2026: Author, Susan Harris Howell

Posted on February 1, 2026 by peggylchambers

My guest blogger today is Susan Harris Howell. She is the author of The Spirit of Vanderlaan and writes cozy mysteries. Please welcome her.

Susan, please give us a summary of The Spirit of Vanderlaan in thirty words or less: Professor Samantha Hayes and her lively ensemble of students unravel the mysterious coincidence that brought them together, as ghosts of Samantha’s past and a vindictive colleague challenge their every move.

We both write for The Wild Rose Press who publishes some of our work. Do you publish with other publishers and who? My first book, Buried Talents, is non-fiction and was published by InterVarsity Press. Buried Talents explores the many subtle ways we inadvertently discourage women from entering male-dominated occupations. And, of course, it provides a wealth of practical suggestions for changing this trajectory for the girls and women in our lives.

What are you working on now? I’m currently writing the sequel to my first novel. In The Hayes Spirit, Samantha and her entourage of students will tackle another mystery with help from Samantha’s grandfather (who just happens to be deceased).

Favorite quote (from any source): Since the theme of truth runs through each of my novels, my favorite quote is from Augustine of Hippo: “The truth is like a lion; you don’t have to defend it. Let it loose; it will defend itself.” But on the lighter side – and if I may quote myself: “Give me a stale donut over a good salad any day!” Words to live by.

If stranded on an island, what one book would you keep with you? I’d probably keep my own novel with me so I could plot out all the spin-off sequels I’d like to write.

Tell us three fascinating things about you:

  1. I created a test when I was in sixth grade to pair up children on the playground with their perfect best friend. I wish I’d have had the foresight to become the creator of eHarmony.
  2. As a teenager I seriously owned approximately one thousand pictures of Donny Osmond.
  3. My favorite movie of all time is The Sound of Music. I’ve seen it a kazillion times and would love to visit Austria.

What advice do you have for other writers/artists? To keep reading and writing. Read, especially, in the genre you want to write in and read books on the craft of writing. And then of course put all that you learn into practice by writing and honing your skill.

Where can readers find you online?

My website is the best place to find me and my work: www.susanharrishowell.com  

And I hope everyone will follow me on my socials:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/susan_h_howell/

Email List & Monthly Blog:    https://susanharrishowell.substack.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/susanhowellwriter

Here are several buy links for The Spirit of Vanderlaan:  

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Spirit-Vanderlaan-Samantha-Hayes-Book-ebook/dp/B0DHV65RM4?ref_=ast_author_dp

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-spirit-of-vanderlaan-susan-howell/1146282868?ean=9781509258888

World of Books: https://www.worldofbooks.com/products/spirit-of-vanderlaan-book-susan-harris-howell-9781509258888

It was great having you here, Susan, and I know we all wish you continued success. Pick up a copy of Susan’s books and as always, leave a review. Let’s get the creatives together this year!

What are you reading, writing, or creating this week?

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2026: Interview with Mary Ann Jacobs

Posted on January 25, 2026 by peggylchambers

Mary Ann and I have never met but she commented on my blog the other day and since we both write for the same publisher, I decided to get to know her. And now you can get to know her too! Here are some burning questions we all wanted to ask.

Part 1: The Writer Questions

  1. Tell us about your series published by The Wild Rose Press.

My series is called The Berkshire Mystery Series; Book 1 is Don’t Mess with Me and book 2 is Peril in Pittman. Dabbling in Danger will be book 3 when my editor and I get together for the edits. This series was inspired by my trips to the Berkshires in the summers to visit my grandchildren. Many of the characters were inspired by my Lebanese relatives and many of my friends.

I see these mysteries as puzzles for my readers to solve with the help of the Super Sleuths and in spite of the bumbling sheriff.

  1. What genre(s) do you read, and why?

I read cozy mysteries because I like happy endings and also historical mysteries because I enjoy learning about historical figures and their involvement in period mysteries.

