Between Books: Recovering, Reflecting, and Ready for Trouble

My goodies. I'm ridiculous excited for my new sneakers!

I finished The Naughty List Agreement on Saturday, and I’m still caught up in the characters and the story world. It’s always a bit of a letdown to be finished with a book. After days of being in my head, I found myself talking way too much to my husband—I needed to hear actual spoken words again.

Something I’ve learned after almost…wait for it…30 years as a published author—gasps allowed!—is that I need about two weeks to recover from one book before I start the next. That doesn’t mean I’m not thinking about the next story. Those characters are already banging around in my mind, ready to stir up trouble.

Still, it’s hard for me to just do nothing.

So far, I’ve played all the free games on the New York Times Games website, ordered a new pair of Hoka Cliftons (truly the most comfortable shoes ever—do yourself a favor and get some!), caught up on Hello Kitty Island Adventure, and leaned fully into recovery mode.

I’ve also binged all the episodes of Bridgerton and watched The Wrecking Crew and Wonder Man. Highly recommend all three.

And now, as the dust settles on The Naughty List Agreement, I’m starting to feel that familiar tug toward the next story—this time in a very different direction. I’m shifting gears into romantic suspense, which means higher stakes, darker twists, and a whole new set of characters who already have plenty to say.

Right now, I’m listening, taking notes, and letting them find their voices. Before long, they’ll be demanding my full attention.

Have you read much romantic suspense lately? Do you enjoy a little danger mixed in with your happily-ever-after? I’d love to know—because the next adventure is just getting started.