Fresh FIction Box Not To Miss
Steve Goble | The Best – and Most Brutal – Writing Course I Ever Took
Author Guest / August 1, 2022

We were a bunch of innocents that day at The Ohio State University in 1979. Thirty or so of us, packed into an English Department classroom for class that would introduce us to the world of writing fiction. I think the course was called “Introduction to Writing Fiction” or something similar, but it was a long time ago and I do not recall such details 40-plus years and seven novels later. What I recall is being terrified. And I recall other, more important things. I remember the lessons imparted that day and in the weeks that followed. But the thing that sticks with me the most is the initial terror. That made an impression. I was a freshman at OSU, but some of my classmates that day were further along in their college educations. I think we were evenly split between men and women. What we all had in common was an interest in learning to become authors. Perhaps we all had dreams of writing best-sellers or stamping our legacies upon the world of literature. And there was one man in the room who seemed intent on stomping those dreams into dust. His name was Nicholas Guild, the instructor of…

Karen Rose | 20 Questions: QUARTER TO MIDNIGHT
Author Guest / August 1, 2022

1–What is the title of your latest release?  QUARTER TO MIDNIGHT 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Gabe Hebert’s homicide-detective father’s “suicide” was really murder—he’d gotten too close to a case someone powerful wanted covered up.  Gabe hires Molly Sutton of Broussard Investigations to find his father’s killer, but they must first find his father’s secret witness. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place?  I set each series in a different city.  Most of my books are set in the northeast or Midwest (Chicago, Philly, Minneapolis, Baltimore, Cincinnati).  I’d just finished a series set in Sacramento, CA, and thought “I want to go back to the South.”  I do have a few books set in the south – NC and a fictional town in GA, near Atlanta, but I wrote those more than 10 years ago, so it was time for a return.  I was in New Orleans for BookLovers Convention in 2019 (we had SUCH a great time!) and I thought, “This city would be perfect for my next book!”  Plus, we were looking forward to research trips, mainly to sample the food, LOL.  The trips didn’t happen because covid hit, but…

Susan Anne Mason | Author-Reader Match: A FEELING OF HOME
Author Guest / August 1, 2022

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 Susan Anne Mason!   Writes: Hi there! I write Inspirational Historical Romance set for the most part in Canada. My latest trilogy takes place in Toronto, Canada in the 1940’s era. A FEELING OF HOME is the story of Isabelle Wardrop, a young woman who has grown up in a life of privilege. But when her parents die within months of each other, Isabelle must figure out a way to provide for herself and her younger sister. Having to rely on others is jarring, especially when Isabelle is forced to accept assistance from Dr. Mark Henshaw, the man she holds responsible for the death of her mother.   About: I’m Canadian, from the greater Toronto area. I share life with my husband and two grown children. I’ve been working as a part-time secretary for over twenty years, which gives me time to write. I love creating inspiring stories that contain a hefty dose of romance. I also love infusing messages of love, forgiveness and…

Anna J. Stewart | 20 Questions: WYOMING PROMISE
Author Guest / July 29, 2022

1–What is the title of your latest release? WYOMING PROMISE, The Blackwells of Eagle Springs, Book 1 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? N/A 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? As we knew this was a western series and we’d already used Montana extensively, we opted for something close in both setting and proximity. We almost went with Texas but chose Wyoming because it was a little bit different. 4–Would you hang out with your heroine in real life? Absolutely! Corliss is a hoot! Especially if you want to learn about horses, ranch life, or family devotion. 5–What are three words that describe your hero? Devoted. Patient. Honorable. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? I had no idea that quarter horse training was a thing! I’m not all that up on the cowboy world, so every Blackwell book I write is always an education. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I edit as I write so by the time I get to the end it’s a pretty polished draft and clean enough I can turn around and send to my editor. 8–What’s your…

Elizabeth Bromke | 20 Questions: HOME TO BRAMBLEBERRY CREEK
Author Guest / July 29, 2022

1–What is the title of your latest release?HOME TO BRAMBLEBERRY CREEK, coming out July 26! 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?I don’t remember, but my publisher wrote this for the description: Morgan Jo Coyle hasn’t been back to the small town of Brambleberry Creek or seen any of her family for years. But when she receives the heartbreaking news that her Memaw Essie is on her deathbed, Morgan knows she has to go home to face Essie—and her complicated past—before it’s too late. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place?I felt inspired to create a small country town in the heart of America, akin to the one in which my mom was born. 4–Would you hang out with your heroine in real life?Yep. She’s smart and down-to-earth. 5–What are three words that describe your hero?Witty, sweet, handsome 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book?A LOT about making wine! 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?Wait until I’m done. 8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?Clams and mussels in a fabulous sauce. 9–Describe your writing space/office!Lucky to have an in-home office with a white desk, a little window, and books all around…

