Sharon Wray's Blog, page 4

The Sharp Fire of a Celtic Halloween

When the nights grow long and the veil between worlds thins, strange lights flicker across the darkened hills of the Celtic lands. Some call them fairy fires. Others, ghostly lanterns. But in the misty folklore of Scotland, they have a name all their own—Teine Biorach aka the Sharp Fire.

A Story of Teine Biorach

Teine Biorach is one of the lesser-known spirits of Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival that gave rise to our modern Halloween. Unlike the familiar Will-o’-the-Wisp, whose playful glow lures travelers into marshes and bogs, Teine Biorach’s light is sharper, stranger, an omen, a guide, or a warning, depending on who tells the tale.

A Light Between Worlds

In Scottish lore, Teine Biorach appears on the nights surrounding Samhain, when the line between the living and the dead blurs. The flickering blue-white flames rise from bogs, moors, and forgotten crossroads, places long thought to be doorways between realms. Some say the lights are the spirits of the dead, searching for their way home. Others claim they are sent by the fae, either to help lost souls find peace or to lead the living astray.

One haunting belief holds that Teine Biorach is not merely a light, but a testing flame. To those who wander at night with pure hearts, it shines as a beacon, guiding them safely home. But to those with ill intent, or those who tread carelessly across sacred ground, it burns with sharp, punishing heat, reminding mortals to respect the unseen world.

The Fire That Judges

In the Highlands, there were whispers that farmers once left small offerings of milk or grain at the edge of the fields to appease Teine Biorach before Samhain night. The fire was said to roam in search of imbalance—disrespect toward the land, the spirits, or the turning of the year. To see the flame dancing nearby might mean protection. To see it draw close… was another matter entirely.

It’s easy to imagine weary travelers catching sight of those eerie lights shimmering in the fog, their hearts torn between wonder and dread. Was it a faerie lantern? The spirit of a loved one? Or Teine Biorach itself, testing their courage at the threshold between autumn and winter?

The Legend of the Sharp Fire

Long ago, when the Highlands were young and the veil of Samhain lay thick upon the land, a weary traveler named Ewan lost his way in the moors. The fog had swallowed the moon, and the path home had vanished into the dark. As he stumbled through the heather, a glimmer of light appeared as a flame, sharp and steady, burning in the mist.

Ewan followed it, calling out for help, but no voice answered. The fire danced just ahead, always out of reach. He began to wonder if it was one of the Good Folk, leading him deeper into danger. Still, his heart told him to trust the light.

At last, the flame stopped beside a wide bog, where the water shone black as glass. As Ewan stepped closer, he saw a second glow beneath the surface. It was the reflection of his own lantern, which he had dropped earlier in the night. The Sharp Fire had guided him not to safety, but to a truth: he had been walking in circles, lost in his fear.

With a whisper like wind over stone, the flame rose higher, then faded into the stars. When dawn broke, Ewan found the path home just beyond the bog. From that day forward, he left a candle burning each Samhain night, in gratitude to Teine Biorach and the fire that burns not to harm, but to remind us to see clearly when the darkness closes in.

A Modern Glimmer

Though the Sharp Fire may have faded from common memory, its story remains a spark in Celtic lore—a symbol of guidance, mystery, and the delicate balance between respect and recklessness. This Halloween, as candles flicker in pumpkins and lanterns glow in windows, remember the ancient fires that once burned in the marshes and moors. Perhaps, just perhaps, if you walk beneath a misty October moon, you’ll glimpse a faint blue flame in the distance. And you’ll know the old spirits of Samhain still wander… watching, waiting, and lighting the way.

The Gothic Heart of Romance

Every October, as the light fades earlier and the wind begins to whisper through the trees, I find myself drawn back to the kinds of stories that feel like standing on a cliff in a storm—windswept, wild, and full of impossible love.

Maybe it’s the season. Maybe it’s something older, something buried deep in the bones of anyone who reads or writes romance. Because beneath the lace and candlelight, romance has always had a gothic heart.

Gothic romance isn’t just about crumbling mansions or midnight secrets. It’s about longing that feels bigger than reason. It’s about hearts haunted by memory, desire, and the ache of being seen too clearly. Whether it’s Jane Eyre walking the dark halls of Thornfield, Rebecca’s nameless narrator facing the ghost of another woman’s perfection, or even modern stories where love blooms in places touched by loss, the gothic reminds us that passion and fear often live side by side.

When we step into a gothic story, we’re not only looking for love, we’re looking for transformation. The haunted castle is really a reflection of the haunted self: the locked rooms, the strange noises, the things we’re afraid to face until love forces us to.

That’s why these stories feel right in autumn. The year itself is dying beautifully, shadows lengthen, and nature strips itself bare. It’s a reminder that endings can be as romantic as beginnings. The gothic heart of romance beats strongest when the world is half light, half darkness. When we, too, are learning to live with both.

As a writer, I find the gothic draws me because it embraces imperfection. The heroines are rarely flawless. The heroes are often broken. The houses crumble, the storms rage, and yet somehow, love survives. There’s beauty in that because isn’t that what every romance is about? Love surviving the dark.

So if, this October, you find yourself craving stories that feel like fog over the moors or candlelight flickering in a forgotten room, lean into it. Read Wuthering Heights again. Watch Crimson Peak. Write something messy and haunted. Let your own heart wander those shadowed halls, unafraid of what it might find.

