FEATURED BOOK: False Identity




Believe in miracles ... believe in Christmas ... believe in love.

When a devastatingly handsome stranger saves her son from a group of thugs, Chancy Hamilton feels an instant connection to him. There's only one catch--he's homeless.

Their lives become intertwined, and Chancy is soon thrown into nightmarish events caused by a chilling deception where nothing is as it seems, bringing a terrifying aftermath that threatens not only her but the lives of her children.



AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Annie Cosby

TBM: How do you imagine the ideal reader of your book?

AC: I imagine the ideal reader of my book as a romantic, a person who loves to delve into stories filled with lots of colorful and complex characters and relationships. 

TBM: How was the writer inside of you born?

AC: Both of my parents were professional writers in different capacities throughout most of my childhood, so I was always trying to copy them. Once you start a story, the creativity starts flowing, and it never stops!




TBM: What genres do you work with and why are you attracted to these forms of writing?

AC: I write young adult literature because I think it's a genre that speaks to everyone. Anybody over the age of 14 can empathize with being a teenager. It's one of the most emotional, fun, and turbulent times of your life. Emotions are heightened, and the future is wide open. It's exciting!

TBM: As a reader, what elements of a story do you love, or do you hate?

AC: I love good, real characters. There are so many stories out there with boring, stock characters that don't change or learn anything from their story. I think a great character is full of faults and quirks, but is constantly learning.

TBM: What inspired you to write LEARNING TO SWIM and what do you hope your readers will take away from this book?

AC: This story was born from my infatuation with the Celtic selkie myth. I'm American, but I've lived in Ireland off and on for several years, and the place is steeped in folklore and mythology. I love the idea of putting a modern twist on old stories, because myths are full of wisdom and time-defying lessons.

TBM: How long did it take you to write this book and what did you do the day that you finished it?

AC: This book was written and then went through a million reincarnations over the course of ten and a half years. I can't rightly say what I did the day I finished it, because I finished it a hundred times--only to go back and change something. Though, on the day it was finally published, I think I got takeout and breathed a sigh of relief.

TBM: What would you like to say to your readers?

AC: To my readers, I want to say thank you! Talking to readers is always the highlight of my week, and I absolutely adore discussing books, both mine and others, with readers of all kinds.

TBM: What writing projects are you currently working on?

AC: I just finished writing LEARNING TO LIVE, the sequel to LEARNING TO SWIM, and I'm about to start on the third and final installment of the series. I also have a young adult contemporary romance I'm working on, which I hope to finish this spring.

TBM: Lastly, a direct message to the readers, about why they should read LEARNING TO SWIM.

AC: The book puts a modern spin on the old selkie myth, but its true focus is a cast of wonderful characters that are truly dear to my heart. I hope you enjoy reading LEARNING TO SWIM as much as I enjoyed writing it!


ANNIE COSBY.

FEATURED BOOK: Hold Tight by Cherie Colyer




It’s just one spell… that shouldn't have been cast.

Madison Riley has just embraced her magical powers, the trick now is learning how to control them. But when Madison conjures the help she needs around the house, she ends up inviting trouble of its own as a pair of dangerous yet enticing beings enter her life. She finds herself caught in the crossfire between these two dashing but deadly creatures. 

Madison must figure out which one to trust and how to rid her world of the other—before one of them destroys her and everyone she cares about.


Join me in experiencing the magic of Embrace.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Marie Lavender

TBM: How do you imagine the ideal reader of your book?

ML: I imagine the ideal reader of my book to be a romantic who doesn’t mind bit of history and suspense thrown into a love story. Anyone who loves a good story and enjoys a thrill while learning about new places would be a potential reader.

TBM: How was the writer inside of you born?

ML: When I was young, I absolutely loved the written word!  I would pour over books, eating up the narratives within.  My imagination was huge and my family would often find me acting out my own stories with dolls and such.  This eventually translated into writing stories, and I’ve been writing them ever since.




TBM: What genres do you work with and why are you attracted to these forms of writing?

ML: I write romance because I love showing how two people can work out their differences, to be unique, be separate individuals and yet still find something in common.  Writing in different subgenres like contemporary, historical, suspense, paranormal romance and fantasy simply allows me to pursue those separate interests while still including a romance angle.

TBM: As a reader, what elements of a story do you love, or do you hate?

ML: I love the escape of a good story, becoming immersed in it wholly, and when you finally step back, you’re surprised that the writer did his or her job so well.  This requires well-developed characters and a great plot. What do I hate?  I hate when a main character gets killed off as a plot twist.  Not only is it frustrating, it seems like a cheap way out for the writer.  In Creative Writing classes, we were taught to never do that with main characters.  Anyway, that’s my pet peeve with stories. 

