1–What is the title of your latest release? THE TAKEDOWN 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? An undercover CIA agent is sent home to investigate her sister’s criminal fiancé but the last thing she expects is to fall in love with his bodyguard along the way! 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I spent some of my middle school and high school years in a small, coastal Maine town. I always thought it would be the perfect holiday setting. When I started writing THE TAKEDOWN Maine was a no-brainer. The snow, the sea, what’s not to love? 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Absolutely! She has lots of stories to tell. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Hard-shelled, capable, funny. (I know, that’s four words!) 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? The types of crimes that mob families usually commit—and the locations of the best Christmas tree farms in Maine! 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I edit constantly while drafting. It makes for a slower process, but I love a good, clean first draft. 8–What’s your…

1–What is the title of your latest release? A PRINCESS IN PLAID 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Lady Grace was born to be a princess but destined to become an outcast. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? A Princess in Plaid is part of a series (though it can be read as a stand-alone) about the children of a Scottish dukedom and how they find love. All the books are set in Great Britain for the most part. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? After Lady Grace realizes how awful she has been in the past, absolutely, yes. She is amazing! 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Grace is refined, educated, and lovely. Frasier (the man she falls in love with) is rugged, determined, and protective. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? I learned some things about the history of Lithuania. I also learned that snow removal was quite different in the early 1800s. Rather than shovel/clear the roads, they outfitted their carriages with skis. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I edit as I go,…

1–What is the title of your latest release? TRADING PLACES 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? After a bet is made, a socialite and a mechanic swap lives in this modern twist on TRADING PLACES. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? This was a hard decision! I picked the beautiful, historic city of Alexandria. This setting is one of the wealthiest cities in Virginia and where there is money, there are neighborhoods without money. With the surrounding area of Washington D.C., the landscape of privileged versus underprivileged kept drawing me back to this place. It was also important to choose a location with a downtown to serve as a central area with opportunities for the two main characters to run into each other. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Yes! I would hang out with Lexi North in real life. Knowing her character, I don’t think first impressions are the full story. Like anyone I hang out with, I love people who bring a fresh point of view to my life. She would have no problem helping me pick out the perfect shoe and I think we would…

1–What is the title of your latest release? SOME KIND OF BLUNDERFUL 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? A woman accidentally winds up on a series of increasingly bad dates with her dad’s young hot-shot boss/nemesis—and her dad absolutely cannot find out. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? It’s set in a small town outside of Atlanta, Georgia. I wanted it to be set near a major basketball arena and in the American south, and I was craving a little of that Georgia charm! 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Mia and I would marathon One Tree Hill or Two Broke Girls and knit blankets together, and then I’d help her decorate her classroom. It’d be among the greatest days of my life. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Crafty, independent, caring. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? That if someone gives you the butterflies for long enough without kissing you, your smart watch will detect cardio. I researched this very important detail for the book. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I wait until I’m done…

1–What is the title of your latest release? A TRAITOR IN WHITEHALL 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? While working in a munitions factory in 1940, Evelyne Redfern is recruited by a mysterious family friend to be his eyes and ears in the typing pool of Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s Cabinet War Rooms. She’s not entirely sure what to expect—but it certainly isn’t the dead body of a fellow typist. Determined to solve her colleague’s murder, Evelyne uses her keen observation skills and her extensive knowledge of golden age detective fiction in a desperate race against time to uncover the killer and root out a mole that could cost Britain the war. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? A few years ago, one of my good friends mentioned that she’d never been to the Churchill War Rooms, a fantastic museum created out of the secret bunker that Churchill and his ministers used as a vital hub during World War 2. I told her that I would be happy to go with her for a visit, and while we were walking through the displays I realized that it would be a perfect location…

1–What is the title of your latest release? HALLO-WAIIAN MURDER MYSTERY 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? It’s Halloween in Aloha Lagoon, and dive tour leader Kiki Hepburn is hot on the trail of a killer – a trail which takes her to gardens of flowering poisonous plants, an animal shelter, and a zombie themed “Hallo-wedding,” with something stalking her every move… 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? It is part of the Aloha Lagoon series, so it is set at the Aloha Lagoon resort. I decided to make it at Halloween so I could have even more fun writing it! 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Yes, I would definitely go diving with Kiki! 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Smart, resourceful, and underestimated. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? Poisonous plants. I was shocked to see how many plants I grew up playing with in my mom’s garden are actually poisonous! 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I do a little as I write, but usually try to just get the story out. After I’m…

1–What is the title of your latest release? KILL SHOW 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? A behind-the-scenes look at a reality show filming the search for a missing teenage girl…and how that show leads to unexpected tragedy. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? One side of my family is from Maryland.  Visiting often over the years I picked up enough local color to set the book there. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Yes, Casey is smart and fun and creative.  I just wouldn’t ever trust her! 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Bold.  Ambitious.  Manipulative. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? Some of the dialogue we hear on reality shows is scripted by the producers! 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I try to write a really solid first draft, so there’s not too much repair work at the end.  When I finish a chapter, I go over it a few times before moving forward. 8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence? Fancy L.A. sushi.  And fancy ice cream. 9–Describe your writing space/office! Big desk in front…

It’s fall here in the Northern Hemisphere, and if you’re ready for a heart-pumping story to enjoy beside a roaring fire, check out INTO THE FIRE, Book 1 in my new Undaunted Courage series. If you aren’t a fan of cliffhanger endings that force you to wait until the next book in a series comes out to continue the story, no worries. All my series book can be read as standalones. In this story, you’ll meet Bri Tucker, a former smokejumper turned arson investigator, who inherits a puzzle after the sudden and mysterious death of a former colleague. Our hero, ATF Special Agent Marc Davis, isn’t convinced there’s anything to investigate…until it becomes clear the puzzle is not only real, but deadly. Can Bri and Marc figure it out before anyone else dies? Dive in to find out! J   I is for intrigue. This book is chock full of secrets, deception, and red herrings that will keep you guessing about who’s behind the dangerous happenings. N is for no way. Despite the sparks pinging between them, Bri does not want to fall for Marc. Not after what happened in Idaho during her smokejumper days. T is for Tucker. Bri’s…

Welcome to Fae Café by Jennifer Kropf Hallo-waiian Murder Mystery, Book 20, Aloha Lagoon Mysteries by Rosalie Spielman Winter Chills by S.J. Lomas, Layne Adamsson, A. Q. Hart, and Dan MacDonald Sunlight and Spirit, Book 3, Australian Supernatural: High Country Series by Nicole R. Taylor Trevor Takes Care by R. Cooper Lust & Destruction, Book 2, Sins of the Father Series by Jade Marshall and Lila Fox Gone Guest by C.A. Larmer All the Spells and Whistles by Ava Stone A Winter Moon’s Welcome by Laura Briggs Shadows in Amber by Thomas K. Carpenter   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…

Book Title: A BRITISH GIRL’S GUIDE TO HURRICANES AND HEARTBREAK Character Name: Flora Maxwell (with a surprise appearance from side character, Lila Reyes)   How would you describe your family or your childhood? My family is loving and stable, but early on I earned the nickname Hurricane because of my tendency to “act out and overcome” instead of relying on those closest to me. Much of my life has been spent dealing with my mum’s declining memory and health due to early onset dementia. She recently passed away, which has been extremely difficult for my whole family. And it’s caused me to make some choices that are so risky, I’ve kept them a secret.   What was your greatest talent? I am quite good with a camera!   Significant other? Okay––hola, todos, this is Lila Reyes stepping in here. I’m not going to let my hermana in spirit Flora answer this because 1.) It’s way too complicated 2.) Flora doesn’t even have enough clarity on this matter to speak. Yet. But she will, just give her a little time. Besitos, Lila   Biggest challenge in relationships? I don’t always feel worthy of good things, love, and kindness. I’m known for…