Nevis Cave Chronicles: Navigating the Writing Rapids

Triumphs and Tragedies - A Glimpse into my Journey as a Romance Author

I recently finished Taraji P. Henson's captivating memoir, Around the Way Girl. "...all I had to do was be patient, shut out the noise, and stay focused, and joy will come in the morning..." was one line that resonated deeply with me. That poignant statement reflects her resilience and determination in overcoming numerous struggles and obstacles on her journey. Taraji was refreshingly raw, honest, and unapologetic, reminding us that the path to success is rarely smooth or easy.

Her memoir prompted me to reflect on the importance of transparency and authenticity with the fans who help us reach our goals, which is why I want to honestly answer the most asked question in the recent survey: “When will the next book be released?”

Many of you who have been with me since the beginning witnessed the consistent release of books up until around 2016, when Desire's Chase was released. It was during this pivotal year that my life took an unexpected turn.

My beloved older and only sister, a pillar of strength and love throughout my life, fell gravely ill. Despite my desperate desire to be by her side, circumstances dictated that I remained in the U.S. Each day became a battle as I grappled with the guilt and anguish of not being physically present for her. The task of writing Pleasing Mindy became an insurmountable challenge as thoughts of my sister's suffering consumed my every moment.

Tragically, just weeks after my eventual decision to travel to the Caribbean to be by her side, fate intervened with heartbreaking finality. In September of 2017, my sister passed away, leaving behind a chasm of loss that shattered me in ways I could never have imagined. Returning home to bid farewell to my beloved sister was both a solemn duty and a profound honor. As I stood before family and friends, and delivered her eulogy, I found myself enveloped in a bittersweet mixture of grief and gratitude. In those moments, I felt the weight of her absence keenly, yet I was also reminded of the privilege of sharing cherished memories and celebrating her remarkable life.

I returned to the U.S. with a heart still broken, yet determined to finish Pleasing Mindy, knowing that it was what she would want me to do. With each word, I felt her presence guiding me forward.

In July of 2020, amidst my ongoing struggle with my sister’s loss, one of my favorite brothers, who had been battling what his family initially believed to be Alzheimer's for nine years, passed away. The heartache of losing him was compounded by the realities of the pandemic, which prevented me from attending his funeral. Our bond had been deeply rooted, nurtured by shared childhood memories and a mutual passion for literature, and his death, especially so soon after my sister’s, felt like a crushing blow, leaving me once again with overwhelming grief. I felt isolated from the people with whom I truly wanted to be, and alone in my grief. 

Less than two years later, just as I dared to hope for smoother waters ahead, tragedy struck once more in January of 2022 with the passing of two more of my brothers mere hours apart––my oldest and my closest––the latter being the one who encouraged me to pursue my dreams of writing full-time. Both gone overnight. I was in darkness.

Months before their passing, I had decided to go to Nevis to finish Seduced and write the next two books in the Billionaire Island Brides series. However, my need to attend my brothers’ double funeral hastened my departure from the U.S. I put all my belongings into storage and my daughter and I flew home to Nevis to be with my family. And yet, what should have been a time for grieving and healing was overshadowed by unforeseen family conflicts and untruths, intensifying our collective pain and making the loss of my brothers feel infinitely heavier.

Between 2018 and 2022, throughout all of the loss and upheaval, I had been writing––or trying to write Seduced by Passion. But with a mind consumed by grief, the unpredictable nature of the pandemic, and the general instability in my life, it was not going well.

Months after my brothers’ deaths, when I finally sent the first 20 chapters to my editor and confidently announced a release date, I believed the story was well-structured and on track for completion. I felt like I had finally climbed out of the valley. However, a request from my daughter to read what I’d written so far shattered that belief. After reading the first few chapters, she urged me-––no, begged me––to stop writing. The plot lacked coherence, the timelines were askew, the writing was weak, there were inconsistencies from page to page, and crucially, she couldn't grasp the identity of Raph, my hero. 

My characters and my story were a frazzled mess, just like my mind had been while I’d been writing them. My state of mind had seeped into the pages of my book and the overall story. The frustration, confusion, anger, despair––it was all there and getting in the way of Xiomara and Raph. Heck, those painful emotions were getting in my way, too.

My editor at the time had told me that the book was in great shape. She told me that she loved the story and the premise, and her professional opinion made me doubt my daughter. But she was relentless in getting me to see the flaws in my writing. After watching me struggle and witnessing the effects of my complex grief first hand, she, more than anyone, wanted me and my writing career to once again flourish, and she wasn’t afraid to hurt my feelings in the pursuit.

It was very tough love, but in the end, I could see that she was right. So, with tears in my eyes, wondering how I was ever going to get this book finished in time and get my career back on track, I hired a new editor, and we got to work.

For four restless months, she worked with me, side-by-side, to flesh out my characters, revise my plot and timelines, and rewrite entire chapters, and my daughter, a trained researcher, gathered pages of information to help me weave important historical details throughout the book.

My living conditions were far from ideal. Not having a desk or any comfortable place to work in the home where I was staying, I found myself hunched over my bed, enduring back pain as the only alternative to the uncomfortable couch. Adding to the challenge, there was the daily, incessant blare of my neighbor's radio, as if it were positioned right outside my window, a constant distraction.

