Category Archives: American Heart

ONCE UPON A BEAST – Release Day Blog Post Featuring Author Kyra Jacobs!

August 10, 2023 · Posted by Tule Publishing

Bride swinging and kissing groom. Kyra Jacobs "Once Upon a Beast"

Hello everyone!

Kyra Jacobs, here, to share some “behind the scenes” tidbits from my latest sweet romance novel, ONCE UPON A BEAST. This is the first book in my Bourbon Falls series, with each book taking a fresh, modern spin on a classic fairy tale. As the title suggests, Beauty and the Beast is the featured retelling to kick off this new series. And Isaac Manning was certainly a fun “beast” to write.

Actually, Isaac’s deaf rescue bulldog Louie is the only real beast in this story, and he’s too adorable to be called a beast. (; If you’ve followed me on social media, you’ve likely seen a post or two about bulldogs. Though I’ve yet to own one (bucket list item), I’m a huge fan. I mean, how can you resist that scrunched face and wiggly butt? The Louie in this tale was loosely based on a friend’s bulldog named Louis and he’s built like a mini tank.

Once Upon a Beast book cover image in top left over bulldog image in background sharing inspiration of "Louie" the pet dog in the book.

In the story, Louie loves Delaney Brooks, the first stranger he’s allowed to meet in their new hometown of Bourbon Falls, Indiana. Del is the confident landscape designer and greenhouse co-owner (whose niece crashes into Isaac’s landscaping at the start of the book to kick off our story) who stops by to cut down a mangled, overgrown arborvitae. I have a few overgrown arborvitaes of my own, but they’re a great source of afternoon shade so I plan to leave them alone as long as possible.

Also, for the record, I’m terrible at both pronouncing and typing the word arborvitae. LOL

The human hero of our story is Isaac Manning, who is holed up in Bourbon Falls, hiding from the world. I won’t say why, but he’s certainly got his reasons. His former home is the Big Apple, where I’ve based a few stories after visiting there a number of years back. Given the choice between New York City and small town Indiana, though, I’m choosing Indiana every time.

What can I say? I grew up a small town girl. (Cue John Mellencamp)

So, what pulls this trio together for the story, aside from that mangled shrub I struggle to spell? (Try saying that fast five times!) It’s the lovely bookstore, Brooks Books, run by Del’s family and set in a beautiful historic building situated at the heart of downtown Bourbon Falls. Lucky for Del and Isaac, they receive abundant support from a fun cast of secondary characters, including The Sisters—three elders of the town who keep the local rumor mill churning. I love writing sassy older women in my stories and these three are a hoot. Perhaps this tendency is a nod to one of the shows I grew up watching (The Golden Girls).

And why Bourbon Falls? Admittedly, I was inspired by a road sign I saw while driving my sons to their soccer games a while back. When I turned off the main highway to take a closer look at the town of Bourbon, Indiana, I knew it was the perfect setting for the Brooks family and their bookstore. (P.S. Bourbon Street Pizza shop is amazing…)

I hope you enjoy your visit to my version of this cozy, Midwestern town in ONCE UPON A BEAST. And great news—the entire series will release between now and next April! I can’t wait to hear what you thought of my fairy tale retellings and the Brooks sisters’ happily-ever-afters.

Until next time,

Kyra

 

About the Author:

Headshot of Kyra JacobsKyra Jacobs is an extroverted introvert who’s always called Indiana home. Growing up in the Midwest means she’s well-versed in fickle weather, pork tenderloins that don’t fit on a bun, and sarcasm. Putting her Indiana University degrees in Public Management to good use by day means Kyra does the bulk of her writing late into the night. Fueled by caffeine and funny memes, she weaves humor and chaos into her stories, which range from sweet romance to mysteries and even paranormal/fantasy.

When this Hoosier native isn’t at a keyboard, daydreaming through her fingertips, she’s likely outside, elbow-deep in snapdragons or spending quality time with her sports-loving family. Kyra also loves to bowl, tries to golf, and is an avid college football fan. Be sure to stop by kyrajacobsbooks.com to learn more about her novels and ways to connect with Kyra on social media.

