I’m excited to have the opportunity to introduce myself and my books to you. I’m Tammy L. Grace, the author of the Hometown Harbor Series and Cooper Harrington Detective Novels. I’ve always been an avid reader and was introduced to creative writing in middle school. I enjoyed writing and wrote a column for our local newspaper through my junior high years. I think I always viewed writing as a hobby and fun and never considered it as a career. Instead I focused on other subjects and ultimately pursued my MBA.

After a long career in state and local government, I retired almost three years ago and made the decision to start a new career as a novelist. I find I’m inspired most by visiting new places and while on a trip to the San Juan Islands my first book, FINDING HOME, came to me. I remember sitting on the slow moving ferry and ideas swirled in my head to write about a woman starting her life again and moving to the picturesque community of Friday Harbor. Once I started writing, I knew I had to continue with the characters I had come to love and developed a series, with the first three books published. The second book in the series is HOME BLOOMS, followed by A PROMISE OF HOME. I recommend reading them in order.

I didn’t know much about the publishing world, but began researching and attended a conference for writers. I soon realized that a debut author has very little chance of securing an agent or a publishing contract and even if I did, it would likely not be lucrative. I met fellow authors who described their experiences with self-publishing or variations of self-publishing and was hooked. I concluded Amazon was the best solution for me and moved forward and have been pleased with my choice. There’s a lot of responsibility and work, but I like the challenge and the control self-publishing brings.

I live in my hometown in rural northern Nevada and enjoy baking, walking, volunteering, and reading when I’m not writing. My weaknesses are chocolate and books plus a little binge watching on Netflix or Amazon. My husband and I have a very spoiled golden retriever, Zoe, living with us. She’s the inspiration for all the canine companions in my books and shares her name with the dog in my first book.

Each book in the Hometown Harbor Series focuses on a different character while engaging the reader in the lives of the close knit group of friends and community members. It’s a place I’d love to live and most of my readers comment on how they feel like they’re indeed part of the quaint island and enjoy the interactions between the characters. The stories are about challenges, friendship, and second chances in life.

My latest book, just released in April of 2015, KILLER MUSIC, is a mystery/detective novel set in Nashville and was inspired by a trip I took to the area a few years ago. I remember driving through the exclusive Belle Meade area and the idea came to me to have my main character, Cooper “Coop” Harrington, live with his wealthy aunt, Camille, while he runs his late uncle’s private investigation firm. Coop is joined by his loyal dog, Gus, his trusty assistant, Annabelle, and his best friend and Chief of Detectives Ben Mason. It was a challenge to write, compared to the women’s fiction series I had completed, but I had a blast with the suspects and action.

I love to read for entertainment and escape and do my best to create memorable characters, with whom I’d like to spend my free time. I’m currently working on the fourth novel in the Hometown Harbor Series and plan to release it in late 2015. I’m also planning another case for Cooper Harrington to solve.

I’d love to hear what you think about my books and enjoy meeting new readers. You can learn more about my novels and keep up to date on my latest news by connecting with me using one of the online options listed. If you decide to sign up for my email list (on my website), I’ll send you a pie recipe from the first book.

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