A Frozen Stiff: Haunting Avery Winters Cosy Mystery Series Book 4 (Haunting Avery Winters Paranormal Cosy Mystery Series)
A fun, light-hearted ghost cozy mystery series.
Solving mysteries is hard enough, but when the murder victim is a misogynistic bully, it would be easy to turn a blind eye. But, when friends are in the firing line, Avery will do what she can to solve the puzzle, even if it means helping someone who doesn’t deserve it.
Doing an early morning shop, Avery finds a corpse in the supermarket coolroom. Not exactly the way she wanted to start the day, but, as she laments, finding dead bodies seems to be her forte. The victim is a popular local rugby player, but the more Avery looks into the case, the more she realises he’s not a likeable as his friends think.
His ghost hounds her to find his killer, but the more he harasses her, the less she wants to help—the guy is not a nice person. The only thing that keeps her in the game is pressure on Sergeant Bellamy from the mayor, who just happens to be the dead man’s father. When the mayor threatens to destroy Bellamy’s career, Avery has to pull out all the stops.
Can she find the murderer without getting herself and Bellamy into even more trouble? Life’s not easy when you’re hiding a secret as huge as seeing ghosts. She’ll have to be inventive with this one because it’s not only her own reputation on the line.
Please give a warm welcome to author Nadia Hasan / N.J. Embers
Tell us a bit about yourself…
Hi, I’m Nadia Hasan. I write urban fantasy and paranormal fiction under the name N.J. Ember. I also write poetry under my own name. I live in Michigan with my grandpa (who is one of my biggest fans,) and when I’m not reading or writing I’m usually watching shows like Criminal Minds and Supernatural.
Have you always wanted to become an author?
Pretty much. When I was very young I briefly thought about being some kind of singer, but it never felt right. It was my third grade teacher who actually made the suggestion that I become a writer. I was writing stories before then, (mostly short fairytale-type stories that I dictated to my grandmother,) but before my teacher suggested it I didn’t know it was something people could decide to do. After that, it was all I focused on. Which is just as well since I can’t sing to save my life.
What was your inspiration for your current book/series?
The initial ideas for the Heavy Metal Magic Series was all thanks to my amazing writing partner, author Amir Lane. They posted on Facebook about an idea they had to combine heavy metal, an all-female band and witches together, but they didn’t want to write it alone. They were looking for someone to co-write with, and I’d just recently added “publish a co-written book” to my list of things I wantet giving ourselves, the bonds of found family and what it means to be human. Plus, lots of monsters.
I admired the hell out of Amir as an author. I was already a fan of their “Barrier Witch” books, and I’m always trying to learn as much as I can from others in the community. When I find new opportunities to challenge myself with, I jump at them as often as possible. The truth is, the whole thing was serendipitous and surreal. Now I have best friend and a fantastic writing partner for life.
What are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on the second arc of the Heavy Metal Magic Series with Amir, which will pick up with book four. Technically, we have four books out because of the way we chose to number the series (1, 2, 2.5, 3,) which we did in part to differentiate Nadira’s journey from Lottie’s.
Personally, I’m working on a number of projects as N.J. Ember. I write much slower on my own, but a few short stories have been planned as well as a secret project I can’t talk about yet. Under my own name, I’m mostly working on voicing the character of Celia for a podcast show called “Space Mantis” and writing poetry for my next collection.
Do you have any quirks while working?
While I do write with an outline, I write in parts instead of chronologically. Scenes never come to me in order. I also either need music when I write or complete silence. There’s no in between. Usually, I create story playlists and listen to them before I begin to write. For the Heavy Metal Magic Series we have individual character playlists.
What are your hopes for the future?
I’m currently working on my BA in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University, so my first hope is that I finally finish my degree. Professionally, I want to continue to improve my skills as an author. I want to continue my goals to write characters and stories that are true to life: complex, diverse, flawed, resilient, and achingly human, even when they’re dealing with the supernatural. I’m also hoping to continue collaborating on projects with authors I admire.
Personally, I’m still learning what happiness and fulfillment look like. I’m hoping that includes some healthier days, surrounded by people who love me unconditionally. I think many of us are hoping for that right now. I want to learn new skills and find ways to connect with the world around me. I’d really love to find a way to bridge my love of books and writing with ways to give back. Honestly, I’m always hoping to find ways to leave this world better than when I came into it.
Do you have any advice for new authors about the publishing world?
Research everything and don’t be afraid to ask questions. There’s so much information on the internet, social media, and books. Your favorite authors are human too, so sometimes they’ll be able to help you with some of your questions, but much of the time they won’t. Be polite in either case. And like my grandpa says, “the worst they can say is no.”
