Ever wonder about authors who can take you from the young adult to beginning of adulthood? Today, our Sherri Morris talked to Brigid Kemmerer about her latest novel, THICKER THAN WATER.. “THICKER THAN WATER is Brigid Kemmerer’s first book released since her Elemental series. Told in both Thomas and Charlotte’s point of views, their story begins at a slower pace but gradually escalates. Brigid Kemmerer is a new author for me so I don’t have any of her previous work to compare to. However, it has been awhile since a book has been able to suck me so far into it I just couldn’t stop reading. THICKER THAN WATER did that for me. Brigid Kemmerer’s writing style has a wonderful, captivating flow to it. She includes surprises and plot twists I did not see coming and created characters the reader can easily fall in love with. I cannot wait to get my hands on some of her other books!” from her review. You started writing in high school. What started you down this path and who influenced you during this time? I always loved reading when I was a kid, and I actually started writing even earlier than high school….

It’s that time of year! That’s right, you have to come up with an idea for all those people you don’t really know—at all! What do you give a teacher who has every apple under the sun, or your nosy neighbor you’d like to keep out of your business for at least one day during the holidays? Your cubicle mate whom you have nothing in common with beyond the daily gripping about the commute in to the office? What about your mother-in-law, or father-in-law? Or your personal assistant who carries you through the entire year and you’ve been so busy you haven’t even asked her/his favorite color (s/he deserves a cash bonus to be sure), but what if you want to add a personal touch to that bonus that says I did think about you beyond your monetary value? There’s nothing better than a mystery that has their interests at heart and in the cozy genre you are sure to find the perfect match. For instance, for that retired firefighter in your life, whether it be your neighbor or your mother-in-law, J.J. Cook has the perfect Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mystery release, SWEET PEPPER HERO. About SWEET PEPPER HERO Old…

I met Melissa Bourbon (Misa Ramirez) for the first time in 2009 at Barnes & Noble on the Texas Christian University Campus. I was new to the industry, having just joined RWA, and went out to support a writer on the release of her very first book, LIVING LA VIDA LOLA, A Lola Cruz Mystery. What I found was a quiet, cute, tall blond with a quick smile and a soft voice. This was the first (and only) time I’ve seen Misa wearing a conservative navy blue suit. Since then she’s let her inner artist take over at her book signings, so after ten cozy mysteries, two romantic suspense novels, one light paranormal romance, one how-to book, and one children’s book you’ll now find her wearing funky hats, sassy pig-tails with homemade wool beads or a bright scarf around her neck—she has grown into her National Best-selling Author shoes with style. Kym: Welcome back to the Cozy Corner, Misa! Misa: Wow, what a memory you have! A blue suit? Have I ever owned a blue suit??!! Kym: I love your Magical Dress Making Mystery Series set in Bliss, Texas. Can you tell our readers who or what inspired you to…

Great news! The newest book in the Saxon Series will be out next year AND the first book’s adaptation, THE LOST KINGDOM, has already entered into production. BBC will air the Matthew MacFayden (PRIDE AND PREJUDICE) drama in 2015, but until then catch up with Bernard Cornwell, author of THE EMPTY THRONE, in a exciting new Q&A. THE EMPTY THRONE is out on e-book, print, and audio on Tuesday, January 6th. Q.: You have now written eight books in the Saxon Tales series. How many more are planned? What is next in store for the characters? I wish I knew! I can’t plan a book, let alone a series, so every new tale is an adventure. I’ve always thought the joy of reading a book is ‘to see what happens’, and that’s also the pleasure of writing one. I usually have no idea what will happen in the next chapter, and the only way to find out is to write it! That said, there are one or two obvious pointers in the books so far – Uhtred will regain Bebbanburg and a new country, called England, will emerge from the long wars. Essentially the Saxon series is about that; the…

Lindsay McKenna, author of DOWN RANGE, sat down with our Janene Putman recently to discuss her newest release, what it’s like creating sexy military men, and pulling stories from her friend Michael Jaco. Trained to kill, but built for love… Captain Morgan Boland is at the top of her game, as is her former lover, Navy SEAL Jake Ramsey. Then a military computer selects them to partner in a special op. The mission can’t be compromised by their personal history—and they have truckloads of it. But the Afghan assignment might provide the discipline they need to finally get it together—outside the bedroom, that is. A lot has happened over the two years since they last went their separate ways. And there’s way more to Morgan than Jake has ever given her credit for….

