It Wasn't Meant to Become a Series, But...

 If there is one thing I've learned in these past twenty + years of writing, it is that you never know where a story or a character will take you. Way back in the beginning of this writing thing, I submitted a short story to a contest in Writer's Digest. The story received an honorable mention. Then a friend read the story and suggested it really should be developed into a novel.

Okay, well, I considered that for a few years. Then one day, I opened the file and began to tease out the story. The book, A Private Practice was born and the character of Detective Susan Wycoff took the lead. It was not until five years later that I got the inspiration to follow up with another Det. Susan Wycoff suspense and published Child's Play. I thought that was that.

But, no. Another story wiggled its way into my brain and, all of a sudden, I've written a series featuring Pittsburgh police detective Susan Wycoff. Portal to Murder was published last month.

Where did the idea come from? I was visiting Dublin, Ireland last fall. I read about portal art installations that had been set up to link cities around the world where people could interact in real time. I didn't get to see the one in Dublin, but of course the 'what if' idea that starts all stories struck: What if a family on vacation in a city that had a portal installation connecting to Pittsburgh arranged to meet at the portal with a friend on the Pittsburgh side? And what if they witness a brutal murder? And just like that, the plot for Portal to Murder was born.

So, now I've written a suspense series. I'm not saying there will be a fourth  book. And I won't say there won't be, because I never intended to write a series in the first place. All three are available on Amazon.com

I enjoy writing strong women, and Susan Wycoff is no exception. The books can each be read as a stand-alone, but you have to read all three books to fully appreciate the way Susan finds a balance between her strength and her willingness to be vulnerable. That might have a little bit to do with Detective Donovan Casey.

Follow the Amazon link to get the series and stock upon your winter reading.

Nothing Like Birthing a New Book

 Ask any author. There is no rush like the rush of having a new book go live. Today my 53rd book published. It never gets old. Writing is truly a labor of love, or it should be. If it's just a labor, you're either doing it wrong or shouldn't be doing it at all. Writing requires passion and a love for telling a good story. Even though it is work, it should be fun. At least this is my perspective. When writing is no longer fun, when it takes more than it gives back, I'll no doubt stop. But until that happens, I'll keep riding the wave of the rush I get from seeing that next book publish.

And here it is--that next book. Troublemaker is a romantic comedy that's sure to give you a chuckle and maybe even elicit a tear or two.

Cassidy Devlin is good at her job brokering business mergers and acquisitions. She gets the big promotion she thinks she wants, but she can’t celebrate having destroyed someone else’s dream to get there. She walks away and goes to the only place she’s been that gives her a sense of peace. 

Dr. Colton Tillman was a partner in a well-established pediatric medical practice in Philadelphia and engaged to marry. His life was falling into place. Until his fiancée sleeps with his business partner, then the same business partner sells out their practice to a large medical system. Colton returns to his hometown to lick his wounds and let his mother pamper him while he finds a way to start over. 

When their attempts to start over collide, Cass proves to be nothing but trouble for Colton. But it turns out, a little trouble can make life interesting.

Available at Amazon.com and at Smashwords.com

Reader's House Literary Magazine Interview

What a gift it was to get the email notice on Mother's Day of this posted article and interview in Reader's House Literary Magazine (UK). I am over the moon.

"Linda Rettstatt stands as a luminous force in contemporary literature, weaving together tales that resonate deeply with readers’ hearts and souls. As an award-winning and bestselling author, she triumphantly bridges the genres of women’s fiction, romance—both contemporary and later-in-life—suspense, regional historical fiction, and light paranormal storytelling. Her accolades speak volumes, with outstanding novels such as Love, Sam and Ladies in Waiting earning prestigious recognition through the EPIC eBook Awards. Celebrating the remarkable milestone of her 50th published book in August 2024, Linda has firmly established herself as a gifted storyteller whose works explore the profound depth of human emotions, relationships, and reinvention.

What makes Linda’s writing truly exceptional is her ability to breathe life into her characters, crafting individuals with complexities, flaws, and redeeming qualities that mirror the intricacies of real life. Whether it’s the diverse group of women in Ladies in Waiting, each with their poignant secrets and powerful journeys, or the themes of forgiveness and unconditional love masterfully explored in Unconditional, Linda’s stories are a testament to her understanding of the human psyche. Her background in social work and psychotherapy adds a distinctive emotional richness to her narratives, enabling her to artfully delve into the motivations, vulnerabilities, and triumphs of her characters."           

