Toxicity — System Of A DownAt the beginning of MIST AND DIVIDE, we are thrown into a world that is full of disorder, while Evella, the FMC, tries to keep her life (and family’s) in order. It’s a world ravaged by frequent quakes, which is problematic enough, but Evella has to navigate the toxicity people direct at her due to a decision in her past. This song also connects her world to our current one—when someone is so powerful, creating disorder, how do they not let it slip away from them? Inevitably, through the nature of disorder, one can’t ‘own’ it. Eventually they must also suffer the consequences. Cheated Hearts — Yeah Yeah YeahsI like to see this song as an interpretation of Evella’s relationship with Reil. When we meet Evella, it’s been one year since losing the love of her life, Reil. This was the man she grew up with, hunted with, and then one day, was gone. The lyrics, in this case, reflect how death has cheated her out of love, and all thoughts of finding it again are safely kept away. Tryin’ To Throw Your Arms Around The World — U2This is one of my favorite songs,…

“Quando m’en vo” from La bohème by Giacomo PucciniI’ve been in love with this opera since seeing it for the first time at age twelve, so it shouldn’t have been too much of a surprise that I ended up writing a book about artsy people living in garrets in a cold European winter! I played this aria in particular a lot – the bantering voices and the flirtation were a big inspiration for the first half of the book. “The London Suite Pt. 2 – Chelsea” by Fats WallerThis piece is winter in London to me. It has all the warmth and coziness of a crackling old record, and it just makes me want to go for a long evening walk, looking up at all the windows lit golden, and then go home and curl up under a blanket with a book and some hot chocolate. I also love that it’s an American’s impression of the city – Waller wrote and recorded it while he was touring here. “Turtle Blues” by Big Brother & The Holding CompanyI think this is the most underrated Janis Joplin song, and it doubles as a theme song for my female main character Mari. It’s…

The Domingo the Bounty Hunter series consists of DANGER NO PROBLEM (book 1) and SUNDAY OR THE HIGHWAY (book 2). The series follows a Filipino American bounty hunter named Domingo who catches the most elusive quarries and discovers explosive secrets along the way. In both books, certain songs are mentioned to either highlight the quality of a character or reinforce the mood of the scene. DANGER NO PROBLEM, Book 1: “Love of My Life” by Queen.On the night Domingo the Bounty Hunter first meets Monica Reed, a biracial undocumented Filipino woman, “Love of My Life” is playing on the radio during their drive from Pittsburgh to New York City. It’s a sign of things to come. Monica turns out to be the only quarry that ever eludes Domingo. She’s bound to have a huge impact on his life. “Easy” by Lionel Richie.Domingo Americanized his name to Sunday when he became a U.S. citizen. Lionel Richie’s song, “Easy,” which famously mentions an easy Sunday morning, influenced Domingo’s decision. He wants Americans to remember him and his name. It’s his way of adapting and assimilating, which says a lot about his character. “No Regrets” by Jon Bon Jovi.In the book’s last chapter,…

It’s so exciting for me to be back on Fresh Fiction’s blog—and back in the world of contemporary romance writing (it’s been a hot minute with the Crave series, Star Bringer, and Sweet Nightmare) and I couldn’t be more thrilled. And since my newest book, It Happened on a Sunday, is a pop star/football player romance, I just had to do a quick playlist for this post. So hang on while we explore songs by some of the strongest, most kickass female singers around. Wrecking Ball from Miley CyrusI had to put this song on the list, partly because I played it over and over while I was writing It Happened on a Sunday and partly because no song captures Sloane’s raw vulnerability better than this one. She’s spent years under a not so kind spotlight, her every mistake and heartbreak amplified for the world to see. Wrecking Ball mirrors her fear of loving too hard and too openly, only to be shattered—but it’s also about the strength it takes to rise from the wreckage and keep singing even when everything hurts. Landslide from Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood MacThis is another song I listened to over and over again because…

