Sara Reyes | Anniversaries of Books, Authors and Web Sites...

In August Fresh Fiction will celebrate its 5th anniversary. In the Internet world it's a real milestone, as it is for a small business. Most go within a year, 18 months at the outside. But against all odds, Fresh Fiction has managed to stick, thrive and grow. We have a team of addicted book lovers to thank and the resilience of people who well, for lack of a better description, love to read! And love all things about reading: the books, the authors, fellow readers, expressing opinions and always thirsting for more.

So this month -- August -- we'll be exploring all the parts that make up Fresh Fiction and create our book world. From the publishers to the authors to the books to the reviewers to booksellers and all things associated with our love of books and reading. I hope you'll join us several times this month and let us know what YOU think.

We'll also be celebrating with special blog posts, contests and give-a ways. So be sure to stop by and enter.

First up is my little story, or the founding of Fresh Fiction.

Well, curl up my friends and listen to the tale...ah, you see, I'm not really a writer and decided not to even try to be one about 15 years ago. It was a nice idea but I didn't suit the rigors of lonely writing, because to be honest, I'm really a reader. I've got to read and I don't want to dissect a book to see what makes it work. It's why I can't be an art critic either, I either know I like it or I don't. Ditto with books, I either love them or hate them. I can passionately discuss books until people's eyes turn blank or glazed but writing one is beyond me.

But I'm also really curious. When I find a book I like or an author that intrigues me I want to know ALL about them: their other books, who they are, what they are writing. I want to get a sense of understanding. And unfortunately most author or publisher web sites are either impossible to find or once found do NOT contain the information I crave.

So after talking to some fellow readers I came up with a plan. A site listing all the books as they come out, searchable by author or book with summaries, biographies and excerpts if possible. Tanzey Cutter said can we do reviews too? And how about a little column about books and authors? Candace Havens wanted to show how books and film mix together (she's a big time entertainment reporter). Shanna Swendson said, "I go to lots of conferences, can I write about those?" And not just romance, but other genres we're reading like thrillers, mysteries, fantasy. Just not "Oprah" books. And from that meeting in a line waiting for a signing to open, Fresh Fiction was born.

So fast forward five years, we've added more excerpts, more reviewers, lots more columnists, over 30,000 authors with their book lists, contests and tidbits here and there to entice. So for a labor of necessity ... to get more information about books ... I think we're doing what we set out to accomplish.

So, please tell us what you think, why do you come to FreshFiction.com? What else would you like to see?

Until next time...

Get out there and READ a book...

Sara Reyes

DFW Tea Readers Group

Join us at Readers 'n 'ritas November 13-15, 2009!

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The Best Gift Books for 2008 according to Fresh Fiction Staff Members

Every day Fresh Fiction has a new "Fresh Pick," a book recommended by readers not necessarily reviewers although I think there are a few reviewers opinions sought during the process. But the cool thing--does that age me -- is a group of readers sit down and come up with the best books for a theme. The books are usually fiction but sometimes a cook book or self-help will creep in. I've heard the arguments that most self-help and cookbooks are works of fiction anyway. Could be the non-cooks complaining and I won't even touch the bit about the self-help since I'm rather fond of those myself.

Anyway, for the past few months the looming days around the end-of-year holidays is always a hot topic. Like what are the books you read to get into the mood, when do you start reading, is Halloween too early? What do you like to read, something uplifting to raise spirits, something fluffy to get away from all the stress? And gifts. What do you give someone -- gasp -- who doesn't read? Or someone who only reads a certain genre. Everyone knows someone so prejudiced, you buy them a contemporary when they only read historical, or only regency, no Victorian. You know, the usual reader chit chat about books.

So, this year we've had two strong themes going in December. The first is a list of books that are the best gifts to give for a category. Yes, it's not scientific but who better to listen to than a group of buying readers who know their stuff?

By the way, the voting was spirited and loud at times, so you know you've got some STRONG opinions and recommendations here...

Fresh Fiction Staff "Gift Pick" for Womens Fiction

Searching for Paradise in Parker, PA by Kris Radish

From the bestselling author of The Sunday List of Dreams and Annie Freeman’s Fabulous Traveling Funeral comes a poignant, funny, and uplifting novel of a woman at midlife whose search for happiness within her marriage—and within herself—turns a whole town upside down.

