Fresh FIction Box Not To Miss
Fresh Pick | ZIG ZAG by Jose Carlos Somoza
Fresh Pick / May 31, 2010

August 2008 On Sale: August 1, 2008 Featuring: Elisa Robledo 496 pages ISBN: 0061193739 EAN: 9780061193736 Mass Market Paperback $7.99 Add to Wish List Thriller Techno Buy at Amazon.com Zig Zag by Jose Carlos Somoza While studying advanced physics at a prestigious European university, Elisa Robledo was invited to join a select research team on a secret project to manipulate String Theory. It was the opportunity of a lifetime for the eager young scientist—the chance to actually view monumental events from the far distant past: dinosaurs roaming the Earth, life during the Stone Age, the crucifixion of Christ. But on a remote island in the Indian Ocean, the team’s experiments went horribly awry . . . and something terrible was awakened. Now, years later, Elisa’s former colleagues are dying, one by one. The nightmare they created by meddling with Time is taking a shocking and gruesome toll. And only by uncovering the sinister truth behind the science can Elisa hope to survive the dark, devouring forces that mean to destroy her and the world she knows. Previous Picks

SANDI SHILHANEK | 1–2–3–Read A Trilogy!
Author Guest , Sundays with Sandi / May 30, 2010

There are many things I like about reviewing, but the thing I think I like the best is being able to get books ahead of the publication date. It’s really rather funny because it’s also the thing I hate most about being a reviewer, because it seems like I read those books, and then have an even longer wait for the author to release another new title. Recently I’ve been able to read books by Sharon Sala and Maggie Shayne who will both be having trilogies release this summer. In the case of Ms. Sala, her first title BLOWN AWAY is in bookstores. I loved this book, and could hardly set it aside when I read it. The first book in the Shayne trilogy isn’t due until the end of June and is titled, KILLING ME SOFTLY. AGAIN, another read I could hardly set aside! I just love trilogies! They’re the right amount of books to get me fully interested in the characters, and the continuing story lines, but not as many books as the popular J. D. Robb series, so that I can easily collect them, read them 1, 2, 3, and be done. That however poses the question…when…

Sara Reyes | Getting Ready for Summer Reads …

This is the start of summer in the US, the sorta official beginning — Memorial Day Weekend. Most of the schools are out and if they aren’t then everyone attending has a serious case of “short-timers syndrome.” People are planning their summer vacations, what can we afford, whose schedule loses in the equation, you know, all the things families and friends do to plan out some “FUN.” My family has evolved into doing long weekends for our summer vacations. We’ve replaced school restrictions with job responsibilities and our pets. It was bad enough when you didn’t get any credit for missed days, but why oh why do all businesses with IT require the IT people to do installs and upgrade over holidays? Doesn’t seem fair, does it? But supposedly less people will be online and using the system so perfect time to upgrade operating systems, new development, etc. I know it will be a time when we just hope the hamburgers don’t burn while the guys are on endless conference calls! Then the dogs. Ah, my new babies. Last time we all went away at the same time and had to use a kennel or doggie boarding establishment, one dog…

Fresh Pick | MEN ON FIRE by Susan Lyons, Rachelle Chase, Jodi Lynn Copeland
Fresh Pick / May 29, 2010

November 2009 On Sale: October 27, 2009 320 pages ISBN: 0758238010 EAN: 9780758238016 Paperback $12.95 Add to Wish List Romance Erotica Sensual, Romance Anthology Buy at Amazon.com Men On Fire by Susan Lyons, Rachelle Chase, Jodi Lynn Copeland Feel the heat… Brave, bold, and dangerously sexy, firefighters are every woman’s fantasy. Meet three hot heroes who take scorching desire to a whole new level…Executive Jade Rousseau needs to find a fake fiance to parade around her company’s social events. When her friends bid on red-hot firefighter Quinn O’Malley at a benefit auction, Jade bids higher. The man has to be hers – and she can’t wait to feel the passion… When fashion designer Delta Ballantyne asks firefighter Evan Marshall to model her sexy line of men’s underwear, she can’t stop the sizzling fantasies running through her mind, beginning with sophisticated foreplay…and ending with the ultimate climax… Ever since Erica Donelson’s ex-husband left her, his former best buddy, firefighter Lincoln Gabriel, has been there for her. But before long, their warm friendship heats up to a burning lust that won’t be denied… Brave, bold, and dangerously sexy, firefighters are every woman’s fantasy. Excerpt [Jade Rousseau, the heroine, needs a fake fiancé…

Fresh Pick | WILD HEAT by Bella Andre
Fresh Pick / May 28, 2010

Hot Shots: Men on Fire #1 May 2009 On Sale: April 28, 2009 Featuring: Maya Jackson; Logan Cain 352 pages ISBN: 0440245001 EAN: 9780440245001 Mass Market Paperback $6.99 Add to Wish List Romance Suspense, Romance Erotica Sensual Buy at Amazon.com Wild Heat by Bella Andre Addicted to risk-and to each other. Danger doesn’t get any hotter than this. He’s a hotshot firefighter addicted to risk. She’s the sultry beauty he never saw coming. Maya Jackson doesn’t sleep with strangers. Until the night grief sent her to the nearest bar and into the arms of the most explosive lover she’s ever had. Six months later, the dedicated arson investigator is coming face-to-face with him again. Gorgeous, grinning Logan Cain. Her biggest mistake. Now her number one suspect in a string of deadly wildfires. Risking his life on a daily basis is what gets Logan up in the morning. As the leader of the elite Tahoe Pines Hotshot Crew, he won’t back down from a blaze—or from beautiful, lethal Maya Jackson. She may have seduced him with her tears and her passion, but it’ll be a cold day in hell before Logan lets down his guard again. But when Maya’s life is…

