It’s that most frustrating time of the year! Guests, gifts, meals…the number of things to keep track of can be staggering. If you’re anything like me, what you really want to do is curl up with a good book! Allow me to offer a few suggestions which take time and attention limitations into consideration. If you’re in the mood for a bit of terror with your winter chill, THE GREY WOLF, by Louise Penny, provides a comforting reunion with the characters (Armand and Reine-Marie Gamache, among other residents of Three Pines,) millions have come to love. Of course, along with that sense of familiarity comes a bone-chilling tale. As often happens with Ms. Penny’s books, the story is left both partially resolved and nail-bitingly unresolved. Will next October’s THE BLACK WOLF answer all our questions? Only the gifted author knows for sure, and she’s making us wait. Holidays bring families together, and the new book by Kate Storey, THE MEMORY LIBRARY, reminds us how meaningful those familial bonds can be. Ella has righteously kept her mother, Sally, at a distance for years, angry at her callous behavior when Ella was young. When Sally falls and needs help, Ella must leave…

1–What is the title of your latest release? WHEN WE HAD FOREVER 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Mina Drake is a young widow who embarks on a heart-wrenching journey to uncover her late husband’s secrets, but in the process, she ignites an unexpected connection with the enigmatic twin brother he left behind. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? WHEN WE HAD FOREVER is set in the Pacific Northwest—a place that, for me, is inextricably tied to feelings of freedom and the headiness of new love. Before I got married, my husband and I spent 7 months living in our van up in Washington State, British Columbia, and Alaska, and it was a magical time in my life. I was in my first truly healthy relationship, and it felt like a new part of me was waking up every day. For me, that’s what WHEN WE HAD FOREVER is about—living well, and fully, and boldly—so it felt natural to me to set the book in the place in which I’d opened my eyes to that. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Funny enough, probably not, at least at…

1–What is the title of your latest release? ROSENFELD 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? A GROWN-UP LOVE STORY FOR GROWN-UPS: A filmmaker falls madly in love with a successful, older CEO, because she believes he can handle the aggression she’s been carrying since childhood. And she’s right, he can. In the most sexy way imaginable. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I keep my characters close to me — so where I live is where I placed them. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Absolutely! Mostly, I’d like to hang out with her when she’s out and about with Teddy. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Witty, broken and talented. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? To trust the process. And to avoid overthinking feedback. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I edit as I go. An author has two roles — writer and editor — and each demands a different mindset. So, every time I sit down to work, I try to figure out what’s right for me to do at that moment: create something…

Description: On a visit to a print shop, Bella and Lord Brooke discover there’s a humorous caricature of Bella’s disastrous dance with Mr. Peckham posted for all of London society to see. Lord Brooke buys every copy before escorting Bella home. After they dropped Catherine off at her home, Bella thanked him for what he had done. “It was very kind of you to try to protect my reputation in such a manner by purchasing those ridiculous prints, but I think this might be a case of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted. Too many people have already seen it,” she told him. “I know. But it was a very small thing to do and it relieved some of my anger at the situation. I agree with your Miss Adams, you know. It was not the act of a gentleman for Peckham to expose you to ridicule as he did. But I think that he’s been punished more than enough,” he said, glancing at the stack of papers on the seat next to him. “I agree. And at least the artist did not draw me in an unflattering manner, as he did poor Mr. Peckham.” She reached…

1–What is the title of your latest release? Life / Insurance 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? This spare novella is about a collage artist piecing together a life, a composer unable to talk, and an interrogation into art and existence in New York City. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I always like my stories to take place in some sort of vaguely recognizable setting but nothing too identifiable. This novella takes place mostly in a hospital room, and one of the characters is confined to bed. But I had no desire to make the hospital room appear realistic. I am always aiming for a generic sort of space so that the attention is on the language and mental shifts of the character, not on the dramatic action in a specific setting. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? I like to think of my protagonist as a mind, not really a person. So the answer is no! I would rather hang out with someone fun. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Questing, questioning, collating 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? I learned that…

