publication in 2024. At every one of them, I receive two questions from attendees: When will the movie be made, and when will the sequel come out? From what I can tell, I have control over only one of those two. Initially, I was saying ‘no’ to a sequel, but by the twentieth time I heard the question, I started to think, ‘Hunh. Well… maybe there IS a sequel!’ So, I am currently about 3/4s of the way through writing my further adventures of the Doorman. As I tell audiences, I’m having a great time revisiting my cast of characters, my ‘imaginary friends.’

Purchase Links:

Publisher: https://www.koehlerbooks.com/writer/glenn-r-miller/ 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Rough-Cuts-Glenn-R-Miller/dp/B0GXNDYXSV/ 

Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/p/books/rough-cuts/388b5b16c8b5f574 

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rough-cuts-glenn-r-miller/1149931154

 

 

Interview with Ellen Rachlin, Author of Enheduanna's Song From the Sands

Ellen Rachlin is the author of the historical fiction novel Enheduanna’s Song From the Sands (Histria Fiction) and five poetry collections. Her most recent collection, Permeable Divide, received the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Silver Award and was a finalist for other awards. Her poetry collections also include Until Crazy Catches Me, Captive to Residue, Waiting for Here, and At the Big Bang Resort (Red Hen Press, March 2027). Her writing has appeared widely in journals, anthologies, and books. During her financial career, she also authored textbook chapters (Wiley and McGraw Hill), along with journal articles on investing and finance. You can find her at www.ellenrachlin.com and @ellenrachlin on Instagram.

Where did you grow up?

Buffalo, New York 

When did you begin writing?

I began writing poetry nearly a decade after graduating with my MBA. Shortly afterward,  I began writing textbook chapters and journal articles on finance. 

I attempted fiction for the first time seven years ago. I had known for some time that my first novel would be historical fiction. 

Do you feel your hometown influenced your writing?

It did in the sense that my experiences are always present in my writing. I think that’s true for any writer. My high school emphasized creative writing and literature, and that early influence stayed with me as a seed that took a while to take hold. 

I’m currently working on a literary novel set in Buffalo about a private investigator who loses faith in herself. At first, she doesn’t realize that her self-confidence is eroding, and her journey becomes one of reclaiming her life. 

Do you write every day or when you can sneak in time?

I write most days. But between projects, I might take up to a month off. 

What is your best advice for creating the time and space to write?

Write even when you don’t have a good idea of where you are going. I never know when I’m inspired, so I write consistently, even if much is discarded.

 

What is this book about?

Enheduanna's Song From the Sands follows Enheduanna, the world's first named author, through her rise as High Priestess of Ur, her exile at the hands of the rebel Lugalanne, and her mythic descent into the underworld. It is a story of power, resilience, and the enduring strength of words that will appeal to readers of Madeline Miller, Natalie Haynes, and readers who enjoy myth-infused historical fiction. 

What inspired you to write it?

Enheduanna inspired me. I read the surviving hymns attributed to her, and I felt as though I could hear her voice. In one, The Exaltation of Inanna (Nin-me-šara), Enheduanna pleads to the god, Inanna, to restore her from forced exile to her former place as high Priestess of Ur. It is a poem about betrayal and justice. She begs the one god whom she believes has the power to accomplish it. The voice is both desperate and powerful. 

Was the road to publication smooth sailing or a bumpy ride?

I had to find the right home for my novel, and as a debut novelist, that’s not easy. I spent a great deal of time researching publishers to identify ones whose lists reflected the kind of historical fiction I had written. That process takes a lot of time and patience. I felt this way about my publisher, Histria Fiction, and was very fortunate that they offered publication. 

What is up next for you?

I’m enjoying my writing journey. While I’m currently working on a literary novel set in Buffalo, I’m researching ideas for another historical novel. I loved writing between the sizable gaps in what we know and may never know about the ancient world, so I’ll probably return there.