Fresh Pick | LINE OF FIRE by Jo Davis
Fresh Pick / May 27, 2010

Firefighters of Station Five, #4 May 2010 On Sale: May 4, 2010 Featuring: Tommy Skyler; Shea Ford 320 pages ISBN: 0451229789 EAN: 9780451229786 Paperback $6.99 Add to Wish List Romance Suspense Buy at Amazon.com Line of Fire by Jo Davis Some passions are all-consuming… To his fellow firemen, Tommy Skyler has it all. But the golden boy of Station Five hides a private pain. He was once a star quarterback until tragedy derailed his dream. Since then, he’s struggled with his choices – including his decision to become a firefighter. His one ray of light shines in beautiful nurse Shea Ford. When a dangerous rescue lands Tommy in the ER, what better opportunity to win her over? But when a conspiracy culminates in deadly arson, Tommy realizes that a ruthless enemy is closing in, threatening to destroy the couple’s love – and their lives. Brad Pitt look-alike is a hunky firefighter and a great lover. Previous Picks

Andrew Grant | Dine Twice…An Author Relives Meal
Author Guest / May 27, 2010

Chicago has an incredible choice of outstanding places to eat, but where better to celebrate the launch of your new book than the restaurant your hero first visits after arriving in the city? Accordingly, last Monday Tasha (Alexander) and I jumped in a cab and headed for Brasserie Jo. TashaI set out to replicate David Trevellyan’s dinner from the book – Mussels, and blue Steak with Mustard Butter. Like David, we enjoyed fabulous food, cooked to perfection in relaxed, elegant surroundings. Unlike him, however, we didn’t have to fight off any unchivalrous thugs in the (fictitious) courtyard at the back of the building, or evade the consequent attentions of the Chicago Police Department. And more importantly, unlike David, we’ll have the pleasure of visiting the restaurant again… DIE TWICE is thriller author Andrew Grant’s second book in the David Trevellyan series. He resides in Chicago and the United Kingdom. Grant is engaged to historic fiction author Tasha Alexander.

Fresh Pick | DISASTER STATUS by Candace Calvert
Fresh Pick / May 26, 2010

Mercy Hospital #2 April 2010 On Sale: April 1, 2010 Featuring: Erin Quinn; Scott McKenna 352 pages ISBN: 1414325444 EAN: 9781414325446 Paperback $12.99 Add to Wish List Suspense, Inspirational Fiction Mystery Buy at Amazon.com Disaster Status by Candace Calvert Charge nurse Erin Quinn escaped personal turmoil to work on the peaceful California coast. But when a hazardous material spill places Pacific Mercy Hospital on disaster status and stresses staff, she’s put to the test. And thrown into conflict with the fire department’s handsome incident commander, who thinks her strategy is out of line. Fire Captain Scott McKenna has felt the toxic effects of tragedy; he’s learned to go strictly by the book to advance his career, heal his family, and protect his wounded heart. When he’s forced to team with the passionately determined ER charge nurse, sparks fly. As they work to save lives, can they handle the attraction kindled between them . . . without getting burned? Excerpt Chapter One Fire captain Scott McKenna bolted through the doors of Pacific Mercy ER, his boots thudding and heart pounding as the unconscious child began to stiffen and jerk in his arms. He cradled her close as her small spine arched…

Spotlight on Julia Quinn – Live Broadcast of Signing on May 26th
Author Guest , Author Spotlight / May 26, 2010

Each summer we have books that are definitely *MUST READS* and one of the first books most romance readers agree is ANYTHING by Julia Quinn. So let’s start off our summer season by focusing on the latest from Julia — just in time to kick off our Pack your Beach Tote extravaganza! Plus we’re helping to bring Julia’s fans a little closer. On May 26th we’ll be bringing coverage of Avon’s launch of the live/virtual book signing, powered by VivoLive. Julia Quinn will be reading, answering questions, and signing copies for anyone who attends her event at Powell’s Books: in-person (Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing, 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd., Beaverton, Oregon 97005) or buy online here at FreshFiction.com. “We often remark, within the romance community, that our readers are notoriously ‘shy,’” quips Avon publicity director Pam Jaffee. “They may not flock to live author appearances, but will raid the stores the next day for the signed copies…and they love to interact with their favorite authors online. So,” she continues, “we think this type of virtual/live event will engage and appeal to romance fans.” Be sure to come by Julia’s Virtual Signing on Wednesday, May 26th, 2010. 7:00pm PST…

SHERRY THOMAS | What You Can Learn From Reading And Writing Historical Novels
Author Guest / May 25, 2010

My favorite way to learn history is to come across it via fiction. Of course, since my favorite kind of history is not the chronicle of kings and queens, but everyday history–what people ate, how they lived, what they did to get away from it all–it is these details and quirks of history that stay with me. For example, in Laura Kinsale’s FOR MY LADY’S HEART–for my money, one of the best medieval romances ever written–the hero is a knight, the heroine is far above him in worldly stature: she is a princess. On the run from danger, it is the two of them against the world. One scene in the book has her giving him an orange and a stick of violet-scented sugar that made up part of her meal. And this is a paragraph from that scene: He sucked the fruit, allowing the rich bitter juice to run on his tongue. He’d had oranges in Aquitaine a few times, at feasts and Christmas–but to eat one every day as she did was something utterly beyond his experience. And the penidia: he’d never tasted white sugar but once, a score and more Christmas gone, a child at the high…