As the year wraps up, I want to say thank you to readers, bookshops and the author community for making this writing life fun and worthwhile.
We all get thrown a few curve balls and 2024 was full of them for me, but despite family challenges with aging relatives, I managed to participate in two anthologies that are dear to my heart.
My latest release is a shorter story in Santa, Baby and is out now, just in time for Christmas. You can grab it on Amazon, Kindle Unlimited and a limited number of special edition print copies are available by messaging or emailing me, or at Shelf Lovers in Wooloowin, Brisbane, Australia.
I love writing short, because many readers are time poor, and this collection of eight wonderful stories delivers plenty of love, laughs and emotion in bite sized portions you can feast on without guilt.
And the print version is to-die-for cute, with sprayed edges and all the charm you need in a Christmas present for yourself or someone you love.
My other story this year is “Accidently Enchanted”. It appears in The Love Hexperts, a paranormal romance anthology, and features witches, a cursed werewolf and a magical convention. It is one of eleven spooky stories and is published under the name of my alter ego Zelda Hartland. It was fun to try a new genre of romance, and I definitely fell in love with my wounded hero, a New York billionaire hexed to turn into a werewolf and desperate for a cure.
His search takes him to Leavenworth, Washington, USA where he’s been compelled for reasons that become apparent, where he crosses paths with a bumbling witch who’s taking a break from magic to return to the place she felt safe, her aunt’s café and witchy emporium.
Eagle eyes will note that this town is also the setting from last year’s Christmas anthology. Something about that place keeps drawing me and my fellow anthologists back for more.
We printed some very pretty editions of that with purple foil highlights and it was a massive hit with booktok readers who love a special edition for their shelves. Check out Zelda Hartland’s insta for a peek.
In Santa Baby, the theme for this Christmas collection is the National Santa Championships. My sigh-worthy hero is a firefighter who moonlights as Santa to raise money for a good cause. His love interest is his ex-girlfriend who’s back in town because she needs him a fake boyfriend to save her job.
“Second Chance Santa” is one of eight stories from award-winning and talented authors who want you to escape to Leavenworth with them for snowy, Santa-themed fun. Some are a little spicy but they are all perfect Christmas fair.
I’m prepping for my first ever book signing and market day stall at the Caloundra Christmas Street Party 2024. I can’t wait to chat to readers, hang out with fellow author Joanne Tracey who also has a fantastic Christmas story out – Christmas at Fountains Hall – and cookie creative Sharon Luck from Caloundra Cookie Co who makes Christmas sweets to swoon over.
If you want to see how that goes, follow me on Instagram and Facebook and if you celebrate the season, best of luck with all your Christmas preparations.
Best wishes,
Sara
Xx