I am so excited to be back on the Fresh Fiction blog today! Thank you guys for having me! So my new book, PHOENIX FIRE, just came out, and when I was thinking of a topic that I really wanted to talk about, the word “bromance” echoed in the back of my skull like a really great idea. TBH, I think a lot of fiction gets wrapped up in character love relationships and the dreaded triangles. (Haters gonna hate, I guess. I personally like the ones that are well done though.) Not that this is a bad thing! I love a good romantic subplot! I love romance well done. I mean, I write the romance-y things!! But that’s not what draws me in to reading. Character relationships in general are my bread and butter as a reader. Yes, romance is part of that. But there’s so much more to it. Friendships. Family relationship. Enemies turned friends. If I don’t see character connection on the pages, it’s not a story for me. I want relationships to feel real, not matter what kind it is, while I’m immersed in a story world. What are some of your favorite bromances in fiction? Supernatural,…

Whenever you mention Las Vegas, you always think of the gambling – and why not, the casinos dominate the skyline and almost every vacation image you see include a shot of the gambling tables! But there’s more to Vegas than just the slots… and if you’re looking for some quiet time, I’ve got the place for you! Mandalay Bay is a great casino, but if you step to the side and turn a corner, you’ll find yourself at the Aquarium – and another entire world waiting for you to explore! The Shark Reef aquarium gives an entire different experience and for only a few dollars you can not only find yourself nose-to-nose with a shark, but also a chance to touch a live stingray! When I was writing HARD PURSUIT, I needed a quiet place for Trey to take Ally – somewhere that wasn’t filled with loud music and provided a welcome distraction. But aside from a restaurant (and I’ve been told I write a LOT of eating scenes!), where do you go, especially in Las Vegas? Answer – a magical, wonderful aquarium where you can imagine yourself swimming with the sharks, far away from the dry heat and frantic…

When I was writing THE VANISHING SPARK OF DUSK, there was no question in my mind that the romance would take a little time to warm up. I love romance, but what I love more than the steamy love scenes, is the deep connection two characters develop before they even realize they love each other. So here are five reasons I love to write slow-burn romances: Instalove never felt real to me. I’d never developed a crush on anyone at first sight, and I’d never finished a book where the hero *instantly* falls in love with the love interest. When the main character turns around and sees the super hot love interest crossing the scene, and they instantly have a crush, I feel. literally. nothing. It kind of takes away from character’s journey, for me at least. Let me get to know the love interest. Let me hear how they talk, how they laugh, what makes them tick and how passionate they can be about certain issues. I love teasing the reader, keeping them wondering if these two characters will actually end up together. That’s what keeps readers turning the pages. It’s what keeps me turning the pages as a…

When I was writing THE VANISHING SPARK OF DUSK, there was no question in my mind that the romance would take a little time to warm up. I love romance, but what I love more than the steamy love scenes, is the deep connection two characters develop before they even realize they love each other. So here are five reasons I love to write slow-burn romances: Instalove never felt real to me. I’d never developed a crush on anyone at first sight, and I’d never finished a book where the hero *instantly* falls in love with the love interest. When the main character turns around and sees the super hot love interest crossing the scene, and they instantly have a crush, I feel. literally. nothing. It kind of takes away from character’s journey, for me at least. Let me get to know the love interest. Let me hear how they talk, how they laugh, what makes them tick and how passionate they can be about certain issues. I love teasing the reader, keeping them wondering if these two characters will actually end up together. That’s what keeps readers turning the pages. It’s what keeps me turning the pages as a…

So I’ve been doing some weird things today. Guess what they are… Running around the neighborhood yelling, “The Grizzlies are here! The Grizzlies are here!” Well, I’m just saying it now because the cops said I shouldn’t Okay, so maybe I’m whispering it, but that’s beside the point. The Grizzlies are here! Are you kidding me? It’s too cold outside for me to be running around. I’m sitting in a hot sauna with a sexy shifter. We’re playing Simon Says… Today is the day I get to feed an animal other than my cat Cinnamon. And look what kind of animals they are! No wait! Today is the day that the GRIZZLIES GO WILD series continues! Yup, my wonderful grizzly bear shifter series has started up again. This time something strange is happening in Detroit and I’m…well, I’m really excited about it. Answer: D! Yes, the new trilogy launches today with Alpha Unleashed. Fresh Fiction has already reviewed it  and it is the best review of my career. So I’m pretty excited about that. As for the other options, it really is too cold for me to run around the neighborhood right now. And I wish, wish, wish that I…

