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Interview with Samantha Keith, author of Exposed

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

Exposed is a fast-paced, forbidden romance, romantic suspense. Maddie is Nate's best friend's little sister. Nine months ago, he almost slept with her, but walked away--much to Maddie's fury! The two have been on the outs since, but when Maddie contacts him in desperate need of his help to land a drug lord in prison, he refuses...until she blackmails him. Maddie struggles not to blow her cover as the drug lord's girlfriend--doing so would risk their case and her life. But being in such close proximity to Nate proves to be as dangerous as her mission.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I've wanted to be an author for as long as I can remember! It wasn't until I read Karen Robards's Vanished that I fell in love with romantic suspense, and knew that was what I had to write.

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

Oh my. This is a tough question! But the first ones that come to mind are:

1. Master of the Game by Sidney Sheldon
2. Vanished by Karen Robards
3. Bait by Karen Robards
4. When You Dare by Lori Foster
5. Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews

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

There are so many wonderful authors that I admire and would be ecstatic to speak to! But Karen Robards changed the game for me as a reader and (soon-to-be) author, so she would have to be my first guest. One question I would love to know how she managed to raise small children while writing and growing her career. I would also love to know what her favorite genre to write is. She's written historical romance, paranormal romance, and everything in between!

What's your favorite thing about writing?

My favorite thing about writing is knowing that I have complete freedom with what I choose to write. Everything comes from my imagination: my characters, plot, location, etc. I also don't always know what's going to happen in my books, which is what keeps me motivated and excited to write. Sometimes I even surprise myself with how I end a chapter and then I have to piece the story together from there--or rework what I originally had in mind. It keeps me on my toes and the passion lit!

What is a typical day like for you?

My days are pretty crazy. I have a three-year-old and one-year-old, so my nights consist of at least two wake-ups by my youngest daughter. Gone are the days of alarm clocks ha ha! My oldest daughter wakes up with the sun, so we quietly get her ready for preschool and eat breakfast while waiting for the baby to wake up. While my oldest is as preschool for the morning, I'm usually cleaning a constantly messy house with a baby on my hip, and then playtime (one of my favorite times of the day). Then we pick her sister up, have lunch, either jet off to swimming lessons, jiu-jitsu, or dance, (and somehow get a nap in for the little one). In between 500 snack times, I usually manage to play with the kids, run errands, and cook supper. Needless to say my entire day is motherhood--but I wouldn't have it any other way! Once the kiddos are down for the night (no later than 7:00 pm) the writer is allowed to come out lol. I usually get a solid three hours of work before I head to bed.

What scene in Exposed was your favorite to write?

Oh, gosh! I have so many scenes that I love about this book. One of my favorites to write was when Nate startles Maddie in the shower. She comes out in a towel and totally throws him off his cocky game. Poor Nate suffers a lot in this scene! This couple is fiery with a slow-burn romance and I had so much fun writing this dynamic.

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

One of my favorite quotes is: "There's always room for improvement." It's a great reminder for every aspect of my life. Whether it's more patience and quality time with my children, being more active (still working on this one), eating well, or working hard, I can always achieve more as long as I never settle or give up.

Samantha Keith is the author of the new book Exposed.

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New Mystery and Thriller Books to Read | April 16

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 David Baldacci, James Patterson, Alafair Burke, and many more. Enjoy your new mystery, thriller, and suspense novels. Happy reading!



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New Romance Books to Read | April 16

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 Tracey Jerald, Lark Avery, Samantha Keith, E.L. Todd, and more. Enjoy your new romance books and happy reading!



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New Books to Read in Literary Fiction | April 16

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 Teri Case, Cecilia Ahern, Sally Rooney, and many more. Enjoy your new literary fiction books. Happy reading!



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New Science Fiction and Fantasy Books | April 16

Set off on an adventure to new worlds this week! This selection of new science fiction and fantasy books will surely please! Science Fiction fans should be excited about the latest from bestselling authors Brian Mansur, Greg Egan, J.W. Griffin, and more. If Fantasy is what your library needs, you’ll be able to pick up the latest from Kenneth B. Anderson, Eric Arbolast, Sage Sask, Michael Anderle, and more. Enjoy your new science fiction and fantasy books. Happy reading!


Fantasy


Science Fiction


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New Young Adult Books to Read | April 16

Are you an avid reader of Young Adult books? This week you are in luck! With all of these new novels, you’re bound to find a new favorite book to add to your reading list. This week includes new novels from bestselling authors Scott Reintgen, L.E. Flynn, Cat Winters, and many more. Enjoy your new young adult books. Happy reading!



