It's always fun to have an author return so we can enjoy all the book in their series. Today it's Sherri Dodd with Book 2 in her Murder, Tera & Crystals trilogy. Join us as we celebrate the launch of Moonset on Desert Sands with a special giveaway and an author interview! This is the perfect book to embrace as we say good-bye to summer and welcome those autumn vibes.
But before we get to that, here's more about her book:
Sherri grew up in southeastern Texas walking barefoot and catching crawdads as they swam the creek beds. Her childhood ran rampant with talk of ghosts, demons, and backcountry folklore, inspiring her first short story about a poisonous flower that shot toxins onto curious children. Her classmate bought it for all the change in his pocket. Not long after, her mother packed the two of them up and headed to the central coast of California. She has explored the vast area ever since, using it as a catalyst to her writing, from journaling to fitness articles to fiction. She holds a bachelor’s degree, and is pursuing her master’s, in holistic theology and believes this helps her to see the world through a more colorful and accepting lens.
With a traumatic year of fending off a serial killer behind her, Arista has settled contentedly into her temporary home with Auntie in Sedona, Arizona. She enjoys her new job selling all things metaphysical and even has her eye on the hot security guard, Dakota, after her recent breakup with Shane.
But a series of new fainting spells has her worried, and when Auntie witnesses one, they decide the answer lies in her home of Boulder Creek. However, returning means not only dealing with her breakup and its heartache but also the possibility of drawing her bloodthirsty Uncle Fergus to her once safe haven in the redwoods. And this time he has recruited an even more dangerous alliance.
Arista's closest bonds will be strengthened, but the mounting tension of a death in the desert, a stalker on the streets, and the relentless pursuit of Fergus puts her in dangerous territory, and escaping sorrow proves impossible.
Publisher: Black Rose Writing (March 27, 2025)
AISN: B0DF33L1YW
ISBN: 168513579X
ISBN-13: 978-1685135799
Print length: 331 pages
Purchase your copy on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org. You'll also want to add it to your GoodReads reading list.
About the Author, Sherri Dodd
In writing, her publisher labeled her 2024 debut novel as a
paranormal thriller. She would have described it as a cozy murder mystery with generous dashes of magic realism, showing that she loves to merge genres. Her trilogy — Murder,
Tea & Crystals — released book one - Murder Under Redwood Moon in March 2024; book two - Moonset on Desert Sands in March 2025; and the final book in the series- Hummingbird Moonrise released October 2025! All three books became an Amazon #1 Best Seller in the Occult Supernatural genre.
Website: www.sherridodd.com
Instagram: @Sherri.Dodd.Author
--Interview by Jodi M. Webb
WOW: Which character in your Murder, Tea & Crystals trilogy do you most identify with and why?
Sherri: I LOVE and hope to turn out like Auntie Bethie. I can already be a little spacey, love her
eclectic style, and mostly aspire to gain her optimistic wisdom. Unlike how I raised my sons (ha!), she does not dote on Arista but leads her in authoritative kindness. She has her friendship circle but is superbly independent. I love her quirkiness and it has inspired me to wear chandelier Tabra earrings, even in my Sunday hike exercise clothes, and it has also prompted my small Bethie hummingbird tattoo on my inner arm. Though, I do not foresee a head full of kinky red curls.
WOW: What was the most difficult thing about writing magic realism? Did you research wiccan practices or just create what felt right for your book?
Sherri: Yes, I thoroughly studied ‘white’ witchcraft to put forth an authentic piece of literature that
true modern-day witches can relate to. As an anecdote, one publisher asked me if I was qualified to write about witchcraft. While shocked, I had already done my homework so confidently told her yes. It is such a crucial aspect to ‘know’ what you are writing about in this era. Luckily, I happened to befriend a solitary witch without affiliation (non-Wiccan), and she was thrilled to relay endless information.
WOW: It's so great that you developed such a valuable friendship. I'm always eager to meet "experts" in just about anything - because you never know when they might be able to help you with a burning question about something that is key to a piece you're writing. Can you tell us a little about International Thriller Writers?
Sherri: I was introduced to International Thriller Writers by fellow author Elena Hartwell, author of the 2024 award-winning A Cold, Cold World and many other great books. The membership offers abundant information from successful writers in the genre, provides an occasional 8-week online Thriller School, and offers some advertising of your approved book, among many other perks. It has been helpful, but I’ve only scratched the surface of its benefits!
WOW: I've found that the writing community is so supportive, but we have reach out and find the communities and the opportunities. As for supporting fellow writers, if you could give one piece of writing advice, what would it be?
Sherri: Cliché – but Keep At It! You may find yourself writing and suddenly ask yourself why you think you’ll beat the odds of being one of the 3% who publish a book - Keep At It! You may skim through your final review of the finished product and think – This is nowhere near the quality of [insert best-selling author here] – Keep At It! After your 20th , 50th , and 74th agent or publisher rejection of “I’m going to pass…” – Keep At It! My deal came as response #75. To endure 74 No’s felt very sobering as to my potential step into the literary world, but I kept at it.
Finally, when you are published and selling books and you get a negative review – because you will … if you want to write another book, remember that 3-word encouraging phrase.
WOW: Now that summer is [sob] coming to an end, can you share with us a favorite summer memory?
Sherri: Definitely one I’ll never forget - an eight-plus-hour treacherous trek in and out of the Grand Canyon. My husband and I trained for this grueling adventure for weeks … on a gym treadmill … with air conditioner.
