Kelli’s Quill Newsletter - Spring 2025 Issue

Happy Spring Everyone!

I hope you’re enjoying the warmer weather. Spring is a season of transition and change, so it’s only fitting that this newsletter will be undergoing a major change. This is a special issue of the Quill in that it’s the last issue of the Quill—at least for a while. (I’ll share more details about that at the end of the newsletter.)

For this issue, I’ve decided to do a quick recap of my most recent romance novels and horror stories. Let’s get started!

Newest Release!

In January 2025, Kelli published her 24th romance, For Love’s Sake.

For Love’s Sake: An Epic Historical/Fantasy Romantic Adventure

She left everything behind to be with him.

He risked losing everything to stay with her.

They were willing to sacrifice everything… for love’s sake

Through a case of mistaken identity, Prince Kevan of Alborg narrowly avoids an assassination attempt and wakes to find himself trapped in mad King Torok’s rat-infested dungeon. Just when he is about to give up hope, he is rescued by an unlikely ally—Torok’s daughter, Princess Adrianna.

Adrianna is desperate to flee her father’s kingdom and agrees to help the handsome stranger escape, but only if he takes her with him when he leaves. Although Kevan knows bringing Adrianna home will not sit well with his father and lead to other complications, he agrees.

They make their way to a waiting ship captained by Kevan’s brother, Mikhael, and set sail for Alborg. Along the way they are lost at sea during a ferocious storm, battle a murderous mercenary sent by Adrianna’s father, and try to deny their intense romantic feelings for each other.

When they arrive in Alborg, Kevan’s father, King Lenard, disapproves of Adrianna and drops the bombshell that Kevan is already engaged to be married. While Kevan tries to get out of the arranged marriage, Mikhael introduces Adrianna to members of the nobility in an effort to win over the king.

At his engagement ball, Kevan is forced to choose between his duty to his father and his loyalty to Adrianna. Soon after, Adrianna is kidnapped and Kevan and Mikhael band together to hunt down her abductors and rescue her before it’s too late.

Order your copy here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DS2H1YMD

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/4jvDXj

Want more? Don’t miss Kelli’s recent romances:

In August 2024, Kelli released her fourth gay romance, A Thousand Summer Secrets. This tender contemporary romance takes place over a summer weekend, where two friends reconnect while seeking love and acceptance.

A Thousand Summer Secrets

You can’t outrun your past…

Ten years after being disowned by his family for being gay, Eric Warren pays a visit to his family’s summer cabin. It’s his last attempt at reconciliation before moving on. But a surprise from the past is waiting for him.

Eric’s intolerant brother, Jamey, has several friends staying at the cabin for the weekend, including Matt, Eric’s boyhood friend and secret crush. The years haven’t faded their mutual attraction, and they quickly reconnect. But Eric is hesitant to get romantically involved. He’s emotionally broken and scarred from his traumatic past.

As Matt tries to help Eric, Jamey goes out of his way to sabotage his brother. And when the weekend events take a disastrous turn, Eric finds himself at a crossroads.

Should he follow his search for love and acceptance with Matt? Or leave the past behind forever?

Order your copy here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/thousand-summer-secrets

 

And if you like paranormal romances don’t miss… In Another World

This contemporary romance novel blends a murder mystery with the world of the paranormal. It’s received several excellent reviews!

In Another World

A Paranormal Mystery/Romance Novel

Disgraced psychic medium Julie Kershaw has finally met her soul mate. The problem is he’s dead… and his spirit haunts the car she just bought.

The spirit of Detective Eddie Mahoney is determined to find his killer and needs Julie’s help. At first, she refuses. She’s tired of being called crazy and swore she’d never use her abilities to speak to the dead again—even if Eddie is handsome and charming.

Eddie persuades Julie to contact his former partner, Lou Kaplonski, to ask him to reopen his case. Skeptical, Lou dismisses Julie as a fake—until she proves she can communicate with the dead—and he finds out Eddie has a lot to say.

Julie channels Eddie’s spirit and together with Lou, the unusual trio tracks down leads and follows clues to solve Eddie’s murder. The case takes them down a dark and dangerous path filled with secrets, where nobody can be trusted.

As they work to find his killer, Julie falls for Eddie. Funny, smart, and sexy, Eddie is the guy of her dreams—and he doesn’t look or act the least bit dead. To her surprise, Eddie discovers a clever way they can be together, and they begin an ethereal romance.

When Lou’s investigation brings him too close to the killer, his life and Julie’s are put in danger—and Eddie may be the only one who can save them.

Order your copy and read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/in-another-world

Want to read more love stories? Visit the romance section of Kelli’s site:

https://www.kelliwilkins.com/romance

 

If you like spooky short fiction, don’t miss…

Surreal Escapes

7 Speculative Stories

Are you ready to take a journey into the unexpected?

