Celebrate Women in Horror Month with The Route 9 Stalker - A New Release!

 Hi everyone!

February is “Women in Horror” month, and to celebrate, I’m sharing a look at my new release, The Route 9 Stalker. It’s technically a mystery/thriller, but it has a strong horror element built into the plot. And how could a story about a serial killer not be scary?

The Route 9 Stalker is a follow-up (of sorts) to The Route 9 Killer and follows Detective Jim Rourke on a disturbing new case. Although the books share two main characters, each stands alone as an individual read, and you can read them in any order.

Here are the book summary and links:  

The Route 9 Stalker

(A Mystery/Thriller)

It started with a body in the woods — and turned into a hunt for a deranged stalker.

Late one evening, Megan Graystone enters a police station and reports that she witnessed a man dumping a woman’s body in the woods.

But with no concrete proof and no sign of foul play, Detective Jim Rourke dismisses her story — until a woman’s mutilated body is found close by. As Rourke investigates the victim’s past, he learns that she was being stalked by a mysterious stranger — and so were several other murdered women.

Rourke discovers that the elusive stalker is playing a twisted game; changing identities and vanishing after each murder. With no other option, Rourke enlists Megan Graystone’s help to trap the stalker — although it means putting her in grave danger.

Can Rourke stop the stalker before he kills and disappears again?

Order your copy here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GGTTNPXG

Other Platforms: https://books2read.com/u/bxll2P

Want more? Meet Detective Jim Rourke for the first time in The Route 9 Killer. Read the book summary and reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/the-route-9-killer

***

When I wrote The Route 9 Killer, I didn’t know I would eventually write another book featuring Detective Rourke. But one day I was looking through my folder of ideas for stories I might write “someday” and came across a simple premise: A woman sees a man dumping a body in the woods, and the killer comes after her. I thought about it for a while and began to toy with ways to expand the idea.

I started wondering: What if this wasn’t this guy’s first kill? Who are the women he has killed? Why is he killing them? How does he find his victims? I started piecing the story together in my head and thought of ways I could bring Detective Rourke onto the case.

Three years after the events that took place in The Route 9 Killer, Detective Jim Rourke has finally put the unwanted publicity from that case behind him, and he never wants to hear about serial killers again.

However, fate has delivered him a woman’s mutilated body—the same body Megan claimed to have seen in the woods. When Rourke’s fellow Detective Ed Dolenz uncovers similar cold cases, Rourke finds himself hunting another serial killer. He learns that a man is stalking and viciously murdering women he meets on dating sites. Rourke and Dolenz are able to link the killings to a mysterious man who switches identities and vanishes after each murder.

Is the man Megan saw in the woods connected to the murders? Rourke thinks he might be, and he needs Megan’s help catching him. But Dolenz theorizes that there might be more than one killer…

When I plotted the book, I decided Megan would be a focal point of the story, and she plays a central role in helping Rourke catch the killer. Right from the start, readers see that Megan isn’t a big fan of the police, and she’s cautious when dealing with strangers. Although she knows she’s potentially the target of a serial killer, she isn’t frightened off. Why? Because she’s a lifelong horror movie fan and she follows “the rules” of staying alive and defending herself against predators.

I intentionally played up the theme of “protecting yourself” in the book. As a single woman living alone, Megan fits the profile of the killer’s victims, but she’s smart and has a no-nonsense attitude when it comes to her personal safety and boundaries. Some of that comes from mocking horror movie heroines who make bad choices, but a lot of it comes from her relationship with her best friend, Lori.

Throughout the book, whenever something disturbing or strange happens, Megan talks to her friend Lori. This gives readers a break from Rourke’s investigation, and readers can see what seemingly innocent interactions Megan has with people turn out to be vital to the case.

Lori acts as a sounding board for Megan’s concerns (or lack thereof) and Lori cautions her to be careful since “Rourke is using her as bait for a serial killer.” Megan keeps reassuring everyone that she’ll be okay and she can handle things. But can she?

Everyone isn’t who (or what) they seem in this story, and without giving away any plot details or spoilers, I can say that Rourke, Megan, and the killer come together in the end, and the story packs a great twist ending.

