Fresh FIction Box Not To Miss
Melonie Johnson | My HEA Was a Second Chance Romance
Author Guest / June 18, 2019

The third book in my Sometimes in Love series, ONCE UPON A BAD BOY, is a second chance romance. Bo and Sadie, the hero and heroine, are childhood sweethearts who break apart as teens, but fate brings them together again eleven years later. I dedicated this story to my husband. It’s an appropriate choice, since our marriage is the result of a second chance romance. Well, since we broke up twice, it’s technically a third chance romance. But what’s that saying about the third time being the charm? When I met my husband when we were teenagers, like Bo, he was kind of a bad boy himself. A bit of a rebel who had long hair down to his waist and drove a brazen bright yellow car that he would park at wild angles in the back of the mall where we both worked. That lot was always almost empty, he wasn’t a jerk, he just liked to push the envelope on the rules, see what he could get away with. A trait (thank you, karma) our youngest daughter has inherited. Our oldest daughter is sixteen, the same age I was when I began dating my husband. I admit, the…

Summer BBQ Recipe Roundup | A HIGHLANDER WALKS INTO A BAR by Laura Trentham
Author Guest / June 18, 2019

After yesterday’s delicious kickstart by Kendra Elliot, we’re so excited about today’s post from contemporary romance author, Laura Trentham because she has a delectable dessert recipe! The first book in her Highland, GA series, A HIGHLANDER WALKS INTO A BAR, will be in stores later this summer. Be sure to check out our other Summer BBQ Recipe Roundup posts all week! Day 1: http://freshfiction.com/page.php?id=10089 *** A Highlander Walks Into a Bar answers the age-old question: What would you do if your mother brought home a handsome six-foot tall Scotsman as a souvenir? (You thought I was going with, What does a Scotsman wear under his kilt, didn’t you? ☺) Our heroine, Isabel Buchanan, tries to her suspicions the man is planning to take advantage of her mother, because she has bigger problems. The annual Highland Festival is only three weeks away and she and her mother are in charge! Enter Alasdair Blackmoor, another handsome Scot who harbors his own suspicions about Isabel and her mother’s intentions with his uncle. Hilarity (and passion) ensues as Isabel and Alasdair spar and try to ferret out the truth. A Highlander Walks Into a Bar is a wild romp during a Georgia summer. I dare…

Allie York | Top Five Favorite Romances Starring a Four-Legged Companion
Author Guest / June 12, 2019

If there is anything I love in life, it’s a book with a dog as the costar. Puppies make romance sweeter, and the whole plot line so much better. All my favorite romances, including the ones written by me, have a cute cuddly co-star. My absolute favorite have a big, gruff hero who turns into a puddle of goo for their woman and their dog. So, here are my top five favorite romance starring a four-legged companion. GOOD BOY by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy STAY by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy These two ladies can write a darn good book on their own, but put them together and add a puppy; sold! UNTIL NOVEMBER by Aurora Rose Reynolds Sassy woman, alpha man, and add a protective dog. You really can’t go wrong with this series no matter which book you pick up, and once you feel the ‘BOOM’ you can’t go back. ANYONE BUT YOU by Jennifer Crusie Jennifer Cruise writes an amazing book, no matter which one you pick up, but something about the droopy basset hound, Fred. Fred is lazy, slow, and adorable. He also makes a great matchmaker. ANIMAL MAGNETISM by Jill Shalvis When you put…

Jody Holford | Top 5 Favorite Sports Romances and Movies
Author Guest / June 12, 2019

Thanks for having me on the Fresh Fiction blog! I thought, since my new release, COVERING ALL THE BASES, is a sports romance, I’d share my five favorite sports romance books and five favorite sports romance movies. Ready? The list is not in any particular order: Books (You might see a theme): See Jane Score by Rachel Gibson The Trouble with Valentine’s Day by Rachel Gibson True Love and Other Disasters by Rachel Gibson For the Win by Sara Rider No Limits by Lori Foster Movies (they aren’t necessarily romantic but they’re all awesome): For Love of the Game Invisible Blind Side Remember the Titans Blue Crush Only one of these are related to baseball but the three sports romance I’ve written (CAUGHT LOOKING, COVERING ALL THE BASES, and CATCHING HER HEART) have ball playing, or former ball playing, heroes. When Isla tries to get to the deathbed of a grandfather she didn’t know she had, she finds comfort in the kindness of a stranger. But that stranger ends up being so much more. Liam Cruz has never felt such a strong and fast connection to anyone as he does the woman who comes into his bar. The two fall…

JoAnn Sky | Top Five Everyday Reasons Why My Husband Rocks Every Day
Author Guest / June 11, 2019

Hi Everyone! Thanks for allowing me to be here today.  When I was here last year, I wrote about my five favorite go-to romance movies last year.  So, I decided to write another “Top 5” list, and a few nights ago, I sat on the couch and started pondering ideas. Hubby came in with the glass of Sauvignon Blanc I’d started and accidentally left in the kitchen (I think he knows my best ideas start with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc), and sat down across from me. Me: I need to come up with a Top 5 list to write about. Something interesting. *takes a sip of wine* Hubby: How about Top 5 dog breeds? Background: I love dogs, especially older rescue dogs. We’ve had seven since we’ve been married and currently have 3, one of which just joined the family last month. Gizmo is a ten-year-old going-blind, going-deaf sweet-ball-of-fur shih tzu.  I also write children’s books about said rescue dogs. You can check them out at: www.dogsandbooks.com . Me: It needs to be romance-related. And fun. And unique. Hubby: How about five best sexual positions? Me:  *sigh* And clean. *takes another sip of wine* Hubby: How about the five…

