The Fresh Fiction Podcast

CALL TO ACTION: For our “listener request” show in November, send us a note at [email protected] and let us know what you want us to talk about: advice, book recommendation requests, gift-giving help, or any topic you wish! Gwen’s had a busy week while her husband has been injured, but she feels like Mary Tyler Moore because she’s doing it all. Danielle has been making the most of the gorgeous fall happening in Illinois, bonfires, hanging out with friends, and more! * Paranormal Pop Culture Recommendations TV Danielle: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, True Blood, Lost Girl Gwen: Ghosts on CBS (based on a British series of the same name), Childs Play TV series on SciFi, Bettlejuice animated series, MOVIES Danielle: The Addams Family, Casper, Ghostbusters; most of Tim Burton’s Oeuvre: Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow Gwen: Interview with a Vampire (TV series coming soon!), Gaia on Hulu, Brotherhood of the Wolf, Into the Woods BOOKS Danielle: Mating the Huntress by Talia Hibbert, Shelley Laurenston, Ilona Andrews; Middle-Grade graphic novel: Séance Tea Party by Reimena Yee, YA graphic novel: Sheets and Delicates by Brenna Thummler Gwen: Joe Hill's books combine horror and paranormal (also, he's Stephen King’s son) * Recs from SULEIKHA SNYDER BIG BAD WOLF PRETTY LITTLE LION Don’t sleep on how diverse and speculative Passions was... The heroine of PRETTY LITTLE LION is an apsara with some added ablities! Suleikha has been an entertainment writer for years! Some recs: General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, Ted Lasso, Evil Romance recs: KJ Charles, Holley Trent, Olivia Waite, Beverly Jenkins, Alyssa Cole, Courtney Milan, Melissa Blue, Charlotte Stien (basically just read every book by everyone) Suleikha finds immense comfort in Ted Lasso, ice cream (specifically Hagen-Das Creamy Mango and anything by Jenni’s), soap operas, and her upcoming trip to NYC. Recs from our Halloween Rapid Fire Round: Suleikha wants to dress up like Taika Waititi in a pineapple romper, Gwen’s all about Jennifer Coolidge’s character on The White Lotus, and Danielle is feeling feline (because it’s easy). Halloween Movie recs: the first that came to mind for Suleikha was Nightmare Before Christmas, Gwen loves Hocus Pocus, and Danielle enjoys how The Addams Family is weird and has no rules. http://www.suleikhasnyder.com https://twitter.com/suleikhasnyder https://www.instagram.com/suleikhasnyder/ https://www.tiktok.com/@suleikhasnyder * Goals/Comfort & Joy Danielle did prep for NaNoWriMo, but because of book 2 revisions, she probably won’t be doing it this year. Her new goal is to enjoy Halloween! Danielle’s Comfort: E.L.F. Nourishing Night Cream ($12) and Uoma Drama Bomb Mascara ($20) Gwen has been getting up early! Her new goal is to mediate for ten minutes every morning. Gwen’s Comfort: Meditation Aromatherapy Roll-On from Pompeii Organics * EMAIL US! Thoughts or questions? And send us your topics for the listener request show! Email us at [email protected]. * Find us on the Socials! Gwen Reyes Twitter Facebook Instagram Danielle Jackson Twitter Instagram Fresh Fiction Twitter Facebook Instagram EventBrite

Vibe Check We want to hear from you! For our Thanksgiving episode, we want our listeners to tell us what to talk about! Email [email protected] with your ideas/requests/topics/questions and we’ll yammer on about it at the end of November. Gwen has made a ton of soup. She is really proud that she had a game night with some of their new friends, and played Abandon All Artichokes, Betrayal at Baldur’s Gate, and Clank. Danielle has a wild plan to finish her current WIP and maybe (possibly) write another book before the end of the year... * Main Discussion We both love witches and the broad scope they cover in entertainment. We both hold the 1996 film THE CRAFT close to our hearts. And we loved the trajectory of a character like the Wicked Witch of the West, who we grew up with in The Wizard of Oz, then saw the flip side of in WICKED by Gregory Macguire, and again with the musical. Gwen’s recs: Hocus Pocus, The VVitch, Tara and Willow on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Fear Street 1666, Lore Podcast, American Horror Story (Coven and Apocalypse), and Ursula the Sea Witch from The Little Mermaid Danielle’s recs: The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Scarlett Witch from WandaVision, The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling, Witch Please by Anne Aguirre, Big Witch Energy by Kelly Jamieson, Alexis Daria’s Audible original: What the Hex, Witches of Brooklyn series by Sophie Escabasse (middle grade), Bad Witch Burning by Jessica Lewis (YA) * Recs from LANA HARPER Lana has written in different genres! Be sure to check out all of her books on her website: https://www.lanapopovicbooks.com/ Lana’s Favorite Pop Culture Witches: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Supernatural, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, The Magicians, True Blood. Danielle mentioned the Wicked Witch of the West but also brought up Gregory McGuire’s WICKED and the Broadway Musical; Gwen brought up Hocus Pocus and American Horror Story: Coven. Then we all remembered Practical Magic and The Craft!! Lana finds immense comfort in perfume! She’s also enjoying The L Word: Generation Q and For All Mankind. Look for Lana’s next witchy romance, FROM BAD TO CURSED, in Spring 2022. Follow Lana on Twitter, @LanaPopovicLit, and Instagram, @LanaLyte. For more info, go to her website: https://www.lanapopovicbooks.com/. * Goals/Comfort & Joy Gwen made so much soup with the stock she made last week! This week she wants to wake up by 6:30am. And she finally got a cozy “shacket,” aka a Plush Shirt Jacket from Costco. Danielle turned in her copyedits! This week she wants to start prepping for NaNoWriMo. And she made Double Chocolate Coffee Addict Cookies by Sweet & Simple Kitchen. * EMAIL US! Thoughts or questions? Email us at [email protected]. * Find us on the Socials! Gwen Reyes Twitter Facebook Instagram Danielle Jackson Twitter Instagram Fresh Fiction Twitter Facebook Instagram EventBrite

Vibe Check D had a busy week dealing with her daughter’s cold, but she was able to see her new, grown-up friends! G’s mom is visiting her in WA and she got to show off some of her favorite places in her new home. * SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE DISCUSSION A great place to hear more about second chance romance is our interview with Reese Ryan, who wrote three second chance romances in 2020: Second Chance on Cypress Lane, Secret Heir Seduction, and A Reunion of Rivals Gwen’s Recs: Movies - Always Be My Maybe, The Philadelphia Story, heartbreaking version of Wuthering Heights from 2011 TV - Ross and Rachel, Lorelei and Christopher, Eleanor and Chidi from The Good Place Books – Persuasion (The OG Second Chance Romance, in our opinion) Pop Culture – Ben and Jen 3.0! Danielle’s Recs: Movies – Sweet Home Alabama, Love and Basketball, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, High Fidelity TV – Mer-Der on Grey’s Anatomy (and most of the other major romance storylines on the show... is it nostalgia?), Jess and Nick on New Girl, but also, CeCe and Schmidt’s love story is possibly even more akin to a romance novel! Books - Queen Move by Kennedy Ryan, Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole, Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev, A Lot Like Adios by Alexis Daria, One Week to Claim it All by Adriana Herrera (her new book, JUST FOR THE HOLIDAYS will be out in October) * Recs from DIANA BILLER THE BRIGHTEST STAR IN PARIS hits stores on October 12. Pre-order now! You can also read her debut, THE WIDOW OF ROSE HOUSE, and a holiday novella, A CHRISTMAS SPARK. Hot take! Diana doesn’t believe in ghosts, but she loves writing about them. Also, we all think we will make excellent ghosts one day. Neuroscience as we know it was really coming into its own during this time (though it wasn’t called neuroscience just yet). Diana showed us her copy of Origins of Neuroscience, which looks fascinating... and very dense. Discovering BTS has brought Diana so much joy (Same, girl!). Also, she has the best pets! Shout out to Valentino and Giselle!! We got the scoop on Diana’s future release, The Hotel of Secrets, set in Vienna, with a beautiful hotel owner and a reluctant spy. Look for it in early 2023. Please be aware that dates can change (such is publishing!), so sign up for Diana’s newsletter to get the latest info. https://www.dianabiller.com/ Instagram Twitter * Goals/Comfort & Joy Danielle is still scrolling at night, but she is also reading more! Reading a print book with short chapters and very lyrical writing, like the Neapolitan series by Elena Ferrante, has been a huge help. This week, she is VERY determined to finsih the copyedits on THE ACCIDENTAL PINUP. Her new Rothy’s Driver Loafers are making her immensely happy. Gwen has been reconnecting with friends by sending them lovely little gifts and she will continue to work on this because it has been really satisfying. She now wants to focus on making stock because it’s soup season! Gwen has started using a Breville milk frother and is making her own lattes at him, which is very comforting. * EMAIL US! Thoughts or questions? Email us at [email protected]. * Find us on the Socials! Gwen Reyes Twitter Facebook Instagram Danielle Jackson Twitter Instagram Website Fresh Fiction Twitter Facebook Instagram EventBrite

It’s Gwen’s Birthday week!!!!!!!!! She also put together one of the new desks in her home and it’s making things feel complete. Danielle participated in #20Kin5Days! It’s hosted by author Tasha L. Harrison and her Wordmakers community. It only opens to new members every few months, so sign up for her newsletter if you’re interested in future challenges or are looking for a place to connect with other writers. In addition to writing 20K on a new WIP, Danielle also published her author website: https://daniellejacksonbooks.com/ * WRITING AT LARGE IN POP CULTURE Gwen’s Recs: Can You Ever Forgive Me? (screenwriting), Girls (Millennials writing), Ruby Sparks (writer’s creation coming to life, see also Stranger Than Fiction), Almost Famous (music writing), Young Adult (YA author), HappyThankYouMorePlease (for a shade of ridiculous publishing portrayal), Quills (Marquis de Sade), Anonymous (Shakespeare), Poetic Justice (poetry), How to Make an American Quilt (thesis writing), Sex and the City (can’t forget our girl Carrie) Danielle’s Recs: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (magazine features), Never Been Kissed (newspaper scoop, also, super problematic in retrospect), The Devil Wears Prada (Vogue), 13 Going on 30 (magazine features), The Proposal (editors), You’ve Got Mail (bookstores), Trainwreck (magazine features). Don’t forget about Romancing the Stone (romance writer!!!); stay tuned for The Lost City of D with Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum. TV: The Bold Type (magazines), Younger (publishing), 30 Rock (TV writer’s room) Danielle also asked on Twitter for books featuring writers, because she could only think of the recent release, SEVEN DAYS IN JUNE by Tia Williams. Shout out to Leigh Kramer, Theresa Romain, Jon Keogh, and @ThanksForDaVenom for their recs. See the full list here: https://twitter.com/DJacksonBooks/status/1431022653821886472 * Recs from NAIMA SIMONE Naima finds that doing writing challenges with a partner and writing out plots/outlines by hand help keep her on track for her word count goals! She’s a big crime show and reality TV fan! She credits Nalini Singh with writing diverse characters before “diversity” was a big initiative in publishing and wants her diverse casts to be the norm across the board. Things bringing her joy: her new dog, Dr. Death on Peacock, and Slasher Season 4 All of Naima’s book coming soon: August 24: Secrets of a One Night Stand September 1: A Kiss to Remember October 26: Christmas in Rose Bend December 28: The Perfect Fake Date Naima’s Website: http://naimasimone.com/ Twitter Facebook Instagram Newsletter * Goals/Comfort & Joy Gwen did complete her goal last week and put together one of the two new desks (the second is on it’s way)! This week, she wants to reconnect with friends by sending some fun local Seattle products and cards/letters. She also took a trip to Penzey’s and bought a million spices which is bring her much joy. Danielle, in no way shape or form, even tried to clean out her guest room closet (she has decided she’s over it). This week, she wants to be better about reading before bed and not just scrolling on her phone. Danielle is obsessed with her Out of Print x S’Well composition notebook water bottle that she got on SUPER sale, and that makes her happy. * EMAIL US! Thoughts or questions? Email us at [email protected]. * Find us on the Socials! Gwen Reyes Twitter Facebook Instagram Danielle Jackson Twitter Instagram Fresh Fiction Twitter Facebook Instagram EventBrite

Vibe Check Danielle has seen a book cover! And it’s great! Gwen cleaned out her freezer! Our guest, Susan, wrote two reviews of upcoming movies for her website, http://thischixflix.com/ * Our Fall 2021 Entertainment Recs September Susan/Film: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Candyman, Dear Evan Hansen, The Eyes of Tammy Faye Gwen/TV: I Know What You Did Last Summer, Doogie, The Wonder Years, Le Brea, Big Sky, ACS: Impeachment, Scenes from a Marriage, The Morning Show Danielle Books: A Lot Like Adios by Alexis Daria, You Got Anything Stronger? By Gabrielle Union October Susan/Film: No Time to Die, The Last Duel, Halloween Kills Gwen/TV: Succession, Insecure, Queens, Dopesick, The Many Saints of New York Danielle Books: The Brightest Star in Paris by Diana Biller (future podcast guest!), All the Feels by Olivia Dade, Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci November Susan/Film: Eternals, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Top Gun: Maverick, House of Gucci, Gwen/TV: The Great season 2, Dexter: New Blood Danielle Books: Terciel & Elinor by Garth Nix, Donut Fall in Love by Jackie Lau, Miss Moriarty I Presume by Sherry Thomas December Susan/Film: Spider-Man: No Way Home, The King’s Man, The Matrix 4 Gwen/TV: Netflix Christmas movies and finding time to watch all the shows we didn’t watch the rest of the year! Danielle Books: The Love Con by Seressia Glass * Goals/Comfort & Joy Susan would like to drink more water and have a consistent bedtime routine! She’s finding immense comfort in Taco Bell (as we all do) and watching Never Have I Ever on Netflix. You can find Susan’s reviews on http://thischixflix.com/. Follow her on Twitter! Gwen needs to build two desks for her apartment. The weather is cooling off in the PNW, so she’s enjoying wearing funny sweaters, and is considering a western-style sweatshirt from Costco! Danielle must go through her guest room closet. Her quiet house is bringing her so much joy! * EMAIL US! Thoughts or questions? Email us at [email protected]. * Find us on the Socials! Gwen Reyes Twitter Facebook Instagram Danielle Jackson Twitter Instagram Fresh Fiction Twitter Facebook Instagram EventBrite

