1–What is the title of your latest release? THE GUILT PILL 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Maya Patel has it all—her own start-up, a sexy, doting husband, influencer status, and now, a new baby. Or does she? Because behind closed doors, Maya’s drowning. Her newborn’s taking a toll on her marriage, her best friend won’t return her calls, and her company’s hanging on by a thread. The worst part? It’s all her fault. If she could just be a better boss, mother, wife, daughter, friend… Maybe she wouldn’t feel so guilty all the time. Enter: #Girlboss Liz Anderson, who introduces her to the “guilt pill,” an experimental supplement that erases female guilt. At first, it’s the perfect antidote to Maya’s self-blame and imposter syndrome, and she finally becomes the unapologetic woman she’s always wanted to be. But there’s a catch: for Maya to truly “have it all,” she needs to be ready to risk it all. And as Maya falls deeper and deeper down the pill’s guilt-free rabbit hole, her growing ruthlessness could threaten everything she’s built for herself—and the family she’s worked so hard to protect. Electric, taut, and sharply observed, The Guilt Pill is a…

Book Title: MIDNIGHT PROMISES Character Name: Felicity Ward How would you describe your family or your childhood? Wow. Well, my family and my childhood were really … weird. My father, a Nobel Prize-winning Russian physicist defected from Soviet Russia and we were placed in Witness Protection. I was strictly forbidden from saying anything true about my family. We spoke Russian at home but I wasn’t allowed to show I knew Russian. My family was one big secret I had to keep, even as a child. It was hard and I had to learn to operate at several different levels of secrecy. What was your greatest talent? School. I was really good in school, really good at University. At school everything made sense, unlike my family which was permeated with dark secrets. And as an adult, my greatest talent is computers, the digital world. Until I met Metal, the love of my life, computers were my greatest companions. Significant other? Before Metal, you mean? I had, like, a few flings with fellow nerds. In the dark, under the covers. Then separating immediately. Totally unlike my relationship with Metal, which was and is both warm and hot. Biggest challenge in relationships? I…

1–What is the title of your latest release? DIDN’T YOU USE TO BE QUEENIE B? 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? A disgraced celebrity chef, her striving protégé, and their path through the kitchen to redemption. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? Simply—I live in Connecticut. Though Rock Landing is fictional neighborhood in New Haven, it’s a city I know. My stories are mostly character-driven, so setting them into familiar places leaves me brain space to explore them rather than get sucked down the research-rabbit-hole of an unknow-to-me locale. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Queenie B in her heyday? Probably not. She was a lot of fun, if you’re into wild, drug-fueled debauchery, but her exploits ended up in the tabloids and she often ended up in rehab. Again. Regina, however? She’s a bit cantankerous, but yes. No one will ever say she wears her heart on her sleeve, but she’s got a big one. I’d love to have dinner with her…if she’s cooking. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Whether Queenie or Regina, the answer is the same—determined, ambitious, wary. 6–What’s something you learned…

This week on Jen’s Jewels, bestselling author Dani Pettrey returns with TWO SECONDS TOO LATE, the pulse-pounding second installment in her Jeopardy Falls series. Set against the rugged beauty of northern New Mexico, this romantic suspense novel follows tracker Riley MacLeod and her partner Greyson as they race to find a missing woman—only to discover they aren’t the only ones on the trail. In our conversation, Dani shares what inspired this high-stakes story, the personal ties she has to the setting, and why she still drafts all her books longhand. Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes look at one of suspense fiction’s most beloved voices. Jennifer Vido: What inspired the storyline for this novel? Was there a particular event, place, or idea that sparked your imagination? Dani Pettrey: A combination inspired this story. The overarching story of the MacLeod family is how they were raised by cons and brought into these cons at a young age. Growing up, they’ve turned their lives around and now own a P.I. firm that busts cons and pursues justice in a wide variety of areas. Riley MacLeod is a tracker. She learned from a young age how to disappear, and in turn, how to find those…

Hi! I’m Juliette Cross, a multi-published author of fantasy romance. FIREBIRD is a dark romantasy, a reimagining of Ancient Rome ruled by dragons. It is a brutal world with a tyrannical emperor. My heroine Malina and hero Julianus bond together to fight for a new, free Rome. Please note there are sensitive topics such as a master/slave relationship, dubious consent (not between the MCs), and attempted sexual assault (not between the MCs). Fierce World Intrigue Rebellion Ethereal Bold Heroine Intense Hero Resistance Dangerous FIREBIRD by Juliette Cross House of the Dragon meets From Blood and Ash in this epic, scorching dark romantasy. A conqueror captivated…A witch prophesied to save them all…A world where dragons rule Rome. From the moment Roman general and nephew to the emperor Julianus Dakkia laid eyes on Malina, he was enthralled by the Dacian dancer. Years later, the fierce beauty stands before him on a scarred battlefield, her life in danger. He instinctively shifts into his fierce dragon form to save her, an action that may mean his head on the imperial gate. But he and his dragon know one thing: she belongs to them. Malina can’t believe that the centurion who had once bestowed a secret talisman…