I loved writing this book, and I incorporated a bit of myself into the plot. As a lifelong horror movie fan (and someone who loves Halloween), I decided to have the entire story take place the week before Halloween. It added an element of surprise to the ending and helped build suspense. (And yes, my best friend is named Lori. She thought the book was great, by the way!)

I hope you will add both Route 9 books to your 2026 reading list. Readers have asked me if I’m going to give Detective Rourke one more case to solve and complete a trilogy. I’ve been considering it… What do you think?

If you love horror and are celebrating all things scary this month, visit the Horror, Mystery & More page on my site: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/horror to read about all of my spooky stories!

Until next time…

Happy Reading!

Kelli A. Wilkins

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 24 romance novels, and 9 mystery/thriller/horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror, mystery, and thriller fiction.

Her latest book, The Route 9 Stalker, was published in January 2026. This mystery/thriller is set in Central NJ and follows Detective Jim Rourke on a disturbing new case. Meet him for the first time in The Route 9 Killer.

Kelli’s 24th romance, For Love’s Sake, an epic historical/fantasy romantic adventure, was published in 2025.

In 2024, she released Surreal Escapes, a collection of 7 speculative/spooky stories. Anything can—and does—happen in this anthology.

Follow Kelli on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list, social media links, and more.

Celebrate Women in Horror Month with The Route 9 Killer

 

Hi everyone!

February is “Women in Horror” month, and horror is one of my favorite genres. I love scaring (or at least unnerving) readers with my horror fiction. But sometimes horror stories don’t feature “traditional monsters” like vampires or werewolves… sometimes human beings are capable of terrifying us more than any ghost ever could.

The Route 9 Killer is one of those stories. It’s a bit dark… but then again, how could a story about a serial killer not be?

Years ago, I had an idea for a serial killer/mystery/thriller story that was sparked by something simple: I was driving somewhere and saw a woman’s shoe lying in the road.

Immediately, my writer brain started asking questions: Whose shoe was it? What happened to the woman? Where was the other shoe? Why was this shoe in the road? Strange? Yes. But writers think that way. Anything that catches our attention can spark a flurry of questions and develop into a story idea.

I started wondering about the shoe and then an idea hit me. It was a simple “What if…” premise: What if a woman was abducted and the only evidence left behind was her shoe in the road? I bounced this idea off of a few people, and they scoffed. “Who cares about a shoe? Why would anything think someone was abducted based on a shoe?” But, when I explained my story idea, they were intrigued.

I wrote an outline for the story and filed it in my “someday I’ll write this” folder and moved on to other projects. (At the time, I was writing romances and not focusing on horror/mysteries.) Then “someday” arrived and I wrote the story.

As the title implies, the book is a mystery/thriller involving a serial killer. The hero, Detective Jim Rourke, thinks he’s discovered a serial killer operating in Central New Jersey. The only problem is, nobody believes him. The women are abducted from different towns in the same county and their bodies are dumped in different towns in another county. This makes it hard for the police to connect the crimes or even see a pattern. To them, the killings are random.

Detective Rourke is also investigating the disappearance of a woman named Allison Kendrick. When the book opens, her boyfriend is at the police station, reporting her missing. Are the two cases related? Rourke thinks they might be.

The book then switches to the point-of-view of a young woman who wakes up in a strange place, handcuffed to a bed. When I wrote her character, I knew didn’t want to make her a helpless victim. Yes, she’s hurting, scared, and in a really, really bad situation, but she’s smart and a fighter—and determined to escape. She knows she’s responsible for her own fate. Nobody is coming to rescue her.

No thriller would be complete without a peek into the life (and mind) of the antagonist. Our not-so-nice killer has a few scenes of his own where we get inside his mind, see what makes him lose control, and gives a hint at why he does what he does.

Without giving away any plot details or spoilers, I can say that our three main characters come together in the end, and the story packs a great twist ending. (If you’ve read the book and loved it, please post a positive review online (no spoilers, please!).

But then… there’s the Epilogue, where we get a little more info on Rourke’s case—and another shocker.

