I know it’s been a while…

It’s been a very stressful five months since I was in the ER. (It’ll be six months in a week or so). I am physically recovered, for the most part. I did have some nerve damage that took over four months to heal. It did leave a few lasting issues that may or may not clear up over time. I simply cannot sit and stare at a computer screen for more than two hours at a time. And no more than three hours per day. That is very limiting, when I am trying to write (or do anything, grrr!). I also have a bit more trouble concentrating than before (which was already a major problem since…ADHD), and I do get very tired.

But I am getting better! I am worlds beyond where I was in March. Then, I couldn’t concentrate for even half an hour to work.

I have some strategies in place for the limits on the writing–namely, using dictation when I can and using a word processor from the 1990s that has a 2-inch screen. That’s my preferred method, at this point. I also rest when I need to. Everything was just caused by some sort of random bacterial infection that affected a nerve in my neck/ear area–it just came out of nowhere, I didn’t feel ill, and had no previous symptoms. It just happened. I still get blurry vision from it (which…surprise! I’ve had blurry vision for years!). And the extra problems with attention and focus–well, I’ve always had ADHD, so I do have strategies to deal with that if needed.

I may make a full recovery eventually. Or this may be as good as it gets. At this point, I’m just glad to be getting a new routine going and feeling productive again (and have been cleared to practice softball with the kid. that was a big thing for us!). The inability to predict how long something will take me to write now is driving me crazy! Everything seems to take twice as long as I originally planned. But I’m getting back on track now.

Of course…some of my problem getting things done has…four paws. And big brown eyes. He demands tons of attention–and thinks his name is Nono/stopthat/badboi/donoteatthecat. He likes to eat a snack in the afternoon, though, and tucks himself into his bed for a two hour afternoon nap. That is my most productive time of the day. He’s six months old now, bigger than Jasper the Beagle, and almost as big as Freyja the Border Collie. He’s a complete ball of menace at all times. He’s the fifth border collie I’ve had in 25 years, and they are all so different from each other (although this little monster acts the most like Libby, the BC I lost last year at the age of 18). He’s adorable. But a lot of work!

BOOK NEWS:

On to the important stuff. Book stuff! Grady’s book, #7 of the Hillers series, is out now! A little later than I anticipated, but only by a few weeks. So…I am thrilled with that. Greer’s book is the final book in the Hillers series. They were a lot of fun to write! I’m hoping to have Greer’s book out in September. And Madison/Dom from the Finley Creek series sometime this year. I know Mads/Dom are a lot later than I planned, but…Finleys are incredibly complex books for me to write, and I am behind on it. Because I want to get it right. I may have a few other things coming out by the end of the year, as well. I will keep you all posted, when I know more.

And…I am in the process of the final rewrite on one of the PNRs. Jason and Anna’s story has changed a great deal; it just never really felt right to me. It’s the same general storyline, but there have been significant revisions. I will be putting it up on my website, for previous readers (and those who just want a free PNR read!) to download for one week. After that, it’ll go up on the retailers as an all new listing. I’ll share more details when it’s ready. After that, as soon as I can get the new covers finished, expect the rest of the PNR to be re-released sometime very soon!

UPDATES:

I have been having some trouble with my email newsletter service. For one thing, they keep raising the prices, until it is now over $600 a year to send emails. Since I rarely send emails in general–less than 2-3 per year, only with important news, etc.–I am switching to a different provider. Years ago I purchased a lifetime access to a different, no-frills, email service provider. So it is already paid for, forever. I will try to send out an updated email from that provider sometime really soon. If you receive an email from me and you don’t want to remain on the new list, please feel free to unsubscribe, as I do not want to spam anyone. If you want to sign up, I will have a link on the website very soon. I am also going to be making some significant changes to the website (migrating from my current host service to another, and merging the PNR with the RS to make things easier to manage) when I have a break of time to work on it.

But…the real reason everyone is here:

Hillers # 7. I had a lot of fun writing this one. It had a little bit of enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, and best friends older brother mixed together. The Hillers have always just been a part of Hala’s life. And Grumpy Grady…was the most exasperating man on the planet–to Hala. But when they realized they had feelings for each other, it opened up so many possibilities. Because Hala did trust him, and always had. That really mattered to her, too.

HALA HANAN WAS BACK. AND THAT MEANT TROUBLE—ESPECIALLY FOR GRADY HILLER.

He’d had his fill of watching over his baby sister’s closest friend years ago. He’d enjoyed the peace when she left for college. But Hala was back now, filling in for the retired kindergarten teacher at Value Elementary.

Hala was back. And Grady almost swore she’d brought the sun with her. But he wasn’t going to tell her how she made him feel. She deserved a better man than Grady Hiller would ever be.

HILLER BROTHERS WERE THE HOTTEST MEN IN THE COUNTY.

Hala had noticed that long ago. Grumpy Grady was the most beautiful of the bunch. Too bad he had the soul of a rotten troll—especially where she was concerned. They had been squabbling since childhood. She didn’t see that changing anytime soon.

Except now he was telling her she was beautiful. That he’d missed her laughter. That she didn’t have to be afraid with him. Promising he’d never hurt her, while he held her close.

And now he was kissing her beneath the stars…

Her best friend’s brother had just changed everything between them. And Hala liked it. But then he claimed he wasn’t good enough for a woman like her. What was up with that? He was one of the best men she knew…

Now Hala had to show him the truth. He didn’t have to be afraid to be the man he was. He was perfect exactly as he was. Perfect for her. And Hala wanted her Hiller man forever.

But no one is ever truly safe. And that is a lesson this kindergarten teacher is about to learn the hard way…

It’s now available at

Amazon. Amazon UK. Kobo. Apple. Nook. Google Play. Smashwords. (I will update with links to Apple/Nook when they go live!).