Because at the center of every great love story—beneath the laughter and the sunlight—there’s a gothic heartbeat. The part of us that still believes love can endure the storm, the night, and even the ghosts we carry.

The Hungry {Romance} Writer: Creamy Crockpot Chicken & Leeks

Since I’m on deadline for the next two weeks, I’m focused on writing all the words but also trying to eat as well as possible. And this new chicken dish, Creamy Crockpot Chicken and Leeks, is one of my new favorites. It’s flavorful and warm, perfect for the nights that are getting colder and need a cozy meal. It’s also delicious and easy to make. I love my slow cooker because it means that I get dinner started early in the day, write for hours, and not worry about what to make for dinner. I hope you all have a wonderful fall weekend!

[image error] PrintCreamy Crockpot Chicken and LeeksCourse Main CourseKeyword ChickenPrep Time 20 minutes minutesCook Time 2 hours hours 30 minutes minutesServings 2IngredientsMarinade1/3 cup mayonnaise2 Tablespoon cider vinegar1/2 teaspoon salt plus more for the slow cooker1 Tablespoon fresh rosemary finely minced1 Tablespoon fresh sage finely minced2 boneless skinless chicken breastsChicken1 shallot finely minced1 leek washed, trimmed and cleaned, cut into thin half moons3/4 cup chicken stock1 Tablespoon cornstarch1 Tablespoon whole-grain mustard2 Tablespoon dry white wine1/3 cup heavy cream12 ounce egg noodles3 Tablespoon butterfresh chives finely chopped for garnishfresh dill finely chopped for garnish1 cup mushrooms washed and slicedInstructionsMarinadeIn a large bowl, mix together all of the marinade ingredients. Add the chicken and toss with the marinade. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours.ChickenIn the slow cooker, add the shallot and leeks and an extra pinch of salt. Stir in the chicken stock and cornstarch, stirring to dissolve the cornstarch. Stir in the mustard, mushrooms, white wine, and heavy cream. Then take the chicken out of the marinade (discard the extra marinade) and add it to the crockpot. Cook on low for 2 1/2 hours. After 2 hours, boil water in a large pot on the stove and cook the egg noodles according to the directions on the package. Drain the noodles and toss the noddles with butter and set aside. After 2 1/2 hours of cooking time, check the chicken, making sure the internal temp reaches 165℉. Once it's done, remove the chicken and cut into slices. Place the chicken over the noodles and garnish with fresh dill and chives. Serve immediately.

Rough Draft Preptober: Part 2

Last week I wrote a post on how to get started if you want to write a rough draft within a month without becoming stressed. Today I want to offer a few resources that may help you on your writing journey. This list is similar to one I published last year, except I updated some of the resources.

NOTE: This is not an exhaustive list of resources. This post offers an abbreviated list specifically for authors who are trying to write a rough draft in a short period of time.

Preptober Resources

FIRST: I’ve set up a bibliography of some of my favorite writing craft books. It will eventually be annotated, but right now it’s just a list with links to Amazon. It is indexed by topic and in alphabetical order by author. (I am not an Amazon affiliate and make no money from the links on this site. I only recommend and link to products I have used and loved but I have no relationship with these vendors.)

SECOND: There so many websites out there that offer great writing information and free guides, printable, etc. I’ve listed some of my favorite websites below. 

https://www.eadeverell.com, run by Eva Deverell, offers a free One Page Novel workshop to help you figure out the main elements of your story before you start. The site is filled with writing craft articles and links to other resources.

https://heartbreathings.com is run by YA author Sarra Cannon (see YouTube link below) that corresponds to her YouTube channel. Sarra offers tons of freebies and printables about how to craft the best novel possible. 

https://thewritepractice.com offers a ton of annotated lists and links to all the tools a writer may need to craft a novel. But the real treasure is found under the articles tab where guest authors write about everything from drafting to refining grammar.

https://writerunboxed.com is a great aggregate website filled with articles on writing craft, writing technology, and writing encouragement. You could spend hours on this site!

https://writershelpingwriters.net is a large website with a lot of things for sale–but head to the resources tab where you can find free printables, lists of articles and books all about the craft of writing.

THIRD: I love YouTube videos about writing. A few (such as the Heart Breathings channel) even offer free printables and other information specifically for Preptober. I’ve posted a few of my favorite channels below.

Sarra Cannon/Heart Breathings. Sarra Cannon, a successful indie YA author, has two channels. Heart Breathings is for writers and Sarra Cannon channel is for her readers. But they both have great information for both experienced and new writers. If you sign up for her newsletter on her website, you can even get a free downloadable Preptober Planner that I use every year.

