Proud Mary is unique in my series in that it overlaps in timeline with Sweet Caroline (well, it has a more substantial overlap than the tiny one between Hey Jude/Jesse's Girl, anyway). In fact, it picks up in the middle of Miles' struggle with depression (and being apart from Caroline! π), so we get to see how that went from Gus' perspective. And the best part? We get to see Miles go from sad boi to happy, big-sexy-puppy mode all over again π₯²!!
I have so loved writing these messy, lovable characters. That's been true for the series as a whole (Is it my brand? It might be my brand), but there was something extra delicious about writing a couple who piss each other off. The banter is DELICIOUS, my friends. Delightfully bitchy.
And if "delightfully bitchy" (also possibly my brand???) isn't enough to convince you, check out what my beta readers have been saying:
At this point, I'm falling in love with Mary faster than with Gus π
Kicking, screaming, laughing! [...] The tension is making me swoon and scream 'kiss already!'
think Gus mightβve beat Jude in setting the bar on the freaking moon!
God, I am HERE for Mary's snark
The emotional push and pull, the tension, the yearning, the PRIDE!!! It's a modern-day Darcy and Elizabeth with fucking pie and whipped cream!
I am just pleased as punch that we're getting so much Miles here π€£
Where does one buy a GusGus? I'll pay extra for the Lumpy too! This is just the sweetest thing ever!
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE SPICY SCENES, HANNAH!?
Oh. Let me tell you. The beta readers have had some feelings about those. Awakenings, maybe? π
THIS CHAPTER MADE ME MALFUNCTION. I will hereafter be useless the rest of the day.
Holy fucking shit, Hannah. Just incinerate us with that one why don't you. This is the FIRST spicy scene?! ππ»ππ»ππ»π« ππ₯΅
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my brain has broken.
Did I just find a new kink?
[Rachel Greene from Friends hyperventilating - GIF image]
So, for real, y'all. You're gonna want this ARC. The lucky e-ARC recipients will get their copies in late October, which is perfect (at least here in North America) for that chilly, cozy time of year in the lead-up to the holidays!
And if you can't commit to an ARC or just want the book on pub day, WHO AM I TO STOP YOU? Get that book pre-ordered and it's very much a "set it and forget it" situation. A fun surprise on your Kindle when it comes out Nov 10th! π
Note: I'll be revealing the ARC sign-up for the general public on Wednesday Aug 19th on my Instagram so please don't share the link/graphic before I've posted it then!
There's also The Storygraph, and Fable where you can find the book as well! I've just added it to BookBub, but I'm in Canada and BookBub doesn't really work here so I have no idea if anything shows up properly for my American friends... π So *waves arms* good luck!?
A man whose scars run as deep as the ocean. A ray of sunshine who unexpectedly captures his heart. One decision that could capsize their love.
1982, Oakland, California. Mick Callahan is desperate to escape his stagnant existence. Scarred by his tumultuous childhood, the jaded car mechanic walls himself off from love and settles for the occasional hookup. But heβs completely thrown off his axis when he meets the gorgeous new girl working next door.
Despite his skepticism, he falls hard for the golden-eyed angel who radiates light into his darkness. Yet just as he dares hope they could be more, an emergency forces a splitβand his best friend swoops in and steals her affection. Navigating those murky waters unleashes an emotional hurricane, tumbling Mick into the eye of the storm.
When their profound love is threatened, is Mick too broken to fight for what he truly desires?
Recalling the days of muscle car culture and low-tech times, K.C. Lake delivers an intimate story of potent first love and the choices that break us. When There Was Her is the third propulsive book in the California Dreaming contemporary romance series and told in Mickβs solo POV. If you like fast friends to lovers, emotional love triangles, and found family vibes, this steamy, angsty love story delivers all the feels.
[cover of Forget the Feckin' Wellies by Genesis Bird]
Blurb:
Jess OβMaly is stuck. Widowed and not even forty, sheβs spent years afraid to liveβ her subscription to Cat Ladies Anonymous on auto renewal. That is, until two invitations to Ireland show up in her inbox. A sign? Could a return to the Irish coast be the ticket to re-claiming her fire? Wobbly but determined, she takes a bold step towards her future.
Across the ocean, Liam Walsh has been reclaiming, too. Despite his toxic family, heβs taken a chance on change. Messy divorce? Check. New job? Check. That familysitch? Whew. Express pass to therapy. In his small-talk-avoidance era, his high school reunion is the last place he wants to go. Yet, after a chance run-in with Jess, keeper of his teenage heart, he finds himself there anywayβdelivering a two-decade-too-late apology. β A world apart, Jess and Liam have had heartache in common. With their lives already upended and only a few fecks left to give, theyβre faced with a leap of faith. Could this be the second chance at life and love they both deserve?
Proud Mary COVER REVEAL! π My lovely newsies! This is my second-favorite newsletter to send (next to the one I'll send on pub day before immediately happy-dancing into the sunset), because it's the MOTHERFUCKING COVER REVEAL, Y'ALL! Footage of me right now: [little girl excited with cotton candy GIF] Cover reveal day gets me SO PUMPED. It makes the book feel real, it makes readers scream at me (lovingly), and it's just plain EASY ON THE EYES. After using a temporary cover (a few versions) for...
IT'S BLURB/TROPES DAY! [Proud Mary Blurb & Trope Reveal graphic] Hellooooo lovelies!!! It's the long-awaited moment where I can finally share the details of what Proud Mary IS ABOUT, and Y'ALL! I'm pumped! I'm so bad at secrets, but this whole marketing requires a sense of mystique sometimes... (Don't they know I'm not built for mystique!?) I've spent the last few days getting the book into shape for beta readers, and I finally got them the full draft YESTERDAY! It's a very behind-the-scenes...
On taking a fucking shower & 30k Quinn listens! π₯³ Hellooo lovely humans, What's it like writing sexy romance novels? MUST BE SEXY, you say. WELL, DEAR READER, YOU ARE WRONG. Look, I'm not proud of this. I can clean up alright. I can be all fancy and put together, but is that my norm? Hellllll no. I have described myself at various points during the writing process as a disgusting troll, a gross gremlin, a lumpy potato, and a greasy goblin. Basically, I am bringing it. [Dylan Moran in Black...