Hi, Robyn! Welcome back! How have you been since we last spoke for the release of The Drowning Woman?

I’ve been great, thank you! Since we last spoke, I wrote a novel called The Haters that published in 2024. And I’m very excited about my 2026 release!

Your latest novel, Strangers in the Villa, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Exotic, twisted, timely, steamy, disturbing

What can readers expect?

They can expect a beautiful but unnerving trip to a Spanish villa where a couple is trying to rebuild their marriage after an infidelity. When another couple breaks down on the road outside, they invite them in. But the strangers have secrets of their own, and as the days pass, bonds are tested, betrayals revealed, and not everyone will leave the villa alive.

Where did the inspiration for Strangers in the Villa come from?

We took a fabulous trip to the Costa Brava a few years ago. While there, we met a couple from Australia who had recently bought a remote house on a hillside above the Mediterranean. They were living their dream, but I couldn’t help thinking how it could all go so wrong. They were very isolated. They didn’t speak the language. They didn’t have any community. It felt like a great way to raise the stakes in a thriller scenario.

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

I loved writing the Spanish setting, turning a place that is so idyllic into something thrumming with dread and menace. And I loved the interplay between these two couples. It was so fun to write a dinner party scene where too much vermouth has been consumed, where everyone has secrets, and every word is loaded.

Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?

The structure of the novel was tricky because it moves back in forth in time, and between characters. I had to do more outlining, to make sure the puzzle fit together, but I love playing with interesting ways to tell a story.

With a number of novels to your name, what are some of the key lessons you’ve learned since your debut?

I’ve learned to write what I like to read, and that has changed a lot over the years. As a writer, you have to spend many months immersed in a story, so you want to enjoy the experience.

What’s next for you?

I’m working on a new novel tentatively entitled The Bad Summer. It’s about an island in the Pacific Northwest that is owned by thirty private shareholders. When an allotment is suddenly listed for sale a new family snaps it up. They’re thrilled to be a part of this exclusive community, but the island has a dark history that could put them in danger.

Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up this year?

I’m such a fan of Lisa Jewell and her new novel, It Could Have Been Her, will undoubtedly be excellent. I also got a sneak peek at an early draft of Liz Nugent’s latest, The Truth About Ruby Cooper. It was amazing and I’m excited to read a finished copy.

Will you be picking up Strangers in the Villa? Tell us in the comments below!

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Intrigued? Read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Served Him Right by Lisa Unger, which releases on March 10th 2026.

Ana Blacksmith has gathered her closest friends and sister Vera for a brunch to celebrate her recent breakup from her boyfriend Paul. But when shocking news about Paul arrives, all eyes are on Ana, the angry ex with a bad reputation. Suspicions only intensify when Ana’s best friend falls deathly ill after the brunch.

But Ana is not the only one who had a score to settle with Paul. As the investigation unfolds, rumors of a secret network that uses ancient methods to obtain justice begin to emerge. Vengeance is sweet, but it can also be deadly. Ana and Vera are determined to find the truth before Ana takes the fall and their own long-buried history comes to light.

EXCERPT

She really needed this job. That’s why she was always there a half an hour before her boss got in, why she was often the one to turn the lights off after everyone else had left, sometimes even there when the cleaning crew arrived at night. She came in on weekends when she knew Paul’s work week ahead was heavy to make sure he had everything he needed for his various meetings, that his calendar was in order.

“You’re meticulous,” he told her. “What would I do without you?”

Meticulous. She carried the word around like a gold star. Meticulous. On top of things. Never missing a step. And her boss, Paul, he was good to her. When he stopped at Starbucks on the way into the office, he picked her up an oat milk latte, left it on her desk. He praised her in meetings, and to his own boss. He put in for her raise, and she got it. She hadn’t even asked.

Of course, she knew all the rumors about him. How he was a different man when he’d had too much drink. How he took credit for his colleague’s work. How he got aggressive, handsy. But Jessica had never seen a hint of any that. He did his job. She did hers.

Sure, there were a couple of office affairs—Beth in Marketing, Marie in Social Media. There had been some drama there; she wasn’t sure what. She tried to stay out of it, didn’t hang out in the break room where people gathered to whisper about this and that. She wasn’t like them; they all seemed so carefree, meeting for brunch and happy hour, driving new cars, taking expensive trips.

But Jessica wasn’t carefree. She had debts—massive student loans. There was no safety net. Her parents both passed and had left her with nothing except more debt. It wasn’t their fault. They’d worked hard, too. That was the way of it for some people, wasn’t it? Work hard and still can’t get ahead. But Jessica was steadily chipping away at her debt, even managing to save and invest a little.

Though this job paid well, if she was doing what she went to college for, she’d make more. But when she’d been applying, this position was offered first. She figured she’d take it just to pay the bills and keep looking. She’d make a change soon. But for now, she needed to be here. She wanted to be here.

So, today when Paul asked her to stay late to help with his client presentation, she didn’t hesitate.

“Of course,” she said. She had plans; she’d cancel them.

“Don’t worry about dinner,” he told her. “I’ll order in Thai.”

