The Bookshelf

This month we feature two authors who are also writing buddies. Beth Savoie and Christina Rozeline met several years ago through the Bayou Writers Group. These days, they meet up at local coffee shops to share their passion for story writing.

Beth Savoie

Beth Savoie attended McNeese State University for her BSN and UTMB in Galveston for her MSN. She is currently a pediatric nurse practitioner at the Children’s Clinic of SWLA. After Beth got her PNP certification, she got serious about writing and looked for like-minded people.

Her alma mater came through in this search. McNeese offered Leisure Learning writing classes, where she upped her writing game. She also discovered the Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles. These helped her find the inspiration to not only write but publish a mystery series.

Beth writes different genres, but the one that she—and her readers—are most enthusiastic about are her British crime dramas, the Compton and Murray Mysteries. What was supposed to be a leisure learning exercise is now two, soon to be three published novels, with a fourth in mind.

Envious Score introduces readers to Detectives Compton and Murray. Murray is returning from an injury due to a drug bust gone wrong. Compton is trying to figure out life while dealing with his own family problems. Together they work to find a killer at a local university. Their plans falter when one of the detectives makes a bad decision, putting the other in danger.

Death Illuminated opens with Compton and Murray dealing with the fallout from Envious Score. This is complicated by a series of murders in which the killer uses a medieval manuscript as a prop. As they investigate, the killings become personal. But are the detectives and their families targets or suspects?

Lost Butterfly is coming soon—Spring 2025. Instead of murder, Compton and Murray investigate a woman’s disappearance. Was she kidnapped, or is there more to the story? Their personal problems and family issues continue to be a distraction, leading to a surprise none of them expected.

Beth describes her books as light on spice but heavy on murder and mayhem. They are fun beach reads or good for curling up with a favorite beverage.
How does Beth navigate being both a writer and pediatric nurse practitioner? “Each day I get up and decide what I’m doing today is worth doing,” she says. She writes consistently, hangs out with fellow authors, and gleans inspiration and encouragement from her coworkers and patients and the Children’s Clinic.

Find Beth Savoie:
Website: www.bethsavoie.com
IG: @beths_canterbury
FB: Beth Savoie

Christina Rozeline

Christina Rozeline has been passionate about writing since her elementary school days. Publishing a book has fulfilled a lifelong dream. Growing up in Vinton, La., she found solace and expression in writing poetry and music. This early love for words laid the foundation for her future as an author. Balancing her writing career with the demands of raising three children, teaching private clarinet lessons, and substitute teaching, Christina embodies resilience and determination.

Battered Roses, Christina’s debut novel, is a standalone thriller that has captivated readers with its intense narrative and emotional depth. The story is based on a poem she originally wrote, showcasing her ability to transform poetic themes into gripping prose.

In Battered Roses, Christina weaves a gripping tale of survival and fortitude. Rosaleen’s dream of a perfect life shatters when she marries Todd, who physically and emotionally abuses her. Desperate to escape his grip, Rosaleen faces a harrowing journey where every step is fraught with danger. Todd’s relentless pursuit leaves her with a stark choice: fight for her freedom or succumb to his control.

The novel’s success paved the way for Christina’s current work in progress, Crying Myrtles. This upcoming novel promises to deliver the same level of suspense and emotional engagement that readers have come to expect from her work.

Christina’s writing is not only about telling stories; it’s about inspiring readers to find the bright side in any situation; a ray of light for those in similar situations, offering hope and the strength to stand and fight. Her characters often face traumatic challenges, yet they emerge stronger, reflecting Christina’s own life philosophy. Through her books, she hopes to make a difference in the lives of her readers, much like her favorite author, Lurlene McDaniel, has done for her. Her journey from writing poetry to crafting thrilling novels is a reminder that with passion and determination, one can overcome any obstacle and achieve their dreams.

Find Christina Rozeline:
www.christinarozeline.com
Facebook

Christina and Beth are currently wrapping up their Caffeinated Characters Louisiana Book Tour. Over the past several months, they visited several coffee shops across Louisiana for book signings and meet and greets. The final stop on their tour is at A Creole Christmas Market in Sulphur, La. on November 30,
9 – 5 p.m.