Writing Update

I was reminded this week that the southern Winter Solstice is almost here and that means 2024 is nearly half over. I’m not unhappy about that. The first half of the year has been too much for me. I’m craving a return to normal life where distractions are fewer. Write, release the book, go camping and then start a new book. I vote for no more drama unless it’s in my fiction!

Speaking of My Upcoming Fiction…

Since the demands on my time have been higher than normal lately, my attention span has suffered and I won’t have a new release until September. But I have four works in progress with different final length goals. Mostly standalone stories and one novel for the Scandalous Brides series. Shorter stories are easier on my overwhelmed brain and quicker to finish though so I’m enjoying them a lot more than working on the novel.

I have two nearly finished stories requiring the completion of edits and they will release later this year: one is Miss Kimble Bites Back and the other is for a Christmas Anthology (more on that soon) that I hope you will love.

Amazingly, I have one completed story ready to publish too…only its for an unannounced 2025 anthology. Looking forward to learning when the pre-order begins for that one.

I’m closing in on 60 published romances too. I never imagined writing so many when I started but I don’t imagine many authors ever do. I am blessed to have such an active imagination I think, and I hope they are still bringing joy and a good distraction to my readers.

Book on Sale

Exciting news! Forsaking the Prize, book 2 in the Wild Randalls series, eBook is on sale for 99c everywhere right now and the sale lasts until the end of the month. Grab it if you haven’t already got your copy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome and Happy Sunday. Each week I’ve been sharing 10 sentence snippets from my upcoming release, No Ordinary Lady, and it’s time for another post for WeWriWa blog hop post. I switched to my heroine’s (Marian Trill) POV last week and will continue for a few more weeks.

If you missed last week, you can find that post here. Enjoy!

WeWriWa #32 Excerpt…

“I would have thought with the way his valet carried on about the shabby state of the inn that his master would have carried more upon him.” Uncle pursed his lips and glanced over at Billy. “Are you sure this is all of it, boy?”

Billy nodded vigorously and inched toward Marian, so she spoke for him. “He never felt a thing.”

Beatrice chortled. “Maybe he enjoyed having a strange little boy hold on to him for so long. Maybe Billy should run back and try again.”

Billy leaned harder into her side, and Marian put her arm about him. Beatrice could be cruel toward Billy and Marian scowled at Beatrice. “Leave him be.”

***

Thanks so much for reading my excerpt.

Don’t forget to visit the other authors taking part in WeWriWa, click the image below.

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No Ordinary Lady
Distinguished Rogues #20

She’s nothing but a common thief…and her next target is the Earl of Scarsdale’s heart.

Orphaned as a child and left in her uncle’s care, Marian Trill has known only a life of crime. Criss-crossing the countryside, she aids her uncle and his small troupe of thieves in conning well-to-do travelers…until one handsome mark catches her eye. Marian has no business betraying her only family for this gentleman’s safety…just as she has no business following Danny all the way to his country estate to return a valuable ring he left behind.

Daniel, Earl of Scarsdale, is returning home after years of avoiding the inevitable—marrying his neighbor’s daughter. He’d hoped to wed for love, but having failed at that venture, it’s time he took his duties seriously, even if it means settling for a woman more to his mother’s liking than his own. He didn’t count on the beguiling thief he met on the road following him home—nor on his scheming granny inviting her to stay as her companion.

 

No Ordinary Lady is a steamy regency romance novel.

Learn more here

Add to Goodreads

Add to Goodreads

Welcome back to another post for WeWriWa blog hop. I’m again sharing snippets from my upcoming release. No Ordinary Lady is done, just waiting for the proof of the print edition, which I’ll be taking with me to the Australian Romance Readers Book Signing in March. I’m switching point of view to my heroine, Marian Trill, a kind-hearted thief who’s life is a bit more complicated than even she knows at this point. Surprises are coming for her, and for Scarsdale.

You can find the last post here. here. Enjoy!

