Summer Vibes

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Summer Has Arrived!

Back in June, I wrote about how I hoped I’d get some summer activities in despite having over committed myself to a number of projects. My summer list was long and included finishing the manuscripts for the four books I’m releasing with Varus Publishing this year.  So how’s that working out for me?

Summer Writing!

Writing continues! I always have a variety of projects going on, but with a full batch of books to complete this summer, I have not been able to complete many “side quest” writing projects, with the exception of one cozy bookshop mystery! I submitted it to an anthology and I’ve got my fingers crossed that it gets accepted, but I won’t find out until at least September.

For my slate of 2026 novels with Varus Publishing, progress is on-going. Heart’s Curse is getting an audio edition (woohoo!) which will hopefully be released in late August.  Forged in Flame is out now and took a trip to the land of its birth – Hawaii! Book 3 – Curse Locked is currently with the editor and I have wrapped up the manuscript for Book 4 – Fated Fortune.  I was going to turn that one in early, but last week I had a sudden realization while brushing my teeth about a specific scene and now I need to go back and do a little editing. However, I’m also reviving a novella that didn’t have a home and expanding it to go into the Montanari Universe Series. Wish me luck as I’ll be approaching Varus to see if they want a book 5 (or more)!

However, once I finish the novella expansion, I’ll be focusing on my next mystery novel. This one is centered around a whiskey bar and I’ve been enjoying all of my whiskey research. Sadly, I don’t have the budget to enjoy all the research I’d like to do. Because, believe me, not only would I be buying expensive bottles, I’d be flying to Ireland for a totally legitimate, not-at-all-a-vacation, whiskey based research project. But I’ve got the location and an excellent cast of characters. Now I just need to figure out which one of them “done it.”  Oh, and, of course, write the dang thing.

Art Projects?

Well, if you count painting the house as an artistic endeavor, then… sure? Otherwise, it’s been slow going in the art department. This is partially due to the fact that we also adopted a puppy.  Stormageddon, destroyer of all (mostly shoes), AKA Stormy, has officially been welcomed into our house as of August.  This charming trouble maker loves the sprinkler, chewing… anything, and barking at dogs on the TV.  We’re still working on the potty training situation, but she’s very bright and I’m sure will figure it out in the next week or two. I’m  referring to her as “my writing partner” which has been enjoyably confusing for my more human-centered friends.  You can catch pics and videos of her on my instagram: www.instagram.com/authorbethanymaines/

I also took on another side-project that I’ll be writing about in September’s blog. It’s currently top secret, but I’m looking forward to sharing it with everyone who loves reading.

What about you?

Have you gotten to all the summer projects you that for sure that you’d have time for?

Heart's Curse on Kindle & paperbackHeart’s Curse

Charlotte “Charlie” Auvray was always told she had no magic and nothing to offer. But Lucas Kane, a ruthless casino boss with a dangerous secret, sees something more. When a curse drives his newest Vegas property into bloody chaos, Lucas realizes Charlie may be the only one who can stop the madness. What happens in Vegas might just break the curse—and his heart.

BUY NOW: Print, Epub & Audio

Forged in Flame

Dragon fire can be hidden, but never extinguished.

Ava Flynn never meant to awaken the dragon inside her—until betrayal and a dangerously seductive stranger ignite a power she can no longer deny. When billionaire dragon shifter Dalton Rosetti crashes into her life, their instant, scorching attraction leaves both of them burned by secrets, pride, and a single unforgettable night.

BUY NOW: Print & Epub

Curse Locked

Cursed by a stalker’s spell, Rose Ashfield can’t let anyone close without unleashing deadly shadows. But when wolf shifter Jace Kormos is sent to capture her and the mystical jade key she’s stolen, desire ignites into something neither can deny. To break the curse, they’ll have to risk their lives—and their hearts—in a battle against darkness, magic, and fate itself.

BECOME AN ADVANCE READER: ARC form

Forged for Release!