TWO SIDES OF A SECRET – Release Day Blog Post Featuring Kelly Cain!

July 18, 2023 · Posted by Tule Publishing

Purple cover with white text reading "Two Sides of A Secret" by Kelly Cain

The Soulmate Equation meets Scandal

My new novel, TWO SIDES OF A SECRET, is out. It’s book 2 in my secret ties series and follows another adoptee from the adoption group, Lauren, who has no use for her birth family. Unlike Nichelle from A KISS FROM THE PAST, Lauren doesn’t even want to know who her birth parents are. She’s happily going through life as a florist, running her retired adoptive parents’ business, although longs for a different life as a social media strategist on a political campaign. Again, we examine nature versus nurture.

Which brings us to the Scandal angle. I came to the Shonda Rhimes/Kerry Washington show late and ended up binging all the seasons. It was spectacular the way all the political intrigue unfolded, and it captured and held my attention for weeks. You never really knew for sure what these people’s politics actually were, but they were willing to do anything to hold on to power no matter what. Enter Olivia Pope, who’s team cleaned up all the messes. The whole concept was so interesting to me because she is truly a morally gray character.

Ben Specter is unlike any character I’ve written before. Most of my guys have a certain swagger and charisma, but Ben intentionally uses his to his advantage. His job requires gathering information. Information most don’t want uncovered. Hence the morally grayness of it all. He works for an Olivia Pope type, Ellen Ziff, headquartered in Sacramento, the capitol of California. Ben lives and works out of San Francisco though and his newest case falls right across the Bay in Berkeley.

Ben tricks Lauren as he delves deep into her life, looking for any secrets that may compromise his candidate, but along the way, there’s something about Lauren that pushes Ben to do some introspection. To examine his own life, his own secrets, and adjust his moral compass.

So in the end, I kept close to the nature of what I like in a hero, but I had so much fun with Ben on his journey getting there. I hope you enjoy his arc.

About the author.

Headshot of author Kelly Cain posing outsideKelly Cain is a native Californian but has spent the last couple of decades in Texas, currently residing in the live music capital of the world, Austin. Consequently, most of her books are set somewhere between those two locations.

Kelly writes multicultural romance with determined women directing their own fates, and the swoon-worthy men who adore them. She loves reading most genres but please don’t ask her to pick just one. However, she can pick her favorite book boyfriend – Will Herondale.

When she isn’t reading or writing, Kelly is most likely using a genealogy site to research her extended family, both old and new. Or cooking/baking something delightful.

She has two adult daughters, and a new granddaughter. Visit her website kellycainauthor.com for more info.

TRIVIALIZED PURSUIT – Release Day Blog Post Featuring Mia Heintzelman!

July 6, 2023 · Posted by Tule Publishing

A BOOKISH HEROINE TO FALL FOR

Book cover for Author Mia Heintzelman's book Trivialized Pursuit featuring illustrated graphic of couple.

There are few things I love more about a beautifully flawed, fun-loving, smart, and strong heroine. But give me one with a hankering for romance books, and I’m sold.

I instantly relate to bookish characters.

Not the ones who flush with embarrassment as they slyly slip it in their purse or hide the artfully heaving bosoms behind book jackets, either. I’m especially drawn to the ones who unabashedly read their favorite genre out in the open. The ones who equally appreciate the value of words and stories and a cover that boldly gives a glimpse of what’s between the pages.

To them, books are their treasures, more precious than gems and stones.

Woman lying on a beach wearing a sunhat and reading a book.

When I began writing Trivialized Pursuit, I didn’t plan on Roxanne “Rox” Sloane slipping into the bookish role. As her character became more three-dimensional, though, certain qualities stepped out into the forefront. For example, she’s adventure-seeking, always slipping in a chapter between customers, and has an insatiable hunger for knowledge only quenchable by books.

