In honor of Black History Month, I decided to highlight some supernaturally awesome reads by Black authors. Faye Princess series by Layla J. Omorose If you like epic romantasy, you’ll love this slightly dark, slow burn spicy series! DARKNIGHT: ANCIENT BLOODLINES by Layla J. Omorose Faye Princess #1 His worth will be measured by the strength of her love… A Runaway Princess… Tara Du’Faye, Second High Princess of the Faye, has had it with the King’s demands. Fleeing the palace, she is captured by a world of savagery and black majick. She prays her warrior can find her before she is consumed by the dark walls of the Arena, A Warrior Without A Past… Alexios is the commander of the Faye Army, and a male, whose past is covered in darkness. Vicious in battle, deadly by nature, there is nothing he wouldn’t do to ensure the safety of those he cares for. Especially, the Second High Princess of the Faye. Searching for her will change him forever as darkness draws closer to the kingdom he left unprotected. Forbidden Love… Can a warrior, who had deemed himself unworthy, and a princess, whose only concern is claiming the one thing she cannot have, come…
Once upon a time, I used to present a writing workshop on “Crafting Killers” to new writers. Why did I focus my talk on killers? It’s because I think the villains in books are just as important as the protagonists. A “good” villain can make or break a book. After all, a “good” villain will stay with you long after a story has ended. (Looking at you, Hannibal Lecter!) For today’s post, I thought I’d hit on a few key points when it comes to crafting a powerful villain. I have two main guidelines for villains: Good villains must command attention. A good villain will shock, surprise, and keep a reader on the edge of his/her seat. I believe that every character has a backstory. When a writer starts to create the villain, the villain’s origin has to be understood. Is the villain bad because of nature or nurture? Or a combination of both elements? I encourage authors to ask these questions about their villains: How did your villain come to be so wicked? What turned her/him into this being? Is your villain’s “wickedness” due to nature or nurture? What is the level of evil for this character? After all,…
Ellen Feldman is a 2009 Guggenheim Fellow, and the author of nine riveting and insightful works of historical fiction. Ellen has been on my radar ever since I read her debut novel, LUCY, back in 2003. I was impressed even her even then but she seems to have gone from strength to strength ever since. Her latest book, THE TROUBLE WITH YOU, released on February 20th, is the work of writer at the top of her game. I’m grateful to Ellen for taking the time to answer some questions about the book, and her writing life. Q: Please introduce us to THE TROUBLE WITH YOU. What is the basic plot and premise, and where did you find your inspiration for the story? A: THE TROUBLE WITH YOU is the story of Fanny Fabricant, a woman raised to be a wife and mother, who suddenly finds she is only half that description and must rear her small daughter and support both of them on her own. The inspiration for the book was the fate of women, my mother’s generation, in the postwar world. During WWII, men went off to fight and women came out of the home to work in…
For the month of Valentine’s Day, we’ll look at the world of Hollywood and entertainment glamour through novels that feature three real-life scenarios and one entirely fictional one. Though the time frames vary, the price of ambition and the cost of fame remain constant factors—and often bring heartache. We begin chronologically with FROM DUST TO STARDUST by Kathleen Rooney, based on the real life of silent film star Colleen Moore. In 1916, fourteen-year-old Eileen Sullivan travels from Chicago to Hollywood with her beloved Irish grandmother, dreaming of stardom. After her uncle arranges a screen test with Cecile B. DeMille, she takes the screen name “Doreen O’Dare” and begins working her way up. By the late 1920s, she’s become one of the most famous (and highest paid) stars of the silent film world, an “It” girl who popularized the bobbed haircut—and suffers the heartache a life-long forbidden love. Despite the pain of failed marriages, when her career fades after her first three talking pictures fail to hit it big, her astute investments allow her to retire from acting as a rich woman. Continuing to invest wisely, she’s able to indulge her second passion—dollhouses, funding the construction of a Fairy Castle she…
February is a rollercoaster of a month. What will that capricious rodent in Pennsylvania say about spring? Who will win the Super Bowl? Will Valentine’s Day be swoon-worthy or another yawn? And when will this shortest of months that can seem so long ever end? Obviously, there’s only one solution. Lose yourself in a good book! Recent articles have suggested the vast majority of human beings on the planet read very few or no books at all each year, but between traditional publishers and courageous indies, several MILLION new volumes appear annually. So we who love to read can ALWAYS find a title to please. And throughout these northern hemisphere long nights, I have found numerous lovely reads to share. First up, a delicious, full-sensory escape to a windswept Irish island, aptly named “Salvation,” in Josie Silver’s ONE NIGHT ON THE ISLAND. The title is misleading as the story actually unfolds over several nights, but I think it was chosen in keeping with the author’s earlier, and equally enthralling, ONE DAY IN DECEMBER. Ms. Silver’s books are not for readers who like their romances jam-packed with lengthy courtships and banter. No, she is a writer who tortures her readers most…
