Hello 2026

Well, the New Year has started. Hello, 2026! I hope yours has begun well, and trust you had a wonderful Christmas, too.

I feel as though I've been running since around mid October. Probably longer, to be honest. My youngest turned 18 the first part of the month, and I was still preparing for the re-release of The Lost and Found. Then just a couple days after that released, I flew out to Boston to meet up with my daughter and son-in-law and his parents to celebrate and watch my daughter graduate from College.

Then we got home and a day later was Thanksgiving. Then Christmas. Then New Years. And then this last Saturday, we celebrated my grandmother's 100th birthday. You read that correctly. She's one hundred years old. I was named after her (Esther) and it's an honor to carry her name forward. I named my daughter after her as well.

Grandma has been such a solid rock in my life. She is beauty and grace, and wisdom and mercy. My often turbulent childhood was made brighter with her in it. My soft heart (yes, I do have one) and my love of animals come from her. Her unfailing faith in Jesus has definitely been a guidepost for me over the years. When asked what she thought the secret to her longevity was, she said, "Jesus."

Hearing her say that blessed my soul, because, blessed is she. *See her picture below. Isn't she beautiful??

In other news, I'm a little over half done with first round revisions for Long Live the Rebel. I estimate a May release. Possibly. Might be sooner. Or, I might hold off for a while. Haven't quite decided yet. But! I AM enjoying this one. It's been a hot minute since I'd last laid eyes on these characters and am taking the time to familiarize myself with the story. And truthfully, I've found myself crying a few times. I'd forgotten the emotions in this book. In. Tense.

And yes, as with ALL my books (you will NEVER find me writing spicy anything...okay, maybe a recipe for like food or something, but that's it) this one will be clean (little to no swearing or graphic violence). I do, on occasion, have my characters drinking alcohol. Why? Because the act of drinking alcohol in and of itself is NOT a sin. Being a useless, inebriated drunkard IS. Now, I will follow that statement up with this one: If YOU feel a personal conviction to NOT drink alcohol, then you should NOT drink it. God has obviously laid that on your heart and you should heed Him. Or, if alcohol is CONTROLLING you, then you should NOT drink it. Or, if you are underage and do not have your parents' permission, then you should NOT drink it.

My books will also ALWAYS be closed door or no-spice. Meaning, no sexually explicit content on page. I "might" have a fade to black scene with a MARRIED couple. But my single, or even engaged couples WILL NOT be having sex prior to marriage. Sorry, not sorry. If you are a reader looking for open-door sex, my books are NOT for you. And yes, my faith WILL come through in some form or fashion. Again, sorry, not sorry. My first intent is to honor my Savior.

Whew. Glad we got that all cleared up.

My read books for the year ended up being 75. My goal was 50. Yay me. I've talked about Claire Cain's books (she writes closed door romances with mild language and some fade-to-black) before and just finished up her Veterans of Silver Ridge series. Though, I didn't read them in the correct order. I found, I think it was book four first and read that one, then continued on to the end of the series before going back and reading books three, two, and one. Nuts, I know. But it is what it is. And my two favorites were the second and first books. LOVED them. Such chemistry with her characters. Ermagersh. Do yourself a solid and read them. You can find those here: clairecainwriter.com

One last thing before I sign off. I just wanted to THANK YOU, sincerely and seriously. I've had an increase in follows on Amazon, Goodreads, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok and I just want to thank you. Thank you for reading my books. For giving me a chance. For rating and reviewing my books. For talking about them and sharing. Simply, thank you. You guys are the best.

All my best,

Your Lady of Literature,

100 Year Old Beauty

My People

Merry Christmas!