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 – 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?
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.
https://bethanymaines.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/SG-Traveling-Book-11-11.jpg10811081Bethany Maineshttps://bethanymaines.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Aug2016-Logo-op3-300x69.pngBethany Maines2026-05-25 11:59:342026-05-06 15:42:52Traveling the World with Books
Book covers in publishing can be fraught for authors. And by fraught I mean panic inducing. What a publisher thinks and what an author thinks a cover should be are very frequently not the same. And usually, an author is only allowed minimal input on a cover. While this is frustrating as an author, as a graphic designer, I do understand it. Authors get very exacting about their book and want to put every little detail into the cover, which can quickly become fussy and overwrought. Also, an author may not like the graphic trend that is currently selling in their genre. In short, authors are not always the best marketers of their own books. But from the author’s point of view, publishers or the designers may not grasp what the book is about and give it a weirdly off-tone look. Which is why you’ll find authors waiting for their covers to be revealed in nail-biting anticipation. And it’s also why I saw this cover and thought… Oh, thank goodness! The designer completely got my Hawaii Gothic theme. I can’t wait to get this into the hands of readers!
Authors rarely get much input into covers. Sometimes we’ll get only a “right of refusal.” Which means that we only get yes or no—no adjustments. And sometimes that can be used as a threat—if you say no, your book will be delayed. (If you thought publishing wasn’t a cutthroat business, think again.) But working with Varus Publishing has been lovely. They’re very willing to hear feedback and do their best to make adjustments. Getting the right vibe of a book to readers is as important to them as it is to the authors and they have a pretty extensive “discovery” process to attempt to get all the little nuggets of book thoughts, tropes, and vibes from the author to the designer. Which is why I feel that this cover is such a success.
So without further ado, please admire the brand new and fiery Forged in Flame cover!
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.
https://bethanymaines.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/FiF_insta_Cover-Reveal.jpg10801080Bethany Maineshttps://bethanymaines.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Aug2016-Logo-op3-300x69.pngBethany Maines2026-05-16 13:52:182026-05-16 13:57:20Forged in Flame Cover Reveal!
In my 2026 series of paranormal romances, each stand-alone novel is linked through the character of Dante Montanari—a mysterious dragon shifter whose interference in the lives of other characters causes the romances of each book to develop. Ultimately, the plan is to have a book devoted to Dante and his own romance, but that’s currently plotted for book 8, and we’re only on number 2. Usually, when I develop my characters for mysteries and contemporary romance, I only have to worry about the everyday getting to know you stuff—like where a character works, what they’re passionate about, why they keep finding dead bodies—that kind of thing. But with paranormal romance, there is the added layer of world-building, which means I need to decide how dragons and any other fantasy creatures actually function. And then, even worse, I have to abide by those rules (yes, the ones I just invented) in future books.
Playing by the Rules
Once the rules are set, my life is both harder and easier. The more I know about each character, the less I have to think about some of the background noise of setting a scene. And this applies across all genres. In a mystery, if I know that my character doesn’t drink coffee, then I don’t have to think about their order if there’s a scene in a cafe. In a fantasy novel, some things become more complex. For instance, if a shape-shifter changes, do their clothes shift as well? (And we will pause here for you to have this argument amongst yourselves.) I have decided that we cannot have proper werewolf-type transformations without tearing clothes, and have chosen to have clothes NOT transform. But that means that you have to keep track of things like “where did his shoes go” in those scenes. And inevitably, no matter how carefully I establish my rules for this creature or that, I run into a scene where I wish I’d done something else.
Choosing a Course
As it turns out the easiest way to figure out the rules is to do the most horrific of all writerly tasks… write. By writing a character and working through a story, I can stress test my rules and figure out how they apply to the world and other characters. However, since my big dragon character doesn’t have his own story until much later, that left me with specifically dragonish questions that need to be answered NOW. Which is why book 2 of the series focuses on Dante’s nephew – Dalton Rosetti. Dalton and Ava’s romance was the perfect opportunity to find out what makes dragons work and how their world, magic, and culture function. And also, allow me to daydream of a vacation in Hawaii. Because in my world dragons love heat and volcanoes, so of course, they would love Hawaii. This romance was fun to write because (as with all my books) it includes a heavy dose of action and danger and that meant I had to watch Hawaii 5-0 for inspiration. Yes, I know either iteration of the show is ridiculously not true to Hawaii, but the scenery is still great. (I may or may not be referring to Daniel Dae Kim as scenery in this sentence. Language is always open to interpretation.) What do you think? What other Hawaii specific shows should I have added to my “research”?
Forged in Flame
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? Learn More: bethanymaines.com/catalog/sirena-corbeau/
Interested in being an Advance Reader of Forged in Flame?
ARC readers get a free copy of the book in exchange for leaving a review on one (or more) of the common review sites (Amazon, Bookbub, Goodreads).
https://bethanymaines.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/FiF-promoTitle-Insta.jpg10801080Bethany Maineshttps://bethanymaines.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Aug2016-Logo-op3-300x69.pngBethany Maines2026-05-13 05:30:252026-05-14 09:28:41How Does a Dragon Work?
