What’s Next After Superheroes and Bakeries

Superheroes and Bakeries was released a week ago on December 19th, and it is off to a great start! I hope you’ve gotten your copy.

The book is urban fantasy with a touch of sweet romance and cozy feels. It is set in Victory Harbour, B.C. Canada. (NOTE: In Canada, we like the ‘ou’ instead of just an ‘o’ in some words.) Victory Harbour is not a real place, but is inspired by Victoria on Vancouver Island. I’ve had many opportunities to visit Victoria as I have family there, and the city is lovely.

So, to answer the burning question: will there be more? The best answer is, Yes! On the cover, it says, Book 1: Animal Magic Series. This is a big clue that more will be coming in the series. I mean, we have to find out what happens to Nico. Will his curse be lifted? And what about Snow? I’m a little curious about how she started the Supernatural Response Team. And will the Evil Queen create more havoc?

Will Keira and Chase’s story continue? Yes. I’ve set up this series as episodic. Some story ideas will have different main characters, but Keira and Chase will be a part of those stories. (Just between you and me, there may be a story or two more percolating for this couple.)

Honestly, having a very mild tie to beloved fairy tales presents endless ideas and spin-off opportunities. For now, my hope is for 2-3 more books in the coming year. The exact release dates are unknown at this time. The earliest may be August, but you can definitely expect something by the fall of 2026.

Are you working on other projects? Yes! I hope to finish the audiobook versions for The English Teacher’s Magic series. The first book, Realm of Magic and Terror, was released on December 4th and is doing great.

In the new year, Marcy and I are planning another children’s book (or two). Our first book, Luca Becomes a Therapy Dog, has been a huge hit locally. Luca is a real therapy dog who visits patients in hospitals and works with reading programs. He’s also been part of programs that help people who are displaced by fire or flooding. Marcy, Luca’s mom, and Luca are an amazing team. Our hope is to donate a portion of the proceeds from the sales to two different charities. One is our local humane society, where Luca helps with the reading program, and I foster. The second is the Volunteer Guild at the hospital where Luca regularly visits.

Phew, that feels like a lot, but it’s all a pleasure. And just thinking of it all brings joy! Wishing you warmth and peace this holiday season and all the best in 2026.

Book Review: A Dragon Rider’s Guide to Retirement by Julia Huni and Lia Huni

Before starting my murder mystery advent book (just finished it yesterday), I read A Dragon Rider’s Guide to Retirement. This book popped up in an advertisement on social media. It sounded interesting and it ended up on my TBR pile.

It’s an interesting story and certainly held my attention. The pacing is moderate, so it was a steady, gentle read. It has cozy vibes. The story is set in a small, idyllic town called Safe Haven. It is a neutral zone between two warring nations and is protected by powerful elf magic.

The story is told from two points of view. William Ordell is a retired dragon rider who has been rejected by the new king of his nation. He finds refuge in Safe Haven in a run down lighthouse, which he begins restoring. He discovers water dragons nesting near his home and, with a group of friends, sets out to tame them. He plans to form a fire brigade with the dragons.

Calantha Stormbringer is the second point-of-view character. She started her life in Safe Haven, but developed magic. She was sent away to train, but now her magic is fading, so she’s returned home to retire. She’s inherited a bookstore that’s been closed for a few years. She spends her time preparing it for reopening while helping her new friends.

These two characters fought in opposing nations, so they initially didn’t like each other. Some of the conflict between the two at the start of the book feels contrived. However, as the story develops and the two interact more, a sweet love story develops between them.

Overall, I liked the book and am satisfied with the ending. There is a second book in the series, which I’ll probably read in the new year. If you’re looking for a light reading, then check out A Dragon Rider’s Guide to Retirement on Amazon.

New Release: Superheroes and Bakeries

December 19th! When I chose that day as the release for Superheroes and Bakeries, it felt like such a long time. But now it is less than one week away. And I’m so excited for you to read it. It’s available on Amazon for pre-sale, so take a moment to check out the blurb.

Throughout this year, I’ve shared a few posts on the writing process. Some included the story world, the characters, and even a few sample chapters. Here are the links to the excerpts if you’d like to get caught up:

Superheroes and Bakeries is written like an episodic T.V. show. It is a completed story that is a part of a series. Each book in the series will continue the story lines, with some characters getting more than one book. I’ve compared the book to Supergirl and Once (Upon a Time). What does this look like? The book (and series) features female superheroes with regular day jobs and has very loose connections to beloved fairy tales.

