romance

Holiday Highlight: Breaking Her Enforcer by Amber Daulton

Posted on by Chelsey M. Ortega

If you’ve been following Amber’s guest posts on my blog, you know that she is consistently adding to her Lozano Cartel series. And the newest Lozano Cartel title comes out next week on October 6, 2026! It’s called Breaking Her Enforcer, and has a unique twist on a beloved holiday: Christmas. I have interviewed Amber on the holiday aspect of the story, which you can read below.

1. What holiday does your story highlight?

Breaking Her Enforcer takes place in December with Christmas quickly approaching. Marisol and Ángel are moving through their lives with signs of the holiday all around them. From the Christmas trees, garland, and nativity sets to the bouncy music and some scrumptious dishes that made my stomach growl when I writing those scenes, Christmas is in full swing. The holiday culminates in the final chapters, when both Marisol and Ángel confront their families and their pasts. So while this is absolutely a dark stalker romance, the holiday season provides the emotional backdrop.

2. What inspired you to choose that holiday when you were writing your story?

I had several emotional themes in mind when I was coming up with the plot, which include: family, loss, forgiveness, second chances, and coming home. These themes are often featured in Christmas movies and books, though Breaking Her Enforcer is definitely NOT meant for the Hallmark crowd. Plus, the last book in the series (Corrupting His Wife) took place in October, so the possible timeline to set this one at Christmas was too good to pass up. For Marisol, Christmas has traditionally been a time when her brother Raul came home to celebrate with her. This year is going to be completely different. For Ángel, Christmas represents home in a different way. He’s been estranged from his parents for years, and the holiday gives him a reason—and an emotional push—to finally return and try to make amends

3. How do your characters celebrate Christmas? What’s similar or different for the average reader?

My characters celebrate Christmas in many ways that will feel familiar to readers. Their homes and workplaces are decorated with Christmas trees, ornaments, wreaths, lights, and other holiday decorations. Ángel’s family also has a strong religious tradition, including attending Mass and gathering with their extended family for a large Christmas Eve dinner. Food plays an important role in their celebration, with homemade dishes, desserts, and leftovers shared among family members.


What may feel different for some readers is the Mexican setting and the way cultural and Catholic traditions shape the holiday. Christmas is very much a family-centered occasion for these characters, but their celebrations also take place within the darker world of the cartel. That creates an unusual contrast between the warmth and familiarity of Christmas and the violence and danger surrounding the characters. For example, during one confrontation in Marisol’s home, Bruno knocks over a crucifix and kicks it into her lit Christmas tree, breaking several ornaments. So while readers may recognize many of the traditions—the decorations, food, religious observances, family gatherings, and gift-giving—their experience of Christmas is complicated by the dangers and emotional turmoil that come with living in the cartel world.

4. How does the holiday play into the overall plot?

Christmas becomes an emotional deadline for my protagonists. For Marisol, she has to learn to let go of the past. For Ángel, he has to learn that it’s time to go home. And that mirrors their romance perfectly. They both spend Christmas dealing with family wounds and growing as people, as well as deciding on what kind of family and future they want to create together.

5. Anything else you’d like to share?

The next book in the Lozano Cartel series is Her Twisted Bodyguard, which follows Carlota Lozano and Tajo Aguilar. Fans have been hungry for Carlota’s story for a while! Carlota is a cartel princess trapped in an unhappy marriage to Manuel, a ruthless capo. Tajo is her husband’s estranged half-brother, and he’s willing to use Carlota to get revenge. Neither expected that they would have to work together to stay alive. Her Twisted Bodyguard will be live in May 2027.

Amber Daulton writes raw, edgy romantic suspense and dark cartel romance featuring high stakes, deep
passion, and defiant hearts. She’s the author of the Lozano Cartel, Arresting Onyx, Embracing You, and
Ramseys in Time series, as well as a rich catalog of standalone novellas. Her books are available
worldwide in digital, print, and select audio formats.
From her home base in North Carolina, she builds dangerous criminal underworlds and maps out
fierce, second-chance love stories alongside her supportive husband and her demanding feline writing
assistant, Zita.