  1. Give us a glimpse of the surroundings where you write. Separate room? In the kitchen? At the dining room table?

You don’t really want to see my messy desk where I write many of my books. I am definitely not Miss Neatness.

When we have good weather, you can find me with paper and notebook on my screened-in porch where in between scenes, I can watch birds, deer, and even a fox cavort through our condo’s yard.

My most interesting writing experience was when my annoying writing muse woke me up in the middle of the night and insisted I change my villain because he was too nice to be the bad guy. When I reread his scenes, I realized that he was correct. I had made him too likeable and had to spend three days rewriting the villain’s scenes.

The funniest writing experience was when my ever-annoying muse dictated a whole new character to me. I didn’t want to wake my husband, so I grabbed a notebook and wrote out the whole scene in the dark. When I went to read the scene in the morning, it was unintelligible because I had written over another scene in the notebook and couldn’t make out the words.

  1. How did you come up with the plotline/idea for your current WIP?

I wanted to continue the stories of my characters. There was so much more to know. Would Sadie and the Sheriff get together, or would she and Omar, her fellow refugee from Lebanon, connect because of a shared past?

Would Robin, a widow, find love with Matt? Would Sadie ever come to grips with her brother’s capture by ISIS? Would our ever mysterious and creative actress Lola, survive and find happiness and love?

So many of my characters had more to tell about their lives. I couldn’t just leave their stories unfinished as they were in Peril in Pittman so you will be on the edge of your seat as these characters dabble in danger. We’ll even have a subplot where the Jr. Super Sleuths travel to Florida to help out their friend Mike.

 Spoiler alert: Though I solve some of the romantic triangles, I leave some of them open for your imagination and just in case I decide to write a book four.

  1. Which comes first for you – character or plot? And why?

Character, definitely. I usually have individual scenes created for at least 5 separate characters. Then I put these characters into a plot which is dictated by these characters, who often come alive at night or when I’m walking and don’t have a notebook handy.

 6. What 3 words describe you, the writer?

            Passionate, creative, innovative

Part 2: The Personal Questions:

1.Tell us one unusual thing about yourself – not related to writing!

            I once owned a children’s bookstore and taught Children’s Literature at the local college.

2.If you could relive one day, which one would it be?

            Recently, I fell and broke my ankle. I hate being a klutz , and it is certainly inconvenient when it’s your driving foot. So, I would relive that day with a different outcome.

3.If you had to give up one necessary-can’t-live-without-it item, what would it be?

            Ice cream

4.What three words describe you, the person?

            Friendly, creative, family-oriented

5.If you could hang out with any literary character from any book penned at any timeline, who would it be, why, and what would you do together?

            Sadie from my Berkshire Mystery Series. She reminds me so much of my favorite aunt. We would probably barbeque in her backyard and then watch the Detroit Red Wings on TV.

6.What do you consider the best song ever written?

            “Moon River” – I love the images of the peaceful river it evokes.

7.Or the worst song ever written?

            A children’s song that is way too repetitive: “If You’re Happy and You Know It”

8.Who would you want to be for 1 day and why? (It can be anyone living or dead)

            My sister-in-law – She had such fun in life.

9.What’s your version of a perfect day?

            Playing bridge at our bridge club, going out to dinner, and watching a football game or baseball game on TV which my team actually wins.

Here are Mary Ann’s bio and social media links so you can check out her books.

I am a writer and a writing coach. I have published cozy mysteries with The Wild Rose Press. The Berkshire Mystery Series includes Book 1 Don’t Mess with Me and Book 2 Peril in Pittman. Book 3 Dabbling in Danger will be coming soon. I have published essays in various publications and published many poems online and in print publications.

