I love a suspense novel set on an island. Very reminiscent of AND THEN THERE WERE NONE by Agatha Christie. What inspired you to write this novel, and specifically with this setting? There were several inspirations for writing THE RETREAT – the first, a local connection. Ever since I’ve started writing, I’ve wanted to write a book set where I live, in Devon, UK – a place that has inspired me for as long as I can remember. Having been born and brought up by the sea, it has, and continues to play a huge role in my life and its extremes have always fascinated me. Like the mountains, the sea is a beautiful but also terrifying environment – it can go from calm to rough and swirling within a matter of minutes – something very exciting to explore as an author. Part of the appeal was also that the local landscape is one I know and love – I like setting books in places I know well – I think the tiny details you get when you know somewhere intimately are hugely important in creating authenticity for the reader. Another thing I find so inspiring about the setting is…

1–What is the title of your latest release? THE MAGIC OF LEMON DROP PIE   2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie is the story of Lolly, a pie maker, who gives up everything- including an engagement ring and her dream career in England – to keep her family and their struggling Seattle diner afloat after her mother’s unexpected death. Ten years later, she’s given the chance to redo her 3 biggest regrets in life and live 3 days as if she’d made different choices. Can Lolly find a way to reclaim the life she still longs for and the love of the man she can’t seem to forget? This story is a sweet, uplifting read with food, travel, second chances at love, and a spoonful of magic realism!   3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I always set my novels partly in my beloved Pacific Northwest. This one takes place in Seattle, in the charming neighborhood of Magnolia. It also partly takes place in Brighton, England and Hawaii, both places where I’ve lived for short periods of time. I enjoy using unique, vivid settings to enhance…

Please provide a brief summary of your new novel, BY WAY OF THE MOONLIGHT. It’s 1943 when Dale Butler, riding her dappled mare, comes upon the body of a merchant sailor on the shore after his tanker is sunk by a German submarine during the Battle of the Atlantic, and subsequently, she inherits a treasure too big to reveal. Almost eighty years later, her grand-daughter Allie needs that gift to keep the property that ties their lives and their dreams together: a stable filled with horses.   BY WAY OF THE MOONLIGHT is set in Atlanta, Georgia, which is the same setting as your bestselling novel, The Swan House. Why did you choose to return to Atlanta for this novel? As a Southern girl, most of my novels are set either in Southern France or the South in the USA, with Atlanta being my favorite city setting. But in this novel, I am not just focusing on Atlanta or even Buckhead, the neighborhood where I grew up and the setting of The Swan House. This time, I focus on the house and property where I grew up in Atlanta. I weave a fictional tale around my parents’ home on Nancy…

1–What is the title of your latest release? THE SECOND FIRST CHANCE 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Strength comes in different forms. The Second First Chance is a big, wonderful, messy love story about family, heartbreak, strength, and courage. It shows us that sometimes what we want is what we least expect, and that everything we need is often right in front of us Riya and Dhillon were next door neighbor best friends, and almost something more, until a house fire changed both their lives. Riya grew up to become a firefighter, and Dhillon became a vet, but they grew apart from each other. Our story begins when Dhillon finds out that Riya is fighting fires and he is not happy about it. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I like to write the area I know, so I chose Columbia, MD because I live there. 4–Would you hang out with your heroine in real life? ABSOLUTELY! Riya is so super cool. I mean she’s firefighter! 5–What are three words that describe your hero? Caring, Responsible, Selfless, Sexy 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? I learned a great deal…

1–What is the title of your latest release? NIGHT RACE 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? It’s the Amazing Race but with vampires! 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I wanted there to be a mixture of places I’ve traveled to and places I’ve always wanted to go! For instance, I’ve always wanted to go to Transylvania, so I had a blast researching the area for the book. 4–Would you hang out with your heroine in real life? Absolutely! I adore Theo and I love her personality and no-nonsense attitude. 5–What are three words that describe your hero? Aiden is sweet, sarcastic, and resilient. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? I learned about Patagonia, which is one of the places Theo and Aiden visit for the Night Race competition. It’s now firmly secured on my bucket list, especially Torres del Paine National Park. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I’ll spellcheck after finishing a chapter, but other than that, I don’t edit until I am totally done. For some reason, it messes up my flow! 8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence? Fried Georgia wild…

