1) How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing since I was a kid but as a working writer since 2006.

2) Who are the authors who inspire you the most?
Agatha Christie, Anthony Horowitz and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

3) If I could visit one place to research a book, it would be
Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum

Check out author Katherine Anderson’s last look walking tour video of Westborough State Hospital before demolition began.

Prepare for the footage to send chills tingling down your spine as you watch in wonder.

Katherine Anderson writes cozy mysteries and historical fiction and is the award-winning author of two historic mysteries, Hospital Hill and Shadows in the Ward. She was born in 1980 in Western Massachusetts and is a special education teacher.

For many years, Kate has worked to painstakingly research and document the insane asylums and state schools in New England, publishing nonfiction works and lecturing on the history of mental illness.

Join us for Katherine’s takeover Thursday evening on our Facebook group.

1. How long have you been writing?

I remember writing a very short story about being a bird when I was in second or third grade, but I think this vocation really began for me when I was a freshman in high school.  I’ve been writing continuously since then.  I suppose the other key commencement of my writing career came just after graduating from college, when it occurred to me I was actually in this for the long haul – for better or worse.

2. What inspired the book you’re currently promoting?

Having teenaged children.  While my four lovely and well-behaved children would never get up to the sort of shenanigans as the kids in this book, I did notice (as does every parent of a teen) that they had a natural tendency to be secretive.  So I thought – why not write a mystery story from the points of view of a group of parents who urgently need to find out what their teenaged children are thinking and doing?  Although I turn up the volume considerably, I still think the frustration of my adult characters as they try to unravel their enigmatic offspring is something to which many people can relate.

3. If you could visit one place to research a book where would it be?

My youth.  It is the wellspring of nearly everything I write, the key to who I am; a country that sometimes feels very close and other times a galaxy away.

Stephen Amidon’s book trailer for Locust Lane makes you wonder what will happen next. Check it out ahead of his takeover in our Facebook group from 7 p.m. EST to 9 (6-8 CT) on Thursday, May 18.

Meet mystery, thriller and suspense author Stephen Amidon. His latest book, Locust Lane, received rave reviews from The Washington Post, New York Times, and Booklist, among others. Check out the blurb below and join us for Stephen’s takeover Thursday evening!

On the surface, Emerson, Massachusetts, is just like any other affluent New England suburb. But when a young woman is found dead in the nicest part of town, the powerful neighbors close ranks to keep their families safe. In this searing novel, Eden Perry’s death kicks off an investigation into the three teenagers who were partying with her that night, each a suspect. Hannah, a sweet girl with an unstable history. Jack, the popular kid with a mean streak. Christopher, an outsider desperate to fit in. Their parents, each with motivations of their own, only complicate the picture: they will do anything to protect their children, even at the others’ expense.

With a brilliantly woven, intricately crafted plot that gathers momentum on every page, this is superb storytelling told in terse prose—a dynamic read that is both intensely gripping and deeply affecting.

1. How long have you been writing? I know it sounds cliché, but I’ve been writing as long as I can remember. My mom saved little stories I would make up as a kid, and I’ve always kept journals. I studied journalism in college and worked in magazines, then for non-fiction publishing in editor roles. When I decided to have kids, I transitioned into freelancing from home and wrote product descriptions and blog posts. One day while playing on the swing set with my kids, I got a book idea and pulled out my phone to take notes. That night I decided to do what I’ve always dreamed of doing—write a novel.
2. What inspired the book you’re currently promoting? Short answer: My family, primarily my grandpa, “Papa.” He was a logger like JoJo and his grandpa in the book, and I helped take care of him later in his life like JoJo does Grandpa Joe. He also suffered from early dementia like Grandpa Joe. 
3. Who are the authors who most influences your work? There have been many over the years. I can’t pinpoint just one author, but several people have told me my books remind them of Becky Wade’s books. I also love reading books set in other small towns similar to the ones I write about. Some of those authors include Emma St. Clair and Savannah Scott. 
4. Where do you write? I move around with my laptop. Primarily, I sit in a cushioned swivel. It has a matching footrest and good back support. I’m certain it’s designed for an upscale nursery, but my kids are older and it’s in my living room. When I need a change of pace, I prop pillows up in my bed and write there. I occasionally go on my back deck when the weather’s nice, but I haven’t done so recently thanks to my daughter’s new puppy that likes to jump on me . . . and because of all the pollen. Oh, the pollen. I always say God gave us pollen to know when it’s springtime in Alabama since our weather goes from winter to summer overnight!
5. If you could visit one place to research a book where would it be? That’s an interesting question, since my books take place in Alabama, where I’ve lived my entire life. The fake county I made up is based on the county I grew up and the adjoining one I live in now. However, I like to bring people in from other areas and would like to research their background IRL rather than google. (Side note: if you follow me on TikTok and Instagram, I like to post videos of all the random things I google. I promise it’s all for stories, and I’m not crazy!) Maybe I’d visit a major city like New York. It would also be cool to travel abroad to different cultures so that I feel comfortable writing characters from foreign places.

