In January, Ellen E. Withers released a new book related to winning writing contests, entitled Magic Words: How to Enchant Judges & Conjure Contest Wins. This book was inspired by her column related to contests. For the past five years, Ellen has had a featured column, Writing for Contests, for Writers Monthly PDF, a digital magazine dedicated solely to writing. This book is published by Scrivenings Press.

Ellen is a multiple award-winning fiction writer, and freelance writer and retired insurance fraud investigator. Her mystery dual-time series, Show Me Mysteries, published by Scrivenings Press, is set in her picturesque hometown of Mexico, Missouri.

Show Me Betrayal, the first book of the series, was voted Scrivenings Press Book of the Year, Best Mystery/Suspense and Best Debut Novel in 2023 in the Reader’s Choice Awards. The book was also a dual finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writer's 2024 Carol Awards in the Debut Novel and Mystery/Suspense/Thriller categories. Show Me Deceit, published in May 2024, has received rave reviews. The third book in the series, Show Me Skullduggery, will be out May of 2025.

Ellen was one of three contributors to a Christmas novella collection titled A Gift for All Time, released in 2023 by Scrivenings Press.  Her novella in the collection, Carving Out Love, was voted Best Short Fiction in 2023 in the Reader’s Choice Awards.

She is currently working on a dual-time mystery set in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The series will be called Spa City Mysteries.

Ellen is a member of White County Creative Writers, American Christian Fiction Writers, OWFI, and the national organization of Sisters in Crime. Ellen has been a member of the Tornado Alley Chapter of SinC since its inception. She is also a member of the Upstate South Carolina SinC.

She is the mother of two children, grandmother of seven grandsons, and lives in Conway, Arkansas.  Besides singing acapella (barbershop style) in a chorus and quartet, she loves to travel.

Website: https://ellenewithers.com/

Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071728886831

Amazon profile: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BWZ1G7JS

Instagram profile: https://instagram.com/lnwithers?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Goodreads: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ellen-e-withers?list=about

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ellen-e-withers?list=about

To enter a giveaway to win a Kindle copy of Magic Words, click here - https://kingsumo.com/g/3eok5wm/magic-words-kindle-giveaway

Ellen has graciously provided a paperback copy of Magic Words for a second giveaway. Please click here to enter that giveaway - https://kingsumo.com/g/10pykv3/magic-words-paperback-giveaway

Review of An Unexpected Legacy by Amy Anguish

Review:

In An Unexpected Legacy, an intriguing tale by Amy Anguish and set in Texas and Arkansas, Jessica Garcia and Chad Manning are drawn to each other, but a family secret threatens to keep them apart. Thus, the main characters are forced to unravel this mystery before moving forward in their relationship. Along the way, the novel delves into the topic of forgiveness. I liked this because the topic wasn't just glossed over; the author demonstrated how an unforgiving spirit can harm others, including the person who chooses not to forgive. This book should appeal to readers of Christian fiction who enjoy romance and mystery.*

Author Bio:

Amy Anguish grew up a preacher's kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a cat or two. Amy graduated with a degree in English from Freed-Hardeman University and hopes in all her creative endeavors to glorify God, but especially in her writing. She wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good.

*I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my voluntary review.