1–What is the title of your latest release? SANCTUARY OF THE SHADOW   2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? A woman hiding her identity, who works as a fortune teller at a magical circus, plots to help free a mysterious man with deadly powers and no memory of his past, when he’s brought in as an unwilling side attraction. A forbidden-yet-destined romance in a fantasy world with immortal queens and elemental magic.   3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I knew I wanted to create my own fantasy world for this novel. Many of the settings are inspired by real places I have visited on my travels and living in Montreal—the birthplace of Cirque du Soleil and one of the best places in the world to learn the circus arts—made me want to write a book that featured a circus. Seeing a show like Cirque du Soleil already feels like magic, so it wasn’t hard to imagine fantastical elements for the characters and their performances.   4–Would you hang out with your protagonists in real life? Definitely. After all we’ve been through together, I feel like we know each other pretty well. …

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 Suzanne Allain!   Writes: Regency-era Rom-Coms. My latest, THE LADIES REWRITE THE RULES, comes out January 9, 2024. Think Jane Austen’s EMMA meets BARBIE.   About: Self-deprecating funny girl looking for someone to laugh at her jokes. My book MR. MALCOLM’S LIST was made into a movie!   What I’m looking for in my ideal reader match: You’re a fan of Jane Austen and/or Arrested Development, The Office, Parks & Rec, and Nate Bargatze. (Note: My book is a historical romance, so has nothing in common with any of the tv shows/comedians listed. I just want to know if you have a good sense of humor and if we could hang out.) You like a lot of spice in your Thai food, not necessarily your books. Though there is some kissing, my books are all closed-door. You like books written in third-person omniscient point-of-view, because you want to know what all the characters are thinking and feeling, not just a measly one or two….

1–What is the title of your latest release? GAME ON 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Gamer Samara “ReyofSun” Reynolds calls out Artemis Games’ flagship game for problematic content. Brining receipts, she challenges them to do better. CEO Aron Galanis takes up that challenge then makes Samara an offer she can’t refuse – affect change on the inside. Adversaries become allies then become friends, and common ground could lead to something more. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I’m a native Atlantan, so I like to set all my books in my hometown. We have a great diversity of neighborhoods here. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? I would absolutely hang out with Samara and her friends! 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Actually, I can use the same words to describe Aron and Samara: smart, passionate, and dedicated. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? On a personal level, I learned that you can write alone but not in a vacuum; that struggling can be more than simple writer’s block; and it’s okay to ask for help. 7–Do you edit as you draft or…

Are you ready to go EARL CRAZY? Welcome to the fourth book in the Games Earls Play series! I’m delighted to give you a sneak peek into Kit and Tilly’s story. Mathilda Templeton never meant to fall in love with an infamous rake. Her sister brought her to London for a season to find a dull, proper husband, but after a secret chance encounter with the wicked, scandalous Earl of Prestwick leads to a stolen kiss, Tilly fears no one but London’s most charming scoundrel will do for her. Christopher Egan doesn’t need any more trouble, least of all a midnight visit from a blue-eyed, blushing virgin with more courage than sense. But Tilly Templeton isn’t like any innocent maiden he’s ever encountered. She’s irrepressible, unpredictable, an unholy nuisance bent on bedeviling him. Why can’t she see that she’s too innocent, too naïve, too trusting for a jaded rake like him? If only she weren’t so tempting… E is for…what else? Earls! There are no shortage of earls in the Games Earls Play series, and Earl Crazy is no exception. A is for…Animals. One animal in particular, a naughty little Pomeranian named Lucien (or, as Tilly calls him, Lucifer). R…

1–What is the title of your latest release? RECIPE FOR A CHARMED LIFE 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Recipe for a Charmed Life is feel-good fiction that will appeal to readers who enjoy stories brimming with food, travel, romance, and a touch of magical realism. It’s a great book club or vacation read. The story revolves around Georgia, an up-and-coming American chef in Paris who, in one disastrous night, loses her sous chef position, her French boyfriend and her sense of taste! When she receives an unexpected invitation from her estranged mother, she flees to a beautiful remote island in the Pacific Northwest to reconnect with her mom and try to regain her spark in the kitchen. While there, Georgia uncovers an astonishing family secret and finds herself falling for the handsome, grumpy oyster farmer in bright orange rubber overalls next door! 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I like to set my book in places I’ve traveled to and genuinely loved. For this story, I set it half in Paris (one of my favorite cities) and the charming town of Friday Harbor on San Juan Island in the Pacific Northwest….

