As one of the #CMCon18 featured bloggers, I get to chat with a few of the talented authors who will be hitting the beach for Coastal Magic 2018 in Daytona Beach, February 22 – 25th.  Since we are in the first quarter of a new year, I thought we’d talk about beginnings and first times.

The second CMC Featured Author joining me for Coffee and a Chat at the Beach is my friend, Renee George.

 Coffee and a Chat with Renee

Tamye: What inspired you to become a writer? Did you always want to be a writer or did you come to it later in life?

Renee: When I was four years old, I told my mother that I wanted to write stories. She told me I would have to learn how to spell first. “grin” I wasn’t deterred. I already knew my alphabets, so I used to string letters together and drive her nuts by asking if I made a real word. So, I guess I would fall into the category of always knowing.

Tamye: What was the inspiration for your first book?

Renee: My first book is one that no one has ever seen. It was an 800-page high fantasy tome inspired by the likes of David Eddings, R.A.Salvatore, and Anne McCaffrey. It’s not good, but it taught me a lot of the “don’ts” when it comes to writing. My first paranormal book was inspired by Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake books. Those were the first stories I’d read where the monsters weren’t always the bad guys, and often, they were the heroes. It made me fall in love with urban fantasy and all things supernatural.

Tamye: This is your first time at Coastal Magic. What influenced your decision to attend?

Renee: I decided to attend because I was asked in a really flattering way that made me feel like Sally Fields at the Oscars. Besides, Damon Suede promised me that it would be a great time. Add to that, I get to room with one of my best friends, Robyn Peterman, and I couldn’t say no!

Tamye: Do you craft?

Renee: I actually have crafted in the past, candles, crocheting, wooden signs, essential oil blending, etc. I just haven’t done it in a very long time. I get all my crafty things from my BFF Michele Bardsley.  LOL

Renee just released a new book in her Peculiar Mysteries series, and I was lucky enough to get my hands on an advanced copy.

 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Furred Lines (Peculiar Mysteries Book 6)

While I’ve read every book in this hilarious series, this book can easily be read as a stand alone.  But you’ll probably want to go back and read the rest of the books in the series because they rock, and you’ll want to find out more about all the intriguing characters that make up this unique shifter town.

Our main characters, Mr. Hot, hot, hot ….. Senior Agent FBI man, Dominic Tartan, and Special Agent, (Yeah, she’s special, as in wereraccoon special.  And just like one of those little bandits, she can pick a lock in no time flat), Dr. Nicole Taylor.  He’s gruff, and she’s a bit klutzy, at least around him.  Things soon heat up.  Between the two agents sizzling hot chemistry, (Oops, not supposed to jump the senior agents bones.) and the dead bodies….   Yep, someone’s not behaving.

Things just get better when you add in the dynamics of returning to Nicole’s hometown of Peculiar.  Parents, ex-boyfriends, ex-girlfriends, possible killers, wacko survivalists, and a few other quirky individuals to keep things interesting, or embarrassing, depending on who you ask.

Furred Lines made me smile, laugh, cry and cheer.  It also managed to surprise me a time or two.  The story flowed well, and the characters had a depth that made them real.  I loved this book so much, I went out and bought my own copy as soon as it was released.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good laugh, and a town full of shapeshifters with their mystery.

Amazon | BookBub | iTunes | Kobo | Nook | Get it in print

Synopsis

Wereraccoon Nicole Taylor, a recent Quantico graduate, is eager to prove herself. She’s been assigned to work with oh-so-yummy field agent and werebear Dominic Tartan to catch the serial therianthrope kidnapper Little Piggy.

Dom doesn’t know what to make of the sexy recruit he’s been tasked to train. Half the time he wants to ditch her, the other half of the time he wants to kiss her. Nicole struggles with the urge to sock him one or jump his bones.

The case gets personal when Little Piggy takes a citizen from Nicole’s hometown of Peculiar, Missouri. Dom and Nicole must catch the supernatural criminal—before his latest kidnap victim ends up dead.

“I’ll take the open-faced roast beef sandwich piled high with mash potatoes and extra brown gravy,” a man behind me said. I whipped my head around hard enough to wrench my neck. Dominic Tartan stood a few feet away. He raised his brow at my unasked question. “I finished up early in Springfield. Thought I would join you for lunch.”

I’d texted him about my plans, but I didn’t think he’d track me down.

He turned his gaze to the table, and his expression brightened immensely when he saw Chavvah. “Well, hello, Chav. Is it still Trimmel, or has the good doctor nailed you down yet?”

“He nails me every chance he gets,” she said as if she was commenting on the weather. The slight uptick of the corner of her mouth and the way she reached up to move a lock of hair from her shoulder told me she didn’t mind the flirting, but I’d seen her with Doctor Smith, and if Tartan thought he had a chance in hell with the tall, leggy brunette, he was sorely mistaken.

“So not married.” Dominic smiled.

“We’ve set a date,” she said.

“March twentieth,” Sunny said. “The Spring equinox or some such nonsense. Werewolves are a pain in the ass.”

“True story,” Chav said, “and they sure know how to ruin a perfectly good party.”