1–What is the title of your latest release? THE GENTLEMAN AND HIS VOWSMITH 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Nic is heir to a declining dukedom and has to marry money to save his name from ruin. Unfortunately, his arranged bride is the daughter of his father’s hated rivals, and to negotiate the contract they are coming to stay for a few weeks in the grand tumbling down mansion. You’d think it couldn’t get worse, but their head negotiator is Master Vowsmith Dashiell sa Vare, an old flame Nic has neither forgiven nor forgotten. Now they’re going to be locked in the house together, and this really isn’t the time for forbidden love. Especially once the murders start. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? Initially this book actually took place in a secondary fantasy world with regency flavor, but when it was bought by Saga and TorUK, my editors suggested shifting it into the actual regency. So now it’s set in an alternate version of regency England that has magic, and I’m super pleased it is because I’ve always loved regency novels and getting to play with an alternate world and think…

1–What is the title of your latest release? ECHOES OF NIGHT. It’s book one in my new series, Daughters of the Shattered Moon. 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? An underestimated pack servant with no wolf is given to a monstrous Alpha in her spoiled sister’s place and finds out her touch is the only thing that can quiet his curse. But not everyone wants his curse broken, and no one is who they seem. Daughters of the Shattered Moon is a mix of paranormal romance from the 2010s and modern romantasy that I’ve set in a sort of dystopian future where magic returned a century ago and broke everything. About half of humanity “awoke” with supernatural powers, so there are werewolves, witches, vampires, sirens, etc. I plan on the series being eight books long. It will follow the same overarching plot, but the main focus of each book is a romance between a new couple. Eight couples, eight books, one story. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? Every family from the Midwest has “their” special lake that’s several hours from home (even though there are hundreds of lakes closer). For four…

1–What is the title of your latest release? THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID 2–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I’m based in London, along with the majority of my friends, so I felt it was the strongest location for me to write about friendships in the city. 3–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Probably not – they wouldn’t have time for a third wheel! Beth and Serena are so close to each other, they can be closed off to others, but I think I’d have a great night out with them if we were to hang out every now and then. 4–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Beth: Sarcastic, confused, loyal. Serena: Dedicated, witty, whirlwind. 5–What’s something you learned while writing this book? I learned that society really expects us to have figured out our sexualities by the time we’re twenty-one and anything after the fact can be considered ‘juvenile’, but in reality we’re all figuring ourselves out at different rates in different ways and that’s something to be celebrated and shared. 6–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I wait until it’s…

Book Title:  MURDER AND A MISSING MANUSCRIPT Character Name: Mr. Boots How would you describe your family or your childhood?Difficult to say. I was adopted, you see. The early years are a blur of tin trays and Meow Mix® which, as you know, is the culinary equivalent of gas station sushi. I’ve blocked most of it out—survival instinct, no doubt. There were cages, barked orders, and a revolving door of well-meaning but clueless humans. Then, one day, everything changed. Polly Pepper came to live in my castle. Or perhaps I found her. Either way, in that moment, the past lost its grip. She smelled like lavender and murder. She became family. What is your greatest talent?Judgment. Unflinching, feline, and delivered with attitude. I can assess a person’s value in the time it takes them to bend down and say, “Who’s a good kitty?” (Spoiler alert: it’s always moi.) Of course, I also mastered the fine art of napping too—sun-drenched windowsills, tufted cushions, Polly’s favorite chair. But even in slumber, my judgment never sleeps. Oh, and I’m a talented contortionist when it comes to grooming my private parts. Significant other?I flirted—briefly and with great reluctance—with the notion of affection. It was……

April showers may bring May flowers, but with luck, they’re bringing you extra reading time. Great books have rained down on me recently, both old and new, and as always, I am excited to share some of the gems I’ve enjoyed. First off, I was recently privileged to lead a writers’ conference discussion of Lucy Score’s THINGS WE NEVER GOT OVER. I’d done a quick listen to it a few years back and enjoyed it, but now I did a more thorough read. My verdict and that of most of the conference attendees: A winner! There are a few plot holes and inanities we had fun poking fun of, but overall, this runaway bride, grumpy/sunshine, enemies-to-lovers, found-family romance is a delight that will leave you remembering Naomi and Knox with a satisfied smile. Skipping back a few centuries, I was absolutely captivated by Susanna Kearsley’s newest title, THE KING’S MESSENGER. The king in question is James II of England (aka James VI of Scotland—Ms. Kearsley allows historical details space to enlighten but never overwhelm), and the messenger is Andrew Logan, torn between his need to honor his job and provide for his family and his growing suspicion that the task…