This is an Urban Fantasy book with cozy fantasy vibes and a ‘found family’ trope. The romance is low spice/sweet (mild kissing) with a ‘stuck-together/bodyguard’ trope.

Thank you for taking the time to check out Superheroes and Bakeries.

Exploring Advent Calendar Books: A Unique Idea

I’m not sure why, but lately, advent calendars have been popping up wherever I look. Growing up, I remember the ones with chocolate. I think my brother and I had to share one. This meant he got the chocolate on the odd days, and I got it on the even days. I’ll be honest, sharing the chocolate kind of spoiled the fun. But there is something about receiving a surprise gift each day.

I was browsing on Amazon in November and discovered a vast variety of advent calendars! (Who knew??? Did you? My local Walmart still only sells the chocolate one. They have upped their game to include a variety of more specialty chocolates.) While visiting Amazon, I bought a few calendars as gifts for others. My aunt, who loves to puzzle, loved hers and couldn’t wait for December 1st.

In my search on Amazon, I came across advent calendar books. I did not know this was a thing, but of course it is. So I added a few to my Kindle and am presently working through one. It’s a murder mystery, which is not my go-to genre. The story structure is very Agatha Christie, so probably not the best one for me to try. The blurb sounded interesting. And a Christmas mystery sounded like a perfect way to try out the whole advent-book experience. I confess that, due to being busy, I’ve just started chapter two, so I’m behind. The story, however, is off to a great start and is not disappointing.

True advent books are meant to have ‘locked’ chapters that open each day. If it’s a physical book, I believe the chapters are wrapped, like an envelope, and open daily.

Anyway, I love the game idea attached to a book. What are your thoughts? Have you tried advent calendar books? Or a non-chocolate advent calendar? If you have, I loved to hear your thoughts and experience.

Why I Wrote Luca Becomes a Therapy Dog: A Journey with a Gentle Giant

If you’ve been following my socials or on Amazon, you’ll notice a new book release this Friday, November 28th. Luca Becomes a Therapy Dog is a children’s book and there’s no fantasy involved. Why the sudden shift?

At the hospital where I work, my department hosts three therapy dogs for visits with patients, staff, and visitors. Luca is one of those dogs. He’s a gentle giant and looks like a huge teddy bear. For a size reference, his chin can easily rest on the counter while he’s waiting for a bowl of water. He’s a Great Pyrenees X Standard Poodle.

Luca is super sweet, gentle, and very emo, which makes him perfect for the volunteer work he does. I find him inspiring and wanted to write a story about him. I asked his mom, Marcy, if she’d mind, which she didn’t. She then offered to do the pictures, and one thing led to the next, and now we have a book! It has been such a fun side project.

Am I leaving the world of fantasy? Not a chance. However, you might find a few more Luca books as well as other children’s books popping up in the future. So head on over to Amazon and check out Luca’s story!

Realm of Magic and Terror: Audiobook!

Well, I’ve thought about it. I’ve considered it, and now I’ve finally made the plunge. This past summer, I looked into Audible’s audiobook options. I partnered with a voice artist, and I’m excited to announce that Realm of Magic and Terror is an audiobook! At present, I am not aware of the release date as it is determined by Audible, but it’ll be soon. The review process takes about 10 days, and it started on November 18th. This means, the audiobook should be live by December 1st!!!

I am super excited about this release. When I contacted the voice artist, Stacy Dugan, I mentioned that there are 2 more books in the series. I hope to have her work on those as well. I’ve listened to her completed recordings in the first book, and she really brings the characters and the world alive.

So if you love audiobooks and urban fantasy with a bit of a rom com feel, then check out the completed series on Amazon in preparation: The English Teacher’s Magic

Book Review: Bookwyrm Acquisitions by Constance Lopez

You are probably familiar with how it goes. You’re scrolling through social media and reading posts. You’re chatting with a friend. You’re listening to book reviews. And someone mentions a great new release, so you head over to Amazon and check it out.

If you’re like me, you either read it on KU, buy it, or put it in your Wishlist as a TBR. I confess, I do find a lot of books this way. Sometimes I find a new favorite. And sometimes… you know how it goes. So my most recent find was Bookwyrm Acquisitions by Constance Lopez.

