This month, I’m delighted to have author Shara Moon as our guest on Fresh Fiction’s monthly Women’s Fiction column. Shara is a first-generation Haitian American writer and amateur historian who enjoys exploring black world history then writing about it. An alumna of the University of Central Florida and the City College of New York, she is a former writing instructor who now writes about unsung women and their forgotten stories. The publication of her inspiring novel, LET US MARCH ON, published by William Morrow/Harper Collins, marks her historical fiction debut. Q 1: Thanks for joining us today, Shara! Please give us a quick synopsis of your wonderful new book, “Let Us March On”. Let Us March On is about a little-known woman in history named Elizabeth “Lizzie” McDuffie who proclaimed herself FDR’s “Secretary-On-Colored-People’s-Affairs”. She was a White House maid who leveraged her position to get important—often neglected—issues in the Black community in front of the president. Essentially, the book is about a woman who went into the White House as a maid and left there as a trailblazer. Q2: Where and when did you first learn about Lizzie McDuffie? What was it about her that made you think her story…

In this week’s Jen’s Jewels, bestselling author Sally Page invites readers into the captivating world of THE SECRETS OF FLOWERS, a novel that beautifully intertwines history, mystery, and the transformative power of flowers. Inspired by her own passion for floristry and a lingering question about the Titanic’s floral arrangements, Page crafts a dual-timeline narrative that follows Emma, a grieving widow, as she embarks on a journey of healing through flowers, and Violet, a stewardess aboard the ill-fated ship. In our conversation, Sally shares the fascinating research behind her novel, the challenges of balancing historical and contemporary storytelling, and the writing rituals that fuel her creative process. Grab a cup of tea and settle in for a delightful glimpse into the world of THE SECRETS OF FLOWERS! Jennifer Vido: What inspired you to weave the story of the Titanic’s floral arrangements into the narrative of Emma’s personal journey? Sally Page: I have always been a flower lover and ran a flower shop in London when I was in my twenties. I had some thought of writing a book about the importance of flowers in history – history being another passion, but in the end, I realized I had neither the time,…

For Black History Month, I thought I’d recommend some amazing romances by Black authors. There’s something for everyone in different subgenres and a mixture of well-known authors and hidden gems. ZETA RODGERS NEEDS TO RELAX by Elana Moon I’ve recommended this one before and I will again because I loved it so much. After a night together that was as steamy as it was endearing, there was the most delightful spin on the surprise baby trope. The circumstances of their reuniting had me giggling with glee, and Ash’s handling of the situation and lovestruck ways had me sighing with bliss. ETERNAL LIGHT – Hounds series, book 1 by Layla J. Omorose Paranormal romance fans will enjoy this spicy, unconventional romance featuring Cerberus-shifters, strong women, and a messy Hades-Persephone subplot. DOWN SOUTH BAYOU – The BR Bayou Series, Book 1 by Aricka Alexander  A fun Black Sapphic Romance with a fun and flirty friends to lovers dynamic! MORE TO LOVE by Georgina Kiersten A plus-size, MM Interracial Romance between a nerdy, handsome Black bookstore owner and a Korean former Olympic wrestler. ALL THE PLEASURE –  All The Ways Duo, book 1, by Kelly Violet Interracial steamy contemporary romance that starts with a…

Fight Song – Rachel Platten This song so sums up Selene Genji’s journey.  Like that “small boat in the ocean” her mere presence in the past keeps sending out “big waves” of changes in the history she knew.  Her actions create other waves with unpredictable results, meaning she might be the “one match” that “creates an explosion” decades before it should have happened.  And despite the odds, despite the doubts that assail her, she keeps fighting.   It also applies to Kayle Owen, whose own decisions may also help change the fate of the Earth as well as his own fate.  He’s going to believe, even when no one else does.  No matter what happens, they’ve both “got a lot fight left in” them. Anti-Hero – Taylor Swift In the first book of the series (In Our Stars), Selene Genji actually says “Me.  I’m the problem.”  (This was written before Taylor Swift’s song Anti-Hero was released.  Two great minds, I guess, hers obviously a lot greater than mine.)   Just as the song talks about self-doubt and how others see us, Selene has to deal with the reality that her mere existence causes serious problems because of how others see her.  To…

