2025 is here ALREADY?!


Wellllllcoooooommmmme to 2025. TWENTY. TWENTY. FIVE. When did THIS happen?? I mean, obviously, it happened two weeks ago, but I could’ve sworn it was only October just yesterday. It’s especially more mind-boggling because I officially have a 2 year old which shouldn’t be possible because he’s supposed to be a baby forever, but alas… *sigh* I suppose that’s just the way it goes. Time keeps a-tickin’ away, and we can only march along with it.

My goals for this year are simple: Write, read, write some more. What are your goals? Whatever they are, I hope you attain them!

Anyway. Onto writing updates!

I have so. many. words written for Feels Like Forever (roughly 53k), but unfortunately, I don’t think it’ll be ready by February like I’d hoped. There’s just so much more to do—finish writing, edit, edit again… I am definitely striving for it to be finished by summer, though. Thankfully, my beta readers have been an absolute joy to have. They’ve helped so much. I just hope y’all enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it. (If you would like to join my beta team, just apply here.)

Also in my “in progress” folder are a few things for the upcoming year: my holiday-themed WIPs (one of which is becoming a full novel!!!), a couple of pieces that were meant for the Pawliday Love anthology that I scrapped, a rockstar romance, a book I’m planning with my best friend (hey, Reno!!!!), and another anthology piece that I’ll have more information for in a few weeks*. I’m so excited about all of these. They’re all such fun to write, even the holiday-themed ones. (I’m somewhat of a Grinch, ask anyone and they’ll tell you.) I can’t wait to tell you more, but I should probably get more written for them first.

*The anthology, I can talk about. The piece? Not quite yet.

Okay, I’ve gotta scurry off now—writing awaits.


We Shall Rise Reproductive & LGBTQIA2S+ Rights (2 book series)

The ability to overcome adversity is called resilience, which is the capacity to adapt to and recover from challenging life experiences. Each character in these pro-reproductive and LGBTQIA2S+ rights charity volumes will face such a decision and ultimately RISE.

More than 100 authors and book service providers have gathered together to bring you a spicy romance anthology with purpose. ALL proceeds will be split between reproductive and LGTBQIA2S+ charities. No one involved with the project is being compensated.

Steamy FREE Contemporary Romances

Dear Prudence by Karen Janowsky

Welcome to Serenity Springs by Bertie Stein

My Billionaire Surprise Baby by Anita Shaw

Where the Old Roses Grow by Gracie Gable

Rocked by Julien by Ava Becker

Thorn Among Shadows by Ally Kelly

The Relationship Bargain by Bretta Elaine

Gone Dutch by Louise Murchie

Court of the Seven Dances by TJ Klapprodt releasing 1/14/2025


Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch

Red, White & Royal Blue meets The Nightmare Before Christmas in a sexy, quirky romcom where the golden-hearted Prince of Christmas falls for the totally off-limits Prince of Halloween.
Nicholas “Coal” Claus used to love Christmas. Until his father, the reigning Santa, turned the holiday into a PR façade. Coal will do anything to escape the spectacle, including getting tangled in a drunken, supremely hot make- out session with a beautiful man behind a seedy bar one night.

But the heir to Christmas is soon commanded to do his duty: he will marry his best friend, Iris, the Easter Princess and his brother’s not-so-secret crush. A situation that has disaster written all over it.

Things go from bad to worse when a rival arrives to challenge Coal for the princess’s hand…and Coal comes face-to-face with his mysterious behind-the-bar hottie: Hex, the Prince of Halloween.

It’s a fake competition between two holiday princes who can’t keep their hands off each other over a marriage of convenience that no one wants. And it all leads to one of the sweetest, sexiest, messiest, most delightfully unforgettable love stories of the year.

Music Corner

This month’s Music Corner is Cassie by Flyleaf.


Finley K. James writes
contemporary romance that
has both heart and heat.
Past Newsletters


Scars & Souvenirs
Dreams Reborn
Long Time Gone

Love Notes

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Marianne Knightly, Author

Author of Steamy, Soulful Romance

MARIANNE KNIGHTLY is the pen name for the author of over thirty novels, novellas, and short stories of contemporary romance and romantic suspense, and is most well known for their Royals of Valleria series set in their fictional country of Valleria®. 💜 Their books feature families - the kind you’re born with, and the found families you make in life. These are heat-filled, happily ever afters with swearing and soul, and give you all the feels. Subscribe now to get 2 free short stories! 💜 ~~~~~ (Please note: they are also a brown, queer person who is anti-fascist, anti-genocide, anti-apartheid, pro-choice, pro-LGBTQ, pro-trans rights, etc. Please don't subscribe if you oppose their values and actively voted for people and policies that hurt them and their loved ones - you probably wouldn't like their books anyway 🤣).

600 1st Ave, Ste 330 PMB 92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2246


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Finley K. James

I'm an 80-year-old woman in the body of a not-so-80-years-old woman. I write stories that bring heart and heat to the pages. My newsletter covers updates about my life, my writing, and book and song recommendations.

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