It’s not a mystery! You gotta love vampires if you’re going to write them. But you also have to know a lot about the lore if you’re going to do a new take on a very old theme. For me, that meant dusting off some of my old favorites and figuring what to keep and what to throw away. Hint: My vampires drink coffee and walk in the sun, though they don’t particularly enjoy it! As for my inspiration for this new series? You have to take a trip back in time with me! Ready? I give you my all-time favorite things vampire! INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE, by Anne Rice Originally published in 1967, this book always goes on my list of all-time favorite anything! I think it’s the first book I ever read and truly fell in love with. It’s suspenseful and sexy and so, so good. In fact, I JUST bought a new copy because I lost mine and it’s time to reread it! Another reason this goes on my list is because it’s the first book my mother and I actually shared. I read this first part of The Vampire Chronicles right about the time book two…

So I’ve been doing some weird things this week. Guess what they are… Running around the neighborhood yelling, “The Grizzlies are here! The Grizzlies are here!” Well, I’m just saying it now because the cops said I shouldn’t Okay, so maybe I’m whispering it, but that’s beside the point. The Grizzlies are here! Are you kidding me? It’s too cold outside for me to be running around. I’m sitting in a hot sauna with a sexy shifter. We’re playing Simon Says… Today is the day I get to feed an animal other than my cat Cinnamon. And look what kind of animals they are! No wait! The GRIZZLIES GO WILD series continued this week! Yup, my wonderful grizzly bear shifter series has started up again. This time something strange is happening in Detroit and I’m…well, I’m really excited about it. Answer: D! Yes, the new trilogy launched on Tuesday with ALPHA UNLEASHED. Fresh Fiction has already reviewed it review and it is the best review of my career. So I’m pretty excited about that. As for the other options, it really is too cold for me to run around the neighborhood right now. And I wish, wish, wish that I…

I am so excited to be back on the Fresh Fiction blog today! Thank you guys for having me! So my new book, PHOENIX FIRE, just came out, and when I was thinking of a topic that I really wanted to talk about, the word “bromance” echoed in the back of my skull like a really great idea. TBH, I think a lot of fiction gets wrapped up in character love relationships and the dreaded triangles. (Haters gonna hate, I guess. I personally like the ones that are well done though.) Not that this is a bad thing! I love a good romantic subplot! I love romance well done. I mean, I write the romance-y things!! But that’s not what draws me in to reading. Character relationships in general are my bread and butter as a reader. Yes, romance is part of that. But there’s so much more to it. Friendships. Family relationship. Enemies turned friends. If I don’t see character connection on the pages, it’s not a story for me. I want relationships to feel real, not matter what kind it is, while I’m immersed in a story world. What are some of your favorite bromances in fiction? Supernatural,…

Whenever you mention Las Vegas, you always think of the gambling – and why not, the casinos dominate the skyline and almost every vacation image you see include a shot of the gambling tables! But there’s more to Vegas than just the slots… and if you’re looking for some quiet time, I’ve got the place for you! Mandalay Bay is a great casino, but if you step to the side and turn a corner, you’ll find yourself at the Aquarium – and another entire world waiting for you to explore! The Shark Reef aquarium gives an entire different experience and for only a few dollars you can not only find yourself nose-to-nose with a shark, but also a chance to touch a live stingray! When I was writing HARD PURSUIT, I needed a quiet place for Trey to take Ally – somewhere that wasn’t filled with loud music and provided a welcome distraction. But aside from a restaurant (and I’ve been told I write a LOT of eating scenes!), where do you go, especially in Las Vegas? Answer – a magical, wonderful aquarium where you can imagine yourself swimming with the sharks, far away from the dry heat and frantic…

This week I’m featuring four new mysteries you can’t pass up. These four authors have supplied a variety of different types of mysteries to choose from—like the delicious cooking whodunit’s of Joanne Fluke, or the sweet teas twisters of Laura Childs. Perhaps you’re in the mood for Anna Lee Huber’s historical cliffhangers, or the sassy sleuths of Erin Huss. You really cant go wrong with these mysteries; there’s one to fit every mood and personality of mystery lovers. BANANA CREAM PIE MURDER by Joanne Fluke A Hannah Swensen Mystery #21 A romantic seven-day cruise is the perfect start to bakery owner Hannah Swensen’s marriage. However, with a murder mystery heating up in Lake Eden, Minnesota, it seems the newlywed’s homecoming won’t be as sweet as anticipated… After an extravagant honeymoon, Hannah’s eager to settle down in Lake Eden and turn domestic daydreams into reality. But when her mother’s neighbor is discovered murdered in the condo downstairs, reality becomes a nightmarish investigation. Victoria Bascomb, once a renowned stage actress, was active in the theater community during her brief appearance in town…and made throngs of enemies along the way. Did a random intruder murder the woman as police claim, or was a…

