Inside Scoop Live!

THE WEIGHT OF COLD THINGS
A MISSING SHERIFF. A FROZEN WASTELAND. A PAST THAT WON'T STAY BURIED.Wyoming Deputy Sheriff Gree Gooding is sent north to find her missing boss. The trail leads four thousand miles to Deadhorse, Alaska—an oil-drilling outpost in the Arctic Circle where daylight is scarce and survival is measured in minutes. Six months earlier, her husband, a geologist, vanished in the same region.The investigation pulls her into more than a missing-person case. It connects to her Wyoming past, to unthinkable family truths, and to the grief she can't outrun.When the investigation tightens around a decades-long cover-up, Gree realizes someone has been anticipating her arrival all along. This was never just a missing person case. It is the conspiracy her husband died trying to expose—and what she must finish, no matter the cost.The cold doesn't forgive. It doesn't forget. And it's about to give up its dead.
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
A missing sheriff, a wallet four thousand miles away, and a deputy who has to fly to the last place on earth she wants to go. Lisa's darkest thriller yet.
Where it started: a real town called Deadhorse, Alaska. North of the Arctic Circle, flat, dark six months of the year. Lisa heard the name and knew she had to write it.
Then the odds got strange. She sat down next to a crime novelist who'd actually worked the Deadhorse oil fields in the '70s and '80s. He read her drafts and fixed what the internet got wrong.
Meet Gree Gooding: Wyoming deputy, sharp as they come, and a total train wreck. A vanished husband, a mother she never grieved, and she's running from all of it.
Inside the villain's head. Lisa blurs the line between good and bad, and admits this book scared her to write.
Two worlds, one story. A tangled family ranch in Cody, an ex named Woody she never wanted to see again, and secrets waiting up in Deadhorse.
Plus: Lisa on book coaching, her nonfiction release The ME Factor, and her next thriller Midnight Pass, which she swears is lighter.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lisa Towles is an award-winning, Amazon bestselling crime novelist, podcast host, and Book Coach dedicated to helping authors stand out in a crowded marketplace. She is the author of fifteen published crime novels, including the acclaimed E&A Investigations series and her latest standalone thriller, The Weight of Cold Things, from Indies United Publishing. Her thrillers are known for their psychological depth, high stakes, and cinematic pacing.
Lisa is also the visionary behind Story Impact, a platform spanning consulting, a podcast, and a magazine, all built to elevate authors through branding, market intelligence, and publishing guidance. Its latest addition is her nonfiction book, The ME Factor: Your Secret Weapon for Author Visibility, a strategic framework to help authors clarify their identity, understand their market, and build a brand that lasts. 
Lisa holds an MBA in IT Management and brings a blend of creative expertise and business strategy to her work.
CONNECT WITH LISA TOWLES
Website: https://lisatowles.com/ 
Social Media & Other Links: https://linktr.ee/authortowles
Get your copy of THE WEIGHT OF COLD THINGS.

TINA'S TRUMPET
In the vibrant land where two oceans meet, nestled between rainforest and volcanic peaks, tiny Tina grows up feeling invisible and alone. Raised by her grandparents, she watches the world from the sidelines—until a scruffy little white dog with wild hair and a fearless spirit struts into her life.
She names him Trumpet. Bold, protective, and endearingly loud, Trumpet becomes her constant companion, guardian, and best friend. Together they navigate hardship, share meals, and discover joy—from rundown streets to sunlit beaches.When a kind but broken man enters their world, drawn first to the spirited dog, healing begins. Laughter, love, and family bloom as Tina, Trumpet, and their new partner build a life together, eventually welcoming a miraculous baby boy.
Tina’s Trumpet is a heartfelt tale of resilience, unconditional love, and the extraordinary bond between a lonely girl and her loyal dog. A touching reminder that the smallest souls can bring the greatest light.
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
A true story: The book is based on his wife's real childhood, and Trumpet is her real dog, Terry.
Where the name came from: How "Tina's Trumpet" came to him on the beach, a small, loud, protective instrument standing in for the dog who protected her.
How she first read it: She asked him to write it, then he went silent and worked alone. When he finally sent it over WhatsApp, she couldn't get through it for weeks.
The love story behind it: How they met in Costa Rica, and why the dog's approval was the only reason he had a shot with her.
What Terry left behind: How the dog's passing changed his wife, brought the family closer, and pulled Mr. Kind back to writing after years away.
What he hopes kids take away: No matter where you start, love and hope carry you through.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mr. Kind uses a unique lyrical rhyme style paired with vibrant, imaginative artwork to create stories meant to last for generations. His books blend wonder, gentle life lessons, and memorable characters that inspire both young readers and the adults who share the stories with them.
Mr. Kind lives with his wife and his son in Nosara, Costa Rica.
CONNECT WITH MR. KIND!
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/256756545-tina-s-trumpetAmazon: https://amzn.to/4xYw5eU Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mr_kind_stories/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrkindstories/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mr.kindstories9280Mr. Kind Stories: https://mrkindstories.com/YouthWide: https://youthwide.com/

