Susanna
@susannaauthor.bsky.social
After decades of technical and content writing, this old white hippie has just published Drowning in Deception, an edgy cozy mystery. Happy when I can wear shorts and a tee shirt every day. #SinC / Guppies Member. https://susannasullivan.com
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Valentine's Day is just around the corner, so this week in my Substack I thought I'd share some of my favorite mysteries with a touch of romance. What are your favorites?
buff.ly/eOH5gB9
buff.ly/eOH5gB9
Batteries are depleted. . . the well is dry. . . We have euphemisms for feeling run down, out of energy or ideas. You can plot along and do the shopping, cooking, or cleaning in that state, but writing? Art? It’s not so easy.
How do you recharge your creative energy?
#AmWriting
buff.ly/U9ow51C
How do you recharge your creative energy?
#AmWriting
buff.ly/U9ow51C
February 18, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Batteries are depleted. . . the well is dry. . . We have euphemisms for feeling run down, out of energy or ideas. You can plot along and do the shopping, cooking, or cleaning in that state, but writing? Art? It’s not so easy.
How do you recharge your creative energy?
#AmWriting
buff.ly/U9ow51C
How do you recharge your creative energy?
#AmWriting
buff.ly/U9ow51C
#AmReading: No list of romantic #mystery books would be complete without THE MAN IN THE BROWN SUIT by Agatha Christie.
Anne Beddingfeld has always longed for adventure. After her father dies and leaves her orphaned, she turns down a marriage proposal and [1/2]
buff.ly/AsFxJKT
Anne Beddingfeld has always longed for adventure. After her father dies and leaves her orphaned, she turns down a marriage proposal and [1/2]
buff.ly/AsFxJKT
February 15, 2026 at 7:13 PM
#AmReading: No list of romantic #mystery books would be complete without THE MAN IN THE BROWN SUIT by Agatha Christie.
Anne Beddingfeld has always longed for adventure. After her father dies and leaves her orphaned, she turns down a marriage proposal and [1/2]
buff.ly/AsFxJKT
Anne Beddingfeld has always longed for adventure. After her father dies and leaves her orphaned, she turns down a marriage proposal and [1/2]
buff.ly/AsFxJKT
What do you do to recharge your mental and emotional batteries? When I was younger, it was all about being among people. Parties, dances, concerts, festivals, and so on.
Now that I’m not so young, there are days when all I want to do is sit with a nice cold (or hot, [1/2]
Now that I’m not so young, there are days when all I want to do is sit with a nice cold (or hot, [1/2]
February 15, 2026 at 6:26 PM
What do you do to recharge your mental and emotional batteries? When I was younger, it was all about being among people. Parties, dances, concerts, festivals, and so on.
Now that I’m not so young, there are days when all I want to do is sit with a nice cold (or hot, [1/2]
Now that I’m not so young, there are days when all I want to do is sit with a nice cold (or hot, [1/2]
#AmReading: TWO TRUTHS AND A MURDER by Colleen Cambridge. Phyllida has developed quite a reputation as a sleuth. She's housekeeper for Agatha Christie, but she solves real cases while Agatha writes fictional #mysteries. [1/2]
buff.ly/nwjBiFN
buff.ly/nwjBiFN
February 15, 2026 at 3:02 PM
#AmReading: TWO TRUTHS AND A MURDER by Colleen Cambridge. Phyllida has developed quite a reputation as a sleuth. She's housekeeper for Agatha Christie, but she solves real cases while Agatha writes fictional #mysteries. [1/2]
buff.ly/nwjBiFN
buff.ly/nwjBiFN
#AmReading: REQUIEM FOR A MEZZO by Carola Dunn. Daisy and Alec's relationship has progressed to where she feels okay about inviting him to a concert with her. It features her neighbor, a talented singer. Unfortunately Bettina falls dead [1/2]
buff.ly/mBI5gyx
buff.ly/mBI5gyx
February 14, 2026 at 5:55 PM
#AmReading: REQUIEM FOR A MEZZO by Carola Dunn. Daisy and Alec's relationship has progressed to where she feels okay about inviting him to a concert with her. It features her neighbor, a talented singer. Unfortunately Bettina falls dead [1/2]
buff.ly/mBI5gyx
buff.ly/mBI5gyx
If you've been wondering what the big deal is about the SAVE act, here's a terrific explanation from a civil rights lawyer.
open.substack.com/pub/qasimras...
open.substack.com/pub/qasimras...
