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Conversations about what you’re reading, what you’re watching, and what you’re listening to
Episodes
Tuesday Feb 13, 2024
Tuesday Feb 13, 2024
This week, we're chatting with David McCloskey, author of MOSCOW X. We had a lively conversation about espionage and mystery!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
David McCloskey is a former CIA analyst and consultant at McKinsey & Company.
While at the CIA, he wrote regularly for the President’s Daily Brief, delivered classified testimony to Congressional oversight committees, and briefed senior White House officials, Ambassadors, military officials, and Arab royalty.
He worked in CIA field stations across the Middle East throughout the Arab Awakening and conducted a rotation in the Counterterrorism Center focused on the jihad in Syria and Iraq.
David holds an M.A. from the Johns Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies. He lives in Texas with his wife and three children.
Wednesday Feb 07, 2024
Wednesday Feb 07, 2024
This week, we're chatting with Dakota Cassidy, author of JINGLE ALL THE SLAY.
Evening Rundown (all times CT):
7:00 pm - informal chitchat and icebreaker with readers
7:30 pm - Interview with Dakota Cassidy (recorded live)
8:00 pm - Unrecorded Q&A with readers
8:30 pm - Reader after party
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
USA Today Bestselling author Dakota Cassidy lives for a good laugh in life and in her writing. In fact, she almost loves a good giggle as much as she loves hair products and that's saying something.
Her goals in life are simple, (like really simple): banish the color yellow forever, create world peace via hot rollers and Aqua Net; and finally, nab every tiara in the land by competing in the Miss USA, Miss Universe, and Miss World pageants, then sweeping them in a stunning trifecta of much duct tape and Vaseline usage, all in just under one week. Oh, and write really fun books!
Dakota lives in Texas with her dogs and has a husband who puts the heroes in her books to shame.
Wednesday Dec 20, 2023
Wednesday Dec 20, 2023
Fresh Fiction is joined by #KatieReus, the bestselling author of the grumpy-sunshine romance 'HOW THE Hitman Stole Christmas.' In the interview, we discuss Katie's writing process, the narrative arenas she feels most comfortable in as well as what her holiday traditions are. Enjoy the conversation!
Video Book Club is a great opportunity to connect, shared insights and explore the nuances of writing life. Whether you're a seasoned book club enthusiast or a first-time participant, or even if you haven't had a chance to read the book yet, you'll be welcomed into a warm and engaging community of readers. Take advantage of all these events by signing up for our weekly newsletter here (http://eepurl.com/cc9BoH)
ABOUT THE BOOK: Explosives expert Elliana hates Christmas—and the only good thing about this holiday season is that her gorgeous neighbor seems allergic to shirts and clothes in general. She knows because she’s been watching him for months with her drone. She’s never stalked anyone before, but he not only doesn’t seem to mind, he puts on nightly strip shows just for her. When she finally works up the courage to talk to him, she stumbles right into a murder—that he’s committed. But this holiday is one she’ll never forget…
According to him, the whole murder thing is no big deal—the dead guy needed killing. And while her hot neighbor wants her, protecting her is his main priority. So when she’s targeted, this cinnamon roll hitman kidnaps her for her own good. With a deadly threat hunting them and a hot hitman who keeps handcuffing her to him “for her own protection”, Elliana is starting to reconsider her grinchy stance on the holidays. And when everything finally comes to a head, the results are bound to be…explosive.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Katie Reus is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Ancients Rising series, the Endgame Trilogy and the Red Stone Security series. She fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom’s stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it. However, she didn’t always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated summa cum laude with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing paranormal romance and romantic suspense.
Tuesday Dec 05, 2023
Tuesday Dec 05, 2023
For #VideoBookClub this month, Fresh Fiction was joined by #StefanieLondon, a multi-award-winning and USA Today bestselling author.
Video Book Club is a great opportunity to connect, shared insights and explore the nuances of writing life. Whether you're a seasoned book club enthusiast or a first-time participant, or even if you haven't had a chance to read the book yet, you'll be welcomed into a warm and engaging community of readers.
Take advantage of all these events by signing up for our weekly newsletter here (http://eepurl.com/cc9BoH)
ABOUT THE BOOK: August Merriweather has always been good with animals. In fact, she’s known as Manhattan’s Dog Whisperer. Men, on the other hand? Not so much. She’s been falling for the wrong guys ever since her regrettable crush on Keaton Sax, older brother of her best friend, Leah, and the biggest jerkface this side of the Hudson.