TBM: What inspired you to write Upon Your Honor and what do you hope your readers will take away from this book?

ML: This story was created to not only be a continuation of the story of the first book, Upon Your Return, but it was necessary to write because it has a survivor theme.  So many people go through horrific events, and they still come out extraordinary.

TBM: How long did it take you to write this book and what did you do the day that you finished it?

ML: All in all, this book took me about a year to write.  When I was finished with the manuscript, I went out to celebrate with my fiancé.  It felt so great to know that I’d completed the second book in the Heiresses in Love Series! 

TBM: What would you like to say to your readers? 

ML: I would like to thank my readers, my loyal fans from the beginning.  Without all of you, without your lovely comments via social media or through the website, I wouldn’t have been inspired to keep up this writing train.

TBM: What do you have planned next?

ML: Well, I have another book coming out soon.  It is titled Second Nature.  It is the first book of the Blood at First Sight Series, and it’s a paranormal romance/urban fantasy.  I also just finished work on a children’s fantasy story titled A Little Magic, which also happens to be the sequel to Magic & Moonlight.  Additionally, I am working on the final book in the Heiresses in Love Series; it is called Upon Your Love.

TBM: Lastly, a direct message to the readers, about why they should read Upon Your Honor.


ML: I can’t wait to show this book to some wonderful, new readers.  In my opinion, it reads differently than most historical romance novels and should appeal to readers of other genres as well.  Chloe and Gabriel are special characters, and I think they will be special to you too.

Thriller Book: PURIFIED by Brian Robert Smith



“There’s no use trying to escape. You’re miles from anywhere. You have no clothes, no food, no money... You’re dead, Mason.” 

Mason Bushing died over a year ago, but his life was saved through an unauthorized experiment with a drug called Purify. When he awakens in a strange place, all Mason wants is his old life back. His plans change after he discovers his wife is more interested in the insurance money than seeing him alive. His best friend doesn’t believe his story, and after he almost kills his wife’s new boyfriend, fraud and assault charges loom. 

When a detective is assigned the case, his suspicions are raised by lies, disturbing coincidences, and related homicides. Mason becomes his prime suspect, and he’s forced to run again. 

Imagine having to run from someone who saved your life. Imagine everyone thinking you’re dead, and waking up to questions, accusations, conspiracies and murder. What would you do if you were Purified?



THE CASE OF THE MISSING MYSTERY READER by Thomas Davidson

Her name was Theresa, but everyone called her Terry.

Miss Terry was a lifelong fan of mysteries, thrillers and suspense fiction. These stories, charged with adrenaline and larger-than-life characters, reflected the chaotic world in which she lived. These stories were pulse-pounding journeys that usually ended with the moral universe intact. Justice, unfortunately, was often missing in reality.

That’s why Terry loved fiction. She loved a tale of terror, right versus wrong, heroes and villains. It was an escape from gritty reality.

One day her sister, Mary, gave Terry a mystery novel titled: “Jump In.” A single quote adorned the back page. “Truly immersive reading,” said a reviewer, “you’ll get lost in the pages.”

Terry sat alone in the den by a sunny window, and cracked open the book. For her, each book began with an unspoken promise. She could almost hear the author whisper, “This story is an unforgettable journey. It will change you. I promise.”

Terry smelled the fresh paper, and looked down at the sunlit first page. The prose pulled her in. She lost all sense of time. Her daily world disappeared.

At dinnertime, Mary entered the room. Her sister was gone. She called out, but received no answer. The mystery, “Jump In,” lay on the armchair, splayed open. Mary picked it up. She flipped a few pages and saw an illustration of a crowded street, which included a woman who resembled Terry.


A single quote adorned the book jacket. “Truly immersive reading,” said a reviewer, “you’ll get lost in the pages…I promise.”

*******************************************



AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Karri Thompson

TBM: How do you imagine the ideal reader of your book?

KT: My ideal reader is someone who loves unique stories with a lot of twist and turns and romance.

TBM: How was the writer inside of you born?

KT: I’ve always had a passion for writing. I wrote my first short story when I was in third grade. I don’t remember what it was called, but it was about a lady bug that slept in a hammock made from a leaf. I even drew pictures to go with it. At SDSU, I took a class called “The Writing of Fiction.” I wrote a 25-page short story, and my professor actually called me at home on a Saturday to tell me he just read it and was blown away by it. I couldn’t believe it. Geez, I don’t remember what that story was called either, but his call inspired me to keep writing.




