A little update (and a big fail) 🤭
Aug 09, 2024 6:22 pm
Hi !
It's almost the weekend! Got any plans? Mine are the usual: writing, drawing, reading, and sweeping up dog hair (this summer heat is making them shed so much)!
WHAT I'M WRITING
Sworn by Starlight has taken a backburner to family vacations and obligations for the last couple weeks, but I’m excited to pick back up where I left off…mainly because it was right in the middle of outdoor spicy times in the beauty of the Irran grasslands. Yes, please!
I’m sorry to make you wait for it a little bit longer, but I hope it will be worth it. Oljin is such a cinnamon roll, which is refreshing to write after wrestling with three (!) grumpy heroes in a row (Lyro from Saved by Starlight, Nik from Sparked by Starlight, and Alrek from The Ruin’s Revenge).
I love the grumpy guys, but it’s fun to have a little variety, too! I just wanna squish Oljin, he’s so sweet and devoted. But he’s not all sweetness. He’s a little spicy, too.
This is what Rose has to say about him:
“He kisses like a demon, long-tongued and sharp-toothed. Like the things they warned me against in Sunday school, and now I understand why. Because this—his hands, his claws in my hair, his lips on mine, his strong arms cradling me like I’m weightless—this feels like heaven.
Sweet. Addictive. Consuming.”
Sworn by Starlight doesn’t have a preorder link because it’ll be free via this newsletter when it’s done! But you can catch up on the rest of the series while you wait.
WHAT I'M DRAWING
Whenever I mention that I’m not a professional artist, some lovely, kind people rush to tell me my art is good. The thing is…there are a lot of drawings I don’t show you.
For example, I recently drew a quick scene of Oljin rescuing Rose. Though my alien heroes change color with their emotions, I usually make them the color they are on their cover just to keep them straight. Oljin, poor soul, is green on his cover. When I finished his portrait, I realized with horror that he looked like…wait for it…
Handsome Squidward. Oh noooo. (If you don't know, google it and you'll see why this was a devastating realization!)
Not the vibe I was going for, but I also had no idea how to fix it (see: not a professional artist). So I solved the problem by turning Rose into Sandy Squirrel, complete with a tail and bubble helmet. 😂
I'm not going to show you. It's soooo bad. I promise it’s much better in your imagination! It made me laugh, though, which is a good thing to do about your failures.
(My kids informed me that Squidward/Sandy is the worst Spongebob ship, and I should never do it again.)
I have a new piece in the works that I like a lot better that you will get to see. It’s a secret for now because I haven’t announced my new series yet.
I’m also planning to commission some professional art for my upcoming books, and I’m curious…do you have any monster romance artists you love? Any art pieces from other authors you particularly admire? I’d love to know (you can reply to this email if you have ideas!).
WHAT I'M READING
New on my Kindle this weekend… a hilarious fantasy adventure with a spicy orc hero and an alien abduction instalove story. I can’t wait to devour them (they're both in Kindle Unlimited)!
Bound to the Orc Hunter by Krista Luna
The gorgeous orc I just met says I’m his bride. Yeah, right.
Bound to the Orc Hunter is a steamy fantasy monster romance featuring a charming orc warrior who falls fast and a witch heroine who needs to discover the magic of love.
My Starry-Eyed Alien by Billie Tyler
He’s been waiting for her… millions of miles away!
My Starry-Eyed Alien is a swoon-worthy instalove story featuring star-crossed fated mates, designed to be read in about an hour.
FREEBIES & DEALS
In case you missed them last week, here are the monster and alien romance giveaways available this month!
Monster Romance Reads - August Free Books
Paranormal & Fantasy Romance Free Reads for August
FREE Monsters & Aliens for August
Love,
Sara
P.S. Looking for NSFW Character Art?
Visit www.saraivyhill.com
Password: limitless