Bethany Atazadeh. Another successful indie YA author, Bethany offers information from writing craft to managing a publishing business. Bethany has a degree in creative writing and speaks on all aspects of the writing craft from outlining to writing a series. https://www.youtube.com/c/BethanyAtazadeh/featured

Alexa Donne. A successful trad YA author who offers great-if-harsh advice on writing and querying and other aspects of the writing industry. She’s tough and honest which is why I’m addicted to her channel. This is a tough industry and I always appreciate it when another author offers real advice instead of general validations. She has great information on drafting and editing. https://www.youtube.com/c/AlexaDonne

Shaelin Writes. Shaelin is a young fiction writer from Canada with a large channel filled with craft and grammar advice from filtering words to line editing. And she has an interesting take on NaNo and why sometimes it’s better to lose. https://www.youtube.com/c/ShaelinWrites

Abbie Emmons. Abbie is young adult fiction author who also teaches classes on YouTube about how to plan and write novels. She also has a great YouTube playlist for Preptober. This video, in particular, is a great lecture on developing character profiles. https://youtu.be/k1W5DSOlPrw

Like I mentioned above, there is so much information about writing books in the world that it can become very overwhelming very quickly. So I hope this shorter list helps… and remember. No one can write your book better than you can. Good luck!

Prepping the Fall Garden

When summer winds down, it’s tempting to let your garden rest until spring. But the work you do in fall garden prep makes all the difference for healthy soil, thriving perennials, and an easier start next year. Whether you’re focused on your vegetable garden, flower beds, or lawn, here’s a step-by-step guide to winterize your garden before the first frost hits.

[image error]

By following the steps below to prepare your vegetable garden and outdoor spaces for fall, you’ll protect your plants, enrich your soil, and reduce work in spring. A few hours of effort now can reward you with healthier crops, vibrant flowers, and a thriving garden year after year.

Prep Your for Fall and Early Winter Step 1: Remove Spent Plants and Weeds

Pull up annual vegetables and flowers our of beds and pots that are no longer producing. Healthy plant material can be composted, but diseased or pest-infested plants should be discarded. This step reduces the chance of overwintering insects and diseases. Don’t forget to remove stubborn weeds so they don’t return stronger in spring.

Step 2: Improve Soil Health With Compost

Fall is the best time to feed your soil. Add organic matter such as compost, aged manure, or shredded leaves to your garden beds. Either dig it in lightly or leave it as a top layer to break down over winter. By spring, your soil will be nutrient-rich and ready for planting.

Step 3: Mulch for Insulation and Weed Control

Spread 2–4 inches of mulch over bare soil and around perennials. Mulch helps regulate soil temperature, prevent erosion, and block winter weeds. Materials like straw, shredded leaves, or wood chips work well for both vegetable and flower gardens.

Step 4: Plant Cool-Season Vegetables and Garlic

In many regions, fall is perfect for planting cold-hardy crops such as kale, spinach, lettuce, carrots, onions, and radishes. Garlic is a must since planting in fall gives bulbs a head start for a summer harvest. If your winters are harsh, use row covers or cold frames to extend the growing season.

Step 5: Protect Perennials and Spring BulbsCut back perennials after the first frost, but leave some seed heads for wildlife.Plant spring bulbs (tulips, daffodils, crocuses) before the ground freezes.Mulch flower beds to protect roots and keep soil moisture consistent.Step 6: Care for Trees, Shrubs, and LawnRake and compost fallen leaves or use them as mulch.Trim dead or damaged branches from shrubs and trees.Apply a fall fertilizer to your lawn to strengthen root growth before dormancy.Water deeply before the ground freezes to keep roots hydrated.Step 7: Clean and Store Garden Tools

Before winter, wash and dry garden tools, then sharpen blades to prevent rust. Drain and store hoses, empty containers, and protect fragile pots from cracking in freezing weather. Proper storage saves you money and hassle next spring.

Step 8: Add Winter Interest to Your Landscape

Consider adding evergreens, ornamental grasses, or shrubs with colorful berries for structure and beauty during the winter months. Bird feeders and baths can also keep your garden lively while supporting local wildlife.

Pennhurst: A Place of Memory, Decay, and Reckoning

Part 1: The History and First Impressions

When I stood before Pennhurst’s gates in Spring City, PA, camera in hand, I felt a quiet tremor in my chest caused by the weight of stories unseen, and the smell of age that would cling to me hours later. It was an otherworldly tension. This place is dead, yet its echoes are alive. This was a research trip as the first scene of my current manuscript opens at Pennhurst (this is a gothic mystery I’m working on for my agent), but the day turned out differently than I expected.

On the drive up to Pennhurst, I thought I was ready. I’d read about its history, I’d seen the photographs online, and I knew what the word “asylum” carried with it, although it was never labeled as an asylum other than anecdotally. But nothing could prepare me for the weight of the place or the smell that seemed to sink into my skin and follow me home.

There is power in remembrance. There is healing in truth. And there is beauty in your relentless devotion to honoring those who were once unheard.

…MR. Andacht, a Pennhurst VisitorMore about Pennhurst

But let me start at the beginning: Pennhurst opened in 1908 under the name Eastern Pennsylvania State Institution for the Feeble-Minded and Epileptic. (The name already carries the cruelty of its era.) The original mission, in theory, was to give care and instruction to those deemed “feeble-minded” or epileptic. It was supposed to be a place of hope, rehab, and restoration for people who struggled with physical and emotional disabilities. But the numbers swelled. Within decades, what should have been a modest institution turned into a sprawling, overcrowded facility where neglect, abuse, and dehumanization became systemic.

