As a romantic suspense author, I’ve heard and read complaints that romance authors create unrealistic expectations in our heroes. I beg to differ. My female and male heroes very much reflect my experiences in real life. They reflect people I know and love, including my husband. In fact, my perfect hero is much like the people in your everyday life, in all of our lives, struggling to be better and sometimes actually being their best selves. Keeping that in mind, here is my list of 4 perfect hero attributes. Funny–Have a good sense of humor or at least don’t take themselves so seriously. Though I’ve read and enjoyed books in which the blank-faced hero has no sense of humor, I’m a sucker for a funny and light-hearted hero or even a dry and witty hero. My husband has a very dry and witty sense of humor. He delivers his jokes straight, so there is often a processing pause to register the joke and then the burst of uncontrolled laughter. In the second novel of my Black Ops Confidential series, THE PRICE OF GRACE, there is a lot of tension and suspense, but also humor. Starting with Gracie when she’s hidden…

The new trailer for Netflix’s series adaptation of VIRGIN RIVER by bestselling author Robyn Carr released today, and we are beyond thrilled for this show to start. Make sure you read to the end for a special giveaway just for Fresh Fiction readers! Robyn had the opportunity to interview one of the stars of VIRGIN RIVER, Colin Lawrence, who plays Preacher. Check out this photo from the set and the delightful interview Robyn did with him:  *** — COMMENT TO WIN: Harlequin is giving away two brand new, special hardcover copies of the Virgin River Netflix tie-in editions! To enter to win, tell us what romance novel series you’d love to see adapted into a tv or movie. Good luck! — VIRGIN RIVER by Robyn Carr Virgin River #1 Welcome back to Virgin River with the book that started it all… Wanted: Midwife/nurse practitioner in Virgin River, population six hundred. Make a difference against a backdrop of towering California redwoods and crystal-clear rivers. Rent-free cabin included. When the recently widowed Melinda Monroe sees this ad, she quickly decides that the remote mountain town of Virgin River might be the perfect place to escape her heartache, and to reenergize the nursing…

Bess looked at the handsome physician still standing opposite her. “I assume by the way you just said that there’s an ulterior motive?” He lifted his hands. “I need you to talk them out of something.” Of course he did. His three little girls were known for both their stubbornness and their indefatigable ef­forts to always get their own way. Fortunately, Jack’s fifty-six-year-old housekeeper and nanny was pretty good at getting and keeping them on track. “Can’t Mrs. Deaver back you up?” Jack scrubbed a hand across his face. “She’d prefer not to get involved with this one.” Bess paused, aware that the mystery of whatever was going on in his estrogen-fueled household had already drawn her in. Even though she knew she had to be care­ful not to get too involved in the sexy widower’s prob­lems, given her current emotionally vulnerable state. “Which begs the question, then, Doc. Should I?” she retorted, enjoying the switch back to their usual play­ful banter. The corners of Jack’s eyes crinkled. “Just join us for pizza.” As she had many times in the past when he required an extra hand corralling his girls. She sighed. Why was he so damned hard to resist?…

One of the most frequently asked questions of authors is where do you get your ideas? I hate to be the one to break it to you, but. . . there’s no such thing as a magic idea tree. However, every once in a while, we can backpedal to the moment that inspiration sparked. So today I get to tell you exactly how I got the idea for my Unexpectedly Royal series. I’m a huge musical theatre fan. After all, I performed in shows for more than a decade, from Guys & Dolls to Phantom. So for my birthday a couple of years ago, we did a theatre trip to NYC. We saw The Play That Goes Wrong – hilarious! – and Anastasia. Originally we had tickets for Bandstand, but sadly it closed two weeks before we went. (Don’t worry, I get to see it in March!) I frantically had to scrape up replacement tickets and landed on Anastasia. No, I wasn’t a crazed fan of the original Disney movie. But I am a sucker for the Anastasia Romanov legend, as well as all things royalty-related. And Disney has proven that they know how to throw money at a Broadway…

Welcome to Fresh Fiction, Lee! Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your latest novel, THE SECRET CHRISTMAS CHILD. Thanks for having me on Fresh Fiction! I’m a dog lover with a heart for kids, so creating a series centered around an organization that matches up rescue dogs and at-risk boys just made sense. But don’t take my word for it, check out the book description here: Reese Markowski can’t believe he’s hiring his ex-girlfriend–but to save his program for dogs and at-risk kids, the veteran needs Gabby Hanks. Single mom Gabby’s fierce love for her infant daughter is undeniable, as is the child’s effect on Reese’s wounded heart. Their holiday reunion is a joyful surprise, but nothing prepares Reese for the truth about Gabby’s baby. . . Gabby Hanks never expects her new boss to be her ex-boyfriend, Reese. She needs the job and will do whatever it takes to keep a stable life for her young daughter, Izzy. Even though she has been through a lot, Gabby is hardworking and determined to make the most of her circumstances. What do you love the most about the character of Gabby? One of my favorite parts of writing…

