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Cassie Woods yearns to be a real journalist. But in 1880s New York City, her only assignments are women's interest stories. Until, that is, a cookbook author she's meant to interview goes missing and Cassie finds herself in the midst of a police investigation involving one of the city's major crime families. Surly but handsome Detective O'Neill threatens repercussions to her career if she continues to interfere. Will Cassie get in over her head or will she save the day and solve the mystery?
This collection contains seven connected stories, each centered on an exciting new case for Cassie to solve while navigating the highs and lows of her relationship with Detective O'Neill.
Read an Expert
“A lady reporter?” the policeman at the front desk asked her. “Are you serious?”
“Quite serious, I assure you.” She pointed at the card he held in his hand.
“Anyone could have these printed.”
“Are you going to let me talk to the detective who’s investigating her case or not?”
The man scowled, making his bushy blond eyebrows meet in the middle. Without a word, he walked through a door and out of sight. He returned a few minutes later followed by a fortyish man with strong cheekbones and striking green eyes. The first policeman returned to his duties at the front desk while his handsome superior continued into the lobby. Cassie turned her most charming smile on him.
“Are you the detective?”
“I can’t have reporters interfering in my case.” He spoke in a rough Irish brogue.
Her face fell. Clearly this man was not one to be charmed. “I’m merely asking for information.”
“What does the News Desk want with this story anyway? And why send you?”
“I’m the women’s editor—”
“Women are reading missing persons cases now, are they?”
“I’m simply trying to ascertain where the investigation currently stands. Mr. Walker’s lawyer—”
“What lawyer has he got?”
“Mr. Greene—”
The detective harrumphed. “No good swindler, that one.”
“I’m sure such a description applies to many lawyers you encounter, Mr.…”
The man glared at her. “O’Neill.”
Author Interview
Tell me about yourself. Where are you from?
BF: I was a military brat, so I don’t have a simple answer to this question. I currently live in Virginia. I’ve also lived in California, North Dakota, Texas, DC, Hawaii, and Scotland.
What genre do you read? Who's an author you read? Name your top 5 authors.
BF: I read a variety of genres, including a lot of narrative nonfiction. I also read historical fiction, literary fiction, and classic literature. Favorite authors include Dickens, Dostoevsky, Bill Bryson, Beth Macy, and Sarah Penner.
What book are you reading right now, and what do you like about it?
BF: I’m currently reading Yesteryear. I’ve heard a lot about it, so I’m excited that after months of reading it was finally my turn in the library queue. So far, I can’t put it down.
Favorite sports.
BF: I’m not a huge sports fan, but when I do go watch a game, it’s usually hockey.
Favorite thing about the state/country that you live in.
BF: I love that Virginia has it all—city, country, mountains, and beach all within hours of each other.
How long have you been writing?
BF: I’ve been writing since I was a kid. My first series that I wrote was called Animal Adventures when I was in second or third grade all about my and my friends’ pets. They included terrible illustrations by yours truly.
What inspired you to become a writer?
BF: I’ve never not been a writer, really. But my mother also enjoyed writing, so that might have provided an example for me.
What is your writing process like? Are you more of a plotter or a pantser?
BF: I do a generally outline before I sit down to write, but inevitably there are holes or things that change as I write, so it’s more of a guideline than something set in stone. I still have to do quite a bit of pantsing as I write.
How do you celebrate finishing a book?
BF: I’ve never done a formal celebration really. Probably just feel okay taking a day or two off from writing.
What would you tell a writer who is just starting? What program do you use for writing? What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book? What’s your writing software of choice?
BF: I stick with good ole Microsoft Word. I would tell a writer working on their first book to keep at it and put in the work. It’s going to be a longer process than you think probably. And don’t be afraid to share your work with others to get feedback. You can’t do all this on your own. You need outside input.
How do you organize everything and find the time to sit down and write?
BF: I generally write in the mornings before I start my day job. That means getting up a bit earlier than I would have to otherwise. But at that time of day my mind is fresher than it is at the end of the work day.
As an author, what would you choose as your spirit animal?
BF: Cats and authors always go together well, so I’d say a cat.
Who has been the biggest supporter of your writing?
BF: Other local authors that I meet at events or in writing groups are usually the biggest supporters because they understand the process and how hard it is.
How do you name your characters?
BF: There’s not one set way. They might be names I’ve heard or collected over the years. I also try not to give major characters names that start with the same letter or sound too similar to make it easier on the reader.
Can you describe a typical day in your writing life?
BF: As I said, I typically write first thing in the morning. If I have other writing-related things to do (administrative things, marketing, event prep, etc.) I try to do those in the afternoons or evenings so as not to distract from my creative time.
Tell us about your current release.
BF: My current release, Crimes and Crevices of the Heart, is a collection of seven historical mystery romance stories. The stories tell the arc of Cassie Wood’s and Detective O’Neill’s relationship in 1880s New York City. Each story focuses on a new case for Cassie to solve as an intrepid reporter in an era where that was not seen as a woman’s role.