Now an emotionally closed-off widower, Keaton has become one of the most formidable men on Wall Street, but August knows his secret. He’s not driven by sales targets and bonus checks—Keaton just wants to give his family the security they never had. So when Leah asks Keaton to wrangle her over-the-top dramatic husky at a weekend talent competition, Keaton says yes…and begs August to help him win the event for Leah.
Between obstacle courses, Molly’s husky temper tantrums and a cabin with just one bed, August is having a blast. Away from the pressure to have a “perfect life” with the “right guy,” she finds herself relaxing and getting to see the softer side of the man she once loved. Is this just a temporary truce? Or could Keaton finally be the right guy at the right time?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Stefanie’s books have been called “genuinely entertaining and memorable” by Booklist, and “elegant, descriptive and delectable” by RT magazine. Her stories have won multiple industry awards, including the HOLT Medallion and OKRWA National Reader's Choice Award, and she has been nominated for the Romance Writers of America RITA award. Originally from Australia, Stefanie lives in Toronto with her very own hero and is doing her best to travel the world. She frequently indulges in her passions for good coffee, lipstick, romance novels and anything zombie-related.
#authorinterview #author #interview #bestsellingauthor #romance
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
This week, we're chatting with Pippa Grant, author of THE GOSSIP AND THE GRUMP. Join us for a lively conversation about romance and laughter.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Pippa Grant is a USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author who writes romantic comedies that will make tears run down your leg. When she's not reading, writing or sleeping, she's being crowned employee of the month as a stay-at-home mom and housewife trying to prepare her adorable demon spawn to be productive members of society, all the while fantasizing about long walks on the beach with hot chocolate chip cookies.
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Listen in to our interview with Tammy L. Grace as she talks about her series, Sisters of the Heart, set in Lavender Valley.
Tuesday Sep 19, 2023
Tuesday Sep 19, 2023
Interview with mystery writer Matt Coyle, author of the Rick Cahill series.
Saturday May 06, 2023
Saturday May 06, 2023
Vibe Check
Gwen has finally moved, and she is traveling for work for the next two weeks!!
Danielle is enjoying this blip of springtime in Chicagoland!
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Julia Quinn/Shondaland
The Netflix show, QUEEN CHARLOTTE, goes up on May 4th!
Gwen’s favorite Julia Quinn novel is ROMANCING MR. BRIDGERTON (Bridgerton #4).
Danielle’s favorite is WHEN HE WAS WICKED (Bridgerton #6)
Gwen loves two of Shonda Rhimes’s screenplays: CROSSROADS and THE PRINCESS DIARIES 2: ROYAL ENGAGEMENT.
Danielle of course loves GREY’S ANATOMY, but also STILL STAR-CROSSED.
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Interview with Julia Quinn
QUEEN CHARLOTTE by Julia Quinn and Shonda Rhimes, available May 9, 2023!
Advice for aspriring romance authors: sit down and write the book! Also, figure out the process that works for you; it will be different for everyone.
MISS BUTTERWORTH AND THE MAD BARON is the graphic novel Julia worked on with her sister, Violet Charles.
Dog-sharing with her neighbors is brining Julia much joy!
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJuliaQuinn/
https://www.instagram.com/juliaquinnauthor/
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EMAIL US!
Thoughts or questions? Email us at podcast@freshfiction.com.
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Find us on the Socials!
Gwen Reyes
Danielle Jackson
Fresh Fiction
Thursday Apr 27, 2023
Thursday Apr 27, 2023
Vibe Check
We’re joined this week by entertainment critic and first repeat FF Pod guest, Susan Kamyab! Coming off of a busy awards season, Susan is enjoying just watching movies as a fan and not a critic. She fulfilled a lifelong dream of doing an hour-long segment about the Oscars on WFAA!
It’s almost Spring Break for Danielle and her family and they are READY. This week, Danielle crossed 80,000 words on her WIP!
Is Gwen moving? She doesn’t know. But she had a great time at SXSW and a ton of successful events for her day job!
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Spring 2023 Media Recs!