By the 1960s, scandals erupted: whistleblowers, journalists, lawsuits all revealed that patients — children and adults — were restrained, left unclothed, locked in squalid conditions, denied dignity. After many landmark court cases, the institution officially closed in 1987, but the trauma of the place didn’t close with it. Over the next few months, I’ll outline the history of this school as well as the how the court cases that ended up closing the school also led directly to a series of federal laws we now know as the Americans with Disabilities Act.

After its closure, Pennhurst was designated by the United Nations as an International Site of Conscience, a recognition that the site must remain a locus for memory, education, and vigilance against repeating historical injustices. Similar to prisons, gulags, and concentration camps in Europe and throughout the world that are now living museums so the rest of us will never forget.

“The International Coalition of Sites of Conscience (ICSC), founded in 1999, is a global nonprofit network of memory sites dedicated to preventing forgetting by connecting past human rights abuses with present-day issues. It is not a UN body, but it does have consultative status with the United Nations’ Economic & Social Council. That gives it a recognized role in certain UN processes, though it remains independent. Pennhurst’s designation through ICSC, in 2008, thus represents recognition by an international human rights memory network, rather than direct UN governance.“

Walking through the hollow halls, I felt time folding. The peeling paint, the broken windows, the drafts that carry distant dust, and where every detail felt heavy with silence. And that odor, A strange, tangy mix of mildew, chemicals, earth, and something metallic, is still with me although I’ve been home for a week. The stench (there’s no other word for it) anchored me in a type of discomfort that remains. Even my car still holds it now, a ghost of that visit.

I left Pennhurst feeling shaken. But I’m glad I went. To see is the first step toward witness. Over the coming months, I’ll share its architecture, the lives it housed, how memory lingers, and why we must resist erasure. I’ll also outline the history of this site, all the reasons it was closed, and how it was eventually saved and preserved… not by any state of federal government authority. The campus was saved by a haunted house attraction and paranormal ghost tours. And that is a very interesting story all by itself. But for now, I’ll leave you with a few photos so you can get a small glimpse into a place where almost 11,000 people lived and more than half died alone and in squalor… yet through the work of hundreds of volunteers their voices are now being heard.

Put a Spell on Your October Reading List

October is the perfect month to curl up with a book brimming with magic, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural. Whether you’re in the mood for a cozy cottage witch stirring up spells in her kitchen, a dark historical tale of women reclaiming their power, or a swoony paranormal romance with a dash of witchcraft, there’s a story here to enchant every reader. To help you create your ultimate spooky-season TBR, I’ve rounded up my favorite witchy reads that are ideal companions for crisp autumn evenings, flickering candles, and mugs of something warm.

[image error]

All book blurbs courtesy of Amazon (I am not an affiliate so there are no affiliate links in this post).

Fantasy women’s fictionPractical Magic by Alice Hoffman

A modern classic about love, family, and witchcraft, perfect for the spooky season.

AMAZON BLURB:

For more than two hundred years, the Owens women have been blamed for everything that has gone wrong in their Massachusetts town. Gillian and Sally have endured that fate as well: as children, the sisters were forever outsiders, taunted, talked about, pointed at.

Their elderly aunts almost seemed to encourage the whispers of witchery, with their musty house and their exotic concoctions and their crowd of black cats. But all Gillian and Sally wanted was to escape. One will do so by marrying, the other by running away. But the bonds they share will bring them back—almost as if by magic…

Historical FantasyThe Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow

Feminist historical fantasy where suffragettes fight for women’s rights using witchcraft.

AMAZON BLURB:

In 1893, there’s no such thing as witches. There used to be, in the wild, dark days before the burnings began, but now witching is nothing but tidy charms and nursery rhymes. If the modern woman wants any measure of power, she must find it at the ballot box.

But when the Eastwood sisters – James Juniper, Agnes Amaranth, and Beatrice Belladonna – join the suffragists of New Salem, they begin to pursue the forgotten words and ways that might turn the women’s movement into the witch’s movement. Stalked by shadows and sickness, hunted by forces who will not suffer a witch to vote – and perhaps not even to live – the sisters will need to delve into the oldest magics, draw new alliances, and heal the bond between them if they want to survive.

There’s no such thing as witches. But there will be.

Historical FantasyThe Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman

Prequel to Practical Magic, following the Owens siblings discovering their magical inheritance.

AMAZON BLURB:

For the Owens family, love is a curse that began in 1620, when Maria Owens was charged with witchery for loving the wrong man.

Hundreds of years later, in New York City at the cusp of the sixties, when the whole world is about to change, Susanna Owens knows that her three children are dangerously unique. Difficult Franny, with skin as pale as milk and blood red hair, shy and beautiful Jet, who can read other people’s thoughts, and charismatic Vincent, who began looking for trouble on the day he could walk.

From the start Susanna sets down rules for her children: No walking in the moonlight, no red shoes, no wearing black, no cats, no crows, no candles, no books about magic. And most importantly, never, ever, fall in love. But when her children visit their Aunt Isabelle, in the small Massachusetts town where the Owens family has been blamed for everything that has ever gone wrong, they uncover family secrets and begin to understand the truth of who they are. Yet, the children cannot escape love even if they try, just as they cannot escape the pains of the human heart. The two beautiful sisters will grow up to be the memorable aunts in Practical Magic, while Vincent, their beloved brother, will leave an unexpected legacy.