Two rolls of chocolate chip cookie dough

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 cup regular sugar 

1 block of cream cheese (8 oz)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Press one cookie dough roll in the bottom of a greased pan. 

Mix the sugars and cream cheese well, then spread across the cookie layer.

Crumble the second roll of cookie dough on top, making sure to cover all the cream cheese mixture. 

Bake 30-40 minutes. My oven does well with 37 minutes.

This is my all-time favorite recipe for sharing with family and friends. I make it for various occasions: holidays, church potlucks, teacher appreciation week. (If the church potluck didn’t tip you off, I’m from the Deep South.) 

My older cousin made this dessert many years ago for a family Christmas. My mama got the recipe from her, and we started making it often. I’m not much of a cook, so it became my go-to recipe to take places. Not only is it so simple to make, but everyone loves it. 

I don’t know the original name of the recipe, but my friends named it “cookie crack,” and it often gets shortened to simply “crack.” It’s become my thing to bring for all church socials. People of all ages come up to me at church and ask for crack—no joke. 

It makes appearances sometimes in my books, the first of which was at a progressive dinner party in Christmas in Dixie. The recipe gets its own backstory and becomes more of a side character in Mom Squad. 

Meet Kaci Lane, our featured author. She writes mainly sweet romantic comedies based in fictional Alabama towns. Also, she has two books that are part of a sweet romance shared series with other authors. She’s currently promoting her novel Cutting out Love. Throughout the week, we’ll share a recipe, a Q&A and other fun content from Kaci. Join us at her takeover from 7 p.m. EST to 9 (6-8 CT) on Thursday in our Facebook group.

Check out the blurb for Cutting out Love:

I’m fake engaged to the grumpy guy responsible for making me temporarily homeless.

It all started when JoJo’s logging crew crashed a pine tree into my house.

After several failed attempts at temporary housing, he convinces me to stay in his basement. No—it’s not creepy. Or it wasn’t until his eighty-year-old grandpa woke me up the next morning.

JoJo’s explanation to Grandpa Joe for the random woman in their basement?

I’m his fiancée!

Really? Yep.

Why? Because Grandpa refuses to sign over the family forestry business until JoJo gets married.

Still, how hard can it be to fake off an old man who rarely leaves the house?

Pretty hard when you live in a small town . . . and Grandpa reminds you to wear your engagement ring every time you go out.

Oh, and then he announces in church that JoJo and I got married!

As I’m patiently waiting for my house to be deemed livable, I’m busy faking feelings for my fake fiancé/husband to sell the ultimate lie.

Except the more we’re forced together, the less I have to fake my feelings.

Do I fess up that I’m falling in love with the man I fake married?

1.     How long have you been writing? I’ve been writing poetry and short stories since I was a tween. It was always a great way to express myself and process lessons and emotions.

2.     What inspired the book you’re currently promoting? I’m promoting Recharge Your Inner Peace and Power. I experienced a personal empowerment awakening where I was able to walk into the person I always wanted to become – I transformed into a stronger, happier me. I wanted to help inspire others to find their way there too. I am to do the same with all my content: my books, web articles, guided imagery meditations, and social posts.

3.     Who are the authors who most influenced your work? Alan Watts. When I discovered his books, I feel like I found my guru. He was a philosopher and writer in the 1950s and 60s where nature and Eastern philosophies were his biggest influences and writing and speaking topics. (I dare you find an Alan Watts speech online – he’s very inspiring and his words are still applicable today.)

4.     Where do you write, i.e. an office, outdoors, a coffee shop? I do my best writing on my laptop while sitting on my couch (not the most ergonomical spot, but it’s next to a dog or two or three, so it works well). 

5.     If you could visit one place to research a book where would it be? Anywhere in nature behind my camera; nature has been my best teacher and my source of inspiration.