Fresh FIction Box Not To Miss
The Character Most Likely – Samantha Chase
Author Guest / December 9, 2022

With Samantha Chase’s new book TEMPT ME out, we here at Fresh Fiction thought it would be a fun way for readers to get to know her characters better by playing a little game we call “The Character Most Likely“. If you’re new to her Donovans series – it’s a contemporary romance series set in a small town.   Most likely to take a chance? That would definitely be the baby of the family, Arianna. Her story was DARE ME and if you read it, you know that girl is all about taking a chance and accepting all kinds of dares Most likely to fall in love unexpectedly? I’m going to have to go with Patrick on this one, only because he’s managed to stay under the radar with his mother’s matchmaking and he’s so focused on his career that he’s not even looking or thinking about falling in love.   Most likely to be attracted by their opposite? Ooo…it’s kind of a tie. Liam and Ryleigh are probably the most rigid in their personalities and lifestyles and I think they NEED someone who is their opposite and will force them out of their comfort zones to make them happy.  …

Alicia Hunter Pace | 20 Questions: SMOOTH AS SILK
Author Guest / February 25, 2022

1–What is the title of your latest release? SMOOTH AS SILK   2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?  attract story, haphazard, pro hockey player Robbie MacTavish, in his tattered kilt and mismatched socks, is the last person ambitious, prim Hyacinth Dawson wants in her life—no matter how charming he is. But she needs his help in order to get her bridal shop on the reality show, All Dressed in White. Is surviving with her heart intact possible?   3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? All of my books are set in the South, so that was a given. I wanted a larger city for the setting for a new professional hockey franchise, but the story needed a small town feel. Since Birmingham, Alabama doesn’t have an NHL team, but has several upscale suburbs, it seemed a natural. The team could play their games in downtown Birmingham, with offices and the practice rink twenty minutes away in the fictional village, Laurel Springs.   4–Would you hang out with Hyacinth in real life? Yes, though I would probably enjoy it more toward the end of the book after she has loosened up a bit!…

Babette de Jongh | A Professional Animal Communicator Who Writes Romance Novels
Author Guest / November 30, 2021

How does a professional animal communicator end up writing romance novels? It’s a fair question, because the two interests—animal communication and romance writing—don’t seem at all related. In fact, many well-meaning people have advised me to choose one and let the other go. Their point: It’s hard enough to succeed at anything when you’re laser-focused and giving it everything you’ve got. It was entirely possible that such a divided focus would doom both ventures to failure. But I’ve always believed that my passions would provide a roadmap to the next right place. So, as I honed my skills of animal communication, I honed my writing skills too. While I built my business as an animal communicator, I wrote a how-to book about animal communication, and several novels (some that are still under the bed, taunting me like Edgar Allan Poe’s telltale heart under the floorboards). But my romance writing and animal communication skills all came together one day at a romance writer’s conference, when a writer who knew my work said, “You should pitch something to Deb Werksman at Sourcebooks. She’d love your writing.” My truth-meter went off in a big way.  I knew without a doubt that some channel…

Jennifer Snow | Author-Reader Match: A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS
Author Guest / September 28, 2021

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 Jennifer Snow! Writes: USA Today Bestselling Author of fast-paced, sweet, and sexy contemporary romance set in small towns with quirky characters and snappy dialogue. About: Jennifer enjoys writing books that have humor, heart and heat! She loves to write dialogue and the witty banter between her hero and heroine is her favorite. She likes to populate her small towns with a quirky, lovable cast of characters that readers like to revisit. What I’m looking for in my ideal reader match: -Likes fast-paced, low drama romances with open door sex scenes -Prefers a Beta to an Alpha male lead -Has a slightly sarcastic and dry sense of humor -Must not require much sleep because once they start reading, it’s impossible to put the book down. What to expect if we’re compatible: -More book releases than you can keep track of (I have a similar *problem*) -A guaranteed HEA in every romance. -To be introduced to my dark alter-ego, J.M. Winchester who prefers…

Kathryn Springer | Exclusive Excerpt: THE GATHERING TABLE
Author Guest / September 24, 2021

“I guess that officially makes us neighbors, then.” He smiled. “Nick Silva. I live at the end of the street. The only house that isn’t the color of an Easter egg, by the way.” Jess was tempted to smile back, but something told her it would only encourage him to linger. Not that Nick needed encouragement. He extended his hand. “And you are…” “Jessica Keaton.” Jess recreated Nita Warrior Princess’s brisk handshake. The rosebush tried to hinder Jess’s final quickstep to the patio, but she made it. Nick followed, Chuck Taylor high-tops trampling violas left and right. “Does that Buick out front belong to you?” Without thinking, Jess shook her head. As far as she was concerned, it wasn’t a lie. The Buick belonged to Jessie Keaton, an eighteen-year-old escapee from a small town much like Winsome Lake. The car had aided and abetted her flight to freedom a decade ago until it eventually made its way to an outbuilding on the Donovan estate. Safely locked away. Like everything else in Jess’s past. But as much as she wished a tow truck would haul the thing to the nearest scrapyard, Jess doubted a vehicle was part of her new benefit…

Jackie Ashenden | Exclusive Excerpt: THAT DEEP RIVER FEELING
Author Guest / July 30, 2021

