Book Spotlight: A Fragile Spell by T.M. Kirk

Title: A fragile Spell

Series: Magical Mishaps, Book One

Author: T. M. Kirk

Publisher:  NineStar Press

Release Date: 02/17/2026

Heat Level: 3 - Some Sex

Pairing: Female/Female

Length: 226

Genre: Paranormal Fantasy, FF romance, witches, magic/magic users, artist, glassblower, businessperson, Oregon Coast

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Description

Sangria Christmas Lewis, or “Ria” to literally everyone except her mom, never wanted to be a witch. So when she gets fired from her dream job in marketing and is forced to move back home to Seacliff, she’s less than thrilled. That is, until she gets the idea to offer destiny love spells online: marketing and magic combined. If only she hadn’t screwed up her first spell and made her client fall in love with her. That’s what a witch gets when they abandon their magic for years though.

The small coastal town of Seacliff has captivated the heart of glassblower Lissa Parker. Unfortunately, the marketing company her studio hired to save their failing business dropped them days before they were supposed to launch a secret campaign. With six months to save her studio, Lissa considers it fate that she stumbles across a woman she recognizes from the marketing company. The fact that the woman claims to be a witch only adds to her curiosity. How exactly does one go from marketing to magic?

Lissa needs to find out what Ria knows about her old company's secret marketing campaign so she can save her studio. And Ria needs to figure out how to remove the love spell from her first-ever client. Both women need to learn how to stop keeping secrets and embrace the passion they can’t help but feel for each other.

Excerpt

A Fragile Spell

T.M. Kirk © 2026

All Rights Reserved

Chapter One

Ria

“You’re fired.”

Ria blinked at the curmudgeon across the desk from her. A jaunty rendition of “Jingle Bells” was blaring throughout the office, so perhaps she hadn’t heard her boss correctly.

“I’m sorry,” she replied, “but I don’t quite understand. Could you repeat that?”

Frank Mercer furrowed his already profusely wrinkled brow. “Apologies. You’re right. That damn memo just went out last week too. What was I supposed to say?”

He tapped a finger on his desk, his yellowed nails strangely longer than even Ria’s. She focused on that gnarled old finger as if her fate lingered in the milliseconds between each tap. The blinking glow from the red and green lights hanging outside his office cast his face into a disturbing contrast of holiday cheer and demonic horror, each tap coinciding with a shift in color.

Flash of green. Happy Holidays.

Flash of red. Steal your soul.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Flash. Flash. Flash.

Her own fingers itched to give a little flick toward Frank. Nothing major, just a tiny little spell to nudge his brain toward whatever he’d actually meant to say. Surely he couldn’t be firing her. Nobody fired a person in the middle of the office holiday party. Not even the Grinch was that callous.

She twisted a finger through one of her long red curls as the itch in her hand grew stronger the longer her boss appeared to war with himself on word choice. She might have given in if it weren’t for the firm knowledge that handcast spells were not her forte. More often than not, they went horribly wrong. Handcasting was a “use it or lose it” type of magic, and Ria locked herself on the “lose it” track years ago. Right about the time she joined Mercer Marketing and put her witchy ways in the past. Potions were pretty much the only thing she could manage these days, since those were only a slight step beyond basic science, but she didn’t exactly carry little vials of revenge in the pockets of her pencil skirt.

“Oh, right,” Mr. Mercer finally said. “Now I remember. You’re not fired.”

Ria breathed an audible sigh of relief.

“We’re letting you go.”

Ria sucked every last bit of oxygen back into her lungs. “You’re doing what?” she protested, still unable to fathom the words she was hearing. “But it’s Christmas, sir!”

“Oh, we don’t say that anymore either. It’s ‘the holiday season’ now.”

That’s what he was focusing on?

“But it’s the holiday season, sir!” she shot back.

“Yes, yes, I understand it’s in poor taste to let someone go around this time of year, but the reality is that the world is changing, Miss Lewis. Big marketing firms like ours are losing out to these new young influencers. They’re cheaper and will shill anything for a few bucks. We have to cut costs, and unfortunately, that comes in the way of junior marketing agents like yourself.”

Of course she would be the one on the chopping block. She was just the person who did all the work for none of the credit. That alone should have been enough to have her shouting at Frank about how stupid and short-minded he was being. She willed herself to find that inferno deep within, the anger she knew existed at least a little bit even if it rarely came out. If she was going to be fired, then surely this was the time to tell her wretched little goblin of a boss exactly what she thought of him.

“But sir… I’ve been here almost five years.” Her words came out meek and pathetic. So much for the inferno. She’d summoned less fire than a matchstick in a windstorm.

“Almost being the keyword,” Mr. Mercer replied.

Almost. Ria turned the word over in her head. Why would almost matter… Then it hit her.

“Are you telling me I won’t get any severance pay?”

He didn’t even look the slightest bit ashamed. “Severance is only available after five years of employment,” he replied. “I’m afraid the holiday bonus is also only available to those still employed as of the December twentieth paycheck.”

Ria’s eyes flickered to the calendar on the wall behind her boss. December nineteenth. No severance. No holiday bonus. She was completely and utterly screwed.

Mr. Mercer reached into a drawer, then slid an envelope across the desk. “You’ll find Mercer Marketing isn’t completely without heart though. There’s a little something in here as a thank you for your years of loyal service.”

She glanced down at the envelope, at the handful of visible words peeking through the little plastic window.

Sangria Christmas Lewis

Termination Notice

She had been holding onto a tiny sliver of hope that everything was some huge mistake. Frank Mercer barely knew her name after all. She was just Jim Ginatti’s assistant. Maybe he confused her with some other low-level employee. One who didn’t single-handedly design and execute over forty successful marketing campaigns in only five years.

Seeing her name on that slip of paper, though, popped the hopeful balloon inside her, leaving only the tattered remains of a long-held dream. When she’d gotten the call to report to Mr. Mercer’s office, she’d thought it was for a promotion. She’d assumed Jim finally told everyone how she was the real brains behind his success, and she was about to get some much-deserved recognition along with a pay increase. Something she desperately needed, given her current situation.

Instead, she got fired. No, not fired. “Let go.” As if the softer verbiage in turn somehow softened the blow. One would think a marketing firm could have been a little more creative. Knowing they would suffer without her ingenious ideas did little to improve her mood though.

“What about my clients?” She had just put the finishing touches on a campaign that would catapult a small business in her hometown into a whole new level of growth. Without her there to implement it…

“Jim has your files and will handle everything,” Mr. Mercer replied. “All the worthwhile clients will be assured of their continued representation. We will ensure the transition is seamless.”

Nodding, she took the envelope and rose from the chair on unsteady legs. It killed her to think she wouldn’t be around to see her hard work pay off, but as long as Jim followed her plan, the campaign would still be effective. A small consolation, but something to cling to when she had nothing else.

Don’t slink away, a little voice in the back of her head whispered. Make a scene. This asshole ruined your life.

She lingered in front of Mr. Mercer’s desk, debating.

Don’t do anything irrational, another voice whispered. You’ll need to get a good job reference at least.