Email: maryannjacobsauthor@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/maryannjacobsauthor

Website: maryannjacobsauthor.wordpress.com

Twitter: maryann68592654

Amazon.com/author/maryann_jacobs-1.2  Amazon Author Page URL

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dont-mess-with-me-mary-ann-jacobs/1142600182?ean=2940186700777
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/peril-in-pittman-mary-ann-jacobs/1145960500?ean=9781509257874

Thanks so much! This is fun to do and read. Pick up a copy of Mary Ann’s books and of course leave her a review. I know you will love them.

What are you reading, writing, or creating this week?

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2026: The Winter of our Discontent

Posted on January 18, 2026 by peggylchambers

I woke up to 16℉ this morning when I got out of bed. There’s something fundamentally wrong with not waking up to a light warm breeze flowing through your open window, maybe blowing off the ocean. I remember Saturday mornings when I was a child with my bed shoved up against the window, the birds singing, and the smell of newly cut grass. Ahhhhh. Well, this morning didn’t start out like that. It’s winter on the Great Plains and we suffer. But we are halfway through the cold season and spring is just around the corner. I will find that groundhog and choke him if he drags this out. I hate winter.

But inside the house it is a toasty 72℉ and I have on my fuzzy slippers, so it is not as bad as I thought. It could be worse. The heater might not be working. It is and I have warm clothes and a coffee pot simmering in the kitchen.

So, it is winter outside, but toasty inside and there are books to read and books to write. I will use my time to convalesce from the back surgery I had last fall. I will do my PT daily and work diligently to get off the support system of walkers and canes. I will walk outside when I can and inside when I must. I won’t open the windows until it is time.

Inside I will work again on the half-finished novel on my laptop and enter the writing contests I have worked towards this year. I will interview other writers on this blog and tell you what I learned. Join me? And let me know if you want to get acquainted with like minds.

Oh! It’s up to 18℉!   

What are you reading, writing, creating, or viewing this week?

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2026: Interview with Author, Paula Benge

Posted on January 11, 2026 by peggylchambers

I talked to my friend and fellow writer Paula Benge this week because she had some exciting news!!! Her book, At the Heart of the Game, Amazon.com: At the Heart of the Game eBook : Benge, Paula: Kindle Store just won the Writer’s Digest Self Published E-Book contest! With over seven hundred entries. Big win! This book won the published YA book award at the OWFI conference last year and now it is taking home honors once again. If you haven’t read it, now is the time. Pick up a copy and as always, leave a review when you’re done.

Paula is a fellow member of the Enid Writers Club and the Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc. (OWFI). But I’d like you to get acquainted with her so here are some questions for her:

Thank you for inviting me, Peggy! You’ve been there since the first, extremely short, hand-written draft of this book and it’s an honor to be here now.

1. What drives you to write?  I think it’s the need to create and the challenge of it. Writing is a skill you can learn and improve, plus I’ve fallen in love with words. I think the passion comes from wanting to keep learning and trying to write even better than the day before.

2. What genre(s) or age groups do you write, and why? My first published book was a romantasy novella that I enjoyed writing, but since then I’ve written young adult and I’m working on a middle grade. I didn’t necessarily plan this, but that’s where the stories and the characters’ voices were, so I went with it.

3. Give us a glimpse of the surroundings where you write. Separate room? In the kitchen? At the dining room table? I write in my office on a bean bag or at a coffee shop. But I’ve written in my car, beside an indoor pool between games at a softball tournament, and just about everywhere.

4. Are you the kind of writer who needs total quiet to compose, or are you able to filter out the typical sounds of the day and use your tunnel vision? At home, I need quiet because there’s already enough to distract me there. But the noise of a coffee shop is actually my most productive environment.

5. How did you create the plotline/idea for At the Heart of the Game? I was attending my daughter’s college softball games and didn’t have time to write. An author friend suggested I write about softball and she’d read it. But after that inspiration, my desire to show the many sides of River, not just her sport, which is the “shiny” part, is what drove the story.

