Fresh FIction Box Not To Miss
Sue-Ellen Welfonder | A Ghostly Knight and a Modern American Woman Clash at a Rundown Scottish Castle
Author Guest / October 26, 2023

1–What is the title of your latest release? TALL, DARK, AND KILTED 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? A ghostly knight hoping to undo a curse and a modern American woman clash at a rundown Scottish castle, but when desire flares—surrendering could be more catastrophic than any ancient malediction. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? All my Scottish romances were inspired by the settings. I’ve spent a lot of time in Scotland and the stories just pop into my mind there. I especially love the remote areas, the wilder, the better. Tall, Dark, and Kilted is set in the rugged far north—a place of incredible beauty and vast emptiness, both of which were great for the plot. This area also suited the story’s Viking thread—as did the nod to Scotland’s Northern Isles. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Absolutely. Hardwick and Cilla. Their paths have been fraught and yet both stand tall, do what’s right, have compassion for others, and forge on, overcoming great obstacles to reach their HEA. Hardwick also has a quick wit—who doesn’t love a man who can make us smile and laugh? 5–What are…

Marcia Armandi | Lina Doesn’t Believe in Ghosts but They Won’t Leave Her Alone
Author Guest / October 26, 2023

1–What is the title of your latest release? THE HAUNTING OF BLACKWATER 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Lina doesn’t believe in ghosts, but they won’t leave her alone. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I love the mystical sense that nature adds to any story. Coleford is a town in the west of the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Yes! 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Curious, determined, and brave. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? When we help others, we discover our true potential and grow as people. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? Editing is my lifeline in writing—I’m always editing. 8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence? I can’t live without pastries. The combination of dough and sweets makes me happy! 9–Describe your writing space/office! I love writing outdoors—anywhere is wonderful if I’m not confined by walls. 10–Who is an author you admire? Agatha Christie all the way. 11—Which Agatha Christie book is your favorite? They are all so great that it’s hard to pick one, but The Murder…

Christi Barth | A Warrior Half-angel and a Powerless Dark Angel Team Up and Prevent the End of the World
Author Guest / October 26, 2023

What is the title of your latest release? HELL OF AN ANGEL   What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Gideon’s a warrior half-angel. He keeps humanity safe on the daily – and spends his nights working his way through willing females around the world. Evangeline’s a powerless dark angel with a target on her back. Despite a meet-hate, Eva & Gideon decide there’s something in it for both of them to team up and prevent the end of the world. Do they plan to fall in love while fighting demons (him) and flirting with mermen (her)? Of course not. Do they anyway? You’ll have to read to find out!   How did you decide where your book was going to take place? The characters in this book are basically on a magical scavenger hunt that takes them all over the world. I pulled places that were mythologically relevant (and super fun) such as Greek islands, Turkish pools, and a French cemetery.   Would you hang out with your heroine in real life? You bet! She led a very buttoned-down life in Hell, trying to stay under the radar prior to the beginning of the book. Evangeline is now…

Emma Noyes | The Fun of a Girl Living with Three Boys but a Much Darker Tale
Author Guest / October 25, 2023

1–What is the title of your latest release? GUY’S GIRL 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Imagine if “New Girl” had been written by Sally Rooney: all the fun shenanigans of a girl living with three boys, but a much darker, more psychological tale with a fair bit of spice. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I decided on New York because that was where I began recovery from my eating disorders, which is a huge part of the main character’s story. Then, I chose Budapest as the second location because I wanted us to see the MMC, Adrian, in his home country. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Definitely! Though it might feel a bit liking hanging out with myself, given how similar our psychological profiles are… which maybe would feel strange? 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Compassionate, troubled, resilient. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? How much time do you have? I wrote this while in recovery, which means that my main character and I were having realizations about our bodies, diets, and mental health at exactly the same time. More…

Amanda Flower | Conversations in Character with Millie Fisher
Author Guest / October 25, 2023

Book Title: DATING CAN BE DEADLY Character Name: Millie Fisher   How would you describe your family or your childhood? I had a happy childhood. I grew up in a lively Amish home with many brothers and sisters. My daed provided well for us, and our mother cared for each and every one of us like each one was her only child. She even did this for my best friend, Lois, who lived in the Englisch farm next door.   What was your greatest talent? I have a knack for matchmaking. I can see two young people together and know if they are meant to be. I like to believe this is my special gift from Gott.   Significant other? I am sixty-eight-years-old and have been a widow over twenty years. An old friend has shown some pointed interest in me, but it is difficult to be open to love again after all this time. At least it is for me. Lois has been married four times and has no problem falling in love over and over again.   Biggest challenge in relationships? I believe the biggest problem in relationship is willingness to be vulnerable. I have this issue myself….

