Caye Caulker Island, Belize Tuesday, 10th January 2023 When I lied to him for the first time, it sparkled off my tongue as sweet as popping candy. He didn’t even know, he didn’t catch it, and I hadn’t planned to, not really. It just fell out of my mouth, and I wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was shame. Was it shame, or something stronger? A defensive move I’d learned—or a preemptive one—because women have that kind of sixth sense, don’t they? Jacobson’s organ. I read about that once, in one of Dad’s New Scientist magazines, how females are predisposed to listen to their gut; how we can sense fear like we’re about to be fed it. Through broken clouds, the sun warmed the sea. Turquoise medicine. I breathed it all in, deep into my bones. Jet Skis wasped in the distance, irritating the flat blues beyond. Aid lay next to me, five thousand miles of relaxed. Tattoos wrapped around his chest, his neck, his arms, commemorating untold stories with blood and pain and ink. The newest—soft black and grey roses—graced his bicep afresh below the “L.F.” heart. He was resting on his elbows, his foot tapping a rhythm to the…

What is the title of your latest release?KNIFE IN THE BACK What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?Burke Broussard’s story is the fourth in my New Orleans series. Several years ago, Burke left the NOPD due to the corruption he found there – and barely made it out alive. Today, he’s a private investigator, getting justice for those victims who’ve been failed by the system. Victims like Naomi Cranston, a former cop who was framed for stealing drugs from the evidence room and who was sentenced to thirty years in prison. A technicality got her sentence overturned, and she’s lived free for a year. But those who framed her are back and this time they’re using her son to force her to bow to their demands. Can Burke help her? Will Naomi find herself after her life was destroyed? Join my New Orleans crew in the final installment of the series! How did you decide where your book was going to take place?I love New Orleans. The atmosphere, the architecture, the food! Back in 2019, I decided to set a series here, thinking that I could take a lot of fun trips for research. And then the pandemic and…

Book Title: THE FRENCH KITCHENCharacter Name: Kat (Harris) Fontaine What is your full name?Kathryn Harris-Fontaine. Profession?pauses and shifts in her chair – Former spy, American Office of Strategic Services (OSS), during WWII. How did you come to that? And was it dangerous? You must have had enemies in that line of work.Yes—but in 1943 France, who really knew who they were? My brother, Gavin, was recruited by the OSS—the precursor to the CIA—from law school and he signed up in secret to serve as a spy in the field. I learned the OSS likes to recruit siblings when Gavin vanished in France and they also recruited me. I followed soon after, parachuting into Nazi-occupied Northern France. It was while hidden in a chateau kitchen that I was classically trained as a chef, as a ruse to help me survive while I tried to make contact with Gavin. But the big task became to keep the rest of my team alive. How would you describe your family or your childhood?It’s complicated. Gavin and I grew up in Boston and were causalities of a family that fractured when we were children. With our father gone, our mother remarried and wealthy (and demanding…

What is the title of your latest release?THE COVER GIRL What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?THE COVER GIRL is a dual-timeline novel about a teenage model in the 1970s who, at age 15, poses for a rock star’s album cover, and finds her life forever changed when he makes himself both her boyfriend and her legal guardian. How did you decide where your book was going to take place?Both the main characters’ jobs and classic rock history informed the setting the most: New York as a fashion capital and Los Angeles for the Sunset Strip rock scene that inspired parts of the novel. When Birdie needed somewhere else to go, I turned to my own former home of Massachusetts. Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?I would, though I think it’d take a lot of effort on both our parts – we are both shy, so I’d probably assume she didn’t like me and vice versa. But she has a dry wit and a genuine desire to help people that I think would be nice to be around, even if she is not a particularly warm or forthcoming person. What are three words that describe…

Hello, friends! Thank you for stopping by to learn a little bit about my small-town contemporary novel WHEN THE ROAD COMES AROUND. This story is set on a ranch in Montana, and it’s about faith and family, grace and grit. I hope you like it! W is for the Western settingH is for HorsesE is for Extending graceN is for New opportunities that arise T is for Thaddeus Bungley, our antiheroH is for Hidden motivesE is for Empty promises R is for a Reputation for troubleO is for Ordinary peopleA is for Anita Wilson, giver of second chancesD is for Dirty diapers C is for Come Around RanchO is for the Open prairieM is for MontanaE is for Everything’s about to changeS is for Second chances A is for the Agricultural communityR is for RedemptionO is for OvercomingU is for Unexpected twistsN is for Never underestimate the power of the truthD is for the Dog days of summer WHEN THE ROAD COMES AROUND by Katie Powner Contemporary Small Town Fiction Set on a Montana Ranch In the small town of Grady, Montana, twenty-four-year-old Tad Bungley has a reputation for trouble. When he lands a job at Come Around Ranch, however, his life…