I had the pleasure of attending a signing at the Chapters Book Store in Richmond, BC, on July 17th. Touted as a Teen Author Night, my expectations for this event were high. With four amazing authors consisting of Amanda Sun, Elsie Chapman, T. Rae Mitchell and Jeyn Roberts, I was very excited to get the three hour event started. As it happens though, my idea of an event and Chapters’ idea of an event apparently differ. I showed up expecting to hear the authors talk about their books, give future spoilers and maybe even have a reading or two from their books. What Chapters gave fans who showed up to meet these wonderful authors was an awkwardly laid out set up at the entrance of the store with three tables and four authors who had to just stand around for three hours in the hopes that people would wander over and request a book be signed. The saving grace to Teen Author Night? The authors! All the ladies very graciously talked shop for however long you wanted to hang out and drool over their books. They shared stories and some of them even gave up little tidbits about their work…

During the Romance Writers of America Conference (RWA) this year I was able to meet with the lovely and talented Wendy Corsi Staub. As a New York Times bestselling author, wife and mother of two her plate is never empty, but she made time to give Fresh Fiction a little behind the scenes look at this talented woman. From young adult novels to psychological thrillers, Staub has made a name for herself and keeps a loyal following of fans waiting for more books, myself included. If you have not heard of her, then do not stop reading now because you are in for a new reading addiction with her “NIGHTWATCHER” trilogy with Harper Collins. Nightwatcher Nightwatcher #1.0 September 2012 Sleepwalker Nightwatcher #2.0 October 2012 In NIGHTWATCHER, the first book, the story begins in New York City on September 10, 2001, the day before the 9/11 attacks featuring the heroine, Allison Taylor. In the wake of 9/11 you learn more about Allison, who has left a shadowy past behind in the Midwest in exchange for a fresh start in New York’s fashion industry. “In the course of the trilogy we see her (Allison) go from a young woman maybe with some…

FRESH FICTION is delighted to welcome New York Times bestselling novelist Philippa Gregory.  Ms. Gregory, well-known for her novels of the Tudor era, is currently concentrating on the War of the Roses.  Several of her works were highlighted in the History Refreshed column THE WAR OF THE ROSES PART I, and her upcoming novel, THE KINGMAKER’S DAUGHTER, features Anne Neville, whose husband Richard III is the central character in this month’s column, THE WAR OF THE ROSES PART II. Julia Justiss: Welcome, Philippa, and thank you so much for taking time out of your hectic schedule to give FRESH FICTION readers some insight about your background and writing.  So let’s get started! As a New York Times bestselling novelist whose works have made their way into film, you’ve captivated readers around the globe. Yet you started your career not as a writer, but as a scholar. Can you tell us a bit about the professional background that resulted in your fascination with history? Philippa: My first professional training and work was that of a journalist, which had the advantage of teaching me to write on time, and satisfied my enquiring curiosity. I went to university after I had served my…

With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season comes an endless To Do list for moms. Whether it’s staying up late to bake cupcakes for a class party or being volunteered to sew buttons on costumes for a play, the stress of the season gets to the best of us. Throw in a couple of last minute school assignments for the kids like book reports and science projects, it’s a wonder we manage to enjoy the spirit of the season at all. Blended families are very difficult to navigate especially when it comes to the role of mothering. Whether it’s the lingering aftereffects of the divorce or the deep resentment over the loss of control in their children’s lives, many women struggle to find an acceptable balance. There is no perfect answer due to the many challenges associated with moving on. However, the way in which these obstacles are met will ultimately determine the emotional well-being of the family. This month’s Jen’s Jewels Deborah Bedford addresses this very topic in her latest release, HIS OTHER WIFE. It’s the emotionally charged story of two women who love the same man yet desperately want what’s best for one teenage boy. When…

The book landscape in March is in full bloom. Lots of great releases this month, so you should hit the Teen section of your local (or online) bookstore early and often. If I had to pick one Don’t Miss book for March… Well, it would be really hard, but I am most excited to tell you about FALLING UNDER, by Gwen Hayes (March 1, from NAL), not least, because I was privileged to read it already and I. Love. This. Book. If you are a fan of gothic, romantic, paranormal romance with a strongly developed fantasy side and a deeply satisfying romantic side, you will love it, too. I caught up with Gwen and asked her to tell me more about writing the book. Gwen Hayes: Thank you for inviting me to Fresh Fiction. I’m really happy to be here. RMC: I think when I read FALLING UNDER, I described it as a “Lushy romantic gothic fairy tale.” How would YOU describe it? Gwen Hayes: Well, lushly romantic gothic fairy tale is pretty awesome. I’m not sure I could top that. I don’t even want to. When I was writing it, I knew it wasn’t like anything I’d written before….