Last year, my niece Jessen Judice asked me to co-host her new venture–a review podcast for fangirls of romance who love to talk about the books they love. With positive vibes, our can-do attitudes, and Jessen at the helm, we started recording episodes for Smart Women Read Romance. As a writer of romance, I thought this would be fun, to step back into romancelandia as a reader. Besides joining the ranks of romance fans, it gave me an outlet to discuss what makes this genre so powerful for women and to celebrate it in a positive light. As our bio says for SWRR, “We started this podcast as a big middle finger to the stigma associated with reading and loving romance novels. We love to fangirl about our favorite books, authors, and characters and are challenging people to think of romance novels as more than just ‘mommy porn’–though there’s nothing wrong with a copious amount of sexy times.” Not only do we highlight the struggles of women in the modern world and cheer when they overcome adversity, but we also celebrate all aspects of womanhood–from career-climbing to parenting to falling in love. After a year of recording, 46 full episodes…

When I was asked to write a blog about my favorite Disney movies and characters, I was thrilled. I mean, I love blogging about my books and which actors I envision for different characters in them. But getting a chance to dish about Disney, aka the Happiest Place on Earth? Who wouldn’t want to do that? I first fell in love with Disney when I was little and absolutely adored watching The Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday nights. Obviously there’s a lot going on there with the happy memories from that time, sitting on the couch with my mom and dad as Tinker Bell did her arc over the top of the castle before each show started. Just thinking about it now makes me smile. I went to Walt Disney World with my parents when I was in high school, but it didn’t become an obsession until hubby and I went there on our honeymoon. Yeah, some people head to an exotic island for their honeymoon, but hubby and I went to Disney! See, he’d never even seen a Disney movie until I introduced him to The Little Mermaid. He’d never admit it, but I think he was hooked…

Dr. Aaron Samuels visits the rainforest to find a cure for heart disease. Never expecting to meet a beautiful mysterious woman, talking to a frog. As an empty-nester, he recognizes a lonely soul when he sees one, but he never expects she’s Mother Nature herself! Pouting on a log in the El Yunque rain forest, Gaia picked up a coqui. Placing him gently on her open palm, she brought the tiny tree frog level with her face. “Why can’t my sisters, paranormals, and humans be more like you, coqui? All you want to do is climb leaves, eat bugs, and chirp your cute little song. Although, granted, when a bunch of you get together, you can make quite a loud racket.” The coqui just stared at her. At least he seemed to be paying attention. “You see? You’re a wonderful listener. That’s all I want. . . just someone to listen. If my sister thinks I’m a bitch, maybe it’s because no one listens to me.” “I’ll listen to you,” a low male voice said. Gaia bolted upright without turning around. “Was that you, coqui?” A chuckle sounded from behind her. “No, I’m not your frog, but maybe I’m your…

I’m time travel romance author Angela Quarles, and I’m excited to be here on Fresh Fiction. The first book in my new time travel series is out this week from Entangled Publishing–Some Like It Plaid–and the bulk of it is set in Roman-era Scotland. Writing a book set in the past is challenging for a number of obvious reasons, one of which is trying to bring a reader into that time period–a time period we’ve never seen ourselves. I bought scads of scholarly works and immersed myself in the era before and during the drafting process. But one of the main sources that proved extremely helpful came about quite by accident. I was in Scotland the summer before last, researching the setting by visiting museums that still housed Roman artifacts, as well as by tramping to whatever bits of the Antonine Wall and its buildings were still visible. It was while I was visiting the Auld Kirk Museum in Kirkintilloch to see its Roman exhibit that I came across a docent who, when I asked if there were other places I should see related to the Antonine Wall, told me of a historical reenactment happening during my stay. “Look for…

Thanks to Fresh Fiction for having me here today! Apple. Walmart. Chanel. We live a world of brands and categories. It’s a good thing! Shortcuts help you decide in a soundbite (or mindbite) whether you want to buy.  A necessity, really, with as fast as life is these days. Who has time to research every last detail of which toothpaste to buy or how many types of sunscreen there are? But what if you’re not a one-size-fits-all? What if you’re living in a vanilla world but you’re a tiny bit. . . chocolate? Here’s a fun little quiz to see if you might be quirky. A group from work or school is going to McDonald’s for lunch. You: Go along. Mac’s is great! Go along. But order a salad. Suggest that little hole-in-the-wall deli instead. Stay at your desk. You have a hot date with the latest JR Ward. Whip out an array of hot sauces ranging from mild to stupidly toxic and play your own version of First We Feast’s Hot Ones (the show with hot questions and even hotter wings).  Your own answer! You arrange for dinner with a big group of friends, but you arrive an hour…