1–What is the title of your latest release? Bloodsucker’s Blog Book 1, LIFE SUCKS. 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Bridget Jones meets The Vampire Diaries for the social media generation. 3–What do you love about the setting of your book? That’s it’s so every day. Every person can relate to Ryn’s situation and where she is, and I think that’s why you really feel for her. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Yes absolutely. She doesn’t always get things right, but she has a good heart. Even if it doesn’t beat. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Fun, Passionate. Scared. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? I spent a lot of time looking into blood — how often you can donate, how much you can lose, how often the body replenishes it, etc. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I always have to get a full first draft down before I edit. 8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence? Ooh, I just love food, but chocolate or mango sticky rice. 9–Describe your writing space/office! A little desk tucked by the stairs in the living…

1–What is the title of your latest release? EVERY ROGUE HAS HIS CHARM 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Four days after his marriage, a spy returns to the field; now, six years later, he’s back to try to win the heart of his wary wife–but he’s brought danger with him. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I wanted somewhere outside of London, but not too far, and chose Brighton because it was popular getaway during the Regency. Plus, the seaside offers so many opportunities for both romance and spy shenanigans. 4–Would you hang out with your heroine in real life? Absolutely! Caro is smart and strong; she stands up for herself, but she’s still willing to risk her heart; and she reads good books. 5–What are three words that describe your hero? Scarred, secretive, and smitten 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? I learned about sea-bathing during the Regency, including bathing machines and the strong women, known as “dippers,” hired to toss reluctant bathers into the water; in Brighton, the most famous dipper was Martha Gunn. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?…

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 Celeste Barclay!   Writes: Celeste Barclay writes historical romance that brings the heat. Set mostly in the Scottish Highlands, Celeste’s books have swoon-worthy heroes and feisty heroines. It’s us against the world for these couples as they discover love while surrounded by intrigue and suspense. All of Celeste’s books have strong family ties, loyalty, honor, and duty at their heart. Get swept away to another time and place with these hot Highlanders and the women they love.   What I’m looking for in my ideal reader match: Loves Highlander and medieval hunks Loves lots of steam Loves a close family with plenty of banter Loves a heroine who’s resourceful and intelligent Loves a hero who’s a devil on the battlefield but an angel with his heroine   What to expect if we’re compatible: Fall in love with men who are strong and women who are fierce A need to go back and read the first generation in The Clan Sinclair Characters who put family…

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 presents Sara Goodman Confino! Writes: Sara Goodman Confino writes hilarious romantic comedies with a focus on family and friendship. You’ll laugh until you cry and cry until you laugh in both her debut, For the Love of Friends, and her new novel, She’s Up to No Good. About: Sara Goodman Confino lives in the DC suburbs with her husband, two sons, and two miniature schnauzers. When she’s not teaching or frantically parenting (which often means trying to keep her boys from peeing on literally everything), she enjoys reading, writing, and binge-watching shows from the treadmill. She’s a rabid Bruce Springsteen fan and got pulled up to dance on stage, Courtney Cox-style in 2012 and will never miss a chance to mention that/whip her phone out and show you pictures and videos of it. What I’m looking for in my ideal reader match: People who love to laugh Someone who appreciates quirky/eccentric families Dual-timeline aficionados Readers who appreciate family sagas Anyone looking for a good time…

1–What is the title of your latest release? THE FORGOTTEN COTTAGE 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? In the dusty corners of an abandoned English cottage, Audrey discovers there’s more to her beloved grandmother’s life than she ever imagined. Told with the alternating point-of-view of Audrey in 2014, and her great-grandmother, Emilie, during the First World War, this family saga celebrates the courage of underestimated women. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? North Yorkshire is my very favorite place in England. While much of the book moves beyond the county, and England itself, Audrey’s story remains in a small village that represents much of what I love about the area. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? I think Audrey and I would get along well, but Emilie is much more intelligent and well-read than me. I have no doubt she’d be very bored with the conversation! 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Emilie is inquisitive, foolhardy, and empathetic. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? What a ploughman’s lunch is. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I’d love…