Sylvia Kane | Author-Reader Match: BACK FOR MORE + Giveaway!
Author Guest / June 10, 2019

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 SYLVIA KANE! What I Write About: Contemporary romance that’s heavy on the steam, with a lot of emotion and character growth. My heroes and heroines aren’t cookie-cutter…they’re real, but lovable people who have to find a way to be together. My latest release is Back For More, a brother’s best friend romance set in Manhattan about a Wall Street attorney who can turn anyone’s head and his best bud’s little sister, for whom he’s always carried a torch. About Me: Thirty-something lawyer-turned-author who’s a bit of a cynic but absolutely believes in true love. I’ve always had a bit of a perfectionist streak, and am naturally high-strung, but writing helps me relax. I’m an avid volleyball player, and just starting out with gardening. My six and three-year-old girls keep me busy, and insane! My husband of ten years is amazingly supportive of my writing career. What I’m looking for in my ideal reader match: Doesn’t mind scorching scenes that send your heart…

Natasha Anders | Exclusive Excerpt: MORE THAN ANYTHING
Author Guest / June 4, 2019

“These are some passionate turophiles,” Harris stated bemusedly beneath his breath an hour and a half later. They were observing the cheese-carving competition. Harris had his arms folded over his broad chest as he attentively contemplated the group of focused cheese carvers. “Don’t you mean turophiliacs?” she asked, and he rolled his eyes at her. Harris had been using the word turophile as often as possible in the hour since he’d first seen it in the festival pamphlet. He was like a kid with a new toy, and Tina thought it was endearing. “Hush, and let me enjoy this. I don’t often learn fun new words. It’s all accrued expenses, assessed values, and capital gains or losses in my world. Boring as hell.” He went back to watching the cheese carvers. Tina was tickled by how genuinely diverting he seemed to find this entire experience. He stopped at most stalls, asking questions and sampling so many different cheeses that Tina felt sick just watching him. She wasn’t lactose intolerant, but she was pretty sure she was developing an allergy just from being around this much dairy. “The guy over there, with the beard? Wearing the orange beanie and the pride…

Shannyn Schroeder | Kids in Romance
Author Guest / June 4, 2019

I’m a mom of 3 teenagers. I’ve taught middle school and high school English. I have experience with kids. As a writer, I’ve written some romances where the heroine gets pregnant or wants to. Babies are part of life. However, I know a lot of readers don’t like kids in romance. I’ll be the first to admit, kids can totally kill romance buzz. Smart Bitches, Trashy Books even coined the phrase plot moppet to refer to small children in novels who have no purpose other than to drive the plot forward. They’re not fully fleshed out characters. They do cute things and the adults around them react. I’ve had friends suggest that I write YA (young adult) because I know kids – I must understand them and what they like, right? Therefore, writing YA should be a breeze. I’m not going to tackle the whole “writing should be a breeze” aspect. But part of my reasoning for not even considering writing YA is that my experience with my kids would read like something fictional. My kids are snarky and irreverent and pretty open about what they think and feel. They have awesome vocabularies (hello, English teacher mom). I’ve always felt…

Lucy Gilmore | My Top Five Favorite Puppy Romance Books
Author Guest / May 28, 2019

There’s something about a dog that makes love story a little sweeter. Maybe it’s because our canine companions reflect the best parts of us as humans. Maybe it’s because it’s easier to sympathize with a hero or heroine who goes home to a bundle of fur every night. It could also just be because dogs are fluffy and adorable. Whatever the reason, I’m always ready to fall in love with a book that includes a main character of the canine variety—especially in romance, where the dogs are always treated with respect. If you’re looking for a book that has love, passion, romance, and puppies, these five are definitely worth a read. Most Eligible Billionaire by Annika Martin Martin is a master at writing upbeat and offbeat comedies that make me smile from start to finish. In Most Eligible Billionaire, a “dog whisperer” is put in charge of a billion-dollar company thanks to her ability to read the mind of the dog who was recently bequeathed control over it. Naturally, the very wealthy rightful heir doesn’t buy into this plan. (It sounds weird, I know, but Martin totally pulls it off.) Catch of the Day by Kristan Higgans This was the first…

Katy Evans | Exclusive Excerpt: MILLION DOLLAR DEVIL
Author Guest / May 28, 2019

Jimmy swings his head to look at me, a dimple under his scruffy beard appearing a little bit as our eyes meet. Bearded jaw. Roguish smile. Golden tan. White teeth. Eyes so bright and blue it’s sort of a shock when they land on me. He might be hot, but he is not my type at all. I’m me, and he’s … so raw; he’s the most primitive man I’ve ever seen. I shift in my stool and turn back to take a quick sip of my drink, bracing myself for another look. I steal it. My stomach clutches because, oh god, he’s blatantly staring at me. He raises an eyebrow, and I stiffen in my seat and turn back to my drink, listening to a soft male laugh behind me. “Jimmy!” I hear someone call. I turn, and Jimmy is now looking at another guy who’s kicking his chair back. Jimmy raises one eyebrow. For some reason, the deep bass of his voice causes the hairs on my arms to rise at attention. “I told you I’d find you.” Jimmy speaks threateningly to the other man. “Here I am,” the other says. They start to face off, winding around the…