What is the title of your latest release?ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS CAROL What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?A storm forces Carol Langstrom’s flight to land in Michigan, and Carol (AKA Ms. Scrooge) spends the holidays on her estranged aunt’s snowbound farm instead of the sunny Bahamas where she’d hoped to escape Christmas (bah humbug!). But her unplanned visit helps her discover the real meaning of Christmas…and a bit of a romance. How did you decide where your book was going to take place?Because I set so many books in the Pacific Northwest, I try to stretch my borders. I needed a setting with an old-fashioned farm and charming small town, plus potential blizzard conditions. And I remembered driving through Michigan farmland a few years back and thought that could be perfect. Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?Absolutely! Both Carol and her widowed aunt felt like familiar old friends to me, or friends I’d like to know. That’s probably because they’re both composites of people I’ve known and know. What are three words that describe your protagonist?Dissatisfied, creative, energetic. What’s something you learned while writing this book?I’m not sure I learned anything new, but I…

My latest book in my Harlowe and Fitch Historical Mystery Series is MURDER AT THE JOUST. Lady Vivienne Harlowe has had a harrowing past. When bandits attacked her family on the road, her parents were killed, and her newborn baby and younger brother disappeared. To date the murder has not been solved, but she never gives up hope. Together with her childhood friend, and romantic intertest Sheriff Zachariah Fitch, they hunt down killers to help bring about justice for others who have also lost loved ones unjustly. With her bloodhound Grunt at her side, nothing will stop Vivienne from exposing that which is hidden. And this time, the king’s life is endangered . . . and she is about to confront him about something that might change her life forever in more ways than one. M is for murder, once againU is for Urgency to find a killerR is for Revenge, which might be the killer’s motiveD is for Dog, Lady Vivienne’s bloodhound, GruntE is for Exposed, Something comes to the surface that surprises everyoneR is for Romance, or an attraction between Vivienne and Zachariah that is slowly growing A is for Assassination attempt on the kingT is for Tournament,…

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.

Success is tricky to define. It is a personal barometer. Wealth, health, and social media likes are a few examples. It can also be fleeting. Success should also be reality based. Ego is easy, but the paperwork to back it up is hard. Success is earned through dedicated work and active participation. It isn’t bestowed. Like recognition and respect, others should notice without prompting. Big and small successes should be celebrated. For example, my boss lost a pound and had a piece of cake. Be prepared to seize opportunities, they only come around once and have an expiration date. Observe successful people and take notes. Be ready to combine hustle, sacrifice, stamina, and dedication. Overnight success takes years of planning and perseverance to be ready for the moment. Recognize opportunities, think outside the box, especially if you’re not sure what’s in the box. Give thanks and credit because no one succeeds alone. If you need inspiration, look at book dedications and acknowledgements. Some authors go on for pages. For me, success is inner confidence, never let them see you sweat. Cautious optimism, open to possibilities and prepared to fail. Well thought out decisions, a jump too soon or too late,…

Excerpt from THE LADY AND THE LION – Victorian Outcast 10 – Barbara Russell One London, 1866 From now on, Vivienne would do as she pleased and always express her opinions without caring about what other people thought of her; she hoped Mother was all right with that.As a good start to her new resolution, she’d convinced her mother to let her see the show of Cade’s Circus of Curiosities, the event of the moment. Everyone in London talked about the famous travelling circus with no animals, acrobats, or magicians; the attractions were extraordinary people with unique skills.In the carriage with Mother and their maid, Dobkins, Vivienne couldn’t sit still. It was so rare that Mother allowed her to go out, for an event that wasn’t a tea party or a ball, that London seemed like a foreign city with its cobbled streets and imposing red brick buildings.“Human curiosities,” Mother said in a disapproving tone. Her mourning black gown added an aura of gloominess to everything she said. “They will attract hundreds of people from all over the city.”“Exactly.” Vivienne nodded. “Isn’t that exciting?”“Not in the least.” Mother stroked absentmindedly the small silver case where a lock of dear late…