6. Which comes first for you – character or plot? And why? Usually, character. Sometimes it’s an interesting question or real-life situation that inspires the characters. Which can lead me to write myself into a corner and I have to figure out how to get out.

7. When you first started writing, did you know what genre you planned to write, or did that change? I started out knowing my softball book was young adult, but before that I hadn’t settled on a genre. I like to read so many different kinds of books, it could’ve been anything. But I think I always wanted to write something inspiring.

8. What do you do when you aren’t writing? I’m a personal trainer and amateur dog trainer (a necessity since I have an Airedale who’s smart, playful, rambunctious, and stubborn. And, of course, loving.)

9. Will there be a sequel to At the Heart of the Game? And what are you writing currently? A lot of people have asked about a sequel. I never intended to write one, but now I can see the way another story might go, so maybe. I’m currently working on a middle grade novel.

10. What is your latest WIP? And will you continue to self-publish? I’m working on a middle grade story about the adventures of a boy made from chalk who lives undetected in a school until an enchanted chalkboard is uncovered and chaos breaks out. It’d be fun if this story interested an agent, but I liked the complete control you have when you self-publish, too, so either way would be nice.

Paula’s bio:

Paula Benge is also the author of A Neapolitan Fairy Tale at Lake Okoboji, Amazon.com: A Neapolitan Fairy Tale at Lake Okoboji (One Scoop or Two) eBook : Benge, Paula: Kindle Store an Oklahoma Romance Writers Guild 2020 Heart Award Finalist. She was inspired to write At the Heart of the Game after years spent keeping score for fastpitch softball and providing off-season training for athletes. She lives in Oklahoma with her husband and her Airedale. To find out more, follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/paula_benge/ or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/paula.benge.books . Or visit www.paulabenge.com to sign up for her newsletter.

You can find At the Heart of the Game at this universal buy link:

https://books2read.com/u/mgwJP0

Amazon review link

Thank you, Paula, for the interview today and congratulations on the wins with this book.  I’m sure you will continue to have great success with your writing, and we’d love to hear about it when you do.

What are you writing, reading, or creating this week?

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2026: Getting to Know You!

Posted on January 4, 2026 by peggylchambers

          

It’s the first Sunday in the year 2026 and I wanted to try something different. I’d love some interaction on my blog. I keep telling you what I’m doing. I want to know what you are doing! Do you write, paint, read? Are you a creative and if so, what are you creating? I’d love to get to know you and get the word out about what you do. I could do interviews on the blog (if you’re interested, contact me on Messenger).

For years, I’ve been telling you about my books and what is going on in my life. But it is time to get to know you. So, I thought we’d turn this blog around and see what is on the other side.

In case you don’t know, I write stories. I love to travel and I’m retired. I live in a small town in Enid, Oklahoma, north of Oklahoma City. My bio on Amazon Amazon.com: Peggy Chambers: books, biography, latest update goes like this:

Peggy Chambers lives in her hometown of Enid, Oklahoma with her husband. She is an award-winning multi-genre author who loves fantasy, suspense, and children’s books. There is always another story worming its way around in her brain trying to come out. She once climbed Chichen Itza, went on safari in Zimbabwe (where she ate wart hog pizza for lunch), snorkeled off the coast of Montego Bay, Jamaica, swam with the dolphins in Mexico, and still loves to travel. When not writing she gardens and is a member of four writing clubs. She has two children and five grandchildren. There aren’t enough hours in the day!

 But I’m older than I used to be and not as active. My travel is more mundane and touristy because I don’t move as well as I used to! But I can still write and read about it. What about you? What do you love to do?

 Tell us about you, what you do and how you do it. This is an interactive blog and getting to know each other is the idea this year. Let’s get acquainted. And ask me about the wart hog pizza.

 What are you reading, writing, creating, or viewing this week?

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2025: Christmas Lights and The One

Posted on December 28, 2025 by peggylchambers

This is the last blog of the year. Next week will be 2026 and what a year it has been. I hope to involve more of you in the blogging next year and we can discuss what we’ve been doing.