A few of my regular social media feeds had readers praising this book, so I decided to check it out. It’s a cozy urban fantasy with a spin on dragons. In this book, there are dragon clans with a whole monarchy system. The dragons have hoards, which can be any kind of collection. Dragons have a human form but must grow their hoard to increase their magic and power. More importantly, a good hoard gives them the ability to shift into a dragon form.

The main character in this book acquires rare magical books. Initially, she works in a bookshop. However, in order to get a unique book to really grow her hoard, she works for a rival dragon.

The overall pacing of the book is moderate. The author did a good job of establishing her world. The characters were likable and interesting. I did find myself curious about the backstories of a few characters. As the series develops, I hope the author reveals more.

My overall satisfaction with the book is a four out of five. There’s a major reveal at the end that was predictable. This left the reader with a few minor cliffhangers that weren’t resolved. That being said, the main plot ended nicely with a happy-for-now finish.

My enjoyment of the novel is high, and I plan to read the next book in the series. Generally, I’m pleased with the book. The author did an amazing job of developing a large cast of characters. She ensured the reader didn’t get lost in the number of various mythical individuals. Because of the moderate pacing, there was time for the relationships to develop. The main character’s growth was also clearly evident, with a natural progression.

Overall, if you are looking for a clean romance that’s light and has a cozy feel, I recommend this book. You’ll be happy savoring this work of fiction.

Mastering Time: Finding Balance in Life and Writing

Perhaps one of the biggest challenges in anyone’s life is time. It goes by quickly, and as adults, the demands on our time only continue to increase.

We have to balance home, family, work, interests, health, friends, and then all the pulls. By pulls, I mean all the things that come up. These are things we have a choice to say yes or no to. On the one hand, it’s fun and life-giving to do something new. It adds a bit of variety to our routine. However, attending a social gathering can leave us drained the next day for all the regular commitments and demands. I think the big tug-of-war for adults is learning to find a proper balance. I know this is something I have constantly struggled with, and still do.

As a writer, the lack of balance is strongly felt. Writing is a solitary task. To keep the inspiration and creativity flowing, writers need varying levels of quiet. Quiet will look different for each writer, but essentially, it is our time to recharge our creativity. As a strong introvert, I do have to be careful about how much time I spend around people. Too much, and I’ve got nothing. Too little, and I’ve got nothing. A better way to state that is being selective about who I spend my time with, and how that time is spent.

Now, I could write about things I do or things others do to find this balance. But a better way to for us to ask a question. What do I want my life to look like in 5 years? 10 years?

What do I want my life to look like in 5 years? 10 years?

What does that look like to you? And what do you need to do to get there? And here’s the hard part: Who or what do I need to add or subtract to get there?

Let me make this a little practical for you. I’ve been working on my writing for… as long as I can remember. I made the choice to pursue it as more than a hobby, probably from 2014 to 2020. During this time (and since), I’ve had to make changes to how I live my life.

First, job. For me, this meant pursuing a job that didn’t drain me. I love teaching, but spending all day with students and in that work environment left me with nothing for writing. Changing job has given me time and energy to write.

Second, family. I used to think I had to use all my free time for writing. As a result, I was sacrificing time with family. That was wrong! Core relationships are vital. They give us encouragement and strength like nothing else. Do I spend as much time with my family as I’d like to? No, but I do have dedicated time with my family, and I don’t sacrifice it. I will never regret the time spent with my family.

Third, friends. We need our support system. We also need to be selective with our support system. For me, the best indicator is how I feel walking away from time spent with someone. Am I drained? Or do I feel energized? If I feel drained, then I evaluate the friendship. Do I feel energized? Then that friendship added value. There have been some friendships I’ve had to walk away from because they were one-sided. I did have honest conversations with these friends, and I gave room for growth. As the friendship remained one-sided, I chose to spend less time with that individual. Maybe that sounds harsh, but it’s not. As adults, we are our biggest responsibility. If a friendship isn’t a support (doesn’t add value), then it isn’t a friendship.