Instead of trying to find your perfect match in a dating app, we bring you the “Author-Reader Match” where we introduce you to authors you may fall in love with. It’s our great pleasure to present Jennifer Jabaley! Writes: Beach reads…but there’s a shark in the water. WHAT’S YOURS IS MINE, a domestic suspense that People Magazine listed as a most anticipated summer read of 2025, explores mothers with diabolical secrets who collide with their ambitious and relentless daughters. When an attack prevents one daughter from performing in a national competition, accusations pit families against each other, and ignite a town scandal. This twisty novel, set in the cutthroat world of competitive dance, is filled with rivalry, revenge, and unrealized dreams. About: Jersey girl who worked her way south, Jen has become a full-blown Georgia peach who enjoys rocking chairs on front porches, sweet tea, and college football. But she draws the line at saying, “Bless your heart.” When not writing or checking eyes, Jen can most often be found on the tennis court, the Peloton, or in a Pilates class. She values friendship, a good read, and sunny days. Pink is her signature color. I’m looking for readers who…

Each Friday the Smashwords store reports the bestselling indie fiction titles based on the previous week’s sales. If an author has more than one title eligible for the list, only the highest performing title will be included. This ensures high-performing titles receive the accolades they deserve, while providing up-and-coming authors the visibility they have earned. Don’t miss Monday’s Top 10 Hot Preorders List, where Smashwords will provide a list of the most highly anticipated ebook preorders.

In this week’s Jen’s Jewels column, I’m excited to chat with author Alisha Fernandez Miranda about her delightful new novel, SOMEONE’S GOTTA GIVE. Set against the glittering backdrop of London’s high society, this witty and heartfelt story follows Lucia, a former nonprofit executive turned high-powered advisor to the elite, as she navigates motherhood, marriage, and the excesses of wealth with humor and grace. From Buckingham Palace mishaps to private island perks, Alisha invites readers behind the scenes of a world few ever see and delivers a thoughtful exploration of identity, ambition, and staying grounded when everything around you sparkles. Jen: Your main character, Lucia, finds herself advising royals and billionaires—did you base any of these larger-than-life clients on real people you’ve met or read about, and what was your overall inspiration for the book?Alisha: The first scene I wrote for SOMEONE’S GOTTA GIVE. was when Lucia approaches the Perry family’s large country estate. I wanted to capture that feeling that I had so often when I moved to the UK (and still do sometimes): a combo of “holy crap, how crazy is it that I get to be here?” mixed with a bit of “I am way out of my…

What is the title of your latest release?THE DEATHLESS ONE What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?For everyone who thought the Corpse Bride should have gotten the man… or for people who love Shadow Daddies. How did you decide where your book was going to take place?I’ve always wanted to write in a gritty, almost steampunk world but with people who were more ahead of their times than Victorian. Women in pants, guns existing, the kind of place where there’s an infinite number of options available. Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?I’d love to hang out with Jessamine, but it would be a little odd considering she’s a dead girl. Still fun, but also, I would have concerns about the smell. What are three words that describe your protagonist?Feminine rage spreader What’s something you learned while writing this book?Writing a book is always a trial in learning who these new characters are. I really thought I’d go in with a MMC who is the usual alpha hero. Instead, I got to fall in love with a very unusual male main character who has a lot of trauma to work through. It was a joy to…

Excerpt from MUSIC HALL QUEEN by Anna Markland The Inspector had to admit the Frenchman was slick. He’d wager the Parisian had dealt with law enforcement before. Too bad there was no way to find out about his background—except to ask directly. “Ever been arrested?” he asked. Again, Edouard was torn. Revealing his regrettable past would throw suspicion on him. However, in his experience, lies usually came back to haunt the liar. “Twice, in fact, Inspector.” “Care to explain?” Edouard’s hope that Maggie Chadwick wouldn’t hear his confession was dashed when she returned with the tea tray. Seeing her garbed in black brought back memories he’d sooner forget. “I was fifteen when my father beat my mother to death in a drunken rage,” he said, not surprised when shock widened her eyes. “I found Maman’s body, tracked my father down to the local bar and thrashed him to within an inch of his life.” “You were then arrested.” “Oui, but I was pardoned after they hanged my father. We Frenchmen respect courage. I was afraid to tell them it was anger, and perhaps fear, that drove me to beat him, not courage.” “So, you get violent when you are angry?”…