Shadows in the Forest received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Jennifer J. Morgan.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
Shadows in the Forest – July 2, 2022.
What’s the book’s first line?
“Right this way, please,” I guided our newest client through the reception doors and into the women’s locker room.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
Libby Madsen is a professional massage therapist and an outdoors enthusiast. When her clients’ daughter is missing at a campground location Libby visits often, she and her pup, Shadow, agree to help find Isobel. It’s not that simple though, and soon Libby finds herself entangled in a convoluted mystery that also weaves around a budding romance with the handsome forest ranger, Greg Lawson. No one realizes the extent of the crimes that are about to unfold.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
I love cozy mysteries! Specifically, those that involve women sleuths. Being an avid reader, my imagination often gets away from me and that’s probably the first sign I saw where I thought I should try writing. There were a couple different things that inspired me: first, this specific book and series was inspired by my own massage therapist who has been treating my back injury for years now. Several conversations we’ve had led me to think of ‘tabletop confessions’ and how she must hear a lot of stuff! That was just the beginning of a variety of plot ideas. I wouldn’t say that any one specific conversation led to this exact plot in Shadows in the Forest, but it did inspire me to create a protagonist who had this career that I hadn’t already seen used in other cozy series. The second inspiration came from my own meditation business that I began just at the start of the pandemic (great timing…). My meditation business, Dharma Inspired, was floundering because of all the business closures. I had nothing but time on my hands, so I used my time writing instead. The characters I create all have purpose–and that’s precisely what ‘Dharma’ is. No matter what mysteries Libby, Shadow, and their friends get wrapped up in, my main goal is to bring everything back around to life’s purpose. Always caring and overly helpful, Libby’s friendships, and profession as a healer, play a central role.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
I hope readers can just escape reality for a short time and be thoroughly entertained by following Shadow and Libby into various adventures. The world is heavy enough as it is, I write so people can escape and have some fun.
When did you first decide to become an author?
I actually wrote my first story when I was around eight years old. No one knows that or ever saw what I wrote (it was romance), but I do think that’s how far back it was that I had a passion for writing. However, life happens and you have to earn a living … so, it wasn’t until I was in my 50s that I actually wrote a whole novel. Shadows in the Forest is my first published novel.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
Yes.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I worked in corporate America for almost thirty years. In 2019, I needed to reduce my stress and decided to leave that career behind to figure out how I was going to truly fulfill my purpose. I began a meditation business and also started to write. There’s still a lot of life left to live and I fully intend on embracing this second act, devoting it to healing myself through writing.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
I write something nearly every day. This year I’m planning to finish five novels in this series so I’m probably writing more this year than ever, but I’m enjoying it so why not? Overall, I try to finish ten pages per day.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
The best part is having control over my own work. I do have a small press publisher and they are fantastic about honoring their authors’ creative control. The hardest part is marketing and having enough money to get my name and work out there in the industry. There are so many great authors and it’s just really difficult to stand out in the crowd.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
Just keep writing. No matter what–enjoy the creative process and who cares if it ever sells. Do it for YOU.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
Probably not, just because I truly love Secret Staircase Books. They are an amazing small independent press to work with and I so appreciate them taking a chance on me. However, I’m one who also preaches ‘never say never’ … so, who knows? If the opportunity was right and I could keep much of my own creative control on my writing, I suppose it’s possible.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
Fame and fortune do not motivate me. Inspiring individuals who are brave enough to put themselves out there, being kind to others, and always doing the right thing (even when it’s hard) … those are the types of things that motivate and inspire me. I want to live my purpose, bring joy and kindness to all living things, and entertain readers with my stories. It really is as simple as that.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
I really admire Sue Grafton and her work. I think she was the first female mystery author that made me laugh out loud. I just loved her Kinsey Milhone character. She was sassy and fun. I was incredibly sad when Sue Grafton passed, and then also sad that the series ended before the last book was finished. 🙁
Which book do you wish you could have written?
Ohhhh, that’s very difficult to answer–there are way too many. It could be Margaret Atwood’s, The Handmaids Tale. As creative as I am, writing futuristic, or dystopian, worlds would be a very difficult thing for me. I’m in awe of those who do it so well. George Orwelle’s 1984 would be another… so incredible how those authors’ minds work.