After twenty-eight years of marriage to her husband Lucky, Addy Lipton feels anything but happily married. In fact, just thinking of ... more

Fresh Fiction Staff "Gift Pick" for Paranormal Romance

Nightkeepers by Jessica Andersen

As a Miami narcotics detective, Leah Daniels never knows how her day will turn out. But she certainly never expected to be strapped to a stone altar, the human sacrifice in an ancient Mayan ritual meant to coax up a demon from the underworld. Or that she’d be saved by a handsome warrior- priest king who claims to recognize her from his visions... Jaguar Strike wishes he hadn’t made the mistake of reuniting...more

Extraordinary and intriguing start to a new series about the Mayan 2012 Doomsday prophecy.

Fresh Fiction Staff "Gift Pick" for Contemporary Romance

Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Chicago Stars quarterback Dean Robillard is the luckiest man in the world: a bona-fide sports superstar and the pride of the NFL with a profitable side career as a buff billboard model for End Zone underwear. But life in the glory lane has started to pale, and Dean has set off on a cross-country trip to figure out what's gone wrong. When he hits a lonely stretch of Colorado highway, he spies...more

"Excellent combination of madcap comedy and emotional drama in this contemporary romance."

Fresh Fiction Staff "Gift Pick" for Chick-Lit

This Is How It Happened by Jo Barrett

(not a love story)
He lied, he cheated. He destroyed her life.

How difficult could killing him be? more

Fresh Fiction Staff "Gift Pick" for Historical Romance

The Spymaster's Lady by Joanna Bourne

Dark secrets and French spies make for a suspenseful debut historical romance.

She's never met a man she couldn't deceive...until now.

She's braved battlefields. She's stolen dispatches from under the noses of heads of state. She's played the worldly courtesan, the naive virgin, the refined British lady, even a Gypsy boy. But Annique Villiers, the elusive spy known as the Fox Cub, has finally met the one man she can't outwit. more

Fresh Fiction Staff "Gift Pick" for Erotic Romance

Art of Desire by Cherie Feather

Contemporary erotica with a historical romance twist from a hot new author.

Museum director Mandy Cooper is obsessed with nineteenth-century artist Catherine Burke—and the artist’s erotically charged relationship with Atacar, her enthralling American Indian lover. But Mandy’s link to the legendary couple runs deeper than she knows. She’s having a heated affair herself—with Jared Cabrillo, Atacar’s handsome great-great nephew who knows precisely what it takes to seduce a woman… ...more

Fresh Fiction Staff "Gift Pick" for Romantic Suspense

Take Me If You Can by Karen Kendall

"A swift, smart and sassy suspense with lots of romantic tension."

For art recovery agent Avy Hunt, no task is too risky when it comes to rescuing stolen treasures. Her latest mission is to locate the multimillion-dollar Sword of Alexander, believed to be in the possession of master thief Sir Liam James. But there is far more to this heist than meets the eye, and what Avy doesn’t know can definitely hurt her. ...more

Later this week be sure to check back for the books from our second strong December theme -- Holiday Reading!

Disclaimer: Fresh Picks are selected by a committee of readers. If you know a terrific book you'd like to share with others, or would like a book to be considered, please contact us.

Sara Reyes | Bridging the World | Scenic Travels, Thousand Authors, TONS of books!!!

My trip to California (and back to Texas) is over. On one hand I say thank goodness, on the other, I miss the cool air of Northern California. According to husband it was in the 100s while I was gone. It's "cooled" down to just 100 since I've been home. Just call me "bringer of cool temps" LOL Gwen and I saw lots of the country on our twelve day adventure, and it's a BIG country if you were in any doubt. Still many many miles of beautiful vistas, no houses or lights and awe-inspiring landscapes! It nourished my soul to be able to see it closer than 40,000 feet through a small dirty porthole.

Our main objective on this trip was the annual Romance Writers of America convention in San Francisco. We arrived in San Francisco on Tuesday afternoon and spent the rest of day relaxing and getting ready to go-go-go. We closed down on Saturday night after FOUR JAM PACKED DAYS!!! I'm not sure how to cover it all, so I'll just try to hit some of the highlights.