TBM: What genres do you work with and why are you attracted to these forms of writing?

KT: I primarily write young adult sci-fi. I’m a sci-fi freak who grew up watching Star Trek reruns and then The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager. I’ve always been fascinated with the unknown and the possible technology of the future. I would love to be a Starfleet officer. I also love Star Wars and Sherlock—Sherlock has nothing to do with Sci-Fi, but I’m obsessed with the show, so I had to mention it. Lol.

TBM: As a reader, what elements of a story do you love, or do you hate?

KT: I don’t like stories that are too predictable. That’s why MIRROR X is full of all kinds of surprises. I love stories with a strong main character who is a bit flawed but extremely likeable. The male lead also needs to be handsome (someone who can make a girl’s stomach do flips) and maybe even be a bit naïve.

TBM: What inspired you to write MIRROR X and what do you hope your readers will take away from this book?

KT: Without giving away some of the major twists, I can say that I’ve always been intrigued with the idea of bringing back someone who died – not in the form of a Zombie (though I’m a huge fan of The Walking Dead) but as a new person with a new soul – if that makes any sense. There is one person in particular who I wish I had met, but he died before I was even born. If you want to know who this individual is, you’ll have to read MIRROR X J This person just might make an appearance.

TBM: How long did it take you to write this book and what did you do the day that you finished it?

KT: The initial first draft only took me about three months to write, but of course, it was really rough. It took another two to three weeks to self-edit. Then I switched manuscripts with my critique partner, so we could give each other feedback. It took another two to three weeks to go through my partner’s comments and make adjustments. Then it was finally ready to send to my agent, so she could give it a look before querying publishers. To celebrate the fact that it was agent-ready, I went out to dinner with my husband. It is such a great feeling to have a book polished and ready up to that point. But it didn’t end there. After it sold to Entangled Teen, there was a year’s worth of edits before the galley was ready. It really is a long process. I go through this with every book I write. It is a lot of work and takes a lot of patience, but it is so worth it to me.

TBM: What would you like to say to your readers? 

KT: I would like to thank all of my readers for reading MIRROR X. Book two is on my editor’s desk. I can’t wait for all of you to read it! I am so anxious to begin writing the last book in the trilogy. My goal is to write books with powerful themes and plot twists. If you are a member of my street team, you will get a first look at book two. Yay!

TBM: How much research went into this book?

KT: A lot of research went into MIRROR X in terms of cryogenics and something else I don’t want to say because it will give it away. Let’s just say that I learned a lot about DNA in the process J I didn’t want any plot holes in the book, so I made sure that all of the medical information was correct. I even discovered a theory called “ancestral memory.” This concept comes out in book two.

TBM: Lastly, a direct message to the readers, about why they should read MIRROR X.


KT: MIRROR X is definitely a new twist on a dystopian future. If you are looking for a compelling and sometimes shocking read, this book is definitely for you.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: LV Lewis

TBM: How do you imagine the ideal reader of your book?

LVL: I imagine the ideal reader of my book as someone who champions ethnically diverse stories without judgment. My perfect reader would not be intimidated by a main character or supporting character who doesn’t look like her/him and would in fact embrace the story because they are ready for something different.

TBM: How was the writer inside of you born?

LVL: The writer inside me was born when I was a teenager. For years I’d been happily immersing myself into the worlds created by books. Early in my life I found that reading was the balm I needed to escape the harsh realities of life. When I was sixteen, I wrote a short romance which was accepted by a now defunct publication. That was the event that convinced me I had the wherewithal to write the types of books I loved.




TBM: What genres do you work with and why are you attracted to these forms of writing?

LVL: I wrote my first contemporary erotic romance on a dare, because of the EL James phenomenon, let’s be real! Now that I’ve experienced this genre, I may eventually write more, but my interest is now leaning more toward women’s fiction, mainstream literary and historical paranormal romance.

TBM: As a reader, what elements of a story do you love, or do you hate?

LVL: I love surprising stories that don’t always conform to formula, especially those that push the envelope. If the stories take the same form in a series time after time and the only thing that changes are the main characters and the setting, I will soon grow bored and stop reading them. This has happened to me with some very prominent authors.

TBM: What inspired you to write Redeeming The Amazon and what do you hope your readers will take away from this book?

