Step into the world of suspense and secrets with this week’s Jen’s Jewels on FreshFiction.com! I’m sitting down with Liza North to unravel the dark twists of THE WEEKEND GUESTS, a gripping thriller where a seemingly perfect reunion among old university friends takes a chilling turn. Set against the dramatic cliffs of Dorset, this novel blends past regrets, hidden agendas, and a sinister mystery that will keep you turning pages. Join me as Liza shares the inspiration behind her eerie setting, the psychology of friendships that evolve over time, and the unsettling power of a simple postcard. Don’t miss it! Jennifer Vido: THE WEEKEND GUESTS brings together old university friends with a dark past. What about this specific time in their lives made it ripe for a mystery? Liza North: University is when you try out new versions of yourself, take risks, push yourself intellectually, build friendships with people you might not have connected with at home. It’s exciting and daunting. That’s one of the reasons dark academia works so well as a genre. I was intrigued by the contrast between that intense but experimental time and the pressured stage in your late thirties, where there are often partners, kids,…

In this month’s Women’s Fiction Column, I’m talking with author Jenni L. Walsh. Jenni is the bestselling author of fourteen books for adults and children, including Unsinkable, a novel about the Titanic disaster, which became an instant USA Today bestseller.  Her passion lies in transporting readers to another world, be it in historical or contemporary settings. Her newest novel ACE, MARVEL, SPY, was released on January 14th. Marie: Thanks for take the time to talk with me today, Jenni! Please give us a quick synopsis of your new book, ACE, MARVEL, SPY. Jenni: ACE, MARVEL, SPY is about a real-life woman named Alice Marble that really rings true with the adage that sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. Alice’s story is truly spectacular with so many unbelievable twists and turns. During the 30’s she was the “it” girl in tennis, winning 18 grand slams. She was also a singer, a designer, and most notably a writer for the Wonder Women comics. All of that seems pretty normal. But then, when the Second World War begins, Alice is asked to become an international spy, with an ex-lover as her mark, under the guise of playing tennis. Hence the title: Ace, Marvel, Spy. Marie:…

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.

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 Tiana Warner! Writes: Sapphic Romantasy novels, both YA and NA, featuring forbidden love, high-stakes adventures, and fantastical worlds. About: Multi-award-winning author from BC, Canada, seeks readers who love fun and magical sapphic romantasy stories. In my personal life, I’m an active volunteer with local dog rescue organizations, and you can often find me cuddling a foster dog or riding my horse Flynn (which is probably why so many of my books tend to involve animal sidekicks). Looking for readers who like badass women, passionate f/f love stories, and suspenseful plots with happy endings. My ideal reader for THE VALKYRIE’S LEGACY must love: What to expect if we’re compatible: You’ll definitely want to hit up my other romantasy stories, including How to Flirt with a Witch (sapphic witches!) and the Mermaids of Eriana Kwai trilogy (warrior girl x mermaid!). Follow me to see what I’m working on next—I love to connect with readers! THE VALKYRIE’S LEGACY by Tiana Warner Sigrid and The Valkyries #3 The blood of…

Trailing the detective was proving to be a far trickier endeavor than I’d anticipated. My only frame of reference came from a lifetime of crime dramas and Hollywood’s portrayal of private investigators, none of which prepared me for the real thing. Still, I refused to back down, gripping determination tighter than my nerves. I maintained a careful distance, making sure to keep to the edges of the path, my breath puffing in little clouds in the chilly air. The winding trail was uneven, dotted with loose gravel and damp leaves, and my footing faltered with almost every step. It was akin to navigating a sheet of ice. The detective, on the other hand, moved with ease. His brisk pace sent up small scuffs of dirt with each step, his boots striking the ground. His broad shoulders were set, his stride steady, as though he belonged here—or at least knew where he was headed. How did he know the area so well? I clung to the rough bark of nearby trees for balance, using their towering forms for makeshift cover. Every time I glanced up, I half-expected him to glance back, but he didn’t. He pressed forward, oblivious—or so I hoped….

Book Title: THE MAILMAN Character Name: Mercury Carter Q: Thanks for sitting down with me. Let’s begin with your first name, Mercury. That’s a nickname, I assume? A: Thanks for having me. No, in fact, that’s the name on my birth certificate. My father was a mail carrier who also happened to love the Greek and Roman myths. As a mailman, he liked the idea of naming his son after the messenger of the gods. My mom wasn’t crazy about the idea but changed her mind when, according to family lore, I arrived in record time. Most people call me Merc for short. Q. Interesting. So, how would you describe your childhood? A: I grew up in Rochester, New York, pretty much living and breathing baseball. I had dreams of playing professional ball but had to shelve that after breaking my ankle in high school. Q: Sorry to hear that. In addition to a different first name, you have an unusual career. What can you tell us about your work? A: In short, I am a freelance courier for a living. I deliver items for people, from precious family heirlooms to French Bulldog puppies, that they don’t want going through…

1–What is the title of your latest release? THE FAMILY INSIDE 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Struggling widow Iris is facing homelessness when she’s offered the chance to move with her rebellious daughter into her new partner’s family mansion—but is there a more sinister reason behind his offer? 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I’ve always loved upstate New York and surrounding areas. It’s so beautiful every season and there’s always a reason to visit. Also, I currently live near the Delaware river and there are a lot of old mansions nestled right on the cliff’s edge overlooking the river. I always thought it would be amazing to live in one of those homes. Until that day comes, I can write about it! 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Yes! I love Iris. She is kind and always tries her best. Iris would do anything for her daughter and the people she loves. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Kind, protective, thoughtful. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? To try not to be too hard on myself. Like many, I suffer from imposter…

1–What is the title of your latest release? A LADY WOULD KNOW BETTER 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? An unexpected romance unfolds when a stern, reluctant earl discovers a mysterious woman with amnesia on his land and agrees to let her recuperate in his manor, which is about to play host to a party no one asked for. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? Whether I am writing romance or fantasy. I need a real historical analogue to ground myself in. For this series, I knew I wanted to focus on the budding women’s suffrage movement. In 1877, England is on the cusp of change. Various reform bills concerning women’s rights have passed, committees and pressure groups are campaigning for change, and Parliament is at last taking notice. My characters would have figures like John Stuart Mill, Lydia Becker, Barbara Bodichon and Millicent Fawcett to inspire them. The right to vote is still a long way off, but maybe one day I’ll get to write a new series about their granddaughters gaining suffrage at last. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? I have two main characters. Jane…

Book Title: OPERATION BAYOU JUSTICE Character Name: Poppy McVie How would you describe your family or your childhood? It was, well, different. My mother was a surgeon in the Navy, and my dad was a wildlife photographer, so we moved around a lot. In the Philippines, I learned to street fight when I was eight. Mostly, though, I learned to live out of a backpack and appreciate the wilderness. Oh, and I put myself through college working as a sommelier. Yeah, I’m kinda into wine. What was your greatest talent? Getting in trouble, if that’s a talent. No wait, maybe getting myself out of a pickle. Yeah, that’s happened a lot. I’m kind of a jump-feet-first-figure-it-out as I go kind of gal. But seriously, I tend to see things others don’t. Like, I can read people, their vibe, you know. Significant other? I have this on again off again thing with my partner, Dalton, another agent on the force. He’s so…aggravating. And sexy.  And aggravating. He’s serious about our relationship and I’m…do we have to talk about this right now? Biggest challenge in relationships? I do this thing where I open my mouth and stuff comes out, and then I…

1–What is the title of your latest release? THE WIDOW’S WEB 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? When tech mogul Brad Jones is found drowned off the Marin coast, his death is quickly ruled a suicide. But his wife, Dr. Anna Jones, a renowned cyber-psychologist, isn’t convinced. Driven by grief and suspicion, Anna begins to dig into Brad’s past, uncovering secrets that lead her deep into the world of Silicon Valley’s elite.  “The Widow’s Web” is a gripping psychological thriller, revealing the unsettling reality that sometimes our enemies are those we believed we could trust. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? Choosing the setting for my book was deeply influenced by my personal experiences. Having lived and worked in technology in Northern California for many years, I wanted to explore its unique culture in a fictional way. The dynamic world of Silicon Valley, with its cutting-edge innovations and high-stakes competition, gave me a compelling stage for the narrative. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Yes! I’d love to hang out with Dr. Anna Jones. She’s smart, loyal and likes her coffee and wine. We’d have fun. 5–What are…