The Fresh Fiction Podcast

We're chatting with Xio Axelrod, author of GIRLS WITH BAD REPUTATIONS. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Xio Axelrod is a USA Today bestselling author of award-winning contemporary romance, romantic fiction, and what she likes to call strange, twisted tales.

Xio grew up in the music industry and began recording at a young age. When she isn't writing stories, she can be found in the studio, writing songs, or performing on international stages (under a different, not-so-secret name).

She lives in Philadelphia with one full-time husband and several part-time cats.

We're chatting with Joanna Davidson Politano, author of THE ELUSIVE TRUTH OF LILY TEMPLE. Join us for a lively conversation about her work!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Joanna Davidson Politano freelances for a small nonfiction publisher but spends much of her time spinning tales that capture the colorful, exquisite details in ordinary lives. Her manuscript for Lady Jayne Disappears was a finalist for several contests, including the 2016 Genesis Award from ACFW, and won the OCW Cascade Award and the Maggie Award for Excellence. She is always on the hunt for random acts of kindness, people willing to share their deepest secrets with a stranger, and hidden stashes of sweets. She lives with her husband and their two babies in a house in the woods near Lake Michigan.

We're chatting with Lisa Gardner, author of STILL SEE YOU EVERYWHERE. Join us for a lively conversation about her work!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lisa Gardner, a No. 1 New York Times bestselling thriller novelist, began her career in food service, but after catching her hair on fire numerous times, she took the hint and focused on writing instead. A self-described research junkie, she has transformed her interest in police procedure and criminal minds into a streak of internationally acclaimed novels, published across 30 countries. 

Lisa’s books have received awards from across the globe. Her novel, THE NEIGHBOR, won Best Hardcover Novel from the International Thriller Writers, while also receiving the Grand Prix des Lectrices de Elle in France. She was also recognized with the Daphne du Maurier Award in 2000 for THE OTHER DAUGHTER. Finally, Lisa received the Silver Bullet Award from the International Thriller Writers in 2017 for her work on behalf of at-risk children and the Humane Society.

Fresh Fiction's Preston Barta and James Cole Clay are here to bring you the latest updates on what's happening in the world of cinema and television. So, sit back, relax, and tune in!

This week's happenings include:

FILM

• THE FALL GUY
• THE IDEA OF YOU
• STAR WARS EP. 1: THE PHANTOM MENACE
• WILDCAT
• JEANNE DU BARRY
• CIVIL WAR
• HARDWARE WARS (MVD Rewind Collection)

TV

• THE BIG DOOR PRIZE (Season 2) revisited

INTERVIEWS

• THE IDEA OF YOU director Michael Showalter
• THE BIG DOOR PRIZE showrunner David West Read and stars Chris O'Dowd & Josh Segarra

We're chatting with Jennifer Deibel, author of THE IRISH MATCHMAKER. Join us for a lively conversation about romance and mystery!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jennifer Deibel is the bestselling and award-winning author of A Dance in Donegal, The Lady of Galway Manor and The Maid of Ballymacool. Her work has appeared on (in)courage, on The Better Mom, in Missions Mosaic magazine, and others. With firsthand immersive experience abroad, Jennifer writes stories that help redefine home through the lens of culture, history, and family. After nearly a decade of living in Ireland and Austria, she now lives in Arizona with her husband and their three children.

Fresh Fiction's Preston Barta and James Cole Clay are here to bring you the latest updates on what's happening in the world of cinema and television. In addition, they engage in a healthy debate on Taylor Swift's new album, "The Tortured Poets Department," and conduct an interview with filmmaker Caitlin Cronenberg. So, sit back, relax, and tune in!

This week's happenings include:

FILM

• CHALLENGERS
• HUMANE
• BOY KILLS THE WORLD
• THE RING and THE RING TWO
• STEEL MAGNOLIAS
• SASQUATCH SUNSET (Revisited)

TV

• PALM ROYALE (Revisited)
• THE BIG DOOR PRIZE (Season 2)
• PALM ROYALE

INTERVIEWS

• HUMANE director Caitlin Cronenberg

On episode 3, Fresh Fiction's Preston Barta and James Cole Clay discuss what's happening this week at the cinema and on television. We also have filmmaker and scientists interviews to share. So, pull up and chair and listen in!

This week's happenings include:

FILM

• SASQUATCH SUNSET
• THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE
• ABIGAIL
• REBEL MOON: PART TWO

TV

• EARTHSOUNDS 
• SECRETS OF THE OCTOPUS
• PALM ROYALE

INTERVIEWS

This week's interviews include:

• SASQUATCH SUNSET directors David & Nathan Zellner
• EARTHSOUNDS producer Sam Hodgson, marine biologist Dr. Beth Goodwin & Bourhan Yassin (CEO of Rainforest Connection)

We're chatting with Vivienne Lorret, author of IT HAD TO BE A DUKE. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

USA Today bestselling author VIVIENNE LORRET transforms copious amounts of tea into words. She is an Avon author of fun and steamy Regency Romances, with works including the Wallflower Wedding series, the Rakes of Fallow Hall series, the Season’s Original series, the Misadventures in Matchmaking series, the Mating Habits of Scoundrels series, and the new Liar’s Club series.

On episode 2, Fresh Fiction's Preston Barta and James Cole Clay discuss what's happening this week at the cinema and at home on the tube. We also have filmmaker and actor interviews to share. So, pull up and chair and listen in!

This week's happenings include:

FILM

• CIVIL WAR
• ARCADIAN
• STING
• GIRLS STATE
• LISA FRANKENSTEIN

TV

• FRANKLIN
• FALLOUT

INTERVIEWS

This week's interviews include:

• GIRLS STATE directors Amanda McBaine & Jesse Moss
• ARCADIAN stars Jaeden Martell & Maxwell Jenkins

We're chatting with Michel Prince, author of TEMPERED BEATS. Join us for a lively conversation about mystery.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

USA Today Bestselling author, Michel Prince, graduated with a bachelor degree in History and Political Science. Michel writes new adult and adult paranormal romance as well as contemporary romance.

With characters yelling "It's my turn damn it!!!" She tries to explain to them that alas, she can only type a hundred and twenty words a minute and they will have wait their turn. She knows eventually they find their way out of her head and to her fingertips and she looks forward to sharing them with you.

When Michel can suppress the voices in her head she can be found cheering for her son in a variety of sports. She would like to thank her family for always being in her corner and especially her husband for supporting her every dream and never letting her give up.

Michel has been awarded Elite Status with Rebel Ink Press in 2013, the service award for her local RWA chapter Midwest Fiction Writers 2013, 2014, won 2015 Sweetest Romance from IREA for Chrysalis, a 2022 finalist for the Minnesota Book Awards for The Amalgam and was a PAN member of RWA. She lives in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, and new puppy.