MARCH/APRIL
Susan, Movies: Super Mario Bros (4/5), Air (4/5), Paint (4/7), Showing Up (4/7), Beau is Afraid (4/27), Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret (4/28)
Gwen, TV: Succession on HBO (3/26), Yellowjackets on Showtime (3/26), Great Expectations on FX (3/26), Martha Stewart Cooking Show on Roku Channel (4/3), Beef on Netflix (4/6), Below Deck: Sailing Yacht on Bravo(4/10)
Danielle, Books: Hotel of Secrets by Diana Biller (3/28), Blood Debts by Terry J. Benton-Walker (4/4), The Fiancée Farce by Alexandria Bellefleur (4/18), Return to Hummingbird Way by Reese Ryan (4/28)
MAY
Susan, Movies: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 (5/5), What’s Love Got to Do With It (5/5), The Little Mermaid (5/26)
Gwen, TV: Fatal Attraction on Paramount (4/30), Queen Charlotte: a Bridgerton Story on Netflix (5/5), City on Fire on Apple TV+ (5/12)
Danielle, Books: An Island Princess Starts a Scandal by Adriana Herrera (5/30), Lore Olympus Volume 4 by Rachel Smythe, Even if the Sky is Falling by Taj McCoy; Farah Heron; Lane Clarke; Charish Reid; Sarah Smith; Denise Williams (5/30)
JUNE
Susan, Movies: Spiderman: Across the Spider-Verse (6/2), Elemental (6/16), No Hard Feelings (6/23), Joy Ride (6/23)
Gwen, TV: Tony Awards on CBS (6/11)
Danielle, Books: To Have and to Heist by Sara Desai (6/13), Love Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood (6/13)
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You can find Susan Kamyab at http://thischixflix.com/, and on Instagram and Twitter
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Goals/Comfort & Joy
Danielle succeeded at writing 15,000 words a week! Now, she needs to start making plans for the launch of ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE on August 8. She is enjoying the new Toni Morrison Memorial Stamps.
Gwen has started to go through her desk ahead of her move but has more to do. This week she would like to take some clothes to be recycled and get her passport renewed! She’s finding joy in the new season of Top Chef: All Stars.
Susan would like to start taking 30-minute walks every day and eat better. Watching movies from her childhood has been bringing her comfort: Smart House, Man of the House, First Kid, Jungle 2 Jungle, George of the Jungle, etc.!
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EMAIL US!
Thoughts or questions? Email us at podcast@freshfiction.com.
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Find us on the Socials!
Gwen Reyes
Danielle Jackson
Fresh Fiction
Saturday Mar 25, 2023
Saturday Mar 25, 2023
Vibe Check
Gwen has a lot of upcoming travel and is moving! She is glad to have gotten over her recent cold. Danielle had a lot of things to do over the last week and wonders why everything happens at the same time. She also finished reading all 20+ trade volumes of the Lumberjanes series with her daughter!
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Main Discussion
Let’s talk fantasy! The differences between Paranormal and Fantasy are vast, but also not quite as different as we thought. Hopefully you can make sense of what we mean.
Danielle and Gwen both like fantasy on the screen more than on the page. The world building must be seamlessly built into the story, and, above all, it has to make SENSE.
PS Danielle is a huge Tolkien nerd and this clip of Stephen Colbert out-nerding James Franco lives rent free in her mind.
TV RECS
Danielle: Pushing Daisies, Shadow & Bone, Once Upon a Time, Merlin, The Magicians
Gwen: The Mayfair Witches, Westworld, The Good Place, House of Dragon/Game of Thrones
MOVIE RECS
Danielle: Lord of the Rings, Encanto, Labyrinth, Willow, Dark Crystal, Pan’s Labyrinth, The Princess Bride
Gwen: Mad Max: Fury Road, The Last Unicorn, Everything Everywhere All at Once
BOOK RECS
Danielle: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, A Heart of Blood and Ashes by Mila Vane, The Kingmaker Chronicles series by Amanda Bouchet; Authors I have not read but people LOVE: Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout, G.A. Aiken
Gwen: Rachel Caine’s The Great Library series (start with Ink and Bone), Ruby Dixon’s never-ending Ice Planet Barbarians; Abigail Owen’s new Dominion series (start with The Liar’s Crown)
GAME RECS
Gwen: Ascension deck building, Dragonlance tie-in game and new guidebook
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Interview with Jennifer Estep
CONQUER THE KINGDOM, now available!
https://www.jenniferestep.com/
Upcoming releases: HEART STRINGS (May 9), GOOD ENEMIES (July 18), SPIDER & FROST (September 26)
Jennifer has been watching Ghosts on CBS!
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Goals/Comfort & Joy
Gwen wanted to drink more water, and thanks to her cold, she did! This week Gwen wants to clean out her desk drawers before moving. Danielle turned in her pass pages for ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE (8/8/32). She is determined to write 15,000 words a week through the end of March to finish this WIP.
Gwen is finding comfort in watching Vegas tourism videos ahead of her trip with her husband!
Danielle loves any and all grocery store bakery cookies.
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EMAIL US!
Thoughts or questions? Email us at podcast@freshfiction.com.
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Find us on the Socials!
Gwen Reyes
Danielle Jackson
Fresh Fiction