it's summer and my brain is empty

upcoming events and things and a sneak peek at some character art

Hi! I tried to come up with a title, but it’s so hot right now and this is the best I can do. I’ll keep this short and sweet:

Upcoming Houston-area-ish events:

• Barnes & Noble opening on July 3rd (aka this Wednesday!): https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/9780062171030-0

• Launch for Alexandra Vasti’s NE’ER DUKE WELL at Blue Willow Bookshop on July 24th (Etta Easton, author of The Kiss Countdown is going to be there too, and I can’t wait! I’ve been recommending Alex’s histrom novellas to everyone I know, and her debut novel is an absolute treat! You definitely want to pick it up!): https://www.bluewillowbookshop.com/event/vasti-2024

  

• Barnes & Noble opening on July 27th: https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/9780062170597-0

And I don’t have any book events planned here, but I’m going to Scotland!! I’ll be in Glasgow and Edinburgh next week for a friend’s wedding (and maybe some story inspo 👀). Fun fact about my family: my brother used to be a competitive bagpiper and for a few years, I learned Highland dancing as a kid. I haven’t been to Scotland since I went to the World Pipe Band Championships to watch my brother compete when he was in high school and I’m so excited to go back, see friends, and experience some Scottish wedding traditions!

But because I’ll be over there, I’m sadly missing the launch of Melanie Sweeney’s TAKE ME HOME! If you’re in the Houston area, definitely go! It’s on July 9th at Blue Willow, and the book is such a delight. And if you’re not in Houston, check the rest of Melanie’s tour schedule because she might be making a stop closer to you!

Pivoting to Steamy Lit Con, if you’re going, I’m so excited to see you there! A reminder that if you want to pre-order books for pick up at Steamy Lit you need to do it by June 30th (aka today)!! https://meetcutebookshop.com/item/ZoOPMvNQhqa47-_IfZuBzA

Straight from Steamy Lit Con, I’m flying to Minneapolis to celebrate the launch of Ellie Palmer’s incredible debut FOUR WEEKENDS AND A FUNERAL! I love this book with all my heart. I’ve read multiple drafts of it, and it’s been such a gift to be on this writing journey with Ellie these past few years. She’s an immense talent, and I’m so excited for this book to be out on August 6th!! More info about the event here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/book-launch-for-ellie-palmers-four-weekends-and-a-funeral-tickets-934960842047

That was a lot of info, so as a reward, here’s a sneak peek of some characters art I commissioned for FLIRTING WITH DISASTER (out January 2025)! Aishwarya Tandon (@toondoon1010) really outdid herself. This book is a second-chance romance between two estranged spouses who end up trapped together in a a hurricane, and Aishwarya captured all the second-chance vibes and angst perfectly! I love it so much.

Look out for pre-order info on how to get this art soon!

So many more fun things coming up that I can’t wait to share! Thanks for being here with me. I feel so lucky I get to do all of this, and appreciate y’all so much!

Love,

Naina