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New Biography and Memoir Books to Read | April 16

Looking for some new biography and memoir books for your library? There are so many new releases this week that you’re bound to find a new favorite. You can pick up new novels from Leander Kahney, Stassi Schroeder, Jeremy Cowart, and more. Enjoy your new biography and memoir books. Happy reading!



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Interview with Sage Sask, author of The Circle: Taken

What can you tell us about your new release, The Circle: Taken?

After finding success as a USA Today & Washington Post bestselling author I decided to embark on a journey with a team of young adult writers to write an exhilarating new YA series. The result is a spell-binding adventure of friendship, love and unforeseen twists where the hero learns that our most dangerous enemies are often the people we trust the most. A captivating novel filled with forbidden romance and shocking betrayals that demands - Can One Decision Determine Your Destiny?

What or who inspired you to become an author?

Reading and writing have always been my favorite things to do. Books are an amazing escape. I love the idea of superheroes and believe that every one of us has a hero within us. In The Circle Taken, Alexia has to overcome multiple physical and personal obstacles to discover that she is a hero.

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

1. Harry Potter 2. Hunger Games 3. Outliers 4. To Kill A Mockingbird 5. Marvel Comics

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

Definitely J.K. Rowling. I would ask her how it feels to have had such a profound influence on the imagination and reading habits of countless children and adults around the world.

What's your favorite thing about writing?

Creating a new world and characters with a mix of fascinating personalities. They then come together to overcome impossible obstacles while building friendships, finding love and learning about themselves. I love creating unexpected twists and turns that leave readers guessing and on the edge of their seats.

What is a typical day like for you?

I write for about 10 hours a day. Right now I’m working on a screenplay, TV pilot, and the second book in The Circle Taken series. I try to run at least four miles a day for stress relief and to get creative ideas. On evenings and weekends I work with my team of young adult writers on story concepts and media marketing. We love to connect with readers via social media. More info about our team can be found at sagesask.com.

What scene in The Circle: Taken was your favorite to write?

Without giving away any spoilers, I loved the catalyst near the end where the main character, Alexia, has to decide which path to take. She has to choose between what’s best for her and what’s best for her team. Her decision changes everything and forces her to realize who really matters.

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

The destination is so much more rewarding because of our team’s journey together.

Sage Sask is the author of the new book The Circle: Taken

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Interview with Lark Avery, author of Bossy Biker

What can you tell us about your new release, Bossy Biker?

Bossy Biker is so much fun! The moment Raider rolls into town and claps eyes on Blossom, readers are in for a wild ride. I think he knows he’s in trouble the second he finds her serving pie in her diner while wearing a wedding dress. Throw in a cast of loving but nosy townspeople, sex that’s hotter than anything coming out of Blossom’s oven, and a plethora of cheesy pie puns and you’ll find a book that you can’t put down until well past the happily ever after.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I became an author because I had to get all these stories running through my head out! I’ve found the more I write, the faster my brain creates new plots and characters. It’s less a problem of coming up with new ideas, and more digging through and to find the best ones. I’ve always loved to read, too, which has been a big influence. I want to create the same escape into stories that I love as a reader.

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

Tough to narrow it down to 5, but here are the first that come to mind: Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum books, Fifty Shades of Grey, Kristen Ashley’s Rock Chick series, JD Robb’s In Death series, and Penny Reid’s Knitting in the City series.

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

Christian Grey and “Your red room or mine?”

What's your favorite thing about writing?

My favorite thing about writing is that I get to live vicariously through my characters. I can walk away from the wall of laundry my family piled up or the car that’s making that noise again, and dive head first into some crazy antics and wild adventures on the pages of my books. And I absolutely LOVE knowing I can give my readers that same escape hatch.

What is a typical day like for you?

It usually begins with hitting the snooze button one time too many and scrambling to get up and get the family fed, clothed and out the door before they miss buses, carpools, or commuter trains and have to stay home with me for the rest of the day. I workout for about an hour. Okay, it’s less a workout and more my dogs dragging me through the neighborhood as if they’re trying out for the Iditarod. But hey, it gets my heart rate up, so it counts, right?

Then it’s time to get down to serious business. I spend the afternoon fueling myself with a combination of sugar and caffeine with the occasional salad thrown in to appease the gods of good health while I work on coming up with over-the-top romance plots and doing my best to get the words on the page to match the pictures in my head. No easy feat! And by the time my family rolls in, I’m usually ready for a nap.

Evenings are family time. A mix of fun, games, and a bit of nagging to get homework done before I get to bed so I can do it all again the next day.

What scene in Bossy Biker was your favorite to write?

Bossy Biker might be my favorite book I’ve written so far, so it’s tough to pick just one scene. But if I have to choose, it’s when Raider thinks he’s going to protect Blossom from the town full of busybodies and instead sees that she has a bossy side of her own. While I think Raider fell for her at first sight, this is probably the moment he knew for sure that he loved her. I think all my favorite things about my books are in this scene—humor, heat, sexual tension, and all the feels.

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

There’s no problem that can’t be solved with a sense of humor or a pair of fuzzy handcuffs.

 

Lark Avery is the author of the new book Bossy Biker.

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Interview with Teri Case, author of In the Doghouse

What can you tell us about your new release, In the Doghouse?

In the Doghouse is a fiction book about a couple’s breakup from their dog’s point of view.

Skip is a rescued dog who wants to matter. He loves living in a blissful pack with his human couple, John and Lucy, and he has bow-vowed never to lose them. But when John walks out after seven happy years, Skip and Lucy’s world is turned upside down. Skip is determined to guide Lucy through her identity crisis, but he’s guarding a secret: he’s to blame for the breakup and her broken heart. Now, with the help of a hoarder neighbor, a stray cat, and a boy with autism, Skip must build a new pack for himself and Lucy before she discovers his canine treason and kicks him to the curb.

The idea for this novel came from a Story Genius course with Lisa Cron (author of Wired for Story and Story Genius) and Jennie Nash (founder of Author Accelerator). The first assignment was to come up with a simple “What If” question. Mine was: If a dog could talk, whom would he/she choose to stay with after their owners’ breakup or divorce?

Though the book is fiction, many dog-years ago, my first long-term relationship ended. We had a thirteen-year-old dog. We couldn’t ask him whom he would like to stay with. I’ve always doubted the decision (though purely for selfish reasons because losing my dog was the hardest part of the breakup—I’m sure my dog was happy and well-loved to his dying day).

I hope I have many more books in me, but I have a feeling that Skip, who is a Timber Wolf/Labrador mix, was the most interesting character I will ever write. Furthermore, I think I can talk to dogs now.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

The hope, escape, and clarity that came from reading books is what inspired me to start writing stories at a young age. The two most memorable childhood books were Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell where wild dogs raised a young girl, and The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I wrote my first book when I was seven. It was about an Indian boy who all the children bullied. He comes out the victor. When I was fifteen years old, I handwrote two short stories about unrequited love (Ugh, high school angst ~1985) on college-ruled notebook paper. I tied blue yarn through the three-hole punches and mailed the stories to Seventeen Magazine. I never heard back from Seventeen Magazine.

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

I’m going to choose the top five books that have influenced me, but for a variety of reasons.

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell

Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel

The Border Trilogy: All the Pretty Horses, the Crossing, Cities of the Plain by Cormac McCarthy
Winter’s Bone: A Novel by Daniel Woodrell
The Room: A Novel by Emma Donoghue

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

This is a no brainer for me. Pretending to be a literary host, I should ask an author about their writing process, how they find their ideas, and more, but I’m a reader first, so I’d make it all about me and ask Cormac McCarthy why he had to write the outhouse scene that still haunts me years later. Seriously, Mr. McCarthy, why?

What's your favorite thing about writing?

My favorite thing about writing is the connection with readers, and other writers, that follows publication. And I’m not talking about praise or positive reviews. I’m talking about the personal stories a reader will share via email or private messaging when a character resonates with them.

But a close second favorite in the writing process is that writing reflects where I’m at in life. When I was younger, I could never have written In the Doghouse or Tiger Drive. What I write is a compilation of life lessons, questions, and evolving world views. I could never have written what I wrote these past few years, 20 years ago. And likewise, what I wrote 20 years ago, I couldn’t write today.

What is a typical day like for you?

After breakfast, I walk four minutes to my Washington, DC, neighborhood library to write or edit for four hours until lunch. I always stop for lunch with my significant other (he makes the best popcorn), and then I go to the gym (the sedentary life of a writer is unhealthy!). After exercising, I focus on marketing and outreach for a few hours.

What scene in In the Doghouse was your favorite to write?

My favorite scene to write for In the Doghouse was the last scene, and not because I could type “The End” but because I knew the end of the book before I started writing the first chapter.

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

Don’t wait for someday because it doesn’t exist. Make someday, today.

Teri Case is the author of the new book In the Doghouse.

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