Gwen had a harrowing adventure this week, but has a new mattress to show for it! Danielle planned two birthday parties and is the mother of a 7 yr. old! They think these are huge accomplishments! * Celebrities! Celebs Danielle Follows in Social Media: (mostly on Instagram) Mindy Kaling, Jennifer Garner, Reese Witherspoon, Retta, Gabrielle Union, Nicole Byer. Also! Don’t sleep on celebrity stylists: Elizabeth Stuart, Law Roach, and Karla Welch Celebs Gwen likes to follow: Many of the same that Danielle follows, but also fashion designers, makeup artists, Issa Rae (HER WEDDING!!!!), Beyonce, musicians and bands like Taking Back Sunday and Foo Fighters Gwen’s Recs: The old standards: Celebitchy, Lainey Gossip, Page Six, RealityTea for reality show gossip, CrazyDaysandNights and Deux Moi for blind items, and books by Anne Helen Peterson and Karina Longworth for the business side of celebrity; Behind the Music (Paramount), Tabloid, NOBODY SPEAKS (Netflix), AMY, FRAMING BRITNEY SPEARS. Very old show DIRT starring Courteney Cox Danielle’s Recs: Bohemian Rhapsody, Judy, My Week with Marilyn, The United States vs. Billie Holiday (and Lady Sings the Blues), The Aviator; Beyond the Lights, any version of A Star is Born, Birdman, The Artist; American Crime Story (Gianna Versace and OJ Simpson), Entourage, The Crown, “thinly veiled” shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm, One Mississippi; You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria (also Take the Lead), Reel by Kennedy Ryan, While We Were Dating by Jasmine Guillory * Recs from JENNET ALEXANDER Jennet spent part of her release day with us, and we were very chuffed about it! You can follow her on Twitter, @JennetAlexander, and find out more info on her website, http://www.jennetalexander.com/. Horror film/show recs: Dog Soldiers, Haunting of Hill House, Haunting of Bly Manor Romance rec: Anne of Manhattan by Brina Starler Gossip/Celeb culture sites: Celebitchy, The Mary Sue (mostly does reviews, but sometimes covers bigger, “tabloid” stories) Pop Culture she’s been enjoying: the newer Godzilla movies (most recently, Godzilla vs. Kong) that have a lot of throwbacks to the original Gojira, MCU and looking forward to Phase 4 (specifically Hawkeye with Hailee Steinfeld) * Goals/Comfort & Joy Danielle has been writing something every day! Now, she wants to figure out a work routine for the upcoming school year. Gwen’s inbox is much more organized and as the week goes on and she completes more tasks, it will be all clear again. An evergreen goal (for everyone – even you!), Gwen would like to drink more water. * EMAIL US! Thoughts or questions? Email us at [email protected]. * Find us on the Socials! Gwen Reyes Twitter Facebook Instagram Danielle Jackson Twitter Instagram Fresh Fiction Twitter Facebook Instagram EventBrite

Gwen has been going to bed at 10:30 consistently this week, and we want to know the secret to this sorcery. Danielle’s debut novel is about to head to copyediting and proofreading, she finished the first draft of her WIP, and she planned TWO parties for her daughter’s upcoming 7th birthday! ESCAPISM Is escapism more about a feeling? Maybe a sense of place? Or is it just watching rich people do a bunch of wild things? We’re not sure, but we do have opinions. Danielle’s Escapist Recs: TV: Bridgerton, Grey’s Anatomy (in particular, the infamous bomb episode) MOVIES: Wes Anderson Movies - The Royal Tenenbaums,The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, and Moonrise Kingdom. Shout out to the The French Dispatch, which finally premiered at Cannes this year! BOOKS: THE EX TALK by Rachel Lynn Solomon, PUMPKINHEADS by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks, WILD WOMEN AND THE BLUES by Denny S. Bryce, Sarah MacLean’s Bareknuckle Bastards series Gwen’s Escapist Recs: Opulence: Anything that revolves around insanely rich people, because it is sooo different from my life. I also love watching the pettiness and insecurity money brings to people -- again, not in real life. THE WHITE LOTUS, REAL HOUSEWIVES OF POTOMAC, DR. DEATH, and FBOY ISLAND Travel/”City as a character”: NYC/LA/Paris as the backdrop for a person discovering themselves. BITTERSWEET, SWEET FILTHY BOY, and food travel shows like David Chang’s BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND DINNER Podcasts – WHO?Weekly and EVEN THE RICH Recs from Melonie Johnson Does anyone know why there are so many paintball scenes in rom-coms? (PS There’s one in Melonie’s book, too!!) Our favorrite rom-com movie and book recs! Melonie: When Harry Met Sally, The Hating Game by Sally Thorne. Gwen: You’ve Got Mail (but also His Girl Friday and Bringing Up Baby), Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding. Danielle: Clueless, The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa. Some things Melonie did early on in her publishing journey to learn about the business: NaNoWriMo, read the Smart Bitches Trashy Books website and listened to the podcast, attended the Chicago-North RWA Spring Fling Conference. Melonie is thrilled about the warm weather and being outside, and listening to audiobooks: GET A LIFE, CHLOE BROWN by Talia Hibbert and WILD WOMEN AND THE BLUES by Denny S. Bryce. Look for TOO WRONG TO BE RIGHT, Kat’s book, coming soon! Go to Melonie’s website for more info, follow her on Twitter, Facebook, Facebook Reader Group, Instagram, and sign up for her newsletter. Goals/Comfort & Joy Danielle chose a baking project (puff pastry), but will wait to start until it’s not so hot out. She would like to get back into a regular writing routine this week. And she’s been making sun tea on her deck! Gwen has procured her air fryer, but has not found a fried chicken recipe... YET. She wants to keep her work email inbox clean and organized! And spying on her neighbors and seeing/hearing their exploits has brought her much joy this week. Find us on the Socials! Gwen Reyes Twitter Facebook Instagram Danielle Jackson Twitter Instagram Fresh Fiction Twitter Facebook Instagram EventBrite

This week, Gwen got to see friends who came to visit and she started composting! Danielle survived her family vacation to Michigan and changed her social media handles to @DJacksonBooks to start changing into her author persona! Food in Pop Culture Do we ever stop talking about food? NOPE! Do we have a TON of recommendations? YES! Gwen’s Chef Shows: Celeb chefs like Ina, Martha, Tabitha Brown, plus Giada and Bobby Flay’s forbidden love. Gwen’s Food Competition Shows: Top Chef is the OG! Gwen’s TV/Movies: Chocolat, Hook, Kitchen Confidential, A Matter of Taste; Controversy over Roadrunner Gwen’s Books: Louisa Edwards’ “Recipe for Love” series featuring chefs and restaurant owners. And I back Danielle’s choice of Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev. Danielle’s Chef Shows: Nadiya Bakes, Chef Show, and I’ve been known to just turn on the Food Network and watch whatever comes on Danielle’s Food Competitions Shows: Top Chef, Chopped, Great British Baking Show, Nailed It! Danielle’s TV/Movies: Chef, Ratatouille, Dinner Rush Danielle’s Books: Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev, Mangos and Mistletoe by Adriana Herrera, A Match Made for Thanksgiving by Jackie Lau, The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory, Accidentally Engaged by Farrah Heron Recs from Sonali Dev The first Austen novel that Sonali read was Pride and Prejudice. There was a very 80s, very awesome P&P retelling called Trishna that she watched when she was younger. The Raje Series: Pride Prejudice and Other Flavors, Recipe for Persuasion, and Incense and Sensibility Coming soon: the 4th book in the Raje series, based on Emma. Head to https://sonalidev.com/ for more information. Follow her on Twitter, Instagram, join her Facebook Reader group, Dev Nation, and sign up for her newsletter! Goals/Comfort & Joy Gwen did not find a GP or a vet, but she did go to the dentist! This week, Gwen would like to find a “fried” chicken recipe for her new air fryer! Gwen has found immense comfort in oat milk lattes. Danielle survived family vacation, and wants to find a new baking recipe to perfect (she is leaning toward puff pastry). Danielle LOVES this Crushed Oreo and White Chocolate Chip cookie recipe! Find us on the Socials! Gwen Reyes Twitter Facebook Instagram Danielle Jackson Twitter Instagram Fresh Fiction Twitter Facebook Instagram EventBrite

On today's episode... Danielle traveled and hung out with a bunch of kids! Gwen survived the Seattle heatwave and didn’t murder her husband in the process! Host Check-in! Gwen has had an eventful 2021 so far, including moving across the country, bringing back the FF podcast, finding her perfect Costco in her new city, and starting a new event planning job. Danielle has a pub date for her debut novel (but she can’t share it just yet). Get ready for Summer 2022! What we’ve been READING Danielle: Bombshell by Sarah MacLean (August 24), The Dating Playbook by Farrah Rochon (August 17); Sisters in Arms by Kaia Alderson (August 3), The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood (September 14), and slowly reading Emma by Jane Austen and will follow it up with Northanger Abbey. (PS: Danielle is moderating a virtual panel on Friday August 6 with Alexis Daria, Melonie Johnson, Sarah MacLean, Scarlett Peckham, and Farrah Rochon, all about BFFs in Romance) Gwen: One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston, The Checklist by Addie Woolridge, and I just started To Sir, With Love by Lauren Layne (You’ve Got Mail reimagining!) What we’ve been WATCHING Gwen: Below Deck Med and Real Housewives of Potomac (Bravo) are back, baby! Kevin Can F Himself (AMC+), This is Pop (Netflix), Top Chef Portland season finale (Bravo), The Hustler (ABC), Starstruck (HBO Max), Hacks (HBO), Woolfgang (Disney+) Danielle: The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu), Much Ado About Nothing (Amazon Prime), Shadow and Bone (per Gwen’s rec! On Netflix), In the Heights (HBO Max), We are Lady Parts (Peacock TV) PS: Look at all the pretty people in Much Ado About Nothing! What else we’ve been CONSUMING Danielle: Podcast: Unladylike. All the Trader Joe’s snacks, specifically the Giant Peruvian Inca Corn Snacks and Philly Cheesesteak Bao Buns. Gwen: Podcast: I Am All In with Scott Patterson. Carrie Underwood’s Calia brand athleisure. Millionaire Cheesecakes and Lemon curd Cheesecakes from Costco. Ellenos Yogurt (Whole Foods and other specialty shops nationwide) More Summer Fun! Gwen wants to see more friends and has some upcomiong visitors that will be very exciting! She and her husband are also trying to explore Western Washington more, and went to Mt. Rainier recently. She really wants to go to Forks, WA, and Danielle wholeheartedly supports this, even though neither of them got into Twilight AT ALL. Danielle is taking a family trip to a smalltown in Michigan to live that lake life. Also, she had brunch with friends recently and now wants to do that more (safely and within reason). * Recs from Marissa and Roseann Check out LSA’s surprise boxes and their YouTube channel! Roseann loved the virtual event they hosted with Beverly Jenkins and Marissa has enjoyed the Boozy Book Broads, including Rosie Danan, Diana Biller, and Jackie Lau All the recs from our rapid fire section! Comfort Reads: Anything Beverly Jenkins, Anything Barbara Delinksey, The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, Born in Fire by Nora Roberts. Books we think should be adapted for TV/Film: The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa, Modern Love Series by Alisha Rai, Jemima J by Jane Green, You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria. Dream Author Guests for store events or the podcast: Beverly Jenkins (in person!), Alyssa Cole, Suzanne Brockmann, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Nora Roberts Marissa is loving the warmer weather, Frappucinos, Skinny Pop Popcorn, and her dogs. Roseann is finding joy in warmer weather and getting outside more. Follow LSA on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, shop their online store, sign up for their newsletter, and check out their Patreon! Also, head to their website for the latest info on events, store hours, and everything else: https://lovessweetarrow.com/ **After this interview was recorded in the springtime, Love’s Sweet Arrow and the Boozy Book Broads have put together a NEW Summer Sultry Box with handpicked items by the BBBs, LSA, and a special Novelly Yours Candle called Boozy Books on the Beach!** Goals/Comfort & Joy Gwen did not start un-crossing her legs while working, but it’s a work in progress. Gwen’s new goal is to find GP/doctors for her and her husband in WA and a vet/groomer for their dog. This week, she has found joy in having her brother and his partner visit soon! Danielle successfully traveled across the country and didn’t spiral (too much). Danielle’s new goal is to survive family vacation! And this week, she wants to give a special shout out to Novelly Yours Candles. Some of her faves: Book Club, Tarot Reading, Rose All Day, Thriller, and The Muse. Follow Up: The Worst Best Man [DD1]

