Author Melissa Roos joins me to talk about Tennessee Wishes — a romantic-suspense set in Nashville where a dream, a spark, and a shadowy crime wave collide. We get into how she writes from instinct as a self-described pantser, why the opening took several passes to finally “click,” how beta feedback shaped the book, and the choices behind a grumpy, coffee-fueled detective and a memorable K-9 who feels like a character of his own. We also touch on grounding the story in real places (Broadway, honky-tonks, a concrete silo), giving every character emotional weight (including Dorothea), and keeping the tension rising in short, fast chapters. If you like hearing how a story finds its shape through emotion, place, and revision, this one’s for you.
Melissa Roos' book on Amazon: https://a.co/d/9X6cIJZ
Follow Melissa on her website: https://www.melissaroosauthor.com/
Join the After Show on Patreon and get my free novella Cognitive Breach, bonus stories from guests, early access to episodes, and the chance to submit your own questions for future authors. https://patreon.com/markpjnadon
Today's Sponsor Mark P.J. Nadon's novels: https://mybook.to/marksthrillers
Authors: Want to be a guest? Apply here → https://markpjnadon.ca/the-thriller-pitch-podcast
Bonus question not shared anywhere else: • Subscribe to the newsletter → https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/1441401/156148451269150067/share
Explore thrillers by Mark P.J. Nadon: • https://markpjnadon.ca/novels/
Follow Mark on his Amazon Author Page: • https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mark-PJ-Nadon/author/B0D572CK4Y?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1753025997&sr=1-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=229df4e7-ebe3-47d8-b0dd-0a03704db684
Follow on Social: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markpjnadon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mark_pj_nadon/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mark_pj_nadon
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.