I don’t know why I’m doing this to myself. But…here it is, the book that paralyzed me for 5+ years. At the peak of Burnout, basking in my success as a self-published author, I launched Star Valley, a cowboy version of Burnout. I was so confident, so assured of its success that I did crazy things. I bought Kindle e-readers to giveaway at its launch. I spent tens of thousands of dollars on advertising. I even bought all the covers up front and put them on Goodreads, so sure I was that this series would be as well received as Burnout.
Oh…sweet summer child.
Star Valley flopped so spectacularly that I gave up writing romance and I switched to writing horror under another pen name.
But recently my husband asked me to publish something, anything, ASAP. I think he just needed to feel that I was “trying,” you know? It doesn’t matter if it sells. It only matters that I published. So, I went through all my unfinished manuscripts, of which, surprisingly, there are MANY. So, so many. Twister was the closest to being done, having almost 50K words when I officially gave up on it more than 5 years ago. So, I fired it up, dusted it off, and finally finished it.
It’s not great. It’s not even close to my best work. But sometimes writing “The End” is the most important thing, you know? Sometimes “The End” gets you over the hump. Sometimes “The End” is all you need.
Available Tuesday January 18, 2022.
Mary Sharif says
January 25, 2022 at 3:14 pmI don’t know what you mean I love Star Valley. You are a gifted writer that I truly miss. Chin up and keep doing your fantastic writing!
Shannon says
January 27, 2022 at 12:02 amI was sure surprised to see this, I hit buy immediately, I thought “Dahlia West” retired. Your books are constant re-reads for me, comfort food for my brain and soul. Thank you for hitting publish.
Cynthia says
January 28, 2022 at 9:03 amI also love your books!! I am so happy to see this new book. Preacher is my at least 3 times a year re-read for me. Thank you.
Margaux says
January 28, 2022 at 2:22 pmI really enjoyed Star Valley, and was sorry to see you retire! Can’t imagine the pressure you were under. You are one of my go to authors, is it possible to get your pen name for horror? So excited to get the alert for this one final!
All the best!
Tina says
January 28, 2022 at 2:31 pmI found you on Scribd, and went looking for the rest of your books. I was stunned to find you’d retired in the midst of my favorite series.
Thank you, so very much, for returning to this series and romance. Love is messy and joyous and you capture its nuances so well.
Cathy says
January 28, 2022 at 4:03 pmSo happy to see a new book. Kudos to your husband for encouraging you. Looking forward to more books from you. Remember that not everything has to be perfect or an amazing success.
Leanne says
January 28, 2022 at 11:51 pmExcited you’re back!
You have always been one of my favourite authors and I’m so glad I get to enjoy your books again.
Angie says
February 3, 2022 at 6:36 pmI have enjoyed all your book series. Thanks for Twitter! Can we look forward to maybe one day seeing Walker and Dakota’s story?
Danielle says
February 8, 2022 at 1:10 pmI’ve enjoyed all your series and I for one am glad you are back. Twister was awesome and I look forward to your next endeavors.
P.S. tell you husband I said Thank you.
Jennifer G. says
February 14, 2022 at 7:00 pmI was THRILLED to see you’re back! I’ve read and reread the Burnout series at least twenty times. I have enjoyed all of your other books as well – rereading them also. I anxiously await the other Moon Lake books… Please!!!! You are among my top favorite authors.
Alyssa says
February 22, 2022 at 3:55 pmAfter reading the Burnout series, I loved getting in to the Star Valley series and was sad to hear about your retirement. I was so excited to see Twister pop up in new releases and immediate 1-clicked! Thank you Dahlia for continuing the series.
xoxo
Dee says
March 16, 2022 at 11:38 pmI discovered your books a few days before you posted your retirement message and was so disappointed! But, I kept an amazon follow on the off-chance that you’d start writing again. When I clicked on the page and saw you had a new book, it really made my night!
You’re a great author who can make characters just seem so real. Thank you for coming back!
Jordan Marie says
July 22, 2022 at 10:20 pmOmg you’re back! I’ve missed you so much! I’d love to talk with you again! Wishing you all the success in the world. Let me know if I can help.
Dahlia West says
July 30, 2022 at 4:28 pmThanks! Not getting a lot of writing done lately because we just got a kitten! She is now in charge of the entire house and she likes to pounce on my keyboard whenever I type. Or write with a pen. Or use utensils. I’m pretty much just a hostage at this point, honestly. She seems mostly friendly, though. Will ask her about her plans for World Domination later.