Meet husband and wife writing team Oakley Dean Baldwin and Dr. Doris Barber Baldwin. They write thrillers, true crime, paranormal and family mysteries. You can find their books on Amazon, including Kindle Unlimited.

During their takeover on our Facebook group they’ll promote their book, A Revolutionary Hart. Be sure to join us at 7 p.m. EST this Thursday.

1. How long have you been writing? I have been writing for only one year.
2. What inspired you to write your books? All of my books are inspired by the Great Smoky Mountains and surrounding areas in Tennessee. “Below” was inspired by my research into my father-in-law’s life as a former resident of Cades Cove. This led me down a path of imagining what it would be like if there was a civilization living below the feet of those visiting the National Park. After much research, I tied the true history and original residents of Cades Cove in with an imagined conspiracy that led to an entire group of people living as if they’re in the nineteenth century in a series of underground caves.
3. Where do you prefer to write? My writing had humble beginnings in the corner of our master closet. It was dark and quiet, and most of the time my children couldn’t find me. A few months ago, we converted some of our screened-in porch into a sunroom that is now my office. It overlooks our backyard and is quite peaceful, allowing me to birdwatch and keep an eye on the kids while they swim.

Check out author Sarah Seaton Myers’ recipe for gluten-free cinnamon rolls, which is found at the end of her first cozy bakery novel, “Cinnamon Roll Sabotage,” which is part of the Gluten Free Bakery Cozy Mystery series.

Book synopsis (how the recipe ties into the book):
Sophie, a 32-year-old librarian, has spent her entire adult life caring for her ill grandmother. When she suddenly passes away, Sophie is left with the freedom to live her own life and an inheritance to pursue her dream. When she comes across a boutique for sale in her quant hometown, she realizes that now is the best time to open the gluten-free bakery she’s always imagined.

Along with her poodle, Marshmallow, and her best friend, Sophie takes on the challenge, despite a competitor bakery down the street. Business is slow at first, but the cute owner of the hardware store next door gives Sophie a reason to show up each day and push through.

Just as word gets out about her fabulous cinnamon rolls, a recent customer is found dead and appears to have been poisoned. Sophie suddenly becomes a suspect in the murder and is in a race against time to clear her name. As if this wasn’t enough stress, the local detective is on Sophie’s heels, following her every move.

Can Sophie find the killer before rumors of being a suspect ruin her new business? Or will the murderer silence her first?

SOPHIE’S GLUTEN-FREE CINNAMON ROLLS
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Rise Time: 50 minutes
Cook Time: 19 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 39 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients
For the Dough:
1 cup warm milk (coconut milk works well here also.)
1 packet of instant dry yeast (2.5 tsp)
2 large eggs
1/3 cup melted butter
4 1/2 cups GF all-purpose flour (Sarah likes Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1.)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar

For the Filling:
1/2 cup melted butter
1 cup coconut sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1/2 cup canned coconut milk (warmed) (for pouring over the risen rolls)

For the Icing:
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tbsp milk
1 tbsp vanilla
1/2 tsp lemon juice 

Instructions

• Pour the warm milk in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast on top.
• Add the eggs, butter, salt and sugar to the mixer bowl.
• Add in 4 cups of GF flour and mix just until the ingredients are barely combined. A

bread hook works well. Allow the mixture to rest for 5 minutes so the flour has time

to soak up the liquids.

• Scrape the dough off the beater blade and remove it. Attach the dough hook.
• Beat the dough on medium speed, adding in the 1/2 cup of flour. Knead for 5-7

minutes or until the dough is elastic and smooth.

• Use a rubber spatula to remove the dough from the mixer bowl and place it in a

large greased bowl. 

• Cover the bowl and set it in a warm place to allow the dough to rise until doubled

(around 30 minutes).

• While the dough is rising, prepare the cinnamon filling. In a small bowl, combine

the coconut sugar and cinnamon, mixing until well combined. Set aside.

• Lay out a large area with plastic wrap for a workspace. Around 30 inches long and

20 inches wide.

• Sprinkle your workspace with flour. Turn out the dough onto the plastic wrap and

sprinkle the top of the dough with additional flour. 

