Hello and Happy first day of 2026.
I don’t know where to start with recapping 2025. I feel like I spent most of last year in a mind fog. Just going through the motions of life to just to survive everyday. I’ve had so much lost in the last two years that just kept adding to my depression. After losing my Dad in the summer of 2024, my sister-in-law passed in Oct 2024 (She had open heart surgery that she never fully recovered from), then my sister passed unexpectedly in Feb 2025. Tony and I also lost an elderly friend of ours in 2025. My mother-in-law was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2024. She had local kemo treatments done and was in the clear until a few month ago, they discovered it is back. Plus, Ma is in the beginning stages of Alzheimer. Oh and my daughter was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) in September.
With all the negativity weighing down on me, my writing struggled and I felt burned out and extremely overwhelmed. Each time I had to delay a preorder made me feel worse. This has forced me to make some radical changes for the new year, and the reason why I want to start blogging again.
A few month ago, I started seeing a therapist. I got lucky that I found one that I connect with, which is important to me because I don’t trust easily. It takes me a while to open up to new people because my first marriage taught me even those who love you can hurt you. That’s another post for another time. I’m learning a lot about myself and I’m working on finding my happy again.
Things I learned in therapy: I have ADHD, depression (I knew this because I’ve dealt with it since I was a teen), and my spirit, mind, and body are off balance. I’m an intuitive person. I’ve always known things right before they happen. That freaks people out little. I have to learn to trust my intuition again.
2025 wasn’t all bad. I published 13 books (yes, this is my witchy lucky number :D). One of those books (Before the Bond Breaks) is the first in a brand new series that I’m excited about. I’m loving the Valkyries and their shifter mates. I’ve also plotted a new UF thriller that I’m not sure when I’ll start writing the first book.
In 2025, Tony and I were venders at several pop-up markets. I secured a permanent spot at the Orange Park Farmer’s Market that is open the first and third Sunday of each month. We sell 3D prints, my paperbacks, plus several other bookish gifts that I hand make. These markets are a lot fun and I’m meeting a lot of local book lovers. Plus it gets me out of the house. lol.
I will be making some changes for 2026. I’m slowing down on my writing, at least until I get my mental health under control and my grief isn’t so heavy. One of the last thing my dad said to me before he passed was to go be creative. That’s the plan going forward. I’m also not creating an official schedule for release. I’ll work on what my muse wants to and take it one book at a time. I will also not be doing long preorders for my solo books.
Other changes in 2026: Witching After Forty, Fanged After Forty, and Hunting After Forty series will all come to an end in 2026. After the books that are on preorder right now, there will be no more books written in the series unless we decide to do a one-off novella set in the world with side characters. Shifters of Stock Creek will continue. I think we have 6-8 books planned. Then LA and I will revisit starting something new together later in the year.
I still want to write about the kids from Ashwood Falls, but i have to see how the next 6 months go and where my creativity leads me.
May your 2026 bring you blessings and amazing opportunities.
Love and Light,
Lia
