August Newsletter: Heat, Hurt, and the Hunger for Story
- Tanya Madsen
- Aug 2
- 3 min read
Hello friends,
July came in swinging. Two book fairs, rolling out my ARC for Book Four, and creating the book trailer for this deliciously dark installment in the Somewhere Aching universe. I’m running on caffeine, stubbornness and the faint hope that autumn will save me.
To make things extra dramatic, my air conditioning died for three days during a heat wave. I genuinely thought I might not make it through the weekend. My poor fur babies were melting right along with me, sprawled like tragic Victorian ghosts. Between my full‑time job and this passion project, life has been absurdly busy.
But here’s the truth:
I don’t write these stories for money. I write them because ordinary people, trauma survivors and the underserved deserve representation that reflects their realities. I’m tired of stories about the rich and the privileged with their shiny, consequence‑free lives.
I have a soft spot for survivors of abuse. The Somewhere Aching series follows two trauma‑bonded soulmates who life keeps tearing apart. Their pain shapes them, breaks them and forces them to fight for any scrap of healing they can find.
Alright, enough about me. Let’s get to the good stuff.
📚 Book Four ARC Is Live!
For a limited time, when you sign up for the ARC of A Karma to Kill For, you’ll receive free access to the entire series. I would love to gather a few early reviews before the September release—no pressure, just an invitation.
🎥 Book Trailer Book Four - A Karma to Kill For
In case you missed it, check out my book trailer for book four, A Karma to Kill For. It captures the vibe of this dark romance chapter perfectly—moody, aching, and a little dangerous.
🔮 Zodiac Jewelry Launch
I started making hand‑stamped zodiac jewelry and selling it at book fairs—and it’s been a
huge hit. These pieces will be available in my Shopify store soon. Astrology plays a major role in my stories, and as a Scorpio, I’m drawn to mystery, symbolism and anything that feels a little fated.
📸 Vibrant Book Club August 1 - Book Fair
My book fair went wonderfully. My handmade merch was a hit, and I made some new connections with local authors and excited readers. Thanks to everyone who braved the summer heat to support indie authors!
📝 Favorite July Blog Post
I work hard to maintain a blog and release a new post every Sunday. I give insights into my writing, myself and my somewhat rebellious Gen-X opinions. I post weekly. Join me on social media for updates
Here’s the link to my favorite blog post from July.
💛 Thank You
If you’ve made it to the end of this newsletter, thank you. Being a self‑published author is no small feat, and every bit of support means the world.
Stay cool, dream of autumn, and remember—only three more months until sweater weather.
—Tanya
Quote from A Daughter to Die For
Chapter 12 - Judith
"To her shock and amazement, he didn’t shove her away. Sugar to her spice,
he melted against her mouth like milk chocolate. Judith had kissed a fair number of guys. Nothing like this. His arms balanced her, holding her to him. Lips soft and unhurried, her whole body melted into Zen. Usually, make-out sessions with her quickly evolved into speed sex. This could last forever."
Stay close to the story.
If you want more writing reflections, behind‑the‑scenes notes, early book news, and the quiet thoughts I don’t share anywhere else, join my weekly newsletter. It’s where the real conversations happen — honest, unfiltered, and straight from my writing desk to your inbox.
Subscribe and come a little closer.
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