One Day at a Time... ❤️

We'll start with the most important thing first...thank you.

As many of you know, Nikoo had surgery this past Friday. Your messages, emails, prayers, and kind words have poured in, and we've read every single one. Often, more than once. And yes, sometimes with tears in our eyes.

It's a humbling and beautiful thing to be surrounded by so much kindness from people we've come to think of as family.

Recovery is coming along, and we're taking it the only way that makes sense right now...one day at a time.

That little phrase has been on our minds a lot this week. And the more we think about it, the more we realize it's pretty good advice for all of us, whatever life happens to be throwing our way.

So, if you'll indulge us, here are a few things we've been reminding ourselves lately.

Be gentle with yourself. Rest isn't a reward you earn after everything else is done. Sometimes, rest is the work. And that's perfectly okay.

Let people help. This one is harder than it sounds! But saying yes to a casserole, a ride, a phone call, or simply someone's company isn't a weakness. It's a gift to the person offering too.

Look for the small good things. A cup of tea that's still warm. A dog sleeping in a patch of sunshine. A message from an old friend. A chapter in a book so good you forget to look at the clock. These little moments matter. Sometimes, they're what carry us through.

And one more thing, especially during October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month: if you've been putting off a screening, a mammogram, or a checkup, please make that appointment. Early detection can save lives, and taking care of yourself is one of the greatest gifts you can give to the people who love you.

Consider that a loving nudge from both of us.

A little escape to Harbor View for just 99¢

Speaking of small good things, sometimes the best medicine for a weary mind is a good story.

A little magic. A seaside town. A mystery waiting to be solved. And perhaps a ghost or two with entirely too many opinions.

That's exactly what you'll find in FIRST STREET, the opening book in our Harbor View Cozy Fantasy series.

For a limited time, through the end of October, 

we're offering First Street for just 99¢.

If you haven't visited Harbor View yet, we'd love to welcome you. And if you've already met Skye, Ocean, Henry, Jo, and the rest of our slightly unconventional gang, perhaps you know someone who could use a little escape of their own.

STEP INTO HARBOR VIEW — FIRST STREET FOR 99¢

And the BOOK SALE is still ON! 

Every book in our bookstore is 50% off, all October long.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and once again, we want to turn something we love—sharing stories—into something that can make a difference.

Throughout October, every book in our direct bookstore is 50% off.

Highland romance, Regency, cozy fantasy, Westerns, thrillers: all half price through October 31. And there's something more.

For every purchase, we're donating $1 to the Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance (LBCA), an organization close to our hearts that supports research, education, and advocacy for invasive lobular breast cancer.

So whether you're treating yourself to a new adventure, discovering a series you've been meaning to read, or stocking up on gifts for the readers in your life, your purchase will also help support an important cause.

SHOP OUR BOOKSTORE — 50% OFF EVERYTHING

And if you'd prefer to support LBCA directly, you can make a donation here:

DONATE DIRECTLY TO LBCA

Thank you. Every act of kindness matters, no matter its size.

 One little favor — please share the love 

If this newsletter brought you a smile, a moment of comfort, or a reminder to take care of yourself, we'd love for you to pass it along.

Forward it to a friend. 

Share our book sale with someone who loves to read. 

Or share the LBCA donation link with someone who is looking for a way to make a difference.

You never know who might need a little encouragement today, who might find comfort in a good story, or whose life might be touched by the research we're helping to support.

And for those of you who've already shared our books, recommended us to friends, or simply taken the time to write a kind note, please know how much that means to us. Word of mouth is one of the greatest gifts you can give an author.

Thank you for reading. For writing to us. For caring. For being part of this wonderful community we've built together over the years.

We feel your kindness every day, and we hope some of it finds its way right back to you.

Take care of yourselves. Hug the people you love. Find joy in the little things. 

And remember, one day at a time is still moving forward.

No Place Like Home...

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 Ebooks

Medieval and Scottish Print Books

Regency Period Ebooks

Regency Period 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.

Young Adult Ebooks

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.

Shop now →

Four Years…Cancerversary!

Today marks four years since I woke up from surgery, felt the port in my chest, and was told that my lobular breast cancer had returned and that it had metastasized.

I'm certainly not the scared, sad, emotional person I was then. I'm no longer the woman who spent hours Googling everything (stupid, stupid girl!) and believed the first response that told me I had only two or three months to live.

Over these past four years, an extraordinary community of old friends and new friends has carried me. They supported me emotionally and financially. They taught me, mentored me, trained me, and showed me that while metastatic breast cancer changes your life, it doesn't have to define it.