Links to buy:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1592117546

https://bookshop.org/p/books/enheduanna-s-song-from-the-sands-ellen-rachlin/82d7f4bb2f36b2da

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Enheduannas-Song-From-the-Sands/Ellen-Rachlin/9781592117543

Interview with Caitlin Rother, Author of Staged

New York Times bestselling author Caitlin Rother has written or co-authored 17 books, ranging from narrative non-fiction crime to thrillers and memoir. After writing a dozen books about high-profile true crime cases, Caitlin is expanding into crime fiction with her new “Katrina & Goode” thriller series, which so far includes HOOKED and the sequel, STAGED. Her other recent titles are DOWN TO THE BONE, about the murder of the McStay family, and an updated edition of BODY PARTS, which was prompted by the identification of the first victim of serial killer Wayne Adam Ford via genetic genealogy. An award-winning investigative reporter for 19 years, Rother’s stories have been published in magazines and newspapers across the country, including Cosmopolitan, the Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, and The San Diego Union Tribune. Her more than 250 TV, radio and podcast appearances include 20/20, People Magazine Investigates, Crime Watch Daily, Australia’s World News, and numerous shows on Netflix, Investigation Discovery and Lifetime. Rother earned a bachelor’s in psychology from UC Berkeley and a master’s in journalism from Northwestern University. She also works as a writing-research coach, enjoys ocean swimming, and plays keyboards and sings in a jazzy bluesy trio with her partner. For more information and Caitlin’s blog, please visit https://caitlinrother.com. 

To purchase STAGED, visit Amazon at: https://amzn.to/4vOUjHw 

To find Caitlin on

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caitlinrother

Instagram: @the_real_caitlin_rother

Bluesky: @caitlinrother.bsky.social

Threads: @the_real_caitlin_rother

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlin-rother-8992455/

 

When did you begin writing?

I started keeping a journal as a teenager, but I didn’t start doing any creative writing until college. 

Do you write every day or when you can sneak in time?

After typing at a computer for nearly 35 years, my body has taken a beating and doesn’t let me write as much as my brain would like, so I have to pace myself. Some days I write as much as 6,000 words, other days I don’t write at all so that my body can rest. But I am a full-time author, so even when I can’t type, I am always thinking and plotting and planning. A lot of the work I have to do to remain relevant and to be successful as an author—marketing, promotions, public speaking, podcasts, book signings--have nothing to do with writing, but they are part of the job as well. 

What is this book about?

STAGED is Book 2 in the “Katrina & Goode” thriller series, which started with HOOKED. The series features surfing detective Ken Goode and investigative reporter Katrina Chopin, who work together and independently to investigate a series of murders in the beautiful, wealthy coastal community of La Jolla, starting with the deaths of two biotech executives who are developing a groundbreaking sexual enhancement drug. In this book, the investigative duo battle the romantic tensions between them as they dig into the cold-case murders of Katrina’s parents, two federal judges who were gunned down in their driveway, as well as her brother’s fatal overdose. The deeper they get into the investigation, they realize that the current string of suspicious deaths is related to the murders of Katrina’s family, and a cabal of rich white men who are up to no good. 

What inspired you to write it?

I’ve been working on this series for half of my life, rewriting Book 1 countless times, although Books 2, 3, and 4 (the latter two are still under submission) came must faster. The plots are pulled from stories, people, and cases I’ve covered my 20 years as an investigative reporter and the next 20 years as a true crime author, during which I’ve been drawn to stories involving suicide, addiction, and staged murder scenes, thus the title. 

Was the road to publication smooth sailing or a bumpy ride?

The road to publication was extremely bumpy and involved a LOT of rewriting, approaching new agents and new publishers until I finally found the right fit. During all the years that I was rewriting my novels, I wrote a dozen true crime books, which have helped inform my thrillers. 

If you knew then what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently?

You don’t know what you don’t know until you learn what you don’t know. And because I don’t live with regrets, I wouldn’t have done anything differently because then I wouldn’t have learned what I needed to learn and I wouldn’t be who I am today. But after writing all of those true crime books, I now know my material, so the writing is coming much easier. I just hope the publishing will come easier and faster too. Time will tell. 