Amber Daulton is the author of the Lozano Cartel, the Arresting Onyx, the Embracing You, and the
Ramseys in Time series, as well as several standalone novellas. Her books are available in ebook and
print on demand while select titles are in audio and foreign language formats.
She lives in North Carolina, USA, with her husband and demanding cats. Connect with her and purchase her books on her website: https://amberdaulton.com

A drive-by shooting lands him in the hospital. And in the arms of temptation.
Cartel enforcer Ángel Rascón knows he should stay away from the woman who saved his life. Marisol
is a sensual blend of fire and innocence, irresistible to his inner beast. She’s also the little sister of a
man now on the run from the cartel—Ángel’s friend and former partner. Getting involved with her
could destroy everything he’s worked for, but when she’s threatened, it’s game on.
Physical therapist Marisol Cruz knows Ángel is dangerous, yet he’s always there. Watching. Waiting.
Wanting. After her brother’s enemies track her down, Ángel appoints himself her protector with every
intoxicating kiss.
Ángel will have to risk his position—and his life—to keep her safe. But Marisol faces the most
devastating choice of all. Loving her stubborn enforcer may mean losing her brother forever.


– Book 3.5 in the dark romance series, the Lozano Cartel. All the books can be read as a standalone,
but are part of an interconnected series.
– Scenes featuring gang violence and suicide may be uncomfortable for some readers.
– No cheating. HEA guaranteed!

Ángel latched the squeaky iron gate behind him and crept across Marisol’s darkened front yard.
The soothing droll of crickets masked the sound of his footsteps while the overgrown trees, shrubs, and
cacti at the far property line shielded him from any nosy neighbors. Not that she had any in this quiet,
working-class neighborhood on the city’s outskirts. As he braced himself against the side of her house,
the rough stucco scraped his jacket and the back of his head as it always did. Yellow light poured from
the living room window in horizontal beams as though to expose him.


Fuck that. He wasn’t an amateur.


Faint music seeped from inside the house.


He smirked, willing to bet his bank account that Marisol was streaming reruns of her favorite
telenovela. Desperate for a glimpse of her, he pressed closer toward the glass pane and peered through
the slatted blinds.


Inside, Marisol was bundled under a thick red-and-green checkered quilt on the sofa and cheered like a love-struck teenager over something that happened on the TV.


Damn right. He knew his woman well. From the high-stakes story lines to the nineteenth-
century period costumes, Las Sombras del Imperio had found its way into countless living rooms
across the country. Including his own.


After the program ended, Marisol turned off the television and grabbed her dinner plate and
glass.


He darted around the house and ducked under a mesquite branch in the side yard. The crisp
breeze rustled through the leafy branches, swept back his hair, and chilled his skin. Gritting his teeth,
he huddled deeper into his denim jacket. His thick, cable-knit shirt caught against the hard ridge over
his collarbone, irritating the taut skin. A deep, metallic chill radiated from the inside out, numbing the
fracture site with a dull ache. He yanked the collar away from his neck and cursed.


Light now streamed out from the kitchen window.


As the rambunctious mutt next door yapped at something stirring in the bushes, Marisol peered
out the glass into the darkness. Fine lines crimped her face.


Ángel slunk deeper into the shadowy foliage. Once she focused on washing the dishes, he
swiped a branch out of his way and rolled his tight, sore shoulders. A low grunt tore from his mouth.
Distant laughter rang out, disrupting the tranquility of the night.


He tsked, shaking his head. The university-aged kids who lived in that dingy house at the end of
the street were partying again. It was only Thursday, for fuck’s sake. Sighing, he pinched the bridge of
his nose. As if he had any room to judge. At twenty-eight years old, he’d surely partied harder than
those guys down the block could imagine.


He pulled his phone from his jeans back pocket and checked his notifications. Nothing from
Raul. Or Muniz. What the hell was going on with them? He slid the cell back in.
A crash echoed from the other side of the house.


Ángel jerked upright.


Marisol flung her dish towel aside and raced out of the kitchen.


“Mierda,” Ángel dashed back around the house and snatched his gun from his hip holster. His
pulse thundered in his ears. Icy dread slashed through his stomach.


The front door hung open.


