Chapter 1   1827, London   Fleur Warburton had only recently arrived in London…and now here she was, leaving a trail of blood in her wake. She was trembling—yes, like a leaf, though she detested the expression. She was no shrinking violet, no weak little mouse. The more horrors she went through, the more determined she was to be strong. And yet a man was dead. There, in the alleyway behind her. His body lay in a pool of his own blood, the life utterly gone from him. She would not have left him there otherwise, no matter how commandingly he had told her to run. She had waited. And they had shot him. And then she had run. She was still running. Jasper was going to kill her, she thought, deliriously. If she made it back to him at all. She turned a corner and suddenly was swept up into a sea of people. A busy marketplace. Assorted stalls lined the sides of a wide square. Wagons were weaving their way amongst the crowd, seeking somewhere to unload their goods—sweet-smelling produce fresh from a farm, jars of canned goods, homespun clothes neatly folded, tied, and packaged. Fleur looked about…

With the re-issue of Julia London’s bestselling historical regency romance series, The Desperate Debutantes, we wanted to revisit the women of the Fairchild family before the release of THE PERILS OF PURSUING A PRINCE (6/28). When the young ladies of the Fairchild family learn their stepfather has absconded with their late mother’s money, instead of letting fate come to them, they take matters into their own hands.   Which Fairchild is most likely to dance until dawn? Ava! (The Hazards of Hunting a Duke, available now). Ava always knew the key to maintaining her standard of living was to seduce men on a dance floor at a fancy ball with the whole ton watching.   Most likely to bail on a social engagement? Phoebe (The Dangers of Deceiving a Viscount, 11/29) Phoebe is painfully shy and would rather fade into the woodwork. Better yet, she would rather come up with a vague conflict at the last possible minute.   Most likely to gain an offer of marriage? Ava (Hazards). In fact, she gained several before she found out she was broke. In hindsight, she recognizes it might have been easier to have taken one she had in hand, but live…

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 Amy Rose Bennett!   Writes: Amy Rose Bennett writes steamy historical romance. From the Scottish Highlands of the eighteenth century through the Regency period to the Victorian era, heroines with spirit and noble-hearted heroes wearing kilts or breeches are her jam. Her latest release UP All NIGHT WITH A GOOD DUKE is her first romance set in the mid 1800s. It’s a change of pace, but she’s having lots of fun with it. What shenanigans can one get up to when wearing a corset and crinoline skirt? Amy’s bluestocking heroines from her new Byronic Book Club series know what they want from life and are certainly game enough to find out.   About: Amy Rose Bennett is happiest when she’s penning or reading historical romances with lots of heat and heart. She also loves a good grip-lit novel and is “guilty” of the occasional rom-com or reality show binge. Aside from “romance author,” other monikers include: amateur kitchen goddess; devoted wife to a gamma hero;…

Our hero, former spymaster Christian Hawkes, has just regained consciousness (after an attack) in a strange room—unbeknownst to him, at The Grand Palace on the Thames, a boarding house on the docks—when he notices the room’s doorknob turning, and…   He was just about to shake out his shirt so he could drop it over his head when something glinted moved his peripheral vision.  He pivoted sharply. The doorknob was slowly turning. He realized he’d already subconsciously scanned the room for weapons when he at once seized the lantern as the best likely projectile. He could hurl it or bludgeon with it. His breath suspended, his every muscle locked and cocked like a loaded pistol, he watched that doorknob complete its revolution and the door open soundlessly, because of course the doors wouldn’t creak at The Grand Palace on the Thames. A young woman slipped into the room and gently, slowly closed the door. He noted slim shoulders. A long neck. The way her dress poured in a lyrical line from her shoulders to waist to sweetly flaring hips instantly communicated something primal to his groin. Her brown hair shifted to dark gold when she turned into that beam of…

1–What is the title of your latest release? THE SHOPGIRL’S FORBIDDEN LOVE .2—What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Shopgirl Nancy MacQueen has ignored her attraction to shop-owner Jem Redbourne for years, insecure about her appearance and believing they’re too far apart socially. At long last she can no longer deny her feelings, only to find out he’s engaged to somebody else! 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? It’s the fourth (and final) book in a series and they all start in the same place – Belle’s biscuit shop in Bath. 4–Would you hang out with your heroine in real life? Absolutely! Although I’d probably be intimidated. She’s a lot feistier than I am. 5–What are three words that describe your hero? Patient, loyal, kind. I like good guys. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? How severe the penal system was in the nineteenth century. The story starts with the attempted theft of an orange, which doesn’t sound like much, but the penalties were draconian. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? Both. I write, edit, write, edit, write, edit etc. Then I edit the…