The most important thing is to be resilient. Write your story and believe in it. Even the stories that have been told before haven’t been told by you. Remember why you started and don’t let anyone convince you not to try. It’s okay to fail, but you haven’t really failed until you’ve given up. Publishing is always changing, so keep learning and don’t get discouraged if your path starts to look different than you’ve pictured it. When something doesn’t work out it’s usually so there’s space in your life for something even better.
Do you have anything to say to your followers?
Thank you so much! Thank you for all of your support and patience. Without my readers I couldn’t do what I do.
Hi! I’m Lillian Lark. I’m a romance author from the saltiest city in Utah. I write paranormal and monster romance with a heavy dose of cozy heart feelings. I started publishing in 2020 and have released six books to date with my most recent being Deceived by the Gargoyles.
Have you always wanted to become an author?
Being an author was a distant idea, but I’ve always been a big reader. I went through the hard part of learning how to write and revise when I was living across the country from everyone I knew and started drafting the stories in my head.
What was your inspiration for your current book/series?
My inspiration for Deceived by the Gargoyles would definitely be the 90s cartoon. Goliath may have been my first crush.
What are you working on now?
I have a short story that I’m working on for the Into the Woods A Monster Anthology.
Do you have any quirks while working?
Every book has a different writing process, but I generally sit cross-legged with a cat in my lap that must not be disturbed and must then stumble around from numb legs when the cat finally releases me.
What are your hopes for the future?
I’d love to reach as many readers as I can! This year I’m hoping to delve further into the land of audiobooks.
Do you have any advice for new authors about the publishing world?
The thing you haven’t done yet is always the hardest. Indie publishing requires a lot of different hats and everything always seems overwhelming until you do it. Just remember that a lot of people have done these things before and most are willing to answer questions about them. You can succeed alone, but having a community will make it easier.
Do you have anything to say to your followers?
Thank you so much! You have all changed my life and I will never stop being grateful that people want to read what I write.
Please give a warm welcome to author Carrie Weston
Tell us a bit about yourself…
My names Carrie Weston, I am a writer of twisted, paranormal thrillers with romantic veins. I live in the Herefordshire countryside dead opposite a graveyard (pun intended) with my crazy springer spaniel and family. I am a lover of all thing’s chocolate as well as highly caffeinated, easily deducible from the coffee cups I stack up over a period of writing. When I’m not creating my own worlds, I can be found reading (I’m pretty eclectic), listening to music (Taylor Swift) or watching theatrical productions. I also love watching great tv series such as Shadow Hunters, Vampire Diary’s and Charmed too. I’m quite eccentric in my ways and can often be found with pencils and pens spineing my hair. I write from my heart weather it follows trend or not as I feel that they way I can give the best stories I have to give.
Have you always wanted to become an author?
Being a writer has been my dream since I was young. For me it is my dream job but I have had many other jobs to get to where I wanted to be – after all, bills have got to be paid. I first started writing at the age of 13. I had no luck with my novels back then but was given some guidance from some big publishing houses. However, from that age up I did manage to get some poetry published. I never took writing or literature for A-levels as at the time most people didn’t view writing books as a career or even steady income related job- so I took a break from writing. After the discovery of a pretty nasty disease, I began writing again until I found my way back to my dreams.
What was your inspiration for your current book/ series?
I have 2 book series at the moment; Xander Chase – A YA paranormal thriller which all began with a question from my son; why aren’t there more unicorn books for boys? So, I started to write him the story of Xander Chase and the Unicorn Code, where Unicorns weren’t all fluffy, friendly and innocent. Where they were more like us, good and bad. I twisted the classic stereotypes for a more modernistic feel to emphasise the dark quality of my writing.
A Dark Fairy Tale – A YA paranormal thriller series which began as the idea of communicating to younger readers that slavery and prejudice is BAD. It also has a romantic ‘beauty and the beast’ vibe to it, along with a lot of adventure with dragons, fairy’s and Queens. This series starts off with a FREE prequel when you sign up to my newsletter on Home | Carrie weston and continues in novella form on amazon.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I am in NaNoWriMo racing to write a book in one month. I am one third of the way through Xander Chase 3 – the final part of the trilogy and pushing forwards with A Dark Fairy Tale book 2. As for release dates;
A Dark Fairy Tale; Pet Empathiser Team – is out November 30th 2021 Xander Chase 2 – is coming between now and early next year I also have a few standalones due out next year.
Do you have any quirks whilst writing?