What is up next for you?

While I wait for my publisher to decide if it is going to publish Books 3 and 4, I’ve been working on a new suspense novel that is also set in La Jolla.   

Interview with Richard I. Levine, Author of Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea

 

Richard I Levine is a native New Yorker raised in the shadows of Yankee Stadium. After dabbling in several occupations and a one-year coast-to-coast wanderlust trip, This one-time auxiliary police officer, volunteer fireman, bartender, and store manager returned to school to become a chiropractor.

A twenty-five-year cancer survivor, he’s a strong advocate for the natural healing arts. In 2006 he wrote, produced, and was on-air personality of The Dr. Rich Levine Show on Seattle’s KKNW 1150AM and after a twenty-five-year chiropractic practice in Bellevue, Washington, he closed up shop at the end of 2016 and moved to Oahu to pursue a dream of acting and being on Hawaii 5-O.

While briefly working as a ghostwriter/community liaison for a Honolulu City Councilmember, a Hawaii State Senator, and volunteering as an advisory board member of USVETS Barbers Point, he appeared as a background actor in over twenty-seven 5-Os, Magnum P.I.s, NCIS-Hawaii, and several Hallmark movies. In 2020, he had a co-star role in the third season episode of Magnum PI called “Easy Money.”

While he no longer lives in Hawaii, he says he will always cherish and be grateful for those seven years and all the wonderful people he’s met. His 5th novel, To Catch the Setting Sun, was inspired by his time in Hawaii.

Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea is Levine’s first foray into the romance genre.

Website & Social Media:

Website ➜ http://www.docrichlevine.com  

X ➜ https://www.twitter.com/Your_In8_Power 

Facebook ➜ https://www.facebook.com/RichardLevineAuthor/ 

Instagram ➜ https://www.instagram.com/rilevinedc

Where did you grow up?

New York City and Yonkers.

 

When did you begin writing?

I’ve been writing on and off for as long as I can remember. I wrote my first novel in 2011.

 

What is this book about? 

Mitch and Jess met in the fourth grade. It was love at first sight for both of them. He was the freckled-face kid who had stood up for her honor when he silenced the class bully who’d been teasing her because of her accent. She was the new kid whose family had moved to San Juan Island, Washington, from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and whom Mitch had thought was the most beautiful girl in the world. She was his salvation from a strict upbringing, and he was her knight in shining armor who had always looked out for her. They were inseparable...until 9/11, when the real world interrupted their Rockwell-esque small town life, and Mitch had joined the Marine Corps.

The story is a romance, but it’s really more than that. It’s the story of a wounded warrior finally coming home to search for the love and the world he abandoned twenty years before. It’s also the story of a man who is seeking forgiveness and a way to ease the pain caused by every bad decision he’d ever made. It’s the story of a woman who, with strength and determination, rose up from the ashes of a shattered dream to forge a successful life; but who never gave up hope that her one true love would return to her. 

 

What inspired you to write it?

I definitely didn’t plan this book or these characters in advance. As with my other novels, the idea, the people, and the basic story simply come to me in a vision. When it happens, it’s as real to me as anything anyone sees in front of their eyes. And then there’s this little voice in my head that says something to the effect, “This one, do this one.” 

 

How is it similar to other books in its genre? How is it different?

I’ll admit that I can’t recall the last time I’ve read a romance. So, I can’t say how it is similar or different. However, I can share portions of a few recently posted reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, which should answer your question.

 

 “Like Driftwood On The Salish Sea gives you more than a sweet love story. It touches on how the past can haunt you, how forgiveness isn’t easy, and how some connections don’t fade no matter how much time passes. It’s thoughtful, heartfelt, and worth the read if you want romance with depth.” ~Ghulam Mustafa

“Richard I. Levine’s Like Driftwood On The Salish Sea is a romance that goes way beyond the usual stuff and really hits you right in the heart. Forget just another small-town love tale—this one dives deep into fate, sacrifice, and how first love sticks with you forever.” ~Piaras Cionnaoith

“It was such a sweet, slow-burn kind of romance that really hit me in the feels. The love story isn’t flashy or overly dramatic—it’s mature, tender, and just real. I loved how the characters weren’t perfect; they’re a little bruised, a little weathered, like actual people trying to figure it all out.” ~Grace Eliot

 

What is the most important thing readers can learn from your book?

