(First appeared as November 2022 Newsletter. The snippet is from Trusting the Wolf when I was in the midst of writing it.)
Looks like I lost another month! Where the heck did October go, y'all? Seriously, time is flying. But, I'm still enjoying pumpkin spice on everything nice...with a little peppermint and chai thrown in as the winter holidays near. Now, if it would just get cold here - a friend told me it's warm now because of a volcano eruption. I don't know about that, but at least the weather is starting to feel like November here in the mountains again.
I hope you got to see the Blood Moon for yourself. (Especially considering this pic I took. It's a good thing I'm a writer, not a photographer, amIright?)
A lot of light pollution around our house made it hard to see, but I was able to sit outside with a hot cuppa and enjoy the lunar eclipse anyway. Thanks to the wonderful time change, that is. Otherwise, it would take something major like an incredible celestial event to get me up when it's still dark out.
Oh, wait...
What's New
Speaking of Celestial Events! Y'all! For a few brief hours, The Warrior Within, my very first book, was a Best Seller! I gotta tell ya, it was amazing to see that. I'm still kinda shocked. Though it isn't #1 now, it was wonderful while it lasted. I can't thank you enough for reading/listening, rating, reviewing, and talking about my books. It is such a thrill to know you enjoy what I write. Early on, a publisher told me that no one reads paranormal romance any longer. Thanks for proving them wrong!
My wife and I managed a quick getaway to Baltimore to celebrate our anniversary. The weather was ideal for wandering the Inner Harbor. We even fit in a quick visit to the National Aquarium! But Camden Yards was the main event. We both grew up watching and listening to baseball games. I attended my first Orioles game at the ripe old age of 3 or 4 and have gone to a couple other major league games over the years. It was a treat to take my honey to her first major league game.
Now we're gearing up to head to my parents' for Thanksgiving. Hard to believe the holidays are upon us. Time for the hustle and bustle and...baking! If you're curious about my most recent baking fun, check out my blog!
Wow. I already had plenty for which to be grateful this year, but between our trip and topping the lesbian romance chart - my gratitude overflows!
What I'm Working On
I'll tell you, Mac and Kate's story has become the little book that could. For months I've wrestled with point of view and how to handle a couple of major plot points. Finally, finally, on a writing retreat on a misty South Carolina lake, all the issues I've been dealing with worked themselves out. I even made it past a major hurdle! Now, if I can just have time to write the rest of their story. My goal was to finish this book by the end of the year, but I just don't see that happening. I swear I'll finish it someday soon.
Until next time, here's a tidbit to tide you over...
Shoving her hands through her hair, Kate forces herself to stop. Just stop. She isn’t getting anywhere like this. And she has a strong feeling, Mac isn’t far, waiting for her.
Giving in to the inevitable, she eases opens the door. But any stealth is useless. Sitting on the floor across the hall are Mac and Steve. Sighing in resignation, Kate stands still for the scrutiny she knows is coming. Mac leaps to her feet, her eyes widening as she takes in Kate’s bruised face. Not for the first time tonight, they flash gold, and in the darkened hallway Kate is forcefully reminded of lying beneath Mac under the night sky, her eyes twin beacons glowing with that luminous color. She glances at Steve, but he mostly watches Mac, a worried look on his face.
Surely he saw Mac’s eyes, too. She’s never seen anyone else’s eyes just change color like that. Lighten or darken with emotions, sure. But to go from mahogany to champagne? Something dances just out of reach of her memory, something she heard recently?
Mac interrupts her thoughts and brings her back to the present. “Do you feel better?”
Kate blinks away her thoughts, shaking herself mentally and sagging with fatigue. She’s can’t deal with much more. “The shower definitely helped the soreness.” Temporarily, Kate adds silently. Mac nods, but her eyes tell Kate that she understands without being told.
“It’s okay, Katydid. Come on, Aunt Lyla has hot drinks.”
Kate takes a step back into the room, her cheeks heating. She raises a hand to cover the left side of her face. “Oh, I don’t—”
But Mrs. Duncan must have heard them talking. She calls, “Kate? Come on out here, honey, I want to talk to you about something.”
Dropping her hand, Kate takes a deep breath. She meets Mac’s steady gaze. Draws strength from it.
Mac lays a hand on her shoulder. “It will be okay. I’ll be right there with you.”
Steve nods. “Me too. Jimmy, the guys, Mr. and Mrs. Duncan, we’ve all got your back. You don’t have to feel embarrassed with any of us.”
Kate huffs and bites her lip, but nods. “A little late for that, but okay.”
She trails Steve into the great room, Mac close behind. When she hesitates at the end of the hall, Mac steps up beside her, her hand on the small of Kate’s back. “Together, then?”
Blinking back a tear, Kate nods. She whispers, “Yes, please.”
The look in Mac’s eyes makes Kate’s heart skip a beat. “Always.”
Well, that's it for now y'all.
Be a Badass!
Brooke
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