Blog Archives
A is for Amy
A Is for Amy by Steven Crandell is a romantic comedy novella about Amy, a young widowed mother of three trying to find her way back into desire, confidence, and choice after grief, betrayal, and exhaustion have narrowed her life. The story follows her alphabetically through encounters with Charlie, an alluring ex-milkman with his own wounds, and Quentin, a gentler surprise who eventually becomes the more grounded romantic possibility. It’s funny, messy, and deliberately intimate, a romance that is less about being rescued than about remembering that wanting something is allowed.
I really liked the voice. It’s sharp, playful, and sometimes outrageous, but underneath the jokes there is real loneliness. Amy’s thoughts move the way a tired parent’s mind moves, bouncing from breast-feeding to unpaid bills to sex to self-help books to the weird emotional weather of being seen again. I liked that the humor doesn’t polish her life into something cute. It lets the house be chaotic. It lets grief be ugly. It lets motherhood be loving and boring and gross and sacred, sometimes all on the same page.
Crandell makes a bold choice with the alphabet structure, and I think it works because the book itself feels like Amy trying to name her life one piece at a time. Attraction. Baby Bartlette. Freedom. Nutella. Yes. The structure gives the novella a quick, bright rhythm, almost like flipping through snapshots. I did sometimes feel the comedy pushed hard, especially with Bart and some of the broader side characters, but even then, the excess seems tied to Amy’s way of surviving. She turns pain into punchlines because otherwise the pain would just sit there, heavy and unmoving.
As a romantic comedy novella, A Is for Amy will probably appeal most to readers who like love stories with bite, warmth, and a little domestic chaos. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys character-driven romance, especially stories about second chances after loss. This book has sass, it has crumbs on the floor, kids at the door, and a heart that keeps choosing to open.
Pages: 95 | ASIN : B0GL9VKNXS
Old Hurt and New Possibility
The One Who Ghosted Me follows a guarded geologist who discovers her new project lead is the man who ghosted her five years ago and now wants a second chance to make things right. Why explore ghosting as a central emotional engine?
Ghosting has become such a familiar wound in modern dating, and my first instinct was the same as most people’s—it felt like a cowardly act. But I wondered, what if it wasn’t? What if someone disappeared not because they didn’t care, but because they cared so much they didn’t see another way out? That question, and the emotional wreckage it leaves on both sides, became the foundation of Amelia and Jonathan’s story.
What drew you to writing Amelia as someone fiercely protective of her independence, and what makes her different from typical contemporary romance heroines?
I’m a deeply independent woman, and I’ve always been drawn to a heroine who can take care of herself rather than waiting for someone else to provide for her. But romance also holds this fantasy of being truly taken care of by your partner, and the friction between those two desires can cause real internal conflict.
Amelia is different because she’s a scientist and outdoorsy, which isn’t common in the genre. After twenty years as a geologist myself, I wanted to write a woman whose competence is just part of who she is, not a quirk, not a fake-it-til-you-make-it costume. She knows what she’s doing out there. Trusting someone with her heart was the harder job.
Why do you think readers are drawn to unresolved love stories, and what makes second-chance romance especially powerful for you as a writer?
I believe most people carry at least one unresolved love story—the one that got away, or the one that ended before it should have. Reading about characters who get back together and finish what was left unfinished lets us vicariously experience that possibility. It’s about hope.
As a writer, second-chance romance gives me something a first-meeting story can’t. The characters know exactly which buttons to press and exactly where the wounds are. That history creates a kind of tension that’s impossible to manufacture from scratch. I find that space, between old hurt and new possibility, compelling to write. And for this series in particular, the idea of second chances runs far deeper than one book. But readers will have to keep reading to understand what I mean by that.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
The One Who Ghosted Me is Book 1 of the Fontaine Series. Book 2, Melanie and Brandon’s story, will be released early in 2027. Book 2 turns up the heat with an enemies-to-lovers pairing that readers will have already seen coming.
