Music made me a writer – the wordplay, the explosion of feelings, the pure artistry of it all. Songs do so much in so little time, and as a creator myself, I’m forever indebted to music that inspires my work, my characters, and how I think about the world. My new novel, TROPESICK, is a multi-layered love story about the power of storytelling and the magic of forgiveness. Here are five songs that’ll forever remind me of Katie and Tyler’s impossibly complicated second-chance romance. When You Were Young, The KillersTROPESICK is a story about two childhood neighbors: sparkly Kate, the girl next door, and broody Tyler, her brother’s best friend. They had a chance to get their love story right the first time, as teenagers, but Tyler’s angst and battle with drug addiction made that impossible. Told through two timelines, TROPESICK shows these life-altering decisions being made in real time, then re-examines them through the lens of present day, when the characters are adults. To me, this song just feels like Tyler. It’s loud, it’s messy, it’s full of regret, and it so pathetically identifies a single girl as the permanent center of his universe that it hurts. Name, Goo…

What is the title of your latest release?KIERAN. It’s the final book in the Blackwell Brothers’ Redemption trilogy. What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?Kieran Blackwell, the youngest son of the Grim Reaper, has two choices – save himself and his brothers or watch the woman he loves die. How did you decide where your book was going to take place?This is the final book in a trilogy. All three sons have been dropped into the fictional small town of Redemption with limited powers, no money, and no way to communicate with the outside. Would you hang out with your heroine in real life?Absolutely. Georgia is an amazing woman, determined to make her bakery a success. She’s kind, loyal, and dependable. Ples, there’d always be yummy treats to enjoy. What are three words that describe your hero?Determined, dangerous, and sexy. What’s something you learned while writing this book?My characters always teach me about human nature. I also had to do some research on bakeries and recipes. Not a hardship. Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?I write a rough draft first and then go back and rewrite. What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?I’m not…

Hello! I’m Michelle M. Pillow, New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling romantasy author, and I am so excited to share my Fresh Fiction Title Challenge for KING OF THE UNBLESSED, Book 1 of the Realm Immortal series! Think Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings world meets the movie Labyrinth with lots of romance. Dark, swoony, morally gray, anti-hero romance. You’re welcome. K is for Kidnapped. Lady Juliana didn’t exactly plan to cross into an immortal realm of beautiful nightmares, but here we are. (The king may have helped… persuade the situation.)I is for Immortality, which has a way of rewriting fate. Merrick, the dark elfin King of Valdis, has lived long enough to lose everything that once made him good. Now he wants her. Obsess much?N is for Necessary Evil. That’s Merrick’s official title, actually. King of Necessary Evil. He’d like you to know he finds it deeply frustrating.G is for Goblin King energy. But make it brooding, dangerous, and wickedly seductive. O is for Otherworld. A realm of eternal night, shadowy thrones, and ancient magic that will pull you in and not let go.F is for Fated Mates. When Merrick sees Juliana, something in the immortal dark clicks. He…

What is the title of your latest release?SOMEBODY WORTH KILLING What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?A deadly assassin disguised as a perfect suburban mom and wife is given the impossible task of killing her own husband, forcing her to choose between the two most important things in her life: her job or her family. How did you decide where your book was going to take place?I’m based in Washington State, but my family briefly lived in Texas. When I considered where my mom/wife/secret assassin would live, Texas just felt right. I based it in San Antonio, where my husband was stationed, featuring all my favorite parks and coffee shops and bookstores. Would you hang out with your heroine in real life?I would! I’m not sure she would want to hang out with me – being someone who identifies as a “psychopath” means she sees friendship in a different way. But she’s smart and darkly humorous and fun. What are three words that describe your hero?Hah, I accidentally answered this in the last question! Nadia is smart in a calculating way, darkly humorous in that she will say what everyone’s thinking, and absolutely fun to spend time with. What’s…

What is the title of your latest release?THE NEXT WIFE What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?From her hiding place the old lady watches as he carries his new wife over the threshold. She had thought the house would lay empty forever. The lamps, the paintings, all the furniture – it was all just as before. He had changed nothing for this new wife. The young bride’s laughter jolts her. As if regard for the past was all forgotten. But this is the present and her mind is whirring with what she has just learned. He had changed something after all, which would allow him to hide in plain sight. He’d changed his name… How did you decide where your book was going to take place?It takes place in the City of Bath. At the time of writing this story I was working at Bath Spa railway station. This story started there. From wondering about all the people who start their journey by getting on a train. To wondering where their journeys end. Would you hang out with your heroine in real life?Yes. Martha is my heroine in this story. What are three words that describe your hero?Indomitable. Feiesty….

