Author Spotlight Interview: J.D. Gordon
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on November 28, 2023
Today’s interview is with author J.D. Gordon (who writes under JDG). JDG blends science fiction and humor to fabulous results, and it was a pleasure getting to know more about his writing and interests. We hope you consider checking out his work! HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? JDG: My goal in writing is always to say only things that need to be said, and to do it without pulling punches. Typically each of my stories has one element of the impossible in the premise, but otherwise stays grounded in reality. I also have a strong humorous streak, so don’t be surprised if I make you laugh in the process. HG: Tell us a bit more about the inspiration behind your stories or where you get your ideas. JDG: My inspiration for Surviving the Bomb was the 2017 North Korea nuclear… Read More >
Kids Books to Add to Your Holiday Shopping Cart
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on November 21, 2023
Each and every week, subscribers to Hidden Gems are offered FREE books to download, read, and review – from any or all of over 15 different genres. Today, we’re going to look at some of the recent kids books that our ARC readers loved. Harvest Dreams by Heidi Rauld Two sisters, Adelina and Alessandra, are journeying through colorful autumn trees, a pumpkin patch, and an apple orchard in search of a missing pumpkin. The girls follow the thief’s trail into a forest, only to find that the culprit is a horse and is in deep trouble. She has to choose between saving the majestic horse, or her beloved pumpkin. “My daughter enjoyed this book so much, she just had to sleep with it in her bed! She would not let me put it away. It’s such a sweet adventure of two sisters with a message of good at the end… Read More >
Author Spotlight Interview: R.M. Kozan
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on November 14, 2023
Today’s interview is with the hilarious and clever space opera author R.M. Kozan. Kozan writes stories packed with action and wonder. It was a pleasure getting to know more about their writing and interests. HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? RMK: Weird, yet essential. HG: Intriguing! When did you know you were ready to take on the role of author? RMK: I felt I was a shoo-in after I hid the body of the real R.M. Kozan. HG: LOL! Tell us a bit more about the inspiration behind your books or where you get your ideas. RMK: It is mostly ChatGPT, although I also deploy a regime of Shakespeare-familiar monkeys on standard analog keyboards. (But seriously, I use alleged intelligence, not artificial intelligence.) HG: What feeling do you hope readers are left with when they finish one of your stories? RMK:… Read More >
Love Stories To Spend the Weekend With
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on November 7, 2023
If you’re a regular on the Hidden Gems blog, you’ll know that romance is the most popular genre in the Hidden Gems ARC program. Our readers know that no two love stories are the same, so they scoop up new books every chance they get. There’s a love story for everyone on this list of titles recently loved by ARC readers. Princes & Wolves by E.J. Knox Harlow has been promised to Apollo since high school. He isn’t a man, but a god, the god of school and she is supposed to be his princess. But Harlow wants to find her own place in the world, and that means rebelling against what her destiny is. “I love this series! The plot is intriguing. Who will Harlow pick? Valen or Apollo? That was a tough decision for me at first,” writes Diane V. in their five-star review. “As the story progressed,… Read More >
Author Spotlight Interview: Holly Bargo
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on October 31, 2023
Today’s interview is with romance author Holly Bargo. Holly is also a ghost writer and editor and we enjoyed hearing more about her writing process, how she switches gears and her life outside of writing. HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? HB: My stories go where my imagination takes them. I try to produce stories that engage the readers with realistic characters who have realistic reactions to extraordinary circumstances. I also do research to inject verisimilitude or realism into my stories, so the details ring true. HG: Tell us a bit more about the inspiration behind your books or where you get your ideas. HB: A lot of my ideas come as “what if” questions. Others arise from secondary characters in other stories wanting their stories told. That’s how I end up producing series. I don’t write stories in response to… Read More >
Thrillers To Grab Before Halloween
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on October 24, 2023
If you’re looking for a can’t-put-down thriller for Halloween night, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve gathered five of the top-rated thrillers we’ve offered to Hidden Gems ARC readers this fall, each one full to the brim with action and thrills. The Jealous Wife by James Caine Expectant parents Nora and Jameson decide to move closer to her hometown to be near family. But their new neighbor is the reason Nora wanted to move away, and her name is Kelly Van Patten. Everyone falls for Kelly’s charm, except for Nora, who knows Kelly has something sinister in mind. “Whew! This was one twisted psychological thrill ride, and I loved every minute of it, right up until the mind-blowing ending. This thriller is so full of secrets and lies that the reader is constantly trying to figure out what is truly going on. It’s told in a dual perspective, alternating… Read More >
Author Spotlight Interview: Amey Zeigler
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on October 17, 2023
Today’s interview is with author Amey Zeigler. Amey writes across multiple genres but all of her books include comedy. And, according to her official bio, because she grew up moving all around the United States, Amey loves writing about different places. In her books, she explores the whole world. It was an pleasure getting to know more about her writing process and publishing journey. HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? AZ: My books are action-adventure-romantic-comedies. They aren’t boring. They aren’t your typical romance novels which is a double edged sword–they’re hard to classify, but they also go beyond tropes and one, simple storyline. They are packed with interesting situations, characters, questions, hard topics, and fun. I didn’t know about tropes when I first started writing and just wrote from the heart. Most of my books are from personal experiences and are… Read More >
Fantasy Titles to Devour This Fall
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on October 10, 2023
Journey into worlds unlike our own in these 5 fantasy titles recently read and reviewed by Hidden Gems ARC readers – and remember, if you want to receive free fantasy books like these – or others from 15 different genres – just sign up today and select your favorites. The Renegades by Renata Riva After King Jethron Bloodthorne takes Iiriniss’ family, land and freedom, she swears to avenge her father. When she rescues a severely wounded prince from an ambush, she realizes it is Prince Terven, son of the King. But she can’t let him die, she has a debt to repay him. Over time, she learns that he is not like his father and two brothers. While Iiriniss and her sisters have found an ally, they also have found themselves in even more danger. “From the start of the book, you are drawn in and can’t put it down…. Read More >
Author Spotlight Interview: Papa Paws
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on October 3, 2023
Today’s interview is with Nicholas J. Nawroth also known as author Papa Paws. Papa Paws along with his wife Mama Paws have created an entire heartwarming collection of children’s books about Molly Paws and her family. It was a pleasure getting to know more about their writing process and life outside of writing. HG: How would you describe yourself to somebody who isn’t familiar with your writing yet? PP: My wife and I don’t have human children, and my purpose in creating The Everyday Adventures of Papa & Paws® is to tell heartwarming tales that the entire family can enjoy together. Parents taking those precious minutes out of the day to read a story to their kids. Older siblings reading to their younger brothers and sisters. Grandparents having some quality time with their grandchildren. Making books that can make story time memorable and fun. That’s what it’s all about for… Read More >
Women’s Fiction Novels To Add to Your Fall TBR
By: Hidden Gems | Posted on September 26, 2023
Women’s Fiction varies from playful, flirty, and fun to heartfelt and deeply emotional. Today we’ve put together a list of 5 women’s fiction novels that were highly rated by Hidden Gems ARC readers recently. The Regrettable Decision by Aria Emend After going through with a marriage that had her wondering if she was making a terrible mistake, Zarayah’s new marriage has gone from bad to worse, and his secrets are revealed. Her family might be right, maybe he is not good enough for her. “This is not your typical romance novel. This is a story of strength, resilience and most of all empowerment. The book is well written and very easy to read and brings out a lot of strong emotions,” writes Regine in their 5-star review. “This author has an excellent way of describing the characters, setting and emotional relationships with fluidity. She made me feel like I knew… Read More >