Melanie Foxx doesn’t believe in soulmates. Brandon Fontaine definitely doesn’t believe in past lives. Forced to team up for Amelia and Jonathan’s wedding-venue challenge, they clash over everything—except their inconvenient attraction.
But when old family wounds collide with eerie flashes of “we’ve been here before,” they’ll have to choose: repeat the same heartbreak … or finally rewrite the story their souls keep trying to tell.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Rainmere, Washington. In this close-knit Pacific Northwest town, Amelia Preston refuses to give up control. With people counting on her at home, the romantically gun-shy young widow stays focused on turning her contract job into a full-time career. But her opportunity to land a position with benefits comes under threat when she learns the new project lead is the guy who swept her off her feet five years ago… and then vanished.
Jonathan Fontaine longs to make things right. Still shouldering a mountain of guilt over the woman he let slip away, the outdoorsy geologist hopes the next three months of working side-by-side will end in forgiveness. So when she needs help avoiding her friends’ unwanted matchmaking, he steps out of his carefully constructed personal life and offers himself up as a fake boyfriend.
Insisting on strict boundaries to avoid getting burned again, a nervous Amelia softens her rules in the face of their undeniable chemistry. But though Jonathan might be hearing wedding bells, he doesn’t know how to break free from family duty and embrace his own happiness.
Is this an all-too-common repeat heartbreak, or a rare second chance at true love?
The One Who Ghosted Me is the flirty first book in the Fontaine Family contemporary romance series, featuring second-chance workplace romance with touches of the supernatural. If you like emotional depth balanced with humor, characters you’ll want as friends, and places that feel like they’re part of the cast, then you’ll adore Erica Devon’s addictive tale.
Buy The One Who Ghosted Me for a swoon-worthy escape today!
The One Who Ghosted Me
Erica Devon’s The One Who Ghosted Me drops me into a second-chance collision: Amelia Preston, still raw from being abruptly cut off by Jonathan five years earlier, is rebuilding a life in Rainmere, Washington, juggling contract geology work and a strange, high-security assistant gig for an unseen employer (WJ7 Inc.) at a looming estate. Then Jonathan reappears as the lead on a high-stakes merger asset project, and the past isn’t just unresolved, it’s booby-trapped, with old loyalties, new pressures, and a secret that finally explains why he vanished.
That old-school, can’t-look-away tension Devon builds when two people know each other’s soft spots and still choose each other’s bruises is enthralling. Amelia’s voice has a flinty, self-protective edge that feels earned (she’s not “guarded” in the decorative way; she’s done), and Jonathan is written with a believable burden, competent, loyal, and quietly wrecked by the consequences of doing the right thing. When the book finally lays out the whistleblower/protective-custody truth behind the ghosting, it doesn’t erase the damage, but it does sharpen the moral dilemma into something you can bite into.
I came for the romance reparations and stayed for the atmosphere. The story keeps slipping little splinters of mystery under the skin. An old journal, a tucked-away map, a chapel with a digital lockbox, and those recurring “that’s odd” sensations (the metallic smell, the forest’s almost-guiding presence, the too-perfect feeling of rightness) add a faintly uncanny undertow without tipping the book into full paranormal. And when the external world punches in, merger fallout, professional brinkmanship, and the Brazil transfer that lands like a guillotine, the love story doesn’t float above “real life”; it gets dragged through it.
If you like contemporary romance, second-chance romance, workplace romance, slow-burn, and a dash of romantic suspense / gothic-leaning mystery, this is aimed squarely at you, especially if you enjoy heroines who insist on stability and still risk tenderness, and heroes who have to choose integrity over the neat, impressive life-plan. The late-book glow-up (including wedding plans and the found-family warmth) lands like sunlight finally hitting a cold room. If you’ve ever devoured a Nora Roberts romance for its grounded emotion plus a low, steady hum of secrets, Devon’s approach will feel like a close cousin, modern, outdoorsy, and just a little haunted. The One Who Ghosted Me is a story about the cost of silence, and the fierce, stubborn relief of being chosen out loud.
