Old Wounds Can Cloud New Beginnings

Healing starts with acceptance, setting boundaries, and choosing self-love first. Ready to open your heart again?

 

 

Beth has no interest in getting involved with another man for the foreseeable future. To say her last relationship ended in disaster would be a colossal understatement.

 

Drew decides to join Serpent’s Kiss to see if what appeals to him in fantasy is something he wants to explore in the real world. He’s also hoping that he’ll be lucky enough to meet a woman with whom he can explore his desires.

 

Will she give him a chance, or did her ex leave her with scars too deep to heal?

 

Get your copy of Burning for Her Kiss https://books2read.com/u/38DxdB.

Currently Reading - Falling Like Leaves By Misty Wilson

Gilmore Girls meets Jenny Han in this autumnal teen rom-com about a city girl stuck in a quaint small town who must confront her future and her old flame while the town prepares for an annual fall festival.

Ellis has a plan: spend her senior fall prepping her application for Columbia, get into their journalism program, and set the foundation for a respectable career. So when her parents announce that not only are they separating, but Ellis has to move with her mom from New York City to Bramble Falls, Connecticut, to live with her aunt and cousin, it couldn’t come at a worse time.

From past summers spent in Connecticut, Ellis knows Bramble Falls is idyllic and charming. But it also seems to be full of distractions. There’s local barista Cooper Barnett, Ellis’s one-time best friend and first kiss who now wants nothing to do with Ellis. And then there’s the Falling Leaves Festival, a local autumnal celebration run by Ellis’s aunt where people from all over come to see Bramble Falls’s beautiful foliage. The house is stuffed with decorations, and every conversation seems to center around the festival.

Dragged to every oh-so-charming event from apple picking to pumpkin carving, Ellis can’t stop bumping into Cooper…or falling for the quaint town and its quirky residents. As her return to Manhattan gets repeatedly delayed, Ellis finds herself caught between two very different places—and the futures they represent.

 

 Amazon

Looking for relationship advice? Forget the self-help books!

  He’s charming. He’s persistent. And he’s the boss’s son. 

Jesse Masters always gets what he wants—and right now, what he wants is Cassie Ross. The chemistry between them is undeniable, but there’s just one problem… Cassie works for his father.

Cassie has sworn off relationships after getting burned by her ex. The last thing she needs is a fling that could risk her job. But Jesse isn’t just a fling—he’s intense, dominant, and makes her feel things she’s tried to forget.

Is she willing to put her heart on the line and give in to Jesse’s desires? Or will she let fear keep her from the love she’s been waiting for?

 Falling for the Boss’s Son is the first book in the steamy Head Over Heels series. Perfect for fans of workplace romance, he-falls-first, and deliciously hot D/s tension.

 Start reading now and let Jesse sweep you off your feet → https://books2read.com/u/4jE0oo

Writing A Book Is Hard

I was set up at a local craft and vendor fair and a woman approached my table. She told me she was trying to write a book, but it was a lot harder than she thought it would be.

 

This is a harsh reality most people who aspire to write a book realize. Writing a book IS hard.

 

It's estimated 80% of Americans say they want to write a book. Out of all those people, only 3% finish writing a manuscript. And if that wasn't a small enough number, only 1% end up publishing said manuscript.

 

For the purposes of this blog post, I want to focus on why 80% of people WANT to write a book, but only 3% do. Whether you publish said book is up to you, but what is standing in the way of actually writing it?

 

There can be a lot of answers to this, but after writing and publishing 16 novels and meeting thousands of author's over the year, for most it comes down to one thing...writing a book is more difficult than they expected.

 

No matter if you're writing your first book or your 50th, it's not uncommon to hit a wall at some point in the process. This can happen at any point. And it's not always the same for every book.

 

For some, getting started is the challenge. Picking the perfect place to jump into the story can be challenging and can set the tone for your entire story.

 

A lot of writers have trouble with the messy middle. The inciting incident has gotten the story rolling, but then what? Things need to happen, characters need to evolve, change, learn things, before the climax and conclusion of the story.

 

Coming up with a story idea is the easy part. It's the writing that's the challenge. Writing isn't easy. It's not supposed to be. But if you want to write a story, then sit down and do it. Set your sites on the goal and figure out how to overcome the obstacles in your way. In the end, it will be worth it.

 

Come Meet Me At FestiFair

 

Come See Me at FestiFair in Uptown Marysville!

I’m so excited to share that I’ll be at FestiFair in uptown Marysville, Ohio on Saturday, September 6, 2025! This annual event is always a wonderful celebration of local artisans, makers, and creators—and this year, I’m thrilled to be part of it again.

