KEEPING YOUR SOUL INSIDE A BOOK

Last week, I listened to an interview where an actor from one of my favorite shows (The Chosen) said he keeps a small box he calls a soul box. It contains sentimental trinkets, and wherever “I lay my hat, it lives with me there. It contains things like a picture of my grandmother, the last gift from a friend who passed away…it helps remind me how far I’ve come and those that are no longer with us. And if I’m ever lost, it’s my compass to say, ‘this is your soul, this is what you have accumulated and therefore don’t feel lost. You’re exactly where you are (meant to be), and put the next step forward.’” [Abe Bueno-Jallad, interview with Elijah Alexander).

It occurred to me that feeling is accessible when I do one of two things: pick up a good book to read, or work on a story that’s calling to me. It’s a space I step into where I can let out a relieved breath, no matter what else is going on, and think, okay, here, it makes sense. Here I know who and what I am, who and what made me, and I'm on the path that needs to be taken.

2026 has brought my family some difficult challenges, and we have a ways to go to get it figured out. Having that space available to me, whether it’s reading a quick few pages in a grocery line or doctor’s office, or jotting down notes at bedtime for the characters who want their story told, is my version of the soul box.

I hope whatever challenges 2026 is putting in your path, the stories you choose to read (or write) are bringing you balance, joy and especially smiles when you need them. Oh, and happy almost Valentine's Day! My sister-in-law found this canvas bag while out shopping, and I think it is EXCELLENT advice for those who love us quirky readers/authors:

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON?

"And what kind of notes ARE you jotting, Joey, for those of us who want to know?" Well, I'm in the really early stages, but I can give you a glimpse (with the caveat that it may totally change when the book is written, lol). It involves Bastion's Mfm book (Bastion is the Dom admin in the Mistresses of the Board Room series). An opening scene recently came to me, where I have Ren Borgata, the senior account manager who was hired by the Thomas Rose Associates firm in At Her Will, sitting at the bar in Club Progeny. Bastion notices he's staring at something intently, and sits down next to him...

"See something you like?"

Ren nodded toward the bartender. "Yeah."

Well, shit. That bartender was Swan Foster, a woman as off limits as any woman could be. Bastion had brooded on the dilemma himself, and knew he should be discouraging Ren. But because Ren was interested, and Ren interested him, Bastion didn't shut him down. Instead he re-opened the gate of his own curiosity about Progeny's live-in barkeep with another question: "So what's the problem?"

Annnd, that's what I can share right now. Sounds kind of general, but in my head the scene is charged with sexual tension and a lot of electric possibilities -- between Ren and Bastion, Ren and Swan, Bastion and Swan. Swan represents WAY more than one problem, but when Bastion gets pulled in by Ren's fascination with her, this uber-Dom finds he might have discovered the three-way chemistry he's been looking for in his life. Oh, and Ren is a Dom himself, but has a hidden desire to occasionally switch for the right Dom (wink - we can all guess who will be pushing to be that Dom). Keep you posted!

WHAT IS THE INTEGRATED READING ORDER OF YOUR BOOKS AND VIGNETTES?

I occasionally get asked that question, and since I SUCK at timelines, my response is usually a very calm "OMFG, I don't know!!! And where is my extra strength Excedrin!!"

Well, one of my readers, Aza T, gave it the latest shot, and sent me this amusing note with it: "So Joey - I finished the Daughters of Arianne series, and as I was reading David and Mina's book I was totally questioning if David was Marguerite's brother, and then when I read 'Dark and Night' you confirmed it. This started me thinking about what is the proper reading order of ALL your books to avoid spoilers, since the Muse insists on having your characters pop in and out of your series. I have attached what I think is the best order based on recent reading, skimming books, and memory. I'm good with you sharing this however you would like to get input from other obsessive readers like myself. Note: You will notice I put Dark and Night with A Mermaid's Ransom since it basically happens in the middle of Chapter 23, and Arcane Knight after about Chapter 9 in Arcane Chaos."

I think she did a brilliant job, and so am sharing it with you all here. If you have any ruminations on it, don't hesitate to speak up. I'll shoot her any feedback.

THANK YOU AS ALWAYS!

THANK YOU ALL for continuing to spread the love of my work to fellow readers, through reviews and discussions with friends, family, bookclubs, on social media platforms and more. Reader recommendation is the best kind of marketing an author can have, because it's HONEST and HEARTFELT. So thank you - it's ALWAYS appreciated. Side note: If you have a BookTok or Instagram presence, I'm trying to get more exposure on those platforms, so I am delighted if you feel inspired to help with that.

So are you ready to check out this month's 📚📚📚 FOUR FEATURED EBOOKS?!📚📚📚 Let's do it! 💗💗💗

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