# Please introduce yourself and your book(s)!
I’m Lynda Rees, The Murder Guru. I’m an adventure seeker and old enough to know better, but I do it anyway. My motto is More Fun Faster.
I live on a small horse farm in north-central Kentucky between Cincinnati and Lexington. The community is so small, when I leave, everyone notices. We have a rescued blind cat, a donkey and several horses.
I’m a retired corporate survivor of 36 years in marketing and global transportation for Procter & Gamble. I sold real estate for 35 years, mortgages, mutual funds and securities. Born in a mining town in the Appalachian Mountains in Eastern Kentucky, where our men were all miners until my dad moved us to northern KY for more stable, safer work.
I live in horse country. Kentucky is known for bourbon, beautiful women and fast horses. I’m an avid fan of horse racing, and we own several horses living on our farm. They are for pleasure, saddle-bred and part of our family.
# What is/are the story(ies) behind your book(s)?
I have a personal vendetta against the despicable crime of human trafficking. It’s not just in poor neighborhoods. Human trafficking affects all social and income levels and infiltrates every neighborhood. Many have a misconception about who and where these criminals target, how they successfully go about it, who is vulnerable to become prey, and the mindset of the predator and victim.
I’ve done extensive research and studied with an FBI agent experienced in fighting this crime, to learn intricate details of how human trafficking has become a powerful, extremely profitable, international criminal industry—the second most profitable in the world.
Bringing this knowledge to the public through entertainment with my books in the Reggie Chronicles, is my contribution toward stamping out this industry. I’m determined to bring awareness to the public and help those preyed upon and their families learn how they can prevent and recover from being victimized.
In the Reggie Chronicles, quirky, irreverent FBI Special Agent Reggie Casse finally meets her match with U. S. Marshal Shae Montgomery. Reggie has been a favorite character of Lynda’s fans as a player in The Bloodline Series, Bks.1-10, also set in Kentucky. The unlikely pair of lawpersons’ personalities clash, as they struggle to join forces against evil infecting rural Kentucky and the Midwest U.S.A.
Reggie Chronicles began with Hart’s Girls, RC#1, and continued with Heart of the Matter, RC#2 which launched June 1, 2022. It continues with the July 1, 2022, launch of Magnolia Blossoms, Reggie Chronicle 3.
# Tell us a little about your next release.
MAGNOLIA BLOSSOMS, Reggie Chronicles Book 3
Honeymoon search for a killer. Stephanie Plum meets Alex Cross in rural Kentucky racehorse country.
On their honeymoon, FBI Agent Reggie Montgomery gets pulled into a search for a missing child. While deer hunting, hubby, U. S. Marshal Shea Montgomery unearths a body buried beside secluded magnolia trees. As more bodies are uncovered, their rare time off work turns into a serial killer chase and puts Reggie’s life is in danger.
# Where can our readers find Magnolia Blossoms, Reggie Chronicle 3?
It’s available in ebook and print at the following links and will come out in early 2023 in audiobook.
BARNES & NOBLE: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w?ean=2940186749875
KOBO RAKUTEN: https://bit.ly/3NtzoUy
APPLE: http://books.apple.com/us/book/id644294888
PRINT, AMZ:
BOOK TRAILERS:
Magnolia Blossoms, RC 3: https://youtu.be/_y0bNTYSfxs
Heart of the Matter, RC 2: https://youtu.be/OubgNxU0WZs
Hart’s Girls, RC 1: https://youtu.be/nAA_P4yIQxo
# What inspires/inspired your creativity?
I write mysteries because of an undying interest in the mobster connection to Newport, Kentucky, a stone’s throw from a town I grew up in. Until the late 1970’s the Cleveland Mob controlled Newport, KY. Police were on the take. The bustling economy thrived. Celebrities flocked to Newport from the 1920-70’s to entertain or to be entertained in the mecca for gambling, prostitution and sin. Strip clubs flanked every corner and several were on each block. Violence was persuasive. Successful business owners played with the syndicate or suffered consequences. Growing up during this time, I have a keen interest in what really happened behind the scenes, and what became of families of those involved. This curiosity finds its way into my stories, and my father told me I could do and be anything I wanted. My husband has undying patience and support. My love for history and reading compel me to write. I cannot stop doing it. I love it so much.
