Hello!

I’m hustling to get this newsletter out before what may or may not be the Ice Apocalypse hits my part of the world. We may or may not lose power, lose water…exciting times!

The AI horror story has gone back to the co-author, who’s going to look at it soon. Meanwhile, I wrote up another quick bonus story for my Doctor Rowena Halley Kickstarter.

(Check out this collection of Romantic Suspense Kickstarters, including mine!)

The bonus story will be posted in the Kickstarter prelaunch updates shortly. You can access it and all the other bonus stories by following the prelaunch.

This particular story is a little snippet from John, Rowena’s older brother. Writing John is always a blast–there’s something about him that just flows so beautifully from the keyboard. In this case, I was also inspired by listening to Hotels, Hospitals, and Jails by Anthony Swofford, author of Jarhead. Swofford talks about how, after being in combat, the only thing that didn’t get old fast was having affairs (he put it as “lying about sex”). 

That resonated with John’s character so, so clearly, so I tried to focus on that in this story–and how even lying about sex might be losing its thrill. But does John discover an even bigger thrill at the end?

I guess we’ll find out soon! In the meantime, here’s an opening snippet: 

***

“Are you even listening to me?”

She hasn’t had her roots touched up in months. She’s not even trying.

“Hey! Earth to…you. I thought you wanted to have a little fun. Are you listening to a word I’m saying?”

The bottle blonde on the bar stool next to John snapped her fingers in front of his face. He started, a little more twitchily than he would have liked, almost spilling his Guinness.

“Yeah.” He pulled his thoughts back from their morbid contemplation of his date’s undyed roots.  “Yeah, of course I’m listening, uh…sugar. And I’m having a great time.”

He flashed her his best smile. She gave him a doubtful look in return.

Damn! She’s not as dumb as she looks. This is looking like a long-ass date.

***

I am pleased to report that it is, in fact, a short-ass date, but full of drama and excitement. Follow the Kickstarter to find out how it ends! And, of course, do check out these upcoming romantic suspense campaigns, including mine, for more thrills and spills 🙂

If you’re in the path of Winter Storm Fern, or any other disaster, stay safe this weekend, and happy reading!

Sid Stark