I hope you had a safe and happy new year, and that you’re settling well into 2026 and all this year has to bring. May this year bring about all the positive changes in the most meaningful way for you.

Read on, because today, I’ll be sharing some BTS peeks for Midnightsong, photos from an exciting mermaid photoshoot I did back in November, a character art reveal from my current WIP (which I’m about to start querying). Then, you’ll find more information about my upcoming in-person events, and some more fantasy & romance author spotlights!

Remember how, in my previous newsletter, I mentioned that Midnightsong underwent significant changes during the developmental edit phase? A lot was cut, consolidated, and moved around. While I believe it’s for the better, I wanted to share how some of Midnightsong was when I sent it to my publisher.

Some of these will contain spoilers, so if you haven’t read Midnightsong and want to avoid them, I’d suggest reading ahead to the next section :)

Midnightsong’s epilogue came about from my publisher’s idea, on how to end Oceansong (before they knew it was a planned duology). They mentioned an idea of Angie living on a boat, living in Alaska, and I thought it would be a great way to add this to the end of Midnightsong, as it seemed like the perfect way to wrap up Angie and Kaden’s story.

Kaden’s uncle and the disgraced Mer-King, Saeryn, was originally much more ruthless, cruel, and violent, but my publisher wanted me to make his character more insidious and sneaky, so he didn’t come off too similar to Nick, one of Oceansong’s antagonists.

Saeryn also had an older son, Marron, who assisted him in his crimes against the queendom. He also attempted to assassinate Kaden toward then end of the story, and setting the ending events into motion (including his and Saeryn’s arrest). I had kept them alive, and imprisoned, in the original ending with plans to potentially use them for a third installment, but my publisher nixed this idea and wanted me to keep to the darker tone of the story, and have Saeryn executed.

Kaden originally became King, and Angie returned to Alaska much earlier in the story. They also had more scenes together in the middle part of the story, including a scene where they’re sitting at Angie’s family’s docks and reminiscing, but my publisher suggested keeping them apart and having them fight to be together.

Kaden’s original subplot involved an ultimately fruitless search on his parents’ history in the queendom, when Saeryn challenged his right to the throne. My publisher didn’t feel this was compelling enough, and we talked through several possibilities before Kaden’s storyline in Midnightsong became what it is today.

Also…want to hear about a blooper? Originally, Saeryn and Mer-Queen Cassia were only close friends, and not family, and their daughters, Aiereka and Calora, become a couple. I switched Saeryn and Cassia to be brother and sister partway through ending (but left the ending with their daughters), and it was only after ARCs went out that I realized that it made them cousins. So…if you were an ARC reader and noticed that, that wasn’t intentional! I caught it right before it went out for final printing.

Haven’t gotten a chance to grab Midnightsong yet? Find out more info + buy links on my website:

I might have said this before, but one of my favorite things about being an author is getting to meet new reader and author friends, and reconnect with those already in my circle. Yet at the same time, I’m also trying to manage the amount of events I apply for to save my own sanity and wallet for traveling.

But here’s what I have going on for 2026, and as always, if you’re planning on attending or local to any of these areas, do stop by my table. I love hugs and I love to chat! Click on the event name for more info 🙂

February 7: Brooklyn Books & Booze Book Fest, Brooklyn, NY

February 21: Romance Your Shelf, Mendham, NJ

April 18: Romance in CNY, Utica, NY

June 5 - June 6: Imaginarium Book Festival, Washington D.C.

July 31 - August 1: Tea & Tropes Forbidden Love, Nashville, TN

September 17-19: Books Gowns & Crowns, San Diego, CA

I got the last of my query critiques back recently, so that meant after a final round of edits, Beyond the Mistveil is now off to what we affectionally call the query trenches in search of an agent and/or publisher. I’d love to find this story’s champion, and hopefully this time (compared to the last time I was querying Oceansong, and a previous manuscript), it won’t take close to six years! I’m apprehensive, cautiously optimistic, and nervous all at the same time.

This is the story of an asthmatic physical therapist who searches for her missing brother—only to find that he’s being held hostage in a world full of sinister Chinese spirits and legends, one she cannot get to on her own. And the only one who can help her is a dangerously alluring yaoguai (Chinese demon) assassin with a bloody past, and teaming up with him can put her heart, and her life, in danger.

So to celebrate, meet human Briella and yaoguai-in-human-form Aris! Being that you’re subscribed here, I hope you enjoy this exclusive look at them.

The artist is Nardin_Drawings!

As always, I have some wonderful fantasy & romance authors that I’m excited to spotlight! Two of these released this month, and I’ve had the pleasure of reading all of these books and loving them.

COURTNEY & CLARKE COLLINS - IN THE NAME OF PRIDE (Vows & Valor Book 2)

Courtney & Clarke released Book 2 in their epic fantasy Vows and Valor Trilogy, In the Name of Pride, this week! This book is darker and more emotional than their debut, and I definitely felt emotions from happiness to anger (because the villain is a truly awful character), reading this.

If you want to find more information on their books and where to purchase them, here is the link to their website:

ERICA ROSE EBERHART - VANQUISHED (Elder Tree Trilogy, Book 3)

Erica released the final book of her Elder Tree Trilogy this month (January 20)! Her first two books are Tarnished and Diminished. Find her books at the links below:

Need more reason to check this out? Look at this lovely endorsement: "Woven with care and eloquence, Vanquished aches like a delicious bruise craving the salve only Eberhart can provide...and I'm desperate for it." Kassidy Coursey, author of The Sins of the Maker Trilogy

VARSHA CHITNIS - THE DALLAS CONNECTION SERIES

I first discovered Varsha’s works when I saw her posting on Threads about her South Asian-casted contemporary romances, and I had to check them out. Needless to say, after reading The Art of Taking Second Chances, I was hooked, and read the next two books (The Rules of Playing with Fire and The Ex Factor) as soon as they came out. This is a series of interconnected standalones, and each book features a different couple.

And that is it for the first update of 2026. Stay healthy, stay safe, and as always, may the tides be ever in your favor. You’ll hear from me again in a few months with more updates!