Thankful

I feel thankful, and I'd like to use our American holiday as an excuse to take a moment to share that with you.

I am so thankful for my family. I like to joke that I'm fond of my cellmates during lockdowns, but the truth is, you guys are great. I love living with you, and you are my anchors. I never have to look far for a hug or hilarity; our house is full of laughter and love. I am so grateful to have so much, stuck at home. I am thankful for the family outside of these walls, too, whether by blood or marriage. You are wonderful people and I think of you often, even though I'm bad at phones.

I am thankful for my author friends, Zoes and otherwise. You have been unwavering in your support and friendship, and I love that we can lift each other up. Thank you for all of your unflinching critiques and encouragement, and the knowledge you share. It's been a crazy journey for me, and I owe it to so many of you.

I am thankful for my artist friends, and I think of you all as 'my' artists, no matter how sporadic or long-ago your participation in EMG has been. Your trust and your support and your participation has been invaluable and inspiring and I am so happy to see the beauty you add to the world. Never stop creating.

I am thankful for my fans and readers. I think of all of you as friends first, and your enthusiasm keeps me going when things are hard. Whether you read or buy my work, cheer from the sidelines, or just randomly like my posts on Facebook, you are my inspiration. You are the reason I can create, and I am so grateful that I can help you escape.

It has been an insane year, and while I'm not excited for everything that has happened, I am thankful that it hasn't been worse. I'm thankful for the friends who have recovered from illness and the new life that has come about in these weird times. I'm thankful for every bite of food and drink of safe water. I'm thankful for my shelter and warmth. And I'm so thankful for all the people who make my world brighter.

Thank you.

Need a free holiday read?

This book is really special to me. I mean, I'm sure that authors say that all the time, but this book? This one hit me right in the heart - and it's free until Monday!

When I first introduced Gizelle in Tropical Tiger Spy, way back when I was a baby writer, I only knew that the then-nameless gazelle was going to play an important role. I didn't realize how important...and initially, I had no plans to pair her up with a mate of her own.
But readers asked, and I couldn't resist.

This was one of the hardest books I've written - it was a whole pile of tricky balances. Gizelle is innocent, but not at all a child. Conall, in some ways, is as damaged as she is...and she spent her childhood in a zoo! It was the first time I wrote a deaf character, and for the first half of the book, they can't even touch each other. Gizelle's growth and bravery - through this book and this whole series - is a big part of the Shifting Sands series.

I love this book so much. It's funny and hopeful even while it's sometimes heartbreaking, and I especially love how it shows how much love and support the Shifting Sands staff has for each other.

Although this is book 7, you can drop into the series from this book and read it without picking up any of the rest of them - it stands alone and the end is satisfying and complete. It's Gizelle's first Christmas! Discover the holiday, and the magic of love.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KDTW6P2