SUMMER WRITING FUN
An update from my writing corner
I hope you’re having a fabulous start to the summer. This is my second Hannah Mary McKinnon (thrillers) / Holly Cassidy (romantic-comedies) newsletter combo but my first via Substack. I hope it works and that you enjoy the short read.
Hannah Mary / Holly x
THE REVENGE LIST IS OUT!
…and became an instant Canadian bestseller! Thank you for continuing to make my author dreams come true. This is my seventh novel, and if you haven’t yet discovered why Frankie Morgan wrote a forgiveness list that included her own name as an anger management group therapy exercise, or how it became a revenge list, you can learn more and pick up a copy HERE.
THE CHRISTMAS WAGER RELEASES SEPTEMBER 26!
My return to romantic-comedies is happening on September 26 when THE CHRISTMAS WAGER publishes via Putnam / Penguin Random House under the pseudonym Holly Cassidy. I’m incredibly excited to introduce you to real-estate hot-shot Bella, who’s trying to buy hunky electrician Jesse’s grandfather’s store Always Noelle…but that won’t happen without a fight as they end up competing in the Maple Falls annual Holiday Games (organized by the seniors club the Merryatrics) with hilarious results. Oh, and there’s a dog called Buddy, a Belgian Shepherd inspired by my childhood pet. Find out more and pre-order your cosy Christmas read HERE.
WHAT AM I WORKING ON?
Two things!
My 2024 thriller (as yet untitled): How far would you go for fame? After a fatal car accident, one of the members of the up-and-coming all-female pop rock group the Bittersweet decides the band may now be worth more dead than alive. Think Daisy Jones & The Six meets Ruth Ware’s One by One. I even wrote some song lyrics! Heavily influenced by all kinds of music from the 70-00s, I can’t wait for you to meet my protagonist, drummer Vienna Taylor.
My 2024 holiday romantic-comedy (as yet untitled): When all Callie wants for Christmas is hibernation, and she insists she can’t go home for the holidays because her ex-boyfriend will be next door with his new partner, Callie’s sister intervenes with a homemade “give’n’get” Advent Calendar, sending Callie on a journey of self-discovery and providing her with an unexpected shot at love. I used to make “give’n’get” calendars for our three sons and used that tradition as inspiration for this feel-good novel.
Covers and release dates coming soon! I’m already looking forward to sharing them.
BOOKS I DEVOURED AND WHY YOU SHOULD, TOO
All The Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby
A gritty, dark, and twisted thriller set in Charon County, Virginia. The protagonist, Sheriff Titus Crowne faces off against a psychopathic serial killer who seems to know the town and its inhabitants as well as Titus does. Titus will stop at nothing to catch the killer…if he can figure out who’s behind the gruesome murders fast enough. This page-turner is off-the-charts fantastic.
“The body count is high and the action pretty much nonstop. . . A crackling good police procedural. . . Cosby delivers a fine climax. Then, in an epilogue, he serves up a final treat that’s worth the whole trip. . . Fresh and exhilarating.” ―New York Times Book Review, Stephen King
Wonderland by Jennifer Hiller
This thriller (not horror) largely takes place at an amusement park called Wonderland in the town of Seaside, Pacific Northwest. Vanessa Castro, the brand-new deputy police chief, has to not only deal with a corpse inside the tiny town’s main tourist attraction but also a missing teenage employee. But is it only one…? Jenny’s books are brilliant, and this one is no exception.
“You better call in sick, because you’re not going anywhere until you finish reading it. Oh, and you might want to lock the door, too. Just to be safe.” ― Jeffrey Deaver, New York Times bestselling author
The Dead Husband by Carter Wilson.
When Rose’s husband tragically dies, she returns to her small, affluent hometown, where an unspeakable tragedy took place twenty years prior. Rose now has to deal with losing her husband, her domineering father, and her unstable sister. But what really happened to her husband, and why did she abruptly leave town two decades ago? I love Carter’s voice and the psychological mind-games just keep coming.
"Wilson unveils each revelation of some new betrayal with surgical precision en route to a bittersweet finale. A harrowing reminder that you really can’t go home again." ― Kirkus Reviews
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren:
I’m late to the party but this is a hilarious enemies-to-lovers story featuring Olive (who’s unlucky in just about everything) and Ethan (Olive’s sworn enemy and her brother-in-law’s best man) who are gifted an all-expenses-paid honeymoon in Hawaii after the bride and groom come down with food poisoning. The catch? Olive and Ethan must pretend to be newlyweds. What could possibly go wrong?
“Heartfelt and funny, this enemies-to-lovers romance shows that the best things in life are all-inclusive and nontransferable as well as free.” ― Kirkus Reviews
PLACES I’VE BEEN, PEOPLE I’VE SEEN
Switzerland!
Ahh…back in the mountains at last. It was our first family trip home (I grew up in Interlaken and lived in Switzerland for 35 years before coming to Canada) and I absolutely loved it. The weather was not on our side - it rained almost every day for 2 weeks - but we saw family, friends, and familiar places. I can’t wait to return to my favorite place on earth.
Photos: Giessbach, Avenches, Bern, Thun
ThrillerFest, New York City!
My first ever ThrillerFest and my first in-person conference in the USA since 2019. I had such a blast catching up with friends and making new ones. I returned inspired and ready to work on my next books. My authorly heart is full :-)
Photos: Jennifer Hillier & me, S.A. Cosby & me, Wanda Morris & me, me goofing around
DISCOVER NEW BOOKS IN A UNIQUE WAY
First Chapter Fun is the place where my partner in fictional crime, the amazing Hank Phillippi Ryan and I read the first chapter of a different book every Tuesday at12.30pm ET on Facebook (request to join) and Instagram. We have book giveaways almost every week and the featured authors interact with viewers in the comments during the shows. Have you tuned in yet?
That’s all this time. I’ll keep this short just in case I’ve messed up Substack!
Thanks for reading!
Hannah Mary McKinnon / Holly Cassidy xo
Another fun newsletter, Hannah! Can't wait for the Christmas story!
Hello from a new subscriber. Everything sounds fascinating, and even gives me two ideas for future newsletters: What goes into a give-and-get Advent calendar, and what can come out? Also, the pictures of Switzerland brought up a question: Have you ever been angry enough with a character to take him to the Reichenbach Falls? (It's been done, I know -- I can recite swathes of it -- but I still wonder.)