OCTOBER 2024

Coffee, crunchy leaves, and cozy reads…

To quote the ever-wise Anne of Green Gables: “I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”

Outside my window right this very moment, the leaves are starting to change colors and fall to the ground. They blow around in warm blustery winds, spinning into little vortexes of yellow and red and brown.

My cat spends most of his day with his nose pressed up against the glass, watching them spin. Frankly, this is provides a nice change of pace from his usual position: perched on my desk, watching me type every single word of my manuscript. (Not distracting at all!)

Anyway, here we are again. New month, new newsletter. I’ve got a full cup of coffee and a lot to share — 99¢ book sale, anyone? — so pour yourself your favorite beverage and let’s get down to it…

First things first, one very exciting — but rather time sensitive — thing I want to share is that my spicy, spooky, standalone rom-com BAD LUCK CHARM is on sale for just 99¢ (reg. $5.99) this week!

If you’re in the mood for a cozy October read, you don’t want to miss this one. It’s set in the famously witchy city of Salem, Massachusetts and features occult-themed murders, plentiful autumn vibes, a boat load of zany side characters, and a scorching, slow burn, enemies-to-lovers romance.

Tell your friends!

PROMO PRICE EXPIRES OCTOBER 12TH!

In other publishing news, I’m back on track with my manuscript after last month’s novella side quest. (See my September newsletter for details.)

I’ve just passed the 25,000 word mark, which is always a pivotal point in my books. Usually, right around this section, I’m moving from beginning to middle, shifting from Act 1 to Act 2, so to speak. This means upping the stakes and increasing the tension as we begin to approach the critical midway stretch of the novel, where all the threads really start to come together…

In case you’ve missed my past few newsletters, this is book three in my fantasy trilogy. I’m enjoying it so very much. Savoring it, in fact. I’ll be so sad to say goodbye to this set of characters when it’s all said and done.

Thankfully, I still have quite a lot of words to write before we get to that point. I’m guessing this book will be a monster by the time I’m finished, clocking in somewhere around the 150,000 word mark. (Approx. 550 pages!)

Earlier this week over on my Instagram, I shared some of the first character art I’ve commissioned from the very talented artist Plamena Petkova (find her at @drawing.llamas on IG) who brought our wind weaver Rhya Fleetwood to life so, so beautifully.

Check it out!

I adore this portrait. It perfectly captures Rhya’s unique, ethereal power as the Remnant of Air.

Curious about the remaining three elements? Don’t worry, I’ll be sharing several other character portraits I’ve commissioned over the coming months as we approach release day.

Speaking of release day, yesterday marked 6 MONTHS until book one THE WIND WEAVER hits shelves.

The countdown is officially on!

If you haven’t already pre-ordered your hardcover copy, I’d love your support. It’s available at all the major retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart, and (I hope) some of your favorite indie bookstores, too.

You can also request an advanced review copy on NetGalley and Edelweiss if you are a blogger/librarian/bookseller/reviewer!

Other than writing, life this month has been consumed by fall activities. (By which I mean: making soup, eating apple pie, stepping on crunchy leaves, and buying far too many pumpkins for my tiny front porch.) I’ve been taking lots of long walks in the afternoon once I’ve hit my daily writing word count goals. Soaking in the sunshine before the dark days of winter descend on us. (I’m not ready yet!)

As much as I enjoy New England, if you’ve followed me for quite some time, you know how much I love to visit other places. Travel is usually my favorite way to recharge. To shake myself out of boring routine, and brush off the dust that seems to settle over my life whenever I find myself sitting still for too long.

However, since last summer, I’ve been so focused on work — writing my fantasy trilogy, plus publishing a few fun witchy romances in between — that I haven’t stepped foot on a plane in… Actually, I can’t even remember the last time I was on a plane.

Which is a sign it’s been way too long!

I’m itching to venture out of my writing bubble and explore some new terrain. New sights, new sounds, new colors, new people. Maybe somewhere with some cool geographical formations, which can help me craft the backdrop for some epic battle scenes.

Hmmmm…..

Okay, that’s it. I’ve decided. I’m brushing off my carry-on and scrolling for cheap flights as soon as I send this email off to you. It’s time for a spontaneous adventure.

Where?

Not sure yet. (That’s half the fun.)

But next month, I’ll surely let you know all about it!

Before I bid you adieu, I’ll share what I’ve been reading, watching, and listening to lately.

I love music and often find so much inspiration in lyrics. Over the past year, I’ve slowly but surely built an epic writing playlist with vibes that match my fantasy world. (Lots of Hozier, Florence + The Machine, Paramore, and Taylor Swift.)

One recent addition that I can’t stop playing on repeat is “Hunter” by Paris Paloma. Pitch perfect romantasy vibes. And the queen herself, Stevie Nicks, also dropped a new anthem called “The Lighthouse” last week. Rock on, Stevie!

I watched “Monsters: the Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” on Netflix, which led me down a rabbit hole of documentaries and interviews about the case. On a lighter note after all that true crime, I finally watched “My Lady Jane” on Amazon and (as I expected) adored it so much. Very sad it was cancelled so soon!

For books, I’m reading a new one from Karen Marie Moning (author of the incredible Fever Series) called “The House At Watch Hill” and really enjoying it. I adore her writing style. I’m also slooowly perusing John Steinbeck’s, “The Acts of King Arthur” which is a retelling of Arthurian legends. And I have a few others on my spooky-season TBR (because I buy waaaaay too many books) but I doubt I’m going to get through them all by the time Halloween rolls around.

Well, folks, I have a trip to plan and a book to write. I’ll see you back here in a few short weeks with more scintillating life updates.

Wherever you are, I hope October is treating you kindly. (And if you happen to live in the path of the hurricane down in Florida, please stay safe until Milton has passed you by!)

Until next month…