by Jamie L. Adams Hi, my name is Jamie Adams, and I love writing (and reading!) mystery novels. There is just something so captivating about the intricate puzzles, the chase for clues, and the shocking twists that keep readers guessing until the very end. Whether it’s unraveling a cold case, solving a cozy whodunit, or diving into a fast-paced thriller, mysteries have always held a special place in my heart. There’s something uniquely rewarding about that “a-ha” moment when all the pieces of the story finally click together. For this first post, I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite mystery tropes and elements that make the genre so irresistible to me: The amateur sleuth. There’s something undeniably charming about an ordinary person thrust into extraordinary circumstances. Maybe it’s a baker who stumbles across a body in her small-town shop, or a librarian who finds an old diary that unravels a decades-old crime. These amateur sleuths bring creativity and heart to their investigations, making the journey as entertaining as the solution. Small towns with big secrets. I adore the contrast of idyllic settings hiding dark truths. A sleepy coastal town, a picturesque mountain village, or a…

I can’t believe that the first month of 2025 is already coming to an end. Did it pass quickly for you? Slowly?  We were just snowed in where I live—and, yes, that’s a crazy thing for me to write because I live along the Gulf Coast of Alabama. But we received almost nine inches of snow, and for several days, everyone was told to stay home and off the roads. So, during my snowmageddon, I started thinking about…the year in books.  Or rather, how each month in 2025, I would like to pick a different book trope or genre to read.  For January, my trope is/was…psychic romance. And the author I often turn to in order to get a great psychic romance? Jayne Ann Krentz. (She never disappoints me!) Her new psychic romantic suspense, SHATTERING DAWN, released on 1/7/25. A new book for a new year. Psychic shenanigans, an alpha hero, and hot romance—a perfect way for me to start my 2025 reading adventure. In February, my reading challenge is going to focus on reunited lovers (figured that would be fitting for Valentine’s Day!). So if you have any book suggestions that fit that theme, please tell me all about…

1–What is the title of your latest release? STRIKE AND BURN 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? In a world where passion and danger collide, Honor Stone fights to reclaim her life after her sister’s murder pulls her into the orbit of Strike Madden, a dangerously seductive billionaire willing to risk everything to protect her—even if it means facing the darkness within them both. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? We both went to college in Pennsylvania and so setting it the fictional town of Shelton PA felt familiar to us both. It’s a little Easter egg. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Honor is a great hang, and we’d be thrilled to grab drinks with her anytime she’s in Los Angeles. We’d even come to Shelton. We’d also love to shop her store Grace & Honor. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Optimistic, tenacious, artistic 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? Collaborative writing invents its own hybrid style. When we re-read our own work, it always feels so surprising because Taylor Hutton really does have her own voice. We can never tell between…

1–What is the title of your latest release? WE ARE WATCHING 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Have you ever had the feeling that the whole world is out to get you? Well, maybe it is… A normal family is thrown into turmoil when they’re targeted by a violent group of conspiracy theorists. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I live in the Hudson Valley, and I’ve always found it a rich setting for books. I set this one in a fictional Hudson Valley town that is so small, everyone knows each other… or do they? 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Sure. She could definitely use a friend! 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Loving, haunted, stronger than she knows (okay, that’s more than one word.) 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? You can make the most outlandish idea plausible if create characters that feel real. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? In the beginning, I do a lot of rewriting, but after I hit the halfway point, I find it easier to just write through…

1–What is the title of your latest release? THE OLIGARCH’S DAUGHTER   2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? An American guy falls in love with a photographer, not knowing she’s the daughter of a billionaire Russian oligarch.  Then the FBI takes an interest . . . 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? It was easy: it had to take place in New York City, because my hero is an up-and-coming Wall Street guy, and his father-in-law runs a hedge fund. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Definitely.  He’s smart, funny, and personable.         5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Oh, I just listed them.  Funny, smart, and personable.  Also really brave. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? I learned that it’s really hard to live under a false identity, off the grid, these days. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I write without editing, then I edit the previous day’s chapter.  So I guess I do both. 8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence? Does this count as foodie? – hot fudge sundae.         9–Describe your writing space/office! It’s a converted one-bedroom…

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? DANCING WOMAN 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? An aspiring artist living abroad finds passion for her craft when she enters into a brief love affair with a local musician. When she discovers she is pregnant, she understands that her risky liaison could upend every aspect of her life. In a frantic afternoon of gardening in her yard, she unearths an ancient sculpture which might guide her steps. But it will take great devotion to discern what those steps should be. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? The book has a backstory in Virginia, but the present-day action occurs in northern Nigeria. I lived in southern Nigeria growing up. I was interested to see how a white American woman in the early 1960s would acclimate to a Muslim dominated area and what she could learn outside of the U.S. that would give her an intelligence and artistic sensibility that she could not have attained by staying at home. I named her Isabel Hammond. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Absolutely. Isabel would be one of my best friends. She’s lived…

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.

In this week’s Jen’s Jewels, we turn up the heat with bestselling author Jane Costello, whose latest rom-com IT’S GETTING HOT IN HERE blends the chaos of perimenopause with the challenges of motherhood in a hilariously heartfelt tale. Join us as Jane shares the inspiration behind her witty and poignant story, the creation of her dynamic characters, and how she masterfully balances comedy with life’s more serious moments. Whether you’re navigating midlife or simply love a good laugh, you won’t want to miss this engaging conversation about finding joy, love, and self-discovery amidst the beautiful mess of life. Jennifer Vido: It’s IT’S GETTING HOT IN HERE tackles midlife with humor and heart. What inspired you to write a rom-com that blends the chaos of perimenopause with the relatable challenges of being a mother? Jane Costello:  More than anything, this was the book I wanted to read. I’d written bestselling romantic comedy for years in the UK but moved away from the genre to write emotional love stories under the pseudonym Catherine Isaac. But when I hit my late-forties I found myself looking for a smart, funny, uplifting romantic comedy that touched on all the things I was going through myself:…

Hi! I am Lisa F. Rosenberg, author of FINE, I’M A TERRIBLE PERSON. I’m thrilled to be here to tell you about my debut novel! 73-year-old, worn out, former beauty, Aurora Feldenburg, a hapless, broke, divorcee living in the wealthy enclave of Marin County, learns that her father’s widow has died. She decides to drive to Los Angeles to see if there is any money in it for her. Aurora is always ready for the next get rich scheme Aurora’s high-strung daughter, 43-year-old Leyla, is a hypersensitive, insecure, perfectionist, insomniac, damaged from her father’s lifelong abuse and rejection. She is married to a wealthy prince charming, investment banker who specializes in the legal Cannabis industry. Leyla spends her days keeping up with the other Marin uber mom’s, manically pursuing perfection in herself, her home, and her children. When she overhears a conversation at parent’s night at her children’s elite private school, and suspects her husband is embarking on an affair, she decides to sneak into a Cannabis business conference he is attending, also in LA, to spy on him. While at the conference she accidentally ingests 40 mg of THC packed granola bite samples.  Aurora and Leyla’s separate quests intersect…