Depending on which direction you look...

...we're either a month and a half past the release of "Curves for Days" (That still feels new and exciting to me) or about six and a half months away from the release of "What She's Having"--the new title for book 2 in the Galway series. 

As I've mentioned, that's July's (of July's Restaurant) second chance story with the love of her life, Joe, who disappeared from Galway when they were both sixteen. "What She's Having" opens with Joe learning something devastating that sends him back to North Carolina. I am crazy about Joe; he's his own person, of course, but loosely inspired by some of the loveliest men I've ever met.

I understand Sourcebooks is cooking up a wonderful cover for "What She's Having" and I'm getting really excited about seeing it. Honestly, I'm more excited about that than I was the first time around. Usually book covers don't excite me. But when I saw what a talented real-life human artist (thank you, thank you, Andressa Meissner!) could do to bring Rose to life for the cover of "Curves for Days," I was blown away. Now the idea of a cover reveal is something I'm truly looking forward to (second only to my excitement about getting to see it myself!).

On the home front, I've just bought an exercise bike (see photo) and will be attempting to put that together today. These long icy Minnesota winters make me feel breakable, and I need a way to get some exercise. I've freed her from the box, but so far she just lies there. Looking at me. Wish me luck with both assembly and regular use of that beast, please. I suppose I should name her...

On the writing front, I turned in book 3 of the Galway series (Andi's story--you'll meet her in "What She's Having"). Andi is July's best friend and is a big, gorgeous, bombshell of a woman who generally--but not always--downplays her beauty. She runs the women's shelter July sends most of the restaurant leftovers to. It's a stressful job, and Andi's looking to blow off some steam the night she runs into Kevin, Galway High's new math teacher. Expect major chemistry!

ANNNNNND, in news-I'm-really-excited-about, just yesterday I started writing what I hope will be book 4 in the series. It's Sonya's story. Sonya is the very sweet, friendly waitress who is a secondary character in all the other books. More to come on that one.

I hope you are all well and that you are easing into fall gently, in all your favorite (cozy? spooky? adventurous?) ways, whatever that means for you! Take care, and thanks for reading.  <3

[image below shows a recumbent exercise bike, freshly out of cardboard shipping carton, lying on wooden floor]