                                               Reader’s House Literary Magazine – 10 May, 2025

Read the full interview here: Reader's House Interview

And Then They Came for the Libraries

 I try to keep my professional social media pages and this blog free of politics. But nothing is safe right now. If you don't want to proceed, then have a great day. It doesn't matter which political position you take, you can't be oblivious to what has been happening in our country. One of the things targeted to get the ax is federal funding for libraries. This, along with the hatchet job on the Department of Education, speaks volumes about the administration's values for education and learning.

Libraries are not just shelves of books to be checked out, read, and returned. Libraries provide a haven for people who need assistance of all types--computer access (and sometimes classes on computer use), social gatherings in book clubs or for arts & crafts programs, opportunities to meet authors who inspire and entertain, and a source of information on resources to improve lives. There's probably much more. In some neighborhoods, the library is a safe place for children to gather and learn and to socialize.

Libraries are mostly funded by city and county taxes. Federal funding helps pay for things like workforce training, supports pilot programs and basic services such as computer and internet access, particularly in rural areas. Eliminating this funding will seriously impact the services available through our libraries.

As a child, I spent many hours in my local public library. It's still standing mostly as it was back in the fifties, but with a new room addition to serve teens and provide services to the community. The love of reading was instilled in me there, as was the opportunity to be a part of a teen community service group that met there. This little library played a big role in shaping who I am today. And it continues to do so in my hometown.

The Brownsville (PA) Free Public Library

Now, I can't begin to explain this war on education and learning. Nothing makes much sense to me right now. So, what can we do? Get involved. Support your local library. Write and call your representatives and senators and plead--no, demand--they work to protect libraries. To me, at least, the public library stands as the last bastion of civility in our society. Don't let this be taken away from us, and especially not from our children.

2025 is here--now what?

 Well, here it is--2025. So much uncertainty in the world. One thing I'm sure of. Coming soon: Saved by Sophie (Women's Fiction w/romance sub-plot).

Emma Lee Gracen is running from her past, but the ghosts continue to haunt her. It only seems fitting that she ends up stuck at an auto salvage yard in the middle of nowhere in Georgia. It’s ironic that the place she lands in is called Hope Corner. And it seems a cruel play of fate when the one man she meets who understands her pain, Harp Gentry, is just as broken as she is.

Release the past;

Embrace the present;

Lean into the future.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

Wishing all of you (family, friends, readers) a Happy New Year. Things may or may not be as you or I would like them to be but, remember, books are a wonderful escape and mine all have a happy ending. Cheers!

Funnelling Your Feelings into Your Writing

 

Okay, fellow writers, I know you know what I'm talking about. You're minding your own business, working away on your next brilliant work of literary art and--BAM--life happens. An event stirs up anger or sadness or frustration. Now you're distracted and can't keep up with the flow of your story. I had this happen recently with an event that stirred up a rage in me the likes of which I've not experienced for a while. (I can say now it was an overreaction, but this election has me on my last nerve.) The fact that this occurred on a Friday when I had no access to address the situation until Monday only added to my furor and frustration. When I sat to continue writing my current story, my mind was consumed by the seeming injustice of my situation and my inability to resolve it immediately. So I became even more frustrated that I couldn't write the scene I'd been working on.

Once I cooled down enough to think somewhat clearly, I realized I had a scene to write for my characters that required rage and anger for one of the characters. I moved ahead to writing that scene that I knew was coming up, and I infused all the anger and frustration I was feeling into my character and wrote it out. Not only did it help to diffuse my own rage somewhat, it gave my character a depth to her anger that made it more believable.

Writing devoid of true emotion falls flat, and it can be a challenge to summon up deep emotions if we're just not feeling it. It's our job to do so, of course. But I'm suggesting we not waste the emotions we find ovewhelming us at times when they can be used productively. This isn't limited to anger, frustration, or sadness. You might have a character who is overjoyed by something, ecstatic, or just plain happy.

We've all heard the recommendation: write what you know. Well, trust me, this past Friday I KNEW rage and frustration. And my character benefitted from my situation. I benefitted from pouring out some of those emotions, and I was able to make my character's reactions more realistic.

Am I suggesting this as a simple form of therapy for writers? No. Some situations aren't that easily resolved. I'm not intending to downplay the depth of our emotions. I'm suggesting that, if you can and as those emotions consume you, if only for a short time, use them.

People often ask at panel discussions or book signings, "How much of you is in your characters?" I personally believe a lot of me is in my characters because I have, in a way, given birth to them. Using my world view and emotional responses can be a part of that, too.

Write true, and write deep.

                                Linda