It’s pub day! And here I am, just now writing a newsletter. Whoops! But that’s because now with my second book under my belt I’m trying to go with the flow and *trying* not to stress too much about having another book out in the world and in the hands of readers. And now, it’s too late for me to do anything about it! TEMPLE OF SWOON is out!! AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Writing a second book is HARD. You’ve all probably heard of the “sophomore slump” or the “sophomore album curse”—the phenomenon where musicians struggle to follow up their debut album. You have all the time in the world to work on the debut, but suddenly you need a second album! Well, writing a second book1 is sort of like that. You often write the second book before the first one is even out. And when your books are interconnected (like TOS and RAIDERS OF THE LOST HEART), all these thoughts creep in your head, like, “what if people didn’t like the first one?” and “what if the first one was a fluke?” The dreaded book 2 is something I’ve talked about with many of my author friends. In fact, Jenna Levine, Alicia Thompson, and I even did a whole panel about it at Spring Fling in Chicago last year! That’s how much writing the second book sucks!
Yet, I did it. I wrote that second book. And then I rewrote half of that book, the book that’s now published today. And you know what? I love this book. I love the fannypack-wearing, adorkable Miri and her nonstop chatter. I love the smoldering, supportive Rafa and his internal struggles. I love all the secondary characters (well, except Dr. Quinn—IYKYK) and the backdrop of the Amazon Rainforest. I hope you love them all, too.
Now that I’ve written the third book in the Raiders series, I’m not sure I can say it necessarily gets easier after writing book 2. Writing THE LUST CRUSADE (January 2026) presented its own unique challenges, that’s for sure. But one thing that doesn’t change is my passion for writing. I’ll never be able to give it up, even if I have to fight to pull these stories out of me!
So what’s next? Well, tonight I’m celebrating launch day at Third Place Books in Lake Forest Park with USA Today Bestselling Author Sarah Hawley!! Then I’m hopping on a plane and heading to Austin, St. Louis, and finally ending in Cincinnati. I’m sure come Sunday I’m going to be bushed, but I’m so excited to meet readers and talk about TOS and romance books (the best genre, IMHO). In fact, if you need some other romance books once you finish TOS, make sure you check out these two FABULOUS debuts coming out this month: FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY, by Jessica James (also out today!!), and WEDDING DASHERS, by Heather McBreen. Both are also Washingtonians, like me, and we’ll be doing an event together later this month on January 30th at Page 2 Books in Burien, WA with Erin Connor and Amy Buchanan if you’re in the area. More details to come.
Okay, I should probably go do other things (like figure out what I’m wearing tonight, pack for my trip, and have eating/drinking more than just coffee). Excuse any typos—I’m not going to edit this one. Again, part of my whole go with the flow/don’t stress vibes (who am I kidding? I woke up at 4:30am LOL). But thank you to everyone who preordered TOS, request(s/ed) it from the library, joins me on my tour, picks up a copy, or tells their friends about it. Without readers, I’d just be throwing my words into the void. Not that I wouldn’t still do it—I love writing—but it’s definitely better sharing my stories with all of you.
One final note: I’ve been asked a few times, “what do you hope readers take away after reading this book?” I always find that question interesting when people ask because on its face, TOS appears to be a silly adventure romance. Yes, it’s a fun book that doesn’t take itself too seriously. And yes, it’s got a punny title. But there’s more to it than that, and so I hope readers walk away with one thing: You are enough. Don’t let anyone tell you or make you feel differently.
Happy reading!
To be fair, TEMPLE OF SWOON is not the second book I’ve written. Just the second book I’ve written while under contract.