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It’s release day for Forged in Flame,
book 2 of the Montanari Universe series!

BUY FORGED IN FLAME NOW: CLICK HERE

Dragon fire can be hidden, but never extinguished.

Ava Flynn never meant to awaken the dragon inside her—until betrayal and a dangerously seductive stranger ignite a power she can no longer deny. When billionaire dragon shifter Dalton Rosetti crashes into her life, their instant, scorching attraction leaves both of them burned by secrets, pride, and a single unforgettable night.

Three years later, Ava is hiding more than a broken heart. She’s raising a fire-breathing daughter while hiding from everyone, including the dragon slayers who murdered her father and want her next. Dalton’s discovery that he has a child changes everything—and he’s determined to protect what’s his, no matter the cost.

With enemies closing in and passion rekindling, Ava and Dalton are forced back together in a deadly game of magic, loyalty, and desire. Forged in Flame is a sizzling paranormal romance of dragonfire, second chances, and a love powerful enough to change destiny.

What You’ll Find Inside Forged in Flame:

  • Secret Baby / Surprise Pregnancy
  • Fling Turns Serious
  • Wedding Romance (maid of honor & hated guest)
  • Hidden Heritage
  • Found Family
  • Fated Mates

LEARN MORE: bethanymaines.com/catalog/sirena-corbeau/

BUY FORGED IN FLAME NOW: CLICK HERE

Painting in a New Old Way

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Read more

Side Track to Success

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Countdown!

I’m on the countdown to book 2 – Forged in Flame – of my contracted 4 from Varus Publishing.  And if that seems fast to you, well, I agree.  But it is what I signed up for.  But the publishing schedule for four books in one year does mean that while one is getting published, I’m working at least one book in advance.  And that also means that my side projects have become sidetracked.

Main Track

I’m contracted with Varus Publishing for a four-book paranormal romance series – Heart’s Curse, Forged in Flame, Curse Locked, and Fated Fortune – under my pen name Sirena Corbeau. Each book is a stand-alone, binge-worthy romance, sparked by the meddling of Dante Montanari, a 400-year-old dragon shifter. So, I’ve been busily bringing characters together, setting a few things on fire, and putting a very neat happily ever after on each of my stories.  Because if there isn’t a happily ever after, then what are we even here for?  I’m now THISSSSSSS close to wrapping up book four which means I’ll get a little bit of a reprieve to work on a few of the side projects.

Side Track 1

My first side track was, is, and always will be, art.  As a graphic designer, I have always done other art, but for the first time in over ten years, I recently submitted some paintings to an art show and got in!  Yay!  But uh… crap… that’s time and attention going down that track.

Like a lot of my bright ideas, I see an opportunity, throw something at it, and only later realize that if I get said opportunity, I will have to do the work.  And then invariably my friends ask what I thought would happen, and I always say the same thing – I wasn’t supposed to actually get it!

However, if I have learned anything from life is that people who attempt something are the people who get things.  In fact, attempting things is almost a “life hack.”  Are you mostly qualified for a job you want? Put that resume in.  Have you been practicing that one hobby for years? Submit to that contest. Turns out that sometimes you get the things you try for.

I’m looking forward to this summer when I’ll get a chance to do more painting and hopefully submit to a few more art shows.

Side Track 2

Mysteries! Yes, I know I always say there is mystery in every genre (and if there’s not, there should be), but I’m now at the point where I have ideas for an actual mystery novel, and at least one short story, and I would like to write them. But how can I kill people off if I’m too busy making love connections?  And then there’s the fact, that I’m currently Treasurer of the Mystery Writer’s of America Northwest Chapter.  Surely, I should be writing at least one mystery. That seems like practically part of the job description.  So yes, I’m looking forward to taking a brief pause on the paranormal to create a some dead bodies, see my Noir at the Bar friends, and solve a few mysteries.

Your Side Track

What about you?  What project is dangling tantalizingly out of reach for you?  Can you move it to the main track? Or do you have to clear some road blocks to get to it?

