A.C. James's Blog

Why A.C. James Is Stepping into the Shadows

This isn’t just a new chapter. It’s a complete rewrite of my story as an author. For me, writing began as an escape from personal struggles. I’ve always poured my heart into my stories, crafting worlds and characters that let me process my reality, even when I couldn’t face it directly. But now, it’s time for A.C. James to step into the shadows and for Julie Blackheart to rise.

When I started publishing as A.C. James, it wasn’t just a name—it was a tribute. Each letter in the pen name represented the first initials of my children’s names, and the “James” honored my father. It held deep meaning for me, but as time has passed, so much has changed.

In those early years, I was writing as a form of survival. My oldest child was (and still is) struggling with mental health and making life choices that were beyond my ability to influence or help. My marriage at the time was fraught with the devastating effects of addiction. Writing was my lifeline, a way to channel the challenges and heartbreak that felt too overwhelming to face head-on. The stories I crafted reflected that darkness, filled with themes of resilience, survival, and pain—because that was the world I knew.
When I finally left that toxic marriage, I found my voice as an advocate for survivors of domestic violence. I began to weave those experiences into my work, giving a voice to characters who had lived through similar pain. Writing was healing. It was my way of shouting into the void that we could endure, we could overcome. But healing isn’t linear, and life has a way of continuously reshaping us.

Losing my father last year hit me harder than I expected. His loss is one I’m still navigating, filled with complex emotions. He was flawed and broken in ways that made our relationship difficult. And yet, I loved him. How do you reconcile grief for someone who shaped you in both positive and painful ways? How do you honor the memory of a parent while acknowledging their imperfections? I wrote his eulogy, but it was my husband who stood before family and friends at the veteran’s cemetery to deliver the words I couldn’t. That day ended with breakfast surrounded by my Aunt Sue, my cousin Brandy, and my best friend of over twenty years. It was bittersweet, a connection amidst loss.

The pen name A.C. James was born out of that chapter in my life. It represented both love and pain, tied irrevocably to my family of origin. But as time has passed, I’ve realized that my life, my children’s lives, and my family are not defined by that past. I still believe in advocating for those without a voice, but my writing has evolved. Somewhere along the way, I shifted. The dark, steamy vampire tales and urban fantasy that once defined my work have given way to stories with broken characters and intricate worlds. I’ve found joy in building realms that resonate with hope, strength, and shades of grey.

And so, I’ve decided to leave the shadow of A.C. James behind and claim the unapologetic fire of Julie Blackheart. That pen name will now stand as a legacy for my older books, honoring where I came from and the stories that helped me survive. As Julie Blackheart, I’m starting fresh. This is a new chapter, letting go of the past but enriched by all the lessons it has taught me.

Julie Blackheart is a name that personifies resilience and a little bit of rebellion. It’s about not living by the rules that were written for people we will never become. It’s a promise to myself and to you, my readers, to create stories where broken characters find strength, where love thrives in the unlikeliest places, and where imagination knows no bounds. It’s my way of reconnecting with the community that has supported me through every twist and turn my unconventional life has taken.

Thank you for standing by me. Thank you for believing in the power of storytelling to heal, inspire, and bend the rules. This isn’t a goodbye to A.C. James but a celebration of the writing journey we’ve shared and an invitation to join me on a new adventure together and the raw, dark, gritty stories you fell in love with in the first place.

Queen of Shadows Kickstarter

Hey, fantasy lovers! If you’ve been craving a world full of magic, snarky characters, fae intrigue, and epic adventure, I’ve got something special for you. My Queen of Shadows Kickstarter is officially live and has so many exclusive goodies. I’m genuinely excited to share it with you all. Click here to check it out!

So, What’s Queen of Shadows All About?

Think brooding heroes, forbidden love, royal secrets, and magical chaos all rolled into one. Queen of Shadows follows Felicity, our badass female MC, as she navigates the tangled world of fae drama, romance, and ancient mysteries. If you’re a fan of dark fantasy romance (and a LOT of snark), then this story is absolutely for you.

Why Back the Kickstarter?

Now, let’s talk rewards. When you back this campaign, you’ll be getting more than just a book:

Deluxe Editions with stunning holographic foiling, exclusive covers, and interior illustrations.Your pick of Light Fae, Dark Fae, or Morally Grey Fae editions (because, let’s face it, morally grey characters are the best).And so much more as we unlock stretch rewards...How Can You Help?