As written by the protagonist of the A CIRCLE OF UNCOMMON WITCHES, Doreen. A is for Ambrose who is brooding and a little broken C is for the corners of the world where the ghosts and monsters hide, where I will have to go to fight for true love and to make things right I is for in the woods so dark and deep, for that is where this story will take me R is for revenge, for Ambrose is seeking his on my family…and by proxy, will he also seek it against me? C is for the calm winds that blow us up the cliffs on the Isle of Skye, where the blues of the water are as deep as the secrets Ambrose hides L is for lies, for the biggest lie I keep is to myself and how I feel about this man who cursed my family E is for the exit because each time I think I find one, it leads me to another door to another turn to another surprise O is for open, because it isn’t just my heart that has to become that way F is for falling because this world is one that…

1–What is the title of your latest release? THE OTHERWHERE POST 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? It’s the story of a young woman named Maeve whose father committed a terrible crime. Because of it, she’s had to live in hiding, fearful of others discovering whose daughter she is, until the day receives an anonymous letter stating that her father was actual innocent. To discover the truth, she sneaks her way into the Otherwhere Post’s courier apprentice program, where she’ll be trained in scriptomancy—a dangerous magic that allows couriers to enchant letters and deliver them to other worlds. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? Shortly after I came up with the idea for a post office that delivered enchanted letters across a multiverse, I took a trip to Edinburgh. The gothic buildings had this cool black sediment dripping down their stonework and almost looked ink-stained. I felt like I was standing somewhere outside of time. That moment inspired me to set my story in an ancient university city that could give readers that same feeling I had. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Of course! I love all…

1–What is the title of your latest release? DAUGHTER OF DARING 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? The story of America’s first stuntwoman, who worked during a time when women ruled in Hollywood. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? History decided that for me. 4–Would you hang out with your subject in real life? Absolutely, she was a blast. 5–What are three words that describe your subject? Bold, independent, ambitious 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? Early Hollywood was a world of women. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I edit as I draft. 8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence? Bourbon. 9–Describe your writing space/office! My office is chock full of notebooks and shelves of ink bottles. I write all my books by hand with fountain pens, so it’s all pens and inks and papers. 10–Who is an author you admire? Mary Roach 11–Is there a book that changed your life? There are many books that changed my life! Mary Roach’s Stiff showed me that history and science can be fun and accessible, which inspired all my work. 12–Tell us about when you got…

1–What is the title of your latest release? WE ARE MADE OF STARS 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? One week in summer. Eight lives forever changed. Think White Lotus meets Virgin River all set at a cozy mountain inn. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? The Inn featured in the novel, VIS TA VIE, is based on a real-life inn in Vilas, North Carolina. We spend our summers in the gorgeous mountains there, and it was a natural fit to create the story on the property. The inn offers gourmet dinners prepared at a communal table with strangers and friends, and I knew I had to write a story based on the interactions and connections. So much comes to light at an intimate table. Especially one where they serve a lot of wine. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Every single one of them with the exception of Adam Kravitz.  Even Cassidy, with all her overbearing narcissism drew on my compassion. I’d want to help her. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? There are so many, but this applies to most of them: secretive, hurting,…

1–What is the title of your latest release? TREADING WATER (Book One from the Notes From the Deep End Series) 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Simone Biles meets The Program meets The OC. The story of a celebrity athlete’s self-destruction and how a forced stay at an unconventional “facility” inspires her to rebuild her life.  3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? The story takes place at The Dunes, which geographically is in the desert in Southern California, but it honestly could have been the moon. My main character’s name is Natalie, and she’s from Buffalo, NY. I just wanted somewhere that was a completely different vibe than a northeastern rustbelt city like Buffalo NY in the dead of winter. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Absolutely! Natalie is an elite swimmer who’s worked very hard and made a lot of sacrifices to make others happy, sometimes at the expense of herself. While I can’t say I was ever at the Olympics, I skied for many years at an elite level and understand the pressure and what you sometimes give up for the sake of your sport. So…

Music is my number one inspiration; it helps me lock in and block out distractions. A single lyric can move my soul and awaken my imagination, humming the melody of a perfect story, or at least its theme or tone. Stubborn Love by the Lumineers fits the tone of SMOOTH SAILING perfectly. Granted, there isn’t any cheating or stealing (as mentioned in the opening line). It is more about the tone of this song as a whole. There’s a powerful drumbeat throughout, and I swear it’s Paloma and Max’s heartbeat for each other— their stubborn refusal to give up on the possibility of love. It’s better to feel pain, than nothing at all The opposite of love’s indifference So pay attention now I’m standing on your porch screaming out And I won’t leave until you come downstairs Taylor Swift is another artist who appears regularly onthe SMOOTH SAILINGplaylist. The song that is 100% Paloma’s is Anti-Hero. One of her biggest wounds is that she’s always been too much or not enough in every relationship. She’s told herself she doesn’t care and vows to focus on rebuilding her career. Which requires her to work with Max, and when she starts catching…