In these 7 speculative stories, ordinary people start off having an average, normal day… until they encounter the world of the surreal. They quickly realize they’re in another realm where anything can—and does—happen.

Some of these unusual tales include:

“Holiday Havoc” – The night shift in a retail store hosts the ultimate Halloween vs. Christmas showdown

“Little Boy Lost” – After several strange incidents, Beverly suspects her son’s imaginary friend isn’t so imaginary

“The Man in Apt. 3-A” – What do you do when you discover your neighbor is a vampire?

“Whispers from the Past” – Not all ghosts are scary… or strangers

This collection of short fiction will unnerve you, spark your imagination, and make you wonder what else is possible in the world of the surreal.

Order your copy and read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/horror/surreal-escapes

 

Catch Kelli’s mystery/thriller set in Central New Jersey:

The Route 9 Killer

Detective Jim Rourke suspects a serial killer is hunting women in Central New Jersey. The victims are held captive, brutalized, then murdered and dumped along deserted stretches of Route 9.

There’s no physical evidence, no witnesses, and the killer is smart enough to leave no clues.

Rourke is alone on a manhunt, and time is running out. Eight victims have already fallen prey to this madman.

Can Rourke catch the killer and rescue the next victim before it’s too late?

Order your copy & read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/the-route-9-killer

Like to be scared? Visit the horror section of Kelli’s site:

https://www.kelliwilkins.com/horror

 

 

Last Issue of the Quill

It’s been a long journey, and it’s hard to believe that I’ve been writing for 25+ years now. Wow!

I love all the books I’ve written along the way, but it’s time for a change. I’m transitioning from writing long romance novels to focusing on short horror/thriller/mystery stories. I’m still going to write and publish, but probably not as often.

As I mentioned earlier, this is the last issue of the Quill for a while. I’ll be posting updates/newsletters seasonally in 2025, and here’s how you can keep in the loop.

You can get updates on my blogs:

Blogger: https://kelliwilkinsauthor.blogspot.com/

Website blog: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/blog

And you can always stay in touch on social media (and follow me) via these links:

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins/

Facebook Romance Page: https://www.facebook.com/romancesbyKelliAWilkins/

Facebook Horror Page: https://www.facebook.com/HorrorFictionbyKelliAWilkins/

Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/kelliwilkins

 

Thank you to all my readers who have supported my writing over the last quarter-century. If you have read one (or more) of my books and liked it, please consider posting a nice review on Amazon or another social media platform. (No spoilers please!)

Wishing you all the best.

Until next time,

Kelli 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 24 romance novels, and 8 mystery/horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror and mystery stories.

Her latest release, For Love’s Sake, an epic historical/fantasy romantic adventure, was published in January 2025.

In August 2024, she released Surreal Escapes, a collection of 7 speculative/spooky stories. Anything can—and does—happen in this anthology.

Kelli also released her fourth gay romance, A Thousand Summer Secrets, in 2024. This tender contemporary romance takes place over a summer weekend, where two friends reconnect while seeking love and acceptance.

She published The Route 9 Killer, a mystery/thriller set in Central NJ, in 2023.

Follow Kelli on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and social media links.

 

How to Have a Great Garage Sale (Part 2)

 

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to Part 2 of my blog series on how to have a great garage sale. In Part 1, I discussed what to do before the sale. In this blog, I’ll give you some expert tips and advice on what to do on sale day.

Start with Signage: Put all your signs out as early as possible. (I enlist a helper to take care of the signs while I set up the merchandise.) If your sale starts at 8am, start putting up signs by 6:30 or 7am. If you want, you can attach balloons to your mailbox or to a tree to help shoppers find your house. Remember, you want to draw customers to your location. Which brings me to…

Early Birds: Early birds (or EBs) are people who show up hours before your sale starts. They think that by arriving super-early they can get the best deals, but they’re just an annoyance. I’ve been besieged by EBs parked outside my house two hours before my sale started. They weren’t happy when I wouldn’t let them dig through my unpacked boxes, and got huffy when I told them to come back later.

If you engage with EBs while you’re setting up, have a friend or a relative keep an eye on them, just in case they decide to help themselves to something while you’re busy. (Yes, shoplifting does happen at garage sales.) If you’re selling small, high priced items like watches or jewelry, it’s a good idea to have a helper stand guard over them during the sale.

Setting Up: I put large or higher-priced merchandise (bikes or furniture) at the end of the driveway, closer to the road. This will attract people who are passing by, and might entice them to stop. From there, I line both sides of my driveway with tables. This lets the shoppers see everything I have for sale, and they’re more likely to buy stuff if they can look at it or pick it up.

Group similar items together on one table. For example, make a table of kitchen-related items, such as dishes, mugs, sugar bowls, etc. When customers can see all of your themed merchandise in one place, they may linger and buy more. If you’re selling several small items (stuffed animals, paperback books, gift bags) put them in a box and label the box “$5 All”. It’s a fast way to make a sale and reduce inventory.