Vibe Check The Type-A Queen of our hearts: Gwen has created a spreadsheet for her new local dining options! Actual human interaction!?! Danielle hosted an in-person event to celebrate Love’s Sweet Arrow’s 2nd anniversary! Our pal, @TheLindaShow, took some fun photos!! Romance Tropes If you are interested in more in-depth coverage of Romance Tropes and what they mean and why romance readers love them, check out these great podcasts: Fated Mates, Learning the Tropes, Whoa!mance, and Shelf Love. Our Faves and Recs! Danielle's favorite tropes and recs: Second chance romance: Reese Ryans's A Reunion of Rivals and Second Chance on Cypress Lane, Naima Simone's The Road to Rose Bend Enemies to lovers: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne, The Ex-Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon, The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa Grumpy/Sunshine: Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert, Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur, Managed by Kristin Callihan Gwen's favorite tropes and recs: Second chance romance: the Netflix movie, Always Be My Maybe (come for feelings, but stay for KEANU!) One-night-stand who ends up being the boss/co-worker/neighbor: Mer-Der on Grey's Anatomy (this EXACT moment, LOL) Love triangle: Vampire Diaries (Danielle snuck in a rec for One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London!) Recs from REESE RYAN Reese has all the books out: WAKING UP MARRIED, SECOND CHANCE ON CYPRESS LANE, SOMETHING ABOUT YOU. She’s been using Sarra Cannon’s HB90 organization bootcamp plan to stay focused. Authors she enjoys reading: Rochelle Alers, Maisey Yates, Kathy Douglass Check out her YouTube chat show, The Story Behind the Story (and so you can see her cute nose ring).Some of her favorite chats have been with Beverley Jenkins and Brenda Jackson and she’s excited to talk to Talia Hibbert and Donna Hill Look for a new continuity series by Reese, Karen Booth, and Joss Wood about foster brothers this fall: HOMECOMING HEARTBREAKER by Joss Wood (July), BEST LAID WEDDING PLANS by Karen Booth (August), and JUST A LITTLE MARRIED by Reese Ryan (September) Visit https://www.reeseryan.com/ for more information and to sign up for Reese’s newsletter. You can follow her on Twitter, Facebook, Facebook Reader Group, and Instagram. Goals/Comfort & Joy Danielle’s (almost) no-coffee experiment continues, and now she wants to travel safely to see her family. She’s also obsessed with the Etsy shop, Fugly Barbie! Some of her faves: Cute Spooky Vibes sweatshirt, Romance Noves are My Therapy sticker, Support Your Local Coven tee, and Hot and Steamy mug. Gwen did not unpack, but she does have to do it... eventually. She’d like to stop crossing her legs under her while she works at her desk, and has enjoyed watching In The Heights and Hacks, both of which are on HBO Max. Find us on the Socials! Gwen @ReelVixen Twitter Facebook Instagram Danielle @dj_dresser Twitter Instagram Fresh Fiction @FreshFiction Twitter Facebook Instagram EventBrite

Vibe Check This week, Gwen is feeling good about moving around more throughout the day and getting settled in her new city! Danielle has been reading a TON lately. She’s working her way through the Y: The Last Man graphic novel series by Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra, and she read a magical Ethiopian Jane Eyre retelling (yes, you read that right) called Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood (Sorry, it doesn’t come out until November, but you should totally preorder it!). INDULGENCES When D thinks of indulgences in pop culture she thinks of shows in the early Aughts, like Gossip Girl and Revenge. Also, the Harlequin Desire line of category romances, which are described as being about the “American elite.” Back in the Texan’s Bed by Naima Simione and Waking Up Married by Reese Ryan (future podcast guest!) are two recent releases she enjoyed. Of course, watching any of the Real Housewives franchises or even the Kardashians—but it’s interesting when the people on these shows are “messy” like everyone else, and watching them mess up is very entertaining. Gwen really loved the English translation and Netflix adaptation of 365 Days by Blanka Lipinska! Also, she enjoys aspirational life-style reality TV like Million Dollar Listing, Selling Sunset, and The Big Day. Also, remember how sumptuous and vibrant old technicolor moves were? Like Sunset Boulevard and Imitation of Life. What do our indulgences say about us? You tell us! Gwen: Taking a long shower, putting on lotion, and getting in fresh sheets, Midnight Cookie runs, Rachel’s Ginger Beer, Seattle donuts, and Omakase sushi menus Danielle: Ipsy subscription, ordering lunch at least once a week, Starbucks at least once a week (under normal circumstances, it’s definitely more than that), ALL the streaming services, and buying books! Recent buys: Why She Wrote by the Bonnets at Dawn hosts, Wild Women and the Blues by Denny S. Bryce, and a Kindle Oasis Recs from Angelina! Looking for great sex scenes in romance? Look to early Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Theresa Medeiros, Laura Kinsale, Sierra Simone Angelina, Danielle, and Melonie Johnson host the Boozy Book Broads chat every 3rd Friday of the Month on Love’s Sweet Arrow’s YouTube channel. Some of her favorite chats have been with Rosie Danan, Diana Biller, and Naima Simone. Coming soon: a new series by Angelina with Carina Press about 3 Mexican American sisters set in a small-town Kansas bar. Check out http://www.angelinamlopez.com/ for her blog, short stories, and much more! You can follow her on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and sign up for her newsletter. You can read her books: LUSH MONEY, HATE CRUSH, and SERVING SIN (our pals at Love’s Sweet Arrow have SIGNED copies of all of Angelina’s books right now!!) Goals/Comfort & Joy Gwen has been unpacking like crazy and is so close to getting everything done in her new place that she is going to carry this one over for another couple of weeks! Danielle has been working on her patience and that has been helped by some much-needed distance—plus she is planning on taking a trip to see family soon! This week, Danielle wants to stop drinking coffee and see what happens. Wish her luck! Gwen’s new couch, the Lovesac Sactional, is bringing her immense joy! Danielle has simplified her skincare routine and loves the Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant.

When was the last time you read a magazine? Gwen recently read print issues of Food Network, Food & Wine, and Bon Appetit! Danielle finished her first draft of book 3 but knows there’s a lot to work on during the revision process. Our Entertainment Comfort Zones Gwen loves a family/found family-focused show, like Modern Family, Blackish, Friends, and How I Met Your Mother. She also loves dysfunctional family shows like Succession and The Righteous Gemstones Danielle goes for creative-driven reality TV competition shows, like Top Chef, Project Runway, and The Great British Baking Show. She also hasn’t met a medical drama she won't give a try (and she will watch Grey’s Anatomy until the bitter end). Media that Danielle has consumed that is outside of her usual comfort zone – SciFi/High Fantasy: The Old Kingdom series by Garth Nix, Persephone Station by Stina Leicht, Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell, The Unleashing and The Undoing by Shelley Laurenston, The Thorne Chronicles by K. Eason; all the Marvel movies; the local news! Media that Gwen has consumed that is outside of her usual comfort zone – Shadow and Bone on Netflix; Male-narrated podcasts like Dana Carvey’s Fantastic, Ron Funches’ Getting Better; Big Sky on ABC (a twist on the serialized police procedural); Foreign language shows like Call Your Agent and Sexify Recs from ALYSSA COLE We were obsessed with Alyssa’s Zoom background, which was the Nightwalker from Princess Mononoke. Alyssa’s new book, HOW TO FIND A PRINCESS, will be in stores on May 25! We discussed aspects of all of the books in the Reluctant Royal series, as well as the spinoff series, Runaway Royals. Mr. Rogers, possibly a bisexual icon? Alyssa has been reading SPY x FAMILY! Coming soon: partnering with Oneill Jones on the REJECT SQUAD ULTRA graphic novel (which started out as a part of her novella, CAN’T ESCAPE LOVE, and is now real!!); Book 2 in the Hive series after THE AI WHO LOVED ME, which will be another Audible original. Go to https://alyssacole.com/, sign up for the Girls With Glasses Newsletter, and follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Goals/Comfort & Joy Danielle has decided to just read whatever Austen book she wants on her Summer of Austen re-read (she’s starting with EMMA). She has found comfort in listening to Regina Spektor’s Begin to Hope, which came out 15 years ago. Danielle is also going to work on her patience... with everything! Gwen has moved for 30 minutes every day—between walking her dog and moving across the country, she has this one covered! She has found comfort in cozy blankets, and recommends the Sherpa blanket from Costco.

Vibe Check Welcome to our very special MOM episode! Gwen works with her mom and admires her ambition, as well as her eye-opening carpool tactics. Danielle learned to make time for herself from her mom, who has two masters and her PhD, all of which she earned AFTER she had kids. Our moms are the very best! Pop Culture MOMS! Gwen chose two Iconic TV moms: Lorelai Gilmore from Gilmore Girls and Lucille Bluth (RIP Jessica Walters) from Arrested Development – both of whom could be considered terrible mothers... Danielle: Clair Huxtable really had it all. Molly Weasley from the HP series, especially when she takes out Bellatrix. Rainbow Johnson from Black-ish because she’s quirky and always there for her kids. Morticia Addams wasn’t afraid to show affection to Gomez. Marmee from Little Women is perhaps the quintessential mother. (Also, terrible moms: Lily Vander Woodsen from Gossip Girl, Ellis Grey on Grey’s Anatomy, also ALL the parents on Riverdale—loved this PopBuzz article dissecting why!) Recs from ASHLEY AUDRAIN Ashley’s debut novel, THE PUSH, is now available! Ashley has two books to recommend (which coincidentally look at motherhood!): THE NINE LIVES OF ROSE NAPOLITANO by Donna Freitas and THE SPECTACULAR by Zoe Whittall (out in September) Like so many of us, Ashley loved THE UNDOING on HBO. Wearing comfy sweats has brought Ashley immense joy! She especially loves the sweats from Province of Canada. Ashley’s next book, THE WHISPERS, will be out in 2022! You can find out more info at https://ashleyaudrain.com/, follow her on Instagram (where she is the most active) and Twitter. What we’re watching/reading/listening to Reading (BOOKS!) Danielle: WILD WOMEN AND THE BLUES by Denny S. Bryce, THE ROAD TO ROSE BEND by Naima Simone, LOVE IN COLOR by Bolu Babalola, NEON GODS by Katee Robert Gwen – BROKEN (IN THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY) by Jenny Lawson Watching (TV!) Gwen – REAL WORLD: HOMECOMING, GOOD GIRLS, and exploring Peacock Premium Danielle: NAILED IT!, NADIYA BAKES, the new season of TOP CHEF, the final season of THE CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA, and RIVERDALE Listening (PODCASTS!) Danielle: Gee Thanks, Just Bought It, Dear Romance Writer, Boobies and Noobies Gwen – Spectacle, Sweet Stories in the Dell (the podcast of Sweet Briar College, Gwen’s alma mater!) Find us on the Socials! Gwen Twitter Facebook Instagram Danielle Twitter Instagram Fresh Fiction Twitter Facebook Instagram EventBrite

Checking In! Is Gwen a scammer now? She learned how to use OfferUp! Danielle is sleepy because of rainy weather. Deep Dive: Pop Culture Historicals Gwen and Danielle are OBSESSED with costume dramas and historical fiction and romance. We’re not sorry about it at all, nor are we sorry about how much fun you’re going to have when you watch these shows and movies or read these books. Danielle mentioned a monthly romance blogger twitter chat, hosted by @readRchat. Historicals and Fairy Tales come up a lot! Gwen’s Gateway Historicals: Anne of Green Gables, Road to Avonlea, Little Women, Pride & Prejudice Gwen’s Sexy Historicals: North and South, The Serpent’s Kiss, Dangerous Liaisons, Washington Square, The Favorite, The Great Gwen’s Modern/More Recent Historicals: Velvet Goldmine, Never Let Me Go (sorta), Lovecraft Country, Watchmen (THEM is a new show on Amazon), The Crown Gwen’s Biopics: Chaplin, Rocketman, What’s Love Got to Do with It, Elizabeth and Elizabeth: The Golden Age (we also digressed a bit about the recent Chadwick Boseman episode of NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour for their thought-provoking commentary on why biopic performances work so well but the movies don’t always pan out). Danielle hasn’t met an Austen and Little Women adaptation she doesn’t love: Emma 2020, Mansfield Park 1999, P&P 2005; LW 1994 and 2019. Special shout out to Clueless (which is sort of a historical film now, LOL to mask our tears)—the best adaptation of Emma to date. Danielle is trash for anything related to the War of the Roses and Tudor England: The White Queen, The White Princess, The Tudors, and Game of Thrones Danielle is here for PRETTY historicals: Downton Abbey (and most Masterpiece historical dramas), Sophia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette, Harlots Danielle recommends “literary” shows, too: Dickinson (VERY anachronistic), Lovecraft Country/HBO, Baz Luhrman’s Romeo + Julie and The Great Gatsby (even Moulin Rouge!, too), Joe Wright’s Anna Karenina Danielle has a TON of historical romance recommendations! Beverly Jenkin’s does such a phenomenal job with American history and Black history, portraying the hard things people went through but also showing how joyful their lives could be—she spoke about this on NPR with Karen Grigbsy Bates. TEMPEST is among D’s favorites, but you can’t go wrong with any of Ms. Bev’s books. Alyssa Cole’s Loyal League series is about Black spies for the Union army. For regency romances, Danielle turns to authors like Tessa Dare, Olivia Drake, Sarah MacLean, and Vanessa Riley! In terms of historical fiction, Danielle still gravitates to stories with romantic elements. Chanel Cleeton’s Perez Family Saga set during the rise of Castro and the Cuban Revolution. Her book NEXT YEAR IN HAVANA was a Reese Witherspoon book club pick. It’s also based on her family’s history! Gwen loves a true classic of the historical romance genre: Loretta Chase’s Lord of Scoundrels. For historical fiction, she enjoys Phillipa Gregory! Recs from Vanessa: Here’s a photo from Vanessa’s Instagram that shows her amazing IKEA Bookshelves (something similar to Vanessa’s shelves can be found here) You don’t have to read Book 1, A DUKE, THE LADY, AND A BABY, to follow along with AN EARL, THE GIRL, AND A TODDLER, but Vanessa recommends it for better insight with some of the references in Book2. Vanessa’s website is a treasure trove of information about her historical research! Learn more about Dorothy “Doll” Kirwan Thomas ahead of the release of ISLAND QUEEN this July. Look for *major announcements* coming soon! Vanessa also shared that she has a new historical fiction novel, SISTER MOTHER WARRIOR, about the women who shaped the Haitian Revolution. For more about Vanessa, go to https://vanessariley.com/, sign up for her newsletter, and follow her on the socials: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram. Goals/Comfort & Joy Danielle’s wants to re-read all of Jane Austen this summer! This goal is inspired by the Jane Austen & Co. Race and the Regency webinars. Ibi Zoboi discussed remixing the regency and her YA P&P retelling PRIDE; Dr. Tricia Matthew (who wrote a very detailed review for Bridgerton in the LA Review of Books) talked about abolition and racism tied to Wedgewood china, and so many others. Recordings are available on the Jane Austen Co’s website: https://www.janeaustenandco.org/recorded-events Gwen is going to move for to move for 30+ minutes a day, perhaps while listening to the Newcomers podcast with Lauren Lapkiss and Nicole Byer which is tackling Tyler Perry’s oeuvre this season; also lighting a candle every day helps her set a routine and signal to her brain to start working! Find us on the Socials! Gwen Twitter Facebook Instagram Danielle Twitter Instagram Fresh Fiction Twitter Facebook Instagram EventBrite

