AT HER CALL COVER REVEAL AND RELEASE DATE ANNOUNCEMENT

This story – I swear, I can’t keep up. Skye and Tiger are firing MORE scenes and dialogue at me WHILE I’m in the middle of writing active scenes for them! I’m handwriting the first draft because that's been easier for my creative process on this one, and I've already filled up one notebook. I'm now working off of my llama clipboard of scrap paper, because I can’t find any other cute 70-page ruled notebooks, thanks to school supplies being bought up (those darn kids and their educational needs, lol). That’s okay, though – I have a tower of scrap paper and should be using it anyway. I’ve been typing up in the evening what I hand write during the day, and we hit 60K this week, so we’re rolling right along on schedule.

And when is that scheduled release date, you ask? NOVEMBER 30! I plan to have preorder links for you in the next COUPLE WEEKS, so keep an eye on the social media platforms or your preorder notices (if you're following me on Amazon or Bookbub). You will also be able to find the links on my website - just go to the home page, click on the At Her Call cover in the side bar and it will take you to the book page. I'll announce them in the next newsletter as well.

Would you like a look at that cover? Here you go! I hope you like it.

If you're curious, here's also a shot of one of the notebook pages. Note the writings in the margins – those are the OTHER ideas for scenes coming into my head WHILE I’m writing the current scene. Oh, and did I mention Brick and Les from the Nature of Desire series have started telling me things about THEIR story, which is the next book I’m writing after At Her Call? Some of my margin notes on other pages are theirs. As a reminder, Les is Thomas's sister from Rough Canvas (she was pursuing her medical degree), and Brick was recently introduced as a high school friend of Rory's in In His Arms. Brick is a firefighter and arson investigator!

I’ve no complaints – as an author, I’d MUCH rather characters be throwing scenes and dialogue at me faster than I can keep up, rather than being silent and stubborn, leaving me with cricket song echoing in my brain. I'm actually pretty blissed out right now, loving who Tiger and Skye are becoming together while getting the chance to learn more about each of them, including what in their background has ignited their chemistry - they have had some seriously hot scenes already. I'll have more specifics for you next month, aka teasers (wink).

Want to read the first two books in the series, At Her Command and At Her Service? Click the series link here. Like Knights of the Board Room, all the books can stand alone, as each focuses on one of the five women who are part of the Thomas Rose Associates marketing firm in New Orleans.

SEXY AND SASSY SIGNING IN NORFOLK

I was so glad my first conference since 2019 was this one. The Sexy and Sassy signing is a laid back, a la carte event where there are optimal amounts of time to spend with readers and other authors. Author Amy Marie, Lisa Honoria Sproat and a dedicated small army of volunteers made sure we had a weekend full of events, books and swag, plus lots of treats like giant cookies and cupcakes. No romance conference is complete without an overdose of sugar - especially chocolate!

I reconnected with readers, both existing and new, plus had a great couple dinners with ladies from my forum group. There was plenty of chatting with authors I knew, like Elizabeth SaFleur and Laci Paige (SO good to see them again, plus Laci's husband Rick!), as well as authors I met for the first time, like Sydney Storm and Angera Allen. I was so flattered to find out they are both fans of my work. Needless to say, with the chance to hang out with so many reader and author friends, it was an energy-charged weekend. Many hugs were exchanged! Side note: I love how often readers bring their mothers or sisters with them, because it gives me fond memories of when my mother came to conferences with me.

At the panels we answered a variety of reader questions, like what traits we consider essential in our characters, where our ideas come from, etc, but the question/answer that received the most laughs was when we were asked how we handle writer's block, and author Theresa Sederholt declared, "We drink!"

For the signing, I was assisted by "Mouse," the mother of author Roxanne Witherell and PA Heather Witherell, who I know many in our reader group and the book world know. To me, this wonderful trio of ladies exemplifies the community of booklovers and storytellers, how much we help and inspire one another, creating even more passion for reading or writing books. Mouse was a powerhouse at the table, helping with the checkout process and keeping me amazed and laughing by turns at the stories of her remarkable life. She's been a fishing boat captain for years, and continues to do that - at age 69! The woman IS a book character. I hope one day she'll write some stories of her own.

At the Cinderella ball, I saw a unicorn dancing, and NO, I wasn't drinking at all, lol. Amy Marie's delightful daughter dressed up in a unicorn costume and bopped around the floor, adding to the festivities. The DJ treated us to 80s favorites and more current tunes, and even jumped down on the floor a couple times to lead us in some dancing. It has been so long since I've been dancing, I was glad I decided to wear my party dress with my New Balance sneakers instead of trying for heels. I achieved MUCH more dancing with cushioned soles and padded arches!

We said good-bye at the Hansel and Gretel brunch after a very satisfying weekend. Norfolk is such a beautiful place, with art everywhere, and so many things to do. As it's the home of the largest naval base in the world, the first day we were there, a group of military personnel were finishing up an overnight conference. With a hotel full of romance readers and authors, you can bet we were stealing some glances at good-looking potential romance heroes as they took their morning jog, or joined us in the elevators with smiles and polite "ma'am" greetings. Oh, the ideas one little word can inspire. Reminded me of Max and Janet in Willing Sacrifice!

I'm not sure what my conference schedule will be next year. I plan to budget for at least one or two, depending on the size, so once I choose, I'll announce it to all of you. If you want to see more pics from the conference, including the dancing unicorn, visit my Facebook or MeWe page, as I put all of them there, along with the sculptures I saw on my walk. Norfolk is FULL of mermaid sculptures (about 200 I think, last count). On the Facebook JWHMembersOnly group, some of the readers who attended have also posted wonderful pictures!

HAVE YOU READ ARCANE CHAOS?

If you have read Silas and Ramona's story, I hope your experience matched this reader's: "I did not put this book down...I loved the journey to their HEA. I promise it is not easy, and it is full of twists, turns, and amazement." If you're still thinking about reading this third story in the Arcane Shot trilogy, you can find it at all these vendors:

Amazon * Amazon Worldwide * Apple * Kobo * Nook * Google * Print

No plans for audio at this time.

Remember the first book in the trilogy ARCANE SHOT, will remain a permafree gateway into the series! Here are all the links to that free full-length novel, plus a BookFunnel link if your vendor doesn't show that price. You can also view the full series list on Amazon here.

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