As I note in this month’s newsletter, I may have overcommitted myself a tiny bit this month. Between work, writerly events, taxes, my child’s spring break, work events, and writing itself, I find that I have had to put aside several axillary goals. In fact, I’m reminded of a quote I saw once from Nora Roberts who said something to the effect that some of the balls you are juggling are glass and some are plastic — the trick is to only drop the plastic ones.
Glass doesn’t Spring
The items that I can’t drop are the items with deadlines. Forged in Flame, book 2 of the Montanari Universe series, is out in June. So all the editing associated is at the top of the list. I’m excited for this book as it expands the universe and introduces new characters. Each book is a stand-alone, meaning that you do NOT have to read the first one, but the stories are linked through the character of Dante Montanari. But that means I have to figure out his character without the benefit of having an entire book of him to explore what’s going on with him. There has been lots of ruminating and for the last two weeks, a lot of furiously fast editing, to get everything buttoned down before Forged in Flame goes up for pre-order.
I also can’t drop my mom duties, so those items are at the top of the list. And work has some deadlines that also can’t be moved. So it looks like some late nights for me to make sure that everything gets done.
So which Spring goal is plastic?
My long-term goal of becoming a better watercolorist is definitely something that I can drop for April. On one hand it is a goal that I feel like I have put off for over a decade because of motherhood and focusing on writing, so it feels sad to set aside yet again. But on the other hand, I have made several efforts this last few years and I know I can come back and pursue it more fully this summer when I will be working a little less to be with my kiddo for “Art Fridays.” (She also loves to paint and craft.) When I come back, I’ve got several new paintings planned, including this one of the Vashon Island lighthouse.
Also, on the list of things I will drop like a hot potato are other people’s problems. Do you want me to get you files because you’re going on vacation and you would like them so everything’s tidy for when you get back? Gosh… that just sounds like a you problem. Your vacation is not my emergency.
But as I juggle my way toward May, I know that someday there will be a summer. And hopefully it will be a lot less busy. Now if I could just remember to say no to a few things…
***
Forged in Flame – Releasing June 4
Ava Flynn grew up unaware of her dragon heritage, raised by her human mother and stepfather. That all 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?
Fill out this form with your name and preferred email address and get an email with a download link in May. Advance Readers get an early copy of the book and promise to leave a review on Goodreads, BookBub, or Amazon by the first week of publication. (You will get a reminder email with links.) Reviews may be as short as one sentence.
https://bethanymaines.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/SpringInsta-02.jpg10801081Bethany Maineshttps://bethanymaines.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Aug2016-Logo-op3-300x69.pngBethany Maines2026-04-16 13:45:562026-04-16 13:45:56Welcome to Spring
Side Track to Success
/in General Writing, Life, The Stiletto GangCountdown!
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.
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?
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
/in General Writing, Life, The Stiletto GangIn 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?)
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
Forged in Flame Cover Reveal!
/in Paranormal Romance, Romance, Sirena CorbeauNew Cover Revealed!
Book covers in publishing can be fraught for authors. And by fraught I mean panic inducing. What a publisher thinks and what an author thinks a cover should be are very frequently not the same. And usually, an author is only allowed minimal input on a cover. While this is frustrating as an author, as a graphic designer, I do understand it. Authors get very exacting about their book and want to put every little detail into the cover, which can quickly become fussy and overwrought. Also, an author may not like the graphic trend that is currently selling in their genre. In short, authors are not always the best marketers of their own books. But from the author’s point of view, publishers or the designers may not grasp what the book is about and give it a weirdly off-tone look. Which is why you’ll find authors waiting for their covers to be revealed in nail-biting anticipation. And it’s also why I saw this cover and thought… Oh, thank goodness! The designer completely got my Hawaii Gothic theme. I can’t wait to get this into the hands of readers!
Authors rarely get much input into covers. Sometimes we’ll get only a “right of refusal.” Which means that we only get yes or no—no adjustments. And sometimes that can be used as a threat—if you say no, your book will be delayed. (If you thought publishing wasn’t a cutthroat business, think again.) But working with Varus Publishing has been lovely. They’re very willing to hear feedback and do their best to make adjustments. Getting the right vibe of a book to readers is as important to them as it is to the authors and they have a pretty extensive “discovery” process to attempt to get all the little nuggets of book thoughts, tropes, and vibes from the author to the designer. Which is why I feel that this cover is such a success.
So without further ado, please admire the brand new and fiery Forged in Flame cover!
Forged in Flame Cover!
PRE-ORDER: https://amzn.to/3RJYJk3
RELEASE DATE: June 30th
SIGN UP TO BE AN ADVANCE READER: ARC Form
Forged in Flame:
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.
How Does a Dragon Work?
