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Love Is an Art Cover Reveal
I’m so thrilled to reveal the cover for Love Is an Art, my fake identity romantic comedy! Isn’t it absolutely gorgeous? Thank you so much to my cover designer, Lucy of COVER EVER AFTER. I can’t wait to hold the paperback in my hand. I’ve been writing this since 2021, and I’m still revising it as we speak.
Love Is an Art Blurb
He hates lawyers. So I’m a lawyer pretending to be an artist. Forgetting one tiny detail: I can’t paint.
Tessa: There’s something about the way the blond guy laughs and leans in to listen. My gaze keeps returning to him.
The only problem is, we’re at an art gallery after work, and I’ve swapped my lawyer suit for a paint-splattered shirt. I’m pretending to be a struggling artist, acting as bait to entice a scammer who conned my friend out of thousands of dollars.
I look pathetic. But still, I approach Hot Guy.
Our glances meet, and an awareness shimmers across. He offers to buy me a drink, we’re definitely flirting, and then he asks me what I do.
Just when Scammer Guy is in earshot.
I have no choice but to say I’m an artist.
I can tell Hot Guy later I’m not.
But then he says he hates lawyers.
Now what?
Zeke: She’s the worst artist I’ve ever seen.
And I hate that that makes me suspect that she’s lying to me.
After my ex-girlfriend cheated on me, trust is in short supply.
Tessa makes me laugh, and it’s one adventure after another with her. Definitely different from my workaholic lawyer ex.
Maybe it’s time to give love a second chance.
All is fair in love and litigation, but when truth and deception clash, can you trust your heart?
*The romcom books in this series are interconnected standalones set in the same world. Each can be read as a pure standalone with a guaranteed happily ever after.
Love Is an Art will release on October 10 in e-book and hopefully sooner in paperback.
New York Spark Series
This is the second book in the New York Spark series. The main female protagonist is Tessa, a corporate lawyer with a passion for doing what is right. She helped Lily in My Book Boyfriend by finding a lawyer for the Oasis Community Garden. She was also in The New York Friendship series as Miranda’s roommate in Caper Crush.
Love Is an Art Cover Reveal
I love cover reveals! Thank you so much to all my readers! I hope you love Love Is an Art!
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My Book Boyfriend: #1 in New Releases for Humorous Fiction!
My Book Boyfriend is #1 in New Releases for American Humorous Fiction! I am so happy! I can’t believe My Book Boyfriend got an Amazon best seller orange flag! Thank you to my readers!
Woohoo!
For the blurb, click here!
Such Positive Reviews from Advance Readers!
I love this five star review:
“This was absolutely delightful. The plot was well-paced and captivating.”
– JessicaAnd also these reviews:
“The perfect beach read.” – Thank you Ellen!
“A super cute romantic comedy! I liked it VERY much. It has sweetness and sass… Heartfelt and witty, with endearing characters..” – Thank you Marianne!
“I really enjoyed the dry humor in this story.” – Thank you Quinn!
“This was a great read especially if you love books and NYC. It was well written and told from dual points of view. Lily and Rupert are different in every way and are on the opposing sides of saving the community garden, except for their shared love of books. That gave them great chemistry and quite witty banter as they got to know each other and understand each other’s opposing points of view on the garden. Her friends and “found family” were amazing and well written characters and I hope to see more of their stories. Enjoy!” – Thank you Lisa!
“rupert?? omg HIM! kathy’s men are the biggest green flags… they’re moss flags.
he’s a reader, he’s smart, he’s stylish, has such a good nature, a little protective, cocky but not too much… he really is THE book boyfriend.”
@dreamlibrarycard on InstagramThank you to my readers for making My Book Boyfriend #1 in New Releases in American Humorous Fiction!
I still can’t believe it!
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She loves her community garden. He wants to bulldoze it.
The short tagline for my next book, My Book Boyfriend, is: “She loves her community garden; He wants to bulldoze it for housing. When feelings grow, will they blossom or turn to rubble?”
It releases August 10. It will be on sale for 99 cents for August, and then the price will increase to $2.99.
(Thank you to my critique partner, Giulia Skye, for the short blurb, and I highly recommend her books.)
