I don't know about you, but to me, it feels like 2023 absolutely flew by! I blinked and the whole year disappeared. And yet, a year ago, also feels like a long time ago—maybe because so much happened this year and the world is kind of on fire. I've been thinking a lot about what to write in this 2023 wrap up post. I keep seeing posts in which people list all their accomplishments, the million books they published and everything, and I always feel like my own aren't quite enough. And I have to remind myself that I have accomplished things this year! I finally published To Love the Dragon King, which I am very proud of for many reasons—because I finally finished after so long of difficulties writing, because it's my first self-published book and I did so much of it on my own, because I think it's pretty damn good book. Then I got started on the second Dragons of Ivria book and playing with ideas for a new cozy witchy series.

I'm getting more on top of things little by little. My newsletter is going out regularly, and there are more posts on this blog too. I loved doing more in person events this year, too, including Rainbow Book Fair in NYC and GRL in Virginia. It was wonderful to meet so many readers and other authors. I hope to meet more of you in the coming year! And in not writing events, I also went on a long-postponed Italian adventure with my best friend, which was absolutely amazing.

There were setbacks and disappointments too. I didn't accomplish everything I wanted, and my first (and hopefully only) bout of covid and the lingering struggles with fatigue after it derailed some of my plans for the end of the year. But I'm going to continue to try to be kind to myself (which is difficult!) as we move into a new year.

After the last few years, I hesitate to even say what my 2024 writing goals are for fear of jinxing myself, but my hope is to publish both the second Dragons of Ivria book and the first witch book. Fingers crossed.

Finally, I'm sharing some of my favorite reads of 2023. Some of these books were published in 2023, some are older, and as always, it was tough for me to narrow it down.

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​The Rainbow Snippets group on Facebook asks its members to share six sentence snippets from their work each weekend. Check out the group's Facebook page to read all the snippets and add lots of great books to your TBR. You'll find all sorts of books with the common thread that the main character identifies as LGBTQ.

This month, I'm sharing snippets from The Merchant's Love, my super cozy fall/winter fantasy romance in which a bookish royal and a merchant fall in love over books and baked goods (and there's a bit of magic gone wrong too). With the holiday weekend, it seemed like an appropriate time for a gift-giving snippet. Last week, I shared a snippet in which Maxen gives Faelen a Midwinter gift. I thought I would continue on directly from there this week.

Merry Christmas to everyone celebrating! And happy Monday if you're not! This is my last holiday book rec post of the year. I meant to have it up a few days ago, but holiday preparations (so much baking) and continuing struggles with fatigue post covid delayed me. There's still time to dive into some festive romance, though! I'm certainly still reading them. Today's recs are all contemporary romances.

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​The Rainbow Snippets group on Facebook asks its members to share six sentence snippets from their work each weekend. Check out the group's Facebook page to read all the snippets and add lots of great books to your TBR. You'll find all sorts of books with the common thread that the main character identifies as LGBTQ.

This month, I'm sharing snippets from The Merchant's Love, my super cozy fall/winter fantasy romance in which a bookish royal and a merchant fall in love over books and baked goods (and there's a bit of magic gone wrong too). With the holiday weekend, it seemed like an appropriate time for a gift-giving snippet. This is Maxen giving Faelen a Midwinter gift.
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Only one week until Christmas, and I feel like I am so behind! My cards aren't finished and nothing is wrapped and I have not read nearly enough holiday romance (I have made a lot of cookies dough, though). Last time, I recommended some fantasy/paranormal books. This time it's historical romance.

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​The Rainbow Snippets group on Facebook asks its members to share six sentence snippets from their work each weekend. Check out the group's Facebook page to read all the snippets and add lots of great books to your TBR. You'll find all sorts of books with the common thread that the main character identifies as LGBTQ.

This month, I'm sharing snippets from The Merchant's Love, my super cozy fall/winter fantasy romance in which a bookish royal and a merchant fall in love over books and baked goods (and there's a bit of magic gone wrong too). This week I'm sharing a snippet (that's a bit long—sorry!) if Faelen, Maxen, and their friends enjoying the city's Midwinter Festival.

It's time that time of year again—yes, the holidays, but also the Smashwords End of Year Sale! The sale begins today and runs through January 1st, and all of my books are 50% off, including To Love the Dragon King, which has never been on sale before! This is a great time to start or catch up on or binge a series...

December is here (and nearly half over...how...), and this time of year, I love winter holiday romances. There's just something even more heartwarming about a holiday romance, you know? I thought I would do a few book rec posts of holiday romances—there are so many wonderful holiday romances that it's been difficult narrowing down my choices, but I've done my best. Today's post includes holiday romances that are fantasy or paranormal.

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​The Rainbow Snippets group on Facebook asks its members to share six sentence snippets from their work each weekend. Check out the group's Facebook page to read all the snippets and add lots of great books to your TBR. You'll find all sorts of books with the common thread that the main character identifies as LGBTQ.

This month, I'm sharing snippets from The Merchant's Love, my super cozy fall/winter fantasy romance in which a bookish royal and a merchant fall in love over books and baked goods (and there's a bit of magic gone wrong too). I'm sharing another cozy, wintry snippet of Faelen and Maxen today.

Since it's somehow December (where did last month go???), it's time to talk about November's reading. I did more rereading in audiobook than reading new books last month, but I did read a few that I want to share with you.