The SAVE Act Will End Voting Rights for Women in America
The SAVE Act has passed the House—we cannot let it pass the Senate
open.substack.com
February 14, 2026 at 5:23 PM
If you've been wondering what the big deal is about the SAVE act, here's a terrific explanation from a civil rights lawyer.
open.substack.com/pub/qasimras...
open.substack.com/pub/qasimras...
#AmReading: #mystery - with a touch or romance - is A MISCHIEF OF RATS by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett. Rav wants his family to get to love Nell and her family, but the death of a racecar driver, and then Raj's devastating injury, make it seem impossible they will ever accept her.
buff.ly/M4pu6ZR
buff.ly/M4pu6ZR
February 14, 2026 at 1:56 PM
#AmReading: #mystery - with a touch or romance - is A MISCHIEF OF RATS by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett. Rav wants his family to get to love Nell and her family, but the death of a racecar driver, and then Raj's devastating injury, make it seem impossible they will ever accept her.
buff.ly/M4pu6ZR
buff.ly/M4pu6ZR
#AmReading: THE UNLIKELY MURDER CLUB by Gina X Grant. Agatha's been released from prison, but now she's stuck with an ankle monitor in the small town where her nemesis, the FBI agent who chased her for decades, lives. Wait, is she having FEELINGS for him???
buff.ly/WXxSkoF
#CozyMystery #mystery
buff.ly/WXxSkoF
#CozyMystery #mystery
February 13, 2026 at 9:09 PM
#AmReading: THE UNLIKELY MURDER CLUB by Gina X Grant. Agatha's been released from prison, but now she's stuck with an ankle monitor in the small town where her nemesis, the FBI agent who chased her for decades, lives. Wait, is she having FEELINGS for him???
buff.ly/WXxSkoF
#CozyMystery #mystery
buff.ly/WXxSkoF
#CozyMystery #mystery
#AmReading: THE PALACE GUARD by Charlotte MacLeod. 3rd in the series, and Sarah and Max are finally getting serious. She's admitting to her feelings for him (his [1/2]
buff.ly/kPmKGW7
#CozyMystery #Romance
buff.ly/kPmKGW7
#CozyMystery #Romance
February 13, 2026 at 7:01 PM
#AmReading: THE PALACE GUARD by Charlotte MacLeod. 3rd in the series, and Sarah and Max are finally getting serious. She's admitting to her feelings for him (his [1/2]
buff.ly/kPmKGW7
#CozyMystery #Romance
buff.ly/kPmKGW7
#CozyMystery #Romance
This week I reviewed six of my favorite #mystery books that also feature the amateur sleuth's growing #romance. You can see all six at buff.ly/eOH5gB9
After all, it's Valentine's Day.
#AmReading #AmWriting #CozyMystery #LoveIsInTheAir
After all, it's Valentine's Day.
#AmReading #AmWriting #CozyMystery #LoveIsInTheAir
February 13, 2026 at 5:23 PM
This week I reviewed six of my favorite #mystery books that also feature the amateur sleuth's growing #romance. You can see all six at buff.ly/eOH5gB9
After all, it's Valentine's Day.
#AmReading #AmWriting #CozyMystery #LoveIsInTheAir
After all, it's Valentine's Day.
#AmReading #AmWriting #CozyMystery #LoveIsInTheAir
Valentine's Day is just around the corner, so this week in my Substack I thought I'd share some of my favorite mysteries with a touch of romance. What are your favorites?
buff.ly/eOH5gB9
buff.ly/eOH5gB9
February 11, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Valentine's Day is just around the corner, so this week in my Substack I thought I'd share some of my favorite mysteries with a touch of romance. What are your favorites?
buff.ly/eOH5gB9
buff.ly/eOH5gB9
#AmReading: ELUSIVE by Sara Rosett.
Zoe Hunter gets caught up in an international pursuit after her ex-husband Jack's business partner is murdered and Jack drowns in a fast-moving river - a big change from copy editing and dog walking.
susannasullivanauthor.substack.com/i/186810441/...
#mystery
Zoe Hunter gets caught up in an international pursuit after her ex-husband Jack's business partner is murdered and Jack drowns in a fast-moving river - a big change from copy editing and dog walking.
susannasullivanauthor.substack.com/i/186810441/...
#mystery
February 6, 2026 at 8:16 PM
#AmReading: ELUSIVE by Sara Rosett.
Zoe Hunter gets caught up in an international pursuit after her ex-husband Jack's business partner is murdered and Jack drowns in a fast-moving river - a big change from copy editing and dog walking.
susannasullivanauthor.substack.com/i/186810441/...