Although the story has a very serious/dark subject matter, I stayed away from overt sexual violence toward our heroine. I didn’t want to write anything too dark, too graphic, and nothing along the lines of “torture porn” or an unsettling episode of Criminal Minds. I concentrated on Rourke and his investigation. The other characters are there to pull the reader into the story through their points-of-view and increase the drama and tension. I think it worked. (Readers and reviewers seem to agree, too!)

And just in time for Women in Horror Month, I released a new mystery/thriller featuring Detective Jim Rourke, The Route 9 Stalker. (I’ll be blogging more about that book soon, but you can read about it here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/horror/the-route-9-stalker)

Here’s the book summary and order links for:

The Route 9 Killer

(A Mystery/Thriller)

It started with a search for a missing woman — and turned into a hunt for a serial killer.

Early one morning, a distraught young man enters a police station and reports that his girlfriend disappeared on a deserted stretch of road the night before.

With no witnesses and no leads, it falls to Detective Jim Rourke to find out the truth — and Rourke’s investigation leads him to believe that Allison Kendrick might have fallen into the clutches of a serial killer.

Several other missing women have turned up dead — tortured and dumped along secluded sections of Route 9. Rourke is alone on a manhunt, and time is running out.

Can Rourke catch the killer and rescue the next victim before it’s too late?

Order your copy here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Route-Killer-Mystery-Thriller-ebook/dp/B0C63NHC51

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/m2qd16

Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/the-route-9-killer

Want more? Join Detective Jim Rourke on a disturbing new case, The Route 9 Stalker: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/horror/the-route-9-stalker

If you love horror and are celebrating all things scary this month, visit the Horror, Mystery & More page on my site: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/horror to read about all of my spooky stories!

Until next time…

Happy Reading!

Kelli A. Wilkins

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 24 romance novels, and 9 mystery/thriller/horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror, mystery, and thriller fiction.

Her latest book, The Route 9 Stalker, was published in January 2026. This mystery/thriller is set in Central NJ and follows Detective Jim Rourke on a disturbing new case. Meet him for the first time in The Route 9 Killer.

Kelli's 24th romance, For Love’s Sake, an epic historical/fantasy romantic adventure, was published in 2025.

In 2024, she released Surreal Escapes, a collection of 7 speculative/spooky stories. Anything can—and does—happen in this anthology.

Follow Kelli on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins 

and visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list, social media links, and more.

 

Just Released! The Route 9 Stalker - A Mystery/Thriller

 

Hi everyone!

I hope 2026 is off to a great start for you. If you’re looking for something new to read in the new year, you’ve come to the right blog.

I’m pleased to announce the release of my latest mystery/thriller, The Route 9 Stalker. It’s a follow-up (of sorts) to The Route 9 Killer and follows Detective Jim Rourke on a disturbing new case.

Here are the book summary and links:  

The Route 9 Stalker

(A Mystery/Thriller)

It started with a body in the woods — and turned into a hunt for a deranged stalker.

Late one evening, Megan Graystone enters a police station and reports that she witnessed a man dumping a woman’s body in the woods.

But with no concrete proof and no sign of foul play, Detective Jim Rourke dismisses her story — until a woman’s mutilated body is found close by. As Rourke investigates the victim’s past, he learns that she was being stalked by a mysterious stranger — and so were several other murdered women.

Rourke discovers that the elusive stalker is playing a twisted game; changing identities and vanishing after each murder. With no other option, Rourke enlists Megan Graystone’s help to trap the stalker — although it means putting her in grave danger.

Can Rourke stop the stalker before he kills and disappears again?

Order your copy here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GGTTNPXG

Other Platforms: https://books2read.com/u/bxll2P

Want more? Meet Detective Jim Rourke for the first time in The Route 9 Killer. Read the book summary and reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/the-route-9-killer

I hope you will add both books to your 2026 reading list.

I’ll be blogging more about the new book soon. Until then…

Happy Reading!

Kelli A. Wilkins

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 24 romance novels, and 9 mystery/thriller/horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror, mystery, and thriller fiction.

Her latest book, The Route 9 Stalker, was published in January 2026. This mystery/thriller is set in Central NJ and follows Detective Jim Rourke on a disturbing new case. Meet him for the first time in The Route 9 Killer.

Kelli's 24th romance, For Love’s Sake, an epic historical/fantasy romantic adventure, was published in January 2025.

In 2024, she released Surreal Escapes, a collection of 7 speculative/spooky stories. Anything can—and does—happen in this anthology.

Follow Kelli on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list, social media links, and more.

 

 

 

8 Easy Questions for Author Kelli A. Wilkins (Part 2)

 

Hi everyone! Here’s Part 2 of a recent interview. Enjoy!

 

1. Greetings Kelli, and thank you for coming back to answer the last four questions from the Easy 8. Part One of this interview focused on your romance novels, and for Part Two we’d like to talk about your horror and mystery stories. Have you always been a horror fan? Who (or what) were your early influences?

I’ve always been a fan of the strange, unusual, surreal, and spooky. It’s just in my nature, and I’m drawn to things most people find weird or creepy. I started reading short horror fiction when I was in grade school, and it was about that time when I realized I wanted to be the one writing stories to scare people.

My main literary influence at the time was Stephen King. I read Night Shift when I was nine or ten and I got hooked on short stories. I also was watching The Twilight Zone, Tales from the Darkside, and other shows that told a spooky story in a half hour. I wasn’t scared by the shows, I was actually studying the way the story was told, how the tension built, and how the author crafted a powerful ending. I drew on all these influences when I started writing my horror stories. Maybe this is why my short stories are more psychological/spooky than gory.

2. And it seems you’ve achieved your goal of writing horror fiction to scare people. According to the Horror, Mystery & More section of your site, your short fiction has been included in several anthologies, and yet you’ve self-published a few short horror/mysteries. Why is that?

When I started writing horror, I submitted my short stories to print and online markets because self-publishing didn’t exist yet. I still submit stories to e-zines, anthologies, and print mags when the story matches up with what the market is looking for. However, when my stories are too long or nobody likes the subject matter, I self-publish. That happened with my novella Nightmare in the North. (https://www.kelliwilkins.com/nightmare-in-the-north) It’s a great story, but because of the length and topic (my husband called it “disturbing”) it couldn’t find a home. So I self-published it. I also self-published Extraterrestrial Encounters, a collection of 18 sci-fi stories. (https://www.kelliwilkins.com/extraterrestrial-encounters)

3. You have recently published two very different horror/mystery ebooks. One is The Route 9 Killer, a novella about a serial killer in New Jersey, and Surreal Escapes, a collection of short stories. Can you tell readers about the origins of each of those?

Sure! The Route 9 Killer is a police procedural with a hint of the paranormal thrown in. Here’s the summary and link:

The Route 9 Killer

Detective Jim Rourke suspects a serial killer is hunting women in Central New Jersey. The victims are held captive, brutalized, then murdered and dumped along deserted stretches of Route 9.

There’s no physical evidence, no witnesses, and the killer is smart enough to leave no clues.

Rourke is alone on a manhunt, and time is running out. Eight victims have already fallen prey to this madman.

Can Rourke catch the killer and rescue the next victim before it’s too late?

Order your copy & read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/the-route-9-killer

I can’t give away any spoilers, but I was very careful in how I portrayed each character. Some people aren’t exactly who they seem to be. Initially Detective Rourke is looking for a missing woman, but then he stumbles across a serial killer. The book got several excellent reviews and I loved creating all the twists and turns in the story.

My 2024 release, Surreal Escapes, is a collection of seven spooky stories. Five of these short stories have been previously published and two are new. Here’s the summary and link:

Surreal Escapes

7 Speculative Stories

Are you ready to take a journey into the unexpected?

In these 7 speculative stories, ordinary people start off having an average, normal day… until they encounter the world of the surreal. They quickly realize they’re in another realm where anything can—and does—happen.

Some of these unusual tales include:

“Holiday Havoc” – The night shift in a retail store hosts the ultimate Halloween vs. Christmas showdown

“Little Boy Lost” – After several strange incidents, Beverly suspects her son’s imaginary friend isn’t so imaginary

“The Man in Apt. 3-A” – What do you do when you discover your neighbor is a vampire?

“Whispers from the Past” – Not all ghosts are scary… or strangers

This collection of short fiction will unnerve you, spark your imagination, and make you wonder what else is possible in the world of the surreal.

