FEBRUARY 2025

Hey there, Valentine…

Happy February, folks! It’s the month of love, as they say… though, personally, I’m far more focused on fictional relationships than my own at the moment. (But what else is new?)

As I’m writing to you now, it’s a snowy, overcast morning here in Massachusetts. My coffee mug is still full to the brim, and I already know I’m going to need a second pour. I’ve tossed and turned for the past few nights in a row, incapable of shutting off my mind.

If I were a normal human, this might be a bad thing. But I’m a writer, which means I was awake at 3AM squinting one-eyed at my iPhone, my fingers clicking rapidly over the too-bright screen in desperation to get down my ideas before they drifted off into the shadows.

Insomnia has produced some of my best book ideas over the years. It usually comes on when I’m so connected to my manuscript, taking time away to do anything else — even sleep — feels like cheating on my characters.

Alas, my darlings, I will always make time for you. (I do have a full day of writing to tackle once I send this newsletter off, however.)

Pour yourself a cup of something good and let’s dive into what’s been going on in my life since last we spoke…

I have both some exciting (YAY!) and some less exciting (BOOO) bookish updates to share with you this month. We’ll start with the less exciting stuff, just to get it over with, then shift into higher gear.

The boring:

I am still drafting my seemingly never-ending manuscript for Reign of Remnants Trilogy #3 (title still to come). I know, I know. My pace is making snails look fast. HOWEVER! Slow and steady wins the race — or so I’ve been told. Frankly, I am enjoying the hell out of myself each day at the keyboard and, despite my glacial speeds, the manuscript is really coming together in a way that makes my heart happy. So, while this news is probably boring for you… I’m actually rather delighted by it.

The slightly-less-boring:

My US publisher is running not one but two separate giveaways you can enter this month. The first is over on Goodreads, where 10 finished first edition hardcovers are up for grabs. The second is a Berkley Books Sweepstakes, where one winner will receive 5 different books of various genres.

ENTER HERE:

The downright exciting:

We are officially LESS THAN 2 MONTHS AWAY from release day, my friends. After ages of hearing me talk about it, THE WIND WEAVER will be in your hands before you know it.

Over the past week, I’ve begun appearing as a podcast guest, and also fielding a few print interviews about the book. It’s a great outlet for me to gush about my characters and writing process to willing listeners. As these features begin to go live, I’ll share them on my Instagram, so make sure you’re following along there.

The ultimate excitement:

This one is mostly for my Boston-area readers. (Apologies to the rest of you!) My publisher is in the process of planning a launch event for THE WIND WEAVER at the brand new romance-themed bookstore Lovestruck Books in Harvard Square!

Ten years in this biz, and I’ve never had a proper launch party. This will be my very first! And it would be a thrill to see some of you there. Ticket details still to come, but if you’d like to celebrate the release of THE WIND WEAVER with me in person, pencil me in for the night of April 8th.

(And if you haven’t had a chance to check out Lovestruck yet, try to swing by soon! They have SO MANY romance books, the cutest bookish merch, and an adorable coffee shop inside as well.)

If you aren’t in the Boston area and can’t make my launch event, don’t worry! Lovestruck Books is also hosting my pre-order campaign, which allows you to purchase signed hardcovers. They even have an option for personalization, so I can make it extra special for you.

Now, then. Just one last order of business before we move beyond bookish updates…

I’ve opened the sign-up form for a free promotional PR Box mailing that will be going out to bookish influencers in mid-March. This box will arrive on your doorstep in gorgeous themed packaging, and will include a luxe hardcover first edition signed by me, along with a world map print, author note, character art, and more goodies!

Quantities are limited, but if you run a bookstagram or booktok account and would like to be considered, please apply today.

[ No minimum follower requirement. Form closes March 1st. ]

Since we last spoke, I’ve donated all my earthly belongings and joined a traveling circus troupe!

Just kidding. I’m not nearly that interesting, nor that impulsive. But as the snow piles up and the dreary days tick by in Massachusetts, I can’t say the thought of fleeing to greener — or at least warmer — pastures does not frequently cross my mind.

I try to remember that the first months of the year are always cold and gray here in New England. Bleak winters are the price we pay for our gorgeous springs, summers, and falls. I just have to get through a few more weeks of shoveling out my car, scattering salt on the porch steps, and bundling up in every sweater I own before leaving the house.

Thankfully, I was lucky enough to escape briefly to sunny Palm Springs for a dear friend’s bachelorette weekend at the tail end of January.

Trading snowdrift-covered sidewalks and ice-capped pine trees for swaying palms and heated swims in the pool was a shock to my hibernating system. But it was wonderful to feel the sun on my (very pale) skin and, most especially, to leave my laptop behind for a few days.

Like many who own their own businesses or work in creative fields, I struggle to unplug if I have any access to technology whatsoever. I confess, I’m often guilty of reaching for work when I’m supposed to be relaxing on vacation — checking emails, making social media posts, stealing a few early-morning hours for graphic design, tapping out a quick scene at night before bed.

My brain never fully shuts itself off if my laptop is within reach. “Work Mode” is a constant state of existence. It’s both a blessing and a curse.

High productivity can be fantastic… but too much of it can quickly lead to burnout. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that breaks are just as vital as high-producing days. Lately, I’m striving to carve out a better sense of balance in my life where work and play are, if not equals, at least somewhat more in equilibrium.

That means that, yes, sometimes I need to physically remove access to my devices… much like a parent restricting their iPad-addicted teen. Whether that’s enforcing a firm “no laptop on my nightstand” rule or simply leaving it behind when I get on an airplane, even my workaholic brain occasionally requires a pause from the constant lure of productivity and/or the endless void of doom-scrolling.

I’m back home in chilly Massachusetts now, which means I’m also back in full author mode as I write the rest of this manuscript. But at least I’m doing it feeling refreshed — not to mention a shade less pale.

My deadline is creeping closer each day, so the rest of February will be spent hibernating in my writing cave with minimal human interaction. (If I’m quiet on social media these coming weeks, that’s why!)

Wish me luck as I finish up this monster of a first draft. I’m going to need it.

Before we say farewell, as always, I’ll share what I’ve been reading and watching lately to fill the creative well.

For TV this month, I’ve been binge-watching the new Netflix show Apple Cider Vinegar, which is an addictive drama based on a true story. I’m also on a quest to see at least a handful of the Oscar-nominated films for Best Picture.

So far, I’ve watched Wicked, The Substance, and Dune: Part Two. Next up: A Complete Unknown, Anora, and Emilia Pérez.

As for books, I popped into my local Barnes & Noble yesterday and grabbed a copy of The Favorites by Layne Fargo. I was intrigued when I first heard it was about a figure skating duo, but when I saw it described as “Daisy Jones & The Six meets Wuthering Heights” I was totally sold!

Can’t wait to dive in.

Well, friends, we’ve reached the end.

My coffee’s long gone and I’m in need of a fresh pour. I hope you have a wonderful few weeks until we speak again.

Until next month…