Rome Flynn for my next romance book

Hi, Hello, I’m back <3

Seriously though, ADHD paralysis is real.

I started so many different drafts of newsletters months ago and felt like there was too much to say, so I got overwhelmed and decided to say nothing at all.

But I’ve been working on a lot with my therapist the past few months, and one of those things is focusing on the present. The past is for lessons and nostalgia, but forget it when it brings stress into the present. The future is nice for dreaming but it’s also where anxiety dwells. Being grounded in the present, one moment at a time, has helped me so much. Even with writing. All of this to say, I’m going to focus this newsletter on the now.

So… what’s happening with my books?

Well, my next romance novel The Bridge Back to You comes out March 31st, and the other day a full color sketch of a cover shaped thing landed in my inbox. And gahhhhhh am I obsessed. The palette is stunning and it’s all more beautiful than I imagined it would be. I think I’ll share here first when it’s finished and I get the ok to do that, so watch out for it <3

The Bridge Back to You follows ex’s Carmello and Olivia who inherit the same restaurant. There’s forced proximity, dual pov and timelines, and early readers keep mentioning episodes of The Bear (I’ve never watched it). It’s also in the same universe as A Love Like the Sun and Issac and Laniah have cameos :)

Here’s the first page of Olivia and Carmello’s chapters so you can get a feel for what these two are like:

Rome Flynn (with more tattoos) is my Carmello fancast btw.

If BRIDGE ever gets a movie deal, I’ll be begging for him.

If you’re interested in preordering, I’m dropping a link below. It’s available to request on Netgalley as well!

Preorder here <3

On writing new things:

Yay!! So excited to say I’m also 28k words in on a new wip, which is a low stakes, fairly cozy young adult witchy romance. I think the love interests are so cute and are already down bad for each other.

Ok. Onto what I’m reading…

I’ve been tearing through things, devouring, and I love it. Mostly audiobooks for my hot girl daily walks. This week, I finished three books:

Blood Moon by Britney Lewis which features a Black FMC thrown into drama reminiscent of Twilight but with werewolves being the love interests. Britney’s writing is incredibly poetic and I savored each line.

House of Hearts by Skyla Arndt had me absolutely gripped and a little scared to shower one night. It’s a page turner in which the MC tries to solve her best friend’s murder. Ghosts, magical realism, a slow burn romance.

Everything She does is Magic by Bridget Morrissey. The romance between the FMC’s, Darcy and Anya, had me smiling and giggling and kicking my feet. Darcy helps run her parents Halloween themed empire and Anya is a witch who is on the brink of losing her powers.

TV that is currently consuming me:

I’m doing yet another rewatch of Fruits Basket because Kyo, Yuki & Tohru calm my ever anxiety ridden soul haha. I still strive to write a love triangle as good as the one they have. & I will. Soon.

Speaking of love triangles. It’s been 2 weeks, but I can’t stop watching The Summer I Turned Pretty edits because I’m desperate for more of them. Not to be basic but… Like many others, this show has consumed my summers for years now and I don’t know what I’ll do without them. Seriously though, Jenny Han is a genius and I’m not sure I’ve watched a show that perfectly executed a story line from beginning to end quite like this. The music, the FEELING, the cinematography of this season? Ugh. Us Bonrad fans were fed. I want to write a whole newsletter just dissecting the arc of their story. The best part of the show/books overall is that all of the characters were so damn messy, even the minor ones, just how I like them lol. I can’t wait for the movie.

Messy characters brings me to DOC, which I’ve been obsessed with lately. It’s like a lighter version of Grey’s Anatomy with a FMC who isn’t exactly likeable but that’s the point. I cried my eyes out the last few episodes of season 1 and I’m kind of excited that I can’t really see where the arc of the show is going.

Other things:

I’ve been spending a ton of time outside. I always have, but it feels more important this year because being present in these moments has drastically improved my mental health. Anyway, photos from adventures with my daughters this past week:

& I’m going to Salem this weekend with two of my lifelong best friends and our “girl gang.” Between us, we have 7 kids & they’ve been close since babies. None of them have ever been to Salem, though me and their moms had the best time two years ago when we went ourselves.

I’m excited to take trains there with all of them and explore the city. Hoping we get into some spooky things & eat some good food. Maybe I’ll get some inspiration for my current wip too!!

Oh, and if you’re looking for a witchy read for the season, may I suggest my young adult debut Deep in Providence. It follows three teens who use magic to try to bring their best friend back from the dead. It’s reminiscent of The Craft but more mysterious, has ghosts, and is a little bone chilling.

More soon (Please stay. I promise I wont go ghost for almost a year again lolll)

xo

Riss

ps: drop me some audiobook recs in the comments with narrators you’ve enjoyed. Preferably recently published fantasy and romance. I go through them too quickly on my long walks. And always appreciate new anime and K-drama recs <3