Fourth, time. I had to take an honest look at how I was spending my free time. I had to dedicate time to writing, and that meant mornings. I’m already a morning person, so waking up early is not an issue for me. However, I did have to make adjustments to my routine. There are certain morning tasks that I had to move to the evenings, which unearthed some established habits. It is still really easy to slip into the established habit and forget the important tasks, but I’m getting better.

These are some pretty basic but important areas of adjustment I’ve had to make to honor my writing. Perhaps you’re pursuing writing as a side hustle or as a full-time gig. Maybe you have a different entrepreneurial direction. Whatever our five or ten year dream looks like, evaluate your time and commitments carefully. And don’t be afraid to make necessary changes.

Embracing the Joys of Publishing: An Author’s Perspective

What are the satisfying moments of publishing? A lot of people ask me if there is a sense of accomplishment in seeing my work in print. I suppose so. Though there are a lot of moments that give me and other authors that sense of ‘well-done’ or ‘good job’.

For me, these feelings come when a new story idea sparks to life or when I’ve written a chapter. I feel it when the first draft is completed. Or even when I’ve finished all the edits. I love seeing people reading my book through Kindle Unlimited or after purchasing it and leaving a positive review. It isn’t about the money or the review. The money is invested in future books or paying bills. But when someone has read my book and they loved it, that is a feeling that evokes gratefulness.

An author spends a lot of time and effort in creating their work. It is silent hours early in the morning or late at night, around family and work schedules. This is certainly true for those of us who don’t yet make a livable income from our books. It is dedication to writing when no one is cheering you on. It is choosing to discipline one’s mind and actions to make space for writing. It is defining a lifestyle and creating room for one’s craft. A finished manuscript is hours, weeks, months, and years. The manuscript and the author face rewrites and edits, where lines are critiqued and scenes receive depth.

The author sends their work out into the world. The symbol of sacrificed hours and dedication. The writer’s hope is that people will find their work and love it, to connect with their main character’s journey, and leave the fictional world better.

A finished book is consumed by a reader in a matter of hours. The reader is lost in a world with very little awareness of the effort that went into their enjoyment. And I get it. I love to read. I often get lost in a good story and mourn when the story finishes.

When a reader leaves a positive review telling the world how much they connected with the characters or story, it is a moment that might bring a tear to the author’s eye. An author feels that sense of gratitude because the reader, on some level, connected with their fictional world. So if you’re a reader and enjoyed a good book, know that you just made that author’s day.

1 Novel 30 Days!

If you’ve been a part of the writing world, you’ve probably heard of NaNoWriMo. It’s been around since July 1999. Unfortunately, earlier this year, the organization shut down.

So now there are a few new pop-ups in the writing world. Pro Writing Aid is hosting a Novel November and Reedsy is calling theirs a Writing Sprint! Both are free to join, and will provide support throughout the month. The supports are things like writing sprints and mentors or podcasts. Reedsy is also offering a few nice prizes attached to theirs.

The goal for each competition is to write a 50, 000 word novel in a month. Essentially, that is 1666 words per day if you write each day. Both Reedsy and Pro Writing Aid offer space on their platforms to upload or write your work. This is no different than the former NaNoWriMo.

So about those prizes. With Reedsy, they are offering $5000 for the first prize and a 30 minute consultation with a literary agent. The second prize is $2500 and a 30 minute consultation with a literary agent. The third prize is $1000 and a thirty minute consultation with a literary agent. And for every participant, you get a three month subscription to Reedsy Studio add-ons. (This might be an indirect way for them to promote their product. But why not? Reedsy offers great services, so it’s a great opportunity to make more people aware of the things they provide.)

For me, I already actively use Reedsy and regularly suggest them, so I’ll be joining their competition. Am I doing it for the prize? Not really. There is something kind of fun about pushing myself to write a novel in a month. With one of my previous novels, I did this to write the first draft. I’ve also participated in the 3 day novel writing competition. This one takes place over Labour Day weekend every year.

I think there are many reasons to participate, though. Some people love competition. This isn’t me. Some people are in slumps and need something new in their life to get the creative juices flowing. Also not me. Some people like challenges. Sort of me. Some people do it to get something written. This is me. Some people do it for fun. This is also me.

I already have a novel in mind to write during November. I’ve been working on this one for a while now, and I’m looking forward to writing it. November, the novel writing month, seems like a good time to tackle writing it. So as we head into November, I’ll be keeping you posted about my progress.