Backing the Kickstarter isn’t just about the rewards (although they’re awesome!). Every pledge, every vote, and every share helps Kickstarter know this campaign is something special, and that means more eyes on the project. You’re helping Queen of Shadows reach new readers who need a little fae magic in their lives.

So, what are you waiting for? Head on over to the campaign page right here and grab your edition before they’re gone. I can’t wait to share this with you! *claps*

🌟🔮 COMING SOON: Magic, Mystery, and Midlife Romance! 🔮🌟

 

AC James Website · Amazon · Barnes & Noble · AppleBooks · Kobo · GooglePlay

I'm thrilled to announce an upcoming journey into a world where the ordinary meets the extraordinary, where love defies expectations, and where magic weaves its spell.

 

Discover Nerd Meets Curvy (Peculiar Hearts Dating Agency #1) by A.C. James

They say home is where the heart is, but what if your heart uncovers a love that's been hiding right under your nose all along?

Imagine returning to your roots, to the familiar and comforting embrace of a small town called Mystic River. It's a place where Coralie, our fearless lead, finds not just her old home but unexpected love and danger threatening to tear them apart. It's a story where True Blood's sexy supernatural attraction meets the heartwarming charm of Sweet Home Alabama!

You'll explore tropes like:

Found Family: The warmth of creating bonds that go beyond blood.Underdog Female Main Character (FMC): Coralie's journey as a strong, relatable woman facing life's curveballs.Midlife Dating: A fresh, honest look at finding love later in life.Matchmaking Mayhem: Quirky twists in the world of modern-day matchmakers.Mistaken Identity: The humorous and sometimes challenging situations that mistaken identities can bring.Mating Bond Turn: Forming a romantic or mate bond with a shifter, she transforms to become a shifter herself.Voyeurism: She observes him engaging in a daring exploration of self-pleasure.Redemption: Characters finding their way back, seeking forgiveness and self-improvement.She Saves Herself: A powerful narrative of self-rescue and empowerment.Second Chance Romance: The sweet, sometimes bitter, journey of rekindling lost love.

Prepare for a story filled with the thrill of rediscovering first love and the mystery of hidden secrets. Coralie's story isn't just about finding love—it's about rediscovering herself, her strengths, and her desires in a world that's equally magical.

Mark Your Calendars!

📅 January 16, 2024, is not just a date—it's the beginning of an adventure with Coralie and her bear-shifting first love. Will they rekindle their old flame? What secrets does Mystic River hold? And what twists and turns await her journey of self-discovery and romance?

Be sure to stay tuned for more updates, teasers, and behind-the-scenes looks into Nerd Meets Curvy on social media. Follow #PeculiarHearts #NerdMeetsCurvy #NerdMeetsCurvyStories #ACJames for all the latest news and sneak peeks.

A world of mystery, romance, and bear shifters awaits!

AC James Website · Amazon · Barnes & Noble · AppleBooks · Kobo · GooglePlay

#NerdMeetsCurvyStories Hashtag Challenge & Special Edition Book Box Giveaway

📚 I'm excited to launch the #NerdMeetsCurvyStories Hashtag Challenge in anticipation of the upcoming release of “Nerd Meets Curvy!” This challenge is about creativity, anticipation, and shared experiences.

What’s the Challenge About?

“Nerd Meets Curvy” explores themes of love, resilience, and empowerment. I invite you to share your stories, create teasers, or express what you’re looking forward to most about the book.

How to Participate:

1. Share Your Story: Post a short story, experience, or creative piece that resonates with the themes of empowerment, overcoming adversity, or finding love. Your story can be an anticipation of what you hope to discover in “Nerd Meets Curvy.” Please make sure it’s respectful and sensitive to the topic of domestic violence.

or...

2. Create a Teaser: or Share Anticipation: Get creative! Make a teaser, fan artwork, or share what you are excited about in the upcoming book. Show us how the book speaks to you!

