From Shirley: I’m so thrilled to show off my new cover for Eat Your Heart Out, the second book in the series Starting Over.

Two foodies, Dana and Alex, banter, sauté and tiptoe around each other. Except for the occasional smooch. What’s with that? 

I’m sharing more of Eat Your Heart Out’s details on my blog. Read the blurb and click this link https://midagedating.com/ to read an excerpt. Too soon for links, but I’m looking for ARC readers, so please keep in touch. Publication date coming soon!

Thanks to Debbie Taylor for her cover and the team at The Wild Rose Press for all their hard work!

Blurb for Eat Your Heart Out

When a tyrant in stilettos replaces her beloved boss, and her ex snags her coveted job, teacher Dana Narvana discovers there are worse things than getting dumped on Facebook. Time for the BFF advice squad, starting with Dana’s staunchest ally, Alex—hunky colleague, quipster, and cooking pal extraordinaire. But when the after-hours smooching goes nowhere, she wonders why this grown man won’t make up his mind. 

Alex Bethany’s new lifestyle gives him the confidence to try online dating. What he craves is a family of his own until a life-altering surprise rocks his world. He knows he’s sending Dana mixed messages. Alex panics when he thinks he’s blown his chance with his special person. From appetizers to the main course will these two cooking buddies make it to dessert? 

Funny and bittersweet, Dana and Alex’s story will have you rooting for them.

When I write out what I’ve accomplished, I’m proud. 2020 has been a year for everyone, and I definitely haven’t been immune. The year started and ended with health concerns for several of my dearest family members (not related to the pandemic). With my immediate family home since March (yep, still on virtual school and no end in sight), I was more distracted than ever.

But I worked really hard and achieved my goals for the year.

I’m so happy about the books I released this year. Thanks to my wonderful editor at The Wild Rose Press, Leanne Morgena, I shared two stories that have touched my heart. When you read Love Overboard and Holidays, Inc., I hope you feel the same!

I don’t know what the new year will bring. I’ve stop planning so far in advance (except the one vacation rescheduled…again…). I’m focused on what I can do and stopped putting off work for another day. I doubt I’m cured of procrastination forever, but in the short-term I’m giving every day my all.

More books are coming in the New Hope series (and a fun collection of deleted scenes). I’ve signed on for a total of three books. I haven’t written a trilogy in a while. I’ve loved re-visiting some of my favorite characters in the quirky, fictional Wisconsin town and re-evaluating some of the key moments from another perspective. We are all the heroes of our own story. True even for the one novel’s antagonist.

I’m also delighted to share a brand-new series in a different genre launches in the Fall of 2021. Starting with Her Hometown Dream, my Christian romance series set in a small-town will be published with the fabulous Anaiah Press. If you haven’t read Christian romance in a while (or ever), I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. The genre isn’t preachy. Instead, faith is wrapped around the core of each story (the unshakeable heart). Each book in my series follows a different hero and heroine in the special town of Harmony, Illinois and centers on forgiveness.

Thank you for following along with me. I so appreciate your support on my ever evolving writing path!

(c) 2020, All rights reserved

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I’m looking for a friend. Guess I stumbled into your finale. My humblest apologies,” a throaty, feminine voice said over the sound system.

Claps, cheers, and whistles boomed through the theater.

Frozen in place, he turned and focused on the figure strolling across the stage.

Carrying a microphone in one hand, a petite blonde sashayed in sequins.

With her wide grin and shoulders-back stride, she exuded cool confidence and star power. He’d witnessed the same self-possession during his few encounters with major celebrities in LA. He blinked and rubbed his eyes. His Lady Liberty, aka Dani, ghosted him before the rousing finale. In her place, sitcom TV darling, Kara Kensington, appeared. I’m hallucinating . He grew up watching her show. The twenty-two-minute, weekly broadcasts revolved around Kara as a pair of twins getting into and out of scrapes. Each episode ended with a feel-good message. As a kid, he was mesmerized and dabbled in fan fiction scriptwriting. In a way, she sparked his career. Why was she here? She couldn’t be the real, living-breathing star, could she? Light bounced off Kara’s sparkly dress and golden tresses, adding a fuzzy aura to her outline and enhancing the dream-like quality.

“I heard you playing and singing, darling. You’re pretty good. What do you think? Can we give these nice people a show?” She widened her eyes ever so slightly without dropping her megawatt smile.

The audience roared with laughter.