Truthfully, she liked Paul, even though many of the women in the office did not. He was funny, kind to her, hardworking. No, no. It wasn’t like that. Jessica had someone special in her life, someone she loved. Paul wasn’t her type. Like, not at all.

The project he needed help with was a big pitch for a brand- new client, a bespoke gym founded by an influencer who needed a full suite of services from traditional advertising buys to a publicity campaign, to website design and social media management. If Paul landed this account, it would mean a lot to the firm, which had lost a few clients last year for various reasons— some said because of the rumors swirling around Paul. But she didn’t believe that.

Anyway, Jessica had been researching the client all day, and she had some ideas that she was excited to share with Paul. She’d dressed for it, too. She wore her new black suit, with a white silk blouse and pumps. Dress for the job you want. Isn’t that what they said? She wasn’t going to be like some of the people her age, showing up in hoodies and pants that could be pajamas.

Now the office was emptying out, people heading out for happy hour. They always invited her. Her colleagues at the firm were warm and inclusive. But Jessica kept herself apart, mainly because she was shy, not a bar person. And her partner worked here, too, in another department. They kept their relationship out of the office. Even the contact in her phone was just the letter M, because they didn’t want to be the subject of office gossip mill.

Her phone pinged.

Hey, there. Ready to go? Still feel like a movie?

Sorry, babe. I have to stay late to help Paul with his presentation.

. . .

Alone?

It’s fine. He’s not like that with me.

Okay. Well, stay in touch. If things get weird, get out.

Jessica smiled. Because M worried about her, and also because Jessie thought all the rumors about Paul were simply not true. She’d never seen that side of him, not even a glimmer. And wouldn’t she have? Working so closely?

She hustled to the conference room down the hall, got set up. She was a little bit nervous. But when Paul joined her, she presented her research, all her ideas; they used the whiteboard to brainstorm. After a while, he ordered the food. And they continued working.

It was after ten by the time they’d finished, the office dark and empty, even the cleaning crew gone. She’d received a couple of worried texts from M, but Jessica offered assurances that all was well and that she’d come by after and spend the night.

As she tidied up the room, keeping her notes so that she could do the PowerPoint for the presentation, Paul left and returned with a bottle of vodka and two glasses.

Jessica really didn’t drink.

“You know,” he said, pouring generous portions into the glasses. “I wouldn’t have been able to do this without you. Especially the social media stuff. You have a real gift for that.”

She had always been good with tech. In fact, her degree was in computer science, which she didn’t talk about much because it was a little embarrassing that she’d worked so hard for it only to find she wasn’t using it at all in this job. She had a gift for coding, too. She’d applied for work in the IT department, but there wasn’t an opening. And she needed the work. So, when they offered the assistant job, she took it, hoping to move when she proved herself.

Her life after college had been fraught. She’d struggled to find her footing after her parents passed. She knew she should be trying harder to get a job in her field; M was always encouraging her. But truthfully, she liked it here. This is where she met M. She’d made real friends here, even though she rarely attended the group outings. She felt safe, secure. There was time for the big job she hoped to have. She was young.

“Social media is such a big part of marketing these days. Maybe the biggest piece,” she said. “People are living online, getting all their news and advice there. And the owner already has such a big following. We can really leverage that.”

“And the idea about pitching the owner for big podcasts and podcast advertising,” he went on, handing her a glass. “I love that.”

She took the glass, even though she didn’t want to. She was driving and she didn’t do well with alcohol. It was a big part of the reason she didn’t go to happy hour. Liquor hit her too hard, and she didn’t like who she was, or how it made her feel. But she didn’t want to disappoint her boss. So she raised the glass to her lips and took a swallow. It burned going down and she must have grimaced, because Paul laughed a little.

“Oh, that’s right,” he said. “You’re a lightweight.”

It was easy, good-natured. Jessica laughed, too. “I guess so.”

“To you, Jessica. Thanks for always having my back and going the extra mile. You’re the best assistant I’ve ever had. You have a bright future here at the firm.”

He raised his glass again, and she took another deep swallow. She’d call an Uber if she had to, or text M to come get her.

“Thank you,” she said. “For being such a great boss, for encouraging me.”

Another big swallow.

Her phone pinged again.

Hey, it’s getting late. All good?

Truthfully, that’s the last thing she remembered clearly, that text, those words swimming on the screen.

She reached for her phone—she remembered that—and the world seemed to tilt.

Paul’s voice, heavy with concern. “Oh, hey, there, steady.”

His hands on her arms, holding her up. She tried to apologize but the words wouldn’t come, and then his mouth was on hers, and his arms tight around her. And she didn’t have any strength to push him away, or any voice to say no. This isn’t happening, she remembered thinking. It’s a dream. And then everything was just fuzzy, then black.

The next moment Jessica was aware of herself, she was sitting in the driver’s seat of her car. Her seatbelt was fastened. The lights in the lot glowed, casting everything in grayish sodium flicker. The office building was completely dark and there wasn’t a single other car. The moon high and full.

Her mind grappled for context. How had she gotten here?

She’d been working late. With Paul. Then—

She ached. The skin on her face felt raw. In the visor mirror, she saw that her lipstick was smeared across her face, her hair wild. She felt him on her—her arms where he gripped her. Her back where she knocked against the table. Her skirt was hiked high up on her thighs. Her panties. They were gone. She could feel him down there, a terrible sore, rawness.