3. Use the Hashtag: Tag your posts with #NerdMeetsCurvyStories AND links to the retail pages for the book. This is how we’ll find and share your amazing contributions. Here's the links to share:

https://acjames.com/products/nerd-meets-curvy

 Amazon · Barnes & Noble · AppleBooks · Kobo · GooglePlay

4. Spread the Word: Invite friends and followers to join. Let’s build a community of anticipation and support! The more voices, the more powerful the message!

Prizes and Recognition:

• Standout posts will be featured on our social media.

• Winners will receive a book box with full color illustrated special edition hardback with sprayed edges edition of “Nerd Meets Curvy” signed by me with custom swag including a custom pin, five 5x7 art prints with character art including one NSFW, three vellum inserts, two dual-sided bookmarks with custom character art and book quotes, and three vinyl stickers. *Does not include the Jax mini-figure.

• Additional surprise rewards for exceptionally creative or touching posts! 

• Limited while supplies last. No purchase necessary. Open internationally. 

*Does not include the Jax mini-figure.

Important Notes:

• Be respectful and sensitive in your content.

• If you’re sharing a personal story, only share what you’re comfortable with. Your safety and privacy are paramount.

• We’ll provide resources for those who might need support in issues related to the book’s themes.

Deadline for Submissions:

Post your story and content on your favorite social media platforms between now and 1/30/24 to enter by using the hashtag #NerdMeetsCurvyStories.

Announcement of Winners:

Winners will be announced on January 31, 2024 through social media and on the author’s blog. Winners have 72 hours once contacted through social media to respond with their mailing address to claim their prize. 

Not sure what image to post so you can help spread the word or aren’t graphically inclined?

Use this link for pretty flat lay images that you can download and share with your post:

🔗 https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ovCT-VMJ1s81JxLWes4wHmENp9D9CG5D

Join the #NerdMeetsCurvyStories Challenge and let’s celebrate the power of breaking the silence together!

COVER REVEAL: Nerd Meets Curvy

🌟COVER REVEAL & EXCLUSIVE GAME + GIVEAWAY ALERT!🌟Hey there, lovely readers! I'm thrilled to announce that the highly anticipated release of "Nerd Meets Curvy" is just around the corner, hitting the shelves on June 27th! 🎉 To celebrate this momentous occasion, I have something special planned for you. But first, let's talk about this incredible cover! Drumroll, please 🥁 Introducing the stunning cover of "Nerd Meets Curvy"! 😍 This book is a sizzling blend of romance, humor, and a feisty, intelligent heroine who knows how to save herself. Get ready to swoon, laugh, and fall head over heels for this delightful romantic journey. But wait, there's more! I have an EXCLUSIVE game and giveaway happening in The Paranormal Council (Laura Greenwood's Reader Group) This is a massive two-day celebration in honor of reaching 5k members in her Facebook Reader Group. Trust me—you won't want to miss out on the fun! Here's what's in store for you:🎁 10 lucky readers will receive a digital early-release review copy of "Nerd Meets Curvy" straight to your e-reader. How awesome is that? You'll get a chance to dive into the story before anyone else and experience the magic firsthand.🎁 But that's not all! 5 LUCKY winners will receive an A.C. James gift card to indulge in more of my books from my online bookstore at www.acjames.com. Treat yourself to a world of shifter romance, captivating characters, and sizzling love stories.🎁 And finally, 3 LUCKY winners will receive a signed paperback of "Nerd Meets Curvy" once the book is released. Imagine holding this beautiful story in your hands, signed with love and anticipation. Please note that delivery may take some time since the book hasn't been printed yet, but it will be well worth the wait! To join the celebration and enter the giveaway, make sure you pop on over to Laura Greenwood's Reader Group, The Paranormal Council. It's a fantastic community of book lovers, and we're gathering there to share our excitement, connect, and have a blast together. Here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepa... And if you haven't already, don't forget to sign up to hear about my new release and stay up-to-date with all things "Nerd Meets Curvy." Just click here: https://www.subscribepage.com/nerdmee... By signing up, you'll receive exclusive updates, sneak peeks, and insider information straight to your inbox. This is an extraordinary opportunity to be part of a thrilling release celebration, engage with fellow readers, and win some incredible prizes. So mark your calendars, join the fun, and let the excitement build as we count down to the release of "Nerd Meets Curvy." Thank you for your incredible support, and I can't wait to share this unforgettable journey with you. Sending you lots of bookish love and anticipation, AC James P.S. Don't forget to SHARE this post to pass along this exciting news to your bookish friends and invite them to join the celebration too. Let's make this an unforgettable party! 🎉📚 P.S.S. This book was previously part of Milly Taiden's Paranormal Dating Agency Kindle Worlds and published as Finding Her Bearing. It has completely new characters, a whole new world, and it's now a full-length book instead of a novella!