Be sure you have extra price stickers, pens, tape, newspapers (for wrapping breakables) and bags handy. Keep your change/cash box in a safe location and assign a helper to watch over it when you’re busy waiting on people or need a bathroom break.

While You’re Selling: Make your sale an inviting and engaging environment. Greet everyone with a simple “Good morning” or “Hello” and ask if they’re looking for something specific. If people feel comfortable, they’ll browse longer.

I’ve been to sales where the seller was yelling at their spouse, arguing with children, ignoring customers because they were talking on the phone (or texting or playing games) and doing all sorts of other rude behavior. Their actions/attitudes drove people away from the sale. Don’t let this be you.

As you sell down, rearrange the stuff you still have (and regroup it if needed) so it looks like you still have a lot of merchandise. This will keep shoppers interested.

Haggling: People have different opinions about haggling. Some people set higher prices knowing they’ll go down if someone asks for a deal, while others refuse to budge on the price. Haggling is up to you. My advice is to use your best judgement. If you’re selling a bookcase for $10 and someone offers you $2, you’re okay with refusing the offer. If someone offers you $1 less than the listed price on something you don’t really love and want to get rid of, take the money. After all, the goal here is to sell your stuff.

Winding Down: As the sale winds down, start lowering prices. I do this two hours before the sale ends. I also place stuff I know I don’t want in a box, label it “FREE” and put it at the curb. People will stop to check it out, and may do some shopping, too.

After the Sale: As soon as the sale is over, ask a helper to remove all the signs. Most towns don’t like them hanging around after a sale.

Then do a final sort of the unsold merchandise. Ask yourself if you really need or want each item, and if not, it goes into a donate box. Drop off all your donations or arrange for them to be picked up as soon as possible. I find it liberating to be rid of extra “stuff” and don’t even remember (or miss) what I’ve sold or donated.

If you have large items that didn’t sell, you can post an ad for them on Facebook, Craigslist, or other sites.

When everything has been packed up, sit back and count your money. Hopefully, you made a good profit. What do you do with the money? Anything you want. You’ve earned it! Why not save it for a vacation, go out to dinner, buy flowers for your garden, or donate a portion of it to a local animal shelter?

Having a great garage sale takes a bit of work, but in the end, it’s worth it. You’ve made some extra money, have less stuff, and helped lots of customers find “new” treasures.

Hope you have a great sale!

Until next time,

Kelli

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 24 romance novels, and 8 mystery/horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror and mystery stories.

She wrote More Than I Bargained For, a cozy mini-mystery set at an estate sale.

Her latest release, For Love’s Sake, an epic historical/fantasy romantic adventure, was published in January 2025.

In August 2024, she released Surreal Escapes, a collection of 7 speculative/spooky stories. Anything can—and does—happen in this anthology.

Kelli also released her fourth gay romance, A Thousand Summer Secrets, in 2024. This tender contemporary romance takes place over a summer weekend, where two friends reconnect while seeking love and acceptance.

She published The Route 9 Killer, a mystery/thriller set in Central NJ, in 2023.

Follow Kelli on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and visit her website  www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and social media links.

 

 

How to Have a Great Garage Sale (Part 1)

 Hi Everyone,

Warm weather is here and that means it’s garage sale/yard sale season! If you have some extra stuff lying around, now is the perfect time to gather it together and have a yard sale.

Part 1 of this blog series will get you ready for your sale and Part 2 will show you what to do on the day of the sale. Let’s get started!

Where & When to Have Your Sale: Most people have garage sales/yard sales at their homes, but if you live in a remote area, ask a friend or a relative who lives in a more populated place to let you host the sale at their house. (And they can sell some of their stuff, too.)

Some towns require a permit to have a yard sale. Permits are usually free, but call town hall and find out. If you don’t have a permit, you risk getting a fine and a visit by the police. (This happened to someone I know. And no, the officer didn’t buy anything.)

While you’re checking about the permit, ask if your town does a townwide sale. A townwide sale means everyone in the town is allowed to have a sale on a certain day, and no permit is required. These sales are becoming more popular and are often held in the spring or fall (or both).

If you’re not taking part in a townwide sale, pick a date for your sale. Most people have the sale for one day, with Saturday the most popular day. Avoid scheduling your sale during major holiday weekends because many people are on vacation or celebrating at home.

What to Sell: About two weeks (or a month) before your sale date, start combing through the house and decide what you want to sell. Go room by room (don’t forget the cellar) and take a hard look at the stuff you have accumulated. Ask yourself if you still use it or need it—if not, put it in the sale pile. If you have children, ask them to sort through their toys or collectibles and see what they want to part with.

So, what should you sell? Anything! Toys, books, exercise equipment, furniture, candle holders, bakeware, dishes, clothes, silverware, jewelry, luggage, electronics, holiday decorations, knickknacks, collectible glassware, purses, art supplies, tools… The list is limitless. Yard sales are fun for treasure-seekers. I’ve always said, “You never know what you’ll find.” I’ve seen (and bought) some strange things at yard sales over the years.

