This month’s guest author is Brenda Whiteside, here to present her new romantic suspense series, Wild Horse Peaks. Book one in the series, The Art of Love and Murder, released on February 21, 2023.

A woman searching for her past. A sheriff hiding in his present. Their future together threatened by murder.

Forty-three years after the airplane crash she survived killed her parents, Lacy Dahl is looking for answers. When her research uncovers secrets about the mother she never knew and disputes the identity of her father, someone is willing to murder to keep her discoveries hidden.

Sheriff Chance Meadowlark is still haunted by the death of his wife and the revenge he unleashed in the name of justice. When he meets Lacy, he is determined not to become involved, but their pasts make that impossiblesaving Lacy may be his only redemption.

Just as she begins to believe the present is more important than her past, Chance’s connection and a murder spin her deeper into danger and further from love. When the truth is revealed, will the revelations free Lacy and Chance…or destroy them?

Here’s Brenda with more about the series:

At a recent book signing, I was asked where do you begin when writing a series. The truth is, every writer probably has their own method. When I wrote the Wild Horse Peaks books, I had a very lose idea of where I would go with each book. In fact, I let the characters guide me. Truthfully, it’s kind of a loosie-goosie way to create a series, and I’m now much more structured. On the other hand, I had a lot of fun letting the characters from book one demand their own stories.

Book two of Wild Horse Peaks, Southwest of Love and Murder, spotlights a best friend we meet only over the phone in book one. Phoebe is a lusty, strong lady, a mystery writer, and I’m so glad she demanded her own book. The suspense is tight and the romance is carnal and fun.

The Power of Love and Murder, Wild Horse Peaks Book 3, came as a result of a minor character in The Art of Love and Murder, Book 1. She was introduced as Penny, but the heroine in book one, Lacy, nicknamed her The Black Fairy because of her penchant for all things black in her clothing. She wore fun stuff, too, such as lace gloves and tiaras. Little did I know when we met her in book one that she was living under an assumed name and feared for her life.

But Penny was only one inspiration for The Power of Love and Murder. Years ago, my brother told us a story of a miserable night in a cheap hotel when he was broke and trying to get from one job to another. As sorry as that story was, we had to laugh. I knew I’d use it someday in a novel. When you read The Power of Love and Murder, you’ll recognize the scene.

Book four, The Deep Well of Love and Murder, is the result of a minor character who had only three scenes in book one. But I do set her on the same ranch as Phoebe from Southwest of Love and Murder. I think readers enjoy returning to familiar territory as seen from a different perspective.

Release dates for the rest of the books in the Wild Horse Peaks series:

(Ebooks are currently up for preorder. Print books are available now.)

Southwest of Love and Murder  March 21, 2023

Writing murder mysteries is all in a day’s work until an obsessed fan brings Phoebe’s stories to life.

The Power of Love and Murder  April 25, 2023

Penny’s secrets can ruin the presidential contender who ordered her family’s murder…and mark her as the next hit.

The Deep Well of Love and Murder  May 23, 2023

A vengeful ex-husband and bloody fight for land threaten a love-struck couple’s happiness.

A Legacy of Love and Murder, Sequel  May 9, 2023

Inheriting an Austrian Castle is an Alpine fairytale for August, until someone begins targeting the heirs.

This book is free to anyone who subscribes to my newsletter. Subscribe to BNG here: https://us3.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=4804e039587723cfe02e83f2c&id=5e4b22a4ac

Find all of the Wild Horse Peaks books here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BNC7LT9J

(Originally published as The Love and Murder Series, now updated, reedited, and released as Wild Horse Peaks Series)

Brenda Whiteside is the award-winning author of romantic suspense, cozy mystery, and romance. After living in six states and two countries—so far—she and her husband have settled in Central Arizona. They admit to being gypsies at heart so won’t discount the possibility of another move. They share their home with a rescue dog named Amigo. While FDW fishes, Brenda writes.

Visit Brenda: https://www.brendawhiteside.com

Or on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/BrendaWhitesideAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/brendawhitesid2

She blogs and has guests: https://brendawhiteside.blogspot.com/

Thanks, Brenda, for sharing this exciting new series!