Miss Aldridge Regrets

I’m delighted to share with you the news that today acclaimed British novelist Louise Hare delivers the first in an all-new series: MISS ALDRIDGE REGRETS (Berkley Hardcover; on sale July 5, 2022), a twisty, locked-room mystery set in 1936 aboard the Queen Mary.

In her US debut, Louise introduces readers to a delightfully flawed protagonist, Miss Lena Aldridge, a bold, brave, and clever multiracial jazz singer and actress who is never afraid to speak her mind or bend the rules, and who passes for white in a society that rarely celebrates Black women.

Despite her best efforts, Lena’s career hasn’t taken off as she has hoped. She’s mourning the loss of her beloved father and just scraping by, singing in a dull basement club in London, recently dumped by her married lover. So, Lena is thrilled when she’s approached by an American businessman who offers her a chance to cross the pond on the Queen Mary and become a Broadway star in New York.

Lena accepts the opportunity without a second thought. Just imagine—Lena, under the shining lights of Broadway! She’s never been to America, and after all, her life in London is hardly extraordinary. And an escape sounds even more appealing after she’s witnessed a brutal crime in the night club. But it never occurs to Lena that she may well be crossing the Atlantic alongside a killer.

Miss Aldridge sets sail alongside her new agent and a wealthy American family, who invite her to dinners and take her under their wing, never suspecting Lena’s true heritage. But when members of the family begin to drop dead, and the family doctor goes missing, Lena once more finds herself at the center of a murder investigation—and it’s looking more and more like the opportunity of a lifetime may in fact turn out to be her swan song.

Meet the Author: Louise Hare

Louise, a multiracial British woman like her protagonist, was inspired to pen MISS ALDRIDGE REGRETS by the works of Agatha Christie and Patricia Highsmith. While unfolding a well-executed mystery perfect for fans of Jacqueline Winspear and Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Louise takes on issues like class, race, and women’s equality that continue to resonate almost 100 years after the action in the novel.

Louise’s debut novel, This Lovely City, was published in the UK to wide acclaim, and was a Between the Covers Book Club Pick on BBC Two. She has an MA in creative writing from the University of London. 

Thanks so much for stopping by today. This sounds like a great summer read. Doesn’t this synopsis just draw you in making you want to know what happens next?

When It Falls Apart (+ Giveaway)

I’m delighted today to welcome author Catherine Bybee to Thoughts in Progress as she launches her newest series with WHEN IT FALLS APART.

Brooke Turner has always had a complicated relationship with her father. But when his health takes a turn for the worse, she drops everything to care for him. He’s her dad, after all, and he needs her. What Brooke doesn’t anticipate is the unraveling of her long-term relationship and a cross-country move to San Diego’s Little Italy.

          Luca D’Angelo is the oldest of three children and a single father to a young daughter. When his mother rents the top floor of their house to Brooke, he’s angry. Who is this beautiful stranger with no ties to the neighborhood? Can she be trusted in such close proximity to his family?

          As Luca learns of Brooke’s difficult journey with her ailing father, his heart softens. And Brooke, who witnesses Luca’s struggle as a single parent, develops feelings for him, too. But when it all falls apart, will love heal their wounded hearts?

Now here’s an excerpt for your reading please followed by a bit of background on the author and the chance to enter a $50 Amazon gift card giveaway.

When It Falls Apart Excerpt

“Oh my God, Carmen. He was standing at his car first thing this morning. Like ‘hop in, bella, let’s get stuff done today.’ Who does that?” 

Brooke had picked up the phone as soon as Luca was off in search of a dump guy. 

“We’re talking about the single, hot, Italian dad, right?” 

Brooke rolled her eyes. “Yes. Luca.” 

“Oy, oy, oy.” 

“Stop it. I need advice. And I need it before he gets back.” 

Carmen stopped teasing. “You don’t need advice. You need to relax. He sounds like one of the good ones. Let it happen.” 

