Revision Hell

Ava may be in blurb hell and Liz is currently in the saggy middle of her work in progress, but I’m in revision hell. I'm working on the edits for Saving Sarah, Book 4 in the Women of Willow Bay series and it’s tough. I’m walking a fine line with this book, trying to keep it from getting too dark because frankly, this series, is not at all dark. These books are contemporary romances, not light and fluffy stories by any means. They have real meat, but they always have a satisfying happily-ever-after. The Women of Willow Bay are mature women—four friends who’ve lived a lot of life and bring that experience to their stories. They’re all falling in love . . . again, either with the same person or someone new, and love and friendship are the focuses of every story. Sarah's is no exception, although as a victim of domestic violence, she struggles with more demons than Carrie, Julie, and Sophie. 

If you’ve read Sex and the Widow Miles, you’ve met my new heroine, Sarah, whose story is tragic in one way and yet hopeful in many others. When we meet her in this novel, she’s terrorized by the reappearance of the man she thought she’d escaped from years earlier. She flees to Willow Bay not only to hide from her abusive ex, but also to try to rebuild her life for the second time. Sarah’s character arc naturally includes some of her history, but I made the choice not to show the horrible scenes between Sarah and her ex. It’s clear that she’s suffered at his hands, but I’m not comfortable writing those scenes because that kind of darkness simply doesn’t fit in the feel of the Women of Willow Bay series. I’m hoping readers will get involved in the story without the graphic scenes. 

I have no idea where I'm going with this post--whether I'm whining or just processing out loud. Whatever it is, I’m planning to be done with revisions in a few days because I’ve got four Irish brothers in my head clamoring at me to tell their stories. 

Here’s the blurb from Saving Sarah—sure hope you’re intrigued enough to buzz over to Amazon and pre-order the book. It releases on September 26. Enjoy!

When Sarah Bennett's abusive ex hunts her down in Chicago, her friends spirit her away to Willow Bay, where she hopes to begin again with a different identity. But terror keeps her holed up, unable to start her new life.

Deputy sheriff Tony Reynard never expected to be staring down the barrel of a gun when he enters Sarah’s apartment to finish up some handyman work, but that’s how the fiery little redhead greets him, and he’s beyond intrigued.

After an intervention by her loving friends, Sarah becomes involved in a project to turn an old mansion into a battered women’s shelter. The women work together to renovate the house, along with the help of the townspeople and the delectably handsome Tony, who is a true renaissance man. Tony vows to bring Sarah back to life and love, but knows he needs to move slowly to win her heart.

When her ex tracks her down once more, Sarah must find the courage to protect her friends and her new love from his wrath.