Fresh FIction Box Not To Miss
Karen Harper | Exclusive Interview: DARK STORM
Author Guest / May 31, 2019

The South Shores series, featuring Claire (Britten) Markwood, has been one you have been writing for a while.  Did you know from the beginning that it would have the surprises it has for Darcy and Claire at the end? The more rom/sus novels I have written, the more I have learned to let the characters and events take over the story.  Although I do send my editor an early “proposal” of what will take place in the novel, she knows the story will grow as it goes and possibly takes off in another direction.  Darcy and Claire’s strong sisterhood relationship is something I planned from the first, but the real story of their mother and what happens to Darcy in Dark Storm was a surprise to me too. It’s amazing how books can take on a life of their own. You wrote a note to your readers at the end that you were ending the series after 6 novels.  Is there a reason to end the series now? I have loved seeing Claire and Nick’s romance and family grow.  I could keep the series going with other crimes they solve together, but I think their marriage has reached some stability…

Terry Spear | A Paranormal Romance Writer Who Loves to Read Historical Romance
Author Guest / May 30, 2019

Historical romance is my favorite romance genre and you probably wonder why when I write so many contemporary paranormal romances. I like variety in my reading and in my writing. But when it comes to picking stories to read, I love historical romance. I do write Highland romances, so I tend to read anything but that. Why? I don’t want to accidentally pick up anyone else’s story ideas while I’m writing, so I read what I don’t write. I love action, adventure, mystery, all things that I watch or read when I have the time. A sweet romance can be fun, but I tend to love more action and adventure, suspense, combined with the romance and historical theme. I was watching the true story about the Viking who beat the Roman Crusaders who tried to take their lands from them. He was in love with a woman, and they had to fight off the invaders, using their wits and fighting skills to win against overwhelming odds, not only from the Roman threat but from the Viking tribes who had been bought off to kill him and his people. He was a good leader, a fair leader, and for a hundred…

Mary Wine | WICKED HIGHLAND WAYS
Author Guest / May 29, 2019

I love a lot of seasons but Spring is just plain fun for me to watch come in. Winter has its beauty, especially there at the end when I’m so sick of running my air-conditioning unit to make it through those late summer heat waves. I love getting my warm fuzzy slippers out and having the chance to use some of the quilts I’ve made. Still, spring is just plain magical. Now I’ll make a confession. I love birds. One of my favorite things to do in spring is to keep an eye on the Eagle Cam. There is a pair of Bald Eagles who next in Big Bear and there is a camera mounted so you can get a peek at them as they prepare their nest. It’s something I really enjoy, watching those bird as they tend their eggs and waiting…just hoping to see a chick or two. This year they have two little chicks. Wicked Highland Ways is the last book in my Highland Brides series. Some might look at it as the late summer piece in the collection but for me, it’s still springtime. Hey, Brenda has waited for five books to have her very own….

Margaret Brownley | Five Reasons I Love Cowboy Books
Author Guest / May 29, 2019

1. Tough Manly Men! I love reading and writing cowboy books. Nothing defines America and its values like the Old West. That was when men were men and women were women, but a cowboy wasn’t a cowboy unless he was wild, woolly and full of fleas. Of course, the heroes we love to read about are more likely to be tall, dark and handsome.  He can also charm the bark off a tree and is able to cope with whatever comes his way. 2. Cowboy Lingo: Today’s language seems rather dull compared to the colorful lingo of yesteryear.  Can you think of more mouth-pleasing words than hornswoggle, caboodle or skedaddle?  Or what about fiddlefooted, ranktankerous, or splendiferous? A latte may be the haute cuisine of coffee, but give me an Arbuckle’s any day. The rebellious part of me delights that my characters can use such words as “ain’t” and “druther” without guilt.  My eighth grade English teacher would have had a fit. Of course, back in the 1800s, she’d be more likely to have a conniption (any way you call it, it serves her right for branding me with an F). When a cowboy said “hell on wheels” he wasn’t talking about no bikers…

Lucy Gilmore | My Top Five Favorite Puppy Romance Books
Author Guest / May 28, 2019

There’s something about a dog that makes love story a little sweeter. Maybe it’s because our canine companions reflect the best parts of us as humans. Maybe it’s because it’s easier to sympathize with a hero or heroine who goes home to a bundle of fur every night. It could also just be because dogs are fluffy and adorable. Whatever the reason, I’m always ready to fall in love with a book that includes a main character of the canine variety—especially in romance, where the dogs are always treated with respect. If you’re looking for a book that has love, passion, romance, and puppies, these five are definitely worth a read. Most Eligible Billionaire by Annika Martin Martin is a master at writing upbeat and offbeat comedies that make me smile from start to finish. In Most Eligible Billionaire, a “dog whisperer” is put in charge of a billion-dollar company thanks to her ability to read the mind of the dog who was recently bequeathed control over it. Naturally, the very wealthy rightful heir doesn’t buy into this plan. (It sounds weird, I know, but Martin totally pulls it off.) Catch of the Day by Kristan Higgans This was the first…