Pages: 488 | ASIN : B0GDSKD3LS
Unconditional Love
The Sound of Violet, 10th Anniversary Edition follows a young programmer with autism and a woman caught in a web of exploitation as their worlds collide in a way that offers them both hope. Where did the idea behind this novel come from?
The inspiration for The Sound of Violet came from a conversation with a friend about the challenges of dating in Los Angeles when I was single. I was often naïve and overly trusting, and I built those qualities into Shawn’s character. I was intrigued by the idea of him unknowingly starting a relationship with a woman being trafficked.
Initially, I created Violet as the typical “empowered prostitute” you see portrayed in movies. But as I researched and talked to organizations that fight trafficking, I discovered a devastating reality: women in prostitution are most often victims of trafficking. This realization dramatically changed how I portrayed Violet, altered the entire story, and ignited a passion in me to spread awareness about this critical issue. What began as a story about my awkward dating life evolved into something much deeper—a tale about unconditional love, redemption, and the courage it takes to truly see and fight for another person.
What were the morals you were trying to capture while creating your characters?
At the heart of the story is the idea that everyone needs to be seen and cherished. I wanted to create characters who challenge us to see past surface appearances and stereotypes. Shawn’s autism and synesthesia give him a unique way of experiencing the world as he sees beauty that others miss. Violet’s story confronts the reality that trafficking victims aren’t the “empowered” figures often portrayed in media, but people trapped in exploitation who deserve dignity, rescue, and hope.
The novel explores themes of unconditional acceptance, the transformative power of love, and the courage to fight for another person. It also emphasizes that everyone, regardless of how society labels them, has inherent worth and the capacity for redemption and healing.
Where did you get the inspiration for Shawn’s traits and dialogue?
I built my own naivety and overly trusting nature into Shawn’s character. His literal interpretation of language and difficulty reading social cues comes from extensive research into autism and from personal relationships, as well as working with autistic individuals during the production of the film adaptation. On set, one of our key autistic crew members regularly consulted with our lead actor and helped fuel how he portrayed Shawn.
Shawn’s synesthesia, experiencing colors as sounds, adds a unique sensory dimension to his character. This trait allows readers to experience the world through his distinctive perspective, turning everyday moments into rich, sensory ones. His dialogue reflects his direct, factual communication style and his genuine, unguarded approach to relationships.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
As both an author and filmmaker, I’m juggling two creative projects simultaneously. On the film side, I’m developing my next motion picture, aiming to go into production this year. At the same time, I’m writing my next novel, which is a fantasy story that takes me into entirely new genre territory. It’s exciting to explore a different creative landscape while still focusing on the same core themes that drive all my work: authentic characters, meaningful relationships, and stories that make a genuine difference in people’s lives.
For readers who want to follow along with these projects and get updates on when the fantasy novel will be available, they can sign up at forms.sendpulse.com/319b8ea6a1. I send occasional updates about what I’m working on, including behind-the-scenes glimpses of both the writing and filmmaking processes.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Shawn dreams of finding a lifelong relationship, but only finds frustration-until he meets Violet, a beautiful, mysterious woman who sees past his autism to the man within. From the moment their eyes first lock, something sparks.
But behind Violet’s quiet smile lies a world of pain. Trapped in a life of exploitation, she’s learned that closeness brings danger. Yet, something about Shawn feels different. Safe. Real. Worth risking everything.
As their bond deepens, they must defy impossible odds and find the courage to fight for each other, no matter the cost. Because only love has the power to heal their deepest wounds and break them free from their past.
This inspirational contemporary romance-now a motion picture-returns as a newly revised 10th Anniversary Edition, with expanded storytelling and greater emotional depth.