If you’re going to sell clothing or blankets make sure each item is in good condition (nothing ripped or stained) and clean. Baby/toddler clothes generally sell well at sales. If you don’t feel comfortable selling the clothes but still want them out of the house, consider donating them to a local charity or Goodwill.

The general rule of selling anything is: it works, it’s clean, and it’s in good shape. Nobody wants to buy a broken lamp, a throw pillow covered in dog hair, or moldy-smelling suitcases. Don’t even try to sell expired food, half-used bottles of shampoo, medicine, or anything illegal. (Yes, I’ve seen people do all this.)

If you don’t have a lot of your own things to sell, invite friends, neighbors, and relatives to join in and have a multi-family sale. The more stuff you put out for sale, the more buyers you’ll attract.

A Few Tips: Now is a good time to make sure you have enough tables to display your merchandise. If you don’t, ask a friend or a neighbor if you can borrow a few. Also, arrange to have at least one reliable person to help you on the day of the sale. You’ll need someone to put up signs and watch merchandise.

Be ready to make change for your customers. Quarters and small bills are a must! I get $50 in $1 bills and several dollars in quarters so I can make change easily.

Pricing: Items with prices sell better than items without prices, so it’s to your advantage to price everything. Yard sale shoppers are after bargains, so don’t make your prices too high.

As you do the pricing, ask yourself what the item is worth to you and how much you’d like to get for it. I price most things low (under $5) because I want to get rid of them. You can set prices a few dollars higher and go down if someone wants to haggle, or set the price you want and put “firm” on the sticker.

If you have many items that are the same price, use a color-coded sticker to make pricing easier. For example, use a green sticker for everything that’s $1, a blue one for things that are $2, a red one for $5 items, etc. Then make a sign explaining the prices.

I don’t bother pricing anything I’m selling for a quarter. Instead, I group all the items together on one table and make a sign that says “Everything on this table 25 cents each”. You can also do this if you have a lot of things to sell for $1 or $2.

Advertising: A week before the sale, start spreading the word. List your sale on social media (Facebook has groups for yard/garage sales, plus local/town pages), Craigslist, garagesalefinder.com, yardsalesearch.com, nextdoor.com, garagesalestracker.com and other sites. You may be able to list your sale on your town’s website.

Keep the listing short, but include your address, sale date (with a rain date), time, and a bit about what you’re selling. Words like “All must go” and “Everything Priced to Sell” are great attention grabbers.

When it comes to signs and flyers… the bigger the better! You want to attract a lot of attention, so make your signs big and bold. Use bright colored paper and write in HUGE letters with a thick black marker. If people can’t read your sign, they won’t bother to stop at your sale. (I’ve passed by sales because the sign was illegible, too tiny, or didn’t include crucial info.)

Post your signs at both ends of your street, major intersections, and anywhere else you can think of. Signs generate lots of customers who may be driving around and decide to stop “just to take a look.”

I hope you enjoyed this blog and found my tips helpful. In Part 2, I’ll share more info and advice about what to do on the day of the sale.

Until next time,

Kelli

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 24 romance novels, and 8 mystery/horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror and mystery stories.

She wrote More Than I Bargained For, a cozy mini-mystery set at an estate sale.

Her latest release, For Love’s Sake, an epic historical/fantasy romantic adventure, was published in January 2025.

In August 2024, she released Surreal Escapes, a collection of 7 speculative/spooky stories. Anything can—and does—happen in this anthology.

Kelli also released her fourth gay romance, A Thousand Summer Secrets, in 2024. This tender contemporary romance takes place over a summer weekend, where two friends reconnect while seeking love and acceptance.

She published The Route 9 Killer, a mystery/thriller set in Central NJ, in 2023.

Follow Kelli on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and visit her website www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and social media links.

 

 

Behind the Scenes: For Love’s Sake (An Epic Historical/Fantasy Romance)

 

This “Behind the Scenes” blog is part of a series examining my romance novels. In each blog, I’ll talk about why I wrote the book, share my thoughts on the plot and/or characters, and sometimes reveal what I loved most (or least) about writing the book. Warning: Blogs may contain spoilers.

If you missed any blog in this series, you can catch up here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/blog

 

Hi romance lovers,

My latest romance, For Love’s Sake, uses the subtitle, “An Epic Historical/Fantasy Romantic Adventure”— that says quite a lot, but that’s the best way to describe it.

Here’s the summary and links:

For Love’s Sake

An Epic Historical/Fantasy Romantic Adventure

She left everything behind to be with him.

He risked losing everything to stay with her.

