Hey there happy reader,

After what seems like an eternity, my new romantic suspense novel, “Question Everything” is live and ready for you to purchase on Amazon!

I think that this book is perfect for right now. 

With all the noise surrounding the election, the resulting anxiety some of us are feeling, and the constant barrage of negative advertising assaulting our senses, this story will help take your mind off the current situation and draw you in to my main protagonist’s plight.

Maeve Byrne has lost her memory after a car accident. She has no idea who she is or where she was going at the time of the crash. She’s with her infant daughter Daisy and a Boston police detective, Kyle Walsh, sees what happens to her and rushes to help.

As he attempts to uncover the mystery that surrounds this woman, she tries her best to keep her heart safe from him as she’s drawn into his life, his family, his world.

Plus, the truth of her own identity is shocking… a twist that will keep you up at night, turning the pages. And did I mention that this story sizzles? The attraction between these two characters is hot, hot, hot!🔥

It’s the perfect book for a cool autumn night. 

Pour yourself an adult beverage (or a cozy up of tea) and read. And talk about timing… this Saturday night you get an extra hour to dive into this story when we set those clocks back!

One more thing about “Question Everything.” 

I know I mentioned that the plot for this book came to me in a dream, and that I realized when I woke up that it was because I was trying to solve a problem for my dear friend suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. 

While romance novels get a happily ever after, people with this debilitating illness don’t. I’ve racked my brain trying to think about taking a positive action to help people like my friend, so I decided to follow Anne Lamott’s advice on this topic.

I’m going to turn my own election anxiety around and help someone else by donating ten percent of my royalties from the sales of this title to the Alzheimer’s Association.

By purchasing a copy, you’re helping fund research and maybe, just maybe, together we can pitch in to find a cure for this devastating disease. I think it’s a win-win, don’t you?

PS Happy Halloween!

The pre-sale is available and I’m so excited!!!

Hey there happy reader,

I told you it would happen, and it finally has! The pre-sale for “Question Everything” is live. You can head over to Amazon and pre-order a copy for your Kindle today and it will magically download at midnight on release day, which is this Tuesday, October 29th!!!

I think this romantic suspense novel is the perfect companion for you on a cool autumn night. 

It’s twisty, it’s complex, and features two characters who struggle with who they are – Maeve can’t recall her past and Kyle is running from his. It’s a slow burn, but once that fire ignites, it’s hot, hot, hot… you’ll be turning the pages long past your bedtime!

Plus, for the first time, I was able to set up the paperback publication to coincide with the Kindle version. 

That means that if you prefer to have an actual book in your hands, you can buy one at 12:01 AM on October 29th and have it the next day! You’re going to want to read this one ASAP…I’m also toying the idea of an audio version of this page-turner… so hang on for more details in the weeks to come.

I know I told you last week that this book is personal for me. The concept of memory loss has hit close, with one of my dear friends suffering from early onset dementia. I’ve been thinking a lot about how I can make a difference in the struggle to find better solutions to this horrible disease and I’m working on that now… I will keep you posted shortly about how you can help as well.

If you’re a member of a book club and are looking for a fun read around the holiday season, I’d be delighted to Zoom in and join you for a lively discussion about books, writing, where ideas come from, and how “Question Everything” formed in my mind.

I’m already scheduled for a bunch of these, and I love to connect with readers and talk about books. You can write and let me know if you’re interested at hilaritcohen.com, or send me a DM. I’d love to meet you in person!

This week I have a special reading partner. 

I’m in Los Angeles visiting our older grandson and he loves books! We’ve been reviewing the classics, such as “Go Dog Go” and “Goodnight Moon” and having lively discussions about the plot, pacing and characterizations, lol!

More seriously, it’s amazing to watch a child develop a love of reading. Familiar stories, read over and over again, offer a sense of comfort and predictability that seem to turn the world right once more. Reading with him has made my election anxiety somewhat better, I mean – how could it not? Reading aloud to a child seems to slow the day down and remind me that in an increasingly chaotic time, there is always hope.

And, if it wasn’t enough to be thrilled over my latest book release, I flew into California just in time to catch my favorite songstress, Joni Mitchell, in concert at the Hollywood Bowl. 

For one perfect autumn night, as the moon rose overhead, all those in attendance were treated to this legend prove that it’s never to late to share your gifts (whatever they may be) with the world. Sounding even stronger than she did when I saw her last year, Joni triumphed over adversity and proved that with grit, hard work and determination, anything is possible. Hearing her sing “Both Sides Now” was a shared spiritual experience that those in the audience will not soon forget. I know I won’t!

