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
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.
It’s release day for Heart’s Curse!