I have to admit I really didn’t see this day coming when I sent out my first manuscript for rejection. Okay, you know what I mean, a novice writer with no experience… I know I was lucky. Rebel Ink Press read my first book, Rth Rising, and of all the strange things, bought it! I was a published author. I still remember the wonder of it all. My thanks always to Cherry Adair, the speaker at the HCRW annual conference that year, who I met for the first time the next day after receiving this news. I’ll always remember how she jumped up and ran around the table to hug me.

Rebel Ink was a small eBook only publisher at the time – now most of my books are also in paper and I have two audio books with more on the horizon.

Other books and publishers followed and I’m now a hybrid writer – traditionally and self-published. I retired from my office job and began writing full time in 2015 and was able to finish up a lot of books that I’d started but hadn’t had the time to finish. I got into the groove of writing every day for at least four hours and that still holds true. “Retiring” was a misnomer, I have no idea how I got everything done when I still “worked”.

Now I’m publishing my 50^th book, Alien Embraces, sequel to Alien Embrace. Who’da thunk it?? My love for the paranormal and science fiction has grown and I’ve added contemporary to my repertoire. My annual Christmas novellas are now anticipated and requested – talk about an ego boost!

I have found my niche with an incredible critique group of fellow writers that have been more help than I could ever express. My years with Heart of Carolina Romance Writers taught be at least as much if not more than I learned in school. And the best part is I’m still learning and attempting to improve my craft.

I’m often asked what advice I’d give a new writer – that’s easy. Write. Yes, some days it’s trash, and some days you’re pushing rather than have it flow. Good, that means you’re just like the rest of us. Best advice I was given… You can’t edit an empty page (thank you Nora Roberts). It happens to be true. On those days go back and read something you wrote previously or write something that’s been nagging you that has nothing to do with your current work-in-progress. It’s not like you’re cheating on your current book and those notes will come in handy when you get around to your next book.

I’m fortunate to have the time to write, but when I began, I had two young children at home, I worked full-time, and my husband traveled for his job. The writing just refused to take a complete backseat. It was a lot slower but it still got done and was stored in boxes under the bed. Like I had a choice…

So here’s # 50 – Alien Embraces, sequel to Alien Embrace. My thanks to a fan who jolted this one out of that box and demanded to know what happened. Never underestimate what a reader can do for their writer.

Thank you all for your encouragement and support!

Not necessarily new books but I wanted to make sure my eBooks are also out in print. I know some people really prefer them and I love to accommodate my readers! Many many thanks to Leslie Ray, my intrepid cover artist! So far I’ve added the following to paperbacks-

Hazardous to the Touch, Red Shoes, Beach House, and now Country Doctor!

I’ve also put the Conall Clan out in paper – and I’ve put two books in each volume!

And now I have two audio books as well (more of those to come as well, I hope!)

Wraith’s Heart narrated by Joshua Michael Gibson and Red Shoes narrated by Tracy Butler – they both did an incredible job!

More coming – working on a new book – Reconnection, and a surprise (to me) novella in the Changing Heart series… and remember my 50th!!! book comes out in September, a sequel to Alien Embrace,  so look for that!

I have a new audio book available now – Red Shoes released April 8 – it’s been a good month!!

Red Shoes, narrated by the wonderful Tracy Butler is now live!

Also available as eBook and paperback

Wraith’s Heart is also now at Audible and Apple

Growing the Change – the third in the Changing Hearts series will to on pre-order on March 28 and will go live on April 5!

Since the 5th is also my birthday, I’ll be giving away a few copies, so let me know if you’d like to be in the drawing – just email me at steelestories@gmail.com and say Growing!

The first two book in the series – Hearing the Change and The Family You Choose are available at Amazon, B&N, Apple and Kobo!

Shelby and Stu are together and have been since he picked her up at the grocery store. Her daughter, Tiffany, loves him too, as well as the whole family they’ve grown around them. When Willa’s brother, Gavin, is brought into the mix a whole new dynamic – one that’s critical to family – is created. How will that affect the growing clan?

Excerpt –

Shelby looked over at her eight-year-old as they exited the car and headed inside Queen City Rehab Center. Tiffany didn’t seem to be upset about the last-minute change in plans but unfortunately, she appeared to be growing used to the disappointment. The good thing was it didn’t seem to bother her. Her dad had canceled their weekend again just this morning. So, she had accompanied Shelby to work today. It was Saturday therefore she shouldn’t be here long.

It was a fine establishment with an excellent reputation, and Shelby was now in a position to make sure that continued. With long term care on one side and physical therapy on the other, it was a vibrant place, with a homey feel, lots of good lighting, and calm colors with pops of bright scattered around. Even living plants rather than the dusty plastic ones where Shelby had her first experience working in long-term care before she’d gone back to school for her Advanced Practice Registered Nurse degree, APRN. She could now assess patients, diagnosis conditions, and prescribe treatment. It was a long-term dream come true.

Another bonus was Tiffany was already becoming familiar with the people who lived and worked here. Shelby had completed her internship here and her new job had been secured. Queen had hired her prior to graduation. Fortunately, her paycheck had increased once she was permanent. Now she brought Tiffany over here for a couple of hours a few times a week.

A lot of these people didn’t get many visitors. Tiffany knew which ones they were and made it a special point to see and visit with them. She really seemed to brighten their days.

Even as Shelby watched, Tiffany ran ahead to greet Otis in his wheelchair, as he sunned himself on the front porch.

He greeted her like a granddaughter, giving her a big grin and a hug. She was chattering away with him, filling him in on what she’d done at camp the past week.

“Morning Miss Shelby. Sounds like Miss Tiffany here had a good week.”

“Oh, she did. Always busy. I wish I had her energy.”

“Me too,” the elderly man said and waved goodbye as they continued inside.

They greeted the receptionist, Lee was on today, then Shelby took Tiffany’s hand and led her down a hall they didn’t usually visit. The patients on this hall didn’t interact with visitors. “You remember Willa?”

“Sure. She’s Clint’s girlfriend.”

“That’s right. Well, her brother has come to stay here with us. He’s in a coma, do you remember what that is?”

Tiffany nodded. “He’s kind of asleep and can’t wake up, but he can hear us.”

“That’s right. Would you like to meet him?”

“Sure!”

They moved on down the hall and tapped on the door. “Come in.” Willa’s voice came through the door and Shelby pushed it open.

Willa smiled up at them, putting her finger in the book she was reading to the boy in the bed to mark her place. “Hi. I didn’t expect to see you today too,” she greeted Tiffany.

“Mom works here,” Tiffany explained. “And on Saturdays I come in and say hi to everyone.”

“That’s a great idea. I’m sure the people here love seeing you.”

Tiffany grinned. “Is this your brother?”

“Yes, this is Gavin. Gavin, this is Tiffany.”

“Hi,” Tiffany said, taking his hand. “He’s young.” Shelby nodded. He was by far the youngest long-term patient here.

Willa smiled. “Yes, he’s fifteen, about ten years younger than me.”

Tiffany turned to him then. “I’m a friend of your sister’s. Her boyfriend is my Uncle Clint. When you get all rested, you should wake up and meet him.” Shelby watched her, it was almost as though he had answered her, and she was thinking about his response.

Willa smiled wistfully over at Shelby. Shelby knew that look, if only