Book Title: THE SOMEWHAT WICKED WITCH OF BRIGANDALECharacter Name: Gretsella, the Witch of Brigandale with the Reasonable Prices How would you describe your family or your childhood?I would not describe them. A witch might not have hatched from an egg at the age of fifty, but she should always strive to give the impression that she did. What is your greatest talent?Anything that I choose to attempt. Significant other?Don’t be ridiculous. Biggest challenge in relationships?When people insist on doing what they think that they’d like to do, instead of exactly what I tell them that they ought to do. Where do you live?In the finest, tidiest, most pleasantly-scented cottage in the great forest of Brigandale. You may not see it. Do you have any enemies?If I do, they know better than to allow me to become aware of them. How do you feel about the place where you are now? Is there something you are particularly attached to, or particularly repelled by, in this place?It’s a pleasant enough place, if overpopulated by meddling prophetic forest creatures. Do you have children, pets, both, or neither?I have one son. His name is Bradley. He has a very symmetrical face and a kind…

For a change from my usual selection of Irish tales in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, this month we’ll honor the Ides of March with stories set in ancient Rome – a rich milieu for storytelling. These books provide keen insight into this vanished world and explore the opportunities – and restrictions – of high-born women close to men of power. We begin at the beginning of the imperial era with JULIA, DAUGHTER OF ROME by Elizabeth Elson. Daughter and only child of Octavian, who took power after Julius Caesar was slain, Julia occupies a place of privilege – but is essentially an asset to be deployed by her father for political gain. In a quest to obtain an heir of his own blood to follow him, her father marries her off to two men in turn…but her heart is given to Iullus, son of her father’s rival Marc Anthony. After she’s widowed a second time, while her father schemes a third marriage, she and Iullus no longer try to deny their love. They meet clandestinely, their illicit relationship risking Julia’s position, reputation and her very life. Full of detail about the daily Roman life, from clothing to rituals to…

What is the title of your latest release?PINKY SWEAR What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?A woman’s surrogate – and childhood best friend – vanishes days before the baby’s due date, launching a cross-country search that uncovers long-buried secrets, shattered loyalties, and the true cost of love, trust, and betrayal. How did you decide where your book was going to take place?The story moves between the characters’ hometown of Denver and Philadelphia where Mara had been living. I wanted the two locations to feel vastly different and for Lexi to feel uncomfortable, coming from her Denver home. I hope that the locations heighten the suspense and help the reader gauge how far she’ll go for her child. What are three words that describe your main character?Determined. Loyal. Vulnerable. Which side character stole your attention the most from the main storyline?Mara Vannatta, Lexi’s childhood best friend and surrogate, is as complex as she is mysterious. Her choices set everything in motion, forcing readers (and Lexi) to question what love and desperation drives us to do. What’s something you learned while writing this book?I learned that vulnerability is often the bravest thing we can do. Writing PINKY SWEAR reminded me that…

You know that wonderful feeling you get when you taste something delicious that you haven’t had in a while, and you think to yourself, “Why in the world have I let so much time pass?” That’s how I felt reading Suzanne Enoch’s new book, BETTER THAN A DUKE. We historical romance addicts know that a duke (especially an historically inaccurate young, fit, handsome, and kind one!) is always the sought-after catch. In Ms. Enoch’s story, however, the duke is everything history remembers old, fat, many-times widowed, and as nasty as one would expect from a life-long diet of privilege. But Iris has been left penniless by her now dead gambling husband, and she has to provide for her 10-year-old son. Too bad her next-door neighbor, a mere marquis, has complications of his own, including his nine-year-old daughter and his mother’s machinations. (And yes, the many similarities to “The Parent Trap” mentioned positively in other reviews are merited!) Ms. Enoch tells her tale with lots of humor, a great cast of secondary characters, and of course, a tear-worthy happy ending. THIS STORY MIGHT SAVE YOUR LIFE, a debut novel by Tiffany Crum, will probably not save your life, but it will…

