2025 is OUR Year!

Look,

I'm going to be honest here. The ending of 2024 has NOT gone the way I had expected, hoped, planned... any of the things. So 2025: I'm looking at you to be a HAIL of a lot better!

Let's wrap up December, shall we? I managed to finish In The Zone, the 3rd book in my college basketball romance series. I loved writing Spencer & Ryleigh's story so much. A fun, short(er) summer romance that you get to read in the winter? I know. Sounds nuts. But in the end, I feel like those two got their perfect story and I'm so happy with it. I got it out just under the wire to say I met my goal of projects completed in 2024, too, with a 12/31 release date.

ACX and the Zon took their time with approving Trading Tinsel to Audible. What normally takes 10 days start to finish took almost three whole weeks! 20 days. I was NOT expecting that and it sort of cannonballed the plans I have for the rest of the series audiobook releases. In the end though, it all worked out. Amber Goode gave Nick and Eve the life they needed in their story and Tinsel was released in time for the holidays!

Maybe everything does work out the way it's supposed to. I mean, how else can you explain the fact that I sold twice as many copies of that one book as I did for either of my first two? Now, don't go getting twisted. This indie author is still super indie and my numbers aren't anything like some of the greats I look up to, but I am beyond proud and excited of the work that I've got out there and seeing the love being shared on these books continues to fill my cup every day.

Saving Grace is the next book that will be made into an audiobook. I am ACTIVELY working on notes for my narrator... voice actor? Someone please tell me what you prefer to be called? Anyways. This project had a bit of a set back. I definitely overestimated my abilities to work, pick up extra shifts ahead of the holidays, my kids' school and sporting events, end of the year chaos, plus the actual holidays... AND finishing the edits of In The Zone. Oh... and then I got the flu from Hell. Seriously. This thing is still lingering around my house and we were first hit the weekend BEFORE Christmas! That's well over 2 weeks of funk.

Luckily Marina Craven is a godsend and has been beyond patient with me. Her pick ups are perfection and I hope to write another book that requires her exact voice because it's just... 👄😘🤌🏼🤌🏼

So, what's coming in 2025?

Well, I will definitely be adding to the Hawks with at least one more book planned to be released in the 6th Man Series this year.

Why not finish it? Well...

I have another series planned!!

That's right. I have set up a few characters for my next series and talked a bit about it on the Romance Hockey League Power Play event I did in October. Of course it will be a sports romance series, but I don't want to say too much more.

This series has been brewing in my head for YEARS. Seriously. I found my original notes where I vaguely planned out 6th Man and had the beginnings of this upcoming series as well. That was in the summer of 2023.

I know a lot of readers want a completed series but I really hope you'll bare (bear? which is it?!? I never remember!) with me because I need to write these stories.

Anything else?

Yep!

As of today, I have all my books except for Playing Hooky and In The Zone contracted out and in various stages of production. These will all be completed and available to audio-readers in 2025!

This is a huge deal for me. Mainly because, as someone who 1) has visual limitations and 2) studied inclusion and adaptive resources for persons with disabilities, I know how important it is to offer options whenever possible. This heart project was always my end-game with each book, but I wasn't able to make it happen as I went for various reasons. Now, though, I am proud to say that 2025 is the year The Chicago Sharks AND the Franklin U Hawks will be on Audible!

Finally...

This is the last month to access the Naughty & Nice Winter romance bundle. As of 2/1, these stories will go back to the authors. You might be able to find these works with those individual authors but I can't guarantee anything. So, for the last time in my posts, here's the link to get 10 winter-themed short romance reads!

Naughty & Nice

I think that's it... at least for now. I appreciate you readers so much. I hope you know that you've made 2024 a year worth surviving through! lol

Seriously though. There were days when only the kinds words and reviews were the things getting me through the sludge of imposter syndrome. I cannot believe there are readers who put other books down when they see my new releases, but I love you so freaking much!

Happy New Year!!

and

Happy Reading!