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May 2024

Hey there,

At this very moment, I’m writing to you from under a tree in my backyard where just this morning, a family of birds hung out on one of the branches (or in the next tree over) screaming bloody murder for almost ninety minutes before flying away. It was (perhaps literally) a riot. Even my cat seemed fed up. She came for her midday stroll and water, gave me a look like, “Seriously?” and skulked off to a quieter napping spot.

Argh, just as I typed that, the birds returned. Looks like it’s not whole family, just a very rowdy mating pair. I think they might be Singing Honeyeaters (Lichenostomus virescens) casually debating geopolitics over a dram of suburban nectar. I dare not get my camera in case it scares them away, but here’s what they look like, courtesy of Birds in Backyards.

Birdlife, the wind in the trees, local dogs barking, local cats jingling past my doorstep, traffic in the distance, and sometimes in the late afternoon the smell of neighbours and nearby restaurants firing up the kitchen for dinner. That’s what working from home means to me — on a good day.

Back when I worked in an office, I felt so removed from the world I was writing and designing for. It didn’t help that some bosses had a thing about spending more time at one’s desk, instead of venturing out and seeing if the stuff we produced was actually relevant beyond our fluorescent-lit room.

That habit of remaining indoors still sticks with me and I often have to fight myself to work outdoors or in a café or somewhere that isn’t just at my desk, day after day. This daily battle is symbolic of other kinds of baggage in my life.

Old habits die hard. And sometimes, even if external habits have changed, our internal habits still hold fast — how we see ourselves, how we interpret the world, what roles we automatically fit ourselves into even when our original “jailers” are long gone.

The Guy from the Wedding takes a good, long look at this in the context of an enemies-to-lovers workplace romance. Who are you when your ex-partner’s toxicity no longer squishes you into a corner? Who are you when faced with new friends and an opportunity to restart your life? Who are you when your sworn enemy turns out to be the prime candidate for your Happily Ever After?

This manuscript is now with my beta readers. Stay tuned for the cover reveal, official release date, and more in the months to come.

Peace,

Birdie 🐦

From friends and around the way

Stuck with My Protective Billionaire by Gina Cooper
After my broken engagement, finding love is off my list. That is, until my brother’s billionaire best friend returns to town after ten years.

The Missing Masterpiece Murder by Annie Hudson
As Emma caught her breath and looked up, she noticed they had entered a room in the basement. A room she had not noticed before …

A Bookspry Giveaway: Sweet & Clean Romance
A sweet & clean romance giveaway fair. Ends 31 May.

Sweet Contemporary Romance
Featuring sweet, clean and inspirational romance. Ends 31 May.

A Contemporary Romance Book Fair
Find your next favourite low-steam contemporary romance here!

You might enjoy this too:

Insights on self-work from Kristen Fuller, M.D. via Psychology Today:

It is important to keep in mind that you left the relationship for a reason because you were being treated poorly and regardless of the kind words, romantic gestures, or strong chemistry your partner provided, your partner also left you broken and emotionally traumatized. Self-blame is a defense mechanism we often use to cover up our internal battle wounds but we must recognize that self-blame is a form of toxicity in itself.

Read the rest: Overcoming the Aftermath of Leaving a Toxic Relationship

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