Frank steepled his hands and eyed her warily. “Once again, Miss Lewis, I do apologize for the timing of this news. Based on your middle name, I’m sure the holidays are something you find much joy in. Perhaps embracing that will help soothe some of the sting.”

It wouldn’t. In fact, Ria hated Christmas. Despite her mother’s frequent declarations that it was truly the most wonderful time of the year, Ria found the pressure to be cheery and bright far too overwhelming. An opinion currently being cemented as she warred with the decision to ease out of her old life quietly or go down swinging.

Cast a spell, that naughty voice urged. Who cares if it goes wrong? Make his hideous crook nose even larger.

Her fingers tingled again, like tiny little pinpricks under the skin.

You don’t cast anymore, the other, more rational, voice protested. Keep your dignity and exit gracefully.

“Now, if you don’t mind,” Mr. Mercer said, nodding toward the door, “please clean out your desk quietly and efficiently. I do have other matters to attend to.”

He waved his hand in a clear dismissal, and it was that small gesture that snapped something inside her. Five years of hard work reduced to a simple flick of the wrist.

“You know what, Mr. Mercer?” she said, the spark inside her growing, her rage finally begging to be unleashed.

“What, Miss Lewis?”

The words hovered on the tip of her tongue. All the things she could finally say. She could tell him he was making the biggest mistake of his life. She could tell him his company would crash and burn without her doing all the work of three executives. She could tell him he smelled like moldy brie, and people took a roundabout way to the break room just to avoid the stench from passing his office.

In the end, the fire blazing in her green eyes fizzled out. She wasn’t a fighter and would never be the type to make waves.

“Happy holidays,” she said meekly, her shoulders drooping in disappointment that she couldn’t even manage a simple “Screw you.”

Purchase

NineStar Press | Books2Read

Meet the Author

T. M. Kirk is the author of the fantasy romance Onyx Palace series as well as the paranormal rom-com Don’t Bite Me series. Originally from Alaska, she is a rolling stone constantly on the move, eternally searching for that perfect place to call home. Currently residing in California with her partner and two fur babies, her days are spent riding her motorcycle, traveling to new places, and creating fantasy and paranormal worlds as a much needed escape from reality.

Website | Instagram

   

Guest Author Day with Kelli A. Wilkins: Celebrate Women in Horror Month

 

Celebrate Women in Horror Month with The Route 9 Stalker

A NEW Release from Kelli A. Wilkins

www.KelliWilkins.com

 

Hi everyone!

February is “Women in Horror” month, and to celebrate, I’m sharing a look at my new release, The Route 9 Stalker. It’s technically a mystery/thriller, but it has a strong horror element built into the plot. And how could a story about a serial killer not be scary?

The Route 9 Stalker is a follow-up (of sorts) to The Route 9 Killer and follows Detective Jim Rourke on a disturbing new case. Although the books share two main characters, each stands alone as an individual read, and you can read them in any order.

Here are the book summary and links:                                                                

The Route 9 Stalker

(A Mystery/Thriller)

It started with a body in the woods — and turned into a hunt for a deranged stalker.

Late one evening, Megan Graystone enters a police station and reports that she witnessed a man dumping a woman’s body in the woods.

But with no concrete proof and no sign of foul play, Detective Jim Rourke dismisses her story — until a woman’s mutilated body is found close by. As Rourke investigates the victim’s past, he learns that she was being stalked by a mysterious stranger — and so were several other murdered women.

Rourke discovers that the elusive stalker is playing a twisted game; changing identities and vanishing after each murder. With no other option, Rourke enlists Megan Graystone’s help to trap the stalker — although it means putting her in grave danger.

Can Rourke stop the stalker before he kills and disappears again?

Order your copy here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GGTTNPXG

Other Platforms: https://books2read.com/u/bxll2P

Want more? Meet Detective Jim Rourke for the first time in The Route 9 Killer. Read the book summary and reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/the-route-9-killer

***

When I wrote The Route 9 Killer, I didn’t know I would eventually write another book featuring Detective Rourke. But one day I was looking through my folder of ideas for stories I might write “someday” and came across a simple premise: A woman sees a man dumping a body in the woods, and the killer comes after her. I thought about it for a while and began to toy with ways to expand the idea.

I started wondering: What if this wasn’t this guy’s first kill? Who are the women he has killed? Why is he killing them? How does he find his victims? I started piecing the story together in my head and thought of ways I could bring Detective Rourke onto the case.

Three years after the events that took place in The Route 9 Killer, Detective Jim Rourke has finally put the unwanted publicity from that case behind him, and he never wants to hear about serial killers again.

However, fate has delivered him a woman’s mutilated body—the same body Megan claimed to have seen in the woods. When Rourke’s fellow Detective Ed Dolenz uncovers similar cold cases, Rourke finds himself hunting another serial killer. He learns that a man is stalking and viciously murdering women he meets on dating sites. Rourke and Dolenz are able to link the killings to a mysterious man who switches identities and vanishes after each murder.

Is the man Megan saw in the woods connected to the murders? Rourke thinks he might be, and he needs Megan’s help catching him. But Dolenz theorizes that there might be more than one killer…

When I plotted the book, I decided Megan would be a focal point of the story, and she plays a central role in helping Rourke catch the killer. Right from the start, readers see that Megan isn’t a big fan of the police, and she’s cautious when dealing with strangers. Although she knows she’s potentially the target of a serial killer, she isn’t frightened off. Why? Because she’s a lifelong horror movie fan and she follows “the rules” of staying alive and defending herself against predators.

I intentionally played up the theme of “protecting yourself” in the book. As a single woman living alone, Megan fits the profile of the killer’s victims, but she’s smart and has a no-nonsense attitude when it comes to her personal safety and boundaries. Some of that comes from mocking horror movie heroines who make bad choices, but a lot of it comes from her relationship with her best friend, Lori.

Throughout the book, whenever something disturbing or strange happens, Megan talks to her friend Lori. This gives readers a break from Rourke’s investigation, and readers can see what seemingly innocent interactions Megan has with people turn out to be vital to the case.

Lori acts as a sounding board for Megan’s concerns (or lack thereof) and Lori cautions her to be careful since “Rourke is using her as bait for a serial killer.” Megan keeps reassuring everyone that she’ll be okay and she can handle things. But can she?

Everyone isn’t who (or what) they seem in this story, and without giving away any plot details or spoilers, I can say that Rourke, Megan, and the killer come together in the end, and the story packs a great twist ending.

I loved writing this book, and I incorporated a bit of myself into the plot. As a lifelong horror movie fan (and someone who loves Halloween), I decided to have the entire story take place the week before Halloween. It added an element of surprise to the ending and helped build suspense. (And yes, my best friend is named Lori. She thought the book was great, by the way!)

I hope you will add both Route 9 books to your 2026 reading list. Readers have asked me if I’m going to give Detective Rourke one more case to solve and complete a trilogy. I’ve been considering it… What do you think?

If you love horror and are celebrating all things scary this month, visit the Horror, Mystery & More page on my site: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/horror to read about all of my spooky stories!

