I began the year publishing two regency romance novels. Dear Lord Wycliffe, Book 2 of my Rebel Hearts Series.
A month later, I released Under a Honeyed Moon, a stand alone novel, only slightly related to my first series, Illusions.
Such a good beginning to the year, right?
I immediately went back to work on Brothers’ Tangle, Book 3 of the Rebel Hearts series. I planned a May release.
DETOUR #1. I accepted an invitation to submit a novella to an anthology. So I paused Brothers’ Tangle and began a fantasy pirate story. (Let’s call it Captivated. It became part of my secret historical fantasy romance series).
I fell in love with these characters, but soon realized that story wanted to be more than a novella. So I paused Captivated and started a whole new historical fantasy romance novella for the anthology.
And The Lily and the Hawk came into being. (Part of Treasures Untold Anthology, releasing December 2. Available for Preorder on Amazon).
Whew! Back to Brothers’ Tangle, which I finished the beginning of May and released the first part of July!
I was on a roll, so I began Book 4 of the Rebel Hearts Series, let’s call it Delia’s Story for now.
I planned to swing back and finish Captivated right after.
DETOUR # 2. An idea came out of the blue. What if I wrote a new, stand alone regency romance to pitch to an editor at the writers’ conference in August? I only had 2 1/2 months. It would be difficult, but I wanted to try. I wrote 1/3 of what we’ll call Angel. I was giddy.
Imagine an embarrassed emoji here. I love Angel. It’s so fun. But as I wrote, it became book 1 of a very tightly interwoven trilogy. I couldn’t use that for my first pitch. So I paused. That makes 3 paused books.
Captivated (fantasy romance)
Delia’s Story (regency–final Rebel Hearts book)
Angel (Book 1 of a brand new regency series)
Instead, I began an entirely new novel (Let’s call this one, Huntley Hall, for now). I wrote frantically through June and July. I had only a few chapters left to finish.
And DETOUR #3 happened. My brother-in-law passed away after a long battle with cancer. I put all writing aside for funeral and family time. I also missed the conference, but the most important things must come first.
DETOUR #4. With the time away from writing, I had to leave Huntley Hall unfinished. I had to move on to a multi-author project I had been invited to write in. It’s just a small novel. And something a little different and special.
The challenge? It must be submitted by October 2. (I can’t say much about this project–Sorry. I’m under contract). For now, we’ll call it Medieval Tale. And it will be released at the end of 2026.
What this means, as of today, my list of partially finished books now number 5–
Medieval Tale (part of multi author project)
Captivated (historical fantasy romance with pirates),
Delia’s book (final regency in the Rebel Heart’s Series),
Angel (new regency romance series, book 1), and
Huntley Hall (my nearly completed regency to be pitched, likely in the spring at another writer’s conference).
Now the Promise part of the post:
Because of detours, the summer of 2025 looks like a writing fail. Do not be deceived. I am primed for a fabulous end to 2025 and an exciting beginning of 2026. I promise these 5 novels will be worth the wait.
I set a goal. It was challenging, but doable if I could just write 2000 words a day, five days a week for all the weeks of June and July. I would have a new Regency Romance novel to pitch to agents and editors at an upcoming writers’ conference.
I did set the week of July 4th aside. That’s a big holiday for our family, and I knew I wouldn’t write anything while we celebrated the birth of our nation.
That left me eight weeks to write a full-length novel, and a week and a half to polish it. It would require everything I had. And until this last week, I was on target.
Renovation setbacks, a death in the family, family birthdays and parties (at my house), out of town guests. And more.
My writing slowed down. Way down. Even though I’ve written more than 3/4 of the novel, I only have eight days left. Can I write five chapters in that time?
Yes. If that’s all I did, I probably could.
But the obstacles and interruptions of my life must still be addressed. And even if I finished, it wouldn’t be a polished manuscript. At least not to a standard that I would be proud of.
I am sorry to say that I had to readjust the timeline of my goal.
I will finish this novel, and very soon. Then I will take the time I need to polish it and have it editing until I feel it is ready for you to read.
After that, I have a few options. 1. Publish independently. the first novel in a new regency romance series. 2. Save the file until the next writer’s conference and pitch it then. 3. Go through the query letter process and see what happens.
I’ll decide after the romance is 100% written.
It would be easy to get a little depressed about not reaching my goal in the time I set, but I choose to look at it through a different lens.
I wrote nearly an entire novel in six weeks. For me, that is unprecedented! And I love William and Christiana’s story.
I tried a different writing process, and honed my craft a little more .
I also have a whole new series, with at least two additional books, to look forward to.
