Reader’s Lounge
Come to the Oaks
Kindle Fire
Wow, I need to first thank all the new members that have signed up for the Newsletter over the summer! It is really exciting that so many people have joined my Reader’s Lounge!
I don’t know about where you live, but I think summer is just about done here in the Central Valley of California. I hope everyone had an adventurous summer and if not, then at least a summer that included some rest and relaxation. I myself was busy writing the first draft of my next book, Diego’s Secret. For now, I am shooting for a May 2018 release but I’ll let you know as we get closer to the finish line.
The story is very much a reflection of today’s times: the story of Diego Castillo, who came to the U.S. illegally from Mexico as a teenager. Now, today, he is working long hours in his landscape business, and shares a tiny apartment in East Los Angeles with his two machismo brothers. He believes love isn’t in the cards for someone like himself – that is until he encounters Winston Makena. Winston, born with a silver spoon in his mouth, lives a life in stark contrast to Diego. Their lives intersect and in doing so, each one of them battles with their pre-conceived ideas about the other. Is there really a chance for love?
As I write this blog for September, I am waiting on my editor to return the Diego’s Secret manuscript to me. I should be receiving it any day now. I will never get used to the feeling of waiting and the anticipation of seeing the results of my editor’s initial read through. It is always interesting to see what scenes are cut, what scenes require more detail, and of course, the editor’s over all take on the book. The red ink throughout the pages doesn’t really bother me. I once had a supervisor who loved to use her red pen, so I’m used to it. It is all part of the creative process!
Current Release
The release of Come to the Oaks in May 2017, has been my strongest release yet. The book has been well received and continues to do well in the Historical Romance genre. I’ve had lots of great discussions with readers about the book and their thoughts on it. I had one reader tell me that since he grew up in the south, he felt that it was an important book historically and socially, and that he really appreciated the story. It really warms my heart to know that I was able to reach someone on that level of emotion with my writing.
Something to look forward to
We have so many exciting things to bring you in the months ahead. Just for being a member of the Reader’s Lounge, this fall, you’ll receive the first chapter of Diego’s Secret absolutely free. There is nothing like receiving a preview of the book before it’s even released. Then in December, I will be giving away a free Kindle Fire for Christmas to one lucky member. In addition, look for your free copy of my new novella, Escape from Camp Roosevelt sometime this winter. There are so many things coming your way as my special way of saying “Thank You”, and that I value you as a reader, and now a friend.
Thank you for reading this month’s newsletter. In addition, don’t forget, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Leave a comment, say hello, engage me, ask me questions, and share with me a little about you. After all, we’re friends.
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