New Release: NIN Earth Girls Aren't Easy

 

NIN

EarthGirls Aren't Easy Book 1

AnIntergalactic Dating Agency Novel

byA.C. James

Genre:SciFi Romance 

Ninis huge, all-powerful, and determined to claim her.

Raeworked for a bosshole at a marketing agency and survived an expensiveand crappy divorce. Suddenly a light flashed, and not one but threealien men crashed in her backyard with a mission that both terrifiesand intrigues her at the same time. Erion men will bond to theirwomen forever. And once pair bonded, these men don't letgo. Taking her body and claiming her as his mate is not only a desirebut his obligation and the only way to survive.

Ninis the first book in the Earth Girls Aren't Easy series,part of the multiauthor Intergalactic Dating Agency world.This standalone sci-fi romance features an ancient race of alienwarriors, a heroine who learns what love truly is, and a rebel princewho would move the stars for his fated mate. If you enjoy strongwomen, devoted alien princes, destined in the stars love,laugh-out-loud moments, and a hard-earned happily ever after, thisstory is for you!

Note: Eachbook in this series can be read as a standalone, but for maximumenjoyment, it's recommended that the series be read in order.

AuthorWebsite * Amazon* Apple* B&N* Google* Kobo *Goodreads

NewYork Times and USA Today bestselling author A.C. James writesparanormal romance books for adults and erotica, including EternalEver After (rebranded as Eternal Lover), which was featured in thebestselling Spice Box anthology. Her Ever Dark Immortals Series,which begins with Eternal Lover, has been described as “brimmingwith sensuality” and “romantic and sizzling hot.” The Isle ofthe Horse Shifters series starts with Ride: Awakening, and is“lighthearted” that is a “joy ride from beginning toend.”

Julieresides in the Philadelphia suburbs with her adoring husband Ron (akaMr. A.C. James) who loves her imaginative yarns and punny sense ofhumor. She’s also a domestic violence advocate and discussesintimate partner violence and addiction to raise awareness on socialmedia and through her writing. Many of her books include themes likealcoholism, addiction, or second chance romance such as Finding HerBearing, which was written as part of Milly Taiden’s ParanormalDating Agency world.

Shespends most of her time drinking large vats of coffee while wranglingkids by day and writing by night. Recovering video game beta testerand tech geek who grew up going to cons and watching SmackDown.There’s probably some cosplay pictures around somewhere of herdressed up as Bloodberry from Saber Marionette J. Just don’t tellanyone.

Website* Facebook *Twitter * Instagram* Bookbub *Amazon *Goodreads

Followthe tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$10 Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Why Should You Buy Here?

I'm so glad you asked! When you buy from an author directly, you're putting money back into their writing. Subscription services like Kindle Unlimited place heavy restrictions on authors and limit readers too. Readers can only borrow 20 books at a time in Kindle Unlimited, but you can't keep them. I don't know about you, but I love re-reading my favorite books!

If a book is available in Kindle Unlimited, authors aren't allowed to make that book available anywhere else, not Barnes & Noble, Apple, Kobo, or GooglePlay. Certainly, not on their website. Special editions or swag boxes that readers love aren't allowed. That book exists only in Kindle Unlimited, and the author is paid roughly .004 cents per page for the first reading of the book. 

This means that authors are only paid through the subscription once a reader reads the book. My TBR pile on my e-reader is enormous. I won't say how big because it's a bit embarrassing, but if you're waiting for me to read a book to be paid, chances are high that I've already moved on to the next shiny new novel and forgotten about the one I downloaded two days ago. It happens all the time. Plus, payments for books sold outright on Amazon are taken immediately from the reader, but the author doesn't receive that payment for at least 60 days.