Last year, my niece Jessen Judice asked me to co-host her new venture–a review podcast for fangirls of romance who love to talk about the books they love. With positive vibes, our can-do attitudes, and Jessen at the helm, we started recording episodes for Smart Women Read Romance. As a writer of romance, I thought this would be fun, to step back into romancelandia as a reader. Besides joining the ranks of romance fans, it gave me an outlet to discuss what makes this genre so powerful for women and to celebrate it in a positive light. As our bio says for SWRR, “We started this podcast as a big middle finger to the stigma associated with reading and loving romance novels. We love to fangirl about our favorite books, authors, and characters and are challenging people to think of romance novels as more than just ‘mommy porn’–though there’s nothing wrong with a copious amount of sexy times.” Not only do we highlight the struggles of women in the modern world and cheer when they overcome adversity, but we also celebrate all aspects of womanhood–from career-climbing to parenting to falling in love. After a year of recording, 46 full episodes…

When I was asked to write a blog about my favorite Disney movies and characters, I was thrilled. I mean, I love blogging about my books and which actors I envision for different characters in them. But getting a chance to dish about Disney, aka the Happiest Place on Earth? Who wouldn’t want to do that? I first fell in love with Disney when I was little and absolutely adored watching The Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday nights. Obviously there’s a lot going on there with the happy memories from that time, sitting on the couch with my mom and dad as Tinker Bell did her arc over the top of the castle before each show started. Just thinking about it now makes me smile. I went to Walt Disney World with my parents when I was in high school, but it didn’t become an obsession until hubby and I went there on our honeymoon. Yeah, some people head to an exotic island for their honeymoon, but hubby and I went to Disney! See, he’d never even seen a Disney movie until I introduced him to The Little Mermaid. He’d never admit it, but I think he was hooked…

Dr. Aaron Samuels visits the rainforest to find a cure for heart disease. Never expecting to meet a beautiful mysterious woman, talking to a frog. As an empty-nester, he recognizes a lonely soul when he sees one, but he never expects she’s Mother Nature herself! Pouting on a log in the El Yunque rain forest, Gaia picked up a coqui. Placing him gently on her open palm, she brought the tiny tree frog level with her face. “Why can’t my sisters, paranormals, and humans be more like you, coqui? All you want to do is climb leaves, eat bugs, and chirp your cute little song. Although, granted, when a bunch of you get together, you can make quite a loud racket.” The coqui just stared at her. At least he seemed to be paying attention. “You see? You’re a wonderful listener. That’s all I want. . . just someone to listen. If my sister thinks I’m a bitch, maybe it’s because no one listens to me.” “I’ll listen to you,” a low male voice said. Gaia bolted upright without turning around. “Was that you, coqui?” A chuckle sounded from behind her. “No, I’m not your frog, but maybe I’m your…

I’m time travel romance author Angela Quarles, and I’m excited to be here on Fresh Fiction. The first book in my new time travel series is out this week from Entangled Publishing–Some Like It Plaid–and the bulk of it is set in Roman-era Scotland. Writing a book set in the past is challenging for a number of obvious reasons, one of which is trying to bring a reader into that time period–a time period we’ve never seen ourselves. I bought scads of scholarly works and immersed myself in the era before and during the drafting process. But one of the main sources that proved extremely helpful came about quite by accident. I was in Scotland the summer before last, researching the setting by visiting museums that still housed Roman artifacts, as well as by tramping to whatever bits of the Antonine Wall and its buildings were still visible. It was while I was visiting the Auld Kirk Museum in Kirkintilloch to see its Roman exhibit that I came across a docent who, when I asked if there were other places I should see related to the Antonine Wall, told me of a historical reenactment happening during my stay. “Look for…

For one of America’s favorite holidays, that gathering of families and friends to give thanks for blessings and to share meals, I’m offering a dessert selection of books guaranteed to be delicious.  Fashion, gossip, weddings, tales of artists and actors…what could be better? We begin with Jennifer Robson’s THE GOWN.  As recent royal weddings demonstrate, the fashion world’s most feverish speculation revolves around the material and styling of the gown chosen by a royal bride.  In 1947, in the midst of a harsh winter after a long, grim war of rationing and privation, anticipation at the upcoming royal wedding was one of the few topics to lift the spirits of war-weary Britons.  This was nowhere truer than with Ann Hughes and Miriam Dassin, embroiderers at the prestigious fashion house Norman Hartnell, who are thrilled to be selected for the honor of embroidering the iconic gown to be worn by Princess Elizabeth at her wedding to Prince Phillip.  Seventy years later, Heather Mackenzie is mystified to receive a legacy from her grandmother Nan–a set of embroidered flowers that closely resemble the motifs used on Queen Elizabeth’s wedding gown.  As Heather sets out to uncover the truth behind the embroidery, her story…