Hiya Reader,

Sometimes life hands you a story gift.

Out of the blue. Right there in public.

What’s a gal to do but turn around and tell you all about it?

I mean, once I stopped laughing...

My Car Has Better Game Than I Do 🚙

Here’s the deal. A few weeks ago, I was waiting to turn into the gas station when I noticed a guy staring in my direction. Now, I drive a Very Cute Car, so I’m accustomed to people admiring it. But something about that look told me this gentleman had Something to Say. Sure enough, as I pulled up to the pump, he called over: “I really like your car." “Thanks,” I said, still assuming this was a Normal Interaction. “No, really. It puts sexy back in petrochemicals.”

Say what now?

After I picked my jaw off the ground, I thanked him again. Because it isn’t every day you learn your car brought sexy back. (Frankly, I didn’t know petrochemicals had misplaced it...)

And there you have it. My little sky blue Fiat unlocked a Life Achievement I never knew I needed. 🚙💙

The encounter reminded me of a blog post I wrote soon after I got Luigi Lucia and first realized that people weren’t admiring me nearly so much as my adorable Italian ride.

Check out: Hey You! My Eyes Are Up Here!

The Condo Chronicles

I had every hope of showing you photos of my completed built-in this month.

Alas, the project went a little sideways, so we’re regrouping and being SUPER PATIENT about it. Heh.

Anyhoo, the grand reveal has been promoted to August.

In happier renovation news, my rugs are clean, repaired, and should be back on my floors in another week. Don’t get me wrong—I love my new flooring. But there’s something about a good area rug that makes a home feel extra cozy. Plus, huzzah! I splurged for rug pads. Because these days I’m fancy like that.

We’ve Got a Winner!

Thanks to everyone who participated in last month’s camel naming poll!

There was stiff competition, with all five options receiving votes, but it appears our die-hard romantics (or possibly the Beauty and the Beast fans among us) rallied at the last moment to lock in Belle and Beau as the names of my newest camels.

Belle and Beau asked me to extend their gratitude for receiving such pretty handles. (“Can you believe we almost ended up called Yearn and Burn for Eternity?" one of them may have muttered. “Right?” the other possibly whispered back. “That Keely. Sometimes I worry about her…”)

July's Book Jam

A great selection of free books sure to heat up your July...

Her Secret Alien by Susanna Eastman A Heart Bond Book ​ His people are about to annihilate Earth. He'll risk everything to protect her... Get my FREE book!

July Hot and Steamy Romance Reads Searching for your next favorite story? Like small towns, fake relationships, grumpy/sunshine, snowed in, only one bed, shifters, secrets, firefighters and billionaires? You can find them all in this sizzling sellection of free reads! FREE Hot & Steamy Reads for July

In Search Of... A Lazy August

I’m at the Romance Writers of America conference in Albuquerque this week, and when I get home, I have the luxury of something I haven’t enjoyed in a while: no travel plans.

Which means more pool time (even if I melt), and more opportunities to press Romy and Felix’s buttons. Poor fictional people. They really do suffer for our entertainment. (Hehehe. Sorrynotsorry.)

​
If you’re in the southern hemisphere, I mean, have some hot chocolate? Put on a sweater? Or, you know, slip into the pa

Until August, friend. Happy reading!

Ciao for now,

Keely

J. KEELY THRALL
​Enthralling Romance

P.S. The movie featuring the line "It's a mystery!" is Shakespeare in Love, which came out in 1998 and remains one of the few movies I’ve seen three times in a movie theater. The other two are The Breakfast Club (so much delicious 1980s teen angst!) and My Big Fat Greek Wedding (all the smooshy family love vibes).

I’ve hkay, okay. So I couldn't resist sharing one little in-progess photo. It's so close to done! Do you have a story about home renovation -- good or bad? Hit reply and spill the tea!atever reason, these pinged a need in me to rewatch them asap, like it was my job or something. As a storyteller, maybe it is? 🤨

Have you ever obsessed over a movie enough to cough up the ticket price to see it more than once at the movies? Hit reply and let me know!