Well, it’s nearly the middle of July! It’s the 11th, to be more precise, which means tomorrow is Oldest’s birthday! He’ll be 15, and I’m still trying to figure out exactly when that happened. Because… Wasn’t he just a little baby relying on me for everything?! Time should slow down. Just a little. Just enough that I can catch my breath.

How has your July been so far? We went to an outdoor concert/fireworks show last weekend, and oh my gosh, it was so much fun. Duck absolutely had a blast running around, while the rest of us enjoyed the food trucks. (Pro-tip [from someone who isn’t a pro]: Strawberry lemonade with pineapple juice and vanilla? Superb. So good. And walking tacos are better than I expected…) The band we saw is actually from our neck of the woods, so that’s cool. I recommend checking out Ha Ha Tonka—their song, Everything, is this month’s Music Corner, linked below.

I’ve also gotten back into crocheting, so I’ve been working on a temperature blanket, as well! It’s going splendidly. I can’t wait to show it off.

Anyway.

I’ve been hard at work with Love in a Different Key, and I cannot wait for it to be out. Thea is my third favorite character that I’ve brought to life (Max and Dealla come in first and second, respectively). She has her own baggage, of course—which of my characters don’t?—but it’s been such a blast giving her ✨growth✨. And I’ll be honest: Her cat, Walter? Totally based off my own cat. Because Willie Nelson deserves to be immortalized, in my opinion. And what better way to say “I love you” than to base a character (even if it’s a furry four-legged sort) off of your loved one?

I need some help, though. There’s a friend group that Thea is reconnecting with, and… I need names. If you have any you think would be cool to see in a book, feel free to reply with your suggestions: male, female, unisex, anything! (It can even be YOUR name!)

I’m aiming for a November/December release for LiaDK, but we shall see how well that works out. It seems my best-laid plans turn out to be… the absolute vaguest suggestions that go awry almost immediately.

Alright, I think this is all for this month. I’m off to hang out with the family. I hope y’all stay cool and hydrated in this heat, and I’ll see you in a few weeks!