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Theresa L. Goodrich

Theresa L. Goodrich is an Emmy-winning author and content creator with a penchant for storytelling and a keen eye. As the force behind The Local Tourist, she’s dedicated to telling in-depth stories of magnificent, quirky, and unique places. She’s slightly obsessed with travel and history and has turned these passions into multiple books, including the Two Lane Gems series, *Living Landmarks of Chicago*, *Planning Your Perfect Road Trip*, and *Show Me Shipshewana*. **Theresa is the publisher of *Midwest Road Trip Adventures, 2nd Edition* and *Midwest State Park Adventures.* Under the pen name of Theresa L. Carter, she's the author of the Alex Paige cozy mystery series, featuring a travel writer and breast cancer survivor who unwillingly becomes an amateur sleuth.A cancer survivor herself, Theresa is a firm believer that storytelling is life changing. She speaks across the country about travel and road trips and teaches both writing and self-publishing. She’s driven, often literally, to inspire you to get off the interstates and explore the towns and communities that make this country a constant and welcome surprise.

Featured Post

Need something to read? Last chance for several of these book fairs

Welcome to Free Books Friday! Ready for some more books to stuff your Kindle (or whatever device you use)? Quick note: if you're an aspiring author, or even if you've already published a book but feel overwhelmed by how much there is to learn, I'm here to help! Simple Self-Publishing is my new newsletter with free advice on how to get your book into the world. Plus, if you upgrade, you'll get my full Simple Self-Publishing course, which is now an incredibly affordable membership. (As in, less...

Hello Reader, I'll be upfront: this email is probably not for you. Unless, that is, you want to publish a book, or want to make publishing your next one easier. If this isn't you, please delete and next time I'm in touch, it'll be with my regularly scheduled program of travel stuff. But if this is you - if you are an author or want to be - I've got some exciting news! You may know I'm an author myself. I’ve published sixteen books in multiple formats, fourteen of them since April 2021. My...

Hi Reader! Ready for a fun read? Dive into Menace at the Marina, the 6th book in the the Alex Paige Cozy Travel Mystery Series! Alex Paige has survived plenty, but she never expected a trip to her best friend’s wedding to be marred by murder. A celebration on Lake Michigan quickly unravels when her vengeful ex-boyfriend just won’t stay out of her life. A man who haunts her across state lines, his troubling behavior escalates from mere coincidence to menacing confrontation. But when Ben’s body...

Surprise surprise! Today only, you can get 170+ cozy mystery books for free! There are some great books in this promotion, but they're only available for free today, so don't wait! CLICK HERE to browse, download, and read read read. This includes Peril on the Peninsula, the first book in my Alex Paige travel mysteries. I'll also be sending out Free Book Friday tomorrow. Woohoo! Happy reading, Theresa

Mockup of Menace at the Marina on a beach

Hi Reader! I've got exciting news... Menace at the Marina, the 6th book in the the Alex Paige Cozy Travel Mystery Series, is DONE! Alex Paige has survived plenty, but she never expected a trip to her best friend’s wedding to be marred by murder. A celebration on Lake Michigan quickly unravels when her vengeful ex-boyfriend just won’t stay out of her life. A man who haunts her across state lines, his troubling behavior escalates from mere coincidence to menacing confrontation. But when Ben’s...

Peril on the Peninsula Cover with coffee and phone

Welcome to Free Books Friday! I've been including free books, book fairs, and discounted book each week on Diary of a Cockeyed Optimist, but there are so many it means I have no room to blather on - which is why I started Diary in the first place. Solution: I'll email these promotions separately! Most Tuesdays, I'll send you behind-the-scenes emails and stories from my life as a creative entrepreneur. FYI: if you don't want those, you can unsubscribe and you'll still get these freebie emails....

Torn wrapping on cover of Betrayed at the Beach, revealing the word "beach"

Hi Reader! Hoo boy. I am way overdue for an update. I didn't realize I hadn't updated you at all about Betrayed at the Beach. Whoops. Fortunately, I've got good news. The book's practically writing itself and I am having SO MUCH FUN. I think you're going to love this one, especially some new characters that I have a major crush on. (I've got an excerpt below, but don't skip to it just yet.) The official launch date is July 15. Yes, that's coming up fast, but that's the beauty of being an...

Hello Reader! And hello June! This is going to be one busy month. Tomorrow, Mr. TLT and I are heading to Galena, Illinois, for a quick overnight. Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa, a.k.a. our happy place (or one of them), recently renovated their spa and we've been invited to check it out. Tough job, I know, but the timing's great because I ended up in urgent care last weekend due to a muscle spasm. Lemme tell you, THOSE are no fun. I'm ready for a massage, some farm-to-table dining, and a nice walk...

Hello Reader! The subject line says it all. Friday was National Road Trip Day, so to celebrate, I'm practically giving away Planning Your Perfect Road Trip. Today through Monday, you can get this step-by-step guide to hittin' the road for only $5. It comes complete with 35+ printable planning pages, to help make planning your next adventure a breeze. If you're thinking of taking a road trip, get this book! I mean, it's less than a movie ticket, a cup of coffee, a fast-food sandwich, or a pint...

Hello Reader! The subject line says it all. It's National Road Trip Day, so to celebrate, I'm practically giving away Planning Your Perfect Road Trip. Today through Monday, you can get this step-by-step guide to hittin' the road for only $5. It comes complete with 35+ printable planning pages, to help make planning your next adventure a breeze. If you're thinking of taking a road trip, get this book! I mean, it's less than a movie ticket, a cup of coffee, a fast-food sandwich, or a pint of...