THE HONEYCRISP ORCHARD INN Exclusive Excerpt Chapter 14 It’s nearly ten when I sneak back into the apartment that night. Maria returned to the city after promising to keep me posted on her PR efforts for the festival. Of course, she offered to let me stay with her while I get back on my feet, but I politely declined. After some discussion we both agreed that our collective wardrobes probably wouldn’t fit in her tiny apartment. It’s chic as hell, but it’s the approximate size of a broom closet. Maria went for quality over quantity. I happen to know she pays half of her rent with pictures of her feet in heels on OnlyFans. She’s not proud of it, and I’m sworn to secrecy because if her grandma finds out, there will be hell to pay, but it’s amazing how much you can make showing nothing but an ankle and the top of your foot. I honestly don’t know why her grandma would object, but apparently, it’s a Catholic thing. Or an Italian thing. I’m not here to judge. I may also have to open an OnlyFans foot account if I can’t find an event-planning job. My feet aren’t as…

Fall is just around the corner, so I thought this month we’d look at some cozies with a little sauciness to keep you warm! I like to call my books RomCozies because they definitely deliver on the promise of justice, community, and the fun of figuring out the puzzle of whodunnit, but they also involve a romance that sparks on the page. So here are a few to check out and you grab a cup of cider and snuggle into the cooler weather coming our way! PASTRIES, PODCAST & MURDER (Sweet Tooth Sleuth Book 1) by Elizabeth PerryThis book totally cracked me up! I love the humor, the pacing, the interactions with the characters, and the way the whole thing wrapped up in a tight bow. But make sure you’ve done all your chores before you get started because you might not get up until the very last page. A book that is a little older but super fun is DYING FOR A DATE: (A Humorous Cozy Mystery) (Laurel McKay Mysteries Book 1) by Cindy SampleSuper funny, incredibly engaging, and I couldn’t put it down! I love the flippancy and the way it’s packed with characters are a little over…

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.

Diary, 1st of August, anno Domini 1547: Lady Peigi Grant. I’m excited to travel to Lughnasadh, and the Royal Inverness Games! But nay for the festivities you might think would be diverting. Nay, I’m not much for fanfare. I’ve seen darkness like none other and buried it in my heart for years. I once set an outlawed laddie—accused of murdering our sire—free, after bearing witness to the dark deed and he was most certainly nay the one to lift his blade. We shared a kiss. A bond. A blessing made on Samhain, and to this day I wonder where he went after years’-long manhunts proved fruitless to find him. No, I’d rather play my lyre in the seclusion of a hidden grove instead of endure celebratory festivals, of folk imbibing too much and caring too little about the injustices of the world. And the competitions! Truly, only an opportunity for men to flex muscles and brag about their prowess with a sword in hopes of enticing a woman to lift her skirts for them. I am excited to see my wee sister, who married our clan’s greatest enemy this Yuletide past, for she is growing heavy with child and will…

What is the title of your latest release?A SPECIAL INTEREST IN MURDER (Ada Latia book 1) What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?Autistic lady detective cannot bear injustice, especially when directed at a misunderstood, hurting autistic girl. How did you decide where your book was going to take place?I knew it had to take place at a special autistic school, but it was because of recent political events that I chose to put it in Idaho, because Idaho’s ultraconservative population seemed an apt setting for a school designed to “fix” autism in young children in ways that would be likely to be unethical and possibly criminal. Would you hang out with your heroine in real life?Of all the heroines I’ve ever written, Ada Latia is most close to my actual self. The main difference is that I allow her, because she was diagnosed at a young age, to be fully autistic in ways that I never was at younger ages. I was always masking, and Ada is free not to because she knows who she is and is unapologetic about her strengths and weaknesses. What are three words that describe your hero?fierce, intelligent, damaged What’s something you learned while…

What is the title of your latest release?MURDER PAYS A CALL What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?Personal concierge Keri Armstrong will accept almost any job, but when she finds her friend and favorite client dead in bed, she adds solving murders to her To-Do List. How did you decide where your book was going to take place?I live in the Orlando area and modeled my fictional town after Winter Park, an upscale community with shops, restaurants, and attractions that appeal to residents and tourists alike. Would you hang out with your heroine in real life?Absolutely. In fact, I’d like to hire her to help me organize things around the house and get rid of the clutter. What are three words that describe your hero?Keri likes Dr. Matt, who treated her arm after she was injured in a near-miss hit and run accident. He’s compassionate, cute, and a good listener. What’s something you learned while writing this book?I learned about the business of silver restoration. A trained professional can take your silver heirlooms that are dented, tarnished, or missing pieces and transform them into shiny new works of art. Do you edit as you draft or wait until you…