Hey Love Letter Collectors 💌,

October was filled with the kind of moments that made me stop, smile, and wonder how this dream of mine has grown into something so much bigger than I ever imagined.

As the leaves changed and the year began winding down, I found myself reflecting on just how much has happened in 2026. The books I've released, the readers I've met, the opportunities that have come my way, and the community we've continued to build together. Some days, I still have to remind myself that this is really my life.

And October certainly gave me a few more reasons to celebrate. But what has meant the most is knowing that I get to share all of these moments with you. 

Welcome to the Hollyridge Christmas Collection!

Beginning November 20, we'll be releasing a brand-new Christmas romance every Friday for five consecutive weeks.

Mark your calendars!

• November 20, 2026- Heart on Ice by L.B. Gaines 
• November 27, 2026- Cabin Fever by B. Nicole Anderson 
• December 4, 2026- Snowstorm Kisses by Kayaa B.
• December 11, 2026- Finding our Miracle by Aisha Bushra 
• December 18, 2026- A Love Worth Saving by B. Knox

About Heart on Ice 

This story introduces you to Charity-Nova Evans, a woman who spent years reinventing herself after leaving her small hometown behind.

After losing 150 pounds, building a successful fitness empire in Los Angeles, and creating a life that looks picture-perfect from the outside, Charity has convinced herself that the girl she used to be is someone best left in the past.

But when her father's accident brings her back to Hollyridge just days before Christmas, she's forced to confront the memories, insecurities, and people she thought she'd outgrown.

Including Israel Black, her childhood best friend, who never forgot the girl everyone used to call Supernova.

Between holiday traditions, small-town gossip, ice skating, Christmas caroling, and a once-in-a-decade snowstorm, Charity may discover that the greatest gift she can give herself is permission to be loved exactly as she is.

Heart On Ice is a story about friendship, healing, rediscovering yourself, and realizing that you were always worthy of love.

Hollyridge for the Holidays: A Christmas Brunch!

And because five Christmas romances simply weren't enough, we decided to bring a little bit of Hollyridge into the real world! The Hollyridge Christmas Collection authors are hosting Hollyridge for the Holidays, an intimate author and reader Christmas brunch in Washington, DC!

Imagine spending an afternoon surrounded by your favorite authors, fellow romance readers, delicious food, holiday cheer, and plenty of conversations about the stories we love. We're creating an experience that feels warm, festive, and personal.

Don't wait until we're sold out to decide you want to spend the holidays in Hollyridge with us. Washington, DC, I hope you're ready for us! 🎄

Collateral Love Is Coming to Audio!

We're heading back to Crestwood, and this time, Zay and YaYa are taking over your headphones!

I'm so excited to share that Collateral Love, Book Two in the Crestwood Chronicles, officially releases on audio November 10, 2026, through Podium Audio!

And the best part? Tony Isabella and Harper Wilde are BACK! After bringing Xavier and Chanel's story to life in Bulletproof Love, this incredibly talented narration duo is returning to give Zayden and Kenya the same unforgettable treatment.

If you've already read Collateral Love, then you know that Zay and YaYa's story is not an easy one. Their love is complicated. Their emotions run deep. Their history is messy. And sometimes, the very people we love the most are the ones who challenge us in ways we never expected. I already know they're going to bring something special to these characters.

🎧 Release Date: November 10, 2026

The Loriani Family Is Going Audio!

Love Letter Collectors, I have another announcement that I'm incredibly excited to share!

City of Scammers Parts One and Two have officially been picked up for audio by Dreamscape! Yes, you read that correctly! The Loriani family is coming to your headphones!

When I first started writing City of Scammers, I knew I wanted to create a world filled with powerful families, complicated loyalties, dangerous secrets, and characters who weren't afraid to get their hands dirty.

And if you've already met the Lorianis, you know that this family does not play about their business.

From Luciana and Valentina to the men who find themselves tangled in their world, there is no shortage of deception, power struggles, and complicated relationships.

But can we talk about the fact that we're finally going to hear Don Raffi come to life?!

