Fresh FIction Box Not To Miss
Jennifer Hawkins | 20 Questions: MURDER ALWAYS BARKS TWICE
Author Guest / August 2, 2021

1–What is the title of your latest release? MURDER ALWAYS BARKS TWICE, it’s the second in my “Chatty Corgi” mystery series set in the village of Trevena in Cornwall. 2–What is it about? The organizer of a local literary festival is found dead, and Emma Reed and her irrepressible corgi sidekick, Oliver, are caught up in the murder investigation. There’s mystery, family secrets, romance, old grudges, a grand old house, and lots of cake. 3–What do you love about the setting of your book?  Trevena is based on Tintagel, which is a village I visited while I was in Cornwall researching another book. I fell in love with the Cornish coast on that trip, so I was really excited to be able to set a mystery series there. 4–How did your main character(s) surprise you?  The big surprise as I wrote these books was Oliver, my “chatty corgi.” When my editor came to me and asked for a series with an actual talking dog, I was more than a little uncertain. It took a while to get a feel for Oliver’s personality, and his voice. At first, I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to make him work…

Lynette Eason | Exclusive Excerpt: HOSTILE INTENT
Author Guest / August 2, 2021

From around the side of the next vehicle, a white truck, stepped a figure dressed in jeans, a black T-shirt—and a ski mask. Ava gasped and stumbled back, letting her purse fall to the ground as he lifted his hand. She kicked out, her foot slamming against his forearm. The object in his gloved fist clattered to the ground. A yell escaped him, and he lunged. “Ava!” Ava heard her name as she dodged her attacker’s attempt to grab her. She lashed out with the heel of her palm and caught the attacker’s chin beneath the mask. He roared his displeasure and staggered back. Ava spun to run, but a hand closed over her wrist, jerking her off-balance. She hit the ground hard on her back, the breath whooshing from her lungs. She lay stunned, while her mind screamed at her to move. He loomed over her, wrapped a hand around the material of her shirt at the base of her throat, and drew back a fist. Fear wanted to smother her, but anger slid past the initial shock, even as pounding footsteps grabbed her attention. “Hey! Let her go! Get away from her!” Her attacker halted, released his hold,…

Sloane Steele | 20 Questions: TO CATCH A THIEF
Author Guest / August 2, 2021

1–What is the title of your latest release? TO CATCH A THIEF (Counterfeit Capers #3) 2–What is it about? Third book in the series sees things heat up for the team as the FBI is investigating the forgeries being discovered. Mia, the mastermind behind targeting rich men, gets involved with the FBI agent trying to piece together what’s going on among Chicago’s elite. 3–What do you love about the setting of your book?  Chicago is my hometown, so I love bringing pieces of it to my work. 4–How did your heroine surprise you?  Since this is the third book, Mia has been percolating in my head for a long time. In the first two books, she is seen by everyone as an ice queen. But she surprised me by being far more vulnerable than I expected. She’s also fiercely loyal to a group of criminals that she never wanted to like. 5–Why will readers love your hero?  Logan Ford is down-to-earth and charming. He cares about his diverse family and wants to help Mia to keep her safe. 6–What was one of your biggest challenges while writing this book (spoiler-free, of course!)?  One of my biggest hurdles was making Mia…