They were willing to sacrifice everything… for love’s sake

Through a case of mistaken identity, Prince Kevan of Alborg narrowly avoids an assassination attempt and wakes to find himself trapped in mad King Torok’s rat-infested dungeon. Just when he is about to give up hope, he is rescued by an unlikely ally—Torok’s daughter, Princess Adrianna.

Adrianna is desperate to flee her father’s kingdom and agrees to help the handsome stranger escape, but only if he takes her with him when he leaves. Although Kevan knows bringing Adrianna home will not sit well with his father and lead to other complications, he agrees.

They make their way to a waiting ship captained by Kevan’s brother, Mikhael, and set sail for Alborg. Along the way they are lost at sea during a ferocious storm, battle a murderous mercenary sent by Adrianna’s father, and try to deny their intense romantic feelings for each other.

When they arrive in Alborg, Kevan’s father, King Lenard, disapproves of Adrianna and drops the bombshell that Kevan is already engaged to be married. While Kevan tries to get out of the arranged marriage, Mikhael introduces Adrianna to members of the nobility in an effort to win over the king.

At his engagement ball, Kevan is forced to choose between his duty to his father and his loyalty to Adrianna. Soon after, Adrianna is kidnapped and Kevan and Mikhael band together to hunt down her abductors and rescue her before it’s too late.

Order your copy here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DS2H1YMD

Other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/4jvDXj

For Love’s Sake is divided into three parts: The Castle, The Ship, and The Palace. Each part is devoted to a specific section of the longer, overall story, and they’re almost novellas unto themselves. But what readers don’t know is… this wasn’t how the book started out.

I originally outlined the story as a trilogy. (Yup, this one book would have been three.) In my outline, each part would have been its own self-contained book with a beginning, a middle, an end, and a central story arc.

Looking back on my original idea, I only have one question: What was I thinking??? First, nobody would want to read all that. Second, I didn’t want to write, edit, revise, and proofread all that. Writing one novel is hard enough; why triple my workload?

I’m glad to say common sense kicked in, and my writer’s intuition of what works and what doesn’t work, prevailed.

The book is 86,000 words, which is plenty. I wanted to fully develop each part, but without adding unnecessary scenes or too many details. For example, in part two, I could have described every rope, set of rigging, and mast on the ship for readers as Dray learns about them. But I didn’t want to go overboard. (Ha-ha.) Readers get the feel of being on the ship without seeing the day-to-day events that don’t impact the plot. The writer’s credo is “write tight.” Even in novels.

Some readers have asked me: If this is a romance, where are all the hot and heavy love scenes? Well… as I was editing/revising, I decided to delete several scenes that, although they were very nice, didn’t move the story along or add character development. When I came to some of the explicit love scenes between Kevan and Dray, I cut them or had the characters recall them in flashbacks.

But For Love’s Sake is more than a romance, it’s also an adventure. The characters experience lots of action outside of the bedroom: escaping a dungeon, fighting pirates, being lost at sea, getting kidnapped… And there’s plenty of emotional drama for everyone. The book is filled with lies, deception, sadness, secrets, jealousy, revenge, regret, and love in all its forms.

The secondary characters, Mikhael and Derick, play an important role in part three. Mikhael (Kevan’s brother), is married to Derick, and together, they set events in motion that bring the story to its conclusion.

I love Mikhael and Derick, and for a while I considered giving them their own book. I even wrote their entire backstory—their first meet, Derick’s disastrous lunch with Mikhael’s father (the king), how Derick became a Lord, and what happened when Mikhael and Derick moved into the manor house—but I never intend to publish it.

Why? Because it’s not a book in the traditional sense that it’s a story with a beginning, a middle, and an end. There’s no plot. It’s merely a series of vignettes about their lives. But because I love them so much, I included Mikhael and Derick’s first meet as a bonus read. That story also explains the origins of the Freedom.

In the book Mikhael is sassy, self-assured, and bold… but he didn’t start out this way. As readers will see from the bonus read, he started out very confused and troubled. He’s come a long way (thanks to Derick) in the course of a few years. And because I love Mikhael so much, I gave him a fun bit of dialog: “Stand and deliver. Your money or your life.” I’ve always wanted to use that phrase in a story, and it fit Mikhael’s personality (and the scene) perfectly.

For Love’s Sake has plenty of action, drama, suspense, humor, love, and emotional growth to earn epic novel status. It was a lot of fun to write, and it’s one of my favorite romances. It’s also my last romance. (Yup, you read that right.)

I enjoy creating characters and settings and inventing troubles for my heroes and heroines to get into (and out of), and I love all my books. But when it comes to romances… I think I’m done.

Over the last twenty-five years I’ve been writing romances faithfully, and I had romances lined up in my head and/or outlined on paper just waiting to be written—but For Love’s Sake (my 24th romance) was the last one in line.

I’ll still write, but I’ll be focusing on horror/mystery/suspense short fiction. (I'll blog more about that later.)

For now, I’ll leave you with an epic tale of two people who risked everything… For Love’s Sake.