The truth broke over her like a wave, swamping her, knocking her under.

She leaned over the steering wheel and wept, body heaving, wailing.

What had he put in her drink? How could she be so stupid? She should have known. Women don’t start rumors like that about men unless they’re true. They don’t warn you to watch your back and stay away and don’t get caught alone with him anywhere, unless there’s a good reason. She felt a rush of shame. How could she not have seen it?

She reached for her phone. The screen was filled with missed calls and texts from M, who was frantic.

Where are you?

What’s happening?

Please, please, pick up, honey. I’m so worried.

She looked at the time and was shocked to find that hours had passed since she took the first drink. She was shaking, couldn’t even bring herself to call M. How could she say what had happened to her? She didn’t even remember. She’d been alone with him, drinking with him. She’d taken off her suit jacket, hung it on the chair. She knew her silk blouse was flattering. She’d clocked his gaze. She should have put her jacket back on then. But she hadn’t.

She started the engine, shivering from fear and pain and the cold. Her windows were frosted. She could still smell his cologne.

She pushed open the door and vomited onto the blacktop.

Take a deep breath, her mother would say when Jessica was upset. Just breathe.

She did that, slow and deep, pulled herself together. She texted M.

I’m on my way to you.

She didn’t read the replies which came one after another in quick succession. Ping. Ping. Ping.

Jessica started to drive, moving slowly through the lot. She wondered if she should be driving. She’d go slow; she’d be okay. That’s when she saw him, waiting. He sat in his Porsche over by the exit, just idling. As her car approached his, he rolled down the window.

“Great job tonight,” he said. “Glad you’re feeling better.”

He gave her a wide smile and she saw what others before her had seen. A predator. A monster. He lifted a single manicured finger to his lips.

“Hush now,” he said. “Not to worry. I won’t tell anyone how you behaved tonight. It’s between us.”

Then he closed his window and roared away.

The shaking—it was almost comical. Her hands could barely hold the wheel, her teeth were chattering. The fear. The shame. The rage.

The tangle of feelings manifested themselves not in a scream, but in a deluge of tears.

That rage. It would find a home in her belly, a pot of pure molten lava.

She would drink from it, and it would make her stronger.

Everything that came next would come from that place.

Excerpted from Served Him Right by Lisa Unger, Copyright © 2026 by Lisa Unger Published by Park Row Books.

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Mistakes Were Made is a spicy opposites attract, forced proximity, smalltown romance and it is the second book in Lucy Score’s Story Lake series of interconnected standalones. I would highly recommend reading Story of My Life first as it introduces readers to the smalltown of Story Lake and it nicely sets up Zoey and Gage’s story.

Mistakes Were Made features themes and topics like ADHD and neurodiversity, adoption, abuse, strained relationships with parents, self worth, perfectionism, fear of failure, loss and grief, divorce, disability, and infertility. I also want to mention that a past car accident resulting in death and permanent disability, as well as the sentencing of the driver, is mentioned quite a bit in this novel and could be triggering for some readers. 

“‘Why do you wear a disco ball around your neck?’ ‘Because I like broken, sparkly things.’”

First off, I enjoyed the imagery of the disco ball that is used throughout the novel and on the cover art. The book talks a lot about mistakes, and I love how the disco ball almost symbolises how mistakes (or broken things) can sometimes be beautiful and not always a negative thing. Furthermore, not only is the word “disco” used as a way for the main characters to be honest with each other, but physical disco balls are also used by Gage to woo Zoey, which I thought was super cute. As with book 1, I loved reading about the hilarious laugh-out-loud shenanigans that go on in the quirky yet closeknit smalltown of Story Lake; it definitely reminded me of Pawnee from Parks and Recreation so if you love that show, you’ll probably also love Story Lake! I especially loved the smalltown shenanigans involving the cute yet mischievous animals in town (like how Gage’s dog Nana puts her paws on the horn when she is left alone in a vehicle for too long). Also, as a reader, the Reader Weekend that the town puts on to celebrate the release of Zoey’s best friend Hazel’s romance book (which is based on her own love story in Story Lake) was so fun.

On the downside, the court case regarding the driver who killed Gage’s brother-in-law and permanently injured Gage’s sister was definitely more emotional and not as enjoyable to read about. Additionally, it was hard to read about Zoey constantly putting herself down (and being put down by others at times) throughout the book, usually in regard to her tendencies to make mistakes. But I appreciated that Zoey sought a diagnosis to understand herself better and I felt like her self worth was improving by the end of the novel.

I’m definitely excited to see what (and who) the next book in the Story Lake series will be about! If you enjoy spicy romances with forced proximity, opposites attract, and quaint small towns, then I highly recommend picking up a copy of Mistakes Were Made (and book 1 in the series, Story of My Life). This book is perfect fans of spicy smalltown romances like If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia, In Your Dreams by Sarah Adams, Freeing the Wild by Paisley Hope, Wild Eyes by Elsie Silver, and Seven Year Itch by Amy Daws.