She’s also a list-maker. In fact, she’s got a Book of Lists. One of which, is her “One-Shot at Love” list. Immediately, my mind went for the hopeful romantic. 

Of course, Rox loves romance novels. She’s smart, her shelves are heaped with books, and she celebrates how love helps us grow. A few hours of reading gifts her with a guaranteed HEA (Happily Ever After) despite all the stakes raised against the heroine and the hero. It’s the whole life and art imitating each other thing.

As it turns out, along with lists, Rox is numbers and logic. She notices patterns. With her dad on his fourth set of nuptials and her mom never remarrying, the unfavorable odds of finding her rakish needle in a haystack aren’t lost on her. Add in a Dr. Murphy Theodore Sikes—ridiculously handsome, commitment-phobe, player extraordinaire—who she’s been crushing on for the past decade… 

And he’s even hotter in scrubs with his ruggedly messy hair, sweetly dropping by with takeout because he knew she’d be tired after work?

And he calls her sparky, too?

Yeah, Roxanne Sloane keeps a bighearted, laugh-out-loud rom-com on standby. Depending on her mood, she’s no stranger to an angsty, sweeping historical in her purse, either. 

For emergencies. 

Woman sitting on a beach lounge chair, looking over the calm ocean, reading a book.

Dating how-to books and romance novels are Rox’s go-to grabs for anxiety. In this flirty, friends-to-lovers, trivia-themed romantic comedy, she has a book in her hand by chapter three. It’s bright yellow with hot pink script on the cover, and filled with all the emotions, laughs, and steam she craves. It’s described as a bestselling enemies-to-lovers contemporary workplace romance novel about two coworkers who go on a strategic reality competition series where the players must choose whether to be themselves or other people all while chasing a cash prize.

It just screams romantic comedy!

Sold!!!

I’m a sucker for books within a book. Give me a beach to go with it? Yes, please!

In this case, one of my favorite scenes is the beach scene. My heart about gave out when Murph joined Rox in the sun-soaked Mission Beach sand and didn’t lecture her about reading romance novels. Instead, he slid alongside her, intertwined their fingers, and listened while she read to him. When I say, my heart… 

“By the time we crawl back onto our sandy towels, a new quiet energy settles between us. Rox reads from her book aloud to me, and as the characters fight the urge to be together, my ache to touch Rox escalates to combustible desperation. I inch my hand across the invisible barrier between our towels, and our fingers touch in the sand. When she slips her hand in mine without missing a beat, I know without a doubt Mom is right.”

Yes, Murph, Mom is usually right LOL. In case he didn’t notice, his mom usually has a book in her hands as well. 

That’s all I’ve got for now, but I hope you’ll hold your books proudly. I hope you’ll read books with smart and strong heroines who do as well. And if you’re really feeling good, maybe you’ll check out Trivialized Pursuit and root for Rox and Murph as they beat the stakes to find their HEA. ❤

A️bout the author.

Mia Heintzelman is a polka-dot-wearing, horror movie lover, who always has a book and a to-do list in her purse. When she isn’t busy writing fictional happily-ever-afters, she is likely reading, or playing board games and eating sweets with her husband and two children. She writes fun, unforgettable, more than just laughs romcoms about strong women and men with enough heart to fall for them.

STRICTLY OFF LIMITS: Release Day Blog Post featuring Stella Holt!

June 22, 2023 · Posted by Tule Publishing

Write What You Know…


While living in Pakistan a decade ago, I decided I finally had enough time on my hands to write a complete novel. I wasn’t married and had no kids at the time, so even with a 60-hour work week, every evening and on weekends I wrote. After years of jotting down half finished stories with Alpha heroes and the spitfire women they fell in love with, I spent my evenings typing away. That first draft was a mess, but at its core Last First Kiss was born. The story of a young widow just trying to move forward in life without the guilt that comes from heartbreak and missing someone you love that died too young.

