Hello, Pumpkin
Book recs, writing news, and fall-ing for all things autumn
Hi friends,
This week has ushered in the first cold days of the season. I happily welcomed the cooler temps by leaning all the way in: slipping into cozy sweaters, ordering a pumpkin muffin at Starbucks, and curling up under a warm blanket to write. (The last item proved to be a poor decision, as I can never write when I’m too cozy. So now I’m upright and back at the table).
Lately, I’ve been working on the first draft of my still-unnamed third novel. It’s another romantic comedy, although this one is quieter than the first two (read: fewer penis jokes). It’s about a movie star who flees the fallout of her ex's high profile engagement by taking her kids to her newly-inherited Poconos lake house for the summer. She plans to hide out there until the media storm blows over, but of course she ends up falling for the contractor she hired to renovate the place.
The book has some elements I’ve tackled before (celebrity/normie romance) and some things that are new to me (autism representation). It’s also been my most challenging to write so far. I always say that books are like children, and anyone who has a third child knows exactly what I’m talking about here. ;-) Let’s hope my unruly youngest gets it together soon!
Additionally, I’m working on an epilogue for Till There Was You, which will be available for newsletter subscribers. The events of my second book, Never Planned on You, take place after this epilogue, so expect it to drop as a holiday gift in early December!
Speaking of Never Planned on You: for the next five days, Goodreads is running a giveaway for a print early release copy! You can enter here. And while you’re on Goodreads, go ahead and NPOY as a “Want to Read.” You can do that here.
And of course, if you haven’t already preordered Never Planned on You, you should definitely do that HERE.
What I’m Watching:
Like everyone else in America, I devoured Nobody Wants This. I get asked at least once a day if I’ve watched this show. Of course I watched this show! It is the intersection of all my interests. My only complaint about this Nobody Wants This is that I didn’t write it myself (although if I did write it, the Jewish women would have leaned more Midge Maisel and less Midge Maisel’s mother. But I digress). While I could talk about Adam Brody’s swoon factor all day, let’s not sleep on how delightfully autumnal this show is. Between the gorgeous sweaters and the scenic campground setting, it’s like a cup of hot apple cider in televised form. I cannot WAIT for season two.
What I’m Reading:
What is fall without some cozy autumnal reads (and the occasional spooky ones)? Here’s a snippet of what I’ve been reading and what’s on my TBR for spooky season:
The September House by Carissa Orlando: This haunted house story was way scarier than what I usually read, but it was excellent and I definitely recommend it.
Look in the Mirror, by Catherine Steadman: A fast-paced, locked room thriller that will give you the creeps.
Dearest, by Jacquie Walters: A dark tale about what happens when a new mom opens her door to her long-estranged mother, only to invite something much darker inside. This is next up on my TBR!
Sleep Tight, by J.H. Markert: Honestly this looks too scary, but I ordered it from BOTM so I’m going to try and power through.
If you’re like, Lindsay, why are you recommending all of these scary books when I have come to you for lighthearted romance, then allow me to recommend The Ex Hex series by Erin Sterling. These books are so cute and make the perfect not-so-scary Halloween read.
What I’m Cooking:
I love a cozy pot roast when the weather turns chilly and this dijon balsamic version is one of my favorites.
If you want something lighter, I like this Gnocchi With Brussels Sprouts and Brown Butter recipe. I substitute the regular gnocchi for the pumpkin version (you can grab some at Trader Joe’s or Wegmans) and voilà, it’s now a fall recipe.
For dessert, you should make these insanely good Maple Brown Sugar cookies by Sally’s Baking Addiction. The only problem with these cookies is that you won’t be able to stop eating them.
That’s all for now! Stay cozy, everyone.
Until next time,
<3 Lindsay