LVL: Primarily, Redeeming The Amazon was written as part of a series by three other authors and myself. We became acquainted as Indie Authors and began corresponding with one another on almost a daily basis. One night we decided that perhaps we should begin a series that was set in one place whose characters were linked in some unique way, thus was born the Den of Sin series set in New Orleans. When I began to brainstorm my particular story for this series I chose to write about these main characters who were both maimed physically in some way, yet were pursuing intimacy with a significant other despite their bodies not being as pristine as they once were. I made Karen a breast cancer survivor because I have many friends and acquaintances who have fought breast cancer and won, so I wanted Karen to be their champion although going in she wasn’t quite as confident in her sexuality post-surgery. Then Paul, a former Marine who’d lost his leg in Afghanistan, I felt was a great character to help Karen deal with her body image issues. I hope readers will take away that romance heroes and heroines don’t always have to be perfect specimens physically, but they can be perfect for each other emotionally and romantically.

TBM: How long did it take you to write this book and what did you do the day that you finished it?

LVL: I don’t remember exactly how much time it took, but I remember us discussing the concept in late summer and the books were published in December. I think I spent approximately 6 weeks in actual writing time. When I was finished, there was so much to be done with getting all the other facets of the book publishing process done, I really didn’t have a lot of time to celebrate completion.

TBM: What would you like to say to your readers? 

LVL: I just want to say to my readers that I cherish each and every one of you, especially those who have remained loyal despite my decision to change genres. It was a difficult decision which was partially based on my family situation and partially on my desire to write something which can reach a wider audience. The contemporary erotic romance audience is vast, so this is no slight against them, I just had to move in the direction which my muse was going.

TBM: If you had it to do all over again, would you change anything in Redeeming The Amazon?

LVL: Yes, if I had it to do all over again, I would make the novella a full-on novel, because it was really a story that contained a scope that could have been widened considerably.

TBM: Lastly, a direct message to the readers, about why they should read Redeeming The Amazon.


LVL: Readers should read Redeeming The Amazon if they like unique, sexy stories with unconventional characters in them. Karen and Paul are an ethnically diverse couple who just happen to both have body parts that were physically removed. This is a story for people who have had the same experience, or people who are interested in temporarily entering the worlds of two people who have had this experience. This is an opportunity for the reader to root for these characters to overcome body image issues and emotional issues, and perhaps find love.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Isham Cook





TBM: How do you imagine the ideal reader of your book?

IC: My ideal reader likes novels that run against the grain and buck expectations of narrative and characterization, books that are memorable because they get under your skin. This requires a discerning reader.

TBM: How was the writer inside of you born?

IC: Since I was a teenager I have sought out books that were different and strange. Eventually, I wanted to write such books, and I knew I had the life experience and the literary technique and the weirdness to do so.

TBM: What genres do you work with and why are you attracted to these forms of writing?

IC: My books are a mixture of speculative fiction, dystopian satire, psychological thriller, autobiography, and the sheer unclassifiable (think Kafka, Beckett, Hesse), but no paranormal, supernatural or anything that's formulaic and geared to the mass market.

TBM: As a reader, what elements of a story do you love, or do you hate?

IC: I don't like vampires or zombies getting in the way. There are thousands of such books coming out; I don't want to participate in that. I like stories that are the product of a unique imagination--off-center, edgy, disturbing, provocative, willing to shake the reader up. People's battles with their own psyche can be horrifying enough.

TBM: What inspired you to write Lust & Philosophy and what do you hope your readers will take away from this book?

IC: A beautiful and mysterious woman I kept passing by on the street in my neighborhood in Beijing, China. The novel is a systematic exercise in sexual obsession (but neither erotica nor pornography). It will draw in readers who have similar obsessive tendencies. I am obsessed with obsession. Passion, obsession = character.

TBM: How long did it take you to write this book and what did you do the day that you finished it?

IC: About two years. As soon as I finished it I started on my next book. I have too many things to say and I fear not enough time to say everything.

TBM: What would you like to say to your readers? 

IC: I invite the reader to set aside preconceived notions and expectations. My books are literary fiction, which by definition is writing that rises above mere formula and convention (the usual vampires and zombies). Style, imagination, obsession infuse every page of my writing. You can't skim my writing; you have to slow down and ease into my crazy universe. But I believe you will find it a sensuous reading experience.

TBM: How would you describe yourself?

IC: An American expat living in China, I'm a pansexual polyamorist literary artist. I can be friendly and charming and cold and distant at the same time. I'm many people in one, a living contradiction. I can't classify myself.


TBM: Every book I write is a visionary exercise in mental liberation and radical self-expression--primarily for my own benefit but hopefully for the reader as well. New ways of thinking are not always comfortable and reassuring. Like a trip to an exotic country, some things are shocking and scary. You may not always enjoy the journey, but it's absolutely memorable.