I think a lot of writers like to honor the people in their lives that have left
lasting impressions, and I’m no different. The widow in Last First Kiss is loosely based on my mother, who found herself a young widow with three kids to raise and a broken heart. My mom was vivacious, funny, beautiful, and also a writer of sorts as an English teacher and former journalist. She dedicated her life to her family, loved all things Hallmark, and never remarried so I wrote her the steamy romance she deserved.

I’m also drawn to writing these strong, real-life, first responder alpha
heroes like Rory in Battle of Hearts, because I’m married to one, and there are a half dozen more in my family. These men that dedicate their lives to serving their communities, protecting and serving, are real people. With all their muscles, and gorgeous smiles, tattoos, and love of country, they have dreams, desires, and women that can wrap them up in knots. They put on their uniforms, and make it look good, but their badges don’t shield them from danger. They develop a family-like bond with their colleagues, their brothers and sisters, and pray to never need to use force, but they will hone their fitness to make sure they are ready for any challenge. They are funny and witty like Conner in Strictly Off Limits and will steal your heart with one smoldering look. Every day alphas are all around us, and I highly recommend you nab one for keeps.

I hope you enjoy my Legacy of the Maguires series, full of yummy, stoic,
handsome, alpha heroes, and strong, smart, women that capture their attention and love. #RomanceBooks #ReadzTule #StellaHoltBooks

About the Author

Stella Holt authorAuthor of your next binge-worthy romance series, Stella has been plotting sexy, tear-jerker stories since she was old enough to hold a pencil. Born a Georgia peach, Stella loves all things country but calls the beach home even though she’s currently living outside D.C. with her family. Most days she can be found drinking too much coffee, collecting lipstick she forgets to wear, and baking.

Stella’s first series featuring first responders debuts in 2023. You can find her on Instagram @stellaholtbooks and www.stellaholt.com

Tule’s 2023 Father’s Day Recommended Reads

June 16, 2023 · Posted by Tule Publishing

In honor of Mother’s Day, the Tule team has picked out some titles we know you, or a very special father-figure, will surely love. Whether you’re looking for sexy or sweet, you’ll be sure to find a special Father’s Day treat!

Montana Cowboy Baby Daddy by Jane Porter
Wyatt Brothers of Montana series, Book 3

Professional rodeo cowboy Billy Wyatt is in the prime of his career. He’s having a fantastic year on the circuit, earning big money and leading the standings. Too immersed in his success and enjoying bachelorhood, he’s not interested in getting serious. But when a woman he’s never seen before shows up with a baby she claims is his, Billy’s world is turned inside out.

Erika Baylor, a PhD grad student, never planned to be a single mom, but when her cousin dies in a car accident, orphaning her infant son, Erika steps forward. She’ll help to care for her 4-month-old nephew until the baby can be reunited with his dad. She doesn’t expect the dad to be cocky, infuriating, and utterly irresistible.

Billy never thought he wanted to be a father, but looking into the eyes of the baby who is supposedly his—and whose blue eyes mirror his own—he’s hooked. But he’s hooked on the woman who’s holding the baby too…


The Matchmaker’s Match by Nicole Flockton
Man’s Best Friend series, Book 3

Could the best man be her best option?

The last person Meredith Turner expects to see at her best friend’s wedding rehearsal dinner is the guy she had a one night stand with. What’s worse, Lincoln Forrest is the best man and as maid of honor, her partner. To add insult to injury, she has to leave the rehearsal dinner early, and Lincoln is the one to help her with a deeply personal problem. The aftermath of that night brings big changes for them both.

Lincoln Forrest has helped his best friend meet the woman of his dreams, but recently he’s made a series of bad decisions, the biggest being leaving his career with the Army. Now the former K-9 handler is looking for a new career and trying to get his life back on track. Helping Meredith in her time of need connects her to him more than he expected. On a mission to right the wrong he created, Linc will do whatever is needed. But when the attraction that first drew them together flares to life again, will the obstacles between them be too much to overcome? Or has the matchmaker met his match?

The Texas Cowboy’s Proposal by Debra Holt
Texas Heritage series, Book 1

They had a foolproof plan…until one little girl got involved.