Dom spread his hands. “Well, if it’s a party you want…”

Selena, who had been waiting patiently for our orders, giggled.

I stood up. “There isn’t room at this table for another chair. Agent Tartan and I will take the one Mr. And Mrs. Smart just left.”

Selena’s smile grew tight. “I’ll get it cleaned up for you two.” She looked at the deputy. “Should I make it for three?”

I said, “yes,” while Dominic said, “no.”

Eldin shook his head. “You two go on. I’ll finish lunch with Sunny and Chav.”

After we sat at the new table, a small one near the kitchen, I sipped my coffee and glared at Dominic.

He ordered an iced tea then turned to me and said, “What?”

In a quiet shout, the kind that’s all about tone without volume, I said, “What top secret information did you learn that Eldin couldn’t hear?”

“Other than what’s in the files, there’s nothing new to learn.”

“But the victim is definitely a therianthrope?”

“They’re rabbit shifters.”

“That explains the five kids and another on the way. Though, we have a woman in town, a deer shifter, who would give those rabbits a run for their money.”

“You mean Ruth Thompson.”

I assessed him again. “I get you spent a week here a couple years back, but damn, you really paid attention.”

“Ruth is a friend of Chav’s.”

A knot formed in my throat. “Just how well did you get to know Chavvah Trimmel?”

“As well as any man could with a jealous werewolf breathing down his neck.”

I snorted. “So not as well as you’d have liked.”

Dom winked at me, and the knot in my throat tightened.

“Do any of the victims have ties to Peculiar? I really don’t see how any investigation here is going to produce a lead.”

“Actually, there is one thing that ties them all together.” He leaned forward. “They were all at the Tri-State Council Jubilee here in two summers ago.”

“When did you find this out?” Because if it was sooner than the past four hours I was going to be unhappy.

“I got the information when I was driving here from Springfield. You know Wilhelmina Boden, your dad’s new deputy?”

“Oh, yeah, the red-head engaged to Brady Corman.”

Dom’s eyes darkened. “That’s her. She was head of security for the Tri-State Council before her move to Peculiar. She managed to get her hands on a complete list of all the people who attended the event. She gave your dad and me a copy.”

“Did you find out if there are any more killings in this same vein prior to the last three?”

He shook his head. “Not yet.” I noticed for the first time how tired he looked around the eyes.

“We should get to the interviews with the Blonde Bear owners and staff. Mr. Lieberman’s life may depend on it. Though I don’t know what we can learn here. Strangers stick out like sore thumbs. I think Blondina and Roger would have told my dad if anyone around here fit the bill.”

“That’s just it.” Dom rubbed his chin. “I think it’s someone who lives here.”

I nodded, not wanting to agree, but there was no other explanation. “We need to start a list of people who could leave town without drawing suspicion.”

“Agreed,” Dom said. “And we need to do it in a way that doesn’t alert the unsub.”

In a town of less than two-thousand people, my partner was asking for a whole lot of impossible, but there were other things to consider with this criminal.

“This guy is smart. Organized. So, let’s narrow it down by skilled employment or white-collar work.” I planted my elbow on the table as another thought occurred to me. “This killer is real ballsy. He takes his victims outside their homes and returns them. That takes a lot of confidence.”

I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to see Sunny Haddock staring down at me. Her eyes were glazed, and her very worried-looking best friend stood behind her.

“What is it?”

Chav shook her head. “I’ve never seen her like this.”

With a blank stare in my direction, Sunny said in a monotone voice, “Duck when you see the yellow man. Step over the crack. Skipped stones on the lake. Beware the lying owl. Falling glass. Death.” Her voice grew even more hollow. “Death strikes at twelve.” She blinked, her pupils flexing to focus. “What in the world? That’s weird.”

I let out a noisy breath I’d been holding. “You’re not kidding.”

Get it now! 

Renee is giving away an ecopy of You’ve Got Tail (Peculiar Mysteries – Book 1)

FREE to everyone!
Until February 28th 

That’s right.  Isn’t she awesome?
Click on the picture below to get your copy.

Peculiar Mysteries series from USA Today bestselling author Renee George are laugh-out-loud, grip the edge of your seat, and swoon as you fall in love tales of mystery, humor, and romance that take place in the small (fictional) Ozark shifter town of Peculiar, Missouri.

You’ve Got Tail (Book 1)
My Furry Valentine (Book 2)
Thank You For Not Shifting (Book 3)
My Hairy Halloween (Book 4)
In the Midnight Howl (Book 5)
My Peculiar Road Trip (Book 6)
Furred Lines (Book 7)

Don’t miss your chance to meet Renee George and 50 plus fabulous urban fantasy, paranormal, and romance authors at Coastal Magic this February! This super casual book-lover weekend happens on Daytona Beach, and gives everyone the chance to hang out with fellow readers and amazing storytellers.

REGISTRATION is still open for single day tickets. If you haven’t been to Coastal Magic yet, you’re missing out on a lot of fun. Be sure to keep up with all things Coastal Magic, by following it via your own personal social media drug of choice: Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Pinterest | RSVP at the Facebook Event.