“Let it happen,” she mocked. “I don’t ‘let’ things happen. It happens to me and it’s never good.” 

“You didn’t used to be such a pessimist.” 

“Once upon a time the glass was half full. Not these days.” 

“Okay, Debbie Downer. You want my advice . . . here it is. Keep doing whatever it is you’re doing.” 

“I’m not doing anything. Zero effort.” 

“Really?” Carmen didn’t sound convinced. “Makeup . . . a nice dress?” 

Brooke hesitated. “Maybe . . . a little last night, but that was it.” 

Carmen chuckled. 

“Carmen!”

“Sorry. Okay . . . any red flags?” 

Brooke thought about that. “He loved his ex-wife.” 

“That’s a red flag?” 

“I guess not.” 

“Is he good to his mom?” 

Brooke looked back on the dinner the night before. “To the whole family. He takes being the oldest brother quite seriously.” 

“And his daughter?” 

All Brooke could do was smile. “Great dad. We should all be so lucky.” 

“He’s Italian, does he smoke?” 

“No.” 

“A lot of Italians smoke,” Carmen pointed out. 

“In Italy. The San Diego variety are less in that wheelhouse.” 

“That’s good.” Carmen sighed. “I don’t know what to tell you, Brooke. How does he kiss?” 

“He hasn’t kissed me,” Brooke nearly yelled. 

“Now then . . . we have a problem.” 

“There hasn’t been . . . I don’t even know if—” 

“Stop right there. He did not drive your sorry ass all the way to Upland to do grunt work all day if he wasn’t interested in kissing you, bellllaaa. More than that, you want him to.” 

Brooke closed her eyes, and even in her own head she couldn’t convince herself that Carmen was wrong. 

“Let it happen. You deserve some happiness, Brooke.” 

The van with the air conditioning repair guy pulled into the driveway. 

“I gotta go.” 

“I want a kissing update the next time we talk,” Carmen teased. 

“Love you,” Brooke said with a laugh.

“Back at ya, boo.” 

She hung up. 

Her best friend was such a dork.

Meet the Author – Catherine Bybee

New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee has written twenty-eight books that have collectively sold more than five million copies and have been translated into more than eighteen languages.

Raised in Washington State, Bybee moved to Southern California in the hope of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms.

She now writes full-time and has penned the Not Quite Series, the Weekday Brides Series, the Most Likely To Series, and the First Wives Series.

For more on Catherine and her writing, you can connect with her on the following links:

Website: http://www.catherinebybee.com 

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/catherinebybee 

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@catherinebybee1 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2905789.Catherine_Bybee  

Now to enter the giveaway, you can click HERE or click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions.

Thanks so much for stopping by today during Catherine’s visit and being patient with my being absent from the web.  Doesn’t this sound like a intriguing and heart-warming story?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Psychic

I have a most interesting book to tell you about, as well as a ‘new-to-me’ author I’m delighted to introduce you to. The book, PSYCHIC by T.S. Rose, will be released by Apprentice House Press on June the 7^th.

Alpha Moore is telepathic, but her skills amount to far more than just the ability to read the thoughts of others—she can also convince people to change their minds, think differently, and even reverse previous decisions by 180 degrees, though using that amount of energy drains her and she is still wracked with guilt knowing that her talents contributed to her own mother’s death. 

          As Alpha hides away in a care home for young people, Sunday, another psychic, traces her thoughts and reports her existence to the head of an institution. Joining up with Sunday and this institution, Alpha must then help to unmask a mole in the organization and avert a terrorist attack that threatens a train, desperately hoping that her and Sunday’s gifts together can avert the impending tragedy.

Combining sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, and thriller elements into one hard-to-put-down thrill ride, PSYCHIC has adult and YA crossover appeal and weaves in real-life issues of populism and racism.

Now let me tell you a bit about the author before they have so graciously answered some questions about writing and the book. Set in Britain, it is written by a mother-daughter duo who live in London.

