Release week is here!

The Sugar Creek Blame Game officially goes live in two days, and it will be the last day you can grab the Kindle version for half price before the price changes. So, now’s the time to preorder so it’s delivered automatically to your Kindle on release day.

I have loved how Sara and JD’s story came together. There’s something about them — their history, their tenderness, the way they hold space for each other — that stayed with me long after I typed “The End.”

I can’t wait for you to read it.

Here’s a little more…

The snow crunches under our feet, branches overhead dusted with glittering snow. It’s quiet in that soft, peaceful way, like the whole world is holding us inside a snow globe where we’re the only two people in existence.

She’s quiet for a moment, then she asks, “What do you want?”

I look at her walking beside me, lantern-light reflecting off her hair, cheeks pink from the cold. She’s been my north star since kindergarten.

“I want…” I swallow hard. You. But I don’t say it out loud. Instead, I say, “To make something of myself. Like your dad did. Like he said I could.”

Her breath catches. “JD, you’re already something, someone wonderful. You do know that if you don’t make it to the NFL, you’ll still be loved. By all of us. Right?”

We’ve reached a spot on the path that opens up to the lake view. I pause in front of the water, moonlight sparkling everywhere I look, and let her words sink into my heart. She stands beside me, looking up at me in the way only she ever has.

“Thank you, Angel. That means more than you know.”

“Whatever,” she laughs softly.

She leans into me, and I pull her into a side embrace as we take in the lake, the mountains, the lights of Sugar Creek twinkling in the darkness. The air is cold, stinging my nose, but she’s warm.

After some time, she sighs softly. “It’s beautiful.”

I glance down at her. “Yeah,” I murmur. “It is.”

“Make a wish?” she says.

“You first.”

She closes her eyes, breathes in the cold air, and whispers something I can’t hear.

When she opens her eyes again, she looks softer. Brighter.

“Your turn,” she says.

I look at the snow. The lake. Her.

My throat tightens.

Everything I want feels too big to fit into a wish. Too precious.

But I force a smile and close my eyes.

I wish for the same thing I’ve wished for the last eighteen Christmases.

For one more day, week, year, to be near her without messing everything up.

If you haven’t preordered yet, this is your reminder — Thursday is the final day to lock in the $2.99 price.

Return to Sugar Creek With Me

Thank you for being here during release week. Truly. It means more than you know.

Until next week,

River Ford

Book Shares

Redemption Looks A Lot Like Love

He’s one court date away from ruining his life. She’s the one person that can help him. And she loathes him. Can he redeem himself enough to make her believe he’s changed?

$2.99 or Free in KU