Stay Cool out There!

Hi there!

Two newsletters in a month? I told you I was trying to get on a schedule - I hope you’re okay with hearing from me more often. I’ll try to keep it worth your time!

Rachel’s Book news

Capitally Engaged is off to my editor, woo! 🎉 

While I wait until it’s back in my hands, I come to you, dear reader, with a request. I’m looking for beta readers who share certain things with Jax and Hayden.

These readers will be asked to reflect on the story as a whole, but specifically looking at how the character(s) experience relates to their own.

I'm happy to provide any content warnings or context for how these subjects are approached in the book, for anyone who would like them. I recognize certain scenarios and experiences listed can be upsetting in many contexts. Content Warnings will be included in the Author's Note in ARCs and final copies of the book.

If you’re interested, please fill out the form found here.

For others who want a chance to read early - I’ll be back with ARC sign-ups before we know it!

Writing Corner

I’m off to residency next week! I’m headed into my fourth semester of my MFA in Writing Popular Fiction program at Seton Hill University. We gather twice a year in person for five days of learning modules, writing workshops, discussing a common reading, meeting with mentors about our Thesis (novel) projects, and general camaraderie. They’re some of my favorite weeks of the year, and I’m very much in denial I only have three (counting this June) residencies left before graduation.

Throwback Recs

This weeks Recs and Spotify playlist section are going to be related. On my way to residency (a detour, really), I’m headed to a Something Corporate concert this weekend. Something Corporate had their heyday from 2002-2004, some of my high school years, and haven’t toured in 20 years. I’m very excited, and it got me wondering what books I was reading 20 years ago. Thanks to google and some goodreads “Popular YA books in 200X” lists, I realized just how much of an impact Francine Pascal and Meg Cabot had on my formative years.

Any of these titles look familiar? Any of these Album covers bringing back memories? Please respond and let me know, because I need to know if anyone else remembers Rachel (Rae) from Fearless, who inspired me to try to make Rae my nickname and then failed miserably.

Spotify Playlist

Turns out, I still know all the words to these songs. Please enjoy along with me.

Author Spotlight

This week’s freebie is from Melanie Summers. Melanie was one of the first authors I slid into DMs for as a baby bookstagrammer, asking if they needed ARC readers. We met in person at Readers Take Denver in April, and now I'm so happy to be able to share this freebie as a fellow author AND a reader/fan.

TSBU is the Chick Lit Book Cafe International Book Excellence Award WINNER for Best Billionaire Romance and Best Rom-Com

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• Enemies to lovers • Billionaire meets S.T.E.M. romance • Lush, romantic settings, adventure, and a little danger • Forced Proximity/only one tent • A secret cinnamon roll hero masquerading as a grump • Loads of witty banter and delicious tension

Random Ramblings

Many of you were so kind and said you’d like to hear about my retreat. We had a GREAT time. Nine of us traveled Minneapolis, MN, which was a LOVELY city. We had a great weather - 70’s and sunny, perfect for exploring bookstores and taking in local restaurants. We visited 6 bookstores in total and bought 89 books between us. (Whoops!). We made vision boards, laughed until we cried, and just had a great time connecting in person after chatting virtually for so long. I can’t wait to retreat again next year! (And I’m lucky enough to get to see some of these same friends AGAIN later this year at Romance Con and I can’t wait.)

Where to See Rachel

Tickets are still available for two events I have coming up in September 2024. You can find tickets here for RomanceCon and Authors in the Steel City.

If you can believe it, I’ve already started booking signings for 2025. The only one I can talk about right now is Apollycon. Tickets actually go on sale tonight (6/21) at 8 pm ET.

Affirmation

That’s all for today friends. Have a wonderful weekend and STAY COOL!

Romantically Yours,

Rachel