Less than two weeks until Everlasting Vows

Sep 04, 2026 11:31 am

G'day, ,

I hope your month was amazing.

Mine's been busy preparing for the release of Nix and Abbi's book, Everlasting Vows. This is always a weird time in the process of publishing a book for me. It's done. And something that consumed all of my thoughts for months and months no longer needs to take up space in my brain. I often find myself feeling a little lost when I'm between projects. Like, what's supposed to keep me up at night if it's not stressing over the last sentence I wrote (apart from the typical middle of the night wake up at 3 a.m)? 🤣

Over the last several weeks, we've had the privilege of watching our youngest son fall for a young lady. It's been wonderful witnessing him come to the realisation that he likes her and wondering how he can take their friendship to the next stage of asking her out. He came home after catching up with her, and I could almost see him floating on clouds because she'd agreed to be his girlfriend. He's positively smitten. It's made my romance author's heart flip and flop, and I'm so happy for him. It's all been very sweet.

With the release of Everlasting Vows less than two weeks away, I'm now working on the bonus for the entire Everlasting series so it's ready for when I combine the single books into an omnibus, like I did for The Summer Twins and Kisses series. I had been thinking about what I'd like to write for the bonus and had a few ideas that I thought were okay, but yesterday an idea struck that I absolutely adore. I think it will be the perfect ending to the series.

You're going to love it! Eeek!

Speaking of Everlasting Vows, it's LESS THAN TWO WEEKS until you can get your eyes on it. I'm so excited for you to read Nix and Abbi's story. Feedback for Nix and Abbi has been incredibly positive from my beta readers, saying that Nix is book husband material and Abbi is incredibly relatable. Both of which I always aim for in my stories.

If you follow me on social media, I've been sharing snippets to build excitement for their story. However, I've saved this snippet just for you. It's one of my favourite scenes.

Nix is devastated at the knowledge that he's hurt Abbi and that he may lose the most important person in his life, so throughout their story he woos her in a bid to win her affection again. There are moments when he isn't certain if his efforts are working, but this scene was so sweet.

I pull into the parking lot, and Abbi leans forward, peering through the windshield. With narrowed eyes, she turns to me. "What are we doing here?"

Instead of answering, I release her seatbelt and climb out of the car. Giddiness unfurls in my stomach as I jog around to her side and open her door. "I wanted to show you something," I tell her as I help her down.

Taking her hand, a familiar spark races up my arm. She tugs her jacket tighter around her body as I lock my truck, then lead her toward the chain-link fence. She almost has to run to keep up with my long strides, but I'm eager to take her on a trip down memory lane.

She giggles as she tugs on my hand; the sound echoing around us and makes a direct hit to the muscle behind my ribs. "Slow down. My legs aren't as long as yours."

I slow my stride and smile apologetically. "Sorry."

"Why did you bring me here?" she asks quietly as I open the gate and step onto the sports field of our old stomping ground.

"Because I wanted to share something important with you." I stop and collect her free hand in mine. "Humor me?"

She nods, and I can't stop the rusty smile that splits my face. She and the kids are the only people who have ever made me smile as often as I do when I'm with them. I guide her to the bleachers and lead her up the steps until I reach the fifth row, then tug her until we're three-quarters of the way across.

"Sit here, please."

She does as I ask, even though she doesn't understand my motives yet. But she will soon. I race down to the field and take up my high school position of tight end, then, bringing the memory forward, jog closer to where I was when my life changed forever. I look up into the bleachers, finding Abbi watching me with curiosity, her hands tucked between her thighs for warmth.

"I was a sophomore when I caught a pass from my quarterback on this field." I reenact the actions from so long ago as I explain to Abbi that I fell hook, line, and sinker for her before she even knew I existed. "I was looking up to track him so we could make a trick play when my eyes caught on a girl I'd never seen before sitting right there in the bleachers." I point at her. "She was the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen and became a major distraction throughout the game," I laugh without humor because coach reamed my ass after the game. "I missed so many passes and played my worst game ever because I couldn't stop myself from seeking her out." I walk slowly toward my wife, who's only grown more beautiful over the years. "It only took me a few days to find out who the mystery girl was, and that she was new to our school. Abigail Murphy." I smile to myself. "I knew if I could build up enough courage to talk to you, that you'd be Abigail Steele one day."

Her mouth drops open a little. She had no idea I had harbored a huge crush on her for more than a year before I approached her. "But you only started talking to me halfway through our junior year."

I shove my hands into the front pockets of my jeans and take each step up to her slowly. I shrug. "I had no game and knew you were too good for me. The daughter of a lawyer and a doctor,"-I raise my brows-"there was no way you'd be interested in a stupid jock like me."

She huffs. "Well, that's absolutely not true." Turning her body toward me, she watches me as I walk closer. "You weren't stupid, Nix." She shakes her head. "You were never stupid, and I was never too good for you. You had that all wrong."

I sit next to her, sliding closer, and then tuck her loose hair behind her ear. "You were definitely too good for the likes of me, but I couldn't stay away. Eventually, it got too much, and I pushed through my fear of rejection and approached you." I slide my hand over hers and tangle our fingers together, then bring her warm hand up to my mouth, pressing it against my lips. "When you smiled at me, I thought the heavens had opened up and sent me an angel." Her cheeks flush a pretty shade of pink as she ducks her head. "You're still too good for the likes of me, and I know I don't deserve you once, let alone twice, but I feel like I've loved you forever. I'll do whatever it takes to turn our marriage around and hopefully make you fall in love with me again. I'm asking you to open your heart to me again, Abs. I know it won't be easy for you to trust me again because I've hurt you terribly, but I promise, this time, I'll cherish your heart the way I should have the first time."

You can order your copy here

Preorder Everlasting Vows

I've had a slow reading month, mainly because I've been busy editing and finalising Everlasting Vows and writing the bonus epilogue for it.

I finished Victoria Wilder's Bourbon Brothers series. The first book was fantastic, the second book was great, but the third book wasn't my cup of tea. The whole 'Daddy' concept is not something I enjoy, and I found myself skipping pages and pages of sex because there was a lot of it. This title would definitely be a favourite for some readers who prefer more smut in their books.

And for the first time ever, I'm reading two books at once. Slap Shot in Kindle Unlimited and Butcher & Blackbird in paperback. A work colleague brought in the paperback for me to read, and I have to admit that it's been years since I picked up a paperback. My boys didn't recognise me with a paperback in my hand. 🤣 I have to confess that I'm struggling to read the paperback because I can't increase the font size. 🤣🤣🤣 Getting older sucks.

I am enjoying Butcher & Blackbird. I love the concept of two serial killers competing against one another, and I assume fall in love along the way since it's a romance. The banter between the characters has been entertaining.