And I’ve discovered some things about myself as a writer, about why I write, what I love about writing, and how I measure my success as an author (I’ll blog about this another time).
I’m sorry to disappoint, but I hope you will bear with me as I finish this project, and bring William and Christiana to a happily ever after.
Then I will write my short Christmas novel (part of a multi-author project),.
And before the end of the year, I will finish writing the fourth novel in the Rebel Hearts series, Lord Harcourt’s Heist.
I have to slow down my writing for a minute to take care of some life things, but there is still a lot of romance coming your way in the last few months of 2025.
It’s secret, but since you’re reading a blog post, I think you deserve to be in on it.
So, here’s the story.
In April, I finished Brothers’ Tangle, Rebel Hearts Regency Romance, Book 3. (Available on Amazon)
You’d think the obvious next project would be the 4th book in that series. But apparently, I can’t pull off predictable. So, I started working on a novel I began more than two years ago. It’s an entirely new regency romance series. The Heavenly Honeywells.
And I am so excited about these three sisters, one of whom must marry well. (Read that as he must have money).
Anyway, I began at the first of May with Sebastian and Angelica, and I was loving these characters and their story. All was well.
But then I looked at the calendar, and the scheduled writing conference I am attending the first week in August. Out of the blue, I had a thought. “What if I took a completed manuscript to that conference and pitched it to some agents and editors?”
At best, that would be an exciting new opportunity. At worst a good learning experience. Suddenly, I knew had to try.
But when I looked at Angelica, I decided the entire series needs to be finished before I should attempt to pitch it (if it’s even right for traditional publishing). So, I decided to start something totally new. (Yes. I realize that now makes three historical romance series and one historical fantasy romance that I am working on).
Writers are crazy.
I went to bet one night, the last week of May, wondering what I should write and woke the next morning with an idea.
The only hitch was that I only had two months to write an entire novel. I have never written a novel in so short a time. But, I began.
Can I do it?
All I can say now is that I am working like crazy. And in 5 weeks, I have written 3/4 of Christiana and William’s story. Both these characters start in pretty difficult circumstances, but together I think they’ll transcend all the challenges and find true love.
Cross your fingers that I can finish and polish this manuscript in the next three weeks. And send good vibes my way. I’ll keep you updated.
And thanks for reading and for encouraging me. You are the best!
Brothers’ Tangle, Book 3 of Rebel Hearts Regency Romance Series
The bold, dashing Captain Archibald Broadbent courts Philippa with an audacious, debonaire determination. To Miss Philippa Moreton he seems the logical choice. He is exciting, funny, and she likes him.
Then, on the way to the house party where she expects him to propose, she meets his brother.
The dour, secretive earl of Thornwood often seems to detest Philippa, but he needs her insight to help him catch the assassins that threaten England’s stand against Revolutionary France. He distracts her from his brother’s courtship with perplexing questions and fascinating puzzles.
Danger looms when she becomes embroiled in Lord Thornwood efforts to catch British traitors—and when she becomes entangled in the irrational demands of her heart.
Brothers’ Tangle is a delightful regency romp with sweet, sparkling banter, adventure, and a twist on the love triangle trope. Perfect for fans of smart, courageous heroines, sizzling chemistry, and a swoon-worthy happily ever after.
I did it. I made a YouTube video. I told the world that I am going to be writing a novel based on your feedback. Week by week, I will write a new installment, or episode. This is scary enough, but I will be reading it aloud on my YouTube.
Look for: Gigi Lynn For Romance
Why, you ask?
I want to write my sweet romance novels. I want you and your friends to read them. That already is outside any ‘comfort zone.’ But an amazing thing I have found since beginning this writing journey is that I am not content to write formulaically. I need to try new things. I need to challenge myself to get better with each novel. Which means I need to push myself to do uncomfortable things.
I hope you will join me for a few minutes each week as I discover with you Corinna’s and Nora’s stories. Tell me what you think. Tell me what you think needs to happen next. (the discussion board in on the main menu on the site here).
Recently I played a game. I asked followers on social media to choose the romance trope of my next novel. (You chose unrequited love).
I began writing right away, even though I’m working on another Romance, Under a Honeyed Moon, as well. Yes, it is a challenge to write two novels concurrently, but I’m excited about it.
I had so much fun talking with you about possible tropes that I want to try something new. I will read the first part of this novel on my new YouTube channel:
Gigi Lynn for romance
As I contemplated this kind of collaboration, I decided it would be best–and fun too–to tell the story through letters. An epistolary novel. Corinna, who is a minor character in An Honorable Man, is writing to her best friend, Honora (Nora). She is also writing to a gentleman in Paris about some research he has done. Now, you must know, a lady does not correspond with a man to whom she is not engaged. Corinna circumvents this convention by using her brother’s name. After all, the gentleman is in Paris. He will never find out.