A weird hairstyle of pens and pencils is kind of a normal thing for me. A huge mug of coffee and when editing a project; a nail file. I file my nails when I’m concentrating on edits as it calms me down from overstressing that every single word is perfect; there is no perfect, – there is only your best.
What are your hopes for the future?
I hope to satisfy the literary need of my fans and followers in the dark, paranormal genre. My followers are those I write for and I would not be successful without them. I hope they will follow me on my journey to come through the writing my soul longs to share. I hope that in the future more people know my name; enough so that my books may end up on shelves in bookstores like waterstones, barns and noble and more-
Do you have any advice for new authors about the publishing world?
No matter what believe in yourself. The whole process of getting published or self-publishing is not easy, but doable and if you always believe in yourself and never give up then you will get there. If you are sending to agents/ publishers just remember its one person/ companies’ opinion- not everyone will feel the same way about your work so if/when you get refusals don’t let them get you down, take on board any tips/ hints they give you and move on because you can do this.
Do you have anything to say to your followers?
As always, there are not enough words in the vocabulary to express the gratitude I feel towards my followers. Without you, without your questions and wonderings about characters and the next books – I would not be writing. You hold a special place in my heart and as always – I send hearts and kisses.
Please give a warm welcome to author Alexandra K. Martin
Tell us a bit about yourself…
If I could use one word to describe me it would be quirky. I love to snuggle when it’s cold, surround myself with animals and have a family that I couldn’t live without. My sense of humour is either dark and dirty or lame Dad jokes, with nothing in between.
I’m an Australian full-time author and I love it every single day. So far I have written fantasy, paranormal and contemporary RH but I plan on always pushing my limit and evolving my skills. With my husband and 3 kids by my side, I can trudge through anything and refuse to give up when life gets hard.
Unfortunately, I have a rare chronic disease that can push to lower my quality of life but I use it as the fire to remind me to enjoy every soft breeze on my face, the colours that fill the sky and the joy to get older. Never wasting an opportunity to help a person in need, and never bring anybody down or waste my time with idle gossip.
I am a true believer that kindness does make all the difference.
Have you always wanted to become an author?
Actually I went to university and studied 2 degrees in the hopes of becoming a federal officer or work in intelligence. The motivation to make the world a better place, driving me to success. However those plans never reached fruition as I got diagnosed with my illness and those jobs were then no longer a possibility for me.
So I spent my time doing what made me the happiest – writing. Never once did I consider that my fondest hobby could become my dream career. I hadn’t realised that it was even an option. Even though my home is filled with the tales of countless authors from throughout time, from Homer, Jane Austen, and Leo Tolstoy to the more modern authors Sherrilyn Kenyon (McQueen), Kelley Cole and Serena Akeroyd.
One day it just snapped in my mind that being an author should have been my dream all along and that my deep desire to make the word better, can be fulfilled by bringing stories of love, laughter and fantasy to those who need it. So, here I am, doing what I love and regretting nothing.
What was your inspiration for your current book/series?
I read A LOT, and it was getting to the point where I was getting frustrated because I couldn’t find any RH books of single mothers or women in their 30’s. Then I thought, I’ll just make it myself.
The Rathe Chronicles began with that thought in mind and then grew from there. It’s my plan to have a place for all kinds of women to shine. I have created a world that will show all women; short and tall, big and small, strong and timid, dark and light, older and younger, with and without children, and with different sexual orientations from all walks of life.
This series will be ongoing and continue to grow and unfold through every chapter told. Rathe is a whole new world of my creation and there is so much that I have to show you and share. It will cover RH, Ménage, M/F, F/F, and maybe even M/M. Each story is individual to the characters needs but they’re all spicy because everyone needs a little spice in their life.
A world for every woman is my inspiration.
What are you working on now?
Currently I have my focus on Lust. Lust is an RH fairytale retelling from a sinner’s point of view, and it’s a part of a collaboration that I put together with 6 other amazing authors that I feel privileged to be working with. AJ Blackburn, Kira Roman, J. Kearston, Kat Blak, Kris Butler, and Jay Leigh Brown. Each one of us has our own fairytale and sin to tell.
Lust is book number 6 in the series and will be released on the 1st of August, but the book 1 ‘Gluttony’ comes out on May the 15th.
The Golden Bird is the retelling that I’m focusing on, and I love that because it’s more uncommon than most and it’s exciting being able to create something unique from such a special story.
It’s a contemporary dark romance and could have quite a few triggers involved but it’s all relatable to the story and will have a HEA, I promise. All of the sinners books will.
