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 Matt Wallace!   Writes: Epic fantasy that challenges both my favorite and least favorites tropes and archetypes of the genre, deconstructs the idea of empire, and has a wild disregard for the personal safety of its characters. My latest, SAVAGE CROWNS, concludes my Savage Rebellion Trilogy about three women trapped in very different parts of a seemingly utopian society who each uncover, and then attempt to unravel, its dark and oppressive underbelly. Expect bloody battles, satire, political intrigue, and enemies to friends to lovers. There is no magic, but there is medieval-style super science. Feasting scenes are mercilessly mocked.   About: Like the mighty Highlander, I have lived many secret lives. Unlike the mighty Highlander, my accent is consistent and I have never decapitated anyone with a sword, probably. I have been a professional wrestler. I have been a close combat and self-defense instructor. I have taught chi kung to senior citizens at retirement homes. Through it all I have been a dedicated storyteller…

Book Title: PRECISE OATHS, Liliana and the Fae of Fayetteville Book 1 Character Name: Liliana   “Hi! I’m Sadie with Safe Paths magazine. We write a guidebook for people who are a little, you know, different. It’s to find Other-friendly businesses when they travel. You’ve been recommended by, um, let me see … “ The tall woman in the sharp pants suit checked her wrist phone. “Janice Willoughby. She said you were a person who runs a local business that’s welcoming to those of the non-Normal persuasion?” Yes. I do run a local business that’s welcoming to Others.   I was wondering if I could interview you? I’d like to ask you some questions, so my readers can get to know you and what you do here. Oh. That’s fine then. I’m used to answering questions. Come into my business space and sit down.   This is your business? I thought it was your home. (She settles into a chair by a round table with a crystal ball in the center, and sets her wrist phone to record the conversation.) It’s both. This room used to be a formal dining room, but I changed its purpose. Now, it is my…

1–What is the title of your latest release? THE LAST LIFEBOAT 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Two women’s lives become fatefully entwined when an evacuee ship carrying British children to Canada during WW2 is torpedoed in the Atlantic. Alice King finds herself in a lifeboat with other survivors while, in London, Lily Nicholls desperately awaits news of her children. Inspired by true events, The Last Lifeboat is a very different story of WW2, a story of human courage and endurance, and I’m so excited for readers to turn the first page! 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? History decided the setting when I read about an evacuee ship that was torpedoed by a German U-boat in the middle of the Atlantic, and a lifeboat of survivors was lost at sea for eight days. Much of my story is set in a lifeboat in the Atlantic. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Absolutely. I would love to spend time with both Alice and Lily. They are both strong intriguing women, with fascinating stories to tell. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Alice: Uncertain, brave, humble. Lily:…

1–What is the title of your latest release? MUCH ADO ABOUT NADA 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? A swoony second-chance romance inspired by Jane Austen’s PERSUASION, and set in a massive Muslim conference in Toronto, MUCH ADO ABOUT NADA follows 29-year-old Nada Syed as she comes face to face with her biggest regret when she bumps into her ex Baz and must decide how to move forward. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I grew up attending Muslim conferences, with 10,000 plus people all gathering to hang out, be entertained and to learn and grow together. They are fun, high energy, positive spaces, and serve as a meeting place of sorts. There is also a huge meet-up culture that takes place, which is fun too – arranged marriage matrimonials happening alongside serendipitous meet-cutes. Really, I’m surprised more books aren’t set in conferences! 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Definitely. Nada is fun, hilarious, and contains depths. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Intelligent, guarded, loving. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? Every book wants to be what it wants to be, no matter…

1–What is the title of your latest release? THE FRIDAY NIGHT CLUB 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? The Friday Night Club is an illuminating historical novel that explores destiny, passion, and the threads that connect the visionary Swedish artist, Hilma af Klint and four creative women as they challenge the artistic and societal traditions of their time. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? As The Friday Night Club is a historical novel, the book had to take place in Stockholm, Sweden where the five women women’s lives unfolded. There is also a modern-day storyline that takes place in New York and that was also necessary as it parallels the exhibition of Hilma af Klint’s paintings that were exhibited at the Guggenheim Museum in 2019. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Yes. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Artist, Visionary and Mystic. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? That the path to being an artist has always been difficult, but for a female artist, the challenges are even greater. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I always edit as…

Chapter 1 Holly put both her hands flat on the deep sill of the hinged window of her bedroom and leaned out to see the morning light. Then she pulled on shorts and a T-shirt over her head. Flip- flops and bare feet were a common option, but this morning—like most mornings, in the early hours when it was cool—she put on a pair of sneakers so she could walk along the entire length of the seawall before the sun rose too high in the sky. The top of the wall was as wide as a sidewalk and had the most beautiful ocean view she’d ever seen. At points along the way, the waves crashed spectacularly upon the cement pilings before taking a back dive toward the Caribbean. Each big surge made a great brumpfasshh sound that made her heart feel light. Holly loved how the locals smiled their hello as she jogged by. How in the grocery store, shoppers often burst out singing together when a favorite song came on the radio, broadcast by the shop’s sound system. How music seemed to be everywhere. As constant as the competing crash of the waves. She wanted all of her guests…

Book Title: RUN BABY RUN Character Name: Marja Evans   How would you describe your family or your childhood? I try not to think much of my childhood. But, you asked, so I’ll tell you. When you grow up in a small town like I did, you can’t escape your family’s past. The name marks you like a big red birthmark that covers half of your face. There ain’t any concealer in the world that’s gonna cover up who you are, who you’re from, no matter how hard you try. Some people lean into it, carry on the family name, giving society the big middle finger pretending there’s nothing to be ashamed of, being considered trash. You want trash, I’ll give you trash. That was my family life.   What was your greatest talent? I am an Olympic gold medalist in ignoring the looks and whispers of other people. I didn’t finish high school, didn’t have the time or money or energy for night classes. If I wanted to learn, I had to teach myself. Turns out, I’m excellent at teaching myself. The fancy word for it is autodidact.   Significant other? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA   Biggest challenge in relationships? You’re big…

Hi all.  I’m Kim Harrison, author of the urban fantasy series, The Hollows, and I’m thrilled to drop a few teasers about the upcoming release June 13th. DEMONS OF GOOD AND EVIL.   D is for Dangerous pixies guarding the church. E is for Elf girls, growing up fast M is for Many, many Weres O is for Oakstaff, where you can find Rachel’s church N is for a New apartment, right downtown where a elf should be S is for Supernatural pizza, the best kind.   O is for Old friends coming back into your life F is for the Focus, threatened again   G is for Gargoyle protectors, trying to stay awake O is for Outright betrayal, never far away O is for Ornery elves always irritating the demons D is for Damaged alliances, making things rough   A is for Angry witches out for blood N is for Never say never D is for a Down on his luck Demon, Al   E is for Everlasting love winning the day V is for Vampiric mice. Watch out. They bite I is for illicit magic, which Rachel can’t stop using L is for lost love returning? DEMONS OF…

What is the title of your latest book? A RIGHT WORTHY WOMAN   What is the novel about? It is about a woman who saw things differently in a time when all women were submissive and unimportant. Maggie Lena Walker was the first African American Banker woman, who evolved from a laundry woman to an entrepreneur despite the Jim Crow stigma. She was a maverick during a difficult time. And she was so determined to do what she envisioned would help her community that she broke chains and barriers no one could believe. This novel resonates with men and women of all hues. It is about survival and belief in the supernatural strength of the mind.   What do you love about the setting of the book? It is about community.  It is set in Jackson Ward a striving community with all sorts of talents being produced and sold by those of color. It is a place in which love surrounds the community, however put one foot out of the neighborhood and you were on unchartered territory. And Maggie had a reputation for pushing her way through.   How did your main character surprise you? Maggie was fearless and it…

Book Title: LOVE, THEORETICALLY Character Name: Elsie Hannaway   How would you describe your family or your childhood? I’d rather not.   What was your greatest talent? Shapeshifting.   Significant other? I have an amazing roommate, Cece. Does she count? The way she forces me to watch avant-garde movies feels pretty significant.   Biggest challenge in relationships? None. You just have to figure out what people want and mold yourself into that. It’s easy!   Where do you live? Boston, MA.   Do you have any enemies? Jack Smith. Jonathan Smith-Turner. And my roommate’s hedgehog.   How do you feel about the place where you are now? Is there something you are particularly attached to, or particularly repelled by, in this place?  I wish my apartment had fewer bugs that are larger than my palm, but aside from that I guess it’s fine?   Do you have children, pets, both, or neither? No kids. Do the bugs count as pets?   What do you do for a living? I’m a theoretical physicist. And professional fake-girlfriend.   Greatest disappointment? Bella and Alice should have ended up together.   Greatest source of joy? Cheese. And Twilight.   What do you do to…