Interview of the Author Joanne Kukanza Easley Author of Higher Love (#adult fiction, #contests- Enter to Win a Signed Copy of the Book.)

 

I want to welcome Joanne K. Easley to Books R Us. The Author has provided an interview just for my readers. Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to enter the contest below.

Book Details:

Book Title:  HIGHER LOVE by Joanne Kukanza Easley
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+), 360 pages
Genre:  Women's Literary Fiction
Publisher:  Red Boots Press
Release date:   May 2025
Content Rating:  PG-13 + M: Adult themes of alcoholism, underage drinking, underage sex

Book Description: 

In 1986 Austin, Texas, sixteen-year-old Stephanie steps into sixty-two-year-old Lauren’s life, her uncanny resemblance cracking open a buried past. Claiming to be the daughter of the child Lauren gave up for adoption forty-five years ago, Stephanie upends Lauren’s life—already complicated by her remarriage to Brett after thirty-three years apart. Stung by her adoptive grandmother’s deception, Stephanie stays, her past of tragedy and self-harm forging a fragile bond with Lauren and Brett. When Stephanie’s trust fund evaporates, crushing her college dreams, Lauren sacrifices all to give her a future—only to face a bittersweet twist that echoes the past and changes everything. This heart-wrenching family drama delves into the enduring impact of secrets, the power of unconditional love, and the strength found in facing our pasts.

Buy the Book:
Amazon
add to Goodreads

INTERVIEW:

Joanne Kukanza Easley, a retired nurse, writes fiction about complex twentieth-century women from her Texas Hill Country home. Her debut, Sweet Jane, won multiple awards. She authored Just One Look and I’ll Be Seeing You, with Higher Love forthcoming on May 12, 2025.

What do you consider the most essential elements of great writing?

Great writing is a craft honed through practice and passion. While proper grammar and punctuation are non-negotiable foundations, the heart of a story lies in its ability to connect with readers. I believe fully realized characters—that readers can root for or relate to—are crucial, as is a gripping plot with high stakes that keep the main character’s journey compelling. Authentic dialogue that mirrors how people actually speak breathes life into the narrative, making the story feel real and immersive.

How important is a book cover in your view?

A cover is the book’s introduction to readers, and research shows people absolutely judge a book by its appearance. I’ve worked hard to create a signature look for my novels: each cover features an impressionistic portrait of the main character, a cohesive color palette, and a bold, consistent font for my name and title. This unified aesthetic not only catches the eye but also makes my books instantly recognizable, inviting readers into the heartfelt stories I tell.

You’ve written four novels—can you share more about them and their themes?

I set my novels in the twentieth century, in the era before cell phones, when human connections were deeper and more intentional. They center on resilient women who face and overcome profound challenges, tackling heavy themes like alcoholism, suicide, self-harm, miscarriage, divorce, and teenage pregnancy with honesty and hope.

Sweet Jane, my debut, follows Jane as she returns to the troubled hometown she fled at sixteen, seeking to heal old wounds. It’s a story of redemption that won multiple awards and holds a special place in my heart. Just One Look, a standalone set in 1960s and 70s Chicago, traces Dani Marek’s journey through grief after losing her fiancé in the Vietnam War, her descent into destructive choices, and her chance at love again. I’ll Be Seeing You revisits characters from Sweet Jane, chronicling five decades in the turbulent life of Lauren Eaton, Jane’s Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor, with unflinching depth.

My latest, Higher Love, set for release on May 12, 2025, is a sequel to I’ll Be Seeing You. It’s my first novel with dual perspectives: sixty-two-year-old Lauren and Stephanie, a teenager who is

the daughter of the child Lauren gave up for adoption. This poignant family drama explores the ripple effects of secrets, the healing power of unconditional love, and the courage to confront the past.

How do you go about developing your plots and characters?

My stories begin with the character, not the plot. I take my time—sometimes weeks or months—getting to know my protagonist, dreaming about her, and uncovering every detail: her appearance, quirks, relationships, and inner world. Only when she feels vivid and real do I craft her journey and the challenges she’ll face. I don’t map out the entire plot beforehand; instead, I let the character lead, allowing surprises to unfold as I write.

Has your upcoming novel, Higher Love, evolved significantly since its first draft?

Absolutely. The first draft was written in third person, but I realized it felt too distant from the raw emotions driving Lauren’s story. Since each of my novels has a unique structure, I reimagined Higher Love with alternating first-person chapters from Lauren and Stephanie’s perspectives. This shift amplified the emotional intensity of the family drama, letting readers feel the weight of their secrets and the depth of their connection. The change was a challenge but made the story far more intimate and powerful.

