I also want to welcome my new subscribers. A lot of you found me when you snagged your copy of Merry Meet Cutes Holiday Anthology. This will be your first regularly scheduled monthly newsletter from me. I'm excited you're here. I hope you enjoy. It'll probably be weird, but also fun. We run on vibes, sarcasm, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine references around here. 😉

 

Anywho, here's what you can expect in the first newsletter of 2026 (!!!)…

January 7th Book Event

I am so excited to celebrate Lauren's new release at our local indie bookstore. If you're in the area, we'll be hanging out on Wednesday, January 7th at 6pm at Malaprops. I had a great time reading Love in Plane Sight. George and Beth (and Grumps the dog) stole my heart, and I can't wait to chat about the story and ask Lauren all my burning questions!!! I would absolutely LOVE to see you there. 

Top Reads of 2025

I read some truly fantastic books this year. I thought I'd share my list of top reads. 

Top Audiobook: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Top Binge Read Obsession: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

Biggest Surprise: Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

Couldn't Stop Thinking About It: Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

Most Unputdownable: The Second Death of Locke by V.L. Bovalino

Best Banter: The Blonde Who Came in from the Cold by Ally Carter

Favorite Hero: (Koen) Mate by Ali Hazelwood

Favorite Heroine: (Sage) Savor It by Tarah DeWitt

Favorite New Author: T. Kingfisher (Swordheart)

Most Read Author: January Bell (Accidental Alien Brides series)

Honorable Mention: Cat Sebastian

Bookish Advent Calendar

Book Rec of the Month

Personal / Writing Life

Monthly Recipe

I love to cook and bake, so I thought it might be fun to include a favorite recipe in my newsletters.

*not responsible if it turns out bad*

 

I went rogue and tried out a new recipe for Christmas at my Nana's. Thankfully, it turned out delicious. I used this recipe, but tweaked a few things. I baked the cake as instructed, and did the poke part with the hot fudge sauce. But I skipped the pudding layer entirely. And for the frosting, I just used two containers of thawed Cool Whip and mixed in one package of Swiss Miss hot chocolate powder (no marshmallows). The cake is so fudgy and sweet that I felt like it needed a lighter “frosting” layer. I topped the whole thing with mini-marshmallows and grated a tiny bit of a semi-sweet chocolate bar with a vegetable peeler (works like a charm). The whole thing was rich and delicious. And my picky uncle liked it, so I'd call that a winner. 

If you're into that sort of thing. No pressure, though. I'm over there all the time with quotes set to imagery and music.