I can’t believe that it’s already the end of January. How is the new year going for you? Did you make any resolutions? If so, have you been keeping them? Each year, I try to make book resolutions. By that, I mean…I plan to create different reading goals each month. Do I always stick to these resolutions? Of course not. But I try! And making the resolutions is half the fun for me. For January, my resolution was to read a book by a new-to-me author. I kept seeing lots of interesting reels for BUTCHER AND BLACKBIRD by Brynne Weaver, so I thought I’d give that book a try. In case you’re not familiar with the title, the premise is that two serial killers fall in love. Considering that I am more than a bit serial killer obsessed (I spend too much time researching them for my books!), I had to give the story a try. I loved Brynne Weaver’s voice, and I found the book to be really different and fresh. I love fresh stories! Now I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the trilogy. Here are a few of my other book resolutions for the…
This month, I’m thrilled to be talking with one of my very favorite authors and human beings, Maddie Dawson! Maddie is a transplanted Southerner living in the Northeast, and the bestselling author of eleven novels. She specializes in humorous literary fiction about people stumbling toward love, family, connection, and hope – and usually finding it in the most unlikely circumstances. Her books have been translated into fifteen languages. Marie Bostwick: What was your journey from mild-mannered civilian to multi-published author? Maddie Dawson: Ha! My journey toward fiction writing actually began on a hot day in Florida when I was six years old, and I wanted money for the ice cream man, and my mama said no. And so I stomped into my room and wrote a story about a king who slept for three hours and forty-five seconds. I glued the pages together and went door to door until I’d sold my book for 25 cents, which was enough for two banana popsicles! TWO OF THEM. To my shock, my mother was furious with me for “bothering” the neighbors, but the lesson I came away with was quite different from what she intended: writing was going to provide me with…
By now you’ve probably seen many lists in many subgenres of most anticipated romances coming out this year. I decided I want to highlight some Indie and small press books, since they tend to be overlooked, and you can find hidden gems. January 2nd EYES OPEN, a Ruskin City Novel by Devin M Cressman This gritty urban fantasy romance with a very possessive and protective alpha hero is available now! EYES OPEN by Devin Cressman Ruskin City #1 It has been three years since Kendra woke up in Ruskin City Memorial Hospital with no memory of what happened or who she was. And for the past three years, she’s made a life for herself with new friends and loved ones. She became one of the most respected enforcers throughout the city and somehow managed to develop a friendly acquaintance with one of the most feared crime bosses around town. Her comfortable world, however, begins to tear apart around her when Roland Skaustrand barges into her life and tips everything on it’s axis. Now she’s stuck with him as her shadow and torn between the need to protect him and the burning desire to ram her knife into his gut. It doesn’t help…
I know what you’re thinking. The holidays are over – but not at Mermaid Bay’s absolutely adorable year-round Christmas Shoppe! Who doesn’t buy a holiday ornament while on vacation? I think I could fill two trees with destination ornaments, so this memorable series grabbed my attention right away, especially when I read about secondary character Peppermint Patti. Score! Rest easy dear reader, mystery author Heather Weidner isn’t writing about Saint Nick in January, in her second Mermaid Bay Christmas Shoppe Mystery, TWINKLE TWINKLE AU REVOIR she’s celebrating another special holiday with St. Valentine! Cozy authors know all about the best meet cutes in fiction, they just like to do it with towns, pets, secondary characters, and if there’s a love interest involved you’re sure to get a heartwarming introduction there too – Nick – Weidner’s buff sheriff version of the saint who likes to deliver gifts of justice all year round. With her love theme set from page one, Ms. Weidner takes readers on a delightful trip through Mermaid Bay which looks the same as it did in the 1950s – the perfect setting for the Love Channel’s television production of My Coastal Valentine. Are you in love yet? I…
Happy New Year, Everyone! So many opportunities: new reading challenges, new authors to try, new genres to explore, and resolutions to abandon! You’re reading this at Fresh Fiction, where we obviously celebrate “fiction,” particularly romance. But in honor of new beginnings, allow me to alter course for just a moment with a few non-fiction titles. This year, like so many previous years, I resolved to improve my fitness and devote time to meditation (and if I can’t stick with meditation, then at least more mindfulness). To that end, I was delighted to come across Brett Larkin’s new book, YOGA LIFE Habits, Poses, and Breathwork to Channel Joy Amidst the Chaos. I’ve certainly got the chaos, so I’m grateful to anything that helps channel joy. Fortunately, the author understands that few readers or listeners will become devoted yogis, so she wisely parcels out suggestions to incorporate a little here, a little there, leading to results that compound like a high-yield CD. I’m never going to master a headstand, but even I can remember to do some deep, slow breathing whenever stress starts to build. Santa was kind enough to bring me a copy of Patrick Stewart’s MAKING IT SO, and I’ve…