Some of our greatest lessons in life hit us right between the eyes when we least expect it. While it’s not for me to preach to anyone, there are many themes, or lessons if you prefer, that are subtly woven into the story, such as faith, family, honesty, integrity, loyalty, the list is almost endless. There’s pretty much something for everyone, and hopefully the right thing will jump out to the right person at the right time.

 

Where can readers purchase a copy?

The book is available in ebook format and in paperback on Amazon.

What is up next for you?

Right now, my little voice that brings those story ideas to me wants me to concentrate on an upcoming interstate move. I am presently putting all the pieces together in preparation for moving day, and in a few weeks, I’ll be embarking on a 1300-mile journey with a packed-to-the-rafters car and my two kitties, Koa and Peanut Butter.

Is there anything you would like to add?

It is said that a good, hearty belch after a meal is like music to the ears of a chef. It is the ultimate compliment. To an author, that belch is a good, but honest, review posted by a satisfied reader. If you’ve been entertained, introduced to new friends that you’d love to hang with, taken on a journey that you didn’t want to end, or if you were transported to world that made you forget the stresses of the day, then write a nice review to compliment the author who made you laugh, cry, imagine, or filled you with even the smallest amount of wonder. 

Look for my review of Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea coming on September 15!

Interview with Patricia Leavy, PhD, Author of Shooting Stars Above

Patricia Leavy, PhD, is an award-winning, best-selling author. She was formerly Associate Professor of Sociology, Chairperson of Sociology & Criminology, and Founding Director of Gender Studies at Stonehill College. She has published more than fifty books; her work has been translated into many languages, and she has received more than one hundred book honors. Recently, her novel The Location Shoot was featured in Ms. Career Girl's “10 Perfect Books to Get Your Fall Reading List Started” and She Reads in “Novels to Read if You Love Classic Movies” and was the 2024 Best Book Awards First Place Winner in Women’s Fiction. Patricia has also received career awards from the New England Sociological Association, the American Creativity Association, the American Educational Research Association, the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, and the National Art Education Association. In 2018, she was honored by the National Women’s Hall of Fame and SUNY-New Paltz established the “Patricia Leavy Award for Art and Social Justice.” Patricia lives in Maine and serves on the board of the London Arts-Based Research Centre. In addition to writing, she enjoys movies, art, reading, and travel.

Website: https://patricialeavy.com

Order the book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4hzcJVe

Where did you grow up? 

Brookline, Massachusetts.

When did you begin writing? 

I’ve loved writing more than anything else for as long as I can remember. When I was little, I would orally recite stories for an adult to type. Then I would title and illustrate them, and then I would bind them with old wallpaper, glue, or staples. My mother saved a few of my earliest “books.” I have one in a plastic storage bag in my desk. It says I was six years old when I made it.

Do you write during the day, at night or whenever you can sneak a few moments? 

I write during the day. I write every single day—weekends, holidays, vacations. I don’t write all day every day, but I do write every day. On vacations I get up early just to have time to write in the hotel room and I often find coffee shops or museum cafés where I can sit and write.

What is this book about? 

It’s a love story. Really, it’s about the power of love to help us heal our visible and invisible wounds, and the struggle to balance darkness and light in our lives. The story follows world-famous inspirational novelist Tess Lee and counterterrorism agent Jack Miller. Both have given so much to others, but haunted by past violence, neither has been able to find personal happiness. The night Tess and Jack meet, their connection is palpable. She examines the scars on his body and says, “I’ve never seen anyone whose outsides match my insides.” The two embark on an epic love story.

What inspired you to write it? 

