Fresh FIction Box Not To Miss
Kathy Lyons | Marriage Quiz for Sheri and Alex
Author Guest / August 5, 2014

Since I’ve already shared my mother-of-the-bride gown. I thought I’d show you my wedding speech. Yes, it’s in my special format, but that’s because I’m special, right? Anyway here’s the quiz I gave the two kids. Hint: The right answer can be “All of the Above.” Which of the following is true about Sheri? a. She painted her room in trees that look like dying broccoli and blames her mother for the result. b. She went to bed every night strangling our cat. She hugged the poor creature like a stuffed animal and would not let go no matter what it did back. c. She spent two months singing “I feel pretty.” d. In her bedroom, she had a Barbie town house, Barbie convertible car, Barbie ranch–3 of them, Barbie veterinary hospital, plus the clothing and accessories for all of it. Alex might have dreamed of getting a superpower, but Sheri dreamed about ballgowns, a zillion-acre ranch, and Mustangs. Answer: All of the above. For A, I was trying to be supportive of her creative talents. I knew that artistically she was still growing, but I never thought she’d blame me afterwards. I never stopped her from painting over it….

Tessa Dare Talks NATURAL BORN CHARMER
Author Guest / August 5, 2014

I’m here today to talk about NATURAL BORN CHARMER, and all the ways in which it is my reading catnip. But first, I need to tell you a story about me, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, and pajamas. Last summer, my publisher scheduled lucky me for a book signing with Eloisa James, at a bookstore in SEP’s hometown – and SEP, being the incredibly gracious person she is, invited us both to stay over at her house. AT HER HOUSE. When I found out this was happening, can you imagine my first reaction? Was it, “OMG, I bet her house is gorgeous”? No, though her house was. Was it, “Will she make me oatmeal in the morning?” No, though she did. My response was to immediately take to Twitter, beseeching strangers for shopping guidance. “I need pajamas!” I wrote. “I am sleeping over at SEP’s house, and I have nothing to wear.” Because, you see, I don’t own any decent pajamas. I sleep in ratty old oversized t-shirts. This is all a very roundabout way of saying, I knew Blue Bailey was my kind of girl from the first time she slept in her ratty old oversized “Beer for Breakfast” t-shirt. Actually,…

Rock Stars and Romance
Author Guest / August 5, 2014

One Direction is heading to North America for the Where We Are Tour! I don’t know how it is in your house, but in mine, 1D rules. From music to posters to magazines to YouTube and music videos, One Direction is a constant presence in my everyday existence. I’ve been told the future Mrs. Styles even lives with me. She just has to meet him first. Whether you’re a Directioner or not, you’ve probably had that moment where you let yourself fall a little bit in love with a rock star. There’s no denying the appeal of rock stars. They’re talented, edgy, hot, and make singing about emotions look cool. You’ve also probably imagined what it would be like to be the one person a rock star could fall in forever-love with. You could be the person to see past the carefully crafted persona of the rock star. It’s a seductive and tempting dream, but could it ever be more? That dream of more is why this week my top three young adult picks are all about rock stars, musicians, and the people who love with them. WISE YOUNG FOOL by Sean Beaudoin WISE YOUNG FOOL “Teen rocker Ritchie Sudden…

Laura Simcox | That Would Make a GREAT Romance Novel!
Author Guest / August 5, 2014

Real life is stranger than fiction. This statement is generally true, and I’m glad, because a lot of my story ideas are sparked by headlines/posts/comments I see on social media. I have a document pinned to my desktop, and its sole purpose is to collect the random things I see and thoughts I have that could one day blossom into stories. I’m inspired by stuff my friends post on Facebook, like: “Entire Family Lives in a Giant Tree House” or headlines on Yahoo! like: “What Would You Never, Ever Do Again, Even for a Million Dollars?” The tree house one…okay, I have to admit that premise would be a stretch for a contemporary romance novel, even though I write humor. But the second one? I think the million dollars challenge would make a great romance novel, because I can put a hero or heroine in that scenario and ask what if? I saw this article the other day about an app called Tinder. Apparently, it’s for singles who want to meet people while traveling. Sightseeing, dinner….fill in the blank. It could be completely innocent, or not, depending on the traveler. Judging by the comments at the end of the article,…