The Sound of Violet, 10th Anniversary Edition
Allen Wolf’s The Sound of Violet follows Shawn, a young autistic programmer who longs for connection, and Violet, a woman trapped in exploitation who hides behind a practiced charm. Their worlds collide in ways that neither one expects, and the story weaves romance with themes of trauma, hope, misunderstanding, and the hard work of seeing someone for who they truly are. It moves between humor and heartbreak with surprising ease, and the plot leans into both the sweetness and the messiness of love.
I found myself rooting for Shawn almost immediately. His inner life felt vivid. His sensitivity to color and sound created moments that were oddly beautiful, and I kept pausing to imagine how overwhelming the world must feel to him. I liked how the writing didn’t try to polish his edges. It let him be blunt and awkward and sincere. Those traits gave the story its emotional heartbeat. Violet’s chapters hit me differently. I felt the tension behind her confidence. I felt the fear tucked between her jokes. The writing made her pain feel present even when she tried to hide it, and that contrast kept me pulled in. I caught myself more than once whispering, “Please get out of there” as her world closed in on her.
What surprised me most was how simple the prose often felt while carrying so much weight. Scenes slid quickly from funny to tense, and I liked that the book didn’t pretend those shifts were unusual. Life works like that sometimes. A moment is warm, then it isn’t. A date feels hopeful, then it falls apart. The story’s rhythm captured that truth, and it kept me leaning forward. I also found myself getting irritated with certain characters, which I count as a success. The book wanted me to feel the discomfort of exploitation and the sting of people who misunderstand others. It worked. I felt it.
By the end, I was glad I stayed with the story. It made me think about how people judge each other, and how much quieter the world becomes when someone finally listens. I would recommend The Sound of Violet to readers who enjoy heartfelt romances, stories about neurodivergent characters, or narratives that explore heavy themes with gentleness. It would also appeal to book clubs that like talking about big emotions and complicated choices.
Pages: 319 | ASIN : B0FMP438MV
When Dreams Float
When Dreams Float is a sensuous African American romance set against the lush backdrop of Tahiti and nearby islands. The story follows Melanie, a travel writer recovering from a painful divorce, and Winston, a charming and confident doctor she meets by chance at an airport jewelry counter. Their connection ignites quickly, deepening through a charged plane ride and growing even more complicated when they unexpectedly end up on the same cruise. The plot blends travel, emotional healing, flirtation, and slow-building intimacy, all framed within the warmth and escapism of the romance genre.
I found myself reacting to the writing the same way Melanie reacts to Winston’s presence. One moment I was caught up in the playfulness of their banter, and the next I was watching her pull back, unsure whether to trust what she felt. The author writes attraction through small gestures, glances, and touches that land with real weight. The scene on the plane where turbulence throws Melanie into Winston’s arms stands out. It isn’t just physical; it reveals her reluctance, her longing, and her fear all in one breath. The story knows how to stretch those moments without overdoing them, letting the tension rise naturally.
I also appreciated the author’s choices around character grounding. Melanie isn’t just a romantic lead; she’s a woman with a past, a career, and quiet internal battles she doesn’t always name out loud. Winston, for all his confidence, shows flashes of vulnerability that make him more interesting than the typical smooth-talking hero. Their dynamic feels honest. Sometimes messy. Sometimes sweet. There’s a little humor, a lot of heat, and just enough emotional complexity to make the story feel fuller than a simple getaway romance. And the travel writing details add texture. The descriptions of the islands, the cruise ship, and the small cultural observations make the setting feel like more than a backdrop.
This book would hit the spot for readers who love romance that’s sensual but also rooted in character healing and emotional discovery. If you enjoy stories where two people meet at the wrong time but can’t quite step away, you’ll connect with this one. And if you’re drawn to travel-inspired romance, tropical settings, or slow-burn chemistry that simmers before it boils over, When Dreams Float delivers exactly that.