Until next time…

Happy Reading!

Kelli A. Wilkins

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 24 romance novels, and 9 mystery/thriller/horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror, mystery, and thriller fiction.

Her latest book, The Route 9 Stalker, was published in January 2026. This mystery/thriller is set in Central NJ and follows Detective Jim Rourke on a disturbing new case. Meet him for the first time in The Route 9 Killer.

Kelli’s 24th romance, For Love’s Sake, an epic historical/fantasy romantic adventure, was published in 2025.

​

In 2024, she released Surreal Escapes, a collection of 7 speculative/spooky stories. Anything can—and does—happen in this anthology.

Follow Kelli on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list, soci

Tour Stop: Andrew Grey's Under His Protection

Title: Under His Protection

Series: Olympia Stories Book 2

Author: Andrew Grey

Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance/Military

Release Date: Feb 17, 2026

Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print

Blurb/Synopsis:

With his Hollywood career over, Eddie returned to Olympia and began his life again as a police officer. When he gets a call from an old friend, he hurries to help. Eddie never expected to come face to face with his biggest regret again. Yet maybe this was a second chance with the man he’d left behind to pursue his ambitions of fame and fortune.

Accountant Marty’s life hasn’t turned out the way he expected, and now he’s discovered that he may be working for a front for money laundering. Not knowing what else to do, he calls the old number he has for Eddie, hoping for help. What he gets is a protector… and quite possibly more.

Things go from bad to worse when money laundering turns to murder, with Marty as a possible witness. Passion rekindles and builds quickly, but so does the danger. Eddie is determined to keep Marty safe, but catching the killer will push them both and test their renewed relationship to the limit.

Discover the Detective Ryan Series by Clive Fleury today & a Giveaway

 

The truth doesn’t sleep — and neither does Detective Ryan.

Off Season

A Detective Ryan Mystery #1

by Clive Fleury

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Detective Ryan navigates drug overdoses, a mysterious foot on the beach and a long-buried cold case.

Detective Ramesh Ryan's career with Sydney's prestigious Organized Crime Unit is on the up, until he loses a court case against the city's most powerful drug dealer. In disgrace, the detective is relocated to the tiny Australian beach town of Barton.

It is off-season in Barton-when its few criminals usually take a well-earned rest. But not this year! With the detective's arrival, the town suddenly becomes murder central. Two bodies are discovered in the space of days, both victims of drug overdoses. Then a mysterious foot is found washed up on the beach, and memories are awoken of an unsolved cold case of the teenager who disappeared fifteen years ago. Add to this a blossoming romance, along with a contract taken out on Ryan's life, and it's clear that the detective has jumped out of the Sydney frying pan into the Barton fire.

What follows is an action-packed adventure, thrilling at every turn-where truth and lies are almost impossible to separate, and unexpected twists are the order of the day.

 

Praise For OFF SEASON

 

“Off Season is a sensational and thrilling mystery that will take its reader on a journey of ups and downs and twists and turns galore while always entertaining and thrilling you!”

 —Aimee – GOODREADS review

 

“Attention grabber. Moves quickly and smoothly. Informative. Enjoyable. Don't miss.”

—Margaret – GOODREADS review

 

“Fleury masterfully crafts a narrative that is both fast-paced and intricately plotted. The story kicks off with a bang and maintains its momentum throughout, with each chapter ending on a tantalizing cliffhanger. The plot is peppered with unexpected twists and turns, keeping readers interested.”

—J. Komrie - GOODREADS review

 

“Great build-up of suspense, a layered plot, and an enticing protagonist. Takes a lot of turns, which I love. This is definitely a page turner for anyone who loves a good crime mystery.”

—Carolina Rolim – Verified AMAZON reader review

  

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

Talking with Clive Fleury

 

What inspired you to write this book?

My decision to write “All or None” the second book in the Detective Ryan mystery series, came because I really liked the characters – Detective Ramesh Ryan, Zoe Yang, Mumta Ryan --- in “Off Season” the first book in the series. I wanted to explore where they would take me.

 

What can we expect from you in the future?

Definitely more Detective Ryan mystery novels.

 

Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in ALL OR NONE?

In my latest novel “All Or None” Detective Ramesh Ryan remains the principal character. He’s bright, determined, and loves being a detective. However, he is socially inept, a bit of a mother’s boy, and can be too stubborn and too much of a loner for his own good.

 

Detective Zoe Yang is Ryan’s junior partner. New to Sydney, she likes being a detective, but it is not for her the be all and end all of life. A Ying to Ryan’s Yang, she is social, friendly and outgoing. She is also indecisive… unsure about whether to stay in the city or return to beach life on the Central Coast.

 

Mumta Ryan,  Ramesh Ryan’s mother, was born in India, and met her late husband, British-born banker Harold, in Australia. Although financially secure, Harold’s death ten years ago has left an indelible mark on her, and she doesn’t intend to remarry.  She loves trying new things and flits from one passion/pastime to another.   

 

How did you come up with the concept and characters for the book?

I’ve always loved thrillers and mysteries and so writing books that have both these elements was a no brainer. I live for part of the year in a suburb in Sydney, Australia called Potts Point. It is full of unusual and quirky people. I draw my characters and inspiration from here.

 

Where did you come up with the names in the story?

Names are my bête noire. I always have difficulty plucking characters names out of the ether. I regularly have to go back to change a name when I am halfway through a book because I think of a better name. This can cause major editing problems, and is not something I would encourage any writer to do. 

 

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

Finishing it.

 

I think people who don’t write for a living have this romantic notion of writing being a profession that is carefree and full of excitement. Nothing could be further from the truth. Writing is all about discipline… It doesn’t matter how you feel you have to aim to get a certain number of words on a page every day. It’s hard graft, and it’s only when you finally reach the end of a novel do you get that feeling of excitement and achievement.

 

How did you come up with the title of your first novel?

It’s always difficult to come up with a title for a first novel, particularly when, as in this case, the book is number one in a series. In my case I wanted a title that was short and snappy, and gave some information about one of the themes of the novel. I thought Off Season fitted the bill, as the book is about a city detective who is assigned to a sleepy town during the winter when there are no tourists.  

 

If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

I would love to have Dev Patel to play my lead detective, Detective Ramesh Ryan in a TV series.

 

Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?

The jobs my lead characters do are real, but who or what they are comes mostly from my imagination.

 

Is there a writer whose brain you would love to pick for advice? Who would that be and why?

Lee Childs/James Grant. I would like to pick his brains on how he had the discipline to write so many books about the same character, Jack Reacher, and to make all the novels interesting.

 

How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing since I left university in one form or another --- first as a journalist, then as a screen writer and finally, now, as an author.

 

Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?

The advantage of writing a series is that after the first novel, the principal characters are established. Future books allow you to explore and expand on their quirks and idiosyncrasies. However, other characters, those who begin as minor players, can start to push their way into a book and become more important.  