Mistakes Were Made is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of March 10th 2026.

Will you be picking up Mistakes Were Made? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis

#1 New York Times bestselling author Lucy Score, whose smash hit Things We Never Got Over captured millions of hearts, invites you back to Story Lake for a swoon-worthy new small town romantic comedy.

He’s looking for the perfect wife. She’s looking for the perfect one-night stand.

Literary agent Zoey Moody doesn’t like small town life, but here she is: exiled from Manhattan’s publishing scene and trapped in a tiny Pennsylvania town with her BFF and only remaining client, Hazel. The problem? She’s totally broke.

All she needs is for Hazel’s next romance novel to become a gigantic hit, and Zoey will be back in New York. Nothing will stand in her way. Nothing except her six-foot-two-inch landlord, Gage Bishop. He’s smart, serious, and sexy. Worst of all, he’s ready to settle down.

Zoey might be the most beautiful woman Gage has ever met, but it’s clear they’re all wrong for each other. She’s allergic to commitment and can’t work a calendar app; he’s looking for a wife and has the next five years all planned out. She’s afraid of animals. He lives in a literal barn. But when Gage’s world is rocked by a devastating family secret, he turns to Zoey for one night to forget everything. That one night just might change everything…or ruin it.

Perfect for fans of the heart, humor, and hope found in Things We Never Got Over and Things We Left Behind, Mistakes Were Made is a steamy escape to small town romance―full of emotional twists, slow-burn tension, and Lucy Score’s trademark charm.

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Hi, Juliet! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

Hello! I’m a New York City and Hudson Valley-based author, journalist, and playwright, so … a writer, to say it broadly. When I’m not hunched over a computer, however, I’m often out exploring both for work and for fun, whether that’s checking out a new restaurant, seeing a Broadway show, or traveling around the globe to report on a hotel opening. I live with my husband Mike, daughter Avvie, and two fluffy Ragdoll cats named Waffles and Biscuit.

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

Recently, my mom gave me a copy of a “scary story” that I wrote while in preschool, so I think the answer is even before I can remember. But I knew pretty much from high school onward that I wanted to pursue journalism as a career path; and I’ve been lucky that I’ve been able to make a living doing so. The pivot to creative writing is a newer one for me, but I guess also a return to form, considering my early years.

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: Fun with Dick and Jane; it was my mother’s copy.
• The one that made you want to become an author: Any of The Babysitters Club series
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Heart the Lover by Lily King

Your debut novel, The Encore, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Music, love, family, passion, and forgiveness

What can readers expect?

A sweeping story of an indie rocker, classical composer, and piano prodigy, and how their stories achingly interweave over the course of decades. There’s plenty of lost love, family secrets, second chances, and characters who (hopefully) you’ll be thinking about a long time after you finish reading.

Where did the inspiration for The Encore come from?

While I’ve never been a great musician myself, I have always loved music, and thought it would be thrilling to set a story within the industry, whether that was at a conservatory or on a rock tour. And as a former entertainment reporter, fame and all its attendant perks and drawbacks also felt like ripe territory for exploring in a novel. Anna Buckley, a gifted yet complicated indie rock star, emerged as I was thinking about what might it mean to want to perform so desperately that you’d sacrifice nearly anything to get there. I kept pulling at that thread and eventually I found the characters of Will and Lottie, and the story that brings them all together.

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

I know I shouldn’t play favorites, but Anna, who is a brilliant musician but often blinkered when it comes to examining her life off the stage, was so much fun to explore as a character. Because she’s so reserved at the start of the story, it was a fun puzzle to decide how to reveal her emotions and her past.

Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?

While I was very used to writing as a daily practice as a journalist, creative writing is an entirely different beast. For context, The Encore started simply as a collection of scenes that I was playing around with after hours, just for fun. I had no real aspirations towards turning them into a novel. But the more I wrote, the more I wanted to keep exploring these characters and their story, and eventually, I realized I was writing a book, whether I wanted to or not. The problem was that I had no idea how best to do that—I literally looked up word counts for novels to make sure I was somewhere in the ballpark.

Luckily, as a journalist, I had a handful of friends who had also written novels and their advice became invaluable. Their main directive? Just to keep going until I was done. And then they held my hand while I wrote query letters to agents, kept me distracted while I was on submission to publishers, and then got to celebrate with me when I landed a deal.

This is your debut novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?

My path, I now know, was a little unusual, in that I wrote my book, found an agent, and sold it to a publisher all within the span of a year. But keep in mind that I’ve been a working journalist for over a decade and I write articles nearly every day: I think being in the practice of daily writing made the hurdle of finishing that initial draft less daunting. Moreover, writing creatively, and without all the strictures placed on you when you pen an article, was fun. People often ask me how I had time to write a whole book while full-time freelancing and parenting, and I respond that I wouldn’t have done it if I wasn’t enjoying myself!

But, as we know, getting a deal is only the beginning of the publishing journey. From there you go through copious rounds of edits, and then comes many meetings on how best to publicize and market the book. They’re not kidding when they say it’s a marathon, not a sprint. But I’m lucky to have found such a wonderful home with my imprint, Union Square & Co. at Hachette, and with agents, editors, publicists, marketers, and a sales team that have been such champions of my novel. It’s really mind boggling how many people touched this project from start to finish, and I’m very grateful.