Can you believe Christmas is right around the corner? To celebrate, we asked the authors of our 2019 Christmas titles to answer some fun, wintry and Christmas themed questions! Fall in love this Christmas and be sure to read: Longing for a Cowboy Christmas by Leigh Greenwood, Rosanne Bittner, Linda Broday, Margaret Brownley, Anna Schmidt, and Amy Sandas Wish Upon a Cowboy by Jennie Marts Cowboy Firefighter Christmas Kissby Kim Redford Cowboy Christmas Homecoming by June Faver A Dash of Christmas by Samantha Chase Puppy Christmas by Lucy Gilmore Silver Town Wolf: Home for the Holidays by Terry Spear Keep reading to get in the Christmas spirit and check out the books over at Romance Reads! *** What’s the best part about writing a Christmas book? Rosanne Bittner:       The best part about writing a Christmas story is that it takes me into that “miracle” mood that seems to be a part of the Christmas holiday. I always try to include some kind of little miracle in my stories. In last year’s anthology, Christmas In A Cowboy’s Arms, my story miracle was the healed awakening of an unconscious little girl. This year, in Longing for A Cowboy Christmas, my miracle surrounds…

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.C. Arthur! Writes: I write paranormal and contemporary romance featuring hunky guys, strong women, and sweeping passion! Awaken the Dragon, the first book in my Legion dragon shifter series releases Nov. 4th, and A Private Affair is my upcoming workplace romance coming January 1st. About: While writing is my first love, I’m a paralegal by day and a wife, mother and grandmother twenty-four-seven. I’ve written over 85 romance novels and enjoy reading (of course), watching romantic movies and going to Disney World. I don’t drink, but I do curse. I like black and white movies but am not a big fan of popcorn. What I’m looking for in my ideal reader match: Someone who loves big families and the drama that brews between them A reader who’s not afraid of vampires, dragons, and demons, oh my! Readers who block off everything on their schedule to read a book because seconds after they start they must know how it ends Someone who…

For readers who are new to Christine Feehan and your amazing world, would you please give a little background on you and your latest release, LEOPARD’S WRATH? I have written most of my life. My first novel, Dark Prince, was published in 1999 and my first Leopard series book was published in 2002. I’ve written 7 different series and several single title books. I’m a #1 New York Times bestselling author several times over, for which I am deeply grateful to my readers. I have many children and even more grandchildren and have two great-grandchildren children as well. I love spending time with my big family. I have two huge Black Russian Terriers and live on the Northern California coast. Leopard’s Wrath is the 12th book in my Leopard series. Mitya Amurov is the hero and has been in some of the previous books. His love interest in Ania Dover, a thrill-seeker and transporter. These are suspense shapeshifter books and are my most erotic books. Where do the ideas in your stories come from? I’m especially interested in how you came up with the Carpathians? Are they pure imagination, a case of what if… with research to follow, family, or…

“Imagine what would happen if you took Die Hard and swapped out John McClane for Han Solo and Princess Leia?” This is what I asked my agent. Her answer? “I’m going to need more coffee for this.” And so Red Awakening was born. In Red Awakening, the hero, Mace Armstrong, is tough, cynical, doesn’t give a stuff about what’s going on around him, and hates to get involved. But, just like Han Solo, when he’s pulled into a situation he can’t avoid, he just can’t stop that honorable core of his from breaking free and making him do the right thing. Although, his actions do come with a heft side-serving of sarcasm. Meanwhile, our heroine, Keiko Sato, may be smaller in stature than Mace, but she’s fierce enough in personality to run rings round him. And even though she starts the book quite oblivious to the wrongs happening around her, when she does find out the truth about her employer – CommTECH – it ignites her own core of integrity and after that, there’s no stopping her. I adore how these two interact with each other. The initial attraction is hot and explosive, but the reality of how well-matched they…

Instead of trying to find your perfect match in a dating app, we bring you the “Author-ReaderMatch” where we introduce you to authors as a reader you may fall in love with. It’s our great pleasure to present Amanda Usen!  Writes: Super sexy urban fantasy, contemporary romance, and erotic romance. Think X-men meets Fifty Shades of Grey with a dash of Chopped. My characters are adrenaline-inducing, hot flash-provoking, and guaranteed to make you hungry, which is why my website has recipes from my books. About: Writer. Chef. Romantic. Mother. Wife. Teacher. Obliger. ISFJ-T. Coffee addict. Chocolate believer. Love maker. I love projects! Next on deck is helping my oldest daughter choose a college while I work on the next book in the Talent series. What I’m looking for in my ideal reader match: My ideal reader will believe… There are no lost causes. Family is born and made. Sugar is excellent medicine. Smart is always sexy. That happy endings aren’t easy and are worth the wait…especially when there are super-powered sexy times involved… What to expect if we’re compatible: First and foremost, I like to show readers a good time. If you take one of my books to bed, to…