• Flour a rolling pin and roll the dough to about a 24×15 rectangle.
• Spread the melted butter over the top of the dough, then sprinkle generously with the

cinnamon/sugar mixture.

• Starting on the long end, roll the dough up tightly similar to a jelly roll using the

plastic wrap to keep the roll even. 

• Cut into 12 slices and place in a greased 9×13 baking pan.
• Cover the pan and allow the rolls to rise for 20 minutes or until nearly doubled.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Warm the canned coconut milk until it’s around room temperature.
• Once the rolls have risen, pour the coconut milk over the top of the rolls, allowing it

to soak down in and around the rolls.

• Bake at 375 degrees for around 19 minutes, until the rolls are lightly golden brown

and the center rolls are cooked through.

• While the rolls are cooling, prepare the icing.
• In a medium bowl, combine the milk, vanilla, and lemon juice, then the powdered

sugar last. Beat until combined.

• Spread the frosting over the cooled rolls.

Sarah Seaton Myers, our featured author of the week, writes (under Sarah Seaton Myers) dystopian/alternative history and children’s books. All of these stories are tied to the Great Smoky Mountains. She also writes cozy bakery mysteries and paranormal cozies under a pen name, Lorraine Cooke.

During her takeover in our Facebook group this Thursday, she’ll be focusing on her dystopian/alternative history novel, Below.

Read the book’s description.
Deep beneath the Great Smoky Mountains National Park lies a hidden world, formed hundreds of years ago by a group of people forced underground by a deadly plague. Living as if it were still the 19th century, they have no access to modern conveniences such as electricity or running water.

The Elite, a group of powerful individuals tasked with protecting the society of the Below from threats in the Above, rule over this secluded community. When Edith, a mental health counselor, begins to question the intentions of their governing body after witnessing the elimination of a defiant colleague, she uncovers shocking truths about their disposal of the elderly and the Elite’s strict hierarchy.

As she delves deeper into the history of this secret society with the help of a handsome Elite client, strange happenings lead her to a nefarious scheme. Are these people saved or trapped in their underground world?

In this historical fiction novel, readers will be captivated by an imaginative and dystopian world beneath their very feet. Will Edith’s forbidden love connection with an Elite lead to her demise? Or can they work together to unearth the truth? Find out in “The Buried Reserve” series.

1. How long have you been writing? I began writing at the age of eight, and it slowly became an
   obsession. I pursued a different avenue in college, becoming a nurse, but writing stayed with me. After finishing graduate school and landing my dream job in nursing, I finally returned to writing and penned my first novel. It has taken a lot of hard work to reach where I am today, but it was worth it. Every experience, every interaction, makes me a better writer.    
2. What inspired the book you’re currently promoting? (RIVER OF ASHES, St. Benedict #1) Lucas
   Astor had written the first draft of a manuscript that our manager felt I’d be perfect to collaborate on. We both have a penchant for dark and twisted characters, which is the best way to describe Beau Devereaux and the world that developed into the St. Benedict series. We both had experiences that became part of the inspiration. I detail some of mine at the end of the novel in an author’s note. One of the characters is based on a friend from high school. I call her Lady L to protect her identity. She was sexually assaulted by a very popular student who drugged and raped her on a date. As a nurse, I have worked with many sexual assault victims. In addition, I live near the Bogue Falaya River and a seminary, which inspired the setting. The Abbey exists and is in St. Benedict, though still a working Seminary school. Astor’s inspiration comes from attending high school in a small town that was run by one very powerful, wealthy family, not unlike the Devereauxs. He went to school with a guy (we’ll call him “Bryce”) from that family who was a lot like Beau Devereaux (sans the rapist part). He played football, was handsome, wealthy, and very popular. The “golden boy.” The teens would all gather on the weekends to party at a
   spillway on the river. Bryce’s dad owned a store that sold alcohol. He’d always bring the liquor as no one at the store would ever say anything to him because they were afraid of getting fired. Bryce was cocky and an ass. He also ended up getting into his fair share of trouble. All of these things are reflected in the book.
3. Who are the authors who most influenced your work? Tennessee Williams, Heather Graham, Lisa
   Jackson, Sandra Brown, Iris Johansen, and Erica Spindler. They have all written books set in my
   hometown of New Orleans.
4. Where do you write, i.e. an office, outdoors, a coffee shop? In my home office surrounded by an
   eclectic crew of fur and feathered friends. I’m a licensed/certified wildlife rehabber.
5. If you could visit one place to research a book where would it be? Egypt. I would love to go there
   and research a thriller with murder, lost treasure, and mummies.

