A look back, and a look ahead

 2023 was a rough year. I lost my mom suddenly and unexpectedly at the end of August, just 8 months after losing my dad, and I'm just starting to find my way out of all that grief. 

Writing was always my comfort and my happy place, but when faced with that much sadness, the words stopped flowing. I still managed to publish three novels in 2023, in addition to expanding, re-editing, and publishing a short story that was previously included in a charity anthology. But that all happened prior to August.

I spent last fall spinning my wheels--trying to write but getting nowhere. I finally had to set aside my work in progress (for now--I will be circling back to it), which was the latest installment in my Firsts and Forever Stories collection. I took some time off at the holidays and made the decision that as of January first, I was going to work on something brand new--something light and fun and totally different. 

That was the best decision I could have made, because the words are flowing again, and it feels SO good to have my writing mojo back! I can't share any details about the book, because it's part of a multi-author shared universe project that hasn't been officially announced yet. I'll just say you can expect it before summer, and I think it's going to be a very fun read. I'll post more information just as soon as I can.

In the meantime, I'm sending you nothing but the best wishes for the year ahead. <3

Payback is LIVE!

If you're in the mood for a lighthearted, low angst beach read, check out Payback. It's now available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited, as an ebook and paperback. 

Here's the blurb:

What do you do when your ex-boyfriend breaks your heart? You get revenge, of course.

It wasn’t just that my ex cheated on me. He also humiliated me and treated me like dirt. But I know how to get back at him.

All I have to do is catch the eye of Malcolm Sterling—my ex’s dad, who happens to be a sexy, single silver fox. Since we’ve never met, he’ll have no idea who I am when I make my move. My goal? Arrive at a swanky, upcoming family wedding on Malcolm’s arm, and make my ex totally regret his life choices.

But Malcolm may prove to be more than I bargained for--and he just might have a plan of his own.

Payback is a lighthearted gay romance full of bad ideas, a sketchy plan for revenge, a misguided main character, and a smoking hot older man with a few tricks up his sleeve. It’s set in the world of Alexa Land’s Firsts and Forever Series, and it can be read as a stand-alone.

Short Story Now Available

 Set in the world of my Firsts & Forever Series, The Escape Room was originally included in one of the Heart2Heart charity anthologies. It’s been re-edited, and an epilogue has been added. This short story about two total opposites finding love when they least expect it is now available on Amazon and KU. 

 

A New Release and a Pre-Order

 Boyfriend by the Hour is now available to buy on Amazon or to read on Kindle Unlimited! As soon as I finished writing that story, I immediately jumped into Daniel's book. When you read Boyfriend by the Hour, I think you'll see why! Daniel is a supporting character in my new release, and he was so much fun that I had to give him his own story right away. You can check it out here.

Meet Aleksei

When I first started working on Boyfriend by the Hour, I was planning to write it just from Timothy's perspective. He's the upbeat, 29-year-old waiter we got to know a bit in my last book, My Brother's Enemy. But then I realized I really wanted to know what his love interest Aleksei was thinking, so I switched the book to dual perspective. I'm so glad I made that change!

We haven't met Aleksei before, so here's an inspiration photo and a little bit of background. He's 44 and works ridiculously long hours as the president and CEO of an investment firm. He's also a Russian immigrant who grew up in poverty, so financial stability is very important to him. But he's spent so much time building his company and supporting his family that he's forgotten how to cut loose and have fun.

Aleksei is newly divorced and has always wondered what it's like to be with a man, so he hires Timothy as an escort. He's in for so much more than he bargained for, because Timothy totally rocks his world. Aleksei's transformation from the start of the book to the end is probably my favorite character arc I've ever written, and I'm really looking forward to introducing him to you when the book goes live on May 31st.

May 31st!

The release date for the next book in my Firsts and Forever Stories collection has been moved up almost month! It's called Boyfriend by the Hour, it's now on pre-order, and it'll go live May 31st. Here's the link if you'd like to check it out.

Pre-Order is Now Available for Boyfriend by the Hour

The next book in my Firsts and Forever Stories collection is called Boyfriend by the Hour, and it's now on pre-order. It's about a first-time escort and a wealthy client who's never been with a man before. If you'd like to check it out, you can find it here. 

This story features Timothy, who you might recall if you read either of my two most recent releases, Cabin for Three or My Brother's Enemy. Timothy's love interest is a brand new character, a Russian immigrant and successful CEO named Aleksei. Here's a look at the cover:

Right now, it's scheduled to go live at the end of June, but writing it is going so well that I should have it done early. If that's the case, I'll definitely move up the release date.