All Or None

A Detective Ryan Mystery #2

Returning to Sydney, Detective Ramesh Ryan is promoted to the Homicide Squad. Zoe Yang joins him there. Now a detective herself, she is assigned as his junior partner. Straight up, the cops are off and running-investigating the discovery of a murdered company director. Following the clues, Detective Ryan finds that this and a second murder may be linked to past events.

As the pressure mounts for a quick solution to the case, the detective finds that he too, is in the killer's crosshairs. But Ryan is distracted from the investigation by a romantic encounter with an old university friend. He also worries about his mother, Mumta, and her new obsessive desire for grandchildren from her only son. Could this be linked to her recent medical tests? And there's another pressing problem-the plague of rats in his apartment block.

Detective Ryan's hands are well and truly full!

 

Praise For ALL OR NONE

A riveting read. Anyone who likes mystery and crime, you won’t be able to put this down. Thought it was an elegant continuation of this universe. - Carolina R, Amazon Reviewer

I really enjoyed this book. I love it when you keep changing your mind about who did it to find out at the end that you're still wrong. – Nancy F., Goodreads Reviewer

 

All or None exceeded my expectations. The murders kept me guessing, but what I loved most was Ryan himself tough on the outside, vulnerable on the inside, and surrounded by challenges that made him relatable. – Mary M., Goodreads Reviewer

 

I devoured this ARC in two sittings. The tension builds perfectly, and the clues are woven in so well that you feel like you’re investigating alongside Ryan and Zoe. The personal subplots (his mom, the romance, even the rats!) add depth without slowing down the action. – Minor C, Goodreads Reviewer

 

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

Clive Fleury is an award-winning writer of books and screenplays and has worked all over the world as a Film/TV director, writer and producer. He has written six books, most recently 'All Or None', the second novel in the Detective Ryan Murder Mystery series.

 

'All Or None' sees Detective Ryan back in the thick of things. His latest investigation into a mysterious death couldn’t come at a worse time. He discovers his mother is hiding a troubling secret and is further sidetracked by a new romance. Fans of who dunnit's, crime thrillers, and cop and detective stories will love this novel. 

 

Clive's other books include 'Off Season' - book one in the Detective Ryan Murder Mystery series; 'Kill Code' - a dystopian science fiction novel set in a world facing climate change;  ‘Scary Lizzy’  - a novel about an eight year old girl, who befriends an African child ghost –  and the teen action adventure book; ‘The Boy Next Door ‘ -  a story of what happens when a teenage girl has a crush on her next door neighbor, who isn’t all he seems.  He also co-wrote ‘Art Pengriffin and The Curse of The Four’ - a young adult fantasy adventure about a teenage boy who discovers his father was Merlin the Magician.

 

Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a $25 giveaway!

Enter the Detective Ryan Mysteries Giveaway Here

Book Spotlight: And Call Me by Will Okati

 

Title: And Call Me

Author: Will Okati

Cover Art: Bryan Keller

Genres: Action Adventure, Box Sets, Contemporary, New Releases, Romance

Themes: Age Gap (Older Man), LGBTQ+ Gay, Medical Romance, Second Edition

Book Length: Box Set

Page Count: 334

Add to Goodreads

Synopsis

Need a prescription for love? Take two, and call me in the morning.

And Call Me in the Morning: Eli and Zane. Yes, they spend a lot of time together. That doesn’t mean they’re a real couple. When teased about it one too many times by their colleagues, Zane challenges Eli to set the record straight with a kiss to prove there’s absolutely no chemistry between them. Neither expected a spark to ignite between them. More than a spark. Truth be told, Eli’s not so sure they can set the record straight after all.

And Call Me in the Evening: Eli’s still not great at wearing his heart on his sleeve and Zane’s still got trust issues, but they manage just fine. It’s all good. Right? Yes and no. Eli’s ex-wife Marybeth has come back to town, bringing a heaping helping of hassle with her. There’s something to be said for setting the story straight, it’s true. Eli knows he and Zane have a good thing going even if keeping it that way is the hardest -- and best -- part.

Excerpt

And Call Me (Duet)
Will Okati
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2026 Will Okati

Falling in love with his closest friend had never been something Eli planned to do with his life. Wasn’t as if he could have stopped it, though.

Sometimes love just happened.

Even if it took him a while to figure that out.

* * *

“There you are.” Zane laid down the heavy, ivory-colored menu he’d been idly flipping through as Eli approached, making his way through the maze of tables at their regular bistro. “I almost thought you weren’t going to make it.”

Eli sat with a thump, running his hand through his dark brown hair, cut short but still quite capable of standing on end. He grimaced when he discovered he’d forgotten his stethoscope, still wound around his neck.

“Long night?” Zane asked, already waving their server over with the universal “coffee here” gesture.

Eli relaxed and let Zane take care of him. Some days, a man truly appreciated a friend who’d have his back when he needed a rock to shore up against. “Long, long night. Three-car pileup at an intersection. I didn’t want to leave before everyone was stable.”

“That’s my boy.” Zane shifted out of the way to let their server pour Eli’s cup. She was a pretty thing, well packed into her curves -- curves that she offered not so subtly for display.

Zane ignored them. He’d taken Eli’s face in his hands and begun to assess him for signs of exhaustion. The guy had good hands, firm and dry and dexterous. They felt nice and cool against Eli’s skin. He let Eli go with a light slap to the cheek. “Your eyes look like burned holes in a blanket. You should go home and get some rest.”

“Like I’d miss a chance at a fine, elegant brunch?” Eli rolled his eyes.

“Heaven forbid.” Zane gave good deadpan. “Jeez. This is the kind of place I fear running into my family.” How moneyed Zane’s family was, Eli didn’t know. Coming from an ivory tower was a sore spot for Zane, who much preferred the life he’d chosen in a grittier world.

Eli segued to spare Zane any discomfort. What were friends for, right? “You were on last night too. How’d you manage to get away in time for a shower and a sharp morning suit?”

“Questions, questions.” The corners of Zane’s eyes crinkled when he smiled. “Unlike some of us, I leave when my shift’s done.”

“Since when? You’re as much of a workaholic as I am, if not more. A hospitalist’s work is never done, especially at Immaculate Grace. What was I thinking when I chose that as a career, anyway?”

“That you’re a glutton for punishment?”

“True enough.” Eli drank deeply of his coffee, almost moaning in appreciation. The influx of better-than-decent caffeine stimulated his brain. “Before I forget, I got those concert tickets you begged me for. Two, even.” He patted his dark brown shirt pocket. Plain clothes for a plain man, built tough to last, Chicago born and bred for forty-three years.

Unlike Zane, who looked as fresh as a daisy in a casual white linen jacket, pale violet button-down, and pressed slacks. Pretty as a picture, coming across as maybe five years younger than his forty-one. Zane brightened and made a grab. “Good seats?”

“I’m told they’re the best. Ah-ah-ah.” Eli tapped his pocket again. “I also got advance tickets for a Cubs game when the season starts. Fair is fair. I try not to fall asleep during the chorale or chamber music or whatever you want to call it, and you endure beer, umpire heckling, and giant foam fingers.”