What is the title of your latest release?THE REBELLIOUS COUNTESS, The Scandalous Sisters Book 2 What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?Society may be run by the men of the ton, but six scandalous sisters are determined to take it by storm one gentleman at a time—and this time Elias Drake will be down on his knees begging the countess to take him back. How did you decide where your book was going to take place?I knew a certain gentleman needed to be rescued from French custody. My research revealed Mont St. Michel was used by the French to imprison political prisoners during the 1800s and when I looked it up on-line, I fell in love. As a romance writer you can’t asked for more than that. Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?I would probably hang out with ‘Hag’ the tavern owner more than most of the characters in The Rebellious Countess because let’s face it, she’s the closest to my age (and even she’s not that close.) But also, I’m married so Elias is a no-go, and Hag is a kick-ass-and-take-names kind of woman. Together we’ll raise Máira to follow in our footsteps. What…

As summer winds down and we begin to embrace the cozy comforts of fall, there’s no better time to dive into a heartfelt story that explores second chances, love lost and found, and the winding journey toward home. In this week’s Jen’s Jewels, bestselling author Jenny Hale joins me to chat about her latest emotionally rich novel, WHERE ARE YOU NOW. From a spontaneous creative spark on her front porch to the pages of a story set between bustling New York City and the quiet charm of Marrowbone Lake, Jenny opens up about her writing process, her inspirations, and what she hopes readers will take away long after the final page. Jen: WHERE ARE YOU NOW weaves themes of second chances, faith, and fate. What first sparked the idea for Ava’s journey?Jenny: This book literally came to me like some sort of divine download. I got the whole thing in one thought while sitting on my front porch one day. Jen: The setting shifts between New York City and Marrowbone Lake near Nashville. How did you choose these locations, and what role do they play in the story’s tone?Jenny: I wanted very juxtaposed locations to illustrate Ava’s growth. One is…

This month, I’m interviewing Carolyn Curry, an award-winning author of fiction and nonfiction, a non-profit founder and director of Women Alone Together, and holds a PhD in history. Her doctoral studies in history helped to inspire her fascinating new novel, TRUDY’S AWAKENING, based on the life of Ella Gertrude Clanton Thomas, to be released on September 2nd. Marie: Thanks for making the time to talk with me today, Carolyn. Tell me, when did you first learn about Ella Gertrude Clanton Thomas, known as Trudy in your new novel, and why did you find her so intriguing? Carolyn: Believe it or not, I was in graduate school way back in the 1980s, working on myPHD in history. There was so little about women in the history books back then. I wasalways asking, “Where are the women?” They were left out. I wanted to help remedy that absence. I went to my advisor, Dr. John Matthews,and told him I wanted to write a biography of a 19th century woman, preferably a Georgiawoman. I would have to find someone who had left primary sources, such as letters, ordiaries. Since women were private, there would be very little in secondary sources.Then I hit the…

Each Friday the Smashwords store reports the bestselling indie fiction titles based on the previous week’s sales. If an author has more than one title eligible for the list, only the highest performing title will be included. This ensures high-performing titles receive the accolades they deserve, while providing up-and-coming authors the visibility they have earned. Don’t miss Monday’s Top 10 Hot Preorders List, where Smashwords will provide a list of the most highly anticipated ebook preorders.

Book Title: WHAT THE DEAD CAN DOCharacter Name: Aidan How would you describe your family or your childhood?Perfectly normal. There’ll be a time way down the line when I allow people to find out what I’ve done, how many souls I’ve taken, and that answer—perfectly normal—will be unfathomable to them. What people decide to think about my upbringing will be out of my control. But, for me, it was perfectly normal, or at least what society deems perfectly normal. White picket fences and block BBQs, I can assure you. What was your greatest talent?As a kid? Hiding things. Still is. Hiding what types of things?Things you don’t want people to ever find. External and internal. Significant other?I’m no Romeo, but I’ve had my share of partners. Until recently, I had my eye on someone new, but I am dealing with something unholy inconvenient at the moment. Biggest challenge in relationships?Being honest about everything. Which I believe is the most important pillar of any successful relationship. Turns out there are no real-world Mallory Knoxes in the world—at least I haven’t met one yet. Mallory Knoxes?If you know, you know. Clearly, you don’t, but you can Google her. Where do you live?Stamford,…