Some of our reviewers will be sharing their top reads of 2019 from now through the end of the year! Today’s list is from Fresh Fiction Editorial Manager Danielle Dresser. 2019 was an awesome year for books. I’m grateful I have the opportunity to work with books every single day. In additional to being the editorial manager of Fresh Fiction, I’ve also started working closely with Love’s Sweet Arrow, the romance independent bookstore outside of Chicago. I’ve taken my love of books and cultivated a fulfilling career within the world of literature, and I’m so pleased to be able to share with you some of my favorite reads of the year.  I did my best to read widely and outside of my comfort zone – for me, that meant reading nonfiction and graphic novels (which I did do! Check out my Good Reads page here: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/35789908-danielle-dresser). But I couldn’t stray too far away from my love of romance and literary fiction, which is what makes up the majority of my Top Reads of 2019.  Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert – This has to be, hands-down, the book I’ve recommended the most this year. Featuring a uniquely grumpy…

Jen: What inspired you to write Meg & Jo, a contemporary retelling of Little Women? Virginia: I think we need stories about strong women and families pulling together in tough times. There’s so much warmth and joy in Little Women! When I first read the book—my grandmother gave a copy to my sister and me when I was about ten—I wanted to go live with the March family and act in plays and write a newspaper and all the rest of it. But as I grew up, things I’d sort of skipped over in the story struck me for the first time or in a different way. And I wanted to tell Meg and Jo (and Beth and Amy) in a way that reflected that perspective. As the author of over thirty novels, how did writing your first women’s fiction book differ from your previous works? I’m still writing about families and relationships. I’m still drawing on classic stories of my childhood for inspiration (I always imagined Sea Witch as a sexy, feminist version of The Little Mermaid). But the emphasis in this story is very different. Meg and Jo isn’t so much about if or who the sisters will…

My new release is HIS REASON TO STAY, the first book in my Ellis Family Saga series. Award-winning wildlife photographer, Elijah Ellis, has come back home due to the tragic accident that killed members of both his and his best friend Tabitha Brodie’s family. Despite their grief, Eli hopes that he and Tabby can pick up their familiar friendship. He’s never forgotten the way Tabby makes him feel—full of hope and a sense of home—but she seems determined to keep him at arm’s length. Tabby has always loved Eli. He’s everything she wants in a man. But he left Gatlinburg to make a name for himself outside of his famous family.  Even though there’s no one better to help her through this time, she refuses to be an anchor to a life he never wanted. Not to mention Tabby’s hiding a secret that will change all of their lives. As Eli and Tabby spend more time together, he’s determined to show her they could be perfect together. Too bad she’s spent years building her walls against him… H is for History…Theirs is long and full of unrequited love, at least on her side. I is for Ideal…As in Eli is…

“Don’t look right now, but Miller just pulled up next to your car.” My eyes widen. “He did?” “Yes. And I need you to take me home, but I don’t want to make it awkward if he’s wanting to talk to you, so I’m going back inside the school. Text me when it’s safe to come out.” “Okay.” I’m nodding, my stomach full of nerves. “Also, you’re full of it. You are so into him. If you use the word inconsequential one more time in reference to him, I’ll slap you.” “Okay.” Lexie walks back toward the school, and I take a breath. I spin around and walk toward my car, pretending not to notice Miller’s truck until I’m at my driver’s-side door. His windows are up and his truck is running, but he’s just sitting in it, staring ahead with a sucker hanging from his mouth. He’s not even paying attention to me. He probably doesn’t even know he parked next to me, and here I am assuming it was deliberate. I feel stupid. I start to turn around and open my car door but stop short when he unlocks his passenger door. That’s when he lazily turns his…

Now through the end of the year, some of our reviewers will be sharing their top reads of 2019! First up, Debbie Wiley…  2019 is winding down and it’s time to reflect back on the year’s reading. I read a wide range of genres, to include a mixture of cozy mysteries, urban fantasies, children’s books, nonfiction, historical fiction, comics/humor, and graphic novels. 2019 included releases from a lot of my favorite authors, like J.D. Robb, Nalini Singh, Jennifer Estep, Rachel Caine, Anne Bishop, Laura Griffin, Ilona Andrews, and Seanan McGuire, all of whom made my “Best of 2019” list. However, most of my favorite books fall into only a couple categories so I’ve decided to make up my own “Best Of” categories to highlight a few different reads than just my usual favorite authors. Best Historical Fiction that also Taught Me a Piece of History I Didn’t Know: THE BOOK WOMAN OF TROUBLESOME CREEK by Kim Michele Richardson is hands down the winner in this category. Not only was I unfamiliar with the Blue People of Kentucky, I was also unaware of the Pack Horse Library Project. Kim Michele Richardson delves deep into both issues, as we follow Cussy “Bluet”…

