Darlings, this year has been a rollercoaster ride! Thank you for being so amazing and supportive. Having wonderful readers like you makes my journey so much more rewarding. I appreciate all your kind posts, touching reviews, and encouraging comments.

2023 was an emotionally charged year for us as a family. We dealt with grief and disappointment amid upheaval, but we persevered knowing there would be something better waiting for us at the end of the transition and turmoil. And, darlings, we were rewarded for our faith and patience.

Even in a year of transition, I somehow maintained my muse and stuck to the writing and publishing goals I set back in January! Over the course of 2023, I wrote five novels and published five novels. I had hoped to write six, but I gave myself some grace after I lost my grandfather in September and started a new job.

I finished and released the remaining books in the Craving 1985 Series, which was a tremendous accomplishment. I adore this series and it will always have a place in my heart and may revisit some characters later in some short stories. You know I love them too much to let them go completely.

My alter ego, Jen Bradlee, contributed to the chaos by throwing in a steamy medieval romance, Her Wicked Knight. The prequel to the Prince of Whispers Trilogy can be read as a stand-alone, but it gives context to Ruby’s personality, considering Guy and Marian adopted her as their own. I had far too much fun writing it as Guy of Gisborne and Maid Marian from the BBC’s Robin Hood, starring Richard Armitage, inspired it.

Wrapping up the releases, The Huntsman’s Revenge takes its place among my other stories. This second-chance villain redemption tale expands the Huntsmen Series. I never intended to write a second book, but Rowan and Emery deserved their story. And of course, it spawned ideas for more books thanks to the colorful cast of secondary characters…like Garoth and Cardel.

But what truly thrills me about my accomplishments this year is the fact that both my releases for 2024 are already written and ready for polish!

Queen Takes Hook is already with my editor, and ya’ll are not ready for this wickedly charming, adventurous spin on Captain Hook. Thanks to the inspiration of Killian Jones from OUAT. Oh, and there are plans in motion to give Mr. Smee his own story. I’ve obtained cover art for his book, and trust me, you’re going to love this series I’ve now dubbed Pirates and Persuasion.

The oddball in my collection will be released in October 2024, just in time for Halloween. Death and Desire began its concept as a piece of cover art designed by an extremely talented artist, PhantomDame, who specializes in monster romance cover art and other unique designs. I am not a monster romance author, and I don’t claim to be.

However, I am obsessed with the 1999 classic film The Mummy and have always wanted to write something inspired by that glorious adventure romance. It’s my favorite film, and this art gave me the perfect excuse to make something unique and exciting. So I let actor Oded Fehr inspire Anubis while giving him some of Rick and Evelyn’s dynamics from the film. I can’t tell you how excited I am to reveal more about this story! You’re going to love it.

Not only that, I’m working on a special hardcover limited edition of Death and Desire. There will probably be a Kickstarter for it early next year, so watch for that.

That’s it for 2023! I don’t know about you but I’m ready to wrap this year up with a bow and toss it in the trash. Let’s dive into 2024 with some new goals and fresh projects.

I’ll have my New Year’s Post ready to rock on January 10th with some fun new plans! Don’t forget to pop in and check that out.

Until then, grab a copy of The Huntsman’s Revenge while it’s on sale this week, and enjoy ringing in the new year with a panther shifter and his evil queen!

Sending you all the love and best wishes for a happy new year. xoxo

Kirsten