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Interview with A.M. Hargrove, Author of One Blissful Night

What can you tell us about your new release, One Blissful Night?

My new release, One Blissful Night, is the last of the West Sisters Series. They are all stand alone novels. The series is a spin off from the West Brothers Series, which are also stand alones. In One Blissful Night, Reynolds West finds out she’s living next door to her nemesis, the boy who broke her heart in high school. The book is full of all sorts of fun, laughter, emotions, angst, steam, you name it. It checks a lot of boxes for the readers.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I was inspired to become an author by my love for reading and writing. I’ve always loved to write, but my career path took a completely different direction. After my company was bought out by another, I received a severance package, which allowed me to finally fulfill my dream of writing.

What's on your top 5 list for the best books you've ever read?

Top 5 list would include JR Wards Black Dagger Brotherhood series and to choose between those would be any that have Visious as the MC. Then Karen Marie Moning’s Fever Series. All 5 of them. I can’t choose. Sorry. The Wall of Winnipeg by Marianna Zapata and lastly Vicious by LJ Shen. I must have a love for all things V. 😛

Say you're the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

If I had a literary talk show, my first guest would be JR Ward. Her writing is brilliant so I’d want to know how she came up with the idea for her BDB series. Curious minds and all.

What's your favorite thing about writing?

My favorite thing about writing is I can create anything I want and build a world that’s completely my own. It’s so much fun and thrilling to me I absolutely love it. I get invested in my characters and hate to say goodbye, which is to say I have difficulty ending my books.

What is a typical day like for you?

My typical day is after I’m up I do the worst thing possible and I check my email. However in 2020 my one resolution is to write first and then check email. I’m better at writing earlier in the day, so I’m switching things up. My new schedule will be to write from 7 to 12, and then do business. Then work out—another new resolution. My fingers are triple crossed I stick to that one. The others will be easier. Haha.

What scene in One Blissful Night was your favorite to write?

In One Blissful Night, there are some pranks the characters play on each other. I love humor in books. It’s a tension breaker so I have it every one of my books. In this one, the pranks they play were super fun to write. One of them actually occurred to my neighbor, which is why I enjoyed writing it so much. I can’t say what it is, but it involves a certain type of critter and I’ll leave it at that. 😂

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

My philosophy is to never give up. If something doesn’t work, keep trying. There are hundreds of success stories from people who tried to do many different things. They didn’t succeed on their first attempt. For me, quitting is not an option and never has been. I’ve have some great success and some not so great. With each book I write, I learn something new and hope to continue on this path.

A.M. Hargrove is the author of the new book One Blissful Night.

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Interview with Gwen Rivers, Author of Savior's Spell

What can you tell us about your new release, Savior's Spell?

It’s your basic half fae orphan bent on revenge and crossing paths with a werewolf pack who help her find her destiny kind of story. There’s magic, drama, humor, relatable characters in denial and going through hell. All the essentials of a first book in a new urban fantasy series.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I wouldn’t say I was inspired to become an author. I’ve always been a storyteller. My Nan used to call it lying, but it was storytelling, lol. It’s just what I am. Writing those stories down was just the next logical step.

What's on your top 5 list for the best books you've ever read?

I’m going to cheat and say best series because picking just 5 books would involve pro-con lists, spreadsheets and all sorts of other data and you probably still wouldn’t get an answer out of me. Anne Bishop’s Black Jewels series and Diana Gabadon’s Outlander series for sure. Kresley Cole’s Immortal After Dark and Patricia Briggs Mercy-verse. The first two books of Sarah J Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses series would be number 5. I gravitate to books that involve vivid world building, magic and forever sorts of relationships.

Say you're the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

This is one of those questions that makes me want to gouge out my own eyes with a rusty spork, lol. My anxiety would eat me from the inside out. All my focus would be on myself and not doing something stupid.

What's your favorite thing about writing?

I have the best job in the world. I love it all.

What is a typical day like for you?

Get up, let the dogs out, make coffee. Get my boys to school, try to get some words down. Afternoons are for phone calls, emails and errands. Walk the dogs, we typically do 3 miles a day. Do yoga. Aim for some more words on the page, though that doesn’t always happen. Read until bed. There’s usually food in there somewhere. I am very lucky to be living this life.

What scene in Savior's Spell was your favorite to write?

Emma and Liam’s first meeting. It was one of those scenes that was very vivid in my mind. The rooftop, the rain, the magic. A moment of connection that is the softest whisper of destiny.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

You can’t win if you don’t play.

Gwen Rivers is the author of the new book Savior's Spell.

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Interview with Anya Mora, Author of Tuesday's Child

What can you tell us about your new release, Tuesday's Child?

Tuesday’s Child is a psychological suspense — lots of twists and surprises. However, what sets it apart is the main character, Emery. As a wife and mother she tells us the story of the unraveling of her family - and her desperate desire to piece it back together. Her daughter has been murdered and her newly adopted son is the prime suspect.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I am moved by stories of complicated families and broken relationships. Kind of dark — but something we can all relate to on some level. As a mother myself, I began thinking about my worst nightmares, and I teased one of those out in Tuesday’s Child.

What's on your top 5 list for the best books you've ever read?

Can I do my top 5 for this year? All time is too hard!

The Grace Year by Kim Liggett
Conviction by Denise Mina
City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
The One by John Mars
Deep River by Karl Marlantes

What's your favorite thing about writing?

I am a plotter and love to outline … but the part I love most is when I am deep into a scene and lose myself in the world completely. It’s the closest thing to time travel in the world.

What is a typical day like for you?

I’m a mom with six kids — my life is full! I usually get them off for the day and then take my coffee, with my springer spaniel trailing me, into my 1967 Aristocrat travel trailer where I sit down to write until they return from school!

What scene in Tuesday's Child was your favorite to write?

There were lots of scenes that were hard to write. I grew my family by birth and older child adoption so many parts of this novel are laced with personal memories. But one of my favorites is near the end of the novel, in a flashback, when Emery is at the kitchen table with her children making costumes. The conversation they have brings happy tears to my eyes. Even though they were going through so much, their growing love for one another was central.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

I love this one: Love Rewards The Brave. Life is messy, complicated, and tricky— there is no getting around that. But love rewards the brave every. single. time.

Anya Mora is the author of the new book Tuesday's Child.

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Interview with Mark Anthony, Author of Displaced

What can you tell us about your new release, Displaced?

Displaced is the first installment of the Alternate Reality series. This series is premised on total immersion virtual reality, and the main character is Eric Ryan. Eric is a former neuropsychologist who now works as a community therapist. He helps people who have suffered under the era’s sweeping technological advancements, with these people collectively known as the “displaced”. Eric falls into this category, so he harbors deep resentment towards technology. Because of this, he is quite displeased when a robot enters the counseling center for mental health services. During the course of treatment, the robot reveals a secret, and Eric decides to investigate. This decision sends him into virtual reality.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I’m not exactly sure. I’ve tried numerous times to pinpoint what influenced my decision to write, but I can’t highlight one specific factor. I’ve always had an interest in reading and writing, so maybe that started me down this path. However, I don’t believe my lifelong interest was the tipping point. I think the change came when I was wrapping up my schooling and realized I didn’t want to pursue a career in my field (psychology), despite my intense interest. When reflecting on what else to do, I asked the question ‘what would you do if you didn’t have to work?’, hoping that would provide some guidance. My answer was that I would finally give writing a shot, because I’ve always had an interest in doing so. Then I just decided to do it. After penning the first lines to what would eventually become Displaced, I was hooked.

What's on your top 5 list for the best books you've ever read?

I don’t really have favorite books or favorite authors. However, I read about one book per week, and every few months, I come across a book that really sticks out in my mind. Here are some examples of those books:

1. The Martian by Andy Weir
2. The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
3. Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovksy
4. Fear the Sky by Steven Moss
5. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Say you're the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

My first guest would be a random debut author, because as a debut author myself, I understand the struggles of exposure! My questions would simply pertain to the author as a person and their new book.

What's your favorite thing about writing?

The unparalleled freedom. I can literally create any scenario, include any characters, and have the characters do whatever I come up with. That’s a tremendous amount of power, but this also comes with tremendous amount of responsibility. In the end, I have to account for whatever occurs in the book. But I have always been the type who enjoys succeeding or failing on their own merits. That’s one of the reasons why I’m an independent author.

What is a typical day like for you?

Get up at 5:00am for work (I’m a U.S. government employee who assists victims of crime), come home about 6:00pm, eat, get some writing done. That doesn’t afford much writing time, but on the weekends, I usually cover considerable ground.

What scene in Displaced was your favorite to write?

(light spoiler ahead) My favorite scene was where Eric and Arvin drive to the Hollywood hills at night. While not much happens in this scene, it’s a moment of quiet reflection, and I enjoy those pauses in the action where the characters discuss what has happened thus far, and how that has changed them.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

You only live once. Make it count!

Mark Anthony is the author of the new book Displaced.

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The Story Behind Royal Playboy by Nana Malone

By Nana Malone

Royal Playboy is the first book in the Playboy Prince Duet by USA Today Bestselling Author Nana Malone.

Get all the details of this sexy new release right from the author herself in her video blog below!

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Nana Malone is the author of the new book Royal Playboy.

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Interview with Jerry Lambert, author of Minor Arcana

What can you tell us about your new release, Minor Arcana?

Minor Arcana is book two in a paranormal thriller series called The Dark Emeralds. The first book, Queen of Swords, introduced the characters and set up the mystery of a set of cursed emeralds. It was my take on the classic ghost story, but with a twist. It takes place in two timelines, 1850 and present day. I wanted to create the tension and chills of a paranormal thriller, but also with the adventure and romance of a historical fiction. I wanted the living and the dead to both have important roles and to include real events and people. When I began Minor Arcana, I wanted to show my characters a year after a night of terrifying events. My characters had been through a lot and the ones that lived needed to show that transformation. In Minor Arcana we pick up a year later, when everyone is trying to get their lives back on track after the events of Queen of Swords. It pulls from elements of witchcraft and paganism. It delves into the history of centuries old covens and into real life brothels and the indomitable women who ran them. While Minor Arcana is book two in a series, I believe that it works well as a standalone story.

What books are currently on your nightstand?

Right now, I am reading books about Lilith and ancient pagan mythology for research for my next book. Also re-reading some classic horror; Henry James’ Turn of the Screw. I am a horror fan from way back. I have always loved Stephen King and Anne Rice. In the past few years I have also developed a love for fantasy, such as Neil Gaiman. They certainly have all been an inspiration to me in my writing. So up next on my shelf is Anne Rice’s Blood Communion and Neil Gaiman’s Norse Mythology. When you’re in the process of writing or editing it is nearly impossible to read, so when you’re in between books it’s a good time to finally get caught up on reading.

What advice would you give your teenage self?

I was a voracious reader and I loved to write, but I didn't have the confidence to pursue writing as a full-time career. When I went to college I went into other directions. I would tell my teenage self that no matter what happens, keep on track and eventually the confidence will come along with it. Keep writing no matter what else you may do. And in the times when life gets the hardest, that is when you need to work out harder and write more.

If you had an extra hour each day, how would you spend it?

I would probably spend it learning more about the publishing process and possibly get into formatting my own work. I have considered starting my own publishing business, though currently I just don't have the time. On the other hand, I might just use that spare hour for another cup of coffee and to walk my two miniature dachshunds a little more.

What makes your world go round? Why does it bring you joy?

When I’m not working, spending time with my family, friends, and my dogs makes me happy. I love traveling with my loved ones as often as we can. We love lake house trips in the summer and traveling to Europe and Africa for fun and research. Being able to explore the world with my husband and friends is one of the greatest joys I have, and it makes anyone a more well-rounded individual. It creates an understanding of other people and other worlds that you would never otherwise be privy to.

What scene in Minor Arcana was your favorite to write?

When writing suspenseful thrillers, I love adding scenes with a bit of comic relief. I love the awkwardness of dark comedy and it throws people off a bit in a story that could otherwise be too heavy. In Minor Arcana there is a funeral scene and a cocktail party scene that were both written to break tension and set up the next surprise. Each scene involves a cast of characters that are fun to write about and are based on events and people who I know well. The Hanukkah party scene is based on a dear friend, who has since passed away, who used to have these fabulous gatherings with the most eclectic crowds. You never knew what celebrities, socialites, chefs, luminaries, Cirque du Soleil acrobats, or hairdressers you would meet there. Writing a scene that invites readers into one of those evenings was a highlight for me.

Jerry Lambert is the author of the new book Minor Arcana.

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Interview with K.K. Allen, author of The Trouble With Gravity

What can you tell us about your new release, The Trouble With Gravity?

The Trouble With Gravity is a frenemies-to-lovers story starring two completely new characters in the Gravity series! So this is very much a standalone. Kai Ashley and Sebastian Chase are two people with haunting pasts who find each other at both the worst and best possible time in their lives. "If you love a strong and confident heroine and a cheeky bad boy with a heart of gold, you'll fall nose over toes for Kai and Sebastian." I couldn't have said it better than BookAddict's review did.

What books are currently on your nightstand?

For as long as I remember, I've had a Nicholas Sparks book on my nightstand. Even after I've finished reading it. He has had such a huge influence on my writing career, since college, that it just feels natural to have his books nearby. At this point, they're more decorative than anything else. I also have a Dragon Masters book sitting there, courtesy of my eight-year-old.

What advice would you give your teenage self?

Oooh, this is a good one! Never think something is impossible. Just because you don't know how your dreams can be accomplished, doesn't mean they can't be. Write the book, and figure out how to perfect and publish it later!

If you had an extra hour each day, how would you spend it?

Assuming this hour is in the middle of the day when my son is at school, I would most likely spend that time writing or distracting myself from writing by talking to my reader group, Forever Young, on Facebook (aka: my favorite place on the internet).

What makes your world go round? Why does it bring you joy?

My son recently turned eight, and every year around this time I can't help but think about where I was then, and where I am now. From the moment I found out I was bringing a little human into this world as a single momma, my entire perspective changed. In all honesty. I grew up fast. I stopped letting life happen to me. I started reaching for goals I'd never dared to dream before. It's safe to say that's why I'm here today!

What scene in The Trouble With Gravity was your favorite to write?

Gahh, this entire book was so much fun to write. I cannot gush about that enough. All writers know what it feels like to be "in the zone" because that's when the magic happens. When your heart tells the story, and your fingers fly across the keyboard. That was me during the entire process of writing this book. But my favorite scene in The Trouble With Gravity would have to be when Sebastian is in an empty theater, composing music on his piano. He doesn't know he's being watched by our heroine, Kai. Until this moment, Sebastian has been such an impossible tough guy, but when he's behind the piano, he's his most vulnerable self and that's what Kai is getting to witness. I can still feel the rush that went through me when writing that scene, of describing the feelings moving through him during the rise and fall of the number, until the moment he sees Kai watching him. BEST EVER MOMENT!

This interview has been so much fun. Thank you so much, New In Books! And I hope y'all check out The Trouble With Gravity.

K.K. Allen is the author of the new book The Trouble With Gravity.

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New Mystery and Thriller Books to Read | January 7

Hold on to the edge of your seat as we hunt for clues and solve the case with these exciting new mystery and thriller books for the week! There are so many bestselling authors with new novels for you to dive into this week including Anya Mora, Jerry Lambert, James Patterson Iris Johansen, and many more. Enjoy your new mystery, thriller, and suspense novels. Happy reading!

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New Romance Books to Read | January 7

Looking to fall in love with some new romance reads? You’ll adore these exciting new novels! This week you can get your hands on books by bestselling authors Willow Winters, K.K. Allen, Penelope Bloom, Nana Malone, A.M. Hargrove, Sophia Henry, KL Donn, and more. Enjoy your new romance books and happy reading!

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New Books to Read in Literary Fiction | January 7

Literary fiction readers are in for a treat. This week’s latest releases list is full of intriguing reads you won’t want to miss! The new releases list includes so many bestselling authors like Danielle Steel, Tim Dorsey, Marie Benedict, and many more. Enjoy your new literary fiction books. Happy reading!