August 2026

The Last of Our Wounded Heroes

Lots of exciting writing news this month. Finn and Madison’s story is done, and I’m really happy with it. August has given me a chance to get things back on track. After a year of lengthy house renovations, elopements and celebrations, the arrival of a grandson, and research trips, things are finally humming along as they normally do.

There is something special about Finn and Madison’s story, and it was a really difficult one to write, but it’s now done, and I’m really pleased with the end result. We’ll see what the outcome of the alpha read is to judge whether my pleasure with it is justified.

I’ve also been working on something unintended. With a small amount of time in my writing schedule, I’ve decided to write the novel that follows Milby Plains Magic. It will be part of a separate trilogy, and I’ll leave those details until later in the year, but I’m twenty-five per cent done writing the first draft, and loving it.

Last month we had a look at Madison who is bold and decisive, and persistent in her quest to show Finn how she felt about him. This month it is Finn’s turn. Finn is the quintessential boy next door. He’s loved Madison for as long as he can remember.

The theme of this book is summed up in the phrase: ‘Love is like war; easy to begin and very hard to stop.’ Finn has hit the crunch point where he either needs to let Madison know how he feels, or accept there’s no chance and move on. His feelings are deep, though, and he realises moving on may not be so easy.

He’s considerate and caring, and incredibly protective of Madison. He’s also a man of integrity, and when he could trample all over his own principles to have what he wants, he doesn’t. He remains resolute and a respecter or boundaries.

Finn is an amazing man, but he also has a deep wound he hasn’t revealed to anybody except Euan. I sincerely hope you’ll enjoy the layers of Finn’s character as much as I have.

Read Chapter One

tropes

Fake Dating

Friends to Lovers

Wounded Hero

spice level

This one gets a 3-chilli spice rating

He’s loved her from the sidelines…

For years, Finn has watched Madison from the other side of the fence through childhood scraped knees, teenage heartbreaks, and every moment in between. 

When a photo of their  New Year’s Eve kiss ends up in the newspaper, agreeing to a fake relationship seems like the easiest way to keep the peace.  But somewhere between stolen glances and pretend touches, the line between make-believe and real begins to blur, and Madison realises her feelings may be anything but fake. 

Then an accident changes everything. 

With Madison fighting for her life, Finn is left with nothing but the weight of words he never said. Because the cruelest thing about ‘almost’ isn’t the distance, it’s knowing exactly how close you were.

Has Finn left it too late to tell Madison how he feels?

September will be all about preparing Milby Plains Mistaken for publication. I’m almost there. I want to give it one final read, and check a couple of things, but I’m excited to release it.

I will also keep writing away on the book that follows Madison and Finn’s. Sometimes supporting characters deserve their own happily-ever-after.

Until next month, take care.

L. x

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