Fantasy Women’s FictionGarden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

For a magical twist, this enchanting novel is full of late-summer gardens, family bonds, and whimsical touches of romance. It feels like dusk in an orchard, with a hint of magic in the air.

AMAZON BLURB:

The Waverleys have always been a curious family, endowed with peculiar gifts that make them outsiders in their hometown of Bascom, North Carolina. Even their garden has a reputation, famous for its feisty apple tree that bears prophetic fruit, and its edible flowers, imbued with special powers. Generations of Waverleys have tended this garden. Their history is in the soil. But so are their futures.

A successful caterer, Claire Waverley prepares dishes made with her mystical plants—from the nasturtiums that aid in keeping secrets and the pansies that make children thoughtful, to the snapdragons intended to discourage the attentions of her amorous neighbor. Meanwhile, her elderly cousin, Evanelle, is known for distributing unexpected gifts whose uses become uncannily clear. They are the last of the Waverleys—except for Claire’s rebellious sister, Sydney, who fled Bascom the moment she could, abandoning Claire, as their own mother had years before.

When Sydney suddenly returns home with a young daughter of her own, Claire’s quiet life is turned upside down—along with the protective boundary she has so carefully constructed around her heart. Together again in the house where they grew up, Sydney takes stock of all she left behind as Claire struggles to heal the wounds of the past. And soon the sisters realize they must deal with their common legacy—if they are ever to feel at home in Bascom—or with each other.

Fantasy/Paranormal RomanceA Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Part romance, part fantasy, this book follows a witch and a vampire uncovering ancient secrets.

AMAZON BLURB:

In this tale of passion and obsession, Diana Bishop, a young scholar and a descendant of witches, discovers a long-lost and enchanted alchemical manuscript, Ashmole 782, deep in Oxford’s Bodleian Library. Its reappearance summons a fantastical underworld, which she navigates with her leading man, vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont.

Fantasy women’s fictionWitches of East End by Melissa De La Cruz

A paranormal family drama about witches living in the Hamptons.

AMAZON BLURB:

The three Beauchamp women-Joanna and her daughters Freya and Ingrid-live in North Hampton, out on the tip of Long Island. Their beautiful, mist-shrouded town seems almost stuck in time, and all three women lead seemingly quiet, uneventful existences. But they are harboring a mighty secret-they are powerful witches banned from using their magic. Joanna can resurrect people from the dead and heal the most serious of injuries. Ingrid, her bookish daughter, has the ability to predict the future and weave knots that can solve anything from infertility to infidelity. And finally, there’s Freya, the wild child, who has a charm or a potion that can cure most any heartache. 

For centuries, all three women have been forced to suppress their abilities. But then Freya, who is about to get married to the wealthy and mysterious Bran Gardiner, finds that her increasingly complicated romantic life makes it more difficult than ever to hide her secret. Soon Ingrid and Joanna confront similar dilemmas, and the Beauchamp women realize they can no longer conceal their true selves. They unearth their wands from the attic, dust off their broomsticks, and begin casting spells on the townspeople. It all seems like a bit of good-natured, innocent magic, but then mysterious, violent attacks begin to plague the town. When a young girl disappears over the Fourth of July weekend, they realize it’s time to uncover who and what dark forces are working against them.

With a brand-new cast of characters, a fascinating and fresh world to discover, and a few surprise appearances from some of the Blue Blood fan favorites, this is a page-turning, deliciously fun, magical summer read fraught with love affairs, witchcraft, and an unforgettable battle between good and evil.

Cozy Fantasy RomanceThe Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Bandanna

A warm, cozy fantasy about found family and discovering where you belong.

AMAZON BLURB:

As one of the few witches in Britain, Mika Moon knows she has to hide her magic, keep her head down, and stay away from other witches so their powers don’t mingle and draw attention. And as an orphan who lost her parents at a young age and was raised by strangers, she’s used to being alone and she follows the rules…with one exception: an online account, where she posts videos “pretending” to be a witch. She thinks no one will take it seriously.

But someone does. An unexpected message arrives, begging her to travel to the remote and mysterious Nowhere House to teach three young witches how to control their magic. It breaks all of the rules, but Mika goes anyway, and is immediately tangled up in the lives and secrets of not only her three charges, but also an absent archaeologist, a retired actor, two long-suffering caretakers, and…Jamie. The handsome and prickly librarian of Nowhere House would do anything to protect the children, and as far as he’s concerned, a stranger like Mika is a threat. An irritatingly appealing threat.

As Mika begins to find her place at Nowhere House, the thought of belonging somewhere begins to feel like a real possibility. But magic isn’t the only danger in the world, and when peril comes knocking at their door, Mika will need to decide whether to risk everything to protect a found family she didn’t know she was looking for….

historical FantasyThe Witch’s Daughter by Paula Brackston

A historical fantasy novel weaving together centuries of witchcraft.

AMAZON BLURB:

East Sussex, 1914. It is the end of England’s brief Edwardian summer, and everyone agrees that the weather has never been so beautiful. Hugh Grange, down from his medical studies, is visiting his Aunt Agatha, who lives with her husband in the small, idyllic coastal town of Rye. Agatha’s husband works in the Foreign Office, and she is certain he will ensure that the recent saber rattling over the Balkans won’t come to anything. And Agatha has more immediate concerns; she has just risked her carefully built reputation by pushing for the appointment of a woman to replace the Latin master.