“Get out!” Marisol shouted from inside. Something shattered. “Get out of my house!”

New Release: Indigo by Karen Hulene Bartell

Posted on by Chelsey M. Ortega

I had the honor of being an ARC reader for Indigo by Karen Hulene Bartell. Let me tell you, this book earned its 5 stars. Indigo starts off with the popular being-left-at-the-altar beginning; and then it goes in a completely different direction. With perfect timing, our main character Raluca learns that she has inherited a cabin from a deceased aunt she didn’t know existed. While attempting to clean the place up in order to sell it, Raluca uncovers family secrets, curses, and diseases. Intertwined with these investigations is the brewing of a new relationship that can mend her broken heart.

I loved that the paranormal aspect of the story focused on windigos. In a world of vampires, werewolves, and dragons, I thought this was a wonderfully unique choice for the monster. Karen also really leaned into the suspense in a way that I enjoyed. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a story that made me read with the lights on. The non-romantic parts of the plot stood well on their own. I didn’t feel anxious to get back to the romance like I have experienced with other stories. All around, this was a great read, and I highly recommend it.

In addition to my review, I have interviewed Karen, so let’s give her the floor!

Can you introduce your story, world, and characters?

Starting over after a broken engagement, Raluca Olson inherits a Northwoods cabin from a mysterious relative. Bloodcurdling shrieks, hanging trees, and stories of hellhounds make the log cabin inhospitable, but then she meets Dylan McCoombs. The attraction is immediate and mutual as he answers questions about her Grand Aunt Winny. He also shares the Anishinaabe legend about windigos. Some believe they’re spirits that inhabit people. Others say they’re simply morality tales for children about social taboos like cannibalism or incest, but psychiatrists define the concept as a culture-bound syndrome.

Raluca wants to flip the cabin quickly and resume her life in Chicago. But realtors contend that the rustic cabin needs an overhaul, and she is short on funds. Dylan helps her renovate, and as they spend time together, the magnetism evolves into a relationship.

During renovations, she discovers a diary and scrapbook that offer clues about her aunt, the area’s founding family, and a “certain family member” that never left. Gradually, she learns she’s related to the Marchands and “all the Marchand women are carriers, but the men bear the family curse.”

What is the family curse? The diary reveals that the family suffers from hemophilia and porphyria. But the journal suggests that a third inherited trait is passed from one generation to the next…something evil…

Because porphyria leads to anemia and causes acute light sensitivity, sufferers are pale, which is why porphyria inspired vampire stories. Another symptom of porphyria is excessive facial hair, which caused the disease’s association with werewolves. When the European settlers’ folklore collided with the Anishinaabe legend of the windigo, the Marchand myth was born.

Is a windigo an unclean spirit, a morality tale, or a culture-bound syndrome? Is that what’s leaving gutted animals on her doorstep?

Grappling with bloodthirsty prowlers, unscrupulous realtors, and neurotic neighbors isn’t challenging enough. Just when Raluca relearns to trust her instincts in a new relationship, her blindsiding ex arrives with an engagement ring and an attitude.

How does this HEA unfold? Raluca must solve an eight-generation mystery of family dysfunction, as well as deal with greed, murders, meth labs, and forest fires to marry the man she loves. Then, just as she discovers marital bliss, a package is delivered.

That sounds like a lot of twists and turns! What inspired this story?

Three years ago, we moved into a new neighborhood, where I’d walk my dog past a nearby cemetery. Each day,  I’d see more elements for a story that was slowly developing: a “devil’s chair;” a creaky, hanging sign; a bare patch with just a footstone, a “hanging tree;” swerve marks on the road beside the cemetery; a mailwoman who chewed and spit; and a neighbor whose family suffered from hemophilia and who swore some of the events (that I ultimately wrote about in Indigo) actually happened to her in another cemetery. Elements of truth embellished with an overactive imagination is how Indigo came to be.

I love how much of our lives make their way into our stories. Can you give  us a brief look at your writing process. Are you a plotter or pantser? How much time did you spend on this project? What is your writing schedule like?

