An 1801 portrait by Rembrandt Peale

It’s truly Christmas in July for me as I’m close to turning in my first holiday novella to my publisher, Revell. I have a love for this story like no other {though I think I say that about every novel when I’m in the thick of it}. But I do adore this joyful, poignant, festive tale & the history behind it as well as the historical setting. The painting above is a large reason why. He’s not the hero in this story though he grows up to be one in real life. I won’t spoil it by sharing too many details ahead of time but suffice it to say, I cannot wait to put this book in your hands September 2027. Below is an image I created while writing the first draft of the 200+ page novella…

Only 13 months & 10 days till release!

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It’s a joy to hear from readers about my novels. This landed in my inbox recently & made me look at writing differently. A kindred spirit here. So thankful she found my books in the sea of them out there. Thank you, thank you.

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Here is the fresh face of my January 2027 novel from Revell! Our heroine’s expression, the wallpaper, the pink blooms & Christopher Wren-type waterfront at the bottom = happiness to this author!

Hope you delight in this story as much as I did writing it!

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Publishing milestones are fun things!

I’m so happy to share that Revell kept my working title for this next release once again. Titling a book can be tricky & many of my novels have simple names starting with my debut, The Frontiersman’s Daughter.

This portrait-like image above hints of the setting & shows the two character templates I had in mind while writing it. The letters of their first names are entwined in the wax seal at bottom right. But no spoilers for you!

Please watch for a cover reveal this summer, likely June, and details as to what this story of my heart is about…

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Creativity is such a fascinating thing. One idea or research trail leads to another. Often novels birth more novels. As I wrote The Belle of Chatham, our hero’s sister, Bronwyn Harlow, materialized in my mind. Often these characters are unbidden & unplanned. They just appear in a scene & start talking or doing, especially if you’re not a novel planner but more of a wing-it-and-watch-what-happens like me. I found Bronwyn Harlow to be the most deserving of characters in the novel. She’d also suffered a grievous loss in the Battle of Great Bridge, December 1775, before the American Revolution officially began.

I’d written about that particular Virginia battle in The Lacemaker. I revisited it & remembered no Patriots died in that conflict. Only one was injured in the hand. The British had a death toll of one hundred or more in what was touted as a victory for the Americans, ridding Virginia of their last royal governor, Lord Dunmore, forever. So, Bronwyn’s loss may have not been as she’d been told yet she continued to mourn, thinking him gone, but there had been no body, no burial. This isn’t or wasn’t uncommon at that time. Truth really is stranger than fiction. I asked readers on my social media what they envision for Bronwyn. So many inspiring possibilities!

So, look for Bronwyn’s story down the road. It’s a bumpy one but has a hope-filled, happy ending!

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Another novel is on shelves!

This year is such a historic milestone. 1776-2026.

I’m so grateful to be American born that I wrote a book about it!

A tale of courtship & marriage, duty versus desire, faith & forgiveness.

In the spirit of 1776, happy reading!

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Thank you to PW for your review of

The Belle of Chatham! 

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I’m reading through the pages for Belle as I call this novel set in 1777. Dear to my heart, here’s the gist of it:

A tale of courtship & marriage, duty versus desire, faith & forgiveness.

We’re up to novel 17 now aside from my 2 novellas. It’s truly amazing that each book is a small universe or world of its own. I can’t count all the different worlds I’ve inhabited since childhood as a reader. And then quite a few as an author. So grateful! Reading is the gift that keeps on giving yet in the 18th-century, books were very expensive & literacy uncommon. Most were just trying to survive, our ancestors among them. They wouldn’t believe how much has changed should they be allowed a look at our 21st-century lives!

What do I love best about The Belle of Chatham? My heroine’s name, for one. My hero’s abilities & heritage. The theme of patriotism. A quaint New England village & then endless New York frontier & last but not least Virginia…

One of my editors said it was an impactful read for her, that she was moved when I went a different direction than she expected. Here’s hoping you feel the same. January 2026 is just round the bend!

BAKER BOOK HOUSE PREORDERSALE

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If I ever wanted to be a heroine in a book this would be the one. The romantic 18th-century cover echoes the story beautifully right down to her silk gown. Though Bleu Galant’s happily ever after is 220+ pages, I found myself wanting to make it a full length novel. It’s one of my favorites of the 18 I’ve written. The epilogue after his grand gesture is one I return to again & again. Here’s hoping he wins your heart & not just our heroine’s.

Happy reading!

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Releases January 2026 from Revell Books

*Preorder from your favorite bookseller

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