Hello! I’m Annie McEwen, author of the Northwoods Mysteries, a cozy mystery series set in Northern Wisconsin. SNOW TIME TO DIE is the third book in my series. Get ready for lots of snow, cozy fires, hot chocolate, snow, snoop… I mean, sleuthing, more snow, and oh, yeah… a MURDER! Here’s a little acrostic poem to give you a taste of what to expect! Happy Reading! Storm clouds gather, winds begin to howl,Night falls frigid with danger so foul.Over Lake Covington, snow whips across the ice,Wisconsin Northwoods winter isn’t playing nice. Trapped in a blizzard with nowhere to run,In the middle of it all, the mystery’s begun.Memories surface, grudges still burn,Everyone had a reason, everyone wanted a turn. Twists and turns keep Emmy on her toes,Old enemies still act like petty, bratty foes. Deeper the secrets, colder the lies,Is Cooper’s Cove in danger?Emmy must solve it—or someone else dies! SNOW TIME TO DIE by Annie McEwen Northwoods #3 Winter has wrapped the Wisconsin Northwoods in a bitter chill, and Emmy Cooper’s family lake cottage resort, Cooper’s Cove, is no exception. But it’s someone from Emmy’s past who’s about to bring the real frostbite! A stormy mix-up at a local hotel reroutes an…

1–What is the title of your latest release? ALL THE CAPTIVE GIRLS 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? A serial killer uses artificial intelligence to place the reporter who outed him at crime scenes while hiding in plain sight, dressed as a phantom pirate, during Tampa, Florida’s infamous Gasparilla Pirate Invasion and Parade. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I always wanted to set a book during Gasparilla. The month-long celebration, based on the infamous pirate Jose Gaspar, is cinematic and unique to the Tampa area. It’s flamboyant and fantastical, with people dressing as pirates and wenches celebrating with parades, festivals and other activities for four weeks in January and February each year. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Yes, she’s feisty and determined but also loyal and well meaning. She’s uptight but learns to let go and have fun. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Smart, feisty, determined. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? I learned more about Tampa’s shadowy history, including the underground tunnels of Ybor City reportedly used for transporting alcohol during the prohibition. I also learned so much about artificial…

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.

1–What is the title of your latest release? STORM WARNING 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Remi must recall the danger that sent her into hiding at a coastal storm-watching lodge before it’s too late. When the most ferocious storm in a decade hits the coast, she’s forced into survival mode with a mysterious stranger, and together, they battle an unknown adversary that tries to silence Remi forever.  3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? Setting always inspires me. I’ve long wanted to set a series along the dramatic Washington coast of the Olympic Peninsula. Even better, add in a storm-watching lodge to ramp up the chills and thrills. I love that nature can play a huge role in the suspense genre, and Olympic Peninsula offers it all with the rocky coastline, high winds and storms rolling in from the Pacific, a temperate rainforest, designated wilderness areas, and the Olympic Mountains, all in a place so remote there’s limited or no cell coverage. Even satellite is spotty. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? I think Remi might be too intense for me, considering her background as an army photographer,…

What is the title of your latest release? THE MOONLIGHT HEALERS What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Multiple generations of women in one family with a magical, secret ability must contend with what it means to be a healer. How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I chose Crozet Virginia because I moved there in 2020 and was so inspired by the beauty. I chose Normandy, France because I spent time there in college and loved the stories of its beauty and resiliency. Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Yes definitely! Louise and Helene are both strong, smart women who I’d love to know in real life! What are three words that describe your protagonist? Strong, resilient, healer What’s something you learned while writing this book? I learned so much about folk healing traditions and about WW2 era France. Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? Edit as I go! What’s your favorite foodie indulgence? Oysters-the saltier the better! Describe your writing space/office! Always shifting! I have an office but often have to write on the go between school pickups and drop-offs, so…

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.

1–What is the title of your latest release? ONLY IN DARKNESS 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? ONLY IN DARKNESS is based on an actual Mayan legend. It is a story of love, blood lust, and the horrors of coming of age. The novel is a multi-cultural horror story based in modern-day southeastern Idaho with a twisting back story in ancient Central America and the emerging drug war of the 1970s. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I live near the Massacre Rocks area of Idaho and have always found the dark lava formations and cliffs to be beautiful but also haunting. I traveled to Guatamala and was intrigued by the area and the Mayan culture of the past. It was fun to weave the two areas together in this story. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? He is a young man I admire, and I feel a great deal of empathy for him. He is trying to get through life as a young man who is going through significant changes and feeling like he doesn’t belong in the world. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist?…

by CJ Holmes Few tropes evoke as much excitement and tension as forbidden romance, especially in paranormal and fantasy stories. Rooted in age-old tales of star-crossed lovers, the allure lies in its dramatic stakes—love that defies rules, risks punishment, and battles against seemingly insurmountable odds. Whether it’s a witch forced to wed her sworn hunter or a mortal artist captivated by a dangerous Fae prince, these relationships resonate because they challenge boundaries, offering a mix of danger, passion, and defiance. In paranormal romance, forbidden love isn’t more than a story element. It’s a reflection of the human experience. It magnifies our desire to belong, even when circumstances conspire against us, and our willingness to take risks for what we value most. These relationships explore the tension between attraction and societal expectations, creating stakes that go beyond mere heartbreak. Every obstacle, whether it’s a magical curse, a clash of kingdoms, or centuries of war, serves as a crucible, forging bonds that are deeply emotional and unforgettable. Humans fall for supernatural beings, rivals are thrust together, or duty and destiny stand in the way, and the tension will leave you on the edge of your seat. Personally, I’ve always been drawn to…

When we purchased our motorhome, we had a wish list of items it had to have. This would be our fulltime residence, so we would be spending a lot of time inside of it. When my husband found this one, a 43-foot 2010 Tiffin Allegra which checked everything on our list, I knew it was the one. Stepping inside this motorhome felt like home. The wooden cabinets and carpentry with cherry finish throughout, the classic style and cream colors to lighten and brighten the rooms were perfect. I admire the craftsmanship that goes into wooden creations. Back in high school when I met my husband, he made beautiful furniture in wood shop. We both enjoy things well made from wood. One day I was showing our new home off to one of my best friends, and she said, “Debra, it’s beautiful. It’s like a yacht.” “A yacht?” I asked, looking around. “Yes,” she nodded. “A land yacht.” I liked that description and have thought of her this way ever since. Yes, like a ship, I think of our motorhome as her. Cruising by land or by sea, can be romantic. This February we will be cruising aboard the inaugural Love…

Book Title: MY LADY MELISENDE Character Name: Her Noble Highness, The Lady Melisende of Merania How would you describe your family or your childhood? My father was one in a long line of Grand Dukes of Merania, and my mother was a princess of Sardinia. She was so beautiful, so graceful, and I remember so little about her, save that she was worried and tired when the fevers came. My sister was the eldest, ten years older than I. There were three boys between us and one more girl, all of them lost to the fevers. That was a terrible season for Merania—so many new graves on the mountainside. Our lives changed after that. Magret and I, as girls, were allowed a great deal of freedom, until we became heirs. Then we were treated like princesses. Townsfolk gathered in the street to watch us ride in our carriage. They gathered in the squares to see us wave from palace windows on feast days. Magret has always been practical and did what must be done. I’m afraid all that attention might have gone a bit to my head. It was splendid to be so admired, for a while. Have you seen…