Writing Update #19: Everywhere You Look... More WIPs

 I am nothing if not unhinged. So let's dive right into what I've been working on since our last writing update. 

Emerald Knights (Reclaiming Wonderland #3) is still in progress. I am hoping to have it done before the end of the year for an April/May 2026 release. In the meantime, Code White: Frosted Wonderland (Reclaiming Wonderland #1.5) is releasing on December 5th, 2025. I had to give the people a little something to tide them over until the final book releases. That's right... Reclaiming Wonderland, my debut series, is almost completed. I think that's part of the reason I've struggled to finish Emerald Knights, once it's done I won't be revisiting the main characters again. Alice, Hatter, March, Caterpillar, and Cheshire have been a part of my life since May 1st, 2017. Their story coming to an end is bittersweet. 

The Austral Witches series has grown even more since my last update. In July, I wrote a prequel novella in 12 days. It released on September 1st. Two Shadowed Hearts also released on August 13th. The next book, Three Little Doves, will be out February 14, 2026. I'm currently working on the fifth book, which I plan to release in May/June (if not earlier) next year. In 2026, I'm planning to write at least two more of the books in that series, though most likely I'll be aiming to write 4. 

For those who don't know, I announced this week that I am doing a co-author project with Allena Scott. This book is still under lock and key, so I can't give too much more information, but trust me it will be in my reader's hands very, very soon. Doing a co-writing project has been an absolute blast. Especially since Allena is just as passionate about her work as I am. Getting together with another author who is always looking to challenge themselves was so refreshing. 

I am also hard at work on my next full length series. The only information I have revealed so far is that it will be called the Mercy Valley Series. I'm hoping to have book one done before the end of this year, so that it can also release between January-July of next year. 

I have two standalone fantasy books that are started. My goal is to publish one of them in the fall of next year, so expect that y'all will be hearing about even more new projects very soon. I sat down recently and realized that between all of my works in progress I have at least 50 books planned. My goal currently is to have at least 20 of them out before I turn 31 in 2029. I beleive we are on track to actually have 25 books out by then. 

I can't tell you all just how thankful I am for everyone that reads my work. Writing has been my primary passion for a very long time. Every reader I talk to, convention I attend, and book I finish is another piece of my dreams coming to reality. I truly cannot express my unending gratitude for the opportunity to share my stories with the world. 

With that bit of sappiness... Taila Out. 

The Impending Nuptials

Warning: The post ahead is extremely emotionally vulnerable. Some of the things I say are more about how I feel than reality. Do not take offense if you are one of my lovely friends. Your efforts to be a part of my life are deeply appreciated. 

 I may be a romance author, but I have never wanted to have a big wedding. I was not one of the teenage girls dreaming of my "big day". For many years, I never wanted to get married at all. Not an unsurprising take from someone whose parents had multiple (not great) marriages. My grandparents were married for nearly 45 years before my grandmother passed away, but I wouldn't say their marriage inspired any desire for the same in me.  Of course, that feeling changed when I met my finace. Unlike me, Tyler grew up in a home with two parents who very clearly loved each other. Having spent quite a bit of time over the years with Andrea and David, it was always very obvious how much the two of them truly did love one another. Because of that, Tyler views marriage and weddings far differently than I do. 

Now here we are, pushing nearly eight years together. Our wedding is planned for October 25, 2025. I wish I could tell you all I was looking forward to it. The truth is... I'm not. When we sat down to discuss exactly what our wedding would look like... Well to say the least, we had diametrically opposed ideas. I wanted a quick and simple ceremony, possibly a courthouse wedding with only our families (or parents) there. Tyler wanted what he'd spent his entire life seeing. Big ceremony, big reception, normal and traditional wedding. Ultimately, we chose to have a ceremony and reception. We have invited maybe forty people. For a traditional wedding that is pretty small. We selected our wedding party, we booked our venue, and we've been to several lunches to work on planning. I purchased my dress (it is beautiful), decor, and more. 

Here's the problem. We are 45 days from finally tying the knot, and I regret everything about what we've planned. I don't want to have a wedding party, I don't want forty people to watch while we say our vows. I don't want to spend another penny on wedding expenses. I just want to be married to my best friend. I don't care about anything else. We could elope today, and I would be over the moon. Is that the beautiful romance that most people dream of? No, I'm sure to most of you reading this I sound absolutely insane. 

The real problem is the glaring reality that no one in my life is as invested or interested in this as I am. Unlike most people, I don't have a mother fawning over the idea of her little girl getting married. I don't have friends that are really excited for me. Now, in all fairness, my mother in law and my maid of honor have done a lot to help. It isn't that there is no support. I can't pretend that that is the case. It just isn't the same. I mean hell, I can't even get my maid of honor and bridesmaid together to try on their dresses and test out makeup. Lord knows, that is more because all of us live extremely busy lives, but it doesn't change my feelings being hurt. It doesn't change the frustration of doing something I never wanted to do without the type of support other people would generally have.

It is the problem with being motherless. Moments like this. Feeling adrift in a sea of grief when I should be overjoyed. It's not often at nearly 27 years old that I still feel that. The wedding has truly brought up some intense remembrance of the grief I have carried my entire life. I have no idea how to even begin to process my true feelings about it all. I know avoidance is never a good choice. So I will push forward, I will force myself to enjoy the wedding regardless. It won't be easy, but in 45 more days, I'll finally be married to my best friend. I never have to do it again.  

I don't care about the wedding. I care about the man I'm marrying. That is the important part. The wedding is just one day, but our marriage is the rest of our lives. It is tying us together in name and in spirit until long after we are dirt in the ground. Hopefully, that'll be enough to get me through all of these complicated emotions. 

And on that especially depressing note... Taila Out.