What questions shall we ask Joe Hill when we interview him on Monday?

Ed and Will

It’s READATHON weekend and it couldn’t have come at a better time! This one is a little different! We are all sharing soup recipes in the Discord, making soup, being cozy and chatting books all weekend! Come and join us by joining the community Discord!

What’s your favorite soup? And what books are you trying to read this weekend! I’m finishing up Margot’s Got Money Troubles and then I have no idea what I’m jumping into!

It's time for another author interview! Last week we talked with author Julia Jackson about her debut novel Powder & Poison. If you haven't read that interview you definitely should! Along with my interview with Stephanie Rose.

This week help me in welcoming author Kelly Dwyer! Kelly Dwyer is the author of Ghost Mother, a chilling psychological/ghost horror.

The book follows Lilly Bly and her husband as they take on a fixer-upper of a house way out of their price range. After purchasing the house, Lilly discovers the house has a dark history. Strange occurrences begin happening. Lilly begins to wonder if they are real or if they are all in her head.

1. Use this first question as an introduction. Tell us a little about yourself and your book.

My name is Kelly Dwyer, and I am the author of GHOST MOTHER, a psychological ghost story. I'm a graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop, and I currently divide my time between Los Angeles, where I grew up, and Wisconsin. I am married with a young adult daughter and a really cute pug named Roman.

2. You released Ghost Mother a year ago. It was such a powerful read. What inspired you to write it?

Thank you so much, Ash. :) The day my husband and I were about to close on our first house, we found out there had been a murder in it. This was in Baraboo, Wisconsin, where the Ringling Brothers were from. Their first cousins were the Gollmar Brothers, who also owned a circus. Our house (a modest Craftsman, not a run-down mansion) had been built by one of the Gollmar Brothers, and when he died, his widow lived there by herself, and used to feed transients during the Depression. One night, during a robbery gone wrong, one of these men murdered her. My husband and I had a decision to make--knowing this, should we still buy the house? We decided that since it happened so long ago (in the 1930s), and since the woman who had lived in the house seemed really nice, we would go ahead, and indeed, we never felt any sort of haunting in the eight years we lived there. But it made me think--What if there had been the kind of tragic murder there that would make someone not want to buy a house? What if someone who bought the house did feel a haunting? What kind of person would that be? It was when I reread Henry James' "The Turn of the Screw" and I started imagining the ambiguity of--is the house haunted or is the protagonist losing touch with reality?--that the novel really came together for me. 

3. I absolutely love the "couple moves to a new house that needs repairs in hopes it'll save their marriage' trope that is featured in Ghost Mother. What are some of your favorite horror tropes? Any favorite books that feature these tropes?

Yes, it's so fun to write--and read--books that dig into tropes or put a new spin on them! When I was writing GHOST MOTHER, I read a lot of haunted house books; I think my favorites, besides James', are The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters, Rebecca by Daphne du Maruier, and The Shining by Stephen King. (See The Most Classic Haunted House books by Kelly Dwyer  for an article I wrote on the subject.) I was also inspired by films like "Rosemary's Baby" and the TV show "The Haunting of Hill House." I think the thing that interested me the most about that trope was the question, "What is haunting you?" Two people--as you say, in this case, a couple--could move into a house, and one person will feel haunted, while the other doesn't sense anything. Is that because one person is more open to the supernatural? Is that because ghosts seek certain people out? Or is it because someone is so haunted by their past--their losses, their traumas--that they are prone to sense a haunting where maybe there isn't one? I don't know, but I love the question, and as a writer, I love the ambiguity involved

4. What was the most difficult part of writing Ghost Mother?

The most difficult part of writing GHOST MOTHER was getting the backstory of the 1950s tragedy in the house right. It had to be compelling. I knew I wanted a nod to the circus, which had been a part of our former house's history. But it also had to be thematically resonant. I wrote three completely different backstories before my agent said, "Yep, this is it." Now, looking back, it seems so obvious, but wow, it took me a while!

5. Were there any scenes or characters that were harder to write than others? Any that were easier?

Getting Jack and Lilly's relationship to feel real and be complicated was a challenge for me. Bobby Shawcross was the easiest character to write! I don't know where he came from, but everything about him--his speech, his voice, his appearance--just landed in my head fully formed. 

6. Were there any scenes that you had to edit out of Ghost Mother that you wish you had left in?

I love this question, because the short answer is, No! I sold GHOST MOTHER at a 100 pages longer than it is now. My editor asked me to make it tighter. She didn't tell me what to cut, or suggest a word count, but I knew I wanted it to be shorter than 350 pages. (I think it came in at 336 by the end.) To cut those hundred pages, I cut any repetitious scenes, started the story moving quicker, and cut out any unnecessary backstory. At the time, I thought maybe those scenes from the past were important so that the reader could understand and sympathize with Lilly, but after I cut them, I realized that I need to write them to understand and sympathize with Lilly, but the reader didn't need to read them. My new mantra is, When in doubt, cut!

7. Do you have any other projects in the works?

Yes indeed! I am working on a new novel inspired by fairy tales, Hollywood, and a mansion with a bg, dark secret. It's a lot of fun!