“Done and done. You drive a hard bargain.” Zane clinked coffee cups with Eli. He hadn’t looked away once, but Eli liked that about Zane. When he gave you his full attention, nothing else seemed to matter to him. All part of the Zane package, and it made him the best doctor Eli had known. “I --” He stopped, interrupted by the chiming of his pager. When he checked the number, he grimaced. “Damn. Sorry, I’ve got to take this. Keep that warm for me.”

“What did I tell you? Workaholic. Hey! Do not let them talk you into coming back to the hospital today.”

Zane waved backward at Eli as he walked off. Eli watched him go, amused.

A different server, young and male, approached with the coffeepot. Eli suspected the waitress had gotten fed up with flirting and traded off. Fine by him. This kid had a good eye for refills. He held his cup up. “Keep it coming, but we’re not ordering yet. Still waiting for two.”

And they’d better hurry, if they know what’s good for them.

Eli wasn’t a huge fan of this bistro. Without Zane there to provide a buffer, the place was too rich for his blood. Made him feel like any second someone with a pedigree was going to jump out from behind a column and ask him what a working-class stiff like him thought he was doing here.

“Of course, sir. I’m sorry if I’m being rude,” the waiter said, deftly pouring. “If I could ask -- you two make such a handsome couple. How long have you been together?”

Not this again. Eli didn’t even have to ask what the kid meant. Wasn’t the first time he and Zane had been mistaken for a couple, and he’d bet his hard-earned MD it wouldn’t be the last. “Sorry to burst your bubble, but we’re not.”

The waiter’s coffeepot slipped. “You’re not -- oh. Oh my God, I’m so sorry.”

“No problem.” Eli waved him off before the kid could apologize again. He’d almost gotten used to the assumption. Whatever people saw in Zane and him, he had no idea. Felt like being on the shooting range sometimes, as many assumptions made about them as they had to dodge. Once corrected, strangers were mostly good about apologizing and moving on.

Friends of theirs, on the other hand, were not so accommodating.

“We made it!” Diana and Holly -- also doctors, both familiar faces at Immaculate Heart -- swarmed the table in a cloud of perfume and joie de vivre. With them, more hesitantly, came a fresh-faced kid Eli vaguely recognized as an intern. The ladies dove into the fresh baguettes and cherry jam their new waiter discreetly slid onto the table before exiting at speed, stage left.

Eli stayed well back from the carnage. Friends they might be, but Holly and Diana -- well, it was best to stay on your toes around them. “Who’s the boy toy?”

Holly, a pale, Nordic-type blonde, swatted Eli’s arm. “Be nice. Taye’s been at work for almost twenty-four hours. He deserved a break, so we brought him along to give him a treat.”

Eli didn’t doubt she spoke the truth. The intern was gray with exhaustion and had bags under his eyes big enough to carry the US mail. For all that, he wasn’t bad-looking. If you noticed male attributes, that was. A well-shaped face and a kind mouth, reddish gold hair cut short and sleek. Eli could tell he was probably handsome given the way Diana eyed him with impressively dirty intent.

“Really?” Eli nudged Diana under the table.

Diana, forty-two and unashamed, attractive in a gamine sort of way, wrinkled her nose at Eli. A damned fine cardiologist and an innovator in her field, she had the sense of humor of a collegiate and saw no point in growing old gracefully. She nudged back, and ouch, she was wearing pointy-toed shoes. “Bah humbug.”

Taye watched them with big eyes. “Is there something going on here that I should know about?”

“Not a thing,” Diana said. Butter wouldn’t have melted between her cherry red lips. She stole Eli’s coffee and sipped demurely.

Holly petted Taye’s hair. “It’s all right, Taye. No one here’s going to bite.”

Taye cracked a grin. “Right. It’s just -- three doctors and me. All of you have been in medicine since I was in grade school. I’m a little nervous.”

“Shows what you know,” Eli said, jumping back into the conversation. “I just finished my residency last year.” He shrugged. “My midlife crisis came early. What can I say?”

“Seriously? But you seem so… I mean, you’re… The way you take charge, I’d thought you were an old pro.”

“Thank you. It’s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks. And before you ask, I’m forty-three.” Eli took his cup back from Diana, only to find it empty. “Wench.”

She smirked at Eli. “And don’t you forget it. So where’s your wife?”

“Right now, specifically?” Eli checked his watch, a gift from Zane when he’d been hired on as an attending. “Hell if I know. Either in Nepal with Paolo or in Paris with Neo. I lost track.” Either way, she was doing adventurous things with a man who isn’t married to his job. He couldn’t blame Marybeth. Cops made terrible husbands. When he’d decided to switch to medicine, that’d been the last straw, and he wished her well with… whoever was on the menu this week. “Enough about me.” They knew damn well he didn’t like to talk about personal business in public.

Holly and Diana exchanged glances, the secretly amused and utterly female method of communication Eli had never learned to interpret, God help him.

“Good for her. I was talking about your other wife,” Diana said around a bite of ruby jam and baguette.

“Beg pardon?”

“She means Zane,” Holly said.

That, in Eli’s opinion, was taking it too far, especially in front of a colleague Eli didn’t know. “Enough, the both of you.”

Holly ignored him serenely and put her chin in her hands. “Come to think of it, this might be the first time I’ve seen you without him in weeks.”

Eli could feel Taye watching them, fascinated. “My private life is not up for scrutiny, but for the last time, Zane and I are not together. How many times do I have to say this, and to how many people?”

“Wait, what?” Looked like Taye had forgotten his nerves. He turned to Diana instead of Eli. “Zane is Dr. Novia, right? They’re not…”

“No,” Eli said, annoyed. A flicker of motion in his peripheral vision filled him with relief. “Zane, for the love of God, would you get behind me on this?”

Diana and Holly dissolved into giggles. Zane shrugged, untroubled as ever, and took his seat. He tucked his pager away. “What are we being ridiculed for today?”

“Same old, same old,” Eli said. He passed Zane the bread and jam. “Apparently we want to jump each other’s bones.”

“An oldie, but a goodie.” Zane lifted his chin at Taye. “What are you looking at, junior?”

Taye coughed. “Nothing. Sorry.” He retreated behind a mouthful of fresh-from-the-oven baguette.

Eli had to admire Zane at work. They could have used a laser stare like Zane’s on the force back in the day. He’d have had perps pissing their pants with nothing more than a look.

Zane turned it on Diana. “Look at you, Mrs. Robinson.”

Diana possessed not the smallest trace of shame. “You wish you had my cojones.”

“True.”

Their byplay didn’t stop Holly. Nothing did, as far as Eli could tell. Hell, her husband egged her on; Eli held it in private opinion that the pair of them enjoyed more kink than a Slinky. She folded her hands beneath her chin and gave Zane her best you-can-trust-me psychotherapist face. “It just seems obvious to everyone but the pair of you.”

“It’s true,” Diana said. She started to pick through the packages of fake and real sugar, searching for Splenda. “You go to the symphony together. Ball games. Brunch, for God’s sake. And when was the last time you went out with a woman, the pair of us aside?”