When Beatrice Nash arrives with one trunk and several large crates of books, it is clear she is significantly more freethinking—and attractive—than anyone believes a Latin teacher should be. For her part, mourning the death of her beloved father, who has left her penniless, Beatrice simply wants to be left alone to pursue her teaching and writing.

But just as Beatrice comes alive to the beauty of the Sussex landscape and the colorful characters who populate Rye, the perfect summer is about to end. For despite Agatha’s reassurances, the unimaginable is coming. Soon the limits of progress, and the old ways, will be tested as this small Sussex town and its inhabitants go to war.

Paranormal women’s fictionBetwixt by Darynda Jones

A sassy women’s fiction novel that leaves you filled with hope during this spooky season!

AMAZON BLURB:

Divorced, desperate, and destitute, former restaurateur Defiance Dayne finds out she has been bequeathed a house by a complete stranger. She is surprised, to say the least, and her curiosity gets the better of her. She leaves her beloved Phoenix and heads to one of the most infamous towns in America: Salem, Massachusetts. 

She’s only there to find out why a woman she’s never met would leave her a house. A veritable castle that has seen better days. She couldn’t possibly accept it, but the lawyer assigned to the case practically begs her to take it off her hands, mostly because she’s scared of it. The house. The inanimate structure that, as far as Dephne can tell, has never hurt a fly. 

Though it does come with some baggage. A pesky neighbor who wants her gone. A scruffy cat who’s a bit of a jerk. And a handyman bathed in ink who could moonlight as a supermodel for GQ. She decides to give it three days, and not because of the model. She feels at home in Salem. Safe. But even that comes to a screeching halt when people begin knocking on her door day and night, begging for her help to locate their lost objects. 

Come to find out, they think she’s a witch. And after a few mysterious mishaps, Dephne is beginning to wonder if they’re right.

Holly and Heartstrings Vol. 2 Cover Reveal

Even though it’s October, today I’m sharing the cover for Holly and Heartstrings Vol. 2, a 2025 anthology of Christmas Romances which will be available exclusively on Bookfunnel. {Remember when I said that publishing schedules were odd? But that’s okay. I write every day and the seasons I write about NEVER match the seasons I’m living in.}

I love holiday anthologies, and this one is special because it will be free on Bookfunnel, as a gift to my readers. It will come out on November 15, 2025, but because it’s a Bookfunnel gift, it will NOT be available on Amazon or any other retailer. So the best way to stay up to date with when it’s released is to subscribe to my newsletter or follow my blog. I’ll keep both the newsletter and blog up-to-date with all the info so you won’t miss a thing! My story in this anthology will be a brand new novella in my Kingsmill Courtships series called Mistletoe for Holly … but more on that coming soon! So without further ado… I hope you love this cover as much as I do!

Holly and Heartstrings

The 2025 Anthology of Christmas Romances

Christmas is nigh! Step into a world of romance where the chill of winter is no match for the heat of love. Holly and Heartstrings Vol. 2: An Anthology of Christmas Romances brings together a selection of heartwarming and sweet-to-steamy stories that capture the magic of the holiday season. 

Whether it’s a chance encounter in a snowstorm, a rekindled flame at a Christmas market, or an unexpected kiss under the mistletoe, these tales are sure to melt your heart and warm your soul. Cozy up with your favorite blanket and a cup of hot cocoa, and let these enchanting love stories whisk you away to a winter wonderland where love is always in the air.

This is an exclusive FREE Bookfunnel Anthology so there’s no preorder button. If you want to be notified within it’s available, subscribe to my newsletter. The link is below!

sign up for my newsletter here

Understanding Heat Levels in Romance and Romantasy

[image error]

One of the most complicated conversations in romance publishing—and now in romantasy as well—is about heat levels. Readers often want to know what they’re getting before they dive into a book. Writers want to market their work clearly. But here’s the challenge: every publisher, bookseller, and blogger seems to use different terms for the exact same thing. Is “sweet” the same as “clean”? Is “closed door” different from “fade to black”? Does “steamy” mean sensual or explicit?

The answer depends on who you ask. And that’s the tricky part because the truth is complicated. Every publisher, reviewer, and even reader uses different terms to describe intimacy in romance novels. “Sweet” can mean one thing in one imprint and something entirely different in another. And romantasy—which blends romance with epic fantasy—adds another layer of complexity.

Why Heat Levels Matter

Romance novels (and romantasy novels with strong romantic arcs) cover an incredible range of intimacy. Some are built around stolen glances, lingering touches, and the promise of forever without a single kiss. Others dive deep into explicit, on-page passion. Both are romance. Both are valid. The only difference is the reader’s preference and the author’s intent. Clear communication about heat levels helps readers find the stories that resonate with them and helps writers build trust with their audience. There are three universal truths to remember.

Readers will find the stories they’ll love.Writers must build trust with their audience.Publishers and booksellers will always try set expectations.

The challenge when it comes to communicating about heat levels? There’s no universal language.

