Month: December 2025

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What Kind of Year Has it Been

Kristbethke

A heck of a year, that’s what. The world is a scary place these days for so many reasons. But we all know the state of things, so I won’t rehash that here. Only to say I hope you’re staying safe and using your voice and vote when you can.

What I learned this year is that I would not be as productive without my co-author and partner in crime, Tia. Together we released 3 novels, and on my own, I released a novel and a novella. Not a bad year at all!

First up was Restoring Felix. The third in the Black Dog Inn Series. Felix started out as a side character in the first story, Teague’s best friend, but the instant I put him on the page, Tia and I knew he had a story in him. We were right and this book rounded out the trilogy nicely. (Though there is always the potential for more!)

Tia and I shifted gears, and put on some spurs, to start a new series after that. Blue Creek Ranch was born from an almost throwaway comment, that blossomed into a whole world. With ten siblings in the Harrington family, more than half of whom are some flavor of queer, it was a no brainer. We’re horse people and we loved bringing you Mal and Crew’s story! Take a Chance is the first book.

It was easy to jump right into BCR book 2!. Hawk was screaming in Tia’s head and we dove right in to write his romance with Carter. We knew early on what kind of story this would be with a millionaire and an age gap and a man who loves horses more than people, and despite how much he adores his siblings, needs the quiet too. Earn his Trust was, like all our stories, a labor of love. (And the third story is half written! Look for it in May 2026)

And speaking of labor of love, Operation Date Night Proposal is exactly that. It was time to leave the men of Landry’s Fall behind, a town I created on a whim many years ago and keep revisiting. With other small towns on the go, I knew I wouldn’t be heading back to Landry’s Fall, and I needed to give these guys a proper send off. Revisit all the men of Landry’s Fall and get an update on their continuing HEAs.

And of course, I had to write a holiday story, because they are my favorite. Heading back to Hickory Hollow, we get to follow Tyler and Harris as they find each other and fall in love, among the holiday festivities. Sleigh Bells Ring was not the story I set out to write, but I fell in love with these guys almost instantly. And for those of you keeping track, don’t worry! Next holiday season, we’ll finally find out exactly what is going on with Carrington and Elliott!

So there you have it, my wrapped for the year. All in all, I’m pretty happy with the releases. And look for some other good ones in 2026. I hesitate to commit to too much right at the moment, since we all know things can change on a whim. Mend as Heart Blue Creek Ranch 3 will definitely be out in May. The third Hickory Hollow will be out in December. Other than that…well, I have plans and schemes, and I’m working on things, but bear with me until things are a little more solid. I’ll definitely keep you updated!

Have a joyous new year and may 2026 be our best year yet!

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New Release!

Kristbethke

And just in time for the holiday season!

Some of you may have expected a different couple for this next installment in Hickory Hollow (and if that’s you, don’t worry, they’re coming) but this year, let me introduce you to Harris Emery and Tyler Galloway.

If you haven’t read Home of the Hawley-Daze it’s not necessary to read that one first…but not going to lie, I highly suggest it. Sleigh Bells Ring stands alone just fine, but introduction to the town and Barrett and Morgan first will definitely give you some excellent background. Both Harris and Tyler are mentioned in that book as well, though neither character plays a big part.

So why did they get book 2 instead of someone else (*cough* Elliott and Carrington *cough*)? The simple reason is that Ty and Harris were talking to me and the other two aren’t quite ready yet. (But now that someone else jumped the line, those two are definitely ready for their story to be told.)

Expect all the good feels that you’ve come to love from one of my holiday releases. Instant connection, found family, communication, holiday “magic”, and a whole lot of sweet with heat. This one also has an MC with a chronic illness that’s generally well managed…though everyone who has a chronic illness knows that even if you do everything right, sometimes things go sideways anyway.

So get it here!

Tyler Galloway wasn’t ready to leave the Marine Corps but his body had other ideas. Medical discharge was never in his plans, but with time to kill until he finds his next path in life, Tyler heads to the small town of Hickory Hollow to deliver a sleigh to his old Marine buddy. The last thing he expects is to be charmed by the town and its inhabitants, especially the handsome owner of Wayfair Ranch.
Harris Emery thought he left his hometown in the rearview, but when he learned what his father was doing, he raced back. Now he runs the ranch as an equine sanctuary, with guest cabins and sleigh rides to appease the tourists and supplement his income. Harris still has feelings about Hickory Hollow, but it’s a different place than the one he grew up in.
Tyler and Harris hit it off right from the start, and with Tyler taking some much-needed R and R, he’ll be around for a while. Neither man intends for their time together to last forever. But the more they get to know each other, in and out of bed, the more they are reluctant to say goodbye. It could just be the holiday magic, the step outside of reality. But with Christmas and New Year’s looming, the men need to make a choice. Walking away from each other might be the smarter choice. But if they take the leap and try to make their love last past the holiday season, they might just get the happily ever after they never saw coming.