Episode 120: *Special Episode* Hot New Releases (from Past Guests)
A new type of special episode where we feature the latest releases from our past guests.
In this episode we introduce you to new fiction from Leanne Treese, Laura Drake, and K.T. Blakemore.
Laura’s Drake’s newest novel, AMAZING GRACIE is poignant women’s fiction, a story of family in all its incarnations.
FUN LESSONS, the new release from Leanne Treese is a romantic comedy with a serious twist.
The new Wild-Willed Women of the West series by K.T. Blakemore is women's fiction full of adventure (think historical fiction with a dash of humor). The first novel is called THE GOOD TIME GIRLS.
Books Featured:
Fun Lessons by Leanne Treese (Bookshop.org / Amazon.com )
Amazing Gracie by Laura Drake (Bookshop.org / Amazon.com )
Laura Drake's - Peace, Love & Books Facebook group
The Good Time Girls (Wild-Willed Women of the West) by K.T. Blakemore (Bookshop.org / Amazon.com )
The Good Time Girls Get Famous (Wild-Willed Women of the West) by K.T. Blakemore
Full Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon and bookshop.org affiliate programs, which means Lainey or Ashley get a tiny commission if you buy something after clicking through from link on this website.
Transcript:
** Transcript created using AI (so please forgive the typos!) **
Lainey Cameron
Let's start with Leanne Treese who I first interviewed in January last year. We chatted then about their last chance, a complicated love story about a struggling marriage, which involves the couple of going on a reality show. This month Leann has a new novel, which is romantic comedy with a serious twist. In addition to sounding like a fun read. This one might be a good choice if you're looking for a book club discussion book. Let's hear more about it from Leanne.
Leanne Treese
Thank you so much for giving me a chance to talk about my new release, Fun Lessons, out on April 11 2023. It is an enemies to lovers romantic comedy with two very opposite main characters. Rebecca Chapman, the female protagonist is fun, free spirited and fun. They make a deal with each other and agrees to teach Rebecca how to play the guitar for an upcoming music audition and in exchange, Rebecca agrees to help in loosen up so he can win back his girlfriend at his sister's upcoming wedding. The book has touching parts and humorous parts and there is an underlying theme of acceptance. That's kind of the gist of the book. I am very excited about this one. It was one where I laughed out loud writing it and really had a ball, creating these characters in this storyline.
Leanne Treese
Who would Fun Lessons appeal to? Well, if you're a fan of romantic comedy or sweet romance, this is a book that you would likely enjoy. Early Readers compared it to books by Catherine center, Sally Thorne, and Christina Lauren. Kate Claiborne, is a favorite of mine. So I would say this because like hers, so if any of those are authors that you enjoy, or genres you enjoy, this will probably be a book you would like. But in addition, there are serious themes in the book, the sibling of one of the characters is transgender. And there is quite a bit about acceptance within the transgender community, which I think would lend itself to book club discussions and might be more in line with people looking for women's fiction type books with a little bit of meatier subjects. So I tried to give it a little bit of the best of both worlds with some humor, which is my favorite part of writing but also some some serious themes that will make you think so I hope that you'll get a chance to check it out everywhere books are sold, and if you're a member of Kindle Unlimited, you can read it free on there. Thank you so much again.
Lainey Cameron
Our next author joined me in 2021 to talk about her Gothic historical fiction after Alice fell. I know her as Kim Taylor Blakemore, and she's an award winning historical thriller author. However, she has a brand new series coming out under the pen name K. T. Blakemore called a Wild Willed Women of the West. I challenge you to say that five times fast think Westerns with a fun and humorous twist. Let's hear more from Kim about the new series.
K.T. Blakemore
My latest novel The Good Time Girls is the first in my wild wield women of the West series, set in 1905, Kansas in 1899, Arizona Territory. The story follows Ruby Calhoun, an ex Dancehall girl and failed to outlaw and her one time friend, dance partner and trick writer PIP Quinn pit shown up out of the blue with a grim message. Colin Wilder, an old enemy with a long memory wants them dead. The only way to survive is to get to him first. With Collins henchmen hot on their heels, they take to the roads of Kansas to first save another friend from his vengeance, but their trip is filled with mishaps and mayhem blunders and Bounders con artists and the circling noose of the law through it all Rubeus tormented by the memories of her life years ago in Arizona Territory, when the upstairs girls at the paradise saloon and dance hall kept her safe. And the dreadful day when it all went wrong. Dancehall girls outlaws no good Damn bastards and one very wild road trip.
Lainey Cameron
Now let's hear a little more from Kim about why this style of book in particular
K.T. Blakemore
My mom once told me there's not enough humor in the world. I happen to agree with her. In fact, I dedicated the book to her. She's also tough and audacious just like Ruby and Pip. If you love Thelma and Louise, are looking for a book that will make you laugh. This is for you. It's a book about friendship, about the women's West, about two women who laugh in the face of hardship. I adore Ruby and Pip, and I think you'll enjoy the ride with them too.
Lainey Cameron
Laura Drake is a RITA award winning author of romance and women's fiction. She joined me last year to talk about The Road to Me. A poignant and fun road trip novel with a hippie grandma granddaughter combination. This month her newest women's fiction releases on April 25. I'll let her tell you about it.
Laura Drake
Amazing Gracie is emotional women's fiction about CJ and an army mechanic who has returned from the desert with a load of survivor's guilt. The one bright spot in her life is her nine year old half sister amazing Gracie Maisie is brilliant, curious and innocent, but she's carrying burdens of her own including a deep desire to meet the father. She's never known CJs planned motorcycle trip across the US with her buds has become a memorial bride. She ends up taking Maisie to save her from the attentions of her mother's boyfriend. It isn't the journey CJ expected, but it's a journey she needs contending with her demons confronting our past and facing her future CJ comes to terms with choices she couldn't have anticipated. And when Macy's quest takes a surprising turn, both see JMac discover that this road trip has been headed to an undisclosed destination all along.
Laura Drake
Amazing Gracie is hard hitting and deals with tough subjects PTSD, survivor's guilt and self forgiveness. But it is hopeful the ending reminding us that even the worst scars can fade with time and a focus on the good you see around you. But anyone who loves a good redemption story should enjoy it. I wrote it in honor of all those who have served. I hope I've done their experience justice. Maisie is the catalyst for CJ. She takes me with her on the trip to rescue her, but Maisie ends up rescuing CJ instead.
Lainey Cameron
Oh man that sounds so good and you may be interested to know that that is actually Laura's 14th novel congratulations Laura Well that's it for this month. Please on social media let me know what you think of this new hot releases format?