1–What is the title of your latest release? WAYWARD GIRLS 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? “A wrenching but life-affirming novel based on a true story of survival, friendship, and redemption when six girls come together in a Catholic reform school in 1960s Buffalo, NY.” 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? The book decided for me! I learned of a real place in Buffalo, run by nuns, where “wayward girls” were sent and forced to work like inmates, up until the early 1970s. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Absolutely. By now, Mairin O’Hara would be about ten years older than me, and she’s the ultimate wise woman, shaped, scarred, and uplifted by her long, eventful life. I’d love to hear more about her daring escape from the Magdalene laundry (Catholic run reform school). 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Impulsive, free-spirited, irrepressible. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? Wow, what DIDN’T I learn? As a child in the 60s, I remember more than one babysitter who “went away,” a euphemism for girls sent away when they became pregnant. The more I learned, the…

July has arrived and the humidity is high here in Central Pennsylvania! My curly hair is having quite the week, and I think it has a mind of its own, but it does at least behave for my wonderful hairstylist, Brandi! Woohoo! And how does that lead into my list for this month? Well, Brandi just came back from a lovely beach vacation, so I was thinking let’s look at some fabulous beach setting reads! First, we have A CALL FOR KELP: A Beachfront Cozy Mystery (Seaside Café Mysteries, 4) by Bree Baker. This is an absolutely delightful book set at a seaside café. I adore the cast and the wonderful way the story is told. Total nailbiter and was not prepared for the ending but it was wonderful! Second up, we have BEACHES, BUNGALOWS, & BURGLARIES (A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery Series Book 1) by Tonya Kappes. I just love everything that Tonya Kappes writes so it’s no surprise that this grabbed me and kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end. The quirky characters and southern humor are right up my alley. Try it! You’ll love it! And last but certainly not least, we have…

In this week’s Jen’s Jewels, I’m so excited to bring you my heartfelt chat with the wonderful New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs about her latest novel, WAYWARD GIRLS. This isn’t just any story—it’s inspired by true events, hidden pieces of history, and Susan’s own childhood memories that came rushing back when she revisited her hometown. We talked about everything from the real-life Magdalene Laundries that shaped her research to the surprising “Easter eggs” she uncovered that bring the 1960s setting to life. Through it all, Susan shares how hope, resilience, and the unbreakable bond of friendship can shine even in the darkest times. If you’ve ever wondered what makes a story linger long after you’ve turned the last page, you won’t want to miss this behind-the-scenes look at WAYWARD GIRLS. Happy reading—and may this one stay with you, too. Jen: What sparked the idea for WAYWARD GIRLS? Was there one moment that made you say, I have to write this? Susan: I grew up in a small town in western New York, not far from Buffalo, but we moved overseas when I was a child. I never went back until 2021, when my big brother and I embarked…

1–What is the title of your latest release? THE WORLD’S GREATEST DETECTIVE AND HER JUST OKAY ASSISTANT 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? A brilliant Boomer detective and her spunky Gen Z assistant struggle to get along in this delightful, feel-good murder mystery. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? Answer: Years ago, I spent a few days at a beautiful resort on Vermont’s Lake Champlain. It was definitely the lap of luxury. All you had to do was eat, sleep, and enjoy as many activities as you wanted from all the ones available. Though the place was wonderful in many respects, life there was so perfectly curated that it brought out my suspicious side. I kept wondering what, if any, disreputable things might be going on behind the scenes. When I was looking for a place to stage my murder mystery, that resort immediately popped into my mind. It was perfect. I didn’t even consider anything else. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? I have it on good authority that neither Aubrey Merritt nor Olivia Blunt want to hang out with me. They’re really sick of the way…

1–What is the title of your latest release? SUCH GOOD PEOPLE 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? It’s 10 p.m. on a Thursday in the spring of her freshman year of college, and April is standing at the back of a crowded Manhattan bar waiting for her friend, Rudy, to arrive. Their eyes lock the moment he enters the room, and in an instant, lives and legacies are altered forever. Within hours, Rudy is arrested. Within days, April is expelled. Within weeks, he’s incarcerated. And within months, she meets Peter, a prodigious young attorney who makes her world recognizable again. Years later, April is happily living in Chicago married to Peter, a mother of three with a fulfilling career and standing yoga date with her girlfriends. On the eve of Peter’s election for local office, Rudy is up for parole. Headlines explode about April’s past, jeopardizing Peter’s campaign and everything they hold dear. Suddenly, April is faced with an impossible choice: protecting the life she created, or the person who sacrificed everything to make that life a possibility. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? Having grown up in a borough of NYC,…