Order your copy and read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/horror/surreal-escapes

I love writing short stories and each of these tales is unique. A few take place around Halloween (my favorite holiday) and feature ghosts, a vampire, and lots of other strange goings-on. At the end of each story I share a bit about why I wrote it, and talk about the plot or characters. It was fun to revisit (and revise) the stories I wrote ages ago. I hope readers enjoy them!

4. So what’s next for you? More romances? Another horror novella? More short stories?

As most people know, I write in multiple genres: horror, romance, mystery, sci-fi… I go where the stories and ideas take me, and I’ve built a rather impressive (and eclectic) title list over the last 25+ years.

Recently, I started reflecting on my writing career. I’ve decided that at this stage of my life, I’m going back to my first love: writing horror/mystery/suspense stories. I have folders filled with ideas for spooky short stories and an outline for a novella that’s a follow-up (of sorts) to The Route 9 Killer.

I love creating characters and settings, world-building, and inventing troubles for my characters to get into (and out of), and I love all the books I’ve written. But spending weeks/months editing, revising, and proofreading a full-length romance novel is just not appealing to me anymore. So, For Love’s Sake was my last (and 24^th) romance.

As for the future… Who knows where my writings will show up? I may have a horror tale chosen for an anthology. My suspense story might be included in an e-zine, or I could self-publish my own short stories.

And I just finished writing the first draft of a new short story. It’s a blend of horror and fantasy. We’ll see where that leads later in 2025.

Good luck with your new stories! I’m sure readers will enjoy whatever you write. Any last words before we sign off?

Thanks for letting me share my thoughts and talk about my writings. I welcome comments and questions from readers and other authors. Be sure to follow my blog https://www.kelliwilkins.com/blog for the latest updates and visit my site for a full title list and links to my social media.

Until next time,

Kelli A. Wilkins

Kelli's Quill Newsletter - 2023 Recap Issue!

 

Welcome to the 2023 Recap issue of the Quill!

I know I’ve been away for a while, but now I’m back. What’s new? Well, over the summer I wrote two new romances. One is a contemporary gay romance and the other is a historical/fantasy. The gay romance will be released sometime in early/mid 2024. The other one… well, we’ll see!

In addition to writing new books, I’ve been submitting my horror/mystery/suspense short stories (no acceptances yet), and blogging.

I took a break from social media, too. I posted just before Halloween (naturally) and then went into hibernation for November. But stay tuned to my Facebook pages and Blogs - I’ll be sharing links and more there in 2024.

This issue features info on The Route 9 Killer (my mystery/thriller) links to my Still Moments articles, and I share links to my favorite books.

Enjoy!

Writing Across the Genre Spectrum

 

Hi everyone!

When people ask me what I do, I tell them I’m a writer. Usually their next question is: “What do you write?” My answer? “Everything.”

I write fiction in various genres and levels of intensity. I can give romance readers a tender love story or a spicy erotic novella in any time period. Fans of speculative fiction can be terrorized by my horror stories, solve a murder-mystery, or get whisked away into an alternate reality in my sci-fi tales. And if you’re ready to write your own fiction, well, I wrote the book on how to get started.

I’m often asked a lot of questions about how (and why) I write across the genre spectrum. Here are four FAQ:

How did you get started writing in so many different genres?

I never set out to be such a multi-faceted writer; it was something that happened gradually. I started out writing short horror fiction, and always dreamed of “someday” having my work included in an anthology. (I’m happy to say my horror stories have appeared in several anthologies, both online and in print.)

Then one day I came across a “10-minute love story” in a magazine and thought, “I could write one of those.” So I did. The story was accepted and I became a regular romance author for the publication. A year or so later they asked me if I could write sci-fi. I said, “Sure!” and I did.

From that point on, I realized I didn’t have to “just” write horror, or romance, or sci fi… I could branch out into any genre or type of writing I wanted. I figured, why limit yourself? If I have an idea for a story (regardless of genre), why not write it?

Recently I’ve branched out into mystery/thrillers with The Route 9 Killer and the paranormal romance/mystery genre with In Another World. Who knows what’s next?

Within the romance genre, you write contemporary, gay, paranormal, fantasy, and historical stories. Why do you vary so much in one genre?