Forged in Flame flatlay with Hawaiian and dragon themesForged in Flame – Book 2 of the Montanari Universe

Ava Flynn grew up unaware of her dragon heritage, raised by her human mother and stepfather. That changes when Dante Montanari’s nephew, billionaire dragon Dalton Rosetti, arrives—and sparks ignite. Their one night of passion leaves Ava with a secret baby and a future she must face alone. But when deadly enemies close in, Ava and her child are thrust back into Dalton’s world. To survive, she must decide: can she trust a bond forged in flame?

Release Date: June 30

PREORDER FORGED IN FLAME – CLICK HERE

Traveling the World with Books

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A copy of Heart's Curse is held up, traveling over the Vegas StripTraveling to… Vegas Baby!

 

In a time where AI can make a lot of things appear to be real, I’ve come to value the real life photo that may or may not have the best lighting and might just have some goober tourist in the background. So recently, when a friend of mine traveled to Vegas and took my book with her, I was thrilled to get pics of my book traveling up and down the Vegas strip.

Traveling Homeward

Heart’s Curse (under my new paranormal romance pen name Sirena Corbeau) takes place in Vegas at the Lucky Heart Hotel & Casino.  Newly acquired by the Montanari Corporation, and given to Lucas Kane to run, the Lucky Heart has one teeny, tiny, not that big of a deal problem… It’s cursed.  Which means that this is a story about love, and romance, and also ghosts, blood pouring from the faucets, and—whoopsies—that darn curse that’s turning everyone into psychotic zombies which might not be that big of a problem if the hotel didn’t employ mobsters, vampires, and shifters.  I thought it was the perfect vacation book and was happy to know she was taking it with her.

However, as I’m sure anyone who has tried to take attractive book pictures for Instagram has discovered, it’s not easy to get books to look exciting, not reflect anything weird in the cover, and also get an interesting background.  My own efforts resulted in me discovering a newfound respect for product photographers. How is my shadow ALWAYS in the way?  How is the book this shiny? Why does my hand look so weird!?  So the fact that she took the time to not only take, but send me pics, absolutely made my day. The palm trees and blue, blue, blue Vegas sky make it absolute perfection. And also, can we take a moment to appreciate my friends perfectly contrasting nails?  I love knowing that my book traveled to the land of it’s birth and hope to see many such snapshots in the future.

What about you?  Would you take a picture of your beach read and send it to the author?  (Or tag them on social media?)

Heart’s Curse

Charlotte “Charlie” Auvray has always been told she’s nothing special—just the magicless daughter of a powerful witch family. But when a disastrous spring break lands her in Las Vegas, she stumbles into the path of Lucas Kane, a dangerously magnetic casino boss with secrets of his own. Lucas is juggling mob ties, a cursed hotel, and powers he can never reveal. What he doesn’t need is a heartbroken college girl counting cards at his tables… or kissing him in front of her cheating ex. But when blood rains from the showers and guests descend into madness, Charlie proves she sees what no one else can—the curse that haunts the Lucky Heart’s Casino. To break it, she’ll have to embrace her hidden magic and trust Lucas with her heart. Because in Vegas, the stakes aren’t just money—they’re life, love, and destiny.

BUY NOW: https://amzn.to/49fdeli

St. Patrick’s Day

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Twelve years ago on St. Patrick’s Day, my daughter was born, cursing herself to a lifetime of green birthdays. As my family has a long-tradition of eating corned beef for the holiday (due to my mother being an excellent cook), we have generally rolled my daughter’s birthday into the holiday. However, for the first time this year she suggested that maybe everything didn’t have to be green. Cue horror for the rest of us who want our corned beef with the special sauce. All was saved when we negotiated a separate eating holiday, but that left me and the green dessert I had already picked out in limbo.  However, just because my daughter doesn’t want green brownies doesn’t mean that I can’t make and enjoy them.

