Fresh FIction Box Not To Miss
Julie Hammerle | Kiki’s Mixtape
Author Guest / June 4, 2016

Music is a huge part of THE SOUND OF US. Kiki Nichols, the main character, is always searching for songs that speak for her—choosing to express her emotions through the words of other people, instead of using her own. While working on the book, I created a huge playlist of songs to inspire me while writing (or thinking about writing). These are some of the tracks I think Kiki would’ve been listening to while trying to survive opera camp, her tumultuous ex-best-friendship, and her relationship with Jack. Untouchable Face by Ani DiFranco (NSFW): First rule of mixtaping is that you never include two songs by the same artist, so I had to 86 both “Superhero” and “Falling Is Like This,” even though Ani was such a huge influence on both Kiki and me. I think “Untouchable Face” is one of the best angry love songs on the planet. Romeo and Juliet by the Indigo Girls: This is Jack and Kiki’s song. Yeah, Dire Straits did it first, but Amy and Emily (okay, really just Amy) did it best. Deathly by Aimee Mann: Another Jack and Kiki song. The first line of this one kills me every time. No wonder Paul…

Celebrate the one year anniversary of Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss!
Author Guest / June 3, 2016

We are so excited that our latest venture is now one! Check out all the books included in our first custom pink Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss. This Month’s Print Books: To celebrate our anniversary, everyone received 4 of these books instead of 3! Last Ride to Graceland by Kim Wright Wed by Fortune by Judy Duarte Bought for the Greek’s Revenge by Lynne Graham Her Rancher Bodyguard by Brenda Minton The Surprise Conti Child by Tara Pammi Nacho Figueras Presents: High Season by Jessica Whitman Hot Cowboy Nights by Carolyn Brown Unbreak My Heart by Nicole Jacquelyn The Bones of You by Debbie Howells The Winemakers by Jan Moran The Pages of the Mind by Jeffe Kennedy This Month’s eBooks: Every box included all 3. Life is Better Brunette by Diane Bator Hot Secrets by Lisa Renee Jones Charming You by Kris Jayne Introducing Vixen’s Tales: Every month until our *knock on wood* second anniversary, each box will feature a new adventure featuring our mascot, Vixen. The tale is showcased with a collectible postcard and button set. Exclusive to one year anniversary box, is a pink lanyard for your button collection. Vixen’s Tale #1 – The Case of…

Loree Lough | Choosing a Hero (or How NOT to Fall for Your Leading Man)
Author Guest / June 3, 2016

Any author worth her salt knows what readers want in a romance novel hero: He needs to be handsome. Successful. Kindhearted, but not a pushover. Romantic, but not in a sappy way. Respectful of friends and family. Helpful, too. But he can’t be too perfect or readers will believe he’s too good to be true. To say nothing of the fact that all those positive traits and qualities could make the heroine feel ‘less than’ by comparison—not a good thing when the ‘conflict’ cards are already stacked against this would-be couple! Whether historical or contemporary, I start developing my heroes by choosing a “look.” Take Sam Marshall in THE FIREFIGHTER’S REFRAIN, for example. Born ‘n’ raised on his family’s Colorado ranch, he needed to look as heart-stoppingly good in jeans and a Stetson as a tuxedo. And since he also worked as a volunteer firefighter before moving to Nashville, broad shoulders and muscles were a requirement. Photographs are essential, so I can see my heroes as they make their way through my stories. The guy I envisioned while Sam taught fire department cadets? Jesse Spencer, costar of the hit TV series, “Chicago Fire.” Now I ask you, did Harlequin’s talented…

Paula K. Parker | Sibling Rivalry, Supermodels and a Biblical Novel
Author Guest / June 3, 2016

One question I am frequently asked is, “Where inspired your books?” For “SISTERS OF LAZARUS; Beauty Unveiled,” it was sibling rivalry, a song and supermodels. Whenever I have read the New Testament story of Mary listening to Jesus while Martha is stressed over being the perfect hostess, it was obvious that the two sisters didn’t get along. We often think of people in the Bible as being stained-glass saints and above something as petty as sibling rivalry. But they weren’t. They had flaws and strengths, likes and dislikes, favorite foods, hopes and fears, pride and insecurities. Just like us. One reason I like writing biblical novels is that, for me, when I view these people as simple humans—when I learn more about their time period and their culture—the Bible stories come alive and I glean answers to some of my personal struggles. The second inspiration for this novel was birthed in 1982, when the Contemporary Christian group Harvest released their song, “Because I Am.” With rich vocals and epic music, Jerry Williams and Ed Kerr related the interaction between Jesus and Mary outside the tomb of Lazarus. As I listened to the song, the biblical story resonated and I could…

Tosca Lee | On The Blood Countess Elizabeth Bathory, Traveling, and Suspense
Interviews / June 2, 2016

Tosca Lee, author of THE PROGENY, sits down with Fresh Fiction reviewer Debbie Wiley to talk about her new thriller. Debbie Wiley: Hi, Tosca! Thank you for joining us today at Fresh Fiction! I absolutely love the concept of THE PROGENY as it combines the modern day with the historical in one phenomenal conspiracy-laden thriller. What sparked your interest in Elisabeth Bathory and inspired the writing of THE PROGENY? Tosca Lee: Hi, Debbie! Thank you—and thank you for having me on Fresh Fiction! I’ve been wanting to write a thriller like this for a while. It was actually a fan who wrote to me and said, “What about a book on Elizabeth Bathory?” Though this book isn’t about Elizabeth Bathory herself per se, the legend of the “Blood Countess” does provide the mythological underpinning of the story about her modern-day descendants. DW: THE PROGENY is obviously very well researched, from the historical aspects to the very settings themselves. What was one of your favorite moments in researching THE PROGENY? TL: My favorite part was going to Hungary, Slovakia, Croatia and Italy—and taking my mom with me. I get a lot of my wanderlust from her (I swear, five minutes after…