I get inspired from a multitude of ideas, so I basically go wherever the story takes me. My fantasy romance, A Most Unusual Princess came about because I wanted to write about a headstrong princess looking for a husband. The idea of a gay wrestler forced to come out sparked A Secret Match, and a mysterious stranger collapsing into the arms of an 1877 storekeeper became my historical romance novel, Love, Lies & Redemption.

The plot and characters dictate the genre, setting, and heat level in my books. So I may write a hot contemporary romance one month, and then two months later I’m writing a mild historical. I don’t mind switching up genres because it gives me leeway to create unique characters and plots each time I write. Even I never know where the next story will take me.

Within the historical category, my books range from mild to super-spicy and take place in different time periods (Old West, Colonial, Pioneer, Celtic). I don’t stick to writing “all” Westerns or “all” Colonials. Once I have the time period for the story, I do research for details and/or ideas for clothing, occupations, etc. I like to weave authentic details into the books and blend them in as naturally as possible.

When I’m writing fantasy romance, I try to make the details believable, even if I’m making them up. Right now I’m writing an epic historical/fantasy romantic adventure.

How do you balance writing romance and horror? Which one do you like best?

My horror stories are more psychologically spooky rather than gory, and usually after I finish writing a few romances I switch up and write a horror tale or two. I use different “writing muscles” when I tell a horror story, and I can develop different plots, characters, and have an overall darker tone in my horror fiction than I can in a romance.

I like both genres, so it was only a matter of time before I blended the two… into paranormal romance. When I write paranormal romances I have to make sure I don’t cross over too far into the horror world. You don’t want to create a paranormal hero/heroine who is too frightening and/or violent in the story.

Romance lovers don’t want to read about a full-fledged monster. The character has to be likeable and loveable with all the traits of a romance hero/heroine – even if he or she is a vampire who needs to feed. (This was the basis for my paranormal, Confessions of a Vampire’s Lover.)

Lately I’ve been scaling back on my romances and focusing on speculative fiction. These short stories aren’t exactly classic “horror” tales designed to scare readers, but they do include paranormal elements. One reviewer said the stories have a “Twilight Zone feel.” For example, More than I Bargained For is an offbeat mini-mystery about a woman who can talk to the dead.

One of my favorite horror stories is Nightmare in the North. It’s a novella about a man stranded with strangers in a blizzard. It was a lot of fun to write and after reading it, my husband called it “disturbing.” I love writing horror stories (or mainstream stories with speculative elements) and I’ve got lots of ideas…. I just need the time to write!

You wrote the non-fiction book, You Can Write—Really! A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction. What made you decide to write a book about writing?

Every time I do an interview, I’m often asked the same batch of questions: Where do you get your ideas? How do I get published? How do you write a book? What advice do you have for writers who are just starting out? Do you have any writing tips?

I’ve answered these questions many times in interviews and addressed them in blogs, but I always wanted to say more. One day, I started thinking about everything I’ve learned over the years, and inspiration hit me: Why not write a book on how to write? The result? You Can Write—Really! A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction.

This fun and practical book walks you through the story-creating process step-by-step: from getting a great idea to meeting your characters, developing a plot, and on to writing, revising, and submitting your work. It covers the basics of storytelling—regardless of what genre you write.

Each easy-to-read chapter is based on my years of hands-on experience as a writer, advice I’ve received, and the technical “know-how” I’ve gained in writing classes and professional writing workshops. Basically, it’s practical advice on how to get started, almost like a Writing 101 workshop. Any writer can use the tips and writing exercises for an extra boost of motivation or just for fun.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Writers shouldn’t be afraid to try new things. Yes, it might be “easier” or “better” to find a genre or a niche and stay there for your entire writing career. You could build a solid brand, get a large fan base, and become a household name in the genre. That may work for most writers, but for me, it would become tiresome after a while (like having the same thing for dinner every night). I like to explore something new and different each time I write.

For me, writing across the genre spectrum is just what I do. Some days, I venture down a dark and mysterious pathway into a haunted cemetery… Other days, I’ll lose myself in the romantic adventures of a feisty historical heroine… But no matter what I write, I enjoy creating the characters, plots, and settings that bring the story to life for readers—and I hope they enjoy the journey as much as I do.