/in Sirena Corbeau, The Stiletto GangA Working Dragon
In my 2026 series of paranormal romances, each stand-alone novel is linked through the character of Dante Montanari—a mysterious dragon shifter whose interference in the lives of other characters causes the romances of each book to develop. Ultimately, the plan is to have a book devoted to Dante and his own romance, but that’s currently plotted for book 8, and we’re only on number 2. Usually, when I develop my characters for mysteries and contemporary romance, I only have to worry about the everyday getting to know you stuff—like where a character works, what they’re passionate about, why they keep finding dead bodies—that kind of thing. But with paranormal romance, there is the added layer of world-building, which means I need to decide how dragons and any other fantasy creatures actually function. And then, even worse, I have to abide by those rules (yes, the ones I just invented) in future books.
Playing by the Rules
Once the rules are set, my life is both harder and easier. The more I know about each character, the less I have to think about some of the background noise of setting a scene. And this applies across all genres. In a mystery, if I know that my character doesn’t drink coffee, then I don’t have to think about their order if there’s a scene in a cafe. In a fantasy novel, some things become more complex. For instance, if a shape-shifter changes, do their clothes shift as well? (And we will pause here for you to have this argument amongst yourselves.) I have decided that we cannot have proper werewolf-type transformations without tearing clothes, and have chosen to have clothes NOT transform. But that means that you have to keep track of things like “where did his shoes go” in those scenes. And inevitably, no matter how carefully I establish my rules for this creature or that, I run into a scene where I wish I’d done something else.
Choosing a Course
As it turns out the easiest way to figure out the rules is to do the most horrific of all writerly tasks… write. By writing a character and working through a story, I can stress test my rules and figure out how they apply to the world and other characters. However, since my big dragon character doesn’t have his own story until much later, that left me with specifically dragonish questions that need to be answered NOW. Which is why book 2 of the series focuses on Dante’s nephew – Dalton Rosetti. Dalton and Ava’s romance was the perfect opportunity to find out what makes dragons work and how their world, magic, and culture function. And also, allow me to daydream of a vacation in Hawaii. Because in my world dragons love heat and volcanoes, so of course, they would love Hawaii. This romance was fun to write because (as with all my books) it includes a heavy dose of action and danger and that meant I had to watch Hawaii 5-0 for inspiration. Yes, I know either iteration of the show is ridiculously not true to Hawaii, but the scenery is still great. (I may or may not be referring to Daniel Dae Kim as scenery in this sentence. Language is always open to interpretation.) What do you think? What other Hawaii specific shows should I have added to my “research”?
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? Learn More: bethanymaines.com/catalog/sirena-corbeau/
Interested in being an Advance Reader of Forged in Flame?
Sign up here: ADVANCE READER SIGN UP FORM
ARC readers get a free copy of the book in exchange for leaving a review on one (or more) of the common review sites (Amazon, Bookbub, Goodreads).
Welcome to Spring
/in Free Book, Life, Paranormal Romance, Sirena CorbeauSpring . . . ing into Overcommitment
As I note in this month’s newsletter, I may have overcommitted myself a tiny bit this month. Between work, writerly events, taxes, my child’s spring break, work events, and writing itself, I find that I have had to put aside several axillary goals. In fact, I’m reminded of a quote I saw once from Nora Roberts who said something to the effect that some of the balls you are juggling are glass and some are plastic — the trick is to only drop the plastic ones.
Glass doesn’t Spring
The items that I can’t drop are the items with deadlines. Forged in Flame, book 2 of the Montanari Universe series, is out in June. So all the editing associated is at the top of the list. I’m excited for this book as it expands the universe and introduces new characters. Each book is a stand-alone, meaning that you do NOT have to read the first one, but the stories are linked through the character of Dante Montanari. But that means I have to figure out his character without the benefit of having an entire book of him to explore what’s going on with him. There has been lots of ruminating and for the last two weeks, a lot of furiously fast editing, to get everything buttoned down before Forged in Flame goes up for pre-order.
I also can’t drop my mom duties, so those items are at the top of the list. And work has some deadlines that also can’t be moved. So it looks like some late nights for me to make sure that everything gets done.
My long-term goal of becoming a better watercolorist is definitely something that I can drop for April. On one hand it is a goal that I feel like I have put off for over a decade because of motherhood and focusing on writing, so it feels sad to set aside yet again. But on the other hand, I have made several efforts this last few years and I know I can come back and pursue it more fully this summer when I will be working a little less to be with my kiddo for “Art Fridays.” (She also loves to paint and craft.) When I come back, I’ve got several new paintings planned, including this one of the Vashon Island lighthouse.
Also, on the list of things I will drop like a hot potato are other people’s problems. Do you want me to get you files because you’re going on vacation and you would like them so everything’s tidy for when you get back? Gosh… that just sounds like a you problem. Your vacation is not my emergency.
But as I juggle my way toward May, I know that someday there will be a summer. And hopefully it will be a lot less busy. Now if I could just remember to say no to a few things…
***
Ava Flynn grew up unaware of her dragon heritage, raised by her human mother and stepfather. That all 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?
Learn More: https://bethanymaines.com/catalog/sirena-corbeau/
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