Pop Culture Siblings Gwen talked about actual celebrity siblings: The Hemsworths (we had to google Luke), Miley and Noa Cyrus, William and Harry (we digressed quite a bit about the public persona of the Royals and what that meant to us growing up), The Jonas Brothers, Hanson, and other family bands. Danielle looked at sibling trilogies or series in books: Talia Hibbert's Brown Series, of course, but also Nora Roberts’ Chesapeake Bay series (which has some found family elements! More on that later), Alexis Daria’s new series has three cousins. In historicals, you have Julia Quinn’s Bridgertons and Grace Burrowes’s Windhams, which span generations. There’s also an interesting element with found families, like in The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon, the Sometimes in Love series by Melonie Johnson, and Annabeth Albert’s #gaymers series. We also quickly talked about a few TV shows with great/interesting sibling relationships that are important to the storylines: Schitt’s Creek, Black-ish, and This Is Us (though Danielle needs a break from the emotional manipulation of TIU!) * Recs from TALIA HIBBERT ACT YOUR AGE, EVE BROWN, the third book in the Brown Sisters series, is now available! Authors Talia loves: Nalini Singh, Beverly Jenkins, Vanessa Riley, KJ Charles, Danielle Allen, Kennedy Ryan, Therese Beharrie Talia loves Recipe TikTok and Gwen told us about Sleepwalker TikTok Talia found this lovely blush by British indie beauty brand, Eloise Beauty Coming soon from Talia: her first YA romance! Also, a spin-off series of the Brown Sisters, Skybriar, where all of the books are Austen inspired. Check out https://www.taliahibbert.com/ to sign up for her newsletter, and find her on the socials: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook Reader Group * Goals/Comfort & Joy Danielle loves the Target Cozy Nights candle (it’s her home’s signature scent), and Gwen also recommends the Go Smudge Yourself candle by Malicious Women Candle Co. Gwen says get outside more!!! * Find us on the Socials! Gwen Twitter Facebook Instagram Danielle Twitter Instagram Fresh Fiction Twitter Facebook Instagram EventBrite

VIBE CHECK – We're feeling weird about being 1 year into the pandemic. But Danielle and her family watched The Lion King (1994, of course) and Gwen watched Coming 2 America and made Molly Yeh’s Spiced Tomato ABCs (which is basically Spaghetti-Os)! * READING SLUMPS – Like so many other readers, we’ve gone through a reading slump during the pandemic, and we may still be in one... but we have some ideas about why and what to do about it. Gwen suggests scheduling time to read and sticking to it and be ready to work up to reading for longer and longer periods of time. She also suggests reading books of TV/Movies that have been adapted that you’ve already watched (GENIUS!). For example, she is thinking about rereading the Bridgerton book series... Danielle is already doing this! Also, they still make movie tie-in books!! Danielle suggests reading Harlequin Desire Category Romances, including (but not limited to) the Blackout Billionaires series by Naima Simone, the Bourbon Brothers series by Reese Ryan, as well as Karen Booth and Jules Bennett. Don’t sleep in graphic novels: Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples, Nimona by Noelle Stevenson Also, give rereading a try: The Reluctant Royals by Alyssa Cole, The Brown Sisters by Talia Hibbert, Sometimes in Love series by Melonie Johnson, The Widow of Rose House by Diana Biller, The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley, Wicked by Gregory McGuire * THE INTIMACY EXPERIMENT by Rosie Danan is in stores on April 6th, 2021! Rosie recommended books! Dalliance and Devotion by Felicia Grossman, Recommended for You by Laura Silverman, and The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon What’s bringing Rosie joy? Watching competitive reality TV! Survivor, The Challenge, and Are You the One. * GOALS/WHAT’S BRINGING US COMFORT – Gwen started using the Morning Pages App and this has helped her meet her writing goals. The podcast Natch Beaut is a lot of fun! After listening to a recent episode, Gwen was inspired to start a daily gratitude practice. Gwen is looking forward to Spring TV, including the new season of Top Chef and Marriage or Mortgage. Danielle attempted to clean her desk, but it’s really just organized chaos at this point. She also binged WandaVision last weekend and received her first book rec from her daughter: a My Little Pony Graphic Novel!

You better work... from home! Gwen and Danielle talk about work-from-home fashion, rules for working at home, and have an amazing chat with bestselling historical fiction author, Lauren Willig. Then we check in on goals, set new ones, and talk about what’s bringing us joy! Work from Home Fashion and Rules Danielle Sweatshirts – Daily Ritual V-Neck Jeans – Old Navy Rockstars and Madewell Skinny Jeans Tee-shirts - Target Universal Thread V-Neck and Universal Standard Tee Rex Leggings: Cupocupa High Waisted Leggings (with pockets) Gwen Vionic Slippers * Interview with Lauren Willig! BAND OF SISTERS – now available! The accompanying book club guide is fascinating. Nespresso makes the world go round. A video about Lauren’s research into the Smith College Relief Unit Rilla of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery takes place during this time in history as well! Lauren’s Recommendations: The Miss Silver Series by Patricia Wentworth The mysteries of Mary Roberts Rinehart, aka the “American Agatha Christie” British chick lit by Trisha Ashley The Midnight Library by Matt Haig Jane Austen... with DRAGONS: Tooth and Claw by Jo Walton Follow Lauren! Website, Facebook Author Page, Instagram, Twitter * Our Comforts... Danielle Tea! A true classic: Twining’s English Breakfast Tea and a delicious herbal option: Trader Joe’s Ginger Tumeric Tea (only available in stores) Gwen My mom getting her first vaccine! Find us on the Socials! Gwen Twitter Facebook Instagram Danielle Twitter Instagram Fresh Fiction Twitter Facebook Instagram EventBrite

Gwen and Danielle have known each other for a while but wanted to interview each other for the first podcast for listeners to get some insight into their personalities, likes/dislikes, and a bunch of random tangents. Our normal-ish format will start next time (we just want to keep you on your toes for now)! From our interviews... Gwen Fresh Fiction Book Club, currently meeting virtually – join us weekly!! RIP Walden Books Sad teens in love... by Lurlene McDaniel! FreshFiction.TV - our tv/movie review site Blown Away on Netflix Shows with Snark: Succession (HBO), Your Honor (Showtime), The Flight Attendant (HBO) Comfort TV: The Office, Little Women (1994, specifically), A League of Their Own, Lady and the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty, Little Mermaid, Law & Order SVU Danielle: Also Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Tangled; every medical drama and This is Us (but network TV stresses her out with COVID storylines) Reading: The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon, Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev Danielle Re-reads: Born in Fire by Nora Roberts, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott All the Little Women screen adaptations Podcast Recs (these can all be found on your favorite podcast app) Bookish/Romance: Fated Mates, Learning the Tropes, Whoamance, Black Romance Podcast Pop Culture/Current Events: NPR Pop Culture Happy Hour, Wait, Wait... Don’t Tell Me!, Code Switch, Forever 35 Gwen’s recs: Who Weekly, Keep It, Why Won’t You Date Me, Best Friends with Nicole Byer and Sasheer Zamata, Watch What Crappens, The Daily, Bad Batch Woo-hoo! Danielle’s Book Deal!!! Danielle’s Fave Fresh Fiction Author Interviews: Eloisa James, Julia Quinn, Talia Hibbert, Sylvia Day Our Goals... Gwen: writing every day Danielle: more reading and writing/less scrolling; also, a new creative outlet Our comforts this week... Danielle: The Bridgerton Soundtrack (instrumental pop songs) on Spotify, Keurig K-Café, Harlequin Desire novels (Scandal in the VIP Suite by Nadine Gonzalez, Back in the Texan’s Bed by Naima Simone) Gwen: Call My Agent! on Netflix, Enchilada Bake from Costco Find us on the Socials! Gwen Twitter Facebook Instagram Danielle Twitter Instagram Fresh Fiction Twitter Facebook Instagram EventBrite

Welcome back to the Fresh Fiction Podcast. Today's very special episode is a throw back from my February trip to Pasadena, CA for the winter leg of the Television Critics Association press tour. My guest, Kayla Cobb, is a TV critic for decider.com and she chatted with me about the new Marcia Clarke-created ABC drama THE FIX, Theranos/Elizabeth Holmes drama, and what you should check out on Netflix this weekend. Follow Kayla on Twitter. If you love what you hear there are a few ways you can help us during season two. First, don’t forget to subscribe to the Fresh Fiction Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher – or any of your favorite podcast apps. Rating, reviewing, and sharing the podcast with your friends helps us out more than you know. Sharing is caring, as they say. You can find me on Twitter and instagram as @reelvixen. You can Fresh Fiction on Twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook.

The Fresh Fiction Podcast is brought to you by REVELL BOOKS and BETHANY HOUSE, publishers of THIRST OF STEEL by RONIE KENDIG. Welcome back to the Fresh Fiction Podcast. Today I'm joined by THIRST OF STEEL author Ronie Kendig. This book finishes out her TOX series, which takes works like Dan Brown's novels and adds a military suspense edge. She also recommended a few excellent books to add to your TBR. If you love what you hear there are a few ways you can help us during season two. First, don’t forget to subscribe to the Fresh Fiction Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher – or any of your favorite podcast apps. Rating, reviewing, and sharing the podcast with your friends helps us out more than you know. Sharing is caring, as they say. You can find me on Twitter and instagram as @reelvixen. You can Fresh Fiction on Twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook. THIRST OF STEEL by Ronie Kendig TOX Files #3 Dismantled centuries ago, the sword of Goliath is still rumored to thirst for its enemies' blood. Cole "Tox" Russell only wants to begin his life with Haven Cortes, but he must first complete a final mission: retrieve that sword and destroy the deadly Arrow & Flame Order. The AFO, however, is determined to claim the sword. Wielding their father's life over Tzivia and Ram Khalon, they threaten to expose Ram's long-held and dangerous secret while demanding Tzivia locate the sword. With the Wraith team slowly being torn apart, things only worsen when Mercy Maddox, a new operative, emerges with the stunning news that the sword is tied to both Ram's secret and a string of unsolved serial murders. Tox, Ram, and the others are forced to set aside fear and anger to focus only on the enemy. No matter the cost, Wraith must stop or take the enemy down with them. Thriller Crime | Inspirational Mystery | Suspense [Bethany House Publishers, On Sale: July 31, 2018, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780764217678 / eISBN: 9781493414758] Everyone has a secret! Buy THIRST OF STEEL: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | Apple Books | Kobo | Google Play | Powell's Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

