Authenticity and honesty are at the heart of building meaningful, lasting connections. So, in the spirit of transparency, I want to share with you that I write under a pen name. Don’t worry—I’m not in witness protection, and yes, my family is fully aware that I write romance novels. Using a pen name allows me the freedom and creativity to craft the stories I love.
I’m married to my college sweetheart, and together, we have two wonderful daughters. We call North Carolina home, where we enjoy firepits with friends, relaxing by the pool, quality family time, and cuddles with our Goldendoodle. We enjoy long weekend getaways and cruising, and I travel frequently for my day job. I love sharing those adventures with my readers—so be sure to follow me on all my social media platforms to keep up with the journey.
My daughters have encouraged me to read books by Megan Quinn and Tessa Bailey for years. During a recent cruise, I decided it was the perfect time to dive into something new. I finally gave in and picked up A Not So Meet Cute by Megan Quinn. It was a great story that hooked me on a new genre. Thank you, Ms. Quinn, for adding some extra spice to our vacation.
That’s when I decided to write a book. I was at a point in my life where I was looking for a new hobby. My day job was fantastic, the girls were out of the house, empty nest was alive and well, and I was trying to figure out what comes next.
The storyline for Cruise Crush began to take shape while we were still on the ship. Many of the places, adventures, and meals featured in the book are inspired by the incredible experiences we had during our journey.
In the months following, I wrote on planes, in hotels, and at airport lounges around the world. I wrote at my pool and in bed with my favorite editor beside me. Again, writing was just a hobby, and we were enjoying the process. Truth be told, it became a hobby for both of us and a fun way to test out the spicy scenes.
Several friends read the book and encouraged me to publish it because that’s what friends do. It didn’t take long to determine that I had no business trying to navigate the literary waters by myself. Enter Mikael and Warrington Publishing. This is not only a literary partnership; I’m confident it will be a lifelong friendship, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Let me say this. No matter where you are in your season of life, find people who support you. People who are standing along your path with handmade signs, cheering and supporting your crazy. People who show up. I would also say that it’s equally important to make sure you have handmade signs ready for them.
I just got the news this morning that Cruise Crush will be available for pre-order in 10 days! Wow, and holy shit! I’ve started making posts on social media, and I’m beginning to write Cruise Fling, the second book in the Pinnacle Series, between flights and during late nights in hotel rooms. My new hobby is quickly evolving into something much more than I ever imagined.
Regardless of what happens, I’m thoroughly enjoying the process. I’m also incredibly humbled and thankful for those who have supported me along the way, holding up signs.
All of this being said, I am also thankful for you, the reader. You have choices, and your time is valuable. We have our favorites, and sometimes venturing out to try a new author doesn’t live up to our expectations. Thank you for trusting me with your free time, your lunch break, and your sacred vacation days. And thank you so much for taking a chance on a new voice. I hope I live up to your expectations.
Keep chasing love, adventures, and a little spice,