Zeke Montgomery knew Morgan West was going to be trouble the minute he laid eyes on her. She stood at the foot of the steps to her own front door — the front door he’d been waiting outside of for the past couple of hours, not that he’d been counting or anything — with her arms folded, looking sternly at him like he was a little kid who’d just drawn on her walls with a crayon. She was very small and wore a not particularly flattering uniform of dark brown pants and khaki shirt, with a dark brown parka that nearly swallowed her thrown over the top. And her strawberry blond hair, the color of which reminded him of apricots, was in a very severe ponytail down her back. She wore no makeup, her face freckled and wholesome, with those bright blue eyes, the ones he remembered from Cal’s funeral that had been red from weeping then, but were much brighter now. They were also very, very direct. And she was still the prettiest thing he’d seen for months, if not years. All of which spelled trouble with a capital ’T’. She said crossly, “Where on earth have you been,…

Preslaysa Williams | Exclusive Interview: A LOWCOUNTRY BRIDE
Author Guest / June 1, 2021

Danielle: Welcome to Fresh Fiction, Preslaysa! Congrats on the release of your debut, A LOWCOUNTRY BRIDE! Can you tell us about your journey into publishing? Preslaysa: I started seriously writing fiction in 2008. At the time, I knew nothing about novel writing, but I was passionate about it. I first dabbled in young adult and middle grade fiction. Then I decided to focus on writing romance. Little did I know that I chose a challenging genre to write! It took me about 9 years to become skilled at writing a romantic arc, character arcs for two love interests, and a plot arc. All three have to be woven together seamlessly. (And there are more requirements for subgenres like paranormal romance, inspirational romance, erotica, or historical romance!). I entered my manuscripts in writing contests, and they would final or win those contests. Seeing my stories make the final rounds (or even win!) was a very encouraging part of my writing career.   In 2012 (very early in my journey), I received an offer of publication for A LOWCOUNTRY BRIDE, but after much thought, I didn’t feel comfortable with signing on the dotted line. So, I didn’t. I not only learned how…

Miranda Liasson | 20 Questions: COMING HOME TO SEASHELL HARBOR
Author Guest / May 7, 2021

1–What is the title of your latest release? Coming Home to Seashell Harbor 2–What is it about? It’s an enemies-to-lovers second-chance romance with lots of dogs! And three best friends-for-life. 3–What do you love about the setting of your book?  I love old homes and I love the ocean, so put the two together and I’m in my happy place! 4–How did your heroine surprise you?  Success for Hadley was defined in a way that wasn’t making her happy. But she didn’t think that what she really wanted to do was in line with her definition of success. 5–Why will readers love your hero?  Tony is fun and has a heart of gold but he has a big struggle – he had an injury that prevented him from being one of the greatest footballers of all time. And he’s desperate to show the world that he’s become a success in a different way. And even though Hadley and he are on opposite sides for much of the book, he can’t help falling in love with her.    6–What was one of your biggest challenges while writing this book (spoiler-free, of course!)?  Answer: The dogs have personalities too. That’s all I’m…

Teri Wilson | Exclusive Excerpt: THE TROUBLE WITH PICKET FENCES
Author Guest / April 2, 2021

Lovestruck Fire Department Captain Jason McBride lingered in the tool aisle of the mom-and-pop hardware store on Main Street, staring blankly ahead at the hammer display. Why had he come in here on the way back to the station from his doctor’s appointment, again? He pressed hard on his temples in an effort to force his careening thoughts back on track. There’d been a reason for this errand. He was certain of it. He just couldn’t remember what it was. Calm down. It wasn’t the worst news. You’re not dying or anything. Everything’s going to be fine. He squeezed his eyes closed and tried not to think about the look of concern on Dr. Martin’s face or the intimidating words printed at the top of the brochure the doctor had handed him. NIHL—Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Ac­companied by Tinnitus. It wasn’t a brain tumor, as he’d feared. That was the good news, and Jason was grateful for it. He truly was. But the bad news was indeed bad. NIHL was permanent, as was the tinnitus. How was he sup­posed to live—and, more importantly, do his job—with a constant roar in his ears? Just yes­terday, he’d missed an entire conversation over his…

Jackie Ashenden | Title Challenge: DEEP RIVER PROMISE
Author Guest / March 30, 2021

D  Donuts! The best kind, from April’s diner E   Extremely scenic E   Excessive amounts of sexual tension P  Pilot – who doesn’t love a bush pilot? * R Ridiculously charming hero I  Ice queen heroine V Very protective teenager AKA Astrid’s son Connor E Emotional R Reluctant falling in love * P  Promises Damon has to keep R   Romance! O  Oh no, Astrid tries very hard not to fall for him and fails M  Moms – Astrid is a single mom I   Intense – Damon is not quite as easy going as he seems S  Sexy times in the library E  Escape to Alaska DEEP RIVER PROMISE by Jackie Ashenden Welcome to Deep River, Alaska Damon Fitzgerald’s only desire is to get back to LA and out of the tiny Alaskan town he’s somehow inherited. But first he has to keep a promise he made to his old army buddy and look out for his friend’s son. That would be a whole lot easier if the kid’s mother wasn’t the mayor of Deep River… Astrid James didn’t ask to be mayor of Deep River but since she is, she intends to do right by the town…