We had an absolute blast during our Fresh Fiction Video Book Club with the witty and wonderful Jessica Anya Blau, author of SHOPGIRLS—a charming, chaotic, and delightfully fashionable novel inspired by her real-life experiences working at the iconic I. Magnin department store in the late 1980s. Set in the glittering world of luxury retail, SHOPGIRLS takes readers behind the scenes of a San Francisco department store full of unforgettable saleswomen, loyal customers, and a main character named Zippy who’s just trying to keep it all together—while making paper dolls on the side. Yes, that part’s true. Jessica really did that. From praying in the fitting room to surviving on rice and buying her first blouse with a commission check, Jessica shared the real stories that inspired her novel—including tips from cosmetic counter queens (always moisturize up!) and a sweet tribute to her favorite co-worker, Miss Nina, who helped her see the magic in the madness. We also dove into her screenwriting work (Love on the Run, MARY JANE), her unique storytelling voice, and the challenges of writing fiction that’s rooted in truth. And if you’re wondering about her glam beauty routine, just know it involves night cream and good lighting……

1–What is the title of your latest release? SOULGAZER! It comes from the name I gave my middle niece when she was a baby, who’d stare into your eyes like she could spell out your whole history in a blink. She’s also who this book is dedicated to! 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? On the eve of her wedding to a cruel king, Saoirse runs away with a rakish pirate who swears he can get rid of her deadly magic if she uses it to find a lost isle of myth first. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? Three things: 1) I was obsessed with Gráinne ní Mháille (Grace O’Malley) throughout high school thanks to the musical, The Pirate Queen. If you listen to the keynote song, “Woman,” you’ll see Saoirse from my book! 2). Song of the Sea was my comfort movie during the pandemic, which brought the purest, sad girl, Irish coastal vibes with whimsical animation and lyrical storytelling. 3). It came to me in a dream (I wish I was joking). But while I was heavily inspired by Ireland, the Irish language, the landscape, and its roots in…

1–What is the title of your latest release? MUTED: VOLUME ONE! 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? An emotionally guarded lesbian blood witch learns how to feel again thanks to the efforts of a charismatic fire witch as well as the flower demon that she accidentally summoned and is trying to hide from her family. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? New Orleans and swamps are inherently powerfully magical places so to me having it as a city that has a tie to a magical parallel world makes sense. Also setting it in the modern day I felt would help the audience slip right into the core of the story without having to explain too much! 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? I would hang out with her, sure. I think the issue is that Camille wouldn’t want to hang out with ME, haha, at least not in volume one since she is at her most reserved and introverted. And also, I don’t have the same level of convincing charm that Nyra has to pull her out of her shell and get her to experience things. 5–What are…

When summer rolls around, there’s nothing better than escaping into the pages of a book that feels as magical and transportive as a vacation itself. Romantic fantasy novels offer a perfect blend of spellbinding world-building, heart-stopping romance, and characters whose stories stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page. Whether you’re lounging on the beach, sipping iced tea on your porch, or retreating from the heat in an air-conditioned nook, these stories promise a getaway into realms filled with intrigue, passion, and a touch of the extraordinary. What makes romantic fantasy such a perfect companion to summer reading? These novels transport readers to magical lands, whether they’re inspired by mythology, fairy tales, or entirely unique universes. With sweeping love stories as their heart, they promise drama, danger, and the thrill of possibility. Most of all, they give us characters who feel so real, their emotions and challenges resonate deeply. Below are some standout books to bring along on your summer escape and each offers something unique, whether it’s lush prose, irresistible romance, or unforgettable twists. THE STAR-TOUCHED QUEEN This novel whisks readers into a world inspired by Indian mythology, filled with celestial magic and fated love. Maya, cursed…

Cody, Wyoming is the most patriotic town I have ever been in, with five days of celebrations around the Fourth of July. The first time we celebrated the 4th in Cody was in 2021 on our big 109-day go west trip. The second was when we lived in downtown Cody in 2023.   Here in North Carolina this year, we’re celebrating the fourth of July this weekend along with the release of my newest book, Montana Delta Rodeo Cowboy: Bodyguard Protector which has a scene which puts reader right into the stadium at the big rodeo stampede in Cody, WY on the fourth of July with the hero and heroine. Now let me take you back to our 2021 experiences. June 30th was the start, with the Extreme Bulls rodeo. We got tickets, and on the advice of a local, also got tickets to a nearby chuckwagon supper and show. After we ate, we could walk from the show to the stadium for the rodeo. Everything about the evening was amazing and I highly recommend this experience. There are three parades annually in Cody to celebrate the Fourth. One on the 3rd, one on the 4th, and they even have…