For those who follow my Instagram, you know that I had to take a bit of a hiatus from writing. It was a difficult decision as I had a new book series coming out that I was super pumped about, but lots of things happened. You know, life. And I wasn’t in a great headspace. My mental acuity was shot, I was suffering from depression and terrible anxiety, and just didn’t know how to deal.

So I decided to take a break. To walk away from writing. I was scared that I wasn’t going to be able to come back. Or that I wouldn’t get the love of writing back.

But after taking the time I needed, I can safely say that I did! I got the love of writing back and I gained a few new qualities as well!

I’m in a MUCH better place. I’ve learned what my triggers are, what makes me unhappy, and I’ve defeated that monster lurking in my brain telling me I wasn’t good enough.

I spent the last three years or so working on my mental strength. I read books I’d been putting off reading, I cleared clutter from the house that I’d been procrastinating doing, and best of all, I discovered Korean dramas!

I binged K-dramas like it was my job, and loved every second. They are THAT good! (Soon I’ll do a blog post on my Top 10 favs!) I love the storytelling, the quirky characters, and the emotion between not only the hero/heroine, but among their family and friends as well.

I hadn’t realized it at the time, but I was so immersed in these dramas (laughing, smiling and crying) that it started to make something in the far reaches of my brain long to craft my own story to feel those same emotions again.

I waited to see if it was just a quick fix. Like a small fleeting desire that would come and go. But the more dramas I watched, the stronger my longing became.

So I decided to take a chance. I poured myself into a new story.

I drafted THE BUSINESS DEAL in less than a month (which is astounding since I used to average about 6 months to write 1 book). But this one seemed like it was just in my brain, waiting to be told. Like the dramas I watched on TV, this story spilled out onto the page fully fleshed out.

And I LOVE it. It has so much humor and fun, but it’s also emotional. And of course, lots of swoon-worthy moments too.

The blurb for THE BUSINESS DEAL:

Scott Jenks, despite being a foster home dropout and all-around loner, has experienced massive success with his social media company in the US. All that’s left is to expand overseas, and with the help of Wellington Media Partners, he has a shot at a wealthy investor to take him there. But Mr. Tanaka's offer comes with strings: Scott must prove he’s more than a single guy with a single focus. He must value family above all else. To prove it, Scott must, at the very least, have a wife.

Enter Julia Wellington-Walker. Widow with absolutely zero desire to ever marry again and single mother to a pair of feisty, over-protective, and genius twins. Her focus is on her kids and her family’s media company. Except she’s the least business-minded one in the boardroom, and she refuses to be the reason her father’s legacy goes down in flames. So when WMP stands to gain huge clients in both Scott Jenks and Mr. Tanaka, she leaps at the opportunity. Plus, if she pretends to be Mrs. Jenks, Scott promises to teach her the ins and outs of business. Perfect. But she has a few conditions: her kids won’t take part in the charade, there will be no kissing or touching, and this can’t go further than one dinner.

Insert her twins and their smart mouths. A slip up here, a few more lies there, and before they know it, Scott and Julia are on vacation together playing the happy couple—with the Tanaka family hijacking their entire agenda. And the small fib they thought they got away with has turned into something too real. Which shouldn’t be a big deal, if only Julia’s twins weren’t dead-set on making Scott’s life a living hell.

I’m a twin!

Most people don’t know that I, myself, am a twin. We’re identical. So being able to incorporate that element into one of my stories has been a wish of mine for awhile. But I knew it had to be the right fit and enhance the story in some way. Well, I can safely say this story definitely fits that requirement. Bernie and his twin sister, Bernadette, are two of my most favorite characters I’ve ever written. And the shit Bernie puts Scott through is priceless. I can’t wait for you to experience it as well!

In the meantime, until I have news on when/where you can read THE BUSINESS DEAL, just know that I’m back! And I can’t wait to reconnect with you all. I love you and I really appreciate you allowing me take the break I needed to come back rested and stronger than ever. You won’t regret it. Promise.

xoxo,
Christina