It's hard to buy Ash cat food if I have to wait two months to feed him, let alone my husband, kids, or that weird see-through woman who keeps crashing on our couch and asking about the necklace she lost. (Okay, she might be a ghost and can exist on air, but as for the rest of my family, we're flesh and blood.) Imagine an employer holding onto your check for that long. Retailers and book distributors also rely on foggy math and sales reporting that's not exactly transparent. We're supposed to trust that the ever-changing sales reporting dashboard is 100% accurate. 

Amazon also charges a .30 cent delivery fee on a basic formatted eBook and additional fees if the author adds special design elements that readers love. All retailers take a significant cut from authors. Usually, at least 30% goes to the retailer simply for distributing the book. Any eBooks on sale or priced below $2.99 drop an author's royalty rate to 35%. Creators pay a steep price to retailers just for having the book available on their platform. 

When an author makes their book available on other retailers, they are penalized too. Amazon gives visibility and preference to books exclusive to Kindle Unlimited. Even when authors buy Amazon ads, the retailer will give Kindle Unlimted book ads more visibility than books that are not exclusive. 

What about audiobooks?

Audiobooks are an even riskier proposition for authors and an expensive deal for readers. Your basic subscription to Audible only allows readers to download and listen to one audiobook per month. Authors are forced to receive a 25% royalty rate if they upload their audiobooks anywhere other than Audible. They only receive 40% of the retail cost if they give Audible exclusivity, and that's less than half! 

However, audiobooks are incredibly time-consuming and expensive for indie or hybrid authors to produce independently. They cost anywhere from $150-$300 (or more) per finished hour to hire a voice actor. For every 10K words, it's roughly one hour, so a 70K novel could cost $2100 to produce. If you use Audible's platform, you can choose not to pay upfront and split royalties with the narrator, but you can't upload your audiobook anywhere else. It's automatically exclusive to Audible and has an even lower royalty rate for authors, plus a risky proposition for narrators because they only get paid when your audiobook sells. I tried this route once, and the voice actor was a disc jockey who reached out to me to record my books. He had a nice voice, so I went with him, but the audiobook quality wasn't very good. So, now I fund audiobook production with human voice actors through Kickstarter.

Big Guys versus The Little Guys

Amazon and Audible (owned by Amazon) want exclusivity because it decreases competition and underminds a healthy book industry that offers readers more choices. Their competition for books is large corporate bookstores like Barnes & Noble, community-minded retailers like Books-A-Million, or the little indie bookshop you love so much. When you shop at places other than Amazon, you support struggling retailers that will eventually close their doors without readers like you. Do you remember Borders? I do. When you buy from the author through their website or at book conventions, you support the person who created the story you love so much!

This year I started thinking about Borders, MySpace, and one of my favorite movies from the 90s: Pretty Woman. I'm showing my age here, but it taught me a valuable lesson. When I cut out retailers, I can afford to offer you bigger discounts and products that will never be available on retailers, like exclusive short stories, box sets, collectors editions, and merch. My husband is a wildly talented artist, creating kickass designs for t-shirts, water bottles, and swag, which will launch through my website. I'm also relaunching my books with splashy new covers, expanded anniversary editions, and subscriptions to save my readers' money and give them extras. I will only offer human-narrated audiobooks through Kickstarters to fund their production because they're such an expensive proposition. But I'll provide AI-narrated audiobooks on GooglePlay, Kobo, and through my website at a reduced rate, and you'll be able to tell the difference when you read the cover art because it'll say narrated by X voice on Google. 

Offering you the ability to connect with me directly and buy from me means that if something happens and a retailer goes out of business, I'll always be able to reach my fans. When you buy my book anywhere else, I have no idea who you are and can't tell you when the next book comes out. If you support my writing through my website, it also means I get paid immediately after the sale, not 60 days later when you shop at www.acjames.com. 

Is it safe for me to shop on your website, you ask? 

Absolutely! My store operates on one of the safest e-commerce platforms in the industry. It's also integrated with Bookfunnel for eBook and audiobook file delivery, and they provide real human customer service if you run into any problems. Of course, I won't stop selling my books through other retailers because I believe in making my books available to readers wherever they live in the world. I also make sure my books are available to borrow for free through libraries. Reading and books were my passion long before I became a professional writer. That's why I publish everywhere and not through places that demand exclusivity. The world is better for creators when we support smaller retailers or book stores struggling because of gigantic monopolies. 

