I've always loved beginnings. The slate is clean, the opportunities are endless, and hopes are high. That's probably why starting a new book is one of my favorite things to do, and writing On Holiday, the third book in the Love At The Lake series has been no different. Yes, I'm working on a secret project, too (wink, wink). And yes, Logan and Willow are waiting VERY impatiently for their turn (if you've read Kissing Bandit and Royal Hearts, you know they're going to be epic), but  Lucy and Ben are coming alive on the page, and I couldn't be happier with their story. 

On Holiday is a second-chance romance set during the Spring and focuses on a small-town golden boy and his high school sweetheart who left for the big city to chase her dreams, until they chased her right back home. 

I'm so ready for sunshine, planting seeds, and the new beginnings the spring brings. We've got some winter left to snuggle in, but in my heart, I'm already On Holiday. I hope you love the mood board and quiet hints to the story. Ben, Lucy, and a pig named Teacup will make you giggle and swoon—I promise. 

Love, Margaret 

PS I'm still working on picking a wallpaper and learning to install it myself. I'll try to share my progress in a newsletter soon. I predict a lot of cursing, as I am NOT a patient person!

 Also, one of my best author friends is releasing a winter novella on January 29. You want to read this book, I promise. It's filled with snow and slow, tension-filled moments, a grumpy rancher of few words, and it's the best snowed-in novella I've ever read. Lainey Lawson can do no wrong. If you read, feel free to drop in my DMs and gush about Ledger. I'll never forget him. 

PRE-ORDER WHISKEY WEATHER ON AMAZON HERE

Rolling into 2025 feeling rested and restored... Well, I will be by the time you're reading this. I came down with the flu on Christmas day and have watched every Jane Austen adaptation I can find while in bed for a week. But life never looks as good as it does the day after a triple-threat stomach, chest, and sinus virus finally clears—am I right?!

Speaking of Jane Austen, 2025 will hopefully bring some news on a super secret project I've been dreaming about for a little over a year. After fretting over how to incorporate what the market wants vs. what I want, I'm finally going to write it my way and exactly how I envision it. I hope to share more over the coming months. If you're a fan of Bridgerton, The Spellshop, and Little Women, stay tuned.

More projects in 2025 include On Holiday and Love Bug, the third and fourth books in the Love At The Lake series. If you've enjoyed Kissing Bandit and Royal Hearts, these books are dedicated to you! Wild plots like a reality dating show and unconventional stories like launching an Estate sale business are my favorite ways to write super swoony romance. Thank you so much for supporting the series so far. Creating a fictional world around a beautiful lake with found family and good old-fashioned tomfoolery has been the most fun. I'm looking forward to completing it *hopefully* this year. 

Personal goals include getting on my yoga mat more often, cleaning out my closet, and learning how to wallpaper! How about you? What are your goals and dreams for 2025?

As always, thanks for being here.

love, Margaret 

UNLOCK ROYAL HEARTS BONUS CHAPTERS HERE

Dear Reader,

Thank you for reading Royal Hearts! Enjoy an extended scene from Winter's POV that got cut from the original text, and a spicy bonus chapter, Under The Christmas Tree, from Cat's POV. 

Love, Margaret 

At the front desk, I ring the bell. Darcy pops up in a flutter of papers, pens, and twinkle lights. “Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t see you. Are you ready for your key? I’ll walk you up.”

We make our way up a wide staircase, the wooden treads covered in plaid carpet. My hand glides over an ornate, dark wood banister carved intricately with flora and fauna as we climb, Darcy humming a holiday tune under her breath. 

“Darcy, this is . . .” I trail off, gulping. “There’s a fire!” My fingers glide over a sleek black marble mantle with garlands, a warm fire crackling merrily in the hearth.  It's everything I could have wished for. The holidays are my absolute favorite. Maybe because that’s the only time my parents ever slowed down when we were kids, maybe because of the presents, or maybe because I like cozy socks and warm fires.

 Probably all of the above. 

I have a feeling by the time I wake up tomorrow morning, that giant pine tree will have turned into pure magic. 

And the show will begin.