I’m not sure many readers realize there is much about the publishing business authors have no control over. We write the books, but scheduling, covers, and titles are just a few of the things we have no control over. There have been times I’ve begged my editor for a change in the title, and other times I’ve jumped for joy. For instance, in the first book of my Dark Sword series, the book is titled DANGEROUS HIGHLANDER. My editor and I agreed that it fit the hero perfectly. Consequently, when I learned books two and three would be FORBIDDEN HIGHLANDER and WICKED HIGHLANDER respectively, I knew my titles were wonderful! They weren’t the first titles I was given for the series. The first book was supposed to have been called Demon’s Kiss after an object in the book, with the other books titled Demon Prince and Dark Demon. Click here to read the rest… Visit FreshFiction.com to learn more about books and authors.
July 2009On Sale: July 7, 2009Featuring: Larrie Smith; Jo304 pages ISBN: 0451227492EAN: 9780451227492Paperback$6.99 Romance Paranormal Buy at Amazon.com Best Wishes Always by Lucy Finn Falling in love takes a certain bit of magic. Wishes come true for fans of paranormal romance A charming new novel by the author of If Wishing Made It So Ever since her fiancé died, Larrie Smith, owner of Sparrow’s Nest Antiques and Fabulous Junque, has been unable to let go of the past. Instead, she fills her hours with precious collectibles and priceless memories. But when she lucks into an irresistible estate sale, she can’t believe her good fortune—or the surprising detour her life is about to take. For starters, among her acquisitions is an oil lamp—complete with a handsome genie named Jo, who offers Larrie three wishes. One is mean to protect her from the charming and dangerous moves of an unscrupulous antiques dealer. Another points the way to unexpected romance. And the third? Well, that’s up to the stars—and a genie who’s determined to prove to Larrie that what’s happening to both of them is far better than any fairy tale. Previous Picks Visit FreshFiction.com to learn more about books and authors.
Leonard LightTales From A Writer’s Life I don’t do change well. I like stability and loyalty, avoid dysfunction and distraction. If I were a tree, I guess I’d be some kind of Japanese bonsai, slow-growing, evergreen. I’ve always dreamed of having a bonsai collection. They are lovely plants in many variations, but I prefer the ones that look like small juniper trees. The angled, stretched-out branches always look so peaceful. Having caught the tail end of the sixties, I suppose peace feels good to me. Or maybe I am just a stream that doesn’t care for rocks to disturb my glass-smooth serenity. But despite this love of tranquility, I found myself putting my house on the market not once but twice this year. The first time was a misery. It was February, and we’d just gotten the toilet paper out of the lawn from a vigorous, enthusiastic rolling that had been performed in our live oak trees. Unfortunately, it rained violently right after the fabulous papering job, and the tissue paper glued to the rough live oak bark like white mold. Sodden clumps stuck to the pebbled sidewalk, a papier mache that was impossible to remove. It looked as if…
Candy’s Inside BooksA look at books, authors and movie events I’m getting ready to head out to Los Angeles to cover the new TV season for the day job. I’ve seen a few of the new pilots and I liked some of them. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen anything very fresh – At least not yet. (Hollywood, if you’re listening I have some great books that could be turned into fabulous TV series. I haven’t ever seen a series about a witch who protects the British prime minister, or a magical librarian, or four sisters who protect our world from alien beings. But I digress. It occurred to me the other day that some of my favorite TV shows and films from 2009 were based on the lives of writers or were adaptations of books. “Castle” is one of my favorite television shows, which is about a fictional writer who works with a police detective to solve murders. I also liked the adaptation of Debbie Macombers’ “Mrs. Miracle,” which was a very sweet film. “The Last Station” is a movie about Tolstoy’s struggle to balance is slightly insane family with his commitment to his belief in living a life with out…
Before we begin I want to wish everyone a happy healthy new year. Now, that the niceties are out of the way it’s time to review 2009, and look ahead to 2010. In 2009 I resolved to read a book by each author that was invited to the DFW Tea Readers book club dinners. I started out great, but failed to follow through for the year. I also wanted to complete a challenge from one of my Yahoo groups that was to read a book with a certain word in the title. Again, I started out great, and again failed to follow through for the year. To read more of LOOK BOTH WAYS….REVIEWING 2009 and PLOTTING 2010 please click here. Visit FreshFiction.com to learn more about books and authors.