Because that alone has me counting down the days! I'm incredibly grateful to Dreamscape for seeing the potential in this story and giving the Loriani family another opportunity to make their mark.

What I've Been Reading

October's reading list took me on quite the journey!

Between romance, suspense, and characters who had absolutely no business making the decisions they made, my reading life was anything but boring this month. And that's exactly how I like it!

Here's what I had my nose in this October:

• The Side of Beautiful by Tiye
• Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma
• Dr. Bell by M. Monique
• Craving a Thug's Love by Asia Monique
• Addicted by A. Sherelle
• Saturation by Sage Bloom Cloud
• Tension by Sage Bloom Cloud
• The Falcon by Isabella Maldonado

One of my favorite things about being an author is that I never stop being a reader.

I still get excited about discovering new characters, falling into fictional worlds, and finding books that make me forget about everything else I should probably be doing.

Now tell me, Love Letter Collectors, what was your favorite read of October?

I'm always looking for another book to add to my never-ending TBR!

A Nomination That Means So Much 🤎

Love Letter Collectors, I have another reason to celebrate this month!

I'm incredibly honored to share that I've been nominated for the Black Fiction University Support Indie Scholarship!

As an independent author, this recognition means more to me than I can fully put into words. When I began this journey, I simply wanted to tell stories that centered Black love, complicated relationships, second chances, and characters who felt like people we might actually know. I wanted to write books that made readers feel something. Stories that entertained, challenged, comforted, and reminded us that our experiences deserve to exist on the page. To have that work recognized by an organization dedicated to supporting independent Black authors is such an incredible honor. 

Thank you to Black Fiction University for seeing my work and considering me for this opportunity. And thank you to every reader who continues to champion my stories and remind me that there is room for my voice in this industry.

Miss May Has Entered the Chat!

Your girl is officially Miss May! 🥹

I'm so excited and honored to be featured as the May author in the Forty5 by Jordanaé 2027 Black Romance Calendar!

The calendar celebrates 12 incredible Black romance authors through beautiful original portraits, and being selected to represent May is such a special moment for me. There's something beautiful about seeing Black romance authors celebrated beyond the pages of our books. We're not just creating stories. We're building communities, preserving experiences, and contributing to a literary space that deserves to be recognized and celebrated.

To be included alongside other talented authors in a project dedicated to uplifting Black romance is something I don't take lightly. A huge thank you to Forty5 by Jordanaé for including me in this beautiful project and for creating something that celebrates the authors behind the love stories we cherish.

Books on the Ground, Houston!

Well, Love Letter Collectors, we've officially made it to my final author event of the year!

Books on the Ground is happening November 6–7 in Houston, Texas, and I am so excited!

After a year filled with book signings, reader meetups, author conversations, and so many unforgettable experiences, it feels a little surreal knowing that we're preparing to close out my 2026 event season.

This year has taken me into rooms I once only dreamed about being in. I've met readers who traveled to see me, connected with authors whose work I've admired, and had conversations that reminded me how powerful our literary community truly is. And now, I get to do it one more time before the year ends.

October reminded me that sometimes the most beautiful part of chasing a dream isn't reaching the next milestone. It's realizing how many people have chosen to walk alongside you while you get there. When I think about everything that's happened this year, I can't help but feel overwhelmed with gratitude.

This month brought so many blessings but beyond the announcements and accomplishments, it's the smaller moments that stay with me.

The reader who sends me a message after finishing a book.

The person who recommends one of my stories in a Facebook group.

The Love Letter Collector who has been here since the beginning and still gets excited about every new release.

The person who joins Patreon or Substack because they want to be a little closer to the creative process.

The readers who celebrate my wins as though they're their own.

Those are the moments that remind me why I keep going.

Thank you for supporting my independent releases, celebrating my traditional publishing opportunities, and continuing to encourage me as I explore new genres and tell new stories. Most importantly, thank you for reminding me that there is room for the stories I want to tell.

With Love 💋,

L.B. Gaines

Romance That Hits Like 90s R&B

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