When I was writing THE VANISHING SPARK OF DUSK, there was no question in my mind that the romance would take a little time to warm up. I love romance, but what I love more than the steamy love scenes, is the deep connection two characters develop before they even realize they love each other. So here are five reasons I love to write slow-burn romances: Instalove never felt real to me. I’d never developed a crush on anyone at first sight, and I’d never finished a book where the hero *instantly* falls in love with the love interest. When the main character turns around and sees the super hot love interest crossing the scene, and they instantly have a crush, I feel. literally. nothing. It kind of takes away from character’s journey, for me at least. Let me get to know the love interest. Let me hear how they talk, how they laugh, what makes them tick and how passionate they can be about certain issues. I love teasing the reader, keeping them wondering if these two characters will actually end up together. That’s what keeps readers turning the pages. It’s what keeps me turning the pages as a…

Zander drove down the street, the homes on either side seeming much smaller than when he was younger. “Looks different, doesn’t it?” Rafe asked from the passenger seat, his face turned toward his window. “I know you’ve been around often, but I haven’t been back since last year. Some of the houses look a little better than they used to.” “Some of them have been bought by younger couples trying to do the house-flip shit that’s on TV. You know, buy a run-down house, put a fuck-ton of money into it, and hope to sell it for a profit.” “Well, they look pretty good.” Turning at the next corner, Zander noticed Rafe lean forward, his gaze now focused on the house at the end of the street. Quiet, neither spoke for a moment, the comfortable silence passing between them. “Do you ever wonder what would have happened if we hadn’t ended up here?” Rafe asked, his voice strangely hoarse. “Every damn day,” he replied. Pulling to a stop on the street, he parked his truck, but neither made a move to get out. “She saved my life.” Zander shot a glance at Rafe, wondering what was going through his mind,…

When I was writing THE VANISHING SPARK OF DUSK, there was no question in my mind that the romance would take a little time to warm up. I love romance, but what I love more than the steamy love scenes, is the deep connection two characters develop before they even realize they love each other. So here are five reasons I love to write slow-burn romances: Instalove never felt real to me. I’d never developed a crush on anyone at first sight, and I’d never finished a book where the hero *instantly* falls in love with the love interest. When the main character turns around and sees the super hot love interest crossing the scene, and they instantly have a crush, I feel. literally. nothing. It kind of takes away from character’s journey, for me at least. Let me get to know the love interest. Let me hear how they talk, how they laugh, what makes them tick and how passionate they can be about certain issues. I love teasing the reader, keeping them wondering if these two characters will actually end up together. That’s what keeps readers turning the pages. It’s what keeps me turning the pages as a…

So I’ve been doing some weird things today. Guess what they are… Running around the neighborhood yelling, “The Grizzlies are here! The Grizzlies are here!” Well, I’m just saying it now because the cops said I shouldn’t Okay, so maybe I’m whispering it, but that’s beside the point. The Grizzlies are here! Are you kidding me? It’s too cold outside for me to be running around. I’m sitting in a hot sauna with a sexy shifter. We’re playing Simon Says… Today is the day I get to feed an animal other than my cat Cinnamon. And look what kind of animals they are! No wait! Today is the day that the GRIZZLIES GO WILD series continues! Yup, my wonderful grizzly bear shifter series has started up again. This time something strange is happening in Detroit and I’m…well, I’m really excited about it. Answer: D! Yes, the new trilogy launches today with Alpha Unleashed. Fresh Fiction has already reviewed it  and it is the best review of my career. So I’m pretty excited about that. As for the other options, it really is too cold for me to run around the neighborhood right now. And I wish, wish, wish that I…

Writes: Music-lover’s romance. My latest release PLAYING THE PAUSES, standalone Book #2 in the Sex, Love, and Rock & Roll series, hits the shelves on March 5, 2018. About Author: Nomadic romance author seeks readers for vivid, unforgettable rock star romance. Features a Life of the Party, Queen of the Spreadsheet tour manager heroine and a dark, quiet-souled tattoo artist/bassist who also happens to be a Dom. What I’m looking for in my ideal reader match: Would give their favorite fuzzy throw blanket for a strong alpha male who wasn’t a jerk Craves a series full of found family, bromance, and absolutely unconditional friendship Dreams of a happily ever after that feels real Drools for a man’s quick fingers on the frets of a bass guitar Would definitely be besties with a badass tour manager who has the whole music industry wrapped around her little finger, but isn’t too good to break a sweat toting speakers Wants a romance with a Real Man who will take charge—especially in the bedroom—but doesn’t get all bossy and patronizing the rest of the time Giggles over tour bus hijinks with roadies and the band Has a Pinterest page full of gorgeous tattoo designs…