What’s next for you?

Apart from my normal load of articles, I’m currently editing a second book set in the contemporary art world that I’m very excited about. So fingers crossed it finds a home!

Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up this year?

I am lucky to be in possession of Maggie O’Farrell’s latest novel, Land, which comes out in June. As soon as I get over launch week (month?) madness, cracking that open will be an amazing reward (although I’m sure it’ll also make me cry).

Will you be picking up The Encore? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Juliet Izon, Author of ‘The Encore’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Intrigued? Read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Learning to Whistle by Tess Perko, which releases on April 7th 2026.

When she is supposed to be having the time of her life in college in California, Leonie loses her mother to breast cancer. After taking her last college course in Buenos Aires, she cashes in her return flight ticket and refuses to go home, erroneously believing that her grief will subside if she avoids her family. Narrating in her own grief-stricken voice, Leonie travels across Argentina, makes friends, and falls in love. She discovers her vulnerability and strength while working at a winery in Mendoza, riding over the treacherous Andes Mountains, and hiking the ancient pilgrimage to Machu Picchu—and, in doing so, slowly begins to heal.

Vividly rendered and full of heart, Learning to Whistle will resonate with every person who has ever been forced to venture into the world when they didn’t feel ready for it—with or without the guidance of a parent.

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Intrigued? Read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from I Did Not Kill My Husband by Linda Keir, which is out now.

LA lifestyle influencer Cara Campbell is living the rags-to-riches dream with her plastic surgeon husband, Karl, and posting all about it on social media. But her happily ever after evaporates when she’s given a life sentence for murdering Karl during a romantic getaway. All evidence points to her, and her platform-as an unabashed gold digger-makes her look guilty as hell. Karl’s struggling business and million-dollar life insurance policy add plenty of motive. But the one thing Cara knows for sure is she didn’t do it.

En route to the maximum-security prison where she’ll begin serving her sentence, the armored transport vehicle is torn apart in a horrific collision that sparks a wildfire at the scene. Desperately seizing this unexpected chance at freedom, Cara flees into the Sierra Nevada Mountains armed only with a cracked phone she found on the highway.

Local sheriff Jordan Burke is first to respond and follows in hot pursuit. His desire to apprehend Cara is personal: he’s vulnerable in the next election, and a quick capture will help his chances. But as the sensational case explodes in the headlines, he finds himself second-guessed at every turn by a noisy chorus of murderinos, internet sleuths, and podcasters-as well as his blowhard political opponent.

In the woods, Cara’s flight for survival becomes a journey of discovery. Who killed Karl, and why? Was her marriage built on lies? And who is she, really, without her millions of followers?

As Jordan draws relentlessly closer, he, too, begins to question the truth. But to find the answers, he has to catch a fugitive …

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Hi, Jacquie! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

Hi! I’m a TV writer and author who lives in Los Angeles. I have two kids; my son is three and my daughter is five. My husband is Italian (from Italy), so I spend a good amount of time abroad. I am a reader first and foremost and am, of course, beyond grateful to anyone who picks up my books! Dearest is a psychological thriller about postpartum psychosis, and Turn Off The Light is a new twist on the haunted house story.

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

I was always a voracious reader—since as long as I could remember. I’d tag along with my mom on errands when I was little, and I would just station myself in the corner of the store with a book. I never went anywhere without a book in my hand. As I got older, English was always my favorite subject. Give me an essay test over multiple choice any day! But still, I didn’t consider myself a “creative” writer. (Although my childhood journals were full of poetry.) I didn’t seriously pursue writing until moving to Los Angeles in my twenties.

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
• The one that made you want to become an author: The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones introduced me to horror literature
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Only ONE?! Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

Your latest novel, Turn Off the Light, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Twisty, heartfelt, mind-bending, fun, eerie

What can readers expect?

My goal is for you to walk away from this book with an entirely new way of thinking about hauntings. I want you to go, “Huh, I never thought of it that way…” It’s a dual-timeline narrative between the present day and 1630s that takes place on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. A haunted house story that explores themes of grief, generational trauma, female friendship, and the dangers of self-doubt.

Where did the inspiration for Turn Off the Light come from?

This is a long story!! But the short version: we realized my daughter was seeing spirits in her room when she was just under two years old. Since then, my husband and I have been on a truly wild ride. I now regularly channel and am training as a medium after having given multiple readings to friends and acquaintances. My daughter’s encounters and subsequent psychic episodes made me ask a lot of questions about how our universe works, and one potential theory is laid out in Turn Off The Light. The character of Julia is very much modelled after my daughter.

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

There’s very little known about Settler life on the Eastern Shore. It was like a scavenger hunt to find information, but I’m a huge nerd and love the research phase. Edith’s storyline was so fun for that reason—I got to really play with the balance between realism and imagination. There’s so much we don’t know, so I had some freedom in that sense, but it was also fascinating to read about what daily life would have looked like at that time.

Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?