The Fresh Fiction Podcast is brought to you by REVELL BOOKS and BETHANY HOUSE, publishers of AN HOUR UNSPENT by ROSEANNA M. WHITE. Welcome back to the Fresh Fiction Podcast. Today I’m thrilled to chat with Roseanna M. White about her new book. AN HOUR UNSPENT plunges readers into England in 1915 as former thief Barclay Pearce tries to redeem himself to society while falling for the woman who he saved from a mugging. If you love what you hear there are a few ways you can help us during season two. First, don’t forget to subscribe to the Fresh Fiction Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher – or any of your favorite podcast apps. Rating, reviewing, and sharing the podcast with your friends helps us out more than you know. Sharing is caring, as they say. You can find me on Twitter and instagram as @reelvixen. You can Fresh Fiction on Twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook. AN HOUR UNSPENT by Roseanna M. White Shadows Over England #3 Once London's top thief, Barclay Pearce has turned his back on his life of crime and now uses his skills for a nation at war. But not until he rescues a clockmaker's daughter from a mugging does he begin to wonder what his future might hold. Evelina Manning has constantly fought for independence, but she certainly never meant for it to inspire her fiancé to end the engagement and enlist in the army. When the intriguing man who saved her returns to the Manning residence to study clockwork repair with her father, she can't help being interested. But she soon learns that nothing with Barclay Pearce is as simple as it seems. As 1915 England plunges ever deeper into war, the work of an ingenious clockmaker may give England an unbeatable military edge--and Germany realizes it as well. Evelina's father soon finds his whole family in danger--and it may just take a reformed thief to steal the time they need to escape. Inspirational Historical | Mystery Historical [Bethany House, On Sale: September 4, 2018, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780764219283 / eISBN: 9781493412440] Wartime: when the clock ticks but no bell tolls... Buy AN HOUR UNSPENT: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | Apple Books | Kobo | Google Play | Powell's Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

The Fresh Fiction Podcast is brought to you by REVELL BOOKS and BETHANY HOUSE, publishers of A SECRET TO DIE FOR by LISA HARRIS. If you love what you hear there are a few ways you can help us during season two. First, don’t forget to subscribe to the Fresh Fiction Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher – or any of your favorite podcast apps. Rating, reviewing, and sharing the podcast with your friends helps us out more than you know. Sharing is caring, as they say. You can find me on Twitter and instagram as @reelvixen. You can Fresh Fiction on Twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook. A SECRET TO DIE FOR by Lisa Harris Psychologist Grace Callahan has no idea that she has a secret--one worth killing for. But when she finds out one of her clients has been murdered, she quickly realizes that the computer security specialist wasn't simply suffering from paranoia. Detective Nate Quinn has just been cleared for active duty after a bombing killed eighteen people, including his partner, and left him dealing with PTSD. His first case back on the job involves the murder of Stephen Shaw, and his only lead turns out to be an old friend, Grace Callahan--and her life is in grave danger. Someone believes Shaw gave his psychologist information before he died. Information they are willing to kill for. With her signature pulse-pounding suspense, Lisa Harris takes readers deep into the heart of fear in this race against the clock. Inspirational Mystery | Romance Suspense [Revell, On Sale: September 18, 2018, Hardcover / e-Book, ISBN: 9780800729158 / eISBN: 9781493415144] Buy A SECRET TO DIE FOR: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | Apple Books | Kobo | Google Play | Powell's Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

Welcome back to the Fresh Fiction Podcast. I’m your host, Gwen Reyes, and I’m feeling a little psychic energy today. My guest is the incomparable Kay Hooper, author of the BISHOP FILES series. The newest book, FINAL SHADOWS, finishes out the series as out with a bang. Set against the backdrop of a “desperate underground war,” FINAL SHADOWS asks how far would you go to keep your secrets hidden. I’d like to welcome Kay Hooper to the podcast. If you love what you hear there are a few ways you can help us during season two. First, don’t forget to subscribe to the Fresh Fiction Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher – or any of your favorite podcast apps. Rating, reviewing, and sharing the podcast with your friends helps us out more than you know. Sharing is caring, as they say. You can find me on Twitter and instagram as @reelvixen. You can Fresh Fiction on Twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook. FINAL SHADOWS by Kay Hooper Bishop Files A desperate underground war with the survival of millions at stake looms in the electrifying conclusion of the New York Times bestselling Bishop Files Trilogy. Tasha Solomon's world turned upside-down when the psychic abilities she had tried so hard to live with in secret suddenly made her a target stalked by unseen enemies. John Brodie is by nature, by training, and by instinct a Guardian. He is a member of an intricate and secretive network of individuals who have devoted their lives to the deadly struggle of saving psychics in danger of being taken or being killed. It is a war very few other people even know exists, and yet its tentacles stretch deeply and dangerously into every aspect of society. Tasha has abilities not even she is aware of, abilities that the other side would give virtually all they possess to destroy. And if being hunted like an animal were not bad enough she has to learn how to become a warrior in a battle she did not choose, to save people she does not know, and possibly even the very world around her. If John Brodie can keep her alive long enough. Thriller Paranormal - Supernatural | Romance Paranormal | Romance Suspense [Berkley, On Sale: December 31, 2018, Mass Market Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780515153354 / eISBN: 9781101589816] Fascinating, out of this world, finale A Captivating and Shocking Conclusion to the Bishop Files Trilogy A stunning thriller -- can the war on psychics be won? Buy FINAL SHADOWS: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | Apple Books | Kobo | Google Play | Powell's Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

Welcome back to the Fresh Fiction Podcast. I’m your host, Gwen Reyes. How often do you fall in love with your coworkers? For many of us, the answer is likely, “ew, never,” but author Jennifer Ryan’s newest book, DIRTY LITTLE SECRET, brings together two people — a cowboy and a modern lady — who are forced to work together while trying to deny the growing attraction between them. Throw in a ranch and a brothel and you have the makings of a fun romance. Jennifer Ryan is here to talk about DIRTY LITTLE SECRET, her career, and what she’s watching, reading, and listening to. If you love what you hear there are a few ways you can help us during season two. First, don’t forget to subscribe to the Fresh Fiction Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher – or any of your favorite podcast apps. Rating, reviewing, and sharing the podcast with your friends helps us out more than you know. Sharing is caring, as they say. You can find me on Twitter and instagram as @reelvixen. You can Fresh Fiction on Twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook. DIRTY LITTLE SECRET by Jennifer Ryan Wild Rose Ranch Meet the women from Wild Rose Ranch—and the men who want them—in New York Times Bestselling Author Jennifer Ryan’s breathtaking series of romance and scandal . . . Noah Cordero is a modern-day cowboy who loves three things: ranching, his younger sister, and his step-father. John Cordero groomed Noah to take over the Montana spread where he learned to ride and work the land. But when John unexpectedly dies, he leaves half the ranch to a woman Noah doesn’t even know. Roxy shares Noah’s last name, but not his blood. Estranged from her father, haunted by regrets, and eager to escape her notorious mother’s past, she is forced to fulfill her father’s last wishes. Inheriting means sharing a home with infuriating, challenging, and oh-so-tempting Noah. But John didn’t just make her owner of his ranch and guardian to her sister, his hidden sideline is her worst nightmare—she’s the new owner of the notorious Nevada brothel called Wild Rose Ranch where she grew up. As their strictly business relationship starts to turn to true love, Roxy begins to wonder, what will happen when Noah discovers her dirty little secret? Romance Contemporary | Romance Western [Avon, On Sale: December 18, 2018, Mass Market Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780062645319 / eISBN: 9780062645326] A DIRTY LITTLE SECRET is revealed Buy DIRTY LITTLE SECRET: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | Apple Books | Kobo | Google Play | Powell's Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

Welcome back to the Fresh Fiction Podcast. Today I’m joined by author Denise Swanson, whose newest mystery, DIE ME A RIVER, is the second book in her Welcome Back to Scumble River series. In DIE ME A RIVER Scumble River school psychologist, Skye Denison-Boyd, is captivated by the body discovered in a local bowling alley. Everyone in the small town has a reason to want Paige Myler dead — she’s the representative of the insurance company many residents are suing for following the tornado in the previous book — which then makes everyone a suspect. I’m thrilled to welcome Denise Swanson to the podcast. If you love what you hear there are a few ways you can help us during season two. First, don’t forget to subscribe to the Fresh Fiction Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher – or any of your favorite podcast apps. Rating, reviewing, and sharing the podcast with your friends helps us out more than you know. Sharing is caring, as they say. You can find me on Twitter and instagram as @reelvixen. You can Fresh Fiction on Twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook. DIE ME A RIVER by Denise Swanson Welcome Back to Scumble River #2 In Scumble River, Skye investigates a suspicious death at the local bowling alley. And with a murderer on the loose, there’s no time to spare… Skye Denison-Boyd and her husband, Wally, are meeting with their priest to finalize the arrangements for their twins' baptism when a loud blast rocks the rectory. Seconds later, they discover that there has been an explosion at the town bowling alley. Although the bowling alley was closed at the time, there's a dead body inside, soon identified as Paige Myler. Paige was a representative for a huge property/casualty insurance company that many Scumble Riverites are suing in the wake of a recent tornado. Even with two newborns to care for, Skye can't help herself from looking more closely into the suspicious death—and what she finds is much more sinister than she ever imagined. Mystery [Sourcebooks Landmark, On Sale: September 4, 2018, Mass Market Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781492648352 / eISBN: 9781492648369] Another fun visit to Scumble River... Buy DIE ME A RIVER: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | Apple Books | Kobo | Google Play | Powell's Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

The Fresh Fiction Podcast is brought to you by REVELL BOOKS and BETHANY HOUSE, publishers of A SPARKLE OF SILVER by LIZ JOHNSON. Welcome back to the Fresh Fiction Podcast. Ninety years ago, Millie Sullivan's great-grandmother was a guest at oil tycoon Howard Dawkins' palatial estate on the shore of St. Simons Island, Georgia. Now, Millie plays a 1920s-era guest during tours of the same manor. But when her grandmother suggests that there is a lost diary containing the location of a hidden treasure on the estate, along with the true identity of Millie's great-grandfather, Millie sets out to find the truth of her heritage--and the fortune that might be hers. When security guard Ben Thornton discovers her snooping in the estate's private library, he threatens to have her fired. But her story seems almost too ludicrous to be fiction, and her offer to split the treasure is too tempting to pass up . . . I’m thrilled to welcome A SPARKLE OF SILVER author, Liz Johnson, to the podcast. If you love what you hear there are a few ways you can help us during season two. First, don’t forget to subscribe to the Fresh Fiction Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher – or any of your favorite podcast apps. Rating, reviewing, and sharing the podcast with your friends helps us out more than you know. Sharing is caring, as they say. You can find me on Twitter and instagram as @reelvixen. You can Fresh Fiction on Twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook. A SPARKLE OF SILVER by Liz Johnson Georgia Coast Romance #1 Uncovering the past can lead to an unexpected future... Ninety years ago, Millie Sullivan's great-grandmother was a guest at oil tycoon Howard Dawkins' palatial estate on the shore of St. Simons Island, Georgia. Now, Millie plays a 1920s-era guest during tours of the same manor. But when her grandmother suggests that there is a lost diary containing the location of a hidden treasure on the estate, along with the true identity of Millie's great-grandfather, Millie sets out to find the truth of her heritage--and the fortune that might be hers. When security guard Ben Thornton discovers her snooping in the estate's private library, he threatens to have her fired. But her story seems almost too ludicrous to be fiction, and her offer to split the treasure is too tempting to pass up . . . Get ready for a romantic escapade through dark halls and dusty corners that will have you holding your breath and sighing with delight as two charming characters get caught up in the adventure of uncovering the past and finding their way to an unexpected future. Romance Suspense | Inspirational Mystery [Revell, On Sale: October 16, 2018, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780800729622 / eISBN: 9781493415168] A mysterious treasure hunt that charms! Buy A SPARKLE OF SILVER: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | Apple Books | Kobo | Google Play | Powell's Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

The Fresh Fiction Podcast is brought to you by REVELL BOOKS and BETHANY HOUSE, publishers of RIVER TO REDEMPTION by ANN H. GABHART. Welcome back to the Fresh Fiction Podcast. It’s been over 150 years since slavery ended in America, but the conversation about this awful and dark part of our country’s history remains relevant and necessary. Ann H. Gabhart’s newest emotional novel, RIVER TO REDEMPTION, features a young woman, raised by a slave who chose duty over freedom, determined to save the life of the man who saved her. I’m thrilled to welcome Ann to the podcast. If you love what you hear there are a few ways you can help us during season two. First, don’t forget to subscribe to the Fresh Fiction Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher – or any of your favorite podcast apps. Rating, reviewing, and sharing the podcast with your friends helps us out more than you know. Sharing is caring, as they say. You can find me on Twitter and instagram as @reelvixen. You can Fresh Fiction on Twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook. RIVER TO REDEMPTION by Ann H. Gabhart Orphaned in the cholera epidemic in Kentucky’s early nineteenth century, Adria Starr was raised by a slave. Now at nineteen, she must stand up for his freedom--and in the process, find her own. Orphaned in the cholera epidemic of 1833, Adria Starr was cared for by a slave named Louis, a man who stayed in Springfield, Kentucky, when anyone with means had fled. A man who passed up the opportunity to escape his bondage and instead tended to the sick and buried the dead. A man who, twelve years later, is being sold by his owners despite his heroic actions. Now nineteen, Adria has never forgotten what Louis did for her. She’s determined to find a way to buy Louis’s freedom. But in 1840s Kentucky, she’ll face an uphill battle. Based partly on a true story, Ann H. Gabhart’s latest historical novel is a tour de force. The vividly rendered town of Springfield and its citizens immerse readers in a story of courage, betrayal, and honor that will stick with them long after they turn the last page. Inspirational Inspirational [Revell, On Sale: July 3, 2018, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780800723644 / eISBN: 9781441219770] Buy RIVER TO REDEMPTION: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | Apple Books | Kobo | Google Play | Powell's Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

