What is the title of your latest release?A CROWN SO CURSED What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?Hot Fae gets a second chance with the love of his life—real-life historical heroine, Gwendolyn of Cornwall. How did you decide where your book was going to take place?This was easy! The entire series took place in ancient Britain, and I was a little constrained in my storytelling to make sure that the story held true to the real-life Gwendolyn. Even though it’s historical fantasy, with hot Faeries, trolls, and demigods, I couldn’t veer too far from historical accounts of Gwendolyn’s life. Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?Oh, yeah! He’s a hero after my own heart, and she’s a bad-ass woman. What are three words that describe your protagonist?Some of this story is told from the hero’s perspective, and it’s quite dark. Even though the majority of the POV is Gwendolyn’s, I really feel Malik is the main protagonist here, and so I’ll focus on him. Three words? Jaded, dark, and loyal. What’s something you learned while writing this book?I adore giving free rein to my imagination, and really enjoyed creating this world. I’m really looking forward to…

What is the title of your latest release?IN DEADLY COMPANY What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?IN DEADLY COMPANY is Such a Fun Age meets Knives Out. It’s a diverse, twisty whodunit with humorous social commentary about the modern workplace. How did you decide where your book was going to take place?I knew part of the story was going to be set in Hollywood because the main character is watching a movie production based on her real-life experiences of what happened during the party weekend where several people, including her boss, were killed. The rest of the story (flashbacks told from different characters’ perspectives) is set in Hudson Valley, New York, because I wanted a setting that had gravitas and showed the wealth of the spoiled one-percenters. Hudson Valley has several historic mansions, including those once owned by the Mills family and Vanderbilts. Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?Absolutely! Nicole Underwood, my protagonist, is a complicated woman who makes some not-so-great decisions but she has her redemption arc by the end. She’d at least have some great stories to tell. What are three words that describe your protagonist?Complex, smart, and conniving What’s something you learned…

Book: BENEATH THE DEVIL’S MASKCharacter: Lady Anne Fairhaven How would you describe your family?I was the youngest of three daughters born to a country gentleman and a fashionable London beauty. Although we were not wealthy, when my father died, he left a respectable widow’s jointure for my mother and modest dowries for his three girls. Still, my mother was ambitious, hoping to make brilliant marriages for her daughters – well, at least for my two older sisters. Lily was the family beauty, Corrine noted for her charm and wit. As for me, Mama deemed me pretty enough, but far too quiet and shy. My greatest attraction for any man would be my appearance of virtue, goodness and obedience. And those were the traits I learned to cultivate in myself. What was your greatest talent?I learned the usual things respectable young ladies are taught, a little music, a little French, a little dancing. I am accomplished at needlework, and I am an avid reader, although this latter activity was not encouraged by my mother. What was your marriage like?My first husband, Sir Gerald Fairhaven was a respectable baronet. Ours was not a love match, but I believe we grew to be…

Exclusive Excerpt of THE CHRISTMAS HOUSE by Beverly Lewis Liz’s mind was going a mile a minute as she considered the news Dat had given her last evening. Adam seemed to be taking the sudden change of plans in stride, however, as King pulled the tour carriage at an unhurried trot this morning. When she’d asked him earlier if he was acquainted at all with Matt Yoder, Adam had admitted he was not. “But I wouldn’t fret about it, Lizzy. Dat wouldn’t’ve picked him to fill in if he had any concerns.” Liz figured that, but she also knew she would miss the comfortable back-­and-­forth she and Adam shared during the tours. With her brother, she really only had to think about the customers—­something she’d been hard-­pressed to do this morning, and he wasn’t even gone yet. How would it be with a new guy at her side? But there was no time to ponder that now. Liz turned toward the passengers seated behind her and put on a smile as she shared a bit of the history of Hickory Hollow. “Back in the 1730s, this plentiful land drew Amish settlers to farm here. My ancestors considered farming a sacred…

This month I dove deep into a darker mystery that I found thoroughly compelling. Not only did it catch my eye, it’s a revisit to one of the author’s earlier series in a macabre story that offers something unique—a hero who isn’t the hero of the story. LOL, only the author can explain that statement, and I have to say I found bestselling author Stuart MacBride highly entertaining on and off the page. Kym: Welcome to The Cozy Corner on Fresh Fiction, Stuart!Stuart: Pleased to be here, with a nice cup of tea and a reasonably priced biscuit. And I love what you’ve done with the place, very … booky. Which is always good. Kym: LOL, I’m glad I could create the perfect ‘booky’ corner for you. A couple times a year I get lured away from cozy mysteries on The Cozy Corner and into the darker side of mysteries, add in a little bit dark humor and I’m all in. That’s exactly what you brought to my library with THIS HOUSE OF BURNING BONES, a Detective Inspector Logan McRae mystery. How did the series get started 20 years ago?Stuart: I’d always been a big fan of crime fiction, ever…