If eerie books are your thing, be sure to check out this trailer for River of Ashes, the latest installment in the St. Benedict series by Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor. Prepare for your curiosity to be piqued and a cold chill to tingle down your spine!

Please join us from 7 p.m. EST to 9 p.m. tomorrow for Alexandrea’s takeover! This is going to be a fun event that you don’t want to miss.

Alexandrea Weis is our featured author of the week! Alexandrea writes thrillers, suspense, mysteries, supernatural, horror, Southern gothic and historical fiction. Check out her novel, River of Ashes, that she cowrote with Lucas Astor.

River of Ashes description:

ALONG THE BANKS OF THE BOGUE FALAYA RIVER, sits the abandoned St. Francis Seminary. Beneath a canopy of oaks, blocked from prying eyes, the teens of St. Benedict High gather here on Fridays. The rest of the week belongs to school and family—but weekends belong to the river.

And the river belongs to Beau Devereaux.

The only child of a powerful family, Beau can do no wrong. Star quarterback. Handsome. Charming. The “prince” of St. Benedict is the ultimate catch.

He is also a psychopath.

A dirty family secret buried for years, Beau’s evil grows unchecked. In the shadows of the haunted abbey, he commits unspeakable acts on his victims and ensures their silence with threats and intimidation. Senior year, Beau sets his sights on his girlfriend’s headstrong twin sister, Leslie, who hates him. Everything he wants but cannot have, she will be his ultimate prize.

As the victim toll mounts, it becomes clear that someone must stop Beau Devereaux.

And that someone will pay with their life.

1. How long have you been writing? I’ve been writing all my life, but I switched to writing romance ten years ago. I published my first clean and wholesome book last year. It’s been an amazing journey and I can’t wait to see where it takes me.

2. What inspired the book you’re currently promoting? I had an idea about a woman moving to Sweetheart Springs and experiencing the myth of Sweetheart Springs for the first time.

3. Who are the authors who most influenced your work? Monique Brasher is not just my BFF, but also my writing partner for the Sweetheart Springs series. I owe a lot to her for getting my career started in the clean and wholesome romance. As for who I love to read, I would say Cindy Steel has been a big influence.

4. Where do you write, i.e. an office, outdoors, a coffee shop?  I usually write at home on the couch with my dog beside me. Since I homeschool my two kids I don’t often get a chance to get out and write outside the house, but it works for me.

5. If you could visit one place to research a book where would it be? I would love to visit Texas or Montana for a cowboy series I want to write.

Note from author Kimberly Hanson:

My character, Ellie, From Cocoa in the Candlelight and A Sweetheart Christmas is known for her less-than-stellar skill in the kitchen. There are two things she excels at and is asked to prepare for parties. Her Jalapeño Poppers and her Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa. 

Both recipes can be found in With Love, From Ellie which you can get for free when joining my newsletter.

With Love, From Ellie: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/qob3o0mcei

Author Kimberly Hanson writes contemporary clean and wholesome romances in small towns with hints at Christian romance. She released her novel, Sweetheart in Bloom, on May 25.

Book blurb:
Piper McEwan always dreamed of having her own art gallery. When the opportunity to open one in the quaint small town of Sweetheart Springs comes up, she jumps at the chance. Not only is it picturesque, but it also holds a folklore that has been talked about in her family for decades.

The opening of her art gallery is a dream come true, until a leak crashes her party and has her call the town’s typical ‘boy-next-door’ to her rescue. Spending time with Nick Donovan is both thrilling and confusing. She just can’t shake the feeling that he’s only going to break her heart like every other man.

Between her new-found feelings and a secret Nick has been hiding for years, their new relationship is tested when Piper struggles to let go of her past in hopes of a future with Nick. With her dreams on the line, Piper must decide if she’s ready to take the plunge and trust the generations-old town myth.