Order your copy of “Question Everything” today…

Hey there happy reader,

There may have been times when I didn’t think I’d make it across the finish line with this book, but today there is a bright light shining at the end of a very long tunnel. Here’s the proof – literally!

That’s my proof copy of “Question Everything.” 

I suppose that the grey line going across the cover is prevent me from selling it in advance of its publication date, lol! No matter. This book looks great and the story inside is going to keep you turning the pages until you get to the big reveal at the end.

I’m so pleased with the way it turned out and I’m sure you will love Mia and Kyle’s twisted journey into each other’s arms!

I delayed the publication date by a week because I was afraid that I couldn’t upload the cover and the book files in time – talk about a detailed and frustrating process.

But when you finally do get a copy of this romantic suspense novel in your hands, I think the wait will have been worth it. The official release is now October 29th, so if you buy the Kindle version today, it will download to your device at midnight on that date.

Also, for the very first time, I was able to schedule the release of the paperback on the same day as the Kindle files are available. Are you excited? I know that I am!

Plus, here’s a bonus…

I think I might try turning this novel into an audio book as well. I will most definitely keep you posted on that breaking news…

Whew. It’s a lot to process, isn’t it?

But I think a romantic suspense is just the right genre for this time of year. It will take your mind off those pesky election tv commercials, and besides that, it’s almost Halloween. There are all sorts of things that go bump in the night as the days shorten. A book with twists and turns feels appropriate right about now, don’t you agree?

I’m headed to sunny Los Angeles tomorrow to spend some time with grandson #1. 

He’s going to be a chocolate chip cookie for Halloween and is excited about it. My husband decided to go as a glass of milk so that they can partner up to collect the “good” candy! I can’t wait to capture some photos of the two of them walking in the parade through the hipster neighborhood where our son lives. It should be lots of fun…

“Question Everything” is headed your way soon and I can’t wait!

Hey there happy reader,

For every one step forward I seem to take, I retreat another two steps backward on the way to publication for my romantic suspense novel, “Question Everything.”

If it’s not one thing, it’s been another. An extra round of revisions. A computer glitch with Microsoft Word. And now waiting for the final cover files. Amazon doesn’t let me upload the manuscript for pre-sale without the cover, so we wait. And wait. And wait.

I mean, I think this artwork is worth waiting for, so…

It’s just another level of frustration for me, but I’ll get over it, I’m sure! I feel bad for fellow indie author Maria Luis, who when finally, after multiple delays uploaded her book to the platform, the gremlins at Amazon deleted the ending of the story. Anyone who pre-ordered a copy received the corrupted file. Sheesh, Amazon. You had one job!

But I can leave you with one more piece of “Question Everything” that I haven’t shared before now. 

I know I’ve told you that the idea for this book came to me in a dream. It did, but when I reflected on that, I realized why I was dreaming about memory loss. One of my closest friends is dealing with early onset dementia, and I must have been thinking about her and the journey she’s on. She’s shared with me how scary it is not to remember the sequence of common events, or faces, or names of people she’s known for years. Even the dark is frightening to her now.

When we dream, it’s often to sort out the problems we confront in our daily lives. I guess I was looking for a solution, one that unfortunately doesn’t exist. All I can do is share a story, visit with her, and be a friend. That’s all any of us can do, really. So, this book is dedicated to her, and while she no longer can read for pleasure, I can read it to her…

“Question Everything” will hit the shelves soon!

Hey there happy reader!

The wheels are most definitely in motion! “Question Everything” will be available by the end of this month and I’m extremely excited for you to read it…

I know I’ve said this before, but… 

Writing the book is easy. Marketing the book is hard.

I’m lucky enough to have help with this, though, and the good people who do just that sent me a long list of possible ad copy – written by AI🙄

I know I’ve said this before as well – I don’t like Chat GPT and will never use it in my writing.

I don’t see the point of letting a computer tell my stories. I believe that the human experience is best recounted by other humans, and while computers have their place in the world, I don’t want one doing the critical thinking it takes to compose good fiction. Clearly, I’ll be rewriting the ad copy that was sent to me earlier today… I just can’t help myself!!

And speaking of computer mishaps… 

I was babysitting our younger grandson recently. He’s almost ten months old (already!) and pretty mobile. He’s standing, but still crawling, and he’s fast. I had barely turned around before he found the Roomba vacuum, turned it on and watched as it began to travel around the room! He found this to be hysterically funny; I found it terrifying.