The Fresh Fiction Podcast is brought to you by REVELL BOOKS and BETHANY HOUSE, publishers of ENCLAVE by THOMAS LOCKE. In a distant future, 50 years after an event called the Great Crash, America no longer reflects the great country it once was. Now the country is sliced into communities called enclaves, some more prosperous than others. Two of the largest and most affluent southern enclaves, Charlotte and Atlanta, remains stable and business friendly, but that all changes when a new vein of gold is discovered, sending everyone into a tizzy of hope and fear. Of course, there are good forces and bad in the enclave, but one young man holds the key to keeping the peace — as long as he’s able to keep his secret while helping keep the attention on Catawba to a minimum. Thomas Locke’s newest sci-fi adventure, ENCLAVE, is available in book stores now, and he’s here to tell us all about this new novel. Welcome, Thomas, to the Fresh Fiction Podcast. We’re still growing, so please help us out by subscribing and rating the podcast, leaving a comment, or even just sharing it on social media. You can find us on twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook. I’ll be back next time with something new to watch, read, and listen to! ENCLAVE by Thomas Locke It's been 50 years since the Great Crash and what was once America is now a collection of enclaves, governed on the local level and only loosely tied together by the farce of a federal government. Catawba, one of the largest and most affluent enclaves in the southern states, is relatively stable and maintains a successful business of trade with nearby enclaves, including the one at Charlotte Township. But when a new vein of gold is found beneath the feet of those in Catawba, it's only a matter of time before trouble finds them. Now the future of Catawba may be in the hands of an untried 21-year-old trader named Caleb. And Caleb knows that if his secret were ever to come out, he would never see another dawn. Science Fiction | Young Adult [Revell, On Sale: November 20, 2018, Hardcover / e-Book, ISBN: 9780800727918 / eISBN: 9781493413980] Buy ENCLAVE: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | Apple Books | Kobo | Google Play | Powell's Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

The Fresh Fiction Podcast is brought to you by REVELL BOOKS and BETHANY HOUSE, publishers of CHRISTMAS BY THE SEA by MELODY CARLSON. When Wendy Harper inherits her family's beachside cottage in Seaside, Maine, she sees it as a way to finally pay off the debts that have mounted since her husband died. But before it can be sold, the neglected property must be renovated. She and her 12-year-old son Jackson move in--temporarily, she reminds him--in order to do the work themselves, even though Christmas is coming. The charming town, along with local craftsman Caleb Colton, pulls on both Wendy and Jackson, who even registers himself for school in a bid to get his mom to move them there permanently. Wendy knows that the most responsible thing to do is to sell the cottage and return to Ohio, but the lure of the sea is hard to resist. We’re still growing, so please help us out by subscribing and rating the podcast, leaving a comment, or even just sharing it on social media. You can find us on twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook. I’ll be back next time with something new to watch, read, and listen to! A CHRISTMAS BY THE SEA by Melody Carlson When Wendy Harper inherits her family's beachside cottage in Seaside, Maine, she sees it as a way to finally pay off the debts that have mounted since her husband died. But before it can be sold, the neglected property must be renovated. She and her 12-year-old son Jackson move in--temporarily, she reminds him--in order to do the work themselves, even though Christmas is coming. The charming town, along with local craftsman Caleb Colton, pulls on both Wendy and Jackson, who even registers himself for school in a bid to get his mom to move them there permanently. Wendy knows that the most responsible thing to do is to sell the cottage and return to Ohio, but the lure of the sea is hard to resist. Join award-winning author Melody Carlson for a Christmas story that will warm your heart and have you dreaming of your own enchanted seaside holiday. Inspirational Romance | Holiday [Revell, On Sale: September 4, 2018, Hardcover / e-Book, ISBN: 9780800722715 / eISBN: 9781493415045] Buy A CHRISTMAS BY THE SEA: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | Apple Books | Kobo | Google Play | Powell's Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

The Fresh Fiction Podcast is brought to you by REVELL BOOKS and BETHANY HOUSE, publishers of THE RECKONING AT GOSSAMER POND by JAMIE JO WRIGHT. Two women, separated by a hundred years, must uncover the secrets within the borders of their own town before it's too late and they lose their future--or their very souls. This is the riveting plot for Jamie Jo Wright’s newest mystery THE RECKONING AT GOSSAMER POND. Today, Jamie joins me to discuss the novel, what readers can expect in this twisty story, and shares what she’s reading, watching, and listening to right now. We’re still growing, so please help us out by subscribing and rating the podcast, leaving a comment, or even just sharing it on social media. You can find us on twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook. I’ll be back next time with something new to watch, read, and listen to! THE RECKONING AT GOSSAMER POND by Jaime Jo Wright For over a century, the town of Gossamer Grove has thrived on its charm and midwestern values, but Annalise Forsythe knows painful secrets, including her own, hover just beneath the pleasant façade. When a man is found dead in his run-down trailer home, Annalise inherits the trailer, along with the pictures, vintage obituaries, and old revival posters covering its walls. As she sorts through the collection, she's wholly unprepared for the ramifications of the dark and deadly secrets she'll uncover. A century earlier, Gossamer Grove has been stirred into chaos by the arrival of controversial and charismatic twin revivalists. The chaos takes a murderous turn when Libby Sheffield, working at her father's newspaper, receives an obituary for a reputable church deacon hours before his death. As she works with the deacon's son to unravel the mystery behind the crime, it becomes undeniably clear that a reckoning has come to town--but it isn't until another obituary arrives that they realize the true depths of the danger they've waded into. Two women, separated by a hundred years, must uncover the secrets within the borders of their own town before it's too late and they lose their future--or their very souls. Inspirational Mystery | Romance Time Slip | Mystery Historical [Bethany House Publishers, On Sale: July 3, 2018, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780764230295 / eISBN: 9781493414734] Buy THE RECKONING AT GOSSAMER POND: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | Apple Books | Kobo | Google Play | Powell's Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

The Fresh Fiction Podcast is brought to you by REVELL BOOKS and BETHANY HOUSE, publishers of EVERYTHING SHE DIDN’T SAY by Jane Kirkpatrick. Inspired by true events, Jane Kirkpatrick’s new novel, EVERYTHING SHE DIDN’T SAY, reimagines the life of memoirist Carrie Strahorn as she traveled across early 20th century America. Upon the publication of her 1911 memoir, Strahorn shared with readers insights into her 25 years on the road with her husband. Jane’s version of the events pulls aside the curtain to show the feelings Carrie couldn’t share in her memoir as she navigates her life and relationships. As emotions bubble under the surface, Carrie must find her place in a life that is constantly on the move. We’re still growing, so please help us out by subscribing and rating the podcast, leaving a comment, or even just sharing it on social media. You can find us on twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook. I’ll be back next time with something new to watch, read, and listen to! EVERYTHING SHE DIDN'T SAY by Jane Kirkpatrick In 1911, Carrie Strahorn wrote a memoir entitled Fifteen Thousand Miles by Stage, which shared some of the most exciting events of 25 years of traveling and shaping the American West with her husband, Robert Strahorn, a railroad promoter, investor, and writer. That is all fact. Everything She Didn't Say imagines Carrie nearly ten years later as she decides to write down what was really on her mind during those adventurous nomadic years. Certain that her husband will not read it, and in fact that it will only be found after her death, Carrie is finally willing to explore the lessons she learned along the way, including the danger a woman faces of losing herself within a relationship with a strong-willed man and the courage it takes to accept her own God-given worth apart from him. Carrie discovers that wealth doesn't insulate a soul from pain and disappointment, family is essential, pioneering is a challenge, and western landscapes are both demanding and nourishing. Most of all, she discovers that home can be found, even in a rootless life. With a deft hand, New York Times bestselling author Jane Kirkpatrick draws out the emotions of living--the laughter and pain, the love and loss--to give readers a window not only into the past, but into their own conflicted hearts. Based on a true story. Romance Historical | Inspirational Historical [Revell, On Sale: September 4, 2018, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780800727017 / eISBN: 9781493415175] Buy EVERYTHING SHE DIDN'T SAY: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | iTunes/iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | Powell's Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

The Fresh Fiction Podcast is brought to you by REVELL BOOKS and BETHANY HOUSE, publishers of THE SOUND OF DISTANT THUNDER by Jan Drexler. Jan Drexler helped Gwen kick off season two with stories about researching Amish culture, how a school project for her kiddos sparked her to write her first novel, and what she likes to read to unwind. We’re still growing, so please help us out by subscribing and rating the podcast, leaving a comment, or even just sharing it on social media. You can find us on twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook. I’ll be back next time with something new to watch, read, and listen to! THE SOUND OF DISTANT THUNDER by Jan Drexler The Amish of Weaver's Creek #1 Katie Stuckey and Jonas Weaver are both romantics. Seventeen-year-old Katie is starry-eyed, in love with the idea of being in love, and does not want to wait to marry Jonas until she is eighteen, despite her parents' insistence. So much can happen in a year. Twenty-year-old Jonas is taken in by the romance of soldiering, especially in defense of anti-slavery, even though he knows war is at odds with the teachings of the church. When his married brother's name comes up in the draft list, he volunteers to take his brother's place. But can the commitment Katie and Jonas have made to each other survive the separation? From the talented pen of Jan Drexler comes this brand new Amish series set against the backdrop of the Civil War. She puts her characters to the test as they struggle to reconcile their convictions and desires while the national conflict threatens to undermine and engulf their community. Amish | Inspirational Romance [Revell, On Sale: September 18, 2018, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780800729318 / eISBN: 9781493415083] Buy THE SOUND OF DISTANT THUNDER: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | iTunes/iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | Powell's Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

The Fresh Fiction Podcast is brought to you by REVELL BOOKS and BETHANY HOUSE, publishers of the Dive Team Investigation series by Lynn H. Blackburn. Lynn stopped by the podcast to talk about BENEATH THE SURFACE, the first in her Dive Team Investigation series. She also shared her journey as a writer, balancing her new career with her family, and how she just finished binge reading and watching. We’re still growing, so please help us out by subscribing and rating the podcast, leaving a comment, or even just sharing it on social media. You can find us on twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook. I’ll be back next time with something new to watch, read, and listen to! BENEATH THE SURFACE by Lynn H. Blackburn Dive Team Investigations #1 Leigh Weston thought she'd left a troubled past behind when she moved back home to Carrington, North Carolina. But when dive team investigator Ryan Parker finds a body in the lake near her home, she fears the past hasn't stayed where it belongs. After a harrowing experience with an obsessed patient, oncology nurse practitioner Leigh Weston needed a change. She thought she'd left her troubles behind when she moved home to Carrington, North Carolina, and took a job in the emergency department of the local hospital. But when someone tampers with her brakes, she fears the past has chased her into the present. She reaches out to her high school friend turned homicide investigator, Ryan Parker, for help. Ryan finds satisfaction in his career, but his favorite way to use his skills is as a volunteer underwater investigator with the Carrington County Sheriff's Office dive team. When the body of a wealthy businessman is discovered in Lake Porter, the investigation uncovers a possible serial killer--one with a terrifying connection to Leigh Weston and deadly implications for them all. Dive into the depths of fear with an exciting new voice in romantic suspense. Award-winning author Lynn H. Blackburn grabs readers by the throat and doesn't let go until the final heart-pounding page. Inspirational Romance | Romance Suspense [Revell, On Sale: March 6, 2018, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780800729387 / eISBN: 9781493413829] Buy BENEATH THE SURFACE: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | iTunes/iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | Powell's Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

The Fresh Fiction Podcast is brought to you by REVELL BOOKS and BETHANY HOUSE, publishers of the Nantucket Legacy series by Suzanne Woods Fisher. With summer in full swing what’s a better time than now to pick up a new series. Suzanne Woods Fisher stopped by the podcast to talk about PHOEBE’S LIGHT, the first in her Nantucket Legacy trilogy. In the novel Suzanne introduces readers to the Quaker community, a cloistered group of people with good hearts. Set against the backdrop of historical Nantucket, Suzanne brings to life the story of Phoebe and the gifts her father gave her before she set out on a nautical adventure. Also, Suzanne shares her picks on what you should read, watch, and listen to after you finish PHOEBE’S LIGHT. We’re still growing, so please help us out by subscribing and rating the podcast, leaving a comment, or even just sharing it on social media. You can find us on twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook. I’ll be back next time with something new to watch, read, and listen to! PHOEBE'S LIGHT by Suzanne Woods Fisher Nantucket Legacy #1 Phoebe Starbuck has always adjusted her sails and rudder to the whims of her father. Now, for the first time, she’s doing what she wants to do: marrying Captain Phineas Foulger and sailing far away from Nantucket. As she leaves on her grand adventure, her father gives her two gifts, both of which Phoebe sees little need for. The first is an old sheepskin journal from Great Mary, her highly revered great-grandmother. The other is a "minder" on the whaling ship in the form of cooper Matthew Mitchell, a man whom she loathes. Soon Phoebe discovers that life at sea is no easier than life on land. Lonely, seasick, and disillusioned, she turns the pages of Great Mary’s journal and finds herself drawn into the life of this noble woman. To Phoebe’s shock, her great-grandmother has left a secret behind that carries repercussions for everyone aboard the ship, especially her husband the captain and her shadow the cooper. This story within a story catapults Phoebe into seeing her life in an entirely new way—just in time. In this brand-new series, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher brings her signature twists and turns to bear on a fascinating new faith community: the Quakers of colonial- era Nantucket Island. Romance Historical | Inspirational Historical [Revell, On Sale: February 6, 2018, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780800721626 / eISBN: 9781493412495] Buy PHOEBE'S LIGHT: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | iTunes/iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | Powell's Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

The Fresh Fiction Podcast is brought to you by REVELL BOOKS and BETHANY HOUSE, publishers of the new book THE HOPE OF AZURE SPRINGS by Rachel Fordham. Rachel and I chatted about writing and publishing her debut novel, losing then finding the energy to finish THE HOPE OF AZURE SPRINGS after her son's life-changing diagnosis, and bringing a sense of redemption to her characters. We’re still growing, so please help us out by subscribing and rating the podcast, leaving a comment, or even just sharing it on social media. You can find us on twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook. I’ll be back next time with something new to watch, read, and listen to! THE HOPE OF AZURE SPRINGS by Rachel Fordham Seven years ago, orphaned and alone, Em finally arrived at a new home in Iowa after riding the orphan train. But secrets from her past haunt her, and her new life in the Western wilderness is a rough one. When her guardian is shot and killed, Em, now nineteen, finally has the chance to search for her long-lost sister, but she won't be able to do it alone. For Azure Springs Sheriff Caleb Reynolds, securing justice for the waifish and injured Em is just part of his job. He's determined to solve every case put before him in order to impress his parents and make a name for himself. Caleb expects to succeed. What he doesn't expect is the hold this strange young woman will have on his heart. Debut author Rachel Fordham invites historical romance readers to the charming town of Azure Springs, Iowa, where the people care deeply for one another and, sometimes, even fall in love. Inspirational Historical | Romance Historical [Revell, On Sale: July 3, 2018, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780800734732 / eISBN: 9781493414222] Buy THE HOPE OF AZURE SPRINGS: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | iTunes/iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | Powell's Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

The Fresh Fiction Podcast is brought to you by REVELL BOOKS and BETHANY HOUSE, publishers of the new book A DEFENSE OF HONOR by Kristi Ann Hunter. Kristi joined me to talk about A DEFENSE OF HONOR, the challenge of finishing that first book after having a “graveyard” of unfinished books, the “ease” of slipping into Regency England as a storyteller, and creating the perfect costumes for an upcoming historical romance writers conference this fall. We’re still growing, so please help us out by subscribing and rating the podcast, leaving a comment, or even just sharing it on social media. You can find us on twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook. I’ll be back next time with something new to watch, read, and listen to! A DEFENSE OF HONOR by Kristi Ann Hunter Haven Manor #1 When Katherine "Kit" FitzGilbert turned her back on London society more than a decade ago, she determined never to set foot in a ballroom again. But when business takes her to London and she's forced to run for her life, she stumbles upon not only a glamorous ballroom but also Graham, Lord Wharton. What should have been a chance encounter becomes much more as Graham embarks on a search for his friend's missing sister and is convinced Kit knows more about the girl than she's telling. After meeting Graham, Kit finds herself wishing things could have been different for the first time in her life, but what she wants can't matter. Long ago, she dedicated herself to helping women escape the same scorn that drove her from London and raising the innocent children caught in the crossfire. And as much as she desperately wishes to tell Graham everything, revealing the truth isn't worth putting him and everyone she loves in danger. Romance Historical | Inspirational Romance [Bethany House Publishers, On Sale: June 5, 2018, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780764230752 / eISBN: 9781493413799] Buy A DEFENSE OF HONOR: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | iTunes/iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | Powell's Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

The Fresh Fiction Podcast is brought to you by REVELL BOOKS and BETHANY HOUSE, publishers of the new book TOGETHER FOREVER by Jody Hedlund. Today Jody shared with me the history of orphan trains, the research she did for TOGETHER FOREVER, and how her mom was the most encouraging figure in her writing career as she fostered her love of reading and creativity from an early age. Jody and I had a blast talking and I hope you enjoy our interview. We’re still growing, so please help us out by subscribing and rating the podcast, leaving a comment, or even just sharing it on social media. You can find us on twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook. I’ll be back next time with something new to watch, read, and listen to! TOGETHER FOREVER by Jody Hedlund Orphan Train #2 Marianne Neumann has one goal in life: to find her lost younger sister, Sophie. When Marianne takes a job as a placing agent with the Children's Aid Society in 1858 New York, she not only hopes to give children a better life but seeks to discover whether Sophie ended up leaving the city on an orphan train. Andrew Brady, her fellow agent on her first placing trip, is a former schoolteacher who has an easy way with the children--firm but tender and funny. Underneath his handsome charm, though, seems to linger a grief that won't go away--and a secret from his past that he keeps hidden. As the two team up placing orphans amid small railroad towns in Illinois, they find themselves growing ever closer . . . until a shocking tragedy threatens to upend all their work and change one of their lives forever. Historical | Inspirational [Bethany House, On Sale: May 1, 2018, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780764218057 / eISBN: 9781493414819] Buy TOGETHER FOREVER: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | iTunes/iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | Powell's Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

The Fresh Fiction Podcast is brought to you by REVELL BOOKS and BETHANY HOUSE, publishers of the new book THE SEA BEFORE US by Sarah Sundin. Sarah and I had a fun chat about THE SEA BEFORE US, finding the time early on to write her first book — in between carting her kids to school and karate classes — and how important it is for established authors to mentor and help newer authors on their writing journeys. We’re still growing, so please help us out by subscribing and rating the podcast, leaving a comment, or even just sharing it on social media. You can find us on twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook. I’ll be back next time with something new to watch, read, and listen to! THE SEA BEFORE US by Sarah Sundin Sunrise at Normandy #1 As D-Day approaches, American naval officer Lt. Wyatt Paxton is teamed up with Dorothy Fairfax, a British officer. Once they piece together family and reconnaissance photos to map Normandy, will Wyatt's bombardment plans destroy what Dorothy loves most? In 1944, American naval officer Lt. Wyatt Paxton arrives in London to prepare for the Allied invasion of France. He works closely with Dorothy Fairfax, a "Wren" in the Women's Royal Naval Service. Dorothy pieces together reconnaissance photographs with thousands of holiday snapshots of France--including those of her own family's summer home-- in order to create accurate maps of Normandy. Maps that Wyatt will turn into naval bombardment plans. As the two spend concentrated time together in the pressure cooker of war, their deepening friendship threatens to turn to love. Dorothy must resist its pull. Her bereaved father depends on her, and her heart already belongs to another man. Wyatt too has much to lose. The closer he gets to Dorothy, the more he fears his efforts to win the war will destroy everything she has ever loved. The tense days leading up to the monumental D-Day landing blaze to life under Sarah Sundin's practiced pen with this powerful new series. Inspirational Romance | Romance Suspense | Romance Historical [Revell, On Sale: February 6, 2018, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780800727970 / eISBN: 9781493412587] Buy THE SEA BEFORE US: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | iTunes/iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | Powell's Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

The Fresh Fiction Podcast is brought to you by REVELL BOOKS and BETHANY HOUSE, publishers of the new book A MOST NOBLE HEIR by Susan Anne Mason. Susan and I dove into A MOST NOBLE HEIR for today’s episode. We also talked about how researching her family’s roots encouraged her to write historical fiction and she told me about the tragic real-life love story that inspired A MOST NOBLE HEIR’s main characters, Hannah and Nolan. We’re still growing, so please help us out by subscribing and rating the podcast, leaving a comment, or even just sharing it on social media. You can find us on twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook. I’ll be back next time with something new to watch, read, and listen to! A MOST NOBLE HEIR by Susan Anne Mason When stable hand Nolan Price learns from his dying mother that he is actually the son of the Earl of Stainsby, his plans for a future with kitchen maid Hannah Burnham are shattered. Once he is officially acknowledged as the earl's heir, Nolan will be forbidden to marry beneath his station. Unwilling to give up the girl he loves, he devises a plan to elope--believing that once their marriage is sanctioned by God, Lord Stainsby will be forced to accept their union. However, as Nolan struggles to learn the ways of the aristocracy, he finds himself caught between pleasing Hannah and living up to his father's demanding expectations. At every turn, forces work to keep the couple apart, and a solution to remain together seems further and further away. With Nolan's new life pulling him irrevocably away from the woman he loves, it seems only a miracle will bring them back together. Romance Historical [Bethany House, On Sale: March 6, 2018, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780764230875 / eISBN: 9781493413645] Buy A MOST NOBLE HEIR: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | iTunes/iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | Powell's Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

The Fresh Fiction Podcast is brought to you by REVELL BOOKS and BETHANY HOUSE, publishers of the new book THE HEART'S APPEAL by Jennifer Delamere. Jennifer wrote a strong-willed woman doctor at the end of the 19th Century in THE HEART’S APPEAL, so of course I had to chat with her about creating this impressive woman. We also discussed the research she did in Bristol, England for the London Beginnings trilogy and why rewatching THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER is inspiring ideas for a new series. We’re still growing, so please help us out by subscribing and rating the podcast, leaving a comment, or even just sharing it on social media. You can find us on twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook. I’ll be back next time with something new to watch, read, and listen to! THE HEART'S APPEAL by Jennifer Delamere London Beginnings #2 Julia Bernay has come to London to become a doctor--a glorious new opportunity for women during the reign of Victoria. When she witnesses a serious accident, her quick actions save the life of barrister Michael Stephenson. He rose above his family's stigma, but can he rise to the challenge of the fiercely independent woman who has swept into his life? Strong-minded and independent Julia Bernay comes to London to study medicine and become a doctor--a profession that has only just opened up to women. She witnesses a serious accident, and through her quick actions saves the life of an ambitious young barrister named Michael Stephenson. Coming from a family that long ago lost its money and its respectability, Michael Stephenson has achieved what many would have thought was impossible. Hard work and an aptitude for the law have enabled him to rise above his family's stigma and set him on the path to wealth and recognition. But his well-laid plans are upended when the accident brings Julia into his life. Michael soon discovers he's met a woman every bit as stubborn and determined to make her mark on the world as he is. Sparks fly--but will they find common ground? Romance Historical | Inspirational Historical [Bethany House, On Sale: March 6, 2018, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780764219214 / eISBN: 9781493413638] Buy THE HEART'S APPEAL: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | iTunes/iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | Powell's Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

The Fresh Fiction Podcast is brought to you by REVELL BOOKS and BETHANY HOUSE, publishers of the new book MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE by Karen Witemeyer. Karen joined me today to talk about researching MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE, being a historical romance nerd, and how a former California girl found her way to Texas. We’re still growing, so please help us out by subscribing and rating the podcast, leaving a comment, or even just sharing it on social media. You can find us on twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook. I’ll be back next time with something new to watch, read, and listen to! MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE by Karen Witemeyer Many consider Evangeline Hamilton cursed. Orphaned at a young age and possessing a pair of mismatched eyes--one bright blue, the other dark brown--Eva has fought to find her way in a world that constantly rejects her. Yet the support of even one person can help overcome the world's judgments, and Eva has two--Seth and Zach, two former orphans she now counts as brothers. Seeking justice against the man who stole his birthright and destroyed his family, Logan Fowler arrives in 1880s Pecan Gap, Texas, to confront Zach Hamilton, the hardened criminal responsible for his father's death. Only instead of finding a solitary ruthless gambler, he discovers a man not much older than himself with an unusual family. When Zach's sister, Evangeline, insists on dousing Logan with sunshine every time their paths cross, Logan finds his quest completely derailed. Who is truly responsible for his lost legacy, and will restoring the past satisfy if it means forfeiting a future with Evangeline? Romance Historical | Inspirational Romance [Bethany House, On Sale: June 5, 2018, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780764212833 / eISBN: 9781441269447] Buy MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | iTunes/iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | Powell's Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

The Fresh Fiction Podcast is brought to you by REVELL BOOKS and BETHANY HOUSE, publishers of the new books JUSTICE BETRAYED by Patricia Bradley. Today I’m joined by PATRICIA to talk about JUSTICE BETRAYED, cold case mysteries, and why Elvis Week in Memphis was the perfect place to set a murder. We’re still growing, so please help us out by subscribing and rating the podcast, leaving a comment, or even just sharing it on social media. You can find us on twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook. I’ll be back next time with something new to watch, read, and listen to! JUSTICE BETRAYED by Patricia Bradley Memphis Cold Case #3 Two unsolved murders seventeen years apart become personal when Detective Rachel Sloan discovers a connection to her own mother’s death in a burglary-gone-wrong. Can she solve the cases before she becomes the next victim? It’s Elvis Week in Memphis, and homicide Detective Rachel Sloan isn’t sure her day could get any stranger when aging Elvis impersonator Vic Vegas asks to see her. But when he produces a photo of her murdered mother with four Elvis impersonators—one of whom had also been murdered soon after the photo was taken—she’s forced to reevaluate. Is there some connection between the two unsolved cases? And could the recent break-in at Vic’s home be tied to his obsession with finding his friend’s killer? When yet another person in the photo is murdered, Rachel suddenly has her hands full investigating three cases. Lieutenant Boone Callahan offers his help, but their checkered romantic past threatens to get in the way. Can they solve the cases before the murderer makes Rachel victim number four? Thriller | Inspirational Romance [Revell, On Sale: June 5, 2018, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780800727161 / eISBN: 9781493413942] Can a killer be caught or will personal relationships get in the way? Buy JUSTICE BETRAYED: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | iTunes/iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | Powell's Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

The Fresh Fiction Podcast is brought to you by REVELL BOOKS and BETHANY HOUSE, publishers of the new books THE THEORY OF HAPPILY EVERY AFTER by Kristin Billerbeck. On today’s episode I’m joined by Kristin, who is back with a new book after a four year hiatus. We talked about finding her voice in the chick-lit genre, her love of Bridget Jones, and how neither of us can wait for the new season of POLDARK (premiering September 30th on PBS). We’re still growing, so please help us out by subscribing and rating the podcast, leaving a comment, or even just sharing it on social media. You can find us on twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook. I’ll be back next time with something new to watch, read, and listen to! THE THEORY OF HAPPILY EVER AFTER by Kristin Billerbeck According to Dr. Maggie Maguire, happiness is serious science, as serious as Maggie takes herself. But science can't always account for life's anomalies--for instance, why her fiancé dumped her for a silk-scarf acrobat and how the breakup sent Maggie spiraling into an extended ice cream-fueled chick flick binge. Concerned that she might never pull herself out of this nosedive, Maggie's friends book her as a speaker on a "New Year, New You" cruise in the Gulf of Mexico. Maggie wonders if she's qualified to teach others about happiness when she can't muster up any for herself. But when a handsome stranger on board insists that smart women can't ever be happy, Maggie sets out to prove him wrong. Along the way she may discover that happiness has far less to do with the head than with the heart. Filled with memorable characters, snappy dialogue, and touching romance, Kristin Billerbeck's THE THEORY OF HAPPILY EVER AFTER shows that the search for happiness may be futile--because sometimes happiness is already out there searching for you. Inspirational Romance [Revell, On Sale: May 1, 2018, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780800729448 / eISBN: 9781493414031] Buy THE THEORY OF HAPPILY EVER AFTER: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | iTunes/iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | Powell's Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

The Fresh Fiction Podcast is brought to you by REVELL BOOKS and BETHANY HOUSE, publishers of the new books A REFUGE ASSURED by Jocelyn Green. I’m your host Gwen Reyes and I recently chatted with Jocelyn about A REFUGE ASSURED, writing historical romances set in the colonial times, and how watching PARKS AND RECREATION with her husband after a long day is the perfect way to unwind. We’re still growing, so please help us out by subscribing and rating the podcast, leaving a comment, or even just sharing it on social media. You can find us on twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook. I’ll be back next time with something new to watch, read, and listen to! A REFUGE ASSURED by Jocelyn Green Lacemaker Vivienne Rivard never imagined her craft could threaten her life. Yet in revolutionary France, it is a death sentence when the nobility, and those associated with them, are forced to the guillotine. Vivienne flees to Philadelphia but finds the same dangers lurking in the French Quarter, as revolutionary sympathizers threaten the life of a young boy left in her care, who some suspect to be the Dauphin. Can the French settlement, Azilum, offer permanent refuge? Militiaman Liam Delaney proudly served in the American Revolution, but now that the new government has imposed an oppressive tax that impacts his family, he barely recognizes the democracy he fought for. He wants only to cultivate the land of his hard-won farm near Azilum, but soon finds himself drawn into the escalating tension of the Whiskey Rebellion. When he meets a beautiful young Frenchwoman recently arrived from Paris, they will be drawn together in surprising ways to fight for the peace and safety for which they long. Inspirational Historical | Romance Historical [Bethany House, On Sale: February 6, 2018, Paperback, ISBN: 9780764219078 / eISBN: 9781493413690] Buy A REFUGE ASSURED: Amazon.com | BN.com | iTunes/iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | Powell's Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice |

The Fresh Fiction Podcast is brought to you by REVELL and BETHANY HOUSE, publishers of the new books TROUBLED WATERS and STORM FRONT by Susan May Warren. Susan joined me for a chat about growing up in the midwest, balancing suspense and romance, and why her readers have fallen in love with her Montana Rescue series. Also, she gives some recommendations for books you should slip into your tote bag this summer. Read our review of TROUBLED WATERS now! We’re still growing, so please help us out by rating the podcast, leaving a comment, or even just sharing it on social media. You can find us on twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook. I’ll be back next time with something new to watch, read, and listen to! TROUBLED WATERS by Susan May Warren Montana Rescue #4 A three day excursion turns into a nightmare when a rogue wave washes the passengers overboard, leaving Ian and Sierra scrambling for survival. Sparks ignite as they wait for a rescue, but will a secret keep them apart? Billionaire Ian Shaw can have everything he wants--except a happy ending. Or at least that's what it feels like with his fortune recently liquidated, his niece, Esme, still missing, and the woman he loves refusing to speak to him. In fact, he doubts she would date him even if they were stranded on a deserted island. Despite her love for Ian, Sierra Rose knows he has no room in his life for her as long as the mystery of his missing niece goes unsolved. The only problem is, Sierra has solved it, but a promise to Esme to keep her whereabouts secret has made it impossible to be around Ian. When the PEAK chopper is damaged and Sierra lacks the funds to repair it, Ian offers a fundraising junket for large donors on his yacht in the Caribbean. But the three-day excursion turns into a nightmare when a rogue wave cripples the yacht and sends the passengers overboard. Shaken up and soaked to the bone, Ian finally has a chance to test his theory when he and Sierra do indeed find themselves washed up on a strange, empty shore. It will take guts and gumption for the PEAK team to rescue the duo. But it will take a miracle to rescue Ian and Sierra's relationship. Romance Suspense | Inspirational Romance [Revell, On Sale: January 2, 2018, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780800727468 / eISBN: 9781493412556] As they scramble for survival, can they find love or will secrets push them apart? Buy TROUBLED WATERS: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | iTunes/iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | Powell's Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

The Fresh Fiction Podcast is brought to you by REVELL and BETHANY HOUSE, publishers of the new book FIRST IMPRESSIONS by Debra White Smith. Debra joined me for a chat about recreating the Jane Austen world in a modern setting, how she stays motivated to write, and what she's reading, watching, and listening to. We’re still growing, so please help us out by rating the podcast, leaving a comment, or even just sharing it on social media. You can find us on twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook. I’ll be back next time with something new to watch, read, and listen to! FIRST IMPRESSIONS by Debra White Smith Jane Austen A Contemporary Retelling of Pride and Prejudice Lawyer Eddi Boswick tries out for a production of Pride and Prejudice in her small Texas town. When she's cast as the lead, Elizabeth Bennet, her romantic co-star is none other than the town's most eligible--and arrogant--bachelor. Romance Contemporary | Inspirational Romance [Bethany House, On Sale: April 17, 2018, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780764230677 / eISBN: 9781493413881] Buy FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | iTunes/iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | Powell's Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

The Fresh Fiction Podcast is brought to you by REVELL and BETHANY HOUSE, who are celebrating the release of PELICAN POINT by Irene Hannon. Hi guys! Welcome back to the Fresh Fiction Podcast, where we break down all the fun things we’ve watched, read, and listened to this week. I’m your new best friend, Gwen Reyes. Today is all about the royal wedding. Did you watch it on Saturday? I’m still obsessed and can’t wait to dig in. Also on today’s episode, I chatted with Laura Frantz, author of THE LACEMAKER.We talked about the Revolutionary War, Colonal Williamsburg, and why historical fiction makes learning history fun. We’re still growing, so please help us out by rating the podcast, leaving a comment, or even just sharing it on social media. You can find us on twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook. I’ll be back next time with something new to watch, read, and listen to! THE LACEMAKER by Laura Frantz On the eve of her wedding, Lady Elisabeth Lawson's world is shattered, as surely as the fine glass windows of her colonial Williamsburg home. In a town seething with Patriots ready for rebellion, her protection comes from an unlikely source--now if she could only protect her heart. When colonial Williamsburg explodes like a powder keg on the eve of the American Revolution, Lady Elisabeth "Liberty" Lawson is abandoned by her fiancé and suspected of being a spy for the hated British. No one comes to her aid save the Patriot Noble Rynallt, a man with formidable enemies of his own. Liberty is left with a terrible choice. Will the Virginia belle turned lacemaker side with the radical revolutionaries, or stay true to her English roots? And at what cost? Historical romance favorite Laura Frantz is back with a suspenseful story of love, betrayal, and new beginnings. With her meticulous eye for detail and her knack for creating living, breathing characters, Frantz continues to enchant historical fiction readers who long to feel they are a part of the story. Inspirational Romance | Inspirational Historical | Romance Historical [Revell, On Sale: January 2, 2018, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780800726638 / eISBN: 9781493412501] Buy THE LACEMAKER: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | iTunes/iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | Powell's Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

The Fresh Fiction Podcast is brought to you by REVELL and BETHANY HOUSE BOOKS, who are celebrating the release of THE ACCIDENTAL GUARDIAN by Mary Connealy. Hi guys! Welcome back to the Fresh Fiction Podcast, where we break down all the fun things we’ve watched, read, and listened to this week. I’m your new best friend, Gwen Reyes. Today I’m digging into the latest Hamildrop from Lin-Manuel Miranda called FIRST BURN. I also fell in love with the new movie, BOOK CLUB (read my review). Also on today’s episode, I chatted with Lynette Eason, author of OATH OF HONOR. We talked about how she creates high suspense with great romances, her love of WHEN CALLS THE HEART, and how reading in her genre makes her a better writer. If you love what you hear, don’t forget to subscribe to the Fresh Fiction Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play – or any of your favorite podcast apps. You can also follow me on Twitter and Instagram. We’re still growing, so please help us out by rating the podcast, leaving a comment, or even just sharing it on social media. You can find us on twitter, Instagram, and on Facebook. I’ll be back next time with something new to watch, read, and listen to! OATH OF HONOR by Lynette Eason Blue Justice #1 When police officer Isabelle St. John's partner is murdered, she must work with Detective Ryan Marshall to solve a case that may force her to choose between family and justice. Police officer Isabelle St. John loves her crazy, loud, law-enforcement family. With three brothers and two sisters, she's never without someone to hang out with--or fight with. And she knows they'll be there for her when things get tough. Like when her partner is murdered and she barely escapes with her own life. Determined to discover exactly what happened, Izzy's investigation sends her headfirst into a criminal organization, possibly with cops on the payroll--including someone from her own family. With her dead partner's handsome homicide detective brother Ryan shadowing her every move, Izzy's head is spinning. How can she secure justice for her partner when doing so could mean sending someone she loves to prison? And how will she guard her heart when the man she's had a secret crush on for years won't leave her side? With her signature fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat action, Lynette Eason invites readers into a captivating new series where justice is a family affair. Romance Suspense | Inspirational Romance [Revell, On Sale: January 2, 2018, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780800727215 / eISBN: 9781493412532] Can a murder be solved or will secrets be reveal that puts others in danger? Buy OATH OF HONOR: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | iTunes/iBooks | Kobo | Google Play | Powell's Books | Books-A-Million | Indiebound | Ripped Bodice | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

The Fresh Fiction Podcast is brought to you by REVELL and BETHANY HOUSE, who are celebrating the release of OATH OF HONOR by Lynette Eason. You can also read a review of OATH OF HONOR on FreshFiction.com. Hi guys! Welcome back to the Fresh Fiction Podcast, where we break down all the fun things we’ve watched, read, and listened to this week. I’m your new best friend, Gwen Reyes, and today I’m joined by my best friend, Alicia Vinas, who stopped by to watch LOVE, SIMON with me. Also on today’s episode, I chatted with author Irene Hannon about her newest book, PELICAN POINT. Make sure you stick around for that very fun interview. If you love what you hear, don’t forget to subscribe to the Fresh Fiction Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play – or any of your favorite podcast apps. You can also follow me on Twitter and Instagram. About PELICAN POINT After inheriting a crumbling lighthouse, Dr. Ben Garrison is more than ready to get rid of it until he meets a determined Marci Weber who wants to save the landmark. Can she make him see her point of view? A crumbling lighthouse is not part of the inheritance Army doctor Ben Garrison expects to claim when he journeys to Hope Harbor. Fresh out of the service, he wants only to unload the tower of bricks, decompress from years of treating battlefield trauma, and prepare to launch his civilian career. Hope Harbor Herald editor Marci Weber has other ideas. She may not be a Hope Harbor native, but the small Oregon seaside town has become home--and she's determined to save the Pelican Point landmark. Sparks fly as the two go head to head over the fate of the lighthouse. But when they start to cooperate, a different kind of fire ignites. And as they work together, might Hope Harbor heal the hearts of these two romance-wary souls? Bestselling author Irene Hannon invites readers back to their favorite town for a story that will light a beacon of hope within their hearts.

The Fresh Fiction Podcast is brought to you by REVELL and BETHANY HOUSE, who is celebrating the release of THE HEART’S APPEAL by Jennifer Delamere this March. This historical romance brings Victorian England to life as aspiring doctor Julia Bernay (yes, you heard that right, a woman doctor in the 1800s) tries to navigate her studies while falling for a disgraced Barrister named Michael Stephenson, whose only goal is to repair his family’s reputation. Sparks fly as Julia and Michael try to fight the attraction they feel for each while searching for common ground. You can buy THE HEART’S APPEAL by Jennifer Delamere in bookstores and online today. Hi guys! Welcome back to the Fresh Fiction Podcast, where we break down all the fun things we’ve watched, read, and listened to this week. I’m your new best friend, Gwen Reyes, and today I’m reviewing the newish Netflix series NAILED IT. As well as sharing my thoughts on a recently launched podcast series about the American First Ladies called LADIES, FIRST. And after the rundown I’ll interview suspense writer MARK GREANEY about the newest book in his GRAY MAN series, AGENT IN PLACE.