Behind the Book

Adventures with my writing and research

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Oregon Whitewater Thriller: How Maupin, Prineville, and Bend Became the Backbone of My Thrillers

Kelly Romo

Apr 293 min read

Oregon Whitewater Thriller: How Maupin, Prineville, and Bend Became the Backbone of My Thrillers

"Discover the captivating charm of Maupin, Prineville, and Bend as we unveil their influence on thrilling whitewater novels.

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What Your Playlist Might Have in Common with a Serial Killer's

Kelly Romo

Nov 10, 20235 min read

What Your Playlist Might Have in Common with a Serial Killer's

The Musical Preferences of Serial Killers As a thriller writer, I know how important it is to delve into the minds of my characters and...

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Kelly Romo

Jul 12, 20232 min read

It's Fair, Festival, and Rodeo Season!

Summer is here, and that means it's time for fairs, festivals, and rodeos in Oregon! I will be signing books at 4 different fairs this year.

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Introducing Talon David and Ryan Haugen, the narrators who brought I AM THE RIVER to life.

Kelly Romo

Jun 28, 20232 min read

Introducing Talon David and Ryan Haugen, the narrators who brought I AM THE RIVER to life.

Audiobooks have become increasingly popular, and with good reason. They allow you to dive into a great story or topic without having to...

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Behind I AM THE RIVER: The Editors Who Made My Book Shine

Kelly Romo

May 26, 20234 min read

Behind I AM THE RIVER: The Editors Who Made My Book Shine

Nothing in life is done in isolation. Once I finish the first draft of my novels, I rely on my editors to help my work reach its full...

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Chills, Thrills & Creative Magic! I AM THE RIVER Cover Design

Kelly Romo

May 5, 20232 min read

Chills, Thrills & Creative Magic! I AM THE RIVER Cover Design

My daughter, Brittany, created an extraordinary cover for my newest thriller! It all started with her taking on the challenge of...

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Kelly Romo

Apr 1, 20234 min read

Do You Know A Serial Killer?

Here are six telltale signs to look out for. Are you concerned that someone you know could potentially be a serial killer? Do you have...

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Behind my WHITEWATER THRILLER SERIES: Research and Murder in the Cascades.

Kelly Romo

Jan 30, 20232 min read

Behind my WHITEWATER THRILLER SERIES: Research and Murder in the Cascades.

The research for book two of my Whitewater Thriller Series took me into the Cascade Mountain Range and to the headwaters of the Deschutes...

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Behind DEAD DRIFT: My Audiobook is Now Available! Let Me Introduce the Narrators.

Kelly Romo

Jun 30, 20223 min read

Behind DEAD DRIFT: My Audiobook is Now Available! Let Me Introduce the Narrators.

Meet the amazing and talented Talon David and Ryan Hougen who narrated my thriller, DEAD DRIFT. I had over 80 auditions for the audiobook...

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Behind My Writing: Working in Haunted Hotels

Kelly Romo

May 30, 20222 min read

Behind My Writing: Working in Haunted Hotels

Writing, ghosts, bubble baths, and soaking pools. WRITING Whenever I need to get my head wrapped back around my story or I need to do a...

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Kelly Romo

May 24, 20222 min read

Behind DEAD DRIFT: The Art of the Fly

How I transitioned from me to HIM...in a fictional sense. Fly Fishing For me, as I'm sure with most people who tie flies, it all started...

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Behind DEAD DRIFT: How Many Editors Does it Take to Write a Thriller?

Kelly Romo

May 15, 20223 min read

Behind DEAD DRIFT: How Many Editors Does it Take to Write a Thriller?

The world may never know...For me, writing is not done in isolation. These amazing people helped me create an accurate and polished...

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Behind WHEN SORROW TAKES WING: Farmer Tony and Pearson Ranch

Kelly Romo

May 8, 20222 min read

Behind WHEN SORROW TAKES WING: Farmer Tony and Pearson Ranch

The man, the myth, the citrus. WHEN SORROW TAKES WING and Farmer Tony When I needed help with my research on the citrus industry, Farmer...

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Behind DEAD DRIFT: Maupin's Real Serial Killer.

Kelly Romo

Apr 30, 20223 min read

Behind DEAD DRIFT: Maupin's Real Serial Killer.

Little did I know that Maupin had a serial killer who got his start on the Deschutes River... ISRAEL KEYES Israel Keyes is considered one...

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Behind WHEN SORROW TAKES WING: A Secret Brigade of 25,000 Women?

Kelly Romo

Apr 25, 20223 min read

Behind WHEN SORROW TAKES WING: A Secret Brigade of 25,000 Women?

Don't mess with a lady's religion. 500 years after the death of Joan of Arc, a brigade of women fighting for their religion called...

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Behind DEAD DRIFT: If It Looks Like Bull and It Smells Like Bull...

Kelly Romo

Apr 17, 20224 min read

Behind DEAD DRIFT: If It Looks Like Bull and It Smells Like Bull...

What do whitewater rafting, Cheech and Chong, special brownies, and a rodeo have in common? (the answer is below) WHITEWATER RAFTING I...

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Kelly Romo

Apr 9, 20221 min read

Behind DEAD DRIFT: Cover Reveal

I am excited to share the cover of my new thriller, DEAD DRIFT. Now it feels real! Another exciting aspect is that my daughter, Brittany,...

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Kelly Romo

Apr 2, 20222 min read

Behind DEAD DRIFT: Writing on the Fly

Which came first? The fly fishing or the thriller? And how I came up with the title. THE FIRST SPARK I came up with the idea for DEAD...

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Behind WHEN SORROW TAKES WING: Related to a Saint?

Kelly Romo

Mar 27, 20222 min read

Behind WHEN SORROW TAKES WING: Related to a Saint?

While writing my novel, WHEN SORROW TAKES WING, I discovered my boys may be related to Santo Toribio Romo González.

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Behind WHISTLING WOMEN: Staying at the Banana Bungalow

Kelly Romo

Mar 20, 20222 min read

Behind WHISTLING WOMEN: Staying at the Banana Bungalow

By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea. I made many research trips to San Diego while writing WHISTLING WOMEN. As a single mom, I...

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Kelly Romo

Join me on a literary journey unlike any other in BEHIND the BOOK – where the art of storytelling meets the thrill of exploration, weaving together the threads of writing, research, and travel.

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