When I was ten years old, I tried to write a novel. I don’t remember all the details, but it was a love story about two people who help each other heal. I wasn’t able to finish it at the time. I think the seed lived inside of me my entire life. One night several years ago, I stepped out onto the balcony of my home office and looked up at the stars. Like a bolt, Shooting Stars Above came to, as a complete book. I wrote the first draft in only ten days. It was magical. I believe Shooting Stars Above is the book I tried to write when I was ten. There’s a saying that “hurt people hurt people.” Sometimes that isn’t true. Sometimes people in pain are able to love others in extraordinary ways. That’s the core inspiration behind the book.

Was the road to publication smooth sailing or a bumpy ride?

It was mostly smooth sailing because it’s my fourth novel with this publisher. I absolutely love working with them and have learned their processes pretty well at this point. The one difficult thing is that I’ve dealt with several major personal challenges in the months leading up to the release—several deaths including my mentor and my beloved dog who I had for fifteen and a half years. It’s really hard to get into a promotion mindset when you’re experiencing deep grief and loss.

Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?

It's available everywhere books are sold. Readers ordering online can look at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop, or they can visit the She Writes Press or Simon & Schuster webpages for the book to see a range of options. You can always try your local independent bookstore too, and if they don’t carry it, they can order it.

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with aspiring authors everywhere? 

Develop a relationship with your work that is not dependent on anything external—positive or negative.

What is up next for you? 

I fell so deeply in love with the characters in Shooting Stars Above that it became a series called The Celestial Bodies Romances. There are six books written to date and I genuinely love each more than the one before. We’ll be releasing one each spring. Shooting Stars Above includes the first chapter of the next book, Twinkle of Doubt. Each novel takes place a year after the last and follows the same characters, although some fun new characters are introduced across the series too. Each series title explores love and a different theme. The first book is about love and healing. Other topics include doubt, intimacy, trust, commitment, and faith. While there are different kinds of dramatic events that happen in each book, I can promise you each is filled with love, a few laughs, and hopefully a bit of inspiration. While each novel is a contained stand-alone book, and there are no cliffhangers, if you read the entire series there is also a larger narrative arc. Really, the series is about learning to balance lightness and darkness in our lives so that we may live in full color. Before the next series book comes out, I’m releasing a different novel called Cinematic Destinies on September 2, which is already available for preorder. It’s a romance with multiple love stories and a fun film shoot in Iceland. It’s a total feel-good for readers who enjoy Hollywood love stories with heart. I loved writing it.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Shooting Stars Above has held my hand and wrapped me in the warmest embrace for quite some time. I hope it does the same for readers. I hope it brings a sense of hope and love, and a reminder that kindness matters. Including be kind to ourselves.

Patricia Leavy will be awarding

a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview with Anne Shaw Heinrich, Author of Violet is Blue

Since she fell in love with writing in high school, Anne Shaw Heinrich has been a journalist, columnist, blogger, and nonprofit communications professional.   She’s interviewed and written features on Beverly Sills, Judy Collins, Gene Siskel, and Debbie Reynolds. Anne’s writing has been featured in The New York Times bestseller The Right Words at the Right Time, Volume 2: Your Turn (Atria 2006) and Chicken Soup for the Soul's The Cancer Book: 101 Stories of Courage, Support and Love (2009).  Anne's work has also appeared in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis American, Midwest Family Magazine, Writer’s Digest, Education Week and Ms. Magazine. She and her husband are parents to three grown children. Anne is passionate about her family, mental health advocacy and the power of storytelling.  

Follow Anne Heinrich on social media:

Instagram: @anne_shaw_heinrich | Threads: anne_shaw_heinrich

BlueSky: anneshawheinrich.bsky.social 

Website: anneshawheinrich.com

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Cuba, Missouri. It’s a small town just over an hour’s drive from St. Louis. 

When did you begin writing?

I started writing in high school. I give a great deal of credit for this to two former teachers. Both women really turned me onto a more thoughtful approach to reading, and it was while in their classrooms that I discovered I could be the one writing stories. It really was a turning point for me, and I’ve been writing in one way or another ever since. I dedicated my first novel, God Bless the Child, to these two teachers and established a scholarship in their honor. 

