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It’s hard to believe that we’re already almost at the end of December and that 2024 is less than a week away. It’s been an incredibly hectic year for me, though that may not have been visible on this end of things, so I thought I would share with you what all has been going on with me!
But first, a glimpse of December color. My uncle got this holly for us 10 years ago when we moved here, and it had “berries” on it at that time—but after TWO YEARS in the ground, we finally figured out that the bush’s “berries” were artificial and just twisty-tied on. 😂 After that, a friend told me you needed to have male and female bushes side-by-side in order to get berries, so since this was a single plant, I wrote off the possibility of it ever getting berries. So imagine my shock when I spotted this earlier this week! And these ones are real! Apparently all the bush really needed was time.
Year-End Recap
Speaking of needing time, this year I published the last book in a series on my other pen name that was EIGHT YEARS in the making. When I started writing the series, I was only just beginning to show early signs of my chronic conditions forming, and I had no clue how severely my health was going to affect my writing. (If I had, you can bet I never would have started writing an intricate, plot-heavy time travel saga!)
At the same time I was wrapping up that series, the publisher of The Pioneer Brides of Rattlesnake Ridge unexpectedly folded, leaving us with a need to scramble to get the series republished ASAP. Even though I’d stepped down as series lead years ago because of my health, I inadvertently found myself stepping back UP and organizing the relaunch. The series is now safely republished, and we’ve got new authors joining in to keep the series going with new books.
Plans for the Future
With how busy 2023 was, what are my plans for 2024? Honestly, resting is the biggest priority right now, because the hecticness of finishing my sci-fi series, republishing Pioneer Brides, and my sister’s wedding (not book-related, but definitely another major event of 2023!) made my chronic symptoms flare up. Whenever I’m in a flare, it feels endless, but I have to remind myself that flares do end. When that may be, I don’t know. But flares do end.
My next writing plan for once I’m feeling like a human again is to get back to work on Northwest Magic. In fact, even though I spent a significant chunk of this year on Pioneer Brides, I actually am not planning on diving back into historical romance, probably ever. For those of you who are here for the historical romance, I totally understand if you’re not interested in contemporary/cozy fantasy, so no hard feelings if you’re not interested in sticking around. But I hope you’ll consider checking out the brand-new Pioneer Brides newsletter where you’ll learn about the new releases in that series.
For those of you who are here for my cozy fantasy books, you’re in luck! The next book you’ll be seeing out of me is Fool’s Gold, the third installment of the Northwest Magic series, starring Matthew’s sister Taryn. You can look forward to the return of both Laney and Cass, as well as furry friend Tucker, fae “friend” Green, and another new, mysterious fae Taryn encounters in her new home in Kings Valley, Oregon. And, of course, there’s romance in the air as well… Watch this space!
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