1–What is the title of your latest release? D’VAUGHN AND KRIS PLAN A WEDDING 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?  It’s 90 Day Fiancé meets The Amazing Race when two women who’ve never met before have six weeks to convince their families that they’re marrying one another. Each week brings a list of tasks they must execute all while dragging their loved ones along for the ride, but on the way to the altar their pretend feelings turn real and when they reach the finish line they have to decide if it’s worth the risk to turn something fake into forever. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place?  The setting for just about all of my books is my hometown of Houston, TX, so that made this one a no-brainer. The city is so large and diverse that it makes it easy to drop a fictional cast of characters there. 4–Would you hang out with D’Vaughn in real life?  Absolutely. She’s funny, kind, and likes to eat; all qualities I hold dear. 5–What are three words that describe Kris? Sexy, smooth, strong. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book?  I learned that…

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 as a reader you may fall in love with. It’s our great pleasure to present A.M. Arthur! Writes: LGBTQ+ romance with heaping doses of angst, probably some tears, but always a Happily Ever After for my main characters. While I do dabble in paranormal, I mostly write contemporary, such as my brand new cowboy series, HIS FRESH START COWBOY, which launches the Woods Ranch series with Carina Press. There are plenty of sexy times and romance to be found on the ranch, especially in this best friend’s-brother story set in a north Texas cattle ranch. About: A small-town girl who loves writing about equally small towns and characters who find big love there, I am avid reader and cat lover. I also enjoy cooking at home and experimenting with new flavor profiles, so you will frequently find food references in my stories. My favorite thing to do in the evening is cuddle up on the couch with a fuzzy throw blanket, my two cats, and a good book. What I’m looking for in my ideal reader match:…

Danielle Jackson: Welcome back to Fresh Fiction, Mariah! We are happy to have you hear and celebrate the release of THE DATING DILEMMA with you. Before we chat about your book, I have to say—I love all of your TikTok and Instagram videos. They are so much fun! What do you think it is about romance writing that lends it so well to your videos? Do you have a couple of favorites you’ve made (feel free to link to them)?  Mariah Anekenman:  Thank you so much! I’m excited to be here and more excited to talk about my Tiktok addiction, lol. I have a background in theater and was raised by a professional clown so point me to an audience and I am geared up to entertain! My favorite thing about the romance genre is how vast it is. There’s a romance out there for everyone! So I like to include that in my videos and just celebrate the joy and inclusion of romance. Plus it’s always fun to take the hate this genre gets and turn it around into a celebration of success because as we all know romance is a billion-dollar industry, can’t get numbers like that unless you’re…

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 Debbie Burns! Writes: Hi there! I write a contemporary romance series with the sixth in the series releasing this January. My Rescue Me series is set in a fictional animal shelter in St. Louis and has a small-town feel. These romances feature happily ever afters for their two- and four-legged stars, include various tropes (friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, second chances, secret identity, etc.), and are more heart-warming than spicy. In my newest release, TO BE LOVED BY YOU: Jeremy Washington couldn’t be happier running his therapy program for at-risk teens. Between weekend service projects and hanging out with his faithful rescue dog, Rolo, Jeremy doesn’t have time to date—which is fine with him considering the mess his early marriage turned out to be. When he meets new yoga teacher Ava Graham, Jeremy thinks the kids would really benefit from learning yoga, and Ava would be the perfect fit. Ava quickly finds herself falling in love with Jeremy’s unique world, but her big heart…

“Come out here,” he said insistently but not unkindly. “I have water.” “I’m fine. Really.” She was not going out there with puffy eyes and streaking mascara looking like Frankenstein’s bride. No. Way. “Tessa?” he said. She heard him pace back and forth in front of the stall. She wanted to answer him, except for some reason she started to cry. Silently, of course. But she couldn’t seem to stop. Then Leo said, “I’m coming in.” She heard the thud of his hands hitting the stall door. At the same time, the bathroom door squeaked open again. “Excuse me, young man,” a woman’s voice said, “but what do you think you’re doing?” Oh no. Who…? “Oh, hi,” Leo said. “I’m just talking to my…fiancee.” “Well, I’m in charge of this restroom, and you need to leave right now.” It was a woman with a gravelly voice, like maybe from smoking cigarettes. “Are you okay in there, honey? If you aren’t, just say the word. The police headquarters is right down the hall.” “No, ma’am, you don’t understand,” Leo said. “It’s just–hey!” A scuffling ensued. Was that the sound of Leo being dragged away? The woman’s voice was more distant now,…