Conflict
In this book, I finally had my two love interests in direct conflict, as recommended by several classes on writing romance. As Linnea Sinclair says in her classes, “conflict is two dogs, one bone.” (I’m excited to take her upcoming classes this August and September.) It certainly makes writing that enemies-to-lovers snappy banter easier. But I have a hard time making them enemies such that they truly hate each other. I still think that the absolute best enemies-to-lovers is Sally Thorne’s The Hating Game.
She Loves Her Community Garden
Community Gardens in New York City – the Elizabeth Street Garden
As a result, I researched community gardens in New York City. The website of the Elizabeth Street Garden in the Little Italy neighborhood of New York City was particularly helpful. Here are some pictures of this lovely garden that is under the threat of demolishment.
This article was also incredibly interesting and full of information: https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/07/us/elizabeth-street-garden-nyc-development-ctrp/index.html
If you read My Book Boyfriend, I think you will recognize many of Lily’s arguments for supporting the garden from the above article.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy reading all about how Lily loves her community garden and Rupert wants to bulldoze it!
Let’s Talk
What are you reading? What are you watching?
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Caper Crush is on SALE!
Caper Crush, my opposites-attract romantic comedy e-book, is on sale for $0.99 for the first time!
And I’ve created a teaser video, working with the studio, Warraich Group. So much fun!
Here’s the blurb:
Somebody stole my painting! The one I need for the career-defining Vertex Art Exhibit.
I have mere weeks to find my painting or lose my artist dream forever—but it’s going to mean working with William.
William Haruki Matsumura. Good-looking, if you like the Secret Service type. You know, law-abiding, protector of women and children. That’s all fine, but I can never tell what he’s thinking. Which drives me crazy.
He insists on coming along to do “damage control.” As if “accidentally” wandering into certain areas is “breaking and entering.” I may be an emotional artist, but William shouldn’t dismiss my investigative skills yet.
William is definitely my opposite, and if there’s one takeaway from my parents’ divorce, it’s that opposites might attract, but it doesn’t last. But detecting with William is kind of fun—and fluttery. I definitely can’t trust these feelings, or can I? However this caper ends, I think this may be more than a crush.
Caper Crush Is ON SALE and Reaches #27 in Women’s Humorous Fiction! #Top30AmazonBestseller
Here’s a picture of it on the Amazon charts:
Let’s Talk
I really love Caper Crush, and so I’m super happy to see it selling so well now. I definitely think that some scenes were inspired by the k-dramas that I’ve become addicted to 🙂
Anyway, I highly recommend it. And although I may be biased (just a little), it also won an Independent Press Award for Distinguished Favorite in Romantic Comedy. And you can see my previous post here for other reviews.
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My Book Boyfriend!
I’m thrilled to announce that I’m releasing another book, My Book Boyfriend, in a new series, New York Spark on August 10, 2023! Available to pre-order here. And I hope you find many book boyfriends in this series 🙂
Thank you to my newsletter readers for helping me pick the title of my new series.
New York Spark!
Welcome to the New York Spark series! It features a group of friends living in New York City:
Lily – a librarian
Tessa – a lawyer (She is Miranda’s roommate from Caper Crush and Kiara’s sister from A Scavenger Hunt for Hearts)
Iris – A cyber-security analyst
Maddie – a reporter
And more to be determined! One of their favorite places to visit is a bookshop that also serves hot drinks and cookies called Banter & Books. It’s a spin-off series from the New York Friendship Series.
My Book Boyfriend
Tall, dark and handsome. That’s what I thought the first time I saw Rupert Evans in the library.
But then I found out he was the developer who just sent my community garden a cease-and-desist letter because he plans to raze the garden and construct some towering monstrosity there.
The only one who is going to cease and desist is him. That community garden is my found family.
But then he asks me out at book club night.
Suspicious, right?
I’m attractive but I’m not the type hot bachelors are lining up around the block to ask out. Let’s be real. I’m still in the brunch date spot with my next-door neighbor after a year of my pursuing him.
Rupert is trying to butter me up and lead me down the garden path so I concede. Never.