He laughed as he chased the thing around the house. I could not figure out how to get it to stop – I had to call my son at work and ask him to remotely make it go back to its home base. I was worried that it was going to eat a toy and blow itself up. Geez. Whatever happened to pushing the vacuum around the house yourself??

All the more reason for me to lock myself away and write! 

Once “Question Everything” is out in the world, I’ll start to outline my (still untitled) historical novel about Stonehenge. It promises to be an interesting winter for this author!

I hope you take the time for yourself to get outside while you still can. The leaves are doing their thing, and the colors are spectacular…

I can’t wait to put this novel in your hands!!

Hey there happy reader!

I feel like I’ve run a marathon carrying my new romantic suspense novel, “Question Everything” under one arm, striding toward the finish line ever so slowly. From initial concept, to writing, then rewriting it FOUR times to satisfy my very meticulous editor (I thank my lucky stars to have found her!), this book is almost ready for its close-up.

I think the artwork speaks for what lies between the covers of this page-turner, but here’s the back cover copy as well:

Maeve Byrne needs a lifeline.

Betrayed and alone, she escapes with her daughter in a heart-pounding effort to protect them from the danger chasing her through the dark night. If only she’d slowed down before that sharp curve on a slick road, she might have had a chance to find her way to freedom. At least until the tree, and the inevitable crash that upended all her plans…

Kyle Walsh should have been at work as a detective for the Boston PD.

Instead, he was running from his demons, ruminating about the one terrible mistake that had twisted his life upside down. When he witnessed Maeve’s car accident, instinct kicked in. What he found there would change him forever, tangling him in a web of mystery that had him doubting every certainty he’d thought he’d ever known.

Question Everything… because when secrets unravel, the truth becomes too powerful to hide!

*************************

This book has a unique plot twist that drives the story.

The female protagonist, Maeve Byrne, loses her memory in a car accident and while pieces of her old life begin to resurface, her current life circumstance makes her wonder if she will ever have the strength to leave the warmth and protection of Detective Kyle Walsh. She knows that she’s running from something, but she can’t remember what it is.

All Maeve does know is that Kyle is someone who she’d like to get to know better. When her worlds collide, real trouble finds her…

Intrigued? I sure hope so!

If I’ve done my job right, this book will leave you turning the pages way past your bedtime! It’s going to hit Amazon on October 22^nd. I’ll drop the pre-sale link here soon.

Hey there happy reader!

Sweater weather has reached us here in the Northeast. The mornings and evenings are cool enough for an additional layer if you’re going outside. It’s my favorite time of year… I love the smell of a fireplace when it’s being put to good use, the sound of leaves crunching under my sneakers when I take my daily walk and the crunch of a really good apple!

Interestingly, our older son has a friend who has staked his claim to fame as the “apple rater.” He takes this fruit and its flavor super seriously. The New York Times agrees that this guy has a rating system of the different apple varieties that you can trust.

☝️ 7 Apple Picking Tips From the Guy Behind Apple Ratings ☝️

No matter which type of apple you prefer (I love mine baked into a pie!) this is the season to find an orchard that lets you pick your own bushel or two. I can’t think of a more enjoyable way to spend an autumn afternoon.

As the days and nights get chillier, it’s also my favorite time of year to expand my TBR list of books.

I have so many titles I’d like to read – Long Island by Colm Toibin is at the top of my list. It’s the sequel to his bestseller, Brooklyn and it continues the story of Ellis Lacey, an Irish immigrant who marries her boyfriend Tony and moves to the suburbs. When she discovers his infidelity, she returns to Ireland to reconnect with her past. I can’t wait to pull out my favorite knit blanket and settle in for some me time with this terrific novel!

Speaking of terrific (or at least I hope you think so!) novels, my next book is almost ready for publication. I’ve been telling you about it for so long, but it’s very close to making its presence known.

This is a story that came to me, fully formed, in a dream.

It was almost like I watched a movie in my own head and just wrote it all down. Well… almost! Since I’d never written a romantic suspense novel before, there was a steeper learning curve than I expected.

Leaving clues within the narrative without giving away the twist at the end is harder than I could have ever imagined. This book took me so much longer than I thought it would to revise. My editor had me do four different rounds of revisions to get it all right. Whew.

It was an exhausting process, but now that I’m on the other side of it, I think it might be my strongest book yet! When you finally read Maeve and Kyle’s story, I hope that you’ll agree that it was worth the wait.

It will be available on Amazon very soon. 

My target date is October 22^nd

Mark your calendars!

Hi there happy reader!

I was in Los Angeles for a few days last week to see our grandson. He’s eighteen months old now, and a bundle of energy and fun.

These knees should tell you everything you need to know about him.

