If you're no longer interested in receiving emails from me, please scroll to the very bottom of this email, below the free book banners, for the unsubscribe button. Please do not use the report spam button unless you are truly receiving spam. Thank you. 

Hi everyone,

I hope you're having an awesome week and that you're enjoying Halloween. I'm going to be lighting some of my candles and hopefully not accidentally burn my house down. (I may have accidentally set my carpet on fire with incense on accident once. heh) I'm also planning on watching some spooky Halloween movies with friends in a few hours and munching on mini butterfingers. The Haunting of Bly Manor ended up winning the vote for the watch party, and I'm excited since I haven't seen it before ^^.

As far as life updates go, I got into one of my top choices for MFA programs, Seton Hill! I'm still applying for the other schools on my list, but I was super excited to hear back from them so quickly with a yes. One of their mentors is my favorite author and the author of "Poison Study," Maria V. Snyder.

Some updates on giveaways. The very first winner of the pre-order contest has been announced! It's Mary B.

Congratulations! I'll be sending your Merlin themed pendant in the mail. I hope you enjoy it.

And the winners of the Halloween contest are....

1. stamatialoupi

2. Flynn

3.Miss Missy

Congratulations!!! I will reach out to each of you individually to see what prize you would like to claim and to get the shipping details for you if you chose a physical prize. If you don't hear from me, please send me an email.

You can see the awesome prizes I made for the contest below:

This week, I just sent the book off to the proofreader, so in celebration I have a cutesy Rose X Gabriel moment for you instead of a full chapter. I hope you enjoy it!

Rose X Gabriel moment-

On the walk there she’d refused his hand and jacket despite the shivers that made her teeth chatter, but the rows upon rows of clothing made her eyes widen with wonder. 

Her eyes caught on a black coat with silver buttons running along the front, and Gabriel held it up for her. “Do you want to try this on?” 

“It’s beautiful, but it looks expensive. Are you sure?” 

“A beautiful coat for a beautiful woman.” 

“I’ll forgive the shameless flirtations this time because this truly is a beautiful coat, and I’m freezing.” She snatched the coat from him, but her cold handles fumbled as she tried to slide her arm into the sleeves.  

“Here let me help you with that.” He held out his hand, and he slipped the jacket over her thin shirt. They both flushed when he lowered down to fasten the bottom buttons of the jacket. His hand lingered on the final button until she pushed at his forehead.

“Okay it’s on. You can move away now.” 

“Sorry.” He stood up and appraised her. 

“Can you turn around for me?”

She crossed her arm over her chest. “I won’t indulge your fancies if that’s what you’re hoping for.”

He blinked, and his cheeks heated. “I wanted to make sure it fits properly. Although you do look stunning in that coat.”

“Fine I’ll turn but only because you said I look stunning.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder and then gave a quick turn. His breath caught in his throat. The coat emphasized each of her curves and it made her crimson eyes blaze like a fire. She truly looked like a model that had lost their way.

“It fits perfectly. Do you like it?”

She pulled the coat tighter around her. “I love it.”

“In that case we’ll get it.”

She jumped up and down, and he pursed his lips when his eyes landed on her scuffed flats. She’d need some warm shoes as well. 

This trip was going to cost him. “It looks like you’ll need some new shoes to match your coat. What size shoe do you wear?” 

Rose looked up at the ceiling and then shrugged.

“Give me one of your shoes then. We need to find you some winter boots.” 

She sat on a nearby bench, and she pulled off a shoe for him. “Just make sure it’s comfortable.” She added. 

“Get the most uncomfortable boots? Of course, Rose.”

She rolled her eyes, and he searched through the boots while she waited. A pair of black lace ups that appeared to be her size caught his eye first.

When he got back to the bench, she swung her legs and whistled. Her gaze quickly fell to the boots in his hand. 

“They look perfect. Can I try them on?”

“No. I got them just to torture you.” 

“Very funny.” She said and held out her hand to take the boots.

She slipped the boots onto her feet, but she struggled with the laces. 

“Need help?”

“Perhaps a little.” She admitted sheepishly.

He laced them up as she watched intently. 

Rose tested the fit swinging her legs around, and then getting up and walking around the shop. “They fit perfectly.” she beamed.

“Do you like them?” Gabriel asked.

Rose stared down at them dreamily. “Yes. They’re as beautiful as the coat.”

“Are they comfortable?”

She nodded. “They’re so soft it feels almost as nice as going barefoot.”

“Great. Let’s go ahead and pay then.”

Her head tilted to one side. “Don’t you need a coat?”

“Oh right.” He skimmed the racks and plucked the first one he could find in his size. 

“There. Now we’re ready to go.”

When they paid at the front desk, she let out a high-pitched squeal. “Thank you!” She wrapped her arms around him, crushing him in a hug.  

Now he wished he’d told her what he’d really wanted to say when he’d seen her in that coat…I like you. I want to be with you. It was still on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn’t form the words.

Instead he smiled. “You’re welcome. You deserve it.” 

Upcoming Cover Reveal-

• I have a form you can fill out to be part of my cover reveal team for "Gabriel is Cursed." The form is here if you're interested.

Now, I have a question for you. 

What is your favorite part of Halloween?

For me it's definitely the decorations. I love a good haunted house, but I'm also fond of sitting at home with some candy and a good movie.

That's all I've got for you today. Have a great day and stay safe.

Sincerely,

Julia

DEAL ALERT! Chirp has a code you can use to get your first audiobook free if it's under $5 and mine is $0.99, so if you want to listen for free, now's your chance.

The code is: FIRSTBOOK5

Free Books and Book Fairs