            Last night a friend and I drove around Enid and saw the Christmas lights. We try to do this every year and I’m happy to report, it did not disappoint.

            A few years ago, Enid came up with the idea of a huge Christmas tree downtown called The One, and a Christmas village to go with it. It has grown. The tree is now artificial and lit with lights that coordinate with radio station, FM 93.1, which plays Christmas carols. There is a kiddie train ride that is pulled by a decorated tractor and drives around the park with kids in the cars. A trolly takes people around the downtown area so they can see the courthouse square and the lights there.

            I understand a movie was made on the grounds of the park and will be available next year. It is great to see our little town grow.

            My friend and I drove to the park with the tree and got a great parking place so we could see all that was happening. The tree was lit up; families took their children on rides and ice skated on the ice-skating rink (even in the unseasonably warm weather) and we even witnessed a wedding! Or a photo shoot. It was hard to tell, but they were dressed up for the wedding with the bride, groom, minister and photographer. They had their picture taken in front of a heart made of lights and they danced to the music. It was fun for us to watch and made memories for them.

            We drove to Meadowlake Park and the drive through light show. Christmas is over and the festivities were not in full swing, but I loved the way the lights shone off the water of the lake. They need something decorated and floating on the lake. Next year.

            Then we drove to the areas that we thought would have the most lights and we weren’t wrong. It is amazing to me that I never tire of Christmas lights. It is as magical now as it was when I was a kid. I’m glad I found a friend who likes to go too. We make this an annual event and pair the radio to the station so we can listen to the music that coordinates with the tree’s lights. We’ll do it again next year and for as long as they have the celebration. I am glad Enid has created a Christmas park. It is worth the wait each year.

            What are you reading, writing, creating, or viewing this week?

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2025: Pre Christmas Thoughts

Posted on December 21, 2025 by peggylchambers

Today is the first day of winter, the shortest day of the year. It was also my mother’s birthday, so memories come flooding in. We are just a few days until Christmas and all that it entails in our lives.

            Our holiday season has been different this year. I remember my mom not putting up a Christmas tree when she got older, it was too much trouble. This year I understand. I had major surgery and my husband is taking treatments, so our health is not as good as it was in the past. I can’t bend over and decorate the tree, and it is harder for him. So, we didn’t. Instead, I created a Christmas nook with presents piled where the tree should stand. It’s pretty! No lights, but that is not what is important this time of year. We’re together and getting with family in more than one celebration and that is what counts.

            I got together with some friends and we exchanged gifts. We’re planning to see Christmas lights next week. We still have one lingering gift that has not made it in. There’s always the one to worry about. But if it doesn’t make it in time, it will still be given as a gift when it arrives, a little bit late.

            I’ve received several books as gifts. Imagine that, someone thinking I would like a book as a present! They know me well.

            But I am thankful this year to have what I do have, a warm home and family surrounding me. I’m thankful for being able to order gifts and have them delivered since shopping in person was not something I was able to do this year. I’m thankful for dinners with family groups, some in different places, and people who want to be together.

            I hope your Christmas is warm and welcoming. I hope you get to see friends and family and if you don’t have a tree, it is not a problem. What is important is the feelings that go with the season. Welcome them in and enjoy the camaraderie. Merry Christmas.

            What are you reading, writing, or creating this week?

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2025: Rendezvous with a Writer

Posted on December 14, 2025 by peggylchambers

          

  I t’s Christmas and time to catch up with friends and family. And I’ll be catching up with Jim and Bobbi Jean Bell at Rendezvous with a Writer. I’ve known them for a while, and they’ve once again invited me to meet with them on their video podcast on LA Talk Radio. Old friends are the best.

            I released a new book this summer and they contacted me to be on the show. Somehow, because of an email snafu I think, I never got the word. I did, finally. They are such wonderful hosts and on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at 6:00, I’ll once again be honored to be with them on their show. We always have a good time.