1–What is the title of your latest release? THE LORD PRETENDER   2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?  Emma and Simon have an undeniable mutual attraction. One problem, though – they are sworn adversaries devoted to each other’s ruin. A lightning strike thwarts their missions when each wakes up in the other’s body. Reluctantly joining forces to undo the switch, they slowly fall for the real person beneath the facade. Uncertain of their ability to reverse the change, they can only hope to overcome misguided preconceptions of the opposite gender while walking a mile in each other’s shoes – and perhaps aspire for a love they have never imagined.   3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place?  Many years ago, I fell in love with Regency era England and the romances set in that time and place. It didn’t take me long to decide to write in that sub-genre – one featuring few male writers. Through stubborn diligence and plenty of good luck, I’ve been given the opportunity to contribute to that space. The story takes place in London, which was the center of the Regency era universe.   4–Would you hang out with…

Award-winning author Regina Scott is about to celebrate her 60th release, with NEVER ROMANCE A ROGUE, so we at Fresh Fiction thought it would be a good time to get to know her characters better. So, let’s play a little game we call “The Character Most Likely.”   Most likely to speak her own mind, regardless of the situation? ANSWER: Jane Kimball (NEVER DOUBT A DUKE). She may be a cavalry officer’s widow, but she never learned to follow orders.   Most likely to try to play by the rules? ANSWER: Lady Larissa Dryden (NEVER PURSUE A PRINCE). Her mother and grandmother drummed into her what it means to be a lady, though she’s learning what it means to follow her heart.   Most likely to be overlooked and underestimated? ANSWER: Lady Calantha Dryden (NEVER COURT A COUNT). With Callie’s quiet nature and pale coloring, she tends to disappear in company. People say the most outrageous things in her hearing as a result, and she remembers every word.   Most likely to play matchmaker? ANSWER: Meredith Thorn and her cat, Fortune (any of the Fortune’s Brides books, though ALWAYS KISS AT CHRISTMAS is Meredith’s origin story). They operate an employment…

1–What is the title of your latest release? WHEN WE DANCE 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? A renowned rake breaks up a wedding while seducing the bride, buries his family in scandal, is accused of murder, and…. falls in love. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I had a scene in my head of the hero and heroine dancing in a vast meadow and created their world around that image. 4–Would you hang out with your heroine in real life? Definitely! Not only is she caring and sincere but has an amazing singing voice. 5–What are three words that describe your hero? Rake, Childish (according to the heroine, that is), and Honest 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? That I can write a book in a month! 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I don’t write in order, so I edit as I go, and then again when I am totally done. 8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence? Dark chocolate and red wine 9–Describe your writing space/office! Currently? An absolute mess—lol!  My son is getting ready to leave for the Air Force Academy…

1–What is the title of your latest release? THE PERFECT CRIMES OF MARIAN HAYES 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for THE PERFECT CRIMES OF MARIAN HAYES? A man falls in love with the woman he’s attempting to blackmail 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? Well, I knew this series was going to involve highwaymen, so I was looking roughly at the 1700s. The fashions of the 1750s were one factor that helped me narrow it down to that decade—you have wonderful lace cuffs and boots and shoes with heels but the wig situation isn’t as dire as it was earlier in the century. I really didn’t think I could write about men in truly enormous wigs. 4–Would you hang out with your Marian or Rob in real life? Only with my back against the wall. Actually, they’d both be easy to spend time with in different ways. Rob is charming and would make conversation easy, but Marian would be content to sit quietly. 5–What are three words that describe Marian? Prickly, loyal, dangerous 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? I learned so much about how long it takes to travel in various parts…

1–What is the title of your latest release? PHOEBE: Book 1 of The Bellamy Sisters 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Arrgh! I’m awful at elevator pitches. How about this: Phoebe will do anything to keep a roof over her family’s head… even marry the devil himself. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I write Regency Era romance, so I usually set the story in England somewhere. Although on occasion I’ll venture out to “The Continent” to spin my yarn. 4–Would you hang out with your heroine in real life? Absolutely! Phoebe is actually one of my favorite heroines because she is a “get the job done” type of gal. She is accustomed to picking up the slack for her very large family and I really appreciate her low-drama, no-nonsense approach to life. Of course, like all of us she has her not-so-sterling qualities and in Phoebe’s case the particular quality is a tendency to judge first and ask questions later. This is something that will get her into trouble again and again with her hero, Paul. 5–What are three words that describe your hero? Private, surprising, & driven 6–What’s something you…