Wild Crime Archives - Tena Stetler

Dec 13th Interview Julie Howard Author of Wild Crime

Happy holidays to all! Give a big welcome to Julie Howard, author of Wild Crime.Have a seat and grab an insulated mug. I’ve got hot chocolate, hot cider and coffee. Choose your pot, they’re labeled. Pick your choice of a Snicker-doodle, Chocolate Chip or Peanut butter cookie from the plate. Yep, I baked them myself. Lets see find out a little about Julie’s Wild Crime. Thanks for joining us!

Julie, how about a few questions?

I”m game. Shoot!

What inspired you to write?

I’ve always been an avid reader and am envious of every good author out there. I’ll read a great book and instantly wish I’d written it. Steinbeck, Austen, Eliot, Allende… and on and on… I’m reading Ruth Ware’s new mystery/suspense “The Turn of the Key” and David McCullough’s nonfiction “The Path Between the Seas” and wish I could be as good a writer. Anyway, reading wonderful authors inspires me to write and keep writing. I love a good story, whether it comes from me or someone else.

Do you see yourself in your characters?

I think there’s a little of me in all my characters, the good ones and bad ones. I have to inhabit all my characters in my mind in order to write them into life, so I have to imagine their motivations, hopes and darkest secrets. I do hope I’m more like my good characters though!

What do you want your readers to take away from your books?

There is always hope, even when life feels impossibly difficult. If you just keep moving forward, there are options. Just keep trying, and then try some more. It’s okay to fail as long as you pick yourself up and give it another go.

Why do you write what you write? Contemporary, paranormal, suspense, etc.

I love puzzles and games of all sorts, especially crosswords and Scrabble. I view mysteries as a puzzle that I’m creating for my readers. I have to set up the goal (guessing the murderer, or solution) and then lay down logical clues so the reader can enjoy guessing and figuring out what happened. I get to be a puzzlemaster and writer at the same time. It’s great fun!

If writing is your first passion, what is your second?

I enjoy traveling and learning about different cultures and histories. My husband and I travel as much as we have time for, and still have a long list of places we’d like to visit. I can’t imagine ever being tired of seeing new places. So far, each place has been so unique and I’m amazed at the diversity and friendliness of people and places. What a fascinating world we live in.

SPEED ROUND FOR A LITTLE ADDED FUN:

Speed Round (one word only answer): Yep, I know torture for a writer!<evil laugh>

Favorite movie: The Shawshank Redemption
Favorite book: The Moon is Down by John Steinbeck
Last book read: The Pioneers by David McCullough
Favorite color: Green
Stilettos or flipflops: Flipflops
Coffee or tea: Coffee!
Ebook or audiobook or paperback: Paperback
Pencil or pen: Pen

Favorite dessert: Cake

Favorite junk food: Anything chocolate

Favorite thing to do to relax: Read

Champagne or gin: Gin

Paranormal or Historical: Historical

Wonder Woman or Top Model: Top Model

Favorite TV show: The Crown

Hot or cold: Cold

I’d die if I don’t have: My family nearby

A little about Wild Crime:

“I’m a murderer. I’m a murderer. I’m a murderer.”

Those three repeated words discovered in an old letter propel Meredith Lowe in a cross-country pursuit to unveil her mother’s murky past. Danger stalks Meredith back to Hay City, Idaho as she peels apart the mystery: who is her father, and did her mother kill him? In finding the answer, will a growing love slip through her fingers?

Past merges with the present as the story races to its stunning conclusion.

Sneak peek between the pages of Wild Crime:

Her hair fell below her waist, ripped free of its ties and weighed down by the warm, lashing rain. The sky-blue dress, so carefully chosen for this night and tried on so many times in her bedroom, was ruined. One strap had torn from her shoulder and dangled down her back. Mud splattered the hem. Sweet Cantaloupe lipstick, a lovely coral that heightened the green in her eyes, was smeared like a bruise on one cheek. She ran.

The high school gym behind her, decorated in crepe paper and curtains, vibrated with electric guitars and teen-aged hormones. Couples gyrated on the dance floor and then disappeared into dark corners. It was late and the Spring Dance was in full throttle. No one would miss her for hours.

Before her, trees dripped moss, barely visible in the darkness. She envisioned the moss brushing her shoulders, low branches snagging in her hair, the possibility of snakes both at her feet and above; this made her hesitate. It would take one scream, one gasp, and he would find her.

My Review;

This is a well written book dealing with some difficult issues. After the death of her mother and estranged grandmother, Meredith is searching for a father she’d never known. But she discovers more than she is prepared to handle.

Sheriff Curtis is her romantic interest. He is understanding and supportive of her cross-country pursuit of the truth.

The characters are well rounded and evoke strong feeling while you read the book. It takes a talented author to pull that off and Julie did it with ease.

Overall a great read and one I recommend. 5 stars

Buy links:

Amazon:, iBooks, Barnes and Noble, Google, Kobo,

Author bio:

Julie Howard is the author of the Wild Crime series, and Spirited Quest. She is a former journalist and editor who has covered topics ranging from crime to cowboy poetry. She is a member of the Idaho Writers Guild, editor of the Potato Soup Journal, and founder of the Boise chapter of Shut Up & Write. Learn more at juliemhoward.com.

Author links:

Website: http://juliemhoward.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/juliemhowardauthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18116047.Julie_Howard

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Julie-Howard/e/B07D6CS4NQ/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/julie-howard?list=author_books

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_JulieMHoward

It was wonderful having you with us today. Loved the picture of you and your dog! Please feel free to stop by anytime. Good Luck with Wild Crime!