             You can watch live on Rendezvous With A Writer Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/rendezvouswithawriter/, listen to the live audio on LA Talk Radio’s Website – Click Listen Live on Right Side, https://www.latalkradio.com/content/rendezvous-writer. And after the show has aired, you can find it at the same Facebook address (video), at the same LA Talk Radio address  (video AND audio), Audio only – Podbean – https://rendezvouswithawriter.podbean.com/ From Podbean you can choose Spotify, iHeartRadio, etc.  

We’ll discuss the latest book, writing, and what is going on in our lives. We’d love for you to call in and join us. Tell us what you’re thinking. Let’s rendezvous.

            What are you reading, writing, or creating this week?

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2025: The Beginning of the Christmas Season

Posted on December 7, 2025 by peggylchambers

It is Sunday once again and I was unprepared with a blog topic. But it is Christmas, time for family, warmth, and reflection. How has the year gone and how can we make it better?

            My family is close, and we always find a way to get together. My son is in town and daughter is not far away. We are the old folks now and maybe I’ll just make a casserole and show up where I’m invited. It is a lot less work. There won’t be sugar soaked kids running here and there, but there will be festivities and joy.

            I still send Christmas cards, and I need to get them done this week. Most of my shopping is finished (ordered) and the one Christmas party I was invited to, I was unable to attend. I will wear my Christmas T-shirt for something else.

            Decorating will be at a minimum. I still can’t bend over after surgery (next year), and I my husband has been through enough. It is hard on him too. I remember my mother not putting up a Christmas tree and I thought it was odd, but now I understand. I am lucky enough to have decorations and family even if I am not as able to participate as I used to be.

            I remember when I was young, I would spend entire weekends baking cookies and Christmas goodies to give away to co-workers and neighbors. I might not this year. Nobody needs all that sugar anyway.

            But tree or no tree, bundles of presents or just one, Christmas is for families, and I am blessed. I plan to drive around and look at Christmas lights. Enid has a downtown Christmas tree with music and a skating rink. I must check it out again. Christmas is a warm feeling wrapped in a blanket with hot chocolate, music, the love of community, family, and religion. I am lucky to experience it once again.

            What are you reading, writing, or creating this week?

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2025: Surgeries and Thanksgiving Holidays

Posted on November 30, 2025 by peggylchambers

I normally blog on Sunday morning and I hope you read them as you surf the net. Some are more interesting than others, but I try to produce topics that appeal to people. The last few weeks were written in advance and scheduled on the website. I had other pressing matters.

I had major back surgery (number four, I’m a veteran) but it was more extensive than before. After six-hour surgery, I was in the hospital for four days and then the rehab unit for nine more. Not all of that was easy. But thanks to hospital staff and family, I survived. Both groups would say it wasn’t easy for them either. I’m not the best patient. My body hates anesthesia and narcotics, and I saw and did things that weren’t really there. I think I have been forgiven, by most.

But I am home and feeling good. I have my first follow up with the surgeon next week, home health/physical therapy coming to the house, and a doting husband. I will do well. I’m too old to ever do it again.

This last week was Thanksgiving and my family, and I have more to be thankful for than in the past. My health was near the top of the list, and my grandson became engaged, so the family is growing. The holiday was eventful and meaningful. My son and daughter-in-law cooked, and we enjoyed the company. The old folks were lazy.

On December 18, 2025, I will be interviewed on LA Talk Radio’s Rendezvous with a Writer with Jim and Bobbi Jean Bell. It will be a fun event as usual. You can view that interview on the 18th and after at this link: Watch Live on Rendezvous With A Writer Facebook  – https://www.facebook.com/rendezvouswithawriter/.

The holidays are upon us, and I hope you and yours enjoy and remember the reason for the season.

What are you reading, writing, or creating this week?

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