I welcome comments from readers and other authors. Feel free to drop me a line with questions or comments about my books. You can find a full title list and all my social media links on my site: www.kelliwilkins.com

Happy Reading!               

Kelli A. Wilkins

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 20+ romance novels, and 6 mystery/horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror and mystery stories.

Her latest release, The Route 9 Killer, was published in May 2023. This mystery/thriller is set in Central NJ.

Kelli’s paranormal/mystery romance, In Another World, was released in 2022. She released two horror shorts, More Than I Bargained For and Silent Sentinel in 2021.

Follow Kelli on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins 

and visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and social media links.

Behind the Scenes: The Route 9 Killer (A Mystery/Thriller)

 

This “Behind the Scenes” blog is part of a series examining my books. In each blog, I’ll talk about why I wrote the story, share my thoughts on the plot and/or characters, and I might even reveal what I loved most (or least) about writing the book. Warning: Blogs may contain spoilers.

 

Looking for something to read? Why not spend the summer with a serial killer?

The Route 9 Killer is my latest release, and it’s been a long time coming. Years ago, I had an idea for a serial killer/thriller story that was sparked by something simple: I was driving somewhere and I saw a woman’s shoe lying in the road.

Immediately, my writer brain started asking questions: Whose shoe was it? What happened to the woman? Where was the other shoe? Why was this shoe in the road? Strange? Yes. But writers think that way. Anything that catches our attention can spark a flurry of questions and develop into a story idea.

I started wondering about the shoe and then an idea hit me. It was a simple “What if…” premise: What if a woman was abducted and the only evidence left behind was her shoe in the road? I bounced this idea off of a few people, and they scoffed. “Who cares about a shoe? Why would anyone think someone was abducted based on a lost shoe?” But, when I explained my story idea, they were intrigued.

I wrote an outline for the story and filed it in my “someday I’ll write this” folder and moved on to other projects. (At the time, I was writing romances and not focusing on horror/mysteries.) This past winter, “someday” arrived and I wrote the story.

As the title implies, the book is a mystery/thriller involving a serial killer. The hero, Detective Jim Rourke, thinks he has discovered a serial killer operating in Central New Jersey. The only problem is nobody believes him. The women are abducted from different towns in the same county, and their bodies are dumped in different towns in another county. This makes it hard for the police to connect the crimes or even see a pattern. To them, the killings are random.

Detective Rourke is also investigating the disappearance of a woman named Allison Kendrick. When the book opens, her boyfriend is at the police station, reporting her missing. Are the two cases related? Rourke thinks they might be.

The book then switches to the point-of-view of a young woman who wakes up in a strange place, handcuffed to a bed. When I wrote her character, I didn’t want to make her a helpless victim. Yes, she’s hurting, scared, and in a really, really bad situation, but she’s smart, and a fighter. She quickly realizes that she’s responsible for her own fate. Nobody is coming to rescue her.

No thriller would be complete without a peek into the life (and mind) of the antagonist. Our not-so-nice killer has a few scenes of his own. This is where we get inside his mind, see what makes him lose control, and gives a hint at why he does what he does.

Without giving away any plot details or spoilers, I can say that our three main characters come together in the end (very briefly), and the story packs a great twist ending. (If you’ve read the book, please don’t give away the ending!)

But then… there’s the Epilogue, where we get a little more info on Rourke’s case—and another shocker.

Although the story has a very serious/dark subject matter, I stayed away from overt sexual violence toward our heroine. I didn’t want to write anything too dark, too graphic, and nothing along the lines of “torture porn” or an unsettling episode of “Criminal Minds.” I concentrated on Rourke and his investigation. The other characters are there to pull the reader into the story through their points-of-view, and increase the drama and tension. I think it worked.

Can you solve the mystery? Here’s the book summary and order links:

 

The Route 9 Killer

(A Mystery/Thriller)

Detective Jim Rourke suspects a serial killer is hunting women in Central New Jersey. The victims are held captive, brutalized, then murdered and dumped along deserted stretches of Route 9.

There’s no physical evidence, no witnesses, and the killer is smart enough to leave no clues.

Rourke is alone on a manhunt, and time is running out. Eight victims have already fallen prey to this madman.