Pages: 185 | ISBN : 1585711047
Satisfying Payoff
Wrecked By You follows a woman in charge of making sure a million-dollar pre-wedding celebration goes off without a hitch while also trying to keep things strictly professional with the company’s controlling security chief. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
Wrecked By You kicks off a series about six sisters running an elite travel agency, and I knew from the start I wanted to flip the spotlight onto women who are both powerful and real. Rayann is whip-smart and competent, but she’s also messy, impulsive, and deeply human. Max, our broody former SEAL, is the same way—yes, he’s sexy and commanding, but he carries scars you don’t always see at first glance. Those layers are what make characters feel like people you’d actually want to meet for drinks, laugh with, and maybe confess your own chaos to.
The setting was a no-brainer for me. I’ve always had a touch of wanderlust, and after years of traveling, I wanted each Wilder Horizons book to sweep readers into a different international location—Scotland, Costa Rica, Patagonia, the Galápagos—places that feel magical but still grounded in real life.
And woven into all that banter and heat are quieter threads that matter deeply to me. There’s a subtle nod to Rayann’s ADHD and a clear through-line of Max’s PTSD as a veteran. My husband came home from Afghanistan with PTSD, and I retired from the Air Force myself, so those stories aren’t abstract to me. And my teenage son has ADHD, so I’ve seen both the struggle and the gift of it up close. Too many people carry those battles in silence—I wanted to honor them on the page in a way that still lets readers laugh, swoon, and escape.
I enjoyed the tension surrounding the relationship between Rayann and Max. How did their relationship develop while you were writing it? Did you have an idea of where you wanted to take it, or was it organic?
I always start with an outline—big picture arc, chapter beats, the whole nine yards—because romance readers deserve that satisfying payoff at the end. But once I actually start writing, the characters tend to laugh at my notes and take the wheel on their own. It’s very much like real relationships: you think you know who someone is when you first meet them, and then the more time you spend together, the more surprises come out. That’s the part of writing I find addictive—you plot, you plan, and then suddenly you’re pantsing your way through revelations you didn’t see coming.
With Rayann and Max, I knew from the start that there would be sparks and friction, but I didn’t anticipate just how much Max’s backstory would shape the way he could (or couldn’t) open up to her. His struggle to forgive himself became the emotional hinge of their love story, and that realization didn’t hit me until I was deep into drafting. Honestly, I didn’t even have Murdo, his wise, whiskey-pouring confidant, in the original outline. But the moment Murdo showed up on the page, everything clicked, and suddenly Max’s journey felt more profound than I ever expected.
So yes, I had a destination in mind. But the road there? Totally organic, full of detours, and absolutely worth the ride.
What was your favorite scene in this story?
Oh, that’s like asking me to pick a favorite child—but if we’re talking pure comic relief? “The Highland Games” chapter wins, hands down. I was snort-laughing my way through writing it. It’s the first time Rayann really taunts Max out in the open, and Max—who normally lives and dies by a spreadsheet—literally rolls up his sleeves and gets messy right alongside her. Watching him let go for once was delicious.
But I also have a soft spot for the post-closet scene where Murdo unveils his signature cocktail on the chalkboard. The innuendo was flying, Max was being utterly filthy, and Rayann was desperately trying to pretend she wasn’t affected—which, of course, made it even better.
As much fun as the spice is to write (and trust me, it is fun), it’s the comedy that gets me. Those moments where I’m laughing so hard at my own manuscript that my husband and son give me the stink-eye, like I’m sitting there with some secret joke they’ll never be in on. Honestly? That’s my favorite kind of writing day.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
Yes! Wrecked By You is the first in the Wilder Horizons series, and it sets the stage for five more sister stories. Book two, Challenged By You, follows Rayann’s twin sister, Brynn, down to the wilds of Costa Rica. Brynn is a practical joker with a sharp tongue, and she’s forced to team up with her biggest rival, Jerrick Thorne, a maddeningly sexy competitor who knows exactly how to push her buttons.