I’m definitely a pantser – although I did plan Indigo a tad with a story arc, and it took about 18 months to write. I try to write every day, but sometimes it’s 350 words, and other days, when I’m on a roll, it can be 4-5,000 words.

Who are you outside of writing?


I’m a Master Naturalist, a Master Gardener, and a member of the Native Plant Society of Texas, so it seems I’m always outside – gardening, kayaking, hiking, or helping with the various projects, plant sales, and flotillas. I walk our dog Tory every day, and my husband and I sing in the church choir every Sunday.

Meet Karen and her latest book, Indigo.

The author of 29 published books and Indigo (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/249818067), Karen Hulene Bartell was born to rolling-stone parents who moved annually. Her earliest playmates were fictional friends in books. Paperbacks became her portable pals. Ghost stories kept her up at night–reading feverishly. Novels offered an imaginative escape, and she began her first novel at nine, learning the joys of creating her own HEAs. Professor emeritus of the University of Texas at Austin, she lives in the Texas Piney Woods with her husband and *mews*–three rescued cats and a rescued CATahoula Leopard dog.

Reeling after her fiancé dumps her, Raluca Olson inherits a rustic cabin from an unknown relative. Eerie incidents and rumors of a mythical windigo alarm her, but she’s determined to learn the truth about her dysfunctional family before she flips the property.

Despite unscrupulous realtors, bloodthirsty prowlers, and a devious ex, her life improves with a rescued puppy, and passion ignites when she meets Dylan McCoombs, but…

What does a demonic half-beast share with a psychosis and porphyria? Are monsters born or formed? Nature or nurture? Is a windigo spirit genetic? More importantly, does she carry the gene?

Stay up to date with Karen at www.KarenHuleneBartell.com/

New Release: Twice in a Lifetime Series by Jana Richards

Posted on by Chelsey M. Ortega

Today’s guest author has not one, but three new books to talk about. Her Twice in a Lifetime series released in March of this year. Please welcome Jana Richards.

Hi, I’m romance writer Jana Richards, and my latest releases are the three books in the Twice in a Lifetime time-travel romance series. Gabriel Daniels finds himself in a waiting room next door to Heaven after being involved in a car wreck. In order to earn his wings and a place in Heaven he must help three mortals get a second chance at love. Senior angel Thomas will act as Gabriel’s guide and mentor on this journey. And if he’s successful, he’ll be allowed to watch over the people he loved back on Earth.

There’s a catch: Gabriel must examine events of his own life before reaching Heaven. Thomas argues he won’t be ready to accept the perfection of his angelic life until he recognizes and accepts the mistakes he made in his mortal life, especially his mistakes with love. Gabriel isn’t happy about having to relive painful events, but since it’s the only way he can help his family, he agrees. 

And then they’re off. In I’LL BE SEEING YOU, Thomas and Gabriel’s first challenge is to take World War Two veteran Frank back to 1944 to help him correct the biggest mistake he made with love. In NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE, Gabriel takes Joanna back to the 1970s and convinces her to help the fiancé she broke up with when she became paraplegic. In the final book, WHEN I WAS YOUR MAN, Gabriel takes his client Sam back in time ten years to convince him to marry the woman he jilted at the altar. As his clients learn and grow and make new decisions, Gabriel faces his own past and begins to see his mortal life differently. 

What Inspired the Series

I’ve been inspired by World War Two stories most of my life, since my father was a WW2 veteran. I am drawn to stories of romances hastened by the danger of war. I’m especially fascinated by romances between men and women from different countries who never would have met if they hadn’t been thrown together by war.

When I first began writing what eventually became I’LL BE SEEING YOU, I never thought of the book as part of a series. I wrote Frank, the World War Two veteran, as the main character and everything was told from his point of view. But then I began to think that a more interesting perspective might come from Gabriel, the angel. What was his story? How did he end up becoming an angel? Writing from Gabriel’s point of view also gave me the opportunity to create a series in different time periods. So, I sketched out a very brief outline of what a series of three books would look like. And then I set those ideas aside till I could get back to them. I didn’t know it would take almost ten years to do so. In between I wrote several other books, but I always had the Twice in a Lifetime series in the back of my mind, waiting patiently for its time to shine.