8. 2025 has been a great year for horror. What have been your top three reads that you've read so far?

Oh, boy. So many--and I'm so behind! I'm reading The Buffalo Hunter now, and it's taking me a while, because I read and reread Stephen Graham Jones' sentences again and again. He's amazing. I also really enjoyed and admired  Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix, Hungerstone by Kat Dunn,  The Lamb by Lucy Rose, and--one that was written a few years ago, in 1872, but I just read for the first time--Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu. Give me a gothic lesbian vampire story set in an isolated castle and I'm in!

9. Do you have any special routines that help you get ready to write?

I like to set candles, set an intention. Like Proust and Edith Wharton, I write in bed. 

10. If Ghost Mother was ever adapted into a film, do you have a dream cast?

GHOST MOTHER is in pre-pre-pre-pre... production, meaning, my film agent introduced me to a director I really like, and she's interested in writing the screenplay and making the film. I would love to see this novel on the screen, and I feel like there are so many women actors about Lilly's age (37 or thereabouts) who would be amazing in the role: Emma Stone, Jennifer Lawrence, Natalie Portman (think of her in The Black Swan), Anna Taylor-Joy... maybe Florence Pugh wouldn't be too young by the time it was cast. :)  I always pictured Jack as looking like Theo James. Anybody free? 

11. Bonus question from Kelly: I'd like to ask you and your readers a question now, if you don't mind. Do you like horror books about horror movies? If so, what do you like about them? If not, what do you dislike? Do you have any favorites/ any recommendations? 

Thanks for the question, Kelly! I am a huge fan of Hollywood horror! There are several books I just love such as Night Film, Curse of The Reaper, Burn The Negative, Silver Nitrate, and more. I'll drop a few links to posts on my instagram where I showcase some more horror set on movie screens/ hollywood.

Film/Hollywood Horror

Hollywood Horror

Special thanks again to Kelly for taking the time to talk with me! Be sure to pick up a copy of Ghost Mother if you haven't already read it. It was one of my favorites last year!

You can follow Kelly on Instagram or on her website.

Welcome to the official corner of The Page Ladies Book Club! If you've been looking for a book club that’s truly about the community and the full reading experience you've found us!

We are a tight-knit crew of lifelong best friends, a mix of moms, teachers, and librarians who have navigated life's wildest chapters together. Our club isn't just about reading; it's our deliberate way of keeping that lifelong sisterhood strong despite our busy schedules.

📚What Happens at a Page Ladies Meeting?

We choose books that spark the loudest, liveliest debates from classic novels to twisty thrillers. We adore dissecting our monthly picks, but we also love making the meeting a full-blown event!

We'll be sharing the unique content we create for our meetups right here on the Bindery, including:

▫️Book Club Discussion Guides: Our own unique questions to spark those debates.

▫️Themed Recipes & Meeting Menus: Delicious snacks and drinks inspired by our reads.

▫️Fun Games and Activities: Creative ways to engage with the book beyond just talking.

🍷The Main Course: Connection! The books are just an appetizer! Our meetings are a crucial support system, a space for celebrating wins, venting about life, offering advice, and having a good, hearty laugh. We truly know each other's story, and we always, always make sure the wine is flowing!

We are The Page Ladies: forever dedicated to making time for both the pages we read and the lives we live.

Connect with Us!

We'll be sharing our discussion guides, themed menus, honest reviews, and more!

❓️What kind of book club and bookish content would you like to see us post about and tell us about yourself!

I just finished listening to the audiobook of Mate, by Ali Hazelwood. This was a much anticipated read for me this year, as I really enjoyed Bride, something that surprised me as I am not a big romance, or even a romantasy reader. I think my friends, I just like reading monster and alien romance and the themes that are so prevalent in the genre.

Oh yeah, that's right, I also really loved Ice Planet Barbarians, an alien romance series where a group of women are kidnapped out of their homes in order to serve nefarious purposes in the intergalactic human trafficking world, until the ship they are on crashes in a remote world that happens to have hot, eight foot tall aliens. This isn't the post to give more details on plot lines and character development, among other things, but I will say... I read the first 20 books in the series in 4 weeks. Its good, and there is actually a pretty solid sci-fi subplot in the midst of all of the romance, smut, and "interspecies mating" going on. You know... fun.

Give me a romance with a human man, though, and I usually can't be bothered. I've recently been thinking about why that is. The following line of thoughts are not exactly a new conversation. They've been happening for decades, but it is an ever evolving conversation, with the continued rise in violence against women and girls globally, and the current romantic recession.

Monster/Alien romances typically have similar themes to the typical romance genre, but are often a bit more magnified due to the "monstrous" or "animaltistic" elements of the MMCs in these books (more on that later as I am certainly NOT comparing men to animals). The main male protagonists often exhibit traits such as protectiveness and care for their "woman", showing high levels of self control (when they often fall fast and hard for the FMC), thoughtfulness, and even playfulness. Women are often drawn to these stories, including myself, because of these themes. This is not necessarily because of a lack of these traits in their personal lives with personal partners... though that certainly can be the case. These novels give women the opportunity to read, almost in a Y/N, self insert type of way, about another women being cherished, supported, lusted after and loved by their partners or the potential partners that they are interested in.