Always on the go, little bumps and bruises don’t stop him from running joyfully and exploring his world with more wonder than I ever remember having myself!

We love to read books together. 

He has a special place in his heart for one of his favorite titles, “Stick and Stone.” The story of unlikely friends –a twig and a rock — he can recite each line and does so with glee. 

When I found a different title illustrated by the same artist, I just knew he had to have it to add to his library.

A little boy wakes up to find that the answer to anything he asks for is yes. 

Pizza for breakfast? Yes! Ice cream whenever he wants it? Yes! A late bedtime? Yes! You get the picture, right?

In one of the hundreds of times I read this adorable story to him, I started to wonder about what would happen if as adults, we were to say yes more often. It’s so easy to say no, isn’t it? No, I don’t want to try, no, I don’t want to risk failing, no, I don’t think that’s a good idea. Now imagine how different life could be if we didn’t hesitate to take that chance and say yes.

That is what I did when I sat down to write my first novel, and it’s what I still do every time I begin a new project.

I give myself permission to stretch my mind and imagination. To test the limits of my love for words, for stories, for reaching out to readers who I’ve not yet met; all of it was made possible by allowing myself to say yes. BTW – I highly recommend it!

Pumpkin spice is in the air!

Hey there happy reader!

I’m happy to say that I survived my family vacation to the coast of Oregon. The Pacific Northwest is spectacular, and the weather was picture perfect. The true joy, however, was watching our two young grandsons interact with one another.

This guy was a terrific traveler.

He enjoyed the long ride – we did a lot of walking up and down the aisle of the airplane…

And our eighteen-month-old loved our daily hikes!

We found an enchanted forest that had the largest wild mushrooms growing everywhere…

Look at the magical teepee we found. 👇

Doesn’t it look like wood gnomes should be lurking about? Or that they shot the movie “Twilight” here??

All in all, it was a blast.

But now I’m back behind this computer screen, trying to finish the revisions for “Question Everything” and get the pre-sale going!

It always seems like getting the technical stuff done for publishing a new book is such a tall mountain to climb. You’ve been so patient and at this point, all I want to do is put this fantastic romantic suspense novel into your hands…

Or I will do that, right after I finish all that post-vacation laundry! 😅

It’s all about getting the word out about “Question Everything!”

Hey there happy reader,

Last week I revealed the cover for my new romantic suspense novel, “Question Everything” and so many of you wrote to me to let me know how much you liked it! Thank you! I appreciate your feedback, and some of your comments led me to tweak the artwork a bit more…

It’s a small detail, but we’ve added a car with headlights driving through the dark road.

I think it adds the focal point that was missing, and I hope you’ll agree. My next step in the process was writing the cover copy that goes along with the image. It’s tougher than you might think to put together a gripping description, no longer than 150 words, that doesn’t give away too much of the story yet leaves the reader with the desire to find out what truly happens between the covers. It takes a lot of time and effort to get it right.

The above is the first cover copy I ever wrote.

The year was 1981(!) and it was for “Reap the Savage Wind,” a project I purchased from the slush pile at my job as an editorial assistant at Ace Books.

This was a huge learning curve for me. My boss, the editorial director of the company, tasked me with finding a bestseller and walking it through the entire process from manuscript to published product. That book became a New York Times bestseller, and the back cover copy won a People magazine “best of the decade” award.

Of course, it’s dated now, I mean, “brutal degradation?” UGH! But I learned how to condense and then use the elements a reader considers when looking for her next great read.

The process is a bit different now. I have an online tool that helps me target keywords that may trigger a response from my customer, drawing her into the description and hopefully resulting in her wanting to push the purchase button.

Using those three or four keywords, I crafted a short description that I hope will intrigue the buyer enough to take a chance with this title.

Here it is…

Maeve Byrne needs a lifeline.

Betrayed and alone, she escapes with her daughter in a heart-pounding effort to protect them from the danger chasing her through the dark night. If only she’d slowed down before that sharp curve on a slick road, she might have had a chance to find her way to freedom. At least until the tree, and the inevitable crash that upended all her plans…

Kyle Walsh should have been at work as a detective for the Boston PD.

Instead, he was running from his demons, ruminating about the one terrible mistake that had twisted his life upside down. When he witnessed Maeve’s car accident, instinct kicked in. What he found there would change him forever, tangling him in a web of mystery that had him doubting every certainty he’d thought he’d ever known.

Question Everything… because when secrets unravel, the truth becomes too powerful to hide!

Can you guess the keywords? Should I tell you what they are? I’ll drop them at the bottom of this newsletter…