Is it just me, or is summer sprinting past?

I’ve got less than a week until my 20th anniversary trip to Ireland (eek!), while both my girls—8 and 11—are at sleepaway camp in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Then it’s off as a family to our happy place: Kiawah Island, SC. When we return? New school year, new school, middle school. 😱

I think I can do it all. I’m trying to call in a little grace (the kind that doesn’t require packing lunches or doing laundry).

I just returned from Niagara Falls, Ontario, where I attended the Romance Writers of America national conference—and wow, what a whirlwind!

I pitched the first book in my DC sisters trilogy and received two manuscript requests! Now I’m putting together my submission packets for six agents and editors. The heat is officially on—and not just from the weather.

Clockwise from top left: Got soaked at the falls. Celebrated post-pitch with champs & Keely. Lilac dress moment at the awards. SkyWheel fun. And reunions with friends from Washington, Virginia, & Chesapeake Romance Writers!

And just the weekend before? I attended the Washington Romance Writers board retreat, where I officially stepped in as the new Communications Director for the year ahead.

Gulp. 😅 Must find ways to balance all the things.

Here I am with most of the board at the Church House getting things done!

I’ve got two collections of free romance reads for you this month!

First up:

Small-town romance stories you’ll love if How the Cookie Crumbles made you swoon. You’ll find it in there, along with sweet stories from other authors.

Next:

A clean romance roundup, also featuring How the Cookie Crumbles. Just a heads-up: the upcoming Lake Hartwell brothers trilogy that spins off from that story? Let’s just say… it’s a little spicier. 🔥😉

I’ve been deep in brainstorming for book 2 of my DC sisters trilogy—and it’s coming together in a way that feels right.

Yes, DC is the nation’s capital, but it’s also a city of neighborhoods and close-knit communities. These sisters aren’t just navigating love—they’re making meaningful contributions and lifting up the people around them.

More to come soon!

✈️ Niagara Picks

• Journey Behind the Falls — Skip the boat, stay dry-ish, and get close to the action.
• Queen Victoria Place Restaurant — Open-air lunch across from the falls, misty breeze, great food.
• AG Inspired Cuisine — Friday night vibes, farm-to-table, live music, attentive service
• the Colaneri Corposo — Niagara Peninsula wine with old-world charm. Affordable and unforgettable.

📚 On my nightstand & in my earbuds:

• Atomic Habits → habit-shifting gold
• Untangled → teen-girl parenting wisdom
• Throne of Glass → for fans of ACOTAR-style romantasy

🥚 Quick reco: Add Furikake (green seaweed + sesame) to your eggs—it’s savory magic.

📸 Sasha curled up on a pillow with her signature side-eye:

“Why were you gone so long?” —Sasha

The next blog post lands in August—aka Leo Season 🦁

By then, I’ll have celebrated my 44th birthday 🥳, taken that long-awaited trip to Ireland, and (fingers crossed) made real progress on my submission packet ✈️

Thanks for following along, and as always—

Skye

P.S. Want the latest news, romance treats, and sneak peeks before anyone else? [Subscribe to my newsletter here]—you’ll get all this plus a free sweet short story, How the Cookie Crumbles, delivered right to your inbox!