It's good to be home.
September was a month away from our writing desks, and one we'll remember for a long time. We started in Connecticut, volunteering for a week with Little Pink Houses of Hope. Little Pink gives families affected by breast cancer something that becomes scarce during treatment: time together to rest, laugh, and just be a family. We served meals, played games, and listened to stories. We came away inspired by the strength and humor of every family we met...and our fellow volunteers.
From there we traveled to San Francisco for the International Invasive Lobular Carcinoma Symposium. Researchers, doctors, and patient advocates from around the world gathered to work on a cancer that too few people know about. We were honored to work with other LBCA members in a round-table session and to co-moderate a session on advanced imaging and artificial intelligence, work that could change how lobular breast cancer is found.
By the way, LBCA's Awareness Bus is on the road right now, traveling across the country through October 15, Lobular Breast Cancer Awareness Day. It's stopping at leading cancer centers and community events in more than ten cities. If it comes through your city, please stop by and say hello.
Something every woman should know...
Most people think of breast cancer as a lump. Lobular breast cancer often doesn't form one. Its cells tend to grow in thin, single-file lines through breast tissue, so it can be hard to feel and can be missed on a mammogram, especially in dense breasts.
That doesn't mean you should be afraid. It means you should know your body, notice changes such as thickening, fullness, or a change in the shape of your breast, and speak up if something feels different. You can learn more at LBCA.
Please share this with the women you love. Awareness does save lives.
And some book news...
Now, we're back at our desks, full of ideas and eager to write. But every writer knows the truth: when we're not writing, the stories stall and so does the business. So October is our month to catch up, get the momentum back, and fill your bookshelves while we're at it.
SO WE’RE RUNNING A BOOK SALE FOR A GOOD CAUSE!
Every book in our bookstore is 50% off, all October long
Highland romance, Regency, cozy fantasy, Westerns, thrillers: all half price through October 31.
Where to start...
Shop the sale through the Book Store Collections Page →
Not sure what to pick? Here are a few more ideas.
For a Highland escape: Start the first book in one of our Scottish series and read (or re-read) the whole series at half price:
Medieval and Scottish Print Books
For cozy autumn evenings: Our Harbor View cozy fantasy series is the literary equivalent of a warm blanket and a cup of tea.
Cozy Fantasy and Contemporary Ebooks
Cozy Fantasy and Contemporary Print Books
For Western lovers: Ride along with Caleb Marlowe and Henry Jordan in our Nik James Westerns. They'll put you in the mood for the auction (see below!).
American Western Romance and Traditional Westerns - Ebooks & Print
For readers who like to stay up too late: Our Jan Coffey thrillers.
All Jan Coffey Books - Thrillers included
For young adult readers: a fantasy, a beach-read, and a sweet slow-burn time-travel adventure.
AND... for every book you buy directly from our bookstore,
we'll donate $1 to the Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance (LBCA).
LBCA funds research and raises awareness for invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), which accounts for about 15% of diagnosed breast cancers.
One small request...purchases through Amazon and other retailers don't count toward the donation. If you'd like your book to help, please buy it from our bookstore.
AND... watch for a Western auction...
This October, Little Pink Houses of Hope is holding a Western-themed auction, and we've donated to it. We'll send you the details as soon as bidding opens.
What's next...
Once the laundry’s done and the dust settles, we’re going back to work on Third Street, the next installment of the Harbor View Cozy Fantasy series. We know from your emails that you’re enjoying your time with Skye and Ocean, Arthur and Caleb...as well as our resident 1920s ghosts, Jo and Henry. They’ll all be back...with more startling activity in their little seaside village.
That's it. Thank you for reading with us, for sharing our books, and for being part of something bigger this month. We're grateful for every one of you.
P.S. Don’t forget, the sale ends October 31, and $1 from every book bought in our bookstore goes to LBCA.