Previously only available on a paid platform, this conversation is now a regular episode of the Charlotte Readers Podcast. In addition, the episode is now widely available on all major podcast platforms.

Hooray RELEASE DAY!

2024 Williamsburg Book Festival

February 24, 2024 from 10 am – 4 pm in the Stryker Center and Williamsburg Community Building

The Williamsburg Book Festival’s mission is to promote and support the art of literary composition in the Williamsburg area and expose writers to the reading public.  The free event includes authors from various genres, speakers, illustrators, and publishers from Virginia and beyond.  We hope you’ll join us for a family-friendly day of celebrating books and book lovers as we fill the Stryker Center and the Williamsburg Community Building with over 40 authors.

The event is free and open to everyone. Attend one of the workshops to learn more about the craft of writing and the field of publishing. Or discover new books to read in our author showcase featuring local and nationally recognized authors.

I had a lovely time chatting with Andy, from across the pond, at Spoken Label Podcast. We chat about writing, writer’s block, my process, and what’s up next. Visit Andy’s website to find links through your favorite Podcast app at https://onewriterandhispc.blogspot.com/2023/12/new-spoken-label-ellen-butler.html

Andy N. at Spoken Label Podcast

See you Saturday at the Hanover Book Expo! 

Prologue | Monday

The dumpster reeked of sulfurous rotten eggs, decomposing vegetables, and remnants of the restaurant’s catch of the day. She pinched her nose, regretting the choice of a hiding place. Peeking around the fetid trash, she watchfully awaited her mark.

He’d have to come out sooner or later.

There was a waxing gibbous moon tonight, but the scuttling dark clouds covered any sort of light it may have provided. Due to town ordinances, the limited lights in the parking lot barely spread their glow farther than five or six feet.

The flickering light he’d parked beneath flashed bright one last time and went dark. It didn’t matter; his white SUV sat like a beacon in the empty lot.

Finally, she heard the squeak of the back door swinging open.

The car beeped, and taillights blinked. He walked rapidly, carrying something in his left hand. His head swiveled back and forth, scanning the empty lot.

Silently, she pulled out of sight, going so far as to cover her mouth, even though she wasn’t close enough for him to hear her breaths. The car door closed with a quiet clunk. She waited for the telltale sounds of an engine revving to life. Instead, she heard the back door creak again and poked her head out in time to watch it close behind him.

He’d forgotten to lock the vehicle.

She pulled the sweatshirt hood over her head and darted across the lot to the SUV.

A small brown box sat on the passenger seat. In a trice, she had the box in her hands. The vehicle’s dim overhead light revealed a flash of shiny metal.

The scrape of a shoe and a skittering stone were her only warnings.

She pivoted. “Surprised to see me?”

SPECTRAL REVELATIONS TOUR PARTICIPANTS

October 16 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT

October 17 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST

October 17 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 18 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

October 19 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

October 19 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

October 20 – Bigreadersite – REVIEW 

October 21 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

October 22 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT

October 23 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 24 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – AUTHOR GUEST POST

October 24 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 25 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

October 25 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

October 26 – The Book’s the Thing – SPOTLIGHT

October 27 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 28 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – SPOTLIGHT

October 29 – Cozy Up WIth Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW