1–What is the title of your latest release? THE DAVENPORTS 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? The Davenports are one of the few Black families of immense wealth and status in a changing United States, their fortune made through the entrepreneurship of William Davenport, a formerly enslaved man who founded the Davenport Carriage Company years ago. Now it’s 1910, and the Davenports live surrounded by servants, crystal chandeliers, and endless parties, finding their way and finding love—even where they’re not supposed to. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? In my research, I found Chicago to be the center of many instances of Black success and entrepreneurship following the Civil War and Reconstruction period. At the time, several Chicago newspapers claimed the corner of State and Madison Streets, known as the “Great Central Market,” to be the busiest corner in the world. The city was a hub of African-American culture and business, as well as a major tourist destination. It provided the perfect backdrop to display the opportunities and resources available to Black people at the turn of the last century while hinting at the challenges to come. 4–Would you hang out with…

1–What is the title of your latest release? NEXT TIME I FALL 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Single mom discovers Mr. Wrong is actually Mr. Right in this heartwarming, small-town romance. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? This book is part of my Whisper Lake Series, which is a fictional town set in the Colorado mountains. I started the series after a few visits to my daughter, who was living in Denver at the time, and thought it would be fun to set a story in there. 4–Would you hang out with your heroine in real life? Yes! Everyone would love to hang out with Chloe. She’s the best kind of girlfriend, fiercely loyal and protective of her friends. She’s the kind of person you call at two in the morning when you need someone who will show up for you. Chloe also runs a café, so there would be plenty of freebies, maybe some truffle fries or an extra dessert saved for one of her friends. 5–What are three words that describe your hero? Adventurer, Wanderer, Builder 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? Since my hero is renovating…

1–What is the title of your latest release? THE SWEET SPOT 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Three women—who have every possible reason to despise each other—band together when a baby belonging to exactly none of them lands on their metaphorical doorstep. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I’ve lived in Greenwich Village for almost fifteen years. It’s a special place with loads of personality! I wanted to write a book where the characters move into in a brownstone close to Washington Square Park. In my opinion, this neighborhood is the sweet spot of New York City. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Absolutely! I would love to be invited to Lauren and Leo’s brownstone to hang out with the whole family. I hope Olivia, Melinda, Phillip, and Evelyn will also be around! 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Of my three protagonists, Melinda is my favorite. She’s a middle-aged woman I would describe as bitter, smart, and funny. In spite of the initial impression she makes, she has a very big heart. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? Lauren, one of the main…

(For the Crimson Point Protectors series.) Most likely to be the best kisser? ANSWER: Oooh, this is a toughie, because all my heroes are sexy and damn good at kissing. But I’m gonna have to go with Groz (Asher) on this one because he’s got so much…experience in that department. Experience he puts to good use as he turns up the heat on Mia in Sudden Impact.   Most tragic backstory? ANSWER: Everleigh, from Final Shot. Oh, man, poor Everleigh… She’s already been through so much in her life, and I put her and Grady through even more in their book. If any two characters ever deserved a happy ending, it’s these two.   Most likely to be attracted to a bad boy? ANSWER: Mia, from Sudden Impact. As a psychologist she likes to figure out what makes people tick, and Groz intrigues and infuriates her in equal measure. Even though she’s well aware of his reputation, once he sets his sights on her she can’t stop herself from falling under his spell. Most likely to make you wish you were their friend? ANSWER: Jaia, from Cornered. People might not notice her initially or even overlook her because she’s quiet…

Kingston’s Enigma (Kingston’s Security 4), Book 4, Kingston Security series by Carole Mortimer A Deadly Drive-by, Book 5 Haunting Avery Winters Paranormal Cozy Mystery series by Dionne Lister Nanny, Book 10 The Nannies series by Sam Crescent Today’s Tomorrow Episode Four, Book 4 Today’s Tomorrow series by Odette C. Bell When the Last One Falls by M.E. Clayton Case of the Unlucky Emperor, Book 17, Corgi Case Files series by Jeffrey Poole The Men of Whiskey Mountain by Frankie Love Bicerin and Bloodshed (Cup of Jo 12) by Kelly Hashway Game Face 4: Power and Charm by Korben Hunter Home Is Where the Murder Is by Rosalie Spielman   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…

O is for Older, on-the-ball, and definitely on-to-the-next-big-adventure! Who says you have to be young to have fun? U is for Uptight, says Zara. U is for Uninhibited, says Lilly! R is definitely for Relatives. As in, are you sure we’re related? And Who the h—is this person claiming to be our relative?   L is for Lilly, of course! Zara’s older sister—by 11 ½ months—taller, buxom, hair still black thanks to an abundance of product, free with her love and her advice! Y is for Yes. As opposed to No. As in, shouldn’t Lilly have said Yes to the Grand Jury, when asked if she had any of the stolen artifacts? I is for Insurance Fraud. Don’t do it, and if you do, don’t get caught! N is for New. A new apartment. A new purported sister. A new problem. And a bunch of New Lies. G is for Generational Trauma. Inherited grief from the suffering of those who went before. And for Grant Deed. Whom did Dad leave this apartment to? Why her? Good Golly!   K is for Kindred Spirits. Zara and Lilly may have been apart for a few years, but nothing can keep them separated…

1–What is the title of your latest release? CHICK MAGNET 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? A sunshine-y social media influencer whose brand revolves around backyard chickens moves to a small-town post-break up, only to clash with her grumpy neighbor, a veterinarian who’s been hate watching her content. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? It’s a straightforward case of writing what you know: I am a Virginia backyard chicken keeper (though I’m not an influencer!). 4–Would you hang out with your heroine in real life? Oh yes. I’m definitely a female protagonist-centered romance reader. I always want to write heroines that I want to be friends with and that I want to root for. I have so much empathy for Nic. My goal was to give her the HEA she deserves. 5–What are three words that describe your hero? Grumpy. Wounded. Vulnerable. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? By the end of 2023, economists estimate that 50% of veterinary practices in the US will be owned by large corporations, an increase from fewer than 20% only a few years ago. There’s so much change and pressure on the field right…

1–What is the title of your latest release? ACCIDENTALLY FAMOUS 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?  A small-town home renovator is thrust into the spotlight when an A-list movie star’s assistant accidentally tags her Instagram account causing his fans, the paparazzi, and the hunky actor himself to descend on her quiet coastal town. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place?  A remote small town was necessary for this series and the rugged, remote Maine coastline was the perfect setting. 4–Would you hang out with your heroine in real life?  Yes, absolutely! I build stuff too. 5–What are three words that describe your hero? Genuine, self-aware, compassionate 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book?  Lots and lots of Megalodon facts. They are my new favorite prehistoric creatures. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I edit as I go along. I start each session by editing what I wrote the day before. It makes things easier in the end and keeps my voice and tempo consistent. 8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence? Sharp cheddar cheeses especially when paired with tart apples. 9–Describe your writing space/office!  I built my…

1–What is the title of your latest release? COME WHAT MAYBE   2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?  Lauren Wallace loves to plan, which is all well and good until that one spontaneous night when she throws caution to the wind, hooks up with her high school frenemy Ethan McAllister, and ends up with a very unexpected pregnancy. How is Lauren supposed to regain order with all of that, plus a tough-love grandmother, two sisters, a town full of busy bodies, and, oh yeah, falling for the absolute wrong guy.   3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place?  Come What Maybe is set in Seaside Cove, Maine. I LOVE the beach! There is something so romantic and inherently intimate about hearing the waves crashing against the shore and smelling the salt air. Just ask my characters Lauren and Ethan.   4–Would you hang out with your heroine in real life?  Abso-freaking-lutely! Lauren Wallace is everything I want to be. She’s an independent entrepreneur who is funny, smart, driven, and organized. Not to mention, she has killer clothes and accessories.   5–What are three words that describe your hero? Yummy. Yummy. And yummy.   6–What’s…

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 Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka!   Writes: Romance! Contemporary realistic stories of love new and enduring.   About: Hopeless romantics? More like hopeful romantics. Believers in love at first sight and love at thousandth day together. Married co-writers ourselves, it’s no surprise we write stories of the unique joy of long-term love, of slow-burns, second chances and new opportunities to find connection where it wasn’t expected. Our characters are often people with history, who’ve shared friendship or hardship or other complications of life, whether as co-writers of romantic novels (like our characters in The Roughest Draft) or the central couple of our upcoming romance DO I KNOW YOU?, who are already married and looking for the lost spark in their relationship, which they find in an unconventional way—pretending they’re strangers meeting for the first time on their weeklong vacation. We’re avid travelers, if writing gorgeous settings counts. Catch us in the cliffs of Northern California, on the humid sunset shores of the Florida Keys,…