Sammi Jo Burkitt’s formidable grandmother’s will is pushing Sammi Jo to the brink. Yes, the feisty cowgirl can keep the ranching empire known as Aces High, which has been the family birthright for two centuries, but she must marry her rival and stay married for three years as part of the deal. Say no, and Aces High goes on the auction block.

Beaudry Hawkes wants nothing to do with the high and mighty Burkitts. Until the day Sammi Jo shows up on his doorstep with a proposition no one in their right mind would refuse: wear her ring, then accept thousands of acres of rich ranch land and a tidy sum of three million dollars when they part ways. The windfall could change everything for his daughter’s future.

But eight-year-old Lacy is becoming attached to the idea of one happy family. Nothing short of a true marriage between the two can make her dreams come true. Can Sammi Jo and Beaudry find their freedom and love too?

Lola and the Single Dad by Kelly Hunter
Outback Babies series, book 4

When love comes to town…

Artisan blacksmith Ned Harrow lost his wife and gained a son, all in the space of a day. Since then, he’s been caring for his son, Ollie, and working to rebuild his business. When his neighbour’s visiting goddaughter offers to help, she’s a lifeline and so much more. Ned knows the beautiful and fun-loving Lola isn’t staying long, but she’s impossible to resist and his heart is cracking wide open.

Actress Lola Darcy has never hit the big time and she’s beginning to wonder if she ever will. She’s in-between auditions when she visits her godmother in Wirralong. The country life and adorable baby she can sing to is a balm to her heart that’s been wounded by so many rejections. Lola loves caring for the sweet babe next door, and his eye candy father makes the visit even better.

As Lola and Ned become friends and perhaps more, the part of a lifetime beckons. Should she follow her dream or create new ones in Wirralong?


A Nanny Called Alice by Barbara Hannay
Outback Brides Return to Wirralong, book 4

She’s thousands of miles from home and intent on proving her independence…

When Alice Trembath is mugged in the stark Australian outback, she has two choices: return to the US with an “I told you so” from her conservative parents and join the family business, or take a job as a nanny on a nearby cattle station. Despite being wildly unqualified, she accepts the position. She’s a fast learner and besides, she needs the money.

Hotshot businessman Tom Braydon is juggling huge responsibilities. After the death of his brother, Tom took in his orphaned nieces and managed his brother’s cattle station, while simultaneously running his own thriving business in Sydney. Tom desperately needs Alice’s help, even though she has zero experience looking after children or living in the outback. He has plenty on his plate, he doesn’t need the distraction of a romance.

But while Alice and Tom strive to ignore the chemistry sizzling between them and focus on their separate goals, love clearly has other plans.

CAN’T STAND THE HEAT: Release Day Post by Author Season Vining!

June 15, 2023 · Posted by Tule Publishing

It’s Pride Month! And what better way to celebrate than to dive into a queer romantic comedy series?

With Penny for Your Heart out in the world, we were able to follow Penny on her journey through reconnecting with her first love and finding out if those feelings were reciprocated or just one-sided. This passionate self-discovery between two friends brings us deep into their world where we meet a whole cast of found family and diverse characters. One of those characters is Ryan Tate.

Can’t Stand the Heat, the second book of the Romance in the City series, releases June 15th and it follows Ryan into the greatest adventure of his life as he lands a spot on a televised cooking competition show. Ryan wants the prize money to save his grandmother’s legacy of a restaurant. Little does he know that an old flame—and professional chef—might stand in his way.

Miguel Moreno is an assistant chef to a world renown celebrity chef and he is tired of living in the shadows of the greats. His lifelong dream of opening his own restaurant can finally be realized if he can get his hands on the prize money. It’s amateur chefs versus professionals, and no one is more surprised to see Ryan Tate than Miguel.

A year ago, these two may have shared a short but passionate affair, but now they’ve got to go through each other to reach the ultimate goal, winning first place on The Heat.