Eli opened his mouth, closed it, and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “So it’s been a while. I don’t have time for playing the field when I’m trying to get ahead with my career.”

“But you have time to spend with Zane,” Holly said sweetly.

Eli gave up. For the moment.

Diana didn’t. “Take, for example, the way you two are sitting. Shoulder to shoulder.”

“The table is crowded,” Eli protested. “Four-person table, five people jammed in. You’re plastered against Taye.”

Diana smiled like a cat who’d just gotten her first taste of the cream and said nothing.

Fine, that hadn’t helped. Frustrated, Eli looked to Zane for support. No luck; Zane was busy waving for more coffee all around.

Eli wasn’t an idiot. When he examined Zane through objective eyes, he could see the appeal. Zane looked closer to thirty than forty, excepting the smile lines and small sprinkling of silver in his hair, and it was a trim, fit thirty with a body he kept in tip-top shape with rigorous exercise.

Not that Eli had anything to be ashamed of on that count, either. Zane’s enthusiasm for biking and boxing had chivied Eli out of the threat of middle-aged spread and back into better shape than he’d been on the force. Handsome, fit, successful.

So yes, he noticed these things. Didn’t everybody? And so they spent most of their time together. Mankind wasn’t made to be alone. Big deal.

Zane’s beeper shrilled. He rolled his eyes to the heavens. “I’m going to take this in my car. If the waiter comes around, order for me, but no meat. As soon as we’re done here I’m going back to Immaculate Grace and carving myself a filet of intern. Not you,” he said as an aside to Taye. “You’re doing great. Keep up the good work. Eli, tell them I want the usual, okay?”

Eli didn’t let Diana or Holly ask. “Yes, I know his usual. Belgian waffle with cinnamon sugar and whipped cream, the real stuff, and a fruit salad. No strawberries.” He swatted Zane’s hip as Zane scooted behind him and away. “Don’t worry; I’ve got it covered.”

“No strawberries?” Taye asked.

“He’s allergic,” Eli said. Medicine fell outside the personal-business umbrella, and Zane considered nothing taboo anyway. Still grated Eli’s nerves a bit to answer. “I’ve never seen how allergic, but he carries an EpiPen. No sense taking chances.”

Hoping the subject would be dropped, knowing there was no way he’d get that lucky, Eli studied the menu until he could no longer ignore the women clicking their tongues at him. Approximately thirty seconds. “What?”

The women exchanged Highly Significant Looks. “Doth the gentleman protest too much?” Diana asked.

“He doth,” Holly agreed. “Let me ask you a question, Eli.”

“Since I’m well aware that I can’t stop you, please, proceed.” Eli crossed his arms and waited for it.

“How much time did you spend with your ex-wife before she took off for -- where was it again?” She shushed him before he could answer. “It’s Austria with Pieter, by the way. I actually know this, and you don’t. Now tell me: how much time do you spend with Zane?”

Eli scowled and said nothing.

Holly pounced. “You see? I’ll bet you can even tell me where Zane was night before last.”

There was no way he would win here, was there? “My place,” Eli admitted. “Takeout and Die Hard. What’s your point?”

“I think their point is that you’re all but married,” Taye said. Apparently he’d chosen sides. Good to know. For that, he would pay. “Look, I know a few things about what it’s like to love your own gender. It’s strange as hell at first.”

Diana’s face fell in a way that would have been heartbreaking if it hadn’t been ever so satisfying instead. “You’re --”

Taye blushed but kept his chin up. “Yes.”

“No disrespect to you personally intended, Taye, but can I just say ha?” Eli pointed at Holly and Diana in turn. “Your gaydar needs a tune-up.”

Diana didn’t take defeat graciously. She narrowed her eyes at Taye. “Prove it.”

“Hey.” Eli straightened. “Nobody around here has to prove anything. Diana, leave him alone.”

Taye’s color heightened. “I can fight my own battles, thanks.”

Eli held up his hands in mock surrender. “Suit yourself, tough guy.”

Maybe it was the lack of sleep followed by the powerful coffee, or maybe Taye was one of those fortunate fools who didn’t hesitate to jump in where mortals feared to tread. “Excuse me.” Taye touched the waiter’s arm as he approached, coming in on the third round of coffee refills. “Would it be all right with you if I kissed you?”

The waiter stared at him. Eli waited for the “No!”

Instead, their waiter did a quick check to make sure no managerial eyes were on him, slid his carafe onto the table, and pressed in close to Taye. “I thought you’d never ask, handsome.” He stood on tiptoe and --

Eli sighed. Holly made cooing noises that unfortunately didn’t cover up the noises of a highly enthusiastic kiss. A darker mood still shadowed Eli’s thoughts when the sound of the smacking prompted a stir in his groin.

He tapped his foot thoughtfully. All right, so maybe it’s been a longer dry spell than I’ll admit to this crowd. I’m a busy man. That doesn’t mean listening to two pretty boys make out turns me on. Or Zane. It just means I need to get laid, or at least spend a quality afternoon with my right hand.

“Is that what we’re leaving instead of a tip?” Zane made his reappearance without fanfare or notice from anyone except Eli. “If that’s the case, we should take Taye out with us more often.”

Eli chuckled. “I was just enjoying the sight of Diana proved wrong.”

Diana scowled at Taye. “He’s your boyfriend, isn’t he? No wonder you were willing to brunch instead of crash.”

“Can you blame me?” Taye kissed the waiter again, this time on the tip of his nose. “See you later, handsome.”

Was he? Eli couldn’t see the appeal, himself. Waiter-boy was shorter than Taye by at least half a foot, wiry, curly dark hair, a button nose… Okay, maybe he could see it a little. Discomfort at PDA aside, Eli was man enough to admit the pair of them were almost cute. He knew he’d be just as fidgety with a hetero couple. The last time Holly’s computer-something-or-another-engineer husband, Keith, had come along to brunch, he’d almost wanted to crawl under the table.

Not even Diana could stand up against that. She sighed and shifted fully from tigress on the hunt to full-fledged fan club member. “Worth it.”

A faint touch at his elbow drew Eli’s attention to Holly. “You see?” she asked, quiet as a mouse. A far-too-knowing mouse. “That’s the way you and Zane look at each other. You’re the only two who can’t see it.”

“Be that as it may. We’re not interested. Not homophobic, Taye, so no offense to you. You two ladies, stop going there. This is the last time I’m going to ask. We’re friends. That’s all. Leave it alone.”

Diana clicked her tongue against her teeth. Eli didn’t like the look on her face. Too suspicious by half. “Let me ask you this. How do you know there’s nothing more to it? Have you ever tried?”

Even Holly tried to shush her at that, but the damage was done. “I think we’re done here.” Eli dropped his napkin on the table and stood. “My private life is just that: private. I’ve had about enough of defending myself.”

“Like I said. Protesting too much,” Diana said. She wasn’t one to back down. Normally Eli liked that about her. Normally. Not so much now. “Look it up.”