Writes: Music-lover’s romance. My latest release PLAYING THE PAUSES, standalone Book #2 in the Sex, Love, and Rock & Roll series, hits the shelves on March 5, 2018. About Author: Nomadic romance author seeks readers for vivid, unforgettable rock star romance. Features a Life of the Party, Queen of the Spreadsheet tour manager heroine and a dark, quiet-souled tattoo artist/bassist who also happens to be a Dom. What I’m looking for in my ideal reader match: Would give their favorite fuzzy throw blanket for a strong alpha male who wasn’t a jerk Craves a series full of found family, bromance, and absolutely unconditional friendship Dreams of a happily ever after that feels real Drools for a man’s quick fingers on the frets of a bass guitar Would definitely be besties with a badass tour manager who has the whole music industry wrapped around her little finger, but isn’t too good to break a sweat toting speakers Wants a romance with a Real Man who will take charge—especially in the bedroom—but doesn’t get all bossy and patronizing the rest of the time Giggles over tour bus hijinks with roadies and the band Has a Pinterest page full of gorgeous tattoo designs…

Do you ever dream of going to Paris? That was my dream from the time I was a small child living in Texas. When some neighbors returned from a trip to Europe and their daughter, who was about my age, talked about what she’d seen, I developed an incurable urge to see the Eiffel Tower. Is it any wonder that I gave Catherine, the heroine of my new release A Borrowed Dream, a similar dream? Admittedly, Catherine doesn’t dream of the Eiffel Tower, because it hadn’t been constructed in 1881, but images of the City of Light fill her dreams. I’ve been fortunate. My dream came true when I was in college majoring in – what else? – French, and then again when my husband and I lived in Germany compliments of the U.S. Army. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to return to Paris several more times and wanted to share ten things I highly recommend you do when you’re in the French capital. Of course you won’t want to miss Paris’s iconic landmark, the Eiffel Tower. Built in 1889, the tower itself hasn’t changed over the years, but the surrounding area has. The peace wall, which includes…

Shhh… Don’t tell anyone, but writing has not been a life-long dream of mine. Oh sure, I wrote some in high school and loved it, but that was high school and I was pretty much forced to do it. No one really encouraged me to continue. But one day, not too many years ago, I began to wonder if I could write my own book. The following authors not only inspired me to try, they taught me a lot just by reading their awesome books. 1) Stephenie Meyer. Without her Twilight series (which I read four times!), I don’t know if I’d be writing today. Heck, I didn’t even know paranormal romance existed before that. Good vampires? It was crazy talk. But my daughter gave me that first book and I was hooked. Hooked so badly, I finally got over my fear and started to write my own paranormal romance. I not only found my passion in life, a new career was born. 2) Lynsay Sands. Once you discover one paranormal romance author, you tend to search for more. My search led me to Lynsay Sands and the Argeneau Vampire series. I love the humor and try my best to…

WRITES: Contemporary romance and romantic suspense with my latest release, GREEN, releasing on February 28, 2018. ABOUT AUTHOR: I’m an indie-author, juggling a day job, being a mom and wife, with breathing as optional! But I wouldn’t change a thing! I’m a self-professed junkie of many things including a voracious fan of music, a born wanderer, a wine aficionado and chocolate connoisseur. And of course, I do talk to my characters and sometimes, I’ve been accused of living in another world. WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR IN MY IDEAL READER MATCH: You have a passion for strong heroes and heroines You love a page turner and will forgo sleep for the sake of a good love story You don’t go anywhere without a book or your e-reader You want your stories to be fast-paced, sweet and sexy with an edge You’re looking for a roller-coaster ride in both emotions and plot You want characters that may be flawed, but their intentions are pure You want to read about love that stands the test of time WHAT TO EXPECT IF COMPATIBLE: Complex, memorable characters you’ll be rooting for with a focus on love and family Stories with a twist, and it won’t…

Here’s a Q&A with Xavier Stirling, the (fictional) hero in the steamy romantic suspense book written by Miranda P. Charles called XAVIER: THE CONTRACT (Indie Rebels, Book 1). Interviewer: Hello, Xavier. Glad to have you at MPC Character Interviews. Xavier: Thank you. Happy to be here. Interviewer: So, author Miranda P. Charles wrote a book about you and your romance with Eve Marrin. I have to say, you and Eve have been through some very tough times. Xavier: Well, Miranda P. Charles did base the love story on me and Eve. But she wrote the other bits for pure entertainment. Interviewer: What do you mean? Are you saying some of details in the book aren’t true? Xavier: Yes. For example, in the book, I’m a crime-fighting Indie Rebel. I’m not an Indie Rebel. I’ve never even met an Indie Rebel in my life. Interviewer: I see. Well, according to the book, being an Indie Rebel has to be a well-kept secret because you guys are on the hit list of several criminal syndicates. I can understand why you’re trying to deny being an Indie Rebel. (Winks.) Xavier: (Smiles patiently.) I’m really not an Indie Rebel. Interviewer: Sure, Xavier. I understand….