Fresh Fiction staff - Sara, Gwen, Suan, Mindy, Faye, Tanzey
Originally uploaded by freshfiction

Wednesday, July 30th. The Fresh Fiction team met, some of us for the first time face-to-face, and had dinner before the big literacy signing on Wednesday night. We were all in pink -- except for Gwen who had an incident with a tire and "gup-covered" luggage at the airport -- so we were easy to spot! And had our gold name tags! I think was a first no one forgot theirs (since I'm usually the culprit, I've gotta mention this triumph!). From dinner it was off to the signing, a MASSIVE crowd in the main ball room!

The GIANT Literacy Signing on Wednesday
Originally uploaded by freshfiction

We missed the long lines but arrived by 5:50pm so no one had left as they tend to do when they've sold all their books, or don't have any to sell. We've gotten smarter over the years and have our lists all ready so we can cover most of the authors. So if we missed any, we're sorry, we did try really really hard! And then of course, our first catastrophe of the night struck. The battery on Gwen's camera gave out. As it's one of those rechargeable ones, we had to rely on Mindy, Faye, and Tanzey to carry with the rest of the evening. I'd type up a list of authors I saw, but that would take the rest of the space. So check out our RWA photos on Flickr and get an idea! Also we're missing some names for the photos, if you can help us match them up, we'd be grateful!

After the signing, and YES THEY TURNED OFF THE LIGHTS ON US, we went up to the bar to regroup. Tanzey and Suan headed for bed as they'd been at the librarian meetings all day, but Gwen and Mindy went to a few parties, Sherrilyn Kenyon's, the Romance Bandits and another they can't remember. Faye and I rested at the bar -- do NOT ever get a green tea tini, it tastes worse than bad cough syrup -- and chatted with authors.

Broken Hearts quilt by Marie Bostwick
Originally uploaded by freshfiction

Thursday, July 31st Meetings, workshops, luncheons and dinners. It was jam packed from 8am to midnight. The editorial staff (editor Mindy Ewing, editor Tanzey Cutter, reviewer Suan Wilson plus content manager Faye) met with some authors for a coffee break in the morning. Authors included: Sabrina Jeffries, Melody Thomas, Elizabeth Boyle, Mary Burton, and Roxanne St. Claire as well as others. It was a great time for authors and reviewers to meet and chit chat about publishing trends and their books.

Faye, Tanzey and Suan joined the fabulous Nancy Berland team for dinner! They are all TRULY a delight to work with. Gwen, Mindy and I went to Famous John's Steak House where Gwen managed to confuse the server with her cowfish request. She was tired, and wanted "meat." A fun time was had by all!

Ally and her date D'Alessandro
Originally uploaded by freshfiction

Friday, August 1st More meetings, publisher meet-and-greets, meetings, and PARTIES!!! We split up with all the team members doing different things: attending some workshops, one-on-one with authors, publishers and others. In other words, work work work. But Friday night is the traditional evening for networking and celebrating. We did some of that on Friday night at the Ballantine party, St. Martin's party -- I missed the St. Martini their signature drink. I am assured it was deLicious! On to the Berkley / NAL party -- crowded and noisy but fun seeing Angela Knight, Christine Feehan and Celeste. Then it was on to the Harlequin Party at the Four Seasons. With dancing, great food, decadence chocolate and a great crowd of people, the HQ party is the one not to miss! Check out the infamous tree falling as well as the conga line. I'm only sorry I can't find photos of the handsome men in kilts! A great time was had by most!

Saturday, August 2nd More meetings, publisher meet-and-greets, dinner with one of my favorite authors, Marie Bostwick and then the sad departures. We admired our friends in their festive RITA outfits and wished them all the best! Bringing us books we love to read and talk about is the top in our minds!

See all the photos from our RWA SF Adventures Be sure to comment and help us fill in the blanks!

Sara Reyes
Fresh Fiction.com ...for today's reader

Don't miss THE Fresh Fiction Readers Conference on October 11th, 2008! With Sherrilyn Kenyon and many other favorite authors. Details at Readers-n-ritas.org -- celebrate passionate literary obsessions