Can Rourke catch the killer and rescue the next victim before it’s too late?

Order your copy here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Route-Killer-Mystery-Thriller-ebook/dp/B0C63NHC51

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/m2qd16

 

If you’ve read the book and loved it, please post a positive review online (no spoilers, please!).

And looking ahead, I have an idea for another thriller. I’ve decided I’m bringing Detective Jim Rourke back to work on that case, as well. A friend of mine suggested I write a third book and make it into a trilogy. That’s a good idea. What do you think?

I welcome comments and questions from readers. Be sure to follow my blog for the latest updates and visit me on social media. You can read more “Behind the Scenes” blogs about my writings here: www.KelliWilkins.com/blog

Happy Reading,

Kelli 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 20+ romance novels, 7 non-fiction books, and 6 mystery/horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror and mystery stories.

Her latest release, The Route 9 Killer, was published in May 2023. This mystery/thriller is set in the Central NJ.

Kelli’s paranormal/mystery romance, In Another World, was released in 2022. She released two horror shorts, More Than I Bargained For and Silent Sentinel in 2021.

Follow Kelli on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and social media links.

 

 

Kelli's Quill Newsletter - Welcome Summer 2023 Issue!

 

Welcome to the summer 2023 issue of the Quill. As most of you may know, I’ve been on hiatus for a while. I’ve been working on a lot of projects and I’m sharing my latest news here.

This issue features info on my new release, links to my Still Moments articles, and includes a “romance rewind” showcasing some of my sizzling summer romances. Enjoy!

 

 

New Release - The Route 9 Killer (A Mystery/Thriller)

Here’s an idea: Start your summer with a new mystery/thriller… The Route 9 Killer!

My latest mystery/thriller, The Route 9 Killer was just released on ebook platforms. See if you can figure out the mystery…

The Route 9 Killer

(A Mystery/Thriller)

Detective Jim Rourke suspects a serial killer is hunting women in Central New Jersey. The victims are held captive, brutalized, then murdered and dumped along deserted stretches of Route 9.

There’s no physical evidence, no witnesses, and the killer is smart enough to leave no clues.

Rourke is alone on a manhunt, and time is running out. Eight victims have already fallen prey to this madman.

Can Rourke catch the killer and rescue the next victim before it’s too late?

Order your copy here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Route-Killer-Mystery-Thriller-ebook/dp/B0C63NHC51

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/m2qd16

 

Don’t miss… Still Moments Magazine

Kelli has been contributing to Still Moments Magazine, a digital magazine of positive reading and enjoyment. So far in 2023, she has authored articles on setting goals, exploring the writing/gardening connection, and adopting older cats. New articles are posted every other month, so don’t miss an issue!

Read her articles and catch up on back issues here:

https://stillmomentsezine.blogspot.com/

Follow them on social media here:

Facebook Page:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Still-Moments-Magazine/111477208866396

 

Get Ready for Summer with Kelli’s Sizzling Summer Romances

 

All of Kelli’s romances make great beach reads, but these romances are specifically set in the summer months… Follow the links to learn more about each book, read reviews and order you copy today.

 

Love, Lies & Redemption: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/love-lies-and-redemption

Trust with Hearts: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/trust-with-hearts

Loving a Wild Stranger: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/loving-a-wild-stranger

Beauty & the Bigfoot: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/beauty-the-bigfoot

Dangerous Indenture: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/dangerous-indenture

A Deceptive Match: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-deceptive-match

Confession of a Vampire’s Lover: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/confessions-of-a-vampire-s-lover

In Another World: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/in-another-world

See all her romances on her site: www.KelliWilkins.com

 

Celebrating Pride Month with Kelli’s Gay Romances

Kelli has written 3 gay romances (and is working on a new one). Catch up on these spicy reads here:

A Secret Match: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-secret-match

Killer in Wolf’s Clothing: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/killer-in-wolf-s-clothing

Four Days with Jack: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/four-days-with-jack

 

I hope you enjoyed this summer issue of the Quill. Be sure to follow me on social media and check out my blogs to get the latest news. Links to all my social media pages can be found here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/contact

Visit my site for a full title list: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/

Enjoy the summer!

Kelli