Frank Delaney, author of the faithful sequel, JIM HAWKINS & THE CURSE OF TREASURE ISLAND, outlines some do’s and don’ts for landlubbers 1. Get your Ship Together. Make sure that you know the difference between a barque, a barquentine and a brigantine; a sloop, a schooner and a ship of the line. The world has few areas where your lack of knowledge will be as ferociously challenged. Nautical experts, and they truly are experts, lurk by every wharf and canvas locker waiting to hoot derision – and perhaps even brandish a cutlass -­‐ at the uninformed, under-­‐researched pirate writer. 2. It’s Never Plain Sailing. Get to know the canvas -­‐ length, depth, breadth. What’s the difference between “square-­‐rigged” and “jerry-­‐rigged”? How do you distinguish between topsail and staysail? And then there’s square topsail. And foresail. And never, never, never describe how a pirate ship is rigged until you can name the type of vessel and draw a sketch of how she’s rigged. 3. Not Knotted? When your Standing Part has a Friction Hitch and you look to a Stopper or a Bend, a Double Overhand would complicate things too much, and a Butterfly may bring tears to your eyes. But…

“What was wrong with that man? Why didn’t he do something?” The women around the table raised their hands and slapped the table with disgust as they complained about the man named Vaughn Harlan. Who could blame them? He was, after all, an enabler of the behavior which resulted in the unexpected, violent start to my novel, HOW SWEET THE SOUND. I laughed as the members of the book club went on to talk about him and the other characters they found to be particularly infuriating as if they were holding a Monday morning gossip session at the local coffee shop. This is the part about writing a novel I hadn’t expected—when the fiction becomes reality. And it’s the reason why visiting with book clubs is my favorite part of the publishing journey. It’s one thing to have imaginary people carrying on in your own head. It’s a whole other thing when they begin carrying on in the heads and out of the mouths of others. “Tell me everything you liked—and especially what you didn’t like—about my book,” I tell the book club members when I introduce myself, because what riles them up is what makes the book real for…

In chatting with friends and beta readers about The Walsh Series, I hear one question with tremendous frequency: why architects? I’ll see that question, and raise it another: why not? We all know architects are smart—they’re the ones actually using all that algebra, geometry, and trigonometry the rest of us ignored in high school—and there’s nothing sexier than a big, ahem, brain. We also know they’re creative, and we need only glance around our cities and towns to see everyday art rising from the ground, or hear their roughly whispered fantasies. Now take that intellect and that inventiveness, and add to it a healthy dose of dedication to the craft. They let instinct guide their work, and they know when it feels just right. They also know something about expertly tailored suits, husky growls, and building desks that can stand up to the most intense meetings. The inner workings of the architect’s mind are complex, and lucky is the lover who gets to draw it all out. Here’s a sneak peek into the mind of Matthew Walsh, one of the most growly, bitey architects I’ve ever had the pleasure of writing. Architects are precise. I waited twenty-nine seconds. That seemed…

Ten authors, ten hot and sexy alpha bad boys—all in one deliciously yummy TALL, DARK & PARANORMAL box set—10 full length novels, 825,000 words of steamy paranormal pleasure, and all for just 99 cents! Fresh Fiction is pleased to welcome the authors of this blockbuster anthology to tell us a bit about each of their stories. FOREVER FREED by New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Laura Kaye FOREVER FREED was my first novel, and I was inspired to write it in quite an unusual way. In 2008, I experienced a mild traumatic brain injury that, as I healed, left me with a strong creative urge. I started taking guitar lessons and writing my first novel–fortunately I was better at the writing than the guitar playing! Three months later, I finished my first book, FOREVER FREED. The fact that the first thing I wrote was a vampire romance wasn’t surprising since, as a reader, all things paranormal had always been my first love. Hero Lucien Demarco’s character was very lively in my head and totally drove my writing of the story. SPELLBOUND by New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Opal Carew I’ve always loved wizards and magic,…

Do you like road trips? This year, we drove 2,138 miles and passed through 11 states—all in one week! Not a relaxing vacation, but it was lots of fun. There were several stops to visit family and friends that we hadn’t seen in a long time, plus a chance to explore states we hadn’t visited before. The multiple driving breaks at Cracker Barrel were an unexpected bonus, and I never did manage to beat the addictive triangle peg game! Visiting so many places made me reflect on why I chose rural Connecticut as the setting for my latest release, SHARE THE MOON. I’m not a native of the third smallest state in the nation, although I moved here over thirty years ago and kind of feel like I’m one. In that time, I’ve lived along the scenic waters of Long Island Sound, sampled the city life in Stamford, and now spend a quieter existence in the folksy town of Bethel. Even in this small state, there’s a great deal to see. I especially adore the more rural towns in the upstate region, where I often go winetasting, kayaking or seeking out a new restaurant. What I’ve noticed is how each…

