Today, we’re diving into how to build tension and chemistry between characters. If you’re a fellow writer, you’ll pick up tips to level up your craft. If you’re a romance reader, you’ll get an inside peek at how those swoon-worthy moments come to life on the page.

Any author out there knows that finishing a book and publishing it is the hardest part—well, that, and marketing the dang things. But writing? Writing is the fun part, the passion. That’s what we love. So, it’s no surprise that when I’m nearing the end of a project, my brain is already jumping to what’s next.

As an author, there’s something magical about holding a beautifully crafted book in your hands. Gorgeous covers, sprayed edges, foiled details, ribbons—it all adds to the joy of reading and turns a book into a treasure. I’ve been dreaming of creating these pretty books for the Grand Mesa Men series, but let me tell you, the journey to make them a reality is no easy feat—especially as an indie author based in the US.

If you’ve been following along, you know how much I’ve poured into the Grand Mesa Men series. It’s been a journey—three years of writing, revising, and dreaming about these books—and now we’re almost at the finish line. I wanted to take a moment to reflect on where we are, what’s coming next, and what the publishing timeline looks like.

As an indie author, my writing journey has been deeply personal and incredibly rewarding. Over the years, I've explored various themes and characters in my novels, but a few recurring motifs stand out, binding my works together under a unified thematic umbrella. Whether it's the ethereal narrative of Soul Jumper, the heart-wrenching journey of The Man Before You, or the magical trials in Encampment, each book delves into the complexities of human emotions, the transformative power of love, and the eternal struggle between hope and despair.

As authors who write by the seat of our pants, affectionately known as "pantsers," the journey of crafting a story is as unpredictable as it is thrilling. Character development, a cornerstone of compelling narrative, can seem daunting without a detailed plan. Yet, it's in the spontaneous flow of creation that some of the most authentic and dynamic characters come to life.

I consistently read a book a day, because once I start a book I have to know what happens. I’m a serial, binge reader. I’ve read so many incredible books recently…