J.F. Hughes | Two Star-crossed Lovers From Warring Nations Seek Their Oasis
Author Guest / October 25, 2023

1–What is the title of your latest release? THE GARDENS OF BYZANTIUM 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Love. War. Majesty. Intrigue. Vengeance. Mystery. Tragedy. Two star-crossed lovers from warring nations seek their oasis. A Historical Romance set in a unique time and place, the heart of the Eastern Roman Empire during a titanic struggle for survival with the Persian Empire. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I was reading about the great palace in Constantinople while listening to music, a serenade by Antonin Dvorak. The combination of the words and the music conjured up a very vivid scene in my mind of the gardens in this palace at Constantinople, the city formerly known as Byzantium. I thought it would be a fantastic setting for a story: a romance, of course. 4–Would you hang out with your heroine in real life? I think I would have to jump at the chance to hang out with anyone who was alive in the 7th century. 5–What are three words that describe your hero? Stoic, honorable, and vengeful. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? I’ve learned that when you find a groove while…

The Character Most Likely – Vanessa Riley
Author Guest / October 25, 2023

Most likely to be attracted to bad boys?  Unfortunately, Abigail Carrington Monroe, Lady Worthing, has a soft spot for daring men with checkered pasts. Her husband, James Monroe, Lord Worthing, was once accused of embezzlement. Abigail famously saved him from execution and gained a marriage proposal. Then there’s the mysterious next-door neighbor Abigail is beginning to grow closer to. Stapleton Henderson gives off bad-boy vibes. At times, the war hero likes to bicker, grow poisonous flowers, and seems to be engrossed in secrets.   Which character is most likely to dance until dawn? The most likely character to dance until dawn is solicitor Wilson Shaw. Wilson is a charismatic man who is a favorite among the bored ladies of the ton. He excels in charm and loves courting scandals and making money. If he goes to a ball, he will be the most resplendently dressed and have his pick of partners who want to flirt, invest their widowed fortunes, and dance until the last partier leaves.   Most likely to bail on a social engagement? Florentina Sewell is the most likely to bail on a social engagement. While not quite a wallflower, she enjoys quiet moments without danger. Being friends…

Elizabeth Penney | Exclusive Excerpt THE FATAL FOLIO
Author Guest / October 24, 2023

From THE FATAL FOLIO: The Cambridge Bookshop Series by Elizabeth Penney. Copyright © 2023 by the author and reprinted by permission of St. Martin’s Publishing Group.   Soon after, we stepped outside, Kieran’s flashlight the only source of light. Trees whipped in the wind and clouds scudded across the sky, hiding then revealing the moon. Behind us, the walls and towers of Hazelhurst House loomed forbidding and dark, crenellations etched against the sky. “Good grief,” I said as we strolled across the garden bridge. “I feel like we’re in a Gothic novel.” “We are.” He leaned close, speaking in a deep, sonorous voice. “I am luring you to the graveyard, my pretty. I need your, ‘blood, your precious blood.’” I laughed with delighted glee. “Love that quote from Nosferatu.” “It’s a classic, for sure.” We stepped off the bridge and started to cross the garden, footsteps crunching on gravel. Topiaries and trees made odd shapes in the dark and unseen things rustled in the undergrowth. I wondered if Selwyn Scott had wandered these paths at night, drawing inspiration from the surroundings. The author didn’t have to travel to find a mysterious, brooding landscape and ancient manor. It was all right here….

Miranda Liasson | Two Former Best Friends-Turned-Enemies Reunite and Sparks Fly
Author Guest / October 24, 2023

What is the title of your latest release? THE SWEETHEART CRUSH   What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? He made her the villain of his novel…and she’s about to read all about it. Two former best friends-turned-enemies reunite and sparks fly!   How did you decide where your book was going to take place? A few years ago, while driving through Indiana, I saw a sign for a “Blossom Glen” housing community and laughed, thinking that was an awesome name for a romantic small town! I had never done a family of sisters and that was really fun too.   Would you hang out with your heroine in real life? I love Viv because she is real – she has had failures and is working to turn them around into successes, and is finding herself along the way.   What are three words that describe your hero? Brooding but sweet and funny.   What’s something you learned while writing this book? Where the state/county/local fair treat of elephant ears came from.   Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? Edit, edit, edit everywhere all the time.   What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?…

Laura Griffin | A Talented Genealogist Helps a Cop Track Down a Serial Killer
Author Guest / October 24, 2023

1–What is the title of your latest release? THE LAST CLOSE CALL 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? When a homicide cop persuades a talented genealogist to help him track down a serial killer, she becomes entangled in a web of deadly secrets. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? Texas is the backdrop for many of my books because there are so many interesting places to set a thriller. My hometown of Austin—a bustling city in the heart of the Texas Hill Country—offers so much contrast and so many possibilities for dramatic scenes. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? I would love to go get a margarita with Rowan and hear all about the crazy cases she has worked with the many homicide detectives who have hit her up for help over the years. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Rowan is resourceful, determined, and empathetic. When she hits a wall, she finds a creative way to go around it, and she never gives up on a case until she gets answers. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? I learned all about the fascinating…