T Rose is the daughter of S Rose, her co-author. T is an accomplished writer. Having earned five academic prizes, she graduated from Queen Mary University (London) before becoming an English teacher. Over the years, she has worked with various charities focusing on promoting reading as well as organizing events and activities to help children and adults in need.

She was born in England and now lives in a rural town surrounded by trees and nature, but which also lies only twenty-five minutes by train from the bustling metropolis of London.

S Rose was born in South Africa, but partially schooled in Germany and the UK. She lived for a while in Kissimmee, Florida, but now lives near London. She has published a gardening story for young children, as well as a fantasy tale for young adults.

Her career as a Town Clerk, working for the good of the community, keeps her exceptionally busy, so writing takes place during stolen moments just before bed.

Please join me in welcoming T.S. Rose to Thoughts in Progress. Thanks for joining us and answering these questions.

How do you work together as writers?

Sharon writes the overall plot, and breaks it down into chapters, then Sharon and Tammy each take a chapter to work on. Tammy is better at dialogue scenes, whilst Sharon tends to focus on the high action elements. Because Sharon proposes the initial plot, she tends to put a first face to the characters, but before writing Tammy will tear these apart, sometimes changing the sex of a character, getting rid of one altogether, or rewriting their backstory. Tammy, being considerably younger than her mother Sharon, is more in touch with youthful characters. She also teaches at a secondary school, and is in contact with students every day, so her feel for the language of the younger generation is excellent. Sharon’s strengths lie in the creation of intricate plots, with twists and turns that leave the reader spinning. Once a chapter is written we both review this together.

Do you ever fight about your work?

Yes, but because we appreciate each other’s strengths and weaknesses we leave the final decision to the person with the best skill in that area. We tend to fight like adults, proposing points, debating our viewpoints in a grown-up manner. Sometimes we have to sleep on it, before coming to a resolution. It has meant that the typical mother/daughter relationship has had to alter to a relationship that is more collegial. It’s been a great experience for us.

Of those outside your family, who has had the most influence on your life?

In terms of worldwide figures, Sharon has met and worked with Nelson Mandela, who will always be a great influence on her thoughts. For Tammy, it’s King Ludwig II, Von Bayern. Whilst being a dreadful ruler, who ignored the threats of war to his country, he focussed on romantic projects, creating a number of wonderful architectural buildings, and his palaces still remain as great natural treasures and tributes to peace in Bavaria.

Given unlimited resources what would you do to make the world a better place to live in?

Less politics, more ability to create cross country/cross continental think-tanks to solve the world’s problems. For example, a radical solution to global warming could be found with this approach. Africa cries out for being reforested, but only a cross country approach could achieve this.

Who is your favourite author?

Tammy – Oscar Wilde, Sharon – Stephen King. For Sharon, reading has always been a great love. She absorbed hundreds of books in her childhood – anything from war stories to cowboys, and from horror to romance. Stephen King has to be a favourite author, who influenced much of her writing style. Tammy is more academic in her reading, and for her Oscar Wilde offers the sense of humour she seeks.

What is your favourite genre?

Sharon – anything, but especially science fiction/fantasy. Tammy – horror.

Politics are a big part of PSYCHIC. In your opinion, does government/democracy work?

No, it’s deeply flawed, with political parties creating political spin that masks the truth about everything. The only good part about it is that it is better than any of the other alternatives, and it does leave people with the ability to think for themselves, should they choose to. Sadly, many people don’t, they just absorb the sound bites as gospel.

Thank you again for joining us today. For more on the authors and their writing, visit their website here: https://www.psychic-tsrose.com/, and take the quiz to see what type of psychic abilities you would have!

PSYCHIC can be pre-order from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Psychic-Ts-Rose/dp/1627203877 or Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/books/psychic-9781627203876/9781627203876.

Thanks everyone for stopping by today. I hope you enjoyed this chat with this new writing team. Do you have a favorite genre to read? P.S. Sorry for the way this post looks, Blogger was not happy with me while I was trying to schedule this post.