#mystery
Zoe Hunter gets caught up in an international pursuit after her ex-husband Jack's business partner is murdered and Jack drowns in a fast-moving river - a big change from copy editing and dog walking.
susannasullivanauthor.substack.com/i/186810441/...
#mystery
[1/2] If you were browsing in a bookstore, which of these would catch your eye and encourage you to look inside the book? Why? (or why not?
A: Lily Gallagher can’t wait for retirement. After 40 years working twelve-hour shifts as a nurse, rest, relaxation, and . . .
#AmWriting #bookblurb #mystery
A: Lily Gallagher can’t wait for retirement. After 40 years working twelve-hour shifts as a nurse, rest, relaxation, and . . .
#AmWriting #bookblurb #mystery
February 6, 2026 at 5:06 PM
[1/2] If you were browsing in a bookstore, which of these would catch your eye and encourage you to look inside the book? Why? (or why not?
A: Lily Gallagher can’t wait for retirement. After 40 years working twelve-hour shifts as a nurse, rest, relaxation, and . . .
#AmWriting #bookblurb #mystery
A: Lily Gallagher can’t wait for retirement. After 40 years working twelve-hour shifts as a nurse, rest, relaxation, and . . .
#AmWriting #bookblurb #mystery
Are there a lot of network issues today, or is it my connection???
February 5, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Are there a lot of network issues today, or is it my connection???
[1/2] If you were browsing in a bookstore, which of these blurbs would encourage you to look inside? Why (or why not?)
A: A dead body in the community pool. Too many secrets. Welcome to your Florida retirement.
B: When Lily Gallagher finally trades . . .
A: A dead body in the community pool. Too many secrets. Welcome to your Florida retirement.
B: When Lily Gallagher finally trades . . .
February 5, 2026 at 5:15 PM
[1/2] If you were browsing in a bookstore, which of these blurbs would encourage you to look inside? Why (or why not?)
A: A dead body in the community pool. Too many secrets. Welcome to your Florida retirement.
B: When Lily Gallagher finally trades . . .
A: A dead body in the community pool. Too many secrets. Welcome to your Florida retirement.
B: When Lily Gallagher finally trades . . .
Update on DROWNING IN DECEPTION and Chords of Deception (coming soon). You can apply to be a beta reader!
open.substack.com/pub/susannas...
open.substack.com/pub/susannas...
February Updates: One Book Expanding, Another on the Way
It’s hard to believe we’re already into the first week in February.
open.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Update on DROWNING IN DECEPTION and Chords of Deception (coming soon). You can apply to be a beta reader!
open.substack.com/pub/susannas...
open.substack.com/pub/susannas...
This little excerpt from AN UNLIKELY STORY gives you an idea of Agatha's personality. She's smart, she's sassy, she's brave, and she only steals from (or cons) those who deserve it.
buff.ly/6JOw1gE
#AmReading #mystery
buff.ly/6JOw1gE
#AmReading #mystery
January 30, 2026 at 6:10 PM
This little excerpt from AN UNLIKELY STORY gives you an idea of Agatha's personality. She's smart, she's sassy, she's brave, and she only steals from (or cons) those who deserve it.
buff.ly/6JOw1gE
#AmReading #mystery
buff.ly/6JOw1gE
#AmReading #mystery
#AmReading: MURDER AT THE MAYFAIR HOTEL by CJ Archer.
[1/2] Cleopatra Fox is trying to adjust to a brand-new life after the death of the grandmother who raised her. She doesn't really fit in with her new family, her mother's sister, husband, and two adult children who
buff.ly/MP31Xuw
#mystery
[1/2] Cleopatra Fox is trying to adjust to a brand-new life after the death of the grandmother who raised her. She doesn't really fit in with her new family, her mother's sister, husband, and two adult children who
buff.ly/MP31Xuw
#mystery
January 30, 2026 at 1:17 PM
#AmReading: MURDER AT THE MAYFAIR HOTEL by CJ Archer.