Do you write during the day, at night, or whenever you can sneak a few moments?

I still work full-time as a communications professional at a university, so all my fiction writing takes place wherever I can fit it in. I do have to be intentional about my time. I get a good amount of writing done in the evenings and on the weekends. Fortunately, this never feels like a chore because writing is my jam. 

What is this book about?

Violet is Blue is the second novel in a three-book series published by Speaking Volumes, The Women of Paradise County. It follows the first book, God Bless the Child. Violet is Blue can be a stand-alone book, but the story is even richer for those who read the first book. The through line for all three books in the series is the small-town setting of Poulson and a swath of time in that place shared by characters whose lives are connected in ways big and small. Some have everything they want in the world and some do not. They aren’t perfect, but the characters seem to understand the unspoken rules in a small town. Some wounds get tended and others are left to fester as these complex characters navigate their way toward redemption and acceptance. I’m told that the characters are quirky, and I consider this a compliment!

 

What inspired you to write it?

I started writing the first book in the series 19 years ago. I was a mother with three young children, and when I had any kind of free time, I’d pull out a yellow legal pad and pencil and start scratching things out. I started this after I’d been encouraged by two editors of The New York Times bestseller The Right Words at the Right Time, Volume 2: Your Turn (Atria 2006). My essay about learning that my grandmother was a lingerie model was selected to be in the collection. During that process, one of them said, “Why aren’t you writing more? You need to be writing more.” I took the advice and got busy, working with David Tabatsky as I wrote the first draft of God Bless the Child. I’d started pitching to agents, but life kept getting in my way, so I tabled it. About two years ago, I found myself still sneaking away to write for fun when I could. I’d reached back out to David to see if he’d take a look at my new pieces. He read them and urged me to pull God Bless the Child out of my drawer. After some back and forth, we agreed I might have the makings of a series. Before too long, I had an agent, a publisher, and a contract for a three-book series. Book One was released in 2024. Violet is Blue is set to release June 17, 2025, and I’m knee-deep in getting Book Three, House of Teeth, finished. 

If you knew then, what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently?

Just be patient. Don’t give up. Keep writing and connecting with people when the timing feels right. The universe will let you know when it’s your time to move forward. This is also what I would tell aspiring writers.

What is up next for you?

The last book in the series, House of Teeth, will be released in June 2026. I think it brings the characters from books one and two back into focus, and hopefully, some satisfying closure for readers. The narrative will demonstrate how time marches on, even in small towns like Poulson, but show the ripple effects that all our actions and inactions can have on generations to come. I’m having a really good time writing it, and just like the other two books, showing how closely goodness, badness, and indifference tug at us in unexpected ways.

Purchase links: 

Bookshop.org

https://bookshop.org/p/books/violet-is-blue/90f2cca8bc7cce37?ean=9798890223159&next=t 

Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZBSVLM4?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_sirpi 

Barnes and Noble

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Anne%20Shaw%20Heinrich

Interview with Robert Bruce Adolph, Author of Surviving the United Nations (Giveaway)

 

Robert Bruce Adolph is a retired UN Chief Security Advisor & US Army Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel.  He holds master’s degrees in both International Affairs (Middle East Studies) from American University’s School of International Service and National Security Studies and Strategy from the US Army’s Command and General Staff College.  

Adolph served nearly 26 years in multiple Special Forces, Counterterrorism, Psychological Operations, Civil Affairs, Foreign Area Officer, and Military Intelligence command and staff assignments in the US and overseas. He also volunteered to serve on UN peacekeeping missions in Egypt, Israel, Cambodia, Iraq and Kuwait. 

After he retired from active military service in 1997, he began a second career as a senior UN Security Advisor. Among his positions he served as the Chief of the Middle East and North Africa in the UN Department of Safety and Security. 

Website: https://robertbruceadolph.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-bruce-adolph-904597a

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robert.adolph

Where did you grow up? 

