Fresh FIction Box Not To Miss
Laura Frantz | 20 Questions: A HEART ADRIFT
Author Guest / January 5, 2022

1–What is the title of your latest release? A HEART ADRIFT 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? A Virginia chocolatier and a privateering sea captain collide once more after a failed love affair a decade before. Will a war and a cache of regrets keep them apart? Or will a new shared vision reunite them? 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? Since my ancestry is based in Virginia (via Scotland), I’m always drawn there. My favorite U.S. historic site is Colonial Williamsburg and my newfound love is historic Yorktown so it was wonderful to set this story in both places. 4–Would you hang out with your heroine in real life? Absolutely! I would be happy to hobnob with this heroine for a day, including visiting her sister in Colonial Williamsburg and tempting visitors at Shaw’s Chocolate along Yorktown’s waterfront. Esmee Shaw is a foodie like me, my first plus-sized heroine, Don’t be fooled by that beautiful cover which shows her in her younger, svelte, pre-chocolate shop days 😉 5–What are three words that describe your hero? Capable, faithful, and worldly in a way that has made him wise. 6–What’s something you learned…

Chandra Blumberg | Exclusive Interview: DIGGING UP LOVE
Author Guest / January 4, 2022

Danielle Jackson: Welcome to Fresh Fiction, Chandra, and congrats on your debut novel, DIGGING UP LOVE! Can you tell us your “journey into publishing” story?   Chandra Blumberg: Thank you, Danielle! I always dreamed of becoming an author, but for a long time, I bought into the mistaken belief that writing wasn’t a viable career and getting a book published was as unlikely as hitting the lottery. While I continued to write—mostly short stories and essays I never planned to show anyone—I didn’t seek publication until a few years ago. I started off writing parenthood essays and was in the midst of querying a non-fiction humor manuscript about motherhood when the March 2020 pandemic shutdown hit. At that point, with all the uncertainty in the world and the chaos of a family of six living in quarantine, I was ready to switch gears from writing about my daily life and delve back into fiction. I drafted DIGGING UP LOVE during the covid shutdown as an escape of sorts and got so much joy from spending time with my characters and story. The adage about writing the book you want to read really held true for me. I took what I’d…

Susan May Warren | 20 Questions: SUNRISE
Author Guest / January 4, 2022

1–What is the title of your latest release? SUNRISE (Sky King Ranch book 1) 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? SUNRISE is the beginning of a new series…so let’s start with that:  The epic plot of the television series “24” find their way to Alaska and fall into the hands of three ex-military brothers. Small town Alaska. Bush pilots. Three ex-military heroes. The Kingston triplets have come home defeated, broken from war and feeling anything but heroic. But the sons of Sky King ranch have returned home just in time. Because the world is in danger, and these flyboys, rescuers and soldiers just might be the only ones who can save it. It’s a fight to save the people—and country—they love, and along the way, they’ll discover healing and become the heroes they are meant to be. SUNRISE: What if the woman who broke your heart was waiting for you back home…hoping for forgiveness? Can broken warrior find his way home to a happy ending? 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? Oh, I love Alaska. Next to Montana, it’s my go-to for the best place to set an epic romantic adventure. I’ve…

Radhika Sanghani | Exclusive Interview: 30 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT MYSELF
Author Guest / January 4, 2022

Welcome to Fresh Fiction, Radhika, and congrats on the publication of your book, 30 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT MYSELF! The concept of this book is so much fun and follows a woman on a journey of self-discovery and self-love (and acceptance). Where did the inspiration for this novel begin?   It came from my own life! I went on a self-love journey a few years back, in my late twenties, after I had a break-up with the person I thought I’d marry – just like Nina does. It was a really difficult time, but I believe that it’s from the lows that we really grow and evolve, and from then on, my life completely changed for the better. I made a conscious effort to love myself, to ditch my negative self-talk for positivity, and as time went on, I realized I was suddenly thriving in my career, my personal life, and most importantly, with myself. The whole journey was so interesting and funny and hard and important all at once that I knew I wanted to write about it. I decided to turn it into a novel so I could explore a character going on a self-love journey, but also…

Susanna Allen | 20 Questions: A MOST UNUSUAL DUKE
Author Guest / December 22, 2021

1–What is the title of your latest release? A MOST UNUSUAL DUKE 2–What is it about? Arthur Humphries, Duke of Osborn, made a vow he would never marry; Beatrice, the widowed Marchioness of Castleton, vowed never to wed again, having been married to a feral lupine Shifter. Threats to the wellbeing of both ensure they carry out George’s plan, but as they work together to put Arthur’s home place back to rights, will they be able to resist their growing attraction? (Nope.) Touchstone tropes are grumpy/frosty (my own spin on grumpy/sunshine) and found family.  3–What do you love about the setting of your book?  I am crazy about home renovation shows and the chance to write about a fixer-upper was so much fun. Given the time period, though, there is neither shiplap nor subway tile. 4–How did your heroine surprise you?  Beatrice has a bawdy sense of humor, aided and abetted by her sister-in-law Charlotte. She is slightly naive and doesn’t always get the saucy jokes Charlotte and her husband Ben make, but they make Beatrice want to laugh out loud — which, as a refined lady, she struggles against! 5–Why will readers love your hero?  Arthur is a big,…

