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Monday, October 06, 2025

To Have and to Hold, to Love and to Kill by Amy Sampson-Cutler

 
To Have and to Hold, to Love and to Kill by Amy Sampson-Cutler

It feels like just yesterday we hosted a blog tour with author Amy Sampson-Cutler. Now, she's back with us again for a book that's perfect for the spooky season. Join us as we celebrate the launch of To Have and To Hold, To Love and To Kill. We're interviewing the author about her chilling new novel and giving you a chance to win a copy for yourself.

First, here's more about this novel:

In her past life, after causing the death of a little boy, Nikki was so devastated that her soul mate promised to murder her in their next life, to make her pay for what she had done. With no knowledge of this, Nikki lives for years as an addict, down on her luck, until she is rescued by Ken, who helps her with all aspects of her recovery. With the help of a few new friends and a cat named Destiny, Nikki turns her life around. What she doesn’t know is that someone out there is destined to kill her, and he is watching, his passion for killing her growing stronger each day.

The question is: Can an agreement made between two souls be broken, and how far will one soul go to keep a promise made in a desperate attempt to save the other?



Publisher: Black Rose Writing
ISBN-10: 1685133428
ISBN-13: 978-1685133429
Print length: 195 pages

Purchase a copy of To Have and to Hold, to Love and to Kill on Amazon and Bookshop.org. You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list.

About the Author, Amy Sampson-Cutler

Amy S. Cutler

Amy Sampson-Cutler, author of To Have and to Hold, to Love and to Kill: An Agreement of Souls and A Shadow of Love, is a writer who earned her master's degree in creative writing from Goddard College. Her work can be found in Slut Vomit: An Anthology of Sex Work, Tales to Terrify, WOW! Women on Writing, The Pitkin Review and more. She is the Executive Manager at Mount Peter Ski Area, where she grew up skiing in the winter and dreaming up stories in the summer. Her favorite days are spent knocking around story ideas with her husband. She lives in the Hudson Valley with her husband, son, and a ridiculous amount of furry family members. 

She can be contacted through AmysHippieHut.com. Also follow her on:


--- Interview by Nicole Pyles

WOW: Welcome back to WOW, Amy! And congratulations on your new book! What inspired this novel? 

Amy: Thank you so much! A friend of mine is an amazing energist - an energy healer - and I was talking with her about life's struggles.  During a session with her, she suggested to me that perhaps my troubles weren't just about my current life, that maybe they had something to do with a past life. We starting talking about contracts and karma, and during that session, when she was working on me and I was half-conked on an energy high, this entire story came together in my mind. 

WOW: That's absolutely fascinating. During our last blog tour together (can you believe it's been three years?), you mentioned that you based your last book on your parents' haunted house. Did you base this novel on any actual people or locations? 

Amy: Purposefully, this book does not represent any actual people or locations. Besides a few street names, I did not set this book in any particular location. I didn't want the location to matter; it could be any place, happening to any people. 

WOW: A great approach! How did you decide upon your novel's title?

Amy: The title is long. I've always thought it was too long, and it's a mouthful to say! It is, however, an exact description of the book. The title started as, "To Have and to Hold, to Love and to Kill," which is a good start, but I didn't think it was enough. Then it was, "An Agreement of Souls," which fit but needed more. Thus, "To Have and to Hold, to Love and to Kill: An Agreement of Souls" was born and will likely be my longest title ever.

WOW: Well, it's a wonderful, catching title! How do you balance writing with your day job?

Amy: My writing life and my career are in a never-ending battle for my time. My mind is the clearest and most productive in the morning, and when I make my coffee and sit down at my desk, it's like I have an angel on each shoulder. My writing angel whispers that I should write while I have the chance, and my work-minded angel (is it an angel though? Hmm, not sure) whispers that I should check my email and get an early start on the day. It's more of an internal battle than a balance, but sometimes the writing angel wins, and almost always, I'm glad it does.

WOW: I can completely relate to that struggle for balance. What advice can you share with writers who want to share their stories with the world?

Amy: Do it! I can't tell you how many people say to me, "I've always wanted to write a book," and then they go on to tell me some of their ideas. Do it, I tell them. What can it hurt? In the process of writing a book - any book - we learn and grow, and go through a grueling process that always leaves us better. If the book is published, great. Terrific, really! But even if it is not published, you will be left with this amazing piece of work that you produced, containing a piece of your heart, your soul, your time. If you want to grow as a person, write a book - you will pull things out of yourself that you never knew were there. 

WOW: I completely agree! What are you working on now that you can tell us about? 

Amy: You know the friend I mentioned, the amazing energist? She has several extraordinary gifts, and the story of how she realized these gifts - through a traumatic and confusing childhood, through loss and struggle - is not only outstanding but inspiring. I am so happy to say that I am writing the story of her life. It is my first non-fiction book, and it in I am weaving a mythological tale of the phoenix, rising from ashes, because that is exactly what her story is.

WOW: I can't wait for your next novel. Thank you so much for chatting with us today! 