Hex #4 October 2009On Sale: October 1, 2009Featuring: Blair Fitzpatrick; Jake Harrison352 pages ISBN: 1402218192EAN: 9781402218194Mass Market Paperback$6.99 Romance Paranormal Buy at Amazon.com Hex In High Heels by Linda Wisdom Fourth in the popular, light paranormal romance series by an author whose books have sold 13 million copies In this sexy, funny paranormal romance by bestselling author Linda Wisdom, it’s all beautiful witch Blair Fitzpatrick can do to keep a lid on her talent for revenge spells, but things are about to get a lot more complicated… Blair loves running her vintage shop and hanging out with witchy friends Stasi and Jazz. She’s forever had a crush on hunky carpenter Jake Harrison, whose Were nature (he’s a Border collie) makes him loyal, lovable, and fierce when need be. Just as sparks are beginning to fly, Blair is served with a big surprise when Jake’s mother shows up along with his pack leader, who threatens to make Jake heel! When the alpha does the unthinkable, Blair is pushed over the edge. No one messes with her boyfriend-to-be, even if he does shed on the furniture! Previous Picks Visit FreshFiction.com to learn more about books and authors.
I’ve always been interested in traveling especially to exotic places. Strange customs and unfamiliar food seem to pique my curiosity. Have I ever been to any, you ask? If New Jersey qualifies as one, then yes! All kidding aside, as part of my list of New Year’s resolutions, I plan on venturing outside the USA with my husband and kids in tow. Who knows where we might wind up? I can guarantee it most certainly will be an adventure! This month’s Jen’s Jewels Lou Berney has been bitten by the same travel bug. In his debut novel GUTSHOT STRAIGHT, he takes the reader on an outrageous ride to the jungles of Panama in a hilarious crime caper that is sure to catch your eye. From the Armenian mob to a Vegas strip-club, this wild adventure has it all. Even the catchy title draws you in! As part of this interview, William Morrow Publishers has generously donated five copies for you, my lucky readers, to win. So, don’t forget to look for the trivia question. And as always, thanks for making Jen’s Jewels a part of your reading adventure. click to read the interview and learn how to win a copy…
The Daily DoseSmattering of Romance, Paranormal, and General Observations Tonight ends the David Tennant run as Doctor Who. The second episode of The End of Time has already aired in the United Kingdom, but BBC America will air that episode this evening in the U.S. In honor of David Tennant and the magnificent women who served as his companion, we have an extra long Saturday Smackdown for you this week. Up for your choice, this week is which companion is your favorite: Rose Tyler, Martha Jones or Donna Noble? Billie Piper Rose Tyler played by Billie Piper is introduced in the revived series as the ninth Doctor’s (Christopher Eccleston). Rose is a working class girl who has a job as a London shop girl. She lives with her mother Jackie and her sometime boyfriend is Mickey Smith (no relationship to Sarah Jane). Rose’s enthusiastic embrace of the Doctor’s lifestyle leads her to fall in love with him. While the series typically refrained from showing the romantic relationships between the Doctor and his companions, Rose works her way under the Doctor’s jaded skin, giving him a new lease of life. Read the rest of the Dr. Who smackdown… Visit FreshFiction.com to…
A new year and time to put into effect resolutions. Some resolve to become healthier, happier, successful, or more learned. I’d say knowledgeable but I’m fond of the word “learned.” I think my fascination with the word “learned” began in my childhood when every year my grandmother resolved to read the entire Bible in a year. Yes, that is the childhood I had, but my grandmother had a different spin on the whole-book-in-a-year resolution. We already read the King James version every single day, but she’d come up with a different version or translation so we’d have our normal chapter or two of the KJV then we’d re-read in some other translation. My most memorable year was the year of the “New News for Modern Man” version. I seriously think she argued every single morning trying to reconcile the versions. But it all was in the quest of being “learned.” Talk about resolutions…read more… Visit FreshFiction.com to learn more about books and authors.
Women of the Otherworld #10 October 2009On Sale: September 29, 2009Featuring: Elena Michaels; Clayton Danvers384 pages ISBN: 0553806629EAN: 9780553806625Hardcover$26.00 Fantasy Urban, Romance Paranormal Buy at Amazon.com A Fresh Fiction read for 2009! Frostbitten by Kelley Armstrong The Alaskan wilderness is a harsh landscape in the best of conditions, but with a pack of rogue werewolves on the loose, it’s downright deadly. Elena Michaels, the Pack’s chief enforcer, knows all too well the havoc “mutts” can wreak. When they hear of a series of gruesome maulings and murders outside Anchorage, she and her husband, Clay, journey to Alaska in the dead of winter in order to hunt down the dangerous werewolves. Trapped in this savage, untamed winter realm, she and Clay learn more about their own werewolf heritage than they bargained for, tapping a little more into the wild nature of the beast within. With Elena back in the starring role, this is the book Kelley Armstrong fans have been waiting for. One of the very best entries in this talented author’s Women of the Otherworld urban fantasy series. Previous Picks Visit FreshFiction.com to learn more about books and authors.