When you need a more grown-up romance...

Click the button below to read the first five chapters.


Kick Start

“The thing is… I’ll be fine if friendship is what’s best for us.”

“What if you could be better than fine, Kick?”

After my world imploded eight years ago, I fought my way out of the darkness—opened a popular coffeehouse, raised three amazing kids, fixed my health. But, the pains of the past still haunt me.

Then Professor Thomas Harrison walks into my café. He’s six feet of hotness and all kinds of chiseled grumpiness in a suit. When my business is vandalized, Thomas sticks around to give a statement and makes sure I’m safe. He floors me by asking real questions about my life and health, attributing it to his genetic research. Except no one does this. Ever.

Despite our scorching chemistry, I keep him at arm’s length. Thomas makes it clear he’s devoted to his work and something else. Something huge that he’s hiding. Between his mysterious calls and running off at a moment’s notice, it’s clear he has zero time for “extracurricular activities” too.

But also I have secrets and like that he’s not aware of the old me. I only know that when Thomas is around my world makes sense again. He might be the key to helping me start over, but first I have to confront my past.

Kick Start is book one in a slow burn, seasoned, steamy Romance trilogy with all the feels. The story ends with a Happy For Now with an overarching plotline.

Release Date: November 9, 2021

Series: Book One in the Southern Oaks series

Genre: Later in life, Steamy, Contemporary Romance

Tropes: slow burn, friends to lovers, single mother, found family, lonely hero, family saga drama, secret society, light mystery

Possible Sensitive Topics: Autoimmunity, Dealing with loss, Mother/daughter difficulties, Gaslighting


Kick McKenna is a fantastic main character, a realistic character with problems, kids and a busy schedule... One of my favorite book settings is a coffee shop… Kick’s kids are regulars there, the new man in her life makes his appearance there, and a few bad things are starting to happen there. Mix in all that with Kick’s health and it makes for an intriguing read.
So much is going on but at an enjoyable pace. Great read.
— Amazon Reviewer

I felt seen in your book with my own health autoimmune issues and finding a way to feel loved and cherished even with them is a blessing I wasn’t sure would happen for me. I can’t wait to read the sequel.
— J.M.

Music is a big part of the Southern Oaks world (chapter titles are song titles too). I have created public playlists on Spotify for each book. Click the links below to go to the playlist for Kick Start.


To learn more about the rest of the series, click the link below.