He has no idea what we’ve planned to stop him. Our little community group may look like a bunch of frail roses, but we’ve got thorns. As long as I weed out these pesky feelings for him, I know we can win.
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A Romantic Comedy Distinguished Favorite!
Caper Crush is a 2023 Independent Press Award Romantic Comedy Distinguished Favorite. Woo hoo!
In 2023, the INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD had entries worldwide. Authors and publishers from countries such as Australia, Canada, Germany, India, Japan, Norway, Scotland, and South Africa participated. Submitted books included writers based in a variety of cities: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Cape Town, Halifax, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai, New York City and many others. Submissions came from well-known indie publishers such as Barefoot Books; Friesen Press; Greenleaf Book Group, Koehler Books; Loyola Press; Merack Publishing; Red Chair Press; Red Hen Press; Rowman & Littlefield; Rutgers University Press; SAE International; She Writes Press; and TouchPoint Press. And now Strawbundle Publishing!
Caper Crush also placed as a QuarterFinalist in the Screencraft Cinematic Book Writing Competition.
One day, I hope to write a screen play version.
Caper Crush
Caper Crush is my opposites attract, slow burn romantic comedy caper wtih a mystery.
Here’s the blurb:
Somebody stole my painting! The one I need for the career-defining Vertex Art Exhibit. This upcoming art show is my chance to finally be recognized as an artist—after ten years of waitressing and being asked if I still have that “lovely painting hobby.”
I have mere weeks to find my painting or lose my artist dream forever—but it’s going to mean working with William.
William Haruki Matsumura. Good-looking, if you like the Secret Service type. You know, law-abiding, protector of women and children. That’s all fine, but I can never tell what he’s thinking. Which drives me crazy.
He insists on coming along to do “damage control.” As if “accidentally” wandering into certain areas is “breaking and entering.” I may be an emotional artist, but William shouldn’t dismiss my investigative skills yet.
William is definitely my opposite, and if there’s one takeaway from my parents’ divorce, it’s that opposites might attract, but it doesn’t last. But detecting with William is kind of fun—and fluttery. I definitely can’t trust these feelings, or can I? However this caper ends, I think this may be more than a crush.
K-Drama Recommendations
I’ve also been meaning to write a post with some more K-Drama recommendations. Here are a few new favorites.
Love to Hate You (Netflix)
An enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy. A woman who hates losing to men meets a man (one of the top romantic actors) who she thinks is a misogynist and decides to teach him a lesson.
Call It Love (Viki)
Another enemies-to-lovers K-drama. In Call It Love, Woo-joo wants revenge on her father’s mistress and decides to target the son of her father’s mistress. Only he is a good person, and she’s falling in love with him and wants to protect him. I’m watching this one right now and loving it. Kim Young-kwang and Lee Sung-kyung are conveying their characters brilliantly and with such subtle nuance. They are both very talented actors, and their previous shows, Gogh, The Starry Night and Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo, have been among my favorite k-dramas.
Let’s Talk
I’m so thrilled that Caper Crush is a 2023 Independent Press Award Romantic Comedy Distinguished Favorite and that it placed as a quarterfinalist in the Screencraft Cinematic Book Writing Competition.
What are you reading or watching right now?
Happy Spring!
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Happy Valentine’s Day
Happy Valentine’s Day! Is This for Real?, my fake dating, friends-to-lovers romantic comedy, is on sale for 99 cents! It was picked for an Apple, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble promotion!
Here’s the blurb:
Love is all fun and games until somebody gets hurt. Usually, me. I admit it. I’m a relationship recluse. Ironic, given that I write romantic comedies. So, I’m on a sabbatical from dating.
Which is why fake dating my best friend, Rory, is foolproof. Rory suggested it because he needed a date for work functions. And I can use our experiences as fodder for my romcom novel. Plus, my sister doesn’t know it’s not real and she is thrilled that I’m not walling myself off emotionally. Her words, not mine. But I do wish she would stop saying that she always suspected there was something more between me and Rory. She should realize that we’ve been friends forever so I’m immune to his appeal.
We would never work. Rory is such a romantic; he still believes in that perfect love similar to his parents’ marriage. My parents fought bitterly. So, we are better off as friends. I can’t risk losing our friendship, even if this might be my chance—before his ex-girlfriend wins him back.