Bringing the Series to Life

Finally in early 2024, I had the opportunity to delve back into this series. I started with an unfinished manuscript that I had to rework, and two paragraphs outlining the next two books. It took a lot of work, but finally in March 2026, the Twice in a Lifetime series was released. 

Since I self-published this series, I had several additional tasks, aside from the writing. Of course, every writer needs to work with a good editor. There were two rounds of professional editing for each book. Then I consulted with a cover artist to get the feeling I wanted to achieve with these books. After that I formatted the interior of the books for both paperback and ebook formats, and finally uploaded them to retailers. 

Self-publishing is definitely not for the faint of heart. It’s a lot of work. But it is also very rewarding, especially for someone like me who’s a bit of a control freak when it comes to my work. 

My Writing Process

I admit my writing process can be somewhat chaotic. My desk ends up littered with multiple pieces of scrap paper with scribbled notes about plot points and character traits. I’m sort of organized in that I always begin by writing an outline of the main plot of a story so that I have a place to start, and something to refer back to when I get stuck. It’s my way of telling myself the story. But the outline isn’t written in stone. If some new, better ideas occur to me as I’m writing, I’ll follow them if they make the story better. I consider myself a cross between a plotter and a pantster. 

When I’m in the thick of a writing project, I try to work at it consistently, at least five days a week. It’s the only way I know to get the work done and to stay in the flow of the story.

Outside of Writing

I retired from my day job as bookkeeper/admin assistant in December 2021 so now I can write almost full-time. But I leave time for other things, like family, especially my three-year-old granddaughter. I also spend summers volunteering at my local zoo, which I enjoy very much. And somewhere in between I try to make time for exercise and a social life!

Thanks for having me on your blog, Chelsey!

As a former history teacher, this series sounds intriguing! I also love a good WWII story as that’s the era of my great-grandparents romance as well. Here is some more information about Jana and her writing:

Jana Richards has tried her hand at many writing projects over the years, from magazine articles and short stories to full-length contemporary romance, paranormal suspense and romantic comedy. She loves to create characters with a sense of humor, but also a serious side. She believes there’s nothing more interesting than peeling back the layers of a character to see what makes them tick.

When not writing up a storm or dealing with dust bunnies, Jana can be found pursuing hobbies such as golf (which she plays very badly) or reading (which she does much better). 

Jana lives in Western Canada with her husband Warren and a senior cat named Layla. You can reach her through her website at https://www.janarichards.com

My Top 5 Reads of 2025

Posted on by Chelsey M. Ortega

Okay, it’s technically my top 8 reads of 2025, but 4 of them are in the same series, so I’m reviewing them together. 

I read 41 books this year – 2 more than my goodreads goal! 5 (8) of them I loved so much, I need to share them with you.

Remember When We by Khardine Gray. 

Khardine Gray also writes under the name Faith Summers. Whether she’s writing as Khardine or Faith, her series are all mafia romances. Remember When We is my absolute favorite of hers. It’s the third installment of her Gangster and Dolls series. It’s a second chance romance with the older brother’s best friend and secret baby tropes weaved into the plot. Lyssa and Gio haven’t seen each other in almost a decade. The death of Lyssa’s brother, Gio’s best friend tore them apart. Now they’re back in each other’s lives, and Lyssa owes money to the wrong man. Gio must not only win back her heart, but also save her from dangerous men who want to harm her.

Khardine/Faith write very spicy love scenes, and most of her MMCs are morally grey and very alpha-like. Several of her stories cross the line for me; but knowing that she has stories like Remember When We keeps me reading her stuff.

Queen Charlotte by Julia Quinn and Shonda Rhimes

Unlike the other Bridgerton stories, Queen Charlotte the book was released after Queen Charlotte the limited Netflix series. But like most film-book comparisons, the book is better! What I love about reading is that we get to experience the characters’ emotions in their heads. On screen, we guess what they’re feeling by their body language and tone of voice. Like the mini-series, Queen Charlotte follows Charlotte and George’s early days as newlyweds, Brimsley and Reynolds’ relationship, and Lady Danbury’s fight to keep her children’s rightful status after her husband dies. The book also gets a couple of scenes that aren’t in the show. My guess is they are scenes that either got deleted from final edits, or were never filmed due to time. And finally, Brimsley and Reynolds’ love story is so much better in the book. I didn’t like their story in the show. I thought Reynolds was toxic and verbally abusive. In the book, Brimsley calls Reynsolds out on this unequal behavior, and Reynolds changes for the better by the end of the book.