Different Charts, Different Languages

Here’s the perfect example. The first chart organizes romance into five categories ranging from Innocent (no on-page intimacy) to Explicit and Plentiful (frequent, graphic intimacy). This chart comes from from the website romance.io:

But the second chart, designed for the Clean & Wholesome category, uses three “levels” that focus more on the intensity of physical contact and description. Michelle over at The Writing Gals made this three-level scale for clean and wholesome romances:

Both charts are correct. Both charts are useful. And yet they use completely different terms to describe the same spectrum of intimacy. This is why comparing one publisher’s “closed door” to another reviewer’s “Level 2” feels like comparing apples to pumpkins.

Publishers often create their own internal rating scales.Reviewers and bloggers use terms like “sweet,” “spicy,” “closed door,” or “high heat,” but those definitions vary wildly.Retail platforms (like Amazon) don’t have standardized categories, so a “steamy romance” in one imprint might be “moderate heat” in another.What About YA?

The conversation gets even trickier when we talk about upper YA (young adult) books. {NOTE: Upper YA refers to Young Adult books where the protagonist, usually the heroine, is 18 years old or on the verge of her 18th birthday} Many upper YA romances now include intimacy levels similar to “closed door” or even “open door” in adult romance—but the language used to describe it is rarely labeled as “spicy.” Instead, you’ll often see words like mature themes or romantic situations.

That’s because YA is marketed with a teen audience, and the language surrounding intimacy tends to be gentler. But for adult readers crossing over into romantasy with younger protagonists, it’s important to know that YA “romance” heat levels don’t always map neatly onto adult romance charts.

Thinking in Spectrums, Not Boxes

Instead of trying to memorize every label, it can help to think of heat levels as a spectrum of intimacy with a few common reference points:

No Kisses / Inspirational – Romance built on emotional intimacy only.Sweet / Clean – Some kissing, but no sex (or it happens entirely off-page).Closed Door / Fade to Black – Sexual intimacy implied, but the details happen off-page.Open Door / Steamy – Sexual intimacy is shown on-page, but with varying levels of detail.High Heat / Erotic Romance – Sex scenes are explicit, frequent, and integral to the romance arc.

Every chart I’ve seen basically falls somewhere along this line. The terminology changes, but the spectrum stays the same.

Romantasy Adds Another Twist

Romantasy (romance + fantasy) complicates things further because the focus often shifts between romantic intimacy and epic adventure stakes. A romantasy labeled “low heat” might still include strong romantic tension, but fewer on-page scenes because the worldbuilding and fantasy plot take center stage. This doesn’t make them any “less romantic”, it just means the balance of page-time is different.

So What’s a Reader (or Writer) to Do?

Here are a few tips to navigate the murky waters of heat-level language:

Read the Back Matter. Many authors include content notes or “spice levels” in their newsletters, websites, or book descriptions.Follow Trusted Reviewers. Find bloggers, TikTokers, or Goodreads reviewers whose taste matches yours, and use their language as your personal guide.As a Writer—Define Your Own Scale. Be clear with your readers. A simple “my books usually fall into the ‘closed door with strong chemistry’ range” or “the sex scenes are so hot the pages will burn your fingers” goes a long way in building trust.Final Thoughts

Heat levels will probably never be standardized across publishing. And maybe that’s okay. Just as every love story is unique, so is every writer’s way of capturing intimacy. The important thing is to communicate clearly and honor your readers’ expectations while still writing the stories that feel true to you. Whether you write about whispered promises under falling leaves or blazing passion beneath the stars, there’s a reader waiting to fall in love with your words.

Haunted Houses & Love Stories: Rough Draft Preptober Part 1

I love Rough Draft challenges, and this year’s is no different. This November I hope to finish a Gothic Women’s Fiction story that my agent is waiting for, and I’m spending most of October planning for it. I also have a manuscript due October 11, so for the next few weeks all I’ll be doing is writing and preparing to write. The only difference this year is that I’m focusing on two stories that have gothic elements woven into the romances–perfect for this spooky season.

There’s something about a haunted house that makes a love story come alive. It’s not just the creaking floorboards or the moaning wind outside broken shutters—it’s the way fear sharpens our senses. When characters step into a darkened hallway, lantern in hand, every sound and shadow becomes a test. Who can they trust? Who will stand beside them in the face of the unknown?

In romance, we often talk about external conflict, the obstacles keeping our characters apart. Haunted houses take that to the next level. The ghosts, whether literal or metaphorical, strip everything down to raw humanity. In the half-light, two people see one another’s courage and flaws with startling clarity. There’s no pretense in a haunted house, no tidy facade. Fear and love, strangely, both thrive in that kind of vulnerability.

Think of gothic classics like Jane Eyre with its locked rooms and echoing halls, Rebecca with its suffocating Manderley, even Wuthering Heights with its storm-lashed windows. The houses themselves aren’t just settings, they’re mirrors, amplifying passion, jealousy, grief, and desire. A haunted setting heightens emotion, forces intimacy, and reveals truths that daylight might allow us to ignore. For writers, especially those of us sharpening our pencils (or keyboards) to write rough drafts this November, haunted houses can be more than spooky décor.

Haunted houses can be writing fuel. They can help us raise stakes, deepen emotional resonance, and push our characters into the heart of their conflict. And they don’t have to be literal. Haunted settings can be a family home with secrets, or rooms where arguments were whispered, or memories were buried. Or a public place that carries weight such as the café where the heroine’s first love once broke her heart. Even a natural landscape such as a windswept mountain, a dark forest, a frozen lake. Places that echo with loss or possibility. Finally, there’s the character’s own mind haunted not by ghosts, but by grief, regret, or longing.

