• Mini Scenes: Is This for Real?

    June 9, 2022 /
    picture of book
    Is This for Real?

    I made some mini scenes that match what Penelope made in Is This for Real?.

    In Is This for Real?, the protagonist, Penelope, is a struggling writer and she sells miniatures to make money on Etsy. She also has a blog where she tells stories acted out with miniatures.

    “In my blog storyline, Piper, a doll with curly, brown hair like mine, was dating Julian, a doll with blond curls like Jamie. But then Julian abruptly broke up with her. Followers are still upset. Many of them took that break up quite personally and shared their own personal stories of how they’ve been dumped. I definitely tapped into something; I think, in part, because the breakup was so unexpected. But once Jamie told me he wasn’t interested in me, I lost all desire to play with his doll avatar. And I used those feelings to write the opening chapter of Fake Dating Folly, where the protagonist, Piper, learns that her boyfriend, who dumped her a year ago, is now engaged.”

    Is This for Real by Kathy Strobos at 13.

    Mini Scenes: Is This for Real?

    Here’s Piper busying writing her novel. I particularly like the fat cat lying on the floor. And of course, I included some discarded scraps of writing on the floor.

    Piper writing her novel

    And here are Piper and her new beau! They are on a date learning how to cook in a restaurant. I bought that miniature range from a miniature shop in Tokyo.

    A date with a new beau cooking at a restaurant

    Chill with a Book Readers’ Award

    Is this for Real? won a Chill with a Book Readers’ Award! I am so happy!

    Let’s Talk

    What are you reading or watching? I just finished Christina Lauren’s Something Wilder. I read it in one day!

    And the countdown for the release of Caper Crush is on! I can’t wait to share it with you.

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  • Cover Reveal: Caper Crush

    May 26, 2022 /

    I’m so excited to reveal my cover for my third book in the New York Friendship series: Caper Crush.

    Each book can be read as a standalone, but they are set in the same world with a warm group of friends. It’s available for pre-order now and will release on July 14 in ebook. Paperback copies will be available in early July.

    cover of caper crush. Shows a woman and a man standing on a fire escape
    Caper Crush cover

    Blurb

    Here’s the blurb:

    A feel-good, opposites-attract, slow burn romantic comedy

    Some weasel 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. 

    Cover Brief

    I love working with my cover designer Lucy of Cover Ever After. I said that I wanted a fire escape because there is one scene involving a fire escape, and I sent her pictures of New York City fire escapes. Also, I noted that Miranda is an artist and William is an accountant, and, as usual, it’s opposites attract. Plus, I noted that the book has a caper feel as they try to track down who stole the paintings. And she created the magic that is my cover.

    Let’s Talk: COVER REVEAL CELEBRATION GIVEAWAY

    I’m giving away paperback copies of all three books (Partner Pursuit, Is This for Real? and Caper Crush) in July to one lucky winner to celebrate this cover reveal. Open internationally. Drawing ends June 22.

    To enter:

    1) Leave a comment below answering the question: What is your favorite romantic comedy movie? AND

    2) Subscribe to my newsletter here.

    I’ll reveal the winner here and also send an email.

    I can’t wait for you to meet Miranda and William in Caper Crush! I really love this book. It gives me such a feel-good feeling when reading it. CLOSED. Winner is BONNIE GREENHALGH. Congratulations!

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