1–What is the title of your latest release? HOW TO LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?  When Noah Jansen can’t convince his neighbor, Grace Travis, to sell her home to him, he has some not so neighborly ways to change her mind. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place?  Noah Jansen is the brother of Chris Jansen from TEN RULES FOR FAKING IT. He moves to California to be closer to Chris. 4–Would you hang out with your heroine in real life?  Yes! I absolutely would. I’d also let her design my home. 5–What are three words that describe your hero? Charming, Funny, Stubborn 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book?  Writing-wise, I learned more about the editing process. I find it challenging but with this one, I really learned to get into the groove of improving what already existed. Non-writing wise, I learned some of the laws around the removal of palm trees in California 😉 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I do edit as I draft. My typical process when I open up my computer is to re-read what…

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 Ann Marie Walker!  Writes: I’m the author of 9 novels, ranging from romantic suspense to romantic comedy. My latest release is LUCKY LEAP DAY a rom-com about a woman who gets caught up in the Irish tradition of women proposing to men on Leap Day and ends up bringing home a husband instead of a wool sweater and a set of souvenir pint glass. About: I’m a fan of fancy cocktails, anything chocolate, and ’80s rom-coms, and my superpower is connecting any situation to an episode of Friends. You can find me on Facebook or Instagram and at AnnMarieWalker.com, where I would be happy to talk to you about alpha males, lemon drop martinis, or Chewbacca, the Morkie who is kind enough to let me sit on his couch. I attended the University of Notre Dame and currently live in Chicago. What I’m looking for in my ideal reader match: My ideal reader * loves to laugh * is a sucker for a guy with a hot accent and…

“Sorry I bitched about the seats,” Marissa said, sipping the foam from her beer. I shook my head. “Totally fine, they were expensive tickets.” “It’s just, I wanted the full experience, you know? Front row, being sung to, eyes locking. The whole rock and roll fantasy.” “Oh, I get it—more than you know.” Again, she raised an eyebrow. “Do you, now? Please elaborate.” I smiled wickedly. I wasn’t embarrassed of my days following this band, so why had I acted like I was? I opened my mouth to share the story, but then the drum solo started winding into a guitar solo, and I turned back towards our seats. It was calling to me, like a siren song. I glanced back at the bouncer who stood guarding the floor area, his nose buried in his phone. This was our one chance. I reached back to grab hold of Marissa’s hand and stepped down towards the stage, one foot in front of the other, fully expecting to be stopped at some point…but nothing. Not when we reached the back of the crowd, not when we approached the velvet rope of the floor seats, and not even when we reached the opening…

Exclusive Sneak Peek of Playing Dirty in Alaska for Fresh Fiction Bridget and Archer’s first kiss in four years …. *** “I’m still waiting for that kiss hello.” Bridget looked up at him, eyes hot, slashes of color riding high across her cheekbones. “That’s not fair. You lost the bet.” “All’s fair in love and war,” Archer informed her. She poked a finger into the center of his chest. “There’s no love here.” Another poke. “And I’m not looking for a war. All I want is to be left —” He caught her hand before she poked him a third time. “This isn’t about what you want, remember? This is about what I want.” “Why?” She punctuated the question with a stomp of her foot, followed by a swift breath of pain. Frustration got the better of him. “For fuck’s sake, Bridget, just stand still for thirty seconds and you’ll have what you want, including an answer to that question.” “Ten seconds,” she countered. He rolled his eyes skyward and fished his phone out of his pocket. “Twenty seconds. Final offer. Otherwise, I knock on that door loud enough to wake the whole god-damned town.” “Jesus. Okay.” She shoved a…

The corridor that led to the cellar came alive with memories as she crossed it. The door was propped open. Emmitt must’ve forgotten to shut it when he left. Careful to leave it open, she stepped into the chill of the limestone floored room. The scent of cork and wine hung in the air. Stocked wooden racks and steel and glass coolers lined the walls. At the center of the room, under an abalone chandelier, stood a tasting table. Her eyes landed on the lacquered mahogany surface, knots and nicks marking the single piece of wood. The height had been just right for— “Ayesha?” She stumbled back, hand pushing against the door as she caught her balance. The click of the lock filled the silence that followed the sound of her name in his voice. No, no, no! She spun around and rattled the handle. It didn’t budge. He came up behind her, their hands meeting on the cool metal, the impact making her so lightheaded she pressed her head into the door. His hand trembled over hers, his body looming beside her, his presence wrapping around her. They were locked inside. She pulled away. From the door, from him,…