Monster romances often have plot lines that revolve around the male being territorial towards their partners (the FMC) and exhibiting "anyone else touches her and you die" type energy, while also simultaneously denying themselves their own wants until they are appropriately encouraged or interest is expressed by the FMC. We see these MMCs cherish and support the women whom they are entangled with, all while simultaneously fucking them into oblivion (consensually of course).

Actually, one of the biggest appeals of books like these are plot points where MMC falls hard and fast (often before the FMC). We get to see them wanting and needing her, but struggling to remain silent, to languish while waiting for her to express some slight level of interest to where he can express his want and interest appropriately. They hold back to ensure she is comfortable, before they make their "move". (Think of Anthony Bridgerton sniffing the air after Kate walks into the house before him, that level of want and need, you can see he is desperate for her).

Books like Mate and Ice Planet Barbarians offer escapes- scenarios which show women being treasured, cherished, protected, wanted and supported. These fantasies and stories offer and show people falling in love, going through completely impossible scenarios (which are fun! don't get me wrong) and yet the real payoff is in the relationships. We see FMCs falling in love with men who display character traits such as integrity, moral codes of conduct, kindness, protectiveness and supportiveness simultaneously, without taking away her agency, along with a myriad of other qualities that not only demand respect but are also just sexy. Which reminds me of those "monstrous" and "animalistic" traits I mentioned earlier and have touched on throughout this essay of sorts.

When talking about the monstrous and animalistic aspects of the MMCs in monster/alien romance books, what I am referencing has all to do with the instinctual characteristics of animals. Think of how wolves are protective of their pack... their mates. Take wolves for example. Wolves have been known to risk their own lives in order to protect pack members from danger. In a werewolf story, like Mate, this is a trait we see in Koen, the MMC of the story. At a certain point, Serena the FMC has a plan that puts herself at risk. We see Koen get extremely upset and protective over Serena (hot, he loves her and is trying to protect her), but Serena is pretty adamant that this is something she needs to do for the greater good. Koen doesn't like it but after a solid plan is in place he begrudgingly goes along with it and helps to implement the plan in the best and safest way, thereby not taking away Serena's agency and even deferring to her own choice in the matter (also hot).

Other "animalistic" behaviors include raw lust for their partner (mate) paired with an emphasis on consent, open communication, and ensuring their partners are comfortable with any physical and emotional milestones and progressions. Partners pay attention to each other, attuned to the others body language, and both what is said an is unsaid. This doesn't mean being a mind reader, in fact I've read some books where one character calls out another for the lack of communication or shutting them out for various reasons. Everyone has baggage. Part of the appeal is having someone willing to go through it with you when you are working on it as well.

I am often reminded of friends who are currently dating today, sharing stories with me of nightmare dates. Dates where they aren't asked a single question about themselves, or dates where there is an insinuation that they are owed something for the simple act of leaving their house and having dinner or drinks or what have you. In a time when often, as Vogue said, having a boyfriend is embarrassing.. when men often see women as something less than themselves, or when women are treated as prizes and then discarded, the conversation on romance books and the themes I've just laid out are only becoming more and more relevant.

I am currently typing this as I sit watching the mountains and the beautiful Joshua Trees. This is my happy place. Christopher and I come here every year for our anniversary (this is our 5th trip), and every year we fall more in love with it. The more times we visit, the less we do on our trips. We are on day 4, and all we've done is go to the grocery store. It's just perfect. We go home on Saturday, so I doubt we will even actually do any hiking in the park. Oops! I'm doing some youtube stuff, yes, but it's just so nice to lay around this outdoor living room with my book and no obligations. Feeling so lucky and grateful for all I have. Currently reading The Bee Sting by Paul Murray. I'm only 180/650 pages in, but I am very interested in seeing where it goes. I've been known to enjoy "books where nothing happens," and this definitely falls into that category. But I'm enjoying it!

Just felt like sharing a little bit about my actual life on here. Once I'm back to reality, more posts and bookish stuff will be coming. For now, enjoy these pictures of the gorgeous scenery I'm surrounded by, taken by my incredible talented husband of 13 (!!) years!

As we wrap up the end of the year, let's kick of 2026 with a bang! I plan on doing monthly book club reads, but let's start early with December this year! What should we read?

Anyone want to join my ARC team?

Spike is revived multiple times by his dictator uncle, Kairos, living in a reincarnated loop until his parents help him escape.

This is the story of his last life.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1mUPY07IMgXBn8DKb_UtPnUq7D8zawQyjYFLHngSoQk0/edit?usp=drivesdk

What are the books you won't shut up about?

“You come from women who endured. You carry their fire.”

That's the feeling you get reading The Weyward by Emilia Hart. This book is an eerie, gorgeous meditation on feminine power, resilience, and reclamation across three haunting timelines 1619, 1942, 2019. We were absolutely captured by the fierce defiance of Altha, Violet, and Kate.

This is more than a book, it’s pure magic!

Want to know our favorite scene and detailed analysis? Follow us to get The Prequel Review!