I’m honored to learn that The Belle of Chatham has been chosen for the KSDAR or Kentucky Society Daughters of the American Revolution’s reading list for my beautiful home state.

Thank you, thank you!

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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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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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Expecting galleys for the Revolutionary War novel out 1/26

Just saw Revell’s cover comps for that novel & ohmyword

Working on a novel set in London now, half finished first draft

Working on my summer newsletter. Expect 2 giveaways & much more…!

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We’re now well into 2025 & this is my busiest – & hopefully best – writing year yet. Not much time for relaxing though I’m dreaming of a bookish picnic reminiscent of my childhood Kentucky days. My current chilly, damp Pacific Northwest life keeps me near the fireplace till June. Such is the fate of a sun-loving, southern expat!

Since I’m often asked during podcasts & at book events what I’m working on next, here’s a brief update…

Novel 18 has a name! But you’ll have to wait till this summer’s cover reveal to discover it:) Revell kept my working title which I love & I’m in an entirely new setting. Releasing January 2026 to coincide with our nation’s 250th anniversary of independence.

Novella 2 appears in July of this year – Bleu Galant’s happy ending from The Seamstress of Acadie. Watch for a cover reveal soon. Newsletter subscribers see it first!

I’m currently switching gears & writing a novel set in 1798 Georgian London, the very end of my beloved 18th-century, but what I’m discovering through research is fascinating. I’d originally based the story on pirates & smugglers along the Thames but am now going another direction with all those who shaped history for the better during that time period. Quite a bit of mystery & suspense in this one. I hope you find it fascinating, too!

My publisher, Revell, has asked me to write a Christmas novella which will release in September 2027. I’ll follow that up with a full-length novel in February 2028. Thank you all for making that possible!

So, for future reading think the American Revolution, late Georgian-era London, a colonial American Christmas, & the founding of Savannah, Georgia, etc. 

HAPPY READING!

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Cover art is my favorite part of publishing so it’s fun to share a peek behind the scenes of covers that didn’t make the final cut. Revell has a top-tier art team and designers dedicated to bringing readers the very best wrapping for books. It’s quite a process that actually begins a year or more before the book releases.

I’m always delighted when I’m given cover options or mockups like the 2 you see here. While there are design elements in both these mockups that I love, other elements aren’t true to the story. The win in #1 is the indigo plant which dovetails with the title. But the scenery is Scottish Highlands and The Indigo Heiress is a Lowland tale. Also, the heroine’s gown needs to be more elaborate as she’s an heiress, after all, not a middling colonial woman. Love the detail of the ring on her finger and the box with author name.

Cover #2 gives me all the feels here with that beautiful window and our heroine looking out. Our heroine spends a lot of time looking out windows in the novel:) I love the way the indigo is framing the title, too. Such a lovely embellishment. Her gown is blue but still not quite right. 18th-century dress details are a challenge. There are many more dress options for 19th-20th-centuries. Here the box moves from the author name to the title.

After considering both these designs with my agent, I gave feedback as to what works & what could be truer to the story. Then came the delight of 2 more options.

The choice now became much harder! I loved both & so the clock was ticking toward a decision. You can see which I chose though I hated to say farewell to the other! I then received the final cover which I find a stunning design. The remaining tweaks were minor & it was time to be shared. I’m thrilled & thankful it echoes the novel so well!

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