An Embarrassment of Riches
I’ve always felt extremely fortunate if I have a newly released novel every year or two. But quite by accident, by mid-May, I will have three book releases within the space of three months. I only write one book at a time, and all three were written at different times. But publishing calendars occasionally mean they’ll appear close together. To tell you a bit about each one of them:
THE BIG SWITCH: VARNEY AND CEDRIC, came out on March 26 from Nightingale Books. The identity-swapping middle grade novel features a young vampire who hates the taste of blood and a miserable middle school bully who admires vampires and longs for a do-over for his own life. I’ve been excited by its reception. Readers’ Favorite gave it a five-star review and Blue Ink named it a “notable book.” The review from Independent Book Review especially touched me. It called one of the book’s greatest strengths “its nuanced portrayal of growth” in a “funny and accessible narrative for young audiences…that also provides meaningful takeaways for parents, educators, and caregivers.” To feel that I’ve written something that’s not only engaging but meaningful is just the best!
Meantime, a new edition of my young adult novel, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN YOU, comes out from White City Press next month. I was thrilled to get my rights back and am so grateful to Jay Hartman for his interest in re-publishing the book. A Silver Falchion finalist originally published in 2018, IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN YOU was actually my thesis project when I earned my MFA from Seton Hill and has always been close to my heart. It centers around a young woman whose piano prodigy sister is murdered. Rumors swirl that she was somehow involved in her sister’s demise, and she becomes the victim of an online stalker whose first message says, “It Should Have Been You.” The publisher is currently working on a new cover, which I will share as soon as it’s finalized.
Finally, DEATH IN THE END ZONE, my adult romantic mystery, comes out on May 18 from Melange Books. A sequel to MISSED CUE featuring the same homicide detective, Caitlin O’Connor, it deals with her investigation of the puzzling murder of two star football players left in a compromising position in the end zone of their high school’s football field. The novel also explores the continuing saga of Caitlin’s personal life, including her work partner’s recurring struggle with alcoholism and Caitlin’s own fear of commitment in her new relationship. When I began writing, I didn’t envision myself writing for adults, but life sometimes catches us by surprise. As with my novels for young people, it’s characters and their continued growth and development that obsess me! 
In all honesty, having three books come out close together is a bit anxiety-producing. I love these novels for different reasons and want to give each one my sole attention in getting the word out about them, but that’s just not possible this time around.
I recognize, however, that this is a good problem to have, and I continue to be so grateful that I get to share my work with readers!