Is It Blursday Where You Are?

Greetings friends,

I don’t know about you, but so far the new year feels like this meme:

Here in Connecticut, time has lost all meaning, the weather is ridiculous, and yet some things remain constant, like my retired husband's determination to continue to ride his fold-up bike, aka the circus bike. I give you exhibit A.

Now that he no longer goes to a job, but I do, we are operating on entirely different calendars. And his reads, Perfect Bike Weather, Iffy Bike Weather, and Slightly Dangerous But Still Bike Weather.

For context, our entire 30-year marriage has been me quietly coping with his adrenaline addiction. Drag racing a motorcycle with nitrous oxide, then a supercharged Mustang with over 500 horsepower - he craves speed like oxygen. I crave... well, yes, oxygen, because I like being alive, but also warmth, safety, and the absence of terror.

I suppose I should have seen this coming, but I digress. The fold-up bike is his latest vehicle of choice. Six miles through the neighborhood, post-snowstorm, in temperatures that make your face hurt. He insists it keeps him in shape and it invigorates him. More power to him. Also, I can’t help but admire his dedication. Today as he rode up the street, I watched from the window, a mug of hot tea in my hands, humming that song we all associate with the circus, and it made me wonder if my neighbors, like me, are reminded of this as he passes by…

When I’m not humming circus music or watching my husband defy winter, I’ve been busy. Here are my latest upcoming events:

I’ll be at Coles Road Brewing in Berlin, CT on Saturday, February 7th from 12-4 PM for a book signing. This one is extra special because my book Princess Charming is set in a brewery, so I had custom beer glasses made with the logo from the book. Buy the book, get the glass! Stop by anytime during those hours - I’d love to see you.

Then on Saturday, February 21st from 2-3 PM, I’m teaching a Romance In A Flash class at Manross Memorial Library in Forestville, CT. This free class is perfect for beginner writers who’ve always wanted to write romance but didn’t know where to start. We’ll use flash cards with hero/heroine archetypes, emotional wounds, meet-cutes, and tropes to spark your creativity and get your story rolling. You do need to RSVP through the library, so grab your spot HERE

Hope to see some of you there!

I recently watched the Netflix adaptation of The People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry, and it reminded me why I’m such a sucker for the best-friend-who’s-been-in-love-all-along trope. This month’s swoony book boyfriend is Alex Nilsen - the quiet, steady hero who proves that sometimes the most romantic gesture is just showing up.

What I loved:

*Their Dynamic I wouldn’t consider him Grumpy in the true sense of the word, but he’s definitely more reserved, and he craves routine, whereas Poppy chases experiences and feelings over stability.

* He’s Been in Love the Whole Time Alex isn’t pining from afar in some dramatic, tortured way—he’s been there, year after year, vacation after vacation, even while dating Sarah on and off. But you can tell his heart has always belonged to Poppy, even when he was trying to convince himself otherwise.

* He Chooses Her, Every Time My favorite scene in the movie: They’re supposed to go to Norway, but Poppy wakes up with a fever from the flu. She tells him to go without her. He’s at the airport but instead of getting on the plane, he shows up at her door and takes care of her for the week. Swoon!

*He Knows Her Completely Years of friendship mean he sees all of her—the messy, impulsive, chaotic parts—and he doesn’t just accept them, he loves them. He’s not trying to change her or calm her down. He just gets her.

* He’s Patient (But Not a Pushover) Alex waits, but he also has boundaries. He’s not a doormat—he’s a man who knows what he wants and is willing to wait for the right moment, but he won’t settle for less than real.

* His Brand of Romance is Quiet Devotion There are no grand gestures or sweeping declarations (well, until there are). Alex’s love language is showing up, being present, and making her feel seen. It’s the kind of love that feels real, grounded, and utterly swoon-worthy.

When Alex looks at Poppy, you can see it—he’s been hers all along. 💙

I hope this gave you a smile, a little swoon, or a cozy break in your day. Until next time,

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