Halfway through the year (and almost through the kitchen)

Hey there,

My husband and I are fitting an IKEA kitchen. We are so close to being done that I can almost hear the dishwasher running. Units are leveled, the work surface has been templated and ordered, and in two weeks we will have a fully functioning kitchen with a dishwasher, a proper fridge-freezer, and an osmosis water filter. I know “osmosis filter” sounds like something from a sci-fi novel, but after two years of handwashing every single dish because we literally had no space for a dishwasher, filtered water on tap feels like moving into a palace.

The heat dome I mentioned last week has finally broken, and being back in Ireland’s comfortable 20°C feels like such a reward! My brain works again. The edits are moving. Everything is better when you’re not melting.

Writing Update

The final book in the Spirit Walker series is in edits. I’m deep in the revision stage right now, pulling threads tighter and making sure everything lands the way it should. This is the book that wraps up Adi’s story, and I want to get it right. More news as I have it, but for now: it’s happening, and I’m giving it everything I’ve got.

Haven’t started the series? The first book is free.

Grab Your Free Copy →

Mid-Year Check-In

July 1. Halfway through the year. I’ve spent most of the first half buried in this manuscript, and Q3 is where it all starts to come together. There’s a cover in progress, a release date forming in my head, and a bunch of behind-the-scenes work that’s finally paying off. I’ll share more as soon as I can. For now, just know that the second half of 2026 is going to be a good one.

The Dark Bit

In Celtic lore, the Oak King rules the light half of the year, from the winter solstice to the summer solstice. At midsummer, the Holly King defeats him and takes the throne for the dark half. The days get shorter, the shadows stretch longer, and the old things start to stir.

For those of us who write (and read) paranormal romance, the dark half is when things get good. Consider this the official start of spooky season’s slow approach. The Holly King is here, and he brought friends.

Hit reply and tell me: what’s your second-half-of-the-year goal? Big or small, I want to hear it.

If you enjoyed this, forward it to a friend who loves dark romance!

Until next time, xo Ella

The Spirit Walker Series