If you are interested, I will read the entire novel as I go along. Through the process, we can discuss it. I would love your input–your ideas about what should happen next. We could write this novel together. (I’ll start reading the end of this week and post every week or two. If there’s enough interest, I’ll keep posting until we have our Happily Every After.
Inspiration image via Dall i
We can discuss the development of the novel on the site. I added a discussion board to the menu at the top of the page. Additionally, I do have a facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/gigi.lynn8
So, who is in for the adventure of writing a new novel with me? I can’t wait!
P.S. An Honorable Man is at the editor. I plan to release this sweet regency romance in March. Get ready to curl up by the fire and join impoverished Lady Ballantyne (Cecily) and wealthy common man, Mr. Hatton as they help each other right into love. (If you’d like to be an ARC reader, I will send a sign-up form in my next love note (newsletter).
My new romance novel, Under a Honeyed Moon is almost finished! It has Cinderella and Forced Marriage Tropes and is so, so fun. Lord Camden (Cam) and Lady Evelyn (Evie) are a delight. I hope to have it ready for an April/May release.
Romance readers! Three new romance novels coming in the next few months! My latest finished novel, An Honorable Man is still with the editor. It is taking longer than anticipated because she had a family tragedy. It is terrible for her, and sadly, I think this will push back the release of An Honorable Man until March.
But I can’t just wait around. Always, always on the the next book. So mid-January, I started reworking my Nanowrimo novella, working title Honeyed Moon. Or perhaps, Under a Honeyed Moon. I love this story of Lady Evelyn, who is ill-treated by her aunt, uncle, and two cousins. (We’ve got a little bit of Cinderella trope here). She spends most of her time hidden away in the gardens and greenhouse, until the night that the Marquess, Lord Camden stops over on his way to London.
Often as I have written, I have laughed out loud. I love these characters.
Would you like a little sneak peak of a scene? This is an excerpt from Chapter Two:
Cam took a deep breath of blessedly fresh air. He didn’t want to be seen from the windows by any wakeful resident, so he stepped away from the house and moved into the deeper shadows of the trees. Then from habit, he began a silent patrol around the perimeter of the house. The only disturbances were the sound of night animals rustling in the bush
Tap, tap. Cam crouched behind a linden bush and listened.
The tapping was replaced by a rattle. He parted a branch and looked back toward the house. In the moonlight he saw a man lean down to pick up a few pebbles before pulling back his arm to throw them at a second-floor window.
“Evie,” he whispered called. “Wake up.”
Cam shook his head in disbelief. He had just wanted a few minutes of peace, but here he was stuck in the bushes, watching a ridiculous young man seek a furtive tryst. Was he going to be treated to a small town’s enactment of Romeo and Juliet?
The supplicant muttered and bent to pick up another handful of pebbles but stopped when there was a click and the slide of a window sash.
Cam rolled his eyes. Was he ever this young? He looked up, and his jaw dropped.
A woman in a worn night rail leaned out the window. Her long, flaxen hair flowed around her fascinating, moonlit face. She held a brush she had obviously just been using and shook it at the unfortunate boy below.
Cam blinked and looked again. Where had this beauty been during the party? Mrs. Bellerton didn’t seem the type to employ attractive housemaids.
“Allen, what are you thinking? You’ll wake the whole house,” she whispered.
“You have to help me.” Cam shook his head as the callow youth begged.
“Go home and come to the greenhouse tomorrow,” she hissed. “You know I’ll help you however I can.”
Cam fought a smile. She didn’t sound as desperately infatuated as the boy. Then he frowned. But apparently, they had a set meeting place.
“Tomorrow will be too late. I need you now.”
“Shh.” She disappeared for a few seconds. When she came back, she leaned further out the window, distracting Cam with the breathtaking view. She spoke so softly, he had to force himself to concentrate on what she was saying. “If you wake my aunt, we’ll both be in the devil’s own scrape. She’ll make you marry me. You know she’d wash her hands of me and rejoice. Do you want that?”
Allen took three steps backwards. “That would be a disaster.”
Cam shook his head and downgraded his estimate of poor Allen’s intelligence. Was he a fool? He looked up at the girl again. Yes, this Allen was obviously not right in the head. Then the girl’s words came together in Cam’s mind.