Readers can expect all the banter, angst, and slow-burn tension of book one, but with a fresh backdrop: rainforest adventures, high-stakes agency competition, and a romance that simmers until it absolutely explodes. Think: zip lines, jaguar encounters, power suits by the pool, and two people who would rather do anything than admit they’re falling for each other.
Release-wise, it’s coming Oct 28th. And from there, the Wilder sisters will keep globe-trotting their way into love, disaster, and plenty of laughter.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Rayann Wilder has charm, connections, and one job: make sure a million-dollar pre-wedding celebration in the Scottish Highlands goes off without a hitch. But when her boss assigns the company’s broody security chief to join her? Everything unravels fast.
Max Harrington is ex-military, exasperating, and entirely too attractive for Rayann’s sanity. He follows rules. She makes her own. He’s planning for worst-case scenarios. She’s trying not to jump him in a castle hallway. And the worst part? The more they argue, the harder it is to remember why this was supposed to be a strictly professional trip.
Tensions are high. The stakes are higher. And between ancient feuds, competitive games, and one very inconvenient suite-sharing situation… the line between enemies and lovers is about to disappear completely.
Wrecked by You is a sexy, enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy with snappy banter, forced proximity, and enough slow-burn tension to melt your passport. Perfect for readers who crave serious heat, sharp wit, and emotionally intelligent characters who know exactly how high the stakes are—especially when it comes to falling in love.
💋 Contains: Adult language, adult situations, and adults doing very adult things. On several occasions.
Also: swearing, swooning, and one hilariously inappropriate closet scene. Recommended 18+.
1st Place Winner of the Firebird Book Award in Chick Lit
Readers’ Favorite 5-Star Seal for Excellence in Romance Fiction
Hollywood Book Festival First Place Winner in Genre-Based Fiction (Romance)
Wrecked By You (Wilder Horizons): A Spicy Enemies to Lovers, Forced Proximity, Contemporary Romantic Comedy
Wrecked By You kicks off the Wilder Horizons series with a story that’s equal parts sharp banter, romantic tension, and emotional vulnerability. The book follows Rayann Wilder, one of six sisters tasked with keeping their father’s luxury travel company alive, and Max Harrington, a former Navy SEAL turned security chief whose life philosophy is control, order, and more control. What begins as a forced partnership on an overseas assignment quickly unravels into a storm of missteps, misunderstandings, and undeniable attraction. It’s a romantic comedy wrapped in chaos, with moments of heartfelt grief and healing woven between laugh-out-loud disasters.
The writing has a kind of quicksilver snap, shifting from comedy to tenderness in a single beat. Sometimes I caught myself grinning at Rayann’s snark, other times wincing at how nakedly she exposed her grief for her father. Max, meanwhile, made me want to throw something and hug him in equal measure. He’s infuriatingly rigid, yet the glimpses of softness under all that armor kept me hooked. I loved how their chemistry wasn’t neat or polished, but messy, clashing, and very real. The author’s humor often landed perfectly, though I’ll admit a few jokes leaned a little too staged, almost sitcom-like. Still, the rhythm of their back-and-forth was addictive.
What surprised me most was how much heart sat under the comedy. This isn’t just a story about attraction, it’s about the weight of family expectation, the ways grief lingers in quiet corners, and how vulnerability can feel more dangerous than desire. I found myself unexpectedly moved by Rayann’s private moments with her father’s journal, and by the way Max’s stoic facade started to crack. The writing never overindulged in sentimentality, and that restraint made the emotional punches land harder.
Wrecked By You is a romance that thrives on contrast. It’s chaotic and funny, yet tender and raw. I’d recommend it to readers who like their romantic comedies with a strong bite of real emotion. If you love sparring banter, reluctant partners who can’t seem to quit each other, and a backdrop of family drama that adds depth without drowning the romance, this one will hit the sweet spot. For me, it was a ride worth taking, mess and all.
Pages: 295 | ASIN : B0F2GRPBMX
