Fresh FIction Box Not To Miss
Behind the Scenes with Raine Miller
Author Guest / November 15, 2016

Blackstone Dynasty was inspired by a trip I made to Boston back in early 2013. While sightseeing in the city, I stumbled upon a monument statue in Boston Common honoring a man named William Blackstone. Mr. Blackstone happened to be the very first European to settle in Boston, living alone on what would later become Boston Common and Beacon Hill. He arrived in America in 1623, coming from Lincolnshire, England. In that single moment, a spark of an idea ignited for me that this bit of historical information could be the basis of a whole new story world. I was just finishing up my very successful Blackstone Affair series set in London about security expert, Ethan Blackstone, and his love for his American girl, Brynne Bennett. I decided right then and there that Ethan Blackstone should have some relatives living their lives in America (descended from the honored Mr. William Blackstone from the statue I found in Boston Common) who were worthy of their own stories and books. I even posted a picture on Facebook and made a comment at the time, I was so excited. My “Boston Blackstone” universe continued to develop slowly in my head over the next…

RESCUING HARLEY by Susan Stoker – Excerpt
Author Guest / November 15, 2016

“So? What do you think?” Tommy asked his friend, Beckett “Coach” Ralston, as they stood inside the small office at the Waco Skydiving Club looking out at the group of civilians who would be skydiving in a few hours. Coach shrugged. “Looks about like the group we had yesterday.” Jumping out of a perfectly functioning plane wasn’t exactly Coach’s idea of a good time, but he’d taken two weeks of leave after the kidnapping of his teammate’s girlfriend and daughter. Emily and Annie were fine, but Jacks, the vindictive ex-soldier who had orchestrated the entire incident, hadn’t been so lucky. He’d spent a few days in the hospital recuperating, and was now currently a guest of the State of Texas. Jacks would be going on trial in a few weeks, and Coach hoped he’d spend a good chunk of time behind bars. Coach and the rest of his Delta Force team were taking some time off and Tommy had been in a bind. One of his regular jumpmasters had broken his leg. He had a replacement coming, but the other man couldn’t get there for another month. Since Coach had the time, and nothing else planned, he’d agreed to come…

Lynnette Austin | All About PICTURE PERFECT WEDDING
Author Guest / November 15, 2016

First of all, I’m so happy to be here today! PICTURE PERFECT WEDDING is the third book in my Magnolia Brides series, and it’s one I’m super excited about. I love Tansy and Beck and have been rooting for them, hoping they’d get their second chance at love. Describe PICTURE PERFECT WEDDING in 6 words. One mistake doesn’t have to change everything. (I know. That’s seven words. I have never, ever claimed that math is my strong suit!) What is your favorite thing to munch on while you write? Oh, that’s easy. Cheetos and Peppermint Patties—but not at the same time! Okay, hardly ever at the same time. J What actor do you picture as the MC in PICTURE PERFECT WEDDING? Kiefer Sutherland. That voice! Don’t you just love it? And, of course, now he’s our President. Y’all have seen Designated Survivor, right? The top 5 things that will make a picture perfect wedding are… First and foremost, the right bride and groom. If you get this right, the rest almost doesn’t matter. Friends and family—yes, even the eccentric aunt! The flowers. Gardenias, roses, orchids, peonies, and wildflowers—I love them all! Bouquets and boutonnieres, centerpieces, aisle markers, hanging from the…

Author/Reader Match with Mary Burton
Author Guest / November 15, 2016

Writes: Contemporary romantic suspense merges my love of both the romance and the suspense/thriller genre. RS enables me to present protagonists pursuing justice amid life’s scarily dark side while daring to embrace their own happily ever after. My latest romantic suspense, THE DOLLMAKER, is out 11/15/16 from Montlake. About: Writer and wrangler of three miniature dachshunds seeks readers who share her love of page-turning romantic suspense, are ready to tackle a medical examiner heroine full of hope and determined to win back a hardened homicide cop hero, and to follow the pair as they pursue a very scary villain with a passion for ink. What I’m looking for in my ideal reader match: Not afraid to stay up past bedtime Likes fast-paced page-turning suspense Likes a hero with a few rough edges Prepared to pull out the tissues when emotional heartstrings are pulled Loves to match wits with the detective and killer to see whodunit Enjoys a HEA with a touch of justice What to expect if we’re compatible: More books to come in The Forgotten Files series A backlist to suit any binge reader Giveaways on Facebook and a newsletter with news, promotions and Killer Recipes About Mary Burton…

Is Crime Fiction Entertainment?
Author Guest / November 15, 2016

I belong to several online readers groups, and that question has been coming up frequently, lately. I’m glad to see it being discussed. For me – no. I DON’T read crime fiction for entertainment. When I pick up a crime novel as a reader, I want to see intelligent treatment of societal evils that focuses on bringing awareness to problems and proposing activist solutions. That’s my goal as an author, too. My Huntress Moon series is intense, page-turning psychological and procedural suspense. I worked as a Hollywood screenwriter for ten years before I wrote my first novel, and I’m well aware that I need to deliver a satisfying genre experience to my readers. If they’re not biting their nails and staying up way past their bedtimes, I’m not doing my job. But within the context of a ripping thriller, I am writing about issues I care passionately about and want to eradicate for good – meaning the good of everyone on the planet. Violence against women. Child sexual abuse. Human trafficking. After this stunning, horrific election, more than ever these are evils I am committed to fighting against. The last thing I want to do is show these scenes in…

Stefanie London | What do YOU Want for Christmas?
Author Spotlight / November 15, 2016

Hi Fresh Fiction readers! If we haven’t met before, I’m Stefanie London. Lovely to meet you! As I’m writing this message I’m already in the throes of planning Christmas—where we’re going to put the tree this year (in our never-ending quest to find the perfect spot to fit a 6ft tree in our Toronto apartment), what date I need to send gifts back home to Australia, what I’m going to buy my husband (anyone else find that a constant struggle?) I love Christmas and all the associated traditions. Every year we marathon the Die Hard movies, we make a big fuss over Christmas lunch and we always over cater. Naturally, being such a lover of the holidays, I adore Christmas stories too. My November release, Millionaire Under the Mistletoe, has all the things I love about holiday stories—a little snow-bound (or in this case storm-bound) action for the hero and heroine, a decorating the tree scene and, of course, the healing power of Christmas magic. “With the beauty of a white Christmas, some funny encounters, and a little holiday magic, MILLIONAIRE UNDER THE MISTLETOE is a charming romance that will warm you up this Winter.” – Books of All Kinds….