I welcome comments and questions from readers. Be sure to follow my blog for the latest updates and visit my site for a full title list and links to my social media.

Until next time,

Kelli 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 24 romance novels, and 8 mystery/horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror and mystery stories.

Her twenty-fourth romance, For Love’s Sake, an epic historical/fantasy romantic adventure, was published in January 2025.

In August 2024, she released Surreal Escapes, a collection of 7 speculative/spooky stories. Anything can—and does—happen in this anthology.

Kelli also released her fourth gay romance, A Thousand Summer Secrets, in 2024. This tender contemporary romance takes place over a summer weekend, where two friends reconnect while seeking love and acceptance.

She published The Route 9 Killer, a mystery/thriller set in Central NJ, in 2023.

Follow Kelli on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins 

and visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and social media links.

Shrinking Your World and Letting Go…

 

Recently, my husband reminded me to “shrink your world.” It came out of love after a hassle-filled, anxiety-riddled week.

At first, I was a little annoyed by the comment. How/Why should I shrink my world, even if I’m going crazy? I can do it all! Then I realized he was right. What I needed to do was let go of (or surrender) “that which no longer serves.”

Lately I’d been pulled in so many different directions that the stress and strain of dealing with everything (and everyone) was knocking me off-center. I was trying to juggle my writing life, home life, social life, and so many pieces of other “lives” that I was overwhelmed.

It was time to stop and reevaluate.

“That which no longer serves” can apply to almost anything that is not making you happy or not adding value to your life. Shedding (or leaving behind) worn out relationships, other peoples’ expectations, self-imposed responsibilities, and physical objects can feel as refreshing as taking off a stifling coat on a hot day.

After some introspection, I noticed I was acting as a coordinator on several social fronts—constantly making plans (or trying to) with friends and relatives to get together and hang out, schedule visits, have lunch etc. Ninety-eight percent of the time I was the one doing the asking and “chasing” people to make plans. Usually the answers I got were: “I’ll let you know” or “I’m really busy now.”

I understand that people are busy, but if you don’t invest a little time into cultivating a friendship or other social relationship, what’s the point? So I invoked the “three times” rule: I’d ask the person to hang out three times over a few months, and if nothing happened, I’d get the hint and stop asking. I’d let it go with a final, “when you’re ready to hang out, let me know” and leave the ball in their court.

Not chasing people has been liberating. I’m okay with letting them contact me when and if they choose. And while they’re deciding, I’m hanging out with people who actually commit to plans.

On the writing front, I had just published my 24th romance novel and was undertaking a flurry of book promotions and blogs, maintaining my website, updating and sharing posts on social media… Bleh! After a while I felt like a hamster running on a wheel. And the energy and effort I put out wasn’t reaping me any rewards.

One day I took a long, hard look at my writing world. I streamlined and dropped two Facebook pages (they were constantly filled with spam anyway), refreshed my blogs and site, and let go of the self-imposed “need” to post/share as often.

Did anyone notice? Nope. That’s when I reached a breakthrough. Surrendering (or shrinking my world) was kinda like taking a few items out of a washing machine or a dishwasher that is already filled to capacity and packed to the breaking point. Too much “stuff” crammed into a space (or too many self-imposed “must do” chores) can cause overload and lead to a breakdown.

On the home front, I’ve been purging physical objects. “Treasures” I inherited from relatives or friends because they didn’t want them, books, clothes, decorations, and items I was saving because “I might need it one day” can all go. The less stuff you have to maintain, clean, move, or store, the easier/less complicated your life will be. Keep the best—get rid of the rest.

Now that I don’t waste energy on “that which no longer serves” I can focus my attention elsewhere. I’m going through the books on my “to be read” list, catching up on movies and shows I’ve always wanted to see, and exploring new hobbies and crafts. And when spring planting season starts I’ll have more time for gardening and being outside in nature.

Shrinking my world hasn’t limited me; it’s let me focus on the people and the activities that truly matter most to me. And that helps me live the best life possible.

Until next time,

Kelli

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 20+ romance novels, and 8 mystery/horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror and mystery stories.

Her latest release, For Love’s Sake, an epic historical/fantasy romantic adventure, was published in January 2025.

In August 2024, she released Surreal Escapes, a collection of 7 speculative/spooky stories. Anything can—and does—happen in this anthology.

Kelli also released her fourth gay romance, A Thousand Summer Secrets, in 2024. This tender contemporary romance takes place over a summer weekend, where two friends reconnect while seeking love and acceptance.

She published The Route 9 Killer, a mystery/thriller set in Central NJ, in 2023.

Follow Kelli on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins 

and visit her website www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and social media links.