I wrote three full novels in the process of writing this book. It was pure hell! But I am very happy with where it landed. The first version was a summer camp massacre story—not sure that will ever see the light of day. The second was closer to what the book is now, but it took place all in the present day. And now the third version is a dual timeline narrative with the 1600s. It’s not always easy, but I am harsh when I look at my drafts (or anything I write). Even if the story and characters are solid, I want it to do something special. Something new and original. If it doesn’t, I force myself to look at it again. I might not always accomplish what I set out to do—that’s for the reader to decide—but I at least have to know I gave it my best shot. That I was trying to say something different, to make the reader feel something unique.

What’s next for you?

I needed a bit of a break after writing this one, but I’m ready to dive into my third book. I’ve been thinking about the idea for a while now. I just have to write it. In the meantime, I’m always working on TV and film projects and am about to officially embark on writing Dearest (my first novel) as a movie. Outside of the writing world, I am about to get certified in Reiki healing, and I am taking mediumship and animal telepathy classes. I couldn’t be more thrilled about all of it.

Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up this year?

A friend recently gifted me A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, so I’m excited to dive into that one. Others on my never-ending TBR include: Under Story by Chloe Benjamin, All The Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harman, and It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell, an auto-buy author for me.

For lots of book recs and chances to win free books, plus insights on what I’m currently reading and watching, check out @sendmeabook on Instagram. I highlight authentic book recommendations from your favorite authors.

Will you be picking up Turn Off the Light? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Jacquie Walters, Author of ‘Turn Off the Light’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Intrigued? Read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Glory Be by Jamie Sumner, which releases on March 10th 2026.

Disappeared. Vanished. Vamoosed.

Glory has the best dog in the world. Roux wags his tail so hard his whole round little body shakes. He touches his nose to hers like E.T. phoning home. Roux is always there for her—but now he’s gone. And Glory is worried her daddy had something to do with it.

Daddy’s been getting into trouble since the day Glory was born. Now it’s worse than worse. As she searches all over New Orleans for her lost pup, Glory discovers some things about her city and herself. Enough to make her wonder: How do you know when to hang on to the ones you love…and when to let go?

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The post Read An Excerpt From ‘Glory Be’ by Jamie Sumner appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

But when Nikki announces a tell-all memoir about their messy past on the Nik and Andy show, Andy’s carefully rebuilt world starts to crack. One impulsive text later, Nikki is standing in her flower shop, demanding answers and stirring up feelings Andy never fully buried.

Now, old sparks are flying, tempers are flaring, and Andy must decide: protect her peace, or risk everything for a second chance with the one woman she never truly got over?

Have you ever read a second-chance romance and actively rooted for the couple to not get back together? Because I have.

But let’s talk about the good things first.

The premise of the novel is exceptional, putting a spin on beloved tropes and with the gorgeous cover in mind, the juxtaposition of a life lived in Hollywood with the quiet, unassuming serenity of a flower shop just really worked for me. The setting truly feels like a home, not just because of Andy’s best friends in the novel that add a lot of comic relief and genuine support, but also because of how she is treated in this town by others.

Beyond the setting, my favourite part of the novel were definitely all the little glimpses and background tidbits we get from Nikki and Andy and their time in Hollywood. Stories about celebrities can be a bit of a hit or miss, but this aspect worked really well in the story.

It’s fascinating to peek behind the curtain of such an extraordinary world, and Dugan truly shines here. She offers sharp, insightful observations on how growing up young and impressionable— especially in Hollywood—can distort your sense of self, trap you in a manufactured identity, and warp your understanding of life beyond the spotlight. The juxtaposition of those memories with how Andy is now living her life and fearing to be back in the spotlight were handled so well and despite Nikki not getting her own POV in the book, we still learn about her time in Hollywood and the ways that has affected her choices, especially in terms of writing that tell-all memoir.

There is also undoubtedly chemistry between Nikki and Andy. If you ignore some of the underlying issues, the two of them really rocket up the heat whenever there are intimate moments. And even with what we learn about them when they were younger makes you think that there might have been potential for a true romance if the stars had aligned in their favour back when they were on the same TV show.

Now, I’m a huge fan of second-chance romances when they are done right and with Anderson in Bloom, I have to be honest, I just couldn’t connect with the romance. Don’t get me wrong, both Nikki and Andy work so well as individual characters. They’re intriguing, a bit catty, struggling with a lot on their own beyond their feelings for each other and overall just leave you wanting to spend more time with them—but again, individually.

The moment these two are on the same page, every interaction suddenly feels like a battle, and not in the good way that makes you kick your feet and giggle because you can tell it’s all a lead-up to one of the greatest romances of all time. There’s push and pull between them, yes, but it never really amounts to anything beyond more hurt feelings, more toxic behaviour or more altercations that do make you wonder how these two ever were together in the first place without actively plotting to plan each other’s murder. This is in part due to the fact that for Andy Nikki is the villain of the story whereas Nikki never seemed to harbour any antagonistic feelings toward Andy (despite some scenes that definitely make you as a reader question this). The middle part of the novel especially suffered from this lack of communication – and miscommunication on both parts – that just never seemed to end.

