I hear Philadelphia Freedom by Elton John in my head anytime I even think about this book. SIX WEEKS OF LOVE & LARCENY (and the rest of The Secrets Trilogy) take place in Philadelphia, a city with a distinct personality that becomes a character of its own throughout the story, shaping the mood for every scene. Anyone who knows Philly knows it’s not only a vibrant city with a rich cultural history but is made up of a collection of neighborhoods that give it a small town feel and a fierce sense of pride among those who call it home. The characters are an authentic fit for this environment making them instantly feel real. The story introduces you to iconic locations, deep routed traditions, Philly lingo and the underlying fandom that unites the city – Go Birds! If the main characters in this book, Nikki and Lauren Taylor, had a theme song it would be Lean on Me by Bill Withers. Sisterhood is a central theme in the series and is celebrated throughout – not just when a warm hug is in order but also when either sister needs to hear it like it is. They experience some hardships that…

What is the title of your latest release?DESERT HEIST What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?When former Green Beret Nate Wilde’s doctoral proposal to search for the lost city of Ubar is rejected by the Harvard archaeology department, he partners with his former Special Forces teammates on an expedition through Yemen and into the Empty Quarter of Saudi Arabia, dodging terrorists and a shadowy Russian agent who will stop at nothing to prevent a discovery that holds secrets of both the past and prospects for the future. How did you decide where your book was going to take place?I spent a large portion of my life in the Middle East, and I’m an Arabic speaker, so using that region as a backdrop was a natural choice. Would you hang out with your hero in real life?I would! He’s always thinking and has plenty of historical theories that would keep me enthralled for hours. What are three words that describe your hero?Intelligent, Lethal, Resolved. What’s something you learned while writing this book?I broadened my knowledge and understanding of ancient history and learned a lot about hydrology in the Middle East. Do you edit as you draft or wait until you…

Welcome to Daybreak Island, our little slice of paradise on the East Coast! This island is the most beautiful place on earth, in my mind. It’s full of the best people you could have in a community, got gorgeous beaches, and best of all, it’s peaceful (aside from the crazy summer crowds). Granted, it’s gotten a little more exciting here since my granddaughter Maddie moved home. And that’s saying something – because, as the former police chief, I saw all the excitement. Which I guess in hindsight wasn’t much. We had our things, like stolen bikes and chickens running loose through the town square causing a ruckus during one very memorable July 4th event. We even had our share of real crime, like any town does. But I have to say we never saw as many dead bodies as we have lately, at least not in my time. I’m Leo Mancini, also known as Grandpa Leo, and I’ve lived on Daybreak Island my entire life. My dad too, and his dad before him. As a matter of fact, the house we (me, my granddaughters Maddie and Val, their significant others, and multiple cats and dogs) live in was built by…

What is the title of your latest release?A PENANCE FOR CROWS What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?An unnerving, hypnotic, modern gothic thriller set on a remote Irish island, where an artist is caught between deadly secrets, ancient superstition, and echoing madness. How did you decide where your book was going to take place?While I was driving around the Beara Peninsula in Ireland a few years ago. Would you hang out with your heroine in real life?Absolutely. Grizela is a bit of an oddball, and I’ve always been drawn to quirky people. What are three words that describe your hero?loyal, damaged, protective. What’s something you learned while writing this book?A lot about diabolical signatures and Irish folklore. Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?I wait until I’ve finished the first draft. After that I put it to one side for a few months (sometimes years), then come back to it with fresh eyes. What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?Cheese Describe your writing space/office!A study with a Victorian desk (a gift from my husband that I love!), bookcases, piles of books, and mood boards for my current WIP. Who is an author you admire?Terry Pratchett….

