Tessa Esposito, the protagonist featured in Penne Dreadful (on sale July 30th), lives in the charming town of Harvest Park, located in Upstate New York. A talented chef, Tessa would feed the entire world if possible. As with most cozy mysteries, Harvest Park has a gossip grapevine the size of Italy and she soon finds herself in the center of it. Cooking helps Tessa to deal with the stress in her life, which is currently at an all-time high. Fortunately, her close-knit Italian family is supportive and always there to lend a hand. They are passionate about most things in life, with food at the top of the list. The beginning of the story finds Tessa dealing with a personal tragedy—specifically, her husband Dylan’s recent death. Her grief quickly turns to anger when she discovers it was no accident—finding he was murdered instead. Who would do such a thing? Was Dylan in some type of trouble? And why didn’t he tell Tessa about it? The questions pile up as she struggles to understand. Tessa uses the other love of her life—cooking—to uncover Dylan’s killer. Her quest leads her to accept a job working “undercover” at a local pizza parlor called…

A SEAL Never Quits is all about having the heart of a warrior and never letting go of a mission, whether it be your assignment in the military, your dream future, or the love of your life. While researching Navy SEALs, I found endless inspiration from my own life experiences. Military Heroes date back in my family for hundreds of years. My father served in Vietnam as a private, and by the mid-seventies became a Captain in the Army Rangers. When I began writing A SEAL Never Quits, I knew it had to be about Special Ops since my dad shared that world with me from his time as a Ranger. His stories of the bond he formed with his unit shaped my view of a do-or-die brotherhood represented in the book. The Texas Navy SEALs series takes a group of rough and tough SEALs and puts them on an undercover assignment near the Texas/Mexico border to handle a rising terrorist issue coming from Mexico, Central, and South America. The unique aspect is that these SEALs go undercover on a working ranch and must stay on top of intel in a small town. Writing about a working ranch in south…

“If you write a book set in the past about something that happened east of the Mississippi, it’s a ‘historical novel.’ If you write about something that took place west of the Mississippi, it’s a ‘Western’- and somehow regarded as a lesser work. I write historical novels about the frontier.”   Louis L’Amour My great-grandfather was born in 1904 and was a Polish immigrant. He supported himself by working on the railroads. In his later years, I knew two things – he liked a glass of whiskey now and then, and he liked to get comfy in his recliner with a Louis L’Amour Western. At the time, I was young, and my literary taste ran more along the lines of Nancy Drew books and the Sweet Valley High series. It’s only in recent years that I can appreciate a tale of cowboys, horses, rodeos, and occasionally cattle rustling. Although, admittedly, my Westerns are of a very different variety than those preferred by my late great-grandpa. Mine is full of more naked shenanigans than he would probably care for. I can’t pinpoint which book was the first romance I read with a Western vibe, but it might’ve been “Catcher Creek” series by…

Starlight Harbor is my new home. Okay, no. I didn’t move. I’m still in my little apartment sitting out on my also little deck with my pup, drinking tea and writing. But if I could move to Starlight Harbor I’d have Jack the Pup packing his toys quicker than you can say “cupcake.” Not only is it on the coast of Maine which is absolutely stunning and has some of the most lovely, creative, strong but compassionate people I’ve met on my travels….Starlight Harbor is also on a mission. Starlight Harbor isn’t just your normal quirky small town. It’s turned love (and quirkiness) up to 11. Not only do they have a rich history of smuggling, piracy, and a collection of clans who escaped the Scottish Clearances…they also celebrate Christmas all year. Before you start picturing blowup Santas and fake snow, Lyra (our heroine) wants you to know… Don’t even go there. That’s what that uninformed, pushy, self-involved “journalist” did when he bad mouthed her town. Not that we’re judging him or anything. Instead, Starlight Harbor is a beautiful, seaside town that has a small celebration every few weeks. Picture a lovely Hallmark movie set instead of a Walmart holiday…

It’s winter here in Australia. Short days and long, cold nights. The perfect time to curl up in front of the fire with my dogs, and either a good book or the remote. There is such a lot of wonderful content out there, all hail the internet! it’s impossible to choose the top five. But today, I’d like to share my fav TV series, mainly because not only am I a binge reader but I’m also a TV series binge watcher! Call the Midwife I love period dramas and I also love anything set in England. This series has some wonderful characters and I loved the fashions of the time. What also interests me is learning about the breakthroughs in medical technology, the poverty of the time and that section of London and the hardships the people endured. An awesome series, with fabulous music, interesting storylines and of course, I usually bawl through every show. A great emotional show. Battlestar Galactica (2004 series) I have this series on DVD and I haven’t tired of watching it – so far (lol). Love humanity’s desperate fight for survival, the conflict amongst the characters – both humans and Cylons, the danger and the…