Purchase at Changeling Press

Meet the Author

Will Okati (formerly known as Willa) has lived through a few Interesting Times, but come out the other side a little grayer, a little wiser, and ready to get writing. Still as passionate about coffee, cats, and crafts as ever, but knowing that to your own self you must be true. Also still one of the quiet ones to watch out for, but life -- like storytelling -- is always a work in progress.

Website | Facebook

Tour Stop/Giveaway; Mortal Escape by Amanda Murr

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Amanda Murr will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Lily is a conscientious college student with a gift for songwriting and a passion for music. Life on Ember Island is pretty conventional until the morning Lily wakes up to a transformed world. As she begins to discover her roommates and entire campus have been impacted by some sort of fiendish disease, Lily finds herself all alone and heads for the city in an attempt to understand what is going on. In the scramble for survival, Lily meets the charming yet unpredictable Halen, and comes to understand they are now living in a dystopian society.

Although the quick-tempered Halen has a distrust for almost everyone she encounters, she seems to make an exception for Lily. They have an instant attraction to each other, which Halen is more forward about and finds enjoyment in making Lily nervous by this sudden attention.

With only each other to depend on, they face dangerous obstacles to escape the island. As they fight for their lives, Lily finds herself fighting her feelings for Halen just as much while Halen develops a strong urge to protect Lily. Will the two be able to trust their connection and find refuge on the mainland and within each other?

Read an Exceprt

I go to another place for a while on my drive to the city. I think I’ve hit my max of what I can process, and it all still feels surreal. As I turn off the highway, I begin to look for any signs of life. Nothing. Not even bodies. I turn down the narrow street where my grandma lives, park my car, grab my backpack, and head to the gate. Three men stumble toward me in the parking lot, their pale skin glinting in the dim light. I quickly close the gate behind me as more stagger my way. I take off running through the alley, hoping to get inside the building, when I slam into someone.

She’s standing there, emerald specks in her eyes. “Are you a being?” she asks. I barely have time to respond before she yells, “Then we need to go. There’s a swarm on this side.” She boosts me onto a dumpster, guiding me toward the fire escape. My arms strain as I grab the ladder, her strength helping me up. Heights aren’t my thing, and panic sets in when one of them grabs my shoe. Suddenly, a loud sound erupts, dampness splashes over me, and their grip loosens. I look down—blood, but safety above.

On the rooftop, she trains a gun on me. “Did he scratch you?” she asks coldly. “No!” I stammer. Satisfied, she puts the gun away. Then we hear them shaking the ladder below. She tucks her curls behind her ears. “They need to feed,” she states. My heart pounds as I watch her flip a body over the ledge to distract them. Chaos, blood, survival—this is my new reality, and I can’t catch my breath.

Talking with Amanda Murr

What is your latest book about?

Mortal Escape is a sci-fi sapphic romance set in a world that collapses almost overnight, as people begin turning into zombie-like creatures and society falls apart under fear and chaos. Lily wakes up in the middle of it with no answers and no one to call for help, and when she leaves her university to search for safety, she discovers the danger is everywhere. That’s where she meets Halen, who has already learned the hard way not to trust anyone. At first their guard is up, but as the world around them keeps crumbling, Lily and Halen realize they have to rely on each other to survive. What begins as survival slowly grows into connection, and together they find love and trust in the one place they never expected it: the end of the world as they once knew it.

Taking the story from a concept to a published book is a long and involved process. How does that usually work for you?

For me, a story usually lives in my head for months before I ever start writing. During that time, it plays out almost like watching a movie unfold, scene by scene, until the entire world feels real in my mind. The characters, the setting, and the emotions all settle into place and stay there. I have a photographic memory, so my brain naturally holds onto these details and organizes them into clear chapters before I even open a document. Then, when the moment hits, I write fast because the story is already fully formed in my head. After that first draft is out, I focus on shaping, editing, and polishing it into something ready to share with readers. For example, I wrote Mortal Escape in 3 days, but the idea was living rent free in my head for a few months prior.

Which of your books would you recommend for readers to choose first if they’re new to you and your books?

If you’re new to my books, I would recommend starting with To the Bones or Emery Ever After. They’re both novellas, so they’re quick, easy reads but still packed with emotion, adventure, and sapphic romance. They’re a great way to get a feel for my writing style without committing to a full-length novel. If you’re more interested in sci-fi romance, then I’d suggest starting with Mortal Escape and then continuing with its sequel, Mortal Reckoning. Together, they dive deeper into the apocalyptic world, and the sequel also brings another sapphic romance into the story.

Do you have a favorite personal development or writing book you would recommend?

I actually don’t have a specific personal development or writing  book that I recommend. Instead, I really enjoy reading other sapphic romances. Spending time in those stories helps me tap into my romantic side and stay connected to the kind of love and emotion I want to bring into my own writing. It keeps me inspired in a way that feels natural and authentic to the stories I tell.

Tell us something fun or interesting about you.

I have a really big imagination and have been creating elaborate worlds in my head since I was a kid. I’ve always loved thinking about different places, characters, and adventures, and that habit naturally turned into writing. For me, imagining new worlds is just as exciting as exploring them on the page.

What have you learned throughout your writing process?

Having patience with the process. Sometimes the story needs to live in your head for a while before it’s ready to come out on the page. Also, vulnerability connects readers. Including your own emotional experiences, even subtly, makes the story resonate more with readers. There’s not one story I have written which doesn’t contain multiple easter eggs throughout of my own life and experiences.

What has inspired you to become a writer?

I was inspired to become a writer because there simply wasn’t enough WLW content in the world. I wanted to create stories that filled that gap and to tell love stories in my own way…ones that are heartfelt, hopeful, and celebrate sapphic women in the center of their own adventures. Writing gives me the chance to contribute to that representation and to share the kind of love I wish I had seen more of when I was first coming out.

How do you keep your ideas fresh and avoid traveling over well-worn territory?

I keep my ideas fresh because my brain naturally works in quirky and unconventional ways. I don’t try to force originality, it just tends to happen because I approach storytelling from my own perspective, and I’m not afraid to explore ideas that feel a little strange or out of the ordinary.

What trope have you not written yet but want to?

I’ve explored tropes like forbidden love, second chance romance, and friends to lovers in my stories, but I haven’t yet tackled a true enemies-to-lovers or fake-relationship storyline. Those are definitely tropes I can see myself exploring in the future, as they offer a lot of tension, humor, and opportunities for characters to grow in unexpected ways. 

Do you have a specific writing process?

I don’t follow a rigid writing process, but I do have a rhythm that works for me. Most of my stories live in my head for months before I ever write a word. I visualize the world, the characters, and the plot, then I begin writing the dialogue.

Do you have a favorite author and/or favorite book?

Some of my favorite reads have been The Honey Witch by Sydney Shields and Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper. If you’re looking for holiday-themed sapphic romances, I’d recommend Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake for Christmas and A Hexcellent Chance to Fall in Love by Ann Rose for Halloween. I love these books because they combine heartfelt romance with fun, seasonal vibes and strong wlw characters.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

By day, I work as a People Development Manager, but when I’m not at work, I love exploring local coffee shops and bookstores, going on adventures with my daughter, reading sapphic romance books, growing herbs and cooking. Lately, I’ve also been spending more time on yoga and hiking, which helps me recharge and stay inspired for new stories.