Kristin Miller | The inspiration for DESIRING RED, a dark and dirty tale
Author Guest / June 2, 2016

There are many things that inspire my books: movies, songs, quotes, and Facebook memes, to name a few. Sometimes it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact moment inspiration struck and blossomed into a story. Other times, as in the case of DESIRING RED, I know precisely which elements inspired the tale. Earlier this year, my editor at Entangled came to me and asked if I’d be willing to write an erotic retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. As a longtime fan of dark fairy tales (Grimm vs. Disney for me!), I was instantly drawn to the idea. Do you remember the 2011 film Red Riding Hood starring Amanda Seyfried? Two men. One heroine cloaked in red. That’s where the similarities between DESIRING RED and Red Riding Hood end, but it was the colors that grabbed me. As odd as it sounds, one of the things I remember most from the movie was the stark-white snow, the shadows in the woods, and the crimson red of her cloak. I tried to create an erotic tale as vivid and captivating. Because I’m a sucker for a sexy Alpha wolf, I knew I had to write the tale as a paranormal romance with a…

Jess Haines’ SMOKE AND MIRRORS
Author Guest / June 2, 2016

“Kickass start to a new UF series with dragons and mages” “SMOKE AND MIRRORS is the first book in the new Blackhollow Academy young adult/new adult contemporary fantasy series by Jess Haines. I’m excited for more books in the series, because I freaking loved SMOKE AND MIRRORS. I’ve been a long term fan of Haines’ H&W Investigations, a kooky paranormal series with werewolves and magic. SMOKE AND MIRRORS has a very similar vibe, with magic users, dragons, and Others (like werewolves, centaurs, and vampires). Kimberly is a girl in her last year at Blackhollow Academy learning magic. Kimberly is a rare illusionist, not a regular mage like all the others in her class. She and her mother are living in a crappy apartment and working as many hours as they each can to get by while Kimberly goes to school as well. Kimberly’s dream is to graduate and get a decent paying job in a coven so she can support her mother. But Kimberly can’t pass her finals and graduate unless she can get a familiar as part of her final exams. As an illusionist, she can’t create her own familiar the way the rest of the other students can,…

It’s Always Fun To Be First: Meet #Scorched Authors
Author Guest / June 1, 2016

Entangled Publishing has just launched its new erotic romance imprint and the four launch authors are dishing about why they decide to make the jump to erotic romance from what they have written in the past. Gina L. Maxwell, author of SHAMELESS: No holds barred! I’ve always written really “hot” for the Brazen line at Entangled, which used to be their hottest imprint, but there have been times where the reins have been tugged with the corresponding, “You have to pull this back; we can’t quite ‘go there’ on this line.” *sad panda face* Enter the announcement that Entangled would be launching an erotica line called Scorched. Holy Hannah, I can get—I mean, my characters can get—as freaky as they want! Sign. Me. Up. The reins weren’t only loosened, they were fricking dropped. And believe me, I took full advantage of that glorious freedom. Chance and Jane get their freak on in all sorts of fantastic ways. The other reason I was really excited to make the switch to erotic romance is that it gave me a chance to try something new and challenge myself as a writer. For seven years, I’ve been writing only in 3rd person/past tense POV…

Susan Fox | Ready to fall into a burning Ring of Fire?
Author Guest / June 1, 2016

Hi there! Did the title of my blog hook you? I hope so. Titles are important, right? When it comes to a book’s title, the author always hopes for one that will intrigue prospective readers and also resonate with readers who have enjoyed the book. A self-published author chooses her/his title, but when you write for a publishing house as I do, the editor and marketing people make the final decision. When I suggested RING OF FIRE for the title of my seventh Caribou Crossing Romance, everyone agreed it was perfect. Why? To start with, Lark Cantrell, a fiercely independent single mom, is the town’s fire chief. Next, Major Eric Weaver was injured in Afghanistan by an IED that also killed his sergeant and caused a fire. The book opens with a middle-of-the-night fire at the old farmhouse where Eric is staying, a fire that triggers his PTSD and threatens his life. You can probably guess who saves him—and how the battle-toughened soldier feels about needing to be saved. In case you’re wondering, yes, Johnny Cash’s song itself plays a part in the book. This time, he could hear the words properly, and realized the man was singing about falling…

Julie Ann Walker Excerpt from
Author Guest / June 1, 2016

Second in NYT & USAT bestselling author Julie Ann Walker’s new romantic suspense series featuring former navy SEALs The former SEALs of The Deep Six return in a sizzling series from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julie Ann Walker. A COVERT MISSION Maddy Powers’s life revolves around cocktail parties, political fundraisers, and charity events — but she can’t forget the daring former SEAL who appropriated her father’s yacht a few months ago … or the scorching kiss they shared before he disappeared into the deep blue sea. SPARKS A FLAMING DESIRE Bran Pallidino carries a dark secret behind his lady-killer eyes — one that keeps him from pursuing a serious relationship with Maddy. But when she’s taken hostage during a trip to the Dry Tortugas, the men of Deep Six Salvage drop their treasure hunt for a sunken galleon and embark on a dangerous mission to save Maddy. WITH EARTH-SHATTERING REPERCUSSIONS As they fight her merciless kidnappers, they discover this isn’t a simple hostage situation, but something far more sinister. Passion boils between Bran and Maddy, but what good is putting their hearts on the line if they don’t survive the dawn? Buy DEVIL AND THE DEEP:…