Music is a huge part of my writing process. I build a playlist when I’m in the early phases of drafting a new novel, using the songs to unlock the emotional truth of tricky characters and capture the mood of pivotal scenes. A great playlist helps me zoom back into the heart of the story after time away too. I added songs to my playlist for WHAT COMES AFTER as the story developed, and I love the resulting mix: There’s playful pop reflecting the story’s humor, heart-wrenching tunes that speak to Mari’s grief and healing, and gritty songs of rebellion that set the stage for major plot points that I won’t spoil here! Here’s a quick sampling. Find the full playlist on Spotify. New Soul (by Yael Naim): Mari is literally a new soul in a strange world, making every possible mistake. When she awakes in Paradise Gate—an experimental afterlife community— she’s in total shock. Her confusion builds as she learns about the bizarre rules souls must follow to process their pasts and move on. This song’s poppy, off-kilter energy reflects the campy, slightly creepy side of What Comes After. Each time I listen, I think of the Catherines, a…

Capture the Moment: From Zoo Laughs to Bear Tracks By Kate Cunningham, (hopefully) former zoo photographer turned wildlife photographer A few years ago, I never would have guessed that I’d be making a name for myself in wildlife photography by working for a zoo. Or that my reputation would take off because of one perfectly-timed shot: a lineup of five dignified giraffes—and one rogue monkey hanging upside down, photobombing the moment. I stared at the picture for a long moment. It needed a punchline. And one came to me: The relative no one talks about. That post went viral. Then came the otters. A pair floating belly-up in perfect symmetry, paws clasped together. Relationship goals: Clingy but adorable. And my personal favorite: a lone tortoise staring wistfully at a flock of flamingos. When your invite gets lost in the mail. Being a zoo photographer has taught me so much. I’ve learned how to take really, really good pictures of animals. I’ve learned to observe. To understand animal behavior. To wait patiently for the right shot. The best moments came when I stopped forcing the shot and let the animals show me who they were. I have loved being a zoo…

1–What is the title of your latest release? ROMANTIC FRICTION 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? A bestselling fantasy romance author’s series has become a cultural phenomenon. Another author has used AI to write like her—and readers love it. She bands together with her fellow authors to preserve their art the only way they can: by committing a felony. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? The book starts in a Massachusetts seaside town, an easy choice since it’s mirrored on the town where I live. For the rest of the book—the bulk of the story—I wanted to set it in a large U.S. city. New York is used so often that I wanted to choose somewhere different. Chicago became the obvious choice as it’s a city I know and love. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Absolutely! As a writer, I’d learn so much from her. And she’d totally make me laugh. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Prickly, talented, love-starved. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? That caper stories are really fun to plot. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until…

Book Title: A WAGER WITH THE MATCHMAKER Character Name: Alannah Darragh How would you describe your family or your childhood? I had a happy childhood in Ireland until I lost my mam and da. I was living with my aunt when the Great Hunger started, and we faced starvation. My brother Torin left for America, and I sailed over to St. Louis to live with him a year later, hoping for a better life. Unfortunately, when I arrived in the spring of 1849, I found myself in the middle of danger from rivaling Irish gangs! What was your greatest talent? I love editing which stems from my love of reading. But of course, in 1849, the possibility for women getting editing jobs is pretty much impossible.  Significant other? My brother is my biggest supporter and cares deeply for me. So when I find myself in danger in this new country, he asks his boss, Kiernan Shanahan to help hide me. The Shanahans are one of St. Louis’s wealthiest and most prominent families, and Kiernan is the oldest son and most eligible bachelor in all of the city. Where do you live? Thankfully, Kiernan is a kind man, and he comes…

I seem to be choosing books by authors who’ve crossed over to new genres lately, I’m not sure why I would possibly do that! Lol. Yet each one I’ve chosen to read, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the fresh outlook and writing styles. Today is no different. From women’s fiction to mystery, Abbi Waxman has transitioned into the genre with her unique creation of unconventional characters her fans adore. Mystery readers can’t help but come to love her books as well. I know I have!  Kym: Welcome to The Cozy Corner on Fresh Fiction, Abbi! Abbi: I am so happy to be here, thanks so much! Kym: When I read the blurb for your new release, ONE DEATH AT A TIME, I had to read and then seeing that you live in LA, I seriously wondered if it was inspired by headline after headline. LOL. Did local headlines inspire your characters and their bizarre-too- strange-to-be-fiction adventures? Abbi: Los Angeles inspires me every day, but mostly because it’s filled with amazing people living their dream and working towards it. Sure, there’s also a fair amount of craziness, but generally the city feels optimistic and enthusiastic, and I try to get that across in my…