To Have and to Hold, To Love and to Kill by Amy S. Cutler Blog Tour

-- Blog Tour Calendar

October 6 @ The Muffin
Join us as we celebrate the launch of To Have and to Hold, to Love and to Kill by Amy Sampson-Cutler. We interview the author and give you a chance to win a copy of the book.

October 6 @ Tracey Lampley's blog
Visit Tracey's blog for a guest post by author Amy Sampson-Cutler on why she writes scary stories even though she's afraid of the dark.

October 7 @ All Things Writing
Visit Caitrin's blog for a guest post by author Amy Sampson-Cutler on finding time to write on a busy schedule.

October 12 @ Author Anthony Avina's Blog
Visit Anthony's blog for his review of To Have and To Hold, To Love and To Kill by Amy Sampson-Cutler.

October 15 @ Chapter Break
Visit Julie's blog for a guest post by author Amy Sampson-Cutler on how to turn everyday encounters into spooky stories.

October 18 @ Boots, Shoes, and Fashion
Linda interviews author Amy Sampson-Cutler about her book To Have and To Hold, To Love and To Kill.

October 20 @ A Storybook World
Visit Deirdra's blog for her spotlight of To Have and To Hold, To Love and To Kill by Amy Sampson-Cutler. 

October 22 @ Guatemala Paula Loves to Read
Visit Karen's blog for her review of To Have and To Hold, To Love and To Kill by Amy Sampson-Cutler.

October 23 @ Knotty Needle
Visit Judy's blog for her review of To Have and To Hold, To Love and To Kill by Amy Sampson-Cutler.

October 23 @ The Faerie Review
Visit Lily's blog for her spotlight of To Have and To Hold, To Love and To Kill by Amy Sampson-Cutler.

October 24 @ Author Anthony Avina's Blog
Visit Anthony's blog for an excerpt from To Have and To Hold, To Love and To Kill by Amy Sampson-Cutler.

October 25 @ Word Magic
Visit Fiona's blog for a guest post by Amy Sampson-Cutler on creating the perfect ambiance to write paranormal tales.

October 27 @ Lit World Interviews
Visit Ronovan's blog for his review of To Have and To Hold, To Love and To Kill by Amy Sampson-Cutler.

October 28 @ Kaecey McCormick's blog
Visit Kaecey's blog for a guest post by author Amy Sampson-Cutler on tips on writing for your favorite genre.

October 29 @ Sarandipity
Sara interviews author Amy Sampson-Cutler about her book To Have and To Hold, To Love and To Kill.

October 30 @ Words by Webb
Stop by Jodi's blog for Amy Sampson-Cutler's guest post on her favorite books to read on Halloween.

October 31 @ Sarandipity
Visit Sara's blog for a guest post by author Amy Sampson-Cutler on creating the perfect ambiance to write paranormal tales.

November 2 @ Jill Sheets' Blog
Visit Jill's blog for her interview with author Amy Sampson-Cutler about her book To Have and To Hold, To Love and To Kill.

***** BOOK GIVEAWAY *****

The giveaway is open to US residents for a print copy. Enter to win a print copy of To Have and to Hold, To Love and to Kill by Amy S. Cutler! Fill out the Gleam form below for a chance to win. The giveaway ends October 19th at 11:59 pm CT. We will randomly draw a winner the next day via Gleam and follow up via email. Good luck!

To Have and to Hold Giveaway
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Saturday, October 04, 2025

Interview with Julide Kroeker, Runner Up in the Q3 Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest with "To all the Moons who have followed me Home"

 

Congratulations to Julide Kroeker from Saint Charles, Missouri for her touching nonfiction essay titled:
To all the Moons who have followed me Home

Check out Julide's submission, To all the Moons who have followed me Home as well as all the other winning entries and then stop back here to read Julide's enlightening interview with Crystal J. Casavant-Otto from WOW! Women on Writing. 

Julide's Bio: 
Julide (Juh-lee-duh) Kroeker is an aspiring cryptid living in the Midwest. She spent the last luxurious 8 months getting laid off, so she's hoping to haunt your local woods! Are you looking for someone with the moxie of Mothman and the sex appeal of the Squonk? Well, look no further! I'm already scurrying on your roof!


WOW: Thank you for writing such a personal essay - what is the take-away you'd like readers to gain from To all the Moons who have followed me Home? 

 Julide: When you're a kid, you believe everything your parents say, especially the bad stuff. It seeps into your brain and marinates there, and it's near impossible to debunk all the things that the person who is supposed to love you more than anyone has said. I know that's how I thought, I was like, "Man, if my mom thinks of me like this, then everyone else must really hate me." And sometimes I still slip into that. The takeaway I would hope would be that you are a full person outside of other people, and it is important to grasp who that person is so that other people don't tell you who you are instead. 

WOW: That is really profound - thank you for finding the right words to explain that. Who is your support - what have you found to be most supportive in your writing life as well as in life in general? 