When I wrote TOM CLANCY TERMINAL VELOCITY, I had a soundtrack in my head—one that echoed the grit, defiance, and raw patriotism of Jack Ryan Jr. as he races against time to stop a global catastrophe. These songs aren’t just background noise—they’re the heartbeat of the story. Can’t Get No Satisfaction – The Rolling StonesJack Ryan Jr. is never satisfied with surface answers. He digs deeper, questions everything, and pushes past bureaucratic roadblocks to get to the truth. Keep on Rocking in the Free World – Neil YoungThis anthem of freedom and resistance mirrors Jack’s fight to preserve liberty in a world teetering on the edge of chaos. Simple Man – Lynyrd SkynyrdAt his core, Jack is a man of principle. Raised by a legendary father, he’s guided by values that are simple, strong, and unwavering. Won’t Back Down – Tom PettyWhether facing foreign agents or internal betrayal, Jack stands his ground. This song is his mantra. Hippies and Cowboys – Cody JinksJack doesn’t fit the mold. He’s a rebel in a suit, a cowboy in the intelligence world—doing things his way, no matter the cost. These tracks fuel the adrenaline and emotion behind TOM CLANCY TERMINAL VELOCITY. They’re the…

What is the title of your latest release?A SPELL TO WAKE THE DEAD What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?One moonlit night, two best friends find a body washed up on a beach, missing its hands and teeth. They decide to investigate, using witchcraft to contact the spirit of the dead woman … and end up in way over their heads. How did you decide where your book was going to take place?I grew up on Cape Cod, and it’s an interesting place because for three months of the year, it transforms into a vacation paradise, but for the rest of the year, it’s just a normal place where regular people live. I wanted to show that side of the Cape, and especially the darker, windier, emptier vibe that you get in the fall and winter. Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?Absolutely! I’d love to go shopping with Mazzy and Nora at their local metaphysical store or go stargazing at the beach (but not do any spells there!). What are three words that describe your protagonist?Introspective, yearning, kind What’s something you learned while writing this book?I learned that horseshoe crabs have ten legs! I’ve seen…

Book Title: HOUSE OF MONSTROUS WOMENCharacter Name: Hiraya Ranoco, heiress to the Ranoco house and all its secrets How would you describe your family or your childhood?In a word? Tense. The Ranoco family are like Joro spiders. We may all live in the same ancient, tangled web, but we’re always just a hair away from cannibalizing each other. There’s just so much bitterness and resentment… and it isn’t helped by the reputation we have in every town we visit. Everyone thinks we’re aswang or witches… that we’re there to eat babies straight from the womb or claw up the dead from fresh graves. And if not that, then we’re there to seduce men and curse the crops. Only half of that is true, but the assumption still hurts, especially when you’re a child. What was your greatest talent?I like to think I’m charming… but in truth, my greatest talent is luring people to me. With sweet words or lies or promises—whatever it takes. I’ve gotten very good at it. Significant other?Of course not. A Ranoco woman in love? That’s a fate worse than death. There’s only suffering down that road. And yet… despite everything, I can’t help but think of…

Book: CINEMATIC DESTINIESCharacter name: Jean Mercier What is your profession?Filmmaker. Where do you live?Paris, but I’m a nomad. I seek out exotic locations for my films and live in seclusion with the cast and crew. My latest film is set in various locations in Iceland. Why did you choose to film there?It is otherworldly. Transporting. The landscape is actually ugly in a way, all the brown and black rocks and dirt as far as one can see. Yet it’s spectacularly beautiful and singular too. Breathtaking. Almost as if the ugliness has turned inward on itself, creating something extraordinary, something one can hardly turn away from. Beauty from despair. Like much in this wasteland we call life. You’re known for being a bit dystopian.We are who we are. Life is what it is. There’s no need to sugarcoat it. What can you reveal about the other locations for the film?We are filming a pivotal scene in Lake Myvatin, the most beautiful place I have ever seen. But beware of the midges. The region is named after swarms of small black flies called midges. They only live for seven days. Beauty always has another side. I quite love the midges. They are…

What is the title of your latest release?IF IT MAKES YOU HAPPY What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?A newly divorced woman moves to a small town in Vermont to run her mom’s bed and breakfast, only to find an unexpected friendship with the charismatic single dad next door. Set to the backdrop of autumn 1997, this is a slow burn love story exploring friendship, grief, and how to fall in love again. How did you decide where your book was going to take place?I wanted that cozy feel of a small, northeastern town with all the perfect fall imagery. During my research, the beautiful autumn leaves of Vermont kept popping up! It was perfect. Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?Honestly, I don’t think so! I absolutely adore Michelle, but she keeps to herself, and only extroverted people like Cliff can break that barrier. I’m far too shy! What are three words that describe your protagonist?Driven, private, loyal What’s something you learned while writing this book?I learned SO many things it’s hard to know where to start! For one, I know a lot more about baking than I ever did before. Cliff is the local…