A couple of days ago I received an email asking me to write an article for a national newsletter about the exotic locales of my books and how I researched them. The journalist also asked me what it was like to be a successful writer in this digital age. I made a cup of coffee and I sat for a while reflecting over the past three years since my debut book, Holiday Affair was contracted. My writing life is truly wonderful. There is a lot of hard work involved, but the benefits are enormous. Coming late to writing after a career in education meant to make an impact in this digital age, my books have to be of high quality and I had to be prolific. I now have thirteen different books available for sale (including two bundles), four more digital books written and in pre-production, and a three book print series contracted and underway. This has meant a very busy three years for me, but I have loved every minute of it. I have always been an observer of life and people. My online personality is a talkative one, responding to readers and interacting with other authors on a…

Audible.com has just signed a contract with Lindsay McKenna to produce audiobooks on ALL of her Wyoming Series! Plus, a second contract to create audiobooks on her two newest releases (titles to be announced later) for 2015. This is her “cowboy” series, set in Wyoming and mostly around the Jackson Hole area. “I have a great fondness for this town and have spent many happy days on vacation in the Grand Tetons National Park which sits just north of Jackson Hole,” Lindsay told Fresh Fiction staff. “And of course, there is Yellowstone National Park, another fifty miles up the road apiece. I’ve set some of my books in these and other locations that are found around there. I truly hope you enjoy these stories.” It is unusual for an audio company to take an author’s entire back list. Usually they want only the present book. For those who love audiobooks, stand by for Lindsay’s entire Wyoming Series to be produced. More information as Audible.com begins to make them available. Wyoming Series from HQN SHADOWS FROM THE PAST, HQN, December 2009. Beginning of the new saga-series, The Wyoming Series Book #1. Kamaria Trayhern’s book. Morgan’s Mercenaries Saga. Book 42. DEADLY IDENTITY, HQN, December…

Check out this excerpt from Christi Caldwell‘s latest installment in her Scandalous Season series, ALWAYS A ROGUE, FOREVER HER LOVE! Jonathan sucked in his breath as the spirited vixen who’d dealt rather handily with Lord Whitby a short while ago revealed herself. Here, in the closeness of his carriage, he could appreciate that which he’d not noted a short while ago. Her green gaze, the color of the richest emeralds, the fiery crimson curls piled high atop her head, and a smattering of freckles along her high cheek-bones. “You, sir, have something I want,” she breathed. Which was rather good for him, because he rather wanted her as well. A recalcitrant red curl tumbled free from the precarious arrangement of her locks. He followed the path of that captivating strand as it bounced and then fell, nestled in the slight gap in her cloak, between her breasts. Jonathan fixed his gaze on that crimson curl, never more jealous of a slip of hair than in that moment. He reached out and caught the siren’s lock. He raised it to his eyes, wishing it were day so the sun could bathe her in its light and illuminate the vibrancy of the…

I’m going to let you in on a secret. You may have noticed it. It may have escaped your attention when reading the back cover blurb or if you read FATHER BY CHOICE. Heck, it escaped my attention when I choose the names. Whether through some happy coincidence or my brain having connections already formed that I’m not even aware of, I did something I couldn’t undo. So, here’s my secret. When I wrote FATHER BY CHOICE, I already knew that Penny would be Luke Ward’s heroine in his book, ONE NIGHT WITH THE BEST MAN. I happily wrote Brady’s book and sent it off. It wasn’t until I was putting together the dreaded synopsis for Luke’s story and got stuck. Let me backtrack a little here. My surname choices are generally obtained from the list of most popular surnames in the U.S. I look down the list and pick one I like. Well, when I got stuck I figured I’d try to figure out what nationality Penny’s last name was. So I type into Google (it has this cool feature that shows you searched that were done similar to the start of yours) “Montgomery.” Can you guess what popped…

Set in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, CAUGHT IN THE ACT, the second installment in my sexy contemporary romance series, takes place in the fictional town of Independence Falls. (Some of you may remember the setting from the first book in the series, FULL EXPOSURE. Though I should point out that both books can be read as stand-alones.) The plot revolves around revenge, love, and logging. But the opening scene offers a glimpse into the Oregon that is close to my heart, my in-laws farm. My husband was born and raised in the Willamette Valley on acres of land with views that steal your breath away, especially when you’re visiting from Brooklyn, New York and long for mountains. About ten years ago, my husband (then boyfriend) gave me three cashmere goats for my birthday. He promised they would live with his mother on the farm. (Thank goodness! Our New York City landlords would have objected to livestock.) Fast-forward a decade and my mother-in-law now has a herd of fifty or so goats, and I still love visiting them. And yes, the pictures are all my mother-in-law’s goats! When I sat down to write the opening scene of CAUGHT IN THE ACT, I…