Welcome Back, Friends!
It's been a while! Here's what I've been up to.
Long time, no see, friends! I’ve been neglecting this newsletter, honestly, since GABRIELA AND HIS GRACE released at the end of August. Shameful, I know. But with the finale of the Luna Sisters behind me, I stepped away to rest creatively and emotionally. After a busy summer and book tour, I spent the fall and holiday season baking, building a beautiful new fireplace with my husband (and by building I mean he did all the work and I offered my very valuable opinions), reading books, and cuddling with those I love most. It was time I needed to refill the well and start 2026 motivated and refreshed.
I’m also starting this new year with new book news, including a cover reveal! Now if you follow me on socials, this is old news, but what better way to start 2026 than to share the GORGEOUS cover for my contemporary debut MUTUAL DISCORD!
A girl’s girl influencer gets a serious reality check when she discovers she’s fallen for her best friend’s boyfriend in this forbidden friends-to-lovers romance.
Sofia Mendoza has had enough. She’s done watching male co-workers steal credit for her talent, and now she’s going to do something about it. No one knows she’s the brains behind a popular video series highlighting and celebrating women in history who’ve been erased from their own inventions and discoveries. Her family and friends still think she has a successful corporate job and if they discover she is supporting herself by creating social media content, they’d be stunned.
Keeping her online persona a secret is lonely, but when she sparks a virtual friendship with an anonymous follower—A—first in her comment section with his insightful perspective, then in their private video chats, where he proves to be witty and catfish level good looking, the chemistry between them ignites.
But when her old friend, Caitlin, arrives for a visit, Sofia’s lies threaten to unravel. A is Alex Castillo, her best friend’s boyfriend. Alex doesn’t reveal that he knows her, and Sofia realizes he may be keeping secrets, too. With their friendship now in real life, can they keep their attraction in check?
Are you catching the telenovela vibes? While writing the book, I reached a part where I realized I had to take the story in a certain direction that I knew would upset some readers. Truthfully, it upset me, too! It was the first moment in my author career where I knew I had to do something to make the story stronger, but making that choice could possibly alienate some readers. It was a chance I was willing to take, and when you finally get to read MUTUAL DISCORD, I hope you understand why. I’m guessing Sofia and Alex’s story will be available on Netgalley for early readers soon, so you’ll have to tell me what you think! Until then, you can preorder MUTUAL DISCORD NOW and add it to your Goodreads shelf! And if you enjoy looking at inspiration boards, check out the one I created for Sofia and Alex on Pinterest!
Stay tuned for more sneak peeks and historical figures mentioned in the book in the months to come!
I want to take a moment to chat about GABRIELA AND HIS GRACE, which has now been out for five months! Saying goodbye to the Luna Sisters was bittersweet and I’m so proud of every book, so it was incredibly satisfying to finish the series with GABRIELA hitting the USA Today bestsellers list TWICE, first at number 31 and months later (on Christmas Eve!) at number 95. Gabby and Sebastian’s book was also tapped as one of Library Journal’s Best Romances of 2025 and the editors at The Everygirl named GABRIELA one of their favorite books of 2025. I’m so, so happy for all the love that the youngest Luna Sister received and thank you so much for making the Luna Sisters such a success—I’ll be forever grateful!
I recently took a quick trip to Orlando to join a group of fantastic authors and loyal readers for the inaugural Scandals & Swoons Fest, which was a weekend-long celebration of historical romance. Authors and readers alike chatted about our favorite historical romances and contemplated what’s in store for us during the fourth season of Bridgerton. The second Swoons Fest has been announced for January 2027, and if you’re wondering if you should attend, allow me to say YES, YOU SHOULD!
If you’re hoping to connect with me in the coming months, you can find me at two local events. The first is a Romance Author Crawl at the Barnes and Noble in Chandler on Sunday, February 22nd from noon to 4PM. I will be signing books along with authors Sara Bailey, Vivian Mae, Ava Hunter, and my beloved, Neely Tubati Alexander. I hope you come join us!
And one of my favorite events of the year happens on March 14th and 15th: the Tucson Festival of Books! Held every year on the campus of my alma mater, the University of Arizona, TFOB offers an array of interesting author panels, live music and performances, a children’s area, food, and so much more. I’m honored to be a featured author this year and will be appearing on several panels, and I’ll make sure to share those details in next month’s edition. And did I mention that admission to TFOB is free?! If you can make it to Tucson in March, you don’t want to miss the Tucson Festival of Books!
My Latest Recommendations
In between the writing, traveling, and life in general, I’ve been reading and watching plenty! (But I’m always looking for more — if you’ve been obsessed with something lately, tell me all about it in the comments!)
First of all, a big shout out to Julia Quinn’s Historical Romance Kickstarter: JQEditions. How beautiful are these?! I will absolutely be backing this project!
What I’m Reading:
The Magic of Untamed Hearts by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland - the soft, romantic conclusion to the Wild Magic series featuring youngest sister, Sky, the witch of wild creatures!
Sparks Fly by Zakiya Jamal - This dual POV begins with the protagonists meeting in a sex club, where she’s looking to lose her virginity. His brother is her boss! ¡Escandalo!
The Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox by Katrina Kwan - what happens when a demon hunter casts a demon fox into hell…but the demon fox drags the hunter down with her? And they have to work together to escape? Fast paced action, snappy banter, and delicious tension happens!
A Fine Line by Penelope Guinn - think Parks and Rec meets Business Casual, in which two small town campaign managers go head to head…while also getting steamy in the sheets.
What I’m Watching:
The Pitt Season 2 - I think I speak for a lot of Pitt fans when I say, what is Dr. Al-Hashimi’s deal?! I can’t wait to see how her storyline unfolds!
Heated Rivalry - so romantic! So freaking hot!
Let’s Be a Good Neighbor
As I’m sure you know, our country has been in upheaval as DHS and ICE continues its assault on civil liberties in various cities throughout the US. Standing up for our neighbors can feel insurmountable in times like these, but it’s important to remember that we don’t have to do everything to make a difference. Jane Rodriguez at the New Romantics Bookstore shared this on Threads, and I loved how it is laid out.
What tangible, realistic steps can you take to be a good neighbor? Because being a good neighbor, standing up for each other and taking care of each other, is how we’ll survive and, eventually, thrive. If you would like resources to help people on the ground in Minnesota, visit Stand with Minnesota.
There are also two current fundraisers for Minnesota events that have recently been organized by publishing folks. The first is Romance for Minnesota, which is benehitting the Immigrant Rapid Response Fund, and Publishing for Minnesota, that’s raising funds for various on the ground organizations in Minnesota.
I’ll be back soon with more updates, more book news, and a brand-new series of deep dives into historical figures that appear in MUTUAL DISCORD that I think you’ll really enjoy. Until then!
Love, Liana
The cover is so gorgeous!!!!