In the words of Julia Roberts, this is the year I say who, I say when, I say how much. (It's a rainy day today; perhaps I'll rewatch Pretty Woman.) Thanks for taking the time to read this and for supporting my writing, no matter how you buy or read my books!

Pretty Woman Vivian Ward GIF

Nin: Earth Girls Aren't Easy (IDA) ~ Chapter One

Chapter One

 

Nin didn’t know what to expect when they crash-landed in the patch of green behind the dwelling. A wave of heat blasted him when he opened the cockpit door. The second thing Nin noticed was the odd smell of chlorine coming from an unusually small pond—they’d landed next to an odd-looking body of water. As far as he could tell from the star map, they arrived at a planet called Earth. Nin walked through the ship with everything strewn about to the shuttle bay.

“Is everyone okay? Any injuries?” Nin yelled over his shoulder to Ferrix and Xavi.

“Yeah.” Ferrix rubbed his temples and followed Nin to the shuttle bay. “Where are we?”

“I am confirming we are on Earth.” Nin lacked his usual enthusiasm, even though he tried his hardest to mask it. He pressed a release, and stairs extended from the ship’s side to the grass below the shuttle bay.

“Where are we on Earth?” Xavi, the loudest of them, followed Nin and Ferrix, who descended the stairs to disembark the ship.

Nin touched the digital screen on his wristband. The ship’s AI-powered computer, F.U.C.K.D.E.E.P, which stood for First Universal Conscious Knowledge Desk Early Edition Program, whirled to action. “You’re in a town called Media, which is 21.9 miles from a large city called Philadelphia,” the ship’s computer responded briskly.

“I’m starving!” Xavi stepped onto the patch of green. “F.U.C.K.D.E.E.P, what is there to eat?”

The computer returned with results that usually varied from somewhat helpful to downright sassy: “If you are ever in Philadelphia, the Philly Taco is a delicacy you should try. You can find it in the city I mentioned, but I wouldn’t recommend it. As they say on Earth, its reviews are a mixed bag.”

“I love tacos!” Xavi punched Ferrix in the arm, gaining his attention and a scowl. “Remember when we got stuck on that planet in the Epsilon Eridani system. They had the most radical tacos!”

“The Philly Taco is a cheesesteak wrapped in a slice of pizza,” F.U.C.K.D.E.E.P clarified. “It sounds horrifying.”

Ferrix wrinkled his nose. “Man, that’s gross! Do the people of this planet willingly eat that?”

“I don’t care. I’m going to fall over if I don’t eat something soon,” Xavi whined.

Nin frowned. “It sounds oddly intriguing and equally disgusting.”

It didn’t take long for the shock of their situation to settle in. Until Ferrix repaired the ship, they would be stuck on Earth. Nin considered the mission--they needed to find suitable mates to take back to Erion, or their species wouldn’t survive. Nin didn’t anticipate the power of Earth’s gravitational pull, and he’d crash-landed in a town far too populated.

A woman in a sleek business suit walked out of the dwelling and stared at them with a perplexed look.

Nin sensed Ferrix tense beside him. Ferrix always clenched his fists before releasing the blue energy blades that could easily claw an enemy to death, but this female with the strange leg coverings didn’t appear threatening. Nin shot him a look to stand down so they wouldn’t scare her. Ferrix nodded, unflexing his fists to keep himself in check.

Nin cleared his throat. “Sorry to barge in like this, but we could use some help. I’m Nin, and this is Ferrix and Xavi.” Nin gestured toward his brother, Ferrix, and Xavi. “I hate to say it, but we’ve been marooned.”

* * *

 

Rae kept her expression neutral. Why on Earth would three gorgeous men be standing in her backyard. Were they men? And what about that thing next to the pool? It appeared to be a flying vehicle, but nothing Rae had ever seen. Breath. They aren’t aliens. There must be a rational explanation, but either way, she would be late for work, and her nightmare boss didn’t need an excuse to shitcan her. Rae eyed the flying vehicle again. Maybe she should test her theory that perhaps they weren’t from this planet.

Rae folded her arms over her chest. “So, you’re stranded on Earth.”

Nin nodded slowly. “Yes, we need some help until we can repair our ship.”

Rae rolled her eyes. “Let me call someone. I’ve got a great mechanic!”