It’s super fun to write and I can’t wait to share it with everyone. The series collaboration is going to be epic.
Do you have any quirks while working?
I have to be either laying down or with my feet up. I have no idea why. Haha. I like to have my main playlist playing in the background while I write, with a bottle of water by my side.
I also write my daily words in one document before I add it to my manuscript, so that I can go over it again in case I’m not happy with it. It’s way more time consuming but I’m a big critic of my own work and like to make sure that I’m doing the best I can at that time.
I have a quirky hobby of collecting names and have a journal filled with them. I use it to randomly pick names for each character and mark them off so that I never double up in the future. It’s weird, I know.
What are your hopes for the future?
My Biggest hope at the moment is to learn how to write quicker and for my life to give me more time that I can dedicate to my career. Writing is everything to me and I look forward to always evolving and I never want to be settled in my writing because there’s always more to be taught.
I love what I do, I just wish there was more time to do it.
Do you have any advice for new authors about the publishing world?
Listen to the advice of those around you and then decide what works for you because everyone is different and that’s okay.
Be kind and supportive of other authors around you because we’re all in this together and being competitive is a waste of time and the only person you’ll disappoint is yourself.
Find your support network! Without my little team of people I’ve found in the book community I would be lost, a good group of people to give you honest advice and remind you that you’re doing great is everything and make sure to give that support in return.
Find an amazing PA. My PA’s are my life savers, they are under appreciated and deserve more praise than they get. They work hard for you and keep life easier to maintain, I couldn’t recommend them more.
Free on BookHip
Do you have anything to say to your followers?
You are everything! I appreciate every single one of you for taking the time to enter my world. My main goal in life is to bring you a temporary sanctuary to become a part of. A place for your mind to call home when you need a break and I hope that you’ve found it within my world of imagination.
Lily’s feeling a bit out of place at a high-end fashion show, but she can’t wait to see Will’s sister, Sarah, strutting the catwalk. Lily and Will have planned to spend some time with Sarah while she’s in town, but when jewellery worth millions is stolen from the fashion show and Sarah’s friend goes missing with it, their plans disappear in a miasma of expensive perfume.
Sarah refuses to believe her friend could have perpetrated the heist, but Lily’s magic proves otherwise. Worried about her friend and wanting answers, Sarah decides to investigate. But soon she goes missing too, sending Lily and Will into a panic.
Will and Lily recruit Imani and flamboyant make-up artist and witch Lavender, a friend of Sarah’s, to help solve the case. Their search takes them to Italy, Spain, and back. But as times passes, the worse things look. If they don’t find answers soon, someone will die.
And on top of all that, they have a new lead into the disappearance of Lily’s parents. It’s a dangerous assignment—one that will have unforeseen consequences and leave Lily despairing that they’ll never find answers.
Im a 62 year old ex military self taught indie author, Ive been writing for almost five years with my writing partner Mara Reitsma. Our 5th anniversary is February 15th. and I live in Morris, IL. Im seperated. I love animals.
Have you always wanted to become an author?
Ive always been a writer since I was about 8 years old when I read the Hobbit for the first time. Later in life I wrote my own AD&D campaigns, then I wrote Tolkien Fan Fiction for four years before writing Valkyrie Darkness.
What was your inspiration for your current book/series?
Well the inspiration for the current series is telling Malices entire story..In Tales of the Petals Mara and I are telling of Mals time as an Archvillianess, and as always in my books things are not as they appear to be.
What are you working on now?
What we are working on now is the third book in Tales of the Petals entitled “Den of Whispers.”
Do you have any quirks while working?
I dont know if its a quirk but I write something everyday.
What are your hopes for the future?
Well right now my hopes are to get a publisher and or an agent..Ive been working on it but so far no luck…
Do you have any advice for new authors about the publishing world?
My advice to new authors is learn as much as you can about this buisiness, work your butt off and as you have one person who likes your book youve done your job.
Do you have anything to say to your followers?
As far as my fans go, hold on to your hats folks the best is yet to come.
I’m a certified book dragon with an excessive TBR, a shoe obsession, and mum of two wee beasties.
Have you always wanted to become an author?
I haven’t always wanted to be an author. I’ve been writing since I was six years old but I never dreamed I’d actually publish a book, let alone have four series.
What was your inspiration for your current book/series?
My most current series is the Twisted Kingdoms, which is a dark epic fantasy series with a mafia undertone and a sprinkling of fairy tale dust. I watched snow white for the first time in ages and was sorely put out with how much I HATED the story line. I wanted Snow to be hunter, not the damsel in distress which inspired The Hunt.