 Julide: My boyfriend Kevin has been a huge support for me. I've had a tough year of getting laid off, and then endured the demoralizing experience of searching for a new job in 2025. He never wavered in his belief in what I could achieve, and has never made me feel embarrassed for getting excited about the things that bring me joy. He was told me that, "Your enthusiasm is the best thing about you." 

 WOW: Huge round of applause for Kevin - I love him already! What’s next for you? What are your writing goals for the rest of 2025 and beyond? 

Julide: I've never been good about actually finishing my novels, so that is still a goal I'd like to achieve. I have a story in mind that really excites me whenever I think about. It's got a small town with shady secrets, cryptids, a mysterious doctor, and a little girl trying to uncover it all. I was really stuck on the idea of writing something people broadly would want to buy, but this feels like something I'd love even if no one buys it, so I'm chasing that right now. 

WOW: I enjoyed your bio - it begs the ask - Would you like to share with us what an aspiring cryptid enjoys? Bring us into your world? 

 Julide: Gosh, thanks for asking. Unfortunately, it's not all glitz and glamour like you'd think. It's a really intimidating market to break into, even with all six of my legs. It can feel like it's oversaturated by these veterans, you know, cause every day you're just thinking, "I'll never be Mothman." But I was talking to the Loveland Frogman, who's been a real mentor for me, and who gave me some advice in regards to my identity crisis as an up and coming cryptid, he said, "Hey, stop trying to come up with your name and your niche, the town you scuttle around in will name you. It's about the community and your impact on them. You just gotta be you." And that really took a lot of pressure off me. 

WOW: What advice do you have for others during turbulent times? What works or doesn’t work for you when it comes to dealing with stress and the pressures of everyday life? 

Julide: Allow yourself to crumble a bit. It doesn't make you weak. I felt completely worthless when I lost my job, and I had to get through feeling those emotions, because that was the way through. You have to remember that you are not your job, that you still deserve kindness from people, including yourself. So, my advice is crumble and rebuild.


WOW: Thank you Julide for your great advice to others when it comes to writing and writing contests, and thank you for sharing with us in today's interview! You're a bright light for all of us writers and readers! I look forward to our paths crossing again and until then - keep writing (and smiling)! 

Today's post was penned by Crystal J. Casavant-Otto

Crystal Casavant writes. 
Everything. 
If you follow her blog you have likely laid eyes on every thought she has ever had. Her debut novel, It Was Never About Me, Was It? is still a work in progress and shall be fully worthy sometime in 2025...or maybe 2026. She has written for WOW! Women on Writing, Bring on Lemons, and has been featured in several magazines and ezines relating to credit and collections as well as religious collections for confessional Lutherans. She runs a busy household full of intelligent, recalcitrant, and delightful humans who give her breath and keep her heart beating day after day. 

Crystal wears many hats (and not just the one in this photo) and fully believes in being in the moment and doing everything she can to improve the lives of those around her! The world may never know her name, but she prays that because of her, someone may smile a little brighter. She prides herself on doing nice things - yes, even for strangers! 


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Thursday, October 02, 2025

Do Easter Eggs Belong in Your Writing?


I enjoyed the post last month by my fellow blogger Renee Roberson about her family being captivated by the streaming show The Summer I Turned Pretty. I was also escaping into author Jenny Han's world of young love, heartbreak, and beautiful beach houses. 


Then I went online.


Sure, there was the standard debate of the love triangle. Were you Team Jeremiah or Team Conrad? But it was more than just that simple question. 


Social media was flooded with discussions of every detail of the show and books from the use of color to movies (Sabrina and Bye, Bye Birdie made several appearances) to the symbolism of numbers, food, music, clothes, home decor. These super fans were investigating even the smallest detail as they went over each scene, each word, each pause with a fine tooth comb. What was the meaning behind that song, that dessert, that seating at the dinner table?


It began because author Jenny Han confirmed in interviews that there were "little breadcrumbs" giving hints to the final outcome as well as some that were tributes to her favorite songs, her other books and more. I think for many people "the hunt" to try and decipher what was going to happen before it happened was as fun as watching the actual show.


Could authors do this in written works? Leave easter eggs that are so subtle they are almost unnoticeable but when they are revealed produce an "ah-ha" moment? As writers, we dream of people not only reading our words but remembering them, recommending them to others, interacting with them. Hidden puzzles could be a way to make that happen. An extra to keep readers anchored in your world even after they've read the last page.


I often place my own version of easter eggs in my writing but they are only noticeable to my family and close friends. My fictional characters might have the initials, favorite foods or quirky habit of a loved one. Many are secret little tributes to each of my children.


Many books through the ages have included that hidden layer that are easily overlooked on the first read through: The Great Gatsby, The Narnia series, Alice in Wonderland, the books of Dan Brown and Stephen King. That hidden layer encourages you to hold on to a book - reading it multiple times, searching for the hidden. It becomes more than just a book - it becomes an experience.


What do you think about literary easter eggs?



Jodi M. Webb writes from her home in the Pennsylvania mountains about everything from DIY projects to tea to butterflies.  She's also a blog tour manager for WOW-Women on Writing. Get to know her  blogging at Words by Webb. 


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