Like Feisty Irish Heroines? Don’t miss Dangerous Indenture - A Historical-Mystery Romance

Hi everyone,

Imagine this scenario: a young woman moves to a new town to work for a family. She is on her own and has to adjust to her employer’s rules while adapting to life in a new environment. After she arrives, she discovers the job isn’t exactly what she thought it would be and realizes she has gotten herself into a troubling situation. All seems lost until she meets a handsome young man…

This premise could be the basis of any number of romances: a Victorian-era story about a governess moving to a remote estate, a contemporary tale about a physical therapist or a teacher relocating across the country, or, in the case of my historical romance, Dangerous Indenture, an Irish indentured servant leaving everything behind to start a new life.

Dangerous Indenture is set in Pennsylvania Colony and blends a sensual romance with mystery and suspense. Right from the start, readers (and the heroine, Shauna) are warned about Stewart House: “It’s got more haunts than the Tower of London.”

When I wrote the book, I wanted to evoke a sense of danger and mystery around every corner. This wasn’t going to be a typical romance with the hero and heroine from different classes falling in love and having a forbidden affair. Nope.

The romance is almost a sub-plot of the book, and when the story begins, finding love is the last thing on Shauna’s mind. She’s more concerned about doing a good job than getting involved with Ashton (even if he is handsome).

I liked creating the incredibly dysfunctional members of the Stewart family. They all have secrets and practically have dual personalities. Joshua (the patriarch) is a big bear of a man who comes across as gruff and insensitive, yet at times can be caring. Colin (Joshua’s son) appears to be a respectable married businessman, but underneath his proper exterior lurks a dark and dangerous manipulator (among other things).

Colin’s beleaguered wife, Minerva, is mentally unstable and trapped in a terrible marriage. Readers and the other characters in the story aren’t sure if she’s truly mad or not. And she might be a murderess…

Our hero, Ashton Bailey, is flawed and has a lot of problems to overcome. For starters, he’s the black sheep of the family and has been sent home in disgrace. He drinks too much, womanizes too much, and has nearly given up on life. He’s a failure in his father’s eyes and wants to redeem himself, but isn’t sure how. Ashton knows Stewart House is a terrible place and vows to protect Shauna while she’s working there.

This cast of characters and their interactions (fighting, name-calling, secrets, and lies) carry the plot. Everyone has an agenda, and readers learn that not everyone is telling the truth… or is exactly what they seem. Ashton wants to become respectable, Colin wants him disowned, Minerva wants Shauna gone, Shauna wants to stay out of trouble, and Joshua just wants some peace.

Writing the twists and turns of the mystery was a lot of fun. When the new servant, Lila, goes missing in the middle of the night, Shauna is convinced someone in the house killed her. But who? Shauna is a clever amateur sleuth, and when she starts to solve the mystery, she realizes she’s in danger.

I won’t give away any secrets. See if you can solve the mystery along with Shauna. 

Here’s the book summary and links:

DANGEROUS INDENTURE

Indentured for five years… how long can Shauna resist her master’s son?

Desperate to escape her past in Ireland, Shauna Farrow signs on to become an indentured servant to Joshua Stewart, a wealthy man in Pennsylvania Colony. But a life of servitude quickly turns to drudgery, and Shauna’s hopes for starting over and creating a better life for herself are waning—until she meets her master’s roguish son, Ashton.

Ashton needs to redeem himself in his father’s eyes and earn the respect he has always longed for. Meeting Shauna turns his life around, and he sets out to win her heart. Torn between propriety and passion, Shauna struggles against her growing attraction to Ashton as long as she can.

But amidst their flirting, something dark stirs. Shauna soon discovers why no other servants wanted to work for the strange Stewart family.

Stewart House has an unsavory reputation: a previous servant died there under mysterious circumstances. When another servant goes missing in the middle of the night, Shauna is convinced that a member of the family is responsible.

Shauna’s investigation leads her close to the truth, and yet, she’s not sure who she can trust. Events take a deadly turn when she confronts the murderer and discovers the mystery of the Stewart family.

Will Shauna be rescued before time runs out, or will she meet with the same fate as the other servants?

Order your copy here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PJVQ7XJ

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/3JyROP

Read some excellent reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/dangerous-indenture

Happy Reading,               

Kelli A. Wilkins

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 20+ romance novels, and 8 mystery/horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror and mystery stories.

Her latest release, For Love’s Sake, an epic historical/fantasy romantic adventure, was published in January 2025.

In August 2024, she released Surreal Escapes, a collection of 7 speculative/spooky stories. Anything can—and does—happen in this anthology.

Kelli released her fourth gay romance, A Thousand Summer Secrets, in April 2024. This tender contemporary romance takes place over a summer weekend, where two friends reconnect while seeking love and acceptance.

She published The Route 9 Killer, a mystery/thriller set in Central NJ, in May 2023.

Follow Kelli on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and social media links.

 

Celebrating Women in Horror Month (Part 2)

 

Hi everyone,

Valentine’s Day is officially over, and if you’ve had your fill of love and romance for a while, why not curl up with a horror story?