Thank you for this chance to share my writing journey and the stories that mean so much to me. For those eager to explore my novels further, you can find them at my bookstore: Book Store - Joanne Kukanza Easley

 

Meet the Author:

 

Joanne Kukanza Easley, a retired registered nurse who worked in the cold, stark environment of operating rooms and the highly charged setting of psychiatric facilities, now resides in the Texas Hill Country. There, she crafts fiction centered on complex women of the twentieth century. Her debut novel, Sweet Jane, garnered multiple accolades, including the adult fiction prize at the Texas Author Project, and was a finalist for prestigious honors like the Sarton Award and the Eric Hoffer Award, among others. Her second book, Just One Look, was selected as a May 2022 Pulpwood Queen Book Club Pick. Her third novel, I’ll Be Seeing You, revisits characters from Sweet Jane. Her fourth novel, Higher Love, a continuation of her third, is slated for release in Spring 2025. Easley’s award-winning short stories and poetry have been featured in various anthologies. 

Connect with the author:

website ~ X ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads

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Enter the Giveaway:

HIGHER LOVE by Joanne Kukanza Easley Book Tour Giveaway

Book Blitz of Falling for the CEO A Billionare Romance Collection (#Contests- Enter to Win A Signed Copy of All of the Books)

Falling for the CEO: A Billionaire Romance Collection
Anna Zaires, Brenna Aubrey, Evelyn Austin, Lee Savino, Misha Bell, Renee Rose, Tasha Boyd, Theodora Taylor
Publication date: June 5th 2025
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Boardroom chemistry meets bedroom passion! When ordinary women step into a billionaire’s world of luxury and power, sparks fly and hearts race. Indulge in 8 COMPLETE novels of steamy workplace romances where ambition, wealth, and magnetic attraction collide. This exclusive collection of swoon-worthy stories delivers all the drama, passion, and heart-melting moments you crave—available for a LIMITED TIME only!

Wall Street Titan by Anna Zaires

One high-end matchmaker, one dating app, one mix-up that changes everything… Opposites may attract, but can this last?

Holt: Her Ruthless Scion by Theodora Taylor

Born into one of the wealthiest families in the world, Holt Calson had everything—except me, and what Calsons want, Calsons get. For one blazing summer, we had it all, until….

Billionaire Grump by Misha Bell

A hilariously disastrous elevator ride brings them together. Will their insecurities tear them apart?

Accidental Tryst by Tasha Boyd

Restaurant blogger Emmy accidentally switches cellphones in a busy airport with a grumpy, sexy CEO on the verge of the biggest business deal of his life. Insults and then sparks fly! Can their explosive chemistry translate to real life?

The Director by Renee Rose

After discovering her secret pregnancy, a bratva boss kidnaps a lawyer pregnant with his child.

Royally Bad by Lee Savino

Billionaire. Playboy. Prince. My new boss. Theo Kensington the most eligible—or ineligible—bachelor in the entire world. So what he’s starred in a sex tape…or three? I’m the fixer hired to clean up his image, but this bad boy is more interested in misbehaving…with me.

At Any Price by Brenna Aubrey

Blogger Mia Strong cashes in on her online popularity by selling her virginity to the highest bidder — with no strings attached. But when sexy CEO Adam Drake wins the prize, all bets are off…

The Mistress Contract by Evelyn Austin

Powerful billionaire Evan will stop at nothing to convince college student Madeline to sign a contract to be his possession. But the longer they’re involved, the more entangled they become…

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play

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GIVEAWAY!
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Guest Post by Desiree Moodie -The Real-Life Inspirations Behind The Book The Perfect Mother (#contests- Enter to Win a Book Club in a Box)

 

I want to welcome Desiree Moodie to Books R Us. The author has provided a guest post just for my readers. Thanks for stopping by and please enter the contest below.
 

Book Title:  THE PERFECT MOTHER by Desiree Moodie
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 
Genre: Thriller
Publisher:  Twisted Thoughts Publishing
Release date:  May 2025
Content Rating: PG-13 + M: My book has a few "f" words, one or two religious profanities and a few crude terms. There is no sex, but there is violence. Mature themes include pregnancy loss.

Book Trailer:

Book Description:

The perfect neighborhood. The perfect family. The perfect crime.