“Good luck with that. It’ll take me a few days before I can get us back online.” Sarcasm dripped from Ferrix’s voice.

Rae needed to make an appointment with her therapist because her anxiety had turned into a full-blown delusion, complete with hot alpha-male alien hallucinations. Three gorgeous men landed in her backyard, and part of her wanted to be whisked away from her terrible marketing job and boring life. Wait. Rae pinched her arm and no dice. They still stood there staring at her with those reflective eyes that made her stomach flip with ridiculous high school giddiness.

“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be rude, but I need to get to work or wake up. Nice meeting you, but I’ve gotta run.” Rae turned around, whirling toward her kitchen door.

“Wait!” Nin exclaimed. “We’re stranded. We need your help!”

Hearing that, she stopped in her tracks and turned back around. Her heart was beating rapidly. Rae squeezed her eyes shut and opened them again. Her eyes started to water.

Nin’s eyebrows rose. “Are you okay?”

Nin was delicious-looking, tall, tanned, and muscular. Undoubtedly, he had a fantastic body under his clothes, which resembled military fatigues. His eyes drew her in. She couldn’t tell the color, but they reminded her of moonlight. Rae found herself inexplicably wanting to brush her fingers against his cheek. Just stop it, she commanded her hormones to chill. It had been a while since she’d had sex with anyone. Not since her divorce, but this was ridiculous. Rae started laughing. They stared at her, their foreheads furrowed and their eyebrows raised.

Rae swallowed and took a step backward. “I’m sorry. I think I might be losing my mind.”

Xavi tilted his head. “Losing your mind? Where has it gon—”

“I’m sure this is a shock to you,” Ferrix interrupted, shooting Xavi a death glare. “We mean you no harm.”

Xavi nodded. “We didn’t mean to disturb you.”

“I am Nin. This is Xavi and Ferrix.” Nin said again, gesturing toward the other two men.

“My name is Rae,” she responded. “I apologize for not welcoming you, but you’re our first aliens in Media.” Rae couldn’t help but laugh again. It had to be the wildest morning of her life!

Nin’s face scrunched up. “We’re from a planet called Erion, and we were on a mission to help our planet, but we crashed.”

“Oh? What’s your mission?”

“We’re seeking suitable partners for mating. Could you tell me about your courtship rituals?” Ferrix asked.

Rae’s mouth dropped open. Her heart pounded in her chest. She felt like she would pass out from the stress of it all. She was so nervous she couldn’t even put a sentence together. She started laughing again and found it impossible to stop. Her belly jiggled; her cheeks hurt from the strain of laughing so hard. There had to be something wrong with her. Either a nervous breakdown, a psychotic episode, or Earth was under an alien invasion. Either way, she would enjoy this moment because she would need to deal with the harsh reality that this was a dream or an unfortunate side effect of her anxiety when she woke up.

Worry etched Nin’s face into hard angles and lines. “Are you quite alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine. You asked me about my courtship rituals.” Rae still laughed and shook her head.

“Yes, of course. I’m sorry, it’s a long story, but we won’t survive unless we find mates who can bear our offspring.” Ferrix’s voice was solemn.

His explanation only made it worse, and she laughed harder. Ferrix frowned.

“I’d love to hear about your courtship rituals. It fascinates me.” Nin’s eyes gleamed as his gaze dropped to the neckline of her blouse. “When is your mating season?”

She was in the middle of a nervous breakdown, and these men had asked her about dating. It was all too much for her. She thought about her ex-husband. Entertaining the idea of dating after their relationship ended made her eyes water again. Kat had tried to convince her the best way to get over someone is to hop on top of someone else, but Rae wasn’t down with that suggestion.

She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Earth doesn’t have a mating season.”

“But you must have rituals for pair bonding,” Ferrix insisted. “Tell me about them. I must understand your mating rituals.”

Rae shrugged. “We’ve never had a problem with a shortage of men. We don’t have a mating season, and we don’t have any mating rituals.”

Nin and Ferrix exchanged glances, some unspoken communication passing between them. Then Nin inhaled deeply, his gaze settling on Rae. A glow emanated beneath his shirt, and his cheeks glowed blue for a second. Nin wouldn’t stop staring at her as if he would devour her, and Rae swore he sniffed the air again.