THE PERFORMANCE REVIEW
Francis has a passion for acting. He eats, drinks, and breathes theater. But the constant pressure he puts on himself to be great comes with a cost. Severe migraines begin to pull him away from the stage, forcing him to step back from the life he loves.With no other choice, Francis takes a quiet 9–5 job at a place known simply as The Company. The work seems simple enough—just sorting paperwork in a calm, structured office.But something about the workplace feels… off.The employees all dress the same. Conversations feel rehearsed. Smiles linger a little too long. What first appears to be a routine office job slowly reveals itself to be something far stranger.As the days pass, Francis begins to realize that The Company may not be what it seems—and that everyone around him may be playing a role in something he doesn’t yet understand.
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
Corporate life meets the Twilight Zone: Adrian based The Performance Review on his friend Francisco, a former theater actor whose real corporate horror stories were so strange Adrian assumed he was making them up
Once an actor, always an actor: Why Francis treats his cubicle job like a performance, and Adrian's belief that everyone acts differently depending on who they're with
Yogurt, milk, and dead-eyed smiles: The small, off details that make Francis wonder if the company is a cult, and where Adrian's cult-documentary habit comes in
The real laugh in a quiet room: How Fiona announces herself before Francis ever sees her, and why the two of them build a secret signal to catch if either one starts to slip
From The Performance Review to the screen: The short film Adrian is scripting with Francisco starring, the connected novel In Between Rooms, and the ideas he's still pulling from notebooks he's kept since he was ten
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Adrian M. Mompoint is a horror and thriller writer focused on psychological storytelling and atmospheric tension. Inspired by early exposure to The Shining, he developed a fascination with fear—what creates it, and why it lingers.
He is primarily a behind-the-scenes photographer, capturing the unseen moments of film and production. Adrian is also a film actor and stunt performer, as well as a big and tall model.
Outside of his creative work, he volunteers in his community by cleaning and restoring graves and helping maintain outdoor spaces.
Connect with Adrian Mompoint through linktr.ee/Adrianmompoint for links to his social media and website accounts.
Get The Performance Review: https://amzn.to/4wNkwal 

WOLF WARRIOR: THE BEAST HEART SERIES BOOK #2
In a world where kingdoms teeter on the brink of ruin, and beasts are bound by cruel masters, one girl rises from exile to challenge fate itself.Clara, a human with the power of theWild Sheperdess, has endured betrayal, loss, and unimaginable pain. From the frozen depths of the Selkie Oceans to the scorched battlefields of fire dragons and hellhounds, she has faced monsters both literal and human. With her loyal companions she discovers a power that could save or shatter the kingdoms she holds dear.But as Duke Averance and his daughter Maroona tighten their grip on the realms, Clara must navigate treachery, uncover hidden prophecies, and unite disparate races before darkness consumes them all. Along the way, friendships will be tested, loyalties questioned, and hearts ignited in a struggle that will define the future of humans, beasts, and magic alike.Will Clara save her friends and the selkies, or will human corruption destroy her? The storm is coming, and only the brave will survive.
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
What Wolf Warrior is about: Clara heads into the Selkie clan's oceans, lands in a hostage situation, and gets ordered by Queen Sedna to take on the Leviathans, giant sea monsters.
The magic system: Beast Hearts and thread sight, Clara's empathy-based power to see the life threads running through everything, where bright colors mean life and duller ones turn horrifying.
The world of Heartstrings: its distrustful clans, from Selkies and Harpies to Reptilia and Minotaurs, plus gods each locked to a single element.
Clara's found family: hummingbird harpy Twitch, a sand dwarf healer, and a reptilia scout, and what she finds with them that her village never gave her.
The writing behind it: crafting dark themes for a young adult audience, drawing on Selkie folklore, and closing the series out at four books.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Erin Tunney is an avid fan of fantasy, animals, and mysteries (mostly cozy ones). Her first book, Beast Heart Series #1: The Wild Shepherdess, has won three awards (Silver in Literary Titan, 2nd in Epic and YA Fantasy in Bookfest, and a Firebird Award). Currently, she's working on several novels, including the third book in the Beast Heart Series. 
CONNECT WITH ERIN TUNNEY
Website: https://fantasyrealmbooks.wordpress.com/Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573386478177Blusky: @fantasyrealmbooks.bsky.social — BlueskyTumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/fantasyrealmbooks
Purchase Wolf Warrior: https://amzn.to/4hRRP7l