The thing that took away from my enjoyment here is that the characters themselves seem quite self-aware, yet it amounts to nothing in the grand scheme of things. At one point in the book, one of them even realises that this back-and-forth and the “relationship” in general is making her regress to some very toxic behaviour she thought she’d left behind her right with the other trappings of Hollywood. So Andy’s self-aware enough to understand that…but does not have the agency to do something about it, which just felt frustrating. Especially in Andy’s case I was also sad to see all the growth she had made after leaving Hollywood and all of that sort of flying out the window once Nikki comes back into her life. There’s a lot to say about show and tell in this book because Andy has such a different understanding of who she is and then the actions that actually make her completely go against those values because she’s led by her hurt feelings. It just amounted to a character that’s indecisive and led by the actions and words of others, which didn’t work for me, especially with how it placed her in relation to Nikki. Alas, I am known as a hater of the miscommunication trope and this was so present throughout the entire story (even with the obligatory third-act-break-up) that it might just be my own preferences that made the romance fall short and not one I could root for.

Nevertheless, I did have a good time reading this book. Dugan’s writing flows as easily as always and has you turning page after page without noticing how quick the time passes. So if you’re a fan of the miscommunication trope paired with a second-chance romance about former Hollywood co-stars falling back in love, then Dugan’s Anderson in Bloom might be the perfect fit for you!

Anderson in Bloom is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of March 3rd 2026.

Will you be picking up Anderson in Bloom? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis

From the author of Love at First Set, a hilariously sexy enemies-to-lovers, second-chance rom-com about a reclusive former child star turned florist whose quiet life is turned upside down when her annoyingly hot ex (and former costar) shows up in town, with plans to write a tell-all memoir.

Former child star Anderson “Andy” Ducharme is hiding—has been for a long time, if she’s honest with herself, which she isn’t.

When she suddenly cut off all ties and left LA six years earlier to work in a flower shop in coastal New England, she wasn’t just running away from toxic relationships, embezzling agents, and all the rest of her Hollywood life; she was running to something… sort of, if you squinted, and if you accepted that what she was running toward was little more than a vacation daydream she had made up with her (in)famous ex, and former costar, Nicole “Nikki” Price.

Then Nikki announces her plan to write a tell-all book about growing up in Hollywood and their tumultuous time on the Nik and Andy show, and Andy’s feelings of hurt and betrayal come rushing back. Emboldened by anger (and maybe one too many drinks), Andy does something very stupid: she texts her ex for the first time in years. No one’s more shocked than Andy when Nikki actually shows up to her small florist shop, looking for answers.

Andy is fully prepared to send Nikki away, but it seems Nikki has some unfinished business as well. Now that she finally knows where Andy’s been hiding, she’s not letting her go so easy. And with each passing encounter, Andy can’t deny the simmering physical attraction that threatens to boil over every time they get close.

But can the two of them really reunite without wrecking Andy’s carefully rebuilt life? Or is she setting herself up for a fresh heartbreak?

The post #ReadWithPride: Anderson in Bloom by Jennifer Dugan appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Intrigued? Read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from The Primrose Murder Society by Stacy Hackney, which is out now.

Lila Shaw stopped trusting anyone the minute her husband went to jail for white-collar crime, taking their country club lifestyle with him. Now Lila is broke, friendless, and losing her house—and to make things worse, her true-crime-obsessed daughter, Bea, was just expelled from fourth grade. Desperate for a fresh start, Lila agrees to temporarily move in and clean out an abandoned junk-filled apartment in Richmond’s palatial Primrose building. The luxurious Virginia landmark is filled with retirees who start their days early drinking bourbon and gossiping, in that order.

Soon after Lila’s arrival, the Primrose is thrown into chaos. The owner of the building’s splendid penthouse has died and in his final days he set up a two-million-dollar reward for any resident who helps to solve the 21-year-old murder of his granddaughter at the Primrose. A fan of all detective stories and true-crime podcasts, Bea is inspired to investigate. They really could use the reward money, so Lila reluctantly agrees, in a questionable attempt at family bonding. She’s certain the killer is long-gone after all these years anyway. That is, until another resident is murdered… and Lila becomes the prime suspect.

Now Lila needs to solve both murders to avoid jail, and even worse, losing her daughter to her snobby in-laws. To catch a killer and clear Lila’s name, she and Bea must rely on their elderly neighbors—Jasper, a shy former detective, and Evelyn, an opinionated socialite—along with Nate, a good-looking reporter who keeps appearing at the most inconvenient moments. As the amateur sleuths expose the truth about the Primrose, Lila hopes she can also unravel the trickiest parts of her own life and start fresh.

The Primrose did not look like a typical murder site. Stretching up five stories to a peaked roof and a circular tower, the building itself was clad in elegant rose-colored brick with large arched windows and cream stone trim. The circular slate driveway was lined with red azaleas and Mercedes sedans. The building looked safe and luxurious, a place where nothing bad could happen. Bea would never have to know about its dark past, and Lila herself had plenty of other problems. An unsolved murder from twenty years ago didn’t even rank in the top fifty.

“It’s pretty,” Bea said, tipping up her pointed chin to stare at the top of the Primrose.

Lila exhaled at the unexpectedly positive comment. She had feared Bea would proclaim her hatred for the Primrose at first sight.

