What’s better than setting sail on Virgin Cruise Lines from sunny Miami at the end of a cold and dreary Illinois February? Let me answer that question– the ship has 200+ dedicated romance readers, writers, and influencers on board ready for five bookishly wonderful days. Wait! The agenda is even better with discussion panels, mixers, theme nights, book signings, and more. Considering the talent on board, to say I’m excited to be a featured author is a gross understatement.

Yes, I’ll be in great company, and it makes me nervous. In my opinion, I’m new and therefore a little underappreciated in the romance writer world, so to be included in this amazing group of authors is at the top of my mind-blown list. What I hope happens is that everyone who’s wondering who I am discovers my passion for writing romance-suspense is as fiery as Chapter 9 in my next release Desperate Measures. Readers and influencers on board will get a taste of this romantic thriller in their swag bag with a free download. And authors who would also like Part I of this exclusive release can receive one at any time on the trip. Just contact me and ask.

If I’ve piqued your interest, let me tell you a little more about my books. You might ask how I describe my writing. Hum…I still struggle putting exactly what I do into a box, but I can hit a couple of highlights. First, the plot must be complicated with a dynamic conflict that is solvable. And when I say complicated, I mean twists that are believable and relevant mixed with flashbacks and crossover that makes your jaw drop time and time again. And here’s the hardest part, making all of the events read in a seamless flow even though one disaster is imploding right after another.

Other than plot, what’s the most important element of any great novel. Let’s talk characters. I taught writing for many years at all levels, and the best piece of advice I could ever give is to build your characters from the inside out. Describe what makes them tick through actions, thoughts, and dialogue. What lights them up? What pisses them off? What are their strengths, goals, fears, weaknesses, flaws? Write content that makes your characters real first. Then you can name them. Do the hard work first because a name won’t make your readers believe in them, root them, despise them, and adore them. And most of all, a character’s name won’t make a reader trust their abilities to do some of the outlandish things characters in romance fiction do. The bottom line– if your characters can’t bring your story to life and make it believable, well, you’ve just gotten the worst kiss of your life– the kiss of death.

Creating those characters isn’t enough, though. As a romance writer you must build a relationship between them as well. There’s an art to creating iconic characters with a dynamic connection. You know, the kind you can’t get enough of– the kind you’ll never forget. My first novel, Deception & Consequences, became a four-book series because I couldn’t separate myself from my beloved Mac and Aria. These iconic lovers will probably always be my favorites, but I’ve had to make room in my heart for Desiree and Jaxson in Where No One Will Look and Camille and Ross in Serial Obsession, my two latest stand-alone novels from the Map Dot Series. Not meaning to brag, but I also can’t wait for readers to discover Janis and Steele in my next novel, Desperate Measures, scheduled for release in early 2026.

The Love Lit Cruise is an opportunity for me to interact with readers and gain their feedback, learn from some of the best of today’s romance writers, and hook influencers on my romance-suspense thrillers that will just keep coming. I have six books published through Words Matter Publishing with number seven jumping at the gate, waiting to run in early 2026. If you get hooked on my books, you won’t have to worry about not getting new titles. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll let you in on a big secret. After Desperate Measures in April, you can expect at least two more in the Map Dot Series, a new novella, a duology, and a big surprise that is so big my lips are sealed right now. And these are just the titles I have finished. I’m also creating new content constantly. What I’m trying to say is, go ahead and become obsessed with my books, I won’t leave you hanging.

February will be here before I know it, and my trip of a lifetime will progress from a dream to a dream come true. As I prepare, I’m looking forward to all the Love Lit Cruise has to offer as well as giving as much as I receive, making my bookish adventure on the high seas memorable with lifelong connections, friendships, and a TBR that makes me anxious in the best possible way.

MarcyB