MRS. PAPADAKIS
After five years of married life in a Cretan fishing village—milking goats, sidestepping village gossip, and contending with octopus in her refrigerator—American Carolyn Papadakis starts to wonder if she should return to the US.An unexpected visitor deepens her doubts, and a new friendship with a pair of traveling hippies draws Carolyn into risky choices. As her marriage teeters on the edge, Carolyn must decide between the life she created and the one she left behind.Full of humor and heart, Mrs. Papadakis paints a vibrant portrait of village life while exploring identity, belonging, and the challenge of building a life far from home. Perfect for readers drawn to literary fiction, cross-cultural life, and stories of identity and belonging.
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
About Mrs. Papadakis: Florence shares why this is her most autobiographical book, drawn from her years living in a remote Cretan village after growing up in the New York area
Two names, two identities: Carolyn in America, Karolina in Greece, and what it means to carry a different identity in each place
The Plunge and the Pang: The names Karolina gives the feelings she can't push away, and why naming a feeling can be a way of keeping it at a distance
Life in a Cretan village: Collecting snails after the rain, a mother-in-law who has watched plenty of foreign women come and go, and the moment the novelty wears off
A shift in the storytelling: Why the final section moves from first person narration to journal entries, and what that change reveals about who Karolina is becoming
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Florence Wetzel was born in Brooklyn, New York, and writes across a wide range of genres. Her books include the thriller The Woman Who Went Overboard, the Swedish mystery The Grand Man, the cozy mystery Dashiki, and the memoir Sara My Sara. She's also the author of Aspasia: A Novel of Suspense and Secrets, originally published alongside her newest book. In addition, she's written horror short stories, poetry, and memoir essays, and co-authored the autobiography of jazz clarinetist Perry Robinson. Her latest book is Mrs. Papadakis: A Novel of Crete and Choices, published in June 2026.
 
You can learn more about Florence Wetzel and her work at https://linktr.ee/FlorenceWetzel

EMAIL MARKETING FOR AUTHORS
You’ve heard it a hundred times.Email marketing is the key to selling more books.So why haven’t you started?Maybe it feels too technical. Too time-consuming. Too easy to mess up. You’ve got writing to do, and the idea of building a list, crafting automations, or sending emails just sounds exhausting.You’re not alone. Most authors avoid email until it’s too late. But the truth is, it doesn’t have to be that hard or take up all your time.
Whether you’re starting from zero or rebuilding the right way, this book shows you how to grow your email list with purpose and keep your audience engaged for the long haul.
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
About Email Marketing for Authors, and why Dale gave this topic its own book in the seriesKnowing exactly who you're writing for, and why "everyone" is the wrong answer
Getting started from zero, even if you've never sent a marketing email
Big list or good list, and why the number of subscribers isn't the number that matters
Writing emails readers actually want to open, and what to say when you don't know what to say
Earning from your list without pushing a single book sale
Why Dale keeps writing for the authors who are where he once was, and what he'd tell anyone thinking about giving up
ABOUT DALE L. ROBERTS
Dale L. Roberts is a self-publishing advocate, award-winning author, and trusted voice in the indie publishing community. With over 50 titles and 40 literary awards to his name, Dale has established himself as a cornerstone of self-publishing success. His most recent book, Self-Publishing for New Authors, is an entrant for the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction.
As the founder of two YouTube channels—Dale L. Roberts, with over 103,000 subscribers, and the Self-Publishing with Dale Podcast, with over 16,000 subscribers—Dale reaches hundreds of thousands of aspiring and seasoned authors worldwide. His videos, lauded for their honesty, relatability, and to-the-point delivery, have garnered over 6.8 million views and nearly 500,000 hours of watch time.
Dale’s deep connections with industry leaders, including Amazon KDP, Draft2Digital, and Findaway Voices, make him a valuable resource for authors navigating the ever-evolving publishing landscape. As a Video Content Advisor for the Alliance of Independent Authors, he’s recognized for his innovative approach to content creation and author branding.
Beyond his professional success, Dale’s journey is rooted in perseverance and passion. From self-publishing his first book on health and wellness in 2013 to overcoming early struggles through mentorship, Dale’s story inspires authors to achieve their dreams. A former personal trainer and professional wrestler, Dale now dedicates his time to writing, creating music, and sharing life with his wife and their two rare, all-white rescue cats, Auggie and Allie.
“Being an indie author is so much more than writing and publishing books. It’s about making real human connections and an impact that’ll echo for generations to come.” – Dale L. Roberts
CONNECT WITH DALE L. ROBERTS
Website – http://selfpublishingwithdale.com
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/selfpublishingwithdale
YouTube Podcast – https://www.youtube.com/@selfpubwithdale
My Books – https://dalelinks.com/bookshelf
Discord – https://dalelinks.com/discord
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/selfpubwithdale
Twitter – https://twitter.com/selfpubwithdale
TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@selfpubwithdale
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/selfpubwithdale/
 