As you may know, February is “Women in Horror” month. To celebrate, I’m blogging about my “disturbing” novella, Nightmare in the North and my 2023 horror/thriller The Route 9 Killer.

Nightmare in the North is a cautionary tale about traveling alone in the winter and trusting strangers.

NIGHTMARE IN THE NORTH

Stranded during a violent blizzard, Mark hikes to the only house nearby. George, a well-mannered University professor, welcomes Mark and gives him shelter from the storm.

By morning, Mark suspects that everything isn’t what it seems. George’s adult daughter, Kate, who also lives in the house, shares a disturbing and unsettling tale. When questioned, George insists that Kate has a psychological issue and can’t be trusted to tell the truth.

Mark quickly finds himself caught in a game of cat and mouse. Who should he believe? Is Kate’s desperate plea for help sincere? Should he be suspicious of George? Or are both of them plotting something together?

Isolated from everyone, Mark is forced to wait out the storm—and find a way to escape—if he hopes to make it out alive.

***

So… how did this novella come about? Believe it or not, I wrote a version of this story for my eighth grade English class. The assignment was to write a short story – and boy, did I! The original version was much shorter and less detailed, but the basic premise was there. I’m not sure what my English teacher thought when she read it, but I got an A.

I grew up in upstate New York where winters can be brutal and last a long time. It can be an isolated place, and sometimes you could be snowed in for days. I decided to use that as the backdrop to the story, throw in some strange characters, and add a little mystery. After I submitted the story for my English class, I pretty much forgot about it.

A few years ago, I drove to Vermont in a snowstorm. I was in the car for 12 hours, and naturally, my mind started to wander… I wanted to write a new horror story, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to write. As I was driving, I thought back to the original story and decided to rewrite it – to tell the story the way it needed to be told.

I changed the opening, moved the setting to Vermont, and filled in all the details and backstory to set the tone. The ending of the new version is slightly different from the original, but it’s not off by much. I added an epilogue (of sorts) to the end, and spent about twenty minutes getting the last line just right. After reading Nightmare in the North, my husband said it was well written and it drew you in, but it was “twisted” and “disturbing” – I consider that high praise!

Order Nightmare in the North here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G9QD45X

All other platforms: https://www.books2read.com/u/m2vqOk

Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/nightmare-in-the-north

The Route 9 Killer was released in 2023, and it’s been a long time coming. Years ago I had an idea for a serial killer/thriller story that was sparked by something simple: I was driving somewhere and saw a woman’s shoe lying in the road.

I started wondering about the shoe and then an idea hit me. It was a simple “What if…” premise: What if a woman was abducted and the only evidence left behind was her shoe in the road? I bounced this idea off of a few people, and they scoffed. “Who cares about a shoe? Why would anything think someone was abducted based on a shoe?” But, when I explained my story idea, they were intrigued.

As the title implies, the book is a mystery/thriller involving a serial killer. The hero, Detective Jim Rourke, thinks he’s discovered a serial killer operating in Central New Jersey. The only problem is, nobody believes him. The women are abducted from different towns in the same county, and their bodies are dumped in different towns in another county. This makes it hard for the police to connect the crimes or even see a pattern. To them, the killings are random.

See if you can solve the mystery of…

The Route 9 Killer

Detective Jim Rourke suspects a serial killer is hunting women in Central New Jersey. The victims are held captive, brutalized, then murdered and dumped along deserted stretches of Route 9.

There’s no physical evidence, no witnesses, and the killer is smart enough to leave no clues.

Rourke is alone on a manhunt, and time is running out. Eight victims have already fallen prey to this madman.

Can Rourke catch the killer and rescue the next victim before it’s too late?

Order your copy here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Route-Killer-Mystery-Thriller-ebook/dp/B0C63NHC51

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/m2qd16

Read reviews here: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/the-route-9-killer

If you’ve read the book and loved it, please post a positive review online (no spoilers, please!). I’m contemplating writing another book featuring Detective Rourke. It’s only in the planning stage, but stay tuned for updates.

I hope you enjoyed a look at my horror stories. If you love to be scared (or at least slightly creeped out) be sure to visit the “Horror, Mystery & More” section of my site https://www.kelliwilkins.com/horror to read about my other spooky stories.

Happy Reading!

Kelli A. Wilkins

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 20+ romance novels, and 8 mystery/horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror and mystery stories.

Her latest release, For Love’s Sake, an epic historical/fantasy romantic adventure, was published in January 2025.

In August 2024, she released Surreal Escapes, a collection of 7 speculative/spooky stories. Anything can—and does—happen in this anthology.

Kelli released her fourth gay romance, A Thousand Summer Secrets, in April 2024. This tender contemporary romance takes place over a summer weekend, where two friends reconnect while seeking love and acceptance.

She published The Route 9 Killer, a mystery/thriller set in Central NJ, in May 2023.

Follow Kelli on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and social media links.