may updates
little things, volume fourteen
Hey book bestie! It’s time to catch you up on what went on behind the scenes in April.
I started April off by diving into the world of newsletter swaps. I’m blown away by how many of my fellow authors were interested in sharing my book in their newsletter. My 2026 newsletter swap sheet is fully reserved, which is mind-boggling to me. Thank you so much to every author who filled out my swap sheet.
I announced my in-store book signing at Cozy Cottage Bookshoppe on Saturday, July 18th from 1pm to 3pm EDT in Melbourne, Florida.
I shared the dedication for Come Back to Me on my socials.
On April 13th, my first monthly newsletter went out. I had a reader reply to it by email, which had me in feels.
On April 18th, I attended my third Cocoa Village Book Fest in Cocoa, Florida. I had such a fun time meeting readers and connecting with fellow authors. Thank you so much to every reader who chatted with me, purchased a signed copy and/or swag from me, picked up a profile card, and took a chance on an indie author.
I celebrated Indie Bookstore Day on April 25th by posting a graphic of all of my indie bookstore partners. If I hadn’t said it already, I’m so grateful for every single one of you. Thank you so much for taking a chance on me and carrying my books.
This is totally random, but have any of you had drop dead by Olivia Rodrigo on repeat since it was released? I literally cannot wait for her new studio album in June. Don’t be surprised if some of the songs from the new album make it into my book playlists, haha.
Thank you so much for reading through my monthly newsletter. Check back next month for the next one.
AUTHOR JESSICA SYDNEY’S MAY BOOK SPOTLIGHT
Is coming to work at Palmetto Regional Medical Center the trifecta for Dr. Julian Jacobs–work, family... and love?
Dr. Julian Jacobs is moving back to South Carolina, the opportunity will not only bring him closer to family but the chance to work with his surgical mentor. He is no stranger to dedication and hard work, but his newest position at Palmetto Regional may be his biggest challenge yet and it has nothing to do with his surgical endeavors. A chance encounter with a woman in a coffee shop tips his world on its axis, making Julian believe love at first sight may actually be possible. That is until he finds out his mystery girl is his coworker who has a strict rule against mixing business with pleasure.
Leena Cavalli has worked hard to get where she is as a nurse and clinical supervisor at Palmetto Regional, and she’s not about to break her rule for the insanely attractive surgeon who puts all thoughts of McDreamy to shame no matter how instantaneous their connection is. But between quiet, stolen moments in the OR, flirty text banter, and utterly filthy rendezvouses, Julian is determined to show her their connection means something. With each unwavering action, he steadily chips away at the walls Leena’s built until she starts questioning if she can trust Julian to take care of her heart without ruining everything she’s worked for.
Dr. Julian Jacobs is scrubbing in for the most important case of his life, and Leena Cavalli may just bend her rules for the chance at true love.
Scrubbing In by Alana Reese is book one in the Love on the Cutting Edge series. It’s a forbidden medical workplace romance between a surgeon and a nurse with insta-love, Grey’s Anatomy after dark vibes, and he falls first and hard.
This book releases on June 18th.
Is their fake engagement a disaster waiting to happen or the second chance at love they never thought they’d get?
Prince Oliver Courtwright is days away from becoming the King of Wexstone. There’s just one problem: By law, he must be engaged before his coronation takes place, and right now, he’s hopelessly single.
To take the throne and be the leader his country needs, he hatches a plan: Convince his old flame Adelaide Levy to become his fiancée, use their six-month engagement to abolish the marriage law, and part ways with Adelaide as friends. And this scheme may just work if he can avoid falling back in love with the one who got away.
Adelaide Levy came perilously close to falling for Prince Oliver when they were at university together. Now, eight years later, she’s determined to keep him at arm’s length. She only accepts his ridiculous proposal in an attempt to make a difference for her community. Surely she can come out of this engagement unscathed and absolutely not in love.
As Oliver and Adelaide reconnect, they learn the power of forgiveness, second chances, and sharing your heart with the one who will treasure it the most.
Hopelessly Yours by Jules Kyle is the second book in The Wexstone Royals series but can be read as a standalone. It’s a spicy royal second chance romance with friends to lovers, fake engagement, he falls first, found family, and only one bed.
Selani Franklin thought divorce was the hardest chapter of her life, until she met Undre Dickerson. He’s charming, magnetic, and seems to understand her in a way no one else ever has. But beneath his quiet strength lies a past he’s desperate to keep buried.
As their romance deepens, Selani’s closest friends rally around her, offering love and laughter when she needs it most. But when whispers of betrayal surface, Selani begins to see cracks in the sisterhood she’s always trusted.
The deeper she digs, the more dangerous the truth becomes, until one shattering revelation changes everything she thought she knew about the people she loves.
Now Selani must decide who to believe, who to forgive, and whether love can survive when loyalty is tested...and every answer could cost her everything.
The Roses That Bloom: Red Rose Edition by Erica Darcell features emotional healing, a ride-or-die friendship, and love with a dark past.
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