Nin sighed. “That is... unfortunate. Perhaps you could tell us more about your customs so we can plan accordingly.”

Her horrible job working for Basil flashed through her mind. Rae had a decent home but a hefty mortgage she couldn’t afford on her own, not after the divorce wiped her out. Every day was the same excruciating grind, like Ground Hog’s Day. Granted, she knew nothing about the three sexy aliens who’d landed in her yard, but their appearance forcibly lifted her from her uninspired life.

Rae stared at the three of them for a few moments until she was sure none would try to kill her or probe her or whatever it was aliens did to humans when they encountered them. She didn’t believe in aliens. They didn’t exist. Or did they? And they’d asked her to explain the courtship rituals of Earth women.

“Sure, come with me.” Rae turned back to the house and gestured for them to follow her. Getting them inside was a good idea considering the neighborhood busybodies in Media, especially Ruth from the homeowner’s association.

 

 

 

★★★PREORDER ALERT★★★

Happy Sunday! I don't have cover art for this sexy alien yet, but EARLY PREORDERS are up on my website. The Book Brander is designing my covers for this fall on 7/4. So exciting!

★★★PREORDER ALERT★★★

Nin is huge, all-powerful, and determined to claim her.

Rae worked for a bosshole at a marketing agency and survived an expensive and crappy divorce. Suddenly a light flashed, and not one but three alien men crashed in her backyard with a mission that both terrifies and intrigues her at the same time. Erion men will bond to their women forever. And once pair bonded, these men don't let go. Taking her body and claiming her as his mate is not only a desire but his obligation and the only way to survive.

Nin is the first book in my Earth Girls Aren't Easy series, part of the multiauthor Intergalactic Dating Agency world. If you enjoy strong women, devoted aliens, fated mates, laugh-out-loud moments, and a hard-earned happily ever after, this story is for you!

I ALWAYS reward readers for buying direct from tiny little old me instead of a gigantic retailer by making my books a buck cheaper on my website and offering the preorder sooner.

Preorder Nin: https://acjames.com/products/nin-ebook

Plus, right now I'm partnering with ShoppingGives and donating ALL proceeds for Her Playbook automatically to the Center for Reproductive rights when you buy it through my website. Or can you donate to this organization when you round up purchases on ALL my books.

Her Playbook: https://acjames.com/products/her-playbook

It's also included in this AMAZING charity anthology that I'm in with a bunch of really talented ladies including Kate Rudolph and Demelza Carlton if you like hunky aliens.

Reproductive Rights Charity Anthology: https://www.notwellbehavedwomen.com/

I need to get something off my chest.

I'm going to share a story with you. It's not something I usually go around telling anyone, let alone talking about it publicly on YouTube or TikTok, but I want you to know that you don't need to feel shame for the choices you make. You don't owe anyone an explanation or need to justify your choice, and I want you to know that you're not alone. I won't say more because my video has a content warning.

I know you're probably feeling a lot of devastation, frustration, anger, and grief. I'm right there with you, crying and screaming into a pillow at the same time. SCOTUS leaked the draft opinion on my birthday. I needed somewhere to channel my anger, so I organized Not Well Behaved Women with other talented women, writers far more amazing than me.

But we need your help now more than ever. This charity anthology will benefit the Center For Reproductive Rights. They're fighting the legal battle not only in the United States but internationally in countries where women's healthcare access is banned. So I'm making a personal contribution by partnering with ShoppingGives when you buy books through my website, especially Her Playbook.

Harper's character in this novella is feisty, embraces her sexuality, practices safe sex, and uses condoms. She's also a powerful attorney and a professional fixer. That's why I included it in the Not Well Behaved Women anthology. Plus, I'm donating 100% of the proceeds for Her Playbook when you purchase it through my website, but you can also round up during checkout to add your donation to the Center for Reproductive Rights when you buy books directly from me instead of a gigantic retailer.

This project means the world to me, and it's my way of helping and taking action to protect women. We're supposed to lift each other up, and we need to stick together. We may disagree on this issue, but I hope you know that my door is always open, and I'm doing this because I genuinely care about people. Feel free to drop me a line because I'm always willing to hear the other side or if you want to vent or scream into a pillow with me. I'm here for it!

Happy Sunday!

xoxo A.C. James