the_spicy_author

No reading or writing reviews this weekend because my Facebook account had security issues. Had to close my author account (it was hacked), and my Facebook profile may be next if support doesn't do anything.  I hope next week will be a better week.

Remember when I said writing is for the love of it, first and foremost? 
          When I do it for the love of it - as writing therapy to not think about my chronic pain - then I'm in a world of my own.
          
          Somehow that world comes to light in the real world. A reader dives into the world you created.
          
          Ah, I have to stop talking in riddles. What I mean is someone read my books. 🙂📚📕🤩💫✨🌟🌠
          
          My award-winning book, Forgiving Liam, was a featured book in my city's library this week. ♥️♥️ Wrangling Ryan was also on the bookshelves (also an award winner). Both earned their places in the Firebird Book Awards (outside Wattpad). Both stories started as drafts here: if you read Rose and Jasmine. A publisher accepted the edited versions and published them- it took a while, but hey, it happened. 🤩 The editing for book 2 was surgical, and I'm grateful my publisher's editorial team did that. 
          
          ⭐⭐My draft PNR/action novella The Healer's Desire took platinum in a Wattpad event, and it's listed here on one of the platform's official pages: https://www.wattpad.com/list/1819883361
          
          What did I say about never giving up? I really mean it: to every writer. You might feel like it's all crickets, but someone out there is reading your story and wants to be in your characters' world - a world you created. ♥️ 
          
          And, I'm reading Wattpad stories, getting into your world that you created for the reader. I'm hoping to finish them and write reviews for the 2026 Romance Awards - at least one this weekend.

When you’re having a bad day, read a book. It’s great therapy. ❤️❤️
          
          Not sure what to read? Feel free to look at my reading lists. Plenty of good stories from Wattpad writers  🌟⭐️

For readers of Damian's story, I've released chapter two of Perilous Seduction (book two): https://www.wattpad.com/1471436247-perilous-seduction-lester-harbor-billionaire-x
          
          Shattered Innocence.

There’s been a few private Facebook group discussions that it’s hard to find a good Wattpad romance story because  of the AI slop and badly written smut dominating the algorithms. This is not to do with the platform’s original stories, which some of the readers have read and enjoyed.
          
          I recommended the Romance Awards 2026 reading lists as well as other reading lists of my favorite books and hope you’ll get some new readers. ❤️❤️ Your stories deserve the love.
          
          

RE the Romance Awards 2026 I finished writing some of the reviews for the winners behind the scenes, and I so wish I could share it. But, I still have a few books to finish reading and reviewing before announcing the winners. 
          
          All I can say is I've fallen in love with the winning stories♥️♥️
          I'll announce the winners here on my conversations board when all of them are added to the Romance Awards 2026.

Dear writers,
          
          Let's talk about failure: that horrid feeling, and how do you overcome it.
          
          I'd love to hear your thoughts.
          
          I tried putting a post (even splitting it in two to fit the length) but the orange button kept stalling.
          
          So here's a chapter in the writer's love and anti-bullying book: https://www.wattpad.com/1655613130-the-love-book-an-anti-bullying-resource-for 
          
          If you're feeling blah, I hope my share helps you get through it. Keep writing, power on! ♥️♥️

The revised first-person dual POV version of Perilous Seduction (working title), book two of the Lester Harbor Billionaire x Mafia series, is in progress.
          
          Chapter 1 is out now: https://www.wattpad.com/1470993947-perilous-seduction-lester-harbor-billionaire-x
          
          Secrets and Lace.
          
          Never was anything great achieved without danger.
          — Niccolò Machiavelli

A good writing tip on clever writing and the fine line  between voice and performance: https://authorspublish.com/the-problem-with-clever-sentences/
          
          It’s something I have to remind myself. 
          
          ❤️❤️

The manuscript for the revised Damian's Seduction (it will have a new name, so will the series) has been sent to my editor.
          
          The last chapter is now live for readers of this series: https://www.wattpad.com/1467549373-damian%27s-seduction-lester-harbor-billionaire-x
          
          There's also a short sneak blurb for book 2 (short chapter). 
          
          I'm taking a little breather now, reading and watching tv after work. Walking the dogs, house and garden work, making dinner, the usual stuff....