Writes: Romantic suspense and Paranormal romance, with her latest release, APPALACHIAN PREY, published by Harlequin Intrigue, and on shelves now. About: Experienced romance author seeks readers for suspenseful, southern novel which features a woman from the wrong side of the tracks (a moonshiner’s daughter) whose heart is broken by rejection, and the hardworking hero with ambitions to run for sheriff in their Appalachian community, while burdened with caring for his mentally ill mother. Readers sought who enjoy delving into family secrets that hold life or death consequences. What I’m looking for in my ideal reader match: Their idea of the perfect date is watching a thriller movie at home on NetFlix, while enjoying slices of pepperoni pizza downed with iced tea. Foot massages on the couch a welcome bonus. Dreams of heart-stopping danger and star-crossed lovers Falls easily in love with men in uniform Likes suspenseful stories that are strong on romance Doesn’t mind reading about the unique culture of the Appalachian Mountains. Enjoys an exciting, emotional roller coast ride in the plot Wants their heroes to be strong protectors Prefers emotional themes centered on love and family Thinks a visit to the Smoky Mountains is an ideal get-away Loves…

I get a lot of funny questions from readers about my insane deities from the IMMORTAL MATCHMAKERS, INC., SERIES. But the one thing they don’t ask is where the inspiration for my gods came from. Why don’t they ask? Honestly, I think they’re afraid of the answer. Were you on a crazy bender in Vegas, Mimi? Were you tripping on something illegal? Did your mother drop you on your head? All fair hypotheses! Especially given Cimil, the Goddess of the Underworld—a constant character throughout the series. She loves garage sales, hates clowns, is afraid of bugs, and is constantly trying to blow us all up. Oh, and she has a pet unicorn that no one but her can see. But I’m sorry to say that the inspiration for this series wasn’t induced by illegal substances or a bop on the head. The Immortal Matchmakers is a spinoff of my bestselling ACCIDENTALLY YOURS SERIES (seven works total). When I got to the end of that storyline, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to these awesome characters, but I also wanted future stories to be standalones. The IMMORTAL MATCHMAKERS were born! Immortal Matchmakers, Inc. Immortal Matchmakers, Inc. #1 Kindle BN.com iTunes/iBooks Kobo…

Every year I put together a list of books I’m already fangirling over before they even release. We all have those insta-buy authors, and I’m no exception. I’ve put together my top five books that I’m beside myself with anticipation waiting for! Sarah MacLean’s Wicked and the Wallflower – THE DAY OF THE DUCHESS was my favorite read of 2017, and getting Felicity’s story is enough to have me jumping up and down with glee. And that COVER! June cannot come around soon enough! Lisa Gardner’s Look for Me – Lisa Gardner is an author I’ve been reading since I was in junior high. Her book The Perfect Husband has stayed with me through the years and I reread on a semi-regular basis (and, for real, I’ll never look at my closet the same way after that book). I’m really excited for her to delve back in D.D. Warren’s life with this one! Jacqueline Carey’s Starless – This is another author I’ve been reading for over a decade. Her Kushiel’s Legacy series was phenomenal, and everything she’s done since has that same epic quality that’s so very relatable despite the truly outstanding adventures some of the characters go on. And…

England fascinates us and D-day is one of the most pivotal days in modern history, so I enjoyed exploring both for THE SEA BEFORE US, book 1 in the Sunrise at Normandy series. Here are some interesting facts I learned while researching this story. In March 1942, the BBC held a photography contest, asking people to send in their favorite pictures of the French coast. Thirty thousand “snaps” were sent the next day, and soon a million snapshots, postcards, and tourist maps were collected. The BBC was secretly working with the Royal Navy, and those souvenir pictures were combined with reconnaissance photos and intelligence from the French resistance and from Allied commando raids to produce maps of Normandy for D-day! Clever, huh? In THE SEA BEFORE US, my heroine, “Wren” Second Officer Dorothy Fairfax helps sort and analyze this material. Since her family took holidays at Vierville-sur-Mer—on what will become Omaha Beach—she has a personal interest in her duties. The “Little Blitz” in early 1944 has been overshadowed in history by the Blitz (1940-41) and the V-1 and V-2 attacks on London that started in late 1944. From January 21 to April 18, 1944, the Luftwaffe sent its bombers back…

On January 20, 2018 all across the country Women marched together. They marched in solidarity, to say we will no longer sit quietly. We will be heard. We matter.Girls need to learn early on they are important, that their voices and stories matter. This is why we need strong female characters in YA. And not just YA, but also in adult, middle grade, chapter books, early readers, and picture books. Nowhere in the definition of female does it say that we are somehow inferior to men. Young girls (and even not so young girls) need role models, figures they can look up to and strive to be. But they also need characters they can see themselves in. That’s why when I started writing Road to Eugenica, and thinking about Drea’s story, I knew I wanted her to have a coming of age character arc. It was important to me that teen girls could see themselves in Drea. All forms of media need more representation of girls seeing themselves doing things for themselves. Not just being the damsel in distress, waiting for the prince to ride in and save her. And if she does decide to choose a prince, may that…

Monique Daoust: It is my pleasure to welcome Lynne Connolly to Fresh Fiction! Congratulations on your new book SINLESS, which I loved! Lynne Connolly: Thank you so much. It’s wonderful to be here. Monique Daoust: Lynne, you have just started your new series, The Shaws, and the second book, a novella, features an m/m romance, your first, I believe. What prompted you to do an m/m romance in the middle of the series? Lynne Connolly: It was all because of the hero, Darius. He is the twin of Valentinian, the hero of an Emperors of London book, and he’s a notorious dandy and man-about-town. Val had tired of his outrageous behaviour some time ago, but he kept it up for his brother because Darius was gay in an age when it was illegal. You could be hanged for it. So Val acted as cover for an increasingly irritated Darius. So many people asked me to write Darius’s book that I had to do it. Monique Daoust: SINLESS and The Shaws are set in the Georgian era; would you tell us more about the research you had to do regarding homosexuality? What surprised you the most? How was homosexuality perceived at…