WeWriWa #31 Excerpt…

“Did we get everything?” Marian asked as she joined the others after taking the long way to their camp so she couldn’t be followed. She glanced at the table and grinned. “Pocket watch, pearl-handled knife, and the rest of the coin he carried,” she noted with approval, dropping onto a log beside her uncle. But the second gold sovereign the fellow had given them was suspicious by its absence. But Marian knew better than to question her uncle about that. Uncle always put a bit aside for a rainy day.

“Yes, well done, everyone,” Uncle Crossman murmured as he pulled it all toward himself and began a careful inspection of each item. He tucked some away in his pockets, others were left out, but as he lifted the gold sovereign, his frown grew. “Was this really all he carried?”

***

Thanks so much for reading my excerpt.

I’ll continue sharing more of this upcoming release in the coming weeks but don’t forget to visit the other authors taking part in WeWriWa, click the image below.

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No Ordinary Lady
Distinguished Rogues #20

She’s nothing but a common thief…and her next target is the Earl of Scarsdale’s heart.

Orphaned as a child and left in her uncle’s care, Marian Trill has known only a life of crime. Criss-crossing the countryside, she aids her uncle and his small troupe of thieves in conning well-to-do travelers…until one handsome mark catches her eye. Marian has no business betraying her only family for this gentleman’s safety…just as she has no business following Danny all the way to his country estate to return a valuable ring he left behind.

Daniel, Earl of Scarsdale, is returning home after years of avoiding the inevitable—marrying his neighbor’s daughter. He’d hoped to wed for love, but having failed at that venture, it’s time he took his duties seriously, even if it means settling for a woman more to his mother’s liking than his own. He didn’t count on the beguiling thief he met on the road following him home—nor on his scheming granny inviting her to stay as her companion.

 

No Ordinary Lady is a steamy regency romance novel.

Learn more here

Add to Goodreads

Add to Goodreads

Calling all hopeless romantics! It’s the month of February and there’s so much going on I’m already exhausted! On the writing front I’m having a good year so far. I always write with noise– music but not radio. I find the talking interrupts my train of thought. But an old favorite tv series (streaming) works great as well. The writing fuel for January and February is Supernatural (for like the 100th time). Who do you favor, Sam or Dean Winchester or is it Castiel? Keep reading to find out my hero inspiration from the show.

The January word count was high and consistent over last month. I’m working on multiple projects at once and it feels really good to write that way again. I used to write that way in the beginning before I started overthinking things. I’m a writer who has to puzzle her way to the last page and I don’t do well with outside distractions.

Scandalous Brides series

The next story is coming along, not as fast as I’d hoped but progress is progress. Nash and Laura were being difficult in the beginning (with each other and with me too) but I think they turned a corner last week so now we can get to the good stuff…getting them into bed and the happy ever after they deserve.

Short is good too

I love writing short stories. A lot of authors don’t. My first published release was a short story and they are great for my motivation and my #1 achiever personality trait. They are quick and straightforward tales for me to tell and easy quick reads for my readers too. I got an idea for a story one morning in January and managed knocked it out in just two weeks. That might be a personal record for me. The story needs editing of course but that story is now in the bank for release later this year or perhaps next. Short stories are good for anthologies, too.

Author Collaborations

Speaking of collaboration, I’m organizing another Christmas themed anthology for release later this year. Should be great and will feature a lot of new authors I’ve not published with before. Keep your eyes peeled for details on the blog or the coming soon page on my website in the second half of the year.

Party Party Party

Valentine’s Day has turned into a commercial enterprise and a lot of people don’t buy into all of it. My hubby and I do very little on the day, but its always a good excuse to have another reason tell him I love him to death. On Valentine’s Day (really the day after for me), I’m headed to Collette Cameron’s Facebook Group for a party running from 12pm- 6pm US EST. If you’ve the time, I’d love to see you there.

So, Sam or Dean Winchester?

Personally, I’m Dean all the way. He’s hilarious.