Dear Mr. Chicago, You likely don’t remember me. After all, I was just another guest at the hotel bar who you happened to sit next to. We said our obligatory hellos, you ordered your rum and Coke, and I continued to sip my cosmopolitan as I typed away on my laptop. Not much happened beyond that. Not much, other than a spark (and I don’t mean the romantic kind). Maybe it was something about your presence, your standard small talk, maybe the atmosphere of the lounge with the folk singer strumming his guitar in the corner. Whatever it was, a creative spark ignited and it nestled inside of me like a seed taking root. “What’s your name?” you had asked. Make something up, I thought. Why would I think that? I do not know. Diane. Elsie. Jill. “I’m Laura.” “What are you working on?” I’m a lawyer poring over a murder case. This is a letter I’m sending to the sister I just learned I have. I’m applying to Cirque du Soleil, and they require a personal essay. “I’m writing a book.” And so it went. We exchanged a few niceties. You told me about your ageing father and how…

What is the title of your latest release?QUEEN OF THE NIGHT SKY What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?QUEEN OF THE NIGHT SKY is the epic conclusion in the Starkeeper duet. After Suraya Saab unites with her chosen love, King Roshan Acharia, to save Oryndhr from subjugation, her greatest fear is realized when her power is weaponized. After an assassination attempt, Suraya escapes with an imprisoned azdaha – a mythical dragon – only to find herself in Everlea, the realm of the Night King, Darrius Nightsong…the shadow man from her dreams who just might be her soul-fated mate. An unhinged Roshan will stop at nothing to get her back, and as war looms between the realms, new prophecies of ruthless gods will rise. Torn between two kings – her chosen and her fated – Suraya must free her trapped magic to fight an ancient evil before it’s too late. How did you decide where your book was going to take place?The fictional fantasy realm of Endara draws from many different global influences, including Persian, Indian, European, and Caribbean. I wanted to bring some of my own lived experience as well as my personal background to the page with respect…

What is the title of your latest release?A LATTE LIKE LOVE What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?Love is brewing as a barista falls for a reclusive artist struggling with the tragic aftermath of an accident in this charming, epic romance. Or: what if the two sweetest people on the planet, who had both been through therapy, met and actually worked with one another on moving through grief and overcoming their greatest emotional challenges? How did you decide where your book was going to take place?You know, I didn’t really think much about it – I knew it was in Brooklyn during the fall, but I couldn’t honestly tell you why, other than I was absolutely correct to set it there. There’s just something about fall foliage paired with brownstones and cute cafés that makes it really cozy. We don’t get those kinds of seasons in Texas, and it wouldn’t have made for the same story. New York City is always kind of a character of its own rather than a setting. Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?Absolutely. I would be friends with both Audrey and Theo. They’re so nice! Audrey and I would spend…

What is the title of your latest release?LUCIEN What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?A talented artist at Harvard falls under the sway of his charming, dangerous roommate and becomes a reluctant accomplice in a scheme to sell forged paintings. How did you decide where your book was going to take place?I wanted to write a campus novel. Harvard was a setting I knew very well, and a world I felt readers might be curious about. Would you hang out with your heroine in real life?Of course. What are three words that describe your hero?Lucien: charismatic, reckless, opportunistic.Atlas: insecure, lonely, loyal What’s something you learned while writing this book?How to paint a forgery Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?I completed a skeleton first draft of the entire novel with large sections left blank and then went back and started research (on painting, art forgery etc.) What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?Cotoletta Milanese Describe your writing space/office!It’s pretty simple. I have a small room in my apartment with some bookshelves and a desk that faces a window. I bought a bunch of old Penguin paperbacks from the 1950s on eBay and organized them by…

Town: Paradise Springs, FloridaAuthor: J.C. Kenney Small-Town Life & Community What’s the very first thing a newcomer learns about this town… whether they want to or not?There are a lot of unusual residents, shall we say. The guy who runs the bodega at the Paradise Springs Marina may be 100 years old, but nobody really knows. There’s a recluse who lives on the edge of town who goes around after dark collecting recyclables who’s rumored to be a vampire. Oh, and don’t forget about the three sisters who own the Magnificent Marlin restaurant and entertainment center. Rumor has it that they may be witches. Who unofficially runs the town, and do they know it?I don’t know that he officially runs the town, but Goob’s been behind the counter at his bodega for as long as anyone can remember. Folks come to him for advice and to catch up on the latest news. His influence has been literally decades in the making, so when he speaks, people listen. If the town had a motto, what would it really be?“Welcome to Paradise Springs, where being weird is normal.” What smells, sounds, or sights instantly tell you that this place is home?Ah, the…

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.