She said her aunt would force them to marry. This was the niece? He looked again. How could this be the same pale and drab girl he’d been introduced to briefly earlier? Then he remembered her exceptional eyes. Her aunt was probably smarter than he had thought to hide this light under a bushel so that she could put forward her little sharp-nosed daughter.
What was this girl’s name? Evie, the boy had called her. Oh yes, Lady Evelyn Slade.
“You don’t have to look so horrified,” she complained. “As it happens, I don’t particularly want to marry you either.”
Allen looked around as if waiting to be frog-marched to the altar. Then he bravely stepped forward again. “Evie, please.”
With a sigh of exasperation, the lady asked, “What is so important that it can’t wait until tomorrow?”
“Dinah’s parents are going to force her to marry Lord Camden.”
Lady Evelyn blinked those incredible eyes and shook her head.
But the boy continued, “He’s been taken in by her beauty, and they think they can catch him in a compromising—”
Cam swallowed his protest. This was outside of enough. It was past time that he left these children to their folly or stepped forward to disabuse them of–
A burst of musical laughter stopped him, and he found himself smiling as he watched her mirth.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Allen. Did you watch Lord Camden at all tonight? He’s not the kind of man that’s going to be taken in by a pair of marplots from Bexhill.”
Cam settled again to listen. He was relieved that one of these children had some intelligence.
She continued, “He’s too shrewd to fall for any woman looking for a fortune and title, let alone a silly seventeen-year-old who hasn’t even been presented yet, no matter how beautiful she is. He’d be much more likely to throttle her than marry her.”
Cam didn’t know whether to feel insulted or complimented, but young Allen fired up in umbrage. “Dinah is not silly. She is the most beautiful woman in the world. Any man would want to marry her.”
Lady Slade folded her arms and rested them on the window ledge. Once again Cam was distracted for a few moments by the view of the creamy skin and rich curves and missed some of what she said. “. . . for a full ten minutes after supper, and all she talked about was the color and pattern of her dresses, her slippers, and her hats.”
Allen huffed. “Just because you don’t care a fig what you wear doesn’t mean other women don’t. I daresay most women think of such things. Why shouldn’t Dinah have the best of everything?”
Lady Evelyn looked grim, and Cam had a sudden urge to plant a facer on the boy.
Her expression wasn’t lost on Allen. “Oh, don’t get into a pet. It’s natural that you wouldn’t understand since you’re not beautiful like Dinah is.”
The Lady tightened her lips even more and shook her head.
Cam shook his head at the same time. Chaucer had written about familiarity breeding contempt, but this was taking it too far. He couldn’t remember a time when he had been so affected by a woman’s appearance, especially after only a brief meeting, as he was by this unconventional, quick witted, undeniably beautiful girl. What kind of fool couldn’t see the possibilities of her full lips and those fascinating, oddly colored, tilted eyes or the intelligence shining out of them? As a gentleman, he was trying not to refine too much on her surprisingly sumptuous form, but a man would have to be blind not to notice and appreciate.
While he contemplated her attractions, the conversation between the two youths deteriorated into an argument that was growing in volume.
Allen said, “If you’d bother to take a little more care in what you wore, I’m sure you’d be more the thing.”
Lady Evelyn narrowed her eyes. “You think I like wearing mushroom, or puce, or olive, or any of the other awful-colored gowns my aunt forces upon me?”
Allen had the grace to look remorseful. “I’m sorry, Evie. You’re not so bad. When you’re working in your greenhouse, you sometimes look quite pretty.”
She sighed, and one side of her lips lifted in a wry smile. “How did you distract me? Let’s return to your problem. I can assure you that Lord Camden would never allow himself to be caught in a Parson’s trap. He would see through any snare they thought to set.” She smiled. “Your latest infatuation is safe. She won’t be marrying Lord Camden.”
Allen nodded. “You’re right. He won’t get her because we have a plan. We’re going to run away and—”
She gasped. “Allen, you can’t! I know you’re enamored now but wait six months. It will probably pass.”
“I can’t believe you would tell me that. You think I’m so inconstant that I would—”
She lowered her brow and murmured, “Martina Johnson. Joane Darnell.”
He glared. “Those were just passing fancies. What I feel for Dinah is real and lasting. We love each other.”
The Lady Evelyn closed her eyes for a moment before she said, “Wait over there behind those bushes. I’ll get dressed and come down.”
If you liked this little teaser, I’ll tell you that this novel should be ready for beta readers in March. I’ll send out an invitation.
But I just realized I haven’t told you about the second novel I am working on concurrently. I don’t have time and space here to do it justice, so watch for the next post.