Those flickers of attraction? Easily extinguished by cold-water reality, like a two-mile hike in drenching rain over sand with wheelie luggage.
But our relationship is not sticking to the plot—or is it?
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When I was on a blog tour for Is This for Real?, one blogger asked who would I cast for Penelope if Is This for Real? was made into a movie. My answer was: I think Lucy Hale would make a great Penelope. If you’ve read it, who would you cast as Penelope or Rory?
Some Movies to Watch for a Happy Valentine’s Day
I really enjoyed two recent movies/TV series: LOVE TO HATE YOU (Netflix) and SHOTGUN WEDDING (Amazon). LOVE TO HATE YOU is a Korean drama about a man who thinks women just marry for money, and a woman who thinks men just use women and hates the patriarchal double standard. I completely binged the latter. It was so good. SHOTGUN WEDDING is about a couple having a destination wedding when their wedding is invaded by pirates!!
Some Book Recommendations for a Happy Valentine’s Day
For YA romantic comedies, I absolutely loved Lynn Painter’s Better than the Movies. It is a perfect YA romantic comedy.
For adult romantic comedies, I recommend ,of course, Is This for Real? or any of my other books. Lol. I plan to read my current draft WIP and Mr. Wrong Number by Lynn Painter. I’m excited!
And if you’re having a Galentine’s Day celebration, I highly recommend The Girl’s Guide to Fishing and Hunting by Melissa Banks, which is on sale for $1.99. It’s one of my favorites.
Writer Plans for a Happy Valentine’s Day?
The Romantic Novelists Association in the UK is having a FREE Mini Virtual LitFest tomorrow on Facebook (and one session on Instagram). The sessions are as follows (in UK time):
10am-11am Respect RomFic
11am-12 noon What Publishers/Editors want
12-1pm The Key to Writing Bestselling Romance
2pm-3pm Research and Writing Historical Fiction
3pm-4pm Being a Hybrid Author (Instagram @romanticnovelists)
4pm -5pm Editing Session with Hayley Milliman ( ProWritingAid)
Here’s a link to the RNA Facebook page.: https://www.facebook.com/Romantic.Novelists.Association
Thank you!
Thank you to every reader, librarian, media reviewer, blogger, literary festival, influencer and champion of love stories. As a writer of Romance, I’m proud to support the #RespectRomFic Movement. Happy Valentine’s Day!
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My Favorite Writing Craft Books
Here are my favorite writing craft books (so far). So if you’ve got a writer to gift, these make great gifts! I have another ten writing crafts books on my #tbr list so we’ll see if these change next year.
GMC: Goal, Motivation & Conflict
GMC by Debra Dixon is an essential writing craft handbook. When I first started taking writing courses, everyone recommended this. And even now, when I revise my first draft, I ask about every scene: what is the goal, motivation and conflict?
Scene and Structure
Another essential craft book. This was one of the first writing craft books I read. And it remains one of my favorites. His advice on ending scenes: “He must leave in worse shape than he was when he went in” was game-changing. If you’re having problems with pacing, check this out.
Romancing the Beat
Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes is an absolutely essential book for any romance writer. I consult it often. For such a slim, easy-to-read book, it has it all. She even provides a free printable template of the various beats you need to hit as you craft a romance.
Story Genius
I still use this book to craft the back story of my protagonist and thus her character arc. Lisa Cron talks about how important story is for people to make sense of the world so it’s also encouraging for writers to read. I trace the arc of my characters in a chart to make sure it is changing in each chapter.
Story
I just took Robert McKee’s three-day Story course and gained a further appreciation of all the knowledge in this book. McKee’s emphasis on turning each scene so that it starts on a negative and ends on a positive or vice versa is key. His scene analysis is also advice I return to over and over again.
Save the Cat
Save the Cat by Blake Snyder is a such an easy read but also has lots of wisdom. The title refers to the “Save the Cat” scene.
It’s the scene where we meet the hero and the hero does something — like saving a cat — that defines who he is and makes, us, the audience, like him.
