Holiday Thrills
A Christmas Short Story and Exciting Giveaway Just for You
Gearing up for the holidays? Omg! How are we here again? November is always a big month for me. And this year Jeffrey and I celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary. We honored the occasion with a magical trip to Spain — keep reading to see some fun pics. Plus, I have an early Christmas present for you. Lots to share so I’ll get right to it.
The Kill Clause
How thrilling that my Christmas short story THE KILL CLAUSE is an Amazon First Reads pick this month! This means that you can read it for free all month before it goes on sale December 1st.
It has also been a #1 Kindle Single Bestseller for the entire month of November. This would not have happened without you, my wonderful readers. So, a huge thank you!
What’s it about, you ask? Fair warning, if you’re expecting a cozy little yuletide tale, then you don’t know me at all.
This one’s a little dark, a little spicy, and hopefully it will keep you up past your bedtime. (Just not on Christmas Eve, because then Santa won’t come.) A hit woman botches a job and finds herself dealing with an angry boss, a stalking ex husband, and her own unhealed trauma on Christmas Eve. The holidays can be a real killer, am I right? Hope this helps you cope.
Christmas Presents
If you are looking for something a little longer … don’t miss my novella CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. Learn more
Served Him Right
Galleys are here and they look spectacular!
I simply can’t wait to share this one with you. Coming March 10, 2026, this book features one of my all time favorite characters — someone who scared me a little, who made me laugh, and who I’m still thinking about even through I’ve already written another book. I hope you enjoy meeting Ana and her sister Vera as much as I enjoyed getting to know them.
Would you like to win an early read? Visit me on Instagram for your chance to get a signed galley LONG before it will be available in stores.
PRE-ORDER NOW!
Amazon | Apple Books | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Bookshop
What I’m working on:
You are not going to believe this. But I actually went on a real vacation where I didn’t work at all. And I didn’t spend all my time wondering what dark and horrible thing might happen. (Not all my time.) (And of course, this is not to say that I didn’t write which I always do no matter where I am.) My vacation was amazing, restorative, and I feel renewed.
When I got back, I hit the ground running on revisions for my 2027 book and a new short story. But I’m coming to the work fresh and I’m excited to make both projects better than they were before. Stay tuned.
What I’m reading and watching:
THE PERFECT HOSTS by Heather Gudenkauf. Heather is one of my favorite authors and people, and I devoured her latest. So of-the-moment, smart, sharp, and full of twists and turns, this thriller never lets up from the explosive first scene to twisting end. AND I had the chance to chat with her at Tombolo Books on November 6th. We had such a blast.
THE COVENANT OF WATER by Abraham Verghese. I’m still in the middle of this, and it’s not a new release. But this gorgeous, immersive epic has me riveted page after page. Beautifully written, poignant, sad, funny, and so character rich, this story has been with me on two international flights, and all through our trip to Spain. A true joy to read. I don’t want it to end.
INDIE DARLING by Lauren Nossett. I just started this one and I’m already hooked. It’s set in Nashville, featuring Kelly Williams a Dolly Parton-loving, sports car driving PI who finds herself entangled with the rock star Seraph. When Seraph is shot onstage and then the ambulance that carries her off disappears, Kelly is pulled into a dangerous web of secrets. With a fresh, engaging voice, vivid characters, and a thrilling twisty plot, Nossett brings all her considerable talents to every page.
THE DIPLOMAT Season 3 on Netflix. This show! Brilliant, shocking, vexing, funny. The dialogue. That crazy marriage. The first two seasons were fantastic but this season is a whole new level. And that ending. Wow. If you haven’t experienced this show, I’m jealous you get to watch it for the first time. Start at the beginning and binge.
RESERVATION DOGS We stumbled upon this Hulu show by accident and fell in love. Four indigenous teens in rural Oklahoma steal and save so that they can run away to the magical, far away land of California where surely a better life awaits them. It’s moving, funny, deep, and deeply engrossing. Some star performances here by the young actors Devery Jacobs, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, and Lane Factor.
BLACK RABBIT on Netflix might be my favorite show of the year. Jason Bateman. Jude Law. New York City restaurant scene. Simply put: it’s flawless. Perfect plotting, engrossing, flawed, beautiful characters, a stunner of an ending. Spend your weekend with this one.
On the Road
Stay tuned for my SERVED HIM RIGHT March book tour schedule. But, in the meantime, here are some other exciting events on the horizon.
April 16-19, 2026
Guest of Honor
Hamptons WhoDunit
East Hampton, NY
May 5-9, 2026
Thrillerfest
New York, NY
What I’m thinking about:
This month, my husband Jeff and I celebrate our 25th Wedding Anniversary. He’s the love of my life, my partner in crime, and my very best friend. We went to Spain and truly spent the time to toast each other and our years together, all the highs and lows, and normal days in between.
I am so blessed to be married to this person who is my rock and my playmate, who I want to tell everything first, who gets me, who I get, and who is always there, as I am for him. It’s so easy to take each other for granted after years of living together, co-parenting, co-working. But I don’t. I know I’m the luckiest girl in the world. Thank you, honey, for a quarter century (!!!) of true love. Here are some of the pics from our truly epic anniversary trip:
Meanwhile, I am about to start work on my 25th novel. Next month my daughter turns 20!
I lost my dad this year, so these milestones feel big and important, proof that even in a year that’s been less than wonderful, there are still big moments to celebrate. And that maybe because of the journey of loss and grief, it’s more crucial than ever to be in gratitude for all that is good. It can be easy to narrate everything that’s been painful and define the year that way. But there is joy and beauty, even in difficult times. So that’s where I choose to dwell as the year draws to a close.
And as the holidays approach, I’d like to express my gratitude for you, wonderful readers. Thank you for being with me on this journey. I wouldn’t be here without you. No matter if you celebrate, or how you celebrate in the coming months, please know that I’m thankful for you. Wishing you the happiest of holidays.
Lisa!!!!!!!!!!!!
HOLY COW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Kill Clause was AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congrats on your wedding milestone. Time flies. I cannot wait for your new book to come out. I am rereading The Hallows and can't help wonder if we are ever going back there??????
Hope you get to St. Louis in the future.
Lisa, I just found your wonderful writing by reading Confessions on the 7:45 at the Who Dunnit Mystery Book Club at the Dunedin Libray. Now I'm quickly zipping through your work. I just read Christmas Presents and loved it! I also read Secluded Cabin Six. As a 25 year resident of Pinellas county, I loved the references to our local area! Hope to catch you at your next book signing in the area!