I was born in Massachusetts, but because my dad was in the military, I was raised all over the US - the eldest of nine children. At last count, and due to my Army and United Nations assignments, I have lived and worked in 17 different countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, many of which were in crisis. These varied assignments inform much of my writing. I think it is fair to say that my perspective might not be mainstream.

When did you begin writing? 

I published my first article while serving in the Army as a young captain of military intelligence. I wrote that piece because I had never done so before. Trying new things is something of a passion for me. I liked the responses to my first article, so I wrote another, and another, and I am still at it over four decades later. At last count, I have published over three hundred articles, commentaries, and book reviews. My works have appeared in over fifty newspapers, magazines, and journals, in the US, Europe, and Asia.

What is this book about? 

It’s the true story of my experiences in my humanitarian and peacekeeping missions for the United Nations. I had to deal with child-soldiers, blood diamonds, a double hostage-taking, an invasion by brutal guerrillas, an emergency aerial evacuation, a desperate hostage recovery mission, tribal gunfights, refugee camp violence, suicide bombings, and institutional corruption. My UN career brought me face to face with the best and worst of human nature, and I share it all in this book.

What inspired you to write it? 

I was deeply angry and hurt. There were twenty-two dead and over one hundred and fifty wounded in a jihadist vehicular suicide attack in Baghdad. The people who were to blame never faced accountability for their lack of action. I had to set the record straight by telling the truth, no matter the personal cost. I felt the call to action because nobody else would. I had never felt so alone and utterly vulnerable in my life.

How is it similar to other books in its genre? 

There are a lot of great books, like James Taub’s The Best Intentions and Jan Egeland’s A Billion Lives that give you an inside view of how the UN operates and its impact on the different countries it works in.

How is it different? 

As a senior United Nations Security Chief, I had a unique perspective, having previously served three volunteer uniformed tours of duty in United Nations peacekeeping in Egypt & Israel, Cambodia, and Iraq & Kuwait. It helped me understand why corruption isn’t always seen as corruption. My distinctive view of the events I experienced makes my book different from all the others.

What is the most important thing readers can learn from your book?

I believe that what may make my book a page-turner is that every word is real. Every emotion is raw. Every mistake has consequences. Contrary to popular belief, death seldom has meaning. Violence is often proven stupid. And, finally, justice is not always served. Reality, when reading it, cannot be denied and is recognized by readers. The lessons learned are invaluable.

What is up next for you? Is there anything you would like to add?

My current project is a book for people who may be interested in improving themselves via writing. Writing is now and has always been the most rigorous form of thought. There is no better exercise for the mind than writing. If your readers hope to be one day better, they should write. If they hope to influence others, they should write. If your readers hope one day to build a legacy, they should write. Bottom line – of all the things that I have accomplished in my many years, and aside from saving lives, I am most proud of my writing history.

Read an Excerpt!

I had accomplished an area study on the country before departing Sarajevo—an old habit instilled in me by military training. You see, if time permits prior to the deployment of a Special Forces team on mission, the unit would enter isolation for as much as a week prior in preparation. During that period an area study would be developed among the twelve members of the team. Essentially, an area study examines all aspects of a country or region that might impact mission accomplishment. Knowing the history of a country is often key to understanding its future. 

Sierra Leone had been established on the west coast of the African continent in 1787 by Great Britain as a home for freed slaves. It is about half the size of the American state of Illinois and became a crown colony in 1808. From that time until 1961, when it became an independent nation-state, the country was ruled by the British. In retrospect, the native population was not well prepared for self-rule. 

There was a succession of coups. Government changed hands several times. In 1991, Corporal Foday Sankoh, a former soldier of the Sierra Leone Army, began a military campaign (insurgency) against the national warlord of the moment, Major General Saidu Momoh. Sankoh led what came to be known as the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). The RUF generally focused its attentions on the inland—controlling diamond-producing areas, and the Sierra Leone/Liberia border area in the east and south.

Purchase here!

Robert Bruce Adolph will be awarding

 a $25 Amazon/BN GC to

a randomly drawn winner. 

  a Rafflecopter giveaway