Adeline’s Love Letters - January Edition
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Hello, friends!
Happy New Year! I hope your 2025 is off to a cozy and wonderful start—preferably with tasty treat in one hand and a good book in the other.
What’s Happening in My Writing World?
With A Billionaire for Christmas out in the world, I’ve been diving back into my next project—a cozy fantasy romance that’s been living in my head for far too long. So much so, I had to get it out in a little short story in hopes that it would quiet down so I could work on my dark fantasy romance that I’ve been working on for nearly a decade… And, well, it has definitely sprouted into more than just a short story! So much for trying to scratch the itch and make it go away…
This story follows a human barmaiden who stumbles through a forbidden door in the Rosenvale Inn (actually, she charges right through despite the rule because she’s desperate to find her fated mate and someone had stolen the chance she had been carefully cultivating.) Instead of finding the fated mate she was supposed to be destined for, she ends up on a journey with the last person she expected—her grumpy innkeeper boss.
It’s full of low-stakes adventure, slow-burn tension, and just the right amount of magical fun. This world is like my imagination’s playground; the possibilities are absolutely endless and no character is off the table on getting their own story told! For me, the story/world has high fantasy, Skyrim and fairy tale/Alice and Wonderland vibes. Hopefully I can meet my deadlines this to get it to you by the end of this summer! Stay tuned.
Word Count Update & Deadlines
Speaking of deadlines… Right now, my cozy fantasy romance is sitting at 17,458 words and I’m deep in the expansion process. My goal is to have the manuscript fully fleshed out in time for developmental edits, which are due on March 31st. I also just brought on an alpha reader to start critiquing the story, which is both super exciting and mildly terrifying (in the best way possible). Her name is H.A. Walker and she’s also a cozy fantasy romance author. She authored Night Sky Burning. I’ve read some of her work and it is so good! Check her out! Anyway, getting early feedback always helps me refine the world, characters, and pacing before the bigger revisions begin!
A Special Sneak Peek – Just for You
Here’s a tiny unedited excerpt from the cozy fantasy expansion:
Mr. Valheimr stretched out his hand as he approached the beast’s snout. I wanted to scream, to stop him, but the creature only closed the distance and shoved her head into Mr. Valheimr’s hand, as if wanting his touch too.
“Ah, Talea. How I’ve missed you.” My mouth was slack as he rubbed her head. She could easily swallow him in one bite, maybe a sickening, gory two. But that wasn’t the most shocking view—no, the look of utter contentment on the innkeeper’s face was just as surprising. Who was this man and since when did he befriend ancient, terrifying creatures?
Mr. Valheimr murmured something soft as he finished caressing Talea’s snout before he walked toward her massive outstretched wing to create a ramp to climb onto her back. I noticed the saddle made specifically for this creature and its rider and realization made my eyes grow wide and stomach clench.
We were going to ride the amphithere.
He stopped at the edge of Talea’s wing, then turned toward me, something like worry in his eyes as he looked at me. Worry for what, I wondered. That I’d scream and run away?
Maybe I should.
But as I looked at the beast before me and the man who held out his hand, I realized I wasn’t afraid.
I hope you love this little glimpse into the world I’m building! Since we’re so early, I can’t say that this will make the cut, but I love this scene so much. If it doesn’t, I definitely want to try and find a place for it to go in another book in this series!
Are you ready to see these two cuties?
Drum roll, please!
Here are Sunny Rivers & Erik Valheimr!
Aren’t they so so fun?
I am so in love with this character art I commissioned by this lovely artist, Sonia! You can find her Instagram here.
When I saw her work, I knew that her Disney-esque, whimsical style would be perfect for this book and these two lovebirds! I cannot wait to show them off anywhere and everywhere. Maybe I’ll get a mug with them on it too because I’m obsessed. Eep!
What am I currently reading?
I haven’t read a single book since the start of the new year. Lame, right? I need to get on it! I met my reading goal of 50 books in 2024 thanks to the Ice Planet Barbarians series going at almost double the narration speed. Audiobooks have been my saving grace in reading and unfortunately, if there isn’t an audiobook, I probably won’t read it anytime soon. Being able to pop a headphone into my ear while I do my nighttime chores or put my toddler to sleep is a total game changer for me. I just need to charge my dang headphones and start a new book!
I’m between a reread of Jane Eyre or starting a new and popular book that has been high on my to-be-read list, When the Moon Hatched. I am currently listening to another sci-fi, alien romance series called The Clecanian Series by Victoria Aveline. It’s pretty entertaining but I think I prefer my big blue ice planet aliens so far! That series is complete and utter crack. I don’t know what it is. If you need some mindless, spicy alien romance, please read them. I listened to like, over 20 of them last year…
Moving on. Lol.
What’s Going On In My Life?
Aside from trying to do all the things that’s required of an indie author, like figure out how to track expenses, marketing and building a website and content creation and… Lord, the list goes on… I’ve also been busy with in other aspects of my life like being a mom and now a new auntie! My husband is currently working in Missouri and I’m visiting my sister in New Mexico so it’s been a challenge to ‘single parent’ the little rascal for a month. He’s the best, but toddlers are trying creatures… So, my author time is limited to Youtube videos of rocket launches and when he’s asleep. If he stays asleep, that is.
How is one supposed to sleep, exercise, bond with their partners, be attentive to their children, work full-time, pursue happy hobbies, be a successful author, maintain social ties and relationships, and cook and eat healthy all at once?
Asking for a friend. (Seriously, the friend needs any and all advice.)
Juggling the demands of life and trying to pursue this career is definitely challenging. I reap what I sow. So, if I don’t post or write for a while, growth is completely stagnant, but I’m actually getting a little sleep and quality time with my friends and family. But when I’m trying to get all the things done, I am basically surviving on caffeine and hopes that this will get easier someday.
Still, it’s all good things for now. When someone asks me how I’m doing, I just tell them, “I am blessed, but also very stressed.” It sums it up pretty well.
What’s Coming Next?
In the next few months, I’ll be sharing more behind-the-scenes glimpses into my writing process, including a video log on YouTube (hopefully…,) where I’ll talk about my current projects, inspirations, and writing journey. You, my lovely subscribers, will get the first look of all fun things, like character art and snippets, before I share it anywhere else.
If there’s anything specific you’d love to see in these newsletters—writing tips, book recs, my top five favorite dessert recipes (spoiler: cake will always be #1)—let me know! I am finding my author self now and discovering what readers want to see from me. You’re feedback and input is invaluable!
Thank You for Being Here
Seriously, it means the world to me that you’re part of this journey. Writing is magical, but getting to share it with people who love stories as much as I do? That’s the best part. So here’s to a year of infinite blessings and less… stressings. Am I right?
Until next time,
Adeline J. McLeod
P.S. If you haven’t yet, come say hi on Instagram, Bluesky, Threads, or YouTube! I promise you bookish chaos and whimsical content, and definitely non aesthetic posts too because… goodbye, trying to be cute.