You’ll be able to find me at booth 142, where I’ll be signing copies of my steamy contemporary romance novels and meeting readers. Whether you’ve already fallen for my Daniels Brothers series, enjoyed a taste of forbidden office romance in Strictly Professional, or discovered the passion and power dynamics of my BDSM romances (Burning for Her Kiss and Longing for His Kiss), this is the perfect chance to stop by, chat, and grab a signed copy for your collection.

FestiFair is the perfect backdrop to spend a Saturday—browsing unique booths, discovering handcrafted treasures, enjoying delicious food, and of course, stocking up on your next romance read. If you love a blend of heat, heart, and happily ever afters, I’d love to meet you in person and talk all things books.

📍 When: Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
📍 Where: Uptown Marysville, Ohio – Booth 142

Mark your calendar, bring your book-loving friends, and stop by to say hello. I can’t wait to meet you at FestiFair! 💕

Currently Reading - The Arrogant One by Marni Mann

A sizzling one-night-stand, billionaire romance from USA Today best-selling author Marni Mann …

I’m the arrogant one. She’s the woman who could tame me. What I don’t expect is to fall in love.

The minute I hear her laugh, I smile.

The second my fingers touch hers, I never want to let them go.

When my eyes take her in, I know…

Sadie Spencer is meant to be mine.

She’s everything I never knew I wanted.

Her curves put me in a trance.

Her body has me in a choke hold.

She’s an addiction, and I can’t keep my hands to myself.

It’s the sexiest one-night stand I’ve ever had.

At daybreak, the bed is cold, and Sadie is gone.

And for the first time in my life, the scorching chemistry and carnal memories leave me wanting more.

When I see her again, I’m shocked.

Consumed.

Enthralled.

Obsessed.

But she has secrets in her eyes.

They match the ones in mine.

That’s the wedge between us.

Together, we’ve weaved this web of lies, and when the truth comes out … it might break us.

 

 Amazon

Why Knowing Your Book’s Genre and Tropes Is Crucial for Marketing and Sales

If you're a writer preparing to publish a book—whether you're going the indie or traditional route—one of the most important steps you can take is learning how to properly classify your book. We're talking genre, subgenre, category, and tropes. It might not sound glamorous, but it can be the difference between a book that gets seen, read, and loved... and one that sinks into obscurity.

Genre is often the first thing a potential reader will use to decide whether or not your book is for them. Romance. Thriller. Fantasy. Horror. Mystery. Sci-Fi. Each of these comes with a built-in promise. If your book doesn’t deliver on that promise—or worse, if you mislabel it—you’ll lose the trust of your readers.

For example, a romance reader expects a central love story and a satisfying, happy ending. If your story ends with one lover dying tragically and no hope in sight, you’re not selling a romance—you’re selling a tragedy with romantic elements. Misclassify it, and you might end up with a lot of one star reviews...event if you've written an excellent book.

Then, within each genre, there are subgenres and categories that help narrow down your ideal audience. For instance, romance alone includes:

• Contemporary

• Historical

• Romantic Suspense

• Paranormal

• BDSM

• LGBTQ+

• Dark Romance

• Romcom

Each of these has its own readership, tone, pacing, and expectations. Identifying the right subgenre helps your book show up in the right Amazon categories, get recommended in the right Goodreads lists, and reach readers looking for exactly what you're offering.

Tropes Are the Reader’s Shopping List

Tropes aren’t clichés—they’re storytelling tools. And readers love them.

Enemies to lovers. Fake dating. Second chance romance. Grumpy/sunshine. Forced proximity. Secret baby. These are all tropes that readers specifically seek out, or avoid, when choosing their next read. They go on TikTok and search for “books with forbidden love” or browse Amazon looking for “slow burn romance.”

If you know your book includes certain tropes, use them. Mention them in your blurb, add them to your metadata, and highlight them in your marketing. You’re not giving away the plot—you’re signaling that your book checks the boxes a specific reader is craving.

Why It Matters

When you understand your book’s genre and tropes, you can:

• Target ads more effectively
  
• Craft a compelling blurb
•  Pitch to influencers and bloggers
•  Choose the right keywords and categories
•  Create social media content

Writers often think of their books in terms of themes or characters, but readers shop based on genre and tropes. If you want your book to find its audience, you need to speak their language.

So before you hit publish, ask yourself:

• What is the primary genre and subgenre?

• What tropes are at play?

• What reader expectations am I meeting?

• Where does my book fit?

Because when your book is in the right hands, marketing feels less like shouting into the void—and more like connecting with the people who were waiting for your story all along.