My love for cooking competition television shows totally inspired this story. I have watched everything from Chopped to MasterChef to Guy’s Grocery Games. I find joy in cooking and have learned so much by watching others compete. I have always been intrigued by the relationships between competitors, so throwing love and sex into the mix only felt natural.

Dive into Can’t Stand the Heat and you’ll find yourself immersed in more flavor and heat than you can handle while Ryan and Miguel battle it out in the kitchen while trying to protect their hearts.

About the author: 

Season Vining grew up in southern Louisiana where food, culture, and family mean everything. She has lived in Houston, San Diego, and NYC—all of them providing colorful experiences and future writing material. She is a graphic designer by day, a complete font snob, and enjoys all forms of art. Her obsessions include live music, tattooed bad boys, vintage cars, and people who know the difference between their, there, and they’re. Season is a new mom to the cutest kid on the planet. She is the author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels—hot stories with heart.

STEALING MR. RIGHT: Release Day Blog Post featuring Sinclair Jayne! (and Giveaway!)

May 30, 2023 · Posted by Tule Publishing

I think I finally figured out why it’s so hard for me to talk about the launch of the final book in any series I write. I write tightly connected series where my characters find or make their own large, loud, loving family. Writing the last book and then celebrating the book birthday always feels like more of a goodbye than a hello. I’m feeling particularly nostalgic with the release of my final book in my Misguided Masala Matchmaker series, Stealing Mr. Right. Rani Kapoor was the first character I created. I envisioned her as our avatar in each book, making her wait until book four to finally find herself, and then love. 

I often feel like I am stumbling through life, doubt whispering and somedays shouting. Rani is a reflection of what I think many of us feel. She sees herself on the outside, looking in, and yet, she never stops trying to chase her dreams, trying to do something amazing, trying to help her friends and family, trying, trying, trying…. Rani brings the light. She also drags in the longing, the doubt, the determination. She’s as deeply flawed as she is inspirational and aspirational. Rani evolves during the series, and I feel quite maternal towards her. (My daughter, Lakshmi, was wide-eyed stunned that I could love one of my characters like a daughter, but I think many authors and romance readers fall in love with certain characters who come to life and stick with us.)

If you have read any of the books in the series, Rani attempts to find love matches for her beloved cousin Rohan and her sisters Shanti and Asha using slap-dash science from her years starting and abandoning and staring anew college degrees. She succeeds through her mistakes, which I found hilariously ironic as so many of us in life try to play it safe and avoid mistakes. Rani’s method is more splat against the wall, or pavement.

Stealing Mr. Right is a romance, all the way but also a fun, and poignant  exploration of identity. If you would like a chance for a signed print copy of one of the books in the Misguided Masala Matchmaker series and thematic reader swag, tell me about a time when you made what at first seemed a mistake, but yet turned out for the best. (Winner will be chosen randomly. Must be US based for a print copy).

About the Author

Sinclair Sawhney is a former journalist and middle school teacher who holds a BA in Political Science and K-8 teaching certificate from the University of California, Irvine and a MS in Education with an emphasis in teaching writing from the University of Washington. She has worked as Senior Editor with Tule Publishing for over seven years. Writing as Sinclair Jayne she’s published fifteen short contemporary romances with Tule Publishing with another four books being released in 2021. Married for over twenty-four years, she has two children, and when she isn’t writing or editing, she and her husband, Deepak, are hosting wine tastings of their pinot noir and pinot noir rose at their vineyard Roshni, which is a Hindi word for light-filled, located in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Shaandaar!

THE RACHEL EXPERIMENT: Release day blog post featuring Lisa Lin!

May 16, 2023 · Posted by Tule Publishing

Sequel Bait-Or When Secondary Characters Take Over

Book cover of Lisa Lin's release "The Rachel Experiment". Animation with man and women back-to-back holding hands.Experienced romance readers are experts at sniffing out sequel bait. They can tell instantly when a side character-whether it’s the heroine’s best friend, the hero’s brother, or the mysterious widow/single mom who shows up in town with her little girl and catches the eye of the local beloved pediatrician -is destined to get their HEA next in the series. It’s definitely one of my favorite aspects of reading a romance series, trying to figure out whose story is next and the ways the author is laying groundwork for future couples down the line.

