Happy Monday! I’ve highjacked IHL today, but does it really count as a crime if it’s my website? Since it is Monday, it’s hurting my head too much to ponder that.

Before I jump into today’s post, I want to let you know about the giveaway to celebrate the release of Holly & Ivy. Two winners will receive $50 Amazon gift cards and a signed paperback of the holiday romance.

An Unexpected Result of Starting IHL

Today, I want to share a behind-the-scenes happening after I launched I Heart Lesfic back in 2017. I’ve discussed in interviews and on podcasts my reasoning for starting the website. The simple and short answer: to network with fellow lesfic authors.

What I didn’t expect was to find a childhood friend I’d lost touch with over the last three decades. I kinda feel old now…

How you ask?

Well, Miranda and I hit it off over email when I first reached out, and we started communicating on a regular basis. In one email, she made a comment, and I instantly thought only people from my hometown would know about that.

So, I asked, “Hey, where did you grow up?”

Like most Californians, she responded by saying SoCal. I dug a little deeper.

After a few more email exchanges, we realized we were in the same class way back in the sixth grade. If you ask me, I say we were ten at the time. If you ask Miranda, she says eleven. Or is it twelve? I should note, I’m terrible with numbers, so you may want to believe her. Also, I’m extremely stubborn, so I’ll keep saying we were ten. Side note, if I ever give you directions, always go the opposite direction no matter how adamant I am. Miranda will back me up about not having any sense of direction because she’s experienced this firsthand on more than one occasion in two different countries now. I’m consistent like that.

Over the past several years, our reestablished friendship has been a true blessing. It’s amazing to have a friend in your corner who knew you during the awkward preteen years and who doesn’t remind you about wearing white tube socks up to your knees and super short shorts. What was up with that trend? No, I won’t share any photos. I have some pride. Not much but enough.

Now that we’ve released Holly & Ivy, our holiday romance, I’d like to say publicly, “Thank you, Miranda, for being such a great friend, and I’ll never tell anyone you wore a pearl necklace in your sixth-grade photo.” Whoops. You see, this is why Miranda is special. Not once has she outed my fashion faux pas, of which there are many, even to this day. Purple and orange go together like peanut butter and jelly.

GIVEAWAY

To celebrate the release of Holly & Ivy, we’ve set up a giveaway. Two winners will receive a signed paperback and a $50 Amazon Gift Card.

When Holly and Ivy meet, sparks fly, but it’s hardly smooth sailing. After their one-night stand ends in disaster, both decide they’d rather spend the cold months ahead sleeping alone. However, it soon becomes undeniable that each woman possesses something the other needs. Working together, they just might get what they want and find the love of a lifetime along the way, but only if their own insecurities and secrets don’t destroy them first.

Best-selling lesbian romance authors T.B. Markinson and Miranda MacLeod bring lesfic readers a holiday romance that’ll warm your heart this festive season. Grab your copy of the standalone romance novel that will make you believe love conquers all.

MEET THE AUTHORS

Originally from southern California, Miranda MacLeod now lives in New England and writes heartfelt romances and romantic comedies featuring witty and charmingly flawed women that you’ll want to marry. Or just grab a coffee with, if that’s more your thing.

Before becoming a writer, she spent way too many years in graduate school, worked in professional theater and film, and held temp jobs in just about every office building in downtown Boston.

CONNECT WITH MIRANDA MACLEOD

Facebook / Website

TB Markinson is an American who’s recently returned to the US after a seven-year stint in the UK and Ireland. When she isn’t writing, she’s traveling the world, watching sports on the telly, visiting pubs in New England, or reading. Not necessarily in that order.

Her novels have hit Amazon bestseller lists for lesbian fiction and lesbian romance.

She cohosts the Lesbians Who Write Podcast with Clare Lydon. TB also runs I Heart Lesfic, a place for authors and fans of lesfic to come together to celebrate lesbian fiction.

CONNECT WITH TB MARKINSON

Twitter / Website / Lesbians Who Write Podcast

Thanks so much for stopping by today.