Book Title: MAGIC OF MOONLIGHT, book #2 in the Bostwicks of Trillium Bay series Character Name: Trudy Hart, M.D. How would you describe your family? Idyllic and industrious! I was born in 1861, and grew up in Springfield, Illinois where my father is a country doctor. Both he and my mother are free thinkers who prize education and compassion above all else. My siblings and I have always been encouraged to pursue our own interests, to form our own opinions, and to not let society dictate our choices. Perhaps that’s what gave me the courage to study medicine at the University of Michigan. I was the only woman in my class, but I excelled—in spite of professors and classmates who seemed determined to see me fail. Since earning my medical degree, I’ve been working with my father at his clinic—but we’re taking some time away and spending the summer in Trillium Bay at the invitation of my aunt, Breezy VonMeisterburger. I’m looking forward to the holiday but she’s… a lot. What is your greatest talent? I’m an excellent physician, if I do say so myself. I take the time to really listen to my patients, unlike some of my male…

Settle in for a heartwarming treat this week as we welcome beloved author Melody Carlson to discuss her touching new novel, THE CHRISTMAS TREE FARM. From the scenic beauty of Oregon’s forests to the special bond between sisters, Melody shares how nature’s resilience after devastating wildfires inspired this moving story of hope and second chances. With her trademark sincerity, she opens up about the personal experiences that shape her storytelling, her cherished holiday traditions, and even gives us a sneak peek at her next book. Pour yourself something warm and join us for this cozy chat about family, faith, and the enduring magic of Christmas! Jen: Christmas is the perfect time for old memories, new beginnings, and second chances. How did this theme inspire the storyline of Madison McDowell’s journey to save her family’s Christmas tree farm? Melody: For a couple of years, I drove up and down what had once been one of the most beautiful scenic highways in Oregon (and we have a few!) on my way to my mother’s house (she passed in 2022). A huge wildfire had destroyed miles of trees and homes and farms along the scenic McKenzie River in 2020 and the remains looked…

Long before I started writing, I was a voracious reader of cozy mysteries (I still am, but sadly I don’t have as much time to devour them like I used to). There was this great mystery bookstore in Madison, Wisconsin, where you went in and told them what you liked, and they presented you with books. One of those books was MALICE IN MAGGODY, by Joan Hess. From the first page, I was hooked. Recuperating from a disastrous marriage in New York City, Arly Hanks, returning to her hometown of Maggody, Arkansas, to become its first woman sheriff, is shocked when murder and mayhem turn the town upside down. Maggody, a small town of about 700 peculiar residents, sets a hilarious backdrop for Arly’s investigations. I found myself laughing out loud many times as I worked my way through all sixteen books in the series. The first book came out in 1987, with the last book in the series, The MERRY WIVES OF MAGGODY coming out in 2009. If you love to laugh and want to escape into a small town filled with quirky characters, this is the series for you. I own all the books and one day, hope…

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.

Get ready to cozy up with a delightful holiday romance that blends the warmth of fresh-baked treats with the magic of Christmas matchmaking! In this week’s Jen’s Jewels column, I sit down with New York Times bestselling author Liz Johnson to discuss her charming new novel, MEDDLING WITH MISTLETOE. Set in the enchanting Red Door Inn on Prince Edward Island, this heartwarming tale follows aspiring chef Whitney as she finds herself caught between helping the well-meaning Aretha Franklin (no relation to the singer!) match her nephew Daniel with a local businesswoman and confronting her own unexpected feelings for him. Through our delightful chat, Johnson reveals the inspiration behind her festive story, shares a mouthwatering family recipe, and gives readers an exclusive peek at her upcoming return to the Red Door Inn in 2025. Whether you’re a fan of holiday baking, sweet romance, or both, this interview is the perfect accompaniment to your favorite Christmas cookie and a steaming cup of cocoa. Jennifer Vido: What inspired you to mix baking and matchmaking into a festive Christmas tale? Liz Johnson: I always think Christmas is such a romantic time of year, and I think people deeply in love want to see their…