Day of, it was a beautiful early-September morning. We started out energized and well-nourished and carried four liters of iced water, a bag of Garden of Eatin’ Black Bean Tortilla chips, and two fruit strips between us. Posted at the trailhead was a notice about an athletic 23-year-old marathon runner who had died only days earlier. Sad, but down we went.
People passed us with walking poles and four-foot-high backpacks. We walked unsupported and donned Jansport. Hiking groups marched by us in a rigid single formation, serious about their undertaking. We ambled down side-by-side, discussing dreams and loving the scenery. Finally, we reached a plateau at about 4,000 feet down and the summer heat had started to tire us out. Heeding the aforementioned warning, we knew we would not reach the Colorado River this time. My husband spotted a small, marked foot-wide trail, and after an hour of walking across the plateau floor with no people in sight, we wondered if we had made a mistake. Then, we see a freshly-dropped Mott’s Fruit Snack wrapper – phew! On we went and finally made it to the watering hole full of hikers.
Then, came the journey up! We were filthy in dust and sweat, tired, and sore, but climbing back up the canyon became the aim. Almost four hours up, one of us turned a bluish, purple color and was covered in chill bumps. It was not me. I had eaten that whole bag of chips, my fruit snacks and chugged all my water throughout the day. My husband, the more athletic of us, had focused on the journey – ate no chips and had a full liter remaining. We settled in the shade on a convenient boulder and used his water to cool him down while I fanned him. When he returned to his regular color, we carefully finished the hike, only an hour longer.
I was not much better, during the last half hour, I developed a horrible nausea, and when we suddenly emerged amongst jabbering families discussing their double-scooped ice cream, boisterous siblings laughing at God-knows-what, and the promise of our hotel room, it all felt incredibly surreal. We landed in our bed and the lights went out for hours. When we awoke famished, we went to the lodge and scarfed down our Navajo Nachos appetizer with barely a breath between bites. Blood sugar restored, we awaited our meal while marveling at what we had just endured and ever so thankful for the accomplishment.
WOW: What an amazing adventure. Now that makes an awesome "What I Did Over Summer Vacation" essay. Finally...spill the tea! How is your Work In Progress coming along? Will it be published in 2027?
Sherri: My next book is complete, and I am waiting with bated breath for a 2027 date, but my publisher has asked me to be patient while they sort through their first-come pile. Clawing Her Way to Dawn is women’s fiction and a New Adult Thriller with elements of 80’s True Crime. It is oh-so-edgy and coming soon!
WOW: Not soon enough for us!
--Blog Tour Calendar
August 24th @ The Muffin
Join us as we celebrate the launch of the second book in Sherri Dodd's Murder, Tea & Crystals trilogy: Moonset on Desert Sands. Read an interview with the author and enter the giveaway.
August 25th @ Cozy Home Delights
Ashley reviews Moonset on Desert Sands & author Sherri Dodd writes about wild animals. Cozy Home Delights is also hosting a book giveaway.
https://cozyhomedelight.com/reviewsAugust 27th @ Knotty Needle
Judy's posting her review of Moonset on Desert Sands by Sherri Dodd.
August 28th @ Kaecey McCormick
Writing deadlines have you stressed out? Relax with Yoga for Writers by Sherri Dodd, author of the Murder, Tea & Crystals trilogy.
https://www.kaeceymccormick.com/August 31st @ All Things Writing
Author Sherri Dodd stops by with a post on why Stephen King was Right(or How Writers Become Mentally Involved in their Stories).
September 1st @ Words by Webb
Ready for a new season? Check out a paranormal mystery perfect for fall: Moonset on Desert Sands.
September 2nd @ Archeolibrarian
Dive into magic realism with an excerpt of Moonset on Desert Sands by Sherri Dodd.
September 3rd @ Knotty Needle
Learn about Fitness and the Aging Body from Sherri Dodd.
September 8th @ A Wonderful World Of Words
Don't miss your final chance at a Moonset on Desert Sands giveaway. Author Sherri Dodd will also be writing about Dealing with Toxic Family Members.
September 9th @ Chapter Break
Author Sherri Dodd explains how Writing a Standalone Novel is Entirely Different from Writing a Trilogy (plus a sneak peek at her WIP).
September 11th @ Word Magic
Author Sherri Dodd shares a peek at her writing life and new novel in today's interview.
https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/September 15th @ Words by Webb
Jodi shares why we should all be trying new genres - like magick realism.
September 18th @ Boys' Mom Reads!
Today's spotlight is on Moonset on Desert Sands, the second book in the Murder, Tea & Crystals trilogy.
September 20th @ Jill Sheet's Blog
Let's finish the Moonset on Desert Sands blog tour with a final interview with author Sherri Dodd.
***** BOOK GIVEAWAY PACKAGE *****
Enter to win an amazing Murder, Tea & Crystals prize that includes Moonset on Desert Sands by Sherri Dodd as well as lots of other witch themed gifts including candles, gemstones, soap, lip balm, Oracle cards and more. Fill out the form below for a chance to win. The giveaway ends September 6th at 11:59 pm CT. We will randomly draw a winner the next day and follow up via email. Good luck!
10 comments:
Agreed I'd love to turn out like auntie too.
What a beautiful book!
If I don’t win I’ll buy the book and read it. Seems very interesting!
Looks very exciting
Other than the physical exertion, wondering if you noticed anything spiritual in the canyon? ;)
Oh! This is so neat
Nice
What a fun book and prize pack!
This sounds like a great book! Awesome giveaway! Ty for the chance!
Fabulous title. Congratulations!
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