# How do you deal with creative block?
I’ve never experienced creative block. My problem is just the opposite. I have so many stories in my head pushing me to get them on ‘paper,’ lack of time is the main cause of my stress. When I suffer burnout, I go for a walk in the woods, take a swim, or play with my grandchildren and come back refreshed.
# What are the biggest mistakes you can make in a book?
Not properly editing it and trying to design your own cover, unless you’re a skilled commercial artist. The cover is the first impression for a reader and it must have grabbing power, and an unedited book can easily cause a reader to put the book away and not finish it. The first thing I learned about crafting a publishable book is that it’s more than just telling a story. It’s about bringing the reader into the character’s world and keeping them there.
# How has your creation process improved over time?
I craft the story in my head from start to finish until it’s ready to put into words. This usually happens when I’m trying to go to sleep. My characters interrupt and say, “Hey, wait a minute. I want your attention.”
I write every day. It’s important to get ideas onto the screen while they’re flowing, so I’m not super critical of my writing in the first draft. You can’t edit what you didn’t write. Several rounds of editing come next. The more I write the less time it takes to edit, as I’ve learned to avoid pitfalls from the past. I normally see when I’m falling into an editing trap and avoid it. My critique group of fellow writers are skilled at catching anything I miss. It goes to a professional editor, and then I review the editor’s comments and make changes. I do a final round of reading before sending it off for formatting.
# What role do emotions play in creativity?
I’m deeply involved with my characters and their plights. They keep me awake at night when they have things to say. As I discover their hidden secrets, they sometimes take stories in new directions. I love them. They’re my babies, my people.
# What are your plans for future books?
Hart’s Girls, Reggie Chronicle 1 published last year. It’s followed by Heart of the Matter, Reggie Chronicle 2, which published 6/1/22. Magnolia Blossoms, Reggie Chronicle 3 launches 7/1/22.In this story I draw on learnings from working with an FBI Agent experienced in fighting the crime of human trafficking.
In the pipeline I have Flip or Flop in editing to launch later this year and Fresh Starts and Dirty Money is in first draft. These are two totally different stories, which I may end up using as the first in two new series.
Also, I expect to publish three how-to, non-fiction books during the next year, American Dream—Own A Home, Be an Everyday Millionaire and Bet Horses & Win.
# Tell us some quirky facts about yourself.
I’m a seeker of knowledge and take classes in unusual things. For instance, I’m a Reiki Master and a Certified Hypnotist. I’ve traveled the world and worked with the heads of many large international businesses and foreign government officials. I adore working with people from other cultures. I’m a coal miner’s daughter from the hills of Eastern Kentucky. My grandfather was full-blooded Cherokee. I believe in ghosts, the supernatural, aliens, ESP, reincarnation, and some other paranormal concepts. This belief comes from personal experienced. Maybe I’m nuts to share that, but I’m not ashamed of what I know is reality.
Dear Reader,
I hope you enjoy my books and that I’ll hear from you soon. I love hearing from readers.
A review is the best way to help authors out. It’s super simple. Write it once, then copy/paste it on the review sites. I’ve created a step-by-step guide on how to efficiently review books without wasting valuable time. It’s a FREE download on my website.
Join my VIP’s, and get the FREE novella Leah’s Story, preamble to The Bloodline Series, from Parsley, Sage, Rose, Mary & Wine, Bk. 1 to The Bourbon Trail, Bk. 10. My contact information is below in the links. Thank you for reading.
Love is a dangerous mystery! Enjoy the ride.
Sincerely,
Lynda Rees, The Murder Guru
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REVIEWS FOR LATEST LAUNCH:
♥ 5.0 out of 5 stars Wow, this book kept me guessing until the very end! Intriguing story with lots of twists and turns, never knew what to expect in this unpredictable story! Complex and interesting characters and descriptive realism make this a real page turner! A must must read! AMZ REVIEW: Charlene
♥ An interesting, intriguing story.I liked this book for so many reasons. Crystal
Recent interviews:
Author/Publisher/Blogger Sarah Glenn 6/1/22 https://saraheglenn.blogspot.com/2022/06/now-available-heart-of-matter-reggie.html
Award-Winning Author, Blogger Lynn Slaughter 6/1/22
https://lynnslaughter.com/2022/06/01/new-release-by-award-winning-author-lynda-rees/
Write Way Café, June 2022: (20+) Write Way Cafe – Search Results | Facebook