Hi there! Just a quick update to say that Book Three is finally coming together, and I’m so happy with it! There are still a few chapters to finish up, and lots of editing to do, of course. But it finally feels like a Real Thing and not just this thing that stays locked inside my head.

So, to celebrate this happy feeling of Realness, I’ve decided that a few posts will be coming in the next few weeks (I use that term loosely, you know how I roll). You’ll see a Book Three Love List (which I did previously for Drawn In, and highly recommend doing for your own works-in-progress if you’re a writer!), and a cover release (which is gorgeous and I can’t wait to share with you!), and a few other fun tidbits.

First up, I decided to share a few lines from Book Three with you! No spoilers, no big plot points… just a tiny hint of what’s to come.

So last week, I put a post up on social asking for friends to submit three numbers. The first number between 1-24, second between 1-7, third between 1-150. (In hindsight, that last number should have been more like 1-70, but live and learn). I was only going to use a few responses, but these were fun so I’m using TWENTY responses. The first number is the chapter (I have 24 completed and in a state where this will work), second is page (these are Word doc pages, so I picked a number of pages most chapters have), and third is line number (150 was way too many… I don’t know what I was thinking. I had to fudge a few of the higher numbers so several leaked into the next page and whatnot, but it all worked out.)

There will be no context, just the line itself. If you have ideas of who is speaking or being spoken to, or what it might refer to, let me know. I’m curious if you have ideas! I’m putting the numbers chosen and first name of who submitted, in case you want to look up the one you sent in. So here we go! Sneak peek lines, chosen by YOU!

3, 7, 144 — Kiana C: “Just leveling the playing field a little.”

21, 2, 150 — Stephanie R: “And you,” I add, interrupting him.

7, 1, 120 — Heather K: I try to flip my long tresses over one shoulder, and they land on my damp skin with a thick, wet thwap.

14, 5, 132 — Stevenn T: “My point is, I have no Yoda.”

23, 1, 9 — Tayler T: “Excuse me,” I say, my nerves replaced with anger.

17, 3, 72 — Heather H: The branches are mostly bare where I’m sitting, so he finds me immediately.

15, 6, 31 — Jill T: “You’re certain you won’t wear the purple?”

8, 2, 149 — Jamar B: “Don’t be cute,” Donovan growls.

21, 6, 138 — Dana Y: I’m fairly certain I’m making a huge mistake.

22, 3, 15 — Ezra W: “I guess I don’t know what to think, except that we should get you out of this cold and into the cabin where it’s safe.”

7, 3, 74 — Steph H: “And where is dear old mumsy?”

14, 4, 44 — Brianne M: The smoke from the fire still permeates the air, giving it dimension and texture and a cough-inducing toxicity level.

5, 5, 55 — Shelby T: “Give her a second before you start rolling out the threats.”

5, 3, 48 — MIndy S: “I meant to tell him, but it’s been so long now, it feels weird.”

8, 4, 128 — Alisa G: I know I shouldn’t antagonize the big bully with the pistol, but I can’t seem to help myself.

23, 2, 147 — Susan M: The cadence of the steps is growing steadily louder, closer, faster.

7, 7, 7 — Karin P: “What kind of culture is left?”

14, 5, 113 — Dana C: One woman actually fainted.

24, 5, 75 — Victoria B: Too many secrets.

2, 1, 42 — Rod T: I reach for the handle, tears already forming in my eyes.

And that’s it! Thanks to all who submitted numbers. This was REALLY fun to get to go through and pick these out (with your help!) and see where they landed. And look, no spoilers! Whew!

There will be a few more fun posts in the coming weeks, including the big cover reveal, and another giveaway! (And a book two update next month! Any guesses what that might be??) But for now… back to writing!

XO – Sioux