Hello my lovelies,

January slipped by quietly—and loudly—at the same time. One of those months where not everything is visible on the surface, but beneath it all, things are shifting, sharpening, and lining up for what’s coming next.

I spent a lot of January deep in the world of Death in the Shadows, and the closer we get to release, the more electric it feels. This book pushed me in ways I didn’t expect—emotionally, creatively, and yes, sometimes uncomfortably. Walking that razor-thin line between Dark Romance and too dark is never easy, and January had moments where I had to step back, reassess, and trust my instincts. The darkness has to matter. It has to serve the story. And I’m proud of where this book is landing.

January was also my first full winter month here in Hope, Idaho—and I am still baffled. It’s cold. Properly cold. Frosty mornings, frozen breath, steel-gray skies… but no snow. None. Everyone warned me there’d be a lot of it, so I keep waiting like it’s going to surprise us overnight. Winter isn’t done yet, so I’m staying suspicious.

Life in the RV continues to be equal parts cozy and chaotic. Three cats who believe keyboards are beds, Strider who thinks he’s the head of security, and Gary and me learning to live small while dreaming big. Our search for our forever home is still underway—slow, deliberate, and sometimes frustrating—but it’s ongoing, and that matters. We’ll find it when it’s right.

One of January’s unexpected highlights was discovering Hydra Steakhouse in Sandpoint, ID. Incredible food. Rich, indulgent, and absolutely worth the trip. It’s officially on our “yes, we’re going back” list.

Creatively, January also reignited my love of building soundtracks for my books. Music is such a huge part of how I write—how I feel

scenes, tension, emotion—and I’ve been having a blast pulling together playlists. I’ll be sharing those soon on my YouTube channel, so if you love dark vibes and story-driven music, keep an eye on @Author_KerrieBiehl.

Looking ahead to February… things are getting busy in the best way.

I’m actively working on a brand-new series, The Iron Howl MC, inspired by Northern Idaho itself—the forests, the lake, the heavy quiet between towns. It’s also fueled by my brother Larry’s lifelong love of motorcycles and the real-life MCs I see riding Highway 200 in tight formation,

leather jackets and patches flashing as they thunder past. That image lodged itself in my brain and refused to leave. This series is gritty, grounded, and dangerous—and it ties into the larger world I’ve already built. The South Beach Crew universe is expanding, and the war between factions is no longer contained to one city or one coast. It’s spreading.

On a more practical note, January taught me (again) how important focus is. Noise-canceling headphones that fully cover the ears have become essential—comfortable, immersive, and a clear signal to Gary that I’m “in the Zone.” I’ve also been making small but meaningful health changes by prepping snack packs ahead of time—veggies with dip, meat and cheeses—so when I’m writing for hours, I’m not reaching for chips out of exhaustion. It’s not glamorous, but it works.

As February begins, I’m feeling focused, motivated, and quietly fired up. Big stories are coming. Dark ones. Emotional ones. The kind that don’t let go easily.

If you’d like to follow along more closely—behind-the-scenes writing life, playlists, projects, and occasional chaos—you can find me on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and more. I’d love to have you there.

Thank you for being here, for reading, and for walking into the shadows with me.

More soon, Kerrie