“This is a fun adventure. We’re going to love living here. I know it,” Lila said and squeezed her daughter’s arm, injecting as much enthusiasm as she could into her voice. An adventure was not what she would call it if she was being honest. Desperation was probably a better description of their current life status.

“I do like it already.” Bea beamed a rare smile. “Mostly because of the murder.”

Lila swallowed, snared in her daughter’s expectant gaze. “What . . . there’s no . . . I mean, how do you—”

“Google,” Bea said by way of explanation.

Of course. Google. Anyone who spent two minutes researching the Primrose would come across the story of Sophia Kent’s unsolved murder. Lila really needed to put those parental controls on her laptop.

“Let’s see what the inside looks like,” Lila said, changing the subject. If she pretended like the murder never happened, maybe Bea would forget about it.

Lila picked up a suitcase in either hand. One was filled with photo albums and her grandma’s candlesticks, the other with clothes. Bea pulled a single roller suitcase behind her. It was all they had left. Lila missed her Breville espresso machine (confiscated by the government) and Isabel Marant sandals (sold to pay the electric bill) and the currant rose-scented candles (broken by Bea in a fit of anger).

They made their way across the gray cobblestones. The cream awning over the front double doors announced the name in grand, black script—The Primrose. Lawrence Pfeifer, a noted Virginia architect, had designed the building back in the early 1900s as a luxury apartment hotel. Considered a historic landmark due to its aesthetic influence on the Richmond landscape, the Primrose was now an upscale condo building for adults over the age of fifty-five.

They stepped through the heavy wooden double doors into the lobby. Cream marble floors stretched out in either direction, and the ceiling was at least fifteen feet high with elaborate gingerbread trim. The walls were clad in a gold damask wallpaper, which shimmered above and below the large arched windows. An ornate chandelier dripped crystals and sent shards of rainbow lights flickering on the polished wood of a gilt-edged round table, topped with an impressive arrangement of fresh hydrangeas and peonies. Bea drew in a breath of delight, and Lila was suddenly hopeful that this was the right decision after all.

Two women and a man were seated on twin taupe velvet sofas facing each other in a small seating area off to the right of a grand piano. It was only one o’clock in the afternoon, but all three sipped large glasses filled with ice cubes and bronze liquid that was clearly alcohol. They were over the age of seventy-five and staring straight at Lila.

“She’s not even wearing a crop top.” One of the women slid on a pair of glasses that hung from a chain around her neck, sounding disappointed. She wore the odd combination of a sweater embroidered with cats and Alexander McQueen platform tennis shoes.

“I told you not every young person wears crop tops.” The other older woman was taller with a gray bob that hit at her chin.

“But that’s all I see on the TikTok,” the cat-sweater woman protested. “That, and a lot of girls applying their makeup while they talk about who hurt their feelings.”

“Men are allowed to get their feelings hurt too. I learned that from my granddaughter’s therapist,” the man said. “I meant to tell Florence that she hurt my feelings yesterday when she told us about the Faberleys’ divorce.”

“I was stating a fact. It has nothing to do with you,” the woman with the gray bob said.

“Divorce is trigger-happy for me,” the man said solemnly. “I don’t think you’re using that term right,” the woman with the gray bob said.

Lila stepped forward and called out, “Hello. We’re looking for Susanna Moore.”

Before the elderly trio could respond, a door swung open to Lila’s left and a thirty-something woman in a severe black dress appeared in the doorway. “I’m Susanna Moore.”

“Oh hi! There you are, appearing out of nowhere. Sorry we’re a little late. This place is gorgeous,” Lila enthused.

“One moment.” Susanna disappeared back behind the door without explanation.

Meanwhile, the two women and man rose from the sofas as quickly as their canes and walkers would allow and scattered down the hall. No one spoke to Lila. She looked down at herself and brushed at her pilled pink sweater. Why was she surprised? She didn’t look as if she belonged in this expensive building. Heck, she didn’t belong. Everyone had probably vowed to steer clear of the new resident who was maybe a criminal, abandoned by her husband, and didn’t wear crop tops. She thought of how her old tennis partner, Linley Moore, had pretended not to see Lila at the grocery store last week. She considered Patricia’s deep sigh over the phone when Lila broke the news about Bea’s expulsion—good Lord, Lila, can’t you do anything right? Lila’s face flushed. Her life was such an embarrassment. No wonder people avoided her.

The door swung open once again. Susanna’s face was pale, and her expression was no-nonsense. “I expected you ten minutes ago.”

Lila plastered on a smile. “I’m sorry. I left a message there was a big accident on the highway and—”

“I’ve had to push back my other obligation.” Susanna’s thin lips puckered up into a smaller, firmer line.

Several beats passed. Lila scrambled for something to say. Ten minutes wasn’t that late, especially when she had driven over two hours in traffic from Norfolk. “You don’t need to worry about us. We are good at finding our way. Just point us in the right direction, and we’ll get out of your hair.”

“But first can you tell me about the murder of Sophia Kent?” Bea asked. “I love murders.”

The post Read An Excerpt From ‘The Primrose Murder Society’ by Stacy Hackney appeared first on The Nerd Daily.