I’m all for Julia Quinn and Shonda Rhimes continuing to give side characters their own story. 

The Rokesby Series by Julia Quinn

  • Because of Miss Bridgerton
  • The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband
  • The Other Miss Bridgerton
  • First Comes Scandal

These four books are considered the Bridgerton Prequels. The MMCs of each book are a son in the Rokesby family – the family whose countryside property is next to the Bridgerton’s Aubrey Hall. And three of the FMCs are a Bridgerton girl; either a sister or cousin to Edmund Bridgerton (Violet’s husband and father to the eight main Bridgertons). I argue that these four books are better than the original eight Bridgerton books. But I’m sure it’s because Julia Quinn started with the Bridgerton books, and simply improved her plot creativity and writing skills as she wrote and published more. Let’s dive in to a brief summary of each:

Because of Miss Bridgerton is about the oldest Rokesby, George, and the oldest Bridgerton Billie (Sibylla). They think they hate each other, but their mothers know better and hook them up with an elaborate scheme of dinner parties and visiting London.

The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband takes us to the colonies on the North American continent during the American Revolution. Edward, the second oldest Rokesby is serving the King in his Majesty’s army. Cecilia has traveled to the colonies to find her injured brother, who happens to be Edward’s best friend. In order to get the answers she seeks, Cecilia needs the Rokesby name, and pretends to be married to Edward.

The Other Miss Bridgerton is about the third Rokesby, Andrew, and a Bridgerton cousin, Poppy. Andrew is a ship captain. His ship participates in some legit business and some pirate-level business. Poppy gets kidnapped by some of his crew, and he has to take care of her while they make an important and deadline-driven journey to Portugal. 

First Comes Scandal is about the youngest Rokesby, Nicholas, and the youngest Bridgerton Georgie (Georgiana). Georgie’s reputation has been compromised by a malicious young man who wanted to force her to marry him. Nicholas’ father asks him to marry her in order to save her from a life of spinsterhood and a soiled reputation. Their love story begins after their marriage. 

In usual Julia Quinn fashion, these four stories are full of witty women, temperamental men, and comedy. I love her writing, and this is my favorite series of hers (so far).    

Romney: A Reckoning by McKay Coppins

I didn’t know who Mitt Romney was before he became a real contender in the 2012 Republican primaries. Part of that is because I was too young to vote or care before then, and part because I took a political science class during that time, so of course my professor used class time to closely follow the campaigns. Over the years, I have grown to greatly respect Mitt Romney, especially during his time as a Senator representing Utah. Reading this biography that covers both his personal and political life was very enlightening, and I like him even more now. Mitt Romney always tries to do what he thinks is right, even when others disagree with and disparage him. I think he’s a great role model for future politicians. 

Zalis by Nancey Cummings

Nancey Cummings writes science fiction romances, and her longest running series is the Warlord Brides/Warriors of Sangrin series. Zalis is the 13th installment in that series (16th, if you count the three side stories, which I do). It popped up on my “Because you read…” recommendations on my kindle, and I bought it right away and started reading immediately. Zalis is an alien warrior, his species is called Mahdfel, and he is of the Sangrin line. He meets his human mate when he rescues her in a group of kidnapped human women to be sold on the sentient being trafficking market. Gemma does not want to go back to earth, so she accepts a match with Zalis in order to stay near her twin sister. What will start as a marriage of convenience, has the chance to bud into love. I love Nancy Cummings’ writing. She is creative in her world building. She develops humorous and witty characters. Most authors cannot continue a series for this long and keep it entertaining with readers still wanting more. But I do want more, and her acknowledgements at the end of Zalis do promise more in due time!

What were your favorite books that you read in 2025? Share them in the comments!