When Dawn Harrington moves to the quiet, picturesque town of Meadowbrook, she’s hoping for a fresh start. A place where no one knows her name. Where she can leave behind the whispers, the heartbreak, the gaping hole left by the son who vanished from a park nearly twenty years ago. But secrets have a way of following you.

A few blocks over, Evelyn Harper has spent years crafting the perfect life—an adoring husband, beautiful children, a home straight out of a magazine. But when she sees Dawn standing in her driveway, Evelyn feels the first stirrings of something she hasn’t felt in years.

Fear.

Because Dawn isn’t just any new neighbor. She’s a woman with a past. A past that collides violently with Evelyn’s own. 

At first, Dawn and Evelyn circle each other warily—neighborly smiles masking something far more sinister. But as Dawn starts asking questions and Evelyn begins watching her every move, the game between them becomes something far more treacherous.

As their carefully built lives begin to crumble, one of them will stop at nothing to uncover the truth.

The other will stop at nothing to keep it buried.

Because some lies can be forgiven. Others demand blood.

The Perfect Mother is a spellbinding psychological thriller about deception, obsession, and how far a mother will go for the truth. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Gillian Flynn, and Shari Lapena, this is one twisted suburban nightmare you won’t soon forget.

Buy the Book:
Amazon
(release date May 16)

GUEST POST:

 

The Real-Life Inspirations Behind The Perfect Mother

When I first started writing The Perfect Mother, I had no idea just how personal this story would become. At its core, it’s a psychological thriller—a tale of secrets, obsession, and the devastating consequences of a single choice. But beneath the suspense, it’s also a story about motherhood in all its messy, complicated, and deeply emotional forms. And in many ways, writing it forced me to confront my own evolving relationship with motherhood.

Dawn: The Mother Who Lost Dawn’s story is, without question, the emotional backbone of this book. The pain of losing a child, of not knowing where they are, if they’re safe, or if you’ll ever see them again, is a nightmare no parent should ever have to face. And while Dawn’s experience is extreme, the themes of loss, guilt, and relentless determination were ones I found myself deeply connected to.

For a long time, I wasn’t sure if motherhood was for me. I spent years convincing myself that I didn’t need it, that I was perfectly happy without it. But deep down, that wasn’t the full truth. My fears of not being enough, of repeating generational cycles, of wanting something I might never have, shaped how I viewed motherhood. And when I finally did become a mother, it shattered me and remade me in ways I never expected.

Dawn’s grief, her rage, and her refusal to let go of her son? Those emotions came from a very real place. I understand what it means to hold onto something so tightly, to fight against forces that feel impossibly big. Because even though my story is different, that need to love, to protect, to find a way forward no matter what, was something I poured into every page of Dawn’s journey.

Evelyn: The Mother Who Took Evelyn was a fascinating character to write because, in her mind, she isn’t a villain; she’s a savior. She truly believes that she did the right thing. That Daniel was meant to be hers. That she gave him the life he deserved.

Her character was inspired by real-life cases of long-term child abductions, particularly those where the kidnapper managed to convince themselves (and sometimes even the child) that they were the true parent. There’s something chilling about that level of self-delusion, about the way a person can rewrite reality to fit their own desires. And yet, Evelyn’s fears of losing control, of being exposed, of having everything she built fall apart… they’re all deeply human.

I also pulled from my own experiences of stepping into motherhood later in life. The fears Evelyn has about being judged, about not being seen as a “real” mother, about the crushing weight of expectation are ones I understand, though in a very different context. Evelyn is an extreme case, but the fear of not measuring up as a mother is something so many of us can relate to.

Daniel: The Child Caught in the Middle Daniel’s story was, in many ways, the hardest to write. The idea of having your entire reality ripped away from you—the people you trust, the history you believe is yours, the truth about who you are—is terrifying. And while I personally haven’t experienced anything like Daniel’s ordeal, I thought a lot about identity while writing him.

What happens when those narratives are disrupted? When everything you thought was true turns out to be a lie? 

That’s the core of Daniel’s journey, and it’s something I think so many of us, in one way or another, can understand.

I love thrillers. I love stories that keep you on edge, that make you second-guess everything. But I also love stories with emotional depth, ones that don’t just entertain but make you feel. With The Perfect Mother, I wanted to craft a page-turner that also explored the deep, raw complexities of motherhood. The love, the fear, the sacrifice, and the desperate, all-consuming need to hold on.

This book may be fiction, but the emotions? The struggles? The questions it raises about what it really means to be a mother?

Those are real.

