You want me to WHAT?! Marketing. Branding. Trying not to pass out in saying those words. Your best friend says, "Give a speech." Or, "Get a podcast interview, or ask to be on a radio show. Go out and teach a class on writing. Or handling rejection letters. Or navigating a contract." Etcetera. I don't know about you, but if that isn't the best way to break out in a sweat, I don't know what is. Yeah. Okay, so years ago. "Years Ago." I was getting ready to give a speech. At the

Some great ideas from Patricia Bradley - one of my favorite authors. This time around, let's do "FIRST LINES." Because Match Made in Mayhem is on the shelf, waiting for you, it's time to check out the first lines. CHAPTER ONE Luke Barritt The Beast Monday, April 5, 6:45 a.m. Dispatch had called twenty minutes ago. Possible homicide, body in the water at Mana Paya Park. Most mornings, precinct doughnuts and coffee kept me civil. Sure, dead bodies don’t keep office hours—but ad

Book Two of the Grit & Grace Mystery Series comes out in the Fall. Maybe in September. Maybe in October. Maybe ... in November. Madness Made in Mayhem (under One Candle Press). Well, okay, yeah, that's my writing chaos but it's the actual name of the title, which is not about my writing process. Much to my relief. I actually do know the month. But I don't have the date. Yet. Detectives Luke Barritt & Dakota Littlebear continue their merry adventures in crime. But a good deal

WISDOM from an expert. BEFORE you say: "Why am I getting so many posts from this chick?" - well, it's marketing (ME: holds up 2o bulbs of garlic, a cross, and me, waiting for the marketing devil to hiss). Read this. Unless of course, you have no desire to sell your books. Jason William Karpf Jul 17, 2026 If you’re a Christian author or creator, let me ask a simple question: How do you feel about marketing? If your first response is something like “I hate it,” you’re not alon

In a few days. On Kindle. On KU. Audible? Cometh soon(ish) PAPERBACK. (if you wish to be on the launch team, let me know!) Should I be this excited? YES. Of course. First book under the One Candle Press imprint Woot woot! It's Crime. It's Christian It's a Mystery (how these two detectives will ever get along) And it's a series HOLD ONTO YOUR HATS!

When I started this journey (self-publishing), I found it to be a steep learning curve. Have you ever felt like throwing your computer out the window? If so, you are not alone. I may be the poster child for frustration. Time-consuming. Saying, "HUH?" a lot. I admit, it's a pain in my tuchus. So here I am. What have I gotten myself into? Well. Okay, yes, I like having more control over my work. Yes, I do like having an editor to scribble all over my manuscripts (thank you, Hel

Nope not slacking

Murder investigations Police procedural elements Forensic details when they serve the story Moral and emotional stakes Humor, banter, and romantic tension Faith threads without sermonizing Little to no profanity No explicit sexual content No gratuitous gore Romantic suspense and Edgy Christian fiction skate the edges of our violent world. These are clean mysteries, not cozy mysteries. The stories may include murder, danger, grief, forensic realities, and moral darkness, but t

Well, if you haven't, let me help you out. One Candle Press is up and running. An independent press under an imprint I think you'll like: Here, you'll find all my titles and revised editions. Some books "will" have little revision, while others have titles you won't recognize, cover changes, and some, with significant changes to the novel itself. I am preparing the previously published books ready, and am continuing work on the Grit & Grace Mystery series. Also, Whiskey Rive

Match Made in Mayhem was on the shelf briefly - and will be back. *Different cover. *Different imprint. *Different price. Available soon! If you cannot wait? Email me at c.mahoney.fnp@gmail.com for a copy of the first edition through Elk Lake. I have a four left. THAT price will be at $10.99 plus S&H. Match Made in Mayhem, a Grit & Grace Mystery, Book One Detective Luke Barritt has a grin for every occasion—and a knack for driving his new partner, Dakota Littlebear, nuts. S

What have I been up to? First, Doris Topliff, a great writer across genres. Don't believe me? You have to see her website. I read a short story, "The McLoughlin's Honeymoon." Free on her website, it's one adventure after another. https://delorestopliff.com/ I started reading Delores' Guide to traveling throughout Israel. Oh my. I read the recipes first (haha, no comment) and then the "Not to Do" and came across a hysterical (but potentially not) story I will not tell! I also

I've been slow in blogging. I do have a good excuse. I started a new series, sorta all at once. The Grit & Grace series, a complete and thorough police procedural, all three books sorta at once. Book one, "Match Made in Mayhem," is due in May (date unknown). Am accepting those who want an ARC copy for those who love free books. Luke Barritt & Dakota Littlebear live in a small town near Warm Springs Reservation. They are new partners at odds. She's dynamite in a small package.

WELL. I committed myself (to an insane assylum) to cooking (not all) for Thanksgiving. I may faint. Bake? Cook? While trying to do a form of NanoWrimo (defunct) through ProWritingAid? Ha. Adorable. FINE. So have I been reading? Honestly I've been crazy busy writing a new series, The Grit & Grace Mystery series. Book One - 'A Match Made in Mayhem' is with the publisher, and I am halfway through (WIP title) 'A Madness Comes to Mayhem.' The Grit & Grace page has a blurbs (one in

I'm currently reading "Chapel Springs Revival" by Ane Mullivan. Interestingly, Ane had no way of knowing that her main character, Claire,...

woo hoo! Catching up on the reads! The first book for the month is "Not Boyfriend Material: A Brother's Best Friend Romantic Comedy" by...

I admit it. April was somewhat of a bust. I have been reading "Say What?" The caption says it all. It's 211 pages long, 20 words for...

Beware the Ides of March (et tu, Brutus? -technically, 'Brute,' of Shakespeare's 'Julius Cesaer' but...), the month that comes in like a...

I started out February with a new author to me, Jessica Patch, and read "The Garden Girls." It's not a Garden Club How-To ... no, it's...

As I finish reading for the month, I'd like to introduce a three books I've enjoyed. The first was a decidedly non-Christian romantic...

No you don't get to know my next story. I'm still plotting it. Or seat-of-the-pants writing it. However, my reading glasses are seated...