New Release: Lost in His Spiderwebs

Posted on by Chelsey M. Ortega

I’m excited to have Amber Daulton back on the blog. Her latest book, Lost in His Spiderwebs released today. And the title is perfect for an October release. Here’s Amber.

Lost in His Spiderwebs is the second book in the Lozano Cartel series, where we dive into the lives of Rubén Lozano and Drina Cabrera in a dark, second-chance romance neither one of them saw coming.

Rubén is not someone you want to cross. A cold, calculating cartel kingpin, he’s willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals. Flip the coin and you got Drina—a widowed mother who’s raising her daughter alone while struggling to keep the darkness of her own mother’s anti-cartel resistance group out of their lives. These two couldn’t be more different. But when Drina’s world falls apart, she finds herself entangled in a dangerous cartel web, with none other than Rubén as her unlikely savior. The twist? He’s the man she’d loved and left long ago.

As for my inspiration… Well, that’s a bit of a story in itself.

Rubén and Drina were introduced as secondary characters in book 1, Dark Hearts Aflame. From the moment Rubén showed up on the page, I knew he deserved his own story, but at first, I couldn’t figure out who his heroine would be. After playing around with a few ideas and scrapping them, inspiration finally struck—Drina! She was the perfect fit for him. I’ve always loved the “opposites attract” trope, so I started plotting their story with her as his love interest. But something just didn’t feel right. At this point, Rubén and Drina were complete strangers when they meet in Chapter One, and that bothered me. There wasn’t enough depth or chemistry between them to make the story truly compelling.

I spent weeks, literally weeks, brainstorming how to make this connection feel real. And then, it hit me. Second-chance romance! Another favorite trope. What if Rubén and Drina had a past? What if they were once lovers, and he’s the father of her daughter, though he doesn’t know it? Once that idea clicked into place, I had everything I needed to take the story in a fresh direction.

I’m a plotter, and I like to outline chapter by chapter. I use pen, paper, and colored pencils, but sometimes I plot in a Word doc. I try to follow my notes exactly, but more often than not, the characters take control and steer my story in another direction. Beyond the initial plot issues, Rubén and Drina were pretty well-behaved. I didn’t have to get into a lot of arguments with them or force them to follow my painstakingly plotted outline, as I’ve had to do with other characters in other stories. It’s always a relief when my H/h play ball.

Who am I outside of writing, you might ask? I’m not sure I know. Writing is my life. As soon as I wake up in the morning, I’m on my laptop, researching, editing, or writing something fresh. When I’m brain dead from that, I like reading, hiking, binge watching my favorite TV shows, digging in my herb beds, and playing with my cats. Though, usually, I’m writing with a cat snuggled up beside me, so I’m always spending time with the furballs. I’m married to a supportive man who loves cooking (lucky me!), though I can’t get him to sweep the floor to save my life. Haha!

Today is the release day for Lost in His Spiderwebs, and I’m super excited. It’s my 20th published work to date. That’s right. The big 2-0! I’m already working on the next book, Corrupting His Wife, which is currently in the draft phase. The Lozano Cartel series will span several standalone novels, so be sure to subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on social media to stay updated. In the meantime, add Lost in His Spiderwebs to your reading list. You don’t want to miss it!

Amber Daulton is the author of the Lozano Cartel, the Arresting Onyx, the Embracing You, and the
Ramseys in Time series, as well as several standalone novellas. Her books are available in ebook, print
on demand, audio, and foreign language formats. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and demanding cats. Follow Amber at https://linktr.ee/AmberDaulton

Kidnapped by the enemy. Bought by the jefe. Will his smoldering touch thaw her frozen heart?
Rubén Lozano, the new leader of the Lozano Cartel, craves peace amidst a legacy of bloodshed and
death. He never expected to find his ex-lover, Drina Cabrera, in the clutches of his vicious rivals. Her
haunted eyes compel him to rescue her, but freeing her is another matter.
After five months of captivity, Drina trades one captor for another. Though she succumbs to Rubén’s
masterful touch, the bittersweet memory of her daughter and the life she was stolen from is a constant
wedge between them.
When Rubén’s darkest secret comes out, he will have to wash his hands in crimson. Will Drina let her
king face the danger alone, or stand at his side as his cartel queen?