Nan Fischer | 20 Questions: SOME OF IT WAS REAL
Author Guest / July 29, 2022

1–What is the title of your latest release? SOME OF IT WAS REAL 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? A psychic on the verge of stardom who isn’t sure she believes in herself and a cynical journalist with one last chance at redemption are brought together by secrets from the past that also threaten to tear them apart. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I live in the Pacific Northwest. It’s gorgeous but also rainy a lot of the winter with an inversion layer that creates an eerie atmosphere at times. It seemed like the perfect place for a psychic-medium to grow up! 4–Would you hang out with your heroine in real life? I would definitely hang out with Sylvie! I’m obsessed with psychics, tarot card readers, mediums and palm readers. I’d want to ask her everything about her gift, the process of connecting to those who’ve passed, and to prove that she’s legitimate by telling me a secret I’ve never shared with anyone. As for Thomas, I love a good debate and to hear the other side of any argument. If we hung out, he’d provide the logic and balance I…

Nadine Gonzalez | Title Challenge: RIVALRY AT PLAY
Author Guest / July 29, 2022

Hello Fresh Fiction fans!   My name is Nadine Gonzalez. I’m happy to share my latest release, a Texas Cattleman’s Club novel. RIVALRY AT PLAY is the fourth of a nine book series, Ranchers and Rivals. Alexa and Jackson are former high school rivals. What begins with a low-stakes chess tournament will span over years. Reunited ten years later, they realize the true nature of their feelings and find creative ways to make up for lost time. Here are some hints on what you’ll find.   Title Challenge: R is for Rivalry I is for Intimacy Issues V is for Vacation A is for “Alexandra The First” L is for Little Sister R is for Reminiscing Y is for Young Love   A is for “AJAX” T is for Tournament P isfor Pool Party L is for Longing A is for Anniversary Y is for Yearning RIVALRY AT PLAY by Nadine Gonzalez Texas Cattleman’s Club: Ranchers and Rivals # 4 A flirty rivals to lovers romance   Attorney Alexandra Lattimore doesn’t play games, but entrepreneur Jackson Strom brings out her competitive side. Her former high school rival is all grown up—oozing class, challenging her and tempting her in equal measure….

Jessica Gilmore | 20 Questions: THE PRINCESS AND THE SINGLE DAD
Author Guest / July 29, 2022

1–What is the title of your latest release? THE PRINCESS AND THE SINGLE DAD 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? The Parent Trap meets Roman Holiday – an overworked princess swaps places with her half-sister for the summer. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? This book is the second half of a duo and so the setting – Cornwall in England and a fictional European country – were already set. I like fictional countries for royal romances because it gives me the opportunity to create the traditions and history! As for Cornwall, it’s one of my favorite places and I love to spend time there through writing! 4–Would you hang out with your heroine in real life? She’s a princess so it seems unlikely! But she’s warm and open with those she trusts. 5–What are three words that describe your hero? Guarded, ambitious, gorgeous. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? That I really, really want to visit the Scilly Isles – and that I am very glad I’m not royal. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? Both, I tend to go back and…

R. Lee Fryar | 20 Questions: FLIPPING
Author Guest / July 28, 2022

1–What is the title of your latest release? FLIPPING. It’s a paranormal romance with a lot of humor and heart in it. 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? A sassy ghost defends his haunted house and heart from a psychic house flipper. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? Flipping more or less decided where it wanted to be set. I penned a few opening lines from the ghost’s perspective, and I knew three things automatically: Charley was deliciously sarcastic, he was dead, and the book would be set in Savannah, Georgia. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Absolutely. He’s a delightful ghost and a fabulous cook. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Sarcastic, loyal, haunted 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? I ended up researching laws regarding buried treasure, and I’m leaving that as it is to avoid spoilers. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? Wait until I’m totally done. 8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence? Be prepared to be disgusted. It’s fried okra fresh from the garden when I can get it. 9–Describe your writing space/office! I…

J.R. Thorn | 20 Questions: UNICORN SHIFTER ACADEMY
Author Guest / July 28, 2022

1–What is the title of your latest release? UNICORN SHIFTER ACADEMY by J.R. Thorn 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?  “Taste the rainbow takes on a whole new meaning when your mates are Unicorn Shifters…” 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? Unicorn Shifter Academy came to fruition when my muse entertained her natural meanderings, taking me through the Enchanted Forest where bunnies are deadly, and unicorns are hot. She always leads me astray, but I happily follow her into the chaos! 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Always! All the protagonists in the Blood Stone Universe are kick-A heroines I’d love to hang out with. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist?  “Mischievous, stubborn, and spunky!” 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? I’ve written and published over thirty books, but each book teaches me something new. Unicorn Shifter Academy taught me not to take things too seriously and to have some good-natured rainbow fun once in a while. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I edit as I draft, yes. 8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence? Japanese strawberry cake!…