Save the Cat by Blake Snyder at xv.Save the Cat Writes a Novel
Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody lays out the plot beats for each genre and is so helpful. It also provides examples using books from that genre.
The Anatomy of Story
The Anatomy of Story by John Truby is excellent too. With every book I write, I map out Truby’s Seven Key Steps of Story Structure and make sure that I have all those elements. I also find his advice on the 22 step story structure also super useful, especially the discussion about opponents and revelations.
The Emotional Craft of Fiction
Any writing craft book list would not be complete with a Donald Maass book on it. When I want to deepen the emotion in each scene, I pull out this book and do some of the exercises in it and apply them to my story. Highly recommend.
Writing the Romantic Comedy
Writing the Romantic Comedy by Billy Mernit is so much fun. It’s a great gift for lovers of romantic comedies–not just writers who are looking for writing craft books. It’s like having a great conversation with a friend about your favorite romantic comedies. I especially love his analysis of Tootsie and how each of “the supporting characters are all in some way reflections of Michael and thus force him to confront his issues.” Writing the Romantic Comedy by Billy Mernit at 145. He has in-depth case studies of various romantic comedies
Understanding Show, Don’t Tell
This book is so helpful for explaining show, don’t tell and has lots of great examples.
Let’s Talk
What are your favorite writing craft books? I hope you are having a great December.
Happy Holidays!
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Writer Romances
If you’re looking for some writer romances or romantic comedies featuring writers, this post is for you! And if you’ve got a writer on your gifting list, hopefully this helps. If your writer friend is struggling with writer’s block or finding a publisher, this will definitely make them feel less alone.
Beach Read
Emily Henry’s books usually feature writers or editors, and Beach Read by Emily Henry has a brilliant premise. Here’s the blurb:
“Augustus Everett is an acclaimed author of literary fiction. January Andrews writes bestselling romance. When she pens a happily ever after, he kills off his entire cast.
They’re polar opposites.
In fact, the only thing they have in common is that for the next three months, they’re living in neighboring beach houses, broke, and bogged down with writer’s block.
Until, one hazy evening, one thing leads to another and they strike a deal designed to force them out of their creative ruts: Augustus will spend the summer writing something happy, and January will pen the next Great American Novel. She’ll take him on field trips worthy of any rom-com montage, and he’ll take her to interview surviving members of a backwoods death cult (obviously). Everyone will finish a book and no one will fall in love. Really.”
My favorite Emily Henry is Book Lovers, which features two book editors. So I recommend that one as well.
Dead Romantics
Another brilliant premise. Here’s the blurb for Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston: “Florence Day is the ghostwriter for one of the most prolific romance authors in the industry, and she has a problem—after a terrible breakup, she no longer believes in love. It’s as good as dead.
When her new editor, a too-handsome mountain of a man, won’t give her an extension on her book deadline, Florence prepares to kiss her career goodbye. But then she gets a phone call she never wanted to receive, and she must return home for the first time in a decade to help her family bury her beloved father.
For ten years, she’s run from the town that never understood her, and even though she misses the sound of a warm Southern night and her eccentric, loving family and their funeral parlor, she can’t bring herself to stay. Even with her father gone, it feels like nothing in this town has changed. And she hates it.
Until she finds a ghost standing at the funeral parlor’s front door, just as broad and infuriatingly handsome as ever, and he’s just as confused about why he’s there as she is.
Romance is most certainly dead . . . but so is her new editor, and his unfinished business will have her second-guessing everything she’s ever known about love stories.”This one has a strong undercurrent of grief running through it, so just be forewarned.
By Any Other Name
Here’s the blurb for this one: “What she doesn’t know about love could fill a book.
With a successful career as a romance editor, and an engagement to a man who checks off all ninety-nine boxes on her carefully curated list, Lanie’s more than good. She’s killing it. Then she’s given the opportunity of a lifetime: to work with world-renowned author and her biggest inspiration in love and life—the Noa Callaway. All Lanie has to do is cure Noa’s writer’s block and she’ll get the promotion she’s always dreamed of. Simple, right?
