Romance is real. And real camping is hard.

It's no secret that I love a good love story. All romance writers and readers do. But the genre still has a lot of baggage to overcome. I feel like I'm reminded of on a weekly basis every time someone writes an article about "Most annoying tropes" or refers to every romance novel as a "bodice ripper" or dismisses a book because it's written by a woman for women. I mean does anyone NOT want to read a book they can rely on giving them a happy ending after the last year and a half?

While I love the bumpy ride that is the emotional rollercoaster of a romance book, I love it even more when it happens in real life. My first book, The Marriage Code, was inspired by my own real life love story of meeting my husband--a relationship that felt doomed from the start because of our cultural differences and his parents' longing for a traditional match for him. But the heart wants what the heart wants! And we made it work (after the roller coaster ride).

My second book which comes out in August, The Name Curse, is also inspired by a real life romance, using a much beloved trope--one bed. We were out with my friend Marty, drinking margaritas at an old school divey Mexican restaurant (as one often does in Austin), talking about camping. My husband and I go camping all the time, but have never done a big time backpacking trip as we have two big dogs, live in Texas and like to sleep NOT on the ground. (I mean, kudos to you hardcore campers who can sleep on the dirt, and make coffee on a fire you built yourself with a twig and a stone, and carry your belongings on your back for a week- I’m truly in awe!) So what we do is really glamping. Marty talks about a backpacking trip he went on once with his ex-wife and how there were two strangers who had to share a tent. But the last night they were back in the city, they voluntarily shared a hotel together.

I slapped my hand on the table and let the wave of vindication rush over me. "Romance  novels happen in real life!" I exclaimed, probably drawing some stares from those around us. "I'm going to write a book about these campers."

And that's how The Name Curse was born.

I'm so excited for you to meet The Name Curse at the end of August! It's available now to pre-order on Amazon and look out for a few giveaways in the coming weeks! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08L3972N2/