About the Author:

Amanda is a sapphic romance author based in Westminster, Colorado, where she balances her love of storytelling with her role as a People Development Manager and devoted mom to a spirited little girl. When she’s not writing about the supernatural and soul-deep love, she can be found exploring local coffee shops and bookstores, experimenting in the kitchen, or going on various adventures with her daughter. Known for her warmth, humor, and passion for human rights, Amanda brings equal parts compassion and imagination to everything she does—both on and off the page.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amanda.murr.sapphic.author
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amanda.murr1985

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Mortal-Escape-Amanda-Murr-ebook/dp/B0CJ2DWP73/ref=sr_1_1

Tour Stop/Giveaway: Hook, Line and Murder

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. GG Calpo will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

What does Meg, a retired kindergarten teacher, do when the killer of her husband and only child still walks free a year after dirt had covered their graves? Go rogue, of course!

When the detective responsible for Meg’s nightmares takes over the murder investigation of her former student, Meg hunts the killer down with help from her friends. Their cozy lunches at Sweet Buns Café turn into tactical meetings while these retired grade school teachers get themselves in trouble better suited to those in their twenties. And to put the icing on their cream scones, someone is after Meg. Is it the killer? Or has Meg uncovered secrets better left buried with her loved ones?

Read an Excerpt:

The day was beautiful, with clear skies and a mild snap in the air. It was cold yet warm with the right amount of heat from the sun, making it the perfect spring day. Motorboats and sailboats dipped in and out of the water, out by Poet’s Bay. And at the edge of the harbor were the fishermen, alone or in groups of two or three, a rod in their hands and their tackle boxes opened beside them. We rounded the corner, almost done with our walk, when we saw mothers dragging their children away and fathers covering the eyes of the children in their arms. Pushing against the stream of parents scrambling away were others whose eyes were fixed on the man by the harbor’s edge. A man on whose fishing line dangled a catch with, what I thought were, red fins and a red tail swaying lazily around the hook.

Red? In the salt waters of Poet’s Bay? As I stood there trying to figure out what I was seeing, Barbara shoved her way into the crowd. I followed, my curiosity getting the better of me. Murmurs of “Good morning” and “Good to see you, Mrs. B” trailed behind me, changing to “You sure you want to see this, Mrs. B?” and “I wouldn’t go any further if I were you, Mrs. B.” We fetched up to the front and looked down on the ground before us while the fisherman beside us puked his guts out.

It wasn’t a fish he had caught

Instead, on the ground was a hand. Just a hand. Nothing else.

Author Interview with GG Calpo

What is your latest book about?

Hook, Line, and Murder features retired grade school teachers as amateur sleuths solving the murder of a former student. It is set in a fictional coastal community inspired by Long Island’s North Shore and blends small-town charm, close-knit friendships, and a puzzling mystery - with clean content and a strong sense of family and community.

Taking the story from a concept to a published book is a long and involved process. How does that usually work for you?

For me, the story starts with the “Who?” I like character driven stories so it’s important for me to fully flesh out my amateur sleuths. Next is “Who died?” Because that’s where the mystery unfolds. And the plot twists and the red herrings. It’s the relationships between the sleuths and the community, and between the victim and the community, and finally between the sleuths and the victim that make the story wheel turn. Once I have the backbone of the story, then I go ahead with revisions, then polishing and edits. Only then is the story ready to head out into the wild — hopefully with a bit of charm and a few surprises in tow.

Which of your books would you recommend for readers to choose first if they’re new to you and your books?

Hook, Line and Murder is my debut cozy mystery, Book 1 of The Sweet TOOTH Murder Mystery Series. Book 2 should be out by end of 2026. I also write cozy mystery short stories featuring a retired detective. Readers can get their free copy by visiting my website at https://www.ggcalpo.com

Do you have a favorite personal development or writing book you would recommend?

Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody. Highly recommend. I use it to check that my beat sheets are on target.

Tell us something fun or interesting about you.

I love to travel, especially on a cruise ship. There’s something magical about waking up somewhere new without the fuss of planes, trains, or long car rides. You open the curtains to the window or balcony door of your cabin to take in this new delightful destination – or you gaze into that endless ocean and let the waves soothe you.

What have you learned throughout your writing process?

I’ve learned patience. Anyone who knows me knows I’m not a very patient person. But writing has taught me not to force a story before it’s ready. To not be afraid of the blank page. To let ideas fully form. Playing with storylines makes all the difference, for me, in whether my characters come alive to readers or if they lie flat on the pages. 

What has inspired you to become a writer?

I used to make up stories in my head when I was younger, usually when I was doing nothing except look at the sky, waiting to get called in for dinner. When I retired, with nothing to do again, I remembered my stories and thought, why not?

How do you keep your ideas fresh and avoid traveling over well-worn territory?

Cozy mysteries lean heavily on small-town vibes and community, but readers still love a good plot twist. I like to take an ordinary relationship — friend or family — and ask “what if?” then follow that question from the familiar to the unexpected. Letting those ideas simmer often leads me to storylines that feel both comforting and fresh.

What trope have you not written yet but want to?

I write urban fantasy and have been working on a trilogy for some time. The first book is currently under revision, and the second has a completed first draft. The third and final installment is still at the concept stage.

Do you have a specific writing process?

I work intuitively. I let story ideas simmer in my mind. Stew in their juices, so to speak. I let the characters talk, fight, and get into trouble. It’s like waiting for an avocado to ripen. You buy an avocado when it’s rock hard from the store, and it gradually ripens as it sits in a bowl on top of your breakfast table while you wait for that right moment to cut the avocado into slices. Too soon, and it’s inedible. Too late, and it’s brown and mushy. Same thing with a story. I write when the story feels ready, not a moment before.

Do you have a favorite author and/or favorite book?

I adore Terry Pratchett who wrote Good Omens with Neil Gaiman, a comedic fantasy about the end of the world, since serialized by Amazon. Pratchett is also famously known for his Discworld series, about a flat world set on the backs of four elephants standing on a giant turtle swimming through the void of the universe. I love his dry wit and humor.

What do you do when you’re not writing?

When I’m not writing, I’m usually reading or watching cozy crime shows on TV while crocheting. It’s good to get away into someone else’s world — and I love following the trail of a good whodunit.  

About the Author:

A retired CPA and lawyer, GG Calpo now writes cozy mysteries and urban fantasies. She blends her experiences as a Filipino American immigrant with the everyday stories of life around her. She spends her time reading, crocheting blankets and sweaters for her five grandchildren, watching mystery TV shows and taking long walks in her neighborhood. She resides in Central New Jersey, with her husband and two corgis, Whiskey and Nugget.

Website: http://www.ggcalpo.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/gg.calpo
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gg.calpo
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/194657776-gisella

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2YT1P7B
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hook-line-and-murder-gg-calpo/1148773282
Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/hook-line-and-murder/id6755481320