And I hope that as readers turn the pages, they feel that too

 

Meet the Author:

 

Desiree Moodie has been writing since before she could talk — seriously. As a kid, she spent weekends scribbling on notebook paper and stapling the pages together into makeshift books.

Now, she crafts dark, twisty stories featuring morally complex characters and impossible-to-put-down plots. Her writing is influenced by her travels, old-school noir films, and pro-wrestling (yes, still). She loves difficult women, villains who might just have a point, and snappy dialogue.

When she's not writing, Desiree is watching reruns of Perry Mason, working on her Lauren Bacall impression, or pulling Tarot cards. She’s got a soft spot for readers who love clever, gritty stories with a little bite — so don’t be shy. Drop her a line (just not in all caps).

Keep up with her at desireemoodie.com

connect with the author: Website Twitter-X, Facebook, Goodreads, bookbud, instagram, pinterest,

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Enter the Giveaway:

THE PERFECT MOTHER by Desiree Moodie Book Tour Giveaway

Book Blitz of Walk The Line By P. Dombrowiak and N Parker (#Contests- Enter to win an Amazon Gift Card)

Walk the Line
Natalie Parker, Paula Dombrowiak
(Blood & Bone Legacy, #1)
Publication date: April 22nd 2025
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

 

It was supposed to be simple: Film the tour. Build my portfolio. And for Heavens sake, keep it in my pants.

Then I met Felix Krasinski.

The captivating and infuriatingly cocky frontman of Velvet Drift commands attention everywhere he goes—including mine. Am I proud of it? No. I’m supposed to be filming their perfromance, not fantasizing about his perfect abs. I’m determined to be taken seriously, and hooking up with the ridiculously hot rockstar is the fastest way to tank my credibility.

Felix is always in control, and I’m an impulsive rule-breaker. We don’t make sense. But we can’t seem to stay away from each other.

Because, between his uptight habits and annoyingly perfect jawline, there’s more to Felix than his stage presence and legendary last name. He’s protective, vulnerable, and gets me in a way no one else does.

But my career depends on keeping things professional, and his future hinges on staying laser-focused on his band’s success.

Every heated argument, every stolen kiss, makes me want to throw caution—and professionalism—to the wind.

One thing’s certain—this summer tour is about to get a lot more complicated than I bargained for.

Walk the Line is the first book in the Blood & Bone and Turn it Up second generation series crossover. Grab this new adult, angsty, forced proximity, steamy contemporary rockstar romance. Walk the Line can be read as a standalone.

Goodreads / Amazon

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EXCERPT:

“What the…?” My voice trails off as I take in the dark, angry bruise on my skin.

A hickey.

And not just any hickey—this is the mother of all hickeys.

It’s a masterpiece of malice, blooming in deep purples and reds, unapologetically high on my neck. No amount of foundation could hide this, and it’s far too conspicuous for even the highest collar. There was no fucking around when she decided to do this. She wanted me marked.

“Maggie!” I call, my voice bouncing off the walls as I step out of the bathroom. Her only response is the sound of sheets rustling and a half-asleep groan. I glance back at the mirror, rubbing at the bruise like it might magically fade. Who even gives hickeys anymore?

When I step out, I find her perched on the kitchen counter, one leg dangling lazily while the other’s tucked beneath her. She’s cradling a mug of coffee—my coffee—the steam curling up around her face. And she’s wearing my Henley, the fabric hanging loose on her but clinging just enough in places to make my brain short-circuit. The soft gray color makes her blue eyes pop, and they blink at me with an innocence that’s so utterly contrived, I almost laugh. Almost. And fuck, she made me temporarily forget about the hickey.

“What is this?” I demand, pointing to the bruise on my neck as I stride closer.

She tilts her head like she’s admiring a painting. She leans in, her lips so close I can feel the ghost of her breath. She presses a kiss to the bruise, and I swear my brain briefly loses all function.

“That,” she says, her voice honey-sweet, “is a hickey.”

“I know what it is, baby,” I snap, though the grin threatening to break free betrays me. “I have press with Ivy today.” My tone is exasperated, but she doesn’t look the least bit sorry.

“I know.” Her lips curve into a slow, self-satisfied smile, the kind that makes her look like a sexy as fuck brat. Lucky for her, I happen to like brats.

I grab her coffee mug, setting it down deliberately and grab her by the waist, pulling her flush against me. She lets out a surprised little gasp, her hands instinctively bracing against my chest.

“You fucking scare me sometimes, Sass,” I murmur before claiming her lips.