Kim Redford | 20 Questions: COWBOY HEAT WAVE
Author Guest / December 21, 2021

1–What is the title of your latest release? Cowboy Heat Wave 2–What is it about? Audrey Oakes arrives in Wild Bluff County desperate to locate the Hallelujah Ranch  legendary bootlegger gold so she can afford the medical treatment that could save her grandmother’s life. But clues in the old family journal lead her straight into the path of rustlers stealing a herd of mustangs…and that sends her right into the arms of cowboy firefighter Cole Murphy. Talk about trouble. Cole has a big enough problem on his hands trying to save his mustangs from horse thieves. He hadn’t counted on saving a damsel in distress or one that ups his heart rate. When she asks for help, how can he say no? But can he trust that she isn’t part of the rustler gang? And can he trust his heart when their connection turns red-hot?         3–What do you love about the setting of your book?  Wildcat Bluff County, Texas, is all about a small town, wide-open countryside, and folks with big hearts.  4–How did your heroine surprise you?  Audrey Oakes persisted time and again through thick and thin to restore her family from mother to grandmother to great-grandfather.  5–Why will…

Jayce Ellis | 20 Questions: IF YOU LOVE SOMETHING
Author Guest / December 20, 2021

1–What is the title of your latest release? IF YOU LOVE SOMETHING 2–What is it about? DeShawn, who was raised by his grandmother, learns that her cancer has returned and she’s not going to pursue further treatment. In her will, she decides to leave part of her estate to DeShawn’s ex-husband, Malik. Except it turns out Malik isn’t his ex at all, because the divorce never went through (this happens more than you might think). DeShawn’s Uncle Robert ends up suing Malik, and that pushes them together. You’ll have to read to figure out the rest. 3–What do you love about the setting of your book?  I love that this is more DC-adjacent than fully focused in city. So many people are just outside DC, but live and work and love there. So there are moments in Upper Marlboro and Baltimore that hold just as much weight as being in DC proper. 4–How did DeShawn surprise you?  I don’t think I quite expected the arc DeShawn went on, and his final decisions about what he wanted to do career-wise. It was a way for him to have the best of both worlds, and I was thrilled to give it to…

Seressia Glass | 20 Questions: THE LOVE CON
Author Guest / December 14, 2021

1–What is the title of your latest release? THE LOVE CON 2–What is it about? THE LOVE CON is a romcom about Kenya Davenport, a Black plus-sized cosplayer who’s made it to the final round of a cosplay reality show. She has to return home to make couples costumes with her significant other, but she currently doesn’t have one. Desperate, she blurts out the name of her best friend, Cameron Lassiter, on live TV. He’s willing to cosplay as her boyfriend, but as they fake date for the show, their feelings for each other become very real. 3–What do you love about the setting of your book?  Like most of my stories, it’s set in Atlanta, my hometown. It’s based on a mashup of little neighborhoods I’ve lived in and frequented over the years. I love the community feel and I love the nerdiness of these characters and their friends. 4–How did your heroine surprise you?  What surprised me the most was how Kenya comes to believe that her relationship with Cam is unbalanced because she feels she hasn’t done as much for him as he’d done for her. Luckily he sets her straight. I love how important her friend…

Jennifer Vido | Jen’s Jewels Interview: BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE GREEK TOWN by Kate Collins
Author Guest / December 3, 2021

Jennifer Vido: What is the premise behind the Goddess of Greene St. Mystery series? Kate Collins: After a tough divorce, Chicago investigative reporter Athena Spencer returns to her roots in the tourist town of Sequoia, Michigan, to live with her big, noisy Greek family in the rambling family home. Named after the fabled goddess of war and wisdom, Athena takes a job at the family’s garden center on Greene Street, where she encounters a mysterious stranger who entangles her in a murder mystery. Her love of investigating catapults her into danger, and her success at capturing a killer earns her the title of Goddess of Greene Street. The stories have mystery, mayhem, romance, and lots of fun thanks to Athena’s crazy Greek family. Let’s talk about your latest installment, BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE GREEKTOWN. Please share with us the inspiration behind this new caper. The murder mystery in this book centers around a photographer who shows up at the town’s art festival on Lake Michigan to take photos for the local newspaper and is found dead on the dunes with his camera missing. My inspiration for this plot came after I attended a fund-raising art fair crowded with shoppers. I…

Jennifer Vido | Jen’s Jewels Interview: THE ATTIC ON QUEEN STREET by Karen White
Author Guest / November 19, 2021

Jen: THE ATTIC ON QUEEN STREET is the seventh and final book in the Tradd Street series. How did you arrive at the premise? Karen: The best part of a series is that it’s basically one long book with multiple plot lines that get resolved throughout the series.  Since I knew THE ATTIC ON QUEEN STREET would be the last, I knew that for the first time that loose ends weren’t a possibility.  Every single unanswered question, mystery, plot, character arc had to come to a complete resolution.  And, of course, the conclusion of the major cliffhanger at the end of the previous book, THE CHRISTMAS SPIRITS ON TRADD STREET.  This gave me the main guide I needed for this book’s premise.  The second, but equally important guide, was the spin-off series that will follow the Tradd Street Series.  Nola Trenholm will be the main protagonist, as will a new character, Beau Ryan, who is introduced in The Attic on Queen Street.  Beau is from New Orleans which is where the new series will be set, and there is a lot of mystery surrounding him and his family.  This is why at the end of the book, Nola is headed…