But there’s a reason no one has ever seen or spoken to the mysterious Noa Calloway. And that reason will rock Lanie’s world. It will call into question everything she thought she knew. When she finally tosses her ninety-nine expectations to the wind, Lanie may just discover that love By Any Other Name can still be as sweet.”As a writer, my favorite line in this book was: “You know how the second draft is the point where things start to make sense? . . . It’s why I blaze through my first drafts so quickly–to get there.” Only I wish I blazed through my first drafts.
Is This for Real?
And I have to include Is This for Real?, my friends-to-lovers, fake dating romantic comedy. Take one relationship recluse writing a novel with a fake-dating trope. Add in one yummy romantic guy shanghaied to fake date for her romcom research. Layer in a history of genuine friendship on top of her recent heartbreak. Is this a recipe for true love or disaster?
Here’s the blurb for this writer romance:
Love is all fun and games until somebody gets hurt. Usually, me. I admit it. I’m a relationship recluse. Ironic, given that I write romantic comedies. So, I’m on a sabbatical from dating.
Which is why fake dating my best friend, Rory, is fool-proof. Rory suggested it because he needed a date for work functions. And I can use our experiences as fodder for my romcom novel.
Plus, my sister doesn’t know it’s not real, and she is thrilled that I’m not walling myself off emotionally. Her words, not mine. But I do wish she would stop saying that she always suspected there was something more between me and Rory. She should realize that we’ve been friends forever so I’m immune to his appeal.
We would never work. Rory is such a romantic; he still believes in that perfect love similar to his parents’ marriage. My parents fought bitterly. So, we are better off as friends. I can’t risk losing our friendship, even if this might be my chance—before his ex-girlfriend wins him back.
Those flickers of attraction? Easily extinguished by cold-water reality, like a two-mile hike in drenching rain over sand with wheelie luggage.
But our relationship is not sticking to the plot—or is it?
Let’s Talk Writer Romances
Do you have any writer romances to add to this list? Next up, I’ll blog about some of my favorite writing craft books, which also make great gifts for writers.
I’m also looking forward to watching THE NOEL DIARY, which features a writer 🙂
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Witchy/Ghost Reads for October
If you’re looking for some witchy/ghost RomCom Reads for October, look no further. Here are some suggestions:
Sophie Kinsella’s Twenties Girl
This one is one of my favorite Sophie Kinsella books, with some definite laugh-out-loud moments, a ghost and a mystery, so check this out.
When Great-Aunt Sadie–a feisty demanding ghost–visits Lara, she has just one request: find her missing necklace. Suddenly Lara is on the hunt, and if she also happens to meet a guy she likes, but he wonders why she keeps talking to herself. . .
The Ex Hex
The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling is a second-chance witchy romance. Vivienne Woods recovers from heartbreak just like any other woman, but maybe when she curses her ex, it has a bit more power than she expects. And now he’s back. . . Super fun read.
Payback’s A Witch
In Payback’s A Witch by Lana Harper, four witchy families rule the magical town of Thistle Grove. Emmy is from the least powerful family and, as a result, has left this town and magic to make her way in the outside world. But she returns home to fulfill her family duty in a spellcasting tournament. Where she runs into the guy who broke her heart, her best friend, and Talia–the one who seemed unattainable. This was another fun one. Talia was witchy perfection (definite book girlfriend vibes), and the world-building was fantastic.
The Dead Romantics
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston involves a ghost and grief, so it has less of a romantic comedy vibe. But I love writer romances, and this one involves a ghostwriter for one of the most prolific romance writers in the industry–only she doesn’t believe in love anymore and can’t write. Her way-too-attractive new editor won’t give her a deadline extension, so what is she going to do?
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
This is more romance/women’s fiction about finding a family than a romantic comedy but it’s still a very enjoyable read. And great world-building and twists 🙂 I definitely teared up at the end.
Let’s Talk
I have to say that I wanted to yell at both the heroines in Payback’s A Witch and The Dead Romantics that they shouldn’t have let so much time go by from when they left their small town. Their back stories made me so sad.
Anyway, in exciting news, Caper Crush was at the Frankfurt Book Fair. Here it is at the IBPA booth.
Have a wonderful Halloween!
I’m off to take some pictures of New York City in all its witchy/ghost Halloween glory.