Lucy Rey, failed hairdresser and aspiring BEARER OF BAD NEWS, can’t afford traditional therapy when her fiancé absconds with a member of his improv group. But, thanks to a friends and family discount, she finds her way to Miss Mary, a Department of Motor Vehicles retiree who now leads sessions in movement therapy. Lucy’s adventures in movement therapy provide plenty of musical references throughout BEARER OF BAD NEWS, which made putting together this playlist a lot of fun! The full playlist of songs that make an appearance in BOBN is on Spotify for any Fresh Fiction readers who feel like a listen, but here are a few of my favorites: The Keep Going Song by the Bengsons (the song for when you’re having a bad day) Written during the pandemic by a talented and folksy musical couple, the lyrics are in the title: keep going! Sometimes the only thing to do when times are tough is to put one foot in front of the other because, as the old saying goes, “the only way out is through.”  This is the song Lucy sings most during her travails, and whenever I need a pick-me-up, it definitely lifts my spirits too. exile…

1–What is the title of your latest release? IF TWO ARE DEAD 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Three girls go into the East Texas woods, but only one comes out. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? In my days as a crime reporter, I’d been dispatched to Texas a few times. Was once walked step-by-step through the execution protocol right into the execution chamber in Huntsville. Readers may see that in the book. So… why not put my memories of Texas to use creatively. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Yes, maybe she’d recall to me what really happened in the woods on that terrible day. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Haunted. Troubled. Brave. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? After more than 30 books, I’ve come to learn that while a writer works in solitude, you’re never alone in the entire process. From first secret readers, to agents, editors, proofreaders, cover artists, production teams, sales teams, audio folks, digital experts who get your story online; publicity and marketing people, reviewers and outlets, like Fresh Fiction, to the people who box up…

Okay, okay, I know that isn’t the way the old saying goes, but, honestly, I am ALWAYS in the mood for romance books.  And right now, I would love to spend a good week or so curled up with my TBR pile. What am I in the mood to read? Well, each month I’ve been spotlighting a different trope here on the Fresh Fiction blog. And for April’s post, I wanted to dip into the paranormal world and highlight fated mates. Ah, yes…those couples who truly are meant to be.  Nothing can stop these individuals from falling in love—so you’d better not even try to get in their way. I have a few fated stories that I thought I’d chat about today. First up…A HUNGER LIKE NO OTHER by Kresley Cole (by the way, this book recently got a shiny, new cover!). I absolutely LOVE this book. It gripped me from the first page and did not let go until the pulse-pounding end.  If you love a seriously alpha hero who will let nothing stop him from claiming the mate who is meant to be his, then do not miss this read.  Next up on my “fated” list is DESIRE…

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.

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 Jade Presley! Writes: Jade Presley writes romantasy stories that pair rich world building with characters that will make you blush and leave you thirsting for more. When not writing, I’m going on epic quests during game night or hanging with my family and Irish Wolfhound in my mountain home. About: When not writing, I’m going on epic quests during game night or hanging with my family and Irish Wolfhound in my mountain home. What I’m looking for in my ideal reader match: What to expect if we’re compatible: If we’re compatible, after you’ve enjoyed THE NEVER LIST, you’ll want to go check out my other why choose romantasy books for more spicy fantasy fun! Also be sure to find me on Instagram and TikTok so we can chat! THE NEVER LIST by Jade Presley Fifty Shades of Grey meets Serpent and the Wings of Night in a why-choose (reverse harem) romantasy where one woman’s quest to save her sister—and the realm—brings her to not one, but four power-hungry princes…

Can you tell us a little bit about your writing journey? My journey is certainly not unique, but I do like to share pieces of it that I think resonate with other writers. Like the 99 rejections I had on my very first novel attempt. Or the time I nearly gave up on the whole idea of getting published until a wise older woman (my mother) gave me some of the best advice. She suggested that I ask myself if this writing dream was what I really wanted, warts and all. Because, she reminded me, I could walk away and try something else and that would be okay too. After some reflection, I dug in and turned all of my focus on querying and writing. And not too long afterward, I found my agent and not too long after that, my publisher. But the rejections remain an important part of my journey because that was where I built my stamina. And stamina and resilience are what you need to be a writer. There will be days when the words don’t flow, the story stalls or the feedback isn’t great and that’s when we pull from that reservoir of focus, determination…