This year, I’m trying Matcha brownies from Spatula Desserts.  And while I enjoyed the recipe, I have to admit the website is upholding the fine tradition of recipe sites and it’s nearly impossible to find just the recipe. So if you want the recipe but don’t want to the work of reading through the ads and life stories, don’t worry… I got you.

Download the 7″x5″recipe card here: Matcha Brownies

Every Little Thing

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Quarter 1 had a lot of things…

And Thing 1 and Thing 2 were not blue-haired pranksters. The things were both writing.  Last year, I blithely signed a contract with Varus Publishing to provide 4 books in 2026.  I had exactly 1.5 books of those four written when I signed.  Well, if you want to meet editorial and layout schedules, then you must turn in your manuscripts at a date that is not the last minute.  Then I took on teaching a new writing workshop (which means developing the workshop), being the Treasurer for the Mystery Writers of America Northwest Chapter, volunteering my design skills to a worthy-cause website, supporting my brother’s new business, and oh, yeah, my daughter’s birthday is in a week. Keep reading for the news breakdown.

The Workshop Thing

The workshop “Murder Boards & Master Plans: Brainstorming Your Mystery” went from being hybrid to being all virtual due to the possibility of snow in the forecast.  While a bit of a curveball, the workshop still went well as we discussed how to pick which information we need to start outlining (or if you’re a “pantser – how to just start writing) and then broke it down to have some fabulous shared moments and help each other move our stories forward. It was so fantastic to see attendees have a lightbulb or a breakthrough moment on their plot.

The Treasury Department

Being a Treasurer is not particularly difficult.  What’s challenging is the bank who, despite non-profit boards routinely rotating all across the US, seem shocked that there is a new treasurer literally every time.  But it’s not my first time being a treasurer so I just gathered up all my bits and went down to the bank and talked to real person until it was mostly straightened out.  Sadly, I’ll be doing it again this week in order to set up online banking.  It never seems to happen all in one visit.  However, the rest of the job is going fine, and we’ve already started our programming for the year – Check out Mystery Manon as she discusses social media for mystery writers!

New Website Thing

As part of our MWA Chapter’s mission to support writing, this year we took on the support of Noir at the Bar Seattle. While a fixture on the Seattle literary scene since 2014, NATB has never had it’s own website. Until now.  With some graphic design wizardry and a little tech know-how, I was able to put together a NATB website.  It’s main goal is to share news of upcoming events, and keep track of past performers.  You can also sign up for the mailing list and listen to recordings of previous readings.  To learn more visit: https://www.noiratthebarseattle.com/

Birthday Wishes

My daughter’s birthday is on St. Patrick’s Day and as per usual, we have picked out and tested a green dessert. This year it’s… Greenies.  Because they can’t be brownies if they’re green. If you’re interested in getting the recipe (and news about new books, giveaways, and author spotlights) then sign up for my once a month newsletter!  Visit: https://bethanymaines.com/connect/

 

And now… The Book Thing!

Book 1 of the 2026 novels is now out in the wild and being read and reviewed by real human beings – ack!  Look for Book 2 – Forged in Flame – June.  This one is a perfectly delicious second chance romance with dragons because… of course there are dragons in Hawaii — it’s got a volcano.

Heart’s Curse

Writing under the pen name Sirena Corebeau for Varus Publishing, Heart’s Curse is about Lucas Kane, a hotel boss who’s on his way up the ladder and his first shot at the big time in Vegas is The Lucky Heart Hotel & Casino.  There’s just one tiny problem… it’s cursed.  Charlotte “Charlie” Auvray has always been told she’s nothing special—just the magicless daughter of a powerful witch family. But when a disastrous spring break lands her in Las Vegas, she stumbles into the path of Lucas Kane, a dangerously magnetic casino boss with secrets of his own. Lucas is juggling mob ties, a cursed hotel, and powers he can never reveal. What he doesn’t need is a heartbroken college girl counting cards at his tables… or kissing him in front of her cheating ex. But when blood rains from the showers and guests descend into madness, Charlie proves she sees what no one else can—the curse that haunts the Lucky Heart’s Casino. To break it, she’ll have to embrace her hidden magic and trust Lucas with her heart. Because in Vegas, the stakes aren’t just money—they’re life, love, and destiny.

