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Hello, my favorite humans!

I’ve been enjoying a week of beautiful weather here in the Midwest USA, though the last couple of days have been creeping past “pleasantly warm” and toward “hot!” That’s pretty much par for the course in my part of the world though—our weather tends to be moody and extreme.

I don’t know if you know this about me, but I like to create geometric drawings with ink pens and markers. It helps me process when I’m listening to books or podcasts and I also sometimes draw a little during writing breaks while I think through scenes and story problems. Here’s last week’s example...

I’ve been planning to colonize my blank slate of an Instagram presence for a while, and finally have. To help me feel less lonely, would you follow me there? I’ve been drawing some marker art on bookmarks and I’ll send a dozen of them to anyone in the world who 1) follows me there (@rachelemberauthor) and 2) responds to this email with the answer to this question: What book am I reading? I’d also love your IG tips! I’m a noob. :(

What I’m reading

I finished the audiobook of Lucy Lennox’s Borrowing Blue yesterday. I know, I know, I’m years late. ;)

I am now diving into a new one by one of my favorite authors—I don’t go looking for vampire books, but if Sierra Simone writes it, I read it. So I’m expecting to enjoy her novella, Sanguine.

What I’m writing

I just realized I forgot to officially announce the winner of the “pilot season” vote! It was, of course, Night and Day, which led the voting from the outset. I even held a baby on Saturday to refresh my memory and get in the zone. (He threw up on me, so, you’re welcome.)

I fleshed out my story outline a little and I’m excited to write it for you! I set up a discord server for my writing months ago and haven’t launched it yet, but now I’m wondering if you’d be interested in watching me write Night and Day chapters live through discord? Let me know if that sounds fun!

Night and Day, an mm contemporary romance

Ty’s parents seem to have their shit together, and his little brothers are old enough that he doesn’t have to constantly worry about them anymore. He could finally transition to full-time college classes, if he could find an overnight job that won’t kill him. One where he might be able to study occasionally, or catch a nap. When he sees the advertisement for a night nanny, he knows there’s no one better for the job. Didn’t he practically raise his brothers? And the pay and hours make it the perfect gig to balance against full-time classes. So perfect, that he’s willing to lie to get the job.

Maybe Ty is more sleep-deprived than he’s ever been in his life—little Isabel isn’t much of a sleeper—but he’s always adored babies, and can’t believe he’s getting paid to hang out with one for the handful of hours she’s awake, and to spread out his text books on the coffee table when she’s asleep. And if he’s having some seriously sinful thoughts about Isabel’s handsome, melancholy father—well. His thing for older men is nothing new, and he can keep himself under control for the half-hour their paths cross in the morning and evening. 

Jonathan is overwhelmed by his wife leaving abruptly—though, to be honest, he’d known it was over for years—by the new responsibilities he’s just been handed at his law firm, and by the baby daughter he adopted three months ago, Isabel. The baby his now-vanished wife had been begging for. He was lucky to get a place for Isabel in the best infant care program in the city, but it closes at 5 p.m. Before Isabel, Jonathan had never held a baby or changed a diaper. He needs help day and night. 

When Ty answers his advertisement, and he looks past the tattoos and piercings at the way Ty expertly soothes the baby, Jonathan hires him on the spot. The only problem in the weeks that follow is how much Jonathan begins to look forward to Ty’s arrival every night, and not just because he’s ready to hand over the baby and get some sleep. There’s something that fascinates him about the kid who steps out of the darkness late each night with a crooked smile. 

Then, Isabel’s daycare temporarily closes unexpectedly. A desperate Jonathan asks Ty if he can work more hours, and Ty says he can—if he can crash in the guest room, too.

I’m 99% finished with the second edition of Jaywalking! 🥳 I’m letting the draft “rest” while I jump into Burning Season for a couple of weeks. I also need to write another short story soon. My writing plate is full, for sure, but nothing is on the menu that I’m not excited to be working on, so no complaints.

Don’t miss the Read with Pride Sale

Only a few days are left on this multi-author mm romance sale in honor of pride month! Make sure to check out the Read with Pride Sale on BookFunnel. Full-length books by authors including RJ Scott, VL Locey, (me!), and more are available for as little as 99 cents!

I hope you have an amazing week!