Dreamer's Sanctuary

This is my fifth update in February, and with it, I’m posting the fourth chapter of A Heart That Isn’t Mine.

Earlier in the course of writing this story, I noticed a quote my friend Steph had posted on her profile on the Absolute Chaos discussion boards.  It was by Rainbow Rowell, author of Fangirl, a novel I read a few years ago and really related to, since the protagonist is girl who writes fanfic.  When asked to give writing advice, Rowell said,

“Write a lot. Write something you’re scared to write. That’s the best advice I can give: If you have an idea, and you can’t stop thinking about it, but something about it scares you half to death–WRITE THAT.”

This was both encouraging and reassuring to me because, without realizing it, I’ve been following her advice for years.  I write about things that make me uncomfortable, and that’s why I’m always a little nervous posting new stories and waiting for the reaction from the other people who read them.  But the stories that scare me the most are usually the ones I end up enjoying the most, and they also tend to get the best reaction.  I will keep reminding myself of that as I continue to work on this one.  Thank you to those who are reading it!

I had hoped to get this posted earlier in the day, but better late than never!  It’s been a busy week.  Happy birthday to my first and forever Backstreet love, Brian!

In honor of Brian’s birthday, I’m posting the next chapter of my new story, A Heart That Isn’t Mine, which… does not include Brian.  Sorry, Brian.  Actually, I’m not sorry because you should be glad you’re not in this one (yet).  Nick is not so lucky.  Sorry, Nick.  The funny (or not-so-funny) thing is, if I’d had this idea in 1999, it totally would have been a Brian story.  If I’d had this idea in 2009, it would have been believable as a Nick story, but I wouldn’t have written it.  But it’s 2019, and my Dove chocolate wrappers keep telling me “Dare to cross the line,” and so… I did.  I went there.  Sorry, Nick.  For my fellow Brian girls, Brian will be the next Backstreet Boy to appear in the story – just give him some time to get there.  He’s coming, I promise.  Howie, Kevin, and AJ, too!  The roller coaster is only beginning, and there will be a lot more twists and turns along the way.  Hold on tight…

Thanks for checking out the first chapter of my new story, A Heart That Isn’t Mine!  Chapter 2 is up!

Happy 6th birthday to Holden Dorough!  Bet you’re glad you’re not in this one, buddy. 😉

Happy Valentine’s Day!  I have a new novel for you!

Synopsis:
Life can change in a heartbeat.  No one knows that better than Nick Carter.  After an unexpected loss leads to an estrangement from his wife, he finds himself in the Florida Keys, broken-hearted and alone… until a chance encounter changes everything.

This has been a long time coming!  I got the idea for this story toward the very end of writing Sick as My Secrets in June 2017.  I spent two days obsessively researching and outlining to get it out of my system, but didn’t start trying to write it until I finished SAMS.  It took me three tries to get the version I’m posting today.  I started the first version later that summer, the second version that December, and the third (and final) version last July.  I have been working on it ever since – pretty consistently since November – but I’ve been nervous about posting it, in part because I don’t want to flake out on it like I’ve done with certain other stories, but also because of its content.  I always get a little nervous posting new novels and feel the need to include some kind of disclaimer when I worry I may have gone too far with the drama.  This story deals with a topic that I once said I “wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole” – which I now know means I was totally going to go there someday!  It only took me ten years.  All I’m going to say in the way of a disclaimer is that this story is going to be another roller coaster.

Consider yourself warned.

The first chapter has been posted.  It takes place on Halloween, not Valentine’s Day, but I didn’t want to wait until October to post it.  I’ll be back over the weekend with Chapter 2.  Enjoy the ride!

It’s officially February, and that means it’s time to kick off our first Flashback Fics discussion, featuring one of my old favorites, Cardio by Trinity.  If you’d like to join in, head over to the forum and add your two cents!

After spending my two snow days off work this week writing, I’m feeling pretty good about the progress I’ve made on the novel I’ve been teasing lately, and I think I may be ready to start posting it soon.  If all goes well, the beginning will be up on Valentine’s Day.  But if the groundhog sees his shadow tomorrow, it’ll be six more weeks without an update…  Just kidding.  Valentine’s Day.  I said it, and I want you to hold me to it.

Hope to see people popping up on the forum soon!