ORDER NOW: https://amzn.to/49fdeli

Brainstorming Your Murder

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Brainstorming Your Murder ScreencapBrainstorming & the Creative Process

This week, I taught a workshop for the Pacific Northwest Writers Association called Brainstorming Your Murder. This was a new workshop for me, and as always, I was struck by a case of nerves because I hate the idea of under-delivering.  The workshop evolved out of what I call my “Plotting Parties” – backyard get-togethers to co-write with author friends.  But I soon saw that what started as spontaneous processing of our projects could be systematized to move a novel forward.  And while for me, it seemed like a natural outgrowth of my process, after talking with several writers, I realized that the groupthink of auxiliary brains was not a natural part of their creative process.  So I created a workshop to teach my system and then practice the skills we discussed.

Bravery in the Face of Strangers

Sometimes it can be incredibly difficult to share an undeveloped story even to other writers, so I was also worried that the class attendees might not want to participate.  Then there was the fear that people would be like “yawn, I already know this.”  So while my attendees had to share their ideas, I had to make sure I was giving fresh new thoughts.  It was a time for bravery all the way around!

Brainstorming Success?

For me, despite being moved to strictly virtual due to potential inclement weather, the evening was a wonderful success.  Several authors walked away with solutions to their novel problems, gut-check reactions to their proposed formats, and some lightbulb ideas on how to shape their novels in progress.  To see someone’s face light up with an “OH! THAT IS IT!” moment is gratifying.  So thanks to the PNWA for hosting me and making those moments possible and I hope to be able to share this workshop with others in the future!

 

Blessing or a Curse?

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I was elected…

To the Board of the Northwest Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America!  As a cross-genre writer who bounces between mystery and romance, I’m subject to imposter syndrome in every genre I touch.  Is this enough of a mystery?  Is this romance-y enough?  Someone give me a kiss-o-meter!  So when a friend reached out and suggested I run for the Board I thought… eeee, I don’t know.  What if someone finds out that all my mysteries have kissing in them?  Then I realized that was probably the silliest thing I’d thought lately and I said we could maybe think about it.

And now I’m Treasurer.

Where’s that facepalm emoji when I need it?  Although, to be honest, this is also how I ended up as the Treasurer of my local business district a few years ago. And that turned out fine. (We held a wine walk and a farmer’s market!) So I suppose we shall see if I can figure out how to make the MWA hold a wine walk.  What’s the author equivalent of a wine walk?  Now I need the heavy thinking emoji.

Crime’s of the Heart

But as I ponder if I’m mystery enough for the mystery crowd, or romance enough for the romance crew, I realize that I couldn’t have written my most recent book without my mystery and crime fiction background. The idea was simple enough—I hate The Shining.  (Confession: I’ve never read the book.)  The movie bugs me.  It’s stylish, terrifying, and (for me) the characters behave in completely unbelievable ways.  Every time I’ve seen it, I think… why would the caretaker leave?  Why would she not leave her husband prior to going to a snowed-in hotel?  Why has no one ever noticed the creepy ass shit before this? What kind of hotel owner would let a hotel be empty for six months of the year? And then I had the action movie thought, that this could be solved a lot of ways that weren’t… any of this.  It’s like how most action movies could really be avoided if someone just shot the bad guy the moment he started pontificating.  Which led me to think that this kind of nonsense wouldn’t fly in Vegas. Cursed hotel?  Oh, hell no.  The mob is not standing for that—they would be getting in a priest the first time some evil twin ghosts interfered with a slot machine.  Crime families cannot be having blood dripping from the walls.  That would cut down on the profits.  And then I said, “Ooooooh. I might need to do something with that.”  And since I’m an adult and I can give in to all of my intrusive thoughts if I want… I did just that.