Drake and Cami have met before as an Enforcer for dragon shifters, it’s his job to put out and hide evidence of fires caused by dragons. In this role, he saved her life but had to wipe her memory of it. What brings them back together is the very thing that will keep them apart. Drake is dying. . . *** “How are you feeling?” she asked. That sultry voice, no longer scratchy with smoke, filled the room, caressing his skin. Drake battled with his body. It would not do to shock her with a raging erection that was sure to be evident given the flimsy sheet covering him. At least he was still in his utility pants and shirt. She doesn’t remember you anyway, asshole. When he didn’t answer she narrowed her eyes. “My name is Camilla Carrillo,” she tried again. “Do you remember anything?” When he didn’t answer again, she lifted a single unimpressed eyebrow, and he couldn’t help a stirring of curiosity. Women tended to run from him, not hold their ground and regard him with a mixture of blasé pseudo-concern. “You yelled at two of the other women who tried to take care of you,” she…

1–What’s the name of your latest release?  The Viking’s Captive 2–What is it about?  A hot hunk-o-Viking gorgeousness steals a foreign princess for his jarl…only to fall in love with her himself. And when he finds out she betrayed him by failing to tell him that she’s not actually the princess. . . 3–What word best describes your heroine?  Brave 4–What makes your hero irresistible?  He’s a Viking, but a strong protector and–although he’d never have thought of himself in these terms–nothing less than the perfect gentleman where the heroine is concerned. He makes an unfortunate number of mistakes, building up to a pretty decent grovel when he has to come to terms with what he’s done to the woman he loves. 5–Who are the people your main characters turn to when they need help?  The heroine and hero alike turn to the hero’s aunt, for different reasons. The hero cares about his aunt’s opinion and burns with shame when he knows he’s done wrong in her eyes. The heroine needs protection and his aunt becomes her unexpected ally. 6–What do you love about the setting of your book?  Everything! I romanticized it heavily–it’s fiction–so I made the best possible…

Never Enough is book one in the Meet Me in Montana series. I have had the idea for this book floating in my head for a few years. I went up to a PBR event in Tacoma, Washington and was able to get a behind the scenes tour of what happens during an event. I was so inspired I went back to my hotel and wrote for two days straight. When I got home the words kept flowing and two weeks later Never Enough was written.  What are my favorite traits for Brock? Let me list them! He is passionate, caring, fiercely protective, and stubborn as all get out. He is also romantic and when he loves, he truly loves. I think readers will love to see all the sides of Brock. He is passionate about his career and how he wants to build a future for his son. He is so caring and compassionate, and you get to see that from him in the very beginning of the book. When he finally allows himself to fall for Lincoln he falls so hard and you can feel the love he has for her. Oh…and let’s not forget romantic. Who doesn’t love…

Welcome to Fresh Fiction, JN! Please tell us about yourself and your latest novel, IN RHYTHM. Hi! Thanks for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here! I’m a native New Yorker raised in the Bronx. I’m a wine and music lover, wanderlust-er like my characters, and when I’m not dancing (many times rocking out in my bedroom solo), you can find me spending time with friends and family or cheering for my favorite baseball team. I’m also a wellness warrior especially for writers and passionate about practicing mindfulness for mind, body, and spirit. My latest novel IN RHYTHM is the follow-up novel to IN TUNE and second book in my Back on Top Series. It’s a stand-alone novel that features Asha Kendall aka “Velvet,” a dance music DJ who is going after her goals with blinders on. She’s so focused that she never sees Dutch DJ Isaak “Zazzle” Van Sandt coming. The two have an immediate and intense connection but when Zazzle’s hard-partying gets out of control, Velvet presses pause. Their career paths are about to converge, hers on the way up and his on the way down. When their paths cross again, things get very interesting. Your Back…

1–What’s the name of your latest release?  My latest release is Seconds to Live. This is book one in my new Homeland Heroes series. 2–What is it about?  When cybercriminals hack into the US Marshals’ Witness Protection database and auction off witnesses’ personal details to the highest bidders, the RED Team led by FBI Agent Sean Nichols begins a high-stakes chase to find the hacker. But before he can even get started, the first witness is targeted and barely escapes with her life. Sean believes Phantom, an obsessed hacker who previously outwitted the top minds in the field, is behind the attack, and Sean needs this witness’s help, as she’s the person who has come closest to discovering Phantom’s identity. Trouble is, she’s a witness under the care of US Marshal Taylor Mills, and Sean is reluctant to work with the captivating marshal who knows his deepest secrets. But Phantom claims he knows where the witness is hiding and will kill her, so to stop the hacker, Sean and Taylor must work through their personal pain and learn to trust each other. 3–What word best describes your heroine?  Taylor is so many things, but if I had to choose just one…