Author Bio:

Paula Dombrowiak grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois but currently lives in Arizona. She is the author of Blood and Bone, her first adult romance novel which combines her love of music and imperfect relationships. Paula is a lifelong music junkie, whose wardrobe consists of band T-shirts and leggings which are perpetually covered in pet hair. She is a sucker for a redeemable villain, bad boys, and the tragically flawed. Music inspires her storytelling.

For more ways to learn about Paula and her books, check out her website: @www.pauladombrowiak.com

Natalie Parker resides in the Seattle area with her husband and two rugrats, but is originally a Michigan girl.

She always enjoyed writing and noticed she had a knack for it while earning her Psychology degree and has always been an avid reader, but never thought of becoming an author until one day there seemed to be a story to tell.

In her spare time, she enjoys reading, reading, reading to her kids, drinking coffee, reading, occasional yardwork, reading, listening to music, reading and writing.

Stay tuned for more to come for your favorite characters of the Turn it Up series!

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Interview of Randy Lyman Author of The Third Element (#contests- Enter To Win Some Great Prizes.)

I would like to extend a warm welcome to Randy Lyman to Books R Us. Randy is the author of the nonfiction book "The Third Element." He has graciously provided us with an exclusive interview just for my readers. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway below for a chance to win some fantastic prizes! 

Book Details:

 

 

Book Title: The Third Element - The Missing Key to Activating the Law of Attraction by Randy Lyman
Category:  Adult Non-Fiction (18+),  248 pages
Genre: Non-Fiction, personal development
Publisher:  Third Element Publishing
Release date:  March 19, 2025
Content Rating:  PG + M: It explains adult struggles and triumphs that relate to a mature audience. it's probably actually PG but just wanted to play it safe. 

Book Description:

If manifestation is so great, why does it feel like banging your head against a brick wall?

Sure, you may have the discipline—the drive, strength, and perseverance it takes to build the life of your dreams. Yes, you may have the intellect—the understanding that you have the power to shape your own reality and a foolproof, step-by-step plan to do so.

So why isn’t all the planning, hard work, and visualization working? And when you do finally start achieving success, why does it still feel like something’s missing?

When it comes to creating abundance or finding inner peace, most people assume that mind-body alignment is enough. But we’re still missing one critical element—the long-neglected key to manifestation.

Each and every one of us holds the answer to unlocking the life of our dreams: the power and limitless potential of the Third Element.

Join entrepreneur, engineer, and speaker Randy Lyman as he unpacks his own journey and shows us exactly how our emotional experiences—the pains, the joys, and everything in-between—are both our greatest obstacles and our most powerful assets.

And this book is going to show you how to use it.

Buy the Book:
Amazon
B&N ~ Target
add to Goodreads

INTERVIEW: 

Author Interview: Randy Lyman, author of THE THIRD ELEMENT

On rituals:

Do you snack while writing? 

Yes. I gained 10 pounds during the last 4 months writing The Third Element as I had so many emotions coming through me while I was re experiencing everything I was writing about to an even deeper level than the first time(s) I originally had those experiences.

Favorite snack?

 Dry roasted macadamia nuts

Where do you write? 

At my office desk in Sedona, AZ

Do you write every day? 

No.

What is writing schedule? 

I don’t have a writing schedule. I have a very busy schedule and fit in writing whenever I can.

Is there a specific ritualistic thing you do during your writing time? 

 No rituals. I am fortunate to be able to simply sit down and start writing.

In today’s tech savvy world, most writers use a computer or laptop. Have you ever written parts of your book on paper? I sometimes capture ideas of work on outlines on paper while on a flight. 99 percent of my writing is at a computer keyboard as the words flow through me better there.

Fun stuff:

If you could go back in time, where would you go? To the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Favorite travel spot? 

Italy.

Favorite dessert? Cheesecake.

Meet the Author: 

Randy Lyman is a multi-millionaire entrepreneur, physicist, and author of The Third Element, a transformative guide to unlocking abundance through emotional mastery. With decades of experience building Inc. 500-recognized businesses and fostering cultures of belonging, Randy empowers leaders and individuals to align their emotions with their goals. He blends science, spirituality, and practical wisdom to create actionable strategies for growth, success, and fulfillment. Randy’s work is dedicated to helping others break through emotional barriers and live in alignment with their highest potential.
Connect with the author:  website ~ facebook ~ instagram 

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Enter the Giveaway:

THE THIRD ELEMENT Book Tour Giveaway