The Fresh Fiction Podcast
Conversations about what you’re reading, what you’re watching, and what you’re listening to
Episodes
Lucy Connelly—also known as bestselling author Candace Havens—joins Samantha Tennant for a festive conversation about writing Death at a Scottish Christmas, creating holiday mysteries full of Scottish traditions, juggling multiple cozy series, and seeing her Ainsley McGregor books adapted for TV. She also shares her writing rituals, how she comes up with clever murders, and a surprise appearance from her real-life dog, Mr. Poe.
Author Kandy Shepherd joins Samantha Tennant for a warm, funny, deeply charming conversation about Christmas romances, second-chance love, magazine days at Cosmo and Family Circle, writing older heroines, collaborative duets, and why setting matters so much in a great story.
A lively, heartfelt chat with USA Today bestselling author Xio Axelrod, covering her music-industry roots, how fanfiction launched her career, and the inspiration behind her girl-rock-band series The Lilies. Xio opens up about writing by instinct, crafting found-family stories, the music fueling her characters, and even the strangest movie she can’t stop watching. Warm, funny, and creative—this one’s a joy.
Author Terri Reed joins Sara Reyes to talk about TEXAS CHRISTMAS COVER-UP, a holiday romantic suspense filled with mystery, second chances, and a dash of Christmas magic.
Best-selling author Darynda Jones joins Fresh Fiction for a heartwarming and hilarious chat about resilience, creativity, and rediscovering her writing mojo after a life-changing year. From her fan-favorite Charley Davidson and Sunshine Vicram series to her latest Betwixt & Between release, Midnight in Magic, Darynda shares what keeps her inspired—and why laughter really is the best spell.
Bestselling author Kati Wilde joins Samantha Tennant to chat about her epic fantasy series The Dead Lands, her steamy Hellfire Riders motorcycle romances, and her Christmas love stories. She shares how fanfiction shaped her writing career, the story behind her ONLY ONE BED title, and why she made a comic recap of her series using stick figures.
In this episode of the Fresh Fiction Podcast, we sit down with New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Toni Anderson, the mind behind more than 30 romantic thrillers, including her latest release, COLD TRUTH.
Toni shares how her background as a marine biologist inspired her to write FBI thrillers filled with authentic detail and emotional depth. Discover how she blends crime, chemistry, and character, why research is key to...
Author Hannah Nicole Maehrer, creator of Assistant to the Villain, joins Fresh Fiction’s Samantha Tennant to talk about her whirlwind journey from nannying and filming BookTok skits to becoming a New York Times bestselling author. They dive into the found family theme that runs through her books, her ADHD writing process, the chaos that fuels her creativity, and the joy of seeing her world come to life in plushies and fan merch. Ex...
Former CIA analyst and bestselling author David McCloskey joins Samantha Tennant from FreshFiction.com to discuss his newest spy thriller, THE PERSIAN. They dive deep into the book’s origins, the shadow war between Israel and Iran, the creative chaos of first drafts, and how real-world geopolitics keep catching up to his fiction. Plus, hear how a Swedish dentist and a Mossad officer inspired one of his most complex stories yet.
Bestselling author Samantha Downing joins us to talk about her latest thriller TOO OLD FOR THIS—a sharp, darkly funny story of a retired serial killer you can’t help but root for.
Bestselling author Charlaine Harris joins Fresh Fiction to talk about True Blood, Aurora Teagarden, Midnight, Texas, and her latest release, THE LAST WIZARDS’ BALL.
Join us for an exclusive interview with Heatherly Bell, bestselling author of THE EX NEXT DOOR and the beloved Charming Texas series. With more than 200,000 books sold, Heatherly takes us behind the scenes of her writing journey—from indie beginnings to Harlequin success.
Whether you love small-town romance, second chance love stories, or holiday happily-ever-afters, this conversation is for you.
Bestselling author K.A. Linde joins the Fresh Fiction Podcast to talk about her journey from contemporary romance to fantasy, the rise of romantasy, the research and myths behind The Wren in the Holly Library, and what’s next for her ever-expanding backlist.
What happens when a book you once tucked away in a drawer comes back to life years later—and becomes a deeply emotional duet filled with suspense, family drama, and love that refuses to quit? Today, bestselling author Jennifer Ryan takes us behind the scenes of her bold, emotional duet See Me, Love Me. From hidden manuscripts to stepbrother romance, stalkers, and fireworks in Texas—this is an author interview you don’t want to miss...
What do a K-drama star, a yearning firefighter, and a Jane Austen retelling have in common? Today’s guest, Jayci Lee, reimagines Persuasion in her newest romance Give Me a Reason—and trust me, the angst is delicious. We talk second chances, wine collections, nipple covers (yes, really), and why apple pie and Prosecco are her celebration staples. Plus, she dishes on her upcoming K-spirited fantasy series and navigating publishing wi...
Protective Marines, smart heroines, high-stakes suspense... and dogs with one eye? Yeah, you heard that right. Today on the Fresh Fiction Podcast, bestselling author Julie Miller joins us to talk about Crime Scene K-9, writing on instinct, and the strange things authors Google for research. Oh—and what really happens when she asks her husband to stand still so she can test a fictional stabbing. Stick around—this one’s full of laugh...
On this episode of the Fresh Fiction Podcast, host Samantha Tennant sits down with genre-hopping author Ann Aguirre to talk about her latest sci-fi romantic comedy, I THINK I’M IN LOVE WITH AN ALIEN. From writing steampunk and thrillers to crafting cozy witchy rom-coms, Ann takes us behind the scenes of her creative evolution—and why her books are a safe haven for readers.
We dive into fandoms, favorite alien tropes, how she hides ...
On this episode of the Fresh Fiction Podcast, we’re joined by bestselling author Kendra Elliot to chat about her latest suspense novel, HER FIRST MISTAKE—the launch of a brand-new series featuring a fan-favorite character from her Columbia River books. We go behind the scenes of her writing process, discuss world-building across interconnected series, and get the scoop on her longtime creative partnership with Melinda Leigh. Plus: ...
In this lively and heartfelt episode, bestselling author Cathy Maxwell joins us to talk about her latest Regency romance, A TOUCH OF STEELE, and the bold heroines of her Gambler’s Daughters series. We dive deep into her inspiring career—from radio broadcaster to Navy officer to beloved author—and the life decisions that shaped her storytelling.
Expect laughs, truth bombs, and lots of romance talk. Cathy shares the story of how roma...
Author Marie Bostwick joins us to chat about The Book Club for Troublesome Women, the power of book clubs, and how one conversation with her mom led to a novel about courage, friendship, and second-wave feminism. Plus, quilting, Hallmark movies, and her pup Showgirl make an appearance!
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