Hey there happy reader,

I’ve started the process of writing my next book, which means that when I drive around in my car, I let my imagination take hold. The working title (which will probably change as time goes on) is “The Flower Girls.”

It’s about two women who meet in elementary school and become fast friends. Poppie is determined to be a megastar, who, like Madonna or Cher, will be recognizable by just her first name. The other female protagonist is named Cassia, or, as she’ll be known – Cassie.

Poppie is outgoing and fun; Cassie is thoughtful and more private. As we all know, opposites attract, so their bond will run deep.

This is Cassia

Poppie is talented, with a singing voice that gets her recognized, first in school and later in karaoke bars all over New York City. 

But it’s Cassie who is the gifted songwriter, preferring to stay in the background and create the music that Poppie will go on to become famous for. And then, at the height of her success, Poppie betrays Cassie in the worst possible way.

They become estranged, until the day when Poppie is so burned out that she wants to leave her super successful career behind and walk away. But she needs help. And the only person who can do that for her is Cassie – will her oldest friend, the person who knows her best, forgive Poppie’s transgression? Will Cassie come and bail out the one person who broke her heart? And if she does, at what personal cost?

This is a contemporary novel, so there’s not a lot of historical research to do like in “Below the Horizon,” “The Woodcarver’s Secret,” or “The Wick and the Flame.”

However, this book will require some time spent with a magician, as well as a studio session with a musician! While not a romance or a full-out suspense novel, if I get this story right, it should keep you on the edge of your seat for about the last third of it… Sound intriguing? I sure hope so!

And speaking of romance, it’s wedding season! 

My husband and I are invited to a whopping six weddings between now and the fall. Four out of the six are destination events, starting with this weekend in Washington, DC. I do love a wedding… it always leaves me feeling hopeful for the future. I just wish it didn’t involve me packing high heels and Spanx!

I hope that you’re enjoying the beautiful spring skies and blooming flowers. The longer days give us more opportunity to find a shady spot under a tree to read, so give yourself the time to unwind with a book from your TBR list. You deserve it!