Katy Evans | Exclusive Excerpt: MILLION DOLLAR DEVIL
Author Guest / May 28, 2019

Jimmy swings his head to look at me, a dimple under his scruffy beard appearing a little bit as our eyes meet. Bearded jaw. Roguish smile. Golden tan. White teeth. Eyes so bright and blue it’s sort of a shock when they land on me. He might be hot, but he is not my type at all. I’m me, and he’s … so raw; he’s the most primitive man I’ve ever seen. I shift in my stool and turn back to take a quick sip of my drink, bracing myself for another look. I steal it. My stomach clutches because, oh god, he’s blatantly staring at me. He raises an eyebrow, and I stiffen in my seat and turn back to my drink, listening to a soft male laugh behind me. “Jimmy!” I hear someone call. I turn, and Jimmy is now looking at another guy who’s kicking his chair back. Jimmy raises one eyebrow. For some reason, the deep bass of his voice causes the hairs on my arms to rise at attention. “I told you I’d find you.” Jimmy speaks threateningly to the other man. “Here I am,” the other says. They start to face off, winding around the…

Isabelle Ronin | Favorite Food Spots in Winnipeg
Author Guest / May 28, 2019

From crepes to ramen, Winnipeg offers delicious menus to satisfy your cravings. Here are the food spots I love to visit: Kawaii Crepe You feel the fun and youthful vibe the minute you step inside. A classic breakfast of egg, bacon and ooey gooey cheese crepe, try the Morning Sunshine if you want something filling. Something sweet and decadent? Sweet Tooth is your best friend—Nutella, ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and your choice of fruit (I always pick strawberries and bananas). Enough said. Yujiro Tender meat and mushrooms, hearty broth, perfect noodles—they serve one of the best ramen in the city. Hands down. Sargent Sundae Conveniently located across Assiniboine Park, it’s a perfect place to grab ice cream before or after a stroll. They have soft serve and hard ice cream with a wide range of luscious flavors. La Belle Baguette Croissants, pretzels, cinnamon buns, pastries, breads, cookies and more—served fresh and scrumptious. I recommend the chocolate and lemon tart. Oh Doughnuts Oh yes, please! Pretty and tasty, you’ll be craving these like crazy. They also offer vegan and gluten-free options and their flavor selection changes daily. Try the crOHnuts and Everything Bagel. SPITFIRE IN LOVE by Isabelle Ronin…

Kym Roberts | Cozy Corner: Give the Demons a Break
Author Guest , Cozy Corner / May 27, 2019

Everyone has renovations they want to do, have to do, or are forced to do. We chose to do multiple renovation projects with one scheduled right after the other. I spent months choosing the right contractors. Some more expensive than others, but all of them with good reputations for the work they did and the timelines they kept. I even scheduled Murphy’s Law into my master plan. We were going to be done by May first. It’s Memorial Day and we still have contractors coming and going. My office has been covered with plastic for two weeks. Before that, it was loaded with furniture and boxes for a month. The month before that, it was empty. The last time I got to sit at my desk and write, was the last week of January. I’ve actually missed most of spring, not because of the weather, but because I’ve been working my butt off and keeping contractors inline, on time, and Murphy out of my blasted projects. (Ha!) The time that I’ve missed away from my work, I’ve actually gained in reading. It a known fact that I can get interrupted while I read, but if you interrupt me while I…

Melynda Price | Thrills and Chills
Author Guest / May 27, 2019

Thank you for hosting me for a guest post on Fresh Fiction to celebrate my new release, Vow of Silence. I’ve been fortunate for the opportunity to write a few different genre’s, but hands-down my favorite and the most difficult to craft is romantic suspense. I akin writing romantic suspense to putting together a mental jig-saw puzzle. Every piece needs to fit just perfectly, or the picture won’t come out right. For a pantser like myself, this is an especially difficult task, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. When I wrote Vow of Silence, I didn’t even know who the killer was until I was 2/3 done with the book. Sometimes I’m just as surprised as my readers at how a story evolves itself. Most of all, I think my favorite part of writing romantic suspense is the thrills and chills. For me, a great book is one that gives the reader goosebumps—both the good kind and the bad. Vow of Silence delivers both. Readers who are familiar with my work would agree that I’m known for writing the thrills. Who doesn’t love a good, steamy sex scene? But today, I want to focus on the chills. My favorite part of…

Rebecca Brooks | The Meet-Disaster
Author Guest / May 24, 2019

We all know and love the classic meet-cute, but let’s be honest. Sometimes things completely go to hell. So what happens when the first meeting between hero and heroine isn’t so much cute as a total mess? What about the meet-disaster? In Wrong Bed, Right Girl, Special Agent Reed Bishop is pursuing a lead on a case when he heads to the apartment of the woman he thinks is his informant. Only it turns out she’s skipped town and sublet her apartment to none other than our heroine, who’s curled up in bed sleeping as peacefully as can be. That is, until a giant slab of man muscle stubs his toe on her suitcase and comes crashing down on her in the dark. So, yeah. The first words our heroine says (er, shouts) to the hero involve a few choice words I can’t publish here, and a threat to stab him in…a sensitive area. The stuff of great romantic memories, right? They might have to leave out some of the details when they’re reminiscing to their kids about how they met. And yet, it really is the start of something special. Talia, a ballet dancer prepping for a make-or-break role,…