Today, I walk with this disease, grateful for every day and eager to offer what was so generously given to me. A shoulder to lean on, practical advice, friendship, resources, and hope to anyone newly diagnosed. Through volunteering with organizations that support people living with metastatic breast cancer, my knowledge continues to grow every day, and I love being able to pass those resources on to friends and strangers alike.

Four years after those terrifying days and weeks, I've realized this is one of the ways I can give back, by sharing the same kindness, love, and knowledge that others shared with me.

So today, of all days, I had a haircut appointment with a wonderful young woman who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer just a year ago.

Needless to say, hair was the least important part of our conversation.

We talked about the loneliness. About how people around her are often in denial because she “looks so good.” About the lack of reliable emotional, financial, and educational resources. About finding support groups that meet both in person and online. And, of course, about the endless well-meaning comments from people who think all cancers are the same or know someone whose second cousin’s neighbor “cured” cancer by the most insane things that quacks of every variety can come up with.

In so many words, I just sat there in that salon chair, heartbroken. Then, I climbed onto my horse.

Information was shared. Tears were shed. Hugs were exchanged and held as neither one of us wanted to let go.

As strange as it may sound, helping this young woman was the greatest gift I could have received on my fourth anniversary. It reminded me how far I've come. It allowed me to pass forward the love that has been extended to me.

I will forever be grateful to Jim, to my family, and to every one of you who has walked this path beside me. Your kindness, encouragement, prayers, laughter, and friendship have carried me farther than you will ever know.

I continue to believe in science. I continue to believe in hope. And I hope I can keep reporting back with stories about the remarkable people I meet on this journey.

If you know someone living with cancer…a friend, a neighbor, a coworker, a writer, a family member, or even someone you barely know, reach out. Support them. Show up. Listen. Kindness doesn’t require expertise. It simply requires the commitment to be there for one another.

By the way, Jim and I will be volunteering with Little Pink Houses of Hope in September, and later that month I'll be serving as a patient advocate at the Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance conference in San Francisco. Can’t wait.

Love you all. I am so very grateful for every one of you.

New Line of Treatment

Today was one of those days when I have a few choice words for lobular breast cancer—the lack of research, lack of accurate imaging, and lack of real understanding.

Who am I kidding? I have those choice words every day.

But today is also a day when I’m profoundly grateful to be under the care of one of the most knowledgeable and compassionate oncologists practicing medicine.

Three and a half years after my metastatic diagnosis, I learned today that my third line of treatment (a clinical trial) is no longer effective. My progression was caught only because my oncologist knows and studies this disease. She read my scans herself and listened carefully to my symptoms.

I am grateful to her beyond words.

Next week, I begin my fourth line of treatment. Here’s to hoping and praying that Xeloda and I build a long and lasting friendship.

I appreciate all your good thoughts and prayers.

And here’s another shout-out: if you’re able, please consider donating to lobular breast cancer research. And…Stage IV needs more.

Nikoo's New Interview - October 2025

In this interview I’m sharing something deeply personal—my cancer journey.

It hasn’t been easy. There have been dark days, times of uncertainty, moments of fear… but also sparks of hope, resilience, and immense gratitude for every single one of you who’s walked this path with me.

In this video, I open up about what I’ve been through. The struggles, the breakthroughs, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. My hope is that by being vulnerable, I can help others feel less alone.

If you or someone you love is facing something similar, this is for you. You are stronger than you think. You are not alone.

Thank you to everyone who’s sent love, prayers, messages, and encouragement. You lift me up every single day.

Please feel free to watch, share, and comment. Your support means the world.

Celebrating a 'cancerversary'

From Jim—

We’re celebrating a #cancerversary in our house. As you know, three years ago, Nikoo was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, twenty years after her original bout with cancer.

Everyone deals with cancer in their own way, and no one should ever feel that their response is ever wrong or lacking. I can only speak to the way Nikoo has responded, and what she’s done since her metastatic diagnosis demonstrates exactly who she is. What I have seen is that this woman—who I’ve been blessed to love for 45 years—chose not to hide herself away or give up on life.

What Nikoo has done is to dedicate herself to helping other women who often need support and information and love as they travel the frightening and isolating journey of the cancer patient.

I can’t tell you how many hours every day she spends educating herself and building community and connecting. She participates in webinars, reads medical articles, and deepens her understanding of cancer, genetics, nutrition, and choices. But most important of all, she emails texts and calls her ‘sisters’. Constantly.

She does this with the conscious goal of helping women learn about their specific disease and possible treatment, and to bolster the courage to advocate for themselves. And when she loses a friend who ‘crosses over’, she weeps for them and for (and often with) the families and loved ones they leave behind.

Nikoo is truly an angel and a gift to me and to her family and to all her #mbc and her lobular breast cancer sisters.

I’m hopeful for many, many more cancerversaries, and I thank God for every blessed day I get to spend with her.