Chemistry. I’m intrigued by observing chemistry in real life and in fiction. No, not the kind with protons, neutrons, and electrons. I left that kind of chemistry behind after my freshman year of college. As an author, I’m talking about that intangible quality between characters we’ve come to refer to as chemistry. When a hero and heroine experience mutual chemistry, they’re drawn together, despite external conflicts and obstacles—even if they think they’re all wrong for each other. When I’m not writing and reading, I love to watch movies. It’s evident to me when there is…or is not…chemistry between the characters. The hero and the heroine challenge each other, grow to respect each other, and find each other intriguing. And in the case of a romance, chemistry fuels their attraction. To me, chemistry is the difference between a movie I want to enjoy more than once, and a film that’s not nearly as memorable. I’m a huge fan of Robert Downey, Jr. and Rachel McAdams in Sherlock Holmes. As Holmes matches wits with alluring criminal Irene Adler, a woman who can hold her own with the brilliant detective, the sensual tension is magnetic. One can well imagine the passion that would…

What I Write About: I love to write contemporary romance novels which are deliciously sweet with a sprinkling of sexy. I started out writing with my best friend under the pen name, Autumn Ruby and had tons of fun creating hot military alpahas who feature in our Hot Hero series. Sightseeing in Manhattan is my first official solo publication and I had the best time writing it as I’ve revisited all my of dancing days, which gives the story and characters authenticity and keeps them relatable. About Me: I live in England, UK and I’m basically a country girl trapped in a city life but I’m making it work. By day I’m busy working but luckily I drive a lot so get to sing along to all my favourite country songs which always inspires new stories. I have two daughters who I live for and a hubby who feeds me too much salted caramel and encourages my crazy ideas more than he should, but I love him for it. Fun fact, I have a serious addiction to flamingo’s and will buy pretty much anything if it has a flamingo on it. What I’m looking for in my ideal reader match:…

Do you like reality shows? What about watching people fall in love? I’ve got a book release today that I’m excited about because it has both. It not only features a hero that is melt-your-heart, smoldering-hot delicious and a really fun and relatable heroine that you want to be best friends with, but it also features a couple that is in the midst of – yes! – a reality show, which made this book so fresh, fun and realistic. Luke and Nell are both needing, and hoping, to win a million dollars when they walk into the casting of MILLION DOLLAR MARRIAGE. Neither of them has a clear idea of what the show is about, but what the hell, right? Surprised when they both make the cut, they’re even more shocked to realize each of the contestants will be married to someone for the duration of the show—and that she and Luke, will be married to each other. Together, they need to face obstacles, physical and mental, as they race to the finish line with the same goal as all the other show couples: winning. Nell figures that even if she is absolutely not compatible with Luke, they could still…

This is a dangerous topic for me. Because if you’re going to make me name my must-have writing snacks then I’m going to have to think about them. And if I think about them, I’m going to want them. And if I start to want them and deny myself, I’m going to crave them. And if I crave them, I know I’ll end up going to the store to get them. And if I go to the store I’m probably going to peruse the book section. And if I peruse the book section I’m going to end up buying quite a few. And if I buy quite a few then I’m going to feel guilty for adding to my already overflowing TBR pile. And if I start to feel guilty then I’ll have to set aside time to read them. And if I set aside time to read them then I won’t be writing. And if I’m not writing then I won’t even need my snacks after all, right? My logic may be slightly flawed, but thanks for going along with my rambling journey. At the risk of never writing another word, here are my 5 must-have writing snacks. I’ve…

Hello dear readers and thank you for joining me on Fresh Fiction. Today I’d like to introduce you to the five siblings at Calhouns Customs Garage. Nurturing this family to life on the page has been an exciting and frustrating journey. They’re a sexy, moody, complicated and daring bunch. Poor dad, Marty, had his hands full raising them. But here they are, all grown up. He has one last parental responsibility as Parkinson’s Disease begins to steal his independence. Ex-Nascar race king, Marty Calhoun, has built a legacy for his family, and now it’s time to round them up and bring them home to claim it.  Each of his five children have hearts in need of overhauling. They all have hard lessons to learn. The one thing Marty wants most is to see his children find happiness and love at Calhoun Customs Garage. Chase Chase stars in book 1, Overdrive. He’s the eldest. This hero had to grow up fast. With five kids under ten and having lost his wife in childbirth, Marty needed help. Chase stepped up to the plate, earning himself the nickname of ‘Mother’. He cares for his siblings, watches over them, and runs the family garage…