Heart’s Curse

Writing under the pen name Sirena Corebeau for Varus Publishing, Heart’s Curse is about Lucas Kane, a hotel boss who’s on his way up the ladder and his first shot at the big time in Vegas is The Lucky Heart Hotel & Casino.  There’s just one tiny problem… it’s cursed.  Charlotte “Charlie” Auvray has always been told she’s nothing special—just the magicless daughter of a powerful witch family. But when a disastrous spring break lands her in Las Vegas, she stumbles into the path of Lucas Kane, a dangerously magnetic casino boss with secrets of his own. Lucas is juggling mob ties, a cursed hotel, and powers he can never reveal. What he doesn’t need is a heartbroken college girl counting cards at his tables… or kissing him in front of her cheating ex. But when blood rains from the showers and guests descend into madness, Charlie proves she sees what no one else can—the curse that haunts the Lucky Heart’s Casino. To break it, she’ll have to embrace her hidden magic and trust Lucas with her heart. Because in Vegas, the stakes aren’t just money—they’re life, love, and destiny.

ORDER NOW: https://amzn.to/49fdeli

LEARN MORE: Sirena Corbeau

Heart’s Curse releases March 3, 2026!  Whether or not my reign of terror at the MWA treasury position goes as well as the romance for Lucas and Charlie remains to be seen.

Derringer Danger

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I’m Being Judged… by the Derringer Awards

Every year, the Short Mystery Fiction Society holds the Derringer Awards. Judged by volunteers from the society’s membership, these competitive awards recognize short mystery stories published that year.  The judging process and program management are a lot of work and I’m always impressed at the volunteers who bring the awards program to life.

Derringer Categories

  • Best Flash Story (Up to 1,000 words)
  • Best Short Story (1,001 to 4,000 words)
  • Best Long Story (4,001 to 8,000 words)
  • Best Novelette (8,001 to 20,000 words)

Derringer Judging

Each category requires three primary and one alternate SMFS members to whittle their assigned category down to five finalists.  Each judge is provided with a criteria sheet and a batch of short stories, and then the scores are totaled by the Derringer coordinator. And having judged before, I know that the quality of the stories is fantastic and that anyone who submits is up against some top-notch writers. I loved getting to read such a wide spread of stories with different mystery sub-genres and sensibilities.  Believe me, getting down to top five is hard!

Stiletto Gang Stories

As a member of both the SMFS and the blog group The Stiletto Gang, I’m always excited to see which of my friends have also submitted for an award.  This year, three of us at the Stiletto Gang have taken the plunge. With the array of submissions below, I’m hoping that at least one of the Stiletto Gang can take home a Derringer Award medal.

donalee Moulton

donalee has three stories in consideration.  With a 2024 finalist spot, donalee is shooting for a repeat with one of her three stories. “Bon Ami” from the Signed, Sealed…Deceased Cozy Mystery Anthology. “Maladaptives Anonymous” from the Midnight Schemers & Daydream Believers Anthology.  And “Zebra Finch” from The Most Dangerous Games.

Judy Penz Sheluk

Judy submitted “A Foolproof Plan” from the Midnight Schemers & Daydream Believers Anthology. This fantastic mystery/crime anthology features 22 tales of mystery and suspense. Last year, the previous anthology, Larceny & Last Chances picked up a Finalist spot in the Derringer’s Anthology category, so we’re all hopeful for a repeat with Midnight Schemers & Daydream Believers!

Bethany Maines

In 2025, I wrote two mystery stories that qualify to be submitted for the Derringers – “Front Desk Staff” (published in Midnight Schemers & Daydream Believers) and “Love, Lefse, & Murder” (published in Cooking Up Death).  “Front Desk Staff” went into the highly competitive Short Story Category and “Love, Lefse, & Murder,” which clocked in at 9k words, will be in the Best Novelette category.

Winner announcements happen in March and and I wish all of the Stiletto Gang members luck as our precious stories make their way across the judges desks!

Buy Now

Want to check out these award-worthy stories?