1–What is the title of your latest release? WRONGFUL 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Ten years after the literary festival at which a horrible event occurred, a woman returns to the site to discover what really happened and who was responsible. It’s a twisty mystery where people are behaving badly. And it’s for anyone who has found themselves being wrong repeatedly and is anxious to forgive themselves. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I needed a location with a lush, wooded area. The state where I live now, Pennsylvania, seemed perfect. Also, sink holes—or the prospect of sink holes—is a feature of the location and of parts of Pennylvania. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Yes! I had to hang out with her for many pages already. She’s a great companion. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Persistent, loyal, haunted 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? I learned a bit about entertainment agents and how they book acts. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I try not to do line edits until I have completed several…

Book: CHAMPAGNE TOAST, MURDER CHASER Subject: Interview with Elise Beckett Landry and Sheriff’s Deputy Jackson Landry Delphine Chronicle Interviewer, Candice Grover: Good afternoon, Elise … Jackson. Thanks so much for sitting down with me today for a bit of a chat. I’m working on an upcoming article for the Chronicle’s Society Page, and you two just got hitched, so I’d like to get some background to go with the wedding spread I’ve got planned. Jackson: (Narrowing his eyes and looking a tad uncomfortable) Uh … wedding spread? Candice: (Grinning at his obvious discomfort) Of course. Not everyone in Bastrop County was invited to the event of the season. Though I was lucky enough to be invited—thank you very much, Elise. Elise: (Nodding) You’re very kind. Glad you could make it. Candice: Anyway, my readers will be salivating to see the photos, hear the details, get some background about the two of you. The Beckett family have been a big part of Bastrop County for a very long time, and River Bend Winery and Vineyard has always been a staple. Why don’t we start there? Tell my readers how you two met. I understand that you basically grew up together. Is…

Each Monday the Smashwords store lists the top ten most highly anticipated indie fiction ebooks based on the previous week’s preorder accumulations. Each title on the list is scheduled to release within the next week. To help the talented authors on this list accumulate even more preorders, click the title of the book. The hyperlink will bring you to a Books2Read page where you can order from your preferred ebook retailer. If the preorder is part of a series, click the hyperlinked series title to learn about the other books in the series. Be sure to check back Friday for a list of the Top 25 Bestselling Indie Ebooks.

This week on Jen’s Jewels, I’m thrilled to welcome Audrey Lancho, whose heartfelt new novel THE SILVER LINING captures the power of healing, hope, and fresh beginnings. Set against the backdrop of North Carolina’s beautiful foothills, Audrey’s story follows Farrah’s inspiring journey as she rebuilds her life after unexpected heartbreak. From charming ranchers to the deep ties of family, Audrey weaves an emotional, uplifting tale you won’t want to miss. Grab a cup of coffee and settle in for our heartwarming chat—you’ll be glad you did! Jen: What sparked the idea for Farrah’s story, especially her journey through heartbreak and healing? Audrey: Typically, when writing a book, I get a seed of an idea and the story builds around that. My first tiny spark was a main character who works in a memory care nursing home with older individuals. These are people who are not going to get “better”, and this was a nice juxtaposition for Farrah, who is young and healing from her trauma, but also a contrast that tugs at the heart, and my main goal is always to make my readers feel when they read. Jen: Farrah’s shift from managing an art gallery to working as a…

1–What is the title of your latest release? THE TRAITOR OF SHERWOOD FOREST 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Peasant girl Jane Crowe agrees to spy for Robin Hood, but she soon realizes that the charming hero isn’t what he seems. As Robin’s tricks grow increasingly sinister, Jane grows more and more entangled in the dark web of Sherwood Forest—and with Robin himself—until there’s no easy way out. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? Plenty of British regions lay claim to Robin Hood, but I decided to set the action in Nottinghamshire locations, including Mansfield (where there was a medieval market), Clipstone, Sherwood Forest, and a royal residence known in the Middle Ages as “King’s Houses.” The residence was essentially in Sherwood Forest, and that allowed me to build Robin’s life around it. This also helped me find a home and a workplace for Jane, my protagonist, who takes a position in the King’s Houses kitchens. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? I’m pretty sure Jane and I would be pals, although I would probably annoy her. She’s much more serious than I am! 5–What are three words…