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 25 Bestselling Indie Ebooks.

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 Linny Mack! Writes:Swoony, suspenseful small-town coastal romance filled with emotional healing, scorching chemistry, protective heroes, and page-turning secrets. Perfect for readers who love windswept beach towns, layered characters who have lived a little, and stories in which falling in love might be the riskiest choice of all. Her latest romantic suspense, BENEATH STILL WATERS, blends foggy marshes, buried secrets, and an unforgettable slow-burn romance. About:Coastal romance author seeking readers who love emotional depth, dangerous secrets, and fictional men who would burn the world down for the woman they love. New Jersey beach girl. Lover of coffee, salt air, country music, and stories that make readers laugh, swoon, and ugly cry. Frequently caught daydreaming about fictional fishing villages, writing morally gray protectors, and romanticizing small-town life by the water. What I’m looking for in my ideal reader match:• You love small-town coastal settings with atmospheric vibes• You fall hard for protective, emotionally guarded heroes• You want romance with high emotional stakes and suspense• You enjoy…

Welcome to Jen’s Jewels, where I spotlight the books you won’t want to miss. Today, I’m featuring LOVE ON THE SHELF by Sheila Roberts, a delightful rom-com featuring a bookseller, a radio host, and plenty of witty banter. If you love enemies-to-lovers romances with heart and humor, this one’s for you. LIGHTNING ROUND • What’s your favorite way to spend a slow summer afternoon? Sitting on the deck, enjoying a homemade blended drink with girlfriends. • What snack, drink, or sweet treat always finds its way to your desk when writing?Chocolate – a woman needs her vitamin C. • If your main character could plan the perfect summer getaway, where would they go?Since she owns a romance bookstore, she would of course go on a reading retreat. • What’s one thing that instantly helps you slip into a creative mindset?Opening up my computer. THE SUMMER SPARK • What was the very first image, line, or idea that sparked this book? Actually, the book started with my misbehaving hero, Parker Black, Mr. Toxic Spill. I was saddened to see our culture trending toward being down on men. If all you saw were the many anti-male social media posts (remember the Choose…

A mother-daughter road trip story filled with music, reinvention, family secrets, unforgettable summers, and the kind of nostalgia that lingers long after the last page, LOST IN THE SUMMER OF ’69 is the perfect companion for beach days, porch swings, and late-night reading sessions with a classic rock playlist humming in the background. Every great road trip needs a soundtrack, and this story is no exception. From the rebellious spirit of Jimi Hendrix to the raw emotion of Janis Joplin and the wistful nostalgia of Bryan Adams, these songs capture the heart of the novel and the women at the center of its journey. “Purple Haze” – Jimi Hendrix From the opening pages, “Purple Haze” sets the tone for the journey ahead. With its electrifying guitar riffs and psychedelic energy, the song captures the spirit of 1969, a summer defined by music, rebellion, and possibility. It serves as an invitation into the story, signaling that this is more than a road trip; it’s a rock-and-roll adventure filled with unexpected detours, self-discovery, and life-changing moments. “Foxey Lady” – Jimi Hendrix Eleanor is bold, magnetic, and impossible to overlook. Beneath her polished exterior is a woman reclaiming the fire she thought age and responsibility…

Each Friday the Smashwords store reports the bestselling indie fiction titles based on the previous week’s sales. If an author has more than one title eligible for the list, only the highest performing title will be included. This ensures high-performing titles receive the accolades they deserve, while providing up-and-coming authors the visibility they have earned. Don’t miss Monday’s Top 10 Hot Preorders List, where Smashwords will provide a list of the most highly anticipated ebook preorders.