Preptober Writing Checklist: Haunted Settings

If you’re outlining your November Rough Draft project, try weaving in haunted settings—real or metaphorical. Use this checklist to brainstorm:

Where is your character most vulnerable?
Put them in a place that strips away defenses.What is the house/setting hiding?
Ghosts? Family secrets? A locked drawer of old letters?How does fear draw characters closer?
Do they cling to each other in the dark, or does fear drive them apart before pulling them back together?What physical details mirror the emotional conflict?A locked room = hidden feelings.Broken windows = trust shattered.A flickering candle = hope almost lost.How does the haunted place change by the end?
Does it remain dark? Or do your lovers reclaim it, lighting it with love?

Haunted houses aren’t just about ghosts. They’re about hearts laid bare. They remind us that love shines brightest against a backdrop of fear.

As you prep for this November’s Rough Draft Challenge, consider adding a haunted place to your story. Let the creaking floorboards and darkened corners force your lovers to face what they’d rather hide. Fear can sharpen love, heighten tension, and reveal truths no sunny meadow ever could. And that’s why, for me, haunted houses will always make the most romantic settings of all.

Regardless of what you’re writing this November, it still pays to do a bit of prep work to keep yourself organized. So below I’ve added quick checklist of things to think about before you begin, with links to other writers who know way more than I do! Some of what you see below is the same as last year (and the year before that), but I’ve also added links to some wonderful writing YouTubers who offer great advice–for beginner and advanced writers. Many of these videos also come with links for free printables. This list, the first in a series, is a guideline to help you mentally prepare to write a rough draft in November. 

We all write different things in different ways, so change/add/delete whatever works for you! I’m also working on an annotated bibliography here on the website that is available for free to anyone who is interested. While I would never presume to tell another writer how to write a book, I am a reference librarian who is good at organizing and making lists of resources for authors at all stages of their careers.

Now on to the planning:Choose the title, genre/sub-genre, and length of the story. Check your calendar/schedule for November and set aside days and times you know you can write. Do it now before your schedule fills up! (Here is another video from Sarra that offers a free Preptober Planning Guide with a full calendar)Set up your Scrivener or Word file. Play around with templates. (Alexa Donne, another great YouTuber and author, has some great videos on how to set up Scrivener for beginners and for Scrivener for advanced writers. Bethany Atazadeh, another great YouTuber and author, has this great tutorial on tips for setting up a Word document for a complete novel.)Write a logline: Who, what, when/where, how, & why (See Hauge, Michael, Selling Your Story in Sixty Seconds: The Guaranteed Way to Get Your Story Read, Michael Wiese Productions, 2006 for a great walkthrough on how to do this.)Decide on the type plot structure you want to follow and jot down the basics you already know. (Blake Snyder’s Beat Sheets, The Hero’s Journey, etc. See the annotated bibliography for more resources) Plottr, the online writing app, is also a great resource and it comes with a free 30-day trial.Make a list of character names and roles they play in the story. (primary and secondary)Brainstorm your characters’ traits, personalities, etc. and create character summary sheets (Enneagram? Archetypes?)If you have any ideas of scenes you already know, journal about them quickly. Just get them down before you forget.Decide on a setting and do some preliminary research.Buy the perfect writing candle to light for inspiration while you write. (Not a necessity, but fun to do)Fill out a world-building questionnaire (especially if writing sci-fi or fantasy or paranormal).Research ways to build a series bible, if necessary for your story/series/world. (Here’s another video by Bethany Atazadeh on building a Story Bible)Create a writing music playlist or white noise.Plan rewards and reward system.Pre-plan easy meals for November, maybe even make some and freeze ahead.Choose a new writing craft book to read this month. (some suggestions below)Stock up on snacks/coffee/tea/treats for November.Find other writing friends/accountability partners.Clean and prepare your writing space. Buy whatever office supplies you may need (notecards, highlighters, colored markers, etc).Buy a new journal and begin brainstorming your story outline.Abbreviated Writing Craft Bibliography BELOW are a few books on my ONGOING LIST OF FAVORITE WRITING CRAFT BOOKS, ALPHABETICAL BY AUTHOR’S LAST NAME:

Bell, James Scott, Write Your Novel from the Middle, 2014.

Bork, Erik, The Seven Elements of a Viable Story for Screen, Stage, or Fiction, 2018.

D’Costa, H.R., Sparkling Story Drafts: How to Outline Your Way Toward Cleaner Rough Drafts, Reduce Your Revision Time, and Get a First-Rate Screenplay or Novel onto the Marketplace, 2018.

Hauge, Michael, Selling Your Story in Sixty Seconds: The Guaranteed Way to Get Your Story Read, 2006.

Hauge, Michael, Storytelling Made Easy, 2017

Hayes, Gwen, Romancing the Beat, 2016

Henley, Jodi, Practical Emotional Structure: An Easy to Understand Plain-English Guide to Emotional Theory and the Transformational Character Arc, 2013.

Weiland, K.M., Outlining Your Novel, 2013.

Weiland, K.M., Structuring Your Novel: Essential Keys for Writing an Outstanding Story, 2013.