[1/2] Cleopatra Fox is trying to adjust to a brand-new life after the death of the grandmother who raised her. She doesn't really fit in with her new family, her mother's sister, husband, and two adult children who
buff.ly/MP31Xuw
#mystery
[1/2] Cleopatra Fox is trying to adjust to a brand-new life after the death of the grandmother who raised her. She doesn't really fit in with her new family, her mother's sister, husband, and two adult children who
buff.ly/MP31Xuw
#mystery
#AmReading: AN UNLIKELY STORY by Gina X Grant. Short stories fill in the gaps in the life of smart, sassy criminal Agatha Shadewell. Learn about:
➡️ Agatha's family
➡️ Agatha's betrayal
➡️ The FBI agent who chases her for decades
➡️ People she helped
➡️ And lots more
buff.ly/KulX2Bu
#mystery
➡️ Agatha's family
➡️ Agatha's betrayal
➡️ The FBI agent who chases her for decades
➡️ People she helped
➡️ And lots more
buff.ly/KulX2Bu
#mystery
January 29, 2026 at 11:09 PM
#AmReading: AN UNLIKELY STORY by Gina X Grant. Short stories fill in the gaps in the life of smart, sassy criminal Agatha Shadewell. Learn about:
➡️ Agatha's family
➡️ Agatha's betrayal
➡️ The FBI agent who chases her for decades
➡️ People she helped
➡️ And lots more
buff.ly/KulX2Bu
#mystery
➡️ Agatha's family
➡️ Agatha's betrayal
➡️ The FBI agent who chases her for decades
➡️ People she helped
➡️ And lots more
buff.ly/KulX2Bu
#mystery
It was interesting -- the longer I waited, the less antsy I felt. It was a strange cultural lesson.
#CulturalDifferences #Panama #WritersLife #AmWriting
open.substack.com/pub/susannas...
#CulturalDifferences #Panama #WritersLife #AmWriting
open.substack.com/pub/susannas...
On Time. . . They Didn't Think that Word Means What I Think it Means
It’s been quite a week here in my little winter hideaway.
open.substack.com
January 28, 2026 at 10:25 PM
It was interesting -- the longer I waited, the less antsy I felt. It was a strange cultural lesson.
#CulturalDifferences #Panama #WritersLife #AmWriting
open.substack.com/pub/susannas...
#CulturalDifferences #Panama #WritersLife #AmWriting
open.substack.com/pub/susannas...
Just in case anyone thinks the #WritersLife is glamorous, let me tell you there's nothing glamorous about spending hours and hours trying to fix an email issue when all the tech companies involved point the finger elsewhere.
The good news is, I think it's fixed. (Crossing fingers.)
The good news is, I think it's fixed. (Crossing fingers.)
January 26, 2026 at 8:43 PM
Just in case anyone thinks the #WritersLife is glamorous, let me tell you there's nothing glamorous about spending hours and hours trying to fix an email issue when all the tech companies involved point the finger elsewhere.
The good news is, I think it's fixed. (Crossing fingers.)
The good news is, I think it's fixed. (Crossing fingers.)
[1/2] Last week I had the pleasure of attending a concert by Panama's Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional in the Iglesia (church) Santa Librada in Las Tablas, the town my husband and I lived in for several years.
They opened with the 1812 Overture, and the drummer was REALLY getting into it, dancing ...
They opened with the 1812 Overture, and the drummer was REALLY getting into it, dancing ...
January 25, 2026 at 4:56 PM
[1/2] Last week I had the pleasure of attending a concert by Panama's Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional in the Iglesia (church) Santa Librada in Las Tablas, the town my husband and I lived in for several years.
They opened with the 1812 Overture, and the drummer was REALLY getting into it, dancing ...
They opened with the 1812 Overture, and the drummer was REALLY getting into it, dancing ...
Wise Words is back! After a hiatus, there's a new word puzzle in this week's Substack. Check it out at susannasullivanauthor.substack.com/i/185120165/...
The challenge: to fill in the blank with the more appropriate word, FLAIR or FLARE.
#AmReading #AmWriting #mystery #CozyMystery
The challenge: to fill in the blank with the more appropriate word, FLAIR or FLARE.
#AmReading #AmWriting #mystery #CozyMystery
January 24, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Wise Words is back! After a hiatus, there's a new word puzzle in this week's Substack. Check it out at susannasullivanauthor.substack.com/i/185120165/...
The challenge: to fill in the blank with the more appropriate word, FLAIR or FLARE.
#AmReading #AmWriting #mystery #CozyMystery
The challenge: to fill in the blank with the more appropriate word, FLAIR or FLARE.
#AmReading #AmWriting #mystery #CozyMystery
Every week on my Substack I highlight a quote I've recently come across in my reading. This week, they're all about using the sense of smell to describe abstract concepts!
buff.ly/4Q2TxAF
#AmReading #AmWriting
buff.ly/4Q2TxAF
#AmReading #AmWriting
January 23, 2026 at 6:22 PM
Every week on my Substack I highlight a quote I've recently come across in my reading. This week, they're all about using the sense of smell to describe abstract concepts!
buff.ly/4Q2TxAF
#AmReading #AmWriting
buff.ly/4Q2TxAF
#AmReading #AmWriting