In the final three weeks before release, determined to make that deadline and not disappoint my fans, and motivated by my daughter and editor, I toiled through the nights, pouring my energy into planning, rewriting, and editing, often pushing myself for up to thirty hours straight, well into the early morning hours. My daughter even pulled several all-nighters with me to help whip Seduced into shape. We cried together, laughed together, and went days without sleep, but I have to say, in those last excruciating weeks, I wrote some of the most beautiful, heartfelt scenes in that book.

Despite our best efforts with Seduced, there were still unfinished plot lines––some that had to be scrapped all together. Remember that storyline about the missing money in Raph’s grandfather’s bank account? Many of you have asked what happened there. 

Honestly, at the time I had no idea. It was one of the holes I didn't get to fix before release, so I just left it in and crossed my fingers, hoping to figure it out before the end of the series. The good news is that I have figured it out, and I’ve planned out a new book around it. I’ll drop a little breadcrumb in Consumed by Desire, but you can expect that complete story in a spin-off novella once the third Billionaire Island Brides book has been released. Think small town romance meets girl on the run…I think you’ll love it.

I was forced to face my grief as I labored over Seduced by Passion, determined to heal my heart and come out on the other side feeling more centered and in-control of my writing. But we all know that the best laid plans often go awry.

Less than two months after the release of Seduced, already three chapters into Consumed, I had to move once again. 

My new temporary home has turned out to be a nightmare––a place where hopes, dreams, and inspiration come to die. We’re on the main road in town with noise from surrounding businesses, the constant yelling of children and adults downstairs, cars blasting music with their bass turned up so high that our books fall off the shelves when they drive by throughout the day and night, and the loud music and drunk patrons from bars every night of the week and into the early morning that prevent me from sleeping––not to mention being interrupted by people knocking on the door looking for the home owner at any given time.

I’m not too proud to admit that in this past year, after everything I had already overcome, in living here, my hope diminished and my faith wavered.

In the first week of this year, another tragedy struck. But this time, instead of allowing it to hold me back from my ultimate goals, it changed something in me. It shook me and lit a fire in my soul. I was grieving, and crying, and desperate, yes, but I was also mad as hell and determined to push through, using whatever means at my disposal.

My daughter, now my steadfast partner in this tumultuous journey, and I convene for a weekly business meeting every Saturday, diligently plotting our course for the week ahead. Each week since we’ve been doing that, there has been something to set us off track: busted plumbing, an unexpected overnight visitor, disconnected wi-fi, an all-night party at the bar next door, a sick pet, a parade route past our doorstep.

But every Saturday morning we sit down and try again.

I know that’s what some of you have to do, as well. A spouse falls ill, a child in trouble, lay-offs, rising food prices, the death of a beloved pet or friend… What can we do but try and try again?

I’ve learned many things about myself throughout this journey, and I want to share some advice that I am still trying to embody…

REST. Be kind to yourself. Be flexible. Meet every challenge with your chest pushed forward and your head held high. Do not lose yourself to your circumstances, and don’t forget how truly powerful you are. As long as there is breath in your lungs, there is still time to achieve your goals––Taraji said that, too.

I am sixty-four years old. Even though I feel much younger, I had to finally admit to myself that I am not as energetic as I once was, and especially in this season of my life, despite my desire to publish multiple books in a year, and the dozens of characters in my head begging me to write their stories, right now, I have to take things one day at a time.

As of this week, I have six chapters left to write in Consumed by Desire. Woo! My editor, the same one who helped me with Seduced, has read the first ten and says she loves them. She adores Neo and the way he loves Calista, and she’s already imagining a handsome billionaire to sweep her off her feet, too. 

She hasn’t come across any major issues thus far, but out of an abundance of caution, I’m going to hold off on announcing a date until she’s further along in her edits. 

My personal losses, the upheavals, distractions, and interruptions I’m experiencing have reverberated through every aspect of my life, profoundly impacting both my personal and creative journeys. In the aftermath of these devastating setbacks, finding the strength and inspiration to continue writing has been an uphill battle. No, it has been a war with many, many battles. I have lost some, but I’ve won some, too. And the fight is not over yet.

I want to express my deep gratitude to each of you for your support and understanding during these last few years. Your patience and encouragement have been a beacon of light during the darkest moments of my life. Please know that your faith in me fuels my determination to write stories that resonate with passion, depth, authenticity, and most of all, love.

I have visions of myself at my own desk again in a comfortable chair and reasonable expectations of privacy and quiet. I dream of sitting at a hilltop cafe, gazing out over the ocean as I write the impassioned make-up scene that brings two destined lovers back together. I dream of leisurely mornings spent savoring a delicious cup of coffee, watching the sun rise, painting the sky with hues of gold and pink. I long for evenings filled with laughter and conversation, surrounded by loved ones under a blanket of stars. I dream of seeing my books on the big screen with seasoned greats like Regina King or Halle Berry and up-and-coming Black actors playing the characters you all love. Couldn’t you see Taraji P. Henson as Claudia or Felicia?

So, when is the next book coming? As soon as it’s ready. That’s the best I can offer at the moment. I ask you to accept that answer with understanding and the knowledge that it won’t be like this forever.