THE GOOD SISTER
When her mirror twin goes missing, Casey is led to a deadly paradise where no one escapes…
Casey and Nora are mirror twins, identical—sort of. Casey is right-handed, Nora is left-handed. Their moles sit on opposite cheeks. In terms of personality, they are also diametrically opposed.
So, when her high-strung sister disappears after a fight with her husband, Casey shouldn’t be as concerned as she is. Nora’s done it before.
But this time, things feel different. It’s a twin thing; Casey knows it in her bones. Something is terribly wrong.
Casey hires private investigator who discovers that Nora’s been on the dark web—lured by an entity that calls itself Switzerland, promising to take away your pain and leave you in a state of eternal bliss, for a hefty fee.
The trail leads to a luxury wellness retreat hidden in the Mexican jungle. Determined to find her sister before it’s too late, Casey poses as a resort guest and heads to Mexico to rescue her sister.
As Casey digs deeper, she finds something far more sinister than she could have imagined, and it’s possible that neither of them will get out alive.
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
About The Good Sister and the inspiration for the story
The fascinating world of mirror twins, and the twin tuition that binds them
Paradise in the Mexican jungle with something to hide
What makes a true believer so terrifying
Scaring readers without the gore
What's Next for Bonnie Traymore
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bonnie Traymore writes twisty, award-winning, Amazon bestselling domestic and psychological thrillers that expose the dark truths beneath seemingly perfect lives. Her novels explore jealousy, infidelity, murder, and the impact of psychological disorders.
You can learn more about Bonnie Traymore and her work at https://bonnietraymore.com 
GET THE BOOK: https://amzn.to/4fpbUzp
CONNECT WITH BONNIE TRAYMORE!
WEBSITE: https://bonnietraymore.com 
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/bonnietraymore/ 
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/bonnietraymore/
 

MINDFUL MAX AND MOUTHY MASON
With his signature, off-beat rhyme Mr. Kind tells the story of two best friends: Calm and mindful Max versus loud and mouthy Mason, who turn a simple game of bouncy ball into total chaos when Mason’s sneaky move sends the ball crashing through a window. Parents and teachers storm in furious and Mason instantly blames innocent Max while throwing a dramatic tantrum. But Max stays silent, standing tall with arms by his sides, refusing to throw his friend under the bus. Later, when Mason finally admits his lie, everyone expects Max to be angry. Instead, Max quietly smiles and delivers a timeless message.
A heartwarming tale of patience, loyalty, and understanding the difference between a bad choice and a boy who never learned better.
TOPICS OF CONVERSATION
Real-life origin. A five-year-old named Max told Mr. Kind a true story about being blamed by a friend for something he didn't do, and the book was written to give him closure.
Mindfulness vs. reaction. The story contrasts calm, thoughtful Max with fearful, reactive Mason to show kids a different way to handle conflict.
Empathy as the mission. Max realizes his friend acted out of fear rooted in his dad's pressure, driving home the idea that everyone fights private battles.
The parenting message. Mr. Kind drew on his own father pushing him hard into tennis, and the book doubles as a reminder that parents shape kids emotionally.
Rhyme and the bigger series. The "Casey at the Bat" rhyme scheme, plus a theme song and audiobooks, helps heavy themes stick as part of the six-book Mr. Kind Stories collection. 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mr. Kind uses a unique lyrical rhyme style paired with vibrant, imaginative artwork to create stories meant to last for generations. His books blend wonder, gentle life lessons, and memorable characters that inspire both young readers and the adults who share the stories with them.Mr. Kind lives with his wife and his son in Nosara, Costa Rica.
CONNECT WITH MR. KIND!
Mr. Kind Stories: https://mrkindstories.com/YouthWide: https://youthwide.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/251265158-mindful-max-mouthy-masonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mr_kind_stories/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mrkindstories/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mr.kindstories9280