What are you working on now?
I work on several projects at once. I’m currently working on The Rook (Twisted Kingdoms 2), Court’s Fool (The Aermian Feuds 6 and the last book in the series), and The Fallout (Dominion of Ash 3)
Do you have any quirks while writing?
I like a sunny spot to write and I like it quiet. I’ve tried to write at coffee shops, but I find myself people watching instead of writing. #creepersbecreepin
What are your hopes for the future?
I’m actually hoping to take it a little slow in the future. I absolutely hate a deadline so I’ve decided not to give myself one so I can read sink into the story without the added stress of finishing on time.
Do you have any advice for new authors about the publishing world?
Advice… sit down and write. You can’t market a book you haven’t finished. Also, remember that this isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. If you need a break, take it. Burn out is real.
Do you have anything to say to your readers?
To my lovely readers: I would never had been able to do this without you. It amazes me every day that someone would take their precious time and reader something I created. It’s humbling and I’m so very appreciative. (((HUGS)))
My name is Amir. I’m a Canadian author specializing in urban fantasy featuring LGBT+ characters. I’ve been writing since I was in elementary school, and I started publishing in 2016. I was very influenced by Holly Black and Darren Shan. Right now, I’ve been doing a lot of cop procedurals with magic.
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Have you always wanted to become an author?
I think I’ve wanted to be a lot of things. For a while, I wanted to be a paramedic, and then a lawyer. Apparently, when I was a kid, I wanted to be a bus driver. But for a very long time, I wanted to write. I just didn’t realize it was a thing that anybody could do until I was in about sixth grade. Since then, it’s become more of a real aspiration instead of some arbitrary, ‘you know what would be cool?’ sort of thing.
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What was your inspiration for your current book/series?
The inspiration for my most recent Barrier Witch series actually came from a dream I had. I was a witch cop undercover during a prisoner transfer, and the van got hit. I had no access to my powers, and I couldn’t tell anybody who I was. There’s this line in the second book that came right from this dream, where me and the person I’m supposed to be keeping tabs on are talking to this stone dragon, and it says, “You are a killer of men.” It was so vivid, I think I might have actually accidentally dropped into another universe for a bit.
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What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m working on editing the third book in my Barrier Witch series. It’s the culmination of a three-book arc that I’ve been working up to for a while, and I’m very excited about it.
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Do you have any quirks while writing?
I have a really bad habit of starting sentences with And, But, and So. Especially So, and especially in dialogue. It’s something I do in real life conversations, too. I swear, half my text messages start with So. I always have to go through and edit them out.
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What are your hopes for the future?
I hope I can keep writing. I hope I have the time and energy to keep doing it, and that it still feels worth it to me down the line. Writing has always been a way for me to deal with and process the real world, and it’ll suck if there’s a day when it just doesn’t work for me anymore.
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Do you have any advice for new authors about the publishing world?
Take your time. It’s a fast industry and once you get into it, it can get overwhelming. Spend some time learning as much as you can and refining your craft before you hit publish. You can’t just write or just market, you have to do both. Learning what you can beforehand will make it way less overwhelmiing.
Do you have anything to say to your readers?
Don’t drink or text and drive, always tip your waiter or server if applicable, and leave a review if you liked a book.
100% Romanian woman, currently terrifying the UK together with my husband and 3-week-old baby boy.
I love knitting and baking, but in reality, I’ll engage in any crafty activity; from gardening and building to quilling and pottery.
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Have you always wanted to become an author?
Yes, and no.
The impulse to write was always there, but for the longest time, between me and my stories has been a massive wall, which I couldn’t overcome until in my mid-twenties.
What was your inspiration for your current book/series?
Considering I have two open series, I should probably tell you about both.
The first one, Fateful Dreams, started… well, from a dream, and my fascination with how they can predict the future through symbols and encrypted messages.
The second one, The Cursed Watches, started from a conversation with a friend. I remember we were complaining about how slow time passes when we are at work, and flies in our spare time. That’s what sparked the initial idea, then I just added some time-travel, some paranormal, a sprinkle of romance, and there you have it – first book was born.
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What are you working on now?
I’m working on the second book from both series, and a little something for an anthology.
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Do you have any quirks while writing?
Apart from mimicking my characters facial expressions, and talking to myself, no, not really, but it’s kind of fun when writing in public.
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What are your hopes for the future?
To write full time, and USA Today bestselling list.
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Do you have any advice for new authors about the publishing world?
Learn to accept critique.
Find yourself a good editor.
Learn from others.
Use your head.
Don’t give up.
Helle Gade 