Unlike other books I’ve written, this one didn’t come with a built-in playlist. Instead, I found perfect songs along the way – sort of like Cal and Annie found love while running around looking for their missing taxidermy goose. “Myth” – Beach HouseBaltimore dream pop band Beach House feels like such an obvious pairing with WILD GOOSE CHASE, which primarily takes place in the city. This song in particular is about the myths we construct to explain our lives to ourselves, and how sometimes we need to let go of the idealized version of the past we’ve been holding onto so we can embrace the present. It’s very much what Cal Leitner is dealing with as he tries to move on from his previous relationship and the passing of his beloved mentor. “Ladies Don’t Play Guitar” – TennisThe line “I can be the archetype of whatever you’re feeling” is so Annie O’Neill-coded. Pretending to be the perfect version of a woman that men want is something Annie wound up doing a lot in her twenties and has since grown tired of. Cal is the first partner she’s ever had who’s only ever known the real her, and the intimacy of…

I’ve been a fan of Marilyn Levinson since I discovered her Haunted Library series. This is a book lovers dream – a library, a resident ghost and a cat. I was hooked from the first page and invited Marilyn to sit down for a chat. I love your Haunted Library series and especially the library setting. Did you have to do much research to discover the day-to-day workings of a library? I think your readers love the “behind the scenes” look you provided.Thank you, Mary. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed reading the Haunted Library series. I’ve spent so much time in libraries, I know how they work. When I had questions regarding issues such as finances and new construction, I asked a dear friend whose position in my library was very similar to Carrie’s. The series includes a resident ghost, Evelyn, and a cat named Smoky Joe. And I see you are a cat lover, like many mystery writers and readers. What is the connection between cats and mysteries, do you think?Yes, I am a cat lover! Cats have a bad rep when in fact they have many wonderful qualities. True, not all are warm and fuzzy but many are. In…

Book: THE MORTAL ENEMY MURDER CLUBCharacter: Mandy Thorne Mandy Thorne bursts into the café like a wrecking ball, fifteen minutes late for our meeting. “Someone’s trying to kill me!” she exclaims as soon as she spots me. And just like that, our interview has begun. What do you mean, someone is trying to kill you?Mandy: Do I need to spell it out for you? M is for murder, as in the thing someone is trying to do to me. K is for the very real, very large knife that someone has left inside my home. T is for the threatening texts I’ve been receiving from an anonymous number. My god, it’s effing Sesame Street in here! Have you gone to the police?Mandy: Of course not! They – especially that annoying and also annoyingly handsome Detective McBroody – have it out for me. They’re mad that my podcast – the award-winning Dish Served Hot podcast all about revenge stories – has been doing their job for them and putting away criminals. Didn’t you get it wrong last time? And weren’t you shown to have made up information?Mandy: It’s called journalism. Not that I’d expect you to understand. Um, right. Weren’t you…

Instead of trying to find your perfect match in a dating app, we bring you the “Author-Reader Match” where we introduce you to authors you may fall in love with. It’s our great pleasure to present Daniel Hurst! Writes:Twist-filled psychological thrillers in domestic settings. Think lying husbands, vengeful wives, naughty neighbors and secrets in suburbia. Who can you trust? Not even the local doctor. If you disagree, read my bestselling book, THE DOCTOR’S WIDOW, and see what you think then! About:Tall, dark, Englishman seeks avid readers who love shocks and surprises in their stories. While I am a perfect gentleman, my male characters are not. They live double lives, they make mistakes, and they try to keep it all a secret from their loyal wives. But like all women this author has met, my female characters are strong, independent, and willing to take action if they feel they have been wronged. If you like fierce females, mischievous men, and twisty tales that could actually happen in the real world, even on your street, then look no further than me and my books. Readers who are my ideal reader match enjoy:• Loves fast-paced, pulse-racing psychological thrillers• Wants to feel the gut-punch…

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.

What is the title of your latest release? HOW TO KILL A CRIME WRITER What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Erk! The story is a bit too bonkers to be summed up in a sentence, but I’ll give it a go: HOW TO KILL A CRIME WRITER is a darkly humorous mystery novel about the introverted daughter of a murdered crime writer who reluctantly joins forces with an impossible private investigator to track down her mother’s killer. How did you decide where your book was going to take place? Partly out of laziness. It’s basically set exactly where I currently live: an extremely rural, tumbledown cottage on the borders of Wales and the county of Shropshire. The only difference is that I don’t have any human neighbors.  Would you hang out with your heroine in real life? Yes.  What are three words that describe your hero? Introverted, dark-humored, cake-addict. What’s something you learned while writing this book? That when you’re grieving your recently deceased husband, it’s a bad idea to attempt to write a romcom, which is why I decided to write a murder mystery instead.  Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally…