News - Outside Edge

I've been hinting at the next book in my Knockout Girl series for a while now. And I'm finally ready to tell you all about it! Before we go any further though, you should know that there are spoilers for the previous books. If you haven't read them and hate spoilers, look away!

After the events of Standup Guy, I wrote off Adrian as a not-great boyfriend, who ended up being an awful ex. He was mean, resentful, and jealous, and made some really bad mistakes. That was it for him - no more chances from me, the author of his fate. I figured for someone like him, there's no redemption, no forgiveness.

But then, an idea formed in my head. A story about redemption, forgiveness...and, yes, second chances. Does someone like Adrian deserve a second chance? No way. Does someone like Adrian who detests the mistakes he's made deserve a second chance? Absolutely.

After his breakup with Elli, Adrian takes a downwards turn and trying to drown his sorrows with alcohol doesn't help. In fact, all it gives him is two DUIs, which in turn rids him of his scholarship and his spot on his hockey team.

When he gets sent to live with his Pops way up north in Christmastown, he takes his resentment to the next level. Nothing could ever make him want to change. Except maybe Brooke and the kids she's training.

Though she was once on track for a top competitive figure skating position, Brooke's dream has become derailed. Now she's being forced to help a bunch of kids put on a Christmas pageant. And even worse - she has to teach an errant hockey player how to ice dance.

Finding common ground between them isn't nearly as difficult as a triple axel. But can the rink also help them to repair the damage of their past mistakes? Will Adrian and Brooke learn to find strength in each other's arms?

Even though I struggled so hard at times, I think this was a really important story to tell. I guess I couldn't just say "the end" to Adrian without giving him a chance to change. If a pronounced bully like Red could become a great best friend, couldn't Adrian also learn to change his ways? You'll have to wait to find out! Outside Edge is now on preorder and is set to be released on November 18, 2019.

In other news, I've been working on another Knockout Girl novella. Details and a cover are coming soon, but for now I'll leave you with the title: Hooked.

Happy reading!

- Natasja Eby

Merry Christmas!

I'm not normally a very crafty person, but this year I decided to make these little fairy gardens for three of my nieces and my daughter for Christmas. It was a fun little project. Take a look...

Abigail's Beach House features shells, gems, a crown, directions to some tropical places, and a lovely statuette of a flowerful fairy. (Also pictured: burlap for sand. Find out why below...) Not being much of an artist, I had to have my sister sketch the house for me.

Evelyn's Treasure Cove features shells, gems, fishies, a treasure chest (made from a ring box), directions to some other treasure spots, and lots of glitter. I made this one first and learned a valuable lesson about not ever using real sand for anything again.

Isabelle's Playground features moss, flowers, a variety of animals, pine cones, mushrooms, a Princess Peach mushroom, directions to some fairytale places, and a door that leads nowhere (shh, don't tell her). Moss, btw, is fairly easy to work with. This was probably the most enjoyable garden to make.

Winter's Wonderland features a train, soldiers, presents, coniferous trees, a snowman decorating a tree, candy canes, directions to other (sometimes) cold places, and a throne. Yes, I made her a snowy, wintery palace. Deal with it.

Merry Christmas to everyone!!

White Christmas? I'll take it.

You may have noticed that I haven't posted in a while. The reason for that is because I've been away, involuntarily visiting a place I call "Why-I-Even-Doing-This." I'm pretty sure every author has been there at least once, maybe a few times, yet it still seems like one of the loneliest places on the planet.

Nevertheless, the snow this morning has brought me back to a happy places where words flow like water in Niagara Falls (or something like that). Well, that and the fact that my friend and pseudo-editor has been bugging me every day for something new to read. What more motivation could I possibly need, right? So with my week off for the holidays, I plan on setting a proverbial pen to paper and getting some stuff done. Maybe I'll even finish another book. Who knows?

Anyway, mostly I just wanted to wish everyone a very happy and safe Christmas, and that the next year of your life will be the best one yet.

- Natasja

PS. If you're a fan of bad music, head on over to Josh's blog.