As an author, I have enjoyed creating the From Sunset Park, With Love universe and having characters and previous couples pop up in later books. But one of the unexpected  surprises I’ve discovered is how I sometimes don’t have control over those side characters. While writing this series, there were characters who appeared on the page, announced themselves, and took over.  “Hey I’m here! And by the way, I’m getting a book, just so you know.”

Luke and Rachel, the hero and heroine of The Rachel Experiment are a perfect example. We first meet Luke Trudeau near the end of The Year of Cecily when Cecily goes on a blind date in an attempt to move on from Jeffrey. An attempt that fails spectacularly, even as Cecily acknowledges that Luke is funny, handsome, smart, charming, and ticks all the boxes. But as I was writing that scene all I could think was, “Hmmm, he’s such a nice guy and was such a good sport about the blind date. I really should make it up to him.”

Rachel Bai was a character who appeared later on in the editing/revision process as I was writing Cecily. So often, when a heroine in a romance has a nemesis/enemy, the “other woman” is almost always a Mean Girl and awful. Instead, I wanted to turn that trope on its head. What if instead of remaining nemeses, the two women actually became friends? I have to say, the minute Rachel appeared on the page, I fell in love with her. She was so funny, refreshingly blunt and direct, and the scenes between her and Cecily were a joy to write. I immediately thought about a book for her too. 

After The Year of Cecily was done, it was time to figure out whose book was next, and Luke immediately came to mind. At first, I considered pairing him with Adrienne, Cecily’s BFF. But the more I thought about it, the more it didn’t feel right. I kept trying to figure out how their story would work, but it just wouldn’t gel. It wasn’t working. I realized what the problem was-in my mind, Adrienne and Luke were too similar, it would be boring. There was no story there.  Then I thought to myself, “How about Luke and Rachel?” Charming, people person, smooth talker Luke with awkward, blunt, decidedly NOT a people person Rachel? I could just picture those opposites attract sparks flying and I was off to the races. 

The Rachel Experiment wasn’t necessarily an easy book to write-I made some missteps along the way and had to correct course, but in the end, writing Rachel and Luke’s journey to HEA was an incredibly rewarding experience and I’m so happy with how it turned out. I learned a lot and grew as a writer. And one of the main things I learned is that sometimes, if you’re doing your job right, the characters take over and the only thing you can do is buckle up and go along for the ride. I hope you all enjoy Rachel and Luke’s story. Here’s to those secondary characters and sequel bait! 

Are you a fan of series and revisiting characters from previous books or do you prefer the focus remain on the main couple in each book? Are you good at sniffing out “sequel bait” and figuring out who will be paired with whom?

About the Author

Lisa Lin headshot.

Lisa has been an avid romance reader and fan since she read her first Nora Roberts novel at the age of 13 after wandering the aisles of her local bookstore. Lisa loves that romance has the power to inspire, and believes that HEAs are for everyone.

Lisa writes light contemporary romantic comedies with a liberal dash of snark and banter. She enjoys delving into the complexity of Asian and immigrant family experiences, and celebrates female friendships in her trademark dry, witty style. As an Asian-American author writing own voices Asian American stories, Lisa hopes that her books will show the diversity of the Asian-American experience, and the importance of every reader being able to see themselves represented on the page.

Having grown up in Pennsylvania and helping out at her parents’ restaurant, Lisa has never bothered to learn to cook. She has two liberal arts undergraduate degrees and a J.D, and in her former life she was an intern, then Legislative Assistant for a PA State Representative. She also worked as a paralegal at a boutique law firm. Lisa is a politics junkie (don’t get her started on the wonder that is The West Wing!), indulges in naps whenever possible, and believes Netflixing in her pajamas and ordering take out qualifies as the perfect weekend. As a self-described Twitter addict, you can tweet her @laforesta1!