I Remember Everything, Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves This doleful, nostalgic song is the back-and-forth between a man and woman who are pulled apart by the man’s ghosts, but who can’t forget the better moments they’ve shared. It would be hard to find a song more fitting for Ryan and Lillian Bright. A Case of You, Joni Mitchell Not only does this song feature Joni’s raw, emotionally evocative vocals, but it also features a “lonely painter” about whom the narrator sings: You’re in my blood like holy wine / You taste so bitter and so sweet / Oh, I could drink a case of you, darling / Still I’d be on my feet / I would still be on my feet. Over the course of time in The Bright Years, we see Ryan Bright turn to painting, to alcohol, and to Lillian—who navigates their secrets and storied pasts with fortitude. Telepath, Manchester Orchestra As Georgette Bright comes of age bearing witness to the struggles of her parents, she finds needed solace in her enduring friendship with Kendi Darnell. There’s a unique bond between them as adults because of all they experienced together as kids. They know each other’s histories and…

Fashion, makeup, Hollywood, a famous dance troupe and the suspense of a killer on the loose?  As April wakes us up from the dreariness of winter, these stories provide a touch of glamor to light up our reading life like the first tulip of spring brightens the garden! We begin with FIFTH AVENUE GLAMOUR GIRL by Renee Rosen, in which she illumines the life of one household name by pairing her with a fictional friend.  After her father’s fraudulent financial dealings shatter Gloria’s wealthy, privileged life, she flees to New York, changes her last name to Downing, and for the first time in her life, has to find a job and survive on her own.  Starting as the clean-up girl at a hair salon, she meets ambitious, enterprising Estee Lauder, who creates beauty products in her home, then demonstrates and sells them at beauty salons.  The two become friends, Estee advising Gloria that she can become whatever she wants if she envisions herself as a success.  Gloria begins to realize the truth of this when she lands a job at Saks Fifth Avenue—re-entering the world of glamour and luxury she knows so well, albeit as a saleswoman rather than a…

Guess who my guest is for this column? Me! My new novel, THE BOOK CLUB FOR TROUBLESOME WOMEN, has just been released and I am over-the-moon excited about it!  I’m so excited that I decided to interview myself this month. So, let’s get to it… Thanks for making the time to talk with us today, Marie. Please share a quick synopsis of your new novel, THE BOOK CLUB FOR TROUBLESOME WOMEN. I’d love to! THE BOOK CLUB FOR TROUBLESOME WOMEN is set in a suburb of Northern Virginia, not far from Washington, DC, in 1963. It tells the story of four quietly unhappy housewives who can’t understand why “having it all” somehow doesn’t seem like enough. When Charlotte, an artsy, eccentric woman moves to the neighborhood, Margaret Ryan impulsively decides to form a book club in hopes of getting to know the intriguing newcomer. At Charlotte’s insistence, the first of the many popular books they will read in Betty Friedan’s blockbuster, The Feminine Mystique. The four women have no idea that books they read and the friendship they develop as a result of their impromptu book club will become the glue that will help them hold fast during what will…

1–What is the title of your latest release? MURDER LEADS TO MARRIAGE 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? 4 Sisters, strong family, an unknown stalker, and friendly dogs. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? Since I live in Texas, I thought this would be a great location. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Yes 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Resourceful, loving, and intelligent. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? Writing a book is REALLY HARD. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? Wait until done. 8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence? Spaghetti and meatballs. 9–Describe your writing space/office! In my recliner, in my bedroom, and in front of the fire. 10–Who is an author you admire? Stephen King 11–Is there a book that changed your life? The Stand by Stephen King 12–Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish. Decided to self-publish.  St. Patrick’s Day 2024 13–What’s your favorite genre to read?  Suspense and Romance 14–What’s your favorite movie?…