Did you publish a romance in 2023? Enter it in the Carolyn Readers’ Choice Award contest. Our contest has been running for 10 years and is judged exclusively by your target audience. Each novel is given to readers who prefer that genre and heat level. We host four categories: contemporary, romantic suspense, specialized, historical. LGBTQ+, multicultural, inspirational, and disability themes are welcome, and assigned to readers with those preferences. Each novel passes through four judges in the first round. If the book advances to the final round, it will be read by three new judges.   Winners in each category receive a $50 cash prize, a collective two-week Facebook ad, and a contest badge for their website. We’re accepting entries through March 1st.   For more information, visit: The CRCA General Contest Info | North Texas Romance Writers (ntrw.org)

1–What is the title of your latest release? NORTHWOODS 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Northwoods is a contemporary mystery/thriller set in the Northwoods of Wisconsin.  It follows a mother-son law enforcement team as they race to catch a killer, only to find themselves drawn into a conspiracy that has implications far beyond their sleepy lakeside community.  Think Dopesick meets Ozark meets The Firm. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? In a moment of boredom, I challenged myself to picture a scene – just the first thing to pop into my head – and it was the opening scene of Northwoods, nearly exactly as it’s written in the finished book.  It came to me in such vivid detail that I knew it was a story that was living in my head and demanded to be told. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Absolutely!  Marge and Eli are the best! 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Kind, honest, broken 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? Various law enforcement rules, like when a federal law enforcement agency might collaborate with local law enforcement. 7–Do you edit…

CHAPTER TEN   I hurried into the kitchen to get the coffee and find out if there really were security cameras watching over the guests. Em was waiting for me just out of sight in the kitchen. She herded me toward the far end of the room. I made her stop at the coffeemaker so I could set it up for a fresh pot. We ended up in the pantry, not out back on the veranda as I’d expected originally. Fortunately, there was more than enough room in there for me and both of my sisters. Five more people could have joined us, if they didn’t mind a little invasion of personal space. CJ was kneeling next to the bed occupied by the orange cat, with Noah on his stomach on the floor beside her, reading his book. CJ looked up to say, “Have you met Beam? He came with the house. His official name is Sunbeam, and maybe it fit his personality as a kitten, but now he’s more like bourbon—smooth, well aged, and a little reserved. He’s friendly with us but prefers to stay out of sight when there are guests around.” “We met this morning when I…

1–What is the title of your latest release? BLUE RIDGE   2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? What would you do if you were planning to kill your brother—but someone beat you to it? After former Olympic contender turned burn-out horse trainer Cillian Clarke is framed for the murder of his identical twin Christopher, a rising-star Virginia politician, Cillian is forced to go on the lam. But when someone from Christopher’s past emerges and offers Cillian the chance to clear his name, Cillian is plunged headfirst into a sinister conspiracy that not only threatens the sanctity of democracy, but also promises to expose the devastating secret intertwining the brothers forever—the truth behind the death of a woman they both loved.   3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I was born and raised in Northern Virginia, just a short drive away from the mystical, mysterious magic that is the Blue Ridge Mountains. The haunting yet gorgeous scenery of that landscape has always held a special place in my heart. So, naturally, when I decided to write my debut novel, it was only appropriate that I set it there!   4–Would you hang out…

Witch Smuggled in Westerham, Book 21, Paranormal Investigation Bureau Cosy Mystery Series by Dionne Lister Ouch! My Vampire Doms Give Good Spankings, Book 5, My Vampire Doms Series by Calista Jayne Eagle, Book 2, The Biker Next Door Series by Tory Richards Belonging to the Rancher by Sam Crescent Cross, Book 2, Death Seekers MC Series by Winter Sloane Chains of Obsidian by Thomas K. Carpenter The Billionaire